Ishida's Strategy, the 20-second Offense and Defense

Ishida's Strategy, the 20-second Offense and Defense is the one-hundred-sixty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

While Uryū and Renji continue their battle against Szayel, Ichigo is healed by Orihime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: March 12, 2008
 * English Airdate: November 6, 2009
 * Opening Song: After Dark
 * Ending Song: Kansha
 * Manga Chapters: Chapter 275, Chapter 276, Chapter 277.
 * Kanji: 石田の作戦、２０秒の攻防
 * Romaji: "Ishida no sakusen, Nijū byō no kōbō"
 * Arc: The Hueco Mundo arc Part 1

Summary
Uryū asks Renji how long he can keep Szayel busy, but Renji informs him that he can distract Szayel for only 20 seconds at best. Renji apologizes, but Uryū tells him that this is more than enough time for him. Szayel tells his Fracción to stand back, explaining that he wants to see what Uryū and Renji can come up with. As this is happening, Pesche Guatiche slides down into the battlefield and after complaining about the fact that Uryū isn't with him, he spots Dondochakka Bilstin under some rubble. He tries to sneak past Szayel's Fracción and successfully does so, but gets slightly disappointed that he wasn't caught. However, when he reaches his friends location, Dondochakka breaks out of the rubble by himself and loudly asks Pesche if he came to save him. Pesche tells him to be quiet but the Fracción end up noticing them. However, just as they’re about to attack, Renji's released Zanpakutō sends the Fracción flying in separate directions. Renji swings his Zanpakutō towards Szayel, but the Espada easily deflects the blade. However, Renji suddenly grabs Szayel and uses his Zanpakutō to trap the both of them. Szayel asks Renji what he's doing and the Shinigami informs him that even with the huge difference in their power, an attack from this up close will still hurt him. Renji then begins charging up a Kidō spell and says that he was never any good at Kidō since his spells always exploded. He then states that this is going to be a test to see who can take the bigger punishment. Renji uses Hadō #31 Shakkahō and an explosion engulfs the both of them.

Szayel gets out of the explosion with medium wounds while Renji falls to the ground. As Szayel curses Renji for making a fool out of him, Uryū appears, claiming that everything has gone according to plan. Uryū tells Szayel that whether Renji succeeded in hurting him or not, he knew Szayel would have still retreated in the opposite direction. Uryū remarks that he knew this because Szayel has a habit of running just out of an opponent’s range of attack. Szayel asks Uryū if he thinks he has won, and Uryū tells him that he has, revealing 5 Seele Schneider's surrounding Szayel. Szayel states that this is impossible as the reiatsu of his weapons should have been sealed and Uryū tells him that it just shows that there are things in this world that he doesn't know about. He then tells Szayel that he'll explain the situation in his language and says "Hasta aqui". Uryū then pours a drop of spiritual particles where Szayel is and a huge explosion engulfs him.

As the Fracción run to go help Szayel, Uryū goes over to where Renji is and Pesche asks Uryū what that technique was. He states that it was Sprenger and explains that by using a Seele Schneider and a silver vial you can destroy anything that is in the sketched formation. He continues to explain that Seele Schneider can store spirit particles and that by expanding the stored particles you can draw the Quincy symbol on the ground. Then, if you put a drop of the spirit particles in the symbol, a huge explosion occurs. However, he states that it takes a lot of time to prepare and that you need someone you can trust in battle in order to use it. Renji tells him that flattery will get him nowhere but Uryū assures him that his gratitude is sincere. All of a sudden the dust from the explosion clears up and Szayel is shown to still be alive, but with grievous injuries. Uryū tells him that he's shocked that he's still standing but Szayel explains that because it was still his reiatsu from the attack, he can minimize the damage. Szayel then picks up Lumina and turns him into a purple orb. He then begins eating him, causing his injuries to heal up. Verona complains about this but Szayel tells him to be quiet as he can always make another one. Szayel then explains that his Fracción are unique, because if he eats any of them his injuries will be healed. Uryū calls him a monster but Szayel tells him that he would prefer to be called a genius and begins walking away. Uryū asks him where he's going and Szayel states that he's going to change his clothes, which angers him. Szayel simply tells them to think of a plan while he's gone, as he's going to be thinking of one as well.

Nel notices a defeated Ichigo and crawls to him, while crying. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez suddenly arrives and tells a shocked Nel to leave. Grimmjow then kicks Ichigo's body so he's lying on his back. He then takes Orihime out of the cloth he brought with him and orders her to heal Ichigo. She does so and uses Sōten Kisshun. Nel begins crying again, explaining that she kept getting in Ichigo's way and that's why he's so injured now. However, she is interrupted again by Grimmjow who tells her to keep quiet, explaining that Ichigo will be healed soon. However, Orihime says that she can't reject the injury because of the incredible reiatsu engulfing it and she wonders who did this. Grimmjow states that the one who did this was Ulquiorra Cifer. As this is happening Ulquiorra goes up to Loly and Menoly and asks them what happened. They say that Grimmjow was the one who took Orihime away and Ulquiorra leaves the room. Grimmjow continues to explain to Orihime that Ulquiorra has a strange habit of stabbing his enemies in the same place as his Hollow hole. He then states that he's going to teach Ulquiorra what happens when he takes someone else's pray. Ichigo suddenly begins moving again and wonders what Grimmjow and Orihime are doing here. Grimmjow tells him to be quiet so Orihime can heal him, allowing the two of them to battle each other. Orihime, shocked from this news, begins to yell at Grimmjow. As Grimmjow tries to reason with her, Ulquiorra arrives at the scene.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Soifon tries to get a picture of Yoruichi Shihōin taking a bath, but fails in doing so.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Uryū Ishida
 * 2) Szayel Aporro Granz
 * 3) Renji Abarai
 * 4) Pesche Guatiche
 * 5) Dondochakka Bilstin
 * 6) Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck
 * 7) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 8) Orihime Inoue
 * 9) Loly Aivirrne
 * 10) Menoly Mallia
 * 11) Ulquiorra Cifer

Fights

 * Renji Abarai, Uryū Ishida & Mayuri Kurotsuchi vs. Szayel Aporro Granz

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Hadō #31

Gintō used:

Techniques used:

Hollow techniques used:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai:
 * (flashback)

Other Powers used: