What is bleach episode 239 about?

Answer 1

Byakuya Kuchiki recognizes Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto inside the barrier. Muramasa tells him that the people floating above the barrier are three Zanpakutō, who are equal in strength to Yamamoto and have been maintaining the barrier for some time. Byakuya approaches the barrier, interfering with the flow of the Zanpakutō spirits' Reiatsu causing flames to escape from the barrier. Ichigo Kurosaki reflects on Byakuya's betrayal as Yoruichi Shihōin informs the others of a location where she sensed the Reiatsu of the Captain-Commander. Unwilling to wait around any longer, Jūshirō Ukitake, Shunsui Kyōraku, Kenpachi Zaraki, Yachiru Kusajishi, Ichigo and Yoruichi decide to go on the offensive.

In the Zanpakutō's hideout, some of the spirits are gathered, idly talking amongst themselves when Kazeshini limps into the cave and collapses. Muramasa returns from Yamamoto's prison and tells Kazeshini to rest until his injuries have healed. Kazeshini asks him about his freeing of the Zanpakutō to follow their instincts, and why Byakuya is there. Muramasa thanks the remaining Zanpakutō spirits for helping to protect Byakuya, saying that he has done something to aid his goals, and that the Shinigami will not be able to act as long as Yamamoto is their prisoner. The Shinigami gather at one of the entrances to Muramasa's lair.

Meanwhile, the Shinigami have arrived at the entrance to a cave from which they sense the Captain-Commander. Yoruichi warns that the cave is like a maze, and that the Zanpakutō spirits have been using another entrance to the same cave system. Zaraki enters the cave and the other captains quickly follow. While Zaraki struggles in the darkness, Yoruichi and Ichigo use a different, flooded entrance. As they leap from one stalagmite to another, Ichigo asks Yoruichi about Byakuya's motives. When Yoruichi replies that she does not know what he is doing, Ichigo is surprised and falls into the water. While Yoruichi tries to reassure him, she is attacked by Haineko and Tobiume, but she quickly defeats the two Zanpakutō. She tells Ichigo to go on ahead, and that he can do what he wishes after the Captain-Commander is freed. Ukitake is confronted by his Zanpakutō.

Ukitake and Kyōraku are confronted by their own Zanpakutō as they explore the caves, while Zaraki is stopped by Tenken and Gonryōmaru. Ichigo, meanwhile, encounters Minazuki, who retreats. Ichigo pursues, but is attacked by Kazeshini. Ichigo uses his Bankai to defeat him. Ichigo apologizes to Shūhei Hisagi for destroying his Zanpakutō, and continues towards the Captain-Commander. Ichigo finds Yamamoto and attempts to approach him, but is burnt by the barrier. Ichigo prepares to destroy the barrier.

Answer 2

In the Forest of Menos, the bodies of numerous Gillian dissipate around Muramasa. As he walks through the Forest, still visibly weakened and ill, he is attacked by a Hollow, but summons his sword and easily slays it, commenting that "That wasn't it...". He is then confronted by a humanoid Hollow, with two horns of differing lengths, bathing the area in the light of its pink spiritual power. Muramasa has apparently found what he had been searching for.

Meanwhile, in Soul Society, Momo Hinamori darts through the trees, chased by her Zanpakutō spirit, Tobiume. Tobiume talks about how she was infuriated as she watched Hinamori being betrayed by Sōsuke Aizen, and continues attacking Hinamori, knocking her into a tree. Nearby, Rangiku Matsumoto is fighting Haineko, but she is distracted upon hearing Hinamori being attacked by Tobiume and is knocked down by Haineko. Matsumoto is enraged by Haineko's taunts and attacks her bear-handed. Hinamori and Matsumoto target each others opponents with Kidō, catching them off guard and trapping them both in Bakudō #9 Disintegrating Circle. The duo then reveal that they had being pretending to take what the Zanpakutō spirits' said seriously in the hope that they would only focus on their opponent, losing track of what the other Shinigami was doing.

Elsewhere, Tōshirō Hitsugaya tries to convince Hyōrinmaru that he is his master, but Hyōrinmaru dismisses this notion as Hitsugaya is only a child too weak to control his vast power. Hyōrinmaru reveals that he lost his memories when he was released from his former master, and that while he is currently working for Muramasa, his real goal is to find his true master. When Hitsugaya insists about his identity, Hyōrinmaru attacks him to assess his strength. Hitsugaya binds him with Sajo Sabaku, but Hyōrinmaru freezes it and to free himself and causes the weather to worsen, simultaneously making Sennen Hyōrō close in on Ichigo Kurosaki.

As Hyōrinmaru counters all of Hitsugaya's attacks, Tōshirō questions what instincts drive him. When Hyōrinmaru replies that he desires a place where he belongs, Tōshirō remembers his days prior to becoming a Shinigami, and how he came to discover his power. He then unleashes his Zanpakutō's Shikai, stunning Hyōrinmaru. He attacks Hyōrinmaru with his Ryūsenka technique, while Ichigo breaks out of Sennen Hyōrō with his Getsuga Tenshō. Wrapped in ice, Hyōrinmaru finally remembers his master, briefly transforming back into his original form.

Back in the Forest of Menos, Muramasa has defeated his new found opponent. After realising that time is limited, he picks up the defeated Hollow, stating that it would have to suffice for today.

(found via wikipedia)

Answer 3

From Wikipedia:

In a special episode, Ichigo and a number of other characters take part in an alternate world that hinges closely on the stories of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp. Ichigo finds out that this is all a dream, and strives to wake up, while the others are intent on finding a hidden treasure called a Snow Crystal. Throughout a series of misadventures, Ichigo and the others encounter a magic lamp with the power to grant three wishes, the "genie" being Rukia, who, by breaking the laws of granting wishes is sentenced to be executed in the "Lamp Society". Ichigo and the others go to rescue her, and by doing so, Ichigo is granted the third and final wish. Instead of being wished to wake up from the dream he is supposedly having, he opts for the Snow Crystal. But when it appears, it is revealed that the whole ordeal was dreamed up by Isane Kotetsu in the Soul Society.