Recaps

Ichigo began dangerous training to control his Inner Hollow while Ye Yang and the others prepared for the Arrancar threat. The chapter ended with Ulquiorra confronting Inoue in the Dangai and forcing her to choose between accompanying him and letting him kill her companions.

• Yoruichi and Urahara discussed Ye Yang's time-related ability as Ye Yang reflected on how events had changed without altering the world's overall course.
• Hirako sent Ichigo into his inner world to face and try to devour his Inner Hollow, while the Visored prepared to fight his Hollowfied body.
• Ye Yang discovered that three Arrancar had brought Urahara a fake Hōgyoku, and he later returned to Soul Society.
• A month later, Urahara sensed a powerful Arrancar in the World of the Living, and Soul Society dispatched Rukia and Inoue there with two guards.
• Ye Yang secretly followed Inoue's group through the Dangai, where Ulquiorra appeared, defeated the guards, and threatened Inoue into coming with him.
• Ichigo maintained Hollowfication for eleven seconds against Grimmjow, but lost once the transformation ended.

Ulquiorra ordered Inoue to return to Hueco Mundo, while Ye Yang learned about Aizen’s plans and revealed the Espada’s strengths to the Gotei 13 captains. The meeting ended with Soul Society facing the threat of a powerful Espada force and the captains tasked with preparing countermeasures.

• Ulquiorra gave Inoue a bracelet, ordered her to say goodbye to one person within twelve hours, and then report to a designated location.
• Ye Yang met Ulquiorra, received his shared memories about Aizen and Hueco Mundo, and let him return through a Garganta.
• Ye Yang requested a captains’ meeting and told the Gotei 13 that he had obtained information about the Espada.
• Ye Yang explained the Espada’s rankings, origins, abilities, and death aspects, including the strength of Ulquiorra, Tier Harribel, Baraggan Louisenbairn, and Coyote Starrk.
• Yamamoto ended the meeting and told the captains to consider countermeasures against Aizen and the Espada.

After Orihime disappeared on her way to the World of the Living, Yamamoto refused Ichigo’s request to rescue her and ordered the team back to Soul Society. In Las Noches, Orihime restored Grimmjow’s arm and rank, letting him kill Luppi and reclaim the sixth Espada position as Aizen watched.

• Ukitake told Ichigo and the rescue team that Orihime had vanished in the Dangai, and Yamamoto concluded that she had gone to the Arrancars willingly.
• Renji requested permission to rescue Orihime, but Yamamoto denied it and sent Byakuya and Kenpachi to bring the team back to Soul Society.
• Ichigo refused to ask Soul Society for support and demanded directions to Hueco Mundo, but Yamamoto refused before the call ended.
• Aizen asked Orihime to demonstrate her ability by restoring Grimmjow’s left arm, and she brought it back without a scar.
• Orihime restored the number six on Grimmjow’s back, and Grimmjow attacked and killed Luppi to reclaim his Espada rank.
• Aizen watched Grimmjow’s return, having arranged the succession and restoration to provoke the confrontation.

Ye Yang persuaded Yamamoto to let him help Ichigo rescue Orihime and joined Ichigo, Chad, and Ishida on their journey to Hueco Mundo. After overcoming trouble navigating the Garganta and defeating two Arrancar, the group reached the silver desert and spotted Las Noches in the distance.

• Ye Yang warned Yamamoto that Aizen had captured Orihime for her power and that his plans could trigger the final battle early, then opened a Senkaimon to the World of the Living.
• Ye Yang met Urahara, Chad, and Ishida at the Urahara Shop before Ichigo arrived, and explained that he would accompany the rescue mission.
• Chad demonstrated his improved strength, Ishida revealed that his Quincy powers had returned, and the friends agreed to help Ichigo rescue Orihime.
• Urahara opened a Garganta, and Ye Yang, Ichigo, Chad, and Ishida entered it to travel to Hueco Mundo.
• Ichigo struggled to form a stable path through the Garganta, while Ishida and Ye Yang made smoother paths and Ye Yang advised Ichigo to build control through practice.
• The group defeated two Arrancar in a maze, emerged into Hueco Mundo's silver desert, and saw Las Noches in the distance.

Ye Yang and his companions crossed Hueco Mundo while Aizen warned the Espada not to underestimate them and restrained Grimmjow. They found childlike Nel, and Ye Yang learned that Nnoitra and Szayel Aporro had caused her transformation; unable to heal her yet, he asked her to guide them to Las Noches.

• Aizen showed the Espada footage of Ichigo, Ye Yang, Uryū, and Chad approaching, then warned them that Ye Yang could match his strength and ordered them not to confront Ye Yang alone.
• Grimmjow tried to leave and attack the intruders, but Aizen’s Spiritual Pressure forced him to kneel before Aizen dismissed the Espada to their palaces.
• Ye Yang and the others rescued a child from several Hollows, and Ye Yang recognized her as Nelliel, whom he had known in Hueco Mundo.
• Nel’s Fracción told Ye Yang that Nnoitra and Szayel Aporro had attacked them, and Nnoitra had shattered Nel’s mask, leaving her in her childlike form.
• Ye Yang realized he could not yet use Time Reversal to heal Nel, then asked her to guide the group to Las Noches, and Nel agreed.

Ye Yang reunited with Ashido in the Forest of Menos and persuaded him to leave Hueco Mundo and help Soul Society. After rescuing Ichigo’s group from a swarm of Gillians, they headed toward the forest’s only exit, where Ashido warned that powerful Hollows would be waiting.

• Renji and Rukia arrived in Hueco Mundo and helped Ichigo’s group defeat a sand Hollow, but the creature then dragged everyone underground into the Forest of Menos.
• Ye Yang split the group up to search for Rukia, then found her with Ashido at his secluded dwelling.
• Ye Yang explained Aizen’s betrayal and the Hōgyoku’s effects, and Ashido agreed to return with him to help Soul Society.
• Ye Yang and Ashido rescued Ichigo, Ishida, and Chad from a swarm of Gillians and brought them back to Ashido’s dwelling.
• Ashido warned that powerful Menos Grande would guard the forest’s only exit, and Ye Yang prepared the group for a difficult fight.

Ye Yang led Ichigo and the others out of the Forest of Menos after defeating waves of Hollows, then split from them and entered Las Noches with Nel. Inside, he encountered the Ninth Espada, Aaroniero, whose face looked exactly like Kaien’s.

• Ye Yang killed an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande that had blocked the group’s path.
• Ye Yang and his companions fought through several Adjuchas and dozens of Gillians, then escaped the Forest of Menos by following the quicksand to the surface.
• At the gates of Las Noches, Ye Yang split from Ichigo’s group and took Nel with him through the main entrance while the others chose another route.
• Ye Yang entered Las Noches, found its artificial blue sky, and followed a hidden Arrancar into a room.
• The Arrancar revealed himself as Aaroniero, the Ninth Espada, and Ye Yang was startled to see that he had Kaien’s face.

Ye Yang exposed the Ninth Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie’s disguise as Kaien Shiba and used sunlight to reveal his true form. Aaroniero recovered his Kaien guise and challenged Ye Yang again, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Aaroniero pretended to be Kaien and tried to lure Ye Yang into an ambush, but Ye Yang revealed he had recognized him from the start.
• Ye Yang explained that the real Kaien was alive as a Visored in the World of the Living, and Aaroniero summoned Kaien’s Zanpakuto, Nejibana.
• Ye Yang seized the initiative, wounded Aaroniero, and bound him with Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō.
• Ye Yang blasted a hole in the wall with Hadō #63: Raikōhō, exposing Aaroniero to sunlight and melting away his disguise.
• Aaroniero revealed his true form and explained that he could devour Hollows without limit, then restored Kaien’s appearance and vowed to kill Ye Yang.

Ye Yang defeated the Ninth Espada by discovering and destroying the cores that contained his true body. Afterward, Rukia learned that Captain Kaien was alive in the World of the Living, and Ye Yang promised to take her to see him once Aizen’s scheme was dealt with.

• Ye Yang’s Silver Rend cut through Nejibana and severed the Ninth Espada’s right arm.
• The Ninth Espada released Glotonería, transforming into a giant tentacled creature and boasting that he had consumed 33,650 Hollows.
• Ye Yang deduced that the Ninth Espada’s two cores were his weakness and used Utsusemi to evade an attack before striking through both cores with Senka.
• The Ninth Espada’s body dissolved into green liquid, and his cracked cores pleaded for help before splitting apart.
• Ye Yang found Rukia hiding nearby and confirmed that Captain Kaien was alive in the World of the Living.
• Ye Yang promised to take Rukia to see Kaien after they dealt with Aizen, and said Kaien might then return to Soul Society openly.

Ye Yang secured Rukia and Nel behind a Mirror Door barrier while Ichigo confronted Ulquiorra in Las Noches. Ulquiorra defeated Ichigo, revealed he was only the Fourth Espada, and left Ichigo unconscious in a pool of blood.

• Ye Yang told Rukia to stay inside a Mirror Door barrier and reluctantly took Nel with him when she insisted on leaving.
• Ichigo entered Las Noches searching for Orihime and encountered Ulquiorra, who admitted he had kidnapped her.
• Ichigo used Bankai and Hollowfication to attack Ulquiorra, but Ulquiorra survived his black Getsuga Tenshō without injury.
• Ulquiorra overwhelmed Ichigo with a green Cero and physical attacks, leaving Ichigo badly wounded and unable to use his mask.
• Ulquiorra revealed his rank as the Fourth Espada, stabbed Ichigo through the chest, and walked away as Ichigo lost consciousness.

Ye Yang found Orihime healing Ichigo and intervened when Grimmjow threatened her, but Ichigo insisted on fighting Grimmjow alone. After Grimmjow unleashed his Gran Rey Cero, Ichigo entered his Hollowfied state, and Grimmjow released Pantera as their battle continued.

• Ye Yang learned that Grimmjow had taken Orihime to heal Ichigo and hurried to find them.
• Ye Yang arrived as Grimmjow used Caja Negación to trap Ulquiorra, then knocked Grimmjow away from Orihime.
• Ichigo asked Ye Yang to stay out of his fight and had Orihime heal both him and Grimmjow before they flew off to battle.
• Grimmjow fired a Gran Rey Cero toward Orihime, and Ichigo used Hollowfication and Getsuga Tenshō to stop it.
• Ichigo asked Orihime to raise Santen Kesshun as Grimmjow released Pantera, transforming into his panther-like form.

Ichigo fought Grimmjow in his released form and defeated him by breaking through the Claw of Pantera. As Ichigo checked on Orihime, a one-eyed Arrancar attacked the weakened Grimmjow and claimed he would take over Ichigo.

• Grimmjow released his Resurrección and overwhelmed Ichigo with his speed, forcing him onto the defensive.
• Ichigo adapted during the battle, defended Orihime from Grimmjow's claws, and gradually matched Grimmjow blow for blow.
• Grimmjow unleashed his strongest technique, the Claw of Pantera, but Ichigo smashed through it and pierced Grimmjow with Zangetsu.
• Ichigo caught Grimmjow as he fell, laid him down, and checked that Orihime was unharmed.
• Grimmjow rose again and charged at Ichigo, but Ichigo stopped him and urged him to end the fight.
• A one-eyed Arrancar struck Grimmjow with a pair of crescent-shaped weapons and declared that he would take over Ichigo.

Ye Yang confronted Nnoitra after discovering he had caused Nel’s transformation, while Nnoitra revealed that Nel had once been the Third Espada. Nel recovered her adult form and protected Ye Yang by swallowing Nnoitra’s Cero and firing it back, but Nnoitra survived and claimed the Espada had grown stronger since she left.

• Nnoitra attacked the helpless Grimmjow, but Ye Yang blocked him and challenged him after learning he had broken Nel’s mask.
• Nnoitra revealed that Nel was once Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, an Espada, and Ye Yang said she had been the Third Espada, outranking Nnoitra.
• Ye Yang fought Nnoitra and gained the upper hand with his speed and technique, until Nnoitra fired a golden Cero at him.
• Nel regained her adult form, swallowed Nnoitra’s Cero, and returned it as a powerful Cero Doble that blasted him into the rubble.
• Nel reunited with Ye Yang, who told Ichigo they had known each other for decades, then turned their attention back to Nnoitra.
• Nnoitra stood up with only minor injuries and told Nel that the Espada had become much stronger since she left Las Noches.

Ye Yang fought Nnoitra after Nel recovered, using Silver Rend to pierce Nnoitra’s Hollow Hole and cut through his Hierro and weapons. Nnoitra released Santa Teresa, and the chapter ended as his powerful Cero collided with Ye Yang’s Sky-Rending Sword.

• Ye Yang stopped Nel from fighting Nnoitra while she was still recovering, then battled Nnoitra himself as Orihime healed Ichigo.
• Nnoitra revealed that Ye Yang had pierced his Hollow Hole rather than his head, and Ye Yang wounded him with Silver Rend, which cut through Nnoitra’s weapon and Hierro.
• Nnoitra released Santa Teresa, revealed all six arms, and regenerated an arm after Ye Yang severed it.
• Ye Yang gathered Reishi into the Sky-Rending Sword while Nnoitra prepared a powerful Cero with nearly all his Spiritual Pressure.
• Ye Yang unleashed the Sky-Rending Sword as Nnoitra fired his Cero, and the attacks collided in a violent explosion.

Ye Yang defeated Nnoitra, but Coyote Starrk abducted Orihime as Aizen announced his attack on Karakura Town. Kenpachi explained that the Gotei 13 had prepared to defend the town, though fighting there would devastate it.

• Ye Yang pierced Nnoitra with the Sky-Rending Sword, and the dying Nnoitra accepted his defeat while Nel mourned him.
• Kenpachi and Yachiru arrived with news that Byakuya and Kurotsuchi had defeated the Seventh and Eighth Espada, while the strongest Espada remained.
• Coyote Starrk appeared and carried Orihime away before Ichigo, Kenpachi, or Ye Yang could stop him.
• Aizen used Tenteikūra to reveal that he had placed Orihime in the Fifth Tower, trapped several captains in Hueco Mundo, and was beginning his assault on Karakura Town.
• Aizen declared his intention to destroy Karakura Town, create the King's Key, and destroy Soul Society, prompting Ichigo to rush toward the town.
• Kenpachi stopped Ichigo and explained that the Captain-Commander had ordered every Captain-level member of the Gotei 13 to defend Karakura Town, though Ichigo feared the battle would destroy it.

Ichigo reached Las Noches to rescue Orihime and fought Ulquiorra, who tested his growing strength and overwhelmed him whenever he gained an advantage. Meanwhile, Aizen confronted Yamamoto and the remaining captains in the replica Karakura Town, and both battles remained unresolved.

• Ye Yang explained to Ichigo that the real Karakura Town and its residents had been transferred to Soul Society, and Ichigo hurried to rescue Orihime.
• Aizen arrived in the replica Karakura Town with Gin and Tōsen, summoned Starrk, Baraggan, and Harribel, and left Las Noches in Ulquiorra's hands as he faced Yamamoto and the captains.
• Ye Yang and the others held off a swarm of modified Hollows while Ichigo rushed to the Fifth Tower, where Ulquiorra questioned Orihime about the heart.
• Ichigo arrived as Ulquiorra drew his sword, then fought him and managed to wound him after adapting to his movements.
• Ulquiorra's increased speed outmatched Ichigo, but Orihime shielded him from a killing blow; Ichigo then attacked with Getsuga-powered sword strikes, while Ulquiorra remained confident he could withstand them.

Ye Yang rescued Orihime and let Ichigo continue his battle with Ulquiorra, who released Murciélago above Las Noches. Ulquiorra overwhelmed Ichigo and shattered his Hollow mask with a black Cero, leaving Ichigo’s Hollowfied state broken.

• Ye Yang drove off the two Arrancar holding Orihime and told her that Ichigo had little chance of beating Ulquiorra, though she insisted she believed in him.
• Ishida removed the arriving tenth Espada from the fight, and Ichigo began Hollowfying to face Ulquiorra seriously.
• Ichigo’s Hollowfied strength gave him the advantage until Ulquiorra flew above Las Noches to release his Zanpakuto as Murciélago.
• Ye Yang carried Orihime and Ishida above the canopy, where Ulquiorra released Murciélago and shielded them from his Spiritual Pressure.
• Ulquiorra’s released speed and power overwhelmed Ichigo, who failed to injure him with Getsuga Tenshō.
• Ulquiorra fired a black Cero that blasted Ichigo away and shattered his Hollow mask, ending his Hollowfied state.

Ulquiorra overwhelmed Ichigo and killed him with a Black Cero, but Ichigo’s Spiritual Pressure awakened a monstrous Hollow form. The transformed Ichigo fought on instinct, countered Ulquiorra’s Black Ceros, and tore off his left arm.

• Ulquiorra released Segunda Etapa and used his overwhelming speed and strength to shatter Ichigo’s mask and batter him.
• Ichigo insisted he had to win, but Ulquiorra wrapped his tail around his neck and blasted a hole through his chest with a Black Cero.
• Orihime caught Ichigo with Santen Kesshun as his Spiritual Pressure surged, and Ichigo rose again in a powerful, mindless Hollow form.
• The transformed Ichigo returned Zangetsu to his hand and blew Orihime away with a casual swing, while Ishida caught her.
• Ichigo formed and fired a red Cero that dispersed Ulquiorra’s Black Cero, then seized Ulquiorra and tore off his left arm.

Ichigo defeated Ulquiorra while nearly fully Hollowfied, but Ye Yang stopped him from killing Ul and restored him to his senses. After revealing that Ul was his undercover agent, Ye Yang prepared to leave Hueco Mundo with the group, while Yammy’s immense Spiritual Pressure revealed his true rank as both the Tenth and Zeroth Espada.

• Ul regenerated his severed arm, battled Ichigo, and was defeated after Ichigo caught and crushed his Lanza del Relámpago.
• Ye Yang saved Ul from Ichigo’s Cero, then broke Ichigo’s Hollow mask and forced him out of Hollowfication.
• Ichigo woke up, learned what he had done while Hollowfied, and tried to continue fighting Ul until Ye Yang explained that Ul was his subordinate and undercover agent.
• Ul asked Orihime whether she had feared him, and her answer led him to wonder whether he had failed because he lacked a heart.
• Ul revealed that Yammy was both the Tenth Espada and the Zeroth Espada after Yammy’s immense Spiritual Pressure appeared inside Las Noches.

Ye Yang and his allies confronted the released Yammy beneath Las Noches while arranging Ichigo's return to the World of the Living. As Ye Yang, Ichigo, and Unohana traveled back, Unohana began restoring Ichigo's Spiritual Pressure after realizing how much it had recovered.

• Ulquiorra explained that Yammy could rise from the Tenth Espada to the Zero Espada, and Ye Yang led the group to help Rukia, Renji, and Chad fight him.
• Ichigo caught Rukia after Yammy hurled her, while Ye Yang wounded Yammy and Ulquiorra revealed he had always served Ye Yang rather than Aizen.
• Byakuya and Kenpachi arrived and attacked Yammy, and Mayuri opened a semi-permanent Garganta after completing his research.
• Unohana joined Ye Yang and Ichigo in returning to the World of the Living, while Isane stayed behind to assist Byakuya and the others.
• Ye Yang made a smoother path through Hueco Mundo and explained that Ichigo's poor Spiritual Pressure control made his power seem chaotic.
• Unohana recognized that Ichigo's Spiritual Pressure had not fully recovered and began restoring it with healing Kidō as they traveled.

Unohana and Ye Yang explained that Ichigo was the only fighter besides Ye Yang who had not been hypnotized by Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu, and Ichigo attacked Aizen as soon as he entered the World of the Living. Aizen easily defeated Ichigo’s efforts, then confronted Ye Yang and revealed that the awakened Hōgyoku could trap him while Aizen dealt with the others.

• Unohana asked Ichigo about his encounter with Aizen, and Ye Yang explained Kyōka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis and warned Ichigo not to watch its release.
• Ichigo emerged from the Garganta and struck Aizen from behind with Getsuga Tenshō, but Aizen’s prepared defense left him unharmed.
• Ye Yang reunited with Soi Fon, who reported that the top three Espada and Kaname Tōsen had been eliminated and that Aizen and Gin Ichimaru remained.
• Aizen dodged Ichigo’s attacks with ease and demonstrated the vast difference in their abilities, so Ye Yang told Ichigo to step back and took his place.
• Ye Yang and Aizen discussed the Soul King and their opposing views before agreeing to fight.
• Aizen said he would deal with the others first and used the awakened Hōgyoku to create a barrier intended to hold Ye Yang for two hours.

Ye Yang battled Aizen, using the Sky-Rending Sword to force him to reveal his evolved Hōgyoku form. Urahara then arrived and launched a series of Kidō attacks against Aizen, ending the chapter amid an explosion.

• Aizen trapped Ye Yang in a Hōgyoku-made barrier, but Ye Yang dispelled it with his power over time and challenged him to fight.
• Ye Yang and Aizen fought evenly, and Ye Yang used the Sky-Rending Sword to strike Aizen despite Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnosis.
• The Hōgyoku shielded Aizen from the attack, and he revealed that it was transforming his body and had submitted to him.
• Urahara appeared and struck Aizen, then used a Portable Gigai to evade Aizen’s counterattack.
• Urahara bound Aizen with several Bakudō spells and unleashed Hadō #91: Senju Kōten Taihō, engulfing him in an explosion.

Urahara, Ye Yang, and Yoruichi fought Aizen, but his power continued to evolve beyond their attacks. Gin betrayed Aizen and stole the Hōgyoku, only for Aizen to recover it and transform into a being beyond Soul Reapers and Hollows.

• Urahara sealed Aizen’s Spiritual Pressure outlets, but Aizen emerged unharmed and revealed his power had advanced into another dimension.
• Yoruichi attacked Aizen in Shunkō mode, then dodged a blast of Spiritual Pressure after Ye Yang warned her.
• Gin turned on Aizen, stabbed him with Shinsō, and revealed that a fragment of the blade’s deadly cell-dissolving poison remained inside Aizen’s heart.
• Gin used Kamishini no Yari to blast open Aizen’s chest, took the Hōgyoku, and vanished.
• Aizen healed and evolved, then reappeared before Gin, reclaimed the Hōgyoku, and declared that he had transcended Soul Reapers and Hollows.

Gin was mortally wounded by Aizen, and Ye Yang brought the others into his Bankai’s Spatial Domain to fight Aizen alone. After his spatial attacks failed to finish Aizen, Ye Yang revealed his Zanpakuto’s true name and prepared to unleash its power over time.

• Aizen tore off Gin’s arm and stabbed him, and Rangiku rushed to Gin as he apologized before losing consciousness.
• Ye Yang activated Bankai: Spatial Domain, bringing the group into a space where Kyōka Suigetsu could not affect him, then sent Rangiku and the others away from the fight.
• Ye Yang revealed his hidden spiritual power and used Spatial Jump and Spatial Rift to overwhelm Aizen and slice him in two.
• Aizen returned in a changed form, explained that the Hōgyoku made wishes develop according to a person’s potential, and declared that he would keep evolving.
• Ye Yang abandoned the attempt to kill Aizen and began releasing Silver Rend’s true form, invoking Galaxy Rift.

Ye Yang revealed his power over time, restored Gin to life, and used his Bankai, Final Chapter: Space-Time Exile, against Aizen. The galaxy of time began reversing Aizen’s evolution, while Ye Yang’s own fate remained uncertain.

• Ye Yang transformed into a silver-haired form that Aizen could not sense, then used Time Reversal to heal Gin and restore his missing hand.
• Gin awoke and reunited with Rangiku, while Ye Yang explained that his power reversed time and cost him an equal amount of time.
• Ye Yang told Aizen he had developed a move to defeat him and promised Soi Fon and the others he would return safely.
• Ye Yang froze Aizen in time, rose into the air, and activated Bankai—Final Chapter: Space-Time Exile.
• The silver galaxy began reversing Aizen’s evolution, but Ye Yang had surrendered control of his own body to the move and could not predict what would happen to him.