Gin Ichimaru's Temptation, Resolution Shattered

 is the fifty-third episode of the Bleach anime.

11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki and his subordinates battle the 7th and 9th Division captains and lieutenants.

Summary
Standing across from Rukia Kuchiki, who is flanked by four members of the Kidō Corps, on the bridge leading to Sōkyoku Hill, 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru chides Rukia for not addressing him as Captain Ichimaru and asserts that she will be scolded by her brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, if she does not change her attitude, only to chuckle and casually state that he was kidding before promising to not tell on her when a sweating Rukia nervously apologizes and addresses him formally.

Upon being asked by Rukia why he is here, Gin claims that he was out for a walk and decided to visit just so he could tease Rukia a bit. Rukia mentally asserts that she has always hated Gin and recalls how Gin would come over to talk to Byakuya after they became captains of their respective divisions while Byakuya was walking with her, and though a casual observer would not have seen anything special in their meaningless conversations, she broke into a cold sweat the first time she saw Gin.

Detailing how every aspect of Gins body language felt like that of a hungry snake, to the point where it felt like his hands were around her throat and leaving her unable to blink even while he talked to Byakuya, Rukia remembers how Gin's venom seeped into the small cracks of everyday life and left her feeling intense fear around him, leading her to ruminate that something deep inside her was repulsed by everything about him, a feeling which never went away no matter how many times she talked to him and persists even now. When Gin asks her what is wrong and observes that she seems distracted, a sweating Rukia apologizes.

Suddenly, Gin observes that 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai does not seem to be dead yet, startling Rukia, who realizes that she can indeed sense Renji's Reiatsu, though it is weak. When Gin notes that he will be dead soon, Rukia looks at him in shock, and as Gin expresses sympathy for Renji since he was only trying to save her, Rukia demands that he not speak of Renji so lightly. Gin asks Rukia if she is afraid, stunning her, and points out how she does not want Renji and the others to die before elaborating how she must not want to die now that she is thinking about the possibility of her loved ones dying, leaving Rukia speechless.

Amused by this, Gin offers to save Rukia, to the shock of both her and the Kidō Corps members, and approaches her while observing he could save her and her friends this instant if he wanted to. However, as an initially incredulous Rukia begins to believe he may mean it even though he has no reason to save any of them, Gin rests his hand on her head and reveals he was just kidding, leaving Rukia speechless while her eyes widen. With Gin bidding her farewell and promising to see her at the Sōkyoku, Rukia notes she thought she had given up hope and lost all reason to live, with no regrets and no fear of death, but was shaken by having hope dangled in front of her.

Concluding with horror that Gin made her want to live and made her resolve crumble, Rukia falls to her knees and screams in despair while Gin smiles maliciously behind her. Elsewhere, on the damaged pavilion, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki blocks the simultaneous attacks of 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura and 9th Division Captain Kaname Tōsen, who are shocked by this. After berating them for fretting over such a small feat, Kenpachi kicks Tōsen in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall on the other side of the pavilion, and as Komamura expresses concern for Tōsen, Kenpachi questions where he is looking.

Kenpachi grabs Komamura's wrist and flips him over, creating a sizable explosion of force on impact, and admonishes him and Tōsen for calling themselves captains with this level of strength. With Kenpachi demanding that they at least use their Bankai against him before they die, Komamura asserts that a traitor like Kenpachi is not worthy of Bankai, but Tōsen agrees to perform it while walking up from behind. As he begins spinning his Zanpakutō around on his finger by the ring on its hilt, Tōsen begins recounting the three methods of becoming a captain of the Gotei 13, the first of which is passing the captain's exam in front of three or more captains.

After noting that this group must include the Captain-Commander, Tōsen goes on to describe the other two methods of receiving recommendations from six or more captains and having three of the seven remaining captains approve it, or defeating the previous captain in the presence of no less than 200 members of their division. When Kenpachi questions why this is relevant, Tōsen explains that he has felt a deep unease about Kenpachi, which has since become a certainty, ever since he killed Kenpachi Kiganjō and details his belief that Kenpachi is a demon who thrives on violence and blood, is different from the other captains, and will one day destroy the peace.

Pointing out how Kenpachi is now aiding the Ryoka and fighting against him and Komamura, which threatens to bring even more chaos to the Seireitei, Tōsen attributes this to Kenpachi's insatiable bloodlust and his love of fighting for its own sake before inquiring if he is wrong. With Kenpachi interpreting this as Tōsen saying that he is the hero of justice and encouraging him to attack if he hates Kenpachi so much, Tōsen stops spinning his Zanpakutō and clarifies that he does actually harbor any hatred for Kenpachi, but instead finds him unforgivable for his every action and word threatening the peace they have worked so hard to establish.

As Tōsen concludes he must erase Kenpachi in the name of peace despite not hating him, Komamura realizes he is serious and leaps to the other side of the destroyed bridge while Tōsen spins the ring on the hilt of his Zanpakutō and expands it to roughly his height before activating his Bankai, which causes the ring to split apart into nine identical rings that fly outward and form a circular perimeter around the pavilion. After spinning further, each of the rings gather dark energy and release it outward, forming a massive black dome over the pavilion which shrouds the interior in darkness as Tōsen activates his Bankai, Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi.

Tōsen states that this entire space is his Bankai, and as he approaches Kenpachi, Tōsen observes that the latter could not have expected this, only to note that he likely cannot see anything while walking past a motionless Kenpachi, who internally wonders why he cannot see or hear anything. Suddenly, Tōsen cuts Kenpachi's left shoulder with his Zanpakutō and inquires what he thinks about a world without light or sound before explaining how his Bankai removes the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and Reiatsu from those within it to create a dark and silent hell, with the only one who can escape this hell being the one who wields Suzumushi.

When Kenpachi attempts to reach out to him, Tōsen slashes him across the back and declares that this is useless because even the most skilled swordsman feels a twinge of fear in total darkness, which slows reactions. Tōsen begins to detail how being born into a world without light like he was removes this fear, but is interrupted when a grinning Kenpachi slams his Zanpakutō into the ground near Tōsen's feet, shocking him. As he observes Kenpachi from several meters away, Tōsen realizes that he truly is a monster because he never felt any fear to begin with and proclaims that he will not give Kenpachi a chance to feel fear while rushing toward him.

Meanwhile, within the Study Chamber inside Sōkyoku Hill, a panting Ichigo Kurosaki kneels with a broken sword and refuses to give up before grabbing another sword and attacking Zangetsu, who blocks with Zangetsu. Leaping back from their clash, Ichigo and Zangetsu glow with blue Reiatsu and resume their battle while Yoruichi Shihōin watches from afar and mentally tells Ichigo that they do not have any time left. Above, Rukia falls to her knees in front of the Sōkyoku and chides herself for having such weak resolve. Elsewhere, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi sees Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi from a rooftop far away.

After wondering if Tōsen is having a tough battle, Hisagi decides to head over there quickly, only to be interrupted when 11th Division 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa asserts that he has not lost yet. Though Hisagi points out that he has no chance of winning, Yumichika clarifies that the Eleventh Division considers losing to be dying, and when Hisagi asserts that this is not what the Ninth Division thinks, Yumichika notes that their differing philosophies are why they are fighting. Picking up on Yumichika's mention of a fight, Hisagi instructs Yumichika to put down his sword because a 5th Seat cannot defeat a lieutenant, prompting Yumichika to decide to tell him a secret.

Yumichika reveals that he is only the 5th Seat because he does not like the kanji for the number 4, to Hisagi's confusion, and elaborates that he considers the kanji for "three" to be the most beautiful character, but since Ikkaku Madarame is the 3rd Seat, he decided to go with "five" since it looks more like "three". As he informs Hisagi that the Eleventh Division also has an unspoken rule of only using their Zanpakutō for melee attacks because they look down on Kidō techniques as men who live to fight, Yumichika holds out his Shikai, Fuji Kujaku and declares that he will show Hisagi his Zanpakutō's real power while the blades of Fuji Kujaku glow green.

With the blades of Fuji Kujaku transforming into peacock-feathered vines, Yumichika raises the question of what the true power of his Zanpakutō is and requests that Hisagi not tell Ikkaku or Kenpachi since he does not want them to hate him, leaving Hisagi shocked. Meanwhile, on the damaged bridge, Renji envisions 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana walking away from him and opens his eyes as he notes that he is alive, only to discover that 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada is healing him instead while the latter greets him. When Renji demands to know why Hanatarō is healing him, Rikichi Yuki reveals that he brought Hanatarō here.

After Rikichi elaborates that he thought Hanatarō would be willing to help Renji with his injuries because he was arrested for trying to save Rukia, Hanatarō states that Rikichi found an opportunity to let him out of his cell. However, upon being thanked by Renji, Hanatarō reveals that someone tended to his injuries before they arrived, which he believes could only have been Unohana, to Renji's shock. With Hanatarō tells Renji to not give up since Ichigo will save Rukia, Rikichi echoes this and admits with distress in his voice that he could not believe Renji had lost to a Ryoka, broken out of jail, or raised his sword against members of his own division.

Despite this, Rikichi calms down and reminds Renji he joined the Sixth Division because Renji is his hero while pointing to the tattoo above his eyebrow before concluding he wants Renji to live and be cool by fighting for what he believes in no matter what, to Renji's astonishment. Back inside Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi, a panting Tōsen wonders how Kenpachi can counter him despite lacking his senses of sight, hearing, smell, and Reiatsu perception while rushing toward Kenpachi, who leans to the left just as Tōsen's blade begins to cut into his right side, and as Tōsen observes he has once again dodged a fatal blow, Kenpachi stabs at his head.

While narrowly avoiding Kenpachi's Zanpakutō by leaning back at the last second, receiving only a small cut to his cheek, Tōsen handsprings away twice and notes Kenpachi's counterattacks get more accurate each time he parries, leading him to question if Kenpachi really is a demon. Holding up the bloody tip of his Zanpakutō, Kenpachi observes he managed to get a hit this time and bemoans how annoying this sense-destroying Bankai is, but admits having his sense of touch intact allows him to avoid death by feeling Tōsen's blade at the moment of contact and dodging so he can counterattack. However, Kenpachi mentally declares he is bored of making small cuts.

After concluding that it is more fun to cut people into pieces, Kenpachi wonders what he should do next with an inability to see or hear and a lack of talent for Reiatsu sensing. While bemoaning how he has to waste time thinking like this, Kenpachi envisions his lieutenant, Yachiru Kusajishi, suggesting that he used his instincts, which Kenpachi points out is what he is already doing, and Ikkaku proposing that he use his mind's eye to envision Tōsen, which Kenpachi notes with irritation would have left Tōsen dead if he could do such a thing, before imagining Yumichika suggesting that Kenpachi give up beautifully as he would do in this situation.

Despite initially dismissing this, Kenpachi smiles as he realizes that this method actually gives him a way to easily determine Tōsen's position. While running toward Kenpachi, Tōsen observes that he is smiling again, meaning that he is still enjoying the fight even after all this, and declares that Kenpachi is too dangerous to be allowed to live before stabbing at Kenpachi with his Zanpakutō. When his blade pierces Kenpachi's chest and emerges from his back, Tōsen wonders why he did not dodge, only to be shocked when Kenpachi grabs his sword hand and regains his senses. Greeting a stunned Tōsen, Kenpachi slashes him across the chest.

With Tōsen speechless as he bleeds, Kenpachi questions if he regained his senses because he is touching Tōsen or because he is touching Tōsen's Zanpakutō, though he dismisses it as irrelevant while pulling Tōsen's Zanpakutō out of his chest. As he encourages Tōsen to attack once more, Kenpachi asserts that he knows the trick now and promises to catch Tōsen's next strike before it can pierce his body. Kenpachi lets go of Tōsen's hand, losing his senses once more, and Tōsen backs up several feet as the severed part of his haori and shihakushō fall down. Refusing to lose, Tōsen proclaims that he cannot lose to the likes of Kenpachi.

In the past, a young Tōsen sits beneath a starry sky with Kakyō, who explains how she wants to gather up all the clouds so they can never obscure the light which shines from the stars, a sentiment which Tōsen finds beautiful. Some time later, Kakyō tells Tōsen that she is going to become a Shinigami, only to die and be visited by Tōsen at her funeral. In the present, Tōsen proclaims that he will become justice itself if there is not enough justice in the world so he can wipe out evil like wind casts away clouds in the sky with all the justice in his being before rushing toward Kenpachi and attacking him, only for the latter to catch Tōsen's hand mid-swing.

With Tōsen struggling to free himself, Kenpachi slashes him across the chest once more, causing Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi to burst open and fall apart as Komamura expresses concern for Tōsen. While a heavily bleeding Tōsen refuses to give up, an annoyed Kenpachi declares that he quits because it is boring to fight someone who is already half-dead and begins walking away as he asserts that dying preventing people from fighting anymore makes it futile. Tōsen attempts to stab Kenpachi in the back, though his Zanpakutō fails to pierce Kenpachi's skin, and declares that he will stop Kenpachi even if it costs him his life.

However, when Kenpachi concludes that he will just kill Tōsen if he wants to die so badly and swings his Zanpakutō at Tōsen, Komamura appears between them and blocks Kenpachi's Zanpakutō with his wrist while pulling Tōsen back by his Zanpakutō. Komamura instructs Tōsen to stop since Kenpachi will never listen to him, and with Komamura's helmet beginning to fall apart due to having been damaged by Kenpachi's Zanpakutō, Tōsen tries to apologize to him, prompting Komamura to assure him that it is fine. With the rest of the helmet falling off, Kenpachi expresses his surprise at this being what was underneath as Komamura is revealed to be a humanoid wolf.

Komamura observes that he does not look shocked, and when Kenpachi asserts that outward appearances have nothing to do with fighting abilities and that his only concern is if Komamura looking like a beast means that he fights with the strength of a beast as well, Komamura notes that Kenpachi only sees what is on the surface with no respect for an opponent's inner strength, which Komamura considers to be his weakness. After informing Kenpachi that he is not kind like Tōsen is, Komamura activates his Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, summoning a giant warrior with an equally large sword that leans over the side of the pavilion behind him.

With Komamura proclaiming that is time for the kind of fight to the death which a loves, a laughing Kenpachi welcomes this because it means that he can go all-out and encourages Komamura to reincarnate once he is killed so they can do this all over again. Meanwhile, on Sōkyoku Hill, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stands before Rukia with his lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe, and declares that they will now begin the execution. While Rukia looks up at the Sōkyoku, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng stands with her lieutenant, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, and observes that very few people have shown up for this, to Marechiyo's confusion.

Suì-Fēng points out how the only divisions with both their captain and lieutenant in attendance are the First Division, Second Division, and Eighth Division, with Shunsui Kyōraku and Nanao Ise standing nearby next to 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, and admits that the Fifth Division, Eleventh Division, and Twelfth Division not being present makes sense before questioning where the rest of them are, with even Unohana being absent. Suddenly, Suì-Fēng is surprised to see 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki arriving at the ceremony, and as a stunned Rukia addresses him, Byakuya looks away and joins the other Shinigami.

While Rukia looks down in dismay, Yamamoto inquires if she has any last words, which Rukia confirms that she does after some contemplation.

Kon-Sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide
Kon introduces several prominent Shinigami in rapid succession;
 * 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, whose cleavage Kon describes as divine;
 * 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana, whom Kon calls "Mom";
 * 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, whom Kon says is his kid sister from today onward;
 * 8th Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise, whom Kon begs to scold him;
 * 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng, with Kon wondering if she is a zashiki-warashi spirit;
 * Former Onmitsukidō Commander Yoruichi Shihōin, whom Kon states can turn into a cat.

Fights

 * Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Kaname Tōsen & Sajin Komamura
 * Yumichika Ayasegawa vs. Shūhei Hisagi (concluded)

Powers and Techniques Used
Zanpakutō released:

Shikai:

Bankai:

Anime Notes
Removed Content= Added/Expanded Content= Censorship= Changes= Trivia=
 * Rukia Kuchiki accusing Gin Ichimaru of lying when he mentions Renji Abarai trying to save her.
 * Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen slashing down at Kenpachi Zaraki prior to the latter blocking them.
 * Kenpachi stating that he already knows the three methods for becoming a captain of the Gotei 13 after Tōsen details them.
 * Tōsen being present for Kenpachi becoming the new captain of the Eleventh Division with a different appearance.
 * Tōsen's belief that Kenpachi cannot be allowed to stay a captain of the Gotei 13.
 * Tōsen reacting with irritation to Kenpachi grinning and observing that the latter is right at home in the dark hell created by his Bankai.
 * Shūhei Hisagi wondering if Tōsen is using his Bankai to toy with his opponent.
 * Hisagi assuming that it would be shameful for Yumichika Ayasegawa to die in a fight since the Eleventh Division loves fighting and Yumichika correcting him on this.
 * Rikichi Yuki giving Renji new clothing and Hanatarō Yamada asking him to save Rukia, which Renji agrees to.
 * Kenpachi noting that he cannot sense Reiatsu, see, hear, or smell prior to detailing how retaining his sense of touch is saving him.
 * Kenpachi mentioning that retaining his sense of touch allows him to keep holding his sword.
 * Kenpachi observing that he will not beat Tōsen with just his instincts and reflexes because the latter is a captain and admitting that he found the effects of Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi to be new and interesting at first.
 * Kenpachi concluding that he has to home in on Tōsen's location in order to cut him.
 * Kenpachi bemoaning Tōsen hiding instead of them hacking each other to pieces.
 * Tōsen assuming that Kenpachi's warped love of combat gave him an opening after the latter lets himself get stabbed.
 * Most of Tōsen's flashback with Kakyō, including Kakyō explaining that she believes the night sky is comparable to the state of the world and Tōsen's entire internal monologue about his reaction to her worldview, Kakyō being killed by her husband over a petty argument, and Tōsen concluding that he should seek the power to impose peace if simply wishing for peace and justice is not enough, as well as their discussion after Kakyō reveals that she is going to become a Shinigami and Tōsen taking the Zanpakutō from her coffin.
 * Komamura telling Tōsen to say no more as his helmet falls apart.
 * The rings forming Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi filling with dark energy after being sent out by Tōsen.
 * Ichigo Kurosaki continuing his Bankai training against Zangetsu despite Yoruichi Shihōin noting that there is no time left.
 * Rukia reaching the Sōkyoku and berating herself for her weak resolve.
 * Renji thanking Hanatarō for healing him and the latter revealing that Retsu Unohana must have healed his major injuries prior.
 * Hanatarō and Rikichi telling Renji to not lose hope because Ichigo will save Rukia.
 * Rukia looking at the Sōkyoku while the execution ceremony begins.
 * When inside Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi and not touching Tōsen's Zanpakutō, all of Kenpachi's blood is grayscaled along with the rest of his body.
 * When fighting Hisagi, Yumichika is scuffed and bruised rather than bloody.
 * Tōsen is not bleeding as much after each time he is slashed by Kenpachi.
 * In the manga, Rukia finishes her internal monologue about how uncomfortable Gin makes her feel after the latter draws her attention; here, she does so beforehand.
 * In the manga, prior to flipping Komamura over, Kenpachi asserts that his criticism of Tōsen applies to Komamura as well; here, he instead asks Komamura where he is looking.
 * In the manga, after Tōsen explains his views on him, Kenpachi encourages the former to use his Bankai; here, he simply encourages Tōsen to attack him.
 * In the manga, Rukia's execution commences and Yamamoto asks her for her last words while Kenpachi is still fighting Tōsen; here, he does so as Kenpachi begins fighting Komamura.
 * In the manga, when Yumichika releases Ruri'iro Kujaku, his free hand is held near the burgeoning vines of his Shikai; here, it is absent.
 * In the manga, Unohana is present at Rukia's execution from the beginning and is not involved in any events prior; here, she is missing when the other captains and lieutenants are assembling, leading Suì-Fēng to comment on her absence, and heals the majority of Renji's injuries before Rikichi and Hanatarō find him.
 * In the manga, Renji is found and healed after the execution ceremony commences and the Sōkyoku being prepared for release is noticed around the Seireitei; here, he is found and healed prior to the execution ceremony beginning.
 * In the manga, Renji sits up when questioning why Hanatarō is healing him; here, he remains lying down for the duration of the scene.
 * In the manga, Hanatarō explains that the Eleventh Division trashed the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho while the Fourth Division was out, giving Rikichi the opportunity to sneak in and unlock his cell; here, Hanatarō simply states that Rikichi waited for an opportunity to unlock his cell.
 * In the manga, Tōsen wonders how Kenpachi is countering him internally; here, he does so out loud.
 * In the manga, Tōsen performs five handsprings to get away from Kenpachi after the latter successfully cuts him; here, he only performs two.
 * In the manga, Tōsen's monologue about becoming justice is internal; here, he says it out loud.
 * In the manga, Kenpachi's Zanpakutō cuts deeply into Komamura's helmet, which begins cracking immediately; here, Kenpachi's Zanpakutō does not cut as deep, and the helmet only begins cracking after Komamura removes the Zanpakutō.
 * In the manga, when commenting on the low attendance of the execution, Suì-Fēng notes that only the Second Division, Fourth Division, and Eighth Division showed up while looking at Unohana, Isane Kotetsu, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Nanao Ise standing nearby; here, Suì-Fēng specifies that she is referring to the divisions with both their captain and lieutenant in attendance, and because Unohana is absent due to having spent time healing Renji, Suì-Fēng instead notes that the First Division, Second Division, and Eighth Division meet this criteria while commenting on Unohana's absence when wondering where the rest are.
 * In the manga, Tōsen initially forms nine large rings when activating his Bankai, but when he sends them out, 10 are visible; here, only 9 are visible at all times.