Hitsuguya steps forward to challenge Gerard, while the others try to regroup. Hitsuguya uses his bankai, and manages to freeze Gerard in place, but the battle is likely only just beginning. Meanwhile, Uryuu remembers the past, and his father's operating on his mother's body. Uryuu remembers this as the moment he realized he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps. In the present, Uryuu is confronted by Hashwalth, who has switched powers with Juha Bach, meaning he is able to see into the future. Uryuu asks if he saw betrayal, to which Hashwalth asks why he would think such a thing. Hashwalth looks to "confirm his suspicions," and moves to attack. As he does, an explosion erupts, and in it stands Ichigo. Is Ichigo really there, or is this a trick by Hashwalth to test Uryuu's allegiances?
