Recaps

At the captains’ meeting, Soi Fon recommended Dōsan Hanyū for Third Division Captain, but Yamamoto tried to appoint Gin Ichimaru instead. Five captains backed Dōsan, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi added his support as the meeting continued.

• Soi Fon recommended Dōsan Hanyū for Third Division Captain, citing his strength and experience as acting captain of the Second Division.
• Yamamoto rejected the recommendation, said Dōsan needed six captains’ support, and presented Gin Ichimaru as his choice for the position.
• Byakuya Kuchiki supported Dōsan, followed by Unohana, Zaraki, and Sajin Komamura, bringing the count to five.
• Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba declined to raise their hands, leaving Soi Fon puzzled about their silence.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi announced that he thought Dōsan becoming a captain would be more interesting.

Dōsan Hanyū trained with Kūkaku at the Shiba Hut while she secretly pursued revenge against Yamamoto, and Dōsan hoped Central 46 might help her. Yamamoto refused to appoint Dōsan captain, Unohana urged him to reclaim his invincible spirit, and Isshin explained why the Shiba Clan had withheld its support; Aizen then asked Byakuya to visit Ginrei.

• Dōsan sparred with Kūkaku, who injured her arm with a powerful Shunkō attack, then hid her frustration over how far she remained from avenging her father.
• Dōsan hoped the Third Sage of Central 46 would support Kūkaku, while Yamamoto rejected both Gin Ichimaru and Dōsan Hanyū for the captaincy.
• Unohana confronted Yamamoto, calling him a schemer and insisting that the Thirteenth Division needed its Captain-Commander to be invincible.
• Soi Fon challenged Isshin and Ganju for not supporting Dōsan, and Isshin explained that the nobles needed a scapegoat for the Tsunayashiro Clan's destruction.
• Aizen asked Byakuya to arrange a visit with Ginrei Kuchiki, and Byakuya agreed to take him there.

Dōsan used his ability to help Ganju awaken a power without a Zanpakuto. Ganju discovered the manifestation of his ability in his inner world, leaving Dōsan stunned by its provocative appearance.

• Dōsan found Ganju training alone in the Shiba Clan house and tried to leave without interrupting him.
• Ganju told Dōsan he wanted to become stronger so he could help Kūkaku, and Dōsan estimated that reaching Captain-level would take him a hundred years.
• Ganju pleaded with Dōsan to stay, mentioning doll clothes and asking him to care for his family if he died.
• Dōsan used Law of Causality: Human Path to help Ganju grasp his own ability without a Zanpakuto.
• Dōsan saw a provocative woman with a black ribbon over her eyes standing behind Ganju and realized she was the manifestation of Ganju’s ability.

Dōsan Hanyū encountered Ganju Shiba’s Zanpakuto spirit, Urozakuro, while Sōya Azashiro secretly planned to help him become Captain-Commander. Meanwhile, Soi Fon fumed over Yamamoto supporting Gin Ichimaru as Third Division Captain, and Ōmaeda offered her a plan.

• Dōsan met Urozakuro in Ganju’s inner world, dismissed her offer to explain her ability, and left Ganju to continue training.
• Urozakuro complained to Sōya Azashiro, who revealed his goal of helping Dōsan become Captain-Commander and believed they might defeat Yamamoto together.
• Soi Fon continued the Second Division’s intense training, then kept Ōmaeda behind to ask whether Dōsan or Gin was better suited to lead the Third Division.
• Ōmaeda declared Dōsan the better choice, and Soi Fon admitted her anger at Yamamoto for backing Gin without first consulting Dōsan.
• Ōmaeda, sensing Soi Fon’s murderous mood, said he had a plan.

Ganju wondered why he had not awakened an ability, while Dōsan Hanyū began another class with only three students attending because of the danger surrounding him. Number 360 congratulated Dōsan on becoming a captain and warned Sōji Sanjō that he would not live much longer, leaving Sōji to wonder what she knew.

• Ganju asked Dōsan why he had not awakened an ability, and Kūkaku mocked his expectation that it would happen overnight.
• Dōsan left for class after Kūkaku told Ganju to keep training for a week, and Ganju broke a bowl before Kūkaku struck him.
• Dōsan arrived at the classroom, where only Sōji Sanjō, Shūhei Hisagi, and Number 360 had attended because other students feared associating with him.
• Sōji Sanjō greeted Dōsan, and Shūhei nervously stood while Number 360 congratulated Dōsan on becoming a captain.
• Number 360 told Sōji Sanjō that he would not live much longer and demanded payment for the doll.

Central 46 decided to elevate Dōsan Hanyū to the nobility and give Kūkaku Shiba a veto on the Noble Council, while Sōya Azashiro sought the First Sage’s cooperation against Yamamoto. Meanwhile, Number 360 confronted Dōsan over the loss of her doll, but his curiosity about making dolls move redirected the conversation.

• The First Sage ended Central 46’s debate by ordering a Noble Council meeting in three days to give Kūkaku Shiba veto power and elevate Dōsan Hanyū to the nobility.
• Sōya Azashiro emerged from the shadows and asked the First Sage to cooperate with him to defeat Yamamoto.
• Number 360 confronted Dōsan Hanyū over the living-material doll he had lost, rejecting his offer of money as compensation.
• Number 360 explained that the Artificial Souls sought freedom without sacrificing innocent people, while Dōsan asked how she could make a doll move.

Dōsan Hanyū taught Shūhei Hisagi, Sōji Sanjō, and Number 360 swordsmanship, demonstrating how he could stop Number 360’s powerful strike with barely any Spiritual Pressure. Meanwhile, Yamamoto learned that Central 46 and the noble clans were meeting and asked Tenjirō Kirinji to help imprison Dōsan in Muken if he refused to join the Zero Division.

• Dōsan Hanyū overwhelmed Shūhei Hisagi, Sōji Sanjō, and Number 360 during swordsmanship class, while Shūhei’s wooden sword remained unbroken under Dōsan’s blows.
• Number 360 unleashed One-Sword Style: Nameless Divine Moon, but Dōsan stopped her blade inches from his throat while showing Spiritual Pressure no greater than Shūhei’s.
• Dōsan taught the three students eagerly for three days, and they lost interest in their other classes.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe told Yamamoto that Central 46’s Noble Council had convened with representatives of all Four Great Noble Clans, but Yamamoto dismissed the meeting.
• Tenjirō Kirinji arrived, and Yamamoto asked him to help lock Dōsan Hanyū in Muken if Dōsan refused to join the Zero Division.

Central 46 transferred the Tsunayashiro Clan’s veto power to the Shiba Clan, restoring the clan’s standing among the great nobles. The council then announced that the Hanyū Clan would be added as a new noble clan.

• Representatives of nearly one hundred noble clans gathered for a council called to address the Tsunayashiro Clan’s destruction and the transfer of its veto power.
• Byakuya Kuchiki, an elderly Shihoin representative, and Kūkaku Shiba attended for their clans, while nobles doubted the Shiba Clan’s strength and future.
• The First Sage announced that the Shiba Clan would receive the veto power formerly held by the Tsunayashiro Clan.
• Shunsui Kyōraku congratulated Kūkaku, who celebrated the restoration of her clan’s ancestral glory.
• The First Sage announced that a new noble clan, the Hanyū Clan, would be added on Central 46’s recommendation.

Central 46 debated granting Dōsan Hanyū noble status, while he helped Shūhei Hisagi pass an assessment and was attacked by a mysterious man. The dispute ended with Kūkaku Shiba using the Shiba Clan’s new veto power to block every proposal that opposed Dōsan’s elevation.

• Noble representatives erupted in protest after Central 46 defended its decision to make Dōsan Hanyū a noble, and neither side yielded during the debate.
• Shūhei Hisagi thanked Dōsan for helping him pass his assessment, and Dōsan prepared to leave for the Central 46 Chambers.
• Four water dragons attacked Dōsan, who shattered them with the Law of Causality before a pompadoured man appeared behind him.
• Shūhei and Sōji Sanjō attacked the stranger, but he easily punched them both away.
• Kūkaku Shiba invoked her veto power on behalf of the Shiba Clan and vetoed every proposal that did not support Dōsan becoming a noble.

Dōsan Hanyū fought Tenjirō Kirinji, who tested his abilities before ending the match and leaving. Afterward, Dōsan considered why powerful figures kept finding him and sensed that his connection to the world was growing stronger.

• Tenjirō Kirinji attacked Dōsan Hanyū with water dragons and lightning, but Dōsan cut through the assault and reflected the lightning with Mirror Reversal.
• Dōsan trapped Tenjirō in Hadō #90: Black Coffin, but Tenjirō escaped with a blade of water and called off the fight.
• Tenjirō said he had used only thirty percent of his strength, then left without deciding whether to select Dōsan for Zero Division.
• After leaving Seireitei, Tenjirō realized Dōsan had controlled his Spiritual Pressure well enough to keep it from spilling out during their battle.
• Dōsan told Sanjō that Tenjirō had shown no killing intent, then wondered whether the growing thread of causality connecting him to the world explained why powerful people kept seeking him out.

After representing the Shiba Clan at the Noble Council, Kūkaku thanked Dōsan Hanyū for his help in a private meeting. Meanwhile, Tenjirō Kirinji visited Isshin Shiba and invited him to join the Zero Division.

• Ganju noticed Kūkaku had returned from the Noble Council unusually quiet and dressed like a noblewoman, and suspected she was in love.
• Kūkaku sent Ganju away after dinner but asked Dōsan to stay, then bowed and thanked him on behalf of the Shiba Clan.
• Dōsan silently accepted Kūkaku’s gratitude for helping the declining Shiba Clan.
• Tenjirō Kirinji appeared in Isshin Shiba’s room at the Tenth Division barracks and asked him to join the Zero Division.

Tenjirō Kirinji visited Isshin Shiba and hinted that the Zero Division’s invitations were tied to signs and prophecies, then went to investigate abnormalities in Muken. He encountered Tachikawa Magaki, who demanded answers about her sister’s death, and pointed her toward Sōsuke Aizen.

• Isshin Shiba refused Tenjirō Kirinji’s invitation to join the Zero Division and asked why it had been recruiting Soul Reapers.
• Tenjirō said the recruitment was connected to signs and prophecies, then left after drinking Isshin’s sake.
• Tenjirō reflected that Dōsan Hanyū’s Kidō talent qualified him for the Zero Division and set out to investigate Muken’s abnormalities.
• Tenjirō entered a blood-red space beneath the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts and confronted Thirteenth Division captain Tachikawa Magaki.
• Tachikawa Magaki attacked Tenjirō and asked whether there was a secret behind her sister’s death.
• Tenjirō told Tachikawa Magaki to ask her sister’s lover, Sōsuke Aizen, about the matter.

Tachikawa Magaki poisoned Tenjirō in a surprise attack, forcing him to cut off his arm. The next day, Dōsan Hanyū went to his ennoblement ceremony with Ganju Shiba, who mistakenly concluded that Dōsan and Kūkaku had become lovers.

• Tachikawa Magaki ambushed Tenjirō and slashed his chest, but his blood poisoned Tenjirō’s spiritual body.
• Tenjirō cut off his poisoned arm, while Tachikawa Magaki revealed that her attack relied on science to overcome a Spiritual Pressure disadvantage.
• Ganju Shiba asked Dōsan Hanyū what he had done with Kūkaku, and Dōsan said they had talked and slept after training through the night.
• Nobles gathered to insult Dōsan, but Ganju drove them back by mocking them and invoking the Shiba Clan’s status.
• Byakuya Kuchiki arrived and escorted Dōsan to the ceremony granting him noble status, and Ganju tentatively called him brother-in-law.

Byakuya Kuchiki offered Dōsan Hanyū a residence in the Sixth District as a gift and a declaration of alliance between the Kuchiki, Shihoin, and Shiba Clans. After Dōsan accepted, Kuchiki Ginrei revealed that he had once tried to strip the Shiba Clan of its noble seat, but Isshin Shiba had defeated representatives of all five clans.

• Byakuya led Dōsan and Ganju to the Shiba Clan residence and explained that the Kuchiki and Shihoin Clans had provided additional properties.
• Ganju protested when Byakuya said he had turned the Shiba Clan’s old residence into a latrine, and Dōsan restrained him.
• Dōsan initially refused the valuable property, but Byakuya explained that it represented an alliance and the clans’ support for the Shiba Clan.
• Kuchiki Ginrei told Byakuya that he had proposed expelling the Shiba Clan from the Five Great Noble Clans, while the Tsunayashiro Clan had supported the Shiba Clan.
• Ginrei revealed that Isshin Shiba had defeated representatives of all five clans, including Ginrei, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Jin'ya Tsunayashiro.
• Ginrei told Byakuya that the Kuchiki Clan would remain the Shiba Clan’s staunchest ally for as long as Dōsan lived.

Yamamoto accepted Dōsan Hanyū’s appointment as captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard after the Central 46 agreed to expand it, but tasked the Guard with investigating missing souls in the World of the Living. The First Sage and Third Sage recognized the appointment as part of their thousand-year game, though they disagreed over whether Dōsan should be treated as an ally or expendable.

• Yamamoto ordered Chōjirō Sasakibe to prepare a congratulatory gift for Dōsan Hanyū’s newly established clan.
• Chōjirō told Yamamoto that the Central 46 planned to nominate Dōsan as captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard and expand the Guard to a thousand members.
• Yamamoto agreed to Dōsan’s appointment on the condition that the Shin'ō Noble Guard investigate the disappearances of souls in the World of the Living, with the Thirteen Divisions cooperating.
• The First Sage told the Third Sage that Yamamoto’s condition might be an attempt to target Dōsan or the Central 46.
• The Third Sage argued that Dōsan should be treated sincerely as an important fighting force, but the First Sage dismissed his concern.

Dōsan Hanyū settled into his role as captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard, leading its nearly three hundred female Soul Reapers while quietly investigating disappearing souls. Though he suspected the culprit was in Soul Society, he chose to keep focusing on the World of the Living, and the factional tensions persisted through three years of uneasy peace.

• Dōsan Hanyū became captain of the Shin'ō Noble Guard, whose ranks consisted of nearly three hundred female Soul Reapers.
• Number 360, the lieutenant, started the applause that helped Dōsan Hanyū win the members' attention during his introduction.
• Dōsan Hanyū told Number 360 that the Shin'ō Noble Guard would investigate disappearing souls, but he did not believe the Quincy were responsible.
• Dōsan Hanyū suspected the culprit was hiding in Soul Society, possibly in the Seireitei, but decided to continue following the Thirteenth Division's lead in the World of the Living.
• The two major factions clashed over key issues as the Shin'ō Noble Guard expanded, but peace lasted for three years.

Three years after Central 46 and the Thirteenth Division settled into a tense balance, Dōsan Hanyū investigated another string of soul disappearances. He concluded the missing 11th Division members might still be rescued and opened a passage to the World of the Living, a choice later records said changed history.

• Dōsan Hanyū and Soi Fon shared sushi and discussed her Shunkō practice in the Sixth District.
• Maruko told Dōsan that the sixteenth soul disappearance case had occurred and all six 11th Division investigators had vanished.
• Dōsan arrived at the investigation site, where Ikkaku and Yumichika's teams had confirmed a Senkaimon was used after the disappearances.
• Dōsan studied the Twelfth Division's report and concluded there might still be time to save the missing Soul Reapers.
• Dōsan opened a passage to the World of the Living and went through, while Ikkaku tried to follow.

Dōsan Hanyū arrived unexpectedly in Karakura Town and encountered Shinji Hirako’s group of former Soul Reapers. After rejecting Hirako’s invitation to become his ally, Dōsan faced Kensei Muguruma, who challenged him.

• Dōsan Hanyū sensed the concentrated Reishi around him and discovered he had arrived in Karakura Town instead of his intended destination.
• Hachigen Ushōda, Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, and Hiyori Sarugaki confronted Dōsan, and Hachigen recognized his skill with Kidō.
• Dōsan identified Hachigen, Hirako, and Muguruma, then asked Hirako why they had stopped him.
• Hirako invited Dōsan to ally with him against the unnamed mastermind behind crimes in the Seireitei, but Dōsan refused and turned to leave.
• Kensei challenged Dōsan over Jin'ya Tsunayashiro and released his Zanpakuto, Tachikaze.

Central 46 prepared to seize control of the Seireitei while Soi Fon struggled over whether to follow Dōsan Hanyū to the World of the Living. There, Dōsan faced Kensei Muguruma, and Hachigen Ushōda discovered something alarming as Kensei’s blade reached him.

• The First Sage told the Third Sage that Central 46 would defeat Yamamoto and take control of the Seireitei, despite the Third Sage’s doubts about opposing him.
• Soi Fon learned that several captains had been assigned to the World of the Living, realized Dōsan was there, and hesitated over whether to follow him.
• Kensei Muguruma attacked Dōsan with his Zanpakuto inside Hachigen Ushōda’s barrier and demanded a direct fight.
• Dōsan’s Mirror Reversal left Kensei’s wind pressure unable to injure him, while Hachigen studied the technique.
• When Kensei’s Zanpakuto came to rest against Dōsan, Hachigen suddenly shouted for Kensei to get out of the way.

Dōsan Hanyū nearly cut Kensei Muguruma in half before Kensei could react, and Kensei’s Hollowfication failed to save him. Hirako and Hachigen intervened, while Hachigen recognized the frightening level of Dōsan’s Kidō and warned Hirako to be careful.

• Kensei Muguruma pressed Tachikaze against Dōsan Hanyū’s neck, but Dōsan’s strike nearly cut Kensei in half before he understood what had happened.
• Kensei activated Hollowfication, but his mask shattered and he lost consciousness.
• Hirako released Sakanade, reversing Dōsan Hanyū’s sense of direction and leaving him upside down in midair.
• Hachigen Ushōda caught Kensei and used Kaidō to keep him alive while recognizing Dōsan’s technique as a refined application of Mirror Reversal.
• Hachigen warned Hirako to be careful, and Hirako faced Dōsan with a solemn expression.

Soi Fon learned that Dōsan Hanyū had strengthened the Punishment Force and went to the Tenth Division, while Dōsan confronted Shinji Hirako over his conduct. After trading blows, Dōsan wounded Hirako and began releasing a faint gray mist from the Law of Causality.

• Soi Fon questioned Ōmaeda about the missing captains’ classified mission, then fought her Punishment Force subordinates and recognized that Dōsan Hanyū had made them stronger.
• Soi Fon announced that she was going to the Tenth Division, while Ōmaeda worried about her and his unpaid debt.
• Dōsan Hanyū condemned Hirako for obstructing outsiders on a mission and provoking a fight, then drew the Law of Causality.
• Hirako attacked with a series of complex slashes, but Dōsan blocked each strike without using Mirror Reversal.
• Dōsan seized the initiative, cut Hirako’s chest, and began spreading faint gray mist from the Law of Causality.

Dōsan Hanyū fought Shinji Hirako, analyzed Sakanade, and used Mirror Reversal to withstand Hirako’s attacks before cutting through the barrier. As the assembled Visored faced off against him, an unfamiliar powerful presence invited everyone to rest at a shop.

• Dōsan Hanyū identified Sakanade as a sensory poison and wounded Hirako with an ordinary slash.
• Hirako activated Hollowfication and overwhelmed Dōsan with his Spiritual Pressure, but Dōsan blocked a follow-up attack with Mirror Reversal.
• Dōsan struck first, then cut the barrier in two and returned with Hirako and the others to the open sky.
• Shakkahō struck Dōsan’s Mirror Reversal and disappeared into it as more Visored gathered around the injured Kensei.
• An unfamiliar powerful presence offered to invite everyone to its shop.

Ōmaeda and Okikiba reacted to Soi Fon’s absence as the Second Division was placed under First Division control, while Kūkaku learned that Dōsan Hanyū was in danger. Dōsan then faced nine people with top-tier captain-level Spiritual Pressure.

• Okikiba arrived at the Second Division, took temporary control, and ordered its members to suspend missions and remain on standby.
• A powerful, unfamiliar Spiritual Pressure appeared at the heart of Seireitei, unsettling Ōmaeda and Okikiba.
• Kūkaku sensed the Spiritual Pressure at the Shin'ō Academy and wondered whether Central 46 was staging a coup.
• Soi Fon told Kūkaku that something had happened to Dōsan Hanyū, but refused to leave Seireitei because she was a Gotei 13 captain.
• Dōsan Hanyū faced nine people whose Spiritual Pressure had reached the top-tier captain threshold.

Dōsan Hanyū faced Urahara and the Visored, who demanded his help, and his killing intent stopped Hiyori Sarugaki’s attack in its tracks. Elsewhere, Kenpachi Zaraki fought in the Seireitei’s civil war while longing to battle Dōsan again.

• Hiyori Sarugaki declared Dōsan Hanyū the Visored’s target, and Urahara asked Dōsan to help them.
• Dōsan refused, calling the group criminals and saying he had no reason to help them.
• Hiyori launched a flying kick at Dōsan, but Hirako and Kensei sensed his rising killing intent and warned her.
• Hiyori froze with fear as she felt Dōsan’s killing intent while her kick was still in the air.
• Kenpachi Zaraki killed Soul Reapers during the Seireitei’s civil war and remembered that his spar with Dōsan had ended in a draw.
• Kenpachi removed his eyepatch and charged the elite foot soldiers, eager for another chance to fight Dōsan.

Hachigen Ushōda bought Hiyori time as Dōsan Hanyū attacked, and Yoruichi Shihōin intervened in cat form. Elsewhere, Soi Fon left Kūkaku Shiba to pursue Yoruichi, while Kūkaku headed to the Thirteenth Division barracks to retrieve Miroku and Gin Ichimaru watched with the division’s second lieutenant.

• Hachigen Ushōda cast Sajo Sabaku, but Dōsan Hanyū redirected the chains and Hachigen’s spell bought Hiyori three seconds.
• Yoruichi Shihōin rushed in as a black shadow, and Dōsan’s blade struck her in cat form before he recognized her.
• Kūkaku Shiba and Soi Fon watched the Seireitei’s battle, and Soi Fon suddenly left Kūkaku behind.
• Kūkaku went to the Thirteenth Division barracks to take her older brother’s Zanpakuto, Miroku.
• Gin Ichimaru revealed himself with the Thirteenth Division’s second lieutenant and said he wanted to see Miroku and kill Aizen.