Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches

'''Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches''' is the ninety-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Kariya recruits men from Kusajishi as Ichigo and friends finally arrive at Kūkaku Shiba's house.

Summary
After part of the Seireitei is destroyed by explosions, Ukitake wonders what happened. Yamamoto states that it was a declaration of war from the Bount and he requests for more search parties to look for the Bount. Hitsugaya is angered that the Bount were able to break into the Gotei 13's base and he goes with Rangiku to look for the Bount.

Meanwhile, at the Kuchiki Family Manor, Byakuya is shown looking over an injured Rukia. As she is healed by several Shinigami, Byakuya heads to where Ichigo and Orihime are and Ichigo asks if Rukia is all right. Byakuya states that Rukia's injuries are deep, but not life threatening. Ichigo states that he's relieved and then asks for Byakuya's help against fighting the Bount. Byakuya refuses, explaining that the Gotei 13 are already looking for the Bount and that there's no need for him to join up with the likes of him. This begins to anger Ichigo and Byakuya tells him that he should just head back to the Human World. Ichigo ignores his request and leaves the area with Orihime and the mod-souls while telling Byakuya to take care of Rukia.

Meanwhile, Kariya enters a gambling place and asks if he can join in on their card game, claiming that he's going to bet his life. This causes everyone to laugh at Kariya and they believe him to be an amateur. However, once they start playing the card game Kariya wins and this causes someone to claim that he's cheating. The guy attacks Kariya with a knife, but Kariya easily blocks the blow with his bare hand. Kariya mocks the guy and then throws him into a wall. Kariya prepares to fight with someone else, but Koga suddenly enters the gambling place. Kariya remarks that he thought he was going to have some fun and Koga calls in Ichinose to help him in stopping Kariya. The people in the gambling place suddenly go to fight all three of them, but they are easily stopped by them. Koga tells Kariya that if he doesn't tone it down a bit there's going to be problems and they'll be quickly discovered. Kariya then goes up to the leader of the gambling place, Tōba and tells him that he's going to turn Soul Society upside down and he asks for his help.

As the Shinigami continue looking for the Bount, Kenpachi decides to leave his room and he asks Yachiru if she's bored. However, Yachiru states that she's relieved, explaining that if Ichinose is with the Bount she'll be able to see him again. The two of them then leave. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Orihime arrive back at the Shiba Household and the two of them, as well as the mod-souls, talk about why the Bount blew up part of Seireitei. Sado suddenly appears with Noba and apologizes for not being able to reach Rukia in time while she was battling. Ichigo states that it was the same for them and informs Sado that Byakuya was the one that saved her. Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko suddenly appear and they bring the group outside to show them something. The two of them begin pulling on two levers and brings up something, but Ichigo is confused as to what it is. Two members of Ganju's Gang suddenly appear to inform Ganju of something, but they accidentally break Kūkaku's gate in the process.

In the Shiba Household, all four members of Ganju's Gang appear and they inform the group of what happened at the gambling place. Ichigo wonders if it's Kariya and Ganju remarks that if it was a picked a good place. Kūkaku explains that the place he was at is one of the most dangerous places, meaning that there's a lot of brute force to be found there. She states that he would be quite formidable if he recruited them all and Kūkaku gets angered at the two of Ganju's members who went there. Ichigo declares that he's going to head there and Kūkaku tells him that she knew he'd say that. Uryū suddenly enters the room and states that he's heading there as well so he can defeat Kariya. Ganju states that they'll head there tomorrow morning then, but Kūkaku punches him and tells him not to be lazy and that he should go there now.

Outside, Ganju introduces his boars to the group and tells them that they'll be riding on them. Ichigo states that he's not going to ride on them, believing that it would take too long and decides to run to where Kariya is. After Ganju gets mad at Ichigo for looking down on his boars, the group heads out to the gambling place. Meanwhile, at the Kuchiki Family Manor, Rukia wakes up and realizes that she was rescued. She then feels the pillow next to her and sees that it's warm, leading her to believe that Byakuya was recently by her. In another part of Rukongai, Kon is lost and has lost a lot of energy. However, he quickly recovers when he spots a young women and he runs towards her. While this is happening, Ganju and the others reach a forest and head into it.

At the gambling place, Kariya asks Tōba if they'll be able to gather some comrades. Tōba states that no one goes against what he says and that by tomorrow he'll have all the people he requested. Tōba then leaves and Koga apologizes to Kariya for having to stay in a place like this. Kariya tells him that he shouldn't apologize and that he's actually having fun. Kariya then asks Ichinose how he feels right now, but he doesn't answer due to being lost in his thoughts. Kariya tells Ichinose that something must be bothering him, but Koga points out that the same goes for Kariya. Kariya then states that someone interesting is coming towards them and he decides that he's going to take care of this one personally.

Meanwhile in the forest, Uryū asks Ganju if they're lost, but Ganju doesn't answer, giving Uryū his answer. At another part of Rukongai, Kon is shown hanging out with the young women and he decides that he's going to live with her. As this is happening, Ichigo asks Ririn if she senses the Bount but she tells him that she doesn't. Back at the forest, Ganju and the others see some people from Kusajishi and decides to force information out of them. Later at night, Byakuya is shown walking in the forest, but he is soon confronted by Kariya. Kariya asks Byakuya if he has come for revenge, but Byakuya tells him that it doesn't matter as anyone who disturbs Soul Society must be cut down.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Ichigo tells Ganju that his sister is scary, and Ganju remarks that for once he would like to see her act shy and girly. Kurōdo suddenly transforms into Kūkaku with the personality he mentioned, and he tells him that he can call Kūkaku anything he wants now. However, just as Ganju begins insulting the fake Kūkaku the real one appears behind him and angrily shoots him and eveyrone else into the sky though her cannon.

Fights
None.

Powers and Techniques Used
Shinigami techniques: