Kōga (鋼牙, "Steel Fang") was the young leader of the Eastern Yōkai Wolf Tribe, or the Yōrō clan,[3] which was nearly wiped out by Kagura and Naraku. He first met Inuyasha as an opponent in battle,[4] but later became a reluctant, occasional ally. Throughout the series he maintained a strong sense of rivalry with the 'mutt' Inuyasha over their strength and each canine's desire to defeat Naraku, as well as Kōga's persistent courtship of Kagome. Kōga is introduced in the series with three Shikon shards in his possession; two embedded in his legs and one in his right arm. However, he loses the shard in his arm during a fight with the leader of the Birds of Paradise,[5] and pursues Naraku with only his two shards in his legs during the story.