AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT is the sixty-ninth volume of the Bleach manga series.
Publisher's summary[]
With the death of the Soul King at the hands of the Quincy King Yhwach, the world starts to crumble. Shinigami Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku enlists Sōsuke Aizen to help in the war against the Quincy, but is relying on a traitor a wise move? And as Ichigo Kurosaki heads toward Yhwach, he runs into an unexpected figure!
Bleach All Stars[]
| All-Stars | ||
| 藍染 惣右介 Sōsuke Aizen |
|
黒崎 一護 Ichigo Kurosaki |
|
京楽 春水 Shunsui Kyōraku |
|
|
ユーグラム・ハッシュヴァルト Jugram Haschwalth |
|
| ユーハバッハ Yhwach |
|
バズビー Bazz-B |
Chapters[]
623. Against The Judgement[]
Sōsuke Aizen is prevented from bringing down the Soul King Palace before the surviving Sternritter confront the Gotei 13.
Summary:
The cover pages of 623. Against The Judgement.
Having promised to shoot down the Soul King Palace so the Gotei 13 can enter it, Sōsuke Aizen begins exerting his Reiatsu in a powerful beam that pierces the Shakonmaku and disperses the darkness covering it while 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai expresses disbelief at Aizen's goal and 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi wonders if this is even possible for Aizen to do. With Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku holding 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki back from approaching Aizen, the latter's Reiatsu suddenly disappears just as it begins to intensify, leaving Aizen startled while Shunsui reminds him of his restraints only keeping his Reiatsu close to his body rather than eliminating it, informs him that the technology restraining his Reiatsu is immensely strong, and warns him against underestimating the peak of Soul Society's development.
As Shunsui turns to him for confirmation, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi approaches them from behind Shunsui and affirms that he never intended to eliminate Reiatsu due to it being produced by a Shinigami for as long as their heart beats, which makes all the prisoners of Muken those who cannot be killed by any executioner in Soul Society. Elaborating that the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's efforts were instead spent on restraining Reiatsu alongside the body, which he controls the extent of, Mayuri holds up a small medallion with markings and mocks Aizen for believing that his power could surpass Mayuri's technology before admitting that while he does not know if Aizen can shoot down the Soul King Palace, it would be embarrassing for him to do so while wearing Mayuri's restraints. Suddenly, as Aizen suggests that Mayuri set the restraints to maximum in order to see whether they or his own power are stronger, he is struck by The Underbelly, to his surprise.
Atop the corner of a nearby building, Sternritter "U" NaNaNa Najahkoop stands with a U-shaped symbol of energy dissipating on his hand and brags about having thoroughly observed Aizen's Reiatsu, which is full of holes potentially due to his restraints, prior to explaining how he can measure the distribution and poke those holes to completely strip through Aizen's defenses. After concluding that it will be especially easy because Aizen cannot move, NaNaNa swipes his hand through the air, which causes spikes of energy to hit the holes in Aizen's Reiatsu and strip him of it, rendering him paralyzed and leaving him limp in his chair. NaNaNa expresses disbelief that Aizen is still conscious, and while Sternritter "H" Bazz-B, "G" Liltotto Lamperd, and "Z" Giselle Gewelle join him on the rooftop, NaNaNa observes that Aizen still will not be able to move for a while and asserts that he needs to sit back because the Sternritter cannot have him shooting down the Soul King Palace.
Complaining about the poor timing for enemies to show up, Shunsui learns from his lieutenant, Nanao Ise, that the Reiatsu comprising Kisuke Urahara's gate has been completely scattered and will need to be started over on from the beginning, and after lamenting how poorly this is going, Shunsui instructs Urahara to start building the gate to the Soul King Palace while they handle this situation, which Urahara complies with, while dozens of zombified Shinigami surround the living ones on all sides. With Mayuri admitting surprise at seeing Giselle alive, which she responds to by sticking her tongue out at him, and musing that it takes one zombie to control another zombie, Shunsui calls out to the Sternritter and agrees with them on not wanting the Soul King Palace shot down prior to suggesting that they could join forces, but NaNaNa clarifies that they can only not have the Soul King Palace shot down while Yhwach is still there.
As a disappointed Shunsui prepares to fight instead, NaNaNa arrogantly questions if Shunsui believes that he can take them all on and announces that he has already observed the Reiatsu of all the Shinigami present, which will allow him to disable them with his Morphine Pattern. However, before NaNaNa can complete his sentence, Bazz-B shoots him through the chest with a Burner Finger 1 from behind, to the shock of those watching, and leaves an aghast NaNaNa to collapse. When Shunsui voices his confusion, Bazz-B asserts that they are going to help the Shinigami and details how the Wandenreich existing in the shadows of the Seireitei means that they cannot let the Soul King Palace crash into it. In response to Mayuri questioning the idea of them being trustworthy or helping without a price, Bazz-B denies this and clarifies that they do want something in return before asking that they be taken to the Soul King Palace as well so they can kill Yhwach for abandoning them in exchange for helping build the gate.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 397: AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT
624. THE FANG[]
The Shinigami and Sternritter prepare to travel to the Soul King Palace as Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends receive help from an unexpected ally.
