Kouga Bloodline

At a time when most shinobi relied solely on physical skill and prowess, the Kouga Bloodline thrived as one the best in the shinobi world. This closed society of people lived to serve the shogunate with unbridled and unmatched loyalty. The bloodline served as the shadow, excelling at the art of both of illusion and camouflage and the secret ability to create and manipulate the shinton element. At its birth, the bloodline was ran by three elected officials that oversaw all the tasks of the Kouga ninja. Naturally, with three minds set to a single task; arguments always came about when dealing with a crisis. It would not be long before infighting broke and the bloodline separated into three factions. To this day the bloodline remains scattered into three different factions though all answer to the leader of the bloodline. The first leader had in fact waged a small campaign with only the best, brightest, and most loyal of the bloodline to bring the 3 factions in line. This leader, Shibata Kouga, was the first in the bloodline's history to ever possess the Shinton element and with it, ordered the complete unification of the factions under his rule as leader. Few argued and those that did were immediately labeled traitors, names erased from any text, and the put to death. Once united, Shibata then ordered the bloodline live away from the influence of the world and only come from the shadows when beckoned. 

Naturally, after Shibata Kouga's death, many leaders tried to pick where the man left off. Sadly, few could command the fear that Shibata imposed on those that would rebel. Only a few years after his death did the factions begin to show signs of separation. None were able to quell the violence and once again, rebellion and separation threatened the livelihood of the Kouga. It was the granddaughter of Shibata, Shikana Kouga, who would take up the mantle of leadership and quell the fighting; for she, too, possessed the ability to use the Shinton element. It was then that all knew, after going through several leaders that had all died mysteriously in office, only one possessing the Shinton element could command the loyalty of the bloodline. Thus, as decreed by Shikana, only one who possesses the ability will lead the Kouga any others would likely die. Under her rule, Shikana remained true to her grandfather's ideals and made the bloodline isolated from world. It was not until many years, three different clan leaders rule, did one attempt to change the Kouga's way of life.

The shinobi in the outside world were constantly at odds with one another, vying for dominance. Naturally the fighting itself had found its way to the Kouga Manjidani doorstep. The leader at the time, Maede Kouga, was known for his kind heart and skill as a healer; thus could not turn away from such bloodshed. For the first time since a bloodline became unified under one leader, the Kouga opened its doors to any shinobi in need of medical help. To protect their charges, the Kouga protected all within their territory regardless of outside allegiance. Over the course of time, the bloodline grew in size due to many shinobi wanting to remain with the Kouga; whether out of love or personal choice. Maede, being kind as he was, allowed them to remain only if the let go of past allegiances and vow a blood oath to the Kouga. Many were more than happy to comply. This time period turned the Kouga Manjidani bloodline from its isolation and accepted outsiders to live amongst them. 

As time passed the bloodline eventually completely left behind its isolated tradition and allied themselves with Fire Country Daimyo at the time. Under the leadership of Jun Kouga, known amongst her peers as the "Cur Kouga" for agreeing to the alliance, the Kouga  served the country; though many of the bloodline were outraged by this. However, none were foolish enough to press the issue past conplaints, for even still people feared the legacy of Shibata Kouga. The position of  leader changed hands thrice under the alliance, all of those men and women eager to serve the Country of Fire. It wasn't until the 20th clan leader, Shishimaru Kouga, was cheated out of a chance to be on the Daimyo's council did the Kouga begin to once again alienate themselves from the Country. It is believed that Shishimaru distrusted the competence of the Daimyo and rather than rebel, the bloodline would simply gives its allegiance to a Daimyo more deserving. This was seen as treason to the current Daimyo and in response he sought to have Shishimaru's head as penance for the bloodline's crime. 

The result being known as the "Kouga Rebellion". The battle was waged for half a year, both sides taking loses; but with the Kouga were so astoundingly outnumbered, the toll was greatest on them. In the chaos, Shishimaru and the one that was selected to be the next leader were both slain by the Daimyo's men. The leaderless bloodline quickly fell to turmoil and had all but surrendered to the might of Fire Daimyo, when one child who like many before him bore the legacy of Shibata took the mantle of leadership. Yokuno Kouga, the 21st leader of the Kouga Manjidani clan, was but a boy of 14 but had rose through the ranks to Journeyman ninja fairly quickly. Credited as a genius, Yokuno was a shinobi that desired only to be just that. However the death of his brother, the heir who died with Shishimaru, was said to turned the boy into one of the most feared leaders. In the boy's wake he not only fought back the Daimyo's final assault, but also lead the Kouga away from Fire Country territories and into the territories of Wind. It was in the Country of Wind where the Kouga  finally set its roots, with the assistance from the people of the Wind Daimyo at the time. 

Currently the Kouga is led by its 25th leader, Noh Kouga, a woman that is a descendent of Yokuno. Though most the bloodline still chooses to live outside the the country's capital, some do reside within the within said city; most of them being shinobi or shop owners. Those that actually possess the true skills of the Kouga, I.e. Shinton element, have become rare amongst the bloodline. This is believed to be because of the mingling with those that are not of the bloodline. This is why those that possess the ability are viewed as royalty, especially being that only one with the legacy can lead the bloodline; these few are taught only by the best in the Kouga in all areas from cooking and foraging to fighting and politics. A regiment that started by order of the 18tj leader, Saito Kouga, said to have been the greatest strategist to ever come out of the bloodline. To this day there are a few young shinobi that carry Legacy of Shibata, being groomed to add to the mighty history of the Kouga Manjidani bloodline.