Arc 8The War for the Soul King Palace

Tokoyo Misao joined Aizen and Hueco Mundo in an assault on the Wandenreich as the Three Worlds’ balance collapsed and the captains entered the war. After Yhwach defeated Ichibē and Aizen battled Yamamoto, Misao severed the Riden’s connection to the Soul King Palace and took up Ryūjin Jakka.

  • Tokoyo Misao led Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki into Hueco Mundo, healed Kenpachi Zaraki, and helped Aizen gather the Arrancar for an assault on the Wandenreich.
  • Tokoyo Misao and the Las Noches forces attacked Wahrwelt, while the falling balance reading prompted Shunsui Kyōraku and the captains to enter the conflict.
  • Tokoyo Misao fought Gremmy Thoumeaux, crushed his meteor, and killed him after Gremmy imagined a body stronger than Misao’s blood-red arm.
  • The captains and Arrancar battled the Schutzstaffel across the Riden, and Shunsui Kyōraku defeated Baraggan with his Bankai as Baraggan killed Lille Barro.
  • Yhwach defeated Ichibē Hyōsube with The Almighty, then headed toward the Soul King’s palace as Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue arrived to stop him.
  • Tokoyo Misao revived Ichibē, then attacked him when he ordered Yamamoto to kill the invaders, while Yamamoto fought Aizen and Ichigo pursued Yhwach.
  • Aizen evolved repeatedly and apparently killed Yamamoto, but Tokoyo Misao severed the Riden’s black seed, restored Yamamoto’s body, and returned to retrieve Ryūjin Jakka.
Chapters 176–200 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 176Clash and Sneak Attack (Continued)

Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku fought Yammy and Ulquiorra as the Arrancar tested the captains and delayed them. Ulquiorra revealed his Resurrección and Espada rank, then Senkaimon opened across the Seireitei, where Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronted an arriving enemy.

  • Jūshirō Ukitake redirected the power of Yammy’s Cero into a massive blast, while Shunsui Kyōraku emerged from Yammy’s shadow and attacked him.
  • Yammy charged Shunsui, but Shunsui dodged his rapid Sonído strike and Ukitake took over the fight.
  • Shunsui cut Ulquiorra’s wrist, then demonstrated his Zanpakuto’s games; Ulquiorra deduced their rules and used Resurrección, releasing overwhelming Reiatsu.
  • Ulquiorra explained that he was the fourth Espada and Yammy the tenth, while Shunsui tried to gather information and warned the other captains that Arrancar had infiltrated the Seireitei.
  • Senkaimon appeared in the Tenth Division, the Second Division, and the noble district, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya recognized that the initial Garganta had concealed the invaders’ ability to travel through Senkaimon.

Ch. 177The Tenth Division and Noble Street

Tōsen attacked the Tenth Division barracks, where Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Shūhei Hisagi fought to stop him. Tōsen trapped Tōshirō in his Bankai’s sensory-deprivation barrier, leaving him to defend himself while reinforcements could still arrive.

  • Tōsen demanded that Gin Ichimaru come out, and Shūhei Hisagi intercepted his attack on the captain’s office.
  • Shūhei used Kazeshini and Hadō to fight his former captain, but Tōsen struck him with Suzumushi’s vibrations until Tōshirō intervened with Bankai.
  • Tōshirō and Shūhei coordinated their attacks, but Tōsen countered them with Suzumushi and wounded both Soul Reapers.
  • Tōshirō blocked Tōsen’s blade barrage with a modified Ice Dankū, combining Dankū with ice and compressed air.
  • Tōsen activated Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi, enveloping the Tenth Division grounds and stripping Tōshirō of his senses.
  • Tōshirō took a defensive stance inside the barrier after Tōsen cut his shoulder, while Tōsen noted that the Gotei 13 might send reinforcements.

Ch. 178Despair and Destruction

Soi Fon unleashed her Bankai against Grimmjow, destroying the noble district but failing to kill him. Grimmjow transformed and attacked again, while Ōmaeda escaped with the exhausted captain.

