Chapter Summaries

After the match, Kaien Shiba concealed what he knew about Isshin’s disappearance while Tōshirō Hitsugaya accepted his defeat and vowed to grow stronger. Liu Hao evaded Sōsuke Aizen’s scrutiny and decided to master Reishi control before beginning Bankai training, aiming to escape Kyōka Suigetsu’s influence.

• Jūshirō Ukitake questioned Kaien Shiba about Isshin Shiba’s disappearance, but Kaien hid the truth and said he would investigate when he was stronger.
• Shunsui Kyōraku suggested that Isshin’s disappearance was likely his own decision, giving Kaien a plausible explanation to share.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya told Rangiku Matsumoto that Liu Hao had controlled their fight and vowed to surpass him and bring Captain Shiba back.
• Unohana searched the Fourth Division training grounds for the hidden observer but found no trace and suspected Aizen had left.
• Sōsuke Aizen watched Liu Hao recover, then left after judging him not yet capable of Bankai; Liu Hao learned from Imperial Princess that Aizen had followed him and planned to master Reishi control to resist Kyōka Suigetsu.

After rumors exaggerated Liu Hao’s sparring victory over Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Unohana warned him that someone was using the story to undermine Hitsugaya and put Liu Hao under scrutiny. Liu Hao attended the emergency captains’ meeting as the debate over Hitsugaya’s position began, while Chōjirō Sasakibe suspected Liu Hao was hiding captain-level strength and planned to report his suspicions.

• Liu Hao learned from Unohana that rumors of his victory over Tōshirō Hitsugaya had spread through Seireitei and were being used to question Hitsugaya’s fitness as captain.
• Unohana told Liu Hao that an emergency captains’ meeting would discuss Hitsugaya’s position, and Liu Hao went with her to the First Division Barracks.
• In the vice-captains’ lounge, Liu Hao denied trying to become captain and downplayed his spar with Hitsugaya; Yachiru Kusajishi mentioned that Kenpachi Zaraki wanted to fight him.
• Liu Hao told Renji Abarai that Hitsugaya had held back, but Chōjirō Sasakibe sensed that Liu Hao’s Reiatsu was far stronger than he let on and decided to inform Yamamoto.
• At the captains’ meeting, Gin Ichimaru questioned Hitsugaya’s qualifications, while Sōsuke Aizen argued that one spar could not determine a captain’s fitness.

The captains debated whether Liu Hao should replace Tōshirō Hitsugaya, then summoned Liu Hao to hear his position. Liu Hao rejected the idea of becoming captain, and after the meeting ended, Kenpachi Zaraki and Gin Ichimaru approached him while Hitsugaya warned him to keep Rangiku out of danger.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and the captains debated Hitsugaya’s fitness to lead the Tenth Division, while Retsu Unohana said Liu Hao’s performance in their spar did not prove he was stronger.
• Yamamoto summoned Liu Hao, who said the rumors should be stopped and explained that Hitsugaya had held back and that Liu Hao lacked Bankai and knowledge of the Tenth Division.
• Yamamoto confirmed that Liu Hao would not challenge Hitsugaya’s position and ordered the captains to stop the rumors.
• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Liu Hao to a future fight, while Gin Ichimaru praised his potential and offered the Third Division’s help with Medical Guard Team training.
• Liu Hao admitted he had mentioned Rangiku to deflect attention, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya warned him not to put her in danger.

Liu Hao told Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto that Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen had orchestrated Isshin Shiba’s disappearance through an experiment involving the Hollow White. He used his Zanpakuto to show Yamamoto the events, ending with White’s power entering Masaki Kurosaki after its defeat.

• After the captains left, Liu Hao hinted that someone was concealed in the meeting room, and Retsu Unohana and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto searched for the hidden presence with their Reiatsu, but found nothing.
• Unohana took Liu Hao and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to a private training ground, where Liu Hao explained that Isshin Shiba had lost his Soul Reaper powers while saving a Quincy in the World of the Living.
• Liu Hao accused Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen of ambushing Isshin and described Aizen’s experiment with White, whose power transferred into Masaki Kurosaki after its defeat.
• After Liu Hao accidentally mentioned the future, he invoked his Imperial Sword’s space-time ability and transported the group into a starry void.
• Liu Hao showed Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto a vision of Aizen attacking Isshin during his fight with White, Masaki joining the battle, and White’s power entering her soul when it self-destructed.

Liu Hao showed Yamamoto, Unohana, and Sasakibe visions revealing Aizen’s role in the Hollowfication conspiracy and explained how Kyōka Suigetsu gave him a perfect alibi. He disclosed that his Zanpakuto could glimpse the future and warned that Yhwach had broken his seal, leaving Yamamoto to suspect Yhwach was hiding in Soul Society.

• Liu Hao showed Yamamoto the events surrounding Masaki Kurosaki, Isshin Shiba, and Ichigo Kurosaki, and explained that the images were incomplete fragments glimpsed through time.
• Liu Hao revealed how Aizen orchestrated the Hollowfication of Shinji Hirako, Hiyori Sarugaki, Kensei Muguruma, Mashiro Kuna, and others, then framed Kisuke Urahara and his allies.
• Liu Hao explained that Kyōka Suigetsu used permanent Complete Hypnosis, allowing Aizen to deceive the captains and create an alibi during the trial.
• Yamamoto asked how Liu Hao knew the future, and Liu Hao revealed that the Imperial Sword wielded power over time and space.
• Liu Hao said Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, and Aizen would later save the Three Worlds from Yhwach, and explained that Yhwach’s Auswählen caused Masaki’s death.
• Yamamoto concluded that Yhwach had already broken his seal and was likely hiding somewhere in Soul Society.

Liu Hao revealed the Quincy war’s future and the ancient truth behind the Soul King and the creation of the Three Worlds, then urged Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to prepare for coming crises. The chapter ended with Liu Hao explaining how the founders of the Five Great Noble Clans mutilated and sealed the Soul King to make him a controllable linchpin.

• Liu Hao showed Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and the others how the Quincy would invade Hueco Mundo and the Seireitei, steal Bankai, and kill the Captain-Commander.
• Liu Hao explained that Yhwach would later attack the Soul King Palace, devour the Soul King, and be defeated by Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, and Aizen.
• Liu Hao said he had revealed the future because he wanted to save lives and preserve Soul Society’s strength, and Retsu Unohana supported his credibility with examples of information he had known.
• Liu Hao urged the Soul Reapers to save Gin Ichimaru during Aizen’s rebellion and deal with the Tsunayashiro Clan after the crisis.
• Liu Hao recounted how the founders of the Five Great Noble Clans separated the Three Worlds using the Soul King’s power and how the Tsunayashiro founder helped seal and mutilate him.

Liu Hao explained Yhwach’s origins, weaknesses, and the future allies and events that could help defeat him, then urged Yamamoto to prepare by protecting the Ishida family and attacking the Wandenreich. Yamamoto reserved judgment, while Liu Hao and Unohana discussed whether the Soul Reapers should unite with others to face the coming war.

• Liu Hao told Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto that Yhwach had once sought to return the worlds to chaos and that Yamamoto had only defeated him a thousand years earlier because Ichibē Hyōsube sealed The Almighty.
• Liu Hao explained that Yhwach’s power could be countered with Still Silver mixed with the blood of the person who performed Auswählen, and that Ryūken Ishida had made the arrow Uryū Ishida used against him.
• Liu Hao described how Mayuri Kurotsuchi caused Sōken Ishida’s death and advised Yamamoto to save Masaki Kurosaki and Kanae Katagiri, protect Sōken, and later attack the Wandenreich.
• Yamamoto said he needed time to consider Liu Hao’s proposals and asked whether Liu Hao had learned Bankai; Liu Hao said he had not, then left with Retsu Unohana.
• On their way back to the Fourth Division, Liu Hao argued that Soul Reapers should join with other groups to protect the Three Worlds, and Unohana acknowledged his point while saying change would take time.

Liu Hao began Bankai training by returning the Imperial Sword to its newly revealed sheath and facing the Trial of the Starry Sky, an eighty-one-step path to an imperial throne. On the first section, memories of his former life tested his resolve, and he finally climbed to the second section after accepting that he could cherish the past without letting it block his future.

• Unohana and Liu Hao discussed the Captain-Commander's reluctance to involve others and Liu Hao's wish to save Masaki Kurosaki and Katagiri Hae; Unohana offered to help if necessary.
• Liu Hao summoned Imperial Princess and began Bankai training, saying he could now break Kyōka Suigetsu's Complete Hypnosis.
• Imperial Princess revealed the Imperial Sword's ancient dark-gold sheath, and Liu Hao sent the sword into it, causing an imposing throne to appear.
• Imperial Princess began the Trial of the Starry Sky, creating an eighty-one-step imperial path through a vast starry expanse.
• On the first section, Liu Hao repeatedly relived memories of his previous life and struggled with his longing for home, while Imperial Princess watched without intervening.
• Liu Hao accepted that his memories could not hold him back, overcame the invisible barrier, and stepped onto the first stair of the second section.

Liu Hao was trapped in a dream of his former ordinary life, where he met Wang Ji and gradually recovered his memories of Imperial Princess. After recognizing the dream and choosing to wake, he returned to the third flight of the Bankai trial stairs, ready to continue.

• Liu Hao experienced an increasingly unreal version of his old life and met Wang Ji, whose face and presence felt familiar to him.
• After Liu Hao forgot Wang Ji, Zhang Tao sent him her number, and a Bleach update triggered his memories of Imperial Princess.
• Liu Hao called Imperial Princess, who told him she could not choose his future path for him.
• Liu Hao realized he had woven the dream from his memories and longing, then chose to wake up.
• The dream dissolved, and Liu Hao found himself on the first step of the third flight, facing the remaining trial.

Liu Hao endured a looping illusion of the Bleach story, where Ichigo Kurosaki helped him recognize his attachment to the world and choose to forge his own path. Liu Hao shattered the illusion and reached the fourth flight of stairs, with his Reiatsu diminished but more condensed.

• Liu Hao entered the third trial and watched the events of Bleach repeat across the river of time, unable to intervene.
• Liu Hao discovered that the characters sensed him, and Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki revealed that they knew they were trapped in a loop.
• Liu Hao and Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki watched together, noticing that the loop changed in response to Liu Hao and that the characters gradually awakened.
• Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki told Liu Hao that the illusion reflected his thoughts and that he had not fully accepted himself as a person of this world.
• Liu Hao formed a sword from Reiatsu, shattered the illusion, and leaped through a crack into reality.
• Liu Hao arrived at the fourth flight of stairs, where the Imperial Princess watched him with approval.

Liu Hao faced a trial that forced him to confront a bold, unrestrained version of himself and accept the desires and courage he had suppressed. After integrating with that other self, he passed the fourth flight of stairs and prepared to continue toward the throne.

• Liu Hao entered a vision of Rukongai where his younger self challenged him to recognize how fear of rejection had kept him from fully belonging.
• Liu Hao watched the alternate self make different choices, confront Aizen at Sōkyoku Hill, and battle him after breaking Kyōka Suigetsu’s control.
• Gin Ichimaru and the alternate Liu Hao turned on Liu Hao, and Aizen revealed that the vision’s world could not contain two versions of him.
• Liu Hao realized the alternate self embodied his suppressed desires and responsibilities, then accepted him instead of fighting him.
• The alternate self merged into Liu Hao, the vision collapsed, and Liu Hao passed the fourth flight of stairs before facing the fifth.

Liu Hao confronted a shadow of himself in the fifth trial and admitted that his desire for strength was tied to grief over lost companions and an urge to perfect the past. He emerged before the sixth flight of stairs, uncertain whether he had truly let go of his regrets, but continued onward.

• Liu Hao spoke with his shadow about his homesickness, his regrets, and his hope of returning to his original world.
• The shadow challenged Liu Hao over how he would handle Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi, forcing him to consider whether preventing their fate would impose regrets on others.
• Liu Hao admitted he wanted to use his Zanpakuto's time-control ability to save Ogawa, Ishida, Sanae, Kaien Shiba, and Shiba Miyako, and confessed that he wondered whether acting sooner could have saved them.
• The shadow pointed out that Liu Hao's attempts to save people and shape a perfect future kept him from accepting that nothing could be perfect.
• Liu Hao reached the sixth flight of stairs and noticed what might have been disappointment in the Imperial Princess's eyes before preparing to continue.

During the sixth section of the Imperial Path, Liu Hao fought a red-haired version of himself and learned that they were two sides of the same whole. After the red-haired Liu Hao prepared a weapon-filled finishing attack, Liu Hao unleashed Imperial Sword: Aurora and swung a powerful horizontal slash.

• Liu Hao entered a gray, empty space and faced a red-haired double who challenged him to a duel.
• The red-haired Liu Hao attacked with a blood-red Imperial Sword, while Liu Hao defended with his seven-colored sword and suffered a cut to his chest.
• The red-haired Liu Hao revealed that he had emerged when Liu Hao’s first companion died and had secretly used their power to fight the Hollow and heal their body.
• The red-haired Liu Hao accused Liu Hao of using his dream of returning to his homeland as an excuse to avoid accepting reality, and explained that the earlier trials were meant to restore Liu Hao’s true heart or let him replace him.
• The red-haired Liu Hao summoned thousands of weapons to encircle Liu Hao, but Liu Hao revealed that he had also been gathering strength.
• Liu Hao’s Reiatsu surged as he concentrated seven-colored light into a white blade, named the technique Imperial Sword: Aurora, and swung a horizontal slash.

Liu Hao fought his red-haired counterpart through a brutal battle that ended with the counterpart disintegrating and the trial space dissolving. On the seventh flight, Liu Hao rejected the familiar power systems and chose the unknown ancient power, awakening a new strength as he reached the eighth flight.

• Red-haired Liu Hao concentrated the weapons’ power into his Imperial Sword, broke Liu Hao’s blade, and inflicted a severe wound before Liu Hao healed and restored his weapon.
• Liu Hao trapped red-haired Liu Hao with a blood sword and detonated it, injuring them both so their remaining power was more evenly matched.
• After a prolonged final clash, both fighters suffered devastating wounds, but red-haired Liu Hao stood while Liu Hao remained kneeling; red-haired Liu Hao then disintegrated, ending the trial.
• Liu Hao reached the seventh flight and saw images of Soul Reaper, Quincy, Hollow, Fullbringer, Soul King, and unknown powers, then chose the image of the ancient emperor-like figure.
• Liu Hao awakened an entirely new power as he passed through the image and arrived at the eighth flight, where the Imperial Princess watched with anticipation.

Liu Hao confronted memories and possible futures that revealed how fear had shaped his choices, then accepted his fear and found the courage to keep moving forward. He passed the eighth flight of the Imperial Path and stood before its final trial.

• Liu Hao watched scenes of his past fear, including his avoidance of Sōsuke Aizen, and a possible future in which he fought Aizen and later sealed Yhwach.
• Liu Hao questioned his red-haired inner demon, who argued that Liu Hao was still afraid and urged him to let the demon complete the trial.
• Liu Hao meditated on his past, accepted his fear and weaknesses, and recognized his courage in continuing despite them.
• The starry trial faded, and Liu Hao reached the ninth and final flight of the Imperial Path as the Imperial Princess watched with an approving smile.

Liu Hao learned that he could not achieve Bankai through an Asauchi and had to understand the ability behind his Shikai, Imperial Sword. By forming an Imperial Heart and accepting every part of himself, he climbed the Imperial Path and sat upon the throne, setting off a deep resonance.

• Liu Hao struggled against the pressure on the Imperial Path until the Imperial Princess explained that an Asauchi could not contain his power and that he had to understand its essence himself.
• After the Imperial Princess pointed him toward his Shikai, Imperial Sword, Liu Hao realized Bankai had to grow from Shikai's ability.
• Liu Hao understood that his power required an Imperial Heart: a state of mind combining the authority to rule with the benevolence to protect.
• Liu Hao adapted to the pressure and climbed the remaining steps, reaching the throne beside the Imperial Princess.
• Liu Hao accepted the red-haired part of himself as part of who he was, then sat on the throne and caused the star chart, Imperial Sword, and his power to resonate.

After completing his Bankai training, Liu Hao revealed a new imperial majesty and the ability to suppress his Reiatsu completely. Unohana asked him to investigate Kaien Shiba’s prolonged absence in the World of the Living, and Liu Hao prepared to go despite Aizen’s surveillance.

• Unohana and Isane Kotetsu visited Liu Hao’s hidden training ground until Imperial Princess told them he was training to master Bankai.
• Liu Hao’s Spatial Barrier revealed him seated on the Imperial Throne, radiating an unfamiliar majesty that Unohana recognized as something beyond Reiatsu.
• Liu Hao explained that he could perfectly suppress his Reiatsu and demonstrated power that Unohana judged might rival her own.
• Unohana told Liu Hao that Kaien Shiba had been missing in the World of the Living, and she asked him to check on Kaien and contact Urahara, Shiba, and the Visored.
• Liu Hao said Kyōka Suigetsu could no longer affect him, though he might hide in the World of the Living if Aizen trapped him; Unohana agreed to inform the Captain-Commander.
• Liu Hao decided to prepare for the mission and went back to his quarters to rest before leaving.

Liu Hao arrived in the World of the Living, defeated one of Aizen’s experimental Hollows, and learned that Aizen’s group had noticed his new strength. He met Masaki Kurosaki and reunited with Isshin Shiba at the Kurosaki Clinic, where they prepared to talk.

• Liu Hao escaped the pursuing Kōtotsu in the Dangai and entered the World of the Living.
• Liu Hao rescued Kobayashi Kenichi from a strange Hollow, destroyed it, and repelled the malicious will it tried to transfer into his soul.
• Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen watched the battle and discussed Liu Hao’s strength and the Hollow experiment.
• Liu Hao asked Kobayashi Kenichi to pass a message to Kaien Shiba, then encountered Masaki Kurosaki, who offered to take him to Isshin Shiba.
• Masaki Kurosaki and Liu Hao reached the Kurosaki Clinic, where Isshin Shiba recognized Liu Hao and invited him inside.

Liu Hao visited Isshin Shiba and Masaki Kurosaki in Karakura Town, gave them hidden safeguards, and asked for help contacting Kisuke Urahara and the Ishida family. He left for Urahara’s address, intent on gathering allies and preventing future tragedies.

• Isshin Shiba questioned Liu Hao about his visit, and Liu Hao explained that he had come to check on Isshin and Masaki after saving Kaien and his wife from one of Aizen’s experiments.
• Liu Hao asked for Kisuke Urahara’s address and said he wanted to meet the Visored and unite forces against Aizen; he also revealed that a weaker Hollow had tried to transfer itself into his soul.
• Liu Hao placed hidden protective runes inside Masaki Kurosaki and Isshin Shiba, explaining that they could absorb Reishi and activate to heal or fight when their lives were in danger.
• Isshin Shiba gave Liu Hao Urahara’s address and his contact number, while Masaki agreed to help him get in touch with Ryūken Ishida or Sōken Ishida.
• Liu Hao warned Isshin and Masaki to keep the safeguards secret and trust their instincts if the power inside them grew hot, then left to visit Kisuke Urahara.

Liu Hao visited Kisuke Urahara’s shop, asked him to prepare a Gigai, and warned him about the future threats posed by Aizen and Yhwach. Urahara agreed to investigate the Quincy and the Ishida Family, while Liu Hao left to return to Isshin Shiba’s clinic.

• Liu Hao entered Urahara Shop, identified Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Tessai Tsukabishi, and explained that Isshin Shiba had given him the address.
• Liu Hao asked Urahara for a Gigai and warned him that Yhwach would use Auswählen, urging him to gather Still Silver and save Masaki Kurosaki and the Ishida Family.
• Liu Hao revealed what he knew about Aizen, the Hōgyoku, and future events involving Captain Shiba’s child, then explained that Still Silver could briefly strip Yhwach of his power.
• Urahara agreed to watch the Quincy and prepare Liu Hao’s Gigai, while Liu Hao asked him to tell Kaien to return to Isshin Shiba’s place.
• After Liu Hao left, Urahara ordered Tessai to prepare a high-quality Gigai and gather information about the Quincy, especially the Ishida Family.
• Liu Hao headed back to Isshin Shiba’s clinic, planning to collect the Gigai, contact the Ishida Family, and return to Soul Society.