Chapter Summaries

Renji defeated Edrad after releasing his Limiter Seal, then Rukia joined him as they went to support the other Soul Reapers. Tōshirō and Rangiku also released their limits to defeat Nakeem and Shawlong, but the battles left them exhausted as the Arrancar assault continued.

• Renji revealed and released his Limiter Seal, then crushed Edrad with Baboon King Zabimaru and finished him with Hikotsu Taihō.
• Rukia found the exhausted Renji, and they set off to help the others.
• Tōshirō struggled against Shawlong while Nakeem wounded Rangiku, prompting Tōshirō to activate Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.
• After sensing Renji's released Reiatsu, Tōshirō and Rangiku released their Limiter Seals; Rangiku killed Nakeem with Haineko.
• Tōshirō froze Shawlong from within and pursued him, killing him with Hyōrinmaru.

After Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Ikkaku Madarame survived their battles, Kaname Tōsen took Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo and ended Ichigo Kurosaki’s fight. Liu Hao concluded that Aizen had used the attack to assess Soul Society and warned that the next clash would be a real war.

• Rangiku Matsumoto caught Tōshirō Hitsugaya after he collapsed, and Orihime Inoue began healing his wounds.
• Ikkaku Madarame released Bankai and defeated Edrad in a destructive final clash, though he was left badly injured.
• Kaname Tōsen ordered Grimmjow to return to Hueco Mundo, and Liu Hao stopped Ichigo Kurosaki from pursuing them.
• Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki arrived as Ichigo Kurosaki questioned whether surviving counted as a win.
• Liu Hao assessed the damage and Aizen’s probe, then took the group back to treat their wounds and prepare for further discussion.

After explaining that Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollow was his true Zanpakuto and that he needed to acknowledge it, Liu Hao brought him to the Visored headquarters. Hiyori Sarugaki attacked Liu Hao after he insulted her height, leaving the Visored and Ichigo watching to see how he would respond.

• After Grimmjow retreated, Liu Hao explained to Ichigo Kurosaki that the Hollow inside him was protecting him and was his true Zanpakuto, while Old Man Zangetsu was another power within him.
• Liu Hao encouraged Ichigo Kurosaki to understand and acknowledge his Hollow power, then took him to the Visored’s base in a warehouse.
• The Visored gathered to meet Liu Hao and Ichigo Kurosaki, but Hiyori Sarugaki challenged Liu Hao’s presence and accused him of returning to Soul Society’s service.
• Liu Hao explained that Ichigo Kurosaki needed to gain his Hollow’s acknowledgment rather than simply subdue it, and Shinji Hirako asked what training he needed.
• After Hiyori Sarugaki insulted Liu Hao, he mocked her height, prompting her to draw her Zanpakuto and charge at his throat.

Liu Hao brought Ichigo to the Visored base, where Hiyori pushed Ichigo into a Hollowfication rampage before the Visored subdued him. After Isshin and Masaki arrived, the group gathered underground as Isshin agreed to reveal Ichigo’s origins and the choices before him.

• Liu Hao used Ichigo to block Hiyori’s attack, and Hachigen sealed the warehouse with barriers so their fight would go unnoticed.
• Hiyori overwhelmed Ichigo and demanded that he use Bankai, but Ichigo refused because he feared losing control of his inner Hollow.
• Hiyori’s masked attack broke Zangetsu and knocked Ichigo unconscious, triggering his Hollowfication; he attacked Hiyori before Shinji and the other Visored restrained him and shattered his mask.
• Isshin and Masaki entered the barrier, asked the Visored to release Ichigo, and followed Liu Hao and the others to the Visored’s underground base.
• Isshin agreed to tell Ichigo about his origins, the source of his power, and his choices, despite Liu Hao warning that the revelation could affect what happened when Ōetsu reforged Ichigo’s Zanpakuto.

Isshin Kurosaki and Liu Hao revealed Ichigo Kurosaki's Quincy heritage and explained that Uncle Zangetsu was his Quincy power, while White was tied to his Soul Reaper powers. Ichigo received an Asauchi and entered training to confront the power within his Inner World, but the chapter ended with him unconscious inside Shinji Hirako's barrier.

