Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto considered how to research spirit-body conception and realized his Seed of the Forest’s Reiryoku gains could be measured against Kensei Muguruma. He estimated his current accumulation and suspected Zaraki Kenpachi’s strength had been tested, leaving him concerned that the Central 46 Chambers might try to suppress Kenpachi.

• Chiba Makoto planned to study how spirit bodies could conceive and thought of Kuchiki Byakuya as a possible subject, then dismissed his increasingly strange hypotheses.
• Chiba Makoto shared tea with Urozakuro and Zanpakuto - All Things in Nature while reconsidering his goals and deciding to focus on completing his Limit Spirit Body.
• Chiba Makoto calculated that Kensei Muguruma’s Seed of the Forest yielded one Kensei unit of Reiryoku per year, while Zaraki Kenpachi yielded roughly two and Yoruichi Shihoin roughly one and a half.
• Chiba Makoto estimated that his total Reiryoku accumulation remained below six Kensei units per year and noted that the amount of leaked spiritual pressure varied between individuals.
• Chiba Makoto recalled Yoruichi Shihoin’s concealed presence during Zaraki Kenpachi’s fight with Kensei Muguruma and suspected the encounter had tested Kenpachi’s strength.
• Chiba Makoto concluded that Zaraki Kenpachi had been overwhelmingly strong and wondered whether the Central 46 Chambers would restrain him with an eyepatch that absorbed spiritual pressure.

Chiba Makoto continued his medical work and preparations for research while keeping close ties with Ichimaru Gin through the bracelet on Gin’s wrist. After hearing Aizen Sōsuke’s voice through the bracelet, Makoto left his patients and prepared for contact with him.

• Makoto adjusted his plans to include research into creating life and spiritual bodies without spiritual pressure, and gathered materials with help from Kuchiki Byakuya and Unohana Retsu.
• Makoto continued visiting Hisana and little Rukia with Byakuya and monitored Gin through the bracelet, which Gin frequently turned on his wrist.
• Makoto examined a Noblewoman and began massaging her spiritual body, but stopped when he heard Aizen Sōsuke’s voice through Gin’s bracelet.
• Makoto went to the restroom, drew All Things in Nature, and prepared to face Aizen Sōsuke.

Chiba Makoto used a tiny eye formed in Gin’s wrist cord to watch Aizen Sōsuke confront Ichimaru Gin in the World of the Living. Aizen warned Gin about pursuing power, then swung his Zanpakuto as an Adjuchas appeared behind Gin.

• Chiba Makoto altered the cord around Ichimaru Gin’s wrist and used it to observe a modern port in the World of the Living.
• Aizen Sōsuke approached Ichimaru Gin and identified himself as the Fifth Division Vice-Captain who had come to check on him after an emergency distress signal.
• Gin hid his killing intent and released his grip on Shinso after Aizen mentioned his closeness to Chiba Makoto, fearing that an attack could put Makoto at risk.
• Gin claimed he was neither particularly close nor distant with Makoto, while Aizen questioned his coldness toward Makoto, who had treated Matsumoto Rangiku.
• Aizen warned Gin that obsession with power would consume him, then drew his Zanpakuto and swung it through the hair above Gin’s head.
• An Adjuchas appeared behind Gin, roaring with terrifying spiritual pressure.

Chiba Makoto realized Aizen Sōsuke had trapped him and Ichimaru Gin under Kyōka Suigetsu’s Complete Hypnosis, then secretly broke free using a method verified by Urozakuro. He returned to his office, where the Noblewoman teased him about his lack of interest in her advances.

• Aizen Sōsuke killed a fake Adjuchas and Ichimaru Gin abandoned his plan to become a Soul Reaper, asking to follow Aizen instead.
• Chiba Makoto recognized the Adjuchas as an illusion and concluded that Aizen had activated Kyōka Suigetsu while drawing his sword.
• Chiba Makoto deliberately entered the hypnosis so he could break free and regain the initiative, hoping to place Ichimaru Gin near Aizen as a source of intelligence.
• Women from the Fourth Division Barracks called through the restroom door, then opened it when Chiba Makoto did not answer.
• Chiba Makoto returned to his office, where the Noblewoman asked if she was unattractive or had grown old, and he pretended not to understand.

Chiba Makoto finished treating the Noblewoman and reflected on how his microscopic view of reishi shaped his sense of beauty, especially his admiration for Teacher Unohana and interest in Aizen Sōsuke. Meanwhile, Aizen examined the portion of Matsumoto Rangiku’s soul he had preserved and suspected it might contain the stabilizing anchor his experiments needed.

• The Noblewoman apologized to Chiba Makoto for her earlier remarks, thanked him after the massage, and hurried away after offering to pay him generously.
• Chiba Makoto recorded the Noblewoman’s case and judged her reishi structure unattractive, while considering Teacher Unohana and Aizen Sōsuke’s more beautiful reishi.
• Aizen Sōsuke returned to Seireitei, used Kyōka Suigetsu to conceal his movements, and went to his underground research facility.
• Aizen examined the preserved portion of Matsumoto Rangiku’s soul and wondered whether it could provide the anchor needed to stabilize his experimental substance.

Aizen Sōsuke discovered the Spirit King's Fingertip within Matsumoto Rangiku's soul and used it in his Hogyoku research while Chiba Makoto worried about becoming a Hollowfication test subject. After receiving an invitation to Shaolin Fon's family succession ceremony, Chiba realized it fell on Unohana Retsu's birthday.

• Aizen Sōsuke found the Spirit King's Fingertip in Matsumoto Rangiku's soul and considered using it to stabilize his Hogyoku.
• Urozakuro secretly monitored Aizen Sōsuke's research and passed information about his Hogyoku and Urahara Kisuke's research to Chiba Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto worried that Aizen Sōsuke would choose him as a Hollowfication test subject and force him to leave the Soul Society.
• After an ikebana lesson, Chiba Makoto realized he could express his inner feelings through the art and left the Kuchiki Clan's grounds.
• An Onmitsukidō member gave Chiba Makoto an invitation to the Hōka Family Head Succession Ceremony on April 21, and Chiba realized that date was Unohana Retsu's birthday.

Chiba Makoto struggled to choose between attending Shaolin Fon’s succession ceremony and Unohana Retsu’s birthday banquet, but he ultimately joined the preparations for Unohana’s celebration. At the banquet, he was introduced to several captains, while other captains were absent because they attended the Fon Clan ceremony.

• Chiba Makoto agonized over whether to attend Shaolin Fon’s Hōka Family Head Succession Ceremony or Unohana Retsu’s birthday banquet, but he could not tell Unohana that he would miss her celebration.
• Unohana Retsu told Chiba Makoto that her birthday banquet would formally introduce him to the other Shinigami, and the event was held at a Fourth Division plaza on April 21.
• Chiba Makoto and Yamada Seinosuke organized the banquet, where Unohana Retsu introduced Chiba Makoto to visiting captains, including Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, Hirako Shinji, and Kensei Muguruma.
• Aizen Sōsuke greeted Chiba Makoto, and Kensei Muguruma thanked him for saving his life while asking him not to repeat the same rough treatment.
• Kyōraku Shunsui delivered gifts from himself and others, while Kuchiki Ginrei explained that Captain Shihoin and Captain Kisuke were attending the Fon Clan succession ceremony.

At Unohana Retsu’s birthday banquet, Hirako Shinji tried to push Chiba Makoto into arranging a matchmaking event, but Aizen Sōsuke intervened. Chiba began the flower arrangement gathering with only Deutzia, leaving the other participants doubtful as he prepared to reveal his approach.

• Unohana Retsu thanked the gathered captains, who largely avoided discussing Zaraki Kenpachi’s absence.
• Hirako Shinji suggested that Chiba Makoto hold a matchmaking event, and Aizen Sōsuke pulled Hirako away after warning him not to trouble Chiba.
• Chiba Makoto signaled for the flower arrangement gathering to begin and joined the participants, while Unohana Retsu served as a judge.
• Chiba Makoto selected only a bundle of Deutzia, and Aoki Risa urged him to gather more flowers.
• Chiba Makoto insisted that Deutzia alone was enough, and Aoki Risa began to trust his confidence.

Chiba Makoto used his Zanpakuto ability to create an ikebana piece from utsugi flowers and grass, then gave it to Unohana Retsu. He named it “Forest and Utsugi” and explained that it would endure as long as he lived, leaving Unohana deeply moved.

• Chiba Makoto recalled the meaning of utsugi flowers and used his Zanpakuto, All Things in Nature, to grow grass around the flowers in a vase.
• Chiba Makoto connected the grass to the utsugi roots with Reishi Control, restoring the flowers’ vitality and shaping the grass around them.
• Chiba Makoto finished the ikebana piece, named it “Forest and Utsugi,” and presented it to Unohana Retsu as a gift.
• Chiba Makoto told Unohana that the piece would remain unchanged as long as he lived, and her eyes trembled with stirred emotion.

Chiba Makoto gave Unohana Retsu a flower arrangement called “Forest and Utsugi,” which moved her and stirred feelings she struggled to conceal. After she threatened Kyōraku Shunsui for reaching toward it, Makoto used Kuchiki Byakuya’s arrival as an excuse to leave and attend to the next part of his plans.

• Chiba Makoto presented Unohana Retsu with “Forest and Utsugi,” an arrangement of Utsugi Flowers and green grass that symbolized protection and affection.
• Unohana Retsu praised the gift but awkwardly told Makoto not to create similar arrangements in front of others without her permission, and Makoto agreed.
• Kyōraku Shunsui approached the arrangement, but Unohana Retsu’s murderous glare made him retreat in fear.
• Unohana Retsu carried the arrangement toward the courtyard, while Makoto grew anxious about his remaining plans.
• Kuchiki Byakuya arrived and called to Makoto, who then told Unohana Retsu that Byakuya’s friend needed treatment.
• Unohana Retsu let Makoto leave with Kuchiki Byakuya, then continued toward the courtyard.

Chiba Makoto rushed to the Fon Clan ceremony to congratulate Shaolin Fon, while the birthday banquet at the Fourth Division continued without him and Unohana Retsu. The celebration was interrupted when Yoruichi Shihoin crashed into the plaza in a Hollow-like form, leaving the Soul Reapers shocked.

• Chiba Makoto told Kuchiki Byakuya that he had been testing his Shunpo speed, then hurried toward the Fon Clan estate.
• Shaolin Fon waited anxiously for Yoruichi Shihoin and Chiba Makoto to arrive at her family head succession ceremony.
• Aizen Sōsuke watched Hirako Shinji play at Unohana Retsu's birthday banquet and declared that the real event was beginning.
• A figure struck the center of the Fourth Division plaza, releasing a chaotic spiritual pressure that shook the Seireitei.
• The Soul Reapers recognized the Hollow-like figure as Yoruichi Shihoin, wearing a tattered Second Division Captain's Haori.

Yoruichi Shihoin transformed into a Hollow and attacked the Soul Reapers gathered in the plaza, leaving the captains struggling to stop her. Hirako Shinji used Sakanade to disorient her, but an unseen attacker struck him and sent him flying toward Yoruichi.

• The Soul Reapers realized Yoruichi Shihoin had become a Hollow, and Kensei Muguruma approached to see whether she could hear him.
• Yoruichi Shihoin pierced Kensei Muguruma through the back and chest, dropping him to the ground.
• Yoruichi Shihoin rampaged through the plaza, injuring Soul Reapers as the remaining captains tried to surround her.
• Hirako Shinji accused Aizen Sōsuke of being involved, then released Sakanade and confused Yoruichi Shihoin's sense of direction.
• An attacker punched Hirako Shinji in the jaw and sent him flying toward Yoruichi Shihoin.

Kensei Muguruma and injured Soul Reapers began transforming into Hollows, threatening to spread Hollowfication through Seireitei. As captains and the Kidō Corps were ordered to contain the outbreak, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sent Chōjirō Sasakibe to the Fourth Division Barracks because Unohana Retsu was dangerously close to the front lines.

• Kensei Muguruma transformed into a Hollow and attacked Hirako Shinji, while other Soul Reapers injured by Yoruichi Shihoin began Hollowfying.
• Kyōraku Shunsui ordered Lisa Yadōmaru to broadcast an emergency warning and called for the Kidō Corps to isolate the Fourth Division Barracks.
• Lisa Yadōmaru used Bakudo #77: Tenteikūra to announce the crisis across Seireitei, but the broadcast was abruptly cut off.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered the captains and Kidō Corps to seal the Fourth Division Barracks, then directed Chōjirō Sasakibe to go there personally.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni explained that Unohana Retsu was on the front line, despite a special prohibition against her approaching one without authorization.

Hollowfication spread through the Fourth Division Barracks, leaving four captains and many other Soul Reapers transformed or dead. Kyōraku Shunsui prepared to fight and asked Unohana Retsu to draw her blade if the crisis became irreversible.

• Zaraki Kenpachi and Kusajishi Yachiru got lost while trying to find the Fourth Division Barracks and headed toward the Twelfth Division instead.
• Hirako Shinji, Love Aikawa, and Kensei Muguruma became Hollowfied, joining Yoruichi Shihoin as the Fourth transformed captain-level Soul Reaper.
• Kyōraku Shunsui restrained Lisa Yadōmaru with a high-level Binding Spell and prepared to face the Hollowfied Soul Reapers.
• Kyōraku Shunsui assessed that Yoruichi Shihoin was the only one spreading Hollowfication and ordered the Soul Reapers to hold her back while awaiting support.
• Kyōraku Shunsui asked Unohana Retsu to draw her blade if the situation became irreversible, and she warned that no one in her sight would be spared.

Kyōraku Shunsui fought Hollowfied Yoruichi Shihoin using Katen Kyōkotsu’s game rules, while Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname watched the Hollowfication experiments unfold. Aizen revealed that his experiments served his goal of transcending Soul Reapers and said he had taken great risks because Chiba Makoto was a kindred spirit.

• Kyōraku Shunsui drew Yoruichi Shihoin’s attention away from the other captains and used Katen Kyōkotsu’s “White” rule to injure her.
• Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname watched Kyōraku’s fight, and Aizen explained how Katen Kyōkotsu’s color-based game rule worked.
• Aizen told Tōsen Kaname that the Hollowfied captains were only test subjects and that the experiments were helping him pursue evolution beyond Soul Reapers.
• Tōsen Kaname asked why Aizen had taken such risks for Chiba Makoto, and Aizen said that sensing a kindred spirit made a person unforgettable.

Aizen Sōsuke explained why he wanted Makoto to witness Soul Society’s corruption as the Hollowfication Incident overwhelmed the defenders. Chiba Makoto confronted Aizen, then learned that Urozakuro’s concealed information had led him to identify her master, Sōya Azashiro, who appeared before him.

• Aizen Sōsuke told Tōsen Kaname that he wanted Makoto to see the darkness within the Seireitei and avoid opposing them.
• Hollowfied Yoruichi Shihoin regenerated from Kyōraku Shunsui’s attacks, while Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō and Kuchiki Ginrei struggled against three Hollowfied captains and the courtyard defenses buckled.
• Chiba Makoto confronted Aizen Sōsuke, who said he had been waiting for him, unaware that Urozakuro was relaying his location and words to Makoto.
• On his way back to the Fourth Division, Chiba Makoto questioned Urozakuro about withholding information and deduced that Sōya Azashiro was behind it.
• Urozakuro transformed into Sōya Azashiro, who asked Chiba Makoto how he had figured it out.

Sōya Azashiro explained why he had interfered with Makoto and revealed his former plan to destroy Hueco Mundo by merging with Soul Society. He said the Soul King had prevented that plan, and that he had hoped Aizen Sōsuke would draw Zero Division away from the Soul King Palace and open a passage for Reishi.

• Makoto questioned whether Azashiro was Aizen Sōsuke's ally and demanded to know why he had approached him.
• Azashiro explained that Urozakuro had concealed information under his influence, apologized for her, and said she had approached Makoto because she wanted someone to talk to.
• Makoto recalled Azashiro's history and challenged his claim that he was only an observer and thinker.
• Azashiro revealed that he had once planned to merge with all of Soul Society and collide it with Hueco Mundo to eliminate Hollows.
• Azashiro said the Soul King had blocked his plan because the Soul King maintained the stability of the three worlds.
• Azashiro explained that he had hoped Aizen Sōsuke would provoke Zero Division into leaving the Soul King Palace and open a route for Soul Society's Reishi to flow there.

Chiba Makoto uncovered Sōya Azashiro’s plan to exploit Aizen Sōsuke’s attack on the Soul King Palace and learned that Azashiro’s campaign to eradicate Hollows stemmed from personal grief. The revelation left Makoto torn between staying away from Aizen’s schemes and returning to protect Unohana Retsu.

• Chiba Makoto realized Sōya Azashiro could use the passage to the Soul King Palace to infiltrate it and potentially destroy the Soul King.
• Chiba Makoto challenged Azashiro’s claim that he wanted to eliminate Hollows out of duty, and Azashiro admitted that personal grudge was likely his real motive.
• Sōya Azashiro asked Chiba Makoto how he would react if Aizen Sōsuke tried to kill Unohana Retsu, and Makoto said he would do everything possible to kill Aizen.
• Chiba Makoto concluded that Azashiro’s goal of eradicating Hollows drove his actions, including concealing information about Aizen’s plans from Makoto.
• Chiba Makoto suspected he and possibly Unohana Retsu were targets of Aizen’s Hollowification experiments, leaving him unsure whether to stay away or return to the Fourth Division Barracks.

Chiba Makoto overcame his fear of confronting danger and challenged Sōya Azashiro’s plan to eradicate Hollows, arguing that Azashiro should change the world rather than destroy it. Azashiro broke down over the loss of his sister, and Makoto tried to reach him by sharing that his treasured friend Yoshikami Tsume had also been killed by an Adjuchas.

• Chiba Makoto resolved to go hear Unohana Retsu’s answer despite the risk of being killed, trusting his backup plans for restoring his consciousness.
• Chiba Makoto told Sōya Azashiro that destroying Hueco Mundo would not stop Hollows from appearing in the World of the Living.
• Sōya Azashiro dismissed the world’s need for Hollows and insisted he would accept making an enemy of the world to eliminate them.
• Chiba Makoto argued that Azashiro should find a replacement for Hollows and reform the world instead of destroying its existing order.
• Sōya Azashiro broke down, saying his strength was all he had left after his sister’s death and the loss of his standing.
• Chiba Makoto told Sōya Azashiro that his treasured friend Yoshikami Tsume had also died at the hands of an Adjuchas.

Chiba Makoto won Sōya Azashiro’s support by promising to find a way to replace Hollows, then used Urozakuro’s help to reach Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname. Though Kyōka Suigetsu distorted what he saw, Makoto used his awareness of Unohana Retsu’s spiritual pressure to stall Aizen and seek a chance to break the illusion.

• Chiba Makoto feigned sorrow and told Sōya Azashiro he hoped to create beings that could replace Hollows and eventually make them vanish.
• Sōya Azashiro offered to help Makoto, then asked Urozakuro to assist him as his own power weakened under Muken’s seal.
• Urozakuro guided Makoto to Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname and explained the events behind Aizen’s Hollowification plan.
• Makoto confronted Aizen, pretending to see him despite Kyōka Suigetsu’s influence, and used the encounter to look for a way to break its ability.