NANKINDAMA, SUIKAMARU

HANKYOURAN’HEBI
HALF-CRAZED SERPENT
Hankyouran’Hebi is an extremely powerful zanpakutou, and one that has instilled fear in many rebels and criminals alike. Few shinigami spar with Suikamaru because of his tendency to unleash his shikai in battle, often leading to severe accidents that have hospitalized more than a few shinigami. The former lieutenant often told Suikamaru that he should never use his ability with allies, nor should he seek to attain bankai. The fear of what his powers would become has caused others to echo the same concerns.

In its sealed state, Hankyouran’Hebi takes the form of a standard japanese katana in length and proportions. The blade is polished daily, though it always seems to find blotches of blood and smears of dirt along its edge. It is covered in dozens of nicks and small cuts, giving it a serrated edge. No matter how well Suikamaru has attempted to fix the weapon up, it always eventually reverts to the same scarred blade. Some zanpakutou scholars have theorized that this is because of its wild nature and reckless aura released during combat.

The guard takes the shape of a bronze star. While not as damaged as the steel proper, it is nicked and cracked in several places as well. The etchings of a serpent surround the base of the blade, generally too blurred from dirt and blood to be made out. Likewise the hilt, wrapped in mantaray skin and black fabric, is so faded from years of use that it appears almost grey. The pommel is bronze much like the guard. It, too, is scarred and chipped like the rest of the weapon.

Hankyouran’Hebi takes the form of a massive dragon living in the underground. Various caves allow it to emerge into the forested inner world to speak with Suikamaru. It never whispers nor talks softly. Every word is an angry scream or roar, and the only wisdom it imparts is how to deal with people or things that frustrate Suikamaru. Hankyouranhebi never allows its owner to enter into the caves for reasons unknown.

“Let’s go fucking wild, Hankyouran’Hebi!”

Whenever Suikamaru’s blood is hot, he will swing Hankyouran’Hebi while screaming its release phrase. The bronze star of a guard shatters into dust while the blade grows thicker and double edged. Just like before, its edge is still serrated, and the scars along its length are more prominent than ever. Whenever Suikamaru’s shikai is released, it causes the effects of his wild reiatsu to magnify by multiple times. The winds around him are so vicious that they often pick up and throw small objects. The scream of his aura is so loud that it can be deafening to others. The dragon head manifested by his reiatsu is now more defined, and it seems to lash out with every strike he makes.

ASURA NO RANBU (Wild Dance of the Asura)

Asura no Ranbu is the primary ability of Suikamaru’s shikai. As long as his sword is released, his aura gains a unique property. Every ability that comes into contact with him is destabilized. This spreads even further, causing the environment to go haywire. Should he release for long enough, it can create localized storms--a power that few shikai have ever displayed. Most chaotic of all is what happens to his personality. Suikamaru grows extremely violent, turning into a berserker who wants nothing more then to hack away at people and to see blood run. The reason so many sparring accidents have occurred to his partners is because, while released, he no longer has the mental ability to hold back. He charges in swinging with all his force--and with his strength, speed, and endurance enhanced by this berserker mindset, it makes him an incredibly dangerous opponent.

SHOCKWAVE GENERATION

By using his chaotic aura to destabilize the air around him, Suikamaru can generate shockwaves. These shockwaves are strong enough to send grown men flying and to cause strong attacks to veer off course. By producing them at point blank range, he is able to double the strength of his swings. As he has yet to learn the name of his ability, the full strength of the shockwaves has yet to be seen.