Recaps

Sōgo Shihoin and Lilynette disrupted the balance of Menos Grande hunting grounds, prompting Baraggan Louisenbairn to launch a war against the Soul Reapers in Hueco Mundo. After the attack reached the Gotei 13, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi volunteered to lead the response.

• Sōgo Shihoin and Lilynette spent months controlling wild Menos Grande, driving many into Las Noches and causing conflict over hunting grounds.
• Baraggan Louisenbairn ordered his forces to assemble for an expedition after the influx of Menos Grande disrupted the balance he had maintained.
• A Baraggan general led one Vasto Lorde, fifty-five Adjuchas, and countless Gillian to attack a Soul Reaper outpost near the Forest of Menos.
• The Menos Grande overwhelmed the outpost with Ceros and killed many Soul Reapers, while one dying Soul Reaper urged his comrades to warn the Gotei 13.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto asked the captains how to respond to the uprising, and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi volunteered the 11th Division and received approval.

Haruko and the Soul Reapers in Hueco Mundo were overwhelmed by Menos Grande until Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and the Gotei 11th Division arrived and turned the battle around. After their victories forced the Hollows into hiding, a Vasto Lorde took command and confronted Kenpachi, who led his division into the attack.

• Haruko fled the Menos Grande assault, but an Adjuchas cornered her and prepared to eat her.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi killed the Adjuchas and led the Gotei 11th Division in driving back the Menos Grande.
• A month later, an Adjuchas reported the Soul Reapers’ victories to a Vasto Lorde serving under Baraggan, who decided to lead the Hollow army himself.
• Half a month later, the Vasto Lorde attacked the Soul Reapers with an army of Adjuchas and Gillian.
• Kenpachi charged the Hollow forces and told his men to divide the enemies among themselves while he faced the Vasto Lorde.

Kuruyashiki Kenpachi fought Baraggan Louisenbairn’s Vasto Lorde general and revealed his Shikai after being wounded. He killed the general, and the Soul Reapers routed the remaining Menos Grande.

• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s Spiritual Pressure protected him from the Menos Grande’s attacks as he fought on the battlefield.
• A Vasto Lorde general serving Baraggan Louisenbairn wounded Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and mocked him before his subordinates.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi released his Zanpakuto’s Shikai, summoning monsters that devoured the Menos Grande and pinned the Vasto Lorde in place.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi killed the Vasto Lorde general, who called out Baraggan Louisenbairn’s name as he died.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi ordered the Soul Reapers to wipe out the remaining Menos Grande, and they fled as the 11th Division pursued them.

Baraggan approved Szayelaporro’s plan to invade Soul Society and assigned him the surviving Adjuchas. Meanwhile, Tier Harribel watched Sōgo Shihoin from afar, recalling how he had saved her three months earlier and inspired her to evolve.

• Baraggan threatened the surviving Adjuchas after hearing that Soul Reapers had defeated his forces and killed one of his generals.
• Szayelaporro defended the Adjuchas and offered to invade Soul Society to destroy a division of Soul Reapers.
• Baraggan approved Szayelaporro’s plan and allowed him to take the surviving Adjuchas as his troops.
• Tier Harribel watched Sōgo Shihoin and remembered how he had arrived three months earlier, killed the Adjuchas attacking her, and told her to work hard at evolving.
• Harribel began following Sōgo Shihoin from afar, feeling her lost emotions return as she watched him.

The Tenth Division marched to Kusajishi District to deal with what they believed were a few minor Hollows, but Szayelaporro and his forces ambushed and wiped out nearly the entire division. Szayelaporro escaped to Hueco Mundo with the captain and other Soul Reapers as captives, prompting Soul Society to launch an investigation.

• The Tenth Division captain led his members toward Kusajishi District to teach them the dangers of fighting Hollows, while Kuruyashiki Kenpachi offered help and then let them continue alone.
• Szayelaporro trapped the division, whose Spiritual Pressure was isolated, and attacked with more than a dozen Adjuchas; even the captain's Bankai could not defeat him.
• After sensing that his two bait Adjuchas had been killed, Szayelaporro retreated through a prepared Garganta with the still-living captain, while the Adjuchas carried away other Soul Reapers.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi arrived to find the Tenth Division's dead and dying members, and the division was reported wiped out apart from those who remained at its barracks.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Squad Zero responded to the attack, and Tenjirō Kirinji descended to investigate.
• At his research base, Szayelaporro kept the captured Soul Reapers and planned to use them to perfect his evolution and help Lord Sōgo suppress his Spiritual Pressure.

Sōgo Shihoin, desperate for sunlight, set out with Lilynette to find Szayelaporro and asked Tier Harribel to guide them to Las Noches. Their arrival alarmed Baraggan and the surrounding Menos, while Szayelaporro mistakenly believed Sōgo had discovered his secret Soul Reaper research and was coming to punish him.

• Sōgo Shihoin decided to seek Szayelaporro’s help after complaining that he had gone over a year without sunlight.
• Tier Harribel appeared and offered to guide Sōgo and Lilynette to Las Noches, where Baraggan and Szayelaporro lived.
• Sōgo promised Harribel hot pot, and the three traveled across the desert toward Las Noches as nearby Menos watched in fear.
• An evolving Adjuchas and his companions predicted upheaval and discussed preparing to leave Baraggan’s territory.
• Baraggan sensed the trio’s Spiritual Pressure, rose from his seat, and prepared to confront them.
• Szayelaporro panicked in his laboratory, wrongly assuming Sōgo had discovered his Soul Reaper research and come to kill him.

Sōgo Shihoin asked Szayelaporro to help brighten Hueco Mundo, and learned that Baraggan Louisenbairn would have to approve the plan. Sōgo and his companions entered Baraggan’s palace and faced the king, who demanded a reason for their arrival.

• Szayelaporro hid the Soul Reaper specimens and the unconscious Tenth Division captain inside Angel as Sōgo Shihoin arrived.
• Sōgo asked Szayelaporro about his Spiritual Pressure research and proposed building a sun for Las Noches.
• Szayelaporro suggested building a painted luminous ceiling instead, explaining that Baraggan Louisenbairn hated bright things and would need to be persuaded.
• Sōgo, Lilynette, and Tier Harribel headed to Baraggan’s palace while Szayelaporro stayed behind to clean up his laboratory.
• The three entered Baraggan’s hall, where Baraggan identified himself and threatened them unless they gave a suitable reason for trespassing.

Sōgo Shihoin challenged Baraggan Louisenbairn to test whether Baraggan’s decay ability could harm him. Baraggan’s power failed against Sōgo, who revealed overwhelming Spiritual Pressure, leaving the King of Hueco Mundo stunned.

• Lilynette and Tier Harribel confronted Baraggan, who declared that his Decay made him a god and the rightful ruler of Hueco Mundo.
• Sōgo Shihoin approached Baraggan despite the warnings from Lilynette and Tier Harribel, and explained that Soul Reaper was a profession rather than a race.
• Sōgo proposed that Baraggan serve him for a hundred years if Baraggan’s ability could not hurt him, while promising to submit if it could.
• Baraggan grasped Sōgo’s palm and used Disappear, but his decay ability had no effect.
• Sōgo removed his blindfold and revealed Spiritual Pressure greater than Baraggan’s, leaving Baraggan overwhelmed and bewildered.

Sōgo Shihoin spent decades enjoying Hueco Mundo while Baraggan guarded its sunlight and Szayelaporro pursued research into Arrancar transformation. Fifty years later, Sōgo sensed he would soon surpass the limits of a Soul Reaper, while Szayelaporro prepared to return to Soul Society for more research.

• Sōgo Shihoin called Baraggan “Little Skull” and asked him to help guard Hueco Mundo’s sunlight.
• A month later, Sōgo relaxed beneath artificial sunlight while Lilynette questioned his use of an umbrella and Tier Harribel took notes on his remarks.
• Szayelaporro told Sōgo that Baraggan had secluded himself to watch the moon and left his palace in Szayelaporro’s care.
• Alone, Baraggan studied a strand of Sōgo’s hair and found that it did not age, while keeping the sky canopy device nearby.
• Over the next fifty years, Sōgo built a luxurious water park with Szayelaporro’s help, and Szayelaporro and Tier Harribel became Arrancar.
• Sōgo said he was close to surpassing Soul Reaper limits, while Szayelaporro defended his slow research and planned another trip to Soul Society.

Szayelaporro lured Soul Reapers to a Hollow attack in Kusajishi District, hoping to capture Kuruyashiki Kenpachi as research material. Kuruyashiki fought through the Menos Grande and spotted Szayelaporro escaping through a Garganta, then attacked him.

• Szayelaporro sent ordinary Hollows to attack souls in Kusajishi District and watched from hiding.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi led the 11th Division to the district, leaving his lieutenant and ten Soul Reapers behind.
• Kuruyashiki ordered his subordinates to rescue civilians, then faced five or six Adjuchas and dozens of modified Gillians.
• Haruhiko saw Kuruyashiki surrounded and fled to report back to the lieutenant.
• Kuruyashiki released Garōgairō and overwhelmed the Menos Grande, while Szayelaporro opened a Garganta to retreat.
• Kuruyashiki spotted Szayelaporro, threw an Adjuchas into the Garganta, and attacked him.

Kuruyashiki Kenpachi defeated the Menos Grande attack after Szayelaporro injected him with an unknown substance and escaped. As the captains joined the 11th Division’s celebration, Sōya Azashiro arrived and challenged Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, who accepted.

• Szayelaporro stabbed Kuruyashiki Kenpachi with a syringe, injected him with an unknown substance, and fled through a Garganta.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi recovered and helped the 11th Division defeat the remaining Menos Grande.
• Shunsui Kyōraku and Retsu Unohana arrived in Kusajishi District and joined Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s victory banquet.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi discussed the escaped Vasto Lorde and Soul Society’s strength with Shunsui Kyōraku and Retsu Unohana.
• Sōya Azashiro challenged Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, who accepted and stood to fight him.

Sōya Azashiro challenged Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and used his released Zanpakuto to seize control of the fight, critically wounding him. Kuruyashiki survived and accepted defeat, naming Azashiro the Eighth Kenpachi and new captain of the 11th Division.

• Sōya Azashiro accepted Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s invitation to fight outside while Shunsui Kyōraku and Retsu Unohana watched.
• Sōya revealed that he had already released his Zanpakuto, weakening Kuruyashiki’s Spiritual Pressure and disrupting his control.
• Kuruyashiki released Garōgairō, but Sōya stopped the summoned monsters and struck him with wind blades that tore open his chest.
• Sōya collapsed from exhaustion, and the 11th Division members drew their Zanpakuto in anger as they believed Kuruyashiki had died.
• Kuruyashiki stopped his division members and declared that Sōya had defeated him, naming him Azashiro Kenpachi, the new captain of the 11th Division.

Kuruyashiki Kenpachi lost the Kenpachi challenge to Sōya Azashiro and appeared to die, but the Vasto Lorde substance inside him transformed him into a Soul Reaper-Hollow hybrid. He entered Hueco Mundo and confronted Szayelaporro in his laboratory.

• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi refused to use Bankai, entrusted the 11th Division and his lieutenant to Sōya Azashiro, and urged him never to hold back in a Kenpachi challenge.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi said farewell to the 11th Division and walked away as his Spiritual Pressure disappeared, prompting Soul Society to believe he had died in the challenge.
• A strange white substance emerged from Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's chest and covered him, transforming him into a confused Menos Grande who wanted to kill Szayelaporro.
• The Stealth Force reported that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi had taken a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande down with him.
• Szayelaporro recalled refining the Vasto Lorde into liquid and injecting it into Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, then watched the transformed Kenpachi emerge from a Garganta inside his laboratory.

Szayelaporro’s experiment fused Kuruyashiki Kenpachi with a Menos Grande, creating a powerful Hollowfied creature that nearly killed him. Sōgo Shihoin saved Szayelaporro and confronted the creature, whose transformation supported Sōgo’s theory about how Hollows and Soul Reapers evolved.

• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s fused form fired a Cero that destroyed Szayelaporro’s laboratory and badly wounded him.
• Szayelaporro tried to retreat, but Kuruyashiki Kenpachi appeared beside him, severed his arm, and blasted him across the desert.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi prepared another Cero against Szayelaporro, but Sōgo Shihoin appeared and blocked the attack.
• Sōgo kicked Kuruyashiki Kenpachi away, while Tier Harribel questioned Szayelaporro about the experiment.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi rose again and faced Sōgo, who observed his form and reflected on how Hollows and Soul Reapers evolved.

Sōgo Shihoin fought Hollowfied Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and continued beating him for a week after discovering his High-Speed Regeneration. The Hollow mask receded, leaving Kuruyashiki Kenpachi alive but amnesiac, unable to recognize himself or the others.

• Sōgo Shihoin crushed Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s Cero, punched him away, and blasted him with Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi attacked Sōgo Shihoin from behind, but Sōgo severed his sword arm before Kuruyashiki regenerated it.
• Sōgo Shihoin discovered Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s High-Speed Regeneration and began pummeling him without pause.
• Sōgo Shihoin kept beating Kuruyashiki Kenpachi for a week, occasionally having Lilynette and Tier Harribel join in for practice.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s pale covering receded, and the revealed man asked Sōgo Shihoin, Lilynette, and Tier Harribel where he was and who he was.

Szayelaporro examined the recovered body of his clone and learned that Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s power had surged after Hollowfication, while arranging for Roka Paramia to consume the clone and evolve. He then became obsessed with merging into Sōgo Shihoin to create an ultimate life-form, though he decided he first needed to separate his older brother’s influence from himself.

• Szayelaporro reviewed Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s combat records and revealed that he had secretly engineered the Hueco Mundo battles to collect data.
• Szayelaporro ordered Roka Paramia to gather Sōgo Shihoin’s Spiritual Pressure data, then gave her his clone to help her evolve into a Vasto Lorde.
• Szayelaporro considered destroying his remaining clones and planned to follow Sōgo to the Soul Society as Sōgo’s power continued to grow.
• Szayelaporro imagined merging with Sōgo to become an ultimate life-form and resolved to separate his older brother from himself first.

After becoming the Eighth Kenpachi, Sōya Azashiro visited the Shihoin residence at his sister’s urging to honor the person who had saved her. There he encountered Tsunayashiro Tokinada, who had come to offer a stolen Zanpakuto to Sōgo, only to learn that Sōgo was away.

• Sōya Azashiro argued with his Zanpakuto, Urozakuro, while visiting his injured sister.
• Sōya Azashiro’s sister urged him to visit the Shihoin family and thank the benefactor who had saved her.
• Sōya Azashiro brought pastries to the Shihoin residence and asked the Stealth Force to pass them to Yoruichi Shihōin.
• Sōya Azashiro told Tsunayashiro Tokinada that Sōgo was away from Seireitei, then left without further discussion.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada revealed that he had stolen a Zanpakuto for Sōgo and decided to return it until Sōgo came back.

After becoming captain of the 11th Division, Sōya Azashiro won Central 46’s approval to train Rukongai residents to fight Hollows and conquer Hueco Mundo. Tsunayashiro Tokinada warned him he would soon be imprisoned in Muken and invited him to join the Five Great Noble Clans, but Azashiro refused.

• Sōya Azashiro presented Central 46 with a plan to train Rukongai residents as warriors and organize an army to conquer Hueco Mundo.
• Central 46 mocked Azashiro’s plan, but one judge challenged him to prove he could carry it out, and Azashiro accepted their approval.
• After leaving Central 46, Azashiro encountered Tsunayashiro Tokinada, who warned that he would likely be locked in Muken soon.
• Tokinada invited Azashiro to join the Five Great Noble Clans and stand beside their true “King,” but Azashiro rejected the offer.
• Tokinada watched Azashiro leave and declared that Azashiro would return to their side and need his help soon.

After Central 46 framed Sōya Azashiro and ordered his arrest, Tsunayashiro Tokinada protected Azashiro’s sister while Azashiro surrendered to Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake. Azashiro was sentenced to ten thousand years in Muken, where he vowed to watch Seireitei, and Gosuke became the Ninth Kenpachi.

• Central 46 feared Azashiro’s influence over modified Rukongai civilians, fabricated charges against him, and issued an arrest warrant.
• Tokinada helped Azashiro leave and claimed Azashiro’s sister as his wife, taking her to the Tsunayashiro Clan estate.
• Shunsui and Ukitake confronted Azashiro outside Rukongai, and he surrendered after sensing an unfamiliar Spiritual Pressure he associated with the Soul King.
• Central 46 sentenced Azashiro to ten thousand years in Muken, unaware that his true Zanpakuto, Urozakuro, was beside him.
• Azashiro entered Muken and vowed to watch Seireitei, while Gosuke automatically succeeded him as the Ninth Kenpachi.

After decades of helping Kuruyashiki Kenpachi master his powers, Sōgo Shihoin surpassed the limits of a Soul Reaper and returned to the Soul Society with his companions. At Yoruichi Shihōin’s inauguration as Stealth Force commander-in-chief, Shaoling Fon watched in admiration until Sōgo arrived and Yoruichi rushed to embrace him.

• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi remained unable to remember his past, so he chose to stay with Sōgo rather than risk harming the Soul Society.
• Over fifty years, Sōgo focused on his Spiritual Pressure until he surpassed the limits of a Soul Reaper.
• Sōgo invited Lilynette, Tier Harribel, Szayelaporro, and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi to return with him to the Soul Society, and they agreed.
• Shaoling Fon admired Yoruichi Shihōin as Yoruichi took office as commander-in-chief of the Stealth Force.
• Sōgo appeared during Yoruichi’s inauguration, and Yoruichi ran from her palanquin to embrace him.

Yoruichi Shihōin ordered Sōgo Shihoin to attend Shin'ō Academy and introduced Shaoling Fon as his classmate and study companion. Sōgo left ahead of them, while Yoruichi complained to Kisuke Urahara and Squad Zero discussed Sōgo's return with three Vasto Lorde and his unusual Spiritual Pressure.

• Yoruichi Shihōin told Sōgo Shihoin that he had to attend school and assigned Shaoling Fon to accompany him.
• Sōgo Shihoin greeted Shaoling Fon, arranged to meet her before class the next morning, and left the barracks.
• Yoruichi Shihōin watched Sōgo and Shaoling Fon leave, then went to a tavern and grumbled to Kisuke Urahara about how her brother had changed.
• Sōgo Shihoin lay bored at the Shihoin estate while Lilynette, Tier Harribel, Szayelaporro, and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi worked in the Stealth Force.
• Tenjirō Kirinji questioned whether Sōgo should have brought back three Vasto Lorde, and Ōetsu Nimaiya pointed out Sōgo's Spiritual Pressure.

Sōgo Shihoin refused to attend the Central Spiritual Arts Academy opening ceremony or take its placement assessment, but Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto brought him to the auditorium anyway. Sōgo recognized Yamamoto and insulted him, prompting the Captain-Commander to attack him with Shakkahō.

• Sōgo Shihoin refused Shaoling Fon's reminders to attend the ceremony or take the placement assessment, saying he would be placed in the nobles' class without them.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto found Sōgo asleep at his residence and carried him, bedding and all, to the academy auditorium with Shunpo.
• Shaoling Fon chased after Yamamoto and arrived as students gathered around the sleeping Sōgo.
• Sōgo woke in the auditorium and asked Shaoling Fon how he had gotten there.
• Sōgo recognized Yamamoto, called him a rotten old man, and Yamamoto fired Shakkahō at him.

Sōgo Shihoin took his Shin'ō Academy Zankensōki assessments and revealed that his power exceeded what the examiners expected. After he destroyed the training hall’s ceiling with Hadō #91, the assessment staff and students were left stunned.

• Shaoling Fon encouraged Sōgo Shihoin to take his assessment, and he swaggered over after declaring he would show off his strength.
• Sōgo Shihoin said he had no Asauchi, then broke a new one when his Spiritual Pressure surged into it.
• Sōgo Shihoin refused the Hakuda assessment because he feared he would seriously injure the teacher.
• Sōgo Shihoin chanted Hadō #91: Senju Kōten Taihō and blasted away the training hall’s ceiling.
• Sōgo Shihoin remarked that the hall had not been sturdy and said he was glad he had not used Five Dragon Destruction.

Sōgo Shihoin demonstrated overwhelming Kidō ability at Shin'ō Academy and applied for early graduation, while Shaoling Fon earned top marks and stayed by his side. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto rejected the application after seeing Sōgo's name, leaving him unable to graduate early.

• Sōgo Shihoin blasted open the training-ground ceiling with Senju Kōten Taihō, impressing the students and examiner, who offered to apply for his early graduation.
• Shaoling Fon earned an A in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, and Sōgo Shihoin asked her to stay by his side as she massaged his shoulders.
• Shinji Hirako complained about Sōgo Shihoin's maid-like companion, while Sōsuke Aizen passed by and privately drew Shinji's suspicion.
• Gorō Ninomiya sent Sōgo Shihoin's early-graduation application to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who rejected it after seeing Sōgo's name.

Sōgo Shihoin protested his rejected early graduation application but refused to seek approval from the Central 46 Chambers. Back in class, he accidentally covered a noble girl’s face with bubblegum and did not understand why she ran off crying.

• Sōgo Shihoin confronted Gorō Ninomiya after his early graduation application was rejected and condemned the Captain-Commander’s decision and several captains.
• Gorō Ninomiya explained that only the Central 46 Chambers could approve Sōgo Shihoin’s early graduation.
• Sōgo Shihoin refused to beg the Central 46 Chambers and returned to class, where the students feared him after seeing his powerful Kidō.
• A noble girl asked Sōgo Shihoin why he wore a blindfold, and he accidentally popped a huge bubble of gum onto her face.
• The girl ran from the classroom in tears, while Shaoling Fon struggled to suppress her laughter.