Itoshiki Shihōin

**"Behold My Creation!"**

 ***Itoshiki Shihōin***, is the property of **Lord Pink**. **This page is to not be touched without authorization. Respect the author's wishes, for if you do not, the creator will THRUST you to death.**

**Itoshiki Shihōin** (*四楓院 糸色, Shihōin Itoshiki*) also known as **Zetsu** (*絶, Zetsu*) by certain Shinigami, is the Former Head of the Shihōin Clan, and the existing Captain Commander of the Gotei 13. Prior to his promotion to Captain Commander, Itoshiki was the Captain of the Second Division. Predating even that, he was the Captain of the Eleventh Division, holding the title of **Kenpachi** as a result. His Lieutenant is Nonoka Kakkinoaru.

## History

Itoshiki was born into this world as **Inochi** (*命, Inochi*). Living in the now non-existent **Inoshiki District**, he grew up mostly alone. He would frequently travel to other districts to interact with others, as his own home was barren, unruly, and unstructured. Others would call him Inoshiki, and he soon adopted the name earnestly, becoming **Inochi Inoshiki** (*糸色 命, Inoshiki Inochi*). To survive, he was forced to be quick. A product of his diminishing environment, he was a kleptomaniac who constantly went around sneaking and stealing. He was extremely skilled at being a thief, and one day he decided to steal from a **Shinigami** who happened to be passing through his district. That man was Kenpachi Fugai, and although Itoshiki didn’t get far at all, Kenpachi not only acknowledged his skill for a child, but his grit.

He took Inoshiki under his wing and enrolled him in Shin'ō Academy where Inoshiki learned how to refine his skills into that worthy of a Shinigami. In fact, he was so killed that they debated whether he should be a Shinigami, or a member of the Onmitsukidō, but his general personality, abilities, as well as Kenpachi Fugai’s influence landed him in the Eleventh Division. He would continue to grow there, becoming a powerful combatant and gaining access to his Shikai. He trained for years to learn how to utilize Bankai, training on his own. After training for a number of years to become a well versed practitioner of his Bankai, he challenged Kenpachi Fugai to a duel, and managed to defeat him without even using his *Shikai*, despite his constant training. Following the ways of his Division, he murdered Kenpachi Fugai and became the next Captain of the Eleventh Division.

He would lead the Eleventh Division for over one hundred years, battle in battle after battle, training on the daily. In fact, he had turned the Eleventh Division into a proper dojo. Despite this, he was still a monster in battle, having no regard for his own life if it meant winning. That was until he met Chiyome Shihōin, the Captain of the Second Division. The two would constantly bicker and argue, with Chiyome being envious of Itoshiki’s speed and abilities in the field of stealth, only for him to throw them to the side in battle. She was fully aware of his skill and would patronize him for it. Itoshiki on the other hand, would argue with her due to the fact that he was envious of her organization skills. In fact, he would try to emulate them only to fail.

At first the two were merely acquaintances, then they grew closer. Over time, their bickering became less malicious and more affectionate. Itoshiki began to grasp that his own well being had meaning and started to preserve his health, fighting smarter rather than harder. Chiyome taught him the ways of the Onmitsukidō and he was a natural, going above and beyond, shattering every record set by heads of the Shihōin Family. She would also teach him how to be more organized. This lead to Chiyome proposing to Itoshiki, to which he agreed. The two became married, and Itoshiki left the Eleventh Division to become the Vice Captain of the Second Division, with his own Lieutenant following him to become the Third Seat. A thousand years would pass, and in that time Chiyome tried to convince Itoshiki to become the new Captain of the Second Division, as his skill and power far surpassed her own, but he refused each time.

Until years later, he and Chiyome were ambushed by Elalacran Velasquez and an army of Hollows. Chiyome was severely poisoned by Elalacran, forcing Itoshiki to put her out of her misery by killing her. Elalacran realized as Itoshiki released his Spiritual Pressure that he didn’t stand a chance, and ran away using Kūmon. In his own grief, Itoshiki slaughtered every Hollow present.

Itoshiki would go on to become the new head of the Shihōin Clan, **Itoshiki Shihōin**, as well as the new Captain of the Second Division, with Nonoka becoming the new Vice Captain. He would go on to merge the Onmitsukidō with the Second Division properly, beginning to take his job seriously. He used what Chiyome taught him about organization, and executed it with precision, upgrading the Second Division’s military beyond recognition, as well as managing to invite new staff from the Kidō Corp. While his title of Kenpachi had faded into history books, he had become a true Military Commander.

## Plot

### Minashi Arc

Itoshiki first appeared after a fight occurred between Daiei Takeuchi alongside Kaihaku Kemuri against an unknown culprit. He was first seen sitting in his office when Oe Kuniyuki delivered a report. It was during this brief interaction that Itoshiki learned of the battle, as well as Shin’ō Academy’s plight. Upon Kuniyuki asking to get involved, he ordered him to stay out of the school’s business.

He then met with Daiei himself who reported the incidents. Daiei requested that Itoshiki remained uninvolved in the Academy’s affairs which Itoshiki agreed with. He was later seen breaking up an argument between Nonoka and Kuniyuki, leading to Itoshiki “grounding” Kuniyuki.

### Leap-to-Ruin Arc

During the spat between the Captain Commander and the the Captain of the Ninth Division, Itoshiki was seen reacting to their outbursts respectfully, remaining unfazed about the situation. He then spoke to Nonoka who delivered the report of Daiei’s incarceration. Itoshiki thought for a moment then gave Nonoka a message to return to the 5th Seat.

## Powers & Abilities

**Shunpo Master**: Itoshiki’s skill with Hohō is once in a life time. He is considered to be one of the best in the Soul Society, having garnered the title of of **"Flash God"** (*瞬神, Shunshin*) in the past. While he still holds the title, his status is up for debate due to the existence of another Captain. His Shunpo is refined to the point of performing actions at high speed with minimal movement, during which he’s capable of avoiding objects and creating the illusion that they simply passed through him. He is also skilled enough to create a plethora of afterimages. One thing that sets him above the rest is his ability to perform Shunpo with parts of his body, from his legs, to the tips of his fingers.

**Master Swordsman**: Itoshiki’s skill with the blade is something to be marveled at. While most opponents fight with their blade unsheathed, Itoshiki does the very opposite. Even while fighting with his saya, Itoshiki is capable of not only matching, but outclassing many high-level foes. Even then, he’s able to keep up with his fellow Captains with skill and grace. He displays both uncanny speed and razor-sharp precision when battling with the blade, and these attributes are only amplified when he unsheathes his Zanpakūto.

**Kidō Expert**: Itoshiki is extremely well versed in the art of Kidō. While he can not compare to the likes of other Captains in terms of knowledge or mastery, he has geared his Kidō to suit his combat style and needs. Notably, Itoshiki utilizes Kidō in order to augment his physical attributes. He has mastered Shunkō (Wind), creating a variety of new techniques such as his signature one, Kamaitachi. In what he can use, he displays an astute level of precision. Not only this, but he is fully capable of to casting mid to high-level spells with no incantation at an impressive speed.

**Hakuda Master**: Being the current Captain of the Second Division, as well having been the Captain of the Eleventh Division in the past, Itoshiki displays an aptitude for Hakuda and Taijutsu. While in the past he used a more free-form style to overwhelm opponents, his time with the Second Division and Lěi-Fēng taught him the true way of Hakuda. Now he applies it more like a Martial Art, with proper forms and stances. In most fights, Itoshiki leads with Hakuda as opposed to bringing out his blade. Due to his overwhelming speed and strength, he’s able to quickly subdue opponents. Not only this, but due to his history as an assassin, he’s familiar with the human anatomy, specifically pressure points. On the same coin, due to that history, he prefers to get things over with quickly and efficiently.

**Master Tactician**: In terms of tactical ability, Itoshiki could be considered a master. During times of war or conflict, the Soul Society falls on his shoulders and he takes up the mantle of general. He’s seen countless battles and countless wars and in those where he was in charge, he played a vital role in minimizing deaths and maximizing effectiveness across the board. His ability as a tactician isn’t limited to only large scale battles as he displays it even in one-on-one combat, calculating moves, probabilities, and carefully playing his cards right to set up the ideal outcome. Itoshiki himself is also a monster in Shōgi, putting his abilities to use.

**Immense Spiritual Power**: Itoshiki’s Spiritual Power is truly dangerous. While he boasts a substantial amount of Spiritual Pressure, Itoshiki has such an acute level of control over his Reiatsu so that unlike others, his doesn’t leak out unless he desires for it to. Much like Kenpachi, he’s able to subdue individuals and destroy structures with his Spiritual Power alone. Though, that’s standard fare. What makes his Spiritual Power dangerous is his overwhelming *bloodlust*. His Reiatsu is red.

**Enhanced Strength**: TBA

**Master Assassin**: Itoshiki has walked the path of an assassin since his days as a child, having grown up stealing and murdering in the now extinct District of Itoshiki. In the history of the Soul Society, Itoshiki has been the best Assassin to date. His talent for the art is so impressive that he’s been capable of stopping an ambush without seeming as if he had taken a step, efficiently dispatching of his foes with precise jabs to vital areas.

**Enhanced Endurance**: TBA

**Enhanced Durability**: TBA

### Zanpakutō

**Kyūketsuki** redirects here. For the manifested spirit see Kyūketsuki (Zanpakutō spirit).

 **Kyūketsuki** *(吸血鬼, Bloodsucker)*: Itoshiki’s Zanpakutō that takes the form of a set of daishō, with the longer blade having a red sheath, while the shorter blade’s is white (turns black during Bankai).

* **Shikai**: While it can be triggered by the command **"Consume"** (*平らげる, Tairageru*), it has a mind of its own, activating itself upon being unsheathed, or cutting an opponent.

***Shikai Special Ability***: Upon activation, Kyūketsuki gains the ability to siphon the blood from anyone in the general vicinity, be they friend or foe. If there is an opening for the blood to exit, such as a cut or laceration, then it will leave their body and enter the blade. If the blade itself causes the cut, it is capable of quickly draining the blood from the victim in no time at all. If Itoshiki were to impale someone’s limb and leave the blade in, their body would be drained in fifteen seconds. The only one who seems to be immune to the passive effects of the Shikai is Itoshiki himself, though he can use his own blood as fuel at the risk of his own well being. While there is a limit to how much blood can be stored, reaching this limit results in the Bankai will be released immediately. Though if Itoshiki does not want to utilize his Bankai, he can expel the blood gathered to attack, as well as manipulate it as if it were mere water. The more powerful the person the blood was taken from, the more powerful the attacks will be, as well as the Bankai. A morbid ability to say the least.

* **Bankai**: **Kyūketsuki: Kekkon no Shōgun** (*吸血鬼 : 血痕の将軍, Bloodsucker: The Bloodstained General*): Itoshiki's Bankai is activated when his Shikai gathers enough blood. This means that Itoshiki is incapable of activating his Bankai. When his blades turn completely red, then he has gathered enough. A black and red energy is generated by the blades which swallows Itoshiki, shrouding him. When the energy dissipates the preverbal smoke clears, what is standing there is no longer the Captain of the Second Division, but the man who had become Kenpachi in the past: **Zetsu**. His hair elongates and along with his hands, they turn red. His clothes change and is fitted with a new garb to match, and physical parameters are boosted considerably, increasing his already impressive speed and strength.

**Bankai Special Ability**: Much like his Shikai, Itoshiki is capable to generating and manipulating blood, yet this time on a larger scale. When forced, he is capable of manipulating his own blood. He is capable of changing the state of the blood, as he’s able to crystallize it as well as turn it into a vapor. Finally the most potent ability is that of it granting Itoshiki the racial abilities of the one he has sucked the most blood from. Rather than various types mixing, the most plentiful or potent type is what amplifies his Bankai.
* **Zanpakutō Spirit**: Itoshiki’s Zanpakutō Spirit, Kyūketsuki, is unique that blood can effect its form and temperament. When Itoshiki took the blood of Chiyome on her deathbed, the hollowification was transferred to Itoshiki’s blade and thus Kyūketsuki, as well as aspects of Chiyome.

While it’s still a violent spirit in nature, one that wishes to ravage and would fight against Itoshiki in the past for not using it more, she has since calmed down in regards to Itoshiki after not only bonding with him more, but taking in aspects of Chiyome.
After Itoshiki conquered the Hollow within Kyūketsuki, the two were bonded into one. It is due to this that he exhibits the abilities and traits of a *Visored* when entering his **Shōgun** form.
## Weaknesses

**Indiscriminate (Shikai)**: The Shikai while potent, is dangerous to foes and allies alike as it will take the blood from everyone in the vicinity. The release is negated by Itoshiki himself who keeps his sheath tied on, only taking it off when he feels the explicit need.

**Mindset**: The weakness is easy to exploit alone, however, it has been shown that despite the Bankai’s considerable power and speed, Itoshiki reverts back to Kenpachi mindset, which focuses less on tactics and more on assassination, pushing physical parameters to the limits to pull it off. By skill enough foes, this can be exploited.

## Trivia

* Itoshiki’s best friend and most trusted ally is Bon Hiagezen. Both were born roughly around the same time and attended Shin’ō Academy together, growing close in the past. That relationship has transcended Captainhood, so much so that Itoshiki views Runba Kanna as a niece of sorts.
	+ This also fits within the theme of each generation having a Duo.
* His theme song, as chosen by LFZ, is Yuki Kajiura’s “The Battle is too Strong“.
* He has a column in the Seireitei Communication titled *The Spoils of War*.
* Despite his stature, Itoshiki seems to be extremely popular with the women of the Soul Society.
* His favorite food is dango, so he will often be seen with stick between his teeth.
* As 糸色 命 (Itoshiki Inochi) can be read like 絶命 (Zetsumei) which means death, many have given Itoshiki the nickname “Zetsu”.