Chapter Summaries

A Menos Grande attacked the students on a field exercise, but Wang Xun killed it instantly with a precise sword strike. After directing the others to follow emergency procedures, he secretly gained Hollowfication experience from a fragment left behind.

• A Menos Grande emerged from a collapsed warehouse, and its Reiatsu terrified the students.
• Wang Xun decided to stop concealing his abilities and reassured Nanao as the Hollow charged.
• Wang Xun appeared behind the Menos Grande and killed it with one strike through its head.
• Wang Xun instructed Heita Harada to check the students and told Nanao to contact Hasegawa.
• Wang Xun secretly collected a dark red fragment and gained 450 Hollowfication experience.

Wang Xun killed the Menos Grande and saved the students, leaving them stunned by his strength and relieved to be alive. Nearby, Hasegawa offered to sacrifice himself to protect Aizen’s plans and urged him to eliminate Captain Hirako.

• Wang Xun noticed that the Menos Grande had dropped a Hollow Reiatsu fragment after he killed it.
• Satō, Yoshida, Kobayashi, Harada, and Nanao reacted to their survival and Wang Xun’s overwhelming strength.
• Nanao contacted Hasegawa to report the attack, while Kobayashi moved closer to Wang Xun for comfort.
• Hasegawa told Sōsuke Aizen that Captain Hirako was making secret moves and might uncover their activities.
• Hasegawa offered to take the blame for the attack and die to protect Aizen, urging him to keep a low profile and eliminate Captain Hirako.
• Aizen accepted Hasegawa’s sacrifice and said he would remember him.

Hasegawa ordered the students evacuated, then lured Wang Xun away and attacked him, revealing that he had turned against Soul Society. Wang Xun held his own against Hasegawa’s Shikai until other Soul Reapers arrived, allowing Hasegawa to escape.

• Hasegawa sent Harada and Ise to lead the students to safety and requisitioned Wang Xun to help sweep the area.
• After the students left, Hasegawa led Wang Xun to the woodland and launched a sudden attempt to kill him.
• Wang Xun blocked Hasegawa’s attacks and asked whether he had betrayed Soul Society, but Hasegawa refused to explain.
• Hasegawa released Labyrinth River and used its invisible attacks, then concealed his strongest strike with Bakudō #21, Sekienton.
• Other Soul Reapers arrived and interrupted the attack, and Hasegawa fled while several pursued him.
• Wang Xun told the Soul Reaper who stayed behind that Hasegawa had attacked him for no apparent reason.

After defeating Hasegawa during the Konsō practicum attack, Wang Xun returned to Soul Society and was held at the Fourth Division while the Fifth Division investigated the incident. Nanao Ise visited him, and the chapter ended with their playful, awkward closeness.

• Wang Xun collected fragments from the battle with Hasegawa and asked a Soul Reaper whether Nanao Ise and the other students were safe.
• Shinji Hirako arrived, learned that Hasegawa had fled, and ordered Wang Xun escorted back to Soul Society.
• Wang Xun reunited with Nanao Ise and Heita Harada, then agreed to go with Fifth Division Soul Reapers to the Fourth Division for treatment and questioning.
• Wang Xun learned that Aizen had supposedly left on a rescue assignment, while he suspected Aizen had watched the battle from the sidelines.
• The Fifth Division ordered Nanao Ise and the other witnesses to keep quiet, and Nanao later visited Wang Xun in the Fourth Division.
• Nanao Ise peeled an apple for Wang Xun, then blushed when his lips brushed her fingers and rubbed her hand against him.

Wang Xun was summoned to the Second Division barracks to give an account of the Menos Grande attack and Hasegawa Shinjirō’s assault on his team. Surrounded by several captains, he prepared to report objectively while keeping his suspicions about Aizen to himself.

• Soi Fon escorted Wang Xun to the Second Division barracks under Yoruichi Shihōin’s orders for questioning about the attacks during his practical training.
• At the barracks, Wang Xun found Shinji Hirako and Shunsui Kyōraku discussing Hasegawa’s defection and assault.
• Yoruichi arrived and asked Wang Xun to explain Hasegawa’s actions and his reasons for targeting the team.
• Yoruichi directed Soi Fon to take notes as Wang Xun considered the risks of revealing his suspicions about Aizen without evidence.
• Wang Xun began his report with the Konsō practical training.

Wang Xun explained Hasegawa’s betrayal and defended his decision to hide his strength by revealing that Tokinada Tsunayashiro had tried to recruit him. Yoruichi offered him a place in the Stealth Force, while Shunsui Kyōraku privately judged Wang Xun as a potentially dangerous figure close to his niece, Nanao Ise.

• Shinji Hirako said Hasegawa had admitted to leaking intelligence after an Adjuchas exploited his resentment, then died after refusing to surrender in the Dangai.
• Shunsui Kyōraku questioned Wang Xun about his strength, and Wang Xun said his recent improvement came from private training with Kaien Shiba.
• Wang Xun revealed that Tokinada Tsunayashiro had tried to make him a retainer, explaining that he had hidden his abilities to avoid noble disputes.
• Yoruichi offered Wang Xun a position in the Stealth Force and Punishment Force as her direct subordinate.
• Shunsui Kyōraku reflected on Wang Xun’s closeness to Nanao Ise and decided that moving him out of the Academy and away from Nanao might be beneficial.

Wang Xun agreed to join the Second Division after finishing the current year at Shin'ō Academy, with Yoruichi Shihōin arranging an early graduation and entrance examination. As Soi Fon warned him about the Punishment Force's dangers, he encountered Sōsuke Aizen, who greeted him as an old acquaintance.

• Wang Xun considered joining the Eighth Division, but Shunsui Kyōraku told him there were no openings and urged him to accept Yoruichi Shihōin's offer.
• Yoruichi agreed that Wang Xun could finish the current year's courses before applying for early graduation and taking the Second Division's special entrance examination.
• Soi Fon escorted Wang Xun out and warned him that the Punishment Force faced dangerous criminals and had a high casualty rate.
• Marechiyo Ōmaeda arrived with Sōsuke Aizen, who greeted Wang Xun as someone he had not seen in a long time.

Wang Xun encountered Aizen in the Second Division corridor, then Aizen learned that Hasegawa Shinjirō had defected and died after attacking students. Shinji Hirako confronted Aizen over recommending Hasegawa, but Aizen denied knowing about his betrayal, and the chapter ended with Yoruichi and Shunsui Kyōraku wondering what to make of the exchange.

• Wang Xun met Aizen in the corridor and avoided revealing details about the trouble during his Konsō practicum.
• Marechiyo Ōmaeda interrupted Wang Xun and Aizen, and Wang Xun continued on with Soi Fon.
• Aizen entered a meeting with Shinji Hirako, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Yoruichi and asked why Hirako had summoned him.
• Shinji Hirako told Aizen that Hasegawa Shinjirō had defected, attacked students, and killed himself in the Dangai.
• Shinji Hirako accused Aizen of recommending Hasegawa, while Aizen denied knowing about his betrayal and accepted responsibility for failing to detect it.
• Shinji Hirako left the meeting, and Aizen departed after Yoruichi and Shunsui Kyōraku discussed the confrontation.

After returning from the Second Division, Wang Xun settled back into academy life and reassured Nanao when she learned he had concealed his strength. He told her he would have to join the Second Division after graduation, and they left the training ground together for dinner.

• Wang Xun watched Nanao train and talked with Kaien, who said Ganju was thriving in the delivery job Wang Xun had arranged.
• Wang Xun and Kaien planned to invite Ganju and Kūkaku to dinner at Ichiraku on Saturday.
• Wang Xun absorbed Kidō insights from the training ground and noted that his Kidō skill still lagged behind his other abilities.
• Nanao asked Wang Xun whether he was strong and admitted that his secrecy had made her question what she knew about him.
• Wang Xun confessed he had hidden his strength, explained that he wanted an ordinary life, and apologized to Nanao; she rested her head against his chest and accepted his reassurance.
• Nanao worried about Wang Xun joining the Second Division after graduation, and he promised to be careful before walking with her to dinner.

Wang Xun joined Kaien Shiba and Kūkaku at the busy new Ichiraku Ramen, where Ganju’s delivery work and cooking skills showed how much he had grown. The gathering ended with Kaien happily raising a cup as they shared food and laughter.

• Wang Xun arrived at the new Ichiraku Ramen and heard customers praising its yakitori and Ganju’s fast boar-riding delivery service.
• Wang Xun greeted Ganju, then joined Kaien Shiba and Kūkaku inside the crowded shop.
• Kūkaku switched seats with Kaien so she could sit across from Wang Xun, and they caught up while Kaien poured tea.
• Ganju brought grilled skewers and homemade seasonings, then told Kaien about his work and his plans to buy gifts for his siblings.
• Kaien praised Ganju’s efforts, enjoyed the yakitori, and raised his cup as Wang Xun and Kūkaku teased him about acting like a proud father.

After leaving the Shiba siblings, Wang Xun encountered a black cat and fed it yakitori, suspecting it was Yoruichi Shihōin. Yoruichi later discussed Wang Xun with Soi Fon before visiting the Shiba residence, where Kaien and Kūkaku were surprised to see her.

• Wang Xun fed a wary black cat yakitori, and it took the remaining skewers before disappearing into the night.
• Yoruichi Shihōin revealed herself on a rooftop and told Soi Fon that Wang Xun was powerful, secretive, and a possible fit for the Stealth Force.
• Yoruichi turned back into a black cat and traveled to the Shiba residence in West Rukongai.
• Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko recognized Yoruichi and escorted her inside to meet Kaien Shiba and Kūkaku.
• Yoruichi greeted Kaien and Kūkaku, who were surprised by her arrival.

Yoruichi visited Kaien and Kūkaku, heard Kaien's determination to restore the Shiba Clan's standing, and questioned them about a strange fire in West District 2. After learning Wang Xun had been near the site before the fire, she decided to ask Kisuke Urahara to investigate him.

• Yoruichi warned Kaien that the Shiba Clan would face heavy resistance if he tried to return to the Seireitei, but Kaien reaffirmed his resolve to join the Gotei 13 and restore his family's status.
• Yoruichi asked Kūkaku about a fire in West District 2, and Kūkaku recalled visiting the area with Wang Xun and an older fruit seller before the fire began.
• Kūkaku said Wang Xun sensed danger and urged them to leave, making Yoruichi more wary of him.
• Yoruichi left the Shiba residence and decided Kisuke Urahara should make contact with Wang Xun and learn more about him.

Wang Xun noticed a blond stranger following him from Shin'ō Academy to the new Ichiraku, then confronted him and learned he was Kisuke Urahara. Urahara questioned Wang Xun about the unusual fruits he had found in West Rukongai, leaving Wang Xun wary of his interest.

• After classes, Wang Xun spotted a blond young man speaking with a teacher and later saw the same man eating at the new Ichiraku with Nanao.
• Wang Xun sent Nanao home, waited for the blond man to finish eating, and confronted him about appearing wherever he went.
• The young man introduced himself as Kisuke Urahara and said he had come to ask Wang Xun something.
• Urahara showed Wang Xun shriveled purple fruits and asked whether he recognized them and had followed the old man who gathered them.
• Wang Xun confirmed he had bought the fruits in West Rukongai and asked whether Urahara had investigated him.

Wang Xun confirmed that Kisuke Urahara had planted the Reishi-rich fruit trees and learned that they were part of a failed growth experiment. He proposed funding Urahara’s research to help solve his shop’s ingredient shortage, and Urahara was stunned when Wang Xun offered an initial investment of twenty million kan.

• Wang Xun used the Shunpo insights he gained from Urahara’s demonstration to recognize him as the Second Division’s Third Seat and Stealth Force Detention Unit captain.
• Wang Xun told Urahara that he had visited the valley, noticed something strange, and later heard that a fire had burned down its trees.
• Urahara explained that he had planted the fruit trees and that his growth experiment had made them produce unstable Reiryoku until they destroyed themselves.
• Wang Xun asked Urahara to collaborate on accelerating the growth of crops and animals to address his shop’s shortage of ingredients.
• Urahara asked how much funding Wang Xun could provide, and Wang Xun offered twenty million kan as the initial investment.

Wang Xun and Kisuke Urahara negotiated a research partnership to improve Rukongai’s food production, agreeing on funding, milestones, and a future testing site. Urahara gave Wang Xun directions and a token for visiting his laboratory, where the initial research would take place.

• Wang Xun offered Urahara twenty million kan in staged research funding, and Urahara proposed receiving shares in exchange for his technology.
• Wang Xun deferred discussion of shares until a trial project proved the technology’s value, and Urahara agreed to proceed.
• Uncle Ichiraku listed rye, brown rice, vegetables, chickens, and pigs as targets, while Wang Xun asked Urahara to shorten production cycles and increase yields.
• Wang Xun and Urahara agreed on a two-month first research phase, installment payments, and a testing site Wang Xun would arrange near West Rukongai’s second and third districts.
• Wang Xun and Urahara signed and fingerprinted their agreement, and Urahara gave Wang Xun a map, his address, and a token for visiting his current laboratory.

Wang Xun explained that his investment in Kisuke Urahara was meant to secure a path into raw-material supply and expand his food business across Soul Society. Meanwhile, Urahara and Yoruichi discussed Wang Xun’s unusual Reiatsu, their interest in watching him, and Urahara’s possible future promotion to the Twelfth Division.

• Wang Xun told Uncle Ichiraku that the twenty-million investment was worthwhile because increasing ingredient production could make their business a major supplier across Soul Society.
• Wang Xun discovered that Urahara’s pass token identified him as Captain of the Detention Unit and headed toward Seireitei.
• Urahara told Yoruichi that he had learned little from Wang Xun but was intrigued by him, and revealed a capsule containing Reiatsu he had extracted from Wang Xun.
• Yoruichi told Urahara to keep watching Wang Xun as a potential recruit for the Punishment Force, while Urahara suspected Wang Xun might have approached him for another reason.
• Yoruichi discussed Urahara’s possible promotion to the Twelfth Division if Kirio Hikifune moved to the Zero Division, and Urahara agreed to wait for news.

Wang Xun and Nanao spent a quiet afternoon in the Shin'ō Academy library, where they discussed his meeting with Kisuke Urahara and Nanao’s difficulties connecting with her Asauchi. The chapter ended with Nanao encouraging Wang Xun as they walked together after class.

• Wang Xun told Nanao that Kisuke Urahara had asked him about burned fruit trees and discussed possible business cooperation with him.
• Nanao told Wang Xun she could back him up if trouble arose, and he teased her about worrying over him.
• Nanao worried that she could not connect with her Asauchi and said she might be better suited to the Kidō Corps.
• Wang Xun checked his system and found his Asauchi resonance had reached 99%, while telling Nanao his Shikai was not yet awakened.
• Nanao encouraged Wang Xun to keep growing stronger and said she would be happy if he achieved Shikai.
• Wang Xun teased Nanao about being too mature, and she blushed before walking ahead with him.

During Jinzen, Wang Xun entered his inner world and met the spirit of his Zanpakuto, who revealed that her name was Shackle Lotus. She explained their bond and transformed into a sword, leaving Wang Xun ready to learn her abilities.

• At Shin'ō Academy, the teacher instructed the students in Jinzen, and Wang Xun discovered that his Zanpakuto resonance had reached 99%.
• Wang Xun entered his inner world and found a vast, empty landscape.
• A blonde loli appeared and identified herself as Wang Xun's Zanpakuto, though her appearance reminded him of Saber and Artoria Pendragon.
• The spirit explained that Wang Xun's system had changed her name and abilities, and that they would grow stronger together.
• The spirit named herself Shackle Lotus, and the inner world shattered as she transformed into a sword with a lotus-patterned guard and a silver-white chain.
• Wang Xun grasped Shackle Lotus as the chain wrapped around his wrist, and she began to explain her abilities.

Wang Xun learned that Shackle Lotus could analyze and resist or seal enemies’ abilities, though his weak Reiatsu limited how much he could use her powers. After discussing the limits of her analysis, he wondered whether someone who did not know her full name and abilities could still affect her.

• Shackle Lotus explained that Renge could briefly raise Wang Xun’s Reiatsu output and that her new Shackle ability could analyze and resist or seal enemy abilities.
• Wang Xun checked his status panel and found Shackle Lotus listed as his Shikai and no analyzed abilities recorded yet.
• Shackle Lotus explained that analysis gradually reduced ability-based damage and control effects, but ordinary attacks could still hurt Wang Xun.
• Wang Xun asked whether a Kasumioji Clan Bakkōtō that suppressed Zanpakuto abilities could affect Shackle Lotus, and she claimed her ability had the highest priority among rules-based abilities.
• Wang Xun asked whether someone who did not know Shackle Lotus’s full name and abilities could affect her.

Wang Xun’s Zanpakuto acknowledged him during Jinzen, and his Asauchi changed as he achieved Shikai. After his teacher urged him to keep its ability secret, Wang Xun returned to class and walked with Nanao toward the cafeteria, where his offer to massage her sore shoulders made her suspect him of sexual harassment.

• Shackle Lotus said she could analyze The Almighty and potentially keep it from working on Wang Xun, though the analysis might take time.
• Wang Xun woke in the dojo with his Asauchi transformed, its circular lotus-patterned guard reflecting his Zanpakuto’s recognition.
• Wang Xun’s teacher confirmed that he had achieved Shikai and advised him to keep its ability secret.
• Wang Xun told the teacher he would apply for early graduation after the year’s courses and already had a division arranged.
• After Jinzen class, Wang Xun offered to massage Nanao’s sore shoulders, and Nanao blushed and called the offer sexual harassment.