Suzumebachi (Zanpakutō spirit)

This article is about the manifested spirit of Soifon's Zanpakutō. For her Zanpakutō and its abilities see Suzumebachi

is the manifested spirit of Soifon's Zanpakutō that is seen during the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc.

Character Outline
Suzumebachi's spirit is similar to a small fairy-like creature wearing gold and black armor along with a stinger weapon (the form of it is similar to Soifon's Shikai) covering her entire right arm (which how she wears it is similar to Soifon's Bankai). She also wears striped gold and black baggy pants, and has an armor similar to Loly's covering her chest. She appears to emit a slight golden glow.

She is rather childish, in contrast to Soifon, who rarely displays any sign of childishness except when the subject is her former mentor Yoruichi Shihōin. She doesn't appear to like men, often calling them worthless. Overall, she dosen't appear to like Soifon, as says her reason for leaving Soifon is because she desired to to express her own sense of fashion, even complaining that Soifon's clothes were boring. She also says thast Soifon should get a boyfriend, and appeared disgruntled by her obsession with Yoruichi.

Synopsis
She first appears when several Zanpakutō spirits are in a cave waiting for Muramasa's return, stating how men are useless. She, along with Tobiume, are the first to greet Muramasa as he returns, bringing a new member to their group, whom Suzumebachi comments looks kind of cool. She is last seen along with the rest of the Zanpakutō spirits appearing before the Shinigami that have gathered at the Sōkyoku Hill. She also appears when Byakuya enters the cave and is proving himself to Muramasa.

When the Zanpakutō launch an all out assault on the Shinigami, she interrupts the fight between Soifon and Tenken. She stabs Soifon in the back causing a Homonka to appear. Although Soifon acts quite serious toward her spirit, Suzumebachi goes on about how Soifon is boring and that she is happy wearing what she was when she materialized. Soifon then begins having doubts whether this was her real Zanpakutō spirit. Suzumebachi then says she'll prove it by stabbing again.

Without warning, Kenpachi Zaraki arrives and exudes an enormous amount of reiatsu, momentarily stopping all fighting. Suzumebachi comments on the 11th division captain. Afterwards, Kenpachi removes his eyepatch and attacks Senbonzakura. The attack blows everyone back.

As Soifon is watching the battle between Kenpachi and Byakuya Kuchiki, Suzumebachi tries another attack on Soifon. This time she misses. Soifon leads her away from the 6th Division barracks for a place that will favor her in battle. The 2nd Division captain tells the spirit to follow her, which she does. As the fight resumes, while both fighters were equal in speed, Suzumebachi's smaller size gave her the edge in dodging and striking. After the Zanpakutō dives at an opening with a finishing strike, Soifon counters with her Shunkō to repel the attack and strike down Suzumebachi, winning the fight.

Powers and Abilities
Enhanced Speed: Suzumebachi was able to get a Homonka stamp on Soifon, one of the fastest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Stealth Master: Like her former master, Suzumebachi has shown to be very efficient in manuevering unnoticed, as shown from her ability to successfuly stab Soifon without her noticing until afterwards.


 * Nigeki Kessatsu (弐撃決殺, death in two steps) As its first step, Suzumebachi attacks with her stinger. It not only leaves a rather deep wound, but also the attack leaves a butterfly-shaped stamp on the user’s body. Spreading from the center of the wound, known as Hōmonka (蜂紋華, hornet's crest), this stamp becomes the target of Suzumebachi second attack. If struck in this same spot that was hit the first time, the person will inevitably die and thus illustrate "Death in Two Steps. The mechanics behind this ability are not based on being hit on the same spot on the skin, but rather when Suzumebachi pierces the exact same spot internally from any side of the body. This shows that Suzumebachi's ability takes effect not through point of entry but rather point of actual surface contact.