A New Enemy! The Materialization of Zanpakuto

A mysterious man informs a group of strange beings that it is the time to strike. Ichigo Kurosaki wakes up in Zangetsu's dimension, where Zangetsu asks if Ichigo can hear anything, but thinks it is okay that he cannot. In Seireitei, the captains and lieutenants of Gotei 13 are confused as to why their zanpakuto are not working and feel detached. At night, a group of ryoka attempt to enter Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryusai's quarters. Yamamoto and his lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe confront the intruders but what they see leaves them in shock. Later, Yamamoto calls all captains and lieutenants to Soukyoku Hill. There they are met by the mysterious man, who calls himself Muramasa. Sajin Komamura tries to attack him with his zanpakuto, Tenken, but Tenken appears in a human form and turns on him, ending the battle by knocking him unconscious with one swing of his blade. The other Soul Reapers attempt to attack, but are also unable to release their zanpakuto. The zanpakuto assume human-like forms and join Muramasa, who states that the Soul Reaper zanpakuto have renounced them and are declaring war.