Recaps

Tsunayashiro Tokinada used Enrakyōten to place the nobles under Kyōka Suigetsu while Yushiro discovered the Tsunayashiro Clan’s ceremonial hall full of corpses and fought the assassins waiting for him. When Yushiro returned to the courtyard, the illusion made the nobles believe he had slaughtered the clan, and Tokinada denounced him as the Gold Seal Unit and 6th Division began fighting.

• Tsunayashiro Tokinada sent Yushiro toward the ceremonial hall and showed Enrakyōten to the nobles, secretly using Kyōka Suigetsu on them.
• Yushiro found the Tsunayashiro clansmen dead inside the ceremonial hall and was attacked by nine assassins secretly hired by Tokinada.
• Yushiro killed six assassins and captured three, then headed back to the courtyard to report the massacre.
• Yushiro told Tokinada and the nobles what he had found, but Kyōka Suigetsu made them hear him claim responsibility for the killings.
• The Gold Seal Unit and the 6th Division began fighting as Tokinada confronted Yushiro with Enrakyōten.

Tsunayashiro Tokinada revealed that he had framed Yushiro and used Enrakyōten’s copied Shikai to attack him. As Yamamoto responded to the invasion above the Seireitei, Oniyasha broke through the barrier with Five Dragon Destruction.

• Tsunayashiro Tokinada admitted to killing Shin'ichirō and Ginjiro and manipulating the Gold Seal Unit and 6th Division into fighting each other.
• Tokinada used Enrakyōten to burn Yushiro’s guards, pierce Yushiro’s shoulder with Shinsō, and increase the wound’s weight with Wabisuke.
• Yushiro tried to escape and alert others, but Tokinada taunted him that Yamamoto was occupied by the invasion in the sky.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto identified Demon Fist Kaoru Tendō and Oniyasha as the invaders and ordered the captains to defend their areas while Byakuya Kuchiki returned to District 6.
• Oniyasha rode one of five purple dragons formed by Kidō number ninety-nine, Five Dragon Destruction, and broke through the Shakonmaku above the Seireitei.

Byakuya Kuchiki escaped his cell as chaos spread through the Seireitei, while Oniyasha attacked the captains in numerical order and defeated Sajin Komamura. Kenpachi Zaraki confronted Oniyasha, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto prepared to fight Kaoru Tendō.

• Byakuya Kuchiki used Byakurai to break out of his cell and hurried toward District 6 after sensing the chaos.
• Oniyasha attacked Sajin Komamura with Black Coffin, defeating him and dismissing the Seventh Division members.
• Tetsuzaemon Iba charged Oniyasha, but Oniyasha restrained him with Rikujōkōrō and struck at him with Byakurai.
• Kenpachi Zaraki arrived, blocked the Byakurai, and challenged Oniyasha after hearing he intended to destroy the Seireitei.
• Kaoru Tendō taunted Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto about their past, and Yamamoto released Ryūjin Jakka.

Kenpachi Zaraki fought Oniyasha, whose time and space techniques repeatedly kept him from landing a decisive blow. Oniyasha trapped Kenpachi in Infinity Reincarnation and then turned toward the Twelfth Division.

• Kenpachi shattered Oniyasha’s Kurohitsugi and damaged his Spatial Transfer cube, but Oniyasha used Time Stop to evade his attacks.
• Kenpachi’s Reiatsu surged, letting him move briefly during stopped time and cut Oniyasha’s forehead.
• Oniyasha used Time Stop to avoid Kenpachi’s next strike, while Kenpachi’s blow split the ground and opened a vast chasm.
• Iba rescued Komamura from falling into the chasm as Kenpachi charged Oniyasha again.
• Oniyasha cast Infinity Reincarnation, and the black sphere swallowed Kenpachi before disappearing.
• Oniyasha recovered from the exhausting technique and looked toward the Twelfth Division.

Byakuya Kuchiki halted the battle between the Gold Seal Unit and the 6th Division, then found Yushiro dying beside Tsunayashiro Tokinada and accused Tokinada of framing him. Tokinada revealed his treachery, and Byakuya unleashed his Bankai as their fight began.

• Byakuya Kuchiki stopped the fighting and ordered both sides to gather their wounded while he went to investigate Yushiro's faint Reiatsu.
• Byakuya found Yushiro dying beside three corpses and saw Tsunayashiro Tokinada standing over him with a bloodied sword.
• Byakuya attacked Tokinada and accused him of killing the Tsunayashiro Clan members, framing Yushiro, and seeking the clan headship and command of the Gold Seal Unit.
• The nobles recalled signs that Enrakyōten had affected them, and Tokinada admitted he would kill them all to protect his scheme.
• Tokinada released Enrakyōten while Byakuya summoned Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, protected the nobles, and trapped Tokinada with Senkei.

Byakuya Kuchiki battled Tsunayashiro Tokinada, who used stolen Zanpakutō abilities and Kyōka Suigetsu to disguise himself. Byakuya’s final attack left Tokinada gravely wounded, but poison killed him before he could escape; Aura Michibane agreed to return with Byakuya and explain what happened.

• The nobles fled as Byakuya Kuchiki and Tsunayashiro Tokinada fought inside Senkei, where Byakuya learned Tokinada had killed Ginjiro.
• Byakuya used Kidō and Senkei’s blades to fight Tokinada’s stolen abilities and white spheres, but Kyōka Suigetsu trapped him in an illusion.
• Byakuya filled Senkei with Sekienton, used the smoke to locate Tokinada, and unleashed Final Scene: White Emperor Sword after Senkei was released.
• Tokinada countered with Enrakyōten and Ryūjin Jakka, but Byakuya’s attack burned his hand and left Tokinada with a massive wound.
• Aura Michibane appeared and offered to hold Byakuya off so Tokinada could escape, but Tokinada collapsed and died from poison as his Reiatsu waned.
• Aura identified herself as a third seat of the Gold Seal Unit and agreed to return with Byakuya to explain Tokinada’s crimes.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi trapped Oniyasha with devices around the Research and Development Institute and defeated him with an explosion and poison gas. As Sai'e and the researchers prepared to take Oniyasha away, Kenpachi Zaraki cut through the space prison and arrived at the courtyard.

• Oniyasha approached the Research and Development Institute, where Mayuri Kurotsuchi appeared as a hologram and taunted him.
• Mayuri's devices increased the Reishi concentration, solidified Reishi, and froze space, preventing Oniyasha from escaping or attacking freely.
• Oniyasha struck a hidden cylinder with Byakurai, triggering an explosion and poison gas that left him unconscious.
• Sai'e and the Institute's researchers began carrying Oniyasha away, arguing over who would study his body parts.
• Kenpachi Zaraki shattered the surrounding space, arrived in the courtyard, and sent Oniyasha tumbling from the researchers' arms.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto fought Kaoru Tendō, who demanded he use his Bankai, and defeated her with Zanka no Tachi, North: Tenchi Kaijin. Afterward, he reunited with Retsu Unohana and Shiraishi and sent them to attend to the wounded.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto urged Kaoru Tendō to stop her plan, but she attacked him when he refused to use his Bankai.
• Kaoru Tendō overwhelmed Yamamoto with her Hakuda techniques and prepared to use the Yin-Yang Limit-Breaking Hand.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto released Bankai and defeated Kaoru Tendō with Zanka no Tachi, North: Tenchi Kaijin.
• Kaoru Tendō acknowledged the gap between them and apologized, while Yamamoto admitted he had been just as foolish.
• Retsu Unohana arrived with Shiraishi, and Yamamoto asked her to oversee the General Infirmary and treat Shiraishi.

After the battle, Isane collapsed from exhaustion, and Retsu Unohana took charge of the General Infirmary while Shiraishi recovered in a private ward. Shiraishi left the infirmary refreshed but learned from Aizen that Seireitei had been attacked by Oniyasha using an illusion, a battle he barely remembered.

• Isane collapsed while coordinating care for the wounded, and Retsu Unohana caught her and took over directing the medical teams.
• Shiraishi fell asleep in a private ward after his encounter with Retsu Unohana.
• Retsu Unohana brought Shiraishi a bowl of spicy medicinal noodles, which restored his depleted Reiatsu.
• Retsu Unohana dismissed the idea that their intimacy settled anything, and Shiraishi left the infirmary after challenging her to another contest.
• Aizen told Shiraishi that Oniyasha had attacked Seireitei using an illusion, and Shiraishi realized he could barely remember the events.

Aizen visited the injured Momo Hinamori and reaffirmed his resolve to carry out his plans despite a moment of doubt. He then sent Tōshirō Hitsugaya to keep her company and tasked Gin Ichimaru with contacting Aura Michibane.

• Aizen visited Momo Hinamori in the General Infirmary, apologized for failing to protect her, and comforted her while hiding his plans.
• Aizen felt a brief confusion that he associated with the Hōgyoku, but his resolve to proceed returned.
• Aizen left Hinamori and urged Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who had brought her fruit and flowers, to visit her.
• Gin Ichimaru teased Aizen about his mood and asked whether Hinamori should be included in their plans.
• Aizen said Hinamori would not take part, revealed he had found a new partner, and ordered Gin to contact Aura Michibane.

Aura Michibane passed several interrogations after Tsunayashiro Tokinada’s attack, then faced Shiraishi, who dismissed her after a bizarre exchange. She met Gin Ichimaru in a courtyard and agreed to work with him.

• Aura Michibane told the Golden Seal Noble Conference, the Stealth Force, and the 6th Division that Tsunayashiro Tokinada had attacked her and that she had later tried to stop him.
• Shiraishi questioned Aura Michibane for the Tenth Division, but fell asleep during the interrogation.
• Aura Michibane tried to bribe Shiraishi with a flirtatious advance, and he rebuked her for believing what she read in books.
• Shiraishi unlocked Aura Michibane’s cuffs and used Steel Tempest to escape when she turned into mist and slipped into his Shihakushō.
• Aura Michibane met Gin Ichimaru, who introduced himself as the Third Division Captain, and she agreed to work with him.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto held a tea gathering to assess candidates for the new Central 46 Chambers and discuss rebuilding Soul Society. The nobles agreed to restore the Shiba Clan’s great-noble status and Yamamoto sent Shiraishi to ask Kūkaku Shiba whether she would lead the Gold Seal Unit.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto invited noble-family candidates to a tea gathering and proposed reestablishing the Central 46 Chambers.
• The nobles argued over the Gold Seal Unit’s future and attacked one another’s candidates with rumors.
• Nayura Amakado proposed restoring the Shiba Clan’s status and appointing Kūkaku Shiba as commander, and the nobles rallied behind the idea.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told the gathering to ask Kūkaku Shiba what she wanted and quietly eliminated two critics from his Central 46 candidate list.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto ordered someone to tell Shiraishi to inform Kūkaku Shiba that the Shiba Clan would remain a great noble family and invite her to discuss command of the Gold Seal Unit.

Shiraishi was ordered to find Kūkaku Shiba after the Central 46 Chambers decided to restore the Shiba Clan’s status and invite her to lead the Gold Seal Unit. He left Soi Fon’s office to carry out the order after insisting that she was jealous of him.

• Ōki searched the Tenth and Fourth Divisions for Shiraishi, but Rangiku Matsumoto and Retsu Unohana told him Shiraishi was elsewhere.
• Ōki found Shiraishi tied up in Soi Fon’s office and freed him so he could receive the Captain-Commander’s order.
• Shiraishi complained that everyone was overworking and refused to give up his day off, but Ōki delivered Yamamoto’s order to find Kūkaku Shiba.
• Shiraishi teased Soi Fon about being jealous, kissed her cheek, and left to carry out the order.

Kūkaku reunited with Shiraishi after working on fireworks, and he told her about the recent events in Seireitei and Yushiro’s death. She decided to attend Yushiro’s funeral and take command of the Gold Seal Unit so she could investigate her missing uncle, Isshin Shiba.

• Kūkaku finished cleaning up after making fireworks and met Shiraishi at the foot of the mountain.
• Shiraishi told Kūkaku about the unrest involving Tsunayashiro Tokinada, Kaoru Tendō, and Oniyasha, and explained that he had fought Unohana in Muken.
• Shiraishi told Kūkaku that Central 46 wanted to restore the Shiba Clan’s status and appoint her commander-in-chief of the Gold Seal Unit.
• Kūkaku learned that Tokinada had killed Yushiro, whom she had known through his sister, Yoruichi Shihōin.
• Kūkaku decided to attend Yushiro’s funeral and accept command of the Gold Seal Unit so she could investigate what happened to Isshin Shiba.

Kūkaku Shiba accepted the commander-in-chief position in the Gold Seal Unit after confirming she would answer only to the Golden Seal Noble Council. She arrived at the unit’s headquarters and confronted its demoralized members, demanding they accept her authority.

• Kūkaku Shiba left for Seireitei after explaining the situation to Ganju and the others, and Jidanbō opened Hakutōmon for her.
• Kūkaku Shiba met Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and confirmed that she would serve as commander-in-chief on equal footing, obeying only the Golden Seal Noble Council.
• Kūkaku Shiba met Aura Michibane at the noble quarter’s gate and learned that Aura had once tried to seduce Shiraishi and was trying to regain her emotions.
• Aura Michibane led Kūkaku Shiba to the Gold Seal Unit’s headquarters in a former Tsunayashiro Clan mansion, where the members were demoralized after Yushiro’s death and Tokinada’s downfall.
• Kūkaku Shiba introduced herself as the unit’s new commander and challenged anyone who objected to test her skills, threatening the rest with a humiliating punishment if no one stepped forward.

Kūkaku Shiba forced the Gold Seal Unit to let her use its Senkaimon and searched Karakura Town for clues about her missing uncle. After finding none, she left a message beneath a pedestrian overpass and returned to Soul Society, while a black cat approached the spot afterward.

• Kūkaku Shiba defeated the Gold Seal Unit nobles who challenged her and ordered them to call her boss.
• Kūkaku Shiba had Aura Michibane draft an application to use the Senkaimon, then ordered a subordinate to take her there before the application was approved.
• Kūkaku Shiba traveled alone to Karakura Town, where a Limitation Seal restricted her Reiatsu.
• Kūkaku Shiba searched Karakura Town, knocked out more than a dozen people preparing to commit crimes, and found no trace of her uncle.
• Kūkaku Shiba carved a message beneath a pedestrian overpass and returned to Soul Society after Aura Michibane relayed the council elders' demand.
• A black cat walked toward the pedestrian overpass where Kūkaku Shiba had left her message.

Yoruichi Shihōin learned that her brother Yushiro had died and confronted Kisuke Urahara for keeping the news from her. After fighting to release her grief, she heard Kisuke’s account of the conspiracy and considered his claim that Aizen had manipulated events; the chapter ended with Kisuke telling her to put on clothes.

• Yoruichi Shihōin found Kūkaku Shiba’s message beneath a pedestrian bridge and learned that Yushiro had died.
• Yoruichi Shihōin confronted Kisuke Urahara at the Urahara Shop, demanding to know why he had hidden Yushiro’s death from her.
• Yoruichi Shihōin fought Kisuke Urahara in his underground training ground, then stopped and asked what had happened.
• Kisuke Urahara explained that Tsunayashiro Tokinada had conspired with Kaoru Tendō and Oniyasha, killed Yushiro, and been reported dead after a clash with Captain Kuchiki.
• Kisuke Urahara suggested Aizen had killed Tsukikage Yagyū to conceal his theft of the Tsunayashiro Clan’s treasure and had guided Tokinada into rebellion.
• Yoruichi Shihōin asked what they should do, and Kisuke Urahara told her to put on some clothes.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto assigned Shiraishi, Soi Fon, and Sajin Komamura to investigate a Senkaimon near Koizumi Village and capture one of the former captains or lieutenants who had entered Soul Society. The three set out on the mission, with Soi Fon irritated by Shiraishi’s teasing.

• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told Shiraishi, Soi Fon, and Sajin Komamura that a Senkaimon had opened near Koizumi Village in West Rukongai.
• Yamamoto identified eight former captains and lieutenants who had entered Seireitei and warned that Yoruichi Shihōin might be among them.
• Soi Fon reacted angrily to Yoruichi Shihōin’s name, while Yamamoto ordered the group to capture an intruder alive and eliminate the threat outside Seireitei if possible.
• Shiraishi questioned whether three people could handle the mission, but Yamamoto ordered him to lead Soi Fon and Komamura.
• The three left to carry out the mission, and Shiraishi teased Soi Fon and Komamura until Soi Fon told him to get moving.

Soi Fon, Shiraishi, and Komamura traveled to Koizumi Village in West Rukongai’s District Fifty to investigate the Visored. Soi Fon suspected they were recruiting forces amid Seireitei’s weakness, while Shiraishi wondered whether Aizen was behind their activity.

• Soi Fon and Shiraishi left Seireitei, and Shiraishi decided he would help her reconcile with Yoruichi if they met.
• Komamura joined Soi Fon and Shiraishi as they traveled through Rukongai to Koizumi Village.
• At the village, Shiraishi found no trace of Reiatsu and asked how they should search for the Visored.
• Soi Fon explained that Seireitei’s manpower shortage had left the higher-numbered districts lawless and suggested Urahara’s group might be recruiting there to attack Seireitei.
• Shiraishi doubted that Urahara’s group sought power and suspected Aizen was the real reason they might act.

Soi Fon, Sajin Komamura, and Shiraishi searched Rukongai for information about Urahara and the others, but the residents’ fortified shelters made their investigation difficult. After Soi Fon shared her real name and painful memories of Yoruichi, Komamura learned of a street market in District 58 that might provide a new lead.

• Soi Fon proposed capturing and torturing the elders in the fortresses, but Sajin Komamura and Shiraishi rejected the idea.
• Shiraishi tried to comfort Soi Fon, and she told him her real name was Fon Shaoling and that the Fon Clan required Punishment Force members to use codenames.
• Soi Fon recalled her five older brothers’ deaths, her service under Yoruichi, and how Yoruichi’s disappearance had shattered her devotion.
• Shiraishi touched Soi Fon’s chest, and she blushed and struck him with her elbow.
• Sajin Komamura returned after killing a Hollow and reported that a street market would be held in District 58 the next day.
• Soi Fon suspected a noble’s retainer was behind the market, and the group decided to investigate.

Soi Fon searched a market in District 58 for information about a group recruiting people to attack the Seireitei, but the locals claimed to know little. She captured the fleeing crowd and demanded to know where Shinji Hirako and the others were.

• Soi Fon entered the market and released her Reiatsu, frightening the vendors and confirming she was a captain.
• A burly man attacked Soi Fon, but she shattered his staff, wounded him, and forced him to answer her questions.
• The man said he had heard on the thirteenth that a group led by a former captain was recruiting fighters against the Seireitei, but claimed he did not know their location.
• Soi Fon tortured the man until he fell silent, prompting the other vendors to flee.
• Soi Fon used Shunpo to catch the fleeing crowd, then threatened them and demanded the whereabouts of Shinji Hirako and the others.

Soi Fon, Shiraishi, and Sajin Komamura investigated reports that Shinji Hirako’s Anti-Shinigami Alliance was preparing to attack the Seireitei. They found the alliance massing at Mount Mang, where Shinji ordered his followers to confront the three Shinigami.

• Soi Fon interrogated intruders from the Outer Rukongai while Shiraishi tried a gentler method, then she and Sajin Komamura destroyed the market with his enormous blade.
• Soi Fon told Shiraishi and Komamura that her interrogation pointed to an Anti-Shinigami gathering at Mount Mang in District 70, and the three set out to investigate.
• At Mount Mang, more than ten thousand members of the Anti-Shinigami Alliance gathered under Shinji Hirako, who had delayed an attack because they lacked the strength and supplies.
• After a subordinate raised the food shortage, Shinji told the alliance to move out, and its members poured from the mountain’s caves.
• Shinji met Soi Fon, Shiraishi, and Komamura outside Mount Mang, drew his Zanpakuto, and ordered his followers to attack them.

Daxue left Ying behind to join the Anti-Shinigami Alliance, whose advance was halted by three Shinigami captains. As Sajin Komamura and Soi Fon attacked the army, Shiraishi broke through to confront Shinji Hirako and offered to spare him if he explained why he was there.

• Daxue recalled how he had saved Ying in District 63 and set out despite her pleas when he heard about the Anti-Shinigami Alliance.
• The advancing crowd saw Sajin Komamura, Soi Fon, and Shiraishi waiting ahead, then charged at the three captains.
• Sajin Komamura unleashed Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō and crushed hundreds of fighters with a single strike.
• Soi Fon released Suzumebachi and killed three attackers while asking Shiraishi to capture Shinji Hirako.
• Shiraishi broke through the army and clashed blades with Shinji Hirako, then offered to spare him if he explained why he was there.

Shiraishi fought Shinji Hirako at Mount Mang, where Shinji revealed that the Visored had come to deal with a threat from within Soul Society. After the battle ended, Shiraishi suspected their attack was a diversion and decided to return to the Seireitei to check on Jūshirō Ukitake and Rukia.

• Shiraishi released Infinity and fought Shinji Hirako, who used Hollowfication and wounded Shiraishi with Sakanade’s inverted senses.
• Shinji Hirako stopped fighting and warned Shiraishi that a threat was coming from within Soul Society, then vanished without explaining further.
• Shiraishi left Mount Mang and saw that Sajin Komamura’s attacks had nearly wiped out the enemy forces.
• Shiraishi concluded the Visored’s assault was a diversion and wondered whether Aizen had obtained the Hōgyoku early.
• Shiraishi decided to return to the Seireitei to visit Jūshirō Ukitake and check on Rukia.

Shiraishi told Soi Fon that Shinji Hirako had warned him of a traitor among the Shinigami and reported the possible threat to the Seireitei. Meanwhile, Yoruichi Shihōin entered the noble quarter, mourned her brother Yushiro, and headed for the Tsunayashiro Clan’s books to learn what had been lost.

• Shiraishi confessed that he liked Soi Fon, then explained that Shinji Hirako had escaped because he used his Shikai to flee.
• Soi Fon realized Hirako might have acted as a diversion while others infiltrated the Seireitei and urged Shiraishi to alert Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
• Shiraishi called the Research and Development Institute to report Hirako’s warning about a traitor among the Shinigami.
• Yoruichi Shihōin slipped past Byakuya Kuchiki and entered the noble quarter to reach the Shihoin Clan mourning hall.
• Yoruichi placed a chrysanthemum on Yushiro’s coffin, kissed his forehead, and left for the Tsunayashiro Clan’s collection of books.