Tragedy of Dawn

Renji's Confrontation is the thirty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: June 1, 2005
 * English Airdate: May 20, 2007
 * Opening Song: D-tecnoLife
 * Ending Song: Houkiboshi
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 99, Chapter 100.
 * Kanji: 夜明けの惨劇
 * Romaji: "Yoake no sangeki"
 * Arc: Soul Society: The Sneak Entry arc

Summary
Renji is shown still grasping Ichigo, then collapsing. Ichigo stands for a moment, breathing heavily, before collapsing as well. Ganju and Hanatarō rush to his aid. Hanatarō notices other Shinigami coming and Ganju grabs Ichigo's body as they retreat. Hanatarō follows closely with Zangetsu. We are left unsure if Renji is okay. Four figures, including Lieutenant Izuru Kira, arrive to help Renji, and Kira marvels at Renji's defeat. Underground, Hanatarō explains that Fourth Squad is specifically taught to heal with their power and not fight. Hanatarō examines Ichigo and notes the astonishing ability for Ichigo to live despite all he's been through and announces his plan to heal Ichigo.

Elsewhere, Hinamori and Kira mourn over Renji's near-death state. They are interrupted by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who says no relief will be offered to Renji as punishment for his failure in battle. Hinamori tries to stand up for Renji, but Kira won't let her for fear of what will happen to her. As Byakuya leaves, they are interrupted by Captain Ichimaru, who says he'll defy Byakuya's orders and order the fourth squad to heal Renji. He and Kira leave, an Captain Hitsugaya joins the array of captains to note Renji's condition, all of whom, Hinamori notes, are entering silently (and surprising the lieutenants) to view Renji's condition. She asks why he's there, and Hitsugaya warns her to be wary of Ichimaru. He has a flashback of Aizen apparently accusing Ichimaru of having a hand in the ryoka matters.

In an emergency Captains meeting later, Head Captain Yamamoto announces that the ryoka problem is growing seriously out of control. He authorizes the use of Zanpakutō releases inside the court. The captains seem quite pleased at this as Yamamoto announces this is now a war. Aizen glances at Ichimaru for a time, as Ichimaru stares straight ahead without noticing.

Then the scene changes to Hanatarō patching up Ichigo. Ichigo seems to have fuzzy memory and tries to stand to rescue Rukia. As soon as he picks up Zangetsu and attempts to leave, Ganju knocks him out cold so Hanatarō can finish his treatment. Hanatarō mourns the arrival of yet another wound and then notes that if Ichigo hadn't had a strange looking mask inside his clothes, Renji's blows would've been fatal. The mask looks strangely Hollow-like, with a crack where Renji's blade landed. There is a short flashback of the battle and some of Ichigo's cuts, then a switch to the Shrine of Pentinence. Rukia asks for news on the outside, and hears that Renji has been defeated.

Inside the holding cells, Renji seems to be under arrest, but has been cared for by fourth squad. Hinamori approaches his unconscious body and questions why his motives for fighting the ryoka. She has a flashback of her training days with Renji, when he seems to have fought her quite seriously. Kira offers to be his sparring partner in Hinamori's place. Renji is quite cocky about this, but Kira proves to be a better opponent than he expected. Renji stops the fight to talk to Rukia, and the flashback ends.

Another Shinigami approaches and informs Hinamori of Captain Yamamoto's newest order, authorizing the carry and release of Zanpakutō. Afraid of the inevitable battle and afraid of Hitsugaya's warning, Hinamori seeks Captain Aizen's comfort. Aizen does not seem bothered by the visit despite Hinamouri's attempt to be polite and he eagerly invites her in.

Back underground, Ichigo wakes up. Ichigo recall's Ganju's blow, and Hanatarō advises him to rest more. Ichigo instead asks for Renji's state, and Hanatarō reports his guess (which is fairly accurate). Back to Hinamori, Aizen is eagerly reassuring her while writing away at something. The two discuss the ruling at the meeting earlier that day and Hinamori asks if she can stay with him to help her feel better. The next morning, she has long since fallen asleep. Aizen puts a blanket over her and leaves, while another figure watches him. Later, Hinamori suddenly awakens and begins apologizing for having fallen asleep. Aizen's alarm clock goes off, and she panics at her tardiness. While running to her scheduled meeting, she is suddenly distracted by something: a drop of blood. She slows and stops to look and see and screams. The other lieutenants hear her and rush to find her frozen in place. They all look up to see that Captain Aizen has been murdered, impaled to the wall with his own Zanpakutō!

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Isane Kotetsu.

Characters in order of appearance

 * 1) Renji Abarai
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Ganju Shiba
 * 4) Hanatarō Yamada
 * 5) Izuru Kira
 * 6) Momo Hinamori
 * 7) Byakuya Kuchiki
 * 8) Gin Ichimaru
 * 9) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 10) Sōsuke Aizen
 * 11) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 12) Kaname Tōsen
 * 13) Sajin Komamura
 * 14) Retsu Unohana
 * 15) Soifon
 * 16) Shunsui Kyōraku
 * 17) Kenpachi Zaraki
 * 18) Mayuri Kurotsuchi
 * 19) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 20) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 21) Tetsuzaemon Iba
 * 22) Shūhei Hisagi

Powers and Techniques used
Kidō used:
 * Healing Kidō used by Hanatarō