The Shinigami whom Ganju Met

Standing over a gravely wounded Ichigo, an equally battered Kenpachi Zaraki watches his own blade snap and insists he has won, then loses consciousness and collapses. His lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi approaches, bows, and thanks Ichigo for giving Kenpachi his first genuinely joyful fight in ages before hoisting the captain onto her shoulders and bounding away. Yoruichi Shihōin reaches the fallen Ichigo, praises him for battling Kenpachi to a draw, and glows as she swells in size to save him.

Nearby, Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada work to cross the gap to Senzaikyū. Ganju's grappling hook snaps off its rope, and after retying it he accidentally binds Hanatarō's wrists, then flings him across anyway. Inside her cell, Rukia senses both fighting pressures vanish but cannot tell who died through the Sekkiseki walls, and she wonders what Kaien Shiba would have done in her place. In flashback, a young, nameless Kenpachi meets an unafraid toddler Yachiru, gives her the name he most admired, and takes for himself the title of the strongest Shinigami of each generation. Back in the present, Kenpachi grips his broken sword and, having found someone worth fighting for, resolves to grow stronger while Yachiru vows to rise alongside him.

Hanatarō knocks out a guard with a few drops of the anesthetic Shinten, and with Ganju flooring another, they reach Rukia's cell and open it with a stolen key. Ganju is stunned to recognize Rukia as the Shinigami who killed his brother Kaien, and his fury boils over as he grabs her, Rukia quietly admitting her guilt. Then a crushing Reiatsu falls over them as Byakuya Kuchiki appears on the bridge. Elsewhere, an ailing Ukitake learns from Sentarō and Kiyone of Aizen's murder. Refusing to abandon Rukia, Hanatarō moves to hold Byakuya off, but Ganju throws him back and steps forward himself, apologizing to Kaien for delaying his revenge as he declares he will be Byakuya's opponent.

Yachiru retrieves the defeated Kenpachi and thanks Ichigo, while Yoruichi transforms to rescue him. A flashback reveals how Kenpachi named Yachiru and adopted his own title. Ganju and Hanatarō breach Senzaikyū and reach Rukia's cell. Ganju recognizes Rukia as Kaien's killer and confronts her. Byakuya Kuchiki arrives, and Ganju throws Hanatarō to safety before standing to face the captain. Ukitake is informed that Aizen has been murdered.

Adapting chapters 113 through 116 from the Soul Society infiltration, the episode expands several manga beats, including Ganju's grappling-hook mishap and Kenpachi writing Yachiru's name in the dirt. Censorship reduces the blood in the Kenpachi and Yachiru flashback. Ichigo's Shikai Zangetsu and Yoruichi's feline transformation are the featured powers, and the concluded Ichigo versus Kenpachi bout is confirmed here.