Ōetsu Nimaiya

is a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title.

Appearance
Ōetsu is a dark-skinned man with thick, black hair that is shaven and dyed green on the sides of his head. He wears a variation of the Shinigami shihakushō, featuring instead a green undergarment, and a shortened hakama that exposes his lower legs. Worn over this is a white, sleeveless puffer jacket that bears the Royal Guard emblem on its back, as well as the alternating circle and diamond pattern of a captain's haori along the bottom. His attire is completed by gold-framed sunglasses with blue lenses, and a pair of green slippers that are gold trimmed and have a shoe-like appearance.

Personality
According to Kirio Hikifune, he's an unpredictable man. Ōetsu is a quite lively and energetic individual, being prone to grandiose entrances and greetings. He has a tendency of going overboard, as he portrays a certain image as to take away from the fact that he lives in a humble state.

History
Ōetsu is credited with having created the Zanpakutō, something that even the Soul King recognized as a significant contribution to Soul Society, hence his promotion to the Royal Guard.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc
After the death of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, he comes to Soul Society with the other members of the Royal Guard, where they are greeted by the surviving Gotei 13 captains and Ichigo Kurosaki. He remains silent throughout the encounter and they return to the Royal Palace with Ichigo and the injured Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki.



Ōetsu is informed by someone that Ichigo and Renji Abarai have arrived at his domain and goes to greet them. Ōetsu identifies himself to them as the number one Zanpakutō creator and brings them to a building where they are welcomed by a number of women. He formally introduces himself, forcing them to perform an elaborate formal greeting. Mera interrupts and has the group follow her to a hut on the edge of a precipice. Ichigo and Renji step inside and Ōetsu tells them that he is the only Shinigami there and that the other people are actually Zanpakutō. He notes their inability to discern the difference and states that they have no love for Zanpakutō which is why they cannot tell the difference and then shatters their Zanpakutō, saying that a Zanpakutō that is not loved breaks easily. As they notice beings around them, Ōetsu states that the wrath of the Zanpakutō is around them, and that if they can get out alive, then he will reforge their blades.

After Ichigo and Renji begin their challenge, they begin seeing creatures spurring forth from the darkness. Ōetsu tells them not to be scared as they know them well. He states that the creatures are Asauchi. Ōetsu explains that when a Shinigami joins the Gotei 13, they are given a nameless Zanpakutō which they carry around at all times, even sleeping and eating with them, which imprints the essence of their soul on the asauchi, creating their own Zanpakutō. He then states that he forges every one of the asauchi. Ichigo asks why they are being attacked by the asauchi and Ōetsu says that they are angry with Ichigo and Renji because of the way they treat their Zanpakutōs. He says the way they treat their swords is all wrong and that is what the asauchi think. He then poses a challenge, the Shinigami or the Zanpakutō, which will come out on top?

Three days later, Ōetsu says the test is over and proclaims that Renji has passed but Ichigo has failed. Ichigo tries to argue but Ōetsu states it is done. Ichigo once more tries to state that he can do it but Ōetsu tells him that the asauchi didn't choose him. He states that during those three days, he understood that Renji is a Shinigami and that Ichigo is not. He then offers to open the way home for Ichigo. Ōetsu then orders one of the Zanpakutō to take Ichigo out and tells Ichigo to never come back to Soul Society as it is for Shinigami, not for Humans like him. Ichigo calls him a jerk and asks what will happen to Zangetsu if he leaves. Ōetsu states that nothing will change and he will not fix Zangetsu, stating he has no swords for a fake Shinigami. Ichigo tries to rush Ōetsu but he binds Ichigo with Kidō and sends him through a portal. Ōetsu says to himself that Ichigo is no good as he is now and that he does not know how serious it is that he has fought without an asauchi thus far, stating he needs to know about his roots, even if it means not coming back.

Zanpakutō

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