"My name is Shinomori Aoshi and I am leader of the Oniwabanshū ninja.

My childhood is something long forgotten, my only memories are of the Oniwabanshū and my training. I earned the rank of Okashira at age fifteen, a position that I have held with honour...until my mistaken judgement led to the deaths of my comrades.

After their burials I found a new goal, to kill the one I deemed responsible...I followed him to Kyoto yet once again I failed in completing my goal, but at the same time was forced to see the foolishness of my actions and finally sough time to meditate and repent.

After that I regained my title, hoping this time not to replay the mistakes of the past. Although it seems that the path I have now chosen will lead me to that man again, our paths are intertwined somehow and perhaps on some level I have come to consider them as my 'friends'."