Chapter Summaries

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.

Sōsuke Aizen killed Tier Harribel, Coyote Starrk, and Kaname Tōsen, then faced an attack from Ichigo Kurosaki. Liu Ziyun arrived and took over the confrontation, leaving Ichigo to watch as he and Aizen met again.

• Sōsuke Aizen stabbed Tier Harribel and Coyote Starrk, dismissing them as trash before they fell from the sky.
• Aizen killed Kaname Tōsen with a blade of light, prompting Sajin Komamura to charge at him.
• Ichigo Kurosaki attacked Aizen from behind with Getsuga Tenshō, but Aizen's shields stopped the strike and sent Ichigo flying back.
• Liu Ziyun stepped out of the Garganta, told Ichigo Kurosaki to stand aside, and took his place against Aizen.
• Liu Ziyun and Aizen exchanged words as they faced one another, while Ichigo Kurosaki vowed not to hesitate next time.

Liu Ziyun confronted Sōsuke Aizen in Hueco Mundo and faced the full force of his Reiatsu without flinching. Aizen realized Ziyun’s strength should have made him impossible to overlook and asked what he had done to stay hidden.

• Liu Ziyun moved Ichigo Kurosaki aside and took the lead in facing Sōsuke Aizen.
• Liu Ziyun joked that he had gone “blind” before Aizen joined the division to avoid Kyouka Suigetsu.
• Aizen released his Reiatsu, shocking Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki, while Liu Ziyun remained unmoved.
• Liu Ziyun told Aizen he was no longer the Fifth Seat and asked whether Aizen had noticed a problem.
• Aizen reasoned that Liu Ziyun’s strength should have made him impossible to miss and asked what he had done to remain unnoticed.

Liu Ziyun revealed that his Zanpakuto, Life-Taker Tulu, could change fate and had made Aizen remember a conversation that never happened. He showed Aizen the weapon’s true Shikai and opened a screen that began revealing the altered past.

• Liu Ziyun explained that he had once avoided Aizen but later felt safe after Aizen recruited him to investigate Hirako and the others’ Hollowfication.
• Liu Ziyun revealed that he had used his Zanpakuto to make Aizen see an imagined conversation during their earlier meeting.
• Liu Ziyun released his two Zanpakuto into their half-Shikai forms, then merged them into the true Shikai, Life-Taker Tulu.
• Liu Ziyun summoned a screen called Manipulated Fate, which showed his past meeting with Aizen in a Soul Society corridor.
• Aizen recognized the encounter on the screen but frowned when its events differed from what he remembered.

Liu Ziyun explained how his Zanpakuto had implanted a false memory of defeating Aizen, leaving Aizen uncertain about his own understanding of events. After they discussed their different goals, Liu Ziyun pointed his sword at Aizen and prepared to settle their accounts.

• In the screen of light, Liu Ziyun and Aizen clashed with their swords as Liu Ziyun revealed he had watched Aizen’s role in the Hollowfication Incident with Captain Unohana.
• Liu Ziyun used his Zanpakuto to make Aizen experience a false memory in which Liu Ziyun stabbed him and invoked “Be Lost—Prisoner of Fate.”
• Aizen regained his senses unharmed but remembered the imagined attack and left the corridor confused about himself.
• Aizen realized Liu Ziyun had implanted a nonexistent memory into his fate, while Liu Ziyun explained that Aizen had only seen the strength Liu Ziyun chose to reveal.
• Liu Ziyun and Aizen discussed their opposing goals, then Liu Ziyun raised Life-Taker Tulu and said it was time to settle their accounts.

Liu Ziyun revealed that he had used his Zanpakuto to manipulate Aizen’s memories and subconscious, then explained his long-suppressed desire for a life-or-death battle. He unleashed Reiatsu greater than Aizen’s and Yamamoto-Genryūsai’s, then vanished and attacked Aizen with Life-Taker Tulu.

• Aizen realized Liu Ziyun had fabricated their past encounters and planted a suggestion that made Aizen dismiss him as insignificant.
• Liu Ziyun explained that Aizen’s growing strength after contact and fusion with the Hōgyoku had gradually broken the suggestion, prompting Aizen to make precautions against him.
• Liu Ziyun admitted he had craved a truly exhilarating fight for nearly two hundred years and unleashed his full Reiatsu.
• The Soul Reapers, Gotei 13 captains, and Visored were shocked by Liu Ziyun’s overwhelming Reiatsu, which surpassed Aizen’s and Yamamoto-Genryūsai’s.
• Aizen asked whether Liu Ziyun had healed his eyes to counter his Zanpakuto, but Liu Ziyun vanished and slashed at Aizen’s head with Life-Taker Tulu.