Chapter Summaries

Byakuya Kuchiki welcomed Rukia into the Kuchiki Family, but an explosion at the Central 46 interrupted the ceremony. Nara Dan revealed that the blast was part of a plan aimed at Sōsuke Aizen, who arrived at the ruins and prepared to deceive Yamamoto Genryusai.

• Nara Dan attended Rukia’s Surname Conferral Ceremony at the Kuchiki estate, where guests questioned why a Shino Academy student had been invited.
• Byakuya Kuchiki gave Rukia the Kuchiki name, tied a white ribbon around her head, and accepted her as his younger sister.
• An explosion sounded during the ceremony, and Nara Dan recognized it as the start of the show he had arranged for Aizen.
• The captains left the estate to investigate, while Rukia stayed behind with Nara Dan and asked him about the blast.
• Yamamoto Genryusai reached the destroyed Central 46 first and noticed that the ruins showed no bodies or blood.
• Sōsuke Aizen arrived, recognized that Illusion was concealing the corpses from Yamamoto Genryusai, and activated Illusion.

Aizen tried to hide the truth about Central 46 with Illusion, but Samehada’s stronger Genjutsu exposed the elders’ deaths and confronted him. Yamamoto ordered an investigation while Aizen stayed behind on the ruins to study Samehada.

• Aizen used Illusion to make the dead Central 46 elders appear to rise and attack the captains, but they ignored the illusion.
• Retsu Unohana identified an elder’s corpse and determined its blade wound and Reishi indicated that it had been dead for five to eight years.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai ordered Unohana to gather the corpses, Jushiro Ukitake to review Central 46’s cases, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi to investigate the explosion and concealed events.
• Aizen realized that a Genjutsu had overwritten Illusion, used the Hōgyoku to break free, and discovered Samehada casting the false reality with its Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan.
• Yamamoto sent the captains to a meeting, while Aizen used Illusion to send a fake body and remained among the ruins facing Samehada.

Samehada’s staged appearance at Central 46 warned Aizen and drew his attention away from Nara Dan, who used the time to consider how to become a godlike being beyond entropy. Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin discussed the threat to Aizen and the Vizard, and Kisuke resolved to use the Hōgyoku to increase their own power.

• Samehada confronted Aizen at the ruins of Central 46, then vanished with its spatial technique while Aizen chose not to pursue it.
• Nara Dan revealed that he had arranged the spectacle to unsettle Aizen and keep him occupied, and he reflected on creating a vessel for the rules of his existence.
• Kisuke Urahara concluded that the attack on Central 46 was intended to warn and restrain Aizen, while Yoruichi Shihouin questioned why the mastermind had not attacked him directly.
• Kisuke told Yoruichi that Aizen was still dangerous and had been sending Menos after the Vizard, but expected him to avoid acting personally for now.
• Kisuke planned to contact the Vizard and have them clear out nearby Menos, then decided they could use the Hōgyoku to grow stronger as Aizen did.

Nara Dan taught Kira Izuru how to use Spiritual Power Self-Weight Armor to increase his Spiritual Pressure, then agreed to train Renji Abarai in exchange for his loyalty. He began considering how to give Renji Hollow and Quincy powers and shape him into another candidate capable of challenging the Spirit King.

• Nara Dan explained that Kira Izuru could not hear or remember his Zanpakutō's name because his Spiritual Pressure was insufficient for Shikai.
• Nara Dan demonstrated Spiritual Power Self-Weight Armor and taught Kira how its intense weight could rapidly develop Spiritual Pressure, warning him to rest and train carefully.
• Renji Abarai visited Nara Dan and asked him to continue his training, offering to follow him like Kira Izuru.
• Nara Dan persuaded Renji to accept demanding training by promising it would not violate his conscience or harm his friends and family.
• Nara Dan considered developing Renji's potential with Hollow and Quincy powers so he could become another candidate like Ichigo Kurosaki and help him prepare for the Spirit King.

Byakuya Kuchiki began training Rukia after recognizing the strong fundamentals Nara Dan had taught her. Nara brought Renji Abarai to visit Rukia, then revealed she faced danger and knocked Renji unconscious for an unknown purpose.

• Byakuya Kuchiki sparred with Rukia, praised her swordsmanship, and said he would teach her himself.
• A retainer told Byakuya that Nara Dan had come to see Rukia, and Byakuya allowed her to meet him.
• Nara Dan brought Renji Abarai to the Kuchiki Family so he could catch up with Rukia, then waited outside.
• After Renji left the Kuchiki Family, Nara Dan told him that Rukia was in danger because someone had his eye on the Hōgyoku inside her.
• Nara Dan knocked Renji unconscious and remarked that Shinigami Hollowfication had to begin when they were young.

Nara Dan clashed with Kenpachi Zaraki, who invited him to join the Eleventh Division after graduation, then brought Renji Abarai back to the dormitory and sealed the Hollow Power he had awakened. The seal only delayed Renji’s dangerous Hollowfication, while Nara Dan considered how to obtain the Quincy Power needed for his plans.

• Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi encountered Nara Dan and the unconscious Renji Abarai, and Kenpachi attacked Nara without warning.
• Nara blocked Kenpachi’s strike with the Dharma Blade and hinted that he knew Yachiru’s true identity, then declined Kenpachi’s invitation to join the Eleventh Division after graduation.
• Nara returned Renji to the dormitory and recognized that the Hōgyoku had awakened Hollow Power within him, which could make him completely Hollowfied within days.
• Nara used an Eight Trigrams Seal to suppress Renji’s Hollow Power, knowing it would grow stronger when the seal failed.
• Nara decided that Quincy Power was the harder requirement for making Renji a hybrid and thought of Yhwach, the Quincy progenitor.

Renji Abarai and Kira Izuru fought, and Kira revealed Wabisuke’s ability to make weapons heavier with each clash, defeating Renji. On graduation-exam day, Tōshirō Hitsugaya was assigned as their examiner, but their group still waited for Nara Dan to arrive.

• Renji Abarai attacked Kira Izuru with Shikai, and Kira eventually released Wabisuke after Renji challenged him to use his own Shikai.
• Kira explained that Wabisuke doubled the weight of any weapon it struck, then used the ability to weigh down Zabimaru and defeat Renji.
• Renji and Kira discussed their Zanpakutō and prepared for their Graduation Exam, which would send them to the Human World to fight Hollows.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya appeared as the group’s examiner, and Momo Hinamori softened his stern welcome to Renji and Kira.
• Momo Hinamori asked about the group’s missing fourth student, and Kira Izuru worried that Nara Dan had forgotten the exam.

Nara Dan accompanied Tōshirō Hitsugaya and the graduates on their Human World exam, where Renji Abarai and Kira Izuru defeated an evolving Hollow together. After the group discovered their return route and backup communication had been sealed, a powerful Humanoid Hollow appeared, leaving them facing an unknown threat.

• Nara Dan joined Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Kira Izuru as they entered the Human World for the Graduation Exam.
• Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Kira Izuru defeated the Hollows they encountered, but one Hollow faked its death and consumed its companions to evolve.
• Renji Abarai restrained the evolved Fake Death Hollow with Zabimaru, and Kira Izuru killed it with Wabisuke.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya discovered that the Gate of Crossing and the Record Badge could not contact Soul Society, while Nara Dan sensed that the area had been sealed.
• A towering Humanoid Hollow with an Ox-head Mask emerged from a black hole, unleashing Spiritual Pressure that made the Reishi across the city boil.

Nara Dan faced Aizen’s powerful White Hollow during the graduation exam after Tōshirō Hitsugaya and the other candidates were forced to retreat. He revealed overwhelming Spiritual Pressure after his armor withstood White Hollow’s attacks, but the battle remained unresolved as Aizen watched.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya recognized White Hollow’s immense strength, released Hyōrinmaru, and was badly hurt by its Cero.
• Nara Dan sent Hitsugaya and the other candidates away, then challenged White Hollow while Aizen and Gin Ichimaru observed from the Soul Society.
• White Hollow attacked Nara Dan with its bone blade, but Nara Dan’s Spiritual Power Self-Weight Armor stopped the blows.
• White Hollow fired a stronger Cero that destroyed the surrounding buildings, but Nara Dan emerged unharmed as cracks formed in his armor.
• Nara Dan broke the armor and unleashed Spiritual Pressure exceeding White Hollow’s, while Aizen wondered whether he could defeat his creation.

Nara Dan overwhelmed White Hollow with his swordsmanship and revealed that his Dharma Blade could inflict wounds its regeneration could not heal. As White Hollow tried to escape through a Negación void, Nara Dan invoked the World Tree’s Temporal Suppression.

• White Hollow attacked Nara Dan with Sonído, but Nara Dan matched its spatial movement with Flying Thunder God as they battled across the city and devastated it.
• Nara Dan endured injuries from White Hollow’s attacks, healed them with Life Essence from the World Tree, and decided to end the fight.
• Nara Dan’s Divine Gang: Clear and Turbid slash cut White Hollow nearly in half and inflicted True Damage that stopped its High-Speed Regeneration.
• White Hollow forced its wound closed with Spiritual Pressure and charged into a Negación void to flee.
• Nara Dan thrust his Dharma Blade into the void and called on the World Tree to use Temporal Suppression.

Nara Dan killed White Hollow and negotiated with Kisuke Urahara, refusing his offer to awaken Nara Dan’s Hollow powers but agreeing to trade the corpse for a scabbard. Aizen watched the fight and became fascinated by Nara Dan’s strength, wondering whether he represented a path beyond the limits of Soul Reapers.

• Nara Dan used the World Tree’s power to pin White Hollow in place, then killed it with his Dharma Blade.
• Kisuke Urahara appeared and offered to awaken and help control the Hollow power in Nara Dan’s body, but Nara Dan refused.
• Nara Dan asked Urahara for the Spirit King’s fragments; Urahara refused and instead offered to make a scabbard for the Dharma Blade in exchange for White Hollow’s corpse.
• Nara Dan left White Hollow’s corpse with Urahara, returned to the unconscious Kira Izuru and the others, and waited for the Soul Society’s rescue team.
• Gin Ichimaru and Aizen watched the fight’s recording, and Aizen grew interested in Nara Dan as someone who might reveal a path beyond Soul Reapers.

After Nara Dan described the Human World battle, Isshin Shiba reported the Humanoid Hollow and Kisuke Urahara’s involvement to Soul Society, prompting Yamamoto Genryūsai to expand the investigation into abnormal Spiritual Power and Nara Dan. Nara Dan left the Stealth Force after clashing with Soi Fon, while Tōshirō Hitsugaya recovered and resolved to train harder.

• Isshin Shiba questioned Nara Dan about the ruined city, reviewed Tōshirō Hitsugaya’s Badge recording, and reported the battle and Kisuke Urahara’s suspicious appearance.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai ordered the investigation into Kisuke Urahara and abnormal Spiritual Power to intensify, and told the Stealth Force to investigate Nara Dan’s background.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya woke in the Fourth Division treatment room, heard Retsu Unohana ask about Nara Dan’s swordsmanship, and decided to train harder after recalling his helplessness against White Hollow.
• Momo Hinamori told Tōshirō Hitsugaya that Renji Abarai and Kira Izuru had left to train and that the Secret Agency had taken Nara Dan for questioning.
• Soi Fon escorted Nara Dan to the Stealth Force entrance and warned him not to return, but Nara Dan teased her and left after recalling how he had threatened her during questioning.

Renji Abarai’s growing Spiritual Pressure drove him into a dangerous frenzy during training with Kira Izuru, who called for Nara Dan’s help. Unable to reach them, Nara Dan fought his way into the Wandenreich, where his attack drew the attention of Yhwach’s elite guards.

• Renji Abarai’s wild attacks and rising Spiritual Pressure overwhelmed Kira Izuru, who activated Nara Dan’s communication device for help.
• Nara Dan entered the Wandenreich and defeated nearly ten Quincies with Flying Thunder God-enhanced Taijutsu, including their leader.
• As powerful Spiritual Pressures gathered inside the palace, Nara Dan unleashed a colossal Heaven’s Fall slash across the Wandenreich.
• A white-cloaked Quincy redirected the slash, while the other Quincies wore it down; the slash’s Sword Intent left the man’s hand split and unable to heal.
• Nara Dan recognized the injured Quincy as the Left Arm of the Spirit King and a member of Yhwach’s Royal Guard.

Nara Dan entered the Wandenreich, collected Yhwach’s blood while he slept, and left before provoking the Spirit King. Beneath the Sōkyoku, Renji Abarai overwhelmed Kira Izuru, whose defeat seemed imminent.

• Nara Dan summoned Samehada to face the Quincy, but Haschwalth ordered them to stand down and escorted him to Yhwach.
• Nara Dan examined the sleeping Yhwach and considered the Spirit King’s influence over his fate and power.
• Nara Dan cut Yhwach’s arm, collected the blood that gathered from the wound, and left through a Garganta as Haschwalth watched.
• Beneath the Sōkyoku, Renji Abarai’s black Spiritual Pressure overwhelmed Kira Izuru, and Zabimaru’s barbs struck Kira in the shoulder blade.
• Kira Izuru realized he could not withstand Renji’s attack, just as someone announced that they had arrived in time.

Nara Dan subdued the Hollow inside Renji Abarai and used Yhwach’s blood to balance its power. He then began a new transformation for Kira Izuru with Yang Release, leaving Kira feeling as if he were truly alive.

• Kira Izuru held off Hollowfied Renji Abarai until Nara Dan arrived, and Dan overwhelmed Renji with his Spiritual Pressure.
• Renji’s inner Hollow emerged at Captain-level after being affected by White Hollow’s Spiritual Pressure, but Dan knocked it unconscious and used Yhwach’s blood to suppress it.
• Dan healed Kira Izuru’s shoulder wound and heard that Kira was willing to pursue dangerous power rather than be left behind.
• Dan explained that Hollowfication did not suit Kira and offered him another path, which Kira accepted.
• Dan used Samehada’s Yang Release to transform Kira’s Spirit Body toward a physical form, and Kira said he felt alive.

Kira Izuru adapted to a newly restored physical body as Nara Dan began preparing to teach him hand-to-hand combat. At a Captain Meeting, Byakuya Kuchiki nominated Nara Dan for the vacant Third Division captaincy, and Isshin Shiba joined his recommendation.

• Kira Izuru discovered that his new body greatly increased his physical strength and senses, while Nara Dan explained that it was perfectly matched to his spirit.
• Nara Dan decided to teach Kira Izuru hand-to-hand combat, a discipline he believed the restored physical body could excel at.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai ordered Shinigami to guard the Human World against Menos and announced that Gin Ichimaru would undergo a Captain Examination for the Third Division captaincy.
• Byakuya Kuchiki objected to Gin Ichimaru's candidacy and nominated the Shino Academy graduate Nara Dan instead.
• Sajin Komamura protested that a student should not be considered for captain, but Yamamoto Genryūsai said there was no rule against it and asked for more recommendations.
• Isshin Shiba stepped forward to support Nara Dan's nomination.

Kenpachi Zaraki backed Nara Dan’s bid for the Third Division captaincy, and Yamamoto scheduled a Captain Battle against Gin Ichimaru three days later. As the news spread, Aizen grew wary of Nara Dan and Isshin Shiba, while Gin Ichimaru anticipated that Aizen might make a move during the contest.

• Kenpachi Zaraki recommended Nara Dan, giving him the third captain’s endorsement, and Yamamoto scheduled the Captain Battle for the training grounds in three days.
• Aizen questioned Isshin Shiba about supporting Nara Dan, and Isshin became more convinced that Aizen was behind the Soul Society’s troubles.
• Aizen told Gin Ichimaru that Nara Dan had likely exposed their connection and his Zanpakutō’s ability, while Gin worried Aizen would act during the battle.
• News of Nara Dan’s Captain Battle spread through Soul Society, and Renji Abarai and Kira Izuru sparred after discussing his advancement.
• Kuchiki Rukia worried that Nara Dan could not defeat Gin Ichimaru, but Byakuya Kuchiki reassured her that Nara Dan should prevail.

Nara Dan and Gin Ichimaru fought for the right to become captain of the Third Division, drawing the gathered captains’ attention with their speed and swordsmanship. Nara Dan’s powerful new sword technique wounded Gin and revealed a distinctive style that Retsu Unohana began to analyze.

• Aizen told Gin Ichimaru that he valued seeing Nara Dan’s hidden abilities more than securing the captaincy, and Gin recalled his conversation with Nara the night before.
• Nara Dan arrived at the training ground, met Head Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai, and prepared to fight Gin for the Third Division captaincy.
• Yamamoto enclosed the fighters in a protective barrier, and Nara Dan and Gin began their battle with a rapid exchange of sword strikes.
• Gin silently released Shinsō and attacked at supersonic speed, but Nara Dan anticipated the thrust and countered with Divine Gang: Great Storm.
• Nara Dan’s sword energy drove Gin across the training ground and left bloody cuts on his chest, while Retsu Unohana recognized the unusual principles behind Nara’s long-range slashes.

Nara Dan defeated Gin Ichimaru’s Bankai by sensing Shinsō’s breath and cutting it with a precise strike, impressing the watching captains. Gin accepted the loss and came to believe Nara Dan could defeat Aizen.

• Retsu Unohana recognized that Nara Dan’s swordsmanship was a powerful combat system, while Gin Ichimaru escaped Great Storm’s strike and released Bankai.
• Gin Ichimaru claimed Bankai Shinsō could extend at five hundred times the speed of sound and attacked Nara Dan with a storm of blades.
• Nara Dan countered with Divine Gang: Torrent, then sensed Shinsō’s breath as Gin’s attacks compressed his room to move.
• Nara Dan used Divine Gang: Rising Sun to strike Shinsō with precise timing, halting Gin’s attack and breaking his Bankai Zanpakutō.
• Nara Dan explained that he had heard Shinsō’s breath and cut it, while Gin accepted the loss and believed Nara Dan could put an end to Aizen.

Nara Dan defeated Gin Ichimaru and earned the Third Division captaincy, but Aizen attempted to ambush him before the appointment ceremony. Yamamoto intervened, and Aizen exposed his overwhelming power and declared his intent to ascend to the top of Soul Society.

• Aizen recognized the threat posed by Nara Dan’s swordsmanship as Nara Dan won the captain battle and Yamamoto awarded him the Third Division captaincy.
• Aizen tried to ambush Nara Dan, but Yamamoto blocked him with Ryūjin Jakka, and Aizen realized Nara Dan had trapped him in Genjutsu.
• Aizen speculated that Nara Dan came from another world and tried to provoke him into revealing himself, but Nara Dan remained guarded.
• Sajin Komamura attacked Aizen, who stopped his giant blade and severed Komamura’s right arm with a single slash.
• Aizen released Spiritual Pressure that shook Soul Society, then declared that its old order had rotted and that he would ascend to the top.