Tragedy of Dawn

Tragedy of Dawn is the thirty-fourth episode of the Bleach anime.

As the Gotei 13 deal with Renji's defeat, Yamamoto declares a war against the Ryoka.

Summary
Renji is shown still grasping Ichigo, then collapsing. Ichigo stands for a moment, breathing heavily, before collapsing as well. Ganju and Hanatarō rush to his aid. Hanatarō notices other Shinigami coming and Ganju grabs Ichigo's body as they retreat. Hanatarō follows closely with Zangetsu. We are left unsure if Renji is okay. Four figures, including Lieutenant Izuru Kira, arrive to help Renji, and Izuru marvels at Renji's defeat. Underground, Hanatarō explains that Fourth Squad is specifically taught to heal with their power and not fight. Hanatarō examines Ichigo and notes the astonishing ability for Ichigo to live despite all he's been through and announces his plan to heal Ichigo.

Elsewhere, Momo and Izuru mourn over Renji's near-death state. They are interrupted by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, who says no relief will be offered to Renji as punishment for his failure in battle. Momo tries to stand up for Renji, but Izuru won't let her for fear of what will happen to her. As Byakuya leaves, they are interrupted by Captain Gin Ichimaru, who says he'll defy Byakuya's orders and order the fourth squad to heal Renji. He and Izuru leave, an Captain Hitsugaya joins the array of captains to note Renji's condition, all of whom, Momo notes, are entering silently (and surprising the lieutenants) to view Renji's condition. She asks why he's there, and Hitsugaya warns her to be wary of Gin. He has a flashback of Aizen apparently accusing Gin of having a hand in the ryoka matters.

In an emergency Captains meeting later, Head Captain Yamamoto announces that the ryoka problem is growing seriously out of control. He authorizes the use of Zanpakutō releases inside the court. The captains seem quite pleased at this as Yamamoto announces this is now a war. Aizen glances at Gin for a time, as Gin stares straight ahead without noticing.

Then the scene changes to Hanatarō patching up Ichigo. Ichigo seems to have fuzzy memory and tries to stand to rescue Rukia. As soon as he picks up Zangetsu and attempts to leave, Ganju knocks him out cold so Hanatarō can finish his treatment. Hanatarō mourns the arrival of yet another wound and then notes that if Ichigo hadn't had a strange looking mask inside his clothes, Renji's blows would've been fatal. The mask looks strangely Hollow-like, with a crack where Renji's blade landed. There is a short flashback of the battle and some of Ichigo's cuts, then a switch to the Shrine of Pentinence. Rukia asks for news on the outside, and hears that Renji has been defeated.

Inside the holding cells, Renji seems to be under arrest, but has been cared for by fourth squad. Momo approaches his unconscious body and questions why his motives for fighting the ryoka. She has a flashback of her training days with Renji, when he seems to have fought her quite seriously. Izuru offers to be his sparring partner in Momo's place. Renji is quite cocky about this, but Izuru proves to be a better opponent than he expected. Renji stops the fight to talk to Rukia, and the flashback ends.

Another Shinigami approaches and informs Momo of Captain Yamamoto's newest order, authorizing the carry and release of Zanpakutō. Afraid of the inevitable battle and afraid of Hitsugaya's warning, Momo seeks Captain Aizen's comfort. Aizen does not seem bothered by the visit despite Momo's attempt to be polite and he eagerly invites her in.

Back underground, Ichigo wakes up. Ichigo recall's Ganju's blow, and Hanatarō advises him to rest more. Ichigo instead asks for Renji's state, and Hanatarō reports his guess (which is fairly accurate). Back to Momo, Aizen is eagerly reassuring her while writing away at something. The two discuss the ruling at the meeting earlier that day and Momo asks if she can stay with him to help her feel better. The next morning, she has long since fallen asleep. Aizen puts a blanket over her and leaves, while another figure watches him. Later, Momo suddenly awakens and begins apologizing for having fallen asleep. Aizen's alarm clock goes off, and she panics at her tardiness. While running to her scheduled meeting, she is suddenly distracted by something: a drop of blood. She slows and stops to look and see and screams. The other lieutenants hear her and rush to find her frozen in place. They all look up to see that Captain Aizen has been murdered, impaled to the wall with his own Zanpakutō!

Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
The featured character is Isane Kotetsu.

Fights
None

Powers and Techniques Used
Kidō used:
 * Healing Kidō used by Hanatarō

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:
 * Kyōka Suigetsu (鏡花水月, Mirror Flower, Water Moon) (secretly used)