Chapter Summaries

Masaki Kurosaki reached the bank but could not enter, while Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi discussed Shiraishi, Aizen’s plans, and the danger facing Soul Society. As fireworks lit the sky, Shiraishi ended his amusement park outing with Soi Fon and prepared to leave the World of the Living.

• Masaki Kurosaki arrived outside Karakura Town First Bank, found it surrounded by police, and sensed a Shinigami inside.
• Kisuke Urahara released a mouse-shaped Gigai near the police perimeter, then met Yoruichi in a secluded alley.
• Kisuke told Yoruichi that Shiraishi was wanted in Soul Society and that Aizen was monitoring Tokyo while conducting a Hollowfication Experiment.
• Kisuke explained that he had taken Shinji Hirako and the others away to protect them from Aizen’s Ox-Head Hollow experiment.
• Kisuke and Yoruichi watched fireworks together, while Shiraishi and Soi Fon watched from a Ferris wheel.
• Shiraishi opened the Ferris wheel car’s door and told Soi Fon it was time to end their trip to the World of the Living.

After returning to Soul Society, Shiraishi visited Kichō at Saito House and joined Kyōhei on a trip to a secret cockfighting pit. The pit proved to be a trap, and the people around its fire—including Kyōhei—exploded just as Shiraishi sensed danger.

• Shiraishi and Soi Fon returned through the Senkaimon, and he sped back to West District Ten.
• Shiraishi met Kichō at Saito House and learned that she had chosen a target for an upcoming job.
• Kichō told Shiraishi that Kyōhei was waiting outside, and Kyōhei invited him to his new cockfighting pit.
• Shiraishi agreed to go with Kyōhei despite Kichō's warning that nine bets out of ten lost.
• At the hidden mountain pit, Shiraishi found ten silent people around a fire, then sensed danger as they and Kyōhei swelled and exploded.

Shiraishi fought Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who had prepared a trap and unleashed his Bankai, but Shiraishi defeated him with Steel Tempest. Mayuri survived, and Shiraishi seized the woman who had rushed to his aid, declaring that she belonged to him.

• Shiraishi escaped the cave’s collapse and confronted Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who revealed that he had been tracking him for ten days and had killed the squad member who helped conceal him.
• Shiraishi attacked Mayuri, but Mayuri evaded the slash by transforming his neck and sent a hidden attacker at Shiraishi, whose shield repelled her strike.
• Mayuri immobilized Shiraishi with a Reishi solidification device and released his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, expecting its poison to incapacitate him.
• Shiraishi used Steel Tempest to cut Mayuri and his Bankai in two, but Mayuri survived by moving his vital organs and joining his body back together.
• A woman rushed to Mayuri’s side, and Shiraishi lifted her by the red ring around her neck and declared that she belonged to him.

After Mayuri Kurotsuchi escaped, Shiraishi kept Nemu Kurotsuchi with him by offering her a chance to learn how much she mattered to her creator. He returned to Saito House, warned Kichō that the location might be exposed, and agreed to hear about her organization’s planned job while refusing to join it.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi escaped in liquid form, and Shiraishi released Nemu Kurotsuchi from his Reiatsu.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi said she would accept any harm rather than betray Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but Shiraishi offered her the chance to see whether Mayuri would return for her.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi followed Shiraishi to Saito House, where Kichō mistook her for a geisha before learning she was Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s lieutenant.
• Shiraishi told Kichō that he had fought Mayuri Kurotsuchi, warned that Saito House might be exposed, and said he planned to leave and wander the world.
• Shiraishi refused to join Kichō’s organization, but agreed to hear about the major job it had planned.

Shiraishi followed Kichō into the Owari Group’s underground hideout and met its leader, Oda Nobunaga, who had been burned by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Oda Nobunaga hired Shiraishi to seize a rare snow lotus from a tax-collection party, and Shiraishi agreed before asking for a place to rest.

• Shiraishi knocked out Nemu Kurotsuchi and followed Kichō through a hidden entrance to the Owari Group’s underground hideout.
• Kichō introduced Oda Nobunaga, who spoke from beneath a hot spring waterfall and revealed that Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had burned him three hundred years earlier.
• Oda Nobunaga explained that a rare snow lotus could help him make medicine to ease his burns.
• Oda Nobunaga asked Shiraishi to help ambush a tax-collection party in West District 15 at the end of May and retrieve the snow lotus, offering Shiraishi the money.
• Shiraishi accepted the job, and after Oda Nobunaga began coughing, Shiraishi asked Kichō to arrange a place for him to rest.

Shiraishi settled into the Owari Group’s underground base and asked how to reach the surface so he could hunt Hollows and grow stronger. Kichō told Oda Nobunaga, who approved his departure, then returned to arrange more food and bedding for Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi.

• Kichō showed Shiraishi his room, and he asked how to get back to the surface because he did not want to remain underground.
• Kichō told Oda Nobunaga that Shiraishi wanted to leave, and Oda Nobunaga ordered her to show him the exit.
• Kichō explained that the Saito House was at risk of exposure and recalled how Oda Nobunaga had rescued and named her.
• Kichō returned to find Shiraishi complaining that the dinner was too small and requesting food and bedding for Nemu Kurotsuchi.
• Kichō asked whether Shiraishi had fallen in love with Nemu Kurotsuchi, and he denied it, saying he kept her with him to torment Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Kenpachi Zaraki forced Mayuri Kurotsuchi to reveal where Shiraishi was, then led the 11th Division to West District Ten to find him. As more Shinigami surrounded the area, Shiraishi planned to stay hidden rather than face the combined force.

• Kenpachi Zaraki broke into Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s room and demanded Shiraishi’s location.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi admitted Shiraishi was likely in Beginning of Spring, West District Ten, and advised Kenpachi Zaraki to remove his eyepatch before fighting him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki led the 11th Division toward West District Ten and let its members compete to find Shiraishi.
• The 11th Division searched the district as the Stealth Force and members of the Twelfth and Eighth Divisions arrived to help surround it.
• Shiraishi sensed the Shinigami closing in, heard from Nemu Kurotsuchi that the Captain-Commander had ordered four captains to deal with him, and decided to hide.

Shiraishi arrived in Rice Village after Mura Takahito and the 11th Division attacked its residents, and he killed Mura and the other Shinigami. Shunsui Kyōraku assessed the aftermath and ordered Nanao to use Tenteikūra across West District Ten.

• Mura Takahito gathered Rice Village's residents, demanded to know where Shiraishi was, and slashed the elder when he denied knowing.
• Mura threatened Taro, but Shiraishi appeared, cut off Mura's arm, and killed him and the other 11th Division Shinigami.
• Shiraishi apologized to the wounded elder and left, vowing to make the Shinigami understand what it meant to court death.
• Shunsui Kyōraku arrived with Nanao, assessed the dead Shinigami and the elder's injuries, and realized Shiraishi was killing the scattered search party.
• Shunsui ordered Nanao to deploy Tenteikūra across West District Ten.

Makizō Aramaki survived an attack by Shiraishi that killed several of his companions, then reached Rice Village and learned that more than a hundred members of the 11th Division had died. Shunsui Kyōraku, Soi Fon, and Kenpachi Zaraki debated how to respond until a report revealed a likely underground hideout.

• Makizō Aramaki found his companions dead around him and fled to Rice Village after hearing Tenteikūra order everyone to gather there.
• Yumichika Ayasegawa told Makizō that Shiraishi had killed over a hundred members of the 11th Division.
• Shunsui Kyōraku, Soi Fon, and Kenpachi Zaraki discussed Shiraishi's attack and whether to wait for him or confront him.
• Akon reported that he had found an underground passage where Shiraishi was likely hiding.

Shiraishi fled with Nemu Kurotsuchi as the Shinigami entered the underground passage, while Oda Nobunaga escaped with Kichō and his followers. A mysterious figure rescued Oda from pursuing Shinigami and blamed Shiraishi for the accident that exposed them.

• Shiraishi knocked Nemu Kurotsuchi unconscious, carried her away, and left Kichō and Oda Nobunaga to escape on their own.
• Oda Nobunaga carried Kichō out of the underground passage and ordered his followers to evacuate as Shinigami pursued them.
• Shinigami attacks killed or wounded several of Oda Nobunaga's followers, but he kept running with Kichō on his back.
• Oda Nobunaga fought an 11th Division Shinigami and was surrounded by more attackers.
• A mysterious figure intervened to save Oda Nobunaga, who recognized him as someone who had saved his life before.
• The mysterious figure denied luring the Shinigami and said Shiraishi had caused the accident that exposed them.

Aizen gave Oda Nobunaga a potion to suppress his flames and reminded him to follow their plan, while Nobunaga prepared to join his forces in West District 15. After seven squad members were found dead, Soi Fon and Shunsui Kyōraku investigated the scene as Kenpachi Zaraki arrived demanding to know where Shiraishi had gone.

• Aizen gave Oda Nobunaga a potion to suppress his flames and told him to wait until the end of May for the plan.
• Oda Nobunaga reflected on how Aizen had helped him escape Seireitei and resolved to defeat Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and rule the three realms.
• Oda Nobunaga told Kichō they would go to West District 15 to join Miyamoto and the others.
• Two Stealth Force members found seven dead squad members, and Ogawa Jirō reported their deaths to Captain Soi Fon.
• Soi Fon and Shunsui Kyōraku examined the bodies and concluded that Oda Nobunaga might be responsible; Shunsui suspected Tsunayashiro Tokinada had helped him escape.
• Kenpachi Zaraki arrived and demanded to know where Shiraishi was hiding.

Shiraishi brought Nemu to Junrinan in West District One, where she saw Seireitei and explored the lively South District with him. When Nemu showed little interest in the festivities, Shiraishi decided to take her to the North District, but he spotted Isane Kotetsu, who tried to avoid him.

• Nemu woke beside a lake, and Shiraishi showed her the view of Seireitei from Junrinan.
• Nemu said she wanted to return to Lord Mayuri, but Shiraishi persuaded her to explore West District One with him.
• Nemu guided Shiraishi to the South District, where he enjoyed the busy street performances while she discussed modifying a performing monkey.
• Shiraishi suggested they go to the North District for food and wine, then spotted Isane Kotetsu in the crowd.
• Isane Kotetsu recognized Shiraishi's call and hurried away from him.

Shiraishi met Isane Kotetsu and Nemu Kurotsuchi in Junrinan South District, then took them to eat their way through North District Street. After Shiraishi sensed that he had been discovered, he prepared to leave and asked Nemu whether she would come with him or return to the Twelfth Division.

• Isane Kotetsu tried to avoid Shiraishi, but he stopped her and she learned Nemu Kurotsuchi had been with him since he captured her two days earlier.
• Shiraishi explained that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had used Rukongai residents as bombs, and Isane Kotetsu said she would complain to the Central 46 Chambers.
• Shiraishi persuaded Isane Kotetsu to treat him to a meal, and Nemu led the group across the rooftops to North District Street.
• Shiraishi bought kabayaki, and Isane Kotetsu overcame her reluctance to eat it while Nemu enjoyed her first taste.
• Shiraishi, Isane Kotetsu, and Nemu ate their way halfway down North District Street before Shiraishi sensed he had been discovered and asked Nemu whether she would leave with him or return to the Twelfth Division.

Shiraishi and Isane confronted Nemu about Mayuri’s abuse, and Nemu chose to leave with Shiraishi in hopes of changing. Soi Fon pursued them while Mayuri vowed to capture Shiraishi and reclaim control of Nemu’s evolution.

• Shiraishi explained Stockholm syndrome to Nemu, while Isane urged her to resist Mayuri’s abuse and seek help.
• Nemu decided to leave with Shiraishi, hoping that being cured would let her evolve, and said goodbye to Isane.
• Soi Fon arrived in the North District, learned Shiraishi had gone west, and ordered her Stealth Force members to pursue him.
• Mayuri called Isane and demanded to know why she had let Nemu go, but Isane insisted Nemu had made her own choice.
• Mayuri acknowledged that Nemu was meant to be a soul rather than a tool, then vowed to put Shiraishi on his operating table.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi reflected on Nemu Kurotsuchi’s change and blamed Shiraishi before reporting to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto with the other captains. Yamamoto approved Mayuri’s plan to track Shiraishi with modified hounds and ordered the divisions to stop pursuing him directly.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi recalled how Nemu Kurotsuchi had endured his experiments without showing desires, then suspected Shiraishi was responsible for her change.
• Akon summoned Mayuri Kurotsuchi to the First Division headquarters, where Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto demanded reports on the operation against Shiraishi.
• Kenpachi Zaraki reported 103 casualties and no sign of Shiraishi, while Shunsui Kyōraku said the divisions had destroyed the Owari Group but failed to capture Oda Nobunaga.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi proposed modifying 30,000 hounds to track Shiraishi, requiring 30 million in research funding and one or two years to produce results.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto approved the plan, suspended direct missions against Shiraishi, and ordered surveillance from the Projection Hall.

Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi shared dinner while discussing the Shinigami’s pursuit and Nemu’s efforts to understand people. After teaching her how tone and expression could change the meaning of words, Shiraishi prepared to travel to West District 15 to meet Oda Nobunaga and Kichō.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi cooked seven steaks, and Shiraishi praised her improved cooking.
• Shiraishi asked whether the Shinigami had stopped tracking him, and Nemu Kurotsuchi said they would keep hunting unless they had lost his trail.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi tried to comfort Shiraishi by describing the experiments Lord Mayuri would perform on him if he were captured.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi asked why Shiraishi’s heart raced when she came close, and Shiraishi tried to explain that humans could suppress their desires.
• Shiraishi taught Nemu Kurotsuchi how tone and expression could make praise sarcastic or insults sincere, and their dinner lasted two hours.
• Shiraishi told Nemu Kurotsuchi they would go to West District 15 the next day to meet Oda Nobunaga and Kichō, if the Shinigami had not caught them.

Oda Nobunaga gathered Shiraishi and Miyamoto Musashi for the planned raid on Ryūgetsu Castle, hoping to seize the snow lotus that would cure his burns. They sensed Kenpachi Zaraki’s overwhelming Reiatsu at the castle, and Nobunaga prepared to face him rather than retreat.

• Oda Nobunaga rose before dawn, had Kichō bandage his burns, and waited on the mountain for his allies.
• Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi arrived, and Shiraishi agreed to wait until Nobunaga’s men had gathered before moving.
• Miyamoto Musashi joined them, and Oda Nobunaga introduced him to Shiraishi as the creator of the Niten Ichi-ryū.
• Miyamoto Musashi and Oda Nobunaga sensed powerful Reiatsu coming from Ryūgetsu Castle, and Shiraishi recognized it as Kenpachi Zaraki’s.
• Oda Nobunaga blamed Aizen for arranging Zaraki’s escort of the tax collection party and asked Miyamoto Musashi if he was confident; Musashi said he was.

Miyamoto Musashi sought to make his name by killing Kenpachi Zaraki, but Oda Nobunaga sent him to draw Kenpachi away while he headed for Ryūgetsu Castle. Musashi confronted Kenpachi and nearly cut his throat, and Kenpachi removed his eyepatch to continue the fight.

• Miyamoto Musashi grew excited at the prospect of fighting Kenpachi Zaraki, and Oda Nobunaga ordered him to rein in his Reiatsu.
• After realizing their whereabouts had been exposed, Oda Nobunaga ordered Miyamoto Musashi to draw Kenpachi Zaraki away while he went to Ryūgetsu Castle.
• Kenpachi Zaraki detected the group with the bells on his hair, found Miyamoto Musashi, and sent Yachiru Kusajishi to watch from a nearby hill.
• Miyamoto Musashi and Kenpachi Zaraki exchanged blows, and Musashi used Niten Ichi-ryū to wound Kenpachi's throat.
• Kenpachi Zaraki dismissed Musashi's taunt, complained that the fight might end too soon, and removed his eyepatch.

Shiraishi stayed hidden while Oda Nobunaga attacked Ryūgetsu Castle to obtain the snow lotus, fighting past the Shinigami guarding it. Oda reached the flower but was ambushed and captured by Soi Fon, who revealed that her real target was the person behind him.

• Shiraishi doubted Oda Nobunaga’s motives and chose to watch from the shadows as Oda attacked Ryūgetsu Castle.
• Oda Nobunaga broke through the castle gate, wounded Renji Abarai, and left Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa to fight Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Okita Sōji.
• Oda Nobunaga entered the castle building and found the snow lotus inside an iron safe.
• Soi Fon ambushed Oda Nobunaga, dislocated his shoulder, and held a blade to his neck.
• Soi Fon told Oda Nobunaga that she had come for the person behind him, and Oda replied that she would be disappointed.

Shiraishi captured Soi Fon and escaped with Oda Nobunaga and the stolen valuables, leaving Soi Fon humiliated and furious. She unleashed her Bankai at Shiraishi’s distant position, suffering the weapon’s recoil as a mushroom cloud rose over the mountain.

• Shiraishi ambushed Soi Fon, restrained her, and told Oda Nobunaga to take the money while sparing her life.
• Soi Fon bit Shiraishi, who distracted her with a kiss on the cheek and struck the back of her head to escape.
• Shiraishi kicked the safe through the building and rode it away as Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa realized Soi Fon had lost.
• Soi Fon recovered, saw Shiraishi fleeing, and activated her Bankai, Suzumebachi Raikōben.
• Soi Fon fired her Bankai toward Shiraishi’s position and was thrown down by its recoil as a mushroom cloud rose over the mountain.