Bleach Volume 13 (Blog Post 4)

Anyone up for some nostalgia? That’s right, we’re reviewing Volume 14 of bleach which correlates with how I feel when I’m reading. We start with Captain Kyoraku receiving a report from his lieutenant (Nanao) stating one of the other captains of the Gotei Thirteen, Captain Aizen of Squad 5, has been murdered. We transition to Kenpachi Zaraki (Captain of Squad 11) and Ichigo Kurosaki fighting in an exhilarating battle surrounded by 100ft tall stone buildings. Ichigo proceeds to dodge Kenpachi’ s attacks as he can’t cut him with his sword, Zangetsu. After gathering his senses and calms himself for his next attack, he manages to put a huge gash on Kenpachi’ s chest. However, being Kenpachi Zaraki, his personality of enjoying fighting against someone equal or better than him, he simply commends Ichigo and tells him to stay focused, and their battle continues. Elsewhere in the Seireitei, Retsu Unohana declares to both, Captain Kaname Tousen of 9th Squad, and Captain Komamura of Squad 7, that Captain Aizen has been pronounced dead. Ichigo and Kenpachi continue their fighting until Kenpachi, literally cuts through Ichigo’ s sword like a tube effortlessly entering a perfect sized hole! Ichigo’ s sword snaps in half as he falls to the ground after having a hole pierced in his chest. He retreats to his mind where his sword spirit (Zangetsu) communes with him and fights him to see if he’s worthy to wield him. Zangetsu is defeated by Ichigo and agrees to lend Ichigo more of his power. Ichigo’ s wounds are healed by Zangetsu and he continues his battle with Kenpachi. In turn, Kenpachi gets so excited with the battle, he decides to take off his eyepatch that absorbs his spirit energy so his fights can lost longer. The gloves are off, they prepare for one final all out attack with Zangetsu helping Ichigo and Kenpachi using his raw battle prowess. The end result… a draw! Ichigo is wisped away by his companion Yoruichi, and Kenpachi by his lieutenant, Yachiru.