Chapter Summaries

After Aizen left Las Noches, Unohana Retsu fought through Yūke Terasiru’s forest to reach the gravely wounded Chiba Makoto. As Yūke Terasiru questioned its existence and demanded her attention, Unohana turned toward it and used Instantaneous Annihilation.

• After Nel and Tier Harribel were defeated by Aizen, Grimmjow and Hisagi Shūhei stopped fighting and rushed to Nel while Urozakuro attacked the others.
• Urozakuro used the reishi controlled through Sōya Azashiro’s Reishi Illusion to overwhelm the wounded Soul Reapers and Arrancar.
• When Chiba Makoto fell from the vault covered in blood, Unohana Retsu ignored the surrounding battle and ran toward him.
• Yūke Terasiru sent Wood Dragons and wooden giants after Unohana, while wondering why it had been created to defeat her.
• Yūke Terasiru grew angry when Unohana kept her eyes closed and demanded that she look at it.
• Unohana sensed Yūke Terasiru, changed direction, and used Instantaneous Annihilation.

Unohana Retsu defeated Yūke Terasiru after detecting its hidden position, then found Chiba Makoto unharmed and learned that he had allied with Aizen Sōsuke. As they watched the battle in the World of the Living, Chiba explained why Aizen needed his cooperation to grasp a “Name,” and questioned whether stopping the Monk would only begin the same cycle again.

• Unohana Retsu detected Yūke Terasiru by its gaze, stabbed it, and beheaded it as it vanished into spirit particles, leaving its broken Zanpakuto behind.
• Unohana Retsu reached Chiba Makoto and knocked him on the head, then stopped when he cried out in pain.
• Chiba Makoto told Unohana Retsu that he and Aizen Sōsuke had staged the apparent attack as part of their temporary alliance.
• Unohana Retsu warned Chiba Makoto that Aizen Sōsuke was dangerous, and Chiba explained that Aizen needed his help to grasp a “Name.”
• Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu watched the battle between the Thirteen Divisions and the Espada as he wondered whether defeating the Monk would lead to another cycle of forbidding others from grasping “Names.”

The Soul Reapers and Arrancar clashed while Aizen Sōsuke and Ichimaru Gin remained trapped in Castle Inferno. Ulquiorra killed Iba Tetsuzaemon and overwhelmed Abarai Renji and Madarame Ikkaku, leaving them battered and outmatched.

• The captains chose Arrancar opponents as the other Soul Reapers engaged the Espada Fracción.
• Ulquiorra pierced Iba Tetsuzaemon's chest and crushed his heart, killing him in front of Abarai Renji and Madarame Ikkaku.
• Abarai Renji attacked Ulquiorra with Bankai, but Ulquiorra destroyed King of the Baboons, Snake Tail's head and moved in to strike Renji.
• Madarame Ikkaku intercepted Ulquiorra's attack with his zanpakuto, then explained that he had predicted the strike from Ulquiorra's previous movement.
• Ulquiorra praised Madarame Ikkaku's instincts and told the battered Abarai Renji that he had learned none of Kuchiki Byakuya's strengths.

Ulquiorra told the Soul Reapers that Kuchiki Byakuya had fallen and Kurosaki Makoto was dead, then revealed a terrifying new form after Ichigo, Uryū, and Renji attacked him. As Ulquiorra’s power stunned the battlefield, Stark revealed that the Espada had a No. 0 rank, surprising Kyōraku Shunsui.

• Ulquiorra said he had defeated Kuchiki Byakuya and reported that Aizen Sōsuke had dealt with Kurosaki Makoto while the other Soul Reapers neared annihilation.
• Ulquiorra told Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū that Kurosaki Makoto was dead, prompting them to attack him alongside Abarai Renji.
• Ulquiorra survived the attacks and unleashed his Second Stage Resurrección, overwhelming the Soul Reapers with his spiritual pressure.
• Kyōraku Shunsui questioned Stark about Ulquiorra’s power, and Stark revealed that the Espada had a No. 0 rank.

Kyōraku Shunsui learned that an Arrancar stronger than Stark might be No. 0, while Hitsugaya Tōshirō used his greatly enhanced ice powers to freeze Barragan. Barragan broke free with Respira and attacked Hitsugaya as he tried to defend himself.

• Kyōraku Shunsui questioned Stark about No. 0, and Stark admitted that the mysterious Arrancar was much stronger than him but refused to reveal more.
• Kyōraku Shunsui attacked Stark, who answered with a barrage of Ceros across Karakura Town.
• Barragan insulted Hitsugaya Tōshirō and demanded that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni face him, so Hitsugaya released Bankai and trapped him in the Thousand Year Ice Prison.
• Hitsugaya reflected that Hyōrinmaru's increased power came from Soul King Kugo's earlier use of it, and vowed to develop the Zanpakuto himself.
• Barragan emerged from the ice as a skeleton wreathed in black flames and hurled a chain-linked axe at Hitsugaya, who retreated behind a Prism Ice Array.

Hitsugaya Tōshirō froze Barragan in a massive iceberg, but Barragan escaped and trapped him in Respira. Kensei Muguruma arrived and used his Bankai to clear the danger, leaving Hitsugaya and Kensei facing Barragan together.

• Hitsugaya Tōshirō used Frozen Heavens Hundred Flower Funeral to encase Barragan in an iceberg, impressing the fighters across Karakura Town.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō lost focus when he noticed Hinamori Momo admiring him, and Barragan broke through the ice and attacked at close range.
• Barragan trapped Hitsugaya Tōshirō in Respira and forced him to sever his decaying ice dragon tail as he searched for a way to escape.
• Kensei Muguruma arrived and unleashed Bankai, Iron Fist: Gale Force, blowing away the Respira prison.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō shed the ice tainted by Respira, retreated safely, and stood beside Kensei Muguruma against Barragan.

The Visored Army joined the battle against Aizen’s forces, and Hirako Shinji assessed the fighting before moving toward Ukitake Jūshirō’s clash with Aaroniero. Aaroniero used Shiba Kaien’s memories and appearance to confront Ukitake about the Shiba Clan, leaving the captain unable to defend how little he had been able to protect Kaien’s family.

• Kensei Muguruma countered Barragan’s Respira, while the rest of the Visored Army arrived to reinforce the Soul Reapers.
• Sarugaki Hiyori struck Hirako Shinji and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō for showing off, then rushed to help Kusajishi Yachiru.
• Hirako surveyed the battlefield, ordered Hachigen to assist Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū, and sent the other Visored to attack the Fracción.
• Hirako approached Ukitake Jūshirō and Aaroniero, but Ukitake insisted that the fight was his alone.
• Aaroniero revealed that he had Shiba Kaien’s memories and pressed Ukitake about his promises to protect the Shiba Clan and Kaien’s siblings.
• Ukitake tried to explain that he had protected Kaien’s younger sister and brother by settling them in Rukongai, but his coughing stopped him from saying more.

Ukitake Jūshirō faced Aaroniero, who had taken Shiba Kaien’s form and wielded Kaien’s Zanpakuto, Nijirika. Ukitake refused Hirako Shinji’s help and fought to send Kaien off himself, but Aaroniero’s raging waves swallowed him.

• Ukitake Jūshirō apologized to Aaroniero for failing to protect Shiba Kaien’s younger siblings, but Aaroniero urged him to join him inside his body.
• Aaroniero released Nijirika, revealing that he had absorbed Shiba Kaien’s memories and Zanpakuto abilities, then attacked Ukitake.
• Ukitake hesitated to strike Aaroniero’s familiar face, allowing Nijirika to wound his cheek, and he stopped Hirako Shinji from intervening.
• Ukitake unleashed a series of chantless, flame-based Hadō spells, but Aaroniero used Nijirika to summon waves that swallowed the attacks.
• Aaroniero sent a massive tide surging toward Ukitake, and the waves engulfed him as Hirako Shinji shouted his name.

Ukitake Jūshirō defeated Aaroniero Arruruerie by turning Nijirika’s stolen power against him, then prepared to use weapons once wielded by the Soul King against Aizen Sōsuke. As the battle shifted in the Thirteen Divisions’ favor, Ichimaru Gin warned Aizen that their forces were being wiped out.

• Aaroniero Arruruerie lunged at Ukitake Jūshirō, hoping to devour him, but Ukitake revealed that Sōgyo no Kotowari had stored the power of Aaroniero’s waves.
• Ukitake Jūshirō unleashed the stored power, destroying Aaroniero and fatally damaging Nijirika, whose power had belonged to Shiba Kaien.
• Ukitake Jūshirō told Hirako Shinji that Kaien’s power had avenged him, then warned that the war was still underway and Aizen Sōsuke remained the greatest threat.
• Otsubaki Sentarō and Kōtetsu Kiyone brought Ukitake Jūshirō a wooden shield and spear, which he identified as Divine Artifacts once used by the Soul King.
• Ukitake Jūshirō asked Hirako Shinji to guard him while he prepared the artifacts, and Hirako concealed him behind barriers.
• Ichimaru Gin told Aizen Sōsuke that the battle was turning against them and their subordinates were being wiped out.

Aizen provoked Yamamoto as the two prepared to clash, while Hachigen sent Ichigo toward their battlefield to help counter Kyōka Suigetsu. Yamamoto unleashed Blazing Inferno, but Aizen's first sword strike unexpectedly killed an Arrancar behind him.

• Aizen suppressed Yamamoto's flames and dismissed them as little more than fireflies, prompting Yamamoto to confront him.
• Hachigen urged Ichigo to leave his fight with Ulquiorra and help Yamamoto distinguish illusions from reality.
• Ulquiorra hurled a Lightning Spear at Ichigo, and Hachigen used two Dankū walls to shield him; the attack badly injured Hachigen and devastated part of Karakura Town.
• Hachigen told Ichigo to continue, and Ichigo raced toward Aizen and Yamamoto while Ishida supported Hachigen.
• Yamamoto unleashed Blazing Inferno across the battlefield to overcome Kyōka Suigetsu, but Aizen's sword cut down an Arrancar approaching behind Yamamoto.

Aizen Sōsuke killed Wonderweiss and withstood Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s flames, then revealed overwhelming Reiryoku that extinguished them. Kurosaki Ichigo confirmed Aizen was not an illusion, leaving the Soul Reapers in despair as Aizen waited for Makoto to arrive.

• Aizen Sōsuke split Wonderweiss in two, confusing Ichimaru Gin and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni unleashed Blazing Inferno at Aizen Sōsuke, and its flames engulfed him.
• Aizen Sōsuke released overwhelming Reiryoku that suppressed the flames and forced many fighters to their knees.
• Aizen Sōsuke appeared before Kurosaki Ichigo and let his Getsuga Tensho disperse before reaching him.
• Kurosaki Ichigo told Kyōraku Shunsui that Aizen Sōsuke was not an illusion, and the Soul Reapers despaired as Aizen waited for Makoto.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni unleashed Bankai and attacked Aizen Sōsuke, proving Zanka no Tachi could pierce Aizen’s spiritual defenses. Their blades collided, and Aizen cast Kurohitsugi at close range.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni activated Bankai, restoring hope among the Soul Reapers as Aizen Sōsuke watched.
• Yamamoto used Zanka no Tachi: East—Rising Sun Blade to cut through Aizen’s spiritual-pressure shield and his spiritual-pressure haori.
• Yamamoto declared that Zanka no Tachi’s heat could kill anything, and Aizen drew Kyōka Suigetsu to challenge him.
• Yamamoto and Aizen clashed blades, setting Karakura Town ablaze and causing vapor to rise from the nearby sea.
• While their swords were locked together, Aizen cast Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi at Yamamoto.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni endured Aizen’s Kurohitsugi and fought him with Zanka no Tachi, scorching Karakura Town as their battle halted the other fights. Yamamoto used Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin to restrain Aizen’s true body and prepared to finish him with All Things in Nature.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni survived Aizen’s chantless Kurohitsugi by activating Zanka no Tachi, West—Burning Hell Robe.
• The heat and shockwaves from Yamamoto and Aizen’s clash set Karakura Town ablaze and forced the other battles to stop.
• Yamamoto and Aizen exchanged attacks, and Yamamoto recognized Aizen’s extraordinary mastery of Zankensoki.
• Yamamoto activated Zanka no Tachi, South—Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin, summoning skeletons that swarmed and restrained Aizen.
• Yamamoto checked Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū’s reactions, concluded he had captured Aizen’s real body, and invoked Zanka no Tachi, North—All Things in Nature.

Aizen Sōsuke used Kyōka Suigetsu to make Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni believe his attack had erased him, then struck Yamamoto from behind and defeated him. Watching from Las Noches, Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu discussed how the Hōgyoku may have evolved Kyōka Suigetsu beyond its former limits.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni believed his attack had vaporized Aizen Sōsuke, but Aizen revealed that Yamamoto, Kurosaki Ichigo, and Ishida Uryū were under Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion.
• Aizen Sōsuke stabbed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni from behind, and Yamamoto's attempt to seize him failed when Aizen made his apparent presence illusory.
• The Soul Reapers watching in the World of the Living saw Aizen standing behind the wounded Yamamoto, and their confidence collapsed as Aizen pulled Kyōka Suigetsu from his chest.
• Chiba Makoto praised Aizen Sōsuke's manipulation of Yamamoto and the Soul Reapers while Unohana Retsu asked how the illusion had affected Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū.
• Chiba Makoto suggested that the Hōgyoku had evolved Kyōka Suigetsu so that witnessing its release was no longer required and Aizen could redefine what counted as reality.

Chiba Makoto explained how Aizen Sōsuke’s Kyōka Suigetsu illusion relied on a particle of reishi tied to him, then moved to find Sōya Azashiro as the battle against Urozakuro worsened. The chapter left Unohana Retsu telling the Soul Reapers that Kurosaki Makoto had died, while Chiba Makoto reached a hidden door in Aizen Sōsuke’s palace.

• Chiba Makoto told Unohana Retsu that Aizen Sōsuke’s plans were progressing and instructed her to prepare for the next stage; he confirmed that Kurosaki Makoto had died beneath Aizen’s blade.
• Chiba Makoto went to Aizen Sōsuke’s palace to search for Sōya Azashiro, reasoning that the seal must be somewhere beyond the reach of reishi.
• Chiba Makoto sensed a reishi-free area deep within the palace and found a door resembling the entrance to a laboratory.
• Kuchiki Byakuya, Hisagi Shūhei, and Grimmjow struggled against Urozakuro while Matsumoto Rangiku and Ise Nanao treated the wounded Soi Fon, Tier Harribel, and Nel.
• Unohana Retsu arrived to shield the fighters from Urozakuro’s attacks, then told Kuchiki Byakuya that she had been too late to save Kurosaki Makoto.

Unohana Retsu fought Urozakuro until Sōya Azashiro appeared and stopped the battle. Azashiro claimed he had only pretended to ally with Aizen Sōsuke so he could find Chiba Makoto’s soul, leaving the Soul Reapers to hear his explanation.

• Unohana Retsu rallied the Soul Reapers and cut Urozakuro in two, but Urozakuro re-formed from Reishi.
• Sōya Azashiro appeared and asked Unohana Retsu to stop, then recalled Urozakuro to his Zanpakuto.
• Sōya Azashiro apologized for Urozakuro’s attack and said Aizen Sōsuke had imprisoned him and threatened his life.
• Sōya Azashiro told Unohana Retsu that he had cooperated with Aizen Sōsuke only to find Chiba Makoto’s soul.
• Sōya Azashiro explained that he had observed the Seireitei from Muken, learned of Chiba Makoto’s death, and escaped when Ishida Uryū’s battle weakened Muken’s seal.

Sōya Azashiro convinced Unohana Retsu and the other Soul Reapers that he had been working for Chiba Makoto and could help restore Chiba’s soul, so they headed back to the Seireitei. In Karakura Town, Aizen Sōsuke withdrew Kyōka Suigetsu from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and prepared to kill him as the Soul Reapers rushed to intervene.

• Sōya Azashiro told the Soul Reapers that he had infiltrated Aizen Sōsuke’s side for Makoto and could separate Chiba’s soul from Nel.
• Unohana Retsu agreed to help Azashiro retrieve Chiba’s preserved spirit body from the Seireitei, and Azashiro revealed that Las Noches had a special Senkaimon.
• Unohana treated Tier Harribel, Grimmjow, and the other wounded Arrancar before the Soul Reapers followed Azashiro toward the Senkaimon.
• Aizen Sōsuke pulled Kyōka Suigetsu from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and declared that Yamamoto’s era was over.
• The Soul Reapers cried out and lunged at Aizen to stop him from striking Yamamoto.

Ukitake Jūshirō revealed the Soul King's Right Arm within him and used its power, Stillness, to restrain Aizen Sōsuke and free Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni from Kyōka Suigetsu. Yamamoto struck Aizen with Zanka no Tachi, but Aizen regenerated, leaving them facing each other again.

• Aizen Sōsuke attacked Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni while the Espada held off the Soul Reapers.
• Ukitake Jūshirō appeared bearing the Soul King's Right Arm and bound Kyōka Suigetsu with golden chains.
• Ukitake Jūshirō told Aizen Sōsuke that the Right Arm governed the power of Stillness.
• Ukitake Jūshirō stilled Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's wounds and Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion, allowing Yamamoto to attack Aizen with Zanka no Tachi.
• Aizen Sōsuke regenerated after Yamamoto split his body, while Yamamoto's Burning Hell Robe returned.

Chiba Makoto emerged on the battlefield as Las Noches’s Espada NO.0 and joined Sōsuke Aizen against Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni. As the Soul Reapers and Arrancar continued fighting, Chōjirō Sasakibe rushed to stop Chiba Makoto from interfering.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni attacked Sōsuke Aizen, whose Kyōka Suigetsu remained trapped by Ukitake Jūshirō’s power.
• Sōsuke Aizen used Dankū to hinder Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and cast Kurohitsugi at Ukitake Jūshirō, but Ukitake shattered it with his wooden spear.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni closed in on Sōsuke Aizen, but quartz-like deadwood erupted from the ground and separated them.
• Chiba Makoto emerged from a Garganta, and Sōsuke Aizen introduced him as Las Noches’s other king, Espada NO.0, and his true partner.
• Kyōraku Shunsui questioned Stark about Chiba Makoto, and Stark confirmed that Chiba Makoto surpassed him in spiritual pressure and combat power.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe charged at Chiba Makoto to prevent him from interfering in Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s battle and activated Bankai: Kōkōjōten.

Chōjirō Sasakibe unleashed his Bankai and joined Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni in attacking Aizen Sōsuke and Chiba Makoto. His lightning-fast thrust struck Chiba Makoto’s throat but failed to pierce it, leaving Chōjirō stunned as Chiba seized his blade.

• Chōjirō Sasakibe released Bankai: Kōkōjōten to help Yamamoto defeat Aizen before Ukitake Jūshirō collapsed.
• Yamamoto accepted Chōjirō’s decision, and the two attacked Aizen Sōsuke and Chiba Makoto together.
• Aizen blocked Yamamoto’s Zanka no Tachi with Kyōka Suigetsu while the clash engulfed the surrounding area in flames.
• Chōjirō gathered the lightning of his Bankai into his blade and thrust at Chiba Makoto with overwhelming speed.
• Chōjirō’s blade reached Chiba’s throat without drawing blood, and Chiba grabbed the blade as Chōjirō stared in disbelief.