Chapter Summaries

After fighting Kenpachi Zaraki until he collapsed, Ayato returned to the Fourth Division and rested for several days. He then resumed training in his courtyard, studying how to incorporate instinct into his swordsmanship, and seemed to gain a new insight.

• Ayato dragged the exhausted Kenpachi Zaraki back to the Eleventh Division, where Ikkaku Madarame learned they had been gone for a week and Yachiru Kusajishi explained how much Kenpachi had enjoyed their clash.
• Ayato returned to the Fourth Division, slept for several days with the Moon Spirit beside him, and then woke feeling restored.
• Ayato enjoyed the flowers in his courtyard before resuming sword practice and trying to understand how Kenpachi Zaraki's instinctive attacks had struck him.
• Ayato experimented with basic sword techniques, moving with immense power while leaving Retsu Unohana's flowers unharmed.
• Retsu Unohana found Ayato in the courtyard and remarked that he seemed to have grown stronger; Ayato neither confirmed nor denied it.

Ayato and Yachiru Unohana tested his improved swordsmanship in a duel, where he matched her by combining technique with instinct and intuition. Afterward, Ayato told her about his seven-day battle with Kenpachi Zaraki and suggested Kenpachi might regain his full strength, leaving Unohana hopeful she could witness it.

• Yachiru Unohana challenged Ayato to a swordsmanship match and led him to the Fourth Division's Secret Battlefield.
• Ayato and Yachiru Unohana discussed Kotetsu Isane's prospects as a future captain and Ayato's belief that Ichigo Kurosaki had extraordinary potential.
• Ayato and Yachiru Unohana fought with their strength equalized, and Ayato's refined swordsmanship let him match her despite her mastery.
• After the duel, Ayato identified swordsmanship, instinct, and intuition as the abilities he needed to combine, while Yachiru Unohana realized his path was uniquely suited to him.
• Ayato told Yachiru Unohana that he had fought Kenpachi Zaraki for seven days and seven nights, and said Kenpachi might recover his full strength.
• Yachiru Unohana thanked Ayato for fighting Kenpachi for her sake, and Ayato planned to seek another battle with him after they had time to grow.

Ayato told Unohana he was leaving Soul Society to grow stronger and investigate what he had discovered in the Living World, then used Moon Spirit to travel to Hueco Mundo. He arrived in the desert, drove off nearby Hollows with his spiritual pressure, and found the world bleak and monotonous.

• Ayato visited Unohana, told her he planned to leave for months or years, and revealed Moon Spirit’s space-time ability.
• Unohana warned Ayato that experimenting with Hollows or Hollowfication could be a grave crime, but accepted that she could not stop his pursuit of strength.
• Ayato returned to his courtyard and had Moon Spirit open a spatial passage to Hueco Mundo.
• Ayato stepped through the passage, and Moon Spirit returned to its small space to recover.
• Hollows gathered around Ayato upon his arrival, but his spiritual pressure vaporized those nearby and drove the rest away.
• Ayato observed Hueco Mundo’s dense spiritual power, moonlit sky, and endless desert, and found the world monotonous.

Ayato searched Hueco Mundo for powerful Hollows to study whether they could undergo Shinigamification, while Mirror of Tranquil Water revealed that the Hōgyoku near Urahara Shop may have accelerated its transformation. After weeks without finding an Adjuchas, Ayato sensed a Vasto Lorde and headed toward it, only for both of them to be stunned that the other lacked a Hollow mask.

• Ayato found only ordinary Hollows and Gillians in Hueco Mundo, whose masks shattered without causing them to transform.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water told Ayato that its transformation had seemed faster near Urahara Shop, leading him to suspect the prototype Hōgyoku was responsible.
• Ayato continued searching Hueco Mundo and sparred with Mirror of Tranquil Water while learning that Gillians still died after their masks broke.
• After failing to find an Adjuchas for several days, Ayato decided to return to the Living World but sensed an immense spiritual pressure nearby.
• Ayato approached the presence and discovered a Vasto Lorde-class Great Hollow, and both were surprised that the other had no Hollow mask.

Kamitachi Ayato met Coyote Starrk, a naturally Arrancar-like Hollow whose immense spiritual pressure had left him isolated, and learned that Starrk had split his soul to create a companion. After they exchanged weapons and shared what they knew, Starrk reunited with Lilynette, leaving Ayato with a new subject for his research and a potential companion in Hueco Mundo.

• Kamitachi Ayato encountered a powerful Hollow who did not know what Hollows or Shinigami were, and explained the difference to him.
• The Hollow introduced himself as Coyote Starrk, admitted he had been searching for someone who could approach him, and agreed to accompany Ayato.
• Ayato explained that he had come to Hueco Mundo to study powerful Hollows and asked to examine Starrk's dual guns; they exchanged them for Ayato's Zanpakuto, Mirror of Tranquil Water.
• Starrk explained that his guns were part of his body and that he had split his soul to create a companion after failing to find one who could survive near him.
• Starrk called Lilynette, and his dual guns transformed into the little girl.

After Stark explained that Lilynette was the other half of his soul, Ayato realized his Zanpakuto’s soul could undergo Hollowfication and potentially merge with him through Resurrección. He stayed with Stark to teach him control and help him find companions, while Mirror of Tranquil Water prepared to transform through Kisuke Urahara’s Hōgyoku.

• Stark separated Lilynette from himself, and Ayato understood that their bond had left Stark with another fatal weakness without easing his loneliness.
• Stark asked where the soul in Ayato’s Zanpakuto came from, prompting Ayato to realize that Zanpakuto souls grew by absorbing their wielder’s soul and could undergo Hollowfication.
• Ayato decided to let Mirror of Tranquil Water transform willingly, likely with the Hōgyoku, and reassured her that he would not drive her into despair.
• Ayato told Stark he would return to the Living World but agreed to stay for a while, teach Stark to control his power, and search for other companions.
• Ayato sparred with Stark and discovered that Stark lacked both control and combat experience, while Stark resolved to master his strength so he would not burden Ayato.

Ayato returned to Soul Society after traveling Hueco Mundo with Stark, who continued searching for Hollows capable of becoming his companions. After reporting to Retsu Unohana, Ayato went to the Eleventh Division to challenge Kenpachi Zaraki, while Unohana worried that future conflict with Central 46 Chambers could push Ayato against the Seireitei.

• Ayato explained that Sonido resembled spatial transfer but was a movement technique, and he told Stark to keep searching for companions while he returned to Soul Society.
• Ayato opened a spatial rift with the Moon Spirit and left Hueco Mundo, while Stark continued his search with renewed hope.
• Ayato told Retsu Unohana that he planned to return to Hueco Mundo and later visit the Living World to pursue ways to grow stronger.
• Ayato decided to find Kenpachi Zaraki for a fight, and Unohana worried that Central 46 Chambers might eventually provoke Ayato into opposing the Seireitei.
• Ayato reached the Eleventh Division and challenged Kenpachi Zaraki, who eagerly set off with him in the wrong direction.

Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki fought nonstop for more than twenty days, and Ayato again returned with the defeated Kenpachi to the Eleventh Division. Ayato reflected on their growth and anticipated arranging a future battle between Kenpachi Zaraki and Retsu Unohana.

• Kenpachi Zaraki and Ayato left together for the Seireitei Underground Great Prison while Yachiru Kusajishi watched them go.
• Ikkaku Madarame and Renji discussed the ongoing fight, and Ikkaku agreed to teach Renji Bankai in a secluded place.
• After more than twenty days, Ayato returned to the Eleventh Division carrying an unconscious Kenpachi Zaraki, more wounded than before.
• Yachiru Kusajishi thanked Ayato for helping Kenpachi Zaraki, and Ayato accepted before heading home.
• Ayato considered how Kenpachi Zaraki was recovering his original strength while Ayato was raising his own limits, and he hoped to arrange a fight between Kenpachi Zaraki and Retsu Unohana.

Ayato returned to Hueco Mundo and found Stark with Ulquiorra Cifer, an unusual Menos who had lived alone and might become an Arrancar on his own. Ulquiorra agreed to travel with them, and Ayato decided to stay and observe his transformation.

• Ayato used Bakudō #58—Grasp Foot Chase Sparrow to locate Stark, then traveled to him through Hueco Mundo.
• Ayato found Stark confronting Ulquiorra Cifer, a powerful white Menos who questioned what companionship meant.
• Stark explained that he wanted companions, and Ayato clarified that true companions shared a goal and described Stark's lifelong isolation.
• Ulquiorra said he had once belonged to a group that excluded him, but he had not felt lonely living alone.
• Ulquiorra revealed that his mask had once been damaged and his appearance had briefly changed; Ayato suggested he break his mask himself to increase his strength.
• Ulquiorra agreed to join Stark because he wanted to learn what having companions felt like, and Ayato chose to stay and observe him.

Ayato, Stark, and Ulquiorra traveled to Las Noches after learning that Hueco Mundo had a king, while Ulquiorra continued trying to become an Arrancar. They reached the desolate palace and found its crowned, black-flamed ruler waiting on a throne.

• Ulquiorra tried to become an Arrancar by removing his mask and forming a Zanpakuto, but the weapon shattered and his mask returned; Ayato told him to recover before trying again.
• Ulquiorra told Ayato and Stark about Las Noches, where the king of Hueco Mundo was said to rule, and the three decided to seek him out.
• Ayato defeated Stark in a sparring match and asked Ulquiorra to help Stark train; Ulquiorra questioned why Ayato was different, and Ayato explained that he was a Shinigami.
• With Ulquiorra guiding them, Ayato, Stark, and Ulquiorra traveled toward the center of the Sea of Sand, fought along the way, and found Las Noches.
• Ayato sensed a powerful Great Hollow inside Las Noches, and the three entered past the guards before finding a crowned skeleton covered in black flames glaring at them from a throne.

Ayato, Stark, and Ulquiorra confronted Barragan in Las Noches, and Ulquiorra challenged the Hueco Mundo King to a fight. Ulquiorra survived Barragan’s decay ability by cutting off his infected arm, while Barragan considered turning his attention to Ayato and Stark.

• Ayato recognized that Barragan had already encountered Aizen and left with Stark and Ulquiorra, but Barragan tried to stop them.
• Barragan tried to turn Stark and Ulquiorra against Ayato, but they rejected his claims and Ulquiorra provoked him into a fight.
• Ulquiorra and Barragan clashed with Ceros, and Barragan’s black aura dissolved Ulquiorra’s Moonlight Swords.
• Ulquiorra struck Barragan with a Bala, then charged into close combat when his ranged attacks proved ineffective.
• Barragan’s black aura spread from his axe and withered Ulquiorra’s left arm, so Ulquiorra severed it and began regenerating.
• Barragan watched Ayato and Stark and considered whether he could defeat them as well.

Ulquiorra transformed into an Arrancar during his battle with Barragan and unleashed a stronger form that surpassed Barragan in spiritual pressure. After wounding Barragan and overcoming his attacks, Ulquiorra declared that Barragan could no longer defeat him and demanded that he surrender.

• Barragan demanded that Ulquiorra admit defeat and apologize, while Ulquiorra refused and struggled to find a way around Barragan’s aging aura.
• Ulquiorra used the pressure of the battle to complete his transformation into an Arrancar, though Barragan’s Cero sent him flying.
• Ulquiorra released his power as the Black Winged Great Demon, raising his spiritual pressure above Barragan’s and attacking him with stronger Moonlight Swords.
• Ulquiorra used Sonido to evade Barragan’s Respira and struck a crack into the corner of Barragan’s eye.
• Ulquiorra gained the advantage in their clash, repeatedly replacing his aging-destroyed light sword and forcing Barragan to defend himself.
• Ulquiorra told Barragan that he could no longer defeat him and demanded that Barragan admit defeat.

Ayato tested the limits of Barragan’s aging mist after Ulquiorra defeated him, then examined Ulquiorra’s Zanpakuto and considered breaking Soul Society’s rules to learn more about its nature. Ayato decided to leave Hueco Mundo, while Ulquiorra and Stark planned to seek companions and might visit him in the Living World once they could conceal their spiritual pressure.

• Ulquiorra defeated Barragan and became an Arrancar, then Ayato congratulated him and noted that he might now rival Stark.
• Ayato’s sword pressure cut through Barragan’s black mist before fading, demonstrating that overwhelming spiritual power could resist the aging effect; Barragan was left shaken by Ayato’s strength.
• Ayato examined Ulquiorra’s Zanpakuto and found that it held the Hollow power left from his transformation, prompting him to consider investigating the Great Spirit Book Corridor despite the risk of defying Soul Society.
• Ayato returned Ulquiorra’s Zanpakuto and announced that he would leave Hueco Mundo, likely spending much of his time in the Living World.
• Ulquiorra asked to accompany Ayato, but Ayato warned that his spiritual pressure could attract the Gotei 13; Ulquiorra agreed to visit only after mastering its control.
• Stark said he and Ulquiorra would continue searching Hueco Mundo for companions who valued their comrades.

Ayato returned to Karakura Town and asked Kisuke Urahara whether he would accept two sane Arrancar in the Living World without alerting Soul Society. Kisuke warned that helping them would make Ayato a wanted criminal, but admitted Ayato might be more dangerous than Aizen.

• Ayato agreed that Stark and Ulquiorra would meet him in Karakura Town after training, using the Moon Spirit's likeness as a signal.
• Ayato returned to his dusty house, cleaned it, and then went with the Moon Spirit to the Urahara Shop.
• Ayato asked Kisuke Urahara to let him stay at the shop, but Kisuke refused because Ayato would not explain his plans.
• Ayato told Kisuke how he had encountered Stark and Ulquiorra in Hueco Mundo, where both had become Arrancar and regained their sanity.
• Ayato asked whether Kisuke would conceal the two Arrancar if they came to the Living World, and Kisuke warned that Soul Society would brand Ayato a criminal.
• Kisuke concluded that Ayato might be even more dangerous than Aizen.

Ayato and Kisuke Urahara discussed Aizen’s aims, and Kisuke revealed the hidden history of how the Soul King’s power created the Three Realms. Ayato agreed Aizen might have to be stopped if he threatened the Soul King, then stayed at Kisuke’s shop to meditate.

• Ayato asked Kisuke whether Aizen threatened the Three Realms or Central 46 Chambers, and Kisuke worried that Central 46 might provoke Ayato.
• Kisuke explained that Aizen had used Hollowfication experiments to break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows and might seek to surpass his limits and overthrow the powers above him.
• Kisuke told Ayato that the Five Great Noble Clans had used the Soul King’s power to divide the original world into the Three Realms.
• Ayato realized that the Three Realms could collapse if something happened to the Soul King, and agreed that Aizen should be stopped if he tried to destroy the Soul King.
• Ayato stayed at Kisuke’s shop after the wine ran out and began Sword Meditation while Kisuke wondered why he had lingered.

Ayato continued training while his progress and Mirror of Tranquil Water’s Hollowfication remained stalled. When two immense Quincy spiritual pressures appeared in Karakura Town, he rushed to investigate and found Masaki Kurosaki inside a pillar of light as her power rapidly drained away.

• Mirror of Tranquil Water failed to advance her Hollowfication and resolved to keep training rather than complete it through despair.
• Ayato continued fighting Kenpachi Zaraki to hone his instincts while waiting to see whether Kenpachi could recover his sealed strength.
• Hanekari Jin'ta called Ayato to dinner at the Urahara Shop, where Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin discussed Ayato’s training and whether he had mastered Bankai.
• Two powerful Quincy spiritual pressures appeared in Karakura Town, and Ayato used Moon Spirit to travel toward one of them.
• Ayato found Masaki Kurosaki inside a pillar of light, with Ichigo Kurosaki unconscious nearby and a black Hollow present, as the pillar rapidly drained Masaki’s power.

Ayato saved Masaki Kurosaki from Grand fisher after Saint Graph drained her Quincy power, then learned about the Quincy King’s plan to reclaim Quincy abilities. Masaki returned home with Ayato, while Isshin Kurosaki learned her condition might be fatal and considered seeking Kisuke Urahara’s help.

• Saint Graph drained Masaki Kurosaki’s power, leaving her unable to see the Hollow, and Grand fisher lunged at her.
• Ayato killed Grand fisher with Mirror of Tranquil Water, then watched the Hell Gate appear and drag the Hollow inside.
• Masaki Kurosaki explained the Quincy King’s prophecy and revealed that Saint Graph reclaimed her power; Ayato also told her about a troubling presence in her heart.
• Ayato took Masaki Kurosaki and the unconscious Ichigo Kurosaki to the Kurosaki Clinic, where Isshin Kurosaki learned what had happened.
• Ayato suggested that Kisuke Urahara might help Masaki Kurosaki and then left the clinic.

Ayato took Kisuke Urahara’s Hōgyoku to help Mirror of Tranquil Water transform, planning to return it within several days. After learning Ayato had borrowed it rather than stolen it, Kisuke accepted the arrangement and waited to see what would happen next.

• Ayato learned Kisuke Urahara and the others had gone to the Ishida Family, then Mirror of Tranquil Water sensed the Hōgyoku while Kisuke was away.
• Ayato entered the sealed space with Moon Spirit’s help, took the Hōgyoku, and embedded it in Mirror of Tranquil Water so it could transform using the gemstone and his spiritual pressure.
• Ayato returned to Urahara Shop and told Hanekari Jin'ta to inform Kisuke he would return something in three to five days.
• At the Ishida Family, Kisuke learned of a prophecy about the Quincy King and then discovered that Tessai Tsukabishi’s seal had been broken.
• Kisuke returned to Urahara Shop, heard Ayato’s message, and decided to let him use the Hōgyoku while they waited to see what followed.

Ayato learned that Mirror of Tranquil Water had become an Arrancar and could grow stronger by absorbing spiritual power, so he planned to take her into seclusion in Hueco Mundo. He returned the depleted Hōgyoku to Kisuke Urahara, unaware that it had opened an evolutionary path for Mirror of Tranquil Water by responding to Ayato’s desire to become stronger.

• Mirror of Tranquil Water completed her initial Hollow transformation, gained a Bone Mask and Hollow Power, and remained loyal to Ayato as her Sword Master.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water told Ayato she could evolve by absorbing spiritual power, and Ayato stopped her from draining him further before they found a place for seclusion.
• Ayato wondered why the Hōgyoku seemed depleted, while its true power had unknowingly given Mirror of Tranquil Water a way to evolve in response to his wish to grow stronger.
• Ayato brought the Hōgyoku back to the Urahara Shop and returned it to Kisuke Urahara, who questioned how much power it had consumed.
• Ayato told Kisuke Urahara he planned to go into seclusion in Hueco Mundo and explained that he had used the Hōgyoku to Hollowfy Mirror of Tranquil Water.

Ayato said farewell to Kisuke Urahara and returned to Soul Society, where he told Retsu Unohana he would enter seclusion in Hueco Mundo and asked her to join him in Muken for Kenpachi Zaraki’s final step. He then visited Zaraki at the Eleventh Division, where Yachiru Kusajishi accepted that she would return to her place within Zaraki as he reclaimed his strength.

• Ayato shared a farewell drink with Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihouin, and Tessai Tsukabishi before leaving the Urahara Shop; Kisuke returned the depleted Hōgyoku to the Sealed Land.
• Ayato met Retsu Unohana in his courtyard and told her he planned to enter seclusion in Hueco Mundo because his breakthrough could cause a disturbance.
• Ayato asked Unohana to accompany him to Muken for Kenpachi Zaraki’s final step and told her not to emerge until it was complete; she agreed and planned to notify Kotetsu Isane.
• Ayato went to the Eleventh Division and told Yachiru Kusajishi that Zaraki would reclaim all his strength; she said she was ready to return to where she belonged.
• Ayato and Yachiru watched Zaraki fight Ikkaku Madarame in a special Gigai, with Zaraki carefully controlling his power as he continued to improve.