The Fallen Shinigami's Pride

The Fallen Shinigami's Pride is the one-hundred eighty-ninth episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo and Amagai conclude their battle.

Summary
After taking damage from Ichigo Kurosaki's Getsuga Tenshō, Shūsuke Amagai feeds his Bakkōtō more power. He states that the fight will not be over until he gets his revenge. He then starts glowing green with power from his Bakkōtō. Amagai sets off a wave of five attacks towards Ichigo, who dodges them all. He appears behind Ichigo and strikes. Ichigo is then pushed into a wall, and through a building. As Ichigo gets up, he sees Amagai launch an attack at him. On his knees, Ichigo takes the hit. Amagai says that he underestimated him. Rukia asks why his Bakkōtō hasn't taken over his body. Amagai replies that he is able to suppress it with his Reiatsu. He then goes toward Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Yamamoto says that his pride as a Shinigami is still intact even though his mind has been completely warped. Amagai is appalled that he speaks of pride and says that Yamamoto promoted order in the Soul Society, but the truth is he sot to it that those who didn't follow his requests were eliminated. He says that Yamamoto has no heart. He then states that he and Rurichiyo Kasumiōji need to die. Amagai starts his attack when a Getsuga Tenshō comes from behind him and he dodges quickly. As the dust in the air clears, a drained Ichigo emerges. Rurichiyo is glad that Ichigo is okay. Amagai asks Ichigo why he doesn't just give up. Ichigo replies saying that he will do everything he can to stop him. Rurichiyo tells Ichigo that he shouldn't go on, but Ichigo calmly replies that he can take care of himself. Amagai says that he should be lucky to have survived. Amagai asks Ichigo why he wants to save Yamamoto. Ichigo tells him to shut up, then calls him a bastard for causing so much trouble for so many people. Ichigo tells Amagai that he used the Kasumiōji Clan, betrayed the Shinigami and became obsessed with the Bakkōtō. He says that Amagai thinks that just because Yamamoto killed his father, it gives him a free pass to do anything. Ichigo asks Amagai if he ever thought about the suffering that he brought to others and if he ever thought about that.

Ichigo then compares Amagai to Rurichiyo and says that he will put an end to this childish game. Amagai tells Ichigo that his energy is too low to fight him. Ichigo asks him if he thinks that will stop him from fighting. Amagai releases fire from his Zanpakutō, but Ichigo dodges the attack. Amagai notes that Ichigo is moving faster, so he must use his Gōen Ryūga. Once he uses this attack, Ichigo finds himself engulfed in flames, but before it touches him, he used a Getsuga Tenshō to evaporate the flames. They then begin fighting again but Amagai draws his Bakkōtō. Ichigo barely dodges the attack. Noticing this, Amagai uses his Zanpakutō and blasts a fireball. As they continue fighting, Ichigo uses Getsuga Tenshō to make a screen cover, that way he can attack Amagai. However, Amagai predicted his plan to attack from the right and tries to block Ichigo's attack. Amagai then uses his Zanpakutō to to engulf themselves in flames. As the fire diminishes, they both come out breathless and injured. The remains of Ichigo's Hollow mask disappear, while Amagai's Bakkōtō is cut. Ichigo tells Amagai that he needs to stop fighting. Amagai replies with laughter. He states that he has already thrown his life away and does not care if he dies.

Amagai says that when he dies, he's taking all of them with him. He then starts feeding his Bakkōtō more power. Ichigo tells him to stop feeding it or he will die, but Amagai says that he doesn't care. Ichigo then states that if he will not listen to reason, that this is the only answer. Ichigo charges a Getsuga Tenshō, while Amagai prepares his own attack. Ichigo says that he's pretty dimwitted for a captain if he's really doing this. Amagai then replies, saying that nothing else matters. They then launch their attacks on each other. A huge explosion is created by the two attacks, causing many buildings to lean or be destroyed. After the attacks, Ichigo and Amagai seem to be fine, but as Ichigo stands he almost falls to the ground, but catches himself with his Zanpakutō. Amagai is wounded as well and collapses. Ichigo then stands up straight, with Rurichiyo stating that Ichigo has defeated Amagai. Amagai's Zanpakutō and Bakkōtō revert back to normal, losing their powers. Amagai then picks up his Zanpakutō, saying that he isn't done yet. He charges toward Yamamoto. As this happens, other Shinigami arrive. Yoruichi tells Amagai to stop, but Amagai had already driven his sword through Yamamoto.

