Name: Hikawa Karakuri
Sex: Male
Age: 265
Squad: Second
Rank: Taichou
Zanpakuto's name: Hakumeihebi [Twilight Serpent]
Sealed: A black-bladed Ninja-to with a golden, circular guard. The head of a serpent encrested in the hilt.
Release Cry: "Karamitsuku, Hakumeihebi!" [Coil, Twilight Serpent!]
Ban Kai Call: "Hireki Omae no Kiba, Soshite Kibaku." [Reveal your fangs, and bind tightly."]
Zanpakutou Spirit: An ancient and rather large Basilisk. It's golden eyes illuminating eerily whenever it's spirit takes a manifestation. Eventhough Basilisks are known for their sluggish and broad bodies, it's body resembles more of a Boa constrictor.
Shi Kai: The Ninja-to changes to the shape of a Gusari-Kama, a straight-handled sickle with a long chain; a cresent-shaped blade located at the end of the chain. Used either to attack from a long range or to entangle an opponent, pull him closer and attack with the sickle.
- Continuous moving of the chain and the command words of 'Fukumen Mei [Dark Veil]' allows a veil of darkness to spread around the chain and the direction in which it moves. Which can be used to cover himself in a shroud of dark mist.
- The chain is know to lengthen and shorten to great lengths as well as miniscule lengths upon Karakuri's will.
Ban Kai: The Gusari-Kama dissipates from an ordinary weapon; allowing the opponent to think as if his Zanpakutou was suddenly reduced to nothing. Instead of a normal hand-held weapon, Hakumeihebi takes the shape of a pair of Neko-te gloves; Metal-plated gloves with fingertips that act like claws. These claws in particular are shaped to resemble the fangs of a serpent; sharp enough to cut through skin upon the lightest touch as if it was a lump of hot butter.
Hakumeihebi is not limited to only the transformation into the Neko-Te, from the segments of the gauntlet's fingers Karakuri is able to 'shoot out' numerous of nearly invisible yet very much resilient threads, commonly used to allow numerous threads latch onto an opponents clothing, and then proceed to move around in order to constrict and bind the opponent.
This tactic of binding an opponent is commonly used by Karakuri to restrict an opponents movement, and then come in for an easy kill.
The combination of this Ban Kai and Karakuri's own expertise in Hakuda and his years of training in the Onmitsukido to an elite level of Hakuda; as well as Shunpo and Shunko, make this ability a perfect weapon for Karakuri. Though, never before has this ability been put to the test in a fight in which Karakuri had to get all too serious.
Also, on rare occasions Karakuri has been known to stop by the Fourth division or Twelvth division for a vial of a certain-- or new poison either of the Taichou's was/is cooking up.
Bio: Karakuri had spent the early years of his life in Seireitei training to become a Shinigami. He attended the Shinigami Academy, graduated, and was drafted into Shihouin Yoruichi's and later on Soi Fong's Second division for quite a while, as well as being a excellent member of the Onmitsukido. However, when everything went wrong numerous years afterward, with the coming of Aizen's betrayel and the appearence of his Arrancar since his rule in Hueco Mundo, drastic things had happened. The war had been won, however heavy losses were taken, but Soul Society and Seireitei rebuilt and prospered once more.
Numerous Taichou had resigned from their positions, some due to age, and some due to other duties. The Taichou's were soon replaced by others, some resigning from their duties later than others due to their sense of chivalrly and sense of duty. Now was the time for others to come and stand to protect Soul Society from the new threats.
Karakuri had now been appointed to regain order in the Second division as substituting Taichou since the previous one had been appointed other duties. Even he himself had doubted that he could serve at such a rash change of position, but tough times needed even tougher dicisions and gambles. The first months went slow; Karakuri hardly knew a thing on how to lead a squad; let alone an entire division which had focused their skills on the way of Onmitsu, and mostly Hakudo and Hoho.
Karakuri's compassion to his division members soon enough earned him the respect, understanding, and increased efforts of his division, as well as his new Fuku-Taichou; Sangokushi Nia. And in time they were a fully funcional and well-prepared division if there ever was an Arrancar invasion.
Karakuri is a kind-hearted, yet very much ruthless man when it comes to his division, battles or rules in general. He knows the figurative food-chain around himself, and will act on behalf of it. Those that break orders or rules must be punished, and he will see to it that it so happens. However, when off-duty he has been seen to enjoy a good book or simply relaxation in a park or a beach for instance. Also, he takes great pride in his hair, and will 'litterly' torture and kill anyone and anything that just as much as dares to harm a single lock of it.
Karakuri is also often seen with a stick of pocky wedged between his lips; as if iddly suckling and nibbling on the candy, and has also been labeled a sweet tooth by his division members. It is well known that any favors requested from the Taichou should be done with a good amount of sweets offered.
His favored manner of fighting is as he was taught while serving in the Onmitsukido, Though instead of bare handed fighting Karakuri uses his Zanpakutou and attached chain to entangle his enemies and strike when they are unable to move; the speeds he reached with his Shunpo training under both the Second division Taichou's proving to be a great help with this tactic.
Also, if the enemy proves to be a great deal stronger in both Physical Strenth and Reiatsu, he is also quite fond and proud of long-rage combat. Quite often using attacks consisting of hurling and entangling an opponent with the chain attached to his Zanpakutou in it's Shi Kai form.
Appearance:
