Takauji Ashikaga

足利尊氏 足利尊氏（あしかが たかうじ）

Gender:Male

Hōjō Tokiyuki's greatest enemy, known as the "absolute protagonist" of the Nanboku-chō period, a remarkable figure. Originally a vassal of the Kamakura shogunate, Takauji Ashikaga. He excelled in both literary and martial arts, earning the respect and admiration of people, and was seen as a hero. He had a cool and handsome appearance, unusual for a warrior, and possessed overwhelming charisma with his humble demeanor and friendly smile, capturing the hearts of all. He treated Tokiyuki kindly, who respected him in return. He acted based on an innate intuition that transcended logic. In the first episode, he headed to Kyoto to suppress the anti-shogunate faction led by Emperor Go-Daigo, but was actually in league with the emperor and swiftly betrayed and destroyed the Kamakura shogunate. After the overthrow, he was given a new name by Emperor Go-Daigo, to whom he pledged his loyalty, captivating the courtiers of Kyoto while also sending his own followers to the imperial court. Meanwhile, his portrayal included supernatural elements, such as having multiple pupils in his eyes. He won over all the samurai and nobles, establishing a solid regime. Even the combined might of Yorishige Suwa and Prince Moriyoshi could not assassinate Takauji. In Kyoto, although Tokiyuki and others attempted to assassinate him, he evaded them, and the situation became ambiguous with the intervention of Kusunoki Masashige. Takauji did not even remember Tokiyuki's face, inadvertently trampling on Tokiyuki's dignity, and when questioned about the reason for destroying the Kamakura shogunate, he simply smiled and said he did not know. Recognizing the child from a wanted poster as his enemy, he responded to his brother's request for reinforcements and headed to Kamakura, ordering his brother to assassinate Prince Moriyoshi. Upon returning to Kamakura, he used divine power to annihilate the Suwa forces and drove Yorishige to his death. He paid his respects to Yorishige, predicting that "this rebellion will be called the Rebellion of Suwa Yorishige," but due to Tokiyuki's efforts, it became known as the Nakasendai Rebellion, and his prediction did not come true. He was thoroughly defeated by the forces of Emperor Go-Daigo, Kusunoki Masashige, Nitta Yoshisada, and Kitabatake Akiie, but he regained strength in Kyushu and returned. At this time, he supported the establishment of the Northern Court. Although brought into a duel by a trap set by Kusunoki Masashige, he defeated him.