Arundo Akamatsu

Akamatsu is arrogant, competitive and easily provoked when his ability is questioned. Saitou's presence particularly irritates him because Shibuumi treats the former Shinsengumi swordsman as the more capable assassin.

His confidence frequently exceeds his judgment. Once he believes an opponent has been trapped, he becomes talkative and careless, allowing information to slip that a more disciplined operative would keep secret.

Akamatsu's bravado also has clear limits. When circumstances turn decisively against him, self-preservation replaces pride and he is willing to abandon his employer rather than face a threat he believes he cannot overcome.

Akamatsu fights with kusari-fundo, weighted chains that allow him to attack, bind and manipulate opponents from outside conventional sword range. His physical strength enables him to handle multiple chains aggressively.

He uses the chains to restrict an opponent's movement before closing in for a decisive attack. Against ordinary fighters, the combination of range, entanglement and raw strength makes him a dangerous assassin.

Kenshin's speed and technical ability are considerably greater. Even after Akamatsu succeeds in binding Kenshin and attempts to exploit the apparent opening, Kenshin escapes his trap and decisively defeats him.

Akamatsu appears as one of Shibuumi's hired killers when Saitou is brought into the politician's plans. Jealous of Saitou, Akamatsu wants the assignment of eliminating Kenshin for himself.

Saitou effectively uses Akamatsu as part of his own strategy. While Akamatsu draws Kenshin away and fights him, Saitou goes to the Kamiya Dojo, where he can confront Kenshin under circumstances of his choosing.

After Kenshin defeats him, Akamatsu discovers that Saitou is actually working for Ookubo. Realizing the danger, he decides to abandon Shibuumi and flee to Shanghai. Saitou intercepts him before he can escape and kills him.

Shibuumi employs Akamatsu to assassinate political opponents. Akamatsu is loyal primarily because the work suits his interests rather than from personal devotion.

Hajime Saitou is a fellow assassin in Shibuumi's eyes and an immediate object of Akamatsu's jealousy. Saitou manipulates him as a diversion and later kills him after Akamatsu discovers his government allegiance.

Kenshin Himura is the target Akamatsu hopes to defeat in order to demonstrate his superiority. Kenshin overcomes his chain-based fighting method and defeats him.

Toshimichi Ookubo is the government official whom Saitou secretly serves, a fact whose discovery places Akamatsu in immediate danger.