Chapter Summaries

While Isane Kotetsu caught and roasted cicadas for Shiraishi, he complimented her feet and encouraged her to grow her hair out. After Retsu Unohana sent Isane away, she told Shiraishi that Captain-Commander Yamamoto was pleased with his performance and would reward him, then asked what he wanted.

• Isane Kotetsu caught cicadas with Shunpo and stunned them with Byakurai until Shiraishi could no longer hear them from his hospital room.
• Shiraishi stopped Isane as she was about to jump down, complimented her feet, and made her blush by admitting he had been looking at them.
• Isane roasted and peeled the cicadas for Shiraishi, while he asked why she kept her hair short and told her she would look prettier with longer hair.
• Retsu Unohana arrived, sent Isane away, and teased Shiraishi about trying to steal her Third Seat.
• Retsu told Shiraishi that Captain-Commander Yamamoto had decided to reward him for his performance and asked what he wanted.

While recovering in the Fourth Division, Shiraishi asked Retsu Unohana to seek Yamamoto’s approval to clear Kūkaku of her crimes. After Unohana left, Shiraishi endured his boredom by thinking about Kūkaku and longing to see her once he recovered.

• Shiraishi rejected improper reward ideas and asked Retsu Unohana to get Kūkaku cleared of her crimes, citing his role in defeating three Muken escapees.
• Retsu Unohana agreed to pass the request to Captain-Commander Yamamoto but did not promise he would approve it.
• Retsu Unohana roasted cicadas for Shiraishi, fed him, and warned him not to call Isane over unnecessarily.
• After Retsu Unohana left, Shiraishi complained about being bored and remembered he needed to recover before visiting Kūkaku.
• Shiraishi imagined reuniting with Kūkaku and decided he would prove his feelings through action when he could see her again.

Soi Fon fretted over whether to welcome Shiraishi after his hospital discharge, then decided to go. Shiraishi left the Fourth Division and returned to a festive welcome from the Tenth Division, while someone appeared to watch him from outside the gate.

• Soi Fon counted documents to decide whether to welcome Shiraishi, then settled on going to congratulate him and thank him for the Tsukikage Yagyū case.
• Marechiyo Ōmaeda startled Soi Fon with trivial news about his family's jewelry company, and she knocked him down and kicked him.
• Shiraishi left the Fourth Division after teasing Retsu Unohana, who had arranged for Isane to be away during his departure.
• Shiraishi arrived at the Tenth Division barracks, where more than two hundred squad members welcomed him with a party.
• Rangiku Matsumoto pulled Shiraishi into the buffet and told him to drink at every table, while he noticed someone peeking through the gate.

After being discharged, Shiraishi learned that Kūkaku had last been seen in West Rukongai and decided to search for her himself. He left the Seireitei for a few days, leaving Hitsugaya and Matsumoto to manage the Tenth Division.

• Shiraishi woke to Nemu Kurotsuchi’s surprise and told her to stop listening to Akon’s suggestions.
• Nemu served Shiraishi a medicinal sea bass she had modified, and he enjoyed the meal.
• Nemu told Shiraishi that Kūkaku had last been spotted in Flower Village, in West Rukongai’s fifty-first district, three days earlier.
• Shiraishi asked Nemu to notify him through the Denreishinki if she found more news about Kūkaku.
• Shiraishi went to the Tenth Division dining hall and told Tōshirō Hitsugaya he would leave the Seireitei for a few days, entrusting division affairs to Hitsugaya and Matsumoto.

Shiraishi found Kūkaku Shiba in Grain in Ear and told her that he had secured her pardon, but she angrily rejected his decision to become a Shinigami captain. After they reconciled, the chapter left Kūkaku asking whether breakfast was ready.

• Shiraishi searched Grain in Ear and found Kūkaku Shiba at her mountain home after one of her firework experiments exploded.
• Kūkaku Shiba recognized Shiraishi in his Shinigami uniform and accused him of trying to capture her for the Seireitei.
• Shiraishi told Kūkaku Shiba that she had been pardoned and could return openly to West District One, but she remained furious that he had become a captain.
• Shiraishi apologized and promised to resign, and Kūkaku Shiba eventually opened the door after bathing and reunited with him.
• The next morning, Kūkaku Shiba rinsed her mouth outside and asked whether the food was done roasting.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba reunited after a long separation and shared a meal while teasing each other about their past and Shiraishi’s romantic affairs. Kūkaku accepted his choice to remain a captain, admitted she had felt jealous, and asked him to show his affection through actions.

• Shiraishi and Kūkaku grilled meat together and joked about which of them had run out of strength first.
• Shiraishi fed Kūkaku a skewer, and they toasted to their reunion with liquor.
• Kūkaku asked about Shiraishi’s romantic exploits, and he admitted he had been with two women.
• Kūkaku rested her head on Shiraishi’s shoulder and told him he did not need to resign as captain for her sake.
• Kūkaku admitted she had been jealous, then stopped Shiraishi’s apology and asked him to show his feelings through actions.

After spending the morning with Kūkaku Shiba, Shiraishi followed her toward the Shiba Clan and helped intercept Kaoru Tendō, who had come seeking a fight. Kaoru overwhelmed both of them and sent Shiraishi crashing through a mountain, then welcomed the sudden chill of his Reiatsu as the battle continued.

• Kūkaku Shiba set off fireworks that failed to form the image she wanted, then led Shiraishi toward West District One while he pursued her.
• In West District Thirteen, Kūkaku Shiba confronted Kaoru Tendō, who said she had come either to beat them to death or be beaten to death.
• Kaoru Tendō attacked Kūkaku Shiba, and Shiraishi emerged from hiding to strike her with his Shikai.
• Kaoru Tendō used her hair and precise Hakuda to counter their attacks, then struck Shiraishi and hurled him through trees into a mountain.
• Kaoru Tendō explained that she had tracked Shiraishi through the Purgatory Trading Company and the Research and Development Institute, then felt his Reiatsu make the summer air turn cold.

Shiraishi confronted Kaoru Tendō in his Bankai while Kūkaku withdrew, and Yamamoto learned of their fight and decided to go to West Rukongai himself. Shiraishi’s opening attack failed, but he used a distraction to strike at Kaoru from the woods.

• Shiraishi revealed his altered Bankai form and warned Kūkaku to retreat before facing Kaoru Tendō.
• Yamamoto recalled his past regret over Kaoru and ordered Retsu Unohana and Sajin Komamura summoned while he prepared to go to West Rukongai.
• After Kūkaku left, Shiraishi attacked Kaoru with a wave of orange flames, but she tore it apart with her Reiatsu.
• Kaoru searched the woods after failing to sense Shiraishi, then used Shunpo to investigate a broken branch as his flaming blade stabbed toward her.

Shiraishi fought Kaoru Tendō, who retreated after narrowly escaping his hellfire tornado. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto arrived, warned Shiraishi that Kaoru would likely challenge him again, and left as Kūkaku Shiba returned.

• Kaoru Tendō dodged Shiraishi’s flaming attacks and clashed with him in midair.
• Shiraishi unleashed a dark whirlwind that drew in the surrounding flames, forcing Kaoru to flee with Shunpo.
• Shiraishi ended his Bankai as Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto appeared before him.
• Yamamoto explained that Kaoru sought challenges against strong opponents and warned Shiraishi to stay near the Seireitei.
• Shiraishi said he would settle Kūkaku’s affairs before deciding whether to return to the Seireitei, and Kūkaku Shiba came back after Yamamoto vanished.

Shiraishi and Kūkaku Shiba discussed Kaoru Tendō’s threat and decided to stay together in Rukongai. Meanwhile, Kaoru allied with Tsunayashiro Tokinada, who promised to engineer a rebellion so she could fight Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto alone.

• Kūkaku Shiba checked Shiraishi for injuries, and he kissed her before they discussed Kaoru Tendō’s escape from Muken.
• Shiraishi persuaded Kūkaku Shiba to stay with him in Rukongai, where they could also protect Ganju Shiba and wait for Kaoru.
• Kaoru Tendō resolved to eliminate Yamamoto’s allies one by one before seeking a rematch with him.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada revealed that he wanted power to pursue evil and offered Kaoru a chance to fight Yamamoto alone.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada said radical nobles would help start a rebellion during the nobles’ ancestral observance on the ninth day of the ninth month, and Kaoru agreed to work with him.

Kūkaku Shiba returned to the Shiba Clan home with Shiraishi after being pardoned, and her family welcomed her back. The reunion ended with Kūkaku dragging Ganju inside to punish him for his interest in picture books while Shiraishi asked for chilled watermelon.

• Ganju Shiba practiced Sekihō by dodging spinning pillars as Kin and Gin attacked him with pebbles.
• Kūkaku Shiba arrived with Shiraishi and reunited with Ganju, Kin, and Gin, explaining that Shiraishi had helped get her crimes pardoned.
• Ganju and the others mistakenly assumed Kūkaku and Shiraishi were married, prompting Kūkaku to punch them and deny it.
• Ganju bragged about his picture books, so Kūkaku grabbed him and dragged him inside to inspect them and punish him.
• Kūkaku ordered Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko to burn the picture books while Shiraishi asked them for chilled watermelon.

Shiraishi flirted with Kūkaku Shiba before entering his inner world to train for a new Bankai form. Infinity set him the challenge of finding a sword that could defeat her while he dodged her attacks.

• Kūkaku Shiba sent Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko to tend Ganju's wounds, then scolded Ganju for reading picture books.
• Shiraishi teased Kūkaku and rubbed her foot, but she left him behind to check on Ganju.
• Shiraishi decided to train for a new Bankai while waiting for Sōya Azashiro to go to Hueco Mundo.
• Infinity summoned a field of golden swords and challenged Shiraishi to find one that could defeat her.
• Shiraishi drew a sword that shattered, dodged Infinity's strikes, and agreed to continue the challenge.

Shiraishi struggled to sense his connection to his sword during Bankai training, then returned to the Shiba Clan home and joined Kūkaku and her family for a formal meal. After eating, he went back to his room to sleep before continuing his training.

• Shiraishi stopped Infinity’s attack and learned that breaking swords made from his spirit drained his energy and hindered his ability to sense them.
• Kūkaku Shiba woke Shiraishi by stepping on his face, and they traded teasing remarks before she led him to the main hall.
• Shiraishi saw the injured Ganju Shiba at the family meal, where Ganju glared at him and quickly appeased Kūkaku.
• Kūkaku insisted the family observe proper dining etiquette despite the Central 46 Chambers’ decision to strip the Shiba Clan of nobility.
• Shiraishi followed the meal’s formal rules, finished eating, and returned to his room to sleep before resuming Bankai training.

Soi Fon dealt with a flawed report and approved a calendar project after learning Nemu Kurotsuchi would participate. She remained unaware that the project manager was secretly scouting the Stealth Force headquarters, then studied Hakuda theory to find a way to grow stronger without relying on Shiraishi.

• Soi Fon reprimanded Marechiyo Ōmaeda for submitting an inadequate report about rumors concerning the Gold Seal Unit.
• Soi Fon approved Yūta Ishiyama's calendar project after he offered half the net profits and named several Gotei 13 participants, including Nemu Kurotsuchi.
• Yūta Ishiyama left pleased that his access to the Stealth Force headquarters had helped him learn its layout and defenses for Lord Tendō.
• After work, Soi Fon ate honey dorayaki while studying Hakuda theory, and the ideas behind her new technique began to connect.

Soi Fon sought to break through her Hakuda limits by developing a technique that fused Hakuda with Kidō. Her first tests badly injured her arm, but she continued training because she was determined to get stronger quickly.

• Soi Fon decided to create a new Hakuda school that compressed Kidō power into her limbs, and she identified wind as the Kidō attribute best suited to her.
• Soi Fon’s first attempt caused the compressed Kidō to tear open her right arm, so she ordered her guards to summon Isane Kotetsu.
• Isane Kotetsu healed Soi Fon’s wounds with Kaidō and warned her not to risk injuring her meridians.
• Soi Fon immediately tested the technique again, reopening her arm, and told Isane Kotetsu she had to get stronger as soon as possible.

Soi Fon struggled to control a new technique, injuring herself repeatedly before ending her practice for the night. The next morning, Rangiku Matsumoto was summoned to a Captains’ Meeting, but Shiraishi refused to return and she arrived late.

• Isane Kotetsu healed Soi Fon’s injuries and agreed to assist her with training, though Soi Fon insisted on paying her overtime.
• Soi Fon tried compressing Kidō power into her fingertip in stages, but the technique burst and wounded her arm again.
• After hours of failed attempts, Soi Fon stopped training, returned to her austere room, and eventually fell asleep after three in the morning.
• A Riteitai member summoned Rangiku Matsumoto to Captain-Commander Yamamoto’s Captains’ Meeting, and she called Shiraishi to demand he attend.
• Shiraishi said he could not return because he was busy, leaving Rangiku to hurry to the First Division’s barracks, where she arrived more than forty minutes later.

At a Captains’ Meeting, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto announced a campaign against Oniyasha and Mayuri Kurotsuchi presented Turtle Gas as a way to stop his forbidden techniques. Aizen and Kaname Tōsen volunteered to deliver the gas to East Rukongai District 31.

• Rangiku Matsumoto waited with the others until Renji Abarai arrived late to represent the 11th Division.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto called for a campaign to eliminate Oniyasha, Kaoru Tendō, and Sōya Azashiro and restore order in Soul Society.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi explained that Turtle Gas could slow Oniyasha’s brain and prevent him from using forbidden techniques.
• Kaname Tōsen questioned how they would make Oniyasha inhale the gas, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi argued with him and Sajin Komamura before Yamamoto stopped the bickering.
• Aizen and Kaname Tōsen volunteered to escort the Turtle Gas to East Rukongai District 31.

After the Captains' Meeting, Aizen and Kaname Tōsen encountered Tsunayashiro Tokinada and Aura Michibane on their way to the Blue Stream Gate. Aizen revealed that he had manipulated Tokinada with an illusion, recruited Aura, and warned that Tokinada would not live much longer.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi tossed the jar of turtle gas behind him, and Aizen caught it and hid it in his haori.
• Aizen and Kaname Tōsen headed toward the Blue Stream Gate and stopped when they sensed danger from Tsunayashiro Tokinada and Aura Michibane.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada provoked Kaname Tōsen by invoking Kakyō, while Aura realized Aizen's Shikai had triggered the illusion affecting Tokinada.
• Aizen asked Aura Michibane to work for him, promised to give her a reason to live after Tokinada's death, and left with Kaname Tōsen.
• Aura told Tokinada that Aizen had stolen the Fullbringer's corpse and warned him that he would not live much longer.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada concluded that Aizen had interfered in Kaname Tōsen's past and recognized him as a formidable schemer.

Aizen and Kaname Tōsen discussed Tsunayashiro Tokinada after leaving the Blue Stream Gate, and Tōsen remembered Kakyō and the loss that shaped his pursuit of justice. Aizen promised Tōsen he would witness Tokinada’s painful end, while leaving the details of his plan undisclosed.

• Aizen explained that Tokinada had learned about Turtle Gas and had exposed himself by mocking them after recognizing them.
• Aizen told Tōsen that his exposure was expected and asked whether he wanted to deal with Tokinada himself.
• Tōsen remembered Kakyō’s kindness, her dreams of becoming a Shinigami, and his regret over failing to stop her before her death.
• Tōsen suppressed his desire to kill Tokinada and agreed to follow Aizen’s plan, believing a quick death would be too easy for him.
• Aizen promised Tōsen he would witness Tokinada’s end and see him suffer a painful death.

Kenpachi Zaraki struggled to find a way to overcome Oniyasha’s time- and space-bending abilities while eating with Yachiru Kusajishi in Riverbend Town. After Gin Ichimaru explained the plan to use Turtle Gas, he pointed Kenpachi toward Shiraishi for a fight, and Kenpachi set off with Yachiru.

• Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi stopped at a tea shop, where Yachiru ordered food and Kenpachi worried about how to cut through time and space.
• Gin Ichimaru arrived, ate some buns, and told Kenpachi that Captain Aizen and Captain Tōsen would escort Turtle Gas to help capture Oniyasha.
• Kenpachi objected that weakening Oniyasha would ruin the fight, but Gin explained that the plan might take weeks and teased him about his frustration.
• Gin told Kenpachi that Shiraishi was in district 1 of West Rukongai, and Kenpachi decided to go fight him.
• Yachiru grabbed buns to take along and left with Kenpachi, while Gin stayed at the tea shop to keep eating.