Kikkashō

Kikkashō (菊花章, Order of the Chrysanthemum) was a secretive criminal organization first alluded to by Suitai Shiba towards the end of his battle with Kentaro Hiroshi. The group was killed almost to the man by the newly-christened Shiseiten on the order of former Shiseiten Anika Shihōin, though some may have survived. Just prior to The Collapse the group where seemingly monitoring individuals with remarkable combat skills. Both Kusaka and Kenji noted that the Kikkashō where interested in both Garrett Sheppard and Tiffany Henderson. Following the Collapse yet more hints surfaced regarding the Kikkashō. Kentaro and Suitai believe them to have infiltrated the top ranks of the Gotei Remnant, though this remains mere speculation. Kentaro, however, suspects his granduncle to have vanished in pursuit of this particular rumour. It was revealed that Blake Shihōin was a member and that they had a connection with Averian.

History
The Kikkashō was the first criminal organization encountered by Kenji, Kusaka and Kazuma after leaving the Soul Society. In the beginning it was only brief skirmishes with their low-ranked thugs, leading Kenji and company to discount them out-of-hand.

Anika Shihōin tasked Kenji and his friends with the destruction of the group as she lacked the evidence needed to mobilize the Onmitsukidō, which initially surprised Kenji. After hearing what his godmother had to say about the group however Kenji and his friends agreed to mobilize. The group was ultimately put to the sword and thought to have been destroyed utterly.

However, prior to the return of Averian, Suitai Shiba warned Kentaro Hiroshi that he would not outrun the Kikkashō; hinting at a possible survival or perhaps resurgence. This possibility was then lent some credibility by Kenji himself who not only hesitated to say he and the others had stomped them out completely, but also warned Kentaro to "sleep with one eye open" and that "the Kikkashō made the Collective Vices of Kōhai Tochi look like children playing at crime". He also discounted the possibility that Suitai was merely messing with Kentaro's head and urged his son to be careful as the Kikkashō weren't to be underestimated.

Kentaro has made it his mission to finish what his father started and is now actively hunting the group. Kenji, however, suspected Suitai of being a member but this was never proven, as his investigation was interrupted by the Collapse.

Membership

 * Blake Shihōin.
 * Sōjirō Kusaka.

Behind the scenes

 * The chrysanthemum is symbolic of death in some European countries.
 * The Kikkashō are loosely based on HYDRA from the Marvel universe; specifically the film-version.