52: The long lasting rivalry (more on Renji’s side) between Renji and Byakuya is finally resolved as both release their Bankais. With more experience and training with his Bankai, Byakuya is more comfortable and relatively easily defeats Renji. However, Renji will not go down so easily, and despite multiple injuries and excessive blood loss, still tries and tries again to injure Byakuya. In the end, he fails, and his promise to his soul to save Rukia is broken, for now. Still, his fangs had reached Byakuya, and the latter acknowledges this by throwing his scarf on Renji’s beat body.
53: Rukia encounters Ichimaru on her walk to the Soukyoku Hill, and feels Renji’s fading spirit pressure. The two-on-one fight between Komamura, Tousen and Zaraki continues, Tousen releasing his Bankai and plunging Zaraki into an “Empty Hell”. Zaraki, who had become a Captain by defeating the previous Captain, triumphs in the end and Tousen’s Bankai dissipates. Now, it is Komamura’s turn to release his Bankai after showing his true face. Yumichika reveals two secrets to Hisagi, while Renji is being healed by Hanatarou. At Soukyoku Hill, attendance is poor but at least Byakuya has come.