Shinobi is the son of Sebastian Shaw, the leader of the Hellfire Club. In his first appearance, Shaw is revealed to have engaged in a series of financial machinations to ruin his father, and after bankrupting him, he attempts to kill his father by using his powers to induce a heart attack in Sebastian, and then blowing up Sebastian's home. Shaw is able to briefly take control of the Hellfire Club, assuming the mantle of Black King. Eager to return the Inner Circle to its former glory, Shaw approaches Elizabeth Braddock and Warren Worthington, attempting to convince them to become a part of the Inner Circle. Both X-Men refuse, however. He also tried to enlist Storm under Candra's orders as a member, but she also refused. In his early years, Shinobi often surrounded himself with scantily-clad men and women.