The battle between Ichigo and Ginjo comes to a close when the latter receives a mortal wound. Just as Ginjo is about to die, Tsukishima tries to kill Ichigo but is stopped by Riruka. Tsukishima is later rescued by Shishigawara while the surviving Xcution members decide to separate. Ichigo later returns to Soul Society and requests that Head Captain Yamamoto let Ginjo’s body be buried within the human world as the last thing he can do for him. Yamamoto agrees just as Ichigo accepts to continue being a Substitue Soul Reaper. Rukia see Ichigo off, recalling their time together and silently thanks him. Ichigo smiles and tells Rukia “See ya later” before returning to Karakura Town where he is greeted by his friends and family.

“Changing History, Unchanging Heart”
“Kawariyuku Rekishi, Kawaranu Kokoro” (変わりゆく歴史、変わらぬ心)

Air Date: March 27, 2012

Ichigo and Uryu continue their battle with Ginjo. However, when Ginjo senses that Tsukishima is close to dying, he reveals to Ichigo that the Substitute Soul Reapers are constantly spyed on by the Soul Society to monitor their actions. However, Ichigo decides he will trust Soul Society for aiding him in protecting the people close to him, and continues fighting Ginjo alone. Both Ichigo and Ginjo release their Bankai and fight just as the Soul Reapers Captains heard Ichigo’s resolve.

“Ichigo vs. Ginjō! Secret of the Substitute Badge”
“Ichigo tai Ginjō! Daikōshō no Himitsu” (一護VS銀城！代行証の秘密)

Air Date: March 20, 2012

Byakuya starts his battle with Tsukishima. When Tsukishima reveals that he can use his Fullbring on inanimate objects as well, he traps Byakuya and hits him and Senbonzakura, thus learning all he needs to know about Byakuya’s weaknesses. Meanwhile, Rukia fights against Riruka and gets her body trapped in a stuffed animal due to Riruka’s new powers. She attempts to fight with Kido, but it accidentally implodes inside herself. Riruka starts to reveal her past and Xcution’s past, which gets her distracted enough for Rukia to touch her zanpakuto. Unable to dodge her, Riruka hits Rukia with her Fullbring and disappears, leaving her to collapse. Back to Byakuya’s fight, Tsukishima is able to overwhelm him and manages to inflict a serious injury. However, Byakuya shoots out his bankai from his hand, and it pierces Tsukishima’s chest. Byakuya thanks him for an exciting battle and Tsukishima falls to the ground.

Uryu comes to assist Ichigo in his battle against Ginjō. Byakuya Kuchiki prepares to start fighting Tsukishima while Riruka ambushes Rukia using stuffed animals. Renji Abarai encounters Jackie and defeats her without the use of his zanpakutō, having increased his powers to be at Aizen’s level. As Yukio then attempts to destroy the dimension where Renji and Jackie are situated, he is confronted by Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya manages to capture Yukio and attempts to force him to free his comrades. Meanwhile, Ikkaku Madarame confronts Shishigawara, managing to find his Fullbring’s weakness and overpowering him.

Ichigo continues to fight Ginjō with his new Soul Reaper powers, overpowering him. He then learns that he regained his powers thanks to all the captians and lieutentants giving him a piece of their own powers. Then, Ginjō reappears and Tōshirō Hitsugaya reveals that he was the first Substitute Soul Reaper. Meanwhile Orihime and Chad rush to Ichigo and are confused as to why he and the other Soul Reapers are fighting Ginjō. Tsukishima appears behind them and tries to break their minds by adding new memories to their past. Urahara and Isshin knock them out. The other members of Xcution are given new powers of their own. Ichigo attempts to take them down, but Yukio uses his new powers to protect themselves and separate the others. Kenpachi Zaraki quickly takes care of Giriko and cuts him in half, killing him instantly.

Ginjo is able to take Ichigo’s Fullbring and apply its power to his own. Unable to do anything about his situation, Ichigo falls deep into despair and runs to Ginjo desesperated. He is then impaled by a sword held by Rukia which causes him to become a Soul Reaper once again. The sword is revealed to possess the powers from the Soul Society’s Gotei 13 army in order to assist Ichigo in his fight against Ginjo.

Ichigo continues his battle with Tsukishima, but is unable to hurt him without fighting against Orihime and Chad who believe he has gone crazy. Meanwhile, Ginjo contnues his battle with Xcution, but runs into trouble when Moe Shishigawara. Unable to fight back, Ichigo is overwhlemed by Tsukishima and is about to be hit by his Fullbring when Ginjo takes the hit instead. Ichigo believes its all over, but Ginjo is unaffected. They are about to continue the fight when Uryu arrives. Ichigo wonders if he is affected by Tsukishima’s Fullbring, but Uryu claims he is not and says that it was Ginjo who attcked him. Before he can react, Ichigo is struck down by Kugo who starts to laugh maniacally. Ichigo realizes that Ginjo was affected after all, but Kugo says he is half right. He was hit by Tsukishima twice to return to his original self and stabs Ichigo with his sword and says he will take his Fullbring.