  • Grimmjow absorbed dozens of Soi Fon’s Punishment Force members, and Soi Fon fired her charged Bankai missile at him.
  • Grimmjow survived the explosion with serious burns and transformed by releasing Pantera.
  • Soi Fon explained that she had warned the surviving Punishment Force members to dig underground, then told Ōmaeda to summon the Fourth Division.
  • Grimmjow reappeared and attacked Soi Fon and Ōmaeda, but Ōmaeda used Shunpo to carry Soi Fon a hundred meters away.

Ch. 179Chapter 179

Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki fought the Arrancar Grimmjow and Nnoitra after they attacked Soul Society. Byakuya fell badly wounded as Grimmjow withdrew, while Kenpachi overpowered Nnoitra and left him gravely injured.

  • Byakuya Kuchiki arrived in time to save Ōmaeda and Soi Fon from Grimmjow, then sent Ōmaeda to carry Soi Fon to the Fourth Division.
  • Byakuya Kuchiki activated Bankai and Final Scene, White Imperial Sword, but Grimmjow wounded him severely in their clash.
  • Grimmjow sensed someone approaching, spared Byakuya Kuchiki, and left; Yoruichi Shihōin transformed from a black cat and carried Byakuya away.
  • Nnoitra collected the remaining Second Division members with his collector, but Kenpachi Zaraki arrived and cut him despite his Hierro.
  • Nnoitra released Santa Teresa and attacked with six arms and a Gran Rey Cero, but Kenpachi Zaraki deflected the beam and severed Nnoitra's blades and two arms with a two-handed slash.

Ch. 180The Pursuit into Hueco Mundo, Schemes and Plots

Arrancar attacks forced Soul Reapers to defend Seireitei, while Kenpachi Zaraki pursued Harribel into Hueco Mundo and Tōshirō defeated Kaname Tōsen before Ulquiorra and Yammy escaped with him. At an emergency captains' meeting, the Soul Reapers counted heavy losses and reported that Kenpachi's fate was unknown.

  • Tier Harribel rescued Nnoitra and left through a Garganta, and Kenpachi Zaraki followed them into Hueco Mundo.
  • Ulquiorra and Yammy escaped Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, while Unohana organized healing for the wounded.
  • Tōshirō shattered Kaname Tōsen's Enma Kōrogi and attacked him, but Ulquiorra and Yammy arrived and took Tōsen through a Garganta.
  • Shunsui Kyōraku persuaded Tōshirō not to pursue the Arrancar, and the Soul Reapers convened an emergency captains' meeting.
  • Sasakibe reported dozens of Seated Officers and hundreds of division members dead, while Kenpachi Zaraki remained missing in Hueco Mundo.

Ch. 181Kenpachi Zaraki and Starrk

Tokoyo Misao was ordered to Hueco Mundo to support Kenpachi Zaraki and restore the balance of the Three Worlds, while Soul Society prepared for the Wandenreich’s possible retaliation. He brought Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki through the Senkaimon, but found the surrounding desert strangely empty of Hollows.

  • The captains chose Tokoyo Misao to support Kenpachi Zaraki in Hueco Mundo, and Yamamoto rescinded the warrants for Shinji Hirako and his companions.
  • Tokoyo Misao took Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki on the mission, while Rukia Kuchiki stayed behind to guard the merchant association and watch for the Wandenreich.
  • Kisuke Urahara revealed that he had stolen Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s shadow-ability research and suggested using it and a Quincy to provoke Hueco Mundo’s Hollows against the Wandenreich.
  • Tokoyo Misao led Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki through the Senkaimon into Hueco Mundo, where they found no Hollows across the surrounding desert.
  • Tokoyo Misao took out a strange device whose display read one hundred percent.

Ch. 182Kenpachi Zaraki and Starrk (continued)

Tokoyo Misao and Orihime Inoue headed toward a battle while Kenpachi Zaraki fought Starrk outside Las Noches. After Starrk repeatedly blasted Kenpachi away and frustrated his attempts to land a blow, Yachiru urged him to use her, and Kenpachi activated Bankai.

  • Orihime Inoue spotted a distant battle, and Tokoyo Misao sensed Kenpachi Zaraki fighting an Arrancar and set off with her.
  • Harribel called Starrk for help, then carried the gravely wounded Nnoitra into Las Noches while Starrk faced Kenpachi.
  • Starrk transformed with Lilynette as his guns and used powerful Ceros to repeatedly knock Kenpachi away.
  • Kenpachi grew irritated because he could not reach Starrk, until Yachiru told him he could use her and he roared, “Bankai!”

Ch. 183Sit Down and Have a Cup of Tea, Sorry for the Poor Hospitality

Kenpachi Zaraki fought Starrk in his Hell-powered Bankai, shrugging off the Arrancar’s Ceros and exploding wolves until Yachiru stopped him from exceeding his limit. Tokoyo Misao arrived with Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki, and Aizen greeted them by offering tea, while Tokoyo Misao asked for three Arrancar.

  • Kenpachi Zaraki transformed with the power of Hell, and Starrk recognized the same power he had once seen reach from the Gates of Hell.
  • Starrk attacked Kenpachi Zaraki with barrages of Ceros and soul-fragment wolves, but Zaraki endured the blasts and cut off Starrk’s arm with an air blade.
  • Starrk detonated his wolves in a powerful chain of explosions, but Kenpachi Zaraki remained unharmed and stopped moving after Yachiru persuaded him not to exceed his limit.
  • Tokoyo Misao arrived with Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki, and Starrk realized he could not fight all of them at once.
  • Aizen appeared with Kaname Tōsen and the Espada, welcomed Tokoyo Misao to Hueco Mundo, and offered him tea; Tokoyo Misao agreed but asked for three Arrancar.

Ch. 184What? Tokoyo and Aizen Joined Forces?

Tokoyo Misao and Aizen agreed to join forces against the Wandenreich, while Szayelaporro tested Quincy power and mastered the shadow ability. As Aizen prepared Hueco Mundo for an all-out attack, Tokoyo Misao worried that Soul Society might destroy Rukongai to restore the balance of the Three Worlds.

  • Tokoyo Misao healed Kenpachi Zaraki, then discussed Aizen’s Hōgyoku plans and his search for a powerful opponent to awaken his survival instinct.
  • Tokoyo Misao retrieved Bazz-B from a rift and presented him to Aizen, who revealed that the Wandenreich had recently attacked Hueco Mundo.
  • Szayelaporro tested Quincy power on himself, collapsed, then emerged from Bazz-B’s body and absorbed his fallen body.
  • Szayelaporro told Aizen that he had mastered the shadow ability, and Aizen invited Tokoyo Misao to accompany him to the Wandenreich.
  • Aizen gathered the Espada, their lieutenants, former Espada, and Adjuchas for an all-out attack, while Tokoyo Misao considered whether Soul Society would destroy Rukongai to restore the Three Worlds’ balance.

Ch. 185The Perfect Chance to Catch Them All

Tokoyo Misao and Aizen led an assault on the Wandenreich, while the fighting shifted the soul-balance crisis from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo. Shunsui Kyōraku summoned the captains to respond, and the chapter ended as they gathered at the First Division for a level-zero crisis.

  • Tokoyo Misao agreed with Aizen's theory that surpassing the Soul King's limits could make the Three Worlds more stable.
  • Szayelaporro transported Aizen, Tokoyo Misao, and the Las Noches forces to Wahrwelt, where Haschwalth confronted them and Baraggan ordered the Hollows to attack the Quincy army.
  • The balance device fell from forty percent to minus sixty percent as Quincy and Hollows died, prompting Shunsui Kyōraku to call Tokoyo Misao and learn that Aizen was attacking the Wandenreich.
  • Tokoyo Misao asked Shunsui Kyōraku to send the captains to support the assault, but Shunsui suspected a trap and went to inform Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
  • A level-zero crisis alert summoned every captain to the First Division meeting room, where Tōshirō Hitsugaya asked Byakuya Kuchiki about the signal and Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrived in anger.

Ch. 186Just in Time to Catch Them All in One Net (Continued)

Soul Society's captains learned that Tokoyo Misao and Aizen had attacked the Wandenreich, and Kisuke Urahara revealed he had helped Misao use Mayuri Kurotsuchi's research to enter it. As Yamamoto ordered the captains to prepare an assault, the Seireitei came under attack, while Misao and Aizen stood beneath the Wahrwelt ready to push forward.

  • Shunsui Kyōraku told the captains that Tokoyo Misao, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Orihime Inoue had joined Aizen and Hueco Mundo in attacking the Wandenreich and had requested support.
  • Mayuri Kurotsuchi accused Misao of conspiring against Soul Society, while Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Unohana, and Soi Fon defended Misao's motives.
  • Kisuke Urahara explained that he had given Misao a Sternritter and copied Mayuri's shadow research data, which Hueco Mundo used to find a way into the Wandenreich.
  • Yamamoto ordered the captains to enter the Wandenreich, but beams of Reishi appeared at all four Seireitei gates, prompting him to lead the captains outside to meet the enemy.
  • Beneath the Wahrwelt, Tokoyo Misao crushed the progress bar showing the Three Worlds' balance at -80% and told himself to reach Yhwach and the Soul King Palace; Aizen sensed his rising fighting spirit.

Ch. 187Strongest vs. Strongest

Tokoyo Misao went to confront Yhwach in Wahrwelt, only to discover that the man on the throne was Loyd Lloyd and that Gremmy Thoumeaux had been waiting for him. After Gremmy blocked Misao’s Bankai attack, Misao prepared to exploit the limits of Gremmy’s imagination.

  • Tokoyo Misao declined to join Aizen, left Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki to choose their own actions, and headed for Wahrwelt.
  • Haschwalth obeyed Yhwach’s command and began the Wandenreich’s invasion of Soul Society.
  • Tokoyo Misao reached Yhwach’s throne and tore off the arms of the man he believed might be Yhwach.
  • Gremmy Thoumeaux revealed that the armless man was Loyd Lloyd, then killed Loyd when he tried to leave.
  • Gremmy used his imagination to shield himself from Tokoyo Misao’s Bankai, and Misao planned to make him imagine a body stronger than Misao’s blood hand.

Ch. 188The Strongest Strike in a Thousand Years

Tokoyo Misao and Gremmy escalated their battle, as Gremmy used his imagination to create a nuclear bomb and then electromagnetic weapons. Misao withstood and redirected the destruction, while the Soul Reapers prepared to stop Yhwach’s Wandenreich from colliding with the Soul King Palace; Gremmy ended by compressing a vast fireball into an intensely hot sphere to challenge Misao.

  • Gremmy created a nuclear bomb and survived its explosion behind a protective film, while Misao defended himself and later swept away the mushroom cloud with a tornado.
  • Shunsui Kyōraku and the other captains recognized that Yhwach was driving Wahrwelt toward the Soul King Palace, but Kisuke Urahara said they could not move or stop the enormous space in time.
  • Jūshirō Ukitake warned that Aizen might act once the Soul King Palace was breached, and Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai ordered the Gotei 13 to prepare for battle.
  • Gremmy created hundreds of electromagnetic guns and fired at Misao, who knocked their shots aside with an air-blast fist that dented Gremmy’s superalloy shield.
  • Gremmy compressed a huge fireball into a blazing sphere and challenged Misao to match the flames of Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai.

Ch. 189The Strongest Strike in a Thousand Years (Continued)

Tokoyo Misao neutralized Gremmy's fireball and iceberg, but Gremmy summoned a meteor that threatened Soul Society. As the others waited, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto unleashed Bankai and cleaved the Wandenreich and Wahrwelt in two; Ichigo Kurosaki then set off to stop Yhwach.

  • Tokoyo Misao crushed Gremmy's compressed fireball and shattered his enormous iceberg with his blood-red hand.
  • Gremmy summoned a colossal meteor, alarming Starrk, Lilynette, Tier Harribel, and the others; Nelliel offered to sacrifice herself, but Aizen told everyone to wait.
  • Ōmaeda panicked at the meteor, while Soi Fon reassured him that Captain-Commander Yamamoto would handle it.
  • Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto activated Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, and split the Wandenreich continent and Wahrwelt in two with a single slash.
  • Starrk and Kaname Tōsen marveled at Yamamoto's power, and Ichigo Kurosaki told Orihime Inoue he would go stop Yhwach.

Ch. 190The Battle Royale at the Soul King Palace Begins

Tokoyo Misao destroyed Gremmy and his meteor before joining the battle at the Soul King Palace, where Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Yhwach, and Sōsuke Aizen were gathering. The Soul Reapers realized the Wahrwelt was still hurtling toward the Palace and that the Wandenreich’s space restricted their movement as they rushed to reinforce the fight.

  • Tokoyo Misao released his limiter, shattered Gremmy’s meteor with a punch, and erased it with the black aura from his blood hand.
  • Gremmy imagined a body stronger than Tokoyo Misao’s blood-red arm, causing his own body to burst apart; Tokoyo Misao crushed the brain that remained.
  • Tokoyo Misao saw Yhwach caught between Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, and another unfamiliar Reiatsu at the Soul King Palace, then hurried there as Sōsuke Aizen followed.
  • Tokoyo Misao told Aizen he wanted to kill the monk and obtain Yhwach’s corpse, and Aizen agreed to cooperate; the Espada split up to approach the five Riden.
  • The Soul Reapers realized the split Wahrwelt was still speeding toward a Riden and that it had already entered the Soul King Palace’s space.
  • Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai led the captains toward the Palace, but the Wandenreich’s space prevented them from using Shunpo, and weaker lieutenants fell back into Soul Society.

Ch. 191The Hōgyoku Espada and the Soul King's Left Arm

Nnoitra challenged Kenpachi Zaraki and revealed a new form powered by an incomplete Hōgyoku, but Kenpachi greeted the transformation with excitement rather than despair. Their fight began as Nnoitra wounded Kenpachi and blocked his counterattack.

  • Nnoitra confronted Kenpachi Zaraki and activated his Resurrección, Santa Teresa.
  • Kenpachi recognized Nnoitra and welcomed another fight, while Nnoitra exposed the incomplete Hōgyoku embedded in his chest.
  • Nnoitra's Reiatsu changed into a black-and-gold power that puzzled Senjumaru Shutara, Shunsui Kyōraku, and the others.
  • Nnoitra transformed into Despair, Santa Teresa, with black scythes and claws, and claimed his power had surpassed the limits of the soul.
  • Kenpachi released Nozarashi and attacked, but Nnoitra blocked the strike, slashed Kenpachi's chest, and stopped his next swing with his scythes.

Ch. 192Hōgyoku Espada, Soul King Left Arm (continued)

Kenpachi Zaraki struggled against Nnoitra while Shunsui Kyōraku fought Pernida Parnkgjas and discovered that he was the Soul King's Left Arm. Baraggan Louisenbairn attacked Pernida, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez turned on the Soul Reapers, and Lille Barro revealed the power of his Schrift X.

  • Nnoitra kicked Kenpachi Zaraki repeatedly into the sky while Shunsui Kyōraku challenged Pernida Parnkgjas and forced him to reveal his Vollständig.
  • Shunsui Kyōraku cut through Pernida’s uniform, exposing his true form as the Soul King’s Left Arm, and Baraggan Louisenbairn released his Resurrección to attack him.
  • Pernida split into two hands and frantically attacked Baraggan’s decay aura, while Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez severed Lille Barro’s rifle arm and attacked the Soul Reapers.
  • Grimmjow wounded Kaien Shiba, but Jūshirō Ukitake pulled him out of the way and Senjumaru Shutara stitched his wounds closed.
  • Shunsui Kyōraku attacked Lille Barro, who shot through Shunsui’s blade and shoulder and identified himself as a Schutzstaffel Sternritter with Schrift X.

Ch. 193Kenpachi of Hell's Triple Kill

Shunsui Kyōraku fought Lille Barro while Baraggan trapped and attacked Pernida, and Kenpachi Zaraki battled two Arrancars overhead. Lille Barro survived being cut in half, transformed into his Vollständig, and attacked Baraggan as the battle continued.

  • Lille Barro tried to shoot Senjumaru Shutara, but Shunsui Kyōraku repeatedly deflected his shots and attacked him when he turned to help Pernida.
  • Baraggan cornered Pernida with his power of decay, while Lille Barro’s bullets tore through Pernida’s body but failed to free him from the danger.
  • Lille Barro transformed and shot a hole through Shunsui Kyōraku, but Kyōraku used an afterimage to stab him from behind and cut him in half.
  • Shunsui Kyōraku pulled Jūshirō Ukitake out of the path of Baraggan’s axe, then learned that Kenpachi Zaraki was fighting two Arrancars overhead.
  • Lille Barro survived and entered his Divine Judgment Form, creating holes in Baraggan’s axe and drawing his anger.

Ch. 194Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinju

Kenpachi Zaraki cut down Lille Barro, but Baraggan rose again and annihilated him before Shunsui Kyōraku confronted the revived emperor. Kyōraku activated Bankai across the five Riden, drawing Yamamoto’s attention as he watched Tokoyo Misao beside Ichibē Hyōsube’s corpse.

  • Lille Barro used his wing-holes to attack Baraggan, who fell after his body was nearly erased by the X-Axis.
  • Kenpachi Zaraki descended and split Lille Barro in two, but Lille transformed into his final Vollständig form and attacked the Riden.
  • Zaraki slashed Lille three times, then lost his power and fell; Kaien Shiba rushed to save him.
  • Baraggan revived in a transformed state, killed Lille with decay, and demanded that the remaining Soul Reapers submit.
  • Kyōraku failed to persuade Baraggan to withdraw, then activated Bankai and spread its light across all five Riden.
  • Yamamoto noticed Kyōraku’s Bankai and watched Tokoyo Misao standing beside Ichibē Hyōsube’s corpse.

Ch. 195The Quincy Emperor vs. the Soul Reaper Leader

Shunsui Kyōraku used his Bankai’s theatrical acts to kill Baraggan, though he nearly exhausted his Reiatsu in the fight. The chapter then shifted to the Soul King Palace, where Yhwach confronted Ichibē Hyōsube.

  • Tokoyo Misao watched as Shunsui Kyōraku activated Katen Kyōkotsu: Karamatsu Shinju against Baraggan.
  • Shunsui and Baraggan exchanged wounds in the first act, while Shunsui cut away his own decaying flesh to survive.
  • Shunsui’s second and third acts failed to stop Baraggan, whose immense Reiatsu overwhelmed the disease and drained the surrounding fighters.
  • Katen Kyōkotsu appeared as Hana, and Shunsui completed the final act by cutting a spiritual thread around Baraggan’s neck, splitting his throat and Lesser Hōgyoku.
  • Ukitake caught the collapsing Shunsui, and Senjumaru treated him as Baraggan died.
  • Yhwach confronted Ichibē Hyōsube at the Soul King Palace and denied that fear of Yamamoto or Aizen had driven his plan.

Ch. 196The Quincy Emperor vs. the Soul Reaper Leader (continued)

Yhwach fought Ichibē Hyōsube in the Soul King Palace, where Ichibē’s power over names weakened and repeatedly displaced him. After Yhwach used Auswählen to reclaim power from the Quincy in Soul Society, he countered Ichibē’s attacks with advanced Blut Vene and threatened to seize control of Ichibē.

  • Ichibē drew two lines and declared that he would kill Yhwach between them, then struck him with the named Thousand-Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm and sent him flying toward Soul Society.
  • Yhwach tore open his throat to regain his voice, used Great Holy Bow to return to the fight, and grazed Ichibē with an arrow.
  • Ichibē cut the names of Yhwach’s arms in half, weakening them, then divided Yhwach with his brush and kicked him between the lines.
  • Yhwach activated Auswählen, draining the Quincy in Soul Society and absorbing their power until his strength was restored.
  • Ichibē attacked with Hyapporankan and Reverse Hadō No. 3: Teppūsatsu, but Yhwach countered with external Blut Vene and spread it from Ichibē’s hand toward his head.
  • Ichibē gathered Reiatsu toward his arm, shoulder, and neck and shook violently as Yhwach’s Blut Vene threatened to take control of him.

Ch. 197My Son, Ichigo Kurosaki

Yhwach overcame Ichibē Hyōsube’s powers with The Almighty and killed him, then continued toward the Soul King’s palace. Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue arrived, and Yhwach called Ichigo his son, leaving Ichigo and Orihime stunned.

