Chapter Summaries

Hu faced Shimizu, who had been transformed into a Hollow, and fought to break his mask rather than kill him. After reaching a new level of speed and power, Hu shattered the mask and revealed Shimizu’s human face.

• Hu recognized Shimizu as the Hollow and insisted on handling the assessment himself while the Onmitsukidō member went to fetch Instructor Cilian.
• Hu studied Shimizu’s attacks and used Beowulf’s fighting style to crack his mask and drive him into a ruined house.
• Shimizu trapped Hu with Reishi tentacles and gathered a powerful blast, saying he needed to eat to protect someone.
• Hu remembered the Zanpakutō spirit’s words, released himself, and struck Shimizu with seven rapid attacks.
• Hu concentrated his energy into a final blow that shattered Shimizu’s mask and revealed his human face.

Hu awakened his Zanpakuto’s Shikai and used its power to separate Shimizu from the Hollow consuming him. The chapter left Shimizu’s fate uncertain as Hu prepared to save his friend and protect Keiko.

• Shimizu told Hu and Cilian that Hollows had appeared among the evacuees, and he had become one while defending his fiancée, Keiko.
• Cilian prepared to kill Shimizu at his request, while Hu’s Zanpakuto spirit challenged him to stop standing by helplessly.
• Hu blocked Cilian’s strike and erupted in Reiatsu as Shimizu’s Hollow transformation resumed.
• Hu called the name Jiku'a and awakened his Shikai, creating wing-shaped rifts in space.
• Hu slashed Shimizu with blue light, separating his human shadow from the Hollow’s white shadow.

Hu separated Shimizu from the Hollow, then fought the creature after it transformed into a Gillian-class Menos Grande. He used Jiku'a’s power to defeat it, leaving the Onmitsukidō stunned by his ability to erase the Gillian.

• Hu used Jiku'a to separate Shimizu from the Hollow and told him his nightmare was ending.
• Hu attacked the Hollow, but it blocked his follow-up and transformed into a Gillian-class Menos Grande after firing a Cero.
• Cilian explained that Hu’s control over his Shikai was unstable and told the Onmitsukidō to handle the Gillian, but Hu insisted on fighting it himself.
• Hu charged through the Gillian’s Cero by splitting its energy, then disrupted its balance and movements with Beowulf’s power and precise slashes.
• Hu used Judgment Cut End to destroy the Gillian’s body and disperse it into Reishi.
• Hu sheathed Jiku'a as the Onmitsukidō members watched in stunned silence, comparing his extraordinary ability to Soi Fon’s.

Hu defeated the Gillian with a powerful Shikai technique, but the move left him unable to move. Cilian rebuked him for using up his strength when other Hollows still needed to be saved, and the group prepared to withdraw with Hu chastened.

• Hu used “Judgment Cut: Absolute” to defeat the Gillian, impressing the Onmitsukidō gathered at the clearing.
• Cilian kicked Hu to test whether he could stand, and Hu’s exhausted body cramped until he could barely breathe or move.
• Cilian pointed out that Hu’s technique could defeat a Gillian but left his body unable to continue fighting.
• Cilian showed Hu the restrained Hollows and asked how many people he could still save without strength or his Zanpakuto.
• Cilian ordered the Onmitsukidō to clean up and stopped Shimizu from approaching Hu.
• Hu apologized to Cilian for getting carried away, and Cilian told him to get treated after they returned.

After blaming himself for failing to save everyone at Sizhuzhai, Yexing Hu heard Cilian explain that he had passed the Shikai assessment and must learn to use his power wisely rather than abandon his duty. Reassured by Shimizu’s determination to keep training, Hu accepted his role as a Soul Reaper and headed to Fon Shaoling’s study.

• Yexing Hu woke in the medical room, saw Shimizu still gravely weakened, and spent the night questioning whether he deserved to be a Soul Reaper.
• Cilian told Yexing Hu that releasing Jiku'a’s Shikai meant he had passed the assessment, and explained that his mistake at Sizhuzhai was misjudging how to use his strength.
• Cilian urged Yexing Hu to remember his error and keep moving forward, describing Soul Reapers as people who must shoulder the consequences of their power.
• Yexing Hu visited Shimizu, who thanked him for saving his life and resolved to keep training until he could enter Shin'ō Academy.
• Yexing Hu remembered the twenty-seven clothed Hollows and walked toward Fon Shaoling’s study, determined to continue as a Soul Reaper.

After the Sizhuzhai incident, Yexing Hu recovered and resolved to save the 27 captured survivors, while Fon Shaoling decided to oversee his Demon Examination and personally arrange his Kidō training. Cilian suspected Fon Shaoling had another purpose for her trip to Bamboo Creek Plain, and she ordered him to keep it secret.

• Cilian reported that the Sizhuzhai incident had caused heavy casualties, with 137 people captured and only 27 still alive, and described Yexing Hu's ability to separate Hollows from Pluses.
• Cilian told Fon Shaoling that Hu had recovered but still needed guidance, and she decided to oversee his Demon Examination herself.
• Hu reported that he was ready to resume training and asked to save the 27 captured survivors; Fon Shaoling agreed once a shelter and safety measures were ready.
• Fon Shaoling told Hu that his Kidō training would begin the next day with a special instructor, while Hu planned to continue Shunpo practice.
• After Hu left, Cilian questioned Fon Shaoling about her trip to Bamboo Creek Plain, and she ordered him not to tell anyone about the matter.

Fon Shaoling vowed to uncover the truth behind the Hollow incident and ordered Sakiro to push Hu through Shunpo training before his assessment. As Hu continued training with Jiku'a, Cilian considered using an experimental treatment to restore his lost arm and eye so he could protect Fon Shaoling.

• Fon Shaoling reviewed the report of 137 captured Hollows, concluded the Garganta incident was deliberately mishandled, and resolved to expose whoever was behind it.
• Fon Shaoling told Sakiro that Hu had to cover 300 meters in Shunpo within two days, and arranged to borrow Kidō training equipment for him.
• Sakiro trained Hu across increasingly distant and narrow posts, and Hu reached a maximum distance of 247 meters by evening.
• Cilian reminded Hu to practice Zanjutsu meditation, and Hu began meditating with Jiku'a despite his exhaustion.
• Cilian reflected on Fon Shaoling's determination to resolve the incident Yoruichi and Urahara had failed to settle, then studied an experimental treatment that could restore his lost arm and eye.

Hu began Kidō lessons with Fon Shaoling and endured Sakiro’s demanding walking assessment, finally reaching the three-hundred-meter post and earning a pass. The chapter left him exhausted but encouraged by his progress and the people supporting him.

• Fon Shaoling woke Hu and took him to the Kidō Practice Room, where she revealed she would teach him and assigned him to study marked sections of its many books.
• Hu spoke with Fon Shaoling about gradually feeling that he belonged in Soul Society and learned that Shimizu was recovering.
• Sakiro raised Hu’s walking-training target to three hundred meters and made him repeat the plum-blossom-post course after each failure.
• Hu refused Sakiro’s offer to pass by using Shunpo on flat ground and tried again, thinking of Shimizu, Cilian, and Fon Shaoling’s expectations.
• Hu controlled his Reishi and landed securely on the three-hundred-meter post, prompting Sakiro to applaud and formally pass him in the walking assessment.

Hu learned the Concentration technique from Jiku'a and practiced maintaining it while studying Kidō with Fon Shaoling. After visiting the recovering Shimizu, Hu returned to his room, while Cilian used an experimental injection in the Seireitei to try to regenerate his missing limbs and damaged organs.

• Jiku'a taught Hu that Concentration involved compressing Reiatsu and eliminating wasted movement, and Hu tried to maintain it after leaving his Inner World.
• Fon Shaoling noticed Hu's changed breathing, explained that she would monitor him during Kidō class, and helped him memorize three chapters of Basic Theory of Hadō.
• Hu visited Shimizu in the medical room, met Keiko, and told them that he had passed the walking assessment.
• Hu struggled through afternoon Kidō class, then returned to his room and wondered where Cilian had gone on leave.
• Cilian entered his squad's training hall, injected himself with an experimental flesh supplement, and silently endured its intense pain.

Hu learned that Jiku'a’s Phantom Blade required Kidō skills, so Fon Shaoling accelerated his studies and assigned him more books. Cilian adapted to his restored right arm and left eye by retraining and spent the day testing the Second Division’s members, leaving the training hall in ruins.

• Hu told Fon Shaoling that focus meditation had improved his learning and recounted how Jiku'a taught him to summon the Phantom Blade in their Inner World.
• Jiku'a explained that Hu needed to master Kidō techniques for materializing energy before he could use the Phantom Blade in reality.
• Fon Shaoling connected Phantom Blade to Hu’s broader fighting style and gave him three additional Kidō books to study.
• Cilian began retraining with his restored right arm and practiced sword swings until his movements grew smooth.
• Cilian visited the Second Division training ground, fought its members and other prospects throughout the day, and declared that they had neglected their training.

Ten days after returning to the Seireitei, Cilian reviewed the Training Corps’ progress, confronted his former student Marechiyo Ōmaeda, and agreed to rest for the remainder of his leave. Meanwhile, Hu began practical Kidō training, and Cilian read the captain’s report on Hu’s Zanpakuto abilities as he looked ahead to training him.

• Cilian found that the reserve forces’ training had slowed because their instructors had lowered his standards, then set out to visit the Training Ground.
• Marechiyo Ōmaeda ordered Cilian to rest, admitted he had grown badly out of shape, and passed along the captain’s concerns about Cilian’s punishing training and information about Hu.
• Cilian agreed to rest for the remaining five days of his leave and asked Marechiyo Ōmaeda to bring him the information on Hu.
• Fon Shaoling switched the Kidō Practice Room to Practice Mode and had Hu begin casting Kidō; Hu successfully used Byakurai on his first attempt, though his aim was far off.
• Cilian read a report on Yexing Hu’s Zanpakuto Jiku’a and its known techniques, then concluded he would need to see Hu’s abilities himself before deciding how to train him.

Hu learned that his Reishi’s sharp nature made Kaidō difficult and practiced emergency bandaging under Fon Shaoling’s instruction. After Shimizu invited him fishing and Fon Shaoling agreed, she planned to use the fish as practice subjects for Hu’s Kaidō training.

• Fon Shaoling explained that Hu needed to deactivate his Reishi’s distinct nature to use Kaidō normally, then taught him emergency bandaging techniques.
• Hu met Shimizu, who had recovered and returned to duty, and agreed to go fishing with him the following afternoon.
• Hu repeatedly bandaged a practice dummy, correcting mistakes under Fon Shaoling’s supervision, then practiced Hadō and Bakudō.
• Hu told Fon Shaoling about the fishing trip, and she encouraged him to catch plenty of fish.
• Fon Shaoling planned to use the fish for Hu to practice Kaidō and learn the dangers of careless healing.

Hu and Shimizu went fishing at a river where a rumored monster had driven away the fish. After Hu’s rod snapped, he struck the water with Byakurai, revealing a huge Hollow that now faced them on the riverbank.

• Shimizu brought Hu to a fishing spot and told him about Tosaya, who had once helped him endure a harsh period in Bamboo Creek Plain.
• Hu and Shimizu caught only a few small fish before two men warned them that a large creature haunted the river at night.
• Hu persuaded Shimizu to stay and fish after dark, and something powerful dragged Hu’s line before snapping his rod.
• Furious, Hu tried to cast Kidō at the river, but Shimizu covered his mouth until Hu released Byakurai anyway.
• The lightning filled the river with dead fish and forced a huge otter-like Hollow onto the bank, where it confronted Hu and Shimizu.

Hu and Shimizu encountered an otter-shaped Hollow while fishing without their Zanpakuto, forcing Hu to fight barehanded and flee until Shimizu ran for help. With Jiku'a's advice, Hu used Kidō to hold the Hollow off and finally formed a stable Phantom Blade, which withstood the Hollow's attack.

• Hu and Shimizu realized they had left their Zanpakuto behind when an otter-shaped Hollow confronted them by the river.
• Hu's punch barely affected the Hollow, which slapped him away, so he grabbed Shimizu and fled with Shunpo.
• Shimizu warned that they could not lead the Hollow toward a settlement, and Hu sent him to ring its emergency bell while he stayed behind.
• Jiku'a explained that Hu's power was limited without Shikai and advised him to use numbered Kidō, so Hu fought the Hollow with Hadō and Bakudō.
• Jiku'a encouraged Hu to practice forming a Phantom Blade, and after several failed attempts Hu created a stable blue sword that withstood the Hollow's blow.

Hu used the Phantom Blade to defeat a Hollow and discovered that he could imbue the sword with Kidō, then carried the unconscious creature away for the Fon Clan to investigate. After Hu left, Captain Aizen and Gin Ichimaru revealed that the Hollow was an old experimental subject and discussed Hu’s unusual sword.

• Hu fought the Hollow with the Phantom Blade and learned to imbue it with Bakudō and Hadō, strengthening his sword strikes.
• Hu broke the Hollow’s mask and knocked it down, but the exposed man cried about being enslaved and transformed into a monster.
• Hu subdued the Hollow with Bakudō and decided to take it to Fon Shaoling so the Stealth Force could investigate.
• Two stationed Soul Reapers tried to claim the Hollow, but Hu refused and carried it away from the riverbank.
• After Hu left, Gin Ichimaru addressed the bespectacled Soul Reaper as Captain Aizen, and they revealed the Hollow was an old experimental subject.
• Aizen explained that Hu’s ability to combine different Kidō through the Phantom Blade was unusual, while Gin Ichimaru wondered about the sword’s strange aura.

Hu brought a Hollow that had regained its humanity to the Fon Clan, where its account of being transformed in Soul Society alarmed Fon Shaoling and Sakiro. After Hu blurted out that he liked Fon Shaoling, she planned to question him and begin separating the twenty-seven Hollows already in custody.

• Hu met Shimizu on the road and learned that he and Keiko had bought a house, then carried the Hollow onward to the Fon Clan.
• Hu wandered the Fon Clan grounds searching for the Onmitsukidō until Sakiro found him and led him to their underground chamber.
• Hu told Sakiro that the Hollow had said it became a Hollow in Soul Society, and the Onmitsukidō confined it for Fon Shaoling to investigate.
• Hu worried aloud that Fon Shaoling was in danger, admitted that he liked her, and Sakiro advised him to get stronger and stand beside her.
• Sakiro reported the incident to Fon Shaoling, who linked it to the renewed Hollowfication Experiment and the people who had driven Yoruichi away.
• Fon Shaoling decided to question Hu and begin separating the twenty-seven Hollows the next day, while Sakiro offered to speak with him first.

Sakiro sent Cilian a letter after stopping Fon Shaoling from torturing a Hollow for information, fearing that the Hollowfication incident had reopened Shaoling’s old wounds. She told Hu about Shaoling’s past and urged him to speak honestly when Shaoling came to him for help, leaving him anxious about their coming conversation.

• Sakiro watched Fon Shaoling violently question the newly captured Hollow, then stopped her before she could push him beyond recovery.
• Sakiro sent Cilian an emergency letter, hoping he could help restrain Fon Shaoling’s anger and distress.
• Hu brooded over his confession to Sakiro and his ruined Zanjutsu meditation before Sakiro came to speak with him.
• Sakiro recounted Shaoling’s childhood, her losses in the Hollowfication incident, and the burdens she had taken on as head of the Fon Clan.
• Sakiro explained that Shaoling would need Hu’s ability to distinguish Hollows from Pluses and had heard his confession, so he might be able to reach her.
• Sakiro warned Hu that Shaoling might say hurtful things and asked him not to give up on his feelings; Hu wondered what he would say when she came.

Hu realized he was a stray cat longing for Fon Shaoling, whom he saw as a flower on a high peak. When Shaoling tried to use his feelings to persuade him to separate the Hollows for information, Hu confronted her, and she ran away after insisting she could never love him.

• Hu compared himself to Renji Abarai, seeing himself as a stray cat and Fon Shaoling as a flower on a high peak.
• Fon Shaoling visited Hu dressed and made up unusually, recalled their time together, and told him she had received his feelings.
• Hu remembered Shakiro's warning and questioned Shaoling's darkened eyes when she asked him to separate the Hollows.
• Fon Shaoling offered to be Hu's girlfriend if he separated the Hollows so she could obtain their information.
• Hu accused Shaoling of using his love and abandoning her own dignity, then urged her not to let grief and hatred consume her.
• Shaoling wept, told Hu he knew nothing and that she could never fall for him, then ran from the room.

After Hu rejected Fon Shaoling’s attempt to make their feelings a bargain, he struggled with the pain of seeing her cry and received advice from a Soul Reaper named Shi. Cilian later urged Hu not to give up on Shaoling, explaining the significance of the hair ornaments she had worn to see him.

• Fon Shaoling ran from Hu’s room in tears, called Sakiro a traitor, and shut herself in her office.
• Hu gathered and cleaned Shaoling’s scattered golden hair ornaments, then wandered outside and spoke with the Soul Reaper Shi about unrequited love.
• Hu returned to the Fon Clan and noticed the attendants treating him coldly after Shaoling’s tearful exit became gossip.
• Cilian confronted Hu over the hair ornaments, thanked him for stopping Shaoling, and warned him that he would hold him responsible for making her cry.
• Cilian told Hu that Shaoling’s ornaments were precious keepsakes and encouraged him to keep them safe and try again once she had sorted out her feelings.

Hu found a way to save the twenty-seven Pluses through the Phantom Blade and returned to Fon Shaoling with the solution. Fon Shaoling’s allies pledged to support her as they prepared to pursue the Hollowfication Experiment.

• Hu consulted Jiku'a in his Inner World and learned that the Phantom Blade could unite Hollow and Plus Reiatsu, allowing the twenty-seven Pluses to survive with some Hollow powers.
• Hu returned to Fon Shaoling’s office and told her he liked her for who she was and had found a way to save the twenty-seven people.
• Cilian brought intelligence documents from Marechiyo Ōmaeda and explained that Soi Fon and several divisions were prepared to help investigate the Hollowfication Experiment.
• Cilian, Sakiro, Hu, and the Onmitsukidō pledged to stand beside Fon Shaoling and help uncover the people behind the experiment.
• Fon Shaoling thanked them and stood ready to face the struggle with their support.