Recaps

Hongming transformed into a Vasto Lorde-level monster, and Hu fought to give Fon Shaoling three minutes to complete her Shunkō. Fon Shaoling defeated the monster, but a new armored figure emerged from its remains and challenged her to a Third Round while Hu lay unconscious.

• The Nether Abyss Insects gathered into Hongming, transforming him into a gigantic monster with overwhelming Reiatsu, Sonído, and insect-powered Ceros.
• Fon Shaoling told Hu she needed three minutes to prepare a move, and Hu agreed to hold the monster off alone.
• Hu fought the monster through the first two minutes, then used Judgment Cut—End to destroy its Cero aimed at Fon Shaoling and collapsed from exhaustion.
• Fon Shaoling completed her Shunkō, outpaced the monster, and killed it by striking the same spot twice with Suzumebachi.
• A black-armored figure with a Hollow Hole emerged from the monster's remains, declared that he had found true power, and announced the Third Round as Fon Shaoling prepared to fight again.

Fon Shaoling and Cilian fought Hongming together, but his ability to shed layers of armor erased Suzumebachi’s killing marks and left them unable to defeat him. Watching from the shadows, Aizen became fascinated by Yexing Hu’s power and sent Gin Ichimaru into the courtyard with a Reiatsu-restoring potion, intending to make “Kaki” appear again.

• Hongming overwhelmed Fon Shaoling until Cilian arrived and used his Thousand-Mechanism Gauntlet to hold the Vasto Lorde at bay.
• Fon Shaoling struck a fading butterfly mark with Suzumebachi’s second strike, but Hongming shed four layers of armor and erased the wound and marks.
• Hongming resumed firing Ceros as Cilian and Fon Shaoling tired, forcing them into a defensive stalemate.
• Gin Ichimaru and Aizen watched from the shadows, and Aizen focused on Yexing Hu’s slash that had shattered a powerful Cero.
• Aizen gave Gin a Reiatsu-restoring potion and told him to make “Kaki” appear again; Gin agreed and headed into the courtyard.

After recovering from his overuse of Judgment Cut End, Hu awakened the Summoned Swords ability and returned to the battle against Hongming. He struck Hongming with Judgment Cut—End, but when Hongming survived and lunged at him, Gin Ichimaru intervened.

• Jiku'a explained that Hu had gained the Summoned Swords ability, which let him teleport to any active sword, and Hu learned to summon them.
• Gin Ichimaru found Hu unconscious, gave him medicine, and told him that Fon Shaoling and Cilian were fighting Hongming nearby.
• Hu teleported into the fight and wounded Hongming with Judgment Cut, while Hongming trembled in fear of Hu’s power.
• Fon Shaoling and Cilian restrained Hongming with Kidō, chains, and weapons so Hu could land Judgment Cut—End.
• Hongming survived the attack and charged the exhausted Hu, but Gin Ichimaru stepped in and used his extending Zanpakuto to drive him back.

Gin Ichimaru joined Fon Shaoling and Cilian in suppressing Hongming while Hu recovered enough Reiatsu to attack. After their coordinated efforts finally killed Hongming, Hu collapsed, and Aizen left satisfied that Reiatsu Theory still held.

• Gin Ichimaru arrived, helped Fon Shaoling and Cilian hold Hongming back, and urged Hu to recover his Reiatsu.
• Hongming charged at Hu, but Cilian used the Thousand-Mechanism Gauntlet’s adapted Shadow Piercer to pin him down.
• Hu unleashed Judgment Cut—End, badly wounded Hongming, and left him unable to move, but Hongming fled when Hu ran out of strength.
• Tessai, Sakiro, Gin, Cilian, and Fon Shaoling helped send a Summoned Sword into Hongming’s back, allowing Hu to finish him with Void Blade Realm.
• Fon Shaoling caught Hu as he collapsed, while Aizen concluded that Reiatsu Theory remained valid and left.

Fon Shaoling reviewed the aftermath of the battle, and the Fon Clan celebrated its victory as Hu learned Gin’s true identity and Shimizu and Keiko opened a clothing shop. At a captains’ meeting, Fon Shaoling learned that Yoruichi Shihōin had been cleared to return to Soul Society but had chosen not to.

• Cilian reported that the Twenty-Four Chambers Alliance had been dismantled, the Hollowfication Experiment sealed, and the exiled captains’ case was awaiting resolution.
• Fon Shaoling held a victory banquet, where Gin Ichimaru revealed his identity and offered Shimizu and Hu admission notices to Shin'ō Academy.
• Hu welcomed Gin, and the two promised to drink together again.
• Shimizu and Keiko opened Qinghui Clothing Shop, and Shimizu told Hu he had made Tosaya a memorial grave behind it.
• At the captains’ meeting, Yamamoto reported that the exiled captains were presumed dead, Kisuke Urahara’s exile would continue under monitoring, and Yoruichi Shihōin was permitted to return.
• Fon Shaoling learned that Yoruichi had ignored the messages and did not intend to return to Soul Society.

Hu began his first day at Shin'ō Academy, where the Fon Clan's reputation made other students avoid him, and learned that Rukia Kuchiki was leaving for Karakura Town that night. After Hu was picked up by Marechiyo Ōmaeda, he fought Byakuya Kuchiki over his sword and was summoned into Fon Shaoling's office with the others.

• Hu and Shimizu traveled to Shin'ō Academy, where students kept their distance after recognizing the Fon Clan crests on their uniforms.
• Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki addressed the new students, then joined Hu and Shimizu for lunch; Hu learned Rukia was leaving for Karakura Town that night.
• Hu toured the academy while Shimizu collected his dormitory key, then met Marechiyo Ōmaeda, who escorted him to the Second Division barracks.
• Byakuya Kuchiki tried to take Jiku'a from Hu, and the two clashed with Reiatsu, Hakuda, and swords until Marechiyo Ōmaeda and Renji Abarai intervened.
• Fon Shaoling arrived, surveyed the damage in the corridor, and ordered Hu, Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, and Marechiyo Ōmaeda into her office.

Hu’s dispute with Byakuya led to a confrontation over the Sixth Division’s exclusion from the Bamboo Creek Plain investigation, while Cilian visited Urahara and Yoruichi in the World of the Living. After returning to Soul Society, Cilian found Hu and Renji battered from training and learned Hu had fought the Sixth Division captain.

• Hu admitted he had made the first move against Byakuya, but Fon Shaoling explained that Hu could keep Jiku'a because it had achieved Shikai and that he had entered the academy with her family’s recommendation.
• Fon Shaoling told Byakuya she had excluded the Sixth Division from the Bamboo Creek Plain investigation because she feared it might have been infiltrated, then gave him the division’s investigation files.
• Byakuya promised not to shield corrupt Soul Reapers and took Hu for personal instruction after Hu shook his head at the promise.
• Cilian visited Urahara and Yoruichi, reported the Bamboo Creek Plain battle, delivered Urahara’s trading permit, and told Yoruichi that her sentence had been revoked and she could return to Soul Society.
• Yoruichi refused to return until she had finished her work in the World of the Living, and Cilian left after asking whom Urahara was hiding from.
• Cilian returned to Soul Society and found Hu and Renji battered after seeing Rukia off; Hu told him he had fought the Sixth Division captain.

After returning to Soul Society, Cilian found Hu battered beside Renji, who explained that Hu had fought Byakuya during training. Hu impressed Byakuya with his combat skills and briefly caught him off guard, but Byakuya ultimately defeated him and warned that Hu’s temperament could hinder his future.

• Cilian returned to Soul Society and found Hu and Renji injured after Hu had fought Byakuya.
• Byakuya tested Renji and Ōmaeda in combat, pointing out their weaknesses in Hakuda, Kidō, and Shikai.
• Hu used Concentration, Kidō, and his Zanpakuto abilities to challenge Byakuya and briefly put Jiku'a to his throat.
• Byakuya released Senbonzakura, countered Hu’s techniques, and recognized how Hu’s abilities complemented the four Soul Reaper skills.
• Byakuya defeated Hu and warned him that his unstable temperament could cause trouble in the future.

Hu, Renji, and Ōmaeda sparred with Byakuya, learned to coordinate their attacks, and collapsed from exhaustion after an evening of training. Afterward, Hu and Renji saw Rukia off as she left for an assignment, then met Hu’s instructor Cilian beneath the moon.

• Hu asked Byakuya to continue sparring, and Renji and Ōmaeda joined the fight as Byakuya pointed out their weaknesses and countered their attacks.
• Hu, Renji, and Ōmaeda combined their abilities to trap Byakuya briefly, but Byakuya broke free and blasted all three away.
• The exhausted trio eventually stood together, and Renji invited Hu and Ōmaeda to dinner; Ōmaeda left to finish his paperwork while Hu and Renji went to a noodle stall.
• Hu and Renji met Rukia on her way to the Senkaimon, saw her off, and joked together before she departed on her assignment.
• Cilian arrived through another Senkaimon, and Hu told him about sparring with Byakuya; Renji learned that Cilian had once lost an arm and an eye.

Hu and Renji discussed Cilian’s strength and shared a meal, while Cilian returned to the Second Division and spoke with Fon Shaoling about Yoruichi. Fon Shaoling decided to send Hu a warning to keep a low profile, and Cilian delivered the message to Ōmaeda after beating him twice.

• Hu told Renji that Cilian had once held off a Vasto Lorde-level enemy, and Renji realized the enemy had been Hongming and that Shaoling was Soi Fon’s real name.
• Hu and Renji went to the noodle stall, where Hu ate a large bowl of ramen before they headed back.
• Cilian returned to the Second Division and beat Ōmaeda for shouting for help during training.
• Cilian told Fon Shaoling that Yoruichi was doing well in the World of the Living but would not return until she finished what she was doing.
• Fon Shaoling asked Cilian to have Ōmaeda tell Hu to keep a low profile, and Cilian relayed the message before beating Ōmaeda again.
• Ōmaeda finished his paperwork late at night while Hu and Renji returned from the noodle stall.

Yexing Hu began the Advanced Class and started afternoon training with the Second Division after learning he could apply for early graduation. Byakuya accepted the Second Division’s invitation to send Sixth Division members to train there the next day.

• Marechiyo Ōmaeda told Yexing Hu that Soi Fon had arranged for him to attend only Kidō classes and special lectures, train with the Second Division, and apply for early graduation in three months.
• Yexing Hu met Kito Ryūji and his Advanced Class classmates, then demonstrated his Byakurai and helped Hachihachihara improve her Kidō.
• Yexing Hu reported to the Second Division and learned about the Stealth Force units before joining Cilian’s demanding training session.
• Yexing Hu walked back with Shimizu, discussing Hachihachihara’s progress and Rindō Yo’s Kidō ability.
• Byakuya told Renji to take Sixth Division members to train at the Second Division’s facilities the next day.

Renji visited the Second Division training grounds for an exchange and saw Cilian’s skill in combat and instruction firsthand. After Cilian’s specialized exercise and a sparring match, Renji left with new advice for improving his use of Zabimaru.

• Renji watched Cilian and Hu spar, then learned that Cilian was the Second Division’s Sixth Seat and that Hu was a trainee.
• Cilian showed Renji the Second Division’s training modules, and Renji asked to try Lieutenant Ōmaeda’s specialized program with Hu.
• Renji and Hu dodged projectiles while answering tactical and investigative questions, but Cilian increased the challenge until they were caught in a net.
• Cilian sparred with Renji and defeated him, pointing out that Renji relied too heavily on straight-line attacks and was not using Zabimaru’s flexibility well.
• Renji left the training grounds feeling encouraged, while Cilian told Hu that both he and Renji were impatient.

Hu completed a demanding half month of training and agreed to transfer to the Feimou Corps, where he could hone his skills on missions in the World of the Living. Shimizu and Keiko helped him get several new outfits and boots, and he left feeling supported as he wondered whether the transfer would let him visit the World of the Living.

• Cilian tested Hu's ability to cast Kidō while fighting and told him to transfer to the Feimou Corps or the Inner Court Corps.
• Hu chose the Feimou Corps and learned that he would report there the afternoon after his usual Kidō class.
• Shimizu heard about the transfer and asked whether Hu's family was still in the World of the Living, but Hu said his situation was complicated.
• Shimizu noticed Hu had only one academy uniform and took him to Keiko's shop to get new clothes.
• Keiko measured Hu and made him a black coat, a gray wool coat, a shirt, and sturdy boots.
• Shimizu told Hu that he and Keiko would help him like family, and Hu thanked them before leaving in his new clothes.

Yexing Hu joined the Feimou Corps as an intern and learned that choosing Karakura Town meant taking responsibility for all thirty-seven posts across Honshu. After training with Senior Xitang, Hu prepared for his first trip to the World of the Living the next day.

• Hu used the formation disk to choose Karakura Town, only to learn that the assignment covered all of Honshu.
• A squad member explained the Feimou Corps' work and introduced Hu to Senior Xitang, who outlined the thirty-seven posts and their check-in schedule.
• Xitang showed Hu the Senkaimon and explained the area card used to travel between posts.
• Xitang taught Hu how to use Reiatsu Recorders and the Denreishinki, and Hu successfully contacted a stationed Soul Reaper after clarifying a recorder's location.
• Hu studied the post information until evening, then left the office eager for his first trip to the World of the Living.

Hu accompanied Xitang on his first field assignment in the World of the Living, learning to collect Reiatsu data, defeat a Hollow, and perform Konsō. In Karakura Town, Hu rescued Rukia from a Hollow and sent it to Hell, then left her with Ichigo and Chad while he continued his assignment.

• Hu learned from Xitang how to record Reiatsu at Spirit Vein Nodes and set up a Reiatsu Recorder in Kyoto.
• Hu defeated a newly formed Hollow and performed his first Konsō for a recently deceased man in a cemetery.
• Hu returned to the office, received a Karakura Town assignment, and traveled there to place a Reiatsu Recorder and notify Rukia Kuchiki.
• Hu found Rukia wounded and fighting a birdlike Hollow, pinned it with Summoned Swords, and sent it to Hell after hearing it boast about killing a woman and tormenting her child.
• Hu spoke with Rukia, then left her to help the unconscious Chad while Ichigo emerged from hiding and asked about Hu.

Hu was brought to Urahara Shop, where Cilian arranged for Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai to train him because his Zanpakuto might become crucial in a future battle. Meanwhile, Aizen demonstrated Kyōka Suigetsu to his students and encouraged Shimizu to develop Daku.

• Hu was punished for letting personal feelings affect his Hollow encounter, but Cilian took him to the World of the Living and left the sign behind.
• Cilian introduced Hu to Kisuke Urahara and arranged for Hu to monitor Urahara Shop’s operations during his visits to Karakura Town.
• Cilian asked Urahara to train Hu, and Tessai carried the reluctant Hu into the shop’s Underground Training Ground as Yoruichi and Urahara agreed to help.
• Cilian told Urahara and Yoruichi that Hu’s unusual Zanpakuto could make him vital in a future battle, and asked them and Tessai to prepare him.
• Aizen showed Kyōka Suigetsu to his students, then examined Shimizu’s Daku and encouraged him to explore the Zanpakuto’s potential.

Yexing Hu began training with Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai Tsukabishi, revealing a formidable combat style built around Jiku'a and techniques that affected space and time. After Tsukabishi neutralized Hu’s ultimate attack, he agreed to train him, while Urahara concluded that Hu’s abilities could disrupt Aizen’s plan.

• Cilian left through the Senkaimon, and Urahara and Yoruichi found Hu waiting at the training ground entrance.
• Urahara explained that Tsukabishi had no obligation to teach Hu and said Hu would have to impress him to earn his guidance.
• Hu demonstrated Jiku'a and combined Shunpo, Kidō, spatial techniques, and Reishi armaments in a sparring match against Tsukabishi.
• Hu unleashed Void Blade Realm and Judgment Cut End, but Tsukabishi used forbidden techniques to stop time and reinforce space, leaving Hu nearly exhausted.
• Tsukabishi agreed to teach Hu Kidō and spacetime knowledge, while Yoruichi took responsibility for Hakuda and Shunpo and Urahara offered Zanjutsu and combat training.
• Urahara arranged training twice a week and asked Hu to bring recent Reiatsu data from Karakura Town on his next visit.

Yexing Hu began training without Shikai after Tessai Tsukabishi sealed Jiku'a, then joined Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida during their Hollow-hunting contest and helped contain Ichigo’s runaway Reiatsu. The chapter ended with Rukia arriving just as Hu pulled his Phantom Blade out of Ichigo, prompting her to shriek.

• Hu delivered Karakura Town’s recent Reiatsu data to Urahara, then followed him to train with Tessai Tsukabishi.
• Tsukabishi sealed Jiku'a’s Shikai and made Hu practice Phantom Blade and Summoned Swords without its power.
• Hu responded to a red alert and found Ichigo and Uryū fighting Hollows during their contest, while Rukia also helped clear them.
• A Gillian emerged, and Ichigo wounded it by meeting its Cero with his Zanpakuto before his Reiatsu began running wild.
• Hu used Reiatsu Integration through his Phantom Blade to help stabilize Ichigo while Uryū released the excess Reiatsu with arrows.
• Hu introduced himself to Ichigo, then pulled the Phantom Blade from his back as Rukia arrived and shrieked.

Hu’s internship and training brought him under scrutiny when Fon Shaoling discovered Tessai’s powerful seal limiting his Reiatsu. After Hu reassured her and explained his training, Fon Shaoling warned him about Urahara’s dangerous tools and asked him to visit her office regularly, leaving Hu smiling as he returned home.

• Hu left Rukia and Ichigo after Rukia described Ichigo as her assistant, then returned to the Feimou Corps and found Fon Shaoling waiting at his desk.
• Fon Shaoling noticed the Restriction Seal on Hu’s wrist and took him to the Kidō Corps, whose members could not identify or remove the unfamiliar seal.
• Tessai told Urahara that he had imposed Constant Sealing on Ye Xing, limiting him to twenty percent of his Reiatsu until he could match his Shikai strength without using Shikai.
• Fon Shaoling questioned Hu about his seal and Urahara’s training, warned him against using the Tenshintai, and told him to visit her office regularly.
• Fon Shaoling said she did not like Hu calling her Soi Fon, and Hu returned to the Qinghui Clothing Shop, where he ate Keiko’s saved meal and thought of her.

Hu met Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai during a break from Kidō class and learned a Reishi-control exercise while practicing with Shimizu. Later, Hu shared a meal with Renji and sake with Gin Ichimaru, ending the night by assuring Gin he trusted him.

• Hu struggled to cast Kidō under the Restriction Seal, and Shimizu helped him leave the classroom for fresh air.
• Hu and Shimizu met an old teacher roasting sweet potatoes, who revealed himself as Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai and taught them to use small amounts of Reishi to cut rocks cleanly.
• Hu practiced the exercise while working in the Feimou Corps office, then met Renji for noodles and offered to pass a message to Rukia in Karakura Town.
• Hu rescued Gin Ichimaru from a sake-stall dispute in Bamboo Creek Plain and paid for the broken jar.
• Hu drank bamboo sake with Gin and told him he would trust him as long as he remained willing to face anything for the woman in his heart.

Xitang went to Karakura Town to investigate Rukia's abnormally low Reiatsu and encountered Grand Fisher during its attack on Ichigo's family. Hu arrived as Xitang was gravely wounded, killed Grand Fisher with a new sword technique, and found that Xitang had survived.

• Xitang received orders to check on Rukia and bring her back to Soul Society if nothing unusual had happened.
• Xitang confronted Rukia at the cemetery, but they rushed toward a Hollow after hearing a scream.
• Grand Fisher revealed its disguise and provoked Ichigo by impersonating the Hollow that had killed his mother, while Xitang protected Karin and was badly wounded.
• Grand Fisher's imitation of Masaki spoke to Ichigo, allowing him to wound the Hollow, but Grand Fisher began escaping toward Hueco Mundo.
• Hu arrived and used Nadegiri to cut Grand Fisher in half, though its upper body escaped through the rift.
• Hu discovered Xitang was still alive, and the two returned to Soul Society together.

Hu began training in the Dangai under Yoruichi to grow strong enough to help protect Rukia and possibly destroy the Hōgyoku. Urahara suspected Aizen was targeting Rukia, while Aizen watched the battle footage and discovered where she was.

• Hu remembered Xitang agreeing to omit Ichigo's name from his report, then told Urahara he wanted to get stronger.
• After Hu failed to understand a book about time and space, Urahara took him into the Dangai through his homemade Senkaimon.
• Urahara held the Kōryū in place while Yoruichi trained Hu in cat form, but Hu could not catch her.
• Urahara explained to Yoruichi and Tessai that Rukia appeared to be targeted and that Hu's Zanpakuto might one day destroy the Hōgyoku.
• Aizen watched footage of the battle in Karakura Town and Rukia's Reiatsu data, then said he had found her.

Hu visited Fon Shaoling after work, sparred with her, and told her about his training and the Dangai. On the way home, he spoke with Shimizu about their recent encounters and left unsettled by Shimizu's concern that he was hiding his feelings.

• Hu admitted that he had suggested several mischievous office games, so Fon Shaoling took him to the training ground to spar.
• Fon Shaoling tested Hu's Hakuda, Kidō defenses, Phantom Blade, Summoned Swords, and Zanjutsu, then asked him to bring more tea next time.
• Hu told Fon Shaoling that he had trained in the Dangai with Mr. Tsukabishi and that the Kōryū's resistance had improved his control.
• Hu met Shimizu on the way home, and Shimizu mentioned that Captain Aizen had been teaching him Kidō and advising him about his Zanpakuto.
• Hu told Shimizu about the Gillian, the Quincy, and the Hollow that had taken his loved one's form, which had escaped after Hu cut it in half.
• Shimizu told Hu not to shoulder everything alone, and Hu said he knew.

Hu trained with Yoruichi in the Dangai until his Beowulf armament resonated with the Beast of Light, awakening a powerful, instinct-driven state. In Hu’s Inner World, he met Jiku'a amid an eroded city and prepared to fight the Beast of Light that was consuming it.

• Hu returned to the Urahara Shop and went with Yoruichi to train in Hakuda in the Dangai.
• Yoruichi pushed Hu to stop relying on conscious analysis and fight through instinct, and Hu gradually improved under her attacks.
• Hu’s Reiatsu changed, the Beast of Light manifested behind him, and his white-lit attacks forced Yoruichi to defend herself while Urahara told her to keep him in the state.
• Hu woke in his Inner World, found part of the city eroded, and entered the ruined area through a barrier Jiku'a opened for him.
• Jiku'a explained that the Beast of Light was eroding Hu’s Inner World, transformed into a Zanpakuto, and joined Hu as he charged the beast.

Yexing Hu fought the Beast of Light in his Inner World while its phantom controlled his body in the Dangai. After defeating it and earning the true Beowulf Armament, Hu returned to Bamboo Creek Plain, determined to use his new power to protect what mattered to him.

• Yexing Hu and Jiku'a encountered the Beast of Light in the corrupted dungeon inside his Inner World, where it recognized Sparda's bloodline and attacked him.
• The Beast of Light's phantom took control of Hu's body in the Dangai, forcing Yoruichi to fight his projection while Urahara explained that Hu's consciousness was battling inside himself.
• Hu used his Beowulf gauntlets and Jiku'a to defeat the Beast of Light, which revealed that Hu carried Sparda's blood and had a deep mark left by the blue one, but was not Vergil.
• The Beast of Light dissolved and left behind the true Beowulf Armament, which Hu caught and claimed as his own.
• Hu awoke in the Dangai with the armament on his hands, then left with Urahara and returned to Bamboo Creek Plain, resolving to keep training and protect what he wanted to protect.