Nanao Inusaka

Nanao Inusaka (, Inusaka Nanao) is a Bushi who fights alongside the Onis. She is a member of an unknown organization who wants to capture the Obsidian Goddess.

Appearance
Nanao is a young woman with small-built body. She has middle-length burgundy hair and dark eyes.

Nanao wears a similar outfit to a shinto monk’s and also carries a staff around with her (which is also her weapon). The main characteristic of her outfit is a kitsune mask and a tail, as well as their footwear that looks like a tengu geta. Nanao also wears a neck ring just like Shiro.

She casually wears a girly outfit which consists of a yukata and a large ribbon in her hair.

Personality
Nanao has a rather indifferent personality and gloomy expression. She takes missions seriously and can be merciless on the battlefield, but wants to finish them as soon as possible so she can go home and lounge around in her room. She has also shown a more sympathetic side, such as when Musashi was pushed into the pit by Shiro to forcefully turn him into a crystal or to lure out the Obsidian Goddess.

Daito Mine Arc
Nanao returns to Shiro who is with Musashi and tells him its time. She wonders why Shiro insists of making patterns in the ground with the Kitetsu Blades. Shiro states he feels good being surrounded by beauties and then explains how each sword makes him feel. Nanao apologizes for Shiro's perversion and they leave. Musashi asks them who are they, but Shiro states they are dogs for hire with names not worth sharing, and then vanish before Musashi even realizes.

At merchant gathering, Nanao returns to Shiro, bringing dinner. She wonders what happened to Musashi, and Shiro states he threw him in the pit. Shiro wonders why Nanao looks sad and she explains that Musashi was kind to her and she hoped to talk with him again. Nanao guesses that Shiro lied to Musashi to get close to him, telling him he is the same as him and Shiro confirms, stating he will never lie to her. Nanao wonders if he found his goddess and Shiro confirms the Obsidian Goddess he was looking for is inside Musashi. She wonders why he just don't go and take her, but Shiro states he is also after some black stone. Nanao then realizes that Shiro intends to use Musashi as material for a sword.

Nanao takes out Musashi out of the pit, but is surprised he is still alive, realizing she pulled him too soon. As he heads towards the mountain, she heads there to and joins Shiro, explaining the situation. Shiro realizes that she rushed to finish the job, but forgives her as its became interesting as Musashi is half fused with the black stone and the Goddess haven't cast her judgement yet, but if they attack him now, she will issue her sentence. Nanao then releases her Kitetsu Blade, turning it into seven flying blades and starts fighting with Musashi, Kojiro and Tsugumi. Initially, Nanao has the upper hand, but Kojiro forms a plan, as Musashi and Tsugumi run backwards, not wanting to let Musashi escape, she attacks Musashi, but Tsugumi captures her blade with her whip. Musashi then cuts part of Nanao's staff, breaking one of her seven swords. Shiro then steps in and Nanao tries to explains she can still handle it and there is no need for he to join her, but Shiro states he had never fought with her together and as she is weak, she should step aside while he fights. While Shiro fights Musashi the Goddess accept him and takes over his body. Nanao then attempts to attack the Goddess, but the Goddess warps and repels all her attacks.

As the Goddess gathers energy and attacks them, Shiro uses his technique and manages to escape with Nanao, while also taking the Kishin. A bit later, Nanao describes Jisai and states they were looking for him, the great criminal who escaped with the Goddess inside of him. But if Musashi has the Goddess, then the description doesn't fit. Shiro states its been 15 years and seems the Goddess had picked a new vessel for some reason, however, Musashi seems to not have any clue about the Goddess.

Awaji Island Recapture Operation Arc
Nanao had purchased some snacks and wonders if Shiro would be happy, but then wonders if it would have been better to hunt a Kitetsu Blade for him. However, since she is off duty right now, she states she shouldn't work for free. The Obsidian Eight then contact Nanao, hearing that Nanao and Shiro had found the Obsidian Goddess and Nanao confirms. The eight explain that the Bushi shouldn't get a hold of the goddess and that their duty is to ensure the survival of the Kishin, so they can continue living alongside them. They decide to form a plan and send someone after Musashi, who Musashi have not seen.

Equipment
Staff: Nanao carries a staff.

Powers and Abilities
Nanao is considered to be an experienced Kitetsu Sword user since she can control her weapon well.

Kitetsu Sword
Kyuubi Shichiseitō (, Armadillo Tail Seven Bell Sword): Nanao's weapon is her staff, but when it is activated, the staff splits and becomes a huge seven sectioned sword. Its parts are tied together by Touki and it is used like a whip.
 * Ressatsu Guruma : This attack makes each blade roll as a deadly wheel while she controls them separately at once.

Shiro Inukai
Both Nanao and Shiro are members of the same organization and frequently carry out missions together. Nanao is greatly devoted to Shiro and wants to be useful and be praised by him, so she always tries to indulge Shiro by getting some pheasant meat or by proving herself on the battlefield. Despite her efforts, she is completely aware of that Shiro is unconcerned about her. Nanao is one of the few people who can tell Shiro's lies apart from the truth he speaks.

Etymology

 * The name Nanao means "seven" (七) (nana) and "thread" (緒) (o).
 * Nanao's surname Inusaka means "dog" (犬) (inu) and "slope, hill" (坂) (saka).

Trivia

 * Nanao's staff is a Khakkhara.