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.

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.