Chapter Summaries

Arima Shizuya used a chokehold to gain the advantage over Marechiyo during their fight, impressing Yoruichi and Aizen with his rapid growth and adaptable technique. Yoruichi ordered Marechiyo to release his spiritual pressure, and he broke free and slammed Arima into the dojo floor, leaving the boy coughing up blood.

• Yoruichi noticed Arima Shizuya's new fighting stance and asked Aizen whether he had trained him.
• Marechiyo charged, but Arima dodged beneath his arm and locked him in a rear naked choke.
• Yoruichi praised Arima for adapting his fighting style, while Marechiyo struggled to escape the choke.
• Yoruichi ordered Marechiyo to release his spiritual pressure in the name of Shihouin.
• Marechiyo broke Arima's hold, swung him overhead, and slammed him through the dojo floor, making him spit blood.

Arima Shizuya faced Vice-Captain Ōmaeda in a second match after Ōmaeda’s spiritual pressure left him badly injured. Yoruichi defended the unfair contest as a lesson for future Shinigami, and Shizuya stood ready to continue despite the overwhelming gap between them.

• Kotetsu Isane protested that Yoruichi’s match between Ōmaeda and Arima Shizuya was unfair.
• Yoruichi argued that graduates had to learn to face stronger enemies and defend others even at the risk of defeat or death.
• Aizen apologized for Isane’s remarks and asked Yoruichi to forgive her, then Yoruichi teased Isane about her feelings for Shizuya.
• Shizuya rose from the arena floor, acknowledged the force of Ōmaeda’s blow, and challenged the idea that noble honor justified a sneak attack.
• Ōmaeda resumed his stance, and Shizuya prepared to fight again, asking his senior to go easy on him.

Arima Shizuya unleashed his spiritual pressure in a fight with Ōmaeda Marechiyo, revealing strength far beyond what the onlookers expected. After landing an Ikkotsu that Ōmaeda managed to block, Shizuya revealed it had been a feint and struck with Double Bone.

• Arima Shizuya explained the Spiritual Might rankings and concluded that the many powerful Vice-Captains made the path of cultivation more exciting.
• Arima Shizuya combined his Four Basic Skills and released spiritual pressure that rose to Class Seven, astonishing Tōsen Kaname, Ise Nanao, Kotetsu Isane, Yoruichi Shihouin, and Aizen.
• Arima Shizuya rushed into Ōmaeda Marechiyo's guard and struck him in the chest with Ikkotsu, sending him back three meters.
• Ōmaeda Marechiyo believed he had blocked Arima Shizuya's full-strength attack, but Yoruichi Shihouin's shout made him realize something was wrong.
• Arima Shizuya closed in again, declared that Ikkotsu had been a feint, and hit Ōmaeda Marechiyo in the chest with Double Bone.

Arima Shizuya defeated Ōmaeda in a Hakuda match but stopped short of seriously injuring him, and Yoruichi declared him the winner before unexpectedly proposing that he marry into the Shihouin Clan. Shizuya refused, choosing to remain at the Academy, and reassured Tōsen Kaname after Tōsen apologized for hesitating to help him.

• Arima Shizuya explained how Ikkotsu flowed into Double Bone, then stopped his finishing blow before it struck Ōmaeda and told him the match was over.
• Yoruichi raised Arima Shizuya's hand and declared him the winner, then asked whether he would marry into the Shihouin Clan.
• The next day, Arima Shizuya told Tōsen Kaname that he had refused Yoruichi's proposal because he preferred his current life and wanted to stay connected to Aizen and the Gotei 13.
• Tōsen Kaname apologized for hesitating to help Arima Shizuya, saying his fear had betrayed his principles and his pursuit of justice.
• Arima Shizuya urged Tōsen Kaname to hold to his convictions as he grew stronger and reminded him that they were friends.

Tōsen Kaname asked Aizen to make him stronger so he could defend his ideals and keep up with Arima Shizuya, while Arima began experiencing a looping dream as his Zanpakuto seemed close to awakening. Arima asked Kotetsu Isane whether she would date him, and she began to give her answer.

• Arima Shizuya sparred with Tōsen Kaname and encouraged him to stop worrying and grow stronger.
• Tōsen Kaname secretly met Aizen, admitted he wanted to catch up with Arima and protect his ideals, and agreed to cooperate with Aizen in exchange for power.
• Aizen drew his Zanpakuto and offered to let Tōsen experience its release before beginning to guide him.
• For over a week, Arima dreamed of an endless, dim intersection, and Kotetsu Isane suggested his Zanpakuto was nearing awakening.
• Arima told Kotetsu Isane he had been exhausted by the dreams, and she offered to massage him each morning.
• Arima asked Kotetsu Isane again whether she would date him, and she began to answer.

After Arima Shizuya struggled with the aftermath of Kotetsu’s response, Aizen offered advice and revealed how much attention Shizuya had drawn at the academy. Aizen burned a letter arranging an internship with the Fifth Division and instead chose to take Shizuya to the Twelfth Division’s Research and Development Department.

• Aizen advised Arima Shizuya to build a closer relationship with Kotetsu through gradual interaction, and Shizuya recovered from his disappointment.
• Shizuya asked Aizen where he should intern during the next day’s off-campus class, and Aizen showed him a letter from Captain Hirako Shinji assigning him to the Fifth Division.
• Aizen told Shizuya that his Seventh Level Spiritual Pressure and victory over Vice-Captain Ōmaeda had attracted the attention of several captains.
• After Shizuya sincerely thanked Aizen for helping him grow stronger, Aizen burned Hirako’s letter and said they would not go to the Fifth Division.
• Aizen told the confused Shizuya that his new internship destination would be the Twelfth Division, also known as the Research and Development Department.

Arima Shizuya accompanied Aizen on an off-campus internship to the Twelfth Division’s Research and Development Department, where they met its former captain, Kisuke Urahara. Shizuya entered the department with Urahara and Aizen, uncertain what Aizen had planned for him.

• Aizen took Arima Shizuya to visit the Twelfth Division, and Shizuya wore a spare set of Aizen’s clothes for the outing.
• Aizen fussed over Shizuya’s ill-fitting clothes, apologized, and explained that the Twelfth Division was located far from the political center for secrecy.
• At the department entrance, Aizen greeted Captain Urahara, and Shizuya recognized the famous former Twelfth Division captain.
• Urahara welcomed Shizuya as a New Talent and led him and Aizen into the Research and Development Department.
• Urahara reassured Shizuya that the department’s busy, unconventional researchers were kind, and Shizuya promised to try to get used to the place.

Arima Shizuya toured the Research and Development Department with Aizen and Kisuke Urahara, learning about its research and facilities. When Aizen invited him to join a private discussion, Shizuya declined, and Aizen left with Urahara while Shizuya stayed with Akon.

• Kisuke Urahara showed Arima Shizuya and Aizen around the Research and Development Department and explained its work on gigai and spiritual power.
• Aizen said he had no friends in the Fifth Division, and Urahara remarked that he seemed lonely.
• After the tour, Urahara arranged for Akon to show Shizuya around while he and Aizen went to discuss matters privately.
• Akon invited Shizuya to try the research center's cafeteria specialty, but Aizen stopped and asked whether Shizuya was curious about what he would see next.
• Shizuya decided the subject was too important and declined to accompany Aizen, who left with Urahara.

Arima Shizuya shared a meal with Akon, who invited him to join the Twelfth Division and explained his gratitude to Kisuke Urahara. Their conversation was interrupted by Hiyori Sarugaki searching for Urahara, while a child resembling Nemu Kurotsuchi tugged at Arima and pointed hungrily at his curry.

• Akon served Arima Shizuya the Research and Development Department's questionable insect-based curry and invited him to consider joining the Twelfth Division.
• Akon explained that he wanted Arima to join because Kisuke Urahara had rescued him from the Maggot's Nest and valued Arima's connection to Aizen.
• Akon and Arima discussed Aizen before Hiyori Sarugaki stormed into the cafeteria demanding to see Urahara.
• Akon confronted Hiyori over her disrespect toward Urahara, and she insisted she would not resign as adjutant.
• A child resembling Nemu Kurotsuchi tugged Arima's sleeve, pointed at his unfinished curry, and opened her mouth for food.

Arima Shizuya visited the Twelfth Division, where he met Mayuri Kurotsuchi and Nemu and tried basic research procedures. On the way back, Aizen asked whether he and Kisuke Urahara were both feigning their friendly personas, leaving Shizuya to consider Aizen’s true character.

• Nemu approached Arima Shizuya for Insect Curry, but took a strand of his hair before Mayuri Kurotsuchi led her to the kitchen.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi recognized Arima Shizuya, insulted him, and explained that people in the Twelfth Division had discussed his victory over a Vice-Captain.
• Akon apologized to Arima Shizuya after Hiyori Sarugaki caused a commotion, and then showed him basic experiments in the institute.
• Aizen and Arima Shizuya left the Twelfth Division after Aizen and Kisuke Urahara finished their discussion.
• Aizen asked Arima Shizuya what he thought of Kisuke Urahara and pointed out that Urahara seemed similar to him.
• Aizen asked whether he and Urahara were only feigning kindness and whether he himself had a terrible personality.

Aizen took Arima Shizuya to dinner, where Shizuya encountered a server who had been assaulted by Eleventh Division members. The Eleventh Division’s captain arrived and demanded a woman, leaving Shizuya facing the source of the tavern’s violence.

• Aizen warned Arima Shizuya not to trust people too easily, then laughed at Shizuya’s imitation of his usual manner.
• Aizen treated Arima Shizuya to dinner at an old tavern and gave him grape juice instead of alcohol.
• While Aizen went to the restroom, a badly injured server fell from the second floor, and Arima Shizuya helped her.
• Drunk Eleventh Division members came downstairs and threatened the server, while the other patrons warned Arima Shizuya not to interfere.
• The Eleventh Division’s massive captain arrived, demanded a woman, and kicked one of his men through several tables before meeting Arima Shizuya’s gaze.

Arima Shizuya was confronted by Guiganjo Kenpachi after Eleventh Division members blamed him for their misconduct. Guiganjo explained how he claimed the Kenpachi title, then suddenly attacked Arima as he reached out to help him up.

• Guiganjo arrived and the Eleventh Division members knelt, claiming they had followed his orders and blaming Arima Shizuya.
• Guiganjo singled out Arima, questioned why his Shinigami Uniform lacked a division insignia, and introduced himself as Guiganjo Kenpachi.
• Arima recalled the Kenpachi succession and recognized that Guiganjo had taken the title after defeating its previous holder.
• Guiganjo offered Arima a hand, then flipped his palm and swung it at Arima's face.

Arima Shizuya was ambushed and badly wounded by Guiganjo Kenpachi, who revealed his brutal, self-serving view of a Captain’s authority before moving to kill him. As Guiganjo’s Zanpakuto descended, Arima grasped his own sword and began its release.

• Guiganjo struck Arima Shizuya with a surprise blow that sent him crashing through the wooden furniture and left him unable to stand.
• Guiganjo mocked Arima for trying to act like a hero and described how he abused his authority as Captain of the Eleventh Division.
• Guiganjo raised his Zanpakuto to kill Arima, blaming him for interfering with his attempt to assault a woman.
• Arima sensed death approaching, glimpsed the crossroads from his dreams, and gripped his Zanpakuto’s hilt.
• Arima invoked his Zanpakuto’s release.

Arima Shizuya realized his Zanpakuto’s name and released its power while fighting Guiganjo Kenpachi. Though Guiganjo’s attacks still injured him, Arima began to perceive the battle in a new way, seeing four blue bands of light spread out from him.

• Arima Shizuya understood that the crossroads was the vessel of his Hollow image and named his Zanpakuto, “Devour Your Tail, Bow Clothing.”
• Guiganjo Kenpachi attacked, but Arima drew his blade across himself and blocked the strike at a precise weak point.
• Guiganjo swept Arima with a kick, sending him into the ceiling and injuring his ribs, though the blow felt strangely ineffective to Guiganjo.
• Guiganjo prepared to crush Arima with another attack as Arima assessed his injury and focused on adjusting his movements.
• Arima saw the world turn black and white and noticed four azure bands of light drifting outward from him.

Arima Shizuya used his Zanpakuto’s simulation ability to search for a way to survive Guiganjo’s overwhelming attacks, but each attempt drained his limited spiritual pressure and strained his mind. As his vision began returning and blood ran from his nose, he poured out his remaining strength to find an opening before time resumed.

• Arima Shizuya simulated different ways to attack Guiganjo, but each blue silhouette ended in defeat.
• Arima Shizuya recognized that his Zanpakuto reconstructed the fight and let him explore possible outcomes, though repeated simulations exhausted him.
• Arima Shizuya’s vision began returning to normal as his spiritual pressure dwindled and Guiganjo’s assault intensified.
• Arima Shizuya suffered a nosebleed from overworking his brain but continued the simulation, hoping to find a path to survival.
• Arima Shizuya unleashed all his remaining spiritual pressure as countless Azure Blue torrents surged around him.

Arima Shizuya found a narrow chance to counterattack Guiganjo and unleashed all his remaining spiritual pressure. After surviving Guiganjo’s slashes with Stealth Step: Four Maple, Empty Cicada, he struck the captain-class fighter and drew blood.

• Arima Shizuya searched through possible futures and chose a dangerous path that let him counterattack.
• Arima Shizuya fell from the ruins, focused all his spiritual pressure, and released it skyward in an Azure Blue Torrent.
• Guiganjo dismissed Arima Shizuya’s display and overwhelmed nearby Eleventh Division members with his Third-Class Spiritual Pressure.
• Guiganjo swung his Zanpakuto at Arima Shizuya, who broke through the attack and used Stealth Step: Four Maple, Empty Cicada to evade a follow-up slash.
• Arima Shizuya reached Guiganjo’s attack range and brought down his Zanpakuto, drawing blood.

Arima Shizuya wounded Guiganjo but was struck down and left helpless as Guiganjo prepared to take revenge. A noble procession interrupted Guiganjo, and Arima was later taken to the Fourth Division, where Retsu Unohana introduced herself after he awoke.

• Arima Shizuya's slash cut into Guiganjo's shoulder but stopped at his collarbone, and Guiganjo struck Arima into a roadside shop.
• Guiganjo ordered his Eleventh Division Members to treat him and took out his humiliation on them while planning to torture Arima.
• A squad member warned Guiganjo that a noble procession was passing, so Guiganjo left and ordered his subordinates to bring Arima back afterward.
• A faintly smiling Aizen appeared before Arima, who passed out before he could finish speaking.
• Arima awoke three days later in an unfamiliar room, where Retsu Unohana introduced herself as captain of the Fourth Division.

After recovering at the Fourth Division barracks, Arima Shizuya learned that Aizen Fourth Seat had brought him there, though Retsu Unohana could not reveal more while the incident awaited an internal ruling. As Yamada Seinosuke escorted him to finish the discharge procedures, Shizuya gained a major boost to his abilities and left still wondering what had happened to Aizen and Guiganjo.

• Arima Shizuya nervously greeted Retsu Unohana, who told him to get accustomed to the Fourth Division's medical and support staff.
• Unohana said Aizen Fourth Seat had brought Shizuya to the barracks for help, but withheld further details pending an internal ruling.
• Unohana assessed Shizuya as recovering well and assigned Yamada Seinosuke to escort him through the discharge procedures.
• Shizuya gained 10 Kendo points and 5 points each in Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido after his life-or-death fight with Guiganjo.
• Seinosuke coldly directed Shizuya to report his name at the entrance, leaving Shizuya with unanswered questions about Aizen and Guiganjo.

Retsu Unohana arrived at an unscheduled Gotei 13 meeting, where Yamamoto began proceedings and invited the captains to speak. A group of captains condemned Guiganjo for causing trouble and mistreating his subordinates, leaving him under mounting pressure.

• Retsu Unohana arrived at the secluded meeting hall and joined the assembled captains before Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni opened the meeting.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe summarized the recent work reports, after which Yamamoto invited everyone to raise matters for discussion.
• Aikawa Rabu accused Guiganjo of causing a disturbance in the Inner City District, and Guiganjo defended himself by calling it a minor conflict.
• Kensei Muguruma and Hirako Shinji mocked Guiganjo for losing to a True Spiritual Arts Academy student and criticized his treatment of his subordinates.
• Kisuke Urahara agreed that Guiganjo's conduct was inappropriate, and Yoruichi Shihouin challenged him to feel ashamed and take his own life.

At a Gotei 13 captain meeting, Yamamoto reprimanded Guiganjo but let him off with a warning, while Hirako announced Aizen’s appointment as Fifth Division Vice-Captain. Afterward, Kyōraku and Ukitake discussed Arima Shizuya with Yamamoto, who said the young man would need to prove himself through hard training and battle.

• Yoruichi pressured Guiganjo over his conduct, but Yamamoto ended the dispute with a warning.
• Kyōraku urged Guiganjo to thank Yamamoto, then was silenced when he tried to speak further.
• Hirako notified the captains that Aizen would become the Fifth Division Vice-Captain and asked whether the slain Eleventh Division Member’s soul had been found.
• After the meeting, Guiganjo blamed Arima Shizuya for his troubles and vowed to remember the grudge.
• Kyōraku and Ukitake told Yamamoto that Arima Shizuya was gifted and skilled in his Original Flow, and Yamamoto said he would have to prove his ability through training and combat.