Shinigami Task Force vs. Ugaki

Prologue
After Rangiku and Sado's conflict with the Bount Sawatari, a task force from Soul Society is sent to the Real World, whose objective is to effectively track and locate the Bounts' whereabouts. Ichigo is seen at Urahara's Shop, watching Rukia recuperate from her fight with Mabashi. In the Bounts' cave, Kariya is greeted by the other Bounts, who report their failure to him, but he doesn't mind, so long as they got a chance to test their enhanced powers.

Kariya then brings up the subject of the Quincy, Uryu Ishida, and states that he is trying to acquire his powers. He then says that their enemies are on the move. The task force meet up at the entrance to the cave, while Yumichika was standing guard. Rangiku berates him for standing alone outside the enemy's entrance, but he says that they already know of their presence. The task force then enters the Bount's Cave.

Battle
Ugaki is then seen laying a deck of cards out neatly onto a table, summoning the powers of his Doll, Gesell, as the Task Force are wandering aimlessly in the labyrinthine cave. They come across an open area, filled with several pillars, and the group stops to examine them. Then, several spears thrust through the ground, and they are forced to take cover.

Rangiku releases Haineko, promptly destroying the pillars, but as nothing happens, she progresses steadily ahead. But before she can move far, spears launch from the ceiling, and Rangiku senses them, jumping out of their path in the nick of time, which proved to be a diversion, and she is tied up in ropes. She easily disposes of the ropes, but she is pursued once more by the launching spears.

Kira and Hisagi race down a corridor, followed intently by numerous floating creatures with eyes, until they reach a dead-end. Hisagi slashes with his sword, trying to disperse the eye-like creatures, but Kira is hit by an unknown force and crashes into the wall. He rushes to aid Kira, but is too constricted by an invisible force. Hisagi resorts to using kido, to destroy the eye creatures hovering nearby, freeing himself and Kira.

Then, Gesell punches through the roof, causing the ceiling to collapse, as Kira and Hisagi are forced on the move again. Yumichika is surrounded by more of the creatures, resorting to the use of his Zanpakuto, which effectively kills several of the eyes, but is then grabbed by Gesell's hand, who smashes him into a nearby wall.

After this, Ichigo and his friends are seen at the cave's entrance, and they head inside it, as Uryu tries desperately to get his Quincy powers, back, and Nemu is seen arriving to assist him. Ichigo asks the mod souls to try and track the Bounts' spiritual pressure, but is disappointed when they say they cannot, with Kurodo stating that there is probably some device in the cave interfering with their sensors., as they continue to proceed.

Ugaki sneers menacingly, stating that his next prey have arrived, referring to Ichigo and his friends. He then sends his Doll after them, as several of the eye creatures appear to them, and Sado recognizes them as the same ones back at the Bount Mansion. Despite Rukia's protests, Ichigo charges at the creatures, leading them into a room with paths splitting into five separate directions.

The eye creatures regroup, swarming around them from all angles, as Ichigo and his friends engage in battle, but are unable to successfully kill them all. Orihime sees a bright light emanating from one of the floating eyes, causing Rukia to ask if she's okay. But before she can answer, Gesell's arm appears, and grabs Rukia in its vi-ce grip, flinging her towards the wall of the cave, but Renji is able to save her before she hits.

Then, Gesell's hand appears once more, making contact with Ichigo's blade, but as Ichigo tries to fend it off, another part of Gesell materialises, striking him from behind. Orihime uses her quick thinking, and activates her powers to protect Ichigo and to attack Gesell. Ichigo then charges at the second part of Gesell that appeared, but it transforms into a rope, binding Ichigo and Orihime.

Ugaki is angered by his enemies' persistence, but continues unwavering, as he has more tricks up his sleeve. Orihime warns Rukia not to strain herself, as she was still recovering from her injuries in her battle with Mabashi. Rangiku appears, releasing her Shikai, which frees the two from Gesell's ropes. She then informs them of Ugaki's power, telling them to destroy everything that casts a shadow.

Ugaki then introduces himself to the task force, revealing his Doll Gesell, and remarks to Ichigo's question by saying that they are using the power of the bittos to amass a tremendous amount of power. Pushed by Renji's comment that he won't forgive the Bounts for what they did, Ugaki says that he can't reason with them, and says that killing them is the only option. He proceeds to taunt them, asking whether they'll be able to make it to the center of the cave, where he is located.

The group then splits up, with Renji and Ichigo going ahead to find Ugaki, whilst Orihime stays to heal Rangiku and Rukia's injuries, with Sado assigned the task of protecting them, should something happen.