The character known only as the Gunman is the central figure and a classic wandering stranger archetype in this film. He arrives in the remote, desolate town of Yuta, a place torn apart by a violent feud between two rival gangs, the red-clad Heike and the white-clad Genji, who are both searching for a legendary hidden treasure. His background is largely mysterious, as he offers no name or history, presenting himself simply as a lone traveler in search of a fortune.

His personality is defined by a cool, calculating pragmatism and a quiet, reserved demeanor. He is not a hero in the traditional sense but a mercenary opportunist who initially seems motivated only by self-interest and the promise of gold. When he first rides into town on a black horse, the metal of his two six-shooters grinding against his hips, he quickly assesses the situation and decides to manipulate the two gangs for his own gain, an idea the locals warn him against by referencing similar lone wanderers. He is exceptionally skilled and confident in his own abilities, a trait that allows him to remain calm and in control even in the most chaotic and violent confrontations.

The Gunman's primary motivation is the acquisition of a secret fortune, and he believes that pitting the Heike and Genji against each other is the most efficient way to achieve his goal. However, as the story progresses and the violence escalates, his role evolves from a detached mercenary to a key player who becomes entangled in the fates of the town's remaining innocent inhabitants. He enters into a secretive collaboration with Ruriko, a former assassin known as Bloody Benten who now runs the town's general store and cares for her young, mute grandson, Heihachi. Together, they devise a plan to lure both gangs into a final, bloody confrontation where they can be destroyed.

His key relationship is with Ruriko, as they work together to bring an end to the clans' destructive presence. While he has no true allies among the gang members, he has significant adversarial relationships with the two leaders: the savage and cowardly Heike boss Kiyomori and the graceful but deadly Genji leader Yoshitsune, a master of both gun and sword who longs for the purity of the samurai code. The Gunman's final and most significant duel is against Yoshitsune, a clash that represents the conflict between the old ways of the sword and the new era of the gun.

Throughout the narrative, the Gunman undergoes a subtle but meaningful development. He begins as a drifter driven by personal greed but ultimately transforms into an agent of reckoning who helps restore a fragile peace to the town. He ultimately chooses not to take the gold he sought, instead leaving it to the young boy Heihachi. Before riding out of town, he delivers a poignant piece of life advice to the mute child that is so moving it causes the boy to speak for the first time, demonstrating that the Gunman’s true impact is not measured in wealth but in the legacy of hope he leaves behind.

His most notable abilities are his peerless skill and lightning-fast speed with a six-shooter. He is established as the quickest and most accurate hand in the town, dispatching multiple opponents with ease. A testament to his cunning and preparedness is revealed during his climactic duel with Yoshitsune. When cornered by the Genji leader’s swordplay, the Gunman produces a concealed derringer pistol from his sleeve, a hidden trick that allows him to win the fight after appearing to be at a disadvantage. This act encapsulates his character: a man who is not only fast and deadly but also shrewd, resourceful, and always holding one last card close to his chest.