Chapter Summaries

Araki tested his Fullbring and Zanpakuto against Saito Furofushi, who left the 11th Division Barracks frustrated and determined to become stronger than Unohana. The division members accepted Araki as their true captain, while Unohana awakened and Araki turned to more pressing concerns.

• Araki stabbed and twisted his own thigh to test his Fullbring, making Saito Furofushi feel the pain, and Saito mistakenly injured her own foot after guessing how the ability worked.
• Saito asked Araki to let her cut him without the ability, but his body turned to mist; when she struck again, Araki activated the ability and made her feel pain.
• Saito limped out of the 11th Division Barracks, while its members praised Araki and recognized him as their captain.
• Saito noticed Araki had healed her foot and resolved to become stronger than Unohana so she could stand by Araki's side.
• Unohana awakened, and Araki had something more important to attend to.

After waking, Unohana chose the name Unohana Retsu and agreed to remain in the 11th Division as Araki’s vice-captain so they could grow stronger and fight again. Half a month later, Old Man Yama summoned Araki.

• Araki suggested the name Retsu, and Unohana accepted it as her new name.
• Unohana recognized that Araki had grown too strong for her to defeat and agreed to postpone their duel.
• Araki persuaded Unohana to stay in the 11th Division, where he appointed her vice-captain.
• Over the next half month, Unohana handled the division while Araki completed his daily tasks and spent time with her.
• Old Man Yama summoned Araki.

After receiving a Tier 2 EXP Pack for becoming an 11th Division captain, Araki improved his Shunpo and Kido while reflecting on the limits of ordinary experience gains. He and Unohana Retsu headed to a mandatory Captain’s Meeting, where Araki feared a thousand-year-old enemy was about to invade Soul Society.

• Araki learned that his captaincy reward was a Tier 2 EXP Pack worth one billion experience points and considered how becoming Captain-Commander might earn him a Tier 1 pack.
• Araki spent his accumulated experience raising Shunpo, Hado, Bakudo, and Kaido to LV5.
• Araki found Unohana Retsu directing sword training at the 11th Division dojo and used his Zanpakuto to remove the sweat from her body.
• Araki told Unohana Retsu that Soul Society’s recent peace made him uneasy, then led her toward the 1st Division barracks for Yamamoto’s mandatory Captain’s Meeting.
• Unohana Retsu followed Araki, gripping her Zanpakuto and silently resolving to stay by his side.

Newly appointed 11th Division Captain Araki attended his first Gotei 13 captain’s meeting with Unohana Retsu, joking about Yamamoto and provoking Saito Furofushi before the meeting began. Yamamoto assigned Araki his place among the captains, where Araki immediately regretted being seated between two strange-looking men.

• A 1st Division member escorted Araki and Unohana Retsu to the conference room after the two arrived last.
• Araki joked about Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and the captains’ appearances as he entered the meeting.
• Saito Furofushi confronted Araki over his staring at Katori Bakuunsai, and Unohana slapped away Saito’s attempt to grab him.
• Yamamoto ended the argument, permitted Unohana to attend, and ordered the captains to take their places.
• Unohana guided Araki to his assigned spot between the 13th Division captain and the Ninth Division captain, prompting Araki to wish he could change seats.

At the First Generation Gotei 13 Captain's Meeting, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni publicly presented Araki as his favored successor, leaving the other captains wary and unconvinced. After the meeting, Araki set succession aside and warned Yamamoto that the Quincy were becoming restless, prompting Yamamoto to vow to kill them.

• Araki daydreamed during Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's opening remarks and privately judged the odd-numbered division captains' appearances.
• Yamamoto called on Araki to introduce himself as the new captain of the 11th Division, and Araki said Unohana Retsu still managed the division's affairs.
• Yamamoto praised Araki and asked whether anyone had questions, leading the captains to realize he had convened the meeting to present Araki as his successor.
• The captains stayed silent under Yamamoto's pressure, and Yamamoto adjourned the meeting while Saito Furofushi remained confused about what had happened.
• After Shihoin Sennichi and Katori Bakuunsai dragged Saito away, Araki told Yamamoto that the Quincy were growing restless under their Emperor.
• Yamamoto reacted with killing intent and declared that the Quincy should be killed until they behaved, while Araki remained confident in his strength.

Araki warned Yamamoto about the Quincy, but Yamamoto threw him and Unohana Retsu out of the 1st Division Barracks after growing tired of his advice. Months later, Chōjirō Sasakibe came to the 11th Division seeking Araki and found Unohana still treated as captain by her division members.

• Araki urged Yamamoto to deal cautiously with the Quincy and kill their leader if the opportunity arose, so Yamamoto threw Araki and Unohana Retsu out of the 1st Division Barracks.
• Araki returned to the 11th Division Barracks, shut himself away in his office, and left Unohana to manage the division.
• Several months later, Chōjirō Sasakibe arrived at the 11th Division Barracks and asked the guards to report his visit to Captain Araki.
• The guards said Unohana managed the division and were unsure where Araki was, puzzling Sasakibe.
• Unohana corrected the guards on how to address her in front of visitors, then told Sasakibe that Araki was waiting for him in the Captain's Office.

Unohana Retsu escorted Chōjirō Sasakibe to the 11th Division Captain’s Office, where he met Araki. Sasakibe mistook Araki’s bloodshot eyes for evidence of his tireless efforts with Unohana and told him to learn restraint.

• Unohana Retsu politely led Chōjirō Sasakibe through the 11th Division while he nervously reflected on how frightening she seemed.
• Unohana Retsu left Sasakibe to meet Araki alone after he suggested she join their discussion.
• Sasakibe entered the Captain’s Office and saw Araki’s bloodshot eyes.
• Sasakibe urged Araki to learn restraint and not ruin his gifted body, while Araki wondered what he meant.

Chōjirō Sasakibe came to Araki seeking training so he could grow stronger and remain worthy of serving Genryūsai, and Araki led him to a prepared sparring ground. Araki used his future sight to anticipate Sasakibe’s visit, then began their training by challenging him to force Araki to draw his Zanpakuto.

• Sasakibe worried that Araki was wasting his talent, but Araki denied it and teased him for coming to the 11th Division seeking a beating.
• Sasakibe explained that Genryūsai had begun training every day after taking Araki’s advice to heart, inspiring Sasakibe to ask Araki for help getting stronger.
• Araki agreed to train Sasakibe and led him to a clearing prepared by Unohana Retsu, revealing that his advanced Observation Haki had let him foresee Sasakibe’s arrival.
• Araki told Sasakibe to attack and warned that he would be beaten if his progress disappointed him.
• Sasakibe released Suzumebachi and appeared in front of Araki, who caught its blade and kicked Sasakibe to the ground without drawing his own Zanpakuto.

Chōjirō Sasakibe challenged Araki outside the 11th Division dojo and unleashed his Bankai, Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū, to prove his strength and loyalty to Genryūsai. Sasakibe ran his sword through Araki, but Araki survived by turning part of his chest to mist and slapped him down.

• 11th Division members watched as Araki knocked Sasakibe down without drawing his Zanpakuto, then Sasakibe rose and recalled how Araki had surpassed him since their days at the Genji School.
• Sasakibe explained that he had refused to become a Genji School instructor so he could remain close to Genryūsai as his shadow, then activated Bankai and summoned a storm of golden lightning.
• The 11th Division members crowded at the windows until their human ladder toppled and broke the dojo wall, leaving them with a clear view of the battle.
• Sasakibe gathered the lightning into his rapier and charged Araki, piercing through his body and believing he had killed him.
• Araki slapped Sasakibe away, pulled the sword from his chest, and explained that he had used Reishi Manipulation to turn the pierced area into mist.

After defeating Chōjirō Sasakibe in a Bankai spar, Araki advised him to exploit his Zanpakuto’s speed and train his core Soul Reaper skills. Araki left Sasakibe in the hands of Unohana Retsu as his instructor, and Sasakibe faced training with the former Kenpachi.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sensed Chōjirō Sasakibe and Araki’s Spiritual Pressure and hoped Sasakibe would learn from their encounter.
• Araki disarmed Sasakibe, returned his Zanpakuto, and told him to use its speed for surprise attacks rather than fighting head-on.
• Araki urged Sasakibe to train his four foundational skills, and Sasakibe asked him to become his instructor.
• Araki said he had found Sasakibe a better teacher, then left him with Unohana Retsu, who revealed she would train his Zankensoki.
• Sasakibe saw Unohana’s bloodthirsty aura and regretted coming to the 11th Division for training.

Chōjirō Sasakibe completed two and a half months of special training with Unohana Retsu, improving despite repeatedly being defeated. As he prepared to return to the 1st Division, he saw Araki emerge from his office to welcome Katori Bakuunsai and wondered whether their old friendship had faded.

• Unohana Retsu defeated Sasakibe again, then pinned him to the barracks wall with hidden blades when he rose to continue fighting.
• Unohana used her Shikai to treat Sasakibe's wounds, while Araki gave up watching the training and took a nap.
• After two and a half months, Sasakibe thanked Unohana for teaching him and said he would return for more guidance when the 1st Division was less busy.
• Sasakibe left the 11th Division and saw Araki escorting and welcoming Katori Bakuunsai, captain of the 8th Division.
• Sasakibe realized Araki had come out to greet Katori, unlike when Sasakibe himself had arrived for training.

Araki dealt with Katori Bakuunsai’s request to borrow his supposedly regenerative “treasure” by redirecting her to Sasakibe, then went after Saito Furofushi for spreading the rumor. Sasakibe escaped Katori’s attack and returned to the 1st Division, where the near-death experience seemed to loosen his Shunpo bottleneck.

• Araki ignored Sasakibe, restrained him with Bakudō #99, and took Katori Bakuunsai to his office.
• Katori asked to borrow Araki’s “treasure” for research, explaining that Saito Furofushi had told her it could regenerate like a lizard’s tail.
• Araki used ROOM to transport himself and Katori to Sasakibe, then offered Sasakibe’s treasure in his place.
• Araki left for the 6th Division Barracks to confront Saito Furofushi while Katori raised her naginata against Sasakibe.
• Sasakibe fled to the 1st Division Barracks and realized his Shunpo seemed to have improved after escaping Katori.

Araki confronted Saito Furofushi for spreading a rumor about his regeneration, and months of visits ended with Saito secretly enjoying their encounters. When Araki’s advanced Observation Haki foresaw an attack, he alerted the Gotei 13 as the Quincy invasion began.

• Araki barged into the 6th Division Barracks and grabbed Saito by her twin ponytails, demanding that she explain the rumor to Katori Bakuunsai.
• Saito later clarified the rumor to Katori and gave him ten lewd novels to make peace, after which Katori apologized to Araki and Chōjirō Sasakibe.
• Over the following months, Araki continued visiting Saito, who privately enjoyed the attention while Araki grew increasingly exhausted.
• Araki’s advanced Observation Haki showed him a future vision, so he used Tenteikūra to send a warning to the Gotei 13.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Chōjirō Sasakibe, Saito Furofushi, and the other captains prepared for battle as the Sternritter entered the Soul Society and the Quincy war began.

Yhwach led the Quincy assault on the Seireitei, while Yamamoto ordered the Gotei 13 into battle. At Shūwamon, overwhelmed Soul Reapers retreated as Officer Sugiki stayed behind to cover them.

• Yhwach ordered his Quincy forces to attack the Seireitei’s Four Gates and told a young subordinate to carry out his mission.
• Soul Reaper reports confirmed that Quincy were attacking all four gates, and Yamamoto led the Gotei 13 out to fight.
• Quincy arrows overwhelmed the defenders at Shūwamon, where a boastful Sternritter slaughtered Soul Reapers as they tried to withdraw.
• After the Sternritter shot Officer Sugiki in the leg, Sugiki released Hidanmaru and turned back to hold off the Quincy.
• A Seated Officer led the surviving Soul Reapers away, leaving Sugiki to face the enemy alone.

Araki rescued Sugiki Sōichirō, then used ROOM to defeat the Quincy at Shūwamon and gathered their hearts into a throne. He offered the surviving Quincy a choice between dying in battle or trading their companions’ heads for the hearts, with Yhwach’s head securing the return of them all.

• Araki arrived in time to deflect the arrow aimed at Sugiki and used Ruriko to heal him and restore his lost leg.
• Araki severed the Sternritter member’s legs with ROOM, ordered Sugiki to retreat to the 11th Division, and asked the Quincy where Yhwach was.
• The Sternritter member refused to answer, so Araki killed him and used ROOM to cut every Quincy on the Shūwamon battlefield in half.
• Araki revealed the Quincy hearts he had collected and killed one Quincy by crushing that man’s heart.
• Araki sat on the Throne of Hearts and offered the Quincy a choice: attack and die, or trade five companions’ heads for one heart, with Yhwach’s head returning all the hearts.

Araki forced the Quincy at Shūwamon to choose between betraying their comrades and opposing Yhwach, using the hearts in his throne to punish them until most knelt or died. He reported that Shūwamon was suppressed and Yhwach was absent, then turned to the fallen Quincy.

• Araki offered the Quincy at Shūwamon a choice, but they hesitated, knowing either path would brand them traitors.
• A Quincy attacked Araki, so Araki struck the hearts in his throne and caused groups of Quincy to collapse and die.
• The would-be attacker lowered his bow, and many Quincy knelt before Araki while those who refused to kneel were killed by Lapis Lazuli light.
• Araki ordered the surviving Quincy to bring him their comrades’ heads or kill Yhwach, then vanished with the throne.
• Araki used Tenteikūra to tell the Gotei 13 captains that the Quincy at Shūwamon were suppressed and Yhwach was not there.
• Araki looked over the Quincy corpses and prepared to make use of them.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni annihilated the Quincy attacking Hakutōmon and ordered the Gotei 13 to withdraw toward the Seireitei’s interior, suspecting Yhwach had bypassed the gates. Yhwach had instead attacked the great noble clans, revealing that his true objective lay in the heavens.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni received Araki’s report that Araki had quickly suppressed the fighting at Shūwamon, then continued advancing through Hakutōmon.
• Yamamoto unleashed Ryujin Jakka and burned the Quincy forces and all other living beings on the battlefield to ashes.
• Yamamoto told Chōjirō Sasakibe to report his victory, and Sasakibe announced to the divisions that Yamamoto had personally killed the attackers.
• Yamamoto ordered the Gotei 13 to retreat inward and surmised that Yhwach might have entered the Seireitei while the captains fought at the gates.
• Yhwach attacked the territories of the great noble clans and declared that he intended to force the beings in the heavens to intervene by killing the heads of the five families.

Yhwach watched the Soul King Palace and pursued his plan to replace his father, while Saito Furofushi and fellow captains slaughtered the Quincy at Seireitei’s east gate. The captains joined forces and continued cutting down the enemy as the remaining Quincy despaired.

• Yhwach stood among the ruins, looking toward the Soul King Palace and resolving to absorb his father's power and become a god.
• After Chōjirō Sasakibe's Tenteikūra, Saito Furofushi complained that her division was falling behind while the Quincy prepared to attack her.
• Saito disarmed and slaughtered the Quincy with her Zanpakuto, speeding up as she demanded to know how many enemies remained.
• Shihoin Sennichi arrived and killed a charging Quincy with a kick, then told Saito he had left the Shihoin Clan's affairs to his younger brother.
• Katori Bakuunsai joined Saito and Sennichi, relayed that the Captain-Commander was summoning them, and helped them continue killing the Quincy.
• The surviving Quincy called the captains butchers and despaired as corpses piled up at Seiryūmon.

The First Generation Gotei 13 captains slaughtered the Quincy invaders at Seiryūmon and Kōryūmon. After the captains at all four gates reported victory, they headed toward Yamamoto Genryusai.

• Iwahara Kinra and Sanjōji Yuhō joined the battle at Seiryūmon and brutally killed the Quincy surrounding them.
• Saito Furofushi, Shihoin Sennichi, Katori Bakuunsai, Iwahara Kinra, and Sanjōji Yuhō wiped out the invaders at Seiryūmon without accepting surrender.
• Iwahara Kinra relayed Obana Danjirō's message that the invaders at all four gates had been defeated and that the captains should gather near Yamamoto Genryusai.
• At Kōryūmon, Shijima Tomokiri killed the last surviving Quincy, disrupting Sakagashira Saizou's experiment.
• Obana Danjirō invoked Yamamoto Genryusai's name to quiet the captains, and they set off toward him.

As the Quincy invasion engulfed the Seireitei, Araki’s preparations turned the 11th Division barracks into a makeshift hospital, where Unohana Retsu guarded wounded Soul Reapers. A Quincy attack squad stormed the barracks, and Unohana swiftly beheaded its overconfident leader.

• Ōtokawa Uki left Igarashi in charge of the 10th Division’s chaotic battlefield and used Shunpo to answer Sasakibe’s summons beneath the 1st Division Barracks.
• The wounded from across the Gotei 13 were treated at the 11th Division barracks, where its soldiers crudely amputated injuries while Unohana Retsu watched over them.
• Sugiki Sōichirō reassured the wounded that Araki could reattach their missing limbs after the war.
• A group of Quincy discovered the 11th Division barracks and attacked, believing there were no captain-level Soul Reapers inside.
• The Quincy leader mocked Unohana Retsu’s appearance and revealed his identity, but Unohana beheaded him before he could finish speaking.