Chapter Summaries

Chiba Makoto confronted Aizen Sōsuke and used a prepared Reishi trick to break Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnosis. Aizen’s concealment ended, leaving him visibly surprised as Makoto’s attack revealed the real blade’s weakness.

• Aizen Sōsuke defended his actions to Chiba Makoto, who declared he would stop him and attacked.
• Aizen Sōsuke caught All Things in Nature between two fingers and criticized Chiba Makoto’s swordsmanship while Tōsen Kaname restrained his anger.
• Aizen Sōsuke drew Kyōka Suigetsu and explained that his rank meant nothing, while Urozakuro warned Chiba Makoto to be careful.
• Chiba Makoto charged with a false All Things in Nature made from specially modified Reishi, and Aizen Sōsuke blocked it with Kyōka Suigetsu.
• The modified Reishi attached to Kyōka Suigetsu, fulfilling the condition for touching its blade and breaking its hypnosis on Chiba Makoto.

Chiba Makoto broke Aizen Sōsuke’s Kyōka Suigetsu hypnosis and cornered him with a Kidō Corps barrier around the Fourth Division Barracks. Aizen and Tōsen Kaname withdrew, confident that the evidence for the Hollowfication experiments would implicate someone else.

• Chiba Makoto shattered Aizen Sōsuke’s illusion by touching Kyōka Suigetsu and retreating beyond its range.
• Aizen Sōsuke deduced that Chiba Makoto knew the Zanpakuto’s ability and suspected Sōya Azashiro had helped him.
• Chiba Makoto revealed that the Kidō Corps had sealed and monitored the Fourth Division Barracks, limiting Aizen Sōsuke’s ability to attack him unseen.
• Aizen Sōsuke praised Chiba Makoto’s planning, then withdrew with Tōsen Kaname into a shadowed corner.
• Tōsen Kaname worried that Chiba Makoto might expose them, but Aizen Sōsuke said the evidence for the Hollowfication experiments pointed to someone who had left it behind.

Aizen Sōsuke examined Kyōka Suigetsu, suspecting Chiba Makoto had left Reishi on the blade, while Makoto wondered about Aizen’s intentions. Zaraki Kenpachi reached the ruined Twelfth Division, where he found Urahara Kisuke alive beneath the wreckage.

• Aizen Sōsuke warned Tōsen Kaname to show Chiba Makoto respect and privately realized Kyōka Suigetsu’s hypnosis no longer worked on him.
• Chiba Makoto questioned Aizen Sōsuke’s plans after he left the Fourth Division Barracks, then sensed Unohana Retsu unleash terrifying Blood-colored Reiatsu.
• Zaraki Kenpachi arrived at the Twelfth Division Barracks and struck Sarugaki Hiyori, who had become Hollow-like, through a wall.
• Zaraki Kenpachi and Kusajishi Yachiru found the Twelfth Division in ruins, with corpses and debris throughout the barracks.
• Zaraki Kenpachi found Urahara Kisuke alive in the collapsed captain’s office and moved to wake him.

Urahara Kisuke awakened in the ruined Twelfth Division Barracks, subdued Hollowified Sarugaki Hiyori, and discovered that Soul Reapers were being transformed using another Hogyoku. Aizen Sōsuke watched from nearby and expected Urahara to investigate and perfect his Hogyoku, while Urahara headed for a secret chamber with Hiyori.

• Kusajishi Yachiru stomped on Urahara Kisuke's face, causing him to awaken and remember that an attacker had stabbed Yoruichi Shihoin and Hollowified her.
• Urahara Kisuke surveyed the devastated Twelfth Division Barracks and subdued Hollowified Sarugaki Hiyori with Shunpo and Hakuda.
• Urahara Kisuke sensed several Hollowified captain-level presences near the Fourth Division Barracks and carried Hiyori into a secret chamber beneath the collapsed captain's office.
• Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname left the Fourth Division Barracks, and Tōsen reported that Zaraki Kenpachi had arrived and Urahara Kisuke had awakened.
• Aizen Sōsuke explained that Urahara would likely continue exploring his Hogyoku to address the Hollowification crisis, and said he welcomed the possibility that Urahara might transcend Soul Reaper limits.

Aizen Sōsuke explained Unohana Retsu’s history as the First Kenpachi and anticipated her battle with Zaraki Kenpachi. At the Fourth Division Barracks, Unohana drew her sword and killed the Hollowified Love Aikawa with a single strike.

• Aizen Sōsuke told Tōsen Kaname that companions, rather than enemies, were needed to reach a new world, and Tōsen pledged his loyalty.
• Tōsen reported that Zaraki Kenpachi was heading toward the Fourth Division Barracks, and Aizen revealed that Unohana had drawn her sword.
• Aizen told Tōsen that Unohana was the First Kenpachi, once known as Yachiru, and that Zaraki had injured her a thousand years earlier.
• At the Fourth Division Barracks, Unohana’s killing intent overwhelmed the Soul Reapers as five captains underwent Hollowification.
• Unohana drew her sword and pierced Love Aikawa’s head with a single slash.

Unohana Retsu overwhelmed the Hollowified captains and revealed her bloodthirsty nature to Chiba Makoto when he arrived on the battlefield. She threatened to carve up her beloved disciple, but Chiba suddenly embraced her.

• Unohana Retsu killed Love Aikawa with a casual swing and fought four Hollowified captains while Kyōraku Shunsui and Kuchiki Ginrei evacuated the survivors.
• Chiba Makoto arrived and saw Unohana maiming the Hollowified captains and using Kaido to keep them alive so they could continue regenerating.
• Unohana Retsu appeared beside Chiba, told him to fight his teacher, and asked where his sword was.
• Unohana Retsu pressed her Zanpakuto to Chiba's neck and threatened to cut him into pieces to show him her true love.
• Chiba wrapped his arms around Unohana Retsu and pressed himself against her.

Unohana Yachiru recalled her bloody past and feared Chiba Makoto would discover her true nature as she slaughtered Hollowified Soul Reapers. When Makoto found her, he embraced her instead of recoiling, leaving Unohana stunned as he promised to stay by her side no matter what she became.

• Unohana remembered losing to Yamamoto Shigekuni and agreeing to serve as a captain in the Thirteen Divisions.
• She recalled meeting the beast who became Kenpachi, then deciding to wait for him to grow strong enough to kill her in battle.
• Unohana reflected on training Chiba Makoto and on her growing unease that he might learn about her past.
• After a sudden change Hollowified the Soul Reapers, Unohana eagerly drew her blade and attacked them.
• Makoto returned and embraced Unohana, telling her that no matter what she became, he would be like Forest and Utsugi.

Aizen Sōsuke watched Chiba Makoto approach Unohana Retsu, then left with Tōsen Kaname, convinced Makoto would prevent a duel with Kenpachi. Makoto’s embrace did not calm Unohana: she stabbed him and unleashed her Bankai, surrounding them in a world of blood.

• Aizen Sōsuke observed Unohana Retsu and Chiba Makoto, judged Makoto’s composure remarkable, and departed with Tōsen Kaname.
• Chiba Makoto feared retreating from Unohana Retsu’s killing intent would get him killed, so he closed his eyes and embraced her.
• Unohana Retsu pierced Chiba Makoto through the chest and demanded to know whether he had anticipated the consequences of offending her.
• Chiba Makoto realized Unohana Retsu had avoided his vital points and believed she did not truly intend to kill him.
• Unohana Retsu released her Bankai, All Things in Nature, as blood flooded around them and her Zanpakuto withdrew from Makoto’s chest.

Unohana Retsu released her Bankai, awakening her bloodlust as she trapped Chiba Makoto in a space built for a fight to the death. Outside, Urahara Kisuke enlisted Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushōda Hachigen to help save the Hollowified Soul Reapers, while Unohana urged Makoto to survive their duel.

• Unohana Retsu released Bankai: All Things in Nature, shattering the barrier around the Fourth Division Barracks and drawing Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and Aizen Sōsuke’s attention.
• Urahara Kisuke reached the Kidō Corps and asked Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushōda Hachigen to help treat the Hollowified captains before they became true Hollows.
• Tsukabishi Tessai and Ushōda Hachigen agreed to assist Urahara Kisuke, who urged them to use the forbidden Kidō art Spatial Transfer to move the Hollowified Soul Reapers to the Twelfth Division Captain's Office.
• Inside the blood-colored space, Unohana Retsu explained that her Bankai stirred its occupants’ killing instincts and made a fight to the death unavoidable.
• Unohana Retsu told Chiba Makoto to give everything he had and live, even as she warned that she would truly kill him if he was too weak.

Chiba Makoto fought Unohana Retsu inside Minazuki, where the blood-soaked space heightened their violent instincts and accelerated healing. As Makoto embraced his own buried nature, he revealed that Unohana’s murderous form excited him, then attacked her with a forest of giant trees.

• Unohana Retsu pierced Makoto’s throat with Minazuki and urged him to stop relying on words and fight.
• Makoto healed himself with All Things in Nature and discovered that Minazuki amplified aggression and healing while suppressing reason.
• Makoto spread grass across Minazuki’s space, drawing in Reishi and turning it into rapidly growing giant trees.
• Makoto crushed his glasses, admitted he admired Unohana Retsu, and recognized the warlike nature he had kept suppressed.
• Makoto’s phantom All Things in Nature appeared eager to fight beside him, and Makoto told Unohana Retsu he wanted to conquer her.
• Makoto sent a mass of giant trees crashing down toward Unohana Retsu.

Makoto fought Unohana Retsu inside her All Things in Nature space, unleashing a colossal wooden Buddha while she repeatedly overwhelmed him with her swordsmanship. Outside, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni learned that two Kidō Masters had taken the Hollowfied Shinigami and ordered Seireitei sealed, as the battle’s tremors shook the Fourth Division Barracks.

• Unohana Retsu broke through Makoto’s wooden attacks and stabbed his throat, while Makoto continued fighting without healing his injuries.
• Makoto completed a colossal wooden Buddha and sent thousands of giant palms crashing down on Unohana Retsu, shaking the Fourth Division Barracks and much of Seireitei.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Kuchiki Ginrei learned that two Kidō Masters had vanished with the Hollowfied Shinigami using Spatial Transfer.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe reported that the Kidō Masters had received no orders before entering the Fourth Division Barracks and taking the Hollowfied Shinigami.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered Seireitei sealed, Senkaimon use halted, and the two Kidō Masters and Hollowfied Shinigami searched for, authorizing lethal force if the Kidō Masters resisted.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni ordered Soul Reapers and Kidō Corps members away from the Fourth Division Barracks in preparation for a possible fight with Unohana Retsu.

Chiba Makoto fought Unohana Retsu inside the Minazuki space, using his transformed left hand to strengthen the Wooden Giant Buddha’s attacks. Unohana pierced his throat again and welcomed the renewed slaughter, while Zaraki Kenpachi arrived outside and realized he had been shut out of their battle.

• Chiba Makoto unleashed countless wooden palms against Unohana Retsu, who blocked them all with her swords and cut down thousands.
• Chiba Makoto merged his Limit Spirit Body-transformed left hand into the Wooden Giant Buddha and sent hardened giant fingertips stabbing at Unohana Retsu.
• Unohana Retsu endured the attacks before exploiting their weakness and crossing the distance to pierce Chiba Makoto’s throat.
• Chiba Makoto taunted Unohana Retsu and promised to pierce her throat someday, while she smiled and withdrew her blade to begin their slaughter anew.
• Zaraki Kenpachi arrived at the Fourth Division Barracks, found the Minazuki space already formed, and realized Unohana Retsu was fighting someone else.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stopped Zaraki Kenpachi from attacking and punished him for neglecting his duties during the crisis. As the Thirteen Divisions searched for missing and Hollowfied Soul Reapers, Kyōraku Shunsui realized Ukitake Jūshirō might be vulnerable and rushed to protect him.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni blocked Zaraki Kenpachi from attacking and rebuked him for acting selfishly instead of leading his division.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni removed his Haori and struck Zaraki Kenpachi with Ikkotsu and Soukotsu, smashing him into the ground.
• Kyōraku Shunsui reflected on the Thirteen Divisions’ heavy losses, including missing Kidō Masters and Hollowfied captains such as Lisa Yadōmaru.
• Kyōraku Shunsui realized that mobilizing the Thirteenth Division’s trusted Soul Reapers left Ukitake Jūshirō with fewer defenders.
• Kyōraku Shunsui hurried to the Thirteenth Division barracks to help safeguard Ukitake Jūshirō.

Chiba Makoto used his altered spirit body to trap Unohana Retsu and reach her through their fight. Unohana let go of her swords and embraced him, her hardened feelings beginning to change.

• Chiba Makoto endured Unohana Retsu's repeated attacks while waiting for a chance to seize Minazuki.
• Chiba Makoto clamped Minazuki in his transformed left hand and charged forward despite the blade piercing his throat.
• Unohana Retsu stabbed Chiba Makoto's Saketsu with her hidden sword, but his Reiryoku did not disperse, and trees bound them together.
• Chiba Makoto embraced Unohana Retsu and gently asked whether he had managed to get close to her.
• Unohana Retsu released both swords, returned his embrace, and asked whether she had frightened him.

Chiba Makoto and Unohana Retsu emerged from their battle, and Makoto warned her that Aizen Sōsuke might be behind the crisis. Unohana left Makoto temporarily in charge of the Fourth Division and led him to Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who had defeated Zaraki Kenpachi.

• Unohana Retsu teased Chiba Makoto about still being eager to fight as they noticed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's spiritual pressure surge and Zaraki Kenpachi's weaken.
• Chiba Makoto freed himself and Unohana from the giant tree, pulled the swords from his body, healed his wounds, and told her that Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname had acted suspiciously.
• Unohana Retsu reasoned that Aizen's Zanpakuto was likely a powerful illusion and warned that his plans might have begun long ago, though they lacked evidence to accuse him.
• Unohana Retsu told Chiba Makoto to manage the Fourth Division temporarily, then released Bankai: All Things in Nature and led him out of the destroyed barracks.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni dropped the unconscious Zaraki Kenpachi and scrutinized Unohana before turning his attention to Chiba Makoto, who had walked out of the Minazuki space alive.

After Unohana Retsu emerged safely from Minazuki's space, the Central 46 Chambers ordered her detained. Before leaving, she recommended Chiba Makoto as Fourth Division Vice-Captain, and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni approved the emergency appointment.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni asked Unohana Retsu whether she could control her instinct for slaughter, and she said Chiba Makoto had awakened her at the risk of his life.
• Central 46 Chambers guards arrived to restrain and detain Unohana Retsu, and Chiba Makoto protested before agreeing to remain behind at her request.
• Unohana Retsu told Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni that Lieutenant Yamada Seinosuke had undergone Hollowification and gone missing.
• Unohana Retsu recommended Chiba Makoto for an emergency appointment as Fourth Division Vice-Captain, and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni approved it and ordered him to take up the post immediately.

Chiba Makoto protested Unohana Retsu’s detention and received Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni’s assurance that she could return within a month if she was stable. Afterward, Makoto learned Aizen Sōsuke had noticed traces on Kyōka Suigetsu, but remained confident he had left no usable evidence.

• Chiba Makoto grieved Unohana Retsu’s arrest, and Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni praised his loyalty while defending the Central 46 Chambers’ decision.
• Makoto challenged Yamamoto over Unohana’s treatment, prompting Yamamoto to reflect on her service and promise she could return to the Fourth Division within a month if stable.
• Yamamoto ordered Makoto to organize the Fourth Division’s medical response to the wounded.
• Urozakuro reported Aizen Sōsuke’s movements and warned that he had noticed spiritual particles on Kyōka Suigetsu and was protecting the blade.
• Makoto concluded Aizen would move important operations outside the Seireitei, but reassured Urozakuro that he had left no trace that Aizen could use.

Aizen Sōsuke found no trace of Chiba Makoto’s reishi on Kyōka Suigetsu and realized Makoto had somehow infiltrated the Zanpakuto itself. Makoto’s plan left Aizen choosing between tolerating the breach and risking the hypnosis over the Thirteen Divisions; meanwhile, Makoto went to comfort the devastated Fourth Division survivors.

• Aizen Sōsuke tested Kyōka Suigetsu repeatedly but found no trace of Chiba Makoto’s reishi.
• Aizen Sōsuke suspected Makoto had secretly infiltrated Kyōka Suigetsu and weighed the consequences of destroying it.
• Chiba Makoto explained that his dense, self-controlled reishi had gradually entered the Zanpakuto and left Aizen Sōsuke with a choice that favored Makoto either way.
• Chiba Makoto went to the Fourth Division survivors, where Aoki Risa threw herself into his arms and wept.
• Urozakuro told Chiba Makoto that Aoki Chiyoko had died after Hollowification, and Makoto comforted the grieving Aoki Risa.

After Aoki Chiyoko's death, Chiba Makoto comforted Aoki Risa and rallied the devastated Fourth Division, temporarily taking over as vice-captain while Captain Unohana was away. He assessed the division's heavy losses and organized healers to treat the wounded, with Aoki Risa joining the relief effort.

• Chiba Makoto held Aoki Risa as she grieved her mother's death and reflected on Aoki Chiyoko's help and kindness.
• Chiba Makoto urged the shaken Fourth Division members to carry on despite their grief and fear, announcing that he would temporarily serve as vice-captain by Captain-Commander Yamamoto's appointment.
• Chiba Makoto answered questions about Captain Unohana and Yamada Seinosuke, then told the division to restore normal order.
• Chiba Makoto counted the survivors and found that the Fourth Division had suffered severe losses among both seated officers and ordinary members.
• Chiba Makoto formed a temporary Medical Relief Squad to treat injured personnel from other divisions, and he agreed to let Aoki Risa join.

During the rescue of patients buried in the Fourth Division Barracks, Chiba Makoto found Ōmaeda Marechiyo and treated his severe injuries. Chiba accidentally repaired more than intended, leaving him to decide to remove the extra growth after Ōmaeda woke up.

• Chiba Makoto led Fourth Division members in rescuing patients trapped beneath the collapsed barracks.
• Ōmaeda Marechiyo recalled how Yamada Seinosuke had operated on him and how the Hollowfication Incident buried him in rubble.
• Rescuers found Ōmaeda, and Chiba assessed his bleeding injuries while Ōmaeda panicked at the thought of more surgery.
• Chiba gave Ōmaeda anesthetic and used surgery and Reishi Repair to treat him.
• Chiba noticed that the repair had regrown the part removed during the earlier operation and decided to cut it off again after Ōmaeda woke up.