Itsuki (樹) was a humble swordsman, who vanquished demons within Japan. He was famous amongst the farmers, who have offered their crops in gratitude. Itsuki always refused.

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On one of his journeys, he encountered an oni who promised to grant him unfathomable power if he were to eliminate his enemies. Itsuki refused and walked away. The oni then shouted a curse at him. Flowers bloomed within Itsuki's body, bursting out of his eye socket and torso. He fell to his knees, coughing out flower petals. The oni sneered before him, and offered another deal.

"Heh. I'll let this bloom curse useful for you. You can use its powers against the demons you hunt if you slay my enemies, both demon and human."

Itsuki groaned in agony; he could feel the flowers underneath his skin. He choked out, "I only rid those who are evil! If innocent blood be dropped on my sword, just kill me now!"

The oni laughed mockingly, looming over Itsuki. "That won't do! I'll have to kill your family along with you!"

Itsuki frantically stood on his feet, and obliged to the oni's deal.

The swordsman soon became infamous as the oni's apprentice, slaying the demons and humans assigned to him. His family had shunned him, and the farmers no longer offered their crops in gratitude, throwing rocks in turn. Itsuki continued to destroy the oni's enemies until death had freed him.