Gyōkaku Kumoi

introduced during anime-exclusive Kasumiōji Conspiracy, is one of the clan leaders serving the Kasumiōji Clan. He is one of the main antagonists of the arc.

Appearance
Kumoi is seen in two outfits. The first is a white kimono with a purple wrap, looking similar to a sweater. The second is the standard Shinigami uniform with a red kimono over it. He has white hair slicked back, large sideburns extending into a large white beard, and one spectacle in his left eye. When smiling, it is noticeable he is missing a few teeth on the right side.

Personality
Kumoi often adopts a smiling and benevolent expression in front of public appearances, which belies his evil and cunning nature. He was believed to be power hungry, wanting to take Rurichiyo's position as the head of the clan, but was revealed to work for Shūsuke Amagai.

History
Kumoi is the steward who handles most of the family affairs. However, when Rurichiyo's father passed away due to illness, he has planned to usurp the head family seat, gathering supporters and creating an assassination squad for his own purposes. He has his assassins kill off the clan leaders in the noble family who disagree with his views or discover his plans. His main goal is to kill Rurichiyo, the last true descendant of the Kasumiōji family, which he has failed to on several occasions back in Seireitei.

An unspecified amount of time before Shusuke Amagai's rebellion, Kumoi abused the Kasumiōji tradition of creating ceremonial swords in order to advance Bakkōtō research. He ordered that the Bakkōtō be tested on Human subjects. Some of the earlier Bakkōtō proved too demanding for the assassins wielding them to support with their reiatsu, and the subjects were consumed almost on the spot. Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto attempted to stop Kumoi's actions, but was prevented from doing so by the Central 46. Yamamoto's pupil Shinetsu Kisaragi volunteered to find out the truth behind the swords, but was quickly caught by Kumoi and used as a test subject, having a Bakkōtō forced upon him. The Bakkōtō quickly overtakes the Shinigami's mind, but it does not consume him. Gyokaku then orders the brainwashed Kisaragi to "kill the one who sent you here." Following a duel with Yamamoto, Kisaragi is killed and Yamamoto is forced to cover up his death, as the investigation into Kumoi's actions was forbidden.

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

When Rurichiyo Kasumiōji enters her family compound, Kumoi finds her and orders the family vassals to return her to the palace. Taking advantage of the absence of her bodyguards, he calls Hanza Nukui out of hiding and instructs him to have her killed, but Hanza's assassin is stopped by Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki. Kumoi managed to trap Rurichiyo's guards during the excitement, but they quickly broke out. When asked by Nukui why he allowed Rurichiyo to return to the World of the Living, Kumoi responds that acting too rashly would draw the wrath of the Gotei 13, which would be disastrous to their plans. Kumoi then sends Hanza and a dozen other assassins to the Human world, each sporting a Bakkōtō, to kill Rurichiyo and anyone who dared to stand in their way. The next day, he is seen installing Shū Kannogi as the head of the clan.

The next day, he greets Shū and asks how he is doing. Shū reveals that he has no idea what he is supposed to be doing as head of the Kasumiōji Clan, to which Kumoi tells Shū to leave the family affairs to him. Kumoi then meets with Hanza, revealing his anger over Hanza's failure, though admitting that Ichigo is far stronger then they had anticipated. Hanza then asks for another chance to settle the score with Ichigo and kill the Princess, prompting Kumoi to ask to see Hanza's true resolve. Hanza permanently binds himself to his Bakkōtō, Saiga, which drains a large amount of his spirit energy, to which Kumoi, showing his respect for Hanza's resolve, orders him to eliminate both Rurichiyo and Ichigo, however Hanza asks for additional Bakkōtō for his three subordinates: Genga, Jinnai Dōko, and Ryū Kuzu. Kumoi reminds the three of them that the Bakkōtō are dangerous weapons which absorb the life force of the user, however all three of them are not bothered by this. Kumoi, feeling the ends justify the means, complies and grants the three Bakkōtō of their own. Despite the power bestowed on the four assassins, Ryū Kuzu is the only one to survive the failed assassination attempt, and reports to Kumoi, demanding Nukui's rank. However, Kumoi refuses to do so, telling Kuzu to get lost as he has outlived his usefulness. Furious, the assassin attacks, but is shortly killed by Makoto Kibune in a single stroke.

In order to keep Kumoi in line, Rurichiyo agrees to marry Shu. However, Ichigo, Rukia, Kenryū, and Enryū tries to stop them. Suì-Fēng and the patrol corps corner them and Enryū releases his Zanpakutō, giving Ichigo the opening to reach Shu and reveal Kumoi's true intentions to Rurichiyo's fiance. Together, they escape, pretending to take him hostage. Ichigo enlists the help of the new 3rd Division captain, Shūsuke Amagai, in saving Rurichiyo. When they enter the compound while the rest of the Gotei 13 lay siege to it, Kumoi takes Ruricihiyo hostage, but is quickly killed by the 3rd Division Captain. Just before dying, he mentions that he did everything he was told to.

Powers and Abilities
Master Inventor: Seeing that he invented the Bakkōtō, he is a proficient inventor with the works of reiatsu.

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Gyōkaku Kumoi