Kon's Great Plan

Lying awake in Ichigo's closet, Rukia Kuchiki dwells on his wounding of a Menos Grande and knows the news will reach Soul Society. The next morning Kon wakes Ichigo in a fury after Yuzu dresses him up and glues a flower to his ear, and Ichigo only worsens the pain trying to yank it off before leaving for breakfast. Fed up with being treated as a mere toy, Kon resolves to run away and seek out someone who will treat him kindly. When Ichigo calls Rukia for school, her uncharacteristic irritation and evasiveness leave him wondering what is troubling her.

Out in Karakura Town, Kon's attempts to charm Ichigo's classmates backfire: Ryō Kunieda gives chase, and later a soccer-baseball game sends him flying off Orihime's bat. At school, Uryū Ishida arrives late with bandaged arms, and Ichigo, sensing something of a kindred loner, invites him to lunch. Meanwhile the girls quiz Rukia about her feelings for Ichigo, and though she laughs them off as friends, she inwardly admits she does not belong. Kon breaks into the Urahara Shop hoping to steal weapons for revenge, only for Yoruichi to tip off Jinta and Ururu, who rough him up.

A battered, repentant Kon returns to Ichigo and Rukia at school, and Ichigo takes him to Uryū, who repairs his body but dresses him in a lavish gown and blond wig. That evening Yoruichi warns Urahara that pursuers have arrived. Rukia slips away from the clinic, leaving behind a note of thanks, and in the air behind her Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki reveal themselves, confirming she is inside a Gigai. This is the 15th episode, adapting Chapters 26, 51, and 52, with the manga's ordering of Kon's departure and Rukia's capture heavily rearranged for the anime.