[Bijuu] Azusa Vonai

Name: Azusa Vonai
Gender: Female
Race: Shinigami
Canon/OC: Original

Visual Appearance:

Physical Description:
Azusa is a distinctive figure from the get go, even without her elaborate apparel. She stands at 6'5" tall, matching heights with many of her peers and towering over others. Despite her height, however, Azusa looks more graceful than intimidating. At least once you get past her other attributes that definitely make her more intimidating than some would want. She has dark red skin and eyes that are almost the color of fire. The orange, yellow and red blend together to form a heated combination. In addition, she sprouts unusual horns from temple to temple. Her appearance makes her look almost like a demon and some have mistaken her for an Arrancar, though that's a reach even for her.

As the Grand Kido Chief, Azusa has become a woman who carries herself in a manner that exudes confidence and grace in every movement. She looks the part of a mystical sage or sorceress that comes from a far different culture than that of the Shinigami. To further cement her mystical nature, Azusa often adorns distinctive make-up and face paint. This is largely because of simple preference, although many of the markings she uses have certain meanings. She tries to have specific symbols for specific occasions, so while it may seem to others that she's simply a fan of painting her face, Azusa does so to convey a message or a simple meaning to fit the situation. Triangular shapes are the most common ones that can be seen on Azusa's face and the rest of her body that is not covered.

Azusa typically keeps her long, brown hair in dreads. Whether they're covered by an article of clothing is dependent on her mood. Her hairdos vary over time, although she's not prone to changing them as often as most think. For battle purposes, she usually simply adjusts her hair so that it doesn't get in her face. Due to her nature, and enjoyment of experimenting, Azusa has developed cosmetic kido to change her appearance at will. These changes aren't major, as they are typically limited to changes in her hair and facial markings, to help her apply them easier. They also don't have any abilities or effects attached, making them purely cosmetic.

Clothing/Misc. Items:

Standard Captain Uniforms

Battle Uniforms

As the Kido Corps Captain, Azusa has more free reign to tailor her outfits to her liking. Most of the other Captains don't majorly modify their clothing, with the obvious exception of Kurotsuchi. Azusa, however, has something for any occasion. When not in combat, she favors comfort over functionality. As such, her most common outfit is that of a long robe. It comes in two major pieces. The first being the general robe, gray or faint blue depending on the angle and lighting, which covers her from the neck down to her feet. The second piece is largely a headpiece, that covers her hair and leaves room for the horns. There is a large hood attached to the headpiece, dark brown in color, which extends down to her waist. With all that combined, it makes Azusa seem slightly taller than she typically is. In addition, the outfit is covered by triangular patterns, with red, black and gray being the dominating colors.

With any outfit, Azusa usually deploys a variety of accessories. Some of these have certain meanings, others are simply present for aesthetic purposes. These range from elaborate chains to earrings that she happened to be fancying that day.

The most standard Captain uniform she has, is a classic Captain robe and Shihakusho. It's accompanied by a large red rope around her waist with circular gold accents on each end of the rope. Her head is completely hidden by a hat with a cloth covering her entire face, the Kido Corps logo in front. She also wears wooden sandals with it, and carries the symbolic staff of the Kido Chief. It is Azusa's least favourite outfit, but notes the significance in its meaning and sometimes wears it to certain meetings. Another one, that she usually prefers donning when the occasion calls for it, is her more grandiose variant of the Captain haori. It is more like a long robe than anything, making it appear that Azusa is almost floating whenever she wears it. It covers nearly every part of her, save for her face.

Azusa's battle outfits all employ a similar motif. A color scheme that represents the typical Captain robes, sometimes inverted, along with various parts of golden armor sporadically spread across the outfit. Sometimes covering essential body parts, sometimes not. Azusa's confidence clearly shows in these outfits, as she is usually sure enough of her skills that she wouldn't need a full set of armor to take down any opponent. And it aids her in quicker movement when needed. Her choice in outfits always depends on whatever Azusa's mood is that day, making it difficult to predict what exactly she may look like at any given time.




Sexuality: Whatever goes
Goals: The continued strive to enact change within the Gotei 13 and protect those less privileged. The continued transformation of the Kido Corps, perfecting her art and spreading the influence, begrudging loyalty to Yamamoto and the Gotei 13

General Personality:
Azusa Vonai's appearance may lead many to think that she's far more mysterious than she really is. Certainly, she has that sage quality to her, often speaking in a manner befitting of someone of her status. Mystical, wise, all-knowing. Yet, Azusa is far more approachable than meets the eye. In her own gracious way, she's kind, helpful, and very much acts like a mentor to many. She is a matronly figure, albeit not one that's always light-handed. She will push her subordinates when the need arises and has no real tolerance for giving up when she sees potential in someone. She doesn't necessarily see weakness, however. She more sees fields that someone can improve in and what someone's good at. It is her natural intuition at work. With her years of experience, and being one of the students of Captain Retsu Unohana and Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Azusa is a revered figure in Soul Society. While some have not met her in person, many still know her as an authoritative figure. Her grace can be seen from a mile away and there is never any question whether Azusa knows what she's talking about.

Azusa is also exceptionally professional. Despite her warm demeanor, she will always have a goal to pursue, an objective to fulfill. She is often at work on the next thing that will give the Shinigami an edge against adversaries or on something to protect Soul Society as a whole. While she never fully reveals her hand or her research (similarly to certain other individuals in Gotei 13), one can be sure that Azusa is always prepared for a situation. In light of this, some perceive her as secretive and out for her own interests, however that is simply not true. Azusa finds that revealing important information at the right time is pertinent to ensure success. Giving away her methods and arsenal is simply foolish, as enemies may very well capture whoever knows things about her and whatever she is capable of. She must have an ace up her sleeve, otherwise what's the point? Keeping some people in the dark is necessary at times, as people are wildly different and their reactions vary, sometimes to the detriment of the overall plan.

Despite her mixed impressions on people, Azusa does know how to let her hair loose from time to time. While she is elegant and gracious to almost a fault, she finds great enjoyment in taking the moments to simply breathe. To relax and share a drink with her compatriots. Retsu Unohana remains a particularly dear friend to Azusa, admiring her similar qualities to Unohana, even after years under her tutelage. The same goes for the Captain-Commander, although they share more a grudging respect. It is perhaps that, which made her an admirable figure to his other pupils as well. Azusa also has a wicked sense of humor, not afraid to crack a joke when she feels like it. It isn't as if she's a comedian at all times, but when she decides to lean on humor, it typically works like a charm.

Azusa is an artful person. Kido is the primary means for her to create said art. In her eyes, it is a wildly underestimated skill among Shinigami, primarily because most see it as a simple tool. Means to an end. To her, it's art. As something to release your innermost desires through. To let your creativity and imagination run wild. Yet, most are limited to the set list of spells they were taught. Azusa has been working towards helping her subordinates release their inner artist and create their own, if they are able. She also enjoys other forms of art, whether forms of battle or something more common. Every Shinigami is an artist in their own right, with Azusa admiring the masters in their respective fields with awe.

When in battle, Azusa becomes visibly more focused. Her grace remains, but she will take on the stature and pose of a warrior. She is one of those Shinigami who believe that honor is a vital part of a battle. She will respect her opponent until their inevitable demise. Azusa is also the type to gradually reveal her cards, not play them all at once. It feeds into her nature of being an artist. Each new piece should be given its ample time to be admired. Some have forgotten the importance of honor and respect, Azusa has not. Which is perhaps why she is so formidable. She will always try to keep the field level, so that either party has a chance, within reason. Yet she will not back down when an opportunity for that fatal blow delivers itself. Azusa is definitely a revered combatant, despite the fact that she doesn't often participate, not unless the occasion truly requires someone of her caliber.

The Kido Corps Captain is, in addition to everything else, a woman who has spent a long time reforming herself and atoning for past mistakes. Her years of crime and violence shaped her into someone who knows the price of such a path and has since found the other aforementioned ways to bring something of value to the world, after she had taken so much from it. Azusa doesn't believe that people are incapable of change, even if there is a darkness within that's still begging to come out. In that sense, she has mastered her self control and doesn't feel the need to give in to dark impulses. She's come too far to let violent nostalgia affect her current self.




History:

An expected beginning by now, Azusa Vonai's story begins in one of the many Rukongai districts of Soul Society. Left at the doorstep of an orphanage shortly after rebirth, a portion of her life was spent there. Children weren’t really a welcoming bunch in general, often shunning anyone who looked or acted different. Azusa was no exception. Her horns and peculiar personality made her an easy target. One of the caretakers, Masako, took a liking to Azusa, however, making her life bearable, if only slightly so. She could never really escape the judgement of the kids she lived with or other residents of her district. Yet, it was as if the joy of life itself was planted in that girl. She additionally had a penchant for art instilled her through Masako. It brought out her more eccentric side even more, mixing strangely with her other aspects, particularly to other kids and people. Azusa brushed off the stinging comments, though their effects lingered beneath. She was mischievous from the start, pulling practical pranks on her fellow kids and caretakers. That eventually lead to petty thievery, which, in her naivete, she thought was harmless.

When she stole from a from a local gang, Azusa was caught. What she thought would turn into a beating, turned into recruitment. Impressed with her talent, the group thought her then small size and nimble fingers would work in their benefit. Yearning for more adventure and an escape from the mundanity of the orphanage, Azusa accepted. She took up residence in their hideout, but occasionally did still visit the orphanage in secret. Mainly to talk to Masako, who was growing increasingly worried. Still, the woman promised to be there for the girl if she needed. Masako remained the one true confidant for Azusa during that period of her life.

Lasting until her mid-teens, Azusa remained part of the thieving group. It was also then, that she got involved with her first paramour. Sara was feisty, opinionated and held a similar roguish attitude to Azusa. The two clicked after a time, initially seeing each other more as rivals. Though that didn't change even when they became involved. Sara was, notably, more ruthless, making a few of their quests riskier than they should've been. She came from a painful childhood, wanting to unleash that buried anger and disdain on those she saw beneath her. Azusa could tangentially relate. It was incredibly simple to become angry and disillusioned when you’re treated like that’s how you should be feeling for being yourself. It was also Sara that gradually lead the group on a more brutal path. Azusa, still fairly naive, imagined a future for them. Something far away from the poverty and crime, where they could just exist together, needing nobody else. A sweet dream, unable to truly come to fruition.

Their escapades faced their first major confrontation with them publicly robbing a business belonging to a lower noble family. The operation hadn't gone entirely to plan, ending with a messy confrontation between the people running the business and the group. Sara then decided to kill them, finding it too cumbersome to try and resolve the situation in a different way. It was a quick, of the moment decision, leaving the other members stunned. Azusa tried to reach out, but was shut down. "This is how we do things now," was what she was told. The young girl was blinded by her faith in someone she thought perhaps loved her. So she stuck around. Azusa continues to wonder what would have become of her if she didn't.

Through ingenuity and quick wit, the gang managed to avoid Shinigami confrontation. Despite the increasingly bloodthirsty leader's hopes. Sara was clearly waiting for a chance to go toe to toe with the Shinigami, though even she must have known that it would've been a very one-sided battle. She didn't care, but the others began to take notice. A few of them had left the group after their previous blunder. Those most loyal remained, Azusa among them. Sara's influence over her grew exponentially, with Azusa becoming more and more comfortable with the crimes they were committing. While she was still following her misguided ideal of a future for the both of them, she also became entrenched in Sara's worldview. They had to do what they could to survive. The Shinigami were their enemies and wouldn't give a second thought to striking them down for their ever-growing list of felonies. It was them against the world. Almost romantic, in a way.

Azusa didn't even notice how much she had changed during that relatively short period of time. She freely and almost joyfully robbed whoever she could and threatened those who resisted with violence. A frightening reminder of how easily a person can be blinded by adoration. So much so that you would even kill for them.

It was a fairly routine robbery, went off without a hitch. The gang were robbing an artist, of all people. But the man was touted as a legendary talent and his paintings were told to carry a hefty price. Everything went smoothly, until the very same artist happened to be a witness. On a late night stroll, he decided to stop by his studio. He was met with Azusa and her compatriots. He didn't run and instead tried to talk the gang down. Sara was quick to hit the man, threatening him with much worse should he try anything. In the blink of an eye, she was next to Azusa, whispering that they couldn't let anyone see this, that killing him was the only way to ensure their safety. By that point, the girl was deep enough to not really question the will of their leader. Charisma had tremendous power. Before she did what "had to be done," Azusa complimented his art, consoling him with the fact that he would be known throughout Soul Society after he was gone. A seemingly hollow promise, but one that would bear fruit regardless.

Azusa expected her first kill to carry more weight, yet it felt instinctual. Normal, almost. The man was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their survival meant more, in that moment. But there was the part of her that kept fighting back. The cracks began to show. Particularly since Sara had also grown more distant from her romantically. The leader seemed to be interested in only the riches they could gain, the discomfort they could cause the Shinigami. The Rukongai rabble didn't matter to her.

