Saber - Hijikata Toshizo

[Hijikata Toshizo]

Servant

Heroic Spirit Name: Hijikata Toshizo
Age of Appearance: 30's
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Good
Class: Saber
Master: N/A
Face Claim: Hijikata Toshizo Hakuoki Kitan No Shinsengumi

Appearance: Hijikata is considered to look like an actor and reported to have been handsome beyond belief. To the very point that every women turned heads when he passed by. Toshizo owned a pale complexion that made him more desirable to the eyes at the time. Also the hair had such a black hue that it was almost blue. Thick bangs covers the front of his face, but not entirely. The style around the skull is rather more like a bowl-cut.

At first, his stoic expression gives anyone the feeling of being overwhelmed. But later when he is more intimately known to people (as in friends and so forth) he seems to have a wistful facade hidden behind the stoic one. In terms of his body, his shoulders have a form of stoop. Which can't really be seen unless his clothes are a bit form fitting at some degree. Compared to most men in his country, he's actually very tall with a height of 5'6". Most others are around 5'0" or 5'1".

His attire includes a French style military dress which makes him look like an admiral of some sort. The whole set is complete with brown boots and a white sash to tie his daisho set (Wakizashi and Katana) together with a brown belt to keep it tight. In his Shinsengumi uniform, he obviously dons a hakama and kimono set, with a blue haori with white triangles around the hem. The set is complete with a pair of traditional footwear and a hachigane (forehead protector).

Personality: There's been many accounts of what kind of person Hijikata is. First off, he was known as a Demon because of his cruel punishment in the rules established within the Shinsengumi. He was rather a frank and simplistic person who doesn't smile/laugh or talk so much in front of others. This caused people to think he is a lot strict than he actually is. However, people who knew him described him to be a more kind and amiable person. A person who made you feel pleasant. Which would probably be the reason why he is so loved and charismatic towards the Shinsengumi corps when they "cried like babes who lost their mother" after his death.

In his position next to Kondo, he was said to be an efficient person to the point that if it weren't for him, the Shinsengumi would have fallen apart a long time ago. His presence (thanks to his relationship with Kondo) kept the former Commander from making any serious mistakes. Also that his work in the group included to have Kondo keep good relationships with the rest of the group. Looking towards his faults, Hijikata harbors dark and quirky sense of humor. He joked that he ruined his swords from killing so many people during dinner and described the blood and carnage which made people not want to eat any more.

Women were drawn to him like flies to a lamp. He was known to have looked like an actor and almost handsome to the point of disbelief. (Bishie?) Toshizo was well-aware of this and took great advantage of it. To be honest, amongst the Shinsengumi, he was the worst in regards of women. Even before the Shinsengumi, Hijikata visited Yoshiwara (Red-Light City) frequently. He had a woman back in Shimabara. Three geishas in Gion and two or three in Osaka. You may think the Vice-Commander is pretty shallow when it comes to women, but the thing is, he really isn't. A woman named Okoto was to be engaged to him with his agreement. But however, his situation in the Shinsengumi (Dangerous as it is), he could not risk of having a close relationship with someone else. So, unfortunately, he had to decline the marriage. Continuing his spree of shallow relationships with other women.

For the most part, Hijikata was as said before, an efficient person, due to his calm and cautionary nature. He rarely grew angry at anything and was mostly tolerant. Though if he ever was incensed, it was when Kato Hiroyuki said something. Because of who Hijikata is, the Shogunate naturally found him harder to control than Kondo, who was a deep Loyalist. In battle, testaments supported that he was the bravest man in the Shinsengumi as he charged in the midst of speeding bullets. Hijikata was actually better known as a strategist and someone who gets the job done. His martial skills were so great to the point that a Frenchman, Jules Brunet, regarded him as a true warrior and estimated that Hijikata could've been a general if placed in an European army.

Last of all, he was practical. Toshizo quickly took up ideas that proved its worth in war while quickly kicking out worthless ideas. Meat consumption was not a common thing. But after hearing about the nutritional value, he had the Shinsengumi start raising animals for food and added pork and chicken to the diet. He even outfitted the Shinsengumi with more modern equipment such as cannons and uniforms. To sum it all up, he is a man of great caliber.

History: Hijikata Toshizo Yoshitoyo was the youngest of the six children fathered by a rich farmer. Unfortunately, his father died soon before his birth. Misfortune struck again when the same disease that killed his father, Tuberculosis, attacked his older sister and Mother. His oldest brother, Tamejiro, was blind and as a result, could not inherit the family property. But it was because of him, that Hijikata had an interest in haiku (which he attempted to make). The second oldest son, Kiroku inherited the property instead. It would be to no surprise that he would be the one to raise Hijikata with his wife after the Mother's death.

Kiroku attempted many times to set up his youngest brother for success in economics, though only to disappoint him. It has been theorized that it put a strain on their relationship as brothers. Hijikata's older brother (Fifth oldest, second youngest), Daisaku, had himself adopted to another family to start practicing medicine. Once becoming a doctor, who later changed his name to Kasuya Ryojin, who wrote the sign with his excellent calligraphy outside of the Shinsengumi headquarters in Mibu.

Nobu, Hijikata's sister, married to Sato Hikogoro. Who would be the same person who'd have Hijikata meet two special people (Who change his life forever). Ever since the tensions between him and Kiroku, Hijikata started to live at Sato's household. Sato built a kenjutsu dojo (Tennin Rishin Style) for the other tenants (farmers) to protect themselves from bandits and thieves. It is in this way, Hijikata met Kondo Isami (The man who would later become the commander of the Shinsengumi and also came to the dojo to teach). But before that time came to pass, Toshizo would travel around Japan selling the family's homemade medicine for bones and bruises while at the same time carrying fencing equipment to visit nearby dojos and train.

There was one time HIjikata contracted a strange illness when he was still at the Sato's household. Daisaku and another doctor checked on him, but didn't know what was wrong. As a result, he almost died, but still survived. In terms of his affiliation with Tennin Rishin Ryu, he only has a low rank, Mokuroku. Surprising to know since he was soon later widely known for his prowess in combat. But his experiences in other dojos made him a foe to be taken seriously with his mixed form of swordsmanship at that time.

The Shinsengumi (Known as the Mibu Roshi at the time) was formed with Kondo at the helm and having Hijikata sharing the Vice-commander rank with Yamanami Heisuke. But even with Heisuke's death, Hijikata was the only one in that rank and stayed there because of his deep respect to Kondo (Brotherly respect, Bro much?) It later became the main special police force in Kyoto... With Serizawa Kamo and Niimi Nishiki as joint leaders. In the capital, they fought against Reformists like Matsudaira Katamori. Unfortunately, Kamo and Nishiki behaved poorly on behalf of the group (extortion, brawls, and drinking) which eventually had the Shinsengumi labeled as the Wolves of Mibu. Tired of their bullshit, Hijikata found enough evidence against Nishiki in this to force him to commit seppuku. Kamo later was assassinated with his followers, but no one knew who did it. This later led to having Kondo being the only head commander of the corps with only Hijikata and Yamanami as his Co-leaders.

Eventually the Shinsengumi grew to a force of 140 men consisting of mainly farmers and merchants who supported the Tokugawa regime in terms of their economic status at risk. The rules set up by Hijikata are generally strict with a punishment of seppuku, earning him the nickname: Demon Vice-Captain of the Shinsengumi. Later in his career in the Shinsengumi, he was given a rank of hatamoto (Samurai directly under the Tokugawa's service, basically a King knighting a person in the same way Sir Francis Drake was).

The battle at Toba-Fushimi was what changed Hijikata's outlook on war. Immediately, he had the Shinsengumi become the best of both worlds. West and East. The Vice-Captain cut off his hair and started to don a military style French form of dress while also taking a revolver around in tandem with his swords. The defeat at Kofu affected him most. It's where he lost Kondo. The former commander was captured and executed as a criminal by the enemy... Sticking the emotions of regret and guilt into Hijikata for the rest of his life. It intensified his reasons to keep fighting for the future of his country in Kondo's place. After the death, he took command of the remaining forces. June 20 1869 would be the day of his death. Hearing the news of the Meiji army attacking the Shinsengumi forces stationed at Hakodate, Hijikata mobilized his troops to help. However, they were intercepted by enemies along the way. A bullet from a sniper (Yes there are snipers at the time) pierced his abdomen and destroyed his lower back (and spine), killing him on horseback.

Battle Info

• Revolver: Hijikata also has a revolver that shoots out compressed prana within each shot. The degree of each shot is at a level of a C ranked spell.
  
  
• Long Sword - Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kanesada - 2'8"
  
  
• Short Sword - Kunihiro Horikawa - 1'11"5
  

Stats:

Noble Phantasm: B+, his highest ranked Noble Phantasm is Hirazuki.

Strength: B, has practiced Tennin-Rishin Ryu which puts an emphasis in cutting down opponents in full armor. Because of that, style uses extremely thick and heavier bokutos in training in comparison to other styles in order to get used to the weight of a katana.

Endurance: B+, possesses a good amount of running stamina being forced to run at full speed in the midst of bullets flying into the battlefield. Has once suffered a terrible disease and was able to make a full recovery regardless.

Agility: A. Being forced to run through the midst of the battlefield, riddled with bullets, Hijikata had to possess lot of running speed being hit by them and get close enough to cut down enemies with his sword.

Mana: C. Average, there is absolutely no involvement of magic in the Servant's history.

Luck: D. Had the unlucky chance of being shot by a sniper and died from the wound. While also losing his precious comrades during the war.

Class Skills:
~ Riding :: C. All creatures but those of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast-rank can be used as mounts.

~ Magic Resistance:: C. Cancel spells with a chant below two verses. Cannot defend against Magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals.

Personal Skills:
~ Bravery:: A+:The ability to negate mental interference such as pressure, confusion and fascination. Bonus effect of increasing melee damage.

~ Eye of the Mind (True):: B. Capable of calm analysis of battle conditions even when in danger and deduce an appropriate course of action after considering all possibilities to escape from a predicament. So long there is even a 1% chance of a comeback, this ability greatly improves the chances of winning.

~ Military Tactics :: B. Tactical knowledge used not for one-on-one combat situations, but for battles where many are mobilized. Bonus modifiers are provided during use of one's own Anti-Army Noble Phantasm or when dealing against an enemy Anti-Army Noble Phantasm.

~ Hirazuki:: See Hirazuki in Noble Phantasm. Rank A.

Noble Phantasms:

~ Demon Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi :: Anti-Unit :: C. A title Hijikata earned himself through his cruel conduct during his years of the Shinsengumi. Because of the over generalizations of his nature, he was seen as an unstoppable and cruel demon. Temporarily decreases the parameters of enemies by a rank. But, his identity must be known, meaning that he has to use Shinsengumi Uniform at times. Wearing the uniform increases strength and endurance by a rank, but agility is lowered by two ranks and luck by one rank because of the weight in comparison to the French clothing. But it reveals his true identity.

~ Bullet Dodge :: Anti-Unit :: C. Having almost recklessly ran through a battlefield teeming with bullets, Hijikata established his fame as a courageous warrior during the war. Gives the Servant an ability to dodge projectile weaponry of any kind when shot in front of him. But doesn't work from behind.

~ Hirazuki:: Anti-Unit :: B+. Hijikata's stabbing technique which was a derivative to Okita Soji's Mumyo-Ken (Stabbing three points at the same time). Basically named the left handed stab. A lethal Noble Phantasm Technique made to pierce through anything to get to the target. It'll ignore everything else until the target is hit or missed. Think of it like a short-distance bull rush.

Controller Info
Alias: Hijikata Toshizo
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Location/Timezone: Pacific Time
How'd You Find Us?: Old site...
Roleplay Sample:

It was scary. No. He was used to it by now. Adrenaline was slowly pumping through his veins as he ascended the small case of stairs. Dark. It was dim. It looks like they knew they were coming. Hijikata Toshizo slowly gulped as he continued his journey up the stairs with the rest of his squad below. With katana in hand, he gripped tightly, yet softly for preparation of the task at hand.

"WHO ARE YOU!?"

At the top of the stairs, was a man in the usual kimono and hakama. Bland and with mediocre colors, almost signaling the fruitless and worthless life it clothed. Before he could say anything, a sickening stab made its sound appearance. Blood slowly dripped down the blade the Shinsengumi Vice-Commander held. Effortlessly and without any regard, he took it out and pushed it aside... To have the newly made corpse roll down the stairs.

Onward.

They continued up, until they reached their destination. The tatami doors opened.

WE ARE THE SHINSENGUMI! YOU'RE ALL UNDER ARREST!

He heard Kondo-san bellow at the rebels sitting in the midst of the darkness with blades shining dimly with the lantern that was brought up by one of the units. Glares targeted themselves at their beings. The death stares seen many times.

GRAAAAAAARGGGHHH!

The start of the war. Swords flashed in the small room as one by one more of the Shinsengumi entered and joined the fray. One cut open a tatami window and jumped out, Okita chased after him with several other units following to assist.

Overhead slash. Hijikata moved to the right and returned with a torso slash.

GAAAAAAH!

He felt the girth and organs being mashed apart through the vibrations in the metal. Blood became flowing as scarlet waterfalls. Continue.

Stab to the heart. He parried and returned with a stab in the neck.

Guuok...

A kick was used to push the corpse off his sword. A solid thump and splash in the midst of the red sea. Screams and slashes deafened his ears. It was war. A war that he would make sure to keep Kondo from being killed and profit from the valuable victory that it held in the future.

Forward.