Yasuke

*"Rules and laws are meant to keep society from descending into chaos. But there are villains who'll weaponize words to achieve their personal desires. They are humanity's greatest enemies."*-Yasuke

**Yasuke** is the captain of the Seventh Division of the Gotei 13 and former member of the Kidō Corps. The hopelessness and despair of the Rukongai is known for creating tough souls capable of accomplishing miracles on the battlefield. To say he was a nameless soul not even worth mentioning is an understatement. Yasuke’s story began as a worthless speck of light among a dying land. Due to the meddling of a mad genius, Yasuke was transformed into an Oni while still forming in the womb. And such, inherited the monstrous appearance and power of the legendary beast. But the immense aura of the Oni-kind also made him one of inhuman perseverance and dreams of grandeur. With such, he managed to accelerate through the academy and eventually found himself serving behind the captain commander himself, Tōshirō Hitsugaya. Yasuke stood besides the massive mountain that is the military leader of the Soul Society as one would face a mountain they aimed to climb. One day he would reach the summit and surpass the tallest peak, aiming for breaking through the heavens above. He is the epitome of stubbornness a soul who obtained power from an extreme case of self-absorption. Rather than focus on the external factors that often dictated destiny, Yasuke fought against reality tooth and nail until he reached his goal and actualized the inner picture of himself. Traversing across hundreds of districts until he was at the door of the Shin'ō Academy. He took the exam and passed with flying yet unorthodox colors.

It wasn’t long until the strange boy rose through Shin'ō Academy and graduated at an impressively high ranking. This abnormality was unique to the current hierarchy of the Gotei 13, filled to the brim with pretentious powerhouses. He neither inherited nor stole power. An unblessed child who created his own miracles with the light of the lord within. True leaders were never born but made through tough times. Noblemen who were given their gifs lacked the capacity to understand the truth of the heart. While he started at the bottom of the barracks scrubbing toilets, Yasuke eventually rose through the division after displaying his multiple skills. He made use of the ultimate source of power, himself, as opposed to following a strict tradition. Thousands of missions passed over the course of several centuries and Yasuke developed into a skilled Shinigami. After obtaining Bankai, he was recommended to take over the 7th Division; a squad which shared his purpose and reasoning in existence. He transformed the 7th Division into a major calvary unit which maximized on providing offensive and defensive support outside of the Gotei 13. But at the core, they are also a division that practices extreme morality. Although he has displayed strong leadership skills and an unrivaled sense of loyalty, he also possesses the strongest sense of duty to himself. As long as his morals align with that of the Seireitei, he is a weapon for justice.

## Background

A family of normal souls conceived a horned child covered in dense scales. A monstrosity, an inhuman creature that represented the sins of the Rukongai. Surely it was a curse placed upon his family for their selfish and loveless ways. News of a horned child ignited homes across nearby districts of the Rukongai. Perhaps the end of times were rapidly approaching. Regardless, his parents loved him and tried their hardest to raise the cursed child. An innocent heart exposed to the evilness of mankind from childhood, he eventually adopted the darkness and made it his own. Luckily, the love his mother felt shielded the young Oni from the outside world. He would live for his mother and sister and aim to achieve greatness for their sake. However, his world flipped when his mother fell sick and soon became incapacitated. After her extended family took her in, his father found wealth and moved into a new family alongside his siblings. When asked to come along, Yasuke declined - stating that he would find his own way as a warrior. An oni could never lived among humans. Yasuke was present during one of the many civil wars that took place in the lower districts of Rukongai. The lower districts would erupt in bloody conflict over the little resources they could scavenge. Despite the bloody conflict of Rukongai and the cutthroat nature of its citizens, Yasuke lived his life with optimism and positivity. He stuck to himself and believed that he would eventually surpass his own expectations. He started his journey to climb the highest mountain and achieve his own power. The young soul never found his place among the others, so he spent his days studying and learning.

Yasuke wandered Rukongai for a century, involving himself in hundreds of civil conflicts. He fought on both sides for various reasons. His first time in battle, Yasuke recalls hearing a faint voice after falling unconscious from an enemy ambush. He fell for what felt like an eternity before awakening in an old imperial styled palace. There, on the throne, sat an old skeleton clothed in a ragged cloth. It introduced itself as Shokuto and spoke of being interested in Yasuke’s career as a vagabond. But what caught his attention was the young soul’s caring and compassionate nature. Rather than react in shocked, he accepted the spirit as a ally in arms. For they lived in one body which had to survive day in and day out. He would continue to subconsciously enter his inner world and fall into the presence of his Zanpakutō spirit. And they spent entire nights together in deep conversation. But the spirit knew that the young soul was not ready to learn his true name. He only humored Yasuke, helping him in rough situations so that he himself would not seize to exist. Some could say Tenka Maou’s biggest influences was Yasuke’s innate fear of death and his extreme compassion, causing the spirit to actually serve as a subconscious guide for his partner. Meanwhile, his spiritual pressure would become more prominent, unknowingly augmenting his basic abilities; allowing him to fight on par with greater souls with some form of training. He was a warrior who fought for what he believed in, protecting that most precious to him.

Yasuke was always a soft child who turned his way from unneeded violence. Although he possessed a fiery temper, upon which he would inflict destruction, he believed in the peacefulness of diplomacy and negotiation. Of course he enjoyed the rush of battle and swordplay - even sometimes encouraging minor skirmishes between individuals - but preferred to take a pacifistic approach to serious situations. Fighting until the death was rather pointless. Honor in death meant nothing if they could not live to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Yasuke stumbled upon an old swordsman who traversed the Rukongai districts for several centuries. This soul was an infamous swordsman from distant lands in life who found his untimely death on a mission to Japan. A traveling soul whose sole purpose was quelling disputes and conflicts. Yasuke and the soul had met on the battlefield, two of the final swordsman left after a great battle. Although extremely powerful in his own right, the soul had a certain tranquility that hypnotized Yasuke. And thus the young soul found himself defeated. But before death, he begged the nameless soul to teach him. Help him master the art of battle but also learn to win the war before bloodshed. Become an existence so powerful that he could stop war without having to wield his blade.The wandering soul noticed the young boy’s spiritual energy and decided that guiding him would prove best. It would allow him to create someone else to follow his doctrine of peace and understanding. And one day help spread the importance of compassion. And so, Yasuke travelled alongside the soul as he performed numerous task.

Training with the mysterious swordsman awakened a new voice in his head. It was a rather ferocious beast which spoke from the unmoving skeleton. He roared with power and berated Yasuke, seemingly tempting him with a dare to grow stronger. To become a warrior whose name would ring throughout the realms. This demon, his name was Shuten-Doji, and he challenged Yasuke to find his own power. During conversations, the skeleton's speaking patterns would alter between Shokuto and Shuten Doji. From wise and composed to wild and powerful. But Yasuke found it entertaining for he had finally found friends. After almost half a century later, the old warrior told Yasuke that he had learned the foundations of the art. Now, he had to take the seeds and water them with the blood spilled from war. Experience and life were the greatest teachers of any school. And so Yasuke left his master with his new found seedlings in search of battle. He travelled through the districts, performing thousands of task and helping ten thousand souls. Eventually he became skilled enough to garner a name for himself. But it was not enough. The amount of blood spilled on the soils of the Rukongai was far more than he expected. The chaos clouded his mind and he soon lost contact with his childhood guide - the spirit who sat in his throne.

Unable to protect himself, the young soul found himself in numerous conflicts where he had to rely on himself. While his exceptional swordsmanship saved his life on various occasions, he still lacked the overwhelming power against those who experienced war daily. One morning, two shinigami appeared in town in search of Yasuke. They had been sent by his former teacher who realized that the boy's skills should have nurtured enough. By exposing him to the harsh conditions of Rukongai, Yasuke’s spiritual pressure would react violently and grow after every battle. During a night of peaceful slumber, Yasuke found himself next to the throne but surrounded by a thick fog. It tasted of a sweet sake. From a silhouette came a female voice...she introduced herself as Tamamo no Mae. Impressed, she told Yasuke that the other old bags were waiting for something. But before elaborating, Yasuke was awoken.  The teacher had contacted his former friend in the 1st Division to seek the child out and further his training. The equivalent to a late teenager, they invited the young soul into the Seireitei and enrolled him into the Shinigami Academy.

To say the academy was hard for someone born in raised in the wars of Rukongai would be a lie. He easily passed through the academy with exceptional marks for his usage of his Zanpakutō. After almost a year of learning to control his spiritual pressure, Yasuke was once again able to make contact with Tenka Maou. It was then revealed that Tenka Maou actually had three distinctive forces working towards one consciousness. The reason it refrained from contacting Yasuke was due to the evil yokai Shuten-dōji, who wished to assure that Yasuke would become a capable master on his own accord as opposed to being spoon fed by Shokuto. But now that he proved proficient enough to control his energy and being, Yasuke could finally wield his own power. Tenka Maou introduced himself properly, allowing Yasuke invoked Shikai with unseen perfection; man and sword, two souls with a single intention. When the young soul was finally able to converse with his zanpakutou. Not only that, the young child’s swordsmanship was never witnessed in the eastern lands. In the world dominated by Kendo, Kenjutsu, and Iadou, Yasuke displayed his own style which had influences from the countries of France, Spain and Italy. Western fencing, he applied the aspects of their schools to the functionalities of a Katana, effectively creating his own school of swordsmanship. Yasuke had become a shinigami of exceptional talent.

During a mission to quell a rebellion in a lower Rukongai district, Yasuke met another skilled shinigami whose medical knowledge was prodigious.. Rani, a fellow skilled shinigami of the Kidō Corps, possessed the intelligence of a captain before graduating. She could deduce wounds on sight and even perform complex operations without failure. However, she lacked the calm composure of a medic and would succumb to the overwhelming pressure of taking command over one’s life. They grew close over time, displaying a natural affinity for one another. Missions together were completed in record time as they complimented each others skillset. His calm demeanor under pressure allowed him to keep Rani focus when she had to be a medic. And her skill enhanced his functionality and purpose in battle. Together, they were said to have saved an entire Rukongai district after a rival area plundered them.

When the Captain of the 7th Division retired, Yasuke was recommended to fill in his role. Although he could have fit as a Kenpachi, his pacifistic nature and mastery over Kidō made it rather difficult for him to get along with the rowdy 11th division. The 7th Division was one of honor, power, and duty, everything that described the new captain. He displayed his bank and was accepted immediately. Under his control, the 7th division became known as the Gotei 13’s Calvary unit - a strong force meant to enhance the other divisions through sheer willpower and unwavering loyalty. The 7th Division takes in anyone from any aspect in hopes of increasing their synergetic power. Simultaneously, Rani had become the captain of the 4th division.

## Abilities

**Keen Intellect and Perceptive Combatant**: A stubborn person who believes in his own spirit more than the words of others, some would say he is someone who writes his own destiny. Regardless, Yasuke has an extremely gifted eye for history and record keeping. He is known for being a captain who other captains go to for information on past events, which can then be used for prediction casting. Although he is extremely emotional and anger driven, Yasuke has displayed a keen intellect that allows him to formulate plans and contingencies. Unfortunately, this is often overwhelemd by his tendancy to wing certain situations or *hope for the best outcome*. Yasuke is quite perceptive in battle, deducing his enemies habits and motives after clashing blades with them. He is known for sending his yokai to weaken his opponent or reveal their weakness by watching them battle.

**Master Swordsmanship**: Yasuke is considered a gifted student in the art of Zanjutsu; one who excelled at creating and shaping his own swordsmanship in war. It began when he entered the academy and displayed a different sword form from which had been taught previously. He had been given the seeds of a swordsmanship from a distant land and managed to manipulate its functionality and purpose to better amplify its usage under the traditional eastern weaponry. At a young age, one would call that the definite sign of a prodigy. But the truth is, he would have been only slightly gifted if placed in a school of western swordsmanship. It was the unknown nature of his sword style combined with his body which is geared towards survival. His swordsmanship is based off the principle of nothing being set in stone. The future is constantly changing, making the linear prediction futile. So if the heavens above and the earth below are in constant change, what would make following a singular discipline helpful? Beyond the constant changing nature of his swordsmanship, it was the western influence of his style that created such a controversy during his academy days. No one had ever seen someone use their Zanpakutō in such a way. Leaving few who could come up with an actual counter against it in enough time before defeat. In simpler terms, there are dozens of eastern warriors for him to practice against, but a lack of western opponents for them to encounter. While deadly on its own, Yasuke amplifies its usage with an impressive knowledge of explosive Shunpō.

His western art revolved around the usage rapier and saber fencing and dueled his master's enemies. He even watched his Maestro combat other forms of swordsmanship, during which, he would note the similar emphasis on footwork and body control. The style of fencing Yasuke has cultivated revolves around the skillful manipulation of one's weight alongside the importance of footwork and speed. Although it uses the typical en grade stance of placing space between the two face, he is known for incorporating personal movements such as walking and acrobatics during battle. The one handed style of his swordsmanship allows for free movement, through opponent’s offenses and defenses to strike them down. His arm is kept a reasonable distance from his body. He is taught to maneuver an enemy’s blade away from his body, so that should they overcome his counter, he has enough space to react. The tip of his front sword pointing towards the opponent in a manner which separates their body into four quadrants; allowing Yasuke to react swiftly to offensive measures defensively while regarding the upwards pointing sword as a single limb attached to his shoulder. Wrist movement plays a crucial part in the efficiency of point control, perhaps the most important aspect of his sword form, and such his blade is kept in a position where he can maneuver without hinderance. His hand is continuously protected by the guard which coils around the complex hilt.

The completion of footwork is coupled with the understanding of two aspects of swordsmanship that is often overlooked by warriors concerned only with overwhelming power, tempo and measure. The tempo of fencing, as described by Yasuke, is the length of stillness or motion exhibited by the combatants. One's motion measures one's stillness while one's stillness measure's one motion, or perhaps their motion or stillness is actually matched by an equal motion or stillness. Yasuke practices patience and rhythmic measurement during his swordplay, where he awaits for an opponent to strike and seizes the opening with a counter. In some ways, his swordplay was created by watching the action and reactions of nature while understanding tempo and the concept of consequences. Yasuke refers to the measurement of tempo as the equivalent to keeping rhythm to two dancers on the battlefield. The importance of tempo is often shown when an opponent reacts to an action during swordplay. Acting outside of tempo causes one combatant to fall off beat, allowing the enemy to strike an opening. To act outside of tempo has a variety of meanings in itself; from failing to arrive at full attack or behaving in a manner of chaos and utter randomness. During the latter situation where Yasuke finds himself against bestial opponents, he uses his keen sense of tempo to locate the various openings created by a lack of discipline; mainly the wrist or arm. Since every sword form possesses a variant of tempo or the measurement of action, Yasuke is able to combat enemies from various countries by locating their specific rhythm. Contrarily, measure involves the identification of the distance between the enemy and the tip of Yasuke's sword; which includes the various angles created when entering en guard.
The importance of blade positioning is shown clearly during defensive and offensive actions. Yasuke was taught to defend an opponent's strike with the forte of his blade, angling his foible in preparation of a riposte - while keeping his point in line and following a small margin of movement. Parry away from the body in order to obtain greater response time for one's counter and make use of an even stronger remise or a solid reprise. Yasuke displays an exquisite understanding of the nine parries used in his style of fencing - each belonging to one of the four lines and possessing a circular variant. He classifies the direction of the oncoming weapon through the combination of outside or inside and high or low. The nine parries are effective against every weapon, allowing Yasuke to seemingly guide an enemies blade away from him without halting its energy. This proved necessary considering the size of his sealed weapon and the flimsy nature of his released swords, which are more bendable than the standard Daisho set. The concept of his parries follow the principles of Judo, that is, to neither halt not hinder the opponent but to guide thus transforming their energy against them and creating an opening. As previously mentioned, it is imperative that one utilizes a parry with the forte of the sword and away from their body.

There are multiple variants of offense when dealing with his sword form; yet Yasuke is particularly fond of utilizing the fundamental extension of the arm and a propelled, often accelerated, lunge forward. Yasuke primarily performs rapid thrusts, done so through extending his arm from its natural position and angled with skilled wrist control. Because this form excludes the momentum required for cutting damage, he can swiftly pierce an opponent in close-range and retreat his arm to its resting position in a flash. This method of combat allows Yasuke to search for an opening by the rapidity of his thrusts performed at different angles. In fact, he is capable of using his sword to circumnavigate around an enemy's blade while searching, or perhaps forcing an opening with his masterful point control. To this end, Yasuke can successfully - and repeatedly - perform feints through extending his blade without the intent to pierce through them; instead, he assaults an enemy at different angles to confuse and lead an enemy astray, ultimately causing their downfall. Successfully forcing an opponent to fall for a feint through his rapid extensions is often followed by what he refers to as a Disengage, a wrist-oriented technique where he maneuvers the blade either under, over or around his opponent's weapon to strike a newly acquired opening; mainly a wrist or section of the opponent's arm on an opposite line. It is during the execution of a successful Disengage where one notices the advantages of a one handed sword form. After the basic extension and retraction of his arm, Yasuke also prefers the usage of a fully accelerated lunge forward. When considering the usefulness of his sword, one is able to grasp the importance of lunging in his sword form. Yasuke performs a lunge by propelling himself forward using his hind leg as a source of power; Yasuke extends his arm towards the desired target seconds before actually launching. His forward leg is perhaps the final limb to move; acting only as a stand to keep him from falling off balance, Yasuke notes that a true master should be able to strike his opponent before the front foot touches the ground. Beyond the thrust and piercing power of his sword, it also possesses sharpened edges meant to both deflect incoming attacks and deal slashing and cutting damage. Proper point control stems from mastery over one's wrist and an understanding that the sword and arm are but a single limb. The outcome is the skillful manipulation of he blade almost as if actually attached to his body. While rivaling sword forms require large and grandiose movements during combat, Yasuke exploits the control he gains from manipulating a blade with a single hand by performing movements that are small and direct with a single purpose. Small movements gather less momentum which ultimately allows Yasuke to alter his tactics without wasting steps. He can also utilize offense and defense simultaneously by parrying with one sword and following with Riposte.

Yasuke excels in the aspects of speed and precision which is considered most important for his swordsmanship. He strikes with astonishing speed without sacrificing point control or blade obedience. Situations have occurred where only those who mastered similar sword forms are able to truly follow his movement. Similar to unarmed combat, his speed is complimented with a physical elegance during his movements. A prominent example of his speed-oriented combat appears when Yasuke accurately pierced the wrist of multiple opposing swordsmen as they approached proper measure. Yasuke utilize attacks that are perceived from various directions by combining speed with precision. Opponents refer to his methods as a mixture of spontaneous, sporadic and elegant. Yasuke uses speed to immediately dispatch opponents through carefully planned attacks masqueraded as differing intentions. A strike, usually meant to increase pressure against an opponent, is actually an attempt to force an opening or an onslaught meant for deciphering an opponents weakness. For every situation, Yasuke uses both explicit and implicit techniques, including feints, as a method of developing strategies. Yasuke also prides himself in the accuracy and precision of his attacks. During battle, not a step is wasted in his elegant movements as he seemingly dances upon the battlefield.

Yasuke is one of the few swordsman capable of cutting and piercing through material thought impossible. He has bifurcated hollows with air and seemingly broke through massive buildings. Yasuke is known for breaking the enemies weapons as a display of power.

Yasuke is often regarded as a Master of Finesse among a world of brutal swordsman. He possesses the refined wrist flexibility and point-control of a heart surgeon who can write thousand character scrolls using the tip of his sword without breaking a stroke. Every battle is surgery to Yasuke who strikes his opponents both strategically and without savagery. The wounds inflicted are clean and lacking in resistance. Finesse is important in his style of swordsmanship; leading to Yasuke relying on point control to strike immediate openings. Yasuke can cut arteries and veins in a single step once an opening reveals itself. While some consider Yasuke an aggressive swordsman, Yasuke often acts in a manner similar to a counter fighter who exhibits patience while awaiting the opponent to strike. Weapons utilized by Yasuke follow his every command; leading to successful parries to different sections of his opponent's blade. The control he commands over his sword allows Yasuke to alter his own sword's trajectory mid-tempo; achieved by a belief that a swordsman should be able to dominate their own sword, resulting in efficient rhythm.

* + **Kyōdaitama (強大弾)**: In its sealed form, Tenka Maou takes the form of a slightly above a length Tantō that is reminiscent to the western short sword. This unique dagger becomes a weapon that rivals any sword regardless of length when wielded by Yasuke. He is a master of manipulating his enemy’s energy in order to create an opening, and keeps his second hand free for secondary attacks. But there are situations where the Captain must increase his range against certain targets. Yasuke overcomes his necessity to strike an enemy by extending his arm at an increased pace. The sheer force of his extension sends a bullet comprised of air pressure towards his target. The attack is strong enough to pierce several bodies and even bypass sturdy defenses. Enemies have often confused the attack with an actual strike, only realizing that it was not his sword that grew larger but instead him weaponizing the air between them.
* **Zanpakutō Mastery**: Yasuke and Tenka Maou are known for their unrivaled synergy. Despite being comprised of a thousand souls, they all are focused on the growth of Yasuke. The basic yokai are simple spirits without any conscious thought. They are blank powers awaiting to be filled with his own demand. One could say that Tenka Maou's body is comprised of the lesser yokai and its conscious, the combination of Tamamo no Mae, Shuten Doji and Shokuto. Although the three distinct personalities are incredibly powerful, each one is still Tenka Maou. Regardless of their name and legend, they are a false existence of the name which they've taken and personality they have stolen. And such, Tenka Maou is a zanpakutō nearly impossible to completely please as one must satisfy three different aspects of one personality. Fortunately, Yasuke has shown himself willing to stand besides them - something which Tenka Maou's three distinct personalities enjoyed. Sadly they are not at a point of being a unified existence or the normal dominate submissive partnership. There is still a sense of individuality between the four personalities despite Tenka Maou being born from the captain. This is mainly due to the three aspects which govern Tenka Maou as a whole. Shuten wants to be realed by a worthy master, while Shokuto desires to raise a wise emperor. Meanwhile Tamamo simply wants to enjoy life alongside her master. Regardless, they share a relationship that is more adjacent to siblings in battle as opposed to a servant and master or a singular existence. It is a love formed from the covenant, with four personalities promising to do anything and everything to keep each other safe and further their dreams. Their shared love is what provides power and enhances the captain’s overall might. Born from his spirit, they ultimately share the same perspectives and ideals towards the world but exhibit different methodologies. Extremely passionate and compassionate personalities, they view the world in the same direction with different color shades. Yasuke states that the individuality of the Zanpakutō and the shinigami is what makes their relationship beautiful. Having two different beings pledge to stand side by side represented the essence of heart, love and loyalty. His Zanpakutō is known for behaving in a manner similar to a emperor, due to the peculiar nature of Tenka Maou's existence, often giving Yasuke advice and his perspective. Despite being comprised of three overall consciouses, Tenka Maou follows the singular goal of achieving its dream alongside Yasuke. Despite being three powerful personalities, Tenka Maou takes one form with varying traits in order to converse with Yasuke. Only during his release will they materialize in their respective forms. Their synergy is reflected by the physical representation of Yasuke’s swordsmanship. Whereas other swordsman use their swords as weapons, Tenka Maou is an extension of himself and such his movements are not without waste. His blade knows where it should strike and the intention of his attack. In essence, he has four spirits working together to accomplish one task. Together, there is a harmony created by mutual understanding and trust. Fusing with one’s inner spirit is the equivalent of cutting one’s hand off and placing the sword in the open wound. Although it eliminates several minor threats, it also limits the flow of movement. It is through complete understanding of oneself, that the two halves can work in unison. Yasuke and Tenka Maou can communicate telepathically in an almost instantaneous manner, speaking as if they shared one conscious room. They are also known for sharing perceptual information. Although rare, Tenka Maou is known for materializing when Yasuke is alone - enjoying long walks through serene parks and visiting a cemetery. When the child of Rani and Yasuke was born, there is a picture of Tenka Maou holding him afterwards.
* **Kido Master**: A person whose entire existence is of stubbornness and determination, he is a master at materializing his inner will, Reiryoku, and giving it purpose. His immense imagination serves as a drawing board for complex spells with impressive functionality. Magicians and sorcerers are often noted to be geniuses capable of producing massive formulas in minutes. Scholars of thousands of libraries and writers of a million thesis. But Yasuke exist on the opposite spectrum of most Kidou masters. He is a being of simplicity and focus. One who reads everything about one subject as specialization as opposed to studying an entire encyclopedia. Rather than become a Jack of All Trades, he is the Master of One. Complete comprehension allows for an easier expansion of his spell, quicker casting and a lack of incantation for he is able to demonstrate an impressive knowledge over a single subject. If a soul spent his lifetime practicing a thousand spells, it gives them each a spell at level one. As opposed to his one spell that has been leveled to a thousand. Although he is considered a master of Zanjutsu, Yasuke notes that such a title stems from the effort of two souls rather than one. It was Tenka Maou who allowed him to learn his western style and it is a power that he shares with Tenka Maou. But Kido is his power - something that stems from his Reiryoku, his own internal will and desires being materialized onto the external world. And such, he is considered a Kidou master before a master of the sword. As of late, the young captain has attempted to combine his mastery over Kidou with his sword style to create a synergetic sword form.
* **Enhanced Endurance**:
* **Enhanced Durability**: Yasuke’s spiritual pressure represents the power and hardness of his kind. He is an Oni, granting him the immense durability his kind is famous for. He is a resilient swordsman almost impossible to cut without equal might and desire. Even without his spiritual pressure, his body is able to take quite the beating. He has been thrown impressive distances and had hundreds of buildings collapsed on him. Yasuke was even tossed off a rather large mountain after fighting against a hollow and losing his footing. His body naturally heal at a greater rate and are exponentially more resiliant than other captains. It is the representation of his determined, stubborn reiryoku. A man who only knows how to follow his path. Psychologically, Yasuke can continue fighting against extreme mental pain - withstanding horrific torture against opponents who utilize illusions. Unfortunately he is extremely susceptible to hunger.
* **Natural Weaponry:**
* **Enhanced Strength**: As an Oni, Yasuke was given enhanced strength that rival beings more than twice his size. He is able to cause collateral damage with his strikes and is often known for not knowing his own strength. However, Yasuke is not a warrior who focuses on the importance of physical strength. His lack of a proper form of Hakuda and focus on swordsmanship and Kido has made it rare for him to fight with his hands. He is a man who focuses on the importance of weaponry over self-weaponization. He can fight on par with Kamui during sparring matches and throw hollow many times his size. He has punched through Hierro and demolished areas with his punches and throws. Primarily, Yasuke’s strength is focused on his legs in order to allow for high speed movement. And thus his kicks are incredibly devastating, enough to destroy a large apartment building while restraining himself. Toushirou has noted that if he learned a martial form based on kicking, Yasuke would become a true threat in the realm of hand to hand combat.
* **Enhanced Speed**: In terms of long distance, Yasuke’s ability in shunpo can be considered lacking compared to other skilled captains. He is a swordsman who specializes in duels as opposed to war. Even with his warlike zanpakutou, Yasuke prefers to combat his opponent with small numbers as opposed to overwhelm his target. Regardless, the captain has more than made up for his lack of long distance shunpo by focusing on strengthening his body. An Oni, Yasuke inherited thick muscles trained for combat which allows him to enter a form of high speed movement where he can leap long distances or charge after his targets. Yasuke is able to disappears and reappear in numerous locations before striking - shocking enemies who believed themselves out his range. He has a smooth transition into high speed movement, immediately darting in an extreme burst of tranquil rage. He is able to seamlessly alternate his direction without a second of hesitation, transferring between advancing and retreating immediately. By using his nearby surrounding, including the air itself, Yasuke can bounce from multiple directions without faltering his step. His movements are compared to lightning storms - spontaneous flashes widely thought impossible to react against filled with branching actions.
* **Shunpo Expert**: Yasuke is proficient in the art of Shunpo, enough to keep members of the Onmitsukidō on their feet during combat. He displays a form of defense that favors retreating from an attack with his sword still in extension, in order to keep opponents from countering completely. His style of swordsmanship focuses on a relaxed flow of combat which stems from countering one’s opponent to create an opening. In a duel where the slightest second can mean life or death, it is the explosive power that matters most. And such his shunpo is meant to cross shorter distances explosively or swiftly maneuver around a specific area in order to achieve measure - that is the proper distance for the swordsman to strike his opponent. is form of shunpo is akin to lunging in western fencing or skipping slightly over the ground in order to reach proper distance. It is a march that has rapid halts before completing the full action. While he can keep intangible copies of himself, they tend to have a distance limitations requiring their crafting to be a few feet from one another. They are also limited, meant to be used in quick burst as opposed to a continuous illusion. He has jokingly noted fatigue when using shunpo over large distances, preferring natural strength to keep up with his targets who attempt to escape. The one thing that separates his shunpo from others is the focus of tempo. His movements always possess a rhythm, regardless if it seems chaotic or in order. He creates the tempo of the match in order to better orchestrate the outcome. Combining tempo with extreme burst allows him to cover short measures nearly instantaneously.
* **Enhanced Reflexes**: To outsiders, the captain of the seventh division seems to know an opponent's next action when their body has decided its course. Which, when coupled with his refined control, gives him the ability to alter his own movement according to different split-second situations. He is a warrior with an equally quick reflex whose biggest secret is relaxation. During combat, he effortlessly alternates between defensive and offensive strategies mid-movement, manipulating his approach according to the enemies reaction. Even without the utilization of Yasuragi, Yasuke exhibits a surprisingly swift reaction time. His reflexes have caused him to react to situations subconsciously. His swordplay has been engraved into every muscle fiber, allowing him to act without conscious thought. There have been nights where Yasuke rampages in his division barracks while asleep, causing his lieutenant to comically have to wake him up. However, it is during battle that this surprising ability proves its usefulness. During the rare incident that he is knocked unconscious, he will perform a variation of sleep-walking. Since the subconscious mind has a stronger awareness than one's consciousness, Yasuke’s body still utilizes it's sensory perception while asleep. This feature is then combined with a swordsmen's usage of muscle memory and repetitive training which has engrained every scenario into his body. Swordsmen train their physical being to react on reflex to certain sensory situations. A sudden rush of air warrants a dodge while a heavy step echoing outwards results in a parry. When Yasuke’s sensory organs pick up these signals, his body reacts as it usually would. Unfortunately Yasuke, in this state, is at his most dangerous towards his allies. His body removes the limitations he places on himself consciously and loses the ability to separate friend from foe. Whereas he usually practices restraint to avoid excessive damage or collateral, Yasuke will strike indiscriminately and without hesitation. Fortunately, the lack of thought requirement in battle, relying solely on muscle memory, deduces the time spent upon conscious reaction. Yasuke demonstrates this talent by defeating opponents while performing a separate task efficiently. Despite not being the fastest shinigami in the Gotei 13, he is one with the quickest reflexes.
* **Immense Spiritual Power**: Yasuke has a vast spiritual reiatsu and equally potent Reiryoku. His impressive reiryoku is frightening even by the standards of fellow Captains, allowing Yasuke to hold his ground against numerous captain. His immense spiritual pressure has taken affect with his Zanpakutou in two ways. First, it holds the dark, erie feeling of walking into a giant catacomb that is seemingly endless. The sneaking sensation of death following those in its presence. Secondly, his shikai and bankai’s creation ability stems from the massive amount and takes influence from its representation of his power. If a captain's power is akin to a skyscraper, then Yasuke's is equal to a fortress and a demonic force which is the source of his Zanpakutō. Enemies and allies alike are able to sense his power from incredible distances; resulting in Yasuke inflicting physical damage without actually standing present. Yasuke is unfazed by the Reiatsu of Captain Commander Toushirou who frequently trained him, only succumbing to the horrific freezing prowess. During their final session, Toushirou decided to completely groom Yasuke by ordering the potential Captain to freely release his power. The stage was **Muken** (*無間, Voided Space*), the lowest floor of Seireitei's First Division barracks. A prison completely sealed off from Soul Society so that master and student could perform without concern for casualties and surrounding damage. Due to it's immensity, his reiatsu becomes visible upon release, taking the appearance of the top half of a skeleton. When Yasuke is angered, it becomes a physical aura capable of damaging the immediate vicinity.
* + **Masterful Reiatsu Control**: Despite the tremendous spiritual power inherited by the Seventh Division Captain, Yasuke is renown for his masterful control. Companions describe his refined control as being able to compress or expand it instantaneously. Resulting in a conscious fluctuation of his spiritual power which brings forth a variety of psychological and physical effects. Firstly, Yasuke's reiatsu can bring opponents to their knees, reminiscing a gigantic wall pushing downwards. To avoid such situations, Yasuke has subconscious shackles placed upon himself. Although done automatically, he still refers to having to constantly hold his breath as a major annoyance. In battle, he is able to weaken it to unreadable levels; allowing the captain to seemingly vanish among his squad. Furthermore, he can sneak up on even the keenest sensor by completely masking his reiatsu - something he prefers to do continuously. Yasuke prefers to limit his reiatsu to match that of his opponents, allowing him to prolong battles without harming his allies and to trick opponents into letting their guard down. Doing so causes enemies and allies alike to underestimate the kind hearted captain. Granting Yasuke an advantage over potential opponents. Another trait of his refined control involves both offensive and defensive power. Fellow captains have become aware of a rumor started by the Seventh Division when referencing their captain. As noted by his lieutenant, "There is nothing he cannot cut", which stems from Yasuke subconsciously sharpening his reiatsu until his blade can cut his target. Since his immense spiritual power correlates highly with his wriest, Tenka Maou can seemingly increase in sharpness infinitely.
### Zanpakutō

**Tenka Maō** (*天下魔王, Tenka Maō*): When sealed, Tenka Maō takes the form of a tantō that is above the average length. It is a small sword made for stabbing but complimented by a double edge that is extremely sharp, allowing for deep cuts. Its hilt is black with a white spiral design and an attached charm said to ward off evil spirits. The hilt of his blade is bone white. He often wears his Zanpakutō on his side, hidden by his captain’s haori. Tenka Maō is often noted to be a sword of invasion, the personification of conquest on the battlefield. Its aura is that of void, an empty sensation that reminds one of the silence of the battlefield after war. Tenka Maō is the power to create a yokai inhabited fortress, a demonic army meant to trample those who stand before that which he loves most. Yasuke’s control over Tenka Maō is often used as an example of Zanjutsu. He can perform shikai techniques on a scale that one would confuse it with bankai. And his bankai is a spectacle that has only been witnessed twice. In a way, his bankai is the source of his division being called the Gotei 13’s **Strongest Calvary**. Similar to the creation of the Gotei 13, Yasuke commands demons and devils to fight to protect that which is precious to him. For what greater army is there than one comprised of evil beings whose desire is to destroy. By aiming their destructive will outwardly, Yasuke is able to protect that which is most important. And his Bankai serves as the symbol, a physical object for them to protect - a grand fortress which inside, holds the most precious objects to Yasuke. In a way, it is akin to the dragon who guards the treasure. Tenka Maō, like other zanpakutō, possesses a personality of its own. However, it is more akin to a schizophrenic existence, one comprised of a thousand personalities sealed within one being. Fortunately, the hundreds of minor yokai are controlled by their primal desires and subconscious pulls. It is the Three Great Yokai, whose overall power surpass the minor yokai, that control the other personalities. Their consciousness makes subjugates the destructive tendancies of the minor personalities and guides them into a singular power for Yasuke to wield. To invoke his zanpakutō is to invoke them. Despite the vastness of his zanpakutō, Yasuke is known for his mastery over its spirit - working in tandem with the evil personalities to achieve a single desire.

* **Shikai**: Tenka Maō’s release command is “Arise”. In its shikai, Tenka Maō does not change in appearance but instead glows with a black aura. The product of Yasuke’s Zanjutsu mastery resulted in an ability to bypass the necessity for a verbal release and saying his spirit’s true name - activating shikai upon a mental command. It is a subtle usage that creates the illusion bluring the line between Tenka Maō and Yasuke. Subtly activating shikai with a silent release allows him to access his spirits power without hinderance. It appears in a manner similar to a master casting Kido without the usage of an incantation or spell name.
**Shikai Special Ability:** Tenka Maō governs the aspect of wielding a demonic army, taking the form of a general in war. Yasuke’s power adopts this theme to achieve a variety of offensive, defensive and supportive purposes. Yasuke's shikai gives him the power to materialize yokai by gathering Reishi into a vessel and implanting their piece within. All thousand demons, regardless of their individual personality is Tenka Maō. Despite their individual name and personality, one could compare it to a thousand personalities which amalgamate to make one consciousness - a legion of demons. He can also accomplish this feat with smaller pieces of his fortress which are instantaneously materialize. In his shikai, Yasuke revealed that he is simply calling forth the inhabitants of his inner kingdom into the outer world. By doing so, he is giving them life so that they can interact with the external realm. However Yasuke is able to extend this ability to the kingdom itself, which is also an extension of himself. He can create parts of the kingdom to aide himself and others. He has created buildings from nothingness to serve as a base or a shield and cannons to strike down his opponent with a barrage of attacks. Unlike the yokai, summoning pieces of his kingdom takes a larger toll on his energy reserves if he increases the amount.

* + **Senma Yashin** (*千魔*): The primary power of his shikai and bankai, the yokai are considered absolute servants meant to serve Yasuke, obeying his commands on and off the battlefield without wavering. While some yokai are capable of speech and intelligence, they are a piece of the greater whole that is Tenka Maō, born from the captain's own soul, and such will follow his every desire. It is a weapon of unrivaled flexibility in regards of actual usage. Extremely powerful for both direct and indirect warfare, some could say that it is a Zanpakutō of infinite usage. Beyond the battlefield, Yasuke is able to conjure demons to perform scouting missions, assassinations or protective services. He can indirectly afflict his opponents with ailments and continuously harm their chances at oncoming combat. The 7th Division Captain has often stated that battles should be won before actually clashing blades. Yasuke is able to create puppets to battle against opponents and even overwhelm his enemies with a sheer force of numbers - seemingly calling forth an endless army to assist him during battle. It is with this ability that his division became known as the Gotei 13’s ultimately calvary. The physical capabilities of his yokai are proportional to their perpetuated existences, with several beings possessing might that could rival lieutenants and even pose a threat to captains. The yokai's strength can easily break through buildings and cause incredible collateral damage while their speeds has been proven to be quite troublesome. Additionally, certain yokai possess personal abilities which can aide in battle or complete specific task perfectly. The possibilities and capabilities they exhibit are seemingly endless, with Yasuke relying on his imagination and resourcefulness to accomplish his goals. The yokai are instantaneously summoned from thin air, granting an element of surprise during battle. The multitude of yokai allows Yasuke to attack and defend simultaneously with an omnidirectional approach.

	Ultimately, the yokai are creatures giving reishi comprised bodies to house their personality and power - making it possible for enemies to destroy them before Yasuke can give a dispersal command. While willingly dispersing the creatures is simply recalling them back into his kingdom for future usage during the current activation, destroying them reverts the constructs into pure spiritual energy. Resulting in the energy returning to the sword and requiring time to transform the energy back into tangible spirits. The yokai are essentially defeated during that activation duration, only to return once the sword is recharged and activated once more. As one's spiritual power is defined, the sheer amount of yokai have a limit dependent on Yasuke's own spiritual reservoir. Destroying Tenka Maō's demons decreases the amount of yokai he can call forth during the duration of it's current activation. After destroying the set amount, which is currently seven hundred and seventy hundred, Yasuke reverts to it's sealed state to recharge it's spiritual energy. This does not mean that his blade has been broken. Instead, Yasuke must reconfigure the spiritual energy used to create the materialization, which is only possible in it's sealed state. Unless the sword is actually broken, the only instance of destroying one's Zanpakutō, Tenka Maō can continuously enter shikai.

	Tenka Maō has a counter. Once depleted, it must reset to the full amount before another activation period. Tenka Maō falls asleep during this time and must recover its energy over a specific amount of time. Fortunately, Yasuke is able to force his sword to awaken prematurely which steals gathered energy for another summoning. However, doing so gives him a limited amount of Yokai to create that is directly related to the amount of time allowed for Tenka Maō to recharge. Destroying the created soldiers forces Tenka Maō to deactivate once more and recharge its energy from zero - leading to the captain relying on Honehandan during situations where his forces were defeated. Yasuke developed another method of avoiding the force deactivation of his sword after becoming a captain. During battle, he rapidly summons the deceased warriors to perform an action which is followed by quickly dispersing them. As they are not destroyed, they return to Tenka Maō; Awaiting for their master to call them once more. This style of fighting leads to high speed attacks where he calls upon multiple soldiers to perform a series of rapid actions. Yasuke is capable of connecting learning through his Yokai's senses by shutting off his own. In this state, he can see through their eyes, listen through their ears and even speak from their mouth. However, he cannot scry and use his own senses simultaneously - making him a vulnerable target during its usage.
* **Bankai**: **Tenka Maō:**  ( lit meaning; ): Yasuke drops his sword into the earth, with it falling downwards with its tip first. The sword digs through the ground and tunnels beneath the surface before sending its darkened glow outwards until it creates a net-like formation. It encompasses a relatively large radius that rivals a portion of the Seireitei. The ground within the massive circle cracks as its foundation is destroyed, creating massive sinkholes that swallow everything above. A floating city emerges from beneath the earth, excavated from the sand's of time. A piece of land with an impressive city resting solemnly atop it, a floating fortress that hovers above the earth just beneath the clouds. Tenka Maō takes the form of **Ashihara no Nakatsukuni** (**葦原中国**, lit. The middle country of reed beds), a fortress Yasuke created in order to protect his loved ones. The yokai he command are guardians that shield the land from the external evils of the realm.It was stated that soul reapers would wield zanpakutō the size of skyscrapers, and such a statement is revealed by Tenka Maō's true form - for the Zanpakutō becomes the fortress and the yokai force within. Ashihara no Nakatsukuni is comprised of the finest    stone and wooden construction, decorated in ancient Japanese architecture with ancient designs. Unfortunately, the lack of inhabitants makes it a ghost city - a shell of its former self that can only tell of great lost and anguish.The grand design is overwhelmed by the eerie sense of death, the whispers of massacres and rivers of blood which continue to flow through the beautiful fountains. Instead of water, blood travels through the pipes and fills the ponds where demonic Koi fish swim. Oni flood the fortress, awaiting to capture and kill any invade who attempts to harm their leader. The massive formation is covered with hundreds of empty buildings of various designs and structures, littered with statues and filled with old objects that hint of human settlement. Throughout the lower levels are seemingly an infinite amount of tunnels which lead to everywhere and nowhere, depending on his will. Rooms filled with treasure and others covered in traps. There are thousands of traps on the lower level which are activated when his opponent finds themself in the area. He can control their access points to further confuse his opponents or guide them elsewhere. Yasuke considers Tenka Maō a true monument of history, the greatest city to ever stand and a memory of grandiose. To witness it is a blessing to his enemies and to fight within the city that has been forgotten, a chance that few deserve. It is the representation of the love which Yasuke holds for those closest to him. As a general must protect his home, the captain has to protect his loved one's. Upon closer inspection, each statue is a representation of someone Yasuke holds dearly and a time upon which he has failed them. When used in situations where the ground is unaccessible, Yasuke will drop his sword downwards with it seemingly disappearing and instantly transforming into the massive fortress. The name stems from it being a city which floats between Heaven and Hell, represented by the sky above it and the earth beneath. It is a mysterious country that was said to have vanished thousands of years before. Two spirits that are essentially one, Yasuke has a symbiotic connection with this fortress. During its activation, he becomes the **Dairokuten Maou** (*第六天魔王,Dairokuten Maou* lit meaning: Demon King of the Sixth Heaven).
**Bankai Special Ability**:  Ashihara no Nakatsukuni is a representation of Yasuke. His sword becomes the external materialization of his own mind, body and spirit - the true representation of his power. It creates a personal domain where he is considered the Emperor, a title which he considers more valuable than any room filled with treasure; for with such a title, Yasuke can truly protect those he love without failure. An extension of himself, he gains an absolute control of everything within the ghost city. He can manipulate the buildings and structures to fit his needs and use them as external weapons beyond his own army. Since destroying them is akin to eliminating history, Yasuke instead uses his control to cause psychological damage on his opponents, guide them to specific areas or trap them with his seemingly endless army of yokai. Under his might, Ashihara no Nakatsukuni transforms into a maze impossible for one to navigate. Those who witness Tenka Maō often state that it is a calvary Zanpakutō meant to destroy invading forces. However, Yasuke states that the true purpose is to acccept the invading forces and make them serve in his army - expanding his forces so that they could better protect that which is precious to him. And such, it entraps enemies and transforms all who ingest the **Sacred Sake** into yokai, doomed to an illusionary drunken afterlife until the end of time. It is a floating city capable of traveling long distances in a matter of hours. A grand fortress with unrivaled defensive purposes and frightening offensive capabilities. The structures are capable of withstanding massive damage and the immense size makes it impossible to destroy completely. The only way to truly stop it is through defeating the source of its power, Yasuke himself. A city in itself, some have stated that Tenka Maō is second to only the Gotei 13 in power. Among the power to manipulate the city itself, Yasuke gains access to several other abilities. The prowess of Tenka Maō transforms Yasuke into a single army. It was said that those who harm his loved one's will face the intense passion he feels for them, in the form of an anger that rivals an army.

* **Bankai Regeneration**: Ashihara no Nakatsukuni is spiritually connected to Yasuke, being an extension of his own mind, body and spirit. It is the representation of his desire, the symbol of his will and the dream he wishes to achieve - as well as proof of his failures in life. It is this connection that allows Yasuke to live through his fortress, effectively granting him the ability to heal Tenka Maō by healing himself.
* **Senma Yashin** (*千魔夜侵*): Tenka Maō's true power is the external materialization of **Ashihara no Nakatsukuni.** While his shikai summons pieces of both the grand fortress and his yokai army, his bankai fully materialize his hellish force onto the outer realms. The yokai army are in their true form, obtaining their actual power and personality. It is considered an actual invasion as opposed to the mindless creatures of his Shikai. Yasuke can summon his yokai to his position or maneuver them to perform certain task, taking strategic positions in order to destroy the threat. They move in a perfected synergetic relationship under Yasuke's mental command. He can also allow them to move according to their natural behavior which is amplified by a subconscious desire and purpose to further their Emperor's dream while protecting that which he holds dear. The yokai force is also amplified numerically while within the confines of his domain, and exhibit a level of life that rivals humans on earth. Thousands of yokai with various abilities are at the call of Yasuke, becoming the ultimate symbol of versatility and careful planning. They are mindless spirits meant to destroy all who attempt to threaten what he holds precious. In truth, each yokai is an extension of Yasuke, granting him the ability to perceive the surrounding area through their senses and actually take over their physical being. Instead of a set number of individuals under a specific classification, he can alter the number of each force to equal the total manpower of his army. Which means the same amount of one yokai species will never be the same through activation. There are only a few exceptions due to their innate powers. It allows him to create forces that adjust to the opponent as opposed to falling victim to a specific situation. Ashihara no Nakatsukuni serves as the basis for their life, as his spiritual power is siphoned through to provide them sustenance. Serving as the anchor, his yokai can even leave the fortress and *invade* nearby structures as long as his Bankai remains active. This causes Yasuke to launch attacks as he watches from the confines of his throne room.
* **Sacred Sake**: One thousand of the yokai who Yasuke command are of his own power and abilities. However, a true general knows that taking the enemies forces and making them serve is much more efficient than simply killing them. And so, Tenka Maō utilizes an indirect method of enhancing his forces. The air in his personal fortress is intwined with a gaseous variant of the Sacred Sake. Those who are within his Zanpakutō notice that the air gains a sweetened taste and an even sweeter scent. Continuous exposure to the air will gradually weaken one's spiritual output and cause mental interference akin to drinking. After prolonged exposure, certain physical mutations will appear. And after a lengthy duration, one will transform completely into a yokai species - one which matches their personality. In this form, the yokai loses their memory of being a human, only holding items which were on their person during the transformation process. Stronger individuals can resist the effects completely and require a ritualistic drink from the sacred cup. It is for this end that Yasuke uses his weaker yokai in order to trick his targets. Those who are completely resilient will only suffer from minor mental effects. Also negated should they possess immunity to alcohol.
* **Coming Soon**: is still a floating fortress meant to defend from outside invaders, an such, it is armed with hundreds of cannons and a gigantic Reiatsu cannon meant to cause immediate devastation. The smaller cannons are capable of firing normal ammunition and explosive ammunition towards their target in an omnidirectional approach. Yasuke can control them through mental command, firing from his throne room with a simple gesture.