#nozarashi

[tanuki-kimono]

Great example of how men traditional kimono fashion is all about hidden features: this most formal black haori (see the crests) has a lining depicting a nozarashi (weather beaten bones in a field, here a skull) with lovely snake.

In modern kimono fashion, some fashionista actually sometimes wear pieces like those inside-out to diplay the rad linings!

[p-riama]

For there is no greater pleasure than to die with one's purpose fulfilled.

[distinguishedshoeduckdonut]

Kenpachi Zaraki (Bankai " ")

[deathberi]

[toxictaicho]

🍬

You can read Mayuri’s and Kenpachi’s feelings towards you from the way their Zanpakuto spirits’ are behaving around you.

In case of Yachiru it’s easier because she’s always around, running free and talking just what she wants.

Ashizogi Jizo is rarely around, it can happen that he runs away from his master though. Jizo can’t speak so he won’t spill Mayuri’s secrets that easily. But he’d be fixated on you, following you and giving you strange gifts.

Their spirits are reflections of their souls with behavior more transparent than their masters have. Spirits are pure, don’t hide anything, doesn’t feel shame.

🍌

[nicodemuslily]

Nozarashi

I still don't like the idea of Yachiru being in fact Kenpachi's zanpakutô, but I can't prevent my brain to think about it.

I was imagining a scene taking place after the end of the story during which Nozarashi reappeared at the 11th Squad in front of Ikkaku and Yumichika (because she still has that power actually). So I needed to figure out how she would look like.

She first appears in that shape that they always knew: the powerful little girl. Then, as they ask what she really looks alike, she shows them her true form: the bloody demonic one ("Lovely!" says Yumichika). But she also has a third form: the grown-up version of the little girl.

The demonic version is huge (as tall as Kenpachi, even taller with the horns) and she has a raspy voice with which you can't say if Nozarashi is male or female (normally, you won't see her full face because she always wearing her hood). She's like Kenpachi: skinny but extremely strong. And her hair are perpetually bleeding as her eyes, and, when she's opening her mouth, blood floods too. But, surprisingly, she has quite a peaceful temper, with a good sense of humor. She speaks low and slowly.

The other version has a clear voice and she's way smaller (almost as tall as Yumichika but still smaller). She has the same temper as the tiny girl we always knew. She's still a fearless and joyful mocking bird, who likes to give nicknames to everybody, to bite, to kick, to punch, to yell, to play tricks and to have a ton of fun. :D

[nostalgiabug]

Blathering about Bleach

Get Smashed, Haguro Tonbo! (Iron Drink Dragonfly)

I would like to give special attention to the 'drink' part of it's name and give it the ability to 'drink' from it's opponents and add to Lisa's power, sort of like Craven Edge from Vox Machina without the blood rage. (Get Smashed just sound more interesting than just smash)

Bankai: Naitokuīntonbo (Knight Queen Damselfly)

Her sword turns into armor, what's not to love? Now this Bankai seems cosmetic at first, not even increasing her pressure and is breakable (it would be almost impossible for base Renji before Lost Agent in cannon). But what if I told you this Bankai's gimmick was that it was meant to be broken. The more of it that is broken, the stronger Lisa gets. Downside she has to tank some hits, but the returns make it worth the risk.

Sidenote before we get into the Espada stuff, I like the Idea of Rukia and Jackie fighting. It's would be an interesting character fight, Rukia who takes pride in Sode no Shirayuki being called beautiful against Jackie and her Dirty Boots. This could also serve as a sign of progress of Rukia's mastery of Hakka no Togame, with her first Bankai being against Aaroniero, with her actually using a technique based on Senkei Senbonzakura Kageyoshi against Jackie. I would actually like it alot if Rukia had a fight against Bazz-B who has Yamamoto's Bankai, The Heat vs. The Haze if you would. Byakuya's injury at the hands of Az-Not being the force that drives her to fully master her Shunkō.

Segunda should be something Starrk also had access to as it is essentially Arrancar Bankai. To that end I would like to change it's name. No longer is it Segunda Etapa now it is;

Segunda Alma Santa (Second Soul Saint)

To that end Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa is a immature form of second release (not that he knows that). Segunda Alma Santa is an ability related to overcoming the form of death the Espada and the sin they were originally meant to represent with some addendums (See Starrk and Ulquiorra). I would imagine that the designs are somewhat similar the the Hōgyoku Resurrección from Brave Souls, instead of the Hōgyoku there's a small colored flame in their hollow holes (in Starrk's case two). So let's begin:

Coyote Starrk, Solitude and Vainglory

Segunda Alma Santa: Los Lobos de la Soledad (The Wolves of Solitude)

Starrk is more reticent than others to unleash his Segunda for the first time, due to the fact that he has no idea what would happen to Lilynette, but when Starrk is mortally wounded by Shunsui's attacks, Lilynette forces the transformation at the cost of her separate existence. This version of Starrk has a closer bond to some of the other Espada, leading to how he overcame his solitude. Starrk's whole thing is desiring connection but not realising he already had it.

"You're not alone anymore Starrk! Stop acting like you don't have friends!"

Tier Harribel, Sacrifice and Sloth

Segunda Alma Santa: Sacrificio de la Emperatriz Tiburón (Sacrifice of the Shark Empress)

The simple answer to the Thousand-Year Blood War's shafting of the Arrancar and Espada; show them fighting back. Infact why not make Kenpachi's first shikai against The Jail, the Arrancar are on somewhat good terms with the Shinigami post Aizen and ask for aid. Who arrives to help, Kenpachi, why does he have his shikai? Zanpakuto rebellion, Yachiru revealed herself as Nozarashi and she's fucking pissed at him. She becomes a problem that Kenpachi couldn't solve by hitting it harder.

Harribel seems very reactive, she only actively engages Toshiro after her Fracción are taken down by The Captain Commander. This can be seen as Sloth, so thrust her head first into a situation where she must be proactive lest her people die. This leads to Harribel asking the fresh off a character arc Kenpachi what he would do in this situation. Kenpachi's answer is that she has to get off her ass and meet this head on. Note that this is a Kenpachi that gave up on hearing Nozarashi's voice and angered her as a result. I would imagine that her Segunda is more regal and less fanservice.

"I am this land's queen! And as long as I stand, we will never bow to you!"

Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Lamentation and Gluttony

Segunda Alma Santa: Príncipe Gamuza del Lamento (Prince Chamois of Lament)

Nel kills Nnoitra. Nel's memories slowly come back through out Ichigo's rampage through Hueco Mundo. Starrk ends up critically injuring Kenpachi meaning Nel has to avenge herself. Unleashing her Segunda repairs the damage Nnoitra caused to her Hollow Mask and Ulquiorra notes that she has reached to the same level of strength as The Cero Espada, Wonderweiss Margela. A fact that seems to illicit some fear from him as he is fighting Ichigo in his own 'Segunda' and noticing the gap in strength between him and Nel. Again less fanservice and more knight vibes, maybe give her goat legs instead of centaur ones. As for why she's gluttony, she literally eats a cero.

"You broke me and that I can forgive. But hurting my friends, Nnoitra, that is a one way trip to hell."

Ulquiorra Cifer, Nihility and Melancholy

Segunda Alma Santa: Diablo Alado del Nihilismo (Winged Devil of Nihilism)

Orihime is the catalyst that allows him to fully mature his Segunda. Given how in the canon she played a role in helping Ulquiorra to understand aspects of his emotions before his death, only Orihime heals Ulquiorra after he passes out. He is later found by the other remaining Espada. He ends up fighting Az-Not and fully realizes his Segunda as a result of The Fear.

"The fear you weald is nothing but a drop in the sea of my absolute despair."

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Destruction and Greed

Segunda Alma Santa: Colmillo Destructor de la Pantera (Panther's Destruction Fang)

Grimmjow gets trapped in Quilge Opie's Jail and thrown into a Garganta created by Ulquiorra who had been ordered by Harribel to evacuate the weaker Arrancar. The Garanta is forcibly closed by the Quincy leaving Grimmjow and a good portion of the arrancar trapped in the boundary between destinations. Grimmjow learns to channel his more destructive impulses and eventually break out of the jail just in time for Ulquiorra to force the Garganta open. This doesn't pay off until Askin.

[turnbackthependulum]

"Drink, Nozarashi."