Recaps

Liu Hao joined the Soul Reapers, awakened the Imperial Sword, and used his foreknowledge to protect Kaien Shiba and Miyako from a looming threat. He became captain of the Fourth Division’s Medical Guard Team and began intense training with Unohana and his Zanpakuto spirit.

• Liu Hao entered Shin'ō Academy with Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki, reunited Rukia with Hisana Kuchiki, and watched her join the Kuchiki Clan.
• After Renji was gravely injured during a Hollow training accident, Liu Hao accepted himself and awakened his Zanpakuto, the Imperial Sword.
• Liu Hao joined the Fourth Division while Renji joined the 11th Division, and he befriended Kaien Shiba after learning of the danger awaiting Kaien and Miyako.
• Liu Hao told Kaien about Metastacia and the hidden enemy, defeated him in a private battle, and persuaded him to move Miyako away from frontline duty.
• Liu Hao became Fifth Seat of the Fourth Division and refused Aizen’s repeated offers to join the Fifth Division.
• Unohana established the Medical Guard Team and appointed Liu Hao its captain, while Liu Hao asked her to train him and revealed that he knew her past as Yachiru.
• Unohana pushed Liu Hao through a fierce sword fight, and the Imperial Sword healed his severe wounds before Unohana defeated him.
• The Imperial Princess challenged Liu Hao to prove he could master his power and begin training for Bankai, while Unohana and Isane watched from a sealed space.

Liu Hao revealed Aizen and Yhwach’s future plans to Soul Society’s leaders while trying to change the fates of those caught in them. He began Bankai training and overcame the first three trials, reaching the fourth flight of stairs.

• Liu Hao told Unohana about Aizen’s plans, Yhwach’s return, and her future death, then gave her evidence as Metastacia’s attack confirmed his warning about Aizen’s experiments.
• Liu Hao trained the Medical Guard Team with Aizen’s Fifth Division, learned that Kyōka Suigetsu had hypnotized the group, and began working to resist its effects.
• Liu Hao helped Isshin Shiba establish a secret communication mark, then waited as Isshin lost his powers saving Masaki Kurosaki and settled in the World of the Living.
• Liu Hao defeated Tōshirō Hitsugaya in a duel, but told Yamamoto and the captains that Hitsugaya had held back and should remain captain.
• Liu Hao showed Yamamoto visions of Aizen’s experiments and the coming Quincy war, explained Yhwach’s role and the Soul King’s history, and urged Soul Society to save lives and prepare for the invasion.
• Liu Hao began the Imperial Sword’s Trial of the Starry Sky, overcame a dream of his previous life and longing for home, then broke an illusion of Bleach’s repeating events after Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki challenged his sense of belonging.
• Liu Hao reached the fourth flight of stairs as Imperial Princess watched his progress.

Liu Hao completed the Imperial Path, awakened a new power, and warned the Shiba and Ishida families about Yhwach’s future plans. After confronting Aizen’s forces in Hueco Mundo and aiding the Expeditionary Force, Liu Hao returned to the World of the Living and settled at the Kurosaki Clinic, where Isshin and Masaki married.

• Liu Hao accepted his inner selves during the Imperial Path trials, reached its throne, and awakened a new power tied to his Imperial Heart.
• Liu Hao returned to Soul Society and warned the Shiba and Ishida families about Yhwach, the Auswählen, and the danger to Masaki, Katagiri Hae, and their children.
• Liu Hao joined the medical support mission to Hueco Mundo, confronted Nnoitra and Aizen, and escaped with the Imperial Princess after resisting Kyōka Suigetsu.
• Liu Hao rescued Nel, Pesche, and Dondochakka, healed Nel, and later helped Shūsuke Amagai’s Expeditionary Force survive a Hollow ambush.
• Liu Hao revealed Aizen’s schemes and the truth about Amagai’s father, then warned Coyote Starrk and Lilynette about their possible deaths before they opened a Garganta for him.
• Liu Hao met Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin in Karakura Town, concealed his Reiatsu, and agreed to live and work at Isshin Shiba’s clinic.
• Over the next two years, Masaki joined the clinic and became Isshin’s partner, and Liu Hao attended their wedding at the Urahara Shop.

Liu Hao protects the Ishida family and helps Ichigo grow stronger while Aizen’s schemes draw Soul Society into crisis. As Ichigo and his allies enter Seireitei to save Rukia, Liu Hao heals Renji, is framed for murder, and finally clashes with Byakuya while protecting Hanatarō and Ganju.

• After the wedding banquet, Liu Hao told Kisuke Urahara that Gin Ichimaru was secretly seeking revenge on Aizen and explained how he had altered his Gigai to cultivate Reishi.
• Liu Hao guarded the Ishida family against coordinated Hollows, then helped Kisuke treat Quincy harmed by Yhwach’s Auswählen and discovered the formation of Still Silver.
• When Rukia Kuchiki gave Ichigo Kurosaki Soul Reaper powers, Liu Hao moved to the Urahara Shop to watch over Ichigo, who later fought Grand Fisher and helped defeat a Gillian alongside Uryū Ishida.
• Liu Hao killed Grand Fisher, then questioned whether the world itself was guiding events before deciding to keep protecting those he cared about.
• After Byakuya and Renji took Rukia back to Soul Society, Kisuke trained Ichigo, who awakened Zangetsu’s complete form, and Liu Hao returned to Seireitei and learned that Rukia’s execution had been ordered.
• As Ichigo and his companions invaded Seireitei, Liu Hao secretly healed Ikkaku and watched Ichigo defeat Renji, then stopped Renji’s Hollowfication and helped him begin treatment.
• Liu Hao discovered Aizen’s apparent corpse and realized he was being framed, while Ichigo fought Kenpachi and Renji struggled to overcome Zabimaru’s Hollow power.
• Liu Hao treated the wounded Kenpachi, then tried to escort Hanatarō and Ganju away from the White Tower, where Byakuya confronted him and Liu Hao refused to abandon them.