Hitsugaya Moves! The Attacked City

 is the eighty-first episode of the Bleach anime.

The Bitto' attack Karakura Town, allowing the Bount to grow stronger, while 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya briefs his strike force on their mission in Soul Society.

Summary
At Karakura Station in Karakura Town, a man exits his car with an umbrella in a parking lot while it rains at nighttime and informs someone he is calling that he has arrived. As he informs the other individual that he ate dinner earlier, the man hears a screeching noise and is startled when two Bitto confront him, causing him to flail his umbrella at them in a panicked attempt to keep them back. Suddenly, a third Bitto jams its stinger into the back of the man's neck.

With the screaming man glowing blue, the other two Bitto jam their stingers into his shoulders and swell in size before removing the stingers, leaving the man's lifeless body to collapse and disintegrate into ash while three Keigun land on the ground behind him and observe that they were too late. After informing Soul Society that they will be capturing the Bitto, the Keigun leap forward and slash at the Bitto with their swords, only for the Bitto to evade their strikes and fly backwards. Two Bitto fly past one of the Keigun and slash open his chest, causing him to collapse.

While their comrade writhes in agony on the ground, the other two Keigun run over to him in concern and watch the Bitto fly away, prompting one of them to report that they have failed and that one of them is injured before requesting that a medical team be sent because it is serious. The next day, during lunch at Karakura High School, Ichigo Kurosaki sits with Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai on the roof of the school as he wonders what the Bount plan to do with the Bitto. When Rukia merely instructs him to stop repeating the same question to himself, Ichigo expresses frustration at the situation.

Sado brings up reports he saw on the news of people going missing all over town and speculates that the Bitto are attacking people, which leads Ichigo to inform his friends that Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba have been unable to detect the Bount while questioning where they could be hiding. Turning to Renji, Ichigo asks him if any information has come from Soul Society, but Renji reveals that he has not been told anything even though the Onmitsukidō is here. With Rukia concluding that they cannot do anything until they find the Bount and the Bitto, Sado inquires if there is a way to do so, prompting Rukia to inform her friends that Kisuke Urahara is making a powerful sensor at her request.

As Rukia concludes that they will have to take their chances with encountering the Bount in the streets until the sensor is completed, Orihime wonders if Uryū will be alright, startling Ichigo, and details how Yoshino Sōma's death seems to have shaken him to the point where he has not responded to anything Orihime has said to him. However, Sado asserts that there is nothing they can do, and when Renji scoffs at Uryū having fallen in love with Yoshino, Ichigo admonishes him for not being considerate, but Renji counters that Ichigo should not be lecturing others on being considerate, leaving Ichigo confused and irritated while Rukia tells them to shut up.

Pointing out how Ichigo and Renji always bicker like this, Rukia declares that now is not the time for friends to quarrel with each other. Elsewhere, in a city built inside a cave on the outskirts of Karakura Town with pillars and brilliant blue crystal stalagmites, Jin Kariya addresses Maki Ichinose, Gō Koga, Yoshi, Mabashi, Ugaki, and Sawatari, who stand on the ground before the two-tiered platform he is standing on, and recalls how they lost many friends in this underground capital, which he claims makes him especially moved to begin their final plan here because the spite of their fallen allies will give them unlimited power even though it is an ambitious plan.

Though he notes that Soul Society has begun making their move, Kariya assures his fellow Bount that the mineral in the cave completely suppresses Reiatsu and that the Bitto contains large amounts of this mineral as well, which will allow them to relax. After observing that a few of those present do not know the results of his research, Kariya decides to show them and snaps his fingers to call down one of the Bitto from the crystals above. With the Bitto landing on his outstretched left arm, Kariya explains that they suck out the Souls of living Humans and bring them to the cave before revealing that they were created by Ugaki and his own technology.

Yoshi expresses amusement at this being what Kariya was doing, and while he laments having to sacrifice the life of one of their friends to achieve this, Sawatari inquires about how this is different from them directly absorbing Souls aside from the lack of danger, leading Kariya to clarify that the Souls brought by the Bitto are of high purity and concentrated before proclaiming that the Bount shall begin the taboo practice of devouring living Souls and gradually store up energy in their bodies that will increase their abilities to more than ten times their current level, shocking everyone other than Ugaki as they question if this is true and possible.

As Ugaki affirms this this is the truth, Kariya asserts that they will fulfill their long-cherished wish with this power and that he will go first before ordering the other Bount to burn the moment that their tribe's laws and history changed into their minds. With the blue sac of the Bitto opening to reveal a thin, textured purple vial, Kariya pulls it out and pours its orange contents into a wine glass that he proceeds to drink out of, causing his body to glow with light-blue Reiatsu and his veins to become visibly pronounced as he leans back and grins madly up at the crystal stalagmites, which shine brightly in turn prior to losing their radiance while Kariya revels in his new power and lack of regret.

Seeing this, Yoshi notes that the collected Souls are concentrated within the Bitto and admits that she never thought it would produce this much power as she licks her lips in anticipation. Suddenly, Mabashi expresses his refusal to take part in this, and as the other Bount react with surprise, Mabashi demands to know if they are planning to do this as well. When Yoshi accuses him of backing out in fear like a coward, Mabashi counters that he wants to know what they think about breaking the laws of their tribe and turns to Sawatari, whom he reminds that his aged appearance came from him devouring many Souls in rapid succession and that this is why the practice is taboo.

While Yoshi declares that it does not matter if it means they gain power in the process because they are not going to die from it, to Mabashi's irritation, Ugaki steps between them and cautions Mabashi and Yoshi against saying things that will ruin Kariya's historical moment as he attempts to defuse the situation, only for Mabashi to grab him by the collar and express disgust at how their group is operating. Before Koga can intervene, Kariya lands next to Mabashi, who lets go of Ugaki in astonishment, and assures the latter that there is nothing wrong with expressing his opinions since there are always controversies in the world, only to conclude that it does not matter and punch Mabashi into a wall.

With Mabashi hunched over and gasping for air in the crater formed by his impact, Kariya walks over and kicks him further into the wall, creating a hole, before pulling Mabashi out by his head and throwing him into the air with one hand, leaving him to land on his back several feet away. As he stomps on Mabashi's head with his right foot while the latter begs for mercy, Kariya warns Mabashi that he will be risking his life the next time he accuses Kariya of something, though he will be allowed to say whatever he wants, and kicks Mabashi away with his left foot, leading Mabashi to slam into the stone arch over the entrance to the chamber and fall to the ground incapacitated.

Kariya turns back to the other Bount and smugly reiterates that he is currently the law of their tribe. Meanwhile, in the Seireitei in Soul Society, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi is shocked to learn that the Onmitsukidō was defeated as he stands with an equally stunned 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, 11th Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa, and 3rd Seat [[Izuru Kira before 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who clarifies that only a few Keigun were defeated and that the Bitto pierced their bodies as he describes how they also absorbed Human Souls and escaped, which leads Yumichika to criticize this as cruel and ugly.

Upon being asked by Izuru what the Bount are planning to do, Hitsugaya simply states that gathering information is the duty of the Onmitsukidō, and when asked by Hisagi why he and the others have been chosen for this, Hitsugaya asserts that they specialize in dispatching monsters even if they are not Hollows. After informing Izuru that they are going after the Bount rather than the Bitto, Hitsugaya turns to face Yumichika, who wonders why he was chosen due to his dislike of ugly things compared to the lieutenants, only to be astonished when Hitsugaya reveals that Yumichika's captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, said that he had the most free time.

With Yumichika declining to protest this, Hitsugaya warns him and the lieutenants that the Bount seem to be planning something even worse and that Soul Society cannot just leave this to Ichigo and Renji before concluding that he is counting on them, which they acknowledge. That night, at the Urahara Shop in the Human World, Urahara sits around the table in the central room with Tessai Tsukabishi and 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng while looking at the contents of a small case, which he notes is not bad for last-minute preparations, though Tessai declares that it is wonderful as Urahara hands the case to him and apologizes to Suì-Fēng for interrupting her.

Dismissing this, Suì-Fēng relays Yoruichi Shihōin's message informing Urahara that she will be investigating in Soul Society for a while and cautioning him to be careful of the movements of the Bount, prompting a contemplative Urahara to inquire about the status of things in Soul Society. Suì-Fēng explains that various groups are gathering information on the Bount, and as she notes that they are still uncertain, Urahara bows and thanks Suì-Fēng for her help. After stating that she has to return to Yoruichi immediately and turning around as she stands up, Suì-Fēng pauses and expresses disbelief at Yoruichi having lived in a rundown shack like the Urahara Shop.

As he calms an outraged Tessai, Urahara apologizes and claims that his shop is very comfortable, only for Suì-Fēng to coldly warn him that he will not get away easily if something happens to Yoruichi before departing with Shunpo and shattering one of the closed windows, leaving Urahara to observe that he would prefer to not be pursued by the Keigun and call Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya to go out for him despite how late it is. With Tessai still angered by Suì-Fēng's comment, Ururu runs down the hall toward Urahara and sees Uryū looking out of a window, which leads her to suggest that he return to his room so he is not targeted and attacked.

When Uryū thanks her and looks away, Ururu questions if he is alright since he looks pale, but Uryū assures her that he is alright and gently reminds Ururu that Urahara is calling for her, prompting Ururu to acknowledge this and run off after looking back at Uryū once more time. Elsewhere, in a park, Rukia stands with Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, Renji, Kurōdo, and Noba as she instructs them to split up and remain vigilant. Ichigo notes that someone who is fighting a Bitto should exhibit elevated Reiatsu, and upon being asked by Orihime if the Bitto will really come out, Rukia points out that nothing will happen if they do not. Suddenly, Ririn pops up from behind Ichigo's shoulder in her plushie body.

With Ririn demanding to know why he and Noba are in their Gigai, Kurōdo claims that protecting Orihime is his duty and that he would not be of any use in a fight were he in his plushie body while Noba asserts that it is dangerous for her to go by herself, and as Ririn declares that this is unfair and that she will be using her Gigai as well, Ichigo silences her by placing his palm over his face and tells her that they are leaving. Back in the cave, Koga, Yoshi, Sawatari, and Ugaki drink the orange liquid from individuals vials provided by the Bitto while a smiling Kariya sits on the stone steps near them with his wine glass filled with more of the liquid.

After finishing their drinks, the four Bount find their bodies glowing with light-blue Reiatsu and their veins becoming pronounced, causing them to revel in their newfound power as Ichinose watches from afar. While the glow fades from the Bount, Kariya asks them how it feels, which prompts Koga to admit that it is better than he imagined it would be, Yoshi to praise it as not bad, Sawatari to observe that he feels at least one hundred years younger, and Ugaki to proclaim it as a great achievement that marks the coming of a new age for the Bount. Hearing this, Kariya assures them that this is still just the beginning and that an even more wonderful world will open itself to them if they continue.

As Yoshi declares that this is addictive, Sawatari expresses a desire to have some more and Ugaki asserts that this was well worth the effort it took to research. Behind them, Kariya walks over to Ichinose and a sitting Mabashi, and when the latter glares at him and looks away, Kariya wonders what he is afraid of, leading Mabashi to once again refuse to take part in the ritual. Upon being asked by Ichinose if he will permit him to treat Mabashi's wounds, Kariya states there is no need for this because he will be healed in an instant and grabs Mabashi by his bangs before forcefully dragging him away and calling over the Bitto while holding Mabashi aloft by his jaw to keep his mouth open.

With his other hand, Kariya grabs a vial from one of the Bitto and pours its contents down Mabashi's throat, resulting in him glowing with light-blue Reiatsu and his veins becoming pronounced as Kariya reiterates that there is nothing to be afraid of. Letting go of Mabashi, who falls to his knees with a stunned smile on his face, Kariya welcomes him to the new world. Meanwhile, in downtown Karakura Town, Ichigo stands with Rukia under an overpass and asks Ririn if she senses anything, only for Ririn to reveal that she does not and wonder what is going on, which prompts Rukia to express frustration at Urahara not having finished the sensor yet and Ichigo to resign himself to this.

In a different part of town, Orihime approaches a crosswalk with Kurōdo and waits for the signal to cross the road, where Kurōdo admits his curiosity about what Sado and Noba discuss when alone. Orihime speculates that they talk about what to have for dinner that night, what the weather is like, or how delicious ramen is when topped with chocolate, though Kurōdo reminds her that this is something she would say, to Orihime's surprise, and refuses to believe they have conversations or even talk. Elsewhere, Sado and Noba walk silently across another crosswalk and proceed down the street after Noba nods at Sado. In another part of town, Kon searches for Ichigo at an intersection.

While Kon questions how both Ichigo and Rukia could leave him alone, Renji inadvertently steps on him and looks down in surprise when Kon grunts in pain at this. Forcing himself up, Kon demands to know what Renji thinks he is doing, but Renji merely observes that he is the mysterious animal from Ichigo's house and asks an outraged Kon what he is doing here, leading Kon to claim that he was just taking a walk. Though Kon elaborates that he wanted to get some of the night, an incredulous Renji deduces that Kon was left behind and chased after Ichigo due to feeling lonely, which Kon attempts to deny on the grounds of being concerned about Rukia.

Suddenly, Renji hears a young boy wailing in distress and leaps past Kon, who spins around and is left dizzy as he protests not being finished yet and collapses. Leaning back against a grassy embankment on a different street, the young boy quivers in fear while multiple Bitto approach him, only for Renji to run up and attack with his Shikai, Zabimaru. Upon sensing someone's Reiatsu increase, a startled Ichigo relays this to Rukia as she recognizes it as Renji's and Ririn notes that he is fighting before the three of them run off, with Orihime, Kurōdo, Sado, and Noba following suit from their respective locations in the town. Back in the Urahara Shop, Uryū puts on his shoes.

When Urahara appears in the doorway behind Uryū and inquires if he is going out to get revenge for Yoshino, and despite Uryū denying this, Urahara asserts that he will need to recover his Quincy powers in order to do this, which is a difficult path, and reminds Uryū of Kariya's conflicting statements about whether or not he needs a Quincy for his plan. Asked by Urahara which statement he thinks is true, Uryū turns the question back on him, leading Urahara to admit that he does not know as he inquires if Uryū has considered what might happen if he regains his powers. Uryū brings up how Yoshino might not have died if he had not been there and declares his intention to find the truth.

However, with Urahara concluding that he is doing so with his Quincy pride at stake, a surprised Uryū admits that this is true and that this is the kind of tribe that the Quincy are while he exits the shop, leaving Urahara to comment on how young he is and state that this is not bad at all. Back on the street, Renji destroys two of the Bitto with a slash of Zabimaru and lands before the young boy, whom he assures will be alright and instructs to remain still. Looking up at the two remaining Bitto, Renji curses and realizes that they really are targeting the Souls of living Humans before angrily proclaiming that he will cut down every last one of them.

In the cave chamber, Ugaki informs Kariya that a Shinigami is destroying the Bitto, which a smirking Kariya calls impertinent since Renji will soon learn what happens when one damages a Bitto. Back on the street, Renji destroys the remaining two Bitto and lands on the ground as he sees that the boy has no injuries and observes that the latter cannot even see him. Suddenly, Renji looks over his shoulder at where the boy is staring and is shocked to see hundreds of Bitto flying toward him. With the young boy screaming in fright at this, Renji moves in front of him and orders the boy to not leave his side as he picks him up and runs toward the swarm of Bitto to attack them.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
At the Tiger Pharmacy in the Seireitei, the cashier bids a customer farewell before having 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto drop a basket of cosmetics on the counter. Upon being asked if she is going on a trip, a tired Rangiku explains that she is going on a business trip to the Human World and that the cosmetics there do not really match her before lamenting how much women have to pack for such trips. With Rangiku bringing up how her captain being noisy prevented her from getting her hair cut prior to the trip, her captain, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, appears behind her and questions who is noisy before angrily demanding that she get going, prompting Rangiku to frantically run out of the store while her cosmetics fall on the ground behind her.

Events

 * The Bounts Rise

Powers and Techniques Used
Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Dolls summoned: