Gotei 13 vs. Kasumiōji Clan

Prologue
Sūi-Feng is seen being informed of the current situation by a messenger. She says that dealing with a defector like Shūsuke Amagai will be a challenge. Then, Yoruichi appears before her, and imparts information to her. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Amagai are pursuing the two Bakkōtō assassins whom made off with Rurichiyo, with one of them facing off against Amagai, as Ichigo corners the other, leaving him out of options. He throws Rurichiyo into the air, attempting to use it as a diversion, but Amagai cuts him down. Ichigo rescues the princess, but realises that it was a decoy.

Rukia and Shū come on to the scene, and they theorize that they were used as a decoy to mask the travel of the real princess. A Hell Butterfly approaches Amagai, informing him to urgently go to the stadium. As they arrive, Amagai wonders when Kibune joined the Kasumiōji Clan. He tells Aida and the others to take Kira to the 4th Division's barracks, as Ichigo asks him what's next. He tells the Substitute Shinigami that this is no longer a simple family feud. Suddenly Renji appears in the training ground, and Amagai draws his sword to him, but Renji avidly claims that he is on Ichigo's side, forcing him to sheath his sword.

Rukia tells him what occurred at the training ground, as Amagai requests Renji to give Kibune's Bakkōtō to Yamamoto on his behalf, as he is going to infiltrate the Kasumiōji mansion with Ichigo. The captain then theorizes that Rurichiyo is most likely there, as all of their safe houses have been discovered. Ichigo says they are counting on Renji, as Ukitake tells his acting lieutenants to hold off on their orders. Yoruchi approaches him, telling him information. Renji forces himself into Yamamoto's office, Bakkōtō in hand, and places it on his table, as Sasakibe follows him eagerly.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Kasumiōji compound, Hitsugaya and his subordinates are seen guarding it, much to the contempt of Ichigo and Amagai. Hitsugaya calls out his name, as it is apparent he is aware of their presence. As Ichigo and the others try to plead their case with him, he refuses to listen, until Amagai steps forwards, unsheathing his sword, clashing with Hitsugaya. He tells Ichigo to move ahead, as he uses Shunpo to evade the guards at the gate, appearing upon the steps. However, Rangiku appears before them, and Rukia decides to fight her, in order for Ichigo to move along.

As the fight between Amagai and Hitsugaya escalates, with both parties releasing their Shikai, Yamamoto declares that the Kasumiōji clan is guilty of treason, outliining that all members of the Gotei 13 are to break into the compound and gather all possible evidence. Meanwhile, Ichigo is seen following Shū's directions in order to find Rurichiyo. Yamamoto gives further instructions, stating that the 6th Division's captain, Byakuya Kuchiki to be in charge of the infiltration. The assassins report back to Gyōkaku Kumoi, stating that Yamamoto changed his original order, relaying that he has now ordered the Gotei 13 to invade the compound.

Angered, Kumoi opens a cabinet filled to the brim with Bakkōtō, stating that he has no choice but to use them. Rangiku is surprised that they have received new orders, and is relieved that she doesn't have to continue fighting Rukia. But their relief is short lived, as they are soon ambushed by a horde of assassins.

Battle
Rukia explains to Rangiku that they are assassins from the Kasumiōji clan, who wield unusual katana known as Bakkōtō. Rukia and Rangiku are soon cornered back-to-back, surrounded by several of the assassins. Rangiku then releases her Shikai, sending the assassins sprawling onto the ground, before orange energy glows around their eyes and their sword, as they stand up to continue fighting, much to their surprise. Rangiku asks Rukia whether or not they experience pain, as the assassins converge upon her.

However Shūhei appears on the scene, knocking the assassins backward, informing them that the Kasumiōji clan has been under suspicions for committing treason, and explains that they are to help Ichigo. The main force of Shinigami then enter the compound, successfully defeating all assassins in their path. Amagai is seen observing the Shinigami enter the compound with Hitsugaya, and are shortly accompanied by Byakuya, who informs them that he's been given the role of directing the infiltration.

Hitsugaya realises the error of his ways, and promptly ends his fighting with Amagai. He then leaves Hitsugaya's presence, as the captain calls out to him. Meanwhile, inside the compound, Ichigo and Shū are searching desperately to find Rurichiyo, but to no avail. They continue down a long hallway, before coming across a room filled with assassins, and Ichigo has no other option but to fight them all. However, when he knocks them all down, they become possessed by their Bakkōtō and persist in fighting him, regardless of injuries sustained.

Rukia arrives to assist him, using Hado no. 33, Sokatsui, in order to defeat several of them. She explains that, since Renji informed Yamamoto of the Kasumiōji clan's treason, Kumoi has since been trying to cover his tracks. Ichigo tells Rukia to take Shū and go on ahead, in the logic that, since there are large numbers of assassins stationed here, there must be something important past this point. As Kenryū and Enryū are sitting in jail, they realise that something must be occurring, and speculate whether Ichigo could have done it, to which Kenryū believes that Ichigo will rescue Rurichiyo amidst the chaos.

At the entrance to the compound, many fights are taking place, in which individuals such as Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa are seen warding off the assassins, only for them to revive themselves several moments later. Iba and Hisagi encounter the same problems, but state that the assassins could never hope to defeat them at their current level. Rangiku wonders what is going on, as Hitsugaya informs her that it was all a part of Yamamoto's plan, in which they could not interfere with the operation of a noble family, unless it was for good reasons. Hitsugaya elaborates, saying that Yamamoto knew of the Kasumiōji clan's dark deeds all along, and used this situation as a means to infiltrate the compound.

Kumoi is seen being followed by two Bakkōtō-wielding assassins, with himself wielding a single Bakkōtō. Meanwhile, ana ssassin reports to him that the Shinigami have overtaken the main gate and pavilion, and will not be able to hold them off for long. He continues, saying he only needs enough time to enter the Bakkōtō smithy, but another assassin informs him that a Shinigami has entered the smithy. Kumoi dismisses this, saying it is impossible, as the barrier was erected by the Royal Family, and no mere Shinigami could break through it. The barrier around the smithy is seen crumbling, as the workers look on in surprise.

The 13th Division members charge in, as Ukitake tells not a single one to move. Despite this specific instruction, the workers start to retreat, before being blocked off by Kyōraku and his division members. Yoruichi commends a panting Sūi-Feng upon breaking the barrier protecting the Bakkōtō smithy, and wonders who taught her such a powerful technique, too which she explans that she learnt it from a man angry at the Kasumiōji clan for disrupting his business. Kumoi curses at the Shinigami's audacity, and tells the assassins to bring Rurichiyo to her, saying he has no choice but to use her as a shield.

Despite Ichigo's desperate efforts to try and subdue the assassins, they continue to get up, regardless of their injuries. He pleads them to stop, stating that they will perish if they keep this up. However, they refuse to listen, and he escapes through a window, closely pursued by the assassins. Rukia and Shū come across what seems to be a dead-end, but, upon closer examination, there is a floorboard out of place Rukia opens it, to find Rurichiyo's two servants, who explain that she was taken away through a corridor in the room, which is a hidden pathway leading upstairs.

Rukia and Shū proceed into the hallway, as Kumoi is berated by several other members of royalty, who then ask him to