Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-13237238-20130724132657/@comment-5693502-20140806171522

Kaireta Shōmen (Broken Façade): In its sealed form it takes on the appearance of a regular katana with a simple bronze cross-guard, ochre-coloured hilt-wrapping and a deep orange-coloured sheathe. The sealed form of Kaireta Shōmen also acts like a limiter of sorts, both halving the wielder’s overall power and suppressing most of its own power.


 * Shikai: Kaireta Shōmen is released by the command “Ascertain their strength”. In shikai it transforms into a double-edged falcata sword with a stylized ornately-designed hilt; however its overall appearance is rusty and worn. There is a small fracture at the bottom front edge of the blade, near the hilt.


 * Shikai special abilities: Kaireta Shōmen is a melee-type zanpakutō. Apart from the obvious increase in power and a slight increase in cutting capability, Kaireta Shōmen possesses no noticeable special abilities or techniques.

In bankai Sentō Kyōshinja looks exactly the same as in shikai except the blade is slightly longer and it no longer has a rusty, worn appearance. Its hilt is now a lustrous gold colour and its blade shines clean silver. Roughly three inches above where the blade meets the hilt, there is a glowing line that bisects the blade called the “Hadan-ten” (Fracture Point). The upper part of the wielder’s shihakushō transforms into a body armour-like figure hugging garment whilst their hakama tucks into a black armour-like shin sleeve. A gold ribbon, connected to the base of the hilt, wraps around the wielder’s sword arm up to the shoulder.
 * Bankai: Sentō Kyōshinja (Combat Fanatic): Unlike other zanpakutō, when bankai is released is not determined by the wielder, but by the zanpakutō itself. If an opponent proves to be challenging, the fracture on its shikai blade (gradually) increases in size; this means Kaireta Shōmen deems the opponent to be a worthy of facing its full power. The fracture continues increasing until the opponent breaks the blade. This event initiates the automatic release of bankai (regardless of whether the wielder wants to or not).


 * Bankai special abilities: In bankai Sentō Kyōshinja functions like a chain blade with the upper section of the blade connecting to the rest of the sword at the Hadan-ten; the chain is invisible unless willed to be seen (where it then takes on a glowing highly translucent appearance) and can be extended by the wielder’s force of will. As a result of bankai being released the wielder’s full overall power and strength is released and the overall power of Sentō Kyōshinja is also released, gifting it with enhanced cutting capabilities.


 * Satsujin Hōetsu (Swordfight Ecstasy): Sentō Kyōshinja is a zanpakutō that enjoys the thrill of battle. Thus its power gradually increases as the wielder continues to fight (regardless of whether it’s a swordfight or not); this in turn means the blade’s hardness, strength and overall cutting capabilities gradually increase as battle continues.