Chapter Summaries

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.

Sōgo Shihoin slept through class, frustrating Yumiko Saeki and impressing the other noble students with his confident remarks. After lessons ended, he invited Shaoling Fon to begin special training with him, and she gratefully accepted.

• Sōgo Shihoin dismissed his classmates’ attention and returned to sleeping during the Kidō lesson.
• Yumiko Saeki returned to class with reddened eyes, but Sōgo ignored her until she woke him and complained about her eyes.
• Sōgo moved beside Shaoling Fon and told her to guard him from anyone who might disturb his sleep.
• After class, Sōgo left with Shaoling Fon while Yumiko envied her closeness to him.
• Sōgo offered to train Shaoling Fon personally, and she accepted before he asked her to call him Sōgo.

Sōgo Shihoin trained Shaoling Fon until her strength reached the point where she could release her Zanpakuto’s Shikai. Shaoling Fon awakened Suzumebachi, whose ability killed a target in two strikes, and Sōgo asked her to demonstrate it on him.

• Sōgo Shihoin praised Shaoling Fon’s spiritual strength and urged her to train enough to survive while following him.
• Over a month of daily training, Shaoling Fon raised her Hakuda and Zanjutsu to Sixth or Fifth Seat level and her Shunpo beyond many Third Seats.
• Sōgo Shihoin recognized that Shaoling Fon could release her Shikai and instructed her to ask her Asauchi for its name.
• Shaoling Fon released Suzumebachi, which became a golden stinger-shaped gauntlet, and explained that its ability was death in two strikes.
• When Shaoling Fon hesitated to demonstrate the ability on a living target, Sōgo Shihoin pointed to his chest and told her to aim there.

Sōgo Shihoin demonstrated that Shaoling Fon’s Zanpakuto ability could be overcome by superior Spiritual Pressure, then began teaching her to combine speed, Shunpo, and Kidō in combat. After four years of training, Shaoling Fon successfully used Shunkō for the first time.

• Sōgo Shihoin let Shaoling Fon strike him twice with Suzumebachi, then revealed that his superior Spiritual Pressure had nullified her Death in Two Steps ability.
• Sōgo Shihoin taught Shaoling Fon that Zanpakuto abilities could fail against opponents with vastly superior Spiritual Pressure.
• Sōgo Shihoin trained Shaoling Fon to rely on speed, Shunpo, and Byakurai to complement her short Zanpakuto.
• A raven recorded the lesson, while a brown-haired young man watching from a Shin'ō Academy rooftop remarked that Yamamoto was not the only obstacle in his way.
• After four years of training, Shaoling Fon wrapped herself in Hadō Shō and performed Shunkō at the Shihōin Clan training grounds.

Sōgo watched Shaoling Fon’s training and discussed their acquaintances with Yoruichi, who then told him that Senjumaru Shutara was going to Squad Zero. Sōgo accepted Senjumaru’s promotion as deserved but was surprised by its timing.

• Shaoling Fon attacked Sōgo with Kidō and her Shikai, but he easily dodged and disarmed her.
• Yoruichi praised Shaoling Fon’s rapid improvement, while Sōgo said that Chōjirō Sasakibe was stronger than most of the Gotei 13.
• Yoruichi recounted how the Captain-Commander had repeatedly returned Sōgo to his courtyard after he sneaked out of confinement.
• Yoruichi told Sōgo that Lilynette and Tier Harribel guarded the Second Division’s gardens, Szayelaporro worked with Urahara, and Hachi served as her Seated Officer.
• Yoruichi told Sōgo that Senjumaru Shutara was going to Squad Zero, and Sōgo judged her promotion deserved but its timing surprising.

Senjumaru Shutara prepared to leave for Squad Zero and offered Sōgo Shihoin a place beside her, but he declined and agreed to visit her yearly. After the others departed, Mayuri Kurotsuchi put on a mask and prepared to experiment freely in the laboratory.

• Senjumaru Shutara entrusted her laboratory to Kurotsuchi before leaving for Squad Zero.
• Sōgo Shihoin, Yoruichi, and Shaoling Fon visited Senjumaru, and she invited Sōgo to join Squad Zero.
• Senjumaru teased Sōgo and then asked him to see her off; Sōgo agreed to visit her every year instead of joining her.
• Shaoling Fon asked Yoruichi about Senjumaru and Sōgo's relationship, then hurried after them as they left.
• Kurotsuchi put on a black-and-white mask and prepared to begin his experiments without restraint.

After seeing Senjumaru Shutara off, Sōgo annoyed Yamamoto and prepared for the Academy’s Hollow assessment. He avoided taking responsibility for Yumiko’s team, then told Shaoling Fon he had only wanted to give Yumiko and her admirers time together.

• Senjumaru Shutara departed for the Soul King Palace, and Sōgo taunted Yamamoto, who ignored him and reminded Yoruichi of the captains’ meeting.
• Sōgo left with Shaoling Fon and Yoruichi told him he could graduate in two years if he joined the Second Division.
• At the Hollow assessment, Sōgo agreed to team up with Yumiko Saeki and her three top-ranked companions, then left the Hollow hunt to them while he and Shaoling Fon went to town.
• Shaoling Fon scolded Sōgo for treating Yumiko badly, and he insisted he had meant to give her and the three boys more time together rather than act like a player.

Sōgo Shihoin and Shaoling Fon left their ramen break after sensing danger at Yumiko Saeki’s group. Ise tried to protect Yumiko from a Gillian’s Cero, but Sōgo arrived in time to defeat the Hollow and asked what had happened.

• Yumiko Saeki stopped her companions from insulting Sōgo and led them deeper into the forest to hunt Hollows.
• Sōgo and Shaoling Fon ate ramen in Rukongai until they sensed ominous Spiritual Pressure and rushed to investigate.
• Ise killed an ordinary Hollow, but a Gillian emerged and frightened Yumiko and the others into paralysis.
• Ise ordered the others to flee and endured the Gillian’s Cero when Yumiko fell and could not escape.
• Sōgo appeared, blocked the Cero, destroyed the Gillian with Byakurai, and asked the survivors what had happened.

Sōgo Shihoin rescued the students from a Gillian Menos Grande and sent Hideki Ise and Yumiko Saeki to report the attack to the Gotei 13. When the dispatched Soul Reapers arrived, Kisuke Urahara revealed that Soul Society had decided to eliminate the Quincy and identified strange Reishi as Quincy bait used to attract Hollows.

• Sōgo Shihoin treated Hideki Ise’s injuries and ordered him to take Yumiko Saeki to the Gotei 13 to report the Menos Grande attack.
• Sōgo Shihoin waited with Shaoling Fon for the dispatched Soul Reapers while sensing no other squads had encountered trouble.
• The Gotei 13 Soul Reapers arrived with Kisuke Urahara and Szayelaporro, who examined a strange sparkling substance at the attack site.
• Kisuke Urahara told Sōgo Shihoin that Central 46 had decided to erase the Quincy because they disrupted the balance of the three realms.
• Kisuke Urahara identified the substance as likely Quincy bait designed to attract Hollows.

After graduating from the Shin'ō Academy, Sōgo Shihoin discovered that he had been excluded because he lacked a Zanpakuto. When every Asauchi he tried shattered, he went to Squad Zero for Ōetsu Nimaiya’s help and arrived at the Phoenix Palace.

• Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai dispatched forces from four divisions to Hueco Mundo to attack the Quincies, and the desert was stained with blood.
• At the graduation ceremony, Yamamoto omitted Sōgo Shihoin from the list, and Shaoling Fon asked why he had failed to graduate.
• Sōgo grabbed Yamamoto’s beard and demanded an explanation; Yamamoto said Sōgo could not graduate without a Zanpakuto, so Sōgo vowed to awaken one.
• Sōgo tried communicating with several Asauchi at the Shihoin estate, but his Spiritual Pressure shattered them, so he decided to seek Ōetsu Nimaiya’s help.
• Sōgo traveled with the Big-Eyed Monk to the Soul King Palace and entered the Phoenix Palace, where Ōetsu was waiting with a Zanpakuto.

Sōgo Shihoin visited Ōetsu Nimaiya to obtain Zanpakuto and claimed Sayafushi and Ikomikidomoe, whose sealed spirit he renamed Xiao Jiba. He left planning to carry ten Zanpakuto so Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto could no longer use his lack of one to prevent his graduation.

• Sōgo asked Ōetsu for a Zanpakuto and pointed to the young Zanpakuto women behind him, prompting Ōetsu to protect them.
• Sōgo took Sayafushi and formed a Bakudō scabbard from his spiritual pressure, while Ōetsu protested that the sword was a failed creation he had not meant to give away.
• Sōgo entered the spirit inside the Zanpakuto Ōetsu had prepared, encountered a huge being who mistook him for the Soul King, and learned from Ichibē Hyōsube that the sword was called Ikomikidomoe.
• Sōgo returned to Ikomikidomoe’s inner world, learned that Ichibē had stolen its original name, and named it Xiao Jiba before the spirit expelled him again.
• Sōgo declared he would keep Ikomikidomoe as well as Sayafushi and carry ten Zanpakuto to stop Yamamoto from delaying his graduation; Ōetsu ordered him to leave.