Kūgo Ginjō

was the leader of the organization known as Xcution.

Appearance
Kūgo is a tall and lean-built man with fair skin, brown eyes, and shoulder-length dark hair that he keeps combed back, down to the nape of his neck. After being released from Tsukishima's Fullbring, Kūgo lets his hair become messy with strands hanging over his face. He wears dark trousers and a light sleeveless shirt, over which he wears a dark jacket that has a fur-covered collar. He also wears a thin chain necklace that has an X-shaped pendant attached to it. After his fight with Tsukishima, he obtained a small vertical scar above his left eyebrow.

Personality
Kūgo is a calm and cool-headed individual. He is quite manipulative, shown when he attempted to hire Ikumi Unagiya to do a background check on Isshin Kurosaki, intentionally doing so in front of Ichigo in order to get his attention. According to a member of his group, he is a charming individual that apparently talked them into following him. He claims that he carries ramen around with him because he likes it. He is very cautious and caring for his friends, as he warns them in the presence of a great danger, fights together with them and is ready to even sacrifice himself in order to save a comrade. He also appears to be very concerned about innocent people and, in order to not involve them, he only picks the empty buildings if the battle were to occur. Sometimes he can play a bad guy for the sake of someone else's good but he sucks at acting and cannot give an original performance and makes a 'cliched villain' out of himself.

When not under the influence of Tsukishima's Fullbring, Kūgo is shown to be very malicious and sadistic, delighting at Ichigo's emotional and physical pain. He also becomes very arrogant, bragging about his accomplishments and underestimating his opponents, and ruthless, planning to kill a blindly loyal subordinate just because the one has more potential than he knows and may cause a danger in the future. He becomes excited very easily, showing a psychotic smile whenever he is excited, and enjoys taking risks, like leaving Ishida out of Tsukishima's victims to give Ichigo a chance of figuring out what was going on.

History
Some time ago, Kūgo became the first Substitute Shinigami and in recognition of that was given a Substitute Shinigami badge by Captain Jūshirō Ukitake. How he gained Shinigami powers is unknown but according to captain Suì-Fēng he murdered many Shinigami in order to steal their power. At some point Kūgo found out that his badge was a surveillance device used by Soul Society to observe him and limit his power. After that discovery, Kūgo thought he had been betrayed and disappeared without a trace.

During his days as a Substitute Shinigami, he met a young Shūkurō Tsukishima. After discovering that Tsukishima was alone like him, Kūgo cheered him up and told him that from that day on, Tsukishima would come with him. From then on, Kūgo taught Tsukishima how to use his powers and how to fight. Some time later, they met the other members of Xcution and joined with them. The Fullbringers made a pact with the Substitute Shinigami to share each others' powers and a small promise not meant to be broken.

Seventeen months after Aizen's defeat, Kūgo targeted Ichigo Kurosaki. He along with the rest of Xcution would fall under the influence of Tsukishima's Fullbring, to make Tsukishima look like the sole villain, as part of their plan to steal Ichigo Kurosaki's Fullbring to strengthen their own.

The Lost Substitute Shinigami arc
As Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends are walking home, they are shoved aside by a thief running away with a bag he stole from Kūgo. Ichigo defeats the thief and returns the stolen bag to Kūgo who thanks him and offers to buy him some ramen. Ichigo declines and leaves, prompting Kūgo to state how surprised he is of Ichigo's wariness as a Substitute Shinigami badge falls from his bag. Sometime later, Kūgo shows up at the Unagiya Shop asking whether Ikumi Unagiya or Ichigo would like some ramen. Despite both declining, Kūgo sits down and eats the ramen he had offered regardless, enraging Ichigo with his boldness. He informs them that he actually is a customer looking for a shop that did odd jobs and saying that him finding Ichigo was just a coincidence.

He then sets down a picture of Isshin and when Ichigo reacts to this, he claims there are things about his family that Ichigo does not know. He tries to explain what he knew but is interrupted by Ikumi, who tells him they will call him after reviewing the information. As he leaves, Kūgo tells Ichigo to go to the Urahara Shop to see something interesting. Outside, Kutsuzawa and Riruka state that they failed and comment on why they follow him. After Ichigo sees his sister leave the Urahara Shop, Kūgo appears and tells Ichigo that she has been visiting the store regularly. He says that there are things Ichigo does not know about Kisuke Urahara and that he should take measures while he still can. Ichigo tells Kūgo that he does not trust him. Kūgo acknowledges this and gives Ichigo a business card.

Kūgo attacks Uryū Ishida while the latter is pursuing Tsukishima, severely injuring him. He instructs Tsukishima to cut him with his Fullbring so that he can get close to Ichigo and gain his confidence. Tsukishima alters his memory so that they are enemies who betrayed each other. Ichigo later telephones him and they arrange meet to Naruki City the following evening so they can talk. The next day, Kūgo greets Ichigo, who informs him that his friend was attacked and he wants his help, prompting Kūgo to inquire if Ichigo trusts him. When Ichigo mentions that he is probably not a normal Human, Kūgo says that he wonders about that and notes that Ichigo has nobody else to count on. After joking about his request to investigate Isshin, Kūgo reveals that he did that only to gain Ichigo's interest. Kūgo brings him into his group's hide out where the other members are waiting. He then informs Ichigo that they aim to restore his Shinigami powers.

Ichigo asks how and why they intend to do this, demanding an explanation as to who they are. Kūgo states that he cannot answer all these questions at once, he suggests they take their time. Kūgo has Giriko give him an orange juice and explains that they are Fullbringers and what this entails, demonstrating his ability by having his drink float from the glass into Kūgo's mouth. When Riruka enters the room a surprised Kūgo asks if she found the person she was sent for. After a brief discussion with her about her inability to see well in the dark, Kūgo says he will introduce her once she and her companion are inside. When he does, he turns out to be Yasutora Sado.

When an agitated Ichigo demands to know what is going on, Kūgo tells him to calm down and explains. Riruka demands to know if Ichigo is in fact the Ichigo Kurosaki they had been trying to recruit, but Kūgo tells her to wait. He asks Ichigo if he now understands what Fullbring is and explains that it is a power closer to Hollows than Shinigami. Kūgo states that they find this power troublesome and asks if Ichigo, having once had Hollow powers himself, could relate. Kūgo explains that they wish to rid themselves of their unpleasant powers. He states that over the years of gathering Fullbringers, they realized that they can transfer their powers to a person who has the powers of both a Human and a Shinigami. By giving their powers to such a person person, some of their old allies were able to become normal Humans. They want Ichigo to regain his Shinigami powers so they could become Human again. Kūgo explains that they found Chad, saying that he is one of them and he wishes to help restore Ichigo's powers. Kūgo assures Ichigo that his powers will return and they would add their own powers on top of them. Ichigo agrees to help them.

When Ichigo returns two days later, Riruka places him inside a doll house using her Fullbring. Kūgo listens as Riruka explains her ability. He accuses her of being unreasonable towards Ichigo and tells Jackie Tristan that he does not know if Ichigo will be alright. Once Ichigo awakens his Fullbring, Kūgo explains that, just like every battle Ichigo has had has been carved into his soul, they're also carved within the soul of the tool you hold. The Substitute Shinigami Badge has had memories of each battle recorded in it. Even though he lost his powers, the badge remembers it.

After Ichigo is released from the dollhouse, he asks if he is to stay for further training. Riruka tells him to leave and Kūgo backs her up, saying that Fullbring puts more strain on the body than can be felt. He advises Ichigo not to push himself as his body will fall to pieces if he wears himself out. Saying that a few more days without his powers should be bearable after all this time, he promises to call him when he has recuperated. When Ichigo returns for information, Kūgo explains the history Xcution shares with Tsukishima and why he attacked Uryū and confronted Orihime, before sending Ichigo home to rest and prepare for more training. When Ichigo is placed inside a fish tank to fight Jackie, Kūgo tries to stop an uninterested Riruka from leaving, insisting that she is needed to disengage her Dollhouse ability. She tells him that she does not care about today's training and to come for when it is done. Despite Kūgo's request not to, Yukio tells him that he hates that about Riruka.

As, Ichigo trains against Jackie, Kūgo is approached by Chad. He tells Chad that Ichigo is training against Jackie currently and Chad says that his timing is perfect then. Kūgo is surprised to hear this. Chad then says that he has something he wants to ask Kūgo about and questions what Tsukishima's ability is. Sado explains about Orihime and theorizes about Tsukishima's ability. He tells Kūgo that keeping secrets is meaningless at this point and says he wants an answer.

Kūgo gets up and says that he was not keeping secrets. He says if Tsukishima had an ability as troubling as what Chad suggested, he would have already told him. He says that Tsukishima's ability is called Book of the End and that it is a sword that can literally cut through anything but that is all it can do. Chad suggests that maybe it changed since the last time that he saw him but Kūgo says that Fullbrings do not change with progress. Chad says that that is not true because of his own abilities evolving but Kūgo merely says that Chad was just at the initial stage of his ability and had not unlocked it's true nature. He says that they have been living with their Fullbring's for many years and that Tsukishima had long passed that stage. Chad asks about Orhime and he says that it troubling and asks if Uryū has had any troubling memories. Chad says no and Kūgo tells him to check again because if he is that is a problem but if he is not, that means the one who attacked Orihime was not Tsukishima. Suddenly, Tsukishima bursts in and casts doubt on what Kūgo just said. He greets Kūgo, who questions what he is doing. Tsukishima says that he does not see Jackie and goes to cut the fish tank as Kūgo cries out but Kūgo then looks in awe as Ichigo emerges from the tank in his new form.

