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| The Followers of Shiin | |
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The Followers of Shiin (Literally meaning: Shiinshiki's Followers)
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| Debut | |
| Novel | Nohkan Gaiden: The Mother of Musical Ninjutsu |
| Appears in | Anime, Manga, Novel |
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The Followers of Shiin are one of two opposing secret societies founded by the first descendants of Shiinshiki Otsutsuki and continued through members of his bloodline, the Shiin Clan. For years, they have misunderstood the will of Shiinshiki causing them to force and manipulate unwillings to become his vessel through use of the Genjutsu. Their ultimate goal is to reclaim all of Shiinshiki's Treasured Instruments and cultivate a chakra fruit by creating a God Tree.
History[]
After Shiinshiki’s death, his body was buried at the Shiinshiki Shrine in the Land of Sound. The once-unified clan fractured, torn apart by greed, ambition, and conflicting ideologies. Two opposing factions emerged, each claiming to be the true inheritors of his legacy. The Followers of Shiin, a zealous sect who saw the instruments not as relics to be hidden away, but as divine tools meant to fulfill an ancient, unwritten prophecy. They sought to harness their power, convinced that doing so would lead to the ascension of a new era—one where their dominion would be absolute. To them, the instruments were the key to realizing Shiinshiki’s unfinished will, whatever the cost. As tensions grew, so did the inevitable conflict.
Shiinshiki's Sound Release DNA is passed through his descendants
Compatibility with an Ōtsutsuki is exceedingly rare and unpredictable, and if an individual is not a suitable recipient, the ritual will typically result in them suffering a fatal seizure. Shiinshiki's Kāma was only shown to be passed down through members of the Shiin Clan born with the Sound Release Kekkei Genkai and can resonate with his Treasured Instruments. Shion Shiin, born into the Keepers faction, was made the new vessel. Soon, civil war broke out.
The Followers of Shiin and The Keepers of Shiin's Will who fought over the selection of next vessel. The Followers wanted a vessel to balance power for their own faction. The first candidate perished before the process could even be completed. The second, Setsuko, barely survived, but the attempt resulted in an unstable White Kāma. Then came the third—Aoide—who was chosen to become the perfect vessel, meant to fully balance and wield the immense power of Shiinshiki. However, before the her Kāma could be fully developed, a daring escape was orchestrated by The Keepers. Kanoto Garasu and Shion Shiin risked everything to free Aoide from her cruel fate. In the end, Shion paid the ultimate price, sacrificing his life so she could flee.
Shizukane Monastery is destroyed
Their escape would be short-lived as The Followers tracked them to Shizukane Monastery. Using subtle influence, they manipulated a monk, Raizan Kagerou, , exploiting his bitterness and ambition. Desperate to surpass Kanato, Raizan was convinced to supply the Followers with the fūinjutsu seal needed to open the monastery’s front gate.cIt wasn’t long before The Followers launched a surprise attack, intent on stealing Aoide back. They descended upon the monastery with brutal efficiency, overwhelming its defenses. The peaceful sanctity of Shizukane was shattered, reduced to ashes.
Setsuko's Kama
At the same time, Setsuko no longer had an interest in being a mere vessel for Shiinshiki's power. He sought something far greater: control. Setsuko soon realized that the White Kāma cursed upon him, enhanced his Genjutsu. Soon, Setsuko began his quiet rise to power within The Followers of Shiin. He targeted the clan’s elders, those who still held sway over the direction of the group. Using his abilities, he wove illusions so subtle and powerful that even when the elders realized they were being manipulated, they couldn’t escape. Setsuko bent their wills with nothing but the sound of his voice, leaving them brainwashed and worshipping him as the rightful leader. With their submission, Setsuko’s rise was assured. The Followers of Shiin were his, and he would no longer serve anyone.
The Followers locate Aoide
Setsuko had not forgotten about the other Vessel-a threat to his power. He had his Followers scoured the land, relentlessly searching for Aoide, for her bloodline—until, at last, they found her. Years had passed since her escape, but to them, she was still the perfect vessel—a vessel they had been robbed of. By then, Aoide had built a life hidden. She had three children—Arikurin, Akiri, and Akira—each carrying the bloodline the Followers sought to reclaim. They would not only reclaim Aoide but all of her children. Their home was brutally attacked, torn apart in a fiery assault.
Shiro uses chakra threads, killing himself
Shiro reacted instantly, his instincts sharpened by years of war. He cut through over ten enemies, his arrows tearing them apart like leaves in a storm. But then came the final agent—a warrior unlike the rest. This one was stronger, faster, a master of assassination. The battle between them was furious, their attacks shaking the earth beneath them. Shiro knew he could not afford to lose. Not with his wife and children still within reach of these monsters. But his opponent was relentless, their strength matching his own. There was only one way to ensure his family’s escape. With no other choice, Shiro invoked a forbidden murder-suicide technique—a deadly jutsu that linked his heart to his opponent’s, mirroring any internal damage inflicted on one to the other. His enemy's smirk faltered as they realized what he had done. He struck. Both hearts stopped.
Shiinshiki's Kāma Ritual is completed
In the end, The Followers of Shiin had achieved what they set out to do. With Akira in their grasp, they now had the perfect vessel—a vessel under their complete control. The rituals that had been left incomplete for so long, the carefully crafted plans, the sacrifices made—they were all coming to fruition. When the time came to compete the ritual, Setsuko Shiin stood at the center, overseeing the process with a cold, calculating gaze. The elders who once opposed him had long since bent to his will, their loyalty now absolute. They chanted in unison, invoking the final steps of the ritual.
The Followers training Akira's Sound Release
For years, Akira would constantly be put through gruelling training, all so she'd master the Kāma.
Trivia[]
- The Followers are dressed in traditional ninja-style attire, wearing black head coverings that drape over their heads and shoulders, along with purple face masks that conceal the lower half of their faces. Their outfits include black cloaks or jackets with shoulder padding, layered over visible mesh armor for protection.
See Also[]
Credits[]
- Anime-edited image source credits to: Photopea.com, Full Metal Alchemist screenshots and artist Hiromu Arakawa
