Recaps

The Miyano siblings, Haru Kusaka, Shusuke Amagai, and Ashido combined their Bankai to weaken Hammerhead, but his regeneration let him survive their attacks. Haruto and Harri then struck before Hammerhead could fire his Gran Rey Cero, leaving only half of his head intact.

• The Miyano siblings pierced Hammerhead with twin flames, and Haru Kusaka redirected his water powers into sharpened needles that wounded him.
• Shusuke Amagai blasted Hammerhead with Raika: Gōenkaku, but Hammerhead escaped the crater with Sonído.
• Ashido struck Hammerhead with Azure Dragon Spine and poisoned him, but Hammerhead used High-Speed Regeneration to halt the poison and restore his body.
• Hammerhead gathered Reiatsu to fire a Gran Rey Cero, but Harri appeared behind him and unleashed a golden Gran Rey Cero that reduced his restored body to ash.
• Half of Hammerhead's head rolled to a stop in front of Haruto.

Haruto and six other Captain-level fighters defeated Hammerhead, a Vasto Lorde general serving Baraggan, in a coordinated battle. He gave the injured Harribel a Shihoin Clan crest for protection before she left with her companions, and Ashido and Shusuke Amagai departed as well.

• Haruto and the other fighters killed Hammerhead with a coordinated assault, and the Miyano siblings asked whether they had truly defeated a Vasto Lorde.
• Ashido and Shusuke Amagai discussed their depleted strength and decided to recuperate for two months rather than return to Soul Society.
• Haruto gave Harribel a Shihoin Clan crest so Soul Reapers would avoid harassing her while she recovered.
• Harribel accepted the crest for the sake of her companions and left with Apache and the others.
• Haruto said he had kept his word by letting Harribel go, and Ashido and Shusuke Amagai thanked him before departing.

After killing Hammerhead, Haruto released the Soul King Hakusui’s accumulated power in Hueco Mundo and evolved to Second-Class Spiritual Pressure. He discovered a second Zanpakuto had formed and decided to seek Kisuke Urahara’s Tenshintai to learn Bankai.

• Haruto gave Haru Kusaka a signal transmitter and sent him and the Miyano siblings back toward Soul Society while he stayed behind.
• Haruto moved away from Las Noches and released the Soul King Hakusui’s power, drawing in Reishi as a vast storm consumed the surrounding desert and Forest of Menos.
• Haruto’s body and Reiatsu evolved beyond Third-Class Reii to Second-Class Spiritual Pressure, and he realized the Soul King Hakusui had become a complete part of him.
• Haruto sensed a second Zanpakuto beside Seisen and heard the two blades knock their sheaths together.
• Haruto put Seisen in the Kukai Box, undid the second blade’s materialization, and decided to borrow the Tenshintai from Kisuke Urahara so he could learn Bankai.

Haruto returned to Soul Society through a Garganta he opened himself, killed an Adjuchas with one Hadō, and learned the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had been back for two days. In Hueco Mundo, Baraggan learned Hammerhead had died and Szayelaporro had been ambushed by a Soul Reaper, fueling his rage against the Soul Reapers.

• Heizō Kasaki and the Ninth Division squad formed a perimeter around a Garganta opening in North Rukongai and prepared to face the Hollow emerging from it.
• Haruto emerged from the Garganta and killed the Adjuchas with a single Hadō before the squad could act.
• Haruto asked Heizō Kasaki when the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had returned, learned it had been two days, and left him to continue his mission with a captured fugitive.
• Baraggan found traces of Hammerhead’s death and learned that a Soul Reaper had ambushed Szayelaporro, who had since shut himself in his laboratory.
• Baraggan remembered being cast back into Hueco Mundo after losing his power and declared that the Soul Reapers were courting death.

Haruto attended a First Division meeting where Shunsui reported that Kitahara Kenshin had escaped custody, raided the Maggot's Nest, and attacked the Central 46 Chambers. Haruto volunteered to hunt Kitahara and requested support from the Fourth and Eighth Divisions, despite Yoruichi's concern that he needed rest.

• Genshirō Okikiba admitted Haruto to the First Division meeting and told him he had the right to participate.
• Shunsui reported that Kitahara Kenshin had requested to leave the Gotei 13, then attacked his escort and seriously injured Soi Fon during his arrest.
• Kitahara raided the Maggot's Nest, killed 61 Stealth Force members, freed 119 prisoners, and led an attack on the Central 46 Chambers that killed eleven sages and two judges.
• Shunsui said Kitahara and more than ten criminals escaped into Seireitei's sewers, while five others were captured and three noble families were wiped out during the pursuit.
• Haruto proposed that the Seventh Division keep protecting the nobles, the Second Division handle its own problems, and he pursue Kitahara with two members each from the Fourth and Eighth Divisions.
• Yoruichi asked whether Haruto needed rest after taking down an Adjuchas, but Haruto said he was fine.

Haruto was assigned to hunt down Kitahara Kenshin, and he gathered a team to track him through the Seireitei’s sewers. The pursuit began with Hanatarō guiding the group toward Haruto’s sensed location.

• Yamamoto ordered Haruto to bring back Kitahara Kenshin dead or alive and gather information if possible.
• Haruto declined Unohana’s offer of support and asked her to send Kiyone and Hanatarō; Shunsui agreed to provide Nanao and Ayaka.
• A red-haired Soul Reaper in the sewers accepted a helper’s offer of power to escape the Gotei 13’s pursuit.
• Haruto, Nanao, Ayaka, Kiyone, and Hanatarō entered the sewers, and Haruto asked Hanatarō to lead them to the location he had identified with Kakushitsuijaku.

Haruto and the Fourth Division group encountered a drug-enhanced criminal released from the Maggot's Nest while traveling through the waterways. Nanao restrained him with Kidō, and Kiyone charged in with her released Zanpakuto as the fight began.

• Haruto explained that a Vasto Lorde had taken six Captain-level fighters to defeat, and that he had killed an Adjuchas with Hainawa.
• Haruto sensed someone approaching and stopped Kiyone from attacking when he realized the criminal had taken a powerful stimulant.
• Haruto identified the drug as similar to the one Mikazuki Munechika had taken, and Nanao stepped forward to capture the man.
• The drugged criminal lunged at the group and targeted Hanatarō Yamada, but Nanao stopped him with Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō.
• Kiyone drew her Zanpakuto, released Tiger Cannon, and charged at the restrained attacker.

Haruto and his team fought their way through Seireitei’s waterways toward the reservoir, where they found Kitahara Kenshin waiting. Haruto spoke with the Third Division Captain, who questioned his confidence and noble status, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Haruto’s team advanced through the sewers as Nanao restrained opponents and Kiyone killed them, while Haruto eliminated powerful criminals before they could attack.
• Hanatarō led the group toward the deepest part of the waterway reservoir, and Haruto decided they would all go down to investigate.
• Haruto arrived at the reservoir’s central junction and found Kitahara Kenshin meditating on a suspended island.
• Haruto told Kitahara that Soi Fon’s injuries would teach her a useful lesson, prompting Kitahara to question Haruto’s confidence and his status as a great noble.
• Haruto explained that he had not been born a noble and that the Shihoin crest on his uniform reflected Captain Yoruichi’s favor.

Haruto confronted Kitahara Kenshin over his rebellion against the Central 46 Chambers and the losses suffered by the Third Division. After Kitahara rejected Haruto’s defense of the leadership’s plans, Haruto attacked and pinned him to a cross of chains with Hyakurensan.

• Kitahara Kenshin revealed that the Third Division had lost two-thirds of its strength in Hueco Mundo and challenged Haruto over the Central 46 Chambers’ plans.
• Haruto said he supported Captain-Commander Yamamoto and insisted that Kitahara’s methods would cause needless sacrifice.
• Haruto unleashed his killing intent and told Kitahara he had been dead since Haruto arrived.
• Kitahara’s Shikai and drug-enhanced strength let him break free of Haruto’s Shiryū seal.
• Haruto doubled his Hyakurensan chains, broke through Kitahara’s Dankū, and pinned him to a dark silver cross.

Haruto used high-level Kidō to restrain Kitahara Kenshin and sealed him inside Bankin Taihō after he released his Bankai. Kitahara broke out of the seal, leaving Haruto and the others facing his transformed, weakened state.

• Haruto explained that his Hyakurensan was part of Bakudō #99 and used it to bind Kitahara Kenshin.
• Kitahara struggled against the chains, then released his Bankai, Armor-Cutting: Beheading.
• Haruto cast Bankin: Final Song, Bankin Taihō, and sealed Kitahara inside a black sphere.
• Haruto discussed how advanced Kidō could vary by user and encouraged Nanao to create her own spells.
• Kitahara shattered the sphere and emerged gasping for Reiatsu, still holding Beheading and bearing a glowing green blade.

Haruto identified Kitahara Kenshin’s weapon as a dangerous Bakkōtō and confronted him over his ties to two noble clans and his motives. Haruto prepared to fight without Kidō or drawing his sword, while Kitahara insisted his close-combat Zanpakuto gave him the advantage.

• Ayaka and Kiyone recoiled from the slimy weapon on Kitahara Kenshin’s arm, and Nanao recognized that it was unusual.
• Haruto explained that Kitahara’s weapon was a Bakkōtō made from a Hollow, which absorbed Reiatsu, granted abilities, and could devour its wielder.
• Haruto accused Kitahara of accepting gifts from the Kasumioji and Fushizuku Clans and questioned whether his pursuit of revenge was truly righteous.
• Haruto deduced that Kitahara’s Bakkōtō could break seals or barriers, allowing him to overcome Bankin Taihō.
• Haruto challenged Kitahara to fight but ruled out using Kidō to avoid damaging the waterways or burdening the Fourth Division.
• Kitahara argued that Haruto’s Hakuda was not his specialty and warned that Kitahara’s Zanpakuto was especially dangerous in close combat.

Haruto confronted Kitahara Kenshin in the underground waterway, where Kenshin used a pill to combine Hollowfication with Bankai. After Haruto killed him, he discovered that Captain Miyano and Lieutenant Miyano Fujimaru had been secretly following him.

• Kitahara Kenshin swallowed a pill from the Bakkōtō and unleashed Hollowfication while in Bankai, blasting open the waterway above.
• Haruto recognized the Hollow Reiatsu and suspected Aizen’s experiments might be connected to the attack and the noble clans’ schemes.
• Haruto told Ayaka and the others to retreat as Kenshin’s drugs, Bakkōtō, and Hollowfication threatened to overwhelm his mind.
• Haruto drew Seisen and killed Kitahara Kenshin, leaving his Zanpakuto and the writhing Bakkōtō behind.
• Haruto sensed two hidden figures and revealed Captain Miyano and Lieutenant Miyano Fujimaru, who had been secretly following him.

Haruto confronted the Miyano siblings about killing Seigen Kyōshiba and explained that the Seireitei had needed him to do it, but an explosion interrupted their conversation. He and Kisuke Urahara began arranging the siblings’ departure to the World of the Living while Haruto prepared to fake a Vasto Lorde attack on the Gotei 13.

• Miyano Matsuri and Miyano Fujimaru told Haruto they had met with Captain Hirako and asked whether he had killed Seigen Kyōshiba and Ika.
• Haruto admitted killing Seigen because the Seireitei needed him to, and the siblings said they wanted to learn the truth rather than attack him.
• Haruto said he lacked enough Reiatsu to stop the siblings from leaving, but an explosion destroyed the waterway before they could depart.
• Haruto knocked out the Miyano siblings and met Kisuke Urahara, who had disabled the surveillance network and brought Gigai.
• Haruto and Kisuke planned to send the Miyano siblings to the World of the Living to meet the Shusuha siblings, while Haruto prepared to fake a Vasto Lorde attack on the Gotei 13.

Haruto answered the Captain-Commander’s questions about Kitahara Kenshin’s death and the Vasto Lorde attack, then visited Kisuke Urahara’s research institute to discuss Hollowfication experiments. Kisuke learned how Kitahara’s transformation differed from his own, but Haruto was unsure whether the lack of a Vasto Lorde fragment explained the difference.

• Haruto defended his account of the battle before Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the assembled captains, saying Kitahara Kenshin’s Zanpakuto had been countered by his own and that he had defeated Kenshin with Shunpo.
• The captains ended their questioning without resolving how Kitahara died, then discussed retaliating against Baraggan and Las Noches while Haruto left the matter to them.
• Haruto visited Kisuke Urahara’s research institute beneath Karakura Town and learned that Kisuke had built a device to convert test subjects between Reishi and Kishi.
• Haruto told Kisuke that another Soul Reaper had conducted Hollowfication experiments and that Kitahara lost his reason and could not maintain a human form after transforming.
• Kisuke asked whether Kitahara’s transformation had failed because he lacked a Vasto Lorde fragment, and Haruto said he doubted that was the main cause.

Haruto urged Kisuke Urahara to expand his research into Arrancarfication and ways to reverse Hollowfication, anticipating that the hidden experimenter might target Hollows or build an Arrancar army. After arranging to borrow a new Tenshintai to train Seisen’s Bankai, Haruto received news that Shusuke Amagai had become the Third Division Captain.

• Haruto suggested that Urahara research Arrancarfication and cures for Soul Reapers who had undergone Hollowfication, warning that the secret experimenter might pursue those methods.
• Urahara agreed to study reversing Arrancarfication and discussed the possibility that the hidden experimenter could command an army of Arrancar Hollows.
• Haruto asked Urahara to lend him a Tenshintai so he could train Seisen’s Bankai, and Urahara agreed to make a new one after Yoruichi took the original to practice Shunkō.
• A Stealth Force member delivered the First Division’s announcement that Shusuke Amagai, a member of the 31st Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, had been appointed Third Division Captain.

Haruto visited the Fourth Division to check on his wounded subordinate Soi Fon and found her recovering under Isane's care. He told Soi Fon that he had killed Kitahara Kenshin, then began to suggest what she could do to prevent another disaster.

• Haruto heard that Shusuke Amagai had returned to Soul Society and left the Tenth Division captaincy vacant after refusing Yamamoto's appointment.
• Haruto visited the Fourth Division and learned from Iemura Yasochika that Soi Fon was being treated in special ward seven.
• Isane treated Soi Fon, who reflected on her skill and the Heavenly Bestowed Armament scarf she wore.
• Haruto arrived and thanked Isane, while Soi Fon interrupted their affectionate exchange and reopened her wound by coughing.
• Haruto told Soi Fon that he had killed Kitahara Kenshin and began advising her on how to prevent similar losses.

Soi Fon asked Haruto to help her grow strong enough to reach captain-level, and he agreed to seek her transfer to the Patrol Corps after she recovered. After leaving the Fourth Division, Haruto received an invitation to Shusuke Amagai’s appointment celebration and questioned whether Amagai had truly approved it.

• Soi Fon asked Haruto if she could grow stronger by following him, and he agreed to discuss transferring her to the Patrol Corps once she recovered.
• Haruto told Soi Fon she would serve as Naa Ichihara’s assistant, and Isane questioned him about his past meeting with Ichihara before telling Soi Fon to recover properly.
• Haruto left the Fourth Division and was stopped by Funakiri, the newly appointed Third Seat of the Third Division.
• Funakiri invited Haruto to a celebration for Shusuke Amagai’s appointment as captain, saying the invitation had been his idea.
• Haruto asked whether Shusuke Amagai had agreed to the celebration.

Haruto declined Shusuke Amagai’s invitation after learning that Amagai claimed to know about the Vasto Lorde who had ambushed him, then went with Ginjiro to the Kuchiki Clan at Ginrei’s request. There, Byakuya revealed that Hine had died and hinted that Kōga had been affected, leaving Ginrei to explain the situation.

• Haruto told Funakiri to decline Shusuke Amagai’s invitation, but reconsidered after hearing Amagai knew about the Vasto Lorde that had ambushed him.
• Ginjiro delivered Ginrei Kuchiki’s request for Haruto to come to the Kuchiki Clan, and Haruto agreed.
• At the Kuchiki Clan, Ginjiro left Haruto with Byakuya, who was dressed for mourning.
• Byakuya told Haruto that his aunt Hine had died and that the mourning hall was closed.
• Haruto suspected Kōga had been affected by Hine’s death, and Byakuya said Ginrei would explain more in the side hall.

Haruto learned that Kuchiki Hine had been murdered by Tsunayashiro Getsuritsu, prompting Kōga Kuchiki to attack the Tsunayashiro Clan and kill Getsuritsu and nineteen elders. The Golden Seal Noble Assembly confined Kōga, while Haruto discovered that Sōjun had been wounded by his own Zanpakuto and suspected Muramasa was responsible.

• Haruto agreed to help the Kuchiki Clan and met Ginrei Kuchiki, Sōjun, and Byakuya in the clan’s side hall.
• Ginrei Kuchiki told Haruto that Hine had been murdered by Tsunayashiro Getsuritsu, whose motive remained unknown.
• Ginrei explained that Kōga had stormed the Tsunayashiro Clan and killed Getsuritsu, nineteen senior elders, and four Captain-level fighters in total.
• Ginrei told Haruto that the Golden Seal Noble Assembly had placed Kōga in confinement rather than arresting him, fearing the Kuchiki Clan’s power.
• Haruto learned that Sōjun had been cut by his own Zanpakuto and asked whether Kōga’s Muramasa had controlled it.

Haruto learned that Kōga had escaped after freezing the Golden Seal Noble Assembly’s confinement facility, likely under Tsunayashiro Tokinada’s influence. The Kuchiki family warned that Kōga might use Muramasa’s Bankai, whose range covered the entire Seireitei, leaving Haruto to ask whether even Ryūjin Jakka could be affected.

• Kuchiki Sōjun suggested that Muramasa had not controlled Kōga, and identified Tsunayashiro Tokinada as a skilled manipulator who had shared a confinement facility with him.
• Ginrei Kuchiki said Haruto must bring Kōga back before he fully released Muramasa’s Bankai or kill him.
• Byakuya explained that Kōga had frozen the confinement facility beneath the Golden Seal Noble Assembly, and Haruto learned the incident had happened half an hour earlier.
• Kuchiki Sōjun said Muramasa’s Shikai had a radius of about one reiri, while its Bankai could reach the entire Seireitei.
• Haruto asked whether the Captain-Commander’s Ryūjin Jakka would also be affected by Muramasa.

Haruto and Byakuya left the Kuchiki residence to confront the chaos caused by Kōga’s Muramasa, whose Bankai materialized Zanpakuto across the Seireitei. Their own Zanpakuto appeared and attacked them, and Haruto faced Yugram Seisen as she challenged him to fight with his Quincy abilities.

• Ginrei Kuchiki agreed to let Byakuya accompany Haruto to confront Kōga, but Muramasa’s Bankai activated before they could leave.
• Ginrei and Sōjun shut themselves off from their Zanpakuto as explosions and cries for help spread through the Seireitei.
• Senbonzakura and Seisen materialized, forcing Byakuya and Haruto to fight their own Zanpakuto without killing them.
• Haruto explained that Muramasa could keep acting even if Kōga died, making Muramasa himself a target.
• Yugram Seisen drew her Reishi-forged saber and told Haruto to fight her with his Quincy abilities.

Muramasa’s Bankai caused Zanpakuto to materialize across Soul Society, but Yamamoto and Yoruichi quickly contained its effects while Kisuke Urahara defeated the materialized swords near the Second Division. Kisuke then faced a Reigai that looked and felt just like him, and prepared to fight.

• Yamamoto sealed Ryūjin Jakka with Bakudō #99 and left the First Division barracks to investigate the disturbance.
• Yoruichi used her Heavenly Bestowed Armaments Guard to end the abnormality affecting her golden short blade, then transformed into a cat to go outside.
• Kisuke subdued the materialized Zanpakuto near the Second Division with Benihime and restrained them without causing lasting injuries.
• A Reigai resembling Kisuke appeared, and Kisuke guessed it had been created from Reiatsu recorded during the Valley of Screams incident.
• Kisuke challenged the Reigai and prepared to fight.

Shusuke Amagai prepared to confront Yamamoto after he and Funakiri dealt with the Third Division. Meanwhile, Haruto defeated Yugram in a Quincy ability duel, and Yugram returned to Seisen with hope that the Quincies could escape Yhwach’s control.

• Funakiri reported that the Third Division had been dealt with, and Shusuke Amagai ordered him to accompany him to the First Division to settle the score with Shigekuni Yamamoto.
• Haruto and Yugram exchanged attacks using Sanctuary Praise and Heilig Pfeil while testing each other’s defenses.
• Haruto used Gritz Holy Devour: White Face Descent to weaken Yugram’s Quincy Crosses and break through Gojūbaku.
• Haruto fired a powerful black-and-crimson arrow that passed close to Yugram, who conceded defeat without using Vollständig.
• Yugram returned to Seisen, expressing hope that the Quincies could be free from Yhwach’s control.

Haruto and Byakuya defeated their Zanpakuto, then chose to help protect the Seireitei instead of immediately pursuing Kōga. In the Fourth Division, Soi Fon and Isane contained Suzumebachi and Itegumo until Haruto arrived, prompting Itegumo to call out to him.

• Byakuya trapped Senbonzakura with Kidō and finished the fight with Kurohitsugi, returning the Zanpakuto to his waist.
• Haruto stopped Byakuya from rushing after Kōga and urged him to help reduce the damage across the Seireitei first.
• Soi Fon and Isane captured Suzumebachi and Itegumo in the Fourth Division, where Kiyōnosuke Yamada had helped clear the wards.
• Itegumo broke free and attacked Soi Fon with freezing wind, but Haruto blocked the blast with Dankū.
• Itegumo called out to Haruto loudly, drawing everyone's attention.

Haruto arrived to find Isane and Soi Fon safe, while Kiyone explained how she had defeated her Zanpakuto. As Haruto and Kiyonosuke discussed the crisis, Byakuya fought Tengumaru in the Seventh Division, and Shinji subdued Sakanade before Kaien arrived at the Fifth Division.

• Kiyone reunited with Isane and revealed that she had defeated her Zanpakuto, Tiger Cannon, whose power increased with the size difference between it and its target.
• Kiyonosuke asked Haruto to resolve Muramasa’s problem quickly because the Fourth Division could not function normally; Haruto noted that he had seen few injured Soul Reapers on his way there.
• Byakuya went to the Seventh Division and learned that Tengumaru could breathe fire and grow stronger by eating flames, so he attacked with Senbonzakura.
• Shinji Hirako defeated Sakanade by using a modified mask to block its fragrance, then removed the mask.
• Kaien Shiba arrived at the Fifth Division’s main gate and called out to Shinji.