Muramasa sends Sode no Shirayuki away, and Ichigo asks why he wanted the zanpakutō to gain independence over the shinigami. Although he does not give the reason, Muramasa replies that zanpakutōs can seperate themselves away regardless of being the soul of a shinigami, and he is a good example of one. Ichigo cannot accept this view and attacks him. Muramasa uses illusions to overwhelm Ichigo and pins him to the ground, where he proceeds to drag Zangetsu out of him. Once Zangetsu manifests, he immediately attacks Ichigo. Meanwhile, Mayuri begins experimenting on himself in order to research the zanpakutōs' manifestation. After Zangetsu seemingly defeats Ichigo, Ichigo transforms into his hollow form and strikes back. After a while, he transforms into his stronger form and easily beats down Zangetsu. Muramasa tries a sneak attack but Ichigo immediately regenerates and attacks him. Before the hollow form can do anything else, Ichigo manages to return to his shinigami form and falls unconscious at Muramasa's feet.
Muramasa aparece frente a Ichigo y le explica que ha liberado a las zanpakutos de los Shinigamis dándoles una forma física para existir.
一護の前に村正が現れた。事情を問いただす一護に対し、村正は「斬魄刀自体が持っている魂に語りかけることで、斬魄刀を死神から解放、実体化させた」と語る。そして村正は、驚いている一護に攻撃を仕掛ける。
Muramasa rivela di aver lasciato andare Rukia al fine di portare Ichigo nella Soul Society per liberare anche la sua Zanpakuto. Zangetsu si materializza quindi fuori dalla spada di Ichigo e inizia a combattere contro di lui.