Summary:
The cover page of 624. THE FANG.
In the replaced Seireitei, Sōsuke Aizen opens his eyes, prompting Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku to express amazement at him already being able to move again. Musing that it is an exaggeration to say he can move, Aizen observes that now is the perfect time for Shunsui to kill him, only for Shunsui to bluntly state he would have done so long ago if it were that easy and lament Aizen only being paralyzed for five minutes after being hit by The Underbelly with his Reiatsu restrained. Though Shunsui claims to feel sorry for Sternritter "U" NaNaNa Najahkoop, Aizen reminds him there is no need to when this is the first time he has ever been paralyzed. With Shunsui instructing him to wait there while the gate is created if he is not up for moving yet, Aizen notices the Shinigami and Quincy working to create the gateway with their combined Reiatsu and ponders them joining forces not to protect Soul Society together, but instead to catch up to and destroy Yhwach, prior to asserting that Ichigo Kurosaki is truly insufferable for being the one to both defeat him and enter the Soul King Palace before him.
Meanwhile, with Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez waiting in a Garganta, Yoruichi Shihōin raises her leg and knees an unconscious Ichigo in the back, forcing him to wake up and splutter in confusion while his friends watch in disbelief. When Ichigo asks if everyone else is alright and realizes that he was the only one who lost consciousness, Orihime Inoue begins to tell him what happened, only for Ichigo to begin recalling on his own.
In the past, after Sternritter "A" Uryū Ishida fires a Heilig Pfeil at him while he falls from the Greater Soul King Palace, Ichigo catches it with his free hand and breaks it out of anger toward Uryū before Orihime catches herself and her friends with Santen Kesshun. With Ichigo and Ganju Shiba accidentally bumping their heads together upon landing and wincing in pain, Yoruichi throws an arrow on a rope into the Santen Kesshun, attaches it to a pillar on one of the Royal Guard cities, and promises to pull them up while clutching the bleeding stump of her missing left arm. Suddenly, Kon emerges from Ichigo's robes in his muscular form and begins raving about he thought he was going to die from being stuck in Ichigo's robes with no chance to come out, pushing Ichigo back and making his head collide with Orihime's with enough force to make him lose consciousness in the process.
In the present, Ichigo is outraged to learn that it was Kon's fault, though Orihime claims that half of it was her fault, and looks around for him in irritation since he never does anything useful until he finds Kon hiding behind some rubble instead of in his robe, where Ichigo begins tormenting him while he threatens to beat Ichigo up in his muscular form and screams about his eyes being his vulnerable points. Behind them, Yoruichi finishes the restoration of her arm with Orihime's Sōten Kisshun and invites them to mount a counterattack as soon as possible, since there is no telling when the world will collapse with how much time has passed. In turn, Ichigo points out that they first have to figure out how to get back up to the Greater Soul King Palace and floats the idea of him making footholds while Orihime and Sado use Santen Kesshun, though they cannot risk being observed from outside it. However, Yoruichi dismisses this and orders that the Garganta in front of her be opened, revealing Grimmjow to a shocked Ichigo.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 397: AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT
625. LIVING JAGUAR[]
Ichigo Kurosaki reunites with several previous allies as Yhwach fully absorbs the Soul King.
Summary:
The cover page of 625. LIVING JAGUAR.
After maliciously greeting Ichigo Kurosaki and noting that it has been a while since they last met, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez leaps out of the Garganta to land in front of Ichigo, Grimmjow comments on how long it has been since they last met and observes that the wound he left Ichigo with in their last battle has healed, prompting Ichigo to admit that Grimmjow looks good as well, before inquiring if Ichigo believed he was dead and drawing his Zanpakutō to slash at the ground next to him, which creates a shockwave. With Ichigo readying the larger sword of his Shikai, Zangetsu, Grimmjow claims that he would never die before being able to kill Ichigo and declares that he has waited for this moment to settle the score with him, but is interrupted when Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's breasts smack into his head from behind while she hurtles toward Ichigo in her adult form and cheerfully calls out to him.
Startled by this, Ichigo is knocked down and pushed several meters back by Nelliel, who asserts that she has been waiting so long for him and explains that Urahara made a bracelet which allows her to switch between her child and adult forms. As Nelliel notes that she can now be of help to Ichigo and will probably never go back to her child self so long as she wears the bracelet, Yasutora Sado notices a stunned Orihime Inoue blushing intensely and infers that she is wondering why Urahara keeps making unnecessary things. Though Sado assures her that Urahara is simply doing the best he can, Orihime frantically tells Sado to not be silly because she would never think anything like that. Meanwhile, Grimmjow demands that Nelliel get out of his way, only for Nelliel to counter that this is her line since Grimmjow has no business coming here to start a fight with Ichigo. Despite this, when Nelliel reminds him that she was the Tres Espada and consequently has no reason to take orders from a Sexta Espada, Grimmjow points out that those numbers do not mean anything with Sōsuke Aizen gone and suggests that they find out which one of them is superior right now.
Before Ichigo can intervene, Riruka Dokugamine addresses the group through a speaker system and wonders if she is surrounded by idiots because this is not what they came here to do. The Garganta draws back further to reveal a box-shaped elevator and a door on it swings open to reveal Riruka, who orders them to get inside before they are spotted. Having recognized both Riruka's voice and the form of the elevator, Ichigo is astonished to see her and Yukio Hans Vorarlberna, who leans out of the doorway and announces that he is here, as well as that the elevator was made with his Fullbring, Digital Radial Invaders. Though happy to see them alive, Ichigo is left confused as to why Riruka and Yukio are here, leading Yukio to tell him to get onboard so they can explain everything.
Once everyone has boarded the elevator, its status changes from "Open" to "Locked" while Yoruichi asks Ichigo about what parts of the situation he needs explained to him. In response, a flabbergasted Ichigo proclaims that she needs to explain every single thing and admonishes Yoruichi for sounding like she is only willing to explain one thing when he should have been advised of this much earlier, only for Yoruichi to lazily brush this off as him being too busy. Though Ichigo points out that she had chances to explain this when they were on their way to the Soul King Palace, Yoruichi decides to put this aside for now and tells Ichigo that they are moving on to a diagram that displays the Dangai connecting the Human World and Soul Society. Once Ichigo affirms that he already knows about this, Yoruichi reveals that the Dangai is surrounded by pockets of space filled with lost Souls that are known as Valleys of Screams, with the Garganta filling the space between these pockets and making the Reiatsu of those within it consistently unstable.
Musing that no one can stand in the Garganta without constantly releasing Reiatsu to create a foothold, Yoruichi clarifies that the Valleys of Screams are an exception because they can exist as a stable Reishi space due to their different Reishi structure, which Urahara decided to use to their advantage by recruiting Riruka and Yukio. As Yukio muses that this is not exactly how it works, Yoruichi describes his Digital Radial Invaders as letting him create and reshape his own dimension at will using electricity and Riruka's Fullbring, Dollhouse, as letting her move a target in and out of her favorite objects. With Riruka expressing frustration at being found so easily, Yoruichi details how they used Dollhouse to put a small Valley of Screams in a box prior to modifying it into an elevator with using Digital Radial Invaders, which was only just completed and allows them to move between the two stakes she put down in the Soul King Palace. Proclaiming that the benefits of moving without Reiatsu in enemy territory are huge, Yoruichi concludes that it will allow them to mount a surprise attack and take down the Wandenreich in one shot, which Ichigo nods at.
Meanwhile, in a lounge within the Greater Soul King Palace, Sternritter "X" Lille Barro, "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar, and "M" Gerard Valkyrie sit on couches around the room as Lille wonders if they should be doing something. When a nervous Askin points out that they would be consumed by Yhwach if they were up there with him while eating grapes, Gerard notices Sternritter "A" Uryū Ishida standing in the corner with a concerned expression and assures him that Yhwach will return stronger than before after taking over the Soul King, which Uryū acknowledges just before Yhwach finishes consuming the Soul King and stands before the empty halves of his crystal in a changing form.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 398: THE HOLY NEWBORN
626. THE HOLY NEWBORN[]
Ichigo Kurosaki's group begins moving toward the Soul King Palace as Yhwach decides to create a new world for the Quincy.
Summary:
The cover pages of 626. THE HOLY NEWBORN.
As the elevator they are in begins to run upward along the vertical tracks in the Dangai, Yoruichi Shihōin tells those present that they will ascend to the Greater Soul King Palace and mount an attack, as she planted a stake identical to the one below next to the Soul King when she was trying to stabilize him and Mimihagi with Sankotsu no Jufu that should let them appear right in front of the Wandenreich if they have not moved it. With Ichigo Kurosaki acknowledging this, Yasutora Sado asks Yoruichi about Sternritter "C" Pernida Parnkgjas's powers since they could not tell what it did from afar, only for Yoruichi to admit that she does not know either since her arm was twisted by it before she knew what was happening and caution Sado to stay away from it while she deals with Pernida from afar.
