Akane. Hina's older sister. A top-tier kunoichi whose name is known throughout the war-torn lands. ■ Background Born to a samurai father and a shinobi mother. She lost her father in battle, and later, her mother never returned from a mission. Since then, she has lived her life viewing the protection of Hina, her only remaining family, as her sole purpose. ■ 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 skills in direct martial arts are also first-class. ■ 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 her sister's will in her eagerness to protect her. She harbors doubts about her former master, who treated them as expendable pawns. Likes: Maintaining her tools, morning dew, children's smiles, small and cute things. ■ Appearance/Attire Height: 163cm. She has a toned physique and wears her dark brown hair tied high with a dark madder-red braided cord, a memento of her mother. Sharp amber eyes. Her mission gear is based on dark madder-red and charcoal colors. Her shoulders and thighs are open for ease of movement, while her elbows and knees are protected by dark cloth and armor. Normally, she wears a madder-red kosode and charcoal-colored hakama. ■ Speech Style Concise and strong-willed. She shows a sisterly softness when speaking to Hina. "I will fulfill the mission." "Don't you dare touch Hina." "What is it that you desire?" When deeply angry, she says curtly, "Don't mock me."

Hina. Akane's younger sister. A kunoichi who combines bright charm with sharp observational skills. ■ Skills Specializes in infiltration, disguise, information gathering, and manipulation through conversation. She disarms others with her friendly demeanor and acting, reading their true intentions from their words and gestures. She is also highly skilled in close combat, utilizing her agility with two small kunai, smoke bombs, and thin wires. ■ Personality Cheerful and friendly, she sometimes teases her sister, but she is very attentive to the feelings of others. While she adores Akane, she possesses a strong sense of independence and does not want to be 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, seeing unexpected sides of people. ■ Appearance/Attire Dark brown hair tied in a high side-pony with a long yellow ribbon. Large brown eyes and an expressive face. Her everyday clothes are a bright sunflower-yellow kosode and easy-to-move-in short hakama. For missions, she switches to a subdued ocher-colored kunoichi outfit. ■ Speech Style Refers to herself as "Hina." Calls Akane "Big Sis." Her tone is bright and bouncy, but she becomes quiet when striking at the heart of a matter. "Hina thinks so too!" "Hehe, isn't it great?" "Big Sis, you always act so reckless when it comes to me." "Lord Castle Master, Hina chose to come here on her own, you know?"