Zanpakuto…
Their shape and abilities are based on their Soul Reaper's soul.
Soul Reapers gain power
by learning their names and synergizing with them.
They are born with Soul Reapers and die with Soul Reapers.
That is what Zanpakuto are.
What do you mean, Ichigo?!
Don't go making irresponsible comments!
Stop it, Lieutenant Abarai.
I beg your pardon, Captain Kyoraku,
but Captain Kuchiki would never betray us!
There has to be some reason!
I don't know what the reason is…
But it's a fact that Byakuya turned his sword on us.
My goodness…
Old Man Yama goes missing,
and now there's Captain Kuchiki's betrayal.
Who knows what other surprises await us.
Captain…
The one bright bit of news is that
Captain Hitsugaya's Zanpakuto has returned.
But in his condition,
he won't be able to fight for quite some time.
We now know how to regain our Zanpakuto,
but if we suffer that much damage each time we do it…
With regard to that, there was a distressing report from Squad 12.
Results of tests on the samples we took
show that a manifested Zanpakuto,
when destroyed by someone other than its wielder,
might never fully return to how it once was.
That's terrible!
Then what should we do
when we're fighting against someone else's Zanpakuto?!
I guess we'll have to go easy.
They're not opponents we can beat that way…
The enemy seems bent on having us destroy our own Zanpakuto.
If I may…
I think we should keep Captain Kuchiki's situation
a secret from all but captain-level personnel…
No, keeping it a secret would only raise speculation
and create problems by spreading unrest.
They say you can't keep people from talking.
How will we explain this to Rukia?
I'll do that.
Captain Ukitake…
Kuchiki will have to accept the truth.
Brother did that?
Yes…
Byakuya Kuchiki has joined the Zanpakuto.
Although it could be that he had his own ideas…
Yes, I'm aware of that.
Brother…
Byakuya Kuchiki…
What's this guy doing here?
What's going on?
Muramasa, what's the meaning of this?
Why did you help me?
Senbonzakura…
Why would a man of your caliber turn against the Soul Reapers?
Turned against the Soul Reapers?!
You mean he sided with us?
I acted based on my own pride.
Pride my foot!
I can't believe that!
But he helped us as well.
What?
What's going on?
What're you…going to do?
We're here because we've grown weary of the Soul Reapers.
You'll put us in a bind if you ask to join us.
That's for sure.
We'd lose our reason to be acting up.
Byakuya Kuchiki, if you are indeed serious about
betraying the Soul Reapers, then show us proof.
What is it you want me to do?
Slay your sister-in-law's Zapakuto, Sodenoshirayuki,
right here and now.
Just a minute! What're you talking about?!
You want him to slay one of us?!
It seems that a Zanpakuto killed by someone other than its wielder
never returns to its original form.
Can this man go so far as to do such a thing?
So that's it…
He loves his younger sister, Rukia Kuchiki, more than anything…
There's no way he could slay her Zanpakuto.
That's…!
You never intended to let him join us from the start?
Of course not!
The farce ends here.
I'll settle this with you right here!
You want her slain, you say?
Hey…is he for real?
Tsuginomai!
Hakuren!
Hado 4: Byakurai!
Is he serious?!
Even if you seriously fight me,
can you really defeat me in your present condition?
Somenomai!
Tsukishiro!
Stealth Hoho…
Shiho 3…
Utsusemi.
Rikujokoro.
How can this be?
If it is for the sake my pride…
…there is nothing I won't slay.
This can't be!
Are you out of your mind?!
You could never comprehend my pride.
What?! Don't mess with us!
That's enough.
Muramasa…
A Soul Reaper who's lost her Zanpakuto is as good as dead.
Knowing that, he callously snapped his sister-in-law's sword…
I accept your resolve.
But…
Stop it, Kazeshini.
If Muramasa says it's all right, let's accept that.
I won't forget this!
If you show any unusual actions, I will slay you without hesitation!
Know that I'll always be following you!
Now then, Byakuya Kuchiki.
If you are going to be joining us,
there is something I want you to do…
Thanks, Renji.
Don't mention it!
There might be some clues in the captain's office.
Rukia, the captain will return without fail.
There's no way he would betray us.
Yeah… I believe that too.
Lieutenant Abarai.
We're ready to change shifts, sir.
Okay. Be right there!
Rukia, don't work yourself too hard yet!
I know.
See you.
Brother…
You always sat alone, Brother…
What were you thinking about?
I must've dozed off…
This Spiritual Pressure!
Brother…
Rukia.
This is…
Brother… What are you doing here?
Or rather…
Where have you been?
Answer me, Brother!
This is his answer!
What?!
You're…
Sodenoshirayuki!
I don't feel any Spiritual Pressure…
Could it be…?!
Without Sodenoshirayuki, you have no means to fight.
No way…
Do not get involved any further.
What do you mean?
He means this!
Renji!
Damn!
Captain!
What is the meaning of this?!
Is it true that you're on their side?!
Captain Kuchiki…
I'm detaining you as a material witness
in the Zanpakuto Rebellion case.
Forget it.
You're no match for me right now.
Shut up!
Damn it!
Roar—
I heard you used Higazekko in a previous fight…
That would mean that you cannot even use Shikai with that sword.
Who can't use Shikai, you say?
You two!
Whether or not Renji can use Shikai
has nothing to do with us now that we've manifested.
That's right.
I'll handle this.
You go to Muramasa.
Ohh…you're going to take us on?
In that case, shall we settle our unfinished business
right here today?
Don't get conceited.
Don't think you'll give me a good fight with your skill level.
Don't underestimate our strength!
Let's do it, Snake!
Right with you, Monkey!
Roar!
You're not getting away!
Brother!
I'm not done with you!
I don't have time to deal with you.
I see that talking to you is no use…
Shakkaho!
So that's how you fight when you cannot use Shikai…
But it won't work on me.
Yeah, probably not.
But capturing you might not be impossible!
Don't mess with me!
Shakkaho!
Hado 4: Byaku…
Bakudo 4! Hainawa!
You're going to tell me everything!
What are your motives for doing this?!
Nowhere to run!
For you, or for us?
Bankai!
Hihio Zabimaru!
You need to explain everything!
Not just to me!
But to the other captains and to Ichigo!
To Squad 6 and its members!
And to Rukia!
Hikotsu Taiho!
What?!
Bankai!
Scatter…
Renji!
Are you all right?
– Brother— – I'll say it once again.
Do not get involved any further.
Brother!
Hey, hey, aren't you going to finish him off?
Looks like you were having fun.
Why're you all here?
Is that any way to greet us?
Muramasa said to lend you two a hand, so we all came.
Beat those Soul Reapers to death already!
What's the matter? You're not gonna do it?
If you won't do it…
We'll do it for you!
Get away, Rukia!
I'll hold them off here!
In your condition? Don't be ridiculous!
Just get away!
Stop prattling!
Your lives will end here!
What is this?!
Don't move!
Hold it right there!
Yo!
Who did you say you were gonna beat to death?
Damn you!
Rukia, are you all right?!
Byakuya…
Byakuya Kuchiki…
As proof that you are one of us,
you'll wear a mask identical to mine.
Why?
I have Muramasa's consent.
Why?
It's a fine mask.
You can feel the spirit of the samurai.
Why?
Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!
Excuse me.
Yes?
This isn't good!
Patients need to stay warm…
I think that's everything…
Rein over the Frosted Heavens.
Huh?