Recaps

Haruto surprised Byakuya and Nanao by revealing how much advanced Kidō he had learned during vacation, while Byakuya questioned how Haruto knew the names of Zanpakuto. Byakuya then gave Haruto a spell created by Kōga, and the story shifted to Byakuya learning that Kōga had come to say goodbye.

• Haruto told Nanao that he had learned Dankū, Raikōhō, and Zanka no Tachi during vacation.
• Ayaka reacted to the group’s strength and resolved to become stronger herself.
• Byakuya questioned Haruto about how he knew the names of Senbonzakura and Itegumo, but Haruto denied that his Zanpakuto had been released.
• Byakuya gave Haruto Kōga’s unnumbered Kidō spell, Hyōga Seiran, explaining its unusual control, speed, and range.
• Two days earlier, Byakuya returned home and learned from Kuchiki Sōjun that Kōga had come to say goodbye.

Byakuya told his family that Haruto had advanced to Sixth-Class Reii and learned powerful Kidō, including Dankū and Zanka no Tachi. As Byakuya tried to persuade his father to share the Kuchiki Clan’s secret techniques, his mother stopped him and warned him against favoring outsiders.

• Kuchiki Sōjun told Byakuya that Kōga would join the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and that Kuchiki Hine planned to return to the main house.
• Byakuya refused Hine’s offer to spar and explained that Haruto had advanced to Sixth-Class Reii after using Dankū.
• Byakuya said Haruto had obtained a Kidō Orb containing Dankū from an exiled noble named Ichihara in Rukongai, but Sōjun did not recognize the family name.
• Byakuya revealed that Haruto had also learned the number seventy-eight Hadō, Zanka no Tachi, and Sōjun noted that the Ise Clan’s elder likely taught it to him.
• Byakuya tried to persuade Sōjun to share the Kuchiki Clan’s secret Kidō techniques, but his mother struck him with her Zanpakuto’s Shikai and scolded him for siding with outsiders.

Kuchiki Sōjun rejected Byakuya’s request for the clan to invest in Haruto, but Kōga offered Haruto his difficult original Kidō, Hyōga Seiran. Haruto accepted the manual and decided to try learning it, then arrived at class with Byakuya and the others after Byakuya’s dorm barrier blocked a Hell Butterfly message.

• Kuchiki Sōjun told Byakuya that the Kuchiki Clan could not commit resources to training Haruto without securing his loyalty, and that a suitable gift would require a clan meeting.
• Kōga Kuchiki offered Haruto his original Hadō, Hyōga Seiran, hoping Haruto might learn it and provide useful insights.
• Haruto examined Hyōga Seiran’s manual, and Byakuya warned him that the advanced ice-and-snow Kidō would be difficult to learn.
• Haruto decided to try learning Hyōga Seiran because Kōga had given it to him as a thoughtful gift.
• Haruto and the others arrived at class, where Mutsuki Shōkaku questioned why they had missed a Hell Butterfly message; Byakuya explained that his dorm’s defensive Kidō had blocked it.

Mutsuki Shōkaku announced changes to the sixth-year curriculum, teaching assignments, and seasonal class competitions, with valuable rewards for top-ranked classes. When Ayaka nominated Haruto as Class One’s representative and another student nominated Byakuya, both declined, leaving Byakuya to urge Haruto to take the role.

• Haruto learned that Munechika had transferred to Class Two to study alongside Juzu after losing the Live-Blade Match.
• Mutsuki announced that all sixth-year classes would share a curriculum, while Class One would receive a chance to learn a technique from the academy’s secret collection.
• Mutsuki said some sixth-years would teach fifth-years because of the teacher shortage and revealed that seasonal exams would rank classes by their representatives’ results.
• Mutsuki explained that Captain Kirio Hikifune would provide Reiatsu-enhancing food as a reward, and Haruto recognized why Munechika might benefit from competing in Class Two.
• Ayaka nominated Haruto as Class One’s representative, while a noble student recommended Byakuya; both Haruto and Byakuya declined, and Byakuya told Haruto to take the role.

Haruto agreed to a three-move match with Byakuya to gauge their progress and avoid becoming class representative, then joined his classmates at the main training grounds. The chapter ended as Haruto used Ōkasen to intervene in another students’ dangerous Kidō duel.

• Haruto traded barbs with Byakuya and agreed to fight him under the usual rules, then proposed limiting their match to three moves at the main training grounds.
• Haruto questioned Sunai Nezumi, the new transfer from Class Two and ninth head of the Sunai Clan, before setting the conversation aside.
• Mutsuki told Haruto and Byakuya that Headmaster Mitarai had opened the main training grounds, and Haruto invited his classmates to watch.
• Haruto and Byakuya arrived to find several matches underway, including a duel between a Shakkahō user and a student who cast Haien.
• When Haien’s flames threatened to hit the other fighter, Haruto drew part of his Zanpakuto and invoked Ōkasen.

Haruto stopped Gyōkaku Kumoi from using Haien on a defeated student, then challenged Kumoi’s arrogance and demonstrated superior Kidō control. Kumoi abandoned his demand for a match and fell silent, realizing Haruto was far stronger than he had expected.

• Haruto dispelled Gyōkaku Kumoi’s Haien before it could seriously injure the student he had defeated.
• Kumoi defended his actions and tried to recruit Haruto, boasting that he could make him a Gotei 13 captain.
• Byakuya explained that Kumoi was the son of the Kasumioji Clan’s chief retainer, and Kumoi recognized Byakuya and Haruto.
• Kumoi challenged Haruto to a match, but Haruto rebuked him for acting as though the training ground belonged to his family.
• Haruto cast Haien without an incantation and reproduced the blast from Kumoi’s earlier Kidō with far less Reiatsu, leaving Kumoi stunned.

Haruto and Byakuya fought for the class representative position, trading advanced Shunpo techniques, Kidō, and sword attacks. Haruto surprised Byakuya with a counter hidden in his Tōzanshō and a genuine Eishōhaki Zanka no Tachi, but the duel remained unresolved as both began another Hadō incantation.

• Gyōkaku Kumoi realized Byakuya was Haruto’s opponent and withdrew from the contest.
• Haruto blocked Byakuya’s Senka with Tōzanshō, revealing that he had improved his Shunpo and mastered the high-level Bakudō.
• Byakuya’s Senka cracked Tōzanshō, but the collapsing shield released a concealed Kyōmon-like burst that broke his stance.
• Haruto struck Byakuya with an Eishōhaki Zanka no Tachi, but Byakuya used Utsusemi and followed with Senka.
• Haruto and Byakuya clashed swords, and Haruto knocked Byakuya back before both began casting Hadō.

Haruto conceded his class representative match to Byakuya after judging that Byakuya’s advanced Kidō and Shikai would have secured the win. Their display stunned the students and Mutsuki Shōkaku, and Haruto’s new role as class representative was expected to calm the academy’s students.

• Haruto admitted Byakuya had outmatched him, explaining that Byakuya’s Rikujōkōrō would have given him time to release his Zanpakuto, though Haruto joked that Byakuya won the contest in looking cool.
• The students and Mutsuki Shōkaku reacted in shock to the advanced Kidō and Shunpo techniques Haruto and Byakuya had displayed.
• Haruto and Byakuya arranged to train together that afternoon, then joined Mutsuki, who said their match would likely make the sixth-year class representative competition seem pointless.
• Mutsuki told Haruto that he was scheduled to take charge of fifth-year Class One and that Gyōkaku Kumoi had become more obedient.
• Kiyone said she and her sister would attend Kaidō class, while Nanao planned to practice intermediate Kidō and explore whether combining and modifying spells could imitate advanced Kidō.

Haruto and his companions settled on different paths for studying Kidō, then Haruto and Byakuya went to the Academy’s underground training hall to practice. Byakuya also told Haruto that an auction had been arranged in Rukongai that night, leaving Haruto concerned about the danger.

• Haruto praised Nanao’s plan to focus on creating her own Kidō system, and Ayaka chose to follow Nanao’s path.
• Haruto ended the meeting after everyone settled on their own goals.
• In the underground training hall, Haruto agreed to teach Byakuya an improved Tōzanshō while Byakuya prepared to teach Haruto Rikujōkōrō.
• Byakuya told Haruto that he would ask Yoruichi Shihōin about teaching him the Shihōin techniques after he mastered Shunpo.
• Byakuya revealed that the auction would take place that night in North District 2 of Rukongai, and Haruto warned him about the dangers there.

Haruto and Byakuya attended an underground auction in North District 2, where they inspected their bidding room and waited for the event to begin. The auctioneer appeared, and the chapter ended as he noted that participant number twenty-six had not arrived.

• Haruto and Byakuya showed their invitation to the guard and entered room twenty-five at the pleasure district venue.
• Haruto searched the cramped room for surveillance and explained how to bid without revealing their voices.
• Haruto practiced Jinzen while Byakuya waited, and they opened the bidding window when the auction began.
• The masked Soul Reaper auctioneer appeared with an oiran, and Haruto and Byakuya judged his strength and whispered about her appearance.
• The auctioneer cleared his throat and announced that number twenty-six had not arrived.

Haruto attended an auction with Byakuya, bought a secret version of Raimeisan, and learned it while waiting to sell his Kidō Orb. The Orb contained Dankū, but when bidding opened, no one offered a price.

• The auction began with an ownerless Zanpakuto inherited from the massacred Shiwasu Clan, and it sold for sixty-one gold after bidders competed for it.
• Haruto asked Byakuya to lend him money to buy a Zanpakuto, but Byakuya said he had less than five gold left from his quarterly allowance.
• Haruto spent seven small gold koban on a secret version of Hadō #67: Raimeisan, modified for concealment rather than killing.
• Haruto studied the secret Raimeisan while Byakuya watched, and he learned the technique before their lot came up.
• The host presented Haruto's Kidō Orb, which contained Bakudō #81: Dankū and would not be usable for at least half a year, but no one bid on it.

Haruto and Byakuya attended an auction where Haruto sold the Dankū Kidō Orb for fifty gold and a secret manual for Senju Kōten Taihō sold for 2,200 gold. After the auction ended, they left through the forest, aware that someone might be following them.

• Haruto received five pieces of Soul Gold after the Dankū Kidō Orb sold to the occupant of room seventeen for fifty gold.
• The auction's final item, a coded manual for Senju Kōten Taihō, sparked fierce bidding, and the buyer in room one won it for 2,200 gold.
• The host concluded the auction and instructed guests to depart at five-minute intervals or stay overnight for free.
• Haruto and Byakuya chose to leave despite the late hour, then headed into the forest instead of taking the main road.
• Haruto and Byakuya spoke loudly to conceal their suspicions and entered the forest because it was easier to detect anyone following them there.

Haruto and Byakuya killed several attackers who had followed them from the auction, then trapped and struck a powerful Shinigami hiding nearby. The chapter ended with them believing their coordinated attack had hit its target, though the smoke still obscured the blast site.

• Haruto exposed the attackers with Byakurai and killed six Shinigami, including the one who had blocked his first strike.
• Haruto found five gold koban and a metal-wheel lighter on the dead man from room ten, whom he suspected had sought the secret Raimeisan technique.
• Haruto and Byakuya cast Sajō Sabaku and Rikujōkōrō together to trap a hidden opponent who could use Shunpo.
• Byakuya strengthened Rikujōkōrō with Kōjutsu Eishō while Haruto prepared an enhanced Raikōhō.
• Haruto fired Raikōhō into the trapped enemy, and he and Byakuya sensed that their attack had connected.

Haruto and Byakuya pursued the injured auction host, but Haruto sensed a new threat just as an attack descended. Ten minutes earlier, Tsunayashiro Mamoru and his guard Uji had cornered Senju Shinran over a stolen Hadō manual, leaving Senju facing Uji’s deadly Zanpakuto.

• Haruto and Byakuya chased the wounded auction host, and Haruto shouted for Byakuya to stop when he sensed dangerous reiatsu approaching.
• Ten minutes earlier, Tsunayashiro Mamoru and Uji confronted Senju Shinran in a devastated forest and demanded that he hand over everything he had.
• Senju revealed that his Zanpakuto, Shade Tree, drained life force from targets within its domain to make plants grow wildly.
• Uji explained that Senju’s released Zanpakuto could extend its attack range to thirty meters when focused in one direction.
• Uji raised his Zanpakuto and challenged Senju to outrun his gun.

Uji explained Kaleidoscope’s ability to copy knowledge into Reiatsu-powered ammunition, then used it to hunt the wounded Senju Shinran. After killing the auction host who had attacked Haruto and Byakuya, Uji and Tsunayashiro Mamoru searched the wreckage for resources to support Mamoru’s rise in the Tsunayashiro Clan.

• Uji revealed that Kaleidoscope could read knowledge and reproduce it as ammunition, then fired a copied Hadō #91 at Senju Shinran.
• Senju Shinran survived the blast by using a spiritual tool containing Dankū and escaped while badly injured.
• Uji sensed that Senju Shinran’s attempt to attack Haruto and Byakuya had failed, and decided to pursue the injured host who had betrayed them.
• Uji fired a second shot and killed the host from a distance, while Tsunayashiro Mamoru watched the attack’s destructive power.
• Uji and Tsunayashiro Mamoru searched the ruined ground for the host’s money, which Uji said would help build Mamoru’s foundation.

Haruto and Byakuya escaped the pit after Haruto blocked Uji’s attack with Dankū, then recognized Tsunayashiro Mamoru and Uji as threats. Haruto’s opening attack was countered, and Byakuya’s strike at Mamoru was interrupted by Uji, who fired a Ginfu Shakkahō round.

• Haruto used Dankū to block Senju Kōten Taihō, then dug himself and Byakuya out of the pit.
• Byakuya recognized Tsunayashiro Mamoru’s clan ties, and both sides realized the encounter could not be allowed to become known.
• Haruto attacked Tsunayashiro Mamoru with Raikōhō, but Mamoru released Ryūjaku and deflected it while clearing the smoke.
• Byakuya used Senka to appear behind Tsunayashiro Mamoru and attack him.
• Uji warned Mamoru and fired a Ginfu Shakkahō round at Byakuya.

Haruto and Byakuya defeated Uji and Tsunayashiro Mamoru after coordinating their attacks, then gathered the spoils before patrols could arrive. The chapter ended with Byakuya questioning whether Haruto had planned the fight around the auction.

• Haruto used a Kidō attack to draw Uji away from Byakuya while Byakuya released Senbonzakura.
• Haruto bound Uji with Hainawa, allowing Senbonzakura to kill him.
• Tsunayashiro Mamoru surrendered and offered to abandon his clan, but Haruto bound and killed him with Zanka no Tachi.
• Haruto and Byakuya gathered the spoils, and Byakuya challenged Haruto about whether the auction had been part of his plan.

After splitting the spoils from their fight with the Tsunayashiro Clan, Haruto and Byakuya parted ways with Byakuya planning to report the incident to Ginrei Kuchiki. Half a year later at Shin'ō Academy, Haruto learned that Munechika had challenged him in the quarterly exam.

• Haruto and Byakuya divided more than three thousand gold, and Haruto accepted Uji's secret Kidō technique while Byakuya took two Zanpakuto as evidence for his report to Ginrei Kuchiki.
• Haruto reassured Byakuya that exciting events would come to Soul Society in the future.
• At Shin'ō Academy, Haruto easily dispersed Gyōkaku Kumoi's Haien and praised his progress after teaching the fifth-year class for half a year.
• Isane told Haruto that Munechika had challenged him for the quarterly exam.
• Haruto recalled Munechika's recent relationship with Juzu, and Ayaka joined Haruto and Isane with a playful remark.

Haruto learned that Munechika had released his Zanpakuto and met him at the sixth-year training grounds for a match. The fight began as rumors spread that Munechika had broken up with Juzu Izumi, who was absent.

• Ayaka told Haruto that the Mikazuki Clan had reclaimed Munechika's lightning-countering Zanpakuto, and Haruto deduced that Munechika had released a new one.
• Haruto told his students to gather at the Shin'ō Grand Auditorium the next morning for Konsō instruction, then went with Ayaka and Isane to the sixth-year training grounds.
• Haruto saw that Munechika's Reiatsu had grown and noted that Juzu Izumi was absent from the crowded stands.
• Mutsuki started the match, and Munechika released his Zanpakuto with the command, "Double-edged robe cutter, Shiren!"
• Students in the stands traded rumors that Munechika and Juzu Izumi had broken up, with some blaming the Mikazuki Clan and others claiming the breakup was part of his Zanpakuto release.

Munechika released his Zanpakuto and attacked Haruto, but Haruto repelled the first strike with a silent-incantation Shō and a flick of his finger. Munechika launched a second attack at twice his initial speed, and Haruto recognized his Shunpo.

• Munechika released his Zanpakuto, revealing a flexible gold-and-red blade, and charged at Haruto.
• Haruto knocked Munechika and his Zanpakuto several meters back with a single finger flick.
• Nanao identified Haruto’s defense as pure Shō, while Ayaka and Isane discussed his Reiatsu and training.
• Munechika attacked again at twice his initial speed, and Haruto recognized the movement as Shunpo.

Haruto battled Munechika, whose Shunpo and strength were boosted at great cost, and discovered that his Zanpakuto Shiren prevented wounds from healing. After Munechika injured Haruto’s palm and seemed to lose his grip on his sword, he revealed that he had prepared a Hadō attack.

• Munechika used an advanced but physically punishing Shunpo to attack Haruto, while Kanemitsu and Gondawara watched and discussed his crude technique.
• Haruto exchanged blows with Munechika, then caught his Zanpakuto blade between two fingers using Kidō Seki and urged him to stop fighting.
• Munechika broke free with a powerful strike that cut Haruto’s palm, then retreated as Haruto realized Shiren could prevent wounds from healing.
• Haruto asked whether Munechika had any other moves, and Munechika raised his hands and cast Hadō #63.

Haruto defeated Munechika after countering his Raikōhō and immobilizing him with a modified Hyapporankan, then asked Headmaster Mitarai to handle the incident. Haruto went with Isane to seek treatment for his wound, and the story moved to the noble district of Seireitei that night.

• Munechika fired Raikōhō at Haruto, who tore the lightning apart with Hanki Saisai and pinned Munechika with Hyapporankan.
• Haruto told Mutsuki Shōkaku that Munechika needed help, and she fetched Headmaster Mitarai.
• Haruto released Hyapporankan after Mitarai arrived, and the headmaster agreed to take responsibility for the matter.
• Isane offered to bring Haruto to her mother for Kaidō treatment before their planned gathering that night.
• Haruto and Isane arrived in Seireitei's noble district as night fell.

A secretive noble ordered an end to Zanpakuto collection while discussing the Kuchiki and Tsunayashiro clans’ growing rivalry. Later, Haruto joined Isane, Ayaka, and Byakuya at the Kotetsu residence, where Kiyone returned with a new friend connected to his treatment.

• A Stealth Force-like messenger reported that a medicine experiment succeeded within the expected range, and the shadowed noble said the Zanpakuto collection would be paused.
• The noble discussed the risk of the Kuchiki Clan catching up to the Tsunayashiro Clan and ordered the messenger to tie up loose ends.
• Haruto arrived at the Kotetsu residence and told Isane and Byakuya that Vice Captain Yamada had healed his wound with Kaidō.
• Haruto explained that Isane’s mother had spoken with Yamada, who became interested in Haruto’s Kidō abilities and asked him to try Kaidō.
• Ayaka said Kiyone had gone shopping with a neighbor, and Kiyone returned with a new friend she said was connected to Haruto’s injury treatment.

Haruto welcomed Hanatarō Yamada and Sentarō Kotsubaki to a gathering at Kiyone’s home, where the guests had come to see Isane’s flower arranging. After Isane completed the arrangement, Haruto led the group in applause.

• Hanatarō Yamada introduced himself to Haruto and the others, and the guests exchanged greetings.
• Haruto noticed someone waiting outside, so Kiyone invited Sentarō Kotsubaki inside.
• Sentarō introduced himself and offered the guests tea leaves from his hometown as a housewarming gift.
• Haruto learned that Sentarō’s father, Jin'emon Kotsubaki, was the Seventh Division vice-captain and the Gotei 13’s Zanjutsu instructor.
• Isane completed her flower arrangement, and Haruto led the guests in applauding her work.

After Isane's flower-arranging gathering, Haruto and Byakuya discussed the medicines Munechika had taken and the noble faction behind them. Haruto concluded that the drugs were being tested to create expendable users of advanced Kidō, but he believed they posed little threat to him.

• Isane's flower arrangement moved Nanao and Sentarō, and Hanatarō explained the Tsubakibana before the girls held a tea party.
• Haruto declined the tea party, and he and Byakuya walked through the quiet Seireitei inside a modified Kyokkō that blocked eavesdropping.
• Byakuya told Haruto that several noble families had recently been destroyed by Hollows and that secret forces were active around the Seireitei.
• Byakuya explained that Munechika had taken the Heavenly Wisdom Pill and the Formation-Breaking Pill, whose combined use was normally fatal and whose side effects damaged the mind and body.
• Haruto inferred that an upper-ranking noble was testing the medicines to develop disposable advanced Kidō users, and Byakuya agreed that the drugs were likely meant to train deathsworn.
• Haruto judged that even a successful experiment would produce little more than Raikōhō shells and said the resulting fighters would not threaten him.