Changing History, Unchanging Heart

 is the three hundred and sixty-sixth and final episode of the Bleach anime.

Summary
The battle between Ichigo and Ginjō comes to a close when the latter receives a mortal wound. Just as Ginjō is about to die, Tsukishima tries to kill Ichigo, but is stopped by Riruka. Tsukishima is later rescued by Shishigawara, in which he thanks the latter so. Shishigawara insists that it was only natural that he did so, since he was Tsukishima's apprentice and greets the dawn of the new day brightly. Upon hearing his words, Tsukishima smiles and thanks Shishigawara again silently, thinking to himself that he had never been alone in the first place, while the surviving Xcution members decide to separate.

Elsewhere, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki race towards Captain Ukitake to report Ichigo's victory over Kūgo. Meanwhile in the Human World, Urahara goes to wake Riruka up for breakfast, but finds her room empty. Riruka is shown standing on the roof of a building and thanks Ginjō, for asking her to join Xcution, Chad, for believing in her, Orihime, for sharing her sorrows, and finally, she bids goodbye to Ichigo, remarking that despite how many farewells she would have made, he would never ever have forgotten them, before departing.

Back at the Seireitei, a messenger reports to Head-Captain Yamamoto that Rukia has returned from the Human world with Ichigo, causing Yamamoto to question his motive of coming to the Soul Society. The messenger reports Ichigo's arrival to all of The Gotei 13 captains, much to their surprise. Ichigo and Rukia enter the Seireitei only to be greeted by a surprised Renji. Rukia reveals to Renji that Ichigo had been given permission to meet Yamamoto and the three head to the meeting hall.

At their Division, Nanao wonders what Ichigo's motive of coming to Soul Society is and Shunsui remarks that as a Substitute Shinigami, it would not be surprising that Ichigo was angry at them. Nanao asks if Ichigo had came to return the Combat Pass, but Shunsui replies that he "couldn't say", but that it was sticky situation, though.

Ichigo, Renji, and Rukia arrive at the First Division barracks and Ichigo says that he is surprised to be greeted by the captains of the Gotei 13. Suì-Fēng corrects him that Kurotsuchi and Ukitake did not turn up and Kensei, to Ichigo's surprise, urges them to meet Captain Yamamoto quickly, remarking that he was certain Ichigo did not come for a chitchat. The meeting begins and Rukia and Renji watch from behind. Yamamoto praises Ichigo for fighting admirably, but Ichigo states that he had not come to be praised for his efforts, but to request that Ginjō's body be given a proper burial at the Human world.

This request sparks much surprise and shock from the captains and Shinji appears from the line of captains, asking Ichigo if he realized what he was asking. Suì-Fēng agrees and protests that Kūgo had performed unforgivable acts, but she is cut of by Shinji, who points out that was not what he meant. Shinji asks Ichigo if he could forgive a guy that had hurt his friends and family, but rather, should he. Ichigo answers that it was not about forgiveness, and that his family and friends had returned to normal and he was still alive, also adding that Kūgo was "just a Substitute Shinigami". Yamamoto questions if Ichigo had decided on this after considering all of the ramifications, but Ichigo cites that he only wanted to bury Ginjō's body in the Human World as a fellow Substitute Shinigami because he was going to continue being one, to which many of the captains give a smile of relief. Yamamoto then grants his request and Ichigo leaves, but before so, he adds to Yamamoto that he should at least enlighten the Shinigami that come to Karakura Town as to what a combat pass was.

The scene changes to Ukitake taking a break and staring at the scenery with Shunsui joining him, remarking that he knew the latter would have turned up here. The two discuss Ichigo's decision to remain as a Substitute Shinigami, specially noting that Ichigo had matured a lot. Shunsui remarks that when the youngsters grow up, it always happens so fast that the old ones never see it coming.

Next, Rukia and Renji sees Ichigo off. Rukia recalls her memories with Ichigo, from the day she gave him her Shinigami powers until the day he regained them and silently whispers thank you to him. Ichigo smiles and tells Rukia that he would see her around, to which the latter replied that she wondered how many times she had heard him say that. Ichigo replies that since it was not going to be the last time, it doesn't matter how many times he says it and departs.

The credits roll, showing a series of scenes of the Gotei 13 members. Yamamoto and Sasakibe are watching the pillar of light where Ichigo was leaving. Nanao was scolding Shunsui for drinking again. Ukitake was also watching the pillar of light, with Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki running towards him and tripping over each other. Ikkaku was being (painfully) healed by Captain Unohana and Isane and Hanatarō are shown in the same room, pointing out the pillar of light to Unohana. Kira, Iba, and Yumichika are shown in a restaurant where Kira is drunk. Kenpachi and Yachiru are shown running in the opposite direction of the pillar of light, though they pause for a while to see it.

A fully-healed Hinamori is shown chatting with Hitsugaya, who smiles at her appearance, before he is "bumped" by Matsumoto's breasts, causing him to fall towards Hinamori. Suì-Fēng is attacking two wooden poles with pictures of Urahara and Shinji attached to them, succeeding in reducing them to splinters whilst Ōmaeda looks on frighteningly. Nemu manages to steal Kūgo's Combat Pass for Mayuri to experiment on, much to Mayuri's interest. Shinji is arguing with Hiyori over the phone (with the latter winning the argument). Kensei, Komamura, and Hisagi visits the grave of Tōsen's old friend. Hisagi is shown to be slightly depressed about it, but Kensei manages to console him. Byakuya is shown staring at Hisana's picture with a slight air of mourn before he looks at the pillar of light as well. Renji and Rukia stares at the pillar of light as it fades into the sky.

At the Human World, Ichigo arrives home and is greeted warmly by all of his friends and family. A white card appears, with his personal information written on it, including his occupation, which reads "High School Student/Substitute Shinigami".

Fights

 * Ichigo Kurosaki & Uryū Ishida vs. Kūgo Ginjō (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Techniques used:
 * Energy Beam
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Shinigami techniques

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Bankai:
 * Kūgo Ginjō's unnamed Bankai
 * Kūgo Ginjō's unnamed Bankai

Fullbring used: Other powers:
 * (flashback)

Anime and Manga Differences

 * In the anime, there is no mention of Jackie wanting to be along Yukio and his desire to rebuild his company.
 * In the anime, there is no mention of Tsukishima by Riruka when she is in Urahara's house.
 * Ichigo calling Suì-Fēng's name without an honorific and her reaction are omitted in the anime.
 * Ichigo's talk with Captain-Commander Yamamoto is longer in the anime.
 * Kūgo's body is transported in a box by 4 white-clad people.

Trivia

 * When one of the Reversal Counter Force members is reporting to Suì-Fēng, her two hair tails are missing, but in later scenes, they are there.
 * Despite being 17 months after Aizen's defeat, Yumichika and Kurotsuchi's design is the same as the Arrancar arc (their new looks appears in the next arc).
 * A flashback of almost all arcs in the anime is shown.
 * Several scenes were added in the ending credits:
 * Yamamoto and Sasakibe watching the light where Ichigo is leaving.
 * Kyōraku being scolded by Nanao because he was drinking.
 * Ukitake watching the same pillar of light while Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu are running to him and falling over.
 * Madarame is being (painfully) healed from his dislocated shoulder by Unohana. Also in the room are Isane Kotetsu and Hanatarō Yamada.
 * Yumichika, Iba and Kira are in a restaurant where Kira is drunk.
 * Kenpachi and Yachiru running away from the pillar of light.
 * Tōshirō talking with Momo before being pushed by Matsumoto's breasts.
 * Ōmaeda looks on as Suì-Fēng attacks images of Urahara and Hirako on wooden sticks.
 * While Kurotsuchi is working with something, Nemu appears to him and she stole Kūgo's Combat Pass to give it to him.
 * Hirako fighting with Hiyori on the phone.
 * Komamura, Hisagi and Kensei visit the grave of Tōsen's friend.
 * Byakuya looking at Hisana's picture.
 * Rukia and Renji watch the pillar of light disappearing.
 * Ichigo returns to Karakura Town where he is greeted by his friends and family.