Gin Ichimaru [Approved: 0-3]

Name: Gin Ichimaru (市丸 ギン, Ichimaru Gin)
True Age: 510
Gender: Male
Personality: A snake bound by rules. Not others' rules... but his own. His loyalty never falters—as he's really only loyal to himself. Not in a selfish way, however. He doesn't feel he is almighty or someone super-special. The best way to put his loyalty is that it's never to a person or a group. He's loyal to what he feels. And his loyalty is incredibly deep. He rose through the ranks of the Gotei, betrayed the same organization, and fought against members of the same organization—all to attempt to complete one goal: to kill Sousuke Aizen. His loyalty seeps into how thorough he is. Even Aizen could not see Gin betraying him. There are no stones left unturned in a search by Gin. There are no traces of his schemes. And there is no way anyone could read it from his face.

Gin's face is one of his most intimidating factors. Always smiling with his eyes slanted, he's constantly compared to a snake. His smile may not always be sincere. However, it's hard to tell when he is or isn't sincere. He speaks indirectly—rarely referring to people by name or the like. He's also fond of mocking politeness. This is the sort of "That's a nice ___, it would be a shame if something happened to it" act. He may not actually do anything, but he enjoys seeing people getting all upset and paranoid over something that may or may not happen. It's a hobby of his—messing with people's minds that is. He does this through what was mentioned above as well as sarcasm. He isn't beneath using cheap, stock one-liners like "That went well." He may be on the sidelines and criticize others with his sarcasm.

However, beneath the serpentine mask Gin does have a sort-of soft side. He vowed to kill Aizen because he was the boss of Shinigami who had stolen part of Rangiku's spirit. She is one whom Gin didn't wish to hurt, but he also had to make sure Aizen believed him. Gin doesn't have anyone else whom he cares for like Rangiku. This isn't to say that he loves her in the sense of a relationship. He doesn't find a relationship like that to be anything more than trouble because he feels they could be used against him. Gin would still protect Rangiku like he did on their first meeting. However, Gin prefers that she doesn't know where he is. If there are any remnants of Aizen Loyalists... she's an easy target for blackmailing the traitor.


Appearance: Gin's overall appearance is not as normal. He keeps his eyes constantly narrowed to slits, rarely ever opening his eyes enough to reveal their bright sky blue-color. Although he appears to be an early to mid twenty-year-old person, he is unusually thin and tall with very sharp features, giving him a skeletal appearance. He bears unusual silver hair (his name refers to his hair color; gin [銀] is Japanese for silver). He also keeps his face set in a wide mocking smile, which he only wipes off on rare occasions of annoyance, surprise, confusion, or even sadness. Gin is now seen wearing a white hakama like the Espada, instead of the black ones he was last seen in. Gin wears his robe open in a narrow 'V' down to his waist, closed to below the hips, and then open again to the hem, which falls about to mid-calf. His robe has long bell sleeves, into which he hides his hands like some do with kimono sleeves. The lining of the robe and edges or layers of the under-robe(s) appear to be black. From other examples, it is likely he is also wearing black tabi with white waraji. His Zanpakutō is not visible with this outfit. He kept that outfit because he said "it fit his style."

Appearance Age: Mid-20s
Height: 185 cm (6'1")
Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs)




Unreleased Abilities:
Genius Intellect: When Gin was younger, he was hailed as a child genius. He was highly proficient in his classes at the Shinigami Academy, and he graduated in one year. His skill was already evident at a young age when he gained a seated position in the 5th Division shortly after graduating, ultimately surpassing the previous child prodigy Kaien Shiba, who was already an adult and had taken five years to become a seated officer. Gin has shown himself to be highly manipulative and deceptive. He comes out unscathed due to the calm confusion he plays at, which is a testament to his overall strategy. In his battle with Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Gin was able to manipulate the positions of three people so Hitsugaya would have to choose between saving his own life or Hinamori's without any visible effort. He is capable of simple deception by having his opponent focus on one thing while hiding the true threat.

