Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5551986-20181227102057/@comment-29325824-20190319211036

Well, I don't think the "nail" (if that's even translated correctly) refers to finger- or toenails at all. Considering there is also mentions of the "chain", I think both might be related to the Soul King's version of the "Saketsu".

Regardless, even if the novel has some bad parts (and I do have some issues myself), let's not forget that nothing could be put into it if Kubo does not actually approve of it, as he does supervise it. And I for one greatly happen to enjoy the worldbuilding it does that the manga itself never got around to.

Also, I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but there's a lot more to Urahara being ambushed. TL;DR (spoilers) I'm pretty sure Urahara let himself be ambushed and taken because he secretly agreed on something with Yukio. Also, as he says his OP bankai is better suited for support than direct combat.

And the reason Aizen never did anything about Tokinada was because Tokinada was not a threat to him at all. The guy just flew under the radar for everyone and for good reason. His plans only managed to be put into motion after the Wandenreich war. As only then could he aquire Ikomokidomoe and aquire the proper resources to "build" Hikone.