Name: Zantetsuken (Iron-Cutting Sword)
Zanpakuto Spirit Appearance: He appears as an old man in a white Kosode and Hakama. He usually wears black Jika-Tabi, and wears a black Obi as well. He has long, white hair kept loose, and though it's difficult to see, he is actually quite muscular.
Zanpakuto Spirit Personality: Calm, serious, and wise are all good descriptors of Zantetsuken. He views himself as something of a mentor to Niklas, and will freely give advice to the Captain. He is sometimes exasperated by Niklas' behaviour out of combat, often telling him that patience is a virtue.
Release Phrase: Zantetsuken, Cleave!
Family: Reishi
Level: Bankai
Sealed Zanpakuto: It appears to be a standard Katana, with a gently curving blade. The rectangular crossguard is black in color, and the hilt is white, wrapped in black cloth in a spiral pattern.
Shikai: The curve becomes more pronounced, looking like a cross between a Katana and a Scimitar now, enhancing it's slashing power. In addition, the cross-guard becomes smaller and turns to a bluish color.
Shikai Ability: Reishi Shield-Upon being released, Zantetsuken begins releasing blue Reishi from it's blade, causing the effect that it seems to be glowing blue. This Reishi interferes with spiritual energy-based attacks, such as Kido-spells, Hollow Cero blasts, and most other Zanpakuten's abilities, weakening them somewhat. This also greatly increases the weapon's own destructive power, making it quite formidable.
Bankai: Surprisingly, instead of growing to a truly impressive size, Zantetsuken actually grows slightly smaller. This is because it is a Compact Bankai, focusing all of it's power into a (relatively) small package. The pronounced curve to the blade remains, but now it thickens slightly toward the cross-guard, enhancing it's slashing power even further. Finally, the hilt extends, so as to accommodate a true two-handed grip, further enhancing it's power.
Bankai Release Phrase: Shin-Zantetsuken! (True Iron-Cutting Sword)
Bankai Ability: Basically the same as Shikai, but obviously much more powerful.
Techniques:
Shield: Constructs a shield of Reishi around the user, softening stronger Reiatsu-based attacks and completely blocking weaker ones. Instant, 2 post duration, 4 post cooldown, will shatter if directly struck by anything more powerful than a mid-level technique.
Oblivion *Bankai Only*: By focusing a great deal of Reishi into Zantetsuken, the blade becomes powerful enough that it can suppress most weak Reiatsu sources near it. Shield's power also increases, defending against high-level techniques, and a solid hit with the Zanpakuto can deal major damage, perhaps even instantly destroying a weak foe. 3 post charge time, 6 post duration, 7 post cooldown; Moving, attacking or being attacked will cancel the charging and immediately trigger the cooldown. *Note: Gran Rey Cero or high-level Kido from a powerful Kido-User can easily overcome the shield, though it'd still be weakened.*