Bleach – The Heart of the Matter
By Tayla Drago
'A very good Anime series here, and got one in mind that I made up from long ago ever since it came on Cartoon Network/Toonami/Adult Swim…So, here's a back-ground review to get the main story soon enough. I promise. As well as adding things on what they say in a episode, just not some of them I'm unable to do with reasons. Please understand. Thank you.'
(Substitute Soul Reaper Saga)
In a barren location filled with white sand and craggy spires of blue rock, the shadows grow long over the desert, and two blobs of darkness rise from the shade into the air before bursting out of the clouds in the nighttime sky over Karakura Town. The two blobs reveal themselves to be invisible monsters that land on a riverbank running beneath a bridge below.
Elsewhere, a Jigokuchō flies toward a full moon while Rukia Kuchiki stands on top of a telephone poll nearby. Noting she senses a powerful Reiatsu, Rukia jumps to another telephone pole before leaping toward the town below.
Rukia: I feel it here. I sense strong spirit energy close by.
The following evening, at twilight, Ichigo Kurosaki stands in front of five skateboarding teenagers, one of whom is lying on the ground, while a belligerent Toshi-Bro confronts him over kicking down Yama-Bro, who lies unconscious nearby, and telling them to get out of his way. When Ichigo does not respond, Toshi-Bro demands he say something and angrily moves to punch him in the face.
However, Ichigo nonchalantly kicks Toshi-Bro in the face, and when the latter collapses, Ichigo continues to kick him in the back as his fellow skateboarders watch in horror. After driving Toshi-Bro's head through the concrete road, Ichigo directs the attention of the remaining skateboarders to the vase of flowers on the sidewalk behind him, which has been knocked over, and demands that Mit-Bro tell him what that is, prompting Mit-Bro to admit that it is a vase of flowers set up for a child who died in this location a couple days ago, which leads Ichigo to kick Mit-Bro in the face as well while confirming this is correct.
Ichigo asks the other two skateboarders why the vase is on its side, and when one of them reveals that they knocked it over while skateboarding, Ichigo kicks them both down before proclaiming that he will make sure people will have to put up flowers for their souls too if they ever do this again. Screaming in terror, the skateboarders apologize and run away, prompting Ichigo to note that they likely will not return if he made them that afraid. When Ichigo turns around and promises to bring fresh flowers tomorrow, the Dead Girl that the flowers had been set up for appears and thanks him for getting rid of the skateboarders so she can rest in peace.
After putting the vase of flowers back up, Ichigo tells the girl that she is welcome and that she should cross over soon before walking away while the girl fades from view. While he walks home in the night, Ichigo begins to outline his life: he is 15 years old and in the tenth grade, his family runs a clinic, and he has been able to see ghosts for as long as he can remember.
[Name: Ichigo Kurosaki
Hair: Orange
Eyes: Brown
Occupation: High School Student
Special Skill: The ability to see ghosts.]
Walking through the front door of his house, Ichigo announces his arrival, only to be kicked in the face by Isshin Kurosaki, who reprimands him for being late despite knowing dinner is always served at 7:00 pm, prompting Ichigo to ask if this is how he treats someone who just helped a spirit pass over.
Declaring that he does not care what Ichigo's excuse is, Isshin proclaims that anyone who disturbs the peace and happiness of his household will be punished while he butts heads with Ichigo. As he and Ichigo begin sparring fiercely, Isshin demands to know if Ichigo is gloating over the fact that only he can touch and talk to ghosts, only for Ichigo to remind his father that he did not asks to be born like this. Yuzu Kurosaki tries to tell her brother and father to stop it because dinner is getting cold, but Karin Kurosaki tells her to leave them along before nonchalantly asking for more rice, prompting Yuzu to express concern over her lack of reaction.
Kicking Isshin into the wall, Ichigo begins to angrily complain about his strict curfew of 7:00 pm despite being a healthy young man, but is interrupted when Karin points out that a new spirit has begun to follow him. Upon seeing a bespectacled Plus behind him, a shocked Ichigo wonders when he got here and tries to swipe the spirit away while bemoaning the fact that he is never fully rid of spirits no matter how hard he tries to get rid of them. After thanking Yuzu for dinner, Karin expresses sympathy for Ichigo being so popular with spirits, but Yuzu admits she is somewhat jealous because she can only sense them.
When Karin claims that she does not believe in ghosts, Yuzu points out that she can see them as well and their father is the only one who cannot interact with ghosts at all, only for Karin to clarify that ghosts do not exist to her regardless of whether she can see them as long as she does not believe in them, leaving Yuzu and the Plus feeling chilled by her harsh words. Calming down, Ichigo tries to get dinner, but Isshin slides into his feet to trip him up before putting him in an arm-lock on the floor, only for Ichigo to angrily push him away before they both punch each other in the face, which leads Isshin to fall to the floor as Ichigo stays standing.
Irritated by this, Ichigo decides to just go to bed and leaves while Karin blames Isshin for his reaction, prompting a bewildered Isshin to ask why. While Ichigo lies in his bed upstairs, Yuzu states that he is having a rough time right now, prompting Karin to note that Ichigo mentioned seeing more spirits than ever as of late. When a shocked Isshin wonders why Ichigo never tells him about such things, Karin points out that he is over 40 years old but can only communicate in an immature way and states that no one would ever want to confide in him, leading a tearful Isshin to ask the memorial poster of his wife what he should do about his children being so cold to him.
Seeing this, Karin tells him that he should take down the memorial poster to start with. The next day, a reporter on television relays the news that the ground shook and the walls of many buildings were damaged one block away from the main street outside of Karakura Station at 7:30 am this morning. As Karin and Yuzu eat breakfast in the dining room, Ichigo enters the room and greets them before asking where Isshin is, prompting Karin to reveal that he has a meeting and will not be home that night. Taking a piece of toast from the toaster, Ichigo acknowledges this before looking at the television while the reporter states that investigators are working to determine what happened.
When Yuzu asks him what is wrong, Ichigo notes that the incident took place near their house. Shortly afterward, Ichigo walks past the site of the incident with fresh flowers in his bag and arrives at the street with the dead girl's memorial site, where he calls out for her. However, upon hearing a scream and a strange roar from afar, a startled Ichigo begins running toward the source of the sound. Elsewhere in the city, a woman wonders what that sound was before screaming when another explosion occurs nearby and giant claw marks are dug into the side of a building. As the civilians flee, Ichigo runs past them toward the ongoing incident.
Upon being engulfed in a cloud of smoke, Ichigo sees a large masked monster standing in the midst of the destruction, to his confusion. Suddenly, the dead girl runs toward him while calling out, leading Ichigo to tell her to run while they begin fleeing together. With the monster in pursuit, the dead girl asks Ichigo what it is, prompting him to admit that he does not know, before tripping and falling on the ground. As Ichigo runs back to help her up, the monster catches up to them and moves to attack. Suddenly, while Ichigo sees a Jigokuchō fly in front of his face, Rukia appears in front of the monster and unsheathes her Zanpakutō before slashing the monster's mouth.
With blood spurting from the wound, Rukia lands on the ground before leaping toward the monster once more and cutting through its entire body vertically from the head down, causing it to disintegrate and disappear. When Rukia lands before him and the dead girl while sheathing her Zanpakutō, a stunned Ichigo tries to get her attention, only for Rukia to briefly look at him before walking away. As civilians begin returning to the scene and wondering what happened, Ichigo sees that the dead girl has disappeared and looks ahead in shock. Soon afterward, sirens fill the air while emergency services respond and arrive at the scene of the incident.
That night, as Ichigo lies in bed, he notes to himself that he cannot figure out what happened earlier that day. Upon seeing another Jigokuchō fly in front of him, a shocked Ichigo watches while Rukia steps into his room on top of his desk and asks who she is.
Ichigo: What the hell?!
When Rukia grips her Zanpakutō, Ichigo asks with trepidation what she wants.
Rukia: It's getting closer. I feel it.
Stepping down onto the floor, Rukia notes that "it" is close, only to be interrupted when Ichigo angrily kicks her in the back while demanding to know what she is talking about.
Ichigo: Who are you ad what do you want?! If you think you're a burglar, you are not a very good one. For starters, you shouldn't talk to yourself!
As she lies on the floor, a stunned Rukia asks Ichigo if he can see her and notes that he just kicked her.
Rukia: You...Are you saying you can see me?
Ichigo: Well, considering that was my foot I just planted in your behind, you tell me.
Wondering what Rukia is talking about, Ichigo confirms that he can see her while Rukia gets to her feet and realizes Ichigo was the one who was present when she defeated the monster earlier. As she grasps his chin and moves his head from side to side, Rukia notes that people cannot usually see her, prompting Ichigo to tell her to stop talking nonsense before attempting to kick her again. However, Rukia effortlessly dodges his kick and leaps off his leg before pushing Ichigo to the ground with a foot to the head. While Ichigo expresses irritation at this, Rukia solemnly informs him that she is a Shinigami.
Meanwhile, the dead girl runs down the street while thundering footsteps echo behind her and wonders where it is coming from as two telephone lines are torn apart, revealing a large monster with their surge of electricity. Seeing this, the dead girl continues to run away while large footsteps appear in the ground behind her. Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo recounts Rukia's explanation that she is a Shinigami sent from Soul Society to exorcise demons like the one who attacked the dead girl earlier, and while Rukia nods along, Ichigo claims to believe this before flipping a table and demanding to know how he could ever believe such a thing.
Watching this, a surprised Rukia asks if he really does not believe in Shinigami despite being able to see ghosts, which Ichigo confirms before elaborating that he has never seen a Shinigami before and does not believe in what he cannot see. When Rukia points out that he is seeing her right now, Ichigo admits that she is clearly not Human before telling her to stop playing Shinigami and calling her a "pipsqueak" as he grabs her head. Angered by this, Rukia uses Bakudō #1. Sai, causing Ichigo's hands to be bound behind his back while he falls forward in surprise and demands to know what Rukia did to him.
Ichigo: I'll show you defective. Who are you?
Rukia: You want to know? Then I'll tell you. I'm a Soul Reaper. I came here from a place known as the Soul Society to vanquish an evil spirit called a Hollow.
Taunting Ichigo over his inability to move, Rukia explains that this is Kidō, a high-level spell that only Shinigami can use, and reveals that she has lived ten times longer than Ichigo despite her appearance before claiming that not being permitted to execute anyone not named in her orders is the only thing preventing her from killing Ichigo on the spot for his insolence, which he should be grateful for. While an angered Ichigo curses her and her attitude, he is shocked when Rukia pulls out her Zanpakutō and brings it down, only to see her press the end of its hilt against the forehead of the glasses-wearing Plus that had been hanging around him.
The Plus begs her to not send him to Hell, but Rukia assures him that he is instead going to Soul Society and that it is a restful place. Once Rukia removes the hilt from his forehead, leaving a shining emblem on it, the Plus clasps his hands and smiles as he sinks into the floor in Plus a pool of blue light. While the light fades and a Jigokuchō flies away from the center, a confused Ichigo asks Rukia what happened to the Soul, prompting her to reiterate that she sent him to Soul Society, which is referred to as "passing over" in the Human World, and decides to take the time to explain it to him so that he fully understands.
Pulling out a sketchbook and marker, Rukia explains that there are two types of spirits in the world: Pluses, the normal spirits that Ichigo normally sees, and Hollows, evil spirits that attack both the living and the dead to devour their souls, both of which she illustrates. When Rukia asks him if he has any questions so far, Ichigo sarcastically wonders why her drawings are so bad, prompting Rukia to draw a mustache on his face with her marker, to his horror, before continuing. Rukia details how Shinigami have two jobs: the first is to send Pluses to Soul Society with Konsō as she just did, while the second is to purify Hollows, as she did earlier that day.
While Fishbone D pursues the dead girl through the streets elsewhere in town, Ichigo asks Rukia why the Hollow she purified earlier was pursuing the dead girl, prompting Rukia to admit that she does not know because Soul Society has yet to grasp everything about Hollows. While the dead girl trips and falls to the ground, Fishbone D reaches out to grab her, but suddenly stops short and notes that he can smell an especially tasty soul nearby alongside that of a Shinigami. Standing up, Fishbone D begins walking in a different direction and roars, causing the windows nearby to explode. Hearing this, a startled Ichigo asks Rukia what that was.
When Rukia notes that there is another Hollow wandering around the area, a startled Ichigo tells her to hurry up and get rid of it, only for Rukia to admit that she has not been able to sense it recently and theorize that there is a powerful force obstructing her senses within the same area.
Ichigo: Then what the hell are you waiting for? Go out and kill it!
Rukia: I would, but I can't seem to detect its location.
However, Ichigo demands to know if she cannot hear the terrible cries outside and if this is not the Hollow she is after, prompting a confused Rukia to state that she does not know what Ichigo is talking about before stopping in shock as she suddenly hears Fishbone D's roar from afar, which she identifies as definitely belonging to a Hollow.
...Aaaaaoooo...
Ichigo: Wh-What was...that? Hey, Soul Reaper!
Rukia: What's wrong?
Ichigo: What are you, deaf? There is something huge howling out there. What was that?
Rukia: Something howling? What do you mean?
Rooooooarrrgggghhhh!
Rukia: Now I hear it. Definitely a Hollow!
Upon hearing a crash below and Yuzu screaming, Rukia runs to the door and opens it, only to stop in shock when she suddenly feels Fishbone D's powerful Reiatsu.
Yuzu: Ichigo!
Ichigo: Yuzu!
While Rukia wonders how she could not have sensed this Reiatsu before, an injured Yuzu calls out to Ichigo and stumbles through the hall before falling in front of Ichigo's door. Reaching out to Ichigo, Yuzu reveals something happened to Karin and begs him to save her as she falls unconscious.
Yuzu: Ichigo...Karin's been...Ichigo...You've got to save her...
Ichigo: !
Rukia: Wait!
While kneeling down to check on Yuzu, Rukia hears Karin crying in pain and runs downstairs while a distraught Ichigo gets to his knees.
Ichigo: Wh-What the hell is that thing?
Rukia reaches the ground floor, where she sees Fishbone D holding Karin.
Rukia: That's a Hollow. Hollow are evil spirit that attack people, living or dead, in order to devour their souls.
Ichigo: Evil spirit?! Karin's in danger!
Rukia: Don't do it!
As Fishbone D grips Karin while she begs him to stop, Rukia draws her Zanpakutō before Ichigo falls down the stairs behind her.
Karin: Ichigo! Run!
Ichigo: Karin! Raaaaggghh! You bastard!
Rukia: Stop! Huh!
Rukia tells Ichigo to stay back, but he instead stands up while calling out to Karin, prompting Rukia to express surprise at him being able to move despite the binding spell placed on him. Seeing Fishbone D holding Karin, Ichigo begins screaming in anger and straining against his invisible binds, prompting Rukia to warn him that no human strength can break them. However, while several floating kanji appear around him and his restraints become visible, Ichigo glows with golden light before completely shattering his bonds.
With Rukia left shocked by a Human like Ichigo breaking through a spell with his own power, Ichigo grabs a folding chair and runs forward to attack Fishbone D, who punches him away with his free hand. As Ichigo is sent flying back, Fishbone approaches him and declares that he has found Ichigo before reaching for him, only for Ichigo to roll away while Rukia cuts deep into Fishbone D's right arm.
Ichigo: Soul Reaper!
Rukia: You...fool!
Roaring in pain, Fishbone D drops Karin, who is caught by Ichigo, and disappears from view. As Ichigo frantically calls out to Karin, Rukia sternly tells him to compose himself because Fishbone D has not yet devoured his sisters' souls, to his surprise.
When Ichigo asks her if she is sure, Rukia confirms this and notes that Fishbone D is seeking a soul with a higher amount of Reiryoku before realizing that the Hollow she purified earlier was not after the dead girl. Ichigo asks what she means, prompting Rukia to explain that his power was almost completely suppressed until just now before stating that this is why she did not sense anything about him and why he was never attacked by a Hollow before. Admitting that it may just be conjecture, Rukia theorizes that Ichigo's power began pouring out due to his contact with the dead girl and that the Hollows sensed his power through that same girl, which makes him their real target.
Rukia: Hollows are attracted to people with high spirit energy...Could it be the Hollow is looking...for you?
Ichigo: So all this...is because of me? My family being attacked and everything...Coward! If it's my soul you want, come and get it! Fight me one-on-one!
While a stunned Ichigo processes this, Fishbone D reappears in front of Rukia, prompting her to tell Ichigo to stay back.
Rukia: No! If you fight it like this, we are all going to end up as its food.
However, he tells her to shut up and asks if it is his fault that the dead girl was attacked and that his sisters' lives are in danger. Recalling his sisters in pain, Ichigo yells and runs in front of Fishbone D, whom he asks if he is after Ichigo's power before demanding that the Hollow fight him one-on-one. A roaring Fishbone D extends his neck to devour Ichigo, only for Rukia to intercept the attack with her body, damaging Fishbone D's mouth in the process. As Fishbone D rears back in pain, Rukia falls to her knees while blood trails behind her.
Berating a shocked Ichigo for not realizing he would be no match for Fishbone D, Rukia asks if he thought everything would be over if he gave the Hollow his soul before stating that they will all become food for him at this point. While Fishbone D recovers and narrows his eyes, Rukia pulls herself to a nearby pole and asks Ichigo if he wants to save his family, which Ichigo immediately confirms before asking if there is a way to do so.
Rukia: Do you want to save your family?
Ichigo: Of course I do! If there is a way, then tell me how!
Affirming this, Rukia leans against the pole and points her Zanpakutō at Ichigo before declaring he must become a Shinigami himself and detailing how Ichigo must be stabbed by her Zanpakutō so she can pour her powers into him.
Rukia: There's only one way...Take my sword and run it through to the center of your being, so I may pour my powers into you. I can't guarantee it will work, but it's the only way.
While Fishbone D continues to roar, Rukia admits that she does not know if this will work before asserting that there is nothing else they can do. As Fishbone D begins to walk toward them, Ichigo tells Rukia to give him her Zanpakutō and addresses her as a Shinigami, prompting Rukia to tell him her name. With Fishbone D charging toward them, Ichigo grabs Rukia's Zanpakutō by the blade and introduces himself in turn before pulling the blade into himself while Rukia pushes, resulting in a powerful surge of energy that releases waves of force in all directions.
Ichigo: ...Then give me that blade, Soul Reaper.
Rukia: My name is Rukia, Rukia Kuchiki.
Ichigo: My name is...Ichigo Kurosaki.
Pushing through the force, Fishbone D suddenly has his left arm cut off by Ichigo.
Ichigo: You will pay the price for hurting my family...you Hollow scum!
With Ichigo having successfully gained Shinigami powers and a large Zanpakutō of his own, a stunned Rukia, now clad in a white shihakushō, notes that Ichigo took all of her power despite her only meaning to give him half and wonders who he is as Ichigo charges at Fishbone D.
Rukia: I meant to give him only half of my powers, but somehow he has taken nearly all of it. Ichigo Kurosaki...What kind of being is he?
While Rukia states with disbelief that she has never met a Human with enough Reiryoku to confuse her senses, enough strength to break through a binding spell, and enough power to make a Zanpakutō as large as their own body, Ichigo cuts off Fishbone D's right leg and declares that he will pay for hurting his family before slashing through the Hollow's mask, causing Fishbone D to disintegrate and disappear, with Ichigo confidently standing on the street afterward.
[Name: Ichigo Kurosaki
Hair: Orange
Eyes: Brown
Occupations: High school student and...
SOUL REAPER]
The morning after the fateful battle against Fishbone D, Isshin Kurosaki crashes feet-first into a sleeping Ichigo Kurosaki while greeting him, only for Ichigo to scream in anger before pinning his father to the ground while berating him for attacking his own son in his sleep, which leads Isshin to compliment Ichigo's skill and declare that he has nothing more to teach his son.
Ichigo suddenly remembers what happened to his family and the house during the previous night and hoists Isshin up by his collar before frantically asking him about Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki's injuries, only for a confused Isshin to wonder what he is talking about, which surprises Ichigo. Taking Ichigo outside into the driveway of the house to look at the damage done to the Kurosaki Clinic alongside his sisters, Isshin cheerfully proclaims that it is a miracle for no one to have been hurt by the truck crashing into their house.
While Karin claims it is more miraculous that no one woke up during this incident and notes the culprit got away, which prompts Isshin to optimistically predict that they will come back to apologize at some point, a stunned Ichigo notes that his sisters' wounds are gone and their memories of the incident have been altered before wondering if this is the work of a Shinigami. As she and Karin walk back into the house, Yuzu tells Ichigo to eat breakfast before he is late for school, which a distracted Ichigo agrees to do before recalling Rukia Kuchiki and wondering if she returned to Soul Society after the fight ended and he lost consciousness.
Later, at Karakura High School, Orihime Inoue and Tatsuki Arisawa walk through the halls while Tatsuki asks Orihime if she brought lunch today. Confirming this, Orihime details how she brought taiyaki-style ramen with wasabi and honey before asking Tatsuki if she wants any, only for a bemused Tatsuki to deny this after envisioning what this combination of food would look like. As she tries to convince Tatsuki that it tastes good, Orihime walks into Ichigo, who inadvertently knocks her down before noting her presence, and while Orihime apologizes, Tatsuki berates Ichigo for not having anything more to say after knocking Orihime to the ground.
Realizing his mistake, Ichigo asks Orihime if she is alright, which she affirms, before extending his hand to help her up. However, Orihime is startled by his expression and gets to her feet on her own before frantically claiming she has volleyball to attend. As Orihime runs off, Tatsuki calls after her while Ichigo wonders what her deal is, prompting Tatsuki to claim he has a mean face before asking why Ichigo is so late, which Ichigo states he will explain later while he leaves for class 'unaware for him to really be falling for her of a nice guy who hides his feelings a lot'. In his classroom, Ichigo sits with Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima while the former notes that he heard a truck crashed into the Kurosaki Clinic, which Ichigo confirms is true.
Mizuiro asks him if his family has finished cleaning up the place yet, which Ichigo claims is not as easy as it sounds, and Yasutora Sado 'or Chad' asks if they will need help, prompting a surprised Ichigo to deny this. While Keigo tells Sado he will end up damaging the house further if he helps, Ichigo asks what class is next, which Mizuiro identifies as modern literature.
Ichigo: (What the hell happened yesterday? Karin and Yuzu both acted as if nothing had happened this morning. And it looks like that strange girl has disappeared.)
Suddenly, a girl walks up behind Ichigo and asks if he is Ichigo Kurosaki, and while Ichigo turns around, he is shocked to see Rukia standing before him in a school uniform.
Rukia: Hello, you're Ichigo, aren't you?
Ichigo: ...
Rukia: I'll be sitting next to you from now on. My name is Rukia.
Rukia introduces herself and reveals she will be sitting next to Ichigo starting today, leading a speechless Ichigo to point at her.
Ichigo: It...It's you!
As Keigo asks Ichigo if something is wrong, Sado wonders if he and Rukia know each other, prompting Rukia to claim that this is their first time meeting each other. While Mizuiro identifies Rukia as a transfer student, Rukia holds out her hand to Ichigo, who is unnerved to see that she has written a warning not to make a scene on it.
Ichigo: Come...Come with me a minute!
Shortly afterward, Ichigo and Rukia meet outside as Ichigo demands to know what Rukia is doing, leading Rukia to mockingly ask him if he plans on doing something to her out here. When Ichigo demands that she stop talking like this, Rukia refuses to do so because she spent all of last night learning how to talk like a modern Human.
Ichigo: What the hell do you think you're doing? Weren't you supposed to be heading back to your "Soul Society", or whatever it was?
Brushing this off, Ichigo asks why Rukia is still here since she was planning on returning to Soul Society, but Rukia asserts that only Shinigami can do this before informing him that she does not have this ability at the moment.
Rukia: I can't! Only Soul Reapers can go back to the Soul Society. I haven't the power to return anymore. Last night you absorbed almost all my powers.
With Ichigo expressing confusion at this, Rukia details how Ichigo took most of her Shinigami powers last night, which Ichigo asserts that he does not know anything about, and goes on to state that she is now stuck in a Gigai, prompting a confused Ichigo to question what that is. Rukia explains how Gigai are used as temporary bodies during emergencies for weakened Shinigami who are waiting for their powers to return.
Ichigo: So? What does a powerless Soul Reaper want with me?
As Ichigo realizes that this is why his classmates could see her, Rukia declares that Ichigo must perform her Shinigami duties until her powers return, to his surprise.
Rukia: Until all of my powers come back, it's up to you, Ichigo, to perform the duties of a Soul Reaper.
Ichigo: Eh?! Why me?!
Rukia: It's only natural. You now posses the strength of a Soul Reaper. You do not have the right to refuse your calling.
Claiming it is only natural, Rukia asserts that Ichigo does not have the right to refuse since he has Shinigami powers, but Ichigo refuses anyway, shocking Rukia, before stating that he does not want to fight Hollows ever again. When Rukia points out that he did well yesterday, Ichigo admits that he only did so because his family was in danger and states that he will not fight for complete strangers before walking away while he half-heatedly apologizes for disappointing Rukia.
Ichigo: No way! My monster fighting days are over. I'm not going to fight those things for total strangers. I'm not that self-sacrificing.
Rukia: I see...I guess there is no other choice then.
Noting that it cannot be helped, Rukia puts on a Gokon Tekkō and gets Ichigo's attention before rushing at him and pushing his soul out of his body.
Ichigo: Ghaaa! What is this? What in the hell happened to my body? What in the world did you do to me?
While Ichigo freaks out over seeing his own body lying on the ground and demands to know what she did to him, Rukia tells him to come with her.
Rukia: Follow me! I'm going to show you what it means to be a Soul Reaper.
Shortly afterward, as he and Rukia walk by a memorial set up on a telephone pole near a park, Ichigo asks where they are going, prompting Rukia to pull out her Denreishinki and reveal that she has received an order from Soul Society revealing a Plus who lives in the nearby park will probably be attacked.
Rukia: In the eyes of a Soul Reaper, all the spirits of this world are equal. Getting involved simply because spirit are nearby or they need help isn't how it works. Commit yourself to saving every spirit. You must be willing to go to any length, even to sacrifice your own life.
Ichigo: ...
Suddenly, a young boy cries out while a play structure is destroyed. While the playground crumbles into ruins, the boy, a Plus, flees in terror from Hexapodus, who chases him across the park. As the boy cries for help, Ichigo leaps over the metal barrier and prepares to intervene, only for Rukia to tell him to wait before pointing out that the boy is a complete stranger and asking why Ichigo is helping him. Ichigo claims that he cannot just stand by when the boy is being attacked right in front of him, but Rukia tells him to stop being naïve and asserts that a Shinigami must treat all spirits equally without simply helping those who are nearby when it is convenient, as that is not how their role as balancers works.
While the frightened boy continues to run from Hexapodus, Rukia orders Ichigo to not help him until he decides to help all spirits and declares that he must be willing to go anywhere and sacrifice his own life as a Shinigami. However, while the boy falls and Hexapodus prepares to attack him, a determined Ichigo draws his Zanpakutō and cuts off both of Hexapodus's front legs, causing it to fall back in pain and retreat to Hueco Mundo, and when Rukia asks him if he is committed to this, Ichigo denies this and declares that he saved the boy because he wanted to before asking a stunned Rukia if she was thinking about her Shinigami duties when she saved him last night.
As Hexapodus reappears behind him and approaches, Ichigo proclaims that such things do not matter when one puts themselves at risk and declares that he will be different before turning around and shoving his Zanpakutō directly into Hexapodus's face. Watching as Hexapodus collapses and fades away after he pulls out his Zanpakutō, Ichigo turns to face the crying boy and asks if he is alright before kneeling before him. After telling the boy to pass over if he does not want to experience something scary like that again, Ichigo presses the hilt of his Zanpakutō to the boy's forehead and performs Konsō, causing the boy to sink into the ground in blue light.
While a Jigokuchō flies away from the fading pool of light, Rukia walks up to Ichigo and compliments his Konsō, only for Ichigo to merely state that he is leaving while he walks away.
Ichigo: I haven't decided to do squat. I save people because I want to, you hear me?
Rukia: Huh?
Ichigo: What about you? I seem to remember you putting your life on the line to save me last night. Tell me, were you really thinking about your duty when you rushed to help me? Of course not! That's the last thing on your mind when you save someone.
Rukia: ...
Ichigo: At the very least, I choose...to be different! I'm still not ready to actually commit to this or anything. On the other hand though, I could never just stand around and watch while someone else was being hurt. So, I'll help you. At least I will for now, with this work of your as a Soul Reaper.
Rukia: Good. I'm counting on you.
That night, as Orihime reads a magazine in her house, her deceased brother Sora Inoue watches from the air while smiling, only to become concerned when Orihime closes the curtains on her window. Suddenly, two Hollows appear in the air next to Sora and bind him with their tentacles before transporting him to Hueco Mundo while he screams in terror. In Hueco Mundo, after the Hollows bring him out of the shadows, a terrified Sora asks where he is and what they plan to do with him. Suddenly, Grand Fisher rises up behind Sora and tells the other Hollows to devour his soul, prompting Sora to run away in fear. Catching up to Sora, the Hollows surround and entrap him between their bodies before leaping back as Sora begins to glow with energy. While growing a large tail and gaining a muscular upper body, Sora has white fluid emerge from his eyes and mouth that turns into a Hollow mask on his face while he roars. The following day, Rukia reads several passages aloud from a dramatic novel she is holding as she walks down the street, only for an irritated Ichigo to confront her and demand that she shut up.
When an offended Rukia claims that she is studying contemporary literature, Ichigo dismisses it as not sounding contemporary at all and demands to know how long Rukia plans on following him around, which Rukia says she will do until Ichigo agrees to perform the duties of a Shinigami. Ichigo and Rukia begin to walk away, but upon hearing a car screeching, they turn around to see Orihime lying in a nearby intersection with a bag of groceries on the ground next to her.
Orihime: Oh? Hello! Nice seeing you here, Ichigo and Rukia!
Ichigo: Hey, Orihime. (Wow, she's really cute...) What are you doing here?
Orihime: Hehehe. Just a little bit of shopping for dinner.
Rukia: How did you get that bruise on your leg?
While Ichigo runs up to her in concern, Orihime sits up and sees him, and when Ichigo asks if a car hit her, Orihime confirms this, prompting a surprised Ichigo to wonder if she is okay.
Orihime: Oh this? I probably just tripped over something.
Orihime asserts that it was just a small bump and that she is fine, but when Ichigo asks her where the car is, she admits that it drove away, angering Ichigo. As Orihime apologizes, Ichigo calms down and states that it does not matter as long as she is okay. When Orihime notices her, Rukia rudely asks who she is, prompting a flustered Ichigo to inform her that Orihime is in their class.
Hearing this, Rukia politely curtsies to Orihime while she greets her, and a somewhat confused Orihime returns the gesture. Rukia asks Orihime if she has been out shopping, prompting Orihime to remember her groceries and pick them up from the road while confirming they are intact.
When Orihime reveals that she bought leeks, butter, bananas, and bean jam, a bewildered Ichigo wonders what exactly she plans to make with them. Suddenly, Rukia sees a strange bruise on Orihime's left leg and asks her about where she got it from, only for Orihime to notice it for the first time herself and suggest that she got it from the car that just hit her.
Rukia: …..
As a concerned Rukia continues to examine the bruise, Ichigo notes that it looks like it hurts, and while she assures Ichigo that it only hurts a little, Orihime questions why Rukia looks so serious, prompting a startled Rukia to claim that it is nothing before standing up and telling Orihime to take care.
When Ichigo offers to walk her home, a flustered Orihime declines his offer and claims she is fine before bidding them farewell.
Orihime: Oh no, look at the time! Ichigo, Rukia, I'll see you later! Bye-bye! (Wow, Ichigo was staring at me...!)
As Orihime walks to the other side of the intersection, Ichigo and Rukia watch her, with Ichigo noting that she needs to be careful while Rukia stares at her in concern. Later that day, while the sun begins to set, Ichigo and Rukia walk along a riverbank. When Rukia asks him if he and Orihime are friends, Ichigo denies this and admits that he has not spoken to her very much.
Rukia: So then, that girl, Orihime was it? Are you close to her?
Ichigo: Well, yeah...
Rukia: Why are you blushing?
Explaining that she is close to one of his friends who lives in the neighborhood, Ichigo reveals that Orihime's brother died at his family's clinic three years ago.
Ichigo: Wh, not really. (Since I kind of like her a lot to ask her out.) I barely know her and we don't really talk much. But she's friends with a buddy of mine from the neighborhood, so I see her around. Although...Around three years back or so, her older brother, Sora, was in this terrible accident and died at our clinic.
With Rukia's interest piqued by this admission, Ichigo details how Orihime's brother was her only family and was badly injured in a car accident.
Rukia: What?
Ichigo: He was in a car wreck. He was the only family she had.
In the past, a young Orihime stands outside the Kurosaki Clinic while her brother is being wheeled into an ambulance and tearfully begs him to not die and leave her by herself.
Orihime: Big brother, big brother! Please don't leave me alone!
In the present, Ichigo admits that he only recently learned Orihime was the girl crying that day, and when Rukia asks him how his spiritual perception was at the time, Ichigo states that it was not as strong as it is now and explains that he has only recently been able to see and interact with spirits, which Rukia notes confirms her suspicions.
Ichigo: I'd never realized that she was the girl I saw crying that day. I only found that out just recently. So, why do you ask? You seem really interested in her.
Rukia: It's nothing. You seem more to staring at Orihime a lot.
Ichigo: So?! What of it...? I like her as a very caring friend...
Rukia: If you say so. Anyway, let's go home.
Ichigo asks Rukia what is wrong, prompting Rukia to claim it is nothing before bidding him farewell. When Ichigo asks her where she is going, Rukia states she is going home, and when Ichigo wonders where this is, she teasingly asks him if he is interested, which Ichigo denies.
Ichigo: Speaking of which, where do you always go home to?
Rukia: You really want to know?
Ichigo: I guess not.
Rukia: Then don't ask me.
Telling Ichigo to not ask if this is the case, Rukia walks away while an irritated Ichigo curses her.
Ichigo: Ugh...Yeah, right.
That night, at Orihime's apartment, Tatsuki brings her stewed beef with potatoes that her mother prepared, to Orihime's delight. Inside, while Orihime gratefully eats her mother's food, Tatsuki claims that she eats strange things when she is alone, to Orihime's surprise.
Meanwhile, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Yuzu opens Ichigo's bedroom door and asks if he has seen her pajamas, prompting an annoyed Ichigo to ask her to knock first.
Yuzu: Hey, Ichigo? You haven't seen my PJ's, have you?
Ichigo: Yuzu, come on. Knock before you come in here. And I don't know where your dress is. Why do you feel the need to ask me about every little thing? Do I look like I care?
When Yuzu claims that he has gotten mean after entering high school, Ichigo bluntly denies this and states that he does not know where her pajamas are.
Yuzu: Kay, I guess I'll keep looking. Good night!
After Yuzu notes that her dress is also missing, Ichigo asks her why she has to ask him about everything, only for Yuzu to bid him goodnight as she closes the door. In Ichigo's closet, Rukia, who is wearing Yuzu's pajamas, hears her Denreishinki 'or Soul Pager' beeping and opens it to look at the screen while a confused Ichigo wonders where the noise is coming from.
Rukia: …..
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Rukia: Hmm, an order? Ah!
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Ichigo: What the? Huh? Huh?
*Bump*
As the screen turns from blue to yellow, a shocked Rukia throws open the closet door and alerts Ichigo, who demands to know why she is there and wearing Yuzu's pajamas.
Rukia: Hey, Ichigo!
Ichigo: What the heck?! What are you doing in there? Is that my sister's PJ's you got on?
Rukia: I'll explain later. We've got orders!
Ichigo: Orders? You mean a Hollow's about to appear? Where?
Rukia: Here, and now!
Telling Ichigo to save this for later, Rukia reveals they have received a Hollow alert and puts on her Gokon Tekkō before shoving Ichigo's soul out of his body just while Acidwire grasps at the place where his body was sitting with his hand from a portal of darkness.
Acid Wire: Roaaaarrr!
With Ichigo and Rukia looking on in surprise, Acidwire flattens Ichigo's bed and pulls himself fully into the room as he roars at them. When Acidwire thrusts his head at them, Ichigo leaps into the air and Rukia leaps back.
Rukia: You have to aim for its head! Ichigo!
Acidwire looks up while Rukia tells Ichigo to aim for the head. Drawing his Zanpakutō, Ichigo drags it through his ceiling toward Acidwire and hits him in the face, but fails to actually cut him as Acidwire hits him with his tail. While landing on the ground and rolling to his feet, Ichigo dodges a swipe from Acidwire and cuts into his arm, causing Acidwire to reel back in pain. When Rukia tells him to not just swing his Zanpakutō around, Ichigo claims it is fine as long as he defeats Acidwire before running forward as Acidwire charges at him in turn. Dodging another swipe from Acidwire by leaping into the air, Ichigo declares victory and slashes at his face once more.
Ichigo: You're mine!
However, the blow does not strike deep enough, allowing Acidwire grabs Ichigo's Zanpakutō by the blade with both hands and attempts to force it back. Angered by this, a yelling Ichigo pushes down on his Zanpakutō, causing it to sink just deep enough to dig into Acidwire's mask and shatter the portion covering his left eye.
Acid Wire: Graaahhh!
Seeing this, Ichigo can only stare in shock as a screaming Acidwire retreats into Hueco Mundo. Though Rukia declares that they are going after Acidwire, Ichigo simply stands still without saying anything, and when Rukia asks him if something is wrong, Ichigo reveals the face under Acidwire's mask was that of Orihime's brother.
Rukia: It's getting away. Let's go!
Ichigo: ...
Rukia: Ichigo, what's the matter?
Ichigo: Something's not right. I got a look at that thing's face. And it was Orihime's dead brother! What are they? What are Hollows?
In Hueco Mundo, Acidwire writhes in pain while surrounded by a violet miasma until his damaged mask regenerates, causing him to begin roaring. Back in the Human World, Ichigo stands in stunned silence while Rukia informs him that attacking Hollow from behind and splitting its head in one blow is the essence of Hollow purification.
When Ichigo asks her what she means, Rukia elaborates that this is meant to both minimize a Shinigami's injuries and also prevent them from discovering a Hollow's identity. With Ichigo wondering what a Hollow's identity is, Rukia reminds him of what he saw and reveals that all Hollows were once Humans, to his shock.
Stating that Rukia never told him this, Ichigo asks if Acidwire is not just a monster that they need to kill, prompting Rukia to confirm that he is just a monster now who does need to be destroyed.
Rukia: The Hollows were once souls of humans being no different from anyone else.
Ichigo: What?! Then you mean, all those monsters I've...Did you expect me to kill him now? There's no way I could do that.
Rukia: You have to do it. If you don't kill him, he'll wander around forever.
Ichigo: Grh...
While Ichigo continues be stunned by Hollows having once been Human, Rukia explains that Pluses who hold onto grudges and regrets are hard to perform Konsō on before detailing how they linger alone before becoming Hollows on their own or being devoured by other Hollows, which then turns them into new Hollows, to Ichigo's shock.
Rukia: Wait, you aren't the only one in danger. Orihime, his sister!
Meanwhile, at Orihime's apartment, Tatsuki is surprised to learn Orihime found Ichigo and Rukia walking together that day.
As Orihime asks her what the matter is, Tatsuki admits that she did not think Ichigo was such a fast worker before pointing out that he did not walk Orihime home even though she was hurt. Clarifying that Ichigo did offer to walk her home, Orihime silently plays out the scenario in her head before suddenly warning herself that she is about to win, prompting a confused Tatsuki to wonder what she is imagining. While Orihime continues to envision the scenario and mentions a gun, a crash shakes the apartment, prompting Tatsuki to nervously wonder what that was, and while a torn Enraku falls to the ground, the crashes continue while Acidwire roars outside the apartment complex.
Having just been attacked by Acidwire, Ichigo Kurosaki wonders why Orihime Inoue's brother would come after him, prompting Rukia Kuchiki to admit she does not know before theorizing that a powerful Hollow who wants to devour Ichigo's soul is sending several Hollows after him from the shadows of Hueco Mundo.
After Rukia notes that this would explain the sudden appearance and attack of Sora Inoue, Ichigo grabs her by the collar and demands to know what he should do before asking if he cannot kill Sora, only for Rukia to push his hand away and point out that Sora will be left wandering around forever and will undoubtedly attack again if Ichigo does not kill him. Suddenly, Rukia realizes that they do not have time to worry about Sora, and when Ichigo questions why, she reveals that Orihime herself is in danger, leaving Ichigo shocked.
Meanwhile, at Orihime's apartment, having finished the food Tatsuki Arisawa brought her, Orihime states it was delicious as Tatsuki suggests they have dessert. While Orihime offers to bring out some leeks and bean jam, which she claims go great together, the face of Orihime's stuffed teddy bear Enraku face suddenly tears open as he falls off Orihime's shelf. Noticing this, Orihime crawls over to the fallen bear and picks him up while wondering how he became torn up like this. As Tatsuki walks over to Orihime, they both hear a distant crash followed by another one, prompting Tatsuki to wonder what it is as Orihime stares in confusion.
Elsewhere, as he leaps from rooftop to rooftop while carrying Rukia on his back, Ichigo expresses shock at the concept of Hollows targeting their own kin, which Rukia states happens frequently.
Ichigo: Hollows will attack their own families?
When Ichigo asks what she means while running along telephone wires, Rukia details how Hollows are fallen souls who were not guided to Soul Society by a Shinigami or protected from Hollows, causing them to become Hollows themselves, before explaining how Acidwire will go after the soul of the one he loved most in life now that he has failed to devour Ichigo. Reminding Ichigo of the bruise on Orihime's leg, Rukia states this is a mark left by a Hollow.
Rukia: Hollows are fallen souls. Souls that were not guided into the Soul Society by a Soul Reaper. Abandoned, they fall and lose their hearts and become Hollows. Now that this Hollows has failed to devour your soul, I'm sure he will go after his sister, the person he loved the most when he was alive. Remember the bruise we saw on Orihime's leg? That mark could only have been left by a Hollow. That's why I asked you if she had any family. If what you said was true and the only family she has was the one older brother, then I'm sure. He's after Orihime!
Ichigo: ….! I won't let Orihime die because of this mess!
Ichigo asks if this means the car accident was Acidwire's fault, and as Rukia notes this may be the case, he leaps off the telephone wires over nearby building. Back at Orihime's apartment, as she and Tatsuki hear something approaching, Orihime notices a drop of blood falling on her carpet and looks down to see blood coming out of Enraku and pooling in her hand. As a scared Orihime wonders what this is, Acidwire's hand suddenly bursts out of her back, causing her to fall back with a lifeless look on her eyes. Tatsuki calls out to Orihime, only to be sent flying into the wall by Acidwire, whom she cannot see.
Landing on the ground, Tatsuki notices her shoulder has been injured and wonders why there is blood before being flung along the length of the wall. As she gets to her knees, Tatsuki begins to faintly see Acidwire in front of her, causing her to wonder with fear what he is as Acidwire forces her to the ground. While Tatsuki gasps for air, Acidwire looms over her as she presses her hand into his chest. On the other side of the room, a frightened Orihime wonders what is happening and what Acidwire is before seeing her own body lying on the ground near Tatsuki and Acidwire.
Orihime: What...is this? What's going on? What is that-that monster?
Recognizing herself, Orihime notices a Chain of Fate on her chest and begins tugging on it.
As Orihime notes she cannot breathe, Acidwire presses his hand into Tatsuki's throat, causing Orihime to snap out of her daze and run headlong into Acidwire's arm, freeing Tatsuki. Orihime runs over to Tatsuki and puts her hand on Tatsuki's arm while calling out to her, but Tatsuki only sees the imprint of a hand on her arm, causing her to recoil in terror and tell Orihime to stay away from her. While Orihime asks Tatsuki what is wrong, Acidwire tells her it is useless because Tatsuki cannot see or hear them as Tatsuki falls over. When Orihime asks how he knows her name, Acidwire wonders if she has forgotten his voice and tries to get her to recognize him.
Acid Wire: Have you really forgotten me?
Orihime: That voice...Sora? Is that...you?
Acid Wire: Orihime, come with me now. Back to when it was just you and me, happy together.
However, Orihime fails to recognize him and tells him to stay away, prompting Acidwire to proclaim that he is saddened by this as he swipes at Orihime. Suddenly, Ichigo arrives and blocks Acidwire's hand with his Zanpakutō before declaring that he is Acidwire's target as he pushes Acidwire away.
Acid Wire: You dare get in my way!
Ichigo: I won't apologize. This is my job as a Soul Reaper. If you want to kill Orihime, you're gonna have to kill me first!
With Acidwire reeling back in pain, Ichigo slashes at him, only for Acidwire to retreat into Hueco Mundo through a portal of darkness.
Acid Wire: Graaaah!
While Ichigo notices Tatsuki laying nearby and laments her getting caught up in this, Orihime recognizes him and wonders why he is here, prompting Ichigo to ask her how she can see him, which Orihime does not have an answer for.
Noticing the Chain of Fate on Orihime's chest connected to her body, Ichigo recalls hiding behind a pole to avoid being seen by pedestrian, which prompted Rukia to explain that Shinigami are spiritual beings that can only be seen by other spiritual beings before stating that it is impossible for ordinary people to see him in his Shinigami form. As Ichigo realizes Orihime is currently a spiritual being, Acidwire confirms this and emerges from a cloud of pink mist behind Ichigo while revealing Orihime is currently a spirit before claiming that she is dead. Yelling in anger, Ichigo runs at Acidwire and slashes at him, only for Acidwire to easily dodge him.
Acidwire maneuvers around Ichigo and grabs Orihime's Chain of Fate before rising up, causing Orihime to be pulled along with him. When Ichigo turns around and slashes at him, Acidwire blocks with his tail before smashing it into Ichigo, who is sent flying through the wall and out into the street as Rukia watches from below. Stopping himself in midair, Ichigo curses as Acidwire tells him to not move while holding up Orihime in his hand. As Rukia watches in shock, Acidwire slams his tail into Ichigo from above, sending him crashing into the street below, before retreating into Orihime's apartment as Rukia tells a motionless Ichigo to hang on.
Seeing this, Orihime demands that Acidwire let her go because Ichigo is hurt and begins struggling, only to stop when Acidwire asks once more if she has forgotten him. As she looks into Acidwire's eyes, Orihime recognizes her brother. Meanwhile, in the street outside, Rukia tells Ichigo to wake up as he gets to his knees with blood on his face and tells her to shut up. Berating Ichigo for speaking this way, Rukia asks him where he was hit, prompting Ichigo to state it does not matter because he is okay. Rukia states this is good and reminds Ichigo that Acidwire is a monster even though he was once Orihime's brother before asserting that he no longer has a Human heart.
Back in Orihime's apartment, Orihime asks Acidwire if he is really her brother. When Acidwire confirms this, Orihime claims he is lying because her brother would never do what he is doing, but Acidwire reveals he has grown lonely because Orihime has been forgetting about him bit by bit before stating that Orihime praying for him every day after his death is what gave him peace while he watched her. Noting that Orihime became friends with Tatsuki about a year after he died, Acidwire points out how she began praying to him less often after this before recalling how she stopped praying for him altogether after she entered high school.
Acid Wire: Orihime! It's your fault I've become this monster! I should kill you first...I'll kill you!
As Orihime tries to tell him he is wrong, Acidwire grabs her by the shoulders and demands that she never betray him again if she has even a shred of feeling left for him. Ordering Orihime to just listen to what he tells her, Acidwire promises to devour Ichigo and end this quickly before preparing to go outside. However, when Orihime begs him to not harm Ichigo anymore because he has nothing to do with this, Acidwire confronts her and angrily blames her for his transformation into a Hollow before grabbing her with both hands and promising to kill her first if she does not listen to what he says as he begins to choke her with his fingers.
Suddenly, Ichigo leaps back into the apartment and tells Acidwire to stop before stabbing his Zanpakutō into Acidwire's tail, causing Acidwire to flail in pain. As Ichigo continues to stab his tail, Acidwire drops Orihime and attempts to grab her once more, only for Ichigo to move between them and cut off Acidwire's hand. With Acidwire rearing back, Ichigo kneels beside Orihime to check on her before standing as he asks Acidwire if he knows why big brothers are born first. Claiming that this happens so they can protect their younger siblings, Ichigo declares that Acidwire should not threaten to kill Orihime even if he is dead.
Ichigo: Do you know why big brothers are born first? There's a reason. They're born first so that they can look out for their little brothers and sisters, and protect them. And here you threaten to kill your own sister? Even a dead man doesn't ever have the right to say that!
As Rukia enters the apartment, Acidwire proclaims that Orihime is his and reveals that he raised and protected her since their parents abandoned them when she was three.
Acid Wire: Shut up! Raaaaaahhh!
Extending his hand to Orihime, Acidwire promises to spare everyone else present if she comes with him, but Rukia warns Orihime that this is a trap since Acidwire no longer harbors the feelings of a big brother. Upon seeing Orihime's hairpins, Acidwire recalls fond memories of raising and growing up with her as a Human and begins screaming in pain as he bashes his head into a wall.
Acid Wire: I was 15 when she was born, and I raised her when our parents abandoned us. To me, she has been more like a daughter than a sister.
With a crying Orihime calling out to him in concern, Acidwire pulls back and proclaims that she belongs to him.
Acidwire lunges at Ichigo, who blocks Acidwire by the teeth with his Zanpakutō and declares that Orihime does not belong to anyone before pushing Acidwire out into the street. As Acidwire flies into the air, Ichigo leaps after him and prepares to strike, but hesitates for several seconds, prompting Rukia to tell him to finish Acidwire off. Suddenly, Acidwire uses Vitriol Shot, covering Ichigo's hands in green acid that burns his skin. While Ichigo drops his Zanpakutō in pain, Acidwire slams his tail into Ichigo from above, forcing Ichigo to the ground, before lunging at him once more with his mouth open.
However, at the last second, Orihime intercepts Acidwire's bite with her body, to the shock of both him and Ichigo. Falling to her knees, Orihime apologizes to her brother for begging him to not leave her alone the day that he died and states that this is why he could not rest in peace before noting that she has always sensed him beside her.
Orihime: Sora...This is all my fault. The reason you're this way. It's because of me, because I begged you not to leave me alone. That's why...you weren't able to find peace. It's all my fault.
Acid Wire: Oh, Orihime...
Theorizing that Acidwire protected her from being hit by the car yesterday by pulling her leg to get her out of the way, Orihime points out that he will never be able to rest if she keeps depending on him before revealing that this is why she wanted to show him that she is happy and that he does not need to worry about her.
Orihime tearfully says that this instead made him sad and lonely as she collapses, prompting Acidwire to claim this is not true as his mask begins to disappear and reappear. When Acidwire begins to scream in pain, Ichigo wonders what is going on as Rukia explains that Sora is currently fighting the Hollow within him. Noting that Sora did not become a Hollow by choice, Rukia ruminates that he was likely taken over by a Hollow, which Ichigo expresses confusion at, and points out that Ichigo was his original target before explaining to him how a Plus who is devoured by a strong Hollow is subsequently controlled by that Hollow.
Laying out how a Hollow who is after Ichigo took control of a soul that Ichigo would be reluctant to fight and forced him to attack, Rukia states that Sora is desperately fighting that Hollow for his sister's sake. Suddenly, Acidwire's mask shatters completely, causing Orihime to shed a tear as she sees Sora's face before falling over. While Ichigo rushes to help Orihime, Rukia tells him to stay calm and reveals that the Chain of Fate still connecting Orihime's soul to her body is preventing her from dying. Rukia walks up to Orihime and bluntly tells Sora to get back as she prepares to heal Orihime with her Kaidō.
While Rukia places her glowing hands over Orihime, Sora sees the hairpins in Orihime's hair, prompting Ichigo to note that Orihime told him Sora gave her those hairpins before stating that this is why she wears them every day.
Ichigo: That hairpin she's wearing was a present from you, wasn't it, Sora? She told me that once. That's why she wears it every single day.
Acid Wire: ...
Hearing this, a solemn Sora pulls Ichigo's Zanpakutō out of the ground nearby and holds it up to his face while noting that he will soon revert to a monster even if he stays here before stating that he wants to disappear while he still has a measure of sanity as he holds Ichigo's Zanpakutō up to his own throat. A startled Ichigo tries to dissuade Sora from going through with this, but Rukia stops him.
Ichigo: Huh? What are you doing?
Acid Wire: I only have a short time before the Hollow overwhelms me again and changes me back into a monster. So while I'm sane and can still think clearly, I'll end this.
Continuing to heal Orihime, Rukia says that Sora is making the right decision because Hollows can never return to what they were previously before telling Ichigo to let him pass on.
Rukia: He's made the right decision. Once you become a Hollow, you can never go back to what you were again. It's okay. You'll learn that exorcising a Hollow is not the same thing as killing it. You're cleansing its soul and allowing it to enter the Soul Society. That's why Soul Reapers exist in the first place.
Ichigo tries to protest, but Rukia assures him that purifying a Hollow is not killing it because their soul is cleansed so they can enter Soul Society, which is why Shinigami exist. As Ichigo looks up at him, Sora smiles and nods before preparing to purify himself, only to stop when Orihime calls out to him. Opening her eyes, Orihime states that Sora gave her the hairpins on the day that he died and that they had a fight because she thought they were childish.
Orihime: Wait, I have to tell you something. This hairpin...Remember the argument we had about it the day you gar it to me? I said I didn't like it because I thought it didn't look grown up enough for me. I know I hurt your feelings and you left without saying anything else. And that was the last time I saw you alive. So now I want to say what I should have said to you when you went off to work that day. My brother, have a good day.
Orihime recalls how she let Sora go to work that day without saying anything to him and notes that this was the last time she would see him alive before sitting up and telling Sora to have a nice day. Telling Orihime he is off, a smiling Sora impales himself with Ichigo's Zanpakutō, causing him to dissipate into motes of light that fly up into the sky as Ichigo's Zanpakutō falls to the ground.
Acid Wire: Thanks, Orihime.
As she watches this, Orihime turns to Rukia and begins crying into her chest. The next day, at Karakura High School, Orihime insists that a sumo champion came to her apartment and blasted a hole in the wall with a gun, to the disbelief of Ryō, Mahana, Michiru, and Chizuru.
While Mahana tells Orihime to make her story more realistic and suggests the idea of a professional wrestler causing a brawl outside, Chizuru states that she likes Orihime's silly imagination as Orihime asks Tatsuki to back her up, which Tatsuki does, to the surprise of the other girls. Watching this, Ichigo asks Rukia if this is the result of what she did yesterday, which she confirms. The night before, Rukia uses her Kikanshinki on Orihime, who passes out. When a shocked Ichigo asks her what she is doing, Rukia explains that she has erased Orihime's memories of tonight's events and replaced them with new ones, to Ichigo's surprise.
Dragging Tatsuki over to Orihime, Rukia admits that she cannot choose the new memories before stating that they will find out what they have to deal with tomorrow. In the present, Ichigo asks Rukia if this is what she used on his family the other day, which she confirms. As he looks over Karakura Town, Ichigo admits that he cannot promise to risk his life for a stranger, but asserts that he is also not the type of scum to passively watch someone get hurt in front of him before agreeing to help Rukia perform her Shinigami duties as he holds out his hand, which a smiling Rukia shakes while stating that she is counting on him.
At a construction site in Karakura Town, Harutoki Ide tells Yasutora Sado and Gitano Shigeo how the cursed parakeet he brought with him has had all its previous owners be killed by terrible things happening to them, much to Gitano's shock. When Harutoki asks him if he wants the parakeet, Gitano refuses to take it after hearing about the bad luck it brings to those around it.
Gitano suggests that Harutoki simply abandon the parakeet somewhere, but Harutoki abjectly refuses to do such a cruel thing and offers the parakeet to Sado while reminding him that it is cute. As Sado looks intently at the parakeet in its cage, Gitano rebukes Harutoki for taking advantage of Sado's fondness for cute things. However, as the parakeet begins to shriek and rapidly flap its wings, a large I-beam slides and falls off the top of the construction site toward the three teenagers, prompting Gitano and Harutoki to scream in terror as they look upward at it.
In Hueco Mundo, Grand Fisher proclaims that Hollows must continue to devour in order to fill the emptiness of their existence. As he declares that Hollows will always crave the souls of Shinigami once they experience one because they are so exceptionally tasty, Shrieker focuses on the parakeet in its cage. Back in Karakura Town, Sado catches the falling I-beam on his shoulders and back to protect his friends. When a stunned Gitano asks him if he is okay, Sado claims that he is fine as blood trickles down his face, prompting Gitano to point this out. Suddenly, the parakeet thanks Sado for saving him and introduces himself as Yūichi Shibata.
When Yūichi asks a surprised Sado what his name is, a shocked Gitano notes that it is like he understands what just happened while Harutoki states the parakeet really is cursed. After Yūichi asks him for his name once more, Sado states his name and his age, prompting Gitano to realize Sado is interested. The following morning, on the roof of Karakura High School, Ichigo Kurosaki expresses disbelief at his injuries from his recent fight healing in a day, leading Rukia Kuchiki to ask if he is surprised before stating that she was among the best in her Kidō class, which made healing Ichigo easy. Ichigo is surprised to learn Shinigami go to school.
Confirming this, Rukia holds up a juice box and asks Ichigo how she is supposed to drink it, prompting a bemused Ichigo to tell her to poke a straw into it and drink. As Rukia expresses confusion at the concept of a straw, Mizuiro Kojima walks up and notes she and Ichigo are together again before observing that they are quite close, only for an annoyed Ichigo to ask him if they look like friends. Mizuiro wonders if he is wrong and decides to not press the subject as he tells Ichigo to be more aware of what people think. However, Ichigo bluntly states that he would have died his hair black long ago if he cared what other people thought of him.
As Mizuiro admits this is true, Rukia finally finds the straw on the back of the juice box and wonders where she is supposed to poke it in. When Mizuiro greets her, Rukia switches to her student persona and greets him in turn, prompting Mizuiro to realize he has not formally introduced himself yet. Mizuiro states his name and age, but is interrupted by Ichigo, who claims that he likes picking up girls. Offended by this, Mizuiro claims this accusation is mean, but Ichigo states that he is a flirt despite his mild-mannered appearance and warns Rukia to watch out for him, prompting Mizuiro to tell Ichigo to stop before he ruins his reputation.
Mizuiro asserts that he is only interested in older women anyway, but Ichigo merely replies that this is why Rukia has to be careful, confusing Mizuiro. Suddenly, Keigo Asano appears on the roof and wonders why Rukia is here, prompting Mizuiro to claim Ichigo lured her up here, to Ichigo's consternation. After congratulating Ichigo, who is perplexed by Keigo crying with happiness over this, Keigo welcomes Rukia to the "garden of masculinity" and tells his friends that they will be partying during lunch, only for Mizuiro to ask if they will really be doing so with milk coffee and yakisoba bread, which Keigo claims is irrelevant because it is the spirit that matters.
When Keigo tells her to call on him if she ever needs anything, Rukia realizes with excitement that she can get him to put the straw in the juice box. Suddenly, Keigo backs up into a bandaged Sado carrying Yūichi, whom Ichigo greets. Seeing Sado's bandages, Ichigo and Keigo ask him if he is injured and what happened, prompting Sado to explain how an I-beam fell on his head yesterday and a motorcycle ran into him that morning, which injured his hand and caused him to arrive late because he ended up carrying the badly hurt rider to the hospital.
Ichigo: Hey, Chad! What's with the bandages?
Chad: Mmm...Ichigo...
As Keigo admits that this is a good reason to be late, a stunned Ichigo wonders what Sado's body is made of. When Sado sets down Yūichi's cage, Keigo asks him why he is carrying a bird around as Yūichi introduces himself and asks for Keigo's name.
Ichigo:: Where did you get that bird?
Chad: Someone...gave me him.
Yuichi: My name's Yuichi Shibata. It's nice to meet you. What's your name?
Ichigo: !
Sensing something, Ichigo and Rukia both look at Yūichi in shock as Keigo expresses amazement over a parakeet being able to talk before introducing himself and asking Yūichi if he can say his name back. Ichigo asks Sado where he got Yūichi, and Sado prepares to give a full answer, but instead pauses for several seconds before merely stating that someone gave it to him yesterday, prompting Keigo to berate him for his bad habit of cutting his stories short instead of telling them in full out of laziness.
Sado claims he did not cut his story short as he sits down, but Keigo refuses to believe this and begins to lecture Sado as Rukia assures Ichigo that whatever is inside the parakeet is not evil and is likely just a lonely Plus.
Chad: Sorry...I have something to do today.
Ichigo: Oh, OK. See you later, Chad...
As Sado feeds Yūichi part of his anpan, Rukia notes that they cannot leave the Plus alone and tells Ichigo that they should perform Konsō on it tonight, prompting Ichigo to complain about having to go through another sleepless night.
Rukia: Don't worry. You're right, there is something in the bird, but I don't think it's evil. But we can't leave it. Tonight, we need to perform a Konso.
Ichigo: Oh great! That is just what I need-another sleepless night!
While Ichigo takes her juice box to stick the straw into it for her, a pleased Rukia mentally observes that Ichigo sensing a Plus and worrying about others means he may be learning what it means to be a Shinigami.
Handing the juice box back to Rukia, who begins drinking out of it, Ichigo details how he first met Sado while in the eighth grade, where his hair color drew unwanted attention and got him into fights. In the past, Ichigo fights off several thugs in an alleyway until two pin him down, and their leader puts on brass knuckles before repeatedly punching Ichigo in the face. When the leader tries to smash a cinder block into Ichigo's face, Sado throws him down the alleyway, prompting the leader to angrily demand to know who he is. As several thugs surround Sado and restrain him, the leader punches him hard in the stomach, but Sado does not react.
Angered further by this, the leader continues to assault Sado, who remains unfazed, as Ichigo watches in stunned silence. In the present, Ichigo states that Sado never fights back no matter how much people goad him, and Rukia notes that he is an odd man, which Ichigo agrees with, before noting that her juice tastes good.
That evening, as Ichigo returns to the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin Kurosaki tells him to get out of the way and rushes past him in her nurse uniform, prompting a confused Ichigo to wonder why she is in a hurry. When Yuzu Kurosaki greets him while walking past with a box of medicine and medical supplies, Ichigo asks her what is going on. Yuzu reveals that there was a bad car accident at the nearby intersection, to Ichigo's surprise, while Isshin Kurosaki berates a staff member of the local hospital over the phone for refusing to take any of their patients who require more than the first aid they can provide. After telling the staff member to tell his director that this is a request from Isshin Kurosaki, which he believes will free up some beds at the hospital, Isshin angrily hangs up and curses having to deal with useless flunkies, and when Ichigo asks him if there is anything he can do to help, Isshin bluntly denies this and instead tells his son to sit in a corner and stay out of the way.
Karin: Ichigo! It's bad!
Isshin: Ichigo, perfect timing! Help me carry this guy to the clinic!
Ichigo: What's going on? Huh?! Chad...
Soon afterward, as a dejected Ichigo sits in the hallway, his sisters bring in one more patient, alerting him. Noting that this is a big one, Isshin tells Ichigo to come and help him, only for Ichigo to be shocked upon seeing his father is carrying Sado, who is still carrying Yūichi in his cage.
Chad: Ichigo...
While Karin stares in fright at Yūichi, Isshin removes Sado's shirt and sees a large, claw-shaped injury on his back, which shocks him and Yuzu as Ichigo senses something strange about it. Swabbing Sado's wound, Isshin notes that it looks like a burn and asks what hit him before telling Sado that he will need to rest there for a while, only for Sado to deny this as he stands up and puts his shirt back on. Sado claims that he is fine and begins to walk away, but Isshin declares that there is no way he could be okay after losing so much blood, and Sado quickly collapses, prompting Isshin to order Karin and Yuzu to prepare a bed for him, which they comply with. That night, Ichigo asks Rukia if she felt it, which she confirms she did even from another room before revealing that Sado's wound reeks of Hollow.
Ichigo: Rukia, did you feel it?
Rukia: Of course. I felt it all the way over here. I sensed that Chad's wound reeks of Hollow.
As Sado lies in his bed in the clinic and looks at Yūichi, Karin lies awake in her bed in a cold sweat and envisions Yūichi in his cage with terror. The next morning, when Ichigo comes down for breakfast and wonders where Karin is, Yuzu tells him she is not feeling well. As Ichigo notes that it is unusual for Karin to be feeling unwell, a panicking Isshin bursts into the room and informs him that Sado has disappeared from his room.
Isshin: Ichigo, bad news! Chad's disappeared from his room!
Shortly afterward, Ichigo runs down the street before being met by Rukia, who asks him if he has found clues about where Sado went.
Rukia: Have you got any idea about where he might be?
Ichigo: No...
Ichigo denies this and asks if Rukia has, which she also denies before stating that Soul Society has not told her about any nearby Hollows and that she cannot find anything on her radar. Explaining that Hollows usually hide in the space between worlds until they appear to devour souls, Rukia notes that this means they will not be able to find a Hollow hunting Sado until it appears in the Human World.
However, when Rukia asks him if he understands this with her drawings illustrating the concept, Ichigo wonders how he is supposed to understand it with her kindergarten-level drawings, prompting an irritated Rukia to bash him in the stomach with her sketchbook. Doubling over in pain, Ichigo notes that they cannot wait until Sado is attacked to help him and tries to think of something they can do before remembering Yūichi. Ichigo proclaims that they can simply follow the soul inhabiting Sado's parakeet, and while Rukia tells him this is not possible, Ichigo concentrates and begins glowing with Reiatsu as specks of light float around him. While a stunned Rukia wonders what is happening, Sado walks through an abandoned factory with Yūichi, who says he is nice before apologizing to Sado for bringing bad luck to everyone who owns him, which Sado states that he knows about. As Sado enters one of the buildings, Yūichi apologizes for not telling Sado, who assures Yūichi that he does not need to worry about it, before stating that Sado should forget about and abandon him, prompting Sado to assert that he cannot do this. At the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin coughs and breathes heavily in bed while sweating and thinking about Yūichi before getting out of bed with the intention of telling Ichigo something.
Meanwhile, Rukia continues to watch Ichigo in astonishment while noting that he is trying to sense Yūichi's soul from a distance even though she cannot even sense it because it is so weak. Suddenly, the specks of light around Ichigo condense into long white ribbons, one of which Ichigo grabs as he declares that he found Yūichi before running off. Standing still in shock, Rukia realizes those were Reiraku, visible ribbons of Reiryoku that only high-level Shinigami can see, and wonders if Ichigo has really progressed so much in such a short period of time before following him. At the abandoned factory, Sado sits with Yūichi and assumes they have lost their pursuer. When Yūichi tells him that he does not need to do this anymore, Sado assures him that it is fine because being tough is his one good trait before being alerted by something in the rafters. Upon seeing a Hollow dropping onto them from above, Sado grabs Yūichi and runs just as the figure lands behind them. Noting that their pursuer found them, Sado leaps out of a broken window with Yūichi. Outside, as Ichigo and Rukia run down the street, Sado crosses the road in front of them and is surprised to see them there before turning and running away. As Ichigo wonders why Sado is running away because it is dangerous to be alone, Karin calls out to him.
Karin: Ichigo... *Pant* ... *Pant*
Ichigo: Karin! What are you doing here? You look really sick.
Turning to face Karin, Ichigo asks her what she is doing while still sick, only for Karin to suddenly collapse in front of him.
Karin: I...saw it. I saw the memories of the spirit possessing that bird. He saw it all...His mother's murder!
Ichigo: Huh?
Karin: Ichigo, you must tell him that if he goes to the other side, she'll be there. Don't let him be alone any more.
Ichigo runs over to Karin in concern as Rukia tells him to take her home first while she rescues Sado.
Rukia: Ichigo, you need to get Karin home now. I'll handle them.
Ichigo: Rukia!
When Ichigo protests this, Rukia asserts that he will be distracted when fighting the Hollow if he leaves Karin there, which she cannot allow. As Ichigo acknowledges this, Rukia tells him to go, but Ichigo reminds her to not take chances because she has not regained enough of her powers to fight a Hollow yet, only for Rukia to confidently state that she would never make Ichigo worry by messing up like that before running off.
Ichigo picks up Karin and holds her in his arms as he begins running back to their house. While Ichigo asks her if she is alright and tells her to hang on, Karin tells him that she saw the memories of the Soul inside the parakeet last night because she is the closest to him in age and reveals that the child's strongest memory is seeing his mother murdered right in front of him. As Ichigo stops running in surprise, Karin tearfully begs him to save the child. Elsewhere, as she follows Sado, Rukia curses her inability to catch up due to the physical capabilities of her Gigai matching those of an ordinary human and disparages the workers at the technology development bureau.
Rukia: Damn! Where did they go? This is bad...I'm out of breath already. What's the point of a Gigai that is only as powerful as a human? Just wait till I see those Research and Development freaks...
Suddenly, Shrieker comments on the nice smell, causing her to stop running in shock as she looks around.
Shrieker: You smell good! You smell delicious!
Rukia: !
Shrieker: Time to eat...YOUR SOUL!
Appearing in front of Rukia, Shrieker tells her that she smells delicious and declares that he will devour her soul before attacking, only for Rukia to handspring away from him in response. A somewhat surprised Shrieker notes that she did not die in one hit and can see him before asking Rukia who she is. Kneeing Shrieker in the face, Rukia springs off the back of his head into the air behind him and recites an incantation before firing Hadō #33. Sōkatsui, which creates a large cloud of smoke upon hitting Shrieker's back.
Rukia: Ruler! The mask of blood and flesh, all things of the universe that fly, that which names all! In the name of truth and temperance, dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams! Hado #33! Sokatsui (Pale Fire Crash)!
Mentally cheering over having regained this much of her power, Rukia is shocked when Shrieker emerges from the cloud of smoke unharmed. Elsewhere, upon hearing a loud thud, Sado wonders what that noise was, prompting Yūichi to reveal that Rukia is being attacked by the Hollow who was pursuing them.
Chad: What's going on? Hear that?
Yuichi: It's attacking her. It's that young lady who was chasing us before. The monster is attacking her right now. It's going to hurt her really bad.
Chad: I'm going to help her.
When Sado places his cage on the ground and tells him to stay there, Yūichi asks him what he is going to do, and when Sado states that he is going to save Rukia, Yūichi frantically warns him against this.
Yuichi: Wait, please! Don't go! It's just too dangerous.
Chad: Hm...
Interpreting this as Yūichi not feeling safe in the road, Sado places him on top of a nearby wall before running off as Yūichi reminds him he cannot see spiritual beings.
Rukia: No, my spell! It didn't even hurt him!
Shrieker: Heh heh. I know that spell. It's a Soul Reaper spell. But yours was so weak it had no bite to it. Too bad.
Rukia: It's just as I thought. My Kido hasn't recovered its force. My spell has no effect.
Shrieker: My, my, a tender little Soul Reaper who's lost her power. You see, I've already had the pleasure of devouring two other Soul Reapers who tried to help this boy pass on to the Soul Society. And I assure you, they were mighty good eating.
Rukia: The boy...You mean the human soul that's in the that bird?
Shrieker: I might be more inclined to give you an answer if you were to let me have a little nibble.
Meanwhile, as a stunned Rukia realizes that her attack did not even leave a scratch, Shrieker states that he recognized that attack as a Shinigami spell before declaring that he felt nothing because it was so weak as he leans in to bite Rukia. Leaping back, Rukia mentally notes that her Kidō has not recovered enough to use a spell of that level while Shrieker realizes Rukia is a Shinigami, which is why she smells so good to him, and reveals that he has devoured two Shinigami who tried to perform Konsō on the child, whom he proclaims were delicious. Rukia asks him if he is referring to the Soul inside the parakeet, which Shrieker confirms.
When Rukia notes that Shrieker seems to be relentlessly pursuing that child and demands to know why, Shrieker promises to tell her in full if she lets him devour her soul without resistance before laughing. Elsewhere, as she continues to cry in Ichigo's arms, Karin begs Ichigo to tell Yūichi that he can see his mother again if he crosses over and to not let him be alone anymore. Having brought Karin Kurosaki back to the Kurosaki Clinic and put her to bed, Ichigo Kurosaki runs down the street while wondering how long it has been since he has seen Karin cry. Noting that Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki were crybabies up until their mother died, Ichigo recalls how Yuzu took over their mother's housekeeping duties in the following years. Ichigo also remembers how Karin stopped crying altogether so she would not worry the rest of her family because she did not have much skill in anything, and how she did not cry once even after losing a fight with an upperclassman, being reprimanded by the principal, or breaking her leg while hiking. Recalling Karin crying into his shirt moments ago over Yūichi Shibata's traumatic memories, Ichigo runs off while solemnly telling her to leave it to him. Meanwhile, Shrieker pins Rukia Kuchiki against a wall with one hand.
Question if Rukia is really a Shinigami, Shrieker tells Rukia to shed her human form, but Rukia does not, causing him to narrow his eyes. Suddenly, Yasutora Sado punches Shrieker hard in the face, causing him to let go of Rukia and sending him flying away.
Shrieker: Urrrrrgghhhhh!
Chad: Hey, I hit something. Alright!
As Sado wonders if he hit him, Rukia expresses astonishment at Sado being able to hit a Hollow and wonders if he can see spiritual beings, only to revise her assessment with embarrassment upon seeing Sado repeatedly punching the empty air.
Rukia: You actually landed a punch on a Hollow?! But how? Can you see spirits?
Getting to his feet, Shrieker mirthfully realizes Sado cannot see him and only hit him on accident right before Sado punches him directly in the face again, toppling Shrieker. Sado states that he got Shrieker again as a stunned Rukia notes that Sado is calmly facing down an enemy that he should not be able to see or hear before wondering if he has any fear.
Chad Hey there, new girl. Are you telling me that you can see ghosts?
Cursing, Shrieker leaps into the air and spreads the wings on his arms as he taunts Rukia about her inability to reach him at this height. When Rukia frantically tells him to run because Shrieker has taken to the air, a surprised Sado asks her if she can see spirits, prompting Rukia to tell him to ignore this. However, Sado merely asks her where Shrieker is in the air, and when a confused Rukia asks him what good this would do, Sado wraps his arms around a nearby telephone pole and begins to pull. Wondering if he should swoop down and grab Sado like a falcon, Shrieker is astonished when a yelling Sado breaks the telephone pole off its base. Sado asks Rukia where Shrieker is, and when Rukia points him in the right direction, Sado slams the telephone pole into Shrieker, who is sent crashing to the ground underneath it.
Shrieker: Heh heh heh. It was just a lucky punch. He scared me for a second. I thought he could see me. Urgh!
Chad: Alright. I got him again.
As the top of the telephone pole snaps off from the impact, Sado discards the rest of the pole while Rukia runs up to the motionless Shrieker and tells him to give up because someone is on his way to defeat him.
Rukia: I can't believe what I'm seeing. (He's knocked that Hollow down twice now. But I know there's no way he can see it, or ever hear it. By sheer force of will, this human is calmly facing down an enemy whose power he cannot even imagine. It's as if he has no sense of fear at all.)
However, Shrieker begins laughing in response and notes that this is why he keeps defeating Shinigami.
Shrieker: Damn you! Graaaaaah!
Suddenly, dozens of Targets leap into the air behind Rukia and Sado before pinning them both to the ground. Noting that the tables have turned and that Shinigami underestimating him has always been how he has beaten them, Shrieker decides to devour Rukia first and save Sado for last, only to be stunned when a roaring Sado frees himself from the Targets holding him down by flexing his muscles. As he reels back, Shrieker berates Sado for thinking all his problems can be solved with brute force before narrowly dodging another punch from Sado, which causes him to note that Sado has sharp reflexes as Sado continues to punch the empty air.
Rukia tells Sado to kick the air above her, which he obliges, sending the Targets on her back flying away, and Shrieker takes to the air once more while cursing. As the remaining Targets also leap back, Rukia tells Sado that Shrieker is above them again and that she has an idea. Shortly afterward, as he holds Rukia up in his hands, Sado asks her if this will really work, prompting Rukia to state that they will utilize his strength and her brains. When Sado notes that this does not seem smart, Rukia claims that she does not have to take this from him before directing his aim to directly face Shrieker, who believes that no telephone pole can reach him up here.
However, he is shocked to see Rukia hurtling toward him, having been thrown by Sado. When Rukia tells him to give up, a seemingly panicked Shrieker promises that he will, only to drop the ruse as a Target emerges from the fur on his neck before firing several leeches from its forehead at Rukia, who is covered with them and sent falling to the ground below. Seeing this, Sado runs forward and catches Rukia at the last minute as he asks her what happened. Noting that she was caught off-guard, Rukia tries to remove the leeches from her body and wonders what they are as Shrieker lands on the ground nearby and confirms they are leeches that will not come off easily.
Shrieker opens his mouth and extends his tongue before vibrating it, which sends out a sound pulse that causes the leeches on Rukia's body to detonate, injuring her. As Sado expresses concern for a collapses Rukia, Shrieker explains that the leeches are small bombs that explode in response to a sound his tongue makes and declares that Rukia's guard was wide opening.
Shrieker: Oh, you want some more, eh, hotshot? Well first, I have someone here you might want to see.
With a solemn expression, Sado stands up and walks forward to confront Shrieker, who notes that Sado wants to fight him before revealing that he has brought Yūichi Shibata in his cage to the site of their battle, shocking Sado as Rukia realizes that Shrieker avoided them earlier to buy time for this.
Chad: Yuichi's bird cage...Why is it here?
As Yūichi apologizes for getting caught, three Targets appear around his cage while Shrieker notes that Sado understands now before telling Rukia it is time for them to play.
Yuichi: I'm so sorry, mister. I was trying to call for you.
Chad: That's okay.
Shrieker: Hahaha. I'm this close to attacking the bird cage. You'll both do what I say. Because if you don't, there won't be enough of you little friend left to spread on a cracker.
While the Target on top of the cage prepares to fire a stream of leeches at Yūichi if needed, Shrieker proclaims he will enjoy hunting down Rukia, who gets to her feet and warns Sado to not move from this spot because Shrieker will blow up the birdcage if he does.
Rukia: Don't move, Chad. Don't think for a second he won't blow up the bird.
Shrieker: Of course, you could turn around and actually fight me. How boring. I didn't think you would give up so easily.
Sado expresses concern for Rukia, but she states that she gave her word to not screw up, which surprises Sado, before running off, prompting the Targets to give pursuit as Shrieker follows while claiming that this is getting fun. Running down another street, Rukia sees two Targets flanking her, one on each side, and leaps into the air just before they fire two streams of leeches directly under her. As Rukia lands on a wall, a Target appears in the tree next to her and fires another stream of leeches, which hits her right side and causes her to fall to the ground below. Shrieker appears behind Rukia and proclaims that she is covered in leeches before sending out another pulse of sound with his tongue, causing the leeches on Rukia's leg and arm to detonate and injure her further. Laughing, Shrieker claims that Rukia looks pretty when covered in blood and that he cannot wait before throwing a Target at her. As Rukia dodges and resumes running, the Target splatters against the telephone pole that was behind her, causing its leeches to fall out. Giving chase, Shrieker keeps throwing Targets at her and asks her how long she intends to keep running before reminding him that she is free to turn around and attack him. Suddenly, Rukia comes to a halt in an empty intersection, prompting a confused Shrieker to stop as well and ask her if she has given up already. While Shrieker claims that this is not fun and tells her to keep running, Rukia states that she has not given up and points out how Shrieker said she could attack before proclaiming that she plans to do so.
Rukia: I haven't given up. You challenged me to attack you. So then, attack you I will...Perfect timing, Ichigo.
Shrieker: What are you blabbering about?
Suddenly, Shrieker is pushed to the ground by Ichigo, who has arrived and landed on Shrieker's head. As Rukia greets him, an annoyed Ichigo reminds her that she promised to not worry him by screwing up, only for Rukia to note that this is something that someone who is worried would say, which Ichigo admits is true.
Ichigo: You act like you planned it this way.
Shrieker: Who are you, anyway?
Ichigo: Ichigo Kurosaki, age 15, Substitute Soul Reaper! And if you really wanna play some serious tag, I think it's me you ought to chase.
Cursing, Shrieker demands to know how long Ichigo plans to sit on his head and gets to his feet, prompting Ichigo to leap off his head to the ground in front of him before introducing himself as a Substitute Shinigami.
Shrieker: Ah, Substitute Soul Reaper, eh? Crap.
While Ichigo claims he has been chasing the wrong person, Shrieker realizes he should have gone after Ichigo from the start. With several Targets firing streams of leeches at them and Shrieker releasing a sound pulse with his tongue, Rukia pushes Ichigo's Soul out of his body with her Gokon Tekkō just as a large explosion engulfs them both. As the smoke clears, Ichigo appears in the air above Shrieker and criticizes him for being slow before slashing him with his Zanpakutō. Landing nearby with his Targets, Shrieker notes that Ichigo looks the tastiest as Rukia pulls Ichigo's body away. Deducing that Shrieker used his bombs to pin down Sado so he could enjoy attacking Rukia, Ichigo declares that Shrieker is nothing but a pig, only for Shrieker to claim this means Ichigo will be eaten by a pig. As he approaches the battle, Sado spots Rukia and Ichigo's body lying near her, prompting him to ask Ichigo what is wrong. Noticing Sado, Rukia says that this is perfect timing and tells him to hide Ichigo's body and Yūichi somewhere safe. When Sado asks her what is going on, Rukia tells him to not worry because Ichigo is fighting right now. Elsewhere, as he and Shrieker create multiple craters in the ground, Ichigo cuts three Targets in half, causing their leeches to spill onto the ground. Praising him for this move, Shrieker reminds Ichigo that the leeches are still bombs and extends his tongue to release a sound pulse, causing the leeches to erupt in a large explosion. Laughing at this, Shrieker is shocked when an unharmed Ichigo leaps out of the smoke and swings his Zanpakutō at Shrieker's neck. However, Ichigo stops his blade just before it cuts into Shrieker and asks him if he is the one who killed Yūichi's parents.
Ichigo: Tell me, before I slice and dice you. You killed the mother of that boy inside the cockatiel, didn't you? You might as well admit it, because either way, you're going down.
Meanwhile, Rukia expresses shock as Yūichi explains how Shrieker said it was his fault that Rukia and Sado got hurt because he wants to bring his mother back to life. As Yūichi apologizes, an unnerved Rukia asks him if someone said they had the ability to bring his mother back to life. Elsewhere, Shrieker confirms that he killed Yūichi's mother when he was alive as an infamous serial killer.
Shrieker: Yes, I killed the brat's mother. The punk kid was still alive, so I sucked out his souls and stuck it in the stupid cockatiel. Then I made him a deal. I told him if he could run from me in that bird body for three months, I'd bring his precious mommy back to life.
Shrieker proceeds to explain how Yūichi's mother was his last victim and kept running to protect him even while she could barely breathe. Noting that his mistake was chasing her onto the veranda, Shrieker reveals that Yūichi grabbed his shoelaces, which caused him to trip and break through the railing before falling to his death. As he claims that this an ignominious end for him, Shrieker states that he decided to pay Yūichi back as a Hollow and put his soul in a parakeet before telling him that he would bring Yūichi's mother back to life if Yūichi could evade him for three months. Ichigo is shocked by this, but Shrieker notes he does not actually have a way of achieving it.
Ichigo: How could you do that?
Shrieker: I couldn't do that, you moron! Bring a dead person back to life? Nothing, nobody could have brought her back after hat I did to her.
Ichigo: You bastard!
Stating that Yūichi believed him anyway and started running, Shrieker sadistically explains how the best part of this arrangement was how Yūichi would give up and want to quite every time Shrieker killed the people protecting him, only to regain his will when Shrieker claimed that his mother was waiting for him to save her, which leaves Ichigo trembling with anger. Upon seeing this, Shrieker pushes Ichigo's Zanpakutō away from his neck and demands to know why he is sympathizing with Yūichi before firing two more Targets at him. As Ichigo blocks one of the targets with his hand and grabs the leeches it releases, Shrieker declares that this is the end for him.
However, as Shrieker prepares to unleash a sound pulse with his tongue, Ichigo runs up and shoves his hand full of leeches through Shrieker's teeth and into his mouth. Stating that Shrieker can have his bomb back, Ichigo tells him to go ahead and set them off with his tongue. When a stunned Shrieker does not, Ichigo proclaims that he will take Shrieker's tongue instead before ripping the circular end of Shrieker's tongue out of his mouth. While Shrieker howls in pain at the loss of his tongue, Ichigo tells him to disappear before slashing upward through through Shrieker's mask, leaving a deep cut that begins to glow as Shrieker's body begins to disintegrate before reforming. Suddenly, Shrieker's wound begins spewing a torrent of energy as a large set of gates with the upper torsos of skeletons sticking out of the center of each door appears behind him. While Ichigo stares in shock, Rukia, having appeared behind him, reveals that these are the Gates of Hell and explains that it is reserved for Souls and Hollows who committed sins in life, as the Zanpakutō only washes away sins committed after death. As the chains on the gates break apart, the gates open to reveal a red void within, and Shrieker screams as his mask is torn apart before a large arm wielding an equally large blade impales him from behind, causing the gates to close and shatter. Later that day, Ichigo, Sado, and Rukia gather around Yūichi as Rukia confirms that his Chain of Fate has been completely severed, which means she cannot return Yūichi to his body.
Ichigo: What's wrong?
Rukia: I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. His Chain of Fate has been severed. There's no sign of it. Without it, there's no way I can return him to his body.
Yuichi: Oh no...
Chad: Yuichi...
Rukia: Don't be sad! The Sols Society is a wonderful place that's very peaceful. In fact, it's a much better place to live than this world.
When Rukia assures a dejected Yūichi that Soul Society is a place better than the Human World where he will never be hungry and feel light all the time, Ichigo skeptically asks her if she can really say this wholeheartedly, leaving Rukia speechless.
Ichigo: So now you're suddenly an expert on life in this world? Anyway, you're missing the point here. When you pass over, you'll finally be reunited with your mother.
Yuichi: Ah!
Ichigo: Maybe we can't bring her back to life, but she is on the other side waiting for you. And this time, it's really true.
Yuichi: !
Ichigo: Well then, if you're ready, let's begin the Konso.
However, Ichigo points out that Yūichi will be able to see his mother again if he crosses over, which perks him up, and states that he will be able to go to his mother even if he cannot bring her back to life.
Yuichi: Mister Sado, thank you for everything you did for me. You carried me everywhere in your arms, you kept me safe, and you were even brave enough to face a terrible monster and protect me from it.
Chad: Hey, don't even mention it. Yuichi...Someday, when I die and pass over too, would it be okay with you if sometimes I carried you around again?
Yuichi: Mm hmm!
Yūichi thanks Sado for protecting him all this time by running around with him in his arms and manifests his Soul outside of the parakeet before noting that he should be going. When Sado asks Yūichi if he could run around with him in his arms again when he dies, Yūichi grins and agrees to let him to do so. Smiling at the sight of this, Ichigo prepares to perform Konsō on Yūichi. That night, as Karin lies in her bed, she tearfully thanks Ichigo while a Jigokuchō flies toward the moon outside.
At nighttime in Karakura Town, Rukia Kuchiki sits on the edge of a building's roof and looks at her Kikanshinki, which beeps as one of its four lights blinks on and off. Noting with mild concern that it is almost empty, Rukia observes her left hand not moving properly when she tries to flex its fingers and concludes that it is time to replenish her supplies.
The next morning, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo Kurosaki brings a plate with two onigiri and some accompaniments on it to his closet and knocks on the door while telling Rukia that it is time for breakfast. When he does not receive a response, Ichigo angrily repeats himself and pulls the door open, only to discover that the closet is empty aside from Rukia's folded pajamas laying on her makeshift bed before him. As he notes with surprised that Rukia is gone, Ichigo petulantly eats one of the onigiri and wonders where she went.
Downstairs, Yuzu Kurosaki asks Karin Kurosaki if she thinks Ichigo has been acting strange lately with how he has started eating more and constantly rushing back to his room. Overhearing this, Isshin Kurosaki begins to assert that an impressionable young man in the springtime of his youth would only lock himself in his room for one reason, prompting Ichigo to knock him down with a spinning kick to the face and demand that his father stop analyzing him like this. Isshin declares that he is only doing so because he is Ichigo's father and asks his son why he cannot understand this, but Ichigo proclaims that no one could understand this.
As Ichigo and Isshin brawl with each other, Yuzu tells her brother that his breakfast will get cold while Karin notes that this is about as peaceful as their household gets. Meanwhile, outside the Urahara Shop, Ururu Tsumugiya sweeps the ground as Jinta Hanakari plays an imaginary game of baseball using his broom as the bat. After Jinta attempts to hit a home run but completely misses the ball, Ururu tells him to get to work before Tessai Tsukabishi scolds him, but Jinta tells her to shut up and declares that he is not cleaning up out of fear of Tessai. When Ururu asks him if he is not sweeping out of fear, Jinta declares that he is not scared. Jinta berates Ururu for being too cocky before rubbing his broom against her head while asserting that she is his underling. When Ururu tearfully points out that she is three years older than him, Jinta states that he is referring to rank instead of age. Suddenly, Rukia grabs the broom out of Jinta's hand, prompting him to demand to know who she is before recognizing her. Rukia notes that Jinta never changes and asks him if his boss is inside as Jinta grudgingly welcomes her.
Rukia: Is your manager in yet?
As Jinta pulls back the store shutter, Tessai pauses in the middle of carrying several boxes to remind him that it is too early for them to open before greeting Rukia upon seeing her. Tessai asks Rukia to wait for a moment while he wakes up the boss, but Kisuke Urahara reveals that he is already awake and puts on his clogs before greeting his employees and informing Rukia that he just received a shipment yesterday.
Urahara: Welcome back to my shop, Miss Kuchiki. Your timing couldn't be more perfect. I just got a new shipment in the other day. How can I help you his afternoon?
Rukia: Do you know if that special order I made has been delivered yet?
Soon afterward, Rukia purchases a spare vial of the cheapest Kikanshinki fuel and sixty Soma Fixers, which Urahara warns her can be toxic in large amounts because leaving her Gigai will cause her great pain if she is overly synchronized with it, only for Rukia to acknowledge this before revealing that her connection with her Gigai has been weak lately and it is becoming hard to move her body. When Urahara offers to give her Gigai a checkup for a discount, an irritated Rukia refuses this before asking him if the item she ordered has been delivered. Confirming this, Urahara has Ururu fetch it from the back, which she happily agrees to do, and tells her that it is labelled "new item".
Urahara: Oh! Yeah, it's here. Hey, Ururu! Go grab it out of storage, will you?
Ururu: Oh, uh...Okay!
In the storage room, Ururu searches for the box with this label and seemingly finds it with a small wrapped object inside. Up front, Rukia looks at the object and asks Urahara if this is the only kind he could get, prompting Urahara to state that it is the second most popular variety and was hard for him to get before warning Rukia that she cannot keep faking this forever.
Rukia: So this is the only one you could get then?
Urahara: Oh please, give me a break. That's the second most popular one on the market. It hasn't all that easy to come by.
Rukia: Yes, I know that.
At Karakura High School, Rukia politely greets her classmates, and Mizuiro Kojima greets her in return as Keigo Asano compliments her for looking so lovely today. When Mizuiro notes that it is not like Rukia to show up to school in the middle of third period, Rukia claims that she had to go home for something and asks Ichigo if she can see him for a moment. Ichigo states that she can talk to him here if she needs to, only for Rukia to suddenly punch him hard in the stomach and drag him out of the classroom while asking him if he is alright and proclaiming that she needs to take him to the infirmary. Mizuiro points out that Rukia hit Ichigo, but Keigo claims they did not see this.
Rukia: Here.
Ichigo: Hmm? What's this supposed to be?
Rukia: Gikongan. Substitute soul pills-tablets that force souls from the flesh. Just swallow one and a substitute soul will enter the body so the real one can roam free. f the time comes that you must face a Hollow and I'm not around, you an use them to transform into a Soul Reaper.
Ichigo: Gikongan?
Rukia: That's right. Push on the duck's head and a pill will come out.
Ichigo: Why's it a duck?
Rukia: Ugh, shut up! I didn't even order that one, alright? I asked for Chappy the Rabbit!
Ichigo: Okay, so you wanted one shaped like a rabbit then, huh?
Outside, Rukia tosses Ichigo a small canister with a duck head on the end and explains that it contains a Gikongan, an artificial soul that will force a regular soul out of its body when swallowed, before stating that Ichigo can use this should a Hollow appear while he is not around. When Ichigo observes that the canister has "Soul Candy" written on it, a flustered Rukia reveals that the Shinigami Women's Association had it labeled as such because Gikongan did not sound cute, and defensively states that she wanted the rabbit-themed Chappie instead when Ichigo wonders why there is a duck on the canister, which Ichigo takes note of.
Rukia: What's that?! What did you just say? How dare you mock me, you imbecile!
Ichigo: It's not that! I just didn't understand your explanation is all!
Angered and embarrassed by Ichigo apparently judging her for her choice, Rukia demands to know if he is belittling her and steps on the back of his head to force it to the ground as Ichigo admits that he did not understand her explanation very well. Rukia tells Ichigo to take one of the Gikongan so he understands, and Ichigo complies by popping one into his mouth, causing it to glow with energy as it falls down his throat.
Rukia: Go ahead. Swallow one and it'll all be clear.
As his eyes widen, Ichigo's soul is forced out of his body, which is sent flying to a fence that it drapes itself over, and Ichigo observes with shock that his soul really did leave his body, prompting Rukia to ask him if he is surprised.
Ichigo: Huh? I'm out of my body!
Rukia explains that Ichigo's empty body is now inhabited by a substitute soul so that no one will notice that his true soul is gone.
Rukia: Oh, don't be so shocked. Inside that empty shell of a body, there resides a substitute soul. And no one will ever notice that your true soul is one!
While Ichigo looks on in surprise 'his name later on would be Kon', his body gets up and introduces itself as him before claiming that its favorite phrase is "Early to bed, early to rise."
Kon: Hi! Good afternoon. Nice to meet you. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. Early to bed, early to rise! That's my motto.
Ichigo: Erk!
Hearing this, Ichigo expresses disbelief at such a phrase being used, and when Rukia asks him if it is not amazing, Ichigo demands to know what part of this personality resembles him.
Rukia: It's pretty amazing, isn't it?
Ichigo: Amazing, my ass! What is that thing over there? How can he be me if I'm me?!
Upon hearing her Denreishinki beep, Rukia looks at it and notes that it is perfect timing for a mission before telling Ichigo to leave the substitute soul here, which Ichigo vehemently protests.
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Rukia: Hmm? Perfect timing. We just got a mission. Why don't we leave him here while we head out?
As Rukia drags him away, Ichigo claims that his peers will immediately know it is not him and tells the substitute soul to attend his next class, which the substitute soul agrees to do, only to drop his friendly demeanor as he tells them to take their time.
Ichigo: Are you deranged?
Rukia: Let's go!
Ichigo: No way! They'll know he's a fake! Hey, you!
Kon: Don't worry. Leave everything to me, master. Take your time.
Meanwhile, at the Urahara Shop, Urahara walks through the storage room and notices the box that Ururu pulled Rukia's order out of with its label fully exposed. Shortly afterward, as Urahara and Tessai stand by, Jinta has Ururu read out the full label, which is "Defective Merchandise", and begins pulling on her bangs in punishment while demanding that she get her act together, prompting Urahara to tell them to not fight. When Tessai notes that this Gikongan is going to be trouble, Urahara confirms this and asserts that they must take care of this as soon as possible because they do not know what it will do.
Urahara: Oh boy, this is bad.
Back at Karakura High School, the substitute soul stretches Ichigo's arms and legs before effortlessly destroying the fence next to him with a single kick. As the substitute soul celebrates having finally found a mobile body so he can be free, a groundskeeper approaches while demanding to know what he is doing and mistakes him for Ichigo before pointing out the broken fence next to him. Seeing this, the substitute soul begins to menacingly walk toward the groundskeeper. The startled groundskeeper asks him why he has this look on his face and swings his shinai at him, only for the substitute soul to calmly leap over the groundskeeper and land on top of a hallway roof several meters away, to the groundskeeper's disbelief. Reveling in the groundskeeper's shock, the substitute soul jumps to the roof of the school and departs as the groundskeeper sinks to his knees. Elsewhere in the school, as the lunch period begins, Orihime Inoue celebrates it being lunchtime as an exasperated Tatsuki Arisawa tells her to not get so excited about lunch, which prompts Orihime to claim that a healthy girl only comes to school to eat lunch. Tatsuki admits defeat and tells Orihime to sit down. When Orihime asks her what she brought for lunch and reveals that she brought bread and sweet bean jam, Tatsuki rubs her head while stating that she only brought a normal lunch as Orihime shows her how to make her own bean-jam rolls. When Chizuru Honshō walks up and asks to eat lunch with her, Orihime agrees to this, only for Chizuru to begin hugging her upon noticing the crumbs left around her mouth from the bread, which she says is cute. Suddenly, the substitute soul leaps up to the window of the classroom from the ground below, to the shock of the students inside, and identifies them as Ichigo's class. Elsewhere, Ichigo runs along a riverbank under a bridge toward a Hollow, whose grasping hand he narrowly avoids before purifying it with a downward slash from his Zanpakutō.
Rukia: Why are we in such a rush to get back to class?
Ichigo: I'm worried! I wanna make sure he's doing okay.
As the Hollow fades away, Ichigo notes that he has a bad feeling. Back at Karakura High School, the substitute soul stands on the windowsill in front of the shocked students while Tatsuki demands to know how he got up here. When the substitute soul states that he simply jumped from the ground and asks them if they are amazed, one of the students claims he probably just came from the room next door through the window, only for another to confirm he did jump from the ground. While the student admits that he did not actually see this happen, the substitute soul expresses excitement over everyone looking at him and thinks they all believe he is amazing before noting that all the girls in the class are very good-looking and above-average. Bemoaning how he has been locked up for so long, the substitute soul suddenly focuses on Orihime and her chest, which he immediately falls in love with for its size, and leaps to her desk before taking her hand and asking her for her name. When the substitute soul kisses Orihime's hand, the other girls in the class react with shock and horror as Tatsuki immediately restrains the substitute soul. Addressing the substitute soul as Ichigo, Tatsuki demands to know if he knows what he is doing and declares that this better not be some sort of joke, only for the substitute soul to tilt his head back and note that Tatsuki is pretty cute up close as well, further shocking the other girls. Meanwhile, as they run back to Karakura High School, Rukia asks Ichigo why he is in such a rush to return, leading Ichigo to admit that he is worried about how the substitute soul is doing.
Rukia: There's nothing to worry about. He's fine.
Ichigo: I'm not so sure about that! I'm getting kind of a bad vibe all of a sudden.
Rukia claims that Ichigo does not have to worry because the substitute soul will be doing fine, but Ichigo asserts that he has been getting a bad feeling about what is going on. Suddenly, Ichigo and Rukia stop in surprise as they hear screaming coming from Ichigo's classroom, and upon seeing a desk being thrown out of the window, Rukia admits that they do need to hurry, prompting Ichigo to state that he told her so. Inside the classroom, an enraged Tatsuki throws another desk at the substitute soul, who asks with annoyance why she is getting so worked up over him kissing her on the cheek and states that she is not in grade school anymore, only for Tatsuki to tell him to shut up before throwing another desk at him.
Tatsuki: You sonuva...Die!
Kon: Woah! Watch it! What? All I did was kiss your cheek. Why is that such a big deal? I mean, you're not in grade school anymore.
Tatsuki: Shut uuuuupp!
As the substitute soul leaps back, Michiru Ogawa begs Chizuru to stop Tatsuki, but Chizuru fearfully refuses to try.
Ichigo: Told ya.
Rukia: Guess you were right.
Suddenly, Rukia slams open the door to the classroom and demands that the substitute soul stop, prompting him to run toward the window in panic. Seeing this, Rukia calls out to Ichigo, who leaps through the window and confronts the substitute soul while stating that there is no longer anywhere for him to run.
Tatsuki: You little...Stay put!
Rukia: Stop right there. It's over.
Kon: Hrmm?
After looking back and forth between Ichigo and Rukia, the substitute soul grins and begins repeatedly kicking at Ichigo.
Rukia: Ichigo, look out!
Ichigo: Right! Stop. There's no place to run. Huh?
As he catches a spinning kick from the substitute soul, Ichigo demands to know why he is doing this before being kicked in the side of the head by the substitute soul, who proceeds to repeatedly kick him in the abdomen.
Kon: Bye!
While the students watch the substitute soul seemingly kick empty air, one of them wonder what he is doing, prompting Tatsuki to claim that no one cares. After being kicked and punched in the face several more times, Ichigo finally manages to punch the substitute soul in the face, only for the substitute soul to recover and kick at him twice more before kneeing Ichigo in the gut, which causes him to double over in pain.
Ichigo: What the hell does he think he's doing? Is he crazy, or what?
The substitute soul begins kicking Ichigo repeatedly in the chest, lifting him off the ground slightly more with each blow, before leaping into the air behind him and kicking Ichigo away, causing him to crash through desks and chairs before hitting the wall. While Orihime follows Ichigo's trajectory and tries to focus on him, one of the girls claims that there is a poltergeist in the room. As Ichigo gets to his feet, the substitute soul bids him and Rukia farewell before leaping out of the window, to their shock. Having landed safely on the ground, the substitute soul looks back at them and grins as he begins running away at high speeds, prompting Ichigo to wonder what is going on with him. A stunned Rukia realizes that this can only mean the substitute soul is a Modified Soul, and as Ichigo leaps out of the window to pursue the Mod-Soul, she runs out of the room to follow him, to the surprise of the students still in the room. While Mizuiro observes that it was Rukia who ran out, Keigo covers his eyes and claims that he did not see anything. With a visible burning aura of anger, Tatsuki declares that she will never forgive Ichigo, leading Yasutora Sado to note that she is a demon, but calms down when Orihime calls out to her. Chizuru expresses concern for Orihime and tells her to think of this as an attack from a stray dog, but Orihime asserts that it was not Ichigo who confronted them, to Tatsuki's confusion.
Orihime: That wasn't Ichigo.
Elsewhere, in an abandoned factory, Ichigo bemoans having lost track of the Mod-Soul and has trouble figuring out how to refer to him, leading Rukia to state that he is under a moratorium.
Rukia: Is it even possible? No, he couldn't be one. He must be a...a Mod-Soul.
Confused by this, Ichigo declares that it is not time for Rukia's strange way of speaking and asserts that they must find the Mod-Soul before agonizing over how he used Ichigo's body to take advantage of Orihime and Tatsuki.
Ichigo: What is that? Just what the hell is he?
When Rukia notes that he also kissed them, Ichigo freaks out and tells her to not say it out loud, only for Rukia to claim that a kiss is like a greeting and not a big deal as she claims that even worse things happened in the book she read recently. An exasperated Ichigo tells Rukia to not compare these things and asserts that his classmates being grabbed and kissed is a big deal before clutching his head and wailing about his reputation being ruined by this.
Rukia: A while back, the Soul Society initiated a new project.
Ichigo: Project?
Rukia: They took souls that had been modified for combat and placed them into the dead after their own souls had parted. They were to be used as soldiers against the Hollows. It was a reprehensible plan. All of the souls that were selected to take part in the project were then altered. Once inside a body, one aspect of their host is made superhuman. An artificial soul built for battle, a Mod Soul.
While Rukia expresses surprise over Ichigo having intentionally built up his reputation, Ichigo calms down and recalls how Rukia referred to the substitute soul as a Mod-Soul before asking her what this is. Rukia explains that Soul Society once had a program called Project Spearhead that revolved around placing artificial souls designed for combat in the dead bodies of Humans so they could fight Hollows. Illustrating her explanation on a sheet of paper, Rukia details how these artificial souls would make one part of the body they were placed into superhuman and describes them as a soul made specifically for fighting before declaring that this is a Mod-Soul. When Rukia asks him if he understands so far, Ichigo confirms this and flatly states that her drawings erased all the tension, prompting Rukia to smack him and scribble on his cheeks before revealing that Project Spearhead was cancelled because it would force corpses to fight and that all Mod-Souls in the development stage were slated for destruction.
Ichigo: Dammit. So you mean one of those prototypes got into my body?
As Rukia expresses her surprise that some of the Mod-Souls still exist, Ichigo cleans his face and asks her if this means the Mod-Soul was created and then rejected by Soul Society, which Rukia confirms, and demands to know if Rukia accepts this, only for her to state that it is not a matter of accepting it or not.
Rukia: That's what I find it strange. The project was rejected because it would force corpses to fight. In the end, all of the Mod, or modified souls, that were still in the incubation stages, were ordered to be destroyed. However, it seems some are still out there. Let's go! You want to get your body back, don't you?
Rukia asserts that Mod-Souls must be destroyed because it is the law of Soul Society and reminds Ichigo that those laws are made to protect Humans before declaring that they should go so he can get his body back. Shortly afterward, as he and Rukia run down the street, Ichigo wonders how the Mod-Soul feels in his body and thinks about how he managed to survive even though his kind was created and destroyed thoughtless before noting that he has to keep running regardless. As Ichigo wonders what he is feeling right now, the Mod-Soul leaps through the air and happily declares that this is great as a crowd of shocked people watch him from the street below.
Reveling in the attention he is drawing to himself, the Mod-Soul lands on the sidewalk and jumps on top of a nearby fence, which he begins to run along while recalling how he heard that Mod-Souls have all kinds of different powers and expressing his gratitude for having a power that lets him stand out. The Mod-Soul jumps high into the air and flies over a schoolyard, where he notices three boys huddled in a corner and wonders what is going on. As the Mod-Soul quietly lands on the fence near the boys, who are playing handheld video game consoles, Ino complains about how boring P.E. is, prompting Hashigami to praise how they cut class instead.
While the boys continue to play, Ino loses a battle in his game, prompting him to tell the creature in his game to fight better for the one who created him. When Hashigami suggests killing the creature, to the Mod-Soul's surprise, Ino declares that those who do not obey their masters die as he deletes the creature. While the Mod-Soul looks on in shock, Kaneda admits his surprise at Ino actually deleting his creature, only for Ino to claim that he will just make a better one as he and his friends laugh. Angered by this, the Mod-Soul drops to the ground below and confronts the boys, who are startled by him, and screams as he attempts to kick them, only for Ichigo to block his leg at the last second. As Ichigo forces him back, the Mod-Soul stares him down and grins.
At the Urahara Shop, Kisuke Urahara sets the Senren Bakusatsu Taihō on the ground and notes that this should be everything as Ururu Tsumugiya approaches him and gets his attention.
Tessai: Who to blame aside, this could cause some real problems. What should we do, sir?
Ururu claims that this is all her fault and that Urahara must be angry at her, but Urahara smiles and pats her head while assuring her that he is not angry.
Ururu: Umm, I am so sorry. I know this is all my fault.
Asking Ururu why she is scared, Urahara pulls her to his chest and states that they are in this together before promising to take care of everything, prompting Ururu to cry into his shoulder.
Urahara: There's no need to be afraid, Ururu. We're in this together. So you made a big mistake. I mean, you didn't do it on purpose. Accident happen. Don't you worry. I'll take care of everything.
Ururu: Mr. Kisuke...
While Urahara comforts Ururu, Tessai Tsukabishi and Jinta Hanakari arrive behind them, and when Tessai confirms that everything is ready, Urahara declares that he and his employees will go retrieve their merchandise as his employees gather behind him with their weaponry.
Urahara: Let's collect the merchandise.
Jinta: Alright, let's do this!
Meanwhile, at Karakura Elementary School, as he and his friends watch in stunned silence, Ino wonders what the Mod-Soul is doing all by himself as Rukia Kuchiki runs up to them before stopping in surprise. Ichigo Kurosaki dodges two kicks from the Mod-Soul before jumping over a sweeping leg and landing behind the Mod-Soul, who is irritated by this. Declaring that he can easily read the Mod-Soul's moves if he stays calm, Ichigo dodges a flying kick from him and catches another kick from him, which he uses as a chance to grab the Mod-Soul and hoist him overhead before throwing him away, only for the Mod-Soul to land in a crouch and leap over the nearby wall. As Ichigo demands that the Mod-Soul to come back, Rukia tells him to stop and reveals that they have an order as her Denreishinki lights up and beeps. Ichigo expresses his disbelief at the timing, but Rukia asserts that a Hollow will soon appear close to them, prompting Ichigo to curse before following Rukia as she runs off. Meanwhile, in the schoolyard, the P.E. teacher runs up to Ino, Kaneda, and Hashigami, whom she asks about the yelling she heard. While Ino tells her that a strange high school student attacked them and Kaneda describes him as having orange hair, the teacher notices the game console on the ground and picks it up, startling the boys. Sarcastically wondering what the game console is, the annoyed teacher tells the boys that she thinks they play too many video games. Elsewhere, as he runs along the rooftops, the Mod-Soul curses Ichigo and the boys for ruining his good mood before suddenly sensing a Hollow nearby. As he comes to a halt, the Mod-Soul realizes that the Hollow is near where he was a few minutes ago and grimly wonders if it is going to attack the boys as he recalls their callous conversation about killing their creations. Back at the schoolyard, Hashigami and his friends sweep the yard as he complains about having to clean up as punishment and wonders why they should do this.
When Hashigami asks why their teacher does not believe them, Kaneda notes that it is likely due to them constantly misbehaving, which Hashigami acknowledges while laughing, and Ino complains that she took away their games on top of this. Unnoticed by the boys, a large millipede-like Hollow emerges nearby and arches above a shed behind them while chuckling. Elsewhere, as she runs through the street while looking at her Denreishinki, Rukia come to a stop when it beeps at her, prompting Ichigo to ask her what is wrong. Upon learning that her Denreishinki is not working properly and the battery may be dead, Ichigo angrily states she should have bought spares.
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Ichigo: What?! You have got to be kidding! Don't tell me you just got an order.
Rukia: We've got a Hollow alert here. We have to leave now! Let's move!
While Ichigo bemoans her decision to focus on Chappie instead, Rukia reveals that she can no longer figure out the location of the Hollow, to Ichigo's consternation.
Ichigo: Wait a minute. It's already fighting someone.
Rukia: He's back there too.
Ichigo: That idiot!
Rukia: Hold it! Wait, Ichigo! Don't go!
Back at the schoolyard, the Hollow dives down on the boys with its mouth open, only for the Mod-Soul to suddenly appear and kick it hard in the face, leading it to instead crash into the ground behind the boys, who are sent flying several feet away. As Ino wonders what just happened, the dust clears to reveal the Mod-Soul, whom the boys recognize as the one who attacked them earlier. Yelling, the Mod-Soul runs toward the Hollow, who extends one of its tentacles at him. The Mod-Soul kicks the tentacle away and leaps into the air, where he kicks away another tentacle before having his shoulder sliced by a third. As the Mod-Soul lands on the ground and clutches his arm while falling to his knees, Ino expresses shock at the sight of blood before running away with his friends when the ground is shaken by the Hollow, who glares at the Mod-Soul. Meanwhile, as they run along the street, Ichigo and Rukia see the Mod-Soul leaping to the roof of Karakura Elementary School with the Hollow in pursuit and recognize him. Cursing the Mod-Soul as an idiot, Ichigo runs toward him as a surprised Rukia calls out after him. On the rooftop of the school, the Mod-Soul stands with his back against the fence as the laughing Hollow points out how he merely ran around after interfering with the Hollow's meal and criticizes the Mod-Soul as not being strong enough to be messing with him before extending one of his tentacles. The Mod-Soul leaps into the air to avoid the tentacle, which rebounds off the ground and hits him in the back, knocking the Mod-Soul to the ground. As the Mod-Soul lands, the tentacle hurtles toward him, only for Ichigo to appear and cut off the tip of it with his Zanpakutō while voicing his agreement with the Hollow's assessment of the Mod-Soul. While the Hollow reels back in pain, Ichigo cleans the blood off his Zanpakutō with a slash before turning his attention to the Mod-Soul, who asks him why he is helping him. Grabbing the Mod-Soul by the collar, Ichigo points out that he got Ichigo's body injured and declares that he should not be fighting if a lowly Hollow can hurt him this much. The Mod-Soul claims that he only had to fight the Hollow because Ichigo took so long getting here, but Ichigo reminds him that he is supposed to be a battle-ready Modified Soul. As it demands to know what their problem is, the Hollow hurtles toward Ichigo and the Mod-Soul, who proceed to slash and kick his mask in unison. As the Hollow screams in pain, its mask splits open and its body begins to fall backward, startling the Mod-Soul, who runs toward the falling Hollow as Ichigo expresses confusion. Leaping toward the Hollow's head near the railing, the yelling Mod-Soul kicks upward into the Hollow's body, which is propelled upward as it disintegrates. The Mod-Soul watches this with a smile on his face as he begins to fall over the side of the building, but Ichigo catches him by the leg at the last second and reminds him that Hollows disintegrate after being purified before criticizing him for going to kick it again, only to stop in surprise upon hearing the voice of the teacher.
Ichigo: Do you have any idea what you just did to me? It's my clothes and my body that you're messing up! Listen to me. If you can't take on a Hollow without getting hurt, then don't do it!
In the schoolyard below, the teacher notes that no one is here and asks the boys if they are tricking her, prompting Ino to assert that it really is true and that she has to believe them. When the teacher asks them where the bleeding high-school student is, Kaneda also claims that it is true, leading the teacher to order the boys to stay late after school tomorrow to clean again as well, to their dismay and protests, as the four of them walk back back into the school. After pulling the Mod-Soul up, Ichigo asks the Mod-Soul if he did not hate the boys. As he sits next to a line of ants, the Mod-Soul states that they would have been killed if he had not helped them. Declaring that he will not allow anyone to be killed, the Mod-Soul recounts how Soul Society ordered the Mod-Souls to be destroyed soon after he was created, which meant the date of his death was determined the day after he was created. The Mod-Soul recalls trembling in fear inside his pill as he watched his brethren disappear day after day and admits that he was constantly afraid of being discovered and destroyed even after he escaped the warehouse. As he stands next to Ichigo, the Mod-Soul states that this led him to question why someone other than him should decide his fate and ultimately decide that he will not kill anyone or see anyone be killed. Suddenly, Urahara appears next to Ichigo and the Mod-Soul as he notes that all the equipment they brought is useless because the Mod-Soul is already injured and fatigued.
Urahara: Well, look who we have here. So finally we find you, and what a picture. You're all beat up and worn out. All that trouble for nothing.
Kon: Huh?
Pointing his cane at the Mod-Soul's forehead, Urahara pushes it forward, causing it to phase through his head while pushing out the Mod-Soul's pill, to Ichigo's surprise.
Ichigo: Ah?
Urahara: Mission accomplished.
As Ichigo's lifeless body falls to the ground, Urahara picks up the pill and declares that their collection is complete, prompting Jinta to complain about not being able to fight like he expected. When Ichigo demands to know what they are going to do with the Mod-Soul, Urahara casually states that they will destroy it.
Ichigo: Hey, hold it. What are you gonna do with that Mod Soul now?
Urahara: No choice. I've gotta destroy him.
Surprised by Urahara being able to see and hear him, Ichigo wonder who he and his employees are, leading Urahara to puzzle over how best to answer that question as he tosses the pill into the air. Snatching the pill out of the air, Rukia declares that Urahara is a greedy merchant as he asserts that she cannot take the pill.
Rukia: Why can't I have it, Kisuke? Are you saying that it's your policy to seize goods that your customers have already paid for?
Urahara: Hey, I'll give you a full refund. How does that sound to you?
When Rukia asks him if he takes back goods he has sold to people without a refund, Urahara notes that he can give her a refund, but Rukia declines and states that she is satisfied with her purchase before reminding Urahara that he is not obligated to collect forbidden items because he operates outside of Soul Society's laws.
Rukia: That's okay. I'm completely satisfied with my purchase. Besides, I know and you know that you're operating outside the law. And I also know it's not your job to recall this Mod Soul.
Urahara: I just hope you know what you're getting involved in. So don't blame me if you get into trouble.
Rukia: I won't. I've already dealt with a lot of trouble since I've been here. Come on, let's go.
Urahara tells Rukia to not blame him if she gets into trouble over this because they will be hiding, but Rukia claims that this is fine because she has gotten used to trouble lately. Walking up to Ichigo, Rukia hands him the pill before walking away as she tells him they should go home.
Ichigo: Err, hmm.
Later that day, as the sun begins to set, Ichigo walks next to a construction site with Rukia before stopping and clutching his injured shoulder in pain. When Rukia asks him what is wrong, Ichigo complains about the Mod-Soul abusing his body while knowing it did not belong to him and pulls out the pill before demanding to know if it is listening to him when he does not receive a response. As Rukia notes that he must look very strange to outsiders right now, Ichigo blushes with embarrassment and asks how he can complain to the Mod-Soul directly, leading Rukia to explain that he needs to insert the pill into a body without a soul, which would mean a corpse. Pretending to look around for a corpse, Ichigo angrily declares that he is not going to find one so easily, but as Rukia tells him to stop whining, Ichigo notices a lion plushie sitting on top of some trash bags nearby and asks Rukia if all he really needs is a receptacle. Rukia begins to protest that the plushie is not a real body, but stops short as she realizes that her Gigai is not either.
When Rukia agrees that they should give it a try, Ichigo asks her what he is supposed to do and puts the pill into the plushie's mouth at Rukia's instruction. After a few seconds of silence, Ichigo picks up the plushie by the arm and notes that it does not seem to have worked, which Rukia agrees with as she begins to walk away. However, when Ichigo spins the plushie around by the arm, it comes to life and declares that this hurts before hitting Ichigo in the face and pushing itself away from him. Landing on the ground, the Mod-Soul turns and challenges Ichigo once more, only to notice that he is suddenly much smaller and that his hands are now cute. Smiling at the Mod-Soul's disbelief over his new situation, Ichigo crouches and reminds him that their conversation was not over as he grabs the Mod-Soul by the head. When Ichigo promises with irritation to take good care of him, the Mod-Soul decides to take Ichigo on as he is, only to quickly be defeated.
THE NEXT DAY...
The next morning, at the Kurosaki Clinic. the Mod-Soul declares that it is morning and drops onto a sleeping Ichigo's chest while demanding that he wake up and apologize. As Ichigo opens his eyes, the Mod-Soul promises to hide in his bag and go to school with him if he does not wake up before describing how he will be mocked by the girls in his class for carrying a plushie.
Kon: Cock-a-doodle-dew! Hey, Ichigo! It's morning! Get up! Rise and shine! I'm warning you, if you don't get your butt out of bed, I'll hide in your backpack and go to school with you. And all the girls will say, "Poor Ichigo is a big baby cuz he brings his widdle baby teddy to school and-bweh!"
Annoyed by this, Ichigo picks up the Mod-Soul by the head and throws him at the wall before reminding him that he is supposed to act like a stuffed animal instead of talking so much while addressing him as Kon.
Ichigo: I can't have you starting the day that wound up! Make like a real stuffed animal and shut up!
Kon: Ah, oww...Handle me with care will ya?! Be gentle!
Ichigo: (And this is what happens when you stick a soul inside a stuffed animal lying on the side of the street...)
Getting up, Kon demands to know why he is being called this, prompting Ichigo to explain that it is too hard to refer to him as Kaizō Konpaku and that Kon is good enough for him. Kon declares that this is no reason to call him Kon because it sounds silly and suggest that Ichigo call him Kai instead, which he likes, but Ichigo declines because Kai is a cool-sounding name and he would not like this, which greatly irritates Kon.
Kon: You're not the boss of me and I-
Rukia: I will not stand for all this commotion, Kon!
Rukia opens the closet door and demands to know what the racket is that is preventing her from changing her clothes in peace, but upon hopping out onto the floor of Ichigo's bedroom, she realizes that she has stepped on Kon, who is looking up her skirt and praising the angle while admitting that he is glad to be a stuffed animal.
Kon: Oww...I was just telling Ichigo my name should be Mod. Don't you agree? It's better than Kon. Ow! Oh, my stuffing...!
Angered by this, Rukia begins grinding Kon into the ground with her foot, causing him to yell out in pain and protest that his stuffing is coming out.
Ichigo: ... (And another weirdo joins the group...)
Suddenly, Yuzu Kurosaki announces that she is coming in, to the surprise of those present, and opens the door while beginning to tell Ichigo that Keigo Asano and Mizuiro Kojima are doing something. Stopping as she sees Ichigo standing against his closet with his hands on the doors, Yuzu asks him what he is doing, prompting a nervous Ichigo to frantically claim that he is not doing anything before asking Yuzu what she is doing so early in the morning. Yuzu states that it is no longer early and reveals that Keigo and Mizuiro are waiting for Ichigo, who is shocked by the time on his clock and begins rushing to change his clothes as he declares that he will be late, prompting Yuzu to look away in embarrassment while informing him that he can eat before he leaves because his toast is ready. As he looks out his window, Ichigo apologizes to Keigo and Mizuiro below.
While Ichigo asks them to stay where they are because he will be out shortly, Keigo notes that this is unusual and Mizuiro tells him to take his time as he hurries. Smiling, Ichigo backs up and asks Rukia, who opens the closet door as Kon falls out, if she erased his classmates' memories again, which she confirms before asserting that he would not want them to remember the events of yesterday, which Ichigo concedes. As he mentally notes that too many things have been happening recently and that it feels only natural, Ichigo puts on his watch, only to stop in shock upon noticing the date. Rukia prepares to leave through the window and tells Ichigo she is going ahead. When Ichigo does not respond, a slightly concerned Rukia asks him what is wrong, but Ichigo claims it is nothing. Soon afterward, at Karakura High School, Michiru Ogawa asks Tatsuki Arisawa if her elective was art, and when Tatsuki confirms this and having done the "My Future" assignment, Michiru asks to share their work with each other because she has no confidence in her piece. Agreeing to this, Tatsuki pulls out her artwork, which portrays her standing over a defeated opponent in a fighting ring, and declares that she is going to be the vale tudo champion one day as Michiru praises her work while claiming her own is too embarrassing to show Tatsuki. Michiru turns to Orihime Inoue and asks her what she drew, prompting Orihime to thank her for asking and admit that she secretly calls it her masterpiece as she digs it out of her bag. Though Michiru is excited to see Orihime's work, she and Tatsuki are stunned to see that Orihime drew herself as a large robot armed with weapons, which Orihime describes as possessing a top speed of 380 kilometers per hour, the ability to shoot 20,000°C flames from her mouth, and destructive rays of energy that fire from her eyes. As Uryū Ishida cross-stitches behind them, an incredulous Michiru tells Orihime that this is not what she was supposed to draw.
While Tatsuki warns her that this could earn her detention again, a confused Orihime tries to explain the rest of her theoretical capabilities, only to stop short when Ichigo walks into the room. When Orihime greets him, Ichigo turns and greets her in return in a friendly manner, which surprises Orihime and Tatsuki. Michiru notes that Ichigo is in a good mood today and asks Orihime if she agrees, but Orihime just nods her head while Tatsuki asks Michiru for today's date. After learning that it is June 16th, Tatsuki explains that Ichigo is not actually in a good mood and just acts like this when he is really tense while Ichigo chats with Keigo, Mizuiro, and Yasutora Sado.
When Orihime looks at her in concern, Tatsuki assures her that she knows the reason why Ichigo is acting so strange and reveals that he is going to skip school tomorrow. That night, with a notice taped to the Kurosaki Clinic explaining that they will be closed the following day, Isshin Kurosaki declares that it is time for the family to discuss their duties for tomorrow and that he is the chairman who gets to make all of the decisions because he is their father. Karin protests this because it prevents a discussion, but Isshin tells her to raise her hand if she wishes to speak and refers to her as the Chief of Staff, which placates her because she likes the title. Isshin designates Yuzu as the lunch staff officer and Karin as the porter, prompting the latter to demand to know what happened to her title of Chief of Staff. While Isshin invites his daughters to look at his new haircut, which Karin refuses to do, Ichigo watches quietly and smiles. Later, as the lights are turned off, Ichigo stretches in his room after a shower as Rukia tells him that the family meeting he had looked fun. When Rukia asks Ichigo if he is cutting school tomorrow for a picnic with his family, Kon opens the closet door and proclaims that a picnic sounds fun, only for Rukia to quickly shut the door with her foot while Ichigo looks out the window. Getting Rukia's attention, Ichigo asks her if he can take tomorrow off from his Shinigami duties, a surprised Rukia asserts that he cannot and demands to know what is wrong with him that has had him acting strange since that morning.
Ichigo: Rukia, listen. I know I have serious responsibilities as a Soul Reaper, but I was wondering, could I maybe take tomorrow off?
Rukia: What? Did you just ask me for a day off? Are you crazy? There is no way!
Ichigo: It's the anniversary...the anniversary of my mom's death.
Rukia: Ah...
Ichigo: Well, actually...It's not just the day she died. It's when she was killed.
However, she is stunned into silence when Ichigo reveals that tomorrow is the anniversary of the day his mother died and clarifies that she was killed. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, as it begins to rain, Orihime looks out her window and recalls Ichigo's behavior and Tatsuki's words about tomorrow as she wonders if being the rain would allow her to connect with someone's heart the way it connects the sky and earth.
In his bed at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo sleeps with a cloth over his eyes and recalls the day his mother died, with him seeing a girl by the river and trying to save her, his mother calling after him, and him finding her dead in a pool of blood, all as a child, which makes him clutch his head in pain and say
something unintelligible as Rukia lies awake in the closet.
Meanwhile, in Soul Society, Eikichirō Saidō plays a game of spinning tops with some children and roots for his top to win the clash in the bowl, only to clutch his head in disappointment when it is instead forced out. As the children cheer, Saidō challenges them to one more game. However, upon noticing a member of the Onmitsukidō standing nearby, Saidō falls silent, prompting one of the children to ask him what is wrong. Saidō apologizes and states that something has come up, but as the children express their disappointment, he hands one of them some Kan, which they joyfully run away with. In an alleyway, Saidō asks the Onmitsukidō member who he is targeting today, and when the member reveals that it is Rukia Kuchiki, a somewhat surprised Saidō asks with a grin what she has done this time. The member asserts that Rukia has stayed in the Human World for too long, prompting Saidō to wryly ask if this is all she is guilty of.
Pointing out that they would not call Saidō out if that was it, the member claims that something else is behind this and tasks him to find out what it is. As Saidō asks him if he can get a little rough, the member walks past him while ordering him to leave immediately before disappearing into the air while Saidō thinks about Rukia.
In Hueco Mundo, as Aisslinger Wernarr and Di Roy Rinker emerge from the shadows on the ground and leap to the tops of the surrounding rock formations, Grand Fisher informs them that he shall go to the Human World.
THE NEXT DAY...
Meanwhile, in the Human World, Ichigo Kurosaki and his family walk up a hill to the cemetery as Yuzu Kurosaki complains about how steep the hill is.
Yuzu: Ah...Boy, we're never gonna get to the top.
Karin: Speak for yourself. This hill's no problem.
With Karin Kurosaki warning Yuzu against saying things like this, Isshin Kurosaki, having heard Yuzu's complaint, begins standing on his hands while encouraging Yuzu to not give up, to the embarrassment of his daughters.
Isshin: You can do it, Yuzu! Hang in there! You see? Dad's on your side! Look! I'll even stand on my hands and climb all the way to the top!
Karin: Now you did it. Just ignore him, or else he'll never stop.
When Karin resumes walking uphill and tells Yuzu to not pay attention because it will only encourage him, Isshin declares that he is automatically encouraged even when ignored as he runs toward them on his hands, leading a shocked Karin to tell Yuzu to run up the hill.
Sliding past and underneath an embarrassed Yuzu, Isshin announces that he slipped, only for Karin to order him to vanish at the ends of the earth as she kicks him away, resulting in Isshin tumbling down the hill at high speeds before vanishing from sight. As Karin walks away while telling Yuzu that this is their chance, Ichigo mentally notes how hot it is despite only being June and recalls the day of his mother's death while noting the difference between the two June 17ths. However, when his sisters notice someone else on the path and wonder if she is also visiting a grave, Ichigo panics as he realizes it is Rukia Kuchiki, who happily waves at them.
Yuzu: Someone's up there already. Wow, she had to climb there pretty early to beat us to the top. She's waving like she knows Ichigo.
Yuzu asks Ichigo if he knows Rukia since she is waving at them, prompting Ichigo to emphatically declare that he has no idea who she is. When Karin notes that Rukia seems familiar, Ichigo reverses course and claims that Rukia is a classmate of his from middle school before proclaiming that he will talk to her by himself since he is suddenly feeling so nostalgic.
Ichigo: No, don't say that! Hey, I just remembered! I think I do know her! In fact, she's the girl from my class back in middle school. Maybe I should go talk to her or something, you know? And have a little chat with her and you two go on ahead to mom's grace without me, okay?
Leaping over his sisters, Ichigo tells them to visit their mother's grave by themselves while he does this before grabbing Rukia by the arm and running off with her. As she watches this, Karin chuckles and tell Yuzu that she will soon need to give Ichigo some space, to Yuzu's confusion and distress. Shortly afterward, as he stands on a path in the forest with Rukia, Ichigo demands to know why she came there, prompting her to ask him what he would do without her if a Hollow appears.
Ichigo: What are you doing following me here, Rukia?
Rukia: Isn't it obvious? I'm here in case a Hollow shows up. You certainly can't handle it yourself.
Ichigo: Hey, way to keep a low profile in front of my family! Why were you waving at me like that?
Ichigo asserts that she needs to be more discreet if she is going to follow him, only for Rukia to flatly state that she did not think to do so.
Rukia: I suppose I could have been more discreet. I just didn't think of it.
Ichigo: That's okay. So what are you upset about?
Unnerved by this, Ichigo asks Rukia what she is mad about, but Rukia clarifies that she is not mad before reminding Ichigo how he said his mother was killed. While someone puts their hand on a tree and watches nearby, Ichigo claims that he did not say his mother was killed and doubles down when Rukia asks him who killed her.
Rukia: Actually, I'm not upset about anything. Listen, about your mother. I heard you mention that someone killed her. Could she have been killed by a Hollow? If your spiritual capabilities were that high as a child, then there may have been a Hollow who sensed you, and when he came after you, it could have-
Bringing up how Ichigo said that he has been able to see spiritual beings for as long as he can remember, Rukia asks him if his mother was killed by a Hollow. With Ichigo widening his eyes in surprise, Rukia points out that Ichigo's spiritual capabilities at such a young age may have led to a Hollow killing his mother by mistake while coming after him. However, Ichigo angrily declares that he cannot take this anymore and claims that Rukia seems to believe Hollows are responsible for all misfortunes before mocking her theory as being hilariously off-base.
Ichigo: Stop it! Just shut up! Sorry to wreck your theory, but all the usual suspects-like Hollows, serial killers, thugs-they're not to blame...I am.
As he walks past Rukia, Ichigo reveals that he is the one who killed his mother before running off, leaving Rukia shocked.
Rukia: Wait, Ichigo!
While Rukia calls out after Ichigo, Eikichirō Saidō watches from behind a tree while adjusting his hat. Meanwhile, at her house in Karakura Town, Tatsuki Arisawa is surprised by Orihime Inoue asking about Ichigo's childhood. As she eats some chips, Tatsuki asks her if something happened, prompting Orihime to claim that she has discovered Ichigo's secret of being a hero who protects the earth, which catches Tatsuki off-guard. Tatsuki recalls how she first met Ichigo when he was four years old and how his unbelievably-colored hair, his unbelievably beautiful mother, and unbelievably goofy grin all stood out to her when he came to her dojo. Recounting how Ichigo looked so skinny and wimpy at the time, Tatsuki boasts about being the first one to make him cry by simply jabbing him once before even ten seconds had passed in their practice before noting that he would always break out into a huge smile when his mother came to pick him up even if he had been crying beforehand. As she admits that she hated him for this at the time because she believed that a boy should not be so happy when he has lost, Tatsuki happily recalls that Ichigo was always happy and seemed to be having a great time regardless of how well he did, only to reveal that his mother passed away when they were nine, to Orihime's shock. Tatsuki notes that Ichigo was still a wimp clinging to his mother when she died and recounts how she went looking for him when he did not show up at school afterward, where she found him walking around on the riverbank where his mother died with his book bag still on his back. As Tatsuki sadly recalls how Ichigo would walk for hours in search of his mother and only pause to sit for a few moments at a time, which she could not bear to watch, Orihime listens with visible sadness.
Back at the cemetery, Rukia sits on a walled area of the hill and repeats Ichigo's claim of having killed his mother as she berates herself for theorizing a Hollow did so. Unzipping Rukia's pack from the inside, Kon pulls himself out, prompting Rukia to remind him that she told him to not come out unless she called him. When Kon complains about how hot it is in her pack and asks her if they can go home yet, Rukia reiterates that they need to stay near him in case a Hollow appears, leading Kon to criticize her for only thinking about Hollows and her job all the time at the risk of losing her friends. Suddenly, Rukia stands up, causing Kon to lose his balance and fall to the ground, and when Kon climbs up to her shoulder and apologizes, she shushes him and concentrates. Upon sensing Saidō nearby, Rukia is visibly surprised and gets up. Rukia walks into the forest, where she hears snoring and soon comes across Saidō sleeping against a tree, only to be startled and lose her hat when Saidō wakes up and stretches. Commenting on the good sleep he had, Saidō greets Rukia, who immediately goes on guard, and rolls to his feet while explaining that he sleeps very often because he is assigned many exhausting missions. Upon noticing the Zanpakutō on Saidō's hip, Kon realizes with panic that he is a Shinigami and quietly flees as Rukia notes Saidō referring to a mission, which causes him to chuckle.
Elsewhere, as he stands alone in front of a set of stairs, Ichigo recalls the day of his mother's death. In the past, as a young Ichigo and Masaki Kurosaki walk toward the street from the dojo in the rain, a passing truck splashes water onto Ichigo's face, to his surprise. Calling the truck driver mean, Masaki wipes down and cleans Ichigo's face with a handkerchief while offering to walk on the road side instead, but Ichigo asserts that he will keep walking there to protect her from such things because he is wearing a raincoat. As she commends Ichigo's reliability, Masaki teasingly notes that she cannot allow this as long as Ichigo cannot beat Tatsuki, prompting Ichigo to claim that he won a point from her in their last match, before finishing her cleaning. When Masaki prepares to start walking again, Ichigo asks her if he can hold her hand, which she confirms he can do with a smile. In the present, Ichigo notes that he would always feel at ease when his mother was nearby. In the past, as he and Masaki walk along the path on a riverbank, Ichigo stops upon noticing a young girl standing at the river's edge and wonders what she is doing.
Ichigo: When I was little my dad told me that my name meant "he who protects." Up until then, I had just wanted to protect my mother and my sisters. But that day, I knew I was meant to protect that little girl too. That's all I was trying to do. Back then I didn't know I was seeing ghosts. I couldn't tell the difference between the living and the dead.
As present-day Ichigo recalls how he still could not tell the difference between the living and the dead at this time, past Ichigo lets go of his umbrella, tells his mother to wait there, and runs down the riverbank toward the girl as Masaki frantically tells him to stop.
Masaki: Ichigo! Where are you going? No, Ichigo! Stop!
As the girl seemingly falls into the river, Ichigo reaches out to grab her, only for her cape to disappear in his hand as a train roars by. In the present, Ichigo recounts how he was told that his name meant "to completely protect one thing you set your mind on", which made him decide to protect his mother, as past Ichigo wakes up to find himself underneath his mother's dead body. While a crying Ichigo tries to make his mother wake up, present-day Ichigo notes that his mother clearly died saving him from something even if he did not know what it was and states that he, his four-year-old sisters, and his dad loved Masaki as the center of their family.
Ichigo: I never saw what caused it. I never saw it coming. But I knew when I looked at her, my mom had died trying to protect me from going into the river. I remember thinking, how was I ever gonna explain what happened to Karin and Yuzu? We all loved my mom. She was always the center of our universe, the heart of our family. Now that heart had been cut out...by me.
Asserting that he tore her away from that center, a trembling Ichigo falls to his hands and knees as he weeps.
Meanwhile, Karin stands in front of Masaki's gravestone, where she asks her mother how she is doing and notes that her being dead probably mitigates this before assuring her that she, Yuzu, and Ichigo are all doing fine. Upon noticing Yuzu crying on her knees next to her, Karin crouches down and berates Yuzu for still crying over their mother's grave even though they are both eleven years old now, only for Yuzu to continue crying even after acknowledging this, prompting an exasperated Karin to assert that she does not know anything.
Suddenly, Isshin appears behind them and declares that it is time for their annual "Kurosaki Family Tombstone Dominoes Tournament" while assuming various poses. As Isshin advertises it as two-and-a-half hours of tombstone toppling, Karin kicks him hard in the face while declaring that he should start his life over, causing Isshin to be sent flying and crash into a headstone several feet away while noting that there will also be wardrobe malfunctions. While Karin bemoans her father's annoying abundance of energy, Isshin runs over and promises that there will also be peeks, prompting Karin to kick him in the stomach and run away as Isshin follows and tells her to wait.
Elsewhere, in the forest, Rukia demands to know who Saidō is and pushes him to answer the question when he does not initially respond. Saidō states that the name Rukia Kuchiki was famous back at the Shin'ō Academy, shocking Rukia, and recounts how she was known as "Princess of the Rukongai" for being adopted into the noble Kuchiki Clan. Introducing himself and revealing that he was two years ahead of Rukia in the Academy, Saidō asks Rukia if she remembers him and asserts that he was also pretty popular in the Academy, only to be deflated and dejected when Rukia flatly states that she does not remember him. Saidō prepares to move on to his mission, prompting Rukia to assume a battle stance, and reveals that he is here to ask her some questions. Recalling Kisuke Urahara telling her that she would not be able to hide it forever, Rukia asks Saidō if he is part of the Onmitsukidō, which he confirms while repeatedly pulling a cord on his hat that causes its central segment to flip up and display a message, leading an irritated Rukia to demand to know what he wants.
Meanwhile, as he runs through the grass, Kon calls out for Ichigo to warn him about Rukia's situation, only to find himself at the edge of a cliff, which he falls over before landing on a kneeling Ichigo's shoulders. Standing up, an angered Ichigo grabs Kon by the neck and yells at him, but is perturbed upon seeing Kon's tears. Back at Rukia's location, Saidō reveals that the Shinigami in Soul Society are getting irritated and wondering why Rukia has not yet come back, prompting Rukia to assert that she has not returned simply because Hollows keep appearing and she keeps receiving orders to purify them. When Saidō asks her why she is dressed the way she is if this is the case, a flustered Rukia demands to know why it matters how she is dressed while Saidō teasingly notes that she is coming of age and insinuates that she is doing this for Ichigo. Saidō asks Rukia if she is doing so out of pity or if she is seeking pleasure in the Human World, and while a visibly angered Rukia declares that it is none of his business and threatens to sew his mouth shut, Saidō clutches his shoulders while mocking the idea of her not being able to say out loud that she wants to pursue a romantic relationship with Ichigo, only to quickly leap back upon seeing Rukia charging a Kidō spell in her hands. With his hand on his Zanpakutō, Saidō notes that this does not seem to be the case, which he admits he thought would be a good excuse, and states that he will have to take Rukia back if she does not give him a good answer.
Asking Saidō if this is a threat, which he implies to be true, Rukia asserts that she does not plan on returning for a while, prompting Saidō to note that he no longer has a choice as he draws his Zanpakutō and holds it horizontally in front of his face. Suddenly, Kon calls out to Rukia as he and Ichigo run up to her. Ichigo comes to a stop, which causes Kon to run into him, and demands to know who Saidō is, prompting him to express surprise that Ichigo can see him. When Ichigo turns to Kon and asks him who Saidō is, Kon states that he does not know, leading an irritated Ichigo to remind Kon that he only came running because Kon said it was an emergency. Getting Ichigo's attention, Saidō asks him who he is, and despite Rukia frantically telling him to not say anything, Ichigo reveals that he is a Substitute Shinigami. Stunned by this, a laughing Saidō declares that it is too funny before informing Rukia that this is a serious crime, to Ichigo's confusion. As he admits that there is no fun in fighting a Gigai, Saidō rips off his hat and beckons Ichigo to fight before rushing forward, prompting Ichigo and Kon to scream in shock. Ichigo quickly sidesteps a downward slash from Saidō and narrowly avoids a subsequent horizontal slash before shoving his hand into Kon's mouth to grab his pill, to Kon's great discomfort.
As Saidō leaps into the air and declares that it is over, Ichigo swallows Kon's pill, causing his soul to burst out of his body, which surprises Saidō, and blocks Saidō's attack, propelling them both away from each other. While Kon clutches his throat and curses Ichigo, Saidō expresses interest in Ichigo being able to transform like this despite being a Human and asks him how he got this ability, prompting Ichigo to assert that he will not tell Saidō after the latter attacked him for no reason. When Rukia tries to get Ichigo to back down so she can handle it, Ichigo reminds her that she does not have her Zanpakutō and tells Kon to get out of the way. With Kon leaping away, Ichigo yells and runs forward with his Zanpakutō over his head, leading Saidō to grin as their swords clash.
Meanwhile, at Masaki's grave, Karin senses something and stands up, prompting Yuzu to ask her what is wrong. As Karin narrows her eyes, Grand Fisher briefly makes his presence known, shocking her. When Karin asks where Isshin is, Yuzu reveals that he went to talk to the local priest, causing Karin to curse him as she puts her arm in front of Yuzu. Grand Fisher slowly approaches the sisters and declares that they will be keeping him company for a while as sizable bait, and Karin tells a confused Yuzu to run as he laughs.
Elsewhere, in the forest, Saidō leaps into the air and hits Ichigo with a powerful downward slash, which he blocks with some effort, before bouncing off their clash to a tree that he propels himself off of with a grin. Clashing with Ichigo once more, Saidō drops to the ground and kicks Ichigo in the side, prompting Kon to note that he is strong. After getting up from this, Ichigo leaps back and runs toward Saidō before slashing at him, which Saidō sidesteps before preparing to slash at Ichigo in return. Ichigo leans back as Saidō's blade crosses the air where his head had been and blocks a laughing Saidō's subsequent and rapid attacks before Saidō forces him back.
As Ichigo is sent flying back, a bored Saidō wonders what is wrong with him and asks Ichigo if brute strength is all he has before declaring that he has no idea how to fight.
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Telling Saidō to shut up, Ichigo screams as he runs toward him while Rukia's Denreishinki starts beeping, prompting her to check it.
Rukia: It's a Hollow!
Ichigo slashes three times at Saidō, who dodges the first two and blocks the third, and as the two clash once more, Saidō asks Rukia what the alert is about. When Rukia reveals that it is a Hollow, Ichigo immediately abandons the fight and runs over to her as he frantically questions where it is, leading Rukia to state that it is nearby and possesses a large Reiryoku. Looking at the Denreishinki over Rukia's shoulder, Saidō notes that the Hollow appears to be quite strong, only for Ichigo and Kon to freak out upon noticing him. Ichigo demands to know if Saidō wants to fight again, but Rukia asserts that now is not the time because Ichigo's family could be in danger again, to his shock.
Rukia: It's close, and it's big. The spirit energy reading is higher than usual. Your family may be in danger!
When Rukia and Ichigo run off toward the Hollow's presence, a surprised Saidō tells them to wait.
Ichigo: Ah!
Meanwhile, Karin is thrown along the pavement, but when Yuzu calls out to her and begins to approach, Karin begs her to stay away, only to begin screaming in pain when Grand Fisher's hand clamps down and pins her to the ground.
Yuzu: Karin?
Karin: Yuzu, run away! Urg...gh...Raaaaaahhh!
Yuzu runs over to Karin and asks her what is happening before being cut off when one of Grand Fisher's tentacles wraps around her throat and lifts her into the air.
Grand Fisher: Hrhrhrhrhrhrhhahahaha...
As Yuzu continues to ask her what is happening, Karin is pinned further by Grand Fisher.
Yuzu: Oh no! What is it, Karin?! What's happening? Is there something on top of her? Get off!
Elsewhere, as he and Rukia run through the forest, Ichigo asks her what Saidō meant by her having committed a serious crime, but Rukia tells him to not worry about her problems and instead focus on saving his family as Saidō runs behind them. Ichigo and Rukia reach a set of stone steps leading to the cemetery, and as they run down them, Ichigo asks Rukia if she is not going to ask him anything about his mother.
Grand Fisher: You're too noisy. But perhaps you'd make a great appetizer! A Soul Reaper?
Asking Ichigo in return if he would answer her if she did, Rukia asserts that it is his problem and a very deep one before admitting that she has no way of asking about it without tracking mud into his heart. However, Rukia promises to wait until Ichigo is ready to tell her about it, and the two round a corner as they continue running toward Grand Fisher. As he lands behind them, Saidō wonders what he should do about this. Meanwhile, as he continues to pin down Karin, Grand Fisher declares that one hostage is enough and opens his mouth to devour a crying Yuzu, whom he criticizes for being noisy, as Ichigo and Rukia approach his location.
As Grand Fisher prepares to devour Yuzu Kurosaki because she is noisy and he only needs one hostage, Ichigo Kurosaki appears and cuts through the tentacle holding her aloft before grabbing her out of midair as she falls to the ground. Landing, Ichigo turns around to face Grand Fisher with Yuzu in his arms and glares at him. Suddenly, Karin Kurosaki begins screaming as Grand Fisher grabs her and holds her up while laughing. With Grand Fisher mockingly declaring that he still has his hostage, Ichigo leans an unconscious Yuzu against a nearby headstone and calls out to Karin, who says his name with concern and fear before falling unconscious as well. Upon joining Rukia Kuchiki behind Ichigo, Eikichirō Saidō sees Karin in Grand Fisher's hand and curses him. Laughing, Grand Fisher stands with the girl from the day Masaki Kurosaki died standing in front of him, to Ichigo's shock and bewilderment.
Ichigo: It's not possible. It's her...It's the girl I saw that day six years ago! The one down by the river.
Grand Fisher: That's a long time, and there have been so many. But you say you've seen me before? Impressive. You have been lucky, little boy. You saw my lure and yet you lived. Hahahaha...
While the girl laughs, Ichigo asserts that she is the girl from the riverbank six years ago and demands to know what she is doing here, prompting a surprised Rukia to take note of Ichigo mentioning six years ago. Ichigo confirms that the girl was the one he tried to help as a child and grits his teeth as he recalls how she was gone and his mother was dead when he woke up. Admitting that she does not remember things from six years ago, the girl states that this is interesting and chuckles as her head splits open, revealing a bone-like carapace underneath that shoots out a tentacle before shedding the rest of the girl's body and attaching itself to Grand Fisher, who laughs.
As Ichigo looks on in shock, Rukia identifies Grand Fisher and describes how he hides himself and gives his Lure a Human appearance, which he uses to attract individuals with high Reiryoku that he attacks and increases his own power by devouring. Noting that Grand Fisher has defeated the Shinigami for over fifty years in this manner, Rukia reveals that his favorite target is women, leading Ichigo to realize that his mother was Grand Fisher's target all along.
Rukia: It's Grand Fisher. For over 50 years, this Hollow has evaded every Soul Reaper that's gone after him. We know his favorite victims are women.
Grand Fisher chuckles at Ichigo having survived seeing him before and theorizes that he may have initially target Ichigo for his high Reiryoku before declaring that women always taste more delicious.
Ichigo: So does that mean...My mother was actually killed by...Grrr!
Grand Fisher: Hahahaha. Perhaps it was my intention to eat you on the spot for your spirit energy. But there's something about the women. They're just too sweet and lovely for me to pass up. Hahahaha.
While an angered Saidō states that he has not seen a Hollow so disgusting in a long time, Ichigo, now visibly trembling with rage, yells as he leaps into the air above Grand Fisher, where he calls out to Karin before slashing downward toward Grand Fisher.
Ichigo: Deyahhhhhh! I knew you were ugly, but up close, you smell worse!
As Grand Fisher jumps back at the last second, Ichigo's Zanpakutō hits the ground, breaking off shards of stone, as Rukia tells him to not be so careless as she runs toward him.
Rukia: Ichigo!
Ichigo looks behind him and leaps away as Grand Fisher extends his arm to slam into the pavement where Ichigo had been standing. Landing on a nearby brick wall, Ichigo looks up to see Grand Fisher's fur extending from his body. Grand Fisher's fur surrounds and binds Ichigo as Grand Fisher pulls himself closer. While Rukia calls out to him and Saidō grimaces, Ichigo declares that Grand Fisher is one enemy whom he will never forgive as Rukia uses Bakudō #9. Geki (Strike), causing Grand Fisher's body to glow red as he groans in pain and is briefly immobilized. However, Grand Fisher quickly overpowers the spell and tells Rukia to not interfere as a tendril of his hair lashes out and crashes into her, sending Rukia flying into a headstone. As Rukia falls to the ground while bleeding from the head, Saidō looks at her in concern while Grand Fisher tells Ichigo that he is going to devour Karin. Asking Ichigo what he will do, Grand Fisher begins to move Karin toward his mouth, only to stop when Ichigo begs him to and ask if Ichigo will allow himself to be eaten instead. Grand Fisher laughs as he prepares to devour Ichigo, but Saidō appears and cuts off Grand Fisher's right hand, freeing Karin and prompting an angered Grand Fisher to grab Saidō with his teeth and throw him to the ground. As Karin and the severed hand land several meters away, Ichigo cuts himself loose from the fur binding him and lands on the ground in front of Grand Fisher, whose fur ripples before separating into several tendrils that quickly hurtle toward Karin, to Ichigo's shock. Suddenly, Saidō lands in front of Karin with his Zanpakutō held in front of him, and the fur tendrils split around the blade to impale him and the ground several times, stunning Ichigo and Rukia. As a green-tinted apparition of Masaki appears in Grand Fisher's parted fur for a split second, Ichigo cuts through the fur tendrils, causing Saidō to set his Zanpakutō down as blood drips from his wounds. When Ichigo demands to know why he would go this far, a grinning Saidō asserts that Shinigami must always fight and never forgive Hollows because only an empty feeling is left behind when they take someone precious to people, which he cannot allow to happen.
Telling Ichigo that he has to protect, Saidō collapses and does not move, prompting a shaken Ichigo to claim that he cannot have died if he is a Shinigami. As she explains that even Shinigami are not immortal and that death exists in a different form for them, Rukia falls silent as she sees Saidō is snoring, leading Ichigo to note with disbelief that Saidō has just fallen asleep before angrily telling him to get up and stop distracting them. Kon runs up to them in Ichigo's body while carrying his plushie body and notes that this looks pretty bad upon seeing Saidō before being ordered by Rukia to take Karin and Yuzu away from the battlefield. As he picks up Karin and Yuzu, Kon asks Rukia what she will do, only to run away when she reiterates her order. It begins to rain as Rukia tells Ichigo to back her up as support, but Ichigo leaps ahead to confront Grand Fisher up close and tells Rukia to stay back this time so he can do this himself, to Rukia's surprise.
Ichigo: Rukia, I have to do this for my mother. Stay out of this.
Rukia: Have you lost your mind? This Hollow's been getting the best of Sou Reapers for 50 years! Hes way too strong for you to-
Ichigo: That's enough! Now please. Don't interfere or try to help me. This fight is all mine!
When Rukia reminds him that Grand Fisher is strong and has been defeating the Shinigami for over fifty years, Ichigo tells her to shut up and asks her to not interfere as he asserts that this is his fight with his Zanpakutō held high.
Rukia: Don't sacrifice yourself...Ichigo.
While Grand Fisher roars and his fur flares out, Ichigo screams and runs toward him to resume their clash. Meanwhile, at the local shrine, Isshin Kurosaki stands near Kon, who is keeping watch over Karin and Yuzu. When he hears Karin stir, Kon asks her if she is okay in a serious manner, and after a few seconds without a response, he mentally agonizes over having to keep such a serious expression on his face and wonders how Ichigo manages to do it all the time. Elsewhere, Ichigo screams as he runs through the forest, where dozens of tendrils of Grand Fisher's fur snake between the trees, and slashes at Grand Fisher's mask, only to be shocked when it disappears. Grand Fisher's mask reappears behind him as he criticizes Ichigo for being slow. Landing on the ground, Ichigo leaps away as three tendrils slam into the area where he was standing and continues to outpace dozens of other tendrils targeting him until he reaches a clearing, where Grand Fisher confronts him. When Grand Fisher claims it was gutsy of Ichigo to tell his friends to not interfere when this is the limit of his strength, Ichigo tells him to shut up and clutches his side while mentally noting that he does not know how much Yuzu grieved or how lonely Karin felt after their mother died. As he recalls Saidō telling him that he needs to protect, Ichigo adjusts his grip on his Zanpakutō while declaring that he decided to protect.
While Rukia runs up toward the clearing, Ichigo proclaims that he is going to destroy Grand Fisher as they charge toward each other, only for Grand Fisher to disappear as Ichigo swings his Zanpakutō toward him. Reappearing behind Ichigo, Grand Fisher reminds him that Rukia told him to not be careless and extends his remaining hand toward Ichigo, who blocks it with his Zanpakutō. Grand Fisher points out how many times Ichigo has jumped headlong into danger without any real plan, and as Rukia looks on in shock, he declares that this is why Rukia called him careless as the talons on his hand extend around Ichigo's Zanpakutō and pierce his chest. As a stunned Ichigo coughs up blood, the talons retract, leaving him to plunge his Zanpakutō into the ground and lean on it for support. While blood drips from Ichigo's wounds, Grand Fisher asserts that Ichigo is far too rash for pushing away his allies in the heat of the moment and jumping right into his enemy's lair before promising that Ichigo will simply die while being toyed with as his right hand regenerates. Rukia calls out in concern to Ichigo, who tells her once more to stay back and declares that he will defeat Grand Fisher even if his arms and legs are ripped off, prompting Grand Fisher to state that this is why he says Ichigo will die.
Grand Fisher explains that Ichigo being young means he loses his temper easily, which distracts his heart, which dulls his blade. Proclaiming that Ichigo is far too young to be fighting him, Grand Fisher closes his hand around the face of his Lure before opening it to reveal Masaki's head, shocking Ichigo. As Rukia recognizes Masaki, Grand Fisher details how even the most cold-blooded Shinigami have one person whom they can never kill, which he believes is a certainty, and reveals that this is how he has been able to defeat every Shinigami he has faced until now before asserting that this is the one for Ichigo as his Lure speaks to Ichigo with Masaki's voice. As she calls out to Ichigo, Rukia suddenly recalls Jūshirō Ukitake telling her that she could save him with her aid at the cost of destroying his honor and explaining that there are two types of battles which they must be careful to distinguish - the battle to protect life, and the battle to protect honor. Looking at Ichigo, Rukia realizes that this is a battle to protect honor and that she cannot lend him her strength. Physically restraining herself and shaking, Rukia mentally tells herself to not help him and Ichigo to not die as Ichigo assumes a battle stance. Back at the cemetery, Saidō wakes up and gets to his feet as he realizes he fell asleep again before running off.
In the clearing, Grand Fisher asks Ichigo if he can really draw his sword against Masaki as he laughs, but an enraged Ichigo merely asks him if he knows what he is doing and declares that he can never bring out his mother's image in a place like this as he rushes toward Grand Fisher. Suddenly, the Lure floats in front of Ichigo and insists that he put down his sword and not hurt his mother, only for Grand Fisher to appear behind her and form his fur into a thick tendril that impales Ichigo through his right shoulder. As the tip of Ichigo's Zanpakutō hits the ground, Ichigo gasps in pain while standing still as Rukia and Saidō, having just arrived, look on in shock. Reminding Ichigo of his words about anger dulling his sword, Grand Fisher declares that it will be over with the next blow as the talons on his left hand extend before hurtling toward Ichigo, whom he proclaims was the youngest, rashest, and weakest of all the Shinigami he ever faced. However, the Lure suddenly starts radiating light and electricity, to Grand Fisher and Ichigo's shock, and Saidō merely grins as the Lure becomes a non-menacing version of Masaki. When Saidō theorizes that Masaki's thoughts are manifesting themselves, a stunned Rukia asks if this means that the Lure recorded Masaki's thoughts at the time of her death.
Ichigo wonders what this could mean as Saidō reveals that he caught a glimpse of this earlier and asserts that there is no telling how this battle will end yet. Now wearing Masaki's clothes and surrounded by light, the manifestation of Masaki tells Ichigo that she is proud of him and glad that she was able to meet him and the rest of his family. Asking Ichigo to live with strength and kindness, the manifestation of Masaki thanks him as it ascends into the light, which disappears along with it. Wondering if this is what Masaki was thinking at the time of her death, Ichigo grips the fur impaling his shoulder and tightens his grip on his Zanpakutō. As Grand Fisher notices this, Ichigo gets to his feet and admits that anger may indeed dull the sword, but proclaims that a dull sword is all he needs to beat something like Grand Fisher as he pulls the tendril out of his shoulder and pulls himself closer to stab Grand Fisher in the side. In Karakura Town, as Tatsuki Arisawa bids her farewell, Orihime Inoue walks down the street with an umbrella while wondering if she could connect two hearts like the rain connects the never-intersecting sky and earth. Thinking of Sora Inoue, Orihime mentally tells Ichigo that she believes she has come to understand him a bit more while looking up at the sky. Back in the clearing, Ichigo yells as he tears his Zanpakutō through Grand Fisher's side, releasing a torrent of blood as Grand Fisher screams in agony.
Grand Fisher: Gaaahhh! Curse you, Soul Reaper! You haven't seen the last of me! You'll burn for this some day!
Hobbling away, Grand Fisher declares that he will never forgive Ichigo as he flees into the sky, and Ichigo demands that he wait as he leans on his Zanpakutō. Rukia runs up to Ichigo and declares that the battle is over because neither of them can fight anymore.
Ichigo: Coward!
As he proclaims that it is not over because Grand Fisher is not dead yet, Ichigo collapses into Rukia's arms, prompting her to lower him to the ground and thank him for not dying as Saidō watches silently from the side.
Rukia: Ichigo! It's over. You did it. You stopped him. Put down your sword and rest. This battle is over.
Ichigo: Grh...hh...
Rukia: I'm glad you didn't die today, Ichigo. I'm so thankful.
Saidō expresses his admiration for Ichigo's power and notes that a Shinigami's Reiryoku is their life energy before asserting that this means Ichigo could become a monster. Standing up, Saidō states that it is time to go home and assures Rukia that he is not so heartless as to break up a serious couple. After teasing Rukia again about coming of age, which she reprimands him for, Saidō casually notes that his superiors will find out when they find out and bids Rukia farewell as he walks away. As Rukia looks back down at Ichigo and the rain clears up, Karin and Yuzu rest inside the shrine as Kon walks out to look up at the moon alongside a smiling Isshin.
Some time later, Ichigo, now back in his body, stands in front of Masaki's grave and apologizes for not getting revenge. Suddenly, Isshin walks up and asserts that Masaki will be relieved on the other side if Ichigo presents himself looking fit and healthy like this. As Ichigo tells him to not eavesdrop on his own son, Isshin pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one, prompting a surprised Ichigo to state that he thought Isshin quit. After taking a drag and exhaling, Isshin explains how Masaki said he looked cooled with a cigarette when they first started dating, which is why he only smokes once a year on this day in front of her since she complimented him only that one time. Hanging his head, Ichigo demands to know how Isshin can keep smiling and why no one blames him before claiming that it would be so much easier if they did, prompting Isshin to ask why they would blame him. While Ichigo looks at him in surprise, Isshin states that Masaki would scold him if he blamed Ichigo for her death and asserts that no one is responsible for her dying as he describes her as the woman he loved who would give her life to save her own child. As he turns to look at Ichigo, Isshin reminds him that he is the man whom the woman he loved protected with her life. Walking past a speechless Ichigo, Isshin whirls around and knees him in the back. Ichigo doubles over in pain as Isshin walks away while telling him to live well, grow old well, go bald well, and die after him, which he should do laughing if possible, as Isshin will not be able to face Masaki otherwise. Asserting that Ichigo should shake off his depression, Isshin claims that he is too young to be burdened with something cool like sadness before stating that he will be waiting below as he leaves.
Ichigo: Rukia? I want you to let me be a Soul Reaper for a little while longer. I want to become strong so I can continue to protect the innocent from Hollows. I must become strong enough to defeat any Hollow. Especially this Grand Fisher!
Rukia: Ichigo...
As he asks Rukia if she is listening, Ichigo requests to continue his Shinigami duties a while longer because he wants to become stronger, protect people from Hollows, and defeat Grand Fisher because he will not be able to face his mother otherwise. Coming out from behind a tree on the cliff nearby, Rukia looks at Ichigo with visible happiness.
Tayla: Sorry, no script for this one to read this fun episode still, promise. Enjoy.
At an abandoned hospital in Karakura Town, an announcer informs the audience of the location they are broadcasting this week's Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip episode from and claims that ghostly screams can be heard from within the building. While Orihime Inoue, Tatsuki Arisawa, Yasutora Sado, Keigo Asano, Mizuiro Kojima, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, and Ichigo Kurosaki watch from the assembled crowd, a woman on-stage wonders what they will see tonight.
Enthusiastically and loudly telling the audience to welcome the charismatic medium of the new century and messenger of the underworld to the stage, the announcer points to the sky and shouts out Don Kanonji's name as Don Kanonji himself leaps out of a helicopter hovering far above the ground below, where he declares that spirits are always with the audience before deploying a large parachute and falling to the ground safely. Earlier, at Karakura High School in the afternoon, Orihime cheerfully performs Don Kanonji's signature pose and laugh, only to find Ichigo surprised and disappointed by this instead of reciprocating.
Seeing this reaction, a confused Orihime questions it and asks Ichigo if he knows what the pose signifies, prompting him to reluctantly admit that it is from Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip. Pleased by this, Orihime declares that it is a fun show and tries to get Ichigo to join her in performing the pose, only for Tatsuki to come up behind her and grab her arms. While Orihime asks her what she is doing, Tatsuki gently but firmly pushes her away and promises to perform the pose and laugh with her, leaving a perplexed Ichigo standing in the doorway to the classroom. When Keigo greets him, Ichigo turns to see him, Mizuiro, and Sado performing the pose and laugh as well.
Shortly afterward, an incredulous Keigo demands to know why Ichigo does not want to go to the episode of Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip that is being recorded live in Karakura Town when it is the most popular TV show around. As Keigo claims that the only citizens of Karakura Town who are not going are dead, Ichigo sarcastically claims to be a zombie and tells Keigo to get lost, leading the latter to reveal that he even invited Rukia Kuchiki, who greets an embarrassed Ichigo. While watching Rukia decline to perform Don Kanonji's pose and laugh with Keigo out of embarrassment, an annoyed Ichigo notes that she has added to her repertoire of tricks.
In the present, Ichigo stands in the crowd with the same look of annoyance as those around him cheer for Don Kanonji, who asks the crowd how they are doing tonight before promising to let them listen to the cries of spirits tonight, to their delight. When the woman asks him what he thinks of the location, Don Kanonji notes that the place reeks of spirits and performs his signature pose and laugh while the crowd utters his catchphrase of "Smells like bad spirits!", further annoying Ichigo. As smoke fills the air around Don Kanonji, obscuring him from the view of the crowd, a crew member shouts that they are cutting to commercial while Ichigo notes he hates shows about spirits.
Soon afterward, a staff member directs members of the crowd to follow a guide to the spirit purification area as Orihime runs up to Ichigo and apologizes to him for what she did the other day. As Ichigo wonders what she is talking about, Orihime explains that Tatsuki told her about how Ichigo does not like this kind of program and that she did not know prior, prompting Ichigo to assure her that it is alright before pointing out Keigo and Mizuiro, who are performing the pose and laugh at him even though they know he does not like it. When Orihime questions why he came anyway, Ichigo reveals that his father and sister are big fans of the show while Isshin and Yuzu pose and laugh.
A surprised Orihime wonders if this is why he came, which Ichigo confirms on the grounds of not being able to just let them come alone. When a pleased Orihime claims that this is kind of him, a confused Ichigo states that it is just normal behavior, which Orihime agrees with after reconsideration. For Ichigo to be blushing next to Orihime and her to like him more; they were growing more in love more and more. From the crowd, Tatsuki calls out to Orihime and asserts that she is being left behind, prompting Orihime to tell her to wait and bid Ichigo farewell before running off. Looking over the crowd, Ichigo disparages all the people caught up in this show, only to be shocked when Rukia appears behind him and performs Don Kanonji's signature pose and laugh as well.
As she notes the irritated look on his face, Rukia tells Ichigo to take advantage of the event and enjoy it, only for Ichigo to claim that he is always like this. Observing that Ichigo must be exhausted from school and his Shinigami work, Rukia points out that there will be tough battles ahead and encourages Ichigo to use this opportunity to relax, surprising him with her compassion, before bluntly asking him what this event is about, to Ichigo's chagrin. Ichigo asks Rukia if there are really Souls trapped in this abandoned hospital, and when she wonders why he is questioning this, he notes that the Shinigami should have helped it cross over by now.
However, Rukia admits that this is not necessarily true and details how Souls that inhabit locations like this hospital are fixed-location Jibakurei and assimilate into the earth, which largely prevents Shinigami and Soul Society from detecting them. As Rukia notes that Jibakurei will only show themselves when Humans invade their territory, a crew member approaches the hospital with a large spotlight on a tripod and steps onto the area in front of the steps to the front door, causing a Hollow-like howl to emanate from within the hospital. Startled by this, Sado asks Keigo and Mizuiro if they heard something, leading Keigo to nervously claim that Sado is creeping him out.
As Mizuiro tells him that it is probably just his imagination, Sado agrees and apologizes as he continues to listen to the howl. Hearing the howl elsewhere, an agitated Karin notes that she should not have come here, only to dismiss her trouble when Isshin asks her what is wrong. While Orihime and Tatsuki look at each other in concern over the unearthly howl, Rukia asserts that this is the cry of a Jibakurei and that one is present after all. When Ichigo expresses surprise at it not being the cry of a Hollow, Rukia reminds him that the occurrence of a Hollow follows several patterns as the Jibakurei manifests in front of the hospital, to which he is attached by several chains.
Rukia explains that one such pattern involves a Jibakurei who feels a strong attachment to part of the Human World being left alone and eventually becoming a Hollow as this one is, and as Ichigo realizes what this means, Rukia confirms that he is a Plus on the verge of becoming a Hollow and refers to him as a Demi-Hollow while the Jibakurei screams. Admitting that the Jibakurei feels like a Hollow to him, Ichigo observes that he is not wearing the white mask of one and that the hole in his chest is not fully open yet, prompting Rukia to detail how the hole in a Hollow's chest signifies that their heart is lost and that they have become a mass of instincts.
Elaborating on how the skull-shaped mask of a Hollow shields those bared instincts from the outside world, Rukia reveals that neither of those is necessary if the heart is still intact and explains that a Human's Chain of Fate is severed from their body when they die before noting that they normally wait for Shinigami to come along and help them pass over. As she reveals that lost Souls can become bound to certain objects if they have regrets and cannot let go of their life, Rukia illustrates this to Ichigo with her drawings, only to be shocked and disappointed when Ichigo disapprovingly looks away from her work, causing her to hit him with her sketchpad.
Rukia asserts that the heart of the Jibakurei is being held by this hospital as the Jibakurei declares that the hospital belongs to him and that no one else can have it. While the Jibakurei claims that he will make lots of money off of it and drive a pink Cadillac, Ichigo expresses disgust at his greed. Suddenly, a crew member announces that they are coming back from commercial break and the lights change color, prompting Rukia to realize that something is happening as Ichigo looks at her in disappointment. While Don Kanonji tells the crowd that spirits are forever with them, the crowd performs his pose and laugh with him as Rukia joins in.
When an angered Ichigo demands to know if this is okay, Rukia tells him to calm down and assures Ichigo that it usually takes several months for a Jibakurei to become a Hollow. As the announcer declares that it is time for Don Kanonji to purify the spirit, Rukia notes that they would not want the Jibakurei to become agitated around this many people and promises that they will perform Konsō on him after the event is over. With Ichigo still unsure about this plan, Rukia explains that a Soul lets out a frightening scream right before it becomes a Hollow due to how much pain it is in at that point in time and asks Ichigo if he believes that the Jibakurei looks to be in pain.
While Don Kanonji inspects him up close, the Jibakurei demands to know who he is and if he is going to taint his hospital as well before proclaiming that he has guts to do so and insulting Don Kanonji's hat, leading Ichigo to admit that he does not appear to be in pain as Rukia asserts that it will take another half a year for him to become a Hollow unless the hole in his chest is damaged in some way. Suddenly, Don Kanonji jams the end of his Super Spirits Stick into the hole of the Jibakurei, who begins screaming in pain as Ichigo and Rukia watch in shock. Pushing the Super Spirits Stick further into the Jibakurei, Don Kanonji promises to let him cross over peacefully.
The announcer excitedly identifies the Super Spirits Stick' and notes that it is unusual for Don Kanonji to use it so early as the crowd cheers. While Ichigo questions what Don Kanonji is doing, Rukia calls him a fool and asserts that this will only speed up the process of the Jibakurei becoming a Hollow. As the Jibakurei continues to howl in agony and begins to let out a Hollow's roar, Don Kanonji chants fervently. Suddenly, Ichigo leaps over the rope barricade in front of the crowd and runs toward Don Kanonji while demanding that he stop it, prompting one of the crew members to order the security team to step in as Ichigo is suddenly pinned down by several uniformed men.
Telling Ichigo to come back so she can turn him into a Shinigami as she dons her Gokon Tekkō, Rukia is swiftly pinned down by several more uniformed men as Ichigo demands that they get off. As the Jibakurei continues to scream in extreme pain, visibly unnerving Orihime, Karin, and Sado, his chains begin breaking apart, shocking Rukia while Ichigo continues to struggle. Suddenly, Kisuke Urahara pushes Ichigo's soul out of his body with the tip of his cane, giving him access to his Shinigami form as he is sent flying away. Ichigo sits up and demands to know who did that before seeing Urahara, who stands with Tessai Tsukabishi and greets him.
As Urahara tells him to get going, Ichigo gets up and runs off while Rukia questions why Urahara is here and Tessai takes Ichigo's unconscious body from the confused security team. Running up to Don Kanonji, who is surprised by his sudden appearance, Ichigo pushes him back from the Jibakurei, leading the crowd to see Don Kanonji sent flying back as the announcer details what just happened. When Don Kanonji demands to know what he is doing, a puzzled Ichigo asks him if he can see him too, leading Don Kanonji to confirm that he can do so because he is the charismatic medium of the new century before assuming that Ichigo is a dead fan of his, to Ichigo's irritation.
Upon hearing a loud cracking sound from behind him, Ichigo turns to see the body of the Jibakurei cracking and bulging outward as he wonders if he is too late. Shining brightly, the Jibakurei suddenly shatters, leaving a cloud of smoke as a stunned Ichigo expresses his belief that the Jibakurei has disappeared. However, while Don Kanonji declares that the soul purification mission is complete to the cheering crowd, a shocked Rukia realizes that the Jibakurei did not disappear and opens her Denreishinki while noting that a Demi-Hollow like the Jibakurei disperses and reforms in another location the instant it becomes a Hollow.
Rukia's Denreishinki scans the area as she recalls that the heart of the Jibakurei was held by this location before looking up in shock at the moon, which is obscured by a bright orb of light that begins to move toward the roof of the hospital. As the crowd continues to cheer for Don Kanonji, who thanks them, Rukia tells Ichigo to look up, prompting him and Don Kanonji to look at the roof of the hospital, where the orb of light begins drawing green Reishi from the surroundings that proceeds to form The Demi-Hollow's body from the limbs up. The head of the Jibakurei pops out of the neck stump and screams before emitting a white substance that forms into a mask.
As the Demi-Hollow roars, a stunned Don Kanonji wonders what it is, and as Ichigo begins to explain what a Hollow is, Don Kanonji notes that it reeks of a dangerous spirit before declaring that it must be an evil boss that has come to avenge the Soul he just purified, to Ichigo's consternation. When the Demi-Hollow voices his desire to devour Don Kanonji, Ichigo moves to protect him, but Don Kanonji pushes Ichigo out of the way and tells him to run before telling the Demi-Hollow to come on and proclaiming that he will be his opponent as the charismatic medium of the new century with his Super Spirits Stick held out horizontally in front of him.
The Demi-Hollow runs down the side of the hospital toward Don Kanonji, prompting Ichigo to demand to know what Don Kanonji is doing before drawing his Zanpakutō and blocking the Demi-Hollow's bite with it. Briefly struggling with the Demi-Hollow, Ichigo pushes it back, causing it to crash into the ground a few meters away while Don Kanonji asks Ichigo why he did not run away. While Ichigo tells Don Kanonji that he is the one who should be running away, the dust behind him clears as the Demi-Hollow stands up and roars, leading Ichigo to curse and assume a battle stance. After slashing at the Demi-Hollow when it charges in, Ichigo blocks its attack with its other hand.
As he watches this, Urahara notes that this is proceeding just as he imagined and praises Ichigo's performance despite the conditions before wondering what he will do. The Demi-Hollow charges toward a blocking Kanonji, whom Ichigo pulls out of the way right before the Demi-Hollow crashes into the wall behind where he was standing and begins struggling to free itself. Seeing this as an opportunity, Don Kanonji moves in to attack, only for Ichigo to grab him by the collar and pull him into the hospital through the glass front doors, which shatter. While the announcer wonders what is going on, Urahara observes that this is how Ichigo will fight.
Detailing how Don Kanonji has disappeared into the hospital, the announcer points out how the glass has shattered and part of the wall is destroyed before concluding that Don Kanonji is battling with an unknown force. When a concerned Rukia tries to follow Ichigo into the hospital, Urahara stops her and assures her that Ichigo will not have trouble with a Hollow of that level. With Rukia protesting, Urahara reminds her that it would not be good to create too much of a disturbance and notes that Don Kanonji seems to have some power of his own as he asserts that they should let them handle it. Inside the hospital, Ichigo drags Don Kanonji down a hallway.
A confused Don Kanonji asks Ichigo why they are running, prompting Ichigo to remind him that he said they should run. When Don Kanonji clarifies that he only meant for Ichigo to run away, an irritated Ichigo throws him headlong into a wall and angrily demands to know why he should run away while Don Kanonji stays. Getting to his feet, Don Kanonji asserts that he cannot run away because he is the hero and asks a stunned Ichigo if he is aware of the ratings that his television show pulls in. Though Ichigo declines to answer out of irritation, Don Kanonji proclaims that the figure is 25%, meaning that one in every four Japanese citizens watches his show.
While Ichigo grows increasingly irritated by this, Don Kanonji reveals that many of those viewers are children, to his surprise. Don Kanonji details how these children watch his every move on television and are inspired to stand up to evil spirits as they learn what courage is, which is why he cannot run away while they are watching, astonishing Ichigo with his selflessness. When Don Kanonji attempts to return to the crowd outside to fight the Demi-Hollow, Ichigo is snapped out of his reverie and grabs him by the cape while asserting that he cannot do so because it could lead to the crowd being hurt, prompting Don Kanonji to turn around in surprise.
Ichigo explains that the Demi-Hollow is going after individuals with high Reiryoku like the two of them and that no one else will get hurt if they fight inside the hospital. Amazed at how Ichigo thought this far ahead, Don Kanonji tries to approach him, but Ichigo stops him upon hearing the Demi-Hollow roaring. As Ichigo notes that it is here, the Demi-Hollow bursts out of the ground in front of them and demands that they let it eat them. Drawing his Zanpakutō, Ichigo attempts to swing it at the Demi-Hollow, only for the tip to get stuck in the wall. After several seconds of struggling with it, Ichigo manages to free his Zanpakutō and realizes the hallway is too small to use it in.
Suddenly, the Demi-Hollow spits out a wad of Sticker Phlegm, binding Ichigo's hands to the handle of his Zanpakutō. As a surprised Ichigo wonders what this substance is and tries to get it off, the Demi-Hollow moves to bite him, prompting Ichigo to shove his Zanpakutō through the Demi-Hollow's shoulder. While Ichigo notes that he cannot fight effectively like this, the Demi-Hollow begins flailing around in pain, dragging Ichigo with it, and bursts through the wall of the hospital before clambering up the side to the roof with Ichigo still hanging on. On the roof, Ichigo is thrown away from the Demi-Hollow and leaps back as the Demi-Hollow crashes into the area where he was standing.
As Ichigo stares down the Demi-Hollow, Don Kanonji opens the door of the roof access point nearby and asks Ichigo if he is okay, to his disbelief. Upon seeing the Demi-Hollow leaping toward Don Kanonji, Ichigo tells him to run, but the Demi-Hollow shoves him into a railing, which is dented by the impact, and uses Sticker Phlegm again to bind Ichigo to it. While Ichigo struggles to free himself, the Demi-Hollow leaps toward him, only to be stopped by Don Kanonji, who props open its mouth with his Super Spirits Stick while asking a stunned Ichigo if he is alright. Ichigo tells him to get out of here because he cannot handle the Demi-Hollow, but Don Kanonji refuses to do so.
With his Super Spirits Stick beginning to crack from the force of the Demi-Hollow's bite, Don Kanonji admits that he knows the difference in power between himself and the enemy before declaring that Ichigo has impressed him with how he puts the safety of others first. Asking to call Ichigo his comrade, which a speechless Ichigo declines, Don Kanonji uses Kanonji-Style Final Super Attack: Kanonball, forming a small ball of energy in his hand which he proceeds to fire at Ichigo. Watching the ball of energy slowly travel toward him, Ichigo is shocked when it touches the slime covering his chest and explodes, shattering his restraints.
Don Kanonji's Super Spirits Stick shatters as the Demi-Hollow swats him aside, leading Ichigo to call out to him as Don Kanonji notes that he shall die with no regrets if it will protect the children of the future. As Don Kanonji lands on the ground, the Demi-Hollow moves to attack him once more, only for Ichigo to leap in front of it and sends it crashing into another railing with a powerful horizontal slash. While the Demi-Hollow looks up with a cracked mask, Ichigo asserts that this is the end and leaps into the air before slashing through its mask vertically, prompting Don Kanonji to declare that he did it as the Demi-Hollow falls over and Ichigo resheathes his Zanpakutō.
Running over to Ichigo, Don Kanonji enthusiastically praises his victory, but Ichigo solemnly tells him to not get too excited. As a confused Don Kanonji questions this on the grounds of Ichigo having won, he is surprised to see the Demi-Hollow's body shimmer and dissipate, revealing the Jibakurei lying on the ground underneath. Recognizing the Jibakurei, who dissipates as well, Don Kanonji wonders what is going on as Ichigo explains how a Hollow is a monster without conscience created when a Soul has its chain broken and a hole opens up in its chest, which leads Don Kanonji to recall his earlier actions and realize that he created this Hollow.
A despondent Don Kanonji falls to his knees and wonders what he has been doing all this time before expressing shame in himself as tears run down his face. However, upon hearing the cheers of the crowd below, Ichigo tells Don Kanonji to stop crying because his fans are waiting for him, and Don Kanonji walks over to the railing, where he is stunned to see the crowd cheering for him below. As Ichigo tells Don Kanonji to answer their cheers because it is a hero's duty, the announcer observes that the soul purification seems to be over, and Don Kanonji declares that the mission is complete while performing his signature pose and laugh, which the crowd copies in response.
While Rukia smiles at this, the crowd around her cheers for Don Kanonji, who tells Ichigo that this was a magnificent battle as he expresses admiration for his courage and power. When Don Kanonji asks that he lend his strength to him from now on, a smiling Ichigo agrees to do so once in a while and shakes Don Kanonji's hand, only to be shocked and disappointed when Don Kanonji declares that Ichigo is his number one pupil, which he declares to be a demotion.
At the principal's office in Karakura High School, a furious Kagine addresses Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends by inquiring as to whether they know what they have done before turning on a screen behind him, which displays the ruckus Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki caused at Don Kanonji's show the previous night, as he reveals that this incident was broadcast nationwide and demands to know if Ichigo is aware of how much damage he has done to the school.
However, Tatsuki Arisawa gets Kagine's attention and notes that she understands why Ichigo and Rukia were called in due to their actions on television before asserting that there is no reason for her and Orihime Inoue to be here too. When a startled Kagine points out that they were both present during the incident, Tatsuki claims that they were there purely by coincidence and had nothing to do with the situation, leading an irritated Ichigo to note that Tatsuki is simply trying to save herself and Orihime from punishment as Tatsuki sticks her tongue out at him.
Tatsuki asserts that they are leaving and exits the room as Orihime bows and follows her, but when Keigo Asano attempts to leave as well, Kagine pulls him back by the back of the collar of his shirt and declares that he is equally guilty for not doing anything to stop Ichigo despite being present during the incident. When a bewildered Keigo wonders what the problem is with them having been on television, Kagine angrily lifts him up and asserts that he is here precisely because of this lack of awareness before declaring that he is flabbergasted by Keigo's ignorance. Suddenly, Rukia tears up and apologizes for being unable to stop Ichigo and his desire to be on television.
As Rukia tries to wipe away her tears and asserts that it is all her fault, a stunned Kagine drops Keigo and assures Rukia that he understands it is not her fault. While Ichigo, Keigo, Mizuiro Kojima, and Yasutora Sado make their way to the window, Rukia claims to not care what Kagine does to Ichigo so long as he spares her, only for Kagine to notice too late that Ichigo and his friends have escaped, leading to him yelling after them as they run away from the building. Promising that things will only get worse for the boys if they run away, Kagine turns around to discover that Rukia has also vanished and beseeches the principal to take action on them.
The principal merely assures Kagine that he does not need to scold the students so severely just because they were on television, and as Misato Ochi stands next to him and grins, Kagine tearfully proclaims that he cannot believe the faculty would act like this. Shortly afterward, Ichigo and his friends walk through the campus as Keigo states that all is well which ends well before praising Rukia as the reason they got away. When Ichigo tells Keigo to not compliment Rukia because she tried to sell him out, Tatsuki points out how her act also allowed Ichigo to escape, prompting Rukia to slyly affirm that it was merely an act and that she would never dream of selling out Ichigo.
When Rukia's Denreishinki starts beeping, she and Ichigo immediately grow serious as Rukia asks to speak with him before excusing them from the group and running off with Ichigo, leaving their friends to stand in surprised silence as Keigo wonders what that was about. Orihime wonders if Ichigo and Rukia are seeing each other, but Keigo assures her that Rukia would never fall for Ichigo like that as they begin walking away. However, while Keigo and Mizuiro disagree on how suspicious this behavior is, Sado stops in his tracks and looks up at the third story of the building next to them, where Uryū Ishida silently stares down at the group before walking away, to Sado's concern.
Soon afterward, upon arriving in an alleyway with a cowering fat Plus alongside Ichigo in his Shinigami form, Rukia checks her Denreishinki while Ichigo observes that there is no Hollow present and wonders what is going on. When Ichigo suggests that her Denreishinki may be broken, Rukia notes the strangeness of the absence of a Hollow despite them receiving a purification order for one. Addressing the fat Plus, Ichigo asks him if he happened to exterminate a Hollow, which the Plus assumes is the bug-like creature he saw earlier, prompting him to tearfully admit he was so scared that he thought he was going to soil himself as he lunges forward.
Stopping the Plus by planting a foot on his face, an irritated Ichigo tells him to stay away and reiterates that he is asking him what happened, but Rukia tells him to wait and grabs the Plus by the collar before inquiring if someone saved him from the Hollow and what that person looked like. However, the Plus reveals that he had his eyes closed the whole time because he was scared and tries to lunge at Rukia too, only for an irritated Rukia to plant her foot in his face as well. As he notes that it is time to perform Konsō, Ichigo leans down to the Plus, who frantically wonders what Konsō is and why Ichigo is holding a big sword, before sending him to Soul Society.
While a blue glow fills the alleyway, Uryū watches this event from a rooftop above them and sees a Jigokuchō flutter away. The next day, at Karakura High School, the students gather around a list of the highest test scores for the final exam of their first semester, where Tatsuki sees that Orihime has placed third and rubs her head while praising how consistently she does well on tests. When Michiru expresses surprise at Orihime being so smart, Tatsuki admits that she does not look the part as Chizuru Honshō cuddles Orihime and heaps praise on her as well. Looking closely at the list of scores, Keigo claims no one aside from the girls betrayed him and Mizuiro by getting into the top 50.
However, Mizuiro directs Keigo's attention to Ichigo's name, which is in 23rd place, prompting a shocked Keigo to demand to know how Ichigo scored so high. When Ichigo bluntly states that he just studies at home because there is nothing else to do, Keigo reminds him that he always invites Ichigo to come hang out with him and realizes that this is what Ichigo was doing when he turned him down. Tearfully and dramatically declaring Ichigo to be a pervert and a nerd, Keigo dons a pair of thick glasses and tells Ichigo that he can have them, only for Ichigo to casually smash them on Keigo's face while refusing his offer as Mizuiro expresses surprise at Ichigo actually studying.
Ichigo explains that school can be tough when one has orange hair like he does, leading Keigo to solemnly note that life really is full of different perspectives before donning a headband and telling Ichigo that he deserves it, only for Ichigo to cut it off his forehead with a pair of scissors while refusing once more. Declaring that he will never hang out with Ichigo again, Keigo tells Sado that he can still join them since he is not in the top 50, only for Sado to silently direct their attention near the top of the list, where his name is in 11th place. Completely shocked by this revelation, Keigo and Mizuiro run several feet down the hall, where Mizuiro curls up in the fetal position.
After asserting he never thought Ichigo and Sado were so evil, Keigo proclaims he will never play with them again as he and Mizuiro run to the end of the hall, prompting Tatsuki to note Ichigo made him cry again. Ichigo wonders how "evil" the student who ranked first must be by comparison and looks at the list, where he reads the top name as Ametatsu Ishida and expresses confusion at having never heard this name before. When Orihime corrects him by clarifying the name is actually Uryū Ishida, Ichigo asks her if she knows him, leading her to reveal he is in their class and embarrassing Ichigo as Tatsuki notes he is terrible with names and faces before pulling Orihime away.
As he continues to look at the list, Ichigo wonders if there really is such a student in his class. Elsewhere in the school, Rukia stares at her Denreishinki while it calls the Urahara Shop before angrily realizing that he is not there. Placing the Denreishinki against a wall, Rukia berates Urahara for not answering when she calls him and always showing up when she does not need him as she contests his claim of being a businessman. After staring at the Denreishinki in silence for a few seconds, Rukia sighs and notes that she wanted him to take a look at it because she cannot tell if it is broken or not as she crouches down and taps the Denreishinki.
Suddenly, the Denreishinki starts beeping again, prompting a shocked Rukia to pick it up and run off while mentally stating that she found him. Back at the exam listing, Keigo proposes that he and Ichigo go to a karaoke bar because it has an attractive hostess, only for Rukia to run up and pull Ichigo away by the hand while telling him to come with her for a minute, leaving a stunned Keigo to note that she is quite aggressive as Mizuiro admits that he thinks they really are seeing each other. Letting go of Ichigo's hand, Rukia informs him that she has received a Hollow purification order, prompting Ichigo to state that he hopes there really is one this time while continuing to run alongside her.
As he and Rukia continue to run down the hall, Ichigo accidentally bumps into Uryū on the way and apologizes to him before continuing to run off as Uryū brushes his shoulder and walks away. That night, Ichigo stands in the street in his Shinigami form and notes with irritation that there was still no Hollow even after all that effort. Dragging Ichigo's body over to him, Rukia tells him to shut up and get back in his body before inspecting her Denreishinki once more as Ichigo tells her to do something about her useless cell phone.
Ichigo: Dammit! Again? You drag me all the way out here and there's no Hollow! How many times is that this week?
Rukia: Shut up! These false alarms aren't my fault. When it goes off, I have to assume a Hollow has appeared. So I report it. What else can I do?
Ichigo: Well get it fixed, because it's obviously busted.
While Ichigo lifts up his body and returns to it, Rukia demands to know if he is saying that this is her fault and reminds him that she merely relays the orders. Standing up, Ichigo merely tells Rukia to hurry up and fix it, which she asserts is what she wants to do as well. Suddenly, Uryū asks them if they are breaking up, prompting Ichigo and Rukia to turn to face him in surprise, as he walks into view while wearing a white uniform.
Uryu: Bickering, are we? How unprofessional. Good evening, Ichigo, Rukia.
Ichigo: Who the hell are you? And how do you know our names, if you don't mind me-
As Uryū greets them both by name, Ichigo demands to know who he is and how he knows their names, only for Uryū to reveal that he knows Ichigo can see Souls, to the shock of both him and Rukia, before noting that a new Hollow has appeared.
Uryu: I don't mind. I also know you can see spirit, Ichigo.
Ichigo: How do you know that? I can't see any-
Uryu: Another Hollow has just appeared.
Ichigo: No way.
A few seconds later, Rukia's Denreishinki begins beeping, prompting her to look at it and confirm that she just received a purification order for a new Hollow nearby.
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
Rukia: There's a new one here alright. How did he know?
When Ichigo asks Rukia what direction the Hollow is going to appear in, Uryū raises his arm and points down the street while asserting that it will appear over there before criticizing Ichigo for calling himself a Shinigami while not knowing such a basic thing, to his consternation.
Uryu: It's over there. Can you not sense such a simple thing? And you call yourself a Soul Reaper? Hmph!
The cross on Uryū's wrist flares with blue Reishi and forms his Heilig Bogen, Kojaku, as Uryū generates and pulls back a Heilig Pfeil before releasing it, causing the Heilig Pfeil to arc across Karakura Town and pierce a Hollow's head right as it enters the Human World. While the Hollow disintegrates, Ichigo looks on in shock while Rukia realizes that the purification order has disappeared.
Rukia: The signal just vanished!
Turning to face Uryū, Ichigo demands to know what he is, prompting Uryū to state his name before revealing that he is a Quincy who hates Shinigami, to Ichigo's confusion, and clarifying that he hates Ichigo specifically, shocking the latter.
Ichigo: So tell me, who or what are you?
Uryu: Uryu Ishida. I'm a Quincy. Soul Reapers are my enemies.
Ichigo: Just what do you mean?
Uryu: Is that too complicated for you? I'll tell you again then, slowly this time. Ichigo Kurosaki, you are my enemy.
The next day, at Karakura High School, an irritated Ichigo walks through the halls as he recalls Uryū's criticism of his Shinigami abilities. While wondering why he had to be insulted like that by someone he just met, Ichigo vows to get Uryū the next time they meet, only to stop in his tracks as he tries to remember what Uryū said his name was.
Ichigo: Damn, what's the story with that guy? What's his name? Uh, Mac? No, I think it was Iki=something. Iki...bo? Iki...mo-metal suit? No...Itchy...Itchy armadillo! Nah, that's not either. Dammit!
While Ichigo attempts to recall Uryū's first name, Orihime pops up and brings up his mention of Ishida.
Orihime: Do you mean Uryu Ishida?
Ichigo: Uh, Orihime. Uh, yeah. (Damn, she's so cute!)
Still having a big crush on her. Orihime does with Ichigo too, but they're both hiding their feelings in a cute way.
Orihime: It's a pretty cool name, huh?
Ichigo: Uh, yeah!
Though Ichigo tries to deny this, Orihime guesses that he is referring to Uryū Ishida, which Ichigo enthusiastically confirms while striking a pose and telling Orihime that she is well-informed.
Orihime: I agree!
Ichigo: I was just saying it because it's such a cool sounding name!
Orihime: In fact, I say his name to myself all the time when I'm sitting with him in the home-handicrafts club.
Ichigo: Home handi-whaa?!
Copying Ichigo's pose, Orihime denies this and explains that she is merely in the same handicrafts club as Uryū, which is why she knows his name, to Ichigo's shock. Shortly afterward, Orihime opens the door to their homeroom and points out Uryū to Ichigo, who peers through the opening at him. Affirming that Uryū is the one he was thinking of, Ichigo asks Orihime if he is really in the handicrafts club, which she confirms before pointing out Michiru, who is bringing a torn stuffed doll over to Uryū.
As Ichigo notes the convenience of this turn of events, Orihime tells him to watch closely. Grabbing the stuffed doll out of Michiru's hands, Uryū throws it into the air and opens his sewing kit to withdraw a needle and thread before rapidly sewing shut the tear in the doll and biting off the thread. Upon having the repaired doll tossed back to her, Michiru gratefully thanks Uryū, only for him to coldly assert that it was no big deal. With a deflated Michiru apologizing, Orihime notes that Uryū would be a nice guy if he did not say such things as Ichigo observes that he is a weird guy and begins to walk away, only to stop when Orihime inquires if something happened between him and Uryū.
Orihime: Do you and Uryu have some kind of problem?
Assuring her that it was something minor and is not a big deal, Ichigo continues walking away as Orihime sadly accepts that he is not telling her the full story.
Ichigo: Well, you could say that. But it's nothing I can't handle.
Orihime: That's good.
Later that day, as Uryū walks up a set of stairs somewhere in Karakura Town, he stops at the top and asks Ichigo if he plans on following him all the way home.
Uryu: Do you intend to follow me all the way home, Ichigo Kurosaki?
Ichigo: Guess I'm not as sneaky as I thought I was.
Uryu: The careless way you let your spirit energy leek out, even a monkey would've noticed it. Amateur stuff.
Stepping into view, Ichigo asks him when he first noticed, prompting Uryū to reveal that he has known ever since Ichigo and Orihime watched him through the door. As Ichigo sarcastically congratulates him on this, Uryū notes that Ichigo's Reiatsu is constantly leaking out and that even a monkey would be able to detect him, to Ichigo's consternation.
Ichigo: What did you say?
Uryu: You heard me. It's obvious that you lack even the most basic ability to detect those around you with high spirit energy. How else can you explain the fact that you weren't even aware of my existence until today?
Ichigo: Yeah, sorry about that. It's just that I've always been really bad at remembering names and faces.
Uryū claims Ichigo lacks the ability to detect those with high Reiatsu and uses his inability to notice Uryū before today as proof of this. Though Ichigo tries to excuse this as him being terrible at remembering faces, Uryū clarifies this is not what he is referring to and explains how he knew Ichigo had unusually high Reiatsu from when he first entered school and became a Shinigami in the middle of May, shocking Ichigo, before revealing he also knows Rukia is a Shinigami herself.
Uryu: That's not what I mean. There's a difference between you and me. When you first started at this school, I sensed your high spirit energy. If you were any good, you would've sensed mine. I even know the day when you became a Soul Reaper. And, I now Rukia Kuchiki's true identity.
Ichigo: !
Suddenly, several of Reiraku spring up around Uryū, leading a surprised Ichigo to identify them as Uryū explains that they are the compression and manifestation of Reiatsu in the atmosphere.
Moving down to Ichigo with Hirenkyaku, Uryū grabs a red Reiraku in front of him and identifies it as Ichigo's before detailing how the Reiraku of Shinigami are colored differently from those of normal Souls. As he lets go of the Reiraku, which disperses and fades, Uryū challenges Ichigo to a duel so he can demonstrate who is stronger between the two of them and how Shinigami are not necessary in this world.
Uryu: Why don't we play a little game, Ichigo Kurosaki? Lets have a duel to determine which one of us is stronger - the Quincy or the Soul Reaper.
Meanwhile, outside the Urahara Shop, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya play janken. When Jinta hits rock and Ururu hits scissors, Jinta points to the side while telling Ururu to look over there, but Ururu keeps looking downward. Jinta and Ururu play janken again, and when Jinta hits rock and Ururu hits paper, she points upward while telling Jinta to look up, which he does instinctively. As a shocked Jinta keeps looking up, Ururu cheerfully tells him that it is his turn to sweep, but Jinta emphatically declares that he has not lost yet and that they are playing for best two out of three. When Ururu asserts that he never said this, Jinta begins grinding his fists against her temples at high speeds while pushing for a rematch, only for Tessai Tsukabishi to suddenly hold him high in the air by the collar of his shirt and calmly ask him what he is doing, prompting Jinta to frantically claim that he is not doing anything. Suddenly, Rukia appears and kicks Tessai in the behind, only to quickly leap back and kneel down to clutch her aching foot as an unfazed Tessai turns around and asks her what business she has here today. After Rukia asks him if Urahara is here today, Tessai lets her inside, where Urahara greets her and inquires what he can do for her before being knocked flat on his back when Rukia hits him in the face with her Denreishinki. Criticizing Urahara's welcoming words, Rukia explains that she has come in person because he has not answered any of her calls, prompting Urahara to sit up and apologize for not taking her previous calls due to his team being very busy lately. As he walks in behind Rukia, Jinta asks her what happened to Ichigo and asserts that it is best for him to stay away because he does not like him, to Urahara's embarrassment, while Rukia reveals that she needs to ask Urahara something.
Back on the stairs, Ichigo confirms that Uryū wants to duel him, and the two stare each other down for several seconds before Ichigo declares that such a thing would be ridiculous.
Ichigo: And why would I do that?
When Uryū expresses confusion, Ichigo questions why he would have to do such a stupid thing and claims that whatever grudge Uryū holds against Shinigami has nothing to do with him. Though Uryū wonders if he is afraid, Ichigo refuses to fall for such goading.
Uryu: I'll show you just how unnecessary Soul Reapers are in this world.
However, as Ichigo states that it would be no contest regardless and begins to walk away, Uryū recounts how he is just a Substitute Shinigami who received his powers from Rukia and thus cannot lift a finger without her permission, causing Ichigo to stop in his tracks and demand to know what he just said.
Back at the Urahara Shop, as Tessai sets down some tea, Urahara notes that he has not heard the Quincy mentioned in a long time, with Tessai observing that it is almost nostalgic because they have not heard it in almost 200 years.
Urahara: A Quincy...I haven't heard that word in a long time.
Rukia: Well, who are they?
Urahara: Who were they, you mean. The last of the Quinices became extinct centuries ago, but they were once a clan that specialized in killing Hollows. And at one time, there were many of them scatter throughout the world.
Rukia: So what happened?
When Rukia asks him what the term means, Urahara explains that they were a tribe scattered throughout the world which specialized in destroying Hollows. Urahara reveals that the Quincy were rendered extinct 200 years ago, to Rukia's surprise, and details how Humans with powers like Ichigo's sensed the existence of Hollows and began training to fight against them, which is how the tribe was formed.
Urahara: Well I suppose I should begin at the beginning. The clan started out as a group of humans who had powers like Ichigo and sensed the presence of Hollows in the world and began to rain to fight against them. The whole mission of the Quincies was to defeat Hollows, just as it is for Soul Reapers like yourself. But there was a deep division between the two. Soul Reapers, as you know, seek to purify Hollows with their Zanpakuto, and thereby allow them to pass over to the Soul Society. But the Quincies believed that Hollows deserved only destruction, and sought to annihilate them. But then, it was the same belief that eventually lead to their destruction. Huh?
Noting that their mission was the destruction of Hollows just like that of the Shinigami, Urahara states that the two groups differed on whether or not Hollows should be killed, as Shinigami purify Hollows and send them to Soul Society with their Zanpakutō while the Quincy sought to completely kill them, and admits that it was an understandable reaction with how Hollows got to enjoy the peace of Soul Society despite killing so many.
Rukia: Urahara? What's going on?
Explaining that this is why the Quincy always killed Hollows because they believed that they were avenging their loved ones, Urahara reveals that this belief is why they were destroyed.
Ichigo: Alright. If a duel's what you want, then a duel's what you'll get.
Back at the stairs, Ichigo decides to accept Uryū's challenge and takes Kon out of his bag. As Kon demands to know why Ichigo stuffed him in his bag despite it being under Rukia's orders, Ichigo tells him that they are changing places, to Kon's horror, and fishes his Gikongan out of the doll's mouth. After wiping the Gikongan on his shirt, Ichigo swallows it and exits his body in his Shinigami form, where he tells Kon to watch him as he defeats Uryū, prompting Kon to run out of the way with his bag while Ichigo tells Uryū to hurry up and explain the rules of this duel.
Staring down Uryū Ishida in an alleyway in Karakura Town with Kon kneeling behind him in his body, Ichigo Kurosaki tells Uryū to explain the rules of this duel to him.
Ichigo: Kon, you better get back. I'm about to give Mr. Handicrafts some stitches to sew.
Kon: Uhh...I'll be over here.
Moving away for Kon, Ichigo was ready to take on Uryu this time.
Ichigo: So, how does your little duel work? Tell me the rules and let's get to it.
Uryu: We'll use this to begin. It'll help.
However, Uryū merely takes a piece of Hollow Bait out of his shirt pocket and reveals that they will be using this, prompting a confused Ichigo to ask him what it is.
Ichigo: Huh? What is that?
Uryu: Bait, to bring in Hollows. If I crush this, Hollows will start gathering here quickly.
Ichigo: What the hell?!
Uryū explains that it is bait for Hollows which will attract them if crushed and scattered, shocking Ichigo.
Uryu: The rules here are quite simple. Whoever kills the most Hollows in 24 hours will be the winner. Simple, isn't it? Even you can understand how that works.
As Uryū concludes that the winner of their duel will be whoever kills the most Hollows in the next 24 hours and notes that it is a very simple goal for them to work toward, Ichigo berates him for being willing to endanger the innocent citizens of Karakura Town for their duel and demands to know who he thinks he is.
Ichigo: That won't work! What are you thinking? Doing that would put everyone who lives here in danger. This battle's just between us!
Uryu: Why are you making such a big deal about this? Believe me, no one is going to get hurt, because I know I will be able to wipe out every single Hollow that shows up here. If you had more confidence in your abilities to protect people from Hollows, you wouldn't be worried and you would accept this challenge.
However, Uryū merely tells him to not make such a fuss and claims that he will kill every single Hollow which appears before taunting Ichigo to prove he can protect others as he crushes the bait into hundreds of tiny pieces. A rumbling and distorted sound begins resonating throughout Karakura Town, and Ichigo watches in shock as a Hollow emerges from a tear in the sky and roars, only to be immediately destroyed by a Heilig Pfeil from Uryū, who notes that this makes one for him. When an angered Ichigo grabs him by the collar and pins him to the ground, Uryū calmly asks him what kind of face he is making.
Ichigo: Change things back right now! You get those Hollows outta here.
Uryu: It's too late for that. Soon the bait will have the whole town crawling with Hollows. Sorry, but the die has already been cast. I'd say you'd better get moving. It's a fact that Hollows have a tendency to attack those who have a high level of spirit energy first.
Ichigo demands that Uryū undo his action and chase away the Hollows he is summoning, but Uryū reveals the town will soon be overflowing with Hollows attracted by the bait and flatly states the die has been cast before telling Ichigo there is something else he should be doing right now.
Ichigo: Damn you...!
As Ichigo slowly lets go of him, Uryū pushes him aside and asserts that he should get moving if he wants to protect as many people as possible from the Hollows. Though Ichigo is still angry at him, Uryū calmly walks past him before reminding Ichigo that Hollows tend to attack those with considerable Reiryoku, causing Ichigo to recall Grand Fisher attacking Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki a month prior as he realizes that they are in danger again before running off to find them as Kon follows him. Watching this, Uryū notes that Ichigo really has not realized that there are others around him with spiritual powers besides the members of his family. Declaring that Ichigo does not need to worry because he will kill every single Hollow, Uryū tells Ichigo that he will realize how weak his own power is on the far side of their rubicon. As he looks up, Uryū sees Sōken Ishida in the sky above and clenches his fist before summoning his Heilig Bogen, Kojaku, as he proclaims that he detests Shinigami.
Meanwhile, at Karakura High School, Tatsuki Arisawa rests outside the gymnasium in her karate gi and watches the Souls of two lovers flirt with each other as she criticizes them for being in love in public as spirits. When her instructor yells that her break is over, Tatsuki affirms this and begins to head back. Suddenly, Orihime Inoue calls out to Tatsuki and asks her if she has a moment. Seeing this, Tatsuki reflects on how she barely remembers the day she went over to Orihime's house, only that she felt a lot of pain and saw someone who vaguely looked like Rukia Kuchiki walking around, and thought she had dreamed it up until she learned that Orihime had the exact same experience when the two talked about it the following day, leading to her seeing spirits ever since. While Orihime tries to get Tatsuki's attention, another Soul taunts and mocks Tatsuki, leading her to angrily shoo him away while declaring how annoying this power is, to Orihime's visible confusion. Apologizing, Tatsuki asks Orihime what she wants to talk about, prompting Orihime to begin explaining that it is not very important before being interrupted by the sound of glass breaking. As other people shout out that all the windows on the first floor of a nearby building have been shattered, Tatsuki wonders what happened and tells Orihime to come look with her before running off. However, as Orihime begins to follow her, she stops in her tracks and looks up to see a strange distortion in the sky. Elsewhere, in an empty field, Karin plays soccer with her friends, but pauses and nervously looks up at the sky while Heita Toujoin yells at her to kick the ball.
While Kisuke Urahara silently ruminates in the Urahara Shop, another Hollow emerges in the sky above Karakura Town and dives toward Ichigo, who cuts it in half vertically through its mask with his Zanpakutō, causing it to disintegrate. Counting this as his third Hollow purified, Ichigo notices the time on a nearby clock and notes that Karin has probably gone somewhere to play by now and wonders where she could be as he runs off. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Uryū fires multiple Heilig Pfeil in rapid succession, destroying five Hollows, and counts a total of eleven kills before staring up in surprise at the large black distortion in the sky above. Back in the Urahara Shop, Urahara looks up as well, prompting Rukia to ask him what is wrong.
Soul Pager: *Beep Beep Beep*
When her Denreishinki starts beeping with a Hollow order, Rukia is irritated by a Hollow appearing at a time like this and apologizes to Urahara as she takes it out and prepares to run off, only for the beeping to suddenly terminate, to her confusion.
Rukia: Ugh, dammit! A Hollow alarm at a time like this? Excuse me, Urahara. Business. Hm? Why did the signal disappear? Oh, I get it. Ichigo must be doing well. He's working quickly today.
As Urahara solemnly looks away, Rukia cheerfully states that Ichigo is doing pretty well today and begins to sit back down, but is interrupted when her Denreishinki begins beeping with another order.
Soul Reaper: *Beep Beep Beep* *Beep Beep Beep* *Beep Beep Beep*
As soon as Rukia looks at the screen, the beeping terminates once more, leading her to wonder what is happening. However, as the Denreishinki begins beeping again with multiple orders coming in, a confused Rukia asserts that this many Hollows showing up at once is not possible before staring in shock as the radar screen fills up with Hollow indicators.
Rukia: This is strange. I've never seen so many signals coming in so fast. This can't be...Can it? No...What destruction is about to happen here?
Slowly backing up, Rukia hears a Hollow roar and runs outside, where she sees the large black distortion in the sky above. As Urahara continues to sit silently behind her, Rukia fearfully wonders what this heavy and agitated Reiatsu means. Meanwhile, Ichigo runs along a street before being confronted by three large Hollows, who laugh as a caterpillar-like one attacks Ichigo, forcing him to block with his Zanpakutō. Forcing the Hollow back, Ichigo cuts off one of its limbs and demands that they all move before cutting it in half horizontally, vertically bifurcating the Hollow behind it from the bottom up, and slashing into the head of the third Hollow before leaping down to the ground below as all three disintegrate behind him. After sheathing his Zanpakutō, Ichigo resumes running down the street while wondering where Karin is. At the bridge, Uryū hears another Hollow roar and pulls back a Heilig Pfeil before calmly firing it.
In downtown Karakura Town, Yasutora Sado silently stares at the sky, prompting an irritated Gitano Shigeo to tell him to hurry up. When Gitano points out that the lunch discount will be over by the time they get there if Sado keeps stalling and threatens to make him pay the extra amount, Sado notes with shock that this will not do, which Gitano agrees with before telling him to get moving. Sado begins to walk along, but stops once again and stares at the large black distortion in the sky as he notes that he has experienced this terrible feeling once before. Suddenly, Gitano dropkicks Sado, sending him flying back while Sado is relatively unfazed, and angrily berates Sado for not realizing that Gitano is living a precarious life on the wages from his job and does not get to eat just for living. Grabbing Sado by the collar, Gitano declares that he risks his life for a bowl of rice and tells Sado to repeat this, which he does, before resuming their walk to the market while asserting that they do not buy meat until it is on sale and that the expiration date is just an approximation. However, the group is interrupted when Bulbous G falls from the sky above and crashes into the ground behind Sado, knocking down Gitano and Harutoki Ide. While a bystander wonders if this was a gas explosion, Sado stares in shock as Bulbous G stands up, though he can only see a distortion. While Gitano asks him if he is alright and Ide advises leaving, Sado pushes them away. Sado leaps away as Bulbous G punches the area where he was standing and rolls on the grounds before telling Gitano and Ide to run away. Upon realizing that Bulbous G is looking at him, Sado dodges another punch from him, resulting in several nearby windows shattering from the force of the blow, and realizes that the Hollow is targeting him, prompting him to begin running down the street away from Gitano, who asks him where he is going. As he runs, Sado notes that he does not know what Bulbous G is before observing that all he needs to do if the Hollow is targeting him is simply run to a location where no one else is around.
Meanwhile, in the field, Heita tells Karin to run. While preparing to receive the soccer ball, Heita is instead hit in the face by it, giving him a bloody nose, as Karin halfheartedly apologizes. Seeing this, Kazuya Usaka demands to know what is wrong with Karin and her kicking the ball anywhere while being distracted as Ryohei Toba inquires if she is serious about playing and Kei Uehara glares at her. However, when Karin glances at them, all four boys back up several feet away and timidly ask her if she wants to fight, only for Karin to apologize and state that she is going home, to their surprise, as she walks away. As Kei calls out after her, Karin notes she cannot concentrate due to the strange air and decides to go to bed early.
Chad: (What's that? That spot, it's shimmering like heat waves.)
Suddenly, Karin encounters Sado, who is panting heavily, and identifies him as Ichigo's friend with the parakeet as a shocked Sado realizes she is Ichigo's sister.
Karin: Hey, you're Ichigo's friend, aren't you?
Chad: You're Ichigo's little sister?
Karin: So, why are you hanging out at our playground then?
Chad: ….! Look out!
Karin begins to ask him what an adult is doing here all by himself, only for Sado to suddenly grab her and push her back as Bulbous G crashes into the area behind them.
Karin: Wh-What's that creature there? It looks weird. I mean, what is that thing?
Chad: Hey, wait. Are you saying you can see it clearly?
Karin: What do you mean? Of course I can. What an ugly creature. See him? can't miss him!
While a terrified Karin wonders what Bulbous G is upon seeing him, the field shakes as Bulbous G approaches, drawing the attention of Karin's friends.
Chad: Wait!
Karin: Hey, watch out!
Shielding Karin, Sado sees Bulbous G has stopped moving and curses his inability to see the Hollow clearly, only to be surprised when Karin asserts that it is coming. As Karin fearfully wonders what Bulbous G is, Sado asks her if she can see him, leading her to reveal that she can see Bulbous G very clearly. Approaching the two, Bulbous G prepares to attack them, only for Karin to warn Sado of this at the last moment, allowing him to pick her up and leap away as Bulbous G punches the area where they were standing. After skidding to a halt, Sado looks at the area where Bulbous G was standing, only to see he is gone and wonder where he is. Karin directs his attention to the right, where Bulbous G throws another punch at them, forcing Sado to run away as Karin asks him if he really cannot see Bulbous G. Sado clarifies that he can only somewhat see him, prompting Karin to tell him to hold her tight while she sees Bulbous G for him. Though Sado protests this, Karin asserts that she can do this and that this is not the first time she has seen a monster like Bulbous G before explaining that she has been wondering what Ichigo's association with them is. Upon seeing Bulbous G running up on their left side, Karin tells Sado to dodge, and as he leaps back, Sado sees Bulbous G's arm in front of him and punches downward onto it. However, Bulbous G is unfazed and swipes at Sado and Karin with the same hand, resulting in Sado being unable to dodge in time and getting sent flying. As Karin calls out to a bloodied and unresponsive Sado, her friends run up to her and wonder who Sado is while asking her if she beat him up. Karin tries to warn them to run away, but her friends interpret this as her being moody and berate her for always being so mean even when they are just concerned for her. Upon seeing Bulbous G looming behind behind her friends, Karin yells and leaps forward to push them down. Watching this, Sado recalls being a child in Mexico and his grandfather, Oscar Joaquín de la Rosa, asking him if he hit someone for hurting him again. Putting his hands on Sado's shoulders, Oscar praises him as being physically gifted by God.
Oscar: Yasutora. You're young and very strong. You are big for your age, and handsome too. How blessed you are. And you have a heart of gold. You must be kind.
Oscar explains to Sado that people who are different are suppressed in their part of the world before asserting that Sado must be kind and learn why he has such big and strong fists. In the present, as Bulbous G prepares to attack Karin and her friends, Sado mentally notes that he now knows that his body is big so he can protect rather than hurt others as he gets to his feet, prompting Karin's friend to run away.
Chad: (I know, abuelo. I know my hands weren't made for me to hurt others. They were made to protect me and defend others from evil in this world. I learned my lesson and will never abuse the gift I have been given. But now, I need to ask something of you.)
Karin: Get out of here now!
Incoming attack...!
Chad: (Please, I want you to give me the power.) Urrraaahhh!
Turning to face Bulbous G, Sado asks Oscar to lend him his strength as he throws a punch at Bulbous G while the latter attacks him in turn, resulting in a powerful clash that releases a torrent of energy which blows off Bulbous G's arm, sending him flying back. As Bulbous G lands flat on his back, Karin stares in shock at Sado, who emerges from the dust cloud with his right arm transformed into Brazo Derecha de Gigante (Right Arm of the Giant). While Karin wonders what Sado's arm has become, Bulbous G gets to his feet and angrily roars, prompting Sado to clench his fist before running toward Bulbous G, who attempts to attack him once more. Bringing his fist up towards Bulbous G from the ground in an uppercut, releasing another torrent of energy that vertically bifurcates Bulbous G, who is sent flying into the air as he disintegrates. When Karin runs up and asks him if his arm is alright, Sado merely smiles and gives her a thumbs-up.
Chad: Just tell me that you're not hurt. Say it, Ichigo's sister.
Karin: Are you kidding me? The only one that's hurt here is you, you big stupid giant.
Chad: I see. Well, to me, that sounds damn good.
With Karin visibly embarrassed by this and wondering why Sado would do something so cheesy, Sado collapses, further shocking her, and mentally admits that he does not understand why this armor suddenly appeared on this arm, why he was able to release such a powerful attack with it, and why he was suddenly able to see Bulbous G clearly. As Karin runs to his side, Sado asks her if she is okay, prompting Karin to tearfully state that he is the only one who is hurt. Sado asserts that this is good, but Karin kicks him in the head and demands to know what is good about getting hurt before proclaiming that even one person getting hurt means it is not good.
Declaring that this is just the logic of men who want to be heroic, Karin tells Sado that he is just like Ichigo in this sense and claims that she cannot stand it as she explains that she is going to go get Isshin Kurosaki so he can treat Sado. After telling Sado to not move from that spot, Karin runs off, leaving Sado to note that she kicks just like Ichigo. Back at Karakura High School, while Tatsuki and Chizuru Honshō crouch on the ground and clean up the broken glass from the windows, Orihime stands nearby and stares in fright at the roof of a building in the distance as Numb Chandelier peers over the top at them.
As he runs along a riverbank in Karakura Town, Ichigo Kurosaki wonders where Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki are. Suddenly, Kon runs up to Ichigo in his body, prompting Ichigo to demand to know where he has been. While Kon points out that he is the one who ran off without them, Ichigo grabs him by the collar and inquires if Kon knows where Karin and Yuzu are, leading Kon to assure him that he just saw them at the Kurosaki Clinic, to Ichigo's relief. While a confused Kon wonders where Ichigo has been looking this whole time, Ichigo notes that he can start looking for Uryū Ishida instead now and tells Kon to take care of his sisters before shoving him down and running off, leaving Kon to sit up in a daze with a bump on his head.
Meanwhile, at Karakura High School, Chizuru Honshō and Tatsuki Arisawa clean up the broken glass on the ground outside the gymnasium as Chizuru complains about being tasked with doing this by the faculty. Chizuru asserts that they should be making the students who broke the glass clean it up, but Tatsuki points out how Chizuru was chosen because she made such a fuss about it. As Tatsuki notes those students were acting strange, Chizuru stands up and wonders what Orihime Inoue is doing upon seeing her standing silently and looking at something several feet away.
Orihime: (The first thing I thought was, I wish I didn't notice. Then I thought, we have to get away from here. Somehow, every cell in my body is tingling, warning me. We've got to get away. I'm certain of it now. If we stay here, we're in danger.)
Sidling up to Orihime, Chizuru claims she will have no choice but to kiss her if she keeps staring off into space, prompting Tatsuki to angrily demand to know what Chizuru is saying all of a sudden.
Chizuru: Hey! Watch it!
With Tatsuki and Chizuru glaring at each other, Orihime suddenly there is a television show she wants to watch.
Tatsuki: What's wrong, Orihime?
Encouraging them to leave early so they can watch it together, Orihime begins pushing the surprised Tatsuki and Chizuru away from the school grounds despite Tatsuki's protests.
Orihime: Let's hurry! I'll make us curry popcorn, Tatsuki! I don't want to be late!
Tatsuki: Hey, what's the rush? Take it easy, Orihime!
As Numb Chandelier drapes a tentacle over the side of the roof she is sitting on, Orihime recalls thinking only that she wish she had not seen it and that she needed to get away from there upon first seeing the Hollow. Admitting that she knows nothing about the situation other than that Numb Chandelier is dangerous, Orihime observes that every cell in her body is screaming at her to run away and asserts that she must act like nothing is wrong so she does not scare her friends and cause panic. When she gets near the exit with Tatsuki and Chizuru, Orihime looks back and is surprised to see that Numb Chandelier is gone as Tatsuki apologizes and reveals that she needs to change out of her karate gi before encouraging them to go on without her as she runs off. Though a worried Orihime calls out after her, Tatsuki continues running and promises to catch up soon. As Orihime tries to think of an excuse to call Tatsuki back, she suddenly realizes that Numb Chandelier has suspended herself in the air above her and instinctively looks back at her, prompting Numb Chandelier to note that Orihime can see her as Orihime gasps in shock.
Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Ichigo decapitates a Hollow with his Zanpakutō and cuts another in half before continuing to cut through the horde in front of him as he curses and screams Uryū's name. Meanwhile, on a bridge, Uryū kills his 20th Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil through the head and draws back his Heilig Bogen, Kojaku, as he mentally declares that this is for his master while recalling Sōken Ishida teaching him to form a Heilig Bogen as a child. Declaring that he will win, Uryū fires another Heilig Pfeil.
Back at Karakura High School, a confused Chizuru asks Orihime if something is up there, only for Orihime to suddenly tell her to run.
Numb: I won't let you get away.
However, Numb Chandelier declares that she will not let them run before using Bulb Scatter, raining seeds all over the school and the ground below. As Orihime cries out and shields herself with her arms, Chizuru sees the windows shattering and asks Orihime if she is alright before being hit with a seed in the back of her left shoulder, causing her to fall over. Calling out to Chizuru, Orihime runs over to her while the green splotch on her shoulder spreads and grows darker. Though Orihime is not sure what she should do, Chizuru quickly gets up and expresses pain before caressing Orihime's chin and claiming that she is cute when she cries. Standing up, Chizuru assures Orihime that she is fine even though she does not know what happened. However, as Chizuru claims that she likes Orihime better when she is smiling instead of crying, her left hand suddenly grips Orihime's right arm by the wrist and lifts it into the air, hurting Orihime. While a confused and frightened Chizuru asserts that her arm is moving on its own and wonders why this is happening, Numb Chandelier appears above them. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Rukia Kuchiki runs along a road and looks at her Denreishinki, which is displaying multiple Hollow signatures, as she wonders what is going on before continuing to run.
Back at Karakura High School, Orihime demands to know what Numb Chandelier did to Chizuru, prompting her to chuckle and state that she just used some of her power before explaining that she does not like to fight, which is why she uses seeds generated from her forehead to take control of others and make Humans fight among themselves. With Orihime shocked by her methods, Numb Chandelier tells the other students to begin, leading Orihime to stare in fright as dozens of possessed students swarm her and Chizuru. Suddenly, Tatsuki runs up and demands to know what they are doing before rapidly defeating several of the possessed students in a single blow each. Apologizing to Orihime, Tatsuki asserts that she did not see Numb Chandelier earlier, and when Orihime asks her if she can see the Hollow, Tatsuki admits that she can only tell where it is by seeing a faint shimmer.
Tatsuki: Hey, Orihime. About that thing over there. I should've notice it sooner.
Orihime: Tatsuki!
Tatsuki: We have this long standing arrangement. Anyone who makes Orihime cry gets the snob beat out of them!
As she turns to face Numb Chandelier, Tatsuki declares that she picked a fight with the wrong person because Tatsuki has always beaten up anyone who made Orihime cry, to Numb Chandelier's amusement. Upon being surrounded by several more possessed students, Tatsuki rapidly defeats them all with a single blow each as well and prepares to continue her assault when a hand grabs her shoulder, only to pause in shock when she sees it belongs to Chizuru.
Chizuru: Help...me...!
Numb: My, my, quite the rebellious one we've got here. Well, this is going to be fun. It's always the ones who think they're so strong. I'm so excited to see your crying face!
As Chizuru tearfully begs for Tatsuki to run because something is happening to her body, the reach of the seed in her shoulder reaches her head, prompting her to grip Tatsuki's shoulder with increased force. With Tatsuki crying out in pain, Orihime calls out to her and is restrained by two possessed students as Numb Chandelier fires a seed into Tatsuki's shoulder, sending her and Chizuru flying back. While Tatsuki lies panting on the ground, Numb Chandelier asks her how it feels and details how the seed in her body will soon take root and control it before landing next to her as she proclaims that Tatsuki's body is hers to manipulate and tells her to cry. However, Tatsuki merely tells her to shut up, to Numb Chandelier's surprise, and begins to get up while demanding that she let Orihime go. A bemused Numb Chandelier questions if Tatsuki understands what position she is in right now and rubs a tentacle on her face while pointing out that she can barely control her body anymore, only for Tatsuki to suddenly bite hard on her tentacle. Shrieking in pain, Numb Chandelier demands to know what Tatsuki is doing and repeatedly whips her with a larger tentacle while commanding her to let go, but Tatsuki keeps biting it as Orihime tries to call out to her, leading Numb Chandelier to claim she has no need for Tatsuki.
Tatsuki: Grh!
Generating more seeds on her forehead, Numb Chandelier fires all of them at Tatsuki, who is hit in multiple parts of her body and lets go of Numb Chandelier's tentacle as she falls backward. As she manages to free herself from the possessed students restraining her, Orihime calls out to Tatsuki and runs over to her as Tatsuki mentally tells her to not cry while her vision fades.
Orihime: Tatsuki!
Tatsuki: Orihime...Please don't cry...
Suddenly, Tatsuki kicks Orihime hard in the abdomen, causing her to fall to her knees and cough up liquid as Tatsuki stands up in a flailing manner, revealing that Numb Chandelier's seeds have taken complete control of her body. Looking up at her, Orihime recalls Sora Inoue complimenting her hair. In the past, after crying as her hair is forcefully cut by older students who accused her of being a show-off, Orihime tells Sora that she just cut it because she felt like it. Though she feels alone and isolated in her classroom, Orihime is approached by Tatsuki, who offers to walk her home, greatly cheering up Orihime. In the present, Orihime mentally notes that Tatsuki is the reason she was able to grow her hair long again and asserts that she will never cut it because her long hair is proof of her trust in Tatsuki. Thanking Tatsuki for protecting her until now, Orihime reaches out and tells her to not cry as tears spill down Tatsuki's cheeks. As she gets to her feet, Orihime hugs Tatsuki and begs her to not cry before promising to protect her this time.
Orihime: Thank you for doing everything you could to protect me until now. Thank you, Tatsuki. So please, don't cry! This time, I'll protect you.
Suddenly, Orihime's hairpins glow brightly and separate into individual pieces which shoot outward from her head, creating a powerful whirlwind around her and Tatsuki that shocks Numb Chandelier and blows away all the other possessed students.
Numb: What!? What is this?!
Asserting that Numb Chandelier picked the wrong person to hurt instead of the wrong person to fight, Orihime declares she will never forgive anyone who hurts Tatsuki as the Shun Shun Rikka whirl around her, leading a stunned Numb Chandelier to wonder what Orihime is and what the things whirling around her are.
Orihime: Anyone who tries to hurt Tatsuki will have to answer to me!
Upon hearing this, a surprised Orihime looks around as Tsubaki incredulously asks her if she did not notice them until now. However, as the whirlwind disperses, Shun'ō asserts that she noticed they exist because they have always been closest to her and lands on her shoulder as she greets Orihime. While the other members of the Shun Shun Rikka (Six Princess Shielding Flowers) fly around a confused Orihime, Shun'ō explains that they are the Shun Shun Rikka who were born to protect Orihime as her power as Baigon, Lily, Ayame, and Hinagiku gather around him. When Orihime mistakes them for flying fairies, Shun'ō clarifies that they are powers born from her soul. After explaining that only Orihime can see them, Shun'ō corrects herself and notes that Ichigo could probably see them too, and when Orihime wonders why, Shun'ō reveals that he is the reason they were born. However, before Shun'ō can further explain this, Tsubaki crashes into her with a dropkick and declares that she talks too much before asserting that Orihime does not need to know who they are or where they came from, leading Orihime to observe that he seems arrogant despite his small size. Irritated by this, Tsubaki tells her to shut up and demands that Orihime learn how to use the Shun Shun Rikka right now, further confusing her. Hinagiku declares that he, Baigon, and Lily have the power to create a shield that rejects, and Baigon elaborates that Orihime must use her heart and a kotodama in order to properly use them, leaving Orihime bewildered. Suddenly, Tsubaki notes that it is coming as Numb Chandelier lands on the ground nearby and angrily asks Orihime what she has been talking to herself about as more seeds begin to protrude from her forehead. Though Orihime is startled by this, Hinagiku tells her to call out their names and introduces himself as Baigon and Lily follow suit, leading Shun'ō to explain that Orihime must summon them with her kotodama and ask that she repeat after her.
Hinagiku, Baigon, Lily: Santen Kesshun (Three Sacred Links Shield)!
Orihime: Hinagiku...Baigon...Lilly...Santen Kesshun? ...I...I reject!
As Shun'ō calls out the three names, Numb Chandelier fires her seeds at Orihime, who repeats the names and the kotodama that the three spirits declare, allowing her to use Santen Kesshun, which creates a triangular yellow energy shield between Hinagiku, Baigon, and Lily that intercepts and blocks the seeds. With both Numb Chandelier and Orihime surprised by this, Shun'ō details how the three spirits reject what is outside the shield by putting up a shield between Orihime and her enemy to reject any attacks aimed at her. Flying over to the unconscious Tatsuki with Ayame, Shun'ō reveals that their power is to reject what is inside the shield. Explaining how she and Ayame create a limited space within their shield and reverse any damage which has been inflicted inside this space, Shun'ō tells Orihime to call out their names and introduces herself alongside Ayame, leading Orihime to do so before calling out their kotodama and using Sōten Kisshun, which creates a half-oval barrier around Tatsuki that begins healing the damage to her body.
Shuno and Ayame: Sōten Kisshun (Twin Sacred Return Shield)!
Orihime: Shuno. Ayame. Soten Kisshun. I reject!
As Orihime tearfully watches this, Tsubaki flies over to her and asserts that there is no time for tears before explaining that he rejects both sides of the shield by putting up a shield inside the enemy and rejecting their matter, effectively cutting them in half.
Tsubaki: Koten Zanshun (Solitary Sacred Cutting Shield)!
Orihime: Tsubaki! Koten Zanshun! I reject!
After introducing himself, Tsubaki flies toward Numb Chandelier as Orihime calls out his name and the kotodama, resulting in her using Koten Zanshun, which vertically bifurcates Numb Chandelier with a shield generated from within her body. Asserting that this is ridiculous, a screaming Numb Chandelier disintegrates, prompting a panting Orihime to declare that she did it before collapsing.
Orihime: I...did it? Yay!
As the concerned members of the Shun Shun Rikka gather around the unconscious Orihime, Shun'ō observes that using all of them at once was too much for her, but praises her performance as the spirits return to their hairpin forms, which fall on the ground. Seeing this, a smiling Kisuke Urahara steps forward as Tessai Tsukabishi carries Yasutora Sado behind him. Meanwhile, Karin brings Yuzu and Isshin Kurosaki to the field where she left Sado, only to find that he is gone. When Yuzu asks her if she is sure that this is the place, Karin asserts that Sado was beaten up and lying here when she left, only to be interrupted by Isshin declaring that she lied to him. However, when Karin attempts to repeat her story, Isshin silences her with a wagging finger and claims to understand that she lied to him because she was desperate for attention after he had neglected her for so long due to being busy with work. Isshin tears open his shirt and encourages Karin to jump into his arms and hug him as hard as she can, only for Karin to punch him in the jaw and call him an idiot as Yuzu proposes that they just go home because this place gives her a weird feeling. Watching this from atop a telephone pole as Isshin rolls around on the ground in pain, Kon notes that everything is fine here and leaps away. Soon afterward, Orihime wakes up inside the Urahara Shop, where she finds Sado sitting nearby. After the two greet each other, Orihime asks Sado what this place is, prompting him to admit that he does not know as Urahara observes that they are finally awake.
Seeing Urahara standing before them, Orihime questions who he is, and Sado admits that he does not know that either before noting that it seems he saved their lives, which Urahara confirms as he wonders where to begin. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Ichigo purifies a Hollow with a single slash and curses Uryū as he promises to make him cry, while Uryū manages to kill another Hollow with three Heilig Pfeil to the chest and observes that he is no longer able to kill them in one shot as blood drips from the fingers of his arrow hand. As Uryū notes that there are far too many Hollows for the small amount of Hollow Bait he scattered, two more Hollows emerge. Uryū theorizes that the Hollows are being lured here by an even greater force, but asserts that it does not matter and thinks of Sōken, whom he swears to avenge the death of as he draws back another Heilig Pfeil. Meanwhile, Rukia fires Hadō #4. Byakurai at a large Hollow, who merely deflects it back at her with one of its tentacles. As Rukia curses her inability to deal with even basic Hollows and wonders if her powers have not returned at all, she sees Kon running toward her as he leaps into the air and kicks away the Hollow. Though Rukia believes it is Ichigo, she quickly realizes it is Kon when he turns around and pushes his head into her chest. When Rukia pushes her foot against his chin and pulls back his arms, Kon claims that it feels good to be kicked like this as Rukia realizes that him being in Ichigo's body means that Ichigo entered his Shinigami form. Suddenly, Kon directs Rukia's attention behind her as Uryū walks up and expresses relief that she is alright before observing that it is their first time speaking one-on-one, which leads Kon to feel ignored. Kicking Kon away, Rukia gets up and asks Uryū if this is his doing, which he confirms as he explains that this is a battle between him and Ichigo, to Rukia's confusion, and declares that he will not let anyone in town die. Promising to give his life to protect the citizens of Karakura Town even if Ichigo is defeated, Uryū asserts that Ichigo will watch as he protects everything and everyone from the Hollows while Rukia expresses shock upon seeing his bloody fingers. When Uryū states that this battle is meaningless if he cannot do that, Rukia wonders what he means before being alerted when the large Hollow reappears behind her and Kon, which prompts Uryū to summon Kojaku once more. Back at the Urahara Shop, Sado tells Urahara to hold on as Orihime expresses disbelief about his story of Shinigami and Hollows, only for Urahara to ask them if they will deny being attacked earlier.
With Orihime and Sado unable to respond to this, Urahara explains that Ichigo is fighting Hollows as a Shinigami right now and that the strong Reiryoku he has released while doing so has affected them, which is all he meant to explain. As Urahara assures Orihime and Sado that it is up to them to decide if they wish to open the door that has appeared before them, Tessai slides open the screen behind Urahara and reveals that the Kūmon have begun converging before confirming that the necessary preparations have been completed. Stating that they will depart, Urahara begins to walk out of the room before turning back to ask Orihime and Sado if they will come with him.
Promising to show them what is beyond the door, Urahara walks out of his shop. Meanwhile, the large Hollow prepares to attack Rukia, Kon, and Uryū, but is suddenly cut in half vertically and dissipates as Ichigo leaps overhead and lands behind Uryū, who smiles. As he stands up, Ichigo declares that he finally found Uryū, who affirms this as Rukia and Kon watch in surprise.
Staring down Uryū Ishida on a path in Karakura Town as Rukia Kuchiki and Kon stand nearby, Ichigo Kurosaki declares that he has finally found Uryū and will not be satisfied until he beats him up. When Uryū grimaces and pulls back a Heilig Pfeil on his Heilig Bogen, Kojaku, Ichigo notices a Hollow standing behind him and runs in front of it. Surprised by this, Uryū is unable to keep his grip on the bowstring due to the blood on his finger, causing the Heilig Pfeil to hurtle toward Ichigo, who slashes through it. Bifurcating the Hollow from the top down with a second slash of his Zanpakutō, which purifies it, Ichigo turns back around to face a shocked Uryū and notes that the latter understands how this is a battle between the two of them before challenging Uryū to abandon the Hollow-killing contest and settle this one-on-one with him. However, as Ichigo grows irritated by Uryū not saying anything in response, an unnerved Kon draws his attention to a large crack in the sky above them while Uryū observes with astonishment that the Hollows are congregating around it.
Kon: Ichigo! Rukia! Look, up there!
It looked really bad on what was happening right now.
Ichigo: What the hell?!
Uryu: The Hollows, they're gathering. Down here, filthy Hollows! Uryu Ishida, the last of the Quincies, challenge you!
Uryū begins to run up the nearby steps to combat the Hollows, and when Ichigo cautions him to think about his next course of action because there are so many of them waiting, Uryū stops and asks him if he is scared, startling Ichigo. Advising Ichigo to stay there and watch if he is scared, Uryū declares that he is the winner of this duel and reaches the top of the steps, where he fires a Heilig Pfeil that splits apart mid-flight and kills multiple Hollows flying overhead. As the remaining Hollows look down at him, Uryū declares that the Last Quincy will take them on, prompting Ichigo to wonder what he means by referring to himself as that.
Ichigo: Is he really the last one?
In response to this, Rukia tells Ichigo that the Quincy went extinct 200 years ago before clarifying that the Shinigami exterminated them at that time, shocking Ichigo.
Rukia: It was thought they all became extinct 200 years ago.
Ichigo: Rukia?
Rukia: Well, not exactly. They were systematically killed by the Soul Reapers.
Ichigo: Huh?!
In the past, Kisuke Urahara sits in the Urahara Shop and explains to Rukia that this was a difficult decision for the Shinigami to make because they had to exterminate the Quincy in order to prevent the destruction of the universe. Noting that Shinigami are often referred to as Balancers in Soul Society, Rukia explains that a roughly equal amount of Souls are maintained in Soul Society and this world at all times and observes that Souls can travel between the two worlds. After clarifying how the Shinigami serve to adjust the number of Souls in the two worlds, Rukia reveals that this changed when the Quincy appeared because they completely eradicate Hollows, preventing those Souls from returning to Soul Society and leading to the number of Souls in the Human World increasing instead of remaining stable, and explains how this would have eventually led to the collapse of the universe.
Rukia: Soul Reapers were also referred to by other names back then. They were called Balancers of Regulators. The number of souls in the Soul Society and in the human world does not change by much as time goes by. They just trade places between the two worlds. It's the job of Soul Reapers to regulate that-to keep the balance. It worked, until the Quincies disrupted the equation. The Quincies didn't cleanse the Hollows. They destroyed them completely. If things that continued that way, the balance between the two worlds would have collapsed. It would have meant the apocalypse.
Ichigo: Umph...
Rukia: So there were many meetings between the Soul Reapers and the Quincies, but to no avail. The Quincies refused to listen to reason. Finally, there was no choice. The order was given for the Quincies annihilation.
With Ichigo listening in stunned silence, Rukia recounts how Soul Society began pleading with the Quincy to leave the management of Hollows to the Shinigami a few years after they were discovered, only to note the Quincy stubbornly refused. Shortly afterward, as he runs toward Uryū and the Hollows, Ichigo recalls Rukia concluding that the Quincy beginning to rapidly increase in number afterward is what led to the decision that the Quincy must be eliminated and asking him if he thinks this was the results of the arrogance of the Shinigami. Meanwhile, as he destroys another Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil through the head, Uryū stands surrounded by several Hollows and observes with frustration that their numbers are not decreasing as he thinks of Sōken Ishida.
Uryu: I can't kill them with just one shot anymore. Something's wrong. I'm losing my strength and there are far too many Hollows coming for that small amount of bait. But none of that matters! Sensei! I swear to you I will avenge your death!
Suddenly, Ichigo yells Uryū's name, prompting the latter to turn and see dozens of Hollows being flung into the air by Ichigo's charging assault.
Ichigo: Uryu! Alright, Uryu! Now I understand why you think Soul Reapers are your enemies. I don't know who was right and who was wrong, the Soul Reapers or the Quincies...but I'll tell you one thing I know for sure, Uryu. Your methods are completely-!
With Uryū left bewildered by his rash approach, Ichigo stands atop a mountain of defeated Hollows and tells Uryū that he has heard why he fights before asserting that he is not going to tell him whether the Shinigami or Quincy were right.
Uryu: That's all ancient history.
Ichigo: Huh?
Uryu: I don't care about some slaughter that happened 200 years ago. It's just one more fact that was passed down to me from my sensei. In fact, when I heard that story, I think I sided more with the Soul Reapers than I did with the Quincies. That is, until my sensei was murder.
Ichigo: Murder...?
However, as Ichigo attempts to declare that he does not agree with Uryū's methods, Uryū flatly states that the fall of the Quincy is just an old story, to Ichigo's surprise. Uryū explains that he does not care about the extermination 200 years ago because it is just a story that his master told him and admits that he actually agreed with the Shinigami when he first heard the tale before revealing that this changed when his master died.
Uryu: To the very end, he tried to convince the Soul Reapers that Quincies were necessary. He kept encouraging them to work together, suggesting new ways to fight the Hollows. Since the Soul Reapers live in the Soul Society, there would always be a delay when it come to dealing with Hollow in this world. It would make sense to have people like us who would watch out for immediate danger and react to the problems quickly. But the Soul Reapers always had the same answer to his efforts - "Don't interfere with our work." The one day, five Hollows appeared and surrounded sensei. It was two hours before they finally arrived. If only they had listened to his advice. If only they had heeded his warning, then he wouldn't have been alone. Help would have reached him in time. And sensei wouldn't have wound up dead! Now do you understand? That's the reason that this is so important, why I have to prove to you and to all Soul Reapers the superior strength of the Quincy! Watch and witness the true power of-
In the past, Sōken sits with a young Uryū on the roof of Karakura Hospital and explains that he felt the Quincy were at fault for refusing to listen at all to the Shinigami. Surprised by this, Uryū points out how the Quincy were the ones who were annihilated, which Sōken affirms before asserting that it was pointless to think about who was right or wrong when there were so many casualties as he tells Uryū that all they must think about is how to prevent it from ever happening again. As Uryū sits in stunned silence, Sōken states that it saddens him to see the sad faces of Humans or Shinigami. In the present, Uryū declares Sōken was a kind and gentle man who never hated anyone. Destroying another Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil, Uryū recounts how Sōken kept pleading with the Shinigami to join forces and work together with the Quincy even though he was constantly under surveillance as the Last Quincy, only to constantly be told to not interfere with the work of the Shinigami. As he continues to destroy Hollows, Uryū recalls how Sōken was confronted by five large Hollows one day and obviously could not take them on without the help of Shinigami, but they only showed up two hours after Sōken had begun fighting, which led to his death. Uryū turns to face Ichigo and asserts the Shinigami would have saved Sōken if they had acknowledged his ideals.
Ichigo: Shut up already!
Uryu: Hrgh! oww! What is your problem?!
Ichigo: You messed up your own story! Your sensei wouldn't want you to prove the strength of the Quincies. His greatest hope was for Quincies and Soul Reapers to work together! Isn't that right?!
Uryu: !
Ichigo: Come on, think about it! You said it yourself. When will you ever have a better chance to do that than right here surrounded by enemies? You say we're at opposite poles, but I say when two warriors are heavily outnumbered, the trick is to fight back-to-back. It's kill or be killed. What's more important here is, together, we can kill a lot more. Isn't that a good enough reason for us to join forces? After all, we both share the same single-minded purpose.
Uryu: ...
After asking Ichigo if he understands that Uryū must prove the strength of the Quincy to the Shinigami, Uryū turns back to the Hollows and acknowledges that they have opposite ways of thinking and tells him to watch if Ichigo disagrees with his methods, only for Ichigo to suddenly kick him in the back of the head while proclaiming that he talks too much. Sent skidding along the ground by this, a flabbergasted Uryū sits up and demands to know what Ichigo is doing as the latter points out that Sōken's hope was for the Shinigami and Quincy to work together rather than prove the power of the Quincy to the Shinigami before grabbing Uryū by the collar. Ichigo inquires when Uryū will be able to do this if not right now and pulls him to his feet before walking behind him and asserting that it is fine if they have opposite ideologies because it is best to fight multiple opponents back-to-back. As Ichigo slashes a Hollow's head in half, Uryū destroys two more approaching him with Heilig Pfeil, leading Ichigo to commend him as Uryū claims that he only did so because he would have been killed otherwise. Declaring that this is also fine because it is kill or be killed, Ichigo points out that it is too hard to do alone and that this is enough reason for the two of them to join forces before admitting that he just wants to kill Hollows. When Uryū asks him why this is the case, Ichigo reveals that his mother was killed by one, to Uryū's surprise, and states that this is enough reason on its own before explaining that he primarily does not want anyone else to go through that after seeing what his father and two sisters went through after his mother died.
Ichigo: My mother was killed by a Hollow.
Uryu: What...?
Ichigo: After all the agony I suffered, I wanna make sure others don't suffer the way I did. My father ad my sisters went through so much pain after mom was killed. It was so hard for me to watch. That's something I don't ever want to see again.
Uryu: ...
Cutting through two more Hollows, Ichigo proclaims that he just does not want to see any more of that, leading Uryū to recall Sōken explaining how it saddens him to see the sad faces of others.
Soken: So many lives were cut short so young, but the memory of those souls who are lost is what is important now. And to worry about who was right and who was wrong is meaningless. We must do all we can Uryu, to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. That is the lesson I want you to learn. So that such sadness will never again occur in the lives of humans or Soul Reapers.
As he admits he cannot protect everyone in the world, Ichigo refuses to just protect a few and concludes that he wants to protect as many as possible. Ichigo criticizes Uryū's plan as endangering too many innocent people and asserts that he will not forgive Uryū for it, only to dismiss this as not being important right now before appealing to Uryū to join forces with him for the time being.
Ichigo: I'm not a superhero. I know that I can't protect everybody in the world. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna be content protecting only the people I can hold in my arms either. I am going to protect as many people as I possibly can. Your method of using bait to deliberately draw Hollows here just to prove a point is only endangering innocent lives. I don't agree with that. But right now is not the time or arguments. We've gotta work together. You and me. So whaddya say?
As a Hollow advances toward him, Uryū claims that Ichigo talks too much, but states that he understands Ichigo's logic because they will not have someone to beat up later if they do not both survive as he draws back a Heilig Pfeil in Kojaku and aims it at the Hollow. Encouraged by this, Ichigo runs past Uryū and cuts through several Hollows as Uryū fires Heilig Pfeil into several more, destroying them all. While Ichigo continues to slash through Hollows, Uryū destroys three more with Heilig Pfeil before returning to his back-to-back formation with Ichigo in the middle of the Hollow horde.
Uryu: What do I say? I think you talk too much. But In understand what you're saying. I have to help you survive this battle, or you won't be around for me to kick your butt!
Ichigo: Sounds like a plan!
However, as the two of them stare down the remaining Hollows, Uryū draws Ichigo's attention to the crack in the sky, where they are shocked to see two massive white hands grip the edges of the void from the inside.
Uryu: What the? Ichigo?
Ichigo: Hm?
Uryu: The Hollows are acting strange. They're all looking up...Look at the sky!
Ichigo: What's that?!
Uryu: I...I don't know.
From many armies of Hollows, but not a even bigger one has appeared in the World of the Living from where the Hollows come from.
Ichigo: That's not your everyday garden-variety Hollow.
With Rukia watching in terror from several meters away, a Menos Grande pushes apart the Kūmon and brings its head into view, prompting a stunned Kon to wonder what it is.
Rukia: It can't be...Menos Grande...It's a huge Hollow born from hundreds and hundreds of Hollows, mixed and folded and crushed together. Until now, I've never seen it except for illustrations in textbooks. Menos Grande is way too much for any single Soul Reaper.
Inside the ring of Hollows, Ichigo expresses astonishment at the Menos Grande's size.
Ichigo: Heh.
Uryu: What's so funny?
Ichigo: Just because it's overfed, doesn't change anything. We're just gonna have to chop a little more.
Uryu: Chop?
Ichigo: Yep. And the bigger they are, the harder they fall. Come on! Together we'll take that ugly sucker down! Let's go, Uryu!
Though Uryū asserts that his Hollow Bait should not be able to draw such a large Hollow, Ichigo points out that it is too late now before cursing alongside Uryū when four more Hollows attack them from behind. Suddenly, the Hollows are destroyed by a barrage of blasts from Ururu Tsumugiya, who lowers her Senren Bakusatsu Taihō and timidly greets the surprised Ichigo and Uryū as Jinta Hanakari smashes several Hollows away with Jinta Home Run and Tessai Tsukabishi destroys the upper half of a Hollow's head with Tesshō. As the dust clears, Kisuke Urahara stands with his crew and reveals that they came to help Ichigo, who is shocked by his appearance.
Jinta destroys a Hollow with a single swing of his Muteki Tekkon and Ururu mows down several other Hollows behind Ichigo and Uryū, who can only watch in stunned silence as Urahara explains that they will take care of the ordinary Hollows so Ichigo can focus on the Menos Grande before noting that Ichigo does not have time to listen to his rambling. Upon seeing the Menos Grande push its head through the Kūmon, a terrified Rukia identifies it and explains to Kon that it is a gigantic Hollow formed from hundreds of other Hollows combining before admitting that she has only seen it in the form of illustrations in textbooks up until now.
Expressing disbelief that such a powerful Hollow would be drawn out, Rukia reveals that only the Royal Guard are supposed to combat it and asserts that a single Shinigami cannot hope to take it on. As the Menos Grande turns its head to stare at him and Uryū, a grinning Ichigo states that there is no point in thinking about how to fight such a massive opponent and declares that the only method available will be to cut the Menos Grande up over and over before charging forward as a bewildered Uryū runs after him. Though Rukia runs up and warns Ichigo that the Menos Grande is not an opponent he can take on, she is interrupted when Urahara appears in front of her.
As Rukia demands to know if he plans on killing Ichigo, Urahara holds two fingers up to her face and uses Shibireyubi before denying this. While Rukia falls to her knees and realizes that he has used a Bakudō on her, Urahara states that this battle is necessary for both her and Ichigo. Meanwhile, a yelling Ichigo leaps toward the Menos Grande as it steps into the Human World and sinks his Zanpakutō into its ankle, only for the unfazed Menos Grande to simply kick him back. Seeing Ichigo skidding to a halt in front of him, Uryū reminds him that he criticizes this plan of action and fires a Heilig Pfeil at the Menos Grande, which does minimal damage.
Uryū curses and asks Ichigo if he can stand, prompting Ichigo to assert that he is okay as blood begins to trickle down his forehead. When Uryū demands to know what he was thinking and how he planned on defeating the Menos Grande, Ichigo explains his plan of cutting away sections of the Menos Grande starting with its feet until he could reach its head. Expressing disbelief at Ichigo's way of thinking, Uryū kneels and tells him to get up and think of a new strategy while placing his hand on Ichigo's Zanpakutō, only to be shocked when his Kojaku suddenly increases drastically in size, leading him to realize that he is absorbing Ichigo's Reiryoku through his Zanpakutō.
Upon having his attention drawn by Uryū, Ichigo is equally shocked to see the size of his Kojaku and asks him how it got so big, but Uryū dismisses this and reveals that they may have a way to defeat the Menos Grande, to Ichigo's confusion. Watching the Menos Grande exit the Kūmon and begin approaching Ichigo and Uryū, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado stand on a nearby bridge as civilians walk around them and confirm with each other that they can see Ichigo and Uryū clearly. As she notes that Urahara asked them to wait here and watch, Orihime wonders if he wants them to watch before choosing the path which they want to take with their powers.
Mentally admitting that she has not forgotten a single thing from the night her Hollowfied brother attacked her and could only doubt her own memories, Orihime asks Sado what they are supposed to do, only for him to remain silent. Back on the ground, Uryū declares that they are ready to go as he kneels in front of Ichigo with the latter's Zanpakutō tied to his head, prompting Ichigo to let go of his Zanpakutō, which causes Kojaku to shrink back to its normal size, as he asks Uryū if he is crazy. Offended by this, Uryū explains that he will be able to fire a massive Heilig Pfeil if Ichigo channels all of his Reiryoku into Uryū through his Zanpakutō.
However, when Uryū tells him to exert control over his Reiryoku and release it all at once, Ichigo bluntly asks him how to do so, leading a shocked Uryū to asks him if he really cannot do that. Upon being pressed about how he has fought Hollows up until now, Ichigo guesses that he just fought on instinct, further bewildering Uryū, before asserting that his Reiryoku being so high must mean that it is always at its maximum level. Suddenly, as Ichigo and Uryū stare at each other, they are alerted by the Menos Grande beginning to charge a massive Cero in front of its mouth, prompting a stunned Rukia to beg Ichigo to run before he is obliterated by it.
Seeing this, Uryū decides that there is no other way and tells Ichigo to grab his Zanpakutō again, only for Ichigo to yank it off his head and charge at the Menos Grande while yelling, to Uryū's confusion. As Ichigo runs up to it, the Menos Grande fires an enormous red Cero at him, forcing Ichigo to block it with his Zanpakutō held over his head. Forced back by the resulting shock wave, Uryū stares closely at Ichigo's Zanpakutō and wonders where this powerful Reiatsu he is sensing is coming from. While Ichigo struggles to withstand the Cero, Uryū realizes that his power is increasing and recalls Ichigo theorizing that it is always at maximum level.
Uryū concludes that this is not possible because always having one's Reiryoku output at maximum would invariably result in it running out regardless of size, which means that Ichigo must have an immense amount of Reiryoku available if his unconscious output is so high, and details how most people would quickly turn off a faucet if it were spewing a large amount of water after they turned it on before wondering what will happen if Ichigo's Reiryoku is always at its minimum and were suddenly let loose. As Urahara notes that it is about time, a roaring Ichigo pushes through the Cero and slashes at the Menos Grande, resulting in a massive vertical cut down ing its entire body.
With those watching shocked by this, a massive shock wave emanates from Ichigo as the Menos Grande rears back before pulling the Kūmon around itself, leading Rukia and Uryū to realize that it is retreating. Seeing this, Ichigo turns around and forms the peace symbol with his hand as he sticks it in the air and declares victory. While Uryū wonders just what Ichigo is, Tessai expresses admiration of his power and observes that this must be why Urahara is interested in him.
Uryu: Menos is retreating!
Ichigo: I win!
Uryu: What in the world is he?
Ichigo: Well, what's the matter, Uryu? You don't have anything to say? I just saved your butt and cleaned up your mess too. It seems like you could at least say thank you, or congratulations, or something.
Ichigo stands in front of Uryū and demands that the latter thank him for saving his life, only to suddenly collapse as he realizes that he no longer has any strength left in his body. As for Rukia...
Rukia: A Menos Grande appeared and somehow Ichigo and Uryu defeated it. It won't take long for the news to get back to the Soul Society. Ichigo...
However, those present are shocked when Ichigo's Zanpakutō begins glowing brightly and distorting, leading Uryū to realize that it is losing its integrity as Rukia explains that this is the result of Ichigo releasing so much power at once before asserting that his spiritual body will not survive at this rate. Declaring that he must do something, Uryū steps on top of an agonized Ichigo's Zanpakutō, causing his Kojaku to flare up to an even larger size than before as several cuts appear on his arm. Despite the pain, Uryū manages to fire a giant Heilig Pfeil up into the air and mentally details how he will stabilize Ichigo by releasing the power he cannot control.
Looking up to see Uryū continuing to fire Heilig Pfeil into the air, Ichigo demands to know what he is doing and observes that Uryū's hand is tearing apart, but Uryū tells him to shut up and reminds Ichigo of their plan to stay alive so they can beat each other up later before ordering Ichigo to stay alive so this can happen. As he continues to fire off Heilig Pfeil, Uryū mentally asks Sōken to forgive him for looking away from Uryū's own failure to save him by hating Shinigami while recalling the time he spent with his master as a child. Noting he will save a Shinigami today, Uryū falls to his knees as Ichigo stabilizes and asks Sōken if he can forgive him while addressing him as his grandfather, which leads Ichigo to admit he cannot beat up a man who looks so sad.
(Tayla: Sorry, no script for this one but details...)
As she lies in Ichigo Kurosaki's closet in the Kurosaki Clinic at night, Rukia Kuchiki stares at the ceiling and recalls Ichigo scarring a Menos Grande that afternoon and notes that this news will eventually reach Soul Society as she expresses concern for Ichigo.
The next morning, a fancily dressed Kon wakes up Ichigo by angrily screaming his name, prompting a sleepy Ichigo to sit up in bed and wonder if he has had a realization overnight. Angrily telling Ichigo to shut up, Kon reveals that this is the work of Yuzu Kurosaki and berates her for not stopping at just washing him, only to be interrupted when an irritated Ichigo casually kicks him off the bed and claims that it looks good on him before explaining that Yuzu probably felt bad for Kon because he was so dirty. After crawling back onto the bed, Kon details how Yuzu attached a flower to his ear with super-glue, which he points out to Ichigo. As he watches Kon pull on the flower to no avail, Ichigo leans in to inspect as Kon bemoans how Yuzu thinks he is just a stuffed toy before lifting Kon into the air by the flower on his ear, causing him to shriek in pain while demanding to know what Ichigo is doing. Ichigo admits that he thought the flower would come off if he pulled on it hard enough, and with Kon yelling in great pain, Ichigo puts him down and notes that it is more likely that his ear will come off first, leading Kon to belligerently curse him, before asserting that it is time for him to run and leaping off the bed to go downstairs for breakfast, leaving Kon lying face-down on the floor. Slamming his fist on the floor, Kon angrily wonders why he is the only one who is always treated like he is not an equal or a comrade before deciding to go off on an adventure on his own in order to find someone who will be kind to him and a place where he truly belongs.
Soon afterward, Ichigo knocks on the door to his closet and tells Rukia that it is time to leave for school. When he does not receive a reply, a confused Ichigo knocks harder on the door and addresses her more loudly, prompting an annoyed Rukia to open it while telling Ichigo to lower his voice because she can hear him. Surprised by her tone of voice, Ichigo asks Rukia if something happened. Rukia asserts that it is nothing and that she is just tired from yesterday's incident, and as Ichigo ponders this, Rukia tells him that she is going on ahead before dropping out of his window onto the ground below, leaving Ichigo to wonder what is wrong with her. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Kon walks down the street as he observes that he cannot get very far without money after storming out of the Kurosaki Clinic. Suddenly, Kon sees Ryō Kunieda and Michiru Ogawa walking toward him and drops on his back in front of them, prompting them to stop and look at him in confusion, as he mentally identifies them as Ichigo's classmates and encourages them to pick him up.
As Kon claims that girls cannot resist a cute stuffed animal, Michiru expresses adoration over Kon's appearance, but Ryō casually steps on him while calling him dirty, causing Kon to grunt in pain. With Michiru and Ryō startled to hear him make noise, Kon mentally curses as they affirm with each other that he just spoke and notes that it cannot be helped in a case like this before running off. While Michiru watches this in shock, Ryō puts down her bag and tells Kon that she can run 100 meters in 12 seconds flat as part of the Karakura High School Track Team before declaring that he will not outrun her as she chases after him, leaving Kon crying in fear.
Meanwhile, Orihime Inoue walks along a riverbank and hums to herself before smiling upon seeing Rukia ahead of her. After running up to Rukia, Orihime greets her, leading Rukia to do so in turn, and proposes they walk together, which Rukia agrees to before observing Orihime begins walking to school very early. Confirming this, Orihime stops and notes summer vacation being so close keeps her from sleeping out of excitement and asks Rukia if she has any plans for her summer vacation, only for Rukia to pause and admit she does not, prompting Orihime to detail how there will be a fireworks festival in August that Tatsuki Arisawa and her friends were planning to attend. When Orihime invites her to join them, Rukia is perplexed by the idea of a fireworks festival as Orihime asserts that they should invite Ichigo as well to make it similar to the time they all attended Don Kanonji's Casual Soul Realm Assault Trip taping. As they resume walking, Rukia notes that the taping was quite eventful, which Orihime confirms before observing that Ichigo attending that event for the sake of his family proves that he can be kind sometimes, to Rukia's amusement. Orihime claims that Ichigo should lighten up because he has such a fun family and points out how he has a constant frown on his face, leading Rukia to admit she thought Orihime did not like him. Denying this, Orihime states that Ichigo has an interesting face when one looks at it closely, causing Rukia to laugh, before asking her once more to attend the fireworks festival with them, prompting Rukia to look away as she states that she will think about it.
On a crowded bridge elsewhere in Karakura Town, Yoruichi Shihōin sits atop one of the saddles before leaping down, landing unharmed despite the great drop, and walking away. Later, at Karakura High School, Orihime stands in the baseball field with a baseball and tells Tatsuki that she is ready as the other girls, including Ryō, Michiru, and Chizuru Honshō, stand behind her and cheer. As he focuses on Orihime's breasts, Kon stands on the branch of a nearby tree and mentally declares that he has finally found his goddess while brushing off his earlier experience as a rehearsal. Kon goes over his plan to lie helpless in front of Orihime, who he believes is sure to pick him up and gently caress him in her chest, and asserts that his target has always been Orihime alone before declaring that one must act swiftly once decided as he runs out onto the field and anticipates Orihime's embrace, only to find himself running in front of a soccer ball being tailed by Tatsuki, who performs her Dragon Bazooka kick, sending Kon flying with the soccer ball. With the ball hurtling toward her, Orihime, not seeing Kon, slams the baseball bat into both of them, leading Kon to declare that this was not supposed to happen as he is sent flying high into the sky. While Orihime celebrates having a one-run lead and prepares to open two bottles of soda, Tatsuki observes that her soccer-baseball game hybrid is not very fair to the defensive players and asserts that a one-run lead is not a cause for celebration, to Orihime's surprise. While Chizuru tickles Michiru and Tatsuki advises Orihime to call it a day because their free period is over, which Orihime laments because she was just getting warmed up, Ichigo wonders what they are doing.
Leaping onto Ichigo, who staggers and drops the soccer balls he was carrying, Keigo Asano asks him what he is looking at and teases him for eyeing Orihime as he praises her well-shaped body, only for Ichigo to throw Keigo off him and angrily tell him to stop babbling nonsense. As Yasutora Sado puts away field equipment behind them, Keigo leaps to his feet and passionately demands to know what is wrong with being interested in girls at this age before crying, leading an embarrassed Ichigo to concede that there is nothing wrong with this. When Keigo assumes that Ichigo is into older women like he is, Mizuiro Kojima knocks him down with a soccer ball. Mizuiro angrily tells Ichigo and Keigo to stop fooling around and help them clean up, prompting Ichigo to apologize. Shortly afterward, as he puts away a container of soccer balls, Ichigo notes that this is the last of it, which Mizuiro confirms and thanks him for before noting that Uryū Ishida has not yet come to class today, leading Ichigo to recall Uryū's involvement in yesterday's battle. As Keigo details how he saw Uryū mumbling to himself and acting dramatic in a park yesterday, Mizuiro observes that he always acts like he is in a drama as a sweating Ichigo mentally asserts that they were really lucky if Keigo was around yesterday and did not get hurt.
Theorizing that Uryū is in a theater group, Keigo details how there were some strange people around him and how there were also explosions occurring, leading Ichigo to thank God for making him such an idiot. A few minutes later, as Ichigo and his friends walk back into the school building, Rukia watches them through a window on the third floor with a solemn expression on her face. During third period, Uryū walks in with bandages on his arms, and when a shocked Misato Ochi asks him what happened, Uryū flatly states that he fell down the stairs, though none of his fellow students believe him. However, Misato accepts this and tells Uryū to sit down so they can resume class. With Misato's decision surprising and confusing her students, Ichigo stares at Uryū while he sits down. Rukia tells him to not let it bother him because Uryū's injuries are not his fault and were self-inflicted, prompting Ichigo to claim that he would not worry about injuries like that. Pointing out that she said nothing about not worrying and only to not let it bother him, Rukia chuckles into her book as an irritated Ichigo curses her, only to stop and look down solemnly. While Orihime and Sado sit quietly, the students around them wonder if Uryū got into a fight and express disbelief at him showing up late. As Orihime looks at Ichigo and Rukia, Tatsuki watches her in concern.
Later, as their lunch period begins, Keigo approaches Ichigo and proposes that they have lunch together, which Ichigo agrees to before revealing that he is going to be inviting someone else too. Though Keigo assumes he is inviting a girl, Ichigo walks over to Uryū and tells him to eat lunch with them. Shocked by this, Keigo asserts that eating with someone like him could not possibly be fun and assumes that Ichigo finds his bandages funny, prompting Mizuiro to tell him to shut up. When Uryū flatly refuses, to Keigo's further surprise, Ichigo claims that Keigo will be paying for it, which causes Uryū to change his mind as Keigo criticizes him as being stingy. Outside the school, Rukia sits on a tree branch and recalls her encounter with Eikichirō Saidō as she admits that she knew from the beginning that her time in the Human World would be limited. Suddenly, Mahana Natsui calls out to her from the ground below and invites Rukia to join them for lunch as Orihime and Tatsuki stand behind her. Meanwhile, outside the Urahara Shop, Jinta Hanakari plays with his broom, and when Ururu Tsumugiya asks him to calm down and help her clean, Jinta claims this is the age where men are silent and play soccer as he swings his broom like a baseball bat. Expressing exasperation at this, Ururu is startled when Yoruichi appears behind her.
Opening the front door of the Urahara Shop, Ururu informs Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi that there is a cat outside. Upon stepping outside and seeing Yoruichi, Urahara enthusiastically picks up and welcomes Yoruichi back. When Jinta wonders what he is doing, Tessai reveals Yoruichi is Urahara's best friend and concedes it is somewhat strange as Jinta expresses pity for him.
Back on the roof of Karakura High School, while silently eating lunch with Ichigo, Uryū, and Mizuiro, Keigo internally expresses misery at how uncomfortable the situation is. Suddenly, Sado walks up behind Keigo, who is startled by this, and asks him what is wrong. As he calms down upon realizing it is Sado, Keigo indignantly tells him to go away when Sado wonders why he was so scared. Seeing Uryū sitting nearby, Sado sits down next to Ichigo, who tells Keigo to say something funny to cheer them up. Though Keigo mentally insists that this is impossible and chastises Ichigo for getting moody after inviting Uryū, Keigo begins telling a story about how he met a waiter who looked like a comedian while eating saury in Meguro. Ignoring this, Uryū asks Ichigo if he invited him to lunch because he felt bad about Uryū's injuries and asserts that he does not like being pitied, but Ichigo merely claims that he just felt like doing so. Ichigo states that he did not invite Uryū because he likes him and tells Uryū to just be grateful, leading Uryū to question why he should be grateful and reveal that he prefers to eat alone anyway. While Ichigo admits that he does too, which leads to him and Uryū telling each other to look away while eating, Mizuiro silently watches them and observes that they are fairly alike.
Meanwhile, under a tree on the school grounds, Rukia, Tatsuki, Orihime, Chizuru, Ryō, Michiru, and Mahana sit in a circle with their lunches as Orihime pulls out a slice of Castella cake and declares that it is the ultimate treat for sweet lovers when mixed with bean jelly. As Orihime takes a bite while Tatsuki expresses disappointment and resignation, Michiru wonders how Orihime can eat such things and not gain weight, prompting Ryō to claim that all the nutrients go to her breasts. Suddenly, Mahana asks Rukia if she likes Ichigo, and when a startled Rukia spits out her juice and asks for clarification, Mahana inquires what their relationship is specifically. While Rukia cleans her face and begins to state that they are friends, Michiru scolds Mahana for asking so bluntly, only for Mahana to assert that the other girls are the ones who want to know but cannot muster up the will to ask, which is why she asked Rukia in their stead. Embarrassed by this, Michiru claims that she is not interested, leading Tatsuki to note that she does not like Ichigo anyway. When Michiru clarifies that she thinks Ichigo has a scary face, Orihime says that she believes he has an interesting face. As Michiru wonders when Orihime got over her fear of Ichigo, Mahana presses Rukia on what Ichigo is to her. However, Rukia cheerfully asserts that he is just a friend and reinforces this as the surprised girls ask her if she really does not feel anything. Expressing disappointment, Orihime explains how Rukia liking Ichigo meant that she, Tatsuki, and the other girls would have also had to start liking him, resulting in a win for their team. Though Tatsuki bemoans Orihime starting her nonsensical rambling again, Chizuru claims that a group competition sounds interesting before asserting that she wants to be the first one to pleasure Orihime. As Tatsuki takes off her tie and begins unbuttoning her shirt while advancing toward Orihime, Tatsuki punches her in the gut, leading Chizuru to praise her parry and collapse as Tatsuki corrects her and states that it was a punch. While Tatsuki repeatedly stomps on Chizuru out of anger, Orihime tells Rukia that she will devise a new food with bean jam and proposes that they eat it together, but when Rukia claims that she will think about it, Orihime criticizes her for always saying that every time Orihime suggest doing something together, to Rukia's surprise. Watching the girls interact with each other, Rukia maintains a smile on her face, but mentally states that she does not belong here.
Later that day, Kon scuttles around outside the Urahara Shop and wonders why he must be treated this way before blaming Ichigo for his woes. As he promises to get revenge on Ichigo using the deadly weapons that Urahara has stockpiled in his store, Kon sees Yoruichi on top of a nearby wall and demands to know who the cat is as he declares that they are not in the same class because he is a lion. Yawning and stretching, Yoruichi walks away, prompting Kon to assume that he scared Yoruichi away and taunt the cat. As he leaps onto the ledge of an open window, Kon revels in how easy that was, only to be shocked to find Jinta and Ururu sitting in front of him as Jinta observes that Modified Souls can even be placed in stuffed toys while Ururu greets him and holds up Yoruichi, whom she reveals told them of Kon's presence as the cat meows. With Kon recognizing Yoruichi as the cat from earlier, Jinta wonders what they should do to him and tells Ururu to hold his feet before pulling on Kon despite his protests, causing him to scream.
