Chapter Summaries

Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya fought fiercely over the Seireitei until Alice protected Ailin’s residence with her Bankai. Ailin swiftly defeated both disciples, who knelt among the ruins as he scolded them for fighting at his doorstep.

• Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya exchanged Shikai attacks across the Seireitei, with Gin’s speed and stronger spiritual pressure keeping Hitsugaya on the defensive.
• Alice sensed the battle threatening Ailin and Haruko Kuchiki’s residence and used Bankai to raise a golden defensive barrier around it.
• Gin Ichimaru tried to flee, but Ailin struck him through several buildings before Hitsugaya could finish releasing his Bankai.
• Ailin hit Hitsugaya through several houses, then threw him into Gin Ichimaru as Gin emerged from the rubble.
• Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya crawled out of the ruins, knelt before Ailin, and listened as he reprimanded them for bringing their fight to his home.

Ailin stopped Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya’s fight near his home, treated Momo Hinamori, and punished his two disciples inside his Bankai’s Inner World. He then sent Tobiume to take Momo to the Fourth Division and returned home to Haruko Kuchiki.

• Ailin arrived, questioned Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya, and heard them dispute why they had fought.
• Ailin pulled the injured Momo Hinamori from the ice, healed her wounds, and left her unconscious while she recovered from blood loss.
• Ailin summoned Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya into Unlimited Blade Works, where they released their Zanpakuto and faced a barrage of weapons.
• Ailin used Muramasa to materialize Momo Hinamori’s Zanpakuto spirit, Tobiume, and told her to take Momo to the Fourth Division for recuperation.
• Haruko Kuchiki welcomed Ailin home, and Alice apologized for failing to protect her, but Haruko reassured her that she had not been harmed.

Ailin explained to Haruko that Gin Ichimaru and Toshiro Hitsugaya needed one final lesson before Yhwach returned, then watched them fight him in Unlimited Blade Works. After Gin’s Bankai nearly reached Ailin and Toshiro’s ice attack failed, Ailin used Muramasa to strip away Toshiro’s access to Hyōrinmaru’s power.

• Ailin reassured Haruko that he understood Gin and Toshiro’s loyalties, but said the two captains needed to grow before Yhwach returned.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya activated Bankai and unleashed Thousand Year Ice Prison against Ailin.
• Gin Ichimaru used Bankai, Killing Spear, and cut through the ice prison with a swift strike.
• Ailin emerged unharmed, praised Gin’s attack, and told Toshiro that he had relied too much on Hyōrinmaru instead of training himself.
• Ailin used Whisper—Muramasa, causing Toshiro to feel Hyōrinmaru’s chill leaving his body.

Ailin separated Toshiro Hitsugaya from Hyōrinmaru and made him fight his Zanpakuto to strengthen his ability to stand on his own, then advised Gin Ichimaru about the risks of relying on a single strike. As the Soul Reapers gathered at Sōkyoku Hill amid suspicion surrounding Aizen’s corpse, Zaraki barged into the Fourth Division searching for something.

• Ailin used Muramasa’s power to separate Hyōrinmaru from Toshiro Hitsugaya, then ordered Hyōrinmaru to attack Toshiro at full strength.
• Gin Ichimaru fled from Ailin, narrowly missed with a preemptive thrust of Shinsō, and told Ailin that training like Toshiro’s would not help him.
• Ailin warned Gin that he focused too much on his strike and neglected his defense, and promised to support him whenever he called.
• Yamamoto, Soifon, and Ailin arrived at Sōkyoku Hill as other captains approached or investigated Aizen’s corpse; Retsu Unohana sensed something strange about it.
• Zaraki smashed through the Fourth Division’s gate and searched its hospital beds while Yachiru Kusajishi rode on his shoulder.

Zaraki left the Fourth Division with Ikkaku Madarame and Yasutora Sado to rescue Shino Madarame and find the Ryoka who had defeated Ikkaku. When Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen tried to stop them, Zaraki challenged them to fight, and Komamura released Tenken.

• Zaraki dragged Ikkaku from his hospital bed and demanded that he lead him to Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ikkaku said Ichigo would go to the Hall of Penitence to rescue Shino Madarame, and Zaraki set out with him.
• Yasutora Sado followed Zaraki and Ikkaku, saying he was Ichigo's friend.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya arrived bloodied in the Fourth Division courtyard, and its members began treating him.
• Zaraki told Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen he would free Shino and wait for Ichigo, then challenged them when they blocked his way.
• Komamura released Tenken and attacked Zaraki with its enormous weapon.

Zaraki fought Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen while Ikkaku Madarame led Yasutora Sado toward the Hall of Penitence to rescue Shino Madarame. Byakuya Kuchiki blocked their way, and Ikkaku unleashed his Bankai to hold him off so Yasutora Sado could reach Shino.

• Zaraki drove back Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen, then told Ikkaku Madarame and Yasutora Sado to go retrieve the woman Ryoka wanted to save.
• Ikkaku led Yasutora Sado toward the Hall of Penitence while Yachiru Kusajishi stayed behind to cheer for Zaraki.
• Shino Madarame let four white-robed Shinigami bind her with sealing Kido chains, believing Ichigo had lost his Shinigami powers and would be safer without her.
• Ikkaku and Yasutora Sado reached the Hall of Penitence, where Byakuya Kuchiki confronted them and refused to let them pass.
• Ikkaku released Bankai and charged Byakuya, telling Yasutora Sado to use the opening to reach Shino.

Yasutora Sado rescued Shino Madarame from the Hall of Penitence while Ikkaku Madarame fought Byakuya Kuchiki to hold him off. As Shino and Sado escaped, Retsu Unohana investigated Aizen Sosuke’s death, and Ailin observed the ongoing battles across the Seireitei.

• Byakuya Kuchiki unleashed Senbonzakura at full speed and overwhelmed Ikkaku Madarame after Yasutora Sado entered the Hall of Penitence.
• Yasutora Sado hid above the stairs, ambushed Shino Madarame’s four white-robed escorts, and freed her.
• Yasutora Sado told Shino Madarame that he and Ichigo Kurosaki were alive and urged her to escape with him while Ikkaku Madarame held off a Captain.
• Shino Madarame and Yasutora Sado passed the ongoing battle between Ikkaku Madarame and Byakuya Kuchiki and fled along its edge.
• Retsu Unohana told Yūne Kotetsu that she suspected Ailin knew the truth behind the Ryoka invasion and that the execution would fail with him present.
• Ailin, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Soifon, and Shunsui Kyōraku sensed Zaraki battling Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen across the Seireitei.

Komamura was defeated by Zaraki, while Tōsen trapped Zaraki in his Bankai. Rukia discovered Central 46 had been dead for at least a week and encountered Gin and the supposedly dead Aizen, who attacked her; she realized Aizen, not Ailin, had killed the nobles.

• Zaraki overwhelmed Komamura, knocked away his Zanpakuto, and wounded him until his Bankai dispersed.
• Tōsen released Bankai—Enma Korogi, enclosing himself and Zaraki in a dark barrier.
• Rukia left the Thirteenth Division for Central 46, while Ailin told Soifon that the execution might not happen and hinted she would soon be tested.
• Rukia found the nobles and guards of Central 46 dead, their bodies suggesting they had been killed at least a week earlier.
• Gin Ichimaru appeared and warned Rukia that he was not alone; Aizen emerged and cut her, revealing he had survived and was responsible for the deaths.

Rukia confronted Aizen at Central 46, and her overwhelming ice attack sent a pillar into the sky as Ailin realized she was in danger. Ailin rushed to her location, while Kaien also set out from the Thirteenth Division.

• Aizen told Gin that killing an alert Rukia instantly would be difficult, then ordered Gin to take Shino Madarame away.
• Rukia used First Dance—Moon White, freezing the Central 46 chamber and sending a towering ice pillar above Seireitei.
• Kaien Shiba recognized Rukia's spiritual pressure, removed his Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain's badge, and left the division.
• The Soul Reapers on Sōkyoku Hill noticed the ice pillar, and Ailin hurried toward Central 46 after recognizing Rukia was in danger.

Ailin recognized that Aizen could not fool his senses and rushed to protect Rukia, while Byakuya unleashed Bankai after sensing her danger. Aizen threatened Rukia, but Ailin appeared behind him and moved too quickly for Aizen to track.

• Byakuya sensed Rukia in danger and used Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, to swallow Ikkaku Madarame in cherry-blossom petals.
• Yasutora Sado and Shino Madarame got lost while fleeing, and Gin Ichimaru captured them and brought them to Sōkyoku Hill, where Soifon waited.
• Shino Madarame was bound to the torii gate as Gin and Soifon prepared to await her execution.
• Aizen praised Rukia's Sode no Shirayuki, then raised his Zanpakuto and threatened to kill her to provoke Ailin.
• Ailin appeared behind Aizen and declared that he would kill him, then moved so fast that Aizen could not sense him.

Ailin healed Rukia after Aizen attacked her, then confronted Aizen over his actions and warned him that he could still be killed. Ailin spared him because he wanted Aizen to reach his Hogyoku-fused form, left Central 46 for home, and Zaraki broke Tōsen’s Bankai barrier and ran toward Sōkyoku Hill.

• Ailin healed Rukia and told her to leave while he spoke with Aizen.
• Aizen claimed that Ailin’s goal was to remove Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but Ailin dismissed his theory and seized him by the throat.
• Ailin threatened to kill Aizen if he disappointed him, then released him and warned that next time he would send him to Hell.
• Ailin left Central 46 and went home instead of returning to Sōkyoku Hill.
• Zaraki shattered the barrier created by Kaname Tōsen’s Bankai and ran toward Sōkyoku Hill.

Ichigo Kurosaki fought Gin Ichimaru at Sōkyoku Hill while Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku faced Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Ichigo released Bankai and forced Gin back, but Gin then released Shinsō to test him further.

• Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku sealed the Sōkyoku, and Yamamoto pulled them aside while Shihoin Yoruichi took Soifon away from Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ichigo cut down the torii gate and freed Shino Madarame, then confronted Gin Ichimaru, who had knocked Yasutora Sado unconscious.
• Gin overwhelmed Ichigo in their sword clash and wounded him, while Ichigo reassured Shino that he would not leave her behind.
• Ichigo released Bankai, called out Tensa Zangetsu, and struck Gin hard enough to drive him backward.
• Gin identified Ichigo's Bankai as a way to condense spiritual pressure and increase strength and speed, then released Shinsō.
• Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku continued resisting Yamamoto's attacks, and Shunsui asked whether Ukitake's body could endure the fight.

Ailin intervened when Yamamoto’s battle with Ukitake and Kyōraku spilled over his home, then challenged Yamamoto after accusing him of worsening the Seireitei’s internal chaos. Their reiatsu overwhelmed Soul Reapers across the Seireitei, while Gin resumed his fight with Ichigo and Ichigo realized how far below the strongest captains he remained.

• Ukitake absorbed Yamamoto’s flames with Zabimaru and returned them as a powerful slash, then went after the injured Kyōraku, whom Ailin had rescued.
• Ailin returned Kyōraku to Ukitake and demanded that Yamamoto, Ukitake, and Kyōraku move their battle away from his residence.
• Ailin argued that the Seireitei’s fighting was internal conflict and declared that he stood with Unohana, offering to become the trio’s opponent if they continued fighting nearby.
• Ukitake retreated with Kyōraku as Yamamoto and Ailin released overwhelming reiatsu, drawing the attention of fighters across the Seireitei.
• Gin reflected on his strength compared with Aizen’s, then attacked Ichigo with Shinsō; Ichigo recognized that his Bankai training had not brought him close to Yamamoto and Ailin’s level.

Ichigo Kurosaki was wounded by Gin Ichimaru and underwent Hollowfication, while Ailin stopped Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto from rushing to Sōkyoku Hill and fought him. Esdeath interrupted their clash to ask Ailin for permission to battle Yamamoto.

• Gin Ichimaru attacked Ichigo Kurosaki with Shinsō, and Ichigo countered with Getsuga Tensho before Gin resumed his assault.
• Ichigo Kurosaki was pushed into Hollowfication, gaining a mask, a surge of black-red spiritual pressure, and a new fighting style.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sensed Ichigo’s Hollow-like spiritual pressure and prepared to head for Sōkyoku Hill, but Ailin blocked his way.
• Ailin and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto clashed, as Ailin’s Zanpakuto barrage eventually broke Yamamoto’s Kafunka flame barrier.
• Esdeath split the iceberg she had raised between the fighters, then knelt before Ailin and requested permission to fight Yamamoto.

Esdeath challenged Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to draw him into battle, and Ailin allowed her to fight despite warning her of the danger. Their clash engulfed the Seireitei in opposing heat and cold, while Rukia’s revolt against the nobles inspired others to seek revenge; Yamamoto unleashed his flames as Esdeath’s falling ice meteor threatened to destroy part of the city.

• Ailin warned Esdeath that Yamamoto’s true power far exceeded what he had shown, but granted her permission to fight him.
• Esdeath released Bankai, freezing half the sky as Yamamoto’s flames scorched the other half, and Toshiro Hitsugaya resolved to surpass his reliance on Hyōrinmaru.
• Rukia continued pursuing justice against the nobles, while others joined the uprising and Ailin used golden lightning to stop anyone who tried to kill innocent women or children.
• Esdeath traded blows with Yamamoto, then formed a massive ice meteor and sent it crashing toward the Seireitei.
• Yamamoto became angry at the threat to the city and covered himself and Flowing Blade-like Fire in blazing flames.

Ailin prepared to fight Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto after Yamamoto defeated Esdeath, while Aizen Sosuke revealed himself at Sōkyoku Hill and demonstrated Kyoka Suigetsu’s complete hypnosis. Aizen seized Shino Madarame and moved to attack her, as Kaname Tōsen defeated three vice-captains who tried to stop him.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto shattered Esdeath’s ice meteor with Inferno Hell and forced her back into Zanpakuto form.
• Ailin retrieved Esdeath’s Zanpakuto, restored it with his spiritual pressure, and challenged Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to battle.
• Jūshirō Ukitake carried the injured Shunsui Kyōraku away from the battlefield for treatment.
• Aizen Sosuke appeared at Sōkyoku Hill, where Retsu Unohana recognized him and questioned him about his staged death.
• Aizen revealed that Kyoka Suigetsu used complete hypnosis, admitted his role in the Hollowfication incident and his takeover of Central 46, then grabbed Shino Madarame.
• Kaname Tōsen attacked the vice-captains who rushed to stop Aizen, severely wounding Yūne Kotetsu and Marechiyo Ōmaeda's son and defeating Chōjirō Sasakibe with Bankai.

Aizen Sosuke extracted the Hogyoku from Shino Madarame while Unohana Yachiru fought Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru. Zaraki arrived at Sōkyoku Hill and attacked Aizen, while Ailin and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ended their battle and headed toward the hill.

• Kaname Tōsen revealed his allegiance to Aizen Sosuke, and Retsu Unohana attacked them with Bakudō while Tōsen intercepted her.
• Unohana Yachiru wounded Kaname Tōsen and moved toward Aizen, but Gin Ichimaru attacked her from a distance after leaving Ichigo Kurosaki unconscious and bloodied.
• Aizen Sosuke removed the Hogyoku from Shino Madarame, then joined Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen in surrounding Unohana Yachiru.
• Zaraki landed on Sōkyoku Hill and struck at Aizen Sosuke, who cut the golden slash apart with his Zanpakuto.
• Ailin and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stopped fighting after learning their enemies had emerged, and Shunsui Kyōraku and Orihime Inoue rushed toward Sōkyoku Hill.

Soifon and Yoruichi set aside their duel to confront the conspiracy in the Seireitei, while Aizen’s allies were subdued and Zaraki’s battle ended with Ailin and Yamamoto’s arrival. Aizen revealed the Hogyoku as the reason he had emerged, setting the stage for a clash with Yamamoto and Ailin.

• Yoruichi praised Soifon’s Shunkō, and the two agreed to pause their fight and head for Sōkyoku Hill to stop the hidden conspirators.
• Unohana treated the injured while Zaraki fought Aizen, whose Kyoka Suigetsu could not overcome Zaraki’s instincts.
• Soifon blasted Tōsen out of the battle and, with Yoruichi, restrained him as Shunsui and Ukitake forced Gin to surrender.
• Zaraki stopped fighting when Ailin and Yamamoto arrived, leaving Aizen surrounded by the two captains.
• Aizen showed Yamamoto the Hogyoku and explained that he had framed Urahara to obtain it, prompting Yamamoto to raise his Zanpakuto.

Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to turn Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto against Ailin, then escaped with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen as Menos opened Garganta into the Seireitei. Soifon’s Bankai failed to break the Anti-Membrane protecting them, and Shihoin Yoruichi reassured her that the Seireitei’s ban on her no longer mattered.

• Ailin clashed with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, breaking Aizen’s control over Yamamoto’s senses and revealing Aizen as the real target.
• The captains restrained Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen but could not safely attack through Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Three Garganta opened above Sōkyoku Hill, and light curtains lifted Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen toward them.
• Soifon used her Bankai, Suzumebachi: Jera, to fire at the light curtain, but the blast left it unharmed.
• Shihoin Yoruichi explained that the Anti-Membrane separated the captives from their attackers, then comforted Soifon and said the Seireitei’s ban on her had become worthless.

Aizen Sosuke, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen escaped to Hueco Mundo after Aizen declared his ambition to stand at the summit, while M Matsumoto Rangiku watched Gin leave. Ailin brought Rangiku to Sōkyoku Hill in time for Gin to see her, and Seireitei began dealing with the devastation left by Aizen’s forces under temporary Gotei 13 rule.

• Jūshirō Ukitake challenged Aizen Sosuke, who declared that he would fill the vacant throne in the heavens and become the one who stood at the summit.
• Aizen Sosuke removed his glasses, transformed, and departed for Hueco Mundo with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen as the Garganta closed behind them.
• M Matsumoto Rangiku rushed toward Sōkyoku Hill but could not reach Gin Ichimaru before he left Seireitei, and she grieved as the Garganta closed.
• Ailin used his spatial ability to bring M Matsumoto Rangiku to Sōkyoku Hill, where Gin Ichimaru turned back to look at her just as the Garganta closed.
• Investigations revealed that Aizen Sosuke’s forces had slaughtered members of Central 46 and thirty-five noble families, leaving only eleven families in Seireitei.
• The Gotei 13 temporarily took over Seireitei’s governance while the noble order lay in ruins.