Chapter Summaries

Yoruichi persuaded Ichigo to focus on growing stronger while she searched for Orihime and the others. Meanwhile, Aizen tried to extract the Hogyoku from Rukia, but found it missing before Yoru Machi confronted him and received an offer to join his side.

• Yoruichi convinced Ichigo to train and promised to find Orihime and the others, while assuring him Rukia was safe for now.
• Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tousen Kaname entered the Ninth Division prison, killed the guards, and cornered Rukia.
• Aizen reached into Rukia's soul to retrieve the Hogyoku, but discovered it was gone.
• Yoru Machi appeared and mocked the three captains, prompting Ichimaru Gin and Tousen Kaname to object to being implicated in Aizen's actions.
• Aizen deduced that Yoru Machi had taken the Hogyoku and offered her a place at his side.

Yoru Machi refused Aizen's offer to join him, so Aizen attacked using Kyōka Suigetsu. Yoru Machi released Other Shore to counter the hypnosis, while Aizen argued that its activation conditions and uncertain targets left him vulnerable.

• Yoru Machi declined Aizen's invitation, citing his lack of ambition and dislike of the enemy faction's all-male workplace.
• Aizen attacked Yoru Machi with Kyōka Suigetsu, but Yoru Machi instinctively dodged and suffered only a shallow cut.
• Yoru Machi recognized that Aizen had used hypnosis to disguise his position and said overwhelming spiritual pressure could resist the ability.
• Aizen removed his glasses and claimed he could suppress Yoru Machi even if he released his spiritual pressure seals.
• Yoru Machi released Other Shore, and Aizen explained that its blades could affect either the enemy or their wielder, making their targets dangerous under Kyōka Suigetsu.

Yoru Machi removed his spiritual pressure seals to confront Aizen, and his immense power left the prison unable to withstand his presence. After Aizen remained unfazed, Yoru Machi released his final seal, sending a vast surge of spiritual pressure across the Seireitei.

• Yoru Machi removed the restraints from his head and arms and released his Zanpakuto, unleashing spiritual pressure that forced prisoners to the ground.
• Aizen acknowledged Yoru Machi's strength but urged him to surrender the Hogyoku, while Tousen Kaname defended Aizen and Ichimaru Gin considered attacking him.
• Ichimaru Gin reached for his Zanpakuto but stopped when Yoru Machi announced that he would reveal his full strength.
• Yoru Machi tore off the jade pendant that served as his final spiritual pressure seal, releasing a tremendous aura that shook the prison and pierced into the sky.
• Fighters throughout the Seireitei sensed Yoru Machi's spiritual pressure, while Ichimaru Gin, Tousen Kaname, and Rukia stared at him in shock.

Yoru Machi revealed his immense spiritual pressure, broke through Kyōka Suigetsu, and sent Aizen crashing through several prison walls. Aizen rose unharmed and began increasing his spiritual pressure, while Yoru Machi prepared to face his next move with Kaio-ken as his trump card.

• Yoru Machi released two spiritual pressure seals and activated Shikai, shocking Tousen Kaname and giving Ichimaru Gin hope that they could defeat Aizen and reclaim Rangiku's stolen soul.
• Yoru Machi attacked Aizen with his long and short blades, but Aizen evaded the throat strike and defended against the follow-up slash.
• Yoru Machi declared that Kyōka Suigetsu no longer affected him, then kicked Aizen with Shunkō and sent him through several prison walls.
• Aizen rose from the rubble, explained that Yoru Machi resisted Kyōka Suigetsu because his spiritual pressure surpassed Aizen's, and began raising his own pressure.
• Yoru Machi readied himself for Aizen's Bankai or Hollowfication and resolved to use Kaio-ken if necessary.

Aizen prepared to fight Yoru Machi, but Ichimaru Gin seized Rukia and demanded the Hogyoku to protect Yoru Machi and buy time. Aizen accepted Gin’s intervention, and the hostage standoff left Yoru Machi unable to resume their fight freely.

• Aizen began Hollowfying as he and Yoru Machi prepared to continue their battle.
• Ichimaru Gin took Rukia hostage and demanded that Yoru Machi hand over the Hogyoku.
• Yoru Machi realized Gin was using the hostage to keep him from fighting Aizen before the other captains arrived.
• Aizen rebuked Gin for acting without permission, but Gin explained that he wanted to secure their retreat before reinforcements came.
• Aizen eased his suspicions after Gin admitted his concern for his own safety, then allowed the hostage plan to continue.

Yoru Machi faced Aizen and Ichimaru Gin’s demand for the Hogyoku while they held Kuchiki Rukia hostage, and he restrained Rukia before she could sacrifice herself. After the Captain-Commander and the others arrived and learned what the Hogyoku could do, Yoru Machi chose to save Rukia rather than surrender her, dismissing the future danger as something Soul Reapers could confront later.

• Aizen tacitly approved Ichimaru Gin’s decision to threaten Yoru Machi with Rukia’s life in exchange for the Hogyoku.
• Yoru Machi used Bakudō #1: Sealing to restrain Rukia when she prepared to sacrifice herself.
• Yoru Machi took out the Hogyoku as the Captain-Commander, Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake, Byakuya, and the others arrived.
• Yoruichi warned that Aizen could use the Hogyoku to empower himself and transform powerful Hollows, alarming the Soul Reapers.
• Yoru Machi declared that he would choose Rukia over the Hogyoku and argued that Soul Reapers could deal with Aizen’s future threat.

The Captain-Commander ordered Yoru Machi to surrender the Hogyoku and declared Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tousen Kaname traitors, but Yoru Machi refused to stand down. Aizen demonstrated his power and escape route as Yamamoto released Ryujin Jakka to face Yoru Machi.

• The Captain-Commander revealed Ryujin Jakka, forbade Yoru Machi from handing Aizen the Hogyoku, and ordered the arrest of Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tousen Kaname.
• Yoru Machi defied the Captain-Commander, while Yoruichi and Soi Fon attacked Aizen to rescue Kuchiki Rukia and prevent their allies from fighting each other.
• Aizen defeated Soi Fon with Hadō #90 and wounded Yoruichi through Kyōka Suigetsu.
• Aizen opened a Garganta above the Seireitei and explained that he and his allies could escape through it.
• Yoru Machi refused the Captain-Commander's demand to move aside, and Yamamoto released Ryujin Jakka and prepared to teach him a lesson.

Yoru Machi faced the Captain-Commander, whose full strength and Ryujin Jakka made him a formidable opponent. Fujitora and Kuchiki Byakuya stepped in to protect Yoru Machi, and the Captain-Commander assigned Kyoraku Shunsui to fight him.

• Yoru Machi recognized the Captain-Commander’s overwhelming strength and prepared to face him.
• Fujitora stepped forward to take responsibility for fighting Yoru Machi and protect him from harm.
• Kuchiki Byakuya blocked Fujitora, saying he would defend Rukia for the sake of his wife, Hisana.
• The Captain-Commander rebuked Byakuya for putting a woman before the Kuchiki Clan’s honor, while Byakuya worried about Hisana’s reaction if he let Rukia die.
• The Captain-Commander ordered Kyoraku Shunsui to face Yoru Machi after Byakuya stopped Fujitora.

Kyoraku Shunsui reluctantly fought Yoru Machi after the Captain-Commander assigned him to stop his friend, while taking Aizen and the other traitors himself. Yoru Machi pressed the attack to protect Rukia, and their fight continued as both released ranged techniques.

• The Captain-Commander ordered Kyoraku Shunsui to fight Yoru Machi, then assigned Aizen Sōsuke and the other traitors to himself.
• Kyoraku Shunsui released Katen Kyokotsu and charged Yoru Machi, whose Higan sword nearly cut his face.
• Yoru Machi refused to go easy because Rukia's life was at stake and said he would make Kyoraku Shunsui lie down.
• Kyoraku Shunsui used Fūsen Kazura to attack from a distance, and Yoru Machi countered with Getsuga Tensho: Revised.

Yoru Machi overwhelmed Kyoraku Shunsui in their duel, landing a cut that activated Higan's Reverse Curse. Kyoraku Shunsui took the fight seriously and prepared to use Katen Kyokotsu's ability.

• Yoru Machi's Getsuga Tensho broke through Kyoraku Shunsui's Fūsen Kazura and forced him to block the slash with crossed blades.
• Yoru Machi used the slash to conceal his approach and attacked Kyoraku Shunsui at close range, but Shunsui evaded with a backflip and countered with a kick.
• Kyoraku Shunsui praised Yoru Machi's strength and admitted that he was no longer confident he could win.
• Yoru Machi showed the blood on his sword and revealed that he had cut Kyoraku Shunsui, activating Higan's Reverse Curse and preventing Shunsui from restoring or enhancing his power.
• Kyoraku Shunsui realized he could no longer treat the duel as a game and prepared to use Katen Kyokotsu's ability.

Yoru Machi used his knowledge of Kyoraku Shunsui’s Zanpakuto games to turn their fight in his favor. He left Kyoraku injured and exposed his drunken remarks about Ise Nanao, whose glare made Kyoraku fear the consequences after the battle.

• Yoru Machi recognized Katen Kyokotsu’s game abilities and prepared to counter them with his Zanpakuto, Higan.
• Kyoraku Shunsui started Zan Oni, but Yoru Machi leaped above him and used the game’s height rule to amplify his slash.
• Yoru Machi’s blow sent Kyoraku crashing into the ground, leaving him disheveled and internally injured.
• Yoru Machi explained that Kyoraku had revealed all four games while drunk with him and Rangiku.
• Yoru Machi repeated Kyoraku’s disparaging remarks about Ise Nanao, then praised Nanao as more charming than Rangiku.
• Nanao glared dangerously at Kyoraku, who tried to stop Yoru Machi from revealing more embarrassing secrets.

Kurosaki Ichigo arrived at the battle and challenged Kyoraku Shunsui, mistaking the flamboyant captain for a weak opponent. After Kyoraku shattered Ichigo’s Getsuga Tensho with ease, Ichigo activated Bankai, leaving their fight poised to intensify.

• Kurosaki Ichigo arrived with his allies while the other Soul Reapers remained locked in separate confrontations.
• Kyoraku Shunsui provoked Ichigo into a fight to escape his standoff with Yoru Machi.
• Ichigo attacked Kyoraku with Getsuga Tensho, but Kyoraku shattered the slash effortlessly and explained that Ichigo was weaker than Yoru Machi.
• Ichigo realized Kyoraku was far stronger than he had assumed and activated Bankai, releasing Tensa Zangetsu.

Kurosaki Ichigo revealed his newly achieved Bankai, but the Captain-Commander focused on confronting Yoru Machi over his refusal to sacrifice loved ones for the greater good. Their clash began with a violent exchange, and Yoru Machi narrowly escaped a pillar of fire from Ryujin Jakka.

• Kurosaki Ichigo revealed Tensa Zangetsu and his Bankai, surprising Kyoraku Shunsui while the Captain-Commander and Aizen paid little attention.
• The Captain-Commander confronted Yoru Machi for letting his emotions guide his decision, and Yoru Machi said he would not sacrifice his friends or family for the greater good.
• The Captain-Commander drew Ryujin Jakka and attacked Yoru Machi at tremendous speed.
• Yoru Machi met the Captain-Commander's strike with Higan, and their clash cracked the ground and damaged nearby walls.
• Yoru Machi sensed danger, leapt away, and avoided a pillar of fire erupting from the spot where he had stood.

Yoru Machi fought the Captain-Commander, surviving Ryujin Jakka’s flames and trading powerful attacks with him. After the Captain-Commander trapped him in Blazing Hell, Yoru Machi shouted that he was still standing, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Yoru Machi dodged the Captain-Commander’s Flame Pillar and fired a massive Spiritual Pressure Kikōhō at him.
• The Captain-Commander used Tōmyō to burn away Yoru Machi’s attack while Aizen and Ichimaru Gin watched with Rukia held hostage.
• Yoru Machi flashed in to counterattack, but the Captain-Commander lured him into a trap with Blazing Hell.
• The Captain-Commander’s fire pillars converged and scorched the surrounding land, and he turned away believing Yoru Machi was defeated.
• Yoru Machi shouted that the Captain-Commander had underestimated him and that the fight was not over.

Yoru Machi endured the Captain-Commander's six-thousand-degree Blazing Hell by using Higan's ability to heal and counterattack, then identified the old Captain-Commander's fading stamina as his weakness. Both fighters remained determined to continue despite their injuries and exhaustion.

• Yoru Machi emerged from the flames with severe burns and a weakening spiritual pressure, while his counterattack left a shallow wound across the Captain-Commander's chest.
• The Captain-Commander recognized that Yoru Machi had used Higan to endure the heat and admired his willpower for staying conscious and striking back.
• The Captain-Commander warned that Yoru Machi's mental exhaustion would limit him, even if his wounds could heal.
• Yoru Machi pointed out that the Captain-Commander's age had weakened his stamina and challenged him to continue fighting.
• The Captain-Commander insisted he could still defeat Yoru Machi, but Yoru Machi declared that his willpower would keep him conscious.

Yoru Machi and the Captain-Commander continued their evenly matched battle, trading blows with their swords, Hakuda, and Kidō. As the fight raged, Ichimaru Gin weighed whether to oppose Aizen but decided to wait for a chance to reclaim Rangiku's stolen soul, while Aizen declared that he would surpass the Soul Reapers.

• Yoru Machi charged the Captain-Commander despite his burns, and they clashed swords as the Captain-Commander recognized the beastly fighting spirit beneath Yoru Machi's calm demeanor.
• The Captain-Commander attacked with One Bone, and Yoru Machi countered with Shunkō, sending them both flying as their fists created a massive crater.
• While airborne, Yoru Machi and the Captain-Commander cast Crimson Fire Cannon and Azure Flame Fall, and their spells collided in a towering storm of fire.
• Ichimaru Gin considered helping the Captain-Commander defeat Aizen but chose to keep waiting because he still needed to recover the part of Rangiku's soul Aizen had stolen.
• Aizen called Yoru Machi talented but rigid and declared that he would rise above the Soul Reapers, while Ichimaru Gin smiled without mentioning Aizen's earlier defeat.

Aizen returned Kuchiki Rukia to Yoru Machi and reclaimed the Hogyoku, then learned that Yoru Machi knew its true powers and that it had tried to choose him as its master. Aizen kept the jewel despite feeling slighted, since he needed it to pursue his dream of standing in the heavens.

• Aizen returned Kuchiki Rukia to Yoru Machi and asked him for the Hogyoku.
• Yoru Machi handed Aizen the Hogyoku without hesitation, and Aizen asked whether he understood its powers.
• Yoru Machi explained that the Hogyoku could manifest desires, protect and evolve its host, and had tried to acknowledge him as its master.
• Yoru Machi said he had rejected the Hogyoku because he had no use for it and believed his own power had no limit.
• Aizen became resentful that the Hogyoku had fawned over Yoru Machi but remained indifferent to him, yet decided to keep it for his dream.

Aizen rejected Yoru Machi’s explanation for refusing the Hogyoku and escaped with Tosen and Gin after Ryujin Jakka’s flames failed to reach him. Their departure left Seireitei to deal with the betrayal, the wounded, and the detained Ryouka.

• Aizen asked Yoru Machi why he had refused the Hogyoku, and Yoru Machi said he wanted to surpass his limits through his own strength.
• Aizen insulted Yoru Machi and vowed to prove his superiority when they met again.
• A Flame Pillar from Ryujin Jakka struck at Aizen, but a Kido from the Garganta shielded him and the other two.
• Aizen declared that he would stand in the heavens, then left with Tosen and Gin after acknowledging Yoru Machi and Kurosaki Ichigo.
• The dog squad captain condemned Tosen’s betrayal, while Rangiku grieved over Ichimaru Gin’s betrayal and Tōshirō’s hatred for Aizen remained less intense than before.
• Seireitei detained Kurosaki Ichigo and his group, and a melancholy uncle defeated Ichigo in Bankai.

After the Arrancar invasion devastated the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Yoru Machi and Kuchiki Byakuya fought to atone while the surviving captains restored order. At a later captains' meeting, Ukitake Jushiro, Unohana, and Soi Fon spoke up in Yoru Machi's defense as the Captain-Commander considered how to punish him and Ichigo's group.

• Yoru Machi and Kuchiki Byakuya were released from detention to fight the invading Arrancar, and Yoru Machi used Higan to save nearly a hundred dying Soul Reapers.
• Kyoraku Shunsui led the remaining fighters, and after more than half a day they killed seventy percent of the invading Arrancar while the rest fled to Hueco Mundo.
• At the captains' meeting, Unohana reported that the invasion had killed more than ten percent of the Soul Reapers and injured nearly half of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' personnel.
• Ukitake Jushiro asked the Captain-Commander to consider Yoru Machi and Byakuya's circumstances and their service in the battle.
• Unohana and Soi Fon each spoke in support of Yoru Machi, leaving Kyoraku Shunsui surprised by how many captains backed him.

The captains settled the consequences of Aizen’s conspiracy, freeing Kuchiki Rukia and allowing Kurosaki Ichigo to remain a Substitute Soul Reaper after Shiba Kaien revealed his Shiba Clan heritage. Yoru Machi faced three months confined to the Barracks and a salary deduction, but he rushed to greet Kuchiki Hisana when he heard she had come to visit.

• The Captain-Commander sentenced Yoru Machi and Kuchiki Byakuya to three months of reflection in their Barracks and deducted half a year’s salary from each.
• The captains declared Kuchiki Rukia innocent and released her after learning Aizen had orchestrated the events.
• Shiba Kaien revealed that Kurosaki Ichigo belonged to the Shiba Clan, and the captains let him remain a Substitute Soul Reaper under the Thirteenth Division’s supervision.
• Captain Fujitora told Yoru Machi about the outcome, and Yoru Machi complained bitterly about losing half a year’s pay.
• Shiba Miyako told Yoru Machi that Kuchiki Hisana had come to visit, and Yoru Machi immediately sprang up to greet her.