Hakkesshu

The Hakkesshu (八傑集 or 八傑衆, Haketsushu), also spelled as "Hakkeshu" or "Haketsu", is the name of the followers of Orochi in The King of Fighters series of fighting games. They are also sometimes called "Yamata no Orochi".

Story
In ancient times, there was a divine being calling itself "Gaia's Will": Orochi. Gathering worthy servants to its cause, Orochi's clan continued to protect earth for centuries. The clan's eight strongest followers were called the Hakkesshu, and the four wielding exceptional powers were known as Heavenly Kings. As civilizations grew, nature began to suffer and the natural balance in the world began to collapse due to humanity's hand.

1800 years ago, Orochi could no longer tolerate the destruction and wanted to completely wipe humanity from existence. The Orochi clan and the human race waged war until the Kusanagi, Yata, and the Yasakani defeated him with three mystical treasures. The Hakkeshu and Orochi were defeated and sealed.

660 years later, their master's seal began to weaken. The three clans decided to move its vessel into another location. The Hakkesshu, who were sealed separately, used this chance to free themselves. While the three clans were creating a new seal, one of the Hakkesshu sowed discord between them by killing the Yasakani leader's wife. Under a disguise, the murderer then approached the Yasakani head and reported that the Kusanagi clan was responsible, saying that it was "atonement" for letting the seal weaken. To add more fuel to the fire, the corpse of his wife was found in the Kusanagi homeland. Angered by the revelation, the Yasakani made a blood pact with Orochi to gain the necessary means for revenge. Gaining the forbidden technique, Forbidden Method 1211: Eight Maidens, the Yasakani renamed themselves as the Yagami clan.

Since Orochi continues to feel hatred for mankind years later, with constant intent to punish and destroy humans in spite of being from divine origins, the Hakkesshu is generally considered to be a force of antagonism. Their mission to someday resurrect their lord continues in The King of Fighters series.

The Hakkeshu has a western counterpart in the embodiment of Those from the Past, having identical interest in Orochi.

Members

 * The Eight Heads of Orochi - The eight strongest warriors with exceptionally strong spiritual powers. Each one was assigned with one of Orochi's powers. They are repeatedly reincarnated throughout the ages in different parts of the world, always in search of Orochi's seal. At least two members of the Hakkeshu are known to be able to manifest themselves beyond death, as if alive-- whether this ability is carried by all Hakkeshus is unknown. Some of the lesser Hakkeshus are susceptible to Riot of the Blood, but are either immune or resilient.
 * Leopold Goenitz - Wind: can control the currents of the wind. (Presumed defeated and dead as of KoF '96)
 * Yashiro Nanakase - Earth: has power over the earth (Sacrificed himself in KoF '97)
 * Shermie - Lightning: can use electric currents (Sacrificed herself in KoF '97)
 * Chris - Flame: can control blue tinted flames (Sacrificed himself in KoF '97)
 * Mature - Light: heightened raw instinct; Is not affected by the Riot of the Blood. (Murdered by Iori Yagami in KoF '96; can manifest a solid form using shadows)
 * Vice - Darkness: unmatched physical strength; Is not affected by the Riot of the Blood. (Murdered by Iori Yagami in KoF '96; can manifest a solid form using shadows)
 * Ryuji Yamazaki - Death: increased brutality with unknown results; has high levels of insanity that makes him impervious to Riot of the Blood. (The only pure Hakkesshu alive currently; disinterested in the affairs of Orochi.)
 * Normally, Orochi bloodline members of this mindset are eliminated, like Gaidel, but Yamazaki is too strong for any of the other members to take on, making him something of a "Wild Card". In the events of KoF '97, Yashiro admonishes Yamazaki for his disinterest, and in return, Yamazaki openly rebukes Orochi.
 * Gaidel - Claw and/or water: slashing energy (Killed by his own daughter Leona under Goenitz's influence)
 * Nothingness / Matter - Assigned to no one, Orochi uses this power to appear in the physical realm. Rugal Bernstein tried to claim this power for his own but couldn't contain it.


 * The Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi (四天王, Shiten Ou) - The four strongest warriors in the Hakkesshu among The Eight Heads. They control elements of nature, possess some of Orochi's original abilities, and can activate the Riot of the Blood in people who are susceptible to it. Orochi can probably incarnate in them, as he did with Chris. Their moves are all written using the Cyrillic alphabet.
 * Leopold Goenitz
 * Yashiro Nanakase
 * Shermie
 * Chris

Trivia

 * Orochi Chris, Orochi Yashiro and Orochi Shermie act as a dark counterpart and have the same power as Kyo, Daimon and Benimaru respectively.
 * These powers are the same to Four things that Japanese are afraid of: Fire, Earthquake, Lighting and Father.
 * "Father" is considered to be Goenitz as his ability is wind, and the origin of the word Oyaji (father in Japanese) is thought to have come from O'oyamaji, which mean cyclone.