  • Yhwach used Sankt Altar to steal Ichibē Hyōsube’s black power, but Ichibē reclaimed it and renamed Yhwach “Black Ant” with Shirafude Ichimonji.
  • Ichibē crushed Yhwach and believed him dead, but Yhwach revived through The Almighty, erased the name “Black Ant,” and struck Ichibē through the heart.
  • Ichibē invoked Futen Taisatsuryō, but Yhwach saw the future, tore Ichibē apart, and destroyed the seal blocking his way.
  • Orihime Inoue and Ichigo Kurosaki arrived as Yhwach approached the Soul King’s palace, and Ichigo vowed to stop him.
  • Yhwach addressed Ichigo as his son, prompting Ichigo to question him and Orihime to wonder whether Yhwach was Ichigo’s father.

Ch. 198Aizen Evolves, Then Evolves Again

Tokoyo Misao arrived to protect Orihime and Ichigo from Yhwach, but paused to deal with Ichibē Hyōsube’s remains. Yhwach advanced toward the Soul King’s palace amid a standoff with Aizen and Yamamoto, while Misao revived Ichibē and revealed that destroying the Riden would also destroy the palace.

  • Aizen arrived and warned that Orihime lacked the power to use Fourfold Rejection on Yhwach, while Tokoyo Misao insisted she could handle him.
  • Tokoyo Misao released Yhwach and turned his attention to Ichibē Hyōsube’s remains, leaving Yhwach free to head toward the Soul King’s palace.
  • Ichigo attacked Yhwach with Getsuga Tenshō, but Yhwach caught the attack and invited Ichigo to follow him.
  • Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai arrived, creating a standoff with Aizen as he weighed which enemy to attack.
  • After Shunsui Kyōraku’s orange-yellow light faded, Tokoyo Misao called Ichibē Hyōsube’s name and restored him to life.
  • Ichibē warned Yhwach that destroying the Riden would also destroy the Soul King Palace and prevent him from achieving his goal.

Ch. 199Ultimate Evolution, Final Evolution

Tokoyo Misao condemned Ichibē Hyōsube for Squad Zero’s control over Soul Society and killed him to sever his hold on the Riden. Yamamoto fought Aizen as Aizen repeatedly evolved, and the chapter ended with Yamamoto charging his newly transformed opponent.

  • Tokoyo Misao accused Ichibē Hyōsube of allowing Soul Society to decay and demanded his permanent death, while Yamamoto questioned Squad Zero’s control over society’s necessities.
  • When Ichibē ordered Yamamoto to kill the invaders, Tokoyo Misao pierced his chest, destroyed his heart, and used the Riden’s information to try to cut his connection to the palace.
  • Tokoyo Misao sent Orihime and Ichigo after Yhwach, while Yamamoto attacked Aizen and cleaved him in two with Kyokujitsujin.
  • Aizen revived through the Hōgyoku, trapped Yamamoto in Black Coffin, and was burned to ash by Yamamoto’s Zanjitsu Gokui before evolving again.
  • Tokoyo Misao saw that Aizen’s soul remained that of a Soul Reaper, and Yamamoto charged him once more.

Ch. 200Ultimate Evolution, Final Evolution (Continued)

Aizen evolved through Yamamoto’s Bankai and killed him, but Tokoyo Misao severed the black seed sustaining the Riden and restored Yamamoto’s body. The chapter ended with Ryūjin Jakka humming in Tokoyo Misao’s hand.

  • Yamamoto trapped Aizen in Zanka no Tachi’s burning domain, but Aizen broke free after evolving into a Half-Step Transcendent.
  • Aizen dismissed Tokoyo Misao’s warning, and Yamamoto used Tenchi Kaijin to turn him to ash before collapsing.
  • Aizen evolved again and his winged masks bit away Yamamoto’s waist, leaving him apparently dead.
  • Tokoyo Misao found and severed the black seed in the Riden, stopping it from drawing power from the Soul King Palace.
  • Tokoyo Misao restored Yamamoto’s body, dropped him toward Soul Society, and returned to retrieve Ryūjin Jakka, which began to hum in his hand.
Arc 8 of 10
Arc 8 of 10