Bansai is an elderly ninja monk stationed at the Fire Temple who managed to survive the Akatsuki's devastating assault on the temple—one of only three known to make it out. He's a spiritual figure within the monastery, and when Asuma Sarutobi showed up with his squad looking for intel on Akatsuki, Bansai's genuine concern for their safety led him to offer a prayer. That prayer turned out to be powerful enough to put Asuma into some kind of trance state, during which he encountered the spirit of Chiriku, a fallen comrade. These days, Bansai has stepped back from active duty.
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