Saito

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Saitō Fuyōfushi (斋藤)
Alias(es)	Saito; Saitō the Immortal; One-Eyed Shinigami
Species/Race	Shinigami; later Hollowfied
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Thirteen Court Guard Squads; Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force; 7th Division; Outer Court Division
Occupation/Role	Former original Captain; Captain of the Expeditionary Force; later Captain of the 7th Division; first commander of the Outer Court Division
Status	Immortal; alive
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Saitō was one of the original Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and fought during the Quincy invasion eight hundred years earlier, personally witnessing Yhwach. Unlike many first-generation Captains, she survived into the present era, though she became isolated as her old comrades changed or disappeared. She is described as having lived for roughly a thousand years and as one of Soul Society’s old powerhouses. 7 8

She later led the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. During Iori Aizen’s time with the force, she recognized his unusual potential, accepted his transfer request, and trained him in Flash Step. She also considered him a possible disciple and repeatedly tried to secure Yamamoto’s guidance for him. 17 26 58 129 130

While pursuing enemies in Hueco Mundo, Saitō was lured into Las Noches and fought Barragan’s Hollow forces. Barragan’s aging power inflicted lasting damage; Saitō removed parts of her internal organs to halt the erosion, leaving her unable to use Bankai or command the Expeditionary Army temporarily. 124 129

During the conflict with Tsunayashiro Shitan, Saitō was Hollowfied. She survived the transformation, gained dramatically increased Reiatsu, and accepted her altered state after Iori saved her. Central 46 subsequently ordered her exile to the Human World, sealed most of her spiritual pressure and Hollow power, and appointed her first commander of a new Outer Court Division. 396 406

Appearance

Saitō resembles a young woman despite her extreme age. She has purple hair, usually wears an eyepatch, and commonly appears in a Captain’s haori or Shinigami uniform. 7 226

• One eye is brass-colored and described as dull or lifeless; after Hollowfication, the formerly blind eye can turn crimson and regain sight. 396
• Her eyepatch later functions as a limiter that halves her Reiatsu without burdening her. 451
• Uses a Nodachi-style Zanpakutō in battle. 226
• Her extreme speed and swordsmanship lead many to mistake her Zanpakutō for a physical-type weapon. 226

Personality

Saitō is forthright, unruly, and fond of alcohol. She readily drinks, banters, and criticizes Seireitei’s unpleasant side, treating Iori as a drinking companion rather than standing on formal seniority. 8 531

Beneath her carefree and provocative manner, she is perceptive about Soul Society’s corruption and protective of those she values. She recognized the danger posed by Iori’s unusual talent and sought Yamamoto’s protection for him rather than allowing Central 46 or other factions to exploit him. 58 129 130

Her experiences gradually make her more openly protective and emotionally vulnerable. She shields her division during the Seireitei crisis, accepts her love for Iori, and eventually chooses to “live for herself” after more than a millennium of drifting. 227 391 560

Abilities & Skills

Flash Step

Saitō is a master of Flash Step whose movement is difficult even for capable Shinigami to perceive.

• Can rapidly cross rooftops and greatly outpace Iori while suppressing her own speed. 7
• Taught Iori that Flash Step depends on Reiatsu control rather than merely increasing output. 8
• Uses afterimages and Utsusemi techniques in close combat. 60
• Her Shikai further amplifies her already exceptional mobility. 124

Swordsmanship

Saitō is an elite swordswoman capable of challenging Captain-class opponents and fighting with precision at extreme speed.

• Fought Barragan while evading his Execution Great Axe and aging power. 124
• Battled Unohana Retsu in an intense Bankai clash without showing fatigue afterward. 460
• Defeated Tsunayashiro Shitan while severely wounded and depleted. 396
• Acknowledged that Unohana surpassed her in swordsmanship, reputation, Reiatsu, and physique during their earlier years. 560

Kido

Saitō employs Kido alongside swordsmanship, including binding spells and chantless offensive casting.

• Bound regenerating monsters after cutting them down, preventing their recovery. 226
• Cast Sōkatsui without an incantation at point-blank range. 226

Hollowfication

Saitō underwent Hollowfication during her battle with Tsunayashiro Shitan and survived the boundary-breaking transformation. 396

• Greatly increased her Reiatsu beyond its former level. 396 451
• Restored vision to her formerly blind eye during activation. 396
• Was initially subject to Central 46’s restrictions due to the risk of losing control. 406
• Her eyepatch suppresses half of her Reiatsu to help regulate her enhanced power. 451

Zanpakutō: Hienkou

Saitō’s Zanpakutō is a wind-attribute, Kido-type weapon rather than a physical-type Zanpakutō. 226

• Shikai — Divine Speed: Combines the Zanpakutō’s ability with Saitō’s Flash Step, creating speed that leaves Hollows, Gillians, and Adjuchas unable to track her. 124 226
• Uses its speed to cut through groups of Hollows and break through encirclements. 124

Bankai: Hienkou Reison / “Invisible Wind”

Saitō’s Bankai manifests devastating, unavoidable wind pressure within the range of her Reiatsu. 226 460

• Generates high-level Kido-like winds by locking onto a target with her gaze. 226
• The attacks have no visible sign or trajectory, making conventional defense impossible. 226
• Dense Reiatsu wind pressure pierces targets’ surfaces and destroys internal organs. 226
• Completely suppressed a Captain-level, regenerating monster. 226
• Protected the 7th Division from a massive explosion, though Saitō suffered severe injuries. 227
• Could not be used for a time after Barragan’s aging injury. 129

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Eyepatch — ordinarily worn over one eye; after Hollowfication, it halves her Reiatsu to control her increased power. 7 451
• Nodachi-style Zanpakutō — Saitō’s primary weapon and the vessel of Hienkou. 226
• Captain’s haori — worn during her service as a Captain. 7

Relationships

• Iori Aizen — Initially a drinking companion and trainee; Saitō trained his Flash Step, advocated for his advancement, later confessed her love, and became his lover. 8 58 61 391 448
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto — Senior and mentor figure from the original generation; Saitō respects his strength and asked him to accept Iori as a disciple. 129 130
• Unohana Retsu — Fellow original Captain, friend, and longtime rival; Saitō admitted she had once been jealous of Unohana’s superior standing and strength. 397 460 560
• Yoruichi Shihōin — A martial junior who received significant instruction from Saitō, particularly connected to Flash Step training. 132
• Hikifune Kirio — Ally who fights beside Saitō against Quincies and later works under the broader Human World operation. 451 460 485
• Tsunayashiro Shitan — Enemy defeated by Saitō; his actions triggered her Hollowfication. 396
• Barragan — King of Hueco Mundo and adversary whose aging power severely injured Saitō during the Las Noches incident. 124 129
• Yuki Aizen — Iori’s older sister; Saitō knew her before learning Iori’s identity and later considered involving her more closely in her relationship with Iori. 8 562

Story Role / Major Arcs

Meeting Iori and Flash Step Training

Saitō first encounters Iori after his academy conflicts, testing him through a rooftop chase. Impressed by his adaptability, she explains the importance of Reiatsu control in Flash Step and eventually teaches him advanced movement techniques, including Utsusemi. 7 8 60 61

Hueco Mundo Expedition

As Expeditionary Force Captain, Saitō accepts Iori into the force and oversees his early service in Hueco Mundo. She faces Barragan at Las Noches, sustains severe aging damage, and later recommends Iori to Yamamoto after witnessing his abilities during the expedition. 26 124 129 130

7th Division Crisis

Serving as Vice-Captain of the 7th Division, Saitō investigates Reishi-absorbing monsters that devastate Seireitei. She uses Bankai to defeat a Captain-level creature and later sacrifices herself to shield her subordinates from an explosion before Iori rescues her. 226 227 228

Tsunayashiro Conflict and Hollowfication

Saitō fights alongside Iori during the assault on Tsunayashiro’s fortress, openly confesses her love before the operation, and later defeats Tsunayashiro Shitan. During that battle, she is Hollowfied and gains greatly enhanced spiritual power. 391 394 396

Exile and Human World Command

Central 46 punishes Saitō’s Hollowfication by exiling her to the Human World and restricting her power. She accepts the responsibility, becomes commander of the Outer Court Division, and remains involved in Quincy-related operations. 406 448 485

Relationship with Iori

Saitō’s bond with Iori develops from training and drinking companionship into romance. She struggles with embarrassment and uncertainty after their intimacy, but later confirms their relationship and learns of Iori’s wider status and power across multiple worlds. 377 391 397 448 530

Notable Quotes

“Flash Step, in the end, is a technique for using Reiatsu, just like Kido. The key lies in ‘control.’” 8

“You should take Iori Aizen under your wing—no Shinigami can inherit the essence of ‘Genryū’ better than him. I can guarantee it!” 129

“This time, it’s my turn to protect you!” 396

“Yes, after drifting aimlessly for over a thousand years, it’s time I lived for myself.” 560

Trivia

• Saitō’s apparent age does not reflect her true age; souls’ appearances are not tied to their actual age. 7
• She is associated with heavy drinking and is eager to sample alcohol from other worlds. 8 531
• Although commonly perceived as a close-range physical fighter, her Zanpakutō’s true nature is wind-attribute Kido. 226
• Her eyepatch is both a defining visual feature and a practical limiter for her post-Hollowfication Reiatsu. 451