Kei Uzuki, also known as “X” or “Slur,” is a killer with the goal of overthrowing the JAA. Around the same time that Taro Sakamoto received his bounty, Uzuki murdered one-fourth of the assassin industry, leaving a large ‘X’ mark at the scenes of his crimes. Due to his actions and those of his comrades, he serves as the primary antagonist of the series.
Appearance
Uzuki is a slim man of average height with light-colored, medium-length hair styled in a messy fashion that often obscures part of his face, including his eyes and nose when he leans forward. His hair covers his ears and is typically parted in the middle, especially during fights. He has light-blue eyes that often appear dead and empty, particularly when confronting enemies. Uzuki usually wears a long, light-colored coat that extends below his knees, paired with a white turtleneck, long black pants, and black formal shoes.
In his youth at the JCC, Uzuki wore a similar turtleneck and black pants, but without the coat. After regaining control of his body, he was described by Shinaya as a good-looking man with white hair and a white suit.
Personality
Initially, Uzuki is portrayed as calm and cold, capable of killing a significant number of assassins without remorse. He provokes Sakamoto by mentioning his daughter, suggesting he may harm Sakamoto’s family if allowed to live.
However, during his group’s attack on the JAA, Uzuki reveals a friendlier, more caring side in his conversations with Gaku and shows remorse for Uda’s self-sacrifice. His personality shifts dramatically when he is with friends or those he cares about, displaying a softer and more vulnerable side.
In the past, Uzuki was a reserved and timid individual who believed killing was wrong. He only killed when necessary for a mission or specific target. His older brother, Sei Asaki, exploited Uzuki’s beliefs by threatening to harm his friends in the orphanage if he failed to comply with his demands. This manipulation may have driven Uzuki’s desire to return to the orphanage and save his friends after completing a mission. A tragic incident involving the murder of Rion Akao led him to abandon his morals and adopt a villainous path.
Psychological Condition
Uzuki suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder, a condition that allows him to create multiple personas to cope with extreme stress and trauma. These personas can mimic the characteristics and abilities of individuals he has encountered, and they persist even after the original person dies. For instance, Sakamoto and Nagumo noted that Uzuki’s Rion persona closely resembled their old friend, making it difficult to distinguish between the real Rion and Rion-Uzuki.
Uzuki can replicate the mannerisms and skills of these individuals. For example, his Takamura persona not only mutters unintelligibly like the real Takamura but also demonstrates mastery of the katana, defeating the actual Takamura despite Uzuki’s earlier lack of proficiency with the weapon.
Skills and Abilities
Overall Skill Level
As the leader of X’s Organization, Uzuki is an exceptionally powerful assassin, demonstrating immense skill and capability throughout the series.
Master Combatant
Uzuki is an incredibly skilled fighter, capable of decimating a significant portion of the assassin industry, an achievement that prompted intervention from the Order.
Enhanced Speed and Reflexes
Uzuki possesses remarkable speed, often appearing behind opponents unnoticed. He has been able to stab the legendary Sakamoto in the stomach and catch him off-guard with a whip attack. Additionally, he can keep pace with Sakamoto’s incredible speed during their brief encounters.
Medical Conditions
Dissociative Personality Disorder
Uzuki’s Dissociative Personality Disorder enables him to manifest alternate personas and utilize combat abilities he has observed. He has developed at least two distinct personas throughout the story, often requiring extreme stress and interaction with others to create them. His personas adopt various traits from the individuals they are based on, such as Rion’s carefree demeanor and Takamura’s muttering habits.
- Rion-Uzuki: Rion Akao was a senior member of the JCC who lived with Uzuki for over a year. Her persona was created to protect Uzuki.
- Takamura-Uzuki: This persona emerged during a fight against Takamura, allowing Uzuki to utilize his katana skills to defeat him.
Situs Inversus
Uzuki has Situs Inversus, a rare condition where internal organs are reversed or mirrored. This anomaly has contributed to his survival from otherwise fatal attacks.
Equipment
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Sword-Whip: Uzuki wields a sword-whip, a segmented blade that allows for both long-range attacks and close-range counterattacks. He used this weapon to temporarily block Takamura’s arm during combat.
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Katana: Uzuki acquired Takamura’s katana during their fight after manifesting the Takamura persona. The katana is exceptionally sharp and durable, capable of slicing through thick steel and concrete without damage.