Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches

'''Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches''' is the ninety-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: August 22, 2006
 * English Airdate: December 27, 2008
 * Opening Song: Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
 * Ending Song: Movin!!
 * Manga Chapters: None
 * Kanji: 日番谷の決意！激突の時迫る
 * Romaji: "Hitsugaya no ketsui! Gekitotsu no tokisemaru"
 * Arc: Bount Assault on Soul Society arc

Summary
The bombs are revealed to have exploded in the repentance cells, destroying several buildings in the process as several captains look on. Ukitake wonders why anybody would have done such a thing but Captain Yamamoto deduces the strategy immediately, mentioning that whoever wanted to do such a thing would have a deep seated hatred for the Soul Society and would go to any means necessary to bring it down. Hitsugaya appears more aggravated than the others as Yamamoto orders added relief for the search squads so that the intruders can be stopped immediately. While out looking, Rangiku reaches her captain who reveals that he is annoyed over his failure to prevent this from happening but Rangiku replies that they had to stop them now.

Meanwhile, Rukia has been brought back to the Kuchiki household and is being tended to by medics as Byakuya watches over them. He leaves her to find Ichigo, who's very impatient, and Orihime to let them know that Rukia is not in any life threatening danger but despite this, he would prefer it if she stayed there to recuperate. Both Ririn and Kurōdo congratulate Byakuya on saving his sister and Ichigo thanks him for what he has done. Ichigo then requests aid of Byakuya because the Bounts must have a plan because they went after an easy target in Rukia to distract everyone. However Byakuya states that he cannot help them, as he has his own orders to take care of, but Ichigo takes offense to this and stalks off. While walking away, Ichigo reminds Byakuya that he better look after Rukia while Orihime states that she's glad that he is doing so before leaving.

Elsewhere, Kariya enters a tavern in the run down district Kusjishi in the Rukongai, where he is mistaken for a newly dead plus. Kariya wins the game of cards that he plays easily, while getting accused of cheating yet remains calm. His opponent lifts his discarded knife and attacks him only for Kariya to stop it with his bare hands and mocks him before flinging him across the room. Koga interrupts the meeting before a major fight breaks out, stating that Kariya is much more powerful than he looked. The arrival of Ichinose sparks a large scale fight in which the three easily fend off the untrained civilians. In the end, Kariya approaches their leader, Tōba and identifies themselves, asking if they wanted to play with the Bounts.

The Shinigami continue their search for the Bounts in the Rukongai as Yachiru watches excitedly from their barracks while Kenpachi appears bored at his desk. Yachiru giggles and observes the situation to be like a race to find the Bounts first. Kenpachi stands up and she asks if he's going to join the race to which he replies that there'd be no sport and thus, no point in it for him. He asks if she's bored but Yachiru replies that she's actually relieved, while jumping onto his shoulder, because Ichinose was out there and it wouldn't be fun for Kenpachi to fight him. Kenpachi picks up on her taunt but shakes it off because Ichinose is proving how weak he is in allowing himself to be used by the Bounts and so he doesn't care and she agrees in her bright voice.

Ichigo and Orihime finally arrive back at Kǔkaku's house along with the Mod Souls, all of them feeling extremely exhausted and collapsing. They ponder of why they would blow up those buildings but Ichigo states it is because they want everyone to know that the Bounts have come for their revenge on the Soul Society. Chad then arrives and apologizes for not getting to Rukia in time and appears shocked that the one who saved her was Byakuya. Just then, the twins show up and tell them that they have something to show them. They show the group that the fisted hands above their house could be opened and Orihime appears to be the only one of the group impressed as the twins yell at Ichigo for not noticing much. They are interrupted by the arrival of Ganju's friends, Mitsuru Ishino and Taichi Miyamoto who witnessed Kariya's earlier actions. They reported the event to Ichigo and his group. Ganju and Kǔkaku explain to them that Kusajishi is one of the most dangerous districts in the Rukongai and probably in need of a leader to make them a serious threat. She then smack Ganju's friends for being in that district and then lying to her about it. Uryū Ishida then appears and declares that Kariya is his to take down. Kukaku then declares that everyone was to go out not and strike as soon as possible. Orihime takes a liking to one of the boars that Ganju introduces but Ichigo runs off and tells them that he'll meet them there. The others, except Orihime, don't appear to pleased about having to ride the boars.

Back in the Seireitei, Rukia wakes up and realizes that her brother must have rescued her since she is at their home. She feels his empty spot recognizing that he was there up until moments before wondering what he was intending on doing. Byakuya is seen heading through the Seireitei as if on a mission. Elsewhere, Kon is seen chasing after women with big breasts.