Shinigami
Administrator
“Here with my greatest weakness, I will defeat your greatest strength.”
“I am judge. I am jury. Do not make me executioner.”
“My heart and actions are utterly unclouded. They are all those of justice.”
“The weak have no rights or choices, their only fate is to follow the will of the strong. ”
Commander (指揮官, “Shikikan”), The Great Judicator (素晴らしい判事, “Subarashī Hanji”, Viz, “The Supreme Judgment”), Shobatsu of the Scales (秤の処罰, “Shobatsu no Hakari”), World-Destroying Flame (劫火, “Kouka”)
Character Name: Shobatsu Murasaki
(処罰, “Punishment”) - (紫, “Purple”)
Actual Age: 4,315
Physical Age: 65
Race: Soul Born
Birthday: October Eighth
Gender: Male
Height: 223.52 cm (7’4’)
Weight: 192.78 kg (425 lbs)
Affiliation: Gotei 13, Seretei, Soul Society, Central 46
Profession: Shinigami
Title:
Captain Commander
(総隊長, Sōtaichō; Viz "Captain-General"; lit. “Captain-Commander”, or “Head-Captain”)
Position: Captain of the 1st Division, Commander of the Gotei 13
Division: First Division (一番隊, Ichiban-tai; "Squad 1")
Partner: Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki
Base of Operations: First Division Headquarters, Seretei, Soul Society
Notable Features: Evident by the scars across his face, Shobatsu is completely blind. Generally the Commander keeps his eyes closed, his face in a constant grimace. Those who have seen his pupiless cloudy eyes have noted a purple-hued glow emanating from them. It is not clear if this glow is simply an effect brought on by Shobatsu’s Reiatsu, or something else. However, on the rare occasion of serious importance, he has been known to open his eyes slightly, a mere crack. The result of which causes an immense shockwave of spiritual pressure, threatening to crumble down any adjacent structures, and fracture the ground on which he stands. Due to this, Shobatsu has never been seen with his eyes completely open. It is theorized that the reason he keeps them constantly shut is to seal off this power, therefore protecting his allies and evening the odds against his opponents, keeping the conflict balanced.
Personality: An incredibly serious individual, Shobatsu has been compared to a stone wall in terms of personality. He does not partake in frivolous actions, having no interests nor sense of humor. Every action he does is calculated and precise down to his very movements, otherwise, he does not move, nor could anyone make him. His expression is a constant grimace, and his thoughts impossible to read, due to him being completely devoid of emotion. Shobatsu has a great admiration for justice, balance, and authority. He has high standards for his soul reaper’s codes of conduct, and expects them to uphold the system, structure, and society of the Gotei Thirteen. Shobatsu demands a respect for the chain of command, having no patience for insubordination, his mere presence evokes discipline from even the most outlandish Captains.
Shobatsu is judiciary personified, standing in judgement of all things. He absorbs every shred of information about every aspect of everything he encounters, and he never forgets. Weighing this information internally, he thinks of every variable, every potential outcome, holding it to his standard of justice before passing judgment. Due to this process, Shobatsu never waivers, never hesitates, nor second guesses, and it is impossible to change his mind once he has committed to fulfilling judgement.
Considered to be more entity than man, Shobatsu’s judgement is a great source of fear for those around him. Truly, his level of being is such that he views every soul in existence as mere ants, indifferent to their preservation or destruction. With every encounter, he is just as likely to destroy you as he is to tolerate you. His loyalty and devotion is not to Seireitei, but to his idolized sense of justice and balance. This means, that while his judgment does not waiver, it can potentially be influenced. Using logic and evidence, someone of incredible intelligence and insight can present a strong enough case to affect the outcome of Shobatsu’s verdict. Knowing this, some Captains live in fear of the Commander’s potential to pass judgement onto the Seireitei itself.
However Shobatsu’s judgement is consistently and inscrutably sound. Despite how extreme his verdicts can seem at the time of their passing, the outcome of Shobatsu’s decisions always seems to benefit Soul Society in the end. Many live in fear of Shobatsu’s potential for destruction, and very few understand the reasoning behind his decisions. Certainly, it does not help that Shobatsu never explains himself, nor justifies his decisions, regardless of how desperate one is for answers. He acts with full impunity, confident that all things he does are completely and irrevocably justified. However, those who are insightful enough to look past their own fear and emotions, can glimpse that Shobatsu acts not out of malice, or even authority, but out of an innate desire to be just in all things, and do what is right, always.
Reiryoku Level: Vast Spiritual Power
Embodying the will power of a man whose will is absolute, Shobatsu’s Reiryoku has remained unparalleled for thousands of years. Even as sealed away and restricted as it is today, his Reiryoku still far outweighs that of the Captains combined. His spiritual power is so vast that Shobatsu himself must constantly keep it restrained, not only to keep the odds fair for any opponent, but also to protect the Soul Society itself. Even after halving his own abilities, blinding himself, and continuing to wear the Reiryoku-absorbing cloak he was imprisoned in, Shobatsu’s Reiryoku is still perhaps the most dangerous in all of the Seireitei. Despite all these precautions, Shobatsu’s spiritual power still bleeds through, and just this sliver of power is potent to the point that Shobatsu himself remains incapable of completely suppressing, hiding, or even masking its level. With it, Shobatsu can cast Bakudō (縛道, Way of Binding; Viz "Binding Spells") incapable of being shattered or outmatched, solely on account of the strength of the spiritual power composing it. He can emit projectiles of raw spiritual energy, capable of dealing damage on par with a Captain’s Shikai, or expert level Hadō (破道, Way of Destruction; Viz "Path of Destruction"). Further, the collateral damage his spiritual power can cause in the form of Reiatsu is enough to completely destroy the Seireitei, causing the Commander to only ever fight at a fraction of his current power. It is such that, in the rare event that the head Captain must travel to the human world, the Senkaimon (穿界門, World Penetration Gate) automatically places an additional two extra seals onto his body, restricting his power by a further 60%, on top of the other numerous restrictions he himself already has in place.
Sensing Reiryoku: Master
Losing one’s sight may prove detrimental drawback to some weaker beings, but not for Shobatsu. Though he blinded himself to even the scales of power between himself and the rest of the Gotei 13, his remaining power is still far superior to most. Without his sight, Shobatsu was able to focus and master the remainder of his other senses, increasing them to their absolute. With only a single sense, Shobatsu can out-perceive and out-maneuver almost anyone, and he has even been shown able to continue fighting without the use of any of his senses. Further, he is able to suppress any individual sense he deems necessary, rendering him immune to most illusion type attacks.
To make up for his lack of sight, Shobatsu’s spiritual sensing became far more in tune than any of his four remaining basic senses. Everything in existence has a soul, whether a living being or an inanimate object. Shobatsu is able to see past spiritual power, and perceive the soul itself. This allows him to sense his surroundings down to the most intricate detail. He can sense every nuance in his environment, seeing things that are otherwise imperceivable to the naked eye. The degree of his sensing ability is such that he has been shown able to differentiate the soul of ink from the soul of paper, and is actually able to read without the use of his eyes. In combat, Shobatsu is able to sense the movement of every muscle and tendon, feel the shift of the pressure in the air before a strike, and even feel the emotional state and killing intent of his opponent to the point where he can predict the outcome of a fight simply by being within their proximity. Suppressing one’s reiryoku, or casting illusion based kido has no effect in concealing oneself from Shobatsu, as no one is able to suppress their very soul. Though he has never confirmed it, there is a rumor that Shobatsu is able to see a Shinigami’s physical Zanpakuto Spirit, simply by looking at their blade, even in its sealed form.
Shobatsu’s senses aren’t only suited to perceiving things as they happen in the present, but the past as well. As everything has a soul, so too do these souls interact and affect one another. By sensing these subtle changes, Shobatsu is able to perceive the spiritual remnants of events that have already occurred. Reconstructing these remnants allows Shobatsu to reform a mental image of everything that occurred within his vicinity, allowing him to essentially recreate the past in his mind’s eye. With this, Shobatsu is able to see events that he wasn’t present for, effectively seeing into the past. This ability has led many to believe that the Captain Commander is Omnipotent.
In addition to the ability to sense souls, Shobatsu also appears to have the unique ability to sense danger. His natural intuition coupled with his veteran instincts permits Shobatsu to reflexively sense and react to danger that he otherwise might not anticipate or register. Being blind has taught Shobatsu not to count on what he can perceive, but what he can’t. Instead of relying on his senses, he has become tuned to his own instincts. Subconsciously calculating every variable of everything his mind passively observes, on top of his own natural intuition. When danger strikes, time ceases its movement and comes to a halt, giving Shobatsu a literal eternity to consider his situation and weigh the outcomes of every action until he has reached a sound and final judgement on how to respond. To others, this can appear as an instantaneous response to otherwise imperceivable, untraceable, or unpredictable attacks. Further, this too renders him immune to most illusions, as he is able to break through any distractions and perceive only the true threat. The Commander’s intuitive sense is only a single aspect of his inscrutable judgment, as he is so in tune with himself that he can act on instinct and succeed where others strategize at length and fail.
The scope of Shobatsu’s sensing ability is completely unknown. It isn’t a matter of where his field of vision ends, but rather where his focus is at any given time. The range of Shobatsu’s sensing ability is as expansive as the scope of his Reiryoku. Covering an area greater than the Rukongai and Seireitei combined. Shobatsu is able to perceive any and everything that happens within his domain, and his vigilance is constant. He is able to pinpoint individuals, going further to read their emotions, see their past actions, and observe any fluctuations in their reiryoku, or anomalies of their soul. However, simply because Shobatsu appears to see all does not mean he reacts. Rather, he solely judges what he sees, considering everything he observes as a factor towards his final judgment on any given matter. This means however that he won’t necessarily act to prevent a series of events from happening, even if he can see them falling into place before his own blinded eyes. Instead, he is more likely to allow events to transpire as they are, and act only after these events have occured, believing you cannot truly cast judgement on events that have not yet happened.
Reiryoku Control: Mastered Control
Shobatsu’s inability to completely suppress or mask his own Reiryoku is not on account of a lack of control. Rather, it is a testament to the sheer power of the Commander’s Spiritual Energy, given his otherwise mastery over the control of it. Shobatsu can control and manipulate his Reiryoku as easily as one might breath. Over thousands of years of containment, physical restriction, and pure isolation, the only thing Shobatsu could do was learn to further master his already monstrous Reiryoku. Generally, a Shinigami must sacrifice their Reiatsu in exchange for increased physical attributes. Yet, with so much excess energy to use, every fiber of Shobatsu’s body, down to the molecules of his hair, is coursing with Reiryoku, and enhanced to their uppermost limits. His speed, strength, endurance, recovery, and durability are all proportionate in power to the scope of his Reiryoku. This makes the man a living beast, capable of matching the skill and strength of Captain level shinigami who dedicate their whole lives to specialize only a single of these attributes. Further, the Head Captain is capable of pressurizing and firing off short bursts of his spiritual power. Releasing arc-like waves with his blade, or flaming fists fired from a punch. His ability to manipulate his Reiryoku also manifests in his Reiatsu, as he is able to create shapes, often in the form of flaming hands or lions, to freely manipulate at his will, an act of Reiryoku Control hitherto unseen by Shinigami. Some believe the atmosphere of Shobatsu’s confinement had an effect on him, increasing his power passively. They believe wrong. Rather, Shobatsu’s strength and ability come from several millennia of internal training, and mediation, becoming completely in tune with himself and his abilities.
Reiatsu: Master
When it comes to Spiritual Pressure, there is none greater than Shobatsu’s. When released, Shobatsu’s Reiatsu become a pillar of purple flame and light, expanding into the heavens like a mushroom cloud. The very sky becomes blackened as his Reiatsu spreads for miles, pulsating blasts of purple flame penetrating like flashes of lightning through the void-like clouds. An opponent might think the weather had changed, that the Commander’s Reiatsu had dampened the atmosphere of the sky. In truth however, his reiatsu has become the atmosphere itself. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to how far the Commander’s spiritual pressure spreads, but it is said to be enough to eclipse the entirety of the soul society.
The scale of Shobatsu’s Reiatsu is nothing compared to the scope of its power. Capable of destroying all of both the Seireitei and the Rukongai from force alone, the Commander’s spiritual pressure completely eviscerates his surrounding environment. Reducing mountains to rubble, cities to wreckage, the initial shockwave of his spiritual pressure hits like a bomb, crumbling anything it passes over. Where the most powerful Reiatsu users stand as the center of an ocean of pressure. Shobatsu stands as the epicenter of a black hole. The closer one gets to him, the greater the gravitational weight. The pressure immediately around Shobatsu literally disintegrates his surroundings, forming a massive crater the longer he stands in one spot. Only those who have both Immense Spiritual Power and a full mastery of their own Reiatsu are able to survive being crushed by the Captain’s fully released Reiatsu. Even then, simply surviving isn’t enough, as the weight is so great that those capable of withstanding the pressure must also deal with being driven into the very ground they’re forced to grovel upon. Only the strongest among those who can survive, are actually able to resist the force of this pressure long enough to stand, let alone fight. With their very attacks evaporating before them, facing Shobatsu’s raw power can seem a hopeless endeavour. This grand ability makes it clear why he is the Commander of the Captains, as few among them are able to withstand the force of his Reiatsu, and none able to match.
Shobatsu’s inability to completely suppress or mask his own Reiryoku is not on account of a lack of control. Rather, it is a testament to the sheer power of the Commander’s Spiritual Energy, given his otherwise mastery over the control of it. Shobatsu can control and manipulate his Reiryoku as easily as one might breath. Over thousands of years of containment, physical restriction, and pure isolation, the only thing Shobatsu could do was learn to further master his already monstrous Reiryoku. Generally, a Shinigami must sacrifice their Reiatsu in exchange for increased physical attributes. Yet, with so much excess energy to use, every fiber of Shobatsu’s body, down to the molecules of his hair, is coursing with Reiryoku, and enhanced to their uppermost limits. His speed, strength, endurance, recovery, and durability are all proportionate in power to the scope of his Reiryoku. This makes the man a living beast, capable of matching the skill and strength of Captain level shinigami who dedicate their whole lives to specialize only a single of these attributes. Further, the Head Captain is capable of pressurizing and firing off short bursts of his spiritual power. Releasing arc-like waves with his blade, or flaming fists fired from a punch. His ability to manipulate his Reiryoku also manifests in his Reiatsu, as he is able to create shapes, often in the form of flaming hands or lions, to freely manipulate at his will, an act of Reiryoku Control hitherto unseen by Shinigami. Some believe the atmosphere of Shobatsu’s confinement had an effect on him, increasing his power passively. They believe wrong. Rather, Shobatsu’s strength and ability come from several millennia of internal training, and mediation, becoming completely in tune with himself and his abilities.
Reiatsu: Master
When it comes to Spiritual Pressure, there is none greater than Shobatsu’s. When released, Shobatsu’s Reiatsu become a pillar of purple flame and light, expanding into the heavens like a mushroom cloud. The very sky becomes blackened as his Reiatsu spreads for miles, pulsating blasts of purple flame penetrating like flashes of lightning through the void-like clouds. An opponent might think the weather had changed, that the Commander’s Reiatsu had dampened the atmosphere of the sky. In truth however, his reiatsu has become the atmosphere itself. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to how far the Commander’s spiritual pressure spreads, but it is said to be enough to eclipse the entirety of the soul society.
The scale of Shobatsu’s Reiatsu is nothing compared to the scope of its power. Capable of destroying all of both the Seireitei and the Rukongai from force alone, the Commander’s spiritual pressure completely eviscerates his surrounding environment. Reducing mountains to rubble, cities to wreckage, the initial shockwave of his spiritual pressure hits like a bomb, crumbling anything it passes over. Where the most powerful Reiatsu users stand as the center of an ocean of pressure. Shobatsu stands as the epicenter of a black hole. The closer one gets to him, the greater the gravitational weight. The pressure immediately around Shobatsu literally disintegrates his surroundings, forming a massive crater the longer he stands in one spot. Only those who have both Immense Spiritual Power and a full mastery of their own Reiatsu are able to survive being crushed by the Captain’s fully released Reiatsu. Even then, simply surviving isn’t enough, as the weight is so great that those capable of withstanding the pressure must also deal with being driven into the very ground they’re forced to grovel upon. Only the strongest among those who can survive, are actually able to resist the force of this pressure long enough to stand, let alone fight. With their very attacks evaporating before them, facing Shobatsu’s raw power can seem a hopeless endeavour. This grand ability makes it clear why he is the Commander of the Captains, as few among them are able to withstand the force of his Reiatsu, and none able to match.
Reiatsu Colors: Black and Purple
Reiatsu Shape: King of Beasts
Shobatsu’s natural Reiatsu takes on the shape of a massive lion. The avatar for justice, authority, and pride, this flaming King of Beasts is a physical reflection of Shobatsu’s own values. It rules over all, easily overpowering the Spiritual Pressure of others. At times, Shobatsu has even been seen using the shape of his Reiatsu for combat. By appearing in the form of a flaming lion, Shobatsu can send his Reiatsu out to pounce and lock onto an opponent's Reiatsu, devouring it for itself. He has also been shown able to fire a concentrated blast of his Reiatsu from the Lion’s mouth. There seems to be a link between the shape of Shobatsu’s Reiatsu, and the inner spirit of his Zanpakuto, as when his spirit chooses to manifest into the real world using his Reiatsu, it takes the form of a purple lion.
Reiatsu Effect:Subjugation
A Reiatsu as great as the Commander’s naturally brings even the strongest soul’s to their knees. However, Shobatsu’s Reiatsu goes beyond simply an immense gravitational weight. His Spiritual pressure is power incarnate, traumatizingly terrifying, existentially dreadful, and humblingly awe-inspiring. Above all though, power is one thing, Authority. The authority to command the weak has always belonged to the strong, and Shobatsu’s Reiatsu is no exception. When he deems it necessary to showcase this authority, those subjected to Shobatsu’s reiatsu experience a combination of intense terror, dread, and awe. Regardless of their mental fortitude or will power, these emotions are experienced to the core of one’s being, through every individual nerve and cell. The subjugated find themselves prostrated upon the floor, forced to worship the very ground Shobatsu stands. This is only the beginning however, the mere survival instinct of one who comes under the weight of the Commander’s power. When every cell of one’s body is paralyzed with fear, they will act instinctively to do whatever they need to survive. With this, when the Head Captain issues a command, those under his Reiatsu must follow it. The subjugated lose their free will, regardless of their own thoughts or emotions, their bodies act on their own to appease Shobatsu in order to avoid death. Should those subjugated to Shobatsu’s Reiatsu find the ability to disobey his orders, their body succumbs to the shock of his Reiatsu, stopping their heart and all organ functions immediately. Even the strongest Captains are unable to fully oppose this force, as the greatest among which have tried to no avail. An exceptionally strong soul, with a uniquely powerful willpower capable of resisting both the subjugation and killing effects of Shobatsu’s Reiatsu, instead will only remain paralyzed and prostrated upon the floor. This makes insubordination tantamount to death, a testament to Shobatsu’s authority, furthering the claim that his judgment is absolute.
Reiatsu Type:
Element Type- Purging Flames
Shobatsu’s Reiatsu is a unique element type, manifesting as black and purple fire known as the Honō o issō (炎を一掃, Purging Flames, Lit. “Flame Purge”). Anyone in contact with these flames, including Shobatsu himself, must be completely confident in the fact that their actions and self are justified. Anyone with the slightest shred of doubt, hesitation, or moral neglect risks being consumed by the fire. Rather than simply being burned alive, victims of the flame feel a simultaneous sensation of incinerating heat and disintegrating cold. Being burned by the purging flames can be excruciatingly painful, as the level of the flame’s intensity is proportionate to the amount of pain and suffering the victim has caused over the course of their existence. To some, this can mean being instantaneously reduced to ash, while to others it can be as harmless as a bad sunburn. These flames are the manifestation of justice, allowing the individual subconsciousness pass their own judgement upon themselves, and earn penance proportionate to their own injustice.
Zanjutsu Level: Master Swordsman
If Shobatsu’s Reiryoku is a testament to the immensity of his power, then his mastery over Zanjutsu is a testament to the immensity of his skill. By far, Zanjutsu is the epitome of Shobatsu’s abilities, and his favored method of combat. Prior to being released from the Muken (無間, Avici), Shobatsu had only wielded his opponents Zanpakuto against themselves. It wasn’t until three hundred years ago, after defeating the remaining Gotei 13 and ascending to the rank of Captain Commander, that Shobatsu wielded his very own Zanpakuto. However, Shobatsu did not need three hundred years of training with the blade, already possessing centuries of battle experience, and millenia of self-reflection, Shobatsu was so greatly in tune with his soul and his skill, that he was able to learn his Zanpakuto’s name and achieve bankai in a single instant.
Perhaps unparalleled in the usage of the blade, Shobatsu’s skill is such that observers hardly see him use it at all. The epitome of mastery, every movement Shobatsu makes with a blade follows the absolute most efficient trajectory to its destination. This coupled with the man’s natural speed, perfect form, and exceptional technique, allows him to draw his sword, perform a cut, and sheath his blade in movement so fast that light molecules struggle to keep up. The effect of which is an invisible strike, impossible to be perceived by even the most astute observers, the fastest opponents, or the most gifted swordsmen.
Shobatsu’s sensing ability is one with his combat ability. Using his natural intuition and heightened senses, Shobatsu is able to perceive all threats, register them, and react, in the very instant the threat is posed, and in some occasions even before then. To some, this appears as though Shobatsu’s blade can instantly teleport to the exact location it needs to be. Allowing him to block or parry with casual ease an attack where even the most skilled swordsman would be caught off guard. This technique has called many opponents to falsely conclude that Shobatsu’s Zanpakuto has the ability to manipulate time. In truth however, Shobatsu is simply able to predict, register, assess, react, and respond to his opponents with such ease that he doesn’t require any additional time besides the very instant all this is meant to occur.
Combine his offensive and defensive capabilities, and Shobatsu never seems to fight with a blade at all. Rather, it appears as though any threat is automatically cut down simply by being in his very presence. For awhile, some speculated that Shobatsu’s reiatsu had a cutting effect, as even the Captains were unable to perceive his blade’s movements. In response, Shobatsu purposefully slows down his movements in a fight, both so that his allies can observe and learn from him, and so that his enemies can perceive and respond to his attacks, or at the very least realize that he’s using his blade.
With a zanpakuto being a reflection of their soul, most Captain level shinigami seal away their zanpakuto to prevent having to carry around a blade the size of a skyscraper. With Shobatsu however, it is unclear just how long his unsealed blade really is, and what exactly the limits are of how far it can reach. A true master, distance is of no consequence or concern to Shobatsu. He is capable of instantaneously unsealing and resealing the shape of his blade, or simply emitting a concentrated blast of reiatsu from it ,indistinguishable from a real sword strike. The range of Shobatsu’s reach is only limited by how far he is able to perceive, and how far his reiatsu is able to spread, which has been shown to expand beyond the size of the Soul Society and Rukongai combined. This means that Shobatsu can fight miles away as easily as he can inches. There is no fleeing the Commander’s judgment, retreat is near impossible, and cowards are stricken down with ease, the only option when faced with Shobatsu’s verdict, is to stand your ground and fight.
Known Techniques: - Agitowari - Onibi - Nadegiri - Senmaioroshi -
Hohō Level: Shunpo Master
In comparison to the grand scale of his other abilities, Hohō is by far the weakest of the Commander’s skills. Being as powerful as he is Shobatsu has hardly ever needed to maneuver around or through a battlefield. The battlefield instead maneuvers around him. In his youth, he was much more spry, speeding around a battlefield just for the thrill of watching his opponents explode as he ran through them. Today however, he is not just an unstoppable force, but an immovable object. His level of power is such that there are no opponents left to challenge him. When he fights, he hardly moves at all, appearing unaffected and at times even bored with combat. His speed shows itself instead in his hakuda and Zanjutsu abilities, rather than any actual footwork. Further, he never bothered to learn a single Hohō technique, as his natural speed has always been enough to keep up and even surpass some of the greatest practitioners to date. In the event that he does move, he can naturally move at a speed other masters have worked centuries to achieve, easily mimicking with natural movements and without a second thought, the very techniques they spent their whole lives refining. Though his weakness in this ability has led to him being surpassed in maneuverability, he has never been surpassed in raw speed. On the rare occasion an opponent is faster than Shobatsu, they are often, in their arrogance, caught off guard by his ability to keep up with their attacks. His sensing ability, and the remainder of his combat abilities, allow him to react and counter even the fastest attacks, preventing him from ever being defeated by being out-paced. For this reason, though the least refined of his abilities, and despite his own opinions on the matter, Shobatsu is still considered by all to be a Shunpo Master.
Known Techniques: - Senka - Utusemi -
Hakuda Level: Master Hakuda Combatant
Though rare for him to ever use solely Hakuda, many are shocked to witness the Commander’s proficiency with the skill. They forget, that prior to becoming a shinigami, all Shobatsu had for a weapon was his own body. With only Hakuda, he was still able to combat the original Captains of the Gotei Thirteen, and be their combined match. Though he is an incredibly powerful individual, he has never allowed this to affect his fighting, refusing to grow lazy and rely solely on his spiritual ability. Instead, Shobatsu has achieved the perfect balance of power and skill. An incredibly technical fighter, he uses his immense strength, speed, and durability in synchronous harmony with precision, efficiency, and even subterfuge. His size and strength don’t outweigh his speed and accuracy, his insane durability and perception don’t cloud his caution. It is indeed a rare sight to behold, and a true treat for Hakuda enthusiasts to witness such a perfectly balanced combination of physical prowess and mental tenacity.
Shobatsu’s unarmed fighting style is both incredibly precise, and extremely impromptu, or rather, it can appear so from an outside perspective. In truth, Shobatsu uses his keen mind and senses to analyze strategize and execute the perfect series of movements and strikes for any given situation. This however means that he needs to be able to do so on the fly, with any unforeseen variable or unpredicted obstacles accounted for. Shobatsu’s fighting style and techniques are able to adapt instantaneously to the circumstances he finds himself in. Allowing him to fight the most diverse opponents and abilities, unarmed and exposed, with the utmost ease. He will employ any weapon he can obtain into his unarmed style, often using opponents weapons against them, and to a frightening degree. His proficiency in doing so was such that the original Captains of the Gotei Thirteen forbade anyone but themselves to use anything but Hakuda against him. It is even said that the Second Division’s adherence to hakuda, and the idea behind the maggots nest, were all inspired by the Seiretei’s confrontations with Shobatsu.
Indeed, it is no surprise that Shobatsu, even in his old age, is such a physically dominant opponent. In an effort to further seal away his own Reiryoku, Shobatsu chose to channel it inwards, converting his spiritual energy for physical energy. Even this proved not enough, after every fiber of his body, every cell of his being, absorbed his Reiryoku, it still only accounted for a sliver of the excess of his overall spiritual power. Still, this means that Shobatsu’s very being has been enhanced to the utmost degree with spiritual energy. In a way he can even be considered the perfect physical specimen, showcased by his relatively youthful appearance compared to his ancient age. His body is incredibly durable, unable to be pierced by any weapon through normal means. The strongest and mightiest swordsmen within the Soul Society continue to hold competitions were they attempt to cut a single strand of Shobatsu’s hair without the use of their Shikai, and still there have been no winners. Further, Shobatsu’s physical strength is monstrous. He is capable of destroying an entire landscape from the sheer physical force of a single snap. A simple flex of a muscle is enough to send shockwaves towards an opponent. Bankai and Shikai have shattered against his skin. What’s more, Shobatsu never seems to tire, outlasting even the most stubborn opponents as he watches them succumb to exhaustion. He never sleeps, constantly vigilant, nor has he ever shown the need to eat or drink, even after exerting massive amounts of spiritual and physical energy. This has led some to believe that Shobatsu is not like the Shinigami he commands, that he is an entirely different being, more entity than man.
Known Techniques: - Tesshō - Tsukiyubi - Kagamibirak - Ikkotsuhttps://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Ikkotsu - Sōkotsuhttps://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Sōkotsu - Oni Dekopin -
Kidō Skill Level: Kidō Master
After his imprisonment, Shobatsu sought ways to further suppress his own power. His interest settled upon the very thing that lead to his defeat and subsequent imprisonment all those millenia ago, Kidō. Specifically, the branch of Kidō known as Bakudō. Prior to becoming Captain Commander, Shobatsu’s only experience with Kidō was on the receiving end as an opponent to the shinigami. Once he himself became a Shinigami, he immediately set about learning it. If he wished to know everything about Bakudō, he would have to learn Kidō from the ground up. Shobatsu actually enrolled into the Shin'ō Academy, and though he moved through the six-year curriculum and graduated in a matter of three days, it was still a sight to see the Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen standing amongst a class full of adolescent students. Still, he achieved his goal, learning the foundations of Kidō in the manner all Shinigami do. In three days he became as proficient as some of the masters within the Kidō Corps, and had them surrender everything they had on any particular subject at his beck and call. His focus was solely on Bakudō, not interested in any other form of Kidō , regardless of the power the Corp’s members lauded about. Quickly, his studying became a specialization, and soon he was superior in its usage than any of the Corpsmen besides the Kidō Corps Commander himself. He permitted the Corps Commander to visit the first division barracks for private tutoring. After a matter of one week, the Kidō Corp Commander shared that he possessed no spells capable of breaking the Captain Commander’s Bakudō. So it was, in a matter of three weeks, Shobatsu became a Master of Bakudō.
Shobatsu’s immense spiritual power greatly benefits his Bakudō, as any Kidō spell’s physical form is naturally brought on by spiritual energy. It is almost impossible to break even the weakest levels of Shobatsu’s unchanted Bakudō. Shobatsu can cast the highest level Bakudō spells without incantation, and they will still be stronger than even a master’s fully incantated spell of equal level. When Shobatsu does deem to share an incantation, the spell intensifies to an extreme degree, instantly becoming elauge stronger than before. Often times Shobatsu will cast a binding spell solely to terrify his opponent, only to then recite the incantation, and thus reduce his opponent into a quivering mess.
Shobatsu’s mastery over Bakudō is testified by the fact that he has even gone on to develop and invent his own spells. To invent your own spell is considered an outrageously difficult task even for masters of the Kidō Corps. Shobatsu has invented three. Considered to be the most powerful Bakudō spells to date, and each stronger than the last. Always one to think of every possible contingency, each spell was designed to bind and seal an opponent of equal power to his, or, perhaps, to one day be used to bind himself. Still, after developing the first spell, Kugyō Jigoku Kusari (苦行地獄鎖, Hell Chain of Penance, Lit. “Penance Hell Chain”) Shobatsu was dissatisfied, it’s power is enough to sedate him, but the sheer force of his own spiritual power was enough to counteract the sealing effects and leave him only physically bound. Never one to compromise, Shobatsu spent the next fifty years developing his second Bakudō spell Kurai Jōgiwa Nigi (闇い定規把の握, The Grip of the Dark Ruler, Viz. ”Dark Sovereign Grasp”), this time, the spell was great enough to counteract, absorb, and assimilate his own Reiryoku, restricting the usage of his own spiritual power, and yet still it wasn’t enough. Used in conjunction however, and these techniques proved to be perhaps the greatest sealing spell in existence. That is, until the Commander invented his third, and most powerful spell. After failing twice to develop his ideal binding spell, Shobatsu threw caution to the wind. Delving into the darkest and most reclusive research, and harnessing secret and forgotten resources and techniques, Shobatsu spent two hundred years developing the Kokuryū Satsujinen (黒竜殺人円, Black Dragon Murder Ring, Viz. “Circle of Murdering Black Dragons”), a dangerous and awe-inspiring sealing technique so forbidden that merely seeking knowledge of it is punished by death. The very name has become a taboo, whispered about in private among scholars of the Kidō Corps. While Shobatsu uses weakened versions of both his Hell Chain of Penance and the Grip of the Dark Ruler fairly liberally, he has never once considered using the Kokuryū Satsujinen.
Known Spells: - Sai - Bankin[/b]https://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Bankin - Kuyō Shibari - Hakufuku - Kyokkō - Inemuri - Kinhttps://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Kin - Shibireyubi - Shō - Kurohitsugi - Hanki - Noren Mekurihttps://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Noren_Mekuri - Sentan Hakuja -
Equipment:
Erimaki Shisseki (襟巻き叱責, Scarf of Rebuke; Scarf of Reprimand)
Aku Hachi Hakkō (悪の鉢発酵, Bowl of Evil Fermentation; Viz. “Festering Pot of Evil”)
Inventions:
”Cold steel forged in a blazing flame, a violent death creates a lifelong bond, rattle and shake in silence, and be uplifted by the burden you receive.”
Kugyō Jigoku Kusari (苦行地獄鎖, Hell Chain of Penance, Lit. “Penance Hell Chain”)
“Brush aside all misgivings, hold fondly all memories, every moment now clenched between your fingers, let everyone slip away, let everything go, and be yourself, all alone, all contained.”
Kurai Jōgiwa Nigi (闇い定規把の握, The Grip of the Dark Ruler, Viz. ”Dark Sovereign Grasp”)
“Abyss, despair, void, and rot, storm clouds rain blackened blood upon the earth, heaven bleeds and we are its wound, drown out the defiant light and succumb to its darkness, like forgotten memories, let our existence end as all things do, silent, and black.”
Kokuryū Satsujinen (黒竜殺人円, Black Dragon Murder Ring, Viz. “Circle of Murdering Black Dragons”)
Zanpakuto Name: Shihōken (司法刃, “Judicial Blade”)
Zanpakuto Appearance: Shihōken is a large Chokutō ("直刀", straight sword) a wood handled and double edged straight sword. Abnormally long for its type, the blade’s length measures from pommel to tip at five feet. Fitting, considering that while it is within its wooden sehath it resembles more of a walking stick than any actual blade. In its sealed state, Shobatsu carries Shihōken around like a cane, given his own abnormally large stature, the blade’s length seems appropriate for the task. Those unfamiliar with the Commander’s abilities believe he must use the cane to feel his surroundings on account of being blind. Naturally however, those more astute are aware that Shobatsu keeps it this way only for appearances. Shobatsu is never seen without Shihōken by his side. Though on extremely rare occasions he has forgone using the blade to fight in favor of using Hakuda. When this happens, Shobatsu has shown a unique ability with his sealed zanpakuto, unpossessed by other shinigami. He is capable of calling the sealed Shihōken to him without actually touching it, is able to make the blade fight on its own seemingly without his interference, and can even release the blade without ever coming into contact with it, all feats previously thought impossible by lesser Shinigami. Some speculate that these abilities are in truth an unseen Kidō, while others believe that it is just the power of the relationship between Shihōken and its Commander.
Zanpakuto Spirit:
Shihōken’s physical form manifests as a type of Lion-like entity. Twice Shobatu’s height, Shihōken stands at fourteen feet tall. His very nature is imposing, and his personality is in stark contrast to his wielder. Shihōken is an incredibly emotion driven individual, versus Shobatsu’s logical mentality. He is quick to judge and dismiss everything he comes across, believing that strength and power are the only truths, and that the weak must be crushed beneath the heel of the strong. He constantly criticizes Shobatsu’s patience, being impatient himself, he’d rather jump to conclusions and act, than wait and assess a situation before judgment. In terms of ideologies and philosophies, Shihōken is the exact opposite of Shobatsu in every aspect. In this way, he serves as a counterweight to Shobatsu, balancing out his judgment
Inner World:
Shobatsu’s inner world takes the form of an expansive desert, constantly on the cusp of dusk. A purple sun is always just on the brink of rising, just out of sight, and just out of reach. The gravity in this world has increased ten thousand fold, terraforming the landscape. Everything is in order, every individual grain of sand is exactly in place, compacted into perfectly level pyramids by the insane force of pressure bearing down on it. The desert itself is endless, and the only point of reference one has for distance are the towering purple cliffs that cut forever through the center of the world. In this world the time is dilated as the gravity, with one second feeling like a thousand years. Imprisoned within the Muken, Shobatsu spent over three thousand years in this world, seeking to self reflect and achieve existential truth through inner understanding.
Shobatsu’s inner world takes the form of an expansive desert, constantly on the cusp of dusk. A purple sun is always just on the brink of rising, just out of sight, and just out of reach. The gravity in this world has increased ten thousand fold, terraforming the landscape. Everything is in order, every individual grain of sand is exactly in place, compacted into perfectly level pyramids by the insane force of pressure bearing down on it. The desert itself is endless, and the only point of reference one has for distance are the towering purple cliffs that cut forever through the center of the world. In this world the time is dilated as the gravity, with one second feeling like a thousand years. Imprisoned within the Muken, Shobatsu spent over three thousand years in this world, seeking to self reflect and achieve existential truth through inner understanding.
“Bring Balance, Shihōken”
Release Phrase: Though Shobatsu’s mastery of zanjutsu and compatibility with his blade allows him to activate shikai without any verbal requirements, Shihōken can still be unsealed by reciting the release phrase “Bring Balance”.
Shikai: Once released, Shihōken’s physical appearance does not alter. Though it will on occasion emanate a purple glow.
Shikai Special Ability:
Shihōken’s release reflects Shobatsu’s innate desire to bring balance to all of existence. On the surface, the blade’s Shikai appears to be the ability to cut anything in half. It can move through the most solid objects, the most durable Kidō, the most impregnable defenses, and render them all in twain. However, in truth the blade’s ability isn’t merely to cut things in two. That is simply the observation of what can physically be seen. The true power of Shihōken is to halve all things that come into contact with the blade and its wielder. Not merely limited to the tangible, Shihōken is able to halve the abstract and non existent. With this release, Shobatsu can halve the time of a battle, the distance he must travel, the damage he receives, or the power of his opponent. The only limit to what Shobatsu can halve is his own imagination. Further, Shobatsu has shown the ability to fire waves of his reiatsu from Shihōken, carrying the halving ability of an actual strike from the blade. The effects of Shihōken do not dissipate when it returns to its sealed state, and seem to be permanent until Shobatsu himself dismisses them. What’s more, Shobatsu has shown the ability to maintain the abilities of his Shikai even while in a Bankai state. With Shihōken released, Shobatsu can bring balance to anything before him, and anyone.
Bankai: Seigi Hakari no Shihōken (正義はかりの司法剣, “Justice Scales of the Judiciary Blade”)
Bankai Special Ability:
Once released, the Seigi Hakari no Shihōken takes the shape of a massive set of imposing scales. Towering over two hundred feet tall, the scope of Shobatsu’s bankai dwarves skyscrapers. When activated, a purple circle of flame engrossess the area around Shobatsu, as the gargantuan black-metal scales rise from the ground, as though rising from hell itself. Each scale functions as a brazier for Shobatsu’s Purging Flames, emitting a heat intense enough to change the atmosphere into a darkened haze of storm clouds and purple lightning. The heat radiating off the scales is enough to cause skin to blister from exposure to the air, and melt the very ground into liquid. However, the metal comprising the scales remains so cold that it turns flesh black with frostbite on contact. As for the actual power of the Bankai, the Seigi Hakari no Shihōken possess two unique abilities, each represented by a brazier. When one of these abilities is used, its corresponding brazier grows heavier, lowering its position on the scale as its flames burn brighter. As long as the two braziers remain balanced, Shobatsu is able to use both abilities simultaneously.
Hyōketsu Nijū (評決二重, Double Verdict; Two-fold Verdict) • This ability allows Shobatsu to double anything within the radius of his reiatsu. This permits him to double the weight of his opponent, the power of his strike, the intensity of a Kidō, or the duration of an attack, with near endless possibilities. Not limited to simply the physical, Shobatsu can double the metaphysical as well. Concepts such as gravity, time, or distance are all subject to Shobatsu’s judgment. This ability, coupled with the maintained ability of his Shikai, allows Shobatsu to constantly fluctuate the odds of a fight, ensuring that under his will, everything remains subjected to his ultimate and final verdict.
Gokei no Hōsoku (互恵の法則, Law of Reciprocation, Lit. “Law of Reciprocity”) • The second of Shihōken’s Bankai abilities. The Law of Reciprocation allows Shobatsu to reverse anything within the radius of his reiatsu. Taken literally, he is able to reverse the trajectory of attack, reverse the physical positions of targets, reverse who receives damage, convert damage into health, reverse the polarity of gravity, change the flow of time, and a plethora of other abilities only limited by the scope of Shobatsu’s mind. Combined with the Double Verdict, so long as Justice Scales remain balanced, Shobatsu can reverse any attack back at an opponent and double its effects, creating the perfect counter. While the first of Shihōken’s Bankai abilities is meant to deliver a verdict, the Law of Reciprocation is meant to deliver punishment. Reflecting and reversing the actions of the judged back at them to ensure a fair and equal punishment.
Personal Relationships:
Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki • Lieutenant of the First Division, and Shobatsu’s chief subordinate. Lieutenant Oki handles the majority of the First Division’s bureaucratic and day to day affairs. She also functions as Shobatsu’s ambassador to the rest of the Seireitei, often acting as spokesman for the First Division. It is always Lieutenant Oki who gives interviews or releases official statements on behalf of the Commander. This has led the Lieutenant to bestow upon herself the title “Head of Public Relations”. In truth, Honoka’s empathetic nature balances out the apathetic and distant nature of the Commander. It is speculated that this is the very reason why, among so many powerful candidates, Honoka was chosen by Shobatsu. The Lieutenant rarely leaves Shobatsu’s side, and has come to be a point of reference for Shobatsu’s decisions. Often the Commander will use Honoka to gauge how humanitarian his judgment will be.
Captain Higen Kagayaki • Captain of the Tenth Division, and former Lieutenant of the First Division. Captain Kagayaki was Shobatsu’s first Lieutenant after becoming Captain Commander. Chosen for his power, humility, and strict adherence to honor. As with Lieutenant Oki, the Commander was always incredibly distant with Higen, their interactions remained solely between Commander and Subordinate. Higen holds great admiration and respect for Shobatsu, having seen first hand the difficulty in making the right decision. To Higen, being promoted to Captain is in truth a demotion. As the Commander realized that Higen’s strong sense of honor often blinded his judgment and caused him to question the morality of Shobatsu’s decisions. However, the Commander did not replace Higen as his Lieutenant out of punishment, but rather out of mercy. As Higen was spared having to compromise his code of honor in order to support Shobatsu’s judgment for the greater good. Something the Tenth Captain has come to realize and accept over the years.
Likes: Justice, Balance, Responsibility, Duty
Dislikes: Injustice, Insubordination, Insolence
Theme: Riot
Seireitei Communication Column: Though many believe Shobatsu is above such a thing as reading a magazine, they are mistaken. The commander views the Seireitei Communication Column as a way of gauging the day to day life and opinions of the Seireitei that he otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to as Commander. As such, he has Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki read him every edition of the magazine as it comes to print, and in some cases even before. However, he never shows any affiliation to the magazine, and consistently refuses to interview.
Biography:
Shobatsu’s past is paved in blood and violence. In the bloody era of the soul society, long before the foundation of the Seireitei as it is known today, Shobatsu came into existence. Soul born, he never experienced the spark of life, the innate mortality that brings the living their fear of death and detest of violence. Born on the furthest outskirts of the soul society, Shobatsu was brought up knowing nothing but war.
He was always strong, but he grew to become godly. A man with nothing but an insatiable appetite to kill and squash those insects weaker than him. Shobatsu grew to become a warlord, subjugated the warring clans beneath him through dominating force. Soon, he had an entire army of souls, raiders and murderers who spread his disease of violence.
There were others like him. Beings of immense power who garnered a following and brought unity to their chaotic and violent existence. One such being, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, sought to unite the rest. Yamamoto approached Shobatsu first, explaining his plans to form a coalition of warriors dedicated to protecting the balance of souls. Shobatsu refused, claiming that if Yamamoto truly desired unity, he would prostrate himself before Shobatsu. The two armies fought, and Yamamoto was sent back with nothing but a small number of his strongest pupils.
Centuries passed, and Yamamoto united twelve other powerful beings beneath him. The original Captains of the Gotei Thirteen. With the future of the Soul Society at stake, they decided to eradicate the only threat to their power. Shobatsu Murasaki. Their combined forces overwhelmed Shobatsu’s, until only he was left. It made no difference, single handedly, and completely unarmed, Shobatsu began slaughtering their troops. Using their own weapons, the newly invented Zanpakuto against them, and the power of his unparalleled reiatsu, Shobatsu quickly evened the odds.
After his genocide, the only forces that remained were Shobatsu himself, and the Thirteen Captains. Even with all thirteen of them united, Shobatsu proved to be their match. An intense battle ensued, lasting over three days. Finally, it took all of their bankai combined to subdue him. They used every seal, item, barrier, and Kidō at their disposal to seal away Shobatsu, creating an entirely new dimension, the Muken.
Over this new dimension, they build a massive structure to further seal Shobatsu away, later named the Central Great Underground Prison. To ensure that he never escaped, the original Gotei Thirteen built their headquarters over the very location of his defeat. A massive kingdom which would become known as the Seireitei. There, Shobatsu stayed imprisoned for millenia.
While imprisoned every second in the real world felt like a thousand years in the Muken. Shobatsu had nothing but his own mind, his own soul, to keep him company. For the first thousand years, Shobatsu raged, and fought against this restraints with all his power. For the next million, he planned his escape. Eventually he surrendered to his situation. Left with nothing but eternity ahead of him, Shobatsu reflected inward.
He analyzed every aspect of his life, every individual second. He extrapolated every interaction he ever had, every microcosm of influence he ever created by existing. After another few eons, Shobatsu had nothing left of his life to analyze. He knew every wrong he ever committed, saw from the perspective of every being he ever crossed. He explored his inner world for another lifetime, and eternity for self reflection and thought.
His anger, his rage, his helplessness, it all faded away, every emotion, everything that made him him, faded away. He was neither restless, nor content. He simply was. Shobatsu came to the conclusion that the only purpose in existence is to discover what is right, and what is wrong, and act to ensure justice. Everything must be balanced, or nothing will exist. This was the truth, this was an inner peace that some would call nirvana.
Then came the shattered dimensions event. Nearly every prominent and powerful Shinigami was wiped away in an instant. The Central Forty Six were desperate to regain some of the Seireitei’s power, and so turned to dark means. Their last mistake, which would guarantee the security of the Soul Societies future by putting it at risk, was to free Shobatsu.
Removing him from his containment in the Muken, the Central Forty Six brought him before them. They explained the situation, sharing that they were willing to put Shobatsu on parole so long as he learned to become a Shinigami. They would even forgive his past, and permit him to become a Captain.
Shobatsu refused. With only a single restraint, his ears, unbound, Shobatsu was able to free himself through will. Terrified, the Central Forty Six were petrified before him, as he explained to them the errors in their judgment. Yet, unlike the Shobatsu of the past, this one showed mercy. He spared the Central Forty Six, casually walking out of the compound. A state of emergency was declared.
Shobatsu traveled to the vacant barracks of the First Division, and sat upon the throne of the Commander. The combined forces of the seireitei congregated around him, ready to fight. Shobatsu issued a challenge before them all. He would return to his confinement, so long as even one Shinigami was able to move him from his spot. Together, every remaining shinigami attacked Shobatsu, and every remaining Shinigami was defeated, all while he remained seated.
With the forces of the Seireitei grovelling at his feet, Shobatsu concluded that the odds were simply too imbalanced. The standard he laid out for his challenge was impossible, given the difference in his power compared to the soul reapers. So, he decided to even the odds.
Shobatsu took a dead Shinigami’s Asauchi, and used the blade to permanently blind himself. He then commanded the strongest of the shinigami to rise back to their feet and oppose him. With their second wind, every powerful Shinigami released an all out assault on Shobatsu. Even with his power halved, they were still no match.
When every being that opposed him, laid defeated before him, Shobatsu rose to his feet. Taking the Asauchi, having no prior experience with a Zanpakuto, he raised it above his head. His inner being, his very soul, was so in balance, in tune, that he was able to do the impossible, and activate Bankai straight from an Asauchi.
With the full blazen glory of the massive scales of justice burning behind him, Shobatsu declared himself Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen before the entire army of its defeated forces. He then appointed a particularly headstrong Shinigami as his Lieutenant, one Higen Kagayaki, and immediately set to business.
After the Shattered dimensions event, the flow of souls was more imbalanced than it had ever been. The quincy were in worse shambles than the Shinigami, and so only one threat remained. Shobatsu took his newly appointed Lt to Hueco Mundo, to bare further witness to his might. Standing before the massive structure of Las Noches, Shobatsu released his Shikai. With a single swing of his sword, he destroyed Las Noches, and halved the population of Hueco Mundo. His first action as commander, Genocide.
Yet, despite such a controversial history, today Shobatsu’s leadership has been proven to be the correct course of fate. Under the Captain Commander, the Soul Society has seen nothing but peace and prosperity for the past three hundred years. Many today have either forgotten, or remain unaware of the Commander, with Shobatsu being all they know. The enemies of the Soul Society hide in shadows out of fear of him alone. Even Hollows, in their primitive forms, fear Shobatsu as a boogieman. They have given him a name, spoken in terrified whispers, Kouka (劫火, “World-destroying Flame”)
Character Appearance:
Dislikes: Injustice, Insubordination, Insolence
Theme: Riot
Seireitei Communication Column: Though many believe Shobatsu is above such a thing as reading a magazine, they are mistaken. The commander views the Seireitei Communication Column as a way of gauging the day to day life and opinions of the Seireitei that he otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to as Commander. As such, he has Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki read him every edition of the magazine as it comes to print, and in some cases even before. However, he never shows any affiliation to the magazine, and consistently refuses to interview.
Biography:
Shobatsu’s past is paved in blood and violence. In the bloody era of the soul society, long before the foundation of the Seireitei as it is known today, Shobatsu came into existence. Soul born, he never experienced the spark of life, the innate mortality that brings the living their fear of death and detest of violence. Born on the furthest outskirts of the soul society, Shobatsu was brought up knowing nothing but war.
He was always strong, but he grew to become godly. A man with nothing but an insatiable appetite to kill and squash those insects weaker than him. Shobatsu grew to become a warlord, subjugated the warring clans beneath him through dominating force. Soon, he had an entire army of souls, raiders and murderers who spread his disease of violence.
There were others like him. Beings of immense power who garnered a following and brought unity to their chaotic and violent existence. One such being, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, sought to unite the rest. Yamamoto approached Shobatsu first, explaining his plans to form a coalition of warriors dedicated to protecting the balance of souls. Shobatsu refused, claiming that if Yamamoto truly desired unity, he would prostrate himself before Shobatsu. The two armies fought, and Yamamoto was sent back with nothing but a small number of his strongest pupils.
Centuries passed, and Yamamoto united twelve other powerful beings beneath him. The original Captains of the Gotei Thirteen. With the future of the Soul Society at stake, they decided to eradicate the only threat to their power. Shobatsu Murasaki. Their combined forces overwhelmed Shobatsu’s, until only he was left. It made no difference, single handedly, and completely unarmed, Shobatsu began slaughtering their troops. Using their own weapons, the newly invented Zanpakuto against them, and the power of his unparalleled reiatsu, Shobatsu quickly evened the odds.
After his genocide, the only forces that remained were Shobatsu himself, and the Thirteen Captains. Even with all thirteen of them united, Shobatsu proved to be their match. An intense battle ensued, lasting over three days. Finally, it took all of their bankai combined to subdue him. They used every seal, item, barrier, and Kidō at their disposal to seal away Shobatsu, creating an entirely new dimension, the Muken.
Over this new dimension, they build a massive structure to further seal Shobatsu away, later named the Central Great Underground Prison. To ensure that he never escaped, the original Gotei Thirteen built their headquarters over the very location of his defeat. A massive kingdom which would become known as the Seireitei. There, Shobatsu stayed imprisoned for millenia.
While imprisoned every second in the real world felt like a thousand years in the Muken. Shobatsu had nothing but his own mind, his own soul, to keep him company. For the first thousand years, Shobatsu raged, and fought against this restraints with all his power. For the next million, he planned his escape. Eventually he surrendered to his situation. Left with nothing but eternity ahead of him, Shobatsu reflected inward.
He analyzed every aspect of his life, every individual second. He extrapolated every interaction he ever had, every microcosm of influence he ever created by existing. After another few eons, Shobatsu had nothing left of his life to analyze. He knew every wrong he ever committed, saw from the perspective of every being he ever crossed. He explored his inner world for another lifetime, and eternity for self reflection and thought.
His anger, his rage, his helplessness, it all faded away, every emotion, everything that made him him, faded away. He was neither restless, nor content. He simply was. Shobatsu came to the conclusion that the only purpose in existence is to discover what is right, and what is wrong, and act to ensure justice. Everything must be balanced, or nothing will exist. This was the truth, this was an inner peace that some would call nirvana.
Then came the shattered dimensions event. Nearly every prominent and powerful Shinigami was wiped away in an instant. The Central Forty Six were desperate to regain some of the Seireitei’s power, and so turned to dark means. Their last mistake, which would guarantee the security of the Soul Societies future by putting it at risk, was to free Shobatsu.
Removing him from his containment in the Muken, the Central Forty Six brought him before them. They explained the situation, sharing that they were willing to put Shobatsu on parole so long as he learned to become a Shinigami. They would even forgive his past, and permit him to become a Captain.
Shobatsu refused. With only a single restraint, his ears, unbound, Shobatsu was able to free himself through will. Terrified, the Central Forty Six were petrified before him, as he explained to them the errors in their judgment. Yet, unlike the Shobatsu of the past, this one showed mercy. He spared the Central Forty Six, casually walking out of the compound. A state of emergency was declared.
Shobatsu traveled to the vacant barracks of the First Division, and sat upon the throne of the Commander. The combined forces of the seireitei congregated around him, ready to fight. Shobatsu issued a challenge before them all. He would return to his confinement, so long as even one Shinigami was able to move him from his spot. Together, every remaining shinigami attacked Shobatsu, and every remaining Shinigami was defeated, all while he remained seated.
With the forces of the Seireitei grovelling at his feet, Shobatsu concluded that the odds were simply too imbalanced. The standard he laid out for his challenge was impossible, given the difference in his power compared to the soul reapers. So, he decided to even the odds.
Shobatsu took a dead Shinigami’s Asauchi, and used the blade to permanently blind himself. He then commanded the strongest of the shinigami to rise back to their feet and oppose him. With their second wind, every powerful Shinigami released an all out assault on Shobatsu. Even with his power halved, they were still no match.
When every being that opposed him, laid defeated before him, Shobatsu rose to his feet. Taking the Asauchi, having no prior experience with a Zanpakuto, he raised it above his head. His inner being, his very soul, was so in balance, in tune, that he was able to do the impossible, and activate Bankai straight from an Asauchi.
With the full blazen glory of the massive scales of justice burning behind him, Shobatsu declared himself Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen before the entire army of its defeated forces. He then appointed a particularly headstrong Shinigami as his Lieutenant, one Higen Kagayaki, and immediately set to business.
After the Shattered dimensions event, the flow of souls was more imbalanced than it had ever been. The quincy were in worse shambles than the Shinigami, and so only one threat remained. Shobatsu took his newly appointed Lt to Hueco Mundo, to bare further witness to his might. Standing before the massive structure of Las Noches, Shobatsu released his Shikai. With a single swing of his sword, he destroyed Las Noches, and halved the population of Hueco Mundo. His first action as commander, Genocide.
Yet, despite such a controversial history, today Shobatsu’s leadership has been proven to be the correct course of fate. Under the Captain Commander, the Soul Society has seen nothing but peace and prosperity for the past three hundred years. Many today have either forgotten, or remain unaware of the Commander, with Shobatsu being all they know. The enemies of the Soul Society hide in shadows out of fear of him alone. Even Hollows, in their primitive forms, fear Shobatsu as a boogieman. They have given him a name, spoken in terrified whispers, Kouka (劫火, “World-destroying Flame”)
Character Appearance:
