Chapter Summaries

Ren drank and composed poetry with Rangiku Matsumoto in Rukongai, while her drunken revelations drew a crowd and embarrassed Toshiro. After Toshiro took Rangiku away, Ren noticed Gin Ichimaru watching from hiding and agreed to return with Nemu Kurotsuchi.

• Ren matched Rangiku Matsumoto drink for drink while reciting poems, and the spectacle attracted a large crowd.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi worried about Ren's attention-grabbing behavior, while Morgana and Kayle welcomed the prospect of a fight and Orihime fell asleep.
• Toshiro arrived and used his chilling aura to sober Rangiku Matsumoto, then apologized to Ren and arranged for her to be taken away.
• Rangiku Matsumoto drunkenly offered to reveal the measurements of Hana-nee, Soifon, Nanao, Yachiru, and Momo Hinamori, prompting Toshiro to leave with her and his division members.
• Ren noticed Gin Ichimaru watching silently from a hidden corner, then agreed to return with Nemu Kurotsuchi.

Ren sheltered in a Twelfth Division courtyard while Mayuri Kurotsuchi warned him that the Head Captain had sensed the Sōkyoku, whose flames Ren had used to temper the Shura Sword. After three days of Soul Society searching for the missing Sōkyoku, Ren slipped into the Seireitei’s underground laboratory to begin the Hōgyoku experiment.

• Ren brought Yoruichi and Nemu Kurotsuchi to a Twelfth Division courtyard, where Yoruichi marveled at the commotion he had caused in Rukongai and the Seireitei.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi told Ren that the Head Captain had sensed the Sōkyoku and ordered every division to search for it.
• Ren explained that the Shura Sword’s altered Spiritual Pressure and Morgana’s darkness would conceal the Sōkyoku’s location, then ordered Mayuri to prepare the first Hōgyoku experiment.
• During the next three days, the Death Gods searched for the Sōkyoku while rumors about Retsu Unohana spread and Rangiku Matsumoto was punished by the Female Soul Reaper Association.
• Ren entered the secret chamber beneath the Central 64 Chambers, where cages held roaring Menos Grande whose Cero attacks the darkness suppressed and devoured.

Ren and Mayuri Kurotsuchi began an experiment to create the Hōgyoku from Menos Grande masks, while Yoruichi warned that Urahara Kisuke’s notes were incomplete. The experiment proceeded as Yoruichi tried to trade her Hōgyoku knowledge for freedom, but Ren stopped her escape attempt and kept her captive.

• Ren had Morgana consume one hundred Menos Grande while leaving their intact masks and Spiritual Pressure behind.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi dissolved the masks to release their Spirit Particles, and Morgana purified the impurities without changing the particles’ varied colors.
• Ren instructed Mayuri Kurotsuchi to continue extracting the purified Spirit Particles despite Yoruichi’s warning that Urahara Kisuke’s records could not produce a complete Hōgyoku.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi insisted he could surpass Urahara Kisuke, while Yoruichi offered Ren complete Hōgyoku information in exchange for her freedom.
• Ren pulled Yoruichi from her cage as she tried to transform, then devoured her released Spiritual Pressure and restrained her.

Yoruichi revealed what she knew about Urahara Kisuke’s Hōgyoku research and realized Ren’s conditioning had made her instinctively obey him. Mayuri Kurotsuchi began fusing purified Spirit Particles to create a Hōgyoku, leaving Ren’s group braced for a dangerous experiment.

• Yoruichi told Ren that Urahara Kisuke’s Hōgyoku had required a special, unknown prerequisite and that ordinary experiments could not reproduce it.
• Yoruichi recognized that Ren’s treatment had conditioned her instincts to obey him, but she refused to answer when he asked what the prerequisite was.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi vowed to discover the prerequisite and surpass Urahara Kisuke by creating a Hōgyoku through repeated experiments.
• Ren ordered Morgana to create a darkness barrier and Kayle to protect Orihime while everyone prepared for a possible explosion.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi placed one hundred purified Spirit Particle spheres into a reinforced vessel and operated a modified machine to fuse them.
• The Spirit Particle spheres collided and began merging, with similarly colored spheres combining into brighter, more vivid ones.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s experiment fused ten opposing Spirit Particle spheres into a five-colored gemstone he identified as the Hōgyoku. Ren warned that the experiment had instead brought forth a disaster, and Morgana sensed something resembling a Hollow.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi used the machine to reduce a hundred Spirit Particle spheres to ten, then began drawing them together.
• The spheres repelled one another so violently that they shattered space and sent dangerous energy through the secret room, which Kayle and Morgana contained.
• The glass apparatus exploded as the ten spheres fused, unleashing a blinding burst of energy that Ren and Morgana swallowed with darkness.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi celebrated the resulting five-colored gemstone as the Hōgyoku, while Yoruichi questioned how he had made it so quickly.
• Ren warned that the experiment had brought forth a disaster, and Morgana said the presence felt like a Hollow.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Hōgyoku experiment produced a powerful Menos Grande instead of a Hōgyoku, and Yoruichi warned that it could become dangerously destructive. Ren learned that Morgana’s dark aura had caused its formation and chose to let it awaken so he could test whether she could control it.

• A multicolored gem roared, liquefied, and formed a Menos Grande, leaving Mayuri Kurotsuchi stunned by the experiment’s unexpected result.
• As the Menos Grande began turning black, Yoruichi recognized it as similar to a terrifying creature created during Urahara Kisuke’s experiment and urged Ren to kill it before it awakened.
• Ren refused to destroy the Menos Grande, saying he wanted to measure its power and study the possibility of creating more.
• Kayle sensed that the creature’s aura resembled Morgana’s, and Morgana explained that her dark aura had affected the Spirit Particles and caused its formation.
• Yoruichi warned Ren that such Menos Grande could not gain intelligence and would destroy everything around them, but Ren asked Morgana whether she could control this one.

Ren sent Morgana’s blackened Menos Grande to attack the Death Gods searching for the Sōkyoku, intending to test its power and Aizen’s response. The creature appeared before Momo Hinamori’s team, and Aizen intervened just as its Cero threatened her.

• Ren ordered Mayuri Kurotsuchi to locate the Death God captains searching for the Sōkyoku, while Nemu Kurotsuchi explained that they were following leads about the rogue Death Gods.
• Ren told Morgana to send the black Menos Grande to Aizen, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi prepared to transport it.
• The Menos Grande emerged in a wilderness where Momo Hinamori and the Fifth Division were searching, then fired a Black Cero that killed several fleeing Death Gods.
• Momo Hinamori tried to stop the Menos Grande’s attack with Kido, but its Cero overwhelmed her spells.
• Aizen appeared, shielded Momo Hinamori with Bakudo #81: Danku, and faced the black, armored Menos Grande.

Aizen fought a powerful Black Menos Grande created by Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Hōgyoku experiment, while Ren watched from hiding and considered its origins. Gin Ichimaru joined the battle, and Aizen trapped the Menos Grande in Black Coffin again.

• Aizen’s Black Coffin shattered, and he warned Momo Hinamori to evacuate the squad and alert the other captains and the Captain-Commander.
• Aizen failed to hypnotize the Black Menos Grande and recognized it as a by-product of Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s Hōgyoku experiment.
• Ren watched Aizen fight and questioned Yoruichi, who admitted she did not know about the Menos Grande’s origins.
• Aizen judged the Menos Grande stronger than the Bullhead Hollow and continued dodging its attacks while assessing it.
• Gin Ichimaru arrived, struck the Menos Grande with Shinso, and landed beside Aizen.
• Aizen cast Black Coffin over the Black Menos Grande once more.

Ren learned that Aizen had been watching Urahara Kisuke’s Hōgyoku experiments, which produced the Bullhead Hollow connected to Ichigo Kurosaki’s Hollow power. Ren had Morgana drive the Black Menos Grande into a berserk state, and the story left the gathered captains facing the rampaging creature.

• Aizen and Gin Ichimaru compared the Black Menos Grande to Urahara Kisuke’s Bullhead Hollow and discussed the failed Hōgyoku experiments that created them.
• Ren realized that Ichigo Kurosaki’s Bullhead Hollow had originated from Urahara Kisuke’s creation, while Yoruichi and Mayuri Kurotsuchi reacted to Aizen’s influence over Urahara’s work.
• Ren ordered Morgana to make the Black Menos Grande go berserk, and she used their connection in darkness to increase its Spiritual Pressure.
• The Black Menos Grande fired a powerful Cero, which destroyed Aizen’s Danku before Aizen and Gin Ichimaru evaded it with Shunpo.
• Byakuya Kuchiki, Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, Soifon, Retsu Unohana, and Kenpachi Zaraki gathered to confront the Black Menos Grande as it prepared to attack again.

The Black Menos Grande rampaged among the Death God captains, first singling out Aizen before Morgana stopped guiding it and it attacked everyone nearby. Gin Ichimaru, Aizen, and Retsu Unohana struck at it, leaving the beast trapped amid escalating attacks as it roared from within the Black Coffin.

• The Black Menos Grande used Sonido and a Black Cero to pursue Aizen, who evaded its attacks while Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki joined the fight.
• Ren told Morgana to stop guiding the Black Menos Grande, and it went berserk, tearing through Byakuya Kuchiki's cherry blossoms and knocking Kenpachi Zaraki back.
• The Black Menos Grande fought Kenpachi Zaraki, countered Toshiro's Ice Dragon with a Black Cero, and was struck in the throat by Gin Ichimaru's Shinso.
• Aizen trapped the explosion with Black Coffin, and Retsu Unohana summoned Five Pillar Iron Prison around it.
• The Black Menos Grande roared from within the Black Coffin as the iron pillars descended.

Ren ordered Morgana to guide the Black Menos Grande toward Seireitei to draw out the Captain-Commander, but the battle reached Rukongai and forced the captains to unleash their Bankai. Toshiro trapped the creature in his Thousand-Year Ice Prison, yet it began breaking free and charging a Cero.

• The Black Menos Grande shattered Aizen and Retsu Unohana's Danku and Toshiro's ice shield, then attacked the captains with repeated Ceros and Bala.
• Ren told Morgana to direct the Black Menos Grande toward Seireitei, hoping to draw out the Captain-Commander.
• The captains pursued the Black Menos Grande until Rukongai came into view, and Retsu Unohana warned them to stop it before it could attack the district.
• Byakuya Kuchiki activated Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, while Toshiro used Daiguren Hyorinmaru and sealed the Black Menos Grande inside an iceberg with Thousand-Year Ice Prison.
• The Black Menos Grande roared within the iceberg, cracked its way through the ice, and gathered a Cero.

The Black Menos Grande broke free of Toshiro’s iceberg and threatened the Rukongai, forcing Komamura to block its Cero before Kenpachi charged into battle. As the captains struggled to contain the threat, Ren sent Mayuri to join the response while Kayle searched for Yamamoto and Aizen prepared to observe the Captain-Commander’s reaction.

• The Black Menos Grande shattered Toshiro’s iceberg and began charging a powerful Cero aimed toward the Rukongai.
• Komamura used Bankai to block the Cero, but his weapon broke and he was injured by the damage reflected from his warrior.
• Kenpachi charged the Black Menos Grande and began fighting it, while Unohana sent Soifon to alert Yamamoto.
• Ren told Mayuri to go to the scene and asked Morgana to keep the Menos Grande from attacking him.
• Ren had Kayle search for Yamamoto as Aizen and Gin watched from the Rukongai and spotted Mayuri approaching.

Aizen and Mayuri Kurotsuchi watched Kenpachi Zaraki battle the Black Menos Grande as the Captain-Commander headed to Rukongai. With the First Division left unguarded, Ren took Kayle and Yoruichi to search the Captain-Commander's quarters for valuables.

• Aizen mistook Mayuri Kurotsuchi for the mastermind behind the Black Menos Grande and admired his apparent progress toward creating a Hōgyoku.
• Kenpachi Zaraki fought the Black Menos Grande wildly, even biting through its Hierro to tear off flesh.
• The Captain-Commander unsealed Ryujin Jakka and flew to Rukongai with Chojiro Sasakibe, while Aizen watched his flames warily.
• Ren decided to exploit the First Division's absence and took Kayle and Yoruichi toward its barracks, leaving Morgana to maintain the image in the secret chamber.
• Kayle knocked out the First Division guards, and Yoruichi directed Ren toward the Captain-Commander's courtyard while warning that she had found no treasures there before.
• Ren doubted Yoruichi's account and continued toward the courtyard, convinced the Captain-Commander must have valuable belongings.

Ren and Yoruichi uncovered the Captain-Commander's hidden collection and plundered its contents. At the center of the secret space, they found a mysterious crystal that Yoruichi identified as a Soul King Fragment.

• Ren and Kayle sensed unusually dense, pure Spirit Particles in the Captain-Commander's courtyard.
• Ren used darkness to consume the courtyard's furnishings and drain the Kido seals, revealing a hidden spatial entrance.
• Ren and Yoruichi entered the vast secret space and discovered books, Asauchi materials, ancient weapons, and other rare items.
• Ren stored the books and materials in the Amethyst Ring, then swept the remaining treasures into the Trash Station.
• Ren found a crystal, a damaged ancient book, and a broken blade near memorial tablets bearing Yamamoto Clan names.
• Yoruichi identified the crystal as a legendary Soul King Fragment, and Ren asked what it was.

Ren discovered that the crystal in the Captain-Commander's courtyard was a Soul King Fragment, then took it along with the offered books and broken blade. As Yamamoto prepared to use Bankai, Ren tried to escape but was confronted by Chojiro Sasakibe.

• Yoruichi explained that Soul King Fragments came from the Soul King's damaged body and could greatly enhance their bearers.
• Ren picked up the Soul King Fragment, triggering hidden Kido in the spirit tablets, but swallowed the attack and tablets with his darkness.
• Ren took the books and broken blade from the platform, though the blade could not be stored in his Amethyst Ring.
• Morgana warned Ren that Yamamoto was furious and preparing to use Bankai, so Ren left the space with Kayle carrying Yoruichi's cage.
• Yoruichi suggested the broken blade might belong to the Soul King, and Ren wondered if it was the Soul King's Zanpakuto.
• Ren emerged into Yamamoto's courtyard and encountered Chojiro Sasakibe, who confronted him as a trespasser.

Ren and Kayle fought Chojiro Sasakabe after he confronted them for stealing the Sōkyoku and Soul King Fragment. Chojiro unleashed his Bankai, but Kayle seized control of its lightning as Ren attacked him with the flame-wreathed Shura Sword.

• Kayle fired a lightning bolt at Chojiro Sasakabe when he threatened Yoruichi.
• Ren revealed himself to Chojiro Sasakabe and struck him with the Shura Sword, whose blade had gained the Sōkyoku’s heat and flame.
• Chojiro Sasakabe released his Bankai, Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū, and summoned a canopy of lightning.
• Kayle claimed control of the storm’s lightning and stopped Chojiro Sasakabe’s bolts from reaching her.
• Ren charged Chojiro Sasakabe, who wrapped his rapier in lightning and thrust at him with the Thunder Sword; Ren met the attack with his blade.

Ren defeated Chojiro Sasakibe and plundered his Zanpakuto, thunder, and life with Heavenly Sin, then watched Captain-Commander Yamamoto unleash Bankai against the Black Menos Grande. Yamamoto began an attack with Zanka no Tachi as Aizen observed the flames and considered their power.

• Ren severed Chojiro Sasakibe's Zanpakuto and pierced his chest with Heavenly Sin.
• Ren's Heavenly Sin plundered Chojiro Sasakibe's Spiritual Pressure, life, soul, and Zanpakuto, leaving him aged and dead.
• Ren took Chojiro Sasakibe's thunder technique, destroyed the Captain-Commander's courtyard with Thunder Canopy, and left with Kayle.
• Morgana showed Ren Captain-Commander Yamamoto preparing Bankai against the Black Menos Grande.
• Captain-Commander Yamamoto unleashed Zanka no Tachi and used Sword of Majestic Flame against the Black Menos Grande.

Ren directed Morgana to empower the Black Menos Grande, which the Captain-Commander destroyed with Zanka no Tachi, but the creature’s mask roared again and darkness began devouring it. Aizen sensed the Hōgyoku’s desire to devour, while Retsu Unohana recognized Ren’s darkness and blamed him for creating the Menos Grande.

• Ren ordered Morgana to draw out the Black Menos Grande’s Spiritual Pressure and unleash its strongest Cero against the Captain-Commander.
• The Captain-Commander’s Sword of Majestic Flame overwhelmed the Black Cero and burned the Black Menos Grande until only its mask remained.
• The Captain-Commander left Shunsui Kyoraku to handle the scorched battlefield, and Shunsui asked Toshiro to cool it, but Toshiro said he lacked moisture.
• The half-melted mask roared, and Aizen sensed the Unfinished Hōgyoku’s desire to devour.
• Darkness spread over the mask and swallowed it, prompting Retsu Unohana to identify it as Ren’s darkness and accuse him of creating the Menos Grande.

Ren and Morgana discovered that the Captain-Commander's flames had transformed the Black Menos Grande mask into a gem close to becoming a Hōgyoku. Yoruichi identified the gem as not yet a true Hōgyoku.

• Aizen realized Ren was connected to Mayuri and chose not to seize the mask, hoping to learn more about a future Hōgyoku.
• Morgana explained to Ren that Zanka no Tachi's flames had tempered the mask and caused its energy to transform.
• Morgana released the mask inside the sealed chamber, where its lingering heat melted the floor.
• Ren used the Shura Sword to absorb the flames inside the mask, causing it to crack and crumble.
• A multicolored gem emerged from the ashes, and Yoruichi told Ren it was close to becoming a Hōgyoku but was not one yet.

Yoruichi identified Ren’s multicolored gemstone as a purified energy crystal, not the Hōgyoku, and teased Morgana about its limits. The Captain-Commander discovered Chojiro Sasakibe’s death, blamed the mysterious Ren, and ordered the Soul Society to hunt him down.

• Yoruichi explained that the multicolored gemstone could help a Menos Grande evolve but was not powerful enough to fundamentally transform Morgana, and Ren gave it to Morgana.
• Yoruichi provoked Morgana and Kayle into arguing until a furious roar and scorching heat spread through Soul Society.
• Shunsui Kyoraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, Byakuya Kuchiki, Toshiro, and the other captains rushed to the Seireitei after realizing the Captain-Commander was releasing the heat.
• The captains found Chojiro Sasakibe dead with his chest pierced, and Shunsui Kyoraku suspected Ren had used the Black Menos Grande as a diversion.
• The Captain-Commander, enraged by Chojiro Sasakibe’s death, ordered everyone to find Ren so he could avenge him.