Chapter Summaries

In the underground medical prison, Duke tried to help Kenpachi recover Yachiru by repeatedly stabbing him with his Zanpakuto. Their bizarre struggle caused chaos among the imprisoned Ryoka, and Retsu Unohana arrived to find Duke still stabbing Kenpachi.

• The imprisoned Ryoka discussed why the Soul Society had healed them and learned that their status as suspects in Aizen's murder was the reason.
• Kenpachi told Duke that Yachiru had disappeared after he used Shikai and admitted that she was his Zanpakuto.
• Kenpachi asked Duke to use New Moon and Full Moon to bring Yachiru back, and Duke stabbed him in the heart, healing his injuries but failing to restore her.
• Kenpachi urged Duke to keep stabbing him, so Duke repeatedly thrust his Zanpakuto into Kenpachi while the Ryoka watched in horror and Orihime fainted.
• Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu entered the prison and found Duke trampling Kenpachi as he continued stabbing him.

After Retsu Unohana announced Duke’s thousand-year imprisonment and Rukia Kuchiki’s execution at noon, Kenpachi’s attempt to free Yachiru from Nozarashi succeeded. Kenpachi freed the prisoners and set off with them to find Kurosaki Ichigo, while Retsu Unohana went to investigate the strange orders.

• Retsu Unohana told Duke he would be imprisoned in Mugen for one thousand years and revealed that Central 46 had moved Rukia Kuchiki’s execution to noon that day.
• Retsu Unohana left to investigate the unusual orders, while Chad Yasutora, Uryū Ishida, and Shiba Ganju considered how to escape their cell and rescue Rukia.
• Duke stabbed Kenpachi again, and Kenpachi’s Zanpakuto, Nozarashi, materialized Yachiru as a child.
• Kenpachi reunited with Yachiru, refused Duke’s offer to join him, and decided to find Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Kenpachi broke open the prisoners’ cell and asked Ishida and the others to travel with him so he could find Ichigo.

Duke joined Kenpachi Zaraki’s group as they escorted the Ryoka toward Sōkyoku Hill, where captains Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen confronted them. Kenpachi stayed behind to fight the four Shinigami while Duke and the others continued on, confident that Kenpachi would win.

• Duke caught up with Kenpachi’s group, and they set out for Sōkyoku Hill with Yachiru leading them.
• Yachiru repeatedly got the group lost, while Ikkaku argued with her and was mocked for being bald and ugly.
• Kenpachi sensed hidden Reiatsu and confronted Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tōsen, Iba Tetsuzaemon, and Hisagi Shūhei.
• Kenpachi challenged all four opponents alone, while Ikkaku and Yumichika stayed behind to face Iba and Hisagi.
• Duke left with Yachiru and the Ryoka as Kenpachi’s battle against the two captains began.

At Rukia’s execution, Ichigo and several allies stopped the Sōkyoku and protected her, while Duke arrived and found that Byakuya and Renji had joined them. Left alone with the group on Sōkyoku Hill, Duke insisted he had only come out for fresh air, but they prepared to fight him.

• Rukia asked the Captain Commander to spare the Ryoka, and he agreed after the execution.
• The Sōkyoku transformed into Hyōkōō and attacked Rukia, but Ichigo blocked it with his kitchen knife and Ukitake and Shunsui sealed it away.
• Ichigo defeated Ōmaeda and Sasakibe, while Yoruichi carried Soi Fon into the woods.
• Duke arrived and discovered that Byakuya and Renji had sided with Ichigo and Rukia.
• The Captain Commander pursued Shunsui and Ukitake, leaving Duke alone with Ichigo, Byakuya, Renji, and Rukia, who refused to believe his explanation and readied themselves to fight.

Duke confronted Ichigo, Byakuya, and Renji at Sōkyoku Hill as they tried to stop Rukia’s execution, while Byakuya explained that he acted because Rukia was Hisana’s younger sister. The fight escalated when Byakuya unleashed his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, against Duke.

• Byakuya explained that he could not stand by while Rukia was sentenced because she was Hisana’s younger sister.
• Duke caught Renji’s Zabimaru between two fingers and deflected Ichigo’s Getsuga Tensho with the flat of his blade.
• Byakuya attacked Duke with Senbonzakura, but Duke emerged from the storm of petals unharmed.
• Byakuya released his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, surrounding himself with hundreds of millions of deadly petals.

Ichigo and Renji revealed that they had mastered Bankai, then joined Byakuya against Duke at Sōkyoku Hill. Ichigo’s first attack was effortlessly overwhelmed, and Byakuya prepared to lead the next assault after warning that Duke could not be killed.

• Byakuya told Ichigo and Renji to stay out of the battle, but they revealed their Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu and Hihio Zabimaru.
• Ichigo, Renji, and Byakuya believed their combined Bankai gave them an advantage over Duke, who said Reiatsu mattered more than Bankai.
• Ichigo rushed Duke and attacked at high speed, but Duke blocked him and outmatched him with an even faster sword assault.
• Duke knocked Ichigo into a pit and sent him crashing back near Renji and Byakuya, prompting Renji to mock him.
• Byakuya ordered Ichigo and Renji to look for an opening while he led the attack, and warned them that Duke could not be killed.

Duke tested Byakuya, Renji, and Ichigo in a three-on-one fight, overwhelming them with his swordsmanship and speed. After knocking Ichigo unconscious and binding him, Duke faced Byakuya and Renji as Byakuya prepared a final strike.

• Byakuya warned Ichigo and Renji about Duke's overwhelming strength, then joined them to fight as a team.
• Ichigo attacked Duke with Getsuga Tensho, but Duke stopped and crushed the blast with one hand before unleashing his White Tiger sword technique against the trio.
• Renji's Hihio Zabimaru drove Duke into a mountain, but Duke emerged unharmed and declared the battle was over.
• Duke moved too quickly for Byakuya and Renji to follow, struck Ichigo into a crater, and bound him with Sajō Sabaku.
• Byakuya told Renji to draw Duke's attention while he prepared to deliver the final strike.

Duke defeated Renji and overwhelmed Byakuya’s Senbonzakura with the Reiatsu stored in New Moon and Full Moon. As he prepared to face Byakuya, Ichigo awakened in a Hollowfied state and turned his attention toward Duke.

• Renji attacked Duke with Hihio Zabimaru, but Duke appeared behind him and knocked him unconscious.
• Duke challenged Byakuya, who unleashed Senkei: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi and surrounded him with countless blades.
• Duke released the Reiatsu stored in New Moon and Full Moon, shattering Byakuya’s swords and devastating Sōkyoku Hill.
• Byakuya asked whether Duke’s power was his Bankai, and Duke explained that he had released stored Reiatsu instead.
• Duke noticed Ichigo had awakened with a Hollow mask and ominous Reiatsu while Yachiru and the others watched from safety.

Duke defeated Hollow White after a fierce sword fight, leaving Ichigo gravely wounded. As Duke moved to preserve Ichigo’s life, Yoruichi stopped his blade and Soi Fon threatened him.

• Byakuya told Rukia that Hisana had asked him to save her, apologized for Central 46’s punishment, and said he had also come because he wanted to.
• Duke overwhelmed Hollow White with rapid sword strikes, badly injuring him and nearly ruining Ichigo’s body.
• Duke struck Hollow White down, tore away his mask, and ended the Hollowfication.
• Duke placed New Moon and Full Moon against Ichigo’s heart as he prepared to preserve his life, prompting Rukia and Orihime to cry out.
• Yoruichi wrapped Duke’s blade with bandages to stop it, while Soi Fon pressed Suzumebachi to his neck.

Duke overcame Soi Fon’s Two-Hit Kill and turned the confrontation against her and Yoruichi. Yoruichi revealed that Central 46 had been controlled, but Duke dismissed her warning and attacked, leaving her wounded.

• Soi Fon restrained Duke and threatened him with Suzumebachi’s Two-Hit Kill while Yoruichi kept his swords bound.
• Duke deliberately let Suzumebachi strike his neck twice, then overpowered Soi Fon and pinned her to the ground.
• Duke erased the Hornet Marks and explained that his Reiatsu had suppressed Suzumebachi’s ability.
• Yoruichi told Duke that Central 46 had been controlled and that someone was targeting him, but he refused to join forces with her.
• Duke kicked Soi Fon toward Yoruichi and attacked; Yoruichi dodged the fatal blow but suffered a deep wound to her shoulder.

Soi Fon attacked Duke, but he countered her Hakuda and neutralized her Shunkō before knocking her unconscious. Yoruichi then fought Duke with Shunkō-enhanced Hakuda, pressing him back as their battle continued.

• Soi Fon launched a series of Hakuda attacks against Duke, but he blocked each one without moving.
• Soi Fon activated Shunkō and landed a punch, but Duke caught her fist and canceled the technique with Anti-Kidō Counter.
• Duke declared that he had assessed Soi Fon and grabbed her face to use Triple Kill, but Yoruichi intervened with a kick.
• Duke blasted Yoruichi away and left Soi Fon unconscious in a crater, then challenged Yoruichi to fight.
• Yoruichi activated Shunkō and attacked Duke with rapid, powerful Hakuda strikes, forcing him onto the defensive.

Duke rediscovered his martial arts skill and defeated Yoruichi in hand-to-hand combat, but she used New Moon and Full Moon against him before the blade’s healing effect restored his injuries. Aizen arrived with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen after taking the orb from Rukia, revealed his betrayal and Zanpakuto’s complete hypnosis, and asked Duke to join him.

• Duke’s buried combat instincts awakened, and he gained the upper hand against Yoruichi, battering her until she could barely defend herself.
• Yoruichi took New Moon and Full Moon and stabbed Duke, but the sword healed his injuries; Duke kicked her away and reclaimed it.
• Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen appeared as Aizen took an orb from Rukia and Isane Kotetsu broadcast that Central 46 had been slaughtered and Aizen was the mastermind.
• Aizen told Duke he had been spared trouble thanks to him and invited him to join their side.
• Duke refused, and Aizen explained that Illusion’s Shikai could place anyone who had seen it under complete hypnosis.

Duke fought Aizen’s allies at Sōkyoku Hill, rescuing Komamura from Aizen’s Kido before confronting Tōsen. He shattered Tōsen’s Bankai with Genbu and finished him with Quadra Kill.

• Aizen blocked Komamura’s attack, then nearly trapped him in Black Coffin until Duke cut through the Kido and freed him.
• Duke challenged Aizen to spar, but Tōsen stepped forward and attacked him instead.
• Tōsen used his Bankai to strip Duke of sight, hearing, smell, and Reiatsu perception, leaving only touch intact.
• Duke summoned Genbu, whose winds shattered Tōsen’s Bankai barrier and left Tōsen badly injured.
• Duke covered Tōsen’s face with his hand and used Quadra Kill.

Aizen abandoned Kaname Tōsen and prepared to fight Duke, but a Garganta opened and carried Aizen and Gin Ichimaru away before Duke could release his next stage. The Soul Reapers treated the wounded, while Aizen’s parting words left others suspicious of Duke.

• Duke kicked the wounded Kaname Tōsen to Sajin Komamura after Aizen dismissed him, and Aizen discussed Duke’s Zanpakuto and the pursuit they shared.
• Aizen challenged Duke, but Duke began releasing New Moon and Full Moon’s third tier before a rift split the sky and revealed countless Menos Grande.
• Two beams of Garganta lifted Aizen and Gin Ichimaru into the sky, and Aizen told Duke to grow stronger while hinting at his interest in Kurosaki Ichigo.
• The Captain Commander explained that those inside Garganta could not be reached, and Aizen and Gin Ichimaru disappeared through the closing rift.
• The Captain Commander ordered treatment for the wounded and summoned Duke to the First Division, while Duke stabbed the injured with New Moon and Full Moon.

Three days after the betrayal, Duke drank with Rangiku, Hisagi Shūhei, and Kira Izuru as they complained about their absent or imprisoned loved ones. After escorting Rangiku back to Squad 10, Duke joked with Tōshirō and was left alone beneath the moon.

• Retsu Unohana discovered that Vice-Captain Duke had gone drinking with Rangiku and ominously promised the staff member who told her that Duke would not get a chance to punish him.
• Duke drank with Rangiku, Hisagi Shūhei, and Kira Izuru as they complained about Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, then arranged a room for the two men after they passed out together.
• Duke supported the drunken Rangiku back to Squad 10 and thanked Tōshirō for seeing them to the gate.
• Duke teased Tōshirō about Rangiku and HinaMori, then warned him not to attempt a night raid on Rangiku.
• Tōshirō slammed the gate in Duke's face, and Duke complained that everyone came to him with their troubles despite his being single.

Duke met Retsu Unohana under the moon, where she explained how his healing abilities had affected Squad 4 and asked him to consider becoming a captain. After Duke refused and she treated his drunkenness, an awkwardly intimate moment ended with him asking whether she wanted to have a go.

• Duke found Retsu Unohana wiping her Zanpakuto with sake and joined her for drinks when she called him over.
• Retsu Unohana explained that Duke’s healing had deprived Squad 4 members of valuable medical experience, and told him not to treat Bleach below vice-captain rank unless necessary.
• Retsu Unohana said the Captain Commander wanted Duke to fill one of three vacant captain positions, but Duke refused despite her suggestions.
• Retsu Unohana treated Duke’s drunkenness, and Duke’s wandering gaze earned him a neck twist before she healed him again.
• Duke struggled to speak during the ensuing silence, then asked Retsu Unohana if she wanted to have a go.

Duke learned that Aizen’s Arrancar had kidnapped Orihime Inoue and joined a group of captains heading to Hueco Mundo to confront the threat. The group entered through four stabilized Garganta, beginning their journey into Aizen’s territory.

• Duke studied books about sweet-talking women while avoiding Retsu Unohana after their awkward encounter.
• Isane Kotetsu summoned Duke to Unohana, who explained that Aizen was mass-producing Arrancar and that Orihime Inoue had been taken to Hueco Mundo.
• Unohana told Duke that Orihime’s Soten Kisshun could reject damage and restore Reiatsu, and explained that Ichigo’s group had entered Hueco Mundo to rescue her.
• Duke joined Unohana, Kenpachi, Byakuya, and Mayuri on the mission, while Mayuri prepared four stable Garganta.
• Mayuri activated the Garganta, and the captains set out for Hueco Mundo.

Retsu Unohana and Duke arrived in Hueco Mundo to rescue the wounded, and Duke used his Zanpakuto to heal allies and enemies through repeated stabbings. After restoring Pesche and Dondochakka to their former Arrancar selves, Duke heard their unreasonable request but refused to agree before they revealed it.

• Retsu Unohana and Duke arrived through Gargantas, and Rudbornn withdrew rather than fight them.
• Retsu Unohana treated Chad Yasutora and an Arrancar, while Duke repeatedly revived the Arrancar after cutting him down.
• Duke left to help Rukia, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Kenpachi's groups, healing Uryū Ishida and Renji despite their protests.
• Pesche and Dondochakka approached Duke, and he restored them to Arrancar No. 41 and No. 42 by cutting them down.
• Pesche and Dondochakka begged Duke to grant an unreasonable request, but he refused before hearing what it was.

Duke arrived in Hueco Mundo as Kenpachi fought Nnoitra, then intervened and healed Nelliel after defeating her. Kenpachi reclaimed Nnoitra as his opponent, while Duke teased Ichigo about Nelliel and left the group embarrassed.

• Duke agreed to help the wounded former Third Espada after Pesche and Dondochakka pleaded with him.
• Nnoitra released Santa Teresa, overwhelmed Kenpachi with his four scythes, and turned toward the injured Ichigo.
• Duke appeared beside Ichigo, stabbed him in the forehead, and then threw Nelliel to the ground when she attacked.
• Duke stabbed Nelliel's damaged mask, restoring her mask and Reiatsu, while Kenpachi struck Nnoitra away and insisted on fighting him himself.
• Ichigo recovered, and Duke teased him about Nelliel's appearance and accused him of being a pervert.

Kenpachi defeated Nnoitra after Duke restored his strength, while Duke stopped Coyote Starrk from abducting Orihime and challenged him to fight. Starrk faced Duke as Ichigo and the others remained nearby.

• Duke healed Kenpachi, and Nnoitra realized Duke’s ability made him a priority target.
• Kenpachi cut off Nnoitra’s arms, but Nnoitra regenerated them and fired a Cero that Kenpachi caught and hurled away.
• Kenpachi stopped holding back his Reiatsu, overwhelmed Nnoitra, and killed him.
• Duke pushed Ichigo toward Kenpachi as compensation for ruining his fight, and Ichigo panicked at Kenpachi’s killing intent.
• Coyote Starrk tried to take Orihime, but Duke struck him and returned Orihime to Ichigo.
• Duke challenged Starrk to a fight, but Starrk refused.