Yasuki Hachi

Born Daidoji Hachi to a low stationed samurai family his life has been anything but easy. Hachi's parents died in the War of Spirits, and his younger sister was fostered to the Scorpion Clan leaving him alone in the world. When offered the chance to be in the Test of the Topaz Champion by a comrade of his father, Hachi not only took part, but won the event and the title of Topaz Champion. The victory allowed him to train at the prestigious Kakita Dueling Academy.

Yasuki Daimyo
When the last Yasuki Daimyo and his heir died the ancestry of the Yasuki family was traced, and found that Hachi was the next in line to be the Yasuki Daimyo. This led to a new Yasuki War between the Daidoji and the Crab, which was resolved when Yasuki Hachi swore fealty to the Crab as well as retaining his allegiance with the Crane. Therefore, the Yasuki family belongs to those two Clans simultaneously. Since this normally results in the inevitable breaking of one oath and subsequent seppukku, only Hachi's office as Emerald Champion makes it possible to officially serve two Clans while exclusively heeding the Emperor's commands.

Emerald Champion
Initially, his ascendance to the Yasuki Daimyoship was seen as lucky at best and fraudulent at worst by Rokugani society. Looking for the respect and admiration of others, he decided to join the Test of the Emerald Champion that was called after it was decided that Kakita Toshiken was too ill to discharge his duties.

Unbeknownst to all, the tournament was another fraud, organized by Hantei Naseru and his Scorpion allies to ensure that no Emerald Champion with loyalties to any of the Winds shall come to power and potentially complicate the struggle for the Steel Throne. Thus, even though Hachi soundly defeated all of his opponents during the tournament, his last 2 competitors, Bayushi Kwanchai and Shiba Aikune were both disqualified before even facing him, effectively giving him the Championship without a fight. This managed to ironically increase the distrust and ill will that Hachi faced.

However, Hachi managed to prove that he was not an ineffective pawn through carefully fought courtly skirmishes with Naseru as well as the successful evacuation of Otosan Uchi during Daigotsu's attack on it. In the process, he has become good friends with Naseru.

Since the fall of Otosan Uchi Yasuki Hachi refused to abandon the traditional Emerald Champion Estate. (3E p. 300)

Major References

 * The Four Winds, p. 34