Utsuro was the founder and the first leader of the Tenshouin Naraku before Oboro. He is the original identity and self of Yoshida Shouyou. After Shouyou's death, his body was reanimated back to his evil self. Imai Nobume stated that it is still unknown whether Shouyou's self still remains or not but regardless, Utsuro is currently considered the most dangerous man in the universe.
Background
With high amounts of Altana present within his body, Utsuro has the power of immortality and regeneration and a host of other extraordinary powers, though it is still unclear how he obtained the Altana in his body. According to Imai Nobume, the name "Utsuro" was passed down as the name of the founder of the Naraku. It is later revealed that all the "Utsuro"s were the same person. During the Tokugawa Reign, when the Naraku worked for the Tendoshu, Utsuro disappeared from Naraku and changed his name and identity and taught at a temple school as Yoshida Shouyou, where he taught students including Gintoki, Katsura and Takasugi. The reason for this was because he wanted to impart some good on the world after killing for 500 years. However, his identity was discovered and was arrested for illegal gatherings and creating dissenters that would rustle those who the Tendoshuu ruled over. He was executed by Gintoki at the end of the Joui war. After his death, he came back to life and reanimated back to Utsuro. Nobume has stated that "The Utsuro standing there was said to have eyes like those of a completely different person. "
Appearance
His outfit is similar to those of Tengus. Instead of the warm smile Shouyou always gives, Utsuro has a cold, contempt and twisted smile plastered on his face almost all the time. His body and face constitution seem to be slightly more muscular and masculine as well.
Utsuro in the episode 297.5
Personality
Though Utsuro smiles a lot, like his former Shouyou self, his smile is cold and twisted. He has taken an interest into fighting Gintoki. When Gintoki broke his mask, he was shocked to see the smiling face of his old teacher, and Utsuro used that moment to catch Gintoki off guard.
Even Batou commented that he cannont read Utsuro's mind at all, his whole being is like an emptiness that will consume everything (as Utsuro's name means "emptiness") He also refers Utsuro as "it" instead of "him".
Beyond his twisted personality, Utsuro seeks death to end his tragic life of immortality. He stated that life without ending is void (again reference to his name's meaning). It is still unknown if the reason why he taught the future samurais (most of all his first three disciples), and used Shige Shige's police forces is to acquire their help to end his life or not.
Strength & Abilities
Master Swordsmanship Specialist: Due to his identity of being an evil persona of Shouyou, Utsuro is an expert at swords as he was able to take on Sougo, Nobume, and Kagura all at the same time. While he was fighting Gintoki, Sougo noted how Gintoki reacted to Utsuro's sword like he was fighting it from memory. Utsuro then stated that Gintoki had fought against his sword style before (hinting at Shouyou's style) and that Gintoki could not beat his style since he never did it before.
Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant: He is unparalleled in combat. He can automatically adapt to any type or style of combat, whether armed or unarmed. He used the open-palm strikes against Gintoki and Sougo causing their bodies serious damage.
Physical Attributes: Shouyou was shown to have great physical strength (nearly limitless), speed, agility, senses, and reflexes. Due to his identity of being an evil persona of Shouyou, Utsuro possesses even greater strength and physical attributes.
Cunning: He was taken by the Tendoushuu as a lab rat after he came back to life, but when he showed up again, he had become on of the Tendoushuu, able to play along with the Tendoushuu, seizing full power of Harusame by killing off all the Elders. He is a mastermind and is extremely cunning.
Immortality: Affected by the power of Altana /Ryumyaku, Utsuro is an absolute immortal; unable to die, age, rot, immune to all illnesses, diseases, disorder, poisons, toxins, spells, and will rapidly heal/regenerate from any and all injuries no matter how destructive and be restored to perfect health and condition. He can completely and perfectly heal and regenerate from all wounds, including lost limbs, lost organs, decapitation, even complete incineration and cannot be killed: as shown when he was forced to be executed by Gintoki and had his body burned, he came back to life after being beheaded, and incinerated. While it has not been shown, it is safe to say that he does not need to eat, drink or breath, and is capable of living in any environment. Over his 500 year he is always in perfect shape and attractive implying; he naturally possesses a perfect body as a living being and even without training his muscles remain lean, brawny, and his body shape doesn't change no matter how much calories he intakes, or how he lives his life. He is a super genius with immense charisma & eloquence, compelling scent & voice, smooth skin, and perfect beautiful everlasting dark silky hair (even more than Katsura's,). He has total recall; permanently remembers & can instantly recall everything he has read, seen or heard perfectly, without trouble or pause for thought, His brain has unlimited storage & processing capacity. While the Tendoushuu and other amantos crave his power of immortality, Utsuro himself wishes an end to his immortality.
Story
Farewell, Shinsengumi Arc
Rakuyou Arc
Trivia
- His name "Utsuro" means "emptiness"
- Its appearance is similar to a Tengu (天狗) hybrid of bird and human represented in Japanese mythology.
- In the hilt of his katana is a manji, Buddhist religious symbol representing eternity and the 4 elements.
- It seems to have interest in Umibouzu as he said that the latter alone is able to end his 500-year ordeal.