Ichigo and his comrades are chased from one end of the Seireitei to another while fending off the furious attacks of the Soul Reapers that guard the city from intruders. When he and Ganju capture a meek member of Squad 4, they are shown a secret way into the white tower where Rukia is being held prisoner. But at the steps of the fortress, an old nemesis, Renji Abarai, appears, and a rematch pits Ichigo against the spirit energy of a powerful lieutenant.