| THE SHIMADA CLAN. |
| "My family tells of an ancient legend about two great dragon brothers: the dragon of the North Wind and the dragon of the South Wind. Together, they upheld balance and harmony in the heavens. But the two brothers argued over who could better rule their land. Their quarrel turned to rage and the violent struggle darkened the skies until the dragon of the South Wind struck down his brother, who fell to Earth, shattering the land. The dragon of the South Wind had triumphed but as time passed and he realised his solitude the sweetness of victory turned to ash. For years the bereft dragon’s grief threw the world into discord and he knew only bitterness and sorrow. One day, a stranger called up to the dragon and asked ‘oh dragon lord, why are you so distraught?’ The dragon told him ‘seeking power I killed my brother, but without him, I am lost.’ The stranger replied ‘you have inflicted wounds upon yourself. But now you must heal. Walk the Earth on two feet as I do. Find value in humility. Then you will find peace.’ The dragon knelt on the ground. For the first time he was able to clearly see the world around him and he became human. The stranger revealed himself as his fallen brother. Reunited, the two set out to rebuild what they had once destroyed." |
| HANZO SHIMADA; the heir. |
| Hanzo Shimada was born to a centuries old family, a clan of assassins with power that grew into a vast criminal empire. As the eldest son of Sojiro Shimada, the head of the family, Hanzo was raised bound by duty to succeed his father and take over the family business. He was trained for his role, showing aptitude for leadership and understanding of strategy and tactics. He excelled at practical arts - martial arts, swordplay and bowmanship. When his father died, the clan elders commanded Hanzo to stop his wayward brother from damaging the family name and bring him into line so that he, too, might help rule the Shimada empire. Genji refused, however, and Hanzo was forced to kill him - or so he thought. Genji survived the attempt and was picked up by Overwatch, becoming a member of their team while Hanzo was broken by the act he had committed. Murdering his brother broke Hanzo's heart and he eventually left the Shimada clan, breaking out on his own and giving up everything he had worked so long and hard to achieve. He escaped the assassins they sent after him and decided to try and walk a path of forgiveness, seeking redemption for his crimes. |
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