kurogane

Kurogane is serious and highly perceptive, quickly recognizing Syaoran's fighting skills and his blind right eye, as well as Fai D. Flourite's true nature and combat abilities. Despite his seemingly irreverent demeanor, he is deeply loyal. As the most experienced fighter in the group, he imparts his swordsmanship philosophy to Syaoran: a sword should only be used when necessary and not for unnecessary harm. While Kurogane is often easily irritated, especially by Mokona Modoki and Fai's cutesy nicknames like "Kuro-puu" or "Kuro-wan-wan," he has a compassionate side and a strong protective instinct. He frequently challenges Fai about his past and encourages him to embrace the future with their new companions. His statement, "If someone wants to take away the ones I want to protect, I'll kill them too," underscores his protective nature. Initially, Kurogane declared that finding Sakura's feathers was none of his concern. However, he eventually aids Syaoran and the others, teaching Syaoran how to fight and use a sword. In the Tokyo arc, he fights Kamui briefly and later wishes for Yuuko to save Fai's life after an incident involving clone Syaoran. Through Yuuko's arrangement, Kurogane and Kamui mix their blood, turning Fai into a vampire to save his life. Fai then refrains from using nicknames for Kurogane to maintain distance. In the Infinity world, Kurogane noticed Fai and Sakura were planning something but didn't intervene until Sakura left. He refused to let Fai sacrifice his eyesight to go to Celes and agreed to pay a fourth of the price to save Sakura's body. Later, Ashura showed visions of Fai's tragic past, leading to a fierce battle between Kurogane and Fai. During the chaos, Kurogane destroyed Fai's twin's body and confronted Ashura, who revealed he wanted Fai to grant his wish by killing him. After being spared from severe injury by Tomoyo's protective spell, Kurogane stabs King Ashura. When Fai's second curse caused Ceres to shrink, Fai tried to transport everyone out but failed. Kurogane sacrificed his left arm and Souhi to rescue Fai. In chapter 167, Kurogane wakes up in his homeland, where Princess Tomoyo asks if he has learned the true meaning of strength. Kurogane admits he doesn't know but explains that some things can't be protected solely by physical strength. Fai visits him and punches him, saying it's payback, which surprises Kurogane. They both smile, and Kurogane promises to beat Fai up for that. In chapter 169, Fuuma brings an artificial arm from Piffle Country, but Kurogane refuses it, stating he won't pay Yuuko for it. Fai agrees to pay the price instead, giving up his remaining magic. Kurogane ends up with the arm attached, though he finds it feels strange. In Horitsuba Gakuen, Kurogane serves as the PE teacher.