Chapter Summaries

Ayato brought Kenpachi Zaraki to Muken for a battle without restrictions, intending to break Kenpachi Zaraki’s seal before Ayato went into seclusion. The fight began with both men unleashing their spiritual pressure as Yachiru Kusajishi watched and Retsu Unohana observed from hiding.

• Ikkaku Madarame defeated Kenpachi Zaraki in his Gigai, and Kenpachi Zaraki eagerly turned his attention to Ayato when he arrived.
• Ayato told Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika that the battle might last an uncertain time, then allowed Yachiru Kusajishi to accompany him and Kenpachi Zaraki.
• Yachiru Kusajishi tried to lead the group in the wrong direction, so Ayato guided them to Muken while Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika stayed behind.
• Ayato explained that he could use Bankai and that the battle was meant to break Kenpachi Zaraki’s seal, warning that Kenpachi Zaraki might die if he failed to awaken.
• Kenpachi Zaraki accepted the risk, and he and Ayato released their spiritual pressure and began fighting as Retsu Unohana watched from hiding.

Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki fought in Muken, trading powerful attacks as both revealed defenses formed from spiritual pressure. Ayato unleashed his giant flaming sword, and Kenpachi prepared to meet it head-on.

• Ayato used Thunderclap and Flash to break through Kenpachi Zaraki’s golden skull defense and cut his chest.
• Kenpachi Zaraki charged into close combat, and Ayato formed a crimson Flame Susanoo to clash with him blade to blade.
• Ayato turned into flames and gathered them into a giant fireball, while Kenpachi Zaraki answered with Kendo - Two Segments.
• Ayato blocked Kenpachi Zaraki’s golden slash and formed a giant flaming sword with Fourth Form - Burning Heavens.
• Ayato’s flaming sword shattered Kenpachi Zaraki’s golden slash and descended toward him as Kenpachi prepared to strike it.

Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki continued their battle in Muken after Kenpachi released Nozarashi, with Ayato using speed and preparation to counter his Shikai. The chapter ended as Ayato unleashed Fifth Form - Annihilation, and Kenpachi prepared to face the blazing attack.

• Kenpachi Zaraki released Nozarashi and cleaved through Ayato's sea of flames, while Yachiru Kusajishi returned to his Zanpakuto and Retsu Unohana chose to keep watching.
• Ayato tested Kenpachi's new strength with sword pressure, then clashed with him using First Form - Thunderclap and Flash and was forced back by Kenpachi's greater strength.
• Ayato repeatedly attacked from different directions, but Kenpachi used Nozarashi's size to defend until Ayato withdrew and the two paused.
• Ayato revealed that the lightning left across Muken had been part of his plan, and Kenpachi recognized the coming attack as similar to Heaven-Burning.
• Ayato gathered the lightning onto Mirror of Tranquil Water and unleashed Fifth Form - Annihilation.

Ayato unleashed a lightning cannon against Kenpachi Zaraki, who shattered it at the cost of horrific injuries before Ayato restrained him with his Sixth Form. Kenpachi Zaraki transformed into a demon-like form, healed himself, and wounded Ayato, who began to release his Bankai.

• Ayato fired a lightning cannon at Kenpachi Zaraki, who split it with his Zanpakuto and then endured its full force with his body.
• Kenpachi Zaraki shattered the cannon with a desperate strike, leaving a hole through his chest, and charged at Ayato.
• Ayato bound Kenpachi Zaraki inside his Sixth Form, Moon Reflection, as Retsu Unohana prepared her Bankai to heal him.
• Kenpachi Zaraki broke free in a red-skinned demonic form, and his wounds healed without Unohana’s help.
• Kenpachi Zaraki’s swing wounded Ayato without making contact, and Ayato responded by beginning to release his Bankai.

Ayato defeated Kenpachi Zaraki after Zaraki’s Bankai left him unconscious, insane, and badly strained, while revealing that Yachiru Kusajishi had returned to Zaraki’s Zanpakuto. Ayato brought Zaraki back to the Eleventh Division and warned Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika about the Bankai’s danger, while Unohana remained alone in Muken, reflecting on her undone resolve to sacrifice herself.

• Kenpachi Zaraki collapsed after using Bankai, and Ayato realized the power cost him his sanity and severely strained his body.
• Unohana examined Zaraki and learned that Yachiru Kusajishi had returned to her place inside his Zanpakuto; she accepted that Zaraki had surpassed her and no longer needed her sacrifice.
• Ayato dragged the unconscious Zaraki back to the Eleventh Division, where Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika noticed the battle had ended unusually quickly.
• Ayato told Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika that Yachiru had returned to Zaraki’s Zanpakuto, and they wondered whether they might see her again.
• Ayato warned Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika that Zaraki lost his self-awareness when using Bankai, then left them to tell Zaraki about Yachiru when he woke.

Ayato gained permission to go into seclusion, said goodbye to Unohana, and traveled to the Great Spirit Book Corridor to investigate Soul Society’s records. What he learned about Asauchi and the Soul King shocked him, while Aizen’s repeated trips to the Living World left him wondering about their purpose.

• Ayato told Captain Commander Yamamoto that Kenpachi Zaraki had used Bankai and warned him about the danger of Zaraki losing control, then asked permission to go into seclusion.
• Ayato returned to his Small Courtyard, waited for Unohana, and said goodbye before leaving the Seireitei through its gates.
• Ayato used the Moon Spirit’s spatial transfer to enter the Great Spirit Book Corridor and read his own records, finding that it recorded actions and spoken words but not private thoughts or motives.
• Ayato read records about the Three Realms, Asauchi, and the Soul King, learning that Asauchi were forged from souls and that the Soul King had been sealed and used to maintain the balance of the Three Realms.
• Ayato reviewed records on Kisuke Urahara and Aizen Sōsuke, then wondered why Aizen kept secretly traveling to the Living World.

Ayato returned to Hueco Mundo and reunited with Stark and Ulquiorra, learning that their search for companions had accidentally become an organization. He met Tia Halibel and her three companions, accepted her into the group, and left Stark and Ulquiorra wondering how much stronger he had become.

• Ayato used Grasp Foot Chase Sparrow to locate Stark and Ulquiorra at an oasis in Hueco Mundo.
• Stark and Ulquiorra told Ayato that their efforts to find companions and improve their spiritual-pressure control had led to an organization forming around them.
• Stark and Ulquiorra explained that Tia Halibel had joined after Barragan's harassment endangered her three companions.
• Halibel entered the hall and recognized Ayato as the Shinigami from the rumors, while her three companions reacted greedily to his spiritual pressure.
• Ayato intimidated Halibel's companions, warned Halibel to teach them restraint, and allowed them to remain with the organization.
• Stark and Ulquiorra realized that Ayato seemed to have grown stronger again.

Ayato became the leader of Stark and Ulquiorra’s organization, named it Akatsuki, and assigned plans for its members while preparing to enter seclusion. The chapter left Ulquiorra set to visit the Living World, Stark focused on regaining strength, and Halibel committed to helping her companions qualify for membership.

• Ayato explained that he had come to Hueco Mundo to enter seclusion before a breakthrough, and Stark and Ulquiorra agreed he could name their organization and lead it.
• Ayato asked Ulquiorra to visit Karakura Town, meet Kisuke Urahara, and live in an ordinary Gigai while learning about emotions and the heart.
• Stark told Ayato that Lilynette had merged with him again, and Ayato tasked Stark with improving his strength as his soul recovered.
• Ayato told Halibel to learn how to become an Arrancar from Stark and Ulquiorra, and said her three companions could join once they overcame their primal instincts.
• Ayato named the organization Akatsuki, and Stark, Ulquiorra, and Halibel accepted the name.

Ayato began his seclusion to help Mirror of Tranquil Water absorb his spiritual energy, while practicing swordsmanship in her inner world. The resulting energy current drew Hollows to the Akatsuki, but Stark, Ulquiorra, and Halibel kept the organization secure as it settled into its routine.

• Ayato entered Mirror of Tranquil Water’s inner world, let her absorb his spiritual energy, and devoted himself to swordsmanship.
• Stark, Ulquiorra, and Halibel sensed the spiritual energy current and prepared for Hollows to gather near the Akatsuki.
• Stark crushed several Menos Grande that charged into the Akatsuki, and most of the others retreated before settling around its outskirts for the denser spiritual energy.
• Halibel screened potential recruits, protected her companions, and rejected Menos Grande whose minds or behavior made them unsuitable for the Akatsuki.
• Ulquiorra and Stark continued training to control their growing spiritual pressure, while Halibel struggled to find a way to become an Arrancar.
• The Akatsuki continued operating without a major crisis under the protection of Stark, Ulquiorra, and Halibel.

After years of training, Ulquiorra entered the Living World and went to the Urahara Shop to ask Kisuke Urahara for a Gigai, following Ayato’s instructions. Kisuke confirmed that Ulquiorra was an Arrancar and considered whether Hollows like him could be trusted.

• Years passed while Ayato remained in seclusion, Akatsuki expanded, and the Soul Society continued operating with several changes to its divisions.
• Ulquiorra left Hueco Mundo for Karakura Town after mastering control of his spiritual power, then searched for the Urahara Shop.
• Ichigo Kurosaki spotted Ulquiorra outside his school but dismissed him as a strange passerby.
• Hanekari Jin'ta let Ulquiorra into the Urahara Shop after learning Ayato had sent him, while Yoruichi Shihouin watched with suspicion.
• Ulquiorra asked Kisuke Urahara for a Gigai and revealed his Hollow hole, confirming that he was an Arrancar.
• Kisuke recalled Ayato’s account of intelligent Arrancar and began assessing whether Ulquiorra had abandoned the savagery of Hollows.

Ulquiorra received a Gigai from Kisuke Urahara and agreed to attend school to experience life in the Living World. Yoruichi Shihouin escorted him there, while Urahara reflected on the unusual Hollow and the coming turmoil.

• Ulquiorra asked Kisuke Urahara what Ayato meant by finding his heart, and Urahara said he would have to discover the answer through experience.
• Urahara offered Ulquiorra a room while his Gigai was prepared, and Ulquiorra discussed his nature as a Hollow with Hanekari Jin'ta.
• Ulquiorra tried the Gigai, found he could move normally but could not use much of his power, and offered to repay Urahara's help.
• Urahara arranged for Ulquiorra to attend school as a transfer student, and Ulquiorra recognized the location as a place he had already visited without entering.
• Urahara asked Yoruichi Shihouin to guide Ulquiorra to the school because Kuchiki Rukia was there, and Yoruichi reluctantly agreed.

Ulquiorra joined Ichigo’s class and secretly followed him to observe why humans and Hollows acted as they did. After seeing Orihime risk herself for Tatsuki and a Hollow choose to die, he began to glimpse why Ayato had sent him to the Living World, though he still did not understand.

• Ulquiorra transferred into Ichigo’s class, and Ichigo showed him around the school with Rukia following them.
• When Rukia took Ichigo away to fight a Hollow, Ulquiorra left his Gigai and secretly watched Ichigo become a Shinigami to save a boy’s soul.
• Ulquiorra told Kisuke he still could not understand why people acted as they did, then went to investigate a stronger Hollow.
• Ulquiorra followed the Hollow to Orihime and Tatsuki, saw Orihime’s soul torn from her body, and briefly intervened when she tried to protect Tatsuki.
• After Ichigo arrived and was knocked away, Orihime shielded him; the Hollow stopped, broke its own mask, and died by Ichigo’s Zanpakuto.
• Ulquiorra wondered whether the Hollow’s death had been caused by the bond between siblings and began to suspect he understood one reason Ayato had sent him to the Living World.

Ulquiorra followed Chad Yasutora after discovering a Hollow was targeting the soul trapped in his parrot. He learned the Hollow had tormented the boy for years, killed it, and told the boy the danger was over, while the appearance of a Hell Gate left him with a mystery to ask Kisuke Urahara about.

• Ulquiorra noticed Hollow aura around Chad Yasutora and followed him after Chad protected the parrot from a Hollow's attack.
• Ulquiorra injured the Hollow with the Moonlight Sword, then carried Chad Yasutora to the hospital and heard the parrot blame himself for the people who had been hurt helping him.
• Ulquiorra entered the gap between the Living World and Soul Society, found the wounded Hollow, and saw its memories of murdering people and tormenting the boy by promising to resurrect his mother.
• Ulquiorra killed the Hollow and felt anger and relief, then watched a Hell Gate seize the Hollow's soul before vanishing.
• Ulquiorra returned to Ichigo Kurosaki's home, told the parrot the Hollow had lied and was dead, and asked the boy to keep their secret.

Ulquiorra watched Ichigo Kurosaki and Ishida Uryu’s Hollow-killing contest, then investigated strange events at the school, where Chad Yasutora and Orihime Inoue awakened unusual powers. He followed Kisuke Urahara back to the Urahara Shop with the unconscious Chad and Orihime and asked where their powers came from.

• Ulquiorra questioned Kisuke Urahara about Hell, then returned to observing Ichigo Kurosaki’s daily activities.
• Ulquiorra followed Ichigo Kurosaki and Ishida Uryu after they left to compete in killing Hollows drawn by Ishida’s special item.
• When Chad Yasutora was chased by a Hollow, Ulquiorra saw Chad awaken a strange armored right arm and defeat it before collapsing.
• At the school, Ulquiorra watched Tatsuki Arisawa and Orihime Inoue get surrounded by controlled humans and Hollows; Orihime awakened a power and defeated the white Hollow before collapsing.
• Ulquiorra met Kisuke Urahara at the school and accompanied him to the Urahara Shop with Chad Yasutora and Orihime Inoue.
• At the Urahara Shop, Ulquiorra asked Kisuke Urahara where Chad and Orihime’s powers had come from.

Ulquiorra watched Ichigo Kurosaki unleash his full spiritual pressure to defeat a Gillian, then wondered why he had wanted to help him. Days later, two Shinigami arrived to take Kuchiki Rukia back to Soul Society, and Ichigo Kurosaki and Ishida Uryu returned injured after she was taken.

• Kisuke Urahara guessed that Orihime Inoue and Chad Yasutora had awakened abilities from exposure to Ichigo Kurosaki's spiritual power, then told them about Hollows and brought them to watch Ichigo fight.
• A Gillian appeared, and Ichigo Kurosaki split its body with a powerful slash, but his released spiritual pressure ran wild.
• Ishida Uryu controlled some of Ichigo's out-of-control power and fired it away as Spiritual Arrows, while Ulquiorra left believing Ichigo would survive.
• Ulquiorra sensed two powerful spiritual pressures, and Kisuke Urahara explained that Shinigami had arrived to take Kuchiki Rukia back to Soul Society.
• Kisuke Urahara returned carrying an unconscious, wounded Ichigo Kurosaki, with an injured Ishida Uryu beside him, and confirmed that Kuchiki Rukia had been taken.

Ulquiorra watched Kisuke Urahara train Ichigo Kurosaki to awaken his Shinigami power and saw Ichigo reveal a Hollow mask. As the others prepared to enter the Soul Society to rescue Kuchiki Rukia, Ulquiorra decided to stay behind to protect Stark and the others, but Kisuke Urahara came to see him.

• Ulquiorra went with Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara into the underground cavern, where Urahara began Ichigo's special training.
• As Ichigo neared the deadline in the pit, Tessai Tsukabishi used powerful Kido to stop him from becoming a Hollow, but Ichigo's spiritual pressure erupted and he emerged wearing a white Bone Mask.
• Ulquiorra questioned Kisuke Urahara about the Hollow power inside Ichigo, and Urahara told him to ask Ayato, who also knew Ichigo's identity.
• Ulquiorra saw Orihime Inoue and Chad Yasutora training to go to the Soul Society and decided not to join them, fearing his exposure could endanger Stark and the others.
• After everyone's training was nearly complete, Kisuke Urahara came to find Ulquiorra.

Ulquiorra agreed to secretly accompany Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends to Soul Society, where they entered the Senkaimon to rescue Rukia. After they departed, Ayato emerged from seclusion and told Kisuke Urahara he had broken through without undergoing Hollowfication, though he left the details unexplained.

• Kisuke Urahara persuaded Ulquiorra to follow Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends to Soul Society, using a cloak to conceal his spiritual pressure and asking him to rescue them if danger arose.
• Kisuke Urahara explained the Senkaimon and its four-minute limit, and Yoruichi Shihouin led Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Chad Yasutora, Ishida Uryu, and Ulquiorra through it toward Soul Society.
• After the group entered the Senkaimon, Ayato appeared before Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi, surprising them by emerging from seclusion stronger than before.
• Ayato said he would let the group stir up change in Soul Society before going there himself, and he assured Kisuke Urahara that Ulquiorra could escape if threatened.
• Kisuke Urahara asked whether Ayato had undergone Hollowfication to break the limits of Shinigami, but Ayato denied it and left his method unexplained.

After years of seclusion, Ayato emerged and tested his overfilled Zanpakuto, Mirror of Tranquil Water, in her inner world. Mirror of Tranquil Water defeated him with her unique Total Severance ability and demanded that he admit defeat.

• In Hueco Mundo, Stark and Halibel moved the Hollows away from the raging spiritual power, and Stark told Nel that their leader Ayato was emerging from seclusion.
• Ayato awakened beneath the Akatsuki, found Mirror of Tranquil Water filled with spiritual pressure and covered in cracks, and entered her inner world.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water challenged Ayato, matched his sword forms, and then clashed with him in a contest of enormous flaming swords.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water unleashed a change in her spiritual pressure that let her flaming sword overpower Ayato's, forcing him to flee the strike and endure its shockwaves with Susanoo-like armor.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water revealed that she had used Total Severance to cut off Ayato's abilities and demanded that he admit defeat.

Ayato defeated the Hollowfied Mirror of Tranquil Water with his Eighth Form, No Thought Nether Kill, and inherited her power. After a long breakthrough, he emerged having crossed the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow, then greeted Stark, Halibel, and Nel.

• Mirror of Tranquil Water challenged Ayato to a decisive fight, but Ayato used No Thought Nether Kill to trap her in a sword-filled world and defeat her.
• Mirror of Tranquil Water regained her reason, acknowledged Ayato's victory, and shattered to pass her power to him.
• Ayato's accumulated spiritual pressure formed a cocoon of light, while Stark, Halibel, and Nel waited nearby and sent their subordinates away from the turbulent energy.
• Ayato emerged in white ceremonial garb with a new weapon, and Stark realized he could no longer identify Ayato as either a Shinigami or a Hollow.
• Ayato walked over to Stark, Halibel, and Nel and greeted Stark and Halibel after their long separation.

After emerging from seclusion with a breakthrough, Ayato reorganized Akatsuki’s recruitment and security duties, then used his Bankai to reshape Hueco Mundo’s spiritual energy around the organization. He believed he could grow beyond his current power and eventually reach the Soul King’s level.

• Ayato reunited with Stark, Halibel, and Nel, learned that Ulquiorra was in the Living World, and heard how Akatsuki had grown stronger and remained secure.
• Ayato assigned Nel to find self-aware Menos Grande who might join Akatsuki, while Stark temporarily took responsibility for driving away Hollows with hostile intentions; both would take turns on the task.
• Ayato activated Bankai, and its radiant spiritual pressure briefly restored clarity to some nearby Menos Grande before he suppressed the display.
• Ayato spread a sword phantom across Hueco Mundo and drew spiritual energy toward Akatsuki, creating layers of differing energy density for its members and the surrounding Hollows.
• Ayato concluded that he could still grow stronger and set his sights on reaching the Soul King’s level.