Zangetsu Becomes an Enemy

 is the two hundred and thirty-third episode of the Bleach anime.

Muramasa releases Zangetsu, and Ichigo Kurosaki fights him as his inner Hollow begins to take control.

Summary
In the Seireitei, Senbonzakura stands on a roof and looks at the center of the Seireitei. As the orange-haired man asks what he is doing, a blue-haired man asks if Senbonzakura sees anything interesting out there.

When Senbonzakura states it is none of his business, the blue-haired man angrily demands to know what he said and states there is no need for this attitude. When Senbonzakura does not respond, the blue-haired man tell him to not ignore them and begins to walk towards him.

Telling him to not bother, the orange-haired man says there is no point in fighting with one another. As he states their real enemies are in the center of the Seireitei, the blue-haired man begins to protest, only for the orange-haired man to proclaim they will not get away next time and say he will crush his owner. Agreeing with him, the blue-haired man states he is looking forward to killing the one who refers to him with the insulting nickname.

As the orange-haired man says they will teach their owners a good lesson, a surprised Ichigo asks Muramasa if he said he was a Zanpakutō Spirit. Confirming this, Muramasa tells Sode no Shirayuki she should leave for now and leave this to him. Thanking him, Sode no Shirayuki moves away. Running forward, Ichigo tells her to wait, prompting Muramasa to ask him if he is going somewhere.

When Muramasa refers to him by his full name, Ichigo stops and asks Muramasa how he knows his name. When Muramasa states this is not important right now, Ichigo expresses confusion and asks Muramasa what he is up to. When Muramasa reveals he wishes to release all Zanpakutō from the Shinigami, Ichigo says Muramasa is the one behind all of this. As Ichigo states Muramasa knows how Rukia can get her Zanpakutō and tells him to start talking, Muramasa asks Ichigo what a Zanpakutō is.

As Ichigo expresses surprise, Muramasa explains how Zanpakutō are individual souls which are born in the hearts of Shinigami, draw their power from the same place as their Shinigami, and are intertwined with their master's soul. Saying a Shinigami must reach deep into themselves to find the power hidden within, Muramasa states they commune with their Zanpakutō, bond together, and harness their power by learning their names.

Saying certain Shinigami can gain even more power by manifesting an incarnation of their Zanpakutō and controlling it, Muramasa states they wield the mighty Bankai. Saying Ichigo and the captains have done this, Muramasa states living alongside Shinigami is not the only way for a Zanpakutō to exist. When Ichigo asks Muramasa what he is talking about, Muramasa reveals every Zanpakutō has its own free will like Ichigo does.

When Ichigo expresses confusion, Muramasa confirms this and says Zanpakutō are not dependent on Shinigami. Stating they are two distinct and equal beings, Muramasa asks if this is so hard to believe and proclaims it is more proof of how arrogant Shinigami are. When Ichigo says this is not true, Muramasa proclaims the blindness of the Shinigami is why he is here and reveals he understands how the Zanpakutō thinks, sees into their souls, and grants physical form to those who join him.

As Ichigo states this is impossible, Muramasa reveals any Zanpakutō who answers his call will become liberated from their Shinigami and manifest in the real world as their true form, and this power is the gift which he alone possesses. When Ichigo asks why the Zanpakutō would listen to him, Muramasa says they do so because ignorant people like Ichigo have oppressed them for so long. Stating Muramasa is wrong, Rukia Kuchiki says what he is saying is not the truth.

Stating she has never looked down on Sode no Shirayuki as her inferior, Rukia collapses as Ichigo calls out to her. Saying Rukia's Zanpakutō does not share her opinion, Muramasa states Sode no Shirayuki has confirmed what he is saying. When Rukia attempts to get up, Muramasa tells her there is no need to push herself and says Rukia has served her purpose well. When Rukia asks what he means, Muramasa asks if she truly believed she was able to escape to the Human World on her own.

As Rukia expresses surprise, Muramasa reiterates his objective of freeing all Zanpakutō from their Shinigami and states there are no exceptions. When Muramasa says he needed Ichigo to find his way here in order to accomplish this, Ichigo realizes Muramasa used Rukia for his plan. As Muramasa welcomes Ichigo to his world, Rukia calls out to Ichigo, who tells her to stay there and rest while he handles Muramasa. Turning to him, Ichigo proclaims there is no way he will get away with this.

When he states they should take this elsewhere, Muramasa agrees, and the two move away as Rukia calls after Ichigo. As Muramasa appears on a roof, Ichigo falls towards him and prepares to attack. Manifesting his Zanpakutō in his hand, Muramasa blocks Ichigo's attack and pushes him away. Landing on top of a wall, Ichigo leaps towards Muramasa and attacks him once more. Blocking, Muramasa is forced back and blocks once more as Ichigo pushes him towards the ground.

Landing on the ground, Muramasa pushes Ichigo's blade away and leaps back as Ichigo slashes at him. As Muramasa extends his hand, the air around him distorts, prompting Ichigo to fire a Getsuga Tenshō at him. Hurtling towards Muramasa, the blast separates into three streams of Reiatsu upon hitting his hand. As the dust clears, Ichigo sees Muramasa has vanished and wonders where he is. As Ichigo looks around, the world around him begins to distort.

When Ichigo raises his blade, Muramasa tells him to put down his sword. Cursing, Ichigo slashes the air as the world around him begins to spin. Spinning in the opposite direction, Ichigo is lifted into the air before falling to the ground. As Ichigo leaps up, Muramasa says this is useless as Ichigo is yanked forward. Lying on the ground, Ichigo struggles to get up and wonders what is happening. As Muramasa walks towards him, Ichigo curses and demands to know what Muramasa did to him.

When Muramasa stomps on his foot, sending the blade of Tensa Zangetsu flying away, Ichigo curses as a perpendicular Muramasa hovers over him. Extending his hand, Muramasa tells someone to hear his voice, follow their instincts, and release their soul from Ichigo's body. As Muramasa gestures with his hand, a swirling black-red portal opens under Ichigo, who screams in pain. Ichigo's body rotates to parallel Muramasa, who tells them to discard their fear, look ahead, go forth, and not stop.

As red mist emanated from Ichigo, Muramasa states they will age if they turn back and will die if they hesitate and reaches into Ichigo's chest, causing him to scream in pain. Saying he knows their name, Muramasa says Zangetsu's name and pulls out a ribbon of red-black Reiatsu as the portal explodes. As the dust clears, Ichigo lies in a small crater with Zangetsu in front of him. As he wonders what happened, Zangetsu calls out to him.

Looking up, Ichigo sees Zangetsu, with Zangetsu in hand, standing next to Muramasa. When a shocked Ichigo asks Zangetsu how he can be here, Zangetsu assumes a battle stance and charges at Ichigo, who grabs his blade and gets to his feet just in time to block the attack. As he is pushed back a few feet, Ichigo demands to know why Zangetsu is doing this. As he asks what happened to the two of them being one mind and one body, Zangetsu pushes him back further.

Cursing, Ichigo pushes Zangetsu several feet back. Landing, Zangetsu vanishes and appears next to Ichigo before slashing at him. Blocking, Ichigo is thrown against a wall. As Ichigo falls to the ground, Zangetsu fires a Getsuga Tenshō at him, destroying the wall behind him. Walking up to Zangetsu, Muramasa looks at the wall as the dust clears to see Ichigo lying on the other side. When Ichigo looks at them, Muramasa states he is impressed Ichigo can still move, but it is over for him.

Getting up, Ichigo pants as Zangetsu assumes a battle stance once more. Saying he does not understand, Ichigo asks Zangetsu if he is allied with Muramasa now. As Ichigo curses, Zangetsu raises Zangetsu above his head as blue Reiatsu gathers around the blade. As Ichigo expresses surprise, Zangetsu fires another Getsuga Tenshō. Meanwhile, at the 4th Division's Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho, 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura lies on a bed.

Entering the room, 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu greets her captain, Retsu Unohana, who asks if something is wrong. Confirming this, Isane reveals she has a field report from the 12th Division. Later, Unohana asks 12th Division Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi if she is saying the Zanpakutō have somehow become separate entities. When Nemu confirms this, Isane wonders what this means, prompting Nemu to say she is not sure of the consequences of this.

When Nemu reveals 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi only came to this conclusion after testing the phenomenon on his own body, Unohana asks if she could share the details, which Nemu confirms. In the past, Mayuri sits at his computer with dozens of wires attached to his body. Reading the text on the screen, he states it appears the spirit of Ashisogi Jizō has left his body. Chuckling, he proclaims this is very fascinating.

Standing nearby, Nemu says she was under the impression Zanpakutō and Shinigami were different manifestation of the same soul. Stating this is normally the case, Mayuri says the two have now split into entirely distinct entities. When Nemu states this is impossible, Mayuri says this is why it fascinates him. Telling Nemu to not act like she knows everything, Mayuri states they need to figure out what caused this change to take place.

In the present, as Unohana says Nemu's report has revealed their situation is worse than she had imagined, Isane asks what will happen if a Shinigami defeats a Zanpakutō in battle if they are not connected anymore. As Nemu states she does not know, Isane asks if there is a chance they would lose their Zanpakutō forever if this happened. Saying it is possible, Nemu states she cannot tell Isane what would happen without more data, prompting Isane to express disappointment.

Stepping forward, Unohana says she understands and states the only thing they can do is have faith in Mayuri. Saying there is one more thing, Nemu states Mayuri had a request for Unohana. When Unohana asks what he wants, Nemu reveals he asked if Unohana could provide him with data on the Shinigami currently receiving treatment from the 4th Division so he can analyze it. Agreeing, Unohana says she will have it sent to him right away.

When Nemu reveals Mayuri wishes to begin compiling a data profile on Unohana, a shocked Isane asks if this means Unohana has to go to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. Confirming this, Nemu states Mayuri told her he needs to start collecting data on all of the captains. When Unohana agrees to do this, Isane begins to protest. When Unohana tells her it will be alright, Isane says Unohana knows Mayuri's examination will be incredibly personal and invasive.

When Isane asks if she is sure about this, Unohana states they are in a race against time. As Isane concedes, Unohana asks Nemu to report any new findings to the 4th Division immediately in return for her cooperation. As Nemu agrees, a Shinigami runs up and says large-scale combat has been confirmed in the Seireitei. When he reveals the Reiatsu detected at the scene belongs to Rukia and Ichigo, Unohana and Isane express surprise.

Meanwhile, as dust billows from the hole in the wall in front of Zangetsu and Muramasa, Zangetsu expresses surprise as the dust clears to reveal a grinning Ichigo with his Hollow mask covering half of his face. As a surprised Muramasa asks what this is, Ichigo looks up and attacks Zangetsu, knocking him into a wall, before stabbing at him. As Zangetsu dodges, Ichigo stabs his blade into the wall. Pulling it out, he attacks Zangetsu once more, knocking him back.

As Ichigo runs after him, Zangetsu points his blade at him. Moving to the side with Shunpo, Ichigo grabs Zangetsu by the head and throws him into a wall. As Muramasa asks who he is, Ichigo turns to face him. When Muramasa states he is not Ichigo, Zangetsu appears behind him and says he is seeing the other soul which lives within Ichigo's body. Turning to face him, Muramasa expresses confusion at there being another soul within Ichigo's body.

As Ichigo turns to face them, Zangetsu raises his blade, prompting Ichigo to do the same. When Zangetsu fires a Getsuga Tenshō, Ichigo fires a black Getsuga Tenshō in response. As the two blasts meet and create a large explosion, Zangetsu appears on top of a nearby wall and disappears as Ichigo does the same. As Zangetsu lands on top of a tower and moves away, Ichigo attacks the area where he was standing and cuts into the top of the tower.

As Zangetsu appears on a bridge, Ichigo appears behind him and runs towards him. Leaping into the air, Ichigo slashes at Zangetsu, who dodges, and continues to attack him as he evades. Appearing behind them, Muramasa watches impassively. When Zangetsu slashes at Ichigo and cuts his chest, Ichigo moves back as a white substance covers his wound. When it dissipates, the cut has been healed. Noting this is High-Speed Regeneration, Zangetsu appears behind Ichigo with his sword raised.

When his shoulder is slashed and spurts blood, Ichigo falls down and writhes on the ground. As Zangetsu relaxed, more of the white substance appears on Ichigo's body, alerting Zangetsu and Muramasa, as a large worm-like creature bursts from his body and attacks Zangetsu, who leaps away. As he lands, the worm crashes into him and eats him. As the worm slides for several feet, a Getsuga Tenshō bursts out of its head, causing it to explode.

As the smoke clears to reveal Zangetsu, Ichigo stands with a partially Hollowfied body. As Muramasa expresses surprise, Ichigo yells as a torrent of black-red Reiatsu surrounds him. As Zangetsu steps back, the Reiatsu covers Ichigo, resulting in an expanding orb of bright blue Reiatsu engulfing a large part of the bridge. As the dust settles, Ichigo stands in his Hollow form as black-red Reiatsu emanates from his body and strands of black-red Reiatsu fly overhead.

As Muramasa expresses surprise at Ichigo's Reiatsu, Ichigo leaps into the air and attacks Zangetsu, who leaps away as Ichigo's blade sinks into the ground. As Zangetsu lands, Ichigo emerges from the dust and slashes at him, forcing him to block. Forcing Zangetsu back while continuing to attack him, Ichigo cuts Zangetsu's arm. As Zangetsu expresses surprise, Ichigo continues to slash at him before headbutting him, sending him flying back.

Extending his hand, Ichigo charges a red Cero in his palm. As Zangetsu expresses surprise, Ichigo fires the Cero. As Zangetsu fires a Getsuga Tenshō in response, the two attacks collide as the Cero overwhelms the Getsuga Tenshō and pushes Zangetsu back, sending him flying into a column, which is knocked over by the impact. As the energy around Ichigo's hand dissipates, Muramasa appears behind him and slashes his back.

When the wound is healed by the white substance, Muramasa expresses surprise as Ichigo turns and slashes at him. Blocking, Muramasa is sent flying back several feet. Landing, he assumes a battle stance and states this confirms what he thought. Walking towards him, Ichigo stops and makes a choking noise. As Muramasa expresses confusion, Ichigo roars and falls to his knees as his mask begins to crack. As Muramasa wonders what is happening, the mask continues to crack.

As Ichigo says he is not giving this power to his inner Hollow, he continues to roar as he proclaims he will not let his inner Hollow steal what belongs to him. Putting his hand up to his face and grabbing his mask, Ichigo yells as black-red and white-blue Reiatsu emanates from his body. Continuing to yell, Ichigo slashes through his mask as the black-red and white-blue Reiatsu surges skyward in columns before combining and exploding, destroying several columns nearby.

As the dust settles, Ichigo's Hollow form breaks apart around him, leaving Ichigo standing in his normal body. As the pieces hit the ground and fade away, Ichigo's pupils dilate as he says Zangetsu's name and takes a step forward. Reaching out, he says Zangetsu's name once more before falling over. Standing over his body, Muramasa looks at him and wonders who he is.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Asking why the Shinigami Women's Association gets to go to the beach, 7th Division Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba wants to enjoy his romantic adventure this summer. Agreeing with Iba, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi imagines himself at the beach with Rangiku wearing a bikini. When Iba says he wants to go to the beach right now, 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira says they will have to fill out many forms, prompting both Iba and Hisagi to say they will finish it in a day. After much hard work, they finally went to the beach, but the weather is bad, prompting Izuru to state this always happens to them.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Hollow Ichigo vs. Zangetsu & Muramasa

Powers and Techniques Used
Techniques used:

Shinigami techniques used:

Hollow Techniques:
 * Extra Appendage
 * Extra Appendage

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * (flashback)

Bankai: