Kiyone Kotetsu

is the co-3rd seated officer of the Thirteenth Division in the Gotei 13 under Captain Jūshirō Ukitake. She shares her position with Sentarō Kotsubaki.

Appearance
Kiyone is petite, has dark blond hair and gray eyes. She wears a standard Shinigami uniform with the collar of a white shirt protruding over her top.

Personality
Kiyone is the younger sister of Isane Kotetsu, the Lieutenant of the Fourth Division (the medical and supply relief division). Unlike her sister, Kiyone is very open and excitable but she does share Isane's sense of loyalty.

She holds her captain, Jūshirō Ukitake in high regard and always tries to impress him in any way possible, even if she has to ruin her partner Sentarō Kotsubaki to do so. Like other female Shinigami she is a member of the Shinigami Women's Association.

Kiyone's infatuation with her Captain is often a source of comic relief, as she frequently engages in competition with Sentarō over who admires and/or loves him more, much to Ukitake's exasperation. In one omake chapter, she is even willing to help Suì-Fēng pin Ukitake to a tree with kunai knives and slash open his clothing so she can have "sexy" photos of him, although she does jabber "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" while she photographs him.

History
Shortly after Rukia Kuchiki joined the 13th Division, a drunken Kiyone and Santarō eavesdropped on a conversation between her and Kaien Shiba. They applaudded Kaien on his words before he asked if they were drunk again. Sentarō told Rukia that he is from Rukongai as well and people talked behind his back about him. Kaien then ordered them back to their posts. Some time after Miyako Shiba's death, Sentarō and Kiyone became the 13th Division's 3rd Seat officers.

Soul Society arc
After Ichigo, Ganju and Hanatarō's attempt to rescue Rukia is foiled, Ukitake calls for Sentarō and Kiyone. The pair appear and Ukitake asks why they followed him there when he told them not to come as it was too dangerous. Sentarō comments that it was scary and says that because he respects Ukitake so much, he cannot help following him. Kiyone is annoyed by this, calling it a cheap shot and says that she respects Ukitake more. The pair argue until Ukitake tells Kiyone to contact the Fourth Division so that Ganju's injuries can be treated. As Sentarō carries the unconscious Rukia back inside the prison, he tells her that he is sorry and that he and Ukitake will get her out of prison. Kiyone hears this and complains, saying that she is more concerned about Rukia and that she and Ukitake will get her out. As the two squabble again, Sentarō tells her to contact the Fourth Division, but she insists that she was on her way there anyway. Kiyone covers her ears as Sentarō very loudly reads Captain Retsu Unohana a message from Ukitake which asks for clemency in punishing Hanatarō. They listen as Unohana points out that because of his help, the Ryoka did more damage than they would have done alone.

On the morning of Rukia's execution, Sentarō notices the beginning of the release of the Sōkyoku. He states that this is bad and asks Kiyone if the captain is ready. She tells him not to yell for no reason, before yelling for Ukitake. She ignores Sentarō's criticism and informs the captain of the news. Ukitake emerges from behind a door, stating that it took him longer than anticipated to remove the seal from the Shihōin Shield. He then tells them that since the Central 46 ruled against stopping Rukia's execution, they have to destroy the Sōkyoku. The pair acknowledge his order. The three of them rush towards the Sōkyoku Hill and arrive as the Sōkyoku is preparing to make a second attempt at killing Rukia. They witness Ichigo Kurosaki destroy the Sōkyoku's scaffold.

After Renji Abarai escapes with Rukia, and Ichigo Kurosaki begins battling Byakuya, Kiyone tries to help Isane, but as soon as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto decides to punish Ukitake and Kyōraku for their actions in Rukia's escape, Kyōraku drags Ukitake away, knowing that fighting Yamamoto would risk any bystanders nearby. As Ukitake and Kyōraku run, Suì-Fēng nearly kills Kiyone for her actions. She is saved by Yoruichi Shihōin, who drags Suì-Fēng elsewhere for battle.

Once the danger is passed, Kiyone is taken to the 4th Division by Unohana to recover from her injuries from Suì-Fēng. She later learns of Aizen's betrayal while in recovery from Isane's message.

Bount Arc (anime only)
Kiyone is present when Ukitake announces to the members of the Division that all communication between Soul Society and the Human World is to be stopped temporarily and that the Senkaimon is to be closed. When the Bount invade Soul Society, Sentarō and Kiyone lead a group of Shinigami to Rukongai's 43rd district to aid Rukia.

Kiyone and Sentarō hear via Hell Butterfly about that Bount's objective is a number of devices called Jōkaishō. They are told that the Hell Butterflies will aid them in searching for the devices. When they find one of the Jōkaishō, Ukitake orders Kiyone and Sentarō to begin sealing it up.

Fake Karakura Town Arc
After Aizen is captured, Kiyone is seen eavesdropping alongside Ukitake and Sentarō on Yamamoto scolding Shunsui, Byakuya and Kenpachi for losing their respective captain haori. Ukitake notes that 10 days have past since the battle, Yamamoto has lost his left arm but it looks like his stamina has returned, which is a relief as Soul Society still has yet to see a being capable of replacing the man.

Powers & Abilities
Shunpo: While not seen often, Kiyone showed enough skill in Shunpo to appear immediately to not keep her captain waiting.

Zanpakutō

 * Shikai: Not Yet Revealed
 * Bankai: Not Yet Achieved

Trivia

 * In the second opening to the Bleach anime, despite being shown only briefly, Kiyone has silver-colored hair like Isane.


 * In the game, Bleach: Soul Carnival, Kiyone's gloves and collar are brown instead of white.


 * In the intro for Bleach: Heat the Soul 6, Kiyone's Zanpakutō is seen for the first time. However, it is unknown if this is the true form of her Zanpakutō's sealed state or not.

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