meeT iT aT basemenT

The alarm turns out to be a nightly nine o'clock deadline, and Ganju races off on Bonnie promising to return, mocking Ichigo as a dandelion before vanishing with his gang. The next morning Ichigo stubbornly waits for a rematch until Yoruichi rakes his face and reminds him they came to rescue Rukia, not settle a grudge. The group then crosses the plains toward Kukaku's residence, which Yoruichi swears is unmistakable, and indeed it is: two colossal stone arms hoist a banner bearing her name above a towering spire.

The twin attendants Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko challenge the visitors, then relent on recognizing Yoruichi and lead them down into the strange house. Kukaku lounges within and greets Yoruichi warmly, shocking the teenagers by turning out to be a woman. Told there is trouble, she agrees to help for Urahara's sake but insists on sending along a man she trusts to oversee things, her useless little brother. When she slides open the doors to reveal him, Ganju and Ichigo lock eyes and scream in unison, leaving Kukaku to wonder if they have already met.

Ganju retreats for the night, forcing the group to move on; Yoruichi snaps Ichigo out of his feud and guides everyone to Kukaku Shiba's home. Kukaku agrees to launch them into the Seireitei and reveals her chosen overseer is Ganju, a reunion neither he nor Ichigo welcomes.

Running in volume nine, the chapter was adapted across episodes 22 and 23 of the Soul Society arc. It introduces Kukaku Shiba and her attendants and reveals the sibling link between Kukaku and Ganju. Viz Media titled it meeT 'Em iN tHE basemenT.