Clash! Hisagi vs. Kazeshini

 is the two hundred and thirty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi fights his Zanpakutō spirit while Hollow Ichigo fights Muramasa and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai regains the ability to release his Shikai, Zabimaru.

Summary
In Ichigo Kurosaki's inner world, Hollow Ichigo points Zangetsu at Muramasa. Grinning, Hollow Ichigo moves to Muramasa and slashes at him before attacking once more. Blocking, Muramasa thinks to himself this is impressive.

Laughing, Hollow Ichigo pulls back before attacking Muramasa several times. Blocking each attack, Muramasa notes enlisting Hollow Ichigo will not be easy. When Hollow Ichigo raises his blade over his head to attack, Muramasa slashes at him and strikes his blade, sending Hollow Ichigo flying several feet back.

When Hollow Ichigo proclaims Muramasa is not bad, Muramasa states he is not here to play with him and tells Hollow Ichigo to prove he is Ichigo's true power. As Muramasa tells him to not waste any more of his time, Hollow Ichigo says they will have some fun. Lying on the ground nearby, Ichigo curses and wonders why Hollow Ichigo and Muramasa have to fight in his inner world. Meanwhile, in the Seireitei, at the 4th Division barracks, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku expresses surprise at the possibility of the Zanpakutō spirits being lost forever.

Confirming this is possible, 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake states a broken Zanpakutō would normally regenerate once its master fully heals. Saying their Zanpakutō have left their bodies and now exist as entities which are completely independent from them, Ukitake reveals this means the rules may have changed from what they once were. Asking Ukitake if he is saying killing the manifestations could cause them to lose their Zanpakutō, Shunsui frowns in concentration.

Stating they have no actual proof despite this sounding logical, Shunsui says he would hate to jump to the wrong conclusion. Admitting this is true, Ukitake states he is not sure the Shinigami could defeat their Zanpakutō if they confronted them with this question in mind. Meanwhile, the woman spins her chain over her head before throwing Hebi at 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai. Blocking Hebi's attack, Renji is pushed back by the force of the blow.

Regaining his footing, Renji pushes Hebi away. As Zabimaru disappears from his hand, Hebi lands and asks Renji if he is ready. As he spins the chain over his head, the woman hurtles towards Renji as Zabimaru manifests in her hand. As she attacks him, Renji attempts to block, only to be sent flying back into a building. As the woman reattaches the segments of Zabimaru, Hebi walks up. Saying this is not good, Hebi refers to the woman as Saru and states he thought Renji would be better than this.

As Hebi says Renji is very weak, Saru tells him there is no need for this attitude and states they cannot have Renji give up yet. As the dust clears, a panting Renji stands in the hole in the wall. When Hebi happily exclaims Renji stood up, Saru tells him to cut it out and to not overreact before slapping the back of his head. Expressing pain, an angry Hebi says Saru does not have to hit him and slaps her in return. Clutching her backside, an angry Saru restrains Hebi.

Stretching Hebi's mouth, Saru tells him to shut up as Hebi tells her to let him go. As they continue to bicker, a dazed Renji watches before telling them this is enough. As they look at him in surprise, Renji tells them to not argue like this and states they are fighting him. Pushing Hebi's hand away, Saru stands up and says Renji does not understand anything. When Renji asks her what this means, Saru yawns and states they feel like they are wasting their time by fighting a weakling like Renji.

When Hebi enthusiastically agrees with her, Saru prepares to attack him again, prompting Renji to tell them to stop once more. As they look at him in surprise, Renji says they are insulting him and asks what is behind them acting like this. Standing up, Saru states there is a lot behind it and proclaims it is their true instinct. Asking what this means, Renji says Saru is not making any sense, prompting Hebi to state they do not wish to be weak.

Confirming this, Saru states they wish to be stronger. Revealing they have grown tired of Renji's weakness, Saru says they wish to leave Renji because of this. Raising his sword, Renji tells her to keep talking and yells as he glows with red Reiatsu. When he tries and fails to release Zabimaru, Saru asks him how he intends to fight them. Elsewhere, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi runs through a forest as Kazeshini laughs.

As Kazeshini proclaims the only defense left for Hisagi is running away, one of his kusarigama hurtles past a tree towards Hisagi. Jumping to avoid it, Hisagi moves to a tree limb with Shunpo and notes Kazeshini is anticipating almost every move he makes. As Kazeshini asks him if he believes it is wise to rest in an area which is open for attack, another kusarigama cuts through the tree limb as Hisagi leaps away.

When his arm is cut in midair, Hisagi expresses surprise. Landing on the ground, he proclaims Kazeshini is a dirty fighter for hiding and attacking him from the shadows. Asking what is wrong with fighting dirty, Kazeshini proclaims it does not matter in a life-or-death situation. When Hisagi states he prefers to look his opponents in the eye, Kazeshini proclaims he is a Zanpakutō whose sole aim is to harvest as many lives as possible, so he does not care how Hisagi fights.

Saying he believed he and Kazeshini had a mutual understanding, Hisagi states they formed a relationship through communication and became a synergistic unit. When a kusarigama smashes through a tree behind him, Hisagi turns and blocks the blade as the other kusarigama smashes through a tree next to him and cuts his back. Crying out in pain, Hisagi gets up as Kazeshini proclaims he exists to reap lives, which was the only thing he was responsible for in their relationship.

Asking if this is so, Hisagi says Kazeshini leaves him no choice. Stating he is willing to kill Kazeshini even if he loses his Zanpakutō because of it, Hisagi says he has realized he does not like him. Standing up behind him, Kazeshini states this is fine with him. As Kazeshini says he feels the same way, Hisagi turns in surprise as Kazeshini's kusarigama moves towards his face. Meanwhile, Hollow Ichigo runs towards Muramasa and attacks him.

As Muramasa blocks the attack, Hollow Ichigo kicks his blade away before slashing at his legs. When Muramasa jumps to avoid the slash, Hollow Ichigo attacks him again and knocks him several feet away. As Muramasa lands and muses on Hollow Ichigo's speed, Hollow Ichigo leaps towards him and slashes at him again. Blocking, Muramasa thinks about Hollow Ichigo's power as Hollow Ichigo spins Zangetsu by the cloth and proclaims this feels good, for it has been a long time since he has used his power without holding back.

As Muramasa notes Hollow Ichigo acts purely on instinct and there are no mistakes, Hollow Ichigo appears behind him before smashing Zangetsu into him. As Muramasa smashes into a skyscraper, Ichigo notes Hollow Ichigo is overpowering Muramasa. Telling Muramasa to come out, Hollow Ichigo states he knows there is more to Muramasa than this. Emerging from the dust, Muramasa says this is impressive and admits he did not expect Hollow Ichigo to be so capable.

Stating Hollow Ichigo truly is a Hollow, Muramasa says Hollow Ichigo was able to control Ichigo because of Zangetsu's removal from his body. Stating this would explain the strange transformation Ichigo underwent during their battle, Muramasa asks Hollow Ichigo if he is correct. As Hollow Ichigo says it does not matter if he is correct, Muramasa states there is no need for him to waste any more time because he knows the secret behind Hollow Ichigo's tricks.

Leaping toward Hollow Ichigo, who prepares to fight, Muramasa lands in front of him and says Zanpakutō and Shinigami come together through communication and synergy. Stating he now knows there are exceptions to this like Hollow Ichigo, Muramasa says some forces must remain suppressed. When Muramasa states Hollow Ichigo is a very interesting subject, Hollow Ichigo expresses indignation and says Muramasa is putting him down after Hollow Ichigo allowed him to speak his mind.

Pointing at Ichigo, Hollow Ichigo asks Muramasa if he said Ichigo was keeping him suppressed. When Muramasa asks him if he is wrong, Hollow Ichigo confirms this, prompting Muramasa to ask Hollow Ichigo to explain it to him. Asking Muramasa why he should do this for him, Hollow Ichigo asks him why he is so interested in Ichigo and says Muramasa is interested in both of them. When Hollow Ichigo asks him what he is planning, Muramasa states he will know in time.

Asking if this is so, Hollow Ichigo says he does not know or care what Muramasa is planning. Proclaiming Muramasa will not get his way while he is here, Hollow Ichigo points Zangetsu at him and states his true instinct is to devour Ichigo and take control of his body. Saying he understands, Muramasa states Hollow Ichigo intends to stand in his way. Raising his blade, Muramasa says he has no choice and proclaims he will completely destroy Hollow Ichigo, who grins.

Elsewhere, Saru leaps back and swings her chain around before sending Hebi towards Renji, who leaps into the air. As Hebi crashes into the ground, Saru leaps towards Renji and manifests Zabimaru in her hand. As Saru slashes at him, the segments of Zabimaru grind across Renji's blade before the pick-like protrusion on the end catches onto Renji's blade and knocks him downward. As Renji lands, Zabimaru disappears from Saru's hand and reappears in Hebi's hands.

When Hebi swings Zabimaru at him, Renji blocks, only to be sent flying back as Zabimaru cuts off part of his left sleeve and injures his left arm. As Renji pants, Saru walks up and calls him a coward. Looking up, Renji lists the names they have called him and demands to know what he has done to deserve these names. Stating she is calling Renji a coward because he is one, Saru says this is the only way to describe him as Hebi yawns and states he has had enough.

As Hebi says he quits, Saru hits him on the head and states he needs to remain focused. Asking why he needs to do so, Hebi says Renji still refuses to fight seriously even after all they have done to get him to do so. As Hebi states nothing about this is fun, Saru turns to Renji and asks if he has forgotten they know everything about them. Saying he once gave up something very dear to him, Saru states they saw how desperately he tried to get it back.

Saying Renji fought for it, Saru states he does not have confidence in himself despite what he did. When she asks if killing Rukia Kuchiki and holding her severed head in front of Renji's face will get him to take this seriously, Renji curses and points his blade at Saru and Hebi. As his blade shakes, Saru says they can see Renji is angry and states they know why he cannot muster up the courage to kill them. Moving in front of him, Saru says this is why Renji is weak.

When Saru slashes at him, Renji blocks, only to be sent flying back as Zabimaru cuts him, causing him to scream in pain. As Renji crashes into a building, Hebi walks up and states Saru has finally killed Renji. Saying it does not matter because Renji was not half the man they had wanted him to be, Saru turns and tells Hebi they will go because Renji is hopeless. Telling them to wait, Renji asks Saru and Hebi where they think they are going.

As Saru looks over her shoulder, a panting Renji stands in the destroyed building while leaning on his sword for support. As Hebi notes Renji still wishes to fight, Renji states they are not leaving until they have beaten him. Saying they are through with him, Saru states Renji does not have the will to fight them and says they know him better than anyone. Turning to him, Saru asks Renji what he would do if beating them meant losing his own power.

Stating she knows this is why Renji did not attack them, Saru says they do not know what will happen either, for they are now separate from Renji and are likely capable of dying like Shinigami. Stating Renji refuses to destroy his Zanpakutō, Saru says this means he refuses to destroy them. Asking Renji if she is wrong, Saru asks him if he can really blame her for calling him a weakling and proclaims true strength is not simply about having the ability to fight.

Meanwhile, Hollow Ichigo and Muramasa clash several times before crossing blades. As Muramasa steps to the side, Zangetsu crashes into the ground where he was standing. As Hollow Ichigo and Muramasa continue to clash, Hollow Ichigo slashes Muramasa away. As Muramasa performs a handspring and lands on his feet, Hollow Ichigo asks what is wrong and if this is all Muramasa has got. Appearing behind him, Muramasa slashes at Hollow Ichigo, who leaps away.

Landing behind Muramasa, Hollow Ichigo throws Zangetsu at him. When Muramasa deflects the attack, Hollow Ichigo runs towards him and rolls underneath a slash from Muramasa before leaping forward and attacking him once more. When Muramasa jumps to avoid the attack, Hollow Ichigo moves behind him and sends Zangetsu at him once more. When Muramasa bends over to avoid the attack, Hollow Ichigo slashes at him and knocks him several feet away.

As Muramasa lands, Hollow Ichigo states Muramasa moving so slowly means he is less likely to get to him. Saying he is aware of this, Muramasa raises his sword and states he is not concerned as his blade dissipates. As Hollow Ichigo expresses surprise, Muramasa extends his hand and uncurls his fingers. Moving away, Hollow Ichigo says he is not sure what Muramasa is doing before stopping in midair. Wondering what is happening, Hollow Ichigo is slammed into the ground.

As Ichigo expresses surprise, Hollow Ichigo struggles to get up and states he cannot move. Walking towards him, Muramasa asks if this is all Hollow Ichigo has got. As Hollow Ichigo tells Muramasa to shut up, Ichigo notes this is what happened to him. Looking up, he sees dozens of tentacles constricting Hollow Ichigo in the reflection of the skyscraper above him and wonders what it is. As Ichigo wonders if this is how Muramasa is restraining Hollow Ichigo, Muramasa manifests his sword.

Saying Hollow Ichigo is nothing but a Hollow, Muramasa states Hollow Ichigo does not possess the power he is seeking. Raising his sword above his head, Muramasa proclaims Hollow Ichigo is expendable. Elsewhere, Hebi holds Renji by the throat and slams him against a wall. As Hebi slaps him with his tail, Renji wonders what he will do. As Hebi slaps him again, Renji tells himself he is too weak. As Hebi slaps him once more, Renji wonders if this is the end for him.

As Renji wonders what he has been doing all this time, Hebi slaps him again before wrapping his tail around Renji's head. Telling him to do something, Hebi slams Renji into the ground. Looking up, Renji sees Saru standing in front of him. Thinking to himself his Zanpakutō has deserted him after all this time, Renji wonders what he should do. As Hebi whips him with his tail, Renji realizes the pain he is feeling is coming from his damaged soul and not his injuries.

Knocking Renji away, Hebi walks over to Saru and says Renji has been beaten. When he asks her what to do now, Saru looks away and tells Hebi to kill Renji. Manifesting Zabimaru in his hand, a smirking Hebi raises it above his head as Renji opens his eyes. Recalling his fight with 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji realizes he did not change at all, and even though he boasted about becoming stronger, he simply moved forward without actually thinking.

Recalling his fight with Szayelaporro Granz, Renji wonders if this is it. Recalling his fight with Ichigo, Renji thinks to himself Ichigo has told him he only fights to protect others, and this is what makes him strong. Wondering what he fights for, Renji thinks of Byakuya. Meanwhile, a Getsuga Tenshō hurtles toward Muramasa. As he steps back to avoid it, the Getsuga Tenshō hurtles past Hollow Ichigo, who falls over and gasps for air.

Panting, Hollow Ichigo curses Ichigo, who walks past him with Zangetsu over his shoulder and states he cannot let Muramasa take what he wishes. Looking at his hand, Muramasa notes Ichigo escaped his spell within a very short amount of time and wonders how it is possible. When Hollow Ichigo asks Ichigo why he is protecting him, Ichigo asks him if he really needs to ask. As Hollow Ichigo stands up, Ichigo says it is who he is, and Hollow Ichigo is a part of him.

Rubbing his chin, Hollow Ichigo grins and states Ichigo is being arrogant again. Saying he does not know what Hollow Ichigo plans to do with him with Zangetsu gone, Ichigo admits he does not know what to do with himself. When Ichigo states there is one thing which must be done, Hollow Ichigo proclaims he is a pain. Noting this is an interesting sight, Muramasa says Ichigo is choosing to protect the Hollow, prompting Ichigo to ask him what is so strange about it.

Stating it does not matter if he is a Hollow, Ichigo says Hollow Ichigo is a part of him, and he is okay with this because he is the one in charge. When Ichigo states he does not intend to let Muramasa do what he pleases, Muramasa asks Ichigo what he is and says what Ichigo described is definitely not the relationship between a Shinigami and a Hollow. Telling Muramasa he is wrong about one thing, Ichigo states Muramasa has been calling him a Shinigami and proclaims he is a Human.

Running towards Muramasa, Ichigo attacks him. When Muramasa blocks with his sword, Ichigo yells as he glows with blue Reiatsu. Expressing surprise, Muramasa asks Ichigo if he intends to push him out of his inner world with his willpower. Saying Ichigo is unusual, Muramasa glows green before vanishing in a burst of green light. Elsewhere, as Zabimaru comes down, Renji blocks it with his sword. As Hebi expresses surprise, Renji begins to force Zabimaru back.

As Saru expresses surprise, Ichigo awakens in the real world and sees Muramasa standing in front of him. When Ichigo asks him where they were, Muramasa turns to face him. Meanwhile, Hebi is thrown back. Standing up, Renji admits they were right about him being weak and states he had forgotten. Saying his mindset is different now, Renji proclaims he does not have time to argue about stupid things like this. When Saru expresses surprise, Renji states he only wishes to become stronger.

Meanwhile, Ichigo says he will regain control and proclaims he will find a way to reunite with Zangetsu even if he has to destroy him. Stating there is still someone whom he has to surpass in battle, Renji proclaims this is why it is his goal to become even stronger, and facing Saru and Hebi reminded him of this. As Ichigo says this is a choice which he has made, Renji states he cannot afford to lose and must win in order to achieve this goal as Ichigo says the same thing.

Putting his hand up to his blade, Renji successfully releases Zabimaru. As Saru and Hebi express shock, Renji grins as Ichigo points his blade at Muramasa and tells him to come.

Quincy Encyclopedia
Ryūken Ishida reminisces about Uryū Ishida's childhood while looking at his childhood picture. Replacing it with pictures of Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki. Isshin Kurosaki says they are much more adorable because Uryū is now in a rebellious stage, prompting Ryūken to attack him with arrows because he thinks Uryū's rebellion is Ichigo Kurosaki's fault and a father is accountable for his son's sins.

Fights

 * Renji Abarai vs. Zabimaru
 * Shūhei Hisagi vs. Kazeshini
 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Hollow Ichigo vs. Zangetsu & Muramasa

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Hadō #31

Shinigami techniques used:

Techniques used:
 * Muramasa's Spiritual Threads
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai:
 * {{translation|Hihiō Zabimaru|狒狒王蛇尾丸|Baboon King Snake Tail} (flashback)