Episode 168 The New Captain Appears! His Name is Shusuke Amagai

A new captain is signed on to take over command of the 3rd Squad. The new captain is named Shuusuke Amagai. With him he brings one of his former subordinates a man named Kifune who he appoints as 3rd Seat. Though Kira tries to ease the tension, the 3rd Squad members do not trust him and feel that they do not need a captain. How can Kira get them to trust the newcomers?

Episode 169 New Development, the Dangerous Transfer Student Appears!

While fighting Hollows, Ichigo meets a strange young girl who is then whisked away by her two shinigami attendants. While Rukia searches for any record of the two shinigami, Kon notices some people moving in to the house next to the Kurosaki's. After going out to meet their new neighbors, Rukia and Ichigo discover their are none other then the odd trio from before.

Episode 170 Desperate Struggle Under the Moonlit Night, the Mysterious Assassin and Zanpakutō

Lurichiyo`s group is attacked in the middle of the night by an assasin and it`s up to Ichigo to defeat him. After the death of the assasin everyone is told that Lurichiyo is the heir to one of The Four Noble Houses. That is why Komui, the one that is trying to take over Lurichiyo`s clan, is sending his best assasin`s after them.

Episode 171 Kenryu, the Profusion of Blooming Crimson Flowers

Ichigo is trying to teach Lurichiyo about the real world. During dinner at Ichigo`s house Lurichiyo get`s angry at Kenryuu and Enryuu for always hiding things from her. After running away from them she meets with Orihime and are attacked by another assassin.

Episode 172 Kibune Goes to War! The Violent Wind That Rages

3rd Squad`s Captain Amagai Suusuke wants to start a training exercise with all the 13 Squads. Vice-captain Kira and 3rd seat Kifune fall in a pit were there are a lot of Hollows and Kifune shows his true colors to Kira when Kifune tries to kill a Hollow along with a fellow Death god. Lurichiyo comes back to Soul Society alone.

Episode 173 The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumioji

Kenryuu and Enryuu discover that Lurichiyo has gone missing and go to Soul Society along with Ichigo and Rukia to find her. While at a tea party Lurichiyo is attacked again by an assasin and Ichigo saves her.

Episode 174 Break the Mirror's Boundary! Ichigo's Captivity!

Nukui Hanza and his assasins atack Ichigo and his gang. Nukui Hanza manages to capture Ichigo in his Zanpakutou`s power but underestimates his reiatsu and has to retreat when Yoruichi makes an appearance.

Episode 175 The Revenging Assassin, Ichigo is Targeted

Nukiu Hanza and his friends are back and stronger than ever! And this time the real battle begins with Nukiu declaring he will have Ichigo's head!

Episode 176 Mystery! The Sword-Consuming Assassin

Refusing to give up Rurichiyo, Rukia uses her special ability to encase her new opponent Douko Jinnai in ice, but he easily breaks free.

Episode 177 The Reversal of Rukia, the Rampaging Blade

Rukia, Ishida & Chad start to figure out the powers of who they are fighting, and start to win. Meanwhile Ichigo continues his battles with Hanza.

Episode 178 The Nightmare Which is Shown, Ichigo's Inside the Mirror

Ichigo is trapped in Saiga's illusion what Hanza wants him to see. Hanza wants Ichigo to dream, his biggest regret, and that was not protecting his mom. Ichigo finally manages to break free and continues his battle with Hanza. Can Ichigo beat Hanza, using Saiga at full power?

Episode 179 Confrontation?! Amagai vs. Gotei 13

In a meeting with all of the captains, Amagai tries to make the case that the divisions lack coordination between themselves and proposes holding joint exercises. That's not a bright idea for everyone though.

Episode 180 The Princess' Decision, the Sorrowful Blade

Princess Lorichiyo decided to go back home and go ahead with her wedding. Ichigo, Kenryuu, Enryuu and Rukia know she will be in danger and decide to follow her. But by doing this will their actions put themselves in danger?

Episode 181 The 2nd Division Sorties! Ichigo is Surrounded

Ichigo and Rukia try to stop Lurichiyo's wedding but are stopped by Captain SoiFon and her squad.

Episode 182 Amagai's True Strength, Zanpakutō is Released!

Ichigo, Rukia, and Shuu are currently hiding out in the sewers while planning their next move, and Ichigo suspects that Rurichiyo is somewhere on the Kasumiooji estate. He is intercepted by 3rd division's new captain, Amagai.

Episode 183 The Darkness Which Moves! Kibune's True Colors

Now that Amagai has joined Ichigo, word quickly spreads among the Shinigami ranks, and Genryuusai decides that the new captain might have violated the law.

Episode 184 Kira and Kibune, Offense and Defense of the 3rd Division

The squads manage to put aside their fighting and set up specified territories to patrol, but Ichigo, Amagai, Rukia and Shuu proceed through unassigned territory and, making contact with members of the third division, head for the third division stadium, Lurichiyo's last known location. Izuru begins fighting Kibune. Although Izuru initially gains the advantage by increasing Reppu's weight with Wabisuke's special ability, Kibune manages to make it fly even while heavier, and reveals that he too has a bakkutou. He reveals his past, where his belief that weak comrades could be sacrificed caused him to be largely ostracized in the Gotei 13, and eventually assigned to an expeditionary force due to his being unable to be placed anywhere else. He reveals that he sought power in order to gain respect. With his bakkutou's strength, he knocks Izuru down and prepares to finish him off.

Episode 185 Ice and Flame! Fierce Fight of Amagai vs. Hitsugaya

Kira finishes his fight against Kifune and gains the Bakkuto as proof. Meanwhile Ichigo, Rukia and Amagai are faced with Hitsugaya`s squad. While the captains fight against each other Rukia has to deal with Matsumoto so that Ichigo can go search for Lurichiyo. After Renji presents the evidence of treason to Captain-Commander Yamamato he orders the 13 Protection Squads to break into the Kasumi-Ooji mansion.

Episode 186 Sortie Orders! Suppress the House of Kasumiōji

Yamamoto with the proof he needs to attack the Kasumiōji. Kumoi starts to panic and releases all the ninja armed with bakkōtō to fight off the Shinigami invasion. He also holds Rurichiyo hostage and is finally cornered by Ichigo and Rukia and some one comes in and stops him.

Episode 187 Ichigo Rages! The Assassin's Secret

Amagai starts to attack Yamamoto, and we find out his reasons why he planned his attack. Amagai finally seals Yamamoto's power and starts to attack him and Ichigo and Rukia come to stop him. Ichigo mad at Amagai, because of what he did to Rurichiyo, starts to charge his power up to attack Amagai.

Episode 188 Duel! Amagai vs. Ichigo

Ichigo and Amagai finally face off. With Amagai's bakkutou sealing his shinigami reiatsu, Ichigo is forced to use his Vaizard's mask and hollow powers.

Episode 189 The Fallen Shinigami's Pride

The battle with Ichigo and Amagai comes to a close. Amagai finds out the shocking truth of his father's death.