#bleach lore

In Bleach Tankobon #71, Chapter 652, we get this short flashback from Nanao with a surprise Shinji cameo. Please ladies, take note: Aizen may appeal to the common, everyday fangirl, but we Shinji stans are RARE and WE HAVE TASTE.

(Kubo not giving this chick page time is a CRIME, I tell you. I see you, girl. You're a woman of culture.)

Anyway, we can see from the dialogue that even in the Soul Society, home to Captain Kyoraku wearing ladies kimono around, Captain Unohana's front braid, and Mashiro's green hair, Shinji is regarded as weird. Some of that is undoubtedly referring to his personality, because Shinji is absolutely a weirdo, no question. He'd tell you himself. But his hair is somehow memorable, even when a number of male captains currently wear theirs long as well.

It's long in back, with slightly shorter locks in front, and then bangs.

Okay, you say. That's just a hime cut, right?

Well. Sorta. But also no? Listen, I have no idea what Kubo was thinking (obviously), so it's entirely likely and possible this was just what he felt like drawing, subtext be damned. You know, like that time he drew powered speakers in 1891.

Kubo, I love you, but you give historians like me the hives sometimes. That's clearly a 1970s style powered speaker.

And we know it's 1891 because Bleach started in 2001 and Kubo flat out admits it's 1891 on the little omake after that chapter.

Jazz started in the late 1890s Kubo, I'll give you that one: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20120224-travelwise-the-birthplace-of-jazz

*squints*

Are - are those BAKELITE HEADPHONES?!? From the 1960s?!? In 1891?!?

*rage-gargling noises of a suffering historian*

ANYWAY. HAIR.

So here's the thing. A lot of modern hime cuts DO have bangs:

But they also usually tend to have much shorter front locks, usually chin length.

Some even do little multi-step cuts, but you can see how short they tend to be. Shinji's is much longer, and technically back then, the modern "hime" cut didn't exist yet. So what the hell is he wearing?

He's doing a popular noblewoman's Heian era hairstyle, which often involved leaving the long hair loose or arranging it over the shoulders or in a long tail. When a girl reached the age of 16, she'd have a ceremony called "binsogi" (鬢削ぎ) that cuts the hair around her ears shorter like seen above.

This painting of Murasaki Shikibu done by Tosa Mitsuoki (土佐 光起) in the 1600s shows another good example.

So this leaves us with three things about this already that might be making those academy students think he's a weirdo:

Shinji's not a woman, and that's pretty clearly a woman's hairstyle. Cross-dressing was absolutely a thing back then, but it was generally done head-to-toe, not just a woman's haircut with men's clothes.

The Soul Society is pretty clearly based on Edo period Japan, and NOBODY WORE THEIR HAIR LIKE THIS THEN. It would be like you walking around with a beehive or a wimple in the 1990s. People would ask you what costume party you were going to.

Shinji is pretty clearly not a noble. His name, "Hirako" (平子) includes the character 平, hira. One of the kun readings for that kanji is literally "common" (Hiyori actually pokes fun at this in the manga). Kubo has been shown to be pretty deliberate with names and mannerisms, and not only does Shinji have "common" in his name, he has a commoner accent - Osaka-ben, which is often seen historically/stereotypically as somewhat crude, lowbrow, and associated with merchants (whom the nobility hated for reasons I'm not going to bore you with here).

So, not only is he wearing an outdated super feminine hairstyle, he's almost poking fun at the nobility by imitating their style as a commoner.

But wait. There's more.

Because see, every single example I can find of Heian era noblewomen hair just DOES NOT INCLUDE BANGS. Bangs are absolutely a thing in Japanese hairstyles, but they're almost invariably swept back and pinned with a comb, not left down on the forehead.

This is a lovely example from this book, which is pretty awesome and I highly recommend it: Amazon link, but it's not an affiliate, I don't do that.

So wait a second, you say. I can see that middle one on the right. What's that one?

Well, here's where we get off into the weeds, because I don't think Kubo INTENDED this (or maybe he did, he's a massive troll), but this theory amuses me immensely. I don't remotely think this is why Shinji chose this hairstyle, but the similarity is too funny not to mention.

See, that's a kamuro haircut. A kamuro is a young girl between 5 to 9 years old that is a courtesan in training to a very high ranking courtesan. (There was eventually a rule codified in the Yoshiwara pleasure district that high ranking oirans could have two kamuro and mid-tier could have one.) The girls wore their hair like that while it was growing out long enough to be able to style in an updo.

Now, this hairstyle is too short in back to be what Shinji's wearing. But it's also the only style I can dig up that had any kind of bangs at ALL during the Edo period (as far as I can determine, bangs just were not a thing in the Heian era.)

So Shinji is either wearing the outdated noblewoman's hairstyle WRONG (which is my theory) or he's added the bangs to remind people of a kamuro hairstyle. Which is extra weird, because he's not the right age or gender, and he's not an oiran's attendant. He could also be imitating something from the world of the living at the time, but the length of his hair and shorter front locks tends to disprove that; that is VERY much a Heian style.

