Libra Dōko, also widely known as the Master or Old Master, is a Gold Saint of the constellation Libra and the guardian of the seventh temple of the Sanctuary. He is one of the most historically significant figures among the Saints, having fought in the previous Holy War against Hades 243 years before the main story, alongside his close friend Aries Shion. He was one of only two survivors of that conflict. In the present era, he is best known as the mentor of Dragon Shiryu, training him at the Five Old Peaks of Rozan in China. Initially appearing as a small, elderly man with a hunched posture and a calm, deliberate manner, this appearance was not his true form. After the previous Holy War, Athena granted him a technique known as Misopethamenos, a form of suspended animation that slowed his aging to a single day for every year that passed, allowing his heart to beat only once per minute. He maintained this state for over two centuries while carrying out his primary mission: standing watch over the seal that imprisoned the 108 evil stars of Hades. This explains his constant presence by the waterfall at Rozan, a duty that kept him away from Sanctuary politics and the earlier conflicts of the current generation. Dōko's personality is defined by immense wisdom, patience, and a profound sense of responsibility. As a teacher, he is stern but deeply caring, instilling in Shiryu not only combat skills but also a strong moral compass and the importance of loyalty to Athena. He is respected and revered by nearly all other Saints, including the other Gold Saints, who look to him as a senior figure of unmatched experience and insight. Despite his advanced age and frail-looking appearance, he possesses an incredibly powerful cosmos and a sharp tactical mind. His motivations are rooted in his duty to Athena and his desire to see the cycle of war against Hades finally ended. He is willing to make tremendous sacrifices for the greater good, a resolve that is tested to its limits. Dōko's role in the story evolves from a distant, mysterious mentor to a central actor in the final war against Hades. During the Sanctuary arc, he remains at Rozan, refusing the false Pope's summons, which brands him a traitor in the eyes of some. He secretly aids the Bronze Saints by allowing Shiryu to use the sword of Libra to free Hyoga from the frozen coffin. During the Asgard and Poseidon arcs, he continues to guide Shiryu from afar, providing crucial advice and sending the Libra weapons to help destroy the Pillars. The turning point comes when the seal on Hades' spirits breaks. Dōko abandons his post and travels to the Sanctuary, where he reunites with his old friend Shion, who has been temporarily revived by Hades. In a powerful confrontation, he releases the Misopethamenos technique and regrows into his youthful, prime 18-year-old form, standing tall and muscular. He then joins the assault on Hades' castle and the Underworld. His greatest sacrifice occurs at the Wailing Wall, where he leads the twelve Gold Saints in using their combined power, including the Libra weapons, to destroy the barrier, giving their lives so that the Bronze Saints can reach the Elysian Fields. Key relationships include his deep, brotherly bond with Shion, marked by mutual respect despite their temporary opposition under Hades' influence. His legacy as a teacher extends beyond Shiryu; in the main continuity, he is the master of Shiryu's rival and fellow disciple Okko, and in the alternate timeline of The Lost Canvas, he trains the Pegasus Saint Tenma. He also adopted Shunrei, a young girl who lives with him at Rozan and later becomes Shiryu's wife. In later spin-off works such as Soul of Gold and Omega, he is referenced as the former master of Genbu, the subsequent Libra Saint. Dōko's development is primarily a reveal of hidden depth and power; from a seemingly frail old hermit, he transforms into a legendary warrior whose youthful power is formidable even among Gold Saints. His journey moves from passive guardianship to active, sacrificial engagement in the war, ultimately laying down his life to ensure the future. Notable abilities center on the Rozan school of martial arts. His signature techniques include Rozan Sho Ryu Ha, the Rising Dragon Lord, which unleashes a powerful energy dragon capable of reversing a massive waterfall, and Rozan Hyaku Ryu Ha, the Hundred Dragon Fist, which releases a barrage of a hundred powerful dragon-shaped beams. He also wields the Rozan Ko Ryu Ha, the Last Dragon, a technique of ultimate, suicidal force. Additionally, the Libra Gold Cloth is unique among the Gold Cloths as it carries six distinct weapons: a sword, a shield, a tonfa, a trident, a double-bar, and a triple-bar nunchaku. These weapons can only be used when the Libra Saint and Athena deem the cause just. Dōko is a master of all of them, able to select the appropriate weapon for any situation. His youthful state also grants him immense physical strength, speed matching light, and the ability to utilize the Athena Exclamation technique alongside other Gold Saints.