Chapter Summaries

The Soul King explained that he had arranged for Yhwach to inherit his power and become the Linchpin of the Three Worlds, while hoping Liu Hao would instead accept the role and create a fairer system. Liu Hao refused, left the Soul King to resume his sleep, and remained uncertain about the Soul King's prediction that he would follow the path of an Emperor.

• The Soul King told Liu Hao that his fading consciousness had led him to plan for Yhwach to devour him, inherit his power, and maintain the Three Worlds.
• Liu Hao questioned how the plan would endure and who would succeed Yhwach, and the Soul King said his will would merge with Yhwach and that Yhwach would eventually seek a successor.
• The Soul King urged Liu Hao to become Soul King and build a system that did not depend on a single powerful being, but Liu Hao asked why the Soul King could not change the world himself.
• The Soul King explained that maintaining the Three Worlds consumed nearly all his energy and that Hell might spiral out of control, while Liu Hao suggested Ichigo Kurosaki's son might address the problem.
• Liu Hao declined the offer and left the hall as the Soul King returned to sleep, believing Liu Hao would eventually follow the path of an Emperor.
• Outside the hall, Liu Hao dismissed the prediction with a faint smile and wondered aloud what the future would bring.

Liu Hao left the Soul King Palace and returned to Soul Society, where he discussed plans to reach the Wandenreich with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. He then offered to visit the World of the Living to find Ryūken Ishida, while Unohana teased him about leaving the Fourth Division.

• Liu Hao suggested that Kirio Hikifune use Reiatsu-infused tools to cook without changing her figure, then said he wanted to return to Soul Society and find the enemy hideout.
• Ichibē Hyōsube told Liu Hao that the Soul King had allowed him to leave whenever he wanted and arranged his return.
• Two days later, Liu Hao said goodbye to Ichigo Kurosaki and the others before descending in the Tenchūren.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told Liu Hao that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had identified the problem with the shadows but had not found a way into the Wandenreich.
• Liu Hao proposed going to the World of the Living to ask Ryūken Ishida about infiltrating the Wandenreich, and Unohana teased him as he chased after her.