Chapter Summaries

Yoruichi explained to Xuanxin how Ichigo’s group became involved in the Soul Society conflict and revealed Kisuke Urahara’s plan involving the imitation Hōgyoku hidden in Rukia. The next morning, she led the group toward Kūkaku Shiba and described Xuanxin’s reputation, while Orihime began to suspect Yoruichi’s connection to him.

• Yoruichi coaxed Xuanxin into listening as she explained Ichigo’s heritage and the power connected to Aizen.
• Yoruichi revealed that Kisuke Urahara had hidden an imitation Hōgyoku in Rukia to lure Aizen into making a move.
• Orihime secretly watched Yoruichi and Xuanxin meet during the night.
• Yoruichi led Ichigo and the others toward Kūkaku Shiba the next morning and identified Shihoin Genshin as the captain who had defeated Ichigo.
• Yoruichi warned the group that Shihoin Genshin was formidable in every discipline and that surrender was their best option if they met him again.
• Orihime asked about the white cat Yoruichi had met, and Ichigo joked that it might be her girlfriend, leaving Yoruichi embarrassed as they continued on.

Yoruichi secured Kūkaku Shiba's help rescuing Rukia, but Shihoin Genshin's control of the Seireitei's defenses forced them to abandon an aerial entry. While Aizen delayed his plans, Yoruichi found an old underground passage and set the rescue party to clearing it.

• Yoruichi brought Ichigo and the others to Kūkaku Shiba, who agreed to help after privately learning about Ichigo, Kaien's death, and the plots behind it.
• Old Man Yamamoto imposed martial law and assigned Shihoin Genshin overall defense, making Kūkaku's planned aerial entry impossible despite roughly thirty days remaining before Rukia's execution.
• Yoruichi left to investigate an alternative route near the Shiba Clan's old home, while Ganju joined Kūkaku's rescue training despite blaming Rukia Kuchiki for Kaien's death.
• Aizen rejected Kaname Tōsen's suggestion to accelerate their plans because Teacher Xuanxin had grown suspicious and Hueco Mundo needed more preparation.
• Yoruichi returned several days later and led the group to an underground passage beneath the Shiba Clan's old home that she had once dug with a friend.
• Ichigo, Ganju, Orihime, Chad, and Uryū began clearing the passage's collapsed sections under Yoruichi's supervision.

Yoruichi and Ichigo’s group infiltrated Seireitei but were chased through the streets and captured by Shunsui Kyōraku, who let Yoruichi take them away. After they woke in a hot spring, Ichigo mistook Xuanxin for Yoruichi’s girlfriend, and Xuanxin struck him.

• Ichigo’s upside-down map led the group into the 11th Division’s training grounds, and they slipped out before anyone noticed.
• Wandering souls reported the group, prompting Soul Reapers to pursue them through Seireitei as they fought to escape.
• Shunsui Kyōraku knocked Ichigo and the others unconscious, then let Yoruichi carry them away instead of reporting their capture.
• Ichigo and the others woke in a hot spring and saw Yoruichi with Xuanxin in cat form.
• Ichigo asked whether Xuanxin was Yoruichi’s girlfriend, and Xuanxin struck him with a swift paw.

Xuanxin and Shunsui persuaded Yamamoto to hand them temporary authority over the Gotei 13 so they could investigate the Hollowfication Incident and use Yoruichi’s return to draw out the culprit. While Xuanxin and Aizen’s conflict began to take shape, Ichigo asked Yoruichi for a way to grow stronger quickly, and she agreed to prepare a dangerous method.

• Yoruichi began the next stage of training for Ichigo and the others, while Xuanxin returned to the Seireitei and learned that Nanao had reported Yoruichi’s rescue of the Ryoka.
• At the captains’ meeting, news of Yoruichi’s return spread, and Yamamoto privately questioned Xuanxin about what he and Shunsui were planning.
• Xuanxin named Sōsuke Aizen as the suspected culprit behind the Ryoka incident and the Hollowfication Incident, though he admitted he had no proof; Yamamoto then placed the Gotei 13 temporarily in Xuanxin and Shunsui’s hands.
• Aizen heard that Xuanxin had taken authority, while Xuanxin intensified the search for Yoruichi’s group to pressure Ichigo and test the Thirteenth Division; Yoruichi doubled Xuanxin’s punishment in response.
• Xuanxin met Aizen on the street, and both recognized the encounter as the start of their conflict.
• With Rukia’s execution approaching, Ichigo asked Yoruichi how he could become stronger quickly, and she agreed to prepare a dangerous training method.

Yoruichi trained Ichigo and his companions with Musashi’s help, but Aizen’s death and a decree accelerating Rukia’s execution forced them to prepare to enter Seireitei. Yoruichi sent Musashi to aid Xuanxin and began guiding Ichigo toward Bankai before the night was over.

• Yoruichi used the Tenshintai to summon Ichigo’s sword spirit, who challenged him to find the real Zanpakuto among countless copies, while Musashi trained Orihime, Chad, Uryū, and Ganju.
• Musashi praised Orihime’s potential and advised her to trust her convictions, then gave Chad and Ganju guidance for improving their powers.
• After two days of training, news spread that Aizen had been found dead, and Central 46 ordered Xuanxin to intensify the Ryoka hunt and move Rukia’s execution forward.
• Yoruichi sent Musashi to help Xuanxin and told Ichigo and the others that Rukia’s execution had been accelerated, arranging for Orihime and the others to enter Seireitei with an ally.
• Yoruichi ordered Ichigo to achieve Bankai before nightfall and transformed from a cat into a purple-haired woman in front of him.

Ichigo mastered Bankai in time, while Xuanxin and Sister Hana helped Orihime and the others reach Sōkyoku Hill disguised among the Fourth Division. As the execution began, the captains’ actions disrupted Aizen’s plan, Rukia was rescued, and Gin Ichimaru stopped Kaname Tōsen from attacking the escapees.

• Yoruichi activated the Tenshintai again, and Ichigo realized his sword had always been in his own hands, mastered Bankai, and struck Zangetsu without his blade breaking.
• Retsu Unohana welcomed Orihime and the others to the Fourth Division, while Kisuke Urahara prepared a Senkaimon in Karakura Town.
• Xuanxin confirmed that the Seireitei’s streets and gates were secured, then escorted Sister Hana, Orihime, and the others toward Sōkyoku Hill; he used Shingon to stop Kenpachi Zaraki and Kaname Tōsen from fighting.
• At the execution ground, Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku stopped the Sōkyoku Spear, and Ichigo and Yoruichi arrived as Rukia’s execution began.
• Ichigo hurled Rukia toward Orihime and the others, and Xuanxin and Sister Hana let them catch her and escape; Gin Ichimaru then stopped Kaname Tōsen from pursuing them.

Aizen revealed himself as Soul Society’s mastermind and challenged Xuanxin while Hollows invaded Seireitei. As Xuanxin’s allies fought to protect Rukia, Urahara exposed the Hōgyoku inside her as bait, and Aizen attacked her when its presence vanished.

• Rangiku warned the captains that Aizen was the mastermind, but Aizen appeared behind her and Xuanxin rescued her from his attack.
• Aizen revealed Rukia in his custody, invited Xuanxin to join him in remaking the world, and summoned Hollows across Seireitei, prompting Xuanxin to send several divisions to help defend it.
• Ichigo charged Aizen and released Bankai, while Rangiku joined the fight with her own Bankai; Aizen overpowered them, and Byakuya mistakenly retrieved a tree stump instead of Rukia.
• Kisuke Urahara arrived and revealed that the Hōgyoku inside Rukia had been bait, while Aizen realized the object he sought was the pendant Xuanxin wore.
• Aizen raised his sword to stab Rukia, and Xuanxin and Yoruichi rushed to stop him.

Xuanxin and his allies turned the battle against Aizen, but Aizen escaped Soul Society with the aid of a Hōgyoku-like sphere and a Negación. As the fighting subsided, Kūgo Ginjō awaited rescue in the Seireitei, where he had hoped to take revenge on the Gotei 13.

• Xuanxin joined the battle against Aizen while Sister Hana overwhelmed Kaname Tōsen with her Bankai, Minazuki, healing her allies and corroding the Hollows.
• Xuanxin broke free of Aizen’s Black Coffin and fought him with Bankai, resisting Kyōka Suigetsu well enough to sever Aizen’s left hand.
• Aizen claimed victory after taking Xuanxin’s bracelet, but Yoruichi revealed that she had kept the Hōgyoku, leaving Aizen without the object he sought.
• Xuanxin struck Aizen with Six Realms Five Rings, Kurikara Great Celestial Phenomenon, but a sphere in Aizen’s chest saved him as a Negación carried him, Kaname Tōsen, and Kūgo Ginjō away.
• Xuanxin led his allies toward the Seireitei to reinforce it, while Kūgo Ginjō saw a golden beam descend around him and felt relief at the prospect of escape.

