General Tenpō, formally titled Field Marshal Tenpō Gensui, served as chief military tactician in Heaven's celestial forces under the Dragon King of the Western Sea, Goujun. He commanded Heaven's Western Army alongside his trusted subordinate and close friend, General Kenren. Renowned as Heaven's greatest strategist for his tactical brilliance and calm battlefield leadership, Tenpō's unorthodox personal habits and disregard for appearances nonetheless fueled celestial rumors. Semi-long black hair, thick glasses, and a perpetually rumpled lab coat over a shirt and tie, often paired with wooden sandals, defined his disheveled look. Though possessing a handsome visage blending gentleness and harshness, neglect of personal hygiene obscured this aspect. His personality exhibited stark duality. Off-duty, Tenpō displayed an easy-going, vague, and "my pace" demeanor. He immersed himself for extended periods within his massive, chaotically organized personal library, primarily stocked with books "borrowed" from Heaven's archives and supplemented by curiosities collected from the lower world. He harbored a deep fascination with human culture, especially military history and mundane objects like cigarettes (favoring Arc Royal brand), an earthenware frog ashtray, and a Colonel Sanders bust. This fascination included chain-smoking human cigarettes. He showed unexpected affection for children, evidenced by his interactions with the golden-eyed earth spirit Goku, whom he insisted address him affectionately as "Ten-chan." On the battlefield, however, this relaxed facade vanished, revealing a cool-headed, ruthless, and insightful commander capable of ordering the complete annihilation of enemy forces, like the Eastern Army, for strategic survival. Before Kenren's arrival, Tenpō maintained a solitary existence, bearing burdens alone and recklessly leading from the front. His life included an enduring friendship with Konzen Douji, the fastidious nephew of the Merciful Goddess Kanzeon Bosatsu. Kenren's transfer marked a turning point; Kenren saved Tenpō from a literal avalanche of books and became a trusted confidant. This friendship transformed Tenpō, shifting him from solitary recklessness to collaborative leadership. He delegated significant command authority to Kenren, developing a dynamic where Kenren often handled practical matters, metaphorically placing Tenpō in a "wife role." Together, they grew suspicious of corruption involving the War Prince Nataku within Heaven's higher echelons. Tenpō's life intertwined with Goku after the child entered Heaven under Konzen's reluctant care. He formed an immediate bond with Goku during visits to Konzen's office. Tenpō, alongside Kenren and Konzen, frequently intervened to protect Goku, notably during a brawl at the Jade Emperor's birthday festival. Their suspicions about Heaven's corruption deepened following Kenren's objection to Nataku's deployment and subsequent brutal punishment. When Goku's limiter broke, unleashing his Seiten Taisei form and causing widespread carnage, Tenpō, Kenren, and Konzen chose to protect him, defying Heaven's orders. Declared traitors, they took Goujun hostage to secure passage back to Tenpō's library fortress. Facing imminent attack at dawn, they planned an escape to the lower world. Tenpō promised Goku they would reunite under cherry trees in the human world, even if separated. During the ensuing battle to reach the gate, Tenpō, Kenren, and Konzen perished. Goku was imprisoned and his memories sealed. Five hundred years later, Tenpō's essence reincarnated as Cho Gonou, later known as Cho Hakkai, retaining Tenpō's calm intellect and gentle-yet-dangerous demeanor, alongside a similar physical resemblance. Hakkai joined the new Sanzo party alongside the reincarnations of Kenren (Sha Gojyo) and Konzen (Genjo Sanzo), journeying once again with Goku. This cycle fulfilled the promise made under the cherry blossoms, binding the group across lifetimes.