Bakkōtō

History and development

Bakkōtō is a rare type of weapon used by Gyōkaku Kumoi's assassins. This type of weapon differs from the Zanpakutō in several ways. While the Zanpakutō is a symbiotic being, working and growing more powerful as the Shinigami develops a relationship with the sword's inner avatar, the Bakkōtō is more of a parasite, gradually consuming the user as it grows in power, until it starts to affect his/her mind and eventually devours him/her. The only way to suppress the devouring properties is to have a sufficient level of spiritual power. Also, the Bakkōtō do not have any sort of known release states, instead evolving with the user's Reiatsu. Finally, while Zanpakutō can only be wielded by their respective Shinigami, a Bakkōtō can be wielded by any person with Reishi, and varies in power and ability depending on its wielder. Bakkōtō are forged through a secret technique of the Kasumiōji Clan. Rukia Kuchiki notes that the Bakkōtō are highly illegal.

Bakkōtō take the form of weapons with an organic component, which consists of an eye (shown to be its nucleus) and a mass of flesh resembling the innards of a mollusc, which extends along the user's body as they feed it with more of their Reiatsu. A Bakkōtō without a weapon is called a Bakkōtō Larva. The weapons have to be attached onto the Bakkōtō Larva. A Bakkōtō can also grow in power when fed the nuclei of other Bakkōtō.

Data from Shinigami Archives.

400 years had passed after the incident, where the creators of Bakkōtō and those related with them, died. The information about how to create them seemed as lost, only...It wasn't. Cogimo Shigoru, member of Squad 12, was involved in the early projects of Bakkōtō and acquired the data of crafting these weapons. In return he provided the Kasumiōji Clan with materials, that could be accessed only through the Gotei 13 and, Research and Development. Tho, when the situation started to get too hot for the male, he backed away, clearing any trails, that would lead to him. So, the art still lived.

After waiting to things calm down, Cogimo started his own extended research, that took almost 300 years. First, needed to be solved the weapons biggest flaw, the huge amount of reishi needed to sustain these things and consequences, if failed to feed the hungry beast. For this came useful information, which was collected on Quincies over the years. It allowed to add a ability of reishi absorbing from the surrounding to sustain it. Tho, it still needed a large amount of users reishi to move from one state to another one and in last stages the surrounding reishi concentration wasn't big enough to sustain the Bakkōtō alone.

After dealing with the greatest of this weapons flaws, next came different perks and upgrades to it. There were used mod souls, to make them more individual and managed to create something of loyalty to their users. It also made the risk of dying from their use smaller. After that came numerous tries to upgrade the already existing powers, create some new abilities and then fly back at start, when meeting a complete failure. Cogimo Shigoru experimented with different sets of abilities, seeing what they could and couldn't. For now, at 2415, the research had seized, do to lack of data the male is available.

Appearance

While Bakkōtō previously had appearance of weapons, it was only because the Larva had been merged with them. Theoretically, it can fuse with almost anything, including zanpakutō. Tho it had been tried only once, when Cogimo fused a Bakkōtō with a ability to exit the inner worlds and materialize, completely separating from its host. This fusion ended with the zanpakutō over powering the Bakkōtō spirit and devouring it.

So, this means Bakkōtō can take the appearance of almost anything. If talking about the appearance, when activated, it also differs(not like the original version) depending on what kind of spirit is the Bakkōtō. While Cogimos Bakkōtō is still tentacles like the original one, for other it may be as his arm slowly covers with bark, because the spirit may be a giant tree. Yes, what else needs to be noted, it had been noticed, that mostly all spirits are related with Mother Nature. The reason why is that, Cog is still researching for answer. There will always the eye tho'. The core of Bakkōtō.


Evolution States

The only name, that can describe the Bakkōtōs advancement is "Evolution States". The weapon enters it, upon receiving the required amount of reishi from the user.

There is three paths a Bakkōtō powers can go. One, like Kraken, is direct battle type, where the user directly manipulates with the swords powers. The power request The example would be Kraken and Cogimo, where Cogimo controls directly how Krakens abilities will act. Another example would be a Bakkōtō with a power to produce hardened reishi rose petals. The user directly could control where these petals strike and so.

Second path is a bit summon like, but with its differences. Bakkōtōs can't produce multiple summons, but it is possible to have one with a ability to materialize actual Bakkōtō spirit outside to fight. This Bakkōtō type is more meant for those with smaller amount of reishi. For a Bakkōtō spirit to preform their strongest abilities, it takes smaller amount of reishi to use and what can be found in surrounding usually suffices. These Bakkōtō users can telepathically communicate with their summon, but need a "Mental Focus" skill of advance to do it. These summon Bakkōtō had been found to be the perfect partners in battles, but from all three types, this one has the weakest abilities. Their skill set is as wide, as any zanpakutō, except, no summoning.

The third type is the most interesting and strongest. Suggested for those with large amounts of spiritual energy. While other Bakkōtō change the appearance of one, upon use, a bit, this type of Bakkōtō actually fuses the weapon with user. By entering further and further, the users body more and more changes. These type of Bakkōtōs have the most strongest, but also the most tasking abilities. Mostly they are to enchant some of users aspects, as speed, durability and so. There always are some powers, like energy blasts and so, but while they are quite destructive, they also take more power from the user, then other Bakkōtō types. These powers would almost always take a aspect of some element, plant or animal. Example would be a fire type Bakkōtō, that slowly would cover the body in ticker and ticker layer of lava, makes the user more durable, fire resistant and gives him some sort of fire shooting abilities.

Next will follow the list of states, that one can enter with his Bakkōtō. First three states doesn't take much of reishi and, if they are entered with a sufficient tier, they can be constantly active. One can enter also a state higher, then should, but it would be only for 10 posts and after that, if used for all ten posts, the user can't use Bakkōtō at all for 15 posts.

The next two states take energy of the users all the time, so they have some duration. More or less this duration depends on power state, but the shortest of them is 10 posts, but largest up to 45 posts. The duration depends also on the Bakkōtō type. The duration can have exceptions, but they are very rare and are judged case by case.

• The first state a person can enter has no more, then one ability and can be unlocked at tier 5-2. At this state you set the ability, around which the Bakkōtōs power will grow. For example, Kraken has the ability to turn different matter into water.
  A summon type would be in strength, health and durability of a low-class hollow(also with one ability), if its powers doesn't give him any boosts.
  If fuse type, the fusion would be hard to see and it gives the user two abilities. One is always some kind of enchantment.
  
  
• The second stage adds additional ability and makes the existing ones more powerful. This state can be entered at tier 4-4.
  If summon type, it is in the strength, health and durability of a hollow shortly before becoming a Gillian(The summon has two abilities).
  If fuse type, the fusion can be seen mostly as change of skin in some places and sometimes mutation of eyes. Gains two more abilities, but both are to enchant physical attributes.
  
  
• The third state can be accessed at tier 3-5. As before, the existing powers become even more powerful. It can be well seen, that reishi is being absorbed from the surrounding. The appearance, except for fuse type, gives also away a bit, that the person is using a Bakkōtō. From the object, till the elbow, the Bakkōtō had spread. Direct battle and summon type gets two new abilities, while fuse type receives one.
  If summon type, the summon becomes in strength, health and durability as Shikai wielding Shinigami(The summon has four abilities).
  If fuse type, the fusion can be well seen. Some body parts had completely turned and so. The one gained ability can be used as one wishes.
  
  
• The fourth state is a giant jump in Bakkōtō powers and strength. It can be accessed at around 2-1++ to 1-5. The strength of all Bakkōtō abilities are boosted three times for Direct Battle and Summon type, and five times for Fuse type. At the start of reaching this state, the duration for the Bakkōtō is 15 posts Direct Battle and Summon type, but only ten for fuse type. The appearance of Direct Battle and Summon type Bakkōtō users would be, that the Larva had spread a bit further, then shoulder.
  Direct Battle type Bakkōtō has up to 8 abilities and more or less, are in strength of recently formed Bankai. The powers are only a bit more stable.
  Summon type Bakkōtō has up to 7 abilities and the summon is in power of shinigami with recently formed Bankai.
  Fuse type Bakkōtō has up to 8 abilities, but at least 5 of them are required to be boost type. The powers are in strength of adept level Bankai The users body mostly looks like fused with Bakkōtō, tho' still is kept the original users anatomy.
  Upon reaching tier 0-4+ the duration of Direct Battle and Summon type Bakkōtō is up to 45 posts and 30 posts for Fuse type Bakkōtō. From three times, the ability power boost grows to 5 times for Direct Battle and Summon type Bakkōtō, and to 7 times for Fuse type Bakkōtō.
  
  
• The fifth state is maximum, what most people can achieve with Bakkōtō. It can be reached at tier 0-4+. The strength of all abilities is boosted 12 times for Direct Battle and Summon type, and 20 times for Fuse type. For Direct Battle and Summon type Bakkōtō, it had taken all the arm and chest, sometimes even the leg too. Without the fact, that this state takes a huge amount of reishi from the user, the surrounding reishi is being absorbed in incredible speed. If in a realm, like Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, the houses, plants and land itself is being literately absorbed. This is a dangerous state also, because the Bakkōtōs hunger grows uncontrollably huge, risking on devouring it own user. The biggest risk is for Summon type users, because, if they can't sustain their Bakkōtō spirit with enough energy, the spirits can turn on their own creators, going completely out of control and ending up eating him.
  Direct type Bakkōtō has up to 11 abilities, in strength of master level Bankai.
  Summon type Bakkōtō has up to 11 abilities and the summon is in strength of shinigami with advanced level Bankai.
  Fuse type Bakkōtō has up to 12 abilities, from which 7 of them needs to be boost type. The abilities are a bit higher, then master level Bankai in power. This is the moment, where the fusion is complete. The user has now access to all Bakkōtōs abilities and can be called a machine of pure power and destruction. Tho' this state for Fuse type users is more tasking, then for others, so the duration also is quite shorter.
  Summon and Direct Battle type Bakkōtōs duration is around 30 posts, while Fuse type Bakkōtō is only 20 posts. It needs to be noted, that, if this state is used to the end, the person can't use the Bakkōtō for the rest of thread, not talking about Bankai or any releases at all.

This is the ultimate form of Bakkōtō, but also the one form almost unable to reach. This is the state, where you fuse your essence of being with Bakkōtō of choice. It can only be reached for those, who have no other spirits in his/her body, so no ziamichi, vizards or even shinigami can reach it. The hardest part to reach this state, the users soul needs to devour the Bakkōtōs inner spirit, so taking its being inside the selfs soul. This is a massive inner battle, which, if lost, can result in complete devouring from the Bakkōtōs side. Tho', if one manages to reach this state, it can be compared to shinigamies Shikōkai. Also, a certain amount of energy is required to perform the devouring, so tier 0-2 is mandatory. Also, the Bakkōtō before this needs to be used by someone at least 2 months. The last side note, to preform this battle, the person needs to pull the Bakkōtōs spirit in ones inner world. So, if you don't have one, think of a way to create it and only then try attempting this feat.

When entering this state, the users energy level actually grows, from receiving everything the Bakkōtō had in it. The abilities form from the mixing of Bakkōtōs spirit and users soul. This is the reason, why in this state the users thinking usually changes completely, making this also into a very unstable state. The change of mind is permanent. The power of user grows to 20 times for Direct Battle and Summon type, and 25 times for Fuse type. The appearance in this state, strangely enough, is completely controlled by the user, so it can be almost anything. Of course, only very few realizes this fact, so usually they look like most last stage Fuse type users.

Now there isn't a actual count of ones abilities and their power is more or less godlike, making this kind of Bakkōtō user someone to tremble and fear. The duration of this form is from 4 posts in 0-2 tier to 9 posts in 0-1++. This duration can vary on every individuals strength and the Bakkōtōs type. The numbers are only average.

After exiting the stage, the Bakkōtō spirit is completely destroyed, but the users own body had been turned for the rest of his life. Because, after this transformation, the person will be a higher form of Bakkōtō and will need to consume large amounts of reishi time from time. So, taking this also into account, one needs to think twice, before using this power.

Multiple Bakkōtō Use

Regarding those, who wish to use multiple Bakkōtō, it is possible, but needs practice with using one first. The reason for this, two Bakkōtōs take a lot more energy, then one and, of course, drains ones energy twice as fast. When equipped two Bakkōtōs, the user also needs to decide witch of them two he will give the base power. That means, if one has two Bakkōtōs, one of these weapons will always be one states lower, then the maximum state the user could enter.

Bakkōtō spirit and its world

So, in years of work, Cogimo did manage to create a type of actual spirit for the Bakkōtō. This was done, to make them capable to get attached to their users, so making the chance of one being consumed by Bakkōtō even smaller. This ended quite positively, because the Bakkōtō became really loyal and devoted to those, who used them. After few prototypes, started the separation of types and also it effected the general personalities of them. He could document, that every Bakkōtō type had a general traits in their personalities.

• Direct Battle: These spirits are most coldest. They get attached most slowly and act as nothing effects them. But, if broken through this armor, they revel to be one of most sensitive to happenings of their surrounding.
  
• Summon: These are the most loyal to their masters. They learn very fast how they should act, so both, the Bakkōtō and its master, would benefit the most. If the Bakkōtō and their master are both fighters, they usually make a deadly combo.
  
• Fuse: These are the most tricky one. First, if one uses them actively for about two months, for others this Bakkōtō will become useless. They copy their users personality very well and sometimes adjust their looks, to be more like their masters. If they get separated for a extended period, the weapon starts to actually die. This is the reason, why Cogimo doesn't craft them so much, even if in power, they are quite strong.

If talking about ones inner world, Bakkōtō has one inside the weapon itself. When wearing the item, the user can access this place with meditation and want great enough to enter the place. The spirits inner world will always be under its control, so it will always look as the spirit wants.

Applying for a Bakkōtō

For now only Cogimo Shigoru is the only source for Bakkōtō, because of the knowledge had been lost even between the Clan, that first started their crafting. But, recently, after the law, that banned them, went out of date, Bakkōtō had become accessible for public once more. This time tho', for many safety reasons, one needs to get a clearance from Gotei 13 to acquire rights buying one. After that you need to meet member of Squad 12 to make your order. The information about how to acquire one legally had been sent through all members and allies of Soul Society. Still, the secret how to craft them is still kept hidden. If anyone would try the slightest scanning or any other way of gather information from them, the weapons would turn into,,,sand in the same moment, having no traces of reishi left.

Bakkōtō Application:

To apply for Bakūkishō, you need to RP the battle and apply for it, through upgrades. This state is only allowed through Admin approve.

P.S. What I would want, but you can turn me down, if it isn't possible, to be directly responsible for Bakkōtō app accepting. I think, I can manage at least that. In this thread I would put Bakkōtōs time to time, that can be bought IG.

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