So yeah, he's absolutely, positively messing with people from the get go here. Like, this is peak Shinji Hirako going, "I'm going to deliberately come off as weird just so I can gauge how you react and see what kind of person you are by your reaction to me."

Except here's the thing. He later cuts his hair while in the world of the living, right? And this bothers me immensely because everybody, including the Viz translators, refer to it as a "bowl cut".

No. This is a bowl cut.

It's literally a home haircut for guys you get by slapping a bowl on your head and cutting around it against the rim of the bowl. Shinji doesn't have a bowl cut, and neither does Soi Fon, and the original Japanese was making a joke about a kappa that they didn't bother to translate.

This is a Yokai called a kappa, btw. They have an indent in their head they keep water in. Hiyori was just finding another way to call Shinji hideous, basically.

I've seen some people call it a pageboy.

Noooooo. It's naaaaaawt a pageboy. He's wearing a bob.

Okay, semantics. Point is, he's STILL wearing (traditionally speaking) a woman's hairstyle. We don't know how many hair revolutions he went through in the last 100 years, but you have to be supremely confident, because it can be difficult to pull off, regardless of gender.

(Seriously, some guys look amazing with bobs, especially when the lines are less severe and chopped.)

Also, Shinji appreciation time, because you either pull off those straight bangs or you don't. It is, as Tim Gunn says, "A lotta look."

But hang on, hold everything. When did bobs even show up in Japan?

Whelp. Actually quite a bit earlier than you'd think. Here's a postcard from the Meiji era:

HANG THE FUCK ON ARE THOSE KAMURO AGAIN?

Yep.

So it's entirely possible he's leaning on this weird imagery to further unsettle people, but having a haircut similar to a child attendant is a wee bit squicky and I don't think that's honestly what was intended.

So what was Kubo going for here?

Well, the bob came to Japan around the 1920-1930 period, along with jazz, and it was an iconic hairstyle for women, particularly for the "Modern Girl" or "moga" (and the bob was called a moga, the association was so strong).

You can read more about this cool Kiyoshi Kobayakawa print, "Tipsy", here.

You know what was really popular in Osaka, even after it started getting censored in Tokyo as WWII picked up?

Jazz.

You know who loves Osaka and jazz?

Shinji Hirako.

I'm not going to rant about this right now, I have a whole other post about Shinji and wartime jazz.

I honestly think by the time Kisuke figured out how to fix the Soul Suicide issue with the Vizards that it was just getting to be the jazz age. They would have had to move around quite a bit, since Aizen was actively looking for them, and Shinji in particular (in fact, in the manga he specifically only calls out Shinji. Aizen just DOES NOT LIKE his former Captain, but he also respects the guy enough to be concerned about him being a loose cannon.) So they might have been in Osaka for a while instead of Tokyo, where Karakura is located. (It's not a real place, but Kubo has addressed it.)

I think Shinji stuck with his thing of wearing women's haircuts (it mentions this specifically in a databook and I can't find the reference now that I want it, ugh) and got a moga bob right around the time the jazz age was picking up and he knew he was going to live long enough to get a shot at Aizen. And I think he just stuck with it, honestly. Our boy was rocking a Heian hime for DECADES after it had gone out of style CENTURIES before. He's not going to change up everything on a whim (though I think he started fucking with his bangs purely to enhance the weird confusion of Sakanade's reversing sight.)

Also, since Hiyori's rampage sliced off part of his hair already, he'd have gotten a haircut asap to fix that, once he wasn't in any mortal peril. Our man likes to be stylin'.

—----------------------------------------------

And there we have it for now!

I wasn’t sure how to continue this, so I hope you enjoyed what I had.

I liked all of this, but my current favorite is the Spirit Thread thing. Kubo coulda have fun with it for Uryū…but no. Uryū used it for Ransotengai ONCE…and never used it again.

I have seen some people talking about how Uryū should have used Ransotengai when he got his stomach ruptured by Szayel and to that I say…it probably would not have been a good idea. Like…at all. First off, it probably hurts like hell. Second, the internal bleeding.

And I know the move was used by the Jail Sternritter (I still can’t remember his name) and Bambietta…but they are not Uryū!

For that reason, it has come to pass that tasks like the purification of Hollows were essentially being handled by these two alone. "There's even a possibility that this is the doing of a Quincy…. I wonder if we also have the option to consult Ishida san's old man at the general hospital…." "Speaking of that guy, I happen to catch sight of him in front of the hospital from time to time, but he has a piercing look in his eyes so to be frank I think he'd be a difficult person to deal with…." Hearing that remark, Shino pouts in a somewhat dissatisfied manner. "What's the matter with you? I've always been told that at a glance I have a piercing look in my eye, which I acquired from Ikkaku-nii, do you mean to say that all this time you've been thinking me a difficult person to deal with?" "Ah, Shino san is an exception! Do you take that for granted!?" "R-really?" Shino was perplexed by the words of Ryūnosuke who had made such a powerful assertion, however —— "Because, when it comes to Shino san, the way the light bounces off your forehead is the thing that more closely resembles Ikkaku san than the expression of your eyes, my attention gets drawn to there instead so you don't have to worry about bwahaha--." "…Get moving." Whilst he was in the midst of speaking, Shino had driven a straight punch into the face of her partner, she narrows her piercing eyes even further and begins walking.

"…It's no good. As I suspected we can't pass through."

Travelling along the railway track using Shunpo, the pair finally arrive at the border with the neighboring town which sat beside a dry riverbed. However, the results were fruitless. Despite the fact that ordinary people and vehicles were able to nonchalantly pass through the 'curtain' situated on the boundary of the town, they themselves could not cross through it at all. Their blades completely failed to cut through the spot they had slashed at with their Zanpakutō, confirming that it was a solid barrier which cannot be damaged in the slightest even with Shikai state. "The trains seem able to pass through along the railway tracks normally, so how about we also board a train?" At the proposal of Ryūnosuke whose face was now swollen, Shino responded as if she was astounded. "Tell you what, if it turns out that it's only us that can't pass through with that method, then we'll be slammed into the barrier at the speed of a train, do you really see no problem with that?" "…I guess we'd die, from a stunt like that." "It looks like we have no choice but to go to Urahara san's place after all… it's at the opposite end of town, but if we use Shunpo then we'll soon be-…" It was at that point when Shino ceased talking. Because something akin to the static noise shot through the air around them, several black suited men and women materialised as if gushing forth from a crevice between two worlds. They donned black gas masks over their faces, and although it was a matter that didn't involve Ryūnosuke and Shino, they had the same appearance as the group that showed up around Urahara Shōten. "Huh!? They're wearing masks… humanoid Hollows!? L-let's escape Shino san!" Mistaking them for Vasto Lorde class Hollows, Yuki instinctively grabs Shino's hand in an attempt to flee, however, with a jerk Shino pulled that hand back towards herself forcing them to stand their ground. "Just stay calm! These guys may have appeared before us in a strange way, but it's not Hollow Reiatsu that I sense. Besides, their masks aren't white either." "Th-then, Quincies?" "…I can't say for certain that you're wrong." For Shino, the Quincy were carved into her soul as a great source of trauma. Her superior Kajōmaru Hidetomo whom she had admired and respected was slaughtered before her eyes, and the Seireitei which they ought to protect was reduced to scorched earth covered in spurts of blood and debris. Trampled underfoot by the fear in her soul, Shino had begun to lose her fighting spirit, however she gained a firm foothold as a Shinigami at the critical moment, together with Ryūnosuke she re-trained herself from scratch down to the present day. —— That's right, even Ryūnosuke perseveres as a Shinigami, how can I afford to lose heart? Even though Ryūnosuke was trembling right now, he had emerged alive from the midst of that battlefield together with Shino. If it was the case the he was not by her side regardless of him being on the verge of tears, perhaps Shino herself would have lost her life at the hands of a Quincy. In the final analysis, as far as one could see, Ryūnosuke was quaking with fear even now, and sometimes she wonders whether or not it was the result of some kind of blunder and nothing short of a miracle that they had survived through the war. Looking at the state of her colleague who couldn't figure out whether he could muster the courage or not, Shino found new resolve thinking "I need to pull myself together all the same", coincident with that, she poses a question to the black suited group clad in gas masks that appeared before her. "So then? You lot, what's the meaning of all this? That you're able to see us when we're not inside a Gigai, I take it you're not ordinary humans huh?" At Shino who had adopted a posture that was ready to withdraw her Zanpakutō from its sheath at any given moment, the black suits were silent —— however, remaining mute they readied their extendable batons which were decorated with patterns, with mechanical movements they charged at the pair. "…! Does this mean there's no use in arguing about it!?" Despite being taken aback by their movements which were faster than expected, Shino stopped the blow from the extendable batons with her Zanpakutō which she had unsheathed right away. Ryūnosuke on the other hand let out a shriek with a "yeow", he ran about in an attempt to escape whilst slipping through the group's attack. "Hold up Ryūnosuke! Fight like you mean it!" "B-but, these people, they're not Hollows but rather humans aren't they!? Is it really okay to cut them down with a Zanpakutō!?" "It's not like these guys who are able to attack our spirit bodies are ordinary humans don't you…think…?" It was then that Shino notices a strange occurrence. Identical to the abnormality Hisagi had experienced at Urahara Shōten, Shino sensed that the Reiatsu released by her Zanpakutō had began to wane. "…!?……My Zanpakutō, it's…" Taking advantage of that momentary disturbance, one of the black suited individuals struck Shino's back. "Gahh…!" "Shino san!" “It's alright, at… this level…" Just then, Shino sank deeper into this sensation as if her whole body was caught in a giant spider's web. The movements of her body had grown sluggish and increased in friction like a machine that had ran out of oil. Although there was no problem with both her senses and her physical condition, Shino sensed a strange pressure weighing down on the flow of Reiatsu bridging those things together.

"What the heck… is this…? Perhaps having confirmed Shino's poor form, all at once the black suits maintain a distance, and raise the batons clutched in their hands out towards their front. All of a sudden, the patterns that were engraved on those specialised weapons float upwards, they transform into tentacles suspended in midair and in unison they rush in for an attack towards Shino. Confronted with this puzzling offensive which was unleashed simultaneously, Shino was assailed by an uneasiness as to whether she would be able to deal with the threat in her current state, but she still decided to engage the enemy without releasing her sword. "Shino san!" Ryūnosuke also scrambles into a run in an effort to defend Shino, however —— just before he could finally reach her, the situation changes dramatically coincident with the sound of a thunderous roar. Before the 'limbs of the patterns' could make contact with Shino and Ryūnosuke, the red figure of a person had come hurling down from the heavens —— and no sooner than that did they stomp their feet firmly on the ground with force similar to that of a cannon; a hail of sediment and a cloud of dust, and as though it was a chain reaction, the black suits were sent flying high into the sky. "Huh!?" "Wahhhhh!?" Shino's face was covered by the advancing cloud of dust, and Ryūnosuke tumbles down due to the impact. When the clouds of dust clear, a young girl is standing there. "Oh for crying out loud, pissing out this nauseating Reiatsu on my turf… where do you think you punks are?" Shino and Co. understand immediately that the girl who muttered to herself in what sounded like a Kansai dialect, was no ordinary person. "Shinigami…?" It was indeed a Reiatsu similar to that of a Shinigami. However, there is some curious sense of incongruity. The girl who sported a red jogging suit raised her voice in a mixture of anger and irritation towards one of the black suited members who attempts to stand up though remaining silent. "Who said you could get up!? What makes you think you can humiliate me by doing as you please baldy!" Coupled with her irrational remarks, the girl energetically kicked a roadside stone towards the black suited individual. Watching dumbfounded as the black suited member fell flat on their face once more after being hit directly by a stone as big as a clenched fist, Shino called out in a manner that indicated a sense of nervousness. "P-pardon me! Thank you for saving us from that close shave just now! Are you a member of the Gotei 13?" "Huuuh? That's not how it is stupid. For your information, I didn't just save you free of charge." Turning to look at Shino whilst scowling, the girl adjusted her hat which had the words "UNAGI" written on it and at the same time she thrust a thumb at her own chest.

"I'm no Shinigami or whatever. I'm just a passing general merchant's apprentice, Sarugaki Hiyori sama!" "General merchant…?" "Apprentice…?" Facing Ryūnosuke and Shino who tilted their heads in puzzlement, the girl with the kansai dialect continued to speak whilst the sour look remained plastered on her face. "To tell you the truth I hate Shinigami, so I don't accept jobs that involve helping the likes of you. But since these are an exceptional set of circumstances, I'll see if I can give you a discount." "Eh, does this mean you require some sort of monetary payment from us…?" "Quit your yapping stupid! I was told by Miss. Ikumi to 'do whatever it takes to get the job done.' What do you think will happen if it turns out you can't pay!?" "Even if you were told such a thing…" Confronted by the girl who yelled something they couldn't quite comprehend the meaning of, Ryūnosuke and Shino exchange glances at each other not knowing how they should respond. However, the situation did not permit them to continue the conversation in the same carefree manner. Newly materialised static noise coursed through the air, even more black suits than before emerge from the threshold separating the space. "Gah! They've multiplied, they've multiplied in numbers Shino san!?" "What the heck is going on… what's the deal with these guys!?" At this rate, even if they were cut down with the use of Shikai, would there be any end to their numbers? Having concluded that there is a possibility of the situation turning into a deadlock seeing as they were unsure of their remaining fighting power, Ryūnosuke bows his head to the girl who introduced herself as "Hiyori". "Uhh, in that case we'll pay up, so please take us both up to Urahara Shōten in Mitsumiya!" "What the hell kind of talk is that!? I'm not a taxi service you know! Are you making light of me baldy!?" "eep!? My apologies!" "…Whatever. But, it just had to be Kisuke's of all places huh…" Brandishing her Zanpakutō which she had taken in hand unnoticed, Hiyori slashed at the ground and raised a cloud of dust in order to contain the black suits. Hiyori lifted Shino and Ryūnosuke onto her shoulders with strength that was quite unimaginable given her small stature, and before the pair could even let out a yelp, she leapt away using Shunpo. At this point, she was able to sense Reiatsu resembling that of the black suits, surging up in various spots across the town —— at the same time, Hiyori screwed her face up in seeming annoyance, the visage of a man who was once her superior (president of the Research and Development institute) was called to mind. "Although I take no pleasure in turning to that dumbass for help… it's the right call in a situation like this."

Urahara Shōten "What's the matter? I'd be delighted if I could get you to at least verify my answer, so is it an 'Exacta' or a 'No Es Exacta'?" From under the brim of his hat, Urahara's discerning eyes fix a glare at Aura. Despite his bold smile, there was an atmosphere about his countenance that said it would be no surprise if he stabbed his enemy to death in the next instant. Observing Urahara's face, Aura felt a chill run down her back, in spite of this, she forced a slight look of joy to filter through and opened her mouth to speak. "How mystifying. I had no intention of giving you that much information, and yet…?" "How did I know just by you being here today, you mean? That a religious organisation operating under the name of 'XCUTION' would be making their presence felt in the aftermath of the Quincy assault on Soul Society… do you really think I would ignore this?" Casually resting his sword cane against his shoulder, Urahara strings his words together in a relaxed manner as though he was poking fun. "Though, I think you've played your cards well don't you agree?  After all, I could only gather information that was available on the surface regarding Michibane san - founder of a religious sect. However… just now, linking that information with 'the other side' which you only slightly revealed to me —— there are things I was able to discern to a certain extent." "…Quite impressive, don't you think?" Having heard that, Aura momentarily disregards Hisagi who was standing before her and shifts most of her attention to the conversation with Urahara. "Perhaps it's better to say… that is truly befitting of the gentleman who created a Hōgyoku? As expected, we must have you come over to our side at all costs." "……" "…Hōgyoku, you say?" Hōgyoku. The moment that word left Aura's mouth, the smile disappeared from Urahara's face and a silence fell over him, Instead Hisagi knit his eyebrows together and raised his voice. "Does that have some sort of relevance here?" "It does, but beyond this point, it is a domain which I cannot afford to allow a 'journalist' to learn of… so please, I must ask you to leave." Aura respectfully bows in midair. Without understanding an opponent's true intentions, Hisagi was unable to determine their next move. "What the heck is that supposed to mean? Do you really think I would just casually leave at your request?" "Oh? I'm not asking you… I'm threatening you by saying that 'if you tread any further than this, then I will remove you through brute force', you do understand this right? Mr. Vice captain?" Coupled with her seductive smile, Aura tilted her head to the side ever so slightly, but then —— In the next instant, the edge of a Zanpakutō drew close to her throat. "——*gasp!*" "You underestimate me. Even without a Gentei Kaijo, the speed of my Shunpo isn't decreased by much." Finding an opportune moment when Aura blinked and then closing the distance between them with Shunpo, Hisagi had thrust his blade before her in a split second. Upon seeing the Zanpakutō at her own throat, Aura turns her eyes towards Hisagi in an open display of admiration. "…I'm astonished. You seem to be another person entirely compared to the one that was making childlike banter only a short while ago." However, the smile had yet to fade from her face. "It's easy. Do you take me for the type that would hesitate to cut down a woman?" "Not at all? As far as I know, you are typical of a Shinigami. You follow the justice of your own heart, and if there is sufficient reason to cut something down, you would be equally merciless regardless of age or gender, isn't that right?" At that point the 'temperature' of Aura's smile drops sharply, in a tone of voice that seemed as if it could cause her opponent's heart to freeze over, she utters one fact. "In any case, speaking of you… for the sake of the justice you believe in, you even cut down your former mentor after all." For a moment, Hisagi's eyes narrow ever so slightly. The Reiatsu surrounding him is heavily distorted, those with heightened Reiatsu perception abilities may well have been under an optical illusion, as if the air around Hisagi was fluctuating somewhat. Nevertheless —— Hisagi's blade never faltered in spite of this. Without creating the slightest opportunity for her, Hisagi's Zanpakutō does not move from his opponent's throat. "Come now, there's no need to be be offended." "…Because it's true…." What flashed through Hisagi's mind, are the words of the heinous criminal who delivered the finishing blow to said "mentor". —— "Eternity you say, that is not something you can speak so lightly​ of, don’t you agree? Even Tōsen Kaname’s convictions​ were not eternal after all." —— "It is not that the case that I set my hands to killing Tōsen Kaname as a remnant of defeated army that must be punished." —— "That, is my idea of mercy." "…Compared with the speech of that of that guy Aizen, I haven't even been provoked by you in the slightest." "…You are truly a fascinating person. How about it? Wouldn't you like to become a comrade of mine?" In response to Aura who spoke in a nonchalant manner, Hisagi knit his eyebrows together as he spoke. "You do comprehend the situation right? That I haven't slit your throat yet, it's only because I'm going to make your sorry self lift the blockade of this town." —— Be that as it may, this complacency of hers is strange. —— Is she trying to rattle me a little? "According to what Urahara san said, so far you don't seem to be using any mystery ability, but the tentacles of those strange symbols and these individuals who made an appearance out of nowhere, could that be the down to the abilities of your other comrades? Either way, those are some odd moves you've pulled on me wouldn't you say?" After listening to Urahara's words earlier, Hisagi determined that the woman before his eyes was unable to use her own unique abilities in the capacity of a Fullbringer. Although he didn't quite understand how Urahara had arrived at such a conclusion, from past experience, he regarded the idea of Urahara's speculations veering off course, a rare possibility. —— But, it's strange. —— Even though it's noticeable in this way, indeed I can't sense a substantial Reiatsu from this woman. —— It's not like it's 'nil', rather it's as if the Reiatsu is persistently being diluted…. —— These so-called Fullbringers, are they all like this? Though I got the feeling that Ginjō's group had Reiatsu that packed a bit more punch than this…. Even so, if her ability is to simply erase signs of her presence, it's strange that she would so boldly come out into the open by making herself visible to the naked eye. Even if she merely had yet to use her abilities, or even if her ability is indeed those odd ’pattern branches', Hisagi prepared himself to lop off the head of his opponent if she showed any signs of movement. Though Yukio's abilities were an unsettling factor, If he's considered a friend then he probably would not act recklessly in this situation. Hisagi had guessed as much, however —— "…Precisely as Urahara san mentioned earlier, I have been assembling a religious