Master Swordsman: Gin is a highly proficient combatant. In combat, he doesn't seem the least bit taken back by the abilities of his opponent, even when they seemingly have an advantage. He fights with seemingly no effort behind his attacks, as he always wields his sword with one hand. His combat skills were evident even when he was a child. He easily defeated and killed the former third seat of the 5th Division, who by rank and age should have been more powerful and skilled than him. Gin was able to effortlessly keep the upper hand against Tōshirō Hitsugaya, a Shinigami known for his intellect and skill in Zanjutsu, during their battle. He is commonly seen using his Zanpakutō's special ability, which is capable of killing multiple targets in one shot, allowing him to be quite deadly at a distance. He is able to mix extreme speed with a calm composure and precise attacks.

Great Spiritual Power: Gin possesses captain-level Reiryoku. Gin, without any visible effort, easily incapacitated Chad, Orihime, Uryū, Makizō, and Ganju with his Reiatsu just by facing their general direction.

Shunpo Expert: Though never actually shown using this in combat, after his battle with Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Gin used an impressive Flash Step to retreat. He was also able to fight on even grounds and keep up with Ichigo while the latter was using his Bankai.

Enhanced Durability: Gin is durable enough to withstand a direct hit from Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai-enhanced Getsuga Tenshō, only suffering a light wound to his forehead as a result.

Kidō Practitioner: Gin's actual skill level in Kidō is unknown, but he was able to teleport himself and Aizen a considerable distance using "Sentan Hakuja". He was also able to cast "Hakufuku" on Rangiku Matsumoto, preventing Sōsuke Aizen from perceiving her Reiatsu.

Zanpakutō: It looks like an ordinary 40cm wakizashi. The hilt is light-blue with a tsuba made of two slim swirls of metal looping around the blade to make an open oval, resembling an "S".
Zanpakutō Release Phrase: "Shoot to kill" (射殺せ, Ikorose)
Other Weapons: None



Zanpakutō Spirit Name: Shinsō (神鎗, God Spear; Viz "Sacred Spear")
Zanpakutō Spirit Appearance: Shinsō is a masked monk, about sixty years of age. He is bearded, although he wears a fox mask. His eyes are mis-matched with one being grey and one brown. In his left hand, there is a rusty, nondescript spear. His garb is simple, mimicking his owner's current outfit although inverted. However, his right hand is bandaged up. His right hand, when unbandaged, reveals a white snake's head. Its poison kicks Gin out of the world if he is injected with it.
Zanpakutō Spirit Personality: Snarkier than his master, Shinsō is a bit of a jerk. He constantly criticizes Gin, even when Gin did what he meant to do. His main complaints with Gin are on Gin's aim with his Shikai. However, Shinsō's main complaints overall are with other people. Talking about how rude other Zanpakutō spirits are, how barbaric some people are, etc. No one is above Shinsō's criticisms except Shinsō himself.
Zanpakutō Spirit's World: Shinsō's world is a simple shrine interior.

Spoiler:

Shikai: Shinsō (神鎗, God Spear)
Shikai Appearance: None.
Shikai Abilities: In its Shikai, Shinsō's blade glows white when it extends at high speed to impale Gin's opponents from a distance. The blade also carries tremendous force when extending, as seen when Gin pushes both Ichigo Kurosaki and the giant Jidanbō out from under the Seireitei gate, despite the latter being firmly braced under it. In addition, Gin can maintain the extension and swing the activated Shinsō in wide arcs, attacking multiple targets quickly and simultaneously. Shinsō's maximum length is equivalent to one hundred times its original length (meaning  40 meters), earning it the nickname Hyapponzashi (百本差し, Hundred-span) when Gin was younger. Gin can extend Shinsō's blade twice per post with a one post break.

Yarisazame (槍紗雨, Gossamer Rain of Spears): Yarisazame is activated with the command "Rain" (降り注げ、, furi sosoge). Gin performs Yarisazame by extending Shinsō into the air, causing  fifteen swords to rain down on an area that glows white. It essentially splits Shinsō's tip into 15 as it bends. Each one only extends 20 meters as opposed to Shinsō's 40. He can do this once per post or count it as an extension for Shinsō's main ability. It requires a two-post recharge to use again.

Bankai:  Kamishini no Yari (神殺鎗, God-Killing Spear)
Bankai Appearance: In its Bankai form, Gin's Zanpakutō does not change in appearance at all, retaining its small wakizashi form.
Bankai Abilities: Gin's Bankai's abilities are essentially the same as his Shikai's, but its force, cutting power, length and speed are vastly amplified to the point where Gin is capable of swiftly cutting an entire town in half with a single slash while standing a great distance away. As Kamishini no Yari, Gin claims that his sword can extend itself up to 13 km (8.1 miles) at 500 times the speed of sound: exactly 171,500 meters per second in order to arrive at its full length in under 0.08 seconds, which makes it not the longest Zanpakutō, but the fastest. The blade can also retract to its normal size at the same rate. Because the blade's extension and contraction speed is a highly dangerous ability, Gin tends to downplay its speed whenever he talks about his Zanpakutō, and instead focuses on the length and power of the blade in order to gain a psychological advantage over his opponent. When it extends, Kamishini no Yari acts like his Shikai and glows white before extending. Gin can extend once per two posts.
Korose, Kamishini no Yari (死せ, 神殺鎗, Kill, God-Killing Spear): Kamishini no Yari's true ability as well as its deadliest aspect is not based on its length or speed, but rather its ability to turn into dust for just a second when it expands out and contracts. There is a deadly poison inside the blade that dissolves and breaks down cells. He can leave a sliver of his Zanpakutō in an opponent when he retracts Kamishini no Yari, allowing him to kill an opponent by uttering the technique name, while placing his hand up to the target. The result causes the target to completely break down and dissolve at the cellular level from the inside out. However, it is not instantaneous—nor does the poison last forever. It takes four posts to break down someone completely. If Gin does not activate the poison within four posts of stabbing the opponent, then the poison is useless and the person has a two-thread immunity to the poison. If Gin is killed before the person is killed by the poison, then the poison disappears as do all effects caused by the poison. Gin can do this once per thread.
Butō (無踏, No/Null Step): By adopting a stance where he firmly grips Kamishini no Yari with both hands and places the Zanpakutō's hilt squarely to the center of his chest, Gin is able to unleash the tremendous extension and contraction properties of his Bankai to an even more terrifying extent than its normal state. This occurs in the form of a piercing maneuver where the extension and contraction of the blade becomes almost completely unseen to even the most-diligent of observers. However, the blade constantly glows white. Gin can not move while using Butō, nor can he turn. He has to lower the stance, move, and then return to the stance. He can extend once per post using this method.

Butō: Renjin (無踏連刃, No/Null Step Serial Blade): This ability repeats the action of extending and subsequently contracting Kamishini no Yari, as observed within the technique Butō, multiple times in rapid succession. The entirety of this process is completed in a mere moment, resulting in the individual steps involved in this technique becoming virtually indistinguishable from each other, generating an apparent mass of numerous blades that leaves little opportunity for the intended victim to evade successfully. However, the trajectory does not change much. Gin moves his hands slightly to change the angle to make a span. He may do this once per post with a two-post recharge period.

Character Background: While living in Rukongai as a child, Gin found Rangiku Matsumoto, a child herself, collapsed on the ground. He offered her some dried persimmon, which he was carrying at the time, telling her that if she could collapse due to hunger, she must have spiritual energy. Rangiku recognized that he must have spiritual energy as well. Following, Gin introduced himself to Rangiku, Rangiku commented on the strangeness of his first name. Gin and Rangiku's shared love of dried persimmon can be traced to that day. Following their meeting, Gin and Rangiku started to live together and it was during their time together that Gin asked Rangiku when her birthday was and she replied she didn't know, as she never really counted the days until she met him. Gin then told her that from then on, the day they met would be her birthday.

Gin also encountered Aizen while he and Rangiku still lived in Rukongai. While gathering firewood in a forest, he spotted Aizen and three other Shinigami (who were kneeling on the ground before him), through a clearing in the brush. Spying on them, he saw Aizen take a ball of pink energy from one of the Shinigami's hands and put it in a glass that contained the Hōgyoku. It was then revealed that earlier, Gin had seen those three Shinigami leaving the area where Rangiku was collapsed, carrying said ball of pink energy that he saw earlier. Realizing that Aizen must be the leader, Gin resolved to kill him.

Gin had a habit of leaving Rangiku most of the time and not telling her where he was going. During one such incident, Rangiku found Gin draped in a Shinigami's Shihakushō with blood on his face. When Rangiku asked him what he was up to, he replied that he had decided to become a Shinigami and change things so they would end without Rangiku having to cry. Gin and Rangiku joined the Shin'ō Academy together. Since then, Rangiku has been one of the few people Gin seems to truly care for.

Approximately 210 years ago, Gin graduated from the Academy after just one year, and was given a seated position in the 5th Division. One night, Aizen found Gin after the latter had killed the 3rd Seat of the 5th Division. Aizen praised Gin's efforts and asked his opinion of the 3rd Seat, to which Gin replied that the 3rd Seat was worthless. Aizen immediately gave Gin the now vacant 3rd seat of the 5th Division and covered-up the fact that Gin had killed the 3rd Seat.

9 years later, Gin is shown to be involved in Aizen's plot and assisting him in the Hollowfication of high ranking Shinigami. He is present at the Hollowfication of the investigation team sent by Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He watched the conversation between Shinji Hirako and Aizen. He didn't seem surprised at the arrival of captains Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi. Aizen proceeded to leave the scene of the crime with his henchmen, stating that "there's nothing more to do there". To stop them from retreating, Tessai performed Hadō #88, Hiryūgekizokushintenraihō against them, only to be countered by Aizen using Bakudō #81., Dankū, enabling their escape.

Some time after this, after Aizen became Captain of the 5th, Aizen told Gin the secret to avoiding Kyōka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis. Gin was still a child at the time when he was told about it.Sometime later, Gin served as the lieutenant of the 5th Division under Captain Sōsuke Aizen. Aizen and Gin saved the surviving young recruits of the Shinigami Academy – Momo Hinamori, Izuru Kira, and Renji Abarai, who were out on a field exercise, from a group of huge Hollows. Kira would later become the Lieutenant of the 3rd Division under Gin.

Gin eventually became the captain of the 3rd Division around the same time that Byakuya Kuchiki became captain of the 6th Division (less than 149 years ago). Gin, however, even as a captain of his own division, was still a loyal subordinate to Aizen. At some point during their captaincy, Aizen, Gin and Tōsen secretly visited Baraggan Louisenbairn, the King of Hueco Mundo and Lord of Las Noches. Aizen and Baraggan engaged in a light conversation as Gin and Tōsen watched. Aizen then released his Shikai and showed Baraggan the decimation of his army by the two other captains.

Some time when both he and Isshin Kurosaki were captains, Gin, along with Tōsen and Aizen, continued to conduct Hollowfication experiments whilst attempting to locate Shinji Hirako's group. Asked about their current progress, he told Aizen they had made none. Observing an ensuing fight between Isshin and a Hollow creature on a monitor, Gin noted that the captain left without permission, remarking that this could mean trouble. Dismissing his concern, Aizen requested a closer look. Later, arriving at the scene of the battle with the others, all three wearing reiatsu-concealing cloaks, Gin watched as Aizen cut down Isshin. Afterwards, Gin notes that Isshin realized the Hollow wasn't the one who cut him, and asks Aizen if it was okay to leave while Isshin was still alive and suspicious of what happened.

Gin first appears with Kenpachi Zaraki, and both were teasing Byakuya Kuchiki about his sister Rukia Kuchiki being sentenced to death, saying that he is depressed, as a noble family wouldn't stand to have a criminal as a member. Byakuya says that he didn't think lower-class people could understand the feelings of nobles. Kenpachi counters by telling him not really but he is very bright, and since he is so bright why doesn't Byakuya allow him to finish Rukia off before she is executed. Byakuya states he didn't know if with Kenpachi's level he could actually kill people. Kenpachi challenges him and the two were about to engage in combat, but Gin stops Kenpachi by tying him up and carrying him away.

After Ichigo Kurosaki defeats the gatekeeper, Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, in his quest to save Rukia Kuchiki, Jidanbō lifts the gate to give Ichigo and his companions access to the interior portion of Soul Society. Upon opening the gate, Ichigo finds Gin Ichimaru waiting for him on the other side. Gin purposefully exerts just enough effort to keep them from entering instead of killing them as he should have.

Later, a meeting of the thirteen division captains is called for him to explain his suspicious actions. Gin, being one of the thirteen captains, should have had no trouble destroying them. Gin merely chalks it up to a mistake on his part. Upon dispersal of the meeting, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya overhears a scripted exchange between 5th Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen and Gin, which is meant to further increase his suspicions of Gin's foul play; the exchange hints that Gin intends to kill Aizen.

As a result, Tōshirō later warns Aizen's lieutenant, Momo Hinamori, that Aizen's life might be in danger due to Gin and that Gin's lieutenant Izuru Kira, on good terms with her, might also be tainted. The next day, Aizen's impaled body is discovered by Momo, who immediately suspects Gin is the murderer; his appearance at the crime scene shortly after the fact and carefree attitude despite the seriousness of the situation only seem to confirm this. In a rage, Momo attacks Gin, but is intercepted by Izuru. Lost in her rage, Hinamori releases her Zanpakutō and fires an energy blast at Gin, but it harmlessly curves away from its intended target. Kira also releases his Zanpakutō in an attempt to stop her, but both are stopped by Hitsugaya and arrested. After they are taken away, Tōshirō notes that Gin was preparing to kill Momo. Gin calmly denies it, and Tōshirō threatens to kill Gin if even one drop of Momo's blood should be shed on his account.

After Gin releases Izuru from his cell, Tōshirō becomes suspicious and confronts the lieutenant and captain together. He is interrupted by Momo, who now thinks that Tōshirō murdered Aizen, and subsequently tries to kill him. She grips her sword so tightly that her hands bleed. Tōshirō acts upon his earlier threat and attacks Gin, releasing his Zanpakutō and warning Kira to get out of the way (he suggests at least a twelve-kilometer gap). During their fight, Tōshirō successfully freezes Gin's left arm, causing him to open his eyes and drop his smile for the first time. Upon being trapped by Tōshirō, he attempts to kill Momo as a distraction, but his attack is blocked by Rangiku Matsumoto, who threatens to fight him if he doesn't stop; Gin relents and disappears without saying a word. Rangiku remembers that Gin has also disappeared in such a way in the past, leaving her to wonder what he was up to.

Later, as Rukia is being led to her execution, Gin briefly appears on the bridge to tease her by giving her hope that he would stop the execution if she asked, only to admit he was lying after doing so, thus destroying Rukia's hard-built peace over her coming execution and showing just how sadistic he can be. It is at this point that Rukia mentions her fear of him. This serves only to increase suspicions that Gin was the orchestrator of her execution.

As Aizen watches Hollowfied Ichigo fighting Byakuya from S.R.D.I., Gin approaches him, wondering if Ichigo already undergone Hollowfication. However, Ichigo is able to regain control over his body, which makes Gin disappointed. But Aizen tells him that there is nothing to worry about as everything is going according to his plan, and that it all begins now.

When Aizen is revealed to be the mastermind behind the entire conspiracy, Gin is revealed to be nothing more than a subordinate and decoy. As Aizen extracts the Hōgyoku from Rukia's body, he instructs Gin to kill her. Gin releases his Zanpakutō, but Byakuya appears and rescues Rukia, taking the hit in her place. Aizen, Gin, and Kaname Tōsen are then cornered by most of the other lieutenants and captains. Gin is captured by his friend, Rangiku. The three escape to Hueco Mundo with the help of the Menos Grande and are deemed traitors to Soul Society. Before leaving, Gin tells Rangiku he would have liked to be held by her a little while longer, and apologizes to her (this being another rare moment where he is seen without a smile).

After Kaname Tōsen severs and destroys Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez's arm, Gin accuses Aizen of being cruel and playing with his subordinates just as Aizen comes down from his throne room. Aizen notes that Gin was eavesdropping. Gin points out that Aizen knew that Tōsen would do that as soon as Aizen said what he did. Gin goes on to remind Aizen that they lost five Arrancar. Aizen replies that it is of no concern as they were merely Gillians. Aizen goes on to say that when they have assembled enough Vasto Lordes, the Espada will be complete and then no one will be able to stop them.

It wasn't long after that when Juhabach arrived. Aizen forged an alliance with the Vanderreich. Gin still plotted to take down Aizen... but he'd also have to find a way to deal with the Quincy. In the battle for Fake Karakura, Gin fought a new Captain... although he wasn't being entirely serious in the fight. After wounding the Captain, Gin fled to Aizen's side only to see Aizen and Yamamoto in flames. Gin used his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari, to deal more damage to Aizen while in the fire. Gin states that if he didn't, Aizen would probably have survived. Though that probably is just him gloating. During the mass-confusion afterwards, Gin was able to slip out of the area. He hid around in the deserts of Hueco Mundo, building sand castles and hiding from random patrols. Only recently did he re-emerge... although on Earth. He approached the Vizard Squadron completely out of the blue. Despite many swords being drawn towards him, he smiled and pulled out a resume. He also said that without Aizen, there wasn't really any need for him to be wanted. He had no intentions of returning to the Soul Society or harming the Gotei 13.

Roleplay Sample:
"My, my... this is quite unexpected." The snake-eyed Captain stared at the strange fiery sphere ahead of him. Having just left a battle with a Captain, Gin was slightly fatigued. He only had a single shot. However, he also knew that the fire would immediately melt Shinsou's blade. How? Well, considering the sand beneath the sphere was turning into glass... Gin made a pretty educated guess. He'd have to use something so fast that the flames wouldn't have time to melt whatever it was. Of course there was only one thing Gin had that could do that. Aside from Kidō, that is. Because if it was glassing the sands, the Kidō would probably disappear the same. Thus, he had to use that one ace... or rather in Gin's case—that one wild card.

"Looks like there's no other choice... a shame, I liked keeping it secret." Gin once again drew his Zanpakutō. He placed the end cap against his chest. He continued to stare at the flames' dance. He regretted that this was his only chance. "What a shame, what a shame." His one chance at killing Aizen. "Bankai. Shoot to kill—Kamishini no Yari." Nothing changed. He continued to stare ahead... he saw a gap—the face of Aizen's anger was enough for Gin to solidify his action. "Butō Renjin." The blade glew bright white. And that was it. It looked like a white pillar. It pierced through Aizen... hundreds of repetitious extensions of Kamishini no Yari. He stopped, resheathed the sword, and watched the fire sphere more. The flames died down, and there was nothing left of Aizen nor Shigekuni Yamamoto. "I guess you could say he was in a..." Gin turned away from the spot the man he despised perished in. He opened a gargantua as the remaining Quincy and Espada began battling one another. "...heated argument." The former Captain stepped through the blackened portal... not knowing what awaited him from then on.

• Name [X]
  
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• Appearance Present [X]
  
• Appearance Described in Appropriate Length OR Picture is Visible [X]
  
• Appearance is Not Claimed [X]
  
• 15 sentences for personality [X]
  
• History is 15 sentences [X]
  
• Powers are not Godmod/Overpowered [X]
  
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Comments/Notes: I don't see anything wrong with... anything. So yeah...
Tier: 0-3