Ichigo reports his findings of Muramasa's abilities to Ukitake, Shunsui and Unohana. In order to find out about Muramasa's effects on zanpakutō, Ichigo and Ikkaku patrol Seiretei to seek out the entities. Meanwhile, someone breaks into a compound and knocks out the Soul Reapers guarding the area. Ōmaeda and his men stumble on the unconscious guards and investigate, only to encounter his zanpakutō spirit, Gegetsuburi and Hozukimaru. Ōmaeda and Gegetsuburi are just about to fight when Ichigo and Ikkaku interrupt. Ōmaeda is knocked out of the fight, leaving Ichigo to battle Gegetsuburi, while Ikkaku fights Hozukimaru. Ichigo defeats Gegetsuburi but Ikkaku is wounded by Hozukimaru's bankai. Just as he attempts to continue the battle, Ukitake, Shunsui, Soi Fon and her Stealth Corps arrive to surround Hozukimaru, but he uses his bankai to get away. However, they manage to obtain Gegetsuburi. Ichigo goes after Hozukimaru, but the entity escapes when Senbonzakura's petals block Ichigo's route. Ichigo discovers that the attack was from Byakuya, who disappears.
Las victorias de Ichigo y Renji contra sus propias zanpakutos demuestran que un Shinigami puede recuperar sus poderes derrotándolas en combate.
一護たちの戦闘により、自らの斬魄刀と戦って再び屈服させることで、斬魄刀を取り戻せることが判明。だが力を取り戻しても、斬魄刀は実体化したままだ。恋次は、好き勝手にやっている蛇尾丸に困り果てていた。
Dopo aver sconfitto Zangetsu, Ichigo capisce che l'unico modo per liberare le Zanpakuto dal controllo di Muramasa è quello di batterle in uno scontro.
