Tamakuijū

Tamakuijū (霊喰い銃, literally "Soul-Eating Gun") is a weapon similar in power to both a Quincy's Bow, and a Zanpakutō. It also has a special art, in which it is wielded, like Zanpakutō. This art is called Shageki (射撃, literally "Marksmanship"). It is also the signature weapon of the Extracteurs.

Overview
The Tamakuijū is the signature weapon of the Extracteurs, and is used to devour the souls of the damned, and the holy. Each Tamakuijū has a name, and a user assigned to it. However, those that are not part of the "Pillars" that make up the Extracteurs, do not have a Tamakuijū with an actual name. Instead, their Tamakuijū are referred to as Buranku (ブランク, literally "Blanks")

Tamakuijū were originally a way for a Priest skilled in Exorcism to cure the Yanresu (ヤンレス, literally "Yang-less") syndrome, which completely removes the Yang side of the soul. However, the disease was not considered fatal. It was instead said that if you fell under this disease, and didn't get cured within a year, you would would be sent to hell when you died because you soul only contained Yin (shadow/darkness).

When used by Priests, these weapons were used to draw energy out of those who have sinned or committed a crime. It separated the yin part of their soul from the yang, and was transferred to the Priest's body, becoming one with their soul. This of course altered the Yin-Yang balance of their soul, and made them a 66% pure (void of darkness). The yang would then be transferred from the Priest's soul, to the soul of the the person containing only Yin.

However, as time progressed, Priest began to use the Tamakuijū the wrong way. A group of people known as the Extracteurs, rose up, and began to devour the Yang from the souls of criminals. This was to make their own soul 100% pure (void of darkness). However, the over consumption of souls caused their body to evolve. This race was given the name Extracteurs, in an ironic way to honor those who had went to far with the Tamakuijū.

Tamakuijū Facts

 * Unlike Zanpakutō, not every Tamakuijū has a name.
 * The size of the Tamakuijū is dependent on the amount of yin or yang within the soul of their ancestor.
 * Mostly Yin Soul: These types of Tamakuijū are not that big, and are usually used from close to mid range combat.
 * Mostly Yang Soul: These tyep of Tamakuijū are similar to a Bazzoka, their size can range from a normal gun (the size of an M1911) to something as long as a sniper rifle.
 * Tamakuijū are more picky then Zanpakutō, and are able to choose their wielder. This is only because the soul used to create the Tamakuijū does not belong to the wielder.
 * When a Tamakuijū is broken, it takes the soul of the wielder to repair it, possibly infecting them with Yangresu.
 * When a Extracteur dies by a Tamakuijū, their Tamakuijū completely vanishes from existence. The damage that it had caused disappears and cures all the souls that have had their yin or yang stolen from them. However, when the Extracteur dies, their Tamakuijū turns into a mimicry of their soul, allowing the other Tamakuijū user to absorb it, or erase it.

Obtaining The Tamakuijū
To obtain a Tamakuijū, the user must first have an ancestor that was either a Shinigami or a Quincy. The amount of spiritual essence that is left around their body is absorbed through the use of Yanresu's Kuikorosu (食い殺す, literally "Devour"). This ability is activated when the "heir" to the Tamakuijū comes within range of their Ancestor's Spirit Essence. This gives birth to a Tamakuijū which is bent off the state of the Ancestor's soul was in before death.

Tamakuijū Training
Kōmyōnate (巧妙な手, literally "Seight-of-Hand") is the first form of meditation/training that an "Heir" must go through to better understand the spirit of their Tamakuijū. It is also to communicate with the remains of their Ancestor's spirits, learning the secrets to their Tamakuijū and the abilities it can execute.

It is the most effective way of communicating and understanding your Tamakuijū, but is one of the slowest processes known. It takes a great amount of time and concentration to tap into the spirit of the "Heir's" Tamakuijū, because the soul that it was made out of, was not their own. Also, a Tamakuijū can refuse to communicate with its user, not deeming them worthy to learn their skills, or their full power.

Sukauto (スカウト, literally "Scout") is an alternate form of meditation/training that an "Heir" can choose to go through, in order to understand their Tamakuijū. This process is similar to the methods a sniper uses in order to get a clean shot on their target. It is also nicknamed "Sights" since when utilized, it looks like the user is aiming down the sights of their Tamakuijū.

It is the least effective way of communicating and understanding their Tamakuijū. This is mostly because the amount of communication between the "Heir" and the Tamakuijū is cut short between each shot. It also consumes the "Heir's" Reiryoku and Reiatsu more then the original/first method.