Recaps

At a Captain's Meeting, Ailin argued that the human boy born with Shinigami power should be offered training and recognized as an unaffiliated Shinigami rather than branded a criminal. The captains approved Ailin's proposal, and Yamamoto assigned him to train the boy while restricting what he could teach.

• Jūshirō Ukitake reported that a human boy in the Human World possessed innate Shinigami power, though he kept the boy's other unusual abilities secret.
• Ailin challenged Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's claim that the boy should be treated as a criminal and proposed offering him a choice between Shinigami service and having his power sealed.
• Shunsui Kyōraku and Shihoin Yoruichi supported Ailin, and Shunsui explained that the boy's descendants might also inherit Shinigami power.
• The captains voted, and Ailin's proposal won by four votes; Yamamoto assigned Ailin to teach the boy, while Ukitake was told to prepare a list of Shinigami duties and obligations.
• After the other captains left, Yamamoto told Ailin to focus the boy's training on Zanpakuto abilities, give him only basic Shunpo and Hakuda instruction, and omit Kido.

Ailin traveled through the Dangai toward the Human World to meet a human with Shinigami powers, carrying a Substitute Shinigami Badge from Jūshirō Ukitake. When the Gokuto pursued him, Ailin released his full spiritual pressure, overwhelming the Twelfth Division’s monitoring equipment.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto agreed not to brand the human boy as a criminal but intended to restrict him to learning Blade Zen if he became a Shinigami.
• Jūshirō Ukitake gave Ailin a booklet about Shinigami duties and a Substitute Shinigami Badge for the boy, while secretly considering the boy’s corpse useful for preserving the Three Realms.
• Ailin received the boy’s location and entered a Senkaimon opened by Jūshirō Ukitake, following a Hell Butterfly through the Dangai.
• The Gokuto rushed toward Ailin in the Dangai, and Ailin decided to test his strength against it by releasing his full spiritual pressure.
• Ailin’s spiritual pressure shook the Dangai and drove the Twelfth Division’s monitoring instrument beyond its detection range, shocking Section Chief Bōshū.

Ailin reached the Human World, found Ginjo Kugo, and offered him the choice of becoming a Substitute Shinigami. Ginjo accepted and began training with an Asauchi, while Ailin used the badge and his actions to signal that he knew Jūshirō Ukitake was monitoring them.

• Ailin destroyed the Gokuto with his Zanpakuto and arrived safely in the Human World.
• Hideaki Kashiwagi led Ailin to Ginjo Kugo, whom Ailin secretly followed home.
• Ailin explained Ginjo Kugo's Shinigami powers and offered to seal them or train him as a Substitute Shinigami.
• Ginjo Kugo accepted, used the Substitute Shinigami Badge to leave his body, and followed Ailin to a park.
• Ailin gave Ginjo Kugo an Asauchi and began training him, aware that Jūshirō Ukitake was monitoring them through the badge.

Ailin demonstrated Zanpakuto release to Ginjo Kugo and trained him in Blade Zen until Ginjo could nurture his own Zanpakuto. Back in the Seireitei, Ailin fused Golden Capital with his true Zanpakuto, breaking through the limits of Unlimited Blade Works and gaining power he thought could rival Ichibei Hyosube.

• Ailin explained Zanpakuto release and showed Ginjo Kugo his Shikai, Tetsusaiga, and its Wind Scar attack.
• Ginjo Kugo became eager to learn the powerful slash, practiced Blade Zen, and received instruction in a Getsuga Tensho-like technique.
• After a month, Ginjo Kugo learned to nurture his own Zanpakuto, and Ailin returned to the Seireitei.
• Ailin created Golden Capital, also known as Gate of Babylon, in his Inner World, and his true Zanpakuto began trembling in response.
• Ailin fused Golden Capital into his true Zanpakuto, breaking Unlimited Blade Works' limit and greatly increasing his spiritual pressure.
• Ailin discovered that Unlimited Blade Works could collect and store weapons with the concept of a sword, and wondered whether he could rival Ichibei Hyosube.

After merging Gate of Babylon with Unlimited Blade Works, Ailin’s power over swords and weapon launches grew immensely, and he broke through the Shinigami limit. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told him that the Royal Guard had invited him to join, leaving Ailin to consider their offer.

• Ailin’s Inner World began gathering swords on its own, while Gate of Babylon enhanced his ability to launch weapons from portals in every direction.
• Ailin mastered his new spiritual pressure and resolved to train his swordsmanship, Shunpo, Hakuda, and Kido beyond their limits.
• Ailin received a summons from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and went to the First Division, where Chōjirō Sasakibe was startled by Ailin’s speed and strength.
• Yamamoto privately told Ailin that the Royal Guard had invited him to join and would send members to bring him to the Soul King Palace if he accepted.

Ailin declined the Royal Guard’s invitation, then faced Zaraki in their once-every-decade duel and unveiled his evolved Zanpakuto ability, Gate of Babylon. The battle continued as Ailin’s flying swords slowed Zaraki’s charge toward him.

• Ailin told Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to refuse the Royal Guard’s invitation on his behalf.
• Yamaguchi led Eleventh Division newcomers to Zaraki District to watch Zaraki challenge Ailin.
• Zaraki removed his eyepatch and attacked Ailin, but Ailin evaded his blows.
• Ailin opened golden spatial gates and used Gate of Babylon to fire Zanpakuto at Zaraki.
• Zaraki deflected the flying swords, took a cut across the waist, and charged through Ailin’s growing barrage.

Ailin defeated Zaraki with a barrage of projected Zanpakuto and a powerful released spear, then urged him to improve his Sword Arts. As Zaraki resolved to grow stronger, Retsu Unohana quietly regretted that Ailin had taken part in his latest battle instead of her.

• Ailin overwhelmed Zaraki with more than a hundred projected Zanpakuto, then struck him with a released spear that drove him into the ground.
• Ailin healed Zaraki and told him to train his Sword Arts for their next battle ten years later.
• After waking in the Fourth Division hospital, Zaraki decided to become stronger and went looking for Captain Unohana.
• Retsu Unohana stopped Zaraki from wandering while he recovered, and he returned to his bed disappointed that she had not shown her former killing intent.
• Back in her office, Retsu Unohana recalled Zaraki's defeat and regretted that she had not been the one to fight him.

Ailin explored Gate of Babylon’s expanded power in his Inner World, growing stronger as he collected and created Zanpakuto. After healing, Zaraki sought out Unohana and asked her to teach him swordsmanship so he could become stronger.

• Retsu Unohana wondered whether she should challenge Zaraki before his spiritual pressure fully recovered and awaken her former self.
• Ailin inspected the golden Zanpakuto in Unlimited Blade Works, searched them for powerful weapons, and created new swords to increase his strength.
• Zaraki tore off his healed bandages and had a Fourth Division Shinigami lead him to Unohana’s office.
• Unohana dismissed Yūne Kotetsu and revealed her cold, emotionless demeanor to Zaraki.
• Zaraki suppressed his urge to fight Unohana and seriously asked her to teach him swordsmanship.

After losing to Ailin, Zaraki asked Unohana Yachiru to teach him Sword Arts so he could grow stronger and challenge her again. At Kiryuo Hikifune’s Royal Guard promotion ceremony, Tenshiro Kirinji arrived and revealed that Ailin had refused an invitation to join the Royal Guard.

• Zaraki asked Unohana Yachiru to teach him Sword Arts, and she agreed to teach him every school she knew.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto announced that Kiryuo Hikifune had passed the Royal Guard’s selection, and the captains gathered to await her escort.
• Tenshiro Kirinji arrived from the Soul King Palace aboard the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin and greeted Retsu Unohana as an old friend.
• Tenshiro Kirinji tried to seize Ailin’s arm, but Ailin remained unmoved, prompting Tenshiro Kirinji to recognize his strength.
• Tenshiro Kirinji revealed that Ailin had received and rejected an invitation to join the Royal Guard, surprising the assembled captains.

Ailin rejected the Royal Guard’s invitation because serving at the Soul King Palace would cost him his freedom, while Kiryuo Hikifune accepted the promotion. After she departed, the captains considered candidates for the vacant Twelfth Division captaincy, and Shihoin Yoruichi nominated Urahara Kisuke.

• Ailin called the Royal Guard’s duty imprisonment, and Tenshiro Kirinji realized that freedom mattered more to some Soul Reapers than the honor of serving the Spirit King.
• Kiryuo Hikifune chose to join the Royal Guard for the chance to continue her research, and Tenshiro Kirinji escorted her to the Soul King Palace.
• The captains returned to the First Division, where Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked them to recommend a successor for the vacant Twelfth Division captaincy.
• Shihoin Yoruichi nominated Urahara Kisuke, explaining that he led the Supervision Squad, had completed Bankai training, and had invented useful devices.
• Ailin supported Urahara Kisuke’s candidacy and credited him with helping his wife Haruko recover from difficult medical problems.

Ailin, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Shihoin Yoruichi recommended Urahara Kisuke for captain of the Twelfth Division, and he began his captain assessment by choosing to challenge Byakuya. As the group entered Muken Jigoku for the battle, an unknown prisoner approached, raising Byakuya’s concern about how anyone could move freely there.

• Ailin and Byakuya Kuchiki agreed to recommend Urahara Kisuke, and the First Division scheduled his captain assessment for three days later.
• At the First Division training grounds, Urahara Kisuke met Ailin and learned that his recommenders and Captain-Commander Yamamoto would witness the assessment.
• Captain-Commander Yamamoto explained that Urahara could demonstrate his Bankai or challenge a captain, and Urahara chose to fight a captain to keep his Bankai concealed.
• Urahara Kisuke chose to challenge Byakuya Kuchiki, and Yamamoto led the group to Muken Jigoku for the assessment.
• As the group entered Muken Jigoku, a refined voice and approaching footsteps came from its depths, prompting Byakuya to question who was moving there.

Ailin accepted the 8th Kenpachi Souya Jōshirō’s challenge in Muken and defeated him, earning recognition as the Ninth Kenpachi. The next day, Urahara Kisuke attended the Gotei 13 Captain’s Meeting as captain of the Twelfth Division.

• Souya Jōshirō appeared before Yamamoto, Yoruichi, Byakuya, Ailin, and Urahara, explaining that Ailin’s arrival in Muken had compelled him to challenge the current Kenpachi.
• Ailin accepted Souya Jōshirō’s challenge and went deeper into Muken with him, while Urahara asked to begin his own captain qualification test against Byakuya.
• Souya Jōshirō used his Zanpakuto’s ability to control Ailin’s thrown weapons and attack with reishi, but Ailin crushed the invading reishi with his reiatsu and wounded him.
• Ailin evaded Souya Jōshirō’s powerful Kido and attacks, then overwhelmed him at close range and defeated him.
• Souya Jōshirō acknowledged Ailin as the Ninth Kenpachi and returned to his cell to recover, while Urahara became captain of the Twelfth Division and attended the next day’s Captain’s Meeting.

The captains learned that a hidden Hollow had been devouring souls in Soul Society for decades, and Yamamoto assigned a group to investigate. Aizen watched them depart with a smile, believing his plan had drawn them in.

• Urahara Kisuke reported that residents and Reapers had vanished after their souls were devoured, and that casualties had risen for thirty years despite no Menos above Gillian class appearing.
• Yamamoto assigned Kyoraku Jushiro, Hirako Shinji, Aikawa Love, and Kensei Muguruma to investigate, with Tetsusai Gantetsusai and Hachigen Ushōda as assistants.
• Shunsui Kyōraku added Liza Yadomaru to provide intelligence support for the investigation.
• Hirako Shinji took Kyunnanbyaku and Hiyori Sarugaki along after they insisted on joining the expedition to the Rukon District.
• Aizen Sosuke watched the investigators leave and thought that the fish had taken the bait.

Urahara Kisuke realized someone had manipulated Shinigami casualty figures and was using the investigation as a chance to create Hollows. In the Rukon District, Hirako Shinji fought his Hollowfied companions, exposed Aizen Sosuke and Gin Ichimaru, and was struck down by Kaname Tōsen.

• Urahara Kisuke examined a century of Shinigami casualty records, suspected Aizen Sosuke had created a power that turned Shinigami into Hollows, and learned the investigating captains had gone to the Rukon District.
• Aikawa Love attacked Kensei Muguruma after becoming Hollowfied, and Kensei struck him down before white matter began emerging from Kensei's wound.
• Hiyori Sarugaki and the other members of the group became Hollows and attacked Hirako Shinji, who used his Zanpakuto to subdue them.
• Hirako Shinji tore through Aizen Sosuke's concealment and confronted Aizen and Gin Ichimaru, but the Hollowfied group recovered with Super Regeneration.
• Kaname Tōsen used Bankai to disable Hirako Shinji's senses and stab him, while Aizen revealed Tōsen had been his subordinate from the start.
• Hirako Shinji told Aizen he had always distrusted him and had made him vice-captain to keep him under watch.

Aizen revealed that Kyoka Suigetsu had let him deceive Hirako Shinji for decades and control the senses of every Shinigami who had witnessed its release. As Aizen moved to kill Hirako, Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai arrived and discovered the Hollowfication experiments.

• Aizen explained that he had used Complete Hypnosis to impersonate his companion and admitted that Hirako's allies had become test subjects because Aizen had chosen Hirako.
• Aizen provoked Hirako into accelerating his Hollowfication, and Hirako fought Kaname Tōsen with instinctive strength before Aizen defeated him with a single strike.
• Aizen revealed that Kyoka Suigetsu had placed every Shinigami in the Seireitei who had seen its release under his control.
• As Aizen prepared to kill Hirako, Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai emerged from the forest and confronted him about the experiments.
• Gin Ichimaru suggested making Urahara and Tetsusai experimental subjects or killing them, while Kaname offered to attack; Aizen declined Kaname's offer.

Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai confronted Aizen Sosuke after discovering his Hollowfication experiments, then tried to save the affected Soul Reapers. Meanwhile, Ailin sensed their clash and chose to let Urahara bear the consequences while he remained devoted to the Spirit King.

• Urahara Kisuke accused Aizen Sosuke of using Soul Reapers in Hollowfication experiments, but Aizen denied it and left with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.
• Tetsusai Gantetsusai attacked Aizen's group with Destruction Path #88, but Aizen blocked it with Bakudo #81 before the group escaped.
• Hirako Shinji and the other affected Soul Reapers worsened, and Urahara Kisuke said he knew a risky method to treat their Hollowfication.
• Tetsusai Gantetsusai proposed using forbidden time suspension and spatial transfer to move the affected Soul Reapers to the Twelfth Division barracks.
• Ailin sensed the spatial Kido from the clash, reflected on the Spirit King's imprisoned state, and decided Urahara would have to bear the burden for now.

Ailin received Central 46’s order to arrest Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai, then led Eleventh Division Shinigami to the Twelfth Division. There, Mayuri Kurotsuchi moved to block the arrest, and Ailin welcomed the confrontation.

• A Shinigami delivered Central 46’s mandatory arrest warrant, ordering Ailin to apprehend Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai, with permission to kill them if they resisted.
• Ailin summoned thirty-four Eleventh Division Shinigami and led them toward the Twelfth Division headquarters.
• Ailin told Sixth Seat Gōsuke that they were ordered to arrest Urahara and Tetsusai, alarming the group but prompting none of them to retreat.
• Ailin showed Third Seat Akon the arrest warrant and warned that anyone obstructing the arrest would be detained as an accomplice.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi said he would not let Ailin arrest Urahara at the Twelfth Division, and Ailin smiled at the chance to confront him.

Ailin used the Eleventh Division’s assault on the Twelfth Division to buy Urahara Kisuke time, then subdued the division and arrested Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai. On his way back, Ailin ran into Shunsui Kyōraku, who claimed the encounter was a coincidence.

• Ailin ordered the Eleventh Division to detain the Twelfth Division members obstructing their mission, and the two divisions began fighting.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi held off Gōsuke and Maki Ichinose while reinforcements helped the Twelfth Division push back the Eleventh Division.
• Ailin summoned hundreds of Zanpakuto through Golden spatial ripples, destroyed a building, and forced the Twelfth Division members to surrender.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi attacked Ailin with his Bankai, Golden Sōkatsui, but Ailin destroyed it with three golden lightning strikes and blasted Mayuri away.
• Urahara Kisuke and Tetsusai Gantetsusai emerged from the laboratory and surrendered to Ailin’s arrest order.
• After handing the prisoners over, Ailin headed back toward the Kuchiki Clan and encountered Shunsui Kyōraku, who said their meeting was a coincidence.

After Central 46 sentenced Kisuke Urahara, Tetsusai Gantetsusai, and the Hollowfied captains, Shihoin Yoruichi helped them escape, and Ailin chose not to interfere. Ailin checked whether Kyoka Suigetsu had affected his senses and left the Seireitei, while Tetsusai held the group behind a barrier in Urahara’s underground base.

• Ailin told Shunsui Kyōraku that he had not seen Liza Yadomaru when he arrested Kisuke Urahara and Tetsusai Gantetsusai.
• Shunsui reported that Inner Garden Squad investigators had found evidence of Hollowfication experiments in Urahara’s experimental tower.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto announced Central 46’s sentences for Urahara and Tetsusai and ordered Jūshirō Ukitake to purify the Hollowfied captains and their allies.
• A guard reported that a criminal had abducted Urahara, Tetsusai, and the Hollowfied group, so Yamamoto ordered four divisions to search for them.
• Ailin tested his senses by touching his Zanpakuto’s blade, then left the Seireitei after confirming he was not currently affected by Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Tetsusai maintained a golden barrier around Urahara, Shihoin Yoruichi, Hirako Shinji, and the others in Urahara’s underground base after Urahara failed to reverse their Hollowfication with the Hogyoku.

Urahara Kisuke and Shihoin Yoruichi helped Hirako Shinji and the others control their Hollow powers, but Tetsusai Gantetsusai trapped Ailin Kenpachi in a fully chanted Black Coffin when he appeared. The others braced for Ailin’s response, warned that he was far stronger than they imagined.

• Urahara Kisuke used Benihime to split Hiyori Sarugaki’s Cero and restrain her and Aikawa Love, while Shihoin Yoruichi broke Aikawa Love’s mask and Urahara broke Hiyori’s.
• Hirako Shinji teased Hiyori Sarugaki after she regained her senses, and they argued about his hair.
• Ailin Kenpachi appeared in the underground base, and Tetsusai Gantetsusai dropped the defensive barrier and cast Black Coffin around him.
• Tetsusai Gantetsusai completed Black Coffin’s subsequent chant, intensifying the spell as shadow blades struck at Ailin, who drew his Zanpakuto and slashed.
• Kensei Muguruma warned Hirako Shinji and the others that Ailin had defeated four powerful opponents without injury, while Hiyori Sarugaki questioned his strength.

Ailin helped Urahara Kisuke protect and prepare the Visored to flee to the Human World while they learned to control their Hollowfication. When Ailin named Gin Ichimaru as his candidate for Third Division captain, Hiyori Sarugaki challenged him, and Ailin’s crushing spiritual pressure forced Hirako Shinji to intervene with his Hollow mask.

• Ailin emerged unharmed after cutting apart Urahara Kisuke’s Black Coffin, then agreed to keep the group’s hideout secret and told them Central 46 had ordered their arrest.
• Kensei Muguruma underwent Hollowfication in anger, and Hirako Shinji, Urahara Kisuke, and Shihoin Yoruichi restrained him before Ailin broke his mask and restored his reason.
• Urahara Kisuke asked Ailin to help the group while he stabilized the Visored and made Gigai for their escape to the Human World; Ailin controlled their training as they learned Hollowfication, with Kyunnanbyaku mastering it first.
• Ailin told Hirako Shinji and the others about the ongoing captain selections, including Soifon’s candidacy for the Second Division and Gin Ichimaru’s candidacy for the Third Division.
• Hiyori Sarugaki accused Ailin of knowingly recommending Aizen Sosuke’s ally Gin Ichimaru, and Ailin’s spiritual pressure drove her to her knees.
• Hirako Shinji shielded Hiyori from Ailin’s pressure and put on his Hollow mask, causing his spiritual pressure to change dramatically.

Ailin explained why he trusted Gin Ichimaru despite Gin’s association with Aizen Sosuke, then ended his visits to the group recovering from Hollowfication. On the way back, he told Shunsui Kyōraku that Aizen had caused the disappearances and Hollowfication experiments, prompting Kyōraku to reconsider the alibi he had unknowingly provided Aizen.

• Hirako Shinji used his Hollow mask to withstand Ailin’s spiritual pressure, allowing Hiyori Sarugaki to recover.
• Ailin gave three reasons for recommending Gin Ichimaru as a captain: Gin was his trusted disciple, had not attacked the others, and Ailin could deal with him and Aizen if they became a threat.
• Ailin said goodbye to Urahara Kisuke and the others and left the underground base, deciding he would not visit again.
• Shunsui Kyōraku met Ailin outside the Kuchiki Clan gates and asked why Ailin had stopped him from recommending Aizen Sosuke for captain.
• Ailin told Kyōraku that Aizen had caused Soul Society’s disappearances and used Hirako and the others as experimental subjects, while Urahara and Tetsusai Gantetsusai had fought to save them.
• Kyōraku realized that he was among the 125 Soul Reapers who had seen Aizen that night and inadvertently given him an alibi.

Ailin told Shunsui Kyōraku that the eight Visoreds were safe, while Shunsui resolved to recommend Aizen Sosuke for captain so he could watch him closely. At Gin Ichimaru’s captain assessment, Gin declined to challenge the assembled captains and prepared to demonstrate his Bankai.

• Ailin explained that Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi, and the eight Visoreds had gone to the Human World after escaping Central 46’s judgment, and Shunsui was relieved that Lisa was alive.
• Shunsui described two possibilities behind the Hollowfication Experiment and decided to recommend Aizen Sosuke as Fifth Division captain so he could monitor him.
• Shunsui asked Ailin to keep Kyoka Suigetsu’s ability secret, then departed while Ailin reflected on the burden Shunsui had taken on.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked Gin Ichimaru whether he would challenge a captain or demonstrate his Bankai for his captain’s assessment.
• Gin Ichimaru declined to challenge the assembled captains, saying he would not make a fool of himself by challenging his seniors.

Gin Ichimaru demonstrated his Bankai and passed the captain's assessment, becoming Captain of the Third Division. After the meeting, acting captain Soifon asked Ailin to train her so she could complete her Bankai training as quickly as possible, and he agreed.

• Gin Ichimaru demonstrated Shinsō's Shikai and revealed that his Bankai, Killing Spear, could extend thirteen kilometers at five hundred times the speed of sound.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and the captains approved Gin Ichimaru's assessment, and he became Captain of the Third Division.
• Ailin left the Captain's Meeting and noted that the Gotei 13 had filled several captain positions, while the Seventh Division's remained vacant.
• Soifon found Ailin and asked him to train her so she could complete her Bankai training quickly.
• Ailin accepted Soifon's request.

Soifon collapsed from exhaustion after Ailin agreed to train her, and he brought her to the Kuchiki Clan estate to rest. The next morning, Ailin began explaining the limits of her Zanpakuto, Nigeki Hissatsu, before training started.

• Ailin caught Soifon when she fainted and carried her to the Kuchiki Clan estate, where Haruko settled her in a guest room.
• Byakuya Kuchiki saw Ailin carrying Soifon and wondered whether Ailin had become involved with another woman.
• Ailin told Haruko that Soifon bore the burden of leading the Second Division after Yoruichi's exile, and promised to help her master Bankai quickly.
• Soifon woke the next morning, ate breakfast, and met Ailin in the courtyard to begin training.
• Ailin asked whether Soifon wanted greater strength or merely to complete Bankai training, then explained that Nigeki Hissatsu's effect came from the Bee Flower it left on an enemy.