Kurosen Taiyo
Personal I nformation
Name: Kurosen Taiyo
Age: 271 Actual Age; Age of Death 21
Gender: Male
Birthday: July 17
General Information
Division: 4
Seat/Rank: Vice Captain
Specialty: Hakuda Power
Personality: Taiyo is a strange case by all means. At times he lives up to his Vice Captain position and even further by constantly watching for the 4th squad’s young captain, acting like a care taker or older brother to the captain. There are other times where he’s out neglecting his vice captain duties to go pick a fight. The shifts between extremes of calm, cool headedness and brash arrogance are explained by his bi polar personality. Though regardless if he’s at one of the extremes, Taiyo has a deep sense of justice due to personal reasons. The contradictory name with this bi-polar persona throws Taiyo in the “too strange to understand” pile.
Equipment:
- アスクレピオス (Aesculapius); Taiyo’s Zanpakuto Self-explanatory
- Notebook; Consistently updates with Squad Tasks and Emergency Reports via Reiatsu
Biography:
- Childhood-
A lot of this man is shrouded in mystery. He recalls nothing of his former life. No parents. No family. No friends. No lovers. Not even his name to carry with him through the afterlife. His death was something that was so long ago he recalls nothing of it. Therefore his early days in Soul Society held no animosity towards any being, and he lived a rather uneventful afterlife for quite some time. From what he gathered from other residents of Rokungai, it was most likely the cause of Hollows. These “Hollows” were evil beings that preyed off of human souls, with living humans being the tastiest treat. The man merely accepted it as fact and went through his afterlife like a lifeless doll.
One day a group of black kimonos traveled through the boy’s district. Curious the boy, who at the time couldn’t be more than 12 at the time, wandered the street to see why the resident’s were in such a ruckus. Apparently the people in black kimonos were known as “Shinigami” and they were looking for talent in the town. Talent? The boy wondered what exactly they were looking for. Just as he was walking away his eyes met one of the Shinigami who walked over curiously. The boy’s body froze up and he was unsure of what to do. A part of him was ready to run while the other was too scared to do anything. The Shinigami slowly reached forward with his hand and without thinking the boy threw up his hands in protest. What followed after was a strong burst of light that sent the unsuspecting Shinigami flying into the nearest building. The boy was at a loss for what happened, and when he was surrounded by the other Shinigami he thought he was sure to be punished.
“We actually found a good one.” One said as she carefully looked over the young lad. “Natural at Kido this one. With some polishing this raw gem can easily out shine anyone. What’s your name boy?” The child shook his head in fright and quietly replied, “I don’t have one…” The other was surprised but quietly walked over and kneeled down to the boy’s height. “Well, what if I give you one? In return, will you come with us?” The boy’s azure eyes grew wide at the idea. He never had a name to call his own, and this lady was going to give him one just for tagging along? The child could not pass up a chance like this and nodded his head with gusto.
A small giggle escaped the woman’s lips as she took the boy’s hand and started to walk off. “You’ll be known as Taiyo. That Kido you released earlier was as bright and shining as the sun. I know you’ll do the name justice.” Soon after Taiyo was enrolled in the Gotei 13 Training Academy and progressed at an amazingly accelerated rate. His combat skills, speed, tactics, and general knowledge were impressive on its own, however where Taiyo truly shined was in Kido. Not too long after being introduced to basic level Kido arts, he quickly showed aptitude for even some upper intermediate level arts. Naturally being such a prodigy came with a hard decision upon graduation. Taiyo had already been scouted by various Squads, but he had finally been accepted into the 6th Squad after showing an aptness in both Kido and swordsmanship.
- Early Shinigami Days -
Working within Squad 6 proved worthwhile to Taiyo’s time. He gained valuable experience in many areas, not just in Shinigami duties, but as a soul in general. He socialized with various kinds of Shinigami, even the occasional Vice Captain and on rarer events, Captains. By doing lower level work involving riots and such outside of Seireitei, he learned to talk to the people of Rukongai. Through his constant effort and his self-evident righteousness he was even promoted up to the fourth seat in Squad 6! Without warning there came a day when a crisis forced the entire 6th Division had to be sent to the human world. Naturally being a seated Shinigami, Taiyo had to lead a troop of unranked others into battle. Despite it being his first time, he was confident that his high-class Kido skills would be able to defend when needed to buy enough time for back up.
The scene they arrived to was a massacre. Bodies lay around with no qualms whether they were male, female; old, young; large or small. Scattered throughout the mutilated city the cries of a frightful beast unified in a sound that Taiyo had heard only in example at the Academy. Hollows. Upon his Captain and Vice Captain’s orders, Taiyo was to gather and form a defensive formation around any and all surviving humans. Also due to his Kido prowess, he was to heal any human that he could along his way. This was a rescue and defend mission, they only needed to repel the Hollows long enough for the 11th and 4th Squads to arrive for backup.
Everything was going according to plan. While Taiyo’s underlings busied themselves with gathering survivors and injured, Taiyo focused on healing and defending the humans from the occasional Hollow that would attack. Fortunately Taiyo had concealed his location with Kido, so very few Hollows showed up and he could complete his mission successfully. Just as when Taiyo had thought everything was taken care of a sudden Hollow roar from behind sent him stumbling to the ground. One of the human’s had died and it seemed to be filled with malice as it grotesquely transformed into a large Hollow. Unfortunately for Taiyo he didn’t have the time needed to recover his reiatsu to properly attack with Kido. The Hollow wasted no time tearing into the flesh and souls of the humans nearby as Taiyo hesitated. Determined not to allow it to end he quickly dashed and circled the beast with Flash Step after Flash Step. When the Hollow paused its feast, Taiyo dashed and quickly serrated a limb from the beast. It let out a howl of pain and attempted a swipe at the Shinigami only to hit air. Taiyo repeated the strategy several times, and finally ended it by decapitating the monster.
Out of breath and running low on reiatsu, the Shinigami fell to his knees as he looked out towards the city. He could only pray that his senpai’s were nearby and would come provide aid soon, he would not be able to last another Hollow attack. Suddenly a pain shot through his entire body, as his vision started to fail him and he fell to the floor. One of the pieces of Hollows had still had the will to live and with the last of its strength launched a final devastating attack at Taiyo. The attack pierced the right side of his skull taking out his eye, as well as slicing through his shoulder all the way to his waste. Practically clean through.
With what little reiatsu he had left, the Kido genius attempted to stitch his body together and to stop the bloodflow. Things were looking bleak for the young Shinigami. Suddenly a powerful but gentle green mass of reiatsu enveloped his body. Taiyo’s vision came back and he was staring at the white cloak of a Captain. He could not make out the face, but the reiatsu was comforting as it slowly repaired the damage he had received.
Unbeknownst to both parties, a unique spirit-type Hollow was in the vicinity looking for a new body to act as its host. The Hollow was a special case because it had no physical body, making it extremely hard to detect, and because rather than human souls, it fed off its hosts reiatsu like a parasite. With Taiyo’s defenses down and his Kido prowess, the Hollow wasted little time in trying to infect the Shinigami. Unfortunately the Hollow entered the boy’s body via his wounds before the 4th Squad Captain could arrive, and hence had the opportunity to settle and infest before any other reiatsu interfered. Once the introduction of the unique properties of healing Kido were introduced into the body, the Hollow reacted violently and began to evolve at an extremely rapid pace. Taiyo’s body writhed with pain despite the fact that all his injuries had been treated. The 4th Squad Captain quickly reassessed the situation and after checking Taiyo’s condition, departed for Seireitei and the help of the 12th Squad.
Naturally the 12th Squad was interested in the boy’s condition, but under the urging of the 4th Squad Captain they began to find a way to help the boy. Meanwhile, the boy was kept under constant watch by the Captain to try and contain the Hollow that had infected Taiyo. When investigations, analysis, and trials had been completed they returned with a small crimson orb. It would not only replace Taiyo’s now missing right eye, but it would force the Hollow spirit within its sides - hopefully. It was either leave the boy to die, or take the orb and the Captain of the Squad 4 chose to spare the boy’s life.
- After the Tragedy -
It took a good month or so of agonizing adjustment as the Hollow fiercely battled to infect the entire body and not just the eye. It wasn’t easy considering all the Kido Taiyo would produce, would instantly be taken away by the Hollow. Eventually the Hollow gave in and Taiyo was saved from death. Again. Naturally having a Hollow within the Gotei 13 was forbidden, but upon hearing pleas and reasons for allowing the boy to stay, it was granted under strict conditions. The boy was never to leave Seireitei alone. The boy needed to be moved to either the 4th or 12th Squad. In order to ensure the safety of subordinates, he was to be Vice Captain as to always be by the Squad Captain’s side.
Despite his genius in Kido, he was never able to properly use his skills after the incident, or if he did manage to pull something out, the Hollow within him would immediately devour whatever reiatsu he created. Normally having a reiatsu parasite would kill a person, but Taiyo was very lucky. With the 12th Squad’s replacement eye, coupled with what little reiatsu he could form, he constantly kept the Hollow in check. As a result, he had to abandon the idea of being a Kido type Shinigami due to his constant use of reiatsu within himself. Instead, after being taken by the 4th Squad as the Vice Captain he aimed for greatness in the Hakuda-Power type. In the midst his constant inner battle with the Hollow he had decided to become a shield and sword for the Squad.
Taiyo’s surname came from the 12th Squad’s research on his little infection. Due to its dark nature, and it ethereal form, it was dubbed “Kurosen” literally meaning black ray. Only much later did he realize that the woman who had scouted him as a child was the former 4th Squad Captain which had saved his life. In a debt of eternal gratitude to the Captain position of the 4th Squad, Taiyo will fiercely protect his Captain.
Zanpakuto Information
Sealed: Taiyo’s Zanpakuto is a slightly more eye catching sealed form than most others. With a shade of red tinting the entire form, it’s almost as if it were covered in rust. In truth the blade has seen enough bloodshed that it literally was painted by the blood. The shades vary throughout the blade, with some portions thicker and more visible and others. Regardless of the crimson coloring on the blade, the actual metal beneath is of a fine shine and of a keen edge. The entire Zanpakuto is about the length from his waist to his kneecap and is very dense, strengthening each individual blow. In the middle of its hilt is a small storage compartment, which house either medicinal salves and ointments, or quick recovery energy pills. Quite a useful item in the midst of a long standing or intense battle.The blood of its opponents literally feed the mysterious metal and transfers to the user in the form of reiatsu.
Kurosen
Due the erratic nature of the Hollow parasite, it has unpredictable effects to Taiyo's reiatsu. At the beginning of a battle, the user rolls a pair dice. The numbers choose the form of Shikai and Bankai.
Odd Pairs = Natural Shikai, Natural Bankai
Odd Totals = Natural Shikai, Infected Bankai
Even Pairs = Infected Shikai, Infected Shikai
Even Totals = Infected Shikai, Natural Bankai
Odd Pairs = Natural Shikai, Natural Bankai
Odd Totals = Natural Shikai, Infected Bankai
Even Pairs = Infected Shikai, Infected Shikai
Even Totals = Infected Shikai, Natural Bankai
Shikai: お肌を、アスクレピオスシェッド！’ o hada wo , asukurepiosusheddo！‘ (Shed your skin, Aesculapius!)
Natural: Originally due to his Kido nature, his Zanpakuto was designed to draw out his potential. The katana takes the shape of a dull red steel staff around six feet in length, though the weight is practically the same as its unreleased state. A pair of crimson arm guards also appear to help defend its user from minor attacks. Around the staff is a pair of bronze snakes and at the end is a pair of bronze wings. The wings and snake can be materialized and dematerialized at the user’s will via reiatsu. Its ability involves the manipulation of reiatsu in the form of blood, whether it is friend or foe. By materializing the snakes on the staff, the user can suck the blood from it needs from its targets upon contact. The wings have a keen edge, and when materialized can absorb blood that has spilled on the battlefield. As the blood absorbs more blood it turns more and more crimson, like a meter showing the level of the blood it contains. Unused blood can be stored when released again. Increases Reiatsu by 15.
Quote:
Snake Bite: Materializes a pair of twin snake heads that lash out and latch onto the opponent to absorb their blood.
Bloody Wings: Materializes a pair of wings to gather the blood of the fallen into the staff.
Transfusion: Allows blood absorbed by the staff to be transferred into a target to heal and seal wounds, as well as restore strength and a bit of reiatsu.
Shedding: A purely defensive maneuver strictly limited to the user. It literally sheds all the wounds and damage off like a skin. However due to its nature, it requires a great amount of blood that can only be found in later portions of the battle. Cannot be activated until 10 Posts have been conducted in battle; must wait a cool down of 5 Posts before using again.
Bloody Wings: Materializes a pair of wings to gather the blood of the fallen into the staff.
Transfusion: Allows blood absorbed by the staff to be transferred into a target to heal and seal wounds, as well as restore strength and a bit of reiatsu.
Shedding: A purely defensive maneuver strictly limited to the user. It literally sheds all the wounds and damage off like a skin. However due to its nature, it requires a great amount of blood that can only be found in later portions of the battle. Cannot be activated until 10 Posts have been conducted in battle; must wait a cool down of 5 Posts before using again.
Infected: Due to the Hollow parasite within him, Taiyo’s Zanpakuto can be influenced by the foreign reiatsu causing it to take a slightly different form. In this form it is a three pointed spear-trident. Its staff is of a pure black steel, and like the Natural form it weighs the same as the unreleased state. Due to its nature to absorb reiatsu, Taiyo cannot manipulate blood as in his natural form. Instead the infected Aesculapius becomes more of a Power Type Zanpakuto, focusing on causing as much harm as possible, even at the cost of Taiyo’s well being. Increases Speed and Power by 10. Decreases Stamina by 15.
Quote:
Extend: By feeding off Taiyo’s blood and reiatsu, Aesculapius can extend indefinitely. Naturally as the length increases, the strain placed on Taiyo’s body increases as well.
Bloody Piercer: By absorbing Taiyo’s blood, a bloody spiral is made in front of the tip of the trident to increase the potency of the next attack. There must be a cool down of 2 Posts before using the skill once more.
Snake Shedding: Utilizing the blood of the user, the weapon can be repaired and multiplied indefinitely by literally shedding its outer shell. Extra weapons are suspended in mid-air via the user’s blood. The skill cannot be active more than 2 User Posts. Cannot be activated until 5 Posts have been conducted in battle; must wait a cool down of 3 Posts before using again.
Bloody Piercer: By absorbing Taiyo’s blood, a bloody spiral is made in front of the tip of the trident to increase the potency of the next attack. There must be a cool down of 2 Posts before using the skill once more.
Snake Shedding: Utilizing the blood of the user, the weapon can be repaired and multiplied indefinitely by literally shedding its outer shell. Extra weapons are suspended in mid-air via the user’s blood. The skill cannot be active more than 2 User Posts. Cannot be activated until 5 Posts have been conducted in battle; must wait a cool down of 3 Posts before using again.
Bankai: 収集アスクレピオスの ‘shūshū asukurepiosuno’ (Gathering of Aesculapius)
Natural:Upon its release Aesculapius transforms into giant twin-headed silver serpent with wings. Taiyo still wields the crimson staff and it still retains its Natural Shikai Abilities minus the formation of snake or wings (since its already materialized). The giant serpent can easily carry a large number of Shinigami, making it a useful addition to any mission. It can shed its skin onto allies giving them a weakened version of Shedding. Aesculapius requires complete concentration of the user to able to use any skills and as a result Taiyo usually hides himself within one of the two heads. Aesculapius expands ones Kido facilities greatly while it is in use. Increase Reiatsu by 60. Decrease Speed and Strength by half.
Quote:
Cloak of Aesculapius: The ability in which Aesculapius sheds its skin to cover various targets, granting them with its Shedding abilities in weaker levels. Blood is injected continuously into wounds to restore damage, rather than waiting for the damage to build like its Shikai counterpart.
Grand Serpent Offering: Reiatsu is converted in large amounts to act as a replacement for blood. The energy is then sent into a target to heal even life-threatening wounds. Can only be used a maximum of (Reiatsu/20) times.
Mercy of Aesculapius: By utilizing the blood of others and a great amount of Taiyo’s reiatsu, he is able to project a shield of blood capable of defending against most attacks. Barrier Strength is equal to Strength + Reiatsu / 2. Every Post that the barrier is projected it loses 20 Barrier Strength. Once disengaged or defeated, user must wait 3 Posts before active again.
Aesculapius Judgment: The offensive technique of Taiyo’s Bankai. It gathers the blood from the wounds it healed and fires it off as a relentless downpour of “bloody snake arrows”. It can cover a large area or be focused on a single location for greater results. This technique can only be used after Cloak of Aesculapius has been used for at least 3 Posts.
Infected:The same giant serpent is summoned like its Natural state. However it shortly consumes Taiyo forming a sort of armor. Unlike its silver counterpart, the scales of the Infected are of a pure black. Taiyo holds no weapon, as at the end of his fists is a serpent-head gauntlet. His Shikai abilities are still present, except rather than being a spear-trident, it affects his arms and gauntlets. Aside from being draining in reiatsu, Taiyo is constantly drained of his blood to keep the Bankai active. Increase Speed and Strength by 60. Decrease Stamina by half.
Quote:
Aesculapius Venom: Its activation is similar to the Cloak of Aesculapius by the fact that the giant serpent sheds its skin on the target. However rather than blood being used to regenerate wounds, it is used to keep wounds open and disrupt the opponents reiatsu.
Infinite Snake Barrage: A combination of all three heightened Shikai. Taiyo is able to increase his physical reach by straining his body with reiatsu and his cursed blood. By activating Snake Shedding thousands upon thousands of gauntlets are created and suspended in mid-air. As he strikes at with as much force and speed possible, his blood is used to create bloody drills to pierce the enemy. This skill cannot be used more than 3 times in a battle, else Taiyo would be rendered physically unable to do anything until the end of a battle.
Wrath of Aesculapius:By lowering his defenses and allowing his blood to be absorbed by the Hollow infected Bankai, Taiyo is given access to his most powerful attack. Blood seeps out of his body regardless of his injuries, which then begin to form into a large sphere in front of him. After as much of his blood and reiatsu has been taken into the attack, a part of the Hollow within Taiyo places itself into the mass of blood and reiatsu. The blood solidifies and transforms into a jagged, crimson serpent and flies at the opponent. Since it has a part of the Hollow, it follows its target. It can split apart into smaller pieces to attempt to capture the opponent. Once captured the target is drained of its blood and reiatsu, before the bloody serpent disappears.
This technique can only be used once every 3 battles. Once activated, Taiyo is no longer able to perform any other techniques. This technique can only last for Death Count/25 Posts. After the time has elapsed, Taiyo is unable to fight and must spend 1500 words recovering.
Quote:
Death Counts: 120
Speed/Agility: 40
Power/Strength: 30
Stamina/Endurance: 50
Reiatsu: 0
Speed/Agility: 40
Power/Strength: 30
Stamina/Endurance: 50
Reiatsu: 0
