Recaps

Grimmjow led a hundred thousand Arrancar into the Dark Forest to annihilate the Shinigami, while Retsu Unohana’s side prepared for the attack using information from Gin Ichimaru. Grimmjow struck Unohana down and ordered the Arrancar to bombard everyone they sensed, leaving him disappointed by how quickly their targets’ Reiatsu faded.

• Grimmjow agreed to take Di Roy on the operation after Shawlong urged him to bring him along.
• Grimmjow ordered the Arrancar to enter Resurrección, open Gargantas, and attack every Reiatsu they detected in the Dark Forest.
• Retsu Unohana awaited the invasion after Mayuri Kurotsuchi deduced its timing from Gin Ichimaru’s remarks and informed Kisuke Urahara.
• Grimmjow emerged from the Garganta and pierced Retsu Unohana through the chest with a Sonído strike.
• The Arrancar unleashed Ceros across the Dark Forest, and Grimmjow grew bored as the Reiatsu around him rapidly vanished.

Grimmjow returned from wiping out the Shinigami, but his doubts about Retsu Unohana lingered until Gin Ichimaru’s strength convinced him she had been weaker. Aizen questioned whether the Shinigami were truly dead and warned Gin that the Pantheon was dangerous, while Gin suspected Shiraishi’s infiltration signaled an approaching all-out attack.

• Grimmjow led the Arrancars through the ruined Dark Forest, dismissed Shawlong’s suggestion to attack the nearby Quincies, and returned to the Pantheon.
• Grimmjow attacked Gin Ichimaru and asked whether he or Retsu Unohana was stronger; Gin claimed he probably was, and Grimmjow set aside his doubts about Unohana.
• Gin Ichimaru inferred that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had contacted Kisuke Urahara and recognized Shiraishi as the person who had been in the library.
• Gin Ichimaru told Aizen that the Shinigami might have survived the Arrancars’ attack and suggested they had faked their deaths to hide and prepare a counterattack.
• Aizen cautioned Gin Ichimaru that the Pantheon was not safe, and Gin suspected Shiraishi’s infiltration meant an all-out attack was near.

Shiraishi learned that the attack on the Shinigami was faked and that the planned all-out attack would take place on August tenth. Back in his room, he checked the imprisoned Arrancar's messages and supplied Emilou with bathwater, prompting her to accuse him of peeking.

• Shiraishi received a one-way message confirming that the attack was a deception and that the all-out attack was scheduled for August tenth.
• Shiraishi returned to his room and checked the messages Sun-Sun and the others had exchanged with Tier Harribel.
• Emilou demanded a bath, so Shiraishi brought her water and washing supplies inside the barrier.
• After Emilou handed him the empty bucket, she accused Shiraishi of watching her bathe, and he insisted he had only sensed her movements.

At the beginning-of-the-month reports, Aizen revealed that he had created Jehovah, a powerful being combining human, Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy bloodlines. He ordered Jehovah to lead a million Arrancar into the lower world and destroy all living beings, while the Espada and three-digit Arrancar prepared for a Shinigami attack.

• Harribel welcomed Emilou, Sun-Sun, and Rose back from the lower world, and Emilou hid her distress under Shiraishi's watchful Reiatsu.
• Harribel attended Aizen's reports, where Szayelaporro, Nelliel, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi described their work.
• Harribel reported that the sealed place was secure and discussed the Great Spirit Book Library and its staffing.
• Aizen introduced Jehovah as his strongest creation, capable of changing form and imitating others.
• Aizen ordered Jehovah to lead a million Arrancar into the lower world to annihilate every living being, while the Espada and three-digit Arrancar guarded their palaces for a possible Shinigami attack.

Aizen named Jehovah the Zeroth Espada and ordered her to lead a million Arrancar to the lower realm after she killed Luppi to prove her strength. Mayuri secretly arranged to warn Kisuke Urahara through Nemu and Shiraishi, while Szayelaporro watched for signs of betrayal.

