Chapter Summaries

Sōgo Shihoin returned to Hueco Mundo and confronted its ruler, Sōsuke Aizen, whose Gillian army attacked after the two traded taunts about Aizen’s baldness. Sōgo’s group easily cut through the Gillians, but Aizen revealed thirteen powerful figures behind him and called for a battle between their leaders.

• Sōgo Shihoin arrived in Hueco Mundo with his companions, and Ikomikidomoe demanded that Baraggan come see him.
• Sōgo recognized Sōsuke Aizen among the Gillians and teased him about his baldness, prompting Aizen to order thousands of Gillians to fire Ceros.
• Sōgo and his companions survived the attack unharmed, and Sōgo stopped Aizen from releasing Kyōka Suigetsu before challenging him to reveal his forces.
• Sōgo’s allies fought through the Gillians while Aizen stalled, and Sōgo accused him of buying time.
• Aizen revealed thirteen immensely powerful figures behind him and challenged Sōgo to a battle of king against king and general against general.

Sōgo Shihoin and Sōsuke Aizen arranged a thirteen-on-thirteen tournament, with Orihime Inoue’s release as the prize. After Aura Michibane entered the first match against Nnoitra Gilga, she restrained him with Reishi manipulation and began slapping him.

• Sōgo Shihoin accepted Sōsuke Aizen’s challenge to a thirteen-on-thirteen tournament, and Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Ikomikidomoe helped complete Sōgo’s team.
• Ichigo Kurosaki charged at Sōsuke Aizen to demand Orihime Inoue’s release, but Ulquiorra blocked his attack and Sōgo Shihoin explained the tournament’s rules.
• Sōsuke Aizen created an arena and announced the first match as Nnoitra Gilga volunteered to fight.
• Nnoitra Gilga provoked Tier Harribel, Aura Michibane, Lilynette, Sister Hana, and Sōya Azashiro, so the group chose Aura Michibane to face him.
• Aura Michibane used Reishi manipulation to restrain Nnoitra Gilga, then slapped him repeatedly for insulting her.

Aura Michibane overwhelmed Nnoitra in the arena, surviving his attacks through her ability to become mist and regenerate. After Nnoitra discovered that Ceros could hurt her but exhausted himself firing them, he surrendered as Aura summoned a divine dragon.

• Aura Michibane restrained and beat Nnoitra, then released him after he provoked her into agreeing to a direct fight.
• Nnoitra decapitated Aura Michibane, but she reattached her head and revealed that physical attacks could not harm her.
• Nnoitra released his Resurrección and repeatedly sliced Aura Michibane apart, but she continued to return unharmed.
• Nnoitra struck Aura Michibane with a Cero and realized that Reishi attacks could reach her, then fired Ceros until his Spiritual Pressure ran out.
• Aura Michibane said that only an attack as powerful as Five Dragon Destruction could defeat her, summoned a blue dragon, and Nnoitra surrendered.

Sōgo Shihoin’s side won the first round, while Nelliel and Tier Harribel fought to a simultaneous knockout and drew the second. Ulquiorra then confronted Ichigo Kurosaki, who revealed his masked power, but Ulquiorra judged it no stronger than the level of the Fifth Espada.

• Sōgo Shihoin defeated Nnoitra in the first round, and Nelliel volunteered to fight next.
• Tier Harribel entered the arena to face Nelliel, and the two exchanged close-combat attacks before becoming locked in a chokehold stalemate.
• Nelliel and Tier Harribel both passed out from lack of oxygen, giving the second round a draw.
• Ulquiorra volunteered for the third match, and Ichigo Kurosaki entered the arena to face him.
• Ulquiorra easily dodged and crushed Ichigo’s attacks, prompting Ichigo to reveal his bone mask and increased Spiritual Pressure.
• Ulquiorra acknowledged Ichigo’s power but said it only reached the level of the Fifth Espada.

Ulquiorra overwhelmed Ichigo Kurosaki with his Resurrección and secret Segunda Etapa, then appeared to kill him. Orihime Inoue desperately tried to revive Ichigo, and he rose again in a ferocious, bone-covered form.

