Nigeki Kessatsu

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Nigeki Kessatsu
Kanji	弐撃決殺
English	Death in Two Steps
Information
Technique Type	Zanpakutō
User	Suì-Fēng, Suzumebachi

Nigeki Kessatsu (弐撃決殺, Death in Two Steps; Viz "Double-Strike Finisher") is the primary technique of Suì-Fēng's Shikai, Suzumebachi.

Description

As its first step, Suì-Fēng stabs her enemy with Suzumebachi's stinger. In addition to creating a rather deep wound, the attack leaves a butterfly-shaped stamp on the victim’s body. Spreading from the center of the wound, known as Hōmonka (蜂紋華, Hornet's Crest; Viz "Bee Crest Flower"), this stamp becomes the target of Suì-Fēng's second attack. If struck in the same spot that was hit the first time, the person will inevitably die, and thus illustrate "Death in Two Steps." When the ability takes effect, a larger crest quickly spreads out from the two smaller ones, completely destroying the victim's body. The mechanics behind Suzumebachi's ability take effect not through the point of entry, but rather the point of actual surface contact.

The crests are maintained by Suì-Fēng's will, and are impossible to remove unless she wills it; when Yoruichi Shihōin was still in charge of the Onmitsukidō, Suì-Fēng could only maintain the crests for half an hour. However, for a target of vastly superior Reiatsu, such as Sousuke Aizen, the crest can be forcefully removed. Furthermore, if Suzumebachi cannot pierce the target, it will not be able to imprint a Hōmonka, and Nigeki Kessatsu cannot be employed.

Trivia

• The anime includes the following mechanics of Nigeki Kessatsu, not mentioned in the original manga. This ability is caused by a venom that Suzumebachi secretes. When it enters the target's body, it spreads throughout their body in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, destroying it without a trace. The effect of the poison takes slightly longer to work for those who have enhanced spiritual power.
• Before the visual effects of Nigeki Kessatsu were shown in the manga, it was presented in a different manner in the movies in which it debuted. When Suì-Fēng makes the second strike on Benin and Yang, they simply disintegrate and crumble apart, respectively.