Recaps

After Aizen’s conspiracy was exposed, Yamamoto pardoned Rukia and the Ryoka and restored order in the Seireitei. Black Ant refused an offer to become a captain, then received thanks from Orihime and the others as they left for the World of the Living.

• Yamamoto learned that Aizen’s Kyoka Suigetsu had deceived him, and the Radiant Ruin King was sealed again.
• The captains discovered Aizen had orchestrated Rukia’s execution and killed the Central 46 Chambers, prompting Yamamoto to pardon Rukia and the Ryoka.
• Yamamoto offered Black Ant a vacant captaincy and access to Gotei 13 libraries, but Black Ant refused the post.
• Orihime thanked Black Ant for saving the group, and Uryu, Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, and Sado also expressed their gratitude.
• The Ryoka departed for the World of the Living under escort as Shunsui watched them go and remarked that being young was wonderful.

After Aizen’s betrayal, the returned captains rejoined the Seireitei and prepared to attack Hueco Mundo. The invasion was stopped by Aizen’s Espada and forces, leaving the Seireitei badly damaged and Aizen officially recognized as the King of Hueco Mundo.

• The returned captains reclaimed several vacant divisions, while Love Aikawa chose to pursue his dream of becoming a manga artist instead of challenging Sajin Komamura.
• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Kenpachi Zaraki for the 11th Division captaincy, but the current captain defeated him after releasing his Shikai, Bankai, and Hollowfication.
• Shunsui Kyoraku and the returned captains learned that Aizen had been behind the Hollowfication experiments and located him in Hueco Mundo with Kisuke Urahara’s help.
• The Seireitei launched an assault on Hueco Mundo, but Aizen’s Espada stopped the attackers before they could reach him.
• Shinsuke Hirako used his Bankai to save the battlefield, but many Bleach died and others were severely wounded.
• The Seireitei officially recorded Aizen as the King of Hueco Mundo.

Black Ant entered his Zanpakuto consciousness space and met Heavenly Path, who revealed that an unauthorized intruder had crossed into the Three-Body World. Black Ant chose to honor the two-year wait he had previously set before returning to his main body, leaving Heavenly Path free to meet the other Zanpakuto spirits.

• Black Ant heard a voice calling to him and found himself in his consciousness space, where his Zanpakuto spirit appeared as Heavenly Path.
• Heavenly Path explained that she was both his Zanpakuto spirit and an auxiliary entity he had created to assist his research.
• Heavenly Path reported that something from the Three-Body World had passed through the Traversal Vortex without authorization.
• Heavenly Path told Black Ant that two years, thirty days, and twenty-six hours remained before his scheduled return, and said his former self had been vastly stronger than he was now.
• Black Ant decided to follow his original arrangement and told Heavenly Path she could speak with the other Zanpakuto spirits while she waited for him.

The Unified Biological Consciousness Collective Civilization escaped Zero’s universe and took refuge in a fetus in the DC Universe, adapting its cells and Divine Infinite Particles to build a new body. It discovered that the body belonged to a descendant of the ruler attacking its former universe, leaving the civilization horrified that it had become the invader’s offspring.

• The Unified Biological Consciousness Collective Civilization escaped into the DC Universe aboard a Willpower Corps member and searched for a biological body to inhabit.
• The civilization chose a fetus, occupied its cells, and organized its members into specialized biological information groups.
• When Divine Infinite Particle Information emerged and claimed authority, genetic information rejected it, and the civilization killed and recreated it as a cooperative member.
• The civilization completed its new body and celebrated its survival across universes.
• Auditory Information revealed that their body was descended from the ruler attacking their former universe, and the civilization realized it had become the invader’s offspring.

Aizen refused Jugram Haschwalth’s offer to join the Wandenreich, despite Yhwach’s plan to attack Soul Society and seize the Soul King’s power. Aizen promised not to interfere and said he would lure Ichigo Kurosaki to Hueco Mundo, leaving Yhwach to face Black Ant.

• Black Ant trained Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado, and Ichigo later rescued Orihime Inoue from Aizen during the campaign in Hueco Mundo.
• Jugram Haschwalth arrived in Las Noches to invite Aizen Sōsuke to join Yhwach’s Wandenreich.
• Aizen’s guards angrily challenged Jugram Haschwalth after he presented the invitation as a request to join Yhwach’s ranks.
• Aizen warned Jugram Haschwalth that Yhwach underestimated Black Ant and would suffer a crushing defeat.
• Aizen refused the invitation but promised to lure Ichigo Kurosaki to Hueco Mundo and not interfere with Yhwach’s plan.

Black Ant prepared to reclaim his lost past as Heavenly Path said farewell and returned to her Zanpakuto form. As night fell, Quilge Opie’s Jail trapped the First Division barracks, and Reishi pillars announced the Quincy invasion of Seireitei.

• Heavenly Path brought Haineko to meet Black Ant, who recognized her as Rangiku Matsumoto’s Zanpakuto and told her the war was about to begin.
• Heavenly Path warned Haineko to return to Rangiku and never point herself at Black Ant, saying they might not meet again.
• Heavenly Path thanked Black Ant for their peaceful years together, then dispersed into her Zanpakuto form beside him.
• Quilge Opie activated The Jail around the First Division barracks as Reishi pillars rose throughout Seireitei, signaling the Quincy’s return.

The Wandenreich invaded the Seireitei from within, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto confronted Yhwach as Quilge Opie trapped Black Ant in The Jail. Black Ant began to leave the prison, promising to show Quilge Opie how powerless he was.

• Wandenreich Quincy emerged throughout the Seireitei and attacked the Bleach, prompting captain-class fighters to engage the Sternritter.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto saw Black Ant's quarters enclosed by a Reishi prison and hurried toward them.
• Yhwach blocked Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, taunted him over Chōjirō Sasakibe's death, and provoked him into attacking with Ryujin Jakka.
• Quilge Opie trapped Black Ant in The Jail and doubted that his weak Reiatsu belonged to a Special Battle Power.
• Black Ant rose with his Zanpakuto, told Quilge Opie that he had mistaken who was unfortunate, and advanced to demonstrate his power.

Black Ant escaped Quilge Opie's Jail and overwhelmed him by revealing his mastery of Quincy abilities. He absorbed Quilge Opie's Reishi with a simple tug and walked away as Quilge vanished.

• Quilge Opie mocked Black Ant from inside The Jail, but Black Ant sliced through the prison and walked out.
• Quilge Opie fired Heilig Pfeil at Black Ant, whose External Blut Vene barrier blocked and erased the arrows.
• Black Ant explained how he had developed an externalized Blut Vene by analyzing pure-blooded Quincy abilities.
• Quilge Opie activated Vollständig and Sklaverei, absorbing Reishi from the surroundings and Black Ant's barrier.
• Black Ant told Quilge Opie that he could control the Reishi Quilge had absorbed, then tugged it and made Quilge vanish.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni activated his Bankai, unleashing heat that dried the air across the Seireitei and disrupted Toshiro Hitsugaya's stolen Bankai. The display renewed the Soul Reapers' fighting spirit, and Sajin Komamura rose to attack Bambietta Basterbine.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's Bankai unleashed scorching heat that spread across the Seireitei and halted battles as fighters turned toward the First Division.
• Shunsui Kyoraku drew on his Hollow mask as he faced a Quincy opponent, inspired and alarmed by Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's power.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya realized the heat prevented Cang Du from using most of his stolen Bankai and ordered Rangiku Matsumoto to attack.
• Rangiku Matsumoto unleashed Sōren Sōkatsui, creating a huge crimson explosion, while Black Ant ignored the blast and headed toward the 7th Division.
• Sajin Komamura rose despite his wounds and charged Bambietta Basterbine, declaring that he would not fall while Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was still fighting.

Black Ant arrived in time to stop Bambietta Basterbine from killing Sajin Komamura and began healing him. Bambietta pretended to accept Black Ant’s terms while secretly preparing a powerful attack behind his back.

• Sajin Komamura charged Bambietta Basterbine but was blasted by her Reishi sphere and left badly burned, still standing amid the flames.
• Black Ant appeared and asked Bambietta to leave Sajin Komamura’s life to him, prompting her to retreat and recognize him as the sixth Special Battle Power.
• Bambietta said she did not want to fight Black Ant and agreed to let him take Sajin Komamura.
• Black Ant used modified Kaidō to accelerate Sajin Komamura’s recovery, restoring his awareness and healing his injuries.
• While Black Ant faced away from her, Bambietta gathered a powerful mass of Reishi at her fingertips.

Black Ant healed Sajin Komamura and shielded him from Bambietta Basterbine’s attacks before revealing that he wanted Komamura’s Bankai. Komamura offered his life, but Black Ant said he was not yet ready to give it willingly and without resentment.

• Black Ant healed Sajin Komamura, who thanked him and recalled Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s orders to assist him.
• Bambietta Basterbine attacked Black Ant from behind, but he held Komamura back and blocked her explosions with External Blut Vene.
• Black Ant told Komamura that he had come to obtain his Bankai and explained that it could not truly be stolen from its owner.
• Komamura offered his life to fulfill Yamamoto’s wishes, but Black Ant told him to rise because he was not yet ready to give up his Bankai willingly and without resentment.

Black Ant defeated Bambietta Basterbine while Sajin Komamura reaffirmed that his greatest purpose was serving Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. After promising to protect Yamamoto, Black Ant returned Komamura’s Bankai medallion and set out with him to fulfill his loyalty.

• Sajin Komamura insisted that he had no resentment or regret about sacrificing his life for Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, and Black Ant explained that he did not want Komamura to die without purpose.
• Black Ant emerged unharmed from Bambietta Basterbine’s explosions, leaving her unable to understand how his External Blut Vene had resisted The Explode.
• Bambietta used Sajin Komamura’s Bankai medallion to summon Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, but Black Ant sliced through its great sword as he asked Komamura about his loyalty to Yamamoto.
• Sajin Komamura declared that his existence was devoted to loyalty and righteousness toward Yamamoto, and Black Ant promised to preserve Yamamoto’s life even if the Three Realms were destroyed.
• Bambietta unleashed her Vollständig and attacked Black Ant with Reishi spheres, but he cut them apart and caused her own Reishi to explode inside her, killing her.
• Black Ant caught the medallion thrown from Bambietta’s explosion, returned it to Sajin Komamura, and told him they would fulfill his loyalty.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni defeated the fake Yhwach, Royd Lloyd, after exhausting his powers in battle. The real Yhwach appeared, executed Royd, and revealed that he had stayed hidden while his double fought Yamamoto.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni unleashed his Bankai and cut the apparent Yhwach in half.
• Black Ant told Sajin Komamura that the Quincy leader fighting Yamamoto was a copy, and Komamura rushed ahead to help Yamamoto.
• The dying Royd Lloyd apologized for failing to carry out someone’s command, making Yamamoto realize he was not the real Yhwach.
• The real Yhwach appeared behind Yamamoto and identified the severed fighter as Sternritter 'Y', Yourself 'R', Royd Lloyd.
• Yhwach praised Royd for keeping his absence secret, then killed him with Reishi.

Yhwach stole Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s Bankai and used it to summon the remains of his former comrades, exhausting him before cutting him in two. Sajin Komamura then rushed in to shield Yamamoto from Yhwach’s finishing attack.

• Yhwach revealed that Royd Lloyd had been forbidden from using the medallion against Yamamoto and stole Yamamoto’s Bankai.
• Yamamoto refused to let Yhwach reach the Soul King Palace, even if he had to fight his dead comrades.
• Yhwach used the medallion to raise the remains of Yamamoto’s former comrades, students, and Chōjirō Sasakibe.
• Yamamoto fought through the skeletons and reached Yhwach, but Yhwach cut him in two with an azure Reishi sword.
• Sajin Komamura activated Bankai—Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō and blocked Yhwach’s Heilig Pfeil to protect Yamamoto.

Sajin Komamura shielded Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s severed body from Yhwach’s bombardment, while Yhwach’s forces gathered around him. With the passage fully opened, Yhwach studied Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō as the dust began to clear.

• Sajin Komamura protected Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s remains as Yhwach’s miniature Heilig Pfeil battered Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō and injured Komamura.
• Jugram Haschwalth reported to Yhwach that the passage had been fully opened.
• Lille Barro judged Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō beneath notice, and Gerard Valkyrie asked Yhwach to let him fight it.
• The chapter introduced the abilities and appearances of the Schutzstaffel: Lille Barro, Gerard Valkyrie, Askin Nakk Le Vaar, and Pernida Parnkgjas.
• Yhwach withdrew his fingers and watched Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō through the dispersing dust.

Sajin Komamura begged Black Ant to save the dying Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, offering his Bankai and life in exchange. Black Ant promised to preserve Yamamoto’s life as Komamura’s consciousness faded.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, dying from his wounds, asked Sajin Komamura whether he had cut down Komamura’s corpse, and Komamura reassured him that he had not.
• Jugram Haschwalth urged Yhwach to leave for the Soul King Palace, and Yhwach taunted Yamamoto before preparing to depart.
• As Yamamoto’s hand fell and he seemed to accept death, Sajin Komamura knelt before Yhwach and begged for Yamamoto’s life.
• Sajin Komamura cut off his own wolf head and offered it to Black Ant, pledging his Bankai and life in exchange for Yamamoto’s survival.
• Black Ant promised to protect Yamamoto even if the Three Realms were destroyed, and Sajin Komamura thanked him before closing his eyes.

As Yhwach defeated Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Black Ant rescued the dying Captain-Commander and restored his body, while the Gotei 13 realized his Reiatsu had vanished. Yhwach departed for the final stage of his power’s return, leaving Gerard Valkyrie behind to kill Black Ant.

• Shunsui Kyoraku and the other Soul Reapers sensed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s Reiatsu disappear, and Toshiro Hitsugaya learned that Cang Du could use his Bankai again.
• Retsu Unohana left Isane Kotetsu in charge of the Fourth Division and rushed to the First Division after seeing Black Ant head there.
• Black Ant removed Sajin Komamura’s Bankai, healed his severed neck, and preserved his body after Komamura sacrificed himself.
• Black Ant placed the mortally wounded Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni in his Shikai Universe, repaired his body with Reishi and Kaidō, and returned him unconscious but physically restored.
• Yhwach ordered Gerard Valkyrie to stay and kill Black Ant, then left with the other four Schutzstaffel members.

Black Ant protected the unconscious Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni from Gerard Valkyrie and let Retsu Unohana carry him away. After Black Ant badly wounded Gerard, Gerard revealed the power of his Schrift, The Miracle, and grew into a giant.

• Gerard Valkyrie fired Heilig Pfeil at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, but Black Ant cut them down and told Retsu Unohana to take Yamamoto away.
• Retsu Unohana thanked Black Ant, placed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni on Minazuki, and prepared to leave the battlefield.
• Gerard Valkyrie tried to stop Retsu Unohana with a gigantic Heilig Pfeil, but Black Ant's blade energy split the arrow and severely wounded Gerard.
• Retsu Unohana left with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni as Black Ant warned Gerard again and approached him.
• Gerard Valkyrie healed his wound, grew to twice his former size, and announced his Schrift, The Miracle.

Black Ant studied Gerard Valkyrie's Schrift, The Miracle, while dismissing his ordinary Quincy attacks and cutting through the Sword of Hope. Gerard explained that damage to the sword inflicted despair on its cutter, then let Black Ant's Reishi beam pierce his shoulder, claiming the wound was a joke.

• Black Ant asked about Gerard Valkyrie's The Miracle, and Gerard explained that negative circumstances became positive effects, restoring him and enlarging his body.
• Gerard fired a Heilig Pfeil, but Black Ant cleaved it apart and challenged Gerard to show him The Miracle.
• Gerard summoned the Sword of Hope and struck at Black Ant, who cut the sword in half.
• Gerard claimed the broken sword's damage would inflict despair on Black Ant, but Black Ant stopped the emotion from affecting him.
• Black Ant fired a Reishi beam through Gerard's left shoulder, and Gerard cried out before saying it was just a joke.

Black Ant defeated Gerard Valkyrie, studied the microscopic Reishi entanglement behind The Miracle, and forced Gerard to reveal his Vollständig before destroying him. Gerard reappeared in a final form as a Garganta opened overhead and Hollow aura spread.

• Black Ant changed his Reishi beam to The Explode, severely injuring Gerard Valkyrie and triggering The Miracle’s regenerative growth.
• Black Ant trapped Gerard with Bakudō #62: Hundred-Step Fence: The Jail and cut him repeatedly while studying how The Miracle worked.
• After declaring Gerard’s ability to be microscopic Reishi entanglement, Black Ant released the binding and cut Gerard’s throat, killing him.
• Gerard revived as his Vollständig, The Power of God, but disintegrated into Reishi before he could strike Black Ant.
• Black Ant theorized that Gerard’s will and soul were entangled through pure Reishi energy, and Gerard reappeared in his final form as a Garganta opened in the sky.

Ichigo Kurosaki stormed into Las Noches to rescue his friends, only to find them playing cards while Aizen waited on his throne. Aizen hinted that he needed Kurosaki's strength for a coming battle, and Kisuke Urahara appeared as Aizen asked whether he had explained the plan.

• Ichigo Kurosaki recalled how Aizen had repeatedly taken his friends hostage to force him to grow stronger.
• Ichigo Kurosaki defeated the Espada and kicked open the doors of Las Noches, where Orihime Inoue, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado were playing cards.
• Ichigo Kurosaki angrily confronted his friends, and they got into a chaotic scuffle.
• Aizen asked whether Ichigo Kurosaki was now strong enough to defeat the Espada and said he might endure a few attacks against Black Ant.
• Ichigo Kurosaki demanded to know Aizen's intentions, and Aizen turned toward Kisuke Urahara, who had appeared at the entrance.

Ichigo Kurosaki learned that Aizen and Kisuke Urahara had each helped cultivate him for their shared goal, though they had never formally cooperated. After receiving word that Seireitei was under attack, Ichigo confronted them, and Aizen led the group toward the battle with the Quincies.

• Kisuke Urahara appeared at Las Noches and denied that he was cooperating with Aizen, while Ichigo realized both men had helped develop his strength.
• Aizen explained that he and Urahara had independently cultivated Ichigo because their goals were the same and they wanted a better chance of victory.
• Ichigo received a message that the Quincies had besieged Seireitei and accused Aizen and Urahara of luring him to Hueco Mundo as part of the attack.
• Urahara questioned Aizen's failure to persuade the Quincies to cooperate, and Aizen revealed that the two men had spent years calculating against each other while pursuing the same ultimate goal.
• Aizen told Ichigo to help the Quincy King and withstand one or two attacks, then led Ichigo and Urahara through a Garganta toward Seireitei.

Aizen brought Ichigo Kurosaki, Kisuke Urahara, the Espada, and Menos Grande to Seireitei, where the Bleaches and Quincy were already locked in a devastating battle. Aizen left for Noble Street while Ichigo decided to descend and help, and Kisuke departed without revealing his plans.

• Ichigo Kurosaki saw Seireitei ravaged by the battle and hesitated to join in, fearing Aizen would unleash the Espada and Menos Grande.
• Ichigo confronted Aizen about his intentions, and Aizen redirected his suspicion toward Kisuke Urahara.
• Kisuke warned that Yhwach had reached the Soul King Palace, while Aizen claimed the Soul King would stop anyone who tried to destroy him.
• Kisuke left using Shunpo after assuring Ichigo and the others that Aizen would not release the Hollows into Seireitei.
• Aizen told Ichigo to help Seireitei and assigned Orihime Inoue to heal him, then headed toward Noble Street for a pre-battle diversion.
• Ichigo shouted after Aizen, then charged down toward Seireitei to join the fighting.

Black Ant subdued Gerard Valkyrie by taking control of his Reishi body and left Gerard's consciousness trapped inside it. After Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends arrived to aid the Bleach, Black Ant bound Uryu Ishida and proposed giving him a Schrift, while Aizen reached the Tsunayashiro Clan estate.

• Black Ant explained that he could control Gerard Valkyrie's Reishi body, then sealed Gerard's mouth and confined his consciousness for study.
• Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions arrived, saw the motionless giant, and greeted Black Ant.
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, and Yasutora Sado went to help the Bleach, while Uryu Ishida stayed behind.
• Ichigo Kurosaki warned Black Ant that Aizen had come to the Seireitei and that stronger enemies might appear.
• Black Ant offered Uryu Ishida a Schrift and the chance to become the ancestor of the Quincy, then bound him when he tried to flee.
• Aizen arrived at the Tsunayashiro Clan estate.

Aizen visited Tokinada Tsunayashiro to warn him that Yhwach would fail and that he should prepare to face Black Ant. Tokinada realized Aizen had come to tell him that his death was approaching, and resolved to meet the threat with interest.

• Aizen entered the Tsunayashiro Family estate and told Tokinada Tsunayashiro to take up the family blade and prepare for battle.
• Tokinada refused to help Aizen, believing he had come to recruit the Tsunayashiro Family against Yhwach.
• Aizen revealed that Tokinada’s actions had caused the “Mysterious Hollow” a century earlier, but insisted nobody had cared about him or his position.
• Tokinada laughed at the confirmation and taunted Aizen, while Aizen told him to keep his blade close and struggle to survive.
• After Aizen left, a dark-blue-haired woman observed that he had not come to fight, and Tokinada said he had come to remind him of his death.