Kirio Hikifune

Kirio Hikifune (曳舟 桐生, Hikifune Kirio) is a former captain of the 12th Division and a member of the Royal Guard, holding the title "Ruler of Grain" (穀王, Kokuō; Viz "Grain King").[5] She holds the position of Second Officer of the Zero Division (零番隊 第二官, Zerobantai Dainikan), as well as "Divine General of the South" (南方神将, Nanpō Shinshō; Viz "Holy Guardian of the South").[3] Appearance Hikifune is a fairly tall woman of fair complexion with green eyes. She has long, smooth purple hair reaching her mid-back that curls up at the ends and bangs framing the sides of her face. She wears black lipstick and has red swirl-shaped markings under both her eyes. She normally has her hair done up into a bun and secured with a large silver, spoon-like adornment. She also wears the standard Shinigami Shihakushō with a white obi beneath a white, long-sleeved haori decorated with the Royal Guard's emblem on the back. Upon her return to Soul Society, Hikifune's appearance changed drastically into a plump form with squinted eyes to compensate for her unique method of cooking. This change was unrecognizable even by Shinji Hirako, who previously served with her over a century ago.[6] Once she is finished cooking, or when her Reiatsu is otherwise sufficiently depleted,[7] she reverts to her original slender and well-endowed form, in which she leaves her hair down and her obi hanging loosely at her hip. Personality Hikifune is a cheery individual, and will maintain that demeanor even while lashing out at others over minor slights, such as striking Shinji Hirako for not recognizing her.[8] She, like Ichibe'e Hyōsube, will often keep her rowdy teammate Tenjirō Kirinji in line with physical force, as well as pick up his slack in regards to explaining things to visitors.[9] She takes great pride and passion in preparing her Reiatsu-enhancing food.[10] While normally upbeat, Hikifune is very serious when warning others about Ōetsu Nimaiya, as he is far and away the most unpredictable member of the Royal Guard.[11] Regardless of her preference for physical punishment and eccentric nature as a chef, Hikifune acted like a mother to Hiyori Sarugaki during her time in the Gotei 13[12] and displays similar maternal tendencies even while in the Royal Guard, demonstrated when she gave Ichigo Kurosaki some rice balls to eat as he was leaving to rejoin the fight against the Wandenreich.[13] In combat, she is very confident in her abilities and creations, confidently telling the Schutzstaffel that no matter what they do, they cannot escape the Tree of Life she grew to contain them.