Utsushi

**Utsushi** (写シ, **literally*, "Duplicate"*?), also known as **Mirage** outside of Japan, is a universal technique used by *Toji* and is their greatest defensive technique. It is a required skill for *Toji* and is the skill they first learn to use which is also used to test their compatibility with the *okatana*. It alongside *jin'i*, an offensive technique, and *Reiatsu*, a supplementary technique, are the three basic *Toji* abilities.

## Characteristics

Using the *okatana* as an intermediary, a *Toji* taps into the Netherworld's composition and "constructs" an energy-like body which then replaces their real body for the duration of the technique. In this state, the user glows white and an lightning-like effect streams from their eyes when in motion. While the technique is active, any damage the user takes is received by their energy duplicate instead in exchange for a slight feeling of pain and mental fatigue for any damage taken. Receiving a blow to a part of a body that would separate it from the rest will make that part vanish and its function would be lost for the duration of the technique but one's real body will take no damage (including bleeding) until the technique wears off. Losing one's concentration, passing out, and losing contact with one's *okatana* will also sever the link with one's *utsushi*. It is possible to use *utsushi* without an *okatana* in hand, albeit this requires great innate mastery over one's Reiryoku only possible after years of training, immense talent or a combination of both.

Unlike the other *Toji* techniques, the only way to train one's *utsushi* is to improve their ability to maintain it for longer periods of time, withstanding more blows before losing the technique, and increasing the number of times a *Toji* can use *utsushi* in a short period; the use of *utsushi* is among the most intense parts of a *Toji*'s training curriculum with more inexperienced *Toji* oftentimes losing consciousness halfway through. The average *Toji* can activate *utsushi* once per battle, and mastering this ability makes it possible for a *Toji* to use the technique two to three times in a single battle, however, each subsequent use increases the mental strain on *Toji* to the point that even honor students will lose *utsushi* after receiving two to three blows in battle after using the technique once or twice previously.

It is customary for a *Toji* to activate *utsushi* during any anti-*aradama* operation and should they lose the ability to maintain it or cannot produce another *utsushi*, they are to immediately retreat. While not required, it is also recommended for a *Toji* to fight in other matters with *utsushi* deployed so as to minimize the risk of injuries that may affect their career. A *Toji*'s ranking is heavily influenced by the number of times they can produce *utsushi*. Average *Toji*, those who remain in the bottom half of the Index can produce it once per battle with the more talented ones being able to do it twice; those classified as Quads can produce it thrice, those classified as Triples can produce it four times, and those classified as Doubles can produce it at least five times or more. For those nine *Toji* who rank as Singles, it is easier to denote the times they are *not* using the technique than the times they are due to their absurd class.