Chichiri's Guide to Bleach
Volume 6 THE DEATH TRILOGY OVERTURE
  1. Introduction
  2. General Information
  3. Purchasing Information
  4. Terminology
  5. Plot Summary
    1. About the Summaries
    2. TV Episode to Manga Chapter Conversion
    3. Manga Chapters Summaries
      1. Pilot
      2. Volume 1
      3. Volume 2
      4. Volume 3
      5. Chapter 25.2.
      6. Volume 4
      7. Volume 5
      8. Volume 6
        1. Author's Comments
        2. General Overview
        3. Chapter 44
        4. Chapter 45
        5. Chapter 46
        6. Chapter 47
        7. Chapter 48
        8. Chapter 49
        9. Chapter 50
        10. Chapter 51
        11. Chapter 52
      9. Volume 7
      10. Volume 8
      11. Volume 9Volume 9 (!)
      12. Volume 10Volume 10 (!)
      13. Volume 11Volume 11 (!)
      14. Volume 12Volume 12 (!)
      15. Volume 13Volume 13 (!)
      16. Volume 14Volume 14 (!)
      17. Volume 15Volume 15 (!)
      18. Volume 16Volume 16 (!)
      19. Volume 17Volume 17 (!)
      20. Volume 18Volume 18 (!)
      21. Beyond Volume 18Beyond Volume 18 (!)
    4. TV Episode Summaries
  6. Locations
  7. Characters
  8. 13 Gotei Divisions
  9. Soul Cutters
  10. Kidou
  11. Music
  12. Voice Actors and Actresses
  13. Links
  14. Email
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Volume 6 THE DEATH TRILOGY OVERTURE

Yes, there's no such thing as fate to us
Drink in ignorance and fear
Only those who misstep
Fall into
The muddy stream called fate

  1. Awaken[to the Threat]
  2. Point of Purpose
  3. Karneades~Back to Back
  4. Back to Back~Tearing Sky
  5. MENOS GRANDE
  6. unchained.
  7. Quincy Archer Hates You Part2 [Blind But Bleed Mix]
  8. DEATH 3
  9. (Needless Emotions)

Author's Comments

Recently I've been really busy for some reason. I only have about two hours to sleep and don't even go outside once a week.

That's the life of a manga artist.

General Overview

Once Orihime and Chad are both awake Urahara tells them that their natural spiritual abilities were pulled out of them through contact with Ichigo because of his uncontrolled high levels of spiritual output. The explanation is interrupted, though, when Tessai comes in to let him know that the cracks in the sky are converging. Since their preparations are ready, Urahara invites Orihime and Chad to come watch so they can decide what to do with their newfound powers. Then he and his store employees all set out.

Meanwhile, Ichigo, Rukia, Kon, and Ishida have all gathered at the same spot. They, too, observe the cracks in the sky converging and that all of the hollows are gathering there. Before anyone else can stop him, Ishida takes off to fight them and Ichigo follows, only to find him surrounded by hollows. As they fight Ichigo learns that Ishida's hates shinigami because his master wanted shinigami and quincy to work together but the shinigami never listened to him and he eventually died trying to fight 5 hollows at once because the shinigami were 2 hours late getting there.

At that moment a giant hollow named Menos Grande emerges from the crack in the sky. At the same time Rukia, Urahara, and his employees arrive on the scene to take care of the small fry while Ichigo takes care of the big one. Rukia nearly stops Ichigo because Menos Grande is a hollow only elite groups of shinigami can handle, but Urahara stops her by using an unknown kidou. Ichigo ends up single handedly deflecting a Cero attack from Menos Grande and forces it to retreat back into the crack in the sky. After this Ichigo collapses and his soul cutter begins to loose form because the amount of spirit pressure he was outputting was forced to maximum during the fight, but he has no idea how to control it. Ishida manages to stablize Ichigo's spirit by shooting arrows until he's in no danger of dying. Then Ishida admits the real reason that his master died was he was too afraid to help fight the hollows that day as he saves Ichigo. After that Urahara's employees take care of the crack in the sky.

