Chapter Summaries

After Barragan’s retreat, the Soul Reapers drove back the Hollows and treated their wounded. Chen agreed to remain in Hueco Mundo and help purge the Menos Grande, while Ye Zhou Tongsheng reported that he was nearly finished with his own mission.

• Kyōraku Shunsui ordered the Soul Reapers to pursue the fleeing Hollows, but stopped the chase to avoid further casualties among his exhausted troops.
• Chen treated the wounded after Kyōraku asked for his help, then agreed to stay in Hueco Mundo and assist with clearing out the Hollows.
• Qiong separated Chen and Yoruichi, then openly challenged Yoruichi to a fight when they returned to the Soul Society.
• Chen offered Yoruichi roasted meat, while Qiong accepted a piece so Yoruichi would not have it.
• Ye Zhou Tongsheng complained that his missions had left him exhausted and said he expected to return home in a few days.

Coyote Stark overwhelmed Kyōraku Shunsui and the Soul Reapers who tried to stop him. Jūshirō Ukitake brought the unconscious Kyōraku to Hyuga Matsuba, who treated him and explained that Stark was an Arrancar.

• Kyōraku Shunsui confronted Stark and attacked him with his Shikai, but Stark blocked the strike despite the ability’s rules.
• Stark released his Wolves and blasted Kyōraku away, while Jūshirō Ukitake moved to protect him.
• Hirako Shinji attacked Stark but could not pierce his defenses, so Jūshirō Ukitake called for Kyōraku to be taken to Hyuga Matsuba.
• Jūshirō Ukitake and another Soul Reaper carried the unconscious Kyōraku to Hyuga Matsuba, who treated him until he awoke.
• Hyuga Matsuba explained that an Arrancar could break through its own limits and become a Soul Reaper.

Kyōraku Shunsui and the others reached Jūshirō Ukitake as he neared collapse, then Hyuga Matsuba fought Coyote Stark and left him with a wound that could not heal. Matsuba let Stark escape despite Kyōraku's objections, believing he would not become a threat.

• Kyōraku Shunsui sent Hyuga Matsuba and the others to help Jūshirō Ukitake, who had nearly reached his limit fighting Stark.
• Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake reunited, while Yoruichi, Qiong, Kikō Kiryū, and Hyuga Matsuba teased them about their embrace.
• Hyuga Matsuba challenged Stark, blocked his Infinite Loading Cero with Dankū, and struck him from behind with his Zanpakuto.
• Hyuga Matsuba's wound prevented Stark from regenerating, and Matsuba mocked him before sheathing his sword.
• Kyōraku Shunsui urged Hyuga Matsuba to kill Stark, but Matsuba refused, and Stark escaped.

Chen and his companions left the Forest of Menos and returned to Seireitei after Kyōraku Shunsui agreed they could go. Yachiru welcomed Chen home and immediately asked whether he had brought her a new mom.

• Chen told Kyōraku Shunsui that he and the others wanted to return, and Shunsui eventually agreed despite warning them about the dangers.
• Kiryu asked to accompany Chen because she wanted to be with him, and Yoruichi opened the Gate of Time and Space.
• Chen, Yoruichi, Kiryu, Kuma, Qiong, and the others passed through the gate and arrived back in Seireitei.
• Yoruichi welcomed their return, and Unohana Retsu approached them.
• Yachiru hugged Chen and asked whether he had brought her a new mom, prompting Yoruichi to smack her.

Chen returned to Unohana Retsu’s home, where the group shared a meal before Soifon asked him for guidance. He revealed how to unlock her Shikai, and Soifon succeeded, though she still needed training to control it.

• Chen returned to Unohana Retsu’s home and teased her while Yoruichi and Qiong traded playful remarks.
• Unohana Retsu served a feast, and Yoruichi learned that Yachiru had grown devoted to her.
• After the meal, Soifon approached Chen for guidance, and he offered to help her unlock her Shikai.
• Chen told Soifon about her Zanpakuto, and she released Suzumebachi for the first time.
• Chen warned Soifon that she lacked the control to use her Shikai for long, and she continued practicing excitedly.

After the mission ended, Yamamoto convened the captains and vice-captains to review the heavy losses, including Jōshirō Ukitake’s death. He proposed Hyuga Matsuba as the new captain, but Matsuba rejected the post and the vote failed, so Yamamoto appointed the original vice-captain instead.

• Yoruichi transformed into a black cat, and Yachiru carried her away after doting on her.
• After the operation concluded, Yamamoto called a meeting of the captains and vice-captains at the First Division.
• Kyōraku Shunsui presented his report, and Matsuba said Jōshirō Ukitake had been beaten to death.
• Yamamoto nominated Matsuba to fill the vacant captain’s position, but Matsuba and Kuchiki Ginrei objected.
• Only three people voted in favor, so Yamamoto appointed the original vice-captain as captain instead.

Hyuga Tatsumi became Captain of the Fourth Division, with Unohana Retsu as his Vice-Captain. After dinner, Qiong settled into bed with Chen, but an unexpected visitor knocked at the door.

• Unohana Retsu proposed that Chen become Captain of the Fourth Division while she served as Vice-Captain, and Yamamoto approved the arrangement.
• Yoruichi congratulated Chen, while he joked with Yachiru and Unohana Retsu about his new position.
• Unohana Retsu hinted that she would visit Chen that night to discuss the division, and Qiong offered to take care of Chen’s needs.
• Yoruichi decided to stay in the Fourth Division, and Soifon said she would stay there to protect her.
• After dinner, Qiong joined Chen in his bed, but a woman knocked at the door, and Qiong went to answer it.

Hyuga Matsuba and the others attended a meeting where Yamamoto revealed that Kuchiki Kyōka had defected from their world. Yamamoto assigned Hyuga Matsuba, Captain Shunpo, and Captain Kuchiki to capture him, while Kuchiki Ginrei pleaded that his son-in-law be spared.

• Unohana Retsu visited Hyuga Matsuba to report a work problem, and Qiong discovered the black cat hiding in the room.
• A subordinate summoned Hyuga Matsuba and the others to a meeting called by Old Man Yamamoto.
• Kuchiki Ginrei revealed that his son-in-law Kuchiki Kyōka had fled their world and become a defector.
• Yamamoto called for the group to decide how to deal with Kuchiki Kyōka, whose strength and ability to control weapons worried him.
• Kuchiki Ginrei asked Yamamoto to capture and restrain Kuchiki Kyōka without killing him.
• Yamamoto assigned Captain Shunpo, Hyuga Matsuba, and Captain Kuchiki to handle the defector, and Hyuga Matsuba promised not to show mercy.

After the Soul Society learned that Kuchiki Koka could control Zanpakuto, Yamamoto sent Hyuga Matsuba, Yoruichi, and Kuchiki Ginrei to the Human World to find him. They arrived in Karakura Town, where Ginrei hoped to reach his son-in-law before the others did.

• Yamamoto warned the captains that Kuchiki Koka could make weapons slip from their owners’ control and might eventually turn them against their wielders.
• Yamamoto assigned Kyōraku Shunsui’s squad to investigate, while Hyuga Matsuba and Kuchiki Ginrei discussed who should confront Kuchiki Koka.
• After learning that Kuchiki Koka was in Karakura Town, Hyuga Matsuba opened a spatial passage for Yoruichi and Kuchiki Ginrei to follow him into the Human World.
• Yoruichi said they should find her son-in-law and give him the chance to surrender, while Kuchiki Ginrei insisted he could handle the boy himself.
• Hyuga Matsuba, Yoruichi, and Kuchiki Ginrei walked through the Human World in spiritual form as they set out to find Kuchiki Koka.

Kuchiki Kyōka attacked Kuchiki Ginrei over years of resentment, believing Ginrei had treated him as a tool and abandoned him when he was bullied. Ginrei defended himself with Kidō and begged Kyōka to return with him, while Matsuba and Yoruichi watched and debated whether Ginrei would fight back.

• Kuchiki Kyōka accused Kuchiki Ginrei of treating him like a watchdog, and Ginrei apologized for failing to support him when he was bullied.
• Kuchiki Kyōka blamed Ginrei for using him for his strength and denying him the Vice-Captain position, then drew Muramasa and attacked him.
• Kuchiki Ginrei blocked Kyōka's assault with Binding Kidō, but Kyōka broke free and continued charging at him.
• Kuchiki Ginrei urged Kyōka to return with him so he could plead with Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but Kyōka refused because he expected imprisonment for killing Soul Reapers.
• Yoruichi urged Kuchiki Ginrei to draw his sword, but he told her not to meddle in the Kuchiki family's affairs.

Chen intervened when Kuchiki Kyōka overwhelmed Kuchiki Ginrei, then defeated Kyōka with a light-speed kick after shrugging off his attack. Kyōka survived but was badly injured and lost his Zanpakuto, while Muramasa died protecting him.

• Kuchiki Kyōka wore down Kuchiki Ginrei and summoned Muramasa to attack him.
• Chen stepped in, and Muramasa warned Kyōka to flee after realizing Chen was far stronger.
• Muramasa failed to invade Chen’s inner world, and Kyōka ignored his warning and attacked Chen with a powerful killing move.
• Chen mocked Kyōka, provoked him into losing his composure, and struck him with a light-speed kick.
• Muramasa took the kick meant for Kyōka and was reduced to ashes, while Kyōka survived with severe injuries and a destroyed Zanpakuto.
• Yoruichi watched in shock as Kuchiki Ginrei hurried to check on his injured son-in-law.

Hyuga Matsuba defeated Kuchiki Koka and killed him despite Kuchiki Ginrei’s pleas, then left with Yoruichi as Ginrei vowed their conflict would continue.

• Hyuga Matsuba caught the wounded Kuchiki Koka after he tried to escape and mocked his helplessness while Kuchiki Ginrei begged him to spare his son-in-law.
• Hyuga Matsuba told Kuchiki Ginrei that he would take care of his daughter if Koka died, enraging both Ginrei and Koka.
• Hyuga Matsuba drew his weapon and killed Kuchiki Koka with a single skill.
• Kuchiki Ginrei threatened Hyuga Matsuba with continued conflict, but Matsuba dismissed him and left with Yoruichi.

Hyuga Matsuba discovered that his Shikai, the Blade of Nothingness, could erase everything around him, leaving behind a permanent void. After returning home with Qiong, he found Byakuya Kuchiki seeking Tier Harribel’s help against him and learned that Harribel’s subordinates had betrayed her.

• Hyuga Matsuba took Qiong to Hueco Mundo to test his Shikai after she warned him that it could be dangerous.
• Qiong explained that the Blade of Nothingness erased anything it touched and could spread outward until it destroyed the world.
• Hyuga Matsuba activated the weapon, turning the surrounding area into a permanent void that erased even time and location.
• Hyuga Matsuba and Qiong returned home to warn the others, but found Byakuya Kuchiki asking Tier Harribel to ally with him against Matsuba.
• Tier Harribel’s former subordinates blamed her for associating with Soul Reapers, and she killed three Adjuchas after declaring that the traitors would die.

Chen defeated Barragan’s attack, spared him, and invited Tier Harribel and Nel to the Soul Society. After returning, Chen spent the night with Qiong and Unohana Retsu, then covered their work while Yoruichi grew suspicious of his unusual diligence.

• Nel and Tier Harribel killed the traitorous Adjuchas and Barragan’s followers while Chen restrained Barragan with his Spiritual Pressure.
• Chen spared Barragan and sent him away, then invited Tier Harribel and Nel to return with him to the Soul Society.
• Chen opened a passage to the Fourth Division, where Nel reunited with Yachiru and Unohana Retsu remarked that Yamamoto would be furious if he found out.
• Qiong asked Chen to sleep with her, and Unohana Retsu joined them after walking in on them that night.
• Chen handled paperwork the next morning while Qiong and Unohana Retsu rested, and Yoruichi became suspicious and sent Soifon to investigate him.

Yoruichi discovered that Matsuba had slept with Unohana Retsu and Qiong, then arrived with them at the Fourth Division to find Kuchiki Ginrei offering his daughter Keiko to Matsuba. Ginrei insisted Matsuba answer for a past remark, and the chapter ended with the two men in a heated dispute.

• Yoruichi questioned Soifon about Matsuba, learned that strange sounds had come from his quarters, and rushed there.
• Yoruichi found Unohana Retsu and Qiong asleep together and realized they had spent the night with Matsuba.
• Kuchiki Ginrei visited Matsuba at the Fourth Division with Kuchiki Sōjun and Keiko, the widow of Kuchiki Kyōka.
• Ginrei offered Keiko to Matsuba, claiming Matsuba had promised to look after her, while Matsuba said his remark had only been a joke.
• Ginrei demanded an explanation, and Unohana Retsu warned him not to cause trouble in the medical division.

A century after Matsuba and Kuchiki Ginrei's feud began, Shudoro Senju visited to invite Matsuba and Ye Zhou Tongsheng to join the Zero Division. Matsuba refused, and Shudoro Senju left still unable to discover the extent of his power or his true background.

• Matsuba told Unohana Retsu and the others to ask an old man about his conflict with Kuchiki Ginrei, and the feud between them continued to worsen.
• A hundred years passed, during which Hirako Shinji became Fifth Division captain and Aizen and Soifon became vice-captains; Yoruichi and Soifon remained with Matsuba's medical team.
• Unohana Retsu told Matsuba that Yachiru had gone with Ye Zhou Tongsheng, who had been chosen by the Zero Division, and Matsuba learned he had been chosen too.
• Ye Zhou Tongsheng brought Yachiru and Shudoro Senju to Matsuba, and Shudoro Senju invited Matsuba and Ye Zhou Tongsheng to join the Zero Division.
• Matsuba rejected the invitation, and Ye Zhou Tongsheng said he would refuse as well.
• Shudoro Senju explained that Matsuba's powerful kido and unknown limits had drawn her interest, but she remained unable to uncover his true identity or strength.

Hyuga Matsuba subdued Shudoro Senju with Kotoamatsukami after discovering she had noticed Tier Harribel. She sent Shudoro to gather intelligence on the captains, especially Nimaiya Ōetsu, while Unohana Retsu grew irritated and Kikō Kiryū offered to help.

• Kikō Kiryū told Hyuga Matsuba she planned to join the Fourth Division as an ordinary member, and Shudoro Senju revealed she had sensed someone approaching.
• Hyuga Matsuba disarmed Shudoro and prevented her from using her powers after Shudoro realized she had discovered something secret.
• Hyuga Matsuba used Kotoamatsukami to make Shudoro her loyal subordinate, frightening Kikō Kiryū.
• Hyuga Matsuba ordered Shudoro to gather intelligence on every captain, especially Nimaiya Ōetsu, and Shudoro left after asking whether she should serve her that night.
• Unohana Retsu threw down her work in irritation, and Kikō Kiryū offered to help Hyuga Matsuba instead.

Hyuga Matsuba took Yachiru and Qiong to Rukongai, where they encountered Aizen threatening Rangiku. After Aizen left, Hyuga Matsuba and the girls noticed he was secretly following them, and Aizen grew wary of Hyuga Matsuba.

• Yachiru asked Hyuga Matsuba to take her to Rukongai, and Qiong came along as they explored its crowded streets.
• After the group handled several attacks, Hyuga Matsuba sensed a familiar presence and found Aizen confronting Rangiku.
• Hyuga Matsuba and Aizen exchanged false compliments while Aizen claimed Rangiku had caused trouble, and Hyuga Matsuba persuaded him to leave her behind.
• Rangiku thanked Hyuga Matsuba, but he walked away, while Ichimaru Gin rushed over to check on her.
• Aizen secretly followed Hyuga Matsuba, Yachiru, and Qiong until they vanished, then decided to return and stay cautious around Hyuga Matsuba.

Matsuba took Yachiru to Rukongai, where she recoiled from District 80’s violence, then received an order to teach Kidō at True Man's Magic Academy. After decades as a teacher, Matsuba quit and rejected Old Man Yamamoto’s offer to captain the Eleventh Division.

• Matsuba took Yachiru to District 79 and then District 80, where she became upset by the constant fighting.
• Zaraki Kenpachi challenged Matsuba, who knocked him unconscious with a kick before taking Yachiru back to the Fourth Division.
• Unohana Retsu told Matsuba that the First Division wanted him to teach Kidō at True Man's Magic Academy, and Yoruichi, Yachiru, and Qiong joined him.
• Matsuba and Yoruichi began teaching at the academy, and Matsuba eventually spent several decades there.
• Matsuba left the academy and told Old Man Yamamoto he could no longer teach.
• Old Man Yamamoto offered Matsuba the captaincy of the Eleventh Division, but Matsuba refused.

Matsuba rejected Yamamoto’s attempt to bring him back into the ranks and returned to the Medical Division, where Aizen arrived asking for a spar. Matsuba agreed while suspecting Aizen intended to use Kyōka Suigetsu on him.

• Matsuba refused Yamamoto’s demands and left after criticizing his arrogance.
• Matsuba teased Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake about their closeness, provoking Kyōraku.
• Yamamoto asked Kyōraku and Ukitake for their opinions of Matsuba, and Kyōraku described him as mysterious, lazy, and powerful.
• Matsuba went to the Medical Division and arranged to extend his leave to a year, though Unohana Retsu questioned his excuse.
• Aizen visited Matsuba and requested a martial spar, and Matsuba accepted while suspecting Aizen wanted to hypnotize him.