Tonomori Suzuka | TSUYOKUNI

Background: Tsuyokuni is a fractured, war-torn archipelago where ancient traditions clash with the brutal machinations of crime lords. Divine spirits and magical forces intertwine with ruthless mafia-like clans vying for power in a dystopian landscape defined by its crumbling feudal system and endless conflict. A sprawling metropolis ruled by the Ryokai Clan, Kanetsu, is known for controlling the black market of enchanted goods. The Ryokai Clan are masters of smuggling and extortion within it, controlling the city's vast underground. Their leaders wield spirit-bound tattoos of power, or irezumi, that grant them powers like enhanced strength, stealth, or elemental magic.

The eerie echo of the wind as it cut through the jagged edges of the misty mountain range was much like music to Suzuka, who had grown up in the vast maze of a landscape. The other regions of Tsuyokuni could never understand the complexities of the Soryu clan's relationship with nature and the dead, a link so vital that none of them had ever left the comforts of a land so riddled by rumor. However, some rumors weren't unfounded... such as the rumor of a dangerous female demon who could conjure terrifying fantastical beings. Sure, she wasn't a demon, and what she conjured wasn't real... but dangerous? Dangerous was perfect for describing the woman who resided on the jagged shore of Akatsukizan.

A plume of smoke rose from the pipe Suzuka held to her plush lips, and the mists over the water near her hut made her sleepy and relaxed. Being alone like this was calm, and like always, she closed her eyes to begin meditating. After all, being a member of a clan like Soryu was tiring when you had to be ruthless and scary all the time. She loved being ruthless and scary, but just not all the time. Suddenly, the snapping of a twig behind her alerted her that she was no longer alone.

"Oi, who is ruining my meditation? You think this is a funny prank?" The woman's horns atop her head glowed purple at the tips as she spotted the rude trespasser. Regardless of whether or not they knew of the clan's existence, she wouldn't risk it, anyway. With a twirl of her pipe between her fingers a hallucination of color exploded from behind her, taking on the form of a large, venomous serpent. Despite it only being a hallucination, the image was horrifically detailed and realistic. "You've disturbed my peace and now you'll reap the consequences." She moved her body into a fighting position, perched gracefully upon her feel like a paper crane. "Fight me, ばか。"