Kuzuryū

Ryū Kuzu is introduced during the anime-exclusive The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc. He is one of Gyōkaku Kumoi's assassins.

Appearance
Ryu has an extremely unique appearance. His brown hair has a slight lift and then extends backwards, yet stays straight. Like Hanza, he wears a black mask that covers his mouth, along with a long-sleeve black shirt and black pants. The purple scarf he wears also extends down his arms when using more of the Bakkōtō's power. He wears dark pink armor on his chest, as well.

Personality
Ryu appears to be the most composed member of Kumoi's assassins. He is also somewhat well-mattered as he was willing to divulge information on the Bakkoto to Ishida despite being enemies. Despite this, Ryu seems to also enjoy toying with his foes with his Bakkoto.

Synopsis
Ryu is a criminal of the Seireitei and part of the assassination squad set to catch Rurichiyo Kasumiōji under Hanza Nukui. He faces against Uryū Ishida, who surprises him by revealing his past as a Quincy. Ishida asks Ryū about his sword, so he reveals that it's a Bakkōtō. He explains that these are different from Zanpakutō in that they don’t have a Shikai or Bankai, and they instead convert the user's Spiritual Pressure directly into power.

Uryū begins his attack, so Ryū activates Shiragari's Infinite Corridor technique, allowing him to cover the entire rooftop where they're fighting with a dark mist, and shadows of his figure appear everywhere. Ishida tries to destroy all the shadows, but none of his arrows have any effect. Ryū uses the mist as a cover from which to strike Ishida at vulnerable spots. After having his leg injured, Ishida realizes that his opponent has merged with the mist, and shoots his Seele Schneider into a pentagon shape around the battlefield and activates his Sprenger technique. Ryū gets caught in the explosion but barely survives.

He was later shown with Kumoi, and reports him about the death of Hanza and his comrades. Though Ryu askes Kumoi if he can have Hanza's former position as commander, Kumoi decides he has no more use for him after he failed his mission, and dismisses him. Angered, Ryu tries to kill Kumoi but ends up being killed himself by Makoto Kibune.

Bakkōtō
Ryu uses the Bakkōtō, which is a normal katana with spike-like protrusions on its hilt. When fed with more Riestu, Ryu's scarf grew to extend over his arms and he gained a second blade attached to his left hand.


 * Bakkōtō Special Ability: Shirigiri's ability is known as the Infinite Corridor. This allows him to cover an area with a dark mist, leaving shadows of his figure everywhere he moves. This confuses opponents into attacking, leaving them open for a strike. By merging with the mist, he can attack an opponent without revealing himself.

Navigation
Kuzuryū