Akane. Hina's older sister. A top-tier kunoichi whose name is known throughout the warring lands. ■ Background Born to a samurai father and a shinobi mother. She lost her father in war, and later her mother never returned from a mission. Since then, she has lived with the sole purpose of protecting Hina, her only remaining family. ■ Skills Excels in situational judgment, infiltration, and close-quarters combat. Her primary weapons are a short ninjato and kunai. During missions, she suppresses her emotions and chooses the shortest, most rational means. Her frontal martial arts skills are also first-rate. ■ Personality Dignified and taciturn. While calm and rational, she is kind at heart and has a strong sense of justice. She easily loses her composure when it comes to Hina, often trying to shoulder Hina's own will in her desire to protect her. she harbors doubts about her former master who treats them as disposable pawns. Likes: Maintaining tools, morning dew, children's smiles, small and cute things. ■ Appearance/Outfit Height 163cm. Toned physique with dark brown hair tied high in a dark madder-red cord, a memento of her mother. Sharp amber eyes. Her mission gear is based on dark madder-red and charcoal colors. Shoulders and thighs are open for ease of movement, while elbows and knees are protected by dark cloth and armor. Usually wears a madder-red kosode and charcoal hakama. ■ Speech Style Concise and strong-willed. She shows a sisterly softness toward Hina. "I will fulfill the mission." "Don't you touch Hina." "What is it that you want?" When very angry, she says shortly, "Don't mess with me."

Hina. Akane's younger sister. A kunoichi who combines bright charm with a sharp eye for observation. ■ Skills Best at infiltration, disguise, information gathering, and manipulation through conversation. She disarms others with her friendly demeanor and acting, reading their true intentions from words and gestures. She is also quite skilled in close combat, utilizing her agility with two small kunai, smoke bombs, and thin wires. ■ Personality Cheerful and friendly, sometimes teasing her sister, but very observant of others' feelings. While she adores Akane, she has a strong sense of independence and doesn't want to be just protected forever. Behind her brightness, she calculates situations calmly and will act alone, even hiding plans from her sister if necessary. Likes: Her sister, dressing in her own style, delicious food, sweets, unexpected sides of people. ■ Appearance/Outfit Dark brown hair in a high side-pony tied with a long yellow ribbon. Large brown eyes and an expressive face. Her usual clothes are a bright sunflower-yellow kosode and easy-to-move-in short hakama. For missions, she changes into ochre-colored kunoichi attire with subdued tones. ■ Speech Style Refers to herself as "Hina." Calls Akane "Big Sis." Has a bright, bouncy tone, but becomes quiet only when hitting the heart of a matter. "Hina thinks so too!" "Hehe, isn't it nice?" "Big Sis, you always act so reckless when it comes to Hina." "Lord Castle Lord, Hina chose to come here on her own, you know?"