Hibiki Kohaku

""Lord Kagura won't be coming.""

Hibiki Kohaku is a captain of the Novus Orbis Librarium who first appeared in BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma. He is Kagura Mutsuki’s loyal servant, and helped him in the coup d’état against Izanami. He wields twin blades named Kagari Rokushikisouken.

As of BlazBlue: Central Fiction, he became a playable character.

Appearance
Hibiki is a slender young man with effeminate features, pale skin, and black hair styled in a short bob. His eye color varies between dark brown and a golden amber. Hibiki wears the standard jolting sapphire NOL overcoat with yellow trim, altered to rest just below his shoulders. His overcoat falls to his ankles, but has a decorative slit on the right side long enough to reveal his legs. Underneath it, he wears a collared white shirt with a red tie over a skintight black undershirt.

In Central Fiction, he wears a short jolting sapphire cape with a standing collar that obscures the lower half of his face. The capelet is cut asymmetrically, for the most part falling to his waist but with a "tail" that extending down to his ankles over his right shoulder. This "tail" has the NOL emblem printed on it. Underneath the cape he wears a white, long-sleeved dress shirt that rests around his shoulders and a black, skintight undershirt that covers his shoulders, collar, and half of his neck. The back of his uniform is open near the top, revealing his shoulder blades and some of his back. Hibiki's shirt is split from his waist down on both sides to reveal blue cloth underneath, the edges held together with thin black belts. He wears skintight black legging boots, with a slightly raised heel. Hibiki hangs a large metal sheathe at his lower back to hold his short, straight twin swords and spare detachable blades.

Personality
"Strict and particular about details. Though he speaks severely when Kagura indulges in women and alcohol, he never oversteps his bounds as a secretary."

Patience is one of Hibiki’s greatest virtues as he often has to put up with Kagura's constant antics. In comparison to his lord, he is far more organized, strict, and disciplined, and handles most of the administrative duties within Ikaruga. His relationship with Kagura is complicated. Although Hibiki would do anything in his service, he would also often harshly and bluntly criticize his lord's actions (such as his excessive drinking or behavior towards women). Despite Kagura's shortcomings, Hibiki admires him and remains steadfast in his loyalty to him. He acts as a foil to Kagura, leading to a complicated, but very deep, relationship.

Hibiki maintains significantly darker feelings about himself, going so far to say that he lacks desires of his own and will always remain empty. He only wishes to be used as a tool.

Biography
The eternally loyal servant of Kagura Mutsuki. Hibiki is one of the Kohaku, a family of assassins who have served the Mutsuki for generations with unwavering loyalty. Hibiki serves Kagura as his assistant by running errands and generally making life easier for his superior. Despite their obvious differences in personality, Hibiki unquestionably admires the Black Knight. The Kohaku family is hardly ever mentioned in history books, but Jin, Hakumen, and Mai are aware of his family’s existence.

Collisions, Determination, Spiral Shift
In 2197, during the Ikaruga Civil War, Hibiki delivered a report to Kagura amidst a large number of guards from the Zero Squadron that had been stationed around the branch. The report detailed the NOL’s rejection of the Ikaruga Federation’s offer for a truce, something that Kagura had predicted. Hibiki noted how looters, in the aftermath of the destruction of 5th Hierarchical City of Ibukido, had begun destroying Ars Magus ships and causing general mayhem, leading Kagura to suggest that they be taken to the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi as refugees. Hibiki respectfully disagreed and left soon afterwards, but promised to return once he had more to report. However, he did inform the Zero Squadron guards outside about Kagura's plan for the refugees' relocation.

In the 7th Hierarchical City of Kazamotsu, Hibiki went to greet the recently arrived Jin Kisaragi on behalf of Kagura. He crept up silently on Jin, the latter only becoming aware of Hibiki's presence once he announced himself. Shocked and angry, Jin threatened to kill him should he ever sneak up again on him, but nonetheless willingly followed Hibiki back to Ibukido.

Under Kagura’s orders, Hibiki assembled the armies located in Ikaruga to take out Tenjo Amanohokosaka. He regrouped with Kagura to discuss how Jin wielded the Nox Nyctores - Mucro Algesco: Yukianesa. Later, a skirmish with Sector Seven allowed Hibiki and Kagura to move Homura Amanohokosaka safely out of Ikaruga and into hiding. The two acted under the false pretense that Kagura had been severely injured by Iron Tager. Hibiki scolded the guards of the Zero Squadron harshly and, using the flow of the moment, was able to dismiss them, allowing Kagura to leave Ikaruga even though the guards had been ordered to prevent it. Once on the ship with Homura safely stowed away, Hibiki criticized Kagura’s awful acting. After they returned to Yabiko, Kagura apologized to him and asked for his assistance on yet another plan, to which Hibiki retorted that Kagura needed his help on everything, but soon after he told Kagura that he would always be by his side.

When Kagura and Hibiki organized an operation to "capture" Tager, Jin found himself in their way. Hibiki was present when Kagura jokingly chastised Jin.

Variable Heart
Hibiki greeted Mai Natsume, Noel Vermillion, Makoto Nanaya, and Tsubaki Yayoi when they arrived in the 2nd Hierarchical City of Iwatsuchi's NOL branch for Jin Kisaragi's medal ceremony right after the end of the Ikaruga Civil War. By this time, Hibiki had been promoted to captain. Mai was shocked upon meeting him, as she knew about Hibiki's family and their hidden trade as assassins, but she didn't say anything. Hibiki put the girls to work helping with the medal ceremony. After telling Tsubaki about Jin's promotion by two ranks, Hibiki began to help her with some of her work. Around this time, Meifang Lapislazuli lured Mai into a trap under the guise of Hibiki's orders, of which Hibiki was not aware.

Chrono Phantasma
Under Kagura’s orders, Hibiki was to bring Jin back to the Yabiko branch as his assistance would make Kagura’s planned coup d’état go far more smoothly. He discovered Jin lurking in the 9th Hierarchical City of Akitsu-Kou and snuck up on him, once again surprising the other when he announced himself right behind him. After the two reacquainted, Hibiki delivered a letter to Jin detailing what Kagura wanted. Before they left, Jin asked about the city and its weather system, and Hibiki told him that the city's weather control had been damaged along with the cauldron inside the local NOL branch. Jin refused the request and asked Hibiki to take him to the cauldron instead. Hibiki told Jin that he'd suspected he'd say no, so he would simply follow Jin everywhere until he agreed to come with him. Once at the cauldron, Jin requested that Hibiki stay near the entrance, and Hibiki complied. After hearing a commotion, Hibiki hurried to meet up with a now injured Jin, unknowingly interrupting his battle with Relius Clover. Jin told Hibiki that the situation had changed, and requested to be taken to see Kagura.

When they arrived, Hibiki and Jin met up with Kagura and Kokonoe. Hibiki gave his report to Kagura, informing him of the Colosseum’s status and the twelve guards watching Tsubaki’s every move. He then apologized to Kokonoe in advance for any damages sustained to her equipment in the Colosseum, before stating that Makoto was also being watched per Kagura’s orders. Hibiki also nonchalantly told Kagura that the electricity bill was an "astronomical" amount, and that Kagura would be paying for it out of his own personal bank account. A little while afterwards, he scolded Ragna the Bloodedge and Celica A. Mercury for taking two hours to get to the main office of the Yabiko branch when the prison district is a mere ten minute walk away; however, he did offer to take Ragna to Kushinada's Lynchpin if he needed guidance.

On the night before the planned Colosseum tournament, Hibiki put his cooking skills to use and made an entire buffet for Kagura, Ragna, Jin, Noel, Rachel, Nago, Gii, Taokaka, Makoto, Kokonoe, and Celica. Rachel thanked him for the meal, calling it outstanding and thoroughly complimenting him for his cooking prowess; so impressed was she that she trusted Hibiki enough on which particular brew of tea should be selected for her. Hibiki later scolded Ragna for suddenly bursting into Kagura's office, and looked on as Ragna threatened Kokonoe after learning that Celica was the key to activating Kushinada's Lynchpin. At that time he was introduced to Valkenhayn R. Hellsing, Rachel’s butler and a former member of the Six Heroes.

As promised earlier, Hibiki guided Ragna, Noel, and Celica to the entrance of Kushinada’s Lynchpin, but soon left to return to Kagura and Homura's side. However, after a battle at the Yabiko branch, he was restrained by Nine the Phantom and Hades: Izanami when trying to defend Homura alongside Kagura and Jin. Because Izanami had him restrained, she was able to viciously attack Kagura, leaving him injured before Hibiki was able to rush to his aid. After the loss of seithr, Hibiki helped gather survivors into one area to better preserve resources. He praised Homura for managing to hold the NOL together, and noted that the Amaterasu Unit and the Embryo were above Yabiko; not only this, but he also informed Kagura that Jin was in critical condition after his battle with Ragna. He then connected Kagura and Kokonoe via intercom so they could freely communicate about future plans.

Central Fiction
"He was born into the "Kohaku" family, a branch family of the "Mutsuki" household of the Duodecim. When he was born, it was decided he would "serve the head of the Mutsuki family." In the beginning he resisted it, but after meeting "Kagura Mutsuki" he accepted that fate and now willingly serves Kagura. Ever since then, he has supported Kagura as a secretary."

Hibiki brought Makoto and Tager to Kagura's office per his lord's request, and Kokonoe explained all the events that had happened in the last few months. Hibiki was then ordered to place soldiers on observation of the Embryo. He was also tasked with tracking down Ragna and Izanami Before long, Hibiki, alongside many others, was absorbed into the Embryo and his memories were altered to believe that Kagura was the Hero of Ikaruga, that the date was 12/31/2199, and that Ragna was still a threat to the NOL.

Hibiki debriefed Tsubaki, Noel, and Makoto on their mission to find Jin and to capture Ragna. He was paired with Tsubaki to search for Jin. Much later on, he let Kokonoe into the main branch and issued her a fake ID so she wouldn't be apprehended. He later left the branch with Kagura before it was attacked by Hakumen. Not long afterwards, Hibiki was transported to Ikaruga and told by Nine to kill Izanami so he could claim his piece of the Azure. He also rendezvoused with Kagura, Kokonoe, and Tager in Yabiko to discuss the discrepancies in their memories, briefly leaving so he could order NOL squadrons to not pursue Ragna, before telling Kagura about Noel's position.

When the Amaterasu Unit descended into the Embryo, Hibiki's memories returned. He found Celica stumbling inside the Yabiko branch and brought her to Kagura's office. He told of him perceiving that he had to kill Noel in order for his dream to be fulfilled, and was later ordered to direct Tsubaki and Makoto to apprehend Ragna. While the main group of Kagura and Kokonoe's force journeyed to Japan, Hibiki directed Mai to an airship to guard Homura. Later on, he was also deployed to protect His Highness under Kagura's orders. Hibiki was later dissolved into seithr and his data was backed up by Es.

In the new world created by Ragna, Hibiki was present at an NOL ceremony which Homura presided over - both Kagura and Jin were also present.

Powers and Techniques
As a member of the Kohaku family, Hibiki’s abilities as an assassin are unmatched. He has an ability that allows him to move about undetected by even the sharpest of senses and can activate it at will. His mobility is to be complimented too, as he can perform highly gymnastic feats with ease and move at lightning quick speeds. Should the need arise, he can use his Drive Double Chase, and create a shadow clone of himself as a distraction so he can move in for the kill with his twin blades - both of which he wields with deadly accuracy and intricate skill. These swords are named Kagari Rokushikisouken. Multiple elongated knives are also part of his arsenal, and he uses them for throwing. Double Chase also allows him to physically replace the clone as a feint when fighting an opponent.

Hibiki Kohaku
''Kagura’s right-hand man.

''He belongs to the NOL, and currently holds the rank of Captain. In lieu of the extremely lazy Kagura, he handles a vast majority of the administrative duties within Ikaruga.

''He’s a bright bulb, but can at times be extremely blunt and even hurtful. Despite that, he places absolute trust in Kagura’s decision-making.

Trivia

 * Hibiki's moveset is named after various types of birds, both real and mythological.
 * When fighting against Kagura, Hibiki's Piercing Feather move will throw paperwork instead of knives - a humorous reference to his occupation as Kagura's secretary.

Appearances in other Media

 * The mobile game, Mabinogi Duel, stars Hibiki as a playable card.