Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto learned that Urahara Kisuke had stopped him from going to Kurosaki Clinic as part of a plan agreed with Kurosaki Isshin, then followed Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin to the clinic. After Ichigo defeated a Hollow and collapsed, Makoto examined him and realized Ichigo’s soul was connected to both his physical body and a spirit body, in a way similar to Makoto’s own state.

• Yoruichi Shihoin restrained Chiba Makoto while Urahara Kisuke tried to explain himself, and Urahara showed Makoto a video message from Kurosaki Isshin.
• Yoruichi explained that Urahara and Isshin had made a secret plan and that Urahara had called her away to prevent misunderstandings.
• Urahara dismissed the Kidō barrier, revealing Tsukabishi Tessai, and asked Makoto to hear the details after they dealt with the situation at Kurosaki Clinic.
• Makoto agreed to follow Urahara and Yoruichi to the clinic after Yoruichi vouched for Urahara.
• The group arrived as Kurosaki Ichigo, wielding a huge Zanpakuto after receiving Kuchiki Rukia’s powers, defeated a Hollow and collapsed.
• Makoto examined Ichigo and determined that his spirit body had been formed through Rukia’s powers while his soul was beginning to develop another spirit body of its own.

Urahara Kisuke revealed his past and his plan to use Kuchiki Rukia to return the Hogyoku to the Seireitei, while Chiba Makoto questioned his motives and kept him under watch. After Chiba left, Urahara tested him with a polygraph and admitted he had secretly tested Yoruichi Shihoin too.

• Urahara Kisuke treated Kuchiki Rukia's injuries with a Gigai and explained to Chiba Makoto that he and Yoruichi Shihoin were former captains.
• Urahara Kisuke recounted the Hollowfication Incident and explained that the Hogyoku in his possession was evolving and drawing Aizen Sōsuke toward it.
• Urahara Kisuke said he planned to use Kuchiki Rukia to carry the Hogyoku back to the Seireitei, where Aizen's attempt to take it could expose him.
• Chiba Makoto questioned Urahara Kisuke about involving Kurosaki Ichigo and learned that Kurosaki Isshin had once been Shiba Isshin, captain of the Tenth Division.
• Chiba Makoto left after warning Urahara Kisuke that he would keep him under supervision, and Tsukabishi Tessai reported that a polygraph had found no abnormalities.
• Urahara Kisuke told Yoruichi Shihoin that he had secretly tested her too, prompting Yoruichi to leave in anger.

Chiba Makoto returned home with Yoruichi after questioning Urahara Kisuke, then watched Rukia and Uryū join Ichigo’s class. At the flower shop, he coached an injured Isshin on how to stand up to Masaki, leaving Isshin to wonder why Makoto knew her so well.

• Chiba Makoto reflected on Urahara Kisuke’s motives and welcomed Yoruichi back into his arms.
• Kuchiki Rukia and Ishida Uryū transferred into Kurosaki Ichigo’s class, and Chiba Makoto encouraged a gloomy Inoue Orihime to come work at the flower shop.
• Kurosaki Isshin arrived at the flower shop battered and explained that Masaki had thrown him out after learning about Ichigo.
• Chiba Makoto gave Isshin advice on how to turn the tables in his relationship with Masaki, and Isshin began taking notes before questioning Makoto’s familiarity with her.

Chiba Makoto intervened when Ishida Uryū attacked Kurosaki Ichigo and Chad Yasutora at school. Urahara Kisuke then sold Ishida Hollow Bait for combat training, and Ishida revealed he only aimed to be second to one person as a Quincy.

• Kurosaki Isshin kept trying to reconcile with Kurosaki Masaki, but she suppressed him each time.
• Kurosaki Ichigo accepted Kuchiki Rukia’s guidance and fought Hollows to protect his family, friends, and other souls.
• Chiba Makoto observed Kurosaki Ichigo’s growing Shinigami powers and noted that the Hogyoku in Kuchiki Rukia was influencing people around her.
• Ishida Uryū attacked Kurosaki Ichigo and sent Chad Yasutora flying, but Chiba Makoto ordered him to stop and apologize before leaving school.
• Urahara Kisuke offered Ishida Uryū Hollow Bait to help him train, and Ishida bought it, declaring that he wanted to become a Quincy second only to one person.

Chiba Makoto noticed Hollow traces on Inoue Orihime and offered to help if she encountered danger, while encouraging the badly injured Kurosaki Isshin to keep pursuing his plan. Isshin left with renewed resolve, then teased Makoto about having romantic designs on Orihime, leaving her flustered and wondering about Makoto’s feelings.

• Chiba Makoto asked Inoue Orihime about the classroom clash between Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū, but she could not explain why it started.
• Chiba Makoto noticed Hollow spirit particles around Inoue Orihime’s ankle and told her to ask him for help if anything troubling happened.
• Kurosaki Isshin arrived at the flower shop badly injured, and Chiba Makoto encouraged him not to give up on his plan.
• Kurosaki Isshin accepted a free bouquet of carnations and left the shop with renewed determination.
• Kurosaki Isshin teased Chiba Makoto about pursuing Inoue Orihime and described how he had courted Kurosaki Masaki, leaving Orihime blushing and wondering if Makoto had feelings for her.

Inoue Orihime was attacked by a Hollow and awakened the ability to see spirits, but she hesitated to seek refuge at the flower shop because she feared endangering Teacher Kurosaki. Chiba Makoto arrived in time to shield her, and Orihime apologized for stopping to protect him.

• Kurosaki Isshin left the flower shop after Chiba Makoto cut off his talk, and Chiba invited Inoue Orihime to dinner before they resumed work.
• After leaving the shop, Inoue Orihime worried that Chiba only cared for her out of pity as she walked home alone.
• A Hollow emerged from a Garganta, struck Inoue Orihime, and triggered her Reiryoku surge until she could see the creature clearly.
• Inoue Orihime fled toward the flower shop, then turned away when she worried that the Hollow would endanger Teacher Kurosaki.
• Chiba Makoto stepped between Inoue Orihime and the Hollow's attack, then asked why she had stopped, and Orihime apologized for not wanting to put him in danger.

Ishida Uryū confronted Kurosaki Ichigo over the history between Soul Reapers and Quincy, then prepared to use Hollow Bait to challenge him. Remembering how Kurosaki Makoto had protected the Quincy while Ishida Ryūken stayed silent, Ishida Uryū blamed himself and his father for their weakness.

• Kurosaki Ichigo attacked Ishida Uryū, but Ishida Uryū effortlessly blocked the strike and shoved him away.
• Ishida Uryū told Kurosaki Ichigo that Hollows were transformed human souls and accused the Soul Reapers of having waged a war of extermination against the Quincy.
• Kurosaki Ichigo questioned Kuchiki Rukia about Ishida Uryū's claims, and she admitted she knew only rumors about the conflict.
• Ishida Uryū took out Hollow Bait and announced that he would use the Hollow as part of a game to prove Soul Reapers had no right to look down on Quincy.
• Ishida Uryū recalled Kuchiki Rukia calling Kurosaki Makoto a Quincy who had endured humiliation to protect his people, and condemned himself and Ishida Ryūken for failing to act.

Ishida Uryū unleashed Hollow Bait across Karakura Town to prove his strength and clear Kurosaki Makoto’s name, drawing an enormous number of Hollows. As the town faced danger, Chiba Makoto subdued the Hollow attacking Inoue Orihime and had Snopas take it away, leaving Orihime asking what was happening.

• Ishida Uryū declared he would clear Kurosaki Makoto’s name and used Hollow Bait to summon Hollows from Hueco Mundo.
• Kurosaki Ichigo confronted Ishida Uryū, who vowed to handle the consequences and drew his Spirit Bow against the incoming Hollows.
• The Visored Army, Aizen Sōsuke, and other powerful figures noticed the Hollow outbreak spreading across Karakura Town.
• Chiba Makoto saw the growing danger and recognized the Hollow attacking Inoue Orihime as her older brother, Inoue Sora.
• Chiba Makoto slammed Inoue Sora to the ground and ordered Snopas to watch over him, and Snopas carried the restrained Hollow toward the flower shop.
• Inoue Orihime asked Chiba Makoto what had happened, and he told her to think of it as the truth of the world.

Chiba Makoto told Inoue Orihime that she had hidden strength and offered to help her develop it. Meanwhile, Ishida Uryū defeated a Gillian with one arrow, but an even more powerful Menos Grande emerged and threatened Karakura Town.

• Chiba Makoto impressed Inoue Orihime by implying he protected the world, then offered to help her develop her hidden strength.
• Ishida Uryū eliminated the ordinary Hollows emerging from Gargantas while Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia watched.
• A Gillian emerged, and Ishida Uryū revealed it had been his target and destroyed it with a single powerful arrow.
• Kurosaki Ichigo praised Ishida Uryū, but the Garganta released a terrifying Reiatsu that knocked out many humans in Karakura Town.
• Kuchiki Rukia identified the new threat as possibly an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande, a monster capable of destroying Karakura Town.

Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū rushed toward the Garganta to confront the approaching Adjuchas, while Kuchiki Rukia went to find Kurosaki Makoto. Yammy and Tier Harribel emerged from the Garganta, and Tier Harribel asked where Kurosaki Makoto was.

• Kurosaki Ichigo stepped in front of the frightened Kuchiki Rukia and declared that he would cut down the enemy threatening Karakura Town.
• Ishida Uryū raced toward the Garganta, and Kurosaki Ichigo followed after promising Rukia he would handle the enemy.
• Kuchiki Rukia realized Kurosaki Makoto was the only person in Karakura Town who could match an Adjuchas and headed for the flower shop to find him.
• As they approached the Garganta, Ishida Uryū noticed that Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual pressure had grown enough for him to move freely under the enemy's pressure.
• Yammy emerged from the Garganta, followed by Tier Harribel, who told him not to devour human souls.
• Tier Harribel turned to Ishida Uryū and Kurosaki Ichigo and asked where Kurosaki Makoto was.

Tier Harribel and Yammy confronted Ishida Uryū and Kurosaki Ichigo to learn where Kurosaki Makoto was, and Yammy overwhelmed the two fighters. Ichigo’s Zanpakuto shattered as Yammy injured him and seized Ishida Uryū, leaving them both in danger.

• Tier Harribel demanded that Ishida Uryū reveal Kurosaki Makoto’s location and warned him that resistance was pointless against her overwhelming spiritual pressure.
• Yammy attacked Kurosaki Ichigo, but Ishida Uryū pulled him out of the way and fired a Reishi Arrow that barely marked Yammy.
• Yammy charged at Ichigo, who braced himself with his Zanpakuto as his spiritual pressure surged.
• Ishida Uryū moved behind Yammy and aimed a Reishi Arrow at his Hollow Hole while Ichigo held Yammy’s fist back.
• Yammy avoided Ishida Uryū’s shot as Ichigo’s Zanpakuto shattered, struck Ichigo’s shoulder, and seized Ishida by the ankle.

Ishida Uryū transformed into Muscle Dragon Form and fought Yammy at close range, but Tier Harribel restrained him as Yammy prepared to crush him. Chiba Makoto intervened with a Reishi Arrow, and Uryū retreated to him while Chiba scolded him for abandoning Quincy archery.

• Yammy trapped Ishida Uryū by grabbing his ankle and tried to punch him, but Uryū blocked the blow and transformed into Muscle Dragon Form.
• Ishida Uryū freed himself, then used Hirenkyaku and powerful punches to batter Yammy and send him crashing into a building.
• Ishida Uryū charged Tier Harribel, but she vanished and seized his wrist while Yammy recovered and attacked him from both sides.
• Chiba Makoto fired a Reishi Arrow through Yammy's hands, letting Ishida Uryū break free and retreat to the rooftop where Chiba stood with Inoue Orihime.
• Chiba Makoto reprimanded Ishida Uryū for focusing on close combat instead of fighting like a Quincy archer.

Chiba Makoto had Inoue Orihime awaken her healing power to save the badly injured Kurosaki Ichigo. As Orihime and Kuchiki Rukia carried Ichigo away from danger, Tier Harribel and Yammy kept their attention on Chiba Makoto.

• Chiba Makoto reprimanded Ishida Uryū for getting carried away with close combat and asked Inoue Orihime to heal Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Orihime recalled how Chiba Makoto awakened the power within her and how she resolved to protect the people she cherished.
• Orihime used Sōten Kisshun to reject Ichigo’s injuries and begin restoring his spirit body.
• Kuchiki Rukia arrived, scolded Ichigo for challenging an Adjuchas-class Menos Grande, and carried him away while Orihime continued healing him.
• Tier Harribel and Yammy ignored the retreating group and kept their attention fixed on Chiba Makoto.

Chiba Makoto confronted Tier Harribel and Yammy Llargo in Karakura Town, realizing Aizen Sōsuke had arranged the clash to expose his strength and turn the Thirteen Divisions against him. As Harribel prepared to fight, Makoto assigned Ishida Uryū to face Yammy.

• Yammy Llargo raged after Chiba Makoto pierced both his wrists, while Tier Harribel ordered him to hold back.
• Chiba Makoto recognized that Aizen Sōsuke was using the battle to reveal his strength to the Thirteen Divisions and set up suspicion against him.
• Tier Harribel identified herself and Yammy as Espada No. 3 and No. 10 and said they had come to kill Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto questioned whether Hollows and Quincies could make peace, but Yammy rejected the idea and threatened to devour him and wipe out the Quincies.
• Tier Harribel readied her bone greatsword and released her spiritual pressure as Chiba Makoto formed a Spirit Bow.
• Chiba Makoto assigned Yammy to Ishida Uryū, who accepted the fight while maintaining Muscle Dragon Form.

Chiba Makoto fought Tier Harribel while Ishida Uryū clashed with Yammy, and Harribel released her Resurrección after he countered her attacks. In the Seireitei, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered several captains to prepare to intervene in Karakura Town, while Makoto recognized that Aizen’s plans were complicating matters.

• Ishida Uryū charged into close combat with Yammy as the two fought amid collapsing buildings.
• Tier Harribel attacked Chiba Makoto, who evaded her and struck back with a powerful Reishi Arrow.
• Chiba Makoto tore through Harribel’s Azure Sword Cannon with his Serious Arrow, but she released her Resurrección and scattered it with her Spiritual Pressure.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered Kuchiki Byakuya and Zaraki Kenpachi to Karakura Town without Limitation Seals, and placed Kyōraku Shunsui and Hitsugaya Tōshirō on standby.
• Kurotsuchi Mayuri requested permission to investigate the unusual Menos Grandes at close range, and Yamamoto granted it.
• Chiba Makoto sensed the captains’ preparations and realized that Aizen was making his situation difficult.

Chiba Makoto fought Tier Harribel while Soul Reaper captains arrived in Karakura Town to contain the Hollow attack. Fearing the consequences for Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia left him behind and went to meet her comrades.

• Chiba Makoto continued battling Tier Harribel, dodging her Battle Drops as he searched for a way out of his dilemma.
• Kuchiki Byakuya, Zaraki Kenpachi, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri arrived in Karakura Town with their divisions and ordered their subordinates to eliminate the Hollows.
• Kuchiki Byakuya urged Zaraki Kenpachi to wait for the Kidō Corps to establish a barrier, and Zaraki agreed to wait ten minutes.
• Kuchiki Rukia realized the Soul Reapers might discover she had given her powers to Kurosaki Ichigo and feared he would be punished.
• Kuchiki Rukia told Kurosaki Ichigo to recover and return to his body, then left to meet her comrades, bidding him farewell.

Nemu Kurotsuchi left the flower shop after asking Snopas to care for Chiba Makoto, then surrendered herself to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who beat her and discovered signs of defiance. Meanwhile, Kuchiki Byakuya and Abarai Renji found Kuchiki Rukia and realized her Shinigami powers had been taken away.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi tidied Chiba Makoto’s room, prepared his tea and snacks, and told Snopas that her time working at the flower shop was over.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi left the shop and wandered through Karakura Town, knowing Kurotsuchi Mayuri would track her down.
• Kurotsuchi Mayuri appeared before Nemu Kurotsuchi, struck and kicked her, and demanded to know why she had disobeyed his orders.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi explained that she had followed her earlier mission, and Kurotsuchi Mayuri noticed her hesitation and decided to investigate her further.
• Kuchiki Byakuya and Abarai Renji found Kuchiki Rukia and recognized that her Shinigami powers had been taken away.

Kuchiki Byakuya ordered Kuchiki Rukia arrested for giving her powers to Kurosaki Ichigo, who arrived to protect her but was swiftly defeated. As the Kidō Corps prepared to seal the area, Chiba Makoto decided the moment had come to reveal more of his strength and exploit a way around Aizen Sōsuke’s trap.

• Kuchiki Byakuya ordered Abarai Renji to arrest Kuchiki Rukia and return her to the Seireitei for judgment.
• Kurosaki Ichigo arrived and told Kuchiki Rukia he would not let her be taken, then faced Abarai Renji.
• Kuchiki Byakuya struck Kurosaki Ichigo down before Abarai Renji could attack him.
• Chiba Makoto sensed Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual pressure fall, then turned his attention to the Kidō Corps' nearly completed barrier.
• Chiba Makoto judged that he had revealed enough strength and considered how to evade Aizen Sōsuke's trap by using the Seireitei's response to powerful Quincies.

Chiba Makoto fought Tier Harribel, secretly restraining her and using a familiar wound site to hint that he was Lord Asura. Tier Harribel began to suspect his identity as he retreated and continued pretending he had narrowly escaped.

• Tier Harribel unleashed a storm of water and drove Chiba Makoto out of his high-speed movement.
• Tier Harribel caught Chiba Makoto by the throat, but he told her that he had caught her instead.
• Chiba Makoto restrained Tier Harribel with Karakura Town’s Reishi and repeatedly pressed the spot where Lord Asura had once treated her wound.
• Tier Harribel recognized the significance of the wound and began to suspect that Chiba Makoto was Lord Asura.
• Chiba Makoto broke away, acted as if he had barely escaped, and Tier Harribel realized he was maintaining his disguise.

Chiba Makoto prompted Harribel to reveal the Espada’s hierarchy and the existence of Asura Yan Cheng, whom she described as the King of Hueco Mundo. The captains, alarmed by the threat, abandoned their plan to let the fight continue and ordered Kuchiki, Kenpachi, and Mayuri to capture Harribel and Kurosaki Makoto.

• Chiba Makoto acted as though he was interrogating Harribel while keeping up the appearance that they were enemies.
• Harribel revealed that she was a Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar and the Espada’s NO.3.
• Harribel declared that NO.1 and NO.2 were also Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar and praised Lord Asura Yan Cheng, the Espada’s NO.0, as the King of Hueco Mundo.
• Harribel claimed that Asura Yan Cheng could effortlessly destroy and create Hueco Mundo, shocking the captains watching the footage.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kenpachi, and Captain Mayuri to capture Harribel and Kurosaki Makoto.