Stray Snake, Tortured Monkey

Stray Snake, Tortured Monkey is the two hundred and fifty-eight episode of the Bleach anime.

Statistics

 * Original Airdate: February 16th, 2010
 * English Airdate:
 * Opening Song: Anima Rossa
 * Ending Song: Tabidatsu Kimi e
 * Manga Chapters: None
 * Kanji: 迷子の蛇 受難の猿
 * Romaji: "Maigo no hebi, jyunan no zaru"
 * Arc: Beast Swords arc

Synopsis
A Senkaimon opens in Karakura Town, out of which steps Renji and Zabimaru. Snakey wants to go chasing frogs, but Chimpette reels him in, reminding him they're here to capture the Tōjū. Snakey suggests splitting up, so Chimpette unchains him, warning him that he's not here for fun.

Renji and Chimpette locate the Tōjū, who uses a boomerang weapon. They are able to injure him and force him to retreat; he's heading for Snakey, but Snakey is distracted after having caught a fish, and is tossed aside, allowing the Tōjū to get away. Chimpette is not happy with Snakey goofing off. Snakey goes off on his own, and finds the hurt Tōjū. He decides he can battle him alone, but the Tōjū starts playing mind games with him, leading to him escaping again. Snakey wants some freedom to move on his own, and runs off.

With his newfound freedom, he decides to over-eat, but is stopped by Karin Kurosaki. She shouts out to the whole store, but Snakey leaves before anyone else can get there. Snakey is enjoying his freedom, but discovers that as he's a spirit no one can see him, which makes him wonder how Karin could see him. As he's salivating over ice-cream in the park, Karin and Yuzu find him again, though Yuzu cannot see him. Snakey follows Karin and Yuzu, and Yuzu invites him home.

Renji and Chimpette are both worried about Snakey, though Chimpette won't admit it; she thinks he's acting just like a Tōjū. Ichigo appears, and asks what's going on, since he notices Snakey isn't there. Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin and Snakey disagree on the merits of being solitary. After formal introductions, they try playing a few games, but Zabimaru doesn't understand. They decide to watch TV for a while, but they all end up falling asleep. Ichigo returns, and finds Snakey on the floor. Ichigo mentions Renji, causing an argument that wakes Karin and causes Snakey to run off.

He encounters the Tōjū again, and decides to fight. Snakey gains the upper hand, until Karin shows up and the Tōjū knocks her out and hold her hostage. He takes advantage of the situation to attack Snakey, but Renji intervenes before he takes too much damage. Snakey carries off Karin and leaves her with Ichigo, telling him not to let her know what has happened. She wakes up at home and asks Ichigo where Snakey is, but he implies she's just dreamt the whole thing up.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
This follows Renji, Chimpette and Snakey doing everything together; eating, buying sunglasses, sleeping...but Renji draws the line when it comes to going to the toilet.

Characters in Order of Appearance
Renji Abarai

Zabimaru

Tōjū

Karin Kurosaki

Yuzu Kurosaki

Ichigo Kurosaki

Powers and techniques used
Zanpakutō released
 * Zabimaru