**Sōmei Saitō**, a third-year Tōtsuki Culinary Academy student, initially occupies the Fifth Seat of the Elite Ten Council before advancing to Fourth Seat. Hailing from the proprietors of Saito Sushi, a modest yet thriving family restaurant, he began assisting his mother as a delivery boy and kitchen aide in childhood. Her tireless efforts secured his enrollment in Tōtsuki's 90th Generation middle school division. A turning point arose when his mother interned at the esteemed Shigarami Sushi but endured gender-based discrimination, relegated to menial chores until collapsing from exhaustion. At fifteen, Sōmei assumed head-chef duties at Saito Sushi, confronting ridicule from traditional chefs opposed to a middle schooler leading a sushi establishment. He defeated detractors in culinary battles, ascending to sushi-world prominence while earning animosity from traditionalists. Physically, he ranks as the second-tallest Elite Ten member, sporting a mohawk with a black crest and gray sides. A horizontal scar crosses his nose bridge, extending over both cheeks. He typically appears with closed eyes, wearing the Tōtsuki uniform coat draped cape-like over his shoulders without the standard tie. Accessories include prominent earrings and the constant presence of Isanakiri—a maguro bōchō knife for filleting large fish. His muscular frame often features stomach bandages. His personality integrates bushido principles, manifesting in samurai speech and conduct. Honor remains paramount: he never underestimates opponents, commends skilled rivals, and ensures fairness in competitions. During a Shokugeki, he lent Isanakiri to Subaru Mimasaka to rectify a technical disadvantage, believing Subaru’s inferior knife impeded perfect technique replication. Conversely, he displays scant patience for immaturity, notably toward Momo Akanegakubo. The creed "the strong must protect the weak"—forged from his mother’s persecution—drives his defiance of sushi-world prejudices, even at the cost of becoming its adversary. He envisions himself as a lone samurai refining his craft toward invincibility. At Tōtsuki, he engaged in routine events like the Friendship and Rapport Training Camp and Stagiaire. As an Elite Ten member, he aided participant selection for the 43rd Autumn Election and later ranked sixth in uptown sales at the Moon Banquet Festival. He contributed to Central’s ascent by voting with five peers to replace Director Senzaemon Nakiri with Azami Nakiri, aligning with Central’s pledge of equal opportunity to prevent discrimination mirroring his mother’s ordeal. During the Survivor’s Purge and Promotion Exams in Hokkaido, he defeated Hisako Arato in a Shokugeki, resulting in her expulsion. In the Régiment de Cuisine, Sōmei represented Central against rebels. For the second bout’s tuna theme, he faced Subaru Mimasaka, expertly filleting tuna with Isanakiri. Subaru matched his speed via "Perfect Trace: Flash," prompting Sōmei to lend Isanakiri to uphold bushido fairness. He crafted "Ten Pieces of Tuna Ruby Orbs Sushi With Gunkan Maki," though the match’s conclusion remains unrecorded. In the third bout against Sōma Yukihira (butter theme), he prepared a buttered seafood rice bowl balanced by citrus. When Sōma questioned his Central loyalty, Sōmei reaffirmed his mission to shield victims of culinary tradition. Sōma triumphed with a pilaf-inari sushi fusion, integrating peer-learned techniques. Post-graduation, Sōmei resumed head-chef duties at his family’s sushi restaurant.