BLEACH episodes

As the Soul Reapers recover from the battle with the Espada and Ichigo lies bandaged and asleep in bed, Orihime has to finish preparations to leave with Ulquiorra. She has 12 hours to get ready and she can only say goodbye to one person. She walks around town as she tries to decide who will be that one person she sees before she leaves them all behind.

Ichigo wakes up and finds his hand healed. Realizing it was Orihime he is joined by Hitsugaya who tells him that something urgent has happened. Ichigo finds that Orihime has either been kidnapped or killed by an Arrancar. He says no because his hand was healed. Commander Yamamoto says that it means that she joined of her own will and is a traitor. He calls back Hitsugaya’s group to Soul Society to prepare for the battle. Now alone, Ichigo must know find a way to get to Hueco Mundo by himself.

With Urahara's help the gateway is opened and Ichigo begins his journey to Hueco Mundo with Chad and Uryuu. Unbeknownst to Ichigo, they were followed by someone who Ichigo thought had been dealt with. In Hueco Mundo, Orihime is given tasks to demonstrate her power. If she is not able to complete them, then surviving among the Arrancar will not be a very easy task.

Ichigo. Uryuu and Chad arrive in Hueco Mundo to find themselves in strange building. They are able to survive and avoid most of the traps but they must then find a way out of the building and deal with the guards who are there to get rid of any trespassers who dare to enter. Finally, Chad and Uryuu’s new powers will be tested in a real situation.

Chad and Uryuu finish off their opponents and escape into the barren desert of Hueco Mundo. Aizen gathers the Espada together and informs them of the situation. Meanwhile, Ichigo and the others must survive the desert of Hueco Mundo and make it to Aizen's castle in one piece.

Ichigo and the others intervene to save a little girl from 3 Hollows only to find that she is really an Arrancar named Nell. After a short episode, they are interrupted by the appearance of a Guardian who blocks their path to the castle. The guardian seems invulnerable to all their attacks until they get a helping hand from some friends

Lunuganga catches Ichigo and the others by surprise and sucks them underground. They awake to find themselves surrounded by Hollow with Rukia missing. Suddenly, they are joined by a whole group of Menos Grande. Meanwhile, Rukia wakes up and has similar encounters with Hollows. She escapes only to find a couple of Menos herself. A strange figure with a mask appears to save her. Just who is this unknown person who wields a zanpakutou?

Nell and her group are captured by a group of Adjuchas and Ichigo sets out to find her with the others. Meanwhile, Rukia sets out to find her friends with Ashido's help. They are confronted by Adjuchas and Gillian along the way and forced to battle. Ashido's past is eventually revealed as they travel and Rukia learns about the story behind his mask.

Ichigo, Renji, Uryuu and Chad catch up to the Adjuchas and rescue Nell and her siblings. A battle ensues between their group and the Menos who are led by another Adjuchas. Meanwhile, as Rukia and Ashido head toward Ichigo, their way is blocked by the leader of the Adjuchas, appointed by Aizen himself as a guardian of the Forest. Ashido and the Adjuchas begin fighting and Rukia is able to give a helping hand. Now she must reunite with Ichigo and try to escape the underground Forest.

Ichigo and the others break into Las Noches successfully. However, they immediately are thrown off course when Nell falls into an old abandoned tunnel and forces the others to go in after her. When they get out, they are then forced to split and each go down separate hallways. Meanwhile, Orihime is taken to see Aizen.

Ichigo continues his battle with Dordonii. And is struggling with Dordonii attacks.

Ichigo is pushed to the limit and releases his bankai to protect Nel. Also by the urging of the arrancar he takes on his hollow form. Is it enough to beat such a strong opponent?

The Espada Szayel Aporro sends out the execution unit named "Exequias" to go after Ichigo who should be injured from his battle with Dordonii. Aizen questions him on why he did it and Szayel apologizes saying he wanted to make sure they killed him. Aizen forgives Szayel but also sees through his plot to to further his research. Meanwhile, Uryuu tries to figure out how to beat his opponent, Cirucci Thunderwitch.

Rukia talks with Aaroniero Arruruerie, but his faces resembles Kaien Shiba. Aaroniero tells his story how he is Kaien and how he got there after Rukia killed him. Aaroniero then ask Rukia if she would offer her life for the man she killed, Rukia was going to accept it, but refused until she rescued Inoue. Aaroniero, then offers a chance of forgiveness if she kills her friends and brings them to him. Rukia realizing that this Kaien, doesn't seem to be the real one, attacks, him, but is at a disadvantage because Aaroniero trained her and knew her shikais.

Rukia and her battle with Aaroniero continue. Rukia is still struggling with Aaroniero, and finally gets the upper hand when she releases a double kido reviling Aaroniero's true face.

Ishida and Pesshe continue there battle with Cirucci, and gain the upper hand when Pesshe uses his infinite slick, making Cirucci release.

Ishida continues his fight with Cirucci and reveals a secret weapon, Seele Schneider. Meanwhile, Chad continues his battle and reveals one of his own secrets.

Chad struggles with his battle with Gantenbainne Mosqueda, until his Right arm takes it true form. Chad starts to gain the advantage and speed and starts to beat Gantenbainne Mosqueda, until he releases and Chad gets his newly powered up left arm and beats Gantenbainne Mosqueda in one hit. Until Nnoitra appears.

Chad realizes Noitora's fearsome strength too late and he falls. The others sense it including Orihime but they are all powerless to do anything about it. Meanwhile, the 8th Espada, Szayel Aporro Grantz appears before Renji and Dondochakka.

Rukia continues her fight with the 9th Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie. She still has mixed feelings about fighting him and she is struck by his trident. As she lies on the tip of his weapon, barely conscious, she goes through a series of flashbacks of her time with Kaien. Her memories revive her with only enough time for one final desperate attack.