Coup of the Kasumiōji

Coup of the Kasumiōji is when Gyōkaku Kumoi's final plan starts to unravel, as well as the Soul Society's involvement in the affairs of the Kasumiōji Clan regarding the wedding of Princess Rurichiyo. Also, suspicions are raised to the loyalty of 3rd Seat Makoto Kibune, who seems to be affiliated with the secretive noble clan.

Prologue
Shū Kannogi is being tended to by several of his servants, who prepare to put an embroidered coat upon him. Kumoi appears before him, commenting upon his appearance. He wonders whether Rurichiyo will attend the service, to which he confirms she will make it back in time for the wedding. At the Urahara Shop, Yoruichi informs Ichigo and Rukia about the impending wedding between Shū and Rurichiyo. Ichigo asks how Rurichiyo could possibly attend the service, as she is in the Real World, to which Kisuke postulates they will use a stand in.

Rukia asks when the wedding will take place, to which Yoruichi states it will take place in two days. On a different subject, Kisuke asks about the enemy's katana, to which Yoruichi asks whether he has knowledge of the swords. Meanwhile, Orihime is healing both Sado and Uryū, whilst Rurichiyo watches despondently. Kenryū and Enryū appear by her side, and reassure her that they will recover. At night, Rurichiyo watches the moonlight once more, and is greeted by Ichigo. She tries to insist that Uryū and Sado got injured because of her, but Ichigo denies this. As Ichigo consoles her, she throws his Substitute Shinigami badge away, knocking him to the ground in the process, as she opens a Senkaimon.



Due to the ruckus, the others are alerted, and proceed to open a Senkaimon; however Rurichiyo locked it from the inside. Ichigo tells Rukia to open her Senkaimon, as Rurichiyo's return to the Kasumiōji clan notifies the vassals. When Rukia, Ichigo and the others step out of the Senkaimon in Seireitei, Shū and Rurichiyo are drinking tea in the compound. When they attempt to enter the compound, Kenryū and Enryū are restricted access, as they are under suspicion for kidnapping Rurichiyo. They flee from the pursuing guards, seeking refuge in an underground passageway, where Ichigo suggests searching for her tomorrow, which Kenryū and Enryū agree to.

The next day, at the Kasumiōji compound, a large procession is seen entering the gates, as Shū and Rurichiyo proceed to the main hall, whereupon the wedding ceremony initiates, ending with the betrothal of the couple. They then proceed out to the viewing area, to greet the masses of commoners awaiting their presence. As they stand over them, colossal applause emerges from the crowd. However, Ichigo and the others interrupt the ceremony, and attempt to rescue her, but are ambushed by the 2nd Division.

The commoners flee from the compound, as Ichigo attempts to go to Rurichiyo. However, Suì-Fēng intervenes, pointing her sword at him. Suì-Fēng refuses to listen to their excuses; as Ichigo tries to persuade Rurichiyo to come with them. However, Rurichiyo doesn't know who they are, as Enryū easily defeats Ōmaeda, promptly releasing his Zanpakutō, resulting in the collapse of the main hall. As Suì-Fēng emerges from the rubble, she prepares to attack Ichigo, but Rukia intervenes, allowing him to pass.



Ichigo runs over to her, trying to get her to snap out of it. Shū attempts to stop him, as Rurichiyo pulls a knife out of her robe, promptly stabbing Ichigo in the stomach. She backs off, revealing her true nature as an impostor, as Kumoi comes before them. As Rukia holds off Suì-Fēng, she pushes Rukia back into the rubble, proceeding to attack Ichigo. Rukia emerges from the rubble, as Ōmaeda emerges also, but is kicked by Kenryū, allowing Rukia to pass. Suì-Fēng fights on par with Ichigo, but she easily defeats him with Hakuda, but Ichigo refuses to admit defeat, prompting Suì-Fēng to release her Zanpakutō.

However, Rukia interrupts, sending aa blast of ice hurtling their way, allowing them to escape. Suì-Fēng remarks upon their escape, as they apprehend Kenryū and Enryū. Kumoi tells her not to search the mansion, as Shū leads Ichigo and Rukia to a hidden room. Shū explains that he only helped them because he wanted to help Rurichiyo, as they attempt to leave the manor, according to Shū's plan. At the entrance to the mansion, Suì-Fēng and the 2nd Division are on alert, as they are notified that Ichigo and Rukia have taken him hostage.



He apologizes to her, asking her to move out of the way, which she has no choice but to comply to. She reports her findings during a captain's meeting later, in which the 3rd Division is also called to search for the criminals. Amagai tells Kira to join the search, who questions the Kasumiōji Clan's involvement in recent events, citing Kibune's appearance outside the compound several days earlier. Amagai tells him to keep this quiet, as jumping to conclusions is only going to cause dissension. Amagai assembles the 3rd Division, as they move out, in pursuit of Ichigo and Rukia.

Ichigo, Rukia and Shū have relocated to the underground waterways, in which they decide what to do next. Suì-Fēng mobilizes more members to assist in the ongoing search, as Ōmaeda reports back to her. Suì-Fēng leaves him in charge of the area to lead the task force herself, as the 3rd Division is taking a break from searching. Amagai asks Kira whether anything stange has happened with Kibune, as he watches him closely. Kumoi ensures that the security around the Kasumiōji compound has increased, and goes on his way.

He reveals that he did indeed replace Rurichiyo with a stand-in, as the real Rurichiyo was taken under Kumoi's orders and hidden. The Princess, while still in her cage, is approached by 3rd Seat Makoto Kibune, who tells her that she will be released, after he kills the Substitute Shinigami searching for her. When he leaves the area, he is approached by one of his drunk subordinates, who tells him that he won't tell anyone what Kibune was doing here. The next morning, Kira reports to Amagai that the 3rd Seat has gone missing, as well as one of their guards. Amagai then tells Kira to search for Kibune, whilst he personally takes up the charge for the capture of the Substitute Shinigami.

As Lieutenant Renji Abarai leaves the 6th Division barracks to assemble the search party, Ichigo hears footsteps echoing from afar. As he picks up Shū in order to leave quietly, the search squad notices them, and pursues them through the labyrinthine paths of the underground waterways. As they escape to the surface, they find out that they were ambushed by the 3rd Division. Amagai unsheathes his sword, as he refuses to listen to their pleas. Ichigo tells Rukia to protect Shū, releasing his own Zanpakutō, as they clash with one another. As they fight, Amagai realizes he won't get any headway without taking the fight seriously.



He then releases his Zanpakutō, Raika, sending out a jet of flame at Ichigo, which is blocked with his sword. Ichigo charges at Amagai, releasing a Getsuga Tenshō, which is dispelled by Amagai's fire-type Zanpakutō. However, Shū intervenes, explaining that Ichigo and Rukia were directly responsible for saving Rurichiyo's life, and asks Amagai to help them in their search for the missing princess. As Shū breaks down into tears, Amagai lowers his weapon. He listens to their story about the feud going on within the Kasumiōji clan, and Amagai tells them that they will need substantial evidence if they want to acquit the noble clan of such crimes. Ichigo and Rukia state that they manufacture the illegal Bakkōtō weapons, and Amagai agrees to help them search for Princess Rurichiyo.