The Swooping Descent of the Dark Emissary! The Propagation of Malice

 is the one-hundred and twenty-ninth episode of the Bleach anime.

The Shinigami Strike Force assists Shōta Toyokawa and Yui Toyokawa.

Summary
At nighttime in Karakura Town, having heard the whistle-like melody and sensed the murky Reiatsu of the Arrancar she fought earlier that day, 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto tells Shōta Toyokawa to hurry back to Orihime Inoue's by himself, but Shōta asserts that he is coming too, exasperating Rangiku with his bravado before she realizes that the Arrancar could have allies nearby and agrees to let Shōta come along as long as he stays close to her, which he acknowledges with surprise.

Shortly after the two of them depart, a male Soul dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase runs frantically down a street elsewhere in Karakura Town as a shadow looms behind him and electricity crackles up a nearby streetlamp, causing it to go dark while the whistle-like melody begins playing. With the Soul coming to a halt and turning around in fear, the Arrancar sits behind him and cackles as he exerts his red Reiatsu. Against his will, the Soul begins slowly walking toward the Arrancar and holds up his briefcase in front of him while begging someone to help him. Suddenly, Rangiku appears nearby and demands that the Arrancar stop.

The Arrancar stops exerting his Reiatsu and the Soul falls back in fright, which leads Rangiku to wonder what is going on here since this Arrancar is identical in both Reiatsu and appearance to the one she fought before. Looking at Rangiku, the Arrancar notices the Soul attempting to flee and pounces forward to catch and devour the Soul with his jaws, to Rangiku's horror, prior to leaping up onto a nearby rooftop. After telling Shōta to wait here, Rangiku follows the Arrancar up to the rooftop, where the Arrancar gloats about how much stronger he feels and begins crackling with red electricity-like Reiatsu that coalesces into an aura around him.

When Rangiku questions if this Arrancar and the one that 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame destroyed are look-alikes, the Arrancar declines to answer and roars as he rears up on his hind legs. However, the two of them are interrupted when Shōta begins angrily throwing rocks at the Arrancar, who glares at him in annoyance and fires a red energy blast from his mouth that explodes and sends a screaming Shōta flying into the air on contact, to Rangiku's concern. Before Shōta can hit the ground, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya moves into the air with Shunpo, catches Shōta, and indicates that Rangiku should finish the fight.

In response, Rangiku affirms this and runs forward to slash at the Arrancar, who evades to the side. Once the Arrancar dodges two more of her strikes and leaps into the air, Rangiku releases her Shikai, Haineko, turning her blade into ash that surges into the air and slams into the Arrancar. As the Arrancar screeches in pain and crashes down onto the ground below, Hitsugaya appears next to him with Shunpo and holds his Zanpakutō to the Arrancar's face while telling the latter that it is over and instructing Rangiku to capture him alive. Despite this, the Arrancar simply begins chuckling, prompting Hitsugaya to question what is so funny.

With the Arrancar wondering if Hitsugaya believes they have captured him, Hitsugaya and Rangiku see a third and fourth Arrancar identical to the first one land on the ground next to him, and while the Arrancar declares that there are more, several more identical Arrancar appear on the rooftop nearby, which leads Rangiku to conclude that there really are duplicate Arrancar. Upon seeing one of the Arrancar leap off the roof and another on the ground begin chasing after Shōta, who flees in panic, Rangiku releases Haineko once again and slashes through those two and four more Arrancar to protect Shōta, whom she has get behind her.

However, one of the Arrancar proclaims that it does not matter how many of them Rangiku defeats and glows with red Reiatsu prior to spawning an identical clone of himself from his body, to Hitsugaya's shock. In turn, Rangiku is contacted by 11th Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa, who reveals that he and Ikkaku are battling more identical Arrancar after detecting the Reiatsu of the Arrancar that they encountered earlier and following it, though he is confused by the Arrancar surrounding him and Ikkaku being identical in appearance to the Arrancar that Ikkaku destroyed earlier, before Rangiku has Hitsugaya join the conversation to explain this.

