Mamenoka, Utsukushī

[Mamenoka, Utsukushī]

-Opening-

Discord/Chatango Username (include nicknames): Utsukushī and The Artist
Password 1: Kitai's Debt

Password 2: Sanctus Teamwork

Type: Generalist

Squad: TBD

Class: 3

Rank: 1

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-Basic Information-

Name: Mamenoka (last), Utsukushī (first)

Age of Death: 34

Real Age/Age of Appearance: 40/16

Birthday (Month/Day): December 18

Blood Type: O+

RP Sample (Optional):

"Your task is to do whatever it takes to seize the following artifact and eliminate its keeper." The words of Buku 2's handler seemed to replay on their own with each second he spent observing his apparent target. "Our intelligence tells us that your own combat skills may be dwarfed when compared to those of your target. You are to assume that you are outmatched in terms of speed, strength, and perhaps even intelligence. This means that your only strength is in the element of surprise" Buku 2 had spent several hours following the white haired humanoid with eyes of lustrous silver. The being’s appearance did not match the description Buku 2’s handler had presented days ago. The way the target moved was not the least bit reminiscent of someone skilled in shinobi style arts. His movements did however mimic those of a warrior trained in the way of the samurai. Each step, each move made by the white haired humanoid figure imitated those of warriors who would honorably serve under a shogunate.

Though his thoughts were many, Buku 2 never allowed them to interfere with his own movements. He continued to trail his target from overhead, placing each hand and foot in a carefully orchestrated pattern taking brief records of each rusted hole that riddled the ancient metal pipeline. The silver robbed man hadn’t the slightest clue that Buku 2, B.E.S.T. Company’s most perfect homunculus assassin yet, was watching his every move.

It wasn't until reaching the end of that pipeline that the rusted bolts supporting it gave way to his weight and loosened their hold on the ceiling. Before the first bolt even had time to hit the ground below Buku 2 launched himself to the opposite side of the room with both inhuman quickness and unnatural silence. The moment he landed he hid behind a metal box, eyes immediately refocusing on his query.

Once the first bolt hit the ground the silver-eyed swordsman drew his attention upwards. Gripping the hilt of his sword, his eyes searched for the cause. He scanned the ceiling where Buku 2 had been just moments beforehand. The swordsman had little success in surmising what may have happened above as the old factory ruins were only dimly lit by what few shattered windows. With any luck, the swordsman would think the cause was a rat or any other manner of animal.

A tickling feeling brushed Buku 2's side. He took his eyes off of his target for a split second to get a look at what had touched him. It was a rat. With a flick of his wrist he swatted at the rat. Upon contact the rat let out the smallest screech before running away.

His query noticed. This time his gaze was fixed on Buku 2's location. He didn't stare for as long as he had stared up at the ceiling before turning his back. He hadn't simply ignored the noise either. Instead, after turning his back he drew his sword. He quickly turned back towards the hidden Buku 2 and with a single swing he unleashed winter’s fury.

A wave of frozen shards and impossibly cold air washed over the metal floor and collided with the metal box, shattering it to bits. Buku 2 had watched the collision from his new hiding spot on the ceiling with more than a little confusion. His expert escape would leave the cold wielding swordsman with a false sense of security as it was only a rat seeking cover behind the box; a frozen rat. However, once again Buku 2’s target revealed discrepancies in the briefing.

His target was supposed to be a master of shinobi style arts and hidden blades. Still, he had carried out missions with inaccurate information before; only in the past, the information had never been so off as it had been now. Any piece of the box that was still visible was completely blanketed in a layer of ice. The way that he swung his blade confirmed Buku 2's original theory, he was trained in the art of the samurai. Not only that, but his swordsmanship was bolstered by a mysticism B.E.S.T Corporation has little information on. Perhaps the Samurai’s swordsmanship is even touched by…the divine?

Buku 2 had yet to face a swordsman that could freeze the very air, however the same tactics used to fight other strange opponents could be employed here. His eyes, hidden behind shadow, went blank as he activated his uncanny empathic abilities. The calm and placid field that was once his target's mind slowly began to change as Buku 2 planted the seeds of fear. He watched for a response. Each passing second showed that his current target was no normal fighter.

Where most would begin to show all of the physical signs of someone being affected by terror: dilated pupils, tightened muscles, shortened breathing, and increased sweating, his target simply stood there sword in hand. It took nearly twice as much time than normal for his target to show any signs that his emotions were being manipulated. The swordsman’s eyes began to shift from side to side. He was without a doubt nervous, but he wasn't showing nearly as much fear as Buku 2 would have expected.

It was enough for the next phase of his plan to be carried out though. After clenching fist his claw blades silently extended from their metal housing fastened atop the dorsal sides of his hands. He jammed his claws into the rusted ceiling and then launched himself to another area of the factory with blinding speed. The target responded as Buku 2 had predicted, once again the swordsman launched a wave of frozen air with a swing of his blade, this time at Buku 2’s previous location. The factory walls shook violently as an enormous chunk of the ceiling crashed into the floor. Dust and debris flooded the air.

The moment that Buku 2 had been waiting for had finally come to fruition. His target had given him excellent cover. Yet, Buku 2 needed more if he was to deal a killing blow on a fighter this skilled. And so Buku 2 repeated his action of making loud noises and changing locations. The ice wielding swordsman responded in kind. Over the coarse of several seconds he had launched dozens of frozen attacks throughout the room, many of which just barely missed Buku 2.

Finally, the destructive waves of cold provided perfect cover Buku needed 2 to end his target's struggle and complete his mission. With this thick cover, it would be impossible for this swordsman to see Buku 2. While true, Buku 2 could not see his query either, thanks to his psychic empathic abilities, the assassin can sense the exact location of the cesspool of fear.

"Lieutenant Muko” Buku 2 shouted while moving about the wreckage. “Surrender the precious artifact in your possession and I will not be forced to cut your immortal body to pieces. If you refuse to comply..." Again, Buku 2 launched himself from one side of the ruins to the other. Only this time, he made certain that his query stood in the middle of his path. And when the assassin passed his target, metal claws extended, he cut through the warrior. While Buku 2 can’t say for certain how the man was cut, his years of training would suggest that his target was now missing an arm. As there was no sound of metal hitting the ground, it wasn’t likely to be his target's swordarm.

Once more, Buku 2 noticed a curious glow coming from the claw blade used to cut limb from body. What the?

It appeared to be blood. However, it was white in color, and as if this wasn’t strange enough, it gave off a glow so intense that it even cut through the dense cloud of dust and debris.

Then suddenly, Buku 2 is thrown from his feet by a cold the like he’d never experienced before. Had the silver eyed warrior also seen the glow coming from Buku 2’s claw blade? It had to be. And now…now Buku 2 can’t stand. In fact, he can barely move. What it happening? Why is it so…so cold?

An unknown amount of time passed, enough for even the thick dark cloud of destruction to finally settle.

“Handler” Buku 2 said, realizing he was no pinned to the ground, largely encased in a shell of ice. “Buku 2 has failed his assigned mission. Buku 2 has been defeated by a samurai the can create ice and blizzards with his sword…” He grew silent upon seeing the swordsman pick up his arm and place it to his stump. A burst of light came from the grievous wound, and then, it was simply reattached with barely mark.

The homunculus assassin struggled for only a moment, before apparently giving up. Not only had his opponent recovered, but he was now on the offensive. Nearly a minute had passed before he was standing over Buku 2. The cold air emainationg from the warrior’s form slowly began to burn the assassin’s exposed skin. Buku 2 had never been pinned by any opponent. Will this be the end? “No…” Buku 2 thought, looking up at the warrior, instantly locking eyes.

"So then, are you him?” The icy warrior said curiously. “Or were you also searching for him? If you fight for the gods, then we are on the same side." His voice was anything but normal. Though his words were clear and well pronounced, Buku 2 could hear an undertone of what could be best described as sounds of a winter storm. "I am Yuki, champion of the Easternmost Goddess of Winter."

Buku 2 had no idea who he was working for, only that his agency had been commissioned to eliminate the same target that this cold warrior was apparently hunting. That and claim the artifact he was protecting. "Yes, I was sent to eliminate the final Lieutenant of that fallen army. You'll have to forgive my actions, I assumed that you were him being that you were where he was said to..." Yuki rose his blade and pressed the very tip against Buku 2's neck.

Blood dripped from the wound. "Sorry, just making sure." Yuki said. He removed his blade and sheathed it. "If You're bleeding then you're no immortal." He turned his back to the defenseless Buku 2 and began to walk off. "You should be more careful with who you attack. Friendly fire may cause us to lose the war. Don't worry about the ice. In a few hours you should be able to break free." Once Yuki was out of view Buku 2 released the claw blades hidden in his boot tips. In an extraordinary display of flexibility he began kicking at the ice pinning his arms in place, carefully hacking away at it. Once his arms were free he used his hand claws to hack away the ice covering his abdomen. After standing he turned on the com piece in his ear. "Handler. Buku 2 has reached the designated location. The information was false, the Samurai of Blizzards was the only being at this location. He is also searching for the Immortal Lieutenant. He spared Buku 2’s life functions." A few seconds passed before he received a response."Handler to Buku 2, follow him. If he allows you to work with him in capturing your target, do so. If he shows any signs of interfering with your own mission you are to kill him. Handler out."

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-Appearance-

Height/Weight: 5' 8' / 125lbs

Physical Description:

Skin as soft as a newborn's. A sleek and slender little body, a beautiful deep brown complexion smooth as marble. Full shapely lips and almond shaped eyes which are a captivating lavender colored. The long thick eyelashes are a thing of wonder. These are a few of the things that make Mamenoka, Utsukushī the piece of eye candy HE is.

He has high cheek bones, a soft yet defined jawline and long elegant neck. He has smaller, 'dainty' looking hands and arms. They are soft despite harsh training and experiences that would cause the hands of others to become calloused and rough. His legs are also small, but shapely and smooth as the finest silks imaginable. He has an androgonous waif frame.

Though it may look it he doesn't wear makeup. His complexion is just that beautiful. He does however frequently apply lip balms. This brings attention away from his eyes to his lips which are equally nice looking. Of course, the attention is only held for as long as he moves them.

Utsukushī has what some would call "big hair". People generally take note of it after the fact, due to his face looking as aesthetically pleasing as it does. His coiffure is well cared for and fragrant. It's naturally thick and full of volume. It's a light purple in color, and almost appears white in certain lighting. He typically wears it loose, allowing it to do what it does best and defy the gravity that pulls down on thinner hair types. He typically keeps either a deep dark purple flower or hair pin in it. He's on more than one occasion worn it braided or twisted into various styles.
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-Personality-

Dislikes:

•Battles that are too intense without leading to an intentional goal. He believes himself here for only one reason and that is to avenge his mother’s death. If task has nothing to do with that, why bother doing it at all?

•His father and his father’s family. Would any of this be happening if it weren’t for them? Would his world have ended all of those years ago if it weren’t for that family’s elitists judgements?

•The Gotei 13's disconnect from the lower, poorer districts

•Unnecessary hierarchies, those that have nothing to do with protecting society or its people from danger

•The concept pf hollows, as there should be some other way, less dangerous to the human world and Soul Society to maintain balance

•Invasive hollows; hollows that choose to go anywhere that's not in Hueco Mundo Should be destroye on the spot, without explaination, without reincarnated; the danger they pose voids their place in the balance of souls

Likes:

•The feeling that comes with getting one step closer to making his mother proud and avenging her. This is the only reason he’s gone on the journey that he has.

•Improving his fighting technique. In his mind being a better fighter and not resting on his current accomplishments, makes an ever more efficient path towards his goal.

•Matching and exceeding an arrogant and/or self-assured noble with sword or strategy. Scarring one such as this to such a degree that they question every social hierarchy they believe in.

Flaws:

•Easily develops a hatred for those who create obstacles for him.

•Easily becomes obsessed with learning difficult skils.

•Often attempts tp avoid forming deep meaningful relationships out of fear of loss.

Habits:

•Late night training to avoid painful thoughts.

•Partially successful attempts at making food from his home district and unnecessary trips to food stalls when near lower districts.

•Faking interest in popular practices as to not seem like too much of an odd one out

•Failing at faking incompetance

Fears:

•Dying before getting vengeance/justice

•Losing close friends and loved ones

•Seeing Soul Society give up on the lower districts

Goals:

•Solve his mother's murder

•Avoid death at least until he's 100% sure that he would have made her proud

Alignment: Neutral

Overall Personality: Though at first glance, onlookers would think that Utsukushī is aloof and above it all, he is honestly just protective of himself. He’s a hurt soul that avoids additional harm when possible. Exception being when it comes to achieving a lifelong goal. Then, and only then, is the potential harm worth it. Then, it’s likely that the harm becomes fuel for his ambition as opposed to being a hindrance that makes achieving more difficult.

Utsukushī believes strongly in law and order, and that both are in dire need of re-imagining in Soul Society. As one hailing from the poorest section of Soul Society he is well aware of the dangers that come with lack of resources. The nobles who horde resources for those in higher districts are partially responsible for all of the resource related troubles that plague the lower districts. More fair distribution of resources would no doubt lead to a safer, healthier, more fair society in general. Equal protection, equal enforcement of law order and resources would probably have meant his mother wouldn't have been taken from him so earlier on.

He is extremely proud of his upbringing. He is extremely proud of his mother, his district, and his neighbors. He survived, all of those who live today survive circumstances which would easily be made right by Soul Society hegemony if they cared to even try. He doubt's any of the pampered nobility and leadership would have been able to survive and thrive in the way that he did. It's his pride in this idea that causes him to always walk around with his head held high, dignity on full display and an air of self-assuredness typically only seen in nobility.

He generally acts indifferent, bordering on arrogance, to most situations he is faced with, and rarely views those trying to get under his skin as being worth the trouble. There are certain exceptions though, chief among them being those who look at the lower districts and its inhabitants with disdain.

Utsukushī is very perceptive and fully aware of the limits of his abilities. It may very well be his perceptiveness of self in regards to his opposition that make him the most dangerous of enemies. Knowing ones limits is the first step towards surpassing them. Knowing an enemy's limits and playing off of them, is the first step towards bringing them to heel.

Lastly, he can be accurately described as a optimistically pessimistic. The glass is half full, but it's also terrible that it's not completely full. He can acknowledge that he's accomplished more than he did when he first set out for vengeance all those years ago. However, the more he's learned, the more he realizes how much further he must go, how much more suffering he will experience...how much more suffering he will have to inflict on others. There will be vengeance, but GOD DAMN IT why do there have to be so many obstacles in the way?

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-Powers-

Fighting Style: Graceful, elegant, fluid. Flashy, yet efficient, quick yet precise. These words all describe his style. He's beautifully cut throat.

Utsukushī uses his size relative to his zanpakuto (sealed and released) to its utmost advantage. When using his sealed tachi, it’s a more flexible extension of his arm. It’s not just used as a weapon to do harm, when used for defensive means it’s often to cause an opponent with larger weapon to overextend their reach. This allows him to deal significant blows while being so close to a larger opponent that they loose many attack options they’d have if they could use more than hyper close ranged options like elbow and shoulder joints. While up so close, he still maintains used of his tachi and other attached body parts that allow for decisive strikes.

His greatest weakness while using this weapon is in midrange fighting. While not completely defenseless the it reads as indecisive to him. He can use swordsplay if up close, and a variety of options when he’s given distance, but when an opponent can, but chooses not to, close or increase the distance, their are far too many ‘what if’ variables and possibly not enough time to decisively commit to any action.

When using his shikai’s released form, he must completely change the way he moves. After all, what can be done with a blade as small and straight forward as a tachi, can’t always be done with a pair of five feet wide ringed blades. In addition to that, despite their near weightlessness, it’s still more taxing wielding oversized weapons accurately than smaller ones. It is here that he expertly navigates from wielding his weapons directly and using his form according to the positionality of either piece of his weapons. The general use of this style of weapon use, at best, allows for him to make up the difference in midrange fighting that would otherwise be disadvantageous as it does potentially greatly increase his immediate reach. In the worst case, the constant switching back and forth between strategies takes a greater toll on his stamina.

He shines most when wielding his shikai as he delights in the challenge that comes with the increase range of options consequence of using such large complicated weapons. Confuse, kido faint , fake left, kido, challenge their balance, fake out! Now attack, challenge their balance, kido, then cut! It’s the wealth of options he so decisively takes advantage, paired with his fluidity that smooths what should look unnatural, in a way that makes it look like it can only be natural. He is deservedly ‘The Artist’.

Zanpakuto Spirit Appearance(Optional): There are two spirits which inhabit this zanpakuto, or perhaps a single spirit that appears in two different forms that never meet. Both spirits possess otherworldly flawless umber colored skin. This is where their similarities end.

Always Queen is a beautiful female whose effortless regal qualities and physical appearance bring the word 'goddess' to mind. She has dark-umber colored skin, and a body adorned in gold and silks, she gently glides through air with unimaginable refinement. It was she who he first met.

Forever King is a male with a domineering aura. Even though he cinnamon colored form is adorned in obsidian jewelry and fine black cloth, his well defined musculature can not be hidden. He is the opposite of the seemingly gentle Always Queen who is the vision of perfect traditional femininity Even his thunderous, booming, voice perfectly contrasts hers which is gentle and soothing to the ear.

Inner World(Optional): Utsukushī has visited a countless number of worlds while communing with Forever King. Each one, vastly different from the one before. From worlds of boundless ice and snow, to those of pure fire and lightning. He's never visited the same world twice when conversing with this spirit.

On the other hand, when communicating with Always Queen. Her world is always the same; endless, unnaturally pristine water for as far as the eye can see.

Zanpakuto Sealed Appearance:  This looks like the standard sheathed tachi. That is to say it's a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular guard above the handle. It has a long grip so that it may be gripped comfortably and firmly. It has a piece of long purple silk braided around the guard. Its handle is glossy blood red, its sheath is the same color. He keeps it fastened horizontally at the base of his back above the buttocks. On Utsukushī’s frame it appears much larger given the proportional difference. When drawn, the blade’s edge appears pure gold whereas its mune is black and lustrous. An artsy zanpakuto for an artistic combat strategist.

Zanpakuto Release Name:  "Perpetuate infinitely Tsuneni Joō (Always Queen) and Itsumademo Kingu (Forever King)"

Appearance of Shikai Released State: 

Utsukushī's tachi stretches and augments its shape. Golden lights warp themselves into a pair of perfect circles ∞ before disipating entirely. Two large bladed circles are all that remain. Each one has an edge to edge diameter easily equal to Utsukushī's height. A long curved, continuous blade envelopes each outer edges of each of these rings. Each also has nine dagger like protrusions in three groups of three spaced an equal distance from one another on the outside edges. One ring is obsidian and gold in color while the other is obsidian in color. One group o protrusive blades representing the Queen, one the King, and the last protrusive group, representing Utsukushī. Queen, King, Utsukushī, Queen, King, Utsukushī forever and always, one family, after one family was lost.

Overall Ability:

The abilities of Tsuneni Joō and Itsumademo Kingu both posses takes on the concept of 'Infinity'; one based on the unending repetative and the other based on moving forward without end.

Both parts of this shikai release an effect on targets dealt a blow them. It's either an effect that repeats perpetually over and over, or one that continues infinitely without ceasing.

Shikai Overall Ability:

Always - An ability held by the gold & obsidian circle blade. A cut or effect delivered by this part of his shikai repeats endlessly. For example, a cut with this blade which is originally deep and body piercing is undone in the next moment, as though it never even occurred. The only evidence that it ever even occurred at all lay in memory. Then, in the very next instance, the wound, no matter how serious, is reformed. An object cut with this, is restored to the state it was before it was cut, and then re-cut, like clockwork. There, then gone, then there, then gone again. A living thing may be knocking at death's door, then just fine again in the next instant. The effect happens every other turn. For example, if an opponent is cut on their post, during my turn it remains, but then during their following turn it is as though it never happened (so on and so forth, there then gone, there then gone). Those who attempt to use healing or regeneration abilities may remove the initial damage, but ultimately, it will still be reapplied with this effect. Essentially, healing an regeneration may very well prove to be an unnessicary investment and waste of time. The state of an affected object ultimately depends on what state it's in when he re-seals his zanpakuto.

A connected kido casts through Always works similarly. It's there, then it's not. It's there, then it's gone again carrying any effect along with it.

Always Weakness - The application of a repetitive cut relies on his ability to cut someone or something as he would normally. The same with kido. A target doesn't always need to attempt to break a kido because it will go away on it's own. Additionally, a destructive kido that is under this effect doesn't do repetitive damage, it removes damage and then reapplies it.

The perpetual effect continues infinitely, until Utsukushī seals his shikai.

Forever - An ability held by the obsidian circle blade. A cut or effect delivered by this part of his shikai move forward endlessly. An object cut with this is continuously cut deeper and deeper until it would be as it would, were it originally cut clean through. The initial cut to an object determines where proceeding cuts are applied. For example, if someone or something is cut made their leg first, all other cuts regardless of their location,deepen that original leg cut. Even if a follow up attack would have successfully decapitated a target, instead, all attempts deepen that leg injury. This continues until the determining first cut travels clean through. Those who attempt to use healing or regeneration abilities may do so on the initial injury are fighting against the effect, deepending blow against healing ability in a sort of tug-of-war. This can be completely resisted when one who has Reiatsu Strength 150% greater than his own, holds the ability at bay at the area of contact by focusing their spiritual pressure there. A connected kido casts through Forever works similarly. It moves forward unperturbed effectively making the distance it can travel infinite.

Forever Weakness - Utsukushī has no control over the timing of the removal and reapplication of the effect. He can only familiarize himself with the timing and plan around it.

Shikai Techniques:

Technique Name: "Owaranai Dansu" (Neverending Dance)

Description: This allows for either or zanpakuto to move freely or remain in place on its own without the need to be physically held. In the case of Always, it rapidly spins in place or along a repetitive path at 600 stat speed or simply remains in the state it was in when the technique was activated. In the case of Forever, it rapidly spins in a straight line forward at whatever speed it was traveling when the technique was activated at a maximum of 800 stat speed. Neither can be completely stopped in its movement unless by specific means; Utsukushī can either reseal his zanpakuto, use Ein Seppun, or touch one he is holding to the one that is moving independently. If he touches the edges together, they remain affixed until Utsukushī reseals them or uses Owaranai Dansu. In the case of the latter, Always begins to spin in place while Forever is free to use regularly. This can be stopped when opposing stat is 150% more than his reiatsu strength (offensive if with weapon or attack, defensive if barehanded catch/hold).The initiation of this technique cost 50 reiatsu.

 

Technique Name: "Ein Seppun" (Eternal Kiss)

Description: This ability calls for the two halves to perfectly mirror each other and touch edges. They rush towards each other; alternatively one not being wielded by Utsukushī may be made to travel to the one he is holding. After touching edges, they remain affixed, unless their joining is stopped by specific means; Utsukushī can either reseal his zanpakuto or use Owaranai Dansu. In the case of the latter, Always begins to spin in place while Forever is free to use regularly. The initiation of this technique cost 50 reiatsu.

Bankai Name: TBD

Bankai Overall Ability: TBD

Bankai Techniques: TBD

Zanpakuto Techniques:

Other Techniques:

Technique Name: Reverse Pesquisa 

Technique Class: Class 3

Technique Type: General Spiritual

Usable By: All

Technique Element: n/a

Technique Cost: 200 Reiatsu

Description: An ability that can't be taught no matter how many times he attempts. Years spent in the harsh conditions of Hueco Mundo at such a young age and constantly being exposed to creatures that tracked him intent on devouring him have yielded this sensitivity. It's more of an extremely powerful intuition. This ability allows him to instantly learn the location of someone using a tracking ability. Even if it's not being used to locate him personally, if he's in area of effect covered by the tracking spell or ability, he picks up on it. This ability was first his reaction to a Hollow or Arrancar's pesquisa, but it also includes a Shinigami's kido and any other tracking methods. Essentially, Utsukushī get an subconscious 'ping'. He can then choose to focus on it using reiatsu for more details. This sensitivity yields the location and type of creature. It doesn't tell him how powerful or the exact number, if any, of individuals with the original tracker.

How to Use: Subconscious automatic usage

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost

Incantation: n/a

Made By: Utsukushi, Mamenoka

Reserved?: Yes, Utsukushī, Mamenoka

Technique Name: Ichi (One)

Technique Class: 4 - 40 TTP

Technique Type: General Shinigami.

Usable By: Shinigami, Vizard.

Technique Element: N/a

Technique Cost: 150 Reiatsu.

Description: Aptly named, Ichi, also known as "Strike", is the first of the Numbers technique line. Working with their Zanpakuto Spirit, the Shinigami manifests an aura around their Zanpakuto, a ghostly, translucent aura that flickers and fades in and out. This lasts for five posts, and grants the Zanpakuto a special power for the duration of the technique. For the duration of the technique, either the striking speed doubles, or the striking strength doubles.

Additionally, while using this technique, the user is able to perceive their Spirit holding the Zanpakuto with the user, as a faded out image. No one else can perceive their Spirit, unless they have the required Energy Sensory to normally see one. Essentially, the Spirit wields the blade along with the technique user.

How to Use: Communicate with Spirit, work in tandem with it.

Incantation: N/A.

Drawbacks: Class Four Reiatsu cost. Depending on the Spirit, the relationship they have with their wielder, and their nature, the spirit in question may not choose to lend aid to the wielder. Physical and spiritual fatigue if they do help. Damage to the users arms, due to either the increased speed or increased strength, in the form of strained or sprained muscles, as well as possible overextending. Mastery of this technique lessens the damage done, as well as overextending, due to the user knowing how much strength/speed they have and are able to handle.

Made By: Taien Hadohou.

Reserved?: No

Technique Name: Advanced Air Ground



Technique Type: Spiritual Technique

Technique Description and Effects:

This is a technique designed especially for breakdancing and parkour, utilizing a more advanced version of air ground. While in a terrain where air ground exists, the user can create more complex surfaces like air walls, air ceilings, air ledges and even an air push. This allows the user to perform handstands and windmills on air as if it were normal ground or even stand upside-down on air as if gravity were reversed. The air push makes the air ground very elastic so that the user can jump higher. It allows for slight movement even when restrained by a Bakudō.

For a cost of twenty-five Reiatsu, the user will be able to momentarily cast an "air ground" on areas such as in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, allowing the user to "double jump" or cast Shunpo in mid-air. If this technique is mastered, the user will be able to create air grounds that last for as long as a single post. This can be used in creative ways to improve acrobatics and visual impressiveness.

Drawback: No drawback.

Created By: Shiki Kanzaki

Reserved: No




Technique Name: Ashibumi Daichi (Stepping Ground)

Class: 6

Technique Type: Other

Technique Element: Air

Technique Description and Effects:

This stepping technique allows the user to create a "stepping stone" in mid-air and use such stepping stones to run, jump, and/or step on. This technique does not use the air ground, but instead uses one's Reiatsu. It is gathered against the entire bottoms of their feet, creating a circular disc of visible Reiatsu. This technique is meant to allow the user to bounce off of walls and perform offensive or evasive maneuvers in mid-combat.

How to use technique:

The user simply channels Reiatsu around their feet.

Drawback:

This stepping technique does not increase the speed of the user. It costs seventy-five Reiatsu to use and fifty more each post to maintain its activation. Reiatsu Strength also determines how many times you can use the technique in a single activation. With a maximum of four hundred Reiatsu Strength, five steps can be performed. The count is reduced by one from every one hundred-point difference from four hundred, so a user with zero Reiatsu Strength cannot use this technique at all.

Made by: Zieg Revolver




Technique Name: Senka (Flash Blossom)

Class: 5

Technique Type: Kidō

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:

A special Shunpo technique where one moves to their opponents back. Directly attacking and sealing one's "Saketsu" (First Soul Chain) and "Hakusui" (Second Soul Chain) in one strike. The movement is so fast that an opponent may not be able to tell whether he was attacked from the front or the back and even an outside observer may find it impossible to tell what the movements are. It costs 100 Reiatsu per use. To use this particular brand of Shunpo, the user must train to learn it. It is treated as a Class 5 technique. Senka is an 11x increase in Speed.

How to use technique:

Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

Technique Name: Bakudō #54: Miasma

Technique Class: 4 - 40 TTP

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō - Bio-Reishi.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: N/A.

Technique Cost: 150 Reiatsu.

Description: By infusing their lungs with Reiatsu, the user can expel a dense vapor cloud. The spray can vary in color and density based on several variables. The consistent effect is an obscured area, 6 meters in diameter, which can conceal those hidden within. The effectiveness of sight and smell for everyone are reduced within the haze. Sight only extends a meter and odors are masked by the vapor’s stench. The cloud will disperse after the Technique's duration ends.

This also has the effect of expelling toxins, dust, and other harmful irritants from the lungs, halting any ongoing effects caused by these foreign objects in the lungs.

Learned: The created cloud is a stationary sphere.
Mastered: The user continuously produces more vapor for the entire duration of the Technique.

How to Use: Concentration. the user must inhale a full breath; while noticeably focusing Reiatsu.

Incantation: N/A.

Drawbacks: Limited duration, 4 posts. Dispersible. Senses exceeding 200 can see twice as far; while Senses exceeding 300 are capable of discerning individual smells within the cloud. The cloud may be dispersed by Wind Techniques, Strength shock waves, evaporated by Fire Techniques, or even liquefied by Ice Techniques if any of these have at least 400 Stat strength. Additionally, removing irritants comes with its own drawback; if irritants are removed from the lungs, then they cause minor, temporary damage to the throat and windpipe, preventing any sort of vocalization until the end of the user's next post.

Made By: Mika.

Reserved?: No.

Technique Name: Bakudō #9: Horin (Disintegrating Circle)

Technique Class: 7 - 10 TTP

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: N/A.

Technique Cost: 25 Reiatsu.

Description: The second Bakudo of this number, Horin causes an orange tendril of condensed spiritual energy to spiral out of the caster's fingertips and attempt to enclose around and bind an enemy. These tendrils, once having bound a target, can merge to connect the targets.

How to Use: The caster needs to point at the victim, not unlike casting any regular Hado.

Incantation: If used, the incantation allows a 10% increase in reiatsu strength. (I.E. A reiatsu strength valued at 100 would instead be worth 110.) ("Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini! Look upon yourself with horror and tear out your own throat!")

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Made By: Unknown.

Reserved?: No.

Technique Name: Bakudō #21: Sekienton

Technique Class: 6 - 15 TTP

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: Smoke.

Technique Cost: 50 Reiatsu.

Description: In Tite Kubo's canon, this is the first revealed Bakudō which is not used primarily to ensnare opponents. This technique instead causes a sudden explosion of red smoke which obscures vision. It is used primarily as an escape method.

How to Use: Can be cast by aiming one's hand at the ground.

Incantation:I The incantation doubles the size of the smoke cloud, which is normally only large enough to contain about eight meters cubed. Incantation unknown.

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Made By: Unknown.

Reserved?: No.

Technique Name: Bakudō #26: Kyakko (Bending Light)

Technique Class: 6 - 15 TTP

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: Light.

Technique Cost: 50 Reiatsu/post.

Description: Hides the target from sight, by bending light. The spell has the ability to mostly hide the presence and reiatsu of the user or specified object. Those with high level Energy Sensory will be able to detect the user. Costs 50 reiatsu per post to maintain. Users can be sensed by radar techniques (Pesquis) and with an Energy Sensory of one-tenth their Reiatsu Strength or greater. Users can be seen as if Kyakko has not been cast at all by those with Energy Sensory superior to their Reiatsu Strength, or those with marginally (triple or higher) higher Reiatsu Strength.

How to Use: A basic speaking of the technique name as well as a hand motion over the caster's own body suffices.

Incantation: The incantation increases the reiatsu strength behind the technique by 15%. (I.E. Reiatsu strength valued at 100 is instead weighed in at 115.) ("Arise, God of Shadows. Flee, God of Light. Make the cloak of darkness cover the earth and mask the heavens with your might.")

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Made By: Unknown.

Reserved?: No.

Technique Name: Bakudō #62: Hyapporankan (Hundred Steps Fence)

Technique Class: 4 - 40 TTP

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: N/A.

Technique Cost: 150 Reiatsu.

Description: A single rod of violet reiatsu is hurled at the target. On its way, it suddenly splits into several rods at once, which then pin the target to any nearby wall-like surface. Their body is then totally immobilized if this hits.

How to Use: It needs the caster to aim the casting hand at the target, not unlike any traditional Hadō.

Incantation: The number of rods is typically fifteen, but will double to thirty and will allow this to be used on up to two targets at once if incantation is used. Incantation unknown.

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Made By: Unknown.

Reserved?: No.

Technique Name: Hado #4: Byakurai (Pale Lightning)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: Thunder

Technique Description and Effects: The user fires a concentrated, powerful lightning bolt from their finger that pierces a target.

How to use technique: Speak the spell and point hand at the target.

Incantation and Effect: "Arise god of thunder! Awake mother of storms! Unleash the lighting on the sinners!" When the incantation is spoken, the Reiatsu Strength used to determine the power of Byakurai is increased by 10%. (i.e. 100 Reiatsu Strength is treated as 110.)



Technique Name: Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden (Bound Lightning)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: Thunder

Technique Description and Effects: Electric current flows through any object the user touches and is able to lead electricity, damaging any target that is in contact with the object the current runs through. This lasts for one post, but by paying the cost of the spell a second time, the duration is increased to two posts.

How to use technique: Speak the spell and touch an object, channeling electricity through it.

Incantation and Effect: Incantation unknown. When the incantation is spoken, the number of active posts this is used for is doubled. (With maximum cost, this can be up to four posts.)

Technique Name: Hado #54: Haien (Abolishing Flames)

Class: 4

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: Fire

Technique Description and Effects: Despite its name, this Kido does not at first seem fire-based like many Kido. Instead, upon release the spell releases a burst of violet energy that despite its size is very powerful; on contact, it incinerates the area hit, burning it away into ash. The original blast is roughly the size of a large basketball.

How to use technique: Speak the spell and point hand towards the target.

Incantation and Effect: "Oh flame of purification, withering heat that purges uncleanliness! Restore the image of man to that of perfection, burn away the impurities that mar its making! Ashen earth, purple sun, rising flames! Arise and purify!" With the incantation, this spell gets a 25% increase in Reiatsu Strength (i.e. if Reiatsu Strength is 100, this is treated as 125 with incantation).

Technique Name: Hado #58: Tenran (Orchid Sky)

Class: 4

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: Wind

Technique Description and Effects: Upon release, this technique releases a powerful burst of wind that is almost like a tornado in quality towards the opponent, spinning and growing outwards in an ever-widening cylinder as it engulfs the enemy in its grasp. This has the potential to pick up and throw about targets with ease.

How to use technique: Speak the spell and point hand towards the target.

Incantation and Effect: "God of Wind, hear my plea. Take from me my stubborn heart, take from me my weakness. Through me form the winds of change and the winds of destruction. From the four corners of the world, come to me the Eastern, the Western, the Northern, and the Southern winds and let loose upon my enemies!" With the incantation, this spell gets a 25% increase in Reiatsu Strength (i.e. if Reiatsu Strength is 100, this is treated as 125 with incantation).

Technique Name: Hado #60: Gaki Rekkō (Raging Light Fang)

Class: 4

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects: Upon use, this technique creates a disc of green energy at the user’s palm or at the end of their weapon. From this disc comes ten beams of green light that shoot at the target in a cage-like formation, moving outwards from the disc before firing at the target in a pattern designed to entrap them between the strikes.

How to use technique: Speak the spell and point hand or weapon towards the target.

Incantation and Effect: Incantation Unknown. With the incantation, this spell gets a 25% increase in Reiatsu Strength (i.e. if Reiatsu Strength is 100, this is treated as 125 with incantation). The number of blasts is also increased to fifteen beams.

Technique Name: Sentan Hakuja

Technique Class: ?

Technique Type: Kidō - Bakudō.

Usable By: Kidō-users.

Technique Element: N/A.

Technique Cost: ? Reiatsu.

Description: A long, white piece of cloth is spun around to incorporate targets within its coils. As the cloth tightens, with a white flash, it teleports the targets to another location.

Incantation: This does not allow for an increase in reiatsu strength.

Drawbacks: Reiatsu cost.

Made By: Unknown.

Reserved?: No

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-History-

Birthplace: A place colloquially known as the 81st district

Current Residence: Shino Graduate Barracks

Memorable Figures: His mother who died when he was younger

History:

Hailing from a place referred to by many as the eighty-first district of South Rukongai, he is the son of a once very popular geisha. While she herself was born and raised in the sixtieth, her grace and beauty quickly earned her fame after being sold to a geisha house by her own parents. She eventually became pregnant with Utsukushī. His father, her Dana, a member of a noble family was forbidden from marrying her. Utsukushī was told by his mother that his father took his own life after falling into despair over the royal family’s harsh decision.
After his family learned of Mamenoka's birth they sought out to discredit and mislable his mother. She was forced into hiding due to harassment and threats made against her and her child. She found a home in the dangerous and unofficial eighty-first, on the outskirts of Rukongai. Though they struggled his mother's kindness and grace despite all was an inspiration to him. He spent the first six years of his life with her, in her loving embrace, before she was taken from him.

Their home was attacked by a Hollow. There house was burned down and Mamenoka would have burned down with it were it not for his mother's courageous sacrifice. Her last words to him were ones expressing her love to him. While watching the house burn down his mother screamed the name he'd never heard. He pushed it to the back of his mind and focused only on revenge. He learned that the Hollow that killed his mother had escaped to a place called Hueco Mundo before the Gotei 13 could dispatch Shinigami to deal with it. Fueled by his anger and his mother's loving memory, he sought out to become a Shinigami.
At first he was denied entry on account of his young age. However, he was determined. He took on a job an academy janitor. He spent ages spying on students during fencing and demon magic training sessions. He mastered several basic kido faster than the older students. It was during his own secret kido training that he was discovered. He mastered a kido that no other first year students had mastered and was given one final test. It was during that test that he proved his skill with fencing was as impressive as his kido ability.
Mamenoka is one of the youngest students to ever be allowed to enter the Shinigami Academy. A year and a half after being accepted he unofficially met all requirements needed to become a member of the Gotei 13.

Before he even thought about graduating he immediately sought out the Hollow that killed his mother. He learned forbidden kido from his instructor when that instructor accepted the fact that the boy would eventually be destroyed by his need for vengeace. And if that happened, there was no telling how many others would be doomed along with him. He gave Utsukushī Mamenoka an Asauichi and taught him the way to get to the realm where Hollows walk freely in hopes that the young boy would die.

Mamenoka eventually made it to Hueco Mundo and tracked the Hollow's reiatsu signature.
He spent ten years in the savage wasteland, slaying any Hollow he was strong enough to. This is his story.

10 Years Ago

“Utsukushī Mamenoka, you must focus on both the form of the kido as well as the desired outcome.” Instructor Ruki said calmly as the two sat, legs folded, in a meditative state. Yet another day of private kido training had come. What Utsukushī was learning was illegal due to the level of danger presented if failure should occur. It was because of this that the two sat in a secret place, scarcely lit beneath the grounds of Shino Academy. As if that wasn’t enough, Instructor Ruki had also created multilayered barriers which shielded the outside from what the two of them were doing. Utsukushī sat, free of distraction, mind focused only on the final form of his kido and the location he wished for it to deliver him. The brilliant sapphire glow of Keikaigi shot from his hand upwards before stopping several feet above his head. “My right hand is the stone that bridges worlds.” Utsukushī said, slowly, calmly. As he spoke the light above his head dimmed. The beginnings of what he desired had begun to form. The space of what was referred to as ‘The Black Cavity’ would soon be his to roam. “My left hand is the blade that binds reality. The black haired shepherd is hung from a chair. Stratus clouds come, and I strike down the ibis!”
Upon finishing the last syllable the divide between dimensions completely opened. Wild winds burst from it. Not even they were able to pull Utsukushī from his meditative state. The kido was complete, but its stability depended on his own.

“Mamenoka, Utsukushī.” Instructor Ruki said, standing. He made his way over to his student and rest his hand upon his shoulder. “You have sufficient understanding of this kido.” He said. Was all Utsukushī needed to hear. He opened his eyes, and in doing so closed the black cavity overhead. With a snap of his fingers Instructor Ruki disbursed the barriers he’d created. A wave of fresh, damp air flooded the area. “You are ready for your journey to land of Hollow-kind.” He finished, turning his back to Utsukushī, leaving the young man to his own thoughts.

Utsukushī had indeed learned all that he needed, or at least all that Instructor Ruki wanted to teach him. It was clear to Utsukushī that the man just wanted to get rid of him. He didn’t once inquire about how close he was to achieving shikai, or other hadou which would be useful in fighting off Hollows. Nor did he make certain that his student could perform what he was taught under less than desirable circumstances. He only gave Utsukushī the bare minimum needed to survive in the unfamiliar dangerous landscape. There was something else that his instructor said to him after a training exercise involving a real Hollow. “You will eventually become a leader, a leader who poses a bigger threat to his own than any Hollow could ever.”

The young man however would make due with what Instructor Ruki had given him. He would adapt in Hueco Mundo. He had to. For the sake of vengeance, he would conquer any obstacles that the deadly land had to throw at him. Nothing would stop him from avenging his mother’s death by finding the Hollow that had escaped there.

Present Day-Exams Portion 1, Written

Gotei 13 protocol, rules, and regulations. As Utsukushī sat and answered questions regarding these facets of Gotei 13 life, he wondered just how many or these protocols would serve in a setting like Hueco Mundo. That purely savage land, free of all rules but one; the strong will survive. Would such rules and regulations really give structure? Or would they instead act as a hinderance?

Question No. 67
True or False
“Third seats may only give orders in place of the second seat in the event that the second seat has died and didn’t leave orders which were to be carried out after the death of the second seat.”

This was true, on paper. However, what if the lieutenant was killed and gave orders prior to their death which would lead to even more sacrifice? These rules would absolutely act as a hindrance. However, his passing depended on giving official answers, even if he knew better.

Question No. 93
“Gotei 13 protocols dealing with Hollow eradication are built around the idea that it’s best to slay a Hollow first, and ask questions later. Why?”
The answer they want to see written revolved around necessary precaution being some Hollows have unusual powers and abilities which are often unknown and that all Hollows are dangerous. This was only partially true. Utsukushī knew otherwise. As he wrote the official answer on the lines provided, he thought back to his arrival in Hueco Mundo.

10 Years Ago
Utsukushī was captivated by the dark and mysterious allure of this white desert. It’s white sands sparkled in complete contrast to the matte black sky when met by moonlight. It were almost as if he were walking through a charcoal drawing of an arid landscape. The black cavity he’d created closed behind him. The brief upflow of air created from the resulting change in atmospheric pressure pulled him from his state of wonder. In that moment the landscape lost its aesthetic appeal. The eight year old boy remembered just what it was he came to this place to do.

A loud squeal drew his attention. “Was that a Hollow?” He thought, drawing his zanpakuto. He’d never heard one make such a sound. It sounded like something a small injured animal would produce. He followed it. The coarse sand slipped into his wooden sandals making walking a bit of a challenge. The sound originated from just over the sand dune nearest his location. He hid just behind its peak so that he could learn just what was making the noise without giving away his position.

“Please...help…” He thought his eyes were lying to him. There was no the creature that lay before him could exist in a world as dangerous as Hueco Mundo was said to be. It was an injured Hollow. It’s appearance was that of a small bear cub. It had to have been some kind of illusion, one made by a much more fearsome Hollow, one designed to make it easier for that Hollow to catch their prey off guard. “Please, ma, where are you, please help.” It sat in a shallow puddle of blood, it’s own blood. One of its hind legs was missing.

Utsukushī stood, and approached the small creature. The moment the Hollow cub laid eyes on Utsukushī it opens its little jaws. A familiar red light grew from his mouth. It was preparing for a cero. Utsukushī instantly drew his zanpakuto. To both of their surprize, the ruby colored light faded. The little Hollow was far too weak to mount an attack. “Please...no!” The cub pleaded. Utsukushī stood complacent. Was this truly a Hollow? How did such a creature even come into being here, in this place? “MA, HELP!” The fur covered creature continued. As it called out to its mother, frightened and afraid, Utsukushī was brought back to memories of his own mother and her death at the hands of a Hollow. He shut his eyes as he became overwhelmed with both sadness and rage. Strangely he saw himself in the little defenseless creature. He was weak back then, and unable to save the only person he’d ever loved and ever felt safe with. It was a state of being he never wished to go back to.

Upon opening his eyes, he found himself standing in complete silence. The desert was quiet. The young boy found his zanpakuto deeply lodged within the mask of the crying Hollow. “Ma…” It muttered. Its mask and flesh surrounding the stab wound went up in a cloud of dense black smoke. It danced around the weapon that caused its being before vanishing. The cub's entire body mimicked this before Utsukushī’s zanpakuto fell to the ground.

Present Day- Exams Portion Two, Oral (Strategy)

The written examination was finished well within time limits. Here, now, Utsukushī, in preparation for his oral examination. The proctors didn’t keep him waiting for long. After the sliding doors opened, Instructor Ruki was the first to enter. He was followed by two more men who Utsukushī didn’t recognize. Their demeanor showed them to be instructors as well. Both of the men who proceeded Instructor Ruki turned their noses up at him. Who was this soul, this boy, to dare go against tradition? Did he really believe that he could do in a year what generally required seven?

They sat down at the single table in the room and began organizing the papers they carried with them. The two whispered to one another. “This child is no prodigy.” One said to the other. “I agree. I’ve seen two in my day and he doesn’t favor either.” Their chatter was cut short when Instructor Ruki began to clear his throat. I gestured for Utsukushī to join them and sit on the opposite side of the table. As Utsukushī approached, his former instructor’s cold hard gaze remained fixed on the violet eyes approaching. It was obvious that the man wasn’t happy to see Utsukushī return. He’d really hoped that the boy died in Hueco Mundo. Utsukushī sat, legs folded.

“Often in the field of battle...” Instructor Ruki said, eyes still fixed on Utsukushī. The other proctors looked down at their papers and followed along with their eyes. “...a person or group may find themselves overpowered by an opponent. Other than running away, how can one respond?”

“Other than running away.” Utsukushī thought to himself. The Gotei 13 apparently held such frigid beliefs when it came to combat. They must to have instructors install the notion that retreat wasn’t an option in the minds of Shinigami in training. He knew better. Survival was key. Living to fight another day, in a stronger state than you were before is the real key to victory. However, as he did in the written portion of the exams, he replied in the way they were looking for.

“I turn to history for the answer.” Utsukushī responded, without the slightest bit of hesitation. He was hardly intimidated by his proctor’s gaze. He’d seen much worse after all. “During the Quincy feud Shinigami were often outnumbered and faced superior strength. Shikai wasn’t as common as it is now and all but a few had achieved bankai. Quincy on the other hand came into their abilities much easier and in greater number. During the legendary battle between Death God Matsumo and Quincy General Hikaru Michiki this all stood true.” His timely and eloquent response clearly impressed his two critiques as their eyes darted up from their papers with a surprising new interest in purple haired young boy.

“Death God Matsumo had less fighters, intelligence on them somehow found its way into the hands of his enemies, and he was one of only three shikai users.” Utsukushī inhaled. He breathed deeply and gathered his thoughts. He couldn’t afford to let any of his actual beliefs spill into this room. He would surely be failed and declared unworthy despite surviving in the savage Hollow land for a longer time than most experienced veterans could manage. He continued.

“Death God Matsumo was attacked by a wave of Quincy, but it wasn’t unexpected. After all, they had intell on his forces and would mark an easy victory for Quincy General Hikaru Michiki. She wasted no time in sending her troops. In doing so she ignored important details gathered by their informants. The most important was that there were a few Shinigami that were said to be among the group they encountered which possessed shikai and several more who were proficient with kido. Her troops didn’t check to make sure that those mentioned were among those attacked. While Quincy frontlines were busy with basic Death Gods, the truly dangerous among them slipped into the Quincy General’s camp. She was destroyed in mere minutes. The empowered Shinigami then moved in and attacked the frontlines from behind. The Quincy General’s frontline was caught in a pincer formation. Death gods who weren’t so powerful yet willing to lay down their lives for a cause on one side, and masters of both shikai and kido on the other. If strength isn’t on your side, strategy may be all you need.”

Instructor Ruki was the only one who was not obviously impressed. He knew well that this exam was a joke based entirely on formality. Formalities would not stop someone who fought through what Utsukushī did and lived to tell about it. Still there was the slightest bit of hope within his former teacher. The hope that he would tell of his own experiences. Though he didn’t hear them all, he knew the dangers that lay in wait for the weak in Hueco Mundo and because Utsukushī was weak when he first travelled there, he had to have faced at least one Hollow whose power was too great for strategy. He must have faced at least one Hollow that he was forced to run and hide from like a cowardice rat.

10 Years Ago

What remained of the little Hollow cub’s body disbursed. A dark insect with silken black and purple wings came into being in its place. It wasn’t until it had flown off and out of sight that Utsukushī had begun to pay the consequence for what he’d done. After sheathing his zanpakuto he was immediately frozen, unable to move. What had come over him? Though he didn’t change his location, he now, somehow found himself standing in the presence of a tremendous insidious reiatsu. He turned to find yet another Hollow standing in the distance watching him. A massive wave of sand washed over him and sent him hurling through the air. He originally thought that newcomer held power over earth and sand. The proceeding roar let him know otherwise. The creature hadn’t attacked him, that was simply a roar which emanated from it.

He regained his footing midair by molding a layer of reiatsu beneath his feat and then shielding himself from the shockwave with a barrier. “Bakudo number 73, Tozansho!”. He stood feet planted firmly in the stable air inside of his pyramid shaped barrier. Still, the power of its roar could be faintly felt. He’d read of the powerful highly evolved Hollows which were encountered in Hueco Mundo in ancient times. Some were called Ajuchas and others Vasto Lordes. Was this one of them? The powerful being stood where the cub had been slain, sniffing, digging, searching for any of its remains. “Disgusting...” Utsukushī thought. “It’s hoping to devour what was left over.”

“Baba?” The creature growled. The young warrior was wrong. It clearly knew the Hollow cub. “Baba where are you?” It growled again. “Baba, Baba, Baba?” Each time, its power flared. The spiritual pressure it produced sent cracks throughout Utsukushī’s protective barrier. “No way…” Utsukushī thought, after noticing the cracks in his kido. This was the second most powerful kido barrier he had at his disposal, and the first would take far too much time to create. This creature could likely kill him with little effort at all. Any chance he had of coming up with a strategy to defeat it would include a barrier which it could easily break through. There was nothing he could do. All of his training and preperations would be for nought if he died here and now. There was nothing he could do at this point; almost nothing.

He sat on the artificial floor that he molded and began to chant. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!” The creature roared. A shockwave similar to the first shot up from it and tore through Utsukushī’s pyramid. “Sentan Hakuja!” The boy said. Sections of his robe sprung to life and danced around his young frame. “I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!” It roared. “Its power passed through the boy above it. It was too late for it to harm him. His spell was almost complete. “GIVE HER BACK TO ME!” It said, leaping into the air, claws extended. It shred through the cloth at unbelievable speed. However, Utsukushī was no longer within them.

Present Day- Exams Portion 3, Kido Proficiency

There were hundreds of kido and only a few kido corps members were likely to know them all. This portion of the exam didn’t test the number of kido he knew, but rather his proficiency with those he did know. The strength and effectiveness of kido performed without a chant versus those performed with a completed chant. The success of kido performed in ideal conditions, versus the success of kido performed during more stressful conditions was the most important part of this portion. His time in the land of Hollow-kind more than prepared him for this test.

In fact, compared to what he’d gone through, this test as laughable. The current trial at hand involved him simply making his way from one side of a bamboo field to the other before time ran out. The tall grasses were meant to conceal straw filled dummies and traps. He’d been launched into the air by a simple spring and board trap, however this was done purposely. He needed to know just how far he was from the finish line. As he soared above the bamboo tops, barely brushing them more traps were launched. Balls of twigs, and dirt filled leather balls were launched by catapult. They clearly wanted him to make his way through the course on foot. “Hadou Number 1” He said, as the first projectile came within range. He hurled the object into the one which preceded it. The attack was enough to get him back on the ground, but he’d already gagged how much further he had to go and also where the exam proctors were.

He’d been keeping track of time in his head, and with only a few minutes left, he had more than enough time to make it. Still, to shave off time, he raised his hands and pointed them palms open, towards the finish line. He began chanting. He moved his hands in a circular fashion before finally saying “Way of destruction number 58, Orchid of Destruction!”

A powerful tunnel of whirlwind burst from his hand and shot forward. All grasses, all bamboo, all traps and dummies in its path were ripped up from the ground and tossed about before landing on either side of the newly formed dirt path. This truly was a joke compared to what he’d experienced. He had his skills with kido pushed way harder than this.
9 Years Ago

This marked his fortieth battle. A number much lower than expected, given he’d been searching Hueco Mundo for nearly a whole year. Still, the number wasn’t completely surprising considering the great lengths he’d gone through to avoid detection when necessary. While this wasn’t the first time he’d faced multiple Hollows, this group relied on the most troublesome combination attacks. A cobra Hollow which attacked while on the ground and a hawk Hollow which attacked while in the sky. It was the hawk Hollows sight which made hiding from this pair difficult. It had the ability to see through his invisibility kido.

It was the winged creature that would guide its scaly ally to Utsukushī’s general location where it’s serpent based tracking ability would do the rest of the work. Both Hollows were powerful and nimble. A year ago he’d have never stood a chance against a pair such as this, especially after not having eaten for days. Their combined power reminded him a great deal of the Hollow he was forced to run away from mid-battle almost a year ago; Mama was it? This pair was likely a pair of Adjucha.

Utsukushī couldn’t fight them both at once for much longer. The white sands at his feet were worked up into a flurry caused by the hawk overhead. It would create cover for the serpent to strike from below. This snake was definitely the more dangerous of the two. Cobra’s were afterall venomous animals. The moment he heard the hissing close by, Utsukushī took to the air zanpakuto drawn. A flash step later and Utsukushī found himself above his feathered attacker. He brought his blade edge down at its back with all of the physical strength he had in him. All he managed to do was split feathers and draw a bit of blood.

“Not good enough worm!” It screeched, gaining even more altitude. It worked itself into a spiral in an attempt to shake Utsukushī from its back. The young boy dropped his zanpakuto trying to grab hold of what he could. The bird continued its dizzying flight pattern. Had Utsukushī eaten, he’d have vomited at this point. The force from the momentum nearly caused him to lose grip. He found a renewed interest in the slash wound he’d created before. Plunging his hand into it he began chanting. “Way of destruction number 4, Byakurai!” A bright blue light shined from the wound before a similarly colored bolt of lightning shot from the bird’s mouth. The hawk began its descent, but not of its own choosing. Its wings no longer flapped. They had actually gone completely limp.

The two crashed into the colorless sands. The impact of the bird’s giant body sent a wave of the granules in all directions. It let out one final breath before the glow in its eyes faded. This one as done fighting. What of the other?

Utsukushī stood, not once letting his guard down. The cobra could strike at any moment. The youg boy could hear what sounded like a scuffle. Had the serpent found something else to attack? No. When the dust had finally settled, Utsukushī could see the cobra clearly. His zanpakuto, which he dropped just moments before hand had found home in one of its eyes. Perhaps it was also done fighting. Utsukushī pointed a finger at the beast. A blue glow, just like before, shined from his fingertip. This didn’t go unnoticed by the wounded Hollow who noticed both its former prey and ally. “No...what have you done brat?!” It said, quickly burrowing beneath the sands, blade still deeply embedded within its eye socket. Utsukushī’s lightning missed by several feet.

The fight had taken a lot out of him. He didn't have the strength to give chase and reclaim his zanpakuto. He was both tired and low on reiatsu. Not to mention the hunger he felt was a sign of something far more threatening; starvation. He’d made several trips from Hueco Mundo to Soul Society for food and water over the past year. However, each time that he did he was nearly captured by members of the Gotei 13’s research and development team. He also found himself in a new location than the one he left upon return. This would make searching Hueco Mundo near impossible. So he decided to go longer periods of time without making trips in hopes that he could search a greater portion of an area before arriving someplace else he’d never been. Had he waited too long and tried to do too much? He was too hungry, and too tired to make the trip back again.

He turned his attention back to the hawk Hollow carcass. Was eating Hollow flesh anything like eating the flesh of a normal animal?

Present Day- Exams Portion 4, Unarmed Combat


The man who was once his most adamant teacher, the man that hoped he’d died sat along with the other exam proctors atop mats lining the far end of the dojo wall. He looked in Utsukushī’s direction, however, rather than gazing at him, the old man seemed to gaze through him. Had he created a self fulfilling prophecy? He sent Utsukushī off to die in the savage land of Hueco Mundo in hopes that he would never have a chance to rise up Shinigami ranks and endanger the lives of his subordinates. Had all of his time spent preparing the boy for the journey assured that he’d gain the strength needed to gain power? Mamenoka could see it now; Instructor Yuki was indeed looking through him. He was in fact attempting to look into the boy’s past. Surely there was something he acquired that he could use against him, some type of weakness.


“Mamenoka, Utsukushī.” His former teacher said, disconcerned. “You’ve come up on the Unarmed Combat portion of your examination. Armed combat will follow. You opponents will be seniors that will be graduating next semester.” He gestured towards the men and women lining the adjacent walls. There displeased and angry faces spoke volumes. “Needless to say, they aren’t too keen on a first year student, and former dropout at that, surpassing them. They’ve nominated representatives that you will have to defeat if you hope to meet and pass guidelines required for this special final exam.” Heavy footsteps approached from behind and grew ever closer. The first fighter they nominated was huge by the sound of it.


It wasn’t until Utsukushī turned to perform a mutual bow that he saw just how big he was. He outweighed the young boy by a minimum of fifty pounds and the difference wasn’t fat or water weight. His opponent was both tall and muscular. His scarred callused hands and feet said all that needed to be said about him. He worked hard to become a master of his craft. Further still his mastery was more than just physical. This man was developed a proper fighting mind to match his physical ability. He looked into Utsukushī’s eyes without judgement or overconfidence either of which would otherwise lead to his immediate defeat.


There wasn’t an ounce of fear to be found in Utsukushī’s small frame despite the difference. It wasn’t a matter of having faced several Hollow without use of a weapon and while too low on reiatsu to rely on kido. Something primal, perhaps an unexplainable sense picked up from Hueco Mundo, was deep inside of his being. This institution was unnatural and it sheltered those it trained from what it sought to train them to destroy. In the real world, where Hollows roam without fear or even knowledge of what a Shinigami is, it’s survival of the fittest and Utsukushī did just that.


“Begin!” Instructor Ruki said loudly. Little time passed between the last syllable and the first attack against Utsukushī. A quick punch blew past Utsukushī’s face. The rough skin of his opponent’s hand harmlessly brushed his cheek after the young boy adjusted the angle of his head to avoid the intended blow. That wasn’t the only adjustment made. The moment his opponent realized his fist would miss its target he opened his hand and allowed Utsukushī’s purple coiffer to meet it. He gripped what hair he could tightly and pulled down on it. This time he intended for Utsukushī’s head to meet his knee.


In an unexpected display of speed the young boy brought his hands down on the ascending knee. This wasn’t done to stop the blow, but instead to use his opponent’s own leg as leverage. Sure enough, when his knee was at the highest point Utsukushī was able to bring his own legs upwards and wrap them around his opponent’s neck. It only took a little pressure to cause the giant to release his hold on his little opponent’s violet hair. He instead reached for the legs now restricting the flow of blood to the head.


Second passed before the large fighter fell to a single knee. After a few seconds more Utsukushī was able to use his leg hold on him to force the giant on his side. The fight was over the moment his muscle bound foe passed from consciousness.


Perhaps Instructor Ruki was right. This was actually the first time Utsukushī had beaten a Shino student of this skill level. His skill in unarmed combat was gained in a land where this style of fighting is a way of life. Those who didn’t excel simply perished.

8 Years Ago
A final burst of fluorescent light lit up the landscape after he used hyapporankan to crack open a hollow’s mask. The Hollow collapsed as the red light in its eyes dimmed. The bony structure collapsed in on itself as Utsukushī pulled back the condensed energy rod and spun it in hand. A bolt of electricity arched from the freshly cracked mask toward the rod. Only then did he turn to throw it at his next attacker. The already trunkless mammoth collapsed after hyapporankan split into two separate rods each embedding themselves within a front leg. He had used two kido casts at different times to change the effect of a single kido, not only turning it from one that restrained to one that destroyed, but also using the restraining element to increase the destructive property of the second kido.

Repurposing kido in this way was just one of the ways he managed to survive in this endless night without his zanpakuto. He learned long ago that unarmed fighting was near useless against those with natural armor plating, claws, or a size so great that simple punches made little impact. As he walked towards the floored mammoth he began chanting. He stopped soon after spotting a brief glimmer within his immediate vicinity. A lustrous object caught the moonlight on its surface at just the right moment, but what was it? He hadn’t seen metal or crystal since arriving. After taking but a few paces towards the object, he found himself reunited with the zanpakuto he lost more than a year ago. “No way?” He said, plucking it from the sand. The last he saw it, he’d embedded it within the eye of a serpent like Hollow who escaped, taking it with it. Did it manage to shake it loose? “No. It’s more likely that the serpent was defeated and eaten. The Hollow the beat it didn’t know what to do with this so it-” It was then that Utsukushī noted a distinct reiatsu signature he’d only sensed once before. It belonged to the powerful creature that attacked him when he first arrived, the one that forced him to retreat. He could sense what remained of the Hollow’s reiatsu fixed to his zanpakuto.

“It must have held my sword for quite some time for it to leave such a lasting effect. Is it tracking me?” He asked, placing the sword in the sheath which he’d kept despite it being useless for the most part. He knelt, placing both palms on the ground in preparations to track the creature he thought of. “This uneasy feeling I’ve had for so long. I thought that it was just from my being in this wretched place, but what if it’s not? What if it was because this creature has been stalking me?” Before he could even begin chanting the ground began to tremble. The mammoth had broken free and begun to charge at him. In a flash, Utsukushī leaped from the ground and propelled himself towards the beast. He both unsheathed and sheathed his blade in one fluid movement, cutting through his attacker in between. The move wouldn’t have been possible for him just two years ago. His time spent without his zanpakuto had made him strong and more aware of his own ability.

The furry elephantine body began to dissipate. It’s flesh transformed into a dense black smoke he hadn’t seen since last slaying a Hollow with it more than a year ago. A familiar black insect with wings of dark silk formed within the smoke before beating its wings and beginning its ascent into the skies. The moment the last bits of his foe’s body went up he found himself standing in the center of an ocean of spiritual pressure. He held his breath out of necessity. If he were to attempt to breath the air would surely have been forced from his lungs. He had found the answer to his question. The creature had indeed been following him.

“So then...” The creature said, stepping from the shadows and revealing itself in all of its monstrous beauty. Utsukushī hadn’t gotten a good look at it when it attacked him before, but now that he could see it, he could see that it was human in shape with bear like claws and fur covered body. The dark raven fur gave the creature a statuesque appearance when met with moonlight. Did it always look like this? Though clad in darkness during their first meeting, Utsukushī could tell that something relating to its appearance was different.

“It looks to be true.” It continued. “You are a god of death and you send Hollows away when you kill them with your sword.” It bent over and looked Utsukushī in the eyes. It had a standard red light in its eyes which cast a soft glow on the young boy’s face. “I noticed that there’s a difference between when you kill us with your magic spell versus when you kill us with that.” It reached for his neck. Its fur covered claws began to transform themselves. They grew dull at first and then grew muscle and skin. When the transformation was complete, it had human hands.

“Stand up would you, I’m trying to talk to you.” It grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and stood up with him. The second it let go he collapsed once again. “Oh, right. I almost forgot. I learned a trick trying to follow you around.” The ocean of spiritual pressure suddenly vanished. Utsukushī could once again stand if he wished to. He questioned whether or not it was even worth it. A creature with such an insane power could easily end him.

“Where do you send the ones you strike down with your fancy sword?” It asked. “Is it true you send them to heaven? Is that where you sent my baby?” It finished, leaving Utsukushī to think. “This is why it’s been tracking me? It wants to know what I did with the smaller Hollow I slayed before…” He thought looking up at the creature.

“You should be able to stand now so why aren’t you? You thinking I’m gonna kill you aren’t you?” It said looking down at him. “Well I won’t, not depending on your answers. Now tell me what you did to my baby!” It was obvious now. It wanted to know about the whereabouts of its ally. If he could convince it that it was in a better place, then maybe it would let him live. “You're good at this. That’s right Shuryou, that’s what it wants. But is that all?” Another voice said. This one was softer, and even feminine in nature. Where was it coming from though? Was he hearing things? It hardly mattered now, not given his current predicament.

“I sent your baby to heaven.” He said rising. “This is a zanpakuto which purifies Hollows and sends them to parad-” He stopped after making eye contact. Though nothing more than glowing red lights, they shined with a concerned look. He’d begun to think of his own mother whenever she grew concerned about his where abouts and questioned where he’d been. Was this Hollow truly just a concerned mother? Perhaps in an unexpected moment of weakness, Utsukushī was honest with her.

“I sent him to Soul Society.” He continued. “Soul Society is heaven compared to this place...this place where instinct and brute strength rules. Depending on what family you are born into it may be heaven, or it may be hell.” Utsukushī began telling the motherly beast of Soul Society’s social structure and layout. He told it about the nobles and the poor. He even began telling the creature of the hell he experienced when his mother was killed by the Hollow that he had come to Hueco Mundo to hunt.

Its glowing red eyes now held a look that said it would cry if it could. “Baba...Baba went to a place like that all by his little self?!” It screamed. “No, I can’t have that.” It continued, falling to its knees. “Please, please send me there! It’s the only way that I can protect him. I can’t mess up again.” The little warrior hesitated for a moment. He held his hand loosely on his sword hilt, but couldn’t bring himself to draw it.

“That Hollow that killed your Mama…” it said, I know where it is but I’ll only tell you if-” Utsukushī instantly drew his blade, and plunged it into the creature’s abdomen. To assure that this blow would kill the beast he twisted the blade before pulling it out.

“Well that was easy enough wasn’t it?” It said, coughing blood. “Menos Forest is one hell of a place boy. Nor the Hollow you’re looking for or the company he keeps are pushovers. Best of luck.” It said, as dark smoke began pouring from the freshly made wound. Its last words were genuine. It did wish Utsukushī the best knowing what he had ahead of him. The creature collapsed as Utsukushī began his long journey.


Present Day- Exams portion 5, Armed Combat
Though kido was permitted during this portion of the exam, it was simply referred to as the Armed Combat portion; rarely did a combatant have time to perform kido while attacking or defending blows from a wooden sword. Utsukushī now faced the highest ranking student. It’s said that he’d never lost a battle. Though not at large as the combatant which fell moments earlier, this one was still bigger than Utsukushī.

They stood facing one another, wooden swords at the ready. His opponent’s stance and hold on his weapon was noticeably different than what is taught in kendo. His stance was wider and he held his blade with single handed grip. Both of these led Utsukushī to believe that this specialized stance was made for wider, more diverse range of motion. How would his style fare against someone Utsukushī’s size?

Even after Instructor Ruki gave the order to begin, neither fighter moved. They stood in perfect stillness for several seconds. The slightest bend in his opponent’s knees prompted Utsukushī to attack. He found himself swinging at air as his opponent jumped overhead, twisting in the process. The proceeding sword strikes came in rapid succession, each connected, linked by a single elegant movement. Each was dodged or parried before his opponent descended with just as much ease and fluidity as a gently falling leaf.

His image blurred the moment both feet were on the ground. His flashstep was impressive, perhaps even more developed than Utsukushī’s own. He once again launched a series of sword swings at Utsukushī, twisting mid step. Regardless of his efforts, Utsukushī had seen this sword technique and successfully defended against it, he could beat his opponent, but he couldn’t mount a proper counter attack either.

Suddenly something changed, a wooden sword brushed through the young boy’s hair. “That shouldn’t have happened.” Utsukushī thought. “There’s absolutely no way he’s fast enough to draw back and launch an attack that fast.” Utsukushī was partially correct. The second time the change came, he could see it clearly. His opponent was a dual sword user. His one handed grip was a front to distract from the fact that he carefully held a shorter sword in his other hand. Once after several swings he used both swords to deliver two strikes at once.

Utsukushī was at an obvious disadvantage, his opponent came closer and closer to landing a blow across his head. However, because Utsukushī knew where his opponent was aiming, he could compensate. When next his opponent attempted to strike him with his secret technique, he countered with a technique of his own. “Hadou 1, Sho!” He said quickly, pointing at the incoming blow. His opponent’s secret weapon flew from his grip to the farthest wall, cracking it. A synchronous gasp came from those viewing. Was it Utsukushī’s use of kido in this situation that inspired it, or the fact that in the instant that kido landed, Utsukushī found himself disarmed.

His own wooden sword fell to the floor before being kicked away by his opponent. He quickly flash stepped towards it only to find his opponent was already there, waiting to strike. He no longer questioned whose shunpo was better. His opponent was years ahead of him in terms of this particular skill. Utsukushī barely dodged the technique waiting for him.

Again, Utsukushī flash stepped, not attempting to place distance between them, his opponent was faster and likely wouldn’t let him. He instead used the opportunity to cast yet another kido spell. “Bakudo number 8, Seki!” He said, exiting his flashstep. As expected his opponent was there waiting for him ready to strike. Only when he did strike, his blade connected with a tiny compressed ball of blue concusive force. Both the attacker and his weapon were thrown violently against the wall farthest. “Way of binding number, Horin.” He said, pointing towards the man he just sent flying. The spiraling tendril of warmly colored energy jumped from his finger in an attempt to ensnare its intended target. Not the man, but his wooden sword.

Utsukushī tugged at the wooden instrument, instantly snatching it from his opponent's grasp. Disarmed, his foe made his own attempt at a kido. He pointed his hands at Utsukushī. “Ye lord, mask..." He clearly knew his way around a hadou or two because the condensed orb of red energy had begun to form much earlier than would be expected considering he'd only just began to chant.

With a flashy spin and flick of his wrist Utsukushī quickly whipped the wooden sword he'd just taken hold of with his kido across his opponent's head. The sheer force with which the sword met his opponent's temple caused it to shatter. His opponent was out cold. This fight was over. It took a few seconds before the majority could piece together what had just happened.

"Hmph." Grunted Instructor Ruki, only partially surprised by his former student's offensive use for a kido only meant to restrain. He expected that as a result of the boy surviving Hueco Mundo he’d return with more developed skill, but this level of creativity was the result of him not only surviving in the land of Hollows, but thriving in it. Under what circumstances did he discover that the spell could be used this way? Such creativity and proficiency with kido would likely catch the eye of recruiters for the kido corps. Then again, his sword play would likely also catch the eye of that battle hungry squad of knuckle heads.

The glowing tendril flickered before dissipating. What was left of the wooden sword it held fell to the ground. Victorious, Utsukushī respectfully bowed to his defeated opponent and the exam proctors.

1 Year Ago

Menos Forest, home of thousands of Menos Grande and other Hollow that would eventually transform into the skyscraper like beasts. Were it not for his ability to mask his presence with kido he’d have fallen victim to their assault months ago. He spent years searching for Menos Forest and nearly died while foolishly attempting to force his way past the horde of Menos Grande seemingly awaiting his arrival. He defeated three of them before being overwhelmed and forced back for others which were attracted by the destruction.

He learned fairly quickly that the creatures weren’t capable of detecting his presence when masked. Even as he walked through the giant black crowds, brushing a few every so often, they were incapable of noticing him. This made travel through the forest easy enough. The most difficult part of life within the forest was finding shelter to perform tracking kido. He’d find a cave every so often and seek shelter within it. His careful planning allowed him to slowly gain ground on the hollow he was hunting.

The hollow’s reiatsu wrang fresh in his mind allowing him to use his kido to keep tabs on where the monster traveled. The hollow who first told him of the existence of menos forest was right about the monster he was hunting. It was no push over. Each member of the forces it traveled with contained a spiritual pressure which either matched or overshadowed his own when he first began tracking them. Of course that was years ago. Utsukushī had grown from a beautiful and skilled young boy to a young man still beaming with potential despite realizing a good portion of it. He was so close to achieving what he first arrived to do and the spiritual pressure he now held matched that of the bear-like hollow that sent him to the petrified forest.

One by one he picked off the hollows that allied themselves with his main target. Each one slayed increased his strengths, pushed him beyond his limits, and gave him insight into just who it was he was hunting. His target was known to all as Feer. As the name suggested, many believed it to be fear incarnate. It produced a fire that was attracted to the fear of targets. The special power it possessed led some to say that it was a demon posing as a hollow. Regardless, Utsukushī had just recently slain the last of its party. Soon, he would end the one who killed his mother.

He finally tracked it into a clearing which was free of the landscape’s crystallized botany and Menos Grande. It stood still within the center of this clearing, eyes fixed on the moon directly overhead. Though its form was unfamiliar, the creature’s reiatsu was definitely the same as the one present when his mother was killed. Though it was far more massive due to the passage of time, the fear that Utsukushī felt was the exact same fear he felt on that accursed night. He wasn’t intimidated by the spiritual pressure he sensed coming from the beast. Yet he could feel all of the anger he felt and accumulated over the years being buried underneath that fear.

“This fear, it isn’t my own.” He thought as he approached the creature, concealed within his kido camouflage. His sword hand trembled as reached to unsheath his blade. “Is this another ability of this bastard?” He continued. “I haven’t been afraid of anything since that day. Even thinking about that night, when I first stood in this monster’s presence, it was never fear. It was anger and rage.” He finally drew his blade. “I can not…” He stood at Feer’s back. It stood at an impressive eight or nine feet tall. Its broad form was draped in what appeared to be black cloth. “I can NOT let go of this rage...because without it all I have is…”

“Fear...” Its cloth seemed to come to life. “I smell fear.” It turned to face Utsukushī. Its voice could only be described as terrible. It was as though it was made up of dozens of voices, all terrified. Its cloth stretched outward like the wings of a raven revealing a body clad in thorn like bones. Its form was that of a spike covered suit of armor. Two great horns were found atop its head. It inhaled deeply. Its massive nose, more beak like in appearance revealed its hunter’s location.

“No use in hiding.” It snarled as great flames poured from its nose. Utsukushī jumped backwards. Suddenly the fear he felt intensified. His confidence was shaken enough to undo the kido that was hiding his presence. His prey could now see him.

“A shinigami?” It snarled. More flames came from its nose. These flames screamed as if they were alive and in pain. They jumped at Utsukushī. They were exactly as they were described by his fallen allies.

“Danku!” Utsukushī shouted, erecting a large rectangular kido to block the incoming fire. It was an incomplete kido. Though it blocked the initial wave of fire it began to crack soon after. It wasn’t an issue of whether or not the barrier would hold up because the flames began to crawl up and around the barrier to reach him. “No…” Utsukushī said leaping backwards yet again towards the edge of the large clearing.

He was so consumed with fear that he’d lost track of his prey. Feer however, did not lose track of him. Utsukushī found himself the target of a ball of sinister spiritual energy; Feer had launched a cero. “Hadou 4, Byakurai!” He said, pointing towards the quickly approaching attack. It had come too close for Utsukushī to avoid being affected altogether. An explosion of blue lightning and red energy lit up the grounds. Though the damage was lessened, Utsukushī was nonetheless thrown into the air.

His fear was steadily growing, as was the intensity of the flames Feer had produced. They spiraled up towards Utsukushī who was separated from his zanpkuto from the blast. He’d already gone an extended amount of time without it in this land and barely survived, he would not survive this fight now without it. In that moment he cared more about getting it than he did protecting his own body. Fear had caused him to act unwittingly. Rather than creating another barrier, he reached for his zanpakuto off in the distance.

“Bakudo 9, Horin!” The boy shouted. A spiraling line of energy shot forth from his finger and attached itself to his zanpakuto. He pulled it towards him after regaining his footing midair. The flames had reached him. He swatted at them, as if that would help. They began crawling up his back. As they did, he retreated back to that night when these very flames had first touched his skin.

His mother’s love for him caused her to face down these same flames to save him.

“Mother…you were so strong!” He cried out. Not in anguish, but in admiration. In that instant the fear he felt subsided. He throw his zanpakuto down at his target, kido tendril still attached. As predicted Feer had dodged the initial attack, however, with the help of his kido, and a flick of his wrist, Utsukushī redirected his blade. This time, Feer was pierced. The flames instantly died.

“Impressive.” Feer said, blood streaming down his arm. “However the absence of fear is only temporary.” The hollow laughed.

“Then I guess I will have to kill you before it returns.” Utsukushī responded, tugging at the tendril. His zanpakuto bursed from Feer’s belly. The kido vanished after his zanpakuto was once again in hand.

“Is that so Shinigami?” Feer laughed as his wound instantly closed. “What have I done to cause you to throw away your life?”

“You killed my mother.” Utsukushī said. “You attacked our village and killed my mother.” As he spoke he could feel his fear slowly building once more. He began chanting before releasing his zanpakuto. It began to spin of its own accord, or rather due to the kido Utsukushī had begun creating. “Hadou 58, Ten…”

“Ah, I remember being brought to heaven by Shinigami a short time ago…” He interrupted. His response caused Utsukushī to stop what he was doing. His zanpakuto continued to spin, though the speed of its rotations slowly decreased. “The Gotei 13 capture me and foolishly handed me over to a house of nobles.”

Utsukushī was shocked. The creature had no need to lie if it was so confident in its victory. Why on earth would the Gotei 13 capture this monster only to hand it over to a noble house? His subconscious had instantly linked the incident with his fathers noble house and their disdain for his mother. His conscience would never make such a ridiculous connection. However, it was then that he heard a voice. It was powerful and masculine. “Everything comes full circle Utsukushī.” The voice said. It seemed as though time had stopped. Feer was still and everything grew unnaturally quiet.

“You will come to realize that this isn’t the end you thought it would be, young prince. This is only the beginning. In truth, there is no end.” His zanpakuto pulsated with a dim light. “Your subconscious and conscious circulate ideas Utsukushī.” It was his zanpaktou that was talking. “The feminine voice from before, was that also you?” He thought. “See, look at that, you’re doing it.” The femine voice from years beforehand responded. “You are making progress.

“Come now…” The masculine voice said. “Use your conscious and subconscious to uncover the key to travel this endless journey.” A large man appeared next to Feer. He stood covered in the finest cloth and obsidian accessories. The black ring on his ring finger was a sight to behold. It twisted and spiraled across his finger, as if it were completely autonomous of the finger that wore it. Then, as soon as the man was there, he was gone. And in his stead, a beautiful statuesque women stood. She wore a gold ring, equally as animate as the previous man’s. “You understand young one?” She said “Do you understand what I, Tsuneni Kouhi am saying to you now?”

“Everything comes full circle, Tsuneni Kouhi.” Utsukushī responded. As time began returning to its normal flow. His zanpakuto began to resonate and augment with a near blinding golden light. It spun and twisted until finally its form had settled. A large black and gol ring with several blades lining its edge fell to the ground and embedded itself upright on the surface. “This is you Tsuneni Louhi?” He thought. “You’ll obviously deliver massive damage given your size alone, but you expect me to be able to land an accurate hit with you given my own size?”

“A shikai?” Feer said, jumping backwards. “The one who captured me used a shikai...were you hiding your true strength all this time.”

Utsukushī hadn’t bothered to answer. He had no time to. His fear was still returning. He needed to act through it. “Bakudo 21, Sekeinton.” A red cloud of smoke exploded from Utsukushī’s location, hiding him. The young boy began chanting. A rod of condensed glowing energy formed in his hand. He threw it into the air. It drew Feer’s attention before Utsukushī jumped from the cloud of smoke and swung his ring blade at Feer. As expected, the hollow dodged the attack. Before the monster could counter, the heavenly stepping rail Utsukushī had launched earlier descended in mass down upon the battlefield.

Dozens of the rods fell like rain, several impaled the boy’s unsuspecting his opponent. Unable to move, Utsukushī slashed at Feer once again, this time making contact. A broad horizontal slash made its way across the hollow’s face not only blinding Feer, but partially decapitating the beast. Blood and reiatsu exploded from the horrid mask that comprised its face as chips of bone fell from it. Feer let out screams of pain before the bony chips that fell earlier jumped from the ground and fixed themselves back in place.

“What? I thought you slashed me-” Feer’s mask once again exploded in wave of blood, bone, and reiatsu. “What’s happening?!” The hollow screamed, falling backwards grabbing at its head. Again, the wound reverted back its original state. Seconds later, the explosive damage returned. “NO! Stop, stop this madness!” Feer shouted.

Utsukushī watched on in amazement before finally gathering himself. He’d accomplished what he’d come to do, but there was more to the story of his mother’s death than he knew. This hollow would help him shed light on what had remained hidden for so long. “I will make this pain stop. All that you need to do is tell me how you came to attack Seiteitei.”

Feer replied cooperatively in between cycles of death and before death. It told Utsukushī of the time it roamed the human world in its arrogance before being attacked by Shinigami. It told Utsukushī of how the research and science division sought to experiment on its powers instead of killing it. It then told Utsukushī of a noble family using its connections to the gotei 13 to arrange for it to attack a specific district. Feer escaped while its handlers confirmed that the person it was meant to attack had been killed. The hollow didn’t know who his target was, but after killing dozens, it learned that the one they wanted killed was among them.

Was this person Utsukushī’s mother? Was this creature lying? He lost himself in thought before being overcome with a rage that not even Feer’s ability could conquer. Utsukushī lifted his zanpakuto and shoved it into his prey’s wound once it reopened. “Hadou 11, Tsuzuri Raiden.” He muttered. Arcs of electricity raced around his zanpakuto and surged through Feer’s body. What were mere seconds likely felt like hours to the monster being fried alive. Smoke rolled from his body as it turned to dust. An anti climactic battle to symbolize that though this was the end of one quest, it was only the beginning of another. Utsukushī then sat, legs folded. He began to recover his energies. He would need them to cast the necessary kido and make his way back to Soul Society.

Present Day

Utsukushī had no doubt passed his Shino Academy graduation exams with flying colors. As he lay his head down to rest after the long day he thought back to the final portion of his exam. The release phrase of his zanpakuto seemed to foreshadow a change in Utsukushī that Instructor Ruki could never have predicted. He would eventually come to have faith in his former student.

“To understand a concept that goes beyond vengeance, that is what it will take to master a zanpakuto the likes of what you have.” -Instructor Ruki

Attachments:

[Col Arana]

That would be fine.

That in mind I’m happy to give my 1/2, this is a great job!

[Jeff Franklin]

I'm happy to give my 2/2!

You will be class 3 Rank 1 with 500 SP, 15 Skill Points, and 5000 Ryo!

[Mamenoka, Utsukushī]

Stats
Physical
Strength= 70 ... -25% = 52 (52.5)
Speed= 100 ... = 100

Spiritual
Reiatsu Strength= 80... +25% = 100
Spiritual Pressure= 100 ... = 1000

Sensory
Instinct= 100 ... = 100
Senses= 50 ... = 50
Energy Sensory= 0 ... =0

Miscellaneous
Aura
Light= 51/100
Dark= 49/100

Healing= 0 ... = 0

[Mamenoka, Utsukushī]

Skill Points
Learning= 2
Lack of Fear= 2
Strength of Will=1

Weapon: Tachi= 2

Battle Analysis=2

Battle Focus= 2

Mental Incantation= 2

Damage Recovery= 2