After the invasion was repelled, Xuanxin rested at the Shihoin Clan estate while Yoruichi gathered Ichigo and the others for a dinner and promised to answer their questions. Meanwhile, Aizen began planning his next move in Las Noches and agreed to give Kūgo Ginjō the power he sought.

• After Kūgo Ginjō was taken away by Negación, Xuanxin returned to Seireitei, where the divisions continued driving back the Hollows and Komamura searched in vain for the one he had lost.
• Yamamoto ordered Shunsui Kyōraku to have the Thirteenth Division assess Hueco Mundo, then used his supposed cold to escape the conference room with Xuanxin and Yoruichi.
• Xuanxin went home and slept until morning, then found Yoruichi’s note and her surprise waiting in the courtyard.
• Yoruichi sent Ichigo and his companions to the Shihoin Clan estate, where they found Xuanxin lounging as a white cat and later watched him calm Yoruichi and Unohana’s tense reunion.
• Kisuke Urahara told Xuanxin that he and Mayuri Kurotsuchi could not obtain useful information about Hueco Mundo, and Yoruichi began dinner before they could discuss it further.
• In Las Noches, Kūgo Ginjō demanded power to defeat the Soul Reapers, and Aizen smiled as he began to answer him.

Aizen gave Kūgo Ginjō a replicated Hōgyoku and sent him to the World of the Living, intending to use him to locate the missing part. In Soul Society, Ichigo began training, Rangiku became Ninth Division captain, and Kisuke warned Xuanxin that Aizen might attack the World of the Living.

• Aizen promised Kūgo Ginjō power and revenge after a delay, then prepared a plan in his laboratory using Menos Grande and Kisuke Urahara’s experimental records.
• Xuanxin arranged for Ichigo and his friends to stay with the Shihoin Clan, and Ichigo resolved to protect others before beginning sword training the next morning.
• Yoruichi and Sister Hana recommended Rangiku for a captain’s post, and Rangiku demonstrated her strength before being promoted to captain of the Ninth Division.
• Kisuke told Xuanxin that unusual Reishi fluctuations in Hueco Mundo suggested Aizen was planning an attack in the World of the Living, and Xuanxin requested the supporting data.
• Ukitake gave Ichigo a Substitute Soul Reaper Badge and explained its monitoring and power-control functions before Ichigo and his friends returned to the World of the Living.
• Aizen gave Kūgo Ginjō an incomplete replicated Hōgyoku and sent him to the World of the Living, revealing to Tōsen that he expected Ginjō to lead him to the missing part.

Xuanxin and Yamamoto prepared for a possible battle in the World of the Living while Ichigo trained and returned to school. When Ichigo and Kisuke Urahara encountered unusually armored Hollows, Isshin and Ryūken Ishida joined the fight, and Soul Society sent a response after Kisuke reported the attack.

• Xuanxin gave Yamamoto Kisuke Urahara’s report, and Yamamoto assigned Xuanxin and Ukitake to establish a base in the World of the Living while Shunsui handled support.
• Ichigo and his friends finished their holiday homework, and Isshin began teaching Ichigo to fight by kicking him into a wall during their first lesson.
• Ichigo and Kisuke investigated the declining number of Hollows and found several armored Hollows that resisted their Zanpakuto but could be harmed by Kidō.
• Kūgo Ginjō watched Ichigo from a nearby rooftop and vowed to avenge him after he died.
• Isshin and Ryūken arrived to help Ichigo and Kisuke defeat the Hollows, and Kisuke then reported the attack to Soul Society.

Xuanxin joined Ichigo, Kisuke Urahara, and the Soul Reaper reinforcements in the World of the Living to investigate Hollows with unusual defenses. After testing their resistance to Zanpakuto and Kidō, Xuanxin left to familiarize himself with the area while the others took a captured Hollow back to the shop.

• Rangiku Matsumoto, Rukia, and Renji arrived at Ichigo's school disguised as transfer students, with Xuanxin hidden in Rangiku's backpack.
• Xuanxin rode on Ichigo to the Urahara Shop, where Kisuke Urahara described the strange Hollows and their resistance to Zanpakuto attacks.
• Xuanxin proposed confronting the Hollows that night, and the group waited at the shop before his senses detected them ahead of the warning device.
• Xuanxin and Renji tested their Zanpakuto on the Hollows, while Rukia tried Kidō and found that only spells at or above Thirty-one: Shakkahō caused effective damage.
• Xuanxin told Yoruichi and Rangiku to leave one Hollow alive for Kisuke Urahara; Rangiku killed the rest, and Xuanxin went out to explore the terrain.

Xuanxin encountered Kūgo Ginjō’s group collecting Hollows and overwhelmed them, but left before the police arrived. He and Yoruichi found a possible base in the World of the Living, then recruited Ichigo and the others to help turn Yoruichi’s gold into usable money.

• Xuanxin confronted Kūgo Ginjō and his companions as they tried to take Hollows somewhere, then subdued them with his Reiatsu.
• Xuanxin withdrew when nearby civilians risked seeing the aftermath, and Kūgo Ginjō blamed his companions before deciding to target Moe Shishigawara.
• Rangiku, Rukia, and Orihime drank together, and Rangiku encouraged Orihime to be more confident about her feelings and abilities.
• Xuanxin and Yoruichi found two possible houses for a Seireitei base, but realized they had no usable money in the World of the Living.
• Yoruichi returned with gold, and Xuanxin asked Ichigo and the others to exchange it for currency, but Ichigo warned that buyers might refuse without proof of its source.

Kūgo Ginjō sacrificed Shishigawara to the Hōgyoku, then led the Fullbringers against Ichigo and his allies before yielding to the Hōgyoku’s promise of power. Aizen watched the resulting transformation and became interested in Orihime’s rejection ability, while Xuanxin investigated a Reiatsu anomaly and sensed something hidden in an empty warehouse.

• Ryūken Ishida helped exchange the gold for currency and secured legal identities for Xuanxin and Yoruichi, who bought and renovated adjoining properties for their base.
• Kūgo Ginjō blamed the Soul Reapers for Shishigawara’s disappearance and led the Fullbringers to attack Ichigo and the others on patrol.
• Orihime shielded Ichigo from the Fullbringers’ attacks, and Rangiku and the others joined the fight; Ichigo’s Bankai and Rangiku’s strength drove the attackers into retreat.
• Kūgo Ginjō returned to the Fullbringers’ base and asked his subordinates to help him erase their humiliation, while a strange voice tempted him with power.
• Aizen observed the white egg formed after the betrayal and became fascinated by Orihime’s ability, then ordered Kaname Tōsen to go to the World of the Living for another task.
• Xuanxin, Yoruichi, and Rangiku investigated Kisuke Urahara’s report of a Reiatsu fluctuation; Xuanxin sensed a concealed presence in the warehouse and slashed toward it.

Xuanxin and the others encountered Shinji Hirako’s group, and Rangiku fought Kensei Muguruma to test their strength. After Kensei revealed a Hollow-like mask and gained power, Rangiku trapped him in a compressing sand prison laced with glass, but he began smashing his way out.

• Xuanxin noticed a strange disturbance at the warehouse, then Yoruichi, Rangiku, and he were stopped by Shinji Hirako and his group.
• At Xuanxin’s request, Rangiku pretended to be a new captain sent to take Shinji’s group back, provoking Hiyori and Kensei into fighting her.
• Rangiku blocked Kensei’s attacks with sand and countered with heated glasslike fragments that cut him.
• Yoruichi mocked Kensei, and he responded by covering his face with a bone mask that flooded him with Hollow Reiatsu and increased his power.
• Kensei charged Rangiku, who used sand walls and tornadoes to trap him in a large compressing sand prison containing hidden glass.
• Kensei’s arm was cut by the glass, but he gathered bluish-green Reiatsu and began pounding the prison until its surface rippled.

Xuanxin stopped Hiyori and Kensei from defeating Rangiku, then told the Visored that Soul Society had lifted their arrest warrants and invited them to return. Shinji Hirako and the others left to consider his offer, while Xuanxin arranged special training for Rangiku.

• Kensei Muguruma broke through Rangiku's sand defenses, but Rangiku surprised him with a clawed counterattack and injured him.
• Hiyori Sarugaki Hollowfied and joined the fight, overwhelming Rangiku until Xuanxin intervened and stopped Hiyori's blade with a Reiatsu barrier.
• Xuanxin told the Visored that Aizen's plot had failed, their arrest warrants had been lifted, and the next battle with Aizen might take place in the World of the Living.
• Shinji Hirako said the Visored needed time to consider returning to Soul Society but would fight Aizen, then left with Kensei and Hiyori.
• Xuanxin praised Rangiku and scheduled Saturday training for her at the Shihoin Clan, prompting a jealous reaction from Yoruichi.
• At the Urahara Shop, Shinji told Kisuke Urahara about the fight and Xuanxin's offer, while Kisuke treated Kensei's injuries.

Xuanxin prepared to return to Soul Society after training Rangiku, Rukia, and Renji, but a violent Reiatsu surge revealed Kūgo Ginjō, a Hōgyoku-powered monster. As Kūgo Ginjō regained control and sharpened his swordsmanship, Xuanxin faced him in battle and adopted Niten Ichi-ryū.

• Tōsen secretly treated the white egg with medicine, then hid as Yammy entered the warehouse and inspected it.
• Xuanxin began training Rangiku, Rukia, and Renji, while Rangiku arranged World of the Living identities for herself and Unohana.
• As Xuanxin and his group prepared to leave, a Reiatsu surge drew them to the ruined warehouse, where Kūgo Ginjō attacked Xuanxin and was revealed to carry a Hōgyoku.
• Xuanxin wounded Kūgo Ginjō, whose body healed and grew more bone armor, while the Hōgyoku on Xuanxin's wrist briefly communicated with the one in Kūgo Ginjō's chest.
• Kūgo Ginjō regained control of his body and attacked with smoother, more precise swordsmanship, prompting Xuanxin to take the opening stance of Niten Ichi-ryū.

Xuanxin, Yoruichi, and Kisuke Urahara captured Yammy after discovering that the Hōgyoku had escaped inside a beetle, then began the second phase of their plan. Yammy revealed immense physical strength and charged at Xuanxin, who prepared to meet him with both swords.

• Xuanxin and Kisuke Urahara removed the Hōgyoku from Kūgo Ginjō's remains, but it crumbled as they discovered the true core had tunneled away.
• Xuanxin recognized an unfamiliar Reiatsu and ended the mission, then later waited with Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara near the battle site.
• Yammy emerged with the Hōgyoku embedded in a beetle and crushed it after capturing it.
• Xuanxin, Yoruichi, and Kisuke Urahara revealed themselves, and Xuanxin announced that phase two had begun.
• Yammy destroyed the tree with one punch, unleashed scarlet Reiatsu, and charged at Xuanxin, who drew both swords to defend himself.

Xuanxin broke his power seal and overwhelmed Yammy, but Aizen’s plan shifted when Kaname Tōsen attacked the base to abduct Orihime. Orihime’s defensive power repelled Tōsen, while the Negación arrived to extract Yammy and revealed a severed arm holding the Hōgyoku; a familiar voice then addressed Xuanxin from the sky.

• Xuanxin broke the mark restricting his power and battled Yammy, gradually carving him up as Yammy held back from using Resurrección.
• Yammy’s distraction let Xuanxin attack his throat, but Yammy’s Reiatsu surged and Yoruichi struck him down with Shunkō; she then sent Kisuke Urahara to prepare a barrier.
• Kisuke received a Hell Butterfly message that Kaname Tōsen had attacked the base for Orihime, so Xuanxin sent Yoruichi and Kisuke to help while he stayed to face Yammy.
• Kaname Tōsen entered Orihime’s room to seize her, but her “I reject” shield repelled him through the window, alerting Ichigo, Rangiku, and the others.
• Xuanxin’s final blow struck Yammy as the Negación descended; the Hōgyoku shield formed, but Yammy was left barely alive with a deep wound and a severed arm holding the Hōgyoku inside the Negación.
• A familiar voice from the sky praised Xuanxin’s swordsmanship and addressed him as Teacher Shihoin.

After Aizen escaped with the Hōgyoku and the dying Yammy, Xuanxin returned to Soul Society and persuaded the captains to prepare an early counterattack against Hueco Mundo. The expedition’s preparations were delayed by Kurotsuchi’s failed experiment, so Xuanxin brought Ichigo and the others to Soul Society for safety while the troops awaited the research results.

• Aizen used Black Coffin to delay Xuanxin while Negación carried Yammy away, then escaped through the Garganta with the Hōgyoku.
• At Las Noches, Aizen questioned Kaname Tōsen about his failed mission and warned him and the Espada not to suffer another defeat.
• Xuanxin returned to Soul Society with Rangiku, reported Aizen’s new Hōgyoku to the captains, and proposed an early counterattack on Hueco Mundo.
• The captains discussed the operation for two days and three nights, while Xuanxin sent Soi Fon to warn noble families not to obstruct the war effort.
• Kurotsuchi’s experiment exploded and delayed the expedition, so Xuanxin summoned Ichigo and the others to Soul Society and left Gin Ichimaru in charge of guarding Karakura Town.