Nathaniel Hawthorne is a character who first appears as a supporting figure during the second season and continues to appear in later seasons. He is a former member of the American gifted organization known as the Guild and later becomes an operative within the Rats in the House of the Dead, serving as an assassin under the direction of Fyodor Dostoevsky. His background draws inspiration from the real-world author of the same name, who was raised in Salem, Massachusetts, in a Puritan environment—a setting that heavily influenced the themes of sin, guilt, and judgment found in the classic novel The Scarlet Letter. In the series, Hawthorne embodies a devout religious faith. His personality is defined by strong convictions in God, the Bible, and purity, and he holds a deep disdain for heresy and what he perceives as the Devil. This fervent belief system drives his motivations, as he seeks to uphold his moral code and eliminate those he views as corrupt or sinful.

Hawthorne stands at 188 centimeters tall and weighs 72 kilograms, with gray hair and gray eyes. He is often seen wearing a black preacher-like outfit accompanied by glasses, which gives him a distinct and recognizable appearance. His role in the story begins as a member of the Guild, an organization dispatched to Yokohama to obtain a mysterious book said to grant any wish. During the Guild conflict, Hawthorne engages in combat with members of the Armed Detective Agency, most notably pursuing Atsushi Nakajima and Sigma into the space of Anne’s Room, where he attempts to finish Atsushi but ultimately loses a game of tag with Anne and becomes trapped in a strange space. After the Guild war, his ties to the organization weaken. He later becomes entangled with Fyodor Dostoevsky, who tricks him into joining the Rats in the House of the Dead by promising to save Margaret Mitchell, a fellow former Guild member. This manipulation leads Hawthorne to become a faithful puppet of Dostoevsky, acting as a hunter of ability users.

His key relationships include his former Guild leader Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, whom he strongly criticizes for trying to solve problems with money rather than faith. He also holds a deep concern for Margaret Mitchell, as her wellbeing is used as leverage to secure his loyalty. After Fitzgerald disappears, Hawthorne’s allegiance shifts to Dostoevsky, whom he follows with a sense of misplaced trust. His personality remains consistent in its devotion and rigidity, making him susceptible to exploitation by figures who appeal to his sense of righteousness. In terms of development, Hawthorne begins as a loyal member of the Guild with a clear moral compass, but after the organization’s collapse, he becomes a more conflicted and controlled figure, acting under the orders of a manipulative antagonist. His growth is largely defined by his inability to break free from his own rigid worldview, which keeps him bound to those who use his faith against him.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s notable ability is named The Scarlet Letter, a reference to the novel by the real-world author. This power allows him to convert his own blood into holy words, which he can then control. The blood-formed words can be fired like bullets to strike at opponents from a distance, or they can be built up to form a defensive shield that deflects enemy attacks. The ability requires careful management of his own blood, as it is both the source of his offense and his defense. He has also been shown to condense the blood in advance and then release it in explosive bursts. This ability, combined with his unwavering faith, makes him a methodical and dangerous combatant, though his reliance on a single resource can become a vulnerability when he is pushed beyond his limits.