Showdown of Mutual Self, Ikkaku vs. Ikkaku!

 is the three hundred twenty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ukitake and Kyōraku investigate the SRDI's records, while the real Gotei 13 officers encounter their Reigai counterparts.

Summary
Shunsui Kyōraku meets up with fellow captain Jūshirō Ukitake, whereupon they discuss in private how the incident seems too planned out to be believable. Ukitake asks him what they should do next, to which he suggests that they go through the events from the start. He recalls Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto informing the other captains during a meeting of the return of Kenpachi Zaraki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi.



The Captain-Commander asks Mayuri what occurred in the Dangai, to which he explains that the Substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki, was directly responsible for their entrapment. Kyōraku asks Zaraki whether he saw Ichigo as well, to which the 12th Division captain states that he would never mistake Ichigo's presence. Retsu Unohana interjects, bringing up the subject of Ichigo's Combat Pass, stating that this is further evidence of his crimes, as he evades capture and questioning. However, despite this, she strongly believes that Ichigo is not the perpetrator behind these events.

Ukitake backs up her claim, which Mayuri promptly refutes, saying that Ichigo is definitely responsibly, citing that even during his conflict with Aizen, he was stationed in the Dangai for some time. He states that Ichigo must be captured by all costs, to which Kyōraku calms him down. Yamamoto breaks up the argument, stating that, despite the Gotei 13's invaluable debt to Ichigo, they cannot disregard his treacherous actions. He then states that a team of Shinigami is to be sent to the Human World, with the intention of bringing Ichigo to Soul Society.

Upon finishing recalling the events, Kyōraku notes that "they" are about to move out, as the gates of the Senkaimon in Seireitei opens. Meanwhile, at the Kurosaki Clinic, Ichigo enters his room, telling Nozomi to go to bed. However, she is not there, as he hears a stifled cry from inside his closet. He opens it, promptly rescuing a tied up Kon, who tells him what occurred. Ichigo and his friends search avidly for Nozomi, but to no avail. The Shinigami lieutenants are also searching for her, as they come up empty handed also. They sense the reiatsu of a Senkaimon opening in Karakura Town, as Ichigo is punched out of his body via Rukia's Gokon Tekkō, as they prepare to search for her again.

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, similar to that of a prison, Inaba is walking down the dimly lit corridor with a lamp. He comes across a specific cell, which he proceeds to open, placing his lamp delicately on the side table. He removes his glove, whilst laughing to himself. He lifts the man's head up, stating that it is futile for him to run away. Nozomi then experiences a nightmare in which she is pursued by Inaba. She wakes up abruptly, as Kon comes across her path, proceeding to subdue him and run away, as an unusual reiatsu appears nearby.

The Reigai counterparts of Yumichika Ayasegawa, Ikkaku Madarame and Shūhei Hisagi appear in the area, stating that Nozomi should be in the company of Ichigo. The duplicate of Shūhei states that, if they check every strong source of reiatsu within the area, they should run into them. However, the Reigai counterpart of Yumichika interjects, wondering whether it is alright to deviate from their set mission. The duplicate of Ikkaku comments that they should fight the originals, since they are in the area; an idea which the Reigai Yumichika agrees to. However, a far off voice calls to them, as the originals appear on the scene.

The Reigai draw their swords, as the real Shūhei comments that they have strength in numbers, considering that there are four of them. However, Ikkaku wishes to fight one-on-one, as a voice calls out above them, with the figure crashing down before them. When the smoke clears, the figure states that the fight is now even, as there are now four people on either side.

In Soul Society, Akon presents Kyōraku and Ukitake with a record of traffic through the Dangai, who states that it is prohibited, asking them to make sure that no-one sees them. Kyōraku apologizes to him, as Akon states that, if they are found, it is he who will get reprimanded. Akon then leaves, as the two captains proceed to trawl through the records.

In the Human World, the Shinigami face off against the Reigai, as their superior strength prevails over the originals. As the real Shinigami stand up again, the inherent leader appears before Shūhei, who asks who he is. They then resolve to fight against their respective counterparts. However, Marechiyo Ōmaeda states that he doesn't have an enemy to face off against, stating that he has to fight against the leader. He closely examines the physical features of the man, realizing that the scarf he wears is familiar, to which the Reigai tells him he will know in due time who he is. He then releases his Zanpakutō, Gegetsuburi, as the Reigai reveals himself to be Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

This prompts the other Shinigami to burst into laughter, claiming that his Reigai is nothing like him. Ōmaeda asks his counterpart whether this is some kind of joke, to which the Reigai reveals that he was so disgusted by Ōmaeda's physical appearance, that he opted to change it. The counterpart states that he will eliminate him, hereby becoming the new Ōmaeda, which prompts an outburst from Ikkaku and Yumichika, who states that the two should simply swap places.

These constant taunts send the real Ōmaeda into a rage, causing him to release his Zanpakutō. He notices that the Reigai's flail is larger than his own, as the other Shinigami follow in his stead. However, he is forced back onto the ground, as his Reigai states that everything about him is superior. Meanwhile, Yumichika confronts his imposter, commenting upon the beautiful nature of his counterpart. Elsewhere, both Ikkaku's have released their Zanpakutō, and they comment upon their skills. Yumichika interrupts his fight, asking him whether they can swap places, to which Ikkaku states that he doesn't care. Ōmaeda runs away, with his Reigai in close pursuit, taunting him while he does so. Shūhei is quickly overpowered by his counterpart, who asks whether he still lives in fear of his sword.

Ōmaeda regroups with Shūhei, proceeding to flee from the Reigai in an underground tunnel. Shūhei explains to him that the Reigai's bloodlust increases during a battle, as per Mayuri Kurotsuchi's explanation. He then comes up with a plan, and tells Shūhei to do exactly as he says. The Reigai come across the Shinigami, wondering whether they have given up. However, they spring the trap, as Ōmaeda proceeds to knock down the fake Shūhei. The Reigai Ōmaeda prepares to strike him down, but his flail is caught by Shūhei's Zanpakutō, proceeding to bind him. The real Ōmaeda appears before him, promptly swinging his flail, and smacking his counterpart square in the jaw.

Ōmaeda states that they underestimated them, to which he states that they relied too much upon their power. As the Reigai slump upon the ground, Shūhei uses Bakudo #62 Hyapporankan, proceeding to subdue the Reigai Ōmaeda, as the real version bursts into laughter, upon seeing the distressed look upon his face. However, the Reigai retaliates, releasing Hado #63 Raikōhō, forcing the Shinigami to flee. Uryū Ishida notices the resultant explosion, proceeding to head to the scene.



Meanwhile, Yumichika is thrust against a tree by his counterpart, who states that, although Yumichika refused to fight his counterpart due to his beauty, the Reigai states that he would find him even more beautiful once covered in blood. Yumichika coughs, as the Reigai tightens his grip upon his neck, stating that the others are finished also. In response to this, Ikkaku emerges from an explosion of smoke, shortly followed by his Reigai counterpart, who is wielding Bankai.

The Reigai Ikkaku wonders whether this is all the power the originals possess, as Ikkaku stumbles upon the ground, cursing. They wonder whether they should finish them off, to which they decide to do so, as Uryū interrupts them, firing a procession of arrows. The Reigai Ikkaku prepares to fight him, but is stopped by Yumichika, who states that they should retreat for now, and search for Nozomi Kujō, as they leave the scene. Back in Soul Society, Akon is working in his office, and wonders who in the S.R.D.I could possibly have planned this, as Kageroza Inaba enters his office.



Akon greets him, noticing the strange apparel he is wearing, as Inaba walks towards him dauntingly. Kyōraku comments that the reports from the Dangai show heavy signs of alterations, to which they both come to the conclusion that someone working within the 12th Division is responsible for the events. However, they are surrounded by the 2nd Division's Onmitsukidō, lead by Suì-Fēng, who states that they are being arrested under suspicions for altering the Dangai's records.

Back in Karakura Town, Rangiku Matsumoto and Rukia Kuchiki are simultaneously approached by the Reigai counterparts of Izuru Kira and Rukia Kuchiki.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Kisuke Urahara informs Byakuya Kuchiki, Kenpachi Zaraki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Sajin Komamura of their next operation. However, Mayuri questions his authority, stating that Kageroza is a member of his division. Kenpachi picks up on this, squeezing his head, stating that they aren't going to use petty tricks. Kenpachi and Byakuya face off. As a bewildered Kisuke tries to calm everyone down, Komamura growls and starts howling for an unknown reason. Surprisingly, the only calm one is Hitsugaya.

Fights

 * Shūhei Hisagi & Ikkaku Madarame & Yumichika Ayasegawa & Marechiyo Ōmaeda vs. The Reigai (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used


 * Bakudō #62
 * Hadō #63

Shinigami techniques

Zanpakutō released

Shikai:
 * Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀, Wisteria Peacock)
 * Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀, Wisteria Peacock)
 * Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀, Wisteria Peacock)
 * Fuji Kujaku (藤孔雀, Wisteria Peacock)

Bankai: