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 zanpakut? are not working and feel detached.