Chapter Summaries

The elite class began sensing their Asauchi as Instructor Omori explained how to prepare for achieving Shikai. Ichimaru Gin reflected on his bond with He-El and released his Shikai, calling it Shinsō.

• After their Kidō lesson, the elite class students discussed Shikai as they headed to the meditation room.
• Instructor Omori instructed the students to calm their hearts before the teaching assistants distributed Asauchi.
• Ichimaru Gin recalled how he had survived as a venomous snake and how He-El had become someone he could trust completely.
• Ichimaru Gin realized he could be his own venomous snake and He-El's as well, then raised his Asauchi.
• Ichimaru Gin chanted, "Shoot him, Shinsō!"

Ichimaru Gin activated his Shikai on his first contact with an Asauchi, causing an accident that sparked academy-wide comparisons with He-El, who Rangiku revealed had already mastered Shikai before enrolling. Gin later found He-El in the library and said he thought he should graduate.

• Ichimaru Gin awakened Shinsō and accidentally sliced through half of a Shin'ō Academy teaching building before instructors rescued the students.
• Students debated whether Ichimaru Gin or He-El was more impressive, and Rangiku said He-El was stronger because he had already used Shikai before enrolling.
• Rangiku learned that the instructors had released Gin and would not make him pay for the building, then went looking for him with food.
• Rangiku found He-El in the library, where Ichimaru Gin arrived and told He-El he thought he should graduate.

He-El questioned why Ichimaru Gin wanted to graduate early, but Gin explained that he wanted to pursue his own path and learn by joining Fifth Division. He-El accepted Gin’s choice and sent him to deliver an ancient tome to Aizen.

• He-El asked Ichimaru Gin why he wanted to leave Shin'ō Academy after only half a year of safety and peace.
• Ichimaru Gin said he had learned everything the Academy could teach and wanted to see the world beyond its walls.
• He-El asked which division Gin planned to join, and Gin chose Fifth Division.
• Ichimaru Gin explained that he wanted to learn from Aizen Sōsuke, whom he considered He-El’s enemy, and test his own limits.
• He-El gave Gin an ancient tome containing a dark sphere and told him to have Aizen place it in the Great Spirit Library beneath the Central 46 Chambers' underground council hall.

Shunsui Kyoraku visited He-El at Shin'ō Academy to answer his request to enter the Great Spirit Library, but explained that he could not obtain permission. He-El said he would enter on his own, leaving Shunsui worried about the consequences.

• Shunsui Kyoraku took back the task of dealing with He-El after Ukitake became too ill to go to Shin'ō Academy.
• Shunsui found He-El relaxing by the academy lake without his Zanpakuto and asked whether he was taking it easy.
• He-El asked if Shunsui had come to take him into the Great Spirit Library, and Shunsui explained that the Central 46 Chambers and the Tsunayashiro Clan controlled access.
• He-El said he would enter the Great Spirit Library himself, while Shunsui feared the trouble his plan could cause.
• An instructor delivered He-El a letter on Fifth Division stationery, which He-El destroyed before telling Shunsui that his entry probably would not cause him trouble.

He-El told Shunsui Kyoraku he intended to enter the Great Spirit Library, forcing Shunsui to challenge him so he could avoid blame for allowing it. He-El questioned Shunsui about the Soul King's dismemberment, then declared that nothing could change his will as a dark sphere swallowed them both.

• He-El destroyed a note and told Shunsui Kyoraku that entering the Great Spirit Library would not cause him trouble.
• Shunsui Kyoraku explained that knowing He-El's plan and failing to stop him could expose him to punishment and leverage from the Tsunayashiro Clan.
• Shunsui Kyoraku challenged He-El to defeat him so he could claim he had been unable to prevent the entry.
• He-El asked Shunsui why the Soul King had been dismembered, and Shunsui recalled how the noble ancestors had sealed and mutilated the Soul King to control him.
• He-El answered that the Soul King had been willing, then summoned a dark sphere that swallowed Shunsui and himself.

He-El confronted Shunsui Kyoraku and transported him into the Great Spirit Library despite his protests. The chapter ended as someone inside the library recognized Shunsui.

• He-El swallowed Shunsui Kyoraku into a lightless space, where Shunsui realized he had been transported and could not sense Reishi.
• Shunsui praised He-El's unrestrained freedom and asked why he had brought him there.
• He-El said he had considered killing Shunsui if he attacked, then asked whether Shunsui had ever entered the Great Spirit Library.
• Shunsui begged He-El to return him to the pavilion, fearing the consequences if the Tsunayashiro Family learned he had entered the library.
• He-El transported Shunsui into a vast corridor lined with bookshelves, where a sinister-eyed figure recognized him.

He-El and Shunsui Kyoraku entered the Great Spirit Library through a hidden passage and encountered Tokinada Tsunayashiro inside. Tokinada’s discovery threatened to turn their unauthorized entry into a political advantage for the Tsunayashiro Clan.

• He-El entered the Great Spirit Library through a small world hidden inside an ancient book and found someone else there.
• He-El considered wiping out the Tsunayashiro Clan if its members tried to obstruct him.
• Shunsui Kyoraku recognized Tokinada Tsunayashiro and questioned why the clan’s confined member was in the library.
• Shunsui recalled Tokinada’s crimes, including murdering Kakyō Tsunayashiro and manipulating Kaname Tosen.
• Tokinada accused Shunsui of bringing someone into the Great Spirit Library without the Tsunayashiro Family’s permission.

Shunsui Kyoraku confronted Tokinada Tsunayashiro over He-El’s unauthorized entry into the Great Spirit Library, but Tokinada demanded that Shunsui cut off the child’s hand. He-El grew impatient with their standoff and reached toward Tokinada, setting the confrontation in motion.

• Tokinada Tsunayashiro mocked Shunsui Kyoraku for bringing He-El into the Great Spirit Library and threatened to use the violation against him.
• Shunsui warned Tokinada to show He-El respect, while considering how the breach might endanger his family and standing.
• Tokinada offered to conceal their entry if Shunsui cut off He-El’s hand in front of him.
• Shunsui’s demeanor turned cold as he recognized the danger Tokinada posed to his family.
• He-El gave up waiting for Shunsui to resolve the standoff and extended his hand toward Tokinada.

He-El attacked Tokinada Tsunayashiro in the Great Spirit Library, crushing his left arm and leaving him badly wounded. As He-El prepared to strike again, Shunsui Kyoraku stepped between them and offered to handle Tokinada himself.

• Tokinada Tsunayashiro mocked He-El, but a dark sphere He-El created tore off Tokinada's left arm and smashed him into a bookshelf.
• Tokinada realized the attack had nearly crushed him into Reishi, while Shunsui Kyoraku watched in shock.
• He-El remained unmoved by Tokinada's pain and raised his hand to attack him again.
• Shunsui Kyoraku drew his Asauchi, stood between He-El and Tokinada, and asked He-El to leave Tokinada to him.

He-El agreed to hold back from killing while Shunsui Kyoraku tried to stop Tokinada Tsunayashiro from provoking him. Tokinada activated the Great Spirit Library’s shifting space, and He-El sent Shunsui outside before vanishing into his small world to deal with the threat.

• He-El told Shunsui Kyoraku he would not kill the nobles if they stopped interfering with him.
• Tokinada Tsunayashiro rose despite his severed arm and threatened Shunsui and everyone he protected.
• Shunsui attacked Tokinada, but Tokinada vanished into a bookshelf and triggered the Great Spirit Library’s folded spaces.
• He-El said he would make his move as the library’s space closed in around them.
• He-El threw Shunsui out to the lakeside pavilion and vanished into the small world stored within Rangiku's body.

Rangiku worried that Gin and He-El were leaving her behind, so she trained herself to exhaustion. When He-El appeared in her shower on his way to confront Tokinada Tsunayashiro, she clung to him and asked if he was going to fight.

• Rangiku reflected on how Gin’s Shikai release and graduation had widened the distance between her and her companions.
• Rangiku trained intensely with He-El’s breathing method and Zan Ken So Ki, hoping not to fall behind Gin and He-El.
• He-El appeared in Rangiku’s shower and prepared to leave for the Tsunayashiro Family to kill Tokinada Tsunayashiro.
• Rangiku grabbed He-El from behind, admitted she was scared, and asked whether he was going to fight.
• He-El answered, “Mm.”

He-El left the girls’ dormitory and headed for the Tsunayashiro Family’s residence, unleashing Senkai to absorb Reishi across Soul Society. As buildings began to break apart and the sky filled with glowing Reishi, students evacuated while Shunsui Kyoraku rushed to confront the disturbance.

• Rangiku confessed her fear that He-El would leave too, and He-El reassured her that she already had a place in his heart.
• Rangiku awkwardly suggested bathing before He-El left to fight, but he said he would wash when he returned and departed the dormitory.
• He-El summoned his Zanpakuto and manifested three thousand Senkai spheres as he traveled through the sky toward the Tsunayashiro Family’s residence.
• Senkai absorbed Reishi from the atmosphere and nearby buildings, making the sky glow and causing structures to crumble.
• An instructor evacuated the students to the training grounds, where Rangiku watched He-El anxiously.
• Shunsui Kyoraku saw the Reishi-filled sky, abandoned his sake, and rushed into the air with his Asauchi.

He-El continued drawing in the Reishi around Shin'ō Academy as Shunsui Kyoraku tried to stop him and promised access to the Great Spirit Library. When He-El rejected the Seireitei’s authority and Shunsui prepared to fight, Hell Gate suddenly appeared above the Seireitei.

• He-El absorbed the Reishi of Shin'ō Academy, causing its buildings to break apart as instructors prepared to intervene.
• Shunsui Kyoraku confronted He-El and promised he could read in the Great Spirit Library if he stopped.
• He-El told Shunsui that the Seireitei and its rules should adapt to him, not the other way around.
• Shunsui drew Katen Kyokotsu and released its Shikai, declaring himself He-El’s first enemy.
• Hell Gate emerged above the Seireitei’s Soul Veil, interrupting Shunsui’s impending attack.

The Hell Gate emerged above the Seireitei, terrifying Shinigami across the city and confirming that He-El’s Shikai could summon it. Yoruichi Shihōin, Jushiro Ukitake, and Kensei Muguruma rushed toward Shin'ō Academy, where Shunsui Kyoraku’s unstable Reiatsu could be sensed beneath the gate.

• The Hell Gate tore through the sky above the Seireitei, spreading an ominous aura that alarmed the Shinigami and prompted calls for a full alert.
• Yoruichi Shihōin recognized the direction of the Hell Gate as Shin'ō Academy and hurried to find Kisuke Urahara.
• Jushiro Ukitake sensed Shunsui Kyoraku’s unstable Reiatsu beneath the Hell Gate and set out toward him despite his illness.
• Kensei Muguruma recalled He-El’s claim that his Shikai had caused the Hell Gate to appear and rushed toward Shin'ō Academy.

Hell Gate appeared above Shin'ō Academy, prompting captains across the Seireitei to rush there while their divisions prepared to support them. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni realized He-El had rejected the path he had planned to bind him to Soul Society, and the chapter ended with Yamamoto's immense pressure filling his office.

• Juushiro Ukitake sensed Hell Gate, ordered his squad to remain alert, and hurried toward Shin'ō Academy.
• Retsu Unohana ordered Kiyosuke Yamada to prepare medical care and headed to Shin'ō Academy.
• Shinsuke Hirako refused to let Aizen join the response, while Aizen and Ichimaru Gin discussed He-El and prepared the Fifth Division for rescue work.
• Ginrei Kuchiki watched Hell Gate emerge above the Seireitei as captains headed toward Shin'ō Academy.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni reflected that He-El had rejected his plan to form bonds in Soul Society, then filled his office with immense pressure.

He-El fought Shunsui Kyoraku, countering Katen Kyokotsu’s games by redirecting their force and learning how its shadow ability worked. He-El killed Shunsui before he could release his Bankai.

• Shunsui Kyoraku used Higher Ground Wins to strengthen his slashes, but He-El redirected their force into a dark sphere that quickly regenerated.
• Shunsui changed the game to Shadow-Stepped Loses and stabbed He-El through the chest from his shadow.
• He-El healed the wound and explained that Shunsui’s blade had connected with his Reishi, letting him exploit the shadow ability.
• Shunsui began chanting his Bankai, but He-El filled his body with shadow spikes and sent him falling from the sky.

Seven captains rushed toward Shin'ō Academy after sensing the Hell Gate and learned from Kensei Muguruma that He-El's Shikai had caused it to appear. Shunsui Kyoraku fell from the sky after his Bankai failed to activate, and Jushiro Ukitake caught him as Retsu Unohana moved to provide treatment.

• Seven captains raced toward Shin'ō Academy, where the Hell Gate had appeared, and Kenpachi Zaraki dismissed Retsu Unohana's decision to join the fight.
• Kensei Muguruma explained that He-El's Shikai had caused the Hell Gate to appear when He-El fought in Rukongai.
• Kenpachi Zaraki declared that the captains only needed to defeat He-El, while Jushiro Ukitake urged them to hurry because Shunsui Kyoraku was fighting him.
• Shunsui Kyoraku's Bankai failed to activate, and he fell from the sky after He-El defeated him.
• Jushiro Ukitake caught Shunsui Kyoraku before he hit the ground, while Retsu Unohana broke away to treat him.

Jushiro Ukitake and Retsu Unohana tried to save the grievously wounded Shunsui Kyoraku, who warned that overwhelming Reiatsu could defeat He-El. As five captains confronted He-El, he absorbed Shinsuke Hirako’s Crimson Fire Cannon and unleashed a vastly enlarged version against Kenpachi Zaraki.

• Jushiro Ukitake caught the nearly lifeless Shunsui Kyoraku, who struggled to say that Reiatsu was the key to defeating He-El.
• Retsu Unohana used Minazuki to swallow Shunsui and preserve his life, though his body’s Reishi structure had been destroyed.
• Shinsuke Hirako attacked He-El with a fully chanted Hadō #31: Crimson Fire Cannon, but He-El absorbed it with a black disc.
• Kenpachi Zaraki charged at He-El, dismissing Kidō as a toy and preparing to fight at close range.
• He-El chanted Crimson Fire Cannon and used the absorbed Reishi to create a five-hundred-meter blast that struck Kenpachi Zaraki and exploded in the sky.

Kenpachi Zaraki endured Retsu Unohana’s enormous Sekihō long enough to unleash Bankai, while Jushiro Ukitake shielded Shin'ō Academy from the blast. The smoke cleared to reveal Zaraki charred and lifeless, and he collapsed as the captains fell silent.

• Retsu Unohana’s gigantic Sekihō engulfed Kenpachi Zaraki before he could release Shikai, and he activated Bankai as the flames became unstable.
• Jushiro Ukitake released Sōgyo no Kotowari and absorbed the blast’s embers to protect Shin'ō Academy.
• The Sekihō exploded, destroying the area around the academy gates and leaving a crater more than two thousand meters wide.
• The captains saw Kenpachi Zaraki standing in the crater and briefly believed he had survived the explosion.
• Kensei Muguruma realized Zaraki had not blocked the blast, and Zaraki fell backward, charred and lifeless.

He-El explained that he had attacked Shunsui Kyoraku because he wanted to read the Three Realms’ records in the Great Spirit Library and destroy the Tsunayashiro Family after Tokinada Tsunayashiro stopped him. The captains attacked him, but He-El blocked their Shikai and emerged unharmed, asking how long visual information took to reach the brain.

• Kensei Muguruma asked He-El why he had hurt Shunsui Kyoraku and brought forth Hell Gate, and He-El explained his conflict with Tokinada Tsunayashiro over the Great Spirit Library.
• The captains decided to fight He-El, and Shinsuke Hirako used Sakanade’s fragrance to reverse He-El’s sense of direction.
• Shinsuke Hirako struck He-El across the shoulder and chest, but He-El controlled his blood and evaded the follow-up attack.
• Kensei Muguruma, Love Aikawa, and Juushiro Ukitake attacked He-El with their Shikai abilities while the other captains joined in.
• He-El used Bakudō #8: Seki: Four Corners to block the attacks, walked out unharmed, and asked how long visual information took to reach the brain.