Shikanoin Heizou

Shikanoin Heizou
Shikanoin HeizouNameShikanoin Heizou
TitleAnalytical Harmony
OccupationTenryou Commission
AssociationINAZUMA
RarityRaritystrRaritystrRaritystrRaritystr
WeaponWeapon Catalyst
ElementElement Anemo
Day of Birth24
Month of Birth7
Vision (Introduced)Anemo
Constellation (Introduced)Cervus Minor
Chinese Seuyu林景
Japanese Seuyu井口祐一
English SeuyuKieran Regan
Korean SeuyuJung Eui-jin
DescriptionA young prodigy detective from the Tenryou Commission. His senses are sharp and his thoughts are clear.
Character Ascension Materials
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk
Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone
Runic Fang
Onikabuto
Treasure Hoarder Insignia
Silver Raven Insignia
Golden Raven Insignia
Skill Ascension Materials
Teachings of Transience
Guide to Transience
Philosophies of Transience
The Meaning of Aeons
Crown of Insight

Table of Content
Stats
Skills
Skill Ascension
Related Items
Gallery
Sounds
Quotes
Stories

Stats

LvHPAtkDefCritRate%CritDMG%Bonus Anemo%MaterialsTotal Materials
189418.8857.345.0%50.0%0%
20229648.49147.315.0%50.0%0%
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto3
Treasure Hoarder Insignia3
Mora20000
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto3
Treasure Hoarder Insignia3
Mora20000
20+296362.6190.145.0%50.0%0%
40443893.76284.815.0%50.0%0%
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment3
Runic Fang2
Onikabuto10
Treasure Hoarder Insignia15
Mora40000
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto13
Treasure Hoarder Insignia18
Mora60000
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment3
Runic Fang2
40+4913103.78315.245.0%50.0%6.0%
505651119.37362.615.0%50.0%6.0%
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment6
Runic Fang4
Onikabuto20
Silver Raven Insignia12
Mora60000
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto33
Treasure Hoarder Insignia18
Mora120K
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment9
Runic Fang6
Silver Raven Insignia12
50+6283132.73403.195.0%50.0%12.0%
607021148.32450.555.0%50.0%12.0%
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk3
Runic Fang8
Onikabuto30
Silver Raven Insignia18
Mora80000
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto63
Treasure Hoarder Insignia18
Mora200K
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment9
Runic Fang14
Silver Raven Insignia30
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk3
60+7495158.34480.995.0%50.0%12.0%
708233173.92528.295.0%50.0%12.0%
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk6
Runic Fang12
Onikabuto45
Golden Raven Insignia12
Mora100K
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto108
Treasure Hoarder Insignia18
Mora300K
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment9
Runic Fang26
Silver Raven Insignia30
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk9
Golden Raven Insignia12
70+8707183.94558.735.0%50.0%18.0%
809445199.53606.095.0%50.0%18.0%
Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone6
Runic Fang20
Onikabuto60
Golden Raven Insignia24
Mora120K
Vayuda Turquoise Sliver1
Onikabuto168
Treasure Hoarder Insignia18
Mora420K
Vayuda Turquoise Fragment9
Runic Fang46
Silver Raven Insignia30
Vayuda Turquoise Chunk9
Golden Raven Insignia36
Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone6
80+9919209.55636.525.0%50.0%24.0%
9010657225.14683.895.0%50.0%24.0%

Skills

Active Skils

Normal Attack: Fudou Style Martial ArtsNormal Attack: Fudou Style Martial Arts
Normal Attack
Performs up to 5 fisticuffs empowered by a mighty wind, dealing Anemo DMG.

Charged Attack
Consumes a certain amount of Stamina and performs a sweeping kick that deals Anemo DMG.

Plunging Attack
Calling upon the surging wind, Heizou plunges towards the ground from mid-air, damaging all opponents in his path. Deals AoE Anemo DMG upon impact with the ground.
Lv1Lv2Lv3Lv4Lv5Lv6Lv7Lv8Lv9Lv10Lv11Lv12Lv13Lv14Lv15
1-Hit DMG37.47%40.28%43.09%46.84%49.65%52.46%56.21%59.96%63.71%67.45%71.2%74.95%79.63%84.32%89%
2-Hit DMG36.85%39.62%42.38%46.06%48.83%51.59%55.28%58.96%62.65%66.33%70.02%73.7%78.31%82.92%87.52%
3-Hit DMG51.06%54.89%58.72%63.82%67.65%71.48%76.59%81.7%86.8%91.91%97.01%102.12%108.5%114.88%121.27%
4-Hit DMG14.78% + 16.26% + 19.22%15.89% + 17.48% + 20.66%17% + 18.7% + 22.1%18.48% + 20.33% + 24.02%19.59% + 21.55% + 25.46%20.7% + 22.77% + 26.9%22.17% + 24.39% + 28.83%23.65% + 26.02% + 30.75%25.13% + 27.64% + 32.67%26.61% + 29.27% + 34.59%28.09% + 30.9% + 36.51%29.56% + 32.52% + 38.44%31.41% + 34.55% + 40.84%33.26% + 36.59% + 43.24%35.11% + 38.62% + 45.64%
5-Hit DMG61.45%66.06%70.67%76.81%81.42%86.03%92.17%98.32%104.46%110.61%116.75%122.9%130.58%138.26%145.94%
Charged Attack73%78.47%83.95%91.25%96.72%102.2%109.5%116.8%124.1%131.4%138.7%146%155.12%164.25%173.37%
Charged Attack Stamina Cost252525252525252525252525252525
Plunge DMG56.83%61.45%66.08%72.69%77.31%82.6%89.87%97.14%104.41%112.34%120.27%128.2%136.12%144.05%151.98%
Low/High Plunge DMG113.63% / 141.93%122.88% / 153.49%132.13% / 165.04%145.35% / 181.54%154.59% / 193.1%165.16% / 206.3%179.7% / 224.45%194.23% / 242.61%208.77% / 260.76%224.62% / 280.57%240.48% / 300.37%256.34% / 320.18%272.19% / 339.98%288.05% / 359.79%303.9% / 379.59%
Heartstopper StrikeHeartstopper Strike
Tap
Wields the swift winds to launch a Heartstopper Strike that deals Anemo DMG.

Hold
Charges energy to unleash an even stronger blow. He will obtain the Declension effect while charging, which will increase the power of the Heartstopper Strike. When the skill button is released or the skill finishes charging, he will strike forward, dealing Anemo DMG.

Declension
Increases the power of the next Heartstopper Strike. Max 4 stacks.
When you possess 4 Declension stacks, the Conviction effect will be produced, which will cause the next Heartstopper Strike to be even stronger and have a larger AoE.

This seemingly ordinary strike contains Heizou's desire for criminals to honestly confess and repent.
Lv1Lv2Lv3Lv4Lv5Lv6Lv7Lv8Lv9Lv10Lv11Lv12Lv13Lv14Lv15
Skill DMG227.52%244.58%261.65%284.4%301.46%318.53%341.28%364.03%386.78%409.54%432.29%455.04%483.48%511.92%540.36%
Declension DMG Bonus56.88% / stack61.15% / stack65.41% / stack71.1% / stack75.37% / stack79.63% / stack85.32% / stack91.01% / stack96.7% / stack102.38% / stack108.07% / stack113.76% / stack120.87% / stack127.98% / stack135.09% / stack
Conviction DMG Bonus113.76%122.29%130.82%142.2%150.73%159.26%170.64%182.02%193.39%204.77%216.14%227.52%241.74%255.96%270.18%
Declension Duration60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s60s
CD10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s10s
Windmuster KickWindmuster Kick
Leaps into the air and uses the Fudou Style Vacuum Slugger and kicks his opponent. The Vacuum Slugger will explode upon hit and create an Arresting Windtunnel that pulls in nearby objects and opponents, dealing AoE Anemo DMG.
When Vacuum Slugger hits opponents affected by Hydro/Pyro/Cryo/Electro, these opponents will be afflicted with Windmuster Iris. This Windmuster Iris will explode after a moment and dissipate, dealing AoE DMG of the corresponding aforementioned elemental type.
Vacuum Slugger can afflict a maximum of 4 opponents with the Windmuster Iris. A single opponent cannot be under the effect of Windmuster Irises of different elements at the same time.

A unique technique that gathers Anemo in one place before unleashing it all in one kick. Is always there in a pinch to land on some criminal's fleeing back.
Lv1Lv2Lv3Lv4Lv5Lv6Lv7Lv8Lv9Lv10Lv11Lv12Lv13Lv14Lv15
Fudou Style Vacuum Slugger DMG314.69%338.29%361.89%393.36%416.96%440.56%472.03%503.5%534.97%566.44%597.91%629.38%668.71%708.05%747.38%
Windmuster Iris DMG21.46%23.07%24.67%26.82%28.43%30.04%32.18%34.33%36.48%38.62%40.77%42.91%45.59%48.28%50.96%
CD12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s12s
Energy Cost404040404040404040404040404040

Passive Skills

Pre-Existing GuiltPre-Existing Guilt
Decreases sprinting Stamina consumption for your own party members by 20%.
Not stackable with Passive Talents that provide the exact same effects.
Paradoxical PracticeParadoxical Practice
When Shikanoin Heizou activates a Swirl reaction while on the field, he will gain 1 Declension stack for Heartstopper Strike. This effect can be triggered once every 0.1s.
Penetrative ReasoningPenetrative Reasoning
After Shikanoin Heizou's Heartstopper Strike hits an opponent, increases all party members' (excluding Shikanoin Heizou) Elemental Mastery by 80 for 10s.

Constellations

Named Juvenile CasebookNamed Juvenile Casebook
For 5s after Shikanoin Heizou takes the field, his Normal Attack SPD is increased by 15%. He also gains 1 Declension stack for Heartstopper Strike. This effect can be triggered once every 10s.
Investigative CollectionInvestigative Collection
The pull effect of the Arresting Windtunnel created by Windmuster Kick is enhanced, and its duration is increased to 1s.
Esoteric Puzzle BookEsoteric Puzzle Book
Increases the Level of Heartstopper Strike by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Tome of LiesTome of Lies
The first Windmuster Iris explosion in each Windmuster Kick will regenerate 9 Elemental Energy for Shikanoin Heizou. Every subsequent explosion in that Windmuster Kick will each regenerate an additional 1.5 Energy for Heizou.
One Windmuster Kick can regenerate a total of 13.5 Energy for Heizou in this manner.
Secret ArchiveSecret Archive
Increases the Level of Windmuster Kick by 3.
Maximum upgrade level is 15.
Curious CasefilesCurious Casefiles
Each Declension stack will increase the CRIT Rate of the Heartstopper Strike unleashed by 4%. When Heizou possesses Conviction, this Heartstopper Strike's CRIT DMG is increased by 32%.

Skill Ascension

Sounds

TitleENCNJPKR
Party Switch
Opening Chest
Normal Attack
Medium Attack
Heavy Attack
Taking Damage (Low)
Taking Damage (High)
Battle Skill #1
Battle Skill #3
Sprinting Starts
Jumping
Climbing
Heavy Breathing (Climbing)
Open World Gliding (Start)
Open World Idle
Fainting

Quotes

Audio Language:
TitleVoiceOver
Hello...
Chat: Criminal Cases
Chat: Detective Work
Chat: Intuition
After the Rain
When Thunder Strikes...
When It Snows
When the Wind Is Blowing
Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Evening
Good Night
About Shikanoin Heizou: Detective
About Shikanoin Heizou: Keywords
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Us: Commissions
About Us: Destined Outcome
About the Vision
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
Something to Share: Sense of Achievement
Something to Share: Doushin
Interesting Things
About Kujou Sara
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Arataki Itto
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Kuki Shinobu
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Yae Miko
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Kaedehara Kazuha: Things in Common
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Kaedehara Kazuha: Invitation
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Gorou
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Sangonomiya Kokomi
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
About Kamisato Ayaka
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
More About Shikanoin Heizou: I
More About Shikanoin Heizou: II
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 3
More About Shikanoin Heizou: III
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
More About Shikanoin Heizou: IV
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 5
More About Shikanoin Heizou: V
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6
Shikanoin Heizou's Hobbies
Shikanoin Heizou's Troubles
Favorite Food
Least Favorite Food
Receiving a Gift: I
Receiving a Gift: II
Receiving a Gift: III
Birthday
Feelings About Ascension: Intro
* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 1
Feelings About Ascension: Building Up
* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 2
Feelings About Ascension: Climax
* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 4
Feelings About Ascension: Conclusion
* Unlocks at Ascension Phase 6
Elemental Skill: I
Elemental Skill: II
Elemental Skill: III
Elemental Burst: I
Elemental Burst: II
Elemental Burst: III
Opening Treasure Chest: I
Opening Treasure Chest: II
Opening Treasure Chest: III
Low HP: I
Low HP: II
Low HP: III
Ally at Low HP: I
Ally at Low HP: II
Fallen: I
Fallen: II
Fallen: III
Light Hit Taken: I
Heavy Hit Taken: I
Joining Party: I
Joining Party: II
Joining Party: III

Stories

TitleText
Character DetailsShikanoin Heizou is an extraordinary young detective.
Though working at the Tenryou Commission, he is at odds with the usual impression of a public servant, who is expected to be "stern," "solemn"... and "solemn" again.
On the outside, he appears more well-behaved and polite than any other new hires, but on the inside, he is actually thumbing his nose at all the official mumbo jumbo.
Unlike his colleagues, he does not go to the Station to report for duty on a daily basis and rarely shows up for any routine patrols.
It can seem like ages since you last saw him, and you may finally chance upon him at some crime scene. Yet, judging by that ever-present grin, you can hardly tell if he is actually there working.
Funnily enough, all his "unorthodox behaviors as a public servant" are somewhat acquiesced to.
His colleagues are more than willing to work with him and his boss seldom criticizes him for being this unfettered.
Even his boss's boss inquires after him every now and then.
All this can be safely chalked up to his unrivaled prowess as a detective.
Whenever the Tenryou Commission is tackling an unusually complicated case, be it a major one or a mysterious one, everyone regards Heizou as their last hope to crack the code.
Even the head of the Police Station marvels at his extensive experience in solving cases, but Heizou himself has a different opinion about that.
"Experience is another name for people's past mistakes, and that's not my trump card."
"My trump card is something I was born with."
Character Story 1Joining the Tenryou Commission is no easy task. Not only do you have to pass the ability test, but also a thorough background check.
Therefore, candidates are usually required to declare some essential information, such as any valuable property.
According to Yoriki Owada, who was in charge of the check at the time, when Heizou applied, he handed in nothing but a blank declaration form.
It was a bright and sunny morning. Sitting opposite Owada, Heizou was curiously exploring the place with his eyes. Owada, who had been around the block by then, spent a moment deciphering the blank form, then looked up and insinuated,
"I've met many brilliant young people. However, it's a shame that none of them made it to the Station in the end."
Hearing this, all of a sudden, that seemingly hyperactive young man stopped looking around, sat up straight, and looked Owada in the eye.
"Right. How about a young person like me?"
His switching happened so fast that Yoriki Owada was suddenly stunned, feeling like prey in the sights of some hawk-eyed predator.
Out of nowhere, a strange sensation came over him, as if at that moment, he was the one being scrutinized.
He said jokingly then, as though it would steady his nerves,
"The Tenryou Commission does not discriminate against the poor. But if you have literally nothing to declare, then we'll make sure we pay extra attention to your background."
It was followed by an unexpected silence. The one sitting opposite looked straight at him without saying a word, just as before.
Owada wasn't feeling his best, his forehead slightly twitching. Maybe it was too hot. He made to wipe off the sweat with the back of his hand.
However, there was no sweat on his forehead at all. Owada stared blankly at the dry back of his hand, not knowing if he should wipe again or put his hand down.
The young man burst out into laughter upon seeing this. His hearty laughter immediately relieved Owada from his overwhelmed state.
Heizou just leaned on the table with his chin in one hand, pointing to his head with the other. He smiled at Owada and said,
"Other than my genius, I have nothing to declare."
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 2
Character Story 2The Tenryou Commission is in fact not where Heizou started his career as a detective.
Before all this happened, Heizou once owned an agency called "Bantan Sango & Heizou Detective Agency."
It was what was to become Bantan Sango Detective Agency in Inazuma City now, which was actually co-founded by Heizou and Sango in the beginning.
The story of the two started with them striking an instant chord with each other, only to end with them regretfully parting ways.
After the breakdown of their partnership, Heizou's name, naturally, was taken down from the old business.
As for the reason behind it all, it can probably all be summed up as "they had different visions."
Sango believes that a detective's entire mission is to uncover the truth, which is something of utmost significance. Most detectives also hold this belief dear to their hearts.
But Heizou reckons there's more to it. That there might be something that's even more vital than the truth.
Years of experience working as a detective have made him aware that when a new case comes to him, that means something unfortunate has already happened.
No matter how the criminals are punished for their evil conduct afterward, it cannot change the fact that someone has already been hurt.
Similarly, no matter how skilled a doctor is, they will never be able to treat a patient and pretend that nothing ever happened, telling them,
"Look, all your wounds have healed, as if you were never wounded in the first place."
The truth is from then on, whenever the patient sees a doctor, sees an infirmary, or sees the scars left by the operation, they will be reminded every time of all the wounds that were once on their body, hurting them.
