Chapter Summaries

Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and joined Dai in fighting Aizen, but Aizen remained overwhelmingly powerful. Jiraiya managed to land a Sage Mode attack, prompting Aizen to reveal that he understood its unusual nature and was ready to end the battle on his own terms.

• Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and told the others he was confident he could deal with Aizen, then signaled Dai to fight alongside him.
• Dai attacked Aizen with Taijutsu Secret Art: Raging Bear, but Aizen blocked the punch and sent Dai crashing through the forest.
• Jiraiya struck Aizen with Frog Strike Palm, sending him flying through the trees and surprising the watching fighters.
• Aizen emerged uninjured and recognized that Jiraiya could control attacks that could not be seen in Sage Mode.
• Aizen looked toward Fukasaku and Shima and said he would end the battle his way.

Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to evade Jiraiya and the Toad Sages’ attack, then stabbed Dai through the chest and left him gravely weakened. He offered Dai a place in his future Royal Hall, while Jiraiya asked whether there was any way back and finally accepted Aizen’s silence.

• Jiraiya recognized Aizen’s display of Kyoka Suigetsu as the start of a genjutsu and joined Fukasaku and Shima in attacking him as Dai charged.
• Aizen released Kyoka Suigetsu, causing Dai to miss him and Jiraiya’s Goemon fire attack to engulf Dai instead.
• Dai forced his way through the flames, but Aizen appeared behind him and pierced his chest with Kyoka Suigetsu.
• Aizen told Dai the wound would limit his attacks rather than kill him and invited him to join the Royal Hall after the shinobi age ended.
• Jiraiya asked Aizen if there was really no way back, then lowered his hands and said he understood when Aizen gave no answer.

Jiraiya chose to protect Konoha rather than try to bring Aizen back, and he began a final battle against his former friend. Aizen impaled Jiraiya and evaded attacks from Sakumo and Orochimaru, leaving Sakumo exposed behind him.

• Jiraiya sent Fukasaku and Shima away, then told Aizen he would stop him to protect Konoha.
• Jiraiya attacked Aizen with Needle Jizo and Needle Hair Senbon, but Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to appear behind him and impale his shoulder.
• Despite his injuries, Jiraiya insisted on fighting, and Sakumo and Orochimaru launched a coordinated attack on Aizen.
• Sakumo appeared to cut Aizen in two, but Aizen appeared behind him while Jiraiya warned him to watch out.

Aizen defeated the Konoha fighters, tried to recruit Orochimaru, and left after warning them that he would not spare them next time. He returned to Kumamoto, who revealed the injured old monk he had brought.

• Sakumo stabbed himself with White Fang in an attempt to kill Aizen, but Aizen dodged and Sakumo was left gravely wounded.
• Aizen incapacitated Jiraiya, then urged Orochimaru to join Las Noches; Orochimaru refused, choosing to remain in the village Sarutobi had protected.
• Aizen warned Orochimaru that Sarutobi might become an obstacle and told the Konoha fighters their next encounter would not end so easily before disappearing.
• Tsunade treated Sakumo while Orochimaru gave Jiraiya medicine, and Jiraiya mourned that Aizen had truly left them.
• Aizen reappeared in Konoha and praised Kumamoto, who opened his paw to reveal an injured old monk.

Aizen met the dying Bunpuku and discussed whether Shukaku’s violence should be restrained, then had Kumamoto take him away. Meanwhile, Sasori and Barragan attacked Rock and Sand Ninja, and Barragan realized his power was gradually returning.

• Aizen reunited with Bunpuku and asked about Shukaku while the monk lay injured in Kumamoto’s paw.
• Bunpuku argued that a Jinchuriki should help Tailed Beasts overcome their violence, but Aizen rejected the idea of taming them.
• Bunpuku fell silent and lost consciousness as he reconsidered his beliefs, and Aizen sent Kumamoto to take him away.
• Sasori killed the Rock Ninja before him with poisoned needles and left the clearing with Hiruko.
• Barragan killed Allied Forces ninjas and decided to help Aizen after realizing his power was returning.

Mitokado Homura learned that the Third Hokage was fighting the Tsuchikage, Aizen’s summoned bear had defeated Shukaku, and Aizen had disappeared with Orochimaru, Tsunade, Sakumo, and Jiraiya. As Las Noches turned against the Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja, Konoha’s forces remained under pressure, and a trapped squad faced a sudden attack from huge twisting trees.

• An Anbu Ninja told Mitokado Homura that the Third Hokage was fighting the Tsuchikage and that Aizen’s summoned bear had defeated Shukaku.
• The Anbu Ninja reported that Orochimaru, Tsunade, Sakumo, and Jiraiya had confronted Aizen and disappeared from Konoha.
• A female Anbu Ninja informed Homura that Las Noches seemed to be attacking the Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja.
• Homura ordered his forces to protect the Third Hokage, avoid engaging Las Noches, and move the fighting toward the village outskirts.
• Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja ambushed a Konoha squad, killing one ninja and preparing to finish off the survivors.
• A cloud of smoke covered the battlefield, then enormous twisting trees surged toward the Rock Ninja.

Nawaki used Wood Release to shield the surviving Konoha Ninja and defeat a group of attacking Rock Ninja. The Konoha survivors recognized his ability as the First's legendary Wood Release, while the remaining Rock Ninja faced him as an enemy.

• Nawaki appeared and raised a wooden cage to protect the surviving Konoha Ninja from the Rock Ninja's attack.
• Shenmei and the Konoha Captain Dajiu struggled to recognize Nawaki, while the Rock Ninja Captain ordered his squad to attack him.
• Nawaki blocked the Rock Ninja's earth techniques with a wooden wall, then summoned massive trunks that knocked aside a falling boulder and lifted him above the ground.
• Nawaki used thorny vines to kill the Rock Ninja who had attacked him.
• Dajiu realized that Nawaki's power was the First's legendary Wood Release.

Nawaki’s Wood Release forced the Rock Ninjas to retreat, while Ulquiorra Cifer ambushed them and announced that Las Noches had ended its cooperation with Iwagakure. The chapter ended with Ulquiorra confronting the Rock Ninjas hiding in the forest.

• Captain Dajiu and the Konoha Ninjas recognized Nawaki’s Wood Release and realized he looked exactly like the First Hokage on Konoha’s Kage Rock.
• The Rock Ninja Captain ordered his forces to withdraw from Nawaki, who began forming hand seals but stopped when he sensed something in the forest.
• Ulquiorra Cifer appeared among retreating Rock Ninjas and declared that, by Aizen’s order, Las Noches had ended its cooperation with Iwagakure.
• After a Rock Ninja insulted Aizen, Ulquiorra killed several of them with his blade and identified himself as the First of the Espada.
• Ulquiorra called on the Rock Ninjas hiding nearby, including their captain, to come out so he could clear away the obstacles.

Ulquiorra drove off the Rock Ninja squad, then unleashed Cero Oscuras through the forest, killing most of the fleeing ninjas. Aizen and White Zetsu discussed their plans and departed, while another Las Noches Hollow appeared before the surviving Rock Ninjas and prepared to kill them.

• The Rock Ninja Captain ordered his squad to retreat from Ulquiorra.
• Ulquiorra fired Cero Oscuras through the forest, killing most of the fleeing Rock Ninjas and leaving a vast ravine.
• Barragan sensed Ulquiorra's attack and declared that he would still become Emperor.
• Aizen and White Zetsu discussed Madara, White Zetsu's potential, and changes to their plans before leaving to meet someone.
• A masked Hollow confronted the surviving Rock Ninjas and called them useless before declaring they would die.

Kakuzu and Ulquiorra killed a group of Rock Ninja as part of a plan to work with Nawaki and stage a show for Aizen. Kakuzu recalled how Nawaki had once sympathized with him after hearing why he turned against his village, then Ulquiorra sent him ahead to join Nawaki.

• Kakuzu used his black threads to pierce and kill the fleeing Rock Ninja, draining their blood and consuming their hearts.
• Ulquiorra confirmed Kakuzu had dealt with the remaining Rock Ninja, and said they would work with Nawaki to put on a show.
• Kakuzu remembered traveling with Nawaki years earlier, when Nawaki questioned him about attacking the First Hokage.
• Kakuzu told Nawaki that his village had branded him a traitor after he survived an assassination mission, so he killed those who came after him to stay alive.
• Nawaki told Kakuzu that Aizen's new world would make such cruelty a thing of the past.
• Ulquiorra told Kakuzu that Nawaki was up ahead and sent him to put on the show.

Nawaki revealed himself to Konoha’s shinobi and refused to let Kakuzu and Ulquiorra kill them despite serving Las Noches. Ulquiorra ordered Kakuzu to deal with Nawaki, and Kakuzu prepared to fight him.

• Nawaki identified himself as Senju Nawaki and confirmed he was Tsunade’s younger brother, believed dead.
• Captain Dajiu thanked Nawaki for saving the Konoha shinobi and asked him to help defend Konoha.
• Kakuzu and Ulquiorra arrived and ordered Nawaki to kill the Konoha shinobi in accordance with Aizen’s orders.
• Nawaki refused to let Kakuzu and Ulquiorra harm the Konoha shinobi.
• Ulquiorra ordered Kakuzu to deal with Nawaki, and Kakuzu stepped forward to fight his former comrade.

Hiruzen Sarutobi battled Ōnoki in the forest while Konoha faced attacks from multiple fronts. As the fighting continued, the Cloud Ninja arrived, the Mist Ninja were ordered to invade, and a shadowy figure criticized Madara for underestimating Aizen.

• Kakuzu threatened Nawaki after he refused to obey orders, and the Konoha shinobi watched tensely as they faced off.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ambushed Ōnoki with a wind technique and his staff, but Ōnoki survived using his flying ability and countered with Dust Release.
• Hiruzen worried about Konoha's other battles as Ōnoki vowed that Konoha would be destroyed.
• A group of Cloud Ninja, including Bee, flew toward Konoha after learning it was in serious trouble.
• A middle-aged man on Mist Island ordered Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, Yagura, Ringo Ameyuri, and other Mist Ninja to advance on Konoha.
• A blood-eyed figure appeared behind the man and said that Madara had made a mistake by underestimating Aizen.

Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja forces emerged in Konoha Forest, and a wounded Konoha shinobi was saved from pursuing Rock Ninja by a blade wreathed in lightning. A, Daru, and Bee arrived from the sky as Cloud Ninja reinforcements and prepared to fight the Rock Ninja.

• Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja revealed themselves in the forest as the battle intensified and casualties mounted.
• Rock Ninja pursued a wounded Konoha shinobi, but a lightning-charged Ninja Blade forced them to retreat.
• The Rock Ninja spotted three figures descending from a huge white bird and attacked them with stone projectiles.
• A, Daru, and Bee identified themselves as Cloud Ninja sent by Lord Raikage under the alliance with Konoha.
• A activated Lightning Style Armor while Daru and Bee readied themselves as the rain of rocks reached them.

A, Daru, and Killer B rescued Suzuki from Rock Ninja and headed to meet Konoha’s advisor with Kumogakure’s reinforcements. Meanwhile, Aizen brought the One-Tail Jinchuriki Bunpuku to a secluded valley, where White Zetsu asked whether he intended to awaken the Ten-Tails.

• A, Daru, and Killer B fought off the Rock Ninja, with A killing four of them with a single punch.
• Daru learned that the injured Konoha Ninja was Suzuki and explained that Kumogakure had sent help after hearing Konoha was under attack.
• Suzuki offered to take the Kumogakure group to meet Konoha’s advisor, and A agreed to go with him.
• Daru summoned a white bird, and the group flew toward Konoha.
• Aizen and White Zetsu reached a secluded valley and released the One-Tail Jinchuriki, Bunpuku.
• White Zetsu asked Aizen whether he planned to use the Tailed Beasts to awaken the Ten-Tails like Madara.

Aizen questioned White Zetsu about the Sage of Six Paths before sending him away and preparing to use the Hogyoku on Bunpuku. The blue light drew chakra and malice from a sealed presence inside Bunpuku, whose furious cries continued as a monk prayed in the darkness.

• Aizen asked White Zetsu where the Sage of Six Paths had gone and said he doubted the powerful sage had simply died and vanished.
• Aizen dismissed White Zetsu, then spoke with Suigetsu and said he needed people to help him govern the world.
• Aizen ordered the Hogyoku to begin, and its blue light enveloped Bunpuku and drew chakra from him.
• Inside Bunpuku's consciousness, the blue light pierced the prison seals and absorbed the clouds of chakra as the imprisoned presence cried out in anger.
• A monk sat in a dark corner, turning his prayer beads and reciting sutras.

Mitokado Homura received A and the Cloud Ninja, then worried about their motives after they departed. In a forest battle, Uchiha Fugaku used a mass genjutsu against Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja, but Minato Namikaze rescued him from an ambush; Fugaku then led the Uchiha onward to help Konoha's forces.

• Mitokado Homura thanked A and the Cloud Ninja for helping Konoha, then watched them leave and wondered whether Cloud Ninja had hidden ambitions.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha fought a larger force of Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja in a forest.
• Fugaku trapped the enemy forces in the Kasho Blood Relic Technique, while the Uchiha attacked them in the real world.
• The Rock Ninja Captain and Sand Ninja Captain ambushed Fugaku, but Minato Namikaze struck them with Rasengan and saved him.
• Fugaku refused to return to the Uchiha compound and led the Uchiha toward the forest to help other Konoha ninja.

Kakuzu’s hardened body withstood Nawaki’s Wood Release, while Ulquiorra fired a Cero at the Konoha Ninja and Nawaki protected them with a Wood Golem. Kakuzu attacked Nawaki during the opening, but a blond-haired man appeared with a Rasengan and landed in front of the Konoha Ninja.

• Kakuzu used Earth Release: Hardening to block Nawaki’s Wood Release and taunted him about not matching Hashirama Senju.
• Ulquiorra fired a Cero toward the Konoha Ninja, and Nawaki stopped it with his Wood Human Technique.
• Kakuzu exploited Nawaki’s momentary distraction and reached for his heart with his black-threaded arm.
• A Kunai struck Kakuzu and bounced off his hardened body.
• A blond-haired man shouted “Rasengan,” burst from the dust, and landed before the Konoha Ninja.

Minato and the Uchiha Clan arrived to support Konoha, but Ulquiorra and Kakuzu withdrew after revealing that Uchiha Tokino was alive and had chosen to follow Aizen. Fugaku attacked Ulquiorra for answers, who easily subdued him and blasted the pursuing Uchiha with a powerful beam before Las Noches disappeared.

• Minato arrived on the battlefield and helped protect the Konoha ninja from Kakuzu.
• Fugaku and the Uchiha Clan appeared, prompting Ulquiorra to tell Kakuzu they should withdraw.
• Fugaku challenged Ulquiorra and Kakuzu, and they revealed that Uchiha Tokino was alive and serving Aizen.
• Fugaku charged Ulquiorra, who caught him by the throat and resisted his genjutsu.
• Ulquiorra threw Fugaku toward the Uchiha, then fired a massive emerald beam that devastated the field as he and Kakuzu escaped.

Kirigakure forces advanced toward Konoha, and Suikazan Fuguki recruited Kisame Hoshigaki into his unit. In the valley, Aizen used the Hogyoku and the One-Tail's power to summon Gin from another world, where Gin agreed to cooperate with him.

• Yagura told Juzo that Kirigakure would benefit regardless of whether Konoha or the Rock Ninja won the battle.
• Suikazan Fuguki questioned Kisame Hoshigaki, recruited him into his unit, and instructed him to put Kirigakure's interests first.
• Aizen ordered the Hogyoku to use the One-Tail's power to summon someone, and the crystal formed Gin in the valley.
• Gin awoke, learned from Aizen that he was in a world beyond Soul Society, and understood why Aizen had summoned him.
• Gin agreed to cooperate with Aizen without hidden motives, and Aizen welcomed him.

The chapter gives an overview of Gin Ichimaru’s history, abilities, and relationship with Rangiku Matsumoto, explaining that he stayed close to Sosuke Aizen to avenge what Aizen had taken from her. It ends with Gin’s failed assassination attempt and death, while Rangiku mourned him.

• Gin met the starving Rangiku as a child and shared his dried persimmons with her.
• After witnessing Aizen’s role in Rangiku’s loss, Gin became a Soul Reaper and spent years working close to Aizen while seeking a way to defeat him.
• Gin defected from Soul Society with Aizen and Tosen, but he spared Rangiku when she confronted him.
• Gin used his Bankai to ambush Aizen, wounded him, and took the Hogyoku, but Aizen evolved and struck back.
• Aizen tore off Gin’s arm and pierced his chest; Gin died after entrusting his hope of stopping Aizen to Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Rangiku reached Gin’s fallen body and mourned him.