Recaps

Araki used his power and Aizen’s strategies to recruit Nelliel and Halibel as Divine Generals, while also claiming Cien and Roka from Szayelaporro. With nine generals gathered, he prepared to return to the Seireitei and thank Aizen for his help.

• Araki empowered Barragan’s Adjuchas and sent them to capture Halibel and Nelliel, but they revived repeatedly and overwhelmed both Vasto Lordes.
• Araki freed Szayelaporro’s clone, helped him identify himself as Cien Granz, and bestowed on him the true name Sindura.
• Araki recruited Roka Paramia from Szayelaporro and gave her the true name Andira.
• Araki rescued Nelliel, destroyed her attackers, restored her strength, and named her Anila.
• Araki defeated the Adjuchas attacking Halibel, persuaded her to follow him, and named her Pajra.
• Araki left Hueco Mundo for the Seireitei, planning to thank Aizen, whose advice had helped him secure his recruits.

Araki returned to the Seireitei, questioned Genryūsai about Arturo Plateado, then released the sealed Vasto Lorde and forced him into Hueco Mundo. Arturo arrived before Araki and nine Vasto Lorde-class Hollows, where Araki declared himself Arturo’s master and god.

• Araki returned to the 1st Division barracks with the unconscious Kuruyashiki and Kenpachi, then reunited with Saito Furofushi and Unohana Retsu.
• Araki visited Genryūsai at the Shino Academy and learned that Arturo Plateado was sealed beneath Central 46.
• Araki tricked the sages and judges of Central 46 into signing an agreement that made them owe him one trillion one hundred billion, then broke Arturo’s seal.
• Arturo emerged and slaughtered the sages and judges, while Araki revealed that he had killed Central 46’s guards.
• Araki crushed Arturo with his Spiritual Pressure, opened a Garganta, and sent him from Soul Society to Hueco Mundo.
• Arturo found Araki seated on a throne among nine Vasto Lorde-class Hollows, and Araki declared himself Arturo’s master and god.

Araki defeated Arturo in Hueco Mundo, renamed him Shōdoro, and sent him to the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli. Years later, Araki took Azashiro Sōya as his disciple and began his brutal training, while Aizen learned that Sōya’s abilities could counter his own.

• Araki crushed Arturo with one finger, nullified his regeneration, and renamed him Shōdoro before sending him into the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli.
• Over the following years, Araki blamed Yamamoto for Central 46’s destruction and kept Soul Society stable while a new Central 46 formed.
• Kuruyashiki brought Azashiro Sōya to Araki, who apologized for the Azashiro Family’s past persecution and accepted Sōya as his disciple.
• Sōya returned home to tell his sister the news, then briefly glimpsed Aizen using Kyoka Suigetsu as he headed to the First Division barracks.
• Araki recognized that Sōya had mastered Bankai and warned him to rely on his Shikai before assigning Unohana Retsu to train him through repeated lethal attacks and revivals.
• Aizen examined information about Sōya and realized that the new disciple’s abilities could counter his own.

Azashiro Sōya completed a century of training under Unohana Retsu and another under Araki before Araki assigned him to lead a new force against Quincy whose large-scale Hollow extermination threatened the balance of the Three Worlds. The chapter ended with Azashiro confronting Quincy in Hueco Mundo and releasing his Zanpakuto as the battle began.

• After Azashiro endured Unohana Retsu's test and returned home to reunite with his sister, Araki began training him in swordsmanship and Zanpakuto slashes.
• A century later, Azashiro passed Araki's test, and Araki ordered him to exterminate Quincy whose Hollow killings disrupted the balance of the Three Worlds.
• Azashiro established the 1st Division's Quincy Special Assault Squad and recruited 150 members, with help from Genryūsai and Sasakibe.
• Araki sent a message to Quincy descendants, and a group of about twenty Quincy left Hueco Mundo before Azashiro's squad arrived.
• Azashiro led his squad into Hueco Mundo, where Soul Reapers attacked the Quincy still hunting Hollows; Azashiro released his Zanpakuto against them.

Azashiro Sōya fought the Quincy invasion in Hueco Mundo, uncovered their plans to attack Soul Society, and withdrew after Arturo Plateado appeared and killed the remaining pure-blood Quincy. After the battle, Aizen Sōsuke used Kyoka Suigetsu to ensnare Arturo and declared his intention to unify Hueco Mundo.

• Azashiro Sōya deduced that the Quincy were probing the Gotei 13's strength to prepare another invasion of Soul Society, then fought off their ultimate forms and killed several pure-blood Quincy.
• Arturo Plateado arrived, killed more Quincy, and forced Azashiro to withdraw with his squad through the Senkaimon.
• Azashiro returned to his forces, defeated the remaining Quincy, and led his squad back to Soul Society while Arturo watched from Hueco Mundo.
• After Azashiro left, Arturo encountered Aizen Sōsuke and thought he had killed him, only to discover he had been deceived by Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Aizen explained that his Zanpakuto controlled all five senses and asked Arturo to help him unify Hueco Mundo, which he intended to claim as his own.

Aizen entered Hueco Mundo and tried to recruit Arturo, while Araki arranged for him to explore the realm under the watch of his subdued Vasto Lordes. Thirty years later, several Gotei 13 positions changed hands, Tokinada left the 9th Division to form a Fullbring research squad, and Araki reluctantly accepted Kensei Muguruma as the new captain.

• Aizen offered Arturo a place at his side, but Arturo refused and revealed that there were multiple Vasto Lordes in Hueco Mundo before leaving to hunt elsewhere.
• Arturo informed Araki of Aizen’s arrival, and Araki ordered his divine generals to play along while Aizen explored Hueco Mundo.
• Azashiro Sōya returned from the Quincy extermination mission, documented Quincy abilities, and planned to urge Araki to launch a third Hueco Mundo expedition.
• Kyoraku Shunsui recruited his niece Ise Nanao into the 8th Division and arranged openings for her classmates in the 13th Division.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada studied reports about Fullbringers, while Urahara Kisuke became the 2nd Division’s Third Seat Officer and Hikifune Kirio completed Temporary Soul technology.
• Thirty years later, Shinji Hirako and Love Aikawa became captains, Tokinada left the 9th Division to lead a Fullbring research squad, and Araki approved Kensei Muguruma as Tokinada’s successor.

Araki approved Soifon’s transfer request and Rose Otoribashi’s captain assessment, then answered Genryūsai’s summons and restored Yuki after the Bakkōtō had driven him mad. He ordered the Kasumioji Clan to surrender its Bakkōtō and those responsible for attacking Yuki within a week, leaving the threat of his personal visit hanging over them.

• Araki reassured Kensei Muguruma, approved his captain assessment, and told Tokinada not to cause too much trouble while using the clan’s Senkaimon to reach the Human World.
• Soifon asked to transfer back to the 2nd Division after training Rose Otoribashi to captain level, and Araki agreed to hold captain assessments for Rose and Kensei.
• Araki ignored Chōjirō Sasakibe outside his office overnight, then went with him to meet Genryūsai at Shino Academy.
• Genryūsai showed Araki the imprisoned Yuki, whose Bakkōtō had taken control of him; Araki cut away the corrupted portion and restored Yuki with his Zanpakuto.
• Yuki told Genryūsai that the Kasumioji Clan had destroyed his evidence and moved its Bakkōtō factory, while Araki declared the Bakkōtō itself evidence of the clan’s wrongdoing.
• Araki sent Sasakibe to give the Kasumioji Clan one week to surrender its Bakkōtō, disclose how they were made, and hand over those responsible for attacking Yuki, or face Araki’s personal visit.

Chōjirō Sasakibe delivered Araki’s orders to the Kasumioji Clan over its Bakkōtō operation, but chief steward Kumoi tried to evade responsibility by framing the poisoned clan head, Hisui. Araki saw through the scheme and went to confront Kumoi, while young Rurichiyo arrived just as the confrontation began.

• Chōjirō Sasakibe ordered the Kasumioji Clan to surrender its Bakkōtō production method, destroy its equipment, and hand over those responsible for an attack at the factory.
• Kumoi denied knowing about the Bakkōtō operation, then rejected an assassin’s suggestion to kill Araki and decided to give Hisui the antidote only so he could send her to face judgment in his place.
• The Kasumioji Clan delivered its Bakkōtō and manufacturing method to Araki, along with Hisui, whom it falsely named as the mastermind.
• Araki left Hisui with Unohana Retsu and went to the Kasumioji Clan to deal with Kumoi.
• Rurichiyo confronted Kumoi about her missing mother, and Kumoi lied that Hisui had been taken away by the Gotei 13 for her crimes.
• Araki arrived behind Rurichiyo, told someone to cover her eyes, and rejected Kumoi’s plea for another chance before a sharp sound rang out.

Araki resolved the Kasumioji Clan’s Bakkōtō crisis, and Hikifune Kirio departed for Division 0, leaving the 12th Division captaincy vacant. Nearly fifty years later, Yoruichi recommended Urahara Kisuke for the position as Aizen prepared to begin his plan against Shinji Hirako.

• Araki killed Kumoi, had the Death Squad remove his body, and later returned the awakened Hisui safely to Rurichiyo.
• The Kasumioji Clan agreed to supply the Gotei 13 with training equipment and concealed weapons as compensation for the Bakkōtō incident.
• Genryūsai told Yuki and Amagai Shusuke that Araki had resolved the crisis, inspiring Shusuke to aim to join the 1st Division.
• Hikifune Kirio left the 12th Division for Division 0, and Hiyori promised to protect the division in her absence.
• Yoruichi asked Araki to consider Urahara Kisuke for the vacant 12th Division captaincy, and Araki ordered him to take the captaincy assessment.
• Aizen declared that the time had come to begin his plan and watched Shinji Hirako in the 5th Division barracks.

Yoruichi assigned Feng Shōryō to work with Urahara Kisuke, while Kenpachi instantly killed a challenger from the Rukongai. Urahara passed his captaincy examination and became captain of the 12th Division, as Aizen prepared a Hollowfication plot and the Gotei 13 gathered for a captains' meeting.

• Yoruichi ordered Feng Shōryō to work with Urahara for a week, and Soifon agreed despite Shōryō's objections.
• Kijō challenged Kenpachi for the title and was killed with a single strike, becoming a joke among the Gotei 13.
• Feng Shōryō spent a week with Urahara, who focused on experiments, and Urahara passed his Bankai examination to become captain of the 12th Division and director of the Department of Research and Development.
• Aizen planned to combine his Hogyoku with Urahara's and stage a Hollowfication spectacle while keeping his role hidden from Shinji Hirako.
• The Gotei 13 captains and vice-captains gathered at the 1st Division, and Aizen urged Shinji to hurry before following him to the meeting.

The Gotei 13 captains gathered at the 1st Division for a meeting called by Araki, while Shinji and Kyoraku endured teasing over their past behavior. The meeting began with Urahara Kisuke arriving late to his own inauguration, leaving the assembled captains unimpressed by their new 12th Division captain.

• Shinji Hirako and Aizen Sōsuke arrived early at the 1st Division barracks, where Hiyori kicked Shinji and Love Aikawa reprimanded her.
• The captains assembled outside Araki’s office, and Isshin Shiba explained that he had become 10th Division captain after Shiba Zehong was called away by Tokinada.
• Unohana Retsu emerged from Araki’s office and silenced Kyoraku Shunsui after hearing him joke about her age.
• Araki called the captains into the meeting and reflected that Aizen Sōsuke might someday lead the Seireitei.
• Urahara Kisuke overslept while absorbed in an experiment, searched for his washed Captain’s Haori, and rushed toward the meeting.
• Urahara Kisuke arrived late in his new Captain’s Haori, apologized to the assembled captains, and made a careless first impression.

Araki welcomed Urahara Kisuke as the new captain of the 12th Division, while Urahara worked to earn Sarugaki Hiyori’s trust and recruited Mayuri Kurotsuchi from the Maggot’s Nest. The chapter ended with Yoruichi teasing young Byakuya during a visit to the Kuchiki estate.

• Araki concluded the Captains’ Meeting, ordered Kyoraku to guard the gate for a year, and sent the other captains away.
• Urahara introduced himself to the captains, eased their concerns about his strength, and began building a better relationship with Hiyori.
• Urahara decided he needed an assistant and took Hiyori to the Maggot’s Nest, where he showed his strength and found Mayuri Kurotsuchi imprisoned.
• Urahara agreed to Mayuri’s conditions and invited him to help with the 12th Division’s research, while Hiyori recoiled at Mayuri’s insults.
• Yoruichi, Kaien, and Kūkaku visited Byakuya at the Kuchiki estate, where Yoruichi teased him and he chased after her.

Kensei Muguruma investigated the disappearances of souls in Rukongai, saved Shuhei Hisagi from a Hollow, and discovered that ten of his soldiers had vanished. While Kensei camped at the site, Aizen Sōsuke and Kaname Tosen attacked him and prepared to frame Shinji Hirako, as Araki watched from the Seireitei.

• Kuchiki Ginrei told Shiba Kaien about the talented Shino Academy graduate Ichimaru Gin, while Kaien and Kūkaku joined him for tea.
• Urahara Kisuke appointed Mayuri Kurotsuchi as a Third Seat Officer and deputy director, leading to repeated clashes between Mayuri and Hiyori Sarugaki.
• Kensei Muguruma and Hiyori investigated souls disappearing in Rukongai, where Kensei saved Shuhei Hisagi from a Hollow and promised to await him at the 9th Division.
• Kensei found ten sets of 9th Division robes and ordered his officers to investigate the disappearances while he camped at the site with Hiyori and his subordinates.
• Kaname Tosen, disguised as Shinji Hirako, attacked Kensei and his officers; Aizen Sōsuke ordered Tosen to use Kensei and Hiyori for experiments and keep the survivors alive as witnesses.
• Aizen planned to make Shinji the apparent culprit, while Araki watched from his office and anticipated Aizen's eventual exposure.

After Kensei Muguruma and Hiyori Sarugaki’s Spiritual Pressures vanished, Araki dispatched a team to investigate a suspected virus while Kenpachi Zaraki waited in reserve. The team discovered that Aizen Sōsuke had orchestrated Soul Reaper Hollowfication, and Kenpachi set out for Rukongai District after Kaname Tosen staged a bloody return to the Seireitei.

• Araki assigned Shinji Hirako, Rose Otoribashi, Love Aikawa, Hachigen Ushōda, and Lisa Yadōmaru to investigate, while Urahara Kisuke was ordered to prepare the 12th Division for a possible virus.
• Shinji and the others found Kensei Muguruma and Hiyori Sarugaki Hollowfied; Kensei overwhelmed the group, and Shinji used Bankai: Sakanade to make the Hollowfied captains fight one another.
• Shinji contacted Urahara, who recognized the incident as an experiment in Soul Reaper Hollowfication and left secretly to help, while Aizen Sōsuke and Kaname Tosen watched from nearby and then withdrew.
• Kaname Tosen returned to Hakutōmon covered in blood with three injured division members, claiming that their captain needed help, and collapsed after delivering his message.
• Kenpachi learned that the investigation team had suffered heavy losses and headed toward Rukongai District, dismissing his division members’ warning with, “Who do you think I am?!”

Shinji Hirako and Urahara Kisuke rescued the Hollowfied captains, but Kenpachi Zaraki pursued them and Aizen Sōsuke used their disappearance to frame them for the experiments. As Aizen’s accusations spread through the Seireitei, the chapter left Urahara and Shinji’s whereabouts unknown and their guilt being presented to Central 46.

• Shinji Hirako explained the Hollowfication and the enemy’s darkness-based attack to Urahara Kisuke, while Tessai Tsukabishi arrived and subdued the captains with Bankin.
• Kenpachi Zaraki arrived, defeated the Hollowfied captains, and tried to kill them, but Shinji, Urahara, and Tessai fought him long enough to escape with the captains.
• Urahara brought the group to a hidden training ground beneath the Sokyoku and began treating the captains with the Hogyoku, while Shinji revealed that he too had been Hollowfied.
• Kenpachi searched the divisions for Urahara and Shinji, while Aizen Sōsuke misled him and spread evidence meant to implicate them in the Hollowfication experiments.
• Aizen used the injured 9th Division officers, Kenpachi’s account, and the missing captains to reinforce his accusations before Central 46 as Ukitake Jushiro comforted him.

Central 46 condemned the missing captains and branded Urahara Kisuke and Shinji Hirako criminals, while Aizen Sōsuke was confined after failing to defend Hirako. Urahara stabilized the Hollowfication victims and planned to flee with them to the Human World, unaware that Tessai Tsukabishi was secretly reporting to Araki.

• Central 46 sentenced the Hollowfied captains to execution, ordered Urahara Kisuke and Shinji Hirako exiled to Hueco Mundo, and gave Shihoin Yoruichi a warning that a new sage expanded into a public apology.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi claimed command of the 12th Division and Department of Research and Development, while Aizen Sōsuke was sentenced to five years of confinement after pleading for Hirako without evidence.
• Urahara Kisuke used his Hogyoku to stabilize Hirako and the other Hollowfied captains, then concluded that an enemy with a second Hogyoku had framed them and planned to flee to the Human World.
• Shihoin Yoruichi refused to apologize, and Shinji Hirako awoke, learned they were wanted fugitives, and suspected Aizen Sōsuke had framed him.
• Tessai Tsukabishi secretly reported Urahara's escape plan to Araki, who ordered him to keep following the group and wait until they reached the Human World.

Araki agreed to follow Urahara's plan while Yoruichi attacked Central 46 and fled to the Human World. Five years later, Aizen became captain of the 5th Division and told Gin that Araki was the one person he feared, prompting Gin to seek Araki out.

• Yoruichi told Araki that Urahara and Hirako suspected a traitor and had taken the Hollowfied captains and a valuable item to the Human World, and Araki agreed to control the Senkaimon and let events unfold.
• Yoruichi confronted Central 46, admitted she had helped rescue Urahara and the others, beat up the sages and judges, and left Soul Society for the Human World.
• Central 46 later blamed Yoruichi as the Hollowfication incident's mastermind, while Aizen used his confinement and influence to monitor events and wait for his release.
• Aizen secured the captains' recommendations and became captain of the 5th Division, then appointed Ichimaru Gin as his vice-captain.
• Aizen told Gin that Araki was the strongest person he had ever seen and the one person he feared, and urged Gin to become Araki's disciple so he could experience Araki's strength himself.

Aizen brought Ichimaru Gin to Araki, who accepted Gin as a trainee and revealed that he already knew Aizen’s schemes and intended to retire. Years later, Araki protected Kuchiki Koga from Central 46 and tested Koga’s Zanpakuto, Muramasa, which refused to appear before him.

• Aizen introduced Ichimaru Gin to Araki and recommended that Araki train him in the 1st Division.
• Araki told Gin that he knew about Aizen and Urahara Kisuke’s Hogyoku plans, Aizen’s framing of Shinji Hirako, and Gin’s connection to Rangiku.
• Kaname Tosen revealed that he had been loyal to Araki from the beginning, and Araki ordered Gin to keep training while continuing to act alongside Aizen.
• After five years, Yhwach’s heartbeat returned later than the Wandenreich’s prophecy predicted, and Haschwalth concealed the delay from the other Quincy.
• Central 46 and Kuchiki Ginrei asked Araki to rule on Kuchiki Koga’s dangerous Zanpakuto, and Araki claimed responsibility for Koga rather than allowing his blade to be sealed.
• Araki ordered Koga to use Muramasa on him, but Muramasa refused to appear because it feared trying to control Araki.

Kuchiki Koga demonstrated Muramasa to Araki, who chose to let him keep the Zanpakuto under strict warning. Forty-five years later, Kuchiki Byakuya fought his family for permission to marry Hisana, while Gin completed fifty years of training and set out to become a captain.

• Koga manifested Muramasa, whose ability failed against Araki, and Araki decided not to seal the Zanpakuto as long as Koga served faithfully.
• Araki established the 1st Division's Seireitei Inspection Squad under Koga, despite protests from Central 46 and the noble factions.
• Forty-five years into Gin's training, Araki heard that Byakuya had fallen in love with Hisana, a woman from Rukongai District.
• Byakuya challenged Kōjun, matched his Kidō, and used Bankai and Shūkei Hakuteiken before Koga and Ginrei stopped his attack; Kōjun still granted him victory and permission to marry Hisana.
• After five more years, Gin completed his training and went to Aizen to pursue a captain's position, while Byakuya prepared to marry Hisana.

At Byakuya and Hisana’s wedding, Araki confronted Mayuri over the escaped Bounts and sent him to hunt the Bounts in the Human World. Araki then empowered Rukia before Aizen, Gin, and Tosen entered Hueco Mundo, where Araki had arranged a staged conquest for Aizen.

• The Kuchiki estate hosted Byakuya and Hisana’s wedding, while Aizen, Gin, and Tosen pretended to be at odds to mislead Kyoraku and Ukitake.
• Araki exposed Mayuri’s Bount and artificial Soul King experiments, approved his research with restrictions, and tasked him and Kenpachi with hunting the escaped Bounts.
• Araki found Rukia in Inuzuri and infused her with a lapis lazuli light, after which she discovered she had become unusually strong.
• After the wedding, Aizen, Gin, and Tosen secretly set out for Hueco Mundo, believing they would find no enemies there.
• The Vasto Lordes prepared to act out Araki’s staged Hueco Mundo conquest for Aizen, while Araki began swordsmanship training with Unohana Retsu.

Aizen recruited Hueco Mundo’s powerful Hollows by defeating Arturo and promising to build a more orderly world, then transformed them into his Espada. Five years later, he led a united Hueco Mundo from Las Noches while Araki watched his disciple’s progress.

• Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to deceive Barragan, secured his cooperation, and learned where the other powerful Hollows lived.
• Aizen exposed Ikkomikidō’s hidden weakness and won his cooperation, then led Barragan and the others to Arturo’s territory.
• Aizen defeated Arturo with his swordsmanship and the Chishui Mirror, prompting Dihyera, Szayelaporro, and Cien to pledge allegiance.
• Aizen persuaded Roka, Halibel, Nelliel, and Lilynette to join him by promising to spread their ideal of order throughout Hueco Mundo.
• Over the next five years, Aizen used the Hogyoku to transform the Hollows into Arrancar, rebuilt Las Noches, and assigned the ten Espada their ranks.
• Aizen addressed the Espada in Las Noches as Araki praised him for managing Hueco Mundo.

Byakuya told Hisana that the Kuchiki Clan had found her younger sister, Rukia, and arranged to bring them together, while Rukia learned of Hisana’s search for her and prepared a gift. Elsewhere, Araki placed two rescued siblings in Mayuri’s care, and Aizen noticed Byakuya at Shino Academy.

• Byakuya reassured Hisana that she was worth the enormous cost of her treatment, learned she still worried about her abandoned sister, and promised to help her reunite with Rukia.
• Araki confirmed that Mayuri had captured the surviving Bount and Ran'Tao, then entrusted him with two rescued siblings and noticed Nemu No. 5 in the research department.
• Byakuya visited Shino Academy and told Rukia that Hisana was alive, ill from searching for her, and wanted to see her.
• Rukia told Renji about Hisana and asked what gift she should bring, then made a cookie that caused Renji to collapse after he ate it.
• Aizen spotted Byakuya leaving Shino Academy before going to teach his class, where Hinamori Momo admired him.

Araki sent Byakuya and Kūkaku to the Soul King Palace to train after refusing Byakuya’s captain examination request. There, Hikifune Kirio boosted their Spiritual Pressure before they were transported to Araki’s detached palace, where the First Generation Gotei 13 awaited them.

• Hinamori Momo praised Aizen to Toshiro Hitsugaya, while Rangiku Matsumoto arrived and joined Momo in teasing him about joining the 10th Division.
• Byakuya thanked Araki for treating Hisana and asked to take the captain’s examination, but Araki said the current Gotei 13’s standards were higher and accepted Byakuya as a nominal disciple.
• Araki put Byakuya to sleep, took him to the Shiba Clan estate, and launched him and Kūkaku Shiba toward the Soul King Palace in the Tenchuren.
• Oetsu Nimaiya greeted Byakuya and Kūkaku, revealed that Araki and Genryūsai belonged to Division 0, and confiscated their Zanpakuto.
• Hikifune Kirio fed Byakuya and Kūkaku food that rapidly increased their Spiritual Pressure, then sent them to Araki’s detached palace for another trial.
• Byakuya and Kūkaku encountered the First Generation Gotei 13 in Araki’s detached palace.

Rukia reunited with Hisana, graduated from Shino Academy, and joined the 13th Division while Renji joined the 11th. After ten years of training, Byakuya returned, defeated Ginrei to become captain of the 6th Division, and reunited with Hisana; years later, Aizen’s preparations for the coming war advanced as Araki sensed the approaching crisis.

• Rukia visited Hisana with Renji, reunited with her sister, and decided to finish her studies and enter the Gotei 13 through her own efforts.
• Rukia and Renji graduated from Shino Academy; Rukia joined the 13th Division, while Renji chose the 11th Division to pursue greater strength.
• Byakuya and Kūkaku completed ten years of training at the Soul King Palace and received strengthened Zanpakuto from Oetsu Nimaiya before returning to Soul Society.
• Byakuya defeated Ginrei in front of the 6th Division and became its captain, then returned to the Kuchiki estate to see Hisana.
• Araki arranged for Kusaka’s duplicate Hyōrinmaru to be replaced, while Aizen, Tosen, and Gin created the Hollow White as the Three Worlds’ long peace neared its end.
• Araki declared that his preparations were complete as the Soul King’s Almighty stirred, while Rangiku dragged Isshin back to work at the 10th Division.

Isshin Shiba met Masaki Kurosaki in Karakura Town and gave up his Soul Reaper powers to save her from a Hollow infection. Araki arrived at Urahara Kisuke’s shop just after the treatment worked, leaving Isshin unable to see the Captain-Commander standing beside Masaki.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya reported that two Soul Reapers assigned to Naruki City had died, and Isshin left for the Human World to investigate.
• Aizen, Kaname Tosen, and Ichimaru Gin arrived in Karakura Town to study White and search for Shinji Hirako and the others.
• Masaki Kurosaki killed White after Isshin was wounded by a hidden attacker, then White grew into a larger threat and Isshin used Dankū to contain the explosion.
• Isshin returned to Soul Society but later secretly went back to Karakura Town after he could not stop thinking about Masaki.
• Urahara Kisuke explained that Masaki could be saved if Isshin gave up his Soul Reaper powers, and Isshin agreed to the treatment.
• After Urahara restored Masaki’s condition, Araki appeared at the shop, while Isshin knelt toward the wrong spot because he could no longer see him.