Chapter Summaries

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.

Byakuya and the Kuchiki family were stunned when Hisana returned alive and explained how Aozumi and Jun Shimizu had saved her using Hollowfication and a special Zanpakuto. She revealed a secret arsenal beneath her room, including powerful swords created for the Kuchiki Clan, and Byakuya discovered the supreme-grade Ink-Dyed Cherry Blossom.

• Byakuya and Rukia met with Sōjun and Kuchiki Ginrei, who told them to avoid causing more trouble after Jun's betrayal.
• Hisana appeared at the Kuchiki residence, and Byakuya confirmed that his wife had truly returned.
• Hisana explained that Aozumi had secretly given her Soul Reaper power and used Lord Shimizu's Zanpakuto, State of Mind, to cure her illness through Hollowfication.
• Hisana revealed that a hidden room beneath her bed contained research on Hollowfication and more than thirty Zanpakuto made for the Kuchiki Clan.
• The family entered the hidden basement, where Byakuya read the abilities of the supreme-grade Ink-Dyed Cherry Blossom.

The Kuchiki, Shiba, and Ise Clans discovered hidden basements containing Jun’s swords, research, and Kidō knowledge, which he had left as a legacy. Jun’s final messages urged his friends and descendants to build families, leaving Jing, Kyōraku, Nanao, and Jūshirō embarrassed after Shinren delivered them.

• The Kuchiki Clan examined thirty-three swords and a vast collection of martial arts, Kidō, and secret research left by Jun.
• Ginrei read Jun’s note, accepted the legacy, and praised the younger generation as the key to the Kuchiki Clan’s future.
• Kūkaku showed Kaien and Miyako the Shiba Clan’s newly appeared basement, and Kaien ordered the family to study and protect its contents.
• Shinren led Jing, Nanao, Kyōraku, and Jūshirō to the Ise Clan’s hidden basement and delivered Jun’s teasing marriage advice to them.
• Shinren exhausted her Spiritual Power, turned into a sword, and left the four Soul Reapers embarrassed.

Jun met with the Fullbringer leaders and agreed to let their organization become independent, while setting limits on how they should use their powers. He left them to live their own lives, warning that future battles were beyond the reach of living humans.

• Jun brought his forces to the World of the Living and found that the Fullbringer organization had grown into an international group led by eight people, including Yukio.
• Jun and his companions met the eight leaders, and he chatted with them in Chinese, English, and Arabic-related historical topics before discussing the organization’s future.
• Jun agreed to the Fullbringers’ independence because they were living humans and his forces were dead, and he reminded them that the organization had been created to protect Fullbringers and prevent antisocial violence.
• Jun told the leaders to maintain stability, avoid creating Fullbringers artificially, and never use their powers to exploit others.
• Mizube asked whether the Fullbringers could help Jun, but he said future battlefields were no place for living humans and departed, telling them they would meet again after they died.

Jun brought a force of Undead, Fullbringers, Visored, and researchers from the World of the Living to Hueco Mundo after arranging the evacuation of Karakura Town. There, they witnessed the birth of a new antelope Arrancar, whom Oka subdued and began teaching.

• Jun gathered seven Fusion Warriors and twenty-one violent Undead, while allowing one Fusion Warrior to withdraw, and recruited three more Undead from offices across Japan.
• Jun ordered the research facility closed and told Aijima that Karakura Town would become Aizen’s battlefield within a few months.
• Mizube and more than a dozen Fullbringers volunteered to join Jun, and Aijima converted their bodies for travel to Hueco Mundo.
• Jun brought eighty-four people, along with Coco and Dolu, through the Forest of Menos to the Endless Sea, where they met Zegrod and the Arrancar.
• A new female antelope Arrancar emerged at the Hatching Area and struggled to move in her unfamiliar body.
• Oka caught and subdued the frightened Arrancar, then covered her with Spiritual Power and began teaching her to control herself.

Jun Shimizu explained his goal of building a peaceful society through exploration and organized a joint expedition before leading a team to the Bottomless Abyss. The team reached the vast chasm and prepared to descend after Jun’s light vanished among the Hollows inside its walls.

• Jun argued that Soul Reapers and Hollows had no inherent reason to hate one another and said Soul Society’s hostility perpetuated conflict.
• Jun set exploration as the group’s future direction and scheduled a three-month expedition ahead of Aizen’s expected final plan.
• The group formed eighteen teams, with Oka assigned to protect Jun and Gezeli unable to lead a team because she was still unstable.
• Jun chose the Bottomless Abyss for the expedition, suspecting it might be Ulquiorra’s homeland, and explained how Biersen had discovered it.
• Jun’s team reached the abyss entrance, saw that Hollows were concealed in its walls, and prepared to descend along the rock face.