Fierce Fighting Concludes? Towards a New Battle!

A crushing spiritual pressure sweeps the fake Karakura Town, unnerving Ōmaeda while Suì-Fēng calmly identifies it as Yamamoto's doing. The Captain-Commander faces the raging Ayon, whose swelling arm and regenerating wounds make him seem unstoppable, until Yamamoto releases Ryūjin Jakka and splits the creature with Hitotsume: Nadegiri. When the halves keep twitching and the enraged Fracción attack from behind, he answers with an inferno that finishes both the beast and the three women who created it, sparing them only a light scorching out of respect.

Nearby, Hitsugaya duels Harribel, whose sword floods with yellow energy as she unzips her jacket to reveal the number three, marking her as the Tres Espada. He responds by activating his Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. Starrk removes his glove to show Kyōraku the one on his hand, confirming himself as the Primera, and Baraggan unleashes his crimson Reiatsu as the ranked Espada prepare to fight at full strength.

In Hueco Mundo, Renji and Chad hold off waves of Exequias while Rukia carves through them and confronts their leader, Rudbornn. Inside a tower, Ichigo's clash with Ulquiorra shifts as he shakes off the beating, forces the Cuatro back through the floor, and lands a point-blank Getsuga Tenshō, swearing to defeat him and bring Orihime home.

Yamamoto destroys Ayon and incinerates Mila Rose, Apacci, and Sung-Sun. Harribel is revealed as the Tres Espada, prompting Hitsugaya to release his Bankai. Starrk confirms he is the Primera Espada to Kyōraku. Baraggan, Harribel, and Starrk release their full Reiatsu. Rukia begins her fight with Rudbornn, and Ichigo gains the upper hand over Ulquiorra.

The episode draws on chapters 338 through 340 and sits within the Fake Karakura Town arc. Its Japanese broadcast was June 30, 2009, followed by the English airing on October 16, 2011. A Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book segment jokes that Ichigo and Ulquiorra's fight must pause due to studio executive decisions.