Doctors are helpless to prevent violent actions from being executed somewhere. Detectives cannot stop new cases from emerging. But Heizou hopes to break this status quo once and for all.
"If I can't nip evil in the bud, then I shall be its natural enemy."
"The name of Shikanoin Heizou will be renowned throughout the world and intimidate anyone with malicious intent all across Teyvat."
"They will realize one thing. Once they submit to the darkness, I will hunt them down to the ends of the earth."
It was at that point that he made his decision to leave the agency and join the Tenryou Commission.
It was the starting point for him to become the "detective" he seeks to be.
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 3
Character Story 3"I've read in the novels that every great detective has an assistant, just like every katsudon has a pork cutlet."
At the Police Station, the new recruit Uesugi approached Heizou with a big smile on his face.
"So, Heizou, what do you think? Can I be your assistant? I'm very clever."
Heizou eyed this chirpy young man up with a grin, then rubbed his chin and replied,
"My intuition tells me that you are not that clever."
"Huh? May... maybe your intuition is wrong."
The sentence Uesugi just uttered seemed to have some magic to it as if it were a closing joke made at the end of a comedy. On hearing that, his nearby senior colleagues all laughed like a supportive audience.
The clever Uesugi immediately realized that he had said something inappropriate, so he tried to patch his statement up.
"What I meant is... we can't just rely solely on intuition in our line of work!"
Unexpectedly, everyone laughed even harder this time. Uesugi, not comprehending what had happened, thought to himself that maybe he should really consider being a comedian.
At that moment, Heizou brushed his shoulder as if to remove the awkwardness along with the dust.
"I was just joking. Actually, my intuition tells me that you, Uesugi, are going to be an excellent Doushin."
"And so, I suggest that you find your own assistant should you have the time."
No sooner had Heizou finished his sentence than he had run away like the wind, leaving a still-baffled Uesigi and his guffawing colleagues behind.
...
"You've still got a long way to go before you can be Doushin Shikanoin's assistant."
"I was just trying to help since I noticed that he has no assistant..."
"Of course he does. He mentioned his assistant many times."
"What?! Has he?"
"Didn't you hear him say 'my intuition tells me' multiple times?"
"Huh?! Are you saying... that his assistant is... his intuition?!"
"Exactly! That guy can solve cases merely with his intuition. Isn't that wild?"
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
Character Story 4When it comes to performance, Heizou should've been promoted many a time, considering all his achievements.
However, in reality, Heizou has been a Doushin ever since he joined the Tenryou Commission.
On the other hand, many among his colleagues and superiors have risen through the ranks as a by-product of his achievements.
After Heizou's cousin, Kano Nana, heard about it, she came to Heizou and was determined to stand up for him.
"You may be a brat, but this unfair treatment you've suffered is way worse."
"I'm going to give those goons a piece of my mind!"
Heizou knew his cousin very well, so to save her from any trouble, Heizou patiently explained the reasons behind this situation — a rare thing for him.
"Cuz, don't consider me lesser than them."
"Wanna take a guess at how many inmates at the Police Station Jail can name the Yoriki?"
Heizou spread his fingers of one hand, palm facing her. "This number at most."
Having no idea what he was getting at, Kano Nana replied hesitantly, "Five?"
"What about the ones who can name this genius detective right in front of you?"
Heizou spread his fingers of the other hand, this time palm facing himself, "This many at least."
"Five again? What's the difference?"
Heizou laughed, "Cuz, I'm talking about the number of hairs on my hands!"
"Just like we have no hair on our palms, none of the inmates can name all the Yoriki."
"But the inmates who can name me are as many as the hairs on the back of my hand!"
"Now that my influence has far exceeded that of those Yoriki, what's in it for me to get promoted?"
"On the contrary, staying close to the front line means that more criminals will be intimidated by the name of Shikanoin Heizou — that's my ultimate goal."
"So don't worry about me, cuz. I have never strayed, and I will never stray from my path!"
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 5
Character Story 5Just as Heizou claims, the most well-known name at the Police Station Jail is not that of any Yoriki, or even that of the General of the Tenryou Commission... But is instead the name of Doushin Shikanoin Heizou.
Here, at least, even the name of the Raiden Shogun herself might be lesser in stature compared to his.
After all, none of these criminals, great or small, have ever been personally nabbed by the Shogun, but a great many of them are surely here on Heizou's account.
This is how things panned out:
It started with some arrogant crooks boasting while temporarily out from behind bars of how elite their criminal skills were and how they had sent government officials off on wild goose chases, seeking to gain the admiration of their fellows.