Everyone is shocked, and Amagai smiles, thinking that he has won. Captains Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku then start to draw their swords in concern for Yamamoto, but he tells them to stand down. Amagai is shocked that Yamamoto is still alive. Yoruichi tells Amagai that Yamamoto isn't the one who caused the death of his father. She explains that his father had his life completely by the Bakkōtō. She continues, saying that at the time, Gyōkaku Kumoi was misusing the Kasumiōji Clan's special techniques for the casting of royal swords. He exploited their ancient secrets in order to create the Bakkōtō. Then using his prototypes, he began doing experiments with them involving test subjects. When the Captain-Commander became aware of Kumoi's activities, he attempted to intercede but was overruled. The Kasumiōji Clan used their immunity extra territoriality as a shield, so he was denied the chance to scrutinize Kumoi any further. However, one of his seated officers wanted to help with the problem. His name was Shin'etsu Kisaragi, who was was Amagai's father. He said that he would bring back the secret of the Bakkōtō, but once he was there, he was captured. Kumoi forced a Bakkōtō into his hand, then told him to go kill the person who sent him there. Shin'etsu was being controlled by the Bakkōtō. He went to the field where he worked and fought Yamamoto. Yamamoto had no choice but to kill Shin'etsu, as the Bakkōtō was already in total control of Shin'etsu.

No one ever said anything about Shin'etsu's death, because they didn't want people to know that they went to the Kasumiōji Clan. The Bakkōtō was kept a secret, as well was it's undercover investigation, because this went against Central 46. Amagai then takes the sword out of Yamamoto. Amagai looks shocked as they say that Yamamoto had to restore peace with the Kasumiōji Clan. Amagai realizes that he was consumed by hate and his anger blinded him so that he couldn't see through to the truth. Yoruichi then states that everything that he is and even his destiny was swallowed by the Bakkōtō. Yamamoto tells Amagai that he still regrets what he did. Amagai gets down on his hands and knees and asks him if he was a fool. Yamamoto replies that he need not to be ashamed. Amagai rises and stabs his sword into the ground. A ring then glows around him, turning into fire. Amagai apologizes to Izuru Kira, who was his lieutenant. Amagai becomes engulfed in flames, killing him.

At the Kasumiōji Clan palace, Rurichiyo thanks Ichigo and Rukia for helping her. Kenryu and Enryu thank Ichigo and Rukia as well for helping protect Rurichiyo and that they are in his debt. They continue talking until it is time for Ichigo and Rukia to go. As they leave, saying farewell to the Kasumiōji Clan.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Ichigo is seen running through a Senkaimon, which inexplicably appears in the middle of Hueco Mundo, outside of Las Noches. Ichigo is confused at this, but before he can say anything, he is slammed in the ribs by Nel, who welcomes him back. She asks him whether the "corporate guys" allowed him to come back, as Orihime runs up to him, with Volume 32 of the Bleach manga, as she tells him to hurry up and use his Bankai to go to a certain scene, as he examines the manga variant of the next episode. He wonders what she is talking about, to which she says to the audience that the Hueco Mundo arc resumes the following week.

Characters in order of appearance

 * 1) Shūsuke Amagai
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Hanza Nukui (flashback)
 * 4) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 5) Rurichiyo Kasumiōji
 * 6) Ryūsei Kenzaki
 * 7) Rusaburō Enkōgawa
 * 8) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 9) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 10) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 11) Renji Abarai
 * 12) Izuru Kira
 * 13) Shunsui Kyōraku
 * 14) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 15) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 16) Gyōkaku Kumoi (flashback)
 * 17) Shin'etsu Kisaragi (flashback)
 * 18) Shū Kannogi
 * 19) Orihime Inoue (flashback)

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Shūsuke Amagai (concluded)

Powers and Techniques used
Techniques used:

Shinigami techniques:

Zanpakutō released:

Bankai:

Bakkōtō used:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Other Powers: