Tenpou

Tenpou Gensui Field Marshal Tenpou (天蓬元帥) is known as Tenkai's greatest military tactician. He is the Field Marshal of Heaven's Western Army and works along side General Kenren (Sha Gojyo's past self). When his old friend, Konzen, and his charge Son Goku became enemies of Heaven, Tenpou and Kenren stood by them to protect them. Tenpou is the past life of Cho Hakkai

Personality
Tenpou was a reading maniac, and always surrounded himself with books. He owned a huge library made up mostly of books he'd "borrowed" from Heaven's library, located under the main places as well as a few books that he gathered from the lower worlds. Tenpou would disappear inside his study for long periods of time and in that allotted time, he managed to make his study a huge royal mess. He lacked organization, really. He seemed easy-going at first glance, vague and very “my pace”. He also probably has something of a sadistic nature as well. He showed very limited concern for his personal hygiene and appearance which was apparent from his shabby lab coat, rumpled shirt and tie, and long unkempt hair. His handsome face was totally wasted. Despite his bad habits about cleanliness, Tenpou was old friends with Konzen Douji, Merciful Goddess's nephew who was something of a neat freak. He also demonstrated an unexpected fondness for children, evident through his interaction with Goku, asking him to address him as "Ten-chan". He'd been the topic of many unpleasant rumors in Heaven for his strange behavior, hobbies and appearance.

One such hobby was his fascination with the lower worlds. When he went to the lower world on missions he would bring things back with him and store them in his study, calling it part of his collection. He was especially fond of strange "artistic" artifacts like his frog-ashtray and a Colonel Sanders bust. He found human nature interesting as well and spent a lot of his time reading about them, taking greatest interest in their military history. Besides that, he liked human cigarettes. He was a horrible chain smoker.

Despite his easy-going external facade, Tenpou showed another side of himself on the battlefield. He remained calm, cool-headed and insightful, almost like another person compared to his normal every day behavior. His superior officer, Goujun Dragon King of the Western Sea recognized that Tenpou was a superior military man. Tenpou, as marshal, used to be the type to bear everything on his own, eager to take on the full blunt of attacks. This was all until a general was transferred to his unit; Kenren Taihso. Kenren and Tenpou became friends easily and Tenpou began to change his solitary reckless ways and even went so far as to give Kenren charge of their unit. He'commanded for the Western Army soldiers to kill every single one of the Eastern Army; not even one should be spared. For the sake of self-preservation, and the concerns for his soldiers, Tenpou would take the appropriate measures, even if it meant sacrifices.

One such hobby was his fascination with the lower worlds. When he went to the lower world on missions he would bring things back with him and store them in his study, calling it part of his collection. He was especially fond of strange "artistic" artifacts like his frog-ashtray and a Colonel Sanders bust. He found human nature interesting as well and spent a lot of his time reading about them, taking greatest interest in their military history. Besides that, he liked human cigarettes. He was a horrible chain smoker.

Despite his easy-going external facade, Tenpou showed another side of himself on the battlefield. He remained calm, cool-headed and insightful, almost like another person compared to his normal every day behavior. His superior officer, Goujun Dragon King of the Western Sea recognized that Tenpou was a superior military man. Tenpou, as marshal, used to be the type to bear everything on his own, eager to take on the full blunt of attacks. This was all until a general was transferred to his unit; Kenren Taihso. Kenren and Tenpou became friends easily and Tenpou began to change his solitary reckless ways and even went so far as to give Kenren charge of their unit. He'commanded for the Western Army soldiers to kill every single one of the Eastern Army; not even one should be spared. For the sake of self-preservation, and the concerns for his soldiers, Tenpou would take the appropriate measures, even if it meant sacrifices.

Appearance
Tenpou has semi-long black hair, like it’s been left to grow out, and thick glasses. He has a handsome appareance that combines gentleness and harshness. Despite his pretty face, Tenpou doesn't seem to care for personal hygiene or his appearance. His normal attire is a grungy white lab coat over and frumpy shirt and tie. He wears wooden sandals that he seems to be very fond of. Beside the unkemptness, his look somehow resembles Cho Hakkai's.

Backstory
Tenpou's life before meeting Kenren was rather uneventful. He had an old standing friendship with Konzen Douji and would frequently come to call on his friend. Because of his military accomplishments, despite his strange behavior, Commander Goujun made Tenpou the Field Marshal of his army. The position came with some perks and Tenpou gained an office that he quickly filled up with useless objects and a massive collection of books. When the marshal had his fateful meeting with General Kenren, Kenren had arrived just in time to save Tenpou from an untimely death--being smothered out by an avalanche of books. Kenren spent his first few hours with Tenpou cleaning his office, only to stand back when they'd completed and wonder why. That was the beginning of their wonderful friendship and a great deal of maid service on Kenren's part.

The two of them, after sometime, began to suspect that something unnatural was taking place in the higher ups of the army. This something involving the new War Prince, Nataku. Tenpou and Kenren discussed their conspiracies in secret until a certain young Heretic earth spirit was brought up to Heaven.

Tenpou first encountered the spirit--a mere child--who excitedly introduced himself as Goku while visiting Konzen in his office. Goku who first referred to called Tenpou "Mister" or "Ji-san" (which is a respectful term of older man in Japanese), was corrected and told to by Tenpou to address him as "Tempi" or "Ten-chan". Konzen commented that he didn't know that Tenpou liked kids. It was during this conversation here that Tenpou first let slip some of his suspicions about the higher ups. When Tenpou returned to his office, he told Kenren about the golden eyed boy, Goku, and later the two of them ran into each other.

Several days later, at the grand festival held to honor the Jade Emperor's birthday, Goku managed to cause a scene, getting into a fight with several people attending the festival. Tenpou and Kenren quickly stepped in to assist Goku, not willing to watch the kid get bullied. Also because they just wanted to liven up the terribly dull celebration with a good, fun old fashion brawl. Konzen eventually appeared and offered to take responsibility for their actions and the four of them were dismissed from the celebration. They of course were happy to leave.

At a military meeting a few days later, Kenren objected to Heaven sending Nataku to the front lines again, stating that his injuries still weren't healed yet and asked that the appointment be given to himself and his men instead. Nataku’s father objected, stating that his son lived for battle. After the soldiers were dismissed, and Kenren was badly beaten and thrown in prison, threatened with a dismissal from the army. He was released soon after by Goujun and went back to Tenpou’s private library.

Tenpou was decidedly annoyed and after having Goku bandage Kenren securely to a chair, he went off to speak to Li Touten, claiming that he couldn't work under anyone except Kenren. A lucky thing since Tenpou punched Li Touten after he insinuated that he and Kenren were sleeping together and Li Touten’s guards were prepared to beat him the same way they beat Kenren before Goku stepped into the fray. Goku states that he followed Tenpou because Kenren was worried of him.

After this, things really started to fall apart. At some point Goku's limiter was broken and he took his true form, Seiten Taisei, and killed many celestial beings. Kanzeon Bosatsu showed up and subdued Goku. However, Konzen punched her for trying to hurt Goku. Li Touten then declared them all traitors to heaven and ordered the army to attack them. Kenren and Tenpou held their ground, protecting Goku and Konzen, and Tenpou took Goujun hostage, allowing them safe passage back to Tenpou’s private library. Once there, while Kenren began to fortify the private library while Tenpou searched for a cure for Goku who had taken ill. Called outside to speak by Li Touten, Tenpou and Kenren were asked their demands in return for the lives of the hostages. Kenren replied that they wanted to be exiled to the human world beneath heaven. Knowing that the army would attack them at dawn, he and Tenpou began to try to hatch an escape plan.

Early that morning, Goku woke and came to see them, saying that it didn’t matter to him what happened as long as he could stay with them. Kenren made a ‘pinky-promise’ (yubikiri) and Tenpou promised along Konzen to say that they’d never leave Goku alone and told him that whatever happened, even if they got separated, they’d all meet up again under the cherry trees in the human world. In the end Kenren, Tenpou, and Konzen died while trying to reach the gate to the lower world with Goku. Goku received punishment and was locked away in a stone cage deep in the earth; his memories of his time in Heaven were sealed away.

500 years later in China, a crimson hair young man name Sha Gojyo found a guy in the rain lying on ground with his innards out, Cho Gonou.

The two of them, after sometime, began to suspect that something unnatural was taking place in the higher ups of the army. This something involving the new War Prince, Nataku. Tenpou and Kenren discussed their conspiracies in secret until a certain young Heretic earth spirit was brought up to Heaven.

