[Squad 12; Captain] Ken'ichi Shihoin

[Squad 12; Captain] Ken'ichi Shihoin Sept 3, 2022 9:48:24 GMT -8

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Post by Kerrigan on Sept 3, 2022 9:48:24 GMT -8

[Name]

[PTabbedContent]

[PTab=Overview]

Vital Statistics

Portrait

	Archetype:	Shinigami
	Specialty:	Zanjutsu Master
	Species:	Human
	Faction:	Gotei 13
	Rank:	Captain
	Soul:	Wolf
	Tier:	Elite

Attributes

Skills

Attribute	Rank	Grade	Current
Strength Durability Speed Stamina Wits Senses Resolve Power+ Focus Chakra	SS SS SS SS SS A S SSS SS SS	250 225 300 250 300 95 180 350 225 225	250 225 300 250 300 95 180 350 225 225

Skill	Rank
Zanjutsu Science (Physics) Battle Analysis Stealth Kidō	SSS SSS SSS SS S

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[PTab=Description]

Basic Information

Appearance

	Residence:	Squad 12
	Birth Place:	Shihoin Estate
	Age:	789
	Alignment:	Lorem Ipsum
	Player:	Kerrigan
	Discord:	Kerrigan

	Height:	5'11"
	Weight:	152 lbs
	Eye Color:	Hazel
	Hair Color:	Lilac
	Complexion:	Chocolate

Physical Description

While standing just shy of six feet, Ken'ichi has a slight, lanky build which gives him the overall appearance of having been stretched on a rack. With a warm chocolaty complexion, and an offbeat taste in fashion, Ken'ichi's overall appearance comes across as an awkward combination of geeky and sophisticated. His usual attire consists of an iridescent pinkish-yellow lab coat worn over the sleeveless black kosode and hakama traditionally worn by members of the Onmitsukidō, and accented by a dark green sash, and an elaborate, layered mantle colored a reflective orange. Tied about his neck, Ken'ichi wears two pieces of dark, red-brown fabric, worn as a tie, and which flare outward at the bottom, giving a sharp, angular effect.

The full-length lab coat itself is cinched up on the right to reveal his black hakama beneath. While appearing to be made of expensive satin or silk, Ken'ichi's outerwear is actually made from a durable, fire-retardant fabric of Ken'ichi's own design. Worn about his waist is a dark green and blue sash made of the same fire-retardant fabric. Decorated with hibiscus flowers, the sash is buckled on the right side by a wide metallic buckle made of some pinkish metal. Worn asymmetrically, the left side of his sash trails down his left thigh, while the right side ends just below the buttocks. Hanging from his right wrist, Ken'ichi sports a delicate, ovoid pendant. Decorated with a large oval turquoise set in a golden filigree clasp, the pendant itself is weighted at the bottom by a brass pointed pendulum, causing it to hang loosely against his arm.

Buttoned across his shoulders, Ken'ichi's mantle made of the same reflective material as his coat and sash. The orange-colored mantle itself covers Ken'ichi's shoulders and back, and is cut with sharp, angular points which end abruptly at a point above the elbow. The front of the garment is layered, with the outer layer arching high toward the neckline, where it is buttoned into a high, skin-tight collar. The inner layer drapes downward, ending in a rounded point, and is decorated with delicate, red embroidery. A small almond-shaped gap is created between the two layers, giving the appearance of an "eye" in the center of his chest. Accenting the mantle, small metallic buttons of a dark, muddy red run along the front of the garment, while the seams are accented with embroidered thread in the same color. Finally, two dark metallic bands are pinned diagonally to the right side of the garment. On the rear, the mantle comes to a triangular point just above the waistline, and is flanked by two smaller triangular points at the back of each shoulder.

For footwear, Ken'ichi wears the traditional japanese sandles and white socks worn by most of his shinigami brethren. Unlike them however, Ken'ichi's sandles are tied to his ankles by red-brown thread, which criss-crosses his legs, almost to the knee, and gives the appearance of a greek or roman soldier. Finishing off this flamboyant ensemble, Ken'ichi sports a pair of thin, wire-framed glasses which perch delicately upon his pale, angular face and enhance the allure of his piercing, hazel eyes.

While dressing in an extravagant, flamboyant style, Ken'ichi pays little attention to his disheveled rose-white hair, or at least - that's the impression he deliberately conveys. Kept in a short, but deliberately unkempt fashion, Ken'ichi's hair is parted on the left, with his long sweeping bangs partially covering his face on the right side. On the left side of his face, his pale tinted hair sweeps outward away from his face. Worn just above the shoulder, Ken'ichi's hair shines with a lustrous radiance, and smells faintly of lavender. To a perceptive individual, these details belie the seemingly unkempt appearance of his hair, and reveal that he wears his hair deliberately in this fashion, and takes great pride in deceiving people of this fact.

Personality

Ken'ichi carries himself with an air of quiet sophistication. Despite his best efforts however, his outwardly calm demeanor is frequently interspersed with moments of extreme excitability and enthusiasm. Such episodes undermine his carefully constructed public image and make it difficult at times to take him seriously. While Ken'ichi maintains an aloof yet friendly professionalism with most people, his friends know him to be a deeply compassionate, and genuinely friendly individual. Despite being a high ranking member of the Shihoin family, Ken'ichi does not lord his nobility over those of lower social class. In fact he behaves quite the opposite, priding himself on being approachable to anyone, regardless of rank or social class. Ken'ichi even extends such courtesy to his enemies, and endeavors to remain civil regardless of how uncouth or hostile another person acts toward him.

Not one to judge people based solely on their race, class, or even species, Ken'ichi has been known to have engaged in civil and polite conversation with both Arrancar and Quincy alike, although such conversations are understandably rare. While his professional duty requires him to eventually eliminate both Hollow and Quincy alike, Ken'ichi harbors no deep-seated hatred toward them, nor does he derive personal satisfaction from their destruction. As a result, should Ken'ichi meet a member of an "enemy" race who is willing to set aside their differences, Ken'ichi is more than willing to interact with them on a social level. Ken'ichi rationalizes such encounters on the basis that while it is his duty to eliminate them, they are not posing an immediate threat and as such, he can ignore their continued existence while other "larger" threats still remain. Besides, despite being on opposing sides of the great conflict, Ken'ichi recognizes kindred spirits regardless of race, and is loathe to destroy a potential ally, comrade, or research subject, simply on the grounds that it is his job to do so. This is not to say that he is opposed to killing enemy races. When Ken'ichi feels it necessary, he will carry out his obligations swiftly and without hesitation.

Ken'ichi is a hopeless flirt and an unabashed romantic and will shamelessly throw himself at any (and all) people he finds even remotely attractive. While not in the least bit seductive, Ken'ichi's overly enthusiastic romantic gestures can be intimidating and overwhelming at times, leading to frequent rejection. Not one to manipulate others or force himself, Ken'ichi bounces back from such rejections quickly, moving onto the next person he might shower with his affection.

Highly intelligent, Ken'ichi is a deeply passionate and dedicated scientist. Largely self-taught, Ken'ichi's eclectic studies have resulted in him becoming knowledgeable in a wide array of different sciences and other intellectual pursuits. Suck knowledge includes expertise in the fields of electro-mechanical engineering, physics, cybernetics, bio-chemistry, and genetics - most of which he has acquired over the past one and a half centuries of human scientific advance. In addition to his fields of expertise, Ken'ichi has a passionate interest in the fields of archaeology, anthropology and paleontology. Ken'ichi maintains an extensive library of human-world textbooks, and research papers and takes every opportunity to personally attend the odd research symposium (or part there of). Failing that, Ken'ichi has acquired a portable computing device and has filled it full of research papers, textbooks, course materials (thanks largely to MIT), in addition to the odd video game or movie.

Preferences

	Rejection/ Disappointment:	While Ken'ichi has felt the sting of rejection more times than he can count, each and every time one of his "special interests" rebuffs his advances wounds his self-worth and confidence. Not one to reveal how deeply being rejected hurts him, Ken'ichi masks his pain behind a show of mock indifference while moving onto the next person, ever seeking the special "One" who he can shower with his boundless love and affection. Ken'ichi's aversion to disappointment does not end solely with rejection however. Any kind of disappointment, no matter how small leaves Ken'ichi with a hollow, empty feeling deep in the pit of his stomach - one he most often tries to fill by consuming sweet, sugary foods and drink.
	Sour/Bitter Foods:	Ken'ichi cannot stand the taste of anything sour or bitter. Such foods leave him feeling nauseous with indigestion. This is a psycho-somatic response resulting from a long-forgotten negative reaction to a rotten lemon early in his childhood. Alcohol seems to be the only exception to this aversion and causes him no undue discomfort.
	Romance:	Ken'ichi has an insatiable desire for beautiful people of all genders, and enjoys to spend his time in the company of said whenever possible. Ken'ichi showers his affections on anyone who catches his attention, seeking to woo them with extravagant displays of ultra-sappy romance.
	Science Fiction:	Ken'ichi has a great love of Fantasy and Science Fiction television and movies, especially those relating to space exploration and interaction with alien species (hostile or otherwise). While he rarely has an opportunity to partake in this past time, while on deployment in the Human World, Ken'ichi will often steal a few moments to watch television through a Humans Window, at the cinema, or on a demo television at a supermarket; providing he feels he can get away with it. Back in Soul Society, Ken'ichi has yet to acquire a television, despite having requisitioned one for "research purposes" into Human entertainment and psychology.
	Imposed Restrictions:	Ken'ichi cannot stand artificial restrictions placed upon his person. While he grudgingly acknowledges the need for "rules" and "regulations" in order to maintain peace, safety and order, he feels stifled by such restrictions. This has lead to him bending or breaking any rule he feels he can get away with, living by the motto of it being "better to ask forgiveness than permission". However, despite his rebellious nature, Ken'ichi will never break a rule if doing so would increase the chances of an ally or innocent coming to harm.
	Disorder:	While this may seem at odds with his rebellious disregard and contempt for "imposed restrictions", Ken'ichi cannot stand being in a disorderly environment, nor does he hold any love toward chaotic or haphazard situations. His love of combat seems to be an exception in this regard, as while combat is by its nature chaotic, Ken'ichi seeks to impose order on any battle he finds himself within through a process of careful observation, and calculated maneuvers orchestrated with mathematical precision. While Ken'ichi holds order, discipline, and organization in high regard, he is far from obssessive-compulsive when it comes to cleanliness or order. As such, while he expects his subordinates to keep their quarters clean, and relatively well-organized, he is quick to overlook inconsequential details, providing the overall standard is moderately high. Those who fall short of this standard however, do not often last long under his command. Those who show disrespect for basic "orderliness" can expect swift reprimand, and consequences for their disobedience. Given Ken'ichi's own disregard for rules and restrictions, expecting his subordinates to hold themselves to even this standard is more than a little hypocritical of him.
	Injustice:	While insanely intelligent and a master of many fields, Ken'ichi does not lord his abilities over his peers. In fact, Ken'ichi feels great contempt toward braggarts, believing arrogance to be a sign of self-doubt and emotional weakness. In his eyes, if one is truly gifted in their art, there is little need to "show off", as the fruits of their efforts would be self-evident. From his point of view, if someone feels the need to draw attention to their work, it shows a lack of self-worth, or failing that - skills that do not measure up to their own inflated sense of self.
	Auto-Didactic Study:	Ken'ichi has an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and spends vast quantities of time dedicated in scientific research, and self education. Ken'ichi's love of the sciences comes second only to his love of women, and only by a slight margin. There are few things in this life Ken'ichi enjoys more than to spend hours (and sometimes days), toiling away in his laboratory conducting experiments of one form or another, or locked away in his personal study absorbing information at a remarkable pace. So great is his passion, that Ken'ichi has become a self-trained polymath in a number of different scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, electro-mechanical engineering, and astronomy.
	Tsujigiri (Random Killing):	Tying in with his strong moral code, Ken'ichi finds the practice of Tsujigiri abhorrent and contemptible. Those who would slay another innocent soul, simply for the purposes of practicing a new technique are in his eyes, among the worst of criminals. Utterly despicable, such individuals do not deserve the air they breathe, and must be brought to justice at any cost. While slaying an inferior foe in combat is detestable, those who would slay a weak and defenseless innocent simply for the purpose of testing a new technique are the lowest of the low.
	Training/Practice:	Ken'ichi believes in the principle of keeping One's mind and body in perfect harmony. To that end, Ken'ichi spends several hours daily training his body, and practicing his combat kata's. To him, enrichment of the mind at the sacrifice of the body is detrimental to long term health. Likewise, as a shinigami, it is his duty to keep himself in physical fighting fitness. In addition to that, Ken'ichi finds the act of practicing his techniques meditative, allowing his mind the opportunity to wander while simultaneously allowing his subconscious mind to percolate. There is little Ken'ichi enjoys more than to honing his skills to sublime, mathematical precision.
	Furry/Chibi/Cute Things:	Soft, fuzzy, and impossibly cute animals melt Ken'ichi's stoic exterior, causing him to explode in a cute-gasm of variable magnitude. With that being said however, Ken'ichi refuses to keep such adorable critters about his quarters, as he knows full well how quickly such beasties will distract him from his training and research. In a similar vein, Ken'ichi's heart melts at the sight of all manner of small, chibi, and/or cute things including babies, children, small adults, and anyone even remotely attractive.
	Intellectual Discussion:	As an intellectual himself, Ken'ichi loves debating the finer points of various sundry topics, even those outside his particular fields of interest. To that end, Ken'ichi would be more than willing to debate the philosophical differences between Shinigami and the outlook of various other races. Finding someone from another race willing to sit down and discuss such topics in a calm, collected manner is another story however.
	Being Heir:	As heir to the Shihoin clan, it will one day fall to Ken'ichi to govern his once great and noble family. In his youth, Ken'ichi had no desire to lead the Onmitsukidō as was the duty of the Shihoin Daimyo, nor did he hold much interest in the tedium of noble politics. Ken'ichi much preferred to practice his swordplay or bury his nose in the book of some scientific text than to engage in monotonous tea ceremonies, political discourse, or other courtly activities. Given the families disgrace and decline in recent decades, Ken'ichi finds the prospect of leading the family daunting. Where as he would have previously abdicated his position should the honor of Daimyo fall to him, in light of recent events he would feel obligated to assume the responsibilities awarded him, although finds the prospect unappealing, as it would undoubtably cut into his precious research time, training, and other pursuits. In this regard, Ken'ichi sincerely hopes that Okami gives birth to a suitable heir, and that "her" reign ushers in a revival for the Shihoin clan. The last thing Ken'ichi wishes, is for Okami to die without birthing an heir, or worse yet - being forced to challenge for leadership due to incompetence.

Flaws

	[Trait] Black Sheep:	Ken'ichi is the veritable "Black Sheep" of the noble, Shihoin Clan. While he is officially the heir apparent of the Shihoin Clan, Ken'ichi has expressed no desire to lead his family, and has stated that "if ever, the responsibility of governing this family were to fall to my shoulders, I would gladly abdicate in favor of someone more worthy of governing the role". Ken'ichi would much rather spend his time neck deep in women, research, or both and sincerely hopes that Okami lives long enough to give birth to an heir and take the weight off Ken'ichi's shoulders. Not only this, but Ken'ichi has shirked the Shihoin family tradition and has shown little interest in studying (let alone mastering) the ways of the Onmitsukido. The fact that Ken'ichi has shown little interest in one day leading the Shihoin comes to great relief to the rest of his family, as they find his hedonistic lifestyle and lack of tradition disgraceful and embarrassing, and are disturbed by his mild delusional psychosis. As a result, the Shihoin family believe Ken'ichi unfit to be the next leader of their prestigious and noble family, and are inwardly grateful he has shown no interest in pursuing his birthright.
	[Trait] Lecherous:	Ken'ichi is flirtatious and perverted, and will make passes at anyone he finds attractive (which is most people). So great is his lecherous nature, that Ken'ichi has been known to make passes at his opponents while in the midst of battle.
	[Trait] Unusual Speech:	Ken'ichi speaks in an unusual manner. Rather than using first-person pronouns, Ken'ichi refers to himself in a clinical, detached, third person frame of reference. Ken'ichi seems oblivious to the fact that he never refers to himself in the first person, and does not appear to be speaking in this manner consciously. When speaking of himself in the third person, Ken'ichi usually does so by referring to himself either by name, or by saying "This One". Those who are highly perceptive recognize that the reason behind his unusual use of third person pronouns is a result of his highly scientific, and rational and detached mind causing a small degree of self-disassociation.
	[Flaw] Self Neglect:	Ken'ichi will frequently neglect his health and well being when engrossed in research and other scientific endeavors. As a result, Ken'ichi will go long periods of time without rest, sustenance, and other basic necessities. While normally fastidious about his hygiene and appearance, Ken'ichi will also forego keeping up his appearance during such bouts of self neglect. Ken'ichi does not neglect his nutritional requirements and other necessities deliberately. Rather, he becomes so hyper-focused and tunnel-visioned on his work that he simply forgets, ignoring hunger and fatigue until such times as it becomes impossible.
	[Trait] Kawaii-Gasms:	Ken'ichi prides himself on self-restraint and maintains a deliberately aloof, yet friendly demeanor. Despite this however, Ken'ichi has an extreme soft-spot for the adorable, the fluffy, and chibi, and falls victim to the evil power of the "Cute". When faced with the impossibly cute, Ken'ichi's carefully constructed persona shatters (much like it does when he becomes smitten with a "beautiful" woman), and he fawns over the object of extreme cuteness with wild, enthusiastic enjoyment.
	[Quirk] Hammer Space:	While this trait is typically reserved for women, Ken'ichi has an uncanny ability to seemingly pull flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and other romantic gestures out of thin air. Ken'ichi is only able to display this ability when attempting to shower a prospective mate with his affections. Whether Ken'ichi truly manifests such items from "hammer space" or simply has them secreted about his person has yet to be revealed, however this ability has shocked his would-be date on many occasions.
	[Fear] Rabbits:	Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes in Ken'ichi's life was in watching Monty Python's "The Holy Grail". Since watching that movie, Ken'ichi has become increasingly leporiphobic. Convinced that the "Beast of Caerbannog" was inspired by a powerful, hollowfied rabbit, Ken'ichi is on a quest to uncover the whereabouts of this terrible beast, and end its reign of terror. It matters little that the "killer rabbit" in the movie was designed as a sight gag, and that it met its untimely end as a result of the "Holy Handgrenade of Antioch", Ken'ichi firmly believes that such creatures still exist, and must be hunted down and destroyed. Unknown to Ken'ichi himself however, the movie triggered a Post Traumatic Stress response, mirroring suppressed childhood fears as a result of having been savagely bitten by a rabbit in his formative years.
	[Fear] Corruption:	Part of the reason Ken'ichi shirks his duties as heir to the Shihoin clan, is his fear of becoming corrupted should he attain such immeasurable power within Soul Society. This fear stems from witnessing the deep seated corruption and greed within the noble houses that sparked the Kasumi'Oji rebelion and the Shihoin-Kawada Conflicts some 45 years previous. In light of these tragic events that lead to the near-complete collapse of three noble families, Ken'ichi is ever mindful of his own ambitions, lest they consume him and lead to his downfall.
	[Fear] Technological Collapse:	As a self-proclaimed technophile, Ken'ichi fears the day in which mankind's greed or a stray solar event leads to complete techological collapse. While the chaos following such an event would be catastrophic, it is the loss of such technology itself that Ken'ichi fears more so than the loss of life that would accompany it. Having lived through more than seven centuries, Ken'ichi knows all too well the value of modern technology, and the sundry ways in which it has improved the world. While he knows such knowledge is easily recoverable, and has taken steps to preserve as much knowledge as possible within the Squad 12 barracks as a precaution, he knows the loss of such technology would be a major setback to any future scientific advances.

Goals

	Romance:	A hopeless romantic at heart, Ken'ichi desires to eventually meet the "one" true love of his life. That "one" special person that he may shower with his eternal love and admiration, and with whom he can share his deepest desires, secrets, and achievements.
	Ultimate Candy:	As a connoisseur of sugary foods, Ken'ichi has dabbled in the manufacture of chocolate, and other candies. While lacking the time to pursue his interest in the culinary arts, it his his desire to one day develop the "ultimate" confection, to rival all others.
	Rebuilding Squad:	In the aftermath of the amalgamation, Squad 12 has become a defunct and poorly represented squad. Ken'ichi has plans to rectify this situation, training up the unseated masses of his squad and rebuilding the squad once more into a powerful, fighting force. Concurrent with this goal, is the goal to modernize the Shinigami Research and Development Institute (SRDI), and fill its ranks with the brightest, most gifted, and most intelligent of his Squad. These talented individuals would also hold ranks of responsibility within Squad 12 itself, establishing a hierarchy of excellence which others may aspire.

Memorable Figure

Relationship

Status

	Shihoin, Hiroshi
	Shihoin, Akane
	Shihoin, Tomoe
	Hayate, Takahata
	Name

	Father
	Mother
	Sister
	Mentor (Crush)
	Relationship

	Unknown
	Deceased
	Deceased
	Deceased
	Alive

History

Shihoin Hiroshi
Perhaps the single most influential person in Ken'ichi's life is his own father. Brother of Jiro and Tetsuo Shihoin, Ken'ichi's father lived a life of prosperity and privilege. Raised in the shadow of his elder brother Jiro, Hiroshi fueled his efforts into attaining excellence in the Onmitsukido, rising swiftly through the ranks to become head of the Assassination force. It was Ken'ichi's father who sought out the finest instructors so that he may one day rise to become Kensei. When his aptitude in the scientific arts was discovered, his father spared no expense in his education. Sadly, living in his brothers shadow would come at great cost, for shortly after attaining leadership of the Shihoin clan, Hiroshi succumbed to corruption, leading not only to his own death but the downfall of the Shihoin clan itself. In this regard, Hiroshi has become known as the most infamous Shihoin in history, and brought great shame on his once proud and noble family.

Shihoin Akane
As a young soul, Ken'ichi spent a considerable amount of time with his soft-spoken, dignified mother. Ill of health even then, Akane rarely ventured outside the family residence at the Shihoin Estate, and spent the majority of her time wandering the private gardens reserved for the Hiroshi side of the family. Unbeknownst to Ken'ichi, Suigin's adult appearance and personality is an idealized memory reflection of his deceased mother Akane, and represents all that is good and kind in Ken'ichi's world. Sadly, Akane died during the birth of Ken'ichi's younger twin sisters while Ken'ichi was very young (at an apparent age of 6).

Shihoin Tomoe
Former Vice Captain of Squad 2, the eldest child of Hiroshi and Akane was a free spirited, rebellious youth. Even as a child, she was a gifted sneak and had natural stealth, and speed and was being groomed for acceptance in the Onmitsukidou. Growing into a talented shinigami in her own right, Tomoe rose through the ranks of her uncles squad to the eventual position of Vice Captain, a position she would hold until her death at the hands of mini-gillian. Ken'ichi idolized his elder sister, despite her teasing. In fact, it was his desire to live up to his sister, and follow in her footsteps that prompted him to join the Gotei 13 and challenge himself to excellence. Ken'ichi still harbors the feeling of loss at his sisters death.

Unbeknown to Ken'ichi however, his elder sister was secretly adopted by his parents. This secret was only known by a select few within the Shihoin clan. Outside of his parents, only Jiro knew the true identity of Tomoe, and the reasons why she was adopted into the Shihoin clan. With the death of Jiro and Akane both, Hiroshi remains the only person aware this secret ever existed, and with his rivalry and rebellion within Soul Society, he is unlikely to reveal this fact any time soon. This secret is also the reason why Hiroshi considers Ken'ichi his heir, rather than Tomoe as would normally be her "birthright". Despite the atypical beliefs of his father, it was within Hiroshi's right to skip over members of his family if he deemed them unfit for any reason, even if the decision was frowned upon by other members of the Shihoin family. Whatever reasons may exist, Jiro allowed Hiroshi the unusual privilege of overlooking Tomoe as the heir to the Hiroshi line of the Shihoin clan. This in and of itself would be unusual, but has never been questioned, at least openly. With Tomoe's death, it is unlikely that anyone will ever learn the true reasons behind the secret adoption, or the great lengths that Jiro and Hiroshi went to keep her identity secret.

Hayate Takahata
Takahata was an instrumental figure during Ken'ichi's youth. A master swordsman, he was originally hired by Ken'ichi's father to instruct his son in the ways of swordcraft. For the better part of a century, Takahata worked diligently in that task and over time, both he and Ken'ichi formed a strong friendship over their mutual respect and skill as swordsmen. True to character, Hiroshi dismissed Hayate from his service once he found his tutelage no longer necessary, and unbeknownst to his son - banished him from returning to the Shihoin Estate on pain of death. While Takahata was Ken'ichi's first and most memorable instructor, the greatest lessons he taught him were not ones of the blade, but ones of the heart. Courage, honor, respect, and above all - friendship.

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[PTab=Zanpakutō]

Zanpakutō

	Name:	Suigin Kawa (水銀川, Mercury River)
	Traits:	Item, Bound, Unique, Empathic, Metal

Type:	Elemental (Metal)	Theme:	Liquefaction
Shikai:	水銀川 Suigin Kawa	English:	Mercury River
Bankai:	水銀神竜 Suigin-shin Ryū	English:	Mercury God Dragon

Zanpakutō Appearance

	Sealed:	While the unmatched beauty of his shikai cannot be understated, even in its sealed state, Suigin Kawa is beautiful to behold, yet despite its beauty, does not sacrifice any of its deadly function. In its sealed state, Suigin Kawa appears to be a straight-edged katana of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Gold-leaf filigree etchings adorn the rear edge of its silvery-white, reflective blade, while the weapons rounded Tsuba is decorated with intricately carved metallic feathers which spiral out from a central point in a multi-pronged shuriken-style pattern, and inlaid with gold-leaf etching. The black, cloth-wrapped tsuka (hilt) of this exquisite weapon is embroidered with eye-catching gold and silver thread, accenting each of its folds. In place of a traditional menuki, Suigin Kawa sports a large oval sapphire set in a gold-accented, silver setting. Three filigree silver and gold feathers flank this sapphire on either side, and gracefully radiate upward toward the tsuba. Finally, the kashira (pommel) of Suigin Kawa, is of comparatively simple design and made of gold-plated steel, accented with a smaller, more circular sapphire aligned with the one on the hilt.
	Shikai:	Said to be one of the most beautiful zanpakutō in all the Sereitei (if not the most beautiful), Suigin Kawa initially manifests as an exquisite, swept-hilt german rapier of sublime beauty and peerless quality. Delicate feathered etchings run the entire length of its polished, silvery-white blade, while the hand guard is carved to resemble five layered feathers sweeping back toward the rear of the hilt, each feather etched with masterful skill to the point that each quill and line seems represented. Like the rest of the weapon, the hilt itself is equally detailed, with filigree etchings and crown-shaped pommel. The crosspiece, feathered hand-guard, hilt, and pommel are all accented with gold-leaf etchings, adding to the weapons innate beauty. Finally, large ovoid sapphires are inlaid in the crosspiece and pommel. However, as a shapeshifting zanpakutō whose true form is that of a near-limitless quantity of silvery-white liquid metal, the appearance of Suigin Kawa can be somewhat mercurial, shifting in form from one weapon to another, or becoming a torrent of silvery liquid as need dictates. Despite this however, a common thematic design is found in most of Suigin Kawa's many variable shapes. Regardless of form, Suigin Kawa always appears manufactured in the same elegant style, and by the same master artisan. Intricate filigree etchings and relief sculpture carved to resemble delicate silver feathers decorate each of its many forms, each inlaid with a variety of gold-leaf and round sapphire accents. In addition, regardless of its form - the entire weapon appears to be made of a single piece of highly polished, silvery-white metal. When taking the form of a hand-held shield, Suigin Kawa manifests in the appearance of an elven-styled filigree kite, round, or tower shield; the outer edge of which is always expertly crafted to appear as sweeping upturned feathers of a graceful, metallic bird. In its liquid-state, Suigin Kawa takes the form of a highly reflective, silvery-white liquid of variable viscosity, and is always cool (but not uncomfortable) to the touch. In addition, an articulated, gothic-style plate gauntlet, carved in the same style materializes on Ken'ichi's left hand, and extends gracefully up his forearm. Identical feathered motifs, and gold-inlaid etching adorn this form-fitting protective armament. Running along the top edge of the gauntlet, three layers of razor-sharp, sculpted feathers sweep back from wrist to elbow, and outward. While capable of inflicting deadly slashing wounds in their own right, these expertly crafted feather-blades are so delicate in their appearance as to appear fragile, yet surprisingly, have the strength and resiliency of spiritually reinforced, carbon-steel.
	Bankai:	Initial Release Upon initial release, Ken'ichi's zanpakutō and clothing undergo the same metamorphosis as mentioned in his Shikai above (assuming Ken'ichi is activating his Bankai from a sealed state, otherwise his appearance is unchanged). Simultaneously, rolling storm clouds fill the sky, and amidst a flash of lightning, a majestic 40 foot long silver-gold oriental dragon descends from the storm-front and curls itself around Ken'ichi, encircling him defensively in its metallic, serpentine body. Suigin-shin Ryū stretches 100 feet long from nose to tail, and its coiled serpentine body is easily 5 feet across at its widest point. Its dog-like leonine head is fully 6 feet long, and just over half as wide, and its square muzzled jaw is filled with razor-sharp golden fangs, and a flicking dagger-like forked tongue. TSuigin-shin Ryū's amber-gold eyes shine with keen intelligence, as it studies the battlefield. While lacking a mane, the dragon possesses four long tapering silver-gold moustaches which extend beneath its flared nostrils, two on each side. In addition, six wiry whiskers extend from her chin in a semblance of a beard. A double row of golden spines run down Suigin's back, ending in a metallic, feathery tail similar to that of a lions. Extending from her mid back, Suigin possesses three pairs of razor-sharp, silvery wings, each over 20 ft. long. Were that not enough, Suigin possesses two powerful, reptilian arms each ending in wicked, three-clawed hands, with which to menace her foes. While sprouting feathery metallic wings, her long serpentine body is covered from head to tail in thick silver-gold scales which reflect and refract any light which falls upon them, potentially blinding those who look upon her magnificence, especially in light of the fact that the storm clouds which herald her arrival, dissipate almost as swiftly as they formed. Second Form (see Gallery) Suigin's liquid-gold body rises from beneath Ken'ichi's feet encasing him in a suit of ultralight dragon-scale armor made of silver-white scales as beautiful as they are durable. Layered over the polished silver-white scales, Ken'ichi wears a skin-tight bodysuit weaved from nanoscale filaments of liquid metal, that while appearing to be made of fabric, are every bit as durable as the armor itself. Gold-accented pauldrons, and retrograde draconic greaves add to the beauty of the armor, while a pair of golden tiger claws affixed to his gauntlets grant Ken'ichi increased offensive capabilities. Articulated white-feathered wings armored with thick, golden plate armor rise from between Ken'ichi's shoulders. Elegant, and of peerless beauty, the soft white feathers appear deceptively delicate, but are just as durable and resilient as the metallic scales that grace Ken'ichi's armor. A double-row of golden scales ending in a wide, rudder-like tail, and a fully enclosed helm styled with long draconic horns and golden face-plate complete the armor. The sword (or other weapon) held in Ken'ichi's hand undergoes its own transformation, lengthening at both ends to become a highly stylized two-bladed sword. Each of the weapon's two blades measures some 5 feet long, with the total weapon length measuring 11 feet (including the hilt). The same stylized feather motiff that graces his shikai is found on this mastercraft weapon as well. Were it not for his power armor, a weapon of such scale could only be wielded as a polearm, but Ken'ichi wields it lightly in his left hand as if it was but a common arming sword.

Theme

Suigin Kawa is a potent, metal-type zanpakutō whose primary ability is to duplicate itself, creating vast quantities of silvery-white, liquid metal in the process. This thick, viscous metal fluid is an excellent thermal and electrical conductor, and shares many properties in common with quicksilver (mercury). While suffering from long repressed trauma, Ken'ichi's zanpakutō suffered greatly, causing his powers to become corrupted, and malignant - consuming any organic or inorganic matter it came in contact with in order to fuel its abilities, and repair the disharmony that existed within Ken'ichi's soul.

While Ken'ichi initially believed that this liquid-metal was some form of liquefied matter, he has since realized that the liquid-metal itself is in fact, the true form of his zanpakutō, and that it can duplicate itself by absorbing nanoscale quantities of inorganic matter in order to replicate itself and increase its total volume. The amount of matter absorbed is negligible, and causes no visible effect to the object, save that it creates a spreading volume of silvery-white liquid in a thin film across any inorganic matter his blade makes contact with.

Ken'ichi has complete, telekinetic control over his zanpakutō at all times. This control is absolute, and cannot be overridden by any power or effect, allowing Ken'ichi to mentallly conjure a vast array of solid metallic-constructs from the silvery-white liquid that makes up the body of his zanpakutō, cause the liquid to move across solid surfaces, reshape its dimensions, or cause his weapon and/or any of its various clones to fly through the air at his mental command. He can solidify, or reliquify any portion of his zanpakutō he wishes, and can separate his zanpakutō into multiple liquid-volumes, in addition to any number of solid metal constructs. It's state of matter cannot be altered by any power or effect other than Ken'ichi's mental command.

Not even reducing the liquid-metal to absolute zero will cause his zanpakutō to freeze, or the hottest temperatures cause his weapon to melt (or vaporize), unless he wishes it. This does not prevent the liquid-metal from becoming deadly cold, or blisteringly hot however. It merely prevents it from changing phase-state.

Inner World

	Description:	Ken'ichi's Inner World takes the form of a tranquil Japanese garden. In the nearby distance, a traditional Japanese Gazebo made of soft white bamboo decorated with deep, crimson edgework. The roof of the gazebo is lightly stained natural bamboo cut in half vertically and placed in slats, the ends of each accented with the same crimson paint, making them appear as if they were small arches when looking from beneath. Cross-hatched lattice work frames the gazebo, with two bamboo steps leading up to the entrance. The floor of the gazebo itself is made of straw tatami mats, upon which soft, plush cushions are arrayed haphazardly. The garden itself is masterfully landscaped with a variety of flowering plants of all shades and hues. To the right of the gazebo, a small manmade waterfall cascades gently into a nearby stream before crossing the path. Silver-gold koi fish swim lazily in the trickling stream, which flows beneath a small bamboo bridge. The stream itself winds lazily through the garden, before ending in a small circular pond. Surrounding the pond are deliberately placed round stones upon which people can sit and watch the fish, while overhanging it are three willow trees whose branches reflect in the mirrored surface of the pond below. Cherry blossom petals float lazily through the air, while dozens of flowering cherry blossoms, jacaranda's, and hibiscus trees are scattered throughout the scene. Overall it is one of beauty and tranquility, with the exception of a small locked metal shed, which appears out of place in the scene. The shed itself is weather-beaten and rusted, and appears made of haphazardly placed corrugated iron. Dark spiked chains encircle the shed and are padlocked with over 100 padlocks. Surrounding the shed, a pool of liquid mercury acts as a small, miniature moat. Looking upon the shed fills Ken'ichi with trepidation. So uncomfortable does the shed make him feel, that he is fortunate that it is usually hidden behind large flowering plants, blocking most of its view.
	Zanpakutō Spirit:	Appearance: Suigin has the appearance of a delicate, pre-pubescent girl made entirely out of a dull silvery-grey liquid. Her round, flawless face and youthful appearance is in stark contrast to her piercing, steely-grey eyes which give hint to the sharp, intelligent mind hidden within. Suigin wears her metallic, blue-grey hair in a simple shoulder-length style tied loosely with a yellow-gold ribbon. Her long, straight-edged fringe ends abruptly just above her eye line, while two locks of hair frame her face to either side, just in front of her ears. Standing approximately 3' 11" tall, Suigin is dressed in a flowing, blue-grey kimono with exaggerated sleeves which trail gracefully to a point just above her knees and which are tied to the bodice by beautiful, cross-hatched threads, revealing a small hint of her upper arm beneath. Tied at the waist by a sash and accented with tasseled, yellow-gold cords, Suigin's kimono flares outward at a point just below the knee, revealing her bare, youthful legs. Preferring to go barefoot, Suigin lacks any kind of footwear, and walks with a solid step on her small, child-like feet. Suigin's entire appearance has a mercurial, amorphous quality, with parts of her clothing appearing made entirely of some gravity-defying liquid, which flows "upward" in a haphazard, asymmetrical way. Ethereal trails of silvery-grey liquid swirl gently about her entire person, while Suigin clutches an orb of condensed liquid-metal between her delicate, child-like hands. Small, glowing orbs of reiatsu dance gently about her person, completing her appearance. When in Bankai, Suigin's appearance appears graceful, and mature. Long, silvery-white hair flows gracefully down her back, ending at a point below the waistline. Her youthful, child-like appearance is likewise replaced with that of a beautiful, full-grown woman in her early 20's. Her yellow-gold ribbon has been replaced with a delicate, silver-gold hair net. Made of finely woven chain links, and accented with a large oval sapphire which rests gently upon her forehead, the headpiece gives Suigin a regal, elfin quality. Wisps of silvery-white metal swirl gracefully about her elfin-like form, and encircle her wrists and forearms like ethereal bracelets. Her hands are encased in delicate, silver, scale-mesh gloves, accented with gold-leaf feathers. While still going barefoot, her shins are now adorned in delicate scale greaves fashioned in the same style as her gloves, accented with exquisite silver-gold feathers at the knee. Wrapped about her waist, and curling upward to her left shoulder, a delicate silver-scaled oriental dragon with piercing gold eyes and long chin whiskers perches, its platinum feathery wings folded neatly behind its body, or spread across both shoulders. With sublime grace and poise, Suigin's every movement is fluid, giving her the appearance of flowing across the ground rather than walking. During Bankai, her metallic, steely-grey coloration takes on a silvery-white gleam, and appears to glow with faint luminescence, while the trails of silvery-grey liquid which swirl about her person take on an ethereal, almost transparent quality, yet at the same time appear to glow from within. Completing her appearance, a pair of ethereal feathered wings extends upwards from her waist. With each feather appearing to be made of delicate, silver-gold metal, each delicate wing rises several inches above he head, and grant her the ability to fly, or hover gracefully on currents of air. Personality: Suigin is playful and childlike in her Shikai form, and has a soft youthful outlook on life similar to that of a 5 or 6 year old. Despite her outward demeanor however, Suigin is highly intelligent and insightful, and will often point out flaws in Ken'ichi's strategy with the blunt truth of innocence. Somewhat shy, Suigin can be sometimes difficult to coax into "playing" with Ken'ichi when doing so is of a serious nature (such as training), however she can often be bribed into participating through the promise of candy or games. In her adult form, Suigin is reserved and effeminate, and portrays herself with noble dignity. In this form she is soft-spoken and appears to have a forlorn sadness in her gaze as if she knows something Ken'ichi does not. This is not far from the truth actually, as Ken'ichi had suffered psychological trauma in the Human World so severe that he has repressed all memory of the incident. Despite this, the effects of this trauma, compounded with the betrayal of his father and long imprisonment in the Senzaikyu has left deep psychological wounds on Ken'ichi manifesting in his eccentric behavior and speech patterns. Suigin recalls the incident with perfect clarity, and has extreme sadness over the mental scars it has left upon her wielder, yet at the same time is patient and willing to wait until he recalls the incident himself rather than risk inflicting additional trauma by reminding him prematurely. Suigin is protective of Ken'ichi and loathe to trigger his memory prematurely. In her adult form, Sugin also represents Ken'ichi's noble honor, and the noble duties which Ken'ichi is loathe to accept. In this respect, she is a constant reminder of his station and what is expected of him, and the future desire that he will eventually embrace his nobility with conviction.
	Inner Hollow:	Appearance: Ken'ichi does not possess an Inner Hollow. Personality: N/A

Combat

	Kenjustu 剣術	Of those who know of Ken'ichi's skill with the blade, most cannot understand why a scientist of Ken'ichi's caliber would dedicate himself so strongly to the fighting arts. While it is true that Ken'ichi began studying Kenjutsu many decades earlier, upon unlocking the mysteries of Science, Ken'ichi's eyes were opened to an elegant, yet deceptively simple truth of combat. In his eyes, each slice of the blade is little more than a precise movement of a Fulcrum, one which obeys the Physical Laws of Motion, and has calculable trajectory, momentum, and inertia. While others see combat as an art, a way of life, or as a survival skill, Ken'ichi views it as a mathematically precise application of Physics, and views combat as a scientific experiment in precision. It is perhaps for this reason that Ken'ichi has come to be known among his peers as the Kenakki (Sword Demon), as his use of physics and mathematical calculations during combat make him a demon on the battle field. Seeing every movement through the eyes of a Physicist, Ken'ichi seeks to master his combat techniques to mathematical precision. It is not good enough for him to simply have his blade connect with his opponent. He must know the precise mathematical force of each and every sword strike, and is not satisfied unless his blows land with the precise expected results. Connecting with too great, or too little force implies an error in calculation, judgement, or a lack of facts on his part. None of which, Ken'ichi finds acceptable under any circumstances. By paying such close attention to detail, Ken'ichi has long since mastered his sword techniques, and handles his zanpakutou as if it was not only second nature, but an extension of his arm. This statement is closer to the truth than many people realise, as in Ken'ichi's mind, the blade is but an extension of the fulcrum that is his arm, and one whose physical properties are known, and therefore have calculated results. Having mastered such techniques, Ken'ichi is an expert at controlling the "Gate" (space between himself and his opponent), and is able to effortlessly predict his opponents attacks, and counter them with mathematical precision. Having mastered three separate schools of Kenjutsu, his knowledge of controlling the gate is greater than that of many opponents, and incorporates a wider variety of strikes (waza) and counters (kage-waza). Blending techniques from three styles makes his overall combat style unorthodox and less predictable as a result. While the vast majority of Kenjutsu techniques must be preceded by a feint, some strikes do not require a preceding subterfuge. Called Jinsoku Ouda (quick strikes), these attacks are performed by placing one hand at the base of the tsuka (to provide longer reach), and the other at the ridge of the blade to provide the initial force, the user seeks to flick the sword as quick as an arrow toward the target, and can be performed from any angle. While on the offensive, Ken'ichi favors the use of these swift, precision strikes against his opponent, in preference to more powerful (yet highly telegraphed) attacks. This is especially true, when one considers that the postures used in such techniques are hidden, and their ready positions are implemented while switching hands, or while changing steps.
	Kenpō 剣法	Kenpō (剣法; lit. fencing) is a system of self-defense, whose Kanji translates to mean Fencing, or "Sword Law". It consists primarily of evasion, slashing, stabbing, blocking and countering techniques, and while it does not typically teach its students how to attack, individual techniques vary considerably from one school to the next. Ken'ichi's fighting style makes heavy use of both hand-to-hand, and sword-based Kenpō techniques. Favoring conservation of energy, and mathematical precision in his technique, Ken'ichi is well aware that it requires far less energy, and far more reliable, to counter an opponents blow and strike at them while they are vulnerable. While Ken'ichi studied this technique extensively during the century he mastered Suiō-ryū, Ken'ichi also makes use of unorthodox Kenpō techniques found in Kukishin-ryū Kenpō. In particular, Ken'ichi is known to make use of the upward slashing techniques made famous in that particular style, as few opponents expect attacks from such unexpected trajectories.
	Nitōjutsu 二刀術	Nitōjutsu (二刀術; lit. two-sword method) is typically characterized by the use of a paired katana and wakizashi (known collectively as a daishō). While Ken'ichi prefers to fight with a single weapon, leaving one hand free to employ hakuda or kidō as needed, Ken'ichi will resort to this combat technique if the situation demands it, or an opportunity presents itself. When using Nitōjutsu, Ken'ichi prefers to wield his katana in an atypical reverse-blade form, making it less easily predicted than the more traditional forward-blade style. When fighting in this way, Ken'ichi will more often default to reverse-blade Kenpō attacks with his katana, while keeping his wakizashi readied to parry an opponents attack. Rather than being predictable however, Ken'ichi will also suddenly switch styles to forward-blade katana and/or reverse-blade wakizashi even mid kata. When using his Ittou Suigin technique to split his zanpakutou into two different weapons, Ken'ichi can apply his knowledge of Nitōjutsu to other types of paired weapons as well (such as paired axes, escrima, sais, and other such weapons). He is not however, proficient in the use of paired flails (such as paired nunchaku). This proficiency only applies in respect to using his Ittou Suigin technique.
	Iaijutsu 居合術	Ken'ichi has extensively trained in the art of drawing his zanpakutō with lightning speed, and has gained unparalleled mastery of Iaijutsu over the past 400 years of practice. With this style, Ken'ichi can draw his zanpakutō with uncanny speed, and simultaneously strike his opponent with a single, fluid movement. More often than not, such a ferocious and sudden attack will catch all but the most careful of opponents unawares, with deadly consequences. This skill is reflected in Ken'ichi's knowledge of the Iaijutsu technique.
	Yadomejutsu 矢留術	The art of arrow-deflection is a highly demanding form, and one which few schools of combat teach. Fortunately for Ken'ichi however, Maniwa Nen-ryu, his first and oldest school of combat is one that does. Through proper positioning (stance), and carefully timed maneuvers, users of Yadomejutsu can predict the path of an opponents arrow, and deflect it harmlessly away from their person. True masters of this style such as Ken'ichi himself have been known to deflect several arrows in rapid succession, but even they have their limits. Facing a full volley of spiritual arrows, even a master of yadomejutsu knows to employ other defenses. This technique came invaluable to Ken'ichi during the Quincy Extermination some 200 years ago, saving him from certain death on several occasions. While demand for such technique has been in great decline, the recent rise of the Vandenreich has prompted Ken'ichi to begin training others in its use.
	Shunpō Master	Ken'ichi has spent the majority of his life practicing, and mastering the arts of Shunpō. Learned instinctively during early childhood in an attempt to keep up with his agile, and dextrous sister Tomoe, Ken'ichi spent the majority of his formative years seeking to emulate and catch up to his wayward sister, whom he idolized. Ken'ichi did not undergo formalized training in the stepping techniques until his tutelage under Master Hayato, at which time he was officially instructed in the correct footwork, and ready stances. Due to having learnt Shunpō instinctively as a child, Ken'ichi excelled at this training, and experienced accelerated growth and mastery of his techniques as a result. Upon entering the Gotei 13, Ken'ichi quickly rose to being top in his class in Shunpō, and was given specialized training in more advanced stepping techniques even during his first year at the academy. During such time, Ken'ichi learned the arts of blending shunpō with combat techniques, and quickly mastered the use of shunpō karin. It was at this time that Ken'ichi was singled out by Squad 2 as a pupil to watch. Jiro Shihoin could not have been more proud of his nephew, yet kept his distance so as not to give the allusion of favortism. Upon graduating from the academy however, Ken'ichi had scored such high marks in his lessons (only coming second to Rillen Hakudo in his graduating class) that he was hand-picked to join his uncles squad as a low-ranked seated officer. During his time in the ranks of Squad 2, Ken'ichi was personally instructed in a variety of stepping techniques by the greatest masters within the squad, as well as being personally trained in the secret arts of the Shihoin clans most well kept techniques. Ken'ichi excelled in all his studies, and quickly mastered many of the most powerful stepping techniques to the point where he developed his own unique variations and combinations of them. These techniques served him well as he ascended the ranks and was eventually transferred to the recon squad (Squad 3). A position he held until he was forced to go into voluntary exile at the end of the Shihoin-Kawada conflict. During his exile, Ken'ichi was pursued relentlessly by rogue kasumi'oji operatives for reasons unknown, and were it not for his mastery of Shunpō, and the various stealth arts he learnt as a member of squad 2, Ken'ichi would have surely been discovered, and captured.
	Genius Intellect	Ken'ichi is perhaps one of the most gifted and intelligent minds in all of the Gotei 13. Despite having been instructed by some of the most talented and prolific instructors in Soul Society, Ken'ichi's keen intellect, insight, and natural aptitude resulted in him mastering complex combat, and scientific techniques at a young age. Ken'ichi maintains an extensive library of scientific textbooks, journals, and research data compiled from the Human World and Soul Society, and whilst he has yet to read even a quarter of the documents in his collection, he spends vast amounts of his spare time engaged in research. While he has a good working knowledge of most scientific fields, his specialty lies in the realm of physics and engineering. Ken'ichi has a doctorate level knowledge of both applied and theoretical physics and quantum mechanics, and has a keen understanding of the quantum nature of souls and the methods by which souls transition from Soul Society to the Human World, or be corroded to become Hollows as a result of radioactive decay. Most of this knowledge is theoretical, but it affords him a unique understanding of Hollow evolution, and the connection between Shinigami and Zanpakutou at a quantum level. In addition, Ken'ichi is an expert at both electrical and mechanical engineering, and has studied human engineering techniques at length. While not a true master of such, he is keenly interested in the sub-fields of robotics and cybernetic engineering, although he has yet to devise any revolutionary breakthroughs in the field.
	Master Tactician	While Ken'ichi is usually excitable, overly enthusiastic, and hyeractive - his unorthodox and highly eccentric behavior hides a sharply cunning intellect capable of swiftly recognizing an incoming threat, analyzing it, and reacting with a methodically calculated reaction at rapid speed. Unfortunately, outside of release, Ken'ichi's hyperactivity and impulsivity gets the better of him, causing him to act rashly without fully thinking through the ramifications of his actions. During release however, his impulsivity is calmed and his mind sharpens to an almost cold, calculating, razor's edge. Highly analytical, and with superior pattern recognition skills, Ken'ichi can deduce an opponents strengths and weaknesses after even the briefest observations and interactions. Not one to reveal the strength of his own hand so readily however, Ken'ichi is not above using cunning and deception to "play the fool" in order to catch his opponents off-guard. So great is Ken'ichi's ability to strategize, that he frequently spends his downtime formulating strategies and contingency plans for even the most unlikely of scenarios, if only for the enjoyment of keeping his prodigious intellect limber.

Fighting Style

Kenakki (Sword Demon)

As a member of Squad 12, Ken'ichi's opponents are prone to underestimating his combat prowess, falsely believing that because he is a scientist, he must also be a second-rate combatant as a result. While Ken'ichi's scientific expertise is more than sufficient to justify his lofty position, many opponents have discovered to their chagrin, that he is an equally gifted, and deadly swordsman. Despite his great skill, Ken'ichi seeks to lull his opponents into a false sense of superiority, often feigning weakness or inferiority, in order to manipulate or misdirect his opponent, and obfuscate his overall strategy whenever possible.

Unlike the majority of his opponents and contemporaries, Ken'ichi is a master of not one, but three separate schools (koryū) of combat, and spends a minimum of 4 hours practicing his katas each day. Initially a student of the ancient Nen-ryū school, founded in 1368, and later renamed Maniwa Nen-ryū in 1591. After having mastered his technique for over two centuries, he later broadened his knowledge to include the teachings of Jigen-ryū (revealed reality) and Suiō-ryū (water gull style), and even European fencing. Having trained in the sword arts for over 600 years, Ken'ichi is a peerless master of his technique, and blends techniques from all four of his known styles into a seamless, and deadly whole. His overall style is one of speed, agility, and conservation of energy. A shrewd tactician, Ken'ichi's fighting style employs a mixture of calculated feints, and counters, combined with an aggressive and highly technical array of offensive techniques.

When fighting, Ken'ichi favors fast, precision attacks that take advantage of any opening his opponent may grant him, or any which Ken'ichi created as a result of countering his opponents strike, and using their own momentum and inertia against them. When facing a ranged opponent, Ken'ichi prefers to bide his time, relying on defensive techniques, footwork, kidou, and liberal application of his Shikai or Bankai in order to strike his opponent from unexpected trajectories, while expertly closing the distance to his opponent. When fighting defensively, Ken'ichi relies heavily on his mastery of fencing and Kenpō, a highly defensive style Ken'ichi mastered while studying Suiō-ryū.

While a skilled Kidō practitioner, Ken'ichi prefers to fight up close and personal, and strongly favors the use of his zanpakutō and mastery of shunpō over his kidō arts. This is not to say that he is opposed to its use however - only that Ken'ichi prefers to keep his Reiatsu arts in reserve, for those times when his opponent is more formidable than usual.

Shikai Fighting Style
Knowing is half the battle, and with that principle in mind, when releasing his zanpakutou Ken'ichi is careful to keep as much information about his zanpakutou secret as possible. This is done in an effort to keep his opponent guessing and off-balance, and to maintain the advantage of surprise over his opponent. To that end, Ken'ichi's fighting style when released is largely dependent upon the needs of the situation. Ideally, Ken'ichi would prefer to keep his zanpakutou techniques in reserve, engaging his opponent in melee in an effort to strike them with his weapon and begin the process of liquefaction. Upon contact with an opponent, or their weapon - Ken'ichi will attempt to convince his opponent that his zanpakutou contains a powerful acid-like effect, demonstrating it by striking the ground and generating pools of liquid-metal for later use. In addition, once Ken'ichi has drawn attention to his zanpakutou's "acidic" nature, he will then attempt to convince his opponent that the pools of liquefied matter are completely harmless.

Should the situation demand it however, Ken'ichi will instead launch his assault with his Hane Yaiba technique in an effort to score an early lead on his opponent. Succeed or fail, this attack will generate liquid-metal which can then be controlled mentally at any point thereafter. Then, if an opportunity presents itself, Ken'ichi will unveil another of his zanpakutou secrets, by attempting to strike or grapple them using a liquid-metal pseudo-pod. Once his ability to control the liquefied matter has been revealed however, Ken'ichi will quickly incorporate telekenetic assaults into his arsenal, seeking to keep his opponent at a disadvantage by striking them from multiple simultaneous directions.

As always, Ken'ichi attempts to lull his opponent into a false sense of security. As an alternative strategy, Ken'ichi may begin his assault by using Ittou Suigin in order to convince his opponent that his weapon is simply a harmless, shape-shifting zanpakutou, while concealing the truth about its abilities. When employing such tactics against his opponent, Ken'ichi will endeavor to close the distance between his opponent in order to make physical contact as above, surprising his opponent with his zanpakutou's deadly abilities in the process. Due to the painful drawbacks inherent in its use, Ken'ichi rarely utilizes his third and final technique unless pressed into a corner. Upon revelation however, Ken'ichi will make sparing, but calculated use of Suigin Keitai in addition to his other techniques, taking full advantage of its defensive capabilities in order to become that much more aggressive in his offense.

Regardless of which of his zanpakutou technique(s) and abilities Ken'ichi chooses to reveal to his opponent, Ken'ichi's shikai fighting style is largely unchanged from his usual style. When released, he continues to press any advantage presented to him by his opponent, while simultaneously making liberal use of his considerable combat expertise and hohou techniques. The blending of his zanpakutou techniques with his fighting prowess however, affords Ken'ichi the luxury of becoming more aggressive in his assault, yet at the same time, Ken'ichi continues to uphold the principle of conserving energy.

Bankai Fighting Style
Upon initial release, Ken'ichi's fighting style is determined largely upon whether he had previously activated his Shikai, or whether he was activating his Bankai from a sealed state. When releasing his Bankai from a sealed state against an opponent with no prior knowledge of his zanpakutou techniques, Ken'ichi will seek to lure his opponent into believing the dragon is the only real threat his opponent faces, and will endeavor to convince his opponent that the dragon is merely a physical fighting-type zanpakutou, whose only threat is its deadly fangs, claws, and razor-sharp metallic wings. Naturally, his opponent would most likely seek to fight toward the center or far-side of the deadly serpentine arena, hoping to stay out of reach of the dragons deadly fangs and claws. Such an action plays right into Ken'ichi's goals, as doing so will draw the opponent closer to Ken'ichi and his deadly zanpakutou and its horrifying liquefaction properties. Upon first learning of its deadly effects, Ken'ichi will likewise seek to convince his opponent that his zanpakutou is an acid-type zanpakutou as with Shikai above.

Against an opponent with prior knowledge of his zanpakutou capabilities however, or while activating his Bankai while already released, Ken'ichi's primary objective will be to press his opponent and wear down their defenses, relying on telepathically coordinated strikes from both Ken'ichi and Ten no Suigin Shin Ryu itself. Perfectly synchronized, the telepathic link between Ken'ichi and Ten no Suigin Shin Ryu goes beyond mere telepathic communication. In fact, such communication is completely unnecessary, as both act with a single shared consciousness, allowing them to react to each others actions with perfect synchronization, as if they were two parts of a single whole, rather than two separate entities. What the dragon perceives, so too does Ken'ichi, allowing him to react to threats he could not otherwise see with his own eyes. This makes it all but impossible to surprise Ken'ichi with attacks from a flanking position so long as it is something the dragon itself can observe.

Fighting seamlessly as a highly efficient, coordinated team, Ken'ichi and Ten no Suigin Shin Ryu almost always fight in a hyper-offensive way. Given the fact the dragon itself is almost impervious to injury, should Ken'ichi find himself in danger, he relies on his draconic companion to shield him from injury with its own body (typically its wings or massive serpentine body). This allows Ken'ichi to forego most of his defensive techniques, except in those rare situations where the dragon is unable to compensate for his opponents techniques.

Were that not enough, Ken'ichi's Bankai techniques afford him even greater control over the mercurial protoplasm created by his zanpakutou. This allows him to conjure mercurial warriors to fight alongside himself should he feel it necessary, or blast his opponents with a powerful breath weapon from his dragon in addition to enhanced (class 2) versions of his shikai techniques. While being a kidou-based metal-type zanpakutou, regardless of form, Ken'ichi prefers to use his zanpakutou as more of a fighting-style weapon, relying on its kidou-based techniques as infrequently as possible. To Ken'ichi, it is not enough to simply blast his opponent into oblivion, or melt them into protoplasm. He would much rather to impale his enemies upon the tip of his blade, or slice them down with one precise swing of his zanpakutou, or carefully timed bite of his dragon than to rely on his zanpakutou's unique abilities. This is not to say he won't take advantage of them, or put himself in unnecessary danger should its use be necessary. It only means he would much rather use physical force than rely on the immense power of his zanpakutou's liquefaction properties.

Specialty: Lorem Ipsum

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Shikai

水銀川 Suigin Kawa

Rank:	A	CH	ST
Soul:	Wolf	25	-

(Mercury River)

Traits:	Zanpakutō, Sustained [5], Henshin, Metal, Mental
Effect:	Liquid Metal Generation On physical contact with a Person; Object; or Reiatsu Construct (eg. barrier), Ken'ichi's zanpakutō generates [1] Stack of Liquid Metal; Max [5] Stacks in Shikai; [10] Stacks in Bankai; Ken'ichi can exceed these limits by paying [5] Stamina for each additional Stack he wishes to maintain. This Liquid Metal is the true form of Ken'ichi's zanpakutō and gains all the benefits (and properties) of a Release Weapon. End of Post: This technique generates [+1] Stack of Liquid Metal at the End of Ken'ichi's Post (if desired). Ken'ichi's zanpakutō counts as [1] Stack of Liquid Metal for the purpose of his *zanpakutō techniques* (but does not count toward his limit), and generates Liquid Metal on contact; regardless of its current Form. Absolute Control Ken'ichi possess Absolute Control over all Liquid Metal generated by this technique. Such control cannot be Disrupted; Impeded; or Manipulated; by any outside Technique; or Effect. Ken'ichi can Divide his Stack(s) of Liquid Metal into smaller Stacks (or Merge several smaller stacks into a larger unit). Each Stack of Liquid Metal remains in its current Liquid; or Solid; State regardless of Temperature; according to Ken'ichi's wishes. Not even the absolute extremes of temperature (such as the liquid being reduced to Absolute Zero or it's temperature increased to 20,000K+) will cause it to Freeze solid, or Vaporize into Plasma (unless Ken'ichi wishes it). Liquid Metal (Resource) Ken'ichi can Spend or Burn this Liquid Metal as a Resource to power his Linked Techniques. Spent Liquid Metal has been temporarily converted into another form (such as a Weapon; Pseudopod; or other effect). Effects which Burn [1+] Stacks of Liquid Metal physically destroy those Stacks. In both cases, Stacks of Liquid Metal that have been Spent; or Burnt; still count toward Ken'ichi's Total Stacks. Object Creation Ken'ichi can Transform [1+] Stacks of Liquid Metal into the following Forms at no Cost. Pseudopod [1+]: Ken'ichi can Spend [1+] Stacks to generate an Amorphous Psuedopod to Bludgeon or grapple his enemies. Each Pseudopod has the following statistics: - Strength & Durability: [50] per Stack - Strike Speed: [200] Shikai; [300] Bankai - Movement Speed: [50] Overcoming the Pseudopod's Durability; causes it to momentarily lose cohesion, but does no lasting damage. Constructs [1+]: Ken'ichi can Spend [1+] Stack(s) of Liquid Metal to create a small; large; or huge; Metal Construct. Small [1] Stack: No larger than a weapon, shield, or similar-size object. Strength [50]; Durability [200] Large [3] Stacks: No larger than a horse, person, or similar-size object. Strength [100]; Durability [200] Large [5] Stacks: No larger than a house, wagon, or similar size object. Strength [200]; Durability [400]
Drawbacks:
Kaigo:	"Ooze and flow forth. Suigin Kawa!"

Bankai

Lorem Ipsum

Rank:	XXX	CH	ST
Soul:	XXXX	75	-

(English Name)

Traits:	Zanpakutō, Sustained [10], Henshin
Effect:	Lorem Ipsum
Drawbacks:	Lorem Ipsum
Incantation:	Lorem Ipsum

Zanpakutō Techniques

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Henshin (Transformation)

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Other Techniques

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