group known as 'XCUTION'. Those on the ground… are not believers, but rather heathens who were hostile to us. Now they've become awfully compliant however." " ? " Confronted with Aura who abruptly began talking herself, Hisagi had grown confused by his inability to read his opponent's intentions. He wondered whether or not she would even be willing to surrender, but thinking he could not afford to be careless, Hisagi's vigilance became all the more stronger. "The number of followers, currently stands at seven hundred and seventy thousand people." "Seven hundred and seventy…" Having learnt that she was the founder of a religious cult, Hisagi who assumed it was a small scale organisation consisting of around one hundred people, was lost for words after hearing that figure. A figure that far exceeds his expectations is thrust before him and Hisagi was now in a position where he was unable to surmise whether his opponent's words were the truth or a false show of power. "It is a very modest congregation which cannot even be counted among the top five within the emerging religions of Japan… but even so, considering the fact that it has only been a few years since the religion was established, I suppose it's possible to say that our numbers are abnormal. Do you know why we have amassed such a following?" "…Who knows. Things like religious sects of the Human World are not much of a concern to us after all. I haven't a clue by what means you manage to assemble people. Perhaps there is even one among your associates who has the ability to brainwash?" "If that were the case, things would certainly have been much easier. Be that as it may, Even if Tsukishima san was still alive, it would be a difficult task to bookmark people by the hundreds of thousands all the same." "Tell me the answer quickly. It's futile if your plan is to buy time." Confronted by Hisagi who actually began to contemplate the possibility of her stalling for time, a wide smile broke out on Aura's lips. "It's quite simple." She then pressed her own throat to the blade which remained fixed in position before her. "Huh… what the hell are you doing!?" —— Does she intend to fatally wound herself? —— No, then her soul would be seized and that would be the end. There would be no point in that! —— What could she be thinking? If he withdrew his blade, it could develop into an opening for his enemy, but if that is her goal, then it was a much too reckless action. After a moment of puzzlement, Hisagi tries to halt her progress her by drawing his sword back before she could obtain a fatal injury, but then—— In the next instant, her neck which pushed far quicker than what Hisagi had anticipated, slides across the blade of his Zanpakutō —— separating from her body which remained as it stood, her head sailed through the air. The head which was amputated from its body never allowed the smiling expression to fade even in this condition. Hisagi was so captivated by the sudden spectacle, that he failed to notice the lack of response being transmitted from his Zanpakutō. Then, from the mouth on the freshly severed head which should by all means have its connection to her lungs cut off, an alluring voice echoes across the space as unchanged as the moments before. "I merely performed miracles. In front of the people." "……!?" Slipping past Hisagi whose eyes had flown wide open, Aura's body clutches her own head, and then places it over the section of her neck which remained cut. She turned in Hisagi's direction with gentle movements, placing the palms of her hands at her temple she tilts her head from side to side with a forceful shove. There was not even a single scratch left at the cross section much less a stream of blood, only her delicate silk-like skin spread across the area. "Whaa… what's going on!? Just now, If I'm not mistaken…" "My head should be severed, right?" As she said this, Aura once again extends both hands left and right, she begins to manipulate the 'branches of the patterns' which were spreading out around them. Before he knew it, the number of those branches belonging to the patterns had more than doubled, to say nothing of the increased ferocity with which they moved compared to a short while ago. "It was severed wasn't it? However, I reconnected it, that's all." "High-speed regeneration…? You couldn't possibly be some kind of Hollow now could you?" "Certainly not. But, you're getting warm." She then revealed a somewhat lonely smile, allowing the 'pattern branches' to leap towards Hisagi. "I am a Fullbringer. I was born into the world corrupted by a Hollow factor." Dark red branches filled the area surrounding Hisagi until his form was no longer visible. Yukio who was observing from ground level, began to calculate whether things would conclude here, and in that moment —— "Reap ———— Kazeshini." A gust of wind from a slashing attack blew fiercely, and the 'branches of the patterns' that had crammed into the space around Hisagi were sliced away. Hisagi who had come into sight from among them, resentfully muttered to himself whilst tightly grasping his Zanpakutō which had entered its Shikai state. "…Sure enough, every damn time I make a cut there's more friction in the Reiatsu of my blade" As if it were two huge sickles combined together, Hisagi was armed with rotating blades giving one the impression of a pinwheel, a Zanpakutō reminiscent of kusarigama (Japanese sickle and chain weapon). The opposite end of the chain is also equipped with identical blades, whilst clutching each handle in both hands, Hisagi confronted Aura once more. "……!" The smile vanished from Aura's face and a tinge of vigilance rose to the surface. "Indeed, actually seeing it with one's own eyes, one is able to say it is truly a remarkable Zanpakutō…. Dual swords are also rare." "Flattery will get you nowhere.… Besides, Kazeshini is not a pair of dual-wielded swords." Shinigami who employ Nito-ryu* are extremely rare, it is said that only a few have even existed in the history of Soul Society. (*TN -- Nito-ryu is the swordsmanship technique of using two swords.) Captain commander Kyōraku's "Katen Kyōkotsu", and former captain of squad 13, Ukitake Jūshirō's "Sōgyo no Kotowari" are classic examples; it is so rare in fact that it is possible to say that there is no other dual-wielded Zanpakutō in existence beyond these two pairs. To be more precise, Kurosaki Ichigo also wielded dual swords which carried his Hollow and Quincy powers respectively, however, this is information which has only been circulated to a handful of individuals among the Shinigami. Without narrating the reason 'why Kazeshini is not a pair of dual-wielded swords', Hisagi squared off against Aura for a second time. "Let's test whether or not your so-called miracles are the read deal." Hisagi had hardly finished speaking before he threw one rod of his Zanpakutō. The blades on the pointed tip rotate at high speed and is transformed into a disc-shaped silvery flash propelled towards Aura. However, the blades pass by to one side of her body, it formed a rapid curve in the air before turning back around behind her. " ! "

Hisagi snuck around to Aura's side in a manner that was counter to the trajectory of said disc, whilst crossing paths with the blades he had set free, he caused the chains of his Zanpakutō to intersect. In combination with his movements which utilised Shunpo, Hisagi was instantly able to create loops in his chains and Aura's body was now wrapped in them. After the chains were made to coil around Aura's body several times, the pointed end of Kazeshini which remained as is, returned to Hisagi's hands once again.

"Bakudō 62, 'Hyapporankan' !"

At Aura whose body was entwined in jet black chains, Hisagi attempts to restrain her completely by further applying Bakudō. Countless wedges of light dart towards Aura, they pierce her as if to secure the links of the chain which had encapsulated her body. "Give up already. Your magic tricks are useless against my Bakudō." Whilst tugging on Kazeshini's chains, Hisagi sought to draw out information on what Tokinada was scheming. However, the resistance of those chains abruptly disappeared. " !? " As soon as her body started swaying as though it were smoke, the chains which remained untouched slipped through her body and then dangled limply below Hisagi. Furthermore, the wedges of light which had been shot out by means of Hyapporankan, had also dispersed before he knew it. "What the hell is happening…?" If it were the case that it was simply his blade which had passed through her, then one could infer that this was still a phenomenon caused by some trick or optical illusion. On the contrary, if it gets to the point where even the bound chains and Kidō slips through her, then this can now only be considered a phenomenon brought about by some kind of ability. "Urahara san! Just as you suspected, this individual, she's using some kind of ability that can——" Turning his eyes downwards whilst yelling out, Hisagi's words suddenly came to a stop there. "Huh?" The figure of Urahara who was supposedly observing the state of affairs at the front of the store, had disappeared without him noticing. And by the time Hisagi turned his eyes to his surroundings, Urahara Kisuke had already made his move. "Eh…?" Taking a detour behind Hisagi, Urahara stabbed a small needle-like object deep into Hisagi's arm. Whilst his brain registers the situation, the pain from his arm shoots throughout the full length of his body. "Gahh… Urahara san, what did you…" "I'm sorry, Hisagi san." Yet, without even the slight degree of regret, Urahara flashed his usual smile as he responded to Hisagi's misgivings. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, Hisagi san's Gentei Reiin, I had it forcibly removed just now." "What? Argh…" "The pain will soon subside, so please endure it just a little longer." Upon hearing the words of Urahara, Hisagi  realises that the spot where he had been pricked by the needle, is the exact location where the Gentei Reiin was implanted in his arm for the purpose of restricting his Reiatsu. In an instant, a force gushed forth from Hisagi's body and his Reiatsu was made to infiltrate the surrounding atmosphere. Gentei Reiin limits a Shinigami's power by adjusting it to the Human World. That very Gentei Reiin which suppresses Reiatsu down to the allowable 20%, is not something that can be removed at one's own bidding alone under normal circumstances. His Reiin which took the form of a white poppy, the squad insignia of the 9th division, operates in conjunction with the jurisdiction of the Seireitei via a special method, it has developed into a system where the seal cannot be removed unless permission for a Gentei Kaijo has been transmitted through a Denreishinki. Nevertheless, with the question of 'what kind of method had been used just now?' left hanging in the air, Urahara demonstrated that he could remove that seal with only a single needle. "…Well, though I was wondering whether or not you were capable of such a thing, it's still reckless…" "The facility that manufactured this Gentei Kaijo system, is the Department of Research and Development don't you know? It's not like it would be impossible for me to release the seal right? …Ah, in order to avoid the possibility of Hisagi san getting punished because the seal was unfastened without permission, Kyōraku san will receive an explanation from me afterwards." Standing before Hisagi, Urahara pinned his hat down with the flat of his hand as he began to inquire. "Let's the two of us tackle this one together. After all, it seems she hasn't even gotten serious yet." "…Understood!" Having sensed an air of compulsion despite the relaxed mood, Hisagi nodded his head in assent at Urahara's words. That Urahara would make a proposal in such a way, it represents one fact. —— Me with my limiter released and Urahara san, does this mean this woman is so strong, that it requires the both of us to pool our efforts to deal with her…? "Oh… come to think of it, about that woman's power…" Pondering whether or not Urahara had made a rare miscalculation, Hisagi awkwardly questioned him, however, far from paying any mind to it at all, Urahara instead spoke with a tone of voice brimming with confidence. "That's right, Hisagi san. Thanks to you, I have confidence that it's just as I expected." "Huh?" "She is unable to use an innate ability from Fullbring. She is only able to 'manipulate souls' which is the common foundation shared by all Fullbringers." "…What does that mean?" In response to Hisagi who knit his eyebrows together at being unable to follow the conversation, Urahara began to narrate his speculations regarding the powers of Michibane Aura in a placid manner. "By controlling Reishi which dwells in matter, a Fullbringer is able to distort and manipulate the matter itself, and at times, even the laws of physics. Moreover, they can invoke their very own abilities through the transfiguration of an object in their possession which they hold a particular attachment to. However, that isn't the case for this individual." "Eh? Uh, but, she's been pulling off these crazy stunts for a while now…" "Those were all the basic abilities of a Fullbringer.… But, it's just that the level is abnormally high. As if shifting water or earth, I think she is capable of influencing and manipulating things like the cells of her own body or the atmosphere itself. By holding sway over her own body through its blood and skeletal structure…no, rather in units of brain or blood cells, whilst still living and breathing she is able to cause a metamorphosis of her own body into a smoke-like state for instance, that goes beyond the conventional norms of a Fullbringer however." When Urahara pauses here for a moment, he observed Hisagi's facial expression which appeared to say "I don't quite get it", he then decided to rephrase his words in a manner that would be easy to understand. "…Using Shinigami as an example, if I told you, 'to make up for her inability to use a Zanpakutō, her aptitude for Kidō and Hakuda are Aizen Sōsuke level'… would you understand?" "……!" It was at this point that Hisagi comprehends just how much of a dangerous presence the Fullbringer standing before them truly was. However, Urahara appears to set his sights on something one step ahead, whilst pointing "Benihime" towards her - his Zanpakutō which took the form of a sword cane - he spoke of certain misgivings. "But, the problem does not sit there. Rather, if she has more than seven hundred thousand followers and she is present here… that huge quantity of followers, where are they now and what are they doing?" Rather than addressing Hisagi, Urahara spoke as if posing the question directly to Aura herself who was stood in a spot separated by a fair distance. Instead of answering the question, Aura flashed a smile loaded with the maximum degree of vigilance towards her opponent who had seen through her own true essence. "Urahara Kisuke…. Truly… truly a frightening man you are" The smile was as dark, heavy and cold as the depths of winter's lake, a chill ran down the length of Hisagi's body who until a short while ago, believed they were battling on equal footing. "That is precisely why, I want your strength." . . . "We will forge a new 'Hōgyoku'… in order to sublimate our offering that is Ubuginu Hikone, to the status of a true god."

Hey look, it's Shinji. Doing his thing, standing sideways on a building. Nothing to see here, looking stylish as always.

Oh, the sign is backwards? Yeah, checks out, it's Shinji doing Shinji things...

*squints*

Okay, that's pretty dang funny, Shinji and Mayuri have never gotten along for over a century. Good catch, animators!

"I'll just be friendly to the new guy, might as well..."

Who spit in YOUR Petri dish, buddy?

Ah, a friendship for the ages.

But see, then I was watching the OG Bleach anime and about choked on my soda, because what do I see in episode #289 as an omake?

IT'S DR. MAYURI'S MAGICAL CLINIC. I FORGOT THIS WAS A THING. They even made it a side story in Bleach: Brave Souls (the mobile game).

Anyhoo, guess who testimonial #2 is?

(The Japanese here is "Before treatment" (text on the left), "Case 2" (text on the right), and "This is impossible... the before state" (overlay text). As a side note, katakana is used like italics to emphasize words, so it's not always a loan word when you see it used like this.)

(The Japanese here is "After treatment" (text on the left) "Case 2" (text on the right), "(it turned out) like this!" (overlay text).

So uh, yeah. Mayuri literally used Shinji without permission as a fake testimonial and claimed he'd been a rando Squad 11 guy before his plastic surgery.

Shinji was uh, he was unhappy.

"Have one of those faces that's beyond all hope? Well, hope again!"

"HEY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH ME!"

This is not just Shinji kicking a sign that happens to be nearby to own that Quincy chick (get your hits in now, buddy), this is Shinji kicking down a sign for a clinic owned by a guy that's annoyed him for over a century AND lied about him having plastic surgery to be sexier.

Episode 289 with the omake aired in 2010.

Bleach TYBW's second season with this opening aired in 2022.