As Renji Abarai recovers in his cell, the spirit of his zanpakutō, Zabimaru, says that he wishes to face Ichigo Kurosaki's zanpakutō, Zangetsu, again, but Renji tells him that Ichigo is no longer his enemy. Elsewhere, Yoruichi Shihōin manages to evade Byakuya Kuchiki and escape with Ichigo. After Ichigo regains consciousness, she begins to instruct him in the use of his bankai, the final stage of his zanpakutō that would vastly increase his power. Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue are attempting to travel to Rukia Kuchiki's cell by using Soul Reaper clothes, but they are closely watched by twelfth division Soul Reaper captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi.