Group Name: Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist

Group Location: Mist Village

Group History:
This archetype marks acceptance into a group of shinobi limited to seven by tradition. With this title comes respect, prestige, and extra responsibility, because to hold a position as one of the Seven is to serve as the ultimate role model for other ninja of Hidden Mist.

This is not a title given out for virtue, honor, or even loyalty; all that is required is sufficient skill with the blade, sufficient devotion to the blade, a blade worthy of communing with, and an open spot amongst the Swordsmen. Some choose to handle this last requirement personally.

The Legendary Swordsmen are a group only in name, and aside from their shared skills with the blade, tend to be as diverse in personality and temperament as any other group of people. The Seven prefer to work solo, though some missions may call for two or three of these esteemed warriors to cooperate as a makeshift squad. However, once the assignment is completed, the Swordsmen usually go their separate ways and may not see each other for months at a time. There are no permanent partners; whoever ends up working together is by necessity and/or luck of the draw.

Due to their terrific skills, the Legendary Seven are often asked to take on a younger swordsman as a private student, most commonly a Genin. This is not mandatory, completely a choice of the Mist Swordsman in question, but it is a favor to the village because it means the next generation can benefit from a master�s teachings.

A Swordsman retains his title for life. This is regardless of whether he retires as a shinobi or betrays the country. The Swordsmen remember their own, and still count him amongst their numbers. Throughout the years, it has been common for hopeful shinobi, loyal to the Mist and wishing to bear the title of Legendary Swordsman, to try and hunt down those missing Swordsman, both in duty to their country and to open a spot in this most exclusive of groups. Someone who kills one of the Seven is respected for that feat and achieves a sort of fame himself, though that fame is usually dangerous.

The Legendary Mist Swordsmen have a list of criteria that ensures that those chosen are those who are meant to be amongst them:

-- No two Legendary Swordsmen may use the same sword style, and may only have one style. Whether this sword style is Mist-specific or universal is up to the applicant.
-- A Legendary Swordsman must have a unique blade. Mundane weapons, while allowed centuries ago, have been displaced by the requirement of special, ancestral, or otherwise "living" (having irregular properties) swords.
-- Every Legendary Swordsman has the right to a nickname that personifies his battle ability or battle ideology.
-- The title of Legendary Swordsman of Mist is only available to Chuunin and abouve at least 18 years of age. As mentioned before, those who are admitted retain the title for life. A spot in the Seven is opened only upon the death of a member� natural, accidental, or otherwise.

Group Roster:
1. Yokoshima Da-Ku (Shadow Wolf)
2. Yazuka Retsu (Bitter Cold Shinobi)
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Apprentices:
1. Kanisawa Aizen (Apprentce of the Leap Frog Hermit)
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