The Fall of Yoshino Sōma

 is a major event taking place during the Bount Invasion; having resolved to do everything in her power to stop Jin Kariya despite Uryū Ishida's protests, Yoshino Sōma fights him and is killed, allowing Kariya to create the Bitto.

Prelude
Within the Urahara Shop at nighttime, Uryū Ishida and Yoshino Sōma lies on bed mats under blankets in bandages while Ururu Tsumugiya has Jinta Hanakari carry a tub of hot water across the room and place it next to her, Tessai Tsukabishi, and Kon, though she points out that he did not need to boil so much water since they are not helping someone give birth to a child, prompting an irritated Jinta to tell her to shut up and assert that it may be of some use anyway.

However, Tessai reveals that he will be healing Uryū and Yoshino using a special method that does not require hot water, to Jinta's surprise, as Kon mocks his intelligence. Angered by this, Jinta picks up Kon and begins stretching out his head while claiming he is dirty, frightening Kon, before deciding to clean him and throwing Kon in the hot water, only for a pleased Kon to admit that it actually feels nice because the water is just the right temperature while relaxing with apple juice.

An enraged Jinta demands that Kon stop relaxing and stomps him underwater, where Kon complains about his stuffing coming out, leading Tessai to admonish them for being loud around injured people with enough force to send them both flying into the double doors on the other side of the room, followed by Kon meekly apologizing while Jinta crashes partly through the material. Meanwhile, in the central room, Ichigo Kurosaki sits silently around the main table with Rukia Kuchiki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, and the Mod-Souls in their plushie bodies while he looks down despondently, to Orihime's concern.

An unnerved Urahara requests that Ichigo be more cheerful and Renji comments on how bleak and stagnant the atmosphere is as Rukia asks Yoruichi about the new information she has received from Soul Society, which prompts Yoruichi to note that there was progress at the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. In 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi's laboratory in the SRDI in the past, he stands before the main computer terminal with his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake as the computer analyzes a large amount of data on the screen.

Upon being asked by a confused Hitsugaya what this is, Mayuri points out how there should not be any data that he cannot access as the President of the SRDI and states that he was able to remove the lock within the system, though it took him some time, before turning to Nemu, who begins bringing up images of the Bount in Jin Kariya's group while Mayuri identifies them as the ones causing trouble in the Human World and describes them as a tribe who can extend their lifespans by feeding on Human Souls, but is annoyed when Nemu does not continue bringing up images and orders her to hurry up, which she complies with by bringing up images of Quincy.

With Mayuri revealing that the Quincy and Bount clashed in the past, the screen displays footage recorded by the Onmitsukidō of giant bat, man-shaped wolf, and sword-wielding clay construct Dolls rushing toward a group of Quincy, who destroy them with Heilig Pfeil fired from various Heilig Bogen before they are engulfed in a torrent of flame released by a dragon-like Doll, ending the recording with static. A separate recording shows another group of Quincy being felled by the weapons and attacks of similar Dolls that also ends abruptly, which Mayuri points to as evidence that the Bount were specifically attacking a single Quincy during this battle.

When asked by Shunsui what happens next, Mayuri clarifies that this is the only recording he has due to how old it is, leading Shunsui to express interest in learning about the rest of the skirmish, and reveals that he does not know if the leading Quincy in the video were killed by the Bount as he turns to Nemu to explain what happened next. At Mayuri's prompting, Nemu recounts how the Bount continued to devour the Souls of living Humans for a while afterward, stunning Hitsugaya, and details the single law of the Bount prohibiting them from absorbing non-dead Souls before pointing to data displaying a decrease in the quantity of Souls as proof that they began defying this law after the battle.

However, Mayuri cuts Nemu off by chastising her for saying something unnecessary, and when Ukitake asks him what happened afterward, Mayuri reiterates that he does not know, but warns Shunsui, Ukitake, and Hitsugaya that the Bount begin breaking their law and attacking living Humans whenever they come together as a group and need a certain Quincy for their purposes. After admitting that he does not know if the current incidents are related to the battle detailed in this old record, a grinning Mayuri concludes that the Bount will definitely begin to openly attack living Humans, leaving Shunsui, Ukitake, and Hitsugaya staring at him in shocked silence.

Back in the Urahara Shop in the present, a stunned Ichigo inquires if this is true, leading her to observe that she would not believe it if anyone other than Ukitake had come to her in a panic to relay the information, which means that there is no reason to question it. Bringing up Kariya's intention to use Uryū's Quincy powers to open a portal to Hueco Mundo, Rukia questions if this is why the Bount need the energy of Souls from living Humans and why Kariya needs Quincy abilities to do this, but Yoruichi reminds her that they only have circumstantial evidence right now and cannot easily make a decision before asserting that they must stop the Bount from attacking Humans.

Ichigo interrupts Yoruichi and explains that he does not understand the purpose behind Kariya's plan to absorb the Souls of Humans and use a Quincy's power simply to go to Hueco Mundo, only for Yoruichi to state that they would not have any problems if they understood this. As he recalls Kariya restraining and overpowering him with a single finger during their previous fight, Ichigo wonders what someone as powerful as he is plans to do by gaining even greater power, and with Rukia concerned by his train of thought, Ichigo points out that Kariya is incredibly strong without relying on cheap tricks, prompting Urahara to inquire if he is afraid of Kariya.

Though he denies this, Ichigo admits that he does not believe he can win in his current state when he thinks calmly about the situation, astonishing his friends. Suddenly, the group hears a rumbling outside the shop, leading Renji to express confusion at the sound, as Ganju Shiba rides a boar through the glass doors at the front and is sent crashing through the doors leading to the central room, where he breaks the circular table while the others stand up in shock. Sitting up, a laughing Ganju observes that it has been a while since he appeared, to Ichigo's irritation. Simultaneously, at the convenience store, 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada hands a customer his groceries.

Upon being asked by his manager where Ganju went, Hanatarō recalls him being in the store earlier, which leads the manager to believe that Ganju has gone to the bathroom and insists on this being the case despite Hanatarō being uncertain about it, to the latter's confusion. Back in the Urahara Shop, Urahara notes the damage that Ganju has inflicted and requests that he clean it up later, but Ganju simply laughs this off and tells Urahara to not worry about the small details while the boar wanders around the room. When Rukia asks him why he came here on a boar and where he even found one, Ganju mounts the boar and declares that there are unusual animals in the Human World.

Depression, Regret, Resolve, and Pride
Hearing this, Sado realizes that Ganju got the boar from a zoo as Ganju clarifies that this boar is nothing like Bonnie and brings up how Rukia has never met Bonnie. With Rukia reiterating her question about why he came here, Ganju recalls sensing a gloomy Reiatsu somewhere in Karakura Town and describes himself as the type to be bothered by such a thing, which led him to the Urahara Shop, before leaning down to Ichigo and identifying him as the gloomy one. While Ichigo reacts angrily to this, his friends notice that he indeed has a gloomy aura about him and are concerned by it while Urahara instruct them to open the windows, further irritating Ichigo with this insinuation.

However, Ganju proclaims that Ichigo is the same as rotten garbage and needs to be freshened as he demands to know if Urahara knows a good place for this. Insulted by Ganju calling him an old man, Urahara mentions that he is quite friendly with Kūkaku Shiba despite his appearance and opens a hatch in the floor to reveal the ladder leading to his Study Chamber before inviting the others to go underground, prompting Ganju to thank him and pop a Yuki Gikongan into his mouth, allowing his Soul to exit his Gigai. When told to exit his Gigai as well, an annoyed Ichigo begins to clarify this is his real body, only to be interrupted when Rukia pushes his Soul out with her Gokon Tekkō.

Before Ichigo can demand to know what Rukia is doing, Renji, now out of his Gigai as well, grabs Ichigo by the arms alongside Ganju and proclaims that he will be helping as well, which Ganju thanks him for as they pull Ichigo over to the entrance despite his protests. With Urahara watching in amusement, Ganju and Renji throw a screaming Ichigo down the hole. Meanwhile, at the burnt ruins of the Bount Mansion, Maki Ichinose watches as Jin Kariya walks through the wreckage and moves aside a large chunk of rubble to reveal a broken grandfather clock. Upon being asked by Ichinose if they can still use it, Kariya admits that he does not know and suggests fixing it to find out.

Kariya begins searching for a set of tools to do so in the wreckage, and when the other Bount approach, Ichinose stops them from advancing with an outstretched hand and offers to search for the tools himself, but Kariya assures him that it is fine and continues searching. Back at the Urahara Shop, Kon hangs on a clothesline by two clothespins outside and is prodded by Jinta with a stick until he begins spinning rapidly around the clothesline. Though Ururu complains about this, Jinta claims that he will be able to dry Kon off faster this way, and despite Kon requesting to not be dried off with clothespins in the middle of the night, Jinta smacks him with the stick to get him spinning again.

Poking his head out of the nearby window, Tessai orders them to stay quiet since they are disrupting the injured inside, cowing Jinta enough to meekly apologize as Ururu declares that she told him so, to his irritation. Inside, Uryū opens his eyes and looks over at Yoshino while asking her if it hurts, leading her to observe that the pain is not too bad thanks to the healing performed on her. When Yoshino apologizes for getting Uryū involved in something he has nothing to do with, Uryū counters that he is involved because the Bount are targeting him since he is a Quincy even without his powers. Pondering this, Yoshino recalls Kariya apologizing for getting her involved as well.

Despite this, Uryū notes that this is not what Kariya really felt, which Yoshino concurs with as she states that this is what shocked her most due to no one knowing what Kariya is truly like. With Uryū bringing up Kariya's plan to enter Hueco Mundo, Yoshino admits that she does not know what Kariya plans to do once he gets there, though she is certain that it is not worth breaking the law of the Bount and sacrificing Humans. Suddenly, Yoshino reveals that she also attacked living Humans, to Uryū's shock, and asserts that she is despicable before informing Uryū that the numbers of the Bount have been decided ever since they first appeared, leaving him confused.

Yoshino elaborates that Bount appeared among Humans during a certain period of time as a mutation and have never appeared since before concluding that no new life can be born from Bount, meaning they are a race that only dies slowly over months and years. Down in the Study Chamber, Ganju declares once again that Ichigo is scared and needs his cowardice straightened out, which Ichigo challenges him to do as he frees himself from Ganju's grasp. Bemused by this, Ganju leaps back and observes that Ichigo finally wants to do this as he tells Renji to go first, only for Renji to wonder why he has to do so. Inquiring if an Renji is scared as well, Ganju pushes him toward Ichigo.

While Ichigo questions where Ganju is going when the latter backs off, Renji announces his attack and rushes toward Ichigo with his Zanpakutō drawn before leaping into the air and coming down on Ichigo with a slash, which Ichigo blocks with his Shikai, Zangetsu. Blocking several more strikes from Renji, Ichigo finds himself being pushed back along the ground by Renji's fierce assault, though he manages to come to a stop and push back against Renji in a blade lock. Upon hearing Ganju claim that even he could take on Ichigo in his current state from a rock bluff behind him, Ichigo looks back at Ganju and demands that he come down here.

Suddenly, Renji warns Ichigo to not let his guard down and kicks him in the abdomen, sending Ichigo skidding across the ground on his back, and as Ichigo gets to his feet, Ganju uses Seppa to turn the top of the bluff into sand that flows down and completely engulfs a surprised Ichigo. As Ichigo pops out of the resulting mound of sand, Ganju performs Senpen Banka, detonating several fireworks next to Ichigo that create a rainbow plume of sparkles, only to find himself caught in the subsequent smoke cloud as well, causing him to cough violently and run away while Ichigo angrily swipes at him with Zangetsu. Running up another bluff, Ganju taunts Ichigo to catch him.

A lightly charred Ichigo orders Ganju to come down, but Ganju proclaims that there is no way he would ever come down before being interrupted by his cell phone ringing, leading him to answer a call from Hanatarō and learn that the convenience store is full of impatient customers while the manager believes that he has gone to the bathroom, meaning he has to return quickly. After assuring Hanatarō that he will be there soon, Ganju hangs up and explains why he has to leave to a confused Ichigo and Renji while walking away, leaving Renji to furiously berate him for inviting Renji here and leaving alone, though Ganju simply reiterates Hanatarō's request and bids them farewell.

With Ganju running off, Renji expresses disbelief at this manner of departure, but declares that it does not matter and turns around to slash at Ichigo horizontally, forcing the latter to duck as Renji slides past him. When Ichigo looks behind him, Renji has released his Shikai, Zabimaru, and leaps into the air to deliver a downward strike that sends Ichigo tumbling across the ground upon blocking it with Zangetsu. Admonishing Ichigo for being in a pathetic state that is full of openings just like Ganju said he was, Renji inquires if Ichigo is afraid of Kariya, and as Ichigo denies this, Renji questions when Ichigo became such a wimp, which Ichigo also denies.

While dust begins billowing away from him and Ichigo, Renji extends Zabimaru toward Ichigo, who runs forward and deflects Zabimaru with a swing of Zangetsu before blocking it with Zangetsu held overhead when the end segment crashes down onto him as he and Renji yell fiercely. Meanwhile, at the convenience store, Hanatarō bemoans how many customers there are and offers to warm up a customer's bento, which the customer accepts. When asked by the irate customers if there are no other employees to help them, a flustered Hanatarō requests that his manager take over the cash register, leading the manager to comment on Ganju still being in the bathroom.

The manager decides to go check on Ganju and runs off, leaving Hanatarō to urge him to take over the cash register instead before being confronted by more angry customers. At the bathroom door in the back of the store, the manager calls out to Ganju, who crashes through the wall and opens the door while apologizing for the delay and claiming to feel refreshed. With Ganju walking away to take over the cash register, the manager points to this as proof that he was right about Ganju being in the bathroom the whole time. Back at the Urahara Shop, Uryū asks Yoshino if she has any pride as a Bount and states that he has pride as a Quincy, to her surprise.

Detailing how Quincy are a tribe who were given power by God to protect people from Hollows, Uryū asserts that he will fulfill his heavenly duty with pride as a Quincy even if he is the only one left and closes his eyes, leaving Yoshino to muse on how nice the concept of pride sounds. Down in the Study Chamber, Renji clashes repeatedly with Ichigo and puts him in a blade lock as he demands to know when Ichigo began calculating his chances of winning or losing a battle, which he considers unsightly and the reason why Ichigo is scared. As he pushes Ichigo back, Renji points out how he never thought about being scared of losing when he charged into Soul Society.

With Renji jumping high into the air and extending Zabimaru down at him, Ichigo swings Zangetsu at the end segment, resulting in green energy surging outward from the point of contact while and Renji yell before the energy turns blue and blows Renji away. Ichigo walks out of the swirling and crackling dust cloud with Zangetsu over his shoulder and approaches Renji, who observes that he seems to have gained a little determination. When Ichigo continues to silently glare at him, an unnerved Renji claims that he was just giving Ichigo a friendly push and that the latter does not need to be mad about this, only for Ichigo to turn away and thank Renji as he departs.

Above them, Yoshino removes her bandages and kneels down beside a sleeping Uryū as she admits that he is right about there still being some pride in her. After leaning down to kiss Uryū on the forehead, Yoshino silently closes the door to the room and leaves the Urahara Shop while bidding Uryū farewell and thanking him, with Yoruichi and Urahara watching her depart from the entrance. Yoruichi notes that Yoshino will die this time, but Urahara asserts that some people cannot settle things without doing this, and when Yoruichi expresses confusion at his wording, Urahara clarifies that Yoshino will be settling the score with her life.

In response, Yoruichi informs Urahara that she will be traveling to Soul Society since she cannot stand being led by vague information like this and wants to check out the truth with her own eyes before disappearing in a flash of light, leaving Urahara to acknowledge this and stand silently in the road. As dawn breaks, Uryū wakes up and discovers that Yoshino has left, to his shock. As morning dawns in Karakura Town, Orihime opens a window on the second floor of the Urahara Shop and wonders how long Ichigo and Renji are going to train. Behind her, a kneeling Rukia folds her bedspread material and admits she does not know while suggesting they let Ichigo and Renji spar until satisfied.

Rukia admonishes Ichigo for being depressed simply because he lost once as Orihime acknowledges that this is likely the right choice. When Ririn, who had been sleeping next to Rukia in her plushie form prior to waking up and springing to her feet, questions if fighting will make Ichigo feel better and derides how simple this is, a curious Orihime wonders what happened between Uryū and Yoshino since Uryū was so worried about her, but Ririn dismisses this as irrelevant since the Bount are their enemies and are not worth worrying about. Agreeing with this, Rukia notes that they have a lot of questions to ask Yoshino once she recovers further.

Down on the first floor, an exhausted Ichigo and Renji exit the Study Chamber and enter the central room as Renji observes that they got carried away and kept training until the morning. At the table, Tessai sets down a plate with French toast and spreads while announcing that breakfast is ready. With Ichigo and Renji joining him at the table, Tessai brings up how he even made some for the freeloader, to Renji's irritation. Upon being asked by Ichigo where Urahara is, Tessai reveals that he is in the back of the store repairing the Gigai of Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba as Sado walks in with Noba, some cups, and a thin pitcher of coffee.

With Renji surprised by Sado's offer of coffee, Sado pours coffee into two of the cups and Noba carries them to Ichigo and Renji, the former of whom thanks him while Renji tentatively drinks from his cup, only to spit the coffee onto the table and Ichigo in shock. Noba brings a towel to begin wiping up the liquid, and when Ichigo demands to know what Renji is doing, Renji counters by angrily inquiring what this drink is, prompting Sado to question if he does not know what coffee is, which he confirms, leading Ichigo to mock his maturity as Sado asks Renji if he wants some sugar in his coffee. Confused by needing sugar to drink coffee, Renji assumes it is a strange kind of tea.

After Noba places a sugar cube in his coffee, Renji drinks some of it and is surprised by the taste as he has Noba put in three more cubes. When Renji requests a fourth additional sugar cube, Ichigo claims that this is too many while Rukia walks in and complains about how noisy it is this morning, followed by Orihime, who cheerfully greets Ichigo. As Ichigo greets Orihime in turn, Rukia sits next to Renji and smiles at him, and when a perplexed Ichigo wonders what this is about, Rukia observes that he has gotten over his depression, which prompts Renji to assert that it was difficult because of how deep Ichigo's depression was, though an embarrassed Ichigo refutes this.

Rukia declares that they should start over from the beginning, to Ichigo's relief, and Orihime praises the breakfast prepared by Tessai, who details how he used French toast as a base and spread melted bean jam on top of it in place of honey to make bean jam toast, leaving an unnerved Ichigo to comment on him still making such things while Orihime begins to eat her toast and gushes about how tasty it is. During this, Renji asks Rukia if she knows how to drink coffee, only for her to proclaim that she has already cleared this drink, amazing Renji. Watching this from the back of the room with Noba, Kurōdo tenderly describes it as a brief rest between battles and a happy circle of friends.

However, Kurōdo notices Noba looking away in concern and inquires about what is worrying him, Noba brings up Yoshino, whom Kurōdo notes left the premises earlier as he assures Noba that it is fine since they are all adults who can take responsibility for their own actions and do not need to make a fuss about it each time before concluding that disturbing this happy morning circle with troubling information would be stressful and that they can reveal this later when things have calmed down, which Noba agrees with. Meanwhile, at the burnt wreckage of the mansion, Kariya sits on the remnants of the staircase and begins repairing the gears of the grandfather clock.

Upon being informed by Ichinose that he had everyone aside from himself, Gō Koga, and Ugaki head to another location as Kariya commanded, Kariya simply acknowledges this and slots a gear into the center of the system before closing the face of the clock, causing the pendulum below it to begin swaying back and forth in time with the ticking. With Kariya staring intently at this, Koga notes that fixing a broken clock will once again start the motion of time, but Kariya counters that time has been stopped from the very beginning for the Bount and will never move even if their gears are fixed and wound up as he runs his finger down the minute hand and smiles.

Koga elaborates that Humans live with time and reject the Bount, leaving them to simply exist, while Ichinose points out how Humans despise the Bount for having time that does not flow and concludes that they will try to move this motionless time to change fate themselves. Rotating the minute hand fully around the clock so that the hour hand points to 12 and causes the clock to begin chiming, Kariya stands up and glares with determination. Back at the Urahara Shop, Uryū opens a back door leading outside and looks around, only to be startled by Ririn, who sits on a nearby crate and nonchalantly inquires if his wounds are fully healed before being grabbed by Uryū as he runs off.

With Uryū running through the streets, an angered Ririn admonishes him for touching a lady like this and demands to know where they are going, but when Uryū asks her if she can track Yoshino's Reiatsu, Ririn realizes he is referring to the Bount woman and that she was not in the Urahara Shop while Uryū urgently requests that Ririn tell him where she is, which Ririn agrees to after a moment's hesitation. Back in the central room of the Urahara Shop, Kurōdo sits on the table with Noba and informs Ichigo's group that something disappeared this morning, though Ichigo does not understand. However, as he begins to explain himself, Kurōdo notices alongside Noba that another has left as well.

When Renji questions what disappeared, Kurōdo struggles to find the right term, leading Noba to identify it as a presence that Kurōdo picks up with. While walking by in the adjacent hallway, Urahara overhears this and inquires about what the fuss is over, and when Orihime brings up how late Ririn is and the possibility of her oversleeping, Urahara requests to join in the conversation. Simultaneously, at the Bount Mansion, Kariya lounges on a couch in the sun as the wind blows and opens his eyes as Yoshino approaches him and halts several feet away. Upon being asked by Yoshino if he is serious, a smiling Kariya wonders what she is talking about.

As she begins walking toward Kariya again, Yoshino clarifies that she is inquiring if he really plans to do this, but Kariya questions why she is asking and is amused by Yoshino proclaiming that she is going to stop him. Elsewhere, Uryū runs into a side street and requests that Ririn tell him where to go next, only for Ririn to demand that he stop swinging her around since it is making her dizzy. Despite this, Uryū continues moving Ririn around to find the right location to run in, leaving Ririn in tears as she becomes increasingly dizzy. Back at the mansion, Yoshino reminds Kariya that he told her it was not yet time, leading Kariya to note that the situation changed.

Upon being asked what could have possibly changed, Kariya wonders if she is curious and gets up to approach her, where he places her hand on her cheek and asserts that it is up to Yoshino because he needs her help. However, Yoshino pushes his hand away and tells him to stop before declaring that she will not let him go through with his plan as she leaps back and summons her Doll, Goethe. With Goethe questioning what she wants, Yoshino brings up how he is her alter ego, and when Goethe expresses confusion at this, Yoshino inquires if he has any problem with dying here, resulting in Goethe realizing that they will die together and accepting this.

Yoshino vs. Kariya
At the front gate of the mansion, Uryū runs up with Ririn and is surprised to return to this location, but hears a sound in the distance and begins running toward it when Ririn reveals that Bount are fighting each other. Back at the mansion, a roaring Goethe throws a fireball at Kariya, who leaps out of the way at the last second and moves to the ruins of the upper corridor while the fireball slams into the wall behind where he was standing. Goethe stares up at Kariya in shock and angrily throws another fireball at him while Kariya mockingly claims that this is dangerous, only for Kariya to begin running along the railing and avoid subsequent fireballs.

Seeing Kariya jumping over the back wall behind the staircase, Goethe demands to know if he is running away and flies after him as Yoshino instructs him to calm down and runs after him. Behind her, Uryū runs up to the wreckage of the mansion and attempts to follow Yoshino, but is stopped from doing so by Ririn, who points out how he will only be in the way if he does so, leaving Uryū conflicted. Meanwhile, at the Urahara Shop, Kurōdo finishes informing Ichigo and his friends of Yoshino, Uryū, and Ririn's departure, prompting an astonished Ichigo to grab him and furiously reprimand Kurōdo for not telling them sooner, though Kurōdo counters that he tried to do this many times.

However, Rukia asserts that it is not the time to be quarreling, leading Ichigo to slam Kurōdo down on the table in frustration, and suggests they go after Uryū and the others before questioning if Noba knows where they are heading, which he confirms. Suddenly, as Ichigo and his friends prepare to head out, Urahara gets their attention, and when Ichigo begins to wonder if he is trying to stop them, Urahara denies this and clarifies that this is a race against time, meaning that Ichigo and Renji should move ahead of the rest of the group with Shunpo while they catch up. With Ichigo affirming this, Urahara reminds them that their goal is to retrieve Uryū and avoid a fight if possible.

Back at the mansion, Goethe destroys a chunk of one of the remaining walls with his flames while Kariya lands on the lawn outside and grins prior to leaping back to the upper floor of the mansion while Goethe crashes into the area where he was standing with a punch. As Yoshino reaches the back of the mansion, an infuriated Goethe blasts Kariya's location with fire, raining rubble onto a shocked Yoshino, to his concern. However, Yoshino emerges unscathed and assures Goethe that she is alright while ordering him to fight as he pleases without concern for her. Behind Yoshino, Kariya wonders why she is rushing to her death, catching Yoshino off-guard.

Yoshino clutches her shoulder in pain, alerting Goethe and leading Kariya to observe how impressive it is for Yoshino to be able to use her Doll in her condition, since they great power of the world that they control with their crests goes out of control and attacks them if they lose their balance. When Kariya concludes that she should not be able to summon or even freely control a Doll in her decrepit state, Yoshino counters that she does not care what happens to her if she can stop Kariya, but he insists that this is wrong because Yoshino does not know her own worth, surprising her, and elaborates that Goethe has feelings of love instead of subservience toward Yoshino.

While Yoshino stares in shock at this, Kariya explains that Yoshino has a maternal power even though the Bount cannot leave descendants, and as Yoshino demands to know what he means, Kariya addresses Uryū, whom he knows is present, and encourages him to come out. Upon seeing Uryū step out from behind a wall, a stunned Yoshino asks him why he came here, prompting Kariya to presume that he could not let a pitiful woman die alone, which Uryū does not dispute. With Uryū questioning what Kariya plans to do with him as a Quincy, Kariya claims to no longer have a use for Uryū because of his lack of Quincy powers, but decides to show him something interesting anyway.

Suddenly, Kariya moves behind Yoshino and restrains her upper body with his right arm while gripping her finger claw with his left hand, resulting in Goethe collapsing behind them and realizing that he can no longer move. Elsewhere, in the forest, Ichigo and Renji run toward the mansion with Shunpo and sense that Uryū is there, only to be confronted by Ichinose and Koga before they can reach the property, with Ichinose proclaiming that this as far as they go and Koga asserting that an important ritual is about to begin. Though Ichigo is left perplexed by the mention of a ritual, Renji refuses to let the Bount do as they please and jumps into the air while releasing Zabimaru.

Before Zabimaru can strike him, Koga has his Doll, Dalk, assemble and deflect the blow. Despite considering this to be boring, Dalk promises to play with Renji and turns her arms into spheres that she fires at him, forcing Renji to block them with a retracted Zabimaru while Ichigo finds himself blocking a slash from Ichinose with Zangetsu, and demands to know what the ritual is, though Ichinose claims that he does not need to know. On the other side of the mansion, Uryū asks Kariya what he plans to do with Yoshino, whom Kariya reiterates as having a maternal power as he details how he cannot achieve his target power by simply absorbing living Human Souls.

However, Kariya reveals that he discovered Yoshino's power was the best way to absorb Souls after much research, to Yoshino's shock. After informing Yoshino that she is going to be a mother by breathing life into new Dolls, Kariya shatters the crest on her finger claw despite Uryū's protests, causing Yoshino to scream in pain while flames erupt around an agonized Goethe. Released by Kariya, Yoshino collapses and reaches out to Goethe, whose body begins to crack and explode into flame while he does the same. Upon seeing Goethe struggling to maintain his physical form, an impressed Kariya commends him for still wanting to fight.

With great effort, Goethe launches himself toward a stationary Kariya, and as Uryū runs forward, Goethe crashes through the mansion and flies into the air on the other side, where Ichigo is startled to see him before being forced to block more attacks from Ichinose while the latter berates him for being distracted. On the mansion floor, Uryū huddles with Yoshino and looks at the raging fire beneath Goethe with her in shock as Kariya stands up within the flames and tears off his coat, revealing that his crest is etched onto the left side of his chest. When Yoshino concludes that he has fused his own body with his Doll, Kariya confirms this and dispels the flames with a wave of his hand.

Yoshino stands up and muses on how Kariya has always been strong before lamenting how she was simply used as a foolish woman and calling out to Goethe, whom she apologizes to. While an unnerved Uryū inquires what she is going to do, Yoshino glows with blue Reiatsu and orders Goethe to do it, which he acknowledges as his flames turn blue. Flying around through the air in a zigzagging pattern, Goethe hurtles toward Kariya and throws a punch, startling him, before bursting apart in an explosion that levels the remainder of the main hall. With Uryū bracing himself against this, Yoshino approaches the large flame hovering before her and instructs Goethe to come to her.

As she draws the flame into her body and is addressed as "mother" by Goethe, Yoshino asserts that they are together until the end and begins emitting flames prior to launching herself into the air, now clad in the flesh and fire of Goethe. Seeing this as the smoke clears around him, Kariya notes that Yoshino has fused herself with Goethe just as he expected her to, and after encouraging Goethe to go with her, Yoshino flies down and crosses punches with Kariya, pushing him back several dozen meters until they fly up into the air, where Yoshino and Kariya proceed to dodge several blows from each other while delivering punches and kicks of their own.

After evading two fireballs from Yoshino, Kariya brings his right leg down onto her head, but Yoshino repels his blow with her arms and resumes attacking him as Koga observes that she has not been consumed by her Doll despite losing her crest, which he attributes to her maternal Reiryoku. Below Yoshino and Kariya, Ichigo continues clashing with Ichinose and is astonished to see Yoshino and Kariya floating in midair, though Ichinose presses his attack and refuses to let Ichigo interfere. With Renji wondering what is going on, Dalk leaps in front of him and declares that she is his opponent while firing her machine gun arm, forcing Renji to shield himself with Zabimaru.

While Renji is forced back and counterattacks, Kariya grabs Yoshino by the throat and proclaims that this power is exactly what he wanted, only for a spectral Goethe comprised of blue flames to manifest between them and blast Kariya back, freeing Yoshino. Not wanting to let Yoshino's power wither away here, Kariya rushes toward her for a final attack as Yoshino does the same, and despite Uryū's frantic plea to stop, Kariya impales Yoshino on his left arm, causing her armor to burst off of her in a shower of flames, before pulling it out and letting Yoshino fall to the ground below, where Uryū runs to her side and begs her to not die now.

Yoshino holds her hand over her bloody wound and wonders if she can die now. Though Uryū does not understand what she is talking about, Yoshino assures him that this way of dying is fine and praises his straightforward gaze as she thanks him and begins releasing specks of green light that drift upward. After going limp, Yoshino bursts apart into more green light, leaving only her clothes in Uryū's arms, which he hugs to his face while sobbing and screaming skyward. Above him, Kariya gathers the green light underneath his feet and observes that he has been waiting for this moment before reciting an incantation that forms a red platform inscribed with the Bount crest under him.

With Kariya promising Yoshino that her life shall be newly reborn, Ichigo stops in shock upon seeing the platform and Ichinose grins while moving away with Shunpo, leaving Ichigo to demand that he come back as Renji joins him and wonders what the platform is. From the underside of the platform, hundreds of egg-like containers emerge and grow larger before bursting to reveal the Bitto, insect-like Dolls that proceed to spread through the air while Ugaki revels in their creation and expresses a desire to see more of them. A laughing Kariya disappears from the platform as the swarm of Bitto fly past Ichigo and Renji, leaving the platform to ominously disappear.

Anti-Bount Preparations
That night, Ichigo and his friends return to the Urahara Shop and sit around the table in the central room in silence. When Tessai quietly enters the room, Ichigo questions where Uryū is and is informed by Tessai that the latter is resting in the back room due to his wish to be alone, which Ichigo solemnly acknowledges as he recalls Yoshino dying in Uryū's arms earlier. Upon being asked by Rukia about the Bount who disappeared, the Mod-Souls talk over each other to reveal that their Bount-detecting sensors are currently completely ineffective for a reason they do not understand while a puzzled Ichigo wonders what the Bitto were.

Urahara details how Bount create Dolls by gathering and controlling Reiryoku existing in the natural world and concludes that Ichigo saw a countless number of new Dolls that were necessary enough to require ending the life of another Bount in order to create them. As Rukia notes that this has become troublesome, Urahara suggests they start over after gathering data and requests that Renji accompany him to investigate the remnants of the Bount Mansion. Turning to Orihime and Sado, Urahara instructs them to attend Karakura High School from his shop for some time and reminds the perplexed pair that the Bount being undetectable makes them much more dangerous.

After bringing up how both Orihime and Sado live alone, Urahara asserts that it would be safer to reside in the shop where there is a barrier even though school should be safe, which Orihime and Sado affirm, before turning to Ichigo and telling him to return to his household since his family is likely worried by his extended absence. With Urahara also recommending he think of a plan for when the Bount make their move, Ichigo expresses confusion at this, prompting Urahara to elaborate that he will be taking the Mod-Souls with him to keep watch for Bount movement. Though Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba promise that they will be extremely helpful to him, Ichigo remains unconvinced.

The next day, in Ichigo's room at the Kurosaki Clinic, Kon is angered to find Ririn, Kurōdo, and Noba lounging on Ichigo's bed because he believes that this location is reserved for him as the mascot. However, as she reads a magazine, Ririn counters that she can stay wherever she wants to and mocks Kon's belief that he is a mascot. When Ichigo enters the room and stomps Kon down while admonishing the other Mod-Souls for not heeding his request for them to be quiet, leading Ririn to claim that it is not their fault since the outdated Kon keeps attacking them. As Kon takes offense to this, Ichigo pushes him back down and expresses exasperation at being forced to look after the Mod-Souls.

Ichigo sits down at his desk and muses on his decision to bring the Mod-Souls home as he watches Kon argue with Ririn over which of them is superior, Noba stare out the window, and Kurōdo fly in circles above them, resulting in an annoyed Ichigo concluding that this was a bad idea. Suddenly, Rukia slams open the closet door behind Ichigo and demands that the Mod-Souls be quiet because they are disturbing her reading, which reminds Ichigo that she is also present while she describes the climax of the story she has just reached. When Ichigo orders her to not loiter in his closet, Rukia counters that they decided that this would be her sleeping quarters earlier.

Upon being approached by Kon, who requests that she let him in, Rukia simply smacks him back down to the floor with her book, leaving Ichigo to question if he will ever learn as Ririn claims that stupidity cannot be cured even by death and Kurōdo observes that Kon's stupidity is impressively unshakable. Suddenly, Kon and Ririn begin tussling on the floor over this, and as Kurōdo and Noba join them, an exasperated Ichigo pulls Kon and Ririn out and demands that they stop fighting since it is driving him crazy, only for Kon and Ririn to fall limp and not move. Further irritated by this since he assumes that they are not listening to him, Ichigo looks up to find Yuzu Kurosaki staring at him.

With Yuzu expressing concern over this, Ichigo hides Kon and Ririn behind his back while attempting to assure her that this is just for his next class recreation activity, but Yuzu looks away and informs Ichigo that she will be making sukiyaki tonight in order to cheer him up. Though Ichigo tries to clarify that he is not upset, Yuzu promises him that he can come to her or Isshin Kurosaki if he needs to talk about anything because they are family and runs off to go shopping, leaving Ichigo to protest that this is not necessary. Once Yuzu leaves, Rukia slides open the closet door again and mockingly notes that she has completely misunderstood the situation.

Ririn observes that Yuzu has good reason to be concerned and Kurōdo brings up how Ichigo is an adult talking to multiple plushies, leading Ichigo to wonder whose fault this is before being interrupted by his Substitute Shinigami Badge alerting him to a Hollow nearby, which he considers good timing since being around the Mod-Souls was lowering his intelligence. After proclaiming that he is going to head out for a change of atmosphere, Ichigo presses the badge against his chest to enter his Shinigami form and exits through the window with Rukia despite Kon's protests, leaving Ririn to declare that she, Kurōdo, and Noba can now begin their own work.

While Kurōdo admits that they would not be helpful against a Hollow anyway, Ririn glares at Kon, who is sobbing over being left alone by Ichigo and Rukia, and dropkicks him into the closet for crying so much before inquiring if Kon understands the situation. As Kon expresses confusion, Ririn reminds him that the Bount are targeting individuals with strong Reiryoku, and though Kon still does not understand, Kurōdo brings up Ichigo's family having strong Reiryoku as well, prompting Ririn to conclude that they must set up a plan in order to protect the Kurosaki Family, which Kon acknowledges. In a park elsewhere, Ichigo purifies a Hollow with a diagonal slash of Zangetsu.

When Rukia runs up to him and notes that he has gotten good at purifying Hollows, Ichigo affirms this and suggests that they return. However, upon returning to Ichigo's street with him, Rukia stops running and looks around while asking Ichigo if he thinks something is strange about the area. Upon being asked for clarification, Rukia describes the sensation as a strange presence emanating from the Kurosaki Clinic, though she assures him that it is not a Bount. Outside the front door of the Kurosaki Clinic, Kon finishes preparing multiple lines of rope stretched between stakes embedded in the house and bushes before being kicked into them from behind by Ichigo.

Kon turns around and demands to know what Ichigo is doing, only for Ichigo to counter that this is what he is asking. Opening the front door and appearing on the doorstep with Kurōdo and Noba, Ririn declares that this is a Bount trap, to Ichigo's disbelief, and that it will protect them should a Bount attack while Kurōdo details how they have borrowed tools from Urahara to create a powerful trap. However, the Mod-Souls reveal that their trap is simply a basket propped up by a stick wrapped in rope with a plushie underneath it, which Kurōdo describes as a tool that uses bait to lure the Bitto in and demonstrates by yanking the stick away, causing the basket to fall over the plushie.

With Rukia impressed and Ichigo smiling in exasperation, Kurōdo concludes that they can trap the Bitto like this and explains that the basket is woven from a special bamboo that seals Reiryoku, which Rukia is further impressed by despite Ichigo's protests. On the upper balcony, the Mod-Souls show Ichigo and Rukia an array of CD-shaped reflective panels and two archery target-themed balloons hung from a clothes rack, and when Ichigo questions what it is, Ririn explains how it is a Bount repellent that gathers minute Reiryoku from the air in the two balloons before releasing light from the panels that discourages the Bount from approaching.

As Ichigo reminds the Mod-Souls that the Bount are not birds, Kon draws his attention to six water-filled plastic bottles placed on the floor of the balcony and proclaims that they are also Bount repellent, but Ichigo presses his hand against his face and points out how these are meant to scare away cats. After bringing Ichigo and Rukia to a Human-shaped outline drawn on the floor in one of the hallways, Ririn refers to this as an indoor trap for any Bount who invade the house and details how an enemy stepping on the mark in the center of the outline's chest will cause the mortar above them to drop, with Kurōdo clarifying that the mortar is made of Sekkiseki and seals Reiryoku.

While Kurōdo concludes that the Mod-Souls can proceed to attack an enemy disabled by this trap, Ichigo turns to Kon and inquires if there was anything special about the trap he was preparing earlier, leading Kon to recount how the ropes are coated in a special medicine that seals the Reiryoku of anyone who touches it with their feet. Ririn confirms that Urahara made all of these when Rukia asks about it and that they have ensured the safety of Ichigo and his family, and as Ichigo wonders who would fall for these traps, he and the others hear 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada wail in distress outside the front door, where they discover he has tripped over one of the ropes.

Having fallen face-first into a pie he was delivering, Hanatarō looks up and cheerfully greets Rukia as Kon revels in the success of his calculated artistic dual trap. When asked by Ichigo what he is doing, Hanatarō explains that he was making a delivery since it is a service offered by the convenience store that he works at, but is perplexed by the mention of the Bount when Ichigo deduces that this is how he got caught by the trap. With an unimpressed Ichigo reminding him that he came to the Human World due to the Bount, Hanatarō struggles to remember why he came here, leaving Ichigo and Rukia exasperated as Ririn claims they have proven the usefulness of their traps.

Despite this, an annoyed Ichigo simply instructs them to clean it up, shocking the Mod-Souls, who protest that they are anti-Bount traps, only for Ichigo to assert that they have had their fun and invite Hanatarō to clean his face off inside the house. While Rukia expresses disbelief at Hanatarō actually falling for the trap and follows Ichigo inside the house, with Kon and Hanatarō quickly following suit, Ririn is left angered by Ichigo's attitude and Kurōdo assumes that he and Rukia are not taking the threat of the Bount seriously before concluding that the Mod-Souls must strike fear into their hearts, with Noba agreeing and Ririn chuckling darkly in anticipation.

Some time later, Ririn and Kurōdo stand on Ichigo's bed in oblong blue armor prepared by Urahara that amplify their powers, which Ririn admits she never thought would be used here as Kurōdo points out how they conveniently resemble the Bitto as well. Ririn details their plan to confront Ichigo and Rukia like this, leading Ichigo to attack them, and for her to dodge her attack by amplifying her Illusions with the armor while Kurōdo links his Shape-shifting with the armor to display his power, followed by Noba controlling the traps to seemingly force them to run away when Ichigo begins to panic, all to make Ichigo and Rukia appreciate their work.

With Ririn declaring that they will risk their lives to show Ichigo and Rukia how useful their anti-Bount plan is, Noba teleports onto the bed and warns her and Kurōdo that Ichigo and Rukia are coming, prompting them to don the helmets on their armor and prepare to begin their plan with instructions for Noba to active the traps efficiently. Shortly afterward, Ichigo, Rukia, Hanatarō, and Kon enter the bedroom, and as Hanatarō apologizes for borrowing so many things from him, Ichigo dismisses this as not worthy worrying about. Suddenly, a shocked Kon draws Ichigo's attention outside his window, where he sees Ririn and Kurōdo in their armor on an adjacent rooftop.

Though Ichigo is too startled to respond, Rukia fires '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui out the open window, forcing a frightened Ririn and Kurōdo to be extracted by Noba's Teleportation''' right before the blast hits the area where they were standing. As Ichigo admonishes Rukia for overdoing it, Ririn and Kurōdo lie on the ground below with their armor charred and thank Noba for saving them, only for Noba to reveal that he cannot hear what they are saying. Seeing this, Ichigo tells Noba to run away and Rukia fires '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' at Ririn and Kurōdo, who are teleported away once more while Noba shields himself from the resulting explosion.

Leaping through the window down to the ground, Rukia runs up to Noba and inquires if he is alright, leading a blushing Noba to assure her that he is before hiding his head in his shirt. Back on the rooftop, Ririn emerges alongside Kurōdo and wonders why Rukia is not surprised. Kurōdo reminds Ririn that Rukia works as a Shinigami and is used to life-threatening situations, meaning that she has no hesitation in attacking targets. Wanting to stop since this is dangerous, Ririn sees Ichigo in his bedroom, but as Kurōdo attempts to explain their appearance to him, Hanatarō sees them and assumes that they are being eaten by Bitto, to their shock.

Upon being called out to by Ichigo, Rukia jumps up to the rooftop and fires '''Hadō #4. Byakurai''' at the screaming Mod-Souls, resulting in them being sent flying by an explosion of lightning and thunder. While Rukia stands in the clearing smoke and wonders where they went, Ichigo pushes Kon's Gikongan out of his plushie body with his Substitute Shinigami Badge and swallows it, allowing him to enter his Shinigami form, before asking Rukia where the Bount went, and though she admits that she lost track of them, Rukia asserts that they cannot have gone far. After they move outside the front of the Kurosaki Clinic, Rukia reveals that she contacted Renji.

When Noba attempts to get their attention and explain the situation, Rukia assumes that he feels guilt over letting his friends get eaten and comforts him. With Noba denying this, Ichigo instructs him to take care of things here and to contact them if anything happens before running off, which leads a startled Rukia to run after him. Kon vows to avenge Ririn and Kurōdo as a fellow Mod-Soul despite not having known them for long, but when he runs toward the front door of the house, Kon triggers the trap he set up and screams as he is caught in an explosion, leaving Hanatarō and Noba to catch up and stare in astonishment as a charred Kon weakly requests that they go on without him.

Elsewhere, Ichigo and Rukia meet up in an intersection and head off in different directions after confirming that they did not find the Bount in the areas they just searched. Behind them, Ririn and Kurōdo peer out of a trashcan and comment on the barbarity of Ichigo and Rukia as they hop out with garbage on top of their helmets. After Ririn states that they have to clear up this misunderstanding, Kurōdo suggests that they begin by taking off their armor, but he and Ririn quickly realize that their armor is malfunctioning and cannot be removed. As Ririn wonders why she can hear his voice, Kurōdo notes the armor's internal radios are intact even though the external speakers are not.

Hearing this, Ririn remembers that Noba also has a receiver for this radio, which Kurōdo deduces will save them if they return to Noba's location. However, Ririn questions if there will be a problem if Noba explains the situation, prompting Kurōdo to observe that he has not done so yet judging by Rukia's attitude earlier. While they attempt to sneak back to the Kurosaki Clinic, Ririn and Kurōdo are shocked into hiding by Keigo Asano, who walks by and laments being forced to return his older sister's CDs for her. On a streetlamp pole nearby, Kurōdo asks Ririn if he is gone as they both cling to the pole, only for her to presume he has noticed them when Keigo stops in the street.

Suddenly, Keigo calls out to Zennosuke Kurumadani and inquires about what he is playing today, which leads Zennosuke, who is perched on a rooftop guardrail, to angrily deny playing anything. Though Keigo is disappointed that he does not want to make friendly conversation, Zennosuke demands that Keigo not talk to him and questions why there are so many people who can see him in Karakura Town. Not recognizing Zennosuke, Ririn is surprised to learn that he is the Shinigami assigned to Karakura Town and wonders what Rukia and the others are doing here if this is the case, with Kurōdo suggesting they are not doing typical Shinigami work and that Zennosuke's role makes sense.

However, Ririn and Kurōdo are interrupted when Rukia appears on a rooftop near the pole and orders them to stay still while pointing her open palm at them, which leads them to run away and across the opposite rooftop as she begins firing multiple '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui''' at them. With Ririn and Kurōdo passing him on the taller building, Zennosuke sees Rukia approaching him and begins to greet her, but is forced to dodge multiple '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' fired by her before being hit in the chest by one, engulfing him in an explosion. Down on the ground, a stunned Keigo assumes Rukia is playing war and admits he never thought she was into this, but is distraught to think he has been left out again.

Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Hanatarō wipes his brow and smiles after disabling the trap in front of the front door, only to find himself confronted by Ririn and Kurōdo when they return to the front gate. Attempting to run away in fright, Hanatarō slams his head into the open door and spins around before collapsing in incapacitation, which prompts Ririn and Kurōdo to simultaneously and maliciously think of a way to escape from here. With Hanatarō realizing what they are planning to do, Ririn and Kurōdo attempt to take him hostage, but are interrupted when Ichigo lands before them and demands that they stop while assuming a battle stance with Zangetsu.

As they run back to the street in terror, Ririn and Kurōdo find themselves attacked by Renji, who releases Zabimaru, and slams it into them, sending Ririn and Kurōdo flying. Ichigo runs up to Renji and expresses relief at him arriving while Rukia joins them and asserts that they cannot let their guard down since the enemy is allied with the Bount despite their small size. Nearby, a scuffed Ririn and Kurōdo realize that nothing they can say will matter, and when Ririn proposes they perform their joint technique since they have no other option, an initially stunned Kurōdo agrees and emits energy to merge with Ririn and form a giant being called Konpakumajin.

Though he is amused by the appearance of Konpakumajin and attempts to attack it as its eyes flash, Renji is shocked to find himself holding a broom instead of Zabimaru, which Rukia points out is now in one of the hands of Konpakumajin, who slams it into the ground, forcing Ichigo and his friends to separate. Ichigo moves into the air with Hohō and comes down on Konpakumajin, but is astonished to see Yuzu bound to its torso and begging him to save her after its eyes flash again, allowing Konpakumajin to smash its arm into him and send Ichigo crashing into the parking lot in front of the Kurosaki Clinic while Rukia wonders what is going on.

The eyes of Konpakumajin flash once again, causing several rabbits shaped like Rukia's drawings to appear and surround Rukia before latching onto her, leaving her laughing at how much this tickles. Attempting to help Rukia by attacking Konpakumajin, Ichigo and Renji are smashed back down to the ground by it, and as Konpakumajin prepares to stomp on Ichigo and Renji, Rukia shakes the rabbits off of her body and points out how strange this is, leading Konpakumajin to laugh and proclaim that there is no escape from this even if they realize that they are being attacked with illusions before its eyes begin to flash once more.

Suddenly, the reflective discs on the Bount repellent rack begin shining with a violet light, dazing and confusing Konpakumajin to the point of causing it to collapse in the street, where it reverts to Ririn and Kurōdo. With Kurōdo lamenting having made such a mistake, Renji stands over him and Ririn with Ichigo and Rukia while admonishing them for using illusions. As Ichigo levels Zangetsu at them and expresses his intention to punish them, a frightened Ririn and Kurōdo are teleported away by Noba, who approaches Ichigo, Rukia, and Renji in his Gigai with Ririn and Kurōdo held in his arms before removing them from their armor.

Aftermath
Upon being asked what the meaning of this is, Noba begins to explain the situation, only for Kon to pop up from behind his shoulder and detail how this is armor made by Urahara that increases the wearer's power in their plushie bodies before concluding that what Ichigo and his friends saw earlier were augmentations of Ririn's Illusions and Kurōdo's Shape-shifting, to Ichigo's astonishment. Later, at the Urahara Shop, with Ichigo, his friends, and the Mod-Souls gathered around the table in the central room, Urahara apologizes for the trouble caused by the armor and decides to take it back because it would not be good if the Mod-Souls were mistaken for enemies.

Bringing up how poorly things would have gone if he were not present due to Noba's low inclination for explaining things, a chuckling Kon points out that Ririn and Kurōdo might have been dead by now and demands to know why Ririn is glaring at him since she should be grateful, only for Ririn to kick him off the table and berate him for being so pushy before furiously attacking Kon as the others watch. Urahara suggests they remove the Bount traps as well since they are problematic, and when asked by Ichigo if anyone cleaned them up, Kurōdo and Noba deny this. Back at the Kurosaki Clinic, Karin Kurosaki comes home and is shocked to find Isshin trapped under the mortar in the hallway.