Hyou grew up enslaved alongside his best friend and fellow orphan, Shin. When Shin first showed up at the village head's home, Hyou befriended him and planted the seed of an ambitious dream—that Shin would become the greatest general who ever lived. Beyond that, not much is known about Hyou's family or early life.
Hyou was the more levelheaded of the two, though their swordsmanship was roughly equal. He's acknowledged to Ei Sei that he believed Shin was stronger, suggesting he lacked whatever special edge Shin possessed. Beyond combat, Hyou was more well-rounded in practical ways—he could cook and clean far better than Shin, skills that came naturally to him. More importantly, he showed genuine leadership ability. When he later charged into the fray impersonating the King, he inspired the entire royal army through sheer charisma. Even after they realized the truth, his presence left an unforgettable mark on them. His sacrifice sealed his legacy. In that sense, his natural leadership far outstripped Shin's.
The difference in their raw potential comes down to something specific: Shin has what could be called a "gorilla" kind of strength paired with an unusual ability—almost like a special anger or ambition stat that activates under pressure. When cornered, Shin enters a kind of tranquil fury where he performs far beyond his normal level. Hyou, meanwhile, stays consistent whether things are calm or chaotic. He performs well enough in either state, but that consistency never reaches the exceptional peaks Shin can hit when driven.
Content compiled by AnimeList.moe from publicly available sources.
