Kenji Hiroshi (FC)

Kenji Hiroshi (健児博), known to Van Satonaka as Kenny and to Kei Yume as Ken, is a formerly of the 11th Division in the Gotei 13, under Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. Currently he is a member of the 9th Division, initially under Captains and Kazuya Kuchiki. He later served as the 3rd Seat of his Division under Captain Sajin Komamura and Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, and was active during the war with The Coven. During this time Kenji also served as a member of an elite Commando unit within the 9th Division which comprised himself, the Lieutenant and the 4th, 5th and 6th Seated officers.

Following the death of Captain Kuchiki, Kenji sought to keep the latter's teachings alive and eventually became a respected Kidō teacher with many notable students benefiting from his guidance in the aftermath of the Kidō Corps Revolt. This partly led to a rebirth of the Kidō Corps within the ranks of the 9th Division. By no means was he strictly a Kidō instructor however. Kenji also taught extensively as an instructor attached to the Shin'ō Academy, where he taught the entire, in addition to other specialised classes.

Outside his duties as a Seated officer, teacher and Shinigami, Kenji is a notable contributor to the Seireitei News Magazine. He authors his own story called The Cataclysm and has shadow-wrote a number of additional articles on behalf of others. In his off-duty hours he either spends his time in Kei's bar writing and editing for the news magazine, or he goes out into the field to investigate topics that he finds interesting.

In later years however Kenji has become something of a controversial figure. His unsanctioned training of a new Substitute Shinigami did not help his position, nor has his outspoken views, some of which are widely conveyed by the Seireitei News Magazine. It is said that he is steadily being viewed as a dangerous future element.

Appearance
Kenji is a fair-featured and youthful-looking man with piercing crimson-coloured eyes and raven-black hair. As is typical of the Commando unit he serves in, Kenji wears a form-fitting white-coloured haori over his standard Shinigami attire with Komamura 9th Division emblazoned on the back. Like almost every member of the Ninth Division past and present, Kenji wears a sleeveless kosode. In emulation of Shūhei Hisagi, Kenji wears two black armbands coiled around his left bicep, in addition to sporting a 69 tattoo on his left forearm. These armbands have been shown to possess explosive qualities, and to protect this secret he covered them with rags taken from Van's torn kosode to create a makeshift armband. Shortly before the resurrection and attack of Kensei Muguruma on Rose and Hisagi, Kenji had donned a black gauntlet on his left-forearm as an optional additive to his sleeveless uniform.

When compared to his counterpart from World 1 and World 2, Kenji is noticeably younger; he is also slightly shorter than both his counterparts. Unlike his counterparts Kenji is noted to have no grey in his hair, instead sporting a full head of black.

Personality
As evidenced by his former membership of the 11th Division, which is seen as the premier fighting force of the Gotei 13 who specialised in swords-only combat, Kenji likes a good fight; he still frequently spars with his former comrades, and has even challenged Lieutenants; amongst them Takeji Yatsunishi. Even after transferring to the 9th Division, Kenji continues to wear his Zanpakutō with him at all times in keeping with the tradition of his former Division. Whilst members of the 11th Division often sought glory in battle, with some even remarking that if they're going to die they'd rather die fighting, Kenji proved a more reserved and calculating fighter. Kenji did not believe in the "might is right" philosophy, and thus transferred Divisions. He also did not restrict himself to the study of. Kenji studied Kidō under Kazuya Kuchiki, with a similar mindset to that of regarding his training. He is also noted to be fearless, for he stared down an Adjuchas-class Hollow whilst only moments earlier rescinding an order for reinforcements.

Kazuya's death, coupled with the murder of Takeji almost immediately after and the death of so many of his comrades at the hands of The Coven, caused something to wither in Kenji; he reckoned that a piece of himself had died right along with them. This feeling quickly turned to a burning resolve to avenge the deaths of Takeji, his Captain, and his squad-mates; all of his anger was directed solely at Megumi, for she was the only member of The Coven whom Kenji had personally laid eyes on. Van and Kei where largely responsible for helping Kenji come to terms with these events. His later role as a teacher attached to the Shinigami Kidō Association further helped Kenji reconcile with his anger, and he eventually became a kind and approachable instructor who advocated Kazuya's teachings regarding Kidō; despite this his methods where noted to be highly unorthodox and outright dangerous. Whilst Van is a joker, Kenji tends to be more respectful and reserved; he is a particularly effective leader and teacher, and helped Ace become a more effective officer through kind but firm reprimands. Hisagi valued Kenji for his leadership skills and was particularly thankful when he returned to active duty following the wounds he sustained against The Coven. His trials since The Coven attack served to mature Kenji, both in terms of personality and combat ability. His maturity helped him greatly when he volunteered himself as a Kidō instructor.

In his downtime Kenji is a busy author; he writes a popular series called The Cataclysm, which has consistently featured in the Seireitei News Magazine; even his companion pieces have proved very popular. In addition he is a competent illustrator, and he can often be found drawing whenever the dread that is writer's block sets in. By no means does he limit himself to his own works however; Kenji has extended himself through various topics, and often shadow-writes for others, including his colleagues. He worked alongside Rikuri Ukitake during her modelling career, but ended up making a fool of himself by mistaking her for someone else. Despite this setback he ended up having a successful partnership with Rikuri because he made her laugh. Kenji frequents the Yume bar operated by his close-friend and squad-mate Kei Yume, and it is here that he mulls over his various articles before submitting them for review.

Kenji's preferred drink is whiskey on the rocks.

Even under pressure Kenji is highly analytical.

Literary works
Personal works
 * The Cataclysm -- an ongoing and highly popular episodic series written by Kenji, with frequent insight from Hisagi, who also serves as the works main editor. The book features a highly fantasised version of the Gotei 13 and focuses on the adventures of main characters Kenji Hiroshi, Van Satonaka, Kei Yume and Shiju Shūdō as they battle against an ancient evil.


 * Data-book Tribulations -- a companion piece to The Cataclysm which expunges on the fantasy setting of Kenji's established series with a thorough timeline, which Hisagi worked on as the main editor. The piece was also highly anticipated because it featured the backstory of Kei Yume.

Guides and Lectures
 * Kenji's Bare-bones Breakdown to Being a Shinigami -- one of Kenji's earliest works which was posted when he was still a student at the Shinō Academy. It detailed the bare-bone basics of a 's duty, but proved very unpopular. Kenji used pieces of this work to explain to Michael Davis what is meant to be a Shinigami.


 * Bolt From the Blue: The New Substitute -- an ongoing diary written by Kenji after he helped Michael Davis finalise his acquisition of, which also served as something of a sequel to his earlier failed work regarding the Shinigami basics. The work was inspired by 's own regarding , but Kenji didn't initially submit it for review to preserve his own involvement in Michael's training.


 * The Yonkō of Hakuda -- Despite great anticipation for the final product the article received a horrible debut; Seireitou Kawahiru never showed up for the interview, and the article thus comprised only the Yonkō's known history with a flashy cover-page.


 * Follow-up! The Four Realms Theory -- a follow-up to his failed article with Seireitou, Kenji sought out the latter's student -- Minato Kuramoto -- to discuss Hakuda. Minato proved far more forthcoming than his teacher, and explained in detail how Shinigami only ever reach the first realm, Kiai, because their Zanpakuto prevents Kiroku from being possible. The article proved popular with members of the 2nd Division, as well as those in the who wished to take the title of Yonkō from Seireitou.

Co-Publications and Contributions
 * A Lieutenants Guide to Hearty Subordinates -- a multi-series issue co-published by Kenji that features 2nd Division Lieutenant Kazuo Hanazawa and his love of cooking, with all proceeds going to Kazuo; each issue featured Kazuo dressed in a Chappy the Bunny-styled apron with white frills, with a serious expression, always armed with the obligatory spatula as he detailed his various recipes. The issue, which was widely believed to have replaced 's The Path of Justice as the most popular recipe guide, was immensely popular; Kazuo was known to cook for his squad-mates, and many turned out in mass to support their Lieutenant.

Illustrative Works
 * Illustrations of Rikuri Ukitake -- Kenji worked alongside Rikuri Ukitake during her modelling career, and posted numerous columns and illustrations in the Seireitei News Magazine, not to mention other more specialised publications before Rikuri called time on her career. As the publications that once featured Rikuri are now considered rare memorabilia, it is considered very difficult for anyone to obtain the articles where Rikuri featured; some do, however, still exist and are traded in certain areas of the Rukongai.

Obituaries
 * An Obituary: Kazuya Kuchiki and the Noble Art -- an obituary for Kazuya Kuchiki, who Captained the 9th Division and served as Kenji's Kidō teacher, was written by Kenji shortly after Kazuya's death.

History
Kenji originated in the poorer districts of Northern. He sought out the life of a to better his own existence and escape poverty, and eventually entered into the  on his third attempt. Kenji made it his goal to emulate Shūhei Hisagi, who was viewed as the ideal template for a Shinigami, not to mention someone who was viewed by Kenji's own class as something of a legend. After graduating and entering into the 11th Division, Kenji met the Lieutenant of the Eighth Division, Takeji Yatsunishi, and eventually developed a friendly rivalry with him. The two met frequently for sparring sessions.

Kenji would eventually transfer to the 9th Division after receiving a promotion to the post of 3rd Seated Officer, where he would work closely with Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi; a partnership which eventually led Hisagi to reorganise the Commando Unit years later. As a member of the 9th Division Kenji contributed greatly to the Seireitei News Magazine as an author and illustrator. Shortly thereafter Kenji contracted Izumi Ōmura for the production of specialised pens and ink for his personal use. Prior to Rikuri Ukitake calling quits on her modelling career, Kenji was one of her illustrators; Rikuri's image made Kenji quite a bit of. Kenji famously mistook her for someone else however, but managed to land a lucrative contract with her in the end because he managed to make her laugh, despite making himself appear as an idiot in the process.

During the waged by the Gotei 13 against, Kenji ended up working closely with  in the vicinity of. As Eikichirō remarked that things where about to get underway, Kenji looked on in silence whilst documenting what he felt at the time in his notebook. His musings would later contribute to the popular arc of his novel which depicted his characters engaging the Privaron Espada under Aizen's control.

Kenji remained with the 9th Division when Kensei Muguruma returned as Captain following the death of Kaname Tōsen. His eventual death saddened him greatly.

When the of the  under  assaulted the, Kenji was visiting the barracks of the 3rd Division on an errand from Lieutenant Hisagi. He stands with Lieutenant when the Quincy begin their invasion, but is powerless against the onslaught and is grievously injured alongside Izuru. Kenji's wounds are light in comparison to Izuru's however but he is nevertheless treated by Captain and soon returns to the battle. Kenji is one of the lower-ranked Shinigami who enters Wahrwelt. When Hisagi is shot by, resulting in extensive injuries, Kenji attempts to stabilise his Lieutenant. He also fell into Lille's sights but was intercepted by Captain-Commander before he could pull the trigger, and thus escaped further injury.

In what many deemed a bizarre career choice Kenji refused the chance to return to the 11th Division as Lieutenant, and instead pledged himself to the teachings of Kazuya Kuchiki, who became the new Captain of the 9th Division following Kensei's death.

The Coven War

 * Main article -- Bleach: The Coven War.

Prologue

 * First Steps Into the Unknown (Cover image of Cataclysm)
 * Dawn of the Coven
 * Towards the Future: Kenji's Resolve
 * Towards the Future: Cave of Fulmination
 * Towards the Future: Human World Investigation
 * Towards the Future: Answers and Questions
 * Towards the Future: Finalisation

Blank period

 * Blank period: The Noble Art
 * Blank period: The Jaws Close
 * Blank period: The Evening Primrose

Act I

 * A Giving Soul
 * A New Chapter
 * Back From the Dead: Kensei Muguruma!?
 * Back From the Dead: Recuperation

Specials

 * Main article -- Specials and Omakes.


 * Drinking Time With Kenji & Van: Episode 3: The Multiverse is a Bitch

Equipment

 * Hitsuboku (筆墨, Pen and ink): Kenji uses specialised pens and ink; the ink, when applied directly to the bloodstream, releases a potent sleeping agent. The tip of his pen can be ejected at extreme speeds to quickly facilitate use of the agent, and is considered by Kenji to be his "ace in the hole". Both the pen and ink are made specially by Izumi Ōmura of the 12th Division.


 * Senten (穿点, Piercing/Drill Point): medical equipment usually carried by the 4th Division, which has the effect of knocking out weak -- or weakened -- individuals with only a single drop. Produces a heightened and longer lasting effect when used in conjunction with Izumi Ōmura's specialised sleeping agent.


 * Explosive Armbands: Like his Lieutenant, Kenji wears two black armbands coiled around his left bicep, which have been shown to possess explosive qualities. Kenji later covered these armbands with the rags torn from Van's kosode to disguise them. He has been noted to retain the rags as a makeshift armband to continue the disguise, even in later years.


 * Teleportation sheets: During the investigation into Yoshiro Shiba's disappearance, Kenji revealed himself to be in possession of specialised sheets which enable instantaneous travel from his current location to the courtyard of the 9th Division's barracks through Kidō.

Powers and Abilities
Potential and Growth Rate: Like his known counterparts, Kenji has a remarkably advanced growth rate coupled with bagfuls of unrealised innate potential. Despite only recently graduating Kenji was already sparring with Shinigami of Lieutenant-rank. He was later noted to possess skill and knowledge beyond typical Lieutenant-class combatants.

He is also a member of the 9th Division's elite Commando Unit. After meeting the nature spirit known as in Northern Rukongai, Kenji and Van where infused by a small measure of its power. Before this Kenji was already considered Lieutenant-class and was offered the position with the 11th Division, but ultimately refused. Kenji's reiatsu is electrically charged; when exerted electricity is shown to dance along his limbs. Due to his skill in Kidō Kenji is also noted to possess masterful control of his reiatsu. Nine years following The Coven's initial attack, Kenji was able to defeat a weakened Adjuchas without assistance; he even rescinded the order for reinforcements, such was his confidence. Kenji has openly admitted that Van is stronger than he is however. Despite this Kenji is openly regarded as being stronger than typical Lieutenant-class combatants.

Kidō Expertise: Despite originating from the 11th Division, which encourages melee-only combat amongst its members to the point one must possess a melee-type Zanpakutō, Kenji is a remarkably skilled practitioner of Kidō whom even Megumi, who defeated him rather easily, admitted was nearly at the skill-level expected of a Kidō master outside the ranks of the ; lofty praise, considering her own inclinations towards the noble art and general attitude to those with little skill regarding it. Kenji can thus be described as a direct benefactor of Kazuya Kuchiki's Captaincy; the man advocated the study of Kidō amongst the members of the 9th Division, and Kenji studied under him diligently prior to his death. Two years after volunteering himself as a Kidō instructor, Kenji's abilities advanced even further; to the point of skilfully manipulating the shape and consistency of spells to achieve results beyond their usual function. The further passing of time saw his skills continue to grow. When he rescued a teenage Michael Davis from an Adjuchas-class Kenji demonstrated the ability to exchange incantations with extended hand gestures.


 * Hadō: Kenji is particularly powerful in offensive spells. He has shown himself fit to launch a spell into the weaker innards of his targets on the back of a separate spell, such as, with explosive results. He is especially intuitive when it comes to combining spells to achieve effects beyond the spells usual function. Kenji mixed the effects of    to create fast-moving chunks of explosive concrete which hit their target with devastating effect, and even after this he was capable of launching  with enough power to kill an Adjuchas.


 * Bakudō: Kenji was fit to quickly subdue and bind a group of thugs using without an incantation or motion. Just prior to the death of Kazuya his skill, and creativity, allowed him to use multiple  shields to subtly divert Megumi's assault to avoid fatal injury; a feat even Megumi found impressive under the circumstances.


 * Kaidō: Despite never being attached to the Fourth Division or Kidō Corps, Kenji can heal wounds as competently as some members of the 4th Division; for he was capable of stabilising Hisagi and treating the grievous wounds he suffered against Kensei, to the point he declared that members of the 4th Division weren't needed.

Zanjutsu Expertsie: As a former member of the 11th Division, which was viewed as the primary combat division of the Gotei 13, Kenji was undoubtedly a skilled swordsman; he frequently sparred with then-Lieutenant Takeji Yatsunishi. Even after joining the 9th Division his skills did not atrophy; as the security force for the entire Gotei 13, Kenji had more than enough opportunities to advance his skills. He also improved under Sajin's watchful eye in a similar manner to how he studied under Kazuya. He has been shown to favour a swift accelerated sliding manoeuvre that leads into a powerful slash as an opener.

Hohō Expertise: Kenji is capable of using Shunpo to the level expected of a Lieutenant, and has shown himself fit to keep up with then-Lieutenant Takeji Yatsunishi in their many sparring sessions. In the years following The Coven's initial attack, Kenji's skills had vastly improved; he was once described as being "fast as fuck". He also demonstrated the ingenuity to utilise Kidō spells to disguise the tell-tale swish usually associated with Shunpo movements.

Enhanced Durability: Kenji survived being impaled by several lightning-coated javelins launched at him by Megumi and still retained the ability to fight back. The injuries he sustained, coupled with the burns received in Megumi's counter-stroke, where severe enough that it necessitated Kenji's treatment by Captain Tsukada of the 4th Division. Van noted that Kenji was lucky to have survived his wounds.

Enhanced Endurance: Kenji has a noticeably high tolerance for pain. He retained consciousness despite being impaled by numerous javelins and burned by intense flames. He also fled his sickbed to attend his Captain's funeral despite significant pain and discomfort.

Keen Intellect: Kenji is noted to be quite intuitive. As a journalist he is known to be a quite effective investigator, which extends to other avenues of his Shinigami duties. He is capable of calmly analysing a situation and picking the most effective counter in a short period of time, even during the heat of battle. Kenji proved himself capable of feigning anger and sadness when Van was and turned the situation to his advantage, knowing that Van was alive; Kenji's actions actually solidified Van's stealth, for he was believed by Sakae and the Evening Primrose to be dead based on Kenji's "emotional" reaction. Outside his normal duties Kenji's intelligence has served him well as an instructor; he is noted for his unconventional teaching methods, with numerous individuals benefiting from his bizarre tutelage over the years.

Zanpakutō
Aoi Inazuma (青い稲妻, Blue Lightning). Kenji's Zanpakutō takes the form of a paired and, thus making it a  combination. The katana sports blue hilt wrapping and a square guard inlaid with lightning motifs which he wears at his waist in the traditional style threaded through his ōbi. The wakizashi has red hilt wrapping and a bronze circular guard which he wears strapped horizontally across his back.

Kenji is one of the few males whose Zanpakutō is confirmed as a female; Aoi Inazuma's spirit form takes the shape of a teenage woman with green-coloured hair and black eyes. Kenji described her as being hesitant to teach him the more dangerous aspects of his Shikai's powers, specifically in reference to the double-edged sword that was Raijin.


 * : Kenji releases his Zanpakutō with the command "Strike" (打撃, Dageki), followed by him rubbing both blades past one-another, which are then connected by a long rope at the base. When its Shikai is activated, Aoi Inazuma's daishō straightens and produces two -like prongs near the base and tip that appear like fangs, which continually produce surges of lightning. Even in Shikai the length of the katana and wakizashi remain unchanged and are used in the traditional style of Zanjutsu by Kenji.


 * Shikai Special Ability: Aoi Inazuma allows Kenji to manipulate lightning and electricity in multiple different ways. He can also shape a large quantity into a lightning clone, which he uses to throw off opponents, or mix it with various Hohō-related techniques to take his foes by surprise or hold their attention. It was this that led his contemporaries to claim that it was one of the most balanced Zanpakutō that they had ever seen. Kenji has demonstrated a number of effective uses for Aoi Inazuma; blasting foes with high-intensity shocks, augmenting the height and speed of his movements, blocking attacks with a shield of lightning, and even as a set-up for stronger attacks. He could also employ the electrical current as a means of cutting through fortified defences with casual ease. Due to the absorbing qualities of Inazuma Kyūshū, Kenji is essentially immune to the effects of lightning; overcharging him can prove dangerous however, for all involved because it often results in him slipping into the Raijin state.


 * Inazuma Kyūshū (稲妻吸収, Lightning Absorption): the most noteworthy aspect of Aoi Inazuma. Kenji is capable of absorbing natural and unnatural sources of lightning or electricity to replenish his own reserves of reiryoku, or as a means of augmenting his various natural abilities. When channelled to the edge of his Zanpakutō, which drastically augments his cutting power, Kenji becomes fit to slice through fortified defences with almost casual ease.


 * Seitennohekireki (青天の霹靂, A Bolt Out of the Blue): should Kenji actually succeed in absorbing a bolt of lightning, he can actually seize control of and direct that phenomenal power as a one-shot attack. During the process Kenji applies his own power to the seized bolt to drastically augment its destructive power.


 * Raijin (雷神, God of Lightning): an extension of Inazuma Kyūshū and a deeper manifestation of Aoi Inazuma's power overall, which Kenji releases automatically upon passively absorbing a currently unspecified quantity of lightning or electricity. Particularly potent sources of lightning can force Kenji into this state after being hit only once. Hisagi likens Raijin to the Zanpakutō of, for he describes Raijin as "the true form of Aoi Inazuma". All of Kenji's physical abilities are drastically augmented upon transitioning to this heightened state, but just as lightning itself is short and destructive, Kenji's time in this form is limited. He also becomes desensitised to the effects of stronger reiatsu; thus he can continue fighting against even significantly stronger opposition, when usually he'd be driven to his knees. At present he also is not in complete control of himself; Kenji acts on complete and blind instinct, which unfortunately can make him more of a hindrance than a help at times when Raijin is invoked.


 * Enhanced Speed: Raijin greatly bolsters Kenji's base speed. He was fit to close the distance between himself and Megumi almost instantaneously.


 * Enhanced Durability: Raijin greatly desensitises Kenji to pain; to the point even extreme injury appears to barely affect his performance.


 * Weakness: Just like a single bolt of natural lightning disappearing as quickly as it appeared, Raijin is a temporary power-up that saps Kenji into complete exhaustion the moment the power-up fades.


 * Enhanced Kidō: In the years following The Coven's initial attack, Kenji learned to mix the lightning energy generated by Aoi Inazuma into various Kidō spells. He notably enhanced Hadō #78 in this manner to create a circular blade of lightning capable of destroying an Adjuchas-class Hollow.


 * Unnamed Wave-like attack: an attack personally developed by Kenji through combination of Aoi Inazuma's electrical manipulation abilities and Kidō, which produces a potent wave-like attack with enough destructive power to cut massive rends into the earth.


 * : Aoi Inazuma Kasō (青い稲妻火葬, Blue Lightning Cremation): Although he has yet to attain it, Kenji possesses knowledge of the release for he was fit to inform Michael Davis of the Bankai form during the latter's Shikai training. It has also been stated that Kenji is typically more powerful and well-informed than typical Lieutenants.

Van Satonaka

 * Main article -- Van Satonaka.

Van is Kenji's closest friend, rival, and constant companion. Kenji based one of the main characters of his popular series on Van. Even before the Commando unit was formed in the 9th Division the two where often paired together on assignments. After suffering extensive injuries fighting Megumi of The Coven it was Van who literally carried Kenji to the funeral service of Captain Kuchiki, where he physically supported his injured friend whilst simultaneously disobeying orders. Van was willing to brave his fear of lightning when he accompanied Kenji to the Cave of Fulmination to meet the nature spirit known as Raijin; this mission likewise demonstrated the practised back-and-forth jibbing the two partake in frequently. When Van feigned his death and Kenji responded emotionally to solidify the deception, Kenji later admitted that his emotional reaction was anything but feigned; his sadness and anger at Van being put in danger was genuine.

Kei Yume

 * Main article -- Kei Yume.

Kei is one of Kenji's closest friends and the two share a friendly rivalry. Kenji often frequents Kei's bar where he writes his various articles and enjoys some downtime, and the two also serve together in the 9th Division's elite Commando unit. Kenji based one of the main characters of his popular series on Kei.

Mikado Sayaka

 * Main article -- Mikado Sayaka.

Although he trains Mikado, Kichō, Ace and Momoko, Kenji nevertheless has invested more of his time and effort with Mikado than the others, for he noted himself that she see's a situation in a much broader sense than either Kichō or Ace did, and actually compared her to himself in that regard. Mikado often shadows Kenji regardless of the difficulty of the latter's assignments and has argued with her superiors so that she can remain at his side. For herself Mikado trusts Kenji implacably and follows him without hesitation, to the point she noted that she trusts Kenji more than Van. Kenji reciprocates this trust fully and has begun granting her more operational freedom and responsibility.

Michael Davis

 * Main article -- Michael Davis.

The oddest of Kenji's pupils is no-doubt that of Michael Davis, based purely on the young man's strange predicament, not to mention the fact Michael has yet to actually learn Kenji's name. Michael is a who lives in Houston, Texas, but received the power of a  from Shisui Sengoku; an act which is strictly forbidden by the, and so strict Kenji was shocked by Shisui's actions. Kenji lucked onto the young man's subsequent battle with an Adjuchas-class Hollow, and subsequently took Michael under his wing when it became clear that Shisui was dead. Over a short but intense training session and general introduction to the ways of the Shinigami and spiritual matters in general, Kenji and Michael developed a working teacher-student relationship.

Kenji Hiroshi

 * Main article -- Kenji Hiroshi.

Kenji Hiroshi, known by his birth name of Rōnin Shiba, and also known and feared throughout the spiritual realms as the "Archon of Storms", the "Morning Prince" and the "Sword Saint", is an alternate version of Kenji who appears as the primary protagonist of Bleach: Sun and Moon Chronicles, the main protagonist of both parts of Bleach: War of the Worlds, whilst appearing in the form of a recurring protagonist in Bleach: Cataclysm.

Rōnin Shiba

 * Main article -- Rōnin Shiba.

Rōnin Shiba, known by his nickname of Kenji, is another alternate version of Kenji who appears as a recurring supporting character in Bleach: Resurgent Phantom and Bleach: Tower of Night, whilst appearing in Bleach: Cataclysm in the form of flashbacks.

Omakes
Kenji's counterpart runs an omake segment alongside Van, which is dubbed Drinking Time With Kenji & Van, which has the two frequently discuss topics relating to Bleach (Kenji Hiroshi). From the third episode on the version of Kenji who appears in the Fanon Canon has appeared as a guest.

Behind the scenes

 * Throughout the course of the series, Kenji develops from a protagonist into an anti-hero, before becoming an antagonist to the Gotei 13. This mirrors the development of the author's primary iteration of the character, who eventually led a rebel movement which had less than ideal relations with the Gotei 13. This Kenji was also viewed as a dangerous element by the Central 46.


 * Aoi Inazuma was the original Zanpakutō of the author's primary character and was used throughout the events of Bleach: Sun and Moon Chronicles and the early stages of Bleach: War of the Worlds by Kenji Hiroshi. Rajin, which is an enhanced state of Aoi Inazuma's Shikai in this rendition, was eventually revealed to be the actual name of the author's primary version of Kenji, which was used from the later stages of War of the Worlds into Bleach: Cataclysm.

Trivia

 * The ongoing series that Kenji writes in the Seireitei News Magazine, which is known in-story as The Cataclysm, is actually Kenji-Taichō's primary fanon universe.


 * Kenji's fellow Division members, Hotaru and Akira, are actually the twin sons of his counterpart. Kenji is thus far unaware of this particular fact.


 * This rendition of Kenji is the only version shown not to be related to the Shiba clan and is thus not a noble.

References & notes
