Chapter Summaries

After Ichigo and his companions departed Soul Society, Yamamoto convened the captains and lieutenants to discuss Aizen’s defection and the Hōgyoku. Ye Yang explained the threat and revealed what he knew about Aizen’s past, while Soul Society prepared for a conflict expected in three months.

• Yoruichi chose to return to the World of the Living after Ichigo and the others recovered, and Rukia stayed behind as they departed through the Senkaimon.
• Ukitake gave Ichigo a Substitute Soul Reaper Combat License, which Ye Yang recognized as a way for Soul Society to monitor and control him.
• Yamamoto called a meeting to address Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen’s defection and the Hōgyoku they had taken.
• Ye Yang explained that the sealed Hōgyoku could eventually enable Aizen to create Arrancar, though the decisive battle would likely be at least three months away.
• Ye Yang admitted he had known about the Hōgyoku and Kyōka Suigetsu, and revealed that Aizen had caused the Hollowfication Incident and that Kisuke had saved its victims, who became the Visored.
• Ye Yang said the Hōgyoku could not be destroyed, and Yamamoto ended the meeting by deciding to summon the legion commander stationed in Hueco Mundo back to Soul Society.

At the captains’ meeting, Shusuke Amagai was appointed captain of the Third Division, and Ye Yang was unanimously chosen to replace Sōsuke Aizen as captain of the Fifth Division. Ye Yang accepted the post and headed to his new division with Soi Fon, planning to celebrate with her that night.

• Yamamoto announced that Shusuke Amagai had passed the captain’s assessment and introduced him as the new captain of the Third Division.
• Ye Yang recognized Amagai from their years in Hueco Mundo, and the two reunited after Amagai had believed Ye Yang was dead.
• Yamamoto proposed Ye Yang as captain of the Fifth Division, and the captains unanimously supported the appointment.
• Ye Yang accepted the captaincy, put on the Fifth Division’s Captain’s Haori, and received congratulations from Soi Fon, Byakuya, and Tōshirō.
• Ye Yang left for the Fifth Division with Soi Fon and suggested that they celebrate his promotion together that night.

Ye Yang took command of the Fifth Division and worked to restore its morale and reputation, while Shusuke Amagai earned the Third Division’s respect by saving its members from a Kōtotsu in the Dangai. Both divisions began improving, though an unknown threat was approaching.

• Ye Yang entered the Fifth Division, where members welcomed him, and learned that Third Seat Shuichiro Yamazaki had once been his student at Shin'ō.
• Ye Yang promised to address the Fifth Division’s troubles and began training its members, later arranging for them to join missions with Kenpachi’s 11th Division.
• Shusuke Amagai collapsed after one cup at a Third Division banquet, leaving Kira to lead the division into the Dangai against thirteen Menos Grande.
• A Kōtotsu appeared in the Dangai, and Amagai arrived in time to make it vanish temporarily with his Zanpakuto, earning the Third Division members’ recognition.
• Ye Yang returned home to Soi Fon after a demanding day, unaware that an undercurrent was approaching.

Ye Yang helped Kenpachi and Yachiru find Ichigo at the Kasumioji residence, where they stopped an assassin from attacking Rurichiyo. After Ichigo described the assassin’s weapon, Ye Yang recognized it as a forbidden Bakkōtō and suspected the Kasumioji Clan was involved.

• Ye Yang found Ichigo’s Spiritual Pressure near the Kasumioji residence and took Kenpachi and Yachiru to him.
• Kenpachi killed an assassin who attacked Rurichiyo Kasumioji, and Ye Yang learned she was the clan’s young heiress.
• Rurichiyo recognized Ye Yang as the head of the Shihoin Clan, while Ichigo learned about his noble status from Rukia.
• Ichigo told Ye Yang that the assassin’s Zanpakuto absorbed its wielder’s Spiritual Power, and Ye Yang identified it as a Bakkōtō.
• Ye Yang suspected the Kasumioji Clan was connected to the forbidden weapons and accompanied Rurichiyo back to the residence, where Kumoi welcomed him.

Ye Yang investigated the Bakkōtō after learning about Hosoe’s forced marriage, then attended a captains’ meeting where Amagai proposed a joint exercise for the Gotei 13. The captains mostly rejected the idea, leaving Amagai disappointed but determined to try again.

• Hosoe told Ye Yang and the others that she was to marry the next day, and Rurichiyo explained that Hosoe was being forced into the match.
• Ye Yang told Ichigo that the strange sword was called a Bakkōtō, then asked Shaoling to investigate its history in the Central 46 archives.
• Amagai proposed a joint exercise at the captains’ meeting, but most captains opposed it or declined to participate, so Yamamoto postponed the decision.
• Shunsui, Ukitake, and Ye Yang comforted Amagai at a tavern, where Amagai drank sake, passed out, and left them discussing whether his directness would help Soul Society.

Ye Yang recognized Yamamoto’s fake Menos Grande attack as a test of Amagai, then learned the Kasumioji Clan wedding was part of Kumoi’s plan to take control of the clan. At the wedding, Ichigo tried to reach Rurichiyo, but she rejected him and treated him like a stranger.

• Ye Yang and Shunsui realized the Menos Grande invasion was staged, and Amagai directed the Thirteenth Division in defeating the imitations.
• Ye Yang inferred that Yamamoto had arranged the incident to test Amagai and secure approval for joint exercises.
• Ye Yang learned that Kumoi planned to make Shū Kannogi a puppet clan head by marrying him to Rurichiyo.
• Soi Fon and the Punishment Force surrounded Ichigo at the wedding after he and his companions called out to Rurichiyo.
• Ichigo urged Rurichiyo to reject Kumoi’s scheme, but she denounced his disrespect and acted as if she did not know him.

Ichigo and Rukia exposed the Rurichiyo at the wedding as an impostor, but Soi Fon attacked Ichigo before they escaped with Shū Kannogi. As the Second and Third Divisions searched Seireien, Ichigo and his companions hid in an underground passage and prepared to sneak back into the Kasumioji Clan estate to rescue the real Rurichiyo.

• Ichigo confronted Rurichiyo, who stabbed him and revealed herself to be an impostor, while Shū Kannogi realized his fiancée had been replaced.
• Soi Fon fought Ichigo with Hakuda and released Suzumebachi, but Rukia used Sode no Shirayuki to separate them, then escaped with Ichigo and Kannogi.
• Soi Fon reported the incident to the captains, and Yamamoto ordered the Third Division to join the Second Division in pursuing Ichigo and Rukia.
• Ye Yang explained to Soi Fon that the noble clans’ estates had special protections that prevented the divisions from investigating without permission.
• Kannogi led Ichigo and Rukia through an underground passage as the Second and Third Divisions searched Seireien, and Ichigo proposed sneaking back into the estate to rescue the real Rurichiyo.

Ye Yang investigated the Bakkōtō and learned that Shusuke Amagai’s attack on Yamamoto was tied to his father’s death. Amagai revealed that Yamamoto had killed Shin'etsu Kisaragi, and Ichigo arrived as Amagai prepared to take revenge.

• Ye Yang and Yoruichi searched the archives for information about the Bakkōtō while Yamamoto ordered an assault on the Kasumioji estate.
• Ye Yang found Yoruichi’s records, returned to the First Division, and hid when Amagai arrived with the bound Rurichiyo.
• Amagai revealed that his Bakkōtō could suppress other Soul Reapers’ Zanpakuto and used it to disable Ryūjin Jakka before activating his Bankai.
• Amagai named Shin'etsu Kisaragi as the reason for his attack, and Yamamoto admitted that he had killed the Soul Reaper.
• Amagai explained that his dying father had identified Yamamoto as his killer, while Ichigo arrived before Amagai could finish his revenge.

Amagai confronted Yamamoto over his father’s death, but Ye Yang revealed that Kumoi and the Bakkōtō had caused the tragedy. After Amagai abandoned his revenge and attempted to take his own life, Yamamoto let him remain Third Division Captain under surveillance, and the group left to celebrate.

• Amagai accused Yamamoto of killing his father and attacked him with the Bakkōtō, but Ichigo blocked the flames as Ye Yang arrived.
• Ye Yang revealed that Kumoi had used the Bakkōtō to control Shin'etsu Kisaragi and send him to assassinate Yamamoto, who killed his own disciple while trying to stop him.
• Amagai realized the truth about his father’s death, apologized to Yamamoto, and tried to die by his own sword, but Ye Yang stopped him.
• Ye Yang, Ukitake, and Shunsui urged Yamamoto to let Amagai atone through service, and Yamamoto allowed him to remain Third Division Captain under Research and Development Institute surveillance.
• Amagai apologized to Kira and thanked Ye Yang, then joined Ye Yang, Shunsui, and Ukitake for drinks.

Shinji Hirako revealed that he was a Visored and tried to recruit Ichigo, while Ryūken rescued Uryū and offered to restore his Quincy powers if he cut ties with Soul Reapers. Isshin appeared to protect Kon and Ichigo’s body, then killed the Arrancar that had murdered Masaki.

• Shinji Hirako transferred into Ichigo’s class, attacked him that night, revealed his Hollow mask, and invited him to join the Visored.
• Hollows attacked Kon and Uryū; Ryūken killed Uryū’s attacker and offered to restore his Quincy powers if Uryū swore to avoid Soul Reapers.
• A Menos Grande caught Kon while he fled with Ichigo’s body, but Isshin’s charm blocked its attack.
• Isshin revealed that he had known Kon was not Ichigo and told him the charm had been meant for him.
• The Hollow revealed its Arrancar form and attacked Isshin, who killed it with one strike and explained that Zanpakuto size did not determine strength.

Isshin defeated an Arrancar test subject and discussed Aizen’s plans with Urahara, while Soul Society sent a rescue squad to the World of the Living. The squad reunited with Ichigo, explained the Arrancar threat, and Ye Yang began teaching him about the ranks of Menos Grande.

• Isshin defeated the Hollow and told Urahara he still regretted being unable to save Masaki, while Urahara identified the creature as Aizen’s Arrancar test subject.
• Soul Society formed a World of the Living Rescue Squad led by Tōshirō, with Ye Yang, Rukia, Renji, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Rangiku joining.
• The squad entered the World of the Living, and Ye Yang went ahead to speak with Isshin about Aizen and the Arrancar threat.
• Ye Yang, Rukia, and the others gathered at Ichigo’s home, where Renji explained that Arrancar were Hollows who had gained Soul Reaper powers.
• Tōshirō and Ye Yang explained that Arrancar transformation was limited to powerful Hollows and that Gillian Menos Grande were merely foot soldiers in Hueco Mundo.

Ye Yang explained the Menos classes and warned Ichigo’s group about the Vasto Lorde Arrancar serving Aizen. In Las Noches, Ulquiorra reported on Ichigo, while Ye Yang later reassured Renji that Aizen could not command ten Vasto Lorde and identified Ulquiorra as one he had encountered.

• Ye Yang described Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde, identifying the short Hollow who attacked Ichigo as a Vasto Lorde and warning that he had become an Arrancar.
• Ye Yang told Ichigo to flee or call for help if he encountered the Arrancar again, and urged him to keep growing stronger; Ichigo accepted that he needed more time.
• At Las Noches, Ulquiorra shared what he had seen in the World of the Living by crushing his eye, and Grimmjow challenged his decision not to kill Ichigo.
• Ulquiorra said he would execute Ichigo himself if his unstable power became a threat, and Aizen allowed him to handle it as he saw fit.
• Renji and Ye Yang headed to the Urahara Shop, where Ye Yang assured Renji that Aizen could have no more than five Vasto Lorde and named Ulquiorra as one of the two he had seen.

Six Arrancar attacked Karakura Town, forcing the Shinigami to fight while their Spiritual Pressure was restricted. After Rangiku, Renji, and Tōshirō removed their seals and defeated their opponents, Ichigo continued to be overwhelmed by an Espada as Ye Yang and Urahara watched without intervening.

• Urahara detected six Arrancar searching Karakura Town, and Renji went out to face the one approaching the shop.
• Ikkaku revealed his Bankai during his fight, while the other Shinigami struggled against the Arrancar with most of their Spiritual Pressure sealed.
• Shawlong Koufang told Tōshirō that the Espada were the ten strongest Arrancar and identified Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez as number six.
• A powerful Spiritual Pressure erupted near Ichigo, and Ye Yang and Urahara decided to let him continue fighting unless his life was in danger.
• Rangiku announced that Gentei Kaijo had been approved, and she, Renji, and Tōshirō removed their seals and defeated their opponents.
• Ichigo was badly outmatched by his opponent despite using Bankai, while Ye Yang and Urahara continued to watch.

Ichigo was defeated by Grimmjow and began considering Hirako’s offer to help him control his Inner Hollow, while Tōsen punished Grimmjow for disobeying Aizen. As Ichigo disappeared to train, Chad asked Urahara for training so he could fight alongside him.

• Grimmjow overwhelmed Ichigo, but Ichigo wounded him with a black Getsuga Tenshō before Tōsen arrived and ordered Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo.
• Grimmjow escaped through the Garganta, leaving Ichigo defeated and questioning whether to seek Hirako’s help in controlling his Inner Hollow.
• Tōsen confronted Grimmjow before Aizen, cut off his left arm, and burned it away after Grimmjow refused to apologize.
• Ichigo disappeared to train, and Ye Yang told Urahara and Renji that Ichigo had likely gone to the Visored.
• Chad asked Urahara to train him because he wanted to become strong enough to stand beside Ichigo in battle.
• Urahara agreed to leave Chad’s training to Renji, who accepted.

Urahara told Inoue to withdraw from frontline combat because Tsubaki was gone, then discussed her unusual ability with Ye Yang and Yoruichi. Ye Yang explained that Inoue rejected events rather than turning back time, and Urahara tricked Ye Yang into revealing his own time-based Zanpakuto power and its cost.

• Urahara welcomed Inoue to the underground training ground while Renji and Chad trained.
• Urahara told Inoue she could not fight on the front lines without Tsubaki, and Inoue ran out after thanking him.
• Renji stopped Chad from pursuing Inoue and said withdrawing her was for her own protection.
• Ye Yang and Urahara discussed Aizen's plan to create the King's Key and the need to prepare for the final battle in Karakura.
• Ye Yang explained that Inoue's Sōten Kisshun rejected events that had already happened, and could potentially reject a person's existence if her power grew enough.
• Urahara guessed that Ye Yang had time powers, tricked him into confirming it, and Ye Yang explained that his Zanpakuto had a time-based Shikai whose Time Reversal cost him an equivalent amount of time.

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.