Pesche's unusual ability allows Uryu to damage Cirucci. Cirucci releases her Zanpakuto and attacks the two until she has them cornered. Uryu uses Seeleschneider, the only bladed Quincy weapon, to counter her attacks as they get closer and closer. With Seeleschneider Uryu is able to cut through Cirucci's feathers. Figuring that her attacks will no longer that work against Uryu, Cirucci does something unexpected

The Women’s Soul Reaper Association is hosting a New Year’s party in the Soul Society, when Hitsugaya and the other male Soul Reapers come crashing in. Meanwhile in the World of the Living, everyone is spending New Year’s with their families. Orihime, who has no family, spends her time alone, when Rukia and Renji come by to say their New Year’s greeting.

Uryu is having a tough time fighting against Privaron Espada Cirucci, whose whip attacks are ever changing. Pesche, who has come looking for Nel, stumbles upon Uryu's fight with Cirucci instead. Pesche attempts to run away in terror but is distracted when his eye catches the miniskirt of Cirucci who is standing on a high pillar.

While going after Aizen, who has left for Karakura Town, Ichigo and Isshin arrive in the Precipice World, a place where time flows two thousand times slower than the outside world. Isshin decides to use this opportunity to have Ichigo acquire the “Final Getsugatensho,” which could defeat Aizen. Meanwhile, at the Karakura Town relocated to the Soul Society, Keigo and Tatsuki wake up to realize something terrible is happening to their town.

Rukia is angered when Kaien tells her to hand over her friends in return for letting her go and is convinced that this Kaien is a fake. She attacks Kaien with every technique she knows, but he dodges them all. Kaien claims that he knows all about Rukia's ability because he's the real Kaien. When he releases his Zanpakuto, Nejibana, Rukia struggles to believe that this person could actually be her former lieutenant.

Ichigo finds himself cornered against Gin’s Bankai. But to Ichigo’s surprise, Gin advises him to run from this battle. Meanwhile, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin fight Aizen in a three-on-one battle. But none of their attacks appear to work against Aizen.

In the depths of Las Noches, Rukia encounters Ninth Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie in an area with a blue sky. Aaroniero lures Rukia into a room and removes his mask. Underneath his mask is the face of Kaien Shiba, the former Thirteenth Squad Lieutenant who is supposed to be dead. Rukia is confused, but Kaien talks with her as if nothing happened. Kaien explains that because of the ability of the Hollow that took control of him right before he died, he was thrust into Hueco Mundo, where he was reborn.

Kisuke Urahara steps onto the battlefield as Aizen, fused with the Hogyoku, begins his transformation. Urahara’s Kido attack appears ineffective against Aizen, who claims he has complete control over the Hogyoku. But Urahara’s true goal was to turn Aizen’s own spirit energy against himself.

Dordoni makes a final attempt to win his battle, but he is defeated by a Hollowfied Ichigo. As Ichigo and Nel continue on their way to Las Noches, the Exequias, Hueco Mundo's execution squad, arrive to finish off Ichigo. Meanwhile, Uryu and Chad also move into the Privaron Espada area and begin fierce battles with triple-digit Arrancars.

While visiting the World of the Living, Rukia comes across Kurumadani, the current Soul Reaper stationed in Karakura Town, being attacked by a mysterious masked man. To her surprise, the masked man reveals himself as Shrieker, the Hollow previously defeated and sent to hell by Rukia and Chad.

Dordoni the Arrancar is a Privaron Espada, a former Espada. Ichigo underestimates his strength and is quickly driven into a corner when Dordoni releases his Zanpakuto. Dordoni pushes Ichigo and demands to see his Bankai, but Ichigo refuses. He wants to fight Dordoni as he is in order to conserve his strength. Dordoni loses his temper and releases the blast of a massive Cero at Ichigo.

A Seireitei International Film Festival is to be held in the Soul Society, and Nanao recruits Ichigo and his friends to cooperate with the filming. The crew consists of Rukia in the lead role, Renji as the director, Uryu as the costume designer, with Rangiku, Orihime, and Chad as supporting cast members. Will these guys really be able complete the film and win the award for best film?!

Ichigo, Uryu, Chad, Rukia, and Renji go their separate ways down the corridors of Las Noches and vow to safely reunite. Ichigo heads down a pathway on his own, but he is followed by Nel. He has no choice but to allow her to join him in order to keep her safe. Suddenly, he senses someone's Spiritual Pressure. An Arrancar named Dordoni stands in Ichigo and Nel's way. Dordoni is Espada Number 103 and doesn't appear to be very strong. Ichigo unenthusiastically accepts his challenge.

As they cross blades, Gin asks Ichigo if he recalls their last encounter, to which Ichigo responds he does not remember Gin’s “heart” being present back then. Ichigo’s answer prompts Gin to display his Bankai and its incredible power. Meanwhile, Isshin notices a change occurring within Aizen.

Ichigo and his friends arrive at Las Noches, Aizen's stronghold, where they break through a wall and charge into the palace. Ichigo tries to leave Nel behind, but she follows Ichigo into the palace and cries as she chases after him. At first Ichigo ignores her, but when he finally gives in, Nel suddenly disappears. In the darkness, Ichigo and his friends search the area where they last heard Nel's voice and find a hole that leads underground.

Aizen’s revelation that Ichigo is his greatest research subject throws Ichigo into a state of shock. But before Aizen can reveal Ichigo’s most startling secret he is interrupted by an unexpected person arriving on the scene.