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Soul Society: The Sneak Entry (ep: 21-41)
General Overview
This story arc is twenty-one episodes long, and aired in Japan between March 2005 and July 2005.
Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, Uryū, and Yoruichi arrive in Soul Society, but are stopped from entering the gate of the Shinigami citadel Seireitei by Shinigami captain Gin Ichimaru, and must seek another entrance. Yoruichi takes the group to the home of her old friend Kukaku Shiba, who owns a giant cannon usually used for fireworks, but capable of launching other objects anywhere. Kūkaku agrees to fire them into Seireitei, and sends an assistant with their group, her brother Ganju Shiba, who has hated the Shinigami organization ever since his Shinigami elder brother Kaien Shiba was killed by another Shinigami during a mission. The cannon is a partial success and the party lands in Seireitei, albeit with its members split up.
Meanwhile, the flashy entrance attracts the attention of the highest Shinigami military command, which issues orders mandating the immediate capture of the intruders. Ichigo and company all continue to advance through Seireitei regardless, making short work of the rank-and-file Shinigami and lower officers who oppose them. This lasts until Ichigo and Ganju, who landed together, encounter lieutenant Renji Abari, who took Rukia away before, and Ichigo defeats him, alarming the Shinigami command enough that the captains themselves are sent out to pursue them. Another captain, Sosuke Aizen, is found brutally murdered the next morning, sparking an internal conflict among the Shinigami, several of whom suspect other Shinigami officers of the murder.
Ichigo and Ganju are met by Kenpachi Zaraki, a bloodthirsty captain with the reputation of being undefeatable, as they are approaching Rukia's cell. Ichigo sends Ganju on to break Rukia out of jail, while he duels Kenpachi alone. Kenpachi and Ichigo fight until they are both nearly dead, both ultimately admitting defeat and collapsing. After the fight, Ichigo is healed by Yoruichi who then reveals that he is not a cat but a woman, and that she and Urahara are both actually ex-Shinigami.
Ganju reaches Rukia's cell, where he discovers that she is the Shinigami who killed his brother, Kaien. A flashback scene ensues, in which it is shown that Rukia killed Kaien only after his body had been completely taken over by a Hollow, but that Rukia still feels guilty for his death. They are interrupted by the arrival of captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who noticed the prison being opened. Byakuya defeats Ganju, but Ichigo comes flying to the rescue, and a brief battle takes place. Yoruichi arrives on the scene but knocks Ichigo unconscious to end the fight.
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21. Enter! The World of the Shinigmi (dub, sub) - Moving through the Dangai (the space between the Human World and the Soul Society) they finally emerge in Rukongai, the place where ordinary souls who have been sent to Soul Society live. Yoruichi explains that the Shinigami live in the central part of the Soul Society known as the Seireitei. Not feeling like waiting, Ichigo rushes towards the Seireitei, only to find that slabs rain from above to form a huge wall encompassing all of the Seireitei, preventing their entry. This is not all, as the gate guardian, Jidanbou, an elite Shinigami of Hurculean strength, appears before Ichigo and denies his access to the Seireitei. Can Ichigo defeat this elite Shinigami and force his way into the Seireitei? 23. 14 Days Before Rukia's Execution (dub, sub) - The judgement has been made, Rukia's punishment is to be executed in 14 days, and she is moved to the Senzaikyou, or Repentence Cell, to await her execution. Meanwhile, Ichigo and the others arrive at the strange house of Kukaku Shiba. Yoruichi then tells Kukaku where they intend to go, and Kukaku agrees to help them, but decides to send her younger brother along with them as a guide. Much to their, mostly Ichigo's, surprise it turns out to be Ganju! After a short brawl between them, Kukaku breaks them up with a powerful Kidou, and nearly destroys her own house in the process! How will Kukaku help them get into the Seireitei, and will it work?
24. Assemble! The 13 Divisions (dub, sub) - Kukaku's Flower Crane Cannon, Ichigo and the others learn that using this special spirit cannon is the only way to enter the Seireitei. Ichigo and the others must learn to control their Spirit engergy and release it to form the Cannon Ball necessary to penetrate the spherical shield encompassing all of Seireitei. Meanwhile, in the Seireitei itself, all of the Squad Captains assemble for an urgent meeting concerning the Ryoka (or the intruders, meaning Ichigo and the others), and Ichimaru's actions concering them and Jidanbou. Orihime, Chad, and Uryuu learn to form the cannonball relatively quickly, though Ichigo had trouble controlling his spirit energy already, so focusing it is proving troublesome for him as he is unable to form the cannonball. Can Ichigo form the cannonball himself, and what are they to do with it when he does?
25. Penetrate the Center with an Enourmous Bombshell? (dub, sub) - Reluctantly, Ganju teaches Ichigo a "short-cut" to learning how to focus his spirit energy to create the cannonball. Ichigo then forms it, but has trouble refining and focusing it into a small sphere as is required, and ends up exploding the cannonball! When Ichigo comes to after being unconcious from the blast, they head toward the cannon and prepare for blast off. It is then when Kukaku reveals that Ganju will be going with them to guide them safely into the Seireitei, which is when Ganju reveals to everyone the truth about his brother's death, and resolves to go with them to assertain why his brother thought so highly of the Shinigami. After this, they all pile in, and Kukaku fires the cannon, sending them soaring towards the Seireitei. Ganju must recite an incantation to steer them, and Ichigo and the others must maintain a constant output of spirit energy to sustain the cannonball. Upon impact with the shield surrounding the Seireitei, the cannonball dispels once they break through, and most everyone ends up scattered from each other. Will Ichigo and the others be able to save Rukia with their forces divided?
26. Formation! The Worst Tag (dub, sub) - They have made it through! The Seireitei defensive shield has been broken, but with a price; their group is scattered, they have split into four smaller groups now due to the explosion and the following vortex due to it. Ichigo and Ganju end up together, and escape death by long fall thanks to Ganju's "Sepa" spell that turns anything into sand. Their relief doesn't last long, as they are welcomed by two Shinigami, Ikkaku Mararame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, itching to fight them. Though Ichigo opts to stay and fight, Ganju has other plans, and bolts in the oppotist direction, with Yumichika now following close behind. Can Ichigo defeat this supposed high-ranking Shinigami?
27. Release the Death Blow! (dub, sub) - Ichigo's fight with Ikkaku reaches a climax when Ikkaku releases his Zanpakuto, Hozukimaru, after Ichigo tells him that Kisuke Urahara was the one who trained him. Ikkaku is prepared for battle, as evidenced when he uses ointment hidden in his hilt to fix his wounds, but Ichigo doesn't give up easily. With a mighty swing, Ichigo ends the match with Ikkaku, victory being his. After the battle, Ichigo has patched both he and Ikkaku up, realizing he has lost fair and square, Ikkaku tells Ichigo to watch out for his Captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, as he only targets those who are the strongest to fight, so he will inevitably meet up with him. Elsewhere, Uryuu and Orihime ended us together, and are now being chased by a number of Shinigami. Ganju also has to deal with Yumichika. Can all survive their pusuers and regroup?
28. Orihime Targeted (dub, sub) - Trying to find Ganju, Ichigo, not using his head, runs around shouting his name, which attracts the attention of other Shinigami. Elsewhere, Ganju is facing off with Yumichika, mostly running away from him to avoid fighting. Uryuu and Orihime meet a Shinigami, Jiroubou Ikkanzaka, of their own who decides to attack Orihime first. Orihime attempts to fight back, but as Jiroubou claims, she lacks killing intent and the will to fight, thus her attack is easily stopped. Uryuu, on the other hand, is not going to let Orihime be attacked, and reveals his new power, and bow! With this new power, can Uryuu defeat this new threat?
29. Breakthrough! The Shinigami's Encompassing Net (dub, sub) - Using his new power, Uryuu shows Jiroubou that he is the dominant combatant using projectile attacks, and easily defeats him. On his knees in defeat, Jiroubou disgraces himself by turning to attack Orihime since he couldn't defeat Uryuu. Using Hirankyaku, the Quincy equivalent to Shunpo (Flash step), he is able to move in front of Jiroubou before he can strike and sever his Soul Chain and Soul Sleep, rendering him unable to call upon his Shinigami powers once he awakens. Elsewhere, Ichigo and Ganju meet up, surrounded by Shinigami in a narrow street. Suddenly, a timid Shinigami, Hanatarou Yamada, trips and falls through the crowd and falls in front of Ichigo and Ganju, who use him as a hostage to escape. After the other Shinigami reveal they could care less about a member of Squad 4, Chad (not knowing Ichigo and Ganju are there and vice versa) busts through one of the wall and takes out half of their opposition. Acting opportunistically, Ichigo and Ganju take their hostage and cut their way through the other way and escape!
30. Renji's Confrontation! (dub, sub) - Once Ichigo tells Hanatarou that they are here to save Rukia, he resolves to help him and tells of his time with Rukia, cleaning her cell in the Squad 6 barracks, saying that Rukia talked a lot about Ichigo. A lieutenants meeting takes place elsewhere and they are informed of the other Shinigami's defeat; squad 11s casualties and about Jiroubou. Not waiting any longer, Renji slips out and heads out, leaving his lieutenants badge behind. Meanwhile, underneath the Seireitei, Hantaro leads Ichigo and Ganju towards the Senyaikyuu via the underground sewer system, and eventually arrive in front of the Senzaikyuu itself. As the morning mist clears, Ichigo recognizes Renji standing in the distance, between them and their goal. Ichigo resolves to fight Renji alone, despite Hanatarou's warnings that Renji is a lieutenant and is too powerful. Can Ichigo win this rematch with Renji, how powerful is a lieutenant in Soul Society?
31. Resolution to Kill (dub, sub) - Ichigo's re-match with Renji gets serious, as Renji is forced to use the maximum number of attacks for his Shikai, which Ichigo exploits to find an opening in Renji's defenses. The strategy seemed sound, but fell through as Renji reveals a simple difference between them, he's faster. However, Ichigo doesn't give up easily and will not abandon Rukia. Recounting his training with Urahara, and the hardships he went through, he find the resolve to win, and releases the final attack. Renji defeated, what else awaits between them and their goal?
32. Stars and the Stray (dub, sub) - Renji has been defeated, unable to fight. In a "life-flashing-before-my-eyes" sense, he remenisces about his Shinigami training, and his past experiences in Rukongai where he met Rukia, and their close relationship throught their experiences. Renji remembers walking in on the Kuchiki family first approaching Rukia about adopting her, and his first encounter with Byakuya Kuchiki, where his goal of surpassing him started. In the end, he pleads with Ichigo to save Rukia.
33. Miracle! The Mysterious New Hero (dub, sub) - The main story pauses, and we take a side trip back to Karakura Town where Karin and Yuzu find a kitten, who Yuzu names Raku. They run into Kanoji, who is looking to start what he calls "The Karakura Super Heros", pretty much a publicity stunt to get more ratings. While walking, they meet Jinta and Ururu, who also join up. Jinta realizes that the kitten Raku is actually a soul, and the cat has already died though Yuzu doesn't want to accept it until she remembers when she first met the kitten before, when it was run over by a car. Hollows appear, hunting for the soul of the cat. and almost succeed in claiming Yuzu, when the "cat" turns into a type of spirit empowered Lion who takes out the Hollow, dubbed "The Karakura Sonic Lion" by Kanoji. Afterwards, Raku dissapears, having resolved his regrets and attachments to the living world.
34. Tragedy of Dawn (dub, sub) - Word has spread of Renji's defeat, and war has now been declared on the Ryoka, Ichigo and the others. With war now enacted, officers, including Captains and Lieutenants, are now allowed to carry and release their Zanpakuto's. War time orders, the Ryoka invasion, all these things begin to weigh on Momo Hinamori's mind as she begins to become more and more suspiscious of the situation around her, and goes to see her Captain, Sosuke Aizen, hoping to calm her nerves. Meanwhile back underground, Hanatarou is hard at work healing Ichigo of his injuries sustained in his battle with Renji.
35. Aizen Assassinated! The Darkness which Approaches (dub, sub) - On her way to a Lieutenants meeting the following morning, Momo finds Captain Aizen assasinated and impaled by his Zanpakuto on a high wall. As all the other Lieutenants show up, Gin Ichimaru makes his entrance. Blinded by raw emotion and her earlier suspiscions and a warning from Hitsugaya to beware of Squad 3, she accuses Ichimaru of killing Aizen and rushes at him, only to be stopped by Kira Izuru, Ichimaru's Lieutenant. Momo, distraught from the loss of her captain, flys into a tearful rage and releases her Zanpakuto, Tobiume, and attacks. Kira is then forced to release his Zanpakuto, Wabisuke, as well, but the battle between Kira and Momo is avoided when Toshiro Hitsugaya arrives just in time and breaks them up, ordering them be thrown in prison. Hitsugaya has his own suspiscions of Squad 3, Ichimaru in particular, and warns Ichimaru not to hurt Momo, or he'll kill him himself. Elsewhere, Ichigo is back at full strength thanks to Hanatarou, and they head towards the Senzaikyuu again, unknowing that a most powerful individual is awaiting their arrival, with great anticipation.
36. Kenpachi Zaraki Approaches! (dub, sub) - Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarou have climbed the steps leading to the Senzikyuu, only to be stopped dead by an immense Spiritual Pressure. Meanwhile, Hinamori, now locked up, recieves a letter written by Captain Aizen from Rangiku Matsumoto, Lieutenant of Squad 10, saying that they are Momo's Captain's last words, and they were meant for her. A dark secret is contained within the letter, one of great conspiracy. The Spiritual pressure is crushing, Ichigo and the others can't break free, until Captain of Squad 11, Kenpachi Zaraki, reveals himself, letting up on the Spiritual pressure he was imposing. Ichigo, realizing that he must fight him to pass, tells Ganju to take Hanatarou, who has fallen unconscious due to the immense pressure, and save Rukia while he deals with Zaraki. Can Ichigo defeat a Captain? Will Ganju and Hanatarou be able to save Rukia?
37. Motive of the Fist (dub, sub) - Chad is far from the Senzikyuu, still searching for Rukia, when he meets up with the Captain of Squad 8, Shunsui Kyoraku, just after defeating the 3rd seat of Squad 8. Neither of them want to fight each other, as it is both their nature to avoid violence, but when Kyoraku is unyeilding to allow Chad to pass, he is forced to attack and fight him. Through the battle, Kyoraku reveals that while most of his attacks are composed of his Spirit energy, when that is gone, it draws from his life force, so if he continues, his own power will kill him. Chad then remembers his purpose of his power, and what his Gradfather taught him of power, and he also remembers when he first met Ichigo, and the promise they made to each other, to fight each other's battles. Drawing from the resolve to keep his promise, he releases one last burst of Spirit energy at Kyoraku, but unfourtunatly ends up defeated in the end.
38. Desperation! The Broken Zangetsu (dub, sub) - Ichigo's battle with Kenpachi starts, and it is looking like Ichigo can't even land a scratch on him, and Ichigo flees from Kenpachi. While running, Ichigo senses Chad's Spirit energy wane, and resolves to fight Kenpachi head on and defeat him quickly and go help his friends. After successfully landing a slash on the once thought immortal Captain, Ichigo becomes overconfident, and Kenpachi stabs Ichigo, passing thru Ichigo's Zanpakuto and breaking it in half in the process. Falling to the ground, the darkness of death approaching, the personification of Zangetsu appears before Ichigo.
39. The Immortal Man (dub, sub) - Lying in a pool of blood, beaten by Kenpachi Zaraki, Zangetsu's personified form appears before Ichigo and takes him to his inner world. Zangetsu then tells him that if he wishes to fight with him once more, he must claim him back, from his inner Hollow, as he appears and grabs Zangetsu. Ichigo is given a standard nameless Zanpakuto given to lower ranking Shinigami unworthy of joining the 13 Court Guard Squads. During his battle, Ichigo's inner Hollow reveals that he hasn't been unleashing Zangetsu's true power, and hasn't even bothered trying. Realizing his mistake Ichigo asks Zangetsu to give him another chance, and Zangetsu accepts; with sword in hand Ichigo leaves his inner world for a final re-match with Kenpachi. With his newfound power, Ichigo catches Kenpachi offgurad and gains the upper hand, that is until Kenpachi removes his eye-patch and reveals it's purpose as a device that devours large emounts of Spirit energy. Now that Kenpachi is at full power, Ichigo relys on Zangetsu's power for the final blow, this will decide everything.
40. The Shinigami Whom Ganju Met (dub, sub) - Ichigo and Kenpachi's battle is finished, and Kenpachi declares Ichigo the victor, though they both collapse. Yachiru takes Kenpachi away, and Yoruichi shows up and saves Ichigo. Elsewhere, Ganju and Hanataro finally make it to the Senzaikyuu, and after dispatchin a couple of guards, the gate to Rukia's cell itself it unlocked by a key that Hanatarou took earlier. Entering the cell, Ganju suddenly freezes at the sight of Rukia, they have met before. Ganju declares that the Shinigami they are supposed to save, Rukia is the one who killed his older brother Kaien Shiba! Hanatarou refuses to believe it, that is until Rukia confirms it to be truth. As the tension rises, things get worse when a recognizable Spiritual pressure fills the room. Across the bridge they came from, the only way out, approaches Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of Squad 6! Can Ganju and Hantarou get their way out of this, and what of Rukia?
41. Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia (dub, sub) - Byakuya approaches, and Ganju, knowing that it is hopeless to fight a Captain, suggests they just give up and beg for mercy. Hanatarou, now unwilling to admit defeat, still wanting to save Rukia, says he'll fight Byakuya and asks Ganju to take Rukia with him when he runs. Ganju, in a rage, runs after him, throws Hanatarou back towards the Senzaikyuu, and challenges Byakuya. Elsewhere, Ichigo is resting from being healed by Yoruichi, who reveals to Ichigo that she is actually a woman (albeit a naked one when she transforms)! They both suddenly feel Byakuya's Spirit pressure coming from the Senzaikyuu, and Ichigo knowing that Ganju and Hanatarou are there, take off using Yoruichi's device to fly. Meanwhile, using Shunpo, Ganju is quicly dispatched by Byakuya. Things get worse when Ganju reveals that he is of the Shiba clan, Byakuya then swears that he won't leave alive and release his Zanpakuto, Senbonzakura, and would have used the release to kill Hanatarou, now branded a traitor, as well if it were not for Jushiro Ukitake, Captain of Squad 13's intervention. Just as they are discussing the situation, Ichigo shows up to fight Byakuya and save Rukia, and would have continued fighting Byakuya if Yoruichi hadn't showed up and incapacitaed Ichigo, knowing he isn't strong enough yet. Can Yoruichi get them out of this, and still what of Rukia?
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