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. Regular members of CROW are capable of temporarily hindering Akuma.

It is revealed that American branch of Black Order is currently working on the new generation of CROW known as Third Exorcists (第三（サード）エクソシスト, Sādo Ekusoshisuto) and so far only few chosen members of CROW 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 via first womb.

Training
The CROW trainees are, in general, orphans picked up from the streets and from under the churches Every CROW member is trained from the very young age.

The details of said training is yet to be revealed.

Markings
Every fully trained member has two red dots on the forehead and yellow markings under the eyes.

Uniform
CROW uniforms are scarlet-colored and emblazoned with the Crow emblem.

Ceremonial robes
Ceremonial robes consist scarlet colored, lose-fitting robes covering the whole body. The yellow-colored CROW emblem repeats on them three times: on the mask which cover the whole face, shoulders and is tipped with beads in front and back and at bottom of the robe the sleeves were long enough to cover CROW's hands.

Uniform with sleeves
the robe consist lose-fitting shirt with mandarin collar and CROW emblem on the chest. It has very wide and long sleeves. The belt has an CROW emblem as a clasp it also contains breads tipped with tassel attached at the back. .

Sleeveless uniform
the uniform consists a loose shirt with mandarin collar but is not sewed on the sides and has no sleeves, said upper clothing is fastened with a belt(with CROW emblem as a clasp) in the waist. the uniform also contains loose fitting trousers(finished with CROW emblem) and sandals (in some cases boots).

CROW members also use bandages or stripes of long and wide material to either cover the breasts - if the member is a female or torso - if a member is male.

The robe is sometimes complete with a cape and wide-brimmed hat(with CROW emblem on top) with veil which covers CROW member face

Uniform with loose hood
the mask which covers the face is strapped at the back of users head and has a crow emblem the upper part of the uniform has long sleeves and a 'loose' hood. The upper part is knee long and is fastened with a belt(with CROW emblem as a clasp) in the waist.

The uniform also contains dark-colored, tight-fitting trousers - ending before the ankles and sandals.

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 temporary 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)

They appear to have magical properties, similar to paralysing, and can be thrown like darts.

Retractable Wrist Blades
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
This special unit consists of five individuals: Madarao, Tokusa, Tevak, Kiredori and Koushi.

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.