Chapter Summaries

Aizen urged Arima Shizuya to challenge Guiganjo again, arguing that the life-or-death pressure could help him discover his Zanpakuto's True Name. Shizuya accepted the challenge, and five days later he confronted Guiganjo near the Eleventh Division, ready to fight.

• Aizen told Arima Shizuya that he had not discovered his Zanpakuto's True Name and advised him to face Guiganjo again to force his growth.
• Aizen warned Shizuya that Guiganjo might kill him and said his chances of winning were very small, but Shizuya resolved to take the risk.
• Five days later, Shizuya waited for Guiganjo and the Eleventh Division Members in a secluded area near the division.
• Guiganjo recognized Shizuya and grinned as Shizuya drew his Zanpakuto and called, "Devour Your Tail, Bow Clothing."

Aizen explained that Arima Shizuya only needed to challenge Guiganjo Kenpachi, not defeat him, while Shizuya used his improved abilities to search for his Zanpakuto’s True Name. Shizuya’s simulations revealed a point that could break the repeating cycle, leaving him poised to act.

• Tōsen Kaname questioned Aizen’s decision to let Arima Shizuya challenge Guiganjo Kenpachi, arguing that Shizuya could not match a captain-class fighter.
• Aizen clarified that Shizuya’s purpose was to find his Zanpakuto’s True Name and that merely challenging Guiganjo could demonstrate his strength.
• Aizen explained that Guiganjo would likely hold back because captain-class fighters were forbidden from releasing their full power in the Seireitei.
• Arima Shizuya used his enhanced skills and Fifth Level Spiritual Pressure to simulate countless possible outcomes against Guiganjo.
• Arima Shizuya saw the point that could break the endless cycle of futures.

Arima Shizuya used his visions of the future and Kidō to fight Guiganjo, but Guiganjo released his Zanpakuto, Yama Hammer, and devastated him with an attack that could strike from a distance. The chapter ended with Guiganjo bringing the hammer down on Arima Shizuya and apparently shattering his body.

• Arima Shizuya dodged Guiganjo's attacks and used Hadō No. 31: Shakkahō, but the blast only burned Guiganjo's clothes and skin.
• Guiganjo deduced that Arima Shizuya could see the future and decided to release his Zanpakuto despite the rules against doing so in the Seireitei.
• Guiganjo called out, “Crush him, Yama Hammer,” and transformed into a towering figure wielding a massive, spiked hammer.
• Guiganjo swung Yama Hammer, and its air-distorting force struck Arima Shizuya from more than ten meters away, mangling his left side and severing his left hand.
• As Guiganjo raised the hammer for another blow, Arima Shizuya clutched Bow Clothing and watched the weapon descend, shattering his body.

After Arima Shizuya fell to Guiganjo, Aizen realized Shizuya’s spiritual pressure was growing rather than fading, while Shizuya met his Zanpakuto Spirit and reconciled with her. Shizuya learned the blade’s true name, Sagara Dragon, as its power awakened.

• Arima Shizuya fell to Guiganjo, but Aizen sensed his spiritual pressure spreading and growing stronger.
• Aizen concluded that Shizuya’s power had reached its complete Shikai and wondered where Shizuya was.
• Shizuya encountered his Zanpakuto Spirit, a little girl who scolded him for risking his life and admitted she had suffered through his repeated deaths.
• Shizuya apologized to the spirit, thanked her, and promised they would keep doing their best together.
• The spirit rejected the name Bow Clothing and urged Shizuya to sing forth her name.
• Shizuya revealed the blade’s True Name as Sagara Dragon.

Arima Shizuya’s Bankai, Sagara Dragon, trapped Guiganjo in a fogbound sea where it predicted and countered his actions. As the water rose around Guiganjo, he shouted that he would use Bankai.

• Guiganjo realized Arima Shizuya was still alive as his spiritual pressure spread and fog filled the street.
• Guiganjo found himself surrounded by water and was badly wounded when Arima Shizuya emerged from the mist and struck him.
• Arima Shizuya attacked Guiganjo from multiple directions while Guiganjo swung his hammer wildly into the fog.
• Outside the fog, Aizen speculated that Shizuya’s Zanpakuto could predict Guiganjo’s actions, while Tōsen Kaname struggled to understand its power.
• Arima Shizuya watched the water rise to Guiganjo’s waist and believed he had only one way to escape; Guiganjo cried out, “Bankai...!”

Arima Shizuya released his Bankai, Yanluo Great Demon, and overwhelmed the surrounding streets with his transformed body and air-wave attacks. Though Guiganjo Kenpachi seemed to overpower Shizuya, repeated blade swings finally wounded him, leaving him wary and asking what Shizuya had done.

• Aizen watched Arima Shizuya's Bankai release, while Tōsen Kaname trembled under its Spiritual Pressure.
• Guiganjo transformed into Yanluo Great Demon, gaining bull horns and six arms as he ravaged the streets with air-wave attacks.
• Arima Shizuya appeared before Guiganjo, but Guiganjo shattered his body into spiritual particles with a punch.
• Shizuya repeatedly reformed and swung his blade at the same spot, eventually cutting into Guiganjo's waist.
• Guiganjo halted his attack and demanded to know what Shizuya had done, and Shizuya replied that he had just swung his blade.

Arima Shizuya used Sagara Dragon to analyze Guiganjo and perfect a strike capable of penetrating his skin, then faced him in a final contest. Before they could fight, Aikawa Rabu appeared after using Kyōka Suigetsu, leaving Guiganjo confused and accusing him of defying the Gotei 13.

• Arima Shizuya repeatedly simulated attacks against Guiganjo in Sagara Dragon's Salt Sea until he mastered a strike that could pierce Guiganjo's skin.
• Arima Shizuya declared that he and his repeated selves would keep improving until they found a way to kill Guiganjo, then challenged him to a contest of attacks.
• Guiganjo hesitated despite believing he held the advantage, then roared and raised all six arms to attack.
• Aikawa Rabu arrived, released Kyōka Suigetsu, and left Guiganjo unable to remember who he had been fighting.
• Aikawa Rabu confronted Guiganjo over releasing his Zanpakuto and using Bankai in the Seireitei, killing division members, and defying the Gotei 13.

The captains of the Gotei 13 gathered after Guiganjo secretly released his Bankai in the Seireitei, killing thirty-six people. The cause and circumstances of the covert release remained unclear as the meeting began.

• Several captains arrived for the late-night emergency meeting, while Jūshirō Ukitake and Kyōraku Shunsui were excused because Ukitake was ill.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni announced that Guiganjo had violated the Eleventh Division’s prohibition and released his Bankai in the Seireitei.
• Yamamoto reported that the resulting spiritual particle conversion affected streets within three li and killed thirty-six people, including six Squad Members and two seated officers.
• Kisuke Urahara questioned why no one had sensed the Bankai’s spiritual pressure, and Aikawa Rabu said he had arrived after sensing a sudden eruption and found only wreckage.

After recovering from his battle with Guiganjo, Arima Shizuya explained the abilities of his Zanpakuto, Sagara Dragon, to Aizen. Aizen reciprocated by revealing how to evade Kyōka Suigetsu and asked Shizuya to join forces with him.

• Yamamoto gave Guiganjo a choice between five years of imprisonment and ten years of exile in Rukongai.
• Aizen told the recovering Arima Shizuya that Guiganjo had been detained and that three hours had passed since their battle.
• Arima Shizuya revealed that Sagara Dragon could create an isolated labyrinth and analyze opponents to find the best way to attack.
• Aizen recognized the potential of Shizuya's analysis ability and praised his willingness to face stronger opponents.
• Aizen revealed that his Zanpakuto was Kyōka Suigetsu, explained its Complete Hypnosis and how touching the blade beforehand could evade it, then invited Shizuya to join forces.

Three months after the battle with Guiganjo, Arima Shizuya met Kotetsu Isane for a winter date and teased her about her appearance and eating habits. As snow began to fall, he proposed marriage, leaving Isane flustered and then angry at his joking manner.

• Arima Shizuya waited for Kotetsu Isane outside the True Spiritual Arts Academy, complimented her makeup, and teased her until she nearly cried.
• Arima Shizuya took Kotetsu Isane to a dessert shop, ordered treats for them, and reassured her about her upcoming Fourth Division Internship and her height.
• Kotetsu Isane worried that eating desserts would make her gain weight and draw ridicule from others.
• As snow fell outside the shop, Arima Shizuya told Kotetsu Isane she only needed to marry him.
• Kotetsu Isane said he should propose in a more proper setting, then grew irritated when Arima Shizuya admitted he had been teasing her.

After reading Aizen Sōsuke’s advice to intern in the Eighth Division and observe several captains, Arima Shizuya arrived at its barracks, where Captain Kyōraku Shunsui welcomed him and hinted at hidden truths beneath Soul Society’s polished surface.

• Arima Shizuya read Aizen Sōsuke’s letter, which recommended an Eighth Division internship and listed six captains for him to observe.
• Arima Shizuya accepted the plan, burned the letter, and went to the Eighth Division barracks the next day with his belongings and a letter of recommendation.
• An Eighth Division squad member explained that the division carefully stored useful information and destroyed anything useless.
• Kyōraku Shunsui introduced himself, greeted Arima Shizuya, and led him through the barracks after briefly discussing a geisha’s farewell performance with Miki.
• Kyōraku Shunsui described Soul Society’s glamorous surface and rotten hidden core, then asked what might be concealed beneath Arima Shizuya’s own polished exterior.

Arima Shizuya followed Kyōraku Shunsui to the Eighth Division captain’s office, where they joked about Shunsui’s hidden magazine before discussing the nature of secrets. Shunsui left Arima with his view that secrets were meant to be shared with someone trustworthy.

• Kyōraku Shunsui led Arima Shizuya into his office and invited him to sit.
• Arima Shizuya noticed a suggestive Weekly Magazine, and Kyōraku Shunsui hurriedly concealed it.
• Arima Shizuya identified the magazine’s issue and contents, prompting Kyōraku Shunsui to admit he was an enthusiast and offer him collector’s volumes.
• Kyōraku Shunsui began Arima Shizuya’s Eighth Division internship procedures by asking what he thought a secret was.
• Arima Shizuya answered that a secret’s essence was caution, while Kyōraku Shunsui said secrets should be shared with someone trustworthy.

Arima Shizuya learned about the Eighth Division’s relaxed work culture as Kyōraku Shunsui invited him out for drinks, explaining that he wanted to repay him for helping Ise Nanao. The chapter ended with Kyōraku asking whether Arima had a girlfriend before they reached the mysterious venue.

• Arima Shizuya sorted the Eighth Division’s documents and learned that newcomers handled little confidential work until they earned trust.
• Kyōraku Shunsui invited Arima to join him for drinks, calling the outing intelligence gathering for the Eighth Division.
• Arima asked why Kyōraku was taking such good care of him, and Kyōraku said Arima had helped his relative, Ise Nanao.
• Kyōraku told Arima that Ise had become more cheerful thanks to him.
• Kyōraku asked whether Arima had a girlfriend and hinted that their destination would be inconvenient if he did.

Kyōraku Shunsui took Arima Shizuya to DuoBao Pavilion, where they watched a tragic play and discussed women and theater. Afterward, Kyōraku asked whether Arima had already mastered Shikai.

• Kyōraku Shunsui brought Arima Shizuya to a private booth at DuoBao Pavilion, where three songstresses joined them and Arima quickly became tipsy.
• Kyōraku pointed out the play below, and Arima watched a story of love, separation, and murder unfold across the seasons.
• Arima praised the play’s performance and staging, while Kyōraku explained why he enjoyed adult theater and teased Arima about romance.
• Kyōraku shifted to a serious tone and asked Arima whether he had already mastered Shikai.

Kyōraku Shunsui explained how he had pieced together that Arima Shizuya was hiding immense spiritual pressure, but assured him he would not interfere as long as Seireitei remained safe. Arima realized that Aizen’s introductions to the captains were meant to help him learn from them, and he left the conversation grateful for Kyōraku’s guidance.

• Kyōraku Shunsui recounted how Arima Shizuya’s unusual strength and background had drawn his attention after Arima fought Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
• Kyōraku connected Arima’s growth to his meeting with Aizen and suspected Arima was concealing something important.
• Kyōraku concluded that Arima’s spiritual pressure could threaten captain-level opponents, based on his injury of Guiganjo.
• Kyōraku told Arima he would not interfere with his secrecy so long as Seireitei’s safety was protected.
• Arima thanked Kyōraku and realized Aizen had arranged for him to meet the captains so he could learn from them.

Yhwach reclaimed his heartbeat after nine hundred years, beginning the foretold countdown to reclaiming his thoughts, power, and the world. Meanwhile, Arima Shizuya worked in the Eighth Division until Kyōraku Shunsui invited him to a gathering with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni commemorating an event from nine hundred years ago.

• Yhwach's followers heard his heartbeat return and celebrated the prophecy that he would reclaim his thoughts in ninety years, his power in nine years, and the world in nine days.
• Arima Shizuya sneezed at work and discussed the divisions' duties with an Eighth Division member, learning that the Thirteenth Division often sent members to the World of the Living.
• Arima Shizuya finished his work and found Kyōraku Shunsui waiting for him outside.
• Kyōraku Shunsui invited Arima Shizuya to speak with Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni at an annual gathering that had begun around nine hundred years earlier.

Arima Shizuya accompanied Kyōraku Shunsui to a private meeting with Jūshirō Ukitake, Chōjirō Sasakibe, and Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. Yamamoto confronted the nervous student and demanded that he state his name.

• Arima Shizuya followed Kyōraku Shunsui into a secluded private room at an upscale establishment.
• Jūshirō Ukitake greeted Kyōraku and asked who the boy with him was.
• Kyōraku introduced Arima as his division intern and the student who had injured Guiganjo.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe recognized Arima as the academy student Kyōraku had mentioned.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni fixed his gaze on Arima, told him to show some spirit, and demanded that he state his name.

Arima Shizuya attended Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s private annual gathering and learned that it commemorated those who had died in battle. Retsu Unohana arrived late and began questioning Kyōraku Shunsui, leaving him tense.

• Arima Shizuya introduced himself as a first-year student at the True Spiritual Arts Academy, and Yamamoto let him join the gathering.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe corrected Arima’s posture and teased Kyōraku Shunsui for his poor manners.
• Jūshirō Ukitake explained that Yamamoto’s annual gathering had begun as a personal day of remembrance and grew into a group tradition.
• Yamamoto recalled those killed in the past and urged everyone not to take their lives lightly.
• Retsu Unohana arrived and began asking Kyōraku what he had said, making him tense.

At Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s gathering, Kyōraku Shunsui revealed Arima Shizuya’s hidden strength and his role in defeating Guiganjo and Ōmaeda Marechiyo. Yamamoto praised Arima, while Retsu Unohana’s interest in him deepened before the banquet began.

• Retsu Unohana greeted Arima Shizuya and asked whether he knew why Kotetsu Isane had become distracted and begun making mistakes.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni asked Kyōraku Shunsui to explain why he had brought Arima to the gathering.
• Kyōraku Shunsui said Arima had mastered Shikai, had injured Guiganjo, and could become a future captain.
• Yamamoto confirmed that Arima had subdued Ōmaeda Marechiyo during Yoruichi Shihouin’s Academy disturbance and praised him.
• Jūshirō Ukitake and Chōjirō Sasakibe discussed why Arima hid his strength as Retsu Unohana watched him intently.
• An attendant began preparing the banquet, and Kyōraku Shunsui reminded Arima that he was allergic to alcohol.

After the drinking party, Kyōraku Shunsui explained to Arima Shizuya that he had brought him along because he hoped to entrust him with some of the Gotei 13’s future responsibilities. Arima agreed to help Kyōraku when the time came.

• Arima Shizuya carried the drunken Kyōraku Shunsui back from the gathering and asked why Kyōraku had invited him.
• Kyōraku admitted that he disliked responsibility and hoped to pass some of his burdens to Arima.
• Kyōraku said he trusted Arima because Ise Nanao trusted him.
• Arima warned that Kyōraku’s work might become more complicated, and Kyōraku said he would shoulder any unavoidable responsibility.
• Kyōraku asked Arima to help him in the future, and Arima agreed.