Karakura Town Gathers! Aizen Versus Shinigami

Kenpachi finishes his duel with Nnoitra Gilga using a two-handed blow, and the dying Espada recalls a past defined by his obsession with dying in battle and his failure to ever beat Nelliel. Kenpachi then hurls Ichigo his sword and orders him to take Orihime out of Hueco Mundo, but Coyote Starrk sweeps in and carries her off to Aizen. Aizen welcomes her, opens a Garganta toward Karakura, and explains his intent to destroy the town to forge the Oken.

Ordering Tosen to cast a binding spell, Aizen broadcasts to every intruder in Hueco Mundo that he lured them there deliberately, sealing shut the Garganta they arrived through. He, Gin, and Tosen then step through toward Karakura, expecting weaker resistance with most captains absent. Ichigo rushes to defend the town, only for Kenpachi to reveal that the real Karakura was swapped into Soul Society and a replica left in its place, with the remaining captains already assembled there.

Yamamoto greets Aizen, who is unsurprised by the substitution and vows to slaughter them before making the Oken himself. He summons Starrk, Baraggan Louisenbairn, and Tier Harribel with their Fraccion, and assigns Ulquiorra to guard Las Noches. Rather than defend the fake town, Ichigo declares his goal is to protect his friends and heads toward Ulquiorra's location.

Kenpachi defeats Nnoitra, and Starrk abducts Orihime for Aizen. Aizen announces his plan to destroy Karakura for the Oken, traps the invaders in Hueco Mundo, and crosses into the town with Gin and Tosen. The Gotei 13 reveal the real Karakura was relocated, and the top Espada arrive as the two armies face off, while Ichigo breaks away to reach his friends.

The episode adapts chapters 313 through 315 in the second part of the Hueco Mundo arc. It sets the stage for the Fake Karakura Town confrontation, positioning Aizen's forces against the remaining captains. Velonica opens the episode and Sky Chord closes it. A comedic picture-book segment shows Rangiku coaching the women's association on looking sexy, interrupted by a bewildered Nanao.