Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-13237238-20130724132657/@comment-5693502-20141010072326

Hehehe...

Tsukinomai (Dance of the Moon): In its sealed form it takes the form of a regular kodachi. It has a silver guard that resembles two backward-facing crescent moons, its hilt wrapping is an extremely light blue colour and it has a blue tassel on the base of the hilt. Its sheathe is sky blue.


 * Shikai: Tsukinomai is released by the command “Flood the night sky”. In shikai Tsukinomai’s blade lengthens slightly and curves more and its tassel becomes dark blue.


 * Special shikai abilities: Tsukinomai has the ability to manipulate water and lunar energy. Its power is directly affected by the time of day, the moon and moonlight. In the daytime, when the moon isn’t visible Tsukinomai is left virtually powerless and is unable to use its three shikai techniques. When the moon becomes more visible and night begins to fall its powers steadily grow and its three shikai techniques become usable; around and after midnight when the moon is clear and/or shining bright Tsukinomai is at full power. Its three shikai techniques can be used in both shikai and bankai.


 * Hiho, Kaiyōshō (Wave Step, Ocean Piercer): An orb of water begins to form and grow at the tip of Tsukinomai’s blade (tip of rod in bankai). Then a huge volume of water is blasted at high pressure at the target from the orb; the blast takes the appearance of two beams, one remaining straight while the other coils around the straight beam. The technique is powerful, drilling through most targets and concussively pushing back ones it can't. The power of this technique increases with the size of the initial orb of water; the orb reaches its maximum size when it gets a diameter of one metre. It takes about ten seconds to reach its largest size; in rainy conditions or when near a relatively large body of water, the time it takes to reach its maximum size is reduced.


 * Kaiyōho, Mizu Dangan (Ocean Step, Water Bullet): Tsukinomai enables the wielder to fire densely-packed orbs of water, each with a diameter of 20cm (30cm in bankai), from their fists, feet or palms at a target. The water orbs cause concussive force and explode on contact with a surface (similar in function to an Arrancar’s Bala). While not nearly as powerful as Hiho, Kaiyōshō it is ten times faster. In addition the technique can be used in rapid succession.


 * Yaruho, Getsukei (Night Step, Moon Whip): Tsukinomai glows white and generates a long luminous white whip made from spiritual energy from the tip of the blade. This whip a lot more abrasive than it superficially appears. In bankai the metal chain (as well as the metal weight) that connects the kama to the metal weight glows white and acts as the whip; it still retains its extreme abrasive properties in bankai.


 * Bankai: Shio Tsukinomai (Tidal Dance of the Moon): The wielder places Tsukinomai in the air front of them causing it to levitate and causing Tsukinomai to begin rapidly rotating a few seconds later. Then the wielder initiates bankai and it begins growing into its bankai form whilst still rotating; once the transformation is complete Shio Tsukinomai ceases rotating. In bankai Shio Tsukinomai takes the form of a stylized kusarigama. The large scythe blade of the kama curves upwards instead of downwards and there is a dark blue tassel at the base of spiked rod of the kama. The metal weight, which is connected to the kama by an extendable metal chain, takes the shape of a bulbous crescent moon. The wielder’s arms are covered by slim metal gauntlets that have a strong lunar motif; the metal gauntlet is completely black on one arm and completely white on the other arm.


 * Special bankai abilities: Shio Tsukinomai retains its ability to manipulate water (now in all its forms) and lunar energy. Like in shikai its power is directly affected by the time of day, the moon and moonlight; in the daytime, when the moon isn’t visible Shio Tsukinomai is significantly powered down however it can still use its shikai techniques and its regular bankai technique. Shio Tsukinomai is now also affected by eclipses: When a solar eclipse takes place Shio Tsukinomai’s water-based techniques change states; instead of ordinary water Shio Tsukinomai uses super-heated water and steam. When a lunar eclipse takes place Shio Tsukinomai’s water-based techniques also change states; instead of ordinary water Shio Tsukinomai uses super-cooled water and ice. Its special powers also change with the lunar phases; different phases temporarily unlocks a different bankai technique. During the quarters, waning and waxing lunar phases, Shio Tsukinomai’s only has usage of its regular abilities. In the presence of a new moon, Shio Tsukinomai takes on its New Moon persona and the entire scythe blade turns completely black. Its New Moon persona makes its techniques and attacks more powerful and slightly enhances the wielder’s strength and speed; however it also significantly increases spiritual energy usage, making it easier for the wielder to become fatigued. In the presence of a full moon, Shio Tsukinomai takes on its Full Moon persona and the entire scythe blade turns completely white. Its Full Moon persona greatly enhances the wielder’s endurance and durability at the cost of a lowered offensive power.


 * Ao Tsukiho, Tsuki Saikōgan (Blue Moon Step, Moon Crushing Sphere): Shio Tsukinomai’s regular bankai technique; it creates a large, dense, human-sized orb made from water and lunar energy. Then the orb is launched at the target (moving at speeds similar to Hiho, Kaiyōshō), trapping and immobilizing them inside; then at the wielder’s command the water sphere implodes and crushes whatever is within the orb. Only one orb can be made at a time and its trajectory is very difficult to control. If the orb misses its target it explodes violently against the next surface it touches.


 * Mikadzukiho, Kuroi Tsukisatsu (New Moon Step, Black Moon Massacre): A technique that is only able to be used when Shio Tsukinomai takes on its New Moon persona. The wielder charges spiritual energy into the zanpakutō causing the scythe blade to elongate and become engulfed in a dark-coloured liquid-like flowing energy. This technique drastically increases the cutting power and physical capabilities of the kusarigama (kama especially) for as long as it is maintained, however it steadily consumes spiritual energy until deactivated.


 * Mangetsuho, Shiratsuki Kōtaku (Full Moon Step, White Moon Lustre): A technique that is only able to be used when Shio Tsukinomai takes on its Full Moon persona. The technique causes the wielder’s whole body and Shio Tsukinomai to begin flashing continuously like a strobe light with an extremely bright white light; the technique also slightly increases the wielder’s durability. The technique is maintained for as long as the wielder wills it but the technique steadily consumes the wielder’s spiritual energy when doing so. Despite the extremely bright light and stroboscopic effect that is being emitted from the wielder’s body and blade, the wielder’s vision is not affected or impaired in any way.