Is it possible that Kaito Nakamura is actually the legendary Takezo Kensei? We still don't know what Kaito's power is, and if it's also the ability to time travel, or perhaps some form of immortality, then could it be that Takezo Kensei never died. There are a number of things that make me think that.
- Kaito is, apparently, a master of the sword, like Takezo Kensei.
- * Kaito would always tell Hiro tales of Takezo's adventures as a kid.
- * It would explain how the 'Godsend' symbol on Takezo's sword (from over 400 years ago) became associated with today's heroes.
- * Kaito tells Hiro in Chapter 22, "I have waited a long time for a Nakamura to ascend" - How long? And which other members of the Nakamura family could he be referring to, since Hiro only has a sister? He later says, "You have proven yourself worthy of our legacy" - again, there is something about that statement that implies a certain longevity for Kaito.
- * Kaito is the founder of the Yamagato Fellowship, which is an organization dedicated to the study of certain historical heroic figures, Takezo Kensei being one of the most prominently featured heroes.
- * The description of Takezo Kensei on the Yamagato Fellowship website reads as follows:
QUOTE
The Dragon demanded the life of the princess. Kensei refused and cut out his own heart, handed it to the dragon and said, "My love is in here. Take it." And then he died. When the Dragon saw what Kensei was willing to sacrifice for his people (and his love) he was so moved that he replaced Kensei's heart and breathed fire-life back into the swordsman.
- * In 'Godsend', when Hiro first finds the sword, they briefly flash a portion of text describing Takezo Kensei, and it could be just a coincidence, but they do not show the date that he died, only the date he was born - (1584 - ...).
Considering we do not yet know Kaito's power, it seems likely that Kaito Nakamura and Takezo Kensei are one and the same.
Fire-Life: Like maybe the kind that lasts a really long time?
Lastly, Being Beeman Episode #22 - the director's blog, explains that Hiro's mastery of the sword in so short a time is not due to training but is due to "magic".
Kensei passes on to Hiro the same secret of the sword saint that the dragon gave to him.