Soft Master

He who dons the ninja's mask is forever apart. He leads a life of rigorous training, intense concentration...and danger."

— The Soft Master

Centuries ago in Japan, the Arashikage clan was a renowned family of ninjas. The clan was famous for their techniques, including the "Arashikage Mind-Set," the "Sleeping Phoenix," the "Ear That Sees," and the "Cloak of the Chameleon."

By the time of the Vietnam War, the size of the clan had dwindled, but still remained powerful in Japan. The leader of the Arashikage ninja clan at that time was known as the Hard Master. His brother is known as the Soft Master  and was one of the Arashikage ninja masters who taught Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow.

Storm Shadow is also embarking on the training right along with Snake Eyes. They are entrusted with the future of Arashikage Clan. The Soft Master will teach the balance between warfare and discipline.

In New York, the Soft Master reveals to Snake-Eyes that he is investigating the death of the Hard Master (G.I. Joe ARAH #26). He wants to know why the Hard Master denied until his death that the killer was Storm Shadow, despite evidence to the contrary.

After the Hard Master's death, the Soft Master acquired a Cuban-Chinese restaurant as a cover and a base to investigate his brother's murder. He was convinced that the murderer was Storm Shadow. He and Snake-Eyes had the one bit of evidence,  the arrow that had killed the Hard Master, and it had Storm Shadow's sigils which came from Storm Shadow's personal supply.

As he is telling this to Snake-Eyes, Storm Shadow crashes through the window and takes the arrow from the Soft Master.  The resulting fight between Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow attracts the police's attention.

Some time later, the Soft Master went to Springfield to investigate the Hard Master's murder. He arrived to the Police department, subdued the cops and checked their computer, seeking information. He discovered who was the real murderer, but police reinforcements arrived and he had to escape, followed by Buzzer, Firefly and Scrap-Iron. During his escape, the Soft Master took a police car and crashed with a station wagon. The Soft Master could leave, but he returned to save the people inside the wagon (Billy, Candy Appel and the man who had brought the Soft Master to Springfield). Scrap-Iron shot the station wagon, but the Soft Master intercepted the missile and was killed by the shot. Firefly then ordered to Scrap-Iron also shoot the station wagon. So, the Soft Master's last noble act was meaningless (G.I. Joe ARAH  #43).