• Isshin Kurosaki told Ichigo Kurosaki how he met Masaki Kurosaki, lost his Soul Reaper powers protecting her, and helped save her from Yhwach's Auswählen with Liu Hao and Kaien Shiba.
• Isshin Kurosaki explained that Yhwach intended to destroy Soul Society, take the Soul King's place, and return the Three Worlds to chaos.
• Liu Hao explained that Uncle Zangetsu was Ichigo Kurosaki's Quincy power and that White was the core of his Soul Reaper powers, which were intertwined with his Hollow power.
• Liu Hao gave Ichigo Kurosaki an Asauchi and explained that he needed to awaken a Zanpakuto through it by gaining recognition from the power inside him.
• Shinji Hirako and Hachigen Ushōda prepared a barrier, and Shinji sent Ichigo Kurosaki into his Inner World through Complete Hollowfication.
• Ichigo Kurosaki lost consciousness, and Liu Hao caught him as Masaki Kurosaki watched anxiously from outside the barrier.

Ichigo Kurosaki confronted White Ichigo in his Inner World and fought him for control of Zangetsu. After White Ichigo nearly killed him, Ichigo awakened his own battle instinct, pierced White Ichigo, and earned his acknowledgment before a burst of light engulfed them.

• Liu Hao remained with the unconscious Ichigo Kurosaki inside the barrier while Shinji Hirako and the others left him to face the presence awakening within him.
• Ichigo Kurosaki met White Ichigo in his Inner World, recognized him as Zangetsu, and agreed to prove himself by defeating him.
• Ichigo Kurosaki and White Ichigo both entered Bankai, but White Ichigo overpowered him, destroyed his black Tensa Zangetsu, and impaled him with the white blade.
• As White Ichigo tried to draw the blade from his abdomen and kill him, Ichigo Kurosaki seized it and unleashed a surge of instinctive black Reiatsu.
• Ichigo Kurosaki pulled the blade free, transformed it with his Reiatsu, and pierced White Ichigo, who acknowledged him and warned him not to die before he appeared again.
• White Ichigo released a tremendous burst of Reiatsu from the blade, and white light engulfed Ichigo Kurosaki.

Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollowfication escalated far beyond the expected training, forcing Liu Hao to fight him as he transformed into Bull-Head Ichigo. Liu Hao survived the monster’s devastating attacks and prepared to get serious, hoping Ichigo would survive.

• As Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollow mask formed, Liu Hao restrained him with Gochūtekkan while Masaki Kurosaki and Isshin Kurosaki watched from outside the barrier.
• Ichigo broke free, attacked Liu Hao with Getsuga Tenshō and Zangetsu, and began regenerating as his Hollowfication spread.
• Ichigo’s speed and ferocity increased as he entered Bankai, while Liu Hao countered his attacks and noticed a Hollow Hole forming in his chest.
• Ichigo grew a Hollow arm, used Cero and Sonído, and struck Liu Hao with a corrosive blade before a surge of white light transformed him into Bull-Head Ichigo.
• Bull-Head Ichigo overwhelmed Liu Hao and charged a powerful Cero, but Liu Hao smashed it apart with his forehead, leaving both fighters injured.
• Liu Hao rose and told Bull-Head Ichigo he would have to get serious, hoping Ichigo would survive.

Liu Hao subdued Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollow form and guided him toward reclaiming his Zanpakuto by training with an Asauchi. As Ichigo began learning Hollow and Quincy abilities, Liu Hao told Isshin Kurosaki he could help Aizen create the Oken, leaving Isshin stunned.

• Liu Hao released his Imperial Sword Shikai, defeated bull-headed Ichigo, and ended Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollowfication rampage.
• After Ichigo Kurosaki awoke, Liu Hao instructed Isshin Kurosaki to give him the Asauchi and explained how to imprint his soul and powers on it.
• Ichigo Kurosaki began carrying the Asauchi and training in Hollowfication with the Visored and Quincy abilities with Masaki Kurosaki.
• Liu Hao and Isshin Kurosaki discussed Aizen’s threat to Karakura Town, and Liu Hao offered to help create the Oken.
• Isshin Kurosaki stared at Liu Hao in disbelief and asked whether he could create the Oken.

Liu Hao revealed the truth about Mimihagi and Hell to Isshin Kurosaki before Arrancar appeared in Karakura Town. Soul Reapers and Visored prepared to face them, and the chapter ended with Tōshirō Hitsugaya clashing blades with Yammy Llargo.

• Liu Hao told Isshin Kurosaki that Mimihagi, the Soul King's Right Hand, lived inside Jūshirō Ukitake and explained that powerful dead Soul Reapers were reborn in Hell.
• Liu Hao and Isshin Kurosaki agreed that they had to win the coming war against the Quincy and deal with Aizen before addressing Soul Society's future.
• Liu Hao left to investigate the Arrancar Reiatsu above Karakura Town and told Isshin Kurosaki to stay hidden.
• Renji Abarai and Kisuke Urahara prepared to confront the Arrancar, while Masaki Kurosaki persuaded the Visored to let Ichigo Kurosaki join the fight.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya's team encountered Yammy Llargo, Luppi Antenor, Wonderweiss Margela, and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez in the industrial district.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya attacked Yammy Llargo, and their Zanpakuto clashed as the ground cracked beneath them.

Ichigo Kurosaki fought Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez with a new Zanpakuto and a powerful Hollow mask, but the mask shattered before he could finish Grimmjow. As Grimmjow prepared to kill him, Uncle Zangetsu appeared in Ichigo’s frozen Inner World and led him into a deeper layer for a final trial.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya faced Yammy Llargo, while Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa confronted Luppi Antenor, and Rangiku Matsumoto and Momo Hinamori watched another silent Arrancar.
• Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez stopped Ichigo Kurosaki on his way to the Arrancar, and Ichigo revealed his new Zanpakuto before donning a Hollow mask.
• Ichigo’s masked power overwhelmed Grimmjow with successive black slashes, but his mask cracked and shattered as he attempted a finishing blow.
• Grimmjow exploited Ichigo’s sudden weakness, wounded him badly, and prepared to kill him when Ichigo could no longer summon the mask’s power.
• Time stopped around Ichigo, and Uncle Zangetsu appeared, acknowledged Ichigo’s uncertainty about awakening his powers, and took him into a deeper layer of his Inner World.

Ichigo Kurosaki accepted Zangetsu as his true Zanpakuto and awakened a new power, defeating Grimmjow before Ulquiorra took him away. Liu Hao revealed that the Arrancar's real target was someone in Karakura Town, but stopped Ichigo from rushing back until he learned to control his new strength.

• Liu Hao watched Ichigo Kurosaki's Quincy power awaken and chose not to intervene.
• Uncle Zangetsu admitted that he had hidden his identity to protect Ichigo, then gave him the true Zanpakuto, Zangetsu.
• Ichigo Kurosaki summoned Zangetsu as two blades and used his new power to badly wound Grimmjow.
• Ulquiorra Cifer stopped Grimmjow from releasing his Resurrección and withdrew with him, saying their mission had failed because the sun had fallen into their hands.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki that the Arrancar's true target was someone in Karakura Town, then stopped him from leaving until he could master his new power.

Four Espada attacked the World of the Living, overwhelming the Soul Reapers in Karakura Town as Luppi released his Resurrección. Kisuke Urahara arrived to save Rangiku Matsumoto, but Yammy ambushed him and battered him with Bala, leaving his fate unclear.

• Rin Tsubokura and Akon detected four Espada attacking the World of the Living, and Rukia Kuchiki departed to provide support while Orihime Inoue waited for transport.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya and the other Soul Reapers struggled against Yammy Llargo and Luppi Antenor, who released his Resurrección and overwhelmed them with eight tentacles.
• Luppi bound Rangiku Matsumoto and prepared to attack her, but Kisuke Urahara arrived and cut her free.
• Wonderweiss Margela attacked Kisuke, and Yammy struck him from behind before pounding him with Bala.
• Luppi watched Kisuke disappear beneath the smoke and dust and assumed Yammy had killed him.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya froze Luppi Antenor while Kisuke Urahara fought Yammy Llargo, but the Arrancar were extracted by Negación before the Soul Reapers could finish them. Liu Hao realized the attack had been a diversion to split Soul Society's forces and urgently asked Rukia Kuchiki to check whether Orihime Inoue had returned to the World of the Living.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya revived Hyōrinmaru with moisture in the air and trapped Luppi Antenor in the Thousand-Year Ice Prison, freeing Rangiku Matsumoto and the other captives.
• Kisuke Urahara evaded Yammy Llargo's Bala with a portable Gigai, countered his attacks, and wounded him.
• Three Garganta opened, and Negación beams extracted Yammy Llargo, Wonderweiss, and the still-living Luppi Antenor.
• Luppi Antenor threatened Tōshirō Hitsugaya as Negación carried the Arrancar away, leaving Kisuke Urahara uneasy about their mission.
• Liu Hao told Ichigo Kurosaki that the Arrancar had attacked to divide Soul Society's forces, then asked Rukia Kuchiki to contact Jūshirō Ukitake about Orihime Inoue's whereabouts.
• Rukia Kuchiki asked Jūshirō Ukitake whether Orihime Inoue had returned to the World of the Living.

After Aizen abducted Orihime Inoue to draw Soul Society’s forces toward Hueco Mundo, Liu Hao prepared a rescue mission and warned Kisuke to prepare to seal Aizen. In Las Noches, Orihime restored Grimmjow’s arm and old scar, prompting Grimmjow to kill Luppi and reclaim his place as the Sixth Espada; meanwhile, Liu Hao recruited Uryū for the rescue.

• Rukia told Liu Hao that Orihime had disappeared while being escorted to the World of the Living, and Liu Hao concluded that Aizen had abducted her to divide Soul Society’s forces.
• Liu Hao told Shinji to have Kisuke prepare a seal for Aizen, then ordered Rukia to alert Soul Society while he and Ichigo went to Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime.
• Aizen introduced Orihime to the Arrancar and ordered her to heal Grimmjow’s arm; she restored it, and Aizen described her ability as the Rejection of All Creation.
• Orihime healed Grimmjow’s old scar, revealing the number 6, and Grimmjow killed Luppi with a Cero to reclaim his title as the Sixth Espada.
• Liu Hao visited Ryūken and learned that Uryū could barely reach Vollständig, then recruited Uryū to help rescue Orihime; they headed toward the Urahara Shop.

Liu Hao gathered the group at the Urahara Shop, explained how they should develop their powers, and led them into the Garganta to rescue Orihime Inoue. The group traveled toward Hueco Mundo, resolving to improve their Reiatsu control along the way.

• Liu Hao told Renji Abarai that Zabimaru had not fully recognized him and advised Rukia Kuchiki, Yasutora Sado, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Uryū Ishida on developing their abilities.
• Liu Hao and Kisuke Urahara prepared to travel to Hueco Mundo, and Liu Hao explained that Renji would need to defeat Zabimaru to earn its full recognition.
• Kisuke Urahara opened a Garganta, and Liu Hao led Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Ichigo Kurosaki, Yasutora Sado, and Uryū Ishida through it.
• Liu Hao formed a road of Reishi through the Garganta and taught the group that precise Reiatsu control made their abilities easier to use in battle.
• The group followed Liu Hao through the endless darkness, each resolving to practice precise Reiatsu control.

Liu Hao led Ichigo Kurosaki and the others through Hueco Mundo and reunited with Nel, Dondochakka Birstanne, and Pesche Guatiche. They set out for Las Noches to rescue someone, and the chapter ended as they neared their destination.

• Liu Hao guided the group out of the Garganta into Hueco Mundo and pointed them west toward building ruins.
• After walking across the desert, the group encountered Nel, Dondochakka Birstanne, Pesche Guatiche, and their giant Hollow Bawabawa.
• Nel joined Liu Hao’s group and explained that Nnoitra Gilga and Szayelaporro Granz had ambushed her, forcing her to leave Las Noches.
• Liu Hao introduced Nel and her Fracción to the others, and they boarded Bawabawa to travel toward Las Noches.
• Nel said she might settle her old grudge if they encountered Nnoitra Gilga and Szayelaporro Granz, while Liu Hao and the others joked during the journey.
• Pesche Guatiche warned the group that they were almost at their destination.

Liu Hao defeated Nunigangka and led the group into Las Noches through a passage he opened in its wall. As they descended, Aizen and the Espada watched their progress, with Grimmjow and Nnoitra reacting to the intruders.

• Liu Hao drew Nunigangka out of the sand and killed him with a pillar of flame after melting the surrounding sand into magma.
• Liu Hao broke an arched opening through Las Noches's wall, and the group followed him into a dark passage leading downward.
• Liu Hao illuminated the passage with Reishi as the group continued deeper into Las Noches.
• Aizen showed the Espada surveillance footage of the intruders and identified the group, including Ichigo Kurosaki and Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.
• Grimmjow reacted fiercely to seeing Ichigo, while Nnoitra, Aaroniero, Baraggan, and Szayelaporro dismissed the intruders.

Aizen warned the Espada not to underestimate the intruders, while Liu Hao led his group through Las Noches to rescue Orihime Inoue. After reminding them to prioritize bringing her back over fighting or dying, Liu Hao chose a door and assigned Ichigo, Uryū, and Sado to face three former Espada.

• Aizen told the Espada that Ichigo Kurosaki and Liu Hao were dangerous, and Tōsen revealed that Liu Hao would have killed Nnoitra without Aizen’s intervention.
• At five identical doors, Liu Hao rejected the idea that the rescue was a battlefield and urged the group to avoid needless sacrifices for Orihime’s sake.
• Liu Hao explained the Espada’s abilities and weaknesses, then led the group through a randomly chosen door.
• The group encountered Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, Cirucci Sanderwicci, and Gantenbainne Mosqueda, who challenged them to prove their strength.
• Liu Hao assigned Ichigo to fight Dordoni, Uryū to fight Cirucci, and Sado to fight Gantenbainne as the battle was about to begin.

Liu Hao assigned Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida to test their newly acquired powers against former Espada members while Renji Abarai watched. Ichigo defeated Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, while Uryū Ishida’s fight with Cirucci Sanderwicci remained unresolved after she countered his arrows with her vibrating wings.

• Liu Hao explained that Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, and Yasutora Sado needed to test their new powers against the former Espada, and Renji Abarai accepted that he had no opponent.
• Ichigo Kurosaki fought Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, who released his Resurrección, but Ichigo defeated him with Getsuga Tenshō without using Bankai or his Hollow mask.
• Ichigo Kurosaki told Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio that his new swords drew on his own power, then returned to Liu Hao after Dordoni lost consciousness.
• Uryū Ishida used Ginrei Kojaku to overwhelm Cirucci Sanderwicci with arrows, prompting her to release her Resurrección, Golondrina.
• Cirucci Sanderwicci used her vibrating wings to shatter Uryū Ishida’s arrows and attack him with black feather-shaped blades, while Uryū Ishida remained calm.

Uryū Ishida used the Seele Schneider to dismantle Tirute’s Reishi attacks and explained how the weapon decomposed and absorbed Reishi. He then fired the relic from Ginrei Kojaku, pierced Tirute’s defense, and left her badly wounded and losing Reiatsu.

• Uryū Ishida drew the Seele Schneider and formed its vibrating blade of Reishi light.
• Tirute’s feather blades shattered against the weapon, and Uryū Ishida cut away part of her wing when she attacked at close range.
• Tirute severed her wings, revealed a powerful Reishi blade at the end of her tail, and struck the Seele Schneider, which began dismantling her weapon.
• Uryū Ishida explained that the Seele Schneider decomposed Reishi structures and absorbed the released Reishi to strengthen itself.
• Tirute reshaped her tail blade into the Poison Sting Sword and launched it at Uryū Ishida.
• Uryū Ishida set the Seele Schneider against Ginrei Kojaku’s bowstring and fired it, destroying Tirute’s attack and shield before striking her abdomen and leaving her in pain and weakened.