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| This article, Gundinger Drelairn (FC), is part of Bleach: War for the King's Seal, which continues on from the opening segments of the site's former Fanon Canon project. Use of this page's contents is determined by the author of this page, unless otherwise specified. |
- "That was enough for me. You could say I've grown somewhat protective of the cantankerous old bastard in the last few years, so naturally I stepped in to help him."
- —Akira expressing his fondness for Gundinger.[src]
| Gundinger Drelairn | |
| |
| Race | Arrancar |
| Gender | Male |
| Aspect | Loneliness |
| Professional Status | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Akira Hiroshi |
| Previous Affiliation | Sōsuke Aizen's Rebellion |
| Previous Occupation | Espada |
| Team | Ryū Order |
| Previous Team | Espada |
| Partner | Ashido[1] Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck |
| Previous Partner | Trillizos |
| Base of Operations | Forest of Menos |
| Hollow Powers | |
| Resurrección | Carcayú |
| First Appearance | |
| Story Debut | Bleach Renascence |
| Roleplay Debut | Akira Hiroshi's Journal |
Gundinger Drelairn, given the nickname Gun-Gun by Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Gunner by Hikari Raiotto, is an old, cantankerous, and reclusive Arrancar who dwells close to the depths of the Forest of Menos. He does not submit to the authority of the Tres Pilares, even though he is known to them, nor does he adhere to the shaky arrangement with the remnants of the Wandenreich, preferring his own solitude over companionship. In the past he was a member of the original Espada prior to Sōsuke Aizen's Rebellion, holding the rank of Cautro (4th). He was a member alongside Nelliel and Trillizos, but left, holding nothing but contempt for Sōsuke Aizen. Leaving Las Noches, he called the Forest home, whilst acting as a guardian to Nelliel, who had regressed to the form of a child. He initially had a hostile relationship with Ashido Kanō and Akira Hiroshi, but warmed to the two Shinigami when they helped him defeat the former Soldat of the Wandenreich, eventually becoming something of a mentor to Akira and a companion to Ashido. In later years, he joined with Ashido to investigate Averian, becoming a member of the Ryū Order.
Appearance[]
Gundinger has scarlet-coloured hair, a muscled physique, and wears the white attire common amongst Aizen's former followers.[2] His mask is skeletal and is partially broken on the right side, revealing both his eye, cheek, and mouth. He shares his Hollow hole location with Coyote Starrk, specifically his sternum.[3] He sports an X-shaped scar on his left pectoral, a wound received following his near-defeat by Hotaru's followers and subsequent healing by Akira.[4]
Personality[]
- "He wouldn't admit it, but he sees us as his companions now, and it's something he's been yearning for, if I had to guess."
- —Akira deduces Gundinger's feelings.[src]
Gundinger projects an image of a recluse who simply wishes to be left alone. This projection is very different to his true desires. He eventually warmed up to the continued presence of Ashido and Akira, and even accommodated Akira's wish to use him as a sparring partner.[5] Akira would later speculate that what Gundinger wanted was companionship. It didn't matter whether said companions were Hollow, Arrancar, Shinigami, or Visored. He yearned for companions to ease his own isolation and found them in Akira and Ashido, though Akira correctly deduced that it was something Gundinger's pride would not allow him to voice aloud.[6] Ashido noticed the same shortly after Akira left the Forest, noting that Gundinger was just another person changed by Akira's appearance.[1] The extent of Gundinger's change only came to light following Averian's appearance, however. In a development that surprised even he, Gundinger admitted to himself that he would give his life for Akira, Ashido, and Asuka, and was firm in his belief that any of them would give theirs for him.[7]
His growing familiarity with Akira and Ashido did not stop him fighting Akira with the intent to kill when the young Visored came to use him as a sparring partner, though he did willingly impart advice once Akira managed to defeat him in battle, and later instructed the young Visored in proper Cero usage.[8][9] Akira speculated that he engages in hostilities only when someone invades his territory or purposefully attacks him.[2] Unlike so many of his kind he is neither violent nor arrogant and employs a personal and complex sense of honour and fair-play, for he allowed Ashido and Akira to leave his territory after helping him deal with a group of Soldat.[10] When Akira sprang to his defence against Asuka, Gundinger purposefully ordered the nearby Menos and Hollow not to intervene as a form of thanks.[4] He even showed uncharacteristic happiness, which he disguised through his cantankerous nature, when Akira offered to heal his injured eye, which Gundinger has purposefully ripped out for reconnaissance.[11]
In addition, Gundinger harbours pride in his status as a natural Arrancar and the former Cautro Espada, and immediately assaulted Averian when the latter impugned upon said pride with a Gran Rey Cero. He likewise looked upon the artificially created Arrancar comprising Aizen's forces with contempt.[7]
Although usually serious, Gundinger can be humorous in the right circumstance. When Ashido saw his Solita Vista technique, Gundinger described it as "Arrancar TV", leading Ashido to ask what a TV was. Gundinger was so surprised he didn't actually have a witty retort.[12] He has even been known to use his missing eye as a shock tactic, with both Akira and Hikari falling for it.[11] He likewise isn't above goading his opposition with witty retorts and observations to create an opening for himself, or inflame their ego to do what he desires his opponents to do in battle.[7] Furthermore, he kept an eye on Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck when she regressed into her child form, and even served as an unwilling "playmate". Nelliel gifted him the nickname "Gun-Gun", and continued to call him as such even after returning to her adult form.[13]
History[]
Gundinger, like fellow Arrancar Coyote Starrk, was a loner. He neither travelled with other Hollow nor resided in a tribe. Rather than risk catching the eye of powerful Hollow such as Ikomikidomoe, Baraggan Louisenbairn, or Tier Harribel, Gundinger took for himself a portion of the Forest of Menos and was fiercely protective of what he dubbed "his territory", and all the Hollows who resided within its border fell under his protection.[10]
What prompted him to strike out and enter the circle of power within Las Noches is known only to Gundinger himself, but much speculation has been made regarding a deep-seated desire to ease his solitude. Gundinger served originally as a member of the Espada prior to the appearance of Sōsuke Aizen, but had left the group to enter what was essentially self-imposed exile.[9] Gundinger revealed to Ashido and Akira that he was, in fact, the Cuatro Espada, and that he left before Aizen could assign him a three-digit number, which would have made him one of the Privaron Espada.[12] He was an Espada alongside Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Trillizos.[13] Furthermore, he was known to Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez from this time.[14]
Immediately after leaving the Espada, Gundinger returned to his old territory in the Forest of Menos and re-established his loner existence.[10] Not even Ashido entered Gundinger's domain.[2] Furthermore, he kept an eye out on his former comrades in the Espada out of a sense of loyalty. When Nelliel was thrown out of Las Noches and regressed into her child form, Gundinger helped her Fracción care for her. As such, he became an unwilling "playmate" to the young Arrancar, to the point of Nelliel gifting him the nickname "Gun-Gun".[13]
Synopsis[]
Renascence Beginning[]
- Main article -- Renascence Beginning.
Intervening Years[]
Bleach: War for the King's Seal[]
- Main article -- Bleach: War for the King's Seal.
Hunger and Greed arc[]
- Reaper Abroad: Monitoring the Balance
- Hunger and Greed: Unveiled
- Hunger and Greed: Herding Wolves
- Hunger and Greed: Cat Amongst the Pigeons (mentioned)
- Vampiric Entry (cameo)
- Hunger and Greed: Rallying Ants
- Hunger and Greed: Interbellum
- Hunger and Greed: Fortuitous Meeting
- Hunger and Greed: Calm Before War
- Hunger and Greed: Requiem
- Lightning from Heaven 2 (mentioned)
Soul Society arc[]
Equipment[]
- Medallion: Courtesy of Shiratori, Gundinger came into possession of one of the Bankai-stealing devices employed by the remnants of the Wandenreich.[14] Whilst Shiratori suggested he steal the Bankai of Ikari, Gundinger himself resolved instead to steal the Resurrección of Averian.[11]
Powers and Abilities[]
Great Spiritual Energy: As a former Espada, and one of the top four during his tenure, Gundinger was significantly stronger than the average Arrancar, with only the reigning Espada gathered by Aizen being classified above him.[15] His power, expressed through his Gran Rey Cero, was forbidden within Las Noches, for fear of damaging the fortress.[16] Even when in a heavily injured and tired state, Gundinger outputted reiatsu close to that of a Captain, surprising Akira with its potency.[4] By the time Averian appeared, Gundinger was capable of outputting reiatsu beyond the ancient Arrancar's expectations without even releasing his Zanpakutō.[7] This was a result of his sparring with Akira, Ashido, and Asuka over years.[17] Furthermore, even Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez showed a desire to fight the improved Gundinger, and Tier Harribel was surprised by how much stronger he had grown since his days as an Espada.[13]
Solita Vista: a technique allowing one to relay information they have seen to others.[18] Gundinger, however, can remove an eye and have it observe matters separate from his actual position, and then relay it for others and himself to see via a broadcasted image.[12] Furthermore, he can see anything his eye can see, but needs to personally retrieve it if he wishes to broadcast it for others. Additionally, his eye exudes no reiatsu, ensuring complete secrecy.[11]
High-speed Regeneration: an ability most Arrancar abandon in favour of heightened power.[19] Gundinger possesses full control of when he heals specific injuries, for he didn't immediately heal his own injuries following a meeting with Hotaru's followers, allowing Akira to heal him instead.[4] He was able to regenerate his own eye a number of years later when investigating Averian alongside Ashido.[12]
Hollow Control: Gundinger is capable of exerting considerable influence over lesser Hollow and is intimately aware of the various shifts in power and influence within the Forest.[8] He ordered the nearby Menos and Hollows to stay back to protect them from Soldat,[10] and likewise prevented them from intervening when Akira sprang to his defence against Asuka.[4] Ashido speculated that any serious battle against Gundinger would draw far too much attention, based on his ability to give the usually instinctual Hollow clear direction.[2] He could enable Ashido to walk unmolested through the Forest, even outside his own territory.[12] This is an ability tied to one's reiatsu, for Gundinger doubted his ability to challenge Averian in this regard, who also possessed this ability, but is stronger than Gundinger.[7] Even so, with considerable effort and force of will, Gundinger was able to slow and confuse Hollow short of Averian's personal Fracción, even within the latter's own territory.[11]
Cero: An ability utilized mainly by Menos-class Hollows, Arrancar and the Visored, with virtually no difference between practitioners.[20] His skill-level is notably high: Gundinger instructed Akira in the finer points of Cero usage.[9]
- Gran Rey Cero: Gundinger taught Akira how to perform the Espada exclusive version of Cero in August 2015.[9] This particular Cero spins like a razor and possesses the requisite power to disturb the very fabric of space when fired.[21] Gundinger's variation is red, had the power necessary to damage the fortress of Las Noches, and was capable of lightly injuring Averian despite the power gap between them.[7]
Pesquisa: A sensory technique requiring heightened awareness.[22] Gundinger's sense, however, is developed to the point he neither requires meditation nor focus to employ, whilst retaining complete awareness.[11] His sense extends to the entirety of his territory within the Forest and has shown the ability to distinguish between races, specifically Shinigami, Visored and Quincy.[10] The moment Ashido and Akira crossed into his territory, Gundinger was aware of their presence and strength-level.[2] His Pesquisa was able to discern Averian's Sonído and track his movements, albeit with difficulty.[12] During his time as the Cautro Espada, his Pesquisa was considered the best amongst his fellow Espada and Arrancar,[7] and was still held in high regard by Tier Harribel years later, for she and Nel trusted his scouting ability even when they had deemed the trail to have gone cold.[13]
Sonído: Gundinger was capable of swiftly intercepting Ashido and Akira when they entered into his territory.[2] His speed was likewise superior to the former Soldat of the Wandenreich using Hirenkyaku.[10] Additionally, his skill enabled him to flee Hotaru's followers and escape their notice, despite facing a numerical disadvantage.[4] His movements and sense of other's movement allowed him to react with enough time to deflect Averian's surprise attack on Ashido.[7]
Hierro: Gundinger's skin provided enough of a cushion to protect him from grievous injuries when facing off against Hotaru's followers, although his defences were eventually breached.[4]
Enhanced Strength: Gundinger was capable of killing the Blut-empowered Soldat of the former Wandenreich without even releasing his Zanpakutō.[10] He possessed the strength necessary to deflect Averian's scythe in a surprise attack against Ashido.[7]
Enhanced Endurance: Gundinger managed to successfully flee after suffering extensive injuries fighting Hotaru's followers, and suffered further wounds in his one-on-one match with Asuka that occurred a short time later before being reinforced by Akira.[4] He showed no pain or discomfort when he plucked his own eye from its socket.[12]
Descorrer: A technique which usually opens a portal for an Arrancar, and historically others, to travel between the realms.[23] Gundinger used it to flee Hotaru's followers in the World of the Living and return to Hueco Mundo, but ended up miscalculating and bringing Asuka with him by mistake.[4] In later years, he demonstrated pinpoint precision.[12]
Master Swordsman: Gundinger possessed the requisite skill to clash equally with Ashido whilst also fighting with Akira.[2] He was capable of swiftly cutting down the former Soldat of the Wandenreich without even releasing his Zanpakutō.[10] He possessed enough skill to clash with several of Hotaru's followers whilst facing a numerical disadvantage without succumbing to the combined assault.[4] Gundinger eventually became something of a mentor to young Akira, and the boy subsequently managed to defeat the former Espada, though only after many years of survival training.[8]
Zanpakutō[]
Carcayú (屈狸 (くずり), Kuzuri; "Wolverine"). Gundinger's Zanpakutō is sealed in the form of a standard sword, lacking any notable decoration.[2] He keeps the weapon sheathed at his waist.[7]
- Resurrección: Gundinger releases his Zanpakutō with the verbal command "Range Far". Gundinger's release retains a fully humanoid form, though he assumes a more animalistic appearance, similar to that of a werewolf. His skin changes to a brown and white pelt, particularly dense around his neck, wrists, and ankles, with a large concentration on his back and shoulders. His hands become sharpened claws, and the digits of his toes undergo the same transformation. Additionally, his musculature increases, lending him a more predatory look. The release shatters his mask completely, with the remnants reforming around his throat. This mimics the patch of hair commonly seen on wolverines. Like Nnoitra Gilga, he gains visible Estigma. These markings are silver and shiny, appearing almost like a mask itself.
- Resurrección Special Ability: Gundinger's natural abilities, including physical capacity, reiatsu, and sensory perception, are greatly enhanced by Carcayú, for he returns to his original Hollow body and unlocks his offensive abilities.[24] As one of the top four Espada during his tenure, being the Cautro Espada, Gundinger was forbidden from releasing his Zanpakutō inside Las Noches, for fear of damaging the fortress.[16]
- Cero Oscuras: A form of Cero, black in colouration, that is usable only by the Espada when their Resurrección form is released.[25]
- Enhanced Spiritual Energy: Carcayú drastically increases the strength of Gundinger's spiritual reserves, giving a proportional increase to his reiatsu. Additionally, the expression of his reiatsu returns to that of a Hollow completely.[26] During his tenure within the Espada, Gundinger was forbidden from releasing his Zanpakutō within the walls of Las Noches, as the release could damage the fortress.[16]
- Enhanced Hollow Control: According to Gundinger, the ability to command the lesser Hollow of Hueco Mundo, including the Menos, is tied to the strength of one's reiatsu. As evidenced by Averian, those with stronger reiatsu hold greater sway over the local Hollow population.[7]
- Enhanced Physicality: the release of an Arrancar's Resurrección restores their original Hollow body and unlocks their offensive abilities, in some cases providing enhanced physical attributes.[24] Gundinger's claws replace his Zanpakutō as his primary weapon.
- Enhanced Senses: Even without releasing Carcayú, Gundinger's Pesquisa was particularly powerful. His sense extended to the entirety of his territory within the Forest of Menos,[10] and additionally allowed Gundinger to follow the advanced movements of Averian.[12] Sealed or released, Gundinger's Pesquisa was lauded as being the best amongst his generation of the Espada.[7]
Author's notes[]
Behind the scenes[]
Trivia[]
- Had he become a Privaron Espada he would have been given the following three-digit number: #104.
References & notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ashido's Journal entry: January, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Journal entry: February, 2005
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 335, page 1
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 Journal entry: July, 2010
- ↑ Journal entry: March, 2009
- ↑ Journal entry: January, 2019
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 Hunger and Greed: Herding Wolves
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Journal entry: September, 2018
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Journal entry: August 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Journal entry: May, 2005
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Hunger and Greed: Fortuitous Meeting
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Hunger and Greed: Unveiled
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Hunger and Greed: Rallying Ants
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lightning from Heaven 2
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 251, pages 1-2
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Bleach manga; Chapter 345, pages 7-9
- ↑ Reaper Abroad: Akira's Journal
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 198, pages 7-9
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 351, page 5
- ↑ Bleach: Official Character Book 2 MASKED, page 199
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 280, pages 13-18
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 199, pages 16-17
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 212, page 1
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Bleach: Official Character Book 2 MASKED
- ↑ Bleach: Official Character Book 3 UNMASKED
- ↑ Bleach manga; Chapter 666, page 2