Chapter Summaries

Shiraishi stopped Soi Fon’s Suzumebachi Raikōben from destroying him and helped Oda Nobunaga secure the snow lotus. After Nobunaga asked why he wanted to become stronger, Shiraishi answered that he wanted freedom, then set off with Nemu Kurotsuchi for West District Ten.

• Shiraishi, Oda Nobunaga, Kichō, and Nemu Kurotsuchi rode the safe as it flew toward Suzumebachi Raikōben.
• Shiraishi let the blast erupt, then used Wind Wall to divert the flames and shock wave away from them.
• Kichō asked what Shiraishi had done, while Nemu Kurotsuchi asked him how the dango tasted.
• After Wind Wall vanished, Shiraishi told Oda Nobunaga that he wanted to become stronger for the sake of freedom.
• Oda Nobunaga declined to split the money and left with Kichō to prepare medicine and recover.
• Shiraishi lifted the safe and headed back to West District Ten with Nemu Kurotsuchi.

Soi Fon assessed the aftermath of her Bankai blast and ordered a search for survivors and Oda Nobunaga’s subordinates. Meanwhile, Kenpachi Zaraki defeated Miyamoto Musashi and hurried toward Ryūgetsu Castle, eager to find another fight.

• Soi Fon wondered whether Shiraishi had been helping the person behind Oda Nobunaga’s escape, then dismissed the idea that he would serve anyone.
• A Punishment Force member reported that the 11th Division’s Third Seat and Fifth Seat were still fighting, while its Sixth Seat was badly injured; Soi Fon ordered a search of the blast site and said to capture Oda Nobunaga’s subordinates alive.
• Kenpachi Zaraki laughed as he fought Miyamoto Musashi, whose attacks wounded him but failed to stop his rising Reiatsu and improving skill.
• Miyamoto Musashi struck Kenpachi Zaraki’s neck with Soaring Dragon Flash, but Kenpachi survived and urged him to continue fighting.
• Miyamoto Musashi pretended to give up, then tried to attack Kenpachi from behind; Kenpachi anticipated the ruse and split him in two with a single sword stroke.
• Yachiru Kusajishi celebrated Kenpachi’s victory, and Kenpachi raced toward Ryūgetsu Castle in search of more opponents.

After the prisoner escaped during a clash between the 11th Division and the Punishment Force, Kenpachi Zaraki and Soi Fon reported to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Yamamoto suspected Shiraishi was connected to a powerful rebel force and ordered the captains back to Seireitei.

• Soi Fon blamed the 11th Division’s Seated Officers for letting Minamoto no Yoshitsune escape after they fought the Punishment Force members who interfered in their duels.
• Kenpachi Zaraki warned Soi Fon not to interfere with his division’s fights again, then went with her to report the mission to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
• Soi Fon reported that Oda Nobunaga’s body was missing, while Kenpachi Zaraki reported that he had killed Miyamoto Musashi.
• Yamamoto considered intelligence linking Shiraishi, Kūkaku Shiba, and Yoruichi Shihōin to Oda Nobunaga’s escape and concluded that Seireitei might face a rebel force with at least nine Captain-level members.
• Yamamoto ordered all division captains to return to Seireitei and guard their areas, and summoned Isshin Shiba to the reception room.

The Captain-Commander summoned Isshin Shiba over rumors that Kūkaku Shiba was close to Shiraishi and ordered an investigation to clear her name. After warning Isshin to keep the captains in the Seireitei for an impending crisis, Isshin decided to go to the World of the Living to investigate a Shinigami’s unexplained death.

• Gorō Ōishi delivered the Captain-Commander’s summons to the Tenth Division, where he first mistook Tōshirō Hitsugaya for a child and then found Isshin Shiba had returned.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked Isshin what he thought of Kūkaku and told him rumors linked her closely to Shiraishi.
• Isshin agreed to Yamamoto’s plan to have the Stealth Force investigate Kūkaku and clear her name.
• Yamamoto ordered Isshin to stay in the Seireitei with the other captains because a major event might happen soon.
• After seeing a compensation application for a Shinigami who had died in Naruki City, Isshin decided to go to the World of the Living to investigate the cause.

Isshin Shiba confronted White, a powerful Hollow created from Shinigami souls, in Naruki City and was nearly killed by an unseen Shinigami’s attack. Masaki Kurosaki saved him, and after the fight left Isshin unconscious, someone in an alley signaled her to bring him along.

• Isshin Shiba arrived in Naruki City without a Limitation Seal and found White killing a Shinigami outside a school.
• Isshin fought White while drawing him away from the city, but an unseen attacker plunged him into darkness and wounded him.
• Isshin endured a Cero and began to despair as the darkness kept him from seeing or sensing his surroundings.
• Masaki Kurosaki shattered the darkness with her bow, trapped White, and shot it in the head with a Heilig Pfeil.
• Isshin pulled White away from Masaki before it exploded, then fell unconscious on the rooftop.
• A person in an alley held up a sign telling Masaki Kurosaki to bring Isshin and follow them.

Kaname Tōsen reported White's failed Hollowfication experiment to Aizen, who became interested in the Hollow's effect on a Quincy and ordered the Ishida family watched. Aizen shared watermelon with Momo Hinamori before an urgent clatter interrupted them.

• Kaname Tōsen told Gin Ichimaru that White's experiment had failed after a Quincy killed White, then went to report the failure to Aizen.
• Aizen reassured Kaname Tōsen and said he was curious about White's choice of an incompatible Quincy, ordering him to watch the Ishida family in Karakura Town.
• Momo Hinamori brought Aizen watermelons from her family, and he cut and shared one with her.
• Aizen reflected that he had abandoned plans to use Momo Hinamori, Renji Abarai, and Izuru Kira in the experiment.
• An urgent clatter echoed through the sky as Aizen and Momo Hinamori ate watermelon.

Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi took shelter from the storm in a hidden cave, where Shiraishi counted his newfound money and repaid his debts. At the Kawakami residence, Kawakami Saburō begged him to leave, afraid that being connected to Shiraishi would bring trouble from the higher-ups.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi opened a concealed cave in the cliff, and Shiraishi carried the safe inside.
• Shiraishi counted money and set aside 150,000 for Kawakami Saburō and 30,000 for the Rice Village elder.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi prepared glutinous-rice balls for lunch and considered what to cook that evening.
• After the rain stopped, Shiraishi left money at the Rice Village elder's home and went to repay Kawakami Saburō.
• Kawakami Saburō refused the money and pleaded with Shiraishi to leave, fearing he would suffer the same fate as Kūkaku Shiba.

After learning that Kūkaku Shiba had been arrested for allegedly conspiring against the Central 46 Chambers, Shiraishi decided to infiltrate the Seireitei and rescue her. Kawakami Saburō revealed a way in, while Shiraishi left determined to act.

• Shiraishi learned that Isshin Shiba had vanished in the World of the Living and that Gin Ichimaru had arrested Kūkaku Shiba on suspicion of conspiracy.
• Kawakami Saburō explained that Kūkaku would likely be sentenced to at least five thousand years in the Howling level of Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail.
• Shiraishi asked Kawakami how to enter the Seireitei and insisted he intended to rescue Kūkaku.
• After Shiraishi offered more gold, Kawakami revealed that the Ōmaeda Gem Company sent unchecked gemstone shipments through the Hakutōmon on the tenth of each month.
• Shiraishi left, telling Kawakami that he did not understand, while Kawakami counted and bit the gold bars.

Shiraishi resolved to rescue his friend Kūkaku Shiba from Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail, despite the danger, while Nemu Kurotsuchi offered to help. He warned Nemu that joining him could make it impossible for her to return to Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

• Shiraishi reflected on his loneliness and realized his friendship with Kūkaku Shiba was the reason he could not abandon her.
• Shiraishi returned to his cave and struggled to devise a way to rescue Kūkaku from Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi arrived with groceries and fish, and Shiraishi noticed she had been enjoying her shopping trip.
• Nemu warned Shiraishi that breaking into the prison was nearly impossible and could leave him dead, but he insisted that attempting the rescue was worth the risk.
• Shiraishi told Nemu that Kūkaku was his friend and that Nemu was one too; Nemu wondered if she felt the same and offered to help.
• Shiraishi refused to order Nemu to join him and warned that helping him could turn her against the Shinigami and keep her from returning to Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Nemu Kurotsuchi struggled to choose between remaining devoted only to Lord Mayuri and helping Shiraishi, who planned something dangerous. After asking the market vendors for advice, she decided to act rather than regret doing nothing.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi prepared dinner while postponing a decision about whether to help Shiraishi.
• While eating, Nemu admitted she feared Shiraishi might die or disappear, and he reassured her that he could escape danger.
• On the ninth, Nemu went to the market in Beginning of Spring Town to buy groceries and asked the vendors what she should do.
• The market manager advised Nemu that it was better to act and regret it than regret not acting, and she made her choice to help Shiraishi.

Nemu Kurotsuchi decided to help Shiraishi rescue Kūkaku Shiba and joined his plan to infiltrate the Seireitei. Shiraishi agreed, provided she would claim he had threatened her if they were caught, and continued searching for the Ōmaeda Gem Company's convoy.

• Nemu Kurotsuchi decided to help Shiraishi after considering the risks and receiving advice from the people at the market.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi prepared a lavish lunch for Shiraishi and told him she wanted to help rescue Kūkaku Shiba.
• Shiraishi warned Nemu Kurotsuchi that she could lose the chance to see Mayuri Kurotsuchi if they were discovered, but she insisted on joining him.
• Shiraishi agreed to take Nemu Kurotsuchi along if she claimed he had threatened her should they be caught.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi explained that her knowledge of Seireitei maps, traps, shortcuts, and hiding places would help the mission.
• Shiraishi apologized for underestimating Nemu Kurotsuchi, then left the cave to hunt Hollows and search for the Ōmaeda Gem Company's convoy.

Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi infiltrated Seireitei to seek Jūshirō Ukitake’s help freeing Kūkaku Shiba, who had been sentenced to six thousand years in prison. Shiraishi proposed breaking into Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail, but Seireitei discovered the intruder.

• Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi hid in an empty crate aboard the Ōmaeda Gem Company's ore convoy and entered Seireitei unnoticed.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi led Shiraishi to Ugendo, where he woke the ill Jūshirō Ukitake.
• Shiraishi told Jūshirō Ukitake that the Central 46 Chambers had falsely accused and imprisoned Kūkaku Shiba.
• Kiyone Kotetsu explained that Kūkaku had been sentenced to six thousand years in the fourth level, Howling, after Isshin Shiba defected.
• Shiraishi proposed sneaking into Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail to free Kūkaku, and Jūshirō Ukitake hesitated over breaking Seireitei's rules.
• Shinigami outside shouted that an intruder had broken into Seireitei.

After an alarm sounded in the Seireitei, Shiraishi learned that reaching the Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail would require overcoming severe defenses and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. He left with Nemu Kurotsuchi to look for a chance to rescue Kūkaku while Jūshirō Ukitake remained behind as the Riteitai arrived.

• Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki bickered after Nemu Kurotsuchi entered Ugendo and greeted Kiyone.
• Jūshirō Ukitake warned Shiraishi that the alarm would bring first-level martial law and make an assault on the prison nearly impossible.
• Shiraishi decided to head toward the First Division with Nemu, believing another group had triggered the alarm and hoping to find an opportunity to rescue Kūkaku.
• Jūshirō Ukitake described the prison route, its thirteen defensive walls, and the barriers and guarded keys between levels.
• Shiraishi left Ugendo with Nemu Kurotsuchi, while members of the Riteitai arrived with an urgent order for Jūshirō Ukitake.

Oda Nobunaga sought Aizen’s help navigating the Seireitei and planning another attempt to assassinate Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. After Aizen supplied a map and advice, Oda Nobunaga assigned his allies their roles and set out for the Senzaikyū.

• Momo Hinamori warned Aizen that intruders had entered the Seireitei, and he sent her to gather the squad.
• Oda Nobunaga and three companions appeared in Aizen’s room, and Oda Nobunaga asked for a map of the Seireitei’s Reishi traps.
• Aizen gave Oda Nobunaga the map and suggested attacking the Central 46 Chambers, freeing prisoners, and preparing to face the Seventh Division and seal Ryūjin Jakka.
• Oda Nobunaga silently took Kyōka Suigetsu from Aizen, then returned it and vanished with his companions.
• Oda Nobunaga assigned Okita Sōji to attack the Central 46 Chambers and free prisoners, and Yoshitsune to hold off the Seventh Division captain.
• Oda Nobunaga picked up Kichō and set off toward the Senzaikyū.

Oda Nobunaga and his allies attacked Seireitei, with Okita Sōji fighting through Shinigami toward the Central 46 Chambers. Nobunaga confronted Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto while Shiraishi and Nemu Kurotsuchi entered the battle, and Yamamoto prepared to fight.

• Oda Nobunaga left Kichō at Sōkyoku Hill and sent Minamoto no Yoshitsune to intercept the Seventh Division while Okita Sōji headed for the Central 46 Chambers.
• Okita Sōji killed the Shinigami who tried to stop him and used Dusk Bell’s Time Deletion to cut down more than a dozen attackers.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto pursued Okita Sōji, but Oda Nobunaga activated Bankai and made Yamamoto’s sword disappear.
• Okita Sōji felt Yamamoto’s immense Reiatsu, then saw someone break through the Central 46 Chambers’ defenses and faced an attacker with emerald-green eyes.
• Nemu Kurotsuchi confronted Okita Sōji while Shiraishi appeared to be entering the area, and Yamamoto recognized Nobunaga as his opponent.
• Oda Nobunaga declared that he would take Yamamoto’s world, and Yamamoto exposed his battle-scarred body and challenged him to a fight.

Sajin Komamura confronted Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a warrior serving Lord Nobunaga, as the Seventh Division moved to defend the Shin'ō District. Komamura defeated Yoshitsune with his Bankai, honored him after his death, and continued toward the district.

• Sajin Komamura sent Tetsuzaemon and the Seventh Division troops to follow him while he hurried ahead to the Shin'ō District.
• Komamura met Minamoto no Yoshitsune, introduced himself, and drew his Zanpakuto when Yoshitsune refused to let him pass.
• Komamura unleashed Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, forcing Yoshitsune to evade its massive sword strikes.
• When Yoshitsune rushed toward an opening, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō struck him with its palm and left him gravely wounded.
• Yoshitsune declared that he served Lord Nobunaga and made one final attack with his broken Zanpakuto, then died against Komamura's chest.
• Komamura closed Yoshitsune's eyes, remembered his name, and continued toward the Shin'ō District.

Shiraishi broke into Shin'ō Underground Great: The Jail and rescued Kūkaku Shiba from the fourth level, carrying her toward the surface. As they emerged, they saw Okita Sōji defeat Nemu Kurotsuchi, but an unseen attacker struck at him.

• Shiraishi forced the third-level administrator to open the barrier, knocked him out, and descended to the fourth level.
• Shiraishi cut through Kūkaku Shiba's cell bars, freed her from the ropes, and carried her on his back after she could not stand.
• Shiraishi carried Kūkaku Shiba through the prison levels and out past the breached defensive barriers.
• Shiraishi saw Nemu Kurotsuchi fall after Okita Sōji struck her, and Okita prepared to step over her.
• An icy sensation struck Okita Sōji from behind, so he deleted half a second of time to evade the surprise attack.

Shiraishi defeated Okita Sōji and rescued Kūkaku Shiba, then fought Sajin Komamura while Nemu Kurotsuchi urged them to leave her behind. He cleared a path to the General Infirmary with a tornado and escaped with Kūkaku.

• Okita Sōji’s Dusk Bell let him evade Shiraishi’s attacks, but Shiraishi overwhelmed him with Reiatsu and killed him when Dusk Bell broke.
• Shiraishi returned to Nemu Kurotsuchi and caught Kūkaku Shiba as she fell, while Nemu told them to leave her behind.
• Shiraishi sensed Isane Kotetsu’s Reiatsu and located the General Infirmary, then Sajin Komamura arrived and attacked.
• Sajin Komamura activated Bankai, and Shiraishi struck him hard enough to shatter his mask before retreating several miles away.
• Shiraishi unleashed a tornado that destroyed obstacles along a route to the General Infirmary, then caught up with Kūkaku and left with her.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba hid in an empty pavilion while fleeing through the Seireitei, where Kūkaku teased him about his attraction to her and asked how he had infiltrated the city. Shiraishi explained that he and Nemu had entered in a convoy, then sensed an unfamiliar Reiatsu heading toward the place where he had left Nemu.

• Shiraishi carried Kūkaku Shiba through the Seireitei, avoiding the 11th Division searchers and stopping in an empty pavilion to escape the heat.
• Kūkaku tore off her execution garment, borrowed Shiraishi's jacket, and teased him about staring at her.
• Kūkaku admitted Shiraishi's repeated efforts to save her might have made her feel something for him, then asked about Isshin.
• Shiraishi joked that Isshin had fallen in love with a human girl, and Kūkaku warned him not to mock her family before forgiving him.
• Shiraishi told Kūkaku that he and Nemu Kurotsuchi had infiltrated the Seireitei in an Ōmaeda Gem Company convoy.
• Shiraishi sensed an unfamiliar Reiatsu rushing toward the place where he had left Nemu.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi arrived at the Central 46 Chambers to take the injured Nemu back to his laboratory, but Retsu Unohana stopped him. After hearing Nemu’s devotion to him, Mayuri began to question his dismissal of emotions and decided he wanted to understand them.

• Mayuri rode his modified black dog to the ruined Central 46 Chambers, hoping to track Shiraishi.
• Mayuri tried to take the injured Nemu from Isane Kotetsu, but Retsu Unohana intervened and insisted Nemu receive treatment from the Fourth Division.
• Mayuri killed the black dog when it proved useless, prompting Isane to condemn his cruelty.
• Nemu briefly awoke and told Isane that she loved and respected Mayuri as her father, despite their disagreements.
• Mayuri agreed to leave Nemu’s treatment to the Fourth Division and began wondering whether emotions like love, friendship, and faith were worth understanding.