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Saichi Sugimoto, known as Sugimoto the Immortal, is a war veteran of the Russo-Japanese War. While panning for gold in Hokkaido, Sugimoto learns of the tale of mysterious Ainu gold and sets on an adventure to find it while accompanying a young Ainu huntress Asirpa. Sugimoto is incredibly kind but due to being plagued by war, he becomes violent especially if those he cares for is endangered. Sugimoto's foremost trait is his survival instinct. He never intends to die and finds a way defeat those that intend to kill him. When he has identified an enemy, he fights to kill and aims for the quickest, most brutal way to do so. Sugimoto has an infallible determination to survive and will grab every chance to escape from danger, never despairing. The hunt for the gold has made him highly paranoid, and he always takes precautions that pay off when he is attacked. However, Sugimoto is also a kind and valorous man. He wants to find the gold not for personal gain, but to pay for expensive eye treatment in America for his former love and best friend's widow, Umeko. Around children, Sugimoto is especially friendly and acts amiable toward everyone if he doesn't suspect foul play. Sugimoto doesn't hesitate to brave danger and often resists pain to fight. Finally, Sugimoto hides many demons inside him. He has nightmares about the Russo-Japanese War and has low self-esteem, believing that his kills on the battlefield earned him a place in Hell. He feels guilty for not protecting his friend Toraji during the war. During his fight with Gansoku, Sugimoto, even in his berserker state, admits just how useless he is for not protecting those he cared about. |
