Basic InformationName: Amatsu Mikaboshi (goes by Matsu)
Age: Actual age: 150 Age of Appearance: 23
Gender: Male
Division: 12th
Looks: 
Matsu wears standard Shinigami robes of his Division. He also wears a hemp necklace and matching bracelet, and strangely, black high top Converse shoes. He also carries around a pair of dark sunglasses, which he puts on when he doesn’t feel like talking. He is 6 feet tall and weighs about 155 pounds. Matsu is muscular in a lean athletic way.
Rank Applying for Captain
TechniquesName: Presto
Description: This technique increases Matsu’s speed exponentially; it is characterized by him glowing with flickering lines of reiatsu, like a sheet of music. This applies to his Shunpo, enabling him to reach near Yoruichi speed, giving him faster than normal Shunpo for his class. This also applies to any part of his body, enabling him to attack with blinding speed on par with Shunpo- that is, so fast that his blade cannot be seen except by the most skilled opponents. However, this technique is not adapted very well to his limbs; using it to augment the speed of his attacks (i.e. not using it to augment Shunpo) causes muscle damage after prolonged use. This technique enables him to use speed based techniques like Utsusemi, but not Shunko.
StatsStrength: Speed has a synergistic relationship with strength- a blow struck with greater speed increases the strength of the blow.
Speed: Exponential Increase.
Accuracy: No increase.
Stamina: Decreases in proportion to time technique is used.
Name: Lento
Description: This technique sort of does the opposite of Presto. It slows Matsu’s body down to the point where he appears for all intents and purposes dead. Only an extremely skilled individual (a very powerful Captain, or one of the top 4 Espada, for example) would be able to tell that Matsu was not in fact dead, and then, only if they were right next to him and had examined him for at least 5 minutes. In this state, Matsu cannot move, obviously, but also is incapable of feeling pain. If severely injured, his slowed bodily function will cause him to bleed out at an exponentially slower rate, thus prolonging his life.
StatsStrength: Decrease
Speed: Decrease
Accuracy: Decrease
Stamina: Increase, from a certain point of view.
Zanpaktou InformationZanpaktou Name: Kawazu Naka Yusui
Zanpakutou Appearance Sealed, Matsu’s Zanpakuto is a wazikashi about 20 inches in length. The guard is shaped like a circle, with two smaller circles coming off it at nearly opposite ends (like a water molecule). The hilt/handle is cerulean colored. As stated before, this wazikashi is kept in a katana length sheath.
Shikai Appearance: The blade turns a brilliant emerald green and lengthens. It also straightens out and reaches a full length a bit longer than the average katana, but not quite nodachi length. The crossguard seems to meld over Matsu’s hand to protect it. Along the whole length of the blade, there are a total of 8 small circular holes.
Shikai Ability: Kawazu Naka Yusui’s ability is similar to Rojuro Otoribashi’s Kinshara. By placing his fingers in a given pattern in the holes on his blade, Matsu activates various techniques. The source of this power is sound infused with Matsus’s reiatsu- basically, sound is generated (usually by Matsu swinging his sword; the holes in the blade make a keening noise when air passes through them). Note: as sound is a wave, Matsu’s sound-based attacks can be sent through solid objects without harming them, and only causing damage in the localized area that Matsu specifies.
Technique 1 Shinkan (silence): This technique is Matsu’s most simple technique, and simply creates a zone of silence around a circular area of radius two feet, usually centered on his opponent. This doesn't really do anything to hinder his opponent; however, since his opponent is in the zone of silence, he/she/it would find it much more difficult to figure out the source of Matsu's power. This does not negate or disrupt any of Matsu's sound-based techniques.
Technique 2 Fuicchi (dissonance): This technique releases a piercing dissonant chord that is capable of knocking out weaker opponents, or at least disrupting the fluid in an opponent’s inner ear, causing nausea, disorientation, a sense of imbalance and dizziness.
Technique 3 Otohei (sound wall): This technique creates a wall of sound that can be used to deflect/absorb projectile attacks, including kido and cero. It can also be used as a bludgeoning tool to blast through solid objects.
Technique 4 Kizu Teisei (wounding whisper): Matsu uses his sword as a focus point for a swirling torrent of reiatsu-infused sound from which he can fire blades of sonic energy from.
Technique 5 Juubun Teishuuha (perfect frequency): As you know, it is theoretically possible to sing at a perfect pitch in order to shatter a wine glass. Matsu can identify and then create and emit that frequency and shatter/shake the solid object. The object must be solid and have minimal amounts of moisture in it, so this doesn't work on people. It works best on crystalline stuff like glass and ice, but can also be used to bring down buildings, shake the ground, etc. If this technique was used on water, say a pond, you would just see ripples trembling violently in the water, but overall no significant change.
Technique 6 Aika (dirge): This technique is Matsu’s most powerful Shikai technique, and as such requires some set-up. He must form a rough circle on any flat-ish surface with Kizu Teisei attacks, and then somehow force an opponent into the circle. Upon activation, the technique surrounds the target with a tornado of sound. The tornado of reiatsu-infused sound can be used to actually lacerate the object(s) within it.
Bankai Appearance: The Zanpakuto remains the same, however, it creates a battlefield to fight in, much like Byakuya’s or Tousen’s Zanpakuto. The Bankai forms an arena the size of Tousen’s Bankai around Matsu and his combatant. It is like the inside of an infinitesimally tall well. The only source of light is a small pinprick at the very top, which is pretty much useless for sight (unless one carries night vision goggles for whatever reason).
Bankai Ability: Matsu’s Bankai shows the true meaning of his Zanpakuto’s name, which translates to “frog in a well.” It is an adaption of the Japanese proverb “I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu:” a frog in a well knows nothing of the great sea. While within the arena, an opponent’s perceptions are Matsu’s to command. Also, since the arena is curved like a well, it as such augments sound (and sound-based attacks). Matsu refers to this benefit as “Crescendo.” Obviously, his Bankai increases the efficacy of all his Shikai techniques, as well as granting him Bankai ones.
Technique 1 Saimin Yume (Hypnosis Dream): Matsu causes his opponent to feel as if they’re in a dream. That is, he can make the speed of moving things appear slower or faster as they often do in dreams, and he can also make things appear wavy and insubstantial, as if covered by the mindfog that is dream. Like, he could make himself appear to be this hazy, faceless being that shifts from side to side, if that makes sense. This “mindfog” so to speak affects the senses of sight, sound, and the sensing reiatsu. For example, Matsu can cause his opponent to think they can’t feel his reiatsu anymore, or feel it fluctuating strangely, or even make it seem like a Hollow’s, or other spiritually powerful being.
Technique 2 Ostinato (music term meaning a repeated phrase): This technique is defensive in nature. It allows Matsu to absorb energy/reiatsu based attacks like kido and cero (to a certain extent) and transform them into sonic counterparts, in which case he can redirect the attack back at his opponent or whatever.
Technique 3 Otose (sound torrent): This is similar to Kizu Teisei, the difference being that the amount of sound he can send is increased hugely, as well as the power behind the sound itself. Visually, Matsu points his blade at the target and sends a whirling torrent of sonic energy that is capable of simultaneously crushing and slicing said target to pieces.
Technique 4 Chouka (elegy): This is a more advanced form of Aika. It does not require any set-up at all. This attack increases the amount of reiatsu-infused sound blades immensely. It creates a spherical formation of these innumerable blades, which swirl around the opponent like a whistling cloud of death. It then flies into them from every possible angle, leaving no blind spots and very limited possibility to escape. It then collapses on itself, obliterating the opponent. Escape from this technique requires quite a bit of skill and power; firstly, one must be able to reach appropriate speed to get out, and secondly, one must be able to time their escape just right- right before the attack collapses on itself, there is a window of time lasting no longer than a couple milliseconds.
Technique 5 Tenshi no Ongaku (angel of music): This is Matsu’s most powerful Bankai technique. It focuses all of his power into a single focal point, his sword. The power is too great to be contained by the sword alone, however, and Matsu will glow with a brilliant white reiatsu that forms a set of eight wings on his back, four on each side. In this form, Matsu is capable of doing massive amounts of damage with a single blow; however he can only maintain this form for five minutes before having to seal his sword and rest/be healed. He uses the augmenting qualities of his Bankai to gather all the sound waves and infuse them with as much reiatsu as he can, basically.
Zanpaktou Release Phrase: Shriek
KidoChoose one of the following for each. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.
Kido/Ginto: Advanced
Zanjutsu/Marksmanship: Advanced
Hakuda: Intermediate
Hoho: Advanced
Background and PersonalityHistory In life, Matsu was your average kid in Japan up until the age of 13, when he hit puberty. That was when he discovered he was gay, and fell in love with this jock-type kid that he had known, but never been friends with, for years. For 2 years he harbored this secret love/lust, and one day his heart leapt when this boy invited him over for “a fun time.”
The boy in question was very flirtatious, and Matsu fell for it. He declared the feelings he had held pent-up inside him for 2 years brazenly and loudly, and stumbled forward for his first kiss. But sadly, it was a trap. The boy’s teammates had been hiding in a closet (ironically) the entire time, and at this particular juncture chose to exit, where they and the boy Matsu loved began to kick and punch at Matsu until they beat him into unconsciousness.
Fearing adult punishment if Matsu was to be discovered, they dumped his prone, battered form into a dark alley and left him there. They were not, however, aware that their assault had been more damaging than it appeared- one of Matsu’s lungs had been punctured, and he died from that.
For a month or so he spent time as a Plus soul, chained to, sadly, his former love’s house. For that month, he watched in agony as he saw that boy charm a girl into the house and get intimate. When he was finally given Soul Burial he went willingly.
When Matsu arrived in Soul Society, he of course remembered nothing of his life in the Real World. Vestiges of emotion stayed within him though, which accounts for his mistrustful and antisocial personality. Soon after, he learned of the Shinigami Academy, and enrolled as quickly as he could. His exam results were stunning, to put it frankly, and he was disliked by most peers because of his seeming genius. However, he was not considered a prodigy because of his age. During his Academy years, Matsu often felt very much ahead of his peers; in fact, if he had worked to his full potential, it was near certain he would have graduated earlier. However, he chose to complete his Academy experience in the standard time because he did not wish to feel any more ostracized from his peers as he already did from his sexual orientation and natural intellect and ability.
During his Academy years, Matsu of course learned of a Shinigami’s relationship with his/her Zanpakuto. He often felt the presence of such a spirit from his sword, and this feel grew strong when he meditated. Shortly after he graduated, he mastered his Shikai. It took him 10 years after doing so of meditating and training with his Zanpakuto before it deemed him ready to learn Bankai, and he had to face many trials in order to pass it (detailed in the rp sample).
Personality Matsu tends to be on the abrasive side in that he comes off very antisocial when one first meets him. (Reason why will be detailed in history). His speech is very abrupt and acerbic; most of his words have a slight ironic or sarcastic tone to them. Matsu’s sense of humor is very dry, and tends to be at the expense of other people, or self-deprecatory.
Matsu does not really enjoy fighting, but he does not abhor it either. Instead, he views it as a necessity for survival and is perfectly willing to fight anyone who issues a challenge (unless the person is absurdly more powerful than he is). He does not have a particular code of ethics in battle (or in real life for that matter), and is as likely to allow an enemy to live as to finish them off.
Matsu enjoys silently reading, but also enjoys writing prose and poetry. He is a talented artist (with painting, anyway) and also can play the piano. Matsu possesses a majestic tenor voice. Deep down, he’s a very artsy type of person, but his initial impression leaves him largely friendless. He tends to speak very articulately and with sophistication; which hints at his genius.
Role-play Sample:Matsu sat in a secluded section of the arboreal area outside Seireitei with his Zanpakuto laid across his lap. “Let me in, Kawazu Naka Yusui,” Matsu murmured as he let his mind sink into a lucid state…Matsu felt a brief moment of disorientation, and then he stood within his Inner World. It resembled the inside of an impossibly large well, and Matsu was standing on the slick stones at the bottom. A pinprick of light seemed all one could see in this place; it seemed thousands of miles away.
Matsu knelt to the ground and dipped his fingers into the thin layer of water he stood on. “Kawazu Naka Yusui,” he called. And then he heard footsteps; looking up, Matsu came face to face with the manifestation of his Zanpakuto, a green man wearing shapeless robes with webbed fingers and a hat that covered his face entirely. “I want to ask you a favor…”
Kawazu Naka Yusui’s voice was grating, and sounded like the croak of an enormous bullfrog. “What do you want, Matsu? Surely not the pleasure of my company and home?” He moved his webbed fingers so they formed a steeple as he turned his head in Matsu’s direction. “No, you want…more power from me, doubtless.”
“Right,” replied Matsu. “Teach me Bankai so I might take a place that is fitting for me in the world.” His hand went down to his sword, and he drew it slowly before pointing it at Kawazu Naka Yusui’s face. “Surely you see I deserve it?”
“Well…you don’t visit me often- I might as well,” muttered Kawazu Naka Yusui. “Very well- you know the meaning of my name, right Matsu?” He too drew his sword, which was of course an exact copy of the one Matsu held.
“I no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu,” responded Matsu. “A frog in a well knows nothing of the great sea. I suspect our Bankai has something to do with shrouding an opponent’s ability to see truth?”
“Yes…and more,” said Kawazu Naka Yusui. He seemed pleased, but it was always hard to tell as his face was perpetually covered. “But of course, Bankai is not something that is easily gained. Trials must be passed.”
“I am ready for them,” responded Matsu.
“The first trial will merely test you to see if you have the stamina, the will, and the power necessary to maintain Bankai. It begins…now,” stated Kawazu Naka Yusui. At the end of his sentence, Kawazu Naka Yusui launched himself at Matsu, his blade thrusting out and punching the air like how a frog’s tongue jumps out to catch flies.
Matsu’s blade twirled with precision and efficiency, each movement catching one of Kawazu Naka Yusui’s stabs and sending it awry, but not enough so that Matsu could get an opening. Abruptly, Kawazu Naka Yusui switched his style and began a more aggressive form of attack that essentially involved raining series of heavy blows down upon Matsu. These attacks Matsu could not hope to simply deflect, for these he was forced to dodge to the side, or tense his muscles and block the heavy strikes. It was tiring work blocking Kawazu Naka Yusui’s attacks, but Matsu fought through fatigue he was beginning to experience.
“Good, good,” said Kawazu Naka Yusui, before his sword turned a brilliant green with a tinkling sound. Matsu was briefly surprised, but it did not show on his face. He merely mimicked Kawazu Naka Yusui and released his sword. The twin green blades met in a fiery clash that sent sparks fizzling out across the floor. Both reached out in mirror movements to grab the other’s sword arm so they were stuck in an iron guard.
“You’ve improved,” commented Kawzu Naka Yusui before letting go and kicking Matsu in the stomach. Matsu slid back and held his sword at the ready. They gazed at each other for a moment before Matsu moved again.
This time, Matsu launched himself at Kawazu Naka Yusui and began a series of attacks of his own, flicking the tip of his blade at Kawazu Naka Yusui’s head and shoulders. His feet carried him in a circle around Kawazu Naka Yusui, first in one direction, then another; Matsu’s footwork was impeccable, and his proficiency as a fencer was really beginning to show itself.
They fought for what seemed like hours…Matsu felt his arms growing leaden with fatigue, felt his feet slow and drag against the slick ground as the fight continued. Every moment that passed his muscles begged to be allowed to relax, if only for a moment. Matsu himself even felt the urge to leave this pitch dark, echoey place that was his Inner World.
Kawazu Naka Yusui stopped his attacks abruptly; Matsu was so caught in the heat of the battle that he stumbled a little before regaining his composure. “We’ve stopped…” he said.
“Yes, obviously,” said Kawazu Naka Yusui. “You’ve proved you have endurance, and the willpower necessary to use Bankai. On to the next task- can you deal with your past? Remember, the chance to come back will come but once, and quickly.”
“I am sorry, what?” said Matsu at that perplexing statement. But it was as if he had not spoken. He found himself standing at the door of a typical Japanese apartment. A quick glance down and Matsu discovered he was wearing street clothes; and that he was 15 again. “What the…?” Matsu was uncertain of what this meant. He felt a most peculiar sense of déjà vu, like this had happened to him before. Perhaps in his real life? But how would Kawazu Naka Yusui know about this anyway? He felt the urge to knock- perhaps that would provide answers.
Matsu reached up and knocked on the door. He heard running footsteps, and then the door opened to reveal a stunningly attractive boy Matsu’s age. There was something familiar about him, but Matsu couldn’t place it. At this point, Matsu definitely felt 15 again; the pressure on his chest seemed to restrict his breathing, and he felt an overwhelming wave of lust and adolescent love. “Come on in, Matsu,” the boy said, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards him. “Don’t just stand there!” His fingers were so supple and smooth; his grip was gentle and soft- and his skin felt like heaven against Matsu’s own.
“C’mon, sit down,” the boy said, and he pushed Matsu onto a couch, and then plopped down next to him. “So uh…what do you think we should do today?” The boy slid his hand into Matsu’s and looked at him with rich brown eyes. “Fool around a little?” Before Matsu could come up with a cohesive response, the boy leaned forward and kissed him. At first it was a gentle kiss, an exploratory one that made Matsu feel light. However, it quickly became a more passionate kiss that was certainly getting a “rise” out of Matsu, who began to reciprocate his good fortune.
And then, he felt reiatsu, the reiatsu that he felt off of Kawazu Naka Yusui. Matsu looked up, and in the center of the room, there was a glowing portal through which he could see Kawazu Naka Yusui’s form staring impassively. Matsu’s halt prompted the boy whom he was kissing to open his eyes as well, but it was clear he did not see what Matsu saw. “C’mon, what’s the matter, does my breath smell?” his voice had a teenage rasp to it that Matsu found extremely cute and attractive. “Please, let’s keep going!”
Matsu looked at this boy. He didn’t even know his name, and yet he felt a deep connection, not to mention a great deal of lust. Who was he? And yet, was this real? Was this a manifestation of Kawazu Naka Yusui’s power over him? It seemed so real. And this boy seemed so genuine. This was everything Matsu ever wanted as a youth. Could he turn his back? Almost surreally, Matsu stood up. “Look, I have to go. I’m sorry- I…you wouldn’t understand. I have to go.”
“Wait, what did I do? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to go too fast, it’s just I really like you…” the boy’s face seemed to crumple. He was scared, and perhaps fighting back tears. “Don’t go, I didn’t mean…”
“I’m sorry…” Matsu stepped through the portal, but not before hearing a sob of unbearable anguish. He found himself at his current age, standing with Kawazu Naka Yusui again. “What the hell was that?!” he accosted his Zanpakuto. “Did that really happen? Was that real? Was that the life I left?” He grabbed his Zanpakuto’s shoulders and shook him. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!?!”
“That was an embellished version of your past life,” replied Kawazu Naka Yusui. He did not seem perturbed by Matsu’s emotional turmoil, or being shook. “In actuality, that boy was a primary factor in your premature death. But what I needed to know was whether you truly wanted to share my power, or whether you would be content with him. I’m glad you chose me.”
“That was cruel of you,” said Matsu. “I-” All of a sudden, Matsu was flooded with memory. He remembered the exact circumstances of his death, and his voice cracked and caught in his throat. “Damn it…” He fell to his knees. “How could he? How…I loved him? And…”
“Harder tests are yet to come,” said Kawazu Naka Yusui impassively. “Can you face current dangers with resolve? The chance to return will come but once, and quickly.”
This time, Matsu found himself standing in what appeared to be a battlefield that had once been a city. There were ruined buildings and rubble everywhere. The air was thick with dust. He found himself to be in Shinigami garb and at his current age. That made sense to him. Kawazu Naka Yusui had said that this was the present. Matsu started when he heard a noise; was it rubble shifting? A survivor maybe?
Matsu headed in the direction of the noise and found a female Shinigami pinned under a large piece of building. And then he recognized her; she was Rukia Kuchiki, a Shinigami whom he did not see often, but was one of the few Shinigami whom he considered a friend he could trust fully, despite that. “Help me, Matsu!” she called. “Thank goodness you’re here!”
And then, with dread, Matsu felt two somethings. Kawazu Naka Yusui’s reiatsu…and that of a Hollow’s. He turned- there was the portal; it seemed to be growing smaller from where he was standing. And also…a humanoid figure. An Arrancar. “Save me!” screamed Rukia.
“I cannot!” shouted Matsu. “I’m sorry!” And blinded by tears, he leapt for the portal, throwing himself through and curling into a ball as he landed on the slick stone. He heard a sickening squelch of blood, and a female scream.
“Good,” said Kawazu Naka Yusui as he stood over Matsu. “You chose me over her. In essence, you sacrificed a comrade for power. How enterprising of you. I am proud…you are definitely showing promise in terms of being able to wield great power.”
“No! If that was real- I would’ve stayed. But everything here is an illusion. You’re just torturing me,” said Matsu. “Get on with it.”
“If that makes you feel better,” responded Kawazu Naka Yusui. “This is the final test. You face the future here. The chance to return will come but once, and quickly.”
Matsu found himself standing on Sogyoku Hill. Looking down, he saw he wore his Shinigami robes- and a Captain’s haori. But not just any Captain’s haori- his haori was that of Captain Commander. “What-? Impossible,” he whispered.
An arrogant sort of voice broke his reverie. It was a lieutenant; his own? “We are gathered here today to witness the execution of one Kensei Kontan. He has been found guilty of treason. Bring him out.”
The Captain Commander that Matsu knew, chained and dressed in rags was dragged before him. Despite that, he carried himself with quiet dignity. Matsu was horrified, but found himself speechless.
“Any last words, traitor?” asked the lieutenant.
“Sotaicho, you know I did what I did for good reasons,” was all he said.
Everyone looked at Matsu. Would he be merciful? And then…he felt Kawazu Naka Yusui’s reiatsu. “I’m sorry. I cannot watch this. I must leave.” And he stepped through the portal.
Kawazu Naka Yusui greeted him with an embrace. “Now we can truly be one!” Matsu felt himself being infused with power; it wiped away his negative emotion and filled him with a heady sense of power. “Our time is now!”
-end-
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