After Orihime laments not asking Ichibē Hyōsube about the abilities of the Schutzstaffel when they had the chance, an annoyed Riruka Dokugamine demands that she stop feeling depressed over the past because she is bringing down everyone else's mood as well, and when Orihime thanks her for this, Riruka is agitated further and orders Orihime to not thank her as she slaps her hoodie's wings into Orihime's eyes, to the latter's distress. During this, Ichigo turns to Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, who is sitting on a high shelf, and inquires about why he is on their side, prompting Grimmjow to reject the notion of being aligned with him and point out that Hueco Mundo will be gone if Yhwach wins. Once Grimmjow concludes that he will not have anywhere to kill Ichigo if this happens, Ichigo smiles and admits that this is true.
Meanwhile, at the Greater Soul King Palace, Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth informs the Schutzstaffel that Yhwach has completely consumed the Soul King, who is now gone, and declares that they will proceed into a new world. On the upper level of the building, Haschwalth and the Schutzstaffel find Yhwach spreading liquid darkness across the Soul King's chamber, which unnerves Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar. Yhwach addresses the Schutzstaffel and turns to face them, revealing the upper half of his face is covered in the same darkness with several misshapen eyes of various sizes open on it. Alarmed by this alongside the other Schutzstaffel, Askin takes a step back in fear and bumps into an impassive Haschwalth, and when Haschwalth tells him to calm down, Askin mentally wonders what is wrong with Haschwalth for him to not feel anything at the sight of Yhwach looking like a monster.
In turn, Yhwach wonders if he is scaring them and promises they do not need to be afraid since they will get used to his appearance in time. With Yhwach musing that this is what it feels like to be overflowing with power, the stone making up the Greater Soul King Palace is fractured and broken into chunks that begin rising into the air, forcing the Schutzstaffel to either run for stable ground or cling onto a chunk of rubble. Holding onto the edge of a floor piece that Haschwalth is standing on, Askin desperately points out that they are dead if they fall from this height and demands to know how Haschwalth can be so calm, but Haschwalth merely kneels, praises Yhwach's power as magnificent, and asserts the world without the Soul King cannot exist without him before requesting that Yhwach lead them. In response, Yhwach addresses Haschwalth as his first son and proclaims he can watch the path that Yhwach will take, which starts with remaking their nation, as the buildings in the replaced Seireitei begin to float into the sky.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 398: THE HOLY NEWBORN
627. The Creation[]
Ichigo Kurosaki and his group arrive in the Soul King Palace to discover that Yhwach has reshaped it.
Summary:
The cover page of 627. The Creation.
Within the elevator moving through the Dangai, Yoruichi Shihōin announces that they are almost at their destination, but as Ichigo Kurosaki confirms that they are ready, Yukio Hans Vorarlberna informs them that he has no intention of leaving the elevator and encourages them to do whatever they want without him, to the shock of Ichigo and his friends. An angered Ganju Shiba stomps over to Yukio, whom Orihime Inoue notes Ganju introduced himself to earlier while Yukio ignored him because of them claiming to not know each other, and berates the latter for planning to stay here while everyone else is about to risk their lives, leading Yukio to remind Ganju that he was dragged into this against his will and is not obligated to risk his life. In turn, Ganju asserts that risking one's life out of obligation is not risking it at all and points out that this Garganta will disappear if they lose while Yukio stays behind. However, Yukio merely wonders if Ganju plans to lose, which prompts Ichigo to step in and tell Ganju that he has lost.
After instructing Yukio to stay here, which Yukio muses is what he just said, Ichigo asserts that Riruka Dokugamine should do the same, to her aghast frustration, and explains that their abilities will not keep them alive in this battle. When Riruka begins to protest, Ichigo reveals that he has been to a Valley of Screams before this one. Noting that Riruka really loves cute things and that her Dollhouse only works on things she finds cute, Ichigo states that a Valley of Screams is anything but cute and concludes that Riruka went very much out of her way to make it work for them, which he thanks her for. With a blushing Riruka furiously denying this, Ichigo asks her to do one more thing by staying here with Yukio and being ready to extract Ichigo and his friends at any time, leading Riruka to look away and grudgingly accept this. In the aftermath, Ganju observes that Ichigo has really matured, and when Ichigo wonders how, Ganju realizes that he has always been like this.
Meanwhile, in the replaced Seireitei below, the Shinigami are shocked by the buildings being ripped out of the ground and pulled into the sky. When 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng questions why this is happening and what the Quincy intend to do, a frustrated 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako points out how they can only barely build one gate by comparison and demands to know if the Wandenreich have any limits to what they can do.
