* First appearance: Battle 437
* Type: Sei
* Type: Satsujin Ken
* Martial Arts: Karate
Suzuki Hajime was a master-class Karateka and the late friend of Sakaki Shio and Hongou Akira. He has shown incredible talent and power as a martial artist, Suzuki was already powerful enough to see all the moves in Sakaki's fight against Hongou whom both Kenichi and Miu felt extremely difficult. Simply through observation, he was able to copy their techniques and was able to point out the flaws of their fighting style.
During Yami's death match he was able to fight both Sakaki and Hongou and even overpower them. Hongou noticed very few flaws in his stance but stated that his hand movements were perfect and that he did not waste a single move. After seeing Suzuki copy their moves, both Sakaki and Hongou thought he was stronger than they were. The only thing that was holding him back was his illness, as it did affect him in fights on some occasions. He was also a highly talented teacher, able to give students very comprehensive instructions to better teach them the techniques.
Suzuki's personality could also be considered a combination of Kenichi's and Kanou Shou's, though it leans closer to Shou's. This forms a rather playful personality that could be provoked to seriousness when he is confronted with a serious matter, as seen when he eagerly fights a death match with Sakaki and Hongou in Yami's death match. At the same time, he is also comically afraid of the two in the same manner that Kenichi is. His serious personality could have had an impact upon Hongou in taking Kanou Shou as his successor.
Suzuki's enthusiasm in martial arts is similar to Shou's, as he clearly demonstrates a desire to learn martial arts and use it in his future career. To this end, he especially enjoys watching Sakaki fight with his arch rival, Hongou, refereeing 250 of their matches and even requesting Hongou that his eyes not be closed upon his death so that he may watch his 251st match with Sakaki. Suzuki even tells the two that his dream is to become the strongest karate master.
Suzuki is first seen in Sakaki's flashback, asking the Karateka to take him as his disciple. Sakaki's aversion to taking disciples prevents this, though Suzuki follows him nonetheless, and the pair soon encounter Hongou. Sakaki and Hongou exchange a few words regarding the tournament Sakaki entered, from which Hongou was absent, and Suzuki, hearing about this, asks to see them fight, acting as their referee. This first match observation ends in a blunder, as Suzuki has just encountered master-class fighters and admits that he didn't see carefully who managed to deal the finishing blow. This does not stop Sakaki and Hongou from having him referee their matches, and thus begins a long line of matches between the two, the winner alternating every match.
At one point in his life, Suzuki discovers that he has contracted an illness, but disregards it, saying that he would like to live his life for what he believes in. Eventually, Suzuki joins Sakaki and Hongou in tracking down weapon dealers, curious to find a job he could use martial arts for. Suzuki notes that Sakaki is too reckless in his attacks while Hongou is too careful, and has them switch their stances. The next day, he is overjoyed to see that the two took on his suggestion. Suzuki later demonstrates his ability at copying their moves, earning him compliments from the two masters. Later, he sees Sakaki's older sister, falling in love with her to the point where he quickly eliminates the other weapon dealers and decides to protect the lunch that she sends the three while the other two fighters chase after the truck. Sometime during this period, he takes up a job teaching children karate.
Suzuki's last moments in life come when Yami lures him to the pagoda, forcing him to fight a death match with Sakaki and Hongou, neither of which are as enthusiastic to fight him as he is to fight them. As he leaps to elbow Hongou from above, he is killed with Hongou's knife hand. As his last request, Suzuki asks Hongou to leave his eyes open, so that he would be able to see Hongou's final battle with Sakaki. His death ignites a rage in Sakaki that ultimately tears apart his friendship with Hongou.
Vova
