Tōshirō Hitsugaya vs. Hyōrinmaru

Prologue
After Rangiku and Momo take on Haineko and Tobiume, Ichigo presses ahead, still searching for the missing Byakuya, wondering whether he is concealing his reiatsu. He stops for a moment, as he can sense the reiatsu of someone familiar. He runs over to a nearby rock formation, in order to get a better look of the surroundings, whereupon the rock he is standing on turns to ice, as he is attacked by several ice spears. Ichigo easily disposes of the attacks, staring out of the vast landscape, when four ice dragons emerge, forcing him on the offensive once again.



The figure proceeds to walk away again, stating that he has no business with Ichigo if he is not his master. Ichigo then asks him if he knows not who his master is, to which the man responds that he does not know the name of his master, nor his own. As Ichigo protests, he activates Sennen Hyōrō surrounding Ichigo with ice pillars. Then, Tōshirō Hitsugaya emerges, confirming that he is indeed Hyōrinmaru, which causes him to turn around promptly.

Hitsugaya states that he is his Zanpakutō, which Hyōrinmaru quickly refutes, stating that a mere child cannot wield his immense power. He is surprised by Hyōrinmaru's judgement, asking whether Muramasa had something to do with his memory loss. Hyōrinmaru explains that he merely lost all of his memories once freed from his master, and that his true goal is to find his master. The Zanpakutō spirit continues, stating that Hitsugaya will have to prove his worth, in order to be considered his master.

Battle


Hyōrinmaru uses Shunpō, deftly appearing behind Hitsugaya as they clash their blades. Hitsugaya then backs off, as Hyōrinmaru charges at him, kicking a cloud of dust into the air. Hyōrinmaru throws Hitsugaya into a nearby rock wall, which he uses to charge once more at him, clashing briefly, before being thrust into the air by the strength of Hyōrinmaru's strikes. However, he retaliates, releasing Bakudō #63, Sajo Sabaku, instantly binding him.

Hyōrinmaru looks surprisedly at Hitsugaya for several moments, before telling him that his attempts to subdue him are fruitless. He proceeds to freeze the Kidō, shattering it into nothing, as dark clouds loom over the surrounding area. Hyōrinmaru summons an ice dragon from behind him, as Ichigo calls out to him, only to have the ice prison spiral around him, eventually closing. Hitsugaya shouts to his Zanpakutō spirit, telling him that he is his opponent.



Hitsugaya releases Hado #31, Shakkahō, which Hyōrinmaru catches effortlessly, freezing it within his palm. Hyōrinmaru repeats his statement, as the ice dragon attacks Hitsugaya in mid-air, forcing him into the ground in a flurry of ice. However, Hitsugaya emerges unperturbed, asking Hyōrinmaru what his instincts tell him to do. Hyōrinmaru divulges that he seeks a place in which he belongs, causing Hitsugaya to reminisce about his past with his Grandmother, enabling him to summon the willpower to release his Shikai.

As Hitsugaya releases Hyōrinmaru's Shikai, thunder crackles from the sky, as an ice dragon forms before them. Hyōrinmaru is surprised at this, as Hitsugaya tells him that he will make him remember everything. He momentarily ponders over using the technique in Shikai, but charges at Hyōrinmaru nonetheless; utilising Ryūsenka, encasing both he and his Zanpakutō spirit within it. Meanwhile, Ichigo uses Getsuga Tenshō, breaking free from Hyōrinmaru's prison.

As he escapes, he calls out to Hitsugaya. Inside the ice, Hitsugaya implores Hyōrinmaru, trying to get him to remember the one who heard his voice, as Hyōrinmaru looks on in shock. He shouts out the name of his Zanpakutō, which causes Hyōrinmaru to remember who his master is. As Ichigo looks on, the Ryūsenka encasing both Hitsugaya and Hyōrinmaru shatters, as his Zanpakutō gently carries his master to the ground below.

Aftermath
Meanwhile, Muramasa is panting heavily in a forest. He stands before a weakened Hollow, stating that his time is running out. He walks over to it, firmly grasping its head, as purple reiatsu flows forth into Muramasa's body, the Hollow groaning in pain..