Chapter Summaries

Wang Xun sparred with Retsu Unohana and discovered how fiercely she was suppressing her bloodlust before she ended their practice. Unohana then warned him that the Shin'ō Medical Institute and Central 46 would inspect the Fourth Division in a few days, apparently as part of Tsunayashiro Tokinada's campaign against him.

• Wang Xun and Retsu Unohana began a training match after she noted that his Reiatsu and strength had increased.
• Unohana escalated her attacks, revealing a cold, blood-soaked Reiatsu and pushing Wang Xun to his limits.
• Wang Xun warned Unohana that her released Reiatsu could attract attention, and she stopped the fight and restrained her desire for battle.
• Unohana told Wang Xun that representatives of the Shin'ō Medical Institute and several sages from Central 46 would inspect the Fourth Division in a few days.
• Wang Xun recognized Tsunayashiro Tokinada's involvement and told Unohana he would be ready.

Wang Xun and Unohana moved their training to a hidden cavern beneath Sōkyoku Hill, where Unohana challenged him to reveal his full strength. After she overwhelmed his attacks, Wang Xun unleashed a Hollow mask, leaving Unohana startled by the change.

• Wang Xun told Unohana about a Reiatsu-shielded cavern beneath Sōkyoku Hill, and she agreed to train there.
• The next day, Wang Xun led Unohana into the cavern, where she noticed his equipment and asked about his connection to Kisuke Urahara.
• Unohana challenged Wang Xun to fight without holding back, and he released Shackle Lotus before she struck him hard enough to send him flying.
• Wang Xun healed with Kaidō, then attacked with Shunpo and several Kidō spells, but Unohana calmly blocked him and continued pressing her assault.
• Unohana cut Wang Xun across the chest, prompting him to unleash violent Reiatsu and form a white bone mask over his face.
• Unohana saw the mask and widened her eyes in surprise.

Wang Xun fought Unohana in Hollowfication and Shikai, but the immense strain left him wounded and unconscious after their final clash. After Unohana healed him and spared his life, she refused to explain her moment of panic, telling him to grow stronger first.

• Wang Xun activated Hollowfication and challenged Unohana to instruct him, then used his heightened perception, Shikai, and Kidō to attack her.
• Unohana blocked Wang Xun's barrage and eventually sent him flying, while his stamina and mask began to fail.
• Wang Xun poured his remaining Reiatsu into one final strike, and the collision shook the cavern as his mask and Shikai dissipated.
• Unohana's blade pierced Wang Xun's chest, but she turned it aside from his heart, caught him as he collapsed, and healed his wound.
• After waking, Wang Xun thanked Unohana for sparing him and asked why she had looked panicked; she said she might explain once he became strong enough for her to acknowledge him.

Sōya and the Shin'ō Medical Institute physicians tried to discredit Wang Xun by presenting him with a critically injured patient, but Wang Xun stabilized the patient with his Kaidō. After the plan failed and Unohana led Sōya away, Tokinada punished him and began considering another scheme.

• Sōya arrived at the Fourth Division with noble physicians and challenged its members to treat a patient with a torn soul.
• Wang Xun examined the patient, learned the Medical Institute had used ineffective treatment, and recognized that the visitors had left a hidden injury untreated.
• Wang Xun used Double Kaidō to stabilize the patient's Reiatsu and bring him out of immediate danger.
• Sōya was shocked by Wang Xun's success, and Unohana arrived and took him and the other visitors away.
• Sōya reported the failure to Tokinada, who smashed a cup into his face and said he had another idea.

Wang Xun received Aizen’s orders to help Kaname Tōsen destroy a noble family’s forbidden research outpost and disguise the attack as a Hollow raid. He and Kisuke Urahara planned to exploit Tōsen’s connection to Kakyō, with Urahara revealing that the outpost’s owners were tied to the Tsunayashiro Clan.

• A Fifth Division member delivered Aizen’s message ordering Wang Xun to accompany Kaname Tōsen on a raid in North Rukongai District 59 in three days.
• Wang Xun destroyed the note and decided to put his plan with Kisuke Urahara into motion.
• Wang Xun met Urahara in their underground cavern, which Retsu Unohana’s sword practice had left covered in damage.
• Urahara told Wang Xun that Kaname Tōsen’s hatred and loyalty to Aizen stemmed from Kakyō’s death and his grudge against Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
• Urahara revealed that the outpost belonged to a noble branch family connected to the Tsunayashiro Clan and contained records of forbidden soul techniques.

Kisuke Urahara and Wang Xun arranged to make Kaname Tōsen lose control during Aizen’s mission by planting a forged fragment of Kakyō Tsunayashiro’s soul in the Tsunayashiro Clan’s base. When Tōsen found it, he destroyed the base and ruined the mission while Wang Xun watched, advancing his plan to take Tōsen’s position.

• Kisuke Urahara explained that he would plant a forged fragment of Kakyō Tsunayashiro’s soul to provoke Kaname Tōsen, while Wang Xun would remain composed and gain Aizen’s trust.
• Wang Xun agreed to the plan and arranged to meet Kaname Tōsen at the North District 59 mine three days later.
• Kaname Tōsen and Wang Xun infiltrated the Tsunayashiro Clan’s base, where they found bound civilian souls, stolen Reishi crystals, and experimental records.
• Kaname Tōsen sensed Kakyō’s presence in a soul fragment and erupted in rage when he reached the container.
• Kaname Tōsen killed the researchers and destroyed the base, while Wang Xun watched and saw the first step toward replacing him succeed.

Kaname Tōsen lost control after finding Kakyō’s soul fragment, destroying the base and its research. After hearing Wang Xun’s report, Aizen let Tōsen keep the fragment and praised Wang Xun for salvaging documents.

• Kaname Tōsen unleashed his Bankai, killing everyone at the base and destroying most of its resources while Wang Xun salvaged records and materials.
• Wang Xun returned with Kaname Tōsen to Aizen and reported that Tōsen had lost control after finding Kakyō’s soul fragment.
• Aizen examined the fragment, and Kaname Tōsen said he recognized Kakyō’s Reiatsu.
• Kaname Tōsen offered to merge Kakyō’s fragment into the Hōgyoku, but Aizen returned it and told him to keep it safe.
• Aizen postponed deciding responsibility for the failed mission, praised Wang Xun for saving documents, and began sorting them.

After considering Tōsen’s loss of control and Wang Xun’s conduct, Aizen invited Wang Xun to the laboratory and tried to recruit him with promises of power, freedom, and a new world. Wang Xun left without answering, certain that he wanted only to live freely and belonged to his own side.

• Aizen wondered why a fragment of Kakyō’s soul had been at the facility, judged Tōsen too impulsive, and found Wang Xun’s composure suspicious but appealing.
• A few days later, a Fifth Division member delivered Aizen’s note summoning Wang Xun to the laboratory that night.
• Aizen asked Wang Xun whether the world was fair, and Wang Xun described the inequalities and abuses of Soul Society.
• Aizen declared that Soul Society’s rules were rotten and admitted that he sought power through the Hōgyoku and Hollowfication to change the world.
• Aizen offered Wang Xun power and freedom, urging him to choose a side, but Wang Xun said he needed time to think.
• Wang Xun left the laboratory knowing he wanted only to live freely and was on his own side.

Wang Xun continued advancing his combat skills and Hollowfication research while strengthening his ties with Unohana and Aizen. After hearing that a remarkably young Rukongai native with exceptional Spiritual Might had enrolled at Shin'ō Academy, he obtained permission to visit and teach a Kaidō class, suspecting the student was Gin Ichimaru.

• Wang Xun sparred with Unohana beneath Sōkyoku, and she praised his Kendō while offering to help if he needed her to act.
• Wang Xun joined Aizen and Kaname Tōsen in the secret laboratory to work on a Hollowfication experiment and asked Aizen to keep watch on the Tsunayashiro Clan, which Aizen agreed to do.
• Wang Xun heard that an exceptionally young student from Rukongai with high Spiritual Might had enrolled at Shin'ō Academy and suspected the student was Gin Ichimaru.
• Wang Xun asked Unohana for permission to teach a Kaidō class at the academy for one day, and she granted it.

Wang Xun returned to Shin'ō Academy to substitute for a Kaidō class, where he taught Nanao Ise and the other students. After class, he and Nanao left for lunch as Aizen noticed them in the corridor.

• Wang Xun encountered Aizen teaching calligraphy at the academy and exchanged remarks about their classes.
• Wang Xun visited the new students' classroom, spotted Gin Ichimaru, and exchanged a nod with him.
• Wang Xun began teaching the Kaidō class, introduced himself as the Fourth Division's Fourth Seat, and demonstrated precise Reiatsu control.
• Nanao Ise listened closely as Wang Xun explained basic Kaidō techniques, and the students praised his skill after class.
• Nanao stayed behind to speak with Wang Xun, who invited her to lunch, and Aizen noticed them as they left.

Wang Xun reunited with Nanao Ise at the academy, teased her with his powerful Kidō, and told her that her future assignment had already been arranged. After she left for class, he watched the second-years train and caught Kaien Shiba’s attention.

• Wang Xun and Nanao ate together, reminisced about studying in the library, and walked to the Kidō training ground.
• Wang Xun corrected Nanao’s Shakkahō technique, then demonstrated an incantation-free Shakkahō and began forming Raikōhō to tease her before dispersing it.
• Nanao asked whether studying Kaidō could help her join the Fourth Division, and Wang Xun told her someone had already arranged her future placement.
• Nanao hurried off to class, while Wang Xun went to watch the second-year students train.
• Kaien Shiba noticed Wang Xun, smiled, and strode over to greet him.

Kaien challenged Wang Xun to a spar at the training field, but Wang Xun effortlessly dodged his attacks and overwhelmed him with a single sword strike. After Wang Xun left, Kaien resolved himself to pursue strength and join the Gotei 13.

• Kaien told Wang Xun he planned to graduate early and hoped to serve under Captain Ukitake in the Thirteenth Division.
• Kaien challenged Wang Xun to a spar, boasting that his Zanpakuto had reached Shikai.
• Wang Xun dodged every one of Kaien's attacks without drawing his sword, leaving Kaien and the watching students stunned by the gap between them.
• At Kaien's insistence, Wang Xun drew his Zanpakuto and released an overwhelming Reiatsu that made the onlookers retreat.
• Wang Xun's strike left Kaien frozen with terror, and Wang Xun sheathed his sword and told him he would be waiting for him in the Gotei 13.
• Kaien watched Wang Xun leave, then gripped his Zanpakuto and stared after him.

Wang Xun met Gin Ichimaru at the academy and heard his plan to join the Fifth Division by killing a seated officer to attract Aizen’s attention. Wang Xun offered to help, then revealed that Lieutenant Aizen had been watching them.

• Wang Xun waited for Gin Ichimaru after class and led him to a secluded corner to talk.
• Gin Ichimaru asked about Rangiku, and Wang Xun said she was recovering and might enroll at the academy.
• Wang Xun encouraged Rangiku’s prospects, while Gin Ichimaru said he would graduate in a year and keep his distance from her.
• Gin Ichimaru told Wang Xun he planned to kill a Fifth Division seated officer in front of Aizen to earn a place in the division and get close to him.
• Wang Xun offered to help Gin Ichimaru, then greeted Lieutenant Aizen as he emerged from the bamboo grove.

Wang Xun brought Gin Ichimaru before Aizen, who already knew about their connection and Ichimaru’s plan to kill a Fifth Division Seated Officer. Aizen permitted Ichimaru to carry out the plan, leaving Ichimaru shaken and uncertain about Wang Xun’s motives.

• Aizen approached Wang Xun and Gin Ichimaru after overhearing Ichimaru’s ambitions, and Wang Xun stopped Ichimaru from reaching for his Zanpakuto.
• Wang Xun told Aizen that Ichimaru wanted to kill a Fifth Division Seated Officer and take his place to gain Aizen’s attention.
• Aizen asked whether Wang Xun and Ichimaru had met before, and Wang Xun explained that they had met during a joint mission in Rukongai.
• Aizen invited Ichimaru to join the Fifth Division and told him to carry out his plan without holding back.
• After Aizen left, Wang Xun explained that Aizen likely found Ichimaru’s challenge interesting, and Ichimaru admitted he no longer trusted Wang Xun.

Wang Xun refined a Reiatsu-guiding technique for Aizen’s Hollowfication Experiment while secretly collecting fragments from the developing soul inside the culture vessel. Aizen revealed his plans to investigate Hueco Mundo and tasked Wang Xun with leading research into opening Garganta alongside Kaname Tōsen.

• Wang Xun etched an improved technique array base as Aizen praised his work, and Wang Xun collected Hollowfication, Reiryoku, and Hōgyoku fragments from the embryonic soul’s growth.
• Aizen explained that he viewed Soul Reapers’ and Hollows’ powers as two sides of the same force and believed complete Hollowfication could reach a higher realm of the soul.
• Aizen asked Wang Xun to join him in pursuing that goal, but Wang Xun said he would do what was expected of him.
• Aizen discussed Gin Ichimaru’s talent and asked about Rangiku’s recovery, then defended his actions toward her as necessary sacrifices for his ideal.
• Aizen outlined plans to investigate Hueco Mundo and establish a base there to prepare for a future confrontation with Shigekuni Yamamoto.
• Aizen assigned Wang Xun and Kaname Tōsen to research how to open Garganta, putting Wang Xun in charge.

Aizen assigned Wang Xun to lead research into opening Garganta so they could travel to Hueco Mundo, and Wang Xun planned to use his Hollowfied clone already there. After Aizen invited him to accompany the expedition, Wang Xun continued gathering Hollowfication power and considered the Hōgyoku his greatest prize.

• Aizen gave Wang Xun captured Hollows to study and tasked him with developing a way to open Garganta.
• Wang Xun realized his clone in Hueco Mundo could help him exploit Aizen’s plans and considered syncing its experience or using it to gain further benefits.
• Wang Xun presented a preliminary method based on imitating Hollow Reiatsu, while Kaname Tōsen expressed resentment at being reduced to an assistant and warned Wang Xun not to betray Aizen’s trust.
• Wang Xun continued his experiments, gained Hollowfication experience, and increased the Hōgyoku Awakening Level.
• Aizen told Wang Xun he would travel to Hueco Mundo once Garganta research was complete and would take Wang Xun with him.

Wang Xun stalled on developing a stable Garganta and realized Aizen had assigned him the task to draw Kisuke Urahara into helping. Urahara agreed to assist but urged Wang Xun to use his access to Aizen’s experiments to get closer to the Hōgyoku, prompting Wang Xun to consider another approach.

• Wang Xun told Aizen that he could not overcome the technical obstacles in anchoring Reishi to open a stable Garganta.
• Aizen promised Wang Xun a chance to help develop the Hōgyoku if he completed the Garganta project, and Wang Xun recognized that Aizen was pushing him to seek Kisuke Urahara’s help.
• Wang Xun brought his Garganta research to Urahara in the cavern beneath Sōkyoku Hill, and Urahara questioned whether Aizen was using their connection to advance his plans.
• Urahara agreed to help Wang Xun finish the Garganta but advised him to use his position near Aizen to gain access to the Hōgyoku.
• Wang Xun dismissed the idea of simply stealing the Hōgyoku from Aizen and began considering a different way to approach it.

Wang Xun devised a plan to use his hidden Hueco Mundo clone to obtain Hōgyoku fragments, then questioned Kisuke Urahara about his own Hōgyoku. Urahara’s guarded response made Wang Xun recognize how Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu had spread suspicion between them, and Wang Xun left as Urahara agreed to help plan the Garganta experiment.

• Wang Xun planned to disguise his Adjuchas clone as a Hollow with a special constitution and get it captured for Hōgyoku experiments, where it could collect fragments.
• Wang Xun asked Kisuke Urahara whether he had hidden his Hōgyoku safely and why he had not tested it on Wang Xun.
• Wang Xun realized Urahara suspected he might be under Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu and was guarding the Hōgyoku from him.
• Wang Xun accepted Urahara’s caution and left the cave, while Urahara promised to work out an experimental plan for the Garganta.
• As he returned to the Fourth Division, Wang Xun concluded that Aizen had manipulated him into seeing Urahara’s distrust firsthand.

Wang Xun planned to use his Adjuchas-class Hollow clone to get close to Aizen’s Hōgyoku experiments, while keeping the scheme from Urahara. A few days later, Urahara gave Wang Xun an improved Garganta design, and the two acknowledged the caution between them without ending their cooperation.

• Wang Xun sensed that his Hueco Mundo clone had grown into a powerful Adjuchas and decided to use it to approach the Hōgyoku as an experimental subject.
• Wang Xun rejected Shackle Lotus’s suggestion to discuss the plan with Urahara, fearing Urahara might use the clone for his own purposes.
• Wang Xun returned to reality and continued monitoring his clone as he waited for a chance to act.
• A few days later, Urahara gave Wang Xun an improved framework for constructing Garganta Reiatsu nodes.
• Wang Xun told Urahara he understood his caution over the Hōgyoku, and Urahara said he was glad Wang Xun understood.

Wang Xun reported his progress on the artificial Garganta project to Aizen, who revealed that he had been watching Wang Xun’s contact with Kisuke Urahara and encouraged him to keep using Urahara’s expertise. Wanting to master the technique himself, Wang Xun brought the research report to Tessai Tsukabishi and asked for guidance.

• Wang Xun told Kisuke Urahara he would follow his approach to the Garganta plan and wait for further instructions.
• Wang Xun gave Aizen the Garganta research report, and Aizen praised its progress and said he had assigned Wang Xun the project because he was resourceful.
• Aizen revealed that he knew Wang Xun had consulted Kisuke Urahara and encouraged him to keep in contact with Urahara, while warning him to know what he truly wanted.
• Wang Xun left the Fifth Division Barracks with the report and Urahara’s optimized technique framework, determined to master the technique himself.
• Wang Xun visited Tessai Tsukabishi, showed him the Garganta research, and asked him to provide guidance on the spatial techniques.