Chapter Summaries

Harribel, Lilynette, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, Szayelaporro, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada defeated the Quincy squads that ambushed them, then sought ways to reunite. By 1900, Kirio Hikifune had joined Squad Zero, Kisuke Urahara had become captain of the Twelfth Division, and the captains gathered for his appointment as Aizen learned about Squad Zero.

• Harribel killed the Quincy who survived her Cero and opened a Garganta to return to Hueco Mundo and seek help finding Sōgo and the others.
• Lilynette destroyed her Quincy attackers with repeated Ceros, while Kuruyashiki Kenpachi cut down his opponents and burned their corpses; Szayelaporro and Tsunayashiro Tokinada also defeated their squads.
• In 1900, Kirio Hikifune departed for Squad Zero after completing a research project, and Yoruichi Shihōin recommended Kisuke Urahara to become captain of the Twelfth Division.
• A few days later, Kisuke Urahara became the Twelfth Division captain, while Hiyori complained about the appointment and Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, and other captains gathered.
• The captains discussed Kirio Hikifune's promotion, introducing Aizen to Squad Zero, before Kuchiki Ginrei and Yoruichi Shihōin joined them.

Kisuke Urahara became captain of the Twelfth Division, established the Research and Development Institute, and brought Hiyori Sarugaki to the Nest of Maggots to recruit Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Mayuri first refused to leave, then accepted Urahara’s offer to become the institute’s deputy director.

• Captain-Commander Yamamoto introduced Kisuke Urahara as the new captain of the Twelfth Division, while Sōsuke Aizen watched him from a distance.
• Urahara restructured the Twelfth Division and established the Research and Development Institute, unsettling lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki.
• Urahara took Hiyori to the Nest of Maggots, where rampaging prisoners gave him a chance to demonstrate his strength and win her grudging acceptance.
• Urahara met imprisoned Mayuri Kurotsuchi and offered to release him in exchange for helping establish the Research and Development Institute.
• Mayuri rejected Urahara at first, but accepted after Urahara offered him the deputy director position and control of the institute and Twelfth Division in his absence.

Kaien Shiba agreed to join Jūshirō Ukitake's Thirteenth Division, though he insisted on serving as lieutenant rather than taking the captain's position. Elsewhere, Aizen ordered his experiments escalated, and a month later Kensei Muguruma led Ninth Division members to investigate unnatural deaths in Rukongai, unaware that Kaname Tōsen was among them.

• Jūshirō Ukitake pleaded with Kaien Shiba to join the Thirteenth Division, and Kūkaku Shiba convinced her brother that the Shiba Clan should have a captain in the Gotei 13.
• Kaien agreed to join the division but insisted he would serve as Ukitake's lieutenant, while Ukitake planned a small induction gathering.
• Aizen told Gosuke and Kaname Tōsen to increase their experiments and lure Soul Reapers into investigating before Sōgo returned to Soul Society.
• A silver-haired boy emerged after Aizen and his followers left, then walked toward Shin'ō Academy while harboring intense hatred.
• A month later, Kensei Muguruma took selected Ninth Division members, including Kaname Tōsen, to investigate reports of unnatural deaths in Rukongai.

After Kensei Muguruma and the Ninth Division disappeared, Yamamoto dispatched a team to investigate, where they discovered Hollowfied Kensei and Mashiro. The team was overwhelmed by Gosuke and Kaname Tōsen, and Shinji Hirako began Hollowfying as Aizen watched through Gosuke’s eyes.

• Kensei Muguruma and the Ninth Division vanished, prompting Yamamoto to summon an emergency Captains’ Meeting and assign an investigation team led by Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Shinji Hirako, and Love Aikawa.
• Hiyori Sarugaki and Lisa Yadōmaru joined the team alongside Hachigen Ushōda, while Kisuke Urahara stayed behind and spoke with Tessai Tsukabishi.
• The team found Kensei Hollowfied and attacking them; Mashiro Kuna appeared and knocked Rōjūrō unconscious, while Hachigen restrained Mashiro and then bound Kensei with Kidō.
• After the team subdued Kensei, Gosuke and Kaname Tōsen appeared, incapacitated the others, and wounded Shinji, who began to Hollowfy.
• Gosuke explained Shinji’s Hollowfication as Aizen watched through Gosuke’s vision and revealed his plan to drive his captain out of Soul Society.

Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi saved the Hollowfied captains, but the Central 46 Chambers moved to arrest them, forcing Urahara and the others to flee with Yoruichi Shihōin’s help. Later, Sōgo’s group gathered in Hueco Mundo to find Lilynette, where Roka’s attempt to copy Sōgo caused her to explode.

• Tessai Tsukabishi blocked Gosuke’s attack with Dankū, then used forbidden Kidō to transport the Hollowfied captains and lieutenants to Kisuke Urahara’s laboratory for treatment.
• Kisuke Urahara identified the Soul Reapers’ condition as Hollowfication, while the Central 46 Chambers ordered his arrest and the infected Soul Reapers’ deaths.
• Yoruichi Shihōin helped Kisuke Urahara and the Hollowfied Soul Reapers escape Soul Society, and the Five Great Noble Clans lost authority as the Shin'ō Academy revised its textbooks.
• Tier Harribel fought Yylfordt Granz for three days before he helped her contact Szayelaporro, who gathered Sōgo and the others in Hueco Mundo.
• Szayelaporro used Roka to reproduce Lilynette’s Spiritual Pressure and locate her, but Roka exploded when she tried to analyze and copy Sōgo.

Sōgo and his companions found Lilynette and prepared to return to Soul Society, while Yamamoto reorganized the Gotei 13 after the mass defection. Over the following years, new captains were appointed, and Sōgo finally returned to Soul Society with the others.

• Sōgo found Lilynette on a cliff, where she clung to him until Tier Harribel soothed her and Shaoling Fon cleaned his soaked shoulder.
• Yamamoto convened the remaining captains and, after Shunsui Kyōraku urged caution, agreed to fill the vacant captain positions before pursuing the defectors.
• Kuchiki Ginrei recommended Sōgo Shihoin for the Second Division, and Yamamoto approved him pending a captain proficiency test when he returned.
• Jūshirō Ukitake recruited Isshin Shiba and Kaien Shiba for the Gotei 13; Yamamoto assigned Isshin to the Tenth Division and Kaien as Ukitake’s lieutenant.
• Kyōraku assessed Sōsuke Aizen, who became Fifth Division Captain a year later, and Kaname Tōsen became Ninth Division Captain two years after that.
• Sōgo and his companions returned to Soul Society.

After returning to Soul Society, Sōgo Shihoin learned that Yoruichi’s defection had destabilized the noble factions and passed his captain’s assessment by unleashing his Spiritual Pressure. As he took command of the Second Division and Punishment Force, he remained wary of the unknown enemy behind the upheaval and met Kōga Kuchiki, whose family was advised to accept any gifts Sōgo offered.

• Sōsuke Aizen visited Sōgo and promised to appeal Yoruichi’s case, while Sōgo dismissed the political maneuvering and left the Shihoin family’s affairs to his younger brother Yushiro and sister Mika.
• Sōgo and Aizen went to the First Division Barracks, where Yamamoto gathered the captains for Sōgo’s assessment and appointment ceremony.
• Sōgo began releasing his Bankai, and his Spiritual Pressure damaged the barracks before Yamamoto stopped him and declared him Second Division Captain and commander of the Punishment Force.
• Sōgo asked Kuchiki Ginrei about Yoruichi’s departure and Soul Society’s turmoil, learning that Central 46 had taken no meaningful action and that the hidden instigator remained unknown.
• Sōgo met Ginrei’s son-in-law, Kōga Kuchiki, and offered to bring him a wedding gift; after Sōgo left, Ginrei told Kōga to accept anything Sōgo gave him.

Sōgo Shihoin took over the Second Division, reshaped its ranks, and submitted a petition demanding an eight-hour workday and regular days off for Soul Reapers. The petition alarmed Soul Society’s rulers and even its rebels, while Sōgo admitted he mainly wanted to avoid working himself.

• Sōgo Shihoin took over as Second Division Captain, reassured Marechiyo Ōmaeda that his family would retain its standing, and arranged for Shaoling Fon to assume the lieutenant’s duties.
• Sōgo replaced the Second Division’s seated officers and assigned several of them concurrent command roles in the Stealth Force.
• Tsunayashiro Tokinada learned that the Tsunayashiro Clan head had been controlled and began secretly investigating the truth for Sōgo.
• After a peaceful month, Sōgo petitioned the Central 46 Chambers to establish an eight-hour workday, holidays, and weekends off for Soul Reapers.
• The Central 46 Chambers, Shunsui Kyōraku, Sōsuke Aizen, and the defected Soul Reapers reacted with alarm as news of Sōgo’s petition spread.
• Sōgo threw aside his paperwork and revealed that he had pushed for the reforms because he did not want to work.

Sōgo Shihoin pushed his proposal for rotating days off and eight-hour Soul Reaper shifts, while Central 46 tried to avoid taking responsibility and Genryūsai and the Big-Eyed Monk watched events unfold. After the policy was celebrated across Soul Society, Sōgo went to the Kuchiki estate to recruit the Sixth Division and provoked young Byakuya.

• Sōgo argued for rotating days off and eight-hour shifts before noble representatives, and Central 46 later issued a notice leaving the decision to him.
• Sōgo told Shaoling Fon to announce that their protest had succeeded, prompting Soul Reapers across the Gotei 13 to celebrate the vacation bill.
• Genryūsai ordered Chōjirō Sasakibe not to interfere, while the Big-Eyed Monk considered Sōgo a candidate for Squad Zero and visited the Soul King.
• Sōgo went to the Kuchiki estate to seek the Sixth Division's support and found Byakuya training with a wooden sword.
• Sōgo grabbed Byakuya by the nape, swung him around, and laughed as Byakuya demanded to be put down.

Sōgo persuaded Ginrei Kuchiki to adopt a rotating rest schedule for the Sixth Division and then gathered Aizen’s support for the proposal. He left with Aizen’s signature, while Aizen’s smile vanished after Sōgo disappeared.

• Sōgo teased Byakuya, gave Kōga Kuchiki a Spiritual Pressure-recording voice changer, and discussed his rest schedule with Ginrei Kuchiki.
• Ginrei agreed to the rotating schedule and assigned Sōjun and Kōga to manage the Sixth Division in alternating shifts so he could retire.
• Sōgo went to the Fifth Division to find Aizen and noticed a silver-haired boy whose presence alarmed him.
• Aizen returned from Captain Komamura’s promotion assessment and told Sōgo that Komamura had been assigned to the Seventh Division.
• Sōgo asked Aizen to support the rest plan, and Aizen signed the supporters’ list before Sōgo left.
• After Sōgo vanished, Aizen’s faint smile disappeared.

Sōgo collected Retsu Unohana’s signature, then found Shunsui Kyōraku barred from the Ise Clan residence by Hideki Ise, who blamed Kyōraku for the clan’s decline. Sōgo recruited Hideki into the Second Division and used his new authority to gain entry to the residence with Kyōraku.

• Retsu Unohana signed Sōgo’s paper, then threatened him after he teased her before he escaped with Shunpo.
• Sōgo learned that Shunsui Kyōraku had been visiting Rukongai daily and found him arguing with Hideki Ise outside the Ise residence.
• Hideki accused Kyōraku of causing the Ise Clan’s ruin after the Eight-Mirror Sword disappeared, while Kyōraku continued trying to protect Nanao Ise.
• Sōgo reminded Hideki that they had been classmates and offered him a transfer to the Second Division as its Eighth Seat and commander of the Stealth Force Fourth Division.
• Sōgo ordered Hideki to let him and Kyōraku through the gates, and Hideki obeyed after Sōgo reassured him.
• Sōgo and Kyōraku entered the Ise residence together.

Sōgo Shihoin helped Shunsui Kyōraku and Hideki Ise resolve their dispute over Nanao Ise, then collected Kyōraku’s signature in exchange for his help. The next morning, Sōgo left Kyōraku owing him another favor and turned to his next target, Jūshirō Ukitake.

• Sōgo offered Hideki Ise money for repairs to the Ise estate and a high-paying position in the Second Division, prompting Hideki to pledge his loyalty and offer his sister, Nanao.
• Hideki rejected Shunsui Kyōraku’s request to take Nanao with him, citing Kyōraku’s failure to protect Lisa Yadōmaru from an attack that left her tainted by Hollow powers and branded a deserter.
• Nanao entered the tea room and told Hideki that their grandmother wanted him; after Hideki left, she embraced Kyōraku and said he reminded her of her mother.
• Hideki eavesdropped as Sōgo reassured him that Nanao would be safe with Kyōraku, then thanked Sōgo for protecting the Ise Clan Family.
• The next morning, Sōgo asked Kyōraku to sign his name in return for arranging his meeting with Nanao, then persuaded him that the internship rotation system would benefit her and claimed another favor.
• Sōgo checked his list and named Jūshirō Ukitake as his next target.

Sōgo Shihoin gathered Jūshirō Ukitake’s signature for his application before visiting the Tenth Division to find Isshin Shiba. He found Isshin caught spying in the women’s bathhouse, but Isshin signed the paperwork after Sōgo claimed he had seen nothing.

• Sōgo told the ailing Jūshirō Ukitake that several captains had approved his application, and Ukitake signed the form after hearing Shunsui Kyōraku had agreed.
• Kaien Shiba forced Ukitake to take his medicine, and Sōgo met Miyako Imaizumi and teased Kaien about their relationship.
• Sōgo reached the Tenth Division barracks and followed a short-haired blond division member as she searched the office, garbage disposal area, and roof for Isshin Shiba.
• The blond division member found Isshin hiding in the women’s bathhouse and beat him after he admitted he was enjoying the view.
• Isshin asked Sōgo to confirm he had seen nothing, then signed Sōgo’s paperwork.

Sōgo Shihoin collected the signatures needed to change the Gotei 13 regulations, persuading Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai and forcing Kenpachi Kiganjō to sign. After Kiganjō tried to ambush him, Sōgo froze time and stabbed him, leaving him injured as time resumed.

• Sōgo learned that Article 112 required every captain’s support and obtained Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai’s signature.
• Sōgo went to the Eleventh Division and slapped Kenpachi Kiganjō until he signed the booklet.
• Kiganjō tried to attack Sōgo with his Zanpakuto as Sōgo was leaving.
• Sōgo stopped time, took Kiganjō’s Zanpakuto, and stabbed him from behind.
• Time resumed, and Kiganjō collapsed and cried out for Captain Retsu Unohana.

Sōgo Shihoin gathered the remaining signatures for his proposal and accompanied Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to assess Mayuri Kurotsuchi for the Twelfth Division captaincy. Mayuri introduced himself to the examiners, and his Bankai assessment was about to begin.

• Kiyōnosuke Yamada treated Kenpachi Kiganjō after Sōgo Shihoin left a Zanpakuto lodged in him during their clash.
• Sōgo visited Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen, who signed his register supporting his proposal.
• Sōgo brought the completed register to Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who approved it and enlisted him as an examiner.
• Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto told Sōgo that Mayuri Kurotsuchi had nominated himself for the vacant Twelfth Division captaincy and needed to pass an assessment.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi introduced himself to Sōgo, Shunsui Kyōraku, Nanao Ise, and Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto before the assessment.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi passed the captain qualification exam and became captain of the Twelfth Division, while Sōgo returned to the Second Division and invited his companions to stay at the Shihoin estate. Tsunayashiro Tokinada misread Sōgo’s rejection as a mastermind’s plot and sought an ally, as Aizen tried to persuade Sōya Azashiro to join him.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi demonstrated Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, passed the exam, and was appointed captain of the Twelfth Division.
• Sōgo returned to the Second Division, announced rotating days off, and celebrated with the Stealth Force while Tokinada suspected he was under enemy control.
• Sōgo invited Tier Harribel, Lilynette, and others to stay at the Shihoin estate, but Kuruyashiki Kenpachi and Szayelaporro declined, and Sōgo rejected Tokinada.
• Tokinada decided he needed a trusted helper and looked toward Muken, while Aizen anticipated his choice.
• Aizen addressed Sōya Azashiro and urged him to become an ally, claiming he could serve as the demon king who would help Sōgo rise to greatness.

Ten years later, Sōgo remained indifferent to Soul Society affairs while Shaoling Fon managed his work. Meanwhile, Aizen conquered Hueco Mundo, recruited Yylfordt Granz, and confronted its former ruler, Baraggan Louisenbairn, whose transformation had come after a century of being assimilated by Sōgo’s hair.

• Shaoling Fon told Sōgo that Gin Ichimaru had graduated from Shin'ō Academy in one year and become Third Division Captain, but Sōgo showed no interest in the news.
• Sōgo reassured Shaoling Fon and praised her Bankai, flustering her as she left to return to work.
• Sōsuke Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru defeated Hueco Mundo’s acting king, Yylfordt Granz, and Aizen persuaded him to submit by offering him Arrancar power.
• Yylfordt led Aizen and the others to Hueco Mundo’s ceiling to meet its former king, Baraggan Louisenbairn.
• Baraggan aged Aizen’s right hand with his gaze and split him in two with an enormous axe, but Aizen reappeared unharmed.
• Baraggan declared himself Hueco Mundo’s emperor, and the chapter revealed that he had transformed after being assimilated by Sōgo’s hair for nearly a century.

Baraggan believed he had killed Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru before reclaiming Hueco Mundo, but Aizen revealed that everything had been an illusion created by his Zanpakuto. Aizen offered Baraggan an alliance, leaving Baraggan to face the choice of becoming his companion.

• Baraggan released his Resurrección and appeared to turn Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru to dust.
• Baraggan killed Yylfordt Granz, then left his palace and reclaimed Hueco Mundo by crushing all opposition.
• A month later, Kaname Tōsen, Gin Ichimaru, and Aizen appeared alive in Baraggan's palace, and the Menos Grande ignored Baraggan's orders.
• Aizen explained that Baraggan had been under his Complete Hypnosis of the five senses from the moment they first met, and that the palace and Baraggan's conquest had been illusions.
• Aizen told Baraggan he was not his enemy and asked him to become his companion.

Kenpachi Zaraki arrived in Seireitei, defeated Kenpachi Kiganjō in a single strike, and took over as captain of the 11th Division. Retsu Unohana noticed Zaraki, while Sōgo heard the news and dismissed it; Zaraki soon began searching for a stronger opponent.

• Kenpachi Kiganjō went to confront the newcomer who had cut down several members of the 11th Division.
• Kenpachi Zaraki endured Kiganjō’s strike, then killed him with one slash and claimed the name Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Yachiru Kusajishi cheered Zaraki, while Maki Ichinose mourned Kiganjō and Retsu Unohana watched Zaraki with a dangerous interest.
• Retsu Unohana and Kiyōnosuke Yamada left without treating the fallen members of the 11th Division.
• Shaoling Fon told Sōgo that Zaraki had become the new captain, and Sōgo showed little interest.
• Kenpachi Zaraki grew bored of fighting weaker opponents and began seeking a stronger one.

Kenpachi Zaraki went to the Second Division seeking a strong opponent and charged Sōgo Shihoin, but the people around Sōgo stopped him before Kuruyashiki Kenpachi took up the fight. Zaraki and Kuruyashiki became absorbed in their savage duel, while Tsunayashiro Tokinada noticed something unusual about Yachiru Kusajishi.

• Kenpachi Zaraki asked the 11th Division who was strongest after himself and Yamamoto, and the division's gossip king named Sōgo Shihoin as a leading contender.
• Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi went to the Second Division, where Zaraki cut through the Stealth Force members who tried to stop him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki burst into Sōgo Shihoin's office and attacked, but Tier Harribel, Lilynette, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, Hōshō Ryo, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada quickly restrained him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki broke free and struck Tier Harribel and Lilynette, but Kuruyashiki Kenpachi blocked his attack and began fighting him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki and Kuruyashiki Kenpachi reveled in their duel as Yachiru cheered, and Tsunayashiro Tokinada sensed something abnormal about her.