Chapter Summaries

Ayato offered Halibel and Nel a faster path to becoming Arrancar and gave them fused Shinigami-Hollow energy to guide their transformations. After building Akatsuki a palace with a twelve-seat round table, Ayato retrieved the sleeping Moon Spirit, which joyfully clung to him.

• Ayato explained the advantages and drawbacks of becoming Arrancar through their own efforts or with his help, and Halibel and Nel chose his assistance.
• Ayato gave Halibel and Nel fused spiritual power to absorb in their palaces, then handed Stark a cluster to study as a reference for his own path.
• Ayato told Stark to oversee Akatsuki while he planned to visit the Living World, then created a palace with a round table and twelve seats.
• Stark touched a seat engraved with “Solitude,” while Ayato took the seat marked “King” and sent Stark to organize the returning Hollows.
• Ayato opened a spatial ripple, retrieved the sleeping Moon Spirit, and welcomed it as it woke and clung to him.

Ulquiorra watched Ichigo Kurosaki and the others struggle against the Gotei 13, discovering how powerful its captains were as he rescued Chad Yasutora from Shunsui Kyōraku. He later witnessed Kenpachi Zaraki overwhelm Ichigo, then join Yoruichi Shihouin and the injured survivors after Kenpachi chose to leave Ichigo alive.

• Ulquiorra observed Ichigo Kurosaki fail to enter the Seireitei after Ichimaru Gin stopped him, then watched the group gain entry with a child’s help and become separated inside.
• Ulquiorra sensed Ichigo Kurosaki fighting a familiar opponent, then noticed the immense spiritual pressure of Kenpachi Zaraki and the threat Shunsui Kyōraku posed to Chad Yasutora.
• Shunsui Kyōraku knocked Chad Yasutora unconscious, and Ulquiorra appeared, carried Chad away with Sonido, and escaped while Ise Nanao distracted Shunsui.
• Ulquiorra carried Chad to Ichigo Kurosaki and watched Kenpachi Zaraki defeat Ichigo despite his surge of power, then leave him alive to grow stronger.
• Yoruichi Shihouin appeared beside the injured Ichigo, and Ulquiorra joined them with Chad as they acknowledged the Gotei 13’s strength and Kenpachi’s power.

Ulquiorra helped Yoruichi Shihouin rescue several of Ichigo Kurosaki’s companions while watching over Ishida Uryu and Orihime Inoue. After finding Orihime safe, he arrived as Ishida’s spiritual pressure surged violently, suggesting he was sacrificing his potential for power.

• Yoruichi Shihouin took Ichigo Kurosaki and Chad Yasutora away to safety, while Ulquiorra went to watch over Ishida Uryu and Orihime Inoue.
• Yoruichi Shihouin drew Kuchiki Byakuya away, and Ulquiorra rescued Shiba Ganju and Yamada Hanatarō without taking Kuchiki Rukia.
• Ulquiorra and Yoruichi Shihouin reunited with Chad Yasutora in a cave, where Yamada Hanatarō began treating Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Ulquiorra left to check on Ishida Uryu and Orihime Inoue, then intercepted a Shinigami carrying Orihime and brought her to Ishida.
• Ishida Uryu’s spiritual pressure erupted, and Ulquiorra suspected he was trading his potential for immediate power.

Ulquiorra followed the group as they prepared to rescue Kuchiki Rukia, despite Yoruichi Shihouin warning that his involvement could expose him. At the Sōkyoku Execution, Ichigo Kurosaki appeared in time to block the execution spear and greet Rukia.

• Ishida Uryu used the glove's power to defeat a captain, but Kaname Tōsen hypnotized him before Ulquiorra carried him and Orihime Inoue back to the cave.
• Ulquiorra learned that Ichigo Kurosaki was training with the manifestation of his Zanpakuto, while Abarai Renji arrived with news that Rukia's execution had been moved forward.
• On the execution's final day, Abarai Renji, Ishida Uryu, and the others set out to help Rukia, and Ulquiorra followed despite Yoruichi Shihouin's warning.
• Abarai Renji was found badly injured on the way, while Ichigo Kurosaki continued training and had yet to master Bankai.
• At Sōkyoku Hill, Hōgyokū charged toward Kuchiki Rukia, but Ichigo Kurosaki appeared and blocked it with his Zanpakuto.

Ulquiorra rescued Orihime Inoue, Chad Yasutora, Ishida Uryu, and Abarai Renji from Komamura Sajin and Kaname Tōsen, then brought them to Sōkyoku Hill as Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies stopped Rukia’s execution. The chapter ended with Ichimaru Gin attacking Ulquiorra with God Spear.

• Komamura Sajin and Kaname Tōsen confronted Ulquiorra and the others, but Ulquiorra tied up Orihime Inoue, Chad Yasutora, Ishida Uryu, and Abarai Renji and escaped with them.
• Ulquiorra and his passengers saw the Hōgyokū’s flame bird dismantled as they rushed toward Sōkyoku Hill.
• Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku used a rope and shield to restrain the Hōgyokū while Ichigo Kurosaki destroyed the Sōkyoku’s scaffold and rescued Kuchiki Rukia.
• Ulquiorra arrived and untied the four people, and Ichigo Kurosaki threw Kuchiki Rukia to Abarai Renji, who caught her in a crater.
• Ichimaru Gin launched his Zanpakuto, God Spear, at Ulquiorra.

Ichimaru Gin exposed Ulquiorra’s Hollow hole, turning the confrontation at Sōkyoku Hill toward the captains’ response to a Hollow allied with the Ryoka. As the sides separated into battles, Ulquiorra overwhelmed Komamura Sajin with a clash of strength, but Kaname Tōsen blocked his follow-up attack.

• Ichimaru Gin pierced Ulquiorra’s concealment clothes and revealed his Hollow hole, shocking the gathered Soul Reapers.
• Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions stood by Ulquiorra, while Ishida Uryu and Abarai Renji carried Kuchiki Rukia away from the hill.
• Soi Fon called for the capture of the Ryoka and Ulquiorra, while Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake left the hill to face Captain Commander Yamamoto separately.
• Retsu Unohana departed with Kotetsu Isane, and Yoruichi Shihouin carried Soi Fon away from the hill.
• Ichigo Kurosaki fought Kuchiki Byakuya as Ulquiorra faced Komamura Sajin and Kaname Tōsen; Ulquiorra sent Komamura flying with a single clash, then charged at him.
• Kaname Tōsen intercepted Ulquiorra and activated Suzumushi Second Form—Benihikō.

Ulquiorra defeated Kaname Tōsen inside Enma Kōrogi by exploiting his Arrancar Steel Skin, then fought Komamura Sajin after he unleashed Bankai. Ulquiorra released his Resurrección, evaded Komamura’s attacks, and brought him down with Moonlight Swords.

• Kaname Tōsen trapped Ulquiorra in Enma Kōrogi, where Ulquiorra used his Steel Skin to withstand Tōsen’s attacks and wound him.
• Tōsen released his Bankai barrier, and Komamura Sajin attacked Ulquiorra with Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō.
• Ulquiorra released his Resurrección, Black Winged Great Demon, and met Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō’s strike without being overwhelmed.
• Ulquiorra dodged Komamura’s next attack and hurled Moonlight Swords through Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, causing Komamura to collapse.

Ulquiorra defeated Komamura Sajin and Kaname Tōsen, while Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed his Bankai against Kuchiki Byakuya. Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni arrived and attacked Ulquiorra, ending with Ulquiorra trapped inside a towering fiery tornado.

• Ulquiorra defeated Komamura Sajin after discovering that Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's wounds were linked to Komamura's body.
• Kuchiki Byakuya released Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and Ichigo Kurosaki responded by activating Bankai and appearing before him with Tensa Zangetsu.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni arrived at Sōkyoku Hill, assessed the injured Komamura Sajin and Kaname Tōsen, and confronted Ulquiorra.
• Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni released Ryūjin Jakka and attacked Ulquiorra with Ennetsu Jōkaku.
• Ulquiorra's Gran Rey Cero shattered against Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's flaming hand, and Yamamoto engulfed him in a fiery tornado with Jōkaku Enjō.

Ichigo Kurosaki fought Kuchiki Byakuya to a standstill, awakened a masked form, then won their final clash and pushed on toward the flames. Inside Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s fire tornado, Ulquiorra awakened a new form and emerged to face him.

• Ichigo Kurosaki fought Kuchiki Byakuya through Senkei: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, but his wounds and slowing speed brought him to the brink of defeat.
• Ichigo Kurosaki briefly awakened a masked form, wounded Kuchiki Byakuya, then tore the mask away and challenged him to settle the fight with one final attack.
• Ichigo Kurosaki’s Getsuga Tensho overwhelmed Kuchiki Byakuya’s Final Form White Emperor Sword, and Byakuya stepped aside as Ichigo went to save Ulquiorra.
• Ulquiorra tore apart Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s flaming tornado after his spiritual pressure surged and he transformed into a new form.

Ulquiorra fought Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni in his Second Resurrección, but Yamamoto’s Bankai overwhelmed him. Just as Ulquiorra awaited the killing blow, a flaming sword intervened, while Aizen Sōsuke escaped after Unohana and Hitsugaya confronted him.

• Ulquiorra used Second Resurrección and continued fighting Yamamoto, who trapped him in Scorching Hell and blasted him with converging pillars of fire.
• Ulquiorra hurled a Thunder Spear at Yamamoto, but Yamamoto emerged unharmed and released Bankai, Zanka no Tachi.
• Ulquiorra fired his final Black Cero, but Yamamoto shattered it with Zanka no Tachi, East - Rising Sun Edge, leaving Ulquiorra unable to dodge.
• A flaming sword struck Yamamoto’s slash from the side before it reached Ulquiorra, and Shunsui Kyōraku and Jushiro Ukitake recognized the sudden intervention.
• At Central 46 Chambers, Unohana and Hitsugaya confronted the returned Aizen, who revealed his betrayal and then vanished.
• Unohana told Hitsugaya to alert the other captains, while both sensed the unfamiliar spiritual pressure that had interrupted Yamamoto’s attack.

Ayato revealed that he had founded Akatsuki in Hueco Mundo and refused Aizen’s invitation to join him. After Aizen escaped with Gin and Tōsen, Ayato warned Soul Society not to make him an enemy and left Sōkyoku Hill with Ulquiorra and Ichigo.

• Ayato admitted to Yamamoto that he led an organization of Arrancar in Hueco Mundo, while insisting he had no intention of opposing Soul Society.
• Kotetsu Isane reported that Aizen had faked his death, killed the Central 46 Chambers, and forged the order to execute Rukia.
• Aizen appeared with the Hōgyoku, revealed that Renji had fallen under Kyoka Suigetsu, and invited Ayato to join him; Ayato refused.
• Yamamoto attacked Aizen, but Negación protected him and lifted him, Gin, and the wounded Tōsen toward Hueco Mundo.
• Aizen declared that he would stand in the heavens and departed, while Ayato revealed his overwhelming spiritual pressure and warned Soul Society against forcing a conflict with Akatsuki.
• Yamamoto let his Bankai dissipate, and Ayato left Sōkyoku Hill with Ulquiorra and Ichigo as the captains watched without stopping them.

Ayato reunited with Ichigo and Yoruichi after leaving the Seireitei, confirmed that Aizen had taken the Hōgyoku to Hueco Mundo, and spoke with Unohana about his departure. Kenpachi chose to join Ayato’s organization, Akatsuki, while Ikkaku and Yumichika accepted their captain’s decision.

• Ichigo thanked Ayato for saving Masaki and learned that his parents were not ordinary people.
• Ayato reunited with Yoruichi and confirmed that Aizen had taken the Hōgyoku to Hueco Mundo.
• Unohana asked whether Ayato would return or become an enemy of the Soul Society, then departed without joining him.
• Kenpachi challenged Ayato to a fight and declared that he would leave with him.
• Ikkaku and Yumichika supported Kenpachi’s choice to pursue strength, and Ayato accepted him into Akatsuki.

Ayato returned from Soul Society with Ulquiorra and Kenpachi Zaraki, while Yoruichi explained Ayato’s immense strength and history to Ichigo’s group. At Urahara Shop, Kisuke learned what had happened and considered the threat posed by Aizen, while Ayato said he wanted to see where Aizen’s path led.

• Ayato reassured Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue that Rukia and Renji were safe, then revealed that Ichigo and Shiba Ganju were cousins.
• Yoruichi Shihouin led Ichigo’s group toward the Shiba Clan after Ayato, Ulquiorra, and Kenpachi Zaraki left Soul Society through a spatial hole.
• At Urahara Shop, Ayato told Kisuke Urahara that Kenpachi Zaraki would join Akatsuki.
• Ulquiorra recounted the Soul Society events to Kisuke, who concluded that Rukia had survived and Aizen Sōsuke had been exposed despite obtaining the incomplete Hōgyoku.
• Kisuke asked Ayato what he intended to do, and Ayato said he wanted to see where Aizen’s path led without helping him.
• Ayato and Kisuke discussed the Zero Division and the Soul King, whom Ayato suspected had made hidden arrangements.

Ayato returned to the rebuilt Akatsuki in Hueco Mundo with Ulquiorra and Kenpachi Zaraki, then arranged a battle to assess Ulquiorra’s newly achieved Second Resurrección. Ulquiorra seized a massive advantage over Stark, while Kenpachi looked forward to the fights ahead.

• Ayato told Kenpachi Zaraki that he would not fight him until he could control his Bankai, and promised that stronger opponents would be available later.
• The group reached Akatsuki, where Ulquiorra discovered that Halibel and Nel had become Arrancar and met Kenpachi Zaraki’s fellow members.
• Ayato brought Stark and Ulquiorra to a desert fighting ground and agreed to referee their battle.
• Stark gained the upper hand before Ulquiorra and then Stark activated Resurrección in turn.
• Ulquiorra unleashed Second Resurrección and gained a massive advantage over Stark, exciting Kenpachi Zaraki about future battles.

Ayato oversaw Akatsuki’s fighters testing their strength, demonstrated his overwhelming power, and established the organization’s rankings. As he considered pursuing the Soul King’s level, Aizen sensed Ayato and Kenpachi Zaraki in Hueco Mundo and resolved to use the Hōgyoku to surpass Ayato.

• Ulquiorra defeated Stark after achieving his Second Resurrección, and Ayato urged Stark to develop his own potential as Stark resolved to reclaim his position.
• Kenpachi Zaraki fought Ulquiorra and won, then Ayato struck Kenpachi with Fourth Form - Burning Heavens and revealed the vast gap between their power.
• Halibel and Nel dueled, with Halibel narrowly winning, and Ayato set Akatsuki’s rankings: Kenpachi first, Ulquiorra second, Stark third, Halibel fourth, and Nel fifth.
• Ayato considered the Soul King’s role and wondered whether he could pursue the same level of power, while reflecting that Aizen’s plan to replace the Soul King might be impossible with Ichigo Kurosaki present.
• At Las Noches, Aizen sensed Ayato and Kenpachi’s spiritual pressure and decided that the Hōgyoku, combined with his own capabilities, could help him surpass Ayato.

As Arrancar gathered around Aizen in Las Noches, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends came to the Akatsuki seeking help after Aizen captured Rukia. Ayato sent Ulquiorra to guide them and then visited Aizen, leaving him determined to prove his plans would succeed.

• Ayato observed that many Menos Grande had joined Aizen to use the Hōgyoku, while Halibel and Nel’s companions remained with the Akatsuki and pursued self-directed transformations.
• Ichigo Kurosaki, Yoruichi Shihouin, Ishida Uryu, and Chad Yasutora reached the Akatsuki and learned from White Snake, Golden Lion, and Elk that Ulquiorra held a high rank there.
• Ichigo told Ulquiorra that Aizen had captured Rukia, and Ayato agreed to provide their destination and ordered Ulquiorra to lead them to Las Noches.
• Ayato used a spatial opening to visit Aizen, who invited him to help overthrow Soul Society; Ayato refused, saying the world did not belong to him.
• Ayato told Aizen that he would observe the coming conflict without taking sides, while Aizen resolved to demonstrate that his plans would succeed.

Ayato visited the Soul King Palace barriers, then returned to the Living World to watch Aizen’s battle against the captains. He remained neutral as the fighting began, while Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to turn the captains against one another and an Arrancar sealed Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s Ryūjin Jakka.

• Ayato examined the prepared Karakura Town, then crossed Soul Society’s barriers until he saw the Soul King Palace and Ichibei Hyōsube before leaving.
• Ayato considered the Zero Division’s apparent indifference to events in the lower world and Aizen’s chances of becoming the Soul King.
• Ayato arrived as Aizen confronted the captains with his Espada and declared that he would watch without helping either side.
• Ayato formed a throne from dense spiritual power and sat above the battlefield, warning everyone with a display of his strength.
• Aizen attacked, and his Kyoka Suigetsu caused the captains to mistake one another for him.
• A special Arrancar sealed Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni’s Ryūjin Jakka, though Ayato doubted that the seal alone could defeat him.

Ayato watched Aizen’s forces battle the Soul Reapers, then followed Aizen and Ichimaru Gin to Karakura Town in Soul Society. After Gin’s attempt to kill Aizen failed and cost him his life, Ichigo Kurosaki arrived in a transformed state to face Aizen.

• Ichigo Kurosaki, Ulquiorra, and Retsu Unohana emerged from a Garganta, and Ulquiorra reported that Las Noches had nearly fallen.
• Ayato and Ulquiorra traveled to Soul Society ahead of Aizen, where Ulquiorra searched Karakura Town for people he knew.
• Ichimaru Gin intervened when Rangiku Matsumoto confronted Aizen, then ambushed Aizen and removed the Hōgyoku from his chest.
• The Hōgyoku restored Aizen and advanced his evolution, and Aizen killed Ichimaru Gin.
• Ayato sensed Ichigo Kurosaki’s arrival and saw him appear with long hair and a taller build.

Ichigo Kurosaki used the power he gained in the Dangai to battle Aizen away from Karakura Town, but the Hōgyoku kept evolving Aizen after each attack. Ichigo then transformed into his final Getsuga Tensho form, accepting that the power would cost him his Shinigami abilities.

• Ichigo Kurosaki returned from the Dangai with power that exceeded Aizen's current strength, while Ayato realized it would fade over time.
• Ichigo Kurosaki carried Aizen to a stretch of cliffs so their fight would not further damage his city.
• Ichigo Kurosaki overpowered Aizen, caught his blade, shattered his Black Coffin, and slashed him, but the Hōgyoku evolved Aizen again.
• Aizen's new form blasted Ichigo Kurosaki and burned away his left arm before continuing its assault.
• Ichigo Kurosaki unleashed the final Getsuga Tensho, transforming as Ayato recognized that the power would cost him his Shinigami abilities.

Ichigo Kurosaki used Mugetsu to destroy the Hōgyoku inside Aizen, but the attack cost him his Shinigami powers and did not stop Aizen from regenerating. Kisuke Urahara sealed Aizen, while Ayato left for Karakura Town with his thoughts increasingly fixed on the Soul King as the next path to greater strength.

• Ichigo Kurosaki struck Aizen with Mugetsu, destroying the Hōgyoku and causing Aizen's wings to vanish.
• Aizen regenerated and declared victory as Ichigo Kurosaki lost his Mugetsu form and began losing his Shinigami powers.
• Kisuke Urahara's Bakudō activated after Aizen weakened, and Urahara sealed Aizen completely.
• Aizen urged Ayato to seek strength by confronting the Soul King, and Ayato acknowledged that the Soul King was the only path he knew.
• Ayato assured Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara that he would not destroy the Three Realms or attack Karakura Town, then left to retrieve Ulquiorra.
• Ayato headed toward Karakura Town, with Aizen's words deepening his existing resolve to pursue the Soul King.