Kanetatsu Naoe

Kanetatsu Naoe (, Naoe Kanetatsu) is one of the strongest Bushis. He is a general and accountant of the Uesugi Bushi.

Appearance
Kanetatsu is a man of short stature and has a light-purple coloured bowl cut with long fringe, that usually covers his golden eyes. He has many tattoos that illustrate dragons, one on the left side of his forehead and another on his chest, that reaches his upper arm. These tattoos represent the word for "dragon" in his name, in which he takes great pride.

History
Ten years before, approximately in Kiho 141, Kanetatsu took part in the release of Masaki Amakasu's village from the Oni sympathizers.

Awaji Island Recapture Operation Arc
Musashi, Kojiro Kanemaki and Tsugumi Hattori wish to meet with Tatsuomi Uesugi, but Kanetatsu explains that he is busy and can't meet with low-rank Bushi. As they reveal they are from the Uesugi Alliance, Kanetatsu realizes they are outsiders and wants to apprehend them. Naotora Takeda arrives with Tatsuomi's Kitetsuki and explains that they are his subordinates. Kanetatsu then takes Naotora to meet with Tatsuomi. He reports to Tatsuomi that there are three outsiders and Tatsuomi orders for the execution, but Naotora explains they work for him and Tatsuomi decides to spare them.

Later, Kanetatsu visits Tatsuomi on the walls and sees that Musashi is with him. He tells that Musashi is rude and that he is in the presence of Tatsuomi Uesugi. Realizing that, Musashi wishes to asks Tatsuomi a question, but Kanetatsu reveals he is an outsider trespassing into the castle normally leads to an execution, but since he is with Naotora, they will send him to the barracks.

Kanetatsu encounters Musashi and Kijinosuke Noguchi peeling potatoes and wonders why Bushi are doing it. Kanetatsu returns to continue his paperwork as he haven't finished reviewing this year's taxes, as he prefers this work over combat. He tells Musashi and Kijinosuke to return to their unit, but Musashi states he got into a fight, which makes Kanetatsu state he is pathetic and people like him die first as he is a weak Bushi. Moments later, they are attacked by lesser oni and Kanetatsu goes and defeats them easily. Kanetatsu tells Masaki Amakasu that he wants proper records of the first deployment battles. Masaki notes he will make everyone hear that he took three or four lesser oni at once, but that annoys Kanetatsu as three or four is vague and records need to be precise. Kanetatsu then continues to argue with his men, but tells them to be in formation since where there is one oni, there are more. A much larger group of lesser oni then appear. Kanetatsu inspires the people and tells them that they have chances and he will slay a hundred oni in a single attack. Kanetatsu tells Masaki that he is angry since a hundred oni popped with no real arrangement, complete disorder. Angry, he uses his Kitetsu Blade and binds the oni in a single line and then cuts their horns in a single attack. Kanetatsu states if anyone wants to make a name for themselves, to step forward and use their swords. Akihiro then jumps and cuts an oni's horn.

Later, when Michiru and Musashi form a black crystal and Kuroko captures them, she comes up with a plan on letting Michiru go. Doing so, Kurko is able to locate the enemy base and Kanetatsu congratulates her of her good idea.

Kuroko, Kanetatsu, Masaki and other bushi arrive to attack some oni, who were attacking Musashi, Michiru and Akihiro. As the oni tell them to move as they want the obsidian goddess, Kuroko and Kanetatsu realize that Musashi or Michiru is the goddess. Kuroko goes and binds Michiru's wounds with her blade energy to stop her bleeding, while Kanetatsu and the rest defeat the oni. When three remaining oni consume on of theirs to become larger and stronger. Kanetatsu and the rest go protecting the castle from the other oni, while Kuroko stays with Musashi and Michiru. When Tatsuomi shows up, he buffs the Uesugi Bushi, who then easily defeat the remaining oni.

Moments later Shiro Inukai appears and states he got Tatsuomi. Kanetatsu attempts to attack him, but Shiro easily deflects his attack. The Uesugi Bushi then chain their blade energy, but Seiroku Inukawa shows up and breaks the chain. Shiro switches Musashi's place with one of the Yamata no Orochi's head and without their blade energy, the Uesugi are unable to fight back. Seiroku guesses that Kanetatsu is proud to get "tatsu" to his name and that dragon tattoo, but he finds it ugly and proceeds cutting it. As they run out of time, Seiroku tells Kanetatsu he will kill him next and he teleports, switching places with Musashi.

Kanetatsu asks Musashi for help, as he agrees, he takes him to the Uesugi Bushi mausoleum. On their way, he explains she wishes to save his friends, but to do so, he must defeat the Kishi and the Bushi. He tells Musashi and his friends the legend about the goddess and who are the Obsidian Eight. He takes out a treasure said to activate the goddess power, which is her blood from hundred years ago. Musashi doesn't want to drink it as its nasty, but Kanetatsu forces him. However, as he doesn't feel anything, they leave. Later, Kuroko forms a plan and tells Kanetatsu what is his role. The next day, when the battle starts and Kuroko and Seiroku reveal all their cards, she managed to trick him to come alone at a beach, where Kanetatsu attacks him, with the goal to break his Kitetsu Blade, which will undo the blade energy blocking. Seiroku tries to strike Kanetatsu, but Kanetatsu grabs his sword with his hand and breaks it with the other, breaking the blade energy blocking. Seiroku admits that he got beaten as tactician, but as he draws another sword, he states he is going to kill all of their elite soldiers. And with Shiro obtaining the goddess, its their victory. Kanetatsu states that won't happen as their backup, Takeda Bushi, should be at Yura Mine. Able to use his blade energy, Kanetatsu isn't impressed by Seiroku's power. Seiroku confirms, but states that is why he uses tricks and then slashes at Kanetatsu, entangling him in strings. Kanetatsu cuts them, but as some are nearly invisible, he doesn't see them. With this, Seiroku has full control over the fight as he is able to inflict any effect he wishes on Kanetatsu, from burns, to dislocations, to breaking his fingers and blinding him. Feeling Kanetatsu can't fight no more, Seiroku restores his vision, so that he can see how he defeats his soldiers. Seiroku reveals he used to be a doctor, but in a band of Bushi, anyone with special powers ends up suffering for it. As there are usually few powerful and many weak Bushi, they push the most dangerous things to the powerful ones. Using bandages, Kanetatsu wraps the blade around his hand and pulls himself towards Seiroku, stating that it seems Seiroku choked under the pressure of his comrades expectations, but for him those expectations are his pride. Seiroku activates various of effects all over Kanetatsu's body. Kanetatsu points his blade at himself, wanting to see if Seiroku's strings or his blade energy is stronger. Turning his blade energy against him, Kanetatsu is able to cut all of Seiroku's strings. Kanetatsu is able to move and states that while Seiroku looks like he has godlike powers, its just a mere trick and once his energy disappears, so its effects too. Kanetatsu then jumps at him, but Seiroku blocks, stating he must believe he isn't much of a fighter, due to his tricks, but with extreme speed, Seiroku starts moving around and cutting Kanetatsu. As Kanetatsu looses too much blood, Seiroku decides to finish him off, but two Uesugi Bushi stand in front of him. Kanetatsu recalls his conversation with Tatsuomi, who believes that Kanetatsu is strong and uses his hand, letting Seiroku stab him and hold him as he stabs and defeats him with his sword.

Soon they manage to defeat Orochi, but Kanetatsu feels its meaningless unless they save Tatsuomi and wishes to go look for him. Kojiro and Tsugumi's group then return with Tatsuomi, who tells Kanetatsu that he knew they would win. They head down the mountain where Orochi was to find a floating black sword and transformed Yataro, who had taken Orochi's power. As Yataro attacks the Bushi and claims to have turned Michiru into the new Goddess, Naotora comes and tells Tatsuomi to protect Musashi as the Goddess is in him. Kanetatsu confirms and explains he gave him her blood too. Tatsuomi then powers up Naotora and Kanetatsu, but they get easily defeated by Yataro.

After Musashi defeats Yataro, Kanetatsu is one of the men that get awarded for their contribution to the liberation of Awaji. Later, Kanetatsu apologizes to Tatsuomi, stating he couldn't finish the enemy. Tatsuomi states he is the same as Naotora who said the same thing about Shiro. Kanetatsu states they are still eight and Tatsuomi agrees, stating that even if one dies, they always manage to find a replacement.

Abilities
Red Sword Soul:

Kitetsu Sword
Ryūsa Retsujintō  (, lit.Dragon Chain Furiously Sharpened Sword) :

Etymology

 * The name Kanetatsu means "concurrently, and, in addition" (兼) (kane) and "dragon" (竜) (tatsu).
 * Kanetatsu's first name contains the kanji for "dragon" (竜), which was bestowed by Tatsuomi Uesugi.
 * His childhood name was Kanetaka.
 * Kanetatsu's surname Naoe means "straight, direct" (直) (nao) and "bay, inlet" (江) (e).
 * Kanetatsu has the same surname Naoe as the famous samurai and retainer of Uesugi Kenshin, Naoe Kanetsugu.

Trivia

 * He already divorced seven times.
 * His first wife’s name was Otaeyo, the third’s name was Tokuko, the seventh's name was Otoki.
 * He likes to sit in high places with his lord, Tatsuomi. For example on the castle walls.
 * Kanetatsu ranked 3rd place in the manga's 1st Character Popularity Poll.
 * Kanetatsu has two cats;
 * Fuji (フジ), a male cat of fair color. He sleeps between Kanetatsu's legs and more attached to Kuroko than Kanetatsu.
 * Sumire (スミレ), a female cat. She sleeps next to Kanetatsu's pillow and is more attached to Tatsuomi than Kanetatsu.