The shinigami discuss Byakuya's betrayal, and the discovery that if a zanpakuto is killed by anyone other than its owner, it will be unusable. Byakuya returns to the zanpakutos' hideout, and proves his loyalty by defeating and seemingly killing Sode no Shirayuki, leaving Rukia unable to use her zanpakuto. Rukia and Renji investigate Byakuya's office, but Byakuya arrives with Senbonzakura, tossing Rukia the broken remains of her zanpakuto. Zabimaru arrives to help Renji fight Byakuya and Senbonzakura, but they are overpowered and several zanpakuto, including Tenken, Houzukimaru, Wabisuke, Rurio Kujaku and Gonryomaru, arrive. The Second Division surrounds the zanpakuto, the zanpakutos' owners come out to fight them, and Ichigo confronts Byakuya.
La 13ª División, particularmente, Renji y Rukia, se quedan sorprendidos por la reciente noticia de que Byakuya se ha aliado con Muramasa. Mientras tanto, dentro de la guarida de Muramasa, la zanpakuto se muestra disconforme.
白哉は村正と千本桜を連れ、一護の前から消えた。白哉が村正と共に行動していたことを一護が護廷十三隊に報告すると、隊長たちや恋次、ルキアはショックを受ける。一方、白哉は村正と共に斬魄刀のアジトに来ていた。
Byakuya deve dimostrare alle zanpakuto che è davvero dalla loro parte. Gli chiedono di distruggere la zanpakuto di Rukia e lui obbedisce. Renji e Rukia non si danno pace dopo la notizia del probabile tradimento di Byakuya.