Tenpou first encountered the spirit--a mere child—who excitedly introduced himself as Goku while visiting Konzen in his office. Goku who first referred to called Tenpou "Mister" or "Ji-san" (which is a respectful term of older man in Japanese), was corrected and told to by Tenpou to address him as "Tempi" or "Ten-chan". Konzen commented that he didn't know that Tenpou liked kids. It was during this conversation here that Tenpou first let slip some of his suspicions about the higher ups. When Tenpou returned to his office, he told Kenren about the golden eyed boy, Goku, and later the two of them ran into each other.

Several days later, at the grand festival held to honor the Jade Emperor's birthday, Goku managed to cause a scene, getting into a fight with several people attending the festival. Tenpou and Kenren quickly stepped in to assist Goku, not willing to watch the kid get bullied. Also because they just wanted to liven up the terribly dull celebration with a good, fun old fashion brawl. Konzen eventually appeared and offered to take responsibility for their actions and the four of them were dismissed from the celebration. They of course were happy to leave.

At a military meeting a few days later, Kenren objected to Heaven sending Nataku to the front lines again, stating that his injuries still weren't healed yet and asked that the appointment be given to himself and his men instead. Nataku’s father objected, stating that his son lived for battle. After the soldiers were dismissed, and Kenren was badly beaten and thrown in prison, threatened with a dismissal from the army. He was released soon after by Goujun and went back to Tenpou’s private library.

Tenpou was decidedly annoyed and after having Goku bandage Kenren securely to a chair, he went off to speak to Li Touten, claiming that he couldn't work under anyone except Kenren. A lucky thing since Tenpou punched Li Touten after he insinuated that he and Kenren were sleeping together and Li Touten’s guards were prepared to beat him the same way they beat Kenren before Goku stepped into the fray. Goku states that he followed Tenpou because Kenren was worried of him.

After this, things really started to fall apart. At some point Goku's limiter was broken and he took his true form, Seiten Taisei, and killed many celestial beings. Kanzeon Bosatsu showed up and subdued Goku. However, Konzen punched her for trying to hurt Goku. Li Touten then declared them all traitors to heaven and ordered the army to attack them. Kenren and Tenpou held their ground, protecting Goku and Konzen, and Tenpou took Goujun hostage, allowing them safe passage back to Tenpou’s private library. Once there, while Kenren began to fortify the private library while Tenpou searched for a cure for Goku who had taken ill. Called outside to speak by Li Touten, Tenpou and Kenren were asked their demands in return for the lives of the hostages. Kenren replied that they wanted to be exiled to the human world beneath heaven. Knowing that the army would attack them at dawn, he and Tenpou began to try to hatch an escape plan.

Early that morning, Goku woke and came to see them, saying that it didn’t matter to him what happened as long as he could stay with them. Kenren made a ‘pinky-promise’ (yubikiri) and Tenpou promised along Konzen to say that they’d never leave Goku alone and told him that whatever happened, even if they got separated, they’d all meet up again under the cherry trees in the human world. In the end Kenren, Tenpou, and Konzen died while trying to reach the gate to the lower world with Goku. Goku received punishment and was locked away in a stone cage deep in the earth; his memories of his time in Heaven were sealed away.

500 years later in China, a crimson hair young man name Sha Gojyo found a guy in the rain lying on ground with his innards out, Cho Gonou.

Relationships
Kenren - He and Tenpou are smoking buddies and best friends. Kenren was transfered to the Western Army under the command of Field Marshall Tenpou. He later went to Tenpou's office and saw Tenpou being smothered out by an avalanche of books. At first, Kenren thought he went in the wrong office, but later on the two became good friends. They both shared a distrust and suspicion of those in charge and suspecting foul play in the upper ranks of the military. Aside from Kenren helps Tenpou to clean his library, the two cares for each other like when Tenpou confronted Li Touten after suspending Kenren in the army stating that he cannot work under anyone except for Kenren. In the end, before Tenpou died, his last thought were of himself and Kenren sharing a smoke.

Konzen Douji - He is an old acquaintance of Tenpou's and Tenpou would frequently come to call on him. Tenpou mentioned that Kenren and Konzen were the opposites because Konzen couldn't enjoy women or a good drink. Tenpou sometimes visited Konzen to see how he was or to subtly bring up suspicious issue of the higher-ranked gods. Tenpou enjoyed was make fun of his dear friend Konzen. For example when Konzen was wearing a bandanna and helping clean Tenpou's private library. Tenpou mentions to him that it suits him very well.

Son Goku - Tenpou first met Goku when he came to visit Konzen. He introduced himself and asked Goku to call him as "Ten-chan". Goku sometimes begged Konzen to come to Tenpou's private library and sometimes help Tenpou to clean his place. Goku later on often visits him to read books or borrow some manga. Goku sometimes was an assisstant of Tenpou. Like for example when Kenren got out the cell after being punished and then Tenpou asked Goku to bandaged him to a chair so he won't go anywhere. Goku's relationships with Tenpou, Kenren and Konzen grew deeper and evey promised that they will stay on Goku's side. Later through out the series, Goku looked up on Tenpou the way his subordinates looked up him.

Konzen Douji - He is an old acquaintance of Tenpou's and Tenpou would frequently come to call on him. Tenpou mentioned that Kenren and Konzen were the opposites because Konzen couldn't enjoy women or a good drink. Tenpou sometimes visited Konzen to see how he was or to subtly bring up suspicious issue of the higher-ranked gods. Tenpou enjoyed was make fun of his dear friend Konzen. For example when Konzen was wearing a bandanna and helping clean Tenpou's private library. Tenpou mentions to him that it suits him very well.

Son Goku - Tenpou first met Goku when he came to visit Konzen. He introduced himself and asked Goku to call him as "Ten-chan". Goku sometimes begged Konzen to come to Tenpou's private library and sometimes help Tenpou to clean his place. Goku later on often visits him to read books or borrow some manga. Goku sometimes was an assisstant of Tenpou. Like for example when Kenren got out the cell after being punished and then Tenpou asked Goku to bandaged him to a chair so he won't go anywhere. Goku's relationships with Tenpou, Kenren and Konzen grew deeper and evey promised that they will stay on Goku's side. Later through out the series, Goku looked up on Tenpou the way his subordinates looked up him.

Weapons & Abilities
Aside from fighting using his bare hands, he was always shown with a great skill using a katana or Nodachi in various sealing missions as well as occasionally having a revolver pistol not unlike Kenren. During there escape attempt to earth, his weapon of choice was still his katana. His last scene alive he was slaying god left and right leave a trail of blood behind him and showing a remarkable amount of skill at handling his weapon. Before he died he managed to make several lethal blows within seconds on his opponent Sho'u whilst he received one himself.

Trivia

 * His favored cigarette brand is Arc Royal.
 * His beloved ash tray is a charming earthenware frog acquired in the lower world. Minekura had her assistant Suzuki Jirou-chan design it. She hopes to turn it into merchandise.
 * When Tenpou died, he was sliced open and his innards were spilled out all over the floor, his last thought were of himself and Kenren sharing a smoke. Well, in the Saiyuki series, when Gojyo found Hakkai he was lying on the ground in a similar position to Tenpou when his life had ended.
 * In the Saiyuki series, Hakkai slaughtered Hyakugan Maoh's clan similarly when Tenpou slaughtered celestial beings to protect Konzen and Goku.
 * Tenpou's position in Heaven refers to Journey to the West's Marshal Tian Peng, who was exiled to the Lower World for seducing a lunar maiden. This crime greatly resembles the offence Kenren made that transferred him to the Western Army.
 * Tenpou never wears the uniform unless he’s on a mission in the Lower World, and underneath he always wears a Rakuda shirt. Coincidentally, the 1st platoon’s military uniform was Tenpou’s original design, so the style varies greatly from that of the other platoons.
 * Tenpou is nearsighted and astigmatic. He’s about 0.03 without glasses, and 1.0 with. But he doesn’t take good care of them, so the lenses aren’t clean.
 * Tenpou is the type to get generally happy (talkative) when drunk, and then pass out somewhere, suddenly like a string’s been cut.
 * While Tenpou is very disorganized and messy and his friends have to take care of him and help him clean up all the time, it seems things get reversed in reincarnation and now Hakkai is cleaning up after his friends and playing Team Mom.