Bleach Episode 174
Translated Episode Name:Break the Mirror’s Boundary! Captive Ichigo
Romanji Episode Name:Kagami no kyōkai o yabure! Toraware no Ichigo
Kanji Episode Name: 鏡の境界を破れ！捕らわれの一護
Kumoi further consolidates his power by eliminating the clan members who oppose him. In the Urahara shop, Urahara reveals that there has lately been a shortage of a certain kind of spirit particles, and wonders if it is linked to the current incident with the Kasumiōji clan. Kumoi sends Hanza and a dozen assassins to take care of Rurichiyo. Hanza takes the mirror weapon held by the first assassin with him. The dozen assassins split up into groups of four to challenge Ichigo’s friends, while Hanza fights Ichigo personally. Though Ichigo is familiar with the mirror weapon and easily holds Hanza off, Hanza reveals a second ability of the weapon, using it to trap Ichigo in a pocket dimension in which he cannot move. He explains that the weapon, Saiga, evolves by feeding off the spiritual energy of those who wield, hence it is much stronger in his hands than those of his subordinates. Ichigo is freed by Yoruichi, and she points out that his group of assassins has been defeated. The assassins once again kill themselves to prevent capture, while Hanza escapes. The next morning, Kumoi succeeds in installing Rurichiyo’s fiancé as head of the clan.
Tags: Bleach, The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc