Recaps

Yamabuki Chidori trains Shinji Hirako and investigates a noble murder while new threats and challenges reshape the Gotei 13. The arc leaves Chidori preparing to operate on Katoru Hatsunoya after discovering a precise way to remove her brain tumor.

• Shiba Isshin learned the Shiba Clan’s secret technique for replacing the Soul King, while Yamabuki Chidori became captain of the Tenth Division and trained him until he succeeded her.
• Yamabuki Chidori defeated Shinji Hirako in a sparring match, then assigned him to investigate the murder of a noblewoman, where he exposed Inuta Yumiko’s frame-up and Kujo Yomotsu’s attempt to protect Sara Kujo.
• Hyakki-ji sought out the strongest Shinigami and challenged Kamishirokawa Kenpachi, who lost consciousness during their duel and was replaced as captain of the 11th Division by Hyakki-ji.
• Kamishirokawa Kenpachi joined the Fourth Division to study medicine, while Sakurane Saizo arranged for Jūshirō Ukitake to succeed him as captain of the Thirteenth Division.
• Ukitake investigated disappearances in northern Rukongai, stopped a Quincy boy’s uncontrolled Perfect Sanctification, and captured three Quincies researching the technique.
• Yamabuki Chidori took the dying Katoru Hatsunoya to Hell, where he defeated Kuroto, then diagnosed her brain tumor and found a precise surgical method using Spirit Particle Threads.
• After mastering hundreds of Spirit Particle Threads, Yamabuki Chidori arrived at the Fourth Division with Unohana, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Senbu to begin Katoru Hatsunoya’s operation.

Yamabuki Chidori trained Aizen in combat and survival as Aizen secretly learned the truth about the Soul King and resolved to surpass the Soul Reaper limit. After Aizen and Chiharu Reika’s teams faced a Spider Hollow and a Menos Grande, Huo Ying joined their circle and began training with Aizen.

• Yamabuki Chidori took Aizen Sōsuke as his disciple, taught him to use every advantage in a fight, and warned him about powerful enemies and Zero Division.
• Aizen uncovered the secret history of the Soul King, learned that the Tsunayashiro Clan had made him a Human Pillar, and resolved to claim the throne and surpass the Soul Reaper limit.
• Aizen awakened Kyōka Suigetsu, tested its Complete Hypnosis, and secretly read Yamabuki Chidori’s forbidden records before joining the 11th Division for dangerous missions.
• Yamabuki Chidori and Kamishirokawa trained Aizen in poisons and Swift Sword as disappearances in the South 28th District led to a rescue mission.
• Aizen used Kyōka Suigetsu to defeat a Spider Hollow and save the abducted Soul Reapers, while Huo Ying crushed a Menos Grande and Spider Lady with her greatsword.
• Huo Ying stayed with Unohana and joined the Gotei 13 after Yamabuki Chidori promised her a chance to retire, then he arranged a replacement for her broken sword.
• Kamishirokawa began teaching Aizen and Huo Ying Swift Sword, and Yamabuki Chidori returned Huo Ying’s repaired greatsword.

Yamabuki Chidori trained Aizen through dangerous missions, experiments, and political intrigue while Huo Ying became the Sixth Kenpachi and the Quincy conspiracy was exposed. A decade later, Aizen had secretly reached Captain-level and prepared to demonstrate Kyōka Suigetsu before the Gotei 13.

• Yamabuki Chidori arranged for Aizen to fight the eyeless Menos Grande Batman alone, and Aizen survived its poison and killed it.
• Huo Ying defeated Hyakki-ji with her Bankai and became the 11th Division's sixth Captain, then recovered from her injuries under Yamabuki Chidori's care.
• Aizen hunted the deserter Kuro no Suke, uncovered the Quincy coercion behind his crimes, and brought him back to reunite with his family before Kuro no Suke committed seppuku.
• Yamabuki Chidori experimented on Quincy and Soul Reaper powers to create a Counterfeit Hogyoku, which he gave to Aizen and stabilized with his own blood.
• Yamabuki Chidori destroyed the Aota family, while Aizen visited the imprisoned Baraggan and offered to help him escape and reclaim his throne.
• Yamabuki Chidori exposed a network of Shinigami spies, sent Kuro no Suke and Ishida Jōka to the 2nd Division, and recruited Kensei Muguruma into the Gotei 13.
• Aizen confessed that he had imprisoned Quincies for research, and Yamabuki Chidori supported his work while warning him to keep his Quincy abilities secret.
• After ten years of cultivation, Aizen secretly reached Captain-level and prepared to demonstrate Kyōka Suigetsu to the Gotei 13 despite Shinji Hirako's suspicions.

Aizen expanded his plans in Hueco Mundo and began Hollowfication experiments while Yamabuki Chidori secretly prepared the Hogyoku and tried to influence events around him. The arc followed Hiyori’s recruitment and Yamabuki Chidori’s dealings with the Werewolf Clan before ending with Aizen testing Kuchiki Kyōka in a sparring match.

• Aizen hypnotized the Gotei 13, claimed an abandoned Tsunayashiro laboratory, and secretly helped Baraggan escape before defeating him and taking control of Las Noches.
• Aizen abducted Shimiya Kiga for a Hollowfication experiment, while Yamabuki Chidori visited the Soul King and created a Hogyoku by feeding it powerful spiritual material.
• Yamabuki Chidori gave Aizen the Hogyoku and recruited Coyote Starrk to help monitor Aizen, while Nel Tu and Tier Harribel agreed to follow Baraggan into Las Noches.
• Shinji Hirako became Fifth Division Captain with Aizen as his lieutenant, and Aizen helped bring Sarugaki Hiyori into the Gotei 13 after Kirimaru Tsukishima saved her from Hollows.
• Yamabuki Chidori and Huo Ying investigated attacks by the Werewolf Clan, reached an agreement with the Great Wolf, and gave injured Shinigami the clan’s apology gifts.
• Yamabuki Chidori arranged for Kōga to study at the Staff Department and brought Kuchiki Kyōka to meet him, then set Kyōka against Aizen in a sparring match.
• Aizen outmaneuvered Kuchiki Kyōka with Kidō and a close-range strike, leaving Kyōka badly injured as Yamabuki Chidori watched.