• Ichigo Kurosaki guessed at the Espada rankings, and Ulquiorra revealed that he was ranked fourth before attacking Ichigo.
• Ulquiorra unleashed his Resurrección, Murciélago, and then revealed his Segunda Etapa, using his speed and strength to defeat Ichigo.
• Lilynette fired a Cero that pierced Ichigo, and the others believed he had died; Sōsuke Aizen ordered Orihime Inoue brought to the arena.
• Orihime Inoue saw Ichigo's body and repeatedly used Sōten Kisshun to try to revive him, despite Ulquiorra telling her it was useless.
• Ichigo roared and stood up again, transformed with snow-white, bone-like material covering his body.

Ichigo Kurosaki’s berserk Hollow form defeated Ulquiorra but nearly killed Orihime Inoue before Uryū Ishida stopped him. Ulquiorra died after realizing what it meant to have a heart, while Ichigo returned to his senses and learned the cost of his victory.

• Ichigo Kurosaki transformed into a bull-headed Hollow and overwhelmed Ulquiorra, severing his arm and hurling him into the arena.
• Ulquiorra healed his injuries and attacked with Lanza del Relámpago, but Ichigo crushed the spear, severed Ulquiorra’s legs, and struck him with a devastating Cero.
• Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Ulquiorra, then turned on Orihime Inoue until Ulquiorra broke one of Ichigo’s horns with Lanza del Relámpago, ending his transformation.
• Ichigo Kurosaki regained his senses and asked Uryū Ishida and Ulquiorra to injure him so he could fight fairly, but both refused.
• Ulquiorra revealed that Ichigo’s Cero had destroyed his heart, then touched Orihime Inoue’s fingers and vanished as Reishi particles.

Sōsuke Aizen and Sōgo Shihoin agreed that Aizen won the third match, then began the fourth round with Kenpachi Zaraki fighting Yylfordt. The battle intensified after Kenpachi’s eyepatch came off, and he ended the chapter delighted as he braced against Yylfordt’s transformed charge.

• Sōsuke Aizen argued that Ichigo Kurosaki’s victory over Ulquiorra did not count as normal, and Sōgo Shihoin conceded the round to him, leaving their match score tied.
• Kenpachi Zaraki jumped into the arena to claim the fourth fight, and Yylfordt stepped forward after greeting his younger brother, Szayelaporro.
• Yylfordt and Kenpachi fought with swords, wounding each other as Szayelaporro watched his brother with affection.
• Yylfordt cut off Kenpachi’s eyepatch, unleashing his immense Spiritual Pressure; Kenpachi nearly cut Yylfordt in half, and Yylfordt healed and transformed into a minotaur.
• Yylfordt charged at Kenpachi, who stopped him by gripping his horns, though the impact drove Kenpachi backward and tore up his feet.

Kenpachi Zaraki recovered his sealed strength and defeated Yylfordt, then Retsu Unohana entered the fifth match against Grimmjow. She unleashed Bankai-Minazuki and repeatedly cut Grimmjow apart before healing him, leaving him trapped in a cycle of pain.

• Yylfordt urged Kenpachi Zaraki to show his full strength, and Kenpachi recovered his sealed memories before killing him with a single slash.
• Kenpachi Zaraki was declared the winner, and Retsu Unohana greeted him as he returned to the group.
• Grimmjow volunteered for the fifth match, but Retsu Unohana stepped into the arena to fight him instead.
• Grimmjow released Pantera and attacked Retsu Unohana, who outmatched his claws with a swift sword slash.
• Retsu Unohana activated Bankai-Minazuki, filling the arena with blood and overwhelming Grimmjow with invisible attacks.
• Retsu Unohana repeatedly cut Grimmjow apart and healed him, while he realized she was forcing him to endure the cycle again and again.

Grimmjow endured repeated deaths at Retsu Unohana’s hands, then left the arena as Sōgo Shihoin’s team argued over who was strongest. Kaname Tōsen fought Szayelaporro, who survived decapitation and defeated him by attacking through his own blood.

• Retsu Unohana repeatedly killed and healed Grimmjow until their match ended, and Grimmjow walked away into the desert instead of returning to Sōsuke Aizen’s team.
• Sōgo Shihoin teased Sōsuke Aizen about Grimmjow’s departure, and Kaname Tōsen volunteered to fight for Aizen.
• Kaname Tōsen challenged the strongest fighter on Sōgo Shihoin’s team, prompting the team members to argue over who should take the match.
• Szayelaporro appeared on the arena and Kaname Tōsen used Bankai to cut off his head, but Szayelaporro’s head reunited with his body.
• Kaname Tōsen released Bankai again, but Szayelaporro used blood on Tōsen’s blade to attack and knock him down, declaring himself the strongest beneath Sōgo Shihoin.

Kaname Tōsen fought Szayelaporro, who revealed his ability to survive repeated destruction and take over the body of anyone who swallowed him. After Tōsen consumed him, Szayelaporro transformed Tōsen into a tiny insect and killed him.

• Kaname Tōsen used Suzumushi's Aomushi: First Form to hypnotize Szayelaporro, but Szayelaporro resisted and revealed that he had gained Quincy powers.
• Kaname Tōsen received Sōsuke Aizen's permission to use his full power and transformed with Suzumushi Hyakushiki, Grillar Grillo.
• Kaname Tōsen repeatedly pulverized Szayelaporro with Los Nueve Aspectos, but Szayelaporro regenerated each time.
• Kaname Tōsen swallowed Szayelaporro, allowing Szayelaporro to begin transforming and shrinking Tōsen from within.
• Kaname Tōsen realized he had become tiny as Szayelaporro grew into a giant, then Szayelaporro crushed him with his hands.

Sōgo Shihoin’s team won the fifth match after Szayelaporro defeated Kaname Tōsen, and the sixth match began as Gosuke challenged Kuruyashiki Kenpachi over an old grudge. Kuruyashiki apologized after remembering how he had belittled Gosuke’s talent, but Gosuke refused to forgive him and released his Bankai.

• Szayelaporro defeated Kaname Tōsen, bringing Sōgo Shihoin’s lead to three wins, while Aizen and Sōgo traded barbs from the stands.
• Gosuke volunteered for Aizen’s sixth match and challenged Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, demanding revenge for the way Kuruyashiki had treated him centuries earlier.
• Kenpachi Zaraki learned that Kuruyashiki was the Seventh Kenpachi and that Sōya Azashiro had become the Eighth after defeating him.
• Kuruyashiki entered the ring and accepted Gosuke’s challenge, while Gosuke attacked with sword pressure that failed to penetrate Kuruyashiki’s spiritual pressure.
• Kuruyashiki recalled telling Gosuke that his talent was awful and apologized, then let Gosuke wound his left shoulder with a sword strike.
• Gosuke rejected Kuruyashiki’s apology, said it was too late after his defection from Soul Society, and activated Bankai: Veda Imperishable Rakshasa.

Gosuke’s multiplying Rakshasa Bankai pushed Kuruyashiki Kenpachi to unleash a catastrophic Bankai that Sōgo Shihoin had to stop by feeding it spiritual pressure. The match was ruled a draw, and Luppi Antenor and Tsunayashiro Tokinada stepped forward for the next round.

• Gosuke revealed that his Rakshasa doubled whenever destroyed and tied his survival to theirs, while Kuruyashiki Kenpachi discovered that Gosuke could be killed during the Rakshasa’s brief regeneration gap.
• Gosuke multiplied the Rakshasa into a horde, and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi used Hollowfication and Cero to hold them off before unleashing his own Bankai.
• Kuruyashiki Kenpachi’s uncontrollable Bankai opened a spreading maw that devoured the Rakshasa and threatened to swallow Hueco Mundo, so Sōgo Shihoin stopped it by supplying it with spiritual pressure.
• Sōgo restored the arena, and Sōsuke Aizen ruled the match a draw while proposing that future fighters be barred from using abilities they could not control.
• Luppi Antenor volunteered for Aizen’s side in the next round, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada stepped forward from Sōgo Shihoin’s team, drawing the Enrakyōten.

Tsunayashiro Tokinada used Enrakyōten to wield Kyōka Suigetsu and Ryūjin Jakka, killing Luppi Antenor at the cost of decades of his life. The next match began with Lilynette provoking Yammy Llargo, who transformed into Ira but injured himself striking Sōgo Shihoin’s reinforced arena floor.

• Tsunayashiro Tokinada released Kyōka Suigetsu, making Luppi Antenor’s Ceros miss him.
• Tokinada used Enrakyōten to wield Ryūjin Jakka and burned Luppi to death before he could use Resurrección.
• Tokinada coughed blood and said Enrakyōten had cost him decades of his lifespan, while Sōgo Shihoin celebrated his team’s lead over Sōsuke Aizen.
• Sōgo sent Hōshō Ryo to fight, but Lilynette rushed onto the stage and taunted her into stepping aside.
• Yammy Llargo accepted Aizen’s team’s challenge, and Lilynette cut off his arm before he activated Resurrección, Ira.
• Lilynette dodged Yammy’s attack, and his punch shattered his own arm against the arena floor; Sōgo admitted he had made the floor unusually sturdy.

Yammy Llargo revealed himself as the Zeroth Espada and transformed into a thousand-armed beast, but Lilynette released Los Lobos and overwhelmed him with an endless barrage of Ceros. Lilynette annihilated Yammy, while Sōsuke Aizen admitted he had created Yammy as a test subject using Szayelaporro’s research.

• Yammy Llargo’s number changed to zero, and he declared himself the Zeroth Espada as Sōgo Shihoin and Sōsuke Aizen watched.
• Yammy grew more arms to catch Lilynette, regenerating after she severed some, until he had roughly a thousand arms.
• Sōsuke Aizen revealed that Yammy was test subject number zero, created using Szayelaporro’s research and technology.
• Yammy’s thousand arms caught Lilynette after she released Los Lobos, but she escaped by blasting his arms apart and firing Ceros.
• Lilynette transformed her guns into a Gatling gun and annihilated Yammy with an overwhelming barrage of Ceros.
• Sōgo Shihoin mocked Yammy’s defeat, and Sōsuke Aizen said it was normal for a test subject to lose.

After Sōya Azashiro defeated Zommari Rureaux, Sōgo Shihoin sent Hōshō Ryo to fight Gin Ichimaru. Their fast, dangerous duel remained undecided as Gin refused to surrender.

• Yammy dissolved after his defeat, and Sōgo Shihoin and Sōsuke Aizen argued over the match score and their subordinates.
• Sōya Azashiro took Hōshō Ryo’s place and defeated Zommari Rureaux with a barrage of Ittō Kasō flames.
• Sōgo Shihoin sent Hōshō Ryo into the next match, and Gin Ichimaru volunteered to face her.
• Hōshō Ryo attacked with her golden Shikai stinger, but Gin blocked her strike and avoided being killed.
• Hōshō Ryo and Gin fought at high speed, with her pressing her advantage while he anticipated and defended against her attacks.
• Hōshō Ryo demanded that Gin surrender, but he refused and continued fighting.

Shaoling Fon battled Gin Ichimaru, saw through the true speed of his Bankai, and answered his threat by unveiling a devastating mechanical Bankai. The match ended in a draw after Sōgo Shihoin stopped her from firing its uncontrollable weapons, leaving Shaoling Fon still threatening Lilynette.

• Shaoling Fon blocked Gin Ichimaru’s Shinsō strike, then nearly pierced his throat before he escaped with a fast blade extension.
• Gin Ichimaru activated Kamishini no Yari and claimed its range was twenty kilometers, but Shaoling Fon recognized that its attack speed was its real danger.
• Shaoling Fon revealed her Ultimate Suzumebachi Raikōgō, a giant robot equipped with thirty-two Hōjaku Raikōben, and prepared to fire them at Gin Ichimaru.
• Sōsuke Aizen warned that the blast could endanger spectators, while Shaoling Fon turned the robot toward Lilynette and threatened to kill her.
• Sōgo Shihoin called the round a draw and ordered Shaoling Fon to put away her uncontrollable Bankai, after which she continued taunting Lilynette.

Sōgo Shihoin’s side battled Sōsuke Aizen’s team while Sōgo and Aizen argued over their ambitions and the value of their subordinates. Gin Ichimaru and Izuru Kira exposed an attack on Aizen’s apparent body, but Aizen revealed it was a Gigai and claimed his real body had already gone to the Soul King Palace, leaving Sōgo to pursue him.

• Sōgo Shihoin told Hideki Ise to concede, then traded taunts with Sōsuke Aizen about companionship and becoming gods.
• Baraggan and Ikomikidomoe fought with an axe and two watermelon knives, while Sōgo explained that Baraggan’s time-based ability could not harm Ikomikidomoe.
• Shinsō pierced Sōsuke Aizen’s heart, and Izuru Kira’s Wabisuke increased the apparent Aizen’s gravity.
• Sōsuke Aizen revealed that the wounded body was a Gigai and claimed his real body had defeated the Gotei 13 and headed for the Soul King Palace.
• Sōsuke Aizen snapped the Gigai’s neck, while Gin Ichimaru denied involvement and admitted that Aizen had left him out of his plan.
• Sōgo Shihoin ordered Ikomikidomoe and Baraggan to stop fighting and prepared to deal with Sōsuke Aizen.

Sōsuke Aizen’s forces battled the Gotei 13 and the Visored in Fake Karakura Town while Aizen escaped Yamamoto’s flames and overwhelmed his opponents. After reaching Karakura Town to forge the Ōken, Aizen encountered Sōgo Shihoin waiting on a throne.

• Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai trapped Sōsuke Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gosuke Kenpachi in flames as the Gotei 13 confronted the Espada and their Fracción.
• Ulquiorra attacked Ikkaku Madarame, Grimmjow carried Tōshirō Hitsugaya away, and the Soul Reapers engaged the Espada in battle.
• Renji Abarai released Bankai and struck Luppi, who answered by entering his Resurrección form, while captains released their Bankai against their opponents.
• The Espada’s Fracción exploded among the lieutenants, and Wonderweiss Margela extinguished Yamamoto’s flames; Kaname Tōsen and Gosuke Kenpachi then shifted the battle against the captains.
• Shinji Hirako and the Visored arrived to confront Aizen, but Aizen defeated everyone and declared that he would forge the Ōken and kill the Soul King.
• Aizen crossed into Karakura Town, where Sōgo Shihoin greeted him from a throne and left him unable to smile.

Sōgo Shihoin confronted Sōsuke Aizen, revealed that their powers existed on different dimensional levels, and defeated him by severing his connection to the Hōgyoku. Aizen accepted Sōgo’s view of happiness, while the injured Soul Society forces waited in Fake Karakura Town for Orihime Inoue.

• Sōgo Shihoin revealed that his apparent presence in Hueco Mundo was a Gigai and challenged Sōsuke Aizen to fight rather than proceed to the Soul King Palace.
• Sōgo Shihoin explained that Aizen could neither sense his Spiritual Pressure nor touch him because they existed in different dimensions.
• Sōgo Shihoin pulled the Hōgyoku from Sōsuke Aizen and crushed it, but Aizen continued evolving as the Hōgyoku transferred its power into him.
• Sōgo Shihoin activated Bankai and struck Sōsuke Aizen, severing his obsession and his connection to the Hōgyoku.
• Sōgo Shihoin and Sōsuke Aizen shared wine as Aizen embraced happiness, while Kisuke Urahara reported that Aizen had been dealt with.
• Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai and Shunsui Kyōraku stayed in Fake Karakura Town with the injured, waiting for Orihime Inoue before returning to Soul Society.

After the war, Orihime found Ulquiorra alive under Mayuri’s control, while Yhwach received the Soul King’s power and learned how he might banish Sōgo Shihoin. As the victory celebration began, Yushima Oko revealed a plan to create a being like Sōgo from the Gotei 13’s Gigai.

• Ichigo and Shunsui discussed Sōgo’s defeat of Sōsuke Aizen and learned that Yamamoto had returned to Soul Society without seeking treatment.
• Orihime approached Ulquiorra, whom Mayuri had revived and claimed as one of his controlled zombies; Ulquiorra faintly told her to live well.
• Kenpachi tried to challenge Yylfordt, but Mayuri kicked him away to protect his collection of zombies.
• The Soul King appeared to Yhwach through Haschwalth and said that Sōgo could not be killed, but could be banished from the world.
• The Soul King gave Yhwach his power, causing a tremor that Jūshirō felt while Sōgo continued preparing a victory party with Sōsuke.
• Yushima Oko revealed a rapidly growing Sōgo-like being in his laboratory, nourished by the Gotei 13’s Gigai.