Chapter Summaries

Ichigo responded to a Hollow alert and encountered Hirako Shinji, while Aizen sent two Pseudo-Arrancar to the Human World. Isshin and Masaki protected Kon and Uryu Ishida from the Hollows, and Masaki reunited with Ryuken and offered to help Uryu regain his Quincy powers.

• Ichigo left Kon in his body and went to destroy a Hollow, then clashed with Hirako Shinji, who warned him not to panic over spiritual pressure.
• In Las Noches, Aizen ordered Kaname Tōsen to send two Pseudo-Arrancar to the Human World, and Tōsen warned Ichimaru Gin against plotting.
• A Pseudo-Arrancar attacked Kon in Ichigo's body, but Isshin's charm shielded him and Isshin killed the Hollow after returning to Shinigami form.
• Masaki saved Uryu Ishida from a Menos Grande, and Ryuken arrived and finished off another Hollow with a Heilig Pfeil.
• Masaki greeted Ryuken as Xiao Long, introduced herself to Uryu as his aunt, and offered to help him regain his Quincy powers.

Hirako Shinji revealed that he was a Visored and warned Kurosaki Ichigo that the Hollow inside him was growing stronger. Ichigo used Bankai to fight him, but Shinji donned his Hollow mask and overwhelmed him, leaving Ichigo pinned and struggling to use his power.

• Kurosaki Ichigo questioned Hirako Shinji, who showed him a Hollow mask and identified himself as a Visored.
• Hirako Shinji warned Ichigo that the Hollow within him was consuming his power and urged him to join the Visored to learn control.
• Ichigo rejected Shinji’s claims, but used Bankai after Shinji pressed him with a powerful attack.
• Hirako Shinji covered his face with his Hollow mask and clashed with Ichigo, overpowering him.
• Hirako Shinji taunted the pinned Ichigo for fearing his inner Hollow and holding back his full strength.

Kurosaki Ichigo lost to Hirako Shinji and was overtaken by the Hollow within him, which attacked Shinji. Wu Biao arrived and clashed with Shinji, but both men abruptly moved away after sensing a new threat.

• Hirako Shinji overwhelmed Kurosaki Ichigo with a barrage of slashes and wounded him, driving Ichigo into darkness.
• White Ichigo emerged, clashed with Hirako Shinji, and fired a Getsuga Tensho that Shinji crushed with his bare hand.
• Wu Biao arrived and struck Hirako Shinji with Jubai Kanon Ken, but Shinji blocked the attack and dispersed its force.
• Hirako Shinji identified himself to Wu Biao and said it was not the time to fight, then he and Wu Biao leaped away after sensing something.

Ichigo removed White Ichigo’s mask and refused Hirako Shinji’s offer to teach him to control his Hollow power, while Wu Biao worried that he could no longer protect Ichigo as their enemies grew stronger. They returned to the Kurosaki Clinic and discovered that Uryu Ishida was visiting.

• White Ichigo took control of Ichigo’s body and attacked Wu Biao, but Ichigo tore off his mask and regained control.
• Wu Biao reassured Ichigo, while Hirako Shinji warned him about the Hollow inside him and offered to teach him control.
• Ichigo refused to trust Hirako Shinji and said he was a Soul Reaper, not a Visored, so Hirako Shinji left.
• Wu Biao worried that he was too weak to protect Ichigo, but hid his concerns when Ichigo asked what was wrong.
• Wu Biao and Ichigo returned to the Kurosaki Clinic, where they found Kon hiding and learned that Uryu Ishida was visiting.

Kurosaki Ichigo and Wu Biao encountered Ishida Uryu and his father, Ishida Ryuken, at the Kurosaki home, where the fathers argued and the family’s Quincy connections came to light. After everyone went to bed, Wu Biao worried that he had reached his limit and began training the next morning, only to find his efforts still made no difference.

• Kurosaki Ichigo and Wu Biao found Ishida Uryu and Ishida Ryuken dining with Kurosaki Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki at the Kurosaki home.
• Kurosaki Isshin and Ishida Ryuken argued over their sons, while Ishida Ryuken offered to restore Ishida Uryu’s Quincy powers if he stayed away from Shinigami.
• Kurosaki Masaki revealed that she was also a Quincy and offered to help Ishida Uryu regain his powers.
• Ishida Ryuken left with Ishida Uryu after Wu Biao mocked him for eating the family’s shrimp gratin.
• Wu Biao lay awake fearing that he was too weak to keep fighting alongside Kurosaki Ichigo, since his usual methods of gaining strength had stopped working.
• Wu Biao trained with medical equipment through the night, but he still did not break a sweat before Kurosaki Isshin sent him to buy soy sauce.

Wu Biao overcame his hesitation about facing powerful opponents and rushed to confront two Arrancar who had appeared in Karakura Town. After overpowering Yammy in a clash, he asked whether he and Ulquiorra were Hollows.

• Kurosaki Ichigo returned home troubled by Hirako Shinji's warning about Hollowfication and whether to join the Visored.
• Shyarly noticed that Wu Biao and Ichigo were acting strangely, but Wu Biao concealed his worries and went for a walk.
• Wu Biao sensed a Garganta open above Karakura Town and hurried toward the powerful presence while Ichigo headed there as well.
• Yammy moved to kill the surviving Tatsuki Arisawa, but Wu Biao appeared and blocked his way.
• Wu Biao struck Yammy hard enough to send him flying, surprising Ulquiorra, then asked the two Arrancar if they were Hollows.

Wu Biao fought Yammy and nearly killed him, but Ulquiorra intervened before he could land a fatal blow. The Arrancar retreated after declaring their mission complete, and Wu Biao hid the embarrassing injury he had sustained using a desperate technique.

• Orihime and Sado rescued Tatsuki and left the battlefield after Wu Biao ordered them away.
• Wu Biao fought Yammy, dodged his Cero by swallowing a Kannonji-dan, and nearly tore out his throat before Ulquiorra kicked him away.
• Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Kurosaki Ichigo arrived, and Wu Biao resolved to defeat Yammy at full strength rather than take advantage of his weakened state.
• Ulquiorra and Yammy opened a Garganta and withdrew after Ulquiorra said their mission was complete, while Wu Biao challenged Yammy to fight again.
• Yoruichi noticed Wu Biao was bleeding from his backside, and he admitted he had swallowed a Kannonji-dan to escape Yammy's Cero.

Wu Biao recovered from his injury and joined Ichigo as the Shinigami gathered at the Kurosaki home to discuss Aizen. His taunts provoked Hitsugaya Tōshirō into a furious outburst, leaving the group struggling to restrain the captain.

• Kurosaki Isshin treated Wu Biao's injury and left, telling Wu Biao to say he had gone to a medical conference so he could avoid meeting his former subordinates.
• Wu Biao entered Ichigo's room and met Hitsugaya Tōshirō, Matsumoto Rangiku, Madarame Ikkaku, Suzuki Ayasegawa Yumichika, Kuchiki Rukia, and Renji Abarai.
• Wu Biao's crude explanation of his treatment confused the visitors, and Ichigo clarified that Kurosaki Isshin had given him medical care.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō threatened to settle his score with Wu Biao after the Aizen matter, but Wu Biao mocked his age and appearance.
• Hitsugaya Tōshirō took a Mod Soul Pill and tried to attack Wu Biao, while Matsumoto Rangiku and Yumichika Ayasegawa restrained him.

Matsumoto Rangiku explained the Menos Grande ranks and the threat posed by powerful Arrancar, while Wu Biao grew eager to face them. As the Soul Reapers left Ichigo’s house, Wu Biao encouraged Ichigo to accept and master his inner power, and the two vowed to grow stronger.

• Matsumoto Rangiku explained that Menos Grande included Gillian, intelligent and stronger Adjuchas, and rare Vasto Lorde with captain-level or greater combat ability.
• Wu Biao excitedly claimed that he would defeat every powerful enemy, then argued with Madarame Ikkaku and Yumichika Ayasegawa over who would fight the Arrancar.
• Renji said the Soul Reapers planned to stay until the battle with the Arrancar was over, but Kurosaki Ichigo complained that his house had no room for them.
• Matsumoto Rangiku left with the dazed Hitsugaya Tōshirō, saying she would stay with Inoue, and the other Soul Reapers departed, leaving Kuchiki Rukia with Ichigo and Wu Biao.
• Wu Biao urged Kurosaki Ichigo not to fear his inner power, and Ichigo resolved to master it as Wu Biao vowed to become stronger than anyone.

Wu Biao fought an Arrancar in Karakura Town and broke through to captain-level strength, awakening Haki. He defeated Szayelaporro Granz and set off to take on more of the Arrancar while the other battles continued.

• Aizen told Tōsen that he had allowed Grimmjow and his Fracción to go to the Human World, and ordered Tōsen to bring Grimmjow back later.
• Six Arrancar attacked Karakura Town, and the Shinigami split up to confront them as Wu Biao rushed toward Sado Yasutora's house.
• Wu Biao killed the Arrancar waiting for Sado, awakened Haki, and encouraged Sado to believe in his own strength before leaving.
• Szayelaporro Granz overwhelmed Renji Abarai, whose strength was restricted, until Wu Biao arrived and defeated Granz with a single kick.
• Wu Biao noticed that other Shinigami were also fighting under strength restrictions and left to take on more Arrancar, while Renji realized he would need to report that his limit no longer needed lifting.

Wu Biao arrived in time to help Matsumoto Rangiku and let Hitsugaya Tōshirō fight Shawlong after the limit was lifted. Kurosaki Ichigo awakened his Hollow power against Grimmjow, while Wu Biao intercepted Kaname Tōsen and began fighting him.

• Hitsugaya Tōshirō struggled against Shawlong as Matsumoto Rangiku waited for approval to lift their limit, and Shawlong released Go-Kyōchū.
• Wu Biao arrived, knocked Nakeem through the rooftop, and told Matsumoto Rangiku he had come to take her opponent.
• After the limit was lifted, Hitsugaya Tōshirō's power surged and his Ice Dragon froze Shawlong.
• Kurosaki Ichigo accepted the power within him, partially covered his face with a Hollow Mask, and struck Grimmjow with a powerful Getsuga Tenshō.
• Kaname Tōsen headed toward Ichigo's battlefield, but Wu Biao stopped him, dislocated his arms, and slammed him toward the ground.

Kurosaki Ichigo fought Grimmjow as his Hollow mask spread and threatened to take control, while Wu Biao battled Kaname Tōsen nearby. Wu Biao stopped Ichigo’s Hollow form and Grimmjow’s attack, and Grimmjow left with Tōsen through a Garganta.

• Kurosaki Ichigo struck Grimmjow with Getsuga Tensho, but Grimmjow released Pantera and overpowered him.
• As the mask spread across Ichigo’s face, White Ichigo took control and attacked Grimmjow with greater speed and aggression.
• Wu Biao left his fight with Kaname Tōsen and appeared between Ichigo and Grimmjow, stopping their clash with his bare hands.
• Wu Biao crushed Ichigo’s Hollow Mask, and Ichigo returned to himself and resolved to master his Hollow power with help from the Visored.
• Kaname Tōsen ordered Grimmjow to return to Aizen, and the two departed through a Garganta while Wu Biao let them go.

Wu Biao said he was taking time off and learned that Ichigo had gone to meet the Visored, while Ichigo confronted them at an abandoned factory to demand help suppressing his inner Hollow. The chapter ended as Ichigo released Bankai, surprising Hirako Shinji.

• Wu Biao told the Kurosaki family that he was taking time off and revealed that Ichigo had gone somewhere, though he said Ichigo had asked him not to explain.
• Wu Biao startled the family by saying he had gone hard, then clarified that he meant his hair had become stiff.
• Kurosaki Ichigo found the Visored at an abandoned factory and told Hirako Shinji he had come to use them, not join them.
• Kurosaki Ichigo demanded that the Visored teach him how to suppress his inner Hollow and attacked Hirako Shinji when he refused.
• Hirako Shinji knocked Kurosaki Ichigo to the ground with spiritual pressure, but Ichigo released Bankai as the Visored watched in surprise.

Kurosaki Ichigo fought Hirako Shinji to prove he could retain his consciousness while Hollowfying and learn to control the Hollow within him. Hirako accepted him and promised to teach him, but an explosion suddenly collapsed part of the abandoned factory.

• Kurosaki Ichigo attacked Hirako Shinji and demanded to know how to make a Hollow submit.
• Kurosaki Ichigo began Hollowfying while keeping his consciousness, alarming the Visored and prompting Hachigen to reinforce the barriers.
• Kurosaki Ichigo and Hirako Shinji exchanged powerful attacks until Hirako declared that Ichigo had passed.
• Kurosaki Ichigo knocked off his partially formed mask, and Hirako promised to teach him to control his Hollow whether or not he joined them.
• An explosion struck the abandoned factory and collapsed one of its walls.

Wu Biao found Ichigo at the Visoreds’ abandoned factory and overwhelmed everyone with his newly awakened presence before making clear he had come to check on him. After mocking the Visoreds, he provoked Sarugaki Hiyori, who attacked him from behind.

• Wu Biao entered the factory and unleashed a pressure so powerful that the building cracked and weaker Shinigami could not stay conscious.
• Wu Biao confirmed that Ichigo was unharmed, withdrew his pressure, and explained that he had tracked Ichigo by scent.
• Wu Biao said Ichigo’s family had sent him to check on him, then joked about Hirako Shinji and the possibility of Ichigo selling himself for Hollowfication.
• Wu Biao whispered that the Visoreds looked like homeless losers, and Sarugaki Hiyori charged at him in her Hollow Mask.
• Sarugaki Hiyori brought a spiritual-pressure-coated kick down on Wu Biao without drawing her Zanpakuto.

Wu Biao confronted the Visored over Sarugaki Hiyori’s threat to Inoue and Sado, then entrusted Ichigo’s Hollow-control training to them before leaving for Hell. He departed through a Hell Cavity for special training, promising to return stronger.

• Wu Biao caught Sarugaki Hiyori’s kick and slammed her into the factory floor, prompting Kurosaki Ichigo and the Visored to intervene.
• Wu Biao challenged Hirako Shinji over Hiyori’s attempt to kill Inoue and Sado, and Ichigo learned about the incident for the first time.
• Wu Biao bowed to the Visored and asked them to look after Ichigo while he was away; Hirako Shinji agreed to teach Ichigo to control his Hollow.
• The Visored discussed Wu Biao’s authority as Hell’s proxy, while Wu Biao dismissed his role as unpaid work and told Ichigo to focus on training.
• Wu Biao opened a Hell Cavity and stepped through it, leaving Ichigo in the Visored’s care as he set off for special training.

Wu Biao endured seventeen days in Saṃjīva Hell’s flames as the Togabito speculated about his power and his connection to Hell. Shuren and his companions wondered whether the Hellfire was tempering Wu Biao, while others feared what he might do when he emerged.

• Hell expanded and grew stronger as more Togabito arrived and souls were sent there through Wu Biao’s work.
• Togabito gathered outside the volcano to listen to Wu Biao scream through his seventeenth day in the Hellfire.
• Shuren confirmed that the bald human in the volcano was Wu Biao, who no longer wore Hell Chains.
• Gunjō reported that Wu Biao’s body seemed to burn and repair itself in the flames, and Shuren suggested the Hellfire could both destroy and restore.
• I Lüya asked whether they would seek revenge after Wu Biao emerged, but Shuren’s group refused to risk imprisonment in the Abyss of Hell.

Wu Biao endured Hellfire’s repeated destruction and healing as Hell’s Will forged his body stronger. In the Human World, Yamamoto warned Orihime and the Soul Reapers that Aizen planned to destroy Karakura Town to create the Oken, and the chapter ended with the Gotei 13 preparing for a winter battle and seeking Hell’s Agent’s help.

• Wu Biao realized Hell’s Will was controlling the Hellfire to burn, heal, and strengthen him in repeated cycles.
• Captain-Commander Yamamoto explained to Orihime Inoue, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, and Matsumoto Rangiku that Aizen intended to create the Oken and kill the Soul King.
• Yamamoto revealed that creating the Oken would require destroying Karakura Town and its inhabitants.
• Yamamoto said the decisive battle would take place in winter, and Orihime agreed to warn Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Hitsugaya told Yamamoto that Hell’s Agent might be in Hell, so Yamamoto decided to arrange contact with him directly.

Soul Society’s captains gathered at Sokyoku Hill and forcibly opened the Gates of Hell to request help from Hell’s agent. Wu Biao appeared hiding behind a Hell Keeper and impatiently asked what they wanted.

• The Kido Corps summoned the Gates of Hell while Soul Society’s captains and lieutenants stood by to contain the Hell Miasma.
• Hell Keepers gathered beyond the open gates, but Yamamoto apologized for the intrusion and asked them to summon Hell’s agent, causing the miasma to withdraw.
• The captains waited about ten minutes, and Byakuya grew irritated at having to wait for Wu Biao.
• Wu Biao peered out from behind a Hell Keeper and told the gathered Soul Reapers to state their business quickly.

Wu Biao stopped Togabito from escaping through the Gates of Hell and demonstrated his authority over Hell to the Gotei 13 captains. After closing the gate, he rushed to the Human World, where he briefly greeted Ichigo and the Visored before vanishing again.

• Soi Fon demanded that Wu Biao come out, but he refused because he was naked below the waist.
• Wu Biao ordered the Togabito to return to Hell's lowest level, then sent the ones charging the gate into the Abyss with Hell Chains.
• Shunsui Kyoraku and Ukitake Jushiro recognized Wu Biao's authority, and Unohana Retsu asked him to close the Gates of Hell.
• Wu Biao got a prison uniform from Hell, snapped his fingers to close the Gates of Hell, and told the captains he would return shortly.
• Wu Biao opened a Hell Cavity to the Human World, appeared at the Visored's abandoned factory, greeted Kurosaki Ichigo, and vanished again.