Post by Nobuyuki Takenaka on Dec 24, 2012 22:09:43 GMT -5
Name: Nobuyuki Takenaka
Title: The Genius of Battles
Age: 317 though he appears to be in his late teens/early twenties.
Gender: Male
Class: Shinigami
Affiliation: Gotei 13
Rank: Fifth Division - Vice-Captain
Description:
Standing a pretty slim 5'10” with a slim build and generally angular facial features more often than not contrasted with his soft expressions, Nobuyuki certainly isn't the most imposing looking Shinigami around. Usually sporting a melancholic expression, his deep red eyes are nearly always ¼ closed, making him look continually pensive or else profoundly bored though it is more often the former which holds true. His face is framed with bright red hair which matches his eyes, worn in a medium length ragged mop he not only lets his bangs surround his face but also to fall forward and cover his forehead. He can often be seen wearing a white band across the bridge of his nose, a habit he picked up from Nagamasa Suzuki after his death though he had never asked Nagamasa why he wore his it serves as a reminder of his friend and mentor. Nobuyuki habitually removes this band whenever he elects to 'get serious' with an opponent and it usually precedes him releasing his Shikai accompanied with a marked shift in personality from his usual glum self.
To look at his body from a distance it would be easy for anyone to see that he isn't 'built,' but closer up it becomes apparent that while this holds true his build is not simply skinny, but more athletic than anything else, honed by years of dedicated training during his time in the Second Division. Though his spiritual appearance corresponds to what he would have looked like physically in his late teens and early twenties, Nobuyuki still has the appearance of someone who is growing in to his own form whether it be from his long limbs or his slender fingers the effect is quite the same.
As a Shinigami he wears the Shihakusho common to all of the Gotei with a split hakama. Unlike many of the other Vice-Captains he wears his armband at all times, usually tied to his sash close to his Zanpaktou on his left hip but worn as intended for formal occasions.
As he rarely takes days off he doesn't own a great deal of casual clothing but on the rare occasions he's spotted out of uniform he often opts for a chequered maroon coloured kimono and straw sandals.
Faceclaim: Katekyo Hitman Reborn – Enma Kozato
Personality:
Nobuyuki is not really what one would call sociable, not to say that he rejects interaction only that he does not actively seek it out. Of course the fact that he always seems to be in the midst of some deep thought or wrestling with some dilemma makes him seem somewhat unapproachable. In his day to day life he does seem at best as if he's only half there, as if a part of his mind is in a world of its own 24/7 and this often makes him seem a bit scatterbrained though to think any such thing of him would be a grave misjudgement. The truth is that despite being a little rough around the edges what with being raised in the furthest parts of Rukongai (although he does try to be polite as he can) Nobuyuki is the holder of a remarkable mind. Even during his training to become a Shinigami, Nobuyuki was noted as having a proficiency with and talent for Kido far beyond his years, not only in the respect of learning or performing them but in his ability to employ or combine them in combat. This combined with his keenly perceptive nature and unyielding ferocity in combat would eventually earn him his nickname of 'The Genius of Battles' an alias which he hates and has tried to shake off for years. Indeed in combat a whole other side of the young Shinigami becomes apparent, more confident, more motivated and a great deal more aggressive.
Though working under Masato Kanada gave him quite the ruthless disciplinarian streak he has one golden rule which arose from the same source and that is to never EVER betray one's own. Though he regrets having ratted out several of his fellow Shinigami to what he now realises to be a paranoid, delusional despot, his loyalty to those he recognises as his comrades is unquestionable. Due in part to this iron clad rule of his Nobuyuki harbours a bitter grudge against his former Captain for transgressing that very rule which his leadership instilled in the younger Shinigami and 'abandoning' the Second Division. Yet, even though he harbours a seething hatred for Masato deep inside his still desires his approval and not only wishes to fight Masato for revenge, but also so that he will finally acknowledge him as a Shinigami.
Nobuyuki's anxiety over being abandoned has led him to be much more closed off in his tenure in the Fifth Division than he ever was in the Second. Though he is still open and honest with his Captain out of a dutiful obligation he is more much reserved when dealing with his subordinates or fellow Vice-Captains, which is not to say that he is uncaring, only that he tends to keep his cards close to his chest especially if he feels it to be a sensitive matter. Generally he is much more prepared to listen than he is to talk and as a seated officer he maintains an open door policy not only to members of the Fifth, but to all Shinigami. This has earned him a reputation of being despite all appearances a somewhat stern but dependable officer, tough but fair one might say.
History:
Statistics
Reiatsu Hue: Cardinal Red, can often be seen rising off his body as tongues of red flame.
Reiatsu Flavor: Like the flames produces by his Zanpaktou, Nobuyuki's reiatsu has the feeling of being deathly cold to those caught in it.
Stats
Reiryoku: 140
Power: 100
Agility: 100
Affinity: 140
Skill Tier:
Level 1
Hoho: Shunpo distance increased to 25 meters.
Hakuda: By exerting their full body potential, the user may use their limbs to redirect or reflect reishi attacks. The user's Power must be over 40 range to strike a blow against the attack, either pushing it back or cutting through it.
Reiatsu Control: Can flare reiryoku in the form of reiatsu, pressing down upon the opponent, impeding their strength. Reiatsu is determined by the subtotal of your reiryoku minus their reiryoku, subtracting half of that amount from their Power.Reiatsu Barrier gains an additional 10 Reiryoku added onto its defense (40 limit).
Level 2
Kido Expertise: Can cast Kido at half strength when not using a full incantation or the number and name of the spell. Each Kido spell gains +25 reiryoku to initial strength.
Abilities
Division Perk: Magic Touch
Kido Expertise: +35 to strength
Shikai (+15 to each stat)
Shunpo (25 meters)
Soul Link: Tier One
Hado: #1 - #88
Bakudo: #1 - #96
Soul Weapon: Zanpaktou
Name: Kouenouji (Red Flame Prince)
-Sealed Appearance:
In its sealed state Kouenouji appears largely indistinct from other katana, with few remarkable qualities aside from its ornamentations. The guard takes the form of the Sun, roughly circular in shape and featuring tongues of 'flame' around its circumference, below that the habaki has the appearance of a bird's wing, roughly following the contour of the blade's back with its feathers splayed out over its surface. The hilt is wrapped in a red cloth and capped with a gold coloured ornament with an engraved image resembling a bird's head on either side. The scabbard is a deeper red than the hilt wrapping and sports a cap at it end resembling the one on the hilt only with no engraving.