At Karakura High School, Rukia sits alone at her desk and taps her books against it repeatedly before putting them in her bag and leaving. With the school day ended, Ichigo walks outside with the other students, only to be surprised when Rukia frantically runs up to him. Though Ichigo assumes that she received another Hollow alert, Rukia denies this and pauses for a few seconds before asking Ichigo if he feels alright. Ichigo affirms this and asserts that there is nothing wrong with his body, and when Rukia states that this is good, Ichigo wonders if another Menos Grande is going to appear, leading Rukia to sarcastically question how they would survive as a team if a Menos Grande could appear so easily. Observing that Rukia is acting strangely today, Ichigo inquires if something happened.
However, as Rukia prepares to tell Ichigo something after visible internal debate, the two of them hear Kon yelling Ichigo's name as Kon runs up to them and jumps onto Rukia's chest while apologizing for running away because he now knows his place is with them. Annoyed by Kon saying his name while clinging to Rukia, Ichigo grabs his tail as Kon proclaims that he will be going back to Ichigo's room because the world was so cruel to him when he was out on his own. When Rukia makes note of Kon saying he is going back, a confused Ichigo asks her what is wrong, but Rukia brushes it off and points out how a crying Kon seems to have become attached to Ichigo. Pointing out how Kon has stuffing coming out of his body, Ichigo pulls him off Rukia by the tail, prompting Kon to demand to know what he is doing while Rukia admits that she is amazed he did not die and Ichigo decides to take Kon to Uryū. In the handicrafts club in Karakura High School, Uryū asks Ichigo and Rukia why they came to him, and when Ichigo asserts that this is supposed to be his specialty, Uryū flatly refuses to help them, leading Ichigo to question why. When Uryū claims that he does not need to answer this, Ichigo mockingly assumes that he is just unable to do any needlework with his bandaged hands, visibly angering Uryū, who declares that his wounds are nothing. As he slams his sewing kit onto the desk and opens it, Uryū grabs Kon by the head and tells Ichigo and Rukia to watch the work of a master. With Kon resigning himself to his fate, Uryū begins working on him at rapid speed and proclaiming that this is easy for him, though Rukia questions if this is okay. Upon Uryū asserting that he has finished, Ichigo and Rukia stare in astonishment at Kon, who has been repaired and left in an extravagant red dress with a blonde wig. While Ichigo and Rukia mutually agree that Uryū has terrible taste in fashion, Kon examines his new appearance and is left outraged as Uryū reveals he has high-grade fabrics to complete orders at any time. Kicking Uryū in the head when he begins to detail what materials he used here, Kon expresses anger at Ichigo and Rukia making fun of him, only to find that they have left, which leads him to furiously declare that he really is going to run away this time.
Later that day, as the sun begins to set, Yoruichi looks up and meows as Urahara walks out and asks the cat what is wrong. However, as Urahara sets down a bowl of milk and wonders if it is going to rain, Yoruichi tells him to drop the act and asserts he knows "they" are here, prompting Urahara to ask the cat if they should talk about this before or after Yoruichi's milk. At the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo brings extra food into his room.
When he does not hear a response to Rukia as he tells her it is dinnertime, Ichigo assumes that she went out again and sets the food down on his desk, overlooking a note from Rukia thanking him for everything on the corner. Outside the Kurosaki Clinic, Rukia looks back at the building before running off. In the air behind her, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki make themselves visible as Renji analyzes Rukia's body statistics, leading him to realize she really is in a Gigai. Admitting that he did not think the visual department's information was reliable, Renji declares that they have found Rukia and grins widely.
As Rukia Kuchiki runs away from the Kurosaki Clinic, she recalls the night that she gave her Shinigami powers to Ichigo Kurosaki, Mahana Natsui asking her if she likes Ichigo, joining Ichigo's class as a student to work with him, and various other interactions with him and his fellow classmates, which she asserts will be a burden if she has to leave. Remembering how she assured the other girls in her class that Ichigo was just a friend to her, Rukia mentally declares that compassion, friendship, and affection are bothersome and unfit for a Shinigami before verbally observing that she may have stayed in the Human World for too long.
Rukia: (Compassion, friendship, and affection...)
Suddenly, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai agrees with her, prompting a shocked Rukia to stop in her tracks, look back, and see him crouching on top of a telephone pole behind her as a grinning Renji menacingly draws his Zanpakutō from its sheath and over his head, causing it to gleam in the light of the full moon.
Renji: I'll grant you that you spent the last few months in that Gigai, but still, don't you think you've grown just a little to lax? Spit it out, Rukia. So where is the human who took all of your powers away from you?
While Renji observes that Rukia could also consider her extended stay as having allowed her to live a bit longer, Rukia asks him if he is Renji Abarai, only for Renji to respond by jump off the telephone pole and slashing downward as he falls toward a stunned Rukia, resulting in his Zanpakutō smashing into the ground in front of her as a trail of force and energy erupts from it. As the energy fades, Renji points out to Rukia, who has been scared speechless, that she was so lost in thought that she did not even notice an assailant from Soul Society was lurking right behind her and criticizes her for becoming so lax in just a couple months regardless of being in a Gigai. Lifting his Zanpakutō up from the cratered and punctured ground, Renji demands that Rukia tell him where the Human who stole her powers is.
Rukia: What are you talking about? Just because I'm inside a Gigai right now, it doesn't mean I've lost any of my power. And any way, why would you even think it was a human who took that power?
Though Rukia tries to claim that her being in a Gigai does not mean she has lost her powers and that Renji is being presumptuous to assume that her powers could be stolen by a Human, Renji asserts it was a Human because Rukia would not have such a Human expression on her face if it was not. Renji recounts how Rukia came from Rukongai like him and was taken in by the Kuchiki Clan, who spent a lot of time and money on making Rukia an elite Shinigami, before claiming her looking so Human cannot possibly be a good thing.
Renji: It was a human! It's obvious. Just look at you. Otherwise you wouldn't have that stupid human expression on you face.
Rukia: Ah...!
Renji: You're a runt from the Rukon District like me. And yet, you were taken in by the noble house of Kuchiki. They put a lot of time and money into making you the perfect Soul Reapers, one of the elite! huh, am I wrong? You're the great Rukia Kuchiki, aren't you? Gaping like some worthless human. What the hell is the matter with you? Right, Captain Kuchiki?
As cheery blossoms float through the air and clouds obscure the moon overhead, Renji asks his Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, if he is correct, leading Rukia to turn around and stare in shock upon finding Byakuya standing behind her.
Byakuya: Rukia...
Rukia: Byakuya...It's you, brother.
While a car drives by them, Rukia nervously addresses Byakuya as her brother before suddenly dodging to the side as Renji slashes horizontally at her, resulting in a cut on her cheek that begins to bleed.
Renji: Passing your Soul Reaper powers to a human is a grave sin. Now, tell us where this human is, Rukia. It's over. We're taking you in. And then we're going to find the human who stole your powers...and kill him!
Detailing how passing on Shinigami powers to a Human is considered a grave crime, Renji levels his blade at Rukia and tells her to consider it a kindness from Central 46 that they sent the two of them instead of the Keigun to handle this. Rukia gets to her feet as Renji reiterates his demand for her to tell them where the Human she gave her powers to is and reveals that they will be killing him after they take her in before telling Rukia to not bother trying to protect him because she knows that he has simply been allowing her to dodge his attacks up until now. Asserting that his next strike will be fatal, Renji begins slowly advancing on Rukia, who walks backward at the same pace, as Byakuya silently watches. When Renji slashes at her horizontally once more, Rukia leaps over him and manages to handspring onto her feet, only to be forced to dodge again when Renji comes down onto her with a slash. After rolling along the pavement for several meters, Rukia comes to a stop and gets to her feet, only to fall to her knees as she clutches her right arm in pain.
Rukia: Shoot...! (This is very bad!)
Renji: Rukia, don't even try to protect him. This is it.
However, as Renji approaches Rukia and raises his Zanpakutō in preparation for the finishing blow, he is surprised to see a blue light reflected on the blade and narrowly dodges a Heilig Pfeil as it hurtles past his head and down the street.
Uryu: Two armed men attacking a defenseless young girl. I have to tell you, it's not a pretty sight.
Approaching them while carrying a bag, Uryū Ishida observes that an unarmed woman being attacked by two men with weapons is not a pretty sight and stops when in the light as he asserts that this is not something he supports, prompting Renji to demand to know who he is.
Renji: Tell me, who the hell are you?
Uryu: Hmph, just a classmate. One who hates Soul Reapers.
Uryū merely states that he is a classmate of Rukia's who hates Shinigami as Byakuya appears from behind Renji. When Rukia asks him why he is here, Uryū asserts that it is sheer coincidence which she does not need to worry about, only to claim that he was simply out getting sewing materials from the local branch of a 24-hour sewing shop and definitely did not come out here after sensing the Reiryoku of Shinigami while bringing a plastic bag with him to use as an excuse, though Rukia does not believe him and is left embarrassed as she wonders if Uryū is really this clueless. As Uryū states he does not blame Rukia for being surprised, Renji slashes through the handles on his bag. With blood dripping down Uryū's arm from a cut on his arm left by this attack, Renji reiterates his demand to know who Uryū is, and when the latter does not respond, he declares that this is fine because he will simply kill Uryū as he levels his sword at the Quincy. Moving in front of Uryū, Rukia asserts that he has nothing to do with this, but Uryū reminds Renji that he already identified himself as a classmate of Rukia's who hates Shinigami. When an annoyed Renji tells him that this is not an answer, Uryū pauses for a few seconds before stating his full name and claiming that it is nice to meet Renji, who is left confused by the sudden change in Uryū's attitude. Uryū explains that he simply believes Renji has the right to know the name of the person who killed him, prompting an enraged Renji to proclaim that he is going to kill Uryū. Meanwhile, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo flushes the toilet in his bathroom and zips up his pants while wondering why Rukia has not come back yet even though it is after 2 A.M.
Ichigo: Hey, Rukia. I've got your dinner here. Huh? Dammit. Why does she always have to disappear right at dinner time?
However, as Ichigo assumes that this means he will get to relax and take a break from his Shinigami duties for a night, he is shocked to hear muffled groaning in the room and wonders where it is coming from before leaning down to look behind the toilet, where he is stunned to find a gagged Kon taped to the back of the base.
Ichigo: The hell...? Kon?
With Kon tearfully trying to speak despite the tape covering his mouth, Ichigo sarcastically asks him how he ended up back there despite his declaration of going on a journey the previous day. After being freed by Ichigo and returning to his room, Kon, now reeking of the toilet, thanks Ichigo for saving him, which Ichigo brushes off as he pinches his nose. Kon explains that he had to listen in order to try and figure out when Ichigo came in because he could not see who was in the bathroom at any given time as Ichigo sprays him with a can of air freshener, which sends Kon crashing into the wall. Angered by this, Kon leaps onto Ichigo's shoulder and gets in his face. While Kon demands to know if this is how he treats friends who have had to endure such suffering for so long, Ichigo denies them being friends and pulls Kon off of him while declaring that he stinks. Asserting that this is not his fault, Kon begins to blame Rukia before remembering that she is in trouble, which he tries to inform Ichigo of, only for the latter to angrily throw him away for getting near him. Kon bounces around the room multiple times before landing on Ichigo's desk next to Rukia's letter, which he points out to Ichigo while demanding to know if he really did not see it before now.
Kon: Ichigo! Rukia's in trouble! Look at this right here!
As he walks over to his desk, Ichigo picks up the letter and wonders what it is.
Ichigo: What is it?
When Kon describes it as a farewell letter, Ichigo questions why he was taped to the toilet instead of leaving, which prompts a bewildered Kon to clarify that he is not the one who wrote it.
Kon: What's the matter with you? It's obviously a farewell note. You see, Rukia, she's left us. She's left us for good.
Kon recounts how he came back to the Kurosaki Clinic to say goodbye to Rukia, as it as the honorable thing to do, and found her writing this letter in Ichigo's room, leading him to assert that Rukia left all of them and went away.
Ichigo: What do you mean? She left without even telling me she was going?
As Ichigo demands to know why she would do this without telling him, Kon tearfully inquires how he should know this and declares that she left without saying a word to him even though he was right there with her before telling Ichigo that his anger is irrelevant.
Kon: Shut up, shut up! How should I know?! I was right here with her when she decided to go. She just up and left here without offering even the slightest explanation. Who the hell cares about you?!
Ichigo: Aw man, just what is this? Damn Rukia, what the heck are you thinking?
Wondering what Rukia was thinking, Ichigo opens the envelope and pulls out the letter inside as Kon leaps to his shoulder to look, only for the two of them to be shocked upon finding what appears to be a nonsensical string of hiragana. After attempting to read it out, a confused Ichigo sees that Rukia left a drawing of a tanuki in the corner as a hint and realizes that it means he should remove all instances of ta from the letter to decode it, which he does. Now able to read the letter properly, Ichigo reads out Rukia's explanation of having to leave for personal reasons and her request that he not look for or worry about her, as well as that he burn this letter and go into hiding afterward. While Ichigo wonders what this means due to Rukia not explaining her reason for leaving, a frightened Kon asserts that something must have happened for Rukia to be so worried about them and falls to his hands and knees before theorizing that something happened between her and Soul Society, which prompted her to leave by herself in order to not get the two of them involved, shocking Ichigo.
Ichigo: Hmm... "For certain reasons, I must go. Do not look for me and do not worry. After you read this, make sure that you burn it. And also, if you can, keep yourself hidden for a while." I don't get it. I mean, she doesn't even give a reason for leaving.
However, when Kon tearfully begins to wonder if Rukia is dead, Ichigo criticizes him for jumping to conclusions since it is not getting them anywhere.
Kon: Something must have happened. She said to burn the letter and keep ourselves hidden. What could be so terrible that got Rukia this worried about us? Isn't it obvious? Something's happened between her and the Soul Society! Use your head a little. Rukia's in the middle of something and she doesn't want us involved. So she...she struck out on her own!
Turning toward the window, Ichigo tell Kon to come with him and declares he is going save Rukia as a Shinigami.
Ichigo: Let's go, Kon.
Kon: Huh?
Ichigo: I'm changing into a Soul Reaper and find Rukia.
Though he initially cheers this on, Kon quickly realizes what this will entail and expresses apprehension as Ichigo asserts that the only way to do this will be for him to stick his hand down Kon's throat and grab his Gikongan.
Kon: Alright! I'm with ya, buddy! Uh, do you mean...again?
When Ichigo attempts to grab Kon for this, Kon back flips away from him and jumps onto the floor as Ichigo tries to pin him down before running across the room, only for Ichigo to pin Kon's tail under his foot and throw him up into his hands while chastising Kon for resisting while Rukia is in danger, as Ichigo cannot do anything about it if he is not in his Shinigami form.
Ichigo: I don't have another choice. I've gotta get that Gikongan out of your belly.
While Ichigo begins to reach into his mouth, Kon claims that this is not the problem.
Kon asks Ichigo who would like having a hand rammed down their throat, only for Ichigo to assert that this is not pleasant for him either.
Kon: No...No, wait! Ahhhh! Wahhh!
Suddenly, Kisuke Urahara greets Ichigo as he sits on the sill of the open window and observes that the latter is in a bind before inquiring if there is anything he can help Ichigo with while grinning.
Urahara: Boy, it looks to me like you're in a bit of a bind this evening.
Ichigo: You're that guy!
Urahara: Is there anything I can do to help speed things along here? It seems my customer's in a bit of a punch. I don't usually do this, but I can put this one on the tab for you.
Back on the street, Rukia expresses shock as an injured Uryū collapses and begins bleeding onto the sidewalk, prompting Renji to criticize him for talking so confidently beforehand.
Uryu: *Cough* ... *Cough*
Renji: Now then, let's finish this off, shall we? Remember this as you depart this world. Renji Abarai is the name of the man who killed you. Pleasure knowing ya!
Mentally noting that Renji's strength and skill has increased even further since they last met, Rukia bemoans how she was unable to stop him or even move. As he walks over to Uryū, Renji raises his Zanpakutō above his head and informs Uryū that Renji Abarai is the one who killed him before slashing downward while sarcastically declaring that it was nice to meet him. However, Renji's attack is interrupted when Ichigo's Zanpakutō slams into the ground next to him, rupturing it with a surge of energy.
Rukia: Huh?
Uryu: What...?
Surprise to see help has arrive for them both.
Renji: Huh?! So who the hell's name are you?
Shocked by this, Renji leaps back on top of a nearby wall and demands to know who Ichigo is, which prompts Ichigo to introduce himself as the one who will beat Renji and sarcastically claim it is nice to meet him.
Ichigo: The name is Ichigo. I'm the one who's gonna beat your ass! How's it goin'?
While Rukia and Uryū express surprise at his arrival, Renji notices that Ichigo is wearing a shihakushō. Inquiring which division Ichigo is from, Renji is left incredulous at Ichigo's enormous Zanpakutō, leading Ichigo to admit that he always thought it was big compared to Rukia's Zanpakutō before noting that he has not had anything else to compare it to until now.
Renji: Heh, check out that overgrown Zanpakto!
Ichigo: Oh yeah? So you're saying I got a big one, huh? It's funny. To tell you the truth, I've been thinking this thing looked kinda big next to Rukia's blade. But you know, I've gotta say, up until now I haven't had anything else to compare it to.
As he observes that the size of a Shinigami's Zanpakutō mirrors the size of their Reiryoku, Renji wonders if Ichigo really has that much power despite his young age. While Rukia mentally berates Ichigo for coming, Renji realizes that Ichigo is the one who took her power and leaps into the air before slamming into Ichigo with a downward slash, which a surprised Ichigo blocks horizontally with his Zanpakutō.
Renji: ...Oh...I get it. You're the lowly human who took Rukia's powers, aren't you, Carrot-Top!
Ichigo: Huh?
Renji rapidly and repeatedly slashes at Ichigo, who continues to block, as he demands to know if Ichigo's huge Zanpakutō is just for show. Wondering what is wrong with Renji, Ichigo pushes him back and slashes downward at him, only for Renji to leap into the air, leaving Ichigo's Zanpakutō to embed itself in the ground, before flipping over and slashing Ichigo's right shoulder. When a stunned Ichigo falls to his knees and clutches his shoulder as it spurts blood, a concerned Rukia attempts to run to his side, but Uryū grabs her ankle and begs her to not go as he loses consciousness. As he asserts that it is over, Renji tells Ichigo that he will return Rukia's power to her and die.
Renji: Man, you are dumb as they come. Rukia came out here on her own just so you wouldn't have to get involved. You should've stayed put at home. But you had to come play the hero. Very soon you'll be dead, and Rukia will get her powers back. And then Rukia will go back to the Soul Society to die.
Ichigo: Nrgh?
Upon being informed that Rukia will also die in Soul Society, Ichigo expresses surprise as a nearby light flickers out. Criticizing Ichigo for coming after Rukia in order to save her even though she came here alone just to protect him, Renji mocks the idea of Ichigo being able to do something about it as a mere Substitute Shinigami and confidently asserts that he could never even scratch proper Shinigami like him and Byakuya. Suddenly, Ichigo slashes his Zanpakutō through the air in front of Renji's face, scratching his chin and shocking him, and gets to his feet while apologizing for taking the opportunity to attack while Renji was leaving himself wide open to it. When Ichigo sarcastically tells him to continue his speech about not being scratched, a grinning Renji wipes the blood off his chin and prepares to resume the fight, only for Byakuya to agree with Ichigo's analysis that Renji had his guard down.
Byakuya: This young man here, Ichigo Kurosaki. I believe I've seen him before. There was a report from the Secret Remote Squad. He dealt the Menos Grande quite a serious blow, and forced it back to Hueco Mundo as well.
Though Renji protests this, Byakuya notes that he thought he recognized Ichigo from somewhere and reveals that the Onmitsukidō sent a report to him the other day that detailed Ichigo wounding a Menos Grande badly enough to cause it to retreat back to Hueco Mundo. However,
Renji: Hehehe...Hahahaha! You've gotta be kidding me. Man, the Secret Remote Squad must really be slipping these days. This kid wounded a Menos Grande? Who in their right mind would believe that load of crap?
Renji merely laughs this off and claims that the Onmitsukidō has gone downhill lately due to him refusing to believe Ichigo wounded a Menos Grande.
Ichigo: Yeah...? So what?
Drawing Byakuya's attention to Ichigo's Zanpakutō, Renji asserts that its size and unwieldy nature are proof that Ichigo has not mastered his Reiryoku. When Renji asks him what his Zanpakutō's name is, Ichigo is left confused, and upon Renji inquiring if he asked for it, Ichigo assumes that he was supposed to ask Rukia for a name and that the Shinigami name their Zanpakutō.
Renji: I mean look at him and that Zanpakto! So tell me. What's the name of that monstrosity?
Ichigo: Huh? What's its name? Wait, are you guys telling me you all name your swords?
Renji: I know it. You're not even able to ask your Zanpakto its name. And you really think you can fight me as an equal? Come back in 2000 years!
As he points to Ichigo not even knowing his Zanpakutō's name as further proof of his inexperience, Renji declares that Ichigo is 2000 years too early to be fighting him as an equal before releasing his Shikai, Zabimaru, a segmented blade which leaves Ichigo shocked as Renji holds it up. Now Roar, Zabimaru (Snake Tail).
Rukia: (Don't do it, Renji!)
Renji: Roar, Zabimaru! Now, open your eyes. See what lies before you. And fall upon your prey! It's all over you little runt. You've lost to Renji Abarai and will die where you stand!
Renji proclaims that Ichigo will be the dinner of Zabimaru and leaps into the air while preparing to slash downward, prompting Ichigo to hold his Zanpakutō up horizontally in preparation for blocking. Despite this, Zabimaru manages to push down Ichigo's Zanpakutō and embed one of its segments in his shoulder as it extends, revealing a thread connecting the segments. As Ichigo drops his Zanpakutō in pain, Renji pulls Zabimaru through his shoulder and out of his body, causing Ichigo's blood to spurt out from the wound, before declaring that Ichigo will die to him in this spot as Ichigo falls to his knees in shock while Rukia and Byakuya watch.
As a wounded Ichigo Kurosaki falls to his knees with blood spurting from his shoulder, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai retracts his Shikai, Zabimaru, and asserts that this is the difference in their strength before explaining how a Zanpakutō changes in size and shape depending on its wielder's Reiryoku, with Zabimaru being the shape of his power. With Ichigo trembling uncontrollably and unable to look up as he continues kneeling wordlessly on the sidewalk, Renji decides that it is time that he and his fellow Shinigami left because he does not like the air here and levels Zabimaru at Ichigo. Watching this in shock and concern, Rukia Kuchiki mentally notes that she had hoped a single direct attack from Renji would cause Ichigo to realize the great difference in their strength and decide to retreat with only a small injury before he got seriously hurt by a proper battle. While Rukia admits that she knew Ichigo would never give up for such a reason, Renji asks Ichigo if he is ready, prompting Rukia to mentally urge Ichigo to get up and run if he can still move. However, Ichigo remains unresponsive, and as Renji charges in to deal the finishing blow, Rukia runs up and grabs his sword arm while spinning around to his back, restraining his movement. Surprised by this, Renji demands to know what Rukia is doing and if she purposely wants to make things worse for herself as she pulls back his arm while crouching on his back. Despite Rukia telling him to get up and run, Ichigo grabs his Zanpakutō and begins standing up, to her and Renji's surprise. Incredulous that Ichigo still has the strength to move, Renji throws off Rukia and claims that he was just thinking how it is no fun to slaughter someone who cannot move anymore. As Ichigo gets to his feet, Renji encourages him to fight hard and die while Rukia screams at him to run away if he can stand, only to stop mid-sentence as she sees the tassels on Ichigo's Zanpakutō moving on their own. Renji declares that he will make the first attack if Ichigo will not and assumes a battle stance, but while more power condenses around Ichigo's Zanpakutō, the tassels on the end of the hilt burst off as he unleashes a powerful wave of Reiatsu, stunning Renji. Glaring at Renji, Ichigo surges toward him and slashes through his left shoulder as he leaps into the air behind him. Upon landing, Ichigo quickly turns back to face Renji, and as the latter raises Zabimaru in an attempt to block him, Ichigo delivers a powerful upward slash, knocking Renji backward off his feet and into the air. Forced to grab onto a nearby railing in order to bring himself to a halt, Renji looks up at Ichigo while bleeding from the forehead and is shocked when his visor snaps in two. An astonished Renji wonders how Ichigo acquired this sudden burst of power despite being on the verge of death a moment ago as Ichigo stands up and grins at him.
Ichigo: I'm ready. Are you?
Renji: (His spiritual Pressure is increasing? Impossible!)
As he exerts more Reiatsu, Ichigo asks Renji what is wrong and declares his movements have gotten slower, leading Renji to mentally assert he is the one who has gotten faster instead, before admitting he feels great and does not feel pain from his wounds anymore even though he does not understand why.
Ichigo: I don't understand what's happening to me, but I like no pain from my wounds. In fact, I feel totally invincible! This is about to end. I'll win, and that's it!
When Ichigo claims he does not think he can lose anymore, an angered Renji gets to his feet and swings Zabimaru at him, only to retract it and swing again from a different angle when Ichigo further exerts his Reiatsu. After Ichigo dodges his second swing, Renji fully retracts Zabimaru and swings downward at him, prompting Ichigo to deflect it with a slash. Knocked off-balance by this, Renji retracts Zabimaru once more and assumes a battle stance as a grinning Ichigo leaps over the railing and attacks Renji, who dodges to the side. As she watches this, Rukia is left incredulous at Renji being pressured by Ichigo while 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki continues to watch silently. Nearby, Ichigo runs and jumps over a rooftop to slash at Renji, leading the latter to leap away and land back on the street, where he falls to his knees as Ichigo lands nearby and sarcastically praises his ability to run away. Feeling another surge of Reiatsu from Ichigo, a speechless Renji can only wonder how much higher it can go. Ichigo proclaims that this is about to end and leaps high into the air. With Renji unable to move due to his heavy and intense Reiatsu, a yelling Ichigo hurtles toward him and slashes downward as Renji mentally states that he cannot dodge in time. However, as the dust clears from the resulting impact, Ichigo discovers his Zanpakutō is suddenly missing most of its blade, with Renji not having been wounded by his last attack. With Rukia equally shocked by this, Ichigo realizes Renji himself did not do anything and turns to look at Byakuya, whom he mentally asserts could not have done anything at that distance before seeing Byakuya is holding his Zanpakutō's severed blade.
Byakuya: Quit playing around, Renji.
While Byakuya drops the severed blade on the ground and moves his hand to grip his own Zanpakutō, Ichigo notes he will be attacking and prepares to intercept him.
Ichigo: What? Was it him? Is he coming?
However, as he initiates Senka, Byakuya appears next to Ichigo and moves behind him faster than he can follow, and while Renji and Rukia watch in shock, a stunned Ichigo stands for a few seconds before looking down to his chest, where blood suddenly begins spurting out of a fresh wound. Ichigo begins to fall over and wonders what happened while mentally admitting he cannot even tell if Byakuya hit him from the front or the back.
Byakuya: You're slow.
Ichigo: (What just happened? Did he cut me? What's more, if he did, I can't tell if I was hit from the back or the front...))
Appearing next to Ichigo, Byakuya mocks him for falling slowly.
Byakuya: Even when you are falling.
Though Rukia calls out to him in an attempt to stop this, Byakuya merely looks at her before stabbing Ichigo again, completing Senka as Ichigo collapses.
Rukia: Ichigo!
Watching this from behind the two of them, an astonished Renji mentally admits that Byakuya is still incredible in action after all this time and that he had to strain his eyes in order to follow the second attack after being completely unable to tell when Byakuya drew his sword or attacked the first time. As he notes that Ichigo likely has no idea what happened if he could barely follow Byakuya himself, Renji wonders how Ichigo was able to exert such tremendous Reiatsu earlier, only to be alerted when Byakuya asks him what is wrong. Renji asserts that Byakuya did not need to help him with someone of Ichigo's level, but Byakuya merely states that he would get rusty if all he did was watch Renji fight, though Renji mentally denies this. Upon seeing Rukia running over to Ichigo, Renji angrily intercepts her and pins Rukia against a sign pole with his free hand.
Renji: No, don't!
Rukia: Renji, let go! Let me go! I got him involved in all this. It's my fault that Ichigo's dead! So what the hell's wrong with me gong to him?
When Rukia tearfully demands that he let her go so she can tend to Ichigo, Renji declares that Ichigo is dead, to her surprise, and explains that just touching Ichigo will add 20 years to Rukia's prison sentence before demanding why she would want to do this for a dead person, leading Rukia to note she is the one who got him involved in this. Declaring that she is the reason Ichigo died, Rukia questions what is wrong with her going to him if this is the case, discomforting Renji. As he steps in front of Ichigo, Byakuya observes that Rukia would knowingly make her prison sentence worse just to go to Ichigo and states that he understands as he notes that Ichigo looks a lot like "him", further saddening Rukia.
Byakuya: So even if it would make your sentence harsher, you truly feel that you must help him. Is that what you're saying to me? I understand, Rukia. This young man does indeed bear a striking resemblance to him.
Suddenly, Ichigo grabs the hem of Byakuya's shihakushō, which alerts him, and requests that he stop talking about Ichigo like he is not here.
Ichigo: He's dead, you say? "Bears a striking resemblance to him"? I'd rather that you quit talking about me like I'm not even here. Got it?
Rukia: Ichi-
Surprised by this, Rukia begins to happily call out to Ichigo before stopping upon noticing Byakuya's expression while he tells Ichigo to let go.
Byakuya: I see. It looks like you won't be needing your life.
Rukia: Ah!
As Ichigo claims that he cannot hear Byakuya and tells him to make eye contact when speaking, Renji internally expresses disbelief at Ichigo still being able to move, and when an irritated Byakuya decides that Ichigo must no longer want his arm, a shocked Rukia runs over and kicks Ichigo's hand away from Byakuya, to his surprise.
Ichigo: Rukia...?
While Ichigo inquires what she is doing, Rukia recalls the time she has spent with him in the Human World before coldly berating him for laying a hand on her brother and telling him to know his place, stunning Ichigo. Turning to Byakuya, Rukia asks him to take her back to Soul Society because Ichigo's actions have finally opened her eyes.
Rukia: We should leave here now, brother. The actions Ichigo just took have opened my eyes to the truth. I am ready now. Take me back to the Soul Society. It is time that I atone for my sins.
With Rukia promising to atone for all her sins, a confused Ichigo demands to know what she is saying, only to be interrupted when Renji pins him down with his foot and tells him to give up and die rather than keep squirming around. After asserting that there is no need to kill Ichigo because he will eventually die from his wounds on his own, Rukia reiterates her desire to leave and stands next to Byakuya as Ichigo questions what kind of joke this is and tells Rukia to look at him.
Ichigo: You can't leave here now. I mean, our work isn't finished. Rukia...
However, when Ichigo attempts to get up, Rukia orders him to not move and tearfully declares that she will never forgive him if he moves or comes after her as she looks back at him.
Rukia: I see no need to inflict a final blow upon him now. Leave him be. Soon enough he'll die on his own.
Ichigo: Wait, Rukia! Stop! Look at me. Is this some kind of joke?
Rukia: Don't move! Take even one more step or try to come after me...And I'll...I'll...I will never ever forgive you. You are going to die, so why not stay put and live a few seconds longer?
Rukia tells Ichigo to stay put and live just a bit longer since he is going to die before turning away. As it begins to rain heavily, Byakuya agrees to not deal the finishing blow and explains how he has shattered the vital spots of Ichigo's Soul, the Saketsu and Hakusui, which means he should die within the hour, before revealing that Ichigo somehow surviving will still leave him with no Reiryoku or Shinigami powers.
Byakuya: All right. I will not inflict the finishing blow.
At Byakuya's command, Renji opens a Senkaimon, which three Jigokuchō fly out of, before returning his Zanpakutō to its sealed form and sheathing it as he, Byakuya, and Rukia walk through the open doors, leaving Ichigo lying behind them.
Ichigo: Rukia...Wait... (I can't speak...I can't move...I was protected...again...)
As the doors close behind Rukia, she looks back one last time at Ichigo, who continues to lie motionless as he mentally notes that he cannot move or speak at all. With the Senkaimon fading from view, Ichigo bemoans having been protected again and slams his fist into the ground as the rain grows in intensity. Shortly afterward, as the nearby streetlamp flickers back on, Ichigo notes that his body is heavy and feels cold while blood continues to flow from his wound. Suddenly, Ichigo is approached by Kisuke Urahara, who is carrying Yoruichi Shihōin on his shoulder and holds an umbrella over Ichigo, and looks up at him before losing consciousness.
Urahara: …..
Some time later, as he regains consciousness, Ichigo realizes his body no longer hurts and wonders if this means he is about to die. Theorizing he can no longer feel pain because he is on the verge of death, Ichigo observes he is feeling warmth now despite how cold his body was earlier and slowly opens his eyes, only to find Tessai Tsukabishi lying on top of him.
Ichigo: Eh? Ugh... (Hey. I'm not dead.)
When Ichigo begins screaming in fright, Tessai praises his quick reaction and alerts Urahara that Ichigo is awake as the latter attempts to push Tessai off of him for being too close. Ichigo recognizes Tessai as Urahara's friend and demands to know why he is on top of him before managing to kick Tessai away. Glaring at Tessai, Ichigo suddenly grips his shoulder in pain, which leads him to realize that he is actually not dead as he wonders why. As he looks around the interior of the Urahara Shop, Ichigo observes that this is not his house and questions where he is as the panels to the room open. Urahara walks in, prompting Tessai to quickly sit up and assume a more respectful position, and chides Ichigo for moving around so much because his wounds not having closed yet means he will die if he keeps it up. Upon recognizing Urahara, Ichigo concludes that this must be his house, which Urahara confirms, and inquires if Urahara is the one who saved him.
Urahara: Ichigo, you need to just relax. We were barely able to patch you up. If you move around too much, you'll die.
Ichigo: Are you the one who saved me? Huh?
Urahara: Heh. It seems to me by the underlying tone of your voice, maybe you didn't want me to rescue you. And don't worry about Uryu, he didn't suffer a lot to get healed up and then went home. He hopes you make a full recovery soon.
Ichigo: Ngh... (Thanks, Uryu.)
When Urahara notes that it sounds like Ichigo did not want to be saved, Ichigo recalls his failure and defeat the previous night before suddenly remembering the presence of Uryū Ishida at the site of the battle and asking Urahara if he is here as well. Revealing that Uryū went home because his wounds were not serious despite his blood loss and would not have killed him for a couple days, which allowed him to treat them there, Urahara asserts that Uryū was concerned about Ichigo when he left, and as Ichigo denies this being possible, Urahara recounts having asked Uryū to rest at the Urahara Shop for a while, only for Uryū to claim that he was alright. With Urahara recalling how Uryū told him to take care of Ichigo because he is the only one who can beat the Shinigami and save Rukia, Ichigo considers this for a few seconds before scoffing at the idea of him being able to save Rukia now that she is in Soul Society. However, Urahara questions if he really believes this and reveals that there is a way to get to Soul Society, shocking Ichigo, who gets to his feet and demands Urahara tell him how.
Urahara: So, do you wanna know? There's a way into the Soul Society.
Ichigo: There's a way? How? Tell me! How do I get there?
Urahara: Of course I'll tell you. But on one condition. For the next 10 days, you will study with me and let me teach you how to fight properly.
Agreeing to tell him, Urahara declares he will only do so if Ichigo agrees to train with him for the next 10 days. Incredulous at this proposition, Ichigo claims that they do not have time for this since Rukia will be executed.
Ichigo: I don't have that kind of time, okay?! Rukia is gone and she could be executed any second! So we've got to get to the Soul Society as soon as we can!
Noting that Ichigo does not seem to understand, Urahara pushes him over and pins him to the ground with Shitonegaeshi while clarifying that Ichigo will die if he goes to Soul Society right now. As he inquires if Ichigo believes he could defeat the Shinigami if he fought them now, Urahara explains that he let him fight Renji and Byakuya this time because he figured Ichigo would understand that better than words before asserting that Ichigo would be useless in Soul Society at his current level of strength. Urahara asserts that a weak person entering the den of the enemy is called suicide and berates Ichigo for using others as an excuse to kill himself.
Urahara: Why don't you understand? Hmm? Don't act so dumb. If you try to go there now, you'll die. Right now, you are weak. And any time a weak person attempts to enter the enemy's den, it's basically suicide. So you want to save Rukia? Don't make me laugh. If you get yourself killed, there'll be no one to blame.
With Yoruichi walking into the room, Urahara stands up and explains that Soul Society usually has a one-month waiting period before an execution, which should be true for Rukia as well, as Ichigo expresses shock at the idea of Rukia being executed. Noting that it is done differently than executions for Humans, Urahara details how they have 10 days to train Ichigo, 7 days to open the gate to Soul Society, and 13 days after they enter Soul Society, leaving them with lots of time. As he recalls Rukia walking into the Senkaimon, Ichigo asks Urahara if he can really become stronger in 10 days, prompting Urahara to affirm this will be the case if he truly wishes to save Rukia.
Ichigo: Ngh...Will I become strong enough in 10 days?
Urahara: Yes. So long as you truly wish to save Rukia from the bottom of your heart. Your will must be stronger than steel. You must abandon any doubts that you have. Ten days, to prepare for a game of life and death.
Urahara praises Ichigo's feelings as being stronger than steel and tells him to abandon all doubt before inquiring if Ichigo can play a game of life and death with him for 10 days.
Ichigo: And if I said I couldn't, I doubt anyone else would pick up the slack. Do I really have a choice?
After contemplating this for a few seconds, Ichigo firmly asserts that he can do so, prompting Urahara to grin, and mentally notes that it feels like the rain has stopped as Yoruichi meows.
At Karakura High School, on the last day of school, Ichigo Kurosaki sets his bag down on his desk and mentally notes that he does not have any sense of being at school right now, nor can he feel how he was nearly killed by 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki last night, the fact that Rukia Kuchiki is no longer here, or the fact that no one remembers her. When Keigo Asano performs Don Kanonji's signature pose and laugh while standing with him and a stoic Yasutora Sado, an unimpressed Mizuiro Kojima questions if he is really still doing that, prompting Keigo to counter by claiming that the time is right for him to keep doing it. Elsewhere in the classroom, upon being asked by Tatsuki Arisawa if she has made plans for summer vacation yet, Orihime Inoue cheerfully admits that she has not, which leads Chizuru Honshō to capitalize on this by inviting Orihime to stay at her house. As Chizuru lewdly notes that her parents will be traveling abroad, Tatsuki angrily shuts her down and asserts that she knows exactly what Chizuru is planning while Chizuru claims that she is not thinking about bathing together or anything of the sort. Silently watching this, Ichigo wonders if having all evidence of one's existence erased from the world and everyone's memories is what it means for a Shinigami to return to Soul Society. Some time later, Misato Ochi finishes reading off the announcements and tells her students to not die before September as she declares class to be dismissed, causing the students to begin cheering and making plans for the rest of the day. Continuing to sit at his desk, Ichigo observes that Uryū Ishida cut class and admits that he thought Uryū would remember Rukia. Suddenly, Keigo puts a blindfold over Ichigo's head, spins him around, and asks him where the watermelon is, only for Ichigo to hit Keigo in the head with the wooden rod he is given, causing Keigo to shriek in pain while Mizuiro watches in shock. After gathering all his friends, Keigo announces that a 10-day ocean trip starting tomorrow and describes all of the festivities and activities they will get up to, but Ichigo immediately reveals that he will have to pass because he is busy and Orihime declines as well due to not being too fond of the ocean. As Tatsuki asserts that she cannot go due to her participation in the upcoming Nationals, Michiru Ogawa admits that she will not go because Orihime and Tatsuki are not going. With Sado simply stating that he cannot go this time either, a tearful Keigo turns to Mizuiro, who holds up a snorkel and reveals that he is going to Hawaii tomorrow. Angered by this, Keigo grabs Mizuiro by the collar and demands to know if he is doing so with his older girlfriend, and when Mizuiro cheerfully clarifies that her nine friends are coming as well for a total of eleven, an enraged Keigo points out how Mizuiro is saying he will be with ten other girls and begins chasing him around. Fleeing from Keigo, Mizuiro wonders why the former always picks on him. Later, as he leaves the school grounds and begins walking through Karakura Town, Ichigo notes how strange it is that nothing feels out-of-place and that the world continues to turn even though Rukia is gone. Ichigo ruminates on how Rukia was originally from Soul Society and did not really have a place here, which leaves him wondering what to do as he comes to a stop.
Suddenly, Orihime approaches Ichigo from behind, and as Ichigo turns around and asks her what is wrong, Orihime inquires where Rukia went and why everyone has forgotten about him before stating she thought he would know. Shocked by this, Ichigo proceeds to explain the situation to Orihime. Later that day, as the sun begins to set, Ichigo sits on a set of steps with Orihime, who asks him if Rukia has gone back to Soul Society now. Confirming, Ichigo admits that he is surprised to learn Orihime could see them and wonders when this started, prompting her to indicate the incident with her brother as the starting point. As a perturbed Ichigo accepts this, Orihime tells him that she is very grateful for that time because Ichigo guided her brother to Soul Society and asserts that she can feel how happy he is on the other side before wondering if Rukia is happy in Soul Society as well. When Orihime observes that Rukia probably has friends and family in Soul Society too, Ichigo immediately thinks of Byakuya and firmly states that he has to bring her back. Though a confused Orihime questions the morality of doing this if Rukia is happy over there, Ichigo reminds her that Rukia is in a predicament where she could be killed at any moment. After reflecting on this for a few seconds, Orihime stands up and imitates Ichigo gruffly declaring that Rukia will only be able to see her family and friends alive again if she is alive rather than dead before noting that he has likely already made up his mind, leading Ichigo to declare that Rukia was here and belongs here. Thanking Orihime, Ichigo descends the steps and runs off down the street 'as well as falling for Orihime even more to blush a lot'. As she watches this while smiling 'with her to fall for him even more', Orihime is surprised when she turns her head to find Sado standing next to her as he watches Ichigo as well. At the top of the steps, Yoruichi Shihōin looks down at the two of them and smiles.
That night, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Yuzu Kurosaki finishes setting the table and complains about Ichigo going off on his own during summer vacation to Karin Kurosaki, who is sitting across the table from her. While Karin begins to tell Yuzu to grow up, Isshin Kurosaki pops up and cheerfully suggests that the two of them sleep in his bed tonight. Angered by this, Karin rolls up the newspaper she was reading and shoves it in Isshin's mouth, causing him to fall backward in surprise as Karin berates him for making such jokes and Yuzu expresses unease at even thinking about such a thing. Talking through the newspaper while he cries, Isshin asserts that these words really hurt him.
Meanwhile, at the Sixth Division barracks in the Seireitei, a barefoot Renji walks down the hall in a kimono and passes two unseated Shinigami, who formally greet him as he bids them good morning. Upon reaching the door to the Sixth Division prison ward, Renji unlocks it with a key card and enters.
Within the prison ward, Rikichi Yuki chases after a Jigokuchō and begs it to not fly away because he will get in trouble if it does. Seeing the Jigokuchō continuing to fly higher, Rikichi resorts to trying to lure it back with a fake butterfly of the opposite sex, only for Renji to kick him over while demanding to know what he is doing. When Rikichi points out that he is supposed to be off-duty today, Renji states that he is simply here to check on Rukia and inquires if she is still sulking, prompting Rukia to assert that she is not sulking. Upon being asked why she is not eating if this is the case, Rukia claims that she is not hungry and sarcastically refers to Renji as "Lieutenant". Irritated by this, Renji demands to know if Rukia has a problem with his rank, leading Rukia to deny this before sarcastically praising his strength and making fun of his eyebrows while continuing to refer to him as "Lieutenant". While an enraged Renji demands that she come out so he can kill her, Rukia asks him if she is going to die, and when Renji confidently declares that she will be executed as soon as possible, Rukia simply accepts this, prompting him to frantically claim that he was just joking. An annoyed Rukia criticizes him for not being consistent, which leads Renji to assert with irritation that she is the one who is making them worry with her antics. However, when Renji assumes that Byakuya is asking for a pardon for her as they speak, Rukia expresses doubt, and as Renji proclaims that he would not just let her die because he is her older brother, Rukia calmly states that he would simply kill her himself because she knows full well what kind of man he is, shocking Renji, before revealing that Byakuya has never once looked at her in the 40 years since the Kuchiki Clan took her in.
Back in the Human World, the Urahara Shop is closed for business, with Ichigo, Kisuke Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, Jinta Hanakari, and Ururu Tsumugiya having descended a hidden ladder into a large underground training area.
Urahara: No way! This place is amazing! Who would've guessed that all this time there was a huge subterranean training ground under my store?!
Ichigo: Oh, forget the acting. Obviously you knew this place was down here. But I will admit, it's impressive. Let's just get on with it, this training session or whatever you call it.
Urahara: Always be careful what you ask for.
As Urahara expresses mock surprise at there being such a large underground cavern beneath his shop, an annoyed Ichigo tells him that he does not have to tell and admits that he is surprised, which Urahara accepts. Upon Ichigo asserting that they should start the lesson, Urahara agrees and pushes Ichigo's Soul out of his body with his Gokon Tekkō cane.
Ichigo: Guh?
Sent tumbling back by the force of this, Ichigo gets to his feet and demands to know why Urahara did that, only to suddenly fall to his knees as he begins panting and feeling lightheaded. Asking Ichigo if he is having trouble breathing, Urahara notes that this should be the case when he is in his Soul form.
Urahara: Once the Chain of Fate has been severed, you can no longer return to your physical body. Death comes quickly. Your chain will begin the encroachment where it was severed. When the end reaches your chest, you will become a Hollow and that will be the end of you.
Urahara explains that Ichigo's Hakusui, which acts as the source of his Reiryoku, and his Saketsu, which acts as a booster for his Reiryoku, have been destroyed, effectively leaving his Soul like that of someone with no spiritual powers, which is why they must first restore the Reiryoku he has lost. However, when Ichigo inquires what he has to do, Urahara decides that they should just do it rather than explain and asks Ururu if she is ready as Ururu stands across from Ichigo and greets him while holding up protective equipment in her skirt. With Ichigo confused by this, Urahara reveals that lesson one is for him to fight her, to Ichigo's shock.
Detailing that the rules consist of the lesson being over once one of them is rendered immobile, Urahara asks Ichigo to knock out Ururu, prompting Ichigo to incredulously question if Urahara actually expects him to hit a little girl. However, while Urahara notes that he thinks it will be quite hard for Ichigo to do so, Ururu tosses over a headband and a set of gloves to Ichigo, who expresses surprises, and requests that he put them on properly as she dons her own protective gear before asserting he will die otherwise and throwing a punch. Though Ichigo declares this is ridiculous, he is caught off-guard when Ururu sprints up to him and punches, creating a large explosion of force. As Urahara reminds Ichigo that he warned him of this, he, Tessai, and Jinta watch the dust cloud begin to clear, revealing Ururu standing alone. Jinta observes that Ichigo is not coming out and Tessai wonders if he is dead, leading Urahara to admit that he might be. Suddenly, Ichigo tumbles out of the cloud and runs toward Ururu as Jinta assumes that he is charging her, only to pass her by and grab the headband off the ground before running off while expressing disbelief at Ururu's strength and asserting that he will die if she hits him. When Ichigo asks him how to put on the headband, Urahara motions him to wrap it around his forehead, which Ichigo does. However, after Urahara gives him a cheesy phrase to repeat, Ichigo initially agrees before throwing down the headband as he declares that he cannot do this, only to be sent running off again with the headband when Ururu crashes into the area where he was standing. With Urahara noting that he has no time to be embarrassed, Ichigo puts on the headband and repeats the cheesy phrase with visible embarrassment, which merely results in Urahara chuckling at him falling for it. Irritated by this, Ichigo stops in his tracks, and upon being alerted to Ururu running up behind him, he properly ties on the headband, which gives him guards for the sides of his face, and dons the gloves. Believing that he is ready, Ichigo tells Ururu to come at him, but is quickly sent running again after she craters the ground with another punch. As he continues to run away from Ururu's attacks, Ichigo proclaims that his protective gear is useless and that he will be killed unless he keeps running. Suddenly, Ichigo realizes that he is able to keep up with Ururu's speed if he is managing to outrun her and turns around to face Ururu, who expresses surprise, before dodging her subsequent punch aimed at his head, surprising Jinta and Tessai as Urahara grins. Ichigo begins chasing Ururu back and throwing punches at her while promising to hit her headgear instead of her face. As he notes that the difference in their sizes should do the rest, Ichigo throws a punch that grazes Ururu's cheek, which begins to bleed, and curses at hitting the wrong target. Ururu stares coldly at Ichigo as her eyes dilate and steps on top of his outstretched arm before delivering a powerful kick to his head, sending Ichigo crashing into a nearby wall. However, Urahara appears and grabs Ururu's raised leg, shocking her, and declares that Ichigo is "safe" as Ichigo finds himself having been caught by Tessai, who absorbed most of the impact. Believing he has lost, Ichigo gets to his feet and requests another try, only for Urahara to declare he has completed lesson one. Confused by this, Ichigo points out that he lost to Ururu, but Urahara clarifies that he never said anything about downing her in order to complete lesson one because she has combat abilities rivaling those of Shinigami, meaning that a normal Soul could never beat her. Upon being asked if he is still having trouble breathing, Ichigo realizes that he is not as Urahara asserts that this means the restoration of his Reiryoku was a success before explaining how this lesson was predicated on whether or not Ichigo could dodge Ururu's first attack, as Reiryoku increases fastest when a Soul is in mortal danger, which means Ichigo could dodge the punch if he raised his Reiryoku. When Urahara admits that he would have died if he had not raised his Reiryoku, Ichigo angrily demands to know why Urahara could not have told him first, leading Urahara to claim that he had faith in Ichigo's ability to succeed. With Ichigo stunned by this, Urahara decides to celebrate Ichigo getting his Reiryoku back by moving straight into lesson two as Tessai suddenly severs Ichigo's Chain of Fate with a large axe, to his shock.
Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Yoruichi asks Orihime and Sado if they are interested in taking a lesson, leading Orihime to admit that it is a very sudden question while Sado asserts that the problem is their teacher being a cat, to Orihime's confusion. Smiling at this, Yoruichi reveals that Ichigo has already begin preparing to enter Soul Society and asserts that Orihime and Sado should take Yoruichi's lessons if they truly want to use the powers that have awakened inside them before assuring them that they can decide whether or not they are going to Soul Society as well afterward. When Sado tells her that he is going, Orihime is surprised and finds herself unable to decide as Sado nods, but Yoruichi promises to not force her, which Orihime smiles at. Some time later, Uryū stands in front of a waterfall in a remote part of the wilderness with a box and a travel bag, only to be startled upon Orihime calling out to him. Upon seeing Orihime, Sado, and Yoruichi approaching him from the trees, a surprised Uryū asks them what they are doing here as Orihime explains that they had Yoruichi follow his spiritual presence. With Uryū confused by the mention of Yoruichi, Orihime inquires if he is camping, which Uryū denies, as Yoruichi observes that he is training. Shocked by hearing a voice he cannot see the source of, Uryū looks around for Yoruichi and is flabbergasted to learn that Yoruichi is a cat when the latter draws his attention. While Yoruichi questions what is so crazy about a cat being able to talk and tells Uryū to not be a wimp, Orihime asserts that it is not a big deal. Despite this, a still-unnerved Sado notes that he does not think it is unreasonable for someone to be mildly traumatized by this. While Yoruichi notes that men have a hard time adapting to such things, Uryū apologizes and asks them what they want with him. Soon afterward, as Orihime, Sado, and Uryū sit on some rocks, Uryū expresses surprise at Ichigo actually going to Soul Society. Revealing he is going to save Rukia, Orihime states that they thought he would want to know as well, only for Uryū to claim it has nothing to do with him. Though a shocked Orihime reminds him Rukia is going to be executed, Uryū explains that he cannot forgive himself for losing to a Shinigami. Uryū asserts that this is why he is training and that Rukia has nothing to do with him, leaving Orihime and Sado to ponder this in silence. After several seconds, Orihime decides that Uryū is simply doing his best in his own way, to his surprise, and stands up while detailing how she will think it over again because she is also undergoing changes and wants to know what it is even though she is afraid. As she bids Uryū farewell, Orihime leaves alongside Sado and Yoruichi. Mentally apologizing to Orihime, Uryū reveals that he cannot allow anyone to see this training and opens the box, which shines with a bright light, as he asks Sōken Ishida to watch over him.
Back at the training area underneath the Urahara Shop, Tessai sits on top of Ichigo as the latter proclaims that he is going to die. As he confirms this, Urahara details how a Soul can no longer return to its body once its Chain of Fate is broken and will simply die, prompting Ichigo to demand that he stop speaking of this like it does not matter, and reveals that Ichigo's Chain of Fate will start undergoing Encroachment at the point of severance, leading to him permanently becoming a Hollow when it reaches his chest, shocking Ichigo. Urahara declares that the only way to prevent this is for Ichigo to become a Shinigami before this occurs.
Ichigo: Seriously? I'll turn into a Hollow? Then what do I have to do?
Urahara: Oh, you didn't know? Well, if you don't want to become a Hollow...you must become a Soul Reaper. Let's get this party started!
With Ichigo surprised by this, Urahara promises him that he will have regained the powers of a Shinigami by the time he finishes lesson two and claims that the decision is up to Ichigo, who asserts that Urahara does not even have to ask him. Grinning at this, Urahara points away with his fan and announces the start of the lesson as a large hole appears in the ground underneath Ichigo and Tessai, who promptly fall into it as Ichigo begins screaming. As he looks over the side with Jinta and Ururu, Urahara wonders if Ichigo was shocked by his ruse, but is perturbed when the screaming does not stop and observes that the hole is very deep, which Ururu is proud of.
Lying at the bottom of the pit, Ichigo grunts in pain before realizing that his arms have been bound by Bakudō #99 Part 1. Kin (Forbid), prompting Tessai to explain that he needs to bind Ichigo's arms until the lesson is over. While Ichigo curses Tessai, Urahara calls out to him and reveals that he needs to climb to the top of the pit like that before titling this lesson "Shatter Shaft". Though Ichigo denies being able to do such a thing, Urahara claims that he does not have time to argue about it as Ichigo sees the end of his Chain of Fate forming mouths and chewing on itself. As Ichigo screams in fright, Urahara reveals that he has 72 hours to come back up as a Shinigami before they kill him.
In the Sixth Division prison ward in the Seireitei, a stunned Lieutenant Renji Abarai grips the bars of Rukia Kuchiki's cell and expresses disbelief at what Captain Byakuya Kuchiki just said, prompting Byakuya to assert Renji heard him and he should not have to repeat himself before reiterating that Rukia has been found guilty. After continuing that her committing a capital offense will result in her being executed in 25 days, which is the final verdict of Soul Society, and informing Rukia that this will be the last time they speak, Byakuya pockets the decree he had been reading from and leaves the room while stating that the next time he and Rukia see each other will be at the execution stand. As she stands in the darkened cell while staring solemnly downward, Rukia contemplates this and mentally decides that she shall not shed tears over her fate because that would represent her heart defeating her body and proving itself a burden through its very existence.
Meanwhile, in the Study Chamber underneath the Urahara Shop, Ichigo Kurosaki kneels in his Soul form with his arms bound by Bakudō #99 Part 1. Kin at the bottom of the Shattered Shaft across from Tessai Tsukabishi, who declares the start of lesson two and its name while Kisuke Urahara tells Ichigo that he has 72 hours to ascend the Shattered Shaft as a Shinigami before his Chain of Fate completes its Encroachment. When Urahara notes that they will have to kill the Hollow he becomes if he does not succeed at this, Ichigo angrily demands to know if they plan to kill him, which Urahara confirms will only happen when he gives up.
Elsewhere in Karakura Town, in an abandoned factory, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado yell as they attempt to bring out their spiritual powers, prompting an embarrassed Yoruichi Shihōin to assert that they are hopeless, to their dismay. Yoruichi declares that they will never be ready to travel to Soul Society at this rate, and as Orihime protests this, Yoruichi clarifies that they will die an undignified death in Soul Society if they are not able to bring out their spiritual powers at will. Upon being instructed to remember the first time she used her powers and retrace her steps, Orihime claims that this is easier said than done because of how desperate she was at the time. However, Yoruichi merely inquires what she was so desperate about, to Orihime's surprise, and elaborates that one takes up a sword when they are trying to protect something, whether physical or otherwise, before concluding that there is no difference in the desire to protect regardless of the motive. As Yoruichi asks them to recall what they were trying to protect when they first activated their powers, Orihime concentrates while Sado remembers that he was protecting Karin Kurosaki, but fails to properly remember what she looked like and instead envisions Ichigo with Karin's hair, a baseball cap, and lipstick, leading to him being shocked and left sweating. Watching in confusion alongside Orihime, Yoruichi observes that Sado failed to remember before turning to Orihime and requesting her reason. Orihime recalls Chizuru Honshō and Tatsuki Arisawa being injured by Numb Chandelier's attack on Karakura High School and asserts that this is why she was desperate. Upon seeing one of Orihime's hairpins briefly sparkle, Sado points this out to Orihime, who is suddenly surrounded by the Shun Shun Rikka as her hairpins glow and separate. While Orihime expresses delight at seeing them again, Shun'ō inquires if she called and assures her to never hesitate to do so, only to be kicked from behind by Tsubaki. When Tsubaki demands to know why Orihime would need them in a situation like this and indicates the lack of threats in the area, Shun'ō questions what he was doing as Orihime apologizes and explains that she brought them out by remembering her first experience, only for Tsubaki to crash into her forehead and criticize her for calling them while not in danger. As Tsubaki begins pulling on Orihime's hair, Lily scolds him for kicking her and tells him to stop, but Tsubaki refuses due to his anger, resulting in Orihime running around the room and frantically apologizing while Shun'ō asks him to stop, with Hinagiku and Baigon criticizing his rough nature. After congratulating Orihime on bringing out her power, Yoruichi observes she will need practice taming it and turns to Sado before asking him why he is going to Soul Society, only for Sado to remain silent.
A few hours later...
Later, in the Shattered Shaft, the mouths on the end of Ichigo's Chain of Fate stop chewing on the other links and shrink as the end links return to their normal shape and fall to the ground, where Ichigo is lying on his side. Mentally noting this was the fifth Encroachment and detailing how the links follow a cycle of eating for a few minutes between sleep periods of several hours, Ichigo begins getting to his feet while admitting Encroachment makes it too painful to move. Ichigo declares that this is why he has to act while his Chain of Fate is "asleep" and runs toward the side of the Shattered Shaft, where he begins ascending the wall, only for his foot to slip partway up, causing him to fall back down to the bottom while screaming. As he watches this from the top of the Shattered Shaft alongside Urahara and Ururu Tsumugiya, Jinta observes that Ichigo is managing to climb about 10 feet up a sheer surface with his reckless method and calls him crazy for doing so while Urahara expresses slight surprise and Ururu criticizes him. After attempting to climb up once more, a panting Ichigo lies on his back at the bottom of the Shattered Shaft.
Ichigo: Dammit... (How much time has passed? I can't tell...)
When Jinta calls out to him and inquires if he is getting hungry, Ichigo angrily asserts that he is not and reminds Jinta that he should not be able to get hungry as a Soul, only for Jinta to reveal that a Soul getting hungry means they are about to transform into a Hollow, shocking Ichigo. Claiming that it is okay to get thirsty as a Soul, Jinta offers to let Ichigo drink his saliva and begins lowering a strand of drool down into the Shattered Shaft, to Ichigo's irritation. As Jinta has Ururu join him in drooling, Ichigo threatens to beat them up if they do not stop, but switches to begging them to stop when the saliva begins touching him while Urahara eats an apple and watches. Some time later, after eating several apples and tossing away the cores, Urahara wonders if it is dark outside yet and observes it is hard to tell time in this room. Down in the Shattered Shaft, Ichigo lies on the ground and looks up at the top while admitting he cannot climb up and questioning how much time has passed. While Ichigo tries to figure out how to escape, Jinta looks down into the Shattered Shaft, before running down the side with a platter of fruit, which he presents to Ichigo while mockingly noting that he thought Ichigo might be getting hungry by now, prompting Ichigo to laugh this off as unlikely while pointing out how many links are left on his Chain of Fate. However, Jinta stops smiling and notes that it cannot be helped if Ichigo cannot tell time down here as he sets down the platter. While Ichigo picks up on his mention of time, Jinta reveals that 70 hours have passed since Ichigo first came down here, which is usually how long it takes Souls to transform into Hollows in this pit, and informs Ichigo that the final Encroachment is nothing like the others. Suddenly, a stunned Ichigo sees all the remaining links on his Chain of Fate grow tiny mouths, and while he futilely begs them to stop, the links devour each other and the base of the chain on his chest, leaving Ichigo with a medium-sized hole in his chest.
Ichigo: Huh? The chains?! No way! Stop! All of you! Stoooop! Aaaaaaaaah!
As Ichigo stares in horror at this, white fluid begins leaking from his eyes and bursting out of his mouth, causing him to scream while a mask starts forming itself over the right side of his face. Watching this as he climbs over the side of the Shattered Shaft, Jinta realizes that Ichigo is actually going to become a Hollow, prompting Ururu to hold out her left fist and brace it with her right arm as she declares that she is going to take preventative measures. However, Urahara orders her to stop and points out how Ichigo's body is remaining intact while the mask is forming instead of exploding and recomposing itself as a Hollow like other Souls do. Urahara explains that this is proof of Ichigo resisting and asserts that there is still a chance of him becoming a Shinigami again before requesting that Jinta and Ururu wait just a little longer to see if he truly becomes a Hollow. Meanwhile, within Ichigo's inner world, Zangetsu inquires if Ichigo can hear him as Ichigo wakes up on the side of a skyscraper.
Ichigo: Where am I?
Zangetsu: Over here.
Ichigo: Who are you?
As a confused Ichigo looks around in the dead silence and wonders where he is, Zangetsu draws his attention behind him to where he is standing on a pole, and when Ichigo asks him who he is, Zangetsu states that he should know and says his name, only for Ichigo to be unable to hear it.
Zangetsu: Who? What are you talking about? It's me...-.
Ichigo: (I couldn't hear his name.)
Expressing disappointment that his name still cannot reach Ichigo, Zangetsu questions how many times he must cry out before Ichigo hears him because he knows Ichigo better than anyone else in the world does. As Zangetsu begins to step onto the side of the pole, Ichigo wonders what he is talking about and claims he does not know anyone as depressing as Zangetsu, only to be shocked upon seeing Zangetsu standing on the side of the pole. When Zangetsu asks him how he can be sitting in a place like that, Ichigo realizes he is sitting on the side of a skyscraper with the ground behind him and begins to fall down while screaming, leading Zangetsu to join him in falling.
Zangetsu: I see. So I still can't reach you. This is the world within, the world inside you. The Soul Reaper power that Byakuya Kuchiki managed to remove from you was nothing more than power you received from Rukia Kuchiki. But he was careless. His mistake was that he failed to realize one fact - You have Soul Reaper powers of your own.
After mockingly noting that Ichigo has time to spare if he can scream and assuring him that this is a good sign, Zangetsu tells him to not worry because Shinigami control many spiritual phenomena, including death, only for Ichigo to point out that he is not a Shinigami right now. However, Zangetsu reveals that the Shinigami powers which Byakuya destroyed were merely the ones given to Ichigo by Rukia, as this was all he was targeting under the assumption that destroying them would end Ichigo's life as a Shinigami, before criticizing Byakuya as being careless because he overlooked the fact that Ichigo has Shinigami powers of his own, stunning Ichigo. Zangetsu details how Ichigo's Shinigami powers, which were awakening due to Rukia's own, hid themselves in Ichigo's soul an instant before Byakuya attacked him with Senka before flipping over to stand in midair while Ichigo continues to fall. As the skyscraper behind him begins to dissolve into hundreds of boxes, Zangetsu commands Ichigo to find his Shinigami powers now because this world has begun to collapse and explains that one of the boxes falling around them contains Ichigo's Shinigami powers.
Ichigo: You mean I have it? I have Soul Reaper power?
Zangetsu: If there ever was a time that you must find the power of the Soul Reaper that has hidden itself in you, then that time is now, since the world has began to collapse. I will not tolerate any more excuses. There is no time left! You must find it before this world is completely destroyed. Or you will become a Hollow.
Though a confused Ichigo tells him to stop speaking nonsense, Zangetsu refuses to accept excuses due to how little time is left and reiterates his command to Ichigo. With Zangetsu promising that Ichigo will become a Hollow if he fails, Ichigo falls into a rift opening behind him and plunges into a body of water as the boxes surround him.
Ichigo: So what am I gonna do now? How am I supposed to find my Soul Reaper power?
Wonder how he is supposed to find his Shinigami powers among all these boxes, Ichigo bemoans his inability to search for Reiryoku to begin with and recalls Uryū Ishida telling him something similar once. However, upon thinking of Uryū, Ichigo tries to recall how he figured out Ichigo was a Shinigami to begin with, and when he remembers Uryū informing him that a Shinigami's Reiraku is red unlike all other Reiraku, Ichigo realizes this is the solution as dozens of Reiraku appear around him. Finding a red Reiraku floating in front of him, Ichigo yanks on it and declares that this must be it as the other Reiraku disappear, only to be surprised when the box that the Reiraku is attached to opens to reveal the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Ichigo: What...the...hell? The handle of a Zanpakto?
Zangetsu: What do you think you're doing? Hurry up! You must pull me out, now!
Ichigo: !
And so Ichigo finally gets it all done. As he stands behind Ichigo, Zangetsu praises his performance in finding his Shinigami powers and expresses hope that Ichigo will hear his name next time, which leads Ichigo to realize who he might be.
Zangetsu: It is my hope that the next time, you will hear my name.
Ichigo: You couldn't possibly be...
However, when the world around them begins shaking, Zangetsu demands to know what he is waiting for and commands Ichigo to pull him out, prompting Ichigo to begin pulling on the handle of the Zanpakutō.
Back in the real world, Urahara, Jinta, and Ururu continue watching the mask form on Ichigo's face as he screams. When the iron shafts pinning the fabric to Ichigo's arms burst out behind him, a surprised Tessai tells Urahara that this is the limit and declares that he is switching to suppression mode before initiating Bakudō #99 Part 2. Bankin (Constriction Ban) by plunging his hands into the ground, which causes a white mass to burst from the point of contact. The white mass wraps itself around Ichigo in the form of long strips of fabric, which are subsequently punctured by numerous metal bolts around Ichigo's head and shoulders, prompting a shocked Jinta to warn Tessai that this will kill Ichigo. Tessai asserts there is no other way because he can no longer restrain Ichigo and must destroy him before he becomes a Hollow while concluding the spell by summoning a gigantic iron cube, which hurtles downward. However, as the cube reaches Ichigo, the fabric covering his chest and face is destroyed, revealing a Hollow mask underneath, and Urahara pushes Jinta and Ururu to the ground in order to shield them with his body while a torrent of golden-yellow Reiatsu erupts from the Shattered Shaft. Stunned by this, Jinta watches as something bursts out of the Reiatsu torrent and bounces off the ceiling multiple times before crashing into the ground nearby. Wondering what this is, Jinta gets up and begins approaching the dust cloud as he demands to know if Ichigo is in there, only to be shocked upon seeing a pair of glowing red eyes staring back at him. The dust clears to reveal a figure standing with both a shihakushō and a Hollow mask, leaving Jinta unable to determine if he is a Shinigami or a Hollow as the figure draws his broken Zanpakutō from the sheath on his back. Though Jinta and Ururu immediately assume battle stances under the assumption that he is going to attack, the figure instead smashes the end of the handle into the lower half of his mask, shattering it, and pulls aside the rest to reveal Ichigo. While Jinta expresses surprise at him not turning into a Hollow, Ichigo repeatedly clenches and unclenches his fist before having his attention drawn by Urahara, who congratulates him on regaining his Shinigami powers and clearing the second lesson, only for an irritated Ichigo to jab the end of his Zanpakutō's handle into Urahara's face, causing Urahara to reel back in pain.
Urahara: Congratulations! It seems you went and became a Soul Reaper again! This next lesson has no time limit! Knock off my hat with your Zanpakto and the lesson will be cleared.
When Ichigo declares Urahara is doomed because he promised himself that he would kill Urahara if he ever got out of the Shattered Shaft alive, Urahara notes this is perfect timing and explains to a puzzled Ichigo that lesson three only requires him to knock Urahara's hat off with no time limit.
Ichigo: I think we can end this lesson in no time!
Ichigo: (I saw Mr. Hat-and-Clogs pull that little sword out of his cane. So it can't possibly be a Zanpakto!)
Urahara: You thought because I'm not a Soul Reaper, I couldn't have a Zanpakto. And you're thinking there's no way I can hurt you. You are so naive. Awaken now, Benihime (Scream, Red Princess)!
As Urahara finishes explaining this, however, Ichigo moves in and delivers a powerful upward slash with his Zanpakutō directly in front of Urahara, who observes his hat receiving a small cut on the brim from the force of the attack and commends Ichigo for being able to do this with a broken blade. Asserting that he has not even gotten serious yet, Ichigo proclaims that he does not need a lack of a time limit because he will finish this in five minutes, leading Urahara to draw his own Zanpakutō out of his cane as he encourages Ichigo to try and meet this goal.
In the Seireitei, after relaying Rukia Kuchiki's execution verdict to her in the Sixth Division prison ward, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki walks along a corridor before coming to a halt when 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru praises him for being so calm in the face of his sister's impending execution. As Gin sits on the railing with 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki standing across from him against the wall, he asserts that Byakuya is a role model for all Shinigami. When Kenpachi calls this foolish and observes that Gin and 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen are the only ones who fear death, a surprised Gin wonders if he really thinks so while Byakuya turns to face them and bluntly questions what two Captains without their Lieutenants standing by would want with him, prompting Gin to cheerfully claim that the two of them were concerned that Byakuya would be feeling sad because his sister is about to be executed and thus came to console him. Byakuya states the Kuchiki Clan's noble lineage is none of their concern, prompting Kenpachi to note it makes sense for him to not be troubled because criminals taint a noble family's bloodline. While Byakuya admits his surprise at a commoner understanding the subtleties of the nobility, Kenpachi claims he has always been observant since a young age and offers to behead Rukia before her scheduled execution to express his sympathy for Byakuya. However, Byakuya merely questions Kenpachi's ability to behead someone at his current level, and when Kenpachi inquires if Byakuya wants to test him, Byakuya asks him in turn if he wants to be tested. Suddenly, Gin and Kenpachi disappear from the corridor, prompting Byakuya to look to his right and see Gin holding a tied-up Kenpachi on top of a nearby roof. With an irritated Kenpachi struggling to escape and demanding Gin let him go, Gin apologizes to Byakuya and states he never intended to offend him in any way before requesting Byakuya send his regards to Rukia as he pulls Kenpachi away. Standing still for a few seconds as he looks at the spot where they were standing, Byakuya turns and continues walking down the corridor.
Meanwhile, in the Study Chamber underneath the Urahara Shop, Tessai Tsukabishi pulls himself out of the Shattered Shaft. As he adjusts his cracked glasses, Tessai attracts the attention of Jinta Hanakari, who expresses surprise at Tessai having survived the preceding Reiatsu eruption unscathed, only for Tessai to claim that he is not unscathed because his glasses are in terrible shape. Annoyed by Tessai's obliviousness, Jinta tells him to keep his cracked glasses on because Kisuke Urahara has drawn his Zanpakutō, which Tessai will not want to miss watching. Several feet away, Urahara slashes the upper half of a rock to pieces with his Zanpakutō while pursuing Ichigo Kurosaki as the latter nervously commends him for doing so with such a thin sword. Accepting this as a compliment, Urahara promises to not go easy on Ichigo regardless as he continues to chase him while slashing the air around Ichigo.
Ichigo: !
While continuing to run, Ichigo recalls that only Zanpakutō can harm Shinigami and Hollows before assuming that Urahara's sword is not a Zanpakutō because he withdrew it from a cane, which would mean that Urahara cannot actually hurt him even if he landed a blow. However, as Ichigo stops and turns around, Urahara immediately disproves this by slashing off the remnants of Ichigo's Hollow mask, lightly grazing his head in the process, and observes that Ichigo let his guard down. Urahara echoes Ichigo's thought process of him not wielding an actual Zanpakutō and criticizes him as being naive before releasing his Shikai, Benihime, which he asserts is a genuine Zanpakutō. As a stunned Ichigo recalls 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai releasing his own Shikai, Zabimaru, and berating Ichigo for not even knowing his own Zanpakutō's name, Urahara explains that every Zanpakutō has a name as he attacks Ichigo, who is sent crashing through a rock. While Jinta joins Tessai and Ururu Tsumugiya in hiding behind a nearby rock, Ichigo hurtles past them and gets to his feet just in time to block another strike from Urahara. With Benihime pressing against the broken blade of Ichigo's Zanpakutō, Urahara commends Ichigo for being courageous enough to counter with a broken sword instead of running away, but claims that Benihime is not nice enough to let such a sword stop her as he cuts off half of the remaining blade of Ichigo's Zanpakutō, to the latter's chagrin. Running away from Urahara, Ichigo expresses disbelief at the former being able to cut through his Zanpakutō, only for Urahara to appear behind him and note that Ichigo's Zanpakutō is only notable for its size. As Ichigo slashes at him, Urahara leans back and reveals that Ichigo's Zanpakutō does not actually have any Reiryoku inside it. Urahara declares that Ichigo's Zanpakutō is really just a bloated and empty vessel, which is why he can cut it so easily, as he shatters the remainder of the blade and half of the guard with another slash, leaving a stunned Ichigo to stare as the other half of the guard falls to the ground.
Ichigo: A name...for my Zanpakto?
Noting that Ichigo no longer has a sword, Urahara questions if he will still attack and points out that Ichigo could still manage to knock off his hat with just the remaining handle, but warns him that this is no longer a matter of courage and that he will kill Ichigo if the latter comes at him with such a toy before exerting his Reiatsu, which leaves Ichigo terrified. As he frantically runs away, Ichigo mentally asserts that he really will be killed and is caught off-guard when Urahara appears next to him and attacks once more. Maneuvering around Urahara in time, Ichigo continues running with Urahara, only for the latter to grab him by the back of his collar and throw him on the ground before slashing downward at him. After rolling away at the last second, Ichigo gets up and resumes running while berating his own cowardice and questioning if this is as far as his determination goes.
Urahara: Yes, each Zanpakto carries a unique name. And this one is Benihime, the red princess. Let her show you.
Ichigo: I've gotta get away! I don't think he's kidding! He's really gonna kill me this time! How pathetic. It's pathetic! Pathetic!
Suddenly, Zangetsu appears before Ichigo while echoing his criticisms and inquires why he is running as he pulls Ichigo's mind into his inner world.
Zangetsu: Yes, that's you. Why are you running away, Ichigo?
Ichigo: Master...
Zangetsu asks Ichigo why he has not called his name yet and tells him to look forward because he should be able to hear it now, as it is only fear that is clogging his ears. In the real world, Ichigo comes to a stop while Zangetsu observes that there is nothing for him to fear when there is only one enemy to face. Coming to a stop as well, Urahara stares at a motionless Ichigo, prompting Jinta to wonder what is going on as he watches from behind the rock with Tessai and Ururu. With Urahara assuming a battle stance, Zangetsu encourages Ichigo to abandon his fears and look forward as Ichigo hold his handle near his waist while power surges around him.
Zangetsu: You still haven't called me yet. Face forward, Ichigo, and you should be able to hear it now. The only thing plugging your ears is your own fear. There's only one enemy and there's one you. So what is there to be afraid of? Abandon your fear. Turn and face him. Don't give an inch. Now, Ichigo. Advance! Never stop! If you retreat, you will age. Be afraid, and you'll die. Now, shout out my name!
Ichigo: ZANGETSU!
As he advises Ichigo that he will grow old if he retreats and die if he shows fear, Zangetsu commands him to call out his name as Ichigo manifests Zangetsu and unleashes a Getsuga Tenshō (Moon-Fang Piercer of the Heavens), which surges past Urahara and between the surrounding rocks while a surprised Jinta wonders what is happening now. Bracing himself with a hand holding his hat in place, Urahara watches as the dust clears to reveal Ichigo kneeling with his Shikai, Zangetsu. Ichigo stands up and pulls Zangetsu out of the ground as Jinta observes that it has no hilt or guard, which leaves it not looking like a proper Zanpakutō to him, and claims that the previous one was better.
Urahara: That wasn't very nice. I do believe you've killed my hat. Ichigo, you are one frightening kid. You know that? Lesson cleared.
While Ichigo silently looks at Zangetsu, Urahara congratulates him on finally bringing out his real Zanpakutō and asserts that they can now begin lesson three properly. However, Ichigo merely apologizes to Urahara and asks him to dodge this, leaving the latter confused, before admitting that he cannot fully control Zangetsu yet as the remaining bindings on his shoulder burst off from his building Reiatsu. Shocked by this, Urahara holds Benihime out in front of him and prepares to use Chikasumi no Tate to protect himself as Ichigo grips Zangetsu with both hands and swings it down to release a far more concentrated Getsuga Tenshō. In the aftermath, Urahara's damaged hat flies away as Urahara stands behind a damaged Chikasumi no Tate and observes that he would have lost an arm without it. When his hat lands next to his feet, Urahara picks it up and dusts it off while noting how torn it is. After putting his hat back on and looking at the massive chasm created by Ichigo's attack, Urahara turns to a sleeping Ichigo and admits that he did not think he could so much damage in one attack before calling him scary as he declares lesson three cleared.
Elsewhere, in a remote area of the wilderness, Uryū Ishida dissipates his Heilig Bogen and proclaims that he has completed his training. Looking at his Sanrei Glove, Uryū thanks Sōken Ishida. Meanwhile, in an abandoned factory in Karakura Town, Yasutora Sado blows a large hole in the wall with an energy blast from his Fullbring, Brazo Derecha de Gigante, leading Orihime Inoue to enthusiastically congratulate him for completing his training. However, Yoruichi Shihōin scolds Sado for drawing so much attention, with multiple construction workers outside having noticed the damage, and instructs him and Orihime to run out the back door, which they do, before expressing surprise at the two of them being able to awaken and use their powers in such a short time. Suddenly, Yoruichi's attention is drawn to crashing sounds as Orihime reveals that Sado has fallen down the stairs, leading an embarrassed Yoruichi to wonder what is going on.
Later, at 6:30 P.M. on August 1st, Ichigo mentally notes that he was told to stay at home after finishing his training at the Urahara Shop while they prepare to open the gate to Soul Society. As Ichigo stands next to a pathway with Orihime, Sado, Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Mizuiro Kojima, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, and Yuzu Kurosaki, Keigo loudly declares that they have finally arrived at the long-awaited fireworks festival, prompting Mizuiro to note that he seems excited. Keigo demands to know how Mizuiro could not be excited and asks those present if they agree, which Isshin does before revealing that he has been saving front-row seats since 7 A.M. and suggesting that they all go over there, to the excitement of Keigo, Mizuiro, and his daughters. When Isshin inquires if she and Orihime will be coming as well, Tatsuki, now with her right arm in a sling, informs him that they will be coming later, prompting Isshin to acknowledge this as he runs off with Sado, Keigo, Mizuiro, Karin, and Yuzu. Embarrassed by his father's behavior, Ichigo notes that he should join them and apologizes to Tatsuki as he assures her that she does not have to come. Despite this, Tatsuki promises that she will be there later and tells him to get going. As Ichigo departs, Orihime notes that everyone seems to be energetic, which Tatsuki affirms while claiming that it is exhausting sometimes. Looking at Tatsuki's bandaged arm, Orihime inquires if her hand hurts, and Tatsuki denies this before admitting that thinking about how it cost her first place at Nationals does hurt. However, when Orihime points out that getting second place makes Tatsuki the second-strongest high school girl in Japan and calls her amazing, a blushing Tatsuki humbly downplays this, but Orihime reiterates her praise as she runs off, with a surprised Tatsuki following her. After she and Tatsuki reach the riverbank below, Orihime observes that it has been a long time since they came here, leading Tatsuki to note that they only come down in autumn each year. Walking to the edge of the river, Orihime recounts how Sora Inoue had the ability to coerce red dragonflies into sitting on his fingers by simply pointing at the sky, which is something she loved and always wanted to replicate but never managed to. As the sky gets dark, Tatsuki recalls Orihime's promise to protect her from now on during Numb Chandelier's attack and brings up Orihime saying that she is going to be visiting relatives starting next week, which Orihime confirms. Tatsuki mentions that Ichigo is also going on a trip next week, and as a slightly nervous Orihime also confirms this, Tatsuki explains that she never regretted competing even though she did not end up in first place because there are things one discovers just by doing their best. Encouraging Orihime to go forward and do it once she has decided, Tatsuki promises to be waiting here in exchange and begins to ask something of Orihime, only to be interrupted by multiple fireworks exploding in the sky across the river. At the festival, Isshin cheers on the fireworks while Sado carries Karin and Yuzu on his shoulders behind him, and Keigo and Mizuiro marvel at the colors.
Seven days later, at 1 A.M. on August 8th, Ichigo opens his bedroom window in the Kurosaki Clinic and notes that this should do it as he recalls Urahara's instructions to do so and wait. Though he asserts that he is getting a bad feeling about this, Ichigo enjoys the breeze coming through the window, but is caught off-guard when a ball bearing a caricature of Urahara hurtles past him and crashes against his closet doors, where it bursts open and splashes blood-like liquid on the doors. Shocked by this, Ichigo watches in astonishment as the dripping liquid forms a message that instructs him to immediately come to the front of the Urahara Shop. An incredulous Ichigo observes that this looks like a dying message left at a murder scene and expresses uncertainty over whether it will come off, and when the dripping liquid reveals a postscript accusing those who thought the original message looked like a dying message of having no sense of humor, Ichigo angrily throws a pillow at it. After sneaking past his sleeping sisters, Ichigo exits the Kurosaki Clinic and prepares to bid his family farewell. Suddenly, Isshin bids him good morning and leaps off the top of the Kurosaki Clinic, leading Ichigo to step aside at the last second as Isshin crashes into the ground in front of the door where he was standing. As a bloodied Isshin praises him for dodging that attack, Ichigo demands to know what he is doing and is surprised when Isshin gives him a protective charm while explaining that he wanted to give this to Ichigo before he left. When Ichigo wonders what it is and notes how dirty it appears to be, Isshin angrily berates him for calling it dirty because Masaki Kurosaki gave it to him a long time ago and it is filled with luck and divine grace, prompting a shocked Ichigo to assert that he cannot take this. Affirming this, Isshin declares that no one would give it to Ichigo and pants heavily before clarifying that he is just lending it to him for the trip. With Isshin instructing him to give it back once he returns, Ichigo looks silently at the charm, prompting Isshin to threaten to shave his beard if Ichigo loses it. Startled by this, Ichigo agrees and announces his departure as Isshin smiles. Shortly afterward, while walking through Karakura Town, Ichigo recalls his interactions with Rukia and that a lot of things have happened before refusing to let their time together be rendered irrelevant.
Ichigo: (Take care, Karin and Yuzu. And Dad, thanks.)
Urahara: Well well, if it isn't Ichigo. And right on time!
Upon reaching the Urahara Shop, Ichigo finds Urahara and Sado outside, and as Urahara commends him for showing up on time, a stunned Ichigo wonders why Sado is here, which leads Sado to state he is going because Rukia saved him.
Ichigo: Hey, Cad, what are you doing here?
Chad: Rukia saved me once. I want to help her out if I can. I'm going too.
Ichigo: Huh?
While Ichigo is left stunned by this, Uryū asks him if he did not hear as he appears behind Ichigo and details how he is also going because he refuses to remain defeated by the Shinigami. Confused by this, Ichigo is alerted by Orihime, who walks up and observes that they are all here before asking Ichigo to look after her.
Uryu: What's the matter? Are you hard of hearing or something?
Ichigo: What? Uryu?
Uryu: I don't take defeat well, especially when it's at the hands of a Soul Reaper. SO I'm going too.
Ichigo: What?
A flabbergasted Ichigo demands to know what is going on as Yoruichi walks up and mocks him for being slow on the uptake before inquiring if he really did not notice the increase in the hidden powers of his three friends.
Orihime: So I guess we're all present and accounted for!
Ichigo: Orihime?
Orihime: Yes, I got the message too.
Ichigo: Hold one a second. Can somebody please tell me what the hell is going on here?
Yoruichi: You're a little slow on the uptake, aren't you?
Orihime: Yoruichi!
Explaining that his friends trained in their own ways while he was regaining his Shinigami powers, Yoruichi instructs Ichigo to thank them.
Yoruichi: While you were training and trying to regain your Soul Reaper powers...the three of them were also training in their own way. Instead of asking stupid, meaningless question, you ought to be thanking them.
Ichigo: Ur...A freaking cat just spoke to me!
Orihime: His name is Yoruichi and he's not just a cat.
However, Ichigo instead expresses shock at a cat talking, and though Orihime tries to assert that this is Yoruichi and not an ordinary cat while holding Yoruichi in her arms, Uryū admits that he can see how it would be shocking and Sado points out how it is Ichigo's first time meeting Yoruichi. Declaring that they cannot keep talking outside, Urahara requests that everyone come inside the Urahara Shop to discuss things further, prompting Ichigo's friends to walk in. Suddenly, Ichigo stops Orihime and asks her how much she knows because it is going to be dangerous, but Orihime reveals that she told Tatsuki she would go and promised to come back before walking inside.
Urahara: Alright, alright. Come on, everybody! Let's take this little party inside the store. There are things we can't talk about out here in the open.
Shortly afterward, as Ichigo and his friends stand in the training area beneath the Urahara Shop, Orihime marvels at how much space there is and compares it to a secret base, leading Tessai to tearfully thank her for her kind words and assert that he is deeply touched. Drawing their attention, Urahara snaps his fingers, causing four large rectangular pillars wrapped in tags to emerge at 90-degree angles from the space behind him and slide into place with each other, forming a gate. With Ichigo and his friends staring in stunned silence at this, Urahara explains that this is the gate leading to Soul Society and reveals that it is a modified Senkaimon.
Urahara: This is the gate that leads to the Soul Society. It's called the Senkaimon, or tunnel-world gate. I'm gonna tell you all how to successfully pas through it. The window of time the get can be kept open for you is only...four minutes long. After that, it will close. And anyone who hasn't made it through yet will be trapped forever in the precipice world between this world and the Soul Society.
Asking them to listen carefully, Urahara pushes Ichigo's Soul out of his body with his cane, to the amazement of his friends, who inspect his lifeless body as Ichigo angrily tells a laughing Urahara to give him warning next time. When Orihime inquires if this means Ichigo is no longer inside his body, Ichigo confirms this and questions why she is speaking as though he is not here. Urahara details how the Senkaimon is covered with a layer of Reishi Henkan-Ki, a machine which converts Reishi, and as Ichigo picks up on his mention of Reishi conversion, Urahara reminds them that Soul Society is a world of Souls that cannot be entered unless one is a Soul. As he points out that only Ichigo would normally be able to enter because of his Shinigami powers, Urahara explains that they are going to use the Reishi Henkan-Ki to convert the others into Souls, leading Uryū to realize that this will allow them to enter Soul Society without extracting their Souls, which Urahara confirms. Though Ichigo asserts that they understand and attempts to get started, Urahara jabs him in the side with his cane and reveals that they can only keep the Senkaimon connected to Soul Society for four minutes at most, shocking Ichigo and his friends as Ichigo questions if this is even remotely enough time for them. Urahara admits that it would normally be impossible, further bewildering Ichigo, and states that it is a reckless idea to start with before asserting that he will do his best to hold it open for the full four minutes. However, Urahara warns the group that they will be permanently trapped between Soul Society and the Human World if they do not make it through in four minutes. When a nervous Orihime wonders what they should do, Yoruichi walks up and instructs her to go forward before reminding her that the heart and soul are connected, with the most important thing being what one feels in their heart and their will to move forward with that feeling in mind.
Orihime: How will we ever make it?
Yoruichi: Go forward. Remember what I told you about the connection between heart and soul. You must have no doubt, have no fear, do not think of those you are leaving behind. The will to go forward will be our guide. And don't look back. Only those who can do these things can follow me through the gate and survive.
Established as their guide for this journey, Yoruichi tells the group that only those who can go forward should follow, prompting Ichigo to step forward and question Yoruichi's observational skills before proclaiming that this is why they are all here.
Ichigo: We all know this already, or we wouldn't still be here.
Yoruichi: And you understand that if you lose, you can never return to this life again, right?
Ichigo: Then all I need to do it win, huh?
Yoruichi: Exactly!
As Yoruichi asks him if he is aware that he will not be able to return if he loses, Ichigo asserts that he will just have to win, which Yoruichi affirms.
Urahara: So, everybody ready? As soon as it opens, run in as fast as you can.
Ichigo: Right.
Urahara: Good luck.
Charging up the Senkaimon alongside Tessai, Urahara instructs the group to enter the second it opens and declares that they will proceed, leading to Ichigo and his friends being engulfed in light and disappearing into the newly-opened portal.
Tessai: And now we wait.
Jinta: There they go.
Ururu: Yes.
As the portal rejects his attempt to touch it, Urahara tells Ichigo that he is counting on him.
Urahara: We're all counting on you, Ichigo.
