Morning of the Sentence

Morning of the Sentence is the fifty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: September 27, 2005
 * English Airdate: October 6, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Happypeople
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 137, Chapter 138, Chapter 139.
 * Kanji: 処刑の朝
 * Romaji: "Shokei no asa"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Rescue arc

Summary
It is an overcast day at the execution grounds as Gin Ichimaru and Tōshirō Hitsugaya walk along separately with their lieutenants Izuru Kira and Rangiku Matsumoto. Meanwhile the door is opened to the Shrine of Penitence as Rukia Kuchiki leaves with her escorts, beginning her way to the Sōkyoku.

Elsewhere, Kenpachi Zaraki races down the streets of Seireitei with Yachiru and Orihime clinging to his back. Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Makizo Aramaki are also running along with their Captain. Meanwhile in their holding cell, Uryū and Ganju are arguing while Sado mentions to them that a lot of commotion is going on outside. As they are trying to figure out what it could be, someone crashes through the roof of their cell. Once the dust settles, they’re terrified to see that Kenpachi Zaraki is standing before them. They’re also surprised to see Orihime on the shoulder of Kenpachi. Orihime tells them she is relieved that all of them are okay.

Things now shift to Byakuya who is standing in thought before a picture. The picture is of his deceased wife Hisana who noticeably bears a striking resemblance to Rukia. As Byakuya leaves for the execution, Sajin Komamura is shown talking with his lieutenant, Tetsuzaemon Iba. Komamura tells him that he has no doubts about the execution, and is a loyal follower of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Tōsen shows up, and agrees with Komamura on following orders. He also remarks how they both follow the same path.

At the same time, Soifon is shown walking along with her lieutenant, Marechiyo Ōmaeda. She mentions she is not really interested about whether the execution is right or wrong and that she will just continue to carry out her duties. Focus is then shifted to Shunsui Kyōraku who is lazily lying about on a roof. His lieutenant, Nanao Ise, tells him it is time to prepare to go the execution. Kyōraku stands while saying that it looks like the old man (Yamamoto) will scold him.

We return to Kenpachi’s group, which now includes Uryū, Ganju, and Sado. After they arrive upon a dead-end in the street, Yachiru is visibly angry as Uryū and Orihime try to make up excuses to make her feel better. Ikkaku however, points out that they shouldn’t have followed Yachiru In the first place. Upon hearing this, Yachiru jumps off Kenpachi’s back and bites down on Ikkaku’s head.

All of a sudden things take a serious tone. Yumichika and Kenpachi sense an ominous presence that there is someone hiding nearby. Kenpachi calls them out. Komamura and Tōsen show themselves along with Iba and Shūhei Hisagi. The others in Kenpachi’s group are surprised to see them as Tōsen asks why Kenpachi is aiding the outsiders. Yumichika mentions that they have them outnumbered for a fight, but Kenpachi states that he will be the only one fighting and that he will take them on four versus one. Komamura and Tōsen both comment that Kenpachi is too arrogant while Kenpachi insists that they all come at him at once. As the rest of the group wonders what to do, Yachiru tells Kenpachi that the rest of them will continue on as he fights. As Kenpachi says he’ll catch up to them, Tōsen remarks that he can’t be serious and that he must have lost his pride and his sanity when he lost to that Ryoka. Kenpachi simply replies that he never had any sanity to begin with.

As they are about to fight, Ikkaku and Yumichika join in to say they want to fight as well. Kenpachi reluctantly lets them, but tells them to stay out of his way so that he can fight the two Captains. They agree and the two of them leave along with Iba and Hisagi to fight their separate battles. After they leave, Kenpachi says that hopefully this fight will keep him awake. Upon hearing more of his arrogance, Komamura angrily releases his Zanpakutō and fires a ground shattering blast of his Tenken attack at Kenpachi. At the same time Tōsen fires his Benihiko attack from the air, which sends hundreds of blades down at Kenpachi. As the dust settles, Komamura and Tōsen comment that nothing could have survived that. They are shocked to find out that Kenpachi is laughing and that he took their attacks as if it was nothing. As Kenpachi pulls one of Tōsen’s blades out of his shoulder, he tells them that it seems this fight won’t keep him awake after all.

Things now shift to the underground training area where Renji has wrapped up his Bankai training and is ready to leave. As he is heading out, he stops and asks Yoruichi if she thinks Ichigo will really achieve Bankai, because he does not have any time left. Yoruichi ponders the question as Zangetsu tells Ichigo he will not make the training easier on him even though he is weakening. Yoruichi tells Renji that Ichigo needs to realize that deep inside he has the ability of possessing great power. She tells Renji that she believes in him and that Ichigo can master his Bankai.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
This is the final installment of this omake. The featured character is Kon.

Fights

 * Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Kaname Tōsen & Sajin Komamura

Powers and Techniques used
Techniques used:
 * Suzumushi Nishiki:Benihiko(清虫二式紅飛蝗, Cricket 2nd Movement: Crimson Flying Locusts)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * Tenken(天譴, "Heavenly Punishment")
 * Suzumushi(清虫, Cricket)