The past of the captain commander is one shrouded in mystery, but this is more to do with his incredible age. Yamamoto is the oldest of the captains that reside in soul society. It is known that it was him who started the shinigami academy, and his two best pupils would one day become captains of incredible power and status themselves. Those two future captains were Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyroaku. Yamamoto saw the two of them not just as his pupils but also like his sons. It is unknown how old yamamot is exactly or how long he has been a captain and how he achieved his rank but what is known is that Yamamoto is a captain of intelect and power. As well as holding the rank of first division captain he is also the captain commander meaning all other shinigami answer to him….Including the other captains.
Bleach: Storyline
Yamamoto makes his first appearance when he calls a meeting for the captains. In this meeting the matter on hand is Gin failing to kill Ichigo who had invaded the outskirts of soul society. As soon as the meeting starts Kenpachi and Gin begin to argue about Ichimaru’s inabilty to deal with a threat that he should have taken care of easily. Ichimaru of course mocks Kenpachi. The arguement seems to frustrate Yamamoto who demands an explenation from the captain. Ichimaru instead cant give one. The meeting soon ends when things are put on full alert when the ryoka invade.
During the execution of Rukia Kuchiki Yamamoto is present and witness to his two most prized students assisting in the stopping of Rukia’s execution. Yamamoto is both angry and upset by their act and believes both should be punished for their crimes. Shunsui and Ukitake move to another location, but Yamamoto soon catches up and engages the two in a fight. At the start of the fight Nanao realizes that there chances are slim and she soon see’s why,a s she becomes overwhelmed by Yamamoto’s spiritual pressure. He calls her a child when she collapses under the pressure. Shunsui then takes her away. Upon returning he compliments Shusui’s use of flash steps and talks about the past. He then draws his zanpakuto and the three engage in a fight. The battle suddenly is forced to stop with the announcement of Isane on the true intentions of Aizen leading to all of the chaos in Soul Society.
During the Bount Arc, Yamamoto thinks that Mayuri Kurotsuchi is betraying the Soul Society. In turn he orders Byukuya to investigate any available information on the the Bounts. He later holds a meeting with the remaining captains and tells them about the Bounts invading Rukongai and the Bount’s origins.
During the Arrancar Arc, Yamamoto made his first appearance by having a conversation over video to Toshiro Hitsugaya over Aizen’s army invading Karakura Town and allows Momo to speak with him. Once the conversation begins to revolve around Aizen, Momo begs Toshiroto rescue Aizen, believing that Gin Ichimaru is manipulating him. Yamamoto cuts their conversation short by knocking Momo unconscious with a Kido. Later when Orihime is captured he orders Toshiro’s team to retreat back to Soul Society in preparation for the war against Aizen, and firmly disapproves of the idea of Ichigo and the others going to her rescue, seeing it as a suicide mission, and believing that Orihime willingly betrayed them.
Personality
Yamamoto is a very serious and strict man. he firmly believes in and follows the laws and regulations. He does not condone betrayal or insubordination and is quick to anger against those that have acted in such a manner. Despite his frail appearance, Yamamoto has been shown to be quite fierce and powerful in combat. Due to his many years of experience, he is rarely surprised or distressed when faced with troublesome situations. Yamamoto is fiercely loyal to Soul Society and expects the same from all other member of the Gotei 13. His loyalty is so great that he is willing to sacrifice himself to protect Soul Society from any and all threats. He is shown to dislike western traditions, instead he embraces and appreciates eastern cultures. He is highly respected by most Shinigami. Yamamoto rarely shown any sign of surprise or shock. He only reacts when his eyes are opened. Yamamoto is very respectful and loyal towards the entire soul society. He would sacrifice his own life and the lives of the Gotei 13 in order to defeat Sosuke Aizen, for the sake of Soul Society. After the events of Aizen’s defeat, Yamamoto realized that Kenpachi Zaraki, Kyroaku Shunsui, and Byakyua Kuchiki have lost their Captian cloaks. This lead Yamamoto to be very angry at them and called them “idiots.” He also perfers not to work with humans or with shinigami who are not part of the Gotei 13. He shown to be sad and regretful with his action he had take in the past when he had failed to kill Yhwach and spared his life. He felt sad when he let his lieutenant died (Chojiro Sasakibe) during the confrontation against the Sternritter.
Powers and Abilities
As the first captain of the Gotei 13 and the founder of the Shino Academy,Yamamoto is considered the most powerful combatant in soul society. He has over two millenia of combat experience. His powers include:
- Master Swordsmanship: He is the most powerful swordsmen to had ever existed in the entire soul society.
- Immense Spiritual Power: Yamamoto possesses an extremely powerful reiatsu, capable of making other captain-class shinigami sweat in fear.
- Hakuda Master: He is an extremely skilled hand-to-hand combatant. His skill and immense strength make him a fearsome opponent even without his zanpakuto.
- Shunpo Master.
- Kido Master.
- Enhanced Speed.
- Immense Strength: He has a fearsome amount of strength. Able to smash through espada-level hierro with just his blows.
- Enhanced Durability.
- Master Strategist and Tactician
Ranking Stats: The Captains are ranked by their proficiency with the various types of stats. These are ranked on the Bleach Official Databook. The Battle data is ranked clockwise. They are ranked out of 600. The top is Offensive, The Top Right represents defensive, the Bottom Right represents mobility, The Bottom represents Kido/Reiatsu, The Bottom Left represents Intelligence, and The Top Left represents physical strength. So overall, Yamamoto has Offense of 100, Top Right: Defense of 100, Bottom Right: Mobility of 100, Bottom: Kidō/Reiatsu of 100, Bottom Left: Intelligence of 100, Top Left: Physical Strength of 60. Overall, Yamamoto has a score of 560/600.
Zanpakuto
Shikai
Named the Ryujin Jakka, it is the oldest and the most powerful fire-based Zanpakuto ever known. It is an attack-oriented Zanpakuto, probably making it the Zanpakuto with the greatest attack power in all of Soul Society.
In its sealed form, Ryujin Jakka appears to be a harmless walking staff. When released, it turns into a katana with a dark red handle and a circular cross guard.
Upon the command of “Bansho issai kaijin to nase” (All things of this world, turn to ashes), Ryujin Jakka goes into Shikai (Initial Release). Yamamoto himself and the surrounding area immediately gets engulfs in strong flames. With a wave of the Zanpakuto, intense fire burns whatever is in its way. It turns to ashes whatever Yamato targets it with. It burns the air itself and when released, is felt for miles around. Yamamato can use various techniques in the Shikai mode comparable some Bankai Techniques.
This technique creates an immense wall of flame, which surrounds the target and forms a huge contained sphere of flame in which to imprison enemies. It is immensely powerful, imprisoning three captain-level Shinigami (namely Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen) for a significant amount of time. This is a form of sealing technique and one of the highest calibur.
Yamato creates multiple pillars of Flame that erupts from the ground his targets, trapping them and himself in. This is an immensely powerful technique capable of destroying the targets and himself.
The range of this technique is vast, and can destroy an area much greater than the entire Karakura town if used.
Bankai
Ryuujin Jakkas Bankai form resembles a worn out Katana that appears as though severly burnt and overused. When Bankai is activated, it absorbs any and all flames it has released prior to the Bankai. The full power of Ryuujin Jyakkas flames are incoporated into the blade. Anything it cuts disappears from existence. The Bankai covers himself and the blade in invisible flame that Yamamato has said to be as hot as that of the sun. Prolonged use of the Bankai form can consume even the entirety of Soul Society made entirely of Reitsu.
Yamamatos Bankai is a pretty much passive ability. The power to Obliterate anything Zanka no Tachi, Higashi: Kyokujitsujin is what enables Ryuujin Jyakka to obliterate whatever it touches. Even Blut Vene cannot defend against this skill.
Zanka no Tachi, Nishi: Zanjitsu Gokui is another passive ability activated at Bankai. Flames cover his blade and himself. The flames can only be seen if Yamamato wants them to be seen. No one can touch Yamamato during the Bankai. The temperature of the unseen flames reach upwards of 15,000,000 Degrees, and while using this Yamamoto calls himself the embodiment of the sun. These flames are so hot, it burns the entire Seireitei.
Zanka no Tachi, Kita: Tenchi Kaijin is simply a projection of the Bankais ability to obliterate anything it touches. Yamamato swings the blade, erupting flames that travels towards the target. Anything the flame touches is obliterated.
Zanka no Tachi, Minami: Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin Stabbing the ground with his blade, Ryuujin summons the dead to fight for him (people that has died from his flames). As seen when they destroyed a powerful quincy skill, these dead come with considerable force that are on the level of vice captains. Yamamato can not only summon the dead, but a specific someone if needs be. This is intended to cause psychological trauma on his opponents.