Itsuki Kurogane

"Ikki, you became a big person."

- Itsuki Kurogane

Itsuki Kurogane is the current head of the Kurogane Family and the current branch chief of the League of Mage-Knight Nations' Japan Branch.

Appearance
Itsuki greatly resembles his son Ikki; albeit a bit older, showed with tear troughs, as it would naturally come with age. He has long black wild hair that is combed back, although the back of his hairs are spiked up, as well as covering some of his ears. Itsuki has been seen wearing an attire of a business man, being seen wearing a black business suit, coupled with a white collared dress shirt, and a black tie.

Personality
Itsuki is extremely devoted to his duties as the both the head of the Kurogane family and branch chief of the International Federation of Mage Knight-Japan Branch, going as far as to forcing the Hagun Academy to not allow Ikki to take classes which ultimately makes him fail school just for the sake of maintaining the harmony of the Mage Knight system. In fact, Itsuki's devotion to his duties went to the extent where he even allowed Akaza to use whatever unsavory methods (ie. drugs) on Ikki, just for the sake of banishing him from the Mage Knight world. His personality was greatly influenced by the extreme views of his father.

However, Itsuki is shown to not be as extreme as his father was, which his son noted. Itsuki loves his daughter Shizuku despite her anger towards him and never punished her for anything, likely as Shizuku was a genius unlike Ikki. Even towards his son, he gave him the choice of cutting off his ties to the Kurogane Family rather than just cutting it. After Ikki stated no matter what Itsuki is still his father and he will always be a Kurogane, Itsuki is finally impressed by his son and states he has truly become a noble person.

History
Itsuki's father was Genma Kurogane, who held the strict traditions of the Kurogane Family in high regard. Genma and the other family elders entrusted their extreme views on Itsuki, which shaped his own personality, earning him the nickname "Iron Blood", due to his own strict nature.

When Ikki was five years old, Itsuki gave the F-Rank Ikki, an order to not do anything to prevent shaming the family name and end the conversation by telling the latter, "You can't do anything, so don't try". After that, the man never spoke to his son since then, leading Ikki to become ignored and isolated in the household. When Ikki left the house and attend Hagun Academy, Itsuki used his position to force the school to not let Ikki graduate. This led the current director of that time set rules that wouldn't allow Ikki to take classes, which made the latter repeat a year.

Incident of Okutama
Itsuki was seen sitting inside his office complaining about Shizuku losing the Selection Battle and loathing the fact that Ikki might appear in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival until Akaza appears and make a proposal to him.

Itsuki was then seen at a holding cell, where the Ethnics Committee was holding Ikki. The man talked with his son for the first time in many years, and explained why he and Ikki's relationship was like it is. Itsuki simply explained that he didn't hate nor was disappointed with Ikki, it was simply that he didn't believed in him nor did he have any expectations. Also, he believes Ikki's successes will give false hope to the other low-ranks and bring about horrible outcomes that could destroy the harmony that the Ranking system maintains. Itsuki was then confused as to why Ikki was silently crying so suddenly after the former explained his reasons.

Afterward, Itsuki met up with Akaza while explaining his frustration of not understanding Ikki's motives while noting that the latter's older brother was not that hard to understand. Itsuki told Akaza that he will promote the latter to a higher political position after ordering him to do whatever it takes to banish Ikki from the Mage Knight world, gave a warning to not fail in this. As Itsuki was alone in his office, he looked up at a wall which hanged the photos of the previous directors. He monologue of how more than half of them each held the Kurogane name and the duty of maintaining the peace that results from the Ranking system, before acknowledging that the responsibilities now falling onto him. On that note, Itsuki will carry that conviction of his duty to do whatever it takes to eliminate those who threaten the peace and the iron law, including his own son.

Conclusion of the First Round
It's mentioned by Ouma, Itsuki's oldest son, that Itsuki was the one who asked him to join Bakuga Tsukikage's Akatsuki. This was because, Itsuki supported Tsukikage's idea of Japan splitting from the League of Mage-Knight Nations, as it would bring more power to the Kurogane Family.

The Rowdy Medical Room
Itsuki appeared after Ikki's second match in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festivals. He tells that he is ready to cut Ikki's ties with the Kurogane Family. Itsuki then leaves Ikki to think about his suggestion.

Seven Stars Sword Art Festival Third Round - Beginning
Itsuki meets Ikki again, asking about his decision on cutting ties with the Kurogane Family. Ikki refuses the offer, telling that despite even though it the offer would benefit both Ikki and Itsuki, Ikki is still a Kurogane. Itsuki says that Ikki's become a big person, and he then leaves.

Itsuki watches Ikki's match against Sara Bloodlily, along with Yuuzou Kaieda.

Abilities
Unknown

Device
Unknown