Chapter Summaries

Su Feng watched Yamamoto Genryusai’s Kendo lesson with Kenpachi Zaraki, then continued training with Yamamoto after Zaraki stormed off. Outside the First Division Barracks, Zaraki challenged Su Feng to a fight, and Su Feng agreed on the condition that the loser would pay a price.

• Yamamoto Genryusai tried to teach Kenpachi Zaraki Kendo, but Zaraki broke Bamboo Swords, grew impatient, and left the dojo.
• Su Feng recognized that Yamamoto had been trying to restrain Zaraki’s power and discussed his approach with him.
• Su Feng practiced Coercive Sleep and Nadezange with Yamamoto before leaving the First Division Barracks.
• Kenpachi Zaraki confronted Su Feng outside the barracks and said he would follow him until they could fight without Yamamoto interrupting.
• Su Feng accepted Zaraki’s challenge and said the loser would have to pay a price.

Su Feng and Kenpachi Zaraki left Seireitei for Kofuku Mountain in West Rukongai to fight without endangering residents. Their spiritual pressures drew the attention of Shinigami across Soul Society as they prepared to clash.

• Su Feng stayed silent when Kenpachi Zaraki called him one of his kind, then led him through the Seireimon toward Rukongai.
• At Kofuku Mountain, Kenpachi Zaraki chose a battlefield and challenged Su Feng to begin their fight.
• Su Feng drew Storm Howl, summoning powerful winds, gathering clouds, lightning, and thunder as the two spiritual pressures engulfed the area.
• A white-haired child in Junrinan District woke in terror and collapsed under the pressure from Kofuku Mountain.
• Gin Ichimaru and Aizen watched the confrontation from the Fifth Division Barracks, while Retsu Unohana headed toward the battle and Soi Fon reacted with alarm.
• Yamamoto Genryusai remained by his tea, and Kenpachi Zaraki raised his blade as Su Feng stepped forward to begin the battle.

Su Feng and Kenpachi Zaraki fought a brutal sparring match that escalated as Kenpachi removed his eyepatch and Su Feng unleashed his lightning. The chapter ended with Su Feng’s massive thunder strike engulfing Kenpachi.

• Kenpachi Zaraki attacked Su Feng with a relentless barrage of wild slashes, and Su Feng adapted to his rhythm.
• Su Feng wounded Kenpachi Zaraki with Chilling Wind Breath and then struck him with Nadezange, opening a deep gash across his chest.
• Kenpachi Zaraki continued fighting through his injuries, acknowledged Su Feng’s strength, and removed his eyepatch to unleash his full spiritual pressure.
• Su Feng healed his wounded hand with Shinra Seisei and gathered his power into a lightning-charged blade.
• Kenpachi Zaraki charged Su Feng, who brought down a massive pillar of thunder that swallowed him in an enormous explosion.

Su Feng defeated Kenpachi Zaraki in a brutal clash, breaking his Zanpakuto and leaving him badly wounded but alive. As Retsu Unohana arrived to treat Kenpachi Zaraki, she began imagining a more dangerous future Kendo match with Su Feng.

• Kenpachi Zaraki, badly burned but still conscious, attacked Su Feng with a two-handed strike, but Su Feng countered with Kendo: Nadezange.
• Su Feng's attack shattered Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto and carved an X-shaped pair of wounds across his chest, causing him to collapse.
• Yachiru Kusajishi checked that Kenpachi Zaraki was still breathing and thanked Su Feng, but Su Feng reminded her that the loser had to pay a price.
• Retsu Unohana arrived after the battle and used Kaido to treat Kenpachi Zaraki's severe wounds.
• Retsu Unohana noticed that Su Feng had grown stronger and imagined arranging a future Kendo match with Zanpakuto in a remote part of Rukongai.

After Kenpachi Zaraki and Tsunayashiro Su Feng’s private battle, Central 46 convened to decide Zaraki’s punishment. Su Feng intervened at the hearing, and Zaraki was sentenced to temporary imprisonment in Mugen.

• Yachiru Kusajishi carried the injured Kenpachi Zaraki away after refusing Aizen’s offer to take him.
• Yamamoto Genryusai condemned the fight at the captains’ meeting, exempted Su Feng from punishment, and referred Zaraki to Central 46 for judgment.
• Su Feng accompanied Yamamoto Genryusai to the Underground Council Chamber, claiming he wanted to ensure a fair judgment for Zaraki.
• Central 46 announced that Zaraki would be imprisoned in Sogoku for assaulting a captain.
• Su Feng demanded that Zaraki also be charged with assaulting a noble and held in Mugen, prompting Central 46 to revise the sentence to temporary imprisonment in Mugen.

After Kenpachi Zaraki was imprisoned in Mugen, Su Feng gained powerful Kido and Hakuda abilities and continued training across the divisions. His Kendo exchange with Retsu Unohana ended in a crushing defeat, but she thanked him for giving her a joy she had never known.

• Soi Fon, Shunsui Kyoraku, Retsu Unohana, and Aizen expressed differing views on Kenpachi Zaraki's imprisonment in Mugen.
• Su Feng completed his daily mission and mastered Black Coffin and Life Return, raising his Hakuda to 10th Dan and increasing his soul strength.
• Su Feng considered arresting more Gotei 13 members for his mission, then abandoned the idea and focused on other ways to grow stronger.
• Su Feng trained between the First, Fourth, and Ninth Division barracks, studying Genryū, Kendo, Life Return, and Reverse Healing Kido.
• Retsu Unohana revealed her fearsome First Kenpachi nature during a Kendo battle and defeated Su Feng despite his using every enhancement he had.
• Retsu Unohana healed Su Feng after the battle and thanked him for letting her experience an unfamiliar joy.

Su Feng and Retsu Unohana grew stronger through intense training, while Seinosuke Yamada’s healing technique healed Kenpachi Zaraki before he was sent to Mugen. In Mugen, an imprisoned man said the current Kenpachi’s aura disgusted him and suggested it was time to leave.

• Retsu Unohana accepted that her scars could be healed, and Su Feng realized she had truly acknowledged him.
• Seinosuke Yamada refined Life-Returning Heavenly Birth, healed Kenpachi Zaraki, and taught the technique to Retsu Unohana, who mastered it before Su Feng.
• Su Feng and Retsu Unohana continued their brutal Kendo exchanges, improving Su Feng’s Zanpakuto, Kido, and use of Fullbring.
• At Mugen, a noblewoman questioned why an imprisoned man had opened his eyes again, and he said this generation’s Kenpachi disgusted him and that he might leave.

Su Feng accepted the Shihoin Family’s divine artifacts in exchange for returning Yushiro, while Shihoin Genji suggested Su Feng might alter the balance among the Five Great Noble Clans. Two visitors from another Great Noble Clan then arrived at the Ninth Division Barracks and asked Su Feng for help because Hell had gone out of control.

• Shihoin Genji offered Su Feng family benefits and divine artifacts, and Su Feng agreed to release Yushiro.
• Shihoin Genji took Yushiro away and told him that interests outweighed old hatred, adding that Su Feng might change the balance among the Five Great Noble Clans.
• Yushiro became stunned by Shihoin Genji’s words, so Genji took him to the Fourth Division Barracks for an examination.
• Two unfamiliar nobles visited Su Feng, identified themselves through their bearing, and said they had come to ask for his help.
• The two visitors told Su Feng that Hell had gone out of control.

Gokuzai Kishi warned Su Feng that disturbances at Hell’s Gates had surged, suggesting a change in Hell’s depths, and asked the Tsunayashiro Family for help. Su Feng agreed to respond the next day but suspected the Gokuzai Family was concealing something.

• Gokuzai Kishi told Su Feng that Hell’s Gates had been disturbed more often this year than in the previous hundred years.
• Gokuzai Kishi explained that the Gokuzai Family could observe Hell’s surface and its Gates but could not investigate its depths.
• Gokuzai Kishi asked the Tsunayashiro Family to aid the Gokuzai Family, saying the Gold Seal Council had approved the request.
• Su Feng learned that the Gokuzai Family was seeking help from the noble clans in order of their seats and said he would answer the next day.
• After Gokuzai Kishi and his companion left, Su Feng suspected their claims were suspicious because powerful figures were still alive and Hell’s balance should remain intact.

Su Feng examined the Divine Artifacts Shihoin Genji had sent and learned from Yamamoto Genryusai about the Gokuzai Family’s history of suppressing Hell’s Gates. The noble families assembled in Junrinan District to assist the Gokuzai Family with the suspected unrest in Hell.

• Su Feng tested the Spirit-Concealing Haori, Spirit-Severing Rope, and Heavenly Chosen Bandage, deciding the rope could be given to Nanao Ise and considering future trades with Yushiro Shihoin.
• Su Feng visited Yamamoto Genryusai, who explained that the Gokuzai Family had once recruited him to recapture escaped sinners and that Ryujin Jakka had been used to reinforce a Divine Artifact guarding Hell’s Gates.
• Yamamoto Genryusai explained that Zanpakuto and the Gates of Hell were both forged from souls, prompting Su Feng to consider a possible connection.
• The Kuchiki, Tsunayashiro, and Shihoin Families agreed to support the Gokuzai Family, while the Shiba Family sent Isshin Shiba and Shiba Kaien.
• Three days later, Su Feng and the assembled forces gathered in Junrinan District to await the Gokuzai Family.

The noble clans stabilized the Gates of Hell with their spiritual pressure, while Isshin Shiba urged Shiba Kaien to have many children to restore the Shiba Family. In Mugen, Azashiro Soya visited Kenpachi Zaraki before departing with a woman in white, and Byakuya Kuchiki continued preparing to become captain of the Sixth Division until a visitor entered the office.

• Gokuzai Kishi led the noble clans in a ritual that stabilized the Gates of Hell, and Su Feng contributed spiritual pressure without using his Zanpakuto.
• Isshin Shiba told Shiba Kaien to have many children with Shiba Miyako to strengthen the Shiba Family, embarrassing Kaien and the other nobles.
• Azashiro Soya visited the imprisoned Kenpachi Zaraki in Mugen, ignored a woman's offer to help kill him, and left with her to pursue their ideal.
• Ginrei Kuchiki briefed Byakuya Kuchiki on becoming captain of the Sixth Division and advised him not to let his recent defeat affect him.
• A figure entered the Sixth Division captain's office and turned his gaze toward Gin Ginjiro.

Azashiro Soya escaped from Mugen, returned money owed to Gin Ginjiro's family, and hinted that his long-standing plan was still underway. Ginrei Kuchiki reported the escape to Yamamoto Genryusai, who called an emergency captains' meeting and suspected Tsunayashiro Su Feng was connected to it.

• Azashiro Soya appeared at the Sixth Division Barracks, where Ginrei Kuchiki recognized him as an escaped prisoner.
• Azashiro Soya gave Gin Ginjiro compensation and interest owed to his family from one hundred and fifty years earlier.
• Azashiro Soya told Ginrei Kuchiki that his plan remained unchanged, then vanished from the Office.
• Ginrei Kuchiki reported the escape at an emergency captains' meeting in the First Division Barracks.
• Yamamoto Genryusai asked the captains for countermeasures and suspected Tsunayashiro Su Feng was connected to Azashiro Soya's escape.

The Captains discussed the danger posed by Azashiro Soya, who had killed the powerful Seventh Kenpachi Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. Azashiro appeared before them, declared that he meant to eradicate Hollows at their source, and Su Feng challenged his understanding of a Soul Reaper’s duty.

• Gin Ichimaru asked about Azashiro Soya, and Shunsui Kyoraku explained that Azashiro had killed Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, who had once driven off a Vasto Lorde and killed a Menos Grande.
• Azashiro Soya materialized in the meeting room and assured the Captains that he did not intend to severely damage Soul Society.
• Azashiro questioned Yamamoto Genryusai about how he had changed and directed his attention to Su Feng, remarking on his unusual power.
• Azashiro said his purpose was to fulfill a Soul Reaper’s duty by eradicating Hollows at their source.
• Su Feng replied that a Soul Reaper’s duty had never been to exterminate every last Hollow.

Su Feng challenged Azashiro Soya’s plan to eradicate Hollows and reshape human minds, arguing that it was extreme and repeated the injustice that had destroyed Azashiro’s family. Azashiro vanished from the conference room, and Yamamoto Genryusai lifted restrictions on Zanpakuto use as the Gotei 13 prepared for an emergency.

• Su Feng told Azashiro Soya that exterminating all Hollows would disrupt the balance of life and death and recounted how noble conspiracies had destroyed the Azashiro Family.
• Azashiro Soya said he wanted Su Feng’s ability so he could purify Hueco Mundo and remove human impulses that gave rise to Hollows.
• Su Feng condemned Azashiro Soya’s plan as extreme and compared it to the nobles’ persecution of his family, briefly shaking Azashiro’s composure.
• Yamamoto Genryusai condemned Azashiro Soya’s disregard for the world, while Azashiro replied that Soul Reapers should be gears and then dissolved from the room.
• Yamamoto Genryusai lifted restrictions on Zanpakuto use and ordered Isshin Shiba to issue a Level One emergency order to the Gotei 13.

After Azashiro Soya prompted a Level One emergency order, Yamamoto Genryusai tried to keep Su Feng at the First Division and then sent him to bring Yumichika Ayasegawa in for protection. Su Feng found Azashiro already attacking Yumichika and Ikkaku Madarame, and the chapter ended as Azashiro turned the gathered reishi against him.

• Yamamoto Genryusai ordered Su Feng to remain at the First Division because Azashiro Soya needed his power, but Su Feng argued his way into leaving.
• Su Feng revealed that Yumichika Ayasegawa's Zanpakuto was Ruri'iro Kujaku and that its true ability made it a natural enemy of Azashiro Soya.
• Yamamoto Genryusai let Su Feng go and tasked him with bringing Yumichika and his Zanpakuto to the First Division safely.
• Su Feng rushed to the Ninth Division training ground, where he found Yumichika and Ikkaku Madarame trapped by Azashiro Soya.
• Azashiro Soya said Su Feng's arrival spared him the trouble of pursuing his plan and gathered reishi around the training ground to pressure him.

Su Feng fought Azashiro Soya, whose Zanpakuto Uro Zakuro let him control the reishi of the Seireitei and evade attacks. After realizing Azashiro wanted to use his Reishi Affinity to eradicate Hollows, Su Feng rejected his plan and unleashed a massive Hado #63: Raikoho, leaving their battle unresolved.

• Su Feng used Danfeng Yuyi and Kido to defend against Azashiro Soya's earth-shaping attacks while Yumichika Ayasegawa and Ikkaku Madarame struggled free of the debris.
• Su Feng unleashed violent winds and lightning, but Azashiro reformed unharmed through Uro Zakuro's control of the Seireitei's reishi.
• Uro Zakuro appeared and confirmed Su Feng could sense her through his unusual Reishi Affinity.
• Azashiro revealed he wanted Su Feng's power to sever the root of Hollows by changing humans, and Su Feng refused.
• Su Feng and Azashiro exchanged powerful Kido attacks until Su Feng's Hado #63: Raikoho engulfed the battlefield.

Su Feng explained how Yumichika Ayasegawa’s Zanpakuto countered Azashiro Soya and exposed Yumichika and Ikkaku Madarame’s secrets after their battle devastated the Ninth Division Barracks. The captains ordered Yumichika to stay in the First Division with his Zanpakuto, while Azashiro prepared a new plan using an Artificial Body.

• Su Feng and Azashiro Soya’s clash destroyed much of the Ninth Division Barracks, and Azashiro disappeared before the other captains arrived.
• The captains organized rescues and treatment, while Su Feng explained that Yumichika Ayasegawa’s Ruri'iro Kujaku was a natural counter to Azashiro Soya’s Zanpakuto.
• Su Feng revealed that Ikkaku Madarame had mastered Bankai and that Yumichika concealed his Zanpakuto’s true Shikai; Rangiku Matsumoto’s reaction helped expose their evasions.
• Su Feng criticized Ikkaku and Yumichika for hiding their abilities, then said Old Man Yamamoto wanted Yumichika and his Zanpakuto to stay in the First Division.
• In Squad 12’s underground laboratory, Azashiro Soya and Uro Zakuro examined an Artificial Body as they prepared a new plan.

Azashiro Soya infiltrated Squad 12’s warehouse for Artificial Bodies, but Mayuri Kurotsuchi used Reishi Coagulant to obstruct his abilities and then triggered the Artificial Bodies’ self-destruction. The blast devastated the Department of Research and Development barracks, and Azashiro vanished from the ruins.

• Azashiro Soya and Uro Zakuro discussed his earlier observations of Tsunayashiro Su Feng before he tried to break open the Artificial Bodies’ containers.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi confronted Azashiro through a screen, recounted his criminal history and recent defeat, and deduced that his Zanpakuto let him merge with the Seireitei’s Reishi.
• Mayuri revealed that Reishi Coagulant prevented Azashiro from merging with the Department of Research and Development’s buildings, but Azashiro used the Artificial Bodies to begin chanting Kido spells.
• Mayuri stopped the Artificial Bodies’ chanting and made them self-destruct, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the Squad 12 Barracks and alarmed the captains.
• Azashiro appeared above the ruins, questioned whether Mayuri’s trap had been premeditated, and vanished as Uro Zakuro called Mayuri crazier than herself.

After Azashiro Soya’s attack devastated the Department of Research and Development, the captains discussed his past, his abilities, and ways to stop him. Su Feng then revealed that Azashiro had changed targets after discovering a special existence, and addressed him directly as the chapter ended.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi demanded compensation for the destroyed laboratories, and Ginrei Kuchiki agreed that the Kuchiki Family would cover the losses.
• Shunsui Kyoraku recounted Azashiro Soya’s earlier plan to empower Rukongai residents to fight Hollows and explained how Azashiro had surrendered before being imprisoned in Mugen.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi said Azashiro could merge with Seireitei’s Reishi and suggested Reishi Coagulant or Sakki Stone as countermeasures, but the captains rejected the costly proposal.
• Su Feng brought Yumichika Ayasegawa before Yamamoto Genryusai, and Yamamoto ordered Yumichika to remain in the First Division Barracks until Azashiro was captured.
• Su Feng told the captains that Azashiro had shifted his target after discovering a special existence, then called out to Azashiro directly.

Su Feng refused Azashiro Soya’s plan to merge their Reishi and instead challenged him to a duel in Hueco Mundo, while letting the captains believe he was sacrificing himself for the greater good. After arranging supplies and opening a Mimic Garganta, Su Feng prepared to travel there alone and face Azashiro.

• Azashiro Soya explained that merging his Reishi with Su Feng would let Uro Zakuro alter souls at greatly increased efficiency, but Su Feng refused and proposed a one-on-one fight in Hueco Mundo.
• Azashiro Soya accepted Hueco Mundo as the battlefield, mistaking Su Feng’s challenge for self-sacrifice in service of the greater good.
• Under Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s instructions, Hiyosu asked Kurosaki Maki to have Uryū Sōken prepare Quincy battle equipment and bring it to Hueco Mundo.
• Three days later, Su Feng explained that Azashiro Soya could monitor and control the Seireitei, making him nearly impossible to kill there, and a Mimic Garganta was opened for the journey.
• Su Feng approached the Mimic Garganta and declared that he would await Azashiro Soya in Hueco Mundo.