CROW

Crow (烏（カラス）, Karasu), the Central Office Battle Corps (中央庁戦闘部隊, Chūōchō Sentō Butai), is an elite group of humans from the Black Order who act as special enforcers. Though they are not endowed with Innocence, they possess unique skills and the ability to cast powerful spells to bind their enemies. Howard Link, a former member of Crow, demonstrated this ability against several Akuma while trying to protect Timothy and the other orphans. It was originally believed that Crow was only capable of temporarily hindering Akuma, but their power apparently goes beyond that. A Crow member by the name of Madarao was able to walk through a barrier erected by Skulls, which was powerful enough to block both the use of Allen Walker's Pentacle Eye and Noah abilities. Furthermore, he defeated a Level 3 Akuma by absorbing it into his hand with a spell, much to the surprise of Link.

It is soon revealed that the current generation of Crow members are Third Exorcists (第三（サード）エクソシスト, Sādo Ekusoshisuto), humans who were biologically converted into half-human/half-Akuma hybrids, allowing them to fight and destroy Akuma through cannibalism, one of the two known ways to eliminate an Akuma. They were created under the direction of Renee Epstain, by fusing human beings with Akuma cells taken from the Akuma Egg.

Uniform
CROW uniforms are scarlet-colored and emblazoned with the Crow emblem, and typically consist of lose-fitting ceremonial robes with hoods, masks, or veils to hide their faces.

Powers and abilities
The full potential of Crow remains unknown. Note that some of the abilities listed here are unique to the Third Exorcists.

Spell Casting
Members of Crow have shown considerable aptitude in using spells and incantations, to the extent of being able to create barriers that can hold Level 3 Akuma at bay. Below is a listing of known spells performed by Crow members.
 * Kureha Nenki (黒羽焔气, lit. "Black Wing Blazing Spirit"): By clutching an explosive talisman in their fist, and swiftly placing additional talismans on their targets, they can fill their hand with a sudden surge of energy and deliver a powerful explosive punch.
 * Shibari Bane (縛羽, lit. "Binding Wing"): Uses an array of binding talismans to create a circular barrier that slows the movement of any within it. The binding talismans can also be placed directly on an individual as a form of restraints.
 * Mamori Bane (衛羽, lit. "Guardian Wing"): Uses an array of talismans to create a circular barrier that surrounds the user and others for protection. However time of this spell is limited and the talismans fall off as they wear off.
 * Kinji Bane (禁羽, lit. "Forbidden Wing"): Uses two parallel arrays of forbidden talismans to create a barrier that surrounds and traps the targets within it.
 * En Ba (炎羽, lit. "Flame Wing"): Covers the target with numerous flame talismans which are then detonated to engulf the target in a fiery explosion.

Equipment
In addition to numerous types of talismans used for casting spells, Crow members have a variety of other tools and equipment at their disposal. Among their implements are ceremonial needles (式針, shikibari), which appear to have magical properties, similar to paralysing, and can be thrown like darts. Howard Link, a former member of Crow, also has a pair of retractable wrist blades (also called switchblades) concealed beneath his sleeves.

Immense Strength
Madarao has shown incredible strength, effortlessly blocking a blow from a Level 3 Akuma with his bare hand. Koushi was also able to hurl Allen into a stone pillar with enough strength to partially destroy it.

Akuma Presence
Due to the Akuma cells present in their bodies, Third Exorcists count as Akuma as well, allowing them to pass through barriers only Akuma can penetrate. Allen Walker's Pentacle Eye reacts to the Crow members only when their Akuma abilities are active, but he sees only a dark aura and no bound soul. As a side-effect of being half-Akuma, they react aggressively when they come into contact with Innocence, and may instinctively attack Innocence users.

Cannibalism
Though Third Exorcists possess no Innocence and therefore cannot destroy Akuma through Exorcism, they can invoke the Akuma cells in their body to transform their left arm into a Preta (喰機（ガキ）, Gaki) that allows them to absorb and eliminate Akuma through Cannibalism. Though the name refers to the Preta, "hungry devils" found in Buddhist mythology, the kanji used in the name literally translates to Devouring Mechanism (喰機, Kuki). Below is a listing of abilities that have been performed with it:
 * Gaki Kaibyaku Kō (喰機開闢孔（ガキカイビャクコウ）, lit. "Preta Creation Hole"): The Third Exorcist transforms their left arm, causing their flesh to part away and reveal a core of Dark Matter within their forearm and a hole in their palm, through which they can create a vortex that resembles a black hole. This can be used to absorb an Akuma directly, or to spread a dark shadow across the ground which can drag them down like a whirlpool before drawing them in.

Third Exorcists
Renee Epstain of the North America branch was responsible for the Third Exorcist program and appears to be in direct command of the Crow members stationed at the Black Order by order of the Pope. This special unit consists of five individuals: Tokusa, Kiredori, Koushi, Tevak and Madarao.

Former Members
Howard Link - An inspector for the Black Order and a former member of Crow, Link was shocked to learn of the true nature of his former squad, making it likely that he left the unit well before the Third Exorcist program began.