Summary
Sanada Yukimura is a renowned general who suffered defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara, leading to the loss of Japan. He escaped from Kudoyama and orchestrated a plan to assassinate Tokugawa Ieyasu, although the plot was never executed. Yukimura accompanies Kyo with the goal of defeating the Mibu Clan and Oda Nobunaga, aiming to liberate Japan from the Mibu Clan's shadow rule and seize power for himself. He commands the Sanada Juuyuushi, a team of elite ninja. His swordsmanship lacks a specific name, but he employs the Sekireigan technique, which was taught to him by Anri. This ability grants him extreme speed, though Anri strictly forbids him from using it more than five times per day. In his youth, Yukimura witnessed the massacre of his childhood girlfriend, an event he believes could have been prevented but was sacrificed for strategic purposes. He held the Toyotomi clan’s founder, Hideyoshi, in high regard, which explains his alternate name, Toyotomi Nobushige. Yukimura displays significant growth throughout the narrative, often training off-screen. He trains under Anri, one of Muramasa’s guards, mastering the Sekireigan to move at incredible speeds and strike from multiple angles simultaneously. In volume 26, he defeats Shindara. In volume 27, he engages Kyo in a draw, with both utilizing their most powerful techniques, though Kyo is not in his true body nor has he awakened his red eyes. Yukimura later confronts Chinmei and the Former Crimson King. Although he loses to the King, he manages to defeat Chinmei with assistance from Sasuke and the Juuyuushi. While he does not reach the strength levels of Kyo or Kyoshiro, he is clearly as powerful as the Four Emperors. Yukimura is known for his cheerful and casual demeanor, often seen smiling, seducing women, and drinking sake. He is thirty-seven years old but attributes his youthful look to his skincare routine. However, he can be terrifying when enraged. He treats the Juuyuushi with deep care and respect, viewing them as family, which earns their unwavering loyalty and personal affection. Yukimura harbors a deep hatred for Ieyasu. Historically, he had previously fought Ieyasu’s son, Hidetada (Benitora), at the Battle of Ueda Castle, a conflict briefly mentioned in the anime and manga that is believed to have ended in Yukimura’s defeat.
