Rukia's Battle Commences! The Freezing White Blade

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and his Fracción fan out across Karakura Town, and the stationed Shinigami tense as six Arrancar register on Rukia's Denreishinki. Warned that one is closing on Sado, Ichigo dashes over and catches Di Roy Rinker's strike just before it can pierce his friend, then orders a reluctant Sado to fall back.

Rukia stuns everyone by revealing that her Shinigami abilities have fully returned, explaining that shedding Urahara's draining Gigai and living in the Reishi-rich Soul Society let her recover, with Orihime's healing finishing the job. Swallowing a Chappy Gikongan, she steps out of her Gigai in true soul reaper form and orders Ichigo to stand aside as the Mod Soul pins him down.

Di Roy attacks, boasting that the sky is his domain, but Rukia releases Sode no Shirayuki and encases him in a towering pillar of ice with Some no mai, Tsukishiro before it shatters. Across town, Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Renji meet the remaining Fracción, and Grimmjow himself drops from above to confront Ichigo and Rukia after sensing Di Roy's death.

Rukia discloses that her Shinigami powers have returned and proves it by killing Di Roy Rinker with Some no mai, Tsukishiro. The Chappy Mod Soul takes over her Gigai and comically restrains Ichigo. Elsewhere the other Fracción engage Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, and Renji, and Ikkaku strikes a deal with Keigo for lodging before Grimmjow arrives to threaten Ichigo and Rukia directly.

The 117th episode adapts the end of chapter 200 through chapter 202 in the Arrancar arc. A Kon-sama guide segment shows Suì-Fēng receiving surveillance photos of Yoruichi. Anime-only additions included Nakeem attacking Rangiku and expanded dialogue about how Soul Society's Reishi gradually restored Rukia's strength.