Izuru Kira vs. Makoto Kibune

Prologue
Izuru is seen waiting outside of the Kasumiōji compound, believing it to be the place where 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 Amagai is with Ichigo Kurosaki, and is notified that there is a conspiracy within the Kasumiōji clan. After his brief conflict with Amagai, Ichigo asks him what they are going to do, to which he informs them that he is going to check out several places with them, returning his subordinates to the 3rd Division barracks.

He continues, stating that he only requested Aida and his group to assist them. Ichigo wonders why Amagai is so persistent in helping them, to which he says he has his own reasons. Rukia asks him to tell her those reasons, which he states he will do so, so long as they are in a safer area. As they do so, however, two Shinigami from the Seventh Division are eavesdropping, and try to report this to Captain Komamura. As they run, Amagai explains that his 3rd Seat is Kibune, and reveals that he has an association with the Kasumiōji Clan. Rukia wonders if Kibune's involvement is related to their predicament.

He informs them that he assigned Kira to keep an eyes on Kibune. He also says that Kibune is his responsibility, as he was the one who chose him as 3rd Seat, even going as far as to say that he'll take care of him personally if it comes to that. Shū asks them if they know where Rurichiyo is, to which Amagai says they'll search all of the buildins within Seireitei that are affiliated with the Kasumiōji clan. Meanwhile, a messenger relays Komamura's message to Yamamoto, who assumes that Shūsuke Amagai is a traitor, and as such, must be apprehended, and notifies all squads, hereby calling an emergency captain's meeting.

Hitsugaya informs Kyōraku and Ukitake of the situation regarding Amagai, and they are astounded. Hitsugaya then states that things are going to turn into chaos once more. Iba is seen leading a platoon of 7th Division members, in search of the criminals, under the logic that, since the 7th Division wass the first to find them, and as such, they should be given the glory of capturing them. As Iba is walking, he wonders why Amagai would possibly betray them, as he comes across Renji who is blocking their path, complete with his own search squad.

Iba states that this is far from the jurisdiction of the 6th Division, and tells them to leave. Renji and his squad proceed forwards, contrary to Iba's demand, as he tells Iba not to take it personally. Meanwhile, a similar scenario is taking place, in which the 11th Division members are stopped by the lieutenant of the 9th Division, Shūhei Hisagi, who tells them that they should return to whence they came, as this is the territory of the 9th Division. With that, the 11th Division charges forward, but are stopped by Ikkaku, who declares that he'll be his opponent. At the same time, Renji is forced to duel Iba.

Aida and his group report in, stating that there is nothing suspicious to be found, but hear reports about Amagai's affiliation with the Substitute Shinigami. They wonder whether Amagai will be alright, as it was always either Kira or Kibune's job to know about the captain's motives. Kira is seen searching 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. Kira realises 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. Yamamoto commences the captains' meeeting, stating that Ichigo and Rukia should be apprehended alongside Amagai, who acted as their accomplice. However, Ukitake is quick to come to their defence, 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.

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, Kira comes across several other divison members standing over a brown blanket. Kira asks them what is wrong, to which they reply that this is the body of Sugama, who went missing last night. Kira recognizes him as the Shinigami who was sent to search for Kibune. Kira then runs in the direction of the training ground.

As Izuru enters the training ground, he hears faint footsteps echoing from above him. Rurichiyo is seen fiddling with the lock on her cage, and to her surprise, it opened. She steps eagerly out of the cage, and is instantly confronted by several of the assassins, who proceed to put her back in the cage. As Izuru watches from above them, and wonders who the men are, upon realisation that they are keeping Princess Rurichiyo from the Kasumiōji clan captive. He sends a Hell Butterfly to Captain Amagai, informing him of the situation, just as several daggers are thrown at him, which are deftly deflected by his sword.

The assassins quickly surround him, and their apparent leader signals for them to converge upon him, but Izuru is able to overpower them with ease. As Izuru confronts the leader, he started laughing in a mocking tone, stating that it is the other way round. Before Izuru can react, more of the assassins appear, as the leader equips his Bakkōtō, causing orange reiatsu to flow into the sword. The assassins then take this as their cue to strike, as one is able to successfully knock him back, as he seeks refuge in the main arena of the training ground, and is instantly surrounded.

As Izuru struggles to ward off the group's efforts, he wonders how their reiatsu inexplicably increased. However, he hears the struggling cries of Rurichiyo, who is being dragged away by another assassin. Izuru tries to stop them from taking her away, but is quickly surrounded by assassins, preventing him from moving forwards. He manages to push them away, and charges towards the main group of assassins. He manages to defeat them all, but the effort has pushed him to his limit, as he pants heavily. He shrugs off his injuries, attempting to follow the assassins, but as he does, a spinning blade approaches him, cutting him off from the exit.

Izuru uses Flash Step to avoid the attack, and turns to face off against another attck from the spinning disc, which he effectively evades. Kibune then comments upon the slow nature of Kira' movements, and affirms that Rurichiyo is long gone, to which Kira realises that he was the main mastermind behind the Kasumiōji conspiracy. Meanwhile, Amagai goes with Ichigo to help rescue Rurichiyo, Rukia protecting Shū, and Aida and his group moving out to assist Kira. .

Meanwhile, back at the training ground, Kibune commends Kira's prowess in dodging his attack, stating that he is worthy of the title Lieutenant. He stares down at the assassins, telling him that, although they were low-olevel fighters, he decided to give them Bakkōtō, as their bodies evaporate into nothing. Kira then asks whether he is allied with the Kasumiōji clan, to which he laughs, telling Kira to die. He then sends his Zanpakutō hurtling towards Kira, proceeding to repeatedly attack the Lieutenant.

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 Kira's relief. He tells them to stay back, claiming that Kibune is now their enemy. The group then asks for Kibune's opinion on the matter, to which he replies that he'll kill them all. He turns his Zanpakutō,Reppū, into a spinning blade, and proceeds to attack the three Shinigami. Upon realising that his threats are real, they dodge in the nick of time as Kira tells them to leave. As Reppū circles back for a second attack, Kira intervenes, releasing the powers of his own Zanpakutō, Wabisuke, effectively blocking Kibune's onslaught.

Kibune boasts, stating that Kira's "squared hook" can't possibly stand up to his own Zanpakutō's power