Hard Master was the head of the Arashikage clan and father of Jinx, he is also the master of Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow.
History[]
Hard master was the Arashikage's head ever since Jinx a.k.a. Kim having memories. Despite his hardened nature and position, he was a loving father who put his daughter's safety as important to the clan itself, and placed Kin under constant protections against the ninja clan's enemies.
One day, Kim decided to go out on her own with her cousin, Tomisaburo, only to be attacked by several assassins. While Storm Shadow held off some of the assailants, it was a young beggar who prevent the tragedy from happening. Thankful for the unnamed man's action, Hard master decided to take him under his wing as his apprentice and named him "Snake Eyes".
As Hard master trains his own nephew and his apprentice personally, the younger trio will develop a sibing-like relationship. As time went on, Snake Eyes began to show impressive growth in both morals and skills that even Hard master was being influenced. However, Tomisaburo eventually became obsessed with his supposed right to become the next head of Arashikage and gives himself the alias "Storm Shadow". This resulted in Tomisaburo practicing his swordsmanship with the forbidden Blade of Arashikage. Despite Storm Shadow's guilt, Snake eyes takes the blame himself, resulting him in being punished with lashings to his back. Kim not wanting Snake-eyes to endure such punishment, jumps out from her hiding place to stop it. The shock of his daugher witnessing such punishment makes Hardmaster start to dwell from the current path he is leading his clan down.
After a long term struggle as the leader of the Arashikage clan and as a father, Hard Master eventually concluded that they were on the wrong path. A new leader, with the following two qualities was Hardmasters wish: wise enough to find a new path and a man trustworthy enough to take care of Kim after his inevitable demise. Hard master was able to find both in Snake eyes. The master and apprentice confide to each other in a tea ceremony. With acknowledgement from both parties, Hard master named Snake eyes the Head of the Arashikage clan and with the duty to protect Kim.
Meanwhile, a young Storm Shadow, bitter over how Hard Master had favored Snake Eyes, attempted to poison his rival. Unbeknownst to him, the cups were later switched, and Hard Master swallowed the poison. When Snake Eyes tried to save him by cutting a hole in his throat to allow him to breathe, Storm Shadow came into the room and mistakenly concluded that Snake Eyes had murdered their master.