The Cruel Arrancar, Ulquiorra's Provocation

The Cruel Arrancar, Ulquiorra's Provocation is the one-hundred-sixty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: February 20, 2008
 * English Airdate: October 31, 2009
 * Opening Song: After Dark
 * Ending Song: Kansha
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 269 (from page 8), Chapter 270.
 * Kanji: 残酷な破面、ウルキオラの挑発
 * Romaji: "Zankoku na arankaru, Urukiora no chōhatsu"
 * Arc: The Hueco Mundo arc

Summary
When Renji asks Szayel Aporro how he negated his bankai, Szayel Aporro reveals that he gathered the data using parasites stored in the body of his older brother, Ilfort Grantz, who Renji fought and defeated. With only his shikai, Renji's attacks cannot harm Szayel Aporro. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra meets Ichigo to inform him of Rukia's death. Ichigo attempts to leave to save Rukia, but Ulquiorra goads him into fighting by revealing that he was the person who forced Orihime to come to Hueco Mundo. Furious, Ichigo uses his bankai and dons his hollow mask.