Chapter Summaries

Liu Hao escaped Byakuya Kuchiki and reached Kisuke Urahara's training base, where he urged Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai to prepare for Rukia's rescue. After setting a four-day deadline for them to achieve Bankai, he searched for Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue and found them facing Mayuri Kurotsuchi, poised to intervene.

• Liu Hao fought Byakuya Kuchiki until Jūshirō Ukitake arrived, then escaped through a spatial vortex while Kaien Shiba took Ganju Shiba and Hanatarō Yamada away.
• At Kisuke Urahara's training base, Renji Abarai confronted Liu Hao about why he had kept his plans secret, and Liu Hao said he had been framed and needed to expose the culprit when the time was right.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, and the others they had four days to achieve Bankai if they wanted to save Rukia, then instructed Yoruichi Shihōin not to go easy on them.
• Liu Hao found Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue near a warehouse as Mayuri Kurotsuchi detonated a man who had approached them, testing Uryū's defenses.
• Uryū Ishida shielded Orihime Inoue from the explosion, and Liu Hao watched from the shadows with his hand on the Imperial Sword, ready to act.

Uryū Ishida fought Mayuri Kurotsuchi and survived after Liu Hao intervened, warning him not to remove his Quincy glove. Liu Hao brought Uryū to safety in the Fourth Division Barracks, then set out to investigate Rukia’s execution as he sensed Captain Hitsugaya nearby.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi detonated his squad members, and Orihime Inoue protected herself and Uryū Ishida with Santen Kesshun.
• Uryū helped Orihime escape with an 11th Division member, but Mayuri wounded Uryū and Nemu Kurotsuchi, then revealed that Ashisogi Jizō paralyzed its victims while leaving them able to feel pain.
• Uryū used Ransōtengai to move despite his injuries and resumed fighting Mayuri, who became interested in keeping him and Orihime as research subjects.
• Liu Hao stopped Uryū from removing his Quincy glove and persuaded Mayuri to end the fight, warning him that his dream might be cut short.
• Liu Hao took Uryū to a secret room in the Fourth Division Barracks, where Yasutora Sado was being held, and told Uryū that the Seireitei was about to change.
• Liu Hao searched the Seireitei for information about Rukia’s execution date, sensed Captain Hitsugaya, and headed toward him.

Liu Hao intervened when Momo Hinamori attacked Tōshirō Hitsugaya over a letter accusing them of killing Captain Aizen, then promised to show her the truth. He helped her escape the Tenth Division’s quarters with a Doll substitute and brought her to an abandoned training base.

• Momo Hinamori attacked Tōshirō Hitsugaya after reading Captain Aizen’s letter, but Liu Hao caught her when she was knocked off balance.
• Liu Hao calmed Momo Hinamori, while Gin Ichimaru and Izuru Kira left after Gin sensed others approaching.
• Rangiku Matsumoto arrived, and Liu Hao told Momo Hinamori he would reveal the truth but urged her to return with Tōshirō Hitsugaya first.
• That night, Liu Hao visited Momo Hinamori, created a Doll substitute to take her place, and led her out of the Tenth Division’s quarters.
• Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori avoided patrols and reached a secluded, abandoned training base.

Renji fought Zabimaru to master his Bankai and overcome the Hollow power threatening to seize his soul. After defeating Zabimaru and recovering in a healing hot spring, Renji and Liu Hao prepared to save Rukia before her execution at noon the next day.

• Liu Hao told Renji that Rukia's execution had been moved to noon the next day, driving Renji to renew his fight with Zabimaru.
• Liu Hao explained to Momo Hinamori that someone had injected a Hollow's soul into Renji and that Zabimaru's mask showed its Hollowfication.
• Renji unleashed Fang of the Baboon King: Absolutetooth, defeated Zabimaru, and restored their bond as partners.
• Liu Hao caught the exhausted Renji and took him to a healing hot spring, where Renji fell asleep.
• Liu Hao told Momo that they would gather information before setting out to save Rukia.

Liu Hao pushed Ichigo Kurosaki to stop relying on Zangetsu and fight as his partner, sparking a renewed Bankai training session before Rukia’s execution. Meanwhile, Liu Hao concealed himself and Momo Hinamori as they followed Tōshirō Hitsugaya toward a revelation about Captain Aizen’s death.

• Liu Hao explained to Momo Hinamori that Bankai required a wielder to understand and trust their Zanpakuto without depending on it.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki that Rukia’s execution had been moved to noon the next day and challenged him to take control of his own power; Ichigo’s resolve awakened a new Reishi blade and Zangetsu began training him in earnest.
• Liu Hao concealed himself and Momo Hinamori, and they followed Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto out of the Tenth Division barracks alongside the Substitute Doll.
• After recovering, Renji Abarai left for Sōkyoku while Yoruichi Shihōin assured him that Ichigo Kurosaki could reach Bankai in time.
• Ichigo Kurosaki and Zangetsu began their final battle as Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori continued following Tōshirō Hitsugaya, waiting for the truth about Captain Aizen’s death.

Renji Abarai fought Byakuya Kuchiki to prove his resolve to save Rukia, unleashing Bankai and Hollow power but ultimately losing. Byakuya left Renji unconscious with his captain’s feather as Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu rushed to treat him, while Rukia’s execution was about to begin.

• Renji told Byakuya that he intended to save Rukia and challenged him to a fight.
• Renji revealed his Bankai, Baboon King Zabimaru, and attacked Byakuya, who countered with Senbonzakura and Kidō.
• Byakuya’s Bankai overwhelmed Renji’s Bankai, so Renji fully activated his Hollow mask and fought with Cero and Baboon King: Absolutetooth.
• Byakuya shattered Renji’s Bankai and defeated him, leaving him unable to stand or continue fighting.
• Renji declared that he had sworn an oath to his own soul before collapsing unconscious, and Byakuya placed his captain’s feather on his chest.
• Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu hurried toward Renji as Rukia’s execution platform came into view.

Liu Hao guided Momo Hinamori toward the truth behind Rukia Kuchiki’s execution as Tōshirō Hitsugaya discovered the Central 46 had been dead for a month. At Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo Kurosaki rescued Rukia and defeated Byakuya Kuchiki, while the others hid and waited for the mastermind to appear; Momo followed Gin Ichimaru toward the person she most wanted to see.

• Liu Hao sensed Renji Abarai near death but learned Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu were rushing to treat him, then continued with Momo Hinamori.
• When the Sōkyoku was released, Liu Hao and Momo followed Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto to the Central 46, where Hitsugaya found all forty-six members had been dead for at least a month.
• Izuru Kira led Hitsugaya and Rangiku away, while Gin Ichimaru took Momo Hinamori’s Doll and invited it to see the person Momo most wanted to meet; Liu Hao and Momo followed.
• Ichigo Kurosaki blocked Kōkō Ō, and Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku destroyed it, allowing Ichigo to rescue Rukia Kuchiki as Renji Abarai caught her.
• Ichigo defeated Byakuya Kuchiki, who agreed not to pursue Rukia; Kaien Shiba then told Byakuya that a mastermind was about to target her and linked the danger to the old Hollowfication Experiment.
• Byakuya and the others concealed themselves on Sōkyoku Hill to await the mastermind, while Momo Hinamori continued following Gin Ichimaru.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto revealed to Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku that Rukia Kuchiki’s execution was part of a staged response to a hidden mastermind. Meanwhile, Liu Hao showed Momo Hinamori that Sōsuke Aizen had betrayed her, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya confronted Aizen and released his Bankai.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku that he was staging a confrontation to avoid casualties while waiting for the mastermind behind Rukia Kuchiki’s case.
• Retsu Unohana treated the injured Renji Abarai, then left the Fourth Division Barracks with Isane Kotetsu.
• Yoruichi Shihōin restrained Soi Fon and asked for her help, prompting Soi Fon to set aside her attack and demand an explanation.
• Liu Hao brought Momo Hinamori to watch Sōsuke Aizen stab a Doll resembling her, then revealed Aizen’s betrayal as Tōshirō Hitsugaya arrived.
• Aizen admitted he had manipulated Momo Hinamori, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya drew Hyōrinmaru and unleashed Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.

Sōsuke Aizen revealed that Kyōka Suigetsu controlled all five senses and defeated Tōshirō Hitsugaya, but Unohana confronted him and treated Hitsugaya while Aizen and Gin Ichimaru left. Liu Hao took Momo Hinamori to Sōkyoku Hill, and Unohana explained that Aizen sought the Hōgyoku hidden inside Rukia Kuchiki and that Liu Hao and Kisuke Urahara had plans to stop him from reaching the Soul King Palace.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya attacked Aizen with Bankai, but Kyōka Suigetsu made him strike an illusion and suffer a deep wound.
• Unohana arrived with Isane Kotetsu and explained that Aizen’s Zanpakuto used Complete Hypnosis, revealing that those who had seen its release were captive to it.
• Aizen confirmed that Liu Hao had learned his secret, then left with Gin Ichimaru after Unohana challenged him and began treating Hitsugaya.
• Liu Hao emerged with Momo Hinamori and took her through a spatial rift to Sōkyoku Hill so she could learn Aizen’s true intentions.
• Unohana told Isane that Aizen wanted the Hōgyoku hidden inside Rukia Kuchiki to create the Oken, but Liu Hao and Kisuke Urahara had other plans.
• Unohana finished stabilizing Hitsugaya, then took Isane to Sōkyoku Hill to see how events unfolded.

Sōsuke Aizen appeared at Sōkyoku Hill, wounded Renji Abarai, and defeated Renji and Ichigo Kurosaki before taking Rukia Kuchiki. He revealed that he had orchestrated the invasion, while Liu Hao waited with Momo Hinamori for more powerful fighters to arrive.

• Sōsuke Aizen and Gin Ichimaru appeared on Sōkyoku Hill, and Aizen wounded Renji Abarai when Renji refused to surrender Rukia Kuchiki.
• Ichigo Kurosaki arrived and blocked Aizen’s attack, while Byakuya Kuchiki and Kaien Shiba watched from the shadows with Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori.
• Renji Abarai and Ichigo Kurosaki attacked Aizen together, but Aizen shattered Zabimaru, stopped Tensa Zangetsu with one finger, and struck both fighters down.
• Aizen seized Rukia Kuchiki and told Ichigo Kurosaki that he had anticipated and arranged the invasion to draw Soul Society’s attention.
• Liu Hao told Kaien Shiba to wait as powerful Reiatsu approached, while Aizen remained unaware that another director was shaping the confrontation.

Aizen revealed why he had targeted Rukia and extracted the Hōgyoku from her soul, while defeating Sajin Komamura with Kyōka Suigetsu and Kidō. Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori confronted him, and Liu Hao hinted that Aizen’s own Hōgyoku was incomplete before offering him two pieces of news.

• Aizen explained that he sought to break the limits between Soul Reapers and Hollows, and that Kisuke Urahara had hidden the Hōgyoku inside Rukia.
• Sajin Komamura attacked Aizen, but Aizen used Kyōka Suigetsu and Black Coffin to defeat him.
• Aizen described how he had eliminated Central 46, manipulated Soul Society, and searched for a way to extract the Hōgyoku from Rukia.
• Aizen used a device to remove the Hōgyoku from Rukia’s soul while Byakuya Kuchiki waited in hiding with Liu Hao’s reassurance that she would survive.
• Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori emerged from the shadows, and Liu Hao told Aizen that the Hōgyoku he and Kisuke Urahara had made were both incomplete.
• Liu Hao offered Aizen one good piece of news and one bad piece of news, asking which he wanted to hear first.

Liu Hao revealed that Aizen had taken a fake Hōgyoku while the real one was in Momo Hinamori, then had the Imperial Princess remove it from the world and sealed Aizen’s Zanpakuto with a Hollow. The Captains arrived and surrounded Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen as Liu Hao admitted he could not afford to kill Aizen.

• Liu Hao removed the real Hōgyoku from Momo Hinamori and revealed that Aizen had taken a fake made by Kisuke.
• The fake’s fragments fused into Aizen and sealed Kyōka Suigetsu, while the Imperial Princess took the real Hōgyoku away at Liu Hao’s command.
• Liu Hao told Aizen that he had acted against him because of the Hollowfication Experiment on Renji Abarai, and Aizen surmised that Liu Hao could not afford to kill him.
• Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai and the other Captains arrived and formed a circle around Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen.

Aizen escaped Soul Society with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, while Liu Hao revealed that he had kept the Hōgyoku and explained why he had waited for Aizen to expose himself. As the wounded were treated and the Captains withdrew, Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki that the truth would be discussed at a Captains' Meeting.

• Liu Hao cut Aizen six times with the Imperial Sword and warned him not to target those close to him again.
• Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen escaped through a rift carried by a Gillian, and Liu Hao revealed that he had kept the Hōgyoku.
• Liu Hao defended his silence to Sajin Komamura and Uryū Ishida, then told Ichigo Kurosaki that Aizen had guided Rukia's transfer of power and wanted to see how Ichigo's abilities developed.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ordered the Captains to attend a meeting after the wounded received treatment, and Liu Hao helped stabilize Renji Abarai and Sajin Komamura.
• Liu Hao explained to Ichigo Kurosaki that he had waited because exposing Aizen earlier could have led to the Gotei 13 being deceived or destroyed, and Uryū Ishida said Liu Hao had carried the burden alone.

Liu Hao briefed the Gotei 13 captains on Aizen’s plan to reach the Soul King Palace and the dangers of the coming war. The meeting ended with plans to prepare for Aizen, contact the Visored, and consider the Gotei 13 taking over Central 46.

• Yamamoto-Genryūsai summoned Liu Hao to explain Aizen’s objective, and Liu Hao said Aizen intended to merge with the Hōgyoku and create the Oken using Karakura Town.
• Liu Hao described plans to evacuate Karakura Town’s residents and replace the town, and warned that Aizen’s Arrancar army and eventual immortality made victory uncertain.
• Liu Hao explained how his Zanpakuto let him resist Kyōka Suigetsu and said Yamamoto-Genryūsai and Ichigo Kurosaki might be able to defeat Aizen before he was sealed.
• Yamamoto-Genryūsai ordered the captains to strengthen the Gotei 13, and Liu Hao urged them to contact the Visored and enlist their aid.
• Liu Hao proposed that the Gotei 13 temporarily take over Central 46 so the institution would not obstruct the war effort.

Liu Hao argued that Soul Society’s noble system should be reformed, proposing commoner and Gotei 13 representation in Central 46 as he discussed governance with Unohana. Before returning to the World of the Living to train Ichigo Kurosaki and prepare for Aizen’s plans, Liu Hao left Unohana considering both his political ideas and her scarred past.

• Liu Hao criticized the noble system before the captains, and Byakuya Kuchiki challenged him but eventually released his grip on his sword without drawing it.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ended the debate, ordered the Gotei 13 to take over Central 46 temporarily, and sent Liu Hao back to the World of the Living with the ryoka.
• Liu Hao told Unohana he wanted commoner and Gotei 13 representatives in Central 46 and rotating seats, then described how elections and popular uprisings had shaped governance in his world.
• Liu Hao and Unohana discussed his return to train Ichigo Kurosaki and their plans to support the fight against Aizen in Hueco Mundo and the World of the Living.
• Liu Hao complimented Unohana’s pink kimono and asked about removing the scar below her neck; she said she had not decided, and he left her reflecting on his words.

Liu Hao accompanied Ichigo Kurosaki and the others back to the World of the Living, warning Jūshirō Ukitake about the Tsunayashiro Clan’s role in Kūgo Ginjō’s betrayal. After they escaped the Kōtotsu in the Dangai, they arrived at the Urahara Shop, where Ichigo confronted Kisuke Urahara before the group went inside to talk.

• Liu Hao asked Jūshirō Ukitake to authorize Limiter Release for reinforcements and revealed that the Tsunayashiro Clan had framed Ukitake and driven Kūgo Ginjō to betray Soul Society.
• Jūshirō Ukitake gave Ichigo Kurosaki a Substitute Soul Reaper Combat License, and Liu Hao warned Ukitake about Tsunayashiro Tokinada and the clan’s ancestral divine artifact.
• Liu Hao led Ichigo Kurosaki and the others through the Senkaimon, then opened a space passage to help them escape the Kōtotsu in the Dangai.
• The group arrived outside the Urahara Shop, where Ichigo Kurosaki demanded that Kisuke Urahara explain what he had done and struck him with an elbow after accepting his apology.
• Kisuke Urahara invited Liu Hao, Ichigo Kurosaki, and the others inside the shop to talk.

Liu Hao urged Ichigo Kurosaki to understand the Hollow power inside him, then met Shinji Hirako and offered the Visored help in taking revenge on Aizen. Ichigo declined to join them outright but agreed to seek their help mastering his power, while Shinji returned to the Visored base to discuss Liu Hao’s proposal.

• Liu Hao questioned Ichigo Kurosaki about the Hollow inside him and urged him to understand where his power came from instead of trying to get rid of it.
• Liu Hao told Isshin Kurosaki that the Hollow had merged with Ichigo Kurosaki’s Soul Reaper Powers, then left to meet the Visored when he sensed their Reiatsu.
• Shinji Hirako approached Ichigo Kurosaki at an abandoned factory, demonstrated his Hollow mask, and found Liu Hao waiting nearby.
• Liu Hao revealed that he knew about Shinji Hirako’s Hollowfication and offered to help the Visored take revenge on Aizen.
• Liu Hao left Ichigo Kurosaki with Shinji Hirako to learn to control his power, but Ichigo refused to join the Visored outright.
• Shinji Hirako returned to the Visored base and told his companions that Liu Hao wanted to discuss revenge on Aizen.

Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Llargo arrived in Karakura Town to test Ichigo Kurosaki, but Liu Hao overwhelmed Yammy and forced the Arrancar to retreat. Ichigo was left shaken by his weakness and the voice of the Hollow within him, while Liu Hao urged Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin to accelerate their preparations against Aizen.

• The Visored agreed that Shinji Hirako would continue approaching Ichigo Kurosaki while they investigated Liu Hao, and Shinji attended Ichigo’s school as a transfer student.
• Liu Hao sensed two Arrancar in Karakura Town, while Ichigo heard the Hollow voice within him grow clearer and rushed toward the threat.
• Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Llargo attacked Orihime Inoue, Tatsuki Arisawa, and Yasutora Sado, and Ichigo arrived to protect them.
• Ichigo used Bankai and wounded Yammy, but the Hollow voice distracted him, so Liu Hao caught Yammy’s punch and defeated him with a Hadō spell and a kick.
• Ulquiorra warned Yammy to retreat, then opened a Garganta and left with him after Liu Hao held back to protect Karakura Town.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo to use his helplessness as motivation to grow stronger, then urged Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin to speed up their preparations against Aizen.

Ulquiorra reported the battle in Karakura Town to Aizen, who assigned him responsibility for Ichigo Kurosaki and grew interested in Liu Hao’s power. In Karakura Town, Liu Hao urged Ichigo to accept his inner Hollow, briefed the arriving Soul Society reinforcements, and planned a visit to the Visored as they prepared for a possible Arrancar attack that night.

• Ulquiorra showed Aizen and the Arrancar the recorded battle, defended his decision not to kill Ichigo Kurosaki, and agreed to deal with Ichigo if he became a threat.
• Ulquiorra told Aizen that Liu Hao was unfathomable and that he had zero chance of defeating him, prompting Aizen to reconsider his old friend.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki that his inner Hollow was part of him and that he would need to accept it before learning to control its power with the Visored.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya arrived in Karakura Town with Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa, and Momo Hinamori, and Liu Hao warned him that the Arrancar might attack that night.
• Momo Hinamori thanked Liu Hao for helping her see through Aizen, while Liu Hao later told Ichigo Kurosaki to prepare for a possible fight and said they would visit the Visored the next day.

Liu Hao warned the Soul Reapers about Grimmjow’s Arrancar squad as battles erupted across Karakura Town. Rukia defeated D.Roy, Ichigo wounded Grimmjow before a Garganta opened, and Renji faced Edrad after his Bankai was damaged.

• Liu Hao sensed Grimmjow and five Fracción arriving, then warned Renji Abarai, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Yumichika Ayasegawa to wait for their opponents to release before removing their limits or using Bankai.
• Ichigo Kurosaki intercepted D.Roy as he attacked Yasutora Sado, and Rukia Kuchiki defeated D.Roy with Some no Mai, Tsukishiro.
• Grimmjow attacked Rukia Kuchiki, but Liu Hao stopped him and sent Rukia to support Renji while Ichigo challenged Grimmjow.
• Ichigo Kurosaki released Bankai and struck Grimmjow with Getsuga Tenshō, badly wounding him before a Garganta opened behind him.
• Edrad Liones overwhelmed Renji Abarai, Ururu Tsumugiya attacked Edrad, and Edrad released Azure-Horned Prince and broke one of Baboon King Zabimaru’s segments.
• Renji Abarai decided to stop holding back after Edrad released his Zanpakuto.