Their violent lifestyle eventually drew an increased interest from the Shinigami. Leaving behind a trail of bodies became almost a trademark. It was also sloppy. The group itself felt that, aside from Sara. They were becoming more hectic, less meticulous. Like a band of savages to the commonfolk, they were feared and loathed. Such a life began to weigh heavy on Azusa and not necessarily because of the crimes she had committed. Rather, she wanted peace with the girl who was now almost exclusively just her boss. For whatever reason, Azusa remained trapped in her ideal world. Teenagers were never the most sensible ones. It would take a personal event to finally snap Azusa out of the trance she was stuck in for all those years.

It was another public robbery. This time, it was presented as a deliberate show of force. A reminder that the gang was there to stay, going as far as trying to recruit new members and attempt to take over their district proper. Sara's vision was that they would become influential crime lords, with enough power and influence that the Shinigami couldn't touch them. What she didn't count for, was the uncaring nature of the Shinigami regarding such vermin.

So, they finally intervened. Took them long enough. Sara and a few of her remaining loyal compatriots faced them, the rest having finally fled. Azusa remained as well, unsure why, at that point. Perhaps she had hoped to change Sara's mind, as facing the Shinigami would clearly be a death sentence. There was no talking her down, however. The Shinigami responded in force, killing a few and moving in to arrest the rest. Sara and the others responded in kind. With the swordsmen being low-seated and unseated members, the fight was more even than expected. If only because the locals knew their environment better. Avoiding collateral damage was a low priority, which lead to the tragic destruction of Azusa's orphanage. Her "girlfriend" cared little, finding it to be minor to the suffering she and her compatriots had experienced under this system. She thought Azusa would understand. And she did, to a point. Yet there was a moment of awakening, when she finally, truly understood. It was that and holding the dying Masako in her hands, which snapped Azusa out of her haze. Even after years of being apart, their unbreakable connection was there. The only thing she remembers is Masako asking Azusa to remember her embrace. A proclamation of true love, it seemed. Made by a woman who so deeply cared about the well-being of this one girl. The girl who had indirectly caused her death and would be forced to carry it with her forever.

Although her stint as a teen criminal was left behind, it left a lasting impact. She never heard anything of Sara or her friends again. Either imprisoned or executed. Azusa experienced a period of crisis. One where she still mulled over what had happened, how it got to that point, and why didn’t she experience the same fate as her compatriots or Masako. She had ruined lives, willingly at that. The simplest way to concentrate all those thoughts and feelings, seemed to be blaming the Shinigami. A sentiment many within the numerous districts shared. Pompous, well-dressed criminals with little regard for the lives outside Seireitei. After all, in her youth, the Gotei 13 were still a group of highly efficient killers. Brutes, some would boldly proclaim. And yet, she begged the Shinigami, who were there that painful day, to let her try and atone for her mistakes by becoming a Shinigami. A moment she looks back on with disdain for herself. An act of cowardice, instead of accepting what had been coming for her. Nevertheless, it wasn't for naught, as she was granted exactly that opportunity.

It was a decision that she still questions to this day (albeit not admitting it freely), Azusa managed to enroll in the Shin'ō Academy. Her unclear ideology fueled her desire to change the system from within. A goal not without merit, as she would reflect on it years later. Though, at that time, it felt like she was swimming upstream. She thought it could be her, that one day would and could turn the Gotei 13 into what it should’ve been from the start. A woman who had done so much wrong and who had also seen what the most powerful of them had neglected.

A rude awakening beckoned, however. Her views of the Shinigami were confirmed further, as the Academy was in essence training an army, who truthfully cared little about the lives of the rabble. She almost dropped out, if not for the few students and the rare seated member she saw, who seemed to echo her views. It was a time that Azusa looks back on with disappointment. To this day, she is notorious for speaking her mind about the Gotei’s past, much to the chagrin of Yamamoto. It didn’t (and doesn’t) escape her that she was now staunchly part of a system she, at one point, firmly stood against. A not small part of it was, naturally, blaming herself for what transpired years past. The sins of a person never truly escape them.

If she were to even attempt change, it would require in depth knowledge of the Shinigami code and what they stood for. Assimilate, adapt, excel, and then bring forth change.

Azusa made her way through the Academy, excelling in most of her subjects. A natural talent. She showed tremendous levels of reiatsu, her Kido skills reinforcing that, it quickly becoming her specialty. A form of Shinigami capabilities that directly translated to her ever-growing admiration and talent for art. Kido became Azusa’s driving force to express herself. It almost was enough to have her forget why she was there in the first place. She shunned herself for a while for this. But cracks in her ideology began to show. Not in the way of being indoctrinated by their ways, but instead seeing that there was a purpose to their existence.

After graduation, Azusa was assigned to the 4th Division, per request by Retsu Unohana. Having taken note of her abilities, Unohana felt like the young Shinigami would blossom with the aid of Kaido. She wasn’t wrong. Kaido was an instrument that aided Azusa in honing her Kido further, particularly in its efficiency and precision. Not to mention fueling her artistic passion even further. She began to understand how changing and manipulating Kido could be used to transform it into something much more. It reflected on her evolving personality, history and desire for change. Additionally, she gained renown for her creations being things of beauty. Kido was a form of comfort, particularly since her recently unveiled Zanpakuto proved to be more than she had bargained for.

Tetsu no Bachi emerged traditionally, as most Zanpakuto did. Except it was more of a reflection of her past and a reminder of who she had been, rather than who she was now. Azusa became a conversation point once more. Purely because her sword was so seemingly different from who she had become by that point. A sword that clung to her mistakes and her seeming hypocrisy. By then, she was the 3rd seat of the 4th Division, yet Unohana saw that her Zanpakuto training would be best handled in the hands of another Captain. Thus, she was transferred under the calm tutelage of the fairly fresh Captain Yushiro Ukitake. A man with his own past quarrels, yet one who was bound to be best suited to handle Azusa’s predicament.

Azusa continued her tutelage between both Unohana and Ukitake, though she was officially part of the 13th Division. Her skill in Kido continued to grow, while her Zanpakuto mastery saw significant hurdles. Tetsu no Bachi was as unruly as ever, keen on reminding Azusa where she came from, despite lending her its power. She continued to fight against it, but it was her stubbornness that lead her to success still. She got a good grasp of her Zanpakuto, though didn’t use it often, favoring the Shinigami spells instead. It complicated her relationship with her sword further, even if neither one wanted to specifically distance themselves from the other.

She began constructing custom Kido spells, finding uses for it outside of pure combat. It was this that finally lead her to the Kido Corps proper. Her expertise and raw talent quickly propelled her to the higher ranks, and after the disappearance/banishment of previous Kido Chief Tessai Tsukabishi, Azusa was eventually crowned as the Grand Kido Chief. Among the youngest Captains to given such a position, it was something she swore not to squander. By then, she had already lead small efforts to the improvement of the Gotei’s structure and modus operandi, though those are seldom mentioned in the grander tapestry of the organization. Regardless, she keeps those achievements close to herself, hoping that they would prove her ideology and goals she set for herself when she first joined the Academy. Her continuing methods and fervent desire for change inevitably drew the mild ire of Captain-Commander Yamamoto. The two have since managed to find a shaky common ground, with both still sticking to their ideals. Their on and off “feud”, as many like to overstate it, remains a talking point within the Gotei 13.

As a way to remember her past, Azusa recovered some of the paintings of the artist she and her compatriots stole all those years ago. Akio Kanemizu, the man's name was and one that indeed became a well-known name throughout Soul Society after he died. These works, in addition to memorabilia of Masako, remain in Azusa's possession. A staunch reminder that she ought to never forget where she came from and that her sins are everlasting.

Since then, Azusa has held her position, even turning down an invitation to join the Zero Division (because of her influence in Kido and the spells she has created). She sees her efforts bearing more fruit within the Gotei 13, along with her ever present mission to represent the people of Rukongai. She has since intertwined herself with the machinations of Seireitei and plans to use her influence for the betterment of Soul Society, aside from the standard military and R&D applications. She has found her place amongst those she didn’t see eye to eye with and plans to enact change in her own way.

Azusa’s artistry continues to blossom, her leadership remains inspiring, her desire for change steadfast. Many details of her past remain unraveled and it is something she preferably would keep that way, since she knows that the future is the real frontier everyone should be striving towards.

Faction: Kido Corps
Rank: Kido Corps Commander, Grand Kido Chief



Physical Abilities/Power:

Master Strategist/Intellect/Intuition
Azusa's mastery in Kido and particularly her effectiveness in utilizing her spells is partly because of her intellect. Primarily her ability to meticulously map out her strategies. Azusa can set up a multi-part plan and often execute it flawlessly, using her kido and other skills to gain the advantage over her opponent. Her ways in strategy are as specific as they are creative. She will always come up with new manners of executing her plans, which are sure to keep her fairly unpredictable in battle. Her artistic nature feeds into this to a great degree. Battle is an art, after all.

Her intellect and intuition also allow her to quickly deduct what her opponent excels at and what their skills may be. She is exceptionally effective at this with her peers and subordinates. Azusa is known for analyzing people and seeing their inherent strengths and weaknesses and thus, often helps steer them in the right direction. It is also a reason why she is seen as a sage-like figure. Azusa is simply very smart, albeit not being a jack of all trades. She is a master of several and knows how to turn the tide in her favor.

Shunpo Expert
Azusa possesses the necessary level of Shunpo expected from a Captain. While not near the true masters in the field, she is still exceedingly nimble and able to keep up with most, no matter what variant of the technique they use.

Zanjutsu Expert
As her primary weapon is Kido, Azusa's Zanpakuto is reserved for the most dire of occasions. She sees the artistry in handling a blade, yet it isn't typically her cup of tea. Nonetheless, she can still wield it very effectively should the need arise, befitting of someone of Captain Class. But knowing what her Zanpakuto is like and how it clashes with her other skills and artistry, she prefers not to keep it at bay.

Immense Spiritual Power
As is obvious from Captain-level Shinigami, Azusa boasts an impressive amount of spiritual power. It is also clearly needed for a Kido Master, considering her need to use high level spells without taxing herself. Azusa's spiritual power is among the strongest in Soul Society's current roster of powerful beings, being as old as she is and having learnt under Yamamoto. Her reiatsu is indigo-colored.

Kido: As her title suggests, Azusa is the greatest Kido user in Soul Society. There has been considerable speculation and debate whether the true holder of the title is her, Retsu Unohana or the Captain-Commander, however. Azusa places herself at the top, but no official comment has been made by Yamamoto. Unohana typically humorously avoids the question as well. Either way, Azusa is extremely formidable in Kido, naturally using it as her primary skill in battle and otherwise. To Azusa, Kido is something that is tied to the soul just as deeply as a Zanpakuto. Which is why, when Azusa uses Kido, it feels different. It feels more of an extension of herself than a mere spell. She sees it as an art form, as stated earlier, and has extensively built her skills over the centuries.

Azusa can effectively cast high-tier Kido spells without incantation and even by simply uttering the spell's name, to their full effect, yet even she admits that the true power and grace of a spell is unlocked through the incantation. As expected, Azusa can also cast two spells at once with ease. In addition, she is highly proficient in barriers and Kaido, albeit she gladly admits that Retsu Unohana is still the uncontested master in healing. She has also created several spells of her own, both for battle and for other uses. These custom spells are typically reserved for seated Kido Corps members, depending on the spell and caster's rank.

Bakudo

Hado

Custom Kido

Zanpakuto:

Tetsu no Bachi - (Iron Punishment)
It is not often that a Zanpakuto seemingly clashes with the wielder's personality. However, Tetsu no Bachi tapped into Azusa's lengthy past, drawing a majority of its eventual form from there. It's also why it took Azusa a long time to truly master the Zanpakuto. Tetsu no Bachi is an unruly sword, with both parties sometimes wondering how they were ever paired up. In its sealed form, Tetsu no Bachi takes the form of a standard katana with a black hilt. Its tsuba is a rusted brown and circular with small spikes forming its edge, each resembling a small dagger or sword. The sheath is red hardened leather, wrapped with a blue, patterned ribbon.


Inner World - Tetsu no Bachi resides in a sizable hut, which paradoxically looks both in pristine condition and on the verge of collapse. The front of the hut doubles as an entrance and a storefront of sorts. A water wheel adorns one of its sides, in constant motion as everlasting rainfall keeps it going. Off to its side is a small pond, which connects to the larger surrounding bog. Off in the distance from most directions lies a dense, foreboding forest. The warm light emitting from inside the building is the only source of true light. Inside, the hut reveals itself as a forge, which Tetsu no Bachi constantly operates. The forge is almost cozy, compared to the heavy downpour and dour visage of the outside. It is not a place Azusa takes joy in visiting.


Spirit - Tetsu no Bachi resembles a gremlin or goblin creature of fantasy. At initial glance, they may seem almost evil, though that is mostly due to their pale grey skin and striking orange eyes. Aside from the teeth and their general stance. Tetsu no Bachi is always enrobed in a black cloak and carries a makeshift staff, both for walking assistance and a subtle reflection of the role Azusa currently plays within Soul Society. They also use it as a bit of mockery, considering Tetsu no Bachi's being and abilities. A mischievous, highly unpredictable, and somewhat cruel being, they counter Azusa's dominant personality traits adequately. Their relationship remains tumultuous, but choose to coexist, seeing as neither party has actual desire to split from the other. Tetsu no Bachi likes to parade itself around as a sort of god, hence the name. A god of iron and is seen as a blacksmith of sorts within their inner world.

Within their world, Tetsu no Bachi appears almost always as multiple facsimiles of themselves, all operating the forge. They are still a part of the one being, though each clone acts with one certain personality trait of Tetsu no Bachi. Bespite its relatively small size, Tetsu no Bachi shows immense physical strength when operating the forge, as they're handling the heavy tools and materials. They're also unfazed by molten steel, which they handle with their bare hands. They're capable of changing their voice to whatever or whoever they wish, a part of their unruly personality. Tetsu no Bachi also has a wicked sense of humor, something they and their wielder have used as their most common aspect of concord.


Shikai:
Before uttering the release command, Azusa will hold the Zanpakuto in front of her, its tip resting on the ground she's standing on and both of her palms placed on the top end of the hilt. It looks as if she's a knight, in wait for her combatant to strike. Once released, Tetsu no Bachi takes the form of a massive monstrosity of a sword, taller than herself. The shikai blade is formed of many smaller blades (26, to be exact) , all haphazardly forged and melded to one another. The tsuba is now an ornate piece of craftsmanship, with the figure of a lion on each side. The hilt is made of braided steel with a fairly large pommel at the end. Despite the seemingly impractical shape and its sheer size, Azusa wields it effortlessly. Its jagged shape also means that anything and anyone cut by it is going to be left with gnarly injuries, even without the Zanpakuto's primary ability in play. Rust covers large portions of the entire released Zanpakuto, which is also Tetsu no Bachi's primary ability made manifest.

Aside from the sword's natural increased cutting power, the generation and manipulation of rust are Tetsu no Bachi's bread and butter. It can essentially rust everything it touches. Once cut, the rust sets in, spreading from the struck area, but the size of its spreading can be determined by Azusa. Most objects can be completely enveloped in rust in a few seconds (depending on the size) and then used by Azusa in a variety of ways. The rusted parts can be manipulated both by Azusa swinging the blade or simply through hand movements. If she chooses, she can also disintegrate the objects at a moment's notice. If she's in an area with things already rusted, she can manipulate either those objects or the rust within them at will. The fairly quick effects of the rust and Azusa's skill in using it makes a large portion of battlefields dangerous to anyone unfortunate enough to face her.

Tetsu no Bachi's base ability can also affect her opponent's abilities, but not their Zanpakuto directly. The sword itself, most specifically. It is most effective against those who have a physical manifestation of their ability. Meaning that it must be something the rust particles can attach themselves to. This also works most effectively when used with a separate technique in Tetsu no Bachi's arsenal. Living beings (excluding flora) can only be affected through specific techniques of the shikai.

• Sabi no Gūzō - (Idol of Rust) - Whenever Azusa manages to cut her opponent, the point of the cut becomes enveloped in rust. Its most immediate effect is lasting intense pain, the feeling of something gnawing at that cut part. This also marks the beginning of Sabi no Gūzō's real effect. The rust spreads into the cut part just enough to begin affecting the nerves and blood flow. Depending on where Sabi no Gūzō strikes, it can affect movement noticeably. The subject's injured part becomes slower, less responsive to commands. The effects work in irregular patterns, making it unpredictable when a swing or movement may faulter by an inch or two. The more she cuts her opponent, the more rust covers them. If she cuts the same point several times, the rust spreads quicker, resulting in the respective appendage or part becoming that much more limited. Should the rust envelop an entire limb or anything equal to that, the part becomes immobile for a time.

• Kegareta Eishō - (Sullied Chant) - Azusa faces her sword downward, akin to when she releases her Shikai, and begins slamming the tip of the blade to the ground in equal intervals. It sounds almost like a chime, the rhythm and pace of it. Each strike rapidly spreads rust throughout an area of 50 meters in diameter, 5 slams for 10 meters. The rusted ground (and objects/buildings inside the area) becomes hers to control as she sees fit. It is the most convenient and quickest way for Azusa to spread Tetsu no Bachi's power over a large area.

• Kajiya no Tsume - (The Blacksmith's Claw) - The blades on Tetsu no Bachi force themselves free from the rest of the sword, ready to be used at Azusa's leisure. She can also choose how many blades come free at any given time. As expected, the blades carry the Zanpakuto's ability, meaning that she can launch them into other objects to rust them and make additional weaponry. Naturally, the blades can also be used simply as quick projectiles, able to be controlled at will. Kajiya no Tsume is also an ability that can work well in conjunction with Sabi no Gūzō.

• Omeshi Kanatoko - (Calling of the Anvil) - Largely considered to be the main overtly defensive ability of Tetsu no Bachi. It is, at least, the most direct counter to enemy attacks, aside from Azusa using Tetsu no Bachi's extensions as shields. Omeshi Kanatoko is typically an ability that is almost like a passive ability, as Azusa activates it almost immediately after releasing her Zanpakuto, since the rust is already present on her blades. She often imbues this with the rust constructs that she forms, making those objects act as sort of a dual defense. Omeshi Kanatoko can also be released as a blast of rust particles. This adds a variant of range to the ability, though its properties remain the same. In essence, it can both stop and disintegrate incoming attacks. If the incoming attack is powerful enough, it can break through the defenses, although Azusa can manipulate her ability enough to divert some of the incoming attack.


Bankai:
Following Tesshin Shinkou's commencement, the 26 blades of Tetsu no Bachi force themselves free of its Shikai form and forge themselves to Azusa. What is left of the main sword itself, now looks more like a traditional longsword, yet still rusted and echoing its previous form. The end result is Azusa's body covered with the blades. Blood steadily flows, unable to be healed in this state, where the blades' jagged ends meet her skin. Though the injuries aren't life-threatening, they do seemingly inhibit Azusa's movement in a way. Whenever she moves, it is a strange mix of fluid and rigid. The rust invading her body, yet her reiatsu and raw power fighting back. The pain also remains. A cruel reminder of her Zanpakuto. Her horns grow significantly in size, making her look more demonic. Typically, whatever headwear she would don at that time would disintegrate. While not originally so, years of neglect have convinced Tetsu no Bachi that this form is a suitable punishment for Azusa's actions. They will lend their abilities to her, they also have the means to have her feel the cost of her decisions. All this gives Azusa a weathered look, along with a gaze that could kill. It echoes her Bankai being unforgiving. Ironic, considering its name.

The more prominent disadvantage of Azusa's Bankai is the level of risk it poses to her. Even though she is typically able to keep the rust at bay, it still continues to invade her body slowly. The more power she exerts and the longer the battle goes on, the more her body succumbs to the rust. While there isn't a rigid time limit, years of training and attempting to patch her relationship with her Zanpakuto, Tesshin Shinkou's effects will begin to hinder her after around 20 minutes of use. Meaning that her reiatsu, speed and strength gradually decrease. If she exceeds the limit, the rust can cause permanent injuries and in the most dire of cases, death. She can freely forego her Bankai before the limit, which would render it unusable for 4 weeks.

Tesshin Shinkou keeps the shikai abilities, amplifying them to a frightening degree. It increaases their speed, ferocity and reach thrice beyond their normal limit (an already high level, considering her rank and power), along with adding several exclusive and lethal capabilities.

• Saibankan - (Judge) - Azusa strikes the ground with her sword. A second after, 12 rusted pillars rise, 150 meters high. Each pillar is 60 meters from one another and roughly 100 meters from Azusa, forming a neat circle. The pillars then form walls between one another, finishing with forming a dome-shaped roof, making the whole area a closed rusted battleground, each part of it freely manipulated by Azusa. Getting inside is difficult, but can be done with sufficient power. Getting out is a monumental task, as the entire arena is freely manipulated by Azusa.

• Baishin - (Jury) - Either by directly cutting her opponent or releasing a cloud of rust particles from her blade(s)/objects she uses, the affected part of the enemy immediately becomes enveloped in rust. Sharp pain and shock set in, as the affected part becomes effectively unusable and will gradually crumble away. As an added bonus, Azusa drains a portion of the subject's reiatsu with these effects, healing her own injuries, should she have any (aside from the ones inflicted by Tesshin Shinkou by default).

• Keiri - (Executioner) - All of the blades attached to Azusa rip themselves free, hurtling towards the opponent and surrounding them. Each of the blades then proceeds to impale themselves to the enemy. When all of the blades are attached, they begin to melt and morph around and over the subject's body, creating a coffin. Once complete, the coffin will begin to shrink and contract until crushing the one inside to nothing.