049. unchained.

Watching his bow balloon in size, Uryu reasons that Ichigo's spiritual energy is pouring into him, and he contrasts the two disciplines: Shinigami draw power from within their own souls, while Quincy gather it from the surrounding air. That constant leak, he decides, could be turned into a weapon against the Menos. From a nearby building Orihime and Sado observe the fight, Orihime seeing it clearly and Sado only in blurs, both weighing what part they should play.

On the ground Uryu kneels with Ichigo's sword bound to his head and orders Ichigo to unleash his energy at full force, only to learn that Ichigo has never consciously controlled it and likely runs at maximum output at all times. As the giant's power swells toward a Cero, Rukia begs Ichigo to flee, but he charges straight in and blocks the blast overhead. Sensing a resonance and a mounting pressure, Uryu realizes Ichigo is hoarding energy like a magnet drawing iron from sand, and that his bottled-up power, suddenly released, sends his spirit pressure soaring as Ichigo brings his blade down and splits the Menos Grande along its entire length.

Uryu deduces he can channel Ichigo's overflowing Reiryoku into a massive attack. Orihime and Sado watch the battle from a building, deciding their path. Ichigo reveals he cannot consciously control his spiritual power and runs at full output. Ichigo blocks the Menos Grande's Cero and cleaves the giant from head to foot.

Adapted within Episode 14, Back to Back, a Fight to the Death!, the chapter belongs to Volume 6's Agent of the Shinigami arc. It contrasts the Shinigami and Quincy sources of power, and Orihime's flashback recalls Acidwire, the Hollow that had been her brother Sora.