Sugiyoshi

The smell of damp earth and honey from the autumn trees always reminded Sugiyoshi of the day their life got complicated. They were just a trainee, more interested in pranks than patrols, when they stumbled upon a hidden spring deep within The Heart of the Forest. A guardian of Aki's domain found them there and, instead of punishment, offered them a "great honor": a glowing lantern and the duty to guide lost travelers. Sugiyoshi never wanted to be a beacon. They still wear their ninja mask out of defiance, a shadow forced to carry a star. These days, they lead wayward chimps back to safety with a practiced sigh, using their carved cane to poke at interesting bugs. The lantern is a noble burden, but mostly, it just ruins a good hiding spot.