The next day a cat named Yoruichi Shihouin shows up a Urahara's Store and warns Urahara that some guys are already here. It turns out those guys are Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki, two shinigami with orders to capture or kill Rukia for lending her powers to a human and additional orders to kill the human who took her powers. Rukia had some inkling they were coming, though, because she leaves the Kurosaki Clinic, leaving behind a note for Ichigo. When Renji and Byakuya find her, they try to threaten her into telling them where Ichigo is, but are interrupted when Ishida shows up.

In Depth Summaries

  1. Awaken[to the Threat]
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 13
    Characters Appearing - Orihime Inoue, Ishida's Master, Uryuu Ishida, Kon, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - Hadou 4: White Lightning
    Locations - Karakura: Urahara's Store, vacant lot
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - artificial body, denreishinki, hollow, kidou, shinigami, soul cutter

    When Karin returns to the vacant lot with her dad they find that Chad is gone. Isshin accuses her of lying and says it's because he's been to busy to spend time with the family lately. So he bares his chest and tells her to jump into his chest, but she punches his face instead. Somehow she gets him on the ground and starts doing wrestler-like stuff while she complains that she told Chad to stay there since he was a casualty. Isshin complains that he'll be a casualty soon.

    We next see Orihime wake up from a weird dream, something involving Ichigo trying to win a soccer tournament while playing with a Sony bear mascot. She wakes up shouting it's impossible and managed to give Chad a bloody nose in the process (he was leaning towards her to see if she was ok). Orihime is a bit slow on the uptake and doesn't realize she's no longer at school only after she refuses to tell Chad about her dream. Then Urahara shows up and Orihime asks who he is, but Chad says he only just woke up and doesn't know either. However, it seems Urahara saved them. Chad then asks Urahara to continue talking about their newly discovered powers and their connection with Ichigo. For the title page is shows Ichigo sitting on a porch floor on a rainy day, frowning, wearing an odd t-shirt, jeans, and socks, and holding his soul cutter.

    Ichigo is meanwhile killing more hollows running around the streets. He thinks with that last one all of the hollows between home and where he last saw Karin should be dead now, so she'll be safe. Next up: beating Ishida until he cries and making him fix that mess. Ichigo then imagines Ishida taunting Ichigo, saying he can't find him and Ichigo retorts that he has good instincts, but he wants Kon to hurry back with Rukia's denreishinki.

    Ishida, on the other hand, is standing on a pedestrian overpass, his hand bloody from the amount of hollows he's shot and killed. He thinks the number of hollows is way too high and at this level he won't be able to keep up with all of them. But then he hardens his will, thinking he can't loose and thinks of how he will avenge his master (the one who taught him).

    Rukia Kuchiki is also wandering the streets now using kidou on hollows, but it's not effective at all. It seems like her strength hasn't returned at all, although she's been an artificial body for two months. But she's saved from an attack by the hollow when Kon shows up and kicks it in the head. At first Rukia thinks it's Ichigo because Kon's still in Ichigo's body, but then he dives face-first into her breasts and says he missed her. Rukia realizes Ichigo must have changed into a shinigami and at the mention of Ichigo's name, Kon remembers Ichigo wanted him to bring him something, but can't remember what it was. All the while she's kicking Kon in the chin, and slowly forces his back to bend backward more and more. Because of this Kon sees Ishida coming. Ishida comments that this area is clear, too, which is good, and Kon yells at him for starting the fight and putting everyone in Karakura in danger. Ishida retorts that even if Ichigo dies he'll protect everyone from the hollows with a shinigami watching and not a single person will die. Just then the hollow Kon had kicked earlier returns, but before Ishida can shoot it, it gets sliced from behind.

    Back at Urahara's Store, Urahara's been telling Orihime and Chad about hollows and shinigami. He explains the monsters with the holes in their chests that attacked both of them were hollows. Ichigo is a very powerful shinigami, but he just lets the power leak out of him and it's so thick that it affects the spirits around him. He tells them that contact with Ichigo affected them as well, and asks them to remember.

    Ichigo, meanwhile, has finally found Ishida.

    Urahara then reveals that Orihime's and Chad's natural powers were forcibly drawn out by their contact with Ichigo.

    The last scene shows Karin standing victoriously on the head of an unconscious Isshin. The two of them have completely forgotten what they had gone to the vacant lot to do.

    Differences in episode 13:
    • Nothing!
  2. Point of Purpose
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Jinta Hanakari, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Kon, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura: Urahara's Store
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - denreishinki, hollow, quincy, soul cutter

    Urahara then rephrases his explanation, saying they haven't caught a disease. They've merely been given a key to a door and whether or not they choose to unlock that door is up to them, as is whether or not they enter the door. Tessai then interrupts to let Urahara know that the cracks in the sky are converging. Urahara then asks if the preparations are done and Tessai tells him they are. As Urahara leaves the room he invites Inoue and Chad to come watch so they can see the world they're entering and the enemies they'll have to fight. As they exit the store you can see Ururu and Jinta holding large packages standing near Tessai. Next is the title page, with Rukia dripping wet in a bathing suit, staring at a surface of rippling water.

    Ichigo says he really wants to get to making Ishida cry, but first he has to yell at Kon for not bringing him the denreishinki. He had to run all over town. Kon retorts that he didn't know that's why he needed it and adds that it's good stress relief. Ichigo is obviously stressed because of the way he always knits his brows together. Ichigo says Kon ought to have been able to find Rukia in one shot because he's dedicated his heart to her so he and she are of one heart. Kon replies that he can find Rukia by scent alone and Rukia jumps in saying that's rude and her body doesn't smell. Ishida is stunned by all of this behavior. He tries to interrupt the argument by saying he's the enemy, but they don't listen. Kon goes on to say Rukia's body smells heavenly, not bad and starts sniffing her. Rukia tells him to stop and punches him. Kon claims she broke his nose and Ichigo tells her to stop because it's really his body. Kon tells Ichigo it's not Rukia's fault so blame and punch him if Ichigo's going to do that to anyone. Finally Ishida loses patience, shouts he's the enemy, and draws his bow. His finger accidentally slips and the arrow shoots straight for Ichigo's back, which is not what Ishida intended. However Ichigo spins and blocks it with his soul cutter. Ishida's stunned at how fast Ichigo is, as Ichigo tells him that he finally gets it: it's a fight between just the two of them, none of this counting hollows garbage. Ishida doesn't respond, though, and then Kon shouts for Ichigo to look at something.

    The cracks in the sky are converging, and then Ishida points out that all of the hollows are heading for that point. Ishida draws his bow and Ichigo tells him to wait because they need to think of a strategy to defeat that many hollows. But Ishida goads him by asking if he's afraid and shoots a hollow. He tells Ichigo if he's scared he can watch while Ishida kills them all. He then runs off, shouting to the hollows that he, the last of the quincy, is their opponent. Ichigo's confused by that, but then Rukia explains all the surviving quincy hate shinigami because 200 years ago shinigami destroyed the quincy. We then have a flashback of Urahara telling this to Rukia. He says it was a hard choice for the shinigami, but they had to do it to prevent the destruction of the world.

    The last page shows Orihime thinking Tessai is really funny looking.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  3. Karneades~Back to Back
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Ishida's Master, Uryuu Ishida, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura: Kurosaki Clinic
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - hollow, Karin Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, quincy, shinigami, Soul Society

    The title page shows Ichigo and Ishida separated by the title.

    Rukia then explains one of the main duties of a shinigami is to balance the amount of souls in this world and in Soul Society or else both worlds will collapse. Souls released from Soul Society are watched by shinigami and are eventually born into living things. The souls of living beings that die, including hollows, are sent to Soul Society by shinigami. Since Soul Society knows the total amount of souls, they can make adjustments in this world as needed. But then the quincy appeared and started totally exterminating hollows instead of sending them to Soul Society. In other words, only the amount of souls in this world would increase and eventually Soul Society would spill into reality, creating a chaotic world where life and death is mixed, ie the destruction of the world. Because of this the shinigami begged the quincy to let them deal with hollows for many years, but the quincy never listened and their numbers began to grow. So finally the decision was made to destroy the quincy. Ichigo starts running and as he runs he thinks he doesn't know anything about that.

    Ishida, meanwhile, is at a construction site totally surrounded by hollows. No matter how many of them he shoots, their numbers don't seem to be decreasing. Then he hears Ichigo shout his name and hollows go flying. Ishida thinks that's a messed up strategy and wonders if it's the strategy of the person who told him to think of a strategy. Ichigo then climbs on top of the hollow pile he's just created and says that he heard why Ishida is fighting, but he doesn't care about whether the quincy or shinigami were right. He just doesn't like Ishida's way of fighting. But Ishida interrupts him, saying that's old news and he actually feels the shinigami right to destroy the quincy 200 years ago. The real reason he's fighting is he saw his master die right before his eyes.

    We then have a flashback of Ishida and his master discussing the destruction of the quincy. Ishida wonders if the shinigami were the ones who were wrong, but his master says the quincy were the ones in the wrong because they didn't listen to the shinigami. When Ishida points out a lot of people died, his master explains that it's pointless to think of who was right or wrong when a lot of people died. What they should be doing is thinking of a way to prevent that from happening again. He adds that whether it's shinigami or human, he can't stand seeing sad faces. Ishida then says he thinks traditional quincy clothes and capes look really uncool and asks if they'll get updated. Since Ishida's master was the last quincy, shinigami had him under strict watch. His master kept trying to work towards cooperation between quincy and shinigami, since in times of peace Soul Society is generally slow about dealing with hollows. Ishida's master wanted quincy to keep an eye on the hollows to act quickly when needed, but the shinigami would always tell him to not interfere in their job.

    His master died fighting 5 hollows. Without shinigami there, he was sure to die and the shinigami were as usual late to arrive. The shinigami arrived 2 hours after his master had started fighting and 1 hour after he had died. Uryuu had watched the whole thing from behind a tree. In the end the shinigami never acknowledged his master's dream. If they had, they would have come more quickly and his master wouldn't have died that day. Ishida then says he needs to prove the strength of the quincy in front of a shinigami, namely Ichigo. Since the ideals of quincy and shinigami are polar opposites, Ichigo's welcome to sit the fight out and just watch. Ichigo's response to that is Ishida's story is too long and he kicks his face into a hollow. He then points out Ishida's master's dream was for shinigami and quincy to work together and asks if Ishida won't start doing that now, when will he? In a fight where you're outnumbered, it's better to fight back to back.

    The last page shows Yuzu, who's lonely while she's drying the dishes because Karin and Isshin are late coming back and Ichigo hasn't returned yet either.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  4. Back to Back~Tearing Sky
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Jinta Hanakari, Ishida's Master, Uryuu Ishida, Kon, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Menos Grande, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - hollow, quincy, shinigami

    This chapter opens with Kon pointing out that he and Rukia are alone. He tries to grab her, and Rukia quickly knees him in the crotch. As Rukia runs after Ichigo, Kon apologizes because Ichigo will never be able to use it again. When Rukia reaches the top of the stairs, she stunned by what she sees. On the title page we see Ishida and Ichigo standing back to back, totally surrounded by tons of hollows.

    Ishida asks if Ichigo means they form a united front of quincy and shinigami and when Ichigo confirms that is what he meant, says it's impossible to do. Ichigo the grabs Ishida and shoves him head down so he can swipe a hollow that was about to claw him in the back. Ishida then shoots the hollow that was about to get Ichigo. After it's dead Ishida says he merely killed it because otherwise it would have killed him, not because he's cooperating with Ichigo. But that's enough for Ichigo. He then explains he doesn't know much about being a shinigami and doesn't have a lot of pride for it. He just wants to defeat hollows because his mother was killed by one and he doesn't want anyone else to suffer the way his family has because of that. Ishida thinks that's similar to his grandfather, who didn't like to see anyone with a sad face. Ichigo says he can't protect everyone on earth because he's not superhuman, but on the other hand he's not content to protect people as many people as he can. He wants to protect a mountain load of people and won't forgive Ishida for putting a mountain load of people in danger because of this fight. However, he'll put off punching Ishida till this is over and asks what Ishida will do. Just then one of Ishida's arrows whizzes right by Ichigo's cheek to shoot a hollow. Ishida comments that Ichigo's story was also long, but summarizes it as if either of them dies, they can't beat the other one up.

    Just then the hollows all start making some odd noise as they look at the sky and the crack in the sky gets larger. Then in the sky a gigantic hollow's mask and hand appears. Ishida and Ichigo start arguing about what to do because they can't take care of all the smaller hollows and the huge one at the same time. Ichigo wants to just do what they can while Ishida wants to think of a strategy. Luckily Ururu shows up just then to blast the small fry hollow. It turns out her package is a huge gun of some sort. Urahara then announces that he and and his employees are here to help.

    The last page shows Kon, still lying on the ground, thinking it's recovering pretty well.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  5. MENOS GRANDE
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Jinta Hanakari, Uryuu Ishida, Kon, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Menos Grande, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Urahara Kisuke
    Kidou - Unknown Bakudou
    Locations - Karakura
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - hollow, kidou, shinigami, soul cutter

    Urahara's employees make quick work of the small fry hollows, Ururu by shooting, Jinta by using a bat, and Tessai by using karate. Ishida's impressed by how quickly they're taking care of the hollows, and Ichigo asks Urahara why he keeps following Ichigo around. Urahara's only response is that they're here to rescue Ichigo and Ishida. He says they'll take care of the small fry, but Ichigo has to take care of the big one and there's no time for talking. Ishida and Ichigo then turn back to the sky to see the big hollow coming out of the hole in the sky. The title page shows Ishida, Ichigo, Kon, and Urahara watching as it comes out.

    Rukia is watching in horror, too, when Kon runs up to ask her what it is. She explains that it's a hollow made by smaller hollows piling together and mixing and is called Menos Grande, but she's only seen it in a textbook. It falls under the jurisdiction of elite forces and a single shinigami alone couldn't handle it.

    As Menos finally emerges, Ichigo wonders whether or not it's really a hollow. The small fry hollows are all howling and then get sucked up into Menos. Ichigo starts laughing and decides the only want to fight is cut and cut and cut until they take it down. He then runs off to attack and calls Ishida to follow his lead. Rukia tries to stop him until Urahara stops her. She then asks Urahara if he intends to kill Ichigo and Urahara tells her that of course he isn't, but they can't stop him. He then uses some sort of binding kidou on her and tells her it's a crucial battle for her and Ichigo and to watch it quietly.

    Ichigo, meanwhile, has reached Menos and takes a swipe at its ankle, only to get kicked back. Ishida says he told Ichigo that would happen, and shoots at it, but barely makes any dent in it. He then asks if Ichigo is ok and Ichigo says he is, despite his bloody head. When Ishida asks what Ichigo was thinking, Ichigo explains he was thinking of cutting off sections of it starting at the bottom until they can reach its head and cut that. Ishida thinks that was a dumb plan and tells Ichigo to get up so they can rethink their battle plan. As he does this he grabs Ichigo's soul cutter and his bow grows to gigantic sizes. This gives Ishida an idea.

    The last scene shows Ururu happily continuing to shoot her gun although they've taken care of all the small fry hollow. Jinta wonders if she's even listening to him.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  6. unchained.
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Menos Grande, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Urahara Kisuke
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - kojaku, hollow, quincy, shinigami, soul cutter

    Ishida realizes the reason his bow grew so large was because of Ichigo's powers. He explains that shinigami take power from their soul to make a soul cutter and fight hollows, or using an inner power. quincy, on the other hand, create their kojaku by gathering spirit energy from the atmosphere and combining it with their own personal power, in other words using an outside power. By touching Ichigo's soul cutter, he focused on the spirit power Ichigo was releasing, so obviously Ichigo must be releasing a ton for his bow to grow so big. Ichigo is really surprised when he sees how large Ishida's bow is at the moment, but then Ishida tells him he has a plan. For the title page we see Rukia on the ground, looking sick or nervous, while Urahara is watching with a pleased look on his face.

    Orihime and Chad are watching the battle from a storage room somewhere. Orihime can clearly see Ichigo and Ishida, but Chad can only just barely see them. Urahara had told them to wait there and watch the battle, so Orihime wonders if they have to make a decision on what they're going to do. She then thinks she had never really forgotten the incident with her brother, she just couldn't stand the thought of Ichigo and her brother fighting so she had doubted it was real. She then asks Chad what they should do, but Chad doesn't say anything.

    Back with Ishida and Ichigo, it turns out Ishida's plan is to tie Ichigo's soul cutter to his head and have Ichigo max out his spirit power output so Ishida can shoot Menos with a gigantic arrow. The only flaw in this plan is that Ichigo has no idea how to max out his power. Ichigo suggests that he's always maxing out his power and that's why people are always saying his power is so strong. Ishida accepts that answer, but thinks it's odd that Ichigo must be a monster to always be maxing out his power and still be that rested. But just then Menos's power output starts rising and Rukia realizes he's going to use Cero. She wants Ichigo to run because otherwise he'll get killed. Ishida tells Ichigo to touch him with his soul cutter again, but Ichigo just runs off. Ishida thinks running off towards the hollow without a plan is suicide and he won't be able to touch it this time. Just then Menos fires a beam from its mouth right at Ichigo, but Ichigo manages to block it with his soul cutter and Ichigo's spiritual output increases rapidly. Ishida then realizes that there's no way Ichigo could always be maxing his spiritual output because if he did it dried up. If Ichigo can't control it, then he's really never using it. Assuming Ichigo is like a normal person, he'd have his output as low as possible most of the time, like a person with a water faucet.

    As Ishida's thinking this, Ichigo actually forces Menos's attack back and does a massive attack with his Soul Cutter that runs from Menos's feet to the top of its head.

    The last page shows a water faucet with its handle falling off.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  7. Quincy Archer Hates You Part2 [Blind But Bleed Mix]
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 14
    Characters Appearing - Jinta Hanakari, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Menos Grande, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - hell butterfly, hollow bait, Ishida's Master, shinigami, soul cutter, Soul Society

    Ishida and Rukia are shocked when Ichigo cuts Menos in half. Then everyone watches as it retreats back into the hole in the sky. Ichigo then claims vicory and Ishida thinks he's a monster, while Tessai quietly congratulates Urahara on having found the right person. Jinta says Ichigo didn't even really try and asks if he's really that strong. Tessai agrees, but says eventually Ichigo will have to learn how to control it. Ururu is silent at that. For the title we see Ichigo playing ping pong as if he's a pro (complete with a uniform).

    Ichigo then starts demanding thanks from Ishida for saving him, but he suddenly collapses and says he can't move. Then Ichigo's soul cutter's blade starts loosing shape. Ishida realizes Ichigo's power has been released and he may loose control of it and die if something isn't done. When Ishida makes his bow, it's even larger than before without touching Ichigo's soul cutter. In fact it's so big it would explode if Ishida doesn't keep shooting arrows straight into the air to siphon off some of the power. Since Ichigo can't control his spirit, Ishida decides to take some control over it until Ichigo calms down. Ishida's arm begins to get injured from the amount of energy he's handling, and Ichigo tells him to stop overdoing or he'll lose his arm. Ishida tells him to shut up and says if Ichigo doesn't survive he can't beat him up. He thinks that if Ichigo loses total control over his spirit he'll die and then it will all be Ishida's fault. Ishida then thinks that he had been searching for a shinigami all these years to avenge his master, so when he found Ichigo he didn't want to let him go and used the hollow bait even though it endangered so many lives. But he's finally realized his master didn't hate shinigami and just wanted to work together with them. That the real reason his master died was because he hid that time and didn't help his master out. He then begs forgiveness for not saving his master and falls to his knees. Ichigo thinks he can't beat up someone looking like that. Ichigo's spirit has calmed down and the danger is past.

    Rukia, meanwhile, is on her knees, still stunned by what she saw and a bit worried that it was observed by Soul Society. Ururu, Tessai, and Jinta then run forward after Ichigo and Ishida, and Urahara tells them to take care of the crack in the sky. After it's gone, some shinigami seems to have spotted Rukia, because they talk about killing her or catching her and letting go of hell butterflies.

    The last page shows the charm on Ishida's bracelet.

    Differences in episode 14:
    • Nothing!
  8. DEATH 3
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 15
    Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Jinta Hanakari, Harutoki, Chizuru Honsho, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Mizuiro Kojima, Kon, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Ryou Kunieda, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Masaki Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Mahana Natsui, Misato Ochi, Michiru Ogawa, Yoruichi Shihouin, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura, Karakura High, Kurosaki Clinic, Urahara's Store
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - artificial body, hell butterfly, hollow, Image Office, shinigami, Shun Shun Rikka

    This chapter starts out by showing a pair of shinigami searching for Rukia using a compass scroll. They then release some hell butterflies and complain that capturing or killing her is not the job of a shinigami. However, throughout this we don't get to see their actual faces.

    The title page shows shots of a lot of different characters: Ichigo, Rukia, Ryou, Michiru, Chizuru, Tatsuki, Orihime, Karin, Chad's parakeet, Urahara, Kon, Chad, Don Kanonji, Yuzu, Masaki, some hollows, Mizuiro, Keigo, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, the Shun Shun Rikka, Ishida, Isshin, some of Rukia's drawings, Shigeo, Harutoki, Misato, another teacher, the school principal, and two unrecognizable faces.

    We then see two hell butterflies flying off.

    In the classroom Ishida has shown up late with his arms all bandaged up. The teacher asks why, and he gives the lame excuse of falling down the stairs. The teacher doesn't care enough to probe further, though, and tells him to sit down. Ichigo feels a bit bad, but then Rukia tells him not to pay attention to it because it's not his fault. Ichigo says he's not worried about it and Rukia asks who said anything about worrying? Just then Keigo comments that he saw Ishida yesterday talking to himself at a construction site. He also saw a guy wearing odd clothes there (Tessai) and some children dancing (Ururu and Jinta) and a little later an explosion, so Keigo concludes they're all members of the same acting troupe and were rehearsing. Ichigo is suddenly glad Keigo's an idiot. Chan and Inoue look thoughtful as people whisper theories about what happened to Ishida. Tatsuki looks thoughtful as well.

    At Urahara's Store Jinta is again playing instead of sweeping. Ururu suddenly goes inside and tells Urahara and Tessai there's a cat outside. Urahara gets all happy at this and picks up the cat, which he calls Yoruichi, and swings it around in the air. When Jinta asks Tessai about the cat, Tessai says it's Urahara's best friend. Jinta finds that very pitiful.

    At lunchtime, Keigo invites Ichigo to eat lunch with him, but Ichigo insists on also inviting Ishida. Keigo assumes this is because Ichigo is curious about the bandage. Ishida immediately refuses when Ichigo says on his own that Keigo will be treating. But when they get to the roof they eat in silence. Keigo is upset about the heavy atmosphere, and Ichigo regrets inviting Ishida a bit because of it, so he orders Keigo to say something to lighten the mood. When Keigo starts telling a story, Ishida asks why Ichigo invited him and says he shouldn't have if it's because of his arm. Ichigo replies he didn't do it because he likes it and Ishida should be grateful for the invitation. They then both state that they enjoy eating alone, and Mizuiro thinks that the two of them are very similar.

    Meanwhile Rukia for once is not eating lunch with Ichigo, but is sitting in a tree thinking and watching Ichigo from afar. Then Ryou, Orihime, Tatsuki, Mahana, Michiru, and Chizuru invite her to eat lunch with them, which she agrees to.

    Back at Urahara's, Urahara has brought Yoruichi the cat some milk and is prattling on about the weather when Yoruichi tells him that they've already come, so stop acting. Urahara then asks if he wants to talk about it before or after the milk.

    Later that evening at the Kurosaki Clinic, Yuzu's scolding Ichigo for taking leftovers again. He claims it's a midnight snack, but really it's for Rukia. However, when he gets to his room Rukia's not there. We then see the shot of an envelope with the words "Thanks for taking care of me, Rukia Kuchiki" written on it and one of her drawings.

    It turns out Rukia is outside running down the street. A shinigami materializes in the air above her and confirms it is Rukia using his sunglasses. He's startled to see her artificial body even has bones in it. He then says he found her, and we see the faces of both him and his companion.

    The last page shows a clock.

    Differences in episode 15:
    • The events of this chapter are interspersed among the events of chapter 26.
  9. (Needless Emotions)
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 16
    Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Tatsuki Arisawa, Chizuru Honsho, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Mahana Natsui, Michiru Ogawa
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura, Kurosaki Clinic
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - shinigami, soul cutter

    The title page is Rukia sunbathing in a skirt on a bunch of junk.

    As Rukia is running she has a flashback to lunch. Mahana, being straightforward, cuts right to the chase and asks if Rukia likes Ichigo. After spitting out her juice Rukia's response is that she's friends with Ichigo. Michiru scolds her for asking so bluntly and Mahana retorts that they were all curious about it, too, although they all deny it with Rukia around. Tatsuki only just figures out that Michiru likes Ichigo, although when asks she says that he looks frightening. It turns out Chizuru wants to know because if Rukia and Ichigo are going out, that leaves the way clear for her to make a move on Orihime. As Chizuru rants, Mahana asks Rukia again, and is again told they're just friends. Inside, though, Rukia is thinking whether she likes or hate Ichigo, it's just love and companionship. In other words, trouble.

    Orihime, being her clueless self, is a bit disappointed because with her and Rukia 2 on 1 against Ichigo, the girls outnumber him so they're sure to win. Tatsuki tries to explain that it doesn't work that way with love, but then Chizuru gets excited that the women are sure to win. She starts thinking about 3 women instead of 2 women and 1 man and at this point Tatsuki starts stomping on her face. Rukia then thinks that when she has to leave she'll have to cut herself off from them, love and companionship, so they're really just troublesome emotions. She thinks shinigami shouldn't have such emotions and thinks it's a disgrace that she does. Then out loud she wonders if she's getting too attached to this world and one of the shinigami answers her, startling her. Turning around, she sees him on a telephone pole and he tells her that she can only live a little longer because she's been enjoying this world too much. Rukia recognizes him as Renji Abarai and then he takes a swipe at her with his soul cutter. He then says she's become too soft in the last 3 months since she was so lost in her thoughts just now that she didn't even notice a hunter was behind her. He then orders her to call the human that stole her powers. Rukia tries to deny that, and he scolds her for standing there with a human-like expression on her face because it's unbecoming of a noble and asks the other shinigami if he agrees. It turns out that shinigami is her older brother, Byakuya Kuchiki. She's stunned that he's there, and as she stares at Byakuya, Renji takes another swipe at her. He says they've been appointed to execute the human that stole her powers because it's a very serious crime. He orders her to call Ichigo again, and says last time he let her get away unscathed, but he won't this time if she continues to try to protect Ichigo.

    Suddenly Uryuu Ishida shows up saying he hates this sort of thing. When Renji asks who he is, all Ishida replies is that he's one of Rukia's classmates and hates shinigami.

    The last page shows Ichigo thinking he'll have to eat the meal he got for Rukia even though he's not hungry.

    Differences in episode 16:
    • Nothing!