Renji vs. Rukia?! Battle With Comrades!

While Kon tries to keep the green-haired girl, whose name is Nozomi Kujou, a secret from Ichigo's family. Rukia sneaks in Ichigo's jail cell and frees him. Juushirou Ukitake and Shunsui Kyouraku discuss about Ichigo's possible involvement with the disappearances, since his substitute badge was found by Byakuya inside the Dangai. While Rukia explains to Ichigo there is a time gap between the human world and the Soul Society, they are then confronted by Renji Abarai and Ikkaku Madarame, who exhibit ruthless behaviors unlike themselves. Yoruichi Shihouin arrives and seals Renji and Ikkaku before escaping with Ichigo and Rukia into her hideout. She explains to them that Renji and Ikkaku were secretly replaced by reigai, artificial bodies which allows modified souls to maintain a physical form in Soul Society. The reigai, which closely imitate the features of a Soul Reaper, are being used to test out soul candies, which means someone in the twelfth division is involved. Ichigo and Rukia later sneak into the laboratory and discover that Nozomi is a fugitive from the Soul Society. The mysterious scientist along with Kira and Nanao's reigai arrive in the human world to apprehend Nozomi, who evades capture. Kon follows her and both are eventually cornered by the scientist. However, Uryuu Ishida arrives to help the two.