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. Hebi, the snake half of Zabimaru, wants to go chasing frogs, but Saru reels him in, reminding him they're here to capture the Tōjū. Hebi suggests splitting up, so Saru, the monkey half, unchains him, warning him that he is not here for fun.

Renji and Saru locate the Tōjū, who uses a boomerang weapon. They are able to injure him and force him to retreat; he's heading for Hebi, but Hebi is distracted after having caught a fish, and is tossed aside, allowing the Tōjū to get away. Saru is not happy with Hebi goofing off. Hebi 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. Hebi 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 Hebi leaves before anyone else can get there. Hebi 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. Hebi follows Karin and Yuzu, and Yuzu invites him home.

Renji and Saru are both worried about Hebi, though Saru won't admit it; she thinks he's acting just like a Tōjū. Ichigo appears, and asks what's going on, since he notices Hebi isn't there. Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin and Hebi 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 Hebi on the floor. Ichigo mentions Renji, causing an argument that wakes Karin and causes Hebi to run off.

He encounters the Tōjū again, and decides to fight. Hebi 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 Hebi, but Renji intervenes before he takes too much damage. Hebi 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 Hebi is, but he implies she's just dreamt the whole thing up.

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

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * 1) Renji Abarai
 * 2) Zabimaru
 * 3) Boomerang Tōjū
 * 4) Karin Kurosaki
 * 5) Yuzu Kurosaki
 * 6) Ichigo Kurosaki

Powers and techniques used
Zanpakutō released

Shikai: