Chapter Summaries

At the captain appointment ceremony, Soi Fon publicly challenged Arima Shizuya’s qualifications and demanded a Captain Election Battle. Shizuya accepted, and Yamamoto approved the duel under the Gotei 13’s ancient rules.

• Arima Shizuya recalled that the Prison Master had persuaded him to take the Fifth Division captaincy, arguing that Shizuya was better suited to lead it.
• Shizuya took his place among the Fifth Division captain candidates as Sasakibe invited objections to the selections.
• Soi Fon accused Shizuya of lacking the character and strength to be captain and claimed he had won support through dishonest means.
• After Yamamoto ordered Soi Fon to control herself, she requested a Captain Election Battle against Shizuya.
• Shizuya accepted the challenge, and Yamamoto approved the battle after Sasakibe spoke with him.

The Captains gathered on a secluded Seireitei platform for the Captain Election Battle and reflected on the site's history. Aizen Sōsuke joined them, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi explained that the distant structure was the Execution Rack, part of the Sōkyoku.

• Kyōraku Shunsui, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Retsu Unohana reminisced about the ancient structure and the Seireitei's long peace.
• Aizen Sōsuke, Tōsen Kaname, and Komamura Sajin arrived and greeted the Captains.
• Kyōraku Shunsui asked Aizen why he had transferred to the Third Division, and Aizen said his memories of Captain Hirako made staying in the Fifth Division painful.
• Jūshirō Ukitake asked about the distant structure, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi identified it as an Execution Rack.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi explained that the Execution Rack was part of the Sōkyoku, a weapon capable of vaporizing a condemned soul completely.

Soi Fon and Arima Shizuya began their Captain Election Battle, with Soi Fon landing Suzumebachi’s first strike and marking him with the Hornet Crest. Arima revealed he had been fast enough to cut open her uniform without injuring her and challenged her to show her true ability.

• Kuchiki Ginrei announced that the battle was about to begin, and Chōjirō Sasakibe allowed Soi Fon and Arima Shizuya to fight as long as they did not kill each other.
• Soi Fon launched a Shunpo attack, using shattered ground and debris to conceal a rapid series of strikes against Arima Shizuya.
• Soi Fon landed a strike on Arima Shizuya’s wrist, placed the Hornet Crest there, and explained that Suzumebachi’s second strike would ensure his death.
• Arima Shizuya stayed calm and revealed that he had cut open Soi Fon’s uniform while avoiding her skin, demonstrating that his speed matched hers.
• Arima Shizuya called Soi Fon’s claim of a certain-kill technique a joke and beckoned her to show her true ability.

Soi Fon unleashed her Bankai, Hornet Thunderclap Whip, and challenged Arima Shizuya to withstand its attack. After Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni permitted the contest to continue, Arima answered by activating his own Bankai, Tianlong Babu.

• Soi Fon's anger at Arima Shizuya pushed her to release her Bankai, Hornet Thunderclap Whip.
• The captains observed Soi Fon's conspicuous Bankai as she explained that it gathered spiritual power for a single devastating attack.
• Soi Fon challenged Arima to take her attack, and Chōjirō Sasakibe tried to stop the fight before Arima assured him there would be no casualties.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni permitted the contest to continue, and Arima Shizuya activated his Bankai, Tianlong Babu.

Arima Shizuya revealed his Bankai and emerged unharmed from Soi Fon’s devastating attack, leaving her unable to understand what he had done. He approached the exhausted captain and claimed that he had simply walked out of the blast.

• Arima Shizuya released his Zanpakuto, and the onlookers speculated about the nature of his ability.
• Soi Fon fired her Hornet Thunderclap Whip at Arima Shizuya, unleashing a massive explosion that shook Seireitei.
• Soi Fon expected her attack to have defeated Arima Shizuya, but he walked out of the smoke without a speck of dust on him.
• Arima Shizuya approached the confused Soi Fon and explained that he had not dodged the attack but had simply walked out.
• Soi Fon fell to the ground and demanded to know what Arima Shizuya had done, while he repeated that he had only walked out.

Arima Shizuya defeated Soi Fon in the Captain Election Battle by using his Bankai, Tianlong Babu, to analyze and evade her Hornet Thunderclap Whip. After the contest, Soi Fon accepted Unohana’s help, Gin was assigned as Shizuya’s assistant, and Shizuya revealed that his Bankai had left him suffering the Five Signs of Decay.

• Arima Shizuya used Tianlong Babu to analyze the Hornet Thunderclap Whip and walked through its blast, then defeated Soi Fon with a flick to her forehead.
• Chōjirō Sasakibe declared Arima Shizuya the victor and named him the Fifth Division Captain.
• Soi Fon initially resisted help but accepted Retsu Unohana’s offer to take her to the Fourth Division.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni ended the gathering, and Aizen Sōsuke assigned Ichimaru Gin to serve as Arima Shizuya’s assistant.
• Arima Shizuya told Ichimaru Gin that his Bankai’s side effect was the Five Signs of Decay.

After using his Bankai, Arima Shizuya suffered severe exhaustion, and Aizen suspected the ability was consuming his life force or soul-related energy. The group agreed to lie low as captains, while Ichimaru Gin stayed behind to care for the unconscious Arima.

• Arima Shizuya explained the Five Signs of Decay and said his Zanpakuto had warned that repeated use of his ability could collapse his consciousness.
• Aizen examined Arima and theorized that his Bankai was draining his life force because his current Spiritual Pressure could not adequately support it.
• Aizen advised Arima to rest and suggested visiting the Fourth Division for a definitive diagnosis.
• Aizen told Arima, Tōsen Kaname, and Ichimaru Gin to set aside their missions temporarily and continue acting as members of the Gotei 13.
• Arima fell asleep in his office chair, and Ichimaru Gin went to find bedding and a pillow for him.

After recovering from his injuries, Arima Shizuya reviewed his recent gains and left Ichimaru Gin to handle the division’s paperwork while he visited Kotetsu Isane. He admitted how exhausted he was, and Isane comforted him with an embrace.

• Arima Shizuya woke after a long rest and found that his injuries were healing and Ichimaru Gin had managed the Fifth Division’s affairs.
• Arima Shizuya reviewed his promotion, newly learned Zanpakuto name, and slight stat gains from fighting Soi Fon, then decided to focus on integrating the four major disciplines.
• Arima Shizuya left Ichimaru Gin with his captain’s seal and more paperwork, then went to the Fourth Division Barracks to see Kotetsu Isane.
• Arima Shizuya learned that Kotetsu Isane had skipped his inauguration because she felt too ordinary and unattractive to stand beside him.
• Arima Shizuya embraced Kotetsu Isane and asked her to comfort him, and she agreed to let him stay as long as he wanted.

Arima Shizuya left the Fourth Division after Retsu Unohana encouraged him to keep visiting Isane, challenged him to eventually test his ability, and congratulated him on becoming Fifth Division Captain. Decades later, he reflected on his growth and arranged with Kyōraku Shunsui to visit the Kuchiki Clan and support Kuchiki Byakuya’s relationship with Hisana despite Kuchiki Ginrei’s opposition.

• Arima Shizuya woke in the Fourth Division and exchanged teasing remarks with Retsu Unohana, who urged him to visit Isane and said she wanted to experience his ability someday.
• Retsu Unohana congratulated Arima Shizuya on becoming Fifth Division Captain, and he returned to his residence to plan how to use the coming decades to grow stronger.
• Forty years later, Arima Shizuya and Ichimaru Gin bantered in the Fifth Division office about Arima’s past recklessness, his missed True Spiritual Arts Academy orientation, and his night out with Kyōraku Shunsui.
• Arima Shizuya told Ichimaru Gin that he had persuaded Kyōraku Shunsui to accompany him on a formal visit to the Kuchiki Clan concerning Kuchiki Byakuya’s relationship with Hisana.
• Ichimaru Gin remarked that dealing with the noble elders was a pain.

Arima Shizuya spoke with Ichimaru Gin about Matsumoto Rangiku and later walked with Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake to visit the ailing Kuchiki Ginrei. After learning Ginrei could receive only one visitor, Arima went alone to his room and was invited inside.

• Arima Shizuya teased Ichimaru Gin about Matsumoto Rangiku, and Gin asked him to discuss a serious matter the next evening.
• Arima recalled helping Gin and Rangiku grow closer, then left the Fifth Division barracks to meet Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake.
• As the three Captains walked to the Kuchiki estate, they discussed division relationships and Kuchiki Ginrei’s poor condition.
• The Kuchiki retainers told the visitors that Ginrei was bedridden and could meet only one person.
• Arima went alone to Ginrei’s room, knocked, and entered after Ginrei recognized him and gave permission.

