Chapter Summaries

Ailin agreed to take Haruko Kuchiki to the Human World and asked Urahara Kisuke to make her a Gigai, warning him not to tamper with it. Urahara admitted he had considered doing so, while Shihoin Yoruichi recognized Ailin’s warning as a display of his superior Shunpo.

• Haruko Kuchiki rejected Urahara Kisuke’s offer to send her to the Human World under Soul Reaper protection and tried to leave with Ailin.
• Ailin stopped Haruko and asked Urahara how long it would take to make her a Gigai, then agreed to return in three months.
• Ailin warned Urahara and Shihoin Yoruichi not to add anything to Haruko’s Gigai before leaving with her.
• Urahara admitted to Shihoin Yoruichi that he had considered tampering with Haruko’s Gigai because Ailin was so mysterious.
• Shihoin Yoruichi told Urahara that Ailin’s departure had been an intimidation, and that his Shunpo exceeded what she could sense.

Ailin told Ginrei Kuchiki that Haruko Kuchiki would need to live in the Human World in a compatible Gigai, and Ginrei agreed to his plan. While Haruko's Gigai was being made, Ailin began training Byakuya and revealed his Bankai.

• Yoruichi and Urahara discussed Ailin's superior Shunpo and agreed not to provoke him.
• Ailin explained Urahara's treatment plan for Haruko to Ginrei and said he would take her to the Human World once her Gigai was ready.
• Ginrei accepted Ailin's plan and asked him to train Byakuya during the three months before they left.
• Ailin began Byakuya's training by releasing his Zanpakuto and activating Bankai: Unlimited Blade Works.

Ailin unleashed his Bankai, Unlimited Blade Works, and brought Byakuya Kuchiki into his sword-filled inner world. With only three months left to train Byakuya, Ailin prepared to begin their training through battle.

• Ailin released his full spiritual pressure and Bankai within the Seireitei, drawing the attention of the Gotei 13 captains.
• Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake wondered why Ailin had released his Zanpakuto, while Ukitake worried that Ailin might be punished and miss a future battle.
• Ailin revealed to Byakuya that his Bankai created and stored swords, then summoned thousands of them around Byakuya.
• Ailin said he had only three months to train Byakuya and challenged him to draw his sword and fight.

Ailin taught Byakuya Kuchiki that drawing a sword meant accepting the possibility of killing or being killed, then used a restorative Zanpakuto to turn their fight into training. Byakuya faced Ailin again, and Ailin prepared to strike his right arm with Byakurai.

• Byakuya Kuchiki drew his Zanpakuto, but Ailin used Flash Blossom to appear behind him and inflict two grave wounds.
• Ailin explained that fighters had to be prepared both to kill and to die, then released Void Bandage to heal Byakuya Kuchiki.
• Ailin told Byakuya Kuchiki to keep fighting and avoid being killed, while Void Bandage could restore him unless he died outright.
• Byakuya Kuchiki blocked Ailin's attack with both hands, gaining the advantage in strength as Ailin aimed a finger at his right arm.
• Ailin cast Hadō #4—Byakurai at Byakuya Kuchiki.

Ailin put Kuchiki Byakuya through three months of brutal combat training, teaching him to combine Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpo, Kidō, and spiritual pressure. Byakuya passed the first stage, and Ailin asked whether he wanted to continue toward greater strength.

• Ailin injured Byakuya's right arm and repeatedly defeated him, forcing him to use more than Zanjutsu.
• Byakuya began combining his swordsmanship with Kidō and learned to use Shunpo and spiritual pressure to fight more effectively.
• Byakuya completed his Zanpakuto's Shikai early in the third month, while Ailin had already discovered it and recreated Senbonzakura on his Sword Hill.
• Ailin praised Byakuya's progress and declared that he had passed the first stage of training.
• Ailin offered Byakuya a second stage and asked whether he was satisfied with being an ordinary Soul Reaper.

Ailin explained how Byakuya’s first training phase had built a foundation in the four Soul Reaper arts and contrasted that path with relying on Bankai alone. He began the second phase by declaring that Byakuya would develop and apply his Zanpakuto’s abilities.

• Ailin told Byakuya that their life-and-death battles had integrated the four Soul Reaper arts into his instincts and prepared him to pursue Captain-level mastery.
• Ailin explained that some captains relied mainly on Bankai, while mastery of the four Soul Reaper arts could provide a broader foundation for strength.
• Ailin said that Soul Reapers who mastered the four arts could achieve Bankai more easily, while many who gained power through Bankai neglected further training.
• Byakuya asked what the second training phase involved, and Ailin said it would focus on developing and applying Zanpakuto abilities.
• Ailin slapped Byakuya for questioning the change in focus and explained that a Zanpakuto represented a Soul Reaper’s upper limit.

Byakuya Kuchiki began the second stage of Ailin’s training, which focused on developing his Zanpakuto ability, Senbonzakura. After Byakuya’s attacks failed to make Ailin move, Ailin told him that his understanding of Senbonzakura was mistaken.

• Byakuya agreed to undergo Ailin’s second stage of training after completing the four Shinigami arts and releasing his Zanpakuto.
• Ailin reminded Byakuya to believe in his Zanpakuto and said there were no useless abilities, only useless users.
• Byakuya released Senbonzakura, transforming it into thousands of cherry-blossom-shaped blades and attacking Ailin.
• Ailin scattered Byakuya’s attacks, and Byakuya exhausted his spiritual power without making Ailin move.
• Byakuya regained his confidence by remembering Ailin’s advice, and Ailin said Byakuya had misunderstood Senbonzakura’s ability.

Ailin explained that Senbonzakura turned Byakuya Kuchiki’s reiatsu into petal-sized blades, but that Byakuya lacked the spiritual power to realize its full potential. Ailin began training Byakuya with Thousand Blades, whose larger fragments overwhelmed Senbonzakura’s first attack and forced Byakuya to dodge.

• Byakuya asked Ailin to teach him after Ailin explained Senbonzakura’s true ability and its dependence on reiatsu.
• Byakuya apologized to Senbonzakura and promised to train until its petals could bloom throughout Seireitei.
• Ailin told Byakuya he would teach him by fighting with weapons similar to Senbonzakura.
• Ailin released Thousand Blades, explaining that it split into one thousand fragments, each much larger than Senbonzakura’s blades.
• Byakuya attacked first with Senbonzakura, but Ailin’s Thousand Blades scattered the petals and continued toward him.
• Byakuya used Shunpo to evade the fragments, which gouged deep craters into the ground.

Ailin trained Byakuya Kuchiki to overcome Senbonzakura’s close-range weakness and improve his control over its blades. Byakuya began using the weapon both as a gathered sword and as a swarm, while Ailin shifted their training toward Senbonzakura’s strength in ranged attacks.

• Ailin struck Byakuya while Senbonzakura’s blades were keeping him occupied, then explained that Byakuya was vulnerable when his Zanpakuto fully dispersed into blades.
• Byakuya practiced gathering Senbonzakura’s blades into a stable sword, and Ailin let him continue until he could withstand Thousand Blades in close combat.
• Ailin demonstrated that Thousand Blades could split apart and rejoin after passing Senbonzakura, then Byakuya recovered and returned for more training.
• Byakuya released Senbonzakura, gathered half its blades into a sword, and directed the rest at Ailin as a mist.
• Ailin avoided close combat and launched a barrage of Thousand Blades fragments at Byakuya to teach him how to use Senbonzakura’s blades as his main force.

Ailin tested Byakuya Kuchiki against Demon Blade: Thousand Blades, then used Bankai to overwhelm him and turned the encounter into a lesson about gathering intelligence in battle. After Byakuya accepted Ailin’s offer to demonstrate another Zanpakuto, Ailin released the Sword of Golden Osmanthus and filled Byakuya’s vision with golden blossoms.

• Byakuya Kuchiki defended himself from Thousand Blades’ fragments by forming a rapidly spinning ring of Senbonzakura blades, though some fragments wounded him.
• Ailin ended the Shikai test, then used Bankai—Demon Blade: Thousand Blades to overwhelm Byakuya.
• In Ailin’s Inner World, Byakuya sulked while Ailin apologized and explained that Byakuya should gather information about an opponent’s abilities.
• Byakuya challenged Ailin’s claim that he had kept his spiritual pressure equal, and Ailin explained how his Bankai worked.
• Byakuya’s curiosity overcame his anger, and he agreed to see Ailin’s other Zanpakuto.
• Ailin released Bankai—Sword of Golden Osmanthus and Memory Release, surrounding Byakuya with golden osmanthus blossoms.

At the Captain's Meeting, Yamamoto confronted Ailin Kuchiki for releasing his Bankai in the Seireitei while training Byakuya and dismissed him as Sixth Division captain. The captains reacted with shock as Ailin faced the unprecedented punishment.

• Ginrei Kuchiki accompanied Ailin to the Captain's Meeting while Haruko stayed home with Byakuya.
• Yamamoto asked Ailin whether he had used his Bankai to train Byakuya in the Kuchiki residence, and Ailin admitted that he had.
• Yamamoto accused Ailin of knowingly violating the prohibition on captains releasing their Zanpakuto in the Seireitei, despite Ginrei's attempts to stop him.
• Yamamoto stripped Ailin of his position as Sixth Division captain, shocking the assembled captains.

Ailin accepted Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s judgment and gave up his position as captain, then prepared to leave Soul Society with Haruko for the Human World. Urahara Kisuke showed them specially made Gigai and opened an experimental Senkaimon to take them to their new bodies.

• Ailin accepted his dismissal for violating the ban, and Ginrei Kuchiki resumed his position as Captain of the Sixth Division.
• Haruko Kuchiki said farewell to Ginrei and Byakuya, while Ailin promised they could seek help in the Human World if needed.
• Ailin and Haruko met Yoruichi and an exhausted Urahara Kisuke, who explained that he had spent over two months making permanent, fully compatible Gigai for them.
• Urahara led Ailin, Haruko, and Yoruichi to a Senkaimon he had built by studying the Garganta, and Ailin questioned its safety.

Ailin, Haruko Kuchiki, and Urahara Kisuke crossed the Senkaimon to Urahara’s secret base in the Human World, where their Gigai awaited. Before letting Haruko enter hers, Ailin used his Bankai to inspect both bodies and confirmed they were safe.

• Urahara Kisuke led Ailin and Haruko Kuchiki through an unfinished Senkaimon passage, where Ailin used reishi to steady himself and carried Haruko.
• The group emerged in Urahara Kisuke’s Human World base and went to a cabin containing Gigai for Ailin and Haruko.
• Haruko hesitated before entering her Gigai and looked to Ailin, mindful that he had paid a price for her treatment.
• Ailin released his Bankai, All-Seeing Eyes, and used its visual abilities to examine both Gigai for hidden alterations.
• After confirming that Urahara Kisuke had not tampered with the Gigai, Ailin nodded to Haruko.

Ailin tested Urahara Kisuke’s Gigai, then helped Haruko Kuchiki enter one so her weakened soul could recover in the Human World. He began building a home for them and arranged for nearby villagers to relocate under his protection.

• Ailin entered a Gigai first, confirmed it had no hidden tampering, and let Haruko enter the other; Urahara Kisuke explained that her body would gradually nourish her weakened soul.
• Ailin persuaded Urahara Kisuke to lend him houses, an underground base, and currency before Urahara returned to Soul Society alone.
• Ailin cleaned the houses, planned a courtyard with Haruko, and set up a Mirror Gate barrier while she rested.
• Ailin surveyed the sparsely populated area and decided to bring nearby villagers together so he could protect them from the war.
• Ailin demonstrated his swordsmanship to the villagers, who agreed to relocate after the autumn harvest and began building homes at his direction.

After six years in the Human World, Ailin learned from Byakuya that Ginrei Kuchiki was critically ill and prepared to return to the Soul Society. He left Haruko Kuchiki behind in Sakura Garden Village, promising to investigate and see whether she could visit her father.

• Ailin established Sakura Garden Village, trained its youths, and eventually protected it from attackers with a barrier that made ordinary people overlook the village.
• A merchant named Grandpa Miyashita told children the legend of Sakura Garden Village and claimed he had once entered it.
• Ailin received a message from Byakuya through a Hell Butterfly saying Ginrei Kuchiki was critically ill and might die within days.
• Haruko Kuchiki grieved over her father's condition, and Ailin promised to go to the Soul Society to find out what had happened.
• Ailin left swords to protect Haruko and planned to ask Urahara Kisuke whether he could bring her to the Soul Society.

Ailin returned to Soul Society and healed Ginrei Kuchiki, whose wounds had brought him to the brink of death. Ginrei revealed the Kuchiki Clan’s mission and said a noble heir had attacked him after he discovered humans wielding Fullbring, but the attacker’s identity remained unknown.

• Ailin visited the Kuchiki residence and used Void Bandage to restore Ginrei’s body, though he could not extend Ginrei’s lifespan.
• Ginrei told Ailin and Byakuya about the Five Noble Clans, the creation of the Three Realms, and the Kuchiki Clan’s duty to protect Soul Society and uphold its laws.
• Ginrei explained that he had discovered humans with Hollow-like powers called Fullbring while searching for Ailin and Haruko in the Human World.
• Ginrei revealed that an heir of one of the Five Noble Clans had ambushed him, and Byakuya wrongly suspected the Shiba Clan.
• Ailin stopped Byakuya from rushing to confront the Shiba Clan, and Ginrei confirmed that the attacker had not been from that clan.

Ginrei Kuchiki revealed that Tokinada Tsunayashiro had survived and might be gathering the Spirit King's power, then asked Ailin to take over the Kuchiki Clan. Ailin wagered he could help Byakuya master Bankai in three days, while Ginrei secretly sent Morikawa to inform Haruko of his plan.

• Ginrei Kuchiki confirmed that Tokinada Tsunayashiro had inherited the Tsunayashiro name and explained the clan's pursuit of the Spirit King's power.
• Ginrei asked Ailin to assume the Kuchiki Clan's responsibilities because Byakuya was not yet ready, but Ailin refused to leave Haruko in the Human World.
• Ailin promised to train Byakuya to master Bankai within three days, agreeing to serve as temporary clan head if Byakuya failed.
• Ailin took Byakuya to seek Urahara Kisuke's help and use the Tenshintai to accelerate his Bankai training.
• After they left, Ginrei ordered Morikawa to go to the Human World and tell Haruko that Ailin would become head of the Kuchiki Clan.

Ailin brought Byakuya to the Second Division to enlist Yoruichi and Urahara’s help in mastering Bankai within three days, so Ginrei could die knowing the Kuchiki Clan was in capable hands. Yoruichi challenged Byakuya to offer a reason she should help, leaving negotiations unresolved.

• Byakuya followed Ailin through the Seireitei, reflecting on Ginrei’s impending death and his own need to become stronger.
• Ailin told Byakuya they would visit Yoruichi and Urahara, whose help was needed to complete Bankai training in three days.
• Ailin and Soifon exchanged teasing remarks about his departure from the Second Division and his brief tenure as a captain.
• Ailin explained that he had promised Ginrei he would make Byakuya capable of Bankai before the old man died.
• Yoruichi asked what Ailin would offer in return for her help, and Byakuya interrupted to volunteer payment on behalf of the Kuchiki Clan.
• Yoruichi said the Shihoin Family possessed everything the Kuchiki Clan did and asked Byakuya what he could offer to persuade her.

Byakuya used Urahara’s Tenshintai to materialize Senbonzakura and began fighting it to advance his Bankai training. He quickly gained the upper hand, leaving Senbonzakura exposed as the observers watched.

• Ailin offered Yoruichi a Captain-level favor in exchange for borrowing a Tenshintai, and Yoruichi agreed.
• Yoruichi brought Ailin and Byakuya to Urahara, who explained that the Tenshintai could materialize a Zanpakuto but had to be used within three days.
• Byakuya accepted the risk and stabbed Senbonzakura into the Tenshintai, causing his Zanpakuto to materialize.
• Byakuya fought Senbonzakura and demonstrated that his techniques surpassed the Zanpakuto’s own.
• Byakuya criticized Senbonzakura’s weak defenses and used a tornado of petals to shred its incoming blades.

Byakuya Kuchiki defeated Senbonzakura’s Shikai manifestation, but rejected his submission and demanded that he prove his strength with Bankai. Byakuya struggled against the immense blade storm, then unveiled a more powerful Emperor White Sword and cut through Senbonzakura’s attack.

• Byakuya’s rotating cherry-colored dragon scattered Senbonzakura’s Shikai blades and knocked him down.
• Byakuya refused Senbonzakura’s submission, called his performance disappointing, and ordered him to fight again.
• Senbonzakura obeyed and released Bankai, filling the battlefield with hundreds of millions of blades.
• Urahara Kisuke asked Ailin whether Byakuya could defeat Senbonzakura, and Ailin said it depended on how Byakuya chose to fight.
• Byakuya evaded the Bankai blade storm with Shunpo and criticized Senbonzakura’s crude use of his abilities.
• Byakuya formed Emperor White Sword with high-speed spinning blades and cleaved Senbonzakura’s sea of cherry blossoms in two.