Bleach/Motive of the Fist

Motive of the Fist
Season 2, Episode 17
Airdate	June 21, 2005
Production Number	37
Written by	Genki Yoshimura Masahiro Okubo Masashi Sogo Michiko Yokote Natsuko Takahashi Rika Nakase
Directed by	Noriyuki Abe
ADR Writer(s)	Mark Ryan
ADR Director(s)	Kirk Thornton Wendee Lee
← 2x16 Kenpachi Zaraki Approaches!	2x18 → Desperation! The Broken Zangetsu
Bleach — Season Two

Motive of the Fist is the seventeenth episode of the second season of Bleach and the thirty-seventh episode overall. Chad fights with the captain of Squad 8 and recalls his history with Ichigo, as well as the promise he made to him so many years ago.

Co-Stars: Kate Higgins (Nanao Ise), Steve Kramer (Shunsui Kyoraku), Kim Strauss (Tatsufusa Enjōji), Jamieson Price (Sado "Chad" Yasutora), Dave Wittenberg (Thug), Kim Strauss (Oscar Joaquin de la Rosa)

Plot Overview

While Ichigo fights with Kenpachi Zaraki on one side of the plateau on which the white tower sits, Chad is making his way towards the tower as well. He's met with opposition by Tatsufusa Enjōji, a member of the 8th division. Enjōji's technique involves swinging his sword wildly to confuse his opponent, but he only succeeds in getting punched into the horizon by Chad. Before long, the man's captain meets him at the threshold of one of the temples. Chad asks that he kindly step aside as to avoid a fight, but Kyoraku can't let him through.

Since neither one wants to fight, Kyoraku offers Chad a friendly drink instead. Chad tells him that minors can't drink alcohol where he comes from and he decides to drink alone. When Kyoraku tells him that captains are closing in on his friends, Chad attempts to move him himself with his arm, but Kyoraku doesn't budge. His successive attacks are all dodged and when Chad moves in close, he's sent backwards by Kyuraku's touch. Chad tells him what his goals are and, considering his determination, Kyoraku decides that he has no choice but to kill him.

Mid-battle, Chad looks about on his past with his grandfather, who made him promise to learn what the real purpose of his fists are, and later when he met Ichigo. On the day that Ichigo saved his medallion from a group of thugs, they promised that they would protect one another. With that promise in mind, he tries to take down Kyoraku with his strongest attack, but fails.

Trivia

The Show

• Closing Credits: The closing credits animation of this episode features Shunsui Kyōraku, the frequently drunk captain of Squad 8, and his lieutenant Nanao Ise.