Hiyori dies? The Beginning of Tragedy

'''Hiyori dies? The Beginning of Tragedy''' is the two-hundred-tenth episode of the Bleach anime.

Several Gotei 13 captains and lieutenants face off against a Hollowfied Kensei and Mashiro.

Summary
An emergency alarm is heard across the Seireitei, ordering all captains to gather at the First Division barracks for an emergency meeting. Kisuke is awoken by the alarm as the announcer reports that the Reiatsu of both Captain Muguruma and Lieutenant Kuna have disappeared. Worried, he rushes to the lab and asks about Hiyori's location, only to be told that she just left. As he rushes to the First Division, he regrets sending Hiyori to help the Ninth Division.

Meanwhile, Hiyori is traveling to Kensei’s location and wonders why she even works at the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, seeing as how Kisuke and Mayuri can handle things themselves. While running, she notices something and stops abruptly.

In the Captain’s assembly hall, Yamamoto informs the other Captains that Kensei's and Mashiro's have vanished for unknown reasons, adding that now they must resort to drastic measures. Yamamoto continues that before yesterday this has only occurred in the Rukongai, and tells the other captains that they must resolve this problem as soon as possible. Before the Captain-Commander could select five captains to go and investigate, Kisuke arrives and asks to do the investigation himself, only to be refused. He argues saying that he was the one who sent his lieutenant to do something life-threatening, but Yoruichi interrupts him, scolding him for his irrational behavior and his disrespect towards Hiyori. He is speechless and led to his spot in the room.

Rose, Shinji and Love are chosen to go investigate while the other captains are left with other duties. Unohana asks if it is better if she also enters the battlefield, but the Captain-Commander says that is more than they can afford, and says he has already chosen someone else. He then allows Tessai Tsukabishi and Hachigen Ushōda to enter and both of them agree to go as well. However, Kyōraku is cautious about sending the two highest ranking members of the Kidō Corps. He suggests sending his lieutenant Lisa Yadōmaru and has her go with the others. Moments later, the Shinigami are sent to leave immediately. Kyōraku reassures Kisuke, saying that Hiyori is strong enough to handle things on her own. He adds that having faith in others is part of being a Captain.

In the Rukongai, Hiyori dodges an attack from a large, ominous figure. Before the figure could land another attack on her, Shinji appears and saves her, telling her to unsheathe her Zanpakutō. Hiyori argues that she couldn't even if she wanted to, confusing the captain. However, Shinji then realizes that the figure who just attacked Hiyori is actually Kensei.

In the Rukongai, Rose, Love and Lisa rush to Shinji and Hiyori's location. Lisa calls out for Shinji while Love asks if Hiyori is hurt. Before either can say anything else, they notice the figure near the two and also recognize him. Rose wonders if that really is Kensei, noting that he has a mask and the Reiatsu of a Hollow. Shinji tells the group that it does not matter if it is Kensei or not; they will all be killed if they don't do anything to attack. Kensei lets out a strong roar and punches Love. Love fails to evade the blow but starts drawing out his Zanpakutō.

Hiyori asks what Love is doing but is told to keep quiet. Rose and Lisa both draw out their Zanpakutō and charge towards Kensei, though their attacks are halted. From above, a Hollowfied Mashiro appears and knocks Rōjūrō unconscious before proceeding towards Shinji, who manages to block all of her attacks. As he stops Mashiro's attacks, Hiyori tells him to put her down but is told to be quiet. As the captain is distracted, Mashiro nearly lands a kick on the Captain.

Hachigen suddenly appears and uses Gochūtekkan to quickly restrain the Hollowfied lieutenant, saving Shinji. Above, Love continues clashing with Kensei, who is bound together by Hachigen's Sajō Sabaku. Hachigen then asks Shinji what is going on and why Kensei is a Hollow. Before he could get a response, Kensei breaks free of the Kidō.

Outside the Twelfth Division barracks, Kisuke is approached by Tessai who asks why he would wear a coat that conceals his Reiatsu. He then asks if he plans to go and save his lieutenant, having had the feeling after seeing the Twelfth Division captain at the First Division barracks. Kisuke is impressed that Tessai knows so well. This appalls Tessai, who inquires if he really couldn't figure it out despite both of them having grown up together in the Shihōin Clan Manor. Kisuke asks if he may go, but Tessai says that he doesn’t know if he should agree or not. He continues, saying Kisuke cannot go alone, and decides to go with him.

Substitute Shinigami Work Diary
Rukia states that there are various people in Karakura Town who assist in the day-to-day running of things. As Ichigo and Rukia search for a fleeing Hollow, Kisuke Urahara appears, offering them the use of his Hollow detector. As they run off in search of the Hollow, he informs the pair that it won't be free, as Rukia states that over-reliance on these people can lead to disasters.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Kisuke Urahara
 * 2) Female Researcher
 * 3) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 4) Mayuri Kurotsuchi (flashback)
 * 5) Nanao Ise
 * 6) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 7) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 8) Retsu Unohana
 * 9) Ginrei Kuchiki
 * 10) Shunsui Kyōraku
 * 11) Shinji Hirako
 * 12) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 13) Love Aikawa
 * 14) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 15) Tessai Tsukabishi
 * 16) Hachigen Ushōda
 * 17) Lisa Yadōmaru
 * 18) Kensei Muguruma
 * 19) Mashiro Kuna

Fights
None.

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:

Shinigami techniques: