Leonard Burns

Burns is stern, disciplined and deeply religious. He speaks with authority and rarely displays uncertainty in front of his subordinates, creating the impression of a man whose convictions are immovable. His intimidating demeanor is supported by genuine concern for those under his command, and he takes the responsibilities of both priesthood and firefighting seriously.

His faith is more complicated than simple obedience to doctrine. Burns has personally witnessed phenomena that challenge the Holy Sol Temple's teachings, yet he continues to pray. For him, faith becomes a conscious choice rather than something dependent on proof that the institution's interpretation of the Sun God is correct.

He also has a strong sense of responsibility toward Shinra. Even when withholding information, Burns believes he is acting according to what will protect the younger man, although this paternalistic approach creates distrust between them.

Burns is a Third Generation pyrokinetic with exceptional physical strength and heat resistance. His Ignition Ability, Voltage Nova, gradually raises the thermal energy within his body. The longer a fight continues and the more stages he reaches, the stronger and faster he becomes, surrounding himself with an increasingly intense fiery aura.

His physical combat ability is formidable even before Voltage Nova reaches its higher stages. During the Rookie Fire Soldier Games training period, Burns can withstand Arthur Boyle's plasma sword and overpower Shinra with little apparent difficulty. His experience allows him to combine raw force, durability and precise control of his Ignition Ability.

Burns also bears a Stigma associated with an Adolla Link. His damaged right eye is connected to an earlier encounter with Adolla, during which he and Five-Two witnessed the Evangelist. That experience becomes central to Burns's investigation of the Holy Sol Temple and his understanding of the world beyond ordinary flame.

Burns first appears as Company 1's imposing captain during the Rookie Fire Soldier Games, where he immediately establishes himself as one of the Fire Force's senior combatants. When Shinra later trains at Company 1, Burns personally spars with him and Arthur and demonstrates how far the rookies still have to progress.

His importance to Shinra extends beyond his position. Burns was present during the fire at the Kusakabe home twelve years earlier, making him one of the few surviving witnesses who may know what happened to Mari Kusakabe and Shō Kusakabe. He eventually provides Shinra with information that challenges the account the boy had been given after the disaster.

Burns's investigations into the Holy Sol Temple and his experiences with Adolla gradually place him in a severe conflict between faith, duty and the truth he has uncovered. He later opposes Shinra during the attempt to rescue Akitaru Ōbi, forcing Shinra to fight the captain at full strength.

Shinra Kusakabe has a complicated relationship with Burns. Burns was present during the Kusakabe family fire and later becomes both a source of information and an obstacle in Shinra's search for the truth.

Shō Kusakabe was present during the incident that first connected Burns directly to the Kusakabe family's tragedy.

Karim Flam, Rekka Hoshimiya and Huo Yan Li serve as senior officers under Burns in Company 1. Burns entrusts substantial responsibility to his lieutenants while maintaining overall command of the brigade.

Tamaki Kotatsu begins the story as a Fire Soldier assigned to Burns's Company 1 and respects him as her captain.

Akitaru Ōbi is a fellow captain whose independent Company 8 frequently intersects with Burns and Company 1 during investigations into the Fire Force and the Holy Sol Temple.

[Joker shares an important connection with Burns's earlier life and knowledge of the church's hidden side, although the two ultimately pursue the truth by very different methods.](#spoiler)