Friendship? Hatred? Haineko & Tobiume

'''Friendship? Hatred? Haineko & Tobiume''' is the two-hundred thirty-eighth episode of the Bleach anime.

Lieutenants Rangiku Matsumoto and Momo Hinamori battle their Zanpakutō. Hyōrinmaru says he knows neither his name nor his master's to which Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya appears and tell him both, while Muramasa is limping through the Forest of Menos.

Summary
In the 4th Division compound, more injured Shinigami continue to arrive, putting a strain on the division's resources and available workers. Captain Retsu Unohana requests that her Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu assist in healing. Although reluctant, she agrees.

In another room, Captains Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku discuss the only partially-successful bid to capture several Zanpakutō at once, remarking that it will not be long before the captain-class Zanpakutō begin attacking, with Kyōraku commenting that the situation is rather depressing. They also discuss the situation with the 6th Division, which is in a state of turmoil due to Captain Byakuya Kuchiki sudden disappearance, and they both wonder what he is doing right now.

Outside the Fourth Division barracks, Hinamori waits as Rangiku comes out of the barracks, apologizing for taking so long and informs Hinamori that she has already told the guards to take a break, and the two leave using Shunpo.

Elsewhere, Ichigo Kurosaki continues his search for Byakuya, remembering their previous encounter and arrives at an open area.

Muramasa walks weakly around in the Forest of Menos, being trailed by several Hollows. A Hollow comes out and pounces at him, but is effortlessly destroyed moments later. Muramasa stops, seeing several Hollows in front of him and stares at them intently.

Haineko and Tobiume talk as they walk around the forests of Rukongai, searching for Hyōrinmaru. The two see a light and they run over to it, but are disappointed when they discover that the source of light was the moon reflecting off the water. The spirits begin to argue over him, but are by approached by Senbonzakura, who asks them if they have seen Muramasa, but is told that they have not and leaves. They begin to bicker again, causing them to find Ichigo searching for Byakuya.

Deciding to ambush him, Tobiume uses one of her ribbons to grab Ichigo from behind. She releases him while Haineko joins her friend, and the two surround him. Haineko unleashes her blade particles, but they are blown away by Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō. Much to Ichigo's shock, the two spirits begin to argue. Losing his patience, Ichigo tries to run off. Regaining their focus, both spirits attack and once again surround him. Before any of them can take any action, Rangiku and Hinamori appear, volunteering to handle their Zanpakutō, to which Ichigo accepts and leaves.

Muramasa manages to slowly near the Menos' location and sees that they are Gillian. One of the Hollows spot the spirit and lets out a loud roar, getting the attention of other Gillian. Muramasa remains completely calm as a Gillian charges a Cero.

The spirits and their owners exchange looks, until Haineko breaks the silence by complaining about letting Ichigo escape, as well as being forced to fight her master. Hinamori tells Tobiume that she has missed her, but is disappointed when her spirit states that she has not. Hinamori tries to convince Tobiume otherwise, but is nevertheless declined and tells her owner that she no longer wants to waste her time on a weakling, shocking Hinamori. Tobiume taunts her master further to the point where she loses her patience and charges, attempting to slash her. Haineko, gleefully attacks Rangiku, managing to cut her hair, and then directs her blade particles towards her. Before the attack can make contact, however, Hinamori uses Tsuriboshi, sending Tobiume flying onto Haineko.

Ichigo, still in search for Byakuya, notices a strange Reiatsu and climbs onto a large rock. The rock under him begins to freeze and several other pillars of ice move quickly towards him. Ichigo releases his Bankai, freeing himself. The spirit says that he does not know his name nor his master’s, and proceeds to use Sennen Hyōrō. As Ichigo tries to break the ice, Hitsugaya appears and informs the spirit that he is Hyōrinmaru, and he is his master.

Back in the Forest of Menos, a weakened Muramasa slowly limps away from the dissipating bodies of multiple Gillian.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Ukitake is walking around the Fourth Division Barracks when he finds Isane in their boiling room. He realizes that he's lost and Isane decides to help him find his way around. As they're walking, they meet Kyōraku, who was also lost. Kyōraku tells how he accidentally wound up in Captain Unohana's bedroom and received a beating from her. This frightens both Ukitake and Isane.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Retsu Unohana
 * 2) Isane Kotetsu
 * 3) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 4) Shunsui Kyōraku
 * 5) Momo Hinamori
 * 6) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 7) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 8) Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
 * 9) Muramasa
 * 10) Haineko
 * 11) Tobiume
 * 12) Hyōrinmaru
 * 13) Senbonzakura
 * 14) Sōsuke Aizen (flashback)
 * 15) Tōshirō Hitsugaya

Fights

 * Rangiku Matsumoto & Momo Hinamori vs. Haineko & Tobiume

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Bakudō #37.

Hollow techniques:

Techniques used:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai: