Chapter Summaries

After Rukia gave Ichigo her Shinigami powers, he destroyed the giant Hollow with one slash, then learned his soul had left his body. Rukia recruited him as her Shinigami assistant to protect Karakura Town while she recovered.

• Ichigo secretly healed Rukia while scolding her for taking a hit from the Hollow, and she insisted he needed to become a Shinigami.
• Ichigo let Rukia transfer her Spiritual Pressure to him, then unleashed his own immense power and cleaved the giant Hollow in two.
• Rukia pointed out that Ichigo's body lay on the ground, and he pretended not to know how to return to it.
• Rukia explained that she could not report the unauthorized transfer to Soul Society and named Ichigo her Shinigami assistant.
• Ichigo introduced himself as Kurosaki Ichigo, and Rukia introduced herself as Rukia Kuchiki before insisting the arrangement was settled.

Kurosaki Ichigo told Aizen about becoming Rukia Kuchiki’s Shinigami assistant, but Aizen warned that Soul Society’s laws could make him a criminal. Aizen then suggested that Captain-General Ross might be tied to True King's Palace, leaving Ichigo determined to expose him.

• Kurosaki Ichigo told Aizen that he planned to use his connection with Rukia Kuchiki to enter Soul Society and help him, but Aizen said the plan would make him a criminal under Soul Society’s rules.
• Aizen told Ichigo that Soul Society had changed under Captain-General Ross, who had overturned many old rules after Captain-General Yamamoto fell unconscious.
• Aizen said Ross’s sudden arrival in Soul Society had occurred close to the appearance of True King's Palace in Hueco Mundo and Yamamoto’s injury by its people.
• Ichigo concluded that Ross might be a high-ranking member of True King's Palace, and Aizen urged him to become a hope against it.
• Ichigo promised to resist True King's Palace and resolved to find Ross’s weakness and expose him.

Kurosaki Ichigo and Uryu Ishida began fighting Hollows after Ishida used Hollow Bait to stage a contest, while Rukia worried the sudden influx would expose her condition. Watching from afar, Kurosaki Masaki saw Ichigo again but felt no excitement or emotion after years under Ross’s indoctrination.

• Ichigo complained that he had spent a month handling Hollows while Rukia remained unable to recover her Spiritual Pressure.
• Uryu Ishida confronted Ichigo and Rukia on the rooftop, identified them as Shinigami, and challenged Ichigo to a contest against the Quincy.
• Ishida scattered Hollow Bait, drawing Hollows and opening Gargantas around the school, then summoned a Spirit Bow and killed a Hollow.
• Ichigo entered Shinigami form and began cutting down the arriving Hollows, while powerless Rukia watched from the rooftop and feared the Soul Society would notice.
• Kurosaki Masaki watched Ichigo from a nearby high-rise and realized that seeing him again brought her no excitement after years of Ross’s indoctrination.

Kurosaki Masaki returned to the Human World with Ryuken Ishida, who questioned her feelings about seeing Kurosaki Ichigo again. She revealed that she could destroy Karakura Town and disrupt the plan, while explaining that she believed the Three Realms would collapse regardless of who won.

• Ryuken Ishida watched Kurosaki Masaki warily and asked how she felt about returning to the Human World.
• Kurosaki Masaki said meeting Kurosaki Ichigo would change nothing and described herself as a toy caught in an outcome already decided.
• Kurosaki Masaki formed a Spirit Bow and gathered a Holy Arrow powerful enough to destroy half of Karakura Town, alarming Ryuken Ishida.
• Kurosaki Masaki said firing the arrow would force the Soul King and Zero Division to intervene, even if Kurosaki Ichigo, Isshin, and the others died.
• Kurosaki Masaki explained that Yhwach, Aizen, or Ross's victory would bring the collapse and reconstruction of the Three Realms, and recalled seeing Senjumaru Shutara imprisoned in Ross's world.

Ryuken Ishida and Kurosaki Masaki watched Uryu Ishida struggle through the Hollow bait trial and discussed Ross’s overwhelming strength and influence. As the trial reached its final stage, the sky above Karakura Town split open.

• Ryuken Ishida questioned what Ross relied on, and Kurosaki Masaki said he possessed strength beyond all restraints and could outwait Aizen and Yhwach.
• Kurosaki Masaki admitted she could not bring herself to abandon Karakura Town or defy Ross, and Ryuken Ishida concluded that neither of them was truly strong.
• Ryuken Ishida observed that Uryu Ishida had killed 125 Hollows and was nearly exhausted, while Kurosaki Ichigo had killed 536 and remained relaxed.
• Kurosaki Masaki said Kisuke Urahara had increased the Hollow bait dosage and that a Menos Grande-class Hollow would normally appear.
• The wind stopped and a pitch-black rift dozens of meters long opened above Karakura Town.

Captain-General Yamamoto awakened, but an Adjuchas appeared in the Human World before he could reclaim his authority. As Soul Society monitored the threat, Kurosaki Ichigo attacked it and revealed the true Shikai form of his Zanpakuto.

• Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara sensed a powerful Adjuchas emerging from the Garganta and suspected someone had arranged its arrival.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi reported the Adjuchas to Ross, Shunsui Kyoraku, and Captain-General Yamamoto, who ordered Kyoraku to handle it.
• Mayuri noticed the Adjuchas's Spiritual Pressure weakening and detected an unfamiliar Captain-level presence in the Human World.
• Rukia warned Kurosaki Ichigo not to fight the Adjuchas, but Ichigo charged at it anyway.
• Kurosaki Ichigo invoked Zangetsu and manifested his dual Zanpakuto, the true Shikai forged under Aizen's tutelage.

Kurosaki Ichigo killed an Adjuchas in the Human World, shocking witnesses and drawing attention to his rapid rise in power. At a Captain meeting, Mayuri Kurotsuchi reported Ichigo’s feat, leaving Sajin Komamura stunned by the claim that someone had become Captain-class in a month.

• Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara watched Kurosaki Ichigo display Captain-class Spiritual Pressure and discussed his rapid progress to Shikai.
• Kurosaki Ichigo killed the Adjuchas with Moon Fang Heaven Piercer, ending the Hollow Bait incident and astonishing those who witnessed it.
• Captain-General Yamamoto returned to the First Division Captain meeting and reflected on Shunsui Kyoraku’s decision to protect him and Ross’s leadership.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi reported that Kurosaki Ichigo had killed an Adjuchas in the Human World after rising from an ordinary person to Captain-class in one month.
• Sajin Komamura questioned Mayuri’s claim, shocked that Ichigo had reached Captain-class strength so quickly.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi revealed that Rukia Kuchiki may have given Shinigami powers to Kurosaki Ichigo, prompting Byakuya Kuchiki to seek permission to investigate. Ross opposed Byakuya’s plan to kill Ichigo and disclosed that he had saved Ichigo years earlier, leaving the captains to consider Ross’s connection to the young man.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi said Kurosaki Ichigo had gained Shinigami powers from Rukia Kuchiki, who had stopped contacting Soul Society for a month.
• Jushiro Ukitake defended Rukia, while Byakuya Kuchiki asked Captain-General Yamamoto for permission to investigate the matter in the Human World.
• Ross asked what Byakuya would do if the suspicion proved true, and Byakuya vowed to return Rukia for punishment and kill Ichigo under Seireitei law.
• Ross objected to killing Ichigo, saying he would not interfere with Byakuya and Ukitake bringing Rukia back.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi revealed that Ross had saved Ichigo years earlier and that Ichigo’s mother was a Quincy taken away by True King's Palace.

At the captains’ meeting, Ross defended Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo by revealing Ichigo was Isshin Shiba’s son and invoking his role as a Shiba Clan retainer. Captain-General Yamamoto sent the case to the Central 46 Chambers, setting up a contest of influence with Ross; afterward, Ross returned to the Tenth Division with Tōshirō, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Kūkaku Shiba.

• Ichimaru Gin questioned Ross’s defense of Kurosaki Ichigo, and Ross explained that Ichigo was Isshin Shiba’s son and that he spoke as a Shiba Clan retainer.
• Byakuya Kuchiki argued that Ichigo had violated Seireitei law, but Captain-General Yamamoto ended the debate and referred the matter to the Central 46 Chambers.
• Ross left the meeting first, followed by Tōshirō, while the other captains departed in stages and Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake remained behind.
• Ross and Tōshirō met Rangiku Matsumoto and Kūkaku Shiba on the way back to the Tenth Division, and Tōshirō recounted the meeting.
• Rangiku objected to bringing Ichigo’s case before the Central 46 Chambers, while Kūkaku considered her ties to Isshin’s son and how to repay Ross.

Aizen told Kurosaki Ichigo that Soul Society had ordered Byakuya Kuchiki to bring Rukia back for trial and warned that Ross might accuse him of colluding with True King's Palace. He left Ichigo with a warning to trust his instincts, while Ichigo resolved to carry on despite their enemies’ power.

• Aizen told Kurosaki Ichigo he had nothing more to teach him until Ichigo's Spiritual Pressure grew stronger, and promised to teach him kido when they met again in Soul Society.
• Aizen said the Central 46 Chambers had ordered Byakuya Kuchiki to lead a team to return Rukia for trial, while sparing Ichigo because of the Shiba Clan.
• Aizen warned that Ross might target him and accuse him of colluding with True King's Palace, then said he had found Kisuke Urahara in the Human World and suspected the Hollowfied Captains were there too.
• Kurosaki Ichigo concluded that Kisuke Urahara might be from True King's Palace and had been monitoring him and the Hollowfied Captains.
• Aizen cautioned Ichigo not to defend him and warned that Ross's Zanpakuto might control the senses, telling Ichigo to trust his instincts.
• Kurosaki Ichigo held back his tears as Aizen said farewell and vowed to face True King's Palace and Soul Society.

Kurosaki Ichigo realized Rukia was leaving to avoid implicating his family and followed her, expecting to confront those pursuing her. Rukia encountered Renji Abarai, who came to bring her back, and learned that Byakuya Kuchiki had come as well.

• Rukia sneaked out of Kurosaki House, claiming she was going to Urahara Shop, but Ichigo recognized that she intended to leave without saying goodbye.
• Ichigo changed into his Shinigami uniform, left his body in the care of a Modified Soul, and pursued Rukia while sensing several Spiritual Pressures ahead.
• Rukia ran through the night, grieving that she had to leave the friends and life she had found in the Human World.
• Renji Abarai appeared on a utility pole and told Rukia to return with him and confess her crimes.
• Rukia froze when Renji mentioned Byakuya Kuchiki, then asked whether her brother had come too.

Kurosaki Ichigo intervened when Renji Abarai tried to seize Rukia and refused to accept Renji’s proposal that he return to the Shiba Clan. Byakuya Kuchiki ordered Renji to proceed with the capture, and Renji charged Ichigo, leaving them poised to fight.

• Byakuya Kuchiki signaled Renji Abarai to take Rukia back to Soul Society, and Renji reached for her Gigai.
• Kurosaki Ichigo appeared and knocked Renji’s hand away, shielding Rukia from Byakuya and Renji.
• Renji urged Ichigo to return to Soul Society as a Shiba Clan member, claiming his noble status could make him worthy of marrying Rukia.
• Rukia rebuked Renji for talking about her marriage as Byakuya ended the conversation and ordered the capture to continue.
• Renji drew his Zanpakuto and charged at Ichigo, who welcomed the fight.

Kurosaki Ichigo defeated Renji Abarai and then challenged Byakuya Kuchiki to stop him from taking Rukia. As Ichigo and Byakuya began fighting at blinding speed, Renji was left unable to follow the battle.

• Kurosaki Ichigo shattered Renji Abarai’s Senbonzakura attack and injured him with Moon Fang Heaven Piercer.
• Ichigo struck Renji from behind and forced him to surrender at swordpoint.
• Ichigo turned his attention to Byakuya Kuchiki, while Rukia tried to stop Ichigo from fighting for her.
• Byakuya said Central 46 Chambers would decide Rukia’s crimes and warned Ichigo to stand aside.
• Ichigo challenged Byakuya, and the two began exchanging blows too quickly for Renji to see.

Kurosaki Ichigo fought Byakuya Kuchiki, then released his Shikai and used its amplified power to turn the battle in his favor. Byakuya retreated and began invoking Bankai.

• Kurosaki Ichigo taunted Byakuya Kuchiki after their blade clashes, and Byakuya released Senbonzakura.
• Byakuya's cherry blossom blades overwhelmed Ichigo's Moon Fang Heaven Piercer and surged toward him.
• Ichigo released Zangetsu into its dual-blade Shikai, greatly boosting his Spiritual Pressure and speed.
• Ichigo struck Byakuya's cherry blossom shield with his black blade and attacked with his white blade, but Byakuya used Dankū and the petals to escape.
• Ichigo taunted Byakuya as Byakuya dropped his Zanpakuto and began to say, "Bankai..."

Byakuya Kuchiki unleashed Bankai against Kurosaki Ichigo, and their attacks threatened to devastate Karakura Town. A mysterious Captain appeared and effortlessly stopped both attacks, leaving Ichigo demanding to know who he was.

• Byakuya Kuchiki released Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and sent a vast storm of cherry-blossade blades at Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Kurosaki Ichigo answered with Moon Fang Heaven Piercer, while Rukia pleaded with them to stop before their attacks harmed Karakura Town's residents.
• A tall, unfamiliar man in a Captain's haori suddenly appeared between the attacks.
• The man intercepted and erased both attacks with his bare hands, leaving the street and nearby buildings unharmed.
• Kurosaki Ichigo asked the mysterious man who he was.

Ross arrived in the Human World, ended Byakuya Kuchiki’s confrontation with Kurosaki Ichigo, and escorted Rukia back to the Soul Society. After Rukia left, Ross effortlessly defeated Ichigo and taunted him about his mother before departing through the Senkaimon.

• Ross reprimanded Byakuya Kuchiki for using Bankai in the Human World, and Byakuya withdrew it and returned to the Soul Society with Renji Abarai.
• Ross comforted Rukia and promised to try to lessen her punishment before she said goodbye to Ichigo and entered the Senkaimon.
• Ichigo blamed Ross for his mother’s disappearance and attacked him with both blades.
• Ross easily took Ichigo’s swords, slashed his chest, and left him helpless on the ground.
• Ross whispered a crude remark about Kurosaki Masaki to Ichigo and then departed through the Senkaimon.

After Ross’s humiliating remarks left Kurosaki Ichigo furious and helpless, Ryuken Ishida called with news that Inoue Orihime had gone missing. Ryuken revealed signs of a scheme involving Kisuke Urahara and Captain-General Yamamoto, leaving Ichigo with more questions about the people behind it.

• Isshin Kurosaki watched Ichigo withdraw to his room and wondered why Ichigo seemed angry with him after losing to Ross.
• Ichigo brooded over Ross’s remarks about Kurosaki Masaki and blamed himself and Isshin for being unable to protect their family.
• Ryuken Ishida called Ichigo, apologized for not intervening, and explained that he was repaying a favor owed to Aizen by sharing information.
• Ryuken told Ichigo that Inoue Orihime had gone missing and that Kisuke Urahara had likely taken her away.
• Ryuken said Orihime’s disappearance was part of a True King's Palace scheme, noting that the awakened Yamamoto needed healing and could reliably defeat Aizen.

Kurosaki Ichigo learned that the True King's Palace was targeting Teacher Aizen and asked Ryuken Ishida how to reach Soul Society. Ryuken warned that Ichigo’s rescue attempt might be part of a plan to force Aizen into a clash with Captain-General Yamamoto, but Ichigo still decided he had to go.

• Ryuken Ishida told Kurosaki Ichigo that the True King's Palace had caused Captain-General Yamamoto’s serious injuries and did not fear him, while Yamamoto could deal with Teacher Aizen.
• Ichigo blamed himself for the danger facing his friends and asked Ryuken how to reach Soul Society, then admitted he could not open a Senkaimon himself.
• Ryuken suggested Ichigo find Kisuke Urahara, learn where Inoue Orihime had been taken, and ask him to open a Senkaimon.
• Ryuken reasoned that the True King's Palace might be using Rukia and Inoue Orihime’s capture to draw Ichigo into Soul Society and provoke Teacher Aizen into revealing his strength against Captain-General Yamamoto.
• Ichigo realized the plan could make him a pawn, but resolved to save Rukia and Inoue Orihime even if he had to overturn Soul Society.

Kurosaki Ichigo confronted Kisuke Urahara about Inoue Orihime’s disappearance while hiding that he knew Urahara’s role in the scheme. After learning Rukia had been sentenced to death, Ichigo demanded a passage to the Soul Society, determined to intervene before the plot against Teacher Aizen advanced.

• Kurosaki Ichigo went to the Urahara Shop, hoping to expose Ross and his accomplices before Teacher Aizen was framed.
• Kisuke Urahara denied knowing where Inoue Orihime had gone and claimed a Shinigami had taken her.
• Ichigo pretended to be furious and demanded Urahara help him reach the Soul Society.
• Urahara told Ichigo that Rukia had been sentenced to death by the Central 46 Chambers.
• Ichigo ordered Urahara to open a passage to the Soul Society so he could leave immediately.

Kisuke Urahara sent Kurosaki Ichigo and Yoruichi Shihoin through the Senkaimon to Soul Society, where tensions and hidden schemes were drawing their allies together. Yoruichi suspected Urahara and Shunsui Kyoraku were concealing plans involving the Shiba Clan and decided she would warn Ross and Kūkaku Shiba.

• Kisuke Urahara introduced Kurosaki Ichigo to Yoruichi Shihoin and said she would guide him through the Dangai to Soul Society.
• Kurosaki Ichigo reflected on Aizen’s account of Kisuke Urahara’s role in the Hollowfication incident and suspected Urahara had caused it.
• Yoruichi recalled that Urahara had secretly visited the Visoreds and forbidden her from contacting the Shiba Clan during the trip.
• Yoruichi suspected Shunsui Kyoraku was conspiring against Ross and resolved to tell Ross and Kūkaku Shiba what she suspected.
• Yoruichi and Kurosaki Ichigo entered the opened Senkaimon together.