Sakon Hayate stands as the sole survivor of the Hyuga ninja village, annihilated by Oda Nobunaga's demonic forces. In the aftermath, he leads bandits preying on travelers until encountering Ayanosuke Hayami. This meeting becomes a pivotal moment, compelling him to join her crusade against Nobunaga.

He wields the katana known as the Sword of Sorcery, one of three prophesied mystical weapons destined to defeat Nobunaga. Though outwardly calm and level-headed, Sakon harbors deep skepticism, particularly doubting their chances against Nobunaga's supernatural armies. This doubt surfaces when he abandons Ayanosuke and Ryoma Kogure during the Iga conflict—a choice causing him profound inner turmoil beneath his detached demeanor.

Once a self-reliant loner struggling to trust anyone, including Ayanosuke, Sakon's relationship with her evolves into deep affection. He increasingly prioritizes her safety, culminating in him taking a fatal blow meant for her during the final battle at Azuchi Castle. Dying, he attempts to confess his feelings but finds himself unable to recall the words.

Renowned in combat for his exceptional speed and decisiveness, he earns the epithet "Sakon the Whirlwind." His prowess is proven by defeating Oboro members like Kiheiji "The Quiet Doom" and Genzo "The Harpist." A movie adaptation scene shows him tenderly touching Ayanosuke's face, using her true name "Ayame" and urging her to survive. His arc concludes with this sacrifice, leaving Ayame the lone survivor of their group.