Kuchiki, Byakuya [Approved 0-3]

Basics

Name: Kuchiki, Byakuya
True Age: At least 200.
Gender: Male
Personality: As the 28th head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya acts in an aristocratic manner — he always seems serene and apathetic towards other people, even while actually deeply conflicted. He is also notably calm, even in battle. He generally acts indifferent, bordering on arrogance, to most situations that he is faced with as shown from how he rarely views his opponent as being worth his time. Byakuya is easily offended if his name is not used properly. As such, he views Ichigo Kurosaki in disdain for always referring to him improperly. When Byakuya talks with Ichigo, he calls him by his full name. Byakuya is very perceptive and is fully aware of the limits of his abilities and usually anything he states in comparison to an opponent is justified. However, when he was younger, he was quick to anger and very hotheaded, as noted by his grandfather.
Byakuya strongly believes in law and order. As the head of one of the great noble families and as a Gotei 13 captain, he works hard for a peaceful society. He feels that if someone in his position does not follow the rules as a good example, no one else will. He also believes that to maintain the order, all law-breakers must be punished, even if it goes against his own wishes. Byakuya feels that "part of a captain's responsibilities are to make sure the lieutenant's responsibilities are taken care of". In spite of his icy and regal manner, Byakuya cares for and protects those important to him. After the events of the Aizen incident, he admitted that law isn't perfect and became more lenient towards his adoptive sister, Rukia.

Byakuya is also popular among the female Shinigami of Soul Society, and was voted number one in the "captain we desire to release a photo book for" poll taken by the Shinigami Women's Association. He likes Japanese cherry blossoms, night-time walks, spicy food and bananas, but he does not like sweets. Byakuya also excels in calligraphy

General Appearance

Appearance: Byakuya has slate gray eyes and long black hair, which he keeps up in intricate white headpieces. After the defeat of Aizen, Byakuya wears hairpieces at the back of his head, but it was noted that those hairpieces were not kenseikan. He now wears a variation of the captain haori with a high collar which has light gold on its edges and small, light gold tassels attached to the corners. He also wears fingerless white tekkou that covers only the back of his hands.

Appearance Age: Early 30s
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 64 kg

Natural Abilities

Unreleased Abilities:
Master Swordsmanship Specialist: Byakuya is a master of swordsmanship, capable of flawless precision and performing lethal attacks with little effort.
Shunpo Master: Byakuya is probably best known for his skill in Shunpo. Although having been taught by, but never beating "Goddess of Flash" Yoruichi Shihōin, he is still easily one of the most proficient users of this skill in all of Soul Society.

Senka (閃花, Flash Blossom): a special Shunpo technique where one moves to their opponent's back, directly attacking and sealing one's "Saketsu" and "Hakusui" in two rapid strikes (effectively cutting them off of their spiritual energy flow). This attack is his favorite to use. The technique is so fast that an opponent may not be able to tell whether they were attacked from the front or the back, and even an outside observer may find it impossible see the movements.
Utsusemi (空蝉, Cicada, referencing their molting): Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shihō. It allows for a movement at great speed, leaving an afterimage behind. It is a technique taught to Byakuya by Yoruichi Shihōin.
Kidō Master: Byakuya has displayed his knowledge of high level Kidō spells, able to cast several in quick succession without the incantation, with almost no effort, and still possessing formidable power. He has been shown to use spells up to level 81, and possesses advanced knowledge of Kidō application and consistency. He can use a low-level spell repeatedly in rapid succession and with devastating effects, as well as a counter to attacks. He even uses a low-level lightning spell to burn a hole right through Ichigo's shoulder.
Hakuda Combatant: While used less often, Byakuya is highly proficient in this area. Byakuya was able to stealthily knock out several Shinigami guards with a single strike each.

Immense Spiritual Power: He is capable of exerting an immense amount of Spiritual Pressure, which, in league with his already admirable combat skills and finesse, makes him one of the most formidable captains. His spiritual pressure can be felt from a great distance, and it has the tendency to make people perspire in fear. It is implied by Kōga Kuchiki that he is among the few immensely strong heads of the Kuchiki clan, further elaborating on his power level.

Master Tactician: Byakuya is a highly perceptive fighter, being able to almost immediately determine an opponent's attack patterns and weaknesses. He is also a crafty tactician, as demonstrated from how effectively he uses his Kidō to confuse his opponents. He can discern the motives and abilities of his opponents, and effectively uses his knowledge to end the battle in his favor.

Enhanced Endurance: While not having the most imposing appearance compared to other Shinigami captains like Kenpachi Zaraki, Byakuya has shown to be a very resilient fighter. During his fight against Ichigo, despite gaining severe injuries, Byakuya was still able to continue fighting effectively, and even ignored his wounds to the point where he seemed unfazed by them. At the end of the fight, he was still able to perform an impressive Flash Step to leave. During his fight with the 7th Espada Zommari Rureaux, Byakuya's durability proved great enough for him to willingly damage himself to escape from his enemy's possession attack, and continued to fight as if he was unaffected, eventually obtaining victory.

Zanpakutō: A regular katana, with a simple cross guard with an open frame, much like a four-pane window. It has a bronze guard, with lavender hilt-wrapping and a white sheath.
Zanpakutō Release Phrase: "Scatter."
Other Weapons: None.

Zanpakutō Spirit

Zanpakutō Spirit Name: Senbonzakura
Zanpakutō Spirit Appearance: Senbonzakura appears as a masked samurai in full-body armor. He has long, dark brown hair tied with a silver ribbon and wears a golden forehead plate that resembles a half-cherry blossom and has blue eyes. From what little is seen from when his mask was broken apart, he appears to resemble Byakuya to some degree.

Zanpakutō Spirit Personality: Much like his master, he is portrayed as serious, prideful, and uninterested in small-talk, as shown when he ignored Ruri'iro Kujaku's attempts at a conversation. However, unlike Byakuya, he has occasional emotional outbursts and can be rather impatient. According to Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, this is likely a reflection of Byakuya's inner nature from his younger years. Senbonzakura also cares for Sode no Shirayuki much like Byakuya cares for Rukia. Unlike his partner, Senbonzakura is more cheerful and humble, willing to relax and enjoy partying, even to the point of passing out from too much drinking. He tends to keep his mask on at all times, even while taking a bath, and he also has a spare mask at hand, should his current one break
Zanpakutō Spirit's World: (A picture or five sentences)

Shikai

Shikai: Senbonzakura (千本桜, "Thousand Cherry Blossoms"_
Shikai Appearance: In its Shikai, Senbonzakura's blade separates into a thousand tiny, slender blade fragments, which then fly away from the hilt, leaving only the sword's handle in Byakuya's hand.
Shikai Abilities: The release can be negated before it completes, as seen when Yoruichi Shihōin wrapped the blade in cloth during Byakuya's short battle with Ichigo. However, if the release completes itself, then Senbonzakura is rendered near unstoppable. While the blades are supposedly too small to be seen normally, they reflect light in such a way as to resemble cherry blossom petals. By swinging Senbonzakura's hilt, Byakuya can control the blade fragments, allowing him to shred opponents at a distance and break through almost any defense. The blades are also used for defensive purposes, as they can protect Byakuya from an incoming sword swing. In order to protect Byakuya from his own attacks in both Shikai and Bankai, Senbonzakura possesses a Hurtless Area (無傷圏, mushōken; lit. "woundless zone") where it does not cut anything that is within 85cm of Byakuya, unless he himself allows the blades to enter the area.

Bankai

Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (千本桜景厳, Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)
Bankai Appearance: Byakuya's Bankai is a much larger version of Senbonzakura's Shikai. To activate it, Byakuya drops his sword straight down. The sword phases into the ground, as though it were a pool of water. Energy ripples expand out, turning the surrounding area dark, and within seconds, two rows of a thousand giant blades rise up from the ground. Those thousand swords then scatter, and countless flying blades pierce the enemy. No one knows the exact number of blades generated.
Bankai Abilities: The number of blades is great enough that Byakuya can use them for offense and defense at the same time. He commonly forms them into large masses, designed to obliterate opponents instantaneously. As it moves through the air like torrents of waves, it gives the appearance of cherry blossoms flowing swiftly along the wind. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's defensive use allows Byakuya to cover himself entirely in these tiny blades and form a body shield. Unlike his Shikai, his Bankai is mentally controlled. While Byakuya can control the blades with his mind alone, using his hands allows him to do so more effectively, making the blades increase in speed threefold.
Byakuya's Bankai has several forms, achieved by arranging the blades in different patterns. Each form presents a different advantage, such as increasing offense at the expense of defense. This makes Senbonzakura Kageyoshi one of the most versatile Bankai in the series. These techniques are activated by saying the name of the technique, followed by the name of his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.
Senkei (殲景, Slaughterscape; Viz: "Annihilate"): The true form of Senbonzakura. This unites the scattered petals into complete glowing swords, numbering in the thousands, that form four rows. These rows float just above the other, and circle around Byakuya and his opponent in a continuously moving, column-like array. It abandons defense in favor of a concentrated offense. Though visually menacing, this form is not meant for attack from all sides; rather, it is to concentrate his power into fewer blades, thus increasing his attack power. While Byakuya can mentally control these swords, he commonly calls them to his hands for actual melee combat. When in his hand, they lose their glow, and take the form of his sealed Zanpakutō. While they seem solid in this state, the swords can just as easily dissipate back into the multitude of tiny blades that they are made up of. It seems to take fewer blows from a Senkei blade to gravely injure an opponent than the multiple cuts needed from the unfocused Bankai. The Senkei also cages himself with his enemy, allowing neither combatant to move very far from each other, though the area is still large enough for maneuverability. The most effective use of the Senkei form is that it allows for use of all the swords at the same attack level, making it a way to effectively defeat an enemy unaware of the danger of the situation. It is extremely rare for him to use this ability, doing so only when he has sworn to cut down the opponent with his very own hands. This technique requires Byakuya's blood to activate.

Gōkei (吭景, Mawscape): This form increases the number of tiny blades immensely. It creates a spherical formation of innumerable blade fragments, which swirl around the opponent like a cloud. It then flies into them from every possible angle, leaving no blind spots and no possibility of escape. It then collapses in on itself, obliterating the opponent. It was strong enough to completely obliterate a very large building from the inside out, and the resulting shockwave generated by the attack is so powerful that Byakuya himself has to Flash Step away

Shūkei: Hakuteiken (終景: 白帝剣, "Endscape: White Emperor Sword"; Viz: "Last Sight: White Emperor Sword"): This condenses each and every single one of his blades into a single, potent sword, drastically increasing its cutting power. The spiritual energy and pressure of this form released is immense. The blade appears bright white, and its aura takes the form of a bird, earning it the name Hakuteiken (白帝剣, White Imperial Sword; Viz: "White Emperor Sword"). Pure white wings form on Byakuya's back, as well as a halo-like circle, made of concentrated spiritual energy. The blade in this form is powerful enough to create aggravated injuries in a single blow. The wings are capable of being used for flight. Byakuya can only use it once per release.

Past & Roleplay Sample

Character Background:
Byakuya was born into the Kuchiki family and grew up in the Kuchiki mansion in Seireitei. He would spend countless hours training, in preparation to take over the leadership of the Kuchiki family.

Yoruichi Shihōin would often visit the Kuchiki manor to play a game of tag with Byakuya. On one such occasion, she is presented to a training Byakuya by his grandfather Ginrei Kuchiki. Upon seeing the arrival of Yoruichi, he attacked and insulted her. Yoruichi playfully began to tease him, complaining about his greeting after she came all the way there to see him. Byakuya expressed his displeasure at seeing her and stated that he would be the head of the Kuchiki clan soon enough, so he has no time to waste on her. After Yoruichi stole his hair tie, she exclaimed that if the head of Kuchiki clan could get his hair tie stolen by a girl at play, then she would worry about its future. She then used Shunpo to escape from him, leaving an angry Byakuya to claim his superiority and promise to make her see the error of her ways.

Byakuya married Hisana Kuchiki, a commoner from Rukongai, breaking the rules by accepting her into the noble Kuchiki family. Five years after the marriage, she became sick and was near death. Hisana asked Byakuya to find and adopt her biological sister, Rukia, whom she had abandoned as a baby as her final wish. She also made him promise that he would not tell Rukia that she is her sister. One year later, Byakuya found Rukia at the Shin'ō Academy and immediately adopted her into the Kuchiki clan. By adopting her, Byakuya respected his late wife's final wish, but had broken the rules of his clan again. He later swore upon his parents' graves that he would never break the rules again, no matter what.
Not long before Rukia joined the Gotei 13, Byakuya became the captain of the 6th Division. Gin Ichimaru became captain of the 3rd Division at the same time, and Gin would commonly start conversations with Byakuya during times they crossed paths.
Roleplay Sample:
Three steps.
Two steps.
One step.
Zero.

The door to the Captain's Office of the Sixth Division slid across its track. It made little noise, like always when it was opened by the half-covered hands of the owner of this office. The owner of this office quickly, quietly, and effeciently closed the door behind him. The owner's office was organized in multiple ways, from alphabetical, categorical, and even by date. This wasn't just the books and paperwork, but the artwork as well. Of course, Byakuya Kuchiki did not keep much art. It distracted from efficiency. What he did keep was all of high quality, all one of a kind. The hallway exiting his office was only half-wall. The other wall overlooked the lavish garden constructed in the Kuchiki's name.
Byakuya ignored the garden. Like always, he was being efficient. He would not be late. Even if an obstruction appeared, it would not impede on his efficiency. Byakuya made notes mentally if someone in his division appeared to be being inefficient or unruly. If they were not being exemplary Shinigami, they would be written up as soon as he returned from the Captains' meeting. Byakuya Kuchiki's walking mannerisms were quite stiff, like every Shinigami should be. His outfit, now upgraded from his god-awful former outfit, was custom-made. The old haori was discarded, now upgraded into a gold-lined one. The haori had a collar as well, making it even stranger. It had a pair of golden tassles on the side. The fabric was quite special, hand-woven and dual-layer for the turquoise inner side.
Byakuya rounded corner after corner, unescorted. He knew the first person who would be written up for not being by his side: his lieutenant. If there was any feeling of annoyance Byakuya had, it was towards that man. However, Byakuya simply continued onto the great hall of the First Division. With the new Captain-Commander being only a temporary one, Byakuya had to make sure this foreigner knew that the laws of the land were quite sacred, especially to him. Byakuya entered the First Division's area, the grand hall slowly emerging ahead. He did not slow. He did not speed up. He continued his brisk and dignified pace.
Byakuya Kuchiki's mind sorted through the data he had accumulated since last talking to the Captain-Commander. Everything must be reported, of course. Every grain of rice in a pouch, every ounce of sake in a canister, every potato in a sack. Everything, no matter how small, must be accounted for. Of course, it was not a meeting for Byakuya to bring his invoice to, but he still did in case of an accusation of theft or something of the sort. Then again, nothing like that would happen in his division. Byakuya made sure that everything ran smoothly. And he would prove that his division was the most efficient and the most correct once more. He would prove so as the two grand doors before him opened, leading into the grand hall. Only one Captain was there, the temporary Captain-Commander. Byakuya took his position on the left side of the hall, waiting for the other eleven Captains to arrive.

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Comments/Notes: -Thumbs up- Looks Good.
Tier: 0-3