Recaps

Shiraishi released Gin Ichimaru from confinement and assigned him to the 11th Division, where Kenpachi Zaraki immediately challenged him to a fight. Later, Shiraishi asked Soi Fon to secretly investigate who was teaching civil servants to be corrupt.

• Shiraishi freed Gin Ichimaru and assigned him to the 11th Division to help oversee its discipline.
• Kenpachi Zaraki woke and attacked, and Shiraishi blocked his strike before leaving Gin Ichimaru with him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki and Gin Ichimaru began fighting as their Reiatsu collided.
• Shiraishi visited Soi Fon and asked her to investigate suspected efforts to teach civil servants corruption in secret.
• Soi Fon agreed to arrange a discreet investigation and decided to have Ōmaeda handle it.

Soi Fon assigned Marechiyo Ōmaeda to infiltrate the former nobles and investigate the person pulling the strings, while Sōya Azashiro discovered Negación Threads spreading through Hueco Mundo. At Ulquiorra’s palace, Sōya agreed to help Loly and Szayelaporro get into the Research and Development Institute.

• Soi Fon ordered Marechiyo Ōmaeda to ingratiate himself with corrupt nobles and trace their hidden leader.
• Sōya Azashiro detected Negación Threads entering his body and followed them to make contact with whoever was behind them.
• Loly asked Ulquiorra to help her and Szayelaporro invade the Research and Development Institute, but Ulquiorra refused.
• Sōya Azashiro appeared at Ulquiorra’s palace and agreed to help Loly and Szayelaporro enter the institute.

Pesche followed a mysterious invitation to 11-2, Seventh District, where Di Roy attacked him after a dispute in an online game. Pesche accidentally killed Di Roy and fled when Shawlong Koufang arrived to arrest him, leaving Shawlong to take the body to Grimmjow's palace.

• Pesche, jealous of Dondochakka's relationship with Sun-Sun, found a note inviting its recipient to 11-2, Seventh District and dressed up to meet the supposed woman.
• Di Roy tracked the player who had repeatedly killed and taunted him in a game to the same address.
• Di Roy kicked in Pesche's door and attacked him, and Pesche deflected his Cero before fatally cutting him down.
• Pesche panicked over Di Roy's death and told Shawlong Koufang that Di Roy had attacked him and run into his sword.
• Shawlong said he would take Pesche to Grimmjow, but Pesche escaped with Sonído.
• Shawlong did not pursue Pesche and carried Di Roy's body toward the Sixth Espada's palace.

After Di Roy died in a fight with Pesche, Grimmjow tried to kill Pesche, but Nelliel stopped him and learned that Pesche had acted in self-defense. Grimmjow then chose to wage war on Nelliel, leaving Shawlong to prepare their group for battle.

• Shawlong told Grimmjow that Pesche had killed Di Roy, and Grimmjow destroyed Di Roy's corpse before setting out to kill Pesche.
• Nelliel stopped Grimmjow from stabbing Pesche and fought him until Pesche explained that Di Roy had attacked him first.
• Shawlong suspected that someone had manipulated events to provoke a conflict between the Espada, while Grimmjow agreed to set aside the immediate confrontation.
• Nelliel argued that love and peace could guide the future of Hollows, and Grimmjow laughed before returning to his palace.
• Grimmjow ordered Shawlong to ready Edrad, Nakeem, Yylfordt, and the others for war against Nelliel, saying he would rather die than stop growing stronger.

Sōya Azashiro stirred Grimmjow into conflict with Nelliel and then attacked Kisuke Urahara to keep him from disrupting his plan to eliminate Hollows. He left Urahara incapacitated and headed to speak with Grimmjow, while Urozakuro fell silent.

• Sōya Azashiro learned that Grimmjow had chosen to go to war and told Loly to persuade Loly and Menoly while he dealt with another obstacle.
• Kisuke Urahara received a message from Azashiro and recognized him when he appeared in Hueco Mundo, bypassing Urahara’s security measures by fusing with Reishi.
• Urahara challenged Azashiro’s belief that Shinigami should eliminate Hollows, and Urozakuro provoked Azashiro by recalling his fearful past and his sister’s sacrifice.
• Azashiro fused with Urahara’s internal organs and used the opening to inject him with a Superhuman Drug, leaving him slowed and incapacitated.
• Azashiro left to speak with Grimmjow before Shinigami reinforcements could arrive, while Urozakuro quietly disappeared.

Sōya Azashiro allied with Grimmjow’s faction to launch an attack on Nelliel and Tier Harribel while cutting communications between Hueco Mundo and the Shinigami. As Arrancar invaded Soul Society and the World of the Living, Shiraishi suspected the real battle was in Hueco Mundo and waited for more information.

• Sōya Azashiro admitted killing Di Roy and offered to help Grimmjow’s faction, then said he would attack Tier Harribel while Loly and Menoly targeted her subordinates.
• Grimmjow ordered Shawlong to put down his sword and agreed to focus on Nelliel, while Sōya Azashiro vanished and the Hueco Mundo network and Garganta to the Shinigami closed.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi informed Mayuri Kurotsuchi that communications were down and thousands of Garganta had opened across Soul Society and the World of the Living.
• Shiraishi told Genshirō Okikiba to leave the invasions to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Zaraki, and the others, and to have the Research and Development Institute open a Garganta to Hueco Mundo.
• Shiraishi suspected Grimmjow had an ally, ordered Genshirō Okikiba to monitor Silbern, and waited for news while worrying about Nel and Tier.

Nelliel organized the defense against Grimmjow’s planned rebellion, then confronted him as he attacked her. She released her Resurrección and gained the upper hand in their first exchange, while the rebellion continued across Las Noches.

• Nelliel recognized that the network outage, Kisuke Urahara’s absence, and the Garganta’s closure showed Grimmjow’s rebellion had been planned in advance.
• Nelliel sent Tier to command the Fourth Espada’s palace, warned Arrancar to stay home or surrender, and ordered Pesche to help suppress the rebellion.
• Grimmjow launched a surprise attack on Nelliel, then released his Resurrección and challenged her to fight in Hueco Mundo’s open sands.
• Nelliel released Gamuza and charged Grimmjow with her flaming lance, then caught his tail and hurled him backward.

Nelliel defeated Grimmjow in their battle, though she was badly wounded herself. After Grimmjow died, she sensed Pesche’s Reiatsu weakening and rushed back to the battlefield below to check on him.

• Grimmjow and Nelliel exchanged attacks, and Nelliel wounded him with her spear while Grimmjow struck her abdomen with his hidden plates.
• Nelliel swallowed Grimmjow’s Gran Rey Cero with Cero Doble and fired it back, leaving him badly injured and without his left arm.
• Grimmjow feigned retreat by threatening Pesche, then launched a final attack that Nelliel’s spear tore apart, killing him.
• Nelliel, wounded in the abdomen, headed back to end the war but sensed Pesche’s Reiatsu weaken and plunged through the ceiling to reach him.

Nelliel saved Pesche and ended the fighting against Grimmjow’s followers, while Tier Harribel pushed Sōya Azashiro to confront his fear and stop retreating. Azashiro released his fusion with Urozakuro, returned her to Shikai, and prepared to fight Harribel with his full attack power.

• Nelliel healed Pesche, who mistakenly thought he was dying, and then announced that Grimmjow was dead and ordered the remaining Arrancar to surrender.
• Sōya Azashiro considered retreating after Harribel overcame his Kidō and evaded his other techniques.
• Harribel called Azashiro a coward and offered to spare him if he surrendered, prompting him to admit he was afraid and call Urozakuro.
• Azashiro asked Urozakuro to release their fusion and return to Shikai, accepting that defeat would now mean his death.
• Azashiro revealed that his Bankai was defensive and his Shikai had tremendous offensive power, then introduced himself as Kenpachi Azashiro as Harribel gave her name and rank as the Fourth Espada.

Sōya Azashiro clashed with an opponent in Hueco Mundo, while Harribel took charge after the battle and learned that Loly and Szayelaporro had gone to Soul Society. Shiraishi stopped Szayelaporro from reclaiming his corpse, then checked on Nemu and confronted Mayuri about Loly escaping.

• Sōya Azashiro and his opponent collided with their Reiatsu and blades, creating a blast that shook the Sea of White Sand.
• Harribel appeared badly wounded, said her opponent had escaped, and ordered Ulquiorra to rein in the rebellious Arrancar.
• Ulquiorra told Harribel that Loly and Szayelaporro had gone to Soul Society to retrieve Szayelaporro's corpse.
• Szayelaporro tried to reunite with his preserved body in the Research and Development Institute, but it rejected him.
• Shiraishi struck Szayelaporro before he could escape, then went to the Institute's lowest level and checked Nemu's injured fingers.
• Shiraishi asked Mayuri in a stern voice whether he had let Loly get away.

Shiraishi stopped Szayelaporro’s copy and drove Loly away, then learned that the Hollows had won in Hueco Mundo while many were badly injured. He arranged for medical aid and the capture of the invading Arrancar before deciding to go to Hueco Mundo himself.

• Mayuri claimed he needed four or five months to safely destroy Aizen’s Reishi absorption devices, while Shiraishi warned him not to let the enemy use them.
• Shiraishi told Akon that the enemies had been dealt with and ordered the squad members to keep eliminating the invading Arrancar.
• Kisuke Urahara reported that Sōya Azashiro had injected him with the Superhuman Drug, and Azashiro appeared and said the Hollows had won in Hueco Mundo.
• Shiraishi knocked Sōya Azashiro unconscious and ordered Akon to heal and imprison him.
• Shiraishi arranged for Retsu Unohana to bring medical aid and had coordinates of the attacking Arrancar sent to Nelliel’s subordinates.
• Kisuke Urahara proposed a surveillance system to detect Negación Threads that could take ten years to deploy, and Shiraishi decided to go to Hueco Mundo.

Shiraishi visited Nelliel in Hueco Mundo while she managed the rebellious Arrancar and recovered from her injury. He reassured her about Tier Harribel’s treatment, and the two shared an intimate moment before Nelliel continued keeping her Resurrección active to restrain the Arrancar.

• Nelliel placed the rebellious Arrancar under house arrest and organized their punishment while keeping her Reiatsu at full strength.
• Shiraishi arrived at Las Noches with members of the Fourth Division, and Retsu Unohana began treating Tier Harribel.
• Shiraishi checked Nelliel’s injury and reassured her that Retsu would heal Tier.
• Shiraishi examined Nelliel’s Resurrección, touched her tail, and scratched her back while she leaned against him.
• Nelliel told Shiraishi she was happy he had become interested in her, and they kissed.
• Nelliel said she could not release her Resurrección while the Arrancar remained under her control, and Shiraishi accepted her as she was.

After treating Harribel, Unohana reassured Shiraishi before he plunged into the work of rebuilding Hueco Mundo and Soul Society. Shiraishi visited imprisoned Sōya Azashiro, who accepted responsibility for his actions and resolved to face his past, and ordered him to cooperate with Mayuri Kurotsuchi's experiments.

• Unohana finished operating on Harribel, gave Emilou and the others instructions for her recovery, and confirmed that the other injured Arrancar were being treated.
• Shiraishi thanked Unohana for her work, then spent the next week overwhelmed by Hueco Mundo's reconstruction and other responsibilities while barely sleeping.
• Genshirō Okikiba showed Shiraishi monitoring-system proposals from Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Shiraishi decided to visit Sōya Azashiro.
• In the Great Underground Prison, Azashiro reflected on his dependence on Urozakuro and resolved to recover her true name and confront his past.
• Shiraishi heard Azashiro accept punishment for his actions and ordered him to cooperate with Mayuri Kurotsuchi's experiments.

Shiraishi received Soi Fon’s report on widespread corruption and ordered the Stealth Force to arrest the corrupt ringleaders while continuing to monitor Aizen’s supporters. Later, Retsu Unohana told him she was likely pregnant, and Shiraishi eagerly reacted to the news.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi focused on designing a surveillance system based on Sōya Azashiro’s Bankai, while Shiraishi instructed Nemu to ensure Mayuri respected basic moral limits.
• Soi Fon reported that Tsunayashiro Takeshi led a corrupt group tied to the Lotus Chamber of Commerce, and that broadening the investigation could require replacing ninety-six percent of civil servants.
• Shiraishi ordered Soi Fon to keep watching civil servants who supported Aizen, arrest those who broke the law, and launch another rectification campaign against corruption.
• Shiraishi told Retsu Unohana that his recent work had gone unusually smoothly, and she revealed that she had learned she was likely pregnant.
• Shiraishi excitedly asked whether the baby was a boy or a girl, and Retsu Unohana reminded him that it was too early to know.

As New Year approached, Retsu Unohana welcomed Kūkaku Shiba, Nelliel, and Tier Harribel to Shiraishi’s home while they discussed her pregnancy and the uncertain peace with the Quincy. Soi Fon arrived last and was immediately pulled into Nelliel’s enthusiastic embrace.

• Retsu Unohana watched the snow and prepared for New Year at home, where Shiraishi had arranged a holiday and supplies for Soul Society residents.
• Kūkaku Shiba arrived and teased Retsu about her pregnancy before they discussed how life had improved since Aizen’s defeat and worried that Yhwach might threaten the peace.
• Retsu served Kūkaku tea and cookies, then welcomed Nelliel and Tier Harribel into the house.
• Nelliel pressed against Retsu’s belly and revealed that she and Shiraishi had used his Hollow Bankai, accidentally collapsing a palace.
• Soi Fon arrived, and Nelliel hugged her and dragged her inside.

Nelliel, Soi Fon, Tier Harribel, and Kūkaku Shiba argued over who should become Retsu Unohana’s unborn child’s second mother, so Retsu proposed drawing lots. Nemu Kurotsuchi joined the contest, and the women prepared to draw while Shiraishi worked overtime.

• Nelliel hugged Soi Fon, then declared that she should be the baby’s second mother, prompting Soi Fon, Tier Harribel, and Kūkaku Shiba to claim the role too.
• Retsu Unohana suggested drawing lots, and she invited Isane Kotetsu and Nemu Kurotsuchi to participate.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi arrived wearing a Dalmatian outfit and surrendered her X-ray lenses after Retsu forbade cheating and Tier Harribel crushed the lenses.
• Nemu defended the Research and Development Institute’s peeping-related products, and Retsu decided to tell Shiraishi about them before Kūkaku called for the draw to begin.

Shiraishi returned home in the snow to celebrate the New Year with Retsu Unohana, Soi Fon, and the others, but their lively preparations were interrupted by Soi Fon fainting after tasting her own cooking. The women argued over their rankings as mothers, leaving Shiraishi confused.

• Shiraishi finished his work early and hurried through the snow to his home, where Retsu Unohana and the others welcomed him.
• Shiraishi kissed everyone and suggested an idea, but the women rejected what they assumed was a lewd proposal before he explained he meant wearing only aprons.
• Retsu Unohana, Soi Fon, Nelliel, Nemu Kurotsuchi, and Isane Kotetsu started cooking while Shiraishi relaxed with Kūkaku Shiba and Tier Harribel.
• Retsu Unohana learned that Soi Fon had learned to cook from Inoue Inoue and urged her to taste her own food, causing Soi Fon to faint.
• Soi Fon woke up and confronted Shiraishi for pretending to like her cooking, then argued with Kūkaku Shiba about being number four and third mom, leaving Shiraishi baffled.

Shiraishi tried to calm Soi Fon and Kūkaku Shiba’s dispute over their ranks among Retsu Unohana’s would-be children’s mothers, then struggled to navigate the household’s crowded lunch. He checked Heart Window and advised Renji Abarai on how to confess to Rukia before declining her invitation to Chappy Kingdom.

• Tier Harribel explained that a draw had assigned Isane Kotetsu, Soi Fon, Kūkaku Shiba, Tier Harribel, Nemu Kurotsuchi, and Nelliel the second through youngest mother positions, leaving Soi Fon and Kūkaku arguing over their ranks.
• Shiraishi tried to stop the argument, but Soi Fon and Kūkaku told him to shut up; Retsu Unohana sent them to clear and bring out the food instead.
• At lunch, Nelliel and Nemu offered Shiraishi meat, while the women’s conversation left him feeling like background noise.
• Shiraishi checked Heart Window and saw Rukia invite him to visit Chappy Kingdom; Renji Abarai privately warned him not to accept.
• Shiraishi advised Renji to buy roses and confess his feelings to Rukia, then declined her invitation and continued scrolling.

Shiraishi celebrated the New Year with the women as Kūkaku Shiba’s fireworks lit up the sky, then tried to navigate their jealousy and questions about whom he loved most. The next morning, the group decided to go out together, with Retsu Unohana choosing their destination.

• At midnight, Kūkaku Shiba launched a brilliant fireworks display that amazed Nelliel and captivated Soi Fon.
• After the fireworks, Nelliel asked Shiraishi which woman he loved most, and he relied on Retsu Unohana to defuse the jealous gathering.
• Shiraishi followed Nemu Kurotsuchi to her room, mindful of the schedule Retsu Unohana had established.
• The next morning, Soi Fon’s jealousy prompted Kūkaku Shiba to ask whether Shiraishi had slept with Nemu Kurotsuchi, and Nemu answered plainly.
• Shiraishi hurried breakfast along and suggested an outing, and Retsu Unohana chose where they would go.

Uryū Ishida continued training while grieving over Retsu Unohana’s pregnancy announcement and waiting for a chance to approach Yhwach. After a drunken night with Bambietta and Candice, he agreed to take responsibility for what happened, then panicked when Bambietta raised the possibility of pregnancy.

• Uryū Ishida saw Retsu Unohana’s post announcing that she was expecting a child and liked it despite feeling disappointed.
• Uryū Ishida concluded that he needed to keep training and wait for a chance to avenge his mother by attacking Yhwach.
• Bambietta watched Uryū Ishida leave and smiled, saying she had finally found her chance.
• Uryū Ishida woke beside naked Bambietta and Candice and recalled drinking with them the previous night.
• Bambietta explained that she had arranged for Candice to drink with Uryū Ishida, while Candice recalled going to Bambietta’s room and joining them.
• Uryū Ishida apologized to Candice and promised to take responsibility, then turned pale when Bambietta mentioned that she might become pregnant.

Shiraishi’s daughter was born, and he named her Hakuhō before hurrying to Shin'ō Academy’s graduation ceremony. The chapter ended with him reaching the podium and realizing he had forgotten his prepared speech.

• Shiraishi anxiously waited outside the delivery room while Retsu gave birth.
• Isane Kotetsu told Shiraishi that Retsu had delivered a girl, and he named the baby Hakuhō.
• Retsu reminded Shiraishi to attend Shin'ō Academy’s graduation, so he reluctantly left his wife and daughter to go.
• Shiraishi arrived at the ceremony after Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s speech and was called to address the graduates.
• Shiraishi reached for the speech Okikiba had prepared but realized he had forgotten to bring it.

Shiraishi attended the Shin'ō Academy graduation ceremony and assigned the six graduates to divisions based on their preferences and the Gotei 13's staffing needs. After Ichigo Kurosaki chose the Sixth Division, Shiraishi rejected the choice because the Kuchiki did not recruit outsiders to the nobility.

• Shiraishi gave an impromptu speech at the graduation ceremony, followed by Ichigo Kurosaki, whose Reiatsu impressed Shiraishi and Yamamoto.
• After the ceremony, Shiraishi met with the six graduates to decide their assignments among divisions competing for their talents.
• Rei Takaeda chose the Thirteenth Division, Chizuru Honshō chose the Eighth Division, and Shiraishi assigned Michiru Ogawa to the Tenth Division.
• Shiraishi assigned Ganju Shiba to the Eleventh Division at Kūkaku's request, while Alexander Sekreira chose the Fifth Division.
• Ichigo Kurosaki chose the Sixth Division, but Shiraishi told him the Kuchiki did not recruit anyone outside the nobility.

Ichigo Kurosaki chose to join Shiraishi’s First Division after reflecting on his past and deciding where he belonged. Shiraishi immediately assigned him a share of the division’s paperwork, and Ichigo suspected he had been maneuvered into the job.

• Ichigo Kurosaki decided to join the First Division after considering his experiences and his place in the Gotei 13.
• Shiraishi brought Ichigo to the First Division and introduced him to Genshirō Okikiba, then told him Captain Unohana had given birth to a daughter named Hakuhō.
• Shiraishi divided his documents and assigned half to Ichigo, telling Okikiba to guide him through the work.
• Ichigo accused Shiraishi of steering him toward the First Division by claiming the 6th Division was not recruiting nobles, but accepted that he had already joined.

Ichigo Kurosaki finished his work and joined Shiraishi and Hakuhō at the Research and Development Institute, where Mayuri reported that the Quincy were researching a way to steal Shinigami Bankai. Mayuri proposed sending sensing threads to Silbern to monitor them.

• Ichigo Kurosaki finished work and visited Shiraishi, who was playing with Hakuhō.
• Shiraishi explained that Hakuhō was excited because Nemu looked after her at the Research and Development Institute on Fridays.
• Shiraishi brought Hakuhō to the institute, where the researchers disabled dangerous traps and switched the facility to child mode.
• Mayuri took Hakuhō and let her explore while telling Shiraishi that the Quincy were secretly researching how to steal a Shinigami's Bankai.
• Mayuri proposed sending sensing threads to Silbern to observe the Quincy.

Shiraishi’s Perception Network spread across the twenty-sixth district while he cared for Hakuhō and attended to his daily affairs. After Orihime Inoue invited him to her birthday party, Renji Abarai sought Lisa Yadōmaru’s advice about confessing to Rukia and then decided to ask Shiraishi instead.

• Shiraishi used Perception Threads to monitor areas of the twenty-sixth district, prioritizing surveillance for the threat posed by the Silbern.
• Hakuhō crawled around and later fell asleep on Shiraishi’s head while he waited for lunch.
• Retsu Unohana brought Shiraishi food and received his help with her surplus baby food.
• Orihime Inoue invited Shiraishi to her birthday party, and he accepted before realizing he did not know his friends’ birthdays.
• Renji Abarai planned to confess to Rukia at Orihime Inoue’s party, but after Lisa Yadōmaru teased him and offered basic advice, he decided to ask Shiraishi for help.