Chapter Summaries

Ayato graduated from the Soul Reaper Academy and chose to join the Fourth Division, despite Aizen personally inviting him to the Fifth Division. After Ayato submitted his registration, a student who had been rejected by the Fifth Division challenged him in hopes of impressing Aizen.

• Ayato learned that Rukia had joined the Kuchiki Clan, graduated early, and entered the Thirteenth Division, while Renji remained behind in the Academy.
• At the Gotei 13 assessment, Renji, Kira Izuru, and Hinamori headed for the Fifth Division, while Ayato went to register with the Fourth Division.
• Aizen personally invited Ayato to join the Fifth Division, but Ayato refused because the Fourth Division was easygoing.
• Aizen left after promising that the Fifth Division would remain open to Ayato, and Ayato submitted his Fourth Division registration form.
• A student who had been rejected by the Fifth Division challenged Ayato, hoping a victory would earn Aizen's attention.

Kamitachi Ayato defeated a crowd of graduates with his Wild Rain Slash after Aizen offered a place in the Fifth Division to anyone who could beat him. He joined the Fourth Division as its Third Seat, where Retsu Unohana arranged for his wounded opponents to receive treatment.

• Ayato invited the graduates who wanted to challenge him to attack together, and Aizen promised that those who performed well could join the Fifth Division if they defeated him.
• Ayato used Third Form - Wild Rain Slash to bring down the challengers, leaving their leader standing before his wounds opened where the sword-light raindrops had struck him.
• The captains and students were astonished by Ayato's speed, swordsmanship, and spiritual pressure, while Aizen decided to wait for another chance to recruit him.
• Ayato asked to join the Fourth Division, and Retsu Unohana offered him the vacant Third Seat, which he accepted after asking about the workload.
• Unohana sent her Zanpakuto to treat the injured graduates, while Yasochika led Ayato away to begin his Fourth Division enlistment.

After Yamada Kiyone left the Fourth Division for the Great Pharmacy Institute, Kamitachi Ayato became its vice captain. Ayato revealed that he sensed Unohana’s blood-soaked past and challenged her to fight, leaving her facing his drawn sword.

• Ayato became the Fourth Division’s enforcer, and its members came to rely on him to stop others from bullying them.
• Unohana told Yamada Kiyone to choose his own path, and he decided to leave the Fourth Division for the Great Pharmacy Institute.
• Yamada Kiyone departed, and Ayato was appointed the Fourth Division’s new vice captain.
• Ayato welcomed the greater library access but asked Unohana whether his new position would increase his workload, and she said it would not.
• Ayato told Unohana he sensed the blood on her and questioned whether she was merely a medical division captain.
• Ayato declined Unohana’s suggestion to join the Eleventh Division, then raised Mirror of Tranquil Water and challenged her to fight.

Ayato and Unohana fought in Muken, where their swordsmanship pushed each other to reveal more of their strength. After Ayato wounded Unohana with his Third Form, she released her Bankai, Minazuki.

• Unohana took Ayato to Muken and warned him that he would die if he failed to satisfy her in battle.
• Ayato and Unohana clashed with their Asauchi and delighted in each other's swordsmanship.
• Ayato used First Form - Thunderclap and Flash, but Unohana reacted in time to block his strike.
• Ayato and Unohana traded countless blows as he used Second Form - Eightfold Crown, then he unleashed Third Form - Wild Rain Slash.
• Unohana was wounded by Ayato's slashes, then released her Bankai, Minazuki.

Ayato and Retsu Unohana fought with their Bankai in the Seireitei Underground Great Prison, where Ayato won without using his full strength. Afterward, Unohana told him that Kenpachi Zaraki had unconsciously sealed away his own power, and Ayato agreed to keep sparring with her.

• Retsu Unohana released her Bankai, filling the prison with blood that rapidly healed both her and Ayato.
• Ayato released Bankai: Total Severance, and his swordsmanship and strength overwhelmed Unohana while he deliberately matched her power.
• Unohana launched a reckless assault, but Ayato stopped her hidden sleeve-blade attack with instinct and an incantationless Black Coffin.
• Unohana conceded defeat and told Ayato that Kenpachi Zaraki had unconsciously sealed away his strength, leaving him unable to undo the seal.
• Ayato said he could still use his full power and asked Unohana to continue sparring with him; she agreed and resolved to grow stronger for their next fight.

Ayato examined Shiba Miyako after she fell into a coma and discovered that a Hollow was consuming her spirit. With Unohana unable to identify a cure, Ukitake agreed to seek help from the Twelfth Division, while Ayato noticed a strange vision when he saw Ukitake.

• Rukia rushed to the Fourth Division and asked Ayato to help the unconscious Shiba Miyako after Unohana had gone mountain climbing.
• Ayato examined Miyako and found that a Hollow inside her was nearly devouring her spirit.
• Ayato offered to suppress or expel the Hollow, but warned that forcing it out might kill Miyako, and suggested asking the Twelfth Division to study her.
• Shiba Kaien chose the research option and brought Jushiro Ukitake, who agreed to consult Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
• Unohana returned, examined Miyako, and agreed that the Twelfth Division should investigate the Hollow's unusual ability to merge with a person's body.
• Ayato saw a strange vision of an enormous black right hand when Ukitake arrived, then left the Thirteenth Division with Unohana.

Ayato investigated the strange incident that left Shiba Miyako in a coma and suspected Aizen was responsible. He went to the Eleventh Division to challenge Kenpachi Zaraki, defeating Ikkaku Madarame before facing the approaching captain.

• Ayato recalled how Shiba Miyako had become a vegetable after a Twelfth Division Shinigami killed the Hollow inside her, and he suspected Aizen had arranged the incident.
• Ayato visited the Eleventh Division to test his swordsmanship against Kenpachi Zaraki and encountered Abarai Renji, who had transferred there from the Fifth Division.
• Ikkaku Madarame confronted Ayato over his supposed dojo challenge, and Ayato agreed to fight him before meeting the captain.
• Ikkaku released Hozukimaru as a spear and then a three-section staff, but Ayato calmly blocked his attacks and evaded a surprise strike.
• With Kenpachi watching, Ikkaku launched a full-strength attack, and Ayato used First Form: Thunderclap and Flash to shatter Hozukimaru and hold his blade to Ikkaku's neck.
• Ikkaku admitted defeat and warned Ayato about Kenpachi, who approached ready to fight.

Ayato fought Kenpachi Zaraki in the Eleventh Division grounds, revealing overwhelming spiritual pressure and superior sword technique. Ayato defeated Kenpachi with a flaming strike, leaving Kenpachi eager to grow stronger and Yamamoto ordering them to pay for the damage.

• Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Ayato after learning he had come to meet him on Unohana's recommendation, and they clashed with equal spiritual pressure.
• Ayato wounded Kenpachi with Eightfold Crown, prompting Kenpachi to remove his eyepatch and release his full strength.
• Ayato unleashed his full spiritual pressure as the captains, including Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, rushed to the scene.
• Ayato outmaneuvered Kenpachi's attacks and struck him with Fourth Form—Burning Heaven, overpowering Kenpachi's Kendo - Two Segments.
• Kenpachi emerged scorched and wanted to continue fighting, but Ayato ended the battle and told him to learn to control his spiritual pressure.
• Yamamoto excused the fighters from punishment because there were no casualties, but ordered them to pay for the damage and fight in an open area next time.

After defeating Kenpachi Zaraki, Ayato accepted a salary deduction instead of a harsher punishment, and his strength became known throughout the Gotei 13. He later told Unohana that Kenpachi Zaraki might break his self-imposed seal by learning to control his power, leaving her to agree to let him try on his own.

• Captain Commander Yamamoto avoided imprisoning Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki, instead deciding to deduct their salaries as punishment.
• Aizen noticed the ruined Eleventh Division headquarters and left with a strange smile, while Kenpachi Zaraki became excited about having Ayato as a rival.
• Ikkaku encouraged Abarai Renji not to give up on trying to catch up to Ayato, whose reputation spread across the Gotei 13.
• The Fourth Division repaired the Eleventh Division headquarters, and Unohana added new requirements for recruits after fighters began joining her division.
• Ayato told Unohana that Kenpachi Zaraki’s spiritual pressure had grown during their fight and suggested he could undo his seal by mastering his strength himself.
• Unohana agreed to let Kenpachi Zaraki try to break his seal on his own, while Ayato looked forward to fighting him again once he became stronger.

The Central 46 Chambers sentenced Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki to decades in prison, but Captain Commander Yamamoto and the nobles secured a revised punishment. Ayato accepted several years of duty in the Living World and prepared to depart, while Unohana agreed to visit him.

• The Central 46 Chambers ordered Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki imprisoned for decades, but no Shinigami dared carry out the ruling.
• Captain Commander Yamamoto told Ayato he was trying to overturn the decision through the Noble Conference and urged him to remain in the Fourth Division.
• The Eleventh Division prepared to resist anyone sent to arrest Kenpachi Zaraki, until Shunsui Kyōraku calmed them.
• Ayato continued training with Unohana while considering his limits in spiritual pressure, swordsmanship, and Kaido.
• The Noble Conference revoked the prison sentences and ordered Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki to guard parts of the Living World for several years.
• Ayato accepted the revised punishment, asked Unohana to visit him, and prepared to leave as Seventh Division Shinigami approached.

Ayato Kamitachi arrived in Karakura Town, bought a Gigai from Kisuke Urahara, and accepted a secluded house Urahara found for him. After learning Ayato had defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, Urahara reconsidered his plans, but Ayato ended the chapter by asking to fight Urahara, Yoruichi Shihouin, and Tessai Tsukabishi.

• Ayato followed a spiritual thread to Urahara Shop and introduced himself to Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi.
• Ayato bought a Gigai and asked Urahara to find him a quiet house near scenic surroundings.
• After Ayato left, Yoruichi Shihouin investigated him in Soul Society and learned that he had defeated Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Urahara decided to prepare a normal Gigai for Ayato because Ayato's strength might overcome a special one.
• Ayato returned, tested the Gigai, and toured the secluded house Urahara had selected for him.
• Ayato asked to fight Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai, but Urahara refused.

Kamitachi Ayato continued refining his spiritual pressure in the Living World, but remained unable to break through his restraint. At Urahara Shop, he learned that an unconscious Quincy girl had been infected with Hollow power and that Isshin Shiba was trying to save her.

• Ayato practiced controlling his compressed spiritual pressure on the lake and found he could use the Heart of the Mirror of Tranquil Water without Mirror of Tranquil Water’s Shikai, though he still could not break through his restraint.
• Ayato reflected on his training in swordsmanship, Kido, and Flash Step, and on how Kenpachi Zaraki had begun practicing swordsmanship and controlling his spiritual power.
• Ayato sent Moon Spirit to take him to Urahara Shop, where he encountered Isshin Shiba carrying an unconscious girl who was showing signs of Hollowfication.
• Ayato sensed that the girl also had Quincy power, and Kisuke Urahara explained that she had saved Isshin from a Hollow and was now being treated for the Hollow power left inside her.
• Kisuke Urahara told Ayato that Shinigami had massacred most Quincy because they destroyed Hollows instead of purifying them, disrupting the balance among the worlds.

Ayato learned that Isshin Shiba had sacrificed his Shinigami powers to save Masaki from a Hollow, leaving him to live in the Living World. When Isshin chose the name Isshin Kurosaki, Ayato realized he was Ichigo Kurosaki’s father and wondered how much Kisuke Urahara had influenced the events; the chapter ended with Isshin planning his new life.

• Kisuke Urahara explained that Hollow power poisoned Quincy and that Isshin Shiba was suppressing the Hollow power inside the injured girl at the cost of his own Shinigami abilities.
• Ayato questioned Isshin Shiba’s sacrifice and learned that Kisuke Urahara had made the Gigai Isshin was using.
• Ayato told Kisuke Urahara that he would remain in the Living World rather than risk being controlled by the Central 46 Chambers, then explained that he had come to discuss Kido with Tessai Tsukabishi.
• Isshin Shiba emerged and, after learning he might be treated as a fugitive and bring trouble to the Shiba clan, chose to take the name Isshin Kurosaki.
• Ayato recognized Isshin Kurosaki as Ichigo Kurosaki’s father and suspected Kisuke Urahara had allowed the events leading to Ichigo’s birth to unfold.
• Isshin Kurosaki asked Ayato not to report him and decided there was no message to send to the Tenth Division, while Ayato agreed to keep his secret.

Shinji Hirako and Hiyori Sarugaki recruited Ayato to help them deal with someone from the Gotei 13, and Ayato agreed after learning they could offer him a fight. In their underground hideout, Ayato overwhelmed Shinji’s Shikai and became fascinated when Shinji revealed his Hollowfication.

• Shinji Hirako and Hiyori Sarugaki approached Ayato and asked him to help them deal with someone from the Gotei 13.
• Ayato agreed to go with Shinji and Hiyori after Shinji suggested their group could provide a worthwhile fight.
• Shinji led Ayato to an underground hideout, where Ayato recognized several former captains and challenged them to fight.
• Shinji released Sakanade, but Ayato adapted to its inverted senses and slashed Shinji before he could react.
• Shinji admitted defeat as a Shinigami, then put on a Hollow mask and transformed, sparking Ayato’s interest in Hollowfication.

Ayato overwhelmed the four Hollowfied former captains and unleashed Fifth Form - Annihilation, which the Visored and vice-captains blocked together. Afterward, Ayato considered whether Hollow powers could help him surpass his spiritual-pressure limits, though he decided to wait before attempting anything.

• Shinji Hirako explained that the former captains had gained Hollow powers as victims, and Ayato challenged all four to attack him together.
• Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, Rojuro Otoribashi, and Shinji Hirako Hollowfied, but Ayato outmatched them, using Love Aikawa's Wolf Fang Club against Love and Kensei before nearly striking Shinji and Rojuro with First Form - Thunderclap and Flash.
• Ayato learned the captains could not use Bankai and Hollowfication simultaneously, then fired Fifth Form - Annihilation at them from above.
• The Visored and vice-captains joined their spiritual pressure to form a barrier and withstand Ayato's lightning attack, and Hiyori Sarugaki confirmed that their group fight was allowed.
• Ayato considered how the Visored's Hollow powers had increased their spiritual pressure and wondered whether he might use Hollow powers to advance after his own spiritual pressure reached its limit.

Ayato questioned the Visoreds about Aizen’s Hollowfication experiments and began considering how to gain Hollow power himself. He left the possibility of Hollowfying Mirror of Tranquil Water for later study, while Mirror of Tranquil Water privately suspected it might already have been a Hollow.

• Ayato asked Shinji Hirako about the Visoreds’ Hollowfication, and Shinji explained how Aizen’s subordinate Kaname Tōsen infected Kensei Muguruma and the others before Kisuke Urahara helped them control their powers.
• Ayato admitted he was interested in Hollow power, told the Visoreds he would not side with Aizen, and asked them to have Kisuke Urahara contact him when an opportunity arose.
• After leaving, Ayato considered Ichigo Kurosaki’s mixed powers and wondered whether a Hollow could be fused with a Shinigami without the help of the Hōgyoku.
• Ayato proposed having Mirror of Tranquil Water undergo Hollowfication, and Mirror of Tranquil Water agreed to try whenever he wished, though Ayato postponed the plan until he understood the process.
• Ayato considered experimenting on Hollows in Hueco Mundo, then entered Mirror of Tranquil Water to battle it as he usually did.

Ayato confronted Kisuke Urahara about arranging his meeting with the Visored and learned that Urahara had been testing his intentions toward surpassing the Shinigami limit. After Urahara revealed his Bankai, news arrived that Isshin Kurosaki’s child had been born, and they hurried to the hospital.

• Ayato asked Kisuke Urahara why he had arranged for the Visored to meet him, and Urahara explained that he wanted to know whether Ayato would side with Aizen to grow stronger.
• Ayato demanded to see Urahara’s Bankai as the sincerity behind his apology, so Urahara took him to the basement with Yoruichi Shihouin and Tessai Tsukabishi.
• Kisuke Urahara released Kannonbiraki Benihime Aratame and explained that it could reconstruct and alter anything touched by its blade.
• Yoruichi Shihouin announced that Isshin Kurosaki’s child had been born, and Ayato and Kisuke Urahara agreed to postpone their fight and go to the hospital.

Ayato visited the newborn Ichigo Kurosaki and examined the balance between the Shinigami and Hollow powers within him, while Isshin and Masaki hoped to raise their son peacefully despite an unknown enemy. Retsu Unohana then summoned Ayato back to Soul Society, and he agreed to return to investigate matters there.

• Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihouin, and Ayato visited Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki in the hospital and met their newborn son, Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ayato sensed that Ichigo's Shinigami and Hollow powers were closely fused, while Kisuke asked Ayato to teach him and Isshin declined, wanting Ichigo to grow up peacefully.
• Isshin suspected that an unknown enemy had caused Masaki's past Hollow infection, while Masaki worried that Ichigo's spiritual energy would attract Hollows and planned to prepare him by teaching him kendo.
• Retsu Unohana arrived at Ayato's home through a Senkaimon and told him that the Captain Commander wanted him to return to Soul Society because his guard assignment had ended.
• Ayato agreed to return with Retsu Unohana and asked about Kenpachi Zaraki and the lieutenant position he had left behind.

Ayato learned that Unohana intended to sacrifice her life to help Kenpachi Zaraki break the seal on his strength, and he resolved to find another way. He went to the Eleventh Division to seek Kenpachi Zaraki and try to help him regain his power.

• Ayato visited Yamada Kiyone, who revealed that Unohana planned to use her life to help Kenpachi Zaraki break his seal.
• Ayato realized Unohana's Bankai might repeatedly bring Kenpachi Zaraki to the brink of death and heal him until his strength returned, but worried she would then accept her own death.
• Ayato confronted Unohana, said he understood her choice but did not agree with it, and asked what would prove Kenpachi Zaraki had regained his strength.
• Ayato decided to help Kenpachi Zaraki and left to visit the Eleventh Division, promising its Shinigami that their next fight would not damage any buildings.

Ayato took Kenpachi Zaraki to Muken for a battle without witnesses or risk of punishment. After hours or days of exchanging basic sword strikes, both men reveled in the fight, but Kenpachi finally collapsed while Ayato remained standing.

• Ayato found Kenpachi practicing control of his spiritual pressure in a special Gigai, which promptly shattered when Kenpachi challenged him to fight.
• Ayato agreed to fight Kenpachi in Muken and brought him to the Seireitei Underground Great Prison, leaving Yachiru and the others behind.
• Kenpachi removed his eyepatch and unleashed his spiritual pressure, while Ayato calmly met him without using a sword form.
• Ayato and Kenpachi traded basic slashes for an unknown span of time, sustaining injuries as Kenpachi's attacks grew sharper.
• Ayato embraced the battle and called for Kenpachi to continue, but Kenpachi swayed and collapsed to the ground.