Recaps

After the Soul Society postponed its decision, Shin focused on his other duties and summoned Tsunade to Samui’s home. Samui brought Tsunade along while Hokage Tsunade wrestled with whether to join them.

• Kyoraku said the Soul Society needed time to discuss Shin’s proposal, while Rukia and Renji stayed behind to send accumulated souls to the Soul Society.
• Shin said ninjas could capture Hollows for a bounty but should leave massive Hollows to guild personnel, then returned to his work.
• Shin told Samui to summon Tsunade, and Samui found both Tsunades still at home after drinking the night before.
• Samui told Tsunade that Shin wanted to see her, and Hokage Tsunade grew angry but followed Tsunade into the bathroom to question her.
• Tsunade warned Hokage Tsunade that she would eventually face the same experiences if she wanted to stay alive, then left with Samui for her home.

Zhen and Yahiko finalized a peaceful agreement between the Sun Empire and the Soul Society, while Zhen began investigating Asauchi as a source of power for ninja Zanpakuto. Mayuri Kurotsuchi explored Konoha and was summoned to meet Zhen after discovering the city’s Energy Base Station.

• Zhen delegated negotiations with Shunsui Kyoraku to Yahiko, and the Sun Empire and Soul Society agreed not to invade or interfere with each other beyond matters involving Hollows and souls.
• The agreement assigned Shinigami to purify Hollows and perform Soul Burials, allowed them to request Ninja Guild assistance, and required the Soul Society to provide twenty Zanpakuto or Asauchi each month.
• Yahiko invited the Soul Society to observe the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament, while Mayuri Kurotsuchi chose to explore Konoha on his own.
• Zhen materialized the soul-like form within an Asauchi and ordered Kabuto to modify it and forge a Zanpakuto for ninjas.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi investigated Konoha’s appliances and Energy Base Station, then an Anbu summoned him to meet Zhen.

Karatachi Yagura urged Mei Terumi to consider entering the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament and pursuing a future in Konoha, then discovered a report about people calling themselves the Pirate King. At the Imperial Palace, Zhen introduced Uchiha Shisui to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whose awareness was caught by Shisui’s Sharingan.

• Karatachi Yagura explained to Mei Terumi that the Empire was hunting Hollows and that new Sunlight Towers were being built under the Emperor’s orders.
• Mei Terumi read about the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament, and Karatachi Yagura encouraged her to compete and seek opportunities in Konoha.
• Mei Terumi left an urgent document for Karatachi Yagura, who frowned when he saw that it concerned people calling themselves the Pirate King.
• Zhen summoned Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu Kurotsuchi, and offered Mayuri a role overseeing Konoha’s future department for relations with Soul Society.
• Zhen introduced Uchiha Shisui as one of the Seven Mianwei and an Imperial Guard, and Shisui’s scarlet eyes caused Mayuri to lose awareness.

At a captains’ meeting, Kyoraku reported Soul Society’s agreements with the Sun Empire and discussed the coming ninja tournament and the vacant Thirteenth Division captaincy. Meanwhile, Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi investigated strange pirates in Water Province, and the chapter ended as a blue-flame-winged person appeared above their approaching fleet.

• Kyoraku briefed the captains on the Sun Empire’s agreements and said they would be invited to watch the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament.
• Yamamoto ordered Soul Society to restore its operations and investigate the Living World, then said the Thirteenth Division vacancy would be filled soon.
• Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi discussed how the new pirates had no Chakra despite their extraordinary strength.
• Zabuza asked Kisame to help expand the Demon People beyond a small local group, and Kisame postponed his answer until after the battle.
• Kisame and Zabuza spotted a large pirate fleet approaching, then saw a person flying toward them with wings of blue flames.

Shin sent Kakashi to Water Province to suppress the growing pirate raids and investigate a powerful crew from another world. Kisame reported that Zabuza had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, and Kakashi prepared to negotiate with them or purge the pirates if they refused to submit.

• Shin reviewed reports of rising pirate raids, ordered more ninja forces and Sunlight Towers in Water Province, and dispatched Kakashi to test his new Sage Engraving.
• Mei Terumi met Kisame in a tavern, where he said Zabuza was dead, then took him to see Karatachi Yagura.
• Kisame told Yagura that the Whitebeard Pirates had overwhelmed him and Zabuza, that Zabuza had joined them, and that their crew included many fighters as strong as jonin.
• Hyuga Kiyotaka summoned Yagura, Mei Terumi, and Kisame to the Ninja Guild headquarters, where they met Kakashi.
• Kakashi said Shin had sent him to suppress the pirates and seek an agreement with their strongest members, but the Empire would purge them if they refused to obey.

Shin revised the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament plans and invited Soul Society’s captains and vice-captains to attend. Neji asked to graduate early, but Shin told him to remain in school until he understood what he truly wanted.

• Ninja guilds publicized the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament, and Konoha announced that provincial capitals would broadcast it live.
• Shin removed the tournament’s written tests and other assessments, ordered the venue expanded, and told Samui to make the event grand.
• Shin considered holding a beauty pageant and ordered an invitation sent to Soul Society’s captains and vice-captains.
• Neji asked Shin for permission to graduate early, explaining that school offered little challenge and that Itachi and Kakashi had graduated early.
• Shin told Neji to stay in school until he was ready to pursue his own wish, and Neji left to join Jugo and Toneri.

Mei Terumi and Kisame arrived in Konoha with a group of Water Province ninjas to enter the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament. After registering and learning that the preliminary round would eliminate more than ninety percent of participants, Mei explored Konoha’s new district and decided she wanted to stay there.

• Mei Terumi and the Water Province ninjas entered Konoha, registered their identities, and were led to the tournament registration office.
• The group bypassed the long registration line with help from their Konoha escort and learned the tournament preliminary round would take place in three days with an elimination rate above ninety percent.
• Mei rented an inn room for a week after deciding the communal dormitory was not for her.
• Mei visited Konoha’s new district, marveled at its neon lights and shops, and decided she had to stay in Konoha.

The Soul Society captains and lieutenants arrived in Konoha to watch the martial arts tournament and meet the emperor of the Living World. When Hyuga Shin appeared before the crowd, Mei Terumi felt her heart stir at the sight of him.

• Shunsui Kyoraku led the Soul Society captains and lieutenants into Konoha, where Kamado welcomed them on His Majesty's command.
• Kamado used a transfer beam to take the visitors to a VIP room overlooking the tournament arena.
• The Shinigami sampled the refreshments and discussed the Living World and its peace agreement with the Sun Empire.
• Hyuga Shin appeared on the arena screens to cheers and worship from the crowd, and the captains discussed his rule and the Empire.
• Mei Terumi saw Hyuga Shin for the first time and felt her heart stir because he was young, handsome, powerful, and her age.

Mei Terumi won the Imperial Ninja Martial Arts Tournament after defeating Kari and Baki, while Kisame Hoshigaki withdrew from the competition. At the awards ceremony, Shin asked Mei Terumi whether she wanted to become his Imperial Guard.

• Kisame Hoshigaki defeated his opponent with a large-scale Water Release technique, then forfeited his next match.
• Mei Terumi defeated Kari by flooding the arena and using her Water Release and acidic mist, then scolded Kisame for withdrawing.
• Baki defeated Darui before Mei Terumi forced Baki to surrender in the final with her Boil Release mist.
• Shin presented the contestants with Konoha uniforms and forehead protectors, and the final-stage contestants received apartments.
• Shin asked Mei Terumi whether she was interested in becoming his Imperial Guard.

Shin hosted the visiting Shinigami in Konoha and proposed a friendly martial exchange between ninja and Shinigami. As the visitors prepared to return to Soul Society, Kyoraku reflected on his responsibilities, while Rangiku’s shopping and drinking with the other women ended with her seeing Gin across the courtyard.

• Shin welcomed the Shinigami and offered to share knowledge of ninja powers during a lavish banquet.
• Shin proposed a friendly martial exchange between ninja and Shinigami, and Kyoraku agreed to report the idea to the Captain-Commander.
• Kyoraku spoke with Unohana about the Living World and the pressure he felt after Yamamoto’s serious warnings.
• Rangiku, Rukia, Momo, and the other women shopped in Konoha and later gathered for drinks, where Rangiku hinted that Renji had feelings for Rukia.
• Rangiku spotted Gin outside his room across the courtyard, and the two silently looked at each other before Gin went inside.

Mei Terumi joined the Crown Guard and learned that its members wield Sage Engravings bestowed by Emperor Shin. After Shin engraved one on her, Mei experienced Sage Mode’s immense power and went downstairs to join her new colleagues.

• Mei worried about joining the Crown Guard and spent a sleepless night in the house Konoha had provided her.
• Mei met the Crown Guard members at the Imperial Palace, where Homura explained their Sage Engravings and their power.
• Shin summoned Mei upstairs and used a Jutsu Formula array to engrave a Sage Engraving on her body.
• Mei activated the engraving, sensed her greatly enhanced Chakra and Sage Mode, and thanked Shin for the gift.
• Mei returned downstairs as the Crown Guard congratulated her, though she wanted to go home and change her underwear.

Kakashi returned with intelligence about the pirates and a Devil Fruit, while Shin arranged a ninja-Shinigami exchange in Soul Society. Shin granted Naruto Tsunade a Sage Engraving that awakened immense power, leaving her suspicious of his motives and still determined to take revenge.

• Kakashi reported that the Whitebeard Pirates were powerful, described the scattered pirate forces and Devil Fruits, and gave Shin a strange fruit to study.
• Shin agreed to hold the Two Realms Exchange Meeting in Seireitei one month later, with ten participants from each side and a live broadcast for Konoha.
• Naruto Tsunade trained to master the Yin Seal in her new body and remained determined to grow strong enough to kill Shin.
• Shin separated Naruto Tsunade's soul from her body, placed a Sage Engraving on her, and explained that it could awaken her body's potential and enable Sage Mode and Wood Release.
• Naruto Tsunade tested the engraving and felt her power surge, but she demanded to know Shin's purpose and remained intent on taking revenge.

Shin offered Tsunade a chance to gain power by competing in the Two Realms Exchange Meeting, and she agreed after one night of consideration. After testing the Body Forging Pod, Tsunade resolved to use it to grow strong enough to surpass Shin before the match.

• Shin offered Tsunade greater power if she won the Two Realms Exchange Meeting, and she considered his proposal after he left.
• Tsunade went to the Imperial Palace the next day and agreed to Shin’s offer.
• Shin brought Tsunade to the Mechanical Science Research Institute, where Tonokawa introduced the upgraded Body Forging Pod.
• Shin ordered Tonokawa to set the pod to maximum power while Tsunade slept inside, and the machine completed a thirty-minute treatment.
• Tsunade asked to keep using the pod and decided she could surpass Shin before the match by combining its training with Sage Engraving.

Rukia learned that Itachi would represent Konoha in the upcoming Two Realms Exchange Meeting, while Mei trained to master the Sage Engraving and worried about proving herself worthy of the Crown Guard. The chapter ended with Mei gazing at a photograph of His Majesty and renewing her resolve not to disappoint him.

• Rukia enjoyed her diplomatic work in Konoha and saw a notice announcing the upcoming Two Realms Exchange Meeting.
• Rukia overheard Itachi tell Sasuke and Naruto that he would participate, and she doubted that the young ninja could challenge captain-class Shinigami.
• Itachi watched Rukia leave, then brushed aside Sasuke and Naruto's questions about her.
• Mei trained with Kisame Hoshigaki and learned that he was content with his Konoha position and planned to take the jonin examination.
• Mei recalled losing to Shisui and resolved to work harder after Kamado encouraged her to uncover the Sage Engraving's power.
• Mei returned home, looked at a photograph of herself with His Majesty, and vowed not to let him down.

Zhen unveiled a modified, ownerless Asauchi that he renamed Dark Strike and planned to mass-produce as the Sun Wheel Sword. He then arrived in the Soul Society for the Two Realms Exchange Meeting, where Hyuga Homura and Shunsui Kyoraku prepared to begin the first match.

• Kabuto presented Zhen with a modified Asauchi whose bond and abilities had been removed, and Zhen named it Dark Strike and its awakened form the Sun Wheel Sword.
• Zhen led the Ten Mianwei through the Senkaimon into the Soul Society, where Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the Soul Society's nobles welcomed them.
• Zhen and his party reached the arena, set up drones and a spatial rift to broadcast the meeting to the Living World, and listened as Chōjirō Sasakibe read the rules.
• Ayari and the others watched the broadcast with their children, while Rin, Obito, and their friends gathered elsewhere to cheer; Obito was teased about being Konoha's famous construction worker.
• Hyuga Homura volunteered to fight first, and Shunsui Kyoraku accepted his challenge as the Captains and Seated Officers watched.
• Mei Terumi wondered which Captain to face and settled on Sosuke Aizen, judging his scholarly appearance as a sign that he was weak.

Shunsui Kyoraku and Hyuga Homura fought in a sparring match that pushed both of them to reveal powerful techniques. Kyoraku won with a sudden burst of speed after refusing to release his Bankai, and the match ended with Homura conceding.

• Chōjirō Sasakibe announced the match, and Homura opened with Body Flicker and Gentle Fist attacks that Kyoraku countered with Kido.
• Kyoraku released his Shikai, while Homura countered Bushogoma with a stronger storm and unleashed Forty Divine Sky Strike, breaking Kyoraku’s Splitting Void barrier.
• Homura escaped Kyoraku’s Black Coffin, awakened a new form, and took to the air to bombard Kyoraku with golden Light Orbs.
• Kyoraku declined to use Bankai and offered to concede, but Homura challenged him to a final move to decide the winner.
• Homura fired Sixty Divine Sky Strike, but Kyoraku vanished and placed his blade at Homura’s neck before Homura conceded the match.

After Shunsui Kyoraku defeated Kamado, Kenpachi Zaraki challenged the Ten Mianwei and fought Might Guy. Guy unleashed the Sixth Gate of Joy, Demon Subduing Stance, as the battle escalated.

• Shunsui Kyoraku defeated Kamado, who returned to his seat and acknowledged his loss.
• Zhen began the next match after Kenpachi Zaraki eagerly asked who among the Ten Mianwei was strongest.
• Might Guy volunteered to fight Zaraki and said he would not need to use all his strength against him.
• Guy struck Zaraki with a swift punch and a powerful kick, but Zaraki rose unharmed and grew stronger.
• Zaraki's sword failed to injure Guy, who released a surge of Chakra and activated the Sixth Gate of Joy, Demon Subduing Stance.

Might Guy overwhelmed Kenpachi Zaraki in the Two Realms Exchange Meeting, even after Zaraki removed his Spiritual Pressure-suppressing eyepatch. The chapter ended with Guy knocking Zaraki unconscious and leaving the venue stunned.

• Guy caught Zaraki's sword with one hand and struck him hard enough to crack the distant Reiatsu Stone wall.
• Zaraki attacked again, but Guy blocked his blade barehanded and nearly hit his head with a kick that carved a gash into the wall.
• Zaraki removed his eyepatch, releasing his Spiritual Pressure, while Guy taunted him about his poor control.
• Guy revealed that he had activated the Sixth Gate and the sixth level of the Sage Engraving, then moved too quickly for the spectators to follow.
• Guy struck Zaraki in the chest, shattered the wall with the impact, and knocked him to the ground.

Naruto Tsunade and Retsu Unohana stepped forward for the next match at the Seireitei Two Realms Exchange Meeting. After Shin explained the Imperial Guard’s Sage Engraving, the two medical practitioners prepared to fight, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Naruto Tsunade treated Kenpachi Zaraki, who soon woke without fatal injuries, while the Fourth Division members carried him away.
• Shin reprimanded Might Guy for striking too hard, but Yamamoto accepted Guy’s apology and called the injuries an expected risk of martial exchange.
• Shin explained that the Imperial Guard could activate Sage Engraving to enter Sage Mode, as Kamado and Guy had demonstrated.
• Naruto Tsunade challenged the captains, and Retsu Unohana volunteered to face her before Aizen could step forward.
• Retsu Unohana drew her sword and warned that her fight might be boring, while Naruto Tsunade replied that she would have fewer concerns fighting another medical practitioner.

Hokage Tsunade and Retsu Unohana fought in the third match, with Unohana revealing her hidden blade and binding Tsunade with Kidō. As Unohana believed she had the advantage, Tsunade warned that she was not defeated, and thick vines began bursting from the ground.

• Hokage Tsunade charged Unohana and shattered the arena floor with her punch.
• Unohana attacked with Kidō while Tsunade dodged, countered, and demolished much of the venue with her blows.
• Tsunade accelerated with the Body Flicker Technique, but Unohana blocked her strike and wounded her with a concealed dagger.
• Unohana drew her sword, stabbed Tsunade in the chest, and bound her with Kidō chains after striking her with Byakurai.
• Tsunade challenged Unohana's assumption that she had won, and thick vines began erupting from the ground.

Retsu Unohana defeated Hokage Tsunade in a fierce sparring match by landing ten rapid cuts, though Tsunade conceded before either was badly injured. After the Shinigami and ninja discussed the match and future cooperation, Sajin Komamura and Uchiha Shisui stepped forward for the fourth bout.

• Unohana broke Tsunade’s forest of giant trees with a high-level Kido spell, then fought her with blades, restraints, and repeated attacks as Tsunade relied on regeneration.
• Unohana proposed deciding the match with one punch from Tsunade or ten cuts from herself, and the two launched into a final exchange.
• Unohana’s rapid swordsmanship marked Tsunade with ten cuts; Tsunade acknowledged the loss and returned to her seat.
• Shin and Yamamoto discussed sharing medical knowledge and cooperating to purify Hollows, while the Shinigami applauded the match.
• Sajin Komamura announced himself as the next fighter, and Uchiha Shisui stepped forward to face him.

Sajin Komamura and Uchiha Shisui escalated their sparring match from swordplay to their most powerful forms. The chapter ended as Shisui manifested Susanoo to face Komamura's Bankai, Kokujo Tengen Myo'o.

• Uchiha Shisui used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and illusions to wound Sajin Komamura, who released Tenken.
• Shisui's faster crimson-eyed attack cut Komamura's shoulder armor, and Komamura asked him to stop holding back.
• Sajin Komamura released Bankai and summoned the giant black-armored Kokujo Tengen Myo'o.
• Uchiha Shisui changed his eye pattern into a black four-pointed pinwheel and formed a towering Susanoo around himself.

Uchiha Shisui defeated Sajin Komamura in a battle between their giant warriors, Susanoo and Kokujo Tengen Myo'o, leaving Komamura injured and unconscious. After Naruto Tsunade healed him, Komamura accepted his loss and agreed to consider Shisui a friend.

• Shisui and Komamura summoned Susanoo and Kokujo Tengen Myo'o, and Komamura challenged Shisui to use Sage Mode.
• Komamura's giant struck Susanoo with overwhelming force, but Shisui took to the air and slashed Kokujo Tengen Myo'o's shoulder.
• Shisui blasted Kokujo Tengen Myo'o with green magatama, injuring Komamura through their shared damage and winning the match.
• Shisui dispelled Susanoo, and Komamura collapsed before Fourth Division medics and Naruto Tsunade treated him.
• Komamura woke, admitted defeat, and told Shisui he would consider him a friend.

Kakashi Hatake faced Byakuya Kuchiki in the sixth match and revealed that his Sun Wheel Sword had once been a Zanpakuto modified for ninjas. Their fast, escalating battle left Byakuya under pressure as Kakashi prepared to show more of his sword’s power.

• Mana restored the ruined venue with a gesture, and the exchange meeting resumed with Kakashi Hatake named for the sixth match.
• Byakuya Kuchiki volunteered to fight Kakashi, who revealed a black Sun Wheel Sword that Mana explained had been adapted from a Zanpakuto for ninja use.
• Kakashi and Byakuya clashed at high speed, with Kakashi countering Byakuya’s Kidō and Senbonzakura using fire, lightning, and his blade.
• Kakashi broke through Byakuya’s Rikujōkōrō and sent an enormous crescent of energy toward the venue wall, forcing Byakuya to evade.
• Byakuya asked whether Kakashi could release his blade, and Kakashi stroked the sword as the battle continued.

Kakashi defeated Byakuya with his Bankai, Takemikazuchi: World-Destroying Proclamation, demonstrating the Ten Mianwei’s strength to the Soul Society. After Byakuya recovered, Anko stepped forward to face Soi Fon in the next match.

• Kakashi unleashed Takemikazuchi: World-Destroying Proclamation and overwhelmed Byakuya’s strongest techniques, leaving him seriously injured in a massive crater.
• Chōjirō declared Kakashi the winner, and Naruto Tsunade quickly healed Byakuya before he acknowledged his defeat and left to change his damaged clothes.
• Kakashi’s victory left Obito and the others watching in Konoha stunned by the widening gap between themselves and the Ten Mianwei.
• Shunsui Kyoraku concluded that the Ten Mianwei rivaled the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, while Toshiro Hitsugaya worried about his upcoming match.
• Soi Fon volunteered for the next match, and Shin chose Anko Mitarashi to face her.