The Great Joint Struggle Union

Before Captain Retsu Unohana, Sentarō Kotsubaki relays Ukitake's plea for mercy toward Hanatarō Yamada, arguing the boy was coerced into aiding the intruders, but Unohana replies that his complicity in the resulting damage cannot simply be waved aside. In a Fourth Division relief cell, a handcuffed Uryū Ishida wakes beside a heavily bandaged Ganju Shiba and Yasutora Sado, who explains that a captain's murder has left the group as chief suspects, which is why they are being kept alive for questioning. Ganju notes his spirit-sealing cuffs prevent escape, and Uryū privately admits his powers are gone regardless. Sado resolves that all they can do is heal and wait for Ichigo, who will surely come.

Beneath Sōkyoku Hill, Zangetsu shatters the eighteenth blade Ichigo has tried and reminds him that each sword is a shard of his own spirit, with only the one forged for battle able to win. Any weapon chosen out of reliance on Zangetsu is a fragile piece doomed to break. In the Eleventh Division barracks, Makizō Aramaki celebrates being scooped up by Yachiru Kusajishi, while a bandaged Kenpachi Zaraki sits before Orihime Inoue and declares that Ichigo is alive and growing stronger. Finding that prospect fun, he vows to help her, certain that sticking with her will lead him back to Ichigo.

Unohana weighs Hanatarō's fate against the damage he abetted. The captured Ryoka, Uryū, Ganju, and Sado, learn they are alive only as suspects in a captain's murder. Zangetsu clarifies the true nature of Ichigo's sword trial. Kenpachi allies himself with Orihime, gambling that she will lead him to Ichigo.

The chapter is part of the fifteenth volume, BEGINNING OF THE DEATH OF TOMORROW, in the Soul Society arc, and was adapted into Episode 45, Overcome Your Limits. It gathers the scattered Ryoka and pairs Orihime with Kenpachi's group ahead of the coming assault.