A New Enemy! The True Nature of the Beast Swords

'''A New Enemy! The True Nature of the Beast Swords''' is the two hundred fifty-seventh episode of the Bleach anime.

Hitsugaya battles against a Tōjū that has been absorbed by a Hollow.

Summary
A large beam shoots straight down in a construction site within the Human World. One of the architects feels the impact of the crash but is assured that it's nothing major. However, it turns out that a Tōjū has arrived.

Ichigo also feels the impact and is approached by Keigo, who indirectly asks if he's sensing spirits again. Ichigo states that it must be it. Realizing that he could be telling the truth, and not wanting to endanger himself in any way, Keigo quickly flees and says he doesn't want to see anything he currently cannot see; Ichigo notes how he's simply not making any sense now. With Keigo now gone, Ichigo looks away and decides to inspect the area while in his Shinigami form.

He encounters the Tōjū weakly moving around and briefly clashes with him. Ichigo knows that he is neither a Shinigami or a Hollow, and after the Tōjū begins asking about his master's location, starts to deduce that he's a Zanpakutō spirit. The Tōjū then tries to escape but is forced to defend against the arriving Hitsugaya, although he does manage to run away from the both of them. Now alone, Ichigo asks about the Tōjū. Hitsugaya says that he actually came to Karakura Town to inform Ichigo about the matter.

The two head to the Urahara Shop where they are served tea before Urahara and Tessai; meanwhile, the residential Mod Souls gossip about what happened to Muramasa. Hitsugaya explains more about the Tōjū and how, as he initially thought, they are actually entering the Human World rather than just lying dormant in Soul Society. When the captain finishes explaining, the four overhear a ruckus outside. It turns out that Rangiku and her Zanpakutō Haineko have followed Hitsugaya, and during their stay, went around taking photos of themselves.

In the Seireitei, Kyōraku and Ukitake discuss the Tōjū and the fact that their Zanpakutō are still manifested as spirits, while at the same time playing a card game. Both are demanded to play with their Zanpakutō, which eventually leads both of them to sigh about how it's better that they're in their sword forms instead. This causes their Zanpakutō to start attacking them playfully.

Meanwhile, as the Seireitei undergoes rebuilding, Rukia walks around with Sode no Shirayuki. They discuss how weird it feels to actually be walking side-by-side together. Rukia recalls being worried before when Sode no Shirayuki's blade had been broken, but her Zanpakutō states that she mustn't worry, as things are better now that Captain Kurotsuchi has finished his experiments on her and the other spirits. Rukia says she's always been suspicious of his research, though nonetheless, she should thank him for his actions.

Back in the Human World, the Tōjū hides in an alley, still searching for his master. He encounters a Hollow nearby and is attacked by it. Eventually, he is swallowed whole and completely absorbed.

From afar, Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru sense the Tōjū's reiatsu disappearing. Hitsugaya wonders what it could be. He is asked whether Rangiku or Haineko should be brought along but states that they will only make things worse for them.

Rangiku and Haineko are taken to Orihime's house and she offers her school clothes to them, which they both take delight in wearing. Orihime asks Rangiku how the Shinigami's spirits can still manifest in a physical form. The same question is asked throughout the Seireitei and the Shinigami in Soul Society are explained that, while Muramasa was still manipulating the spirits, he'd actually "destabilized" them, causing them to lose control in the first place. Thanks to Mayuri's treatment, they have stabilized again and now can manifest themselves physically for an extended amount of time.

However, it appears that something else is affecting the Tōjū. Nanao is asked to speak to Mayuri about it and goes to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. Mayuri states that he's not interested in the matter and only helped with the release of Muramasa's control over the Zanpakutō because he was in charge of it. Though Nanao tries arguing with him that current events still matter, she is asked to leave. She returns with a box of confections, which finally convinces Mayuri to help out again.

Orihime takes Rangiku and Haineko around the town's shopping centers later in the day. While walking around, Rangiku suddenly feels the reiatsu of a Tōjū's. She states that she's been searching for it the whole time they've been having fun. Rangiku notices a change in its reiatsu. She asks how Haineko feels, being a Zanpakutō herself. The female spirit says that she feels bad for them. As rain begins to pour, they run in search for the Tōjū.

They arrive near a construction site and see the Tōjū, however, as a Hollow. Rangiku attempts to break from her Gigai but the Tōjū cuts off the rope holding up steel binders for the work area, causing them to fall near the three girls. Haineko decides to fight him off personally but is easily pinned to a wall where she is asked about the Tōjū's master. She is almost killed when Ichigo arrives. He slashes the Tōjū and saves Haineko, whom he has Rangiku take charge of. Afterwards, Ichigo chases after the Tōjū.

Ichigo clashes with the Tōjū within the construction site but starts struggling after realizing that it's not a complete Hollow. Thankfully, Hitsugaya appears and freezes the rogue being with the power of Hyōrinmaru. The ice containing the Tōjū breaks apart, killing the being, as well as destroying his spear-like weapon. Hitsugaya, Ichigo and Hyōrinmaru regroup with Rangiku's team. Hitsugaya says that they must be cautious about the Tōjū's power.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Haineko and Tobiume are curious to find out how Senbonzakura's face looks behind his mask. The two follow him around the Seireitei and even peep into a bathhouse, in which he's inside, just to take a look. Inside the bathhouse, he appears with his mask still on. Haineko and Tobiume wonder why he can still be wearing it.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Tōshirō Hitsugaya vs. Hollow Tōjū (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Zanpakutō released Techniques used Hollow powers