Seeing Ichigo, Kūgo is shocked to see his new form. As Ichigo then attacks Tsukishima, Sado tries to go after him but Kūgo tells him to wait, saying that now that Ichigo has activated his Fullbring, they can afford to tell him about Tsukishima. Sado however tells him that they don't know how powerful Ichigo's Fullbring is and telling him that Tsukishima is the one that attacked Orihime will hurt his performance. Ichigo then appears and thanks the two of them for looking out for him. He goes to attack Tsukishima but when Tsukishima cuts him and goes to finish him, Kūgo appears, sword in hand and blocks Tsukishima's attack.

Tsukishima then mocks Kūgo asking that if he is really trying to interfere to which Kūgo says that Tsukishima is the one who is interfering. Ichigo tells him to step aside and not to get in the way. Kūgo simply elbows Ichigo behind the neck and tells Ichigo to shut up and stay down. Tsukishima tells Kūgo that if he fights him, he is most certainly going to die, but Kūgo replies that Tsukishima is the one who is going to die. They both then clash swords and fight. Kūgo tries to attack Tsukishima from above the head but he dodges this and attempts to cut Kūgo from below, Kūgo jumps up into the air and evades the attack and then unleashes an energy attack onto Tsukishima. Tsukishima comes out from the dust unharmed and manages to cut Kūgo across the right side of his face. Tsukishima says that that was close and asks wgat would happen if he carved out a building that had people inside. Kūgo tells Tuskishima that it's okay as he is only picking the empty ones to jump on. Their fight is then interrupted by Ichigo and Yukio.

After Yukio loads Ichigo, Ichigo questions where they are and Kūgo responds that it is a backup HQ and that it is not as comfortable as the regular one. Yukio then tells Kūgo that if he complains, he will not make it comfortable as it is his money that will be spent to fix it up, not Kūgo's. Kūgo simply says my bad as he looks over at Yukio. Ichigo questions about Tsukishima and Kūgo responds that he has fled for now. He then says that he is worried about Tsukishima's objectives as if his goal was to harm Xcution, he could have still done so, but it is clear now that he is after Ichigo. Yukio tells him that he is over thinking things though as Tsukishima would not have attacked while he held his console. Yukio tries to leave but Kūgo says he needs Yukio to help with Ichigo's training. Yukio tries to get out of it but Kūgo says that they will need him because his Fullbring shuts out Reiatsu completely. He asks if Yukio will do it and Yukio agrees. Ichigo then questions if it will be a live battle and Kūgo says that is what seems to work best with him. Ichigo then asks who his opponent will be and Kūgo responds that it will be him.

Yukio loads Ichigo and Kūgo into his console. Ichigo realizes that this is what happened to him on the rooftops and Kūgo confirms this. He explains that Yukio's Fullbring locks people in subspace and that Yukio can control it from his console. Kūgo then asks if Ichigo has ever wanted to be inside a video game. Ichigo asks what his point is and Kūgo says everyone thinks of it and that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Ichigo replies that he has never not thought of it and Kūgo says he never had the notion. Ichigo questions why he asked then and Kūgo responds that it does not really matter but that this is the prettiest it gets inside a game and Ichigo says it is more desolate than he thought. Kūgo out his Fullbring sword and says it would be great if they had rules like a video game. Ichigo asks what kind of rules and Kūgo says something simple before asking Yukio to give them HP. Kūgo asks for six HP each and six crosses appear above their heads. Kūgo asks if Ichigo needs a tutorial but he says he has it. Kūgo ask if Ichigo is ready and Ichigo activates his Fullbring. The two then charge at each other when the timer says go. Later, Yukio lets Orihime into the game and Kūgo says that the healing item is there.

Orihime tries to introduce herself but Kūgo tells her to save the pleasantries and fix Ichigo. Worried, Orihime runs to Ichigo and begins to heal him. Sado arrives and says that he knows that Ichigo did not want to involve Orihime in this but that they will need her. Kūgo begins to say something to Sado but he cuts him off, saying he did not come here to back up Ichigo. Sado says he has come to train and had Yukio make him a room to do so in. Kūgo acknowledges this and tells Sado to do as he wants. As Orihime continues to heal Ichigo, Kūgo tells her she is too slow and asks if he is healed yet. Orihime asks him to wait a little longer but he says he cannot and asks if Ichigo is ready. When Ichigo says yes, Kūgo dives into an attack but Orihime puts up a shield. Kūgo asks if she really thinks his Cross of Scaffold can be stopped by Santen Kesshun but Orihime says he is wrong. He asks how he is wrong but before she can answer, his attack is stopped and he is thrown back as he is cut across the shoulder. Orihime reveals it is a new technique that disperses an incoming attack as an explosion and returns fire. Kūgo calls her sadistic and Orihime says she is fine with him calling her that and that if he does not want to get hurt, he shouldn't attack her when she says not to. Orihime explains what has been happening with her and Sado while he has been without his power and Ichigo gets up and thanks her before asking Kūgo to continue.

Kūgo continues training Ichigo, assessing him as they fight. He notes that Ichigo is staying close to him to avoid being hit. As Ichigo approaches, he grabs the inner handle of his Fullbring to allow him to attack Ichigo more effectively, injuring Ichigo's leg. He reveals that the sword has a handle inside its blade so that he can deal with opponents at close range. Kūgo notes that his movements are sharper and he thinks that he was right to have Orihime brought there and that he is stronger when he is close to the person he wants to protect. As they continue to fight, Kūgo concludes that Ichigo's has too many random thoughts in his head and he slashes Ichigo's eyes. He then stops Orihime from helping him, telling her to watch. He states that when Ichigo lost his powers he also lost his resolve. He tells Ichigo that he will drag him back to the battle.

Ichigo asks Kūgo what is intentions are, as he promised to help Ichigo. Kūgo reminds him that they did promised to help him get his Shinigami powers back, and that teaching him Fullbring was the first step to that goal. Ichigo retorts that he cannot bring himself to trust Kūgo after blinding him. Kūgo then asks him why he agreed to training with the Xcution if he could not bring himself to trust him and tells him that he would not be able to fight his way out if things went wrong because of his powerless state. Kūgo then discards his sword and begins to attack Ichigo barehanded. Orihime tries to intervene in their fight, but Kūgo has Yukio lock Orihime in a cage using his Forbidden Zone ability. Ichigo calls out to Orihime, but Kūgo merely taunts him to see what's wrong with her. Ichigo moves to attack Kūgo and manages to dodge his attacks, believing that he can do so by Kūgo's presence and sound. However, Kūgo cuts Ichigo's shoulder, telling him that he is allowing Ichigo to dodge his attacks. As he knocks Ichigo down, Kūgo impales Ichigo with his sword and tells him that he is done fighting him. Kūgo then tells Ichigo that he'll kill Chad and Orihime. Ichigo is surprised by Kūgo's words, but Kūgo tells him that he should have expected it since he is not a comrade. Enraged, Ichigo yells at Kūgo. Kūgo notices Ichigo's Fullbring changing and grabs Ichigo's materialized blade as it explodes with energy. Seeing that Ichigo's Fullbring is now complete, Kūgo tells Ichigo that he is proud of him and explains that someone has to stay close and control the outburst of energy while putting their own life on the line, and that torrent of energy released from the object of the Fullbring could ruin the user's body, which is why Kūgo wanted to be present when Ichigo's own Fullbring was complete. He then apologizes to Ichigo, saying that he made too much of a clichéd villain, and welcomes him to the Xcution.

After completing his Fullbring, Kūgo puts Ichigo through a new training regiment of sets of 100 pushups. When Kūgo asks if Ichigo is already tired, Ichigo become angry and yells that of course he is tired and asks how many sets of one hundred pushups Kūgo is going to make him do. Kūgo says they are only at 14 and Ichigo says Kūgo is insane. Kūgo then says that since Ichigo's name has a 1 and a 5, he should do one more set. Ichigo says he hates when people do that with his name and Kūgo calls him a liar as he always wears 15 pattern shirts. Ichigo calls Kūgo a stalker for knowing that. Completely wiped out now, Kūgo tells Ichigo to do one more set, which he cannot. Kūgo then tells him to relax as he was just joking. Kūgo reveals that using Fullbring takes a massive amount of stamina and Ichigo realizes that is why he is doing all those pushups. Kūgo then asks if Ichigo saw something when he completed his Fullbring and Ichigo is shocked he knows this. Kūgo says that Ichigo's mangled eyes saw him bathed in reiatsu and that is why he cut Ichigo's eyes as that is proof that Ichigo is beginning to regain his Shinigami powers. Kūgo explains that when Ichigo lost his reiatsu, a tiny portion accumulated in a single location inside of him over time and that is why they used the reiatsu flowing from his badge to jolt that awake. He says all that is left to do is to beef up his new body and powers and then his Fullbring and Shinigami powers will fuse, giving Ichigo a power transcending that of a Shinigami. Kūgo throws Ichigo his badge and Ichigo tests out his new Fullbring. Kūgo says that it is sure something to look at and that he almost mistook Ichigo for someone else. Kūgo then tells him that his Fullbring needs a name. Later, Kūgo calls for Ichigo as he runs through the street. He hastily informs Ichigo that Tsukishima has gotten to all members of Xcution.

After managing to get away from everyone, Kūgo takes Ichigo to a location that not even the members of Xcution know about to discuss the events that transpired. Ichigo wonders why everyone is acting the way they are and Kūgo tells Ichigo that, thanks to information that Chad provided about Tsukishima's attack on Orihime and with what has transpired, that his ability may be more than just cutting everything, but rather, placing himself into people's pasts by cutting them with his sword. He proceeds to explain that it would make sense considering his Fullbring object is a bookmark and that he places himself in people's pasts as whatever he wants. The people do not question Tsukishima as to them he has always been there. Ichigo then asks if the spell would break if Tsukishima were to die. Kūgo tells Ichigo that he does not know the answer yet still asks if he could kill him despite this. Just as they were discussing this, Yukio finds them and says that their conversation is disturbing. Kūgo asks how Yukio found them and Yukio shows them his Fullbring's tracker, saying that they always do that. He tells them to come along and says to Kūgo that he is messed up. He says no one is mad at him and that they will have him back to normal in no time. He then leads them to a mansion in the woods.

When Tsukishima greets them, Kūgo stops Ichigo from charging at him, warning him that if he is right about Tsukishima's ability, then he cannot afford to be cut even once. They are invited inside, where Ichigo's friends and family are waiting. Kūgo watches as they greet Ichigo and urge him to apologize to Tsukishima for his previous actions. He tries to reassure Ichigo that they have not forgotten him, saying they will not attack and that they are still his friends. However, Ichigo runs upstairs, leaving Kūgo concerned. After Tsukishima follows Ichigo, Kūgo destroys the staircase with his Fullbring and tells Ichigo that Yukio is the only one downstairs who can reach them. He tells him to fight all out.

As Ichigo fights Tsukishima, Kūgo tries to assist him. However, a chandelier drops from the ceiling and Moe Shishigawara suddenly appears and tells him that he is fighting him and the members of Xcution, and that he should not be worried about someone else's fight. Kūgo notices that Moe does not have tools on him and that the chain on the chandelier didn't break, but the screws on it have come out, which caused it to fall. Kūgo then wonders what kind of ability Moe possesses.

As Ichigo goes off to fight Tsukishima, Kūgo is confronted by Moe Shishigawara along with Jackie Tristan, Giriko Kutsuzawa, and Riruka Dokugamine. Jackie activates her Fullbring and attempts to kick Kūgo, but he dodges the attack. Giriko then pulls out his pocket watch and activates his as well and the numbers from his watch begin to fly at Kūgo, but he evades them with Bringer Light. Riruka then appears behind him and attempts to shoot Kūgo with the Love Gun and when he turns to face her Shishigawara jumps behind him and attempts to attack him, but Kūgo intercepts the attack and knocks Shishigawara away. Kūgo notices that a piece of his sword's guard had broken off, and Shishigawara states that he's lucky that he didn't hit his body because it was such a good roll. Kūgo asks him what he means by that, and Shishigawara removes the bandages from his hand and says that the name of his Fullbring is Jackpot Knuckle. He states that the top of his Fullbring shows rolls that manipulate probability and explains that he fractured Kūgo's swords guard and made the chandelier fall because he hit the jackpot. Shishigawara then screams for Kūgo to bring it on because he'll show him the true meaning of a killing blow.

Kūgo is forced out of the window of Tsukishima's mansion and states that four against one puts him at a disadvantage, and he wonders how Ichigo is doing and is shocked when he looks over at him. Tsukishima attempts to cut Ichigo with his fullbring, but Kūgo intercepts the attack and Tsukishima cuts him down his left shoulder. Kūgo then goes plummeting to the ground below.

As Kūgo falls, Ichigo rushes to him and asks if he is okay. Kūgo reminds Ichigo that he should be worrying about Tsukishima instead of him. Tsukishima tries to attack Ichigo, but he blocks his attack, causing him to retreat. Kūgo tries to get up and informs Ichigo that he still sees Tsukishima as an enemy and Ichigo as his ally, but he is confused as to why Tsukishima's ability hasn't activated itself yet, and they need to take him out before it does. Uryū Ishida arrives before they make a move and tells Ichigo to come towards him. Ichigo hesitates, having heard that Uryū was attacked by Tsukishima before anyone else, but Uryū informs him that the one who attacked him was the man standing behind him, Kūgo. Uryū shoots some arrows at Kūgo, but Kūgo blocks them and attacks Ichigo. Uryū tries to assist Ichigo, but Tsukishima attacks him before he can. Ichigo asks if Kūgo was affected by Tsukishima's powers, to which Kūgo says Ichigo is half right. He didn't become Ichigo's enemy because Tsukishima cut him; he actually had Tsukishima cut him twice and return him to normal. He then takes out the slain Shinigami's badge and merges it with his sword and tells Ichigo that he is relieving him of his Fullbring. Kūgo then stabs him with his sword.

Kūgo and Tsukishima then reveal the details of the attack on Uryū, explaining that it was really Kūgo who attacked him. After Kūgo explains what happened when he attacked Uryū, Tsukishima said he only cut Kūgo because he was bad at acting and states that Kūgo started calling Ichigo "Kurosaki" again after he cut him again. Then after Kūgo takes Ichigo's Fullbring, the pair begins to walk off and Ichigo starts to cry. Tsukishima turns around and says that he feels bad because Ichigo is crying to which Kūgo tells him to let Ichigo cry as he is no longer useful to them and will be unlikely that they will ever meet him again. Once they start walking away, a burst of energy erupts behind them, forcing Kūgo and Tsukishima to look behind surprising them as they see Ichigo in his Shinigami uniform.

Ichigo emerges with his Shinigami powers, and Rukia Kuchiki berates him for being a "crybaby". She then explains that the sword she used restored Ichigo's Shinigami powers. Kūgo exclaims that that is impossible, as he took Ichigo's power and thus one person cannot return it. Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Kenpachi Zaraki, Ikkaku Madarame, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya then arrive, and Renji explains that they all gave their Reiatsu to restore Ichigo's power. Rukia further explains that all Kūgo took was the power that had merged with Ichigo's Fullbring, and that it was impossible for him to steal Ichigo's Shinigami powers. Ichigo then begins to fight Kūgo, swinging his blade to release a powerful shock wave. Kūgo comments that Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō has improved, but says that it'll take more than that to kill him. Ichigo explains that he did not use a Getsuga Tenshō; what he did was merely a "practice swing", and proceeds to charge up his actual Getsuga Tenshō. Ichigo fires the blast while Kūgo stares on in shock of his massive reiatsu.

Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō misses Kūgo and destroys half of the mansion, but Ichigo tells him he won't miss again. Kūgo decides a retreat is in order, but Ichigo stops him and throws him down. Kūgo wonders if his physical strength increased because of the Fullbring he gave him. As he lands, Ichigo fires a massive Getsuga Tenshō at him. Hitsugaya reveals that he is the first Substitute Shinigami as Kūgo emerges from the attack with a skeletal-like appearance. Hitsugaya explains further that the law of the Substitute Shinigami was created solely for Kūgo, but is reminded by Byakuya to focus on Kūgo. Kūgo agrees and also thanks Ichigo for his powers, as he would not have been able to survive Ichigo's attack without them.

Chad and Orihime arrive soon after, but Tsukishima tries to add in extra details about their pasts. Kūgo warns Tsukishima to not add in extra details at this time, as he has broken many people before by doing that, and Chad and Orihime would become useless in battle. Chad and Orihime begin to suffer under Tsukishima's power, but Urahara and Isshin knock them out and remove them from the battle.

The other members of Xcution arrive as well. Giriko and Yukio are both angry because Kūgo took Ichigo's power for himself even though he agreed to share it with the rest of them. Kūgo then cuts Giriko, Yukio, Jackie, and Riruka and tells them not to be too loud, as he was planning to give them some of Ichigo's power anyway. They then take on new forms upon receiving Ichigo's power from him. Tsukishima asks if he's planning to give Moe any of Ichigo's power. Kūgo tells him that Moe would cause them problems if his powers were strengthened, and that he needs to kill him once the battle is over. As Tsukishima, Jackie, Riruka, Giriko, and Moe approach each of the Shinigami, Yukio separates them and puts them each within their own zones, with Kūgo and Ichigo in their own zone.

Ichigo notices that their zone resembles Karakura Town, and Kūgo explains that he chose that setting to make the fight easier for him, and they can now fight one-on-one. Uryū corrects him, saying the battle is two-on-one. Kūgo then prepares to fight both of them. While Kūgo fights Ichigo and Uryū, they eventually begin hiding from him. Kūgo tries to goad Ichigo and Uryū into attacking him, causing Ichigo to eventually emerge from hiding. Kūgo asks if Ichigo and Uryū came up with a plan while they were hiding, but Ichigo informs him that neither of them have one. Despite Uryū's objections, Ichigo attacks Kūgo with another Getsuga Tenshō, but Kūgo cuts through it and attacks Ichigo with a Getsuga Tenshō as well, damaging him. Uryū tries to attack Kūgo from behind, but Kūgo avoids his arrows. Uryū surmises that Kūgo has not just taken Ichigo's Fullbring and Reiatsu but all his abilities that go with it.

As the fight continues, Ichigo begins fighting on even grounds with Kūgo, which Kūgo comments on, but asks him what he is fighting for, which confuses Ichigo. Kūgo then clarifies that Tsukishima is dying, and that if he does end up dying, then the pasts he modified will return to normal. He asks Ichigo again what he is fighting for, but when Ichigo does not answer him, Kūgo informs him of an enemy that he should be fighting.

Ichigo dismisses Kūgo's words as an attempt to shake his resolve. Uryū also agrees to this; believing that Kūgo is merely growing desperate. Kūgo however insists that he can easily take both of them and begins talking about Ichigo's Shinigami badge. Kūgo begins talking about the Substitute Shinigami Badge, saying that the badge is awarded whether the person is of benefit to Soul Society or not, saying that it carries no authority. Kūgo goes on to say that the badge's true purpose is to observe and restrict Ichigo as a Shinigami. He notes that Ichigo's reiatsu was always rampaging in Shinigami form but completely calm while in Human form. When he first activated his Fullbring, Ichigo's reiatsu came pouring out of the badge and Ichigo's friends were heard through it. Kūgo then says that this whole scheme was designed by Jūshirō Ukitake to control Substitute Shinigami. As Kūgo goes on to say that everyone in Soul Society was in on this and that they were both conned by the most peaceful man in Soul Society, an enraged Ichigo tells Kūgo to shut up and shouts Bankai.

As Ichigo emerges in his Bankai, Kūgo taunts him, asking if he'll break away from reality again. Ichigo replies to both Kūgo and Uryū that he did suspect something was strange with what Ukitake told him, but he didn't want to be suspicious of him, and reasoned that Ukitake told him that because he was smarter than him, and if he was trying to deceive him, then he wouldn't do it in a way he would notice, and concludes that he gave him that reasoning so he could choose to protect people with his own hands. Ichigo then tells Kūgo that he always wanted power to protect people, and that since the Shinigami restored his powers, he's going to protect them by fighting him. Despite not wanting to, Kūgo decides that he needs to kill Ichigo and activates Bankai.

Upon seeing Kūgo's Bankai, Ichigo comments that he forgot that he's also a Substitute Shinigami. Kūgo also reminds him that he also has Hollow powers, making him and Ichigo similar. Ichigo then tells Kūgo that they are ending their fight. Kūgo and Ichigo clash shortly afterwards. As Ichigo and Kūgo fight, Kūgo wonders why Ichigo has not opposed his decision to fight against the Shinigami. He also notes that Ichigo is trying to understand him, denying him everything that he is. He then fires an energy blast at Ichigo. However, he blocks the attack with his hand and slashes Kūgo. They clash again, resulting in Kūgo's sword breaking and him being injured. Kūgo slumps to the ground, wondering what would have been if Ichigo had become a Substitute Shinigami before him. Kūgo eventually dies and his body is brought to Soul Society by Renji. However, Ichigo requests from Yamamoto to bring his body back to the Human World, so he can bury it. Ichigo's request is approved, and his body is transported within a coffin by the members of Kidō Corps to the Human World.

Equipment

 * Being a former Substitute Shinigami, Kūgo has his own badge. He can fuse it with his "Cross of Scaffold" to give his Fullbring sword a new form. It is unknown if his badge has the same powers as Ichigo Kurosaki's own Substitute Shinigami badge. Similar to Ichigo's, its purpose is to observe and restrict the owner. It is at once a surveillance device for Soul Society and a device to absorb, analyze and control the user's reiatsu. It is also a device for communicating with Soul Society. Kūgo seems to have disabled the surveillance function by unknown means, as Soul Society couldn't locate him for a long time until he came in contact with Ichigo. As Ichigo defeats Kūgo, the latter's badge is broken into two.

Powers & Abilities
Expert Swordsmanship Specialist: Kūgo is a competent swordsman, being able to hold his own against the likes of Tsukishima and Ichigo Kurosaki, having defeated the latter twice, albeit without his Shinigami powers. He was also able to take on the combined might of Jackie, Riruka, Giriko, and Shishigawara with his sword.

Enhanced Speed: Due to his mastery of Fullbring, he is able to use "Bringer Light", which allows him to increase his speed and the height of his jumps by pulling on the soul of the concrete or air. Kūgo has shown to be quite fast, able to dodge successive attacks from Jackie, Riruka, and Giriko, all while they were using their Fullbring abilities. He is also able to get between a point blank attack by Tsukishima on Ichigo from a considerable distance, taking the attack himself in the process. He is also capable of dodging Ichigo's incredibly fast and powerful sword swinging after the latter regains his Shinigami powers.

Enhanced Endurance: Kūgo has shown a large amount of endurance, being able to take the full brunt of the explosion caused by Ichigo's Fullbring completing and still being able to stand afterwards.

Hand-to-Hand Combatant: Kūgo is able to fight barehanded, using swift movements to land blows on his opponents before they can even react.

Spiritual Awareness: He has enough spiritual power for Ichigo to see his form "bathed in reiatsu". Kūgo himself is able to see and sense spiritual beings, such as Shinigami and Hollows, at a significant distance or tell in what direction they are in. He was also able to sense Tsukishima's reiatsu drastically decreasing and tell how much time he has to live.

Fullbring

 * Using Fullbring, Kūgo is able to transform the Saltire pendant on his necklace into a large Claymore. The blade is a long, very wide, double-edged form of a longsword. The crossguard consists of a small red gem at the center and two straight ornate arms ending in simplistic version of a fleur-de-lis. The sword's handle runs through its guard, continuing on through a gold hollow space at the base of its blade. The handle is almost the same length of the blade itself. This part of the handle allows Kūgo to attack opponents at closer ranges.


 * Energy Blade: By gripping the handle near the base of his broadsword's blade and swinging the Cross of Scaffold around, Kūgo can generate large amounts of light green reiryoku which sheathes itself over the blade. When he swings the sword at his desired target the energy produces a massive explosion upon impact.

Enhanced Cross of Scaffold: Kūgo places his Substitute Shinigami Badge onto his sword, merging it with his sword. In this form the Claymore is very similar to its original form, but with significant visual differences. The center portion of the crossguard has a small decorative skull with an 'X' over it, where the small red stone originally was. The handle in the hollow part of the blade resembles a spinal column, while the hollow portion takes on a dark black metallic look.


 * Fullbring Absorption: Upon impaling a target on his blade, Kūgo is capable of absorbing another Fullbringers ability into his Cross of Scaffold. The actual act liquifies the Fullbring and draws it into the sword. By the effect of the ability through what would be normally a physical injury leaves no actual wound.


 * Ability Replication: Upon absorption of one's Fullbring, he also incorporates their own reiatsu into the attack, making it virtually identical to the original user. This allows Kūgo the ability to use any technique that was incorporated within the Fullbring.


 * Partial-Control of Invaders Must Die: As a result of exchanging powers among all of the Fullbringers as a sign of loyalty, Kūgo is able to stop Yukio from deactivating his Fullbring without his explicit orders, whilst he is in Yukio's Fullbring range.


 * Fullbring Armor: Kūgo's is able to further activate a Clad-type Fullbring, covering his body in armor plates and skeletal looking bones. His chest is covered in a bone-like lattice resembling a ribcage, further extending downward to bony plates that cover his abs. His hands are covered in gloves with the top appearing as though they were hand bones. He gains shoulder pads in the form of bony plates and bony plate shin guards that extend to his bony knee-pad plates, which extend up to his mid thigh. He also gains a belt with a large X-shaped buckle. The armor is durable enough to protect Kūgo from the direct hit of a Getsuga Tenshō from Ichigo's Shikai without any signs of injury.


 * Kūgo is able to use Getsuga Tenshō, releasing a blast of highly condensed light purple spiritual power through his sword in the shape of a crescent moon. His Getsuga Tenshō is as powerful as Ichigo's own blast in Shikai. He is also shown using this ability whilst in Bankai.


 * Fullbring Transference: Kūgo is capable of transferring portions of the Fullbring he has absorbed to other Fullbringers. He utilizes this by cutting those he chooses to transfer the power to.


 * Enhanced Spiritual Power: After gaining part of one's reiatsu, Kūgo's own spiritual power increases greatly. His energy-based attacks become stronger and he is able to fight Ichigo in his Shinigami form.


 * Enhanced Energy Blast: By gathering spiritual energy in his blade, Kūgo is able to unleash a powerful green blast, which then fires at the target. When used against Uryū, his blast was able to damage several buildings in the virtual Karakura Town.

Bankai
In his Bankai form, Kūgo's skeletal armor extends around his form more tightly. The fur on his jacket turns red and becomes enlarged. He also gains fur around his legs. His facial features change as well upon activating his Bankai. His hair and eyebrows turn white, and his eyes turn white with red sclera. A red cross-shaped marking also appears on his face. The guard and the hilt of his sword gain a more skeletal appearance, with the a rigid bone-like plate bordering between the hollow portion of his sword and the blade. From his back extends four "branches" of energy, giving the shape of an "X" from behind him.


 * Enhanced Spiritual Power: Upon activating his Bankai, Kūgo's spiritual power increases immensely, making him capable of fighting on par with other Bankai-level opponents.


 * Enhanced Getsuga Tenshō: His sword retains the use of Getsuga Tenshō and can be used in the same manners, but can be used in an enhanced form. When used in Bankai, these potent blasts are black with a purple outline. His Getsuga Tenshō is as powerful as Ichigo's own blast in Bankai.


 * Energy Beam: Kūgo can charge spiritual energy through his blade and fire it in the form of a beam.

Trivia

 * Kūgo's theme song, as chosen by Tite Kubo, is "Last Man Standing" by Bon Jovi.
 * While in the color page of chapter 449 Kūgo has blue eyes, in the cover of volume 50 he appears to have brown eyes.

Quotes

 * (To Riruka Dokugamine) "All throughout history... Be it royals or samurai or whatever... This world has always been ruled by minorities! You're not the ones in the wrong. It's this world that's become too lenient towards idiots. It's time we changed all that. This time, we're gonna be the ones at the top of the food chain."
 * "Time will try to constantly try to catch up with you. And with a roar, it will overcome you. Do not look ahead. Hope only lies within the unforeseeable current that will close in from behind."
 * "Why? I will crush the Shinigami who betrayed me! You were supposed to tell me that that was wrong. Won't you... even give me that? Why? Those eyes... are the eyes of someone who is trying to understand me! To stand where I stand... and stay by me shoulder to shoulder! Will you- after all of that... still deny everything that I am!? Ichigo?"
 * "Ichigo, if the order we arrived was reversed... I wonder, would our positions be reversed as well? Would you... be like me? Say, Ichigo... if we were reversed... If we were... would we..."