Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto fought Aizen Sōsuke while the King's Seal appeared to bolster his power, and he wounded Aizen before being trapped in a post-incantation Kurohitsugi. Makoto broke free with a wooden giant hand and began his Bankai, Tree Realm Birth.

• Aizen Sōsuke unleashed his spiritual pressure and attacked Chiba Makoto, but Makoto blocked Kyōka Suigetsu and matched his sword strikes.
• Unohana Retsu explained that the King's Seal had revived Makoto and seemed to be empowering him.
• Makoto changed All Things in Nature's form, cut Aizen Sōsuke's chest, and drew blood.
• Aizen Sōsuke trapped Makoto in Kurohitsugi and strengthened the spell with a post-incantation.
• Makoto burst through Kurohitsugi with a giant wooden hand and announced Bankai: Tree Realm Birth.

Chiba Makoto’s Bankai, Tree Realm Birth, dwarfed Seireitei as Aizen Sōsuke unleashed Hadō #99, Five Dragons Reaching Extinction. The wooden giant crushed Aizen’s attack and battered him until his body seemed destroyed, but Aizen restored himself beside Kyōka Suigetsu.

• Chiba Makoto’s Bankai, Tree Realm Birth, expanded into a Wooden Giant Buddha larger than Seireitei.
• Aizen Sōsuke poured his spiritual pressure into five dragons and sent them to destroy the Wooden Giant Buddha.
• The Wooden Giant Buddha caught and crushed all five dragons with its wooden palms.
• The Wooden Giant Buddha’s palms struck Aizen Sōsuke repeatedly until his spirit body and spiritual pressure seemed annihilated.
• As Soul Reapers began to celebrate Aizen’s defeat, his spiritual pressure returned and he restored himself beside Kyōka Suigetsu.

Chiba Makoto drove Aizen Sōsuke from the Seireitei, then returned to the Soul Reapers as they welcomed him back. He concealed his true abilities from the watching Zero Division and listened as Unohana Retsu began explaining the crisis.

• Chiba Makoto deduced that Aizen Sōsuke's Zanpakuto was his fatal weakness, but Aizen escaped through a Garganta with Stark, Barragan, and Ulquiorra.
• The Soul Reapers realized they had won the battle, though Aizen remained alive and the Thirteen Divisions faced major changes.
• Chiba Makoto noticed the Zero Division watching him through the barriers and deliberately let them believe he had exhausted himself using Bankai.
• Chiba Makoto dismissed the Wooden Giant Buddha and descended into the Seireitei as Kuchiki Byakuya, Hisagi Shūhei, and Unohana Retsu welcomed him back.
• Chiba Makoto said he did not fully understand the situation, and Unohana Retsu began explaining how Aizen had threatened the Seireitei and the world.

After returning to life, Chiba Makoto helped Unohana Retsu restore order and prepare to return Karakura Town to the World of the Living. He put Arisawa Tatsuki and her friends to sleep, then reached into shadow spaces to search for a coordinate to extend his independent space.

• Chiba Makoto apologized to Kuchiki Byakuya and reunited with his old acquaintances after returning to life.
• Unohana Retsu explained that Soul Reapers, including Captain-Commander Yamamoto, remained in the World of the Living and that Karakura Town was nearing its transfer limit.
• Unohana Retsu restored the Seireitei's operations and assigned Chiba Makoto to lead the Kidō Corps and Twelfth Division in returning Karakura Town to the World of the Living.
• Chiba Makoto found Arisawa Tatsuki, Asano Keigo, and Kojima Mizuiro awake, then quietly made them unconscious so they would not be lost during the transfer.
• Chiba Makoto carried Arisawa Tatsuki home and reached into shadow spaces to search for a coordinate to extend his independent space.

Chiba Makoto linked Makoto's Secret Garden to coordinates in both Soul Society and the World of the Living, creating a hidden route between them. After arriving at a devastated battlefield, he healed and marked many Soul Reapers, and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni awakened to a familiar face.

• Chiba Makoto gave Makoto's Secret Garden a second set of coordinates so it could remain connected to Soul Society when Karakura Town returned to the World of the Living.
• Karakura Town transferred to the World of the Living, and Makoto's Secret Garden remained intact as a hidden passage between the two worlds.
• Chiba Makoto used All Things in Nature to cover the battlefield in grass and heal wounded Soul Reapers, while some died and others received tracking Reishi.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni awakened after Chiba Makoto's healing and saw a gentle, innocent face from his memories.

After waking, Chiba Makoto told Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni that he had driven Aizen Sōsuke back, prompting Yamamoto to confront the impact of his defeat and aging. Chiba then helped treat the survivors and presented Yamamoto with a casualty report detailing the heavy losses suffered by the Thirteen Divisions.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni awoke and asked Chiba Makoto about Aizen Sōsuke, and Chiba said he had helped drive Aizen back using the King's Seal's power.
• Chiba noticed Yamamoto's declining spirit and left him alone to consider whether the Thirteen Divisions still needed him as Captain-Commander.
• Chiba and the Fourth Division members examined the wounded after the battlefield returned to the Seireitei.
• Chiba found that Kyōraku Shunsui had lost most of his captain-class strength and that Ukitake Jūshirō remained comatose after being drained of his strength.
• Chiba presented Yamamoto with the casualty report, which recorded Urahara Kisuke's death and extensive losses among lieutenant- and seated-officer-level Soul Reapers.

After the Thirteen Divisions suffered catastrophic losses, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni appointed Unohana Retsu acting Captain-Commander and First Division captain while he stayed behind. He entrusted Chōjirō Sasakibe with holding the Seireitei and asked Chiba Makoto to help Unohana restore the divisions.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni acknowledged the heavy casualties and told Chiba Makoto that the defeat and sacrifices were his responsibility.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered Chōjirō Sasakibe to return to the Seireitei in his place and hold the fort.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni appointed Unohana Retsu acting Captain-Commander and acting captain of the First Division, granting her full decision-making authority.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe accepted the order while Chiba Makoto protested that the Thirteen Divisions could not do without Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni explained that the Thirteen Divisions must continue without him, and Chiba Makoto promised to relay his hopes for its future to Unohana Retsu.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni considered succession plans and, reassured by Chiba Makoto’s response, appointed Unohana Retsu acting Captain-Commander. Seireitei accepted the transition without opposition as Chiba Makoto took over the Captain-Commander adjutant’s duties.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni considered Unohana Retsu and Chiba Makoto as possible successors, then tested Chiba Makoto’s ambitions by offering him a captain’s post.
• Chiba Makoto declined the captaincy and said he wanted to keep assisting Unohana Retsu, reassuring Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni that he sought no power or status.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni instructed Chōjirō Sasakibe to hand the Captain-Commander adjutant’s affairs to Chiba Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto and Chōjirō Sasakibe returned to Seireitei after arranging the battlefield’s aftermath.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe announced that Unohana Retsu would temporarily serve as Captain-Commander, and the surviving members of the Thirteen Divisions accepted her authority.

After the war, Chiba Makoto struggled to manage the Thirteen Divisions’ paperwork and used vacant seated-officer posts to strengthen Unohana Retsu’s supporters. He reviewed Amagai Shūsuke’s request to bring the Expeditionary Force back to Seireitei, knowing Amagai intended to assassinate Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and deciding he could not let that happen.

• Chiba Makoto processed a mountain of postwar documents while Chōjirō Sasakibe supervised and offered little help.
• Chiba Makoto appointed Soul Reapers loyal to Unohana Retsu and unconnected to the nobles to fill vacant seated-officer positions.
• Chiba Makoto found Amagai Shūsuke’s application to return the Expeditionary Force from Hueco Mundo to Seireitei.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe supported Amagai Shūsuke’s proposal, noting that Seireitei needed captains and that Amagai had captain-level strength.
• Chiba Makoto recalled that Amagai planned to assassinate Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and resolved that he could not allow it.

Chiba Makoto agreed to Amagai Shūsuke’s proposal while struggling to manage Seireitei’s vacant leadership posts and the aftermath of the war. After presiding over Urahara Kisuke’s funeral and comforting Yoruichi Shihoin, he returned to preparations for Unohana Retsu’s inauguration as Captain-Commander.

• Chiba Makoto accepted Amagai Shūsuke’s proposal and considered how Amagai might help fill the many vacant captain and Vice-Captain positions.
• Komamura Sajin formally submitted his resignation as Seventh Division captain so he could continue serving Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
• A week later, Chiba Makoto presided over Urahara Kisuke’s Soul Funeral Ceremony, honoring him at captain’s standards despite the attendees’ ignorance of his deeds.
• Yoruichi Shihoin declined to say goodbye to Urahara Kisuke, telling Chiba Makoto that she had accepted the consequences of choosing a different path.
• Chiba Makoto returned to the First Division Barracks and saw preparations for Unohana Retsu’s ceremony to take office as Captain-Commander.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni returned to the Seireitei, resigned as Captain-Commander, and appointed Unohana Retsu as his successor. He then joined Shin'ō Academy as headmaster while Unohana reorganized the Thirteen Divisions and restored several former Soul Reapers to service.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni returned and invited the injured Kyōraku Shunsui to teach at Shin'ō Academy, while Kyōraku accepted and Ukitake Jūshirō remained unfit for duty.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni admitted his mistakes in the war against Aizen Sōsuke, resigned as Captain-Commander, and recommended Unohana Retsu, who received unanimous approval.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni inaugurated Unohana Retsu, entrusted her with Captain-Commander secrets, and left the Seireitei to become headmaster of Shin'ō Academy.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe, Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Komamura Sajin resigned from the Thirteen Divisions and joined Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni as instructors.
• Unohana Retsu appointed new division leaders and officers, including Ichimaru Gin, Yoruichi Shihoin, Sōya Azashiro, and Kuchiki Rukia, and restored Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushōda Hachigen to the Kidō Corps.

Chiba Makoto assigned the unplaced Visored Army members to new roles, including forming a special unit to defend Karakura Town from Aizen Sōsuke. The chapter ended with Hirako Shinji appointed captain, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō as his vice-captain, and Sarugaki Hiyori as their only initial member.

• Sarugaki Hiyori complained that she had not received an appointment, while Hirako Shinji pointed out that Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō and Yadomaru Lisa had more reason to worry about their former positions being filled.
• Chiba Makoto visited the Visored Army and told them that Unohana Retsu and the Thirteen Divisions had plans to give them important assignments.
• Chiba Makoto offered Yadomaru Lisa the Ninth Division vice-captaincy under Hisagi Shūhei, and she accepted.
• Chiba Makoto explained that Aizen Sōsuke could attack Karakura Town again to create the King's Key and that Hollows were appearing there more frequently.
• Chiba Makoto announced the creation of a Special Operations Unit for the Human World, appointing Hirako Shinji as captain, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō as vice-captain, and Sarugaki Hiyori as its sole initial member.

Chiba Makoto persuaded Hirako Shinji to lead the Special Operations Unit for the Human World by framing the assignment as both a defense against Aizen Sōsuke and a chance to build an elite force. Hirako accepted, while Chiba left to welcome Amagai Shūsuke’s returning Expeditionary Force.

• Hirako Shinji learned that he and Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō would be stationed in Karakura Town and grew suspicious about the arrangement.
• Chiba Makoto took Hirako aside and explained that his illusion-type Zanpakuto made him suitable to guard Karakura Town against Aizen Sōsuke.
• Chiba Makoto hinted that Zero Division might be connected to the decline in captain-class Soul Reapers, prompting Hirako to consider the possibility.
• Chiba Makoto told Hirako that Unohana wanted him to form and lead a special unit of captain-class combatants, and Hirako accepted the responsibility.
• Chiba Makoto left to welcome Amagai Shūsuke and the returning Expeditionary Force.

Chiba Makoto welcomed the returning Expeditionary Force at Hakutōmon, where Amagai Shūsuke arrived to take command of the Fifth Division. Makoto greeted Amagai warmly, but his eyes reflected Aizen Sōsuke instead.

• Makoto encouraged Hinamori Momo and asked her to assist the new Fifth Division Captain, offering to help if she had concerns.
• The Expeditionary Force arrived at Hakutōmon and underwent identity checks before entering the Seireitei.
• The officers confirmed the hooded leader was Amagai Shūsuke, and Momo formally welcomed him.
• Amagai teased Momo, then greeted Makoto and said he would rely on his guidance.
• Makoto and Amagai exchanged warm pleasantries while Makoto's pupils reflected Aizen Sōsuke.

Makoto accompanied Aizen Sōsuke through the Fifth Division Barracks and learned how Aizen's transformed Kyōka Suigetsu concealed his reality. Aizen revealed that Makoto alone could perceive that reality, then offered to send him the real Amagai Shūsuke's corpse, which Makoto refused.

• Aizen Sōsuke asked Makoto to tour the Fifth Division Barracks with him, and Makoto agreed to avoid appearing hostile to the new captain.
• After they left the others behind, Makoto asked Aizen whether anyone could expose his identity, and Aizen described his Hogyoku-enhanced Absolute Illusion.
• Aizen explained that Kyōka Suigetsu's reality was hidden inside Makoto's spirit particles, making Makoto the only person able to see through the illusion.
• Makoto asked what had happened to the real Amagai Shūsuke, and Aizen offered to send him the man's corpse.
• Makoto declined the corpse and told Aizen to keep it.

Aizen Sōsuke took over the disordered Fifth Division and toured its barracks with Chiba Makoto before they attended a captains’ meeting. At the Vice-Captains’ gathering, Chiba Makoto sensed a hidden danger coming from the strange blade at Ise Nanao’s waist, and she reacted with shock as well.

• Chiba Makoto and Aizen Sōsuke arrived at the chaotic Fifth Division Barracks, where Chiba introduced Aizen as the new captain, Amagai Shūsuke.
• Aizen dismissed the Fifth Division members without reorganizing them and toured the barracks with Chiba, asking his opinion about renovating the captain’s courtyard.
• A Hell Butterfly summoned Chiba and Aizen to a captains’ meeting, where newly appointed captains and Vice-Captains would also be introduced.
• Chiba went to the Vice-Captains’ waiting room and sensed concealed danger from the unusual blade at Ise Nanao’s waist.
• Ise Nanao gripped her blade and met Chiba’s gaze with intense shock.

Chiba Makoto attended the Captains' meeting alongside the gathered Vice-Captains, where Ise Nanao's strangely shaped blade stirred a dangerous reaction in his presence. After the meeting, he watched the Captains and Vice-Captains depart, exchanged farewells with Aizen Sōsuke, and saw Soi Fon awkwardly walk away without speaking to him.

• Chiba Makoto sensed that Ise Nanao's strangely shaped blade was a danger that countered him, and Ise Nanao temporarily suppressed its reaction with Kidō.
• Kusajishi Yachiru clung to Chiba Makoto and asked him to play, and he let her stay with him during the meeting.
• Chiba Makoto introduced the newly appointed Vice-Captains to the others while they waited for the Captains' meeting to end.
• After the meeting, the Captains and Vice-Captains departed, and Kusajishi Yachiru called to Chiba Makoto from Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder.
• Aizen Sōsuke invited Chiba Makoto to a future gathering, and Chiba Makoto accepted.
• Soi Fon passed Chiba Makoto without speaking and walked away with the same arm and leg moving together.

Chiba Makoto told Yoruichi Shihoin to keep an eye on Ise Nanao, who was troubled by a startling realization. Yoruichi got Nanao drunk, and Nanao woke to find Makoto beside her with a blanket in his hand.

• Makoto wondered why Soi Fon acted awkwardly around him, while Yoruichi teased him about her.
• Makoto secretly told Yoruichi to focus on Ise Nanao, and Yoruichi took Nanao back to the Eighth Division courtyard.
• Yoruichi urged Nanao to drink sake, and Nanao eventually drank until she lost consciousness.
• Nanao woke to find Makoto touching her with a blanket, then cried out his name as he stepped back awkwardly.

Chiba Makoto found Ise Nanao asleep after drinking with Yoruichi Shihoin and comforted her when she woke. Nanao revealed the curse tied to her clan and the Divine Sword: Mirror of the Eight Realms, then feared Makoto would reject her because of it.

• Chiba Makoto covered Ise Nanao with a blanket and reassured her after she woke from a drunken sleep.
• Ise Nanao searched for her sword, and Chiba Makoto returned the Divine Sword: Mirror of the Eight Realms to her.
• Ise Nanao explained that the Ise Clan guarded the Divine Sword and was cursed to bear only daughters while men who married into the clan died young.
• Ise Nanao said her mother had sealed the sword inside Kyōraku Shunsui's Katen Kyōkotsu, but Kyōraku's weakened Reiryoku forced him to return it to her.
• Ise Nanao feared that her confession and the sword's curse would make Chiba Makoto hate her and avoid her.

Ise Nanao grieved over the danger her family’s sword posed to anyone she loved, while Chiba Makoto suggested that avoiding marriage—or giving up the sword—might break its curse. Nanao revealed that the Divine Sword: Mirror of the Eight Realms was also called the Sword That Kills Gods and had suddenly reacted to Makoto.

• Ise Nanao cried over the Divine Sword: Mirror of the Eight Realms, fearing her feelings would endanger Chiba Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto praised Nanao’s mother for trying to free her daughter from the family’s curse, then comforted Nanao as she tried to hide her tears.
• Chiba Makoto suggested that Nanao could avoid marriage to prevent the curse from harming a husband, though he admitted he was unsure how the curse worked.
• Nanao worried that anyone loved by a woman of the Ise Clan might suffer misfortune even without marriage, and Chiba Makoto suggested she give up the sword.
• Ise Nanao explained that the Divine Sword: Mirror of the Eight Realms was known as the Sword That Kills Gods, had slain the Soul King, and had reacted to Chiba Makoto.