Chapter Summaries

Inaba Kagerōza collected spiritual pressure for his plan while Ailin released Aizen Sosuke from his Inner World. After showing Aizen his recent actions and returning Kyoka Suigetsu, Ailin warned him that this was his one and only release.

• Inaba Kagerōza collected spiritual pressure from three test tubes and planned to create Ailin's Reikaku to complete his army.
• Ailin released Aizen Sosuke from the seals in Unlimited Blade Works, and Aizen's spiritual pressure reached the Shinigami limit with the Hogyoku's aid.
• Ailin used Kyoka Suigetsu to show Aizen what had happened over the past twenty years, including his work in Hueco Mundo and Soul Society.
• Aizen praised Ailin's actions as proof they shared the same goals and proposed sending the Spirit King on his final journey.
• Ailin told Aizen they were not alike, returned Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, and warned him this was the last time he would let him go.

Ailin released Aizen after warning him to stay away from those he cared about, while privately seeking a worthy opponent as his strength continued to grow. Meanwhile, Shihoin Yoruichi arrived at the ruined Shiba Clan residence, worried that her family’s attack had drawn Ailin’s disciple into the conflict, and faced an angry Kukaku Shiba.

• Ailin warned Aizen that he would kill him if he threatened the people around him, then opened a passage and let him leave under their agreement.
• Ailin reflected on his growing strength and considered which powerful opponents might still challenge him, including Aizen, Ichibei Hyosube, Yhwach, and Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Shihoin Yoruichi, in black-cat form, reached the ruins of the Shiba Clan residence and confirmed that an attack had taken place.
• Yoruichi recalled her friendship with Kukaku Shiba and worried that the Shihoin Family’s Death Warriors had involved Ailin’s disciple Rukia in the attack.
• Yoruichi found Kukaku in a shrine and greeted her, but Kukaku responded by punching at the black cat.

Shihoin Yoruichi visited Kukaku Shiba to learn about the attack on the Shiba Clan and prevent Ailin from purging Seireitei’s nobles. After telling Yoruichi what she knew, Kukaku decided the Shiba Clan would give up its place among the Five Noble Clans after Kaien.

• Kukaku attacked Shihoin Yoruichi with Kido spells to vent her anger over the Shihoin Family’s role in the Shiba Clan’s assault.
• Kukaku explained that her left arm had been severed and her head badly injured in the attack, and that Ailin had healed her.
• Yoruichi said she needed details about the attack so she could speak with Ailin and dissuade him from purging Seireitei’s noble class.
• Yoruichi invoked Kaien’s duty to protect Seireitei, and Kukaku reflected on his resolve to become strong enough to protect his siblings.
• Kukaku told Yoruichi what she remembered and decided Kaien would be the Shiba Clan’s last head, with the family thereafter living as fireworks masters in the Rukon District.
• Yoruichi left for Seireitei, worried that the Shihoin Family’s prior knowledge of Rukia’s presence at the Shiba home could implicate them in the attack.

Ailin learned how the nobles’ scheme against the Shiba Clan had led to the attack on Rukia, while Yoruichi and Urahara devised a way to keep him from retaliating. Rukia asked Ailin not to interfere, promising to grow stronger and restore his reputation herself, but his response left his decision unclear.

• Kukaku Shiba explained that Miyako Shiba had tried to protect Kaien by using Rukia’s visit to deter the nobles, but her actions instead convinced them Kaien was close to a breakthrough.
• After the attack on Rukia, Ailin moved out of the Kuchiki Clan estate, and Yoruichi sought Urahara Kisuke’s help to devise a solution.
• Rukia visited Ailin at his new home, where Haruko welcomed her and then left her alone with her teacher and Yoruichi, who was disguised as a black cat.
• Yoruichi explained that Urahara had advised Rukia to ask Ailin not to interfere and to promise to reclaim the reputation he had lost.
• Rukia asked Ailin not to intervene against her attackers, promising to confront their clans herself after she grew stronger.
• Ailin recognized Urahara’s strategy and said his anger came from seeing those around him bullied, while he had always let his disciples develop on their own.

Rukia recommitted herself to growing strong enough to confront the noble families, while Ailin secretly left their purge to Aizen. Inaba Kagerōza detected a black cat traveling through the Dangai and sent Reikaku replicas of Aizen Sosuke and Isshin Shiba to eliminate it and whoever was behind it.

• Rukia felt ashamed for siding against Ailin, then vowed to train harder and thanked her teacher for believing she could confront the noble families.
• Shihoin Yoruichi resolved to spend more time with Rukia, unaware that Ailin had assigned Aizen to purge the Seireitei's sinful nobles.
• Inaba Kagerōza spotted a black cat passing through the Dangai and feared it might discover his hidden secrets, including Kujo Nozomi.
• Inaba Kagerōza awakened Reikaku replicas of Aizen Sosuke and Isshin Shiba and ordered them to kill the cat and its unseen accomplice.
• Isshin Shiba's Reikaku volunteered to handle the fighting, and Aizen Sosuke's Reikaku agreed to accompany him through the Senkaimon.

A disguised Aizen and Isshin Shiba arrived in Karakura Town, where Isshin attacked Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Tetsusai. Urahara met Isshin's assault with his own Zanpakuto as Tetsusai sealed off the battlefield, and the fight was about to intensify.

• Ailin's clone, posing as Aizen, reflected on Inaba Kagerōza's plans while Isshin went to find Yoruichi.
• Yoruichi told Urahara about Rukia's concerns over the Seireitei's nobles, but Urahara insisted they should not guide her.
• Isshin burst into Urahara's shop and attacked Yoruichi, Urahara, and Tetsusai with Engetsu's flames.
• Urahara countered Isshin's Getsuga Tensho with Benihime, and their attacks erupted in a massive explosion.
• Tetsusai raised a barrier to keep civilians away and contain the battle's damage, while Urahara prepared to fight Isshin.

Ailin reflected on how Shinigami treated humans as expendable before confronting the Visored in their warehouse. He crushed Hiyori Sarugaki’s Zanpakuto and pressed a finger to her forehead as he began an attack.

• Ailin watched the explosion near Urahara Kisuke’s territory and considered how Shinigami exploited and manipulated humans.
• The Visored gathered in their warehouse, identified the fighting spiritual pressure as Isshin Shiba’s, and discussed the possibility that the Gotei 13 had discovered them.
• Hirako Shinji recognized Aizen approaching and warned the others that he had come for them.
• Hiyori Sarugaki charged Ailin with her masked form and struck his finger, but he stopped her blade without injury.
• Ailin pinched and crushed Hiyori’s Kakujya, then pressed his finger to her forehead and invoked Hadō #1: Charge!

Ailin’s Reikaku fought the Visored in Karakura Town while Urahara Kisuke defeated Isshin Shiba’s Reikaku and discovered that it was using a Gigai-like device. Urahara began explaining the device’s connection to research into Temporary Souls.

• Ailin’s Reikaku injured Hiyori Sarugaki and clashed with Hirako Shinji, whose fear of his inner Hollow weakened his fighting strength.
• Ailin’s Reikaku mocked the Visored and blocked their attacks, prompting Kensei Muguruma to unleash Bankai and Hollowfy before striking.
• Urahara Kisuke defeated Isshin Shiba’s Reikaku without using Bankai and found a brown pill inside its mouth.
• Urahara Kisuke identified the pill as a Gigai-like device, which dissolved into spirit particles before he could examine it.
• Urahara Kisuke explained that the Gigai originated from Kiryuo Hikifune’s Temporary Soul research and that some researchers continued the work after she abandoned it.

Urahara Kisuke suspected that the Reikaku attacking them were linked to missing researcher Yushima Oshu and his forbidden Modified Soul project, but the wanted fugitives could not safely investigate the Dangai. When they sensed Aizen's spiritual pressure near the Visored, they rushed to help, only to find Ailin overpowering the group.

• Urahara Kisuke explained to Tetsusai Gantetsusai and Shihoin Yoruichi how Yushima Oshu's Soul Soldier Project created powerful Modified Souls, and suspected he was behind the Reikaku.
• Urahara Kisuke concluded that Yushima Oshu might be hiding in or protecting something within the Dangai, but said they could not investigate while the Seireitei still wanted them.
• After Tetsusai Gantetsusai dispelled their barrier, Urahara Kisuke, Tetsusai Gantetsusai, and Shihoin Yoruichi sensed Aizen's spiritual pressure and hurried toward the Visored.
• Ailin blasted Hiyori Sarugaki out of the fight, bound Kyunnanbyaku with Bakudō, and struck her down when she reached him.
• Ailin wounded Kensei Muguruma as he charged blindly, then froze Aikawa Love and his Bankai with Hadō, leaving Love badly injured as Hirako Shinji and the others watched.

Aizen, disguised as Ailin, overwhelmed the Visored fighters and used Kyoka Suigetsu to turn Hōshō Jushiro’s Bankai against him. When Urahara Kisuke arrived with Yoruichi and Tetsusai Gantetsusai, he confronted Aizen and learned that both Aizen and Isshin Shiba were imitations.

• Kensei Muguruma fired a Cero at Aizen, but Aizen neutralized it and then struck Kensei down.
• Hōshō Jushiro trapped Aizen with his Bankai, but Aizen revealed Kyoka Suigetsu and made Jushiro suffer his own attacks.
• Hirako Shinji Hollowfied and attacked Aizen while Hachigen Ushōda supported him with Binding Kido, but Aizen cut through their assaults.
• Hachigen sensed Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Tetsusai Gantetsusai arriving, and Aizen asked whether Isshin Shiba had died.
• Urahara told Aizen that he had killed Isshin Shiba and asked whether Aizen was real or an imitation.
• Aizen confirmed that he and Isshin Shiba were imitations created by someone.

Ailin explained that he was a Reikaku replica of Aizen Sosuke with Ailin’s memories, and that he hoped to use the Visored and Urahara to oppose the person who created him. After the injured Visored recovered enough to listen, they pressed Urahara to explain Ailin’s nature.

• Ailin said he had ignored his mission to find the black cat because he had been awakened and sent to the Human World, where he encountered the Visored during their Hollowfication.
• Aizen revealed that he knew Urahara had completed the Hogyoku and said he could not defeat his creator alone, so he wanted to borrow the others’ hands.
• Ailin mocked the Visored as too weak to help, and Urahara stopped Hirako Shinji from attacking him so the injured could be treated.
• Tetsusai Gantetsusai, Hachigen Ushōda, and Urahara treated the Visored, who later restrained their companions and agreed to hear Urahara’s explanation.
• Ailin reflected that he was a Gigai containing Ailin’s memories inside an Aizen Sosuke Reikaku, then considered Yushima Oshu’s research and possible Royal Guard promotion.

Urahara Kisuke learned that Aizen had discovered a Modified Soul modeled on Ailin, and the replica soon appeared to challenge Aizen. As their battle threatened Karakura Town, Reikaku Ailin protected the area with his Bankai, leaving Urahara and the others to wait for the fight to end before confronting him.

• Urahara Kisuke questioned Aizen about the strength of the Soul Soldiers, and Aizen said only Yamamoto and the real Ailin surpassed him.
• Aizen revealed that his creator was making a Modified Soul of Captain Ailin.
• Reikaku Ailin appeared, bound Aizen with Heaven's Chain, then released him to fight.
• Aizen and Reikaku Ailin clashed, and their shockwaves devastated the surrounding buildings and endangered Karakura Town.
• Urahara Kisuke, Tetsusai Gantetsusai, and the others tried to contain the shockwaves, but Reikaku Ailin activated Bankai, Sacred Banner: My Lord is Here, shielding Karakura Town.
• Hachigen Ushōda and the others realized they would have to face Reikaku Ailin after the battle ended.

Inaba Kagerōza realized the Ailin fighting Aizen in the Human World was his Reikaku, and he awakened that Reikaku with a Gigai. After connecting with his original self through the Inner World, Reikaku Ailin donned golden armor, while Inaba Kagerōza concluded that he remained under control.

• Inaba Kagerōza recognized the black marks on the Ailin in the surveillance footage and his dormant Reikaku as proof they were the same person, then deduced that Aizen's Soul Soldier had betrayed him.
• Inaba Kagerōza placed a gray Gigai into the dormant Reikaku Ailin's nutrient tank to awaken him.
• Ailin sensed another consciousness enter his Inner World and discovered it was his own Reikaku, then granted it access to the weapons he had created.
• Reikaku Ailin emerged from the shattered tank, tore off his Shinigami uniform and Captain's Haori, and summoned golden armor by calling, "Sun Wheel, become armor!"
• Inaba Kagerōza watched Reikaku Ailin arm himself and decided that he had not gone out of control.

Reikaku Ailin entered the Gokuto to travel to the past and kill Aizen, confident that its disintegration could not harm him. Inside, he witnessed Ichigo Kurosaki and Urahara Kisuke escape with Kujo Nozomi, then set out to learn what had happened in the future.

• Inaba Kagerōza asked Reikaku Ailin to travel through the Gokuto and eliminate Aizen Sosuke before he exposed their plans.
• Reikaku Ailin dismissed the danger of the Gokuto, concealed his spiritual pressure, and entered it through a Senkaimon opened by Inaba Kagerōza.
• Inside the Gokuto, Reikaku Ailin watched Urahara Kisuke collect Ichigo Kurosaki’s spiritual pressure and escape with Ichigo’s earlier self and Kujo Nozomi.
• Reikaku Ailin recognized Kujo Nozomi as the other half of Inaba Kagerōza and learned that Ichigo Kurosaki had become a Shinigami and used the Final Getsuga Tensho.

Reikaku Ailin emerged from the Dangai and confronted Reikaku Aizen, whose soul and memories came from Ailin’s original body. Their battle escalated across Karakura Town, where Ailin’s Sacred Banner shielded the surroundings as his Bankai pierced through Aizen’s defenses.

• Reikaku Ailin sensed Reikaku Aizen fighting Urahara Kisuke, Tetsusai Gantetsusai, Shihoin Yoruichi, and the Visored, then bound Aizen with Heaven’s Chain.
• Reikaku Aizen revealed that he had been waiting for Captain Ailin, and Ailin recognized that Aizen’s Soul Soldier carried his original body’s soul and memories.
• Reikaku Ailin attacked with golden projectiles while Reikaku Aizen fought through the barrage with Kyoka Suigetsu and his Zanpakuto.
• Reikaku Ailin raised the Sacred Banner to protect Karakura Town from the destruction caused by their battle.
• Reikaku Ailin unleashed his Bankai, Piercing—Death-Scythe Spear, and the attack broke through five of Reikaku Aizen’s Dankū barriers before the sixth stopped it.

Reikaku Ailin shrugged off Reikaku Aizen’s fully incanted Black Coffin, then summoned a host of Bankai-form Zanpakuto to attack him. The chapter ended as the weapons took turns unleashing devastating attacks while Aizen evaded the first strike with Utsusemi.

• Reikaku Aizen cast a fully incanted Hadō #90, Black Coffin, around Reikaku Ailin, but Ailin emerged without a scratch thanks to his golden armor.
• Reikaku Ailin summoned numerous Bankai-form Zanpakuto from Golden spatial ripples and surrounded Reikaku Aizen.
• Heracles’s Nine Lives Blade Works struck Aizen with three powerful slashes, but Aizen escaped by using Shihoin Secret Footwork: Utsusemi.
• Shihoin Yoruichi recognized Utsusemi, and Urahara Kisuke explained that Aizen Sosuke could have learned the technique by studying it.
• The Zanpakuto attacked one by one, with Sōtenyasha’s Azure Dragon Break blasting everything apart and Tetsusaiga’s Meido Full Moon Slash opening spatial fissures.

Ailin’s Zanpakuto battered Aizen’s Reikaku while the Visored confronted their grudge against the real Aizen and Hirako Shinji reassured them he could fight him. The Reikaku accepted its impending death as Yin Iron, forged from Ailin’s memories and experience, was left to deliver the final blow.

• Liza Yadomaru and the Visored pitied Aizen’s Reikaku until Hiyori Sarugaki reminded them that the real Aizen had betrayed them and remained in the Seireitei.
• Hirako Shinji told the Visored that Sakashimo could catch Aizen off guard if he released it first, restoring their confidence.
• Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi doubted the Visored could defeat Aizen, while the narration contrasted their dangerous Hollow powers with the protective Hollow and Quincy powers within Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ailin’s Zanpakuto continued attacking Aizen’s Reikaku until it was bloodied and only Yin Iron remained.
• Aizen’s Reikaku welcomed Yin Iron as the Zanpakuto forged from Ailin’s remembered experiences and awaited its final attack.
• White spiritual pressure rose from Yin Iron, though its spiritual pressure seemed unexpectedly weak to Urahara Kisuke and the others.

Reikaku Ailin killed Reikaku Aizen with a Zanpakuto attack too fast for the observers to see, then returned to Inaba Kagerōza’s laboratory, where Inaba subdued him and reclaimed his pill. As Ailin watched events unfold in the Seireitei, he learned Aizen Sosuke had begun cultivating White Hollow, while Isshin Shiba investigated a spike in Tenth Division deaths and set out to patrol the dangerous area himself.

• Reikaku Ailin’s final Zanpakuto attack struck Reikaku Aizen at an imperceptible speed, and Aizen dispersed into spiritual particles.
• Urahara Kisuke warned Shihoin Yoruichi to flee if Ailin ever drew that Zanpakuto against them, and Reikaku Ailin returned to Inaba Kagerōza’s laboratory.
• Inaba Kagerōza activated hidden Kido to make Reikaku Ailin’s eyes go dull, extracted his pill, and returned him to a nutrient tank.
• Ailin noted that his Reikaku had not connected to the Inner World again and discovered that Aizen Sosuke had begun cultivating White Hollow.
• Isshin Shiba noticed unusually high Tenth Division casualties, and Toshiro Hitsugaya offered to investigate the area before Isshin left to patrol it himself.

Isshin Shiba discovered a powerful black Hollow in the Seireitei, fought it, and pursued it through a Garganta into the Human World. Toshiro Hitsugaya found the battle site and sought Shunsui Kyōraku’s help after Isshin vanished.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya scolded Rangiku Matsumoto over neglected division paperwork after Isshin Shiba left on a dangerous mission.
• Isshin searched the area where Tenth Division members had been attacked and, after seven days without clues, spotted a Garganta opening during his patrol.
• Isshin fought the black Hollow, realized it was an Adjuchas, and followed it through its Garganta as it fled toward the Human World.
• Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tōsen, and Aizen watched the fight, then followed Isshin through a Garganta to protect their test subject.
• A Tenth Division Shinigami reported Isshin missing, so Toshiro and Rangiku investigated the battle site and went to the Eighth Division for help.
• Shunsui Kyōraku greeted Rangiku and teased her about whether Toshiro had been working her too hard.

Toshiro Hitsugaya asked Shunsui Kyōraku about the Hollow that had taken Isshin Shiba, while Isshin fought White Hollow in the Human World and was attacked from behind. At a captains’ meeting the next day, Mayuri Kurotsuchi announced that Isshin had been killed in the line of duty, leaving Toshiro stunned and demanding an explanation.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya questioned Shunsui Kyōraku about the Hollow’s ability to enter the Seireitei and Isshin Shiba’s whereabouts, and Shunsui suspected someone had given the Hollow spiritual-pressure coordinates.
• Isshin Shiba emerged from a Garganta into the Human World and fought White Hollow, whose combat style resembled a Shinigami’s.
• Isshin released Engetsu, but an unseen attacker wounded him from behind as he prepared to use Getsuga Tensho.
• A student-uniformed girl shot down White Hollow’s Cero to save Isshin, and White Hollow turned to attack her.
• Ailin accompanied Toshiro to a captains’ meeting, where Mayuri Kurotsuchi announced that Isshin had been killed in the line of duty.
• Toshiro challenged Mayuri’s report, and Mayuri claimed to have evidence.