Episode Summary
They show recaps of the previous battles fought in the last episode. Then, Hozukimaru escapes. Ichigo then gets attacked by Byakuya's Senbonzakura. Ichigo is surprised by this. Byakuya retreats. Title card.
Isane briefs Unohana on the status of the people being treated here. Kyoraku and Ukitake are seen in the 4th Squad barrack's conference room discussing the zanpakuto phenomenon. They begin to discuss where the Head Captain Yamamoto is. Kyoraku notices the pattern on one of his tiles and begins to stare at it ominously.
Rangiku and Hinamori are seen outside at night and they disappear using Flash Step. Ichigo begins to ponder over the reason why Byakuya suddenly stopped and attacked him. Muramasa is seen in the forest. He has difficulty walking. A Hollow appears to attack him but Muramasa kills it. Muramasa is within a forest of hollows and stares at them.
Haineko and Tobiume are seen walking through a grassfield and begin to converse among themselves. Haineko is amazed by Hyorinmaru but Tobiume is not as well-spoken. They begin to notice Hyorinmaru staring at the moon while standing near a cliff. Tobiume begins to blush while Haineko tells her that he is her's. They begin to argue whether which one of them is worthy under his presence. Senbonzakura appears behind them and surprises them.
Senbonzakura mentions Muramasa, the two are surprised as to what Muramasa wishes of them. Haineko and Tobiume appear near Muramasa. They are briefed to attack Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo is attacked by one of the bells. Tobiume appears near him. Haineko asks Ichigo if he really is Ichigo. Haineko attacks with the ash tornado which Ichigo stops by using Getsuga Tensho.
The two spirits argue among themselves once more. Tobiume is seen blushing and yelling at Haineko. Ichigo becomes increasingly stunned by their reactions during battle and runs away anyway. Tobiume attacks with the fire balls while Haineko appears ahead of him. Rangiku and Hinamori appear near him. Rangiku tells Ichigo to leave it to them; they are their zanpakuto spirits.
Muramasa appears in a forest with a group of Menos (Gillian) near him. They charge to use Cero. As the battle begins, Haineko just sighs and hates the fact that she is fighting women, especially Rangiku. Hinamori raises her sword and tells Tobiume to submit to her. Tobiume refuses. Haineko attacks with her sword and clashes swords with Matsumoto.
Tobiume talks to Hinamori about how weak she was. Hinamori thinks about Aizen and becomes enraged. As attacking Tobiume, Hinamori charges at her. Matsumoto and Haineko continue to clash swords. Haineko uses her ash attack which is dodged by Rangiku. Hinamori uses Tsuriboshi to stop Tobiume. Before the battle continues, the two spirits begin to argue yet again.
This is much to the chagrin of their previous wielders. Ichigo realizes that it was Byakuya's reiatsu. Ichigo is suddenly attacked by Hyorinmaru's ice attack. Hyorinmaru asks Ichigo if he is Ichigo. Ichigo replies that he is. Hyorinmaru tells Ichigo that he has been ordered by Muramasa to kill him. Hyorinmaru attacks with a group of ice dragons.
Ichigo uses his Bankai to fight them off. Hyorinmaru is surprised that Ichigo can not only use his zanpakuto's abilities again but Bankai as well. Hyorinmaru turns his back on Ichigo and uses Sennen Hyorou to trap Ichigo in a ice pillar. Hitsugaya appears and asks Hyorinmaru if he really is Hyorinmaru. Muramasa is seen breathing heavily after he killed the menos. TO BE CONTINUED
Episode preview: According to the preview, seems we'll be getting Hitsugaya's backstory in the manga animated. (If not that, we'll see Hitsugaya in Rukongai). The battle between Rangiku/Hinamori and Haineko/Tobiume continues. Hinamori blocks Tobiume's Kido while Matsumoto tries to use a Shakkaho as she is surrounded in ash.
Episode omake: It shows Ukitake and Isane; the latter is preparing tea. Kyoraku also appears and heads inside but he receives a black eye. Much to the surprise of Ukitake and Isane.
