Kenpachi Kuruyashiki

was once a captain of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13. He was the 7th Kenpachi, until he was killed by his successor, Sōya Azashiro.

Appearance
Kuruyashiki is a tall, muscular Shinigami with dark messy hair. He wears the standard shihakushō, with his captain's haori which is sleeveless.

Personality
Kuruyashiki is friendly with Shunsui Kyōraku who knows him more than any captain in the Gotei 13. But his Division holds great respect for him, being noted to be "aniki" figure to Ashido Kano his lieutenant. He and Shunsui often drinks sake along with Captain Ukitake, and each of them held a drinking party for their own respective division. He refused to be promoted to the ranks of Zero Division as he is too lazy to guard the palace. He enjoys watching the end of the strong fighter he has fought before.

Powers & Abilities
Master Swordsman: As a former captain of the 11th division, which specializes in swordsmanship, Kuruyashiki possessed a great deal of skill in this art being capable of killing his predecessor and defeating all of his challengers until he was defeated by Sōya Azashiro.

Great Spiritual Power: As a former captain of the Gotei 13, Kuruyashiki possessed a great amount of Reiryoku.

Zanpakutō

 * The sealed form of Kuruyashiki's Zanpakutō is unknown.


 * Shikai: The release command is . Gagaku Kairō was stated to be a "living-type" Zanpakutō, similar to Retsu Unohana's Minazuki. Upon activation the blade manifested a large, white sphere with enormous fangs. Stated to be the size of a bear, the creature had with no eyes, nose, ears, or limbs; it consisted solely of a mouth with large fangs.


 * Shikai Special Ability: The creatures manifested by Gagaku Kairō were ravenous and would attack any enemies designated by Kuruyashiki. Kuruyashiki is able to manifest at least thirteen of these creatures at any given time.


 * Bankai: : Kuruyashiki's Bankai summons an enormous pair of jaws from the ground.


 * Bankai Special Ability: The jaws summoned by Kuruyashiki's Bankai are extremely ravenous and ferocious, devouring anything and everything within their reach, both living and inanimate, except for Kuruyashiki himself. Because of this, it was dangerous enough that Central 46 forbade Kuruyashiki from ever using it inside the Seireitei. The Bankai is powerful enough that Sōya Azashiro believed he would have lost against Kuruyashiki had the latter used it during their duel.

Zanpakutō
Cooldown (Shikai, Bankai): Whenever Kuruyashiki used his Bankai, he would be unable to use his Zanpakutō powers for six months.

Trivia

 * Kuruyashiki was voted the 45th most popular Shinigami character in the fifth character popularity poll.
 * Gagaku Kairō ranked 33rd in the second Zanpakutō poll.
 * In the second best bout poll, Kuruyashiki's fight with Sōya Azashiro ranked 83rd.