Recaps

Yoruichi Shihōin searched the Tsunayashiro Clan's collection in cat form while Nemu Kurotsuchi read the books and looked after her. After Nemu brought Yoruichi to Shiraishi, he tried to pet and inspect the cat, provoking her claws and Nemu's rebuke.

• Yoruichi Shihōin slipped into the Twelfth Division library and let Nemu Kurotsuchi take her in, then read through the Tsunayashiro Clan's books alongside her.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi prepared a boneless fish meal for Yoruichi and took her to the Tenth Division District to bring food to Shiraishi.
• Shiraishi tried to pet Yoruichi, then used Steel Tempest to snatch her up and check her sex.
• Yoruichi clawed at Shiraishi, who tossed her back to Nemu and called her unlikable; Nemu told him to stay away from the cat.

Shiraishi shared lunch with Nemu Kurotsuchi and Rangiku Matsumoto, noticing Nemu’s growing warmth and reflecting on the stability of his life after returning to Seireitei. He planned to visit Jūshirō Ukitake in the Thirteenth Division to check whether Rukia had the Hōgyoku.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi scolded Shiraishi for upsetting her black cat, and he apologized to the cat.
• Rangiku Matsumoto arrived with sake, admired the cat, and teased Nemu about becoming more womanly.
• Shiraishi ate Nemu’s cooking with Rangiku and discussed Shinji Hirako’s past before the group finished lunch.
• Shiraishi told Rangiku that he planned to visit Jūshirō Ukitake and asked her to inform Hitsugaya that he might return late.
• Rangiku asked Nemu to make lamb and drinks-friendly dishes for dinner, but Shiraishi said he had plans and she decided to invite Kyōraku and the others instead.

Shiraishi visited the Thirteenth Division, discovered the Hōgyoku’s faint power within Rukia, and reassured her that Byakuya cared about her. After returning to the Tenth Division, he found Tōshirō asking him to teach him how to achieve Bankai quickly.

• Matsumoto celebrated receiving dried persimmons from Gin by drinking, so Shiraishi left to visit Ukitake and brought apples.
• Rukia fed the koi at Ugendo and worried about Ukitake’s health and her own lack of meaningful duties.
• Shiraishi recognized the Hōgyoku’s power inside Rukia and told her that Byakuya cared deeply about her.
• Shiraishi gave Rukia apples for Ukitake, encouraged her to smile, and returned to the Tenth Division.
• Tōshirō prostrated himself before Shiraishi and asked him to teach him how to train and achieve Bankai quickly.

Tōshirō Hitsugaya asked Shiraishi to help him grow stronger, and Shiraishi pushed him into a life-or-death fight that forced him to awaken bankai. Hitsugaya collapsed after Shiraishi swiftly defeated him, leaving his new power tested but his training unfinished.

• Tōshirō Hitsugaya asked Shiraishi to train him so he could become strong enough to face Captain Aizen, and Shiraishi warned that he would have to risk his life.
• Shiraishi threw Hitsugaya out the office window, and Hitsugaya released Hyōrinmaru and attacked him across the rooftops.
• Hitsugaya wounded Shiraishi’s cheek but was cut and driven into a desperate defense as Shiraishi taunted him to fight back.
• Hitsugaya recalled Momo Hinamori and Aizen, resolved to get stronger, and awakened his bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.
• Shiraishi struck Hitsugaya twice with Steel Tempest, broke his ice wings, and left him bleeding before he collapsed into Shiraishi’s arms.

Shiraishi defeated Tōshirō Hitsugaya during Bankai training and took him to the Fourth Division for treatment. Back at the Tenth Division, Shiraishi reassured the members while Rangiku Matsumoto considered stepping down as lieutenant.

• Shiraishi knocked out Tōshirō Hitsugaya with a full-power Steel Tempest and carried him to the Fourth Division infirmary, where Isane Kotetsu arranged surgery.
• Retsu Unohana confronted Shiraishi over the tea he had brewed, then let him go after asking him to repay her with Snow Mountain Da Hong Pao.
• Shiraishi returned to the Tenth Division and told the gathered members that Hitsugaya had been training his Bankai and would recover after a few days in the hospital.
• Rangiku Matsumoto asked whether Hitsugaya’s method of learning Bankai could help her, but Shiraishi explained that Hitsugaya had already been close to mastering it.
• Rangiku said she might let Hitsugaya take the lieutenant’s position, while Shiraishi praised her work and she decided to get some sleep.

Soi Fon accepted Shiraishi’s invitation to a picnic, and the two spent the evening grilling meat together. As Shiraishi guided her at the grill, Soi Fon became flustered by his closeness and ended the chapter blaming him for making her food too spicy.

• Soi Fon finished her work and accepted Shiraishi’s offer to buy her a meal, choosing a picnic over a restaurant.
• Shiraishi and Soi Fon bought barbecue supplies and went to a mountaintop grove, where they set up a grill.
• Soi Fon removed her Captain’s Haori and helped Shiraishi prepare skewers while he cooked them.
• Shiraishi covered Soi Fon’s hands with his as he taught her to turn the skewers, leaving her distracted by their closeness.
• Soi Fon bit into an overly spicy lamb skewer, then blamed Shiraishi and told him to use less spice on the next batch.

Shiraishi invited Soi Fon to a barbecue, then persuaded her to stay and watch the night view, where he confessed that he wanted to go on a date with her. Soi Fon tried to leave but ended up in his arms, and their intimacy left her tearful and calling him an idiot.

• Soi Fon blamed Shiraishi for the over-seasoned barbecue, then grilled more food under his instructions.
• Shiraishi offered Soi Fon sake and fed her skewers while they ate and talked.
• After dinner, Shiraishi persuaded Soi Fon to stay and enjoy the night view with him.
• Shiraishi told Soi Fon that he liked her and wanted to go on a date, prompting her to try to leave.
• Shiraishi caught Soi Fon and pulled her into his arms, and they became intimate.
• Soi Fon covered her eyes as tears welled up and called Shiraishi an idiot.

Shiraishi and Soi Fon consummated their relationship, and she returned to the Second Division after insisting she would keep training. Later, Byakuya Kuchiki confronted Shiraishi about what he had told Rukia, and Shiraishi joked that he should call him brother-in-law.

• Soi Fon bit Shiraishi during their intimate encounter, then told him to stop and cleaned herself up.
• Soi Fon dressed and returned to the Second Division, telling Shiraishi their relationship did not mean he could take advantage of her whenever he wanted.
• Shiraishi cooled off in a lake, then cleaned up the barbecue area and returned the equipment to the Tenth Division barracks.
• Byakuya Kuchiki asked Shiraishi when they had become good friends and why he had spoken to Rukia.
• Shiraishi joked that he might start calling Byakuya Kuchiki brother-in-law, leaving Byakuya shocked.

Byakuya Kuchiki took Shiraishi’s joke about marrying Rukia seriously and attacked him, but Shunsui Kyōraku stopped the fight. Shiraishi joined Shunsui for drinks, leaving the damaged Tenth Division office to be repaired the next day.

• Byakuya asked Shiraishi when he and Rukia would marry, and Shiraishi admitted he had been joking.
• Angered by the joke, Byakuya cast Sōkatsui and destroyed his office and the courtyard before challenging Shiraishi to draw his sword.
• Shunsui Kyōraku intervened, reminded Byakuya that attacking violated the rules, and Byakuya left after promising to pay for repairs.
• Shiraishi told the awakened squad members that renovation work would begin the next day, then went to drink with Shunsui.
• Shiraishi found Rangiku Matsumoto foaming at the mouth, and Shunsui assured him she would recover after a night's sleep.

Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto discussed whether Shiraishi could be trusted and investigated Aizen’s possible role in recent crimes. Yamamoto assigned Ukitake to investigate and asked Retsu Unohana to look into the matter as well.

• Shunsui Kyōraku got Shiraishi drunk while probing his connection to Shinji Hirako, but Shiraishi refused to answer and passed out.
• Shunsui Kyōraku told Jūshirō Ukitake that Shiraishi was hiding something, and Yamamoto decided to watch him rather than restrain him.
• Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku reported evidence that Aizen may have had time to steal from the Tsunayashiro Clan and may have used illusions behind other events.
• Yamamoto ordered Ukitake to investigate and cautioned against making judgments without proof.
• Retsu Unohana emerged from the shadows and agreed to investigate after warning that Aizen could not be ruled out.

Kūkaku Shiba was ambushed while investigating Isshin Shiba’s fate, and Byakuya Kuchiki found what appeared to be her corpse. Captured and held by the attacker, Kūkaku remained alive as Retsu Unohana began a secret autopsy, leaving Isane Kotetsu outside with Byakuya questioning the procedure.

• Kūkaku Shiba went to a meeting near the noble district, but an unseen attacker slashed her and left an identical corpse for Byakuya Kuchiki to find.
• Kūkaku Shiba woke restrained and blindfolded, and the attacker questioned her about Isshin Shiba and Shinji Hirako’s group.
• Retsu Unohana hurried to examine Kūkaku’s apparent body after Isane Kotetsu reported her death to Byakuya Kuchiki.
• Retsu Unohana sent Byakuya Kuchiki and Isane Kotetsu out of the autopsy room, and Byakuya questioned Isane about the rule-breaking procedure.

After Kūkaku Shiba was found dead, Byakuya Kuchiki and Soi Fon investigated her murder while Retsu Unohana performed an autopsy. They left to question the Gold Seal Unit and planned to wait for Shiraishi to wake up before telling him about the death.

• Isane Kotetsu challenged Byakuya Kuchiki when he insisted on following autopsy rules, and he said he would report the situation to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
• Soi Fon arrived and explained that Shiraishi was unconscious from drinking, while Ōmaeda secured the Gold Seal Unit and began questioning its members.
• Retsu Unohana reported that Kūkaku Shiba had been killed by a single blade slash and confirmed that the body was hers.
• Byakuya Kuchiki proposed another examination, but Soi Fon stopped him and warned that Shiraishi might react badly when he learned of the death.
• Byakuya Kuchiki and Soi Fon went to the noble district to question the Gold Seal Unit about why Kūkaku Shiba had appeared outside it.

After learning that Kūkaku Shiba had been reported murdered, Shiraishi rejected the corpse’s identity and concluded that Aizen had used Kyōka Suigetsu to deceive the Fourth Division. He went to the Fifth Division barracks, determined to confront Aizen and rescue Kūkaku.

• Rangiku Matsumoto told Shiraishi that Kūkaku had been murdered, and he hurried to the General Infirmary.
• Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu insisted the corpse was Kūkaku, but Shiraishi maintained it was a fake.
• Shiraishi called for Sōya Azashiro and, getting no answer, reasoned that Aizen had used Kyōka Suigetsu to fool Retsu Unohana.
• Shiraishi decided Kūkaku was alive and that he would rescue her, then headed in secret to the Fifth Division barracks.
• Shiraishi sensed Aizen’s unusually powerful Reiatsu and approached the captain’s office.

Shiraishi searched Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen’s rooms and offices for Kūkaku Shiba but found no trace of her, then decided she was probably being held in Hueco Mundo. As Shiraishi left to investigate, Aizen revealed he had noticed the surveillance and was aware that Shunsui Kyōraku suspected him.

• Shiraishi searched Aizen’s, Gin Ichimaru’s, and Kaname Tōsen’s bedrooms, finding no hidden compartments or sign of Kūkaku Shiba.
• Shiraishi watched the three captains at work and considered using Rangiku Matsumoto to pressure Gin, but decided the risk was too great.
• After observing the captains through the night and the following day, Shiraishi concluded Kūkaku had likely been taken to Hueco Mundo and left to investigate.
• Aizen noticed that the unseen gaze watching him had vanished and told Momo Hinamori he would cook noodles for her.
• Aizen reflected that Shunsui Kyōraku’s suspicions had grown and welcomed having more opponents on the board.

Retsu Unohana followed Shiraishi out of the Seireitei and watched him enter a Garganta to Hueco Mundo, where he hunted Hollows to gain strength before seeking Kūkaku. After reaching level thirteen, Shiraishi was cornered by two Vasto Lorde.

• Retsu Unohana followed Shiraishi from the Hakutōmon and saw him enter a Garganta after a fleeing Hollow.
• Shiraishi arrived in the Forest of Menos and decided to level up before going to Las Noches to look for Kūkaku.
• Shiraishi killed Gillians, then activated Bankai and hunted Adjuchas across the sea of white sand.
• Shiraishi gained a level, raised Steel Tempest to level four, and checked his status panel.
• Two Vasto Lorde appeared and trapped Shiraishi between them.

Nelliel and Tier Harribel recruited Shiraishi, who introduced himself as Ainz Ooal Gown, to join the Hollows gathered at Las Noches. Tier Harribel led him to the Adjuchas, unaware that he intended to kill them and gain experience.

• Nelliel confronted Shiraishi, and after their fight she and Tier Harribel asked him to join their preparations for a war against the Shinigami.
• Shiraishi gave the name Ainz Ooal Gown and agreed to go to Las Noches with Tier Harribel while Nelliel continued searching for Hollows.
• Tier Harribel brought Shiraishi through Las Noches, and he insisted on seeing the gathered Adjuchas.
• Tier Harribel pointed out the Tres Espada's palace where the Adjuchas were gathered, and Shiraishi used Steel Tempest to rush forward.

Shiraishi attacked Harribel’s followers and annihilated the Adjuchas gathered outside Nelliel’s palace, gaining levels but less experience than he expected. Harribel released Tiburón and prepared to fight him as he landed before her.

• Pesche and Dondochakka struggled to manage the quarrelsome Adjuchas gathered outside the Third Espada’s palace.
• Shiraishi intercepted Apache, Sun-Sun, and Rose, kicking them aside before reaching the palace gate.
• Shiraishi blasted more than a thousand Adjuchas with a Cero and rose to level sixteen, then realized their experience yield had fallen sharply.
• Harribel ordered Apache, Sun-Sun, and Rose to retreat, then released her Resurrección, Tiburón.
• Shiraishi landed in the sand as Harribel swung Tiburón down toward him.

Shiraishi defeated Harribel, claimed the Cuarta Espada position, and forced her to become his Fracción by threatening the three women she protected. He took her to the Cuarta Espada's palace and ordered her to find prisoners, while her companions were left under his control.

• Shiraishi repelled Harribel's attack and provoked her before unleashing his Reiatsu and nearly killing her.
• Coyote Starrk intervened to stop the fight, declared Shiraishi the new Cuarta Espada, and accepted Harribel's demotion to a three-digit Arrancar.
• Shiraishi demanded that Harribel become his Fracción and threatened the three women until she agreed.
• At the Cuarta Espada's palace, Shiraishi struck Harribel and ordered her to ask Ulquiorra whether there were prisoners.
• Shiraishi told Apache and the other women that he would torture Harribel if they disobeyed him, leaving them unable to resist.

Shiraishi searched Las Noches for Kūkaku, but learned she was not in Hueco Mundo. He decided to seek out Nelliel to help him return to Soul Society.

• Shiraishi stopped bullying Sun-Sun, Rose, and Apache when Tier Harribel arrived and said Ulquiorra had taken a prisoner.
• Shiraishi went with Tier Harribel to Ulquiorra's palace, found Zommari Rureaux in a cell, and asked where Szayelaporro was.
• When Tier Harribel guessed that Shiraishi had come to rescue someone, he threw her outside and ordered her to lead him to Szayelaporro.
• Shiraishi forced Szayelaporro to show him his laboratory and watched footage confirming that no one had visited it recently.
• Shiraishi realized Kūkaku was still in Soul Society and decided to find Nelliel rather than trust Tier Harribel to open a Garganta.

Shiraishi tried to convince Retsu Unohana that Aizen was dangerous, but admitted he had no evidence and proposed confronting Aizen directly to expose his hidden strength. Unohana warned him of the risks, while Kūkaku Shiba remained handcuffed as the group prepared to act.

• Retsu Unohana questioned Shiraishi’s trust in Shinji Hirako and the others, and Shiraishi claimed Sōya Azashiro had been watching Aizen and knew the truth about the Hollowfication Experiment.
• Shiraishi told Unohana that Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu caused Complete Hypnosis, but admitted he had no evidence that Aizen was a bad person.
• Retsu Unohana and Kūkaku Shiba traded jealous barbs over their relationships with Shiraishi, and Unohana stopped him from removing Kūkaku’s handcuffs.
• Shiraishi proposed fighting Aizen to reveal his hidden strength, while Unohana offered to watch and intervene if necessary.
• Retsu Unohana accepted that Shiraishi would act on his own terms and planned to protect him and Kūkaku from the consequences where she could.

Shiraishi reunited with Nelliel in Hueco Mundo and asked her to send him back to Seireitei. After arriving outside Hakutōmon, he revealed himself to the Research and Development Institute and struck at the gate, leaving his next move unclear.

• Nelliel found Shiraishi in Hueco Mundo and greeted him joyfully, then shared her food with him.
• Shiraishi told Nelliel he had killed the red-haired Hollow Ainz, and she accepted his explanation without question.
• Shiraishi asked Nelliel to open a Garganta to Seireitei, and she sent him to a spot outside Hakutōmon.
• The Research and Development Institute detected the Garganta and raised its highest alert, but Mayuri recognized Shiraishi on the monitor.
• Shiraishi released Infinity, changed into modern clothes, and brought his blade down toward Hakutōmon.

Shiraishi broke into the Seireitei and told Retsu Unohana that he had turned against it to rescue Kūkaku and warn of Sōsuke Aizen’s planned attack. Unohana led him to the Underground Relief Prison, where he found Kūkaku imprisoned by Unohana herself, who suspected the two of them had conspired with Kisuke Urahara and the others.

• Shiraishi shattered the Hakutōmon, entered the Seireitei, and triggered an alert declaring him a traitor.
• Kenpachi Zaraki learned that Shiraishi had broken in and ran through the Seireitei hoping to find and fight him.
• Shiraishi met Retsu Unohana in her office and claimed he had turned against the Seireitei to rescue Kūkaku and expose Sōsuke Aizen’s plans for an Espada attack.
• Retsu Unohana took Shiraishi to the Underground Relief Prison, where he found Kūkaku alive and chained in a cell.
• Kūkaku told Shiraishi that Retsu Unohana had imprisoned her because she suspected them of conspiring with Kisuke Urahara and the others.

Shiraishi tried to persuade Retsu Unohana that Aizen was dangerous, but he had no proof and could not convince her. He proposed challenging Aizen directly to expose his hidden strength, while Unohana agreed to let him proceed under her watch.

• Retsu Unohana noticed Shiraishi's lie and questioned his claimed connection to Shinji Hirako and the others.
• Shiraishi blamed Sōya Azashiro for knowing about Aizen's Hollowfication Experiments and explained that Kyōka Suigetsu used Complete Hypnosis.
• Retsu Unohana pointed out that Shiraishi had no proof against Aizen and that Captain-Commander Yamamoto would be difficult to convince.
• Kūkaku Shiba confronted Shiraishi and Unohana over their intimacy, then demanded that Shiraishi remove her handcuffs.
• Retsu Unohana refused to free Kūkaku, and Shiraishi proposed fighting Aizen to reveal that he was hiding his strength.
• Retsu Unohana let Shiraishi pursue his plan and said she would watch and help him within the rules.

Shiraishi returned to find Nemu Kurotsuchi waiting with dinner and learned that several people had left messages for him, including a threat from Soi Fon over his unauthorized departure. Meanwhile, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto secured the Central 46 Chambers’ agreement to pursue a temporary alliance with Kisuke Urahara’s group and ordered Soi Fon to investigate possible accomplices of Aizen in the Seireitei.

• Shiraishi came home, and Nemu Kurotsuchi served him dinner while telling him that Kūkaku, Rangiku, and Isane had left messages.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi relayed Soi Fon’s warning that Shiraishi should prepare for punishment for leaving the Seireitei without notice.
• The Central 46 Chambers argued over whether Kisuke Urahara and his allies could be trusted and whether Aizen might have accomplices in the Seireitei.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto persuaded the Central 46 Chambers to accept a temporary alliance with Kisuke Urahara’s group.
• Soi Fon agreed to investigate Aizen’s possible accomplices, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto left to prepare for an all-out war.

Shiraishi attacked Aizen over his crimes and fought him across Seireitei. Shiraishi cut Aizen into four pieces, and Retsu Unohana arrived as Shiraishi warned her to retreat.

• Shiraishi surprised Aizen in the Fifth Division and escaped with him to a district slated for demolition.
• Shiraishi accused Aizen of Hollowfying Hirako and the others, framing Kisuke Urahara, and recruiting the Espada to wage war on the Shinigami.
• Aizen and Shiraishi clashed with their swords and Reiatsu as Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi sensed the fight nearby.
• Aizen cast Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi, but Shiraishi swept it aside with a golden tornado and evaded Aizen's follow-up attack.
• Shiraishi baited Aizen into the air and struck him three times with Last Breath, severing his body into four pieces.
• Retsu Unohana arrived, and Shiraishi gravely warned her to get back.