A Star and a Stray Dog

Yumichika suggests that it is time to he and Ganju finished their battle. When Yumichika asks if he will try his best to stop him, Ganju lights one of his fireworks and throws it at him. The smoke from the firework obscures the area and stings Yumichika's eyes. Ganju explains that it is a special Kūkaku smoke bomb with pepper added to the ingredients, calling it a "tear and blood bomb". Ganju starts to be affected by the smoke, causing Yumichika to mock him for being hurt by his own trick. Ganju again runs from the Shinigami.

Elsewhere, Ikkaku regains conciousness, surprised that he is still alive. When he sees Ichigo sitting on the remains of a wall, he asks the Ryoka why he is still there. Ichigo dismisses the question and remarks that Zanpakutō return to their sealed state when the owner is unconscious. When Ikkaku realizes that Ichigo is holding Hōzukimaru, he demands it back. Ichigo explains that he borrowed the medicine concealed within it. Ichigo says that even though he used all of it treating both of them, it does not seem to be doing much. When Ikkaku gives out to him, Ichigo thinks he is being miserly, but Ikkaku reveals that he is ashamed to have been saved by the enemy, saying that if he could move, he would kill Ichigo. Ichigo replies that he does not really care if he thanks him or not and asks him where Rukia is being kept. Ikkaku is surprised by the question, and asks why he wants to know such a thing. Ichigo says that he intends to rescue her.

A stunned Ikkaku asks how many of Ryoka there are, guessing that there are seven or eight. When Ichigo tells him there are five people and a cat, Ikkaku laughs so hard that his wound opens up again, dismissing the idea that so few could rescue her. When he settles down again, he gives Ichigo exact directions, much to Ichigo's surprise, saying that he does not care what his intentions are. Ikkaku warns him to hurry, as somebody might find him if he stays with him for much longer. As Ichigo leaves, Ikkaku asks if he the strongest in his group, saying that he should be wary of his captain, who has no interest in the weak. He will seek Ichigo out. Ichigo asks if he is strong, prompting Ikkaku to reply that he will know how strong he is if he survives the meeting.

Meanwhile, Zaraki runs into another dead-end. Yachiru claims it is his fault, saying that he has no sense of direction. Kenpachi, however, complains that they are only lost because he followed her intuition, and decides to try another route. After they leave, Uryū and Orihime peak out from a nearby rooftop, commenting that Zaraki and Yachiru felt very strong and that it is a good thing they did not notice the pair. Uryū remarks that Zaraki is likely similar to Ichigo - stupid but strong - and asks which way they should go. Orihime points to a tower in the distance. As Uryū glances over to see what she is referring to, he sees a large Shinigami behind Orihime, preparing to strike her with his Zanpakutō. The Shinigami smashes his Zanpakutō into the roof, but Uryū saves Orihime. The Shinigami tells them that despite this, they will not live much longer.

The chapter opens showing Yoruichi on a rooftop commenting on how she can sense clashes of reiatsu everywhere. She tells everybody to stay alive as the scene changes to Ishida and Orihime. They are facing off against Jirōbō who continues to countdown. Orihime thanks Ishida for saving her who gives her a short reply, wearing a stern expression and keeping his eyes on Jirōbō. Orihime comments on how Ishida's whole attitude has altered since just a moment ago and also comments on his movement. Saying that for a moment Ishida disappeared from her sense and before she knew it, he had got her to safety. She then reflects on something Yoruichi told her, Ishida remains a Quincy and as such the Shinigami are still his enemy. Just as she completes this thought, Jirōbō counts reaches ten. Jirōbō then tells them that their time for regret is over. Ishida tells Orihime that Jirōbō is about to attack and a moment later Jirōbō does, saying that they will now have an eternity to regret.

Jirōbō's attack sends Ishida stumbling off the roof as Orihime tries to strike back with Tsubaki. Jirōbō laughs of the attack as he deals a grevious wound to Tsubaki. Tsubaki scolds Orihime for throwing him weakly before returning to her hairpin. Jirōbō then berates her for not having any killing intention while being on the field of battle and going on to state that while her move would work against hollows, it will not work against a Shinigami. He then goes to finish her off but Ishida intervenes, telling him that if Jirōbō wants killing intent, then he will find plenty in Ishida's bow.

Based on Ishida's attack, Jirōbō deduces that Ishida is a Quincy as Orihime notes that Ishida's bow has changed completely. She then figures out that the change is due to Ishida's gloves and works out that, that's why Ishida trained by himself. Jirōbō starts to laugh, saying that this should be fun as both Orihime's mysterious power and Ishida's Quincy powers are both projectile-type weapons. He then releases his Zanpakutō: Tsunzakigarasu, the true form of which is countless flying curved blades. Jirōbō boosts about being also known as Kamaitachi because of his speed and mastery of projectile weapons, he goes on to say that no one but him has ever seen the blades of Tsunzakigarasu flitting through the air and lived. He goes on to talk about the speed of the blades but as he is doing that Ishida fires his bow and destroys all his blades. Ishida comments negatively on Jirōbō's boastfulness. Jirōbō tells him that he got lucky and starts to call forth more blades from his sheath. However, Ishida destroys them with ease and comments that between them, he is the true master of projectile weapons but that he simply does not like the sound of Kamaitachi Ishida.

Jirōbō screams as he surveys the hole Ishida has made in his hand. Orihime comments that Ishida's is completely different person to the Ishida who fought Ichigo. Ishida taunts Jirōbō, asking if Jirōbō is regretting meeting Ishida. This angers Jirōbō and he makes another grab for Orihime. However, Ishida appears between them. Ishida deduces that as Jirōbō failed to kill him, he went after Orihime. In fact, Ishida deduces, that Jirōbō was after Orihime from the start and calls him a coward for targeting a girl when he had other opponents available. Ishida then fires two arrows that incapacitates Jirōbō and renders him unconscious.

Orihime thanks Ishida but he brushes it off. Orihime smiles and proceeds to ask if Jirōbō is dead. Ishida says that he is not but that he has destroyed his Shinigami powers. Having claimed victory, Ishida suggests they move on. As they move on, Orihime recalls what Yoruichi said about how Quincy fight and correctly deduces that Ishida's gloves help him gather spirit particles more efficiently and that during the ten days Ishida trained alone, he did so to master his powers in a fashion that would not endanger anyone. Orihime comments on how much stronger Ishida had become and laments that she herself does not feel any stronger then she was before.

Meanwhile, Ganju is running down the streets of Seireitei with the mob of Shinigami chasing after him. He meets up with Ichigo but he too has a mob of Shinigami after him. Having ran towards each other, Ichigo and Ganju are now effectively surrounded. They start to fight with Ichigo knocking out a host of Shinigami with the still wrapped Zangetsu. In the meantime, the 4th Division has mobilised and are approaching the scene of the battles. Hearing the noises of the battles Hanataro wonders what is going on, resulting him getting yelled at, apparently once again, by Iemura. Back at the fight, Ganju comments that Ichigo swung too recklessly. Although there is now a large circle of unconscious Shinigami around Ichigo and Ganju, Ganju says that these particular group of Shinigami are unlikely to retreat. Just as this is happening, Hanataro arrives on the scene. Having stopped to tie his shoes, he was separated from the rest of the 4th Division. He approaches the Shinigami surrounding Ichigo and Ganju to ask directs to the 4th Division but trips and somehow stumbles into the middle of the circle. Ganju looks down on Hanataro and says that he has thought of a way out of the mess. Ichigo says that he has had the same thought.

Renji is surprised the Ichigo remembers his name but very pleased that he does. Ganju wonders who Renji is and comments that the power coming from him is different from the other shinigami. Hanatarō states that Renji Abarai is the Vice-captain of the 6th Division. A statement that causes Ganju to panic but Ichigo moves to engage Renji as the latter comments that he was certain Ichigo had been killed by Captain Kuchiki and as such, compliments Ichigo on surviving but that it ends here. They clash, Ichigo vowing to make Renji let him pass and Renji determined to stop Ichigo.

As they fight Ganju wonders if Ichigo has lost his mind but Hanatarō point out that Ichigo is not only doing well but slowly overpowering Renji. As Renji is literally cornered, he asks what Ichigo's ultimate plan is given that even if he manages to defeat Renji - there are still eleven other Vice-captains and thirteen captains to deal with. Ichigo says that it doesn't matter, if they stand in his way he will crush them all. Renji wonders where this bravado comes from. Commenting that while he has escaped death a few times and his Zanpakutō has changed, that is not enough. Renji then easily pushes Ichigo back and releases his shikai. He sends Ichigo crashing through a building as Hanatarō and Ganju panic. Renji then tells Ichigo that when shinigami of Vice-captain rank and above go into the living world, their power is restricted to 20% so as to avoid influencing the souls of the living world too much. As such, if Ichigo believed that he had Renji's measure from their previous battle, then he was dead wrong. Renji is five times more powerful now. Ichigo then emerges from the rubble, showing Renji, and thanks him for the information. Saying that if this is Renji's real strength then it is not enough.