Tetsuzaemon Iba

is the Lieutenant of the 7th Division of the Gotei 13, under Captain Sajin Komamura.

Character Outline
Iba has a distinctive hair cut and wears black sunglasses with his standard shinigami uniform. He also smokes, thus somewhat resembling a typical yakuza. He has a large tattoo on his back consisting of a cat on fire and the kanji shōfuku (inviting luck). Iba also seems to have recurring stomach problems, which he notes with shame on a few occasions. He and Ikkaku Madarame seem to have something of a working relationship, though it consists mainly of them dueling, drinking sake, then dueling again to see who has to get more.

History
Iba was originally from the 11th Division, but transferred to the 7th Division because getting promoted to lieutenant in the 11th Division was more difficult, if not impossible. It is later revealed that he wished to become a lieutenant not out of personal ambition, but for the sake of his mother. As a result, his former compatriots in the 11th Division look down upon him, as they deem the other divisions weaker than they are. In spite of this, he has a habit of hanging around their division's headquarters. Despite having left the 11th Division, it's clear he still enjoys a good fight, and during his duels with Ikkaku reveals a maniac grin much like his sparring partner.

Shinigami Powers
Iba is well-rounded in both swordsmanship and kidō, only because it made becoming a lieutenant easier.

Expert Swordmanship Specialist

Kido Expert

Zanpakutō
The name and abilities of Iba's zanpakutō are unknown, as well as its shikai command. When sealed, it looks like a tantō, and he usually keeps it inside his shinigami uniform with the hilt sticking out.


 * Shikai: In its shikai, Iba's zanpakutō extends into a falchion or a large bladed scimitar with a pick-like protrusion a short distance below the tip of the sword. The only times he releases it is during his fight with Ikkaku and when he attempts to stop Jin Kariya, but the actual releases occur off-screen. He also releases it in the Bleach movie "Memories of nobody" in a duel with Ikkaku, though the command is still not spoken.