View source for Aihana Etsu

{{Overhaul 3}}
{{For|other characters who have used Aihana Etsu's name|Aihana Etsu (disambiguation)}}
{{Character Infobox
|Full Name = Aihana Etsu
|Images = Aihana Etsu ambiguous pfp.jpg
|Kanji = 藍花 悦
|Romaji = Aihana Etsu
|Epithet = ''Number Six''<br>{{Nihongo|''Dark Side's Bane''|暗部の天敵|Anbu no Tenteki|lit. "Dark Side's Natural Enemy"}}
|Status = Alive
|Age = Unknown
|Gender = Unknown
|Classification = [[Esper]]
|Esper Power = Unknown
|Level = 5
|Appears In = Novel
|Novel Debut = {{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|10|NT Volume 10}}}}
{{Nihongo|'''Aihana Etsu'''|藍花 悦|Aihana Etsu}}, also referred to as the {{Nihongo|'''Number Six'''|第六位}}, is the sixth ranked [[Level 5]] [[esper]] in [[Academy City]]. A recurring joke in the series is the mystery surrounding their identity.

=={{TrackTag13}}Etymology==
The three kanji for Aihana Etsu's name mean "indigo" (藍), "flower" (花), and "pleasure" (悦), respectively.

==Personality==
Aihana is described by [[Yokosuka]] as an intellectual with a hobby,<ref name=ShinyakuV12Ep/> and they have been noted to possess the same atmosphere<!--create unique world all of own--> as other Level 5s.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

Due to the nature of their power, Aihana claims that they can't actually do all that much or bring about justice on their own, and that they constantly think about who they can side with to ensure that the 'good guys' win and the villains don't get the last laugh, lending out their name as part of that.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> They step in when they decide that the selected good person cannot win without their help, press them into accepting their offer,<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> and after granting them the name Aihana Etsu and their 'ideal self', leaves them to resolve the problem, claiming that it is something they need to do themselves otherwise it would be meaningless.<ref name=ShinyakuV12Ep/><ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

While they consider themselves to be acting in peoples' best interests, their attitude has been noted to be quite arrogant and self-righteous,<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> looking down on other people,<ref name=ShinyakuV12Ep/><ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> and rejecting their own possibilities from the start.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> They press people to take their offer and name, and at least once, on being refused, stated that it was their decision and asked the target what made them think they had the right to refuse.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> They have also been noted to stay in their own safe zone and benefit while others faced the risks, putting in little work or effort themselves.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> Aihana's behavior has been compared to setting up a camera, stepping in to help and then posting an edited version of the video to a site to make themselves look like a success, and looking down on others as no more than dolls they can play with, with Kamijou Touma calling it a perfect example of what a Level 5 shouldn't be.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

Aihana dislikes violating their own principles, and has a negative view of hypocrites and those who 'refuse to pick a side', considering Touma as one of them and not a good person for the contradictory path he walks where he talks of the goodness of human nature but cannot abandon the violence of his fist.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> When asking what power someone would like to be given, Aihana claimed that they could not be proud of it since they can't actually "create" it, apparently with a bitter smile, while adding how they couldn't actually do all that much due to the nature of their ability.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> Faced with refusal and someone whom they believed would definitely lose and die, a slight change was noted in their voice, described as though recalling a history of repeated failure.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> They were angered when faced with someone whom they considered stubborn, repeatedly refusing their offer and sticking to usual pattern of behavior when Aihana had chosen to break their own rules to make that offer.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

Aihana used {{W|keigo}} while speaking with Kamijou Touma, but dropped it after being angered.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

==Chronology==
===Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index===
====Agitate Halation Arc====
{{Main/Agitate Halation Arc}}
During the riots in Academy City's [[Learning Core]] involving 7,500 "heroes", a group of people assume that a [[Aihana Etsu (Learning Core)|boy]] claiming to be Aihana Etsu is the Number Six since he defeated them with only his fists and without any apparent ability. [[Shokuhou Misaki]], noticing him, claims that he is pretending to be the Number Six Level 5, and therefore has no connection to her, indicating that she probably knows the real Aihana Etsu.<ref name="ShinyakuV7Ch4Pt5">{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|7}} Chapter 4 Part 5</ref>

In the conclusion of the arc, [[Kihara Noukan]] states that "the Level 5s gathered in one place", hinting either that the real Aihana Etsu actually was present in Learning Core, that Noukan was simply only referring to the other Level 5s, or that Noukan was fooled by the impostor's acting.<ref name="ShinyakuV7Ep">{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|7}} Epilogue</ref>

====Magic God Othinus Arc====
{{Main/Magic God Othinus Arc}}
Aihana officially debuts in person in this arc, though their features are kept nondescript and they are referred to as the Number Six rather than by name. When Academy City sends an email to the seven Level 5s "requesting the death of [[Magic God]] [[Othinus]] and [[Kamijou Touma]] who is traveling with her", Aihana silently toys with their phone.<ref name="ShinyakuV10Pr">{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|10}} Prologue</ref>

====St. Germain Arc====
{{Main/St. Germain Arc}}
Following the events at the [[Dianoid]], during which [[Kanou Shinka]] made use of Aihana's name, the real Aihana speaks with [[Yokosuka]], who has been assisting Aihana (hoping that he could learn how to beat [[Sogiita Gunha]]) with their plans of helping people solve their problems by allowing them to use Aihana's name as the sixth ranked Level 5 on Aihana's behalf, Yokosuka having passed the name on to another.<ref name="ShinyakuV12Ep">{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|12}} Epilogue</ref>

===Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index===
====Christmas Day Arc====
{{Main/Christmas Day Arc}}<!--TSP-->
On [[Christmas Day]], Aihana Etsu approached the heavily injured and [[St. Germain|dying]] [[Kamijou Touma]], who was attempting to leave the [[Heaven Canceller's Hospital|hospital]] to stop [[Anna Sprengel]], despite his condition. Though they had negative view of Touma and had avoided making contact before then, Aihana apparently deemed supporting Touma with their power the best choice for fighting [[R&C Occultics]]<!--which they referred to as a mutation in the world centered around Academy City-->. They attempted to have Touma take on their name and grant him power like they usually did with others, but Touma rejected their 'offer'<!--other word?--> and called out their attitude. Both unwilling to budge, Aihana stood in Touma's way and was quickly knocked out.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5>{{Qvl|Souyaku|L|2}} Chapter 3 Part 5</ref>

During this encounter, Aihana displayed at least a partial knowledge of Touma's circumstances involving his lost memories, [[Shokuhou Misaki]] and [[St. Germain]].<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/><!--not a complete knowledge/understanding-->

===Toaru Kagaku no Railgun===
====Daihasei Festival Arc====
{{Main/Daihasei Festival Arc (Railgun)}}
[[File:Aihana_Etsu - Name.png|thumb|right|Aihana's name on the clipboard.]]
The Number Six was mentioned when [[Yamane]], who is part of a group tasked with convincing the seven Level 5s to hold demonstrations during the [[Daihasei Festival]], tried to track them down, but was unable to find any trace of them.<ref name="RailgunCh43">{{Qcl|Railgun|43}}</ref>
{{Clr}}

===Toaru Anbu no Item===
====Enemy Item Arc====
{{Main/Enemy Item Arc}}{{UncertainPositioning/PastArc|Not finalized}}
[[File:Dark Side's Bane - Item Ch3.png|thumb|220px|Some of the stories associated with the Dark Side's Bane.<br/>'''Left:''' A small child rescued unharmed from kidnappers.<br/>'''Middle:''' Gunrunners wiped out in a single night.<br/>'''Right:''' A stalker hung from a streetlight.]]
Around the time of the July [[One Year Ago|one year before]] the events of the [[main story]], Aihana Etsu had his current rank as the #6 Level 5 and was actively at work against the [[Dark Side of Academy City]],<ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt1>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 1 Part 1</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt5>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 1 Part 5</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt6>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 1 Part 6</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt4>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 2 Part 4</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ep>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Epilogue</ref> either directly or via proxy. Although his name was not widely known,<ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt5/><ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt8/><ref name=ItemV1Ch3Pt3/> there were numerous stories associated with the #6's supposed actions among the dark side (including that of a stalker hung from a streetlight, gunrunners being wiped out in a single night, and a small child rescued unharmed from a kidnapping group)<!--assist weak, provide means to fight villains, save from pit of dark side--> and he was feared as the Dark Side's Bane.<ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt1/><ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt5/><ref name=ItemV1Ch1Pt6/><ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt4/><ref name=ItemV1Ep/>

During the events in July, when [[{{DCp|Item}}|{{TrackTagX5|Item}}]] was facing the [[Colosseum]] and the [[Enemy Item|group behind it]], [[Ibotanokikouji Kaede]] claimed to be the #6 and the Dark Side's Bane,<ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt8>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 2 Part 8</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt9>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 2 Part 9</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch2Pt11>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 2 Part 11</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch3Pt3>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 3 Part 3</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch3Pt4>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 3 Part 4</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ch4Pt4>{{Qvl|Item|L|1}} Chapter 4 Part 4</ref><ref name=ItemV1Ep/> though this was more than likely a bluff taking advantage of the #6's reputation and relative anonymity at the time, with no association with the real Aihana.<ref name=ItemV1Ep/>

====Honey Queen Arc====
{{Main/Honey Queen Arc}}{{UncertainPositioning/PastArc|Not finalized}}
{{Expand|Item V2<ref name=ItemV2>{{Qvl|Item|L|2}}</ref><!--1-6,4-1,4-3,Ep-->}}

====Dark Justice Arc====
{{Main/Dark Justice Arc}}{{UncertainPositioning/PastArc|Not finalized}}
{{TSP}}At the end of August, Aihana made a move after the events involving [[Item]] facing various 'justice'-related groups ([[Sadistic Dolls]], [[Frees]], [[Shiratori Okibi|a detective]] and [[Judgment Branch 000]]) after a mission against the [[Ark of the Electronic Sea]], killing a [[Voice on the Phone|voice on the phone]] who had manipulated the justice groups as a failed improvised emergency defense against Aihana, and confronted [[Mugino Shizuri]] following Item's battle with Branch 000, though they ultimately let her live after observing a faint possibility.<ref name=ItemV3Ep>{{Qvl|Item|L|3}} Epilogue</ref>
{{TrackTag116}}

==Other Appearances==
===Toaru Jihanki no Fanfare===
{{TrackTag123}}{{TrackTag117}}{{Main|Toaru Jihanki no Fanfare}}
Aihana Etsu is mentioned when a pirated broadcast lists off the epithets of the seven Level 5s. Humorously, they are introduced as "Eh, who's that Number Six...? Well, forget about it" by the [[Pirate Radio DJ]].<ref name="JihankiSSPr">[[Toaru Jihanki no Fanfare]] Prologue</ref>

{{TrackTag116}}
==Abilities==
Aihana's ability allows them to give others power and make them into their 'ideal self'.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> The exact mechanisms at work are not entirely clear, but by having their target accept their offer and picture their ideal self, the version of themselves that they wish to be, Aihana can apparently make them become that ideal self, granting them the power they wish for.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> It has been compared to instantly transforming anyone into a protagonist without any annoying training or leveling up.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

The process is affected by several factors, one of which is the target's imagination. Aihana generally does not give suggestions as they would narrow the imagination.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> According to Aihana, although they can give someone power, they can't say they actually 'creates' the power.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> It may also be limited by certain external conditions.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> Aihana lends people the name and identity of Aihana Etsu when aiding them, either directly or indirectly, by themselves or through a proxy. Whether this is a necessary part of the empowerment process is not fully confirmed.<ref name=ShinyakuV12Ep/><ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

When trying to get [[Kamijou Touma]] to accept their offer, Aihana gave an example of what their power might be able to accomplish - pointing to the whistle which Touma had received from [[Shokuhou Misaki]], which and whom he could no longer remember.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> Aihana claimed that if Touma wished to know the meaning behind the whistle or was interested in recovering his lost memories, he could do it as long as he arranged the necessary conditions in the city.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> Aihana also claimed that it was more convenient than what [[Rensa]] had.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

The nature of this ability is not one suited for direct combat, meaning Aihana has to use or work with others to achieve their goals.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> When forced to step outside of their safe zone and face an injured Kamijou Touma in a physical clash, they were easily knocked out.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

[[File:GT Index v02 BW6.jpg|thumb|180px|The distorted view seen by Kamijou Touma during his encounter with Aihana Etsu]]
When Aihana approached the ravaged Kamijou Touma, the latter experienced audio and visual distortions in his perception of his surroundings.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> As he was descending the stairs (which seemed not to change no matter how many flights he went down), he felt a sensation described like walking on fluffy clouds, with light blurring and the deafening noise around him becoming distorted. When Aihana appeared on the landing before him and spoke, Touma was fairly sure they had not been there before and he could only see a vague outline<!--not see leaning against wall-->, like a scene filmed through an out-of-focus video camera. At the same time, the surrounding noise disappeared<!--stop/senses out, silence-->. When he tried to slip past and descend the next flight of stairs (not seeming to make progress<!--look at floor number but meaning not reach, never end unless permission-->), he found Aihana waiting for him on the next landing (even after placing his right hand to his head).<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> After Aihana's introduction<!--accept presence-->, the visual distortions spread out with the walls and floors (which had calming colors for the benefit of patients) flashing with bright colors and stairs starting to bend and undulate.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/> The illusion disappeared after Aihana was knocked out.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

Aihana's voice during this encounter was described as a genderless soprano, likely intentionally modified to make it difficult to discern with a distortion sometimes running through it, which dropped terrifyingly deep when angered.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>

During their confrontation with [[Mugino Shizuri]], her initial salvo of [[Meltdowner]] beams veered off course before hitting their shadowy form and burst into particles.<ref name=ItemV3Ep/>

==Trivia==
*In ''{{Qvl|Index|L|3|Toaru Majutsu no Index Volume 3}}'', [[Kamijou Touma]] stumbles upon the esper names of the seven Level 5s in documents related to the [[Level 6 Shift]] project, but he skips past those names.
*Some fans speculate that the Number Six is [[Aogami Pierce]] (thus making "Aihana Etsu" his real name), since pre-memory loss Touma considered him and [[Misaka Mikoto]] "tough people who he would not have to worry about getting involved" in the trouble revolving around [[Index]].
*Hints and piece of information regarding Aihana Etsu and their ability, prior to 2014, have included:
**As with the other Level 5s except [[Accelerator]], Aihana cannot achieve a stable Level 6.<ref name=IndexV3Ch2Pt8>{{Qvl|Index|L|3}} Chapter 2 Part 8</ref><ref name=RailgunCh64>{{Qcl|Railgun|64}}</ref>
**As [[Rensa]] can utilize Aihana's ability (as well as those of the other Level 5s apart from [[Sogiita Gunha]]'s currently unexplainable power), it can be inferred that their ability can be scientifically explained and reproduced.<ref name=ShinyakuV7Ch3Pt8>{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|7}} Chapter 3 Part 8</ref>
**Given narration and Accelerator's thoughts, Aihana's ability is not a wind-related power.<ref name=IndexV3Ch4Pt8>{{Qvl|Index|L|3}} Chapter 4 Part 8</ref>
**Given comments concerning [[Misaka Mikoto]]'s selection for the demonstration at the [[Russian Shopping Center]], it could be inferred that, like the other Level 5s, they don't have a reasonable personality.<ref name=RailgunSS2Ch1Pt2>[[Toaru Kagaku no Railgun SS2: Ability Demonstration Trip]] Chapter 1 Part 2</ref>
**Level 5s have been described as having enough power to fight evenly with an army, so it has been assumed that Aihana was capable of this in their own way.<ref>[[Toaru Majutsu no Index no Subete]] [[Toaru Majutsu no Index no Subete/The Wall Between Level 3 and Level 4|The Wall Between Level 3 and Level 4]]</ref>
*After the release of ''{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|7|Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Volume 7}}'', there was confusion over whether the name "Aihana Etsu" was the Number Six's real name or just the impostor's name. In ''{{Qvl|Shinyaku|L|12|Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Volume 12}}'', Yokosuka confirmed it as the former.
*Aihana uses the first-person pronoun {{Nihongo|"boku"|僕}}.<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>
<!--Individuals who have been offered or assumed the name/title, NT7 (1), NT12 (3), RTEp1 (?), GT2 (-1)-->

==Quotes==
*{{QuoteTrack|"Now, picture the you that you wish to be. Picture your ideal self.”[...]“You can be that version of yourself. Now, ''I will lend you Aihana Etsu.''"<ref name=SouyakuV2Ch3Pt5/>}}{{TrackTag122}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Navigation==
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[[Category:Characters]]
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