Masaru Hayashi, known as the Dragon of the West, was the first Warrior Monk of Raijin and a pivotal figure in the founding of the Y’azi Empire's martial legacy. A red-scaled dragonborn of immense strength and fiery resolve, Masaru wielded the divine katana Arashi no Ikari (Storm's Fury), a blade crackling with the power of lightning. His contributions to the empire’s history, the founding of the Order of the Jade Dragon, and his ultimate sacrifice in the battle against the Tides of Khaos have immortalized him as a legendary figure.
Early Life
Masaru began his journey as a devoted pupil of Ryujin Hattori, who had yet to ascend as the Dragon Emperor. Under Ryujin’s tutelage, Masaru honed his natural talent for combat, developing a bold and decisive style that mirrored the unpredictable fury of a storm. His fiery temperament and relentless drive earned him respect, but also a reputation for brashness that sometimes put him at odds with others.
Despite his fiery nature, Masaru shared a deep bond with Ryujin, viewing him as both a master and a guiding force. This relationship would later prove crucial during their journey to the Isle of Storms, where Masaru would receive his divine calling.
Brotherhood with Kenshiro Takeda
Masaru’s life was intertwined with that of Kenshiro Takeda, the Dragon of the East and champion of Fujin. While their personalities often clashed—Kenshiro’s care-free and wise nature contrasting sharply with Masaru’s direct and fiery approach—the two warriors shared a bond of profound respect and trust. They viewed one another as blood brothers, bound by fate and the shared burden of their divine roles.
Masaru often jested that Kenshiro let the wind “blow him wherever it pleased,” while Kenshiro teased that Masaru “chased lightning without knowing where it would strike.” Despite these jests, the two worked in harmony, their contrasting styles symbolizing the balance between wind and storm.
Journey to the Isle of Storms
Masaru’s destiny was forged during his journey to the Isle of Storms alongside Ryujin Hattori and Kenshiro Takeda. There, the trio sought the wisdom of the twin draconic gods, Fujin and Raijin, to prepare for the growing threats to the Y’azi Empire.
On the storm-battered isle, Raijin appeared to Masaru, bestowing upon him Arashi no Ikari (Storm’s Wrath), a katana imbued with the essence of lightning. This blade, crackling with divine energy, symbolized Raijin’s power and Masaru’s role as its wielder. Raijin tasked Masaru with becoming the embodiment of decisive strength, a force to cut through chaos and restore balance.
The Revelers of Raijin
Upon returning to the Y’azi Peninsula, Masaru established the Temple of Raijin, a sacred sanctuary dedicated to Raijin’s teachings and the cultivation of discipline and martial excellence. There, he founded the Warrior Monks of Raijin, a sect of samurai who embraced the god’s philosophy of swift action and unyielding resolve.
Masaru’s leadership extended beyond the temple. He was instrumental in uniting the empire’s greatest warriors under the banner of the newly formed Order of the Jade Dragon, a brotherhood of elite samurai dedicated to protecting the empire and its people. Through his fiery determination, he inspired loyalty and forged an indomitable force that would stand against the empire’s greatest threats.
The Tides of Khaos
Masaru’s most defining moment came during the Tides of Khaos, when the united Tribes of Khaos, led by the Warrior-King Valkur, sought to engulf the Y’azi Peninsula in a bloody war. As the forces of chaos surged, Masaru and Kenshiro rallied the Order of the Jade Dragon to defend their homeland.
In the climactic battle, Masaru faced Valkur directly. With the combined might of Kazehikari and Arashi no Ikari, he and Kenshiro severed Valkur’s connection to Skorn, the Khaos god of wrath, disrupting the warrior-king’s chaotic power. However, in his frenzy, Valkur turned his fury upon the two champions.
Despite their strength and divine gifts, both Masaru and Kenshiro fell in battle, their lives extinguished in a storm of wrath and blood. Their sacrifice, however, created the opening for Fujin and Raijin to intervene, banishing Valkur to the Plane of Khaos and routing the united tribes of chaos. This moment, though tragic, ensured the survival of the Y’azi Empire.
Legacy
Masaru’s legacy endures as a symbol of courage, strength, and sacrifice. His founding of the Temple of Raijin and the Unknown laid the foundation for generations of warriors who embody the god’s teachings. His leadership in uniting the Order of the Jade Dragon solidified his role as a protector of the empire.
The story of Masaru and Kenshiro’s brotherhood remains a poignant reminder of the balance between wind and storm, a harmony that is essential for overcoming chaos. Their ultimate sacrifice is honored through the Twin Dragon Prophecy, which foretells the return of their spirits in the modern age as the Twin Dragon Warriors, destined to defend the empire once more.
Masaru Hayashi, the Dragon of the West, will forever be remembered not just as a warrior, but as a beacon of unyielding resolve, his katana striking like lightning to illuminate the path through the tempest. His name, like the storm he embodied, will echo across the ages.