Recaps

After a century of campaigning in Hueco Mundo, Araki led the expeditionary force back to Soul Society and prepared to confront the nobles who had taken advantage of its absence. On arrival, he killed the arrogant man appointed as the new 11th Division captain.

• The captains discovered that Gillian corpses powered a healing and training hot spring, prompting four more captains to hunt Gillians in the Forest of Menos.
• Over the next century, the expeditionary force kept Hueco Mundo’s Menos under control until Araki declared the mission complete and rallied his division to return to Soul Society.
• Genryūsai learned that Araki had been informed of the 11th Division’s situation and resolved to warn the nobles who had exploited the division’s absence.
• The new 11th Division captain refused to attend the summons and attacked a subordinate who warned him that Araki was returning.
• Araki arrived at the 11th Division barracks, questioned the man’s claim to command, and cut him down.

Araki returned from Hueco Mundo after killing the 11th Division captain, and Genryūsai punished him only by docking a week’s salary while recognizing him as captain. Araki then enlisted Shihoin Sennichi in a plan involving the Soul King Palace and left the 2nd Division barracks with young Shihoin Yoruichi in his care.

• Unohana Retsu told Genryūsai that Araki had returned ahead of the expeditionary force, and Chōjirō Sasakibe presented the bloodstained 11th Division captain’s haori Araki had sent.
• Genryūsai declared that Araki would lose one week’s salary and dismissed the captains who had gathered to welcome the expeditionary force.
• Araki met Shihoin Sennichi at the 2nd Division barracks, and Sennichi understood that Araki and Genryūsai were preparing to send the original captains to the Soul King Palace.
• Sennichi agreed to Araki’s plan but asked him to help raise a Shihoin heir, and Araki refused until Sennichi introduced young Shihoin Yoruichi.
• Araki left the barracks with Yoruichi beside him and wondered whether he should send her to Division 0.

Araki sparred with young Shihoin Yoruichi, easily outmatched her and spanked her after she tried to escape by shedding her clothes. He then took Yoruichi and Unohana to the 4th Division to find Kirinjū Tenjirō, while ordering the 11th Division members to run daily without using Shunpo.

• Araki faced Yoruichi at the newly rebuilt 11th Division dojo, where she challenged him to a fight.
• Yoruichi attacked Araki with afterimages and tried to escape using the Shihoin Clan’s Cicada Shell technique, but Araki repeatedly caught her with his teleportation ability.
• Araki spanked Yoruichi until she admitted she would stop throwing away her clothes, then invited her to a place where she could improve her Shunpo.
• Araki told Retsu to accompany him and ordered Furofushi to guard the barracks, while assigning the 11th Division members daily runs from Hakutōmon to Seiryūmon without Shunpo.
• Araki and Unohana took Yoruichi to the 4th Division to find Kirinjū Tenjirō, who wondered why his right eyelid would not stop twitching.

Araki brought Yoruichi and Unohana Retsu to the 4th Division barracks to recruit Kirinjii as their teacher. After Araki defeated him in a speed contest and revealed how his ability worked, Kirinjii accepted that his Shunpo could not overcome Araki’s power.

• Kirinjii agreed to teach Yoruichi Shunpo for one billion after she offered to pay, then challenged her aptitude.
• Kirinjii refused to teach Unohana Retsu Kaido unless Araki could touch him, so Araki accepted the contest.
• Araki repeatedly pulled Kirinjii back into range with his ability and cut off his pompadour, prompting Kirinjii to concede.
• Kirinjii asked about Araki’s ability, and Araki explained that he could move anything weaker in Spiritual Pressure anywhere his own Spiritual Pressure reached.
• Kirinjii concluded that his Shunpo was useless against Araki.

After restoring Kirinjū Tenjirō’s pompadour, Araki secured his promise to teach Unohana and Yoruichi Shunpo and Kaido, then set out to bring the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō under his command. He arrived at the Kidō Corps barracks and demonstrated Goryūtenmetsu, leaving a gatekeeper stunned as he flew toward the grounds.

• Araki reattached Kirinjū Tenjirō’s severed hair with ROOM, prompting Kirinjū to promise to teach Unohana and Yoruichi Shunpo and Kaido.
• Araki and Unohana agreed to kill Kirinjū once he had taught them everything, while Kirinjū overheard their plan.
• Araki told Unohana and Yoruichi he was leaving to test an idea, and warned Kirinjū to teach Yoruichi properly.
• Araki decided to bring the Onmitsukidō and Kidō Corps under his command, planning to use Yoruichi to subdue the Onmitsukidō.
• At the Kidō Corps barracks, Araki told a gatekeeper he would teach the Grand Kidō Master, then cast Goryūtenmetsu and flew toward the grounds on its dragon.

Araki confronted the Kidō Corps with Hado #99: Goryūtenmetsu, defeating its members and proving his Kidō surpassed theirs. He recruited Tessai Tsukabishi and the Grand Kidō Master to help develop a fusion of Kidō and Hakuda, then set out with them to approach the Onmitsukidō.

• Araki rode a reishi dragon over the Kidō Corps barracks, and the corps members' attacks could not reach him.
• The Grand Kidō Master fired Hado #88 at Araki, but Araki's Hado #99 overwhelmed the defenses of the Grand Kidō Master and Tessai Tsukabishi and knocked the corps members unconscious.
• Araki revealed that the dragon was Goryūtenmetsu, reassured Tessai Tsukabishi that the corps members were alive, and explained that he wanted help researching Kidō.
• Araki proposed combining Kidō and Hakuda into a new power, and the Grand Kidō Master and Tessai Tsukabishi recognized that the idea might work.
• Araki identified the Onmitsukidō as Soul Society's strongest Hakuda practitioners, and the Grand Kidō Master eagerly offered to lead him there.

Araki demolished the Onmitsukidō barracks, defeated its commander, and took control of the organization, declaring it would serve him rather than the nobles. He brought Soifon, the young heir of the Feng Clan, to Yoruichi as her attendant, and Soifon pledged to serve her after learning her identity.

• Araki challenged the Onmitsukidō and incapacitated its soldiers, then destroyed the barracks with his new technique, Ikkotsu: Impact.
• Araki crushed the commander’s concealed sword, beat him unconscious, took his badge, and claimed the Onmitsukidō commander-in-chief position.
• Araki discovered that the young soldier named Soifon was a girl and carried her from the ruins, saying he intended her to become Yoruichi’s attendant.
• Araki brought Soifon to the 4th Division barracks, where Yoruichi welcomed her as a little sister.
• Soifon recognized Yoruichi as a member of the Shihoin Clan, knelt, and pledged to serve her.

Araki returned to the 4th Division barracks with the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō, where Soifon warned Yoruichi that he was dangerous. Central 46 rewarded Araki for defeating Ikkomikidō, and after learning about his many identities, Yoruichi eagerly agreed to train under him while Soifon realized the people around him shared his violent outlook.

• Araki introduced Unohana to Soifon, Tessai Tsukabishi, and the other visitors, and Soifon warned Yoruichi that Araki had defeated the Onmitsukidō.
• Central 46's retainers arrived with gifts honoring Araki for destroying Ikkomikidō, and Araki told them to distribute the thirty million kan among themselves.
• Araki warned the retainers that another Menos had escaped from the Soul King Palace and wanted revenge on the Soul Society, prompting them to return his money and hurry away.
• Kirinjū Tenjirō listed Araki's accomplishments and identities, and Yoruichi eagerly asked to become his disciple.
• Araki arranged for Yoruichi and Soifon to train with him and the others, then explained to Unohana that he opposed others using violence against him.
• Unohana calmly advised Araki to kill everyone he had provoked before they could seek revenge, leaving Soifon convinced that nobody around her was normal.

Central 46 tried to have Araki recalled to the Soul King Palace, but the Monk refused and Yamamoto instead ordered Araki to teach at Shino Academy. Araki resisted, fought Yamamoto, and arrived at his new classroom a month later, where he caught Kyoraku after a prank; Yamamoto then dragged Sasakibe off to spar.

• Central 46 raged over Araki’s threat but decided to ask Division 0 to send him back to the Soul King Palace.
• The Monk rejected Central 46’s request and concealed himself from the fighting First Generation Gotei 13 and Ikkomikidō in Araki’s palace.
• After hearing of Araki’s destruction across the Seireitei, Yamamoto ordered Sasakibe to assign him a teaching post at Shino Academy.
• Araki refused Yamamoto’s order, provoking Yamamoto to confront him with his Zanpakuto; one month later, Araki arrived at his classroom with his head bandaged.
• Kyoraku’s prank drenched Araki, who grabbed him by the head, while Yamamoto later pulled Sasakibe away to spar.

Araki’s three remaining students revealed themselves as Kyoraku Jiro Sozo Saishunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada, and he exposed what he knew of their lives and futures. He asked whether they wanted to change their destinies, leaving their answers unresolved.

• Araki spent months teaching almost nothing while Yamamoto rejected the nobles’ complaints, causing students to leave his class until only three remained.
• Araki asked why the three had stayed, and Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada each gave their reasons.
• The students introduced themselves, and Araki recognized their important family backgrounds and future roles.
• Araki explained Kyoraku’s need for power, offered to cure Ukitake if he reached the third rank in Spiritual Pressure, and told Tokinada to learn his family’s history.
• Araki asked the three whether they wanted to change their destinies, and they were left shocked by his question.

Araki took Shunsui, Ukitake, and Tokinada from class to the 11th Division dojo, where he lectured them about power and trained them by beating them with two-sword attacks. When Tokinada brought his father to confront Araki, his father recognized the danger, apologized, and ordered Tokinada to keep attending Araki’s classes.

• Araki led Shunsui, Ukitake, and Tokinada out of class and brought them to the 11th Division dojo.
• Araki told Tokinada that strength could make rules meaningless, then began teaching the three students the Two-Sword Style.
• Araki overwhelmed Shunsui, Ukitake, and Tokinada with Spiritual Pressure slashes and beat them through their training.
• Tokinada told his father that Araki had beaten him and insulted the Tsunayashiro Family, prompting his father to go seek justice.
• Tokinada led his father to the 11th Division, where his father recognized Araki, apologized, and slapped Tokinada for provoking him.
• Tokinada's father dragged him home and told him to keep attending Araki's classes, leaving Tokinada stunned that the beatings would continue.

Araki trained Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada while studying the Shihoin Clan’s martial arts to develop his own Six Powers. At the Soul King Palace, Hyosube hid the Tenchuren and begged Oetsu Nimaiya and the First Generation Gotei 13 to keep Araki away, fearing he would come for him.

• Araki studied the Shihoin Clan’s vast martial arts collection and began adapting its knowledge into the Araki Six Powers.
• Tokinada admitted his father had beaten him and said he planned to learn Araki’s techniques to take revenge on the Tsunayashiro Clan; Araki struck him for threatening him.
• Kyoraku defied his family’s advice and chose to train with Araki, while Ukitake said his heart told him to learn from Araki.
• Araki had the three train on their own, making Kyoraku do ten thousand push-ups when he tried to slack off, and kept them training until evening.
• Kyoraku proposed resisting Araki after training, but Tokinada warned him that Araki could bully his father, and Ukitake urged him to trust their teacher.
• Hyosube concealed the Tenchuren and pleaded with Oetsu Nimaiya and the First Generation Gotei 13 to stop Araki from reaching the Soul King Palace, fearing Araki would kill him.

Araki put Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada through punishing synchronized endurance training, then spoke with Kirinjii about improving his hot springs and joining Division 0. The Monk learned of Araki’s plan but refused to leave the heavens.

• Araki made Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada pull a cart from Seiryūmon to Hakutōmon while wearing sandbags, and taught them about Reishi-based martial techniques.
• Araki forced the three to synchronize their pace, and Kyoraku and Tokinada helped Ukitake keep going until they reached Hakutōmon at midnight.
• Araki healed the exhausted trio, then took them to Kirinjii’s hot spring, where they ate ramen and fell asleep.
• Araki told Kirinjii he intended to help him rise to a higher position and asked what he thought of Division 0.
• Araki proposed redesigning Kirinjii’s hot springs into two pools that expelled damaged Reishi and replenished it, and Kirinjii eagerly understood the plan.
• The Monk learned that Araki hoped Kirinjii’s advancement would make him leave the heavens, but he declared that he would not come down.

After a century of training under Araki, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada passed their graduation assessment by coordinating their Zanpakuto abilities to catch him off guard. Araki then sent them to the Soul King Palace to learn Bankai.

• Araki trained the three students in combat, healing, movement, and Kidō techniques through a weekly routine that continued for a hundred years.
• Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada arrived at the 11th Division dojo for Araki’s graduation assessment and released their Zanpakuto against him.
• The three students combined their Zanpakuto abilities and used Kyoraku’s Kageoni to attack Araki from his own shadow.
• Araki switched places with Tokinada and cut apart Kyoraku’s Impact Finger, but conceded that the three had passed.
• Araki told Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada to go to the Soul King Palace and learn their Bankai.

Araki reassured Tokinada about his ancestors’ actions and brought his disciples to the Shiba Clan estate, where he decided to reach the Soul King Palace by force after learning the Tenchuren was missing. The chapter left Monk panicking as Araki prepared to fire a Shiba Cannon at the palace.

• Araki struck Tokinada out of his brooding and told him that his choices, not his ancestors’ deeds, would define him.
• Araki reflected on Tokinada’s Zanpakuto, Catching Wind and Shadows, and how its abilities complemented Kyoraku and Ukitake’s Zanpakuto.
• At the Shiba Clan estate, Araki’s disciples met Shihoin Yoruichi, who sparred with Araki before introducing herself to them.
• Kirinjū Tenjirō arrived and explained that he was heading to the Soul King Palace to report to Division 0 after helping Araki develop new hot spring facilities.
• Oetsu Nimaiya told Araki that Monk had hidden the Tenchuren, so Araki demanded Shiba Cannon gunpowder to shoot the Soul King Palace out of the sky.
• Monk panicked when Oetsu reported that Araki had aimed the cannon and was preparing to light it.

Araki brought his disciples to the Soul King Palace and assigned them Bankai training under Oetsu Nimaiya. As they entered their inner worlds, Ukitake met Mimihagi and began to fulfill their agreement, while Mimihagi watched Araki through Ukitake’s eyes.

• The Monk gave Kirinjii a task, assigned the others to follow Oetsu Nimaiya, and warned them to obey the Soul King Palace’s rules.
• Araki reassured Soifon about her standing and told her to adapt to the palace’s spiritual pressure while he checked on the others.
• Oetsu Nimaiya revealed that Araki also belonged to Division 0, then began Bankai training for Yoruichi, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada.
• Oetsu Nimaiya used a fragrant incense to send the four disciples into their inner worlds, where Tokinada, Kyoraku, and Yoruichi encountered their Zanpakuto spirits.
• Ukitake met Mimihagi instead of his Zanpakuto spirit, promised to release Mimihagi once he found another goal, and watched Mimihagi focus its gaze on Araki.

Araki let Mimihagi enter his body, where his Zanpakuto destroyed its consciousness and he fused its power with Quincy power from the Soul King and Yhwach. He became the progenitor of the Quincies and gained the Schrift “A—act of God,” leaving him wondering whether he could form his own Sternritter.

• Ukitake released Mimihagi, and Araki switched places with Oetsu to restore Ukitake before Mimihagi struck him.
• Monk told Oetsu that the Soul King intended to grant Araki Quincy power, then fled toward the Human World as the Soul King's Great Inner Palace shook.
• Araki's Zanpakuto destroyed Mimihagi's consciousness, allowing Araki to fuse its power with Quincy power from the Soul King, Yhwach, and the Quincies whose hearts he had collected.
• Araki changed the bloodline command of those Quincies from Yhwach to himself and gained the Schrift “A—act of God.”
• Araki wondered whether he could form his own Sternritter and become the Quincy progenitor.

Ukitake woke in Oetsu Nimaiya’s palace after Araki’s plan succeeded, though he remained weak from exhausting his Spiritual Pressure. Araki explained the trainees’ completion requirements, and Tokinada chose to make becoming head of the Tsunayashiro Family an additional condition of his own training.

• Ukitake woke, insisted on finding Araki, and calmed down when Araki told him their plan had succeeded.
• Kyoraku and Tokinada rushed to see Ukitake, argued with each other, and learned from Araki that Ukitake was recovering well.
• Araki asked about their Bankai training; Kyoraku and Tokinada had mastered Bankai, while Yoruichi was still struggling to learn hers.
• Araki set the group’s training requirements, including Bankai, Second Class Spiritual Might, and leadership roles, with additional Shunkō and clan duties for Yoruichi.
• Tokinada asked Araki to make becoming head of the Tsunayashiro Family a requirement, and Araki agreed.

After Yoruichi mastered Bankai, Araki began practical combat training by bringing his disciples to his Lapis Lazuli palace, where they faced regenerating monsters and then the legendary First Generation Gotei 13. The chapter ended with nine first-generation captains approaching Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi as their true opponents.

• Ukitake recovered from Mimihagi's departure, mastered Bankai, and named his inherited power God's Hanging.
• Yoruichi mastered Bankai on the final day of Araki's one-month deadline, and Araki announced practical combat training for her, Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Tokinada.
• Araki led the four disciples to his Lapis Lazuli palace, revealed its floating stairway and beautiful city, then kicked them down into the palace grounds.
• Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi fought hordes of hard, regenerating Lapis Lazuli monsters until the creatures fled from something approaching.
• Tokinada recognized the approaching figures as the First Generation Gotei 13, and nine captains closed in on the four disciples as their true opponents.

Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi faced Sanjōji Yuhō and the First Generation Gotei 13 captains in their final assessment, but Yuhō overwhelmed them despite their strongest combined attack. The veteran captains divided the four students among themselves for separate training, and Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi each began to release Bankai.

• Sanjōji Yuhō crushed Kyoraku’s slash, endured Yoruichi’s Shunkō-enhanced kick, and caught her after the recoil broke her leg.
• Tokinada unleashed a charged wind slash, and Ukitake redirected its energy through Sōgyo no Kotowari into a powerful attack against Yuhō.
• Yuhō survived the combined attack with little injury, drew his Zanpakuto, and nearly struck Yoruichi before the other First Generation captains restrained the students.
• Obana Danjirō, Ōto Kawa Uokihime, Katori Bakuunsai, and Shijima Tomokiri selected Kyoraku, Ukitake, Yoruichi, and Tokinada for separate training, with other captains joining them.
• The First Generation captains took the four students to separate corners of Araki’s detached palace, where Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi simultaneously began releasing Bankai.

Araki returned to Soul Society after leaving his disciples to train with the First Generation Gotei 13, and spent the next fifty years in comfortable retirement. The chapter ended when he learned that a patrol had been badly attacked in Kenpachi District and prepared to investigate.

• Kyoraku used his Bankai against Obana Danjirō and Shigyō Nobutsuna, but Shigyō Nobutsuna trapped him in Nobutsuna Dojo and defeated him through swordsmanship.
• The First Generation Gotei 13 defeated Kyoraku, Ukitake, Tokinada, and Yoruichi, then tossed them into a hot spring to recover; Araki also brought the unconscious Soifon to train with them.
• Araki left Soul King Palace for Soul Society, while Monk received Araki's letter and accepted that he had been bound to serve him.
• Soifon woke in an emerald-green pool at Hisui Palace and found herself surrounded by members of the First Generation Gotei 13.
• Araki returned to the 11th Division and learned that Unohana Retsu had become captain of the 4th Division and Shihoin Igarashi had replaced Shihoin Sennichi as captain of the 2nd Division.
• Fifty years later, Araki learned that a patrol unit had suffered severe casualties in Kenpachi District and was asked to send support.

Araki led the 11th Division into Kenpachi District to investigate the disappearance of three 10th Division squads. There, he found the source of the danger: a terrifying young boy, whom Araki sent flying with a single strike.

• Araki learned that three 10th Division squads had gone missing in Kenpachi District and offered to investigate with the 11th Division.
• Genryūsai heard that Araki had spoken amicably with the 10th Division captain and was pleased that Araki seemed to be learning social conventions.
• Araki rallied the 11th Division and led them into Kenpachi District, leaving Saito Furofushi behind to guard the barracks.
• Araki's squad swept through hostile groups and advanced into a desolate region, where they found a mountain of freshly piled corpses.
• A filthy young boy appeared atop the corpse pile and moved to attack the 11th Division, filling its members with fear.
• Araki intercepted the boy's strike and sent him flying, while the boy looked at Araki with wild excitement.

Araki fought the feral young Kenpachi in the Kenpachi District, overwhelming him with superior strength and Spiritual Pressure. After the boy nearly died, Araki saved him and took him back as his new disciple.

• Araki sent the 11th Division members away from the battlefield and challenged the boy, who attacked him at incredible speed.
• Araki repeatedly knocked the boy through the air and into the Mountain of Corpses, but the boy kept getting back up and attacking.
• The boy unleashed his Spiritual Pressure against Araki, whose stronger Sword Pressure overwhelmed him and left him gravely wounded.
• Araki stabbed the boy with his Lapis Lazuli Zanpakuto, stopping his bleeding and putting him to sleep.
• Araki confirmed that the 11th Division members were safe and carried the boy back toward the Seireitei, calling him his new disciple.

Yamamoto sent Sasakibe to investigate whether the exceptionally strong boy Araki brought back from Rukongai was Araki’s son. After Kenpachi defeated Saito Furofushi in a spar, Araki denied the rumor and told Sasakibe the boy was actually Yamamoto’s illegitimate son.

• Yamamoto heard that Araki had brought a scarred child from Rukongai to the 11th Division and ordered Sasakibe to investigate the boy’s background.
• Kenpachi finished eating and beat up curious Soul Reapers who had gathered in the 11th Division dojo.
• Saito Furofushi challenged Kenpachi, but he restrained himself until she demanded his full strength, then struck her through the dojo wall and into a pond.
• Sasakibe asked Araki whether Kenpachi was his child, and Araki claimed Kenpachi was Yamamoto’s illegitimate son.

Araki manipulated Sasakibe into believing Kenpachi was Yamamoto’s illegitimate grandson, then sent 11th Division officers to spread the rumor throughout Seireitei. The chapter left Yamamoto preparing to raise Kenpachi while Araki’s plan to redirect the gossip began.

• Araki convinced Sasakibe that Yamamoto’s questions and words meant Kenpachi was his illegitimate son, and Sasakibe returned to report that conclusion to Yamamoto.
• Yamamoto decided to personally teach Kenpachi and raise him into the finest person in the world, while Sasakibe promised to assist the child.
• Saito lost five more sparring matches against Kenpachi and abandoned the idea of defeating him herself, resolving instead to raise a stronger child.
• Araki summoned several 11th Division officers and secretly instructed them through Tenteikūra to spread the rumor that Kenpachi was Yamamoto’s illegitimate son.
• The officers recoiled at the dangerous assignment, but they agreed to carry it out after Araki called it simple.