Kanetsugu Naoe (Koei)

Kanetsugu Naoe is a character in the Samurai Warriors series. He is a retainer of the Uesugi clan who served Kenshin and his successor, Kagekatsu.

History
Kanetsugu first served his lord Kenshin in his famous battles Kawanakajima and Tedorigawa. He helps his master against his opponent and Nobunaga's tactics by protecting their allies from danger and performing personally assigned tasks. After his master died of illness, Kanetsugu joined the western attack of Odawara Castle many years later. While walking in the camp, he met Yukimura and Mitsunari. These three people are connected by their honor ideals and form a vow of friendship.

After the siege victory, when Hideyoshi died, the country once again fell into turmoil, and Ieyasu launched a rebellion against the Toyotomi family. After his resistance, Mitsunari and Kanetsugu opposed him. The two friends hope to capture Ieyasu from two directions, while the shrine attacks the Eastern Army from the west. They continued to win before the news of Mitsunari's failure reached their camp. In the retreat of Hasedo, Kanetsugu ensured that his personnel returned to Echigo safely. In their flight, he defeated Masamune, one of Ieyasu's powerful allies.

Once he heard the news that Mitsunari was executed, he decided to follow his friend into the afterlife. Keiji stopped him and reminded him of the desire of the trio to build a glorious Japan. In order to retaliate against Mitsunari, they quickly rode to Edo Castle and joined Yukimura. When Ieyasu left they took the castle and defeated him in the final confrontation. Although Yukimura lamented that he did not know the whereabouts of Mitsunari, Kanetsugu assured him that he would live forever in their hearts.

Trivia

 * He is the Samurai Warriors equivalent to Ma Chao.
 * Kanetsugu's nickname with Japanese Samurai Warriors fans is "Squid" (イカ, Ika or sometimes the emoticon: くコ:彡). Even though his following redesigns no longer have his "squid" helmet, the nickname still holds up in the fandom.