Chapter Summaries

Nanao Ise passed the fifth-year promotion exams with an A in Kidō, despite the resentment she faced over her family background. Haruto congratulated her with a gift of yōkan from the World of the Living, and the chapter left them talking outside the training grounds.

• Shin'ō Academy students took their Kidō promotion exams, casting Hadō #31: Shakkahō at targets.
• The examiners awarded Nanao Ise an A in Kidō, while students nearby criticized her as a noble.
• Nanao left the training grounds relieved that she had passed and earned grades that could keep her in Class One.
• Haruto greeted Nanao outside the gate, teased her about frowning, and gave her yōkan from the World of the Living.
• Nanao thanked Haruto and said she wanted to share the gift with her uncle and family.

Haruto sent Ise to see the Eighth Division and entered the Kidō assessment, where he insisted on using Byakurai despite Mutsuki Shōkaku’s concerns. As the students began chanting for Shakkahō, Haruto started a discordant Hadō #4, leaving the assessment poised to begin.

• Haruto reassured Ise that the Kidō exam would be easy for him and sent her to the main auditorium to see the Eighth Division.
• Haruto greeted his teacher, Mutsuki Shōkaku, who warned him that using basic Byakurai might cost him top marks.
• Haruto said he would stick with Byakurai and mentioned learning techniques from the young master, whom Mutsuki recognized as Kuchi...
• Mutsuki ordered the examinees to prepare their Kidō, and the students began chanting the Shakkahō incantation together.
• As the group chanted, Haruto began a discordant Hadō #4.

Haruto earned an A grade after his incantation-free Byakurai pulverized a target, astonishing Mutsuki Shōkaku and disrupting the other students’ exams. Mikazuki Munechika accused Haruto of cheating and using stolen noble techniques, while Haruto reflected that his Byakurai advances had drawn on teachings shared by Nanao and the Kuchiki Clan.

• Haruto cast Byakurai without an incantation and destroyed the target, prompting Mutsuki Shōkaku to award him an A grade.
• Haruto left the training ground as the other students received lower grades after his display disrupted their concentration.
• Mikazuki Munechika interrupted Mutsuki’s announcements, apologized for his outburst, and accused Haruto of cheating.
• Munechika claimed Haruto’s powerful Byakurai must have come from stolen noble-family teachings, but offered no evidence.
• Haruto considered how Nanao’s family teachings and the Kuchiki Clan’s research had helped him improve Byakurai.

Haruto challenged Mikazuki Munechika to a Live-Blade Match, and Mutsuki Shōkaku agreed after deciding the match could give Haruto a chance to impress influential Shinigami. At the Shin'ō Grand Training Ground, a sudden bell interrupted the graduates’ Hakuda assessment, and the referee spotted two arrivals at the entrance.

• Haruto offered Munechika the Live-Blade Match he had wanted, while concealing his intention to teach Munechika and Juzu Izumi a lesson.
• Haruto recognized that Munechika had been provoked by Juzu Izumi’s damaged grade and wanted to defend his new girlfriend.
• Mutsuki Shōkaku weighed the risks to Haruto against the opportunity to attract notice, then approved the match when Munechika agreed.
• Graduates taking the Hakuda assessment at the Shin'ō Grand Training Ground were startled by a sudden bell as several students failed their test.
• The referee looked toward the entrance, recognized two arrivals, and wondered whether Munechika and Haruto were capable of the match.

Munechika and Haruto prepared to settle their rivalry in a real-sword match at the Grand Training Grounds, with Mutsuki Shōkaku taking charge as referee. Meanwhile, Lisa Yadōmaru teased Shunsui Jirō Sōzōsuke Kyōraku about Nanao’s interest in him and noted that she belonged to the Ise Clan.

• Mutsuki Shōkaku asked Mitarai to let her referee Munechika and Haruto’s real-sword match, and he agreed to provide Kaidō support.
• Haruto warned Munechika that their match could delay the graduation exams and anger the senior students seeking division posts.
• Haruto taunted Munechika for failing to achieve Shikai and led him to the boundary of the Grand Training Grounds as the match was about to begin.
• Nanao thanked Lisa Yadōmaru for an autograph and hurried out of the Grand Auditorium.
• Lisa Yadōmaru told Shunsui Jirō Sōzōsuke Kyōraku that Nanao had watched him rather than her and identified Nanao as a member of the Ise Clan.

Shunsui Kyōraku sent Lisa Yadōmaru to watch a live-blade match after explaining that a student's Reiatsu resembled Nanao Ise's and asking Lisa to assess Haruto. Meanwhile, Shinji Hirako dealt with the Fifth Division's recruitment fair alongside Lieutenant Ika Kyōshiba.

• Lisa questioned Shunsui about knowing Nanao Ise, and he said it was not yet time for Nanao to meet him.
• A bell from the main training ground prompted Shunsui to tell Lisa about the live-blade match and ask her to attend.
• Shunsui revealed that he had investigated Haruto, who was close to Nanao, and asked Lisa to assess his strength at the match.
• Shunsui said he expected Haruto to bring interesting changes to the Seireitei.
• At the Fifth Division's recruitment fair, Shinji Hirako asked Ika Kyōshiba to address him formally as Third Seat Hirako.

Haruto and Munechika began their real-sword match with an exchange of Kidō rather than sword strikes. Haruto recognized Munechika's deceptive chant and deflected his Sōkatsui with Shō, leaving the spectators astonished as the match continued.

• Shinji Hirako recognized Mutsuki Shōkaku's spiritual pressure and agreed to watch the real-sword match.
• Mutsuki Shōkaku confirmed Haruto and Munechika's consent to the risks and started the match.
• Mitarai surrounded the arena with an expanded Enkōsen to protect the spectators.
• Munechika began a chant resembling Shakkahō before switching to Sōkatsui, but Haruto anticipated the deception.
• Haruto used Shō to redirect Munechika's Sōkatsui into the protective barrier.
• The students watching reacted with amazement and tried to identify the techniques used.

Haruto deflected Munechika’s Sōkatsui with a modified Shō, revealing an unusual talent for Kidō. Shinji Hirako and Lisa Yadōmaru recognized the technique as a rudimentary step toward Hanki Saisai, and Shinji grew interested in Haruto.

• Spectators searched their textbooks for the Kidō Haruto had used, while Shinji Hirako identified it as a modified Shō resembling the first step toward Hanki Saisai.
• Lisa Yadōmaru told Shinji that Captain Kyōraku had sent her to observe Haruto.
• Munechika demanded to know how Haruto had deflected his Sōkatsui, which had badly burned and injured his arm.
• Haruto explained that he had amplified Shō and aimed it at a weak point in Sōkatsui’s spiritual pressure using the angle between two fingers.
• Shinji concluded that Haruto was pursuing the ambitious goal of using Shō to deflect or cancel other Hadō, and Lisa teased him about becoming interested in recruiting him.

Haruto fought Munechika in a live-blade match and used modified Kidō to turn aside his attack and disarm him. The chapter left Munechika airborne and helpless as Haruto prepared to strike him again.

• Shinji Hirako reflected on promoting young talent and complained about the errand.
• Munechika realized Haruto could modify Kidō, but dismissed Haruto’s hidden right hand as a bluff and challenged him to a live-blade match.
• Munechika used a spiritual-pressure-enhanced charge and swung his Asauchi at Haruto.
• Haruto concealed his movements, then used Hadō #1: Shō combined with Bakudō #8: Seki to knock Munechika’s sword away and launch him into the air.
• Haruto pointed at Munechika and prepared to use Shō again as Munechika fell.

Haruto defeated Mikazuki Munechika in their live-blade match, then warned him that Juzu Izumi had revealed his family’s lightning-absorbing Zanpakuto secret. After leaving the cheering crowd, Haruto recovered from the strain of his Shunpo and reflected on Mutsuki Shōkaku’s skill.

• Haruto struck Munechika with Hadō, leaving him badly injured and unable to stand.
• Munechika drew a hidden dagger and tried to attack Haruto, but Haruto used Shunpo to get behind him and began casting Byakurai.
• Mutsuki Shōkaku stopped Haruto’s attack and declared him the winner of the live-blade match.
• Haruto told Munechika that Juzu Izumi had shared the secret of his family’s lightning-absorbing Zanpakuto with her friends.
• Haruto escaped the crowd, rested his aching legs, and considered how Mutsuki’s Shunpo surpassed his own.

Haruto considered the danger of joining the Fifth Division, then left the training grounds and returned to his dorm after meeting Ayaka Kurumadani. There, he found a boy meditating with a Zanpakuto and stared at him.

• Haruto recalled that Sōsuke Aizen and Shinji Hirako served in the Fifth Division and worried that he might become the Third Seat Gin killed.
• After his match with Munechika, Haruto decided to leave before the crowd dispersed and thought about visiting Rukongai during the short summer break.
• Haruto met Ayaka Kurumadani, declined her invitation to celebrate, and accepted a note from her.
• Haruto burned Ayaka's note with a Kidō flame and reflected on the favors she had done for him.
• Haruto entered his dorm room and found a boy sitting in the doorway, meditating with a Zanpakuto.

Haruto and Byakuya traded taunts at their dorm after Haruto tested a powerful Shō on him, then discussed their progress and Byakuya’s plan to test his Shikai. The chapter ended with Byakuya, whose Reii had reached fifth class, waiting for Haruto to return so they could resume their conversation.

• Haruto cast a powerful Shō at Byakuya, who dodged it and argued with him about interrupting his Jinzen.
• Haruto teased Byakuya about acting like a tsundere and calling him young master, while their familiar rivalry showed how close they were.
• Byakuya asked about Haruto’s Shunpo progress, and Haruto asked in turn how his Shikai was coming along.
• Byakuya revealed that he had waited at the dorm entrance to test his Shikai on Haruto.
• Haruto asked Byakuya’s Reii class and learned it had risen from sixth to fifth class in three months, putting him at Vice-Captain-level.

Haruto agreed to spar with Byakuya so Byakuya could train his Shikai, but only if Byakuya did not use Shunpo. They went to a hidden, Captain-level shelter beneath the principal’s office, where Byakuya sought restrictions on Haruto’s Kidō before the fight began.

• Byakuya said Haruto was the best sparring partner among their peers and agreed to fight under Haruto’s condition that he not use Shunpo.
• Haruto and Byakuya decided to leave the dormitory because its barriers could not withstand their attacks.
• Byakuya demonstrated Shunpo at the dorm window, and Haruto reopened the window after reminding him that the sparring had not started.
• Byakuya led Haruto to a concealed shelter beneath the principal’s office, built with barriers designed to withstand Captain-level opponents.
• Byakuya agreed not to use Shunpo but asked Haruto to accept restrictions, arguing that he could not dodge Haruto’s Byakurai.

Haruto and Byakuya sparred with Kidō, and Haruto repeatedly disrupted Byakuya’s attempt to release his Shikai. Byakuya called for a pause and proposed changing the match rules so Haruto could not stop him from releasing his Zanpakuto.

• Byakuya forbade Haruto from using Byakurai or modified Shō, and the two began their spar after agreeing on the conditions.
• Haruto and Byakuya exchanged powerful Shakkahō blasts, and Byakuya’s modified spell filled the area with smoke.
• Haruto used Tenran to clear the smoke, then cast Hōrin to interrupt Byakuya’s Shikai release.
• Haruto followed with Ōkasen, forcing Byakuya to block with his Zanpakuto and interrupt his Shikai.
• Byakuya called a pause and proposed a rule that would let him release his Zanpakuto without Haruto stopping him.

Haruto used layered Kidō and a decoy to evade Byakuya’s Senbonzakura, then launched a close-range attack during their spar. Byakuya countered Haruto’s Kidō and dodged a thrown Asauchi, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Haruto secretly prepared Enkōsen before Byakuya released Senbonzakura, then identified the Shikai’s ability from a description Byakuya had once given Ginrei Kuchiki.
• Byakuya’s Senbonzakura shattered Enkōsen and tore through Haruto’s apparent body, but Haruto had combined Sekienton, Kyokkō, and Utsusemi to create a decoy and conceal himself.
• Haruto appeared behind Byakuya and attacked with Beak-Piercing Triple Flash, catching Byakuya before he could chant another Kidō.
• Byakuya used hidden Senbonzakura blades to detonate Haruto’s attack, and Haruto then threw his Asauchi and scabbard at Byakuya’s forehead.
• Byakuya narrowly dodged the flying Asauchi as Haruto continued the fight.

Haruto defeated Byakuya in a mock battle using layered Kidō, then received a Heavenly Bedding Pill connected to Byakuya’s father’s illness. The chapter ended with Haruto learning that the pill was made using Hollows.

• Haruto trapped Byakuya with Hainawa, struck him with Tsuzuri Raiden, and blasted him with Sōkatsui.
• Byakuya refused to admit defeat, and he and Haruto argued over the tricks Haruto used and Byakuya’s strength.
• Byakuya decided that he should train against vice-captain-level opponents and gave Haruto a small box.
• Haruto found a glass bead inside, and Byakuya explained that it was a Heavenly Bedding Pill created by Kirio Hikifune to help his sick father recover.
• Byakuya told Haruto that the Central 46 Chambers had forbidden further production of the pill because its materials were rare and its safety uncertain.
• Haruto learned that Hollows were among the materials used to make the Heavenly Bedding Pill.

Haruto learned that the Heavenly Bedding Pill strengthened the body by absorbing Reiatsu, then swallowed it to address his physical limits. After testing Byakurai, he found the pill had reduced the strain on his body, though its effects differed from what Byakuya had described.

• Byakuya told Haruto that Kirio Hikifune had made the Heavenly Bedding Pill from a Vasto Lorde's Reiatsu, with material supplied through the Kuchiki Clan.
• Byakuya explained that the pill strengthened the body by absorbing Reiatsu, slowing its accumulation, and that Sōjun Kuchiki had experienced the effect.
• Haruto swallowed the last Heavenly Bedding Pill, deciding that improving his body was worth slower Reiatsu growth.
• Haruto and Byakuya discussed the pill's unexpected effects, then Byakuya left Haruto alone in the secluded place.
• Haruto cast Byakurai and found that it caused much less damage and pain to his body's channels, with numbness fading faster than before.

Haruto assessed his combat limits, worried that his Asauchi would not answer him, and decided advanced Hadō was his best route to improving quickly. At the Kuchiki estate, Ginrei warned Sōjun about rumors surrounding Kōga and discussed Byakuya’s friendship with Haruto.

• Haruto reviewed his favorite low-level Kidō and judged that he could escape some weaker seated officers but would lose to stronger opponents.
• Haruto concluded that his Zanpakuto might be incompatible with his soul and resolved to keep practicing Jinzen while pursuing Hadō above number sixty.
• Ginrei cautioned Sōjun to avoid the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and explained that rumors about Kōga might be intended to undermine Sōjun.
• Ginrei asked Sōjun to guide Kōga so others could not exploit him.
• Sōjun told Ginrei that Byakuya had gone to Shin'ō Academy to spend time with Haruto, and Ginrei acknowledged Haruto’s potential after their real-sword match.

Ginrei Kuchiki and Kuchiki Sōjun discussed giving Haruto a Heavenly Bedding Pill and whether its Hollow-derived power might harm him, with Ginrei viewing the risk as a way to draw Haruto into the Kuchiki Clan. As the chapter shifted to Haruto after the graduation exam, he noticed that the pill Byakuya had brought had stopped his hand from trembling.

• Ginrei Kuchiki proposed giving Haruto a secret manual for Sōren Sōkatsui, but Kuchiki Sōjun revealed that Byakuya had already brought Haruto a different gift.
• Kuchiki Sōjun said the gift was a Heavenly Bedding Pill and explained that his Zanpakuto had shown Haruto's heart as white with a little yellow.
• Ginrei Kuchiki suggested Haruto might seek the Kuchiki Clan's help if the pill's Hollow power caused problems, potentially becoming its servant.
• Kuchiki Sōjun recalled that the Heavenly Bedding Pill contained a Reiatsu fragment from a Vasto Lorde, which could only have been bestowed by heaven.
• After the graduation exam, Haruto looked at his steady palm and noted that the Heavenly Bedding Pill Byakuya had brought him had stopped his trembling.

Haruto improved his physical condition by practicing advanced Kidō, then realized he had missed his usual training appointment with Nanao Ise and sought information to find her adoptive grandparents. After eating at Ōmae Kagura Ramen, he went to the southeastern noble district, where someone cast Hadō #31: Shakkahō.

• Haruto tested advanced Kidō and found that his recovery had improved enough to practice Hadō #63: Raikōhō and Bakudō #63: Sajo Sabaku.
• Haruto remembered he had promised to study Hadō with Nanao Ise and decided to find her adoptive grandparents to make up for missing their appointment.
• Haruto paid Shinichiraku Ōmaeda a gold koban for the address of Nanao Ise's elderly adoptive couple.
• Haruto ate a Grand Slam at Ōmae Kagura Ramen and recognized the unusually high amount of Reishi in Ōmaeda's food.
• Haruto reached the southeastern noble district, where Hadō #31: Shakkahō was cast.