Chapter Summaries

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.

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.