Recaps

Liu Hao stripped the Hōgyoku from Aizen and had the Imperial Guard seize it while a hidden Kidō sealed Aizen. He explained that he had spared Aizen to make him suffer defeat, then confronted him with how his treatment of Momo Hinamori revealed fear and a possible chance at redemption.

• Liu Hao used his Imperial Decree to separate the Hōgyoku from Aizen, and the Imperial Guard caught it.
• A white pyre sent fiery serpents around Aizen, sealing his power and clouding his consciousness.
• Liu Hao revealed that Kisuke Urahara had planted the sealing Kidō in Aizen during their fight, and said he wanted Aizen to live with his defeat rather than die.
• Aizen demanded to know why Liu Hao would not kill him, and Liu Hao compared his choice to Aizen's treatment of Momo Hinamori.
• Liu Hao said Aizen had feared Momo might become his weakness and suggested she could have been his chance at redemption, as Yoruichi Shihōin was for Kisuke Urahara.

Liu Hao helped Aizen confront his feelings for Momo Hinamori and question his pursuit of godhood. Aizen accepted what he had misunderstood about himself as Ninety-Six Kyōkakuhō sealed him away.

• Liu Hao reminded Aizen that Momo Hinamori's devotion had been his last connection to his humanity.
• Aizen remembered Momo's trust and realized he had cared for her and hesitated when he stabbed her.
• Aizen questioned why Liu Hao did not seek to replace the Soul King, and Liu Hao said power was only a tool, not a goal.
• Liu Hao explained that Aizen had pursued power without understanding what he truly wanted: understanding, recognition, and an equal.
• Aizen found clarity and accepted his failure as Ninety-Six Kyōkakuhō's flames bound him and completed the seal.

After sealing Aizen, Liu Hao used the Hōgyoku to retrieve the part of Rangiku’s soul that Aizen had taken, while revealing that Gin had spent a century trying to recover it for her. Rangiku received the soul and collapsed as it entered her body.

• Liu Hao wished that Aizen might someday find his own path, then accepted the Hōgyoku from the Imperial Guard.
• Liu Hao called Rangiku forward and drew a faint soul aura from the Hōgyoku, which resonated with her.
• Liu Hao revealed that Aizen’s subordinates had taken part of Rangiku’s soul in Rukongai and that Gin had joined the Soul Reapers to reclaim it.
• Liu Hao placed the recovered soul against Rangiku’s forehead, and it entered her body.
• Rangiku felt the soul return, lost consciousness, and fell backward.

Gin Ichimaru caught the unconscious Rangiku Matsumoto after Liu Hao explained she needed time to recover, while the Visored debated whether Gin should be held responsible for his role alongside Aizen. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ordered everyone to return to Soul Society, and Shinji Hirako demanded guarantees that the Visored would be safe there.

• Gin Ichimaru caught Rangiku Matsumoto and Liu Hao explained that she would wake after her spiritual body accepted the restored fragment of her soul.
• Hiyori Sarugaki objected to forgiving Gin for injuring her, while Mashiro Kuna suggested they let the matter go and Kensei Muguruma stopped her from speaking further.
• Liu Hao argued that Gin had not tried to kill the Visored and had acted to protect someone, but Shinji Hirako said Gin's silence while serving beside Aizen made him seem complicit.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ended the argument and ordered the group to prepare to return to Soul Society, telling Shinji Hirako and the Visored to come with them.
• Shinji Hirako told Yamamoto that the Visored needed a guarantee of safety before returning because Soul Society regarded their Hollow powers with suspicion.

After Liu Hao secured a promise from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto that the Visored would not be treated as Hollows, he collapsed from exhaustion and fell asleep in Retsu Unohana’s arms. With Aizen sealed, the survivors began leaving Karakura Town, and the Visored returned to Soul Society while the surviving Arrancar went back to Hueco Mundo.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto promised Shinji Hirako that the Visored could live openly in Soul Society if they remained rational.
• Liu Hao dismissed the Imperial Throne, the Imperial Princess, the Imperial Guard, his Imperial Robe, and his Imperial Crown.
• Retsu Unohana caught Liu Hao as he faltered, and he fell asleep against her shoulder.
• The Gotei 13 began withdrawing from Karakura Town through the Senkaimon, with Fourth Division members tending to the wounded.
• Shinji Hirako led the Visored back to Soul Society, while the people from Hueco Mundo returned there and the surviving Arrancar went back to Hueco Mundo.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi restored Karakura Town while Liu Hao spent seven days recovering under Retsu Unohana’s care. After waking, Liu Hao learned that Aizen had been imprisoned and the Visored had begun returning to their former Captain positions, then wondered about someone else he was concerned about.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi used a spatial device to swap the real Karakura Town back and send its substitute away for destruction.
• Retsu Unohana cared for Liu Hao throughout his seven days of unconsciousness as Captains and friends visited him.
• Liu Hao woke on the eighth morning in Unohana’s bedroom, and she told him his damaged meridians were healing.
• Unohana told Liu Hao that Central 46 had sentenced Aizen to twenty thousand years in Muken.
• Unohana explained that some Visored stayed in the World of the Living while Shinji Hirako, Kensei Muguruma, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, and Love Aikawa resumed Captain positions.

Unohana told Liu Hao that Gin Ichimaru had avoided imprisonment and was now serving in the Tenth Division, close to Rangiku. Liu Hao teased Unohana about winning her heart, then privately resolved to pursue her; Unohana seemed to sense his thoughts, while her own feelings remained uncertain.

• Liu Hao asked Unohana what had happened to Gin Ichimaru, and she explained that Yamamoto had overruled Central 46 and spared him imprisonment because of his intelligence and contributions.
• Unohana said Gin had transferred to the Tenth Division as its Third Seat under Captain Hitsugaya and Vice-Captain Matsumoto, prompting Liu Hao to joke that he had joined to be near Rangiku.
• Liu Hao said he envied Gin and wondered when he could win Unohana's heart, and Unohana warned him not to joke so casually.
• As Unohana left, Liu Hao thought he would pin her down someday, and she turned back to warn him not to say such thoughts aloud.
• Liu Hao hastily claimed he meant he would earn her approval; after Unohana left, he wondered whether she had been listening to his thoughts and vowed not to give up pursuing her.
• Liu Hao fell asleep dreaming of Unohana's tender smile, while Unohana paused in the corridor and looked back with tenderness and uncertainty.

Liu Hao met with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto after waking and explained that he had recovered physically but could not restore the Bankai power he had expended. They discussed Central 46’s efforts to control him and agreed to leave the conflict with them until after the coming war.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto summoned Liu Hao to the First Division Barracks and asked about his recovery.
• Liu Hao said Captain Unohana had healed most of his injuries, but he could not use his Bankai and might never regain the power he had released.
• Yamamoto recalled Liu Hao defeating Aizen after predicting they would need Ichigo Kurosaki, and Liu Hao explained that his accumulated power had given him an unexpected boost.
• Liu Hao told Yamamoto that Central 46 wanted to restrain and control him because of the power he had shown.
• Liu Hao proposed waiting until the war ended before moving against Central 46, and Yamamoto heard his plan to let them reveal their intentions first.

Liu Hao agreed to answer the Soul King’s personal summons and prepared to travel to the Soul King Palace, suspecting its residents might try to control him. He left Yamamoto and returned to the Fourth Division barracks, determined to face whatever awaited him.

• Yamamoto told Liu Hao that the Soul King had summoned him and that the order could not be refused.
• Liu Hao speculated that the Soul King Palace might want to control him because he had changed predetermined fates, though it might also want to help him protect the Three Worlds.
• Liu Hao declined Yamamoto’s offer to accompany him and decided to go alone, asking Yamamoto what to say if the Zero Division questioned his Bankai.
• Yamamoto advised Liu Hao to tell the truth and reminded him that the Seireitei would always be his home.
• Liu Hao left the First Division barracks, then returned to the Fourth Division barracks and resolved to handle whatever awaited him at the Soul King Palace.

After recovering from the battle against Aizen, Liu Hao treated wounded Soul Reapers while worrying privately about the coming visit from the Zero Division. Isane Kotetsu summoned him to greet them, and the two arrived at the Fourth Division Captain's Office.

• Liu Hao continued recovering and used his medical skills to treat injured Soul Reapers at the General Treatment Center.
• Isane Kotetsu told Liu Hao that Retsu Unohana wanted them to greet the arriving Zero Division.
• Liu Hao agreed to go with Isane Kotetsu and teased her by calling her “Isane-chan,” making her blush and hurry ahead.
• Liu Hao followed Isane Kotetsu through Seireitei to the Fourth Division Captain's Office, where she opened the door.

Liu Hao joined Unohana and Isane on their way to meet the arriving Zero Division, after Unohana warned him to stop teasing Isane. At Kūkaku Shiba’s base, they found the Gotei 13 captains, vice-captains, and other Soul Reapers gathered, all waiting and watching the sky.

• Unohana asked Isane whether Liu Hao had harassed her, and Liu Hao said he merely admired her.
• Unohana warned Liu Hao to put away his suggestive expression or risk being cut down, and he changed the subject to the Zero Division’s arrival.
• Unohana led Liu Hao and Isane toward Kūkaku Shiba’s base, where the other captains and their vice-captains had gathered.
• Ichigo Kurosaki ran over to stand behind Liu Hao as the assembled Soul Reapers exchanged greetings.
• The gathered Soul Reapers fell silent and watched the sky, awaiting the Zero Division.

Zero Division descended from the Soul King Palace in a massive black cylinder and emerged before the waiting crowd in Seireitei. The five members arrived with restrained but overwhelming Reiatsu, and Senjumaru Shutara’s instruments played as she stepped out.

• A massive black cylinder descended from the sky and struck the ground in Seireitei.
• The cylinder’s door opened, and Ichibē Hyōsube, Kirio Hikifune, Ōetsu Nimaiya, Tenjirō Kirinji, and Senjumaru Shutara emerged.
• Ichibē Hyōsube led the group while Kirio Hikifune and Ōetsu Nimaiya followed beside him.
• Tenjirō Kirinji swaggered out carrying Zero Division’s flower-emblem flag.
• Senjumaru Shutara emerged with eight wooden arms playing a variety of instruments.

The Zero Division arrived before the Gotei 13, where Tenjirō Kirinji’s teasing greeting drew a rebuke from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Shinji Hirako privately questioned the group’s odd behavior, then Kirio Hikifune struck him, leaving him confused by how familiar she seemed.

• The five members of the Zero Division appeared before the Gotei 13 as Senjumaru Shutara looked reluctant to take part in the display.
• Tenjirō Kirinji greeted the Gotei 13 with theatrical teasing and called them little brats.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto challenged Tenjirō’s insult, and Tenjirō quickly backed down.
• Shinji Hirako wondered aloud why the Zero Division members differed so much from his expectations.
• Kirio Hikifune slapped Shinji on the head, and he turned to find her smiling behind him.
• Shinji asked Kirio why she had hit him and felt that her manner seemed familiar.

Kirio Hikifune reunited with Shinji Hirako, who was shocked by her changed appearance, while Tenjirō Kirinji provoked Retsu Unohana over Liu Hao's healing. The chapter ended as someone hooked an arm around Tenjirō's shoulders before Unohana could respond.

• Kirio Hikifune greeted Shinji Hirako and asked why Hiyori was not with him.
• Shinji Hirako failed to recognize Kirio Hikifune at first, then reacted with disbelief at how much weight she had gained.
• Kirio Hikifune joked about her appearance before suddenly wailing that she was hungry.
• Tenjirō Kirinji greeted Retsu Unohana and asked whether she had kept using the healing techniques he taught her.
• Tenjirō Kirinji taunted Retsu Unohana for being upstaged by Liu Hao's Bankai, and a large hand hooked around his shoulders before she responded.

Ichibē announced that the Soul King wanted Liu Hao and Ichigo Kurosaki brought to the Soul King Palace. Liu Hao secured permission for Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki to accompany them, and Ichibē gave everyone two days to prepare before they returned.

• Ichibē stopped Tenjirō Kirinji from continuing his reunion with the others and said Zero Division had important business to handle.
• Ichibē announced that the Soul King had ordered Liu Hao and Ichigo Kurosaki to visit the Soul King Palace, leaving Ichigo confused about why he had been summoned.
• Liu Hao asked whether he could bring others and named Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki.
• Ichibē teased Liu Hao about not asking to bring Byakuya Kuchiki, then revealed that the Soul King had already approved Liu Hao's request for the three companions.
• Ichibē told everyone to prepare, saying they would return to the Soul King Palace in two days.

Liu Hao asked Yamamoto to approve a duel with Kenpachi Zaraki before he departed for the Soul King Palace, explaining that he wanted to take Retsu Unohana’s place in her unfinished fight with Zaraki. Yamamoto approved the match and agreed to watch with Unohana and Yachiru Kusajishi, while Zaraki eagerly accepted.

• Liu Hao announced that he wanted to duel Kenpachi Zaraki within two days, and Zaraki responded with excitement.
• Liu Hao told Yamamoto that he wanted to finish Unohana and Zaraki’s unfinished duel in Unohana’s place before leaving for the Soul King Palace.
• Yamamoto considered Liu Hao’s request, then approved the duel.
• Liu Hao asked Yamamoto, Unohana, and Yachiru Kusajishi to watch the match, and Yamamoto agreed.
• Liu Hao warned Zaraki not to seek another fight with Unohana after their duel, and Zaraki challenged him to win first.
• Yamamoto shouted for everyone to stop as the tension between Liu Hao and Zaraki grew.

Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki prepared to duel in Muken, but Liu Hao stopped the fight to reveal that Zaraki’s power was too great for his own body to withstand. Yamamoto and Unohana reacted with concern as Unohana recalled Zaraki’s battle from years ago.

• Yamamoto led Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki to Muken, where Unohana, Yachiru Kusajishi, Isane Kotetsu, and Ichigo Kurosaki watched from the arena’s edge.
• Kenpachi Zaraki drew his battered Zanpakuto and urged Liu Hao to begin the duel.
• Liu Hao paused the fight and asked Zaraki whether he had noticed anything wrong with his condition.
• Liu Hao told Zaraki that his power was so great that his body could not withstand it when released.
• Yamamoto and Unohana exchanged puzzled looks, and Unohana remembered Zaraki’s battle from many years earlier.

Liu Hao explained that Kenpachi Zaraki had sealed his power after fighting Unohana and that Yachiru Kusajishi had formed from part of his soul and power. Kenpachi stopped attacking to hear him out, but the revelation left him and Yachiru shaken.

• Liu Hao told Kenpachi Zaraki that he had sealed his power as a boy after battling Captain Unohana.
• Liu Hao warned Kenpachi that refusing to listen could cost him the chance to see Yachiru in the real world again.
• Kenpachi charged Liu Hao, but Liu Hao caught his Zanpakuto with his bare hand and stopped the strike.
• Kenpachi withdrew and allowed Liu Hao to continue explaining.
• Liu Hao said that Kenpachi's power had created Yachiru from a fragment of his soul, shaped by his longing for a companion.
• Yachiru trembled and looked at Kenpachi with tearful attachment as the others reacted in disbelief.

Liu Hao explained that Yachiru Kusajishi was an extension of Kenpachi Zaraki’s soul and warned that she could disappear when he released his Zanpakuto. Kenpachi agreed to let Liu Hao alter their bond after he learned to hear his Zanpakuto, and the two prepared to fight.

• Liu Hao told Kenpachi Zaraki that Yachiru Kusajishi had formed from his power and would return to him after he released his Zanpakuto.
• Kenpachi Zaraki resisted the idea of losing Yachiru, and Liu Hao proposed changing their bond to resemble Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck’s.
• Liu Hao explained that Yachiru would need to anchor Kenpachi Zaraki’s soul when he used Bankai, and Kenpachi accepted the plan.
• Liu Hao drew the Imperial Sword and told Kenpachi Zaraki to fight until he could hear his Zanpakuto calling, warning him not to use Shikai prematurely.
• Kenpachi Zaraki removed his eyepatch, released a tremendous Reiatsu, and charged at Liu Hao.

Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki fought with their contrasting swordsmanship, both relishing the battle. Liu Hao used a spatial vortex to distract Kenpachi Zaraki with flying blades, then wounded him with the Imperial Sword.

• Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki exchanged rapid, forceful sword strikes across the field.
• Liu Hao opened a spatial vortex behind himself and sent several blades flying at Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Kenpachi Zaraki retreated and parried or deflected the incoming blades with his Zanpakuto.
• Liu Hao took advantage of Kenpachi Zaraki's distraction and struck him with the Imperial Sword.
• Kenpachi Zaraki looked down and saw a deep wound running from his shoulder to his waist as blood poured out.

Liu Hao unleashed a torrent of blades against Kenpachi Zaraki and attacked while Kenpachi defended himself. Kenpachi caught Liu Hao’s wrist and counterattacked, but Liu Hao’s flame-shaped Reiatsu blocked the blow.

• Kenpachi Zaraki admired Liu Hao’s strength and welcomed his confidence that he could survive until Liu Hao used Bankai.
• Liu Hao summoned a far larger torrent of blades from a spatial vortex and directed it at Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Kenpachi Zaraki deflected most of the blades, but several broke through and wounded him.
• Liu Hao appeared at Kenpachi Zaraki’s side and swung his Imperial Sword, but Kenpachi caught his wrist and slashed at his shoulder.
• Liu Hao’s pale-gold, flame-shaped Reiatsu stopped Kenpachi Zaraki’s Zanpakuto from cutting into him.

Liu Hao broke free from Kenpachi Zaraki and manifested his golden Imperial Robe before resuming their fight. Their clashes damaged Liu Hao’s defenses and wounded both fighters, leaving Kenpachi smiling as the battle continued.

• Liu Hao kicked Kenpachi Zaraki in the chest, escaped his grip, and created distance between them.
• Liu Hao’s flame-shaped Reiatsu spread over his body and formed a golden Imperial Robe.
• Kenpachi Zaraki charged Liu Hao, and their weapons collided as Kenpachi’s strength and Reiatsu continued to rise.
• The two fighters exchanged blows at tremendous speed, cracking the arena floor and sending waves of heat and Reiatsu toward the spectators.
• Kenpachi Zaraki’s attacks cracked and tore Liu Hao’s Imperial Robe, leaving him with several wounds and proving the defense was not absolute.
• Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki remained bloodied and injured, but Kenpachi continued to grin as the fight went on.

Liu Hao praised Kenpachi Zaraki’s ability to compress his Reiatsu, then began the next stage of their battle by releasing Bankai: Emperor's Descent. His Imperial Sword transformed into an Imperial Throne, and Liu Hao took his seat as two figures began to form beside him.

• Liu Hao and Kenpachi Zaraki exchanged another clash before retreating more than ten meters apart.
• Liu Hao admired Kenpachi Zaraki’s skill at compressing Reiatsu on his blade, and Kenpachi urged him to continue the fight.
• Liu Hao announced the next stage and released Bankai: Emperor's Descent.
• The Imperial Sword dissolved into motes of light that formed an Imperial Throne, while Liu Hao’s robe and crown transformed.
• Liu Hao sat on the throne, and two indistinct figures began to take shape beside him.

Liu Hao’s Bankai fully manifested the Imperial Princess and Imperial Guard, healed his own wounds, and restored Kenpachi Zaraki to peak condition. As Liu Hao challenged Kenpachi to show his limits, the Imperial Guard moved in and drew his Tang Dao to attack.

• The Imperial Princess and Imperial Guard appeared beside Liu Hao on the Imperial Throne as his Bankai activated.
• Liu Hao’s injuries healed, and he used a ray of light to heal Kenpachi Zaraki and restore his stamina and Reiatsu.
• Liu Hao invited Kenpachi Zaraki to show how far he could go, and Kenpachi eagerly accepted.
• The Imperial Guard vanished from beside the throne, appeared before Kenpachi, and began drawing his Tang Dao.

Kenpachi Zaraki fought the Imperial Guard, a powerful being born from Liu Hao’s Bankai, in Muken. The battle left Kenpachi covered in wounds, but he relished the fight and continued clashing with his opponent.

• The Imperial Guard struck Kenpachi Zaraki’s Zanpakuto with his Tang Dao, sending Kenpachi flying and cutting his hands.
• Kenpachi Zaraki saw a notch in his Zanpakuto, recognized the Imperial Guard’s strength, and charged him again with renewed excitement.
• The Imperial Guard and Kenpachi Zaraki traded rapid attacks in midair, their precise and brutal sword styles clashing as sparks flew.
• The battle shook Muken’s sealed space while Kenpachi savored the fight and suffered numerous deep wounds from the Imperial Guard’s blade.
• A warm, gentle light enveloped Kenpachi whenever a new wound appeared.