Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu continued toward Silberburg, where Makoto defeated Bambietta after she challenged the Soul Reapers. Their advance drew the attention of the Divine Punishment Guard, including Gerard Valkyrie, who remained at Yhwach’s bedchamber under orders.

• Bambietta blew apart the colossal tree to challenge Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu, but Makoto explained that his power—not the tree—had pierced the Wandenreich.
• Chiba Makoto took Bambietta on to avenge the Shin'ō Academy students her Schrift had attacked.
• Bambietta unleashed Super Explode, but Chiba Makoto emerged unharmed and stabbed her through the heart.
• Chiba Makoto reassured Bambietta that she would feel no pain, then left her to die as Unohana Retsu praised his improved Zanjutsu.
• Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu continued toward Silberburg while Gerard Valkyrie complained that Yhwach’s order kept the Divine Punishment Guard at the bedchamber.

Sōsuke Aizen confronted the Divine Punishment Guard outside Yhwach’s bedchamber, where Gerard attacked him and was quickly struck down before reviving. Chiba Makoto then arrived with Unohana Retsu and Kurosaki Ichigo, revealing that he had bypassed the Quincies’ attention and dealt with Nianzol Weizol.

• Askin Nakk Le Vaar warned Gerard that Chiba Makoto was a Special Threat, while Lille Barro and Pernida Parnkgjas urged Gerard to stay and guard Yhwach’s bedchamber.
• Sōsuke Aizen emerged at the Palace of Ice and dismissed Lille Barro, then cut down Gerard when he charged, though Gerard soon revived.
• Haschwalth stopped Gerard from releasing his spiritual pressure and challenged Sōsuke Aizen to explain his actions.
• Sōsuke Aizen questioned Yhwach’s response to the Soul Reapers’ approach and challenged the alliance, while Haschwalth said the disturbance would not wake Yhwach.
• Chiba Makoto appeared with Unohana Retsu and Kurosaki Ichigo, drew his Zanpakuto, and transformed the ground into a lush grassland.
• Chiba Makoto explained that he had arrived while the Quincies were distracted and had performed a corrective operation on Nianzol Weizol.

Chiba Makoto revealed how he had killed Nianzol Weizol and unleashed his Bankai against the Divine Punishment Guard at the Palace of Ice. As Kurosaki Ichigo and Unohana Retsu moved to protect him, Lille Barro’s Reishi bullet pierced Unohana’s Zanpakuto and continued toward Makoto.

• Chiba Makoto explained that he had secretly used microscopic Reishi Blades to cause Nianzol Weizol’s fatal heart attack, exploiting the limits of Nianzol’s instincts.
• Chiba Makoto challenged Aizen Sōsuke, Haschwalth, and Ishida Uryū, then released his Bankai, Tree Realm Birth, and formed a colossal Wooden Giant Buddha.
• The Wooden Giant Buddha brought its enormous palm down toward the Palace of Ice, prompting the Divine Punishment Guard to attack Chiba Makoto.
• Kurosaki Ichigo blocked Gerard with a Moon Fang Cross Cannon as Lille Barro fired an ultra-dense Reishi bullet at Chiba Makoto.
• Unohana Retsu intercepted Lille Barro’s shot, but the bullet pierced her Zanpakuto and continued toward Chiba Makoto.

Chiba Makoto’s attack on the Palace of Ice was interrupted when Lille Barro wounded him and Haschwalth used the Balance of the World to sever the Wooden Giant Buddha’s palm. Yhwach emerged from his bedchamber and halted the confrontation, concealing his anger as he addressed the Soul Reapers.

• Lille Barro fired a Reishi bullet that grazed Chiba Makoto’s temple, and Unohana Retsu turned on the Divine Punishment Guard with murderous intent.
• Haschwalth appeared above the Palace of Ice and cut through the Wooden Giant Buddha’s palm with the Balance of the World.
• Chiba Makoto’s wooden palm regenerated, and he challenged Haschwalth to bear the weight of his ability.
• Yhwach emerged from his bedchamber, rebuked Haschwalth for making too much noise, and confronted the Soul Reapers.

