Zankuro Minazuki/Story

Zankuro is a fearsome warrior who once traveled from village to village slaughtering people with no regard or disambiguation. During this time, he earns the title "the demon" in testament to his terrifying skill and battle prowess. He encounters a young girl who he couldn't bring himself to kill and realizes the error of his ways. He retires his massacring and enters hermitage, only drawing his blade to kill worthy opponents in duels. The survivor, a woman named Shiori, was actually Zankuro's daughter, forgotten by him due to her father's killing intent. She meets the wandering Haohmaru and asks him to kill the "demon".

Eventually, he is defeated by Shizumaru and his body is buried and sealed later by Gaira Caffeine. In Samurai Shodown IV it's revealed that the dead body was carried away by Amakusa who revives him as an implement for destruction. In order to keep Zankuro's bloodlust under control, Amakusa kidnaps Hazuki from the Kazama ninja clan and used her ki and special life force to control Zankuro. Zankuro would later be killed by Sogetsu Kazama while his brother confronts Amakusa. His appearances after Samurai Shodown III continue to revive him as an un-lockable boss for the players to defeat.

In Samurai Shodown VI, his ending has Shizumaru bring Shiori to him with Haohmaru encouraging the estranged family to reconcile. Feeling himself beyond redemption, he refuses until Shizumaru convinces him not to submit to his inner demon. Realizing the value of life, Zankuro decides to live on for his daughter. He abandons the way of the sword and the two embark on a journey where he hopes to repent for his sins.