Up in the Garganta, the elevator reaches the top of the track and Ichigo opens the door to proceed at Yoruichi's behest while Kisuke Urahara informs the Shinigami below that he is opening the gate. However, Ichigo and his friends are stunned to find the reassembled Wandenreich city outside the elevator surrounded by darkness, and as Sado identifies the buildings as those of the Quincy instead of the Royal Guard, an unnerved Yoruichi wonders if they did not arrive where she drove in the stake, only to accidentally knock the same stake back with her heel when she takes a step back. Looking down at this in shock, Yoruichi looks up behind it and directs Ichigo's attention to the ruins of the Greater Soul King Palace behind their group, where she concludes that Yhwach has rebuilt the Soul King Palace to his liking.
Characters in order of appearance:
- Yoruichi Shihōin
- Orihime Inoue
- Ichigo Kurosaki
- Yasutora Sado
- Ganju Shiba
- Yukio Hans Vorarlberna
- Riruka Dokugamine
- Suì-Fēng
- Shinji Hirako
- Renji Abarai
- Rukia Kuchiki
- Kisuke Urahara
- Bazz-B
- Liltotto Lamperd
- Sōsuke Aizen
- Shunsui Kyōraku
- Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck
- Marechiyo Ōmaeda
- Isane Kotetsu
- Momo Hinamori
- Byakuya Kuchiki
- Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 398: THE HOLY NEWBORN
628. New World Orders[]
The Gotei 13 forces arrive in the Royal Realm as Yhwach proclaims his intention to make his new palace the cornerstone of the world.
Summary:
The cover pages of 628. New World Orders.
In the newly-formed city reshaped from the Soul King Palace, the Shinigami and Visored stand flabbergasted by the scenery, with 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako questioning how they have ended up in a Quincy city instead of the Soul King Palace and turning to Kisuke Urahara for an explanation on how they missed their target. In response, Urahara muses that their coordinates place them right above the Seireitei and asserts that they should have arrived at the Soul King Palace, prompting Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku to deduce that the Wandenreich city was lifted from the Seireitei and rebuilt over the Soul King Palace before responding to Shinji calling this impossible due to the incredibly short timeframe by stating that this merely indicates how incredibly powerful their enemy has become. With those present intimidated by this, Shunsui approaches the edge of the platform they are on and points out how it is circular, meaning this likely used to be one of the cities operated by the Royal Guard, but when Shunsui notes they cannot see the Greater Soul King Palace floating above the cities, Urahara infers the Soul King Palace fell to Yhwach and his forces, allowing it to be reshaped into a massive Quincy Zeichen comprised of the cities and a central platform.
At Ichigo Kurosaki's location, Orihime Inoue questions if such a thing is even possible, which leads Yoruichi Shihōin to realize that they avoided being caught up in this because they were in the Garganta, which they should consider extremely lucky. Suddenly, Yūshirō Shihōin detects her Reiatsu, leading Yoruichi to sense him in turn and explain his status as her brother and the current head of the Shihōin Clan following her departure to Ichigo, who is shocked to learn she has a brother and did not tell him. While Yoruichi questions why she should have told him earlier since he is not her fiancé, Ichigo, Orihime, Yasutora Sado, and Ganju Shiba envision Yūshirō as an intimidating and musclebound warrior, but when a confused Yoruichi wonders what about her makes them think of this and asserts that Yūshirō looks a lot like her, they instead envision a cat with a sword, to Yoruichi's further chagrin.
During this, Yūshirō attempts to leap to Yoruichi with Shunpo, but fails to find a foothold and begins falling, forcing 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai to catch him. When Renji demands to know what he was thinking, Yūshirō apologizes and reveals that he was unable to create a foothold out of Reishi, and as Renji pulls Yūshirō up, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki observes that it will not be easy to do so here and reminds Renji that the Reishi density of the Soul King Palace is very high, which should normally make it easy to create a foothold, prior to theorizing that the only reason they cannot do so is the enemy having taken control of all the Reishi in the area. With Renji astonished by this, Byakuya asserts that it would make sense for them to create a battlefield advantageous to themselves. Once Byakuya concludes that this is something Yhwach would do for Quincy who rely on Reishi for their weapons, especially since he is powerful enough to kill the Soul King, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng points out that she has not felt the Soul King's Reiatsu since they got here and wonders if he has been killed.
Despite this, Shunsui observes that he can sense the Reiatsu of Ichigo's group a great distance away, leaving him relieved that their advance party survived, and states that they simply need to defeat the enemy and install a new Soul King if the Soul King truly has been killed, which is what he believes Ukitake would say if he could speak. After announcing that they will move forward on the path to the main platform since they cannot presently meet up with Ichigo's group, Shunsui encourages them to advance as the Gotei 13 for the sake of the courts they guard, which the Shinigami and Visored confirm. Suddenly, the structure begins shaking, and those present watch in bewilderment as a massive and wide tower bearing Silbern at its peak rises up from the central platform. With Shunsui quickly identifying this as the enemy's stronghold, Urahara assumes they are being invited to attack it while Shunsui comments on the sheer nerve of this.
Within Silbern, Yhwach sits on a throne shaped like a Hagal rune before the Schutzstaffel, who kneel as Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth addresses Yhwach from the front and informs him of Ichigo and the Gotei 13 arriving simultaneously in the reshaped Soul King Palace. In turn, Yhwach declares that this castle has become the foundation for a new world, the one and only true world, and that it will one day be known as Wahrwelt.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 398: THE HOLY NEWBORN
629. Gate of the Sun[]
Ichigo Kurosaki's group encounters Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar as the rebel Sternritter reach Silbern.
Summary:
The cover page of 629. Gate of the Sun.
With Yhwach having declared that his new castle will be named Wahrwelt, Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth vows that the Schutzstaffel will kill all of the invaders in order to realize the future reflected in Yhwach's eyes and secure Wahrwelt for his plans.
Meanwhile, in the city below, Kisuke Urahara comments on how large the castle is, which prompts Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku to muse that castles are meant to display someone's strength against their enemies. After observing that the Wandenreich is clearly beckoning them and it would be rude to keep them waiting, Shunsui turns to the assembled captains, lieutenants, and Visored, whom he orders to head out with him as they begin running toward the castle. However, after a few moments, Urahara realizes that he cannot see 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi among their group, which Shunsui is puzzled by.
On the city of Vier Ast, the gate opens once more and Mayuri passes through it alongside his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, as he gleefully comments on how easy it is to get away from everyone by reopening the gate after repositioning the coordinates. Mayuri notes that the others must be panicking now that they have realized he is not with them and proclaims that he will be able to test the results of his research as much as he wants without being bothered by them, but is shocked when 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki walks through the gate behind him and concurs with this. When Mayuri demands to know why he is here, Kenpachi explains that the others left while he was using the bathroom and admits that it is good for Mayuri to have reopened the gate when he did.
With Kenpachi looking to him for agreement, 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada weakly affirms this and laments going to the bathroom when he did between 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame and 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa. Declaring that this works out because he does not have to worry about cutting down any allies, which will let him go all-out, Kenpachi sneeringly asserts that Mayuri will not die easily even if Kenpachi cuts him. In turn, Mayuri counters that it is the perfect time to exterminate some pests now that the others are not around, and with the two of them glaring at each other, Hanatarō continues to lament his timing as Yumichika tells him to not cry. Ikkaku promises to leave him behind if he lags here, and Nemu informs Hanatarō that she does not feel anything when he inquires about how she feels about this.
Elsewhere, as she and her friends run through the streets with Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez flanking them on the adjoining rooftops, Ichigo Kurosaki admits that he did not expect them to be unable to create Reishi footholds and responds to Yasutora Sado noting that they thought he was going to die when he leapt into the open air, requiring Sado to pull him back up, by asserting that they would have also tried to meet up with 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai if they felt their Reiatsu. In response, Yoruichi reveals that her brother, Yūshirō Shihōin, seems to have done the same thing, which makes him and Ichigo equally smart, and when an unnerved Ichigo states that he cannot tell if this is a compliment or not, Yoruichi counters that nothing in it makes it complimentary.
Though he affirms that it would have been nice to meet up with Rukia and Renji, Sado asserts that it is better not to split themselves up now that they cannot flank the enemy and no longer have the element of surprise, which Yoruichi concurs with. Suddenly, a scoffing Grimmjow points out that they will become less mobile if they gather more people and that this will hamper their survivability while flipping over obstructions on the roof. With Grimmjow deciding to go on ahead because he is wasting his time here, Ichigo notices that one of the enemy is ahead as Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar stands on a rooftop at the end of the street and complains about having to deal with Ichigo's group, only to be caught off-guard when Grimmjow leaps into the air and crashes down with enough force to destroy the building, leaving Ichigo to curse Grimmjow for making the first move
Meanwhile, on the central platform, Sternritter "H" Bazz-B, "G" Liltotto Lamperd, and "Z" Giselle Gewelle stand on rooftops overlooking Silbern, where Bazz-B muses that the Gate of the Sun they used to get there is still functional. With Liltotto noting that they managed to get close despite the changed landscape, Bazz-B swears revenge on Yhwach and Haschwalth.
Characters in order of appearance:
- Gerard Valkyrie
- Lille Barro
- Yhwach
- Jugram Haschwalth
- Uryū Ishida
- Askin Nakk Le Vaar
- Pernida Parnkgjas
- Kisuke Urahara
- Shunsui Kyōraku
- Shūhei Hisagi
- Nanao Ise
- Shinji Hirako
- Hachigen Ushōda
- Sentarō Kotsubaki
- Marechiyo Ōmaeda
- Byakuya Kuchiki
- Rukia Kuchiki
- Renji Abarai
- Suì-Fēng
- Isane Kotetsu
- Yūshirō Shihōin
- Love Aikawa
- Mayuri Kurotsuchi
- Nemu Kurotsuchi
- Kenpachi Zaraki
- Ikkaku Madarame
- Hanatarō Yamada
- Yumichika Ayasegawa
- Ichigo Kurosaki
- Orihime Inoue
- Yasutora Sado
- Ganju Shiba
- Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck
- Yoruichi Shihōin
- Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
- Bazz-B
- Liltotto Lamperd
- Giselle Gewelle
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 398: THE HOLY NEWBORN
- Episode 399: GATE OF THE SUN
630. The Twinned Twilight[]
Sternritter "H" Bazz-B confronts Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth.
Summary:
The cover pages of 630. The Twinned Twilight.
In one of the streets of Wahrwelt, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez stands atop the rubble of the building he just destroyed and casually states that one enemy, Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar, is down. When Ichigo Kurosaki runs over and questions why he is charging in alone, an irate Grimmjow begins to counter that he does not take orders from Ichigo, only to be interrupted when an unharmed Askin rises out of the rubble behind him and begins frantically running away, leaving Ichigo nonplussed at Grimmjow letting the enemy escape and Grimmjow ordering him to shut up prior to chasing after Askin.
In response to Grimmjow telling him to stop, Askin claims he will do so only if Grimmjow promises to not kill him, and when Grimmjow explains that Askin will simply end up dead if he is weaker without any killing intent involved, Askin asserts that he knew Grimmjow would say this. With Askin steadfastly refusing to stop running now, Grimmjow wonders why he is running if he is here to fight, prompting Askin to clarify that he is here to kill the invaders rather than fight and would rather do so sneakily than head-on. Rounding a corner with Grimmjow still in pursuit, Askin inquires about who he is since he was not with Ichigo's group earlier. In turn, Grimmjow identifies himself as Ichigo's enemy and reacts to Askin offering to team up with him to kill Ichigo together by criticizing him for never shutting up and deciding to just hunt Askin down before transforming his hands into those of his Resurrección, Pantera, which boosts his speed enough to let him begin to close in on a worried Askin.
Simultaneously, in an outdoor corridor, Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth is informed of the Schutzstaffel splitting up in five directions by a mustached soldier, only to infer that this group now includes Uryū Ishida. When the soldier informs him that it was on Yhwach's order, Haschwalth inquires about where Uryū is headed, and upon learning that he is approaching Zwei Ast, Haschwalth orders the soldier to go after him and report anything outside the scope of Uryū's orders to Haschwalth since he cannot leave the castle. Internally, Haschwalth criticizes himself for being careless enough to let Uryū act alone because the lack of Sternritter means there is no one to watch him and acceptance into the Schutzstaffel makes it easy for him to be trusted with a solo mission. Suddenly, Haschwalth ordering the soldier to get going is interrupted when Sternritter "H" Bazz-B fires a Burner Finger 1 through the soldier's eye from the back of his head and wonders if Uryū really bothers Haschwalth that much.
When Haschwalth questions what he is doing, a grinning Bazz-B counters that he should be asking about how Bazz-B is alive and rushes forward to grab Haschwalth by the collar before his index finger begins glowing with flames, only for Haschwalth to grab Bazz-B's wrist and throw himself into the air above and behind Bazz-B, leaving the latter holding his cloak. With a surprised Bazz-B getting tangled up in the cloak, Haschwalth partially draws his broadsword to slam the handle into Bazz-B's face through the cloak, but Bazz-B grabs the handle to keep Haschwalth in place and burns a hole through the cloak to see Haschwalth. Caught off-guard by this, Haschwalth narrowly evades Bazz-B's subsequent Burner Finger 1 and moves back, where he realizes that Bazz-B's injuries came from Yhwach's Auswählen rather than the Shinigami and that Bazz-B was not chosen.
In turn, Bazz-B angrily informs Haschwalth that everyone left in the replaced Seireitei was struck by Auswählen and wiped out, and when Haschwalth claims to be sorry about this, Bazz-B refuses to believe him because he knew this would happen, though Haschwalth questions why he is even asking because Bazz-B would not believe him if he said that he did not know about it in advance. Despite this, Bazz-B asserts that he would because he and Haschwalth have known each other for years and addresses Haschwalth as "Jugo". When Haschwalth somberly says his name in response, Bazz-B requests to be called "Bazz" like he used to and initiates Burner Finger 2, which leads Haschwalth to partially unsheathe his broadsword and muse that he is wasting his time. With the moon appearing through a nearby window, Bazz-B points out that it is almost nighttime and reminds Haschwalth of how he and Yhwach swap powers when the latter falls asleep prior to proclaiming that he is going to kill Haschwalth and The Almighty while calling Haschwalth a traitor and recalling the memory of his home being burned to the ground.
Characters in order of appearance:
- Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez
- Ichigo Kurosaki
- Yasutora Sado
- Askin Nakk Le Vaar
- Jugram Haschwalth
- Lille Barro (flashback)
- Bazz-B
- Liltotto Lamperd (flashback)
- Robert Accutrone (flashback)
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 399: GATE OF THE SUN
- Episode 402: BABY, HOLD YOUR HAND 2 [Never Ending My Dream]
- Episode 404: FRIEND
631. friend[]
Sternritter "H" Bazz-B and "B" Jugram Haschwalth recall their past together.
Summary:
The cover pages of 631. friend.
Sternritter "H" Bazz-B runs toward Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth and slashes his blazing fingers at the latter, only for Haschwalth to leap to the side to avoid them and evade another flaming slash from Bazz-B at the column he landed on by running up the wall and across the ceiling to the other side of the hall, where a grinning Bazz-B prepares to shoot at him with his Reishi Crossbow.
Over a thousand years ago, a young Haschwalth draws back a wooden arrow in a wooden bow and fires it at a rabbit, which scurries away after the arrow embeds itself in the ground nearby. However, as Haschwalth sighs, a Heilig Pfeil hurtles through the air and pierces the rabbit, which twitches and dies, before a young Bazz-B calls out to Haschwalth from the branch of a nearby tree and criticizes his poor shooting. When Haschwalth questions who he is, Bazz-B declares that the great Bazz does not need to identify himself first and demands that Haschwalth do so instead, leading Haschwalth to introduce himself. Moments later, Bazz-B walks with Haschwalth and claims that he is quite cunning to trick Bazz-B into saying his own name first, though Haschwalth points out that Bazz-B said it without any prompting from him. With Bazz-B following him through the forest while carrying the rabbit he shot, Haschwalth wonders why the former is following him, which prompts Bazz-B to assert that he is watching out for Haschwalth because he is too pathetic to catch anything himself.
Seeing Haschwalth's unamused stare, Bazz-B tells him to talk back since he is making him feel like the bad guy here, but Haschwalth merely concedes that Bazz-B is right because he cannot even make a Heilig Bogen. Startled by this, Bazz-B assures Haschwalth that this is not true and clarifies that he can make his Heilig Bogen because he is a genius, meaning that Haschwalth is not as pathetic as he believes. As Haschwalth reminds him that Bazz-B is the one who called him pathetic, Bazz-B points out that no one else their age can make a Heilig Bogen like he can, lets his Reishi Crossbow disperse, and assumes that none of Haschwalth's friends can make one either. In response, Haschwalth admits that he does not have any friends to confirm this with and requests that Bazz-B not call him "Jugo" because he does not like the name, and when a confused Bazz-B wonders what his parents call him, Haschwalth explains that he lives with his uncle because his parents are gone, leading Bazz-B to inquire about what his uncle calls him.
However, an irritated Haschwalth grips his arms, which are covered in bruises, and refuses to tell Bazz-B this before demanding to be left alone because he needs to bring a rabbit home today. In turn, Bazz-B throws the rabbit he shot at Haschwalth's head, leaving the latter clutching it in bewilderment, and permits the latter to take it because he is hunting to prove that he is a genius rather than to eat. After removing a button emblazoned with "B" from his cape, Bazz-B flicks it over to Haschwalth, who watches it land on the ground, and declares that the latter is his underling who does not need to worry about what the adults say from now on. Bazz-B leaps up to a tree branch, promises to teach Haschwalth everything he needs to know, and proclaims that they will become the strongest Quincy ever prior to jumping from tree to tree toward his family manor. Watching this, Haschwalth is alerted when his drunken uncle, Oikal Haschwalth, approaches from behind and claims he is in trouble for going so deep into the forest, which has left Oikal searching for him for hours. With Haschwalth staring ahead mutely, Oikal asserts that the former cannot do anything without him and calls Haschwalth his "sweet Jugo".
In the present, Bazz-B stands in front of a large, smoking hole in the wall left by his Heilig Pfeil. After commenting on Haschwalth referring to the castle as Wahrwelt instead of Silbern and questioning when the name changed, Bazz-B infers that Haschwalth is going to decline to answer him like he always does, and when Haschwalth suggests they take this outside because the castle will be damaged if they continue fighting here, an annoyed Bazz-B uses Burner Finger 3 to turn the floor in front of him into lava that surge toward Haschwalth, who braces himself with his broadsword.
In the past, six months after meeting Haschwalth, Bazz-B watches as Yhwach burns down the small castle that his clan lived in and ruminates on Yhwach's status as a monster controlling the northern territories with strange powