Ep. 232: Rukia battles her zanpakutou Sode no Shirayuki while Ichigo and Yoruichi search for Byakuya.

232

Rukia returns to the sixth division headquarters to reunite with Renji Abarai, but Byakuya’s fate remains unknown following the rebellion. Meanwhile, Ichigo and Yoruichi arrive in the Soul Society and separate to investigate clues. Rukia visits Byakuya’s compound and encounters Sode no Shirayuki, who demands her freedom. After a fierce fight, Rukia is defeated. Ichigo intervenes to save her from freezing, but he is also defeated because he refuses to harm Rukia’s zanpakutou. Desperate, Rukia uses kidou to bind herself to Sode no Shirayuki, demonstrating their inseparable bond. This action causes an explosion that severely injures Rukia. Sode no Shirayuki changes her mind and tries to reach her mistress, but Muramasa appears to restrain her. Muramasa introduces himself to Ichigo as a zanpakutou.