Haritaki Benigane [11th Division Captain]

242

20

Eleventh (Swordsmanship/ Melee Combat)

Captain

6 feet

78 kg (172 lbs)

Benigane, or Beni or Ben, as he is fondly called, is the last thing you'd expect of an Eleventh division captain. He has distinctive bright red hair (which actually gave him his name), which is spiky and is kept short. He has these soft, baby-blue eyes that give him a somewhat tender air, unless he's seriously glaring at something. He has a small nose and a small mouth, although it is capable of generating a generous grin. His build is willowy and limber, with a well toned body, although all the muscles are hidden under his clothes.

In the way of outfits, Beni wears the standard Shinigami outfit, with the addition of a scarf that he wraps around his neck. Also, instead of wearing white socks, his are black. Over his uniform, he wears a sleeved haori, signifying his rank as captain. He usually appears clean, elegant and proper. His zanpakuto is white in color. White scabbard, white hilt and silver blade. The guard resembles a 'squarish' 'S'. He bears it at his waist, in his belt.

- Tidy and clean environments
Fighting/ sparring
Hanging out with friends
Good humor
Strategy and board games
Spicy food
Asagake

- Filth
Togabito
Bullies
Inconsideration
Rudeness

Can be overbearing and overprotective (over his subordinates, especially if they're women)
Impetuous
Stubborn
Vengeful

Caring and considerate
Amiable
Hardworking
Intelligent
Reliable
Strong willed
Courteous

Beni is mildly chauvinistic, and feels that women should be protected at all times. As a result, he will try to keep them out of harm's way, even if they want to help. He is still open to reason, thankfully. The name 'Ben' means 'petal' in Japanese, and so people might tend to feel that Beni is somewhat of a sissy, with his prim looks even in the Eleventh Division. His division members have learned the hard way that Beni is strong enough to lead the pack. Beni speaks in an informal manner, opting to use short forms and nicknames for people, but always adding honorifics. He is casual in speech, but very polite.

None, besides his zanpakuto.

name: Asagake (Morning Shard)

sealed form: An elegant katana. Snow white from scabbard to hilt, it has a, S-shaped guard, though the guard is more angular than curved. It has a silver blade.

spirit: Asagake takes the form of a pretty young woman, dressed as a shrine priestess. She wears a kimono of sorts, though the area around her shoulders is designed to be a halter-top, and interestingly, instead of sandals, she wears black boots. She has silver hair, green eyes and a gentle expression, and she wields a sword. Standard nodachi (Japanese long sword), but it lacks a guard and is black in color. She wears it on her hip, like Benigane. Her mannerisms are similar to Benigane's: jovial, goofy and bright. She and Benigane have an elder sister-kid brother relationship.

inner world: A traditional Japanese temple, surrounded by rolling fields. Above, in the expanse of the sky, is a spectral banner, blue in color, dancing in the wind. Asagake is usually found in the large courtyard.

release command: Undou no Konran ni Katte! (Prevail in the Chaos of Motion!)

description: When Beni calls the command, or wills it to release, the zanpakuto hardly makes any transformation, except that the pommel releases a mist which rapidly transforms into a banner attached to a long staff, which Beni wields in the other hand. The banner is identical to the one in his zanpakuto world. He can use the banner as a staff weapon, if he so pleases, or carry it in his belt.

type: Kinetic Energy Manipulation.

techniques:
For: Asagake
Name: Eika no Yaiba (Song Blade)
Type: Passive
Cost: Very low
Range: Self
Description: This technique kicks in once the release of the zanpakuto is initiated. The blade of Asagake begins to vibrate at a very high intensity. This makes the blade seem sharper than an average blade on its level, enabling Benigane to slice more easily through armor and other strong stuff. It also will confer its vibration onto any object that he strikes, causing the object to vibrate also at high frequency (if he does not cut through it). This will cause disorientation and loss of balance in living beings. Thus, it is not advisable to block Beni's physical attacks.

For: Asagake
Name: Korai no Todoroki (Roar of the Ancients)
Type: Offensive
Cost: High
Range: Long
Description: Benigane transfers a massive level of vibrating reiryoku into the air in front of his sword, and launches it at his opponent. This blast takes on a large blue hue and is very powerful. It bears concussive force, capable of flinging objects and breaking through steel. It also causes splash damage in the form of a powerful shockwave, when it collides with an object. Although a very powerful technique, it can only be fired after a cooldown of five posts.

For: Asagake
Name: Fuchi no Sasayaki (Murmur of the Deep)
Type: Supplementary
Cost: Medium
Range: Short
Description: Benigane creates a sphere of vibrating reiryoku around himself, that vibrates to such a powerful frequency that it gives the appearance of 'liquid air' and impedes the motion of whatever enters into it. Energy attacks are not affected by this technique, but it works well on physical objects. Whether in the air or on the ground, everything around him, to a distance of ten meters, slows down to a crawl. This effect can be overcome by someone with a REI stat equal to Beni's or higher, or a HOH stat equal to Beni's REI stat or higher. It has a duration of two posts and a cooldown of four posts.

For: Asagake
Name: Tenkyuu no Ongaku (Music of the Spheres)
Type: Defensive
Cost: Medium
Range: Self
Description: This technique creates an abrupt, but very powerful localized shockwave that is powerful enough to deflect attacks, physical or energy. It can block any attack that is up to Beni's REI stat or lower. While it can be quickly whipped up to block almost instantaneous attacks, it has a disadvantage in that it takes the shape of a wall, and as such, can only protect Benigane from one side. It is an instantaneous technique, requiring a cooldown of three posts before it can be used again.

.

name: Soudai Gasshou Asagake (Majestic Chorus Morning Shard)

description: On saying: "Bankai!" the zanpakuto transforms into a thick smoke which rises above the battlefield to create the banner, larger than life, and almost resembling a dragon writhing in the heavens. A remainder of the smoke swirls around Benigane, eventually forming into two nodachi, which he wields in both hands. The air around the blades of the swords are distorted visibly, and a gentle hum can be heard throughout the entire battlefield. It usually sounds like a melodious, but non-descript tune being sung in the background.

type: Kinetic Energy Manipulation

stat upgrades:
REI +8


techniques:
For: Soudai Gasshou Asagake
Name: Seika no Yaiba (Blade of Sacred Song)
Type: Passive
Cost: Very low
Range: Self
Description: While it is technically the same as its Shikai counterpart, the Bankai version of the Eika no Yaiba now operates on a more powerful level. On activation of the Bankai, Asagake's blades begin to hum audibly, the hum that is always heard when the bankai is active. The humming comes from the rapid vibration of the blades, only that they vibrate so rapidly that the air around them becomes clearly distorted up to half a meter (50 cm) away from the actual blade. It does everything that the Eika no Yaiba is capable of, with an added benefit: the distortion of air is a blade, in its own right, giving Beni more range. Thus, if someone dodges the sword, but gets caught by the distortion, he will be sliced asunder.

For: Soudai Gasshou Asagake
Name: Sendai no Todoroki (Roar of Thousand Generations)
Type: Offensive
Cost: High
Range: Long
Description: An evolution of the Korai no Todoroki. It has similar effects, but with more devastating capabilities. The blast is much larger (almost the size of a three storey building), and the effect is much more cataclysmic. The ensuing shockwave is capable of shredding through reinforced buildings and steel. It can only be fired once a post, and has a cooldown of five posts.

For: Soudai Gasshou Asagake
Name: Fuchi no Mugon (Silence of the Deep)
Type: Supplementary
Cost: Medium
Range: Medium
Description: An evolution of its Shikai counterpart, Fuchi no Sasayaki. This time, the range is longer (close to 20 meters) and as expected, it slows down every physical thing to a crawl around Benigane. Benigane can, however, lift the embargo of movement from allies, enabling them to move at normal speeds, while other things are slowed down. Also in the Bankai mode, energy attacks are also slowed down, although not as much as physical attacks. As usual, the REI stat of the opponent must be equal to or higher than Beni's REI stat to overcome this effect. It has a duration of 2 posts and a cooldown of 4 posts.

For: Soudai Gasshou Asagake
Name: Banshou no Ongaku (Music of All Creation)
Type: Defensive
Cost: Medium
Range: Short
Description: This is also a more powerful version of the Tenkyuu no Ongaku, except that this time, it manifests as a sphere with a radius of ten meters. Thus, it is capable of protecting Benigane from attacks from every direction. It cannot protect any ally within it, however, as the vibrations are emanating outwards from the Asagake blades, and will thus push everything away from Benigane... unless he is holding it, or it is clinging closely to his body. It is instantaneous, and requires a cooldown of three posts.

Haritaki Benigane was one of the souls that was born directly into the Soul Society, so he has no recollections of the human world. He was born into a competitive family, a large, affluent merchant clan that consisted of three families. The clan head was chosen from the most outstanding member of the three families. As a result, every family did its best to produce someone that could be worthy of the name.
When Benigane was born, he was a very weak and sickly child, and many people did not expect that he would survive infancy. His parents, however, had faith in him, and his father even named him Benigane (Beni means red, Gane means metal) despite his weak and sickly disposition. Many people considered it a misnomer, but as though the child intended to live up to his name, Beni survived.
His childhood days were nice, because his parents were very loving, and although he was the only child, he was not spoilt by his parents. He was trained to fight (basic self-defense), as well as play strategy games (especially shougi), as his father believed that intelligence was very very important. Unfortunately, he was still weak of body, and the other family children often made fun of him, as he, being the 'only hope' of his clan, was not impressive in physical strength. Benigane, once when very provoked, rather than resort to fighting back, decided to spend some days alone in the forests around Rukongai. He was found four days later, half dead, and was taken back to the clan manor, where he recovered. His parents tried to dissuade him from taking such risks, but Beni would hear none of it. Little by little, his body began to become stronger, as a result of the strenous exercise he exposed himself to.
When he was about a hundred or so, he developed a ravenous appetite, and with that, an uncanny level of reiryoku. Seeing the potential of the boy, his parents asked him whether he would like to join the Shinigami Academy. Since none of his clan had actually become a Shinigami, Benigane was swift to agree. And thus, his days as a Shinigami began. In the Academy, he still faced 'persecutions', because he was awful in Kidou. Instead of trying to become good in the areas where he was weak, Beni focused sharply on his good points, quickly becoming a good combatant. He graduated from the Academy and served in the Third Division.
Feeling that the action was not enough, Beni requested transfer into the Eleventh, which was eventually approved. In the Eleventh, he got into very many fights, because unlike the others, he always liked maintaining a clean look. Be that as it may, Beni enjoyed the fight sessions immensely. He rose up the ranks of the Division, gaining the respect of its members, as time went by.
The turning point occurred when the most recent war claimed the lives of quite a good number of Shinigami, and the disappearance of the captain of the Eleventh Division, Zaraki Kenpachi. There was need for someone to fill in the role of captain, so the authorities decided to nominate a captain. Most of the captains voted in favor of the redhead Shinigami, and he attained the title of captain, also making him the almost undisputed heir to the leadership of his clan. Truth is, there are those who believe that he is not the right person for the job, because of his civil behavior and neatness. However, Beni is yet to find the person that will usurp him from his position. And since the Eleventh Division respects power, its members have little choice but to respect one of the strangest captains to ever run the division.

The Central Library was busy as usual, but without the average clamor that man so often generates from his day to day activities. As was always the case, the noise was minimized to a hush, as people obeyed the long standing golden rule of the library: silence. The librarian, a wizened old man, sat in his usual position at the front desk and pored over a book. Since it was almost noon, there was a little traffic heading towards the doors, as noon was often considered the official time for break. At a table, a young man sat, his head virtually buried in the book before him. He seemed to be ponderously studying its contents, when suddenly, a hand clapped him on the back. Startled, he looked up, into the grinning faces of two of his companions.
"Never knew Claudio could be this serious," the first one said. "When're you going to eat?"
"Oh, pretty soon," Claudio replied, going over the page he was on once more, before closing the book and standing up. "What are you guys doing here? I thought you were allergic to books."
The one who had addressed Claudio, Mark, shrugged and laughed. "Me? Just came to get you, is all. Flynn here," at this point, he gestured with his head towards the third member of the group, "is on the lookout."
Claudio groaned. "Look out? Great! Who is it, this time?"
Flynn, suddenly joining the conversation, brought his head close and said in a conniving whisper, "I heard the Obelisk is somewhere here. That new one. You seen her before?"
Claudio gave him a sideways glance. "No. I hear she's kind of young..."
Flynn pressed on. "I hear she's here. Somewhere in that section." The other two youths followed Flynn's extended finger towards one of the less used areas of the library. After a moment of hesitation, the three of them moved towards where he had indicated. They soon found themselves standing before a pair of small glass doors, which led into another library compartment. Within the compartment, through the glass, they saw a silver-haired young woman, standing with her back to them. Two books floated in the air beside her, as if she had an invisible servant who held them at the ready. The third book was in her hand, and she seemed to be scribbling something into a smaller notepad which sat atop a high table. "That's her," Mark whispered. "Seriously? She looks like a freshman," Flynn replied incredulously. He looked at the other two, then gripped one of the handles of the door and pushed...
... and found himself staring at a small reading lamp, which, a moment ago, sat at the far end of the room, but now hovered a few inches from his face. The swiftness with which it had flown through the air was sufficient to alarm him, and he crashed backwards into his two friends, knocking them to the floor. In a moment, the young woman was standing over them, peering at them.
"You're not sneaking about here, are you?. You do know that this is a restricted area?" she said, watching them with subtle amusement. Noticing their awkward position, the three of them scrambled to their feet, but their reply was cut short by an irritated grunt behind them. It was the librarian, who did not look as tickled as the girl. Before they could reply, she said, still in an amused tone:
"I believe they are new recruits, Father. They probably missed their way or something."
"Uh, yes, Father," Claudio replied, "we realized our mistake and were just leaving."
The librarian gave them an unconvinced look, then glanced at the woman and nodded. He waited for them to leave first, before he followed them. As they left, Flynn looked over his shoulder and noticed that the girl had long since gone back to her work.
"I thought she'd be older," he said to the other two. "And what she just did was weird."
Mark chuckled. "Mate, we're talking Consecro and you say what she did was weird? I have a feeling we're about to see more than weird in this place."

Advanced Class/ AV1

HAN: 15
REI: 12
HAK: 13
SEI: 7
BUK: 18
HOH: 18
Points Earned: 0
Total points: 83

Yzen

None