• Luppi challenged Aizen’s choice to put Jehovah in command, and Aizen told Jehovah to prove her strength.
• Jehovah killed Luppi with a single unexpected strike, and Aizen named her the Zeroth Espada and gave her command of the Arrancar army.
• Aizen ordered the Espada to prepare for the invasion and used a pointed glance at Mayuri to keep him under pressure.
• Mayuri decided to warn Kisuke Urahara but avoided sending a message directly from the Scientific Research Palace to evade Szayelaporro’s surveillance.
• Mayuri instructed Nemu to borrow one of Szayelaporro’s books and deliver a hidden transmitter to Shiraishi, who would send data to Kisuke Urahara away from the Great Spirit Book Library.
• Nemu agreed to contact Shiraishi discreetly and set aside her excitement at seeing him again.

Nemu Kurotsuchi secretly delivered a communication device to Shiraishi at the Great Spirit Book Library while Nelliel followed and watched. Shiraishi learned he had to transmit the device’s information to Kisuke Urahara, and Nemu reminded him to keep an old promise after the war.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi changed into a Gothic-style dress, hid a recording and communication device against her chest, and headed for the Great Spirit Book Library.
• Tier Harribel sent Nelliel to follow Nemu, and Nelliel resolved to arrest her if she found evidence of an accomplice.
• Nelliel discovered Nemu was meeting Shiraishi and hesitated to confront him because he had treated her kindly.
• Nemu asked Shiraishi for A Broad Treatise on Reishi, then pressed against his shoulder so he could secretly take the device from her dress.
• After Nemu left with the book, Shiraishi read her note directing him to transmit the device’s information to Kisuke Urahara and reminding him of his promise.

Kisuke Urahara learned that Aizen had sent Jehovah and a million Arrancar to the lower realm, forcing the group to revise its plans. He proposed protecting the Steel Shell Cities while launching a decisive assault on the Pantheon, where Aizen's forces were weakened.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi secretly told Kisuke Urahara that Jehovah and a million Arrancar had arrived in the lower realm.
• Kisuke Urahara explained that Aizen had created Jehovah as a replacement for the Soul King and planned to wipe out the living to draw their group out.
• Ichibē Hyōsube argued that they lacked the forces to protect the Steel Shell Cities, while Ichigo Kurosaki refused to abandon the people living there.
• Kisuke Urahara revealed that he could bring the Steel Shell Cities together and use squad members and captain-level fighters to defend them.
• Kisuke Urahara proposed attacking the undefended Pantheon and using his motorcycle's locator to bring Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Ōetsu through a Garganta.
• Kisuke Urahara credited Shiraishi's influence on Tier Harribel with making Aizen believe the captains were still sealed, and urged the group to see the battle through.

Jehovah led nearly a million Arrancar through a Garganta to attack Silbern, while Yhwach ordered the Wandenreich to launch its own assault. The invasion began with Jehovah destroying the western gate and killing more than a hundred thousand people, as she commanded the Arrancar to leave no one alive.

• Jehovah addressed the million Arrancar at Triumph Plaza and ordered them to wage a holy war against the Old Land and the rebels.
• Szayelaporro reported that he had located the Steel Shell Cities and Silbern but had not found the Shinigami, and Jehovah broadcast a declaration of war across the Old Land.
• Sora Inoue heard Jehovah’s proclamation in Zuellni and worried about Orihime, while Kisuke Urahara ordered Shutara to prepare the Steel Shell Cities for Spatial Transfer.
• Yhwach saw the Garganta open outside the Seireiheki and ordered Haschwalth to send the Sternritter and soldiers out of Silbern to attack.
• Jehovah led 990,000 Arrancar out of the Garganta, obliterated more than a hundred thousand people with a Cero, broke open Silbern’s western gate, and ordered the Arrancar to kill everyone inside.

As Arrancar forces advanced on Silbern, Uryū Ishida gathered Bambietta, Candice, and Liltotto and proposed a flank attack that would keep him away from the main fighting. The group set out toward the enemy’s rear while Uryū planned to escape if the Wandenreich began to lose.

• Uryū Ishida left his training when the Arrancar attacked and agreed to go with Bambietta after she clung to him.
• Uryū Ishida hurried to find Candice, unwilling to see her risk her life fighting for Yhwach.
• Candice and Liltotto joined Uryū Ishida and Bambietta, while Giselle teased Candice about caring for Uryū.
• Uryū Ishida proposed circling around the Arrancar flank to target their commander, though he intended to avoid the battle and keep an escape route open.
• Liltotto warned that Gremmy could make the entire area inside the Seireiheki dangerous, but Candice and Bambietta doubted her.
• Uryū Ishida urged the group to leave quickly, and they headed away from the main battlefield.

Szayelaporro found the Steel Shell City and discovered that the supposedly sealed captains had returned, triggering an alarm as Shiraishi’s invasion began. Shiraishi exposed himself to Tier Harribel, used her access to open the Garganta defenses selectively, and sent Byakuya Kuchiki and Tōshirō Hitsugaya to confront Espada before preparing to face Aizen with Yamamoto and Ōetsu Nimaiya.

• Szayelaporro located the Steel Shell City, recognized the returned captains in the surveillance footage, and sounded the intruder alarm.
• Shiraishi’s group used the spatial stakes to enter the Pantheon, and Kisuke Urahara ordered the others to move.
• Shiraishi returned to Tier Harribel’s office, revealed his identity, and knocked her unconscious with a sneak attack.
• Shiraishi used Tier Harribel’s fingerprint and Emilou’s instructions to selectively deactivate the Garganta defenses.
• Shiraishi assigned Byakuya Kuchiki to fight Zommari Rureaux and Tōshirō Hitsugaya to fight Loly, then summoned the two men through a spatial opening.

Yamamoto, Shiraishi, Ōetsu, Urahara, and Ichibē confronted Aizen, whose Reiatsu proved stronger than they had anticipated. Aizen gave them time before the battle began, while Shiraishi sensed that Unohana was heading toward Baraggan and worried about the matchup.

• Yamamoto, Shiraishi, and Ōetsu reached the Hall of the Divine Court after Ōetsu finished sealing his location.
• Yamamoto burned through the doors and confronted Aizen and Gin Ichimaru in the great hall.
• Urahara and Ichibē arrived, and Aizen revealed that Shiraishi's Reiatsu remained impossible for him to sense.
• Aizen released enough Reiatsu to make the group realize his strength exceeded their estimates, then withdrew it and offered them time to prepare.
• Yamamoto secretly prepared a new move while Urahara and Ichibē considered their options.
• Shiraishi sensed Unohana heading toward Baraggan and worried that she lacked a suitable counter to the Second Espada.

Shūhei Hisagi rushed toward the Fourth Espada’s palace after the alarm sounded, but No. 107, Gantenbainne Mosqueda, confronted him and was killed in their fight. Cirucci Sanderwicci then appeared to stop Hisagi, who distracted her by pointing out her short skirt.

• Shūhei Hisagi heard the alarm, suspected Captain-Commander Yamamoto was fighting at the Fourth Espada’s palace, and ran there alone.
• Gantenbainne Mosqueda ambushed Hisagi and declared that he had been ordered to eliminate him for supporting the Shinigami.
• Gantenbainne released Dragra and attacked with the Dragon Filial Piety Fist, but Hisagi survived and cut off his head with Kazeshini.
• Cirucci Sanderwicci attacked Hisagi with a returning circular blade and said rebels deserved death.
• Hisagi told Cirucci not to stand so high up while wearing a short skirt, making her furious.

Orihime Inoue questioned Ulquiorra about his loyalty to Aizen as Ichigo Kurosaki arrived to rescue her. Ichigo challenged Ulquiorra, but Ulquiorra overwhelmed him and left the fight unresolved.

• Orihime Inoue asked Ulquiorra why he served Aizen, and Dordoni explained the Espada's devotion to the view Aizen offered them.
• Dordoni left to intercept Ichigo Kurosaki, while Ulquiorra told Orihime that Aizen gave Hollows meaning by letting them fight and die for him.
• Orihime sensed Ichigo's arrival and ran downstairs as Ulquiorra vanished from the room.
• Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Dordoni and challenged Ulquiorra, saying he had come to take Orihime back.
• Ichigo used a Hollow mask and attacked with Getsuga Tenshō, but Ulquiorra's Black Cero overwhelmed it and forced him outside.
• Ulquiorra slammed Ichigo through buildings and declared the difference in their strength, but Ichigo got up and insisted they continue.

Ulquiorra overwhelmed Ichigo Kurosaki and destroyed his heart with a Black Cero. Orihime Inoue tried to heal him but could not reject the fatal wound, leaving Ichigo dying in front of her.

• Ulquiorra pierced Ichigo Kurosaki's bone mask with Lanza del Relámpago and battered him through the ruined buildings.
• Ichigo Kurosaki kept fighting and refused Ulquiorra's offer to spare his life.
• Ulquiorra restrained Ichigo Kurosaki with his tail and announced that he would die there.
• Orihime Inoue saw Ulquiorra charge a Black Cero and screamed for him to stop.
• Ulquiorra blasted a hole through Ichigo Kurosaki's chest and threw him down in front of Orihime Inoue.
• Orihime Inoue used Sōten Kisshun but could not heal Ichigo Kurosaki's wound.

Aizen dismissed Ichigo Kurosaki as dead, but Ichigo transformed into a bull-headed Hollow and overwhelmed Ulquiorra. He left Ulquiorra badly outmatched and killed Szayelaporro, while Mayuri and Nemu tried to uncover what had happened.

• Aizen sensed Ichigo Kurosaki's Reiatsu disappear and taunted Kisuke Urahara, while Shiraishi warned him not to underestimate Ichigo.
• Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Retsu Unohana, Kisuke Urahara, and Shiraishi launched a surprise attack on Aizen when he looked northwest.
• Ichigo rose in a bull-headed Hollow form, retrieved Tensa Zangetsu, and fired a Cero that overwhelmed Ulquiorra's Black Cero.
• Ichigo crushed Ulquiorra's Lanza del Relámpago and severed his arm, but Ulquiorra regenerated and revealed his Segunda Etapa.
• Ichigo used Sonído to seize Ulquiorra and smash through buildings into Szayelaporro's palace, where he cut off Szayelaporro's head.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi wondered who Ichigo was, then ordered Nemu to dig through the rubble.

Mayuri used the Superhuman Drug to trap Szayelaporro in a painfully slowed perception after his latest revival. Aizen revealed a barrier that separated him from the battlefield, then helped Ulquiorra regain the advantage against Ichigo, who recovered and charged again.

• Szayelaporro revived through Gabriel and returned to his laboratory, where Mayuri's trap left him unable to move.
• Mayuri explained that he had injected the Superhuman Drug into Szayelaporro's Gabriel backups, then stabbed him and left him to experience centuries in moments.
• Aizen's barrier stopped attacks from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and the others, and Shiraishi confirmed that Aizen was in a separate world.
• Aizen struck bull-headed Ichigo with lightning, severing a horn and disrupting his Cero as Ulquiorra wounded him with Lanza del Relámpago.
• Ichigo regenerated, regained consciousness, and charged Ulquiorra again, forcing the exhausted Arrancar to meet him with another Lanza del Relámpago.

Ichibē Hyōsube used Shirafude Ichimonji to empower Ōetsu Nimaiya, who shattered Aizen’s shield at the cost of his life. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Shiraishi attacked Aizen as Kisuke Urahara finished reshaping the ground.

• Gin Ichimaru stayed out of the fight while Aizen taunted Shiraishi, Kisuke Urahara, and the others.
• Ichibē Hyōsube used Shirafude Ichimonji to name Ōetsu Nimaiya the Sword God and greatly increase his power.
• Ōetsu Nimaiya cut through Aizen’s shield with Sayafushi, but Aizen’s wind blades sliced him apart, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto vaporized his remains.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto struck Aizen with Rising Sun Blade, but Aizen caught the blade and began tearing at Zanjitsu Gokui.
• Shiraishi attacked Aizen from behind with Steel Tempest as Aizen’s white flames formed a lion, and Kisuke Urahara finished reshaping the ground.

Aizen froze the battlefield with his new Shindō, but Shiraishi held him off so Kisuke Urahara could evacuate Ichibē Hyōsube and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. As Shiraishi and Aizen began clashing in earnest, Orihime Inoue tried to thaw the two captains while Kisuke went to find Ichigo.

• Kisuke Urahara altered the ground beneath Aizen, but Aizen escaped the trap and used Shindō to freeze the Hall of the Divine Court and the surrounding area.
• Shiraishi and Kisuke Urahara broke free of the ice, and Shiraishi changed into Blood Moon and told Kisuke to take Ichibē Hyōsube and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto away.
• Kisuke Urahara escaped with the two frozen men while Shiraishi struck at Aizen, who regenerated his arm and challenged Shiraishi to a sword fight.
• Shiraishi and Aizen’s Reiatsu clash sent a powerful shock wave through the Pantheon, forcing Orihime Inoue to shield herself from the wind and debris.
• Kisuke Urahara brought Ichibē Hyōsube and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to Orihime Inoue, then left to find Ichigo while she used Sōten Kisshun to try to thaw them.

Retsu Unohana fought Baraggan after he released Arrogante, then found a way through his aging ability and struck a devastating blow. She survived his death mist by sacrificing parts of her body and asked whether he was still alive.

• Baraggan released Arrogante and spread a mist that decayed everything it touched, while Retsu Unohana dodged its attacks.
• Retsu Unohana tested Baraggan's aging ability with a slash and Kidō, then layered Reiatsu through her blood blade to slow its decay.
• Retsu Unohana provoked Baraggan into approaching and cut through his ribs when he tried to strike her with Gran Caida.
• Baraggan severed Retsu Unohana's blood blade and overwhelmed it with death mist, so she attacked with Hakuda instead.
• Retsu Unohana shattered Baraggan's crown and skull with a spear-hand, then cut away her arm and part of her chest to escape the death aura before asking if he still lived.

Baraggan died after launching a final attack at Aizen, and Shiraishi continued their battle, revealing a new form that could manipulate Gin Ichimaru into striking Aizen. The chapter ended with Gin withdrawing Kamishini no Yari after leaving a piece of its blade inside Aizen’s heart.

• Baraggan recalled how Aizen had taken his throne, then unleashed his dying power in an attack that Aizen shattered with his Reiatsu.
• Shiraishi fought Aizen at the Hall of the Divine Court, resisted Kyōka Suigetsu through his heightened spiritual senses, and decided to use his full strength rather than wait for reinforcements.
• Shiraishi changed into PROJECT and used its hypnotic ability to make Gin Ichimaru appear before Aizen and stab him through the heart.
• Gin realized he had truly stabbed Aizen and withdrew Kamishini no Yari, leaving a piece of the blade inside Aizen’s heart.

Shiraishi and Gin Ichimaru killed Aizen with a surprise attack, though Shiraishi worried Aizen might return from Hell. Shiraishi then brought Retsu Unohana to heal Nelliel and was reminded that the surviving Arrancar army still needed attention.

• Shiraishi used the PROJECT skin’s hypnosis to help Gin Ichimaru land a poisoned Bankai strike on Aizen, then burned Aizen’s body and soul until his reiatsu vanished.
• Gin Ichimaru confirmed Aizen was dead, while Shiraishi worried that Aizen might return from Hell and left that question to Kisuke Urahara and the others.
• Shiraishi found Retsu Unohana and took her to a ruined hall where Nelliel lay gravely wounded beside Pesche and Dondochakka.
• Pesche and Dondochakka begged Retsu Unohana to save Nelliel, and she began treating her with Kaidō.
• Retsu Unohana told Shiraishi to handle the million Arrancar below so the Quincy would neither kill nor recruit them.

Shiraishi told Harribel that Aizen was dead and persuaded her to help end the war by leading the Arrancar into surrender. Harribel stopped the fighting at Steel Shell City, and Shiraishi and the others headed for Silbern to seek a peaceful settlement.

• Shiraishi woke Harribel, told her he had killed Aizen, and urged her to work with him to secure peace and prosperity for Hueco Mundo.
• Shiraishi proposed to Harribel while asking her to help the Arrancar surrender, and Harribel confused the request with a marriage proposal before agreeing.
• Harribel summoned Emilou, Rose, and Sun-Sun, then opened a Garganta to Steel Shell City with Shiraishi.
• Soi Fon and Sajin Komamura fought off Arrancar at Steel Shell City until Harribel arrived with Emilou, Rose, and Sun-Sun.
• Harribel ordered the Arrancar and Shinigami to stop fighting, concealed Aizen's death, and left with Shiraishi for Silbern to seek a peaceful resolution.

Yhwach absorbed Jehovah and stopped the fighting after Shiraishi confronted him, then ordered the Sternritter to cease pursuit. At the Ice Palace, Yhwach announced he would enter a deep sleep and entrusted the Wandenreich to Haschwalth and Uryū Ishida, while Uryū began considering how to kill him.

• Shiraishi suppressed the Quincy and Arrancar armies and asked Yhwach to end the battle, and Yhwach ordered the Sternritter to stop pursuing the Arrancar.
• Tier Harribel told the Arrancar to withdraw, and both armies began leaving the battlefield as Bambietta and Uryū Ishida dealt with the unconscious Candice.
• Haschwalth took Uryū Ishida to Yhwach, where he reported 2,391 Quincy deaths, 985 injuries, and six fallen Sternritter.
• Yhwach said the war had strengthened him and that Kisuke Urahara's Reiatsu controller was close to failing, then announced he would enter a deep sleep and leave affairs to Haschwalth and Uryū Ishida.
• Uryū Ishida considered killing Yhwach while he slept, but Yhwach ordered Lille, Pernida, and Gerard to guard him before falling asleep.

After the war, Shiraishi rested before joining Kūkaku Shiba for the Shinigami Festival, where they celebrated the peaceful city and its plans to honor the Shinigami. Their date ended with Kūkaku pulling Shiraishi into a grove before the fireworks began.

• Shiraishi woke when Kūkaku Shiba came to his room, and she invited him to the fireworks festival while giving him a yukata.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba headed downtown together, where she explained that the city was holding the Shinigami Festival to honor those who had protected the world.
• Kūkaku Shiba told Shiraishi that the new calendar would be named after him, and the two joined the crowded festival to eat and play games.
• Shiraishi spotted Ichigo Kurosaki singing at a stall, and Kūkaku Shiba begged him not to approach Ichigo and his sisters.
• Ichigo Kurosaki sensed Kūkaku's Reiatsu but left with Karin and Yuzu to enjoy the festival, while Kūkaku pulled Shiraishi into a grove before the fireworks started.

After the Shinigami Festival, Shiraishi and Kūkaku disappeared together, leaving the leaders unable to get his input on a new calendar honoring him. Sora Inoue was weighing plans for the Human Alliance Nation when he learned Shiraishi had returned to Zuellni.

• Shiraishi took Kūkaku to the woods to watch the fireworks, and the two spent the night together.
• Ichigo Kurosaki brought Yuzu and Karin home, where Isshin guessed Kūkaku had gone on a date with Shiraishi.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku disappeared in early August and had not returned by August fifteenth.
• Sora Inoue struggled to name the new calendar and organize plans for the Human Alliance Nation while Steel Shell City repairs neared completion.
• A messenger told Sora Inoue that Shiraishi had returned to Zuellni.