The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumiōji

'''The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumiōji''' is the one hundred seventy-third episode of the Bleach anime.

Rurichiyo becomes targeted by more assassins after secretly returning to the Soul Society.

Summary
Ichigo is woken abruptly by the frantic cries of Kenryū and Enryū, who break through his window, informing him that Rurichiyo has gone missing once more. Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Kasumiōji compound's Senkaimon, Rurichiyo sneaks past the guards, before encountering Gyōkaku Kumoi, who tells her vassals to return her back to the palace via palanquin.

When her procession leaves, Kumoi tells Hanza to come out of hiding. He then tells him to use this rare opportunity to assassinate Rurichiyo whilst her guards are absent. At the entrance to the Senkaimon, Ichigo and Rukia come out, and are immediately attacked by the guards, before being told to stand down by Kenryū and Enryū. The group then proceed to split up search for her throughout Soul Society.

As Ichigo is walking through the main street, wondering where Rurichiyo went, Rukia comes across Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru. He asks Rukia whether or not Ichigo is here, to which Kenpachi senses his reiatsu from afar. Rukia tries to stop him from finding Ichigo, as it will make things difficult in the search for the missing princess. Meanwhile, Rurichiyo's bodyguards are unable to find her in the palace, whereupon they discover her hat and enter the building, to which they are sealed in by Kumoi.

Rurichiyo's procession arrives at the palace, where she is greeted by fellow noble Sayori. As she enters the palace, Ichigo notices her and attempts to enter the building. Sayori dismisses her vassals, to which they display a more casual greeting, and she enters the tea room. Rurichiyo and Sayori practice their secret handshake, to which Sayori is pleased that she remembered. Inside the room, Kenryū and Enryū exit forcefully from the window, telling Rurichiyo that they are on their way.

Meanwhile, Ichigo casually walks up to the entrance, whereupon the guards refuse his entry. Despite his pleas, the guards refuse to listen to him, so he uses Shunpo to evade them, and he enters the manor grounds. He appears before Rurichiyo, causing her to spit tea all over his face, as Rurichiyo asks him what he is doing here. He asks her the same question, stating that she left without informing them. He then tells her to come with him, to which she refuses outright.

Ichigo is then surrounded by the guards, who catch up. He asks Rurichiyo for help, who denies that she knows who he is. As Rurichiyo leaves, Ichigo follows suit, using Shunpo to confuse the guards. Rurichiyo comes across a sobbing girl, as Rurichiyo consoles her. The girl then takes her to an abandoned section of the manor, in which she reveals a dagger, attempting to kill a stumbling Rurichiyo. As the assassin towers over her, Ichigo blocks the killing blow with his Zangetsu.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Byakuya is seen observing Yachiru ride around on a scooter. He asks her what she is doing, to which she says that Pinball-head made it for her birthday. He then asks her what she is doing in his manor, and she states that she is doing so because it is big. Byakuya thinks to himself that chasing after her would be a waste of time. Then, Nemu appears from a hidden door in the hallway, announcing that the tea party is ready, as Yachiru speeds back, much to Byakuya's surprise.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Rurichiyo Kasumiōji
 * Gyōkaku Kumoi
 * Hanza Nukui
 * Ichigo Kurosaki
 * Rukia Kuchiki
 * Ryūsei Kenzaki
 * Rusaburō Enkōgawa
 * Uryū Ishida (flashback)
 * Orihime Inoue (flashback)
 * Yasutora Sado (flashback)
 * Kenpachi Zaraki
 * Yachiru Kusajishi
 * Sayori
 * Unnamed Assassin

Fights

 * Kira's Concern, Kibune Goes to War (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Shinigami Techniques:

Zanpakutō released:

Shikai: