Hitsugaya Strikes! Slice the Enemy in the Middle of the Forest

is the ninety-seventh episode of the Bleach anime.

Ran'Tao reveals the reason for her resemblance to Yoshino Sōma as Hitsugaya faces off against Maki Ichinose.

Summary
The leader of the Kusajishi Bulls, Daiji Hirasago, informs Ganju and the others that Kariya has already gathered a large amount of people, but Ganju states that numbers alone won't be able to defeat the Shinigami. Ganju then states that he'll fight against the people of Kusajishi to make it easier for the Shinigami to fight, since they might hold back against people from Rukongai. He then tells Daiji that he'll need his help for this and he asks him to gather up some comrades, but Daiji wonders why he wants to stop the Bount. Ganju states that it's to help out a friend and Daiji agrees that he'll help him out. Daiji then introduces himself to the others and Sado asks why he uses the nickname Kusajishi Bull, which Daiji explains -- because it sounds cool. Daiji then calls his subordinates, Ellie, Komae and Max and tells them to gather as many people as possible.

In Seireitei, Shunsui, Ukitake and Nanao watch over the reconstruction of a part of Seireitei. Ukitake wonders why this part of Seireitei was destroyed and Mayuri and Nemu suddenly appear and Mayuri explains that it was probably destroyed so the Bount could give their presence in Soul Society. Shunsui remarks that if they simply fix this, the Bount wouldn't have accomplished anything, but Mayuri explains that this symbol of Seireitei's destruction can influence peoples' mentality, whether it's fixed or not. Mayuri suddenly realizes something and he heads somewhere with Nemu.

Ichigo wakes up screaming in Ran'Tao's house, but then stops when he notices some food in front of him. Ririn asks Ichigo what he was dreaming about, but she doesn't get an answer as Ran'Tao suddenly enters the room and decides that they should now eat. After eating, Uryū asks Ran'Tao about her face, explaining that he knew a Bount named Yoshino Sōma who looked just like her and Ran'Tao states that Yoshino was probably a copy of her. The others are confused. Ran'Tao states that in her experiments, she and her group used their own souls to create artificial souls for the experiment, since they couldn't just use a real person. However, in the accident the artificial souls were mixed in with Human souls, creating the Bount. She states that since the Bount had Shinigami souls in them, it's only natural for them to have such vast power. Uryū then states that this must be the reason why Bount use dolls the same way as Shinigami use Zanpakutō.

Ran'Tao continues on and says that their research of the artificial souls led to the discoveries of the false soul and the Kaizō Konpaku. Ririn remarks that in a way the Bount are her ancient ancestors and Ichigo realizes that this must be the reason why Ririn can sense the Bount. Ran'Tao then asks Uryū where Yoshino is right now, but Uryū informs her that she was killed by Kariya. After a bit of silence, Ichigo states that either way they have to stop the Bount. Meanwhile, at the 11th Division, Yachiru and Kenpachi leave to find Ichinose.

As the people from Kusajishi cut down trees and begin dragging them somewhere, Kariya tells them to rest for awhile and to listen to what he has to say. Kariya starts off by saying that he's impressed with the courage that the people of Kasjishi have and that they are now free from Soul Society. Kariya then states that they'll take over Seireitei, but for it to work he needs their strength and that he prays for their safety in battle.

At the 12th Division, Mayuri figures out that the one who got into Seireitei and set up the explosions was Ichinose. Mayuri then shows Nemu records of Ichinose going through the Senkai Gate and sneaking into Soul Society and that he tried to destroy his data. Mayuri then states that Ichinose's Zanpakutō allows him to manipulate light waves and lets him become invisible; and the Bount have the ability to hide their reiatsu, which causes Mayuri to remark that if he had those abilities he would definitely use them. He states that everything that happened in Seireitei was all Ichinose's doing; he might also have snuck into other databases as well. Mayuri then checks on his computer to see if he did and he confirms it. However, he is suddenly shocked when he notices the Quincy Bangle. He realizes that Ichinose put that into his data so that he would notice it and give it to Uryū so he could bring the Bount to Soul Society. Mayuri realizes that he has been used by the Bount and begins to get angered.

Hitsugaya is shown with Renji and Rangiku suddenly appears as well. Rangiku tells Hitsugaya that she has found the Bount and that they're in the interior of the Kusajishi forest. Hitsugaya decides that they should head there, but then warns the others to try their best in not hurting the people of Kusajishi since they are still people of Rukongai. Rangiku asks Renji if his Zanpakutō has been healed up from his battle in the Human World, but Renji tells her that it's all right since he won't need to use his Shikai against the people of Kusajishi. Hitsugaya asks what he's going to do if he's confronted by a Bount, but he doesn't give an answer and Rangiku suggests that in that situation he should act as a messenger and run back to Seireitei.

Ichigo and Uryū decide to leave to fight the Bount and they tell Ran'Tao that they were informed by Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka of where the Bount are hiding. Uryū asks Ran'Tao what she's going to do and she says that she has to make a few preparations. Ichigo suddenly remembers something and asks Ran'Tao how long Uryū's Quincy Bangle will last. Ran'Tao states that she doesn't know, but should it discharge then it would blow away everything in a considerable radius, including the user. Uryū states that there's nothing he can do about that and the two of them head out into the Kusajishi forest.

As Koga tells Kariya that the preparations for attacking Seireitei are coming along nicely, Ichinose appears informing Kariya that several captain-level Shinigami are heading towards them. Ichinose requests that he stays behind and finishes them off. Kariya allows it since things would be much easier if he took care of those Shinigami now. While this is happening, Rangiku is shown knocking out a person from Kusajishi; and Hitsugaya states that there's no mistaking that the Bount are up ahead. Rangiku remarks that there should be more people from Kusajishi. Hitsugaya then decides that they should split up.

Hitsugaya eventually reaches where the Bount were and is confronted by a lone Ichinose. Hitsugaya asks him where the Bount are, but he doesn't answer and the two of them prepare to battle. As they fight, Hitsugaya asks Ichinose why he is helping the Bount when he's so skilled. Ichinose states that he saw justice in Kariya's beliefs. Ichigo, Uryū, Renji, Rangiku, Orihime, Sado and Ganju suddenly appear at the battle, along with the Kusajishi Bulls. As all of them talk with each other, Hitsugaya wonders why the Bount aren't here. Sado states that one of the Bount has the ability to manipulate dimensions. Ichinose tells them that they're too late, as Kariya and the others are already on their way to Seireitei.

As this is happening, Yoshi and Mabashi are shown confronting the gate guarding Danzōmaru, while Koga is shown confronting the gate guardian Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, summoning his doll against him. A bit later, the people of Kusajishi are shown running towards Seireitei and using the trees they cut down as a way of opening the gates. As this happens, Kariya stands in front of one of the gates and smiles.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
At the Shinigami Women's Association, Rangiku hands out souvenirs from the Human World to everyone. However, Nanao is handed a swimsuit, and Rangiku explains that Shunsui requested it, angering Nanao.

Powers and Techniques Used
Shinigami techniques:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Dolls Summoned:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)