Recaps

Soi Fon’s history, personality, and Zanpakuto were examined as she fought Yoruichi, whose Shunkō gave her the advantage. Just as Yoruichi prepared to kill Soi Fon, a ray of light struck and slowed her.

• Soi Fon’s family history and admiration for Yoruichi were recounted, along with how her imagined Shikai and soul-rooted Bankai produced the distorted Suzumebachi Raikōben.
• Soi Fon and Yoruichi fought at close range, with Yoruichi repeatedly countering Soi Fon’s assassination strikes.
• Soi Fon unleashed a technique combining Kidō and Hakuda, increased her speed and strength, and kicked Yoruichi hard enough to make her bleed.
• Yoruichi explained the Shihoin’s ancient power and activated Shunkō as she moved to kill Soi Fon.
• A ray of light used Petrification to slow Yoruichi just before her foot struck Soi Fon.

Isuzu Shimizu interrupted Yoruichi’s fight with Soi Fon, revealed that Jun had sent her to prevent them from attacking the wrong person, and gave Soi Fon secrets about Soul Society’s plans. She separated Soi Fon’s Shikai and Bankai, leaving Soi Fon with Suzumebachi Tiger Stripe while the other blade, Jusha, refused to let her use its Bankai.

• Isuzu appeared in her Resurrección form and stopped Yoruichi from kicking Soi Fon, then revealed her identity and explained that Jun had sent her.
• Isuzu told Yoruichi that Soi Fon was her devoted follower and clarified that Jun was not responsible for the incident 118 years earlier.
• Isuzu said she had petrified the Punishment Force without killing them, gave Soi Fon a booklet, and secured her promise not to reveal its contents before events unfolded.
• Isuzu explained that Jun and Aizen were temporary allies, and Yoruichi agreed to act only as a bodyguard for Ichigo and the others.
• Isuzu used a knife to separate Soi Fon’s Shikai and Bankai, then gave her Jusha while warning that Soi Fon would have to win its favor to learn its Bankai.
• Suzumebachi entered Bankai as gold-and-black gauntlets called Suzumebachi Tiger Stripe, whose Tiger Stripe Needle added poison when its stinger was pulled out; Soi Fon discovered she could no longer use Jusha’s cannon Bankai.

Ichigo was ambushed by Gin Ichimaru while racing to rescue Rukia, and Jun intervened before Ichigo could die. Jun challenged Gin’s assumptions about his strength and Zanpakuto, leaving Gin to reconsider his plan to kill Aizen and the nature of Shinsō.

• As Ichigo ran toward the Fourth Tower, Gin attacked him with Kamishini no Yari from behind walls, repeatedly wounding him.
• Ichigo activated Bankai and charged forward, but Gin’s extended blade pierced him and cut him nearly in half as Rukia watched from her cell.
• Jun confronted Gin at gunpoint, accepted Gin’s agreement to let Ichigo go, and criticized his plan to provoke a confrontation between Aizen and the Captain-Commander.
• Jun rescued Ichigo with spiritual power and Kaido, then Urahara appeared and carried Ichigo away.
• Gin reflected that Shinsō did not represent his true nature, and Jun gave him another Zanpakuto while warning him that Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu was an illusion-type sword, not a water type.

After Kenpachi Zaraki’s defeat, Jun learned that Ichigo had been rescued by Kisuke Urahara and sent Aozumi and Kōga to protect the badly injured Uryū and Orihime. Byakuya nearly attacked the pair, but Aozumi stopped him and brought them into the Kuchiki residence, leaving Byakuya questioning himself.

• Jun explained to the Punishment Force that he had learned Kaido from a wounded Fourth Division teammate, then heard that Soi Fon had failed to stop Yoruichi and that Kisuke Urahara had rescued Ichigo.
• Jun asked Aozumi and Kōga to look after two injured youngsters near their home, then warned Kaien to protect Ganju after learning Ganju had helped the Ryoka enter Seireitei.
• Uryū and Orihime fled through an alley near the Tachikawa and Kuchiki residences, but Uryū collapsed from his injuries as Orihime used Sōten Kisshun to heal him.
• Byakuya found Uryū and Orihime and drew his Zanpakuto, but Aozumi stopped him and told him she would help rescue Rukia.
• Aozumi thanked Uryū and Orihime for risking themselves for Rukia and took them into the Kuchiki residence with Kōga’s help, leaving Byakuya wondering whether he was truly heartless.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya defeated Sado and took him to the Fourth Division, while Aozumi persuaded Byakuya to reconsider Soul Society’s orders concerning Rukia and the Ryoka. As Uryū and Orihime recovered at the Kuchiki estate, a brilliant silver patch appeared on Uryū’s bloodied clothes, leaving everyone puzzled.

• Sado emerged from a secret passage in the Abandoned District and refused to surrender when Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronted him.
• Tōshirō defeated Sado despite his desperate attack and carried the unconscious man to the Fourth Division.
• Aozumi challenged Byakuya’s belief that he had to obey Soul Society’s rules, and Byakuya admitted that Rukia and the Ryoka did not deserve to be killed.
• Byakuya left for his division, agreeing to exchange a few blows with Ichigo Kurosaki while claiming he knew nothing about the matter.
• Orihime treated Uryū and helped him change, and Aozumi discovered a bright silver patch on his bloodied clothes that Uryū could not explain.

Jun investigated the damage caused by the Quincy and discovered a tiny Kōtotsu in the ruins, leading him to conclude that Soul Society had been created by a Quincy. He shared his theory with Isuzu and wondered what using Uryū’s power would cost him.

• Jun visited Jing, Lisa, and Nanao, warned them not to risk their lives against the Quincy, and then went to inspect the ruined pit with Tenjirō Kirinji and Ōetsu Nimaiya.
• After Kirinji and Nimaiya left, Jun noticed that Nimaiya had deliberately hidden something beneath the rubble and chose not to disturb it.
• Jun returned home and used Earth Spirit to retrieve a tiny object from the soil, then magnified it until he and Isuzu recognized it as Kōtotsu.
• Jun concluded that the Soul King and Yhwach were Quincy and that a Quincy had created Soul Society, and he speculated about an ancient war between gods and demons.
• Jun told Isuzu that his old story about Soul Society’s past might be true, then considered the cost Uryū might face after using his power.

Jun discovered that Uryū’s silver blood had formed after he erased Spiritual Power and could have killed him, though Orihime’s healing saved his life and left his power stronger. He then revealed that Rukia was not in mortal danger and explained that rescuing her required stopping the Sōkyoku Execution and defeating Byakuya.

• Jun arrived at the Kuchiki estate and joined Uryū, Orihime, Aozumi, and Kōga for tea, where the conversation turned to Uryū’s recent injury.
• Orihime and Aozumi noticed a silver patch on Uryū’s bloodstained clothes, and Jun recognized it as dangerous silver blood formed in a Quincy’s body.
• Jun learned that Uryū’s power had increased after Orihime healed him, and concluded that erasing Spiritual Power produced silver blood that could cause fatal organ failure if left untreated.
• Jun explained that silver blood had caused the deaths of many Mixed-Blood Quincy six years earlier, and Uryū thanked Orihime for saving his life.
• Orihime questioned Jun’s calmness about Rukia, and he admitted that her life was not in danger if someone stopped the Sōkyoku Execution and defeated Byakuya.

Jun Shimizu watched Aizen fake his death and pretended to grieve while concealing that he knew the truth. As Soul Society blamed the Ryoka and panic grew, Little Lion and Rangiku began investigating Aizen’s death.

• Jun left Isuzu and reached Aizen’s morgue, where he saw through Aizen’s illusion of a corpse and acted heartbroken in front of the others.
• Retsu Unohana sensed that Aizen’s body was missing but declared him dead, while Gin Ichimaru helped Jun leave before he broke character.
• At the captains’ meeting, Jun demanded that Soul Society find Aizen’s killer and argued that the Ryoka could not have defeated him; Central 46 then ordered the Ryoka killed on sight.
• Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue escaped after being caught, and Ichigo Kurosaki attacked the Confession Palace before Sajin Komamura drove him off.
• Little Lion and Rangiku visited the Fifth Division to investigate Aizen’s death, where they discussed Aizen’s popularity and bickered over Little Lion’s title.

Tōshirō investigated Aizen’s death with Rangiku, questioned Momo, and searched Aizen’s home without finding clues. Jun challenged Tōshirō to consider his resolve and goals, then warned that their interests could eventually make them enemies.

• Tōshirō asked Momo when Aizen arrived and how she found him, and she recounted discovering his body after preparing muffins.
• Tōshirō and Rangiku searched the Fifth Division and Aizen’s home but found no useful evidence.
• Tōshirō agreed with Rangiku’s suggestion to seek Jun’s advice about the investigation.
• Jun asked whether Tōshirō was prepared to investigate the conspiracy and warned him not to trust people without question, including Jun himself.
• Jun explained that Soul Society needed a pillar of belief and urged Tōshirō to pursue lasting change with perseverance and a clear goal.

Tōshirō and Rangiku grappled with Jun’s warning about the danger ahead, while Tōshirō investigated Aizen’s death and tried to understand Jun’s power. He correctly suspected that Aizen had been the Central 46, but dismissed the conclusion and decided to investigate the Central 46 instead.

• Tōshirō sent Rangiku to rest, telling her he trusted her and wanted her to rejoin him after she recovered.
• Rangiku returned to Jun and demanded to know whether Tōshirō’s life was in danger; Jun confirmed it and told her to ask the person closest to her for answers.
• Tōshirō asked Soi Fon for the Second Division’s investigation record on Aizen, and her reaction made him suspect Jun had influenced her.
• Tōshirō found no useful clues in the record and developed confused theories about Jun, Soi Fon, the Captain-Commander, and the Central 46.
• Tōshirō briefly deduced that Aizen had been the Central 46, dismissed the idea as impossible, and resolved to investigate the Central 46.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya fought Gin Ichimaru outside Central 46, then discovered that its councilors and office workers had been slaughtered. When other Soul Reapers found him at the scene, Tōshirō escaped their attempted arrest, while Soga Dōsan concluded that evidence proved Tōshirō was the killer.

• Tōshirō fought Gin Ichimaru with Hyōrinmaru, but Gin escaped using Space Kidō.
• Tōshirō entered Central 46 and found the councilors and office workers dead in the council hall.
• Tōshirō suspected Gin had killed the councilors with Shinsō, but could not determine Gin’s motives.
• Momo Hinamori and other Soul Reapers arrived and ordered Tōshirō to surrender; he used Bankai to knock them aside and flee without seriously injuring them.
• Momo insisted that Aizen’s last letter was genuine and ran after Tōshirō, while Soga Dōsan examined the bodies and declared Tōshirō the killer.

After being framed for Aizen’s murder, Tōshirō fled and was attacked by Momo, who believed Aizen’s last letter accusing him. Elsewhere, Rangiku worked out that Jun’s hint pointed to Gin Ichimaru and set out to find him.

• Tōshirō encountered Uryū and Orihime, told them he had no reason to capture them, and escaped before they could question him.
• Uryū concluded that upheaval in the Gotei 13 had forced Tōshirō to flee, while Tōshirō hid in an abandoned house and considered the conspiracy surrounding him.
• Momo found Tōshirō and slashed him, accusing him of killing Aizen based on Aizen’s last letter.
• Tōshirō defeated Momo with Hyōrinmaru, sealed her in ice, and fled in a rage, vowing to punish whoever had framed him.
• Rangiku asked Jing about Jun’s plan, then realized that Jun’s hint to find the person closest to her meant Gin Ichimaru.
• Rangiku left the three sisters to go find Gin.

Rangiku confronted Gin Ichimaru about avoiding her, and he admitted Jun Shimizu had seen through his feelings and maneuvered them into facing each other. Gin embraced Rangiku and began to reveal his love, while the sword Jun had given him started trembling.

• Rangiku waited for Gin Ichimaru at the Third Division and followed him to his quarters to ask why he had kept his distance.
• Rangiku told Gin that Jing, Lisa Yadōmaru, and Nanao Ise all believed he was the person closest to her, then confessed she felt the same way about him.
• When Rangiku suggested they marry, Gin panicked, ordered her to leave, and accused Jun Shimizu of sending her to break through his defenses.
• Gin admitted Jun had used his feelings for Rangiku to expose his motives, then pulled her into his arms and promised to tell her everything.
• Gin kissed Rangiku and began making love to her, while the sword Jun had given him began to tremble.

Gin Ichimaru realized he could no longer stay away from Rangiku and gave her a ring, while warning her not to help Tōshirō too much. After Gin revealed that Aizen was alive, Rangiku learned that Tōshirō had been accused of killing Central 46 and rushed to Jun for help.

• Gin Ichimaru reflected on his desire to stay with Rangiku and his need to find a way to oppose Aizen without sacrificing his life.
• Gin gave Rangiku a wedding ring, and they exchanged rings before discussing her efforts to help Tōshirō.
• Gin agreed to share information only if Rangiku limited her involvement and first consulted Jun.
• Gin told Rangiku that Aizen had faked his death, and she set out to inform Tōshirō.
• Rangiku heard that Tōshirō had slaughtered Central 46 and was now wanted for execution, so she hurried to Jun for help.

Tōshirō escaped the Soul Reapers hunting him by finding a secret passage and joining Uryū and Orihime, who believed his claim that he had been framed for Central 46’s massacre. Meanwhile, Rangiku enlisted Soi Fon and Yoruichi to search for him, and the chapter ended with the six of them meeting in the passage.

• Rangiku asked Jun where Tōshirō was, and Jun advised her to find Soi Fon for help.
• Tōshirō evaded his pursuers and used a fake Bankai appearance to distract Soul Reapers while he searched the Abandoned District for the secret passage.
• Tōshirō found Uryū and Orihime beneath the house and told them that Aizen had framed him for slaughtering Central 46.
• Orihime believed Tōshirō, and the three of them continued through the passage together.
• Rangiku found Soi Fon, who led her to Yoruichi at the Shihoin Family estate.
• Yoruichi revealed that Aizen had killed Central 46 and agreed to help Rangiku find Tōshirō; she and Soi Fon joined the others in the secret passage.

Yoruichi explained that Aizen had faked his death and likely used his Zanpakuto’s illusion ability to deceive Soul Society and frame Tōshirō. The group agreed to work together to find Aizen and rescue the Kuchiki girl, then Yoruichi led them to Ichigo at a secret training base, where his training was interrupted by their arrival.

• Rangiku told Tōshirō that Aizen was still alive, and Yoruichi explained the alliances between Aizen and Jun Shimizu’s factions.
• Tōshirō and the others deduced that Aizen’s Zanpakuto could be an illusion type, explaining his supposed death and Tōshirō’s framing.
• Uryū offered to help locate Aizen with Ichigo’s strength and his own Quincy abilities in exchange for help rescuing the Kuchiki girl.
• Soi Fon and Tōshirō agreed to assist, and Yoruichi led the group through a hidden passage into the Shihoin Family’s secret base inside Sōkyoku Hill.
• The group found Ichigo training with the Shopkeeper, and the Shopkeeper stopped their fight when he noticed the visitors.

Ichigo, Uryū, and Orihime searched Central 46 for Aizen while the Shopkeeper, Tōshirō, and Yoruichi tried to reach Rukia, only to be driven off by Kashiwamura. Rangiku visited Kaien Shiba and Shiba Miyako to tell them that Aizen was alive and Soul Society faced a crisis.

• Ichigo, Uryū, and Orihime used their Second Division disguises to search Central 46 for Aizen, while keeping Sado’s planned transfer secret.
• Kashiwamura accused Tōshirō, the Shopkeeper, and Yoruichi of killing Central 46 and refused to hand Rukia over.
• Kashiwamura used Tenken to sever the paths around the fourth tower, forcing the trio to retreat without reaching Rukia.
• Rangiku visited Kaien Shiba and Shiba Miyako, then explained the Hōgyoku’s origins and Aizen’s past experiments.
• Rangiku told Kaien that Aizen was not dead, and Kaien listened despite finding the revelation difficult to believe.

Urahara and the Shiba couple concluded that they lacked proof Aizen was alive and could only intervene to prevent Rukia's execution, while Jun understood that Aizen's real plan was to reveal his power as part of his bid to rule Soul Society. The chapter ended as Rukia's execution day arrived.

• The narration explained how Aizen had maneuvered Urahara into hiding the Hōgyoku inside Rukia and why Urahara could not be sure of Aizen's current target.
• Kaien Shiba brought Rangiku to Jūshirō Ukitake, where she repeated her deductions about Aizen and the Hōgyoku.
• Ukitake and Kaien decided they could not act before Rukia's execution without proof that Aizen was alive, but Ukitake promised to help prevent her death at the final stage.
• The narration revealed that Aizen intended to use the Hōgyoku, obtain the Oken, and replace the Soul King after publicly demonstrating his overwhelming power.
• Rukia's execution day arrived.

On Rukia’s execution day, Yoruichi armed Ichigo with a gravity-defying cane and carried the shield meant to destroy the Sōkyoku while Soul Society’s factions converged on Sōkyoku Hill. The execution gathering began amid captain-level battles and divided loyalties, and Yamamoto Genryūsai arrived as Rukia remained bound for execution.

• Yoruichi opened the Shihoin family’s secret seal, gave Ichigo a cane that let him float, and took the shield designed to destroy the Sōkyoku.
• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen, igniting a massive fight between the Seventh, Ninth, and 11th Divisions.
• Soi Fon and Gin Ichimaru headed separately toward Sōkyoku Hill, while Gin left Rangiku behind and later passed Soi Fon without fighting her.
• Gin declared his allegiance to Aizen, and Makoto Kibune followed him; Soul Reapers from several divisions then gathered for Rukia’s execution.
• Jun, Kyōraku, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrived at Sōkyoku Hill with their companions as Rukia remained restrained, and Yamamoto Genryūsai arrived with Chōjirō Sasakibe.

Ichigo rescued Rukia and faced Byakuya while the Soul Reapers split up to pursue their own battles. At Central 46, Aizen exposed his overwhelming strength, killing Momo and Tōshirō and swiftly defeating Yoruichi, Soi Fon, and a decoy Urahara as he escaped with Gin.

• Ichigo destroyed the Sōkyoku, rescued Rukia, and passed her to Renji, while Kaien and Miyako helped him escape the vice-captains.
• Kaien and Miyako held off their pursuers, but Byakuya blocked Ichigo, and the two prepared to fight over Rukia's fate.
• Jun took Ichigo's sword, while Mayuri ordered Nemu to follow Jun; Gin departed for Central 46, and Soi Fon followed him with Yoruichi and Urahara.
• At Central 46, Tōshirō attacked Aizen but struck Momo instead, then Aizen stabbed Tōshirō from behind and killed him.
• Aizen defeated Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and Urahara's decoy in an instant, then left with Gin.

Yamamoto faced Kyōraku and Ukitake while Jing led Nanao and Lisa to safety, then the two former pupils fought their teacher without intending to kill. On Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo’s battle with Byakuya escalated as Byakuya revealed the full power of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and challenged Ichigo to attack.

• Yamamoto’s Reiatsu nearly overwhelmed Nanao and Lisa, so Jing used her Shikai to shield them and carried Nanao away while Lisa followed.
• Yamamoto praised Kyōraku and Ukitake before clashing with them using Ryūjin Jakka against Katen Kyōkotsu and Sōgyo no Kotowari.
• Kaien and his wife blocked Sasakibe, Ōmaeda, Kibune, and Dōsan, but they all moved aside when Ichigo and Byakuya’s battle erupted nearby.
• Byakuya used Senbonzakura to counter Ichigo’s attacks, and Ichigo released Tensa Zangetsu, claiming his speed would overwhelm Byakuya.
• Byakuya unleashed Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and Threefold Cherry Blossom Fall, then declared the area his domain and invited Ichigo to test his power.

Ichigo fought Byakuya on Sōkyoku Hill, using his Hollow mask and Getsuga Tenshō to overcome Byakuya’s powerful petal attacks. Ichigo won, and Byakuya acknowledged his defeat as Ichigo left to find Rukia.

• Byakuya trapped Ichigo with Senbonzakura’s flying blades, forcing Ichigo to summon his horned Hollow mask.
• Ichigo’s masked attacks pierced Byakuya’s defenses, but Byakuya trapped him inside Ultimate Scene.
• Ichigo and the voice inside him argued as repeated Getsuga Tenshō blasts broke open Ultimate Scene.
• Byakuya unleashed the White Emperor Sword and its returning blades, while Ichigo charged through the attack and struck him with a point-blank Getsuga Tenshō.
• Both fighters were badly injured, but Byakuya fell and admitted Ichigo had won.
• Ichigo questioned the justice of Soul Society’s law against Rukia, then left Byakuya to seek treatment and went to find her.

The Shopkeeper treated the wounded after Aizen and Gin Ichimaru attacked, but he could not save Momo Hinamori, and he warned Soul Society that Aizen was heading for Sōkyoku Hill. Jun stayed behind to challenge the Captain-Commander over his master’s death as Aizen defeated the defenders at Sōkyoku Hill and Unohana arrived.

• The Shopkeeper found Momo Hinamori dead and told Tōshirō that he had arrived too late, then warned Unohana that Aizen was heading for Rukia Kuchiki.
• Isane used Tenteikūra to tell Soul Society about Aizen, prompting the Captain-Commander, Kyōraku, and Ukitake to head for Sōkyoku Hill.
• Jun confronted the Captain-Commander, revealed that he was Hanazawa E’s disciple, and challenged him over his master’s death.
• Jun and the Captain-Commander began fighting, with Jun releasing Destruction King and the Captain-Commander using Ryūjin Jakka.
• Aizen defeated everyone at Sōkyoku Hill, and Unohana arrived as he stood with Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tōsen, and Makoto Kibune.

Jun Shimizu fought Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto with a collection of transformed allies and powerful Bankai abilities, eventually forcing Yamamoto to reveal his own Bankai. After the battle left Jun badly injured, Oka and the Arrancar intervened, and Jun departed through a rift with Aizen and his allies.

• Jun Shimizu revealed his Stigmata armor and other transformed allies, then used their Bankai abilities to withstand Yamamoto’s flames and trade blows with him.
• Jun broke Yamamoto’s Spiritual Power flow and sent him flying, but his own power went out of control, leaving his armor and weapons shattered and his arm nearly severed.
• Yamamoto prepared another strike, but Oka seized his hand while a barrier protected Jun, forcing Yamamoto to reveal his fireless Bankai, Zanka no Tachi: Blade of the Rising Sun.
• Oka introduced himself as an Arrancar, and Jun reattached his arm and recovered with Kaido while Nel, Shark Sister, and Isuzu joined him.
• Aizen summoned the Menos Grande, while Byakuya’s aunt and uncle joined Jun’s group; Jun said goodbye to those on Sōkyoku Hill and led his allies through the torn-open space.

Jun and his allies escaped after Jun forced Genryūsai Yamamoto to use Bankai, while Aizen devastated the Soul Society defenders and took the Hōgyoku from Rukia. After a week of treatment, most survivors began recovering, but Tōshirō Hitsugaya went to the place where Momo Hinamori had died and knelt in silence.

• Jun collapsed after the spatial rift vanished, and Biersen revealed that Yamamoto's single strike had overwhelmed his ability to absorb damage.
• Jun told his allies not to rely on luck or rule-type abilities against someone as powerful as Yamamoto, and his words gave the group a new resolve.
• Yamamoto ended his Bankai and left Sōkyoku Hill, while the wounded Soul Society forces were treated and Aizen escaped with the Hōgyoku from Rukia.
• Orihime, Sado, and Uryū helped the Fourth Division care for the wounded, and Soul Society came to regard Orihime as a valued ally.
• After a week, Byakuya and Kyōraku left the Fourth Division, while Tōshirō went to Momo Hinamori's death site and knelt without speaking.