Masao Maekawa

For as long as he can remember, Masao always had a katana at his side. From the moment he was able to hold one, the Oshawott was given a wakizashi by the lord his late parents served under. They had passed in the line of duty and the young lord would repay them by taking care of their son in their stead.
Much of Masao’s youth was tethered to the harbor of training; just like his parents he was going to become a samurai, serve under his master and repay him for the kindness he extended to him.
Though Masao was not the only one the young lord had taken in his care. A young boy around his age, Shirayama Yukimura, was introduced to him. The two of them swiftly became fast friends, and it wasn’t too long after that, that they were to train to become samurai once they were old enough.

The two young boys would not only grow to become close friends but also rivals. Always neck and neck in training and sparring – them tallying who’d win in their sparring matches and they’d somehow always end up even. It was no surprise that both of them finished their training in their mid-teens together, flourishing into proper warriors. Masao was glad to have achieved his goal, and even happier to have done it with his best friend. His brother-in-arms.

As years went on, life stayed the same as it had since he’d become a samurai. Masao was content with his life, his duty was fulfilling, serving under his lord with his brother-in-arms. And the now young Dewott was certain this was all his life was going to be. Just like his parents he’d pass proudly in the line of duty or he’d grow old enough to retire around his found family.

Little did he know then, that in years to come his life would be utterly changed in a day.

For years, everything had been the same as it had. Until their master started to act different – strangely. His poisoned mind slowly becoming apparent over time. Whatever the reason was, it was not Masao’s place to pry, Arceus knows he tried though. But quickly dismissed, he decided to let it go for now.

It all turned on its head when the two samurai were invited to go out for patrol with their master on the outskirts of town. Before either of them fully realised what was happening, their lord lashes out in a bout of madness and confusion, raising his katana at Masao. Yukimura saves his brother-in-arms by cutting down their master. After he realises what was happening Masao finishes off the job in a knee-jerk reaction, subconsciously not wanting Yuki to carry all the blame by killing their lord by himself. Though instead of thanking his best friend like he meant to, he raised his voice instead.
It had made no sense, when just a week ago everything was as it always had been, how it should’ve been forever. And now their father figure and mentor lay lifeless on the ground, making the two ronin in a matter of minutes. No matter the reason, they had sworn to protect their master with their lives, and would gladly die for him. So then why was it that he lay still and lifeless on the floor instead of Masao?

The now ronin struggled to get a hold of Yukimura after what had happened a week prior. It was clear after their interaction in the aftermath of that day, he was avoiding Masao out of guilt. Yet he wished to apologise and thank the Absol for saving his life like he meant to on that day. Much to his dismay, Masao was never able to get a hold of the Absol afterwards.

On top of losing his status, the ronin struggled to find consistent work, doing odd jobs as a mercenary or bodyguard. He travels to Radiant Harbor in hopes of finding different work to keep his mind off his life falling apart. Of the dear friend who he lost from one emotional outburst and the comfort of what was ‘home’.

Nevertheless as the time would go, he'd blend in and learn to fit with the busy crowds of the Harbor, flourishing under and assimilating into the prickly attitudes that made up the sailors and pirates on the docks as he worked there. Eventually catching the attention of an older Seadra pirate captain, Yumiko, promptly thereafter was recruited as a deckhand on her ship. The work was heavy and demanding and soon Masao would find himself working under her with her crew for most of his 30s. It wasn’t long that in her old age, Yumiko was considering retiring, and passed her leadership onto Masao, who’d become a fully fledged member of her pirate crew over those years.

In his years prior to rising to the position of captain, Masao had grown fond of the ragtag crew of their ship, even in their rowdiness. Most of them being in a similar boat to the Samurott. Losing their previous status, job, or running from the mistakes of their past, resorting to piracy to survive.
Unfortunately, piracy was becoming much more difficult and dangerous as time went on. Now much more heavily policed especially around the Radiant Harbor area.

Now in his early 40s, Masao decides that it was no longer safe to continue this job, in fear that his crew would be detained or worse, after surviving several close calls. Masao wished for them to live safer and honest lives, building the families they’d dreamed of; knowing full well that they’re capable and good people. Masao would officially dissolve their crew and sell their ship for extra spending money for his ragtag crew to travel and try to find new jobs or settle elsewhere. As an example to his crew, he tells them he will retire and become a fisherman, and that if he can do it at his old age, they also can. For a while he helped out and saw off most of his crew before going on his own journey, leaving this chapter of his story behind and moved to Gale Spring to set out on his new path in life, trading his checkered past and katana for a fishing rod. These days Masao spends his time fishing up his dinner, and that of the people of the Springs, hoping to outrun his past in peace.

Likes: Sake and bitter/strong teas, sashimi, good craftsmanship in weapons, peace and quiet, wild cat-like Pokémon.
Disikes: Scorching hot and dry days, surprises, talking about his past, sleeping, needless violence.
Voice claim: Kitamura Kenji (JP)

Notes

The death of his master still keeps him up at night even now. Still wondering what had caused the sudden change and still hopes to find out one day.
Regrets that he still never got to properly thank Yukimura for saving his life. This also keeps him up at night.
Has terrible insomnia. This ALSO keeps him up at night.
Masao was kind of hot-headed growing up, he’s mellowed out over the years in his training.
Always carries his two katana with him, despite insisting he doesn't use them anymore.
Terrible at saying ‘’thank you’’s and ‘‘I’m sorry’’s. Though he will try and let you know through actions.