Chapter Summaries

Three Gotei 13 captains visited the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy to recruit graduates, and Rukia reunited with Renji Abarai after six years apart. Rukia met Renji’s friends, Momo Hinamori and Izuuru Kira, as the story left them catching up at the academy.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya continued doing much of the Tenth Division’s work while M Matsumoto Rangiku neglected her duties.
• Byakuya Kuchiki, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Jūshirō Ukitake arrived at the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy to recruit new Shinigami.
• Rukia stepped out from behind Byakuya Kuchiki and approached the newly graduated students.
• Renji Abarai hesitated when he saw Rukia’s dignified bearing, but Rukia ran to him and joyfully greeted him.
• Renji Abarai introduced Rukia to his friends Momo Hinamori and Izuuru Kira, and Rukia thanked them for supporting him.

Renji, Momo, Izuuru, and Rukia discussed which Divisions they would join after graduating, while Rukia struggled between joining Renji in the Eleventh Division and following Byakuya’s request to enter the Thirteenth. Several Captains gathered to recruit Rukia, as Shunsui continued to suspect either Ailin or Aizen of being the hidden mastermind he had failed to uncover.

• Renji said he would join the Eleventh Division to receive guidance from a teacher Ailin had recommended, while Izuuru favored the Fourth Division and Momo was considering the Fifth.
• Rukia hesitated between joining Renji in the Eleventh Division and obeying Byakuya’s request to join the Thirteenth without taking a Seat Officer position.
• Byakuya, Shunsui, Ukitake, Soifon, Gin, and Isshin came to the academy’s recruitment day, with several Captains hoping to bring Rukia into their Divisions.
• Soifon sought to strengthen the Second Division, Isshin hoped Rukia would help the Tenth Division, and Gin watched an orange-haired figure while appearing to pursue his junior sister.
• Shunsui reflected that he had found no evidence of the hidden mastermind and continued to wonder whether Ailin or Aizen was responsible.

Shunsui Kyōraku suspected that Ailin and Aizen Sosuke were still preparing for a future clash, while Rukia joined the Thirteenth Division as an ordinary Soul Reaper despite her strength. Renji Abarai learned that Ailin and Zaraki were about to fight in their decennial battle and realized his captain might be stronger than he had thought.

• Shunsui Kyōraku considered Ailin and Aizen Sosuke’s histories and suspected their apparent peace was only a pause before another conflict.
• Shunsui Kyōraku saw that Rukia possessed Fifth Rank Reiatsu and wondered why Byakuya Kuchiki wanted her to serve as an ordinary Soul Reaper.
• Rukia joined the Thirteenth Division at Captain Ukitake’s invitation, while Izuuru Kira entered the Fourth Division, Momo Hinamori the Fifth, and Renji Abarai the Eleventh.
• After a year of training under Ikkaku Madarame, Renji Abarai learned that the Eleventh Division was heading to the Rukon District to watch Ailin fight Zaraki.
• Ikkaku Madarame reassured Renji Abarai that Ailin would not kill Zaraki, leaving Renji stunned by the implication of Ailin’s strength.

Renji Abarai watched Captain Ailin and Zaraki fight and realized how far Rukia had advanced beyond him. As Ailin unleashed a powerful new technique and the battle’s shockwave swept toward the spectators, Kiyone Shunjō and Ikkaku Madarame activated their Bankai to try to stop it.

• Renji Abarai reflected on how Captain Ailin’s strength had widened the distance between him and Rukia.
• Eleventh Division Soul Reapers raced to Zaraki District to watch Zaraki and Ailin’s ten-yearly battle.
• Zaraki removed his eyepatch, attacked at full strength, and shattered Ailin’s first slash.
• Ailin unleashed Crescent Moon Cross Slash, and Zaraki answered with Two-Handed Kendo; their attacks created a huge explosion and spreading shockwave.
• Kiyone Shunjō and Ikkaku Madarame activated their Bankai and struck at the shockwave, but it continued advancing.

Yachiru Kusajishi, Kiyone Shunjō, and Ikkaku Madarame endured the shockwaves from Zaraki and Ailin’s battle as Renji Abarai learned that Kiyone and Ikkaku had mastered Bankai. Zaraki and Ailin then escalated their close-range sword fight, leaving the Eleventh Division struggling to withstand the aftermath.

• Ikkaku Madarame and Yachiru Kusajishi used their Zanpakuto to withstand the shockwave, while Kiyone Shunjō and Ikkaku recovered from their injuries.
• Ikkaku Madarame and Kiyone Shunjō told Yachiru Kusajishi that Zaraki’s growing strength had forced them to retreat farther than before.
• Renji Abarai learned from a veteran that Kiyone Shunjō and Ikkaku Madarame had mastered Bankai, then joined the Eleventh Division in resisting the approaching shockwave.
• Ailin unleashed repeated slashes, but Zaraki broke through them and charged at him despite suffering several wounds.
• Zaraki and Ailin’s swords collided at close range, sending out a stronger shockwave that destroyed the ground and pushed some Eleventh Division members backward.
• Ailin and Zaraki used Reishi to race across the wilderness, their clashes destroying everything around them as Renji Abarai braced against the battle’s aftermath.

Ailin and Zaraki fought across a devastated battlefield while Ailin explained how spiritual pressure enhanced a Shinigami and identified Zaraki’s real weakness. Zaraki remained unaware of the limits imposed by his own suppressed power as their duel continued.

• Renji Abarai watched the captains’ battle from a distance and wondered whether its tremors resembled ones he had sensed ten years earlier.
• Ailin and Zaraki clashed across a vast crater, and Ailin praised Zaraki’s improved swordsmanship after learning he had studied Sword Arts under Retsu Unohana.
• Ailin told Zaraki that his weakness was not insufficient strength but his failure to understand how spiritual pressure affected a Shinigami’s abilities.
• Zaraki unleashed more spiritual pressure, but he still could not move Ailin’s blade or recognize what Ailin meant.
• Ailin explained that overwhelming spiritual pressure required a body strong enough to withstand it, noting that Zaraki’s Bankai could injure him when he wielded it.

Ailin defeated Zaraki in their once-in-ten-years battle after warning that Zaraki’s body could not withstand his full spiritual pressure. The fight opened a crack in the power Zaraki had suppressed, while Unohana and Shunsui sensed the consequences from afar.

• Ailin overpowered Zaraki, warned him to strengthen his body, and defeated him with Flash Blossom.
• Ikkaku and Kiyone carried away the wounded Zaraki and explained to the Eleventh Division that Ailin had finally used his true strength because Zaraki had earned his acknowledgment.
• Yachiru said Zaraki was happy with the fight and sensed that the seal suppressing his power had begun to crack.
• Unohana recalled how Zaraki had wounded her centuries earlier and felt remorse that Ailin, rather than her, was helping Zaraki recover his strength.
• Shunsui sensed Zaraki’s immense spiritual pressure and saw golden clouds of spirit particles gathering in the distant sky.

Shunsui Kyōraku sensed Ailin’s overwhelming spiritual pressure after Ailin defeated Zaraki, and Seireitei’s divisions responded by intensifying their training. Meanwhile, Rukia faced mistreatment in the Thirteenth Division until Kaien Shiba took her under his guidance, while Inaba Kagerōza’s identity and origins were revealed.

• Shunsui Kyōraku sensed Ailin’s spiritual pressure and realized Zaraki had been weakened almost instantly, leaving him alarmed by Ailin’s strength.
• After the battle, Seireitei’s captains and the Eleventh Division increased their training in anticipation of another clash between Ailin and Zaraki ten years later.
• Rukia was ostracized and obstructed by members of the Thirteenth Division who believed her noble status had let her avoid the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.
• Kaien Shiba discovered Rukia’s situation, kept her close, and began teaching her personally.
• Inaba Kagerōza worked in the Soul Technology Development Bureau as a leading Dangai researcher, while his history as Yushima Oshu’s divided self was revealed.
• Yushima Oshu had created Modified Souls with copied memories and strength, but after Central 46 rejected and outlawed his research, he split himself in two to evade arrest and increase his power when reunited.

Inaba Kagerōza completed another experiment using collected spiritual pressure while secretly growing multiple copies of Aizen Sosuke. Elsewhere, a monster that could erase Zanpakuto attacked Miyako Shiba’s squad, and Rukia continued her training after finishing her tasks.

• Inaba Kagerōza used spiritual residue from Aizen Sosuke to create a yellow pill and stored it in the laboratory.
• After Inaba Kagerōza left, the laboratory revealed at least twenty cultivation tanks containing copies of Aizen Sosuke.
• Miyako Shiba and her squad pursued a monster that had taken over Alberto and erased the Zanpakuto of Soul Reapers who touched it.
• Miyako Shiba blasted Alberto with Sōkatsui, but the monster escaped the burning body and attacked her from above.
• Rukia went to train at the Thirteenth Division’s back mountain after completing her tasks.

Rukia interrupted her training to rescue Third Seat Miyako Shiba from a Hollow that had killed several Soul Reapers. She froze it with Sode no Shirayuki and left Miyako wondering why she had hidden her strength from the Thirteenth Division.

• Rukia sensed a Hollow and Miyako Shiba’s spiritual pressure, then rushed to the battlefield after detecting that several Soul Reapers had vanished.
• Rukia used Bakudō #37: Tsuriboshi to block the Hollow’s attack on Miyako, giving her time to escape.
• Miyako warned Rukia that the Hollow could make any Zanpakuto touching its body disappear.
• Rukia released Sode no Shirayuki and used Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren to freeze the Hollow in an iceberg.
• Miyako thanked Rukia and asked why she had concealed her strength from the Thirteenth Division.

Miyako encouraged Rukia to train her Sword Arts with Kaien, hoping the practice would help him grow strong enough to protect the Shiba Clan from nobles plotting to seize its secret treasure. After a Hollow was discovered in Seireitei, an emergency captains' meeting was summoned, leaving Ailin wondering what had happened.

• Miyako asked Rukia why she had hidden her strength, and Rukia explained that her Sword Arts could traumatize opponents and weaken their fighting ability.
• Miyako offered to spar with Rukia and promised to ask Kaien to make time for her training; Rukia accepted in return for Miyako's help.
• Miyako recalled that she had been sent to spy on Kaien but had fallen in love with and married him, while the nobles behind her pressed her to uncover the Shiba Clan's secret treasure.
• Miyako feared that the nobles would attack the Shiba Clan before Kaien reached Captain-level strength, so she hoped Rukia's training would help him improve.
• Miyako directed the Soul Reapers to clean up the frozen Hollow and fired a signal flare after discovering a Hollow in Seireitei.
• An emergency captains' meeting was called, and Ailin heard the summons while playing tennis with Haruko at the Kuchiki Clan estate.

At an emergency Captain's Meeting, Mayuri Kurotsuchi revealed that a Gillian-class Hollow found in the Seireitei carried a Soul Reaper's spiritual pressure, suggesting a new Hollowfication experiment. Shunsui Kyōraku watched Aizen Sosuke and Ailin closely as the discovery raised suspicions about who might know more.

• Ailin left Haruko and hurried to the First Division after Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called an emergency Captain's Meeting.
• Yamamoto told the captains that Miyako Shiba had found a Gillian-class Hollow inside the Seireitei, and Jūshirō Ukitake explained that it could dissolve Zanpakuto and control Soul Reapers.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi said he had collected spirit particles from the Hollow after Rukia killed it and had extracted the spiritual pressure of a Soul Reaper from them.
• Mayuri suggested the Hollow was the product of an experiment, leading the captains to suspect a renewed Hollowfication experiment.
• Shunsui Kyōraku studied Aizen Sosuke and Ailin, wondering whether Ailin knew something about the incident.

After Mayuri Kurotsuchi detected a Hollow with Soul Reaper spiritual pressure, the captains concluded that someone in the Seireitei was still conducting forbidden Hollowfication research. Yamamoto ordered Soifon, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Ailin to investigate, and the search began with Soifon covering the Seireitei and Shunsui covering the Rukon District.

• The captains discussed the history and dangers of Soul Reaper experimentation, concluding that the Hollow could not have come from Urahara Kisuke’s sealed research.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto assigned Soifon and Shunsui Kyōraku to trace the Hollow’s origin and ordered Ailin to accompany them and apprehend anyone involved.
• Soifon declared that everyone researching Hollowfication should die, while Shunsui said they had too little information to draw conclusions.
• Shunsui proposed that Soifon investigate inside the Seireitei while his Eighth Division searched the Rukon District, and Soifon agreed.

Soifon and Ailin investigated the Hollow killed by Rukia, while Ailin encouraged his disciple and recognized the creature as the future Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie. The chapter left Soifon examining the spiritual-particle traces as Ailin considered Aaroniero’s unusual abilities and Aizen’s plan for them.

• Soifon and Ailin chose to investigate the Hollow’s discovery site inside the Seireitei, while Shunsui Kyōraku led the Eighth Division toward the Rukon District.
• Soifon and Ailin arrived at the Thirteenth Division’s back mountain, where Rukia and the Soul Reapers greeted them.
• Ailin praised Rukia’s potential and urged her to master Sode no Shirayuki through Data Kendo training.
• Soifon began tracking the Hollow’s spiritual particles after finding only a trail of ice and scattered shards at the scene.
• Ailin identified the Hollow as Aaroniero Arruruerie and recalled its ability to absorb others’ powers and dissolve Zanpakuto, which Aizen intended to exploit.

After Rukia killed Aaroniero before it could devour Miyako Shiba or Kaien Shiba, Soifon had the Second Division investigate the Hollow’s trail. Ailin offered to train Marechiyo Ōmaeda's son, while Rukia’s sparring with the Thirteenth Division ended with the members unable to land an attack.

• Marechiyo Ōmaeda's son arrived with the Punishment Corps, flattered Ailin, and offered him a precious gemstone.
• Soifon ordered Marechiyo Ōmaeda's son to track Aaroniero’s spiritual particles, and Ailin offered to train him after the mission.
• Ailin reassured Soifon that Marechiyo Ōmaeda's son was dependable despite his limited strength.
• The Thirteenth Division members crowded around Rukia and volunteered to spar with her.
• After Rukia learned the members’ fighting patterns, they found themselves unable to attack her effectively.

Soifon and Ailin’s investigation established that the intelligent Hollow was not a Hollowfication Experiment subject but had entered through Byakudōmon and preyed on Shinigami. After an Eighth Division scout reported dozens of suspicious people traveling to West 13th District, the group set out to investigate them.

• Rukia continued sparring with Kaien Shiba, who released Nigire to challenge her, while Miyako watched anxiously and apologized to Rukia in her thoughts.
• Soifon’s Secret Movement units traced the Hollow’s route to Byakudōmon and concluded that it was an intelligent Gillian-class Menos rather than a Hollowfied Shinigami.
• Ailin chose to continue investigating with Soifon and suggested they consult Shunsui Kyōraku about the Rukon District.
• Ailin and Soifon found Shunsui drinking in an Izakaya, and Soifon explained their findings to him.
• An Eighth Division Shinigami reported that Junichiro had tracked several dozen suspicious people through a Senkaimon to West 13th District.
• Shunsui, Soifon, and Ailin headed for West 13th District to investigate the group.

The Shiba Clan estate came under a deadly attack, and Rukia fought off assassins while protecting Miyako Shiba. Ailin, Soifon, and Shunsui Kyōraku raced to the battle, where Ailin’s full speed left both captains astonished.

• Kaien Shiba rescued Miyako Shiba from the burning estate and rushed inside to find Kukaku and Ganju.
• Rukia escaped attackers with Miyako Shiba and froze several assassins with Sode no Shirayuki.
• The remaining attackers overwhelmed the Shiba Clan estate, while the retainers Kanehiko and Silverhiko fought to hold them back.
• Ailin sensed Rukia’s reiatsu and set off toward the battle with Soifon and Shunsui Kyōraku.
• Soifon used Shunkō and Shunsui Kyōraku unleashed his reiatsu to race ahead, but Ailin quickly passed them and vanished from their Reikaku.

Ailin arrived at the Shiba Clan residence, captured the Death Warriors attacking the family, and healed the survivors. He then corrected Rukia’s approach to combat while Kaien mourned Miyako’s death.

• Soifon and Shunsui Kyōraku were stunned by Ailin’s speed, then hurried after him when Soifon activated Infinite Shunkō.
• Ailin reached the Shiba Clan residence and found Kaien Shiba, Rukia, Kukaku Shiba, Ganju Shiba, Kanehiko, and Silverhiko fighting the Death Warriors, while Miyako Shiba lay dead.
• Ailin used Heaven’s Chain to bind every fleeing Death Warrior, capturing more than twenty attackers.
• Ailin healed the surviving Shiba family members and restored Kukaku Shiba’s severed arm, but he could not revive Miyako.
• Ailin told Rukia that she had focused too much on gathering data instead of killing her opponents and protecting the others, and Rukia admitted her mistake.
• Kaien held Miyako’s body as Ailin greeted him, and he recognized Ailin as Rukia’s teacher and the captain of the Eleventh Division.

After Ailin saved the Shiba Clan from an attack, Kaien Shiba told Soifon, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Rukia that the assault was tied to the clan’s inheritance. Ailin hinted at taking action against those responsible, but Soifon urged him to let the captains handle the matter first.

• Kaien Shiba thanked Ailin for saving his family and recalled how Ailin had guided him toward becoming a Shinigami.
• Soifon and Shunsui Kyōraku arrived at the ruined Shiba Clan grounds and saw the bound Death Warriors.
• Kaien Shiba explained the Shiba Clan’s inheritance, the attackers’ motives, and why Miyako Shiba had brought Rukia to the clan.
• Kaien Shiba apologized to Rukia for involving her, and Ailin said some people seemed to think he could no longer wield a sword.
• Soifon and Shunsui Kyōraku asked Ailin to let them handle the matter for now.

Ailin rescued Rukia and the Shiba family from Death Warriors tied to several noble clans, then killed the captured attackers and demanded answers from Shunsui Kyōraku and Soifon. Kaien Shiba mourned Miyako Shiba, while Inaba Kagerōza secretly appeared near the Shiba estate after tracking the nobles’ Senkaimon.

• Shunsui Kyōraku and Soifon identified Kyōraku and Shihoin Death Warriors among Ailin’s captives, and Ailin warned them he would visit their families if they failed to explain.
• Ailin killed the captured Death Warriors, then carried Rukia back toward the Seireitei and rebuked her for nearly dying.
• Kaien Shiba decided to bury Miyako Shiba as a member of the Shiba Clan and blamed himself for lacking Captain-level strength.
• Inaba Kagerōza used Binding Path #26: Bending Light to appear near the Shiba estate after tracing the nobles’ Senkaimon.