Suì-Fēng

"Turn around and only an afterimage remains withal." - Tite Kubo

is the Commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō and the captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13. Her lieutenant in the latter unit is Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

Appearance
Soifon is a relatively short and petite woman with black hair. She wears a traditional Shinigami Captain's uniform with a sleeveless haori and a yellow obi tied around her waist. Underneath her standard Shinigami captain's uniform, Soifon wears the uniform of the Commander-in-chief of the Onmitsukidō, which has no sleeves and doesn't cover the back, though she does wear long black arm bands. Her hair is worn short with two long braids bound in white cloth each ending in a large golden ring. 110 years ago, Soifon's hair was shoulder-length and had a softer look to it. Instead of wearing the standard Shinigami sandals with tabi, she wears traditional Chinese shoes with ordinary white socks.

Personality
Soifon is staunchly loyal, firm, and unbending in her beliefs. She is a hard worker and takes a strong moral stance — she particularly believes in following orders. She is generally reserved and truly not arrogant in any manner like her lieutenant, though she is not above mocking/joking around with her opponents or smirking while in combat, a trait also seen in her predicessor. She will not hesitate in the slightest to strike down even her subordinates if they stand in her way. She chooses to ignore all her subordinates, including her lieutenant Ōmaeda, believing that personal struggle builds character. Soifon, like most female Shinigami, is a member of the Shinigami Women's Association.

Soifon likes fish, but dislikes meat. She also seems to be quite obsessed with Yoruichi, and often spends her free time dreaming about the days when they fought together and practiced Shunpō. In a Valentine's Day omake, she even tried to give her a heart shaped box of chocolates with little success and she seems to love anything that resembles a black cat, which is Yoruichi's alternate form, and she has a large collection of black cat shaped merchandise. In one of the Shinigami Golden Cup chapters, Soifon is given a black cat plushie by Matsumoto, who has just returned from a mission in the real world. It is also known that since Yoruichi's reappearance, she began to collect cat accessories and had the 2nd Division quarters installed with floor-heating (the expenses were covered by her lieutenant). Soifon once seems to be affectionately admiring pictures of Yoruichi. Later, as part of the photo collecting project of the Shinigami Woman's Association she attempts to take nude photos of Yoruichi while she is distracted but fails miserably. When the Shinigami Women's Association is tasked with designing a new cellphone for Shinigami ladies, she submits a design featuring a black cat's head with a bee body (the cat representing Yoruichi and the bee representing herself), with a private line that would allow her to talk to Yoruichi as much as she wanted. The request was denied. . When Yamamoto commands the Gotei 13 Captains to design a Shinigami video game, Soifon proposed a game with her and Yoruichi as the protagonists. Her lieutenant, Ōmaeda, tells her plainly that she is the only person who will play such a game. Soifon's name means broken (or rather, to break) bee and the name of her Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi, means hornet.

Soifon is a person of incredible resolve, not hesitating to do whatever it takes to complete a mission and defeat her enemy; an example of this can be seen during her battle with the Segunda Espada, after being exposed to an attack she orders her Lieutenant to remove her arm without hesitation. Very rarely will Soifon show signs of desperation or emotion on the battlefield, except when it concerns her former master. Despite her cold demeanor and constant attack towards her Lieutenant, she has displayed a certain level of faith in him (trusting him to act as a distraction while she carries out a plan). Her stubborn attitude is so great that even now she still seems to hold a degree of dislike for Kisuke Urahara be it because Yoruichi used to tease her about him, or she found his lazy demeanor undisciplined or that she still blames him for her mentor's abandonment over one hundred years previously. This is shown when she asks Hachigen Ushōda to place the shop owner in a barrier for a month in exchange for using her Bankai a second time in one day.

History
Soifon was born into the Fon house, one of the lower noble houses affiliated with the Shihōin noble house. She was in the 9th Generation of her family and as the youngest of six siblings she joined the Executive Militia of the Onmitsukidō as was tradition in her family. Upon joining the militia, she dropped her given name Shaolin Fon, and inherited the code name that her great-grandmother used, Soifon. Out of her five older siblings, two died on the first mission, then two more on the second. The last one died on the sixth mission.

7 years after she joined the the Executive Militia, she was transferred to the militia's corps-commanders, Yoruichi Shihōins personal guards. Yoruichi took the young Soifon under her wing as her protégée, and they developed a close relationship.

110 years ago, Soifon, in her capacity as a head of the guard, was highly protective of Yoruichi and her honor. She had a short temper when it came to Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi's intention of putting him up for promotion to be the new captain of the 12th division. She saw his carefree attitude as him being lazy and bad at his job. Soifon confronts Yoruichi, concerned that she is overestimating Urahara's capabilities. She proceeds to explain that she believes it was a mistake to even appoint him as Corps Commander of the Detention Unit and goes on to say that he is undeserving of such a position. While Yoruichi readily admits to the fact that Urahara is not really a hard worker, she dismisses Soifon's criticisms and playfully insinuates that her focus on him must have romantic connotations, though Soifon denies it entirely and stalks off. After spending the day following Urahara around Soul Society while taking notes, she returns to the 2nd Division barracks to show Yoruichi her evidence of Urahara's lack of competence in his position. Soifon arrives to find Urahara already there talking with Yoruichi. Soifon is then told that Urahara will be taking the captain proficiency exam, to which she stands in disbelief. Yoruichi confirms it and further asks that Soifon attend the exam as well. Yoruichi explains that normally only captains are allowed to attend but that she has asked special permission to allow Soifon to attend. Soifon is at first confused about why she should attend but Yoruichi tells her there is no need to keep secrets as she knows Soifon is attracted to Urahara. Soifon denies this, so Yoruichi explains that she knows all about how Soifon having followed him around all day. Soifon admits that she was following Urahara around, but tells her it was to prove that he is lazy, incompetent, and not worthy of Yoruichi's praise. Soifon hands her note to Yoruichi, who reads them and comments on how detailed they are, when Urahara doesn't deny any of the information in the report Soifon is shocked that he would be so truthful to his seemingly unprofessional actions. Yoruichi unsurprised quips that Urahara never changes as well as praising Soifon for her intelligence gathering skills. At first Soifon was happy until she realized that Yoruichi regarded the notes not as intelligence information but rather as a love letter. Soifon is reasonably distressed and Yoruichi laughs it off and tells her to loosen up as she wasn't serious. They are then interrupted by the arrival of a squad member who delivers the message that the people Urahara has been looking for has been found, though Soifon comments on if he doesn't return in time that it will put a strain of the 2nd Divisions reputation as well as Yoruichi. To which Yoruichi simply dismisses tell Urahara to hurry off to his duty and telling Soifon to come along to help prepare for his the captain's proficiency test. She follows Urahara and his men to a remote area where Shinigami defectors are hiding and watches as Urahara enters the building by himself. She then bears witness to his advanced spiritual pressure and is amazed to find he single handily defeated all the defectors with only Hakuda.

A day or so after Urahara takes over the 12th Division, Yoruichi is told by a Onmitsukidō member that Urahara has entered into the Detention Unit property with claims that he was previously given approval to be there. Yoruichi can't seem to recall when or even if he asked for permission or whether she granted it, but when asked if she would have him removed seeing as she can't recall she nonchalantly tells her division members to not bother and to allow him to go where he likes. When asked if she has remembered the incident in question, Yoruichi plainly says no. Soifon becomes distressed and prepares to voice her disapproval, Yoruichi tells her to calm down as its Kisuke they are talking about, stating he must have had an idea of some kind.

9 years later when Yoruichi leaves Soul Society to help her exiled friend Urahara, she abandoned all of her titles. Soifon felt betrayed by Yoruichi's abandonment and the circumstances surrounding them. As a result, she trained herself in order to surpass Yoruichi and take the titles she abandoned. She ultimately unified the Onmitsukidō as well as the Punishment Force after Yoruichi disappeared.

Soul Society arc
Soifon first appears at the captain's emergency meeting regarding the questioning of Gin Ichimaru’s apparent slip of duty in handling the Ryoka.

Soifon is later seen walking through the 2nd Division Headquarters with her lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda, when he complains about how annoying it is that drifters have entered Soul Society, someone has died and now everyone is questioning whether or not Rukia Kuchiki's planned execution is legitimate. Figuring that the superiors already made their decision he considers the issue pointless conversation. Soifon tells him that she has no interest in whether it is right or wrong, as she only care about executing her orders as captain of the Gotei 13. All that get in her way are her enemies and all enemies must be slain. Ōmaeda denotes that he understands before Soifon promptly tells him that the same goes for him as well. She explains that he should know where his loyalty's lie and should he get in her way he will become her enemy. Ōmaeda smirks and states that he will remember that.

Soifon is seen standing next to Ōmaeda awaiting for the execution to commence. Soifon comments to him that the attendance is poor, as only the 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions have arrived, while the absences of the 5th, 11th, and 12th are expected. Soifon stands in awe as the Sōkyoku begins to release, noticing its change in shape. Shortly after the arrival of Ichigo Kurosaki, Soifon bears witness to the destruction of the Sōkyoku by the intervention of Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku, Soifon yells to Ōmaeda to stop them but he is to surprised and caught off guard by the entire situation.

After Ichigo successfully save Rukia and hands her off to Renji Abarai who runs off with her, Soifon orders him and the lieutenants (including her own, Ōmaeda) to go after them though they are easily defeated by Ichigo. When Isane Kotetsu's sister Kiyone Kotetsu tries to run to her sisters aid, Soifon immediately attacks Sentarō Kotsubaki and then goes after Kiyone, and is about to finish her off as a traitor, when a masked figure grabs her and drags her away with Shunpo, and as they fall off the side of the cliff, the masked assailant reveals herself to be Yoruichi Shihōin, Soifon's former mentor.

Soifon engages Yoruichi in hand-to-hand combat before the two put some distance between themselves up in the trees of the forest they landed in. Soifon comments that even though they have not seen each other in a long time, Yoruichi has not gotten any stronger. Yoruichi quips that on the contrary she thinks that Soifon has in fact gotten weaker. Soifon notes that the Tentōken, that Ichigo was wearing had the emblem of the Shihōin family, she asks if Yoruichi gave it to him. Yoruichi plainly admits it as she states that flight was necessary to rescue Rukia at the time. Soifon states that the Tenshiheisonban, the Shihōin family, has also fallen, as if Yoruichi's actions of helping the drifters is found out, her family name will surely be removed from the list of the 4 great families. Just look at the Shiba family. She notes that the fall of a noble family is not a pretty sight at all. Yoruichi asks why Soifon is talking so much, maybe she is excited to see her old mentor or is she blowing of steam from her position as Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō. She asks Soifon if its stressful being her successor. Soifon tells her don't get cocky and think she is still better after all these years. Soifon states that both the Onmitsukidō and the Executive Militia are now under her control, as Yoruichi's era has ended a long time ago and she proceeds to take out her Zanpakutō and stabs it into the tree. Immediately Yoruichi is surrounded by a cadre of Executive Militia members. Soifon asks if she remembers that when the Corps-Commander of the Executive Militia draws her sword the execution begins. Everyone who opposes the Corp-Commander will be executed. Even if that person was the Corps-Commander once and since she gave up on being the Corps-Commander. Before anyone can react Yoruichi uses her great skill in Shunpo and takes out ever Executive Militia member in the area in under a minute, stunning Soifon into surprise. Yoruichi tells her to stop looking down on people so much, as she did give up her role as leader, but there is still one title that she still did not give away. Soifon takes off her haori and tells then she will take that title from her.

Yoruichi comments on the Soifon's attire, noting that she is wearing the battle suit of the Corps-Commander of the Executive Militia. Soifon attacks Yoruichi and they begin to fight once again. Soifon notes that they have reached a draw both gaining a hit on one another. Yoruichi comments on what kind of outfit is Soifon wearing as it seems to prevent her from seeing her movements. Soifon asks her if she really thinks its some trick and uses Shunpo to appear behind Yoruichi and holds her Zanpakutō up to her throat as she releases her Shikai. Yoruichi uses Shunpo to get away but Soifon catches up to her and lands an attack. They move apart once again and Soifon tells her to admit that she is stronger as it may not occur to her that she is holding back. She states that she has become stronger than Yoruichi, and with her death and will make her pay the price for staying away from battle for a hundred years.

Soifon asks Yoruichi if she remembers her Suzumebachi special ability, as a "Hōmonka" appears on her chest. Soifon explains the mechanics of her Zanpakutō's Shikai. Soifon appears behind Yoruichi and attempts a second strike, but Yoruichi uses Shunpo to escape, after getting a ways ahead Yoruichi turns around goes on the offensive. Soifon asks if she now understands that she is stronger than her, and that if she understands then she will end this battle quickly. Soifon the uses her new technique that combines Kidō and Hakuda together, exclaiming that she has never used it in battle as she has only recently invented it. She notes there isn't even a name for it. Yoruichi, however, tells her it has a name; Shunkō. Soifon asks her what's she talking about. Yoruichi explains asking her if she knows why the executive militia's leader's outfit has no cloth on the back or shoulders, because it is meaningless. Yoruichi then uses the same technique but at a more advanced level then Soifon's, explaining what the technique does in detail to her former protege. Yoruichi further states that she wasn't planning on using this against her but warns Soifon to be careful as she also can't control it perfectly yet as she sends a wave of condensed Reiatsu toward her.

When the smoke clears the land between the torn and scorched, Yoruichi asks Soifon if she now understands why she never showed her this technique, as it is to dangerous. Soifon goes to attack her but Yoruichi nullifies it with Hankei, and tells her to stop as it is too soon for her to be using the technique. Soifon begins to attack Yoruichi again yelling at her that she is stronger and that she should have surpassed her, that Yoruichi should have weakened all these hundreds of years and that she should have grown stronger. She asks how is it possible that Yoruichi still so far above her after all this time. She then relays all of her pent up feelings at being disappointed, betrayed and abandoned by her former mentor, when she left all those years ago. All the while Soifon continues to attack as Yoruichi moves effortlessly out of the way. But then Yoruichi stops the attacks by initiating a Shunko powered punch but stopping short of actually hitting Soifon. Upset and unwilling to fight anymore Soifon breaks down and cries and ask Yoruichi why didn't she take her with her.

The pair reconciled their differences, placing Soifon back where she belonged; at the side of her ex-commander. After being notified about the treason of Sōsuke Aizen and two other captains, the two women briefly captured Aizen, being the first Shinigami to arrive at Sōkyoku Hill, where Aizen has just obtained the Hōgyoku. Yoruichi blocks his Zanpakutō, while Soifon herself holds hers to Aizen's neck, threatening to kill him if he moves. However before they are able to detain Aizen, Yoruichi suddenly calls for Soifon to move as Aizen, Gin and Tōsen is rescued by Negación fields created by a group of Gillian who break into Soul Society to rescue them.

Bount arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Soifon alongside Yoruichi in her feline form, investigate human disappearances in the living world. Noting that the culprit is moving fast and attacking at an alarming rate Soifon sends her findings to captain Ukitake in Soul Society. Yoruichi and Soifon make there way to the train station in time to to see a Bount attempting to feast on the the soul of a train conductor. Yoruichi transforms back into her true form and proceeds to attack the Bount to stop her from feeding on the helpless man. The Bount gets away, and Soifon asks Yoruichi whether she knows the person to which Yoruichi confirms that she does but not in the current form that she is in. She tells Soifon to go back to Soul Society and give them her report of what's taking place.

Soifon later attends a captains meeting and is asked by captain-commander Yamamoto to give a status report. She maintains that she has given orders to station units all over the Seireitei. When Soifon asks for a status report, one of her men controlled by Ritz attacks her with a bitto. While the rest of her men hold of the possessed one, Soifon makes a getaway only to come face to face with the Bount Mabashi the one behind her being poisoned. Soifon begins to fill the effects of the deadly poison but maintains enough strength to fight back and proceeds to attack Mabashi. Realizing that they are two evenly matched in her weakened state and dragging out the battle will only allow the poison to kill her faster, Soifon releases her Zanpakutō and landing one strike before the poison incapacitates her further. While Mabashi is away thinking her beaten Soifon gains an idea and uses Suzumebachi on herself. When Mabashi finally follows her spiritual energy to a different area, where Mabashi proceeds to taunt her inability to attack due to the poison. He is then interrupted by her Executive Militia, who come to her aid but are soon taken over by Mabashi's doll Ritz. They hold her so that Ritz can take control of her but Soifon uses her spiritual pressure to send them flying away from her and uses the confusion to attack Mabashi a second time with Suzumebachi. Mabashi is surprised at how its possible she can still move and she explains how her Suzumebachi works, she then watches as his body turns to dust.

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

Soifon is present at the captain promotion ceremony for the new 3rd Division captain Shūsuke Amagai. When captain Sajin Komamura asks captain Shunsui Kyōraku who attended Amagai's captain proficiency test, Shunsui says he doesn't know. Soifon then interjects that it doesn't matter as Amagai will still have to prove himself to the rest of them.

When Ichigo travels to Soul Society to rescue Rurichiyo Kasumiōji by stopping the wedding, he is interrupted by the arrival of Soifon and the 2nd Division. He goes to move forward by Soifon gets in front of him and tells him he is disrespectful to disrupt a noble families wedding. Rukia says that they can explain their actions and Ichigo asks for some time to prove their innocence in any wrong doing. He tries to explain but Rurichiyo dismisses his attempts and the 2nd Division prepares to capture them. Rusaburō Enkōgawa escapes, then releases his Zanpakutō and crashes down onto the roof causing it to collapse. When the smoke clears Soifon goes to attack Ichigo but ends up crossing swords with Rukia instead. Rukia tries to explain but Soifon will not listen she uses a Hakuda attack and knocks Rukia away. Soifon then goes after Ichigo, who is unable to convince her without any evidence. After some sword play she discards her haori and easily dominates the battle with Hakuda and then releases her Zanpakutō but before she can attack Rukia uses her Hakuren technique, cutting her off from any further attacks as they make their get away. Shortly while debriefing her men on the situation she is approached by Gyōkaku Kumoi who asks that she not search the manor. When she disputes this, he plainly reminds her of her social status in the matter. Soifon is forced to wait until Ichigo and Rukia come out, which they eventually do with Shū Kannogi as a hostage making capturing them not an option. Soifon later reports the situation at a captains meeting and makes mention of Kumoi reluctance of allowing them on the manor grounds, noting that he seemed to be hiding something.

Later while in Soul Society Yoruichi helps Soifon in understanding what truly was going on with the Kasumiōji family. She then shows Soifon a technique taught to her by Kisuke Urahara, allowing Soifon the ability to break through a barrier placed around the Kasumiōji foundry by royal blood, supposedly making the shield impenetrable.

Fake Karakura Town arc
When Aizen, along with his top three Espada and their Fracción arrive to attack the fake Karakura Town she along with his captain are amongst the Gotei 13s members sent to defend it. When Ōmaeda comments to Soifon how Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen's reiatsu is incredible as is usual, Soifon tells him that he can leave if he wants. When Ōmaeda states that he thought Yumichika Ayasegawa, Ikkaku Madarame, Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi where not going to be there (they are charged with protecting the four pillars), she states that she had told him, although, she then thinks to herself that she might have forgotten to tell him.

After the fight for the pillars are successfully defended, the fight between the captains and the remaining Fracción and Espada begin. She engages in battle with Ggio Vega who tries to taunt and distract her with conversation but Soifon remains calm and continues to fight. Eventually Soifon binds the Arrancar with a Kidō spell, she then releases Suzumebachi. After Soifon explains that her Suzumebachi allows her to kill in two steps, Ggio uses his Cero to escape before Soifon can attack and taunts her for not using her ability fast enough. They then continue to fight with Ggio gaining the upper hand when he kicks her through a building. He then questions her skill as an assassin, he then gives his name and proceeds to release his Zanpakutō Soifon is thrown away by Ggio's attacks and sent flying into the side of Nirgge Parduoc's head, knocking him out. Ōmaeda goes to check on Soifon but she berates him for acting weak and tells him that he is never to turn his back on an enemy. Ōmaeda asks what kind of subordinate would he be if he didn't look after his captain if she is being defeated he then resolves that they should fight Ggio together, Soifon dismisses the idea calling him a disgrace and goes back to fighting. Ggio takes the upper hand in the fight again and pins Soifon to the side of a building with his fangs. He then proceeds to finish off Soifon, Ōmaeda jumps in and blocks the attack with his Shikai. He then boldly grabs the Arrancar in a bear hug and tells his captain to attack. As Ggio prepares to blast Ōmaeda with a Cero, Soifon kicks him away, revealing she indeed had been feigning her loss in order to study the Arrancar's Resurrección. After knocking Ōmaeda back with a punch to the face, Soifon tells him if he sees an ally losing to attack the enemy from behind or stand aside if the foe is too strong instead of stepping between them.

Soifon then tells him that his opponent is still alive as Nirgge begins to get up again. She then tells Ōmaeda to go and finish the Arrancar and then come and join her. She goes to Ggio and apologizes for keeping him waiting and promises to show him a real assassination, but then she questions whether or not he will even be able to see it. This prompts Ggio into a rage allowing him to use his Tigre Estoque El Sable battle form. Before he even realizes it she has used her Death in Two Steps technique on him, sealing his fate. She apologizes to him again stating that though she said death in two steps he probably only felt one. Ggio Vega then dies. When Ōmaeda questions if Suzumebachi will work hitting to separate spots, Soifon explains the true mechanics behind the attack.

After Vega is defeated, Ōmaeda and Soifon prepare to battle Ggio's master, Baraggan Luisenbarn the Segunda Espada. Even with the assistance of his captain, the two of them are unable to move Baraggan. Believing that Soifon is holding back because of the captain's seal, he begins bragging; but Soifon explains that the seal has not been placed on the captains this time and she is fighting at full power. Ōmaeda is shocked by this revelation. Baraggan then takes out his Zanpakutō and begins to swing it at Ōmaeda and Soifon, who dodge the attack. Soifon tries to attack him with a kick but he grabs her leg and throws her into a nearby building, this cause Soifon to wonder what is wrong as every time she goes to kick him her attack suddenly slows down. She notices that its not due to his spiritual energy, but that her own body is getting slower. She begins to question what other powers he might possess. Noticing that she is wondering what it could be Baraggan gives her an answer, the Espada each embody a aspect of death. He then notes that his aspect is old age, which in turn gives him power over time the most powerful and inevitable aspect of death. He then shows her by using Sonido to get in close before she realizes it and touches her left shoulder causing the bones in her left arm to break. This noticeably shocking her and Baraggan taunts her telling her that she doesn't understand that is what death is, he then releases his Zanpakutō.

In his released form Soifon watches in horror as she realizes that with each step he takes on the roof causes it to rot and crumble. She then screams at Ōmaeda to run as he is no match for Baraggan. But the Espada tells her the neither is she, before he releases his Respira which though Soifon tries to get away it still catches her broken left arm causing it to begin to rot away to the bone. Realizing what has happened Soifon begins to panic and screams for Ōmaeda to cut off her arm before it spreads further and she ends up dead. She is then taunted by Baraggan finds it funny that even Shinigami are afraid of death. Soifon explains to Ōmaeda that she needs him to act as a decoy. Ōmaeda is somewhat confused, but Soifon assures him that all he has to do is keep him busy for a while as she has a plan. Ōmaeda becomes increasingly nervous and afraid stating to do anything would be impossible and no plan would work, as their only solution is to get away. Soifon tells him plainly to just make sure that he keeps his right arm, as he has to be able to cut of any parts that get turned to bone, she then leaves.

Ōmaeda still acting as a decoy, evading Baraggan's attacks begins to scream for help. Soifon is below near a building executing her plan and comments on how pathetic he is and when this is over she will beat him severely. It is then revealed that she has wrapped a cloth many times around a building and tethered herself to the other end. Soifon then activates her Bankai. Just as Baraggan seems to be closing in on Ōmaeda to finish him off with his technique "Gran Caída", Baraggan notices the surge of energy from Soifon's Bankai being released and turns around to face her. Soifon emerges with her Bankai, Jahkuhō Raikōben. Baraggan is somewhat surprised as he has yet to see one, Soifon explains that she would have preferred not to use it as it offends her pride as a covert ops agent. Remarking that it is too large to hide, too heavy to move and its attack is too flashy for assassination. Soifon then sets herself up to fire the projectile at Baraggan resulting in a huge blazing explosion. The explosion is powerful enough to not only push Soifon back, but also her lieutenant. Soifon's sash rips apart, but she's safely caught by Ōmaeda as they look on at the large cloud caused by the explosion.

After the arrival of the gigantic Hollow, Soifon notices Baraggan's figure in the dust, seemingly unaffected by her Bankai, noting that its impossible for him to have survived. Soifon witnesses the arrival of the Vizard and is noticeably surprised at seeing people she hasn't seen for over 100 years. As the Vizard then begin to split up to assist the Gotei 13 with the top three Espada, Hachigen Ushōda joins Soifon and Marechiyo Ōmaeda in facing Baraggan. Hachi addresses Soifon, telling her it's been a long time since they last saw each other. Soifon acts as if she doesn't know him, to which Hachi comments that he figured she would say as much, and that he is not surprised that she doesn't think well of the Vizard. Baraggan interrupts stating that it doesn't matter who they are or what powers they have, for everything is equal before him.

After using some advanced binding Kidō to deter Baraggan, Hachi then calls out to Soifon, asking her for her help as he needs her Bankai. Soifon apprehensively comments on how the Vizard even knows about her Bankai. Hachi pleads with her that he knows she doesn't want to work with them because of their connection to Urahara, but he reminds her that this is not the time for grudges. Soifon continues to be uninterested in teaming up with him, to which Hachi relents and tells her he will make a deal with her. Meanwhile Baraggan is losing patience and proceeds to try to destroy the wall before he notices something behind him. Baraggan laughs at Hachi's attempts as ridiculous to think he can be sealed in a barrier, laughing at the idea of trying to buy time against one who controls aging. Baraggan acquits it to being similar to spitting on the face of god.

Hachi simply states the barrier is not to seal him. Hachi goes on to explain that Baraggan used his aging on Soifon's Bankai and made it explode far away from him so that he escaped the explosion. Hachi then deduces that if Baraggan is somewhere where he can't escape the explosion and the explosion is too close to him, then his powers won't be fast enough to keep it away from him. The pinwheel section of the barrier partially opens and Soifon sticks Jakuhō Raikōben in and asks Hachi to promise her again that the next day, he will seal Kisuke Urahara in one of his barriers for a month. Hachi promises and Soifon smiles as she fires her Bankai, causing the barrier to seriously rupture and crack. Afterwards, Soifon collapses and starts falling to the ground but is caught by Ōmaeda, as Hachi comments on the power of her Bankai since it was able to crack the gates of the four beasts. She explains that normally she can only fire her Bankai once every three days but here she was able to do it twice in one day. She reiterates that she wants her payment from Hachi. At this point, Baraggan Luisenbarn emerges with the left side of his head severely damaged land as he starts releasing Respira, causing the building on which Soifon was standing to collapse. Soifon is shocked and wonders if Baraggan really is invincible. She and Ōmaeda starts to flee as Hachi erects a barrier to stop the Respira. As the Respira breaks through Hachi's wall, Soifon calls out Hachi's full name in concern before witnessing Hachi defeating Baraggan by using his own abilities against him.

When Ichigo Kurosaki returns from Hueco Mundo, Soifon, along with the other unoccupied Shinigami and Vizard, prepares to protect Ichigo from Aizen and his Shikai. She tells Ichigo that any opening that Aizen presents will only last a moment, and that he will miss his opportunity to strike if he is not ready. Soifon then tells him that they are not risking their lives on this battle, but are rather fighting to survive. As such, things such as protecting the world are little more than moral causes that sound good. As she leaves to attack Aizen, she tells Ichigo not to fall behind.

As Love and Komamura fall to Aizen, Soifon appears before him. Aizen calls her mad for coming to fight him directly as it goes against everything taught to members of the Onmitsukidō, and Soifon says Central 46 was crazy for ever appointing him a teacher at the Shinō Academy. As Aizen tells Soifon not to insult the dead, as she too was fooled. Soifon insists she was never fooled by him. She then uses her Shunpo to produce about 15 clones of herself, a move that Aizen commends. She briefly thanks him for the compliment and immediately moves forward to attack Aizen. Then all her clones move to finish Aizen off. Aizen moves to take out his Zanpakutō but his sword and arm are immediately encased in ice much to his surprise. Before he can react, Soifon stabs him the in the chest with her Nigeki Kessatsu technique. Aizen notes that it is an interesting technique but it cannot harm him. Surprising Soifon, he explains that a battle between Shinigami is a battle of Reiatsu. His reiatsu will crush her attacks and powers. Aizen is then surprised as he is attacked from a shadow. Shunsui reveals himself having used his Kageoni technique, stating Aizen is careless as there is shadow on the ice. Hitsugaya tells Aizen its over and rushes at him. Aizen notes to himself that Hitsugaya is so young, as he sees his chance and takes it without planning ahead. That is his biggest failing. Just then he notices off to the side that Shinji Hirako is standing to the side holding up his Sakanade and smiling. Aizen then realizes too late that Hitsugaya is not attacking from the front but the back as he is stabbed through the chest from behind. It is quickly revealed that Aizen deceives them again, using his Zanpakutō's hypnotic power to trick them into attacking Momo instead. As Hitsugaya attacks Aizen in a blind rage Soifon and the other captain-level warriors are distracted trying to stop him. Aizen claims their all wide open and proceeds to strike down Soifon, Shunsui, Shinji, and Hitsugaya. As they fall into the town below Aizen states that he won't kill them and that they are to watch the outcome of this battle.

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc (anime only)
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.

Captain Soifon is one of the Shinigami called to Sōkyoku Hill for an emergency meeting. It is there that she first meets Muramasa, and witnesses her Zanpakutō on Muramase’s side. Shortly afterwards a fierce battle breaks out between the Shinigami and the Zanpakutō spirits. When Kazeshini tries to attack Shūhei Hisagi and Tetsuzaemon Iba, who are carrying an unconscious Sajin Komamura, Soifon blocks the attack. Sometime later she is seen with the Onmitsukidō arriving to aid Ichigo, Marechiyo, and Ikkaku Madarame in capturing Hōzukimaru and Gegetsuburi. The former gets away, but Soifon has Gegetsuburi sent to Mayuri for examination. The next night Soifon arrives with the Onmitsukidō and some other Shinigami to save Rukia and Renji from numerous attacking Zanpakutō spirits. As Gonryōmaru is attacking the Shinigami, the 2nd division captain goes on the offensive, attacking the Zanpakutō spirit. She effortlessly dodges a fire blast from Tenken and is nonplussed at the idea of fighting two powerful (lieutenant and captain level) opponents at once. Gonryōmaru attacks Soifon with electricity but she dodges and lands a solid kick on him, launching him into a wall. She continues by dodging attacks from Tenken. After briefly ribbing Gonryōmaru, the latter summons a dark cloud that hovers over her.

Soifon continues to taunt Gonryōmaru and Tenken before taking them both on using Shunkō. The battle is going her way greatly when she is interrupted by Suzumebachi. Suzumebachi manages to get a Hōmonka on her and says that she was close to getting a second sting as well. Suzumebachi then berates Soifon's sense of style and tells her she sounds stupid when she goes around saying "Yoruichi-sama" this, "Yoruichi-sama" that. To cap things off Suzumebachi tells her to get a new wardrobe and a boyfriend. Soifon is shocked at Suzumebachi's personality and questions whether that really is her Zanpakutō. Suzumebachi tells her that if she doubts her then just wait and see what happens when she is stung a second time. Worried that she will not be able to keep up with Suzumebachi's speed in the current area, Soifon tricks Suzumebachi into following her elsewhere.

As Soifon continues to run she is attacked by Suzumebachi though she perfectly dodges so that she does not get hit in the same spot a second time, resulting in a Hōmonka appearing on her shoulder. Suzumebachi congratulates her on her tactics but notes that the Hōmonka seals are starting to add up, as she now has a total of three. Soifon begins to ponder why their speed is not the same until Suzumebachi explains that because she is smaller than Soifon, that regardless of them having the same speed she has more dexterity and therefore she has the advantage and that is the reason why she can attack Soifon but Soifon cannot land a single hit on her. Suzumebachi then begins to taunt Soifon by talking about Yoruichi causing Soifon to become upset and strike out at Suzumebachi. Soifon then tries again to slash at Suzumebachi, who dodges the attacks with ease. Suzumebachi the attempts to sting Soifon in the eye but using Shunpo she dodges the attack, resulting in her getting hit on her check, where a Hōmonka appears. Suzumebachi laughs at Soifon as she tries to determine where to strike her next, flying around Soifon using her amazing speed to confuse Soifon. Suzumebachi decides to attack the Hōmonka on Soifon's cheek but just as her stinger makes contact she is repelled by Soifon's Shunkō. Soifon takes her sword and strikes Suzumebachi down. Thus regaining control of her Zanpakutō. Although victorious, the fight has exhausted her and just as Soifon is about to collapse she is held up by Yoruichi who carries her back to meet the others. Soifon is present when Yoruichi reveals that she has found where Muramasa is keeping Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

As Muramasa's Hollow form grows in strength, Soifon, Suzumebachi and other high-level Shinigami and Zanpakutō spirits appear in Karakura Town to aid Ichigo's team in the fight. Together, Soifon and Suzumebachi began taking down several Gillians, at one point saving Ichigo's friends, though she denyies any attempt to aid them. When Soifon turns her attention to the giant dome that Muramasa has transformed into, Uryū Ishida stops her from attacking by firing a volley of arrows in front of her. When trying to reason with her that Ichigo was trapped inside, Soifon insists that her mission comes first. Hitsugaya convinces her to instead focus first on taking care of the Menos Grande. As the number of Gillian grows due to the open Garganta, Soifon and the others combine their Reiatsu to seal the Garganta, preventing more Gillian from arriving. After Soifon and the others finish off the remaining Gillian, Ichigo emerges from the collapsed down the victor with a dying Muramasa who apologizes for his actions.

Equipment

 * A steel sash worn under armor, its contributing weight makes it harder for the wearer to move fast. The tremendous recoil produced by using her Bankai requires that Soifon be anchored to a nearby stationary object via this cloth-like material.

Powers & Abilities


Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant: As the leader of the Onmitsukidō, she is required to be highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat, which she had been training in ever since she first joined the Onmitsukidō. She is most likely the most proficient hand-to-hand combatant in all of Soul Society, being able to fight evenly, and gain the upper hand, against her mentor Yoruichi Shihōin. She can sufficiently block and attack others and is hard to actively lay a hand on unless she allows it.

Great Spiritual Power: As the Captain of the 2nd Division, she boasts a great amount of spiritual energy.

Master Assassin: As the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, Soifon is is one of the foremost masters in the art of assassination. She is known to be skillful in staying hidden. Using Flash Steps, she has disabled the opponents without them being able to see her, as she did while catching the arrows of one of the Dark Ones in battle. She also used this ability to sneak up on Aizen and temporarily capture him before he escaped to Hueco Mundo. She has studied all the disciplines of the punishment force since she was a child, including poison. Because of this, over the years she has developed a resistance to nearly every poison there is.

Enhanced Strength: Soifon is strong enough to take on bigger opponents despite her smaller stature. Easily overcoming those four times her size. She has shown herself capable of lifting large slabs of concrete debris that she was buried under with little or no effort.

Enhanced Durability: Soifon is highly durable, able sustain being kicked into buildings with enough force to go through walls and bring whole sections down on top of her while attaining no apparent injury. She even survived having her left arm cut off, and still remained active to engage in battle.

Flash Steps Master: As the leader of the Onmitsukidō, she is also required to be highly proficient in Flash Steps. She has been shown to almost keep up with her mentor Yoruichi Shihōin, being able to hit her once with the Nigeki Kessatsu, but not getting a chance to do so again as Yoruichi was faster. She actively uses her mastery of Shunpo techniques and is highly proficient in evasion in close quarters as well as from a distance. Thus making hitting her almost impossible if not for the most advanced combatant. Her movements are noticeably so fast that few would be likely to see an attack take place. It has also been noted by Suzemebachi that her Shunpo is the fastest of all Soul Society (excluding Yoruichi).


 * Clones: Soifon is able to create at least 15 clones of herself at once using Shunpo, similar in principle to Zommari Leroux's Gemelos Sonído. While they are indistinguishable from her true self and mimic her movements, they do not seem to last long.


 * Utsusemi (空蝉; Cicada): Way of Onmitsu, 3rd of the Shiho. It allows for a movement at great, sudden speed, leaving at least one tangible after-image behind.

Master Swordsmanship Specialist: Soifon is masterful in swordsmanship, usually only employing her Zanpakutō when she faces a opponent with a drawn weapon. She is unique in that her fighting style is different from traditional styles. Soifon holds the blade horizontally with the it alongside her arm in a reverse grip, using the blade like a large dagger with it pointed backwards towards the bottom of her gripping hand. All strikes are made by sweeping the arm forward as though throwing a punch while whipping the blade forward away from the arm quickly in a broad arc. She is quite adept at blocking with the blade in this manner as well. She also fights in the normal style masterfully, given to being proficient in two variations of sword fighting.

Master Strategist & Tactician: As Commander of the Secret Mobile Corps and Captain of the 2nd Division, Soifon has shown herself to be a capable leader. Repeatedly through the series, Soifon has shown to be insightful and crafty, quickly capable of understanding any situation that presents itself and adjust to it effectively. Soifon has shown an innate skill to determine what actions should be taken in battle. The tactics she employs are based on subterfuge and confusion. She has shown to be adept in putting her opponents into a false sense of security and allowing them to underestimate her abilities. A common tactic of hers is to gauge the opponent's strengths and weaknesses in the middle of combat.

Kidō Expert: As Captain of the 2nd Division and the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō Soifon is well versed in art of Kidō, though she prefers to use Shunpo and hand-to-hand fighting techniques. She is experienced enough that she is able to mix it with other hand-to-hand combat techniques.


 * An advanced technique that combines hand-to-hand combat and Kidō. She fights by surrounding her back and arms with pressurized Kidō. The keisen uniform has no back or sleeves because they will rip apart when the technique is activated. What is known of it so far is that it can allow her to instantly neutralize an opponent's movement. Soifon's version of the technique is new to her and incomplete, its use of compressed Kidō is not visibly seen. She can use the technique to greater degree later on, using it to block a devastating lighting blast as well as dissipate it and then to block a a blade attack as well as push it back with only her bare hand with only the energy of the technique as a barrier despite the strength of the wielder. She has shown that she can focus the technique's pressurized Kidō onto specific areas of her body to make the protection exceedingly more concentrated.

Zanpakutō
Suzumebachi redirects here. For the manifested spirit that appears in the Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc see Suzumebachi (spirit).


 * In its sealed form, it resembles a wakizashi with a yellow hilt reminiscent of a Chinese dao. It is kept sheathed horizontally behind Soifon's lower back hanging by a rope.


 * Shikai: triggered by the command . Grasping onto Suzumebachi with her right hand, the entire sword will glow white and shrink in size. When the emitted glow dies out, it is revealed that Suzumebachi has now taken on the form of a black and gold gauntlet that has a small chain linking it to a stinger-like blade on Soifon's middle finger. The "stinger" is about twice as long as the normal length of Soifon's fingers, slightly increasing her striking distance. The colors and pattern of the Shikai resemble those of a hornet, fitting for the Zanpakutō's name. In this form, Suzumebachi is still capable of withstanding an opponent's sword attacks, as Soifon can block incoming attacks with the "stinger" and gauntlet portions.


 * Shikai Special Ability:
 * As its first step, Soifon stabs her enemy with Suzumebachi’s blade. Not only leaving a rather deep wound, the attack leaves a butterfly-shaped stamp on the user’s body. Spreading from the center of the wound, known as, this stamp becomes the target of Soifon’s 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." When the ability takes effect, a larger crest quickly spreads out from the two smaller ones, completely destroying the victim's body. The crests are maintained by Soifon's will and are impossible to remove unless she wills it; when Yoruichi was still in charge of the Onmitsukidō, Soifon could only maintain the crests for half an hour. The mechanics behind Suzumebachi's ability takes effect not through point of entry but rather point of actual surface contact. This ability is caused by a venom that Suzumebachi secretes. When it enters the target's body, it spreads throughout their body in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, destroying it without a trace. The effect of the poison takes slightly longer to work for those who have enhanced spiritual power.


 * Counter-Poison: Soifon can use the same venom that Suzumebachi secretes for Nigeki Kessatsu as a counter-poison by stabbing herself.


 * Bankai: : Its appearance is that of a protective armor that encases Soifon's entire right arm and comes all the way above her shoulder to form a face shield that she uses to cover the right side of her face. The casing comes off and reveals a weapon with the similar make of a missile attached to a base. Before she activated her Bankai, Soifon wrapped a heavy metal sash (Ginjōhan) around the building she stood on, in preparation for the attack's massive recoil and the resulting powerful explosion. She uses her Bankai so rarely that it has remained largely unseen by the members of Soul Society; even her own Lieutenant comments on having never seen it before. Soifon explains that she would prefer not to use her Bankai. She believes that it offends her pride as a Covert Ops agent, as "It's too large to hide, too heavy to move, and its attack is too flashy for assassination." She was known to be jealous of Ichigo's Bankai as his is compressed into a small katana. Soifon hates her Bankai being too large for her liking.


 * Bankai Special Ability: Being a ranged weapon of the artillery sort, Jakuhō Raikōben has the ability to launch the missile attached to its base. To do so, Soifon must first raise and aim the huge missile, using the slits present in her face guard to be able to see while doing so. Once targeted, small fins extend from numerous points along the missile, before it is fired. After a successful hit, the missile creates a powerful and massive explosion. The burst of explosive energy after the detonation is powerful enough to not only blow away Soifon and her lieutenant, but also rip the steel sash she was tied with, despite both of them being a long distance away from the explosion. Soifon is capable of firing more than one missile at the same level of power. This attack has a normal limit of firing no more than one missile every three days; doing so more often taxes her noticeably.

Yoruichi Shihōin
Soifon's relationship with Yoruichi is one of the more dynamic among the Shinigami. When Soifon first laid eyes upon Yoruichi when she was young, she likened it to looking upon a goddess. Soifon admired Yoruichi's strength, beauty, and nobility to the point where it passed admiration and became worship. Soifon worked her way through the ranks and was personally asked by Yoruichi to be one of her bodyguards. Being with Yoruichi made Soifon happy. However, one day Yoruichi left without warning. Such an action devastated Soifon to the point where she felt betrayed. From that moment on, Soifon trained herself to become stronger so that she could arrest Yoruichi herself. When Yoruichi returned to Soul Society, Soifon battled her to prove her superiority. However, Yoruichi was the stronger. Seeing this, Soifon broke into tears, wondering why Yoruichi didn't take her as well. After their fight, they reconcile and re-establish their relationship. In several omakes, Soifon's relationship with Yoruichi is portrayed as childish and somewhat obsessive.

Appearances in Other Media
Soifon appears in most video games. Her Shikai is available in most games, able to take down opponents in two hits, though in some games, it may be harder to execute than in others. She also appears in the OVA The Sealed Sword Frenzy as one of the Captains to assist Ichigo in trying to stop Baishin, she also appears in the movies Memories of Nobody, The DiamondDust Rebellion and Fade to Black.

Trivia

 * In the Zanpakutō popularity poll, Soifon's Suzumebachi came 15th.
 * In the most recent character popularity poll, Soifon came 25th ( in previous ones, she ranked 44th and 16th in the 2nd and 3rd polls, respectively).
 * In the Bleach best bout poll Soifon's fight with Yoruichi came in ninth place.
 * In the English manga, Soifon first releases her Zanpakutō with romanized Japanese.

Quotes

 * (To Marechiyo Ōmaeda) "I have no interest in whether it is right or wrong. All I care about is executing orders as a captain of the Gotei 13. All who get in my way are my enemies. All enemies must be slain. That is all that matters. That goes for you to Ōmeada. Don't forget where your loyalty lies. If you get in my way, you too will become my enemy."


 * (To Yoruichi Shihōin) "I am stronger than you!! I should have surpassed you already! You should have weakened these past hundred years and I should have grown in strength! Why is this happening? Why are you still above me? How can you still dominate me like that?"


 * "Of my five older siblings, two died on the first mission, then two more on the second, then in the sixth mission, the last one died as well. I felt sad somewhat, but more than that, I felt ashamed of their incompetence."


 * (Thinking about Yoruichi) "So noble, so beautiful and so terrifyingly strong. She was everything I ever wanted to be. I very strongly admired her. No, that feeling was beyond admiration. I worshipped her."


 * (To Yoruichi) "I was extremely disappointed in you! I hated you! I cursed you! I swore to arrest you one day with my own hands! Then to surpass you, I struggled.. gained strength... I will never forgive you, Yoruichi! For betraying my respect and trust I will never forgive you! Why... Why... Why didn't you take me with you Yoruichi-sama?"


 * (To Ggio Vega) "I don't care for a division where everyone gets along. Some hostility between the subordinates and their superior is better suited for training."


 * (To Ōmaeda) "Think of your comrade getting beat as an opportunity. Don't get in the middle of it. Stab from behind. If the difference in power between you and the enemy is so great that you cannot even do that, then let your comrade die right there. That is the way of the Onmitsukidō."


 * (To Baraggan Luisenbarn) "This Bankai goes against my dignity as a covert ops agent. It's so huge it can't be hidden, it's so heavy I can hardly move and it's attack is far too flashy to be called "assassination"!"


 * (To Ichigo Kurosaki) "Don't think for one moment that we're risking our lives on this fight. This is a fight to survive. Things like protecting the world are no more than moral causes that sound good. We will keep ourselves alive, keep you alive, and fight to protect all others from Aizen's hands."'

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