Volume 17 ROSA RUBICUNDIOR, LILIO CANDIDIOR

Red like blood
White like bone
Red like loneliness
White like silence
Red like the beast of sensitivity
White like the god of the heart
Red like melting hatred
White like frozen pain
Red like the shadow consuming the night
Like the sigh shooting through the moon
It shines white and scatters red

140. Bite at the Moon
141. Kneel to The Baboon King
142. Warn those who try to steal the moon
143. Parthian Shaft
144. Rosa Rubicundior, Lllio Candidlor
145. Shaken
146. Demon Loves the Dark
147. Countdown to The End: 3
148. Countdown to The End: 2(Lady Lennon~Frankenstein)
149. Countdown to The End: 1(Only Mercifully)
     
     Extra: RADIO-KON☆BABY　(Guest: Kisuke Urahara)

Author's Comments

The first "Bleach" game came out (awhile ago). Furthermore, it's on the new hard PSP that's being noticed all over the world!! And!!! How should I say it, it's like it's on the bleeding edge. As for contents, it's a "character game" aimed at boys. If you think, of course, you should play Ichigo first and start, in the first play that you ought to remember, you're made to carelessly step on Orihime's head. Hang in there, Ichigo.

General Overview

As a translation note, "Rosa Rubicundior, Lilio candidior" means "Redder than the rose, Whiter than the lily" in latin and is from a very famous latin poem that was later made into a song (which is incidently, one of the songs Kubo Tite listed as Yachiru's theme songs.)

As Renji runs throughout the street, he knocks out shinigami from his own division that are trying to block his way. However, he is stopped when he senses Byakuya's spiritual pressure. Once Renji reveals that he plans on Rukia, Byakuya refuses to let him pass and attempts to use senka. Renji successfully blocks it and then reveals his bankai, Hihiou Zabimaru, which looks like a huge skeletal snake and a fur cape on Renji's shoulders. When released isn't enough to deal with him, Byakuya uses some strategy to interrupt Renji's bankai's rhythm and then uses his own bankai as well, which is just a larger amount of his petal-like blades, but comes with a few special moves. Renji is sliced to ribbons by it, and although he's still alive, he has no hope of beating Byakuya, who leaves him for dead.

At the battle between Zaraki, Tousen, and Komamura, Tousen explains that ever since Zaraki became captain by killing his predecessor, he's felt him to be bloodthirsty and a threat to the peace that the 13 Gotei Divisions protect and thus unforgiveable. He then uses his bankai, Suzumushi Final Form: Enmakoroougi, which undergoes a complex transformation involving the ring on its handguard to form a huge barrier that robs anyone not touching Suzumushi of all their senses, including their spiritual sense. Kenpachi is not as afraid of this as Tousen expected, however, and is able to dodge attacks by moving as soon as he feels something touch a vital point. He is even able to counterattack better and better, but because attacking based solely on reflexes is probably not enough to defeat a captain, he allows Tousen to stab him so he can grab Tousen and Suzumushi and is surprised to find he regains his senses when he does so. After this Zaraki quickly manages to injure Tousen to the point that his bankai shatters. However, Tousen refuses to admit defeat because of what Zaraki represents and is about to get killed, when Komamura steps in, getting his helmet smashed to reveal he has the head of a fox. He then takes over the fight with Zaraki and uses his bankai, Kokujou Tengen Myouou, which is a gigantic armored demon carrying an equally large sword.

Meanwhile, Rukia and guards arrive at the execution siteafter a brief encounter with Gin Ichimaru, who sucessfully shook Rukia's acceptance of her impending death. After requesting that the intruders be allowed to leave Soul Society alive, which Yamamoto agrees to although he has no intention of keeping to that promise, the execution starts with a surge of power around dual terminus that is felt by people all over Soul Society. Toushirou Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto hurry towards their unknown destination, while Yachiru goes on ahead of the rest of her group so she can help out Ichigo. Ukitake and subordinates finish unsealing some shield and pole they plan on using to seal dual terminus and hurry off before it's too late. Renji then regains consciousness to find he's been healed thanks to Rikichi, who freed Hanatarou and got him to heal Renji. At that point at the execution site, Yamamoto announces the execution will begin and a bunch of masked men run forward to unseal dual terminus.

In Depth Summaries

140. (+) Bite at the Moon
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Tetsuzaemon Iba, Sajin Komamura, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Ikkaku Madarame, Kaname Tousen, Rikichi ?
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Zabimaru
     Relevant Terminology - 13 Gotei Divisions, bankai, hakusui, instant step, Senbonzakura, senka, shinigami, soul cutter, lieutenant

     As you see Byakuya walking down a hallway, you can read the words, "I have always been afraid... I've been pretending to follow you closely and sharpen my teeth, but the truth is I'm scared to death of even stepping on your shadow." The title page shows a summary of the current different match-ups going on: Zaraki facing Tousen and Komamura, Renji facing Byakuya, Ikkaku facing Iba, and Yumichika facing Shuuhei.

     The chapter begins with some random shinigami begging a lieutenant to stop, only to get his soul cutter broken and get tossed aside. You then see Renji running down the street, surrounded all around by prone bodies. He then leaps over a wall and keeps going. Rikichi, who is among those on the ground, wonders why Renji is doing this. As he runs Renji thinks of Rukia at various times, and thinks he will save her in a little bit and not let her get executed. But then he stops as he senses Byakuya's spiritual pressure and looks up to see Byakuya standing on a rooftop. Byakuya then asks where Renji is going and is told he's going to save Rukia. However, Byakuya tells Renji he is not, but Renji repeats that he is and asks if he will be allowed to pass peacefully. Byakuya responds by using instant step to leave the rooftop and Renji thinks this is it. Suddenly Byakuya is standing behind him and someone swings a soul cutter. Renji has managed to block the attack, shocking Byakuya. The attack, called senka, was a special type of instant step where one goes to the opponent's back and strikes and seals the hakusui in one attack - Byakuya's favorite attack. Although Renji has been able to see it for a long time, his body hadn't been able to keep up. However, now he can, so Byakuya can no longer kill him. Byakuya responds by asking why Renji is so confident and asks if Renji can break Senbonzakura with that level of strength. He then starts to release his Senbonzakura, but is startled when Renji releases Zabimaru without saying its name. As Byakuya wonders if Renji has achieved bankai, Renji tells him that Byakuya is the only one he's wanted to surpass, even before joining the 13 Gotei Divisions, and now he will do it. He then releases his bankai.

     (!)
141. (+) Kneel to The Baboon King
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Byakuya Kuchiki
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Senbonzakura, Zabimaru
     Relevant Terminology - bankai, release

     As Renji releases his bankai, Hihiou Zabimaru, there's a huge explosion. When the smoke clears, you see a huge snake-like skeleton curled around Renji, who is also wearing a fur cape on his shoulders. On the title page Byakuya asks Renji how long he's been able to use bankai and Renji responds that Byakuya will never know since he never cares about his subordinates. Renji repeats again that he will save Rukia, and when Byakuya doesn't back down, adds he will defeat Byakuya to do it. Byakuya retorts that it isn't possible for Renji with his ability. In fact, he couldn't even make Byakuya bend his knees. At that Renji attacks Byakuya with a resulting huge explosion, causing a tower to collapse. You then see Byakuya appear on top of a tower that is still standing. As Renji continues his attack, he causes many more towers to collapse. Eventually Zabimaru manages to hit Byakuya, and as he falls, he comments that it's at the power level for bankai, but it's time to end this. He then releases Senbonzakura and shatters the skeleton into pieces. However, after Byakuya has landed the skeleton pieces fly back together and Renji explains that the pieces of Hihiou Zabimaru are connected by his spiritual power so they cannot be cut apart by a knife or by Senbonzakura, which is 1000 blades so small they can't be seen, but look like sakura petals when they fly because of the way light reflects off them. Renji adds that he purposefully separated the segments just now to avoid the blades and Byakuya looks shocked. Then the ground beneath Byakuya breaks apart as one of Zabimaru's segments rise out of it. Byakuya is forced to retreat, and kneels in the process. Renji points this out and says it's time to end the fight.

     (!)
142. (+) Warn those who try to steal the moon
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Byakuya Kuchiki
     Kidou - Bakudou 61: Rikujoukouryou, Hadou 33: Soukatsui
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Senbonzakura, Zabimaru
     Relevant Terminology - bankai, soul cutter

     As Byakuya stands, he agrees to end it. On the title page he adds that the final curtain will be pulled down by his soul cutter. Renji disagrees and moves to attack again. Byakuya holds his ground, and then uses Hadou 33: Soukatsui without saying the incantation at the approaching soul cutter. Renji is amazed at the power of spell, considering the incantation wasn't spoken. As the smoke from the blast clears, Renji notices Byakuya has moved, but has no problem locating him and attacking. But then he looses control and one section of Zabimaru crashes into another, smashing it. Byakuya then explains he didn't use the kidou to blind Renji, but to disrupt the rhythm of his bankai since the greatest flaw of a bankai is its overwhelming power. Because a bankai is normally more complicated than a normal weapon, it usually takes 10 years of training with a bankai before one is ready to use it in battle. He then uses Bakudou 61: Rikujoukouryou. Something like a bandage or a beam of light comes out of Byakuya's finger and suddenly Renji's abdomen is confined by six of these bandages/beams of light. Byakuya then tells Renji to put away his sword and he'll live, and then asks if Renji forgot he also has a bankai. Renji jumps and then Byakuya drops, releasing his bankai. His soul cutter dissolves into the ground and then two rows of giant blades sprout of the ground. At Byakuya's command, all of them scatter into a cloud of tiny blades: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. They proceed to demolish the walls behind Renji and then shred him to pieces. As Renji collapses to the ground, Byakuya says the difference between them is like the story of the monkey and the moon. No matter how close the monkey thinks he is to the moon, he's just looking at the reflection of the moon in a lake. When he tries to grasp the moon he just ends up at the bottom of the lake. Byakuya then says Renji will never be able reach him ever, and walks off.

     (!)
143. (+) Parthian Shaft
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Shuuhei Hisagi, Toushirou Hitsugaya, Tetsuzaemon Iba, Sajin Komamura, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Ikkaku Madarame, Kaname Tousen, Zangetsu, Kenpachi Zaraki
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Senbonzakura, Zangetsu
     Relevant Terminology - bankai

     We see Yumichika versus Shuuhei, Ikkaku versus Tetsuzaemon, and Zaraki versus Kaname and Sajin. Somehow Zaraki has pulled the blades out of his shoulders. The cover page is head shots of Zaraki, Renji, Ichigo, and Hitsugaya.

     Zaraki, Komamura, and Tousen pause in their battle as they sense the spiritual pressure of another battle. Zaraki comments that it's not bad and makes his blood boil.

     Back with Renji and Byakuya, Byakuya explains that with Senbonzakura Kageyoshi a thousand swords rise out of the ground to scatter into an unknown number of tiny blades. No one can see their movement, let alone dodge them. He tells Renji's prone form to be proud to a body that still retains its form after being struck by then. However, then Renji moves his hand, and Byakuya is surprised he's still alive. Renji moves to rise, and Byakuya tells him not to because it will shorten his life. Renji replies it won't yet and that he can still fight. He then stands and charges at Byakuya. But Byakuya isn't phased and suddenly swords spurt out of the ground around Renji, hilt up. It's the individual blades of Senbonzakura rejoining to become swords. Byakuya draws one out of the ground and tells Renji if he stands again, he will be dead. Byakuya then points out Renji's bankai is gone, and that only happens without the owner's permission when the owner is close to death. As Byakuya asks if he still dreams of saving Rukia, Senbonzakura's tiny blades form larger blades suspended over Renji's head. As he's kneeling on the ground Renji thinks he can't win because just the presence of Byakuya's spiritual pressure is tearing him apart. But then he remembers Ichigo.

     Elsewhere we see Ichigo grinning with a broken sword, kneeling, as Zangetsu stands over him and asks if he can still stand. Ichigo grins and at the same time so does Renji. As they both rise, they both say that they swore to their soul to save Rukia. As Renji stands, bloody, the swords poised above his head shatter into pieces and Byakuya is shocked as Renji lunges at him.

     (!)
144. (+) Rosa Rubicundior, Lllio Candidlor
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Gin Ichimaru, Itzuru Kira, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, Ikkaku Madarame
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - None
     Relevant Terminology - sealed, soul cutter

     Renji launches himself at Byakuya, who's shocked, and on the title page we see blood flying from a new wound. It's Renji's blood, as Byakuya cut off the tip of his sealed soul cutter. He again collapses, soaked with blood and his hair flowing wildly. As Byakuya leaves, he congratulates Renji for his fang reaching Byakuya.

     Renji thinks back to when Rukia was adopted into the Kuchiki family and Kira telling him to not see Rukia ever again since she's now in a totally different place from them. Later he's telling Ikkaku and Yumichika he wants to surpass Byakuya, and Ikkaku tells him it's a difficult goal to reach, since tearing something apart is always easier than building it up. Letting something fall apart is easier than holding it together. He then sees Rukia walking past him just after she told him she'd been offered to join the Kuchiki family and told her to go ahead and do it.

     In the present day Renji looks at his hand as his eye slowly closes.

     Still walking with the guards, Rukia stops on a bridge and she thinks that there's one spiritual pressure she can't recognize, but the one that just disappeared just now was Renji's. Frantic, she grabs hold of one of the leashes and starts shouting his name, only to stop when she's approached by Gin Ichimaru. As he greets her with his normal creepy smile on her face, she looks wary and says his name.

     (!)
145. (+) Shaken
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Gin Ichimaru, Sajin Komamura, Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki, , Kenpachi Zaraki
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - None
     Relevant Terminology - 3rd division, 6th division, 13 Gotei Divisions, Renji Abarai, bankai, captain

     Gin scolds Rukia for calling him by his name without his title. She apologizes, and he claims he was joking and doesn't care since they've known each other a long time. Rukia asks him why he's there, and Gin responds that he was just going for a walk and dropped by to tease her. We then see the title page: Gin sitting with his elbow resting on a knee and his head resting on his hand.

     Rukia thinks to herself that she has always disliked him. Byakuya became captain of the 6th division shortly before she entered the 13 Gotei Divisions, and Gin became captain of the 3rd division at the same time. They would stop to talk whenever they ran into each other, and although their topics were ordinary conversation topics, she felt disgusted with him starting with the first time she met him. She felt like he was a poisonous snake hissing at her, or that he always had his hands around her neck, even when he was talking to Byakuya and didn't dare to even blink around him. However, she can't figure out why she feels like that about him.

     Gin then comments that he thinks Renji is still alive. Surprised, Rukia concentrates and thinks she can sense Renji, but his spirit pressure is so weak that he'll probably die if left as is. Gin says as much out loud and adds that he pities him for getting all torn up trying to save Rukia. Rukia immediately asks Gin not to say such things. Gin then comments that she doesn't want to die, and if anyone else acts upon the thought of not wanting her to die, she'll begin to fear death. Rukia looks at him with pure hatred on her face, and Gin smiles as he asks if she'd like him to save her. She's totally caught off guard, and the guards are as well. He adds that he could easily free her and save Renji and the others, and Rukia wonders if he's mad and what he could gain from such actions, but then begins to hope he might be serious, only to have that shattered when he tells her it's just a joke. He then tells her the they'll meet again at her execution and walks off. As Rukia and her guards continue walking, she thinks she had given up hope of living and gotten over her feelings. However, her acceptance of death was shattered easily by those words of hope. She then slumps to the ground and screams as Gin smiles cruelly.

     Meanwhile, Tousen and Komamura attack Zaraki at the same time, only to both get parried. They're both stunned, and Zaraki says they shouldn't let their guard down at such trivial things and give him an opportunity to attack. After he attacks, part of the wall gets destroyed as Tousen is shoved back into it. As Komamura shouts at his partner, Zaraki cuts down on him. Zaraki wonders how they got to be captains and says they should at least die like captains and show their bankais before they die. Komamura retorts that Zaraki isn't worthy of that, but Tousen stops him and says he'll take care of it.

     (!)
146. (+) Demon Loves the Dark
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Sajin Komamura, Rukia Kuchiki, Kaname Tousen, Retsu Unohana, Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Kenpachi Zaraki, unnamed shinigami
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, execution site, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Suzumushi
     Relevant Terminology - 13 Gotei Divisions, bankai, captain, soul cutter

     The chapter with Tousen explaining the three ways to become a captain. The first way is to take a test under the supervision of at least 3 captains, which must include the commander. The second is to get a referral from at least 6 captains and to get approval from at least 3 of the remaining 7. The last way is to defeat the current captain of a division in a one on one battle under the supervision of at least 200 members of that division. Tousen then says ever since Zaraki killed the last captain of the 11th division that he's felt uneasy about him since he seemed to be a man that feeds on blood and would one day destroy the peace that the 13 Gotei Divisions are sworn to protect. Zaraki responds that if Tousen hates him, he ought to kill him with his bankai. However, Tousen responds that he doesn't hate Zaraki. Then on the title page Tousen explains that he finds Zaraki unforgivable. He cannot forgive him for destroying the peace others have worked so hard to keep. However, since there is no other way to protect the peace, he will use his bankai. He then jumps over Zaraki, away from Komamura, and releases his bankai. The ring on his soul cutters hilt grows large and multiplies, and the resulting rings flash and fly around him and Zaraki. They form a dome around the two of them and the transformation of Suzumushi Final Form: Enmakoroougi is done. Outside of the enclosed area, you see it looks like a balloon has formed beneath the rings, which have strings connecting them together longitudinally as well as strings ancoring the balloon to the ground. Inside the barrier in each ring is written a different Chinese character.

     Tousen speaks to Zaraki, saying he's probably amazed at what he sees and couldn't have imagined it, or rather that he probably doesn't see anything at all. Zaraki, meanwhile, thinks that he can't see anything or hear anything when suddenly he's cut on his left shoulder. Tousen asks if it's frighting being in a soundless, sightless world and explains his soul cutter takes away all the senses, including the spiritual sense, except for the senses of whoever is holding Suzumushi. Trying to determine his location from where the cuts come from is pointless since even the most experienced fighter will have his speed reduced because of his fear in that state of sense deprivation. But just then Zaraki lunges in his direction and Tousen is shocked. Zaraki smiles, and Tousen says he realizes what happened. Zaraki is a demon, and so he does not fear the dark because that is where he belongs, so Tousen won't give Zaraki the time to feel fear.

     Meanwhile, Rukia has arrived at the execution site and Yamamoto announces that her execution will begin.

     (!)
147. (+) Countdown to The End: 3
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Yumichika Ayasegawa, Shuuhei Hisagi, Nanao Ise, Isane Kotetsu, Rukia Kuchiki, Yachiru Kusajishi, Shunsui Kyoraku, Ikkaku Madarame, Marechiyo Oomaeda, Fong Soi, Kaname Tousen, Retsu Unohana, Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Kenpachi Zaraki, unnamed shinigami
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, execution site, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Suzumushi
     Relevant Terminology - 3rd division, 5th division, 6th division, 7th division, 9th division, 10th division, 11th division, 12th division, 13th division, bankai, dual terminus, kidou, soul cutter, lieutenant

     Fong Soi is annoyed at the lack of turn out to the execution. She comments that the absence of the 5th division, 11th division, and 12th division, but wonders what the 3rd division, 6th division, 7th division, 9th division, 10th division, and 13th division were thinking. Just then someone else approaches: Byakuya. Rukia looks sad as she says his name when he approaches, but he says nothing in response. Then Yamamoto asks Rukia if she has any last words, and she asks for one thing as you see the posts of the dual terminus on the title page.

     From a distant rooftop Shuuhei notices Suzumushi and wonders where Tousen is in a position where he needs to use bankai to win or if he just wanted to end things quickly. No matter which, Shuuhei wants to go back quickly, but Yumichika, who's all bloody, says he hasn't lost yet. Shuuhei disagrees, but then Yumichika explains it isn't considered a loss in the 11th division until you're dead. Shuuhei then argues that they should give up on fighting since a 5th seat couldn't possibly beat a lieutenant captain and as a member of the battle-loving 11th division, he probably wouldn't want to die in such a boring battle. Yumichika responds by saying he doesn't understand the 11th division at all - their philosophy is since they're going to die eventually, they might as well fight well before they do. He then explains he's only the 5th seat because he doesn't think the number 4 is pretty and wants the number 3, but since Ikkaku already got 3, he settled for 5 because it's similar to 3. Furthermore, the 11th division believes that soul cutters are only for direct attacks and look down on anyone with a kidou type soul cutter. As his soul cutter changes to a bunch of peacock feathers, he tells Shuuhei he's only revealing this in the strictest confidence and not to tell Zaraki or Ikkaku about the true power of his soul cutter. Hisagi is shocked by this development.

     Meanwhile, Tousen is totally baffled at how Zaraki keeps managing to dodge at the last second when his senses, including spiritual sense, are supposed to be useless. Tousen attacks, only to have Zaraki no only dodge, but counterattack and get him in the right shoulder. He does several backflips away from Zaraki and thinks Zaraki's counterattacks are also improving, and wonders if Zaraki is really a demon. Zaraki, meanwhile, thinks that he managed to nick Tousen with the tip of his soul cutter. He's actually dodging because whenever he feels Tousen's blade start to prick him, he moves before Tousen can strike the vital spot. His counterattacks are improving, but since Tousen is a captain, he probably can't hurt him much on reflexes alone. At first this was fun for Zaraki, but now it's getting boring because he can't get a good hit in. He doesn't know what to do now, since he doesn't know Tousen's location unless he gets hit. He considers a fight where these sort of things have to be considered a fight for the spineless and wants to fight head long. He then thinks about what adlieutenant Yachiru might give (fight using your instincts) but he's already doing that. Next he thinks what Ikkaku might say (use that mind's eye thing) but has no idea what that is. Finally he thinks about Yumichika (I would give up in a beautiful way) but there's no way Zaraki is doing that. However, then Zaraki comes up with a plan and smiles.

     As Tousen runs in to attack again, he notes Zaraki is smiling again, and the thought that even now he's enjoying the battle infuriates Tousen. He says Zaraki is too dangerous to live and stabs him. This time Zaraki doesn't dodge, and Tousen thinks it was because Zaraki got careless. However, the real reason for it was so Zaraki could grab the hilt of Suzumushi and regain his senses. Tousen is shocked as Zaraki slashes him.

     (!)
148. (+) Countdown to The End: 2(Lady Lennon~Frankenstein)
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tousen, Kenpachi Zaraki
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Suzumushi, Tengen
     Relevant Terminology - bankai, Central Institution for Spiritual Arts, hollow, shinigami, soul cutter

     Zaraki is amazed that he can see and hear now and wonders if it's because he's touching Tousen's hand or if it's because he's touching Suzumushi. Not that it really matters since he's got the hang of it and next time will grab Tousen's hand before the soul cutter pierces him. He then lets go and Tousen retreats angrily. He thinks that he can't and won't loose to Zaraki and rushes forward to attack again.

     Tousen then thinks back to before he became a shinigami. On the title page you can see him and a woman sitting in a field. The woman tells him she can see the stars and they're beautiful. He thinks he knows she was beautiful, even if couldn't see her as she says that she likes the night sky since it's like the world they live in: dark except for the stars and the clouds try to cover them up. She asks Tousen if he agrees, and he does. She then tells him she wants to be the one to wipe away the clouds, calling his name constantly. He felt at ease when he heard her voice, but felt too shy to tell her he liked the clouds. Then one day she announced she was getting married to a shinigami and had just received her acceptance letter to the Central Institution for Spiritual Arts so she would also be a shinigami who fights hollows and maintains the peace. She wanted him to be the first to know. Tousen congratulates her and asks if there's anything to do. Her response is to not change at all so she can come talk to him when she gets the chance. However, she never returned because her husband killed her for scolding him over killing a comrad. She had a strong sense of justice and wanted to maintain peace so badly, yet she was killed before she even got started. So, Tousen wants strength to maintain peace for her. At her funeral Tousen vows to become justice, to seek out evil and wipe it away like the clouds in the sky.

     In the present, Zaraki has managed to do what he said he would: grab Tousen's hand before he even got hit. Then Zaraki stabs Tousen again, and Suzumushi Final Form: Enmakoroogi shatters. Komamura, who was waiting outside, shouts in alarm. Tousen is still standing, and says he's not lost yet, but he's bleeding profusely. Zaraki, on the other hand, says it's over because he's bored and he's leaving. Zaraki doesn't want to kill Tousen since that means no more fights. But when Tousen presses his soul cutter against Zaraki's back, Zaraki moves to slice him again, only to have Komamura move in and stop them both. Zaraki managed to strike his helmet, and as it crumbles, Komamura tells Tousen that Zaraki will never be able to understand his ideals, so step down. Beneath the mask, Komamura has the head of a fox. However, Zaraki doesn't really care since looks don't matter in a fight. All he cares about is if Komamura looks like a beast, does he fight like one as well? Komamura answers by saying Zaraki's greatest flaw is judging strength from appearance and not what is inside. Then he unleashes his bankai, and the ground gets crushed. Kokujou Tengen Myouou is a giant armored demon carrying an equally giant sword.

     (!)
149. (+) Countdown to The End: 1(Only Mercifully)
     Corresponding TV Episode - N/A
     Characters Appearing - Renji Abarai, Makizou "Makimaki" Aramaki, Toushirou Hitsugaya, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Sajin Komamura, Isane Kotetsu, Kiyone Kotetsu, Sentarou Kotsubaki, Yachiru Kusajishi, Ikkaku Madarame, Rangiku Matsumoto, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Ganjuu Shiba, Juushirou Ukitake, Retsu Unohana, Hanatarou Yamada, Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Kenpachi Zaraki, Rikichi ?
     Kidou - None
     Locations - Court of Pure Spirits, execution site, Soul Society
     Released Soul Cutters - Tengen
     Relevant Terminology - 4th division, 11th division, 13 Gotei Divisions, dual terminus, lieutenant

     Komamura shouts that they should begin Zaraki's favorite pasttime of carnage, and at that remark Zaraki smiles. Then Kokujou Tengen Myouou stands up and Zaraki laughs in anticipation of the fight. However, they're distracted for a moment as they sense something at the execution site: the beginning of the execution. The title page shows an aura of energy surrounding dual terminus. It draws the attention of people all over Soul Society, including Orihime and Uryuu, Ikkaku, Rangiku, Sentarou, and Hitsugaya

     Noting that it's begun, Hitsugaya tells Rangiku they should hurry and they walk down a hallway.

     Elsewhere, Kiyone and Sentarou are yelling because they're late and the execution has already started and Ukitake isn't ready yet. Kiyone knocks on a closed door and yells at Ukitake to hurry. Just then the door opens and Ukitake comes out, saying he's sorry but releasing the seal on whatever object he's holding took longer than he expected. Since his appeal to the central government didn't work he has no other alternative but to destroy the dual terminus. You then see he's carrying a pole with what looks like some ribbons on the end and an oddly shaped shield. Kiyone and Sentarou are behind him 100%.

     Makimaki, Yachiru, Orihime, Ganjuu, Chad, and Uryuu are still running in the streets when they sense the energy surge. Yachiru decides to go on ahead of the others so she can help Ichigo because he's Zaraki's friends. She then jumps off at top speed, telling the others to take care of the small fry while she takes care of the strong guys. Orihime thanks her as she runs off.

     Still lying on the ground, Renji opens his eyes as someone heals his wounds. It turns out that person is Hanatarou, who was brought there by Rikichi. Since he heard Hanatarou was locked up for trying to free Rukia, he thought Hanatarou might help out Renji since both of them have the same goal. Because the 11th division had destroyed the Main Hospital of the 4th Division earlier and all of the 4th division was sent out to work, Rikichi was able to get him out. At first Rikichi had been stunned that Renji could be defeated by an intruder, break out of jail to help the intruders, or attack his own men, but then he recalled that he joined the 13 Gotei Divisions to follow after Renji and he couldn't let Renji die no matter what. He then shoves fresh clothes into Renji's arms and Hanatarou says he didn't want to trouble anyone anymore so he wante do save Rukia by himself this time, but given the situation he can't do anything no matter how hard he tries, so he asks Renji to do it in his stead. Renji, now wearing the fresh clothes, agrees to it.

     We then see Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto standing in front of the glowing dual terminus. He agrees to Rukia's request and she looks relieved. Isane Kotetsu, lieutenant captain of the 4th division, think it's cruel to agree when he means to kill them all, but Retsu Unohana replies that it isn't cruel at all. Since her death is unavoidable, the least they can do is let her pass peacefully. Then masked men step forward and surround dual terminus so they can release its seal.

     (!)