A New Enemy! The Materialization of Zanpakuto

A mysterious man informs a group of strange beings that it is the time to strike. In his dimension, Zangetsu wakes Ichigo Kurosaki up and asks him if he can hear anything, but the latter thinks it is okay that he cannot. In the Seireitei, the captains and lieutenants of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are confused as to why their zanpakutou are not working right, making them feel detached. At night, a group of ryoka attempt to enter Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryuusai's quarters. Yamamoto and his lieutenant Choujirou Sasakibe confront the intruders, but what they see leaves them in shock. Later, Yamamoto calls all captains and lieutenants to Soukyoku Hill. There they are met by the mysterious man, who calls himself Muramasa. Sajin Komamura tries to attack him with his zanpakutou, Tenken, but it appears in a human form and turns on him, ending the battle by knocking him unconscious with one swing of the blade. The other Soul Reapers attempt to release their zanpakutou to attack, but are somehow unable to do so. The zanpakutou assume human-like forms and join Muramasa, who states that the Soul Reapers' zanpakutou have renounced them and have declared war.