Recaps

Liu Ziyun recognized the child Arrancar as Nelliel, while Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions stopped Pesche and Dondochakka from pursuing her without killing them. Nel explained that they had only been playing a running-away game, leaving the group to reconsider what they knew about Hollows.

• Liu Ziyun recognized the child Arrancar as Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and reflected that fate had brought them together despite his changes.
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and Yasutora Sado rushed to help Nel, but Liu Ziyun told them not to kill the Hollows.
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, and Rukia Kuchiki subdued the three Hollows without fatal injuries, while Yasutora Sado arrived after the fight ended.
• Nel asked the group not to hurt the Hollows and introduced herself as an Arrancar, shocking Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, and Rukia Kuchiki.
• Liu Ziyun explained that Hollows could choose different paths and asked why the Hollows had chased Nel.
• Nel explained that she had been playing an endless running-away game with Pesche and Dondochakka, though they sometimes tore her clothes or she fell.

Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions traveled deeper into Hueco Mundo with Nel, but a giant sand Hollow named Runuganga emerged to block their way. Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō split its body, yet Runuganga quickly regenerated, leaving the group facing an enemy apparently immune to physical attacks.

• Ichigo Kurosaki apologized to Nel for mistaking her for an enemy, while Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki confirmed that Pesche and Dondochakka meant her no harm.
• Liu Ziyun silently watched Nel and the others as the group rested briefly and then continued across the white desert.
• Nel chatted with Ichigo Kurosaki about Hueco Mundo as they walked, and Ichigo gradually relaxed and began asking her questions.
• The sand shook and split open, revealing the enormous White Sand Guardian, Runuganga, who declared that no outsider could pass.
• Ichigo Kurosaki attacked Runuganga with Getsuga Tenshō, but the Hollow's sand body regenerated within seconds, prompting Renji Abarai to wonder whether physical attacks worked at all.

Rukia Kuchiki defeated Runuganga with Sode no Shirayuki, and the group reached the boundary of Hueco Mundo’s core area. After Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai opened a breach in the ancient wall, they entered a dark corridor leading into the unknown.

• Rukia Kuchiki froze Runuganga with Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren and shattered it into sand and ice.
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, Yasutora Sado, and Liu Ziyun crossed the desert and reached an enormous wall marking Hueco Mundo’s core area.
• Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai struck the wall together with Getsuga Tenshō and Zabimaru, opening a breach.
• Ichigo Kurosaki led the group through the breach into a dark corridor, where he used his Reiatsu to light the way.

At the end of the dark corridor, Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions found five identical doors and agreed to split up to search for Inoue. Ichigo, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and Yasutora Sado each entered a different door, leaving the middle door for Liu Ziyun.

• The group reached five identical, handleless doors at the end of the corridor.
• Ichigo Kurosaki proposed that everyone choose a separate path, and Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and Yasutora Sado agreed.
• Liu Ziyun asked whether they could stay alive, and each of the four young people promised to return alive.
• Ichigo Kurosaki entered the second door from the left, Renji Abarai the far-right door, Rukia Kuchiki the far-left door, and Yasutora Sado the second door from the right.
• Liu Ziyun remained behind as the middle door waited unopened.

Liu Ziyun repaired Nel’s Arrancar mask and reassured Pesche and Dondochakka that her strength would gradually return. Nel then left with Ichigo to protect him, while her recovery remained incomplete.

• Liu Ziyun persuaded Nel to go with Ichigo and protect him, promising to repair her mask first.
• Liu Ziyun healed Nel’s broken mask and removed the scar on her forehead, restoring its ram’s horns.
• Nel joyfully showed her new mask to Pesche and Dondochakka, who recognized her as the former third Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.
• Liu Ziyun told Pesche and Dondochakka that Nel’s power would gradually return and that she could eventually switch between child and adult forms.
• Liu Ziyun explained that Nel would still revert to her child form whenever her Reiatsu became too low.

After the others entered separate doors, Liu Ziyun explained Nel’s past and her companions’ choices to protect her, then told Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne to choose their own paths. He entered the remaining passage, leaving them behind as fate’s course remained uncertain.

• Ichigo Kurosaki carried Nel through his chosen door, while Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and Yasutora Sado entered their own passages.
• Liu Ziyun asked Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne what they planned to do and revealed that he knew Nel’s history and their past as her Fracción.
• Liu Ziyun praised Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne for leaving their former lives to protect Nel.
• Liu Ziyun told them that Nel’s future form would be her own choice and that they could choose whichever path they liked.
• Liu Ziyun entered the last passage, leaving Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne at the crossroads.

Liu Ziyun reflected on how his actions had diverged from the future he knew after Uryū Ishida was left behind, then encountered Cirucci Sanderwicci in Hueco Mundo. Cirucci challenged him, declaring that his journey ended there.

• Pesche Guatiche pursued Liu Ziyun while Dondochakka Bilstin followed Ichigo Kurosaki to protect Nel.
• Liu Ziyun considered how Uryū Ishida’s absence had changed the rescue party and wondered whether fate or a world’s will would guide events.
• Liu Ziyun sensed a dangerous Reiatsu and found Cirucci Sanderwicci waiting atop a stone pillar.
• Cirucci Sanderwicci looked down at Liu Ziyun and told him that this was the end of the road.

Liu Ziyun overwhelmed Cirucci Sanderwicci with his Reiatsu and revealed that his low rank had kept him out of Aizen’s intelligence reports. He left her with a warning about the Exequias, while Cirucci remained shaken by the strength she had felt.

• Cirucci Sanderwicci attacked Liu Ziyun, but his Reiatsu forced her to her knees and cracked the stone beneath her.
• Liu Ziyun identified himself as a former Fifth Seat of the Fourth Division and explained that Aizen’s intelligence had overlooked him because it focused on higher-ranking Soul Reapers.
• Liu Ziyun recognized Cirucci Sanderwicci as Arrancar number 105 and warned her that she was no match for him and should save her strength for the Exequias.
• Liu Ziyun continued down the passage after intensifying his Reiatsu to silence Cirucci when she tried to call after him.
• Cirucci Sanderwicci recovered after Liu Ziyun left and wondered whether all Soul Reapers were as strong as him, while concluding that his power was unlike anything she could measure or challenge.

Cirucci Sanderwicci followed Liu Ziyun through Hueco Mundo and discovered him confronting Szayelaporro Granz during Renji Abarai’s battle against replicas. Renji unleashed Bankai on Liu Ziyun’s command, destroying Szayelaporro’s laboratory and leaving the two men facing off amid the ruins.

• The Exequias found Cirucci Sanderwicci but withdrew, deterred by her condition and Liu Ziyun’s lingering Reiatsu.
• Cirucci Sanderwicci decided to follow Liu Ziyun to learn his purpose and what he meant by the “path of fate.”
• Liu Ziyun reached a laboratory where Renji Abarai was fighting replicas of himself, while Szayelaporro Granz watched.
• Liu Ziyun told Renji Abarai to use Bankai and destroy the place.
• Renji Abarai and his replicas released Bankai together, demolishing the laboratory and its contents.
• Szayelaporro Granz threatened Liu Ziyun, who calmly challenged him as Renji Abarai stood ready between them.

Liu Ziyun joined Renji Abarai’s group as Szayelaporro Granz transformed and attacked them. After a flower engulfed Liu Ziyun, his Reiatsu burst out and shattered it, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Liu Ziyun found Dondochakka Birstanne and Cirucci Sanderwicci with Renji Abarai, and Dondochakka explained that he had gotten lost while looking for Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Liu Ziyun called Pesche Guatiche to help Renji Abarai and Dondochakka Birstanne, while Cirucci Sanderwicci said she had followed to see what they would do.
• Szayelaporro Granz mocked the group, swallowed his Zanpakuto, and transformed after releasing Fornicarás.
• Szayelaporro Granz sent flower-tipped tentacles at everyone and enclosed Liu Ziyun inside a flower.
• Liu Ziyun unleashed powerful Reiatsu that burst the flower apart.

Liu Ziyun protected Renji Abarai and the others from Szayelaporro Granz, then took the doll controlling Renji. Sensing Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu weakening, he left to find her and told the others to wait for reinforcements, leaving them to face Szayelaporro Granz.

• Liu Ziyun's Reiatsu stopped Szayelaporro Granz's tentacles from reaching him while Renji Abarai, Pesche Guatiche, and Dondochakka dodged the attack.
• Szayelaporro Granz captured Renji Abarai in a flower bud and revealed a doll that made Renji suffer whenever it was injured.
• Liu Ziyun appeared behind Szayelaporro Granz and took the doll, freeing Renji from Szayelaporro's control.
• Liu Ziyun sensed Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu declining, ordered the others to wait for reinforcements, and vanished toward her location.
• Szayelaporro Granz taunted Renji Abarai, Pesche Guatiche, and Dondochakka as they remained behind to fight him.

Liu Ziyun arrived to find Rukia Kuchiki gravely wounded, healed her with a Kaidō Barrier, and killed Aaroniero Arruruerie with Black Coffin. As he continued treating Rukia, Zommari Rureaux attacked and was caught in a second Black Coffin.

• Liu Ziyun reached Rukia Kuchiki and found her near death after Aaroniero Arruruerie had wounded her.
• Liu Ziyun used a Kaidō Barrier to stabilize Rukia and begin healing her.
• Liu Ziyun killed Aaroniero Arruruerie with Hadō #90, Black Coffin.
• Zommari Rureaux arrived and slashed at Liu Ziyun while he maintained the barrier.
• Liu Ziyun caught Zommari's blade between two fingers and cast Black Coffin around him.

Liu Ziyun outmaneuvered Zommari Rureaux and left with Rukia Kuchiki, dismissing Zommari as no threat. Several Soul Reaper captains arrived to reinforce the battles across Hueco Mundo.

• Zommari Rureaux attacked Liu Ziyun with multiple figures and Zanpakuto strikes, but Liu blocked one assault with Dankū and evaded the next with Shunpo while protecting Rukia Kuchiki.
• Liu Ziyun surrounded Zommari with six physical doubles, demonstrating that his Shunpo was far faster, then departed with Rukia Kuchiki without engaging him further.
• Byakuya Kuchiki arrived behind Zommari Rureaux and confronted him.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi appeared near Renji Abarai’s battle.
• Retsu Unohana approached the area where Yasutora Sado was fighting.

Liu Ziyun arrived at Ichigo Kurosaki’s battle with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and watched as Ichigo defeated him. He stopped Nnoitra Gilga from attacking the wounded fighters, while a scarred, battle-hungry man appeared behind him.

• Isane Kotetsu left Retsu Unohana to help Yasutora Sado, while Liu Ziyun carried Rukia Kuchiki toward Ichigo Kurosaki’s battlefield.
• Liu Ziyun watched Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez fight, believing Ichigo needed to learn from a defeat.
• Ichigo Kurosaki shattered Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez’s Pantera’s Claw and struck Grimmjow in the chest, leaving him unconscious.
• Nnoitra Gilga hurled his crescent-shaped Zanpakuto at Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, but Liu Ziyun caught it and stood between them.
• Nnoitra Gilga backed away warily, and a scarred, bloodthirsty man stepped out from behind Liu Ziyun.

Nelliel returned to her adult form and fought Nnoitra, quickly wounding him with her superior speed and deflecting his Cero with Cero Doble. As she prepared to use Resurrección, Liu Ziyun stopped her and told her to leave the fight to Captain Zaraki.

• Kenpachi Zaraki asked Liu Ziyun to let him fight Nnoitra, but Liu Ziyun told him to wait.
• Nel transformed in midair into Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and asked Liu Ziyun to let her settle old scores with Nnoitra.
• Nelliel struck Nnoitra repeatedly with her Zanpakuto, leaving him badly wounded.
• Nnoitra fired a Cero, and Nelliel absorbed it and returned it with Cero Doble, blasting him across the ground.
• Nelliel began to release her Zanpakuto, but Liu Ziyun stopped her and said Captain Zaraki would take over.

Kenpachi Zaraki fought Nnoitra after Nnoitra released Santa Teresa, enduring his attacks before cutting him down. As Orihime Inoue began healing Kenpachi, Coyote Starrk appeared behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

• Kenpachi Zaraki stepped in to fight Nnoitra, and Liu Ziyun warned him not to underestimate his opponent.
• Nnoitra released Santa Teresa, growing six arms that wielded crescent-shaped scythes, while Nelliel offered to take his place.
• Kenpachi Zaraki charged Nnoitra and battled him, taking repeated wounds as he continued attacking with increasing force.
• Kenpachi Zaraki broke Nnoitra’s scythes, severed his arms, and cut him deeply, leaving him unable to move.
• Kenpachi Zaraki asked Orihime Inoue to heal him, and she began using Santen Kesshun as Coyote Starrk appeared and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Liu Ziyun stopped Coyote Starrk from taking Orihime Inoue, but Starrk used a diversion arranged by Aizen to abduct her after Liu Ziyun rushed to investigate two hostile Reiatsu. Liu Ziyun regrouped with the others and prepared to go to Las Noches to rescue her.

• Liu Ziyun confronted Coyote Starrk, pulled Orihime Inoue away, and warned Starrk not to join Aizen's attack on the World of the Living.
• Coyote Starrk admitted he felt bound to repay Aizen for giving him companions, then said he could not complete his mission and walked away.
• Liu Ziyun told Orihime Inoue to continue treating Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki while Nelliel guarded them.
• Liu Ziyun sensed two powerful hostile Reiatsu near Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu and rushed to investigate.
• Coyote Starrk returned and abducted Orihime Inoue while the two hostile Reiatsu vanished.
• Liu Ziyun realized Aizen had used a diversion, then returned to the others to plan a rescue at Las Noches.

Liu Ziyun arranged care for the wounded and tasked Mayuri Kurotsuchi with finding a way to open a Garganta before rushing back to Ichigo Kurosaki. He arrived at the battlefield to find Ichigo badly wounded, with a hole through his chest.

• Liu Ziyun asked Mayuri Kurotsuchi to investigate opening a Garganta and warned him not to experiment on the wounded Arrancar.
• Retsu Unohana continued treating Rukia Kuchiki, and Liu Ziyun confirmed that she was out of immediate danger.
• Liu Ziyun promised Nel that Ichigo Kurosaki would be all right, then left with her on his back.
• Liu Ziyun sped toward the battle and sensed Ichigo Kurosaki's fading Reiatsu clashing with Ulquiorra Cifer's overwhelming presence.
• Liu Ziyun found Ichigo on one knee, covered in wounds, with a fist-sized hole through his chest.

Liu Ziyun arrived as Ichigo Kurosaki lay gravely wounded and faced Ulquiorra Cifer to buy time for Ichigo to recover his will to live. After revealing that he knew about Ulquiorra’s Segunda Etapa, Liu Ziyun released overwhelming Reiatsu that left Ulquiorra unable to move.

• Liu Ziyun arrived as Orihime Inoue and Nel gathered beside the wounded Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Orihime Inoue begged Liu Ziyun to save Ichigo Kurosaki, and he told her that Ichigo needed the will to live while he bought time.
• Liu Ziyun confronted Ulquiorra Cifer and revealed that he knew Ulquiorra had reached Segunda Etapa.
• Liu Ziyun explained that a true leap in power required Reiatsu to rise to another dimension and said he could reach that level in Bankai.
• Liu Ziyun released his Reiatsu, pinning Ulquiorra in place with its overwhelming pressure.

Liu Ziyun explained that Aizen had sent Ulquiorra to stall the group and push Ichigo Kurosaki to grow. Ichigo awakened a powerful Hollowfied form and attacked Ulquiorra, leaving the battlefield in ruins after his ordinary Cero dispersed Ulquiorra’s Black Cero.

• Liu Ziyun suppressed Ulquiorra with his Reiatsu, then explained Aizen’s plan to have Ulquiorra stall them and train Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ichigo Kurosaki erupted with immense Reiatsu, shattered Orihime Inoue’s shield, and rose in a transformed state with golden hair, horns, and a complete mask.
• Liu Ziyun identified Ichigo’s state as Hollowfication and told Ulquiorra to let Ichigo fight, explaining that Ichigo had weakened himself by suppressing his Hollow power.
• Hollowfied Ichigo Kurosaki attacked Ulquiorra with a series of fierce slashes, forcing Ulquiorra to defend himself.
• Ulquiorra fired a Black Cero, but Ichigo’s ordinary Cero dispersed it, shocking Ulquiorra.

Hollowfied Ichigo Kurosaki nearly killed Ulquiorra before Liu Ziyun stopped him and restored him to his senses. As Liu Ziyun explained why Ulquiorra needed to survive, Ichigo’s scattered Hollow power gathered into a glowing sphere and began healing his fatal wound.

• Orihime Inoue told Liu Ziyun that Ichigo Kurosaki had transformed after hearing her cry for him not to die.
• Hollowfied Ichigo Kurosaki slashed Ulquiorra, pinned him down, and began charging a Cero.
• Liu Ziyun dissipated the Cero, restrained Ichigo, and broke off one of his horns, shattering his mask and returning him to normal before he collapsed unconscious.
• Ulquiorra asked Liu Ziyun why he had saved him, and Liu explained that Hueco Mundo and its fighters were necessary to preserve the balance of the Three Worlds.
• Ichigo Kurosaki’s remaining Hollow power formed a glowing sphere that settled over the hole in his chest and began repairing his body.

Ichigo Kurosaki recovered from his fatal wound after White emerged and saved him, and Liu Ziyun told him White was hiding until Ichigo could accept him as a partner. Ulquiorra Cifer admitted defeat, and the group headed toward the battle below Las Noches to deal with Yammy Llargo.

• Ichigo Kurosaki woke with his chest healed and asked Liu Ziyun if he had saved him.
• Liu Ziyun explained that White had come out to help Ichigo, and told Ichigo that White was hiding until he could accept him as a partner.
• Ulquiorra Cifer admitted that he had lost and said he could not defeat Liu Ziyun even if Ichigo was back to normal.
• Liu Ziyun asked Ulquiorra to hold Yammy Llargo in check because the battle below Las Noches was growing more dangerous.
• Liu Ziyun walked toward the battlefield with Nel on his back, followed by Ichigo Kurosaki and Ulquiorra Cifer.

Liu Ziyun suppressed Yammy’s complete form and told Ulquiorra to take Yammy and Grimmjow away to help protect Hueco Mundo. He then asked Mayuri to open the sealed Garganta so he, Unohana, and Ichigo could return to the World of the Living.

• Ulquiorra told Yammy the battle was over, but Yammy ignored him and threatened Liu Ziyun and Ichigo.
• Liu Ziyun released his Reiatsu and forced Yammy to his knees, leaving Byakuya, Kenpachi, and Mayuri astonished by his power.
• Liu Ziyun withdrew his Reiatsu and ordered Ulquiorra to take Yammy and Grimmjow away and consolidate Hueco Mundo’s forces.
• Liu Ziyun urged Ulquiorra to protect Hueco Mundo and preserve the balance between worlds, and Ulquiorra agreed.
• Liu Ziyun asked Mayuri whether he had finished analyzing the sealed Garganta and told him to prepare to open it so Liu Ziyun, Unohana, and Ichigo could provide support in the World of the Living.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi opened a Garganta, and Liu Ziyun, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Retsu Unohana left Hueco Mundo for Karakura Town. There, the Soul Reapers and Visored fought Aizen’s Arrancar; Baraggan was killed, Harribel was frozen, and Starrk was losing ground when another rift opened in the sky.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi opened a Garganta after Liu Ziyun directed the group to leave Hueco Mundo.
• Liu Ziyun, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Retsu Unohana crossed the Garganta while Isane Kotetsu stayed behind to care for the wounded.
• In Karakura Town, Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, the Gotei 13, and the Visored faced Sōsuke Aizen and the three Espada.
• Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai burned Baraggan Louisenbairn to death, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya froze Tier Harribel with Hyōten Hyakkasō.
• Shunsui Kyōraku gained the upper hand against Coyote Starrk before a pitch-black rift appeared in the sky.

A gigantic Hollow emerged from a Garganta above Karakura Town, freeing Tier Harribel and unleashing hundreds of Gillians. The Soul Reapers and Visored cleared the Gillians, while Kaname Tōsen fell after Shūhei Hisagi struck him from behind during his fight with Sajin Komamura.

• A gigantic Hollow emerged above Karakura Town, shattered the ice sealing Tier Harribel, and poured Gillians onto the battlefield.
• Shinji Hirako challenged Sōsuke Aizen, but Kaname Tōsen intercepted his attack and cracked Shinji's Hollow mask.
• Sajin Komamura attacked Kaname Tōsen, and the two fought across the battlefield.
• The Visored and Gotei 13 defeated the hundreds of Gillians in less than ten minutes.
• Shūhei Hisagi struck Kaname Tōsen from behind with Kazeshini, sending him crashing to the ground.