Shinigami and Quincy, the Reviving Power

 is the ninety-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Ichigo Kurosaki manages to activate his Bankai, but Uryū Ishida completes the Bount Senkaimon, allowing them to enter Soul Society.

Summary
In one of the caverns within the Bount capital, Orihime Inoue kneels beside an injured 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, who is lying on the ground next to a resting Rukia Kuchiki, and uses Sōten Kisshun to heal her while Yasutora Sado, Kon, Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba watch anxiously nearby. Upon hearing a booming noise in the distance, Ririn wonders what it could be, prompting Kurōdo to note that it came from the back and must be the result of Ichigo Kurosaki and the others engaging in a fierce battle.

A sweating Rukia sits up and clutches her arm while asserting that she must keep moving ahead instead of staying here, but Orihime insists that she not push herself yet as Rukia winces in pain and protests this. Suddenly, Sado looks at the far side of the cavern in confusion, and as Orihime asks him what is wrong, Uryū Ishida steps into view in a new Quincy outfit, to Rukia's astonishment. Meanwhile, in the central chamber, Jin Kariya stands and pulls an injured Ichigo Kurosaki up by his collar with a single hand.

With the other Bount standing behind him and Ichigo expressing disbelief at what he just said, Kariya explains that Soul Society performed a certain experiment long ago and notes that they clearly only thought of Humans as test subjects at the time even if the goal of the experiment was unclear. After stating that a certain person is recorded as being responsible for this experiment and that their madness brought about chaos, Kariya elaborates that a powerful explosion occurred at the testing site and released something that mutated Souls in the cycle of rebirth, causing individuals with powers to appear all over the world during a certain time period.

As he details how the Bount initially worried about their differences and about the normal Humans around them noticing their abnormalities, Kariya concludes that it was not something they could hide and remembers a young Bount being bullied by the boys around him summoning a large rock golem Doll to attack his tormentors, which leads Kariya to recall how they were called demons and monsters despite being Human and forced to live in a world of darkness. Kariya reveals that Soul Society seemingly offered assistance upon learning of the existence of the Bount, who were happy to accept it, but bitterly observes that this was simply part of their plan.

Recounting how many of the Bount tried to live with the Shinigami without knowing this, Kariya informs Ichigo that the underground capital they are inside of is where many of his comrades lived in secrecy to escape persecution and points out how its size indicates how many Bount there were, only to remind Ichigo that there are very few of them left now. After asserting that Soul Society used dirty tricks to try to erase the Bount from history, Kariya declares that the Bount can never forgive Soul Society and wish to annihilate it before throwing Ichigo across the chamber to the far wall, where he is surprised to see his Shikai, Zangetsu, lying nearby.

While grabbing Zangetsu and getting to his feet, Ichigo counters that Soul Society doing this to the Bount does not give them an excuse to harm their fellow Humans and refuses to forgive Kariya for this as he glows with light-blue Reiatsu. However, when Ichigo fires a Getsuga Tenshō at him, Kariya casually swipes through it with his bare hand, causing the blast to be redirected into the wall behind him without harming Kariya himself. Smirking at this, Kariya comments on a stunned Ichigo having had this much power left and deduces that this is all he can do at this point prior to leaping forward and slashing his hand diagonally across Ichigo's chest.

With his chest cut and his red rosary strap shattered by this blow, Ichigo is sent flying back several feet and grunts in pain as he lands. Though a cursing Ichigo resumes his battle stance, Kariya claims that Ichigo does not have the power to defeat him, and when Ichigo rushes forward and slashes at him, Kariya reappears behind Ichigo and knees him in the stomach, slams his knee into a gasping Ichigo's head to send him flying into the air, and finally kicks Ichigo in the side after he falls to the ground and bounces off his head, resulting in Ichigo tumbling over to the platform while Zangetsu embeds itself in the ground several feet away.

As he stomps on Ichigo's back, Kariya asserts that absorbing living Souls has given him even greater power and that Soul Society's Shinigami are insignificant in the face of the ever-growing power of the Bount, which will force them to kneel in deference. A pained Ichigo wonders if this is the end, but recalls his friends who were hurt by or fought against the Bount, leading him to realize that he did not come all this way alone and resolve to not die in a place like this. Struggling to his feet, Ichigo calls out to Zangetsu and tells Kariya to shut up when the latter curiously inquires if this is the name of Ichigo's Zanpakutō, to Kariya's bemusement.

Slowly, Ichigo walks toward Zangetsu and reaches out for its handle, only to be shocked when Kariya pulls Zangetsu out of the ground himself and holds it aloft. When Ichigo wonders what he is doing, Kariya explains that he has heard of Zanpakutō being considered the alter ego of Shinigami and asks Ichigo if he considers Zangetsu to be a partner before leveling Zangetsu at Ichigo and proclaiming that he will kill Ichigo with his partner. However, Ichigo merely chuckles, to Kariya's confusion, and begins walking forward while questioning what Zangetsu is doing. With Kariya wondering what he is doing, Ichigo grasps the blade of Zangetsu.

After telling Zangetsu to show himself, Ichigo plunges the tip of Zangetsu into his chest, causing the blade to dissipate while Zangetsu appears behind Ichigo. Suddenly, Ichigo opens his eyes to find himself within his inner world on the side of a skyscraper, where Zangetsu lands on the tip of a pole before him. Upon being asked by Zangetsu if he is prepared, Ichigo admits that he might actually have been relying on Zangetsu too much since he had his Bankai available if thing got bad, which was further reinforced by Kisuke Urahara telling him as much, leading Zangetsu to describe Bankai as the extreme readiness involving blades and pain.

Zangetsu insists that Ichigo not be afraid because his blade will dim if he hesitates and reminds Ichigo that he once gained power with an unwavering heart. With Zangetsu inquiring once more about what Ichigo is preparing to do, why he is fighting, and whom he wants this power for, Ichigo remembers how he became a Shinigami in order to protect those important to him and asserts that he attained Bankai by swearing on his soul that he was willing to sacrifice his life before requesting that Zangetsu lend him his power, which prompts Zangetsu to reiterate that he is Ichigo's power and assure Ichigo that he can trust in his own power, to Ichigo's acknowledgement.

Back in the real world, Kariya sees his hand is empty and is astonished to find Ichigo holding Zangetsu by the handle in front of him. As Kariya demands to know what he did, Ichigo declares that this is what he is prepared to do and activates his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, leading Kariya to leap back while the resulting steam clears to reveal Ichigo with his black sword and longcoat. Seeing Kariya expressing disbelief at this, Ichigo moves behind him with Shunpo and stabs at Kariya, who briefly forms a Wind Barrier to protect himself prior to leaping to the side and sliding along the ground as Ichigo slams into the area where he was standing.

Though Maki Ichinose calls out Kariya's name in concern, Gō Koga instructs him to focus on maintaining the Senkaimon since Kariya will come to them soon, which Ichinose reluctantly agrees to. Ichigo orders Kariya to stand, and when Kariya rushes toward him and throws a punch, Ichigo casually blocks it with his sword, causing the ground beneath them to rupture and upturn from the force of the impact. After Ichigo and Kariya move to opposite sides of the chamber, Kariya reappears behind Ichigo, only for the latter to smile and reveal he can see Kariya as he moves into the air behind and above Kariya before they both yell and clash with each other again.

Elsewhere in the capital, Yoruichi Shihōin and 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi run through a cavern lined by buildings, where they begin pushing ahead after Hisagi informs Yoruichi that they are close and she hopes that they are not too late. Back in the chamber, Ichigo and Kariya trade blows in midair and clash once more with enough force to shatter the crystal formation on the ceiling, which crashes into the ground below in chunks while Ichigo reappears nearby and praises Kariya for dodging his attack so well. Having been cut on his right cheek, Kariya turns around to face Ichigo on the other side of the crystals and admits that he performed a solid attack.

Suddenly, as Ichigo and Kariya prepare to finish their battle and rush toward each other, a Heilig Pfeil hurtles through the chamber and destroys part of the crystal rubble, stopping both combatants in their tracks as they stare in astonishment at Uryū, who stands at the top of the stairway leading into the chamber with his Spirit Weapon, Kojaku, formed. Behind Uryū, Rukia, Orihime, Sado, and Rangiku run into the chamber with Kon, Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba as they call out to Ichigo. Though relieved by his friends being safe, Ichigo turns his attention back to Uryū while the latter asserts that he cannot be a burden to them forever.

When asked by Ichigo if his Quincy powers have returned, Uryū smiles and admits that they have not done so completely. In the past, 12th Division Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi explains to Uryū that the Quincy Bangle is a battle accessory passed down between Quincy for several hundred years that can control Reishi. Upon attaching the Quincy Bangle to his right wrist, Uryū finds himself engulfed in energy that forms his new clothes and Kojaku. In the present, Uryū puts his hands together and collects a sphere of Reishi that he turns into a Heilig Pfeil and nocks in Kojaku, prompting an amused Kariya to suggest that he not miss again with this shot.

However, Uryū moves behind Kariya with Hirenkyaku and denies having missed with his previous shot. After commenting on how Uryū's usage of Hirenkyaku means his powers really have returned, Kariya pauses and asks Ichinose if the Senkaimon is ready yet, which Ichinose confirms as the Senkaimon shifts in color from green to orange and the energy around his hands dissipates. At Kariya's command, Koga steps forward and recites a second incantation while forming a large, intricate seal in front of his outstretched hands, and as a startled Ichigo questions what Koga is doing, Uryū demands that Ichigo not move, to the latter's surprise.

Koga presses the seal against the Senkaimon, causing it to split vertically down the middle, and pulls the two halves aside, revealing a blue Senkaimon underneath that exerts a slight vacuum on the air in the chamber. With Ichigo wondering what he is going to do now that the Senkaimon is open, Uryū counters that the Senkaimon is not open yet, further stunning Ichigo, and responds to Kariya's similar inquiry by aiming his Heilig Pfeil at the Senkaimon. Behind them, Rukia, Sado, and Orihime run down the steps, with Orihime tripping and being caught by Sado, whom she thanks, while Kurōdo notices and draws their attention to Uryū aiming at the Senkaimon.

Seeing this, Orihime questions if Uryū plans to destroy the gate, but as the Mod-Souls begin cheering on this course of action, Rukia silently stares at Uryū and notes that she has an odd feeling about the situation. In the center of the chamber, Uryū apologizes to Ichigo and requests that the latter allow him to do this before firing the Heilig Pfeil into the Senkaimon, which begins glowing with a bright light-blue light as the Bount grin at the sight of it, prompting Kariya to turn back to Uryū and sincerely thank him because this means that they can finally go as Uryū clarifies to Ichigo that the path to Soul Society has just opened for the Bount.

With Ichigo speechless at this, Kariya realizes Uryū knew what he was doing, which leads Uryū to recount how Nemu informed him of both this and the reason why Kariya was pursuing him for so long, due to the requirement for those entering Soul Society to convert their bodies to Reishi even though Bount who have absorbed living Souls being able to open spaces to different dimensions. Kariya explains how even though the Bount cannot convert Reishi, there are a few among the Quincy who can freely control Reishi, meaning Reishi conversion through the Senkaimon becomes possible if they use the Heilig Pfeil of such a Quincy as a conductor.

While Ichigo deduces what this means, Uryū affirms his conclusion that his Heilig Pfeil passed through the Senkaimon and turned it into a Reishi Henkan-Ki in order to convert the Bount to Souls, prompting Ichigo to demand to know why Uryū is helping the Bount. Kariya asserts that he believed Uryū would come since Soul Society is an enemy to the Quincy as well the Bount, and after recalling his disappointment at Uryū having lost his Quincy powers, Kariya claims that Yoshino Sōma supported Uryū well by leading his Quincy powers back to Kariya in addition to forming the Bitto before offering to walk together with Uryū.

Despite this, Uryū simply tells Kariya to not get the wrong idea and reveals that he is allowing the latter to go to Soul Society so he can settle this with him there. Initially startled by this, Kariya mocks Uryū's desire to avenge Yoshino and his inability to see the bigger picture, but Uryū vows on his pride as a Quincy to defeat Kariya. As he accepts this, Kariya is alerted by Ichinose and observes that it is time as he joins the other Bount in front of the Senkaimon, where he is enveloped by the light within alongside the Bount and Ichinose while inviting Ichigo and Uryū to follow them to Soul Society if they wish to do so, as the Bount will be waiting for them on the other side.

While Ichigo grabs Uryū's shoulder and angrily demands to know what he has just done, Yoruichi and Hisagi appear in the chamber and run up to them, leaving Ichigo surprised as Yoruichi notes that she was too late. With Ichigo's friends running over as well, Yoruichi turns to Uryū and asserts that he has created a serious problem, and when Ichigo inquires about his reason for doing this, Uryū questions in turn whether they would have been able to defeat Kariya if they had kept fighting here even though Ichigo has regained his Bankai. Though Ichigo insists that they would not have known unless they tried, Yoruichi admits that it would have been difficult.

Uryū states that this is all he has to defeat Kariya and recalls destroying a rock with a Heilig Pfeil after donning the Quincy Bangle, where he noted that he was indeed wielding a Quincy's power again and refused to believe that he could defeat Kariya with it, only for Nemu to remind him that he cannot muster much power with it in the Human World where the concentration of Reishi is very low before asking Uryū to think about what would happen if he went to Soul Society where everything is composed of Reishi, to his shock. With this in mind, Uryū begins to tell his friends that they might have a better chance at defeating the Bount in Soul Society.

However, Yoruichi criticizes him for following such a shallow line of thinking and points out how Bount get stronger in Soul Society alongside Shinigami and Quincy. When Ichigo expresses confusion at this, Yoruichi reveals Bount can absorb as much Reishi as they want to in Soul Society, which Rangiku notes is awful, and wonders if Uryū knows what kind of tool the Quincy Bangle is, which leads him to admit it could stop working at any time because it functions by drawing out a Quincy's power and is not stable as a result. With Uryū asserting he needs this power and Yoruichi warning him his actions could destroy the world, Ichigo punches the back of Uryū's head.

Though Uryū is irritated and perplexed by this, Ichigo simply smiles and wonders why Uryū is taking his time as he invites him to go to Soul Society with the rest of them. As Uryū stares in shock at this, Orihime tells him that he should do what he wants to do and Sado grunts in agreement while Rukia calls them all hopeless, leaving Uryū to quietly thank them. Rangiku is left touched by this exchange, and when an exasperated Yoruichi notes that they cannot stop at this point and must finish by mobilizing all of Soul Society's Shinigami, Rangiku affirms that this is the best course of action to take as Yoruichi admits Soul Society must take responsibility for the Bount.

Suddenly, the group's attention is drawn to 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, who is assisted in walking into the chamber by 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira while 11th Division Lieutenant Yumichika Ayasegawa walks behind them. After Renji responds to Ichigo's relief at him still being alive by proclaiming that he would not be killed so easily, Izuru questions where the Bount are, only to be disheartened alongside Renji and Yumichika when Yoruichi informs them that they are too late. Yoruichi promises that they can pay the Bount back in Soul Society and assures Orihime that she and Sado can use the Bount Senkaimon if it is adjusted a little.

With Orihime and Sado acknowledging this, Rangiku realizes something and pulls her Denreishinki out of her shihakushō to call her captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, while Ririn leaps off of her shoulder to Ichigo's, flustering him, and declares that the Mod-Souls will be going to Soul Society as well since they do not have Bount sensors. As Yoruichi confirms that they will be relying on the Mod-Souls, Kon observes that he should probably just go home, but is reminded by Rukia that he will be alone if he does so and envisions Yuzu Kurosaki, Jinta Hanakari, Ururu Tsumugiya, and Don Kanonji tying him to a large wooden cross and tormenting him over a fire.

Kon frantically begs Rukia to take him with her, and after Rangiku reveals that Hitsugaya has granted them all permission to enter Soul Society, Ichigo firmly states that they will be entering Soul Society. Meanwhile, in the air above the Seireitei, a portal opens as Kariya and his allies fly out while encased in energy. Noting that this is Reishi air and that it is better than he imagined it would be as the Reishi heals the wound on his cheek, Kariya proclaims that they will begin their revenge while they fly toward the Seireitei.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
As he sits at his desk in his office in the Tenth Division barracks, Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya hears his phone ringing and answers it, only to be startled when his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, loudly greets him and identifies herself. Upon being asked why she is calling him, Rangiku explains that the Bount escaped to Soul Society after being cornered, to Hitsugaya's shock, and requests that he file for permission for her to bring Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends to Soul Society, which he agrees to. However, before hanging up, Rangiku warns Hitsugaya to not use his new tea cup, and upon seeing the cup split in two and spill tea on his paperwork, a mortified Hitsugaya screams Rangiku's name.

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Jin Kariya: Rematch (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Hohō Techniques:

Zanpakutō Techniques:

Quincy Techniques:

Other Techniques:
 * (flashback)
 * Wind Barrier
 * Wind Barrier

Spirit Weapons:

Fullbring:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * (flashback)

Bankai:
 * (flashback)

Dolls summoned:
 * (flashback)

Other Powers: