Tragedy of Dawn

Renji's Confrontation is the thirty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: June 1, 2005
 * English Airdate: May 20, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Houkiboshi
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 99, Chapter 100.
 * Kanji: 夜明けの惨劇
 * Romaji: "Yoake no sangeki"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
Renji still grasping Ichigo, then collapsing. Ichigo stands for a moment, breathing heavily, before collapsing as well. Ganju and Hana rush to his aid. Hana notices others coming and Ganju grabs Ichigo's body as they retreat. Hana follows closely with the zanpakutou. We unsure if Renji is okay. Four figures, including Vice-Captain Kira, arrive to help Renji, and Kira marvels at Renji's defeat. Underground, Hana explains that Fourth Squad is specifically taught to heal with their power and not fight. Hana examines Ichigo and notes the astonishing ability for Ichigo to live despite all he's been through and announces his plan to heal Ichigo.

Elsewhere, Hinamouri and Kira mourn over Renji's near-death state. They are interrupted by Byakya, who says no relief will be offered to Renji as punishment for his failure. Hinamouri tries to stand up for Renji, but Kira won't let her for fear of what will happen to her. They are interrupted by Ichimaru, who says he'll defy Byakya's orders and order fourth squad. He and Kira leave, an Hitsugaya joins the array of captains (who Hinamouri notes are entering silently and scaring her) to note Renji's condition. She asks why he's there, and Hitsugaya warns her to be wary of Ichimaru. He has a flashback of Aizen apparently accusing Ichimaru of having a hand in the Ryoka matters.

In a meeting later, Yamamoto announces that the problem is growing seriously out of control. He authorizes the use of Zanpakutou releases inside the court. The captains seem quite pleased at this as Yamamoto announces this is now a war. Azien glances at Ichimaru for a time, then the scene changes to Hana patching up Ichigo. Ichigo seems to have fuzzy memory and tries to stand to rescue Rukia. As soon as he picks up Zangetsu, Ganju knocks him out cold so Hana can finish his treatment. Hana mourns the arrival of yet another wound, then notes that if Ichigo hadn't had a strange looking mask inside his clothes, Renji's blows would've been fatal. The mask look strangely Hollow-like. There is a short flashback of the battle and some of Ichigo's cuts, then a switch to the Shrine of Pentinence. Rukia asks for news on the outside, and hears that Renji has been defeated.

Inside the holding cells, Renji seems to be under arrest, but has been cared for by fourth squad. Hinamouri approaches his unconcious body and questions why his motives for fighting the Ryoka. She has a flashback of her training days with Renji, when he seems to have fought her quite seriously. Kira offers to be his sparring partner in Hinamouri's place. Renji is quite cocky about this, but Kira proves to be a better opponent than he expected. Renji stops the fight to talk to Rukia, and the flashback ends.

Another shinigami approaches and informs Hinamouri of the newest order. Afraid of the inevitable battle and afraid of Hitsugaya's warning, Hinamouri seeks Captain Aizen's comfort. Aizen seems unbothered by the visit despite Hinamouri's attempt to be polite and he eagerly invites her in.

Back underground, Ichigo wakes up. Ichigo recall's Ganju's blow, and Hana advises him to rest more. Ichigo instead asks for Renji's state, and Hana reports his guess (which is fairly accurate). Back to Hinamouri, Aizen is eagerly reassuring her while writing away at something. The two discuss the ruling at the meeting earlier that day, and Hinamouri asks if she can stay with him to help her feel better. The next morning, she has long since fallen asleep. Aizen puts a blanket over her and leaves, while another figure watches him. Later, Hinamouri suddenly awakes and begins apologizing for having fallen asleep. Aizen's alarm clock goes off, and she panics at her tardiness. While running to her designated location, she is suddenly distracted by something- a drop of blood. She looks to see and screams. The other vice-captains hear her and rush to find her frozen in place. Aizen has been murdered, impaled to the wall with his own Zanpakutou!

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Isane Kotetsu.