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.
Scatter!
Reign over the Frosted Heavens!
Roar!
Above you!
Damn!
THE PREVIOUS DAY
He went that way!
Don't let him get away!
There he is!
Hey, that's a nice weapon you've got there.
Want to see whose is stronger, yours or mine?
– Kazeshini! – Yeah, I know.
"Quit playing around," right?
C'mon! C'mon! C'mon!
Too slow!
Damn you…
What the hell?!
Well done, Kazeshini.
You're getting quite good at this.
What's the matter?
No…nothing…
What? Is it over already?
Abarai.
Sorry we're late.
Monkey's big butt always slows us down, see?
What?!
– No, that's okay… – I wasn't at fault for being
– It wasn't much of – late today! It was Renji's!
a Sword Beast, apparently.
Sword Beasts have been appearing a lot less frequently lately.
You're right.
Perhaps there are only a few of them remaining…
Reconstruction of Seireitei is making progress,
so things look like they're finally getting back to normal.
Yeah.
You've been eating nothing but sweets lately—
Maybe you're the one who's gotten fatter?
I'm a growing boy, so it's okay!
You and I together are one.
If you're still growing, then so am I!
Hey…
That Sword Beast just now…
It returned to sword form even though I never struck a fatal blow.
What?!
A lovely moon, wouldn't you say?
It's too bright for my liking.
Hey.
Huh?
Now there's something new.
Seeing you guys hanging out. What's going on?
There's nothing unusual about that.
Our masters hang out quite often.
Your masters, maybe.
So, what's up?
Something happen to your beloved masters?
Huh?!
Who's in love with his master?!
You're asking for a reaping!
Okay, okay. It was just a joke.
I thought we came here to discuss something.
Signs of that Sword Beast have appeared…
Is that true?
I'm positive…
A Sword Beast was sucked dry of its Spiritual Pressure
and returned to sword form before my very eyes.
It's his doing.
Sword Beasts were originally Zanpakuto
that lost their masters and became wild…
They have a finite amount of Spiritual Pressure
and eventually lose their power and disappear.
They're one step away from dying out.
Yeah…
But this guy is able to take Spirit Energy
from other Zanpakuto and make it his own.
I'm able to do that, as well, though…
What makes him troublesome is that he was one of
those very rare Zanpakuto that far surpassed his master's power.
Why is that troublesome?
To him, his master was a nuisance from the very beginning.
Now that his master died, he can show off his powers to the fullest.
I see…
In other words, he's using his overwhelming strength
to take in the power of others to become even more powerful…
This isn't good.
He's the worst kind of enemy the Soul Reapers could have.
It'll work out.
Looking at it another way…
If we defeat this guy,
the Sword Beast hunts will come to an end.
It'll be a grand finale for us.
Waitress! Another round, please!
Coming right up!
Rangiku, too much alcohol is poison to the body.
I'm well aware of that!
That's right…
She's not a child who doesn't know when to stop.
Oh, you know me well, Haineko…
– Geez… Oh, those two… – Hey stop it, don't get so close!
Do you want this?
Go ahead—you can have it.
We're sharing the orders.
Here you go.
So tell me, why'd you bring Captain Kyoraku's Zanpakuto with you?
What's the problem?
We're part of the same squad.
Where's the other half?
She is drinking with the Captain at the barracks.
Oh really?
And you're okay with leaving the two of them together alone?
What is there to worry about with a Zanpakuto?
I like this.
It's nice to have a meal with everyone like this
every once in a while.
The food seems to taste better.
Hinamori…
You haven't touched your sake.
I'm here today to enjoy the food, so no thanks.
What?
Are you saying you won't accept my sake?!
Stop giving Momo a hard time.
That's all right, Tobiume.
Now, now, let's all calm down.
I'll accept your sake. Will that do?
What's up with you, Haineko?
You're awfully level-headed today.
Yeah. That's because I'm a mature woman.
Now that's my Zanpakuto!
Well said!
Maybe you could learn something from her, Rangiku.
What?!
Thank you very much!
Rangiku, pull yourself together.
I can't drink another drop…
Good grief…she always ends up like this…
What's the matter?
We want to take in the night breeze for a bit…
Can I leave Rangiku with you?
Uh, sure, that's fine…
Our apologies, Momo.
Don't worry about it.
It's nice to talk with your friends sometimes.
I feel sick…
Rangiku! Not now!
We'll rush you back to the barracks, so hold it in!
Oh…give me a break…
Just a little more. We're almost there!
I warned you this would happen!
Thank you, Rangiku.
It was fun.
What's got you so sentimental?
We finally found him.
Understood.
Oh boy…
I never figured you'd get this big…
So it was you, after all, Kirikaze.
You were the one who was most dissatisfied with your master!
You have the ability to transform into mist.
You used that power to enter the bodies of others
and suck away their Spiritual Pressure…
That's disgusting.
But to grow this massive from stealing the power
of other Sword Beasts…
Anyway, let's get started.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!
He turned himself into mist!
What?!
Scatter!
That was uncalled for!
Now is not the time. So quit complaining.
Let's go!
Why you!
Your backside is wide open.
Okay, that's as far you go.
I'll show you that you don't have a monopoly
on sucking away Spiritual Pressure.
Wow, that was quick.
We didn't all have to come…
What's wrong?!
This can't be!
Undo your technique!
Bastard!
Guess this is as far as I can go…
Look out!
Sir Gonryomaru!
Roar!
Above you!
Damn!
Renji!
Bakudo Number 63! Sajosabaku!
He's going to transform into mist!
I've put a stop to that.
Lady Rukia!
What's the matter with you?
You're in the middle of a battle— don't let down your guard!
Come on, pull yourself together.
You're ruining a pretty face.
Rangiku…why are you?
Did you think we didn't realize something was going on?
Momo…
Stupid fools!
What'd you come here for?!
Who's the fool here?
What can you do in your condition?
All of you are also reaching your limits, aren't you?!
Everyone…
It's okay.
Right now, just concentrate on the enemy!
But this Sword Beast's ability is too dangerous for Soul Reapers.
She's right!
That's why we came without telling you…
Shut up!
What are we to you?!
Swords alone… Soul Reapers alone… are not enough!
Only when we're paired together
can we show our true power for the first time.
Didn't you learn that lesson from what happened to Muramasa?!
Don't go doing things by yourselves.
Renji…
You're right…we were wrong…
What?!
Kazeshini…
What?
We're going to take care of this quickly, right?
So give me a hand.
Right.
He's going after the Soul Reapers!
Sodenoshirayuki!
Scatter!
Pierce!
Reign over the Frosted Heavens!
Is this it for me?
Sir Hyorinmaru!
I can't do any more with the Spiritual Pressure I have left…
Don't give up!
We told you—you're not alone!
Lady Rukia…
You'll be all right
You and I are always together.
Yes!
Come, Sodenoshirayuki!
Dance, Sodenoshirayuki!
– Tsuginomai Hakuren! – Tsuginomai Hakuren!
Wabisuke!
Tobiume!
Kazeshini!
Haineko!
– Raise your head! – Raise your head!
Wabisuke!
– Snap! – Snap!
Tobiume!
– Reap! – Reap!
Kazeshini!
– Growl! – Growl!
Haineko!
He can't transform into mist.
He's weakened considerably.
Renji!
Let's do this together!
Right!
We'll give you our remaining Spiritual Pressure as well!
Renji… We threw all the feelings we had towards you.
And you've always answered to those feelings.
Zabimaru…
That's all we need.
Renji, it's been fun.
Yeah.
Bankai!
Hihio Zabimaru!
Hikotsu…taiho!
They've all disappeared, as we expected…
Just as the Sword Beast reached
the limits of its Spiritual Pressure,
the Zanpakuto became depleted to the point
where they could not maintain their manifest forms…
Their appearance was a temporary form
manifested through the medium of Muramasa's powers…
They knew this would eventually happen.
Yeah.
There's no need to feel lonely.
They've simply returned to where they originally came from…
We can always see them…
Don't you feel their presence?
Yes.
It's a very nostalgic feeling.
Though they're no longer in those forms…
They will always be together with us.
Renji…
Huh? What is it?
No, it's nothing…
It's finally over now…
Yes…
Let's go back to the Seireitei.
The producers are finally done with shifting the story around.
Thank you for waiting, Master Ulquiorra.
Understood.
Mind if I have a cup of tea before we begin?
Don't worry!
Ichigo's not here yet, so take your time and enjoy…
I'm already here.
What?!
Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!
Why're you here, Ichigo?
You're awfully early!
I didn't have any scenes and got bored!
At this point, you're the main star in name only.
Don't be so blunt about it!
Anyway, let's get started with the next arc!
Master Ulquiorra's still having his tea!
Since when did you become so selfish, Ichigo?!
That's the reason why no one treats you like a star!
That's going too far…
Huh?
– You're too slow. – Kurosaki! Hurry up!