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.
Captain!
Oh, what took you so long, Nanao?
Took me so long, you say?!
Just what exactly are you doing, sir?
Having a drink as I view the plum blossoms.
Since it's still a little early for
the cherry blossoms to come into full bloom.
I think these petals have clouded your brain.
You can enjoy yourself after we've slain the Sword Beasts.
Now let's go.
Nah, I'll pass.
Would you go in my place, Nanao?
What're you saying?
I know. Why not go with these two?
Don't be ridiculous.
Why should I leave a drinking party to go and do back-breaking work?
If you want to take somebody, take this one.
She seems to have nothing better to do.
Yes! That's a good idea.
It's set, then.
Nanao, the two of you take care of it, okay?
Huh? But…
I feel like he ordered me to babysit her…
So, um…Katenkyokotsu…
That doesn't sound right since there are two of them.
What should I call you?
Are you listening?
What?!
Nanao!
What's wrong?
Rangiku…
I'm sorry…
My…
What's this? You have such a cute girl with you.
Is she Captain Kyoraku's love child?
She's one of Captain's Zanpakuto.
I know that.
Don't give me such a scary look.
Is he making you babysit her?
No, not really, but…
Captain Kyoraku ordered the two of us to slay the Sword Beasts…
Huh?!
Hey! Just a minute!
What is this Spiritual Pressure?!
She'll be all right, won't she?
Yeah, of course.
After all, you and she are both my Zanpakuto.
That's not what I meant.
I meant the lieutenant…
She'll be fine. Nothing to worry about…
I hope so…
It was around here…
Damn…
Young girl…
Aren't you going to apply the finishing blow?
It's as though she's toying with him
without applying the fatal strike…
This girl… has she no emotions?!
Bakudo Number 4, Hainawa!
Slaying Sword Beasts isn't a game!
If you won't apply a finishing blow,
then I will end it!
Stop it!
Hado Number 4, Byakurai!
A falling out, eh? How convenient!
Darn!
So that's what happened…
I'm very sorry.
Well, can't do anything about the one that got away.
Besides, if that Sword Beast is wounded—
it couldn't have gone far.
There's nothing to worry about.
But…
However.
What exactly are you "very sorry" about?
Huh?
It's more than just about letting the Sword Beast escape, isn't it?
Well, that's okay…
You can work alone, or she can work alone—
do it any way you want.
If working together is impossible, you don't have to work as a pair.
Impossible?
That's right.
You don't have to force yourself.
It's not impossible.
Huh?
I was given orders, and I intend to fulfill my mission with her!
No, you don't have to be so…
Excuse me.
Good grief…
She's a proud young woman.
That lieutenant is confused.
You do realize that, right?
Unlike the lieutenant who is all business,
that girl sees battle as a game.
Catch a dragonfly and she would pluck off its wings…
Catch a butterfly and she would drown it in water…
Catch a cicada and she would rip off its legs…
It's like a child playing.
Innocent and ingenuous,
but merciless and cruel at the same time.
I prefer colorful pastimes,
but that girl happens to be rather dark and malicious.
It would be hard to accept her after seeing
what she is capable of, right before your eyes.
Especially for that lieutenant who seems very straight-laced.
Not to mention that the Zanpakuto belongs to the captain
whom the lieutenant looks up to.
I can't blame her for being confused…
But still, they are both dear to me…
Say…
Sorry…
This girl goes into no-questions-asked fighting mode
the moment someone approaches from the back…
What happened earlier was partially my fault.
But let me add that there are issues
with the way you fight, as well.
Anyhow, I'd like to work together with you again
to slay the Sword Beasts…
Why did I have to insist that "it's not impossible"?
Hi!
Hey! Don't scare me like that!
You're the one who scared me, Rangiku!
So, what's the matter?
You look like you have a lot on your mind.
– Is it a man? – No, it isn't!
Oh, it's Captain Kyoraku's Zanpakuto girl, isn't it?
Yes…
I'm not sure if I can get along with her…
I get it. It's like the relationship
between a bride and her mother-in-law, right?
No, that's not it.
I get it.
It's like the relationship between a daughter and stepmother, right?
No, that's not it.
I get it. It's like the relationship
between an ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend…
You're getting colder.
Why don't you excuse yourself from that mission?
I can't do that!
I have my pride.
All right!
Let me take care of this!
I'm rather good at helping difficult younger kids open up!
Uh, right…
Katenkyokotsu!
What're you doing?
She's not very friendly, is she?
I told you so.
Being that she's Captain Kyoraku's Zanpakuto,
I thought she'd be friendlier.
Her master is a charming man.
Wait! Wait! Wait!
Come have some fun with us big girls.
"Us"?
You're coming, too.
Me…too?
You look adorable!
Doesn't she look much more sexy?
Rangiku, I don't think it worked.
That's odd…
Girls are supposed to respond to fashionable clothing…
But that one was based completely on
your own personal taste, Rangiku…
– Please instruct us! – Please instruct us!
This ought to work.
Girls like her are just shy…
But in reality, they're attracted to older men.
That goes for both Zanpakuto and Soul Reapers…
Rangiku, Rangiku…
Looks like that didn't work either.
SWEETS SHOP
This is happiness!
Sweets make a woman happiest!
Delicious…
It's hopeless.
She's more than I can handle.
Give up, Nanao!
Could it be?
No, that's not possible…
A girl like her couldn't possibly enjoy a setting like that…
But she is, after all,
the Zanpakuto of Captain Kyoraku, so…
A party?
You say a party, but…
What's the point of having a party
under a cherry tree that hasn't blossomed yet?
You don't know how to appreciate the beauty of things, do you?
Forgive me.
That's okay, those are minor details…
Nanao says she wants to throw a party.
Just being able to drink with Nanao will be very satisfying.
You alcoholic captain…
Huh? Did you say something?
Nothing, sir.
Captain, please try to not drink too much.
Okay.
Why're you so concerned about that girl?
I mean, all you have to do
is complete your Sword Beast-slaying mission, right?
There's no need to commit yourself to her to this extent.
At first, I thought she was a creepy girl…
But gradually, I began to feel sorry for her…
Sorry for her?
She's a Zanpakuto…
She was born to fight, so she probably doesn't need emotions.
But she…how should I put it…
I don't quite get it, but…
Well, give it your best shot then.
You there, young lady.
The name's Nanao.
Mind pouring a little for me?
That's not a little.
I'd like you to pour for me, too.
If you pour my drink, I think I might get drunk…
You don't have to worry, Captain Kyoraku.
You're already drunk.
I'm sure you're too young to drink, right?
W-Wait?
Why?
Wait…please…
Wait! Wait!
Please?
You like flowers?
Excuse me a second.
Okay, done!
Yes…
Cute!
What?
Why did you come here?
Could it be…because you want to see other flowers?
C'mon. Come with me.
I'll show you where there are many more flowers.
See?
About the time when plum blossoms fall,
peach blossoms begin to bloom.
Wait…what're you doing?!
No sword. Leave it here.
I knew it…
If I approach her normally, she is rather cooperative…
You wanted flowers, didn't you?
I'll pick one for you.
How nice to meet you here…
You're!
Letting me go saved my life.
So as payback…
I'm going to have a lot of "fun" with you!
Oh, no…her Zanpakuto!
No you don't!
You want this toy?
How about you play with me instead?
You see, I'm lonely…
Pay attention!
I won't finish you off just yet.
I had to put up with your fun last time,
so this time you'll be putting up with my fun…
Hado Number 31! Shakkaho!
That was all I could manage in my condition!
Since you saved me last time,
I thought about letting you off easy, but…
It looks like you still want to play!
You're… in the way!
Wait there…
I'll play with you all you want later…
Take this!
How unpleasant to see a fight go down under peach trees…
You know?
You're!
If you try anything, she'll…
Huh?
Why?!
Unfortunately for you, my girls want to come home and play with me.
So, how'd it go?
Did that girl change in any way?
No…
But I think maybe… that was never really necessary.
Oh?
Do you really think so?
Huh? What?
For…me?
Thank you…
Nanao, didn't you think I was even cooler than usual this time?
Huh?
You're welcome to fall in love with me.
Or did you fall in love with me all over again?
It's saying things like that that makes you uncool!
Oh…
Arrancar Encyclopedia.
Hi there.
Today, I'll tell you all about how the Espada killed time
while the producers were shifting the story around.
Stark was sleeping.
Well, I saw that one coming.
Barragan played chess.
He looks very serious…
Halibel is…
What?
That's me!
If you spy on a woman's private life, you'll get hurt.
Y-Yes, ma'am…
I'll be more careful…