Reijuu Kyuketsu - Captain of the 11th Division

[Wayne]

Captain of the Eleventh Division

Personality ​ <tbody> </tbody> Slowly, yet surely, Kyuketsu veers closer to the path destined for damnation. His hunger for domination is insatiable, and this fact was made all the more evident through the influential scars left behind by the Vasto Lorde, Prometheus. The seeds of chaos and treachery have been planted, and it is only a matter of time before the shackles that bind him crumble and rot away completely. Now, more so than ever before, Kyuketsu’s course is conflicted between that of his own selfish temperaments and the feelings held by the girl Kusanagi Fuko. His actions, both in and out of battle, are akin to a raptor stalking its quarry. Surgical in his approach, he carries himself with swift, electrifying intensity. Save for a rare handful of individuals, Kyuketsu harbors a heightened level of distrust for most everyone he meets, colleague or otherwise. Further masking his suspicions are mannerisms defined by a smug, almost pompous kind of swagger. Appearance ​ <tbody> </tbody> Kyuketsu’s growth in both age and experience has inevitably shaped the outward physique he now holds. His body frame is an ideal mix of natural leanness, as well as musculature and vascularity catering to high-intensity endurance. Though a number of cuts scar his flesh from past battles, only a handful of them are truly noticeable from the distance. His pale white hair reaches just slightly above his neckline. To contrast the sharp yet youthful features of his face, he is equipped with a raptorial pair of amber eyes which seemingly light up in the darkness. Upon promotion to vice-captain of Squad Eleven, Kyuketsu made slight adjustments to the design of his shihakushou unique from the standard issue. His kosode and shitagi were both customized to have the sleeves be narrower and longer than normal, reaching far to cover his wrists. The hakama-himo belt he wears now lacks the ribbon-like design when knotted. Instead, it is simply tied normally, leaving the excess lengths of cloth to hang freely from his waist down to his lower thighs. His adjutant’s badge location was unchanged, firmly strapped around his left bicep. As interim captain of the Eleventh Division, he wore the famed tattered haori not in the conventional way, but instead draped and secured over his left shoulder. The way it trailed behind him made the fabric appear more like a cape rather than an overlapping coat. As a full-fledged captain, he wears his brand new haori normally. Age: 322, Appears 20 Height: 5’10.5” // 179 cm. Weight: 172 lbs. // 78 kg. Eye Color: Gold Hair Color: White​ History ​ <tbody> </tbody> Save for recent data gathered by the Shinoreijutsuin upon his entrance, very little is known about the origins of Reijuu Kyuketsu. While he chooses to refrain from explicitly stating his exact heritage, those close to him are given a glimpse of what his life was before entering the Gotei. Far before learning the way of the sword and embarking on the path of warfare, Kyuketsu is revealed to have had a twin sister by the name of Yukihime, though she died some time later as his memory of her was eventually discarded. It is suspected, though not confirmed, that he took on a different name before using his current one. What prompted this change, nobody knows. He claims to have hailed from the 79th District of Kusajishi before entering a ‘pilgrimage’ in its neighboring region, Zaraki. One hundred years passed as the swordsman returned to civilization bearing a new name and an even sharper blade. Almost immediately upon arrival, he enlisted himself to become a soldier for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. He came into the active roster by first joining the Eleventh Division, which at the time was led by Yuzuki Masato. It shortly came into a transition of sorts and the captaincy was passed down to then-third seat Mabara Tsubaki. Under the woman’s leadership, the Duelists became what were then known as the Blood Templars. In this new squad, Kyuketsu was promoted to third seat, and before long he began to climb up the ranking ladder, eventually becoming Tsubaki’s second-in-command as lieutenant. Momentarily promoted as acting-captain during the Queen’s absence, he took up the mantle with pride and eagerness. Upon her return, he resumed his formal duty as vice-captain. In the wake of their failed campaign to Hueco Mundo and the instilment of a curse by the monster Prometheus, Tsubaki incited a coup, which drastically led to her branding as a traitor. Ordered for execution, she was forced to retreat into the World of the Living, leaving the Eleventh’s throne vacant. Despite his initial protests, Kyuketsu was made to be the indefinite de facto leader of the division, which in turn ignited the brewing tension between him and his friend, Arashi Ryoujin. Following a series of confrontations with the enigma Anshinkan Raifuku, many of the Gotei’s finest, along with the inhabitants from Earth, were trapped in a labyrinth haunted by past warriors and figureheads long thought dead. Within the twisted dimensions, Kyuketsu faced off against the mighty Hollow Errant King, the twin-headed Myrias, and the stray human Thomas—to name a few. Among them, the one which stood out the most was an ancient captain of the Eleventh, Diega Torres-Confresi. Emerging from the madness, the mastermind Raifuku was eventually defeated and a momentary time of peace came to pass. The fire was stirred once more after reports of a Hollow came in, connecting its spiritual pressure to the malevolent Vasto Lorde, Prometheus. Kyuketsu, along with his third seat Zakeriah and the Tenth’s lieutenant Adelaide Pierce, confronted the beast Metanoia. The battle was tense and grueling, pushing all three shinigami near breaking point. Relying finally on Ban Kai, the trio was able to triumph over the wretched scion. The victory proved fruitful in the end as the Hollow’s purification acted as the key to finally relieving Kyuketsu’s curse. He was now able to fight with his full strength once more. With that in mind, he set off to govern and take absolute control of his cherished division. In time, Kyuketsu undertook the Taishuu which pitted him against none other than the captains of the 10th and 7th, Maikeru Lilith and Katsuji Ishin. After a brief, yet devastating dogfight, Kyuketsu endured through everything the pair could throw at him, fighting to his absolute limit. His dedication and undying resolve paid off as he gained the approval of his peers, at last making him a full-fledged captain of the Gotei 13. With his ascendance, the Blood Templars were no more, instead reverting back to old roots and tradition through the Fearless Duelists. More scions, those flowing with the same blood as Metanoia, surfaced one by one all across the globe. Reports came pinpointing a powerful entity hiding away at a voodoo market in Lomé, Togo in West Africa. Dispatched on his own to hunt down the creature, Kyuketsu came face to face with the arrancar, Orixa. After a brutal and vicious dogfight between the two (with some aid from the vizard Hotate Nigiri and a human), the Duelist King emerged the winner. This victory was not to last, however, as he immediately received a distress call from Soul Society: the Dread Lord Prometheus had come to Earth. Kyuketsu came as fast as he could, engaging the Vasto Lorde amidst a group of injured captains. Their numbers counted for nothing, as for the second time, they were once again overwhelmed by the Hollow’s power. Three ancient fiends were briefly revived as a result, with Kyuketsu himself taking on the resurrected Emptybones. As the fight dragged on, so did the Vasto Lorde’s influence. His madness seeped into the land, and into Kyuketsu’s mind, tainting the Duelist’s soul from the inside out. Among all the others gathered there, Prometheus personally offered the Eleventh’s captain the gift of power. With his mind nearing breaking point, Kyuketsu nearly gave in had it not been for the intervention of the humans Zakki Shiraha and Sabishii Arano. In the end, as they all faced annihilation, it was the lieutenant of Squad Ten, Adelaide Pierce that was able to banish the monster back to the sands of Hueco Mundo. The battle was neither lost nor won. The damage, unfortunately, had already been done. Kyuketsu now belonged to the Dread Lord.

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[Wayne]

Apotheosis​

神化

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Reiatsu: 59,419
Tenzansatsu - 71,303
Fuhen Souryokusen - 83,187
Zanjutsu: 46,819
Hakuda: 100
Hohou: 6,000
Kidou: 6,500
-- Reitouten, Hadou #50 // 1000 Kidou
--- Saju Sabaku, Bakudou #63 // 1200 Kidou
--- Kokuryuha, Hadou #70 // 1750 Kidou
---- Kuyou Shibari, Bakudou #79 // 3000 Kidou
---- Kurohitsugi, Hadou #90 // 6500 Kidou
----- Ittou Kasou, Hadou #96 // 8750 Kidou [KZ]
Items:
Vitruvian Cross
Orb of Ignition
Sorei no Te [pm]
Feats:
[Unique] - Predation
[Unique] - Judgment Cut
[Trained] - Radiance
[Trained] - Kidou Zero
[Style] - Empty
[GM] - Bloodlust
[GM] - Suberu no Ken

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[Wayne]

The Arsenal
武器倉​

Feats​

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[1] [Predation] – Unique

With every stroke carrying Kyuketsu’s blade, his aim goes beyond simply killing an opponent. He strives to thrash and deluge his foes to the best of his abilities, painting a scene of utter devastation that immortalizes a masterpiece of both conflict and gore. Through this, he has crafted a slashing style amended by spiritual energy which extends and improves the reach of his sword.

By swinging his zanpakutou and giving up 5% reiatsu, the whole 15-feet space surrounding Kyuketsu is instantly overrun with a multitude of lines representing individual sword strikes. The gap between each crimson-colored stroke is impossibly narrow, thus cutting and tearing away at anything within range from all sides and angles, each slice being as deadly as a single zanpakutou swing.

In a sense, it acts a myriad of blows all coming instantaneously at once. The ‘slicing zone’ vanishes completely after a few seconds, leaving nothing but the scarred earth on which it once subsisted. This ability is usable only once per turn and requires a single cool-down round. Should the target deflect or stop the initial swing, however, the effect of the ability is cancelled out completely.​

[2] [Judgment Cut] – Unique

Sometimes, the most ideal way to break someone’s morale is to turn their own offensive against them. Kyuketsu can choose a specific energy-based attack from his opponent and block it using the suitable zanjutsu techs he has in his arsenal. If the parry is successful, 25% of that attack’s power is stored within his zanpakutou and kept in storage. The swordsman can keep doing this up to four more times until enough of the enemy power is collected inside his weapon. Once the ‘reservoir’ is full, Kyuketsu is then able to fire a cutting wave with an accuracy directly proportional to his zanjutsu stat towards a target. Traveling at a flat distance of 50 feet, the slash deals the amount of damage stored inside the Duelist’s blade depleting the energy in the reservoir, allowing it to be refilled once more.​

[3] [Radiance] – Trained

As a fundamental ability bestowed on all shinigami, one must be capable of manipulating the flow and exertion of their spiritual energy. This reflects primarily in the usage of a zanpakutou release, kidou, or otherwise. However, to excel beyond these measures would mean controlling one’s reiatsu at the most basic and elementary level—particularly by channeling it from their arms into their weapons. Those trained in Radiance are able to release their spiritual energy into corporeal form, in this case a fiery beam of energy whose strength corresponds to its user.

By giving up 5% of one’s current reiatsu, a Radiance practitioner can unleash a wave of raw power directly at a target 10 meters away which deals damage equivalent to its cost. As a rule of thumb, the speed in which the attack travels is proportionate to the user’s zanjutsu or hakuda proficiency, depending on what school their sword release is based on. As a nod to a similar ability shared by their Hollow nemesis, the color of a shinigami’s Radiance attack depends entirely on the user, although the default shade remains at light blue.

Training: In order to learn Radiance, a user must master how to sufficiently channel the right amount of reiatsu into their zanpakutou. Complete and absolute focus must be established, as too little will do no good and too much will cause the energy to backfire on the practitioner. A trainee will start off learning to siphon their power through their arms and down to their fingers, before graduating and attempting the technique on their actual weapons.

Requirements: 5,000 Reiatsu​

[4] [Kidou Zero] – Trained

While many Shinigami excel close-quarters combat, few can diminish the importance of being able to strike quickly and decisively at range. In essence, Kidou Zero is a technique designed to force the Shinigami's physical force and pressure into a more arcane format. By paying 150% of the desired spell's cost the Shinigami forces their Reiatsu to adapt into the necessary energies involved with the casting of Kidou, summoning the aforementioned spell on a target within 10 meters of their location. The spell used by this feat must be decided upon equipping it, and cannot be changed without re-learning the feat. This feat does not allow the user to bind a Kindou spell to it.

Requirements: 10,000 Reiatsu
Equipped: Ittou Kasou, Hadou #96 // 8750 Kidou
Reducing everything to ash, an immense sword of churning flames thrusts up from hell itself. The blade is fully 5m thick, stretches forward 15m ahead ahead, and reaches over 50m into the air. With a single, all-encompassing fwoosh the blade incinerates everything within its reach, instantly cremating all but the strongest of beings.

The blade returns to its cursed origins, leaving behind a molten trench where it appeared.

Incantation: Flesh, bones, souls, weapons, buildings, plants... all of life and all of mankind's innovations; existence itself, nothing more than ashes. Hadou #96, Ittou Kasou.​

[5] [Bloodlust] – GM

The reverence of battle, the thrill of war, Kyuketsu is a man whom revels in the heat of combat. As evidenced by his time spent trapped in Gyouga Fukai Meiro, the acting Captain's resolve was pushed to the limit and his actions taken within are a monument to the unshakeable desire for victory at all costs.

Bloodlust allows Kyuketsu to truly leverage this talent for battle and his soul cutter's unique abilities. When inflicting wounds with Tenzansatsu's primary abilities, Kyuketsu can expend reiatsu to heal his own injuries, sustaining himself on the blood of his enemies. Each use of this ability costs Kyuketsu 250 Reiatsu if striking with Tenzansatsu's first ability and 500 if striking with its second, ranged ability. Each stack of Bloodlust reduces one of the swordsman's wounds, beginning with the most severe, by half a tier per round. Two consecutive uses are required to downgrade an injury. Bloodlust will continue for as long as Kyuketsu continues to deliver consecutive strikes every round, and will end if a round passes where his attacks are blocked or dodged. This ability can be activated once per day.​

[6] [Suberu no Ken] : Blade Slide – GM

Although freed from the curse, a hint of the madness will always be present. The accursed leg movements Kyuketsu suffered through for so long are burned into his muscle memory. Still, a swordsman of his caliber can turn even such a thing to his advantage, and thus the birth of this technique. Beginning from at least 10m away, Kyuketsu rushes into direct melee range of his target to deliver an attack. If this first strike is successful, he can then deliver two follow-up attacks followed by a retreat of 5m.

This ability costs 5% of his reiatsu to initiate and can only be used once per round.

This technique is unique to Reijuu Kyuketsu.​

Fated Alliance​

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[1] [Soryukan] – Twin Dragon Coffin

Corresponding Ally: Arashi Ryoujin [Shun]​

The bond shared by Kyuketsu and Ryoujin has allowed the two of them to, time and again, trample the odds and stare Death in the eye with arrogant grins painting their faces. Their camaraderie is as fortified and resolute as their swords, and through growth, they have learned to incorporate each other’s abilities to complement one another. By harnessing the elemental properties of Kazeoni, Ryoujin is capable of engulfing the battlefield in a dome composed of gusting winds roughly 50 feet in diameter and 30 feet in height. Kyuketsu can then, with the use of his sword’s destructive potential, embed torrents of spiritual energy into the dome’s lashing winds.

This confined space allows the two fighters to systematically close the gap on an opponent while preventing any method of escape. If an enemy is to touch the walls, the energy detonates and causes damage. This naturally disperses the dome, but if left undisturbed, it will implode in itself after 5 turns, causing damage to anyone (Ryoujin and Kyuketsu included) still trapped inside.

1. To summon the wind dome itself, both Ryoujin and Kyuketsu must pay 1,000 reiatsu each.

2. To empower the force circulating the dome, both men pay a combined cost of 10% (5% each) of their own spirit energies. This same amount is equivalent to how much damage the explosion deals.​

Items​

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[1] [Vitruvian Cross] – Unique, S Class

A six inch silver cross measured evenly from all four arms. The metallic substance which makes up the piece is adorned with a series of scarlet lines, all intricately designed from tips to center. The middle point is encrusted with a gem of some kind, appearing more like an artificial ebony eye complete with all the features of such.

Upon evoking the item’s power, the cross disintegrates into a fine dust which then encircles the owner. It gathers and materializes spiritual energy around it, eventually amassing just behind its user’s shoulders. It finally morphs into the bifurcated upper body of a gray-shaded apparition originating and remaining directly from the shinigami’s back. The manifestation’s appearance, twisted and macabre, bears a muscular feature with spiked protrusions running from its shoulders down its spine. Appendages twice the size as Kyuketsu’s, the phantom’s intended purpose is to act as a second pair of arms readily available to the soul reaper. It acts on the user’s every command, and though coming off as translucent, the fortified reiatsu that makes up the being is decidedly solid and durable. This costs 1,000 reiatsu to activate.

Should Kyuketsu choose to pay an additional 500 reiatsu for a single turn, the phantom can momentarily gain heightened raw strength be it through picking up some heavy items with ease or with just any general action.

Once no longer needed, the apparition crumbles down to form once more the cross.
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[2] [Orb of Ignition] – Unique, A Class

A small metallic orb (roughly smaller than a golf ball). Its exterior showcases a smooth, even surface with a mirror-like tint which reflects everything around it in perfect clarity. The sphere constantly gives off a cold, almost frozen aura to all who touch it.

The Orb of Ignition serves but one purpose: to set ablaze one's soul. If the user pays 1,000 reiatsu, he can choose one specific individual to target the sphere's influence. If the said individual sees their casted reflection over the orb's surface, he or she will immediately garner a raging, unknown urge to attack the sphere's owner for the following three rounds. The compulsion is decidedly powerful, but not unbreakable. The target can choose to pay 1,000 of their own reiatsu to be set free from the 'curse.'​

 

[Wayne]

Reflections​

反射​

 

[Wayne]

The Sword Demon
剣鬼​

Tenzansatsu Heavenly Massacre​

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Shi Kai: Tenzansatsu’s initial form doesn’t stray too far in terms of looks. Immediately upon activation, the zanpakutou splits into two identical weapons for each hand. It places efficiency over vanity as it retains the general conception of a sword. Growing a few inches longer to suit more of a nodachi-like design, it bears a distinct curvature at the base of the blade. The steel itself darkens in tone, while the hilt remains virtually the same.

Ability 1: The lethality hidden in Kyuketsu’s zanpakutou is one forged from centuries-worth of trial and error, growth, and sacrifice. An inherent trait possessed by Tenzansatsu’s twin blades, both are capable of inflicting wounds dangerously deeper than normal. Should Kyuketsu leave an enemy with either a simple graze or a blood-soaked laceration, his soul cutter allows such cuts to become far more thorough and entrenched whence in combat.

Attack 2: A true warrior’s mentality lies in their desire to kill with whatever means necessary. Be it detrimental to oneself, what truly matters the most is victory. If Kyuketsu is able to dig his blade into an object (or individual), he is able to break off a tiny shard from his sword and leave it stuck inside the punctured area. Once paying 750 reiatsu, he can mentally command the fragment to fulminate, creating a spherical cluster of smaller blades 15 inches in circumference. This does continual damage to his zanpakutou with every use, dulling it until it is resealed or otherwise.

Fuhen Souryokusen Eternal Total War​

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Ban Kai: Heralding its arrival, Fuhen Souryokusen litters the entire battlefield with one hundred katanas, all identical and ready to be used in combat. Erected upright with the blades dug into the ground, only Kyuketsu is able to pull them free to be wielded. With the vast number of zanpakutous available to him, Kyuketsu is free to use and swap as many as he so chooses though at risk of straining his swordsmanship.

Ability 1: The name of Kyuketsu’s Ban Kai alone breathes meaning to its capabilities. When wielding the many blades of Fuhen Souryokusen, both the weapons and its master emit an aura of unfathomable dread and lethality. By paying 1% of his reiatsu every turn, Kyuketsu produces a heightened ‘threat level’ of sorts which completely overtakes the cognitive senses of even the most seasoned of fighters. While purely psychological, for every stroke and every step, each movement by the swordsman endeavors to thoroughly pressure and crush the target’s morale.

With time itself becoming a factor, the longer the conflict ensues, the stronger the thought of panic and anxiety fills the victim. Through this, each swing comes off far more hazardous than the last, and every near miss and parry brings a freezing chill running down one’s spine.

Attack 1: With the staggering rise in its power, the scope of his zanpakutou’s edge is no longer limited to physical objects; instead, the very foundations of physics have now become susceptible to Kyuketsu’s blades. For a fraction of an instant, Fuhen Souryokusen warps the fabric of space and time, allowing its steel to cut instantaneously from a great distance. With a single swing once per turn, Kyuketsu can strike at targets as far as 25 meters away with full force as if he himself was standing right before them. This costs the user 1,000 reiatsu per slash.

Attack 2: The countless swords materialized throughout the battlefield are just as alive as those in Kyuketsu’s hands. Deadly even whilst impaled on the dirt, Kyuketsu can mentally command any of the one hundred katanas of Fuhen Souryokusen to ignite and scatter, acting as a kind of frag grenade which releases both energy and sharpened projectiles. The scope of one detonation ranges at 5 meters around and costs the user 1,500 reiatsu per weapon sacrificed.

By paying an additional 1% of his reiatsu per turn after that, all shrapnel that have been embedded into a target dig themselves deeper into the body unless otherwise counteracted by the victim.

Attack 3: Though limited in using all of Fuhen Souryokusen’s swords, for a time, Kyuketsu may be able to utilize all of them at once in a resounding, utterly dominating offensive against the enemy. By giving up 15% of his reiatsu Kyuketsu can rally the remainder of the weapons to shoot up high into the sky, staying there for a whole turn. Once the next phase comes to pass, all summoned swords will rain down on a target with tremendous force, dealing the same amount of damage equivalent to its cost along with the piercing descent of their numerous blades. With its use comes a three-turn cool down period.

 

[Wayne]

Connections
縁故

Kusanagi Fuko​

Kyuketsu’s closest friend and confidante. Kind, yet a bit eccentric, Fuko finds socialization with others as a vital part of her existence. She is almost always the center of attention when within her circle of friends, oftentimes being seen with her bubbly and almost comically curious demeanor fluttering about. Though mistaken as being quite cocky at times, her mannerisms reflect a tender and caring spirit that quickly makes her a favorite even among strangers and rivals. In the time she spent knowing Kyuketsu, she has grown extremely fond of him in ways that might even go beyond romantic affection. Her interaction with the captain varies from playful teasing, the occasional flirting, and to Kyuketsu’s dismay, lugging him around all over the place. She is known for her fervent habit of dying her hair every few months ranging from rosy red, oak brown, to bright pink. Her natural color, however, is jet black.

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Zantetsu Akashio​

Kyuketsu’s first mentor. Akashio taught the shinigami most of his skills with the blade, along with the battle doctrines in which the captain now follows religiously in every conflict. The ideology of rapid dominance, as well as serene, surgical aggression originated from this man, whom some believe to be one of the strongest in the entire Zaraki District. A true beast in the battlefield, the old man lacks any significant spiritual energy compared to most soul reapers, although he makes up for this with his tremendous proficiency with the sword despite his age. Vulgar, sarcastic, and most of all narcissistic, Akashio nonetheless holds a legitimate sense of justice that reflects almost humorously through his personality. Though rough around the edges, he bears a true fatherly commitment towards Kyuketsu even after not seeing him for years. Along with his assistant, Natsuki Yamato, he operates a fairly popular noodle shack near the West Gate called the Shachihoko.

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Yukihime
[Deceased]​

The sentient memory of Kyuketsu’s twin sister. Before dying many years ago, she was able to somehow implant a portion of her reiatsu and the vast majority of her memories and desires into the swordsman’s subconsciousness. As decades passed and the swordsman grew stronger in power, Yukihime (at least what was left of her) managed to leech of off her brother’s energy to create her own corporeal form, similar in the way the sword spirit Zansatsu exists. Though deeply affectionate and yearning of her sibling, her cause has become shrouded and has long treaded past the border of obsession. Because of some unknown event that transpired after her death, Kyuketsu had completely forgotten everything about her and their life together. Before becoming corrupted, it is quite possible that she and her brother were very, very close.

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Amakusa Tadashi
[Deceased]​

Though once thought as a loyal and selfless soldier of the Thirteen Court Guards, Tadashi’s true intent laid behind avenging his wife’s untimely death at the hands of corrupt soul reapers and an ‘unjust’ system of governance. Harboring a deep and fiery hatred for the Gotei and its ruling officials, he had very few true friends, one being Kyuketsu himself. His hopes of making the swordsman rebel with him against the Soul Society failed, and in the end he was forced to clash with him one final time. Though resolute with his goals, Tadashi’s friendship with Kyuketsu and his eye-opening talk with Fuko altered his plans entirely. He opted not to get caught and instead allowed Kyuketsu to deliver a fatal blow during a pivotal point in their duel. He died with a smile on his face, thankful to the Duelist for setting him free. Years even after his death, his memory, motives, and ideals still impact many of Kyuketsu’s actions.

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