Chapter Summaries

Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions escaped the Soul Separation World and reached Rukongai, where Ichigo confronted the gatekeeper Jidanbō. Duan Mu returned to Yorozuya Tavern, stopped Ganju’s planned uprising to rescue him, and explained what had happened in Seireitei.

• Yoruichi led Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Ishida Uryū through the Soul Separation World as the Kōryū pursued them; Chad freed Ishida when his cloak became trapped.
• The group emerged in West District 1, where Yoruichi explained that they were in Rukongai and noticed that Seireitei’s Spirit-Purifying Wall had descended.
• Ichigo Kurosaki rushed toward Byakudō Gate to reach Rukia, and Jidanbō attacked him with a giant axe, but Ichigo escaped the strike unharmed.
• Duan Mu returned to Yorozuya Tavern and found Ganju rallying the villains to surround Seireitei and rescue him.
• Duan Mu stopped the plan, told the villains to warn Nishijin-ori, Habutae, and Diao Ao not to cause trouble, and asked Ganju to tell Kūkaku that he was safe.
• Duan Mu recounted his recent events in Seireitei to Ganju.

After Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions remained outside Seireitei, residents of West District 1 told them about Duan Mu, a celebrated Rukongai benefactor who had once protected Ishida Sōgen from Soul Reapers. Ishida Uryū learned that his grandfather had worked at Duan Mu’s Yorozuya by choice, leaving him ashamed of his accusations and eager to find Duan Mu.

• Orihime Inoue used Sōten Kisshun to restore Jidanbō’s severed arm while residents discussed Ichigo’s fight and praised Duan Mu.
• A young resident told Ichigo that Duan Mu was famous across Rukongai for helping its people, maintaining order, and taking secret commissions.
• Yoruichi recognized Duan Mu and said he might be able to open the Spirit Gate, then reacted with surprise when the residents said he had attacked Central 46 and been captured.
• Residents told Ishida Uryū that his grandfather, Ishida Sōgen, had worked for Duan Mu and that Duan Mu had saved him from more than a hundred pursuing Soul Reapers.
• Ishida Uryū learned that Sōgen had volunteered for the work out of gratitude, and he felt ashamed for assuming Duan Mu had forced his grandfather to do it.

Duan Mu told Ishida Sōgen that Uryū had entered Soul Society alive, and gave him a way to speak with his grandson without meeting in person. As Ichigo’s group reached the Shiba residence, Duan Mu set out for Seireitei to investigate whether Tōsen Kaname was alive, suspecting he was in the Deep Prison where Rukia was held.

• Duan Mu explained that Ishida Uryū had entered Soul Society alive with his companions, and Ishida Sōgen decided not to risk meeting him in person.
• Duan Mu gave Ishida Sōgen a Command Divine Machine so he could talk with Uryū through Kūkaku.
• At the Shiba residence, Yoruichi explained to Ichigo Kurosaki why Uryū was avoiding his teacher, and Kūkaku gave Uryū the device so he could speak with his grandfather.
• Duan Mu went to Seireitei and concluded that the most likely place to find Tōsen Kaname was Palace of Penitence—Deep Prison No. 4, where Rukia was imprisoned.

Duan Mu remained under close surveillance in the Seireitei until Captain Soi Fon brought him to a captains’ meeting called by Captain Commander Yamamoto. The meeting opened over Ichimaru Gin’s unauthorized release of the ryoka, while Duan Mu suspected that Aizen’s presence meant Central 46 had been left unattended.

• Duan Mu accepted Kanon’s suggestion to reopen the Yorozuya, but Soi Fon arrived and said Captain Commander Yamamoto had summoned him to a captains’ meeting.
• Soi Fon took over Duan Mu’s surveillance and escorted him to the Gotei 13 headquarters, where Ichimaru Gin joined them.
• Duan Mu stood among the gathered captains, ignored Kenpachi Zaraki’s challenge, and exchanged barbs with Kurotsuchi Mayuri over his presence and possible ties to the ryoka.
• Captain Commander Yamamoto began the meeting by confronting Ichimaru Gin for allowing the ryoka to escape without authorization.
• Aizen calmly defended Duan Mu’s presence, and Duan Mu wondered whether Central 46 had been left unguarded while Aizen and Ichimaru Gin attended the meeting.

Captain Commander Yamamoto punished Duan Mu for breaking into Central 46 by ordering him to temporarily perform the duties of the vacant 9th Division captaincy. An emergency alarm then halted the meeting, and the captains were sent to prepare for an intruder inside Seireitei.

• Ichimaru Gin admitted fault for letting the traveler escape and accepted whatever punishment Captain Commander Yamamoto decided.
• Captain Commander Yamamoto reprimanded Duan Mu for violating discipline, then assigned him to perform the duties of the 9th Division captain until a new captain was chosen.
• Soi Fon questioned the unusual appointment, and Captain Commander Yamamoto explained that Duan Mu was accepting a temporary commission from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, not becoming captain outright.
• An alarm reported an intruder inside Seireitei, and Kenpachi Zaraki rushed out of the meeting hall while Captain Commander Yamamoto dismissed the meeting and ordered the captains to their districts.
• Captain Commander Yamamoto ordered Duan Mu to remain in the 9th Division's area and capture any invading enemies, while Duan Mu encountered Matsumoto Rangiku and Toshiro Hitsugaya on the way out.

Duan Mu accepted a temporary commission to lead the 9th Division and learned about its duties from Shuhei Hisagi. Meanwhile, Ichigo Kurosaki and the others trained in Rukongai, where Ichigo realized Duan Mu was the man who had saved him and his mother; the chapter left them preparing to enter Seireitei and meet him.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya announced that Duan Mu would temporarily fulfill the duties of the 9th Division captain, and Shuhei Hisagi insisted on treating him as their captain.
• Duan Mu introduced himself to Shuhei Hisagi and learned that the 9th Division guarded Sōkyoku Hill and published Seireitei Communication.
• Shiba Kūkaku told Yoruichi that Duan Mu could be cautious yet prone to taking dangerous, direct action, while Ichigo Kurosaki and the others struggled to control their Spiritual Power.
• Iwao claimed he was the Yorozuya's true boss and told Ishida Uryū and Ichigo Kurosaki how Duan Mu had saved Ishida Sōgen.
• Ichigo Kurosaki recognized Duan Mu as the big brother who had saved him and his mother when he was nine, and Yoruichi said Duan Mu was in Seireitei and had been released.

Duan Mu took charge of the 9th Division, left Shuhei Hisagi in charge of the editorial department, and began clearing the division’s backlog of work. While reviewing Seireitei Communication’s manuscripts, he replaced Aizen’s column with his own flower-arrangement article and a new column.

• Duan Mu visited the Seireitei Communication Editorial Office and refused Shuhei Hisagi’s invitation to become editor-in-chief, offering instead to handle the division’s duties while Hisagi continued running the editorial department.
• Duan Mu reassured Shuhei Hisagi that his reforms would not erase Captain Tosen’s contributions and promised to explain changes before making them.
• Duan Mu entered the captain’s office and found it surrounded by piles of documents left unprocessed after Captain Tosen’s departure.
• Duan Mu reviewed applications from residents, division members, and the editorial department, sorting them and approving or rejecting them with suggestions.
• Duan Mu discovered Kyōraku Shunsui’s adult romance manuscript and several other captains’ submissions, then threw Aizen’s column into the trash and replaced it with his flower-arrangement article and the Smile of the Sun column.

Duan Mu took charge as acting captain of the 9th Division, quickly clearing its backlog and assigning work to the division members. After deciding to obey Yamamoto’s order to remain in the district and postpone investigating Sōkyoku Hill, he went to bed, but a mysterious object struck Seireitei’s Soul Veil at dawn.

• Duan Mu organized the 9th Division’s paperwork, assigned Sixth Seat Izuruyagi the urban-construction work, and introduced himself as its acting captain.
• Shuhei Hisagi formally addressed Duan Mu as Captain and escorted him to dinner and the furnished room prepared for him.
• Duan Mu discussed the missing Ryoka with Shuhei Hisagi and concluded that Kenpachi Zaraki’s 11th Division would keep searching through the night.
• Duan Mu considered the Hogyoku’s connection to Kuchiki Rukia and chose not to leave the 9th Division district to investigate Sōkyoku Hill.
• At dawn, a white object struck the Soul Veil above Seireitei as Kenpachi Zaraki and the exhausted 11th Division members looked on.

Duan Mu monitored the Ryoka invasion while Iwao and Ichigo Kurosaki landed in Seireitei and confronted Ikkaku Madarame and Ayasegawa Chikao. As Duan Mu prepared to keep the 9th Division within its orders, Shihoin Yoruichi vanished and an unknown shadow appeared in his office.

• Duan Mu tracked Iwao as the superhard Reishi barrier released four Ryoka into Seireitei.
• Iwao and Ichigo Kurosaki landed in a sand pit and met Ikkaku Madarame and Ayasegawa Chikao, who focused on Ichigo.
• Iwao ran away, returned to taunt Ayasegawa Chikao, and drenched him with muddy water disguised as a firework.
• Ayasegawa Chikao chased Iwao while Ikkaku Madarame fought Ichigo Kurosaki and told him Duan Mu was in Seireitei.
• Duan Mu ordered Shuhei Hisagi to patrol the 9th Division's jurisdiction and request reinforcements before confronting any Ryoka.
• Duan Mu discovered that Shihoin Yoruichi had vanished from his tracking, then entered his office and found a shadow on his desk.

Duan Mu explained to Yoruichi why he had suspected Aizen Sōsuke and revealed that Central 46 had already been wiped out. Yoruichi asked him to track the boys who had come with her, and Duan Mu agreed to watch them within the 9th Division’s jurisdiction.

• Duan Mu sealed his office against detection and spoke with Yoruichi, who questioned how he had become captain of the 9th Division.
• Duan Mu explained that he had been assigned as a commissioned captain and asked Yoruichi why she had forced her way into Central 46.
• Duan Mu recounted how suspicious orders concerning Kuchiki Rukia led him to investigate Central 46 and identify Aizen Sōsuke as the one who had wounded him.
• Yoruichi confirmed that she and Kisuke had suspected Aizen, but Central 46 and Captain Commander Yamamoto had dismissed their warnings; she gained favorability toward Duan Mu.
• Yoruichi said she would investigate Central 46 after returning home and asked Duan Mu to track the boys who came with her.
• Duan Mu agreed to keep watch but said he would not leave the 9th Division’s jurisdiction unless Brother Iwao was in danger.

Duan Mu refused Yamadatarō’s request to save Rukia, but secretly helped him guide Ichigo Kurosaki and Iwao through the sewers past the 9th Division. As another ryoka entered his territory, Duan Mu went out to meet him.

• Shuhei Hisagi reported that the ryoka had badly injured several Shinigami and that two were heading toward Sōkyoku Hill.
• Yamadatarō asked Duan Mu to save Rukia, but Duan Mu said he could not accept the request because it conflicted with his ongoing commission.
• Duan Mu warned Yamadatarō about the approaching ryoka and implied that they could avoid his territory by digging underground.
• Yamadatarō joined Ichigo Kurosaki and Iwao in the sewers and explained that Duan Mu had sent him to guide them toward Sōkyoku Hill.
• Shuhei Hisagi reported that Jirobo Ikkanzaka had been found with severe damage to his Sekketzu, and Duan Mu sensed a ryoka entering the 9th Division's territory.
• Duan Mu put on his captain's haori and went to confront the ryoka.

Yasutora Sado tried to reach Sōkyoku Hill but was stopped by acting 9th Division captain Duan Mu, who overpowered and captured him. After learning the destruction would cost him personally, Duan Mu stayed behind to repair the damage himself.

• Yasutora Sado headed toward Sōkyoku Hill and encountered Duan Mu, who identified himself as the acting captain of the 9th Division and barred the way.
• Sado attacked with a blast of spiritual pressure, but Duan Mu dispelled it with Bakudō #8: Kyaku.
• Duan Mu withstood Sado’s punch, then struck the ground with a powerful punch that tore a trench through the road and reached the Soul Veil.
• Duan Mu restrained Sado with Kidō #61: Rikujōkōrō and ordered the squad members to cuff him and take him to the cells for questioning.
• Shuhei Hisagi reminded Duan Mu that captains had to pay half the repair costs for battle damage, so Duan Mu removed his haori and decided to repair the road himself.

Ukitake Jushiro and Kyōraku Shunsui prepared to stop the execution based on information from Yoruichi, while Duan Mu repaired the damage from his fight and learned the intruders had reached Sōkyoku Hill. At an emergency captains’ meeting, Yamamoto activated a wartime order and allowed Duan Mu to keep his Zanpakuto, but confined him to the Ninth Division district until the invasion ended.

• Ukitake Jushiro and Kyōraku Shunsui discussed Yoruichi’s information and their preparations to stop the execution.
• Duan Mu repaired the Ninth Division district as Shuhei Hisagi reported that Renji Abarai had been badly injured by an intruder near Sōkyoku Hill.
• Yamamoto summoned the captains and announced that high-ranking officers had to carry their Zanpakuto and could fully release them in battle.
• Yamamoto allowed Duan Mu to retain his Zanpakuto but ordered him to remain in the Ninth Division district until the invading intruders were captured.
• Duan Mu retrieved his Zanpakuto, left headquarters, and returned to continue repairing the district.

Duan Mu continued repairing the 9th Division while its members and local residents watched, until spiritual pressure from Sōkyoku Hill signaled Ichigo Kurosaki’s fight with Kenpachi Zaraki. He detained Ishida Uryū and Orihime Inoue, then learned Orihime recognized him as the “big brother who doesn’t wear clothes” Ichigo had mentioned.

• Duan Mu resumed the repair work with more than a hundred 9th Division members nearby, while residents gathered to watch and reminisce about his Yorozuya.
• Duan Mu sensed Kenpachi Zaraki’s spiritual pressure, and Ishida Uryū and Orihime Inoue arrived at the Ninth Division platform after hearing Kurosaki’s spiritual pressure.
• Duan Mu bound Ishida Uryū with Bakudō #4: Seikaku and told Orihime Inoue he only needed her to stay there temporarily.
• Orihime Inoue recognized Duan Mu as the Yorozuya owner, and her favorability toward him rose to 20, earning him 19,627 EXP.
• Orihime Inoue called Duan Mu the “big brother who doesn’t wear clothes” that Ichigo Kurosaki had mentioned, so Duan Mu insisted she had mistaken him for someone else and told her Ichigo was safe with Lady Yoruichi.

Duan Mu discovered that the captains investigating Central 46 had walked into a trap, while Aizen ambushed Iwao and Hanatarou at Sōkyoku Hill and extracted the Hogyoku from Rukia. The chapter left Duan Mu caught in Tōsen Kaname’s Bankai as Aizen examined the blood-sealed Hogyoku.

• Iwao and Hanatarou reached the White Tower to rescue Rukia while Duan Mu wondered about the vanished spiritual pressures of Ichigo Kurosaki and Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, Komamura Sajin, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and Kuchiki Byakuya entered Central 46 and found its sages and judges dead.
• Ichimaru Gin attacked Ukitake Jushiro with his Bankai and the ten barriers around Central 46 sealed the captains inside.
• Duan Mu sensed that Iwao’s spiritual pressure had weakened at Sōkyoku Hill, sent Shuhei Hisagi to seek reinforcements, and rushed to help before Tōsen Kaname trapped him in Enma Korogi.
• Aizen cut down Iwao, pierced Rukia’s chest, and removed the Hogyoku, which he found concealed and sealed by blood.

Duan Mu fought Tōsen Kaname inside the Nameless Hell and escaped after knocking him unconscious with a powerful kick. When Tōsen began Resurrección, Duan Mu abandoned the fight and rushed toward Sōkyoku Hill to check on Iwao, detecting Ichigo Kurosaki and Yoruichi nearby.

• Duan Mu concealed his spiritual pressure and used vibrations through the ground to locate Tōsen Kaname in the Nameless Hell.
• Tōsen Kaname filled the domain with Benihōkō blades, but Duan Mu detected his charge and kicked him in the face, knocking him unconscious and breaking out of the domain.
• Duan Mu trapped Tōsen Kaname with Kuyō Shibari and Kurohitsugi, then prepared to finish him.
• Duan Mu sensed Tōsen Kaname beginning Resurrección and rushed toward Sōkyoku Hill rather than continue fighting.
• Duan Mu detected Ichigo Kurosaki and Yoruichi near Sōkyoku Hill and accelerated toward them.

Aizen revealed that he had stolen the Hogyoku from Kuchiki Rukia and explained how he had manipulated events to draw the captains toward the Central 46. As Ichigo Kurosaki, Yoruichi, and Soi Fon confronted him, Aizen attacked, leaving Yoruichi wounded and Soi Fon ready to fight.

• Aizen immobilized Kuchiki Rukia and Hanatarou, but Ichigo Kurosaki arrived, entrusted the wounded Iwao to Hanatarou, and carried Rukia and Hanatarou away.
• Aizen struck Ichigo Kurosaki from behind, leaving him gravely wounded, then explained that he had abandoned his original plan after realizing Duan Mu had anticipated his actions.
• Shihoin Yoruichi appeared and Aizen described how he had arranged Tōsen Kaname's staged death and used Yoruichi to lure captains into the Central 46.
• Soi Fon arrived and accused Yoruichi of betraying the Soul Society, but Yoruichi shielded her from Aizen's slash and was wounded.
• Soi Fon turned her anger on Aizen, drew her Zanpakuto, and called out, "Sting all enemies to death! Suzumebachi!"

Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and the Punishment Force fought Aizen at Sōkyoku Hill, but his swordsmanship and spiritual pressure overwhelmed them. Duan Mu, disguised among the Punishment Force, struck Aizen with a surprise kick and revealed himself.

• Soi Fon summoned the Punishment Force to pressure Aizen while Hanatarou began treating the gravely wounded Ichigo Kurosaki and Iwao.
• Aizen slaughtered the attacking Punishment Force, then blocked Yoruichi and Soi Fon’s coordinated assault without giving ground.
• Soi Fon used her Kido-and-Hakuda technique, but Aizen nullified her strongest strike with his spiritual pressure and nearly cut her down.
• Yoruichi used Flash Cry to knock Aizen’s sword aside, but Aizen seized both women and then cut through more Punishment Force members.
• A disguised Duan Mu landed a surprise kick that sent Aizen crashing into the white tower, then removed his mask and revealed himself.

Duan Mu confronted Aizen with Yoruichi and Soi Fon, using his experience points to survive their clash and protect them from Kyōka Suigetsu’s illusions. He unleashed two kinds of Flash Cry at once, leaving the battle’s outcome unclear as he struggled to withstand the technique’s strain.

• Duan Mu received favorability and experience-point gains from Yoruichi and Soi Fon, then took a sword from Hachi Haneha and prepared to fight Aizen.
• Duan Mu clashed with Aizen, healed his severe wound by adding experience points to his physique, and attacked with several binding Kidō spells.
• Soi Fon and Yoruichi mistook each other for Aizen under Kyōka Suigetsu, but Duan Mu stopped their attacks and shielded them from Aizen’s strike.
• Duan Mu combined his own Flash Cry with Yoruichi’s technique, using Sōren Sōkatsui as wings and unleashing a blast that destroyed the rope bridge and cratered the battlefield.
• Yoruichi carried Soi Fon, Ichigo Kurosaki, Hanatarou, and Hachi Haneha to Sōkyoku Hill while Duan Mu and Aizen remained amid the smoke.
• Duan Mu’s wounds healed as he continued the dual Flash Cry, but the explosions inside his body forced him to keep spending experience points to endure it.

Duan Mu fought Aizen at Sōkyoku Hill, spending his experience points to keep attacking despite his injuries and the overwhelming difference in their strength. After Aizen shattered his blade and Duan Mu’s Shikai domain collapsed, Duan Mu used the destruction of his reformed blade to bind Aizen for an instant and land a powerful punch.

• Duan Mu poured experience points into his physique and relentlessly attacked Aizen, but Aizen blocked his strikes and wounded him repeatedly.
• Aizen shattered Duan Mu’s blade with a finger, and Duan Mu used the fragments to activate “All Into Darkness.”
• Duan Mu’s domain collapsed after only a few seconds, and he and Aizen reappeared in the sunken arena as Yoruichi and Soi Fon watched.
• Duan Mu formed his blade again and attacked, but Aizen shattered it and inflicted a severe wound across his torso.
• Duan Mu chanted a binding Kidō and used the instant of restraint to punch Aizen, sending him flying.