Zanpaktou Spirit:
Appearance:
Shikai
Kouenouji most often takes the form of a man in his mid to late twenties with long flowing red hair and blood red eyes. His angular facial features are usually settled into a self satisfied smirk but often flashes of intense anger or bloodlust in which they contort in to a sneering scowl. Standing a little over 6 feet he possesses a broad figure and well defined physique dwarfing that of Nobuyuki. Most often he wears a red armoured cuirass with extended shoulder plates. Over the top of this he wears a white haori sporting a high collar and gold coloured lapels, it is secured at the front with a thin gold thread. On either arm he wears red bracers similar in construction and colouration to his chest armour, he also wears a red split hakama with a blue sash and straw sandals.
Faceclaim: Demon Eyes Kyo – Samurai Deeper Kyo
Bankai
In Bankai, Kouenouji disappears, consumed in a torrent of red fire as all of the flames which cover the forest rise and coalesce into the form of a giant red phoenix which is almost identical to the actual form of Nobuyuki's Bankai. However in his Inner World Kouen Housen seems quite a great deal more stable as the flames don't seem to rage so much as they flow smooth and steady throughout the gigantic bird's form.
Personality:
Kouenouji describes himself as being what Nobuyuki wishes that he could be, he acts the way his wielder wishes he could act, talks the way he'd like to talk, even fights the way he wishes he could fight. According to the Spirit he is the yardstick of Nobuyuki's latent potential in more ways than simply his power and familiarity with their shared Zanpaktou. He speaks in a fairly rough and informal manner, being loud, boisterous and confident to a fault, but he shows a considerable guile and an intelligence which rivals that of his wielder to back up all his bluster.
He seems to have a deep respect for the balance of souls between worlds and has on more than one occasion reminded Nobuyuki of his duties as a Shinigami and reinforced that they take precedence about almost all else. The one thing which supercedes that duty at least in his eyes is Nobuyuki's loyalty to those whom he considers his comrades or his friends, his own one might say.
Kouen Housen is quite a great deal different from his counterpart, he is the part of Nobuyuki's soul which is utterly dedicated to his duty as a Shinigami above all else and even more than Kouenouji he often reminds his wielder of his duty to the balance; 'the cycle must continue, the wheel must turn' he often says. He is more reserved than his counterpart, generally not speaking unless spoken too and being a great deal more respectful when he does talk. Even though he is of a generally more settled disposition than Kouenouji, Kouen Housen is much more prone to anger, especially in the face of Hollows whom he hates with a passion and intensity far exceeding that of most of his Zanpaktou brethren.
Inner World:
Nobuyuki's Inner World is a vast forest filled with bare trees which 'blossom' with the red flames of his sword's Shikai form. There are several paths through the forest though aside from the odd clearing there are few landmarks. One of the few is located in the centre, a large clearing which doubles as a rock garden and is centred around a small pond. Kouenouji can usually be found here meditating by the pond or sat on one of the larger rocks. The only other notable location in the forest lies towards its outskirts and is a small house similar to the one in which Nobuyuki lived with Tsukiko for a time. Kouenouji says that originally there was no such building in the forest, but that it held such a special place in Nobuyuki's heart that it manifested almost overnight. Likewise he's said that the red flames which wreath the trees were not originally there but are a result of Nobuyuki's repressed anger and unresolved emotions and that previously the forest bloomed with beautiful sakura blossoms.
-Shikai:
Release Phrase: Moetsuku, Kouenouji {Ignite, Red Flame Prince}
Appearance:
In its Shikai state the blade of Kouenouji is surrounded by a column of bright red flames, that aside the sword undergoes no changes. The flames flicker and flow around the blade, clinging to its surface as it is swung. The flames give off no perceivable heat, quite the contrary as those who've been exposed to them describe them as being intensely cold. Because they are not conventional flames the fire which surrounds the blade cannot be extinguished by conventional means, the only known way to put Kouenouji out is to smother the flames with a reiatsu far in excess of its own.
Attacks:
Though its hue and appearance somewhat resemble that of Hado 31, Kouenouji's abilities more closely resemble that of Hado 54, the red flames which surround the blade will annihilate anything they touch down to the last particle. While they do not 'burn' in a physical sense they are designed to consume spiritual matter or energy at an accelerated rate. The flames will adhere to and burn on any object of spiritual matter or energy and while the flames remain on a person or object composed of spiritual particles they will continue to burn through it, transforming the resultant reishi into fuel in order to grow in size and intensity.
Tenka {Ignition}
Tenka refers to the ability of Kouenouji to spread its flames throughout reiryoku, consuming it and using it as fuel, the flames growing larger and more intense as they spread. The ability is 'activated' as soon as Kouenouji's flame touches spiritual matter or another spiritual being. This obviously makes it very difficult to use purely reiryoku based abilities such as Kido or Cero against him as they run an inherent risk of being broken down then consumed by Kouenouji. The only sure fire way to rid oneself of the red flames aside from smothering them with reiatsu is to tear or cut away the afflicted area in order to stop the spread of the flames.
Kouenyose {Red Flame Gathering}
A fairly straightforward technique in which Nobuyuki summons the flames of Kouenouji back to his blade, added them to what is already there in order to produce a larger torrent of flame around his sword and give it a greater attack range. The flames may add the approximate length of Kouenouji's blade (62cm / 24.4in) for every 100 affinity which Nobuyuki possesses.
Kouensatsu – Kouenshouben {Red Flame Murder - Red Flame Burning Whip}
Should Kouenouji's blade ever be broken its wielder is not left completely defenceless, by compressing the flames of Kouenouji in to a thinner, much longer column the user can create a 'whip' of red flames which moves and behaves according to the user's will along with the movements of the hilt. Kouenshouben is the final attack of Kouenouji's Shikai form and Nobuyuki refers to it as being Kouenouji's 'true form.'
In this form Kouenouji's attacks are treated as having +5 to both their reiryoku and agility, though these bonuses do not apply to Nobuyuki himself. Additionally as the weapon's 'blade' is now ethereal in nature it cannot be cut or broken as any other Zanpaktou might be and the compressed flames are able to burn under reiatsu which would have otherwise snuffed them out for one post for every 50 affinity Nobuyuki has. The length of the attack too is determined by Affinity, with every 100 Affinity the 'blade may grown up to 4 sword lengths. (248cm / 97.6in / 8.1ft)
Nobuyuki has displayed a limited ability to use Kouenshouben with the blade still in place, however it is with reduced range and is less dexterous than in its proper form and so does not receive the +5 bonus to Agility for its attacks and the 'blade only grows 2 lengths per 100 Affinity. (124cm / 48.8in / 4ft)
-Bankai:
Release Phrase: Bankai, Kouen Housen {Red Flame Immortal Phoenix}
Appearance:
During Bankai, the blade of Kouenouji disappears completely, its red flames soaring into the sky to leave nothing but the hilt and guard in Nobuyuki's hand. The flames quickly gather and coalesce into the form of a gigantic phoenix composed entirely of the reiryoku flames which form the Zanpaktou's Shikai. The phoenix generally hovers above and behind Nobuyuki, but like Kouenshouben can be directed with movements of the sword's handle to dive onto an enemy and consume them completely in the red flames before reforming itself.
Attacks:
During Nobuyuki's Bankai, Kouen Housen is controlled through the movements of the sword's empty hilt, though its direction and general motion are determined solely by the hilt's movement the specifics of how the phoenix moves are down to Nobuyuki's own will. To use a basic example, if Nobuyuki were to direct his Bankai to move toward a specific opponent he would then be able to dictate whether it would dive in with its beak or sweep its wings forward in an effort to envelope the unwary adversary.
In this form the Zanpaktou maintains all of its previous powers, able to set reiryoku or reishi ablaze through contact, though Kouenyose becomes a more integral part of the Bankai allowing the phoenix to reform and 'rise from the ashes' as it were after slamming into an enemy. Finally he is able to use Kouensatsu – Kouenshouben to manipulate the bird's three long 'tail feathers' to attack opponents in a similar manner to the flame whip form of his Shikai.
Hihou Kouenrou {Flying Phoenix Red Flame Prison}
In this attack the red phoenix pursues a target, wrapping its head wings and tail around it before reforming into a perfect sphere of red flames with no gaps, the sphere then implodes, bathing everything inside in the red flames of Nobuyuki's Bankai. At the point of implosion it is possible to escape the attack as the collapse opens up gaps in the formation of the flames just large enough for the average humanoid to fit through. The size of the sphere depends on the object being enclosed, for humanoid enemies a sphere as small as 6ft in diameter can be created by splitting off part of the Bankai as a smaller bird whereas for larger enemies a prison of up to 60ft diameter can be created using the entire Bankai.
Housen Kaifuku {Immortal Phoenix Restoration}
This ability which Nobuyuki gains in Bankai is an extension of the Kouenyose ability, allowing him to absorb the flames of Kouen Housen into his own body, restoring his stamina and appearing to 'burn' the wounds on his body shut, what is actually happening is Kouen Housen integrating its own reishi and that of the objects its (or Kouenouji's) flames have consumed, rearranging it particle by particle to repair any damage done to its wielder. It also serves as the set up for Kouen Housen's ultimate attack Kouensatsu – Housen no Ken.
While in this state Nobuyuki's Agility and Power attributes receive a further +15 boost.
Obviously with such a potent ability there comes a drawback. Once Nobuyuki reseals his Bankai he must enter a meditative 'coma' while his reiryoku and body recover, though he can prevent this from happening for up to an 6-8 posts dependant on his well being after his Bankai ends he is only able to use Shikai before resting for an extended period and he is generally fatigued until he does so receiving a -10 penalty to all stats except Affinity.
Kouensatsu – Housen no Ken {Red Flame Murder – Sword of the Immortal Phoenix}
The second and final form of Nobuyuki's Bankai compresses the flames of Kouen Housen into a flowing blade of flames emitting from the weapon's empty hilt. The result is a 'blade' which can cut through almost anything, making it Kouen Housen's strongest attack by far. The blade formed is roughly the length of a nodachi being within the region off 122cm / 48in in long.
For any attack using Housen no Ken Nobuyuki's Reiryoku is used in place of his Power and is doubled for as long as the ability lasts. Nobuyuki is able to maintain Housen no Ken for a post per 100 Affinity that he possesses.
Passive Ability:
Under the Wing
While in Bankai both the phoenix itself and Nobuyuki are immune to the effects of outside reiatsu originating from anything up to 150 reiryoku in excess of his own, any more than that is treated as having 150 less reiryoku thereby lessening its effect.
Soul Sync
Nobuyuki shares a deep and powerful connection with his Bankai, upon triggering Kouen Housen the two share stats and buffs.
Title: The Genius of Battles
Age: 317 though he appears to be in his late teens/early twenties.
Gender: Male
Class: Shinigami
Affiliation: Gotei 13
Rank: Fifth Division - Vice-Captain
Description:
Standing a pretty slim 5'10” with a slim build and generally angular facial features more often than not contrasted with his soft expressions, Nobuyuki certainly isn't the most imposing looking Shinigami around. Usually sporting a melancholic expression, his deep red eyes are nearly always ¼ closed, making him look continually pensive or else profoundly bored though it is more often the former which holds true. His face is framed with bright red hair which matches his eyes, worn in a medium length ragged mop he not only lets his bangs surround his face but also to fall forward and cover his forehead. He can often be seen wearing a white band across the bridge of his nose, a habit he picked up from Nagamasa Suzuki after his death though he had never asked Nagamasa why he wore his it serves as a reminder of his friend and mentor. Nobuyuki habitually removes this band whenever he elects to 'get serious' with an opponent and it usually precedes him releasing his Shikai accompanied with a marked shift in personality from his usual glum self.
To look at his body from a distance it would be easy for anyone to see that he isn't 'built,' but closer up it becomes apparent that while this holds true his build is not simply skinny, but more athletic than anything else, honed by years of dedicated training during his time in the Second Division. Though his spiritual appearance corresponds to what he would have looked like physically in his late teens and early twenties, Nobuyuki still has the appearance of someone who is growing in to his own form whether it be from his long limbs or his slender fingers the effect is quite the same.
As a Shinigami he wears the Shihakusho common to all of the Gotei with a split hakama. Unlike many of the other Vice-Captains he wears his armband at all times, usually tied to his sash close to his Zanpaktou on his left hip but worn as intended for formal occasions.
As he rarely takes days off he doesn't own a great deal of casual clothing but on the rare occasions he's spotted out of uniform he often opts for a chequered maroon coloured kimono and straw sandals.
Faceclaim: Katekyo Hitman Reborn – Enma Kozato
Personality:
Nobuyuki is not really what one would call sociable, not to say that he rejects interaction only that he does not actively seek it out. Of course the fact that he always seems to be in the midst of some deep thought or wrestling with some dilemma makes him seem somewhat unapproachable. In his day to day life he does seem at best as if he's only half there, as if a part of his mind is in a world of its own 24/7 and this often makes him seem a bit scatterbrained though to think any such thing of him would be a grave misjudgement. The truth is that despite being a little rough around the edges what with being raised in the furthest parts of Rukongai (although he does try to be polite as he can) Nobuyuki is the holder of a remarkable mind. Even during his training to become a Shinigami, Nobuyuki was noted as having a proficiency with and talent for Kido far beyond his years, not only in the respect of learning or performing them but in his ability to employ or combine them in combat. This combined with his keenly perceptive nature and unyielding ferocity in combat would eventually earn him his nickname of 'The Genius of Battles' an alias which he hates and has tried to shake off for years. Indeed in combat a whole other side of the young Shinigami becomes apparent, more confident, more motivated and a great deal more aggressive.
Though working under Masato Kanada gave him quite the ruthless disciplinarian streak he has one golden rule which arose from the same source and that is to never EVER betray one's own. Though he regrets having ratted out several of his fellow Shinigami to what he now realises to be a paranoid, delusional despot, his loyalty to those he recognises as his comrades is unquestionable. Due in part to this iron clad rule of his Nobuyuki harbours a bitter grudge against his former Captain for transgressing that very rule which his leadership instilled in the younger Shinigami and 'abandoning' the Second Division. Yet, even though he harbours a seething hatred for Masato deep inside his still desires his approval and not only wishes to fight Masato for revenge, but also so that he will finally acknowledge him as a Shinigami.
Nobuyuki's anxiety over being abandoned has led him to be much more closed off in his tenure in the Fifth Division than he ever was in the Second. Though he is still open and honest with his Captain out of a dutiful obligation he is more much reserved when dealing with his subordinates or fellow Vice-Captains, which is not to say that he is uncaring, only that he tends to keep his cards close to his chest especially if he feels it to be a sensitive matter. Generally he is much more prepared to listen than he is to talk and as a seated officer he maintains an open door policy not only to members of the Fifth, but to all Shinigami. This has earned him a reputation of being despite all appearances a somewhat stern but dependable officer, tough but fair one might say.
History:
Born in Shiga, Japan, Nobuyuki was the offspring of a young noble and a common woman. His father had no interest in raising a peasant girl's child as his own or at all in fact, his mother though she loved him dearly was forced to abandon him that she might live a decent life with her lover. Nobuyuki was given to an elder couple, a woodcutter and seamstress respectively they were not the experienced and loving parents that she had hoped and when they weren't neglecting the child they worked him ragged to pay off the 'debt' he owed for their raising him. He ran away just as soon as he could outrun the aged forester and struck out on his own. Granted, this didn't go exactly as planned and between odd jobs and errands he was normally begging. This trend continued for many years of his life, but as he grew his odd jobs grew steadily less and less reputable much as he loathed it, likewise he blew less of his money on food and more on gambling. Through all of his hardships though (some self inflicted admittedly) it was his willpower alone which kept him going, when most men would have given up and died in a gutter his sheer determination kept him going along with the notion that he was somehow destined for more. When a border dispute with a neighbouring daimyo erupted in to out and out war Nobuyuki signed up immediately, eager for a chance at regular food and enough dumb soldiers to con out of a small fortune.
This too didn't really go according to plan.
Nobuyuki spent his last moments of life stumbling through an emptied battlefield as he slowly bled to death, his resilience still not flagging as he reached the end of his life, he was adamant that he wouldn't die there and marched alone off the field. On his way back to civilization he stopped to rest under a tree by a way-shrine and never woke again. No one cared, no one mourned, no one even noticed. Likewise it was an event of little significance when he appeared in Soul Society, in the outer Rukon and instantly slid back in to his old ways. Beg, borrow or steal, Nobuyuki's one goal was to as it had been in life, to survive and thrive or at least it was at first. In all likelihood he would have continued on unabated in his old habits had he not run across his 'big sis.' Obviously not his real sister, he first met Tsukiko while he was trying to steal the tiles off of her roof, under the impression that her small out of the way home had been abandoned. Upon startling the interloper, causing him to fall off the roof and break his arm, rather than shoo him off of the property she took the vagabond in, set his bone and looked after him til he was fully healed again.
Though he had maintained that he'd leave just as soon as he was back at 100% he stuck around the general area of Tsukiko's home, performing odd jobs and manual labour for her, not because she asked, but because for the first time in his life or afterlife someone had helped him out and he wanted to help them in return. Their chance meeting wound up with Nobuyuki sticking around for years to come, helping around the house and occasionally contributing money which he'd almost invariably conned someone in town out of. Though Tsukiko was frail and sickly she disliked showing it and the fact that she never let it impact her day to day life made Nobuyuki admire her all the more. For a time he was happy and content, though his life was soon to take another rather unexpected turn when he 'met' a Shinigami of the Second Division by the name of Nagamasa Suzuki. He met Nagamasa the same way he met most people, he was trying to steal from him at the time. The fact that someone from the Outer Rukon was trying to pick his pocket was no source of surprise fro Nagamasa, the real surprise that he had gotten so close to actually doing it and that on closer inspection his spiritual power was much greater than that of the others in the area.
Naturally he offered the young vagabond a job, which said vagabond quite naturally refused. Nagamasa wasn't ready to take no for an answer and visited upon him and Tsukiko several times over the next few years always with the same result, however over this time he perceived a steady worsening in Tsukiko's sickness which he attributed to Nobuyuki's leaking reiatsu. Though he was concerned over such a theory Nobuyuki still denied Nagamasa's offer to become a Shinigami and said that he'd much rather stay with Tsukiko than waste time off in some boot camp. Nagamasa in an effort to persuade him against his chosen course of action said he was merely being selfish, but was surprised when Nobuyuki readily admitted being so, he said that he was selfishly clinging on to what he had because he had never had anything else worth hanging on to. Nagamasa, still disappointed with such an answer, left him be for a time and it seemed after a while that he would not visit again. While that suited Nobuyuki just fine he did grow steadily more worried over Tsukiko's condition and would spend more and more time away in town after that. When he did come back he only stayed for brief periods for fear of causing more harm to his beloved 'big sis.'
It was on one rainy night like any other when he made his way back to the humble house to find it completely obliterated, the roof and walls almost entirely caved in as though something huge had slammed down. And then he saw it, the huge lumbering masked creature which he'd only heard of in stories before. The Hollow, apparently drawn in by his leaking reiatsu, held the inert form of Tsukiko in one hand and upon realising this Nobuyuki threw himself at the creature only to be batted away without a thought. His body broken with that simple strike, he could do nothing as the Hollow swept him up in his free hand to be devoured. What a massive stroke of luck it was that Nagamasa had been on his way to drop by or else Nobuyuki might have ended then and there. As the Shinigami fought the Hollow, the stricken Nobuyuki clawed his way across the ground to where Tsukiko had been dropped to find her already dead, her sickly fragile spirit crushed under the weight of the beast's reiatsu. Devastated with this turn of events and knowing full well that he was the cause of it all, Nobuyuki asked that once his wounds were healed Nagamasa take him to become a Shinigami. With some reluctance, mentally questioning his recruit's motives, the Shinigami accepted.
In the Academy was a distinctly average student in most areas and though the tutoring he received from Nagamasa would often put him just ahead of the curve in Hoho training his real proficiency lay in the practice of Kido to which he took like a fish to water. His skill with Bakudo in particular was noted as being equal to that of most seated officers by the time he left the academy.
Due to his more than impressive Kido skills Nobuyuki would have been earmarked for a place in the Fifth Division, but he had long before been headhunted by the Second thanks in no small part to the recommendation of Nagamasa Suzuki. Though he felt somewhat out of place at times his skills with Kido availed him yet again, allowing him to climb to the rank of Fifth Seat even without a Shikai, his penchant for Bakudo in particular even catching the eye of the then Captain Masato Kanada who went so far as to say the Second needed someone with his kind of skills around. Not merely because of his very occasional compliments, Nobuyuki was one of those most loyal to Masato during his tenure in the Second Division and he informed on several dissidents who sprang up as his Captain's reign became more and more that of a tyrant. In the end it was his friend and mentor Nagamasa who impeached him to step back and distance himself from the Captain, but Nobuyuki was too blinded by loyalty to see that something was not altogether right with Masato. Still, he was concerned for his friend and his anxiety over what Nagamasa might do led him to confide in Masato, expressing the feeling that something should be done preemptively, his intent being that Nagamasa should be reassured and brought back into the fold. The result was the apprehension and summary execution of Nagamasa Suzuki for such heinous crimes as conspiracy, dereliction of duty and treason.
Nobuyuki was distraught and disgusted with himself for his part in his friend's death, but his eyes were finally open to the evil his beloved Captain had sewn in the Division and he stormed in to the barracks with the intention of confronting Masato only to find that the man he sought had apparently turned traitor and abandoned Seiretei. It was only then that the full scope and weight of everything Masato had done within his Division came to light and only then that the full weight of Nobuyuki's sins came crashing down on him. During the ongoing investigation into Masato's dealings Nobuyuki along with many others was remanded in custody (little did they know that they were being observed for signs of Hollowfication) and he half expected and hoped to be executed at any moment. Eventually he was acquitted of any wrongdoing and it was generally perceived that he had been a largely ignorant albeit a willing accomplice. Though cleared of any crime, the seeds of mistrust which he'd sewn by his own hand meant that he could not return to the Second Division and he was instead reassigned as Fourth Seat of the Fifth Division.
During his time in custody he had begun to hear something, a voice which whispered to him in the lonely dark, convinced that he was cracking up he said nothing of it to anyone else but it only occurred to him some time after that it had been the voice of his Zanpaktou. When he spoke on the matter to his Captain some months later he received training to help him better commune with his Zanpaktou which would eventually result in his first meeting with Kouenouji. At first reluctant to offer up his powers to someone who'd been so selfish and so easily deceived in the past, Kouenouji made his wielder promise that he would use his new found powers to protect people rather than just hurt them. Nobuyuki, though he thought the whole thing sounded corny, accepted the Spirit's propossal and in doing so sealed the pact which unlocked his Shikai. He was as good as his word, winning renown amongst his squad for safeguarding countless Plusses and slaying dangerous Hollow wherever he found them, those who were awed by his brilliant strategic mind and the sheer ferocity he showed in combat began to call him 'The Genius of Battles.' It was not a nickname he liked, for one thing it was far too ostentatious and for another having lost everything which he'd ever cared about through ignorance or outright selfishness he hardly felt like any kind of genius.
As word of his accomplishments found its way to the Captain, Nobuyuki suddenly found himself thrust in to the role of Vice Captain, his skill with Kido, tactical capability and flexibility making him more than adequate to fill the role. He now tries his utmost to fill the post to the best of his abilities, always having an ear open for the lower ranks as he had learned the hard way that officers have just as much responsibility to those they lead as the soldiers do to their officers. Though his name is still mud amongst the longer serving members of the Second Division, he's tried hard to repair his shattered relations with the squad as a whole, lobbying on several occasions for support for them from the Fifth. As a result he has gained a reputation as a somewhat gloomy, though trustworthy and dependable officer not only in his own squad, but in others as well.
This too didn't really go according to plan.
Nobuyuki spent his last moments of life stumbling through an emptied battlefield as he slowly bled to death, his resilience still not flagging as he reached the end of his life, he was adamant that he wouldn't die there and marched alone off the field. On his way back to civilization he stopped to rest under a tree by a way-shrine and never woke again. No one cared, no one mourned, no one even noticed. Likewise it was an event of little significance when he appeared in Soul Society, in the outer Rukon and instantly slid back in to his old ways. Beg, borrow or steal, Nobuyuki's one goal was to as it had been in life, to survive and thrive or at least it was at first. In all likelihood he would have continued on unabated in his old habits had he not run across his 'big sis.' Obviously not his real sister, he first met Tsukiko while he was trying to steal the tiles off of her roof, under the impression that her small out of the way home had been abandoned. Upon startling the interloper, causing him to fall off the roof and break his arm, rather than shoo him off of the property she took the vagabond in, set his bone and looked after him til he was fully healed again.
Though he had maintained that he'd leave just as soon as he was back at 100% he stuck around the general area of Tsukiko's home, performing odd jobs and manual labour for her, not because she asked, but because for the first time in his life or afterlife someone had helped him out and he wanted to help them in return. Their chance meeting wound up with Nobuyuki sticking around for years to come, helping around the house and occasionally contributing money which he'd almost invariably conned someone in town out of. Though Tsukiko was frail and sickly she disliked showing it and the fact that she never let it impact her day to day life made Nobuyuki admire her all the more. For a time he was happy and content, though his life was soon to take another rather unexpected turn when he 'met' a Shinigami of the Second Division by the name of Nagamasa Suzuki. He met Nagamasa the same way he met most people, he was trying to steal from him at the time. The fact that someone from the Outer Rukon was trying to pick his pocket was no source of surprise fro Nagamasa, the real surprise that he had gotten so close to actually doing it and that on closer inspection his spiritual power was much greater than that of the others in the area.
Naturally he offered the young vagabond a job, which said vagabond quite naturally refused. Nagamasa wasn't ready to take no for an answer and visited upon him and Tsukiko several times over the next few years always with the same result, however over this time he perceived a steady worsening in Tsukiko's sickness which he attributed to Nobuyuki's leaking reiatsu. Though he was concerned over such a theory Nobuyuki still denied Nagamasa's offer to become a Shinigami and said that he'd much rather stay with Tsukiko than waste time off in some boot camp. Nagamasa in an effort to persuade him against his chosen course of action said he was merely being selfish, but was surprised when Nobuyuki readily admitted being so, he said that he was selfishly clinging on to what he had because he had never had anything else worth hanging on to. Nagamasa, still disappointed with such an answer, left him be for a time and it seemed after a while that he would not visit again. While that suited Nobuyuki just fine he did grow steadily more worried over Tsukiko's condition and would spend more and more time away in town after that. When he did come back he only stayed for brief periods for fear of causing more harm to his beloved 'big sis.'
It was on one rainy night like any other when he made his way back to the humble house to find it completely obliterated, the roof and walls almost entirely caved in as though something huge had slammed down. And then he saw it, the huge lumbering masked creature which he'd only heard of in stories before. The Hollow, apparently drawn in by his leaking reiatsu, held the inert form of Tsukiko in one hand and upon realising this Nobuyuki threw himself at the creature only to be batted away without a thought. His body broken with that simple strike, he could do nothing as the Hollow swept him up in his free hand to be devoured. What a massive stroke of luck it was that Nagamasa had been on his way to drop by or else Nobuyuki might have ended then and there. As the Shinigami fought the Hollow, the stricken Nobuyuki clawed his way across the ground to where Tsukiko had been dropped to find her already dead, her sickly fragile spirit crushed under the weight of the beast's reiatsu. Devastated with this turn of events and knowing full well that he was the cause of it all, Nobuyuki asked that once his wounds were healed Nagamasa take him to become a Shinigami. With some reluctance, mentally questioning his recruit's motives, the Shinigami accepted.
In the Academy was a distinctly average student in most areas and though the tutoring he received from Nagamasa would often put him just ahead of the curve in Hoho training his real proficiency lay in the practice of Kido to which he took like a fish to water. His skill with Bakudo in particular was noted as being equal to that of most seated officers by the time he left the academy.
Due to his more than impressive Kido skills Nobuyuki would have been earmarked for a place in the Fifth Division, but he had long before been headhunted by the Second thanks in no small part to the recommendation of Nagamasa Suzuki. Though he felt somewhat out of place at times his skills with Kido availed him yet again, allowing him to climb to the rank of Fifth Seat even without a Shikai, his penchant for Bakudo in particular even catching the eye of the then Captain Masato Kanada who went so far as to say the Second needed someone with his kind of skills around. Not merely because of his very occasional compliments, Nobuyuki was one of those most loyal to Masato during his tenure in the Second Division and he informed on several dissidents who sprang up as his Captain's reign became more and more that of a tyrant. In the end it was his friend and mentor Nagamasa who impeached him to step back and distance himself from the Captain, but Nobuyuki was too blinded by loyalty to see that something was not altogether right with Masato. Still, he was concerned for his friend and his anxiety over what Nagamasa might do led him to confide in Masato, expressing the feeling that something should be done preemptively, his intent being that Nagamasa should be reassured and brought back into the fold. The result was the apprehension and summary execution of Nagamasa Suzuki for such heinous crimes as conspiracy, dereliction of duty and treason.
Nobuyuki was distraught and disgusted with himself for his part in his friend's death, but his eyes were finally open to the evil his beloved Captain had sewn in the Division and he stormed in to the barracks with the intention of confronting Masato only to find that the man he sought had apparently turned traitor and abandoned Seiretei. It was only then that the full scope and weight of everything Masato had done within his Division came to light and only then that the full weight of Nobuyuki's sins came crashing down on him. During the ongoing investigation into Masato's dealings Nobuyuki along with many others was remanded in custody (little did they know that they were being observed for signs of Hollowfication) and he half expected and hoped to be executed at any moment. Eventually he was acquitted of any wrongdoing and it was generally perceived that he had been a largely ignorant albeit a willing accomplice. Though cleared of any crime, the seeds of mistrust which he'd sewn by his own hand meant that he could not return to the Second Division and he was instead reassigned as Fourth Seat of the Fifth Division.
During his time in custody he had begun to hear something, a voice which whispered to him in the lonely dark, convinced that he was cracking up he said nothing of it to anyone else but it only occurred to him some time after that it had been the voice of his Zanpaktou. When he spoke on the matter to his Captain some months later he received training to help him better commune with his Zanpaktou which would eventually result in his first meeting with Kouenouji. At first reluctant to offer up his powers to someone who'd been so selfish and so easily deceived in the past, Kouenouji made his wielder promise that he would use his new found powers to protect people rather than just hurt them. Nobuyuki, though he thought the whole thing sounded corny, accepted the Spirit's propossal and in doing so sealed the pact which unlocked his Shikai. He was as good as his word, winning renown amongst his squad for safeguarding countless Plusses and slaying dangerous Hollow wherever he found them, those who were awed by his brilliant strategic mind and the sheer ferocity he showed in combat began to call him 'The Genius of Battles.' It was not a nickname he liked, for one thing it was far too ostentatious and for another having lost everything which he'd ever cared about through ignorance or outright selfishness he hardly felt like any kind of genius.
As word of his accomplishments found its way to the Captain, Nobuyuki suddenly found himself thrust in to the role of Vice Captain, his skill with Kido, tactical capability and flexibility making him more than adequate to fill the role. He now tries his utmost to fill the post to the best of his abilities, always having an ear open for the lower ranks as he had learned the hard way that officers have just as much responsibility to those they lead as the soldiers do to their officers. Though his name is still mud amongst the longer serving members of the Second Division, he's tried hard to repair his shattered relations with the squad as a whole, lobbying on several occasions for support for them from the Fifth. As a result he has gained a reputation as a somewhat gloomy, though trustworthy and dependable officer not only in his own squad, but in others as well.
Statistics
Reiatsu Hue: Cardinal Red, can often be seen rising off his body as tongues of red flame.
Reiatsu Flavor: Like the flames produces by his Zanpaktou, Nobuyuki's reiatsu has the feeling of being deathly cold to those caught in it.
Stats
Reiryoku: 140
Power: 100
Agility: 100
Affinity: 140
Skill Tier:
Level 1
Hoho: Shunpo distance increased to 25 meters.
Hakuda: By exerting their full body potential, the user may use their limbs to redirect or reflect reishi attacks. The user's Power must be over 40 range to strike a blow against the attack, either pushing it back or cutting through it.
Reiatsu Control: Can flare reiryoku in the form of reiatsu, pressing down upon the opponent, impeding their strength. Reiatsu is determined by the subtotal of your reiryoku minus their reiryoku, subtracting half of that amount from their Power.Reiatsu Barrier gains an additional 10 Reiryoku added onto its defense (40 limit).
Level 2
Kido Expertise: Can cast Kido at half strength when not using a full incantation or the number and name of the spell. Each Kido spell gains +25 reiryoku to initial strength.
Abilities
Division Perk: Magic Touch
Kido Expertise: +35 to strength
Shikai (+15 to each stat)
Shunpo (25 meters)
Soul Link: Tier One
Hado: #1 - #88
Bakudo: #1 - #96
Soul Weapon: Zanpaktou
Name: Kouenouji (Red Flame Prince)
-Sealed Appearance:
In its sealed state Kouenouji appears largely indistinct from other katana, with few remarkable qualities aside from its ornamentations. The guard takes the form of the Sun, roughly circular in shape and featuring tongues of 'flame' around its circumference, below that the habaki has the appearance of a bird's wing, roughly following the contour of the blade's back with its feathers splayed out over its surface. The hilt is wrapped in a red cloth and capped with a gold coloured ornament with an engraved image resembling a bird's head on either side. The scabbard is a deeper red than the hilt wrapping and sports a cap at it end resembling the one on the hilt only with no engraving.
Zanpaktou Spirit:
Appearance:
Shikai
Kouenouji most often takes the form of a man in his mid to late twenties with long flowing red hair and blood red eyes. His angular facial features are usually settled into a self satisfied smirk but often flashes of intense anger or bloodlust in which they contort in to a sneering scowl. Standing a little over 6 feet he possesses a broad figure and well defined physique dwarfing that of Nobuyuki. Most often he wears a red armoured cuirass with extended shoulder plates. Over the top of this he wears a white haori sporting a high collar and gold coloured lapels, it is secured at the front with a thin gold thread. On either arm he wears red bracers similar in construction and colouration to his chest armour, he also wears a red split hakama with a blue sash and straw sandals.
Faceclaim: Demon Eyes Kyo – Samurai Deeper Kyo
Bankai
In Bankai, Kouenouji disappears, consumed in a torrent of red fire as all of the flames which cover the forest rise and coalesce into the form of a giant red phoenix which is almost identical to the actual form of Nobuyuki's Bankai. However in his Inner World Kouen Housen seems quite a great deal more stable as the flames don't seem to rage so much as they flow smooth and steady throughout the gigantic bird's form.
Personality:
Kouenouji describes himself as being what Nobuyuki wishes that he could be, he acts the way his wielder wishes he could act, talks the way he'd like to talk, even fights the way he wishes he could fight. According to the Spirit he is the yardstick of Nobuyuki's latent potential in more ways than simply his power and familiarity with their shared Zanpaktou. He speaks in a fairly rough and informal manner, being loud, boisterous and confident to a fault, but he shows a considerable guile and an intelligence which rivals that of his wielder to back up all his bluster.
He seems to have a deep respect for the balance of souls between worlds and has on more than one occasion reminded Nobuyuki of his duties as a Shinigami and reinforced that they take precedence about almost all else. The one thing which supercedes that duty at least in his eyes is Nobuyuki's loyalty to those whom he considers his comrades or his friends, his own one might say.
Kouen Housen is quite a great deal different from his counterpart, he is the part of Nobuyuki's soul which is utterly dedicated to his duty as a Shinigami above all else and even more than Kouenouji he often reminds his wielder of his duty to the balance; 'the cycle must continue, the wheel must turn' he often says. He is more reserved than his counterpart, generally not speaking unless spoken too and being a great deal more respectful when he does talk. Even though he is of a generally more settled disposition than Kouenouji, Kouen Housen is much more prone to anger, especially in the face of Hollows whom he hates with a passion and intensity far exceeding that of most of his Zanpaktou brethren.
Inner World:
Nobuyuki's Inner World is a vast forest filled with bare trees which 'blossom' with the red flames of his sword's Shikai form. There are several paths through the forest though aside from the odd clearing there are few landmarks. One of the few is located in the centre, a large clearing which doubles as a rock garden and is centred around a small pond. Kouenouji can usually be found here meditating by the pond or sat on one of the larger rocks. The only other notable location in the forest lies towards its outskirts and is a small house similar to the one in which Nobuyuki lived with Tsukiko for a time. Kouenouji says that originally there was no such building in the forest, but that it held such a special place in Nobuyuki's heart that it manifested almost overnight. Likewise he's said that the red flames which wreath the trees were not originally there but are a result of Nobuyuki's repressed anger and unresolved emotions and that previously the forest bloomed with beautiful sakura blossoms.
-Shikai:
Release Phrase: Moetsuku, Kouenouji {Ignite, Red Flame Prince}
Appearance:
In its Shikai state the blade of Kouenouji is surrounded by a column of bright red flames, that aside the sword undergoes no changes. The flames flicker and flow around the blade, clinging to its surface as it is swung. The flames give off no perceivable heat, quite the contrary as those who've been exposed to them describe them as being intensely cold. Because they are not conventional flames the fire which surrounds the blade cannot be extinguished by conventional means, the only known way to put Kouenouji out is to smother the flames with a reiatsu far in excess of its own.
Attacks:
Though its hue and appearance somewhat resemble that of Hado 31, Kouenouji's abilities more closely resemble that of Hado 54, the red flames which surround the blade will annihilate anything they touch down to the last particle. While they do not 'burn' in a physical sense they are designed to consume spiritual matter or energy at an accelerated rate. The flames will adhere to and burn on any object of spiritual matter or energy and while the flames remain on a person or object composed of spiritual particles they will continue to burn through it, transforming the resultant reishi into fuel in order to grow in size and intensity.
Tenka {Ignition}
Tenka refers to the ability of Kouenouji to spread its flames throughout reiryoku, consuming it and using it as fuel, the flames growing larger and more intense as they spread. The ability is 'activated' as soon as Kouenouji's flame touches spiritual matter or another spiritual being. This obviously makes it very difficult to use purely reiryoku based abilities such as Kido or Cero against him as they run an inherent risk of being broken down then consumed by Kouenouji. The only sure fire way to rid oneself of the red flames aside from smothering them with reiatsu is to tear or cut away the afflicted area in order to stop the spread of the flames.
Kouenyose {Red Flame Gathering}
A fairly straightforward technique in which Nobuyuki summons the flames of Kouenouji back to his blade, added them to what is already there in order to produce a larger torrent of flame around his sword and give it a greater attack range. The flames may add the approximate length of Kouenouji's blade (62cm / 24.4in) for every 100 affinity which Nobuyuki possesses.
Kouensatsu – Kouenshouben {Red Flame Murder - Red Flame Burning Whip}
Should Kouenouji's blade ever be broken its wielder is not left completely defenceless, by compressing the flames of Kouenouji in to a thinner, much longer column the user can create a 'whip' of red flames which moves and behaves according to the user's will along with the movements of the hilt. Kouenshouben is the final attack of Kouenouji's Shikai form and Nobuyuki refers to it as being Kouenouji's 'true form.'
In this form Kouenouji's attacks are treated as having +5 to both their reiryoku and agility, though these bonuses do not apply to Nobuyuki himself. Additionally as the weapon's 'blade' is now ethereal in nature it cannot be cut or broken as any other Zanpaktou might be and the compressed flames are able to burn under reiatsu which would have otherwise snuffed them out for one post for every 50 affinity Nobuyuki has. The length of the attack too is determined by Affinity, with every 100 Affinity the 'blade may grown up to 4 sword lengths. (248cm / 97.6in / 8.1ft)
Nobuyuki has displayed a limited ability to use Kouenshouben with the blade still in place, however it is with reduced range and is less dexterous than in its proper form and so does not receive the +5 bonus to Agility for its attacks and the 'blade only grows 2 lengths per 100 Affinity. (124cm / 48.8in / 4ft)
-Bankai:
Release Phrase: Bankai, Kouen Housen {Red Flame Immortal Phoenix}
Appearance:
During Bankai, the blade of Kouenouji disappears completely, its red flames soaring into the sky to leave nothing but the hilt and guard in Nobuyuki's hand. The flames quickly gather and coalesce into the form of a gigantic phoenix composed entirely of the reiryoku flames which form the Zanpaktou's Shikai. The phoenix generally hovers above and behind Nobuyuki, but like Kouenshouben can be directed with movements of the sword's handle to dive onto an enemy and consume them completely in the red flames before reforming itself.
Attacks:
During Nobuyuki's Bankai, Kouen Housen is controlled through the movements of the sword's empty hilt, though its direction and general motion are determined solely by the hilt's movement the specifics of how the phoenix moves are down to Nobuyuki's own will. To use a basic example, if Nobuyuki were to direct his Bankai to move toward a specific opponent he would then be able to dictate whether it would dive in with its beak or sweep its wings forward in an effort to envelope the unwary adversary.
In this form the Zanpaktou maintains all of its previous powers, able to set reiryoku or reishi ablaze through contact, though Kouenyose becomes a more integral part of the Bankai allowing the phoenix to reform and 'rise from the ashes' as it were after slamming into an enemy. Finally he is able to use Kouensatsu – Kouenshouben to manipulate the bird's three long 'tail feathers' to attack opponents in a similar manner to the flame whip form of his Shikai.
Hihou Kouenrou {Flying Phoenix Red Flame Prison}
In this attack the red phoenix pursues a target, wrapping its head wings and tail around it before reforming into a perfect sphere of red flames with no gaps, the sphere then implodes, bathing everything inside in the red flames of Nobuyuki's Bankai. At the point of implosion it is possible to escape the attack as the collapse opens up gaps in the formation of the flames just large enough for the average humanoid to fit through. The size of the sphere depends on the object being enclosed, for humanoid enemies a sphere as small as 6ft in diameter can be created by splitting off part of the Bankai as a smaller bird whereas for larger enemies a prison of up to 60ft diameter can be created using the entire Bankai.
Housen Kaifuku {Immortal Phoenix Restoration}
This ability which Nobuyuki gains in Bankai is an extension of the Kouenyose ability, allowing him to absorb the flames of Kouen Housen into his own body, restoring his stamina and appearing to 'burn' the wounds on his body shut, what is actually happening is Kouen Housen integrating its own reishi and that of the objects its (or Kouenouji's) flames have consumed, rearranging it particle by particle to repair any damage done to its wielder. It also serves as the set up for Kouen Housen's ultimate attack Kouensatsu – Housen no Ken.
While in this state Nobuyuki's Agility and Power attributes receive a further +15 boost.
Obviously with such a potent ability there comes a drawback. Once Nobuyuki reseals his Bankai he must enter a meditative 'coma' while his reiryoku and body recover, though he can prevent this from happening for up to an 6-8 posts dependant on his well being after his Bankai ends he is only able to use Shikai before resting for an extended period and he is generally fatigued until he does so receiving a -10 penalty to all stats except Affinity.
Kouensatsu – Housen no Ken {Red Flame Murder – Sword of the Immortal Phoenix}
The second and final form of Nobuyuki's Bankai compresses the flames of Kouen Housen into a flowing blade of flames emitting from the weapon's empty hilt. The result is a 'blade' which can cut through almost anything, making it Kouen Housen's strongest attack by far. The blade formed is roughly the length of a nodachi being within the region off 122cm / 48in in long.
For any attack using Housen no Ken Nobuyuki's Reiryoku is used in place of his Power and is doubled for as long as the ability lasts. Nobuyuki is able to maintain Housen no Ken for a post per 100 Affinity that he possesses.
Passive Ability:
Under the Wing
While in Bankai both the phoenix itself and Nobuyuki are immune to the effects of outside reiatsu originating from anything up to 150 reiryoku in excess of his own, any more than that is treated as having 150 less reiryoku thereby lessening its effect.
Soul Sync
Nobuyuki shares a deep and powerful connection with his Bankai, upon triggering Kouen Housen the two share stats and buffs.
