Ashido, the Shinigami Who Came from the Past

After testing Rukia Kuchiki in a one-sided clash, Ashido Kanō sheathes his blade, explaining he only wanted to gauge whether she could survive this harsh place. Sensing Ichigo's group fighting recklessly and drawing Menos Grande, he sets out, with Rukia insisting on coming along for her friends. Elsewhere, Ichigo, Sado, Uryū, and Renji flee an endless wave of Menos aboard Bawabawa, while the forest guardians Teres Holcan and his companions capture Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka as hostages.

Rukia and Ashido reach a battlefield only to find it empty, where the Adjuchas Aromazon ambushes Rukia. Ashido intervenes, dodging Aromazon's flurry of punches and eventually cleaving him in half after blocking a barrage of Ceros with one of the masks he carries. He then bisects the summoned Menos with ease. Impressed, Rukia learns that Adjuchas rank above Gillians and have only recently appeared, prompting Ashido to ask what has changed in Soul Society.

Removing his mask, Ashido reveals he chased a Hollow into Hueco Mundo centuries ago and became trapped in the forest. He and his comrades were overwhelmed by Hollows, and he alone survived, taking up the mask of the Hollow that killed his friend. He has stayed ever since, purifying Hollows so fewer reach the Human World, and admits he brought Rukia to his comrades' graves so they could hear another Shinigami's voice. Their moment is cut short when Vecuness ambushes them with a swarm of Menos. Fighting side by side, they wound the Adjuchas, but when Vecuness lunges at Rukia, Ashido shields her and his mask is split apart.

Ashido tests and then allies with Rukia in the Forest of Menos. The forest guardians take Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka captive. Ashido kills the Adjuchas Aromazon and reveals the recent emergence of Adjuchas. His backstory unfolds, explaining why he has remained slaying Hollows for centuries. Vecuness ambushes the pair, and Ashido's mask is destroyed protecting Rukia.

An anime-original episode with no adapted chapters, this installment is part of the Hueco Mundo arc. Its opening theme is After Dark and its ending is Tane wo Maku Hibi. It aired in Japan on November 14, 2007, and in English on September 12, 2009. The closing Arrancar Encyclopedia segment has Gin explain how Menos Grande can be commanded, only for Pesche to provoke a whole horde by kicking one in the face.