Arima Shizuya visited the ailing Kuchiki Ginrei and urged him to accept Byakuya’s wishes despite the risks of breaking with tradition. Ginrei acknowledged his mistakes, agreed to trust Byakuya, and asked Arima Shizuya to guide his grandson until he could stand on his own.

• Arima Shizuya exchanged greetings with Kuchiki Ginrei, whose illness had no known cause or treatment.
• Arima Shizuya asked Ginrei to grant Byakuya’s wish, recognizing that doing so would mean defying family tradition and facing condemnation.
• Arima Shizuya argued that Ginrei’s opposition came from wanting to protect Byakuya, but urged him to trust his grandson to become the next Kuchiki Clan Head.
• Ginrei admitted he had made mistakes and agreed that he should trust Byakuya rather than keep worrying over him.
• Ginrei asked Arima Shizuya to help Byakuya until he could stand on his own, and entrusted his grandson to him.

Arima Shizuya mediated between Kuchiki Byakuya and his grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei, who accepted Byakuya’s love for Hisana while maintaining his duty as clan head. After helping Byakuya leave, Arima reunited with Hisana and encouraged her to continue her treatment.

• Arima found Byakuya kneeling outside Ginrei’s room and learned he had been coming to apologize.
• Ginrei told Byakuya he would not approve of his choice as clan head, but hoped he would be happy as an elder.
• Arima helped Byakuya stand and escorted him away as Ginrei offered a grave farewell.
• Byakuya apologized to Arima, who reassured him and asked him to make another incense sachet.
• Hisana arrived, thanked Arima for remembering her, and said she had been taking her medicine with Byakuya’s encouragement.
• Arima teased the couple and urged Hisana to continue treatment and attend another examination at the Fourth Division.

After leaving the Kuchiki residence, Arima Shizuya parted ways with Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, while Ukitake teased him about being doomed by women. Kyōraku confronted Ise Nanao about her feelings for Arima, then took her to an eel restaurant as he privately wrestled with doubts about his own choices.

• Arima Shizuya left the Kuchiki residence with Kyōraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, who noticed his improved mood and invited him for drinks.
• Ise Nanao appeared and scolded Kyōraku for suggesting they abandon their work to drink with courtesans.
• Kyōraku and Nanao left for the Eighth Division, and he asked whether she still had feelings for Arima.
• Nanao denied Kyōraku's claim, but he urged her to contact Arima again and be more direct about her feelings.
• Kyōraku briefly showed Nanao a sorrowful expression, then returned to joking and invited her to an eel restaurant.

Arima Shizuya gave a special lecture at the Academy, introducing his experimental New Kidō: Eightfold Method and stirring up such excitement that the First Division intervened. Back at Fifth Division headquarters, Aizen Sōsuke discussed the commotion with Arima and asked whether he had spotted any promising new talents.

• Arima Shizuya introduced himself to the Fourth Year Class One students as the current Fifth Division Captain and received an enthusiastic welcome.
• Arima asked which of the Four Great Basic Skills the students found most practical, and many chose Kido.
• Arima explained the limitations of existing Kido branches and proposed developing new specialized forms, including illusion techniques.
• Arima presented his experimental system as the New Kidō: Eightfold Method, prompting such a strong response that the First Division sent Squad Members to suppress the resulting commotion.
• Aizen Sōsuke spoke with Arima at the Fifth Division barracks, accepted his apology, and asked whether he had found any New Talents worth watching.

Arima Shizuya persuaded Aizen Sōsuke to broaden his search for allies and spare ordinary Academy students from dangerous Hollow trials. After Aizen left preparations to Gin, Shizuya met Matsumoto Rangiku for dinner, where she thanked him for helping Gin and asked him to look after him.

• Arima Shizuya gave Aizen Sōsuke a list of promising New Talents, but Aizen judged them too mediocre for the core plan.
• Arima Shizuya urged Aizen to cultivate outside allies and use newly formed, weaker Hollows for the candidates’ trials, and Aizen agreed to both suggestions.
• Aizen told Arima Shizuya to pay close attention at the Captain Meeting in three days, then asked Gin to arrange the trials.
• Arima Shizuya and Ichimaru Gin went to dinner with Matsumoto Rangiku, who ordered food and drinks and teased Gin.
• Matsumoto Rangiku thanked Arima Shizuya for supporting her division’s work and asked him to take care of Gin.

Arima Shizuya took the drunk Matsumoto Rangiku back to the Tenth Division barracks and met its young Third Seat, Hitsugaya Tōshirō. As he and Ichimaru Gin walked away, Gin asked whether Aizen Sōsuke was truly worthy of trust.

• Matsumoto Rangiku praised the end of Seireitei's curfew before passing out at the table, and Ichimaru Gin helped Arima Shizuya take her home.
• Arima Shizuya gave Matsumoto Rangiku his captain's haori to keep her warm, and he and Ichimaru Gin bantered as they walked her to the Division Barracks.
• At the Tenth Division barracks, Arima Shizuya learned that the captain was absent and met Hitsugaya Tōshirō, who apologized for Rangiku and arranged for her care.
• After Arima Shizuya and Ichimaru Gin left, Gin asked Arima whether Aizen Sōsuke was truly worthy of trust.

Ichimaru Gin told Arima Shizuya that Aizen Sōsuke was dangerous and asked him to help report Aizen so their peaceful life could continue. Arima did not promise to betray Aizen, but urged Gin to trust that he was following the right path, and Gin agreed to follow his captain.

• Arima Shizuya noticed Gin's unease and asked whether Aizen had caused him trouble.
• Gin admitted he feared Aizen and described how much he valued the peaceful life he had shared with Arima and Rangiku for decades.
• Gin asked Arima to understand his position and, if possible, report Aizen Sōsuke.
• Arima acknowledged having his own plans but said Gin had not given him enough reason to betray Aizen.
• Arima told Gin to trust that he was walking the right path, and Gin agreed to follow him while he sought answers.

Arima Shizuya attended a Captain Meeting and introduced his new Kidō system, drawing Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s ire for bypassing the Research and Development Department. The chapter ended as Arima offered to share a complete system of Spiritual Power routes, incantations, and effects with the Captains.

• Arima Shizuya arrived early and spoke with Shiba Isshin, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Jūshirō Ukitake before the other Captains gathered.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi confronted Arima for developing new research without consulting the Research and Development Department and threatened to hold him accountable to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni arrived, and Chōjirō Sasakibe opened the regular Captain Meeting.
• After the Captains delivered their reports, Chōjirō Sasakibe announced that Arima Shizuya’s topic was a discussion concerning new Kidō.
• Arima explained the established principles of Kidō and offered to share his complete system of Spiritual Power routes, incantations, and effects.

Arima Shizuya presented eight new Kido arts endorsed by Yamamoto and explained that anyone able to manipulate spirit particles could use them. He revealed that their effect depended on his Bankai, Tianlong Babu: Gandharva, which dispersed his Spiritual Power to enhance others.

• Chōjirō Sasakibe distributed manuals describing eight new Kido arts and their evaluations, which bore Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's endorsement.
• Komamura Sajin questioned whether the arts had been thoroughly tested, and Kyōraku Shunsui confirmed that Yamamoto's approval meant the First Division had researched them.
• Jūshirō Ukitake asked why the manuals listed no Spiritual Power requirements, and Arima Shizuya explained that anyone who could manipulate spirit particles could use the arts with instruction and incantations.
• Kyōraku Shunsui pointed out that the Kido worked only within Seireitei's inner perimeter, and Arima Shizuya explained that they depended on the range of his ability.
• Arima Shizuya drew his Zanpakuto, released Bankai—Tianlong Babu: Gandharva, and explained that its ability dispersed his Spiritual Power to enhance others.

Arima Shizuya explained how Bankai: Gandharva created a Reishi Communication Network that let allies use his eight New Kidō by drawing on surrounding Reishi. The captains recognized its potential to strengthen the Seireitei, but its use still required testing and strict conditions.

• Arima Shizuya explained that Gandharva dispersed his Spiritual Power so allies recognized by his Zanpakuto could use his New Kidō.
• Kyōraku Shunsui deduced that Arima shared his abilities with companions, and Arima confirmed that Gandharva's range covered roughly one-third of the Seireitei.
• Arima clarified that the network usually connected Shinigami to ambient Reishi rather than supplying his own Spiritual Power, though he could provide power briefly if needed.
• Aizen Sōsuke, Retsu Unohana, and Komamura Sajin supported studying the ability for use in the Seireitei.
• Kyōraku Shunsui summarized Gandharva's requirements: Arima had to remain in the Seireitei with Bankai active and undisturbed in a quiet environment.