is bleach episode 17 filler?

As a wounded Ichigo Kurosaki falls to his knees with blood spurting from his shoulder, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai retracts his Shikai, Zabimaru, and asserts that this is the difference in their strength before explaining how a Zanpakutō changes in size and shape depending on its wielder's Reiryoku, with Zabimaru being the shape of his power. With Ichigo trembling uncontrollably and unable to look up as he continues kneeling wordlessly on the sidewalk, Renji decides that it is time that he and his fellow Shinigami left because he does not like the air here and levels Zabimaru at Ichigo.