Yamato, Shinkiro [SHINIGAMI]

Former Name: Ayato "Koroshiya" Kimura

Current Alias: Shinkiro Yamato

Name Meaning: Shinkiro is a name of Japanese origin meaning "Mirage."
Actual Age: 312
Apparent Age: 25
Date of Birth: 3/17/1702


Place of Birth: As a human, Shinkiro was born in Tokyo, Japan. Specifically, he was born in what is now Shinjuku's Totsuka district.
Place of Death: Everyone has to die at some point. In Shinkiro's case, death came for him during an assignment in Kyoto.
Current Soul Residency: Previously, Shinkiro had resided in the Fifth District of the Rukongai within the Onmitsukido's area of jurisdiction. As of recently, he is currently a resident of the Third District of Rukongai within Sanbantai's area of jurisdiction. 
Current Gigai Residency: Shinkiro has several gigai located in various countries and towns around the world, however his main and most frequently used gigai is located in Karakura Town. 
Relationship Status: Shinkiro had never put much emphasis on relationships, believing that they provide unnecessary and unwanted distractions. As such, throughout his human life as well as his life as a Soul he has remained single. As a Shinigami, however, Shinkiro has began to rethink his stance on relationships. At present, he has one established romantic interest and several others that are in a state of uncertainty.
Division: As a skilled and precise professional assassin during his human life, Shinkiro believed his already developed skills and talents would be best utilized and implemented as a member of Second Division. As of recently, Shinkiro has become a member of Sanbantai. Exactly how long this membership will last has yet to be determined.
Occupation: Shinkiro has held many professional pursuits throughout the course of his human life, Plus Soul life, and Shinigami life. During his adolescent and teenage years, he worked the unremarkable job of a store clerk in his local neighborhood. It wasn't until his young adult years where he joined the Tokugawa Shogunate as a consistent member of the shogun's personal guard that he developed the proclivity for weaponry and skills that would be utilized as a professional assassin until the day of his death.
Language Proficiency: Shinkiro has developed proficiency in several languages in order to better complete his jobs, most of which were developed during his Shinigami life. Naturally, being a Tokyo native, Shinkiro's primary language is Japanese. From his chosen profession, he developed fluency in English, Russian, Chinese, Italian, and French and passable efficiency in Spanish.
Loyalties: Professional hitmen owe allegiance to no one in particular. However, in order to better succeed at the mission at hand, in life Shinkiro developed professional accomplices that were utilized when necessary. As expected, Shinkiro has a passing level of loyalty for the Gotei as a whole, however his true loyalty is better exhibited towards those that have proven themselves worth trusting. In that regard, Shinkiro is willing to do anything within his power for those he considers important to him. 


Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210lb
Eye Color: Shinkiro possesses a rather interesting eye color. Rather than being only one solid color, they are actually two-toned. The anterior rim of his irises bear a sunset orange trim. Along the exterior rim of his irises, there is a ring of jet-black. The irises themselves are a deep crimson color, bearing a hue reminiscent of fresh blood. In natural or ambient lighting, his eyes can even appear to have a golden yellow hue. Additionally, unlike others, Shinkiro's pupils are vertical as opposed to horizontal. This, in turn, gives his eyes the appearance of being cat-like.
Hair Color: Shinkiro's hair was previously a vibrant shade of red with scattered softer shades of red throughout. Now, due to certain circumstances, it is a purer shade of onyx.
Blood Type: Shinkiro is one of the few people who possesses the rarest blood type available; AB-.
Body Modifications: While not necessarily a modification that he willingly received, Shinkiro bears a horizontal scar extending along his lower abdominal area. The scar is the only truly grievous injury that he has received and is what caused his demise. As such, he has chosen to retain it as a reminder of his mistake. In regards to willing "modifications", he bears a myriad of kido burns across a large portion of his upper body and his face, a result of some "assistance" for a mission from Captain Kiriko Chinda.
Voice: Yasuo - League of Legends
Physical Description:
Shinkiro is, by most accounts, considered a fairly attractive man. In terms of height, he is rather anomalous in relation to other Japanese men, measuring at a height of six feet two inches. This has been advantageous for him on many occasions, usually due to having a higher height of perception. In terms of body type, Shinkiro possesses a sculpted and well-toned physique due to decades of habitual training in martial arts and a strict exercise regimen. His skin is naturally blemish-free, a byproduct of exceptional family genealogy. It is not completely unmarred, however, as due to recent events just over half of his upper body bears Kido burns, several of which even extend to cover portions of his face. Their source is something of pride for Shinkiro. In order to better be adapted to perform a mission, Shinkiro requested that Captain Kiriko Chinda strike him with her Shunko. While it would have been possible to completely heal the scars via Kaido, Shinkiro elected to keep the scars.

A trait common among native Japanese men, Shinkiro boasts a fair skin tone, however over the years it has developed a slightly tanned hue. This is due to his constant traveling to locations of varying climates. As mentioned above, Shinkiro has a somewhat unique eye color. While not full-out heterochromia, he does indeed have eyes that are not a singular color. Unlike other humans, Shinkiro's pupils are vertical as opposed to horizontal, a trait which could most likely be seen as a genetic defect, albeit a minor one. His hair was once a vibrant scarlet color, though now it is a pure shade of onyx bearing a partially disheveled look and reaching to just past the nape of his neck. Intermittent locks fall in sparse bangs, framing his handsome face and further accentuating his attractiveness. 

Shinkiro stands with a posture indicative of pride and confidence. When he walks, his steps are deliberate and purposeful and his movements blend together with a fluid grace. For the most part, he can always be seen with a stoic expression on his face, virtually absent of any emotional indicators. Because of this, it is often difficult to actually discern what Shinkiro's current mood is. Even when in situations that should be stressful or difficult, Shinkiro's expression persists. When he speaks, his tone can often come across as belligerent with a somewhat indifferent undertone, addressing even his superiors as if they were an equal or lower. By all accounts, it is probable that his manner of speaking and interacting with others could be the reason for a large amount of scorn and dislike that he always seems to garner.

Ironically, Shinkiro is also capable of being incredibly charming, to the point where he is able to swoon even the most faithful of women. This is an ability he acquired over years of practice as an assassin in life, though his own inherent charm also plays a large role in it. When dealing with those he considers important to him, another side of Shinkiro is shown. He will adopt a kinder and more playful cadence to his voice, treating them much different than he would everyone else. In line with this, Shinkiro tends to have a very dominant personality around those that he has grown close to in some way, be it platonic or romantically. This can sometimes bleed through into his interactions with people in general, however it is most prevalent in regards to his close circle. 

Like all Shinigami, Shinkiro is required to wear the Shihakusho at all times. Ever the rebel, he has taken the liberty to stylize the uniform to fit his own tastes. Although he has kept the general uniform appearance intact because it is mandatory, he generally neglects to wear the hakama entirely in favor of more casual styled shirts, whether short-sleeved or long-sleeved. Rather than use the standard hakama-timo, since he doesn't wear the accompanying hakama, he wears a white obi, onto which is tied his Zanpakuto. The obi is strictly for carrying his Zanpakuto, however, and his pants are fastened by a black leather belt. For no reason other than for an additional bit of aesthetic flair, his hands are bound in blood red cloth and he wears a hooded black overcoat and matching jacket over his uniform. Finally, instead of the standard tabi and waraji combination that nearly every Shinigami wears, Shinkiro had instead elected to wear a pair of black leather boots.

Because he is not bound to wearing the Shihakusho while he is inhabiting his Gigai, his fashion sense is better exhibited. Generally, Shinkiro will wear modern type clothing that is fashionable but also offers functionality if necessary. Being that his favorite colors are red, black, and blue, his outfits usually have at least one of the aforementioned colors present or even some combination of any of the three. During his leisure time, he tends to wear comfortable clothing, the most common being a blue and white hakama. Since he enjoys eating mangoes and peaches, the scent of them tends to linger on him, though this is also due in part to the scent of the soap he uses.


Positive Traits:
CUNNING - HIGH
"There are hundreds of ways to outsmart you...and I know all of them."
From a young age, Shinkiro has always exhibited an impressive ability to solve problems and get the upper hand over his opponents. Whether it is a single opponent or several, Shinkiro has no trouble devising numerous ways to exploit the weaknesses of his opponent and use them to his favor. This ability was only further strengthened throughout his human life during his time as an assassin and even moreso over the centuries spent as a Shinigami. Shinkiro has also been known to be incredibly deceptive. Oftentimes assassins are required to get close to their targets in order to strike when their guard is down. Shinkiro is able to perform this task effortlessly, even to the point where it has become difficult to discern what is truth and what is fiction in Shinkiro's actions and speech. In some cases, exhibiting high cunning has been tied in to possessing a high intellect. This is especially true for Shinkiro, possessing intelligence on par with some of the smartest individuals both in life and among the numerous Shinigami of the Soul Society.

PATIENT - HIGH
"I've got nothing but time, I can wait as long as I need to."
Patience is often a necessary trait for any warrior to have. This is even more true for those who have chosen the profession that Shinkiro did. Not always will a target be in the proper time and place, thus an assassin will often have to wait until the opportune moment to strike. Shinkiro himself was originally not much of a patient person. As he grew older, however, this trait began to become more and more pronounced. When in combat or even in general, Shinkiro has been known to watch the patterns and mannerisms of others, making a mental note of all that he has seen. Even when he has these things committed to memory, he will often not act right away, instead choosing to outlast his opponents before striking them down when they are weakest.

INTUITIVE - HIGH
"It's rather difficult to hide something from me....but you're welcome to try."
Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without inference or reason. It is often exhibited when a person knows the specifics of a situation without being told anything about it. Shinkiro has time and time again exhibited this trait. When in combat, he is able to discern the abilities of an opponent and adapt to their fighting style nearly instantaneously. In this regard, it is almost as if he has the ability of clairvoyance. This is not the case at all, however, Shinkiro simply possesses what would be called a "heightened sense of awareness." This trait has been beneficial to Shinkiro on numerous occasions, most often in perceiving potential threats as they present themselves to him and allowing him to plan for them. In this regard, it has been shown to be extraordinarily difficult to catch Shinkiro off-guard or to deceive him.

CALM - MODERATE
"Getting overly excited is pointless. Settle down and observe your surroundings."
Calm individuals are able to keep a level head when others are panicking around them. They will rely on rationality rather than going off on emotionally-charged tangents. Shinkiro is a perfect example of the former; regardless of the situation around him, Shinkiro rarely (if ever) shows any emotion. When others panic and allow their emotions to dictate their actions, Shinkiro is the one to remain levelheaded. This is true whether he is in combat or in his daily life. It is most likely a byproduct of his years as an assassin, though it could also be possible that the trait was developed at a young age.

PROTECTIVE - MODERATE
"Someone hurt you? All I need is a name, I'll take care of it."
When he has become better acquainted with someone and deemed that they are worth being trusted, Shinkiro becomes increasingly more protective over them. While it may not always been discernible from his actions or speech, he holds those that he trusts and cares for in very high regard. If they have been wronged, he will do what he can to make things right on their behalf.

KIND - MODERATE
"I'll help you out, you seem to need it anyway."
Perhaps one of the more rarely seen aspects of Shinkiro's personality, he is in fact capable of being very kindhearted to those he considers to be important to him or have earned his trust. It is not usually in the most straightforward manner possible, instead it may come across as amiable reluctance on his part, usually to the effect of making empty excuses to justify the acts of kindness he performs for others. Generally it takes quite a while for Shinkiro to invest enough time and effort into someone to consider them worthy of his kindness, but when he does it is unshakable. 

LOYAL - MODERATE

"It doesn't matter what happens, we're in this together, anyone that doesn't like it can fuck off."

Loyalty is often defined as a person's willingness to stand by a belief or individual despite external circumstances. In Shinkiro's case, his loyal is often veiled or obscured by his actions and speech upon first meetings. Over time, however, once he has established a good connection to someone his loyalty to them will become blatantly obvious. Depending on the level of connection, he will also tend to act in a selfless manner towards them, shouldering their burden along with his own if it means they will be freed of any consequences that may come of it. 

DOMINANT - MODERATE

"I'll be taking the lead and no, it's not up for debate."

To be dominant is the assertion of control and/or establishing a sense of leadership when the situation calls for it. This is one of Shinkiro's most definitive aspects of his personality. When in combat or while performing his duties as a Shinigami, Shinkiro makes it a point to assert himself and plays himself in a position to lead others. This has even been exhibited when dealing with other Shinigami, regardless of their rank.  It is exceedingly more prevalent with his personal relationships. In a romantic sense, he tends to enjoy being the one in control of the relationship, often being the initiator in every aspect and in generally every case refusing to relent said control.

ADAPTIVE - MODERATE
"A blade that is hidden is far deadlier than the blade out in the open."
The ability to adapt and blend with their surroundings is a necessary skill of any assassin. Taking down a target from cover is far more viable than openly charging a target in an attempt to dispatch them, it also has a much higher rate of success and is less likely to result in physical injury or in extreme cases death for the assassin. Shinkiro has always been able to utilize his surroundings to his advantage. This was further bolstered through his multitude of combat training and his experience as an assassin. This is also a useful trait for reconnaissance and espionage, both of which Shinkiro has extensive experience with. He is capable of tracking and observing a target without them having any knowledge of his presence.

Negative Traits:
BELLIGERENT - HIGH
"Oh, you're a superior? Hold on while I go look for some fucks to give."
Due largely in part to his dominant and assertive tendencies, Shinkiro can often come across as being uncooperative and belligerent. This is, in fact, an apt assumption in regards to him. Even at a young age, Shinkiro has had tendencies of having problems with authority as a whole. He is more than willing to lead himself, but exhibits high reluctance to actually be led. He has no issue with being condescending towards his superiors and even questioning their decisions, a fact that has gotten him into trouble with said superiors on numerous occasions. 

REMORSELESS - HIGH
"You can plead all you want, it makes no difference to me."
Remorselessness is the lack of sympathy and empathy for the well-being of others. It is further characterized by a lack of concern for the collateral emotional effects of those other than the initial person. It is expected that an assassin be able to see past these things in order to carry out their task. In this regard, Shinkiro can be seen as a truly effective assassin. Even when faced with pleading from his target or any of their accomplices, he will disregard it entirely in order to complete his job. This extends to after a contract's completion as well; Shinkiro has no issue with leaving the loved ones of a recently deceased target grieving over their loss...or even killing them as well if it is part of his contract. This also makes Shinkiro a less than spectacular "shoulder to cry on", as he will not even bother paying attention when placed in this situation if the person is not someone close to him.

BLUNT - HIGH
"I won't sugarcoat it...your stupidity is apparent enough that I don't need to, anyway."
Being that Shinkiro has no need to spare the feelings of others, he has no issue with telling someone exactly what's on his mind whether they want to hear it or not. He does not believe in biting his tongue, and as a result he will say what needs to be heard rather than what wants to be heard. This trait has often resulted in Shinkiro making a fair amount of enemies, but every enemy is a potential contract. By this logic, Shinkiro is more than glad to have as many enemies as available.

SECRETIVE - MODERATE
"There are plenty of things about me, but that doesn't mean that I'll tell you any of them."
There are some things that should not be told to everyone, things that are unnecessary to be told to others. Shinkiro has no shortage of secrets about himself, and he has no intention of lettings those secrets be known. He believes in telling people only enough information as necessary to make a proper decision. Not only is he good at keeping his own secrets, but he is adept at keeping the secrets of others as well. This is only, however, when he actually decides to bother listening....which is usually only when the aforementioned secret to be kept is of some benefit to him.

VINDICTIVE - MODERATE
"The worst thing you could've done was become my enemy. Congratulations, you've royally fucked up."
Although usually an incredibly calm individual, Shinkiro is capable of holding a grudge for an indefinite amount of time. It generally takes quite a bit to actually get him annoyed or angry enough to actually dislike someone, but when it happens it becomes blatantly obvious in his interactions with that person. In most cases it will manifest in disregard for their presence or snide remarks. However in the off chance that he really begins to despise someone that has slighted him he will have no issue with plotting bodily harm against them and even less with actually carrying it out. 

STUBBORN - MODERATE

"I've already said what I needed to say, don't bother trying to change my mind."

Yet another aspect stemming from his dominant traits, Shinkiro is an incredibly stubborn individual. Although he will begrudgingly listen to what someone else has to say or the details of a plan that someone has devised, if he has made up his mind about a particular path or decision then it will be increasingly difficult to change his mind. This has been a subject of issue when dealing with most anyone in Shinkiro's life, most of his superiors or the people that he has gotten close to. Though in the case of the people close to him he will be slightly willing to listen to what they have to say and consider changing his mind, that luxury is rarely if ever extended to those he has no connection to or doesn't care about. 

SADISTIC - MODERATE

"It's amusing when you try to run and even more amusing when you're in pain."

Perhaps it is an influence of gaining an Inner Hollow or perhaps it has always been present deep down, but Shinkiro has shown instances of being a rather sadistic individual. He has no qualms about inflicting pain on others and has often delighted in the suffering of others. In some cases, he has even performed inhumane acts of cruelty simply for the sake of seeing if the desired reaction will take place. This aspect of his personality generally isn't shown to those he cares for if he can help it, but there have been some instances where it has been witnessed without his knowledge. It is not hidden out of shame for his actions, but rather because he would rather not bother with having to smooth over things with the aforementioned individuals if they disagree with his actions.

ALOOF - MODERATE

"I don't really see the point of getting to know you, but whatever, it's not like I've got anything better to do."

Even from a young age during his human life, Shinkiro has never particularly been the type of person to openly approach others with the intention of becoming better acquainted with them. That has persisted throughout the entirety of his Shinigami life as well. When approached by others, he tends to give off an air of disinterest and a waning attention at best. More often than not, it is simply because he has yet to give them the opportunity to get close to him, believing firmly that it is a privilege that has to be earned and not easily given away. 

IMMORAL - MODERATE
"Right or wrong doesn't matter as long as the job gets done."
Morality, by definition, is the term used to dictate a person's actions in accordance to social norms. This can also be applied to religion and politics as well. The very practice of assassinations can be considered immoral. In this regard, Shinkiro could be considered extremely immoral. Performing a job in a socially acceptable way is the farthest thing from Shinkiro's mind, rather he is willing to do whatever is necessary to complete his task.

"A reliable weapon is an assassin's most valued asset, whether it be an external source or the assassin themselves."

Zanpakutō Spirit:
"There is nothing deadlier than a disciplined warrior....except a pair of highly trained and disciplined warriors."

Shinkiro's Zanpakutō, appropriately named Tamashī no Hametsu or "Soul's Ruin", is in fact two spirits. The spirits take the form of a pair of twin swordswomen who both embody separate aspects of the sword itself as a whole. Undeniably skilled and unquestioningly disciplined, these women are as deadly together as they are separately.
~Shiori, the Corrupting Blade
Shiori is the embodiment of Tamashī no Hametsu's corruption aspects. Despite the malefic attribute of Tamashī no Hametsu that she represents, Shiori is a stunningly attractive beauty in her own right. Standing at a height of five feet seven inches, she possesses a well-toned and lithe physique. Her onyx black hair cascades down the length of her body, stopping just past her lower waist. She very rarely wears it free-flowing, however, and instead wears it pinned up in a single ponytail with a sparse set of intermittent bangs that frame her captivating visage. Her eyes are a striking blue comparable to the most perfectly cut aquamarine gemstones. Her chosen attire is similar to that which would be worn by samurai in feudal Japan, though of course it is stylized and retrofitted to suit her own personal style. As with any samurai, she bears the two primary blades, namely a katana and a wakizashi. In addition the traditional pair, however, she also wields a third katana with a more elongated blade. Each of these blades embody a specific trait of the corrupting aspect of Tamashī no Hametsu and Shiori is able to expertly wield the blades interchangeably with little to no effort on her part.
~Kaori, the Debilitating Blade
Kaori is the embodiment of Tamashī no Hametsu's debilitating aspects. As expected, she is also a ravishing beauty much like her twin sister. Though aesthetically they bear identical facial features and nearly identical body types, Kaori is minutely more curvy than her sister. Another difference between the two is the fact that Kaori's hair is much longer than Shiori's, reaching to just above her knees even when pulled up into a single ponytail. Unlike her sister, Kaori's outfit is less conservative. Instead of the samurai attire worn by her sister, Kaori instead wears a kimono bottom with the accompanying hakama bottom as well. The overlying hakama bottom is frayed and has a weathered look to it, held in place by the sash that is commonplace for kimonos. With the exception of cloth wrapping that is closely wrapped around her torso and chest, her upper body is relatively bare. Upon her arms she wears arm warmers that are bound in the same white cloth wrapping that covers her torso. On her left hand is an ovular gauntlet that bears a crystal blue jewel at its center. Although both sisters are rather stoic and collected personality-wise, Kaori is slightly more kind and personable than her sister. The final difference between the two women is the fact that Kaori does not wield the regular katana and wakizashi like her sister and only wields an elongated katana of her own, being extremely formidable with the blade.
Inner World:
"Inner Worlds are reflective of the Zanpakutō they represent. This forest appears to be their preferred choice."
 

Shinkiro's inner world takes the form of a bamboo forest that is in a perpetual state of twilight. As the creators of the forest, Shiori and Kaori are capable of expanding the forest's area of coverage however they see fit. This includes the level of density of which the bamboo shoots are grouped together and how high up they tower. There is an eerie calm that envelopes the entire forest, the only sounds whispering through its depths being the serene chirping of unseen crickets and cicadas and a second, more haunting sound. This sound is that of mourning souls whose cries echo through the bamboo thickets. The moaning symphony of souls emanate from serpentine will o' wisps that endlessly wander the forest. According to the twins, these will o' wisps are reputedly the fragmented remnants of victims they have slain, cursed to forever sing their torment and wander the forest. Although it has no set location, there is a single stone lantern-lit shrine bound in oddly glowing chains within the forest's interior. The meaning of the shrine is a closely kept secret by both the twins and Shinkiro and neither seem to have any intention of changing that fact.

As of recently, however, a darker change has befallen his sacred sanctuary. Because of the influence of Kuro, his Inner Hollow, a large portion of what was once the bamboo forests of the twins has become a derelict and seemingly war-torn city. A thick layer of black mists blankets the ground of the city, completely obscuring it from view. The layout of the city itself is littered with maze-like streets, making it quite easy for even Shinkiro or the twins to become disoriented should they ever venture into this corrupted part of his Inner World. There is no sound here, save for an eerie whisper of wind that howls through the hollowed out buildings and abandoned streets. Even the once serene glow of the twilight moon that hangs in the sky above the bamboo forest becomes crimson and baleful above the city. The threat of Kuro looms constantly over the entirety of Shinkiro's Inner World, the result being a constant struggle for dominance between the twins and Kuro.
Sealed Zanpakutō:
"A sheathed sword is like a lion waiting to pounce...either way it is deadly to its prey."

As with any Zanpakutō, Tamashī no Hametsu has an unassuming appearance when sealed. The sheathe of the blade is composed of lacquered oak and has been given a royal blue finish. Those who have seen the sheathe have compared it to a clear summer's night sky. The sageo, or more simplistically known as the cord, is located just three inches below the handguard of the blade, bearing an even richer color than the sheathe itself. The color itself is a deep violet, a color most likely chosen in relation to one of Shinkiro's birthstones: amethyst. Continuing upward, the handguard of the sword if composed of an onyx steel. It is circular in design and rather than holding any significant designs, only bears four ovular openings, one in each cardinal direction around the surface of the handguard. As expected, Tamashī no Hametsu's hilt colorized in a pattern that coincides with that of the katana wielded by the Zanpakutō sisters themselves. There is one difference, however. Although the hilt is indeed wrapped in a navy blue binding, the underlying color is not crimson as with the sisters but rather golden amber in color. The edge of the blade is expertly crafted. Its composition is a synthesis of carbon steel and Damascus steel, reinforced and perfected through the bladecraft techniques of the Soul Society. A soft gleam gives the blade the allusion of a sparkling glow along the minutely curved and flawless surface of the sword.
Release Phrase:
"A simple phrase can often bring doom to those unaware of its meaning."
When releasing his Zanpakutō, there is no set series of motions that is required for him to perform the invocation. In fact, the invocation relies solely on the speaking of the following phrase: "Desecrate, Tsuin-shi Ken." Because proper timing and efficiency is of the utmost importance to assassins, there is no lengthened phrase that is spoken to release his sword. This, however, is actually what is known as a False Release phrase. The True Release phrase is as follows: "Bring Them to Ruin, Tamashī no Hametsu." When this phrase is spoken, the true abilities of the zanpakuto are released.
Shikai Appearance:
"Behold that which will herald your end."

Upon being falsely released, Tamashī no Hametsu splits into two separate swords that Shinkiro wields simultaneously. The blades are visually distinctive from each other, however he is able to wield each sword ambidexterously. The main-hand sword, which is Shiori's false sword form, takes the form of a glowing violet single-edged sword. At the base of the blade is a deep violet jewel from which the Zanpakutō's power emanates. The handle is solid black in color, wrapped in shimmering golden cloth. The off-hand weapon, Kaori's false embodiment, takes the form of a single-edged sword. Much like its twin blade, the single-edged sword bears a luminescent glow, however the blade is glowing white in color as opposed to the pure violet hue of its counterpart. Although it still has the shimmering gold cloth wrapped around the handle, the handle is instead white in color as opposed to black.

When the zanpakuto is fully released, both the blade and its wielder undergo a drastic change in appearance. In the case of the blade itself, whereas when falsely released it becomes a pair of katana, when properly released the blade shifts into a dual-bladed spear. As opposed to the hetero-chromatic blades that were wielded before, the spear retains the glimmering silver color of Kaori's false embodiment. At both ends of the spear are triangular blades that are intricately engraved at their base. From Shinkiro's standpoint, blackened scales form across the entirety of his back as well as part of his face and extending down to completely cover his arms and legs. His attire even undergoes a change, his hakama shredding and appearing as though it is tattered and battle-worn. The binding that had previously been closely tied around his waist flows freely as if caught in a constant breeze. His features become more demonic in nature; his nails lengthen to claws, onyx pronged horns extend from atop his head, and what appears to be black feathered adornments extend from his upper arms and elbows. 
Shikai Power:
"To plead for mercy is expected. What else would one do when faced with Death?"
Upon being released, Tamashī no Hametsu truly begins to embody the aspects that the twin spirits that dwell within are known for. Although Tamashī no Hametsu is indeed a Poison-based Zanpakuto, it is not poison in the traditional sense. Rather, than utilizing conventional poisons that affect the natural body, Tamashī no Hametsu produces poisons that affect spiritual power. Through a multitude of variants and composition shifts of this spiritual poison, Tamashī no Hametsu can infect its victims' spiritual power in a variety of ways in order to produce the same effects that natural poisons would. Because nearly every being has some type of spiritual power within it, no matter the size, this makes Tamashī no Hametsu's ability particularly deadly. These effects can range from weakening the flow of spiritual power throughout the victims' bodily systems and consequently debilitating their functionality or bringing physical harm to them, producing effects that alter the senses and effect its victims psychologically, to even reversing or altering the effects of healing and/or physical enhancements. Shinkiro himself is unaffected by the poisons due to the bond shared between himself and the twin spirits of Tamashī no Hametsu. Due to the spiritual nature of the poisons that are produced by Tamashī no Hametsu, it is nigh impossible to cure the afflicted through natural means and thus requires spiritual healing to cleanse any ailments. Because the poisons are so potent, however, this is a feat in and of itself.


Human Life
An Unassuming Childhood
"Unassuming" could perhaps be an understatement when describing Shinkiro's childhood. In fact, Shinkiro's birth itself was rather simplistic in nature. Born to Yuuki and Naoto Kimura in a home birth, Shinkiro began his life in what is now the Totsuka district of Shinjuku, Tokyo as the middle child out of three. Along with his older brother Takeshi and younger sister Ren, the Kimura family lived a peaceful life as grocers. Neither overly wealthy nor desperately destitute, the trio of children enjoyed a comfortable life. The Kimura children were well liked within their village as well as most of the nearby communities as well. Of the three of them, Shinkiro was the more adventurous child. He would often find himself taking part in his own self-proclaimed adventures. Most of these usually amounted to unsupervised and unplanned trips to the multitude of villages that composed Edo-period Shinjuku. His siblings would often describe him as the "busy body" out of the three of them. This reputation followed him wherever he went, to the point where his random departures from home and explorations of the outlying areas of his village no longer bothered his parents. Eventually he even managed to convince his siblings to accompany him. As a result, the three became rather affectionately known as the "Three Musketeers."

Shinkiro and his siblings very rarely, if ever, left each other's company. It was as if the three of them were one being split into three bodies. Despite being the middle child, however, Shinkiro seemed more like the older brother than Takeshi. The two brothers were fiercely protective of their little sister Ren, though they went about it in drastically different ways. Takeshi was more diplomatic in his approach, whereas Shinkiro was more physical and vindictive. This would result Shinkiro being the cause of numerous school fights...though not all the time was he the victor. Due to this proclivity for physical conflict, it was decided by his parents that it would be better for him to channel his aggression constructively. Thus, he was enrolled in martial arts at the age of nine. Not wanting to be separated from their brother, Takeshi and Ren also volunteered to take martial arts classes. While Takeshi and Ren's advancement through the ranks was at a steady pace, Shinkiro's was far quicker. Despite his young age, Shinkiro seemed to have a natural talent for combat. Adolescence was no hindrance to the young boy's progress. He seemed to have a knack for pinpointing his opponents' weak points to quickly and efficiently dispatch them. Even when faced with multiple opponents, Shinkiro seemed to have little, if any, trouble systematically defeating his opponents. By the age of thirteen, Shinkiro could even fight on par with his dojo's master. It was at this point that Takeshi and Ren began to notice the dark descent that Shinkiro had began. Needless to say...they feared for their brother's future.

Teenage Years and Military Enlistment
Although Takeshi and Ren had continued their gradual rise through the ranks of their Karate classes, the now sixteen year old Shinkiro had grown bored with the lack of challenge that the classes presented. He had even turned down countless offers to become an instructor at the dojo. In spite of this, Shinkiro kept up with his practice for the sake of helping his siblings. Ren had no interest in training with Shinkiro, however, as she had become increasingly uneasy due to Shinkiro's new overall attitude and approach towards situations. Takeshi seemed oblivious to the rather obvious change and the trio's parents either chosen to ignore it or were too afraid to confront Shinkiro about it. Near the midpoint of his teenage years, Shinkiro had become much more quiet and apparently reserved as opposed to his previous demeanor growing up and as an adolescent. Despite his general silence, many knew not to mistake this as shyness or weakness. Shinkiro was incredibly observant of those around him, very rarely was it possible to catch him unaware. Ironically, this new change had resulted in him garnering a reputation of being "cool and mysterious" and made him unintentionally popular with many of the young women around his age. The interest was one-sided, however, as Shinkiro gave very little acknowledgement to the attention, instead focusing on his studies and increasing his already impressive intelligence. It was near the end of his third year of schooling that the previous spark for adventure began to surface once more and he expressed interest in wanting to travel abroad.

By the age of eighteen, Shinkiro had made the determined choice to join the Shogunate as a samurai. When questioned by his parents for the reasoning behind this decision, Shinkiro simply stated that he wanted to travel and that he had grown bored within the confines of the village. Although they still had reservations about his decision, he was nonetheless given their blessing. Takeshi and Ren did not share Shinkiro's interest in a military life, and thus they knew that this would mean being split up from their brother for an undetermined, and perhaps even indefinite, amount of time. There were plenty of stories about young men enlisting in the military and dying in service, so needless to say there was a great deal of concern from the brother and sister for Shinkiro's well-being. With every bit of assurance that he would be perfectly safe, Shinkiro bid farewell to his family and left to begin his military career.

Military Discharge and Answering the Assassin Call
Much like with his mastery of Karate in his childhood, Shinkiro ascended through the ranks of the military at an astounding rate. By the age of twenty-one, his numerous accolades and accomplishments had earned him the notice of Yoshimune Tokugawa, the current Shogun of Japan. It was because of this that Shinkiro was invited to serve directly under the Shogun as a member of the court guard. His inherent tactical prowess was the cause of several successful campaigns throughout his military career and his leadership saw very few casualties of war for the squads that he commanded. It was because of these merits that he was opted in for candidacy in the Shogun's personal guard. It was here that Shinkiro's abilities were truly exhibited. Often he would be tasked with missions that required less than honorable methods, usually espionage or assassination missions against potential and known enemies of the Shogun, effectively becoming what would in modern times be referred to as a "ninja." The ability to see weaknesses where others could not, adaptability to ever-changing circumstances, devious cunning, lack of remorse....all of these things were what made Shinkiro stand out from his comrades and earned him a promotion to the personal bodyguard of the Shogun. Unfortunately, this was not always a good thing. Shinkiro would often proceed with missions alone and without the authorization of his superiors. And while he would complete the missions spectacularly and without flaw, the fact that he lacked the permission to do so often resulted in excessive amounts of trouble for the officers.

Eventually, it became much too bothersome to allow Shinkiro to continue with his roguish actions. Even in spite of his overwhelming success, his actions often garnered a rather dark opinion of the nation's methodology in combat. Shinkiro himself was lackadaisical in regards to this, putting more favor in completing his missions than in upholding the "honor" of the military. Unfortunately this view was not shared by the Shogunate's advisors. The day after his twenty-third birthday and in the wake of yet another successful mission, Shinkiro was brought before a council of the advisors and Shogun Tokugawa, himself. It was in light of his remarkable career record that Shinkiro was granted an honorable discharge....despite the less than savory methods he utilized. Rather than be angered or otherwise unsatisfied by this decision, Shinkiro was strangely grateful to them. No longer obligated by the rules that governed the military, he instead decided to put his abilities to better use as a professional assassin. Six months later, his days as an assassin for hire began.

The Rise and Downfall of "Koroshiya"
By the age of twenty-five, Shinkiro had already garnered a reputation as one of the Edo Period's top assassins. Because of this, he would often perform jobs for numerous daimyo, even performing assassinations for opposing sides. It could be assumed that this would cause a conflict of interest, but Shinkiro merely saw his contracts as jobs that needed to be fulfilled. By this point, he had developed into an emotionless killer, never thinking twice about who would be affected by the results of his contracts, their emotional grief and turmoil was of no concern to him....and neither was that of his targets. Naturally, when one becomes a widely known assassin, news of their actions spreads to the masses. In Shinkiro's case, however, it was not his name that brought realization of his identity to his family, but rather his appearance. There weren't many high-profile assassins in the nation with "scarlet hair and eyes of bloody crimson." Although his parents had given up on him and left him to the dark path he had taken, Takeshi and Ren still had hope that their brother, the brother they had grown up with and was so kind and personable in childhood, was still alive somewhere in the remorseless exterior that currently surrounded it. It was during a rather impromptu trip to Kyoto that the three siblings were reunited once more. Sadly, the outcome would not be as the two siblings would expect.

By a chance of fate, Shinkiro found himself within Kyoto on a contract ironically once again working for the Shogunate, hired by Shogun Tokugawa yet again because of his former reputation for efficiency. His target would be a local daimyo that had been plotting an uprising against the Shogunate. During a day of preparation prior to the designated date for completing the mission, Shinkiro crossed paths with Takeshi and Ren. Although the two were relieved to see their brother, Shinkiro himself seemed distant towards them, perhaps even a bit aloof. In a bout of tearful pleading, Ren attempted to dissuade Shinkiro from the path he had taken. She reminded him of the days they shared as children, reminding him of the person he used to be and urging him to become that person once again. Shinkiro offered rigid gratitude for her concern, but otherwise dismissed her pleas. It was here that Takeshi and Ren realized that the person who stood before them now was who Shinkiro truly was. With a final farewell, Shinkiro parted ways with his siblings. As it would turn out, this would be the last time they would see their brother in a healthy state.

The next day, with his preparations complete and his mind clear, Shinkiro proceeded forth to complete his contract. The assassination itself went off without a hitch. It was afterwards during his departure from the location, however, that things took a fatal turn. It stands to reason that Shinkiro had no knowledge of the spiritual world that paralleled the living world, nor of the dangers that were present within. Shinkiro was unfortunately a victim of the "wrong place, wrong time" scenario. As he departed the compound of the recently deceased daimyo, he came under an unseen attack by a Hollow. The resulting abdominal laceration would prove fatal, though Shinkiro seemed to attribute the attack to an undetected trap that had been set. As he struggled to stave off the bleeding, he began to seemingly wander aimlessly through the town, as if being drawn towards some unknown destination. Eventually, he stumbled upon the inn where Takeshi and Ren were currently staying. As it turned out, it was the pair of siblings' concern for his well-being and their hoping to see him again that beckoned Shinkiro to find them once again. With his final bit of strength, Shinkiro clambered into their room and lay dying upon the floor. As his life force waned, he gazed upon the panicked and grieving faces of his brother and sister. For the first time in nearly two decades, Shinkiro smiled. He expressed genuine appreciation for their love and gratitude for seeing them again. With the regret that he would no longer able to protect them, Shinkiro passed away in the arms of his beloved siblings. It was through these most grievous circumstances that the "Three Musketeers" were both reunited once again....then tragically broken up.
Pre-Academy
Reunion of the "Musketeers"....Sort Of
Although Shinkiro had accepted his death willingly enough, the regret for not being able to further protect his siblings continued to gnaw at his mind. He felt obligated to keep watch over them. But how could he do that now that he was dead? He felt that he couldn't just pass on while his siblings still needed him. As these thoughts continued to fill his mind, the darkness around him was pierced by a single glimmering light. Faintly, he could hear the muffled voices of Takeshi and Ren as they wept over him. As he moved closer to the voices, they became clearer and the light became stronger. Within moments, he could once again clearly see the room and his siblings. He spoke out to them, attempting to inform him they he was still with them. Regardless of how much he tried, however, his words seemed not to reach them. It was then that he noticed something peculiar about the current situation. He could actually see himself laying next to Takeshi and Ren. Had he not returned to them? Could they not see him? His gaze scanned the scene in confusion. It was then that he noticed the ethereal chains that coiled tightly around the two weeping siblings. Strangely, they seemed completely unphased by the chains, as if they did not even exist. As he hesitantly began to reach out for a section of the chain that wrapped around Takeshi, Shinkiro halted as he followed the progress of the chain back towards his own body. Shifting his gaze down more, he noticed that both chains were apparently connected to him. Realization dawned on him; it was these chains that had brought him back and what currently kept him here. If he couldn't actively communicate with his siblings....perhaps these chains would allow him to safeguard them in other ways.

It was truly a surreal experience for Shinkiro to witness his own funeral, but admittedly there was some happiness at seeing people attend his funeral and grieve for him. More surprising was the fact that his parents had also shown up, whom had seemed to previously given up on him because of his choices later in life. Even still, he was grateful for their attendance. No parent should have to outlive their child, so Shinkiro appreciated and loved them for showing up. They were not, however, his reason for returning. He had to keep watch over Takeshi and Ren, that was the most important thing. He couldn't leave them unprotected; not if considered himself any kind of good brother to them. Unbeknownst to Shinkiro, each time these thoughts passed through his mind, the chains that bound him to Takeshi and Ren would become tighter and the opening at the center of his chest seemed to become more corroded. The changes were minuscule, but in time they would become a serious issue and would also serve to properly introduce Shinkiro to the spiritual world he had briefly encountered on the day of his death.

Over the course of the next decade, Takeshi and Ren became the center of rather odd occurrences. Whenever they had any kind of trouble, the solution seemed to find them immediately, as if something was guiding them. Several times they would come close to injury or almost become victims of people with malefic intentions, and each time it was as if a hand would pull them to safety or the attackers would be warded inexplicably. It was in fact Shinkiro that was acting as their savior, fulfilling his regrets to watch over them. Eventually the occurrences became too frequent to be simple coincidence. It was actually Ren who began to think that perhaps there was something more to the occurrences. Seeking out a spirit medium, this proved to be the perfect opportunity for Shinkiro to once more communicate with his sister. During a ritualistic possession, Shinkiro and Ren were briefly reunited. Although she thanked Shinkiro for his dedication and protectiveness over Takeshi and herself, she assured him that they would be alright and that he should move on. Unfortunately, by this time the opening had grown even more corroded and Shinkiro had become borderline obsessed with keeping watch over them. Disregarding her attempts at reassurance, Shinkiro adamantly declined to leave and broke the connection. This stubbornness was what caused his chain to degrade even further; time was running out for Shinkiro without him knowing.

Soul Burial and Entrance into Rukongai
Although the connection had been broken, Ren continued to plead with Shinkiro to move on and tried to convince him that they were capable of watching over themselves. The pleas fell on deaf ears, as Shinkiro continued to believe that it was necessary for him to watch over both Takeshi and her. With each passing moment, Shinkiro's regret would overwhelm his better judgment and the saketsu deteriorated at an even quicker rate. As it seemed that Shinkiro's regret would completely consume him, another figure arrived. Introducing herself as a Shinigami, the mysterious figure explained what was happening to Shinkiro and what her task was. The Shinigami, as she informed him, were responsible for performing a ritual on souls known as Soul Burial in order to help them pass on. In order for Shinkiro to be able to pass on, however, he would have to let go of his regret or be doomed to an irreversible process known as Hollowfication. He would no longer be the person he once was, his humanity would be forfeit. It was this revelation along with seeing the forlorn face of his younger sister that finally allowed Shinkiro to let go of his regret. As the last remnants of regret left his mind, the saketsu was repaired and the chain that coiled around Ren vanished. In a final act as her brother, Shinkiro embraced her and said goodbye. Although the gesture was not felt physically, Ren knew that it was Shinkiro. With one last look at his sibling, the Soul Burial was performed and Shinkiro fully passed on to the Spirit World.

Under the escort of the Shinigami who had performed the Soul Burial, Shinkiro witnessed the first signs of what could be effectively called "The Afterlife." The Rukongai, as it was called, was where all souls that had been cleansed through Soul Burial resided after passing. The large city itself seemed reminiscent of Kyoto in structure, yet it was clear that the two were vastly different. As he toured the town, he beheld even more of these Shinigami moving about the city. It was briefly explained that while all Shinigami were technically the same, they were also divided up into divisions based on their skill sets. Shinkiro found this interesting and even wondered if there would be a division that he would fit into. Upon asking and giving a brief description, Shinkiro was informed that there was, in fact, a division that most likely would suit Shinkiro's skill set. It was further explained, however, that its membership was rather strict. With this knowledge in mind, Shinkiro made the decision that he would join this "second" division. For the time being, however, it was determined that he would have to find a place of residence. Unfortunately for him, he would not be able to live in the district belonging to Second Division, and instead settled for 30th District in Northern Rukongai. After all, it would only be temporary.

Two Centuries of Complacency
It seemed immortality was not as appealing at it was made out to be. The two centuries of Shinkiro's life spent in Rukongai was wholly uneventful. It had even gotten to the point of being predictably routine. While he had kept up with his martial arts practice as well as the skills he had acquired in life, that didn't take away from the fact that he was beginning to grow bored with the predictability that he had been forced to settle in to. Something had to be done to alleviate his boredom. It was then that he remembered the Shinigami once more.The thought of joining Second Division had always been in his mind, but he had no way of knowing how to actually go about becoming a Shinigami. After a day of inquiring around Rukongai, he learned of the Academy. It was here, according to the information he had gathered, that he would begin the steps necessary to becoming a Shinigami and moving one step closer to his goal of joining Second Division.

Much to Shinkiro's surprise, registering for the Academy was a relatively easy process. Although as he found out, getting in was not the hard part; the hard part would be finishing. Shinkiro had no doubt in his mind that he would be able to finish, in fact he believed and knew that he would be able to finish without much trouble. Upon his actual entry into the Academy, he was granted the Shihakusho, the common uniform for both graduated and in-training Shinigami, and a Asauchi. It was then that he was informed that he be required to live within the Academy barracks among the other recruits and that it would be his responsibility to change the Asauchi into a Zanpakuto. There was a fair amount of curiosity in regards to the information he had just been provided, but Shinkiro pushed it aside and instead focused on preparing to complete his time in the Academy.
Shinigami Life
6 Years A Student
Throughout a majority of the combat training that Shinkiro received in the Academy, Shinkiro was able to excel outstandingly due to already being a formidable combatant. That is not to say, however, that he was the best among the recruits. Although he was able to perform at an exponentially increasing rate during the Zanjutsu and Hakuda segments of the training and showed great promise in learning and utilizing Shunpo, he seemed to have a fair amount of trouble with learning Kido. Even in spite of this, Shinkiro did not neglect these lessons and instead focused on bettering himself in this aspect. After all, he still held his pride and ideals as an assassin and thus believed that an assassin must be capable of performing their task without hindrance. It was during his first two years within the Academy that he learned how to properly focus the spiritual power that fueled the abilities of Shinigami, known as Reiatsu. It was also during this time that Shinkiro began to experience a small amount of resonance with the Asauchi that he wielded, which was an indication that he was drawing closer to obtaining his own Zanpakuto. Shinkiro had no knowledge of this, however, at mistakenly attributed the minuscule resonance with becoming more adept at utilizing Kido.

In the second half of his third year as an Academy student, Shinkiro's combat capabilities began to flourish even further than they had during his first two years. In terms of Academy students, Shinkiro's Zanjutsu and Hakuda abilities were among the top in the Academy. He had developed an impressive proficiency in Shunpo and had become fairly proficient in Hado as well. The former cunning and weakness exploitation that he had exhibited as an assassin in life began to manifest once again. Shinkiro had no qualms with defeating his classmates with no regard for their safety, even if they were sparring matches. His focus remained entirely on his own growth, so much so that he didn't even bother to associate with his classmates outside of lessons...and even in lessons the amount of association was limited to simple acknowledgements of questions or courtesy bows at the commencement of combat. It was because of this disassociated and somewhat aloof attitude that he garnered a reputation for being cold-hearted and uncaring.

This was not unfamiliar to Shinkiro, as he had already had that reputation in life, so having it as a spirit seemed obvious. He had no need to actually know his fellow classmates outside of performing missions with them, thus the fact that they had developed such an opinion about him actually worked in his favor. It would mean that he would not have to form unnecessary attachments and would not be burdened by them. It was also during this time that the resonance he had briefly experienced before had began to grow stronger, to the point where he would hear faint whispers of unknown voices at sporadic times during his day and even more so during his sleep. There were even some occasions where he would catch fuzzy glimpses of an expansive bamboo forests during his slumbering thoughts, but these glimpses would be fleeting and not last longer than a few short moments. What or who was the cause of these voices? What was the significance of the bamboo forest? It was something that gnawed at his mind...something he had to figure out.

Tamashī no Hametsu and the Zanpakuto Twins
Just short of five years had passed out of the six years Shinkiro would be a student of the Academy. Shinkiro had continued to hone his skills in combat and once more developed into the deadly fighter he had been during life. With each passing day, the resonance grew stronger and the voices became clearer and more determined to gain Shinkiro's attention. There were even some instances where the voices would speak out during sparring matches and temporarily distract Shinkiro, though it was not enough that he would leave openings for his opponents to exploit. The voices were, however, beginning to become an annoyance to Shinkiro finally made the decision to discover the sources of both the voices and the manifestation of the bamboo forest in his thoughts. At the end of the final day of training for the week, Shinkiro had returned to the barracks with the intention of discovering the cause of these "disturbances." Sitting upon his bunk, Shinkiro entered a meditative state, shutting out everything externally and focusing on his thoughts. For nearly three hours, the ethereal voices simply repeated his name, as if beckoning him. At the exact moment of the fourth hour, however, things took an interesting change.

The voices momentarily ceased, however in their place the bamboo forest returned and this time it persisted. There was a major difference; the forest actually felt real to Shinkiro. He could feel the warm air that blew through the bamboo shoots, the glow of the moonlight appeared as it would as if he were awake. The serene chirping of the crickets and cicadas drifted to his ears, the sound reverberating in a way where they seemed that they were in the room. How was it possible that this was feeling real? He had learned that it was possible to induce illusions through the special capabilities of Zanpakuto, but it seemed unlikely that someone would be this elaborate with him...he hadn't met anyone that could possibly have a grudge against him. As he pondered these things and began to wander the bamboo forest, the voices once again spoke. This time, however, they were completely clear and Shinkiro could discern that they were feminine in nature. Perhaps against his better judgment, he began to follow the beckoning instructions of the voices as they lead him deeper into the forest. With each step that he took, the voices grew louder. Eventually he arrived at what appeared to be a single stone shrine. Flanking the shrine on both sides was a woman, both were stunningly beautiful, but they also gave off a swordsman's presence. Even from this distance, Shinkiro was able to detect a warrior's grace from the two women. Piercing blue eyes stared into darkened crimson....these women were foreign to Shinkiro, yet somehow they also felt familiar to him.

The silence was broken as one of the women, the one glad in samurai attire, spoke. It was only a simple challenge; if Shinkiro could defeat the both of them in combat, they would allow him to use their power. For the first time in nearly two centuries, apprehension gripped Shinkiro. He had no doubt in his own skills, but there was something otherworldly about this duo. Even still, the prospect of being able to wield the power that he sensed from them was an appealing prospect. Pushing aside all doubt from his mind, Shinkiro drew his blade and prepared for combat. If Shinkiro was in the top percentage of combatants in the Academy, these women were easily on par with the instructors of the Academy. Did they truly expect him to be able to defeat them? He once more pushed those thoughts aside, they were a distraction, a distraction he could not afford to humor. Once more he shut out the distractions, focusing only on defeated the two female swordsmen. It took great effort on his part, but Shinkiro was finally able to gain the upper hand and defeat the duo. With the conditions met, the pair of women introduced themselves as Shiori and Kaori, the inhabiting spirits of Tamashī no Hametsu. They explained that by learning both their names and the name of the Zanpakuto as a whole, Shinkiro had gained the ability to utilize their power. After further explaining the significance of the bamboo forest, which was revealed to be the Inner World of Tamashī no Hametsu, they pledged loyalty to Shinkiro. Amusingly, the twin women began to refer to him as "Brother Shinkiro" and seemed to develop an elder sister role over him.

Graduation from the Academy
With the mystery of the bamboo thicket and disembodied voices solved, Shinkiro awakened from his meditation. As his gaze shifted down to the katana secured at his side, he noticed that its appearance had shifted. The sheathe was now an azure hue reminiscent of the same twilight sky that had loomed over the bamboo thicket. The sageo had taken on a richer violet color as opposed to the generic onyx that it had been before. Even the coloring of the hilt had changed, changing from the dull gray and black to a shimmering gold and blue. Through his meditation, he had succeeded in transforming the training Asauchi into a full-fledged Zanpakuto. The only thing left would be to test if he actually was able to call upon the power that Tsuin-Shi Ken possessed. He briefly wondered how many other recruits in the academy had gained the name of their Zanpakuto. He would find out soon enough.

The final year passed seamlessly. Shinkiro had continued to perform in the top percentile of the Academy, though he had decided to keep the use of Tamashī no Hametsu's power a secret. While he could hide the power of the Zanpakuto easy enough by not using it, it was more than apparent that a change had occurred due to the weapon's aesthetic change. Of course the instructors and other Shinigami were well aware of the significance behind the sword's change in appearance, and some had even questioned him about why he had elected not to reveal Tamashī no Hametsu's power. Each time, however, Shinkiro had simply disregarded the questioning and acted as if it had not happened. On final day, Shinkiro had a sudden change of heart...or perhaps it had been planned from the start. During a last combat exercise, rather than adhere to the single combat regulations that had been set, Shinkiro elected to instead do combat with three other recruits against himself. Naturally there was equal parts skepticism and intrigue at his request, though in the end it was allowed. As the four combatants adopted ready stances in preparation for combat, Shinkiro stunned the crowd by speaking Tamashī no Hametsu's  false command phrase and releasing its Shikai form. A singular blade became dual blades, an alternating mist of silver and black wafting from the paired blades' jagged edges. Utilizing the abilities he had learned at the Academy in conjunction with the skills he had acquired during his life, Shinkiro was able to effortlessly subdue his trio of opponents. In light of this performance, it was no surprise that Shinkiro graduated the Academy while still within the top percentile.

Having successfully completed his training at the Academy, Shinkiro's next objective would be joining Second Division. In the meantime until he could join, he continued his own personal training, supplementing it with meditative sparring matches with Shiori and Kaori within his Inner World. He knew that he had the skills and experience to join the ranks of Second Division, all that remained was to wait for the moment he would be allowed entry. That invitation, or rather a screening for potential invitation, came during his third year after graduating from the Academy. It was during this interview that he first met the captain of the Onmitsukido, a daunting woman by the name of Kiriko Chinda. Even in spite of being someone who was rarely if ever intimidated, Shinkiro could not deny that there was an overbearing presence to this woman. As he had expected, Shinkiro had managed to sufficiently validate himself as being a suitable addition to Second Division. That very same day, he officially became a member of the Onmitsukido, specifically a recruit in the Clandestine Unit.


Wind Speed: 12 Knots. Elevation: 40 degrees. Air Density: Moderate. The time was ten minutes past noon; the sun had reached an optimal height to provide a good amount of lighting for the task ahead. Karakura Town was in the midst of another pleasant summer, although this was only on the surface. For many of the inhabitants of this town, there was a blissful ignorance of the perpetual battle that raged unbeknownst to them. This battle was fought within the spirit world between combatants of a different caliber. Perched atop a nearby building was one such combatant. A wandering shaft of sunlight danced over the gleaming barrel of a sniper rifle. It was truly an impressive weapon; A modified CheyTac Intervention rifle, retrofitted with a retractable stand for ease of balance. A crimson eye peered intently through the rifle's raised scope, hidden beneath a mane of equally crimson locks. The owner of the aforementioned ocular and hair lane prone, unmoving and watchful. Although he was dressed normally, there was something otherworldly about him, as if you could sense an unnaturalness from him. As he continued to gaze through the rifle's scope, his head angled slightly as if listening to something. It was then that a female voice spoke, however her voice could only be heard by this enigmatic man.

"Brother Shinkiro, why are you using that rifle? Wouldn't it be easier to just use your zanpakuto?" The woman questioned curiously. As the question was completed, an ethereal manifestation of a kimono-clad woman materialized standing on the man's left. The man seemed to ignore her question, prompting a second woman to materialize on the man's right side. While this woman was aesthetically identical to the first woman, she instead wore samurai armor that had been stylized to be slightly more feminine in nature.

"I've got to agree with Kaori here, using that earth weapon seems kind of inefficient, don't you think?" The samurai questioned, earning a low scoff from the prone sniper. His hand reached up and retracted the bolt, chambering a round into the rifle. His name was Shinkiro Kimura, one of many spiritual warriors known as a Shinigami. Tasked with safeguarding the living world from the unseen threats of the spirit world and guiding souls into the afterlife, it seemed rather strange for one of them to be in such a place and situation as Shinkiro currently was. The barrel of the rifle panned horizontally at a slow pace, as if Shinkiro were in search of something. In truth, Shinkiro was currently on a mission to exterminate a group of lesser Hollows that had been reported in Karakura. The most effective weapon for this task was the signature weapon of the Shinigami: the Zanpakuto. Each was vastly different from the next in terms of power and capabilities, the latter of which was determined by the embodying spirit of the weapon. In Shinkiro's case, his Zanpakuto was Tamashī no Hametsu, embodied by the twin sisters Shiori and Kaori. The panning motion of the rifle's barrel halted abruptly as Shinkiro caught sight of something.

"This might be an earth weapon, but the bullets are not. Each one functions the same as a Gokon Tekko. They're a pain in the ass to get authorization for, but luckily I don't use them too often so I have a stockpile of them. I don't plan on solely relying on this gun, by the way, this is more...as bait." Shinkiro informed in a hushed tone as his trigger finger extended and gently flexed before settling onto the trigger once more. Both Zanpakuto spirits looked questioningly at Shinkiro. Gokon Tekko were only effective against souls that were still within a body. As far as they knew, they had no effect on Hollows since they had already crossed over and become spirits in a sense. The bond between a Shinigami and their Zanpakuto is a deep one, down to a spiritual level. Because of this, Shinkiro was well aware of the apprehension of the two women, a fact that was made even more apparent by the amused grin that had slowly began to spread across his face. Through the binocular vision provided by the rifle scope, Shinkiro's augmented gaze settled upon a pair of Hollow stalking their current prey. His eyes narrowed slightly as the crosshairs shifted upward and centered on the first Hollow's head, tracking its progress as it moved. A slow exhale preceded the gentle but firm squeeze of the trigger. The hollow boom of the rifle echoed through the immediate area, followed just a few short seconds later by a second boom as yet another bullet was released. The expert knowledge that he had gained during his human life had served him well, he had judged the shots perfectly. Two seconds after the shots had left the barrel, both Shiori and Kaori watched in mild awe as the pair of Hollow were forcefully driven through a nearby building wall from the bullets' impacts. Shinkiro lifted the rifle from its stand while shifting into a kneeling position.

"B-Brother Shinkiro....you knew that would happen?" Shiori inquired in disbelief. Shinkiro disregarded her question completely, instead slinging the rifle over his shoulder then withdrawing a small piece of candy from his pocket. Upon flipping the candy into his mouth and swallowing it, Shinkiro's true Shinigami form was expelled from his material body. Another useful tool for Shinigami, the Gikongan, allows a Shinigami to evacuate their material body when necessary. As the now empty vessel settled against the roof ledge, Shinkiro let out a small groan and massaged his neck.

"Yeah I knew, I figured it'd be more than just a gentle nudge like that, though. Anyway, time to go to work...." Shinkiro paused as he drew the katana that was sheathed at his side. "Desecrate, Tsuin-Shi Ken." As these words were spoken, the ghostly apparitions of the women standing at his side vanished and the sword he currently wielded shifted in appearance while simultaneously splitting into two separate swords. After glancing around at his immediate surroundings to insure that his Gigai would be unharmed, Shinkiro vanished from sight.



Player Alias: Shinkiro, Kimura, Aya...any variation of my character name within reason, I suppose.
Desired Starting GP: 2000+ or whatever you feel I have earned/deserve.
Were you referred by anyone?: Found the site on my own.
Other Characters: None.