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Kotaro (コタロウ Kotarō) is a non-playable character and enemy from Fire Emblem Fates on all routes.
History[]
Kotaro is the daimyo of the kingdom of Mokushu, and his greatest ambition is to usurp power for his nation. Kotaro was behind both the fall of Kohga, Shura's homeland, and the death of Saizo and Kaze's father, Saizo the Fourth, whom he killed when the former Saizo directly called him out on his ambitions.
After the outbreak of hostilities between Nohr and Hoshido, King Garon promised Kotaro a large portion of Hoshidan territory once Nohr emerged victorious, provided that Mokushu allied with Nohr. Driven by the thought of more power, Kotaro eagerly accepted the offer, and joined Nohr in fighting Hoshido. Once the agreement was signed, Kotaro ordered for any Hoshidan that passed through Mokushu to be apprehended while maintaining a guise of neutrality to avoid suspicion.
Birthright[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 10 leading an army of Mokushujin ninjas against Corrin. Sometime after the war started, Kagero, one of Ryoma's retainers, traveled into Mokushu, believing that it was neutral in the war, only to be captured by Kotaro's men. Kotaro reveals that he has allied with Nohr and fights the Hoshidans.
If Kotaro is encountered by Saizo, it is then revealed that Kotaro had betrayed his father prior to the events of Fates, and killed him when the former Saizo tried calling him out on his treacherous ways. Seeking vengeance for his father's death, Saizo will express satisfaction should he be permitted to land the finishing blow on Kotaro.
Despite his best efforts, he is eventually killed in battle. Even with his death, the Mokushujin still fought against Hoshido, though it can be presumed the fighting was over once the war ended.
Conquest[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 17, aligned with Nohr.
He leads Corrin into a secret area to allow the Nohrian army to invade Hoshido, and then proceeds to put up an innocent facade by claiming that Hoshido has consistently attacked them for having relations with Nohr. Kotaro claims that his kingdom is peaceful and that they are always unable to fend off the increasing Hoshidan attacks.
After the Nohrian army clears the nearby area of Hoshidan troops, Kotaro is surprised to see Saizo and praises Corrin's skill for capturing him. Saizo tells Corrin that Kotaro had captured a ninja called Kagero and is using her as leverage to intimidate the Hoshidans, preventing them from attacking. Corrin then asks Kotaro if he had taken her hostage, to which he confesses after much pressure. He is surprised that a Nohrian noble would want to fight a honest war, and decides to kill them all in a "tragic accident" so that he can continue to do what he pleases. He then summons a large group of Mokushujin to kill them, but they fail and he is eventually killed in battle.
Like in Birthright and Revelation, if Saizo performs the killing blow on Kotaro, he will state that his father has been avenged.
If Shura is deployed to fight Kotaro, Shura will attempt to get his vengeance on the Mokushujin daiymo for his fallen people. Kotaro will mock and taunt Shura, saying his people didn't stand a chance against him and and shows no remorse for killing his people and attempts to kill off the last remaining Mokushu, but is killed in battle.
Revelation[]
Kotaro appears in Chapter 11 of Revelation, retaining the same role he did in Birthright by forming an alliance with King Garon to advance his ambitions to become the true ruler of Hoshido. He has taken Kagero as a hostage while she was on a mission delivering a message sent by Ryoma, and is then pursued by Saizo, Orochi and Reina.
Saizo sends out a smoke signal to warn others that a battle is going on and that they should avoid that area. Corrin and their army passes by, with Kaze noticing the signal. Believing that they can get more allies, they go to the battlefield, to which Kotaro notices the arrival of enemy reinforcements. He fights the group, only to lose and be killed by them.
Like in Birthright and Conquest, if Saizo performs the killing blow on Kotaro, he will state that his father has been avenged.