The precursor of the Yakuza during the Edo Era were the banded together Hieda.
Ranked among the lowest class, the Hieda were unable to rise through generations, prohibited from engaging in normal work, and their extremely low social status caused them to be heavily discriminated against by the public.
To change this tragic situation, they had no choice but to unite.
Initially, their purpose in forming associations was mostly simple, primarily for mutual defense against external threats.
However... there is a truth in the world: "Powerful 'force' can cause people to lose their true nature."
People who are intoxicated by powerful "force" become increasingly transformed, losing their true self—such individuals and instances are countless throughout history.
Such phenomena are most likely to occur in those of very low social status, who have endured various injustices.
