As the captains quietly withdraw from the fight, Toshiro Hitsugaya lays bare the cold plan that first drew the Gotei 13 to Ichigo Kurosaki, a scheme to bait and destroy Kugo Ginjo that unraveled the moment Soul Society chose to trust him instead.
Summary
Ginjo reminds Ichigo that every member of Xcution lost a parent to a Hollow and that Ichigo himself carries traces of one, and the two collide again. Watching in surprise, Rukia sees Byakuya, Ikkaku, Kenpachi, and Hitsugaya break away from the duel.
Byakuya tells her their orders reached only as far as observing Ichigo and the choice he would make. Kenpachi shrugs that boredom alone drew him along. Hitsugaya lays out the original design: certain that Ginjo would fixate on any fresh Substitute Shinigami, the captains meant to dangle that Substitute as bait and wipe out both him and Ginjo together.
Meeting Ichigo, he continues, changed Soul Society's course. They lent him their power to rebuild his own and stayed to guard rather than kill him. Hitsugaya recalls Rukia's protest at being ordered to merely watch and admits she had judged the situation correctly, adding that he is relieved it was Ichigo who ended up in Ginjo's orbit.
Turning the fight over in his mind, Ginjo resolves to destroy the Shinigami he feels betrayed him. He lunges, but Ichigo turns the strike aside and opens a gash across his chest.
Key Events
The captains disengage, having only ever been ordered to observe Ichigo's decision. Hitsugaya discloses the plot to use a new Substitute as bait against Ginjo, and how encountering Ichigo overturned it. The duel resumes, and Ichigo lands a deep slash across Ginjo's chest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hitsugaya reveal in the Bleach chapter THE LOST?
THE LOST is the 476th chapter of Bleach, in which Toshiro Hitsugaya lays bare the cold plan that first drew the Gotei 13 to Ichigo Kurosaki. It was a scheme to bait and destroy Kugo Ginjo that unraveled the moment Soul Society chose to trust Ichigo instead.
What was Soul Society's original plan involving a new Substitute Shinigami?
In THE LOST, Hitsugaya explains that the captains, certain Ginjo would fixate on any fresh Substitute Shinigami, meant to dangle that Substitute as bait and wipe out both Ginjo and the Substitute together. Encountering Ichigo changed their course.
Why did the captains stop trying to kill Ichigo?
Meeting Ichigo changed Soul Society's plans, so instead of using him as disposable bait they lent him their power to rebuild his own and stayed to guard rather than kill him. Byakuya notes their orders reached only as far as observing the choice Ichigo would make.
How does the fight end in THE LOST?
Ginjo, feeling betrayed by the Shinigami, resolves to destroy them and lunges at Ichigo. Ichigo turns the strike aside and opens a deep gash across Ginjo's chest.
Which volume and episodes does THE LOST cover?
THE LOST is part of Volume 54 of Bleach, Goodbye to Our Xcution, and fed into Episodes 365 and 366 of the anime, the latter titled Changing History, Unchanging Heart.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Bleach anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byTite Kubo
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and the production committee.
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Tite Kubo.
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