Stray Snake, Tortured Monkey.Renji and Zabimaru come to the real world following a sword beast. Zabimaru's two halves, Saru and Hebi, split up to search. Although they quickly find a boomerang sword beast, he escapes. Hebi follows him and is convinced that being free is better. Hebi, having trouble doing anything due to being unseen by the public, meets Karin Kurosaki and Yuzu Kurosaki, the former being the only one able to see him, who both end up taking him home. Meanwhile, at a park, Renji notices that Saru is feeling lonely without Hebi around. Ichigo returns home at night, only to find Hebi, who realizes that Ichigo is a substitute Soul Reaper. Hebi runs away, only to encounter the boomerang sword beast again. As they battle each other, Hebi has the advantage until the boomerang sword beast captures Karin, who was following Hebi. Renji and Saru come to rescue Hebi and defeat the boomerang sword beast. Ichigo takes Karin home, convincing her it was all a dream, even though she knew otherwise. Having resolved his differences, Hebi returns with Renji and Saru to the Soul Society.