Ageha

Ageha (朱刃, Red Blade^?) is a character of Shinobi (2002). She is a kunoichi, who was member of the Oboro Clan. After Moritsune was killed by Hotsuma she went rogue and betrayed the Oboro Ninja Clan to Hiruko in order to bring Moritsune back to life.

Ageha was once Hotsuma's friend. She fell in love with his brother early on in life, so she never understood how Hotsuma cared for her. When Moritsune was killed by Hotsuma, she was devastated, and unable to forgive the Oboro for forcing the brothers to fight, or Hotsuma for killing him, she abandons the clan and goes rogue. Her judgment clouded by loss, grief, rage, and revenge, she seeks a way to restore her beloved back to the world of the living.

History

Past

A tomboyish young girl of the Oboro clan village, Ageha was a childhood friend of Hotsuma and Moritsune. When they were children they would often play together. Raised under her foster father and mentor, the clan's elder chief Kobushi, her childhood seemed ideal. There were very few kunoichi in the Oboro who didn't long for Moritsune, who was touted as a prodigy and the first candidate for leadership, and Ageha was no exception.

Shinobi (2002)

One day while playing the trio found the temple of the Oboro clan. Ageha went inside first, and found a chest. She opened the chest and found a crimson sword inside. Hotsuma sensed they would be in trouble if Kobushi found out, and told Ageha to put it back, but Ageha refused, and claimed the sword as her own. But as soon as she drew the blade, an evil glow emanated from the sword, and a terrified Ageha found herself unable to let go.

Moritsune sent Hotsuma to fetch Kobushi, while Moritsune tries to get Ageha from the sword. He grabs the sword and remembers a story from his grandfather about a soul eating sword. Realizing that the sword she's holding is that sword, she watches in horror as Moritsune strikes his own face with it to save her. Kobushi and Hotsuma arrive and find her safe, but are mortified to see Moritsune holding the blade, his face forever scarred.

After that horrid experience, the three learned that the sword they found, Akujiki, was to be used to determine the clan's next heir. To her horror it meant that both Hotsuma and Moritsune would be forced to kill each other over it. Over their ten years of training, Ageha slowly developed feelings of endearment towards Moritsune, which ultimately grew into romantic love for him.

The duel for succession occurred on a full moon in the summer, as cherry blossoms danced in the winds. Ageha did not want the two siblings to go through with it. Kobushi commands her to stand down, with the kunoichi declaring the match and the tradition insanity. Kobushi tries in vain to console her, when at the final moment, she was forced to watch as Moritsune dies at Hotsuma's hands.

After the death of Moritsune, the heartbroken Ageha in her grief abandoned the village. Bitter and resenting the clan for what it had done to Moritsune, she became a Nuke-nin (抜け忍; rogue ninja). She wouldn't be seen for four years until a run-in with Hotsuma in the ruins of Tokyo. After learning of the village's destruction she showed no sympathy for the Oboro. She also noted that Hotsuma had no qualms about fighting the Oboro, even though they're already dead, displaying her disdain towards him. Ageha vehemently blurted out that Hotsuma was the "leader of nothing", which Hotsuma coldly shrugs off and leaves her alone.

After Hotsuma's run in with the mysterious masked ninja, she finds Hotsuma on the Kumano shrine grounds, struggling with keeping his sword under control. She reveals that Akujiki's slumber has been broken, and now Hotsuma must kill endlessly or die by the demon blade's gluttony. As Hotsuma recovers from the ordeal she looks for Kobushi throughout the complex, and finds him at the main shrine. The two are attacked by a Hellspawn possessed military chopper, but are rescued by Hotsuma. After Kobushi sends Hotsuma to assassinate Hiruko and save the shrine's guardian, Ageha watches as her beloved mentor breaths his last breath.

Ageha would appear to Hotsuma once again after Kagari Ubusuna is captured by the masked ninja. She tells him that Hiruko is rebuilding Yatsurao, a Hellspawn Weapon at the Nakatomi Conglomerate's factory. As Hotsuma darts off to find the insane mage, Ageha watches on silently.

After Hotsuma defeated Yatsurao, Ageha intercepts him at the Kan'ei temple grounds. She reveals that it was she who broke Hiruko from his bonds, and attacks a disheartened Hotsuma, laying her hatred for the Oboro out as they fought. She reveals the dark purpose behind the duel four years ago; it was not to decide the next leader of the Oboro Household, it was to keep Akujiki suppressed by feeding it a sacrifice; since Moritsune offered his soul to the sword once before, he was the perfect candidate as a sacrifice. Hotsuma in his anguish towards her betrayal and this horrid revelation, asks if that's why she had the Oboro killed. Too guilty to answer, she raises her sword to her former friend, determined to keep him from interfering. In the end she lost, but Hotsuma stayed his bloodthirsty blade, refusing to murder another loved one. Ageha took the opportunity and flees, running to Hiruko to see if Moritsune has been revived. Upon seeing Moritsune alive, she happily embraces him, only to be murdered by him seconds later, much to her shock and confusion as she cried out Moritsune's name. Hiruko gloats that she was going to die at her lover's hand, even though he was possessed by Aomizuchi, the last of the four Hellspawn Lords.

After Hotsuma exorcizes Aomizuchi from Moritsune's body, the true Moritsune warmly greets Hotsuma. He decides to take Ageha with him into Akujiki, where she is now able to be together with him forever like she wanted.

Other appearances

Sega Heroes

In Sega Heroes, Ageha is a playable blue common hero who was added on the game launch. She has the following gameplay characteristics:

Trivia

Gallery