Chapter Summaries

Aizen warned Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi that Spirit Hall might be plotting to take over the Heavenly Dou Empire, while hinting that Xue Qinghe was not who he claimed to be. The chapter ended with Aizen Sousuke urging Bibi Dong to kill Aizen when he came to Spirit City for the finals.

• Aizen suggested that Spirit Hall’s growing strength and Xue Ye’s declining health could be part of a long-term plan to seize the Heavenly Dou Empire.
• Ning Fengzhi grew alarmed by the possibility and left to warn His Majesty Snow Night, leaving Aizen alone with Xue Qinghe.
• Aizen questioned whether Xue Qinghe feared for Snow Night or for himself, then alluded to Qian Renxue and her possible strength.
• Aizen promised to protect Xue Qinghe and left, thinking that Qian Renxue would find everything changed when she returned to Spirit Hall.
• Aizen Sousuke told Bibi Dong that Aizen was their greatest obstacle to world unification and should be killed when he arrived in Spirit City.

Yamamoto Shigekuni faced Quebu Changjiro in the match between Central Spirit Arts Academy and Thunder Academy, while Aizen spoke with Xue Qinghe about the poisoned emperor. The battle began with Quebu Changjiro unleashing Bankai, and Yamamoto answered by releasing Ryūjin Jakka.

• Aizen entrusted the match to Yamamoto Shigekuni, who faced Quebu Changjiro, a rival determined to defeat him and become his right-hand man if he failed.
• Quebu Changjiro confirmed that he had learned Bankai and sought Yamamoto's guidance, while his teammates mocked Yamamoto and Central Spirit Arts Academy.
• Xue Qinghe invited Aizen to the VIP Seating and told him that the emperor had been poisoned and had little time left; Aizen feigned concern and said he trusted his teammates to win.
• Quebu Changjiro opened the match by using Hakurai Raikōhō, summoning thunderclouds and lightning across the Competition Stage.
• Yamamoto removed his outer garment, revealed his scarred body, and released Ryūjin Jakka, filling the stage with flames.

Yamamoto Shigekuni released Ryūjin Jakka as the Central Spirit Arts Academy members faced Thunder Academy in separate fights. Ichimaru Gin quickly defeated the Heavenly Thunder Bow and Raging Thunder Blade Soul Masters, while Kurosaki Ichigo continued holding his ground against Yu Tianxin and Grimmjow fought three opponents.

• Yamamoto Shigekuni's flames stopped the lightning attack and left Yu Tianxin and the other Thunder Academy members in awe.
• Kurosaki Ichigo faced Yu Tianxin, endured his dragon-claw and dragon-leg strikes, and began counterattacking with Zangetsu.
• Ichimaru Gin dodged the Raging Thunder Blade Soul Master's attacks and struck the Heavenly Thunder Bow Soul Master through the shoulder with Shinso.
• Ichimaru Gin used Hado Sixty-Three: Raikoho to blast the Raging Thunder Blade Soul Master into the arena ceiling.
• Ichimaru Gin shattered the Heavenly Thunder Bow Soul Master's golden lightning arrow and martial soul, then watched Grimmjow enjoy his fight against three opponents.

Aizen Sousuke explained to Hu Liena that his research into evolving martial souls and increasing Soul Power was meant to push humanity toward greater strength, even as it fueled conflict over his medicines. He warned that the continent’s peace was nearing its end, and Bibi Dong privately echoed his warning after Hu Liena left.

• Aizen Sousuke watched Spirit City from a tower, where Hu Liena joined him and asked about his view of the city and his discoveries.
• Aizen Sousuke described his medicines as tools to reveal humanity’s evolutionary potential and said fear and struggle were necessary for people to evolve.
• Aizen Sousuke warned Hu Liena that the continent’s peace would soon end, then left to write a research report.
• Hu Liena asked Bibi Dong what Aizen Sousuke meant, but Bibi Dong dismissed his words and urged her to cultivate.
• After Hu Liena ran off to train, Bibi Dong looked over Spirit Hall and murmured that she should cherish the peace while it lasted.

Grimmjow fought three Thunder Academy Soul Masters alone, enduring their lightning attacks before defeating them with his claws, Cero, and Gran Rey Cero. After the victory, he turned to watch Yamamoto Shigekuni’s still-unfolding battle, while Kurosaki Ichigo continued to overwhelm Yu Tianxin.

• Grimmjow grabbed the Thunder Rush Crutch Soul Master’s lightning-wrapped weapons and tore through the Thunder Spider Soul Master’s Locking God Ring.
• The Thunder Spider Soul Master teleported behind Grimmjow and paralyzed him, allowing the Thunder Rush Crutch Soul Master to land Thunder Piercing Thrust and the Spider to strike again.
• Grimmjow recovered, slashed the Thunder Rush Crutch Soul Master, and swung him into the Thunder Spider Soul Master, sending the Spider flying.
• Grimmjow countered the Thunderclap Soul Master’s lightning attack with a Cero, then used Sonido to strike him unconscious.
• Grimmjow fired a Gran Rey Cero at the Thunder Spider Soul Master’s unfinished Thunder Ball and blasted him out of the arena.
• Grimmjow complained that the fight had ended too soon and turned to watch Yamamoto Shigekuni’s battle.

Kurosaki Ichigo challenged Yu Tianxin to use his Martial Soul Avatar, then struggled against the transformed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. After revealing that he was a Soul Sage with a Hundred Thousand Year seventh Soul Ring, Ichigo activated Bankai and emerged wielding Tensa Zangetsu.

• Kurosaki Ichigo taunted Yu Tianxin and urged him to use his Martial Soul Avatar.
• Yu Tianxin boosted his power with Wrath of the Thunder God and blocked Ichigo’s Getsuga Tenshō, which carved a deep fissure in the Competition Stage.
• Yu Tianxin activated his Martial Soul Avatar, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and blasted Ichigo with lightning.
• Kurosaki Ichigo stood back up and revealed seven Soul Rings, including a red Hundred Thousand Year seventh Soul Ring.
• Kurosaki Ichigo called out “Bankai” and transformed Zangetsu into Tensa Zangetsu.

Kurosaki Ichigo defeated Yu Tianxin with his speed and Getsuga Tenshō, destroying Yu Tianxin’s Martial Soul Avatar. As the fight ended, Yamamoto Shigekuni and Quebu Changjiro gathered flames and lightning for their own clash.

• Yu Tianxin mocked Kurosaki Ichigo’s small Martial Soul Avatar, but Ichigo cut through his lightning defense with Getsuga Tenshō.
• Kurosaki Ichigo outmaneuvered Yu Tianxin’s lightning attacks and wounded him with repeated Getsuga Tenshō strikes.
• Yu Tianxin used several soul skills at once and struck Ichigo with Falling Thunder, but Ichigo counterattacked and drove him to the edge of the stage.
• Kurosaki Ichigo pierced Yu Tianxin’s Martial Soul Avatar and destroyed it from within, leaving Yu Tianxin unable to continue.
• Grimmjow mocked Kurosaki Ichigo for taking too long, and Ichigo replied that he had been interested in the Martial Soul Avatars.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni gathered flames into Ryūjin Jakka as Quebu Changjiro drew the surrounding Thunder Power onto his Zanpakuto, and Yamamoto challenged him to come on.

Quebu Changjiro and Yamamoto Shigekuni fought an intense match of lightning and flame on the Competition Stage, displaying their swordsmanship and abilities to one another. After more than half an hour, they paused and agreed to decide the victor with their next move.

• Quebu Changjiro shattered Yamamoto Shigekuni's flaming slash with a lightning strike, then attacked as Yamamoto defended himself with Ryūjin Jakka's flames.
• Quebu Changjiro summoned Falling Thunder and pressed Yamamoto with rapid Western fencing, while Yamamoto evaded the lightning and countered with powerful strikes.
• Quebu Changjiro covered himself in thunder to increase his speed, strength, and range, forcing Yamamoto to fight with both hands as their clash wrecked the Competition Stage.
• Kurosaki Ichigo, Aizen, Retsu Unohana, and Xue Qinghe watched the battle, while Aizen studied the sword techniques and Yamamoto and Quebu Changjiro exchanged their skills as teacher and friend.
• After more than half an hour, Quebu Changjiro and Yamamoto stopped and agreed to settle the match with one final move.

Yamamoto Shigekuni and Quebu Changjiro unleashed a clash that devastated the arena, but Urahara Kisuke's barrier and their attacks canceling each other out prevented any deaths. After Quebu Changjiro lost and joined Central Spirit Arts Academy, Aizen left to take responsibility for the injuries, while Xue Qinghe wondered who he really was.

• Quebu Changjiro and Yamamoto Shigekuni gathered their lightning and flames into their weapons as Urahara Kisuke cast Four Beast Fortress Gate to shield the arena.
• The fighters' attacks shattered Urahara Kisuke's barrier and blasted Soul Masters from the surrounding stages out of bounds, while Aizen protected the VIP Seating with a Soul Power barrier.
• The lightning and flames faded without killing anyone, though spectators and Soul Masters were injured and the four other matches were declared draws.
• In the ruined arena, Quebu Changjiro admitted defeat and announced he would leave Thunder Academy to join Central Spirit Arts Academy, despite his teammates' protests.
• Aizen left Retsu Unohana and Inoue Orihime to treat the injured and took responsibility for the casualties, leaving Xue Qinghe to wonder who he was.

After the arena damage halted the competition, seven members of the Elephant Armor Academy, including Hu Yanli, died mysteriously, prompting suspicions of a killer linked to Spirit City’s past murders. Aizen and Urahara Kisuke discussed Aizen Sousuke’s experiments and the Espada’s loyalties while Aizen’s team advanced without him, leaving the competition ongoing as repairs continued.

• Heaven Dou City guards investigated the deaths of Hu Yanli and six other Elephant Armor Academy members, whose bodies showed no external wounds but had suffered Soul Power loss and internal damage.
• A soldier compared the deaths to the earlier serial murders in Spirit City, and the officials began guarding against a hidden murderer.
• Aizen reviewed Hu Yanli’s memories with Urahara Kisuke and concluded that Yhwach had intercepted the power and Soul Coins from Auswählen.
• Urahara Kisuke and Aizen reasoned that Aizen Sousuke had used Soul Masters to create Treasure Jades, and speculated about his strength and the Espada’s possible plans to rebel.
• Aizen asked Urahara Kisuke about making Treasure Jades, and Urahara Kisuke urged him to reach Level One Hundred so he could summon the Zero Squad and counter Aizen Sousuke.
• Aizen stayed out of the following matches as Yamamoto Shigekuni and the others defeated their opponents, while Shrek Academy conceded against the Central Spirit Arts Academy.

After the Heaven Dou City preliminaries, Aizen learned that Aizen Sousuke had secretly gathered and trained ten powerful teams for the Promotion Tournament. Aizen arrived at the tournament with Urahara Kisuke’s plans and named the ten teams the Aizen Observation Special Squad.

• Aizen learned that Shrek Academy had avoided facing Central Spirit Arts Academy in the preliminaries and would save the matchup for the Promotion Tournament.
• Central Spirit Arts Academy, Skywater Academy, Shrek Academy, Godwind Academy, and Heavenly Dou Royal Academy Second Team received qualification certificates and rewards, while Emperor Xue Ye granted titles and promised Soul Beasts to the strongest teams.
• Aizen received Urahara Kisuke’s report that the other regions’ preliminaries had been concealed while Aizen Sousuke assembled and trained ten teams, each with at least three Soul Saints.
• Aizen planned to raise his compatibility and strengthen Kurosaki Ichigo and Yamamoto Shigekuni before the Promotion Tournament.
• Aizen and Urahara Kisuke devised countermeasures and saw the ten teams in person, and Aizen named them the Aizen Observation Special Squad.

At the Promotion Tournament, Aizen realized that the rival teams' extraordinary strength came from unstable power that was wrecking their bodies. Grimmjow lost to Fabia Academy’s strange layered soul skills, but Ulquiorra defeated their cheetah Soul Master, leaving Central Spirit Arts Academy unsure how either result had happened.

• Aizen saw the ten rival teams and recognized that their strength came from unstable energy that threatened to collapse their bodies.
• Chu Tianhe of Fabia Academy provoked Aizen, and the first tournament match was set between Fabia Academy and Central Spirit Arts Academy.
• Grimmjow defeated Fabia Academy’s Evil Staff Soul Master but was thrown from the stage by the lingering effects of his soul skills and then lost to the cheetah Soul Master.
• Ulquiorra faced the cheetah Soul Master, who endured his Cero without moving, then collapsed unconscious after Ulquiorra withdrew.

Ulquiorra defeated Fabia Academy’s Li Jiancheng but lost the next match after a golden-spear Soul Master forced him out of the arena. Aizen learned Ulquiorra’s deductions about several Soul Skills, while Chu Tianhe revealed that Fabia Academy had recorded the team’s battle data.

• Ulquiorra released his Resurrección and knocked Li Jiancheng out of the arena after evading his fire attacks.
• Fabia Academy’s golden-spear contestant used Soul Skills to split Ulquiorra’s Cero, repel him with a hurricane, and make him fall outside the arena.
• Ulquiorra told Aizen that the opponents’ Soul Skills included Eliminate Weight, Strengthen Body, and Disperse Energy.
• Chu Tianhe asked the first contestant about the recording, and the contestant confirmed that he had recorded everything.
• The chapter revealed that Central Spirit Arts Academy’s third contestant was Ichimaru Gin.

Ichimaru Gin defeated one Soul Master and exposed the illusion tactics of the next, who withdrew after collecting data on his strength. Chu Tianhe swallowed a glowing Treasure Jade to grow stronger and then entered the arena, where Ichimaru Gin recognized the expected trap.

• Ichimaru Gin sent the spear-wielding Soul Emperor out of the arena with a single extension of Shinso.
• A cat Soul Master used illusions of Matsumoto Rangiku and other women to provoke Ichimaru Gin, but he destroyed the phantoms with repeated attacks.
• Chu Tianhe studied the data his Evil Staff Soul Master recorded and swallowed a purple Treasure Jade given to him by a gloomy young man, causing his Soul Power to rise.
• The cat Soul Master admitted defeat after gathering data, and Ichimaru Gin realized she had been drawing out his strength deliberately.
• Chu Tianhe entered the arena looking unusually energized, and Ichimaru Gin recognized that the opposing team planned to exploit his apparent limits.

Ichimaru Gin fought Chu Tianhe, whose transformed body combined a Soul Master’s power with an Espada’s, and Aizen recognized that their opponents were collecting combat data. Aizen took over the match and defeated Chu Tianhe, who remained devoted to Lord Aizen Sousuke.

• Chu Tianhe trapped Ichimaru Gin’s Shinso with his regenerating Tearing Mantis body and attacked him with four scythes.
• Aizen realized the opposing team had used a scouting soul skill to gather data and called Ichimaru Gin out before he could release Bankai.
• Aizen entered the arena and released Ryūjin Jakka, burning Chu Tianhe and then cutting off his extra arms and slashing his chest.
• Aizen healed Chu Tianhe to keep him alive and asked why he was willing to die for Lord Aizen Sousuke.
• Chu Tianhe declared that Lord Aizen Sousuke was the god of all Soul Masters.

Aizen defeated Fabia Academy and warned them about Aizen Sousuke’s plans, then sent Yhwach to face Beast Academy so he could grow stronger. Yhwach overwhelmed his opponents and offered to help Aizen against Bibi Dong, while Kurotsuchi Mayuri proposed dissecting him to study his power.

• Aizen defeated Fabia Academy’s seventh contestant with a Red Flame Cannon and told Chu Tianhe to warn Aizen Sousuke and Bibi Dong about one another.
• Chu Tianhe revealed that Aizen Sousuke would welcome Aizen in Spirit City, and Aizen said he would go there to face him.
• Aizen reflected on raising his power and compatibility, then sent Yhwach to fight Beast Academy so Yhwach could devour Soul Masters.
• Yhwach defeated all seven Beast Academy contestants, giving each of them Soul Gift and reaching Level Seventy-Four.
• Yhwach asked Aizen about his chances against Bibi Dong and offered to help him, while Aizen kept his plans and remaining abilities to himself.
• Kurotsuchi Mayuri approached Yhwach and asked Aizen for permission to dissect him and study his ability.

Aizen oversaw preparations for the Spirit City Finals as teams suffered mysterious deaths after facing Yhwach, while Tang San suspected him but could not prove it. During the journey to Spirit City, Xiao Wu visited Aizen often, until a sinister aura triggered an alarm from the Royal Knights.

• Kurotsuchi Mayuri told Aizen he had cracked the teams’ soul-skill investigation method, and Aizen assigned him further work with a promise of funding and materials.
• Shrek Academy narrowly defeated Barak Academy, while the teams trained by Aizen Sousuke repeatedly fought Yhwach and grew increasingly fearful of his strength.
• Starting on the tenth day of the Promotion Tournament, teams whose members had fought Yhwach died mysteriously; Tang San suspected Yhwach but had no evidence.
• After two more duchy teams died on the fourteenth day, Xue Ye sent the remaining teams toward Spirit City, and Tang San persuaded Shrek Academy to forfeit its match against the Central Spirit Arts Academy.
• During the journey, Xiao Wu visited Aizen and said Tang San missed him, while Aizen suspected Tang San had avoided him because he feared losing.
• More than ten days into the journey, a cold, sinister aura appeared near the travelers, and the Royal Knights’ captain ordered everyone to stay alert.

Bibi Dong and Aizen Sousuke prepared for an attack on the academy teams, and an ambush struck the convoy in a valley. As the teams fought overwhelming numbers of black-clad Soul Masters, two Titled Douluo confronted Aizen, leaving him alone before them.

• Bibi Dong took the throne and confirmed that everything had been arranged with Aizen Sousuke.
• Xiao Wu returned to Shrek Academy while Aizen and Urahara Kisuke anticipated an attack in the valley.
• Black-clad attackers killed soldiers with short arrows, then charged the convoy in overwhelming numbers.
• The academy teams defended themselves as Tang San used Blue Silver Grass and the Zhuge Crossbow against the attackers.
• Shrek Academy suffered the fiercest assault, while Aizen suspected the attackers were targeting him.
• Two Titled Douluo blasted Aizen's teammates away and confronted him, and Aizen asked whether they were the enemy's trump card.

Aizen faced two Titled Douluo whose space- and water-based bows let them attack from hidden dimensions and overwhelm him with arrows. He unleashed Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and its expanding ring of cherry blossoms broke through their dimensional canopy.

• The two Titled Douluo used their bows to vanish, launch water and black arrows through portals, and attack Aizen from multiple directions.
• Aizen used Hyōrinmaru, barriers, Hirenkyaku, and ice techniques to defend himself, but the brothers’ barrage repeatedly broke through his defenses.
• The Central Spirit Arts Academy members remained occupied by Soul Douluo, while Yhwach watched Aizen without intervening.
• Aizen withdrew Great Crimson Ice Ring, evaded the arrows with Shunpo, and used Senbonzakura to destroy the attacks he could not dodge.
• The brothers unleashed Dimensional Barrage (Water Frenzy Roar), surrounding Aizen with tens of thousands of arrows and sealing his escape routes.
• Aizen activated Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and its cherry-blossom defense resisted the arrows and shattered the dimensional canopy.

Aizen fought two Titled Douluo who attacked him with a ricocheting black arrow and a water whale, but he blocked their strongest shots and dismissed their confidence as arrogance. The two enemies revealed armored forms resembling Bankai, and the chapter left their next attack imminent.

• The two Titled Douluo trapped Aizen with spatial lightning and viscous ground, then fired a black arrow that ricocheted through the air and earth.
• Aizen dodged the arrow and blasted apart the water whale they sent bursting from underground with Hado #73: Twin Lotus Azure Fire Fall.
• The enemies fired ten piercing rays, but Aizen protected himself with Bakudo #81: Danku and told them their failure came from the difference in strength.
• The two Titled Douluo invoked Other Dimension Mad Bow and Deep Sea Demon Bow, drawing the attention of Tang San and Xiao Wu as they sensed Aizen was in danger.
• The two enemies emerged from the void in black and water-blue armor, revealing forms that looked like Bankai.