Renji Surprised?! The Two Zabimaru

'''Renji Surprised?! The Two Zabimaru''' is the two-hundred thirty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: August 25, 2009
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Shōjo S
 * Ending Song: Mad Surfer
 * Manga Chapters: None
 * Kanji: 恋次驚愕!? 2人の蛇尾丸
 * Romaji: "Renji kyougaku!? Futari no Zabimaru"
 * Arc: Zanpakutō Unknown Tales arc

Summary
Shunsui Kyoraku receives a message that Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai is still missing, before being joined by Jushiro Ukitake. He reports that Soifon and the Onmitsukidō has managed to confirm the number of casualties to each division. Each squad has been ordered to hunt down its rogue Zanpakutō. Unfortunately, Byakuya Kuchiki is still missing, though Ukitake suspects he’s hiding his reiatsu for some reason, which Kyoraku finds odd. They are joined by Retsu Unohana, who confirms the full extent of the injuries suffered by Rukia Kuchiki in her battle with Sode no Shirayuki. It also appears that 4th Division barracks has become the Gotei 13’s temporary HQ. Mayuri Kurotsuchi has also requested some victims of the rampage for analysis, which Unohana is assisting him with, to Ukitake’s disapproval. He has confirmed that their Zanpakutō have become completely independent of their Shinigami. Unohana warns against any excessive action, as it could destroy their Zanpakutō.

Shuhei Hisagi is received scouting reports from 2 Shinigami when they are attacked by a black cyclone, who he quickly recognises as Kazeshini. Meanwhile, Renji Abarai is out looking for Byakuya, when he is side-tracked by Zabimaru, and Rukia comes round to an attending Isane Kotetsu, who tells her what has happened, but has no answer to Rukia’s questions regarding Ichigo Kurosaki’s whereabouts.

Ichigo wakes to find himself in his own inner world, where he is greeted, to his shock, by Muramasa. When questioned how come he’s there, Muramasa states that, because he’s a Zanpakutō, he can enter a Shinigami’s soul. He claims he killed his previous wielder himself, and now wants to claim Ichigo’s powers for his own. Ichigo tries to attack Muramasa, but he easy stops the attack with an unknown technique.

Renji doesn’t recognise the form his Zanpakutō has taken, despite Zabimaru dropping several hints; he still believes his spirit to be that of a snake-tailed baboon. The two halves of Zabimaru begin arguing over the snake-tailed half’s childishness (picking it’s nose) and the hairy half’s figure (being called fat). However, when Renji tells them to leave him if they’re going to argue, they set their differences aside and attack. When asked why, they say a voice told them to act on their instincts, and theirs is to attack.

Ichigo wakes in front of Zangetsu, but it soon turns out to be Muramasa, in another part of his inner world. He wishes to see Ichigo’s ‘inner self’. Several Muramasa-esque hands burst out of Ichigo’s chest and envelope him, causing Hollow Ichigo to appear next to Ichigo in the original part of his inner world.

Hisagi begins to fight Kazeshini, but has a difficult time dodging his attacks. When Kazeshini says that Hisagi is nothing without him, Hisagi replies that Kazeshini’s power comes from him, which Kazeshini doesn’t believe. He tells Hisagi he heard a voice telling him to follow his instincts, which in his case is to ‘reap lives’.

The snake side of Zabimaru tries to attack Renji, but is prevented by the hairy side. Renji says he has no reason to fight, to which she answers by spinning her chain, resulting in an unknown attack. Meanwhile, Ichigo is confused as to why Hollow Ichigo is present. Muramasa determines him to be a Hollow, and when questioned as to why, Hollow Ichigo responds with ‘I’m his true form’. Muramasa recognises him from the fight with Zangetsu. Hollow Ichigo asks what Muramasa is. He answer that he is a Zanpakutō who has the ability to awaken the inner instincts of other Zanpakutō. He tries to use his powers on Hollow Ichigo, who play-acts that the attack worked, before attack Muramasa when he tries to approach, catching him by surprise.