Chapter Summaries

Ailin told Ichigo Kurosaki that Karakura Town had been chosen as the battlefield between Aizen’s forces and the Seireitei, and that only overwhelming strength might change the plan. Ichigo decided to ask Ailin for training first, hoping to control his inner Hollow, and would seek Hirako Shinji if Ailin could not help.

• Ailin met Ichigo Kurosaki and explained that the coming conflict between Aizen and the Seireitei would be fought in Karakura Town.
• Ichigo asked whether the town could be spared, but Ailin said Ichigo would need to grow stronger and stop Aizen before his fusion with the Hogyoku.
• Ichigo visited Urahara Kisuke that night, who confirmed the battlefield decision and suggested training with Hirako Shinji or Ailin.
• After recalling Urahara’s advice, Ichigo chose to ask Ailin for help controlling his Hollow power before seeking Hirako Shinji.

Ichigo Kurosaki chose Ailin as his teacher and entered Ailin’s Bankai to learn about the Hollow power inside him. Ailin brought Ichigo’s inner spirits together and began challenging Ichigo’s belief that White Hollow was a threat, leaving Ichigo questioning whether White Hollow was truly a Hollow.

• Ichigo Kurosaki asked Ailin whether training with him or Hirako Shinji would help him grow stronger faster, then chose Ailin’s guidance despite the uncertain risks.
• Ailin brought Ichigo into Unlimited Blade Works, separated his soul from his body, and asked how he felt about the Hollow inside him.
• Ichigo admitted he feared White Hollow, and Ailin argued that White Hollow had appeared to protect him whenever he faced mortal danger.
• Ailin used Hookless Punishment Muramasa to bring Ichigo into his inner world, where Ichigo found Quincy Zangetsu and White Hollow confronting Ailin.
• Ailin questioned Quincy Zangetsu’s claim that he sensed danger and explained that Ichigo’s inner spirits had acted to protect him.
• Ailin asked Ichigo to consider why White Hollow had no Hollow hole, prompting Ichigo to question whether White Hollow was actually a Hollow.

Ailin explained that Ichigo’s inner spirits had been shaped by his mother’s love and existed to protect him, prompting Ichigo to apologize to White Hollow and accept his twin Zanpakuto. After testing Ichigo’s new power, Ailin told him he needed to master his Bankai and surpass the Shinigami limit to face Aizen; Ichigo was left wondering whether even Ailin could defeat Aizen.

• Ailin revealed that Ichigo’s mother’s love had filled White Hollow’s emptiness and shaped both spirits to protect Ichigo.
• Ichigo apologized to White Hollow and thanked him, then thanked Ailin for helping him understand his powers.
• Ailin drew out Ichigo’s power, and Ichigo called out Zangetsu, awakening a white greatsword and a black short blade.
• Ailin attacked Ichigo with weapons in Unlimited Blade Works, forcing him to fight with his twin blades and Bankai until he collapsed.
• Ailin told Ichigo to seek out his Zanpakuto and retrain his Bankai, explaining that he would need to surpass the Shinigami limit to stop Aizen.
• Ichigo asked Ailin how he could be so strong and still not be Aizen’s match.

Ailin explained to Ichigo that Aizen and the Seireitei were divided over whether to free the mutilated Soul King or preserve the existing worlds, and urged Ichigo to grow strong enough to choose for himself. In Hueco Mundo, Aizen ordered an attack on Karakura Town as a test and sent Ulquiorra to retrieve a woman; the chapter ended with Momo Hinamori battling the invading Hollows.

• Ailin told Ichigo that the Soul King had accepted imprisonment and the creation of the Three Worlds, but had endured more than a million years of torment and longed for release.
• Ichigo inferred that Aizen wanted to free the Soul King while the Seireitei favored maintaining the status quo, and Ailin told him to train until his strength could support his choices.
• Gin Ichimaru warned Aizen that Ailin had been stationed in Karakura Town, but Aizen said it was too early to act and ordered Ulquiorra to retrieve a woman during a Hollow attack led by Grimmjow.
• Dozens of Hollows emerged from Garganta above Karakura Town, while Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa prepared to fight them.
• Ailin sent Momo Hinamori to deal with the Hollows, and she released Tobiume and used Bakudo #12: Fukahō to attack and ensnare them.

Momo Hinamori used a Kido-enhanced Tobiume technique to destroy Hollows, while Ulquiorra abducted Orihime Inoue under Aizen’s orders. Ailin stopped Ulquiorra, then persuaded Orihime to go to Hueco Mundo to grow stronger, promising to protect her.

• Momo Hinamori combined Fukahō with Tobiume to capture and detonate the spiritual pressure of Hollows in Karakura Town.
• Rangiku Matsumoto fought Hollows near Orihime Inoue’s home, but Ulquiorra arrived and demanded that Orihime come to Hueco Mundo.
• Orihime Inoue agreed to go with Ulquiorra after he threatened Ichigo Kurosaki, but Ailin appeared and captured Ulquiorra with golden chains.
• Ailin offered to let Ulquiorra take Orihime to Hueco Mundo, explaining that the journey could help her become strong enough to heal Ichigo’s future injuries.
• Orihime Inoue chose to go to Hueco Mundo to become stronger, and Ailin promised to protect her there.

Ailin sent Orihime to Hueco Mundo under Heaven's Chain's protection, while Grimmjow's Arrancar attacked the Soul Reapers in Karakura Town. Toshiro Hitsugaya killed Numbchaw and Ilfort, then faced Grimmjow and was driven back before countering with Hyōrinmaru.

• Ailin bound Heaven's Chain to Orihime's hand, told her Gin would help her in Hueco Mundo, and warned Ulquiorra to keep her safe.
• Grimmjow sent Shawlong, Edorad, Numbchaw, Ilfort, and D.Roy to fight the Soul Reapers below.
• Numbchaw and Ilfort overwhelmed Rangiku while her Limiting Seal restricted her spiritual pressure, so Toshiro Hitsugaya stepped in to protect her.
• Numbchaw and Ilfort released their Resurrección, but Toshiro defeated them, and Grimmjow learned that the captain had killed his subordinates.
• Grimmjow identified himself as the Sixth Espada and struck Toshiro through several walls before Toshiro summoned Hyōrinmaru to force him back.

Toshiro Hitsugaya and Grimmjow fought fiercely until Ichigo Kurosaki arrived, searching for the abducted Orihime Inoue and taking over the battle. Ichigo defeated Grimmjow’s Fracción and demanded to know where Orihime had been taken, leaving Grimmjow badly wounded but still refusing to answer.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya released his Bankai and fought Grimmjow, but Rangiku and Ichigo discovered that Orihime Inoue had vanished from her home.
• Ichigo Kurosaki struck between Hitsugaya and Grimmjow, then took over the fight after Grimmjow claimed his subordinates might have killed Orihime.
• Ichigo blasted Grimmjow with Getsuga Tensho, while Shawlong, Edorad, and D.Roy released their Resurrección to battle the other Shinigami.
• Ikkaku Madarame activated Bankai against Shawlong, Yumichika Ayasegawa released Azure Peacock against Edorad, and Ailin killed D.Roy with a golden attack.
• Ichigo found Grimmjow badly wounded and demanded to know where Orihime was, warning that his next attack would take Grimmjow’s head.

Ichigo learned that Orihime had been sent to Hueco Mundo, but Ailin reassured him that his Zanpakuto would protect her and allowed him to go after her. Grimmjow returned to Las Noches after failing to identify which Soul Reaper captains were in the Human World.

• Grimmjow fired a Cero at Ichigo, but Ichigo split it with his Zanpakuto and prepared to kill him.
• Gin appeared through a Garganta, stopped Ichigo, and took Grimmjow back to Hueco Mundo, leaving Ichigo without answers about Orihime.
• Toshiro told Ichigo that Ailin was in the Human World, and Ichigo went to ask him about Orihime.
• Ailin revealed that he had sent Orihime to Hueco Mundo and summoned Fanatio to show Ichigo that a materialized Zanpakuto could protect her.
• Ailin explained that Orihime's ability could help Aizen's Hogyoku fuse, then permitted Ichigo to go rescue her.
• Grimmjow returned to Las Noches, apologized to Aizen, and admitted that he had failed to determine which captains were stationed in the Human World.

Aizen ordered Orihime Inoue to help fuse the Hogyoku while Grimmjow retained his Espada rank, and Ichigo Kurosaki set out for Hueco Mundo with Chad and Uryu Ishida to rescue her. After opening a Garganta for them, Urahara Kisuke contacted Mayuri Kurotsuchi to report the trip and discuss his plan to seal Aizen.

• Aizen learned that Toshiro Hitsugaya and Ailin were in the Human World, then ordered Orihime Inoue to heal Grimmjow and help the Hogyoku fuse while Ulquiorra guarded her.
• Orihime Inoue began fusing the Hogyoku and hoped her power would grow strong enough to help Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ichigo Kurosaki resolved to enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime Inoue, and Uryu Ishida and Yasutora Sado joined him after describing their improved abilities.
• Urahara Kisuke opened a Garganta for Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryu Ishida, and Yasutora Sado, then prepared to report their departure to the Seireitei.
• Urahara Kisuke contacted Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who ordered Akon to identify and cut off Urahara Kisuke's access to the Twelfth Division's communications system.

Urahara Kisuke warned Yamamoto that Aizen had abducted Orihime Inoue and explained why Ichigo Kurosaki could counter Kyoka Suigetsu, prompting the Gotei 13 to prepare an intervention in Hueco Mundo. After Sasakibe relayed Yamamoto’s orders, Ailin began protecting Karakura Town from Hollows while the Seireitei prepared a replica town for the coming battle.

• Urahara Kisuke told Yamamoto that Aizen had abducted Orihime Inoue to accelerate his fusion with the Hogyoku and argued that Ichigo could fight Aizen without being affected by Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Urahara Kisuke revealed that Ichigo’s spiritual pressure had reached the level of veteran captains, and Yamamoto ordered Mayuri to prepare a Garganta so captains could delay Aizen in Hueco Mundo.
• Yamamoto sent Sasakibe to tell Ailin to keep Hollows out of Karakura Town for three days while the Seireitei completed its replica town and prepared to move the battle site.
• Ailin promised not to leave any Hollows in the high-spiritual-density area and used Kido to detect spiritually aware people in Karakura Town.

Ailin locked onto spiritually powerful people in Karakura Town and ordered them to leave, gathering thirteen holdouts at Urahara Shoten. After dispersing the threat over the Visored, he stopped Ryuken Ishida from leaving and explained that Aizen’s Arrancar would soon face the Gotei 13 in Karakura Town.

• Ailin warned Karakura Town’s spiritually powerful residents to leave within three days or face his attack, and his golden spatial ripples marked them.
• Isshin Kurosaki met Ryuken Ishida and brought him to Urahara Shoten, where they found the Visored, Urahara Kisuke, Tetsusai Gantetsusai, and Shihoin Yoruichi gathered under Ailin’s targeting ripples.
• Ailin let seven people leave Karakura Town while thirteen stayed behind, and Ginjo Kugo led his group to a neighboring city to wait out the danger.
• Ailin entered Urahara Shoten and removed the targeting ripples above Hirako Shinji and the other Visored, but struck the ground in front of Ryuken Ishida when he tried to leave.
• Isshin Kurosaki defended Ryuken Ishida, and Ailin said he was not targeting him for being a Quincy before announcing that Aizen’s Arrancar would soon fight the Gotei 13 in Karakura Town.

Ailin secured the Visored, Isshin Kurosaki, Ryuken Ishida, and Urahara's group's commitment to fight Aizen alongside the Gotei 13. In Las Noches, Enkidu protected Orihime Inoue from Loly Avene and Menoly Mallia, killing both attackers before Grimmjow arrived.

• Hiyori Sarugaki, Kensei Muguruma, Hirako Shinji, Isshin Kurosaki, and Ryuken Ishida chose to fight Aizen after Ailin demanded everyone declare their stance.
• Ailin warned Urahara Kisuke, Shihoin Yoruichi, and Tessai to fight from the start or face arrest after the battle.
• Orihime Inoue completed the fusion of the two Hogyoku after three days, and the process greatly increased her spiritual power.
• Loly Avene and Menoly Mallia confronted Orihime, but Enkidu appeared to protect her at Ailin's request.
• Enkidu killed Menoly Mallia when she attacked and then killed Loly Avene after she used Resurrección.
• Grimmjow arrived at Las Noches after the fight had ended, having come to protect Orihime because she had healed his injuries.

Orihime revived Menoly Mallia and healed Loly Avene after Enkidu stopped Grimmjow from attacking. Aizen entrusted the Hogyoku to Ulquiorra, but former Espada Number 103 stole it and left Las Noches after ambushing him—only for Ulquiorra to reveal that he had already healed from the attack.

• Enkidu restrained Grimmjow with Heaven's Chain, but stopped when Orihime asked her to let him go.
• Orihime used Soten Kisshun to revive Menoly Mallia and heal Loly Avene.
• Aizen praised Orihime for helping the Hogyoku complete its fusion, then ordered Ulquiorra to guard her and the Hogyoku while he prepared to merge with it.
• Enkidu took Orihime away, and Aizen assigned Ulquiorra to guard the Hogyoku and Grimmjow to keep intruders away from Las Noches.
• Number 103 stole the Hogyoku with help from an accomplice who struck Ulquiorra from behind.
• After the thieves escaped, Ulquiorra's wounds healed almost instantly, revealing his exceptional regenerative ability.

Ulquiorra let three Arrancar steal the Hogyoku under Aizen Sosuke's orders, but Gin Ichimaru intercepted them and used the Hogyoku to seek power enough to kill Aizen. Gin's burst of spiritual pressure drew Ichigo Kurosaki and the Soul Reapers toward him as Aizen watched from Las Noches.

• Ulquiorra revealed that his Super Regeneration healed the ambush and let the three Arrancar escape because Aizen had ordered him not to stop anyone taking the Hogyoku.
• Gin Ichimaru confronted Lias and the other two Arrancar, killed them, and took the Hogyoku from Lias.
• Gin Ichimaru asked the Hogyoku to break his limits and grant him the power to kill Aizen Sosuke, unleashing a blue-white pillar of spiritual pressure.
• Ichigo Kurosaki recognized Gin Ichimaru's spiritual pressure while traveling toward Las Noches with Uryu Ishida, Yasutora Sado, Nemu, and her companions.
• Kenpachi Zaraki rushed toward Gin's spiritual pressure while Retsu Unohana reassured Yūne Kotetsu that he could handle himself.
• Aizen Sosuke watched from his throne and concluded that Gin Ichimaru's actions may have been part of Ailin's plan.

Gin Ichimaru returned the Hogyoku to Aizen, who gathered the Espada and sent some of them toward the Human World while assigning others to defend Hueco Mundo. Retsu Unohana annihilated Rudborn's Execution Squad, while Grimmjow rushed ahead in search of Ichigo Kurosaki.

• Gin Ichimaru presented the Hogyoku to Aizen, and it merged into Aizen's chest under the Spirit King's Will.
• Aizen assembled the Espada, sent Stark, Baraggan, and Holi Bell with him to the Human World, and ordered Ulquiorra, Nnoitra, and Grimmjow to guard Las Noches and fight the captains.
• Retsu Unohana rejected Yūne Kotetsu's offer to hold off Rudborn's forces and killed the Execution Squad with two high-level Kido spells.
• Grimmjow sensed Ichigo Kurosaki's spiritual pressure and charged ahead, accompanied by Luppi Antenor.

Grimmjow confronted Ichigo Kurosaki and released his Resurrección, while Ichigo’s attacks showed that Grimmjow still struggled to match him. At the same time, Luppi fought Yasutora Sado and Uryu Ishida, then released his own Resurrección and attacked them with his tentacles.

• Grimmjow told Luppi to keep the others away from his fight with Ichigo Kurosaki, then promised to reveal Orihime Inoue’s whereabouts if Ichigo defeated him.
• Grimmjow released Pantera and attacked Ichigo, who blocked his rapid strikes and split his King's Flash with Getsuga Tensho.
• Grimmjow struck back with Panther King's Claw and charged Ichigo with extended blades.
• Luppi was injured by Yasutora Sado and Uryu Ishida before releasing Vine Maiden.
• Luppi sent two tentacles toward Yasutora Sado and Uryu Ishida with Tentacle Spear.

Uryu Ishida and Yasutora Sado fought Luppi but were overwhelmed by his tentacles and powerful attacks. Nemu’s companions Pesche and Haddochaka rescued them, then threw them clear as Luppi unleashed a sweeping attack and the two prepared to use a special move.

• Luppi’s tentacles knocked Yasutora Sado back and forced Uryu Ishida to evade, while Uryu’s arrows failed to hurt him.
• Yasutora Sado wounded two of Luppi’s tails with Demon’s Strike, but Luppi bound him and struck Uryu down with Tentacle Cage.
• Nemu asked Pesche and Haddochaka to save Ichigo’s friends, and the two charged at Luppi while Nemu fled.
• Pesche distracted Luppi with his slippery saliva, allowing Haddochaka to free Yasutora Sado and carry him away with Uryu.
• Luppi unleashed Iron Maiden and Spinning Wrist Formation, so Pesche and Haddochaka threw Uryu and Yasutora Sado away before preparing a special move.

Pesche and Haddochaka were cornered by Luppi until Nel transformed into Nieniel and defeated him with her Resurrección and Cero Duet. Afterward, Nieniel suddenly reverted to her child form.

• Pesche and Haddochaka fused their Ceros, but Luppi’s Spinning Wrist Formation broke through and left them injured.
• Luppi prepared to kill Pesche and Haddochaka, but Nel’s distress awakened her adult form as Nieniel, who kicked him away.
• Nieniel reassured Pesche and Haddochaka, then released her Resurrección, Gamuza, and blasted Luppi with her lance.
• Nieniel swallowed Luppi’s Cero and returned a stronger attack with Cero Duet, erasing him.
• Pesche and Haddochaka cheered for Nieniel, who then suddenly reverted to little Nel.

Nemu returned to her child form after exhausting her hidden power, while Zaraki defeated Nnoitra and confronted Yammy in Hueco Mundo. In Karakura Town, the Seireitei exchanged the real town for Mayuri’s replica and prepared to face Aizen, who arrived with several groups of Arrancar and revealed more forces waiting in Gargantas.

• Nemu reverted to her child form, and Pesche and Haddochaka reassured her that she was a hero whose power would return as she healed.
• Zaraki killed Nnoitra with one slash, then faced Yammy after Yachiru spotted him nearby.
• Akon reported that Aizen and his group had left Hueco Mundo, and Yamamoto ordered the captains and Vice-Captains to prepare for battle.
• Mayuri brought the group to his replica of Karakura Town, and the Kidō Corps used Temporal Transfer to swap it with the real town.
• Mayuri released his Bankai, Golden Sōkatsui, and its sedative gas knocked out the people in Karakura Town.
• Aizen arrived in the Human World, dismissed Yamamoto’s preparations, and summoned three Gargantas containing additional groups of Arrancar.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto confronted Aizen’s forces as the Visored arrived to pursue their own vengeance, and the battle split into several duels. Hiyori, Liza, and Kyunnanbyaku were badly wounded, while Kyoraku Jushiro unleashed his Bankai against Kaname Tōsen.

• Yamamoto mocked Aizen’s Arrancars, and Stark, Baraggan, and Holi Bell emerged with their Fracción as the fighters scattered to battle.
• Hirako Shinji and the Visored arrived, declaring personal grudges against Aizen, and Hiyori Sarugaki charged him before Kaname Tōsen wounded her.
• Hirako rescued Hiyori and brought her to Hachigen Ushōda for treatment, while Kyoraku Jushiro engaged Kaname Tōsen.
• Aikawa Love and Kensei Muguruma activated Bankai and attacked Gin Ichimaru together, forcing him to fight carefully.
• Kaname Tōsen defeated Liza Yadomaru and Kyunnanbyaku, prompting Kyoraku to activate his Bankai and assault him with illusions that inflicted real injuries.