Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Gin Ichimaru

Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Gin Ichimaru is a battle that takes place in the Fake Karakura Town. The fight marks Ichigo's second confrontation and first actual battle with the former 3rd Division captain, since their less than cordial introduction at Seireitei's West Gate during the Ryoka Invasion of Soul Society.

Prologue
After Aizen is hit by the Kidō spell Ittō Kasō, he is immediately pummeled by a Hollowfied Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo launches a Getsuga Tenshō at him, sending him crashing through a building and wounding his shoulder. As Ichigo continues his attack, Aizen blocks his blade and tells him that he missed his final chance to kill him. However, Ichigo points out that he did enough since he injured him, but Aizen questions where he hurt him as his wound begins to close up. Ichigo wonders if this is high-speed regeneration, but Aizen tells him it isn't, claiming that he wouldn't undergo "mere" Hollowfication. He states that this is simply the protective instinct of a servant towards his master, and he rips his shirt open to reveal that the Hōgyoku is implanted in his chest. Aizen notes that Ichigo's reiatsu is well developed and states that it's just as he planned, shocking his opponent. Aizen explains that his meeting with Rukia Kuchiki and battle with Uryū Ishida awakened his Shinigami powers, his battle with Renji Abarai enlightened him to the importance of his Zanpakutō, his battle with Kenpachi Zaraki was a foundation for his learning of Bankai, his battle with Byakuya Kuchiki was a step towards becoming a Hollow, his battle with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez had him attain Hollow side mastery, and his battle with Ulquiorra Cifer revealed a greater power within. Aizen finishes off by calmly stating that all of Ichigo’s battles until the present moment have taken place exactly as he desired.

Ichigo yells at Aizen and asks him what he means by every single battle he's fought has played into his hand. Aizen tells him not to yell and explains that once he realized he was the thing he was searching for, he decided to help him grow. He points out all the oddities that Ichigo should have noticed as his time as a Shinigami, like him being attacked by a Hollow after meeting Rukia despite never seeing a Hollow before, having a Menos Grande appear after using bait for lesser Hollow's, or that after getting used to his Shinigami powers Rukia would be reported to Soul Society despite her reiatsu never being detected, or even Byakuya, Renji, and Kenpachi would fight him just as his power was equal to theirs. He then asks Ichigo if he thought everything that happened was just destiny, coincidence, or even his own efforts. Ichigo immediately attacks Aizen but his blow is easily blocked. He then swings his Zanpakutō at Aizen again but he easily catches it. He mocks Ichigo, saying that he should be stronger than this. Aizen then asks him if his words are so unbelievable and Ichigo tells him that what he said back at Sōkyoku Hill doesn't match up with what he's saying now. Aizen asks him why he thinks his words back then were the truth, but that these are lies. He tells him that he pities him, as everyone just accepts the truth as things that they want to hear. Aizen then asks Ichigo if he knows who sent Rukia to the Human World, who equipped Renji with the ability to detect reiatsu, and who gave the lieutenants information on his whereabouts. He asks him if he really thought that he didn't know the location of the Hōgyoku for the last 100 years. Ichigo asks him how he could be the thing he's searching for if he only knew him since he met Rukia but Aizen tells him that he's known him since the day he was born. As he's about to explain what Ichigo really is, Isshin Kurosaki arrives and tells Aizen that he's said too much.

As Ichigo looks on in shock Isshin headbutts him across the town but Ichigo is able to hold onto a building. However, Isshin appears right where he is and begins kicking him off the building. After he accomplishes this Aizen tells Isshin it was smart to separate their distance. Isshin goes to where Ichigo fell and begins holding his mouth shut. As he tells Ichigo that he knows he wants to ask him a lot of things, Ichigo kicks him in the face and states that he knows when to keep quiet. Isshin tells him that no matter how much he looks at him, his eyes aren't deceiving him and tells Ichigo that he must have a million questions. Ichigo tells him that he doesn't though and states that if he didn't tell him anything than it was for his own reasons and it will be his problem. Isshin tells him that he's learned to speak rather competently and Ichigo thanks him for punching him, as it feels to him like he's been brought back. Aizen is seen on a building and he states that Isshin must have put up a powerful barrier to hide his Reiatsu. Gin Ichimaru shows up behind him and Aizen remarks that he took a rather long period of sightseeing. Gin replies that he wasn't sightseeing, but that he simply didn't see an opening or the necessity to come to his aid. Ichigo then appears behind Gin and attacks him. As Aizen watches this Isshin appears as well and engages him.

Battle
Ichigo returns to the building where they left Aizen and attacks Gin Ichimaru from behind. Gin blocks the attack with his Zanpakutō, but the building begins to break apart from the fighting. On the ground below, Gin notes that it has been a long time since they fought. He asks Ichigo if he recalls the time after he cut off Jidanbō's arm, recounting how an angry Ichigo flew at him and how at the time he thought Ichigo was such an interesting kid. Ichigo states he does not remember. When Gin asks if he is trying to provoke him, Ichigo explains that he is not saying that he does not remember his sword, but rather his heart. Ichigo further explains his philosophy on battle. He notes that normally he can understand a little of what someone is thinking when crossing swords with them, such as their resolve and whether they look down on their opponent. Gin makes fun of him for being so poetic but Ichigo brushes him off and continues with his explanation. He states that Gin has shown nothing to him and when they last fought Gin was not paying any attention to him, though he is unsure what had his attention. Gin states that he had thought Ichigo was an interesting kid, but now thinks he is simply a creepy one. He then notes that is starting to understand why Aizen is interested in Ichigo.

Gin then begins to talk of his Zanpakutō, asking Ichigo if he knows how far it extends. When Ichigo states that he doesn't, Gin states that it extends 100 times its length. Ichigo maintains his disinterest in the conversation, so Gin asks him if he knows how far his Bankai can extend. Ichigo states he did not come there for a quiz. Gin is disappointed when Ichigo refuses to play his guessing game states that it can extend 13km. Saying that stating the number will not get the point across, he then tells Ichigo this time he won’t go easy on him and releases his Bankai, Kamishini no Yari. He swings the blade at Ichigo, but Ichigo easily blocks it. Gin is somewhat surprised by this as Ichigo asks why, saying that it is obvious that a Bankai could be blocked by another Bankai. Ichigo bats Gin's blade away and fires a Getsuga Tenshō, surprising Gin again as he is hit directly by the blast. When the smoke clears Gin is lightly injured and remarks again that Ichigo is a creepy kid.

Ichimaru notes that he has to finish Ichigo off soon and contracts his blade faster than Ichigo can follow, surprising him. Gin further states that his Bankai was stopped pretty easily by Ichigo’s. He says that he has to fight him "the old-fashioned way", and lunges to attack Ichigo. As he is attacking Ichigo's blade with his own, Ichimaru notes than even on the offensive, it feels like his blade is going to break. Ichigo responds by telling him to let it break in two, defending himself from Ichimaru's assault while analyzing his blade. Ichigo thinks to himself that while it has returned to its short length, it is still in Bankai and the fight will be over if he allows Ichimaru to point the blade at him. As Ichimaru leaps to attack Ichigo from above, he extends his blade suddenly and manages to graze Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo moves in to counterattack him, but Ichimaru leaps away. Ichigo then verbally states that he analyzed Ichimaru's blade: the danger of it is not the length or its destructive power, but the speed at which it contracts. He goes on to say that Ichimaru explained the length of his Bankai and destroyed many of the buildings around them in order to drive Ichigo's attention away from the blade's speed when extending and contracting. Ichimaru tucks his blade under his arm and claps. He asks Ichigo if he heard that and explains that his blade is 500 times faster than that speed. He further states that even if Ichigo has this knowledge, it still does not leave him with a chance for victory.

After being knocked into a building by Gin's Bankai, Gin congratulates Ichigo on stopping the attack, calling it a fluke. When Ichigo asks if he really thinks it was a fluke, Isshin tries to speak to him. Ichigo tells him not to talk to him and to stay out of his way, as he nearly has Gin. When the Hōgyoku begins to envelop Aizen, a shocked Ichigo asks Isshin what is occurring. When Isshin states that he does not know, Ichigo says that he should know as he had been fighting him. Isshin replies that he should ask Aizen, who is attacked from behind by Kisuke Urahara.

Ichigo watches on as Kisuke, Isshin and Yoruichi battle Aizen, but make little progress. As Ichigo watches Aizen go on the offensive against Yoruichi, Gin points out that his back is wide open. He tells Ichigo to relax, and the two converse briefly before Gin presses his Zanpakutō against his chest, causing Ichigo to wonder what the stance is for. Gin activates his Butō ability, but Ichigo dodges. Before he can react, however, Ichigo realizes that Gin's blade has already fully contracted. Gin then uses Butō Renjin, causing Ichigo to don his Hollow mask.

After the assault, Ichigo is left winded and his mask shattered. Gin once again mocks Ichigo's frail resolve, noting that back then when they crossed blades in Soul Society, Ichigo was much fiercer than he is now. No longer concerned with him, Gin plainly tells Ichigo to run away. Whilst Ichigo turns to watch Aizen's fight, Gin remarks that Ichigo should not turn away when he's standing right next to him. He then tells Ichigo that he is no longer a warrior, Shinigami, Hollow or even a person anymore and asks Ichigo if he thinks that he can beat Aizen now that he has beaten Isshin, Kisuke and Yoruichi. He offers to allow Ichigo to run, saying that he has lost interest in him and Aizen will be disappointed to see him as he is. Gin finishes by saying that Ichigo understands Aizen's power and draws his Zanpakutō to finish him, but he is stopped by Aizen.

Aftermath
Ichigo notices Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Isshin lying on the ground and when Aizen orders Gin to open a Senkaimon to Soul Society, Ichigo tells him to wait, but falls silent as Aizen's body begins to shed his sleek new form as his "incubation" is complete. Unconcerned with Ichigo at the moment, Aizen tells him he will "devour" him after they have destroyed Karakura Town and leaves with Gin to Soul Society.