Hida Kuroda

Hida Kuroda was a son of Hida O-Ushi and Hida Yasamura, twin brother to Hida Kuon. Kuroda served as the commander of Tsuru's Legion and later became the Crab Clan Champion after the death of his mother.

Shinjo Dojo
Kuroda was trained at the Shinjo Dojo as a sign of good will between the Unicorn and Crab. Even though he was the son of a former Unicorn he was treated with the same disdain all outsiders recieve, but despite this he thrived and learned the lessons he was taught well. He even adopted many of the Unicron's habits and beliefs, and the sensei of the dojo were so impressed that they were sad to see him go, and in truth many of them considered him one of their own. The news of Kuroda's disappearance shocked his sensei, Shinjo Maku, and the normally unemotional man was torn with grief when he later heard news of Kuroda's death. Maku believed Kuroda was still alive however and used his political clout to make the Unicorn Clan Champion Moto Chagatai aid the Crab in retaking the Kaiu Wall.

Winter Court
When the Four Winds issued invitations to host the Emperor's Winter Court, the clan most favoured of the Imperial Families would earn the honor to host. The selection of the location was left in the hands of the representatives of the Great Clans, and Kuroda was the designated member of the Crab who was to vie for the favor of one of the Winds.

Second Yasuki War


In 1158 the Yasuki War between the Daidoji and the Crab had begun five days before the funeral of Toturi when Crane forces took over Yasuki Hanko.

Kuroda was in charge of the Crab units reinforced with Mantis mercenaries, with Hida Kuoshi was under his command.

The Baraunghar assisted the Crab Clan in defending the Kaiu Wall during the Second Yasuki War.

Kuroda remained in the reserve, patrolling the Kuni Wastelands and defending the Kaiu Wall while O-Ushi retaliated to the Crane attack.

Crab Clan Champion
His mother, Hida O-Ushi was killed in a duel with Doji Kurohito during a battle over the Yasuki provinces in the Second Yasuki War when the Crab retaliated to the Crane attack. Kuroda became the new Crab Clan Champion.

Disappearance of Kuroda
In an attack on the Crab Wall Kuroda and his guard were attempting to join it's defense when they were ambushed by Kyofu, the Onisu of Fear. Kuroda told his guard to continue on to the seventh watch tower and leave him to face the beast, and gave to Hida Reiha the broken ancestral katana of the Crab. In an attempt to take down the beast Kuroda relied on Kaiu traps but they had no effect, and Kyofu tore down one of the traps and struck Kuroda with it, crushing his insides. In a last attempt to hinder Kyofu, Kuroda activated another Kaiu trap to collapse the corridor and his assure the safe escape of his guards.

Fall of Otosan Uchi
Kuroda's body was captured by Daigotsu and reanimated as an undead Lost to lead the forces of the Shadowlands to hold the Carpenter Wall while the Shadowland's main force was hurled against the Imperial City. Their march resulted in the Fall of Otosan Uchi.

Return of the Onisu
When Kyofu was next destroyed, Daigotsu and Omoni used Kuroda as a vessel to summon Kyofu from the spirit realm. The fortune of death Emma-O however, was enraged at Daigotsu's previous release of Fu Leng and instead gave Kuroda control of his body from Kyofu, so that any being killed by Kuroda would go directly to Meido.

The Battle for the Last Tower
When the Sixth Tower was retaken by the Kuni and the Baraunghar, only one tower remained under control of the Shadowlands, the Fifth Tower.

In the assault on the last tower Hida Kuon faced off against Kuroda who was possessed by the onisu Kyofu. A magic ritual was begun by Hida Rohiteki, Kuni Kiyoshi and other Kuni shugenja, calling upon Osano-Wo's aid, causing jade to rain down upon the tower.

Kuon used the Celestial Sword of the Crab, Yuruginai, for the first time and attacked Kuroda galvanized by rage. Kuroda called forth the Ninth Kami's protection and the jade rain stopped and the area was darkened. Nearly defeated, for a moment Kuon felt he would give in to despair. The Crab advisors stepped in, inspired by Kuon's example, and they stood together, because they were The Crab. They followed Kuon on his charge and Kuroda was forced to flee.

The Crab won the Battle for the Last Tower, but the as tower was completely tainted and the Crab did not occupy it. The tower was considered irrevocably lost to the Shadowlands and was renamed the Tower of Fear. Kaiu Umasu ordered the wall to be torn down around it and moved farther back so as to avoid any connection to it entirely.

Last March
In 1168 Kuroda returned to the Crab asking to be given command of the Damned so that he could lead a force against the oni. After his intentions were verified by Omen, Hida Kuon gave permission for the assault. This was to be Kyofu's Last March.

Kuroda was given Kettei to wield in the battles. Kuni Daigo pledged to bring the sword back to the Crab upon Kuroda's death.

Kuroda was killed by Kyoso no Oni during the assault upon the oni's army which was then fighting the Lost. Daigo was one of three survivors to return to Crab lands, bearing the blade he had pledged to return.

Legion of the Dead
In 1167 Kuroda joined the Legion of the Dead. He has stepped forward to answer Matsu Goemon's call.

Related Fiction

 * Divine Guidance