Chapter Summaries

Kira Izuru battled Hollowfied "Renji Abarai," whose wounds healed by absorbing Spiritual Pressure from the Giant Insect Hollow. Just as Kira considered opening another gate, Nara Dan arrived and trapped the fleeing Hollowfied fighter behind a purple barrier.

• Kira Izuru battered "Renji Abarai" with Finger Pistol: Rush and Rankyaku: Chaos, but the Hollowfied fighter survived the barrage.
• "Renji Abarai" healed his severe wounds by using Zabimaru to drain Spiritual Pressure from the Giant Insect Hollow's corpse.
• Kira Izuru countered "Renji Abarai's" blade storm with Torrential Burial, forcing him to retreat while Kira weighed whether to open another gate.
• Nara Dan arrived, and "Renji Abarai" fled from him before running into a purple barrier after a Shunpo.
• "Renji Abarai" protested that Nara Dan had no right to interfere because Renji Abarai had given him the body.

Nara Dan used Tsukuyomi to awaken Renji Abarai’s will, triggering a violent transformation as Soul Reaper and Hollow powers converged. While Nara Dan and Kira Izuru waited to see whether Renji could regain control, Kisuke Urahara was discovered in the Wandenreich and surrounded by Quincies.

• Nara Dan used Tsukuyomi and a false memory of Rukia in danger to awaken Renji Abarai’s desire to save her.
• Renji’s spiritual power surged, and his body transformed into a Hollow Beast as Soul Reaper and Hollow powers churned together.
• Nara Dan restrained Renji with Six Rods Prison of Light and reinforced the binding with Five Elements Seal while Kira Izuru worried whether Renji could regain control.
• Nara Dan told Kira Izuru that Renji’s condition was excellent and said they could only wait to see the outcome.
• Kisuke Urahara entered the Wandenreich while tracking Nara Dan, but the Quincies surrounded him before he could find out why Nara Dan had come.

Kisuke Urahara escaped the Wandenreich badly wounded and decided to visit Head Captain Yamamoto, while Nara Dan observed Renji Abarai’s Hollow transformation. In his inner world, Renji realized his Zanpakutō’s new name and called it out against his Hollow self.

• Kisuke Urahara escaped the Quincies’ attack and wondered what they were guarding and why Nara Dan had gone there.
• Yoruichi Shihouin found the wounded Kisuke Urahara, and he said he would go to the Soul Society to see Head Captain Yamamoto.
• Nara Dan sensed Kisuke Urahara’s escape as Kira Izuru warned that Renji Abarai’s body and Spiritual Pressure were changing dangerously.
• Hollowfied Renji Abarai battered Renji Abarai in his inner world and urged him to surrender.
• Renji Abarai realized his Zanpakutō was missing because his opponent had distracted him, then revealed he had heard its new name and called out, “Baboon King Zabimaru!”

Renji Abarai overcame his Hollowfied self by awakening Bankai, then briefly demonstrated controlled Hollowfication before his mask shattered. Meanwhile, Nara Dan’s group confronted Las Noches’s Espada, and Barragan declared his intent to reclaim his throne and keep the Soul Reapers from leaving Hueco Mundo.

• Renji Abarai awakened Bankai in his mental world and suppressed his Hollowfication, regaining control of his body.
• Renji Abarai revealed his Bankai and briefly maintained a controlled Hollow mask before it cracked apart, while Nara Dan explained that he needed more practice.
• Grimmjow released Pantera as Kenpachi Zaraki removed his eyepatch, but their fight paused when Las Noches was struck by a massive explosion.
• Retsu Unohana faced Stark, Barragan, Nelliel, and Harribel after their clash brought down part of Las Noches, while Gin Ichimaru warned her against fighting them head-on.
• Nara Dan arrived with Renji Abarai and Kira Izuru, demanded Tōsen Kaname, and told the Espada that Aizen had been defeated.
• Barragan revealed that he had killed Tōsen Kaname and proclaimed that he would reclaim his throne and prevent the Soul Reapers from leaving Hueco Mundo.

Nara Dan defeated and secretly sealed Barragan, then joined Retsu Unohana and Gin Ichimaru in waiting for Tōsen Kaname to emerge from a sealed dimension. Meanwhile, Grimmjow landed a devastating claw attack on Kenpachi Zaraki, but the fight’s outcome remained uncertain.

• Barragan released Skeleton Emperor and attacked Nara Dan with Death Sigh, but Nara Dan pierced his throat with the Dharma Blade.
• Nara Dan halted Barragan’s death, sealed him inside a Truth-Seeking Orb, and concealed what he had done from the others.
• Gin Ichimaru explained that Tōsen Kaname was likely trapped in a Negación Bandit and would escape within a few hours, so the group decided to wait.
• Kenpachi Zaraki overpowered Grimmjow’s Cero Oscuras but was battered by Grimmjow’s Panther Hook explosions.
• Grimmjow struck Kenpachi Zaraki with Panther King’s Claw, piercing his ribs and lungs, though Grimmjow was stunned that the attack had not torn him apart.

Kenpachi Zaraki defeated Grimmjow, then fought and overcame Tōsen Kaname when Tōsen emerged from a sealed dimension. Tōsen was captured and sent back to the Soul Society, while Nara Dan learned that Aizen had been in contact with him.

• Kenpachi Zaraki killed Grimmjow and said he regretted that their fight had ended so quickly.
• Nara Dan explained that the group was waiting to capture Tōsen Kaname, and Kenpachi asked to fight him if he appeared.
• Tōsen emerged from the sealed dimension, surrounded the group with his Bankai, and tried to escape while they were deprived of most of their senses.
• Kenpachi adapted to the barrier, protected his companions, and defeated Tōsen with a powerful Spiritual Pressure slash.
• Gin Ichimaru restrained Tōsen, and Nara Dan learned that Aizen had been in contact with him before ordering his return to the Soul Society.

After returning to Soul Society with Tōsen Kaname, Nara Dan confronted Kisuke Urahara and then sought out the weakened Sōsuke Aizen. He asked Aizen to become a scapegoat who would draw attention away from his own plans.

• Nara Dan and his companions delivered Tōsen Kaname to Genryūsai Yamamoto, who pardoned Gin Ichimaru for some past crimes and assigned Nara Dan to supervise him.
• Urahara told Nara Dan he would keep watching him, then discussed the Quincy threat with Isshin Shiba and planned to search the archives.
• Nara Dan reflected on Urahara and Isshin Shiba’s alliance, then decided to visit an old friend.
• Nara Dan used the Hōgyoku to find Aizen hiding in a cave, where Aizen explained that losing the Hōgyoku had left him weakened and struggling against Hollow power.
• Nara Dan told Aizen he wanted someone to draw the Soul Society’s attention, and Aizen recognized that Nara Dan was offering him the role of scapegoat.

Nara Dan used the Hōgyoku and Life Essence to stabilize Aizen’s Hollowfication, then placed a Truth-Seeking Orb inside him and took his Zanpakutō, Illusion, before making him work for him. Later, Renji Abarai collapsed during a gathering with his friends, and Kira Izuru rushed him away to find Nara Dan while warning the others to keep it secret.

• Nara Dan used the Hōgyoku and Life Essence to stabilize Aizen’s powers and bring him into a cocoon-like early stage of evolution.
• Nara Dan implanted a Truth-Seeking Orb in Aizen and sent Illusion into the Void Spirit Realm, leaving Aizen to accept Nara Dan’s request while vowing to claim the throne.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Kira Izuru, Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Rukia met at a tavern, where they discussed their divisions and Renji’s application for the Fifth Division captain’s exam.
• Renji Abarai told Tōshirō Hitsugaya that learning Bankai required great Spiritual Pressure and a dangerous catalyst that forced communication with a Zanpakutō.
• Renji Abarai suddenly lost consciousness, so Kira Izuru carried him away to seek Nara Dan and urged the others not to tell anyone, especially the Fourth Division.

Nara Dan removed the Blood of Sanction from Renji Abarai and realized Yhwach had awakened early. In the Human World, a weakened, Hollowfied Sōsuke Aizen attacked a Shinigami before Hiyori Sarugaki intervened, unaware of who he was.

• Kira Izuru brought the unconscious Renji Abarai to Nara Dan, who extracted a silver-and-crimson substance he identified as the Blood and Silver of Sanction.
• Nara Dan explained that Yhwach had awakened and targeted mixed-blood Quincies with Sanction, which had nearly killed Renji Abarai.
• Nara Dan sent Renji Abarai back to the Dormitory and wondered whether Ichigo Kurosaki would still be born after events had changed so drastically.
• In the Human World, Sōsuke Aizen devoured a Hollow's corpse and defeated a stationed Shinigami with a powerful Red Flame Cannon.
• Hiyori Sarugaki struck at Aizen with a slipper to stop him from attacking the unconscious Shinigami, while Aizen realized other Vizards might be nearby.

Hiyori Sarugaki fought a white humanoid creature, unaware it was Sōsuke Aizen, but he subdued her with layered Kido and drained her Spiritual Pressure. Shinji Hirako arrived to protect her and clashed with Aizen, whose strength had risen to Captain-level.

• Hiyori Sarugaki tried to avoid involvement with the Soul Society, but Aizen attacked her and blocked her with an incantation-free Six Rods Prison of Light.
• Hiyori Sarugaki used Hollowfication to break through the binding, but Aizen stacked another advanced Kido spell with it and immobilized her.
• Hiyori Sarugaki fired a Cero at Aizen, but he evaded it, revealed himself as Sōsuke Aizen, and drained her Spiritual Pressure until she fell unconscious.
• Shinji Hirako arrived, freed Hiyori Sarugaki by striking Aizen, and accused him of absorbing her Spiritual Pressure.
• Aizen, empowered to Captain-level, fought Shinji Hirako with rapid hand strikes and tried to seize his Zanpakutō while attacking his groin.

Shinji Hirako and Kisuke Urahara confronted Sōsuke Aizen, who had gained Hollow powers but escaped through a Garganta. After they resolved to prepare for his return, Nara Dan watched the battle from Soul Society and considered tipping the scales for the coming conflict.

• Shinji Hirako used his Hollowfication and Ceros to fight Aizen, but Aizen’s injuries regenerated and Urahara arrived.
• Kisuke Urahara identified the creature as Sōsuke Aizen, and Shinji recognized his former enemy and prepared to attack.
• Urahara stopped Shinji from using Bankai and explained that Aizen was protected by a Garganta and had developed Hollow powers, likely through the Hōgyoku.
• Urahara judged Aizen still weak and explained that his evolution required balancing the Shinigami and Hollow powers he consumed, while Soul Society’s reinforced barrier limited his options.
• Aizen escaped to Hueco Mundo, and Urahara and Shinji agreed to prepare for his stronger return.
• Nara Dan watched the battle through a phantom image and considered tipping the scales to make the coming fight more even.

Renji Abarai learned that Yhwach’s return was imminent, and Nara Dan chose him as Soul Society’s best chance to stop the Quincy King. Nara Dan implanted a mysterious jewel in Renji and began a plan to force his rapid growth, while Aizen headed for Las Noches to feed on Arrancar.

• Renji Abarai woke after his power surged and told Nara Dan he had seen a white palace where people lay dead and drained of blood.
• Nara Dan recognized the vision as a sign of danger connected to Yhwach and asked Renji whether he wanted to surpass a captain.
• Aizen arrived in Hueco Mundo, rejected Hollows as a source of power, and headed for Las Noches to use the Arrancar he had once prepared as food.
• Nara Dan told Renji that Yhwach was nearing resurrection and that Renji was his best chance to defeat him, prompting Renji to agree to grow stronger.
• Nara Dan implanted a hazy purple jewel in Renji’s chest, then invoked Yin-Yang Release to begin pushing him toward rapid growth.

Renji Abarai learned that his Bankai was incomplete as Nara Dan manifested Zabimaru and set him a deadly trial to master its full power. Meanwhile, Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Shiba prepared to face Aizen without alerting Soul Society, while Yhwach awakened in the Wandenreich after draining its Quincy and identified Nara Dan as an anomaly.

• Nara Dan manifested Zabimaru as the Baboon King and Zabimaru criticized Renji Abarai for wielding only a fraction of their power through his incomplete Bankai.
• Nara Dan challenged Renji Abarai to earn Zabimaru's recognition by mastering his true Bankai, warning that failure could cost him his life.
• Kisuke Urahara told Isshin Shiba that he suspected Nara Dan had orchestrated Aizen's return, and they agreed to keep the matter from Soul Society because of a possible Quincy attack.
• Kisuke Urahara asked Isshin Shiba to serve as a last line of defense against Aizen, though he hoped not to use the costly power inherited by the Shiba Clan.
• Yhwach awakened in the Wandenreich after draining the power and blood of its Quincy members, sparing only Haschwalth.
• Yhwach recognized Nara Dan as an unknown anomaly in the timeline and resolved to restore his strength quickly.

Yhwach and Aizen pursued their plans as Renji Abarai confronted Zabimaru and the Baboon Woman in a trial beneath the Sōkyoku. Renji embraced his resolve and Hollow mask, but his opponents matched his mask and began their serious assault.

• Yhwach recognized Nara Dan as an existence that obscured his visions of the future and resolved to wait until his power recovered before challenging him.
• Sōsuke Aizen drained an Arrancar in Las Noches, named his evolved form the cocoon, and confronted Szayelaporro, who tried to exploit Aizen's weakened state and missing Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Aizen attacked Szayelaporro with Hadō #90: Black Coffin.
• Zabimaru and the Baboon Woman criticized Renji Abarai for holding back, and Renji admitted he had been running from his weaknesses before resolving to defeat them.
• Renji donned his Hollow mask, but the spirits released Bankai and the Baboon Woman manifested a matching mask before launching the bone serpent at him.

Nara Dan explained that a Zanpakuto existed to protect its Shinigami, and Kira Izuru agreed to try communicating with his own Soul Slayer. As Baboon Woman’s devastating attack struck Renji Abarai, he realized he could still release his blade, and a bone serpent shielded him from the blast.

• Nara Dan told Kira Izuru that a Shinigami needed their Soul Slayer’s recognition, and Kira agreed to attempt his own trial.
• Baboon Woman overwhelmed Renji Abarai and prepared a powerful attack combining the Baboon Bone Cannon with Hollow power.
• Renji Abarai realized he had wrongly assumed his Asauchi could not be released and recalled Zabimaru’s words that they were him.
• Baboon Woman fired the Baboon Bone King Cannon at Renji Abarai.
• A massive bone serpent shielded Renji Abarai from the explosion, leaving him battered but still standing.

Renji Abarai passed Zabimaru’s trial and gained control of his combined powers, while Kira Izuru began his own trial with Wabisuke. In Hueco Mundo, Aizen devoured Szayelaporro and sought Aaroniero Arruruerie as his next sacrifice.

• Renji Abarai earned Zabimaru’s recognition, learned the true name of his Bankai, Twin Kings Zabimaru, and gained control of his Hollow, Shinigami, and Quincy powers through the Hōgyoku.
• Nara Dan spoke with Renji about Kira Izuru’s struggle to communicate with Wabisuke.
• Kira Izuru asked Wabisuke to help him master his power, and Wabisuke told him to defeat him to obtain it.
• Sōsuke Aizen defeated Szayelaporro and sacrificed him to replenish his Spiritual Power.
• Aizen decided to use Aaroniero Arruruerie’s ability to devour and fuse with Spirit Bodies, then confronted him and asked him to sacrifice himself.

Kira Izuru fought Wabisuke, learned the limits of its weapon-weighting ability, and pushed it into revealing its Bankai, Heavy Prison. Wabisuke’s gravity field immobilized Kira as it closed in to strike.

• Kira Izuru tested Wabisuke’s Shikai in sword combat until its ability had made his weapon sixty-four times heavier.
• Kira Izuru discarded his Asauchi and attacked with Six Powers techniques, but Wabisuke blocked his strikes and emerged unharmed.
• Nara Dan explained to Renji Abarai that Kira’s trial differed because Zabimaru was stronger, then warned that Wabisuke had not yet used Bankai.
• Wabisuke activated Bankai, revealed its Heavy Prison ability, and imposed amplified gravity across a thousand-meter radius.
• Nara Dan canceled the gravity affecting himself and Renji Abarai, while Kira Izuru struggled to move as Wabisuke approached and swung at him.
• Kira Izuru braced himself with Iron Body against Wabisuke’s attack.

Kira Izuru endured Wabisuke’s escalating gravity field and learned that its pressure doubled over time, threatening to leave him unable to fight. He opened the Sixth Gate and combined the Eight Inner Gates with Life Return to control its power, but Nara Dan recognized that the technique still could not fully prevent its life-draining cost.

• Wabisuke’s gravity field increased from twofold to fourfold, forcing Kira Izuru down to one knee and consuming Spiritual Pressure at an accelerating rate.
• Nara Dan explained the gravity field’s escalating strength and Spiritual Pressure cost, while Renji Abarai judged that Kira Izuru would need the Eight Inner Gates to break the deadlock.
• Kira Izuru thanked Wabisuke for revealing the field’s duration and declared that he would defeat it by staking his life.
• Kira Izuru opened the Sixth Gate and used Life Return to draw the Eight Gates’ energy inward and rise under the fourfold gravity.
• Nara Dan observed that Life Return let Kira Izuru regulate his power and slow the loss of vitality, but could not fully control it.

Kira Izuru fought Wabisuke under escalating gravity and discovered that the gravity field had a limited range. He escaped its thousand-meter reach with the Seventh Gate, leaving Wabisuke unable to continue the fight within the field.

• Kira Izuru used Six Powers attacks to blast Wabisuke back, but the gravity field weakened their force.
• Wabisuke doubled the gravity to eightfold, while Renji Abarai worried that Kira Izuru had little chance to win and Nara Dan hinted at a possible solution.
• Kira Izuru restrained Wabisuke briefly with Kido, then opened the Seventh Gate and used repeated Shaves to flee the gravity field.
• Wabisuke broke free of the Kido and pursued Kira Izuru, but Kira escaped the field's thousand-meter range before he could catch him.

Kira Izuru defeated Wabisuke by escaping its draining gravity field, accepted its power, and gained Bankai. As the real war approached, Nara Dan visited a recovering Sōsuke Aizen in Hueco Mundo and revealed that he had come to help him, though he kept his true objective secret.

• Kira Izuru recognized that Wabisuke's Bankai consumed Spiritual Pressure continuously, then waited until it failed and declared victory.
• Kira Izuru acknowledged Wabisuke's strength, resolved to use its power, and absorbed it to gain Bankai.
• Renji Abarai called Kira Izuru's new ability unfair, while Nara Dan advised Kira to improve his Spiritual Pressure before the coming war.
• Nara Dan found Sōsuke Aizen in Las Noches, where Aizen had recovered much of his strength by devouring Arrancar and other Hollows.
• Nara Dan asked Aizen to keep drawing Kisuke Urahara and the others' attention, then offered to help him without revealing his objective.
• Aizen deduced that Nara Dan's help would involve either Swordsmanship or an unfamiliar power system, and Nara Dan praised his insight.