Heishin Woo

Heishin is calculating, controlling and strongly concerned with the survival of the criminal organization he helps manage. Where Enishi is willing to subordinate practically everything to his personal Jinchū against Kenshin Himura, Heishin approaches decisions from the perspective of money, organization and long-term power.

He is also arrogant and quick to belittle people he considers beneath him. This tendency becomes particularly obvious when he encounters Kenshin's companions and assumes they are merely subordinates rather than friends capable of acting independently. His confidence depends heavily on the resources and fighters under his command.

Heishin's composure deteriorates when his plans fail. His pride makes it difficult for him to accurately reassess an opponent after forming a dismissive first impression, a weakness that Aoshi Shinomori directly identifies.

Heishin possesses no exceptional martial-arts ability. His strengths lie in administration, planning and criminal organization. Together with Enishi, he helps build an international black-market weapons operation capable of moving arms from Shanghai into Japan.

He can use firearms, but his personal combat ability is far below that of the major fighters surrounding Enishi. He therefore relies on the Sū-shin—Seiryuu, Suzaku, Byakko and Genbu—as his principal protection.

His preparation extends to defensive infrastructure. On Enishi's island he arranges extensive defenses, including mines intended to prevent hostile ships from approaching safely.

Heishin represents the business side of Enishi's criminal empire. Enishi agrees that, in exchange for being allowed to use the organization's resources for Jinchū, control of the organization will eventually pass to Heishin.

As the conflict surrounding Enishi intensifies, Heishin becomes increasingly concerned that his superior's obsession with Kenshin will damage the organization. When Kenshin and his allies reach the island, Heishin deploys the Sū-shin against them while Kenshin proceeds toward Enishi. Each of the four bodyguards is defeated, demonstrating how badly Heishin has underestimated Kenshin's companions.

[After Enishi's defeat, Heishin attempts to shoot Kenshin. Kaoru Kamiya shields Kenshin, causing Enishi to remember Tomoe's sacrifice and attack Heishin before he can fire. Kenshin prevents Enishi from killing him, and Heishin is ultimately taken into custody with the surviving members of the organization.](#spoiler)

Enishi Yukishiro is Heishin's superior and business partner. Their organization prospers through the combination of Enishi's strength and Heishin's planning, but Heishin resents Enishi treating the organization as personal property and expects to inherit control after Jinchū.

Kenshin Himura becomes a threat to both Enishi and Heishin's criminal operation. Heishin repeatedly fails to understand the loyalty that Kenshin inspires in his companions.

Seiryuu, Suzaku, Byakko and Genbu are Heishin's personal bodyguards, collectively known as the Sū-shin.

Aoshi Shinomori openly criticizes Heishin's inability to judge his opponents accurately.

Kaoru Kamiya protects Kenshin when Heishin attempts to shoot him after the climactic battle, prompting Enishi to intervene.

Gein briefly encounters Heishin on Enishi's island. Heishin has already arranged for Gein to be eliminated once the puppet master's usefulness to the organization has ended.