Fire Emblem Fates, known as Fire Emblem If in Japan, is a weird game. It’s split between three paths, and if you're playing Birthright or Revelation, you’re going to spend a lot of time looking at the High Prince of Hoshido. Ryoma is basically a walking cheat code with a lightning sword. But his subordinates? That's where the real flavor is. Each Ryoma retainer—specifically Saizo and Kagero—isn't just a bodyguard. They are the backbone of the Hoshidan spy network, and honestly, their personal history is way more dramatic than the main plot sometimes lets on.
You’ve got Saizo, the Fifth of his name, a man so dedicated to his job he literally blew up his own eye to protect his lord. Then there's Kagero, a noblewoman who ditched the traditional life to become a shadow. They aren't just generic ninjas. They’re exes. Yeah, they used to date. It makes their support conversations awkward, fascinating, and deeply human in a way that most "bodyguard" tropes in JRPGs completely miss.
Why the Hoshidan Ninja Duo Hits Different
In the Fire Emblem universe, retainers usually come in pairs. It’s a classic formula. Usually, you get one serious one and one goofy one. Think about Chrom’s retainers or even Xander’s subordinates over in Nohr. But with Ryoma, the vibe is strictly professional, bordering on the intense.
Saizo is a Fifth-Generation ninja. That title isn't just for show. In the Japanese version of the game, his name is actually a hereditary title. When you talk about a Ryoma retainer, you’re talking about a lineage of service that dates back centuries. He’s prickly. He’s rude. He’s actually kind of a jerk to the protagonist (Corrin) at first because he doesn't trust anyone outside the Hoshidan royal circle. It’s refreshing. Most characters in Fates fall over themselves to love Corrin immediately, but Saizo? He’s ready to slit your throat if you blink wrong.
Then you have Kagero. She’s the calm to Saizo’s storm. While Saizo is all about brute force and jagged edges, Kagero is an artist. Literally. She paints. Her art is terrifying to everyone else—lots of demons and gore—but it’s her way of processing the violence of her job. This contrast is what makes Ryoma’s team feel like a real unit rather than just "Unit A" and "Unit B."
Saizo: The Man Who Took Loyalty Too Far
Let’s talk about Saizo’s eye. It’s not just a cool eyepatch design choice. He lost it during a mission where he had to choose between his own safety and Ryoma’s security. He chose Ryoma. Every single time.
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His stats reflect this "all-in" mentality. In Fire Emblem If, Saizo is a Ninja, but he plays more like a frontline brawler. He has surprisingly high strength and defense for a class that's supposed to stay in the shadows. His personal skill, Pyrotechnics, is the most "Saizo" thing ever: if he’s under 50% health and initiates combat, both he and the enemy lose 20% of their HP. He is literally willing to blow himself up just to make sure the enemy dies with him.
The Family Business
Saizo also has a twin brother, Kaze. Kaze is also a ninja, but he’s the "nice" one. The dynamic here is crucial for understanding why Saizo acts the way he does. Saizo feels the weight of the "Saizo" name. He’s the one who stayed in Hoshido to serve the crown directly, while Kaze wandered a bit more. When you watch Saizo interact with the other Ryoma retainer, Kagero, you see the cracks in his armor. He isn't just a killing machine; he's a man who has sacrificed his identity to be a tool for the throne.
Kagero: More Than Just a Bodyguard
Kagero is interesting because she wasn't originally supposed to be a ninja. She comes from a noble family that traditionally provided retainers to the Hoshidan royals. When her brother was too sickly to take up the mantle, she stepped in.
She’s arguably one of the best units in the Birthright path. Her strength growth is astronomical. In a game where ninjas are usually "death by a thousand cuts" types, Kagero is a "death by one giant truck" type. She hits harder than most samurai.
The Broken Romance
The most compelling bit of lore involving a Ryoma retainer is the failed relationship between Saizo and Kagero. They were a couple. They broke up because they were both too dedicated to their jobs. They couldn't balance being lovers with being Ryoma's shadows.
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If you pair them up in the game, their supports are incredibly melancholy. They talk about the past with a sort of quiet regret. It’s not a "will-they-won't-they" situation; it’s a "we-couldn't-make-it-work" situation. This level of writing is why Fire Emblem If fans still argue about these characters years later. It adds a layer of realism to the Hoshidan court. These people have lives, scars, and failed marriages (or near-marriages) that exist outside of Corrin’s journey.
Combat Strategy: Making the Most of Ryoma’s Team
If you’re playing on Lunatic difficulty, you can't just rely on Ryoma. You need his retainers to set up the kills. Here is how they actually function on the battlefield:
- Debuffing is King: Ninjas in Fates are broken because of shurikens and daggers. They lower enemy stats. Saizo is great for softening up bosses because he can actually survive a hit.
- The Poison Strike Meta: Both Saizo and Kagero can access the Poison Strike skill. This deals 20% damage after combat. Pair that with Saizo’s Pyrotechnics, and you can chip away at high-HP generals without actually needing to win the "math" of the fight.
- Reclassing Options: Honestly? Kagero makes a terrifying Dread Fighter if you have the DLC. Her strength becomes high enough to one-shot mages easily. Saizo, on the other hand, does well as a Master Ninja or even a Mechanist if you want him to have more utility with Replicate.
The Cultural Context of the Hoshidan Ninja
It’s easy to look at a Ryoma retainer and just see "Naruto," but the game actually pulls from real Sengoku-period folklore. The name Saizo is a direct nod to Kirigakure Saizō, one of the legendary Sanada Ten Braves. By giving Ryoma retainers with these names and traits, the developers were signaling that Hoshido represents a romanticized, traditionalist version of Japan.
Saizo’s intense loyalty (and his self-destructive streak) mirrors the bushido concept of junshi, or following one's lord into death. While Saizo isn't literally committing ritual suicide, his gameplay mechanics—where he deals damage to himself to hurt others—is a literal manifestation of that "death before dishonor" mindset.
Kagero represents a different trope: the kunoichi who must balance her humanity with her role as a tool. Her painting hobby isn't just a quirk; it’s her maintaining a soul in a profession that requires her to be soulless.
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Common Misconceptions About Ryoma’s Retainers
A lot of people think Saizo and Kaze are the same unit with different hair. That’s a mistake. Kaze is a "speed and resistance" unit. He kills mages. Saizo is a "strength and defense" unit. He kills physical threats. If you try to use Saizo to tank a magical hit, he's going to have a bad time.
Another thing? People often bench Kagero because her health and defense are low. Don't do that. She is a glass cannon in the truest sense. In Fire Emblem If, offense is often the best defense. If she kills the enemy before they can swing back, her low defense doesn't matter.
Why Ryoma Needs Them
Ryoma is a powerhouse, but he’s a bit of a "straight man" in terms of personality. He’s the perfect prince. He’s noble. He’s kind of boring, if we’re being honest. Saizo and Kagero provide the grit. They do the dirty work that a prince can’t be seen doing.
In the story, when Ryoma goes missing or gets into trouble, it’s usually his retainers who are doing the legwork to find him. They are the intelligence agency of Hoshido. Without them, Ryoma would just be a guy with a fancy sword walking into traps.
Final Insights for Your Playthrough
If you’re looking to optimize your Hoshido run, pay attention to the "Retainer Synergy." Ryoma’s personal skill, Bushido, gives him a boost when he is the lead unit and his support partner is a lower level. This encourages you to keep his retainers nearby.
Actionable Steps for Players:
- Unlock Saizo and Kagero's C-Support early. It fills in a massive amount of backstory that makes the rest of their dialogue more impactful.
- Give Saizo a Flame Shuriken. His magic growth is actually decent, and it allows him to hit enemies on their weaker resistance stat.
- Don't ignore their child units. Asagi (Saizo's son) is one of the most versatile units in the game depending on who you pair Saizo with.
- Use Kagero for "Sting Shuriken" duty. Her high strength combined with an armor-slaying weapon makes her the ultimate solution for those pesky Nohrian Knights.
Understanding the role of a Ryoma retainer is about more than just stats. It’s about seeing how loyalty, past trauma, and duty collide in a world at war. Whether you prefer Saizo’s explosive temper or Kagero’s quiet intensity, both characters offer a depth that makes the Hoshido path worth playing.