Chapter Summaries

After the meeting, Arima Shizuya reunited with Nemu Kurotsuchi, whom he had known as a child, and saw how much she had grown. Nemu returned to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, while Ichimaru Gin wondered whether Arima could act against the many people connected to him when the time came.

• Soi Fon argued that the Second Division did not need expansion or training, and Yamamoto accepted her request.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi left the meeting angry with Arima Shizuya for not informing him beforehand.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi approached Arima Shizuya, and they recalled meeting eleven years earlier when she was a child.
• Arima learned that Nemu had become the Twelfth Division's Vice-Captain and praised her growth.
• Mayuri called Nemu over, and she reassured Arima before returning with Mayuri to the First Division's Division Barracks.
• Ichimaru Gin watched Arima and wondered whether he could act against the people bound to him when everything settled.

After Arima Shizuya's New Kido proposal passed the Captain Meeting, Aizen Sōsuke's group celebrated and discussed its next steps. Shizuya gained a major increase in Kido and spiritual power, while Ichimaru Gin remained reluctant to leave the Fifth Division for a captaincy.

• Aizen Sōsuke toasted Shizuya's proposal passing deliberation, and Gin asked whether the Forty-Six Chambers still had to approve its spread.
• Aizen explained that the Chambers were unlikely to oppose a power restricted to Shinigami and said he had other methods if they did.
• Shizuya considered how the New Kido could let him enter restricted places and saw his Kido attribute rise by five points, reaching 85.
• Shizuya sensed that Aizen's spiritual pressure was beyond his perception and concluded that Aizen had reached First-Class Spiritual Pressure or higher.
• Aizen convened his group to review their progress, then Gin told Shizuya he did not want to pursue a captaincy because he preferred staying as Fifth Division Vice-Captain.

Ten years after Kuchiki Ginrei’s death, Kuchiki Byakuya formally became head of the Kuchiki Clan while his ill wife, Kuchiki Hisana, attended the ceremony. Afterward, Arima Shizuya discussed the Aizen Squad’s next steps with Ichimaru Gin and decided to monitor recent academy students.

• Kuchiki Hisana greeted guests at the Kuchiki estate despite her illness, and Kuchiki Byakuya had a maid escort her inside.
• Arima Shizuya and Ichimaru Gin arrived to congratulate Kuchiki Byakuya on becoming head of the Kuchiki Clan ten years after Kuchiki Ginrei’s death.
• Kuchiki Byakuya completed the lengthy appointment ceremony, and Arima Shizuya left without interrupting him and Hisana as they entertained guests.
• On the way back to their division, Ichimaru Gin questioned Arima Shizuya about his head ornament and his visit to the Fourth Division.
• Arima Shizuya learned that the Forty-Six Chambers had urged him to focus on developing off-the-books members, then told Ichimaru Gin to watch recent academy students.

Abarai Renji and Kira Izuru realized they needed a third teammate for their Soul Burial internship, so Hisagi Shūhei brought Hinamori Momo into their group. The classmates reunited and discussed which divisions they hoped to join, with Momo considering the Fourth Division and dismissing her chances of entering the Fifth.

• Abarai Renji and Kira Izuru talked during their first visit to the World of the Living while Hisagi Shūhei pointed out that internship teams needed three members.
• Hisagi Shūhei asked Hinamori Momo, who was alone, to team up with Renji and Izuru, and she agreed because they were classmates who had worked together before.
• Renji, Izuru, and Momo reunited and reflected on how the Academy’s restructuring had kept them apart.
• Izuru said the Third Division seemed suited to him, while Momo said the Fourth Division might suit her.
• Izuru noted Momo’s strong New Kidō grades and suggested the Fifth Division, but Momo said its competition was too intense for her to be selected.

Abarai Renji learned that Kuchiki Rukia had been adopted and transferred away, but accepted her choice and resolved to focus on becoming stronger. During the trainees’ Soul Burial assignment, a scream interrupted the group as they prepared to guide souls onward.

• Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, and HinaMori Momo joked about Renji’s unusual intuition and the New Kidō exam.
• Abarai Renji asked whether his friends had seen Rukia, and Kira Izuru told him she had been adopted and transferred to another class.
• Abarai Renji accepted that Rukia had her reasons, wished for her happiness, and decided to focus on becoming stronger.
• Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, and HinaMori Momo joined the Soul Burial assignment and prepared to handle the confused souls.
• A scream rang out just as HinaMori Momo was about to speak.

Hisagi Shūhei led the surviving Academy students in resisting a Hollow attack while they waited for reinforcements, but the students lost the will to fight as the Hollows closed in. A haori-wearing figure marked with the character for “Five” appeared and urged them to hold on to their swords and fight to survive.

• A Hollow killed a supervising teacher, and more Hollows appeared, forcing Hisagi Shūhei to gather the survivors and lead their retreat.
• Hisagi Shūhei and HInamori Momo fought off a Hollow while Abarai Renji and Kira Izuru held back others and helped regroup the students.
• Shinomiya contacted the Seireitei, but the nearest reinforcements would take at least ten minutes to arrive.
• The frightened students dropped their Asauchi and lost hope, while Kira Izuru, Abarai Renji, and HInamori Momo resolved to keep fighting beside Hisagi Shūhei.
• As the Hollows surged toward them, a haori-wearing figure marked with “Five” appeared and told the survivors to hold tight to their swords and fight for survival.

Fifth Division Captain Arima Shizuya and Vice-Captain Ichimaru Gin rescued the Academy students from the attacking Hollows. After arranging their return to the Seireitei, Arima sealed the students’ Asauchi until they could prove their resolve.

• Hinamori Momo recognized Arima Shizuya as the Fifth Division Captain, and he greeted her as a prospective recruit.
• Ichimaru Gin killed the charging Hollows with a single strike after Arima decided to intervene.
• Arima reassured Hisagi Shūhei that the Fifth Division would handle the incident and retrieved the students’ scattered Asauchi.
• Arima rebuked the students for abandoning their swords and sealed their Asauchi until they proved their resolve.
• Arima led the group toward the Seireitei with the Asauchi arranged behind him like steel wings.

Hinamori Momo, Abarai Renji, and Kira Izuru weighed Captain Arima Shizuya’s offer of scholarships or an intensive internship in the Fifth Division. Renji and Hinamori chose the internship, and after Hisagi Shūhei urged Kira to trust his potential, Kira prepared to answer.

• Hinamori, Renji, and Kira discussed Arima’s two choices and the demanding training attached to the Fifth Division internship.
• Renji chose the internship, saying he wanted to grow stronger and see how Rukia was doing.
• Hinamori also chose to try the internship, despite her doubts about her own confidence.
• Kira said he would pass because he feared failing to meet expectations and burdening others.
• Hisagi revealed that Arima had asked him to persuade anyone who refused, then encouraged Kira to trust his potential.
• Kira hesitated under Hisagi’s reassurance and began to give his answer.

Hisagi Shūhei accompanied Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, and Hinamori Momo to the Fifth Division, where they encountered Vice-Captain Ichimaru Gin. Gin then confronted Arima Shizuya over orders to leave the division and take a promotion, insisting that he wanted to stay.

• Hisagi Shūhei bonded with Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, and Hinamori Momo as they walked to the Fifth Division, and he explained that he intended to join a different division because he wanted to repay Kensei Muguruma.
• The group arrived at the Fifth Division barracks and encountered Ichimaru Gin, who complained that they were late and criticized the people Arima Shizuya had chosen.
• A squad member told the group that Ichimaru Gin and Captain Arima Shizuya had been arguing, prompting Abarai Renji to ask what had happened.
• Ichimaru Gin told Arima Shizuya that he opposed the chosen candidates' appointments and would not leave the Fifth Division because of the Prison Master's order.
• Arima Shizuya explained that the Prison Master wanted Ichimaru Gin promoted to captain and a new Vice-Captain appointed, then pointed out that Gin had mastered Bankai.
• Ichimaru Gin said that other people's opinions did not matter to him and refused to leave the Fifth Division.

Ichimaru Gin accepted Arima Shizuya’s plan to transfer him to the Tenth Division and take its captaincy. Arima then visited Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname, where he learned that their Metastacia experiment had succeeded and saw it overpower a Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain.

• Ichimaru Gin asked to continue following Arima Shizuya, but Arima told him he had arranged a transfer to the Tenth Division and urged him to claim its captaincy.
• Ichimaru Gin agreed to accept the responsibility, while asking to choose his own Vice-Captain.
• Arima Shizuya considered the remaining events before the story began, especially Kaien Shiba’s death and the creation of Hollow White.
• Arima visited the Ninth Division’s secured basement and joined Tōsen Kaname and Aizen Sōsuke at their monitoring screens.
• Aizen told Arima that Metastacia had successfully merged with Shinigami power and could suppress Zanpakuto abilities, then showed it defeating a Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain.

Arima Shizuya watched Aizen’s failed Hollowfication experiment and the successful but instinct-driven Hollow White, then proposed using the Hōgyoku to transform a portion of his own soul. Aizen and Tōsen objected, but Arima claimed the Sagara Dragon’s new ability could make the plan safe.

• Kaien Shiba regained control of his body and struck Rukia’s Zanpakuto, prompting Aizen and Arima Shizuya to discuss the failed experiment.
• Tōsen Kaname showed Aizen and Arima footage of Hollow White, a powerful, intelligent but irrational creature made from a Shinigami soul.
• Aizen urged Arima to reconsider his proposal because White’s abilities already met the experiment’s needs.
• Arima revealed that he wanted to use the Hōgyoku to separate and Hollowfy part of his own soul, drawing forceful objections from Tōsen and Aizen.
• Arima insisted he had a plan and said the Sagara Dragon’s newly developed ability could solve the dangers of splitting his soul.

Arima Shizuya demonstrated a newly developed Bankai ability that created a fully connected, equally powerful clone, impressing Prison Master. After considering the possibility of using Shizuya as a specimen for Hollowfication, Prison Master agreed to respect his choice and asked why he was willing to go so far.

• Arima Shizuya activated Tianlong Babu and produced an identical clone beside him.
• Prison Master determined that the clone was real, with condensed Spiritual Power, and inferred that the ability created clones by dividing Shizuya's power.
• Arima Shizuya explained that the two selves shared consciousness, memories, strength, and instincts, and could communicate even after the Bankai ended or across great distances.
• Prison Master marveled at the ability and considered Hollowfying a powerful captain as a rare opportunity for his experiments.
• Tōsen Kaname began to object, but Prison Master urged him to respect Shizuya's wishes and asked Shizuya why he was willing to go so far.

Arima Shizuya chose to undergo Hollowfication, hoping to witness the realm beyond a Shinigami’s limits and explore the power of his Zanpakuto. With Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname present, he made a wish to the Hōgyoku to take Hollow White’s place and gain its traits and power to transfer.

• Arima Shizuya explained that he wanted to explore Hollow’s realm and attempt what seemed impossible, using his other self to bear the risks of Hollowfication.
• The Prison Master accepted Arima Shizuya’s decision, while Tōsen Kaname reminded him that they were comrades who trusted one another.
• Arima Shizuya considered the remaining powers of Tianlong Babu as the Prison Master prepared the underground Hollowfication chamber.
• Aizen Sōsuke warned Arima Shizuya that the experiment’s outcome was uncertain, but both versions of Arima Shizuya confirmed they wanted to proceed.
• Arima Shizuya reached for the Hōgyoku and wished to take Hollow White’s place, possess its traits, and gain the power to transfer.

Arima Shizuya asked the Hōgyoku to let him replace Hollow White and become a fusion of Shinigami and Quincy powers. The Hōgyoku transformed him, and Ichibei Hyōsube recognized that Shizuya had become a new kind of being.

• Arima Shizuya wished to replace Hollow White and experience the world as a participant in Kurosaki Ichigo’s inner world.
• The Hōgyoku erupted with light and began pulling everything around it inward, while Aizen Sōsuke retreated after the Hōgyoku told him not to interfere.
• Arima Shizuya felt his body dissolve and die before perceiving a new self within the chaos.
• The Hōgyoku’s power blasted open the basement, and Arima Shizuya awoke, struggling to adapt to his changed state.
• Arima Shizuya roared as destructive urges and unfamiliar emotions overwhelmed him.
• Ichibei Hyōsube sensed the transformation and concluded that Arima Shizuya had left the rules that governed ordinary beings.

Arima Shizuya endured the pain of adapting to his new perspective as his Yaksha Clone transformed into a pale, serpentine Eastern Dragon Hollow with a broken mask. Aizen worried that the beast-like form indicated limited potential, but their discussion was interrupted when White broke through the basement wall.

• Arima Shizuya recovered from the pain of adapting to the clone’s perspective as the Yaksha Clone revealed its white, five-clawed dragon form.
• Aizen Sōsuke and Prison Master observed the clone’s scales, dragon whiskers, and broken Hollow mask, which Aizen found unexpected.
• Arima Shizuya explained the Hollow ranks—Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde—and recognized that Aizen feared the clone lacked potential because it had a beast-like form.
• Aizen silently regretted allowing Arima Shizuya to undergo the painful experiment, while Arima sensed a disturbance before he could respond.
• White smashed through the basement wall, prompting Tōsen Kaname to shield Arima Shizuya as Aizen identified the intruding creation.

Aizen Sōsuke and Prison Master observed Arima Shizuya’s Yaksha Clone and Hollow White, whose mutual attraction led them into a violent fight. Arima Shizuya lost control of the clone, and Aizen discovered it could disassemble spiritual particles before it tore Hollow White in half.

• Prison Master ended the observation and tried to restrain the approaching Yaksha Clone and Hollow White with Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi.
• The Yaksha Clone escaped the Black Coffin and shattered it, then attacked Hollow White, which fought back and badly wounded both of them.
• Aizen Sōsuke bound the Hollows with Bakudō #99: Kin, but the Yaksha Clone broke free as its restraints melted into spiritual particles.
• Arima Shizuya admitted he could not control the Yaksha Clone, and Aizen identified its ability as Spiritual Particle Disassembly.
• The Yaksha Clone seized the still-bound Hollow White and tore it in half.

Ichimaru Gin gave Hinamori Momo her final evaluation and explained that the Fifth Division valued perseverance because its support duties could take members into unfamiliar dangers. He appointed her the Fifth Division Vice-Captain and handed her his armband.

• Ichimaru Gin told Hinamori Momo that Abarai Renji had joined the Sixth Division and Kira Izuru had joined the Third Division, leaving her as the only candidate still in the Fifth Division.
• Hinamori Momo worried that she lacked the ability to become Vice-Captain, and Ichimaru Gin acknowledged her weaker performance while affirming that she had not given up.
• Ichimaru Gin explained that the Fifth Division's support duties required a Vice-Captain to persevere through fear and unfamiliar situations.
• Ichimaru Gin declared Hinamori Momo the most suitable candidate and appointed her Fifth Division Vice-Captain, handing her his armband.

Arima Shizuya dismissed Ichimaru Gin from the Fifth Division, urging him to pursue happiness with Rangiku while concealing the burdens he still had to carry. Gin accepted his departure and entrusted Hinamori Momo with looking after Arima, leaving the story with Arima resting and Hinamori taking over Gin’s personal duties.

• Ichimaru Gin confronted Arima Shizuya about keeping him away from Aizen and suspected Arima wanted to protect him from danger.
• Arima told Gin that his work in the Fifth Division was over and encouraged him to rest in the Tenth Division and be with Rangiku.
• Gin asked about Arima’s own happiness and pointed out that Arima had been carrying heavy responsibilities and neglecting Kohaku-senpai.
• Arima said he still had things to accomplish and ended the conversation, so Gin left without pressing him further.
• Gin entered the Vice-Captain’s office and told Hinamori Momo where Arima kept medicine and blankets, asking her to look after him.
• Hinamori promised to meet Gin’s expectations, and Gin reminded her to keep her voice down because Arima was resting.

Arima Shizuya held his first formal meeting with Hinamori Momo as her captain, discussing the Fifth Division’s purpose and learning why she chose to join. Hinamori affirmed her resolve to help others, and the meeting ended with the two agreeing to work together.

• Arima Shizuya welcomed Hinamori Momo and asked what she thought the Fifth Division lacked most; she answered that it needed to earn people’s trust.
• Arima Shizuya said the division should make others feel reassured and praised Hinamori’s potential to protect and help people at any cost.
• Arima Shizuya asked why Hinamori had chosen the Fifth Division, and she explained that his rescue of her in the World of the Living inspired her to give others the same reassurance.
• Hinamori declared that the Gotei 13 should have a Fifth Division ready to sacrifice itself for others, and Arima Shizuya thanked her for showing his past actions had mattered.
• Arima Shizuya ended the meeting and offered his hand; Hinamori accepted his welcome as vice-captain.

Arima Shizuya joined Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname in the Ninth Division’s underground laboratory, where Aizen explained the Yaksha Clone’s power and threat to Shinigami. After discussing the clone, Aizen asked Shizuya to demonstrate a change in his own power, and Shizuya summoned the Milky White Mask.

• Arima Shizuya visited Aizen Sōsuke and Tōsen Kaname in the underground laboratory and invited them to go out for a drink after finishing their work.
• Tōsen Kaname gave Shizuya the research records, and Aizen explained that the Yaksha Clone had strength comparable to a Vasto Lorde despite its Adjuchas classification.
• Aizen said the clone’s Spiritual Pressure reached Second-Class levels, its strength likely followed Shizuya’s, and its ability to affect spiritual particles made it a potent threat to Shinigami.
• Aizen asked Shizuya to demonstrate a power belonging to his true body, and Shizuya gathered Spiritual Power in his right hand.
• Black sparks flickered as the Milky White Mask appeared on Shizuya.