Shiro Ryujoji  

One of Jiyu's suitors who met her while wandering in a forest. Despite his belief that he was the second child, Shiro is actually the firstborn. He is portrayed as an energetic young man at the beginning of the series. After discovering Jiyu's fate to become Yagyu Jubei, he tries to free her from this burden but fails. In a duel with Jiyu, he defeats her, but she collapses. Later, Shiro is attacked by Hajime and saved by an elderly mentor. He then battles Hajime in another duel and frees him from the 300-year grudge of Ryujoji school. During his visit to his savior, he becomes possessed by Taiko Daiyus spirit. In a subsequent confrontation with Jiyu, Shiro nearly kills her but manages to regain control over himself after realizing that he cannot stab her between her breasts. In the second series, Shiro appears to have lost his fighting spirit and behaves like an idiot. He joins Bantaros' gang and frequently engages in their insane games. However, near the end of the series, his fighting spirit returns.