Chapter Summaries

Aizen Sōsuke questioned Orihime Inoue in Hueco Mundo while Loly Aivirrne beat her for staying silent. After Orihime restored Loly’s severed arm, Aizen ordered Ulquiorra to take Orihime to Shizuya-kun’s residence and protect her.

• Aizen Sōsuke asked Orihime Inoue why she had been brought to Hueco Mundo, but she stayed silent.
• Loly Aivirrne struck Orihime and continued beating her until Aizen ordered her to stop.
• When Loly resisted the order, Aizen had Ulquiorra tear off her right arm, and Yammy ate it.
• Orihime used her power to restore Loly’s arm and asked if she was all right.
• Aizen recognized Orihime’s courage, then ordered Ulquiorra to take her to Shizuya-kun’s residence and protect her.

Aizen Sōsuke explained that he had acted on instinct when he mistreated Orihime Inoue, leaving Ichimaru Gin confused. Ulquiorra carried Orihime to Arima Shizuya, who apologized for her ordeal and praised her growth.

• Aizen Sōsuke told Ichimaru Gin that he had acted on instinct and suggested only Arima Shizuya might understand his thinking.
• Ulquiorra carried the injured Orihime Inoue from Las Noches and explained that he would guard her while she remained in Hueco Mundo.
• Ulquiorra brought Orihime to Arima Shizuya’s hidden residence, where Arima greeted them after seeing her injuries.
• Arima Shizuya apologized to Orihime for the hardship caused by Aizen Sōsuke and treated her injuries.
• Arima Shizuya patted Orihime’s head and told her she had grown since their time in Soul Society.

Arima Shizuya studied the Prototype Hōgyoku after Ulquiorra returned it, hoping to help Arrancar confront what was missing within them. Meanwhile, Loly Aivirrne confronted Orihime Inoue over why she had saved her, and Orihime answered that Loly had looked lonely.

• Orihime Inoue fell asleep after Arima Shizuya used Spiritual Power to calm her and help her wounds heal naturally.
• Arima Shizuya questioned Ulquiorra about his condition and learned that his transformations had remained stable during his mission.
• Ulquiorra removed the Prototype Hōgyoku from his Hollow hole and gave it to Arima Shizuya for analysis.
• Arima Shizuya asked Ulquiorra to spend more time with Orihime Inoue while she remained in Hueco Mundo.
• Loly Aivirrne used Arrancar who could enter Arima Shizuya's territory to lure Orihime Inoue outside and confront her.
• Loly Aivirrne demanded to know why Orihime Inoue had saved her, and Orihime replied that Loly had looked lonely.

Orihime Inoue comforted Loly Aivirrne as grief over Maria overwhelmed her, while Kurosaki Ichigo chose to enter Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime despite Soul Society’s advice to wait. Ichigo, Uryū Ishida, and Chad Yasutora passed through Kisuke Urahara’s one-way Black Coffin, with Uryū carrying something his father had asked him to deliver to Arima Shizuya.

• Orihime recognized Loly’s loneliness and grief over her friend Maria, and Loly broke down before Orihime embraced her.
• Ulquiorra questioned why Orihime had managed to suppress Loly, and Arima Shizuya told him understanding the answer could help his power advance.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō and the Soul Society group arrived at Kurosaki Ichigo’s school and explained that they were prioritizing preparations for the coming battle.
• Ichigo told Kisuke Urahara he had decided to rescue Orihime because she had called his name and no one else would save her.
• Urahara opened a one-way imitation Black Coffin that could take three people to Hueco Mundo, and Ichigo, Uryū Ishida, and Chad Yasutora entered it.
• Uryū pressed a hand to his chest as the trio planned their route, remembering that his father had asked him to deliver something to Arima Shizuya.

Kurosaki Ichigo, Chad Yasutora, and Uryū Ishida entered Hueco Mundo, where Arima Shizuya ordered the Espada to hold position and let Uryū reach him. As Arima’s ominous premonition intensified, Uryū learned that Arima was expecting him and chose to fulfill his family’s commission alone.

• Kurosaki Ichigo, Chad Yasutora, and Uryū Ishida fell out of the Black Coffin into Hueco Mundo and landed in a heap.
• Aizen Sōsuke left an emergency Espada meeting and told the Arrancar to follow Arima Shizuya’s instructions.
• Arima ordered the Espada to stay on standby and let Uryū pass so he could reach the Barrier Land.
• Arima told Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin that he feared he would not survive the coming war, despite their reassurances.
• Kurosaki Ichigo, Chad Yasutora, and Uryū encountered Nel, Dondochakka Birstanne, and Pesche Guatiche, who directed Uryū toward Arima.
• Uryū told Kurosaki Ichigo and Chad Yasutora he had to fulfill a commission connected to his family and origins, then set off alone.

Uryū Ishida delivered a bag to Arima Shizuya, who revealed that its contents were tied to Uryū’s grandfather, Sōken Ishida. After Uryū chose to learn more, Arima identified the objects as Sōken’s journal, the Quincy Book, and the Wandenreich Proof, and began telling the story of the Quincy Ancestor.

• Uryū Ishida left Ichigo and the others and traveled alone through Hueco Mundo to deliver a package to Arima Shizuya.
• Ulquiorra escorted Uryū to Arima’s residence, where Uryū found Orihime Inoue and decided he could not take her away by force.
• Arima told Uryū that the package’s contents were connected to Sōken Ishida, prompting Uryū to stay and hear more.
• Arima revealed an old journal and a silver-white coin, identifying them as the Quincy Book and the Wandenreich Proof.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi emerged as a miniature figure from Uryū’s body and joined Arima, Uryū, and Orihime as Arima began recounting the Quincy Ancestor’s story.

Arima Shizuya explained Yhwach and the Wandenreich to Uryū Ishida, then learned that the Gotei 13 and Zero Division were mobilizing for war. After saying his farewells and refusing Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s advice to hide, he joined Aizen Sōsuke’s group and prepared to enter the Black Coffin.

• Arima Shizuya told Uryū Ishida about Yhwach, the Wandenreich, and the Quincy Book, while Mayuri Kurotsuchi revealed that he had already investigated the threat.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi warned Arima Shizuya that the Gotei 13 had begun its operation against Hueco Mundo and that Zero Division had also been deployed, urging him to flee and hide.
• Arima Shizuya declined Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s advice, gave Uryū Ishida the Quincy Book, encouraged Orihime Inoue to trust her power, and ordered Ulquiorra to protect Las Noches and survive.
• Arima Shizuya met Aizen Sōsuke and the others, changed into Hueco Mundo’s white uniform, and stepped toward the Black Coffin.

Uryū Ishida left Orihime Inoue behind under Ulquiorra’s guard, but Nnoitra Gilga attacked him as he departed. Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo confronted Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and revealed a powerful new Hollowfication as their fight began.

• Ulquiorra refused to let Uryū Ishida take Orihime Inoue, and Uryū decided to leave her in the barrier while promising to rescue her later.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi examined the Prototype Hōgyoku and offered to save Orihime Inoue as the Gotei 13 advanced into Hueco Mundo.
• Nnoitra Gilga appeared outside the barrier, declared that he had been abandoned, and struck Uryū Ishida with his sword.
• Kurosaki Ichigo left Nel and the others to rescue Uryū Ishida, while Rukia and Renji sensed that someone had already been injured.
• Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez challenged Kurosaki Ichigo, who activated Bankai and unleashed his Hollowfication before attacking.

Kurosaki Ichigo overwhelmed Grimmjow in Hueco Mundo and left to support Uryū Ishida. Meanwhile, Arima Shizuya and his allies arrived to face Captain-Commander Yamamoto, and Arima declared they would win.

• Kurosaki Ichigo struck Grimmjow with a powerful Getsuga Tenshō, leaving Chad Yasutora and Nel stunned by his unfamiliar restraint and strength.
• Grimmjow emerged in Resurrección, but Kurosaki Ichigo pierced him with a Hollow Flash and then drove him into the desert with further attacks.
• Kurosaki Ichigo asked Chad Yasutora to watch over the unconscious Grimmjow, then rushed off to support Uryū Ishida.
• Arima Shizuya sensed Kurosaki Ichigo's growth while traveling through the Black Coffin with Ichimaru Gin and reflected on the power he had helped him uncover.
• Ichimaru Gin questioned whether Arima Shizuya's group could face Captain-Commander Yamamoto, but Aizen announced their arrival and Arima said they would win.

Aizen Sōsuke and his Arrancar confronted the Gotei 13 above Karakura Town, where he declared that he would drag the Spirit King down from the heavens. After Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni rejected surrender and Tōsen Kaname ordered the Arrancar to attack, the battle began.

• Aizen Sōsuke emerged from Black Coffin with his allies above Karakura Town, facing the Gotei 13 main force led by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō and other Shinigami prepared to fight, while Kyōraku Shunsui gently sent Kotetsu Isane away from the formation.
• Kyōraku Shunsui asked Aizen Sōsuke about his goal, and Aizen declared that he would drag the Spirit King down from the heavens.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni countered Aizen's Spiritual Pressure with flames, then demanded that Aizen surrender; Aizen refused and vowed to shatter the heavens.
• Tōsen Kaname ordered the Arrancar to attack, then descended toward the battlefield, prompting Komamura Sajin to charge after him as the Arrancar chose their opponents.

Arima Shizuya chose to face Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni alone and continue their unfinished battle while Aizen launched the Fake Karakura Town conflict. As Yamamoto unleashed Ryūjin Jakka, Shizuya called on the long-sealed power of his Shikai, Sagara Dragon.

• Arima Shizuya teased Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku about their feelings before deciding to face Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni himself.
• Aizen Sōsuke released hordes of Hollows from a Black Coffin, and Hirako Shinji led the Visored in blocking them from the Shinigami.
• Arima Shizuya refused Aizen’s offer to handle personal matters and declared that he would continue his unfinished battle with Yamamoto.
• Yamamoto activated Ryūjin Jakka, filling the battlefield with overwhelming flames.
• Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi monitored the fight from outside their reinforced barrier, and Urahara explained that it had been built to contain the battle’s power.
• Arima Shizuya called out, “Awaken Yourself, Sagara Dragon,” and reclaimed the power of his Shikai.

Arima Shizuya faced Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni without using Bankai and survived two overwhelming attacks from Ryūjin Jakka unharmed. Yamamoto realized that Sagara Dragon had adapted to his flames, leaving the battle’s next move uncertain.

• Kyōraku Shunsui fought Coyote Starrk while the other battles kept the combatants from interfering with Arima Shizuya and Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
• Arima Shizuya released Sagara Dragon and told Yamamoto that he intended to overcome him without underestimating his strength.
• Yamamoto struck Arima with Pine Torch, but Arima walked through the flames unharmed and said they no longer affected him.
• Yamamoto unleashed Scorching Hell, surrounding Arima with pillars of fire and detonating them while the others fled or sheltered from the devastation.
• Arima emerged from the smoke uninjured, and Yamamoto concluded that Sagara Dragon had adapted to his flames rather than simply evading them.

Arima Shizuya revealed that Sagara Dragon could analyze and seize control of powers it had fully understood, threatening to turn Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s Ryūjin Jakka against him. Aizen Sōsuke sealed the battlefield away from the Gotei 13, and Yamamoto began to release his Bankai as the duel continued.

• Arima Shizuya explained that Sagara Dragon’s true ability was to interpret and control powers after analyzing them.
• Arima Shizuya seized control of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s flames, forcing Yamamoto to return Ryūjin Jakka to its sealed form before it spiraled out of control.
• Aizen Sōsuke raised a wall of Spiritual Power around the battlefield, preventing Kyōraku Shunsui and the others from intervening.
• Arima Shizuya told Yamamoto that he had studied and recorded his fighting methods, allowing him to match Yamamoto in their renewed close-quarters battle.
• Yamamoto steadied himself, raised his hand, and began to invoke his Bankai.

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni released Bankai, Ryūjin Jakka, as the heat spread through the battlefield and beyond. After Kurosaki Ichigo defeated Ulquiorra and Orihime Inoue healed him, Arima Shizuya and Yamamoto began their Bankai-versus-Bankai showdown.

• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni released Ryūjin Jakka, causing the surrounding air to dry and the temperature to rise across the battlefield and the World of the Living.
• Jūshirō Ukitake, Soi Fon, Ōmaeda, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Kisuke Urahara’s group felt the heat, while Ise Nanao fainted from the Spiritual Power.
• Kurosaki Ichigo defeated Ulquiorra, who surrendered, and Orihime Inoue healed him.
• Retsu Unohana arrived and urged Kurosaki Ichigo to hurry because the battle in the World of the Living had reached its most intense stage.
• Yamamoto explained Ryūjin Jakka’s accumulated flame power and asked Arima Shizuya if he could withstand it.
• Arima Shizuya raised Sagara Dragon and released Bankai, Tianlong Babu.

Arima Shizuya used Bankai Babu to perceive timelines and survive Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s attacks, but Yamamoto unleashed Ryūjin Jakka’s ultimate stance, Tenchi Kaijin. The chapter ended with Arima’s body split apart and his Spiritual Pressure fading as Kotetsu Isane whispered for him not to die.

• Arima Shizuya entered Bankai Babu, expanding his senses across time while Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni prepared to attack.
• Yamamoto struck Arima with Rising Sun Edge, but Arima restored himself by finding a timeline in which he had not been hit.
• Yamamoto used Remnant Sun Prison Garb, and Arima survived its burning by finding a path to survival through time.
• Seeing the battlefield and barrier deteriorate, Yamamoto withdrew Remnant Sun Prison Garb and prepared Ryūjin Jakka’s ultimate stance.
• Yamamoto used Tenchi Kaijin to cut Arima apart, and Arima’s Spiritual Pressure began to fade.
• Kotetsu Isane watched Arima appear to be dying and whispered, “Don’t... die...”

Arima Shizuya was annihilated by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s ultimate technique, leaving Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin unable to save him. Yamamoto offered them a chance to return to Soul Society before turning his fury on Aizen Sōsuke, who suggested that Shizuya’s methods might extend beyond what they had just seen.

• Arima Shizuya lost the ability to find a timeline in which he survived and crumbled into ashes after Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni used Heaven and Earth Ashes.
• Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin tried to catch Arima Shizuya’s remains, but they vanished in their hands.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni offered Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin a chance to surrender and return to Soul Society, while Kyōraku Shunsui explained that granting their pardon could cost Yamamoto his position.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni halted the rain with his spiritual pressure and declared that he would kill Aizen Sōsuke, even if the Gotei 13 lost every fighter.
• Aizen Sōsuke mocked Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s grief and asked whether he truly thought Arima Shizuya’s methods amounted to only what they had witnessed.

Arima Shizuya returned to life after Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni killed him, revealing that his Bankai, Tianlong Babu: Mahoraga, let him negate one attack at the cost of memories tied to his injuries. He faced Yamamoto again and declared that the same move would not work twice, then began taking Yamamoto’s flames.

• Kurosaki Ichigo arrived with the Rescue Squad and demanded to know where Arima Shizuya was, while Aizen Sōsuke pointed out the distant battlefield.
• Fragments of Fake Karakura Town gathered and rebuilt Arima Shizuya’s body as Aizen draped a robe over him and woke him.
• Arima Shizuya realized that Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had killed him and explained that his Bankai had allowed him to survive by negating the attack.
• Yamamoto accused Aizen of manipulating people’s hearts and approached Arima, who insisted that he was real and challenged him again.
• Arima Shizuya said Yamamoto’s killing move would not work on him again, and his Zanpakuto began radiating heat as he declared he would take Yamamoto’s flames.

Arima Shizuya and Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni clashed with their strongest techniques, while Aizen Sōsuke shielded Karakura Town from the resulting shockwaves. The duel’s outcome remained uncertain as both fighters staggered out of the smoke.

• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni regained brief control of Ryūjin Jakka and prepared to strike Arima Shizuya with Heaven and Earth Eradication.
• Arima Shizuya refused Aizen Sōsuke’s offer to interfere and took the same head-on stance as Yamamoto.
• The barrier around the battlefield cracked, and Arima Shizuya and Yamamoto charged at each other, shattering it as their blades collided.
• Kisuke Urahara called on the Captains to protect the World of the Living, and Aizen Sōsuke raised a Spiritual Power barrier over Karakura Town.
• Yamamoto emerged with a grievous chest wound, and Arima Shizuya staggered out behind him, leaving the duel’s winner unclear.

Arima Shizuya defeated Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni in their battle, and Yamamoto accepted the outcome while urging him to continue his dangerous journey. Restored to full strength, Shizuya joined Aizen Sōsuke to open the path to the Spirit King Palace.

• Arima Shizuya returned from the flames missing his left hand, and Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni declared that he had lost.
• Aizen Sōsuke told the Gotei 13 that their apparent advantage had depended on Shizuya’s restraint and explained that Shizuya had held back from killing Yamamoto.
• Yamamoto wondered whether Shizuya would have remained loyal to Soul Society if he had become his disciple first, and Shizuya briefly envisioned an alternate life in the Gotei 13.
• Yamamoto praised Shizuya as the strongest in Soul Society, then lent him Ryūjin Jakka’s power to heal his injuries and urged him not to die.
• Shizuya returned to Aizen, and the two prepared to open the path to the Spirit King Palace.

Aizen Sōsuke and Arima Shizuya accepted the invitation of a portal that opened in the sky and ascended toward the Empty Throne, leaving the Gotei 13 and Hueco Mundo behind. With the two Kings gone, both factions considered their next moves, while the Arrancar began choosing their own paths.

• Aizen Sōsuke’s Spiritual Power torrent shattered against the sky, revealing a deep, O-shaped portal that he and Arima Shizuya decided to enter.
• Aizen Sōsuke and Arima Shizuya climbed into the sky on steps formed from Reishi, as Hinamori Momo and Kotetsu Isane watched them leave.
• Kyōraku Shunsui took command of the Gotei 13, ordered the wounded treated, and debated whether to attack Hueco Mundo while the Visored and Kisuke Urahara focused on protecting the World of the Living.
• Ichimaru Gin told the Arrancar that their purpose had been fulfilled and urged them to seek their own meaning, while Tier Halibel thanked him and left to pursue a peaceful life.
• Barragan Luisenbarn departed for Hueco Mundo, while Coyote Starrk chose to remain because he hated being alone.