Yhwach explained that he needed to absorb souls to regain his strength and believed his forces would defeat the Soul Reapers. Chiba Makoto’s allies arrived with captured Sternritter corpses, leaving Mayuri offering Makoto a chance to ride one of his modified puppets.

• Yhwach confronted Chiba Makoto and claimed that, even if Makoto held him back, the Divine Punishment Guard would destroy the Thirteen Divisions.
• Chiba Makoto said he trusted his companions to defeat the Sternritter and erase the Wandenreich.
• Kurotsuchi Mayuri arrived riding Driscoll Berci, whom he had turned into a vacant, gray-skinned puppet.
• Mayuri brought Bambietta and Es Nott as additional puppets and explained that he had preserved much of their former abilities.
• Mayuri offered Chiba Makoto a ride on one of the puppets, but Makoto declined.

As Yhwach faced Chiba Makoto’s assembled allies, he sought to confirm Sōsuke Aizen’s intentions and decided Aizen might be willing to strike Makoto. Makoto declared he would face them both, while Aizen secretly understood that he and Makoto meant to eliminate Yhwach together before his power fully awakened.

• Kurotsuchi Mayuri offered Bambietta to Chiba Makoto, who declined, while Mayuri privately considered whether to offer Bersi instead.
• Sōya Azashiro appeared beside Chiba Makoto after merging with spirit particles across the Wandenreich, and Yoruichi Shihoin arrived to support Makoto.
• Unohana Retsu and Yoruichi Shihoin exchanged pointed remarks about protecting Makoto before Makoto challenged Yhwach.
• Yhwach asked Sōsuke Aizen to join him against Makoto, and Aizen said he would act when necessary, easing Yhwach’s suspicions.
• Chiba Makoto summoned his giant Buddha and declared he would face Yhwach and Aizen together, while Aizen understood their plan was to kill Yhwach before his ability awakened.
• Aizen told Yhwach to proceed and promised to deliver Makoto a fatal blow at the right moment.

Yhwach used the King's Key to ascend to the Soul King Palace, while Chiba Makoto chose to pursue him through the Seireitei’s official route. As Auswählen drained the Wandenreich, Gremmy Thoumeaux absorbed the stolen power, and Chiba Makoto realized Yhwach was delaying their departure.

• Yhwach had Haschwalth activate the King's Key, transporting Yhwach, Haschwalth, Ishida Uryū, the Divine Punishment Guard, and Aizen Sōsuke to the Soul King Palace.
• Chiba Makoto and the other Soul Reapers followed Chiba Makoto’s plan to return to the Seireitei and use the Shiba Clan’s Flower Crane Cannon to reach the Soul King Palace.
• As Chiba Makoto’s group left Silberburg, Auswählen stripped the Quincy across the Wandenreich of their powers, and many were reduced to ash.
• Zaraki Kenpachi and Gremmy Thoumeaux appeared on a rising stone platform amid the ruined Silberburg, while Auswählen’s stolen power flowed into Gremmy.
• Chiba Makoto concluded that Yhwach did not intend to let them leave the Wandenreich so easily.

After Yhwach’s Auswählen empowered Gremmy, Gremmy revived Liltotto, Minina, and Gadis before withstanding Zaraki Kenpachi’s strongest strike. He sealed the passage out of the Wandenreich, leaving Chiba Makoto and the others to conclude that they had to defeat him to escape.

• Auswählen drained the Quincy throughout the Wandenreich, and Gremmy remarked that it had increased his power.
• Gremmy restored Liltotto, then also revived Minina and Gadis after Liltotto pleaded for their lives.
• Zaraki Kenpachi struck Gremmy from behind with overwhelming spiritual pressure, but Gremmy’s body stopped the blade without injury.
• Gremmy used his improved Schrift V to erase the passage connecting the Wandenreich and the Secret Garden.
• Sōya Azashiro explained Gremmy’s ability and history, while Chiba Makoto concluded that defeating Gremmy was the quickest way to reopen the exit.

Chiba Makoto exposed the limits of Gremmy’s imagination and helped defeat him with a coordinated attack. Gremmy’s head exploded, and Chiba Makoto confirmed the battle was over as the passage to the Secret Garden reappeared.

• Gremmy created a giant wooden Buddha and claimed his imagined powers made him invulnerable to Zaraki Kenpachi.
• Chiba Makoto summoned an identical Buddha, explained that imagination was limited by its user’s knowledge and experience, and used a stronger form to destroy Gremmy’s creation.
• Zaraki Kenpachi, Yoruichi Shihoin, and Unohana Retsu attacked Gremmy while his attention was on Chiba Makoto.
• Ichimaru Gin’s Bankai pierced Gremmy’s eye and poisoned him, dissolving half his head before Gremmy imagined it restored.
• Ichimaru Gin’s pill slowed Gremmy’s body despite his accelerated thoughts, and Gremmy’s head exploded.
• Kurosaki Ichigo asked whether the fight was solved, and Chiba Makoto confirmed it as the Secret Garden passage reappeared.

After Chiba Makoto killed Gremmy, the Soul Reapers captured Liltotto, Gadis, and Minina, who had been betrayed by Yhwach. Makoto persuaded them to let him examine their bodies as atonement, then led the Soul Reapers back to the Seireitei.

• Kurosaki Ichigo was stunned that Chiba Makoto had killed Gremmy, and the Soul Reapers prepared to leave the Wandenreich.
• Liltotto, Gadis, and Minina surrendered to Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushōda Hachigen's Kidō seals after Auswählen turned them against Yhwach.
• Kurotsuchi Mayuri collected Gremmy's corpse and threatened to make the three women test subjects, but Chiba Makoto intervened.
• Chiba Makoto asked to examine Liltotto, Gadis, and Minina, and they agreed, describing it as atonement for the damage they had caused.
• Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu led the assembled Soul Reapers through the Secret Garden space back to the Seireitei.

Chiba Makoto explained to Kurosaki Ichigo how strategy and Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Superhuman Drug had defeated Gremmy, and urged Ichigo to control his instincts in battle. As the Firework Cannon neared readiness, Makoto wondered how the conflict between Yhwach and Hyōsube Ichibē was unfolding.

• Chiba Makoto left Liltotto, Gadis, and Minina in the Secret Garden while he and Unohana Retsu made preparations and tried to contact Zero Division.
• Kurosaki Ichigo asked Chiba Makoto why Gremmy had lost despite his seemingly godlike Schrift, and Makoto explained that Gremmy’s ordinary mind limited his imagination and ability to react.
• Chiba Makoto revealed that Ichimaru Gin’s Bankai had delivered Kurotsuchi Mayuri’s Superhuman Drug into Gremmy, making him experience centuries of accelerated thought in a single second.
• Chiba Makoto explained that Gremmy ultimately died from the imagined abilities that accumulated as he repeatedly tried to restore his spirit body, and advised Ichigo to control his instincts through intelligence.
• Chiba Makoto looked toward the sky and wondered how the conflict between Yhwach and Hyōsube Ichibē had progressed as the Shiba Clan’s Firework Cannon neared readiness.

Yhwach defeated the Zero Division after empowering the Divine Punishment Guard with Auswählen, then entered the Soul King's Inner Palace to confront Hyōsube Ichibē. Chiba Makoto and the Soul Reapers arrived to stop him, but the Quincy intercepted them as Unohana Retsu faced Lille Barro.

• Yhwach sensed Gremmy's death and used Auswählen to strengthen the Divine Punishment Guard, who defeated Nimaiya Ōetsu, Kirinji Tenshiro, Hikifune Kirio, and Shutara Senjumaru.
• Yhwach ordered Haschwalth, Ishida Uryū, and the Divine Punishment Guard to hold off reinforcements, then entered the Soul King's Inner Palace alone to fight Hyōsube Ichibē.
• Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu led a group of Soul Reapers through the Kidō barriers and found the Quincy guarding the approach to the Inner Palace.
• Chiba Makoto and the Soul Reapers rushed to stop Yhwach, but Aizen Sōsuke blocked Chiba, Haschwalth confronted Kurosaki Ichigo, and Pernida faced Yoruichi Shihoin.
• Zaraki Kenpachi moved to fight Gerard, Kurotsuchi Mayuri targeted Gillespie, and Unohana Retsu confronted Lille Barro, telling him she intended to cut him down.

Unohana Retsu confronted Lille Barro over his attack on Chiba Makoto and unleashed her Bankai, overpowering him with her swordsmanship. Lille Barro opened his left eye and transformed into a new Schrift form, revealing that the God-Favored Guard was immune to the Soul Reapers’ Schrift-disrupting measures.

• Lille Barro taunted Unohana Retsu about shooting Chiba Makoto, and Unohana declared him her beloved disciple.
• Lille Barro used All Mighty to shoot Unohana in the chest, but her spiritual pressure surged and she activated Bankai: All Things in Nature.
• Unohana dodged Lille Barro’s three shots, cut his rifle in half, and stabbed him through the chest before aiming Minazuki at his temple.
• Lille Barro opened his crosshair-marked left eye and activated Schrift: Divine Punishment, transforming into a winged, cocoon-shelled form.
• Lille Barro said that His Majesty’s Auswählen power made the God-Favored Guard immune to the Schrift-disrupting Reishi, then floated above Unohana.

Unohana Retsu fought Lille Barro inside Minazuki Space, enduring his All Mighty beams as she advanced despite her injuries. Chiba Makoto explained that the battle was sharpening her instincts and Zanjutsu, and predicted that she would develop a sword capable of cutting down gods.

• Lille Barro claimed his transformed body was beyond physical and Kidō attacks, then bombarded Unohana Retsu with beams from his eight wings.
• Unohana Retsu dodged and healed through the relentless barrage while pressing toward Lille Barro, who mocked her and toyed with her.
• Chiba Makoto and Aizen Sōsuke watched through gaps in Minazuki Space while Aizen’s apparent battle with Makoto was an illusion created by Kyōka Suigetsu.
• Chiba Makoto explained that Spirit Body Layering and Minazuki Space were helping Unohana Retsu push her Zanjutsu beyond the limits she had reached a thousand years earlier.
• Chiba Makoto said Unohana Retsu’s instincts had let her master many sword styles and take the name Yachiru, and predicted that Lille Barro would help her master a Zanjutsu that could cut down gods.

Chiba Makoto and Aizen Sōsuke watched the battles as Unohana Retsu fought Lille Barro inside Minazuki Space. Lille Barro survived her strike and revealed his monstrous final form, but Unohana Retsu welcomed the challenge of cutting through the gap between them.

• Aizen Sōsuke assessed the other battles, noting that the God-Favored Guard held advantages while Yoruichi Shihoin struggled against Pernida’s evolving abilities.
• Unohana Retsu dodged Lille Barro’s attacks and closed the distance between them.
• Unohana Retsu struck Lille Barro’s head with Blood Blade Minazuki, but he emerged unscathed and mocked her.
• Lille Barro transformed into a gigantic monster and proclaimed his true Schrift and overwhelming power.
• Unohana Retsu said she had regained the desire to cut through the gap between them.

Unohana Retsu awakened her full battle instincts and defeated Lille Barro with Moon's End, a strike that cut his body and destroyed his soul. After sensing Chiba Makoto watching her through Aizen Sōsuke's illusion, Chiba asked Aizen what he thought of her ability to perceive him.

• Unohana Retsu explained that she had gained her strength through deadly battles and declared that she had found her enjoyment in fighting again.
• Lille Barro attacked Unohana Retsu with Judgment of Light, but she appeared above him as a blood moon rose.
• Unohana Retsu revealed that Moon's End had already struck Lille Barro when he saw the blood moon, then destroyed his soul with her killing intent.
• Lille Barro dispersed into Reishi, and Unohana Retsu received Reiryoku from grass that appeared beneath her feet.
• Unohana Retsu sensed Chiba Makoto watching her through Aizen Sōsuke's concealment, and Chiba asked Aizen whether her instincts could see through his illusion.

Zaraki Kenpachi defeated Gerard, but Gerard revived through his Schrift, M - Miracle, and transformed into a gigantic form. Gerard then overwhelmed Zaraki and turned his attention toward Unohana Retsu, who remained a threat to his mission.

• Aizen Sōsuke explained that Unohana Retsu had reached the brink of grasping a name, which Makoto believed would be the name of killing intent.
• Zaraki Kenpachi and Gerard traded brutal blows while grass beneath Zaraki healed his wounds.
• Zaraki Kenpachi severed Gerard’s shield and cut off his head, believing he had won.
• Gerard revived, explained that his Schrift, M - Miracle, activated upon death, and transformed into a colossal form.
• Zaraki Kenpachi charged Gerard, but Gerard struck him into a trench, leaving him gravely wounded with his Zanpakuto broken.

After Gerard shattered Zaraki Kenpachi’s body and Zanpakuto, Zaraki reached for Yachiru and the power she offered, but Chiba Makoto intervened and healed him. Chiba then recalled Kenpachi’s kindness at Shin'ō Academy and offered to take Yachiru’s place at his side in battle.

• Gerard defeated Zaraki Kenpachi, leaving him immobile with his Zanpakuto broken, and Zaraki demanded to know its name.
• Yachiru appeared before Zaraki and offered her power, prompting him to remember finding her as a baby in Kusajishi District.
• Chiba Makoto lifted Yachiru away before she could take Zaraki’s hand and warned her not to enter the dangerous battle.
• Chiba healed Zaraki with green grass, and Zaraki insisted he could fight even without his Zanpakuto.
• Chiba recalled Kenpachi offering him his other shoulder at Shin'ō Academy’s graduation ceremony and offered to support him in Yachiru’s place.

Chiba Makoto restored Zaraki Kenpachi’s Zanpakuto as an Asauchi with absolute mass, allowing Kenpachi to shape it through battle. Kenpachi charged back into the fight with Gerard, while Makoto reassured Kusajishi Yachiru and kept her secret as a manifested Zanpakuto.

• Chiba Makoto restored Kenpachi’s broken Zanpakuto and explained that the new blade could become a Zanpakuto reflecting Kenpachi’s heart.
• Kenpachi accepted the blade, said battle would help him refine his power, and charged toward Gerard to begin round two.
• Kusajishi Yachiru asked Makoto if Kenpachi would win, and Makoto reassured her by praising Kenpachi’s battle instincts.
• Makoto recalled discovering that Yachiru was herself a manifested Zanpakuto and explained that he stopped her from returning to Zanpakuto form for Kenpachi’s sake.

Chiba Makoto comforted Kusajishi Yachiru, then sent Sōsuke Aizen into the Soul King's Inner Palace to observe the decisive clash between Hyōsube Ichibē and Yhwach. While he waited for Aizen's signal, Makoto turned to the continuing battle between Zaraki Kenpachi and Gerard.

• Kusajishi Yachiru thanked Chiba Makoto by feeding him her treasured konpeitō, and promised to stay far from the battlefield.
• Chiba Makoto and Sōsuke Aizen noted the disturbance inside the Soul King's Inner Palace, which was sealed behind a layer of black.
• Chiba Makoto entrusted Sōsuke Aizen with entering the Inner Palace and judging when to act, and Aizen declared that the world would belong to both of them.
• After confirming that Sōsuke Aizen had entered the Inner Palace, Chiba Makoto turned toward the battle as Zaraki Kenpachi returned to fight Gerard.
• Gerard swung his Sacred Sword at Zaraki Kenpachi, who unleashed his spiritual pressure and charged forward.