Hitsugaya informs Ikkaku and Yumichika that the Arrancar can clone themselves and that they must destroy all of them to end the fight, which Ikkaku observes makes things much simpler as he leaps into the air and begins cutting through the Arrancar clones with his sealed Zanpakutō with a smile. Back at Shōta's location, Rangiku slashes four more Arrancar clones with Haineko and Hitsugaya bifurcates a fifth with his sealed Zanpakutō, only to note with irritation that things will never end on at this rate. After telling Shōta to hold on tightly to her, Rangiku begins running down the street with Hitsugaya away from the Arrancar clones, who begin their pursuit.

When Hitsugaya asserts that they need to lure the Arrancar clones into a wide space so they can be destroyed all at once, Rangiku questions what area fits this requirement, which leads Shōta to suggest the park that they encountered the first Arrancar clone in. With the Arrancar clones closing in, Hitsugaya has Rangiku run ahead and stays back to begin attacking the clones. Upon reaching the park and moving under a large tree within, Rangiku sets down Shōta and sees that the Arrancar clones are surrounding them while one of them declares that the two of them have nowhere left to run and are finished, prompting Rangiku to pull Shōta close to herself.

Suddenly, Rangiku calls out to Hitsugaya, who leaps over the climbing wall nearby and announces that the clones are the ones who are finished before releasing his Shikai, Hyōrinmaru, creating a massive ice dragon that repeatedly slams into the horde of Arrancar clones, creating a massive field of ice stalactites that shatter in a burst of light and energy to leave nothing behind. In the aftermath, Rangiku joins Hitsugaya with Shōta, who expresses intimidation at what he just saw, and praises his performance as Ikkaku and Yumichika approach them as well, which leads Rangiku to ask them if they are alright.

In response, Ikkaku tells Rangiku to not underestimate them and claims that the Arrancar clones were no trouble at all, though Yumichika admits that their numbers posed a problem. With Hitsugaya lamenting being unable to capture at least one of the Arrancar clones alive, a somber Shōta walks away, but stops in shock upon seeing Yui Toyokawa sitting on a bench far away under a streetlight. When Shōta frantically runs over to Yui, a concerned Rangiku joins him and watches as Shōta kneels before an unresponsive Yui and repeatedly shakes her by the shoulders out of worry prior to informing Rangiku that this is his sister, to her surprise.

Soon afterward, in the early morning, an unconscious Yui lies in a bed on the floor of Orihime's apartment, where Rangiku looks over her and observes that she seems to be an ordinary Soul with nothing amiss. With Hitsugaya acknowledging this, Shōta tries to rouse Yui and assures her that they are in a safe location, and when Hitsugaya deduces that Shōta was trying to find his sister when he said that still had something to do in the Human World, Shōta looks down pensively. Upon being asked about what happened by Rangiku, Shōta somberly explains that he, Yui, and their parents were in a car traveling to an amusement park.

In the past, Shōta, Yui, and their family laugh as their car drives along a highway road on the edge of a hill. When Yui begins playing a tune on an ocarina, her perplexed parents brush it off and return their attention to the road while Yui inquires if Shōta thinks it is a nice sound, only for Shōta to brazenly assert that it is just a lot of noise and express amusement when Yui denies this. However, as Yui continues to play the tune that she devised on the ocarina, a large truck going the opposite way swerves in front of the car, to the shock of Shōta and Yui's parents, and crashes into it, killing the entire family instantly.

In the present, Shōta concludes that he woke up to discover the Chain of Fate on his chest and his parents missing prior to confirming that this is why he was searching for Yui when Hitsugaya deduces it. Suddenly, Yui regains consciousness and opens her eyes, prompting a delighted Shōta to inquire about whether she recognizes him and express relief when she identifies him as her older brother. Standing nearby, Hitsugaya wonders why she suddenly appeared in the park and questions if Shōta has any ideas, but Shōta does not provide an answer and Rangiku realizes that he is still withholding information from them.

Suddenly, the monitor in the room switches on to reveal 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, who addresses Hitsugaya and notes that he seems to be having some trouble before revealing that they have new information to share about the Arrancar clone fought yesterday. With Ukitake stating that he will be letting someone from the Shinigami Research and Development Institute explain these findings, the screen pans over to 12th Division 3rd Seat Akon, who introduces himself. After Ukitake brings up an Arrancar clone having been encountered once again tonight, Hitsugaya affirms this and relays the former being able to duplicate himself.

Once Hitsugaya admits that he does not believe the battle is over even though he and the other Shinigami destroyed all the Arrancar they fought, Akon confirms that it is likely not over yet, and when Rangiku wonders what he means, Akon recounts how the record of the Reiatsu in the area matched that of all the Arrancar clones, meaning that they are a single colony rather than separate entities when split apart. When Hitsugaya realizes that this means they share a single consciousness, Akon continues that their findings indicate the Cloning Arrancar uses several clones at once in order to consume as many Souls as possible.

As Rangiku compares the clones to worker ants, Akon agrees and concludes the real Cloning Arrancar is hiding somewhere and giving orders to the clones, leading Rangiku to question if there is a way to determine where the real Cloning Arrancar is. Akon admits it is difficult to pinpoint and details how the appearance of an Arrancar clone is always accompanied by a whistle-like melody, which Rangiku confirms they have heard whenever one appears prior to relaying how it is used to restrain and control the Arrancar clones' victims. With Akon promising to analyze this sound so they can pinpoint when the Arrancar clones will appear, Hitsugaya acknowledges this.

While the monitor turns off, Hitsugaya ruminates on how complicated things have become as Ikkaku and Yumichika return to the apartment with bento, which they set up on a nearby table outside the monitor room. When Ikkaku expresses amazement at how convenience stores carry these in addition to onigiri even at nighttime, Rangiku opens the door behind them, welcomes Ikkaku and Yumichika back, and invites Hitsugaya to eat with them before they come up with a plan. After the four of them finish eating and Ikkaku declares that he is full, Hitsugaya sets down a cup of tea and finishes relaying their information about the Cloning Arrancar.

Once Hitsugaya asserts that they will need to spread out over a large area and prepare to quickly deal with various situations, Yumichika confirms his understanding of the situation and Ikkaku observes that this will keep him from getting bored while Hitsugaya decides that they will take turns watching Karakura Town and assigns Rangiku to stay with Shōta and Yui, which she agrees to. Despite Shōta and Yui's confusion and concern, Ikkaku suggests that they perform Konsō, only for Hitsugaya to conclude that they can do this later, which leads Yumichika to note that he is very kind since this will allow Shōta and Yui to stay together for a while.

With Rangiku touched by this, Hitsugaya dismisses Yumichika's statement and orders him and Ikkaku to head out. Some time later, with the three of them having left their Gigai, Hitsugaya stands on top of a telephone pole to observe the area around him, Ikkaku leaps between several rooftops, and Yumichika looks around the streets below before moving elsewhere with Shunpo. As the sun begins to set, Yumichika looks out over the city from the upper floor of a building and Shōta sits with Yui in Orihime's apartment, where he is startled by a sleeping Yui calling out to him. Later that evening, Rangiku finishes taking a bath.

While Rangiku grabs a carton of milk from the refrigerator and relishes in how good it feels to take a bath before work, she notices Shōta solemnly standing nearby and asks him about how Yui is doing. After Shōta notes that she is still asleep, Rangiku notices his expression and inquires about what is wrong due to him finally getting to see Yui. When Shōta simply nods at this, Rangiku wonders if he is still hiding something because he was behaving strangely when Hitsugaya asked him about what happened in the park with the first Arrancar clone. Though Shōta is reluctant to answer, Rangiku clasps his shoulders and encourages him to tell her.

However, Shōta insists that it is nothing and does not concern Rangiku, who is left staring at him in shock, before the two of them are interrupted by a loud noise coming from the monitor room where Yui was sleeping. Upon opening the door to the room, Rangiku and Shōta discover that the window is open and Yui is missing. Outside, a female Soul in a school uniform walks down a street while the whistle-like melody plays, only to look up in confusion as an Arrancar clone glowing with red Reiatsu stands before her. With the Soul continuing to approach him and wondering why she cannot control her movements, the Arrancar clone chuckles and steps forward.

Hearing the Soul's scream of fright, Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, and Yumichika immediately begin heading toward its origin point, but the latter finds himself confronted by the Arrancar clone and two others on the rooftop of a building. As he sees the leftmost clone devouring the Soul, Yumichika calls him repulsive and rushes forward with his Zanpakutō drawn, only for the three Arrancar clones to leap into the air and begin running across the sky. Though he follows them into the air, Yumichika quickly loses sight of the three clones and is joined by Hitsugaya and Ikkaku, the former of whom orders them to split up and follow the clones, which they do.

In the air above where Hitsugaya, Ikkaku, and Yumichika were standing, a swirling cloud of black miasma forms and expands to reveal the real Cloning Arrancar, who laughs in amusement. Simultaneously, at the park, Rangiku follows a frantically running Shōta and demands to know why he thinks Yui is at the park again. Before Shōta can answer, Rangiku senses the Arrancar clones' Reiatsu once again and rushes to keep up with Shōta. Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Hitsugaya pursues one of the Arrancar clones across rooftops and through the streets below until he loses sight of it amidst several alleyways, at which point he lands on top of a telephone pole.

Once he pulls out his Denreishinki and does not see a Hollow indicator on its screen, Hitsugaya closes it and looks around to see a male Soul wearing glasses huddled in one of the alleyways. After assuring the scared Soul that he is not an enemy, Hitsugaya asks him if he saw a monster, and when the Soul shakes his head, Hitsugaya promises him that it is alright now, though the Soul continues to tremble in fear. Annoyed by this, Hitsugaya walks away, leaving the Soul to smile maliciously behind him. Back in the park, Rangiku catches up to Shōta and warns him that they have to go back to the apartment since it is dangerous here, but Shōta denies this.

Despite Rangiku assuring him that they can look for Yui together later, Shōta insists that he has to protect Yui himself, to Rangiku's surprise, prior to expressing shock upon noticing Yui sitting on a swing behind him. Though Rangiku does not understand when Yui got there, Shōta rushes over to her and questions what she was doing here, leading Yui to admit that she was not doing anything and just wanted to come to this park. With a sighing Rangiku joining them, Yui asserts that she is alright and not afraid of anything now that Shōta is here, but Shōta curses at this and reveals to Rangiku that he left her here and ran away after they died, to her astonishment.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
In Orihime Inoue's apartment, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame, and 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa sit around the table in the monitor room and eat their bento as Yumichika brings up how they always use this room as if it belongs to them, which he is uncertain about it. When Rangiku assures him that there is no problem with this because Orihime went to Soul Society with Rukia Kuchiki, Ikkaku admits that he thought as much. However, Rangiku admits that she is sad she cannot eat Orihime's delicious cooking, and when Yumichika expresses surprise at Orihime being a talented chef and Ikkaku asserts that they would like to try some, Hitsugaya warns them against doing so and recalls some of the incomprehensible combinations of food that Orihime has made.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 2) Shōta Toyokawa
 * 3) Cloning Arrancar
 * 4) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 5) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 6) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 7) Yui Toyokawa
 * 8) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 9) Akon

Events

 * Cloning Arrancar Threat

Powers and Techniques Used
Hohō Techniques:
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Hollow Techniques:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai: