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SAISYU KUSANAGI
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Birthplace:          Japan                                                                      
Birthdate:           November 27, 1947 (52 years old)
Height:              1.77 m (5'8")                                                           
Weight:              69 kg (150 lbs)
Blood type:          B                                                                              
Hobbies:             Fishing
Favorite food:       Curry/Udon noodles, strawberry charlotte      
Favorite sport:      Golf
Most valuable:       Pride as head clansman, Shizuka (his wife)      
Hates the most:      High places
Fighting style:      Kusanagi style Ancient Martial Arts  

	Saisyu is the father of the legendary Kyo Kusanagi, and current head of 
the Kusanagi clan. He has carried on with the legend of the Kusanagi, and has 
passed it down to his son, Kyo, so he can contiune his legacy.
	When very young, Saisyu was inculcated with the legend of the Kusanagi, 
it's eternal battle against the Orochi and the war that they are raging against 
the Yagami. Iori Yagami's father and him faced many times, following the bloody 
tradition of their ancestors. However, it was finally Yagami's own cursed Orochi 
blood that killed him in the end, due to the short lifespan the Orochi blood 
gives. Despite having to battle the Yagami, Saisyu wishes that some day the 
madeness will end. When Saisyu was a young man, he fell in love with a woman 
named Shizuka. She accepted Saisyu despite his fate, filled with combat and 
pain. They both got married, and had their son, Kyo. But since then, Saisyu has 
been out in constant training journeys, looking for the next good battle. Some 
say he  was aware that the Orochi would awaken soon, but did not know when. 
Meanwhile, Shizuka had to teach Kyo the principles of the Kusanagi, during 
Saisyu's trips.
	Saisyu is, obviously, an expert in wielding the crimson flames that 
distinguish the Kusanagi clan. He does not need special gloves like Kyo does, 
since he is already skilled enough to wield it without much pain. Using the 
crimson flames to burn all those who oppose him, Saisyu soon hears about a man 
named Rugal Bernstein. He was a very powerful criminal merchant, and his power 
extended to very high limits. Saisyu desired to prove himself against this new 
test. So, he searched out for the Blacknoah. Upon arrival, Saisyu sensed a 
terrible power. It was definetly an evil power, and it was incredibly strong. He 
had a bad feeling that it must be the Orochi power. He now felt compelled to 
destroy Rugal as soon as he could. Entering the Blacknoah, Saisyu challenges 
Rugal to a fight to the very end. Rugal accepts happily. The battle begins, but 
Saisyu is unable to fight back the inmense power of Rugal, and gets soundly 
beaten. Before passing out, Saisyu notices a shadow behind Rugal. Saisyu had no 
doubts...it was the Orochi power! After that, Saisyu's eyes went blank.
	After his son, Kyo, took revenge, Rugal, who had survived his own suicide 
bombing by using the Orochi power, decided to use him as a new ally. He ordered 
Vice to use her power to brainwash Saisyu so he can serve Rugal. But Saisyu's 
mindpower was strong, and did not submit so easily. Always thinking about his 
son and wife, Saisyu held on to his own mental health. But he was too weak to 
resist for too long. Soon enough, Saisyu became the loyal follower of Rugal, 
looking behind his steps for revenge. After Rugal captures the strongest 
fighters, Saisyu is comissioned by Rugal to kill his own son. Kyo was shocked, 
as he could not attack his own father. His friends, Benimaru and Daimon, took 
care of Saisyu instead. Daimon was an old friend of Saisyu, so it was also 
painful for him to have to hurt Saisyu. Saisyu fought, but since he was not in 
his right mind, he could not fight with his full power, and finally lost. Saisyu 
then bids Kyo to fight Rugal and destroy him. He then passes out. After fighting 
with Rugal, and after he gets destroyed by his own power, Kyo seeks for Saisyu, 
but he is already gone. Saisyu had escaped, and now keeps searching the world 
for worthy opponents, but he knows now that the Orochi will be loose again in 
this world. Until then, he has nothing else to do but wait...
	Saisyu is in some ways just like Kyo: proud and arrogant. He loves his 
wife Shizuka very dearly, and hates to leave her to go out training, but he 
feels his fate lies elsewhere. However, it seems that old age is finally coming 
to Saisyu, as he seems to be too lazy in his fights (scratching his own belly, 
picking his ear). However, Saisyu is a fearful fighter for his experience, and 
his Kusanagi power. He is also very proud that his son has finally overcome him, 
since he feels that the Kusanagi always get better by each generation.

*Fun fact = Saisyu's matters don't seem to be so polite! Always scratching his 
beard, belly, and ear, he looks more like a lazy bum than the Kusanagi clan 
leader!  

Appearances: The King of Fighters '95, The King of Fighters '98