Izuru Kira vs. Makoto Kibune

 is a fight between Lieutenant Izuru Kira and 3rd Seat Makoto Kibune of the 3rd Division during the Kasumiōji Conspiracy. Izuru eventually finds out that Kibune is a traitor to the Gotei 13 working undercover for the Kasumiōji Clan Steward.

Prelude
Izuru Kira waits outside of the Kasumiōji compound, believing it to be the place where Makoto Kibune is most likely to be hiding. As he does so, he also believes that Kibune won't dare approach, as the Gotei 13 have been running in and out all day. He decides to search elsewhere, and comes across a Hell Butterfly, which approaches him, stating that Captain Shūsuke Amagai is with Ichigo Kurosaki, and is notified that there is a conspiracy within the Kasumiōji Clan. Izuru searches in a warehouse, and comments upon the convenient disappearance of Kibune when the crisis began, wondering whether it is related to Ichigo's involvement. As he leaves the warehouse, he resolves himself to find Kibune as soon as possible.

He remembers back to their training session, and that Kibune was the one who arranged for the use of the training ground. Izuru realizes that he is hiding there, solely because no-one cares about it. Izuru runs off, believing it to be the only lead in finding Kibune. Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto commences the captains' meeting, stating that Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki should be apprehended alongside Amagai, who acted as their accomplice.

Captain Jūshirō Ukitake is quick to come to their defense, stating that their actions are questionable. He requests Yamamoto's permission to investigate the Kasumiōji Clan, which Yamamoto denies, telling all divisions to act upon his orders only. Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Ukitake believe that the Kasumiōji Clan is central to this entire problem, and believe that the Gotei 13 will fall apart if the dissension continues. Nanao interrupts their conversation, informing them of the several fights occurring across Seireitei. As the fights continue, Izuru comes across several other division members standing over a brown blanket. He asks them what is wrong, to which they reply that this is the body of Sugama, who went missing last night. Izuru recognizes him as the Shinigami, who was sent to search for Kibune and then rushes towards the training ground.

As Izuru enters the training ground tower, he hears faint footsteps and noises echoing from above him. He move to the roof to find a skylight that leads into a room that is being used as a cell. Izuru watches as Princess Rurichiyo Kasumiōji escapes from her cage but is soon prevented from leaving by mysterious foot-soldiers. Recognizing Rurichiyo, Izuru wonders who the soldiers are and why they are holding her captive. Standing, he decides to report his findings to his superior, Amagai. He summons a Jigokuchō and prepares to send the message about Kibune's secrets.

Out of nowhere, several Kunai are flung towards Izuru but he swiftly takes out his blades and deflects them all. Assassins quickly surround him, and their apparent leader signals for them to converge upon him, but Izuru competently overpowers them with ease, informing the leader that he is too powerful for them to fight. He demands to know what thy want but the assassin leader merely states that they are actually too much for him. More assassins appear and equip Bakkōtō on their arms. The resulting increase in Reiatsu greatly shocks the Lieutenant as the assassins begin to attack.

Izuru manages to parry one of the assassins but a second one knocks him backwards due to their increase in strength. He lands in the training ground stadium as a result of the onslaught with assassins following him. The assassins continue to attack him, forcing him to block their blows whilst wondering about the sudden increase in their Reiatsu. He suddenly hears Rurichiyo complain about being carried away and he watches as the assassin leader leaves the tower with her restrained. Izuru moves to try and help her but the distraction allows one of the assassins to slash his back and he is forced to defend himself again.

Angered, Izuru continues to fend off their attacks, pushing an assassin away angrily, knocking him flying. He charges at the rest of the group of assassins yelling loudly. Meanwhile, elsewhere, in the Seireitei the other Shinigami officers, facing off against one another, decide that they all have the same goal in trying to prove Ichigo's innocence or motivations. Izuru continues to battle the large amount of enemies, finally overcoming all of the assassins in the training ground. Panting heavily from his exertion and injuries, he asserts that he needs to catch up to Rurichiyo and runs in her direction, out of the stadium.

Battle
About to leave the stadium, a massive spinning disc spins towards Izuru from behind forcing him to use Shunpo in order to evade it. He lands back in the middle of the training ground before Reppū comes in for another attack which he parries and then evades as it crashes into the ground. Kibune appears on the roof of the training ground tower and asserts that Izuru is too slow in everything he does, insisting that Rurichiyo is long gone by now. Landing on his feet, Izuru stands up and accuses Kibune of being behind the entire conspiracy the whole time.

Kibune commends Izuru for being able to dodge his attack maintaining that he is worthy of the position of Lieutenant. While the bodies of the assassins glow orange and disappear, Kibune reflects that he gave them a Bakkōtō each even though they were low level fighters but it may have all been too much for them. Izuru demands to know if Kibune is working for the Kasumiōji clan but his subordinate merely laughs before asking Izuru to just die. He waves his hand and activates Reppū again, simultaneously attack Izuru while jumping down to the training ground. The Lieutenant manages to parry the attack but it pushes him back doing so. .

Suddenly, Aida's group appears, much to the surprise of the two combatants. Aida asks why they are fighting, and confirms the whereabouts of Amagai, much to Izuru's relief. He tells them to stay back, claiming that Kibune is now their enemy. The group then asks Kibune explain himself, but he replies that he'll simply kill them all. He uses Reppū to attack the three Shinigami. Shocked, they realize he is serious, and just about manage to evade the attack but are flung in different directions from Reppū's impact. As the disc circle back for another attack, Izuru intervenes, releasing his own Zanpakutō, Wabisuke in the process and blocks the attack.

Kibune continues to attack with Reppū while asserting that Izuru's squared hook can't hope to stand against his own weapon. Izuru continues to parry the attacks before hooking and then flinging the spinning blade back towards its owner. Kibune catches his weapon easily but it suddenly falls heavily to the ground much to its owners consternation and shock as he demands to know what Izuru did. Izuru reveals Wabisuke's special ability and how he has now exponentially increased the weight of his weapon until it has become so heavy he can no longer use it.

Izuru demands to know more about the Kasumiōji clan and their plans but Kibune rebuffs his attempts at getting answers and insists that the Kasumiōji clan is none of his concern. Kibune asserts that their vast wealth and power means that he can use their power to become the strongest Shinigami alive. Kibune puts a lot of effort into lifting his hand and suddenly, his Zanpakutō glows green, and to Izuru's surprise, it lifts off of the ground, regardless of the effects of his sword. He clashes with it in midair, shortly before it hurls him into the base of the training ground tower, destroying much of the wall. Retracting his weapon, Kibune laughs as the Lieutenant struggles to his feet.

Shaking with exertion, Izuru wonders why Wabisuke is no longer working against Reppū. He hides from Kibune to formulate a plan, demanding to know why Kibune isn't satisfied with his power. This greatly angers Kibune and he flings Reppū at his Lieutenant but Izuru easily dodges it and uses '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' to knock Kibune back against the wall in a fiery blast. Izuru lunges at Kibune, who calls out to Reppū. Izuru says that it is too late, but Kibune reveals his left arm, which is draped in his Bakkōtō, which releases green Reiatsu, causing the Lieutenant to get thrown backwards. Izuru balances himself, but he is no match for Kibune's superior speed, and ends up outside on the floor of the training ground after Kibune knocks him through the wall.

Kibune walks towards him, as Kira stands up once more. Green Reiatsu flows from his Bakkōtō, as his Reiatsu is sucked away, causing Kibune to groan in pain. Kira asks what sort of weapon is that, to which Kibune replies it is a Bakkōtō, and that it will evolve without limit due to his Reiatsu. Kibune states with spite that he was always looked down upon, even during his days at the Shinigami Academy. When he was finally granted entry into a squad, he was reprimanded for not caring about the lives of others when he fought, even though he was exceptional in his abilities. Kibune then states that the power he has isn't enough, that he will force every last Shinigami to bow down to him. Kira realizes that the katana is taking over his mind, as Kibune vows to remove Kira from his position as lieutenant. Kibune then proceeds to attack him, sending his Zanpakutō out mindlessly, as Kira dodges a multitude of attacks, before being smacked down to the ground. As Reppū begins to circle back towards him, Kira blocks it at the last minute, sending him hurtling backwards. Kira is then dealt a severe injury from the rotating blade, but he continues to fight him, much to Kibune's disbelief.

Kira releases his Reiatsu, upon hearing of Kibune's plan to slaughter the entire 3rd Division, stating that he would not allow that to happen. He then faces off against Kibune, this time being able to see through most of his battle strategy. He fires Kidō directly at Kibune, sending a plume of smoke rushing over him. However, Kibune emerges undeterred, as Kira states the power he obtained isn't truly his. He starts to overpower Kibune, eventually cracking the sheath on his sword concealing his Bakkōtō. As Kira does this, Wabisuke's power returns, causing Reppū to plummet to the ground once more.

Kibune refuses to lose, releasing more of his Reiatsu into the Bakkōtō, as it wraps itself around his torso, thus becoming possessed by the katana. As this is occurring, Aida's group lapses from unconsciousness, and they witness the spectacle going on. Kira vows to defeat Kibune, as the Lieutenant of the 3rd Division, as he charges towards him, resulting in his Zanpakutō getting shattered in half and his body consumed by fire, as his Bakkōtō slides away from his body.

Aftermath
Kira faints shortly afterwards, as his companions look after him.