Yagyu Munenori

Yagyu Munenori of the Yagyu clan He's master of the Yagyu Shingakeryu sword, renowned throughout the entire country. He was the shogun's own fencing instructor, appointed after the Sengoku jidai, and the clan grew powerful enough to strike fear and keep the peace due to their reputation. At 46 yo, he's past his prime. (230). "'For this purpose, he needed tremendous assets. That is why Munenori set his sights on that country. If he were to establish Bontenmaru as lord of the castle, he would earn official authorization from Shogun Hidetada...' (Chapter 213)"He's the mastermind behind the Yagyu scheme. He tricked Azumi into killing Ieyasu, thinking grampa's execution was on the shogun's order. Afterwards, he sent waves of assassins and bounty hunters after her. (231)