放
ホウ, はな.す, っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る, はなれ
set free, release, fire, shoot, emit, banish, liberate
JLPT3 G3 S8 F288
As per 方# (spread) + 攵 (strike) → strike an object, causing pieces to spread/*scatter* in all directions → *release*; *set free* → *reach*; *fire* (a gun); *expel*; *leave up to*.
[Full Kanji Etymology List]