THE MASCARON DRIVE

THE MASCARON DRIVE is the twenty-sixth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Publisher's summary
Ichigo Kurosaki and all his friends are training like mad, spurred on by the looming threat of Sōsuke Aizen's wicked plans. But while Uryū Ishida and Yasutora Sado increase their powers, Orihime Inoue finds out that she has to sit out the coming fight, leaving her friends without her protection. And Ichigo, despite his intensive training with the Visored, can't control his Hollowfied self long enough to battle. With the war against the Arrancar ramping up, can the team afford to have two fighters on the sidelines?

224. Imitated Gaiety
10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya speaks to 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori for the first time since Sōsuke Aizen's betrayal while Yasutora Sado undergoes training.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
 * 2) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 3) Momo Hinamori
 * 4) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 5) Chōjirō Sasakibe
 * 6) Yasutora Sado
 * 7) Renji Abarai
 * 8) Kisuke Urahara
 * 9) Ururu Tsumugiya
 * 10) Tessai Tsukabishi
 * 11) Jinta Hanakari
 * 12) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 13) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 14) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 15) Love Aikawa
 * 16) Orihime Inoue

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 126: Uryū vs. Ryūken! Clash of the parent-child Quincy

225. Slip Into My Barrier
Orihime Inoue enters the Visored Study Chamber to warn Ichigo Kurosaki about Sōsuke Aizen's intentions.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Orihime Inoue
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 4) Hachigen Ushōda
 * 5) Shinji Hirako
 * 6) Kensei Muguruma
 * 7) Mashiro Kuna
 * 8) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 9) Love Aikawa
 * 10) Lisa Yadōmaru
 * 11) Yoruichi Shihōin

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 126: Uryū vs. Ryūken! Clash of the parent-child Quincy

226. Right of My Heart
Uryū Ishida concludes his training with Ryūken Ishida to have his Quincy powers restored.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Kensei Muguruma
 * 2) Lisa Yadōmaru
 * 3) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 4) Shinji Hirako
 * 5) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 6) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 7) Love Aikawa
 * 8) Hachigen Ushōda
 * 9) Orihime Inoue
 * 10) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 11) Uryū Ishida
 * 12) Ryūken Ishida

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 126: Uryū vs. Ryūken! Clash of the parent-child Quincy

227. The Swordless Soldier
Kisuke Urahara tells Orihime Inoue that she will not be part of the upcoming battle due to her weakened state.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 2) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 3) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 4) Keigo Asano
 * 5) Mizuho Asano
 * 6) Kisuke Urahara
 * 7) Orihime Inoue
 * 8) Yoruichi Shihōin
 * 9) Yasutora Sado
 * 10) Renji Abarai
 * 11) Sōsuke Aizen

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 127: Urahara's Decision, Orihime's Thoughts

228. Don't Look Back
Orihime Inoue regains her resolve to fight in the upcoming battle with assistance from Rukia Kuchiki and Hachigen Ushōda.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Orihime Inoue
 * 2) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 3) Uryū Ishida (flashback)
 * 4) Yasutora Sado (flashback)
 * 5) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 6) Hachigen Ushōda
 * 7) Kensei Muguruma
 * 8) Mashiro Kuna
 * 9) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 10) Lisa Yadōmaru
 * 11) Love Aikawa
 * 12) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 13) Tsubaki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 127: Urahara's Decision, Orihime's Thoughts

229. The Howling Tempest
After a month of training, Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies continue to struggle as Sōsuke Aizen gives Ulquiorra Cifer orders to carry out.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Ulquiorra Cifer
 * 2) Roka Paramia
 * 3) Yammy Llargo
 * 4) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 5) Love Aikawa
 * 6) Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi
 * 7) Hiyori Sarugaki
 * 8) Kensei Muguruma
 * 9) Shinji Hirako
 * 10) Lisa Yadōmaru
 * 11) Sōsuke Aizen
 * 12) Tier Harribel
 * 13) Coyote Starrk
 * 14) Nnoitra Gilga
 * 15) Luppi Antenor
 * 16) Aaroniero Arruruerie
 * 17) Wonderweiss Margela
 * 18) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 19) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 20) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 21) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 22) Ikkaku Madarame

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 127: Urahara's Decision, Orihime's Thoughts
 * Episode 138: Second move of Hueco Mundo! Hitsugaya vs Yammy

230. Dead White Invasion
Yammy Llargo, Luppi Antenor, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and Wonderweiss Margela invade Karakura Town.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 2) Shūhei Hisagi
 * 3) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 4) Orihime Inoue
 * 5) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 6) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 7) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 8) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 9) Wonderweiss Margela
 * 10) Yammy Llargo
 * 11) Luppi Antenor
 * 12) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 13) Kensei Muguruma
 * 14) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 15) Love Aikawa
 * 16) Shinji Hirako

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 138: Second move of Hueco Mundo! Hitsugaya vs Yammy

231. The Mascaron Drive
Orihime Inoue prepares to return to Karakura Town as Ichigo Kurosaki begins his second battle against Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Rin Tsubokura
 * 2) Hiyosu
 * 3) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 4) Yammy Llargo
 * 5) Luppi Antenor
 * 6) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 7) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 8) Jūshirō Ukitake
 * 9) Rukia Kuchiki
 * 10) Orihime Inoue
 * 11) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 12) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 13) Renji Abarai
 * 14) Yasutora Sado
 * 15) Kisuke Urahara

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 138: Second move of Hueco Mundo! Hitsugaya vs Yammy
 * Episode 139: Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, 11 second battle!

232. The Mascaron Drive 2
Luppi Antenor activates his Resurrección, Trepadora, as Ichigo Kurosaki soundly overpowers Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez with the power of his Hollow mask.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Luppi Antenor
 * 2) Tōshirō Hitsugaya
 * 3) Shawlong Koufang (flashback)
 * 4) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 5) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 6) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 7) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 8) Ichigo Kurosaki

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 139: Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, 11 second battle!

233. El Violador
Kisuke Urahara joins the fight against Luppi Antenor as Orihime Inoue finds herself confronted by Ulquiorra Cifer.

Summary:

Characters in order of appearance:
 * 1) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
 * 2) Ichigo Kurosaki
 * 3) Rangiku Matsumoto
 * 4) Ikkaku Madarame
 * 5) Yumichika Ayasegawa
 * 6) Luppi Antenor
 * 7) Yammy Llargo
 * 8) Wonderweiss Margela
 * 9) Kisuke Urahara
 * 10) Orihime Inoue
 * 11) Ulquiorra Cifer

Episodes adapted from this chapter:
 * Episode 139: Ichigo vs. Grimmjow, 11 second battle!

Trivia

 * In chapter 231, Ichigo Kurosaki was erroneously drawn in his Shikai Shihakushō despite already releasing his Bankai.