Chapter Summaries

Aizen fought two Titled Douluo who had been empowered by Aizen Sousuke’s experiments, killing Blue Armor Titled Douluo before a hidden attacker struck him down. Tosen Kaname escaped with Black Armor Titled Douluo, and Central Spirit Arts Academy’s people were left mourning Aizen’s disappearance.

• Black Armor Titled Douluo and Blue Armor Titled Douluo attacked Aizen with enhanced arrow attacks and revealed that Aizen Sousuke had helped them become Titled Douluo.
• Aizen trapped the pair in Senbonzakura Kageyoshi—Senkei and used his sword and Hirenkyaku to overcome their defenses.
• Aizen killed Blue Armor Titled Douluo with a powerful downward slash and gained enough Soul Coins to raise his Soul Power to level ninety-three.
• A hidden attacker pierced Aizen from behind, and Black Armor Titled Douluo’s arrows destroyed his body.
• Black Armor Titled Douluo thanked Tosen Kaname for blocking Aizen’s five senses during the assassination, then both men retreated.
• The people of Central Spirit Arts Academy discovered that Aizen had vanished and cried out for him.

After Aizen vanished in the attack, Urahara Kisuke and Yamamoto Shigekuni suspected he might still be alive, while the Central Spirit Arts Academy continued to Spirit City. Aizen Sousuke learned that Tosen Kaname had stabbed Aizen, but began to doubt the apparent success of the assassination.

• Kurosaki Ichigo grieved over Aizen’s disappearance until Ulquiorra and Urahara Kisuke suggested that Aizen might have survived.
• Urahara Kisuke suspected Aizen Sousuke was behind Aizen’s disappearance and vowed to settle the debt.
• The other academies learned that Aizen had vanished, and Tang San and Xiao Wu mourned him as the Central Spirit Arts Academy chose to continue the tournament.
• The competitors reached Spirit City, where Tosen Kaname returned his Zanpakuto to Aizen Sousuke and reported that he had stabbed Aizen through the heart.
• Aizen Sousuke questioned why the Hogyoku had not taken effect and suggested Aizen might still be alive, then told Bibi Dong that the plan had been simple.

Aizen Sousuke spent years dissecting Soul Masters and experimenting with Martial Soul Crystals and Soul Jade, secretly fueling Soul Masters’ growth with the dead and creating powerful mutations. He also shaped Aizen’s assumptions about his plans, while preparing a different way to deal him a fatal blow; the chapter ends just as that third step is introduced.

• Aizen Sousuke studied Martial Souls and concluded they shared principles with Zanpakuto, Bankai, Hollows, and Quincies.
• Aizen Sousuke dissected Soul Masters and extracted Martial Soul Crystals, combining them into Soul Jade that could strengthen or evolve Martial Souls.
• Aizen Sousuke used Soul Jade to mutate Blue Silver Grass into Black Dragon Grass and the conscious beast Martial Soul Forest Guardian.
• Aizen Sousuke provoked sect wars to obtain corpses, secretly causing Soul Masters to depend on power made from others’ flesh and blood.
• Aizen Sousuke experimented on Espada and Soul Reapers, creating partial results such as the two Titled Douluo who attacked him.
• Aizen Sousuke manipulated Aizen into believing he planned to defeat him directly, while concealing that he had never intended a head-on battle.

Yamamoto Shigekuni led Central Spirit Arts Academy into the Finals after ordering the team to release their seals and absorb their stored souls. Their match against Star Luo Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy began, and Ichimaru Gin revealed his Bankai as he prepared to fight.

• Yamamoto Shigekuni ordered Central Spirit Arts Academy to unleash its full strength and defeat Aizen Sousuke and Spirit Hall.
• The team released their seals and absorbed the souls they had stored before arriving at the competition arena.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni drew Star Luo Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy as their first opponent and assigned Ichimaru Gin to end the match quickly.
• Dai Weisi taunted Central Spirit Arts Academy, then entered the match with two other Soul Saints and four Soul Emperors.
• Ichimaru Gin drew his Zanpakuto and declared, "Bankai, Kamishini no Yari!"

Ichimaru Gin overwhelmed Star Luo Empire Royal Academy with Kamishini no Yari, defeating Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun after they attempted their Martial Soul Fusion. He had Inoue Orihime heal them only after Dai Weisi swore loyalty to Aizen, and Central Spirit Arts Academy won.

• Ichimaru Gin revealed eight Soul Rings, including two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings, then stabbed the Mystic Tortoise Soul Emperor through the chest.
• Ichimaru Gin struck down Huo Bu Jun as he tried to flee, then wounded Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun to stop their Martial Soul Fusion.
• Dai Weisi forcibly fused with Zhu Zhuyun into the Hell White Tiger, but Ichimaru Gin released a piece of Kamishini no Yari inside its body and mortally wounded them.
• Dai Weisi swore loyalty to Aizen, and Inoue Orihime healed him and Zhu Zhuyun with Sōten Kisshun.
• Central Spirit Arts Academy was declared the winner, and Ichimaru Gin told Yamamoto Shigekuni that he had recruited the future emperor of the Star Luo Empire for Aizen.

After Central Spirit Arts Academy defeated Star Luo’s seeded team, Dai Weisi followed Ichimaru Gin and tried to prove his usefulness by offering to eliminate Dai Mubai. Aizen Sousuke revealed that Dai Weisi was already his subordinate, while Qian Renxue remained trapped beside Bibi Dong as the competition continued.

• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun followed Central Spirit Arts Academy after the crowd condemned Dai Weisi and he feared returning to the Star Luo Empire.
• Ichimaru Gin threatened Dai Weisi, who offered to kill Dai Mubai and give the Star Luo Empire to Aizen in exchange for his life.
• Ichimaru Gin said he might ask Dai Mubai to serve Aizen too, and Matsumoto Rangiku dragged Gin away while scolding him for teasing Dai Weisi.
• Aizen Sousuke revealed that Dai Weisi had already pledged loyalty to him by using the banned item, while Qian Renxue watched anxiously beside Bibi Dong.
• Central Spirit Arts Academy received a bye on the second day and defeated its third-day opponent in three seconds; the day’s main match was Spirit Hall Academy against Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy prepared to face Spirit Hall Academy’s all-Soul-Saint lineup, while Aizen Sousuke watched from the sidelines. After both teams released their Martial Souls and displayed their powerful seventh Soul Rings, Kuchiki Byakuya opened the match with Bankai.

• Kyōraku Shunsui grew serious after learning Spirit Hall Academy’s lineup, and Yamamoto Shigekuni brought the Central Spirit Arts Academy to observe the match.
• Heaven Dou Royal Academy discussed its strategy, while Dugu Yan insisted she could contribute despite being less powerful than her teammates.
• Dugu Yan’s teammates explained that she wanted to prove herself to Aizen Sousuke, whose death had deepened her grief and determination.
• Both teams released their Martial Souls, revealing that every member of Spirit Hall Academy was a Soul Saint and several possessed red seventh Soul Rings.
• Aizen Sousuke watched as the teams began; Kuchiki Byakuya released Senbonzakura and activated Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.

After surviving Aizen Sousuke’s attempt to kill him, Aizen awoke beside the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Forest and learned that the Silver Dragon King had discovered the threat humanity posed to Soul Beasts. Their disagreement turned into a confrontation, and Aizen unleashed Bankai, revealing a newly learned technique as the Silver Dragon King faced his power.

• The Silver Dragon King told Aizen that a beam of light had brought him to the Lake of Life, where his wound had healed in an instant.
• Aizen learned that he had been unconscious for ten days and realized he would miss the Soul Master Competition.
• The Silver Dragon King questioned the rapid advancement of human Soul Masters, and Aizen explained that a special person had pushed their potential to its limits.
• The Silver Dragon King considered acting against humanity to protect Soul Beasts, and Aizen drew his Zanpakuto and challenged her.
• Aizen used Bankai, Flowing Flame Blade, while the Silver Dragon King restrained its spreading heat with water-element power.
• Aizen revealed that he had learned Flowing Flame Blade: East—Rising Sun Slash.

Aizen discovered that the King's Seal had revived him, enabled his journey to another world, and marked him as a future Soul King. After securing Gu Yue's oath not to harm humans, he took her toward Spirit City to settle accounts with Aizen Sousuke.

• Aizen endured the backlash of the Flowing Flame Blade until the King's Seal restored his strength, and Gu Yue swore by soul contract not to harm humans.
• Aizen released the Flowing Flame Blade after confirming Gu Yue could not break her oath, then realized the King's Seal had entered his body and let him use the skill again.
• Aizen concluded that the King's Seal had revived him, brought him to the Lake of Life, enabled the Summoning System, and made him a candidate to become a Soul Reaper.
• Aizen invited Gu Yue to accompany him to the human world, and she accepted so she could keep watch over him.
• Aizen told Gu Yue he planned to settle accounts with an old friend, and they headed for Spirit City, where she learned that his target was Aizen Sousuke, the Martial Soul King.

Aizen Sousuke faced Shrek Academy alone in the Soul Master Competition and provoked Xiao Wu and her teammates by revealing that he considered their Soul Jades and growth part of his experiments. The chapter ended with Aizen Sousuke piercing Xiao Wu’s Invincible Golden Body and severely wounding her.

• Barragan and Starrk defeated Heaven Dou Royal Academy, sending Spirit Hall Academy to face Shrek Academy in the final.
• Aizen Sousuke entered the arena alone and confronted Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Xiao Wu accused Aizen Sousuke of framing and killing Master Aizen, while Tang San urged her not to rush into a trap.
• Aizen Sousuke called the Shrek Academy members his test subjects and said their power came from his charity.
• Xiao Wu used Shunpo and Invincible Golden Body to attack Aizen Sousuke, but his Raikoho pierced her defense and wounded her.

Tang San rescued the gravely injured Xiao Wu and entrusted her to Ning Rongrong before confronting Aizen Sousuke, who explained how he had manipulated Spirit Hall while denying that he represented it. Tang San and his allies prepared to fight together, and Aizen Sousuke faced Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing’s Hell White Tiger as the battle began.

• Tang San pulled Xiao Wu from danger, held her as she deteriorated, and asked Ning Rongrong to treat her while he confronted Aizen Sousuke.
• Aizen Sousuke told Tang San that he had manipulated Spirit Hall’s ambitions and stood as the Martial Soul King rather than its representative.
• Tang San activated his Martial Soul Avatar and domains, while Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Kenpachi Zaraki prepared to support him.
• Tang San revealed that he had avoided looking at Aizen Sousuke’s Martial Soul since their meeting at Notting Soul Master Academy, hoping this would interfere with him.
• Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing unleashed their Martial Soul Fusion, Hell White Tiger, and Aizen Sousuke dismissed its power as inferior to his own.

Aizen Sousuke fought the assembled opponents, wounding Ma Hongjun and evading their coordinated attacks before Kenpachi Zaraki joined the battle. Kenpachi’s swordsmanship rapidly improved as he traded blows with Aizen, who ended the chapter by casting Black Coffin.

• Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing’s Hell White Tiger charged Aizen Sousuke while Tang San struck from afar, but Aizen blocked and shielded himself.
• Ma Hongjun sent a Fire Phoenix at Aizen, who pierced it with golden lightning and forced Ma Hongjun to dodge.
• Aizen used Shunpo to cut Ma Hongjun, leaving his right arm and leg badly injured, then evaded Dai Mubai and Tang San’s attacks.
• Tang San bound Aizen’s feet with Blue Silver Grass as Dai Mubai’s Hell White Tiger rushed him, but Aizen broke free when Kenpachi Zaraki attacked from above.
• Kenpachi and Aizen exchanged sword strikes, and Kenpachi quickly learned from Aizen’s techniques as the fight intensified.
• Aizen knocked Kenpachi back and cast Hado 90, Black Coffin.

Aizen Sousuke trapped Kenpachi Zaraki in Black Coffin and battered Tang San and his allies as they tried to save him. Though the group appeared to strike Aizen down, he stabbed Tang San from behind, revealing that the fallen figure was not what it seemed.

• Aizen Sousuke imprisoned Kenpachi Zaraki in Black Coffin, where Kenpachi endured crushing gravity and cross-shaped blades before cutting his way out.
• Tang San attacked Aizen Sousuke to protect Kenpachi, but Aizen repelled his assault and wounded him.
• Ning Rongrong's power strengthened Kenpachi, who struck at Aizen from behind, only for Aizen's pale green shield to block the attack.
• Hell White Tiger bit Aizen's arm while Xiao Wu restrained him, allowing Tang San and Kenpachi to attack together and apparently knock Aizen down.
• As Tang San turned to Xiao Wu, Aizen Sousuke stabbed him through the chest from behind.

Aizen Sousuke defeated the opposing team by using Kyoka Suigetsu to make Tang San believe he had attacked Aizen when he had actually struck Xiao Wu. Tang Hao appeared to confront Aizen, and Bibi Dong released her soul rings as the two powerful figures prepared to clash.

• Tang San found Xiao Wu gravely wounded and learned from Aizen Sousuke that Kyoka Suigetsu had manipulated his senses into attacking her.
• Aizen Sousuke slashed Tang San, then wounded Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing while Kenpachi Zaraki collapsed from exhaustion, securing Spirit Hall Academy's victory.
• Aizen Sousuke taunted Tang San and addressed an onlooker, prompting Tang Hao to appear and threaten him.
• Yu Xiaogang rebuked Aizen Sousuke, but Aizen mocked him and Tang Hao, angering Tang Hao further.
• Bibi Dong released her soul rings to challenge Tang Hao, who declared that his Clear Sky True Body would let no one escape.

Aizen Sousuke overwhelmed Tang Hao in the tournament, forcing him to retreat, while the remaining teams settled their matches. After the competition, Hitsugaya Toshiro left Skywater Academy to pursue a higher goal, and Shui Binger decided to follow him.

• Aizen Sousuke used Hado 90: Black Coffin against Tang Hao, who broke free with his Clear Sky Hammer before escaping with Tang San and Xiao Wu.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni resolved to give everything in Central Spirit Arts Academy's upcoming match against Spirit Hall Academy, while Hitsugaya Toshiro surrendered Skywater Academy's match against Central Spirit Arts Academy.
• Spirit Hall Academy defeated Godwind Academy, and Skywater Academy later narrowly beat Godwind Academy in the losers' bracket final.
• Hitsugaya Toshiro announced that he was leaving Skywater Academy, and Shui Binger declared that she would go with him.
• Hitsugaya Toshiro left, and Shui Binger followed while holding onto him.

Shui Binger discovered that Hitsugaya Toshiro and several other powerful competitors had ties to the Central Spirit Arts Academy and had joined to oppose Aizen Sousuke. As the Finals began, Aizen faced his former instructor Yamamoto Shigekuni, who released Ryūjin Jakka before the referee started the match.

• Hitsugaya Toshiro returned with Shui Binger to the Central Spirit Arts Academy, where Urahara Kisuke explained that many of the competitors had once been together.
• Dugu Yan told Shui Binger that she had joined the Academy to defeat Aizen Sousuke, and Hitsugaya said he had left Skywater Academy to help eliminate him.
• The next day, Yamamoto Shigekuni selected Ulquiorra, Grimmjow, Retsu Unohana, Kurosaki Ichigo, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Kenpachi Zaraki to fight for the Central Spirit Arts Academy.
• Aizen Sousuke led Tosen Kaname, Starrk, Barragan, Halibel, Nnoitra, and Yammy onto the arena, while Yamamoto Shigekuni and Aizen exchanged words about Aizen's betrayal and independence.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni released Ryūjin Jakka before the referee announced the start of the match.

Yamamoto Shigekuni and Aizen Sousuke fought amid flames that devastated the arena and killed spectators, while several other combatants joined the battle. As Halibel clashed with Ulquiorra and Hitsugaya Toshiro, Yhwach appeared before Bibi Dong.

• Yamamoto Shigekuni's flames battered Aizen Sousuke, destroyed the stands, and scattered Spirit Hall Academy's fighters.
• Tosen Kaname ambushed Yamamoto Shigekuni, wounded him, and admitted he had previously attacked Aizen Sousuke.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni's next attack failed to harm Aizen Sousuke, while Kyōraku Shunsui and Starrk began fighting and Starrk's Cero tore through the stands.
• Szayelaporro swallowed a spectator, Grimmjow attacked Nnoitra, and the two began exchanging blows.
• Halibel fought Ulquiorra, while Hitsugaya Toshiro froze her water attack and joined Ulquiorra against her.
• Bibi Dong watched the fighting unfold as Yhwach appeared before her.

Yhwach warned Bibi Dong that Aizen Sousuke might turn against her, then left through a shadow gate and declared that the era belonged to the Wandenreich. As Aizen Sousuke continued fighting Yamamoto Shigekuni amid a battle between Central Spirit Arts Academy and Spirit Hall, the trapped spectators and Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena realized the competition had become a war.

• Yhwach sat beside Bibi Dong, warned her that Aizen Sousuke could become a dangerous sword, and invited her to cooperate with him.
• Bibi Dong threatened Yhwach, but his darkness frightened her; he opened a shadow gate, departed, and claimed the era for the Wandenreich.
• Bibi Dong reconsidered Aizen Sousuke's strength, and Aizen Sousuke exchanged a knowing smile with her during his fight with Yamamoto Shigekuni.
• Yamamoto Shigekuni resumed attacking Aizen Sousuke, while spectators discussed Central Spirit Arts Academy's blade-based Martial Souls and feared for their lives.
• Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena left the resting area and discovered that the competition arena had become a chaotic war between high-level Soul Masters.

Xie Yue and Yan charged to help Aizen Sousuke, but Retsu Unohana killed them before turning on Hu Liena. Yue Guan intervened to protect Hu Liena and battled Retsu Unohana until an unidentified figure struck her blade and knocked her off course.

• Xie Yue and Yan ignored Hu Liena's warning and rushed toward the battle, but Retsu Unohana blocked them with her Bankai, All Ends.
• Retsu Unohana pierced Yan with her blade, which corroded him into a skeleton, then cut Xie Yue in half and reduced him to bones.
• Retsu Unohana advanced on Hu Liena, who realized Aizen Sousuke had warned that their previous matches had been life-threatening.
• Yue Guan appeared to protect Hu Liena and attacked Retsu Unohana with his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, but she cut through his Martial Soul Avatar and wounded him.
• As Retsu Unohana charged Yue Guan again, an unidentified figure intercepted All Ends with a surge of Soul Power and knocked her off course.

Aizen Sousuke revealed that he had staged the battle in Spirit City to gather the souls of the dead and create an independent world called Hueco Mundo. As the souls and Spirit City were drawn into his new space, Bibi Dong could no longer reach him, and Aizen declared his plan to become a god.

• Kuchiki Byakuya joined Retsu Unohana in battle, while Bibi Dong’s elders reported that her preparations were complete.
• Aizen Sousuke used the battle to stall Yamamoto Shigekuni while Aaroniero and Szayelaporro gathered despairing souls from the spectators.
• Aizen Sousuke blocked Yamamoto Shigekuni’s Bankai with Black Coffin and a flame-suppressing Kido as the Espada gathered around him.
• A black curtain opened in the sky, and a yellow pillar of light enveloped Aizen Sousuke and his followers.
• Bibi Dong attacked Aizen Sousuke, but he had already entered another space and explained that he was using the dead souls and Spirit City to create Hueco Mundo.
• Aizen Sousuke declared that dead souls would travel to Hueco Mundo and become his strength as he sought to become a god.