Ichigo Loses His Fighting Spirit!? Gin's Expectation!

 is the three hundred and first episode of the Bleach anime.

As his transformation progresses, Aizen proves more and more resilient. Ichigo's strength fails to defeat Gin.

Summary
Ichigo puts on his Hollow mask and charges straight for Gin, while keeping mind of his Zanpakutō's ability. Gin tells Ichigo that whatever he's thinking, it's useless and he stretches his Zanpakutō straight towards Ichigo. Ichigo is able to successfully block the attack, only with a small part of his mask breaking in the process, and he fires off a Getsuga Tenshō at Gin. However, Gin is revealed to be unharmed by the attack and he explains that he simply blocked his attack with his Zanpakutō. Gin then attacks Ichigo again, this time breaking the entirety of Ichigo's Hollow mask.

Meanwhile, Isshin and Urahara attack Aizen at the same time but Aizen simply blocks their attacks. Yoruichi then attacks Aizen but her blow is blocked as well and Aizen cuts off the armor on her right arm. As this happens, Kira spots Rangiku running towards Gin's battle. He screams after Rangiku and tries to move forward, but in the process he sustains more injuries. However, he continues screaming after her as Rangiku was only healed to the point that her life could be sustained and nothing more.

Ichigo, now with his mask broken, begins breathing heavily and Gin questions if he's really this weak. He remarks that back when they first fought he was much scarier. Gin then tells Ichigo to run away.

Urahara asks Yoruichi if she's all right and she tells him to remember who he's talking to. She states that she only decided to block the attack because of the "half-finished" armor, but that she would have simply dodged it without the armor. Aizen looks at Urahara and Urahara asks him what he's doing. Aizen explains that his act of worrying is simply a part of his plan and Urahara tells him that he thought he didn't caution himself anymore. However, Aizen explains that he isn't being cautious, but that he's simply making an observation. He continues to explain that he has an interest in him because he is the only person with an intellect that surpasses his own, but Urahara tells him that he's making too much of him and states that he's simply the poor owner of a small-time candy store now. Urahara uses Hadō #32, Ōkasen but Aizen easily blocks the attack and deduces that since he's using such a weak spell he must be planning a sneak attack.

Yoruichi appears and she attacks him but Aizen easily blocks the blow with his left hand. He tells her that no matter how many times she attacks him it won't work but Yoruichi activates Shunkō, allowing her to break through his left arm and attacking Aizen himself. The blow ends up cracking the right part of Aizen's body and Aizen himself falls into the town below. Yoruichi goes towards him and continues her assault, but this time Aizen catches her fist and reminds her that she can't beat him like this. Urahara suddenly attacks by using Shibari, Benihime, which binds Aizen, but Aizen tells him that he can't hold him down with something like this. However, Urahara uses Hiasobi, Benihime, Juzutsunagi which causes an explosion at Aizen's location, but Aizen appears barely harmed from the attack and questions if this could really be his trump card. All of a sudden Isshin appears in front of Aizen and hits him at point blank range with a Getsuga Tenshō.

A huge explosion engulfs Aizen, leaving a crater behind along with several destroyed buildings. Urahara questions Isshin on its effectiveness, to which Isshin responds that he can no longer sense Aizen's reiatsu since he transformed, indicating he doesn't know. Isshin then goes on to say that perhaps the only "one's capable of perceiving Aizen's power the way he is now are those standing in the same place as him". To Isshin's and Urahara's disbelief, Aizen emerges from the smoke with a large slash on his face. Aizen then remarks that it was a "palpable hit" and that he "'understood'" the attack. He then raises his sword and says that it is time for them to understand his power.

Meanwhile, Ichigo notices a large explosion and looks back to see what occurred. Gin remarks that Ichigo should be paying attention to their fight. Gin remarks that it looks like the Getsuga Tenshō failed against both him and Aizen. He then tells Ichigo that there's nothing more that he can do as everything that he has done has failed. Gin then tells Ichigo that he isn't even a warrior, a Shinigami, a Hollow, or even a person anymore. He then remarks that Ichigo could never fight an opponent like Aizen. Gin then once again suggests that Ichigo should run as he is tired of him and Aizen would be "disappointed" to see him as he is now. Gin remarks that he doesn't blame him because Ichigo understands Aizen's power and should be scared of him. Ichigo bows his head in despair and acceptance as Gin unsheathes Shinsō and says that if he isn't going to run he will cut him down where he stands.

Before Gin can attack, an explosion occurs behind Ichigo and Yoruichi, Urahara and Isshin all fall down next to Ichigo, defeated. Aizen himself appears next to Ichigo and Aizen asks Gin what he was doing to Ichigo. Gin remarks he was merely "testing his strength". Aizen turns away from Ichigo and orders Gin to open a Senkaimon to Soul Society, where the real Karakura Town is, as it will be easier to storm the Royal Palace by creating the Ōken in Soul Society. Ichigo yells at Aizen to wait. Aizen turns, but his "face" seems to be falling off, to which Gin remarks that Aizen's incubation period must be over. Aizen fully turns and reveals his old face under the chrysalis, although he sports longer hair and black sclera, reminiscent of a Hollow. He then declares he can watch the fall of Soul Society with his own eyes.

As Gin opens a gate, Aizen turns to Ichigo and says that they are leaving him there in fake Karakura Town. He then says "eating you can be done after all this is finished" and disappears with Gin inside the gate. Ichigo stares as the gate closes, but is reprimanded by his father for "just standing there". Isshin gets up and puts his arm around Ichigo, looking for support as he tells Ichigo to open a gate himself so that they can go and "protect Karakura Town".

Aizen and Gin arrive in the Dangai Precipice World and Aizen comments that it "feels rather nostalgic", to which Gin agrees. They then notice the Kōtotsu coming and Aizen, interested, does not move from its path. Gin tells Aizen that it would be prudent to move on as it is a being of reason and it would not be a good idea to mess with it using Reiatsu. Aizen, undaunted, lets the train run into him. It explodes and he remains satisfied and unscathed, although Gin seems to be a bit taken aback. Aizen asks what Gin is afraid of and says that "reason exists for those who cannot go on living without clinging to it". He then says, "let's go...to the edge of reason" and they exit the precipice world.

Meanwhile, back in Fake Karakura Town, Isshin headbutts Ichigo and reiterates that they are going to Soul Society to protect Karakura Town. Ichigo laments that it is impossible, to which Isshin angrily responds "How would you know?" Ichigo counters by saying that there is no way they can "beat a monster like that with that kind of reiatsu". Isshin, stunned but now understanding, says that Ichigo can actually understand Aizen's reiatsu. Isshin begins walking and asks if Ichigo is coming. When Ichigo does not answer, Isshin asks him if he is just going to sit there and cry and explains that everyone he knows is in danger because of Aizen. Ichigo, with resolve once again renewed by his father, tells his dad to open the Senkai Gate.

Aizen and Gin emerge from their own Senkai Gate into Soul Society, with Aizen remarking that they were a little off with the coordinates. Gin responds by saying that it was not his fault, "because Captain Aizen decided to be a little naughty". Aizen bluntly apologizes and says, "Shall we walk a little, then?" Ichigo and Isshin are then shown hurrying through the Dangai Precipice World themselves, when Isshin tells Ichigo to stop and remarks that Aizen definitely destroyed the Kōtotsu, even though Shinigami should not be able to touch it. Ichigo then tells him that they should be hurrying, but Isshin remarks that the Precipice World is just as it sounds and is its own separate dimension, cutting off time and space from both the Soul Society and World of the Living. As such, time moves significantly slower than in the other two worlds. Isshin says that the slow time of the precipice world will be perfect for him to teach his son. Ichigo inquires as to what he will teach him and his father responds simply, "the Final Getsuga Tensho". Aizen and Gin finally reach the Real Karakura Town in Soul Society, just as Keigo Asano awakens.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
All of Seireitei gathers to view the new suggestions for cellphone designs. The first to present his suggestion is Byakuya Kuchiki who picks the middle rail of his kenseikan and pretends to answer an incoming call. Seeing how the entire crowd is appalled, the curtains are quickly dropped on Byakuya. Later, Renji tells his captain he warned him against doing this; Byakuya orders him to be quiet.

Fights

 * Isshin Kurosaki, Kisuke Urahara & Yoruichi Shihōin vs. Sōsuke Aizen (concluded)
 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Gin Ichimaru (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
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