Rescue efforts are being made across the Seireitei to find and help those who've survived the Stern Ritter attack. Meanwhile, Ichigo visits the Squad 4 barracks to check up on Renji and Rukia, who are receiving medical treatment for their injuries. He then meets with Mayuri Kurotsuchi about fixing his broken Tensa Zangetsu. However, Mayuri explains that once a Bankai is destroyed, it can never be restored to its original state. Afterward, Mayuri takes a still-shaken Ichigo outside to join the rest of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad captains, where they await the arrival of Squad Zero from the Royal Palace.

Inside the Soul Society's Central Underground Great Prison's lowest level, known as "Muken," Kenpachi Zaraki removes his eye patch to fight Retsu Unohana, a.k.a. Yachiru Unohana, "The First Kenpachi." As the battle escalates, the two begin to reminisce about the day they first met and fought in the Rukon District, which ended with Kenpachi learning to enjoy the thrill of battle. However, Unohana alone realizes how the same incident has also affected Kenpachi's powers in a negative way. Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, Ichigo and Renji head to Hoohden to meet Oh-Etsu Nimaiya, the man who is said to have created the Zanpakuto.