Recaps

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.

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.