根据韦氏词典(Merriam Webster),ruffian是a strong and violent person (especially a man) who threatens and hurts other people,可以认为这个ruffian具备三个主要特点:强、暴力、吓到或者伤害到他人。
而大蛇也是很暴力的,直接掐着桃之助的脖子,扬言要把他钉在十字架上(crucifixion:an act of killing someone by nailing or tying his or her hands and feet to a cross 把人钉在十字架上刹死,想想耶稣),可以再联系大蛇 对和之国人民、对霜月康家的残暴做法,他也是具备ruffian定义的。当然作为读者,我非常支持他们两人对桃之助的做法(奸笑)。