Saitou Ishigami [2-1; B0; Advanced]

Basic Information

Name: Saitō Ishigami (石神 斎藤)
Nicknames/Aliases: Kafūmei (花風明; Shimmering Wind Flower)
Appearance Age: ~20
Actual Age: ~220
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190 lbs

Appearance Picture:

Character Power Set

Equipment:
Tsūdentō: (通伝刀, Transmittal Blades) These small double-edged swords, carried exclusively by the Inner Court Troop, are used to assist communication in situations where circumstances make it impossible to convey messages effectively to units in the field, achieved thanks to a two-way radio built into the sword's hilt. Due to their small size and sharp blades, they can be rapidly deployed in essential areas once in throwing range, significantly reducing the time messengers need put themselves in danger as a result.

Trained Abilities:

Division-Hopper: Saitō has risen through the ranks by hopping Divisions. He has learned from what believes to be among the best. He started out in the Seventh Division as part of the Seireitei Security Force. When a seated position was open in the Third Division, he took the position without hesitation. He was then scouted by  the Second Division and offered a promotion. After spending many years with the Onmitsukidō and rising several positions, he transferred to the Sixth Division as the newly-appointed Lieutenant, where he has served Captain Isamu Gogatsu.
Hohō Master: Saitō is a surprising master of Hohō. He rose to prominence within the Onmitsukidō because of his skill. Saitō became the leader of the Riteitai (裏廷隊; Inner Court Troup), which specializes in Shunpo, before transferring to the Sixth Division.

• Hanpo: (半歩; Half-step) Hanpo is performed exactly like a normal Shunpo, but as one lands from the very first step, they immediately use a second step to return to the initial location. This appears to be a small flicker to the untrained eye, and it's useful in making opponents believe a strike will hit.
  
• Butō: (無踏; Null Step) Butō is an advanced technique that, oddly enough, does not create movement. In fact, Butō is the technique that prevents movement. By focusing just enough force in opposition of an incoming force, the pracitioner doesn't move. It requires focus and knowledge of the incoming force.
  
• Utsusemi: (空蝉; Cast-Off Cicada Shell) The practitioner moves at great speed to avoid an attack, leaving an afterimage which can appear to have taken damage.
  
• Speed Clones: The practitioner creates clones of themselves at once using Shunpo. While they are indistinguishable from the user's true self and mimic their movements, the clones do not last long. Saitō is able to create seven at this time.
  
• Senka: (閃花; Flash Blossom) A special Shunpō technique where one moves to their opponent's back, directly attacking and sealing one's "Saketsu" and "Hakusui" in one strike (effectively cutting them off of their spiritual energy flow). The movement is so fast that an opponent may not be able to tell whether she was attacked from the front or the back and even an outside observer may find it impossible to tell what the movements are.
  
• Hanki Senka: (反鬼 閃花; Reverse Demon Flash Blossom) Hanki Senka is an alteration to Senka. Hanki Senka follows up behind a failed (or failing) Senka. Effectively, if the user notices a Senka will miss, be blocked, or countered, they continue the motion until the very last moment before performing another Senka. This usually puts them in front of someone, putting them in more danger than before. In concept, it is a simple ability, but it is one that requires years of practice to successfully perform.
  
• Bōkematsuri: (紡花祭; Spinning Flower Festival) The ultimate form of Senka, at least according to Saitō. The user performs multiple Senka in rapid succession. One strike is at the Saketsu, one is at the Hakusui, and two are at the wrists to disrupt the Reiatsu vents located there. Most of the time, this takes two total Senka to use. However, Saitō is able to make the most of this using both blades of his Zanpakutō. This allows him to, with great concentration, use Bōkematsuri.
  

Zanjutsu Master: Although without a proper school to call his style for the most part, Saitō is an expert swordsman. This has helped with his Hohō mastery, especially in regards to the Senka technique. Using two swords makes the two simultaneous strikes quite easy.  However, his style is based upon his family's own style: Ishigami-ryū.

• Ishigami-ryū Hiken—Mugyō: (石神 流秘剣—無形; Ishigami Style Hiden Sword: Formlessness) This is Saitō's actual ultimate ability with his Zanjutsu. Although he is known for his skill with Senka, his true strength relies on this technique. His Zanjutsu skill is treated as 5 points higher only in regards to this one technique. Mugyō is an automatic defense. Saitō focuses deeply  and takes a very open stance. The first attack(s) (if simultaneous) that enter his swords' ranges is intercepted. This leaves Saitō open as they are intercepted with no regards to the user's body or where it would leave him. It is something he does not show, and few know he can use it—let alone of its existence.
  

Kidō Adept: Saitō's skill with Kidō is average at best. He's better at Bakudō though.
Hakuda Adept: The only reason Saitō is any good with Hakuda is from his training in the 2nd Division.

Kyōmei [Nise]: (共鳴 [偽]; Resonance [Fake]) Although this is not the name Saitō would use. He does not have a name for this technique, but for the sake of mechanics, this is the name. By simultaneously using the false name (Senyarizaki) and the true name (Yarisazame) of his Zanpakutō, he is able to release both at the same time. This halves the amount of time he can have his Zanpakutō released. Unlike the true version of this technique, it does not require resonance between separate Zanpakutō spirits. It also can not be used with a Bankai. However, it also has an issue that Saitō has not realized: usage of this technique damages his Zanpakutō spirit. If he uses the ability for too long or too often, the damage is irreparable.

Zanpakuto Appearance: Saitō's Zanpakutō is a pair of identical katana, each with a circular tsuba and a boring, brown scabbard. He carries them either behind his waist or to his left side.

Half-Shikai Name & Release:  Kanketsusen, Sōeikan (間欠泉, 鎗影貫, lit. Geyser, Spear Shadow Brace)
Half-Shikai: In its Shikai, Sōeikan's blade glows white and extends at high speed to impale Saitō's opponents from a distance. Senyarizaki's maximum length is equivalent to one hundred times its original length, earning it the nickname Hyapponzashi (百本差し, Hundred-span). The blade also carries tremendous force when extending. In addition, Saitō can maintain the extension and swing the activated Sōeikan in wide arcs, attacking multiple targets quickly and simultaneously.

• Sōryūsōgeki (双竜鎗撃; Twin Dragon Spear Strike) has Saitō fire off a beam of energy along the path of Sōeikan.
  

Shikai Name & Release: Furisosoge, Yarisazame (降り注げ, 槍紗雨, lit. Pour Down, Gossamer Rain of Spears)
Shikai: Yarisazame is very much like Sōeikan. It glows and extends—however the number of extensions is increased. The blade can have up to fourteen separations, each one emitting from the center of the tsuba. How the separations go depends on the ability Saitō uses. In default, all fourteen go forward.

• Jiryūame (地竜雨; Earth Dragon Rain) has the extensions go downward into the ground, then hard angle upward.
  
• Tenryūame (天竜雨; Heaven Dragon Rain) has the extensions go upward into the sky, then hard angle downward.
  
• Fukuryūame (伏竜雨; Lying Dragon Rain) has the extensions go to either side just enough to clear Saitō from their hard angle to go behind him.
  
• Sōryūame (双竜雨; Twin Dragon Rain) has half the extensions go upward and the other half downward. They then hard angle parallel to one another.
  

Bankai Name: Kamishini no Yari (神殺鎗, God-Killing Spear)
Bankai Abilities:  Saitō's Bankai's abilities are essentially the same as his Shikai's, but its force, cutting power, length and speed are vastly amplified. As Kamishini no Yari, Saitō claims that his sword can extend itself up to 13 km (8.1 miles). The blade extends at a rate of Saitō's speed +10 . The blade can also retract to its normal size at the same rate. Because the blade's extension and contraction speed is a highly dangerous ability, Saitō tends to downplay its speed whenever he talks about his Zanpakutō, and instead focuses on the length and power of the blade in order to gain a psychological advantage over his opponent.

• Renjin: (連刃; Serial Blade) By adopting a stance where he firmly grips Kamishini no Yari with both hands and places the Zanpakutō's hilt squarely on the center of his chest, Saitō is able to utilize the tremendous extension and contraction properties of his Bankai to an even more terrifying extent than its normal state at his speed +20. This occurs in the form of a piercing maneuver where the extension and contraction of the blade becomes almost completely unseen to even the most diligent of observers. However, Renjin requires Saitō to anchor himself in some way as the rapid extension forces him back.
  
• Shunsōgeki: (瞬鎗撃; Flash Spear Strike) This ability repeats the action of extending and subsequently contracting Kamishini no Yari, as observed within the technique Butō, multiple times in rapid succession.
  
  

Character Synopsis
Saitō Ishigami is the third son of the once-noble Ishigami family. The Ishigami family was once a vassal to the Ariake family for many centuries. However, the Ariake's sudden implosion left any and all debts to fall upon the Ishigami. The Ishigami fell from grace, eventually dissolving. Saitō watched this, and decided to join the Gotei to reclaim his family's grace... Then Genpaku Arishima appeared. Saitō only knows that Genpaku is an Ariake because of some... certain traits about him and a vaguely familiar Reiatsu. He looks at Genpaku as a beacon of what the Ariake should stand for—but he's wary of trusting an Ariake again. So, Genpaku must prove himself better. Saitō gravitates towards work that puts him as a meddler, hence his time spent in the 3rd, 2nd, and 6th Divisions. He's nearly attained his Bankai, but he needs one more good push to finally break that.