Visored Training

Prelude
With the Arrancar threat over for the moment, Ichigo sets out to find the Vizard, aware that his inner Hollow has become too powerful to control.

Training: The Vizards
Meanwhile, Uryū trains with his father under Karakura Hospital and Chad requests that Urahara train him as well. Back at the Vizard warehouse, Ichigo fights Shinji so he can force him into telling him how to control the inner Hollow. Hiyori interferes and uses her Hollow mask to fight Ichigo as a test to see if he's strong enough to join the Vizard. With her Hollow mask, Hiyori is more than a match for Ichigo. She continues to goad him into using his Hollow mask or Bankai, neither of which Ichigo is willing to do. Ichigo eventually loses control to his Hollow side once more, and nearly kills her. After being forced back into his Shinigami state, Ichigo is informed that he cannot simply keep his Hollow in check with his body or mind, but must force it into the very core of his soul. With her Hollow mask, Hiyori is more than a match for Ichigo. She continues to goad him into using his Hollow mask or Bankai, neither of which he uses. After a brief period of unappreciated training, Ichigo is told to confront his Hollow side within his inner world.

There, Ichigo squares off against his Hollow self. Even after several exchanges, Ichigo is unable to damage the Hollow, while badly injured himself. Ichigo and his inner Hollow both use their Bankai and commence fighting, but Ichigo is continually assaulted by inner manifestations of previous foes - Byakuya Kuchiki and Jin Kariya - and force him to re-fight their battles (Ichigo is defeated by both of them). Ichigo's inner Hollow overpowers him and breaks his sword, then explains to him that he has no desire to serve someone with no instinct for battle. After another discourse with an inner manifestation of Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo realizes his trouble is that he lacks pure fighting spirit, instead needing reasons to fight his opponents. His spirit rekindled by this revelation, Ichigo is able to make a comeback, seizing the Hollow's sword and impaling him on it. His Hollow subdued for the moment, Ichigo fades back to reality. When he comes to, he learns that while he was fighting internally, his outer body had transformed into that of a powerful and berserk Hollow and that the Vizard had taken turns battling this monster to keep it in check.

Aizen's Plans & Hinamori's Pain
While the various training sessions go on, Orihime Inoue is alerted about a strange object that was carried into Orihime's residence by Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto. She walks in just as Captain Hitsugaya begins his talk with Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who had ordered the urgent creation of the line of communication for one purpose: to speak with Hitsugaya about Aizen's true objective. .

Although Orihime moves to leave, she is told to stay as the information about Aizen's true objective concerns the humans there as well. Yamamoto begins by discussing how their investigation has combed the 5th Division's barracks, the Seijōtōkyorin of the Central 46 Compound and the Great Spirit Library. Hitsugaya asks that they move to the main issue which Yamamoto obliges.Yamamoto goes on as Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, in charge of searching the Great Spirit Library's circuits, had found that Aizen had accessed data on not only the Hōgyoku but also the Ōken (King's Key). Matsumoto and Yamamoto then explain a bit about the Spirit King to Orihime. Orihime correctly guesses that Aizen plans to obtain the key to overthrow the Spirit King. However, the issues lies in that Aizen researched information about the method for creating a King's Key as the key's location is only known to the Gotei 13 Captain-Commander (with no written record available). The material needed to create a King's Key are 100,000 souls and a plot of spirit-enriched land with a radius of half a spirit-mile. It just so happens that while the spirit-enriched land shifts location over time, it is currently set on Karakura Town. If Aizen succeeds in creating an Ōken with the method in reference, Karakura Town and its inhabitants would be wiped out. Yamamoto then asserts that the Gotei 13 will find a way to stop Aizen. He then orders Hitsugaya and Matsumoto to train themselves and asks for Orihime to relay all the information she has heard to Ichigo Kurosaki as they will need all the strength they can muster for Aizen will make his move in four months after the Hōgyoku is completely awakened. Orihime leaves and Matsumoto heads out to inform the rest of Hitsugaya's advance guard. Just as Hitsugaya is about to leave, Yamamato tell hims to wait as he has someone who wishes to speak with him. Momo Hinamori steps forward, having awakened from her coma that was inflicted by Aizen. Hinamori tries to apologize for her actions that came from doubting Hitsugaya but he brushes it off and tells her to go get some rest, playing around on how Hinamori need to sleep more to grow (as she still looks like a child). Hinamori then looks to reenter a trance as she begs for Hitsugaya to save Aizen, believing that Aizen is being manipulated by Gin Ichimaru. Yamamoto then knocks out Hinamori with his reiatsu, noting that she had not fully recovered and apologizing as he had respected Hinamori's wishes by letting her speak with Hitsugaya. They then end their video line and Hitsugaya clenches his fist in anger over what Aizen did to Hinamori. At Urahara's shop, Chad is fighting against Renji's Bankai as training, while Ishida is still dodging arrows from his father under Karakura Hospital.

Training
Throughout the town, various training sessions are taking place: Ichigo is training with Hiyori to lengthen the time he can use his Hollow mask, Chad is training with Renji to make his arm stronger, and Uryū is training with Ryūken to regain his powers. Meanwhile, Orihime tracks down Ichigo to inform him of Aizen's plans. This comes as a surprise to the other Vizard, as she passes through the barrier with no effort.

Quincy vs. Quincy
As such, Ryūken takes Uryū down into a secret training area in the Karakura Hospital. The training is difficult as Uryū constantly moves to dodge arrows fired by Ryūken. Uryū voices his doubt over Ryūken's method to restore Uryū's lost powers to which Ryūken re-asserts his confidence in the method (provided that Uryū does not die first) by attacking Uryū again. As the battle with Ryūken progresses, Uryū is approaching his limitations, becoming exhausted by such prolonged combat. He is so exhausted that he nearly falls off a ledge and is forced to use Wolke to cushion his fall. Ryūken remarks on how cautious Uryū is to have been hiding some Gintō (Silver Tubes) on him. Uryū responds by claiming that Ryūken sounds like he is calling Uryū a coward to which Ryūken curtly confirms. Ryūken fires another volley of arrows and asks if Uryū has reached his limit, noting that his speed at dodging the attacks is getting slower. Uryū dodges as he notes mentally that while he is indeed reaching his physical limits as his arms and legs are becoming very difficult to move,. Ryūken's reiatsu is getting visibly weaker as well. He decides to stop Ryūken's movements and the training as not only is he at his limit but he reasons that he will soon be killed regardless of how true Ryūken's statement about his powers returning if he continues to dodge Spirit Arrows, seeing as his powers had not returned during the battle. He appears right in front of Ryūken and uses his last Gintō to cast Gritz, taking Ryūken by surprised. Ryūken is enveloped by a man-sized pentagonal Quincy cross and Uryū thinks that he has succeeded. However, it is a fluke as Uryū is finally shot through the chest. A pentacle-shaped scar forms at the point of contact, and Ryūken informs Uryū that his powers have been restored because taking an attack from a Spirit Bow 19 mm to the right of the heart while the body and spirit are driven to their absolute limits is the only way to regain Quincy powers lost to the Final Form. Ryūken laments that Uryū's last Gintō technique was Gritz instead of Heizen as it would have at least injured him if not clinch the match. Ryūken further trains Uryū in the ways of the Quincy before the Arc ends, explaining his son's new bow and techniques.

Orihime Restored to the Fight
After informing Ichigo of Aizen's true objective, Orihime runs out to become stronger as well. She then meets Yoruichi Shihōin, who was told to bring Orihime to the Urahara Shop's underground training room by Urahara himself. . When the two do arrive, Urahara promptly welcomes Orhime. He tells Orihime to sit down as all he has been doing is watching "those two filthy men" and that having a young lady would brighten the mood. Orihime then notices Renji and Sado as they train with each other. Voicing her concern for Sado, but Sado quickly get back up saying that he could continue. With that, Orihime asks what was it that Urahara wanted to talk about. Urahara begins by stating that Rangiku Mastusmoto had just came by, informing them of Aizen's true objective. Urahara goes on to talk about how both they and Soul Society would need to vamp up their offensive power for what will probably be an all-out war. Orihime states that she understands and she would like to get stronger too. Urahara responds back by saying that he doesn't want her to participate in the upcoming battle. He further explains that because Orihime's attack spirit, Tsubaki, was destroyed in the earlier skirmish, he cannot allow someone who lacks an attacking power in battle. Sado tries to defend Orihime, arguing that her defensive and healing abilities would compensate. However, Urahara dismisses it as Orihime's defensive Santen Kesshun had already been revealed and that the 4th Division would be able to handle healing. He finalizes his argument, saying that anyone who cannot fight would simply be a burden. Orihime is saddened by the decision, but understands it.

As Orihime runs out of the Urahara Shop, she bumps into Rukia Kuchiki. She then explains what just happened with Urahara and preferring to not be a hindrance. Rukia then cheers Orihime up, stating that she was not a burden because if she or any of the others who invaded Soul Society were not present, she would not be here. She resolves with Orihime to help her find a way to be useful. The two are then interrupted by Hiyori Sarugaki who takes back to the Vizards because Hachi had business with Orihime. Hachi properly introduces himself as his full name is Hachigen Ushōda (Hachi being his nickname). Hachi then grabs Orihime's head to properly examine her hair clips. He notes that they are the physical manifestation of Orihime's powers and that they are like a Zanpakutō. He also notes that one of the clips has a chip (where Tsubaki would be) and offers to restore it for Orihime. As Orihime explains the situation, Hachi finds it strange that Orihime could not restore Tsubaki as she should be able to do so even without a fragment as her powers are very similar to his. He restores Tsubaki for her and Orihime is overjoyed. Hachi then states that he too recommends Orihime to not fight, despite Tsubaki's restoration as he notes that since her powers are similar to his, her powers are not suitable for fighting (especially against the Arrancar). Hachi asks if she still want to fight in spite of this. Orhime says she does, to which Hachi tells Orihime that it is fine and to keep in mind that there may be a way yet as Orihime had not mastered her powers. Orihime leaves the Vizards' warehouse and finds Rukia waiting outside the barrier. Orihime tries to explain everything, but Rukia tells her to not tell her anything as she had noticed a bit of Ichigo's reiatsu and is satisfied knowing that Ichigo is safe. The two then head out.

Birth of an Arrancar
All the while in Hueco Mundo, Yammy Riyalgo is having his arm reattached at Las Noches by an Arrancar surgeon. As the surgeon is finishing up, Ulquiorra Cifer comes in. Asking what Ulquiorra wanted, Yammy's question is ignored as Ulquiorra remarks on how it was a good thing that he brought back Yammy's severed arm as Yammy is now healed. Yammy complains on how he wished his body healed itself like Ulquiorra's eyeballs do and that his arm would rot because the process was taking too long. Ulquiorra tells Yammy to not complain, explaining that he would have been kicked out of the Espada like Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, had his arm been completely destroyed as well. With the procedure completed, the surgeon asks Yammy if his arm was like the way it was before. Yammy responds by smashing the surgeon's head, remarking on how it was not exactly the same because it should have split right through the surgeon's body. Ulquiorra then takes Yammy along to a meeting of the Espada called by Aizen. As the meeting is just about finished, Ulquiorra asks on the status of the Hōgyoku's awakening. Aizen answers him that it is right on schedule at 50% (at least according to Soul Society). Aizen then speaks about a discovery that he imagines that those who have not held the Hōgyoku in their hands or even Kisuke Urahara understoood: by releasing the "sleeping" Hōgyoku from its 'prison' and temporarily uniting with it with someone who has higher than Captain-class reiatsu, the Hōgyoku can briefly be used as if in its fully awakened state. He demonstrates this and creates the Arrancar: Wonderweiss Margera. Aizen then orders Ulquiorra to put a plan that he had discussed with him into motion, allowing Ulquiorra to handle the details of who to gather. He also asks Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez to go

Aftermath
Ichigo Kurosaki begins his training to gain control over his Hollow powers. Ishida regains his Quincy powers. Orihime's Tsubaki is restored and she goes to further train with Rukia. The Arrancar, Wonderweiss Margera is created. Sado & Renji are training with each other to strengthen themselves. In addition, Aizen's true objective revealed and the Shinigami situated in the living world train themselves. The third incursion of the Arrancar Invasion is set into motion as Luppi, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Yammy, Wonderweiss and Ulquiorra move out.