Chapter Summaries

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.

Aizen revealed his Hōgyoku-powered transformation and escaped Seireitei through a Garganta with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen. Afterward, Retsu Unohana explained her covert investigation to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, while Shiraishi warned that Aizen’s early departure had made the timing of his next attack uncertain.

• Shiraishi recognized the Hōgyoku’s power as Aizen regenerated, and Aizen explained that it could break the limits of Hollows and Shinigami.
• Aizen opened a Garganta with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, while Shiraishi exposed Aizen’s crimes and Sajin Komamura confronted Tōsen.
• Aizen declared his intention to stand in the heavens and escaped through the Garganta, which then closed.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto demanded an explanation, and Retsu Unohana described Shiraishi’s investigation into Aizen, Las Noches, and the gathered Espada.
• Shiraishi revealed that he had wiped out over a thousand Adjuchas and warned that Aizen’s early escape left his next attack unpredictable.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto worried that a battle against such powerful enemies could destroy Seireitei.

After Yamamoto’s suspicion of Shiraishi was cleared, Retsu Unohana persuaded him to forgive her and help the Soul Society. Shiraishi returned to the Tenth Division, where he confronted Momo Hinamori over her belief in Aizen and then went upstairs to meet someone waiting for him.

• Shiraishi rejected Yamamoto’s request for help and left, but Retsu Unohana followed him and apologized for doubting him.
• Retsu Unohana seduced Shiraishi into forgiving her, and he stayed with her until nightfall instead of meeting Kūkaku on time.
• Shiraishi arrived at the Tenth Division barracks and found Momo Hinamori trying to attack him, while Tōshirō Hitsugaya blocked her.
• Shiraishi told Momo that her image of Aizen was an illusion and that Aizen’s crimes and decision to abandon her were real, causing her to drop her sword and weep.
• Shiraishi left Tōshirō with Momo and went upstairs, where someone was waiting in a room.

Shiraishi returned home to Nemu Kurotsuchi and learned who had visited after his absence, while worrying about facing Soi Fon. Meanwhile, the Central 46 Chambers agreed to a temporary alliance with Kisuke Urahara’s group and tasked Yamamoto with preparing for an all-out war.

• Shiraishi came home to Nemu Kurotsuchi, who served him dinner and asked whether he was hurt.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi told Shiraishi that Kūkaku had reclaimed the black cat, Rangiku had left disappointed, Isane had apologized, and Soi Fon had threatened him for leaving the Seireitei without notice.
• Shiraishi realized the black cat was Yoruichi Shihōin and worried about how to explain his actions to Soi Fon.
• The Central 46 Chambers debated whether to ally with Kisuke Urahara’s group and whether Aizen might have accomplices in the Seireitei.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto secured agreement to a temporary alliance and ordered Soi Fon to investigate possible accomplices.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto left to prepare for an all-out war, and Soi Fon followed him.

Soi Fon delivered Yamamoto’s offer to Yoruichi Shihōin, asking her to consult Urahara about joining forces against Aizen. Haunted by her reunion with Yoruichi, Soi Fon confronted Shiraishi over his unexplained departure, then left after their quarrel turned affectionate, still denying that they were dating.

• Soi Fon visited Yoruichi Shihōin at the Gold Seal Unit commander-in-chief’s residence and relayed Yamamoto’s offer to cooperate against Aizen and lift Urahara’s entry restrictions.
• Soi Fon rejected Yoruichi’s familiar greeting and left before Yoruichi could explain their past, while Kūkaku Shiba joined Yoruichi for drinks.
• Soi Fon rushed to the Tenth Division District and attacked Shiraishi in his bed, angrily accusing him of leaving Seireitei without telling her.
• Shiraishi apologized, and Soi Fon’s anger eased as the two reconciled intimately beneath the quilt.
• Soi Fon dressed and left, insisting that she and Shiraishi were only having fun, while Shiraishi maintained that they were dating.

Nelliel told the Espada that Ainz Ooal Gown was dead, while Aizen arrived transformed and named Loly the ninth Espada. Aizen announced a war against the Shinigami for the end of December and assigned preparations to the Espada before taking Loly with him.

• Nelliel returned to Las Noches and told Harribel that Ainz Ooal Gown was dead.
• Aizen entered the throne room in a changed, Hollow-like form and appointed Loly to the vacant ninth Espada seat.
• Aizen explained that Loly’s Negación Threads could gather information and copy an enemy’s moves, and ordered Szayelaporro to help strengthen her ability.
• Aizen announced an all-out war with the Shinigami at the end of December and ordered the Espada to find Fullbringers and obtain Soul King Fragments for new Hōgyoku.
• Aizen told Nelliel and Harribel to gather Adjuchas again after learning that Ainz had killed the ones they had collected.
• Aizen dismissed the meeting and ordered Loly to come with him.