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The story of Akira "Nishiki" Nishikiyama from the Yakuza Saga of Sega's Like a Dragon (Ryū ga Gotoku) franchise.
Past[]
Childhood Life and Joining the Yakuza[]
Nothing much is known about his childhood, but it was stated Nishikiyama grew up in Sunflower Orphanage alongside Kazuma Kiryu and Yumi Sawamura and his sister, Yuko under their foster Shintaro Kazama, who was a yakuza and patriarch of the Kazama Family. During their time together, he and Kiryu had a close bond with each other and eventually would become sworn brothers.
In 1985, at the age of seventeen, Nishikiyama and Kiryu decided that they would become yakuza and joined the Dojima Family, despite Kazama's disapprovals (even going so far to beating them in order to discourage them from joining the yakuza). But when Kiryu cried out that "Orphans deserve to dream too!" Kazama finally agreed and the next day, introduced them into the family. In contrast to Kiryu's protest (wanting to help Kazama and carry on his will), Nishikiyama mainly joined due to being indebted to him due to him and the yakuza helping pay for his sister's medical bills when she fell ill. Despite the two of them often getting involved into fights, they were quite self-gratified in their new criminal lifestyle and the two of them had goals to reach to the top in the Tojo Clan's ranks.
Yakuza 0[]
Kiryu's Troubles and Explusion from Dojima Family[]
Nishikiyama first appeared after Kiryu saved a civilian from getting mugged by a group of thugs, where he lectures Kiryu on finding new ways of "killing time" instead of fighting all the time, to which Kiryu responding that he isn't interested. After a small chat, he and Kiryu would travel to get a drink in a karoke bar where Kiryu sings there, much to Nishikiyama's delight. When they go to a ramen shop, they see on the TV that the man Kiryu had just collected money from had been murdered.
Nishikiyama tells Kashiwagi about this who gives them both the consequence: if Kazama loses his position, he is likely to be expelled from the Dojima Family and killed to maintain his silence. Nishikiyama tries to persuade Kiryu out of trying to get expelled from the family, but Kiryu stays firm. Nishikiyama reluctantly drives Kiryu to the HQ of the Dojima Family while reminiscing about how they asked Kazama to join against his wishes.
Kiryu manages to get expelled after winning a fight against Daisaku Kuze, one of the lieutenants and informs Nishikiyama of his survival. Kiryu also says that now he cannot come inside the Kazama Family building fearing Kashiwagi's wrath and asks Nishikiyama to tell Kashiwagi that he is alive. After being formally employed by Tachibana, he calls Nishikiyama to help him buy a new suit for the Tachibana estate meeting at Cafe Alps since he is now a retired civillain. They get to a shop and Nishikiyama decides for Kiryu to buy the white suit before heading back to Serena.
Nishikiyama's Dillema[]
Jun Oda eventually arrives at the bar, beaten by Dojima Family men led by Awano's men. Kiryu fights the Dojima Family. Meanwhile, Nishikiyama and Awano have a little chat. Nishikiyama objects and is pinned down by Awano himself as he demands Kiryu to hand over Tachibana or have his entire family tortured to death. Kiryu refuses, leading Awano to order a manhunt led by the entire Dojima Family, with Nishikiyama forced to join.
Nishikiyama arrives in a car to save Kiryu from The Dojima Family and drives both of them to the woods. There, he tries to kill Kiryu to save himself from The Dojima Family, but he was too hesitant and bursts into tears because he doesn't want to kill Kiryu saying he's nothing without him. Kiryu seizes the chance to take the car while informing him that they are no longer sworn brothers. When Kiryu leaves, Nishikiyama yells to the sky with rage and sadness.
Working Together[]
When Kiryu returns with Makoto, Tachibana's sister, he runs into Nishikiyama again, who was ordered by his fellow men to kill Kiryu for causing them so much trouble. One of Dojima's thugs, knowing about Nishikiyama's inferiority complex, even offers Nishikiyama credit if he succeeds. However, Nishikiyama refuses to kill his brother and instead joins forces with Kiryu to fight their way back to Makoto. They managed to find Tachibana but were too late to save him, as he dies from injuries sustained after being tortured, much to Kiryu's anger and despair. After bringing his corpse to Makoto, she cries in despair while Kiryu and Nishiki looks down in a painful sorrow.
Meeting Majima[]
When Goro Majima arrives at Serena, he demands that Nishikiyama tell him Kiryu's and Makoto's location. Nishikiyama refuses, and they fight with Reina, the bar owner, attempting to assist Nishikiyama. Majima manages to overpower Nishikiyama and asks again where Kiryu and Makoto are. Nishikiyama initially refuses to speak, but after Reina tells Majima that nobody knows where she is, he finally confesses to Majima about her relation to Tachibana and says she was last seen in West Park. Then Nishikiyama goes to Kiryu and tells him that he had an encounter with "someone called Majima", telling him that he is on Kiryu's side as he wants to protect Makoto.
Finale and Nishikiyama's Moral to Kiryu[]
Nishikiyama later informs Kiryu that the Kazama Family is considered an enemy by the Dojima Family due to the promotion of Shibusawa, who takes over Kazama's position and becomes captain of the Dojima Family. He also reports that the Dojima Family has launched a raid at the Shibaura wharf. Shibusawa orders his men to eliminate the Kazama Family and sends Kuze to the Kazama Family HQ, who tries to kill Kiryu one last time, but fails and he tells Kiryu about Shibusawa's true plan. Nishikiyama and Kiryu go to the Nikkyo Consortium, where Makoto is hidden from the Dojima Family while she recovers. However, the Dojima Family manages to find Makoto and slaughter most of the Consortium members with the intention of drawing out Masaru Sera and any remaining Kazama loyalists. Kiryu and Nishikiyama arrive and fight the Dojima Family. Kashiwagi brings his reinforcements to fight off the Dojima Family. Nishikiyama and Kiryu manage to enter the ship and fight the Dojima Family. They are confronted by Dojima Family members armed with pistols on one side of the ship's lower deck. Nishikiyama tells Kiryu to go ahead and find Makoto without him. Kiryu seems stuck, but relucantly agrees and continues on while Nishikiyama stays behind and provides cover fire for Kiryu.
After Kiryu and Shibusawa fight to the end at the top of the ship, Kiryu manages to win, but his rage got the best of him and started beating him more. On the verge of death, Shibusawa tells him to finish him off as there's no other way and so Kiryu can be a "true yakuza". Kiryu, encouraged by Shibusawa, attempts to finish him off, but Nishikiyama tackles him just in time. He urgently tells Kiryu he "can't cross that line," and swears that if they must kill someone to advance up the ranks, they will do it together. Kiryu then changes his mind and thanks him.
Afterwards, Nishikiyama can be seen at Serena, where he meets Kiryu who is in his new suit and criticizes it, pointing out that the style is on its way out and it doesn't suit him. Kiryu responds that he'll decide who he is from now on, to which Nishikiyama light-heartedly complains, "See if I care! Wear it for the rest of your life!" Kiryu then expresses that he feels indebted to Nishikiyama for his support and swears to pay him back, even if it takes the rest of his life. Nishikiyama requests that Kiryu take him out to an expensive steak house, but Kiryu admits he doesn't have enough money, leading Nishikiyama to jokingly scold him and lead him out the door, arm around his shoulders as they leave Reina's bar together.
Yakuza/Yakuza Kiwami[]
October 1, 1995: The Murder[]
| “ | Kiryu, the boss, he...he forced himself on Yumi. So, I shot him, I shot him, I shot him. | „ |
| ~ Nishiki telling Kiryu what happened at Sohei Dojima's office when Kiryu arrives. |
Seven years after the events of Yakuza 0, Nishikiyama and Kiryu are continuously rising up the Dojima ranks, with Kiryu's ascension being much more rapid due to his actions in Yakuza 0, gaining him the name "the Dragon of Dojima". Kazama was so impressed that he decided to give Kiryu his own yakuza family one day. Nishikiyama casually admits his jealousy towards Kiryu of this, but this jealousy would be a factor that turns Nishikiyama into a different man. On a stormy night, Sohei Dojima, patriarch of the Dojima family, kidnaps Yumi and tries to rape her. Nishikiyama follows them and upon seeing this, shoots Dojima to save Yumi. Kiryu arrives onto the scene soon after. Nishikiyama declares he will turn himself in, but Kiryu decides to frame himself instead so that Nishikiyama can save his dying sister and allows Nishikiyama and Yumi to escape, serving ten years in prison.
After Kiryu's Arrest[]
After Kiryu went to prison, Nishikiyama overhears a conversation in The Dojima Family Office between three thugs discussing Dojima's death. During the talk, one of the members claims that the situation of what to do with Kiryu wouldn't be as complicated if Nishikiyama was the one to pull the trigger seeing as he is not Kazama's "favorite". As they all agree on that notion and insult him for being useless, Nishikiyama furiously clenches his teeth and leaves. Nishikiyama then returns to Serena to notify Reina of what happened. Reina was very upset on how Nishikiyama didn't keep his promise on protecting Yumi and Kiryu and asks why he couldn't save them, but Nishikiyama angrily asks backs if she's calling him useless. Reina tries to deny it, but Nishikiyama slaps her anyway in a fit of rage which makes her cry and himself shocked over what he had done.
1996: Rise To Power[]
| “ | "I'll work hard for mine! And Kiryu's sake too!" | „ |
| ~ Nishikiyama vowing to make his yakuza family strong so he can take in Kiryu when he gets out of prison |
One year later, Nishikiyama was finally was given his own family by Kazama due to Kiryu being in prison. Osamu Kashiwagi, Kazama's Captain, also informs him that since he doesn't have anyone under his rule yet, he'll give him some of his men. Another reason for this is because Kiryu was expelled from The Tojo Clan because he "killed" Dojima. Nishikiyama then promises to make his family hard and strong for his and "Kiryu's sake too!". But this proved to be a huge mistake for Kazama. Because Nishikiyama's men insult and disrespect him with Matsushige, the family captain, being the most arrogant and despicable, stating that they're here because "Kazama gave the order" and it wasn't their desicion to join or not.
A Life Worth 30 Million[]
| “ | Nishiki: I'll do whatever it takes!
Doctor: Really, you'll do whatever it takes? |
„ |
| ~ Nishikiyama vowing save his sister whatever it takes |
Some time soon, Nishikiyama visits the hospital where Yuko is being kept and learns from a doctor, Kimonubu Hiroshi, that Yuko needs a heart transplant, but it will take a long time or years to find a donor, but Yuko doesn't have much time left to live even if they find a donor. Nishikiyama panics and frantically asks the doctor if there's another way while telling him he will do it "whatever it takes!". The doctor is surprised over Nishikiyama's courage to not give up and finally tells him that he has heart for Yuko, but it costs 30 Million Yen. Nishikiyama was hesitant, but agrees to it.
Nishikiyama arrives back at his office to find Matsushige waiting there for him. Matsushige greets him and Nishikiyama explains his situation and tells to get 30 Million Yen. Matsushige asks if Nishikiyama doesn't care how he gets it and Nishikiyama agrees as long as he got it. Matsushige accepts, delighted over the power he has over Nishikiyama. Later, Nishikiyama was walking around Kamurocho before finding Matsushige. He asks him why he's robbing stores from Kashiwagi's territory and Matsushige replies by saying he told him to get it "whatever it takes" and tells him that stores were opening up like "dandelions" but those days were over before telling him that if he wanted the money, Nishikiyama should have done it by himself.
Nishikyama's Punishment[]
| “ | Nishiki: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You can have my pinky if you want if it makes things right! Kashiwagi: I don't want it! What good is the pinky of a piece of s*** leader...who can't even keep his own men in line, eh!? |
„ |
| ~ Nishiki attempting to apologize to Kashiwagi after Matsushige robs the stores in Kashiwagi's territory. |
Kashiwagi finds out about this and calls Nishikiyama over to the Kazama Family Office to give him a beating for what has happened. Nishikiyama was very sorry for what he's done, feeling guilty for disrespecting the man who gave him his own family. Kashiwagi then hesitates if he should turn Nishikiyama in to Kazama or not, but decides to let him have it because he doesn't want to dissappoint Kazama with a "pathetic incident". Nishikiyama thanks him for sparing him of Kazama's wrath. But Kashiwagi mutters to himself that "this wouldn't have happened if this was Kiryu" before telling Nishikiyama to be more careful next time. However, Nishikiyama was shocked over what he just heard.
Shimano's Opinion[]
After leaving the office, Nishikiyama suddenly encounters Futoshoi Shimano, who knows about his situation. Shimano tells him that Kazama only cares about Kiryu having his family, commenting that even though Kiryu "killed" his patriarch, that has only strengthened his reputation, one that neither he nor Nishikiyama can reach and that is all that matters in their world: reputation. Nishikiyama explains that he will take in Kiryu, but Shimano rebukes him, saying that the only one who needs looking after is himself before suggesting that he should quit being yakuza.
The Doctor's Scam[]
Back in his office, Nishikiyama was sitting in thought before Matsushige walks in with the money Nishikiyama needs. Matsushige says that a doctor paid off his gambling debt which is how the doctor got his money, something that gets the attention of Nishikiyama. He then understands that the doctor was the one who asked for the money for the heart and he got the money already at the beginning. Nishikiyama was furious and rushes out of his office and makes his way to the doctor's office to confront him only upon entering, he was gone. When he asks the nurses for intel, they reply that the doctor suddenly resigned from the hospital and has ran away. Nishkiyama was traumitzed and devasted that all he had done was for nothing and his sister will die before crying in front of the main hospital entrance.
Transformation Change[]
| “ | Who did you say was inept? Who'd you say has less potential than Kiryu? Here's a gift you can bring to hell with you... The man who killed Dojima... It was me! And don't forget it. | „ |
| ~ Nishiki confessing the truth of Dojima's murder to Matsushige after stabbing him |
After all he has done and failing over and over, Nishikiyama sits in his office in front of Yuko's headstone about to commit seppuku in hopes of joining his sister in the afterlife. But before that, Matshusige walks in and tries to talk to him, but Nishikiyama ignores him. He then asks for permission to expand business, but further insults him by calling him inept and comparing him to Kiryu. Having enough of this, Nishikiyama stands up and stabs Matsushige, killing him and reveals the truth of Dojima's murder confessing "The man who killed Dojima...It was ME!" and pushes his body away saying "And don't forget it". Nishikiyama slicks his hair back with Matsushige's blood as he swears to kill as many people as needed to reach the top.
December 5. 2005: 10 Years Later[]
| “ | Nishiki...is not the man you once knew | „ |
| ~ Shinji Tanaka revealing to Kiryu about what happened to Nishiki |
After Kiryu is released from prison, he visits Kazuki in Club Stardust and after defeating The Shimano Family who just wanted a "drink", Shinji Tanaka, Kiryu's minion, appears and reveals that Nishikiyama not only started his own family, but is no longer the man Kiryu once knew, much to Kiryu's shock.
The Tojo Clan Meeting and Sera's Funeral[]
When Nishikiyama attends a patriachs' meeting with Kazama also present, he informs everyone that the Tojo Clan's 10 Billion Yen has been stolen from Touto Bank, which causes some gossip. Shimano, not believing him, stands up and threatens Nishiki that if he is just lying, he isn't just going to "cut only his pinky off". When Masaru Sera tries to calm him down, Shimano gets angry at him and yells at both of them. But Kazama told him to watch his tone. Sera decided to close the meeting before any more trouble happens. When Kiryu escapes Masaru Sera's funeral who was assassinated by an unknown person after the meeting with the other patriaches, he suddenly sees Nishikiyama there smiling at him before turning around and leaving.
Meeting Kiryu again after 10 Years[]
| “ | Nishiki: Been a long time, bro. Reina, sake.
Reina: Mm-hm (She goes to fetch Nishiki his drink) |
„ |
| ~ Nishiki meets Kiryu again after 10 Years |
After the incident at the funeral, Nishikiyama calls Kiryu over to Serena in private as he got some info on Mizuki, Yumi's younger sister and was also dead at the hands of himself. Then, the two sworn brothers meet again after 10 years. Now one might think that this would reconcile them together, but that was not true. As Nishkiyama asks Kiryu to hand over Haruka Sawameru, "Mizuki's" daughter and the pendent that would help them locate the 10 Billion, Kiryu asks back "Why did you kill Mizuki?". Nishikiyama confesses it was an accident, stating that he never wanted to kill Yumi's sister. This was because his men accidentally killed her while trying to interrogate her about the 10 Billion. When he found out about this, he begins shooting the two of his men in rage before moving out.
He explains that if Kiryu doesn't hand over Haruka and the pendent, then a Tojo Clan war would start and Kiryu can't stop it and the two items would only do the trick. Kiryu refuses and criticizes him for what he has become. Nishikiyama makes cynical remarks on Kiryu's steadfast morality and Kiryu asks him whether he hates him for it. He tells him that he "doesn't know anymore" before revealing that he was the one who shot Kazama with a sniper rifle who was secretly meeting Kiryu at Sera's funeral. This angers Kiryu and he knocks Nishikiyama to the ground, despite Reina's pleas for the two of them to stop fighting. Nishkiyama reveals that Kazama's still alive and is accompanied by Shinji, who he placed a tracker on. He then tells Kiryu that if he won't hand the two things he needs over, then he won't hesitate to kill him before stating that he wishes to "go back to the old days." and leaves. He then orders his men to kill Kiryu, but Kiryu defeats them and departs.
Reina's Betrayel[]
It was revealed at Pugatory that Reina was actually working with Nishikiyama all along. When Kiryu, Makoto Date, a detective and friend of Kiryu and Haruka go to Serena to confront her, they find a note confessing Reina's betrayal and she betrayed Kiryu because she secretly loved Nishikiyama and wanted him to love her back. But she regrets this out of disgust and guilt. Kiryu then receives a phone call from Shinji who reveals that Reina called Nishikiyama to Serena and tried to shoot and kill him, but she fails and is now on the run with him. When Kiryu reaches their location on a rooftop, he fails to save them from the hands of Kazuto Arase, Nishikiyama's sergeant and proceeds to beat him and his men in anger.
Final Battle and Death[]
| “ | Yumi: Nishikiyama-kun...
Nishiki: Is it over? I guess now we can settle down. |
„ |
| ~ Nishikiyama confronting Kiryu, Yumi and Haruka at Ares in The Millenium Tower and revealing his true nature and actions before his final battle with Kiryu |
For the rest of the game, the Nishikiyama family continues to antagonize Kiryu. Nishikiyama himself is not seen again until Chapter 13 where he angrily confronts the three protagonists: Kiryu, Yumi and Haruka at top of The Millenium Tower in Ares, the penthouse after Kiryu fights and defeats Kyohei Jingu, a corrupt politician and leader of MIA. Yumi refuses to give up her bomb to blow up the 10 Billion. Nishikiyama laughs at this and reveals that he knew Kyohei Jingu was trying to bribe him and didn't trust him because ever since of his traumitc past, he never trusted anyone ever since. He then also reveals that he loved Yumi, but she loved Kiryu instead. Wanting to surpass Kiryu, he has made sacrifices and numerous betrayals in order to claim the 10 billion yen so that he may become the Tojo Clan's fourth chairman. With that realization, he will claim Yumi for himself. Yumi asks if he's truly happy for what he has done and that he failed to change only for Nishikiyama to snap back and scolds her for not accomplishing his goals, which Yumi gets upset at. Kiryu then tells Nishikiyama that he knows his pain and even if they want to go back 10 years, what's done is done before telling him that they must fight to the end once and for all. Nishikiyama agrees and they walk to their starting positions, throw off their shirts to reveal their tattoos-The Dragon (Kiryu) and The Koi (Nishiki) and so the duel between the two brothers began.
It was a long, painful, emotional and hard battle for the both of them with flashbacks happening during it. In the end, Kiryu is victorious and manages to knock Nishikiyama out. He and Yumi reconcile as Haruka watches. Then, Yumi opens a hidden entrance to reveal the 10 Billion and places the bomb there, but a badly-beaten up Jingu appears and shoots Kiryu in the leg. Haruka shields Kiryu to protect him, but Yumi takes the shot. As Kiryu and Haruka try to revive her, Nishiki wakes up and finds the situation. He decides to be the man that Kiryu once knew by picking up the knife Yumi dropped to protect herself when she was placing the bomb and stabbing Jingu with it and shoving both of them into the vault. Jingu shoots him in response, but that doesn't stop him. To atone for his sins, Nishikiyama picks up the gun Jingu had and points it at the bomb, ready to blow it up. Kiryu screams at him not to do it, but Nishikiyama ignores him and as a final farewall, pulls the trigger anyway, killing both himself and Jingu and sending the 10 Billion flying around Kamurocho.
Legacy[]
Though Yumi died from her gunshot wound moments after, he still managed to save Kiryu and Haruka from Jingu with his heroric act. Even after Nishikiyama's death, the Nishikiyama family continued to cause problems for Kiryu years after, with each new patriarch being more horrible than the first, with the second patriarch Koji Shindo and former captain, going as far as to stage a coup. The family would finally disband in 2009 when Tsuyoshi Kanda, the third patriarch, died at the hands of Yoshitake Mine.
Kiryu himself still goes to remember and reminiscence about his past life with Nishikiyama, and even regrets that he wasn't there for him when he needed it, believing that it was his fault for causing Nishikiyama's change into a ruthless man, and has since carry on the guilt for the rest of his life. Nishikiyama's death also harbors heavily on Kiryu as well, as he once had a nightmare of it.