Creeping Terror, the Second Victim

 is the sixty-fifth episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai are forced to play a game in order to find Orihime Inoue.

Summary
In the First Division barracks in the Seireitei, as he stands before 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng, 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana, 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reveals that Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen are at large.

However, Yamamoto notes that the Shinigami Research and Development Institute has determined the Hōgyoku in Aizen's possession will require considerable preparation and time before it can be utilized, meaning that Aizen will not be able to use it for a while yet, though he, Gin, and Tōsen still pose a grave threat to Soul Society and the Human World. After informing the captains that he has organized and mobilized an investigation force for this, Yamamoto concludes the day's briefing and dismisses the captains from the meeting hall.

Afterward, Shunsui sits on a rooftop next to a standing Ukitake, who comments on Yamamoto having assembled an investigation force, only for Shunsui to point out that this group is really just assassins and that Aizen is in trouble, though he admits that the latter asked for it. When Shunsui brings up 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai having been assigned to the town that Ichigo Kurosaki lives in, Ukitake confirms this and notes that he is keeping busy, but Shunsui reveals that he heard some disturbing rumors about this the other day, to Ukitake's surprise. Meanwhile, in the Human World, Ichigo recalls Orihime Inoue being sucked into the skeletal gates the previous night.

After cursing as he remembers his failure to save Orihime, Ichigo expresses frustration at how he, Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida, and Renji got nowhere after searching all night as they crouch together outside Karakura High School. With Sado observing that he cannot sense Orihime's Reiatsu, Uryū wonders what the gates that sucked in Orihime were, leading Renji to note that they resembled the Gates of Hell. When a confused Uryū picks up on this and Renji questions if he does not know what they are, Ichigo notes that he has seen them before and recalls Shrieker's defeat and mortal wounding at his hands summoning them in the Human World.

While Renji asserts that Hell would never take a living Human, Ichigo wonders why he is at Karakura High School with them, prompting Renji to remind him that he is assigned to Karakura Town and that he is meant to do something if strange events occur. However, Uryū counters that Renji's point is slightly off-base since he was asked why he is at school with them, and when Renji demands to know what is wrong about his response, Uryū prepares to repeat himself, only for an exasperated Ichigo to proclaim that this is not getting them anywhere. Interrupting them, Sado admits that he is most bothered by what they experienced earlier in the day.

In the past, Ichigo approaches Tatsuki Arisawa alongside his friends and inquires if she has seen Orihime, but Tatsuki does not recognize the name and assumes that Orihime is a new student. Though a stunned Ichigo asserts that he is referring to Orihime, Tatsuki questions what he is talking about and claims that there is no student with that name in the school. In the present, Sado observes that the memory of Orihime has been erased, which Uryū compares to what happened when Rukia Kuchiki was taken back to Soul Society. Hearing this, Ichigo realizes that someone has used a Kikanshinki on the other students and relays this to his friends.

Ichigo concludes that this means their actions are being taken seriously and that someone is behind Orihime's disappearance, leading Uryū to suggest that they search Orihime's apartment again because they might be able to find some clues, which Ichigo and Sado agree with. As the three of them begin walking off, a confused Renji inquires what they will do about their classes, only to be left exasperated when Ichigo asserts that such things do not matter right now. Shortly afterward, Ichigo and his friends reach Orihime's apartment and find the door locked, leading Sado to crack his knuckles and offer to try as an incredulous Ichigo asks him if he is going to break down the door.

After noting that they have no choice, Uryū declares that he will handle this and pulls out his sewing kit before bending the tip of a sewing needle and inserting it into the lock of the doorknob, allowing him to begin picking the lock. With an unnerved Sado pointing out how this is illegal, Uryū states that they do not have any other choice while Ichigo admits that it is still better than breaking down the door. As Uryū continues to pick the lock and requests that they make sure no one sees him from the road, Ichigo praises him for being so useful in sneaky jobs like this, only for Uryū to counter that this makes him sound like he is useless in most situations.

A few seconds later, Uryū successfully picks the lock and opens the door, allowing him and his friends to walk inside. Approaching the sink, where he finds water dripping into a cup from the faucet, Ichigo turns around and asks his friends what they have found, but is shocked to see Renji drinking milk and eating an ice pop while complaining about not finding anything good to eat. Upon being asked by Ichigo what he is doing, Renji explains that he did not have much to eat last night and is starving before Uryū draws their attention to the dining room table, where Renji is disappointed to see no cookies accompanying the two cups of tea.

With Ichigo questioning if he needs to keep talking about food, Renji counters that he is hungry and that his stomach hurts when Ichigo yells, prompting Ichigo to angrily remind Renji that he just ate, though Renji declares that it was not enough as an exasperated Uryū demands to know what they are doing. As he kneels around the table with Ichigo and Sado, Uryū concludes that the two cups of tea means that the being whose Reiatsu they all sensed last night was invited into this room by Orihime. Renji observes that it was a truly strange Reiatsu as Ichigo deduces Orihime knew the being and looks to the open window while wondering who it was.

When the group hears a cell phone ringing, Ichigo wonders who it belongs to as Renji pulls out his Denreishinki, identifies it as the source, and realizes that he is receiving a call instead of a Hollow order before flipping it open and putting it to his ear as he questions who is calling. On the other end, Ririn asks Renji if he can hear her, prompting Ichigo, Sado, and Uryū to crowd around Renji, to the latter's displeasure. While Ririn reveals that she has Orihime and is with her now, Sado expresses surprise at her being a child as Ichigo grabs the Denreishinki from Renji and demands to know who Ririn is, though Ririn merely giggles and questions if she should tell him this.

With Ichigo inquiring about the reason behind Orihime's abduction and growing angry when Ririn merely laughs at him, Uryū warns him to calm down, which Ichigo acknowledges. Ririn admonishes Ichigo and his friends for entering someone's house without permission and contemplates calling the police, which leads Renji to realize that they are being watched as he, Uryū, and Sado rush to different windows in the house, only to not see anyone watching them outside. Upon being asked by Ririn if he wants to see Orihime, Ichigo confirms this and orders Ririn to bring her back, but Ririn instead suggests they play a game and promises she might return Orihime if they win.

Though Ichigo is irritated by Ririn's mocking tone, Uryū reminds him that he cannot let her anger him like this, leading Ichigo to calm down and ask Ririn what she wants them to do. After telling Ichigo and his friends to come to a nearby park within the next three minutes and observing that something bad might happen to Orihime if they are even one second late, Ririn hangs up, leaving Ichigo to hand Renji's Denreishinki back to him as Uryū expresses disbelief at the strict time limit. When Sado questions what they should do, Ichigo admits that he still does not understand the situation before asserting that they have no choice but to go to the park.

Shortly afterward, as he and his friends run down the street, Ichigo asks Renji if he does not know who Ririn is even though she called him on his Denreishinki, but Renji denies this and clarifies that he was simply supplied the Denreishinki, which means that anyone could get its number. With Sado insisting that they should hurry since they do not have much time, Renji acknowledges this and begins running faster, prompting a startled Ichigo to run past him and observe that Renji got faster in the time that they spent apart. Upon being challenged to keep up by Renji, who mocks him as having gotten slower, Ichigo proclaims that he will do so.

However, as a yelling Ichigo dashes down the street and refuses to lose, several civilians look at him in confusion due to being unable to see or hear Renji, which leads Uryū to warn Ichigo to stop this because he looks strange to ordinary Humans. A couple minutes later, Ichigo and his friends arrive at the park, which Renji notes is uninhabited as Ichigo demands that Ririn show herself since they arrived within the time limit. While Ichigo and his friends stare nervously around the park, a nearby payphone begins ringing, and when it is approached and picked up by Ichigo and his friends, Ririn congratulates them for overcoming the first trial.

Incredulous at this, Ichigo interrupts Ririn's attempt to explain the next trial by demanding that she return Orihime since they made it to the park in time, only for Ririn to decline because the game will not be any fun if it ends so quickly. When Ririn tasks him and his friends with reaching a supermarket in a different part of town within three minutes, Ichigo protests that this is a much greater distance away, but Ririn simply notes that this means Orihime might die before hanging up. Ichigo and his friends begin frantically running away from the park and through Karakura Town, passing several civilians on the way, before turning a corner to see the supermarket.

With Uryū asserting that they will make it, another payphone outside the supermarket begins ringing, leading Ichigo to point it out to his friends. However, before they can reach the payphone, an employee at the grocery store picks it up and answers it, to Ichigo's shock. Running ahead, Sado scares off the employee and apologizes to him, allowing Ichigo to pick up the dangling phone and answer it, only for Ririn to reveal that he and his friends have failed the second trial. Though Ichigo reminds her that they made it in time, Ririn simply states that someone else answering the phone first caused them to lose, which prompts Ichigo to admonish her for not telling them about this rule.

After concluding that Orihime will die and bidding Ichigo farewell, Ririn hangs up, leaving a shocked and concerned Ichigo to scream at the phone and desperately attempt to reconnect while his friends stare in disbelief. As an emotional Ichigo puts the phone back and grips the booth while wondering what they should do, Uryū instructs him to calm down, which Renji concurs with since there is nothing to be gained from him losing his temper. However, as Ichigo points out how they lost their only lead, the phone begins ringing again, startling him and his friends as he quickly picks up the phone and answers it. On the other end, Ririn teasingly asserts that she fooled them.

Ririn invites them to begin the third trial, and as Ichigo expresses frustration at being tricked like this, Uryū quietly reminds him that Orihime's safety comes first, causing Ichigo to request to hear Orihime's voice so they know that she is safe. With Ririn promising to let him hear her voice if they complete the third trial, Ichigo agrees and requests to know where they need to go now, but is shocked to hear Ririn's answer before rapidly running off with his friends. Shortly afterward, while cleaning the outside of the Urahara Shop, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya feel the ground shaking as Ichigo and his friends turn a corner and run up to them.

Approaching a shocked Jinta alongside Uryū and Renji, Ichigo demands to know where the shop's phone is before being welcomed by Tessai Tsukabishi and Kisuke Urahara, the latter of whom questions why Ichigo is in such a hurry and reveals that their phone is inside. Upon hearing the phone ringing from inside the shop, Ichigo and his friends apologetically push past Urahara and his employees to get inside, leaving Jinta to question if Renji is hungry again while Ururu points out that it is not lunchtime yet. Inside, Ichigo picks up the rotary phone and answers it, prompting Ririn to congratulate him on making it in time as Ichigo wonders how she got this number.

When Ichigo demands to know where she is calling from, Ririn declines to answer, but decides to reward Ichigo for completing the third trial. However, while Renji, Sado, and Uryū discuss the possibility of tracing the call and determine that only the police can do that, Urahara offers to make a recording of the call and opens the drawer underneath the phone, revealing a tape recording device that he turns on as Ririn instructs Ichigo to return to Orihime's apartment at 8 P.M. tonight for a chance at seeing Orihime again. Though Ichigo orders her to return Orihime now instead, Ririn chides him for getting so excited, leading Ichigo to request that they at least hear Orihime's voice.

Despite this, Ririn merely laughs and reminds Ichigo to come tonight before hanging up, leaving him to express frustration as Yoruichi Shihōin enters the room and inquires about what is going on, to Ichigo's surprise. Afterward, Ichigo and his friends listen to a playback of the call on the tape recorder, and as the playback concludes, Urahara notes that it sounds like an abduction, which Ichigo angrily confirms, while Uryū asserts that anyone who could do this would not hand Orihime back so easily before concluding that it is a trap. When Yoruichi deduces that Ririn is not an ordinary person due to her being able to call the shop, a surprised Ichigo wonders if she is a Shinigami.

Yoruichi admits that there is not enough evidence to be sure of this as Ichigo turns to Urahara, who concurs with her and promises to do something about the situation at Ichigo's urging, though he notes that Ichigo should not expect much since this is the first time he has experienced something like this. As Ichigo thanks him, Urahara questions if Ichigo is indeed returning to Orihime's apartment tonight and is mildly impressed when Ichigo affirms this on the ground of not wanting to leave Orihime to her abductors. However, Jinta observes that Renji will not need dinner if he and the others are going at 8 P.M. tonight, causing Renji to fall over in disbelief.

Seeing this, a shocked Ichigo expresses sympathy for Renji while a smiling Uryū calls him pitiful and Sado agrees with him. That night, at 8 P.M., Ichigo stands alongside Renji in his Shinigami form outside of Orihime's apartment, where they are quickly joined by Uryū and Sado. Upon being asked by Uryū if anything is going on inside, Ichigo denies this and expresses confusion at Uryū not bringing his Quincy cape, leading Uryū to explain that he is having it cleaned and defending this decision due to his fashion sense when Sado questions it. Suddenly, a bright light begins glowing from inside Orihime's apartment, startling Ichigo and his friends.

When he runs up to the door and attempts to open it, Ichigo discovers that it is locked once more, and as Uryū offers to pick the lock again, Ichigo insists that there is no time for this and requests that Sado break it down, which Sado acknowledges. However, before Sado can act, the light fades and the doorknob begins to turn, causing Ichigo to back up and grip the handle of his Shikai, Zangetsu, before expressing shock alongside his friends when Orihime herself opens the door and stands before them. As Sado questions if Ririn really returned Orihime to them, Orihime wonders what is going on, and when Ichigo asks her if she is alright, Orihime is left confused.

Upon being told by Uryū that she was abducted last night, Orihime cheerfully denies this being possible, leading Sado to realize that she does not remember anything about it as Ichigo urges Orihime to recount the last thing she remembers. Orihime recalls the events of the previous day, where she met up with her friends on the first day of the new school semester, had a brain freeze while eating shaved ice with Tatsuki, went home, had dinner, and went to sleep. However, Sado informs her that the new semester started yesterday as Renji deduces that her memory of the events of her abduction was erased as well, leaving Orihime further confused.

Though Ichigo is relieved that Orihime is alright, Uryū warns him that they cannot relax yet, prompting Ichigo to acknowledge this as he instructs his friends to keep watch with him for a while. Back at the Urahara Shop, Urahara prints out a long graph visualizing the sound waves of the last call between Ichigo and Ririn, which he inspects, and when asked by Yoruichi if he found anything, Urahara reveals that Ririn has no Reimon, the spiritual entity equivalent of a Human's voiceprint. As Urahara wonders if the machine is broken, Tessai approaches him and Yoruichi before bringing them outside, where a large, dark tornado crackling with red electricity hovers in the sky.

While Yoruichi admits that she has never seen such a thing before, Tessai inquires if it could be a Menos Grande entering the Human World, but Urahara denies this since it is somewhat different as the tornado begins moving across Karakura Town, to Tessai's bewilderment. Back at Orihime's apartment, Ichigo and his friends sit silently around the dining room table as Sado observes that nothing is happening. However, as Orihime offers to make tea, Uryū alerts her and the others to something approaching them before the lights go out as the apartment shakes. With the tornado coalescing around the apartment, Ichigo and his friends get to their feet and prepare to fight.

Uryū advises Orihime to stay away from the windows as Renji realizes the front door will not open after repeatedly ramming into it with his shoulder. Suddenly, Uryū expresses alarm as Orihime puts Sado in a chokehold while smiling maliciously with her eyes glowing red. As Sado tells her to let go, a stunned Ichigo wonders what Orihime is doing, and when Orihime mockingly returns the question with a deeper voice, Ichigo realizes this is not Orihime and demands to know who they really are. With Sado groaning in agony and unable to free himself, Ichigo and Renji grip their Zanpakutō, but Uryū warns them the enemy may be possessing Orihime's body.

Leaping off of Sado, who collapses and cough as he gasps for air, a laughing Orihime lands on the ground and transforms back into Kurōdo, shocking those present as Ichigo realizes he is not the one who called them. After confirming this, Kurōdo observes it would be strange if he had such a voice and introduces himself before requesting Noba join them, prompting Noba to emerge from a portal that opens on the ceiling and land on the ground as he greets Ichigo and his friends. However, as Renji draws his Zanpakutō at Ichigo's behest, the window behind Kurōdo and Noba glows with a red light, forcing Ichigo, Renji, and Uryū to shield their eyes with their hands.

While planting his left foot on Sado, Kurōdo declares that he has got another one before disappearing alongside Sado and Noba. Upon running to the open window, Ichigo, Uryū, and Renji see Sado being sucked into the skeletal gates, and as Ichigo leaps toward the gates with his hand on Zangetsu, Sado is fully enveloped by the void between them and the gates close, causing Ichigo to bounce off them and land on the roof below. When he hears Ririn giggling, Ichigo recognizes her voice and demands that she show herself while Uryū and Renji look around, which prompts Ririn to appear sitting on top of the skeletal gates while Kurōdo and Noba stand on either side of her.

Ririn confirms Ichigo's identification of her as the one who called them and greets him as Ichigo demands to know why she is doing this. With Ririn reiterating that it is a game and giggling once more, Ichigo expresses frustration as Renji joins him on the rooftop and offers to fight Noba, leading Ichigo to decide to fight Kurōdo and instruct Uryū to fight Ririn as he draws Zangetsu. Leaping into the air alongside Ichigo, Renji releases his Shikai, Zabimaru, and attacks in unison with Ichigo, only for Ririn to criticize this as pointless while Kurōdo and Noba disappear right before Ichigo and Renji's attacks hit them, with Ririn herself reappearing in front of Ichigo and flicking his forehead. While Ririn disappears and bids Ichigo farewell, the skeletal gates fade away as well, leaving Ichigo and Renji to fall back down as they wonder what is going on.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
At nighttime in the Urahara Shop, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai slides open the door to the dining room and quietly walks over to the rice container before gleefully attempting to eat from it while drooling, only for Jinta Hanakari to fire a rubber band at his hand, causing Renji to drop his spoon and howl in pain as Jinta smirks and Kisuke Urahara comments on how easy this was next to him.

Events

 * Mod Soul Training

Powers and Techniques Used
Other Techniques:
 * Shape-shifting
 * Illusions
 * Mod-Soul Teleportation

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai: