"Sharp thorns produce delicate roses."
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Bankai Theme
Name: Hiro Masumata
Appearance: Standing at six foot one and weighing in at a hundred and seventy three pounds, Hiro possesses a well defined musculature and an athletic built. His eyes which generally appear to be light brown, are tinted with a hue of red. The likes of which only shows when his irises are hit by moonlight or a light of similar spectral consistency. He has a tri-pronged vertical scar upon his left cheek running over his eye; received by Seiki Arashi during their duel, moderate length brown hair, and ears that are slightly pointed at their tips. Masumata wears his custom captain's haori over his black Shihakusho.
Age:269
Race: Shinigami
Rank: Captain, Seventh Division
Spiritual Energy Color: Crimson Red
Personality: Hiro is polite, soft-spoken and intellectual. Often addressing his subordinates by their given names. He rarely shows any sign of alarm or distress and often has entire situations planned out well in advance. Due to his upbringing, he is also extremely disciplined. Thus, is capable of taking and executing orders without hesitation or second thought on the matter. However, he will not hesitate to question an order should he believe it to be flawed. While he initially appears to be a very kind, well-respected man, Hiro is known to be protective. Thus is easily angered when someone he admittedly cares for is at risk.
Despite the fact that Hiro rarely shows it, he can at times be an extremely outgoing and fun loving individual. When exemplifying this, Masumata possesses an actively creative sense of humor and is known to be flirtatious around women. This however, ties into the fact that he is a self proclaimed gentleman. Thus goes out of his way to ensure he always behaves in a respectable manor when dealing with, or around females.
It should also be noted that although generally discreet about it, Hiro possesses a strong degree of hate towards Hollows and Hollow-kind. This hate is especially strong when dealing with Arrancar. Although it is publicly unknown exactly why he developed such a hate for them, said hate is so vivid that he will often attack any being in possession of hollow-esque reiatsu immediately and without hesitation. Still, this is not his greatest flaw. Although usually nigh impossible to provoke; with exception to the above, when truly enraged, Hiro seems to lose most of his semblance of self. As a result, he oft mirrors an living embodiment of violence. Therefore, when in this state, Hiro will often attack anyone, or thing, that gets between him and the object of his rage with little regard for his own well being.
History: Having become an orphan following his parents' deaths; Hiro, born Rein Tokiwa, was adopted into the Masumata family at age three. Thus, as Hiro Masumata, grew up in the Masumata mansion in Seireitei. Being the only child of Kiri and Genjeiru Masumata, Hiro's youth was consumed by countless hours of training. An attempt by Genjeiru to prepare his son for the day he would become the head of the Clan. Thus, Hiro was home schooled and never attended the Shino academy.
Approximately One-hundred years ago, Hiro got his first taste of real battle when an small group of traitorous shinigami attempted to assassinate his family. Although he was able to fend off and even kill a few of the attackers, it was his adoptive father who ultimately drove them back. Albiet at the expense of his life. Leaving a widowed Kiri in command of the small yet wealthy clan. Sadly, Genjeiru's loss eventually proved to much for the woman. Hence, on the thirty-third anniversary of his death, Kiri forfeited her life. Leaving the fate of the Masumata Clan in young Hiro's hands.
Approx. A Sixty-five years ago, Hiro fell in love with a shinigami by the name of Ai Tashimoto, who was a commoner from Rukongai. Five years later, when she had graduated from the Shino Academy, Hiro proposed to Ai. Whom agreed to marry him. Outraged by his actions, Hiro's uncle, Junta, took immediate action to prevent 'further tainting of the Masumata bloodline'. As an result, Hiro was challenged - or rather ambushed by Junta and his loyalists to a duel to the death. However, as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, one of Junta's henchmen threw Ai between the two. Causing Hiro's blade to strike her instead, ending her life. In a blind rage, he slaughtered his uncle as well as his three companions.
While he was not persecuted for their deaths, killing them had lost him the favor of the other Noble families. Soon after, on the graves of his parents and lover, he swore that he would never let someone he cared for fall ever again. Roughly thirty years ago, Hiro became an Lieutenant and was placed in Nanabantai, the Seventh Division.
Interestingly, it wasn't until ten years ago, that Hiro earned the true respect of the soul society and ascended to the rank of Captain. As it was then that Hiro along side two captains, fought to protect Karakura town from an sudden onslaught of hollow attacks. Though it was unknown as to why they attacked, it was the unveiling of Hiro's bankai that led to their defeat. Thus, it wasn't until after said battle that he acquired his namesake and was bestowed the Moniker "The Beacon of Seireitei". Sadly, his captaincy came at a heavy price. As it was because of the death of his friend and Captain Seiki Arashi, that Hiro, via direct trail by combat, was granted Captaincy. Although their battle was a result of Arashi confessing herself to be a traitor and the perpetrator behind the hollow attack, Hiro's public victory made him the first of his bloodline to ever claim the rank of Captain.
Since becoming a Captain, Hiro has spent endless hours training with members of both of the second and eleventh divisions, and has used elements of both division's teachings to reinforce and redesign the training regime of the seventh division. Hiro also took it upon himself to have his division host an annual Hakuda tournament as a way of both gauging and improving the skills of the Gotei thirteen as a collective whole.
Other: Hiro wears an small silver medallion which bears the symbol of the Masumata Clan upon it. It is kept hidden beneath his clothing (Refer to third symbol after quote).
Shinigami Skills:
- Immense Reiryoku (3/4): Hiro has been noted to possess an enormous amount of inherent spiritual power, the likes of which he is capable of finely controlling. Although Hiro's reiryoku level is not overly spectacular, it is considered to be above the usual level of the average captain-class shinigami.
- Incredible Reiatsu (4/4): Despite only possessing an above average degree of reiryoku for some one of his rank, Hiro's reiryoku, when exerted, is his highly concentrated. As an result, his reiatsu levels are far superior to that of the average captain's. Hence, while those whom possess an exceptional level of reiatsu themselves are often spared its effects, most shinigami of lower caliber are susceptible to his reiatsu's side effects. Which situationally include, parylization, fear induction, and phantom pain affliction. However, the severity of these conditions can vary depending on the individual affected, as well as in accordance to the size of the gap in power between Hiro and themselves.
- Pathetic Kido Ability (0/4): Hiro is incapable of casting even the simplest of kido spells. While this is due mostly to an general lack of interest in the aforementioned, thus is, in theory, remediable. Hiro currently shows no interest in doing so.
- Zanjutsu Grandmaster (4/4): Like most members of the Masumata Clan, Hiro specializes in swordsmanship. Trained since he could walk in the art of Zanjutsu, Hiro's talent with an sword is one of excedingly rare quality. Despite his relatively young age, Hiro is capable of effectively fighting ambidextrously with anything which even remotely resembles an sword. Both when dual and single wielding. While he does not yet consider himself to be at his peak, there are currently very few individuals in the Soul Society whose skill with an blade equals, or surpasses his own. Most notable among the few are Goken Kuribayashi, the current Captain Commander, and Zume, the Captain of division twelve.
Hiro's preferred method of combat is the Masumata Clan Zanjutsu centered style Known as Warutsu. Warutsu, also known as the Extirpating waltz, is a combative form that simultaneously utilizes elements of hakuda, and hoho to improve the effectiveness of one's zanjutsu. It forces the practitioner to view their zanpakuto as an extension of their physical being. Both by encouraging movements that wouldn't normally be applied while using zanjutsu, as well as movements that are frequently used, in order to keep the opponent on their toes.
Unlike traditional styles, Warutsu also uses Hakuda as a means of reinforcing and empowering each of the weapon's movements. Much in the same way it uses Hoho to increase the speed at which the practitioner is capable of acting and reacting. Both with and without a weapon. Due to this, the practitioner is capable of utilizing an unorthodox and wildly unpredictable style to maximize damage while simultaneously minimizing potential risks. Warutsu also allows Hiro to switch between traditional and non-traditional styles on the fly. Allowing him to be widely versatile.
- Hakuda Master (3/4): Due to the nature of his training growing up, as well as personal efforts on his part, Hiro's skill in Hakuda in noted to be formidable. While he isn't physically stronger than an active shinigami of his size and build, his intimacy with hand to hand combat makes him an difficult foe in a brawl. Skilled in many forms of martial arts, Hiro is a very well rounded fighter whom is just as capable of dishing damage out, as he is of withstanding it.
- Impressively Intellictual (3/4): Hiro has always possessed the inherent ability to adapt to and learn things fairly quickly. Thus, has never struggled to understand an new or unfamiliar phenomenon. Because it is also in his nature to think somewhat analytically, Hiro has proven himself capable of effectively dissecting and evaluating situations with minimal effort. A trait which he best exemplifies during combat.
- Incredible Knowledge (4/4): Hiro has taken it upon himself to be as well informed about the world as is feasibly possible. Hence can often appear to be an know it all when it comes to general facts about most things. However, his area of mental expertise is in what he calls 'battle strategics'. Which involves knowing specific information about possible combative inquiries. Involving things such as weaponry, combative shinigami and hollow techniques (passive and aggressive), the combative abilities of both shinigami and hollows (passive and aggressive), various locations within the Soul Society, the capabilities of his fellow captains, and the relationships between them.
- Hoho Master(3/4): Hiro has long been noted as being one of the Soul Society's most proficient Hoho users. While he is not the fastest by far in his normal state. He is capable of easily out pacing the average high caliber shinigami. More notably though, is his high level of inherent flexibility, maneuverability and reflexes. As he has been seen executing physical maneuvers which most shinigami would struggle to perform with relative ease. Although it remains purely hearsay, the are rumors circulating about Seireitei that Hiro was once able to stop an arrow his bare hands. To this day, he simply shrugs when asked.
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---Zanpakuto---Name: Kagirinai / That which never ends
Type:Unclassified
Sealed appearance: In it's sealed state, Kagirinai appears as an silver wedding band embedded with rubys and diamonds. A form which mimics the wedding band Hiro was to receive from Ai.
Inner world: Hiroshi's Inner world is his mental depiction of the end of the universe, or it's heat death. It consists only of the last star in the Universe, which he refers to as the Cold Star, sitting on the edge of a Time dilating Vortex that prevents the Universe from actually ending. It represents the constant inner struggle within Hiro. Who is frequently torn between his desire to protect those he loves and destroy those he hates. According to Kagirinai, his reluctance to forget Ai is also reflected in this depiction as well.
Spirit appearance: Kagirinai often appears as an human-like female figure with long red hair. She wears an seductively form-fitting attire constructed from leaves and vines, and possesses palely fair skin. Kagirinai's eyes are a luminous green color with white sclerae in this form. Alternatively, when angered, Kagirinai will sometimes appear as an enormous black scaled dragon adorned with crimson rose petals as fur, and vines as tails. Her eyes glow a solid and scorching yellow in this state. Which is her true form.
Shikai apperance: During Shikai Kagirinai's appearance becomes that of an rose hilted sword. The handle of which of comprised of hard, bark-like vines. The wrist guard is made up of a large fully bloomed red rose, while the blade is composed of a braided shaft of intertwined vines which bear hundreds of sharp thorns upon its surface. Despite its appearance, the entire weapon is sturdy enough to survive blows from even the sharpest of swords. Although it does sustain aesthetic damage, Kagirinai is able to constantly and rapidly repair itself. The blade tears away at its target as opposed to cutting through it.
Shikai command: Root yourself, Kagirinai.
Shikai Special Ability: Kagirinai has the ability to absorb reiatsu and convert it into physical matter. Primarily photosynthetic organisms. Although these constructs take on the likeness of various plants, because they are made entirely of reiryoku, they operate as many kido spells do. Thus are highly resistant to most physical confrontations, yet susceptible to reiatsu based attacks and interruptions.
Passive Abilities:
- Kyuujin: (Absorption) - Kagirinai allows Hiro to use Photokinetic Regeneration. Allowing him to absorb light and use it to heal himself in a process similar to photosynthesis. The rate at which he heals is determined by both the severity of the wound as well as the available amount of external light. As Hiro is not able to absorb any light produced by another shinigami or an zanpakuto. It should be noted that the proficiency of this ability is greatly increased when Kagirinai is exposed to direct sunlight. As well as nullified when no external light source is present. I.E. when he is within complete and utter darkness.
Active Abilities:
- Moyasu: (Burn) - Hiro aims the tip of his zanpakuto at his target and slashes the space before him. As he does this, reiatsu is channeled along the blade, which strongly vibrates during the motion. This lets each slash launch a torrent of acid towards the desired target. This acid possesses strong penetrating properties, thus is capable of eating through most inanimate objects. Said acid also inflicts severe burns upon contact with the target's skin. Prolonged or excessive exposure can result in dismemberment and/or death.
Bankai appearance: In his bankai State Hiro's appearance, for the most part, does not change. Because of the effects of Shingai, Kagirinai no longer appears as an rose blade. Instead taking on the form of a broadsword with an retractable chain protruding from its hilt. The likes of which is fused to Hiro's wrist. He also gains wings and horns comprised of reiatsu as a result of Kagirinai reflecting its self image upon his flesh. It should be noted that Hiroshi adopts crimson and black paldrons, thigh, forearm and shin guards atop of his attire in this state.
Bankai command: Infernal Goddess! Blossom and grace me with your might! Bankai, Kagirinai Suenagaku!
Passive Abilities: - Empowerment: - Following activation Hiro loses the ability to use all of his shikai abilities. Inversely, gaining a large boost in physical strength, speed and durability. Doubling them. Essentially, his bankai's core release acts as an vitality buffer.
Active Abilities: - Shingai: (Gods armor) - Kagirinai temporarily physically bonds itself with Hiro. As an result, he becomes adorned with armor segments so hard that it can parry adeptly powerful strikes without ill effect. Because his body and zanpakuto body are now one, Hiro also gains Kagirinai's ability to convert reiatsu into matter. However is incapable of doing so except to perform his Kanakirigoe technique. While in this state his armor bits are almost completely impervious to physical attacks, meaning only powerful energy based attacks, attacks with an incalculable amount of force, and attacks upon unarmored areas are effective. Additionally, due to the effects of his bankai, Hiro's mastery over Hoho is intensified. Allowing him to move twice as fast. However, frequent use is extremely taxing. Thus Hiro is capable of easily out pacing most opponents, at great expense to his stamina.
- Kanakirigoe: (Screech) - After collecting a large amount of reiryoku within his body, Hiro releases a laser-like beam of red plasma towards the target. This 'bellow' has enough destructive force to completely destroy an entire building with one blast. A direct hit from this attack would cause the target to be exposed to massive amounts of intense concussive force. However, due to the rapid pace at which this is done, the target's body would begin to rapidly break apart until they are reduced to an ash-like substance. Making it seem as if they had been disintegrated. The attack has a radius of ten meters and a range of one kilometer. Due to the amount of energy drain and strain Hiro is subjected to during the duration of this attack, it can only be used once per battle and will result in Hiro entering an temporary comotose state until he has recovered physically. Use when overly exerted or close to death can result in the user's death.
- Mugen Shindoo: (Infinite Vibration) - Utilizing the buffering effects of his bankai; Hiro becomes capable of such high speeds during Shunpo, that he is capable of producing after images so vivid that they are reminiscent of clones. By adding additional steps to his Shunpo, Masumata can create an maximum of two speed clones. The likes of which not only flawlessly possess his likeness, but also carry lingering portions of his reiatsu. Making the fakes detectable by only those whom are masterfully skilled in detecting reiatsu. In addition, Hiro is able to trade places with any one clone upto twice when this technique is used. The clones vanish after a few seconds, and are able of simultaneous my and separately dealing physical blows. Use of Mugen Shindoo is unlimited per battle, but heavily taxing. Thus, it becomes slower and less effective each time.