Aizen Assassinated! The Darkness which Approaches

 is the thirty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

While the Gotei 13 deals with the death of 5th Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen, Ichigo Kurosaki and his group attempt to enter Senzaikyū once again.

Summary
With 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira, 7th Division Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, and 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto all shocked to find the corpse of her captain, Sōsuke Aizen, pinned to the top of the East Holy Wall with his own Zanpakutō, a stunned 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori begins to approach it while expressing her disbelief at the situation before falling to her knees and screaming Aizen's name.

Suddenly, 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru inquires what all this racket is about so early in the morning, alerting Hinamori, as he appears behind the other lieutenants, who turn to look at him. While Gin nonchalantly comments on how terrible the situation is, Hinamori recalls 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya's warning to be wary of the Third Division, especially when Aizen goes out walking alone, and stares coldly at Gin for several seconds. As tears fall from her eyes, Hinamori blames Gin for this.

Gripping her Zanpakutō, Hinamori rushes toward Gin and slashes at him, only to find Izuru intercepting her at the last second by blocking her strike with his own Zanpakutō, which causes Gin to smile. When Hinamori asks him why he is doing this, Izuru asserts that he cannot allow anyone to raise their sword against his captain as the 3rd Division Lieutenant. Upon seeing Gin walking away, Hinamori attempts to move around Izuru and resume her attack on him, but Izuru catches her and pushes her back in another blade lock as he shakes his head. Though Hinamori tearfully begs him to move aside twice, Izuru staunchly refuses both times.

An enraged Hinamori demands that Izuru move, and when Izuru emphatically refuses once more, Hinamori releases her Shikai, Tobiume, and unleashes a fireball that creates a large explosion, shocking the other lieutenants while Gin continues to walk away. Sent flying back by the explosion, Izuru brings himself to a halt and criticizes Hinamori for her thoughtlessness in releasing her Zanpakutō in such a place before questioning if she realizes what she is doing. As Izuru tells her to not confuse public and private matters, Hinamori charges up Tobiume and unleashes another fireball, which arcs past Izuru into the wall above Gin.

After deciding that he has no choice but to eliminate her as an enemy, Izuru leaps into the air above Hinamori and releases his own Shikai, Wabisuke, before coming down on Hinamori as she assumes a battle stance and glows with red Reiatsu, only for Hitsugaya to interrupt their clash by blocking Wabisuke with his partially-unsheathed Zanpakutō while pinning Tobiume to the ground with his left foot. Telling Hinamori and Izuru to not move, Hitsugaya orders the other lieutenants to arrest them, prompting Rangiku and Hisagi to restrain Hinamori by the neck and arm as Hisagi pulls back Izuru by his collar and restrains his right arm.

With Hinamori protesting this, Hitsugaya points out that this is no time to be crossing swords with one another and that her first priority should be lowering Aizen's corpse from the wall, leaving her speechless, before promising to report this to Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto as he instructs the lieutenants to put Hinamori and Izuru in cells. While the lieutenants take her and Izuru away, Hinamori looks back at Aizen's corpse and glares defiantly at a grinning Gin, only to look down despondently afterward. Gin apologizes for Hitsugaya having to waste time with one of his men, but Hitsugaya accuses Gin of having been preparing to kill Hinamori.

As Gin claims to not know what he is talking about, Hitsugaya declares that he will kill Gin if the latter makes Hinamori bleed, leading Gin to assert that he should keep a close eye on her so she does not get hurt as the two stare at each other intensely. Suddenly, three Shinigami wielding polearms run up to Hitsugaya and Gin while inquiring what happened, only to stop in shock upon seeing Aizen's corpse. Upon being ordered by Hitsugaya to get Aizen down, the Shinigami approach the East Holy Wall to do so, leaving Hitsugaya to silently walk past Gin. Meanwhile, in the canal network below the Seireitei, Ganju Shiba sleeps against a wall.

Waking up, Ganju is startled to find 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada sleeping and drooling on his leg. After throwing a still-sleeping Hanatarō off, Ganju demands to know why he was sleeping on his knee, and upon noticing the drool on his pant leg, Ganju berates Hanatarō for getting his good pair of pants slimy with drool. However, Ichigo Kurosaki requests that Ganju not give Hanatarō a hard time because the latter is exhausted as he steps out from the nearby room. When a surprised Ganju inquires if he is alright, Ichigo confirms this and states that it is thanks to Hanatarō before noting that Ganju should be feeling better too, which Ganju realizes is true.

Ichigo explains that Hanatarō was treating Ganju's injuries early this morning even though he was already exhausted, leading Ganju to observe that Hanatarō was helping him before he even knew it before staring at Ichigo, who wonders what is wrong. As he makes note of how things are going to get harder from here on out because the enemy is likely getting irritated by now, Ganju tells Ichigo that he had better be serious about his desire to rescue Rukia Kuchiki. Recalling the last time he saw Rukia, when she saved his life in the Human World by voluntarily returning to Soul Society, Ichigo states that she is waiting and that he did not come here to tour the canals.

While Ichigo and Ganju smile at this, Hanatarō suddenly bolts awake and protests being hit on like this, only to realize Ichigo and Ganju are staring at him. As Hanatarō greets them, Ganju inquires what he was dreaming about, prompting Hanatarō to bashfully claim that he cannot tell him, to Ichigo and Ganju's confusion. Above them, atop the roof of one of the buildings surrounding Senzaikyū, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki sits and waits as the bells on his hair jingle in the wind. In the past, as he stares at Yasutora Sado's name tag, Ichigo calls him "Chad", prompting Sado to correct him, before commenting on the latter's size.

Lying on the ground in an alleyway with a bloodied forehead, Ichigo asks Sado if he is wearing his school's uniform and notes that he has never seen Sado before. Sado reveals that he is transferring to Mashiba Middle School today and is in class 2-F, shocking Ichigo with the knowledge that they are the same age and in the same class as he gets to his feet and wonders why Sado did not fight back. When Ichigo stumbles while thanking him for his help, Sado questions if he should be standing up at all, and when Ichigo claims to be fine, Sado points out how he is bleeding, which leads Ichigo to explain that he would have been fine had the teenagers they beat up not used rocks.

With Sado noting that the teenagers are third-year students and asking if he did something to them, Ichigo bluntly states that they simply did not like his hair and target anyone who stands out before observing that it must be the same with Sado, who is surprised. After remarking that Sado also stands out due to his size, Ichigo picks up his bag and declares that they should get going as he begins walking out of the alley while staggering, leading Sado to correct his usage of "Chad" while pointing out Ichigo's unstable walking. As the two of them walk away, Ichigo asks Sado if he does not like the name "Chad" because it is a cool name like Dominic Chad.

When Sado admits that he has never heard of this man, a bemused Ichigo inquires if he knows Chad Smith, though Sado denies knowledge of him as well before mentioning that he does know Eugene Chadbourne, to Ichigo's confusion. In the present, Sado opens his eyes and sits up on top of a stack of boxes in a warehouse, where he realizes that he was dreaming about the past like an old man. Upon hearing the voices of Shinigami outside preparing to check the warehouse he is hiding in and seeing the barricaded doors being impacted as they try to get inside, Sado holds out his arm and manifests his Fullbring, Brazo Derecha de Gigante.

Sado expresses gratitude for waking up early because being woken up by this would have resulted in a bad day as the doors burst open. Back down in the canal network, Ichigo and Ganju are left puzzled by the pill that Hanatarō is holding out for them to look at. Upon being asked by Ichigo what it is, Hanatarō details how it is a special nutritional fortification pill supplied to everyone in the Fourth Division so they can continue working even when they are tired, only for Ichigo and Ganju to question the veracity of this due to the pill having a skull design on it. Despite this, Hanatarō swallows it, only for nothing to happen as he gets to his feet and decides that they should get going.

Astonished by this, Ichigo and Ganju demand that Hanatarō wait before pointing out how the pill clearly did nothing, and when Hanatarō asks them if his face does not look like he is full of energy right now, Ichigo asserts that it looks the same as before while Ganju notes that Hanatarō was clearly tricked. Soon afterward, Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō emerge from the same canal network entrance outside Senzaikyū that they used the previous day after confirming that no one is around. When Ichigo expresses confusion at there not being any guards present even though he fought here just yesterday, Ganju theorizes that the Shinigami did not think they would come back to the same place.

With Ichigo admitting that this sounds plausible, Hanatarō claims to be full of energy right now, but Ichigo reiterates that he does not look like he does as Ganju wonders how Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue are doing while describing their appearances. As Ichigo states that Ganju calling Orihime a "chick" is not a popular term anymore, Hanatarō points out that Ichigo's phrasing is not popular either, prompting Ichigo to grind his fists into the sides of Hanatarō's head while the latter apologizes. Upon being assured by Ichigo that Uryū and Orihime are a hundred times smarter than he is, Ganju realizes that this means Ichigo is a hundred times dumber than they are.

After grinding his fists into the sides of Hanatarō's head once again when the latter confirms this, Ichigo clarifies that he is saying Uryū and Orihime are fine because they would not take on enemies whom they could not beat. When Ganju brings up Sado, Ichigo asserts that there is even less reason to worry about him and walks forward a few steps before revealing that he has been able to sense Sado's Reiatsu every since they got here. While Ganju and Hanatarō express surprise, Ichigo concludes that he cannot imagine Sado ever losing. Back outside the warehouse, a Shinigami is launched high into the air and falls to the ground below alongside his defeated comrades.

As the Shinigami rolls over onto his stomach and calls him a monster, Sado lifts him up by the collar and demands to know where Senzaikyū is, to the Shinigami's surprise. Sado explains that the last Shinigami he asked said that name before he lost consciousness and that he does not know where it is, and at Sado's insistence, the Shinigami points at the white tower in the distance and indicates that it is Senzaikyū. Staring intently at the Shinigami for several seconds, Sado lets go of him and responds to the Shinigami begging for his life by politely bowing and thanking him before running off while the Shinigami tells him to not mention it.

Suddenly, the Shinigami narrows his eyes and picks up his Zanpakutō before rushing toward Sado as he berates him for turning his back on an enemy, only for Sado to grab his Zanpakutō by the blade mid-swing with Brazo Derecha de Gigante and bend it, leaving the Shinigami astonished. With Sado exerting his Reiatsu, the intimidated Shinigami leaps back and kneels as he repeatedly begs for his life, only for Sado to toss his Zanpakutō to the ground and warn him to not do this again. As Sado runs off, the Shinigami promises to do so and expresses surprise at Sado not killing him. Meanwhile, Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō approach the stairs leading up to Senzaikyū.

At Ichigo's prompting, Ganju and Hanatarō begin running up the steps alongside him. In the Eighth Division compound, Sado defeats several more Shinigami and runs up a set of stairs toward the main barracks. In his office, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku rests on his back and hums to himself as his lieutenant, Nanao Ise, informs him that Sado has arrived and has broken through the guardhouse while looking out the window. Expressing annoyance at Sado being here already, Shunsui decides to head out and confront him in person as he gets to his feet, leading Nanao to question this and assert that she should be more than enough for a Ryoka.

As he holsters his twin sheathed Zanpakutō, Shunsui clarifies that he is going because Yamamoto ordered the captains to combat the Ryoka and he does not want anyone to think the Gotei 13 is still having problems with them because old people hate being embarrassed. However, when Shunsui lays his hand on her shoulder and teasingly claims that he would be heartbroken if she got injured in battle, Nanao rebukes his statement of ownership over her and smacks his wrist with a folded fan. Clutching his wrist in pain, Shunsui observes that Nanao is more heartless than ever and proclaims that this is what he loves about her, which prompts a flustered Nanao to demand that he leave already.

Having donned his flowery kimono, Shunsui complies and tells Nanao to not worry because it will be over before she knows it and he will just have some fun. Back at the Senzaikyū compound, Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō continue running up the stairs while Rukia looks out her window from within the Shishinrō above and closes her eyes. With Ganju complaining about how many stairs there are, Ichigo tells him to shut up, only for them both to be surprised when Hanatarō passes them while asserting that the pill he took really does work, to their disbelief. Eventually, the three of them reach the top of the stairs, where they pause to catch their breath.

Upon seeing that the courtyard in front of them does not have any Shinigami patrolling it, Ichigo declares that they will be going straight into the inner area and begins running forward as Ganju and Hanatarō follow him. Suddenly, the three of them experience an incredibly intense Reiatsu enveloping them, which alerts Rukia as well, and as they struggle to stay standing while wondering what the source of this Reiatsu is, Kenpachi crouches on a rooftop above them and grins.

Next Episode Preview
When Ichigo Kurosaki realizes they have not eaten anything lately and Ganju Shiba declares that he is hungry, 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada suggests that they go to the cafeteria, prompting Ganju to express his desire for fried rice as they run off. While 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki observes that the Ryoka have not shown up yet despite how long he has waited for them and his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, claims that he has been stood up, Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō reach the cafeteria.

Events

 * Conspiracy's Masterstroke: Illusory Assassination

Powers and Techniques Used
Fullbring:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Anime Notes
Removed Content= Added/Expanded Content= Censorship= Changes=
 * Ichigo Kurosaki telling Ganju Shiba that they are going to make it to Senzaikyū this time.
 * Ganju pointing out how they do not even know if Yasutora Sado is alive, only for Ichigo to confirm that he is.
 * Ichigo telling Ganju that they are almost at the top of the stairs.
 * A stream of wind swirling around Izuru Kira and Momo Hinamori as the former blocks the latter's attack against Gin Ichimaru.
 * Gin walking away and Hinamori attempting to move around Izuru to pursue him, only for Izuru to catch her and cross blades again as he shakes his head.
 * The other lieutenants bracing themselves against the force of the explosion while Gin continues walking away.
 * Hinamori calling out to Tōshirō Hitsugaya as she is restrained by Rangiku Matsumoto and Tetsuzaemon Iba.
 * Hitsugaya admonishing Hinamori for engaging in combat instead of lowering Sōsuke Aizen from the wall.
 * Hinamori looking back at Aizen's corpse doll and glaring at Gin before lowering her gaze sorrowfully.
 * Three Shinigami approaching Hitsugaya and Gin as they express shock at the sight of Aizen's corpse doll before being ordered by Hitsugaya to bring it down.
 * A flashback to Hanatarō Yamada tending to Ganju's injuries while the latter slept.
 * Ganju observing that Hanatarō was helping him without him even knowing it before reminding Ichigo that their journey will only get harder from here on out and asserting that he had better be certain about this, leading Ichigo to note that Rukia is waiting and that he did not come here to tour the sewers, only to be interrupted when Hanatarō suddenly wakes up from a lewd dream and declines to relay it to a confused Ichigo and Ganju.
 * A flashback to Rukia tearfully ordering Ichigo to never come after her.
 * Hanatarō claiming once again to be full of energy, prompting Ichigo to reiterate that he does not look like he is.
 * Ichigo grinding his fists into Hanatarō's skull after the latter makes fun of his slang.
 * Ganju noting that Ichigo is saying he is a hundred times dumber than Orihime Inoue and Uryū Ishida are, only for Ichigo to redirect his irritation at this to Hanatarō by grinding his fists into the latter's skull after he agrees with Ganju.
 * Sado glaring at the Shinigami he is interrogating, prompting the latter to beg to be spared.
 * The Shinigami that Sado was interrogating promising to pretend that he never saw Sado while repeatedly bowing.
 * Ichigo standing alongside Ganju and Hanatarō in front of the steps leading up to the Senzaikyū pavilion and noting that they have finally arrived before running forward with them.
 * Sado defeating multiple Shinigami within the Eighth Division complex as he continues moving forward.
 * Nanao Ise observing that Sado has broken through the guardhouse and addressing Shunsui Kyōraku.
 * Rukia Kuchiki staring forlornly out of the window of her cell.
 * Hanatarō running ahead of Ichigo and Ganju as he proclaims that his energy pill really worked, though they still refuse to believe this.
 * Rukia being shocked by the intense Reiatsu in the pavilion outside.
 * Ichigo is not bleeding as heavily after being hit by rocks in Sado's flashback.
 * In the manga, when screaming in grief over Aizen's corpse doll, Hinamori is pressed up against the wall it is pinned to; here, she instead collapses on the ground several feet away from the wall.
 * In the manga, when Gin arrives at the platform, he is standing near the other lieutenants; here, he is instead standing several meters away from them.
 * In the manga, the initial explosion created by Tobiume punches through the platform and bursts out of the underside in addition to traveling upward and outward; here, it instead only travels upward and outward.
 * In the manga, the fireball unleashed by Hinamori strikes the building behind Izuru just below the roof; here, it instead nearly hits Gin, only to curve upward at the last second and strike the building several meters above the ground.
 * In the manga, Ganju's battle costume remains bloody for the duration of his journey through the Seireitei; here, it instead becomes clean after he is healed by Hanatarō.
 * In the manga, when attacked from behind by the Shinigami he was interrogating, Sado simply holds out his open right hand, causing the blade of the latter's Zanpakutō to bend sideways by about 45 degrees upon making contact; here, Sado instead grabs the Zanpakutō by the blade mid-swing and bends it to the side by 90 degrees.
 * In the manga, by the time he begins explaining why he will be confronting Sado himself, Shunsui has already donned his flowery kimono; here, he instead does not don it until right before he begins teasing Nanao.
 * In the manga, when Ichigo and his companions reach the top of the steps, Ichigo is the first to run into the pavilion while Ganju crouches to catch his breath and Hanatarō climbs up the last step on his hands and knees; here, Hanatarō instead arrives first, and the group collectively stands still for several seconds after Ichigo and Ganju catch up to him.