Recaps

Ailin trained Tenkai Shusuke, found the Forest of Menos, and analyzed the Anti-Membrane using Kyoka Suigetsu. He created Avalon in Urahara Kisuke’s underground base and left for the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy, while Byakuya Kuchiki noticed Haruko Kuchiki was unusually cheerful.

• Ailin taught Tenkai Shusuke to control Shunpo, then began training him in Hakuda.
• Ailin found the Forest of Menos, hypnotized several hundred Gillians with Kyoka Suigetsu, and used them to analyze the Anti-Membrane.
• Ailin returned to the Soul Society and created Avalon in his Inner World, gaining a major increase in spiritual pressure.
• Ailin left Urahara Kisuke’s underground base and headed toward the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy.
• Byakuya Kuchiki returned to the Kuchiki Clan estate and found Haruko Kuchiki humming happily, which he suspected was because of Ailin.

Ailin welcomed a new class of recruits to the Eleventh Division, including Gin Ichimaru, who joined to grow strong enough to investigate Aizen Sosuke and reclaim what he believed Aizen had taken from Rangiku. Ailin kept Gin behind for a private conversation after assigning the other recruits to training.

• Haruko told Byakuya that Ailin had resolved her soul condition, but she declined his method so she could keep studying at True Zero Spirit Arts Academy and pursue strength.
• Ailin forged Excalibur, then three years passed before he sent Kiyone Shunjō and Gōsuke to recruit new Eleventh Division members under his three-year survival rule.
• At True Zero Spirit Arts Academy, Aizen Sosuke invited the prodigy Gin Ichimaru to join the Fifth Division, while Gin recognized him as the man who had harmed Rangiku.
• After hearing Kiyone Shunjō describe the Eleventh Division's demanding standards, Gin refused Aizen's offer and chose to join Ailin's division for training.
• Kiyone Shunjō and Gōsuke brought the recruits to Ailin, who welcomed them and asked Kiyone to train them, then kept Gin behind to speak with him.

Ailin trained Gin Ichimaru in the Rukon District while Retsu Unohana learned of the training and prepared to confront Ailin. Unohana set out under the moonlight, as Gin demonstrated his new perception technique against three Hollows.

• Gin Ichimaru thanked Ailin for saving Rangiku and joined the Eleventh Division, where Ailin promised to train him personally.
• Yūne Kotetsu told Retsu Unohana that Ailin had taken a gifted Shinigami as his disciple and was training him in the Rukon District.
• Unohana recalled her history as Yachiru and her past defeat by the boy who became the strongest Shinigami, then resolved to seek out Ailin.
• Unohana wrote a farewell letter for Yūne and rushed toward the Rukon District, ready to fight Ailin.
• Gin Ichimaru evaded three Hollows with precise movements while Ailin watched, satisfied with how Gin used the Shinigami version of Kenbunshoku Haki he had taught him.

Gin Ichimaru fought Zaraki under Ailin’s direction, and their battle revealed that Zaraki had unconsciously suppressed his spiritual pressure for centuries. Unohana Yachiru arrived hoping to fight Ailin, but seeing Zaraki’s weakened state shook her; the chapter ended with Zaraki recognizing her and welcoming the prospect of facing her again.

• Ailin recognized Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi, then sent Gin Ichimaru to fight Zaraki instead of accepting Zaraki’s challenge himself.
• Gin used Observation Haki to battle Zaraki, who grew excited and further suppressed his spiritual pressure as they fought.
• Unohana Yachiru arrived and realized Zaraki’s weakness resulted from his habit of holding back to enjoy fighting her, which filled her with shame.
• Gin withdrew after exhausting his spiritual power, and Ailin praised him for preserving himself against a stronger opponent.
• Zaraki spotted Unohana and laughed, recalling their earlier battle and anticipating another fight with her.

Ailin fought Zaraki after Zaraki challenged him, and their battle awakened Zaraki’s suppressed reiatsu before Ailin’s final strike left him gravely injured. Retsu Unohana took Zaraki and Yachiru back to Seireitei for treatment, leaving Gin Ichimaru to ask Ailin who Zaraki was and what connected him to Captain Unohana.

• Zaraki challenged Ailin, who accepted and introduced himself as Ailin Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division.
• Ailin repeatedly wounded Zaraki, whose joy in the battle caused his suppressed reiatsu to rise to ordinary Captain-level strength.
• Ailin ended the fight with a powerful slash that carved a ravine and left Zaraki unable to rise.
• Retsu Unohana treated Zaraki, then used Flesh Rip to swallow him so she could heal his severe injuries.
• Retsu Unohana took Yachiru with her as she flew back to Seireitei, and Gin Ichimaru asked Ailin about Zaraki and Captain Unohana.

Gin Ichimaru learned that Retsu Unohana had once been the First Kenpachi, while Unohana asked Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to teach Zaraki swordsmanship. Zaraki woke in the Fourth Division and, seeing Unohana’s gentle facade, concluded he was still too weak to bring out her true self.

• Ailin explained to Gin Ichimaru that Retsu Unohana had been the original Eleventh Division captain and the First Kenpachi, and said he believed he could defeat her.
• Retsu Unohana told Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto about Zaraki’s suppressed spiritual pressure and asked him to teach Zaraki swordsmanship.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto agreed to train Zaraki after his injuries healed.
• Retsu Unohana resolved to restore Zaraki’s strength through future battles with her, believing he was destined to fight her.
• Zaraki woke in the Fourth Division, learned that Yamamoto would teach him, and decided he was too weak to make Unohana show her true nature.

Zaraki challenged Ailin after overwhelming the Eleventh Division, but Ailin defeated him and recruited him as his Vice-Captain by promising future swordsmanship-only duels. Later, Gin Ichimaru killed a Fifth Division Shinigami in front of Aizen Sosuke, who questioned Gin about the killing.

• Zaraki recovered from his injuries, began training under Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and eventually stopped attending after learning only a two-handed sword swing.
• Zaraki returned to the Eleventh Division and defeated its members until Ailin arrived and swiftly overwhelmed him with spiritual power and Kido.
• Ailin offered Zaraki the position of Vice-Captain and a chance to challenge him every ten years using only swordsmanship, and Zaraki accepted after recovering.
• Ailin left Zaraki in charge of the Eleventh Division and returned to the Kuchiki Clan, while Gin Ichimaru continued practicing in the Rukon District.
• Gin Ichimaru killed a Fifth Division Shinigami with Shinsō, and Aizen Sosuke questioned him about provoking a conflict between their divisions.

Gin Ichimaru sought to join the Fifth Division so he could grow stronger and get close to Aizen Sosuke, but Aizen brought the transfer request to Hirako Shinji. Hirako visited Ailin to discuss Gin and warn him that he distrusted Aizen.

• Gin Ichimaru challenged Aizen Sosuke to help him transfer from the Eleventh Division to the Fifth Division, claiming he needed stronger instruction to overcome a training bottleneck.
• Aizen agreed to discuss Gin's transfer with Hirako Shinji, the Fifth Division captain, before asking Ailin to approve it.
• Ailin left a chess game with Haruko to meet Hirako at the Kuchiki Clan estate.
• Hirako told Ailin that Aizen had recommended Gin for the Fifth Division and that he distrusted his vice-captain despite having found no proof of wrongdoing.

Ailin persuaded Hirako Shinji to give Aizen more trust, beginning with Gin’s possible transfer to the Fifth Division. Ten years later, Ailin and Zaraki fought their scheduled Zanjutsu duel, where Zaraki’s instincts and spiritual pressure awakened enough for him to contend with Ailin.

• Ailin argued that Hirako should trust Aizen more, and Hirako agreed to let Aizen handle division affairs while considering Gin’s transfer.
• Ailin asked Hirako to look after Gin if he joined the Fifth Division and to let Ailin see him off if Aizen was exposed.
• Ailin reflected that Gin could make his own choices, though Ailin planned to watch over him during the Battle of Karakura Town.
• Ten years after Zaraki became the Eleventh Division vice-captain, he challenged Ailin to their agreed Zanjutsu-only battle in Zaraki District.
• Ailin and Zaraki traded powerful sword strikes, sending shockwaves across the area and forcing Eleventh Division members to watch from a distance.
• As the duel continued, Zaraki’s instincts awakened and his suppressed spiritual pressure erupted, letting him barely contend with Ailin.

Ailin defeated Zaraki in a prolonged battle, healed him, and promised to use reiatsu in their next fight ten years later. Aizen and Gin secretly watched the battle, while Zaraki trained for the promised rematch and Ailin returned to the Kuchiki Clan estate.

• Ailin unleashed a massive reiatsu slash, defeated Zaraki, and treated his injuries after acknowledging his fighting spirit.
• Yachiru Kusajishi and Kiyone Shunjō arrived, and Ailin assigned Kiyone responsibility for the Eleventh Division while Zaraki recovered.
• Ailin suspected Aizen Sosuke and Gin Ichimaru had watched from the shadows, and the two discussed Ailin's strength and Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Ailin asked Urahara Kisuke to make Zaraki a reiatsu-absorbing eyepatch and suggested bells for his hair to help enemies track him in battle.
• Zaraki became more determined to improve his swordsmanship and grow stronger before challenging Ailin again in ten years.

Ailin forged Ace in his Inner World and absorbed the battle memories of Pirate King Roger. Captain-Commander Yamamoto then asked him to help Kensei Muguruma escort the King's Seal, and Ailin accepted.

• Ailin forged Ace, absorbed Roger's battle memories, and placed the sword beside Gryphon in Sword Hill.
• A Hell Butterfly summoned Ailin to the First Division, where Yamamoto asked whether he could trust him.
• Yamamoto explained that the King's Seal was being relocated and that he suspected someone was weakening the Gotei 13 before the escort.
• Yamamoto assigned Ailin to assist Kensei Muguruma with this year's escort, and Ailin agreed.

Ailin planned to seize the King's Seal so he could study its spatial power, and gathered his manifested Zanpakuto in Unlimited Blade Works to organize the operation. Gol D. Roger, Red-Haired Shanks, and Kirito volunteered, while Ailin ruled out several others whose abilities he had already used in Soul Society.

• Ailin entered Unlimited Blade Works and summoned the manifested Zanpakuto with Muramasa.
• Ailin explained that he wanted the Zanpakuto to attack the King's Seal's escort, then disappear back into his Inner World after he pursued them.
• Gol D. Roger volunteered despite learning that participants could not be summoned again in Soul Society, and Ailin assigned him as the first candidate.
• Ailin said the plan needed four more Captain-level Zanpakuto and rejected Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Fanatio, and Koshiro Shimotsuki because he had used their powers before.
• Red-Haired Shanks and Kirito volunteered to join the operation.

Ailin chose five Zanpakuto to help seize the King's Seal, sent them to Hueco Mundo to prepare, and later joined Kensei Muguruma to escort the seal. Roger's group set an ambush, but Kensei discovered them days earlier than they expected.

• Ailin approved Kirito, Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, and March of the Dead: Yatsufusa as part of the five Zanpakuto chosen to participate, and gave Yezora the projected sword Dark Repulser.
• Ailin ordered Roger, Shanks, and Kirito to help Setsuna Take and Black Pupil hunt Hollows, then secretly sent all five to Hueco Mundo using Urahara Kisuke's Senkaimon.
• Ailin beat Haruko at tennis, received a Hell Butterfly message that the King's Seal transfer had begun, and joined Kensei Muguruma to escort the procession.
• Roger's group prepared to ambush the King's Seal convoy, assigning Yezora to stop the other captain, Setsuna Take to seize the seal, and three fighters to hold off Ailin.
• Kensei Muguruma found Roger's group on the third day, well before they expected the convoy to arrive, and the ambushers realized his scouting range exceeded their estimates.

Roger, Shanks, Setsuna Take, and Black Pupil attacked the convoy carrying the King's Seal while Yezora held Kensei Muguruma back. Ailin confronted Roger and Shanks, and their battle continued as the Ninth Division defended the palanquin from the skeletal Hollows.

• Roger left Yezora to fight Kensei Muguruma while he, Shanks, Setsuna Take, and Black Pupil advanced toward the convoy.
• Kensei Muguruma used Bankai against Yezora, who drew Dark Repulser and prepared to counterattack.
• Ailin discovered Setsuna Take's skeletal army approaching and ordered Kyunnanbyaku to command the convoy's defenders.
• Roger struck Ailin with Kamitsuchi, shattering his Dankū barrier, while the Ninth Division fought off the skeletons.
• Ailin battled Roger and Shanks with his Zanpakuto and Kido as the Soul Reapers kept the skeletal Hollows from reaching the palanquin.

Ailin rescued Kyunnanbyaku and recovered the King's Seal after the Ninth Division was devastated by Setsuna Take's skeletal army. While Kensei Muguruma kept watch in a cave, Ailin analyzed the seal and completed Tetsusaiga, leaving Tensōjū as a future challenge.

• Setsuna Take defeated Kyunnanbyaku, took the King's Seal, and attacked her, but Ailin rescued her and carried her away.
• Yezora defeated Kensei Muguruma after a fierce fight, and Ailin arrived in time to save the badly wounded captain.
• Ailin told Kensei Muguruma that all the Ninth Division Seat Officers except Kyunnanbyaku had been killed, then asked him to keep watch while he recovered.
• Kensei Muguruma found the bandaged Kyunnanbyaku in the cave and stood guard as Ailin entered his Inner World to study the King's Seal.
• Ailin analyzed the King's Seal's spatial power and used Enhancement magic to complete Tetsusaiga as Meido Tetsusaiga.
• Ailin considered Tensōjū's power to revive the dead but could not yet determine how to complete it.

After analyzing the King's Seal, Ailin forged a Zanpakuto with its spatial power and set out with Kensei Muguruma to recover it. He found Roger and the others, who challenged him for the title of Kenpachi, and the battle began.

• Ailin suspected the Seireitei had allowed the King's Seal theft to draw out its enemies, then decided to end the escort mission after Kensei Muguruma recovered.
• Ailin persuaded Kensei Muguruma to pursue the thieves with him and assigned him the armored man while Ailin held off the other four.
• Ailin used Bakudo #55—Grasping Cicada to locate Roger and the others, who had deliberately waited nearby with the King's Seal.
• Roger and Shanks declared that they would defeat Ailin and claim the name Kenpachi, wagering the King's Seal on their fight.
• Ailin accepted the challenge and opened the battle with a massive slash that carved a deep ravine toward Roger and the others.

Ailin fought Roger, Shanks, Yezora, and Black Pupil while Kensei Muguruma battled Setsuna Take elsewhere. Ailin overwhelmed the group after powering up with reiatsu, and Black Pupil was the first to fall.

• Roger and Shanks unleashed Bankai slashes against Ailin, who crushed Shanks's attack and pressed into close combat.
• Yezora and Black Pupil attacked Ailin with a giant demonic sword and eight Adjuchas' Ceros, but Ailin evaded and countered them.
• Kensei Muguruma confronted Setsuna Take over the Ninth Division soldiers Setsuna had turned into puppets, then fought through his Bankai's overwhelming skeleton army.
• Setsuna Take used Prison Dragon Break against Kensei Muguruma, who answered with Bankai—Iron Fist Gale Break.
• Ailin powered up with reiatsu and drove Roger, Shanks, and Yezora back, while Black Pupil sacrificed her seven Adjuchas to strengthen the last one.
• Ailin cut down Black Pupil's final Adjuchas, making her the first of the five attackers to leave the battle.

Ailin used Tetsusaiga’s new spatial power to defeat Kirito, Roger, and Shanks, while Kensei Muguruma fought Setsuna Take. Kensei avenged Shiro by severely injuring Setsuna, and Ailin recovered the damaged Zanpakuto after the operation to seize the King's Seal succeeded.

• Kirito attacked Ailin with Eclipse, but Ailin used Meido Tetsusaiga to swallow the strike and then engulfed Kirito in Meido Full Moon Break.
• Roger and Shanks tried to resist Ailin’s spatial slashes, but Ailin cut them down after they could no longer withstand the attacks.
• Setsuna Take’s Bankai was broken when Ailin’s Tetsusaiga dispelled the underworld, allowing Kensei Muguruma to fight through the weakened skeletons.
• Kensei grabbed Setsuna and detonated the explosive force stored in his knuckle guards, severely wounding him before collapsing and declaring that he had avenged Shiro.
• Ailin appeared as Setsuna’s form dissipated, recovered his damaged Zanpakuto into Unlimited Blade Works, and confirmed the operation to seize the King's Seal had succeeded.

Ailin accompanied Byakuya to the Ise Family residence, where nobles argued over the Eight Mirror Sword after the Ise family head and her husband died. He found Ise Nanao sitting alone outside while the nobles discussed taking the family’s Divine Artifact.

• Ailin carried the wounded Kensei Muguruma back to the cave, where Kyunnanbyaku panicked and shook him until Ailin stopped her.
• Ailin reviewed how he had recovered the King's Seal, then completed the month-long transfer mission without exposing his involvement.
• Back in the Kuchiki Clan, Ailin learned from Byakuya that a noble family guarding a Divine Artifact had lost its head and went with him to investigate.
• Ailin and Byakuya arrived at the Ise Family residence and met Shihoin Yoruichi among the gathered nobles.
• Ailin learned that the Ise Family head and her husband had died, leaving Ise Nanao alone while the nobles argued over the Eight Mirror Sword.

Ailin protected Ise Nanao after the nobles failed to find the Eight Mirror Sword and tried to seize her for interrogation. He then challenged Tokinada Tsunayashiro over the Tsunayashiro Clan’s decline, leaving the two men facing off with barely concealed hostility.

• The nobles’ search methods failed to locate the Eight Mirror Sword, so they ransacked the Ise Family estate.
• Tokinada Tsunayashiro urged the nobles to seize Ise Nanao and torture her for information, but Ailin blocked them and threatened anyone who approached.
• Ailin condemned the nobles, demonstrated his strength with a sword strike, and promised to protect Ise Nanao, prompting the nobles to withdraw.
• Ise Nanao broke down in tears as Ailin comforted her, while Tokinada implied that the Kuchiki Clan had taken the Eight Mirror Sword and warned Shihoin Yoruichi about her family’s Heavenly Armament.
• Ailin mocked Tokinada over the near-destruction of the Tsunayashiro Clan and warned that he might kill him, darkening Tokinada’s expression.

Ailin brought Ise Nanao to the Kuchiki Clan after the nobles failed to find the Eight Mirror Sword, while rumors spread that he had taken it. Shunsui Kyōraku came to visit, and Ailin welcomed him to meet Nanao, leaving their purpose for the visit to be discussed.

• Tokinada Tsunayashiro backed away from Ailin, while Byakuya Kuchiki restrained himself from seeking revenge for his grandfather without evidence.
• Ailin took Ise Nanao home, and the nobles left the Ise residence empty-handed before spreading rumors that Ailin had the Eight Mirror Sword.
• Haruko Kuchiki cared for Nanao, whose arrival had given her a chance to show her maternal affection.
• Ailin learned that Shunsui Kyōraku had arrived and asked Haruko to bring Nanao to meet him.
• Ailin greeted Shunsui at the Kuchiki Clan gates and walked with him toward the living room, joking about his favors owed to Yoruichi.

Ailin and Shunsui Kyōraku reunited at the Kuchiki Clan, where Ailin offered Ise Nanao the choice to return with her uncle or be adopted by Ailin and Haruko. Nanao chose to remain an Ise and pursue her parents’ killer, while Ailin offered to train her after she became a Shinigami.

• Ailin told Shunsui how he had admired him while serving in the Second Division and used to visit an Izakaya hoping to meet him.
• Haruko jokingly pretended to suspect Ailin of replacing her, and Ailin played along until she smiled and forgave him.
• Ailin offered Nanao the choice of returning with Shunsui or becoming his and Haruko’s adopted daughter.
• Nanao chose to return with Shunsui, explaining that she wanted to remain an Ise and uncover who had killed her parents.
• Ailin promised to help Nanao seek revenge and offered to train her for three months after she graduated from the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy.

After comforting Haruko Kuchiki, Ailin overheard Shinigami praising Aizen Sosuke’s training lectures and realized Aizen had begun exposing his Zanpakuto to Seireitei residents. Ailin visited the Eleventh Division, where he found Zaraki away and many members attending Aizen’s lectures, and reflected on how the upper class had weakened Shinigami training.

• Ailin stayed with Haruko Kuchiki until she recovered from Ise Nanao’s departure, then went out to clear his mind.
• At an izakaya, Ailin overheard Kyōsa and Ryōsuke discuss Aizen Sosuke’s guidance, his Zanpakuto demonstrations, and plans to attend his lectures at the True Zero Spirit Arts Academy.
• Ailin recognized that Aizen was using his Zanpakuto’s release to hypnotize Shinigami throughout Seireitei while concealing Kyoka Suigetsu’s true ability.
• Ailin visited the Eleventh Division and learned that Zaraki had gone to the Rukon District to seek strong opponents.
• Ailin discovered that many Eleventh Division members had gone to Aizen’s lectures and considered how restricted access to Kido, Sword Arts, Shunpo, and Hakuda had weakened later generations of Shinigami.

Ailin gave the eleven Eleventh Division members left behind practical combat guidance, then reflected on how effort and understanding were essential to mastering a Zanpakuto. He suspected Aizen Sosuke had completed the Hogyoku and was using hypnosis to gather Shinigami souls to make it more complete.

• Ailin gathered the eleven Eleventh Division members who had stayed behind and invited them to attack so he could assess their skills.
• Ailin dodged their attacks while teaching them to fight creatively, use Shunpo more flexibly, and rely on speed.
• Ailin ended the lesson by blasting the group back with his reiatsu and told them to practice before seeking further instruction.
• The members marveled at Ailin's guidance and recalled how he had helped strengthen Byakuya Kuchiki, Gin Ichimaru, and Zaraki.
• Ailin reasoned that Aizen Sosuke had likely completed the Hogyoku and was hypnotizing Shinigami to obtain more souls and improve it.

Ailin visited Zaraki in the Rukon District, warned him to watch for danger, and invited Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa to join the Eleventh Division. Meanwhile, Tokinada Tsunayashiro experimented with creating a controllable Spirit King and placed spiritual particles into an unborn child.

• Ailin found Zaraki fighting Ikkaku Madarame and watched as Zaraki defeated him, leaving him alive after a severe wound.
• Ailin warned Zaraki that enemies might target the Eleventh Division and told him to call for help if he sensed anything unusual.
• Ailin invited Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa to join the Eleventh Division, and they decided to become Shinigami.
• Tokinada Tsunayashiro examined an incomplete body fused from Fullbringer, Shinigami, and Hollow corpses and decided it needed Quincy power to be completed.
• Tokinada Tsunayashiro entered the Human World and secretly placed spiritual particles into a fetus carried by a pregnant woman.