| |
| Kanji | 栗霰串丸 |
| Rōmaji | Kuriarare Kushimaru |
| Debut | |
| Novel | Naruto: A Shinobi Story |
| Appears in | Novel |
| Character Status | |
| Status | Deceased |
| Birthdate |  November 18
|
| Age | Part II: 24 |
| Gender |  Male
|
| Height | 2.13 m |
| Weight | 79.9 kg. |
| Affiliation(s) |  Kirigakure
|
| Rank | Part II: Jōnin |
| Team | Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist |
| Nature Type | |
 Water Release
| |
| Jutsu | |
| Crimson Mist Barrier Technique, Hiding in Mist Technique, Longsword Ninja Art: Earth Spider Sewing, Longsword Ninja Art: Massacre Method Formation, Longsword Ninja Art: Wire Crucifixion, Silent Killing | |
| Weaponry | |
| Nuibari, Senbon, Wire Strings | |
|
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Kushimaru Kuriarare (栗霰串丸, Kuriarare Kushimaru) was a Kirigakure jōnin and a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Background[]
Kushimaru and his teammates encounters the genin team.
Kushimaru committed many acts of cruelty in his lifetime, including killing his sensei.[1] At some point in time, Kushimaru encountered the young Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui on a mission alongside the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The young shinobi managed to flee, however, due to the timely arrival of Might Duy, who sacrificed himself to save the genin.[2] Kushimaru was killed by Might Duy’s effort.[3]
Personality[]
Kushimaru reveled in killing, like his fellow swordsmen, taking pleasure in crucifying countless shinobi. He is also noted to have committed many cruel acts, such as killing his sensei. He also had a penchant for laughing maniacally. Kushimaru does not take kindly to anyone other than one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wielding one of their swords and resolves to reclaim the Kubikiribōchō from Kakashi. He also tended to argue a lot with Jinpachi Munashi. The two swordsmen’s collective cruelty earned them the nickname the “Heartless Pair” (非情コンビ, Hijō Konbi) from Kakashi Hatake.[4]
Appearance[]
Kushimaru’s full appearance.
Kushimaru was very thin and tall in stature, giving him a gangly appearance. He had long, shaggy, straw-blond hair and his face was concealed by a white, porcelain Anbu mask, with a green-colored triangle on its lower half, slits for eyeholes, and Kirigakure’s symbol etched into the top. His attire consisted of a sleeveless black shirt, and matching pants, complete with a waist guard and Kirigakure’s striped wrist and leg guards. He also wore bandages around his neck like the other members of his generation of the Seven Swordsmen.
Abilities[]
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Kushimaru was one of the most powerful shinobi Kiri ever produced. His generation of swordsmen was even noted to be the strongest in the village’s history. He was capable of using the Silent Killing technique, as seen when fighting the Third Division while under the cover of mist.
Kenjutsu[]
Kushimaru wielding Nuibari.
Kushimaru wielded the unique longsword Nuibari. With it, he was not only able to precisely pierce multiple enemies in quick succession, but also stitch them together utilizing a substantial length of wire attached to the blade. This aptly demonstrated his proficient dexterity while handling this particular needle-like sword, as he was able to repeatedly catch it securely just mere moments after previously forcing the blade through his adversaries.
He was seen using senbon and setting a trap for his opponents by hiding his wire strings underground to form a complex structure that cuts off the opponent’s feet. He could also use a technique that would kill the enemy slowly and painfully.[5]
Part II[]
Fourth Shinobi World War[]
Main article: Naruto: A Shinobi Story/Fourth Shinobi World War (Arc)
The previous generation of swordsmen summoned.
Amidst the battle with the Third Division, the reincarnated previous of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are summoned by Pakura and Gari, under Orochimaru’s instruction, with the intention of overwhelming the opposition. Amongst their number is Kushimaru, who after being futilely bombarded by various techniques, retrieves Nuibari from within a scroll in Mangetsu Hōzuki’s possession. Entering the fray whilst concealed by a thick mist, Kushimaru begins a silent massacre, impaling a multitude of shinobi before bundling them together. With Zabuza Momochi’s defeat, the mist clears, exposing Kushimaru to the enemy.
Kushimaru and Jinpachi fighting Kakashi and Guy.
When dawn broke on the war’s second day, Kushimaru reappeared on the battlefield as he and Jinpachi went on a killing spree until Kakashi intercepts them. Upset with an outsider wielding the Kubikiribōchō, Kushimaru decides to reclaim the sword from Kakashi, resulting in a bicker with his fellow swordsmen. The swordsmen take advantage of their immortality to overwhelm Kakashi until Might Guy backs him up. The Konohagakure shinobi’s teamwork and his constant arguing with Jinpachi proves his downfall.[6] Later, with the release of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, a light of sorts encased Jinpachi’s body as the technique was dispelled and his soul was returned to the afterlife.[7]
Trivia[]
- Kushimaru (串丸) roughly means “skewer”, and Kuriarare (栗霰) means “chestnut hail”; like all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his surname is derived from a type of produce.
- In “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Online”, his main nature is Wind Release.
References[]