For the Sake of the Believers! Byakuya vs. Hitsugaya!

 is the three hundred twenty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

Summary
The Reigai counterparts of Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake fall from the sky, covered in Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's flames. They fall to the floor, as Yamamoto uses Shunpo to appear before them. Kyōraku comments on how worn out this fight has made him, as Ukitake wonders whether he has reached his limit. However, he reassures his comrade, stating that he has the strength to fight for a little longer. Meanwhile, as Byakuya Kuchiki walks through Seireitei, he is approached by the Reigai counterpart of Tōshirō Hitsugaya.

Hitsugaya outlines his objective, stating that his job is to prevent anyone from passing this point. He continues, claiming that if Byakuya leaves, he will not follow. Byakuya states that he will eliminate all who impede his movements, as Hitsugaya says that that will make things a lot easier. They both wield their swords, as Hitsugaya releases his Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. The two combatants then charge at each other. Meanwhile, at the Urahara Shop, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends oversee the healing process of the fallen lieutenants and Rukia. Kisuke Urahara approaches them, informing them that all of the captains made it to Soul Society, except for Captain Komamura.

Uryū Ishida is surprised that Kisuke is able to retrieve information from Soul Society, but he states that it would be disadvantageous if they could not determine what was going on over there. Kisuke explains that he put transmitter devices on all the captains, as Ichigo pleads with him to take him to Soul Society. Kon berates him for thinking that, but Ichigo states that he cannot sit around waiting for them to make a move. He tells Ichigo to let the Shinigami handle it, as even the lieutenants were unable to defeat them. Kon comments that there is no-one left that can face off against the Reigai.

He continues, stating that, if Ichigo is to leave, then they will not be able to fight back if they are attacked. Kon informs him that he was the one who stated that he would protect Nozomi Kujō, and that he cannot do that if he goes to Soul Society. Orihime Inoue informs him about his weakening Shinigami powers, as Kon tells him to stay here. Nozomi interjects, asking why they are so desperate to protect her. Ichigo comments that he doesn't know, stating that they assisted her in the first place to prevent Kageroza from injuring his friends in the Real World.

Nozomi comments that, if she were to trap herself in the Dangai, they would not need to sacrifice their lives. However, Ichigo states that he cannot let her do that, as she is trying to solve everything by herself. He comments that Nozomi doesn't have to tell them if she doesn't want to, but tells her not to keep the burden solely to her. Ichigo says that she is not alone in this fight, as Nozomi relives a flashback of the green-haired man, in which he struggles against several guards. Nozomi is snapped out of the flashback by Kon, who asks what is wrong. Ichigo reiterates that he doesn't know why he protects Nozomi, but states that he heard a voice telling him that protecting her is the right thing to do.

Nozomi calls him an idiot, blushing slightly. Ichigo comments that that isn't the correct way to speak to someone, as Nozomi states that she doesn't hear a voice. He states that it is just a figure-of-speech, as Nozomi starts laughing, saying that he truly is an idiot. Ichigo tells her that he has a name, as Nozomi approaches him, placing her hand on his chest. She states that this should heal some of his reiatsu, as a pulsing green light emanates from her hand. Kon is surprised, as Kisuke comments that it is a special kind of Kidō.

Ichigo is surprised that she is able to do stuff like this, as Nozomi states that she has a name. He agrees, smiling at her in the green glow of the kidō. Retsu Unohana conjures Bakudō #62 Hyapporankan, sending the pillars hurtling at her Reigai counterpart. The Reigai counters, utilising Bakudō #63 Sajo Sabaku, promptly tearing through her attack. She follows through, releasing Hado #88 Hiryugekizokushintenraiho, the tremendous attack emerging from her palm. Reigai Isane Kotetsu is surprised that she was able to use the spell without an incantation, as the real Unohana nullifies the attack through the use of Danku.

From the resultant explosion, Reigai Isane flinches, as Kageroza Inaba inquires whether she is alright. As the smoke clears, the real Unohana is nowhere to be seen. Isane asks where she could have gone to, to which the Inaba states that she is wise in her actions, as she never had any intention to fight them. The Reigai Unohana agrees, stating that escape was the only plausible option, as she had little chance to face the three of them on her own and win. She continues, stating that her loss would mean that the captains would not be able to re-establish themselves back in Soul Society.

The Reigai Unohana states that someone who would risk their lives to fight them would never be able to become the 4th Division Captain. She states that the Kidō spell was meant to distract them so she could make her getaway, as Kageroza comments that they must not let Unohana's escape affect their judgement. He tells them to get moving, as Reigai Hitsugaya summons his ice dragon, promptly throwing it at the 6th Division captain. Byakuya counters with the use of his shikai, the opposing forces crashing in mid-air.

Byakuya lands on the ground safely, waiting for the smoke to disperse. As the smoke recedes, the Reigai Hitsugaya is nowhere to be found. He looks up, as the impostor releases Sennen Hyōrō, the ice pillars surrounding Byakuya. He pivots his sword, the pillars locking into place. However, Byakuya appears behind him, slashing at the Reigai's chest. He tells him to stop his games, as the form disintegrates into ice. The Reigai appears before Byakuya, telling him the same thing. He states that he never suspected Byakuya would be defeated by such an obvious tactic.

The Reigai attacks again with the pillars, forcing Byakuya on the defensive. He charges at Reigai Hitsugaya, as they clash on the ground. As their blades are locked into place, Byakuya asks him why he follows in Inaba's wake, to which the Reigai asks what he would gain from hearing the answer. He remains silent, as the two combatants break off, with the impostor stating that there is something that he will protect at all costs. The Reigai releases Sennen Hyōrō again, surprising Byakuya. Hitsugaya charges at Byakuya, knocking him backwards beside the pillars.

The 6th Division captain understands the Reigai's tactic, in which the pillars serve as barriers to prevent him from moving freely. The Reigai apologises to him, stating that the showdown between the two 10th Division captains is inevitable, claiming that they both want to protect the same thing. However, the Reigai states that the strength granted to him by Inaba will make him able to realise his goals. Hitsugaya states that, until that moment, losing is not an option. He leaps into the air, releasing Hyōryūsenbi.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Kageroza Inaba
 * 2) Retsu Unohana
 * 3) Isane Kotetsu (Reigai)
 * 4) Retsu Unohana (Reigai)
 * 5) Jūshirō Ukitake (Reigai)
 * 6) Shunsui Kyōraku (Reigai)
 * 7) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 8) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 9) Tōshirō Hitsugaya (Reigai)
 * 10) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 11) Uryū Ishida
 * 12) Yasutora Sado
 * 13) Orihime Inoue
 * 14) Kon
 * 15) Nozomi Kujō
 * 16) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 17) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 18) Nemu Kurotsuchi
 * 19) Kisuke Urahara
 * 20) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 21) Kenpachi Zaraki
 * 22) Yachiru Kusajishi
 * 23) Jūshirō Ukitake (flashback)
 * 24) Shunsui Kyōraku (flashback)