Chapter Summaries

Nemu Kurotsuchi wrestled with whether to help Shiraishi with a dangerous plan, fearing she might lose him while also being unable to abandon Lord Mayuri. After seeking advice from the market vendors, she made her choice to help him.

• Nemu cooked dinner and grew irritated when Shiraishi failed to notice her troubled mood, so she stared at him until he understood she was upset.
• Nemu asked Shiraishi whether he might die and worried that she would never see him again; he reassured her that he could escape danger.
• On the ninth, Nemu went to Beginning of Spring Town to buy groceries and confessed her dilemma to the market vendors.
• The vendors argued over whether Nemu should help her friend, and the market manager advised her that it was better to act and regret it than regret doing nothing.
• Nemu took the advice to heart and made her choice.

Nemu Kurotsuchi decided to help Shiraishi rescue Kūkaku Shiba from the Seireitei and told him over lunch. Shiraishi agreed to bring her, and he continued searching for the Ōmaeda Gem Company's convoy to plan their infiltration.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi thanked the people at the market for their advice and decided to help Shiraishi.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi prepared lunch for Shiraishi, who returned from hunting Hollows and enjoyed her food and chilled sour plum juice.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi told Shiraishi she would join his attempt to rescue Kūkaku Shiba, and he warned her about the risk of being caught.
• Shiraishi agreed to let Nemu Kurotsuchi come if she claimed he had threatened her should they be caught.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi explained that her knowledge of Seireitei's traps, maps, shortcuts, and hiding places would help the operation.
• After lunch, Shiraishi left to hunt Hollows and look for the Ōmaeda Gem Company's convoy.

Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi infiltrated the Seireitei so he could seek Jūshirō Ukitake’s help rescuing Kūkaku Shiba from Howling. Ukitake learned that Kūkaku had been framed, but before they could act, Shinigami discovered an intruder inside the Seireitei.

• Shiraishi and Nemu hid in an empty ore crate and rode the Ōmaeda Gem Company convoy through the Hakutōmon into the Seireitei.
• Nemu guided Shiraishi to Captain Ukitake’s quarters, where he woke the ailing captain.
• Shiraishi told Ukitake that Kūkaku Shiba had been framed and arrested by the Central 46 Chambers.
• Kiyone Kotetsu explained that Kūkaku had been sentenced to six thousand years in Howling after letters plotting rebellion were found in her home.
• Shiraishi proposed sneaking into Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail to rescue Kūkaku, but Shinigami shouted that an intruder was inside the Seireitei.

After an alarm disrupted Shiraishi’s plan to rescue Kūkaku, Jūshirō Ukitake explained the sealed defenses and dangers surrounding Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail. Shiraishi set out with Nemu Kurotsuchi to look for an opening near the First Division, while the Riteitai arrived at Ugendo with an urgent order.

• Kiyone Kotetsu recognized Nemu Kurotsuchi, and Jūshirō Ukitake warned that the alarm made a prison break nearly impossible.
• Shiraishi decided to trust Nemu’s judgment that another group had triggered the alarm and chose to seek an opportunity near the First Division.
• Jūshirō Ukitake told Shiraishi how to reach the underground assembly hall and described its barrier, thirteen defensive walls, and guarded prison floors.
• Shiraishi thanked Jūshirō Ukitake for the information and left Ugendo with Nemu Kurotsuchi.
• The Riteitai arrived at Ugendo and announced an urgent order for Captain Ukitake.

Oda Nobunaga infiltrated the Seireitei and enlisted Aizen’s help in planning another attempt to assassinate Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. After Aizen revealed the defenses and suggested ways to sow chaos, Oda assigned his companions their roles and set out for the Senzaikyū.

• Momo Hinamori delivered the highest-alert order to Aizen, who calmed her and sent her to assemble the Fifth Division officers.
• Oda Nobunaga and his companions appeared in Aizen’s room, and Oda asked for a map of the Seireitei’s Reishi traps.
• Aizen gave Oda the map and advised him to disrupt Central 46, free prisoners from the Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail, distract Captain Komamura, and seal Ryūjin Jakka.
• Aizen and Oda exchanged illusions and observations about one another before Aizen released Kyōka Suigetsu, sending Oda’s group away.
• Oda assigned Okita Sōji to attack Central 46 and release prisoners, and Yoshitsune to hold off the Seventh Division captain.
• Oda, Kichō, and the others followed the route toward the Senzaikyū to pursue their plan against Yamamoto.

Oda Nobunaga and his allies attacked Seireitei, with Okita Sōji cutting through First Division soldiers while Nobunaga confronted Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi then appeared at the Central 46 Chambers, leaving Sōji facing Nemu as Nobunaga prepared to fight Yamamoto.

• Nobunaga left Kichō behind and split up with Okita Sōji and Minamoto no Yoshitsune, sending Sōji toward the Central 46 Chambers and Yoshitsune to intercept the Seventh Division.
• Sōji fought through First Division soldiers and released Dusk Bell, using its Time Deletion ability to kill a dozen attackers at once.
• Yamamoto headed toward Sōji, but Nobunaga unleashed Bankai and drew Yamamoto into a confrontation atop a white tower.
• Sōji felt Yamamoto’s overwhelming reiatsu, then saw the Central 46 Chambers’ defenses collapse and dodged an attack by Nemu Kurotsuchi.
• Yamamoto recognized Nemu and suspected Shiraishi was involved, while Nobunaga declared that he had come to take Yamamoto’s world.
• Yamamoto exposed his battle-hardened body and challenged Nobunaga to defeat him despite Ryūjin Jakka being sealed.

Sajin Komamura confronted Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who guarded the route to the Shin'ō District, and defeated him with his Bankai. After Yoshitsune died fighting for Lord Nobunaga, Komamura continued toward the district.

• Sajin Komamura ordered Tetsuzaemon to bring the Seventh Division's men behind him and hurried alone toward the Shin'ō District.
• Komamura met Minamoto no Yoshitsune, identified himself, and challenged him when Yoshitsune refused to stand aside.
• Komamura released Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō and forced Yoshitsune to dodge its massive attacks.
• Yoshitsune rushed at Komamura during an opening, but Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō struck him down with its palm.
• Yoshitsune made one final thrust with his broken Zanpakuto, then died as Komamura closed his eyes and continued toward the Shin'ō District.

Shiraishi broke into Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail and rescued Kūkaku Shiba from her cell, carrying her toward the surface. They emerged as Okita Sōji defeated Nemu Kurotsuchi, but an unseen threat forced him to delete half a second of time.

• Shiraishi forced the third-level administrator to open the door, knocked him unconscious, and descended to the fourth level with the other administrators.
• Shiraishi broke into Kūkaku Shiba's cell, defeated the guards, cut her free, and discovered that she was too weak to run.
• Shiraishi carried Kūkaku Shiba up through the prison, and she recovered enough strength to hold on as they neared the surface.
• Shiraishi emerged through the breached gate and saw Nemu Kurotsuchi fall after Okita Sōji struck her down.
• Okita Sōji tried to step over Nemu Kurotsuchi, sensed an attack, and deleted half a second of time to evade it.

Shiraishi defeated Okita Sōji and escaped with Kūkaku Shiba while leaving the injured Nemu Kurotsuchi behind. After Sajin Komamura confronted him, Shiraishi cleared a path to the General Infirmary and fled with Kūkaku.

• Okita Sōji used Time Deletion against Shiraishi, but Shiraishi overwhelmed his defense, broke Dusk Bell, and killed him.
• Shiraishi returned to Nemu Kurotsuchi and caught Kūkaku Shiba as she fell; Nemu urged him to leave her behind.
• Shiraishi sensed Isane Kotetsu's Reiatsu and identified the General Infirmary's direction, but Sajin Komamura arrived and attacked.
• Sajin Komamura activated Bankai, and Shiraishi sent Kūkaku away before striking him and shattering his mask.
• Shiraishi unleashed a tornado that tore a passage toward the General Infirmary, then caught up with Kūkaku and escaped.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba hid in a pavilion while escaping through the Seireitei, where they teased each other and discussed how he had rescued her. After explaining how he entered the Seireitei, Shiraishi sensed another Reiatsu approaching the scene he had left behind.

• Shiraishi carried Kūkaku Shiba through the Seireitei and evaded the searching 11th Division members.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku rested in a pavilion, where Kūkaku tore open her sweaty prison uniform and covered herself with his leather jacket.
• Kūkaku teased Shiraishi about his attraction to her and acknowledged that his repeated rescues had given her feelings for him.
• Shiraishi told Kūkaku that he and Nemu Kurotsuchi had hidden in the Ōmaeda Gem Company's convoy to enter the Seireitei.
• Shiraishi sensed a Reiatsu rapidly approaching the scene and wondered whether the Fourth Division had reached Nemu.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrived to take the injured Nemu back to his division, but Captain Unohana insisted that the Fourth Division handle her treatment. After hearing Nemu speak of her love for him, Mayuri reconsidered his dismissal of emotions and decided he wanted to understand them.

• Mayuri rode his modified black dog to the ruined Central 46 Chambers and tried to take Nemu from Isane Kotetsu.
• Unohana stopped Mayuri from drawing his Zanpakuto and insisted that Isane's team continue treating Nemu.
• Mayuri made the black dog explode after deciding it was useless, angering Isane.
• Nemu woke briefly, told Isane that Mayuri was the father she loved and respected, and said her feelings for him would never change.
• Mayuri asked Unohana to continue Nemu's treatment and resolved to understand love, friendship, and conviction before heading toward Sōkyoku Hill.

Oda Nobunaga used his Bankai to make his dreams real and, unable to defeat Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, sacrificed his life to release the restraints on Muken. Yamamoto blocked the passage with flames as six dangerous prisoners stood beyond him.

• Oda Nobunaga realized he could not defeat Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and chose to fight to the death rather than flee or give up his ambitions.
• Oda Nobunaga used his Bankai to make the Central 46 Chambers' members appear grotesquely alive, then explained that his dreams could not normally affect someone with much greater Reiatsu.
• Oda Nobunaga declared that he would not let Yamamoto preserve peace and fled to the entrance of Muken with Ryūjin Jakka.
• Oda Nobunaga sacrificed his life to make the dream of Muken's restraints failing come true, and the backlash left him covered in blood.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto blocked the passage with flames and faced six figures illuminated on the other side.

Shiraishi took Kūkaku Shiba through a secret passage into the noble district to find food while powerful Reiatsu drew the captains away. They seized Flower Red’s kitchen, and Kūkaku demanded that Shiraishi trade clothes with her.

• Shiraishi carried Kūkaku Shiba through the Seireitei, using the captains’ departure to look for food near the noble district.
• Kūkaku Shiba revealed a secret passage dug by Yoruichi Shihōin and led Shiraishi through it into the noble district.
• Shiraishi followed the strongest nearby Reiatsu to Flower Red’s kitchen and threatened the staff into cooking for him.
• Shiraishi introduced himself as the wanted criminal Shiraishi, The Unforgiven, and told Kūkaku Shiba to choose clothes to wear.
• Kūkaku Shiba refused the employees’ clothes and insisted that she wear Shiraishi’s clothes while he wore theirs.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba left the noble quarter after eating, but Sōya Azashiro intercepted them and proposed an alliance to eliminate Hollows. Shiraishi agreed to cooperate if Azashiro could provide access to Hueco Mundo, and Azashiro offered to help them escape the Seireitei.

• Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba ate a meal while Kūkaku recovered her Reiatsu, then hurried toward Hakutōmon.
• Sōya Azashiro appeared before them and identified himself as the Eighth Kenpachi.
• Azashiro proposed an alliance with Shiraishi, explaining that he intended to eliminate Hollows at their source.
• Shiraishi agreed to join forces if Azashiro could enable travel between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo.
• Azashiro said he would take Shiraishi and Kūkaku out of the Seireitei while Zaraki guarded Hakutōmon.

Kenpachi Zaraki waited at the Hakutōmon for Shiraishi, but Sōya Azashiro swiftly defeated him and let Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba escape. After recovering and removing his eyepatch, Kenpachi challenged Azashiro again, only for Azashiro to disappear.

• Kenpachi Zaraki waited beneath the Hakutōmon, certain that Shiraishi would arrive.
• Shiraishi, Sōya Azashiro, and Kūkaku Shiba reached the gate, where Azashiro explained that he was the Eighth Kenpachi and had been imprisoned in Muken.
• Kenpachi challenged Azashiro, who declared him too weak and wounded him instantly with an unseen attack.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku escaped through a side door Azashiro opened, while Azashiro stayed behind in the Seireitei.
• Kenpachi recovered, removed his eyepatch, and demanded to continue fighting, but Azashiro vanished.

After the battle devastated the Shin'ō District, Retsu Unohana treated the wounded captains and attended an emergency Captains' Meeting. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto explained that six Muken prisoners had returned, and Sōya Azashiro suddenly appeared in the hall.

• Retsu Unohana ordered the Fourth Division to treat the injured captains, while Sajin Komamura resisted care until she made him comply.
• A Riteitai member summoned Retsu Unohana to the Captains' Meeting, where Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, Kaname Tōsen, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Kenpachi Zaraki gathered.
• Kenpachi Zaraki reported that he had been wounded before he could understand the fight and that his Fifth Seat was unconscious and had lost his Zanpakuto.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told the captains that Oda Nobunaga had died breaking Muken's seal and named the six escaped prisoners.
• Sōya Azashiro materialized among the captains as Yamamoto finished his explanation.

Sōya Azashiro explained his plan to alter humans to prevent Hollows from forming, but Yamamoto refused to help and ordered the pursuit temporarily suspended. Yamamoto prioritized the other escaped Muken prisoners and ordered Ganju Shiba watched because Munemasa might use him to compel Kūkaku Shiba to help reach the Soul King Palace.

• Yamamoto burned Azashiro, who reformed and explained that he intended to alter human souls and eliminate the emotions that give rise to Hollows.
• Azashiro asked Yamamoto not to interfere with him and Shiraishi, but Yamamoto rejected his proposal and Rangiku condemned his plan.
• Yamamoto suspended the pursuit of Azashiro and Shiraishi while describing the danger posed by Munemasa, Genjirō, Kaoru Tendō, Oniyasha, and Tsukikage Yagyū.
• Yamamoto named Oniyasha, Munemasa, and Genjirō as the first targets, followed by Kaoru Tendō and Tsukikage Yagyū, with Azashiro, Shiraishi, and Kūkaku Shiba to be dealt with later.
• Kyōraku warned that Munemasa might use Ganju Shiba to force Kūkaku to operate the Shiba Clan's spiritual device, so Yamamoto ordered the Punishment Force to track Ganju.

Rangiku Matsumoto questioned the decision to involve Shiraishi in Soul Society’s affairs and went to the General Infirmary to learn what had happened to Nemu Kurotsuchi. After Nemu revealed her role in the events and defended Shiraishi, Retsu Unohana offered Rangiku another suggestion.

• Rangiku Matsumoto left the Captains' Meeting frustrated, and Shunsui Kyōraku apologized before inviting her for a drink.
• Retsu Unohana told Rangiku that Nemu Kurotsuchi had returned to the General Infirmary, and Rangiku went to see her.
• Retsu Unohana healed Nemu, who woke and said Shiraishi had not injured her.
• Nemu told Rangiku that she and Shiraishi had gone to Captain Ukitake for help and that she had led Shiraishi to the Central 46 Chambers.
• Retsu Unohana vouched for Shiraishi and offered Rangiku a suggestion of her own.

Rangiku Matsumoto agreed to help Retsu Unohana warn Shiraishi about Mad King Munemasa’s plan and protect Ganju Shiba from capture. She helped Nemu Kurotsuchi leave through Hakutōmon and stayed behind to wait, while Tōshirō Hitsugaya began investigating a mysterious woman’s death.

• Retsu Unohana told Rangiku Matsumoto to warn Shiraishi about Mad King Munemasa’s plan so Ganju Shiba would not be captured.
• Retsu Unohana arranged for Nemu Kurotsuchi to escape the General Infirmary and contact Shiraishi, while she and Rangiku covered her absence.
• Rangiku Matsumoto and Nemu Kurotsuchi reached Hakutōmon, and Rangiku used her Tenth Division lieutenant’s armband to open the side gate.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi dashed through the gate, and Rangiku stayed behind to keep it open.
• Tōshirō Hitsugaya told Rangiku he was investigating a noblewoman found dead in Shin'ō District, then agreed to pretend he had not seen Nemu leave.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba drank sake while cooking meat in the woods, and Kūkaku talked about her fear of returning to Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail. When their undercooked meal was ready, they noticed Nemu standing before them.

• Shiraishi cooked meat over a fire while Kūkaku Shiba brought out sake chilled with Kidō.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku drank together, and Kūkaku admitted she was afraid of being sent back to Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail.
• Kūkaku thanked Shiraishi for rescuing her, and they joked about marriage and spending three days and three nights together.
• Shiraishi and Kūkaku discovered that the meat was still undercooked despite having boiled it for a long time.
• Shiraishi rubbed his eyes and asked Kūkaku whether she could see Nemu standing before them, and Kūkaku said she could.