But when asked why they were caught in spite of their great skills, they would often blame, through clenched teeth, the matter on "that detective."
"Not that I didn't try, mind you, but he's just too cunning!"
Thus did the detective's name spread throughout the prison.
Even later on, the situation would again change when the criminals discovered that the detective who caught them was someone named "Shikanoin Heizou."
It was one thing if a single detective could catch some skilled crooks. Perhaps he was just a good detective.
But if countless high-level criminals were seized by this one man, then surely he could not be an ordinary person.
In that moment, everyone present imagined something similar.
A trickster god in the guise of humanity, scheming and cunning beyond compare, seeing into the hearts of mortals with contemptuous ease.
Why, a change of sides would see such a fellow become the greatest criminal in history!
Those who were unwilling to take part in further affray spoke no more, while even the most hardened and wicked amongst them secretly thought:
"It might be best not to take him on, or to speak more ill about him than we should."
Even the fiercest criminal lords no longer use his name even when they wish to boast, instead using the pseudonym "Cyclone."
When the Doushin on guard duty heard this new title, they would ask what it meant.
And some petty criminals would reply, "A calamity! A plague upon all us crooks!"
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6
Martial Arts Tournament Champion's MedalThe way Heizou sees it, detectives are to destroy their opponents' defenses using their intelligence.
Using force to subdue criminals is, inevitably, the inferior way of doing things, and so Heizou does his best to avoid this in his daily work.
As such, his reputation at the Police Station was, for the longest time, one of a brainy but dainty character.
Thus, everyone was all too sure that he would be in for a tough time at the internal martial arts contest held by the Station.
This would be a no-holds-barred contest: neither limitations on schools nor restrictions of weapons would hold any sway here. The only rule was that the one to knock their opponent from a fifty-pace ring would triumph.
To everyone's shock, however, the "brainy" Heizou would show up to this contest without using Vision, and he carried no weapon but his two bare fists, which in turn carried him to the final.
During that match, Kujou Sara, who had arrived upon hearing rumors of his prowess, assessed that the match was over even before it began.
"Doushin Shikanoin moves lightly and his fists are the match of any weapon. It would be hard to match him in melee — and only a skilled bowman would triumph."
As she predicted, Heizou's opponent would concede defeat after taking seventeen punches to the left side, with only a streak of Heizou's hair sliced off to show for it.
But just as he was about to be crowned champion, Kujou Sara herself walked into the ring and picked up a training bow, requesting a match with Heizou.
There was a brief uproar. Most of the people participating in the tournament were rather junior Doushin, and no one had expected that General Kujou herself would attend.
Heizou narrowed his eyes. He had originally only come to test his skills, such that he might not be found wanting in the extreme situations where his wits alone would not be sufficient.
But at this moment, his blood was up and the spirit of competition had descended on him like it often does on youths, and so he gladly accepted. In a flash, the atmosphere heated up and everyone was flushed with excitement.
"Great going, Heizou!" Doushin Uesugi yelled from the stands, Yoriki Owada quietly pumping a fist from beside him.
After a moment's preparation, both parties entered the ring. The rules were slightly different this time: neither of them would use their Visions. This would only be a contest at fifty paces between Sara's arrow and Heizou's fists. Whoever touched the other first with their weapon would be declared the victor.
The atmosphere by now was practically bursting at the seams. The battle was about to begin. Yet few realized that in a battle between experts, each move was peril itself, and that the match would be ended in a single shot.
Sara let fly, and fifty paces away, Heizou was seen with his right hand clenched in front of his chest, tightly gripping an arrow that quivered but two finger-widths from his heart like a striking serpent.
"It's my loss. What a frighteningly fast shot," Heizou said with a laugh, before throwing the arrow aside. "There was no time to evade, General, so I was forced to touch your weapon."
"I won by dint of the rules alone. I have met very few who could catch one of my arrows barehanded. I doubt the result would be so certain, were this a real battle."
Sara's eyes glimmered as she spoke such praise.
"Doushin Shikanoin, you are skilled in both mind and hand. You will do great things, should you be more disciplined."
...
Half a month later, a champion's medal specially made by the Tenryou Commission arrived at the Grand Narukami Shrine, along with a handwritten note.
"Here's a little something, cuz, for you to give to my old man when you've got the time. Y'know, just to let him know that I haven't completely made a mess of his teachings and all."
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 4
VisionHeizou mentions his childhood very little, for it was not a happy one.
He was born in a remote village where his ancestry was rather prominent and his father was a martial artist of some small repute.
But just like every other rebellious child in the world, he only wished to escape having to take up his father's work, even as he was forced to learn martial arts alongside him.
This state of affairs would persist until Heizou made a friend who claimed to be from a wealthy merchant family at a festival.
This friend was a bright and agile mind, and would often bring all manner of new gadgets for Heizou to play with, saying that they were from his family's storehouse.
Books from Sumeru, mysterious toys from Fontaine of all sorts... These toys injected significant vibrance into Heizou's otherwise monotonous life.
The friends grew closer as they grew older, but Heizou also began to notice a problem.
His friend's clothes were always filthy, hardly the sort of image a rich merchant's son should have.
He thus decided to have an honest talk with his friend. They would have a conversation like proper adults.
Unexpectedly, his friend immediately admitted to having deceived him, and even confessed that all the gifts he had given Heizou were stolen from the local merchant's guild.
He even went so far as to relate that he had originally met Heizou at the festival with the intention to steal some valuables from the latter, only for them to have become friends instead.
He laughed as he confessed these matters, as if this was some interesting tale.
Heizou was furious, though he knew not what he was angry at: was he angry at having been deceived by his best friend? Or was it because his best friend was a criminal?
Regardless, he reprimanded his friend harshly: "We're not friends anymore!"
Fuming, he returned home, sought out each and every item he had been given, and threw them all out, till nothing but a single green pebble remained.
This was one of a pair of "treasures" the two of them had fished out from a small stream, and each of them had taken one. This item alone was not tainted by theft, and was perhaps purer even than their friendship.
Gazing upon it, Heizou hardened his heart and threw it out the window... only for it to strike the window lattice and come flying back, rolling under his bed.
Now irate, and seeing how even the heavens were conspiring against him in this endeavor, Heizou, in a fit of growing pique, dumped himself on the ground like a frog with a punctured belly, refusing to move.
Looking at the ceiling despondently, he told himself that he would one day put these ill things out of his mind. Yet the world is such that the more we wish to forget things, the more they shall refuse to be forgotten.
A year later, when the festival where he and his friend first met rolled back around, Heizou happened to rediscover the pebble, and had it on him as he traveled to attend the festival.
He knew not what he was expecting, but fate already had an answer on hand... though it was not the one Heizou expected.
Heizou would meet his friend again that day, collapsed by the roadside in a pool of his own blood amidst the screams of the crowd.
Just a moment earlier, his friend had gotten into an altercation with a ruffian who had angled to steal his Mora purse, and who then in a panic had plunged a dagger into his heart.
Heizou dashed over to check on his old friend, the pebble in his hand falling by the wayside. Catching sight of it, his friend's dull eyes lit up just a little.
"Come here to see me, did you... Heizou?"
Heizou tried to keep pressure over his good friend's chest, but the blood kept seeping through his fingers, and he was again filled with fury, even more so than the year prior.
"Just shut up! Shut up!" He yelled at his friend.
His friend shook his head, and with great effort opened his purse. There was not a single Mora inside — nothing but the green pebble that had belonged to him.
Squeezing the last ounce of his strength out, he held the pebble out to Heizou with a smile broader than when they had parted.
"I... I came to see you, too..."
...
Heizou did not recall how he had returned home. His mind was blank, filled with nothing but rage and disgust.
But in that moment, his intuition told him that he felt rage and disgust at a certain thing, and that he and it had always been foes.
This thing had mixed deception into friendship, and it had caused life to be cut short before its time. "Sin." That was its name.
But it was not his friend's sin of deception or theft, nor was it the murder that the thief committed. It was something more abstract, something of a higher order.
It was the culmination of all the sins in this world, hovering over all like a titanic shadow covering the skies, fixing its cold and unfeeling gaze on all that was good in this world, and seeking ways to snuff it out.
One morning, one month later, Heizou sneaked out of doors to travel afar, leaving a farewell note behind. He had found his enemy, and he would now embark on a journey to make war against it.
Accompanying him on this journey was a green stone, but it was not the pebble that symbolized friendship, but instead a Vision that stood for his resolve.
* Unlocks at Friendship Lv. 6

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