Recaps

Wang Xun retrieved his Asauchi from the Spiritual Arts Academy because he feared Tokinada Tsunayashiro would target him or his shop. Shunsui Kyōraku caught him leaving, heard his explanation, and offered to accompany him toward West Rukongai.

• Wang Xun sent Ganju to distribute the supplies and warn Uncle Ichiraku to prioritize his safety.
• Wang Xun returned to the Spiritual Arts Academy, retrieved his Zanpakuto, and slipped out past the patrols.
• Shunsui Kyōraku stopped Wang Xun and pointed out that taking an Asauchi off Academy grounds was against the rules.
• Wang Xun told Kyōraku that he feared the Tsunayashiro Clan would act against him because of his disagreement with Tokinada Tsunayashiro.
• Kyōraku acknowledged the danger and offered to go with Wang Xun toward the noodle shop in West Rukongai, promising to intervene if trouble arose.

Wang Xun and Shunsui Kyōraku were ambushed in West Rukongai, where Wang Xun fought off a coordinated group of assassins. After two attackers released their Zanpakuto and gained the advantage, Wang Xun released Shackle Lotus, leaving them stunned.

• Shunsui Kyōraku escorted Wang Xun from the Seireitei into West Rukongai while acting as though they were taking a nighttime stroll.
• Several assassins attacked Wang Xun and Kyōraku, and Wang Xun defended himself against two coordinated opponents while Kyōraku casually handled his attackers.
• Wang Xun adapted to the pair’s tactics and wounded the tall, thin attacker, but the two released their Zanpakuto and began to suppress him.
• Kyōraku watched Wang Xun closely and sensed others hiding nearby, while Wang Xun sustained several wounds from the released Zanpakuto.
• Wang Xun retreated and released Shackle Lotus, unleashing immense Reiatsu that stunned the two attackers.

Wang Xun used Shackle Lotus’s Shikai to analyze and overcome the abilities of Mad Fang and Poison Stinger, defeating both attackers despite his heavy Reiatsu use. After Shunsui Kyōraku praised him and admitted he had been testing him, Stealth Force members arrived and surrounded the scene.

• Wang Xun’s Shackle Lotus analyzed Mad Fang and Poison Stinger as their wielders launched a coordinated attack.
• Wang Xun completed the analysis, learned both Zanpakuto abilities, and used Shunpo and Hakuda to knock the tall, thin attacker unconscious.
• Wang Xun evaded the burly attacker’s all-out slash and killed him with a blade strike.
• Wang Xun reviewed the experience gained from the fight as Shunsui Kyōraku approached and praised his Shikai.
• Shunsui Kyōraku said he had been testing Wang Xun and drew attention to figures hiding nearby.
• Members of the Stealth Force rushed in and sealed off the scene.

After the Stealth Force captured the attackers who had targeted Wang Xun and Ichiraku Ramen’s businesses, Shunsui Kyōraku promised to report the attack and confront the Tsunayashiro Clan. Wang Xun went with Soi Fon to the Fourth Division for treatment, hoping to gain more Kaidō experience.

• Soi Fon arrived, identified the attackers as targets the Stealth Force had been tracking, and explained that the noodle shops’ attackers had caused only property damage and no casualties.
• Soi Fon praised Wang Xun’s strength and Kaidō, while the wounded attacker claimed they had been hired without knowing who their employer was before the Stealth Force gagged him.
• Shunsui Kyōraku decided to report the attack to Central 46 and visit the Tsunayashiro Clan, promising Wang Xun that the clan would not target him or his shops again.
• Shunsui Kyōraku asked Soi Fon to take Wang Xun to the Fourth Division, and Wang Xun agreed while hoping to collect more Kaidō experience fragments.

After being treated in the Fourth Division, Wang Xun secretly harvested Kaidō and Spiritual Might fragments from the busy infirmary. He returned to his room after gaining new healing knowledge, only to find Captain Unohana waiting there.

• Soi Fon escorted Wang Xun to the Fourth Division dispensary, where a healer treated his wounds and told him to rest.
• Wang Xun collected Kaidō and Reiryoku fragments near the treatment rooms, raising his Kidō level before Lieutenant Kiyōnosuke Yamada ordered him back to bed.
• Captain Unohana caught Wang Xun lingering outside patients’ rooms and gently warned him to return to his room.
• That night, Wang Xun secretly gathered fragments throughout the Fourth Division and improved his Kaidō and Spiritual Might experience.
• Wang Xun returned to his treatment room and found Captain Unohana sitting on his bed.

Wang Xun was caught wandering the Fourth Division wards at night, but convinced Unohana that he had been studying Kaidō by demonstrating his healing skill. Unohana let him return to rest and offered him a place in the Fourth Division, while Wang Xun suspected Yoruichi had been watching over him.

• Unohana confronted Wang Xun for visiting wards with seriously injured patients in the middle of the night.
• Wang Xun claimed he was studying Kaidō and demonstrated his precise control by forming a healing technique in his palm.
• Unohana improved the technique and learned that Wang Xun was a fifth-year student bound for the Second Division.
• Unohana noticed Stealth Force members watching the area and remarked that Shihoin valued Wang Xun, then offered him the option of joining the Fourth Division.
• Unohana told Wang Xun to rest and invited him to ask openly for Kaidō guidance in the future.
• After Unohana left, Wang Xun suspected she had not believed him and concluded that Captain Yoruichi was looking after him.

Yoruichi Shihōin visited Wang Xun with Kisuke Urahara and Marechiyo Ōmaeda, offered protection through a Seireitei branch of Ichiraku Ramen, and discussed the crop-yield research. Wang Xun accepted the partnership, while Yoruichi revealed that Captain Kyōraku would confront the Tsunayashiro Clan over the attacks.

• Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Marechiyo Ōmaeda visited Wang Xun in the hospital and assured him that Yoruichi's people had stopped troublemakers near his shop.
• Urahara told Wang Xun that experiments using Kidō barriers and Reishi Structure Intervention Technology could shorten crop growth cycles and raise yields.
• Yoruichi proposed opening an Ichiraku Ramen branch in the Seireitei's noble district under the Shihoin Clan's protection.
• Ōmaeda offered to provide funding, premises, and paperwork in exchange for seventy percent of the profits, while Wang Xun retained control of the recipes and preparation methods.
• Yoruichi told Wang Xun that the Tsunayashiro Clan had left no usable evidence, but Captain Kyōraku would visit them.

Wang Xun decided that he needed to focus on becoming stronger after recent attacks drew him into dangerous conflicts. He chose to join the Punishment Force, and Yoruichi agreed to arrange his early graduation and special recruitment while warning him to prepare for its entrance assessment.

• Wang Xun asked Ōmaeda to help advance Kisuke Urahara's proposal to increase raw-material production, and Ōmaeda agreed to learn more about their cooperation.
• Wang Xun reflected on how recent attention from Aizen and conflict with the Tsunayashiro Clan had made strength more important than money or connections.
• Wang Xun told Yoruichi that he wanted tougher training and to join the Gotei 13 after finishing his Spiritual Arts Academy courses early.
• Yoruichi described the Punishment Force's dangerous missions and warned Wang Xun that he could die at any moment.
• Wang Xun chose the Punishment Force, and Yoruichi offered to arrange his early graduation and special recruitment while telling him to prepare for its entrance assessment.

After returning to Shin'ō Academy, Wang Xun told Nanao and Kaien Shiba that he planned to graduate early and join the Second Division's Stealth Force. Nanao supported his decision, while Kaien revealed that he also intended to apply for early graduation.

• Wang Xun returned to Shin'ō Academy after getting new clothes, then visited Nanao in the library.
• Wang Xun told Nanao he planned to apply for early graduation and join the Second Division's Stealth Force, and she urged him to stay safe while supporting his choice.
• Wang Xun visited Kaien Shiba at the training grounds and told him about his early graduation plans and his decision to join the Second Division.
• Kaien said he also planned to apply for early graduation, wished Wang Xun good fortune, and acknowledged the danger of Second Division missions.

Wang Xun passed the Spiritual Arts Academy’s early graduation exam after demonstrating Shikai and was assigned to the Second Division. At the barracks, Soi Fon began a personal entrance examination, challenging him to endure her Hakuda attacks.

• Kisuke Urahara represented the Second Division as Wang Xun passed his graduation tests and revealed his Shikai, Shackle Lotus.
• Wang Xun received his graduation certificate and assignment to the Second Division, then reported to its barracks three days later.
• Punishment Force reserve members eyed Wang Xun with hostility because he came from Rukongai and had been specially recruited.
• Soi Fon summoned Wang Xun to an outdoor training ground and explained that she would test him personally.
• Wang Xun accepted Soi Fon’s challenge to last as long as he could against her while she used only Hakuda.

Wang Xun challenged Soi Fon to a Hakuda-only fight and improved rapidly as he learned from her attacks. After landing the first blow and forcing her back, he asked to continue, leaving Soi Fon furious but ready to face him again.

• Wang Xun set aside his Zanpakuto and agreed to fight Soi Fon using only Hakuda.
• Soi Fon overwhelmed Wang Xun with precise, powerful attacks, while he recognized that she reinforced her strikes with a Reiatsu method resembling Kidō.
• Wang Xun endured Soi Fon's assault and gradually improved his timing and ability to read her moves as he gained system insights.
• Wang Xun reached Hakuda level 5, evaded Soi Fon's next strike, and punched her in the ribs, forcing her to retreat for the first time.
• Soi Fon realized Wang Xun's Hakuda had improved during their fight, but Wang Xun took a new stance and demanded another round, making her laugh in anger.

Wang Xun fought Soi Fon in his Punishment Force Reserve assessment, rapidly learning from her attacks and discovering that Shunkō could unlock once his Hakuda and Kidō reached level six. He passed the assessment and began arranging his quarters, while Soi Fon left unsettled by their fight and planned to report to Lady Yoruichi.

• Wang Xun exchanged increasingly fierce blows with Soi Fon and adapted to her fighting techniques, including the rudiments of her Kidō-infused Hakuda.
• Wang Xun's system detected Shunkō and showed that he needed Hakuda Lv6 and Kidō Lv6 to unlock it.
• Soi Fon ended the assessment and officially accepted Wang Xun into the Punishment Force Reserves, ordering a nearby member to take him to the infirmary.
• Wang Xun healed his own injuries with Kaidō, then followed a reserve member to arrange his quarters and daily necessities.
• Soi Fon walked through the Second Division, unable to stop thinking about Wang Xun and preparing to report the test results to Lady Yoruichi.

Wang Xun completed his enlistment check-in with the Punishment Force Reserves and settled into the shared dormitory, then asked Kosugi Ken to show him the Second Division training grounds. That night, Soi Fon reported Wang Xun’s combat talent to Yoruichi, while Kisuke Urahara remained curious about him but said it was too early to tell whether anything unusual was going on.

• Kosugi Ken reassured Wang Xun about the training-ground incident and helped him complete his enlistment check-in and receive his supplies.
• Wang Xun settled into the third longhouse, changed into his training clothes, and asked Kosugi Ken to show him the Second Division’s squad training grounds.
• Soi Fon reported that Wang Xun had shown strong Hakuda, Shunpo, and combat intuition, and had quickly learned to counter and imitate her moves.
• Yoruichi told Soi Fon to keep an eye on Wang Xun but treat him like an ordinary squad member for now.
• Kisuke Urahara told Yoruichi that he was curious about Wang Xun but could not yet say whether anything about him was unusual.

Kisuke Urahara studied Wang Xun’s unusual Reiatsu, which contained stable Hollow properties, and considered whether it could be used to understand controllable Hollowfication. He took the sealed Hōgyoku from storage, leaving his intentions unresolved.

• Kisuke Urahara entered his hidden laboratory in the Maggot's Nest and reviewed his analysis of Wang Xun’s Reiatsu.
• Kisuke Urahara examined Wang Xun’s Reiatsu sample alongside stored Hollow Reiatsu and considered how Wang Xun could possess stable Hollow power.
• Kisuke Urahara recalled creating the Hōgyoku to overcome a Soul Reaper’s limits and how it had developed an uncontrollable hunger for Reiatsu.
• Kisuke Urahara compared the Hōgyoku with Wang Xun’s Reiatsu, then carefully removed the Hōgyoku’s sealed container from storage.

Wang Xun’s performance in reserve training impressed his instructor, who planned to recommend him for early selection as a full member of the Punishment Force. Meanwhile, Soi Fon secretly watched him, hoping to understand how he had advanced a combat technique that had stalled her own progress.

• Wang Xun easily completed the grueling reserve training and gathered experience while sensing an unseen gaze on him.
• During a combat exercise, Wang Xun swiftly defeated three reserve members, prompting the instructor to end his regular reserve exercises and recommend him for early full-member selection.
• The instructor told Wang Xun that Captain Shihoin had mentioned him and warned that full-member training and missions would be far more dangerous.
• After the instructor left, Soi Fon emerged from hiding and admitted to herself that she had been secretly observing Wang Xun for insight into his combat technique.
• Soi Fon watched Wang Xun leave for dinner, still unsettled by her curiosity and frustration.

Wang Xun and Soi Fon discussed the technique he had copied from her Reiatsu-enhanced strikes, and Soi Fon asked to spar with him to develop it further. Wang Xun agreed eagerly and pressed to begin immediately, leaving Soi Fon surprised.

• Wang Xun reviewed his abilities over lunch and considered visiting the Fourth Division to improve his Kidō.
• Soi Fon sat with Wang Xun and repeatedly watched him before admitting she wanted to ask about the technique he had used in their entry-test fight.
• Wang Xun explained that he had imitated how Soi Fon applied Reiatsu through Kidō to strengthen her punches and kicks.
• Wang Xun said mastering both Kidō and Hakuda to at least Captain-level might be necessary to fuse them effectively, giving Soi Fon a possible explanation for her difficulty.
• Soi Fon proposed regular sparring to help them develop the technique, and Wang Xun agreed.
• Wang Xun asked why they had to wait and whether Soi Fon had something to do, leaving her surprised.

Soi Fon took Wang Xun to a secluded training ground to test how Kidō-style Reiatsu control could improve her Hakuda. As they examined the flow of Reiatsu through her strikes, Wang Xun identified an unstable point in her kick, and they continued their close training.

• Soi Fon agreed to train with Wang Xun and led him to the Punishment Force commander’s personal guard training ground.
• Wang Xun gathered fragments and insights as he warmed up, bringing his Spiritual Might close to a seventh-rank breakthrough.
• Soi Fon began attacking while Wang Xun studied the Reiatsu in her punches, elbow strikes, and kicks.
• Wang Xun stopped Soi Fon to examine a disruption in the Reiatsu flowing through her calf, making her retreat in embarrassment.
• Soi Fon slowed her kick, and Wang Xun identified a conflict between the Reiatsu’s coiling rhythm and Hakuda’s explosive force before pressing lightly against her leg.

Wang Xun trained with Soi Fon, analyzing her Reiatsu and helping her improve its flow while his close observations unsettled her. After they agreed to train again the next day, Soi Fon left the training ground still troubled by her unfamiliar feelings.

• Wang Xun studied Soi Fon's Reiatsu and identified sluggish initial flow as the cause of her difficulty producing a burst.
• Wang Xun repeatedly touched and closely observed Soi Fon during training, while she struggled with embarrassment and growing distraction.
• Soi Fon asked Wang Xun to keep more distance, and he apologized while explaining that close observation helped him study subtle Reiatsu changes.
• Wang Xun's Spiritual Might rose to seventh class, and Soi Fon acknowledged that his training suggestions had improved her Reiryoku control.
• Wang Xun and Soi Fon tested their adjustments in combat, then agreed to train again the next day.
• Soi Fon left alone, released a burning breath in the corridor, and composed herself despite her lingering confusion about Wang Xun.

Yoruichi approved Wang Xun’s transfer from the reserve unit into Soi Fon’s direct squad and assigned him his first official mission. Soi Fon left to prepare for an investigation into Shinigami disappearances in West Rukongai District 32.

• Soi Fon reported on the Second Division’s missions, and Yoruichi noticed she had seemed distracted lately.
• Yoruichi told Soi Fon that Wang Xun’s assessment recommended promoting him from the reserve unit to the regular ranks.
• Yoruichi proposed placing Wang Xun in Soi Fon’s direct squad, and Soi Fon agreed despite her embarrassment about their private training.
• Yoruichi formally assigned Wang Xun to the Second Division and the Punishment Force under Soi Fon’s command.
• Yoruichi ordered Soi Fon to take Wang Xun and two veteran members to investigate reports of Shinigami disappearing near West Rukongai District 32.

Wang Xun received his formal assignment to Soi Fon’s squad and learned that their first mission was to investigate two missing Tenth Division patrol members. After a violent night with Soi Fon, he met the squad the following afternoon with a bruised face, while she quietly regretted hitting him too hard.

• Wang Xun received orders assigning him to Soi Fon’s squad and joined her briefing with veterans Sugimoto and Kawasaki.
• Soi Fon explained that two Tenth Division members had disappeared near an area under surveillance and ordered the squad to investigate while prioritizing safety.
• After Sugimoto and Kawasaki left, Soi Fon gave Wang Xun his uniforms and equipment, and he asked whether they would continue their nighttime training.
• Soi Fon agreed, and Wang Xun arrived the next afternoon with a bruised face, which he treated with Kaidō.
• Sugimoto and Kawasaki warmed to Wang Xun after seeing his healing skill, and Soi Fon arrived feeling guilty about his bruise.

Soi Fon and Wang Xun searched West Rukongai for a missing Tenth Division member, while Wang Xun’s ability led them to Hollowfication Fragments near an abandoned house. As they prepared to investigate, Kaname Tōsen and several Ninth Division Soul Reapers arrived, leaving their purpose unclear.

• Soi Fon split the team into pairs to search the suspiciously quiet area in West Rukongai’s thirty-second district.
• Wang Xun sensed invisible Reiryoku Fragments and persuaded Soi Fon to search in their direction.
• Wang Xun collected a Hollowfication Fragment and grew increasingly wary as more fragments appeared.
• Soi Fon and Wang Xun stopped outside an empty house after finding a larger cluster of Hollowfication Fragments.
• Soi Fon and Wang Xun hid when approaching Reiatsu revealed several Soul Reapers moving toward them.
• Soi Fon recognized the group’s leader as Kaname Tōsen of the Ninth Division and wondered why they were there.

Kaname Tōsen and three Ninth Division Shinigami joined Soi Fon and Wang Xun’s investigation into the disappearance of Tenth Division members, claiming a deserter named Amamiya Shin was responsible. After Tōsen left, Amamiya Shin ambushed Soi Fon, and Wang Xun blocked his attack.

• Soi Fon and Wang Xun suspected Kaname Tōsen’s arrival was connected to the disappearance and emerged from hiding to confront his team.
• Tōsen said his team was pursuing Amamiya Shin, a deserter accused of forbidden experiments, and proposed joining the investigation.
• The two teams searched an abandoned house and found damaged Tenth Division uniforms and burned tools and papers.
• Tōsen left with his team to pursue Amamiya Shin, while Soi Fon and Wang Xun collected evidence to report to Lady Yoruichi.
• Amamiya Shin attacked Soi Fon from the shadows, and Wang Xun blocked the strike before Shin charged at them again.

Amamiya Shin used his Reiatsu-draining, toxin-laced Zanpakuto to incapacitate Soi Fon, but Wang Xun released Shikai and overwhelmed him. After analyzing Amamiya Shin's Zanpakuto and becoming immune to its effects, Wang Xun was caught when Amamiya Shin deliberately let himself be wounded to land his threads.

• Soi Fon and Wang Xun chose to keep Amamiya Shin occupied, and Soi Fon struck him with Suzumebachi.
• Amamiya Shin released Thousand-Thread Spider, entangled Soi Fon, and drained her Reiatsu while its neurotoxin numbed her limbs.
• Amamiya Shin used Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō to immobilize Soi Fon and turned his attack on Wang Xun.
• Wang Xun released Shackle Lotus, moved too quickly for Amamiya Shin to follow, and drove him through a wall with a powerful slash.
• Wang Xun completed his analysis of Thousand Spider Threads and became immune to its Reiatsu-draining threads and neurotoxin.
• Amamiya Shin let Wang Xun cut him, then used the opening to wrap his threads around Wang Xun's arm.

Wang Xun defeated Amamiya Shin and treated him so he could be interrogated, leaving Soi Fon and the others stunned by his strength. When Kaname Tōsen arrived to claim the prisoner for the Ninth Division, Wang Xun refused and stood against him.

• Wang Xun overcame Amamiya Shin's poison, cut off his Zanpakuto, and disabled him while keeping him alive for questioning.
• Wang Xun knocked Amamiya Shin unconscious and used Kaidō to treat his injuries as Soi Fon arrived and reacted with disbelief.
• Soi Fon learned Wang Xun had defeated Amamiya Shin and resolved to take responsibility for her own mistakes during the mission.
• Sugimoto and Kawasaki arrived, followed by Kaname Tōsen and members of the Ninth Division, who demanded custody of Amamiya Shin.
• Wang Xun refused to surrender the prisoner and challenged Kaname Tōsen when he insisted the Ninth Division should detain him.

Kaname Tōsen tried to take the captured Amamiya Shin from the Stealth Force, then attacked Wang Xun with his Zanpakuto, Suzumushi. Wang Xun resisted Suzumushi’s hypnosis and fought back, leaving Tōsen shocked as the battle continued.

• Kaname Tōsen argued that the Ninth Division should interrogate its deserter, Amamiya Shin, and accused the Stealth Force of concealing information.
• Wang Xun countered that the Stealth Force had captured Amamiya and suspected Tōsen of trying to hide the Ninth Division’s involvement.
• Kaname Tōsen drew his sword and challenged Wang Xun, while ordering his three subordinates to stand down.
• Kaname Tōsen released Suzumushi with “Cry, Suzumushi” and used Nake’s sound waves to disorient Soi Fon, Sugimoto, and Kawasaki.
• Wang Xun’s system began analyzing Suzumushi, and he pretended to be affected while Tōsen lunged for Amamiya Shin.
• Wang Xun suddenly attacked Tōsen and exchanged blows with him, then claimed Suzumushi’s sound was hard for him to hear.