Motive of the Fist

Motive of the Fist is the thirty-seventh episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: June 21, 2005
 * English Airdate: June 16, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Houkiboshi
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 105, Chapter 106, Chapter 107.
 * Kanji: 拳の理由
 * Romaji: "Ken no riyū"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
As Chad gets closer and closer to the White Tower, his presence and actions are noticed by 8th division's lieutenant (Ise Nanao) and captain (Kyoraku Shunsui). Shunsui decides that it is time for him to go out and fight. Nanao argues that it is not necessary for him to fight and that the strength of a lieutenant would be enough to defeat one ryoka, but Shunsui assures her that it will all be over soon.

Chad blasts through yet another wall, sending several Shinigami flying. To meet him, however, is the 3rd seat of 8th division, Enjouji Tatsufusa, who is extremely confident that he will squash Chad with ease. Despite Tatsufusa's speedy swordwork show, Chad lands but one punch and defeats him with hardly any effort. Chad, looking down at his hand, finally realizes how much stronger he has become thanks to Yoruichi's training.

Chad pushes onward. Only seconds after, a voice calls out to him and he notices flower petals fluttering down in the air. Shunsui lands gracefully on the ground before Chad and introduces himself in a calm yet mysterious voice. Silence follows as more and more flower petals float to the ground seemingly from the sky as there are no trees in the area. However, Shunsui looks up at Nanao, who is throwing petals from a basket into the wind from the balcony above, and he calls up to her.

Chad tells Shunsui that he does not wish to fight him if it is possible, but Shunsui replies by telling Chad that he cannot let him pass and suggests that Chad should back off.

Shunsui expresses his disappointment and then becomes more serious. He informs Chad that the other captains are also on the move and that the battle will be over soon. Upon learning that the captains are targeting his friends, Chad becomes much more determined to get through the gate Shunsui is blocking and launches an attack. Despite the attack's power, Shunsui easily deflects it with one hand.

Chad then attacks the captain again and again with increasing speed and frustration as Shunsui dodges them all with apparent ease. Chad sees that he is very much outclassed and he wonders at the gap in power between the 3rd seat, whom he defeated in one blow, and the captain. Shunsui seems to be able to read Chad's shock and tells him that, for a human, he is indeed very powerful - quick, solid, and destructive - but not powerful enough to even touch a captain.

Shunsui once again suggests that Chad give up and leave. Chad, however, tells Shunsui that he can't do such a thing and runs forward in another attempt to land a blow. Shunsui dodges, appearing right behind Chad, and warns him that if he, Chad, continues, the toll on his body will cost him his life. Then, using only two fingers, Shunsui lands a powerful hit on Chad's shoulder, blasting the teen several feet away. Shunsui takes note of Chad's obvious determination but wonders why Chad is willing to go so far to rescue someone he has only known for a short while. Chad acknowledges that truth but says, "Ichigo wanted to help her. That's enough. That's a good enough reason to put my life on the line."

Shunsui, although reluctant to fight Chad, comes to the conclusion that it would be rude to try to persuade him to give up since Chad is so intent on his noble goal. Shunsui draws his zanpakutou (which is, in fact, two swords) and Chad once again charges. Before he tries to land another blow, Chad promises Ichigo in his thoughts that if he survives the battle, he'll "swear this time by the same words and promise made that time."

In a flashback, Chad is being beaten by two guys, although he himself is not fighting back. Ichigo promptly comes to the rescue, easily fighting them back and sending them dashing away. Ichigo remarks that Chad is very strong and asks him why he keeps getting into fights but never retaliates. Chad replies, "I made up my mind. I will not strike my fist for my own sake. It's a promise to my abuelo (Spanish = grandfather)." Ichigo is rather confused with the Spanish words, and Chad explains that before he came to Japan, he lived in Mexico with his grandfather.

Ichigo notices that Chad is playing with the coin hanging on a chain around his neck. Ichigo asks if it is dear to him. Chad replies that it may even be more dear to him than his life. Ichigo finally realizes that there is a cellphone, still on and connected to another phone, lying only a few feet away in the grass and he throws it away without any qualms. A group of punks on the other end listen to the dialtone...

Another flashback (a flashback within a flashback) shows an eight-year-old Chad in Mexico. Unlike the fifteen-year-old Chad, the eight-year-old version of himself was a spoiled brat who constantly started fights. His abuelo, however, always reprimanded him of his actions.

Sometime after the first beating, Chad is ambushed by the punks and is tied to a chair under the overhang of the bridge. The leader of the gang attempts to intimidate Chad, but Chad simply throws back an insult. The leader, remembering what Chad said about his coin necklace, and tells him that he will destroy it so that Chad will no longer have the thing he values most in life.

Chad has another flashback of himself in Mexico. He remembers being cornered by two men when his abuelo came and blocked the two men from attacking his grandson. However, Chad notices that his abuelo simply takes the blows and does not fight back to the point when his abuelo falls to his knees. The two attackers lose interest and leave. Chad is extremely moved and, seeing this, his abuelo removes his coin necklace and places it on Chad's forehead. "Those big and powerful fists of yours - what do they exist for? Find that out. This is a charm for that."

As the memory of his late abuelo fades away, Chad becomes enraged at the thought of his abuelo's necklace being destroyed. Chad tries with all his strength to break the thick wires holding him to the chair, but Ichigo suddenly jumps into the scene and kicks the gang leader's face. Ichigo takes back the coin and takes out the leader's cellphone as the other gang members look on in shock. Ichigo makes a call, requesting for five ambulances - one for each gang member. Angry that Ichigo thinks so lowly of them, the gang rushes him and engage in a fight as Chad looks on.

"Oh yeah. Why don't we do this, Chad?" Ichigo's voice says in Chad's memory after the fight. "You do what you've been doing so you don't have to beat up anyone for your own sake. In return, you use those fists of yours for my sake. I'll use mine for you. If you've got something you want to protect with your life, I'll risk mine to defend it. It's a promise."

The flashback ends as Chad continues charging Shunsui, his fist ablaze. He recalls Ichigo's promise and his abuelo's words, and tries his last attempt to attack the 8th division captain. The attack itself is devastating, yet Shunsui still manages to dodge, slicing Chad with his zanpakutou. Shunsui murmurs, "I'm sorry." before Chad, and his necklace, fall to the ground.

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Jidanbō Ikkanzaka.