Shot Through the Heart, and You're To Blame . . . (Bleach 440)

The chase is on as we begin Chapter 440 of Bleach, as Chad and Ichigo are now hot on the trail of Inoue, who is emitting peculiar reiatsu patterns. Ichigo is obviously very concerned, but his is still in a weakened state from the training he just completed. Chad cannot lock onto her precise location, but Ichigo notices that it seems to be coming from the direction of her apartment.

Meanwhile, at the Justice League, Inoue stands between Tsukishima and Shishigawara, vowing to not let the former leave with holding him accountable for injuring Ishida. Tsukishima scoffs at Inoue's assertion as she contemplates her battle strategy. As Tsukishima turns to leave, Inoue seizes the opportunity to activate Santen Kesshun, but is countered instantly by Tsukishima, appearing behind her.

Just then, Ichigo and Chad arrive to find a perplexed, yet unscathed Inoue standing alone by her apartment door. She claims to have just have experienced a stomach ache after her "friend" left. Bewildered by her own response, referring to Tsukishima as "friend," she tells Chad that she will text him later, so as to not get Ichigo involved (as Inoue is unaware of Ichigo's recent exploits), and plays along with the ruse.

Suspecting that there is much more to this that both Inoue and Chad are letting on, Ichigo returns to the Xcution headquarters, where Kuugo reveals to him the true source of the attacks on his friends: Xcution's former ally and fellow Fullbringer, Tsukishima.

After witnessing Inoue's response to Tsukishima's attack, you have to wonder if his Fullbring, Book of the End, has other special properties, such as some sort of mind-manipulating poison or something like that. Possibly poisoned works, or something of that line, to fit with the book theme. Only time will tell I guess. This chapter was quite solid, a good 9/10 with much to look forward to in the chapters to come.