Bunzo is a trained member of the Roofworlders in the Shinobi series. Taken from the streets of Tokyo as a poor, homeless man by Kotomi-sensei, he was soon taught how to move about silently and how to defend himself. His skill at combat soon saw him promoted to Kotomi's lieutenant along with Kinpachi.
In 1995, their world was invaded by Joe Musashi who was on the run from the Four Elements and the Yakuza. Bunzo was ordered to subdue a smothered Musashi, punching him in the face so that he fell unconscious. When the mistake was cleared up, Bunzo was soon ordered to post sentinels at the town's boundaries to warn of the arrival of the Yakuza. In the first battle, Bunzo spent much of his time dealing with the inept Yakuza, using his bo-staff to smack them over the head. In the finale, Bunzo spent much of his time battling with Water, although couldn't break through with a decisive victory. Observing that his sensei was struggling against Fire, Bunzo used a burst of magic to push Water into Fire's body, their powers reacting and killing them both.