Ep. 98: Kenpachi Zaraki intercepts Maki Ichinose, who chooses to fight the eleventh division captain instead of fleeing.
Hitsugaya and Ichinose continue their battle, and Ichinose uses his shikai, blinding all of those present. As Ichinose is about to attack Chad, his attack is blocked by eleventh division captain Kenpachi Zaraki. Kenpachi instructs Hitsugaya to take the group and stop Kariya from invading Sereitei, and Ichinose, torn between his loyalty to Kariya and desire to avenge his former captain by killing Kenpachi, decides to stay and fight Kenpachi. Kenpachi easily blocks all of Ichinose's attacks, forcing him to use his zanpakutou to trap him in a sphere of light. Kenpachi removes his eyepatch and releases his full power to destroy the sphere. Refusing to surrender, Ichinose attacks Kenpachi a final time, and Kenpachi slices him across the chest, leaving him for dead.
Episodes
- Ep. 94 · Hitsugaya's Decision! The Clash Approaches
- Ep. 95 · Byakuya Enters the Fray as Wind-Splitting Cherry Blossoms Dance
- Ep. 96 · Ichigo, Byakuya, and Kariya engage in a fierce three-way confrontation.
- Ep. 97 · Hitsugaya confronts Ichinose in the Rukongai forest while Kariya prepares for an invasion in Kusajishi.
- Ep. 98 · Kenpachi Zaraki intercepts Maki Ichinose, who chooses to fight the eleventh division captain instead of fleeing.
- Ep. 99 · Shinigami vs. Shinigami! The Uncontrollable Power
- Ep. 100 · Soi Fon Combats Poison While Chaos Spreads Through Sereitei
- Ep. 101 · Mayuri Unleashes Bankai Against Sawatari While Uryuu Engages Yoshi
- Ep. 102 · Uryuu and Yoshi clash while Kariya infiltrates to seize the Joukaishou crest.