In the real world, Ichigo encounters and fights a sword beast. When Hitsugaya comes to aid Ichigo, the sword beast retreats. Ukitake and Kyōraku infer that there are at least as many sword beasts as the number of Soul Reapers lost in the war, and the two plan on stabilizing the sword beasts to have them return to their sword forms, despite Mayuri's lack of interest. The sword beast is attacked by a hollow, but he manages to fuse with it. The hollow sword beast overpowers Haineko when she tries to fight him, but Ichigo is able to disarm him. The hollow sword beast fires a cero blast at Ichigo, but Hitsugaya manages to destroy it, noting that the sword beasts are more dangerous than he had thought.