All Out War! Aizen vs. Shinigami

Ichigo bursts through a Garganta into Fake Karakura Town and fires a Getsuga Tenshō at Aizen's back, but the blast strikes a barrier and Aizen appears before him unharmed. Aizen praises the ambush yet mocks its target, explaining he would never enter battle leaving his blind spot exposed. He goads Ichigo into donning his Hollow mask, then dodges every follow-up strike, telling him plainly that his blade will never land and that distance means nothing between opponents so unequal. To prove it, Aizen closes the gap in an instant and lays a hand over Ichigo's heart.

Aizen presses further, arguing that fighting from mere duty is like an eagle without wings and that Ichigo cannot win without hatred. Sajin Komamura appears at Ichigo's side, warning him not to lose himself, and the remaining Shinigami and Visored gather to defend him. Shinji Hirako insists the battle belongs to all of them, and Hitsugaya charges in, blocked blade to blade, while Shunsui Kyōraku's strike is stopped by a barrier.

Komamura tells Ichigo that his will to protect has already won him many victories, countering Aizen's philosophy, before joining the assault. Shinji entrusts Ichigo with protecting what matters to him and departs to fight. Suì-Fēng urges Ichigo to seize any opening, framing the clash as a fight for survival, and Ōmaeda hurries after her. Recalling Byakuya's charge to guard Karakura Town, Ichigo resolves to trust the others and watch the battle closely. As Hitsugaya rejects Aizen's talk of hatred, Aizen needles him about Hinamori's recovery, and the enraged captain activates Daiguren Hyōrinmaru, declaring he came not to fight but to kill.

Ichigo returns to Fake Karakura Town and attacks Aizen, only to be thoroughly outclassed even with his Hollow mask. The surviving Shinigami and Visored rally to protect Ichigo and confront Aizen together. Komamura affirms that Ichigo's drive to protect is a source of strength, not weakness. Aizen provokes Hitsugaya over Hinamori, and Hitsugaya unleashes Daiguren Hyōrinmaru in a rage.

This installment of the Fake Karakura Town arc adapts Chapters 388 and 389. Its opening theme is Melody of the Wild Dance and its ending is Last Moment. It first aired in Japan on October 12, 2010, and in English on April 7, 2013. The closing Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book segment shows Unohana proving her skill with a kendo-like flourish, knocking bowls of anmitsu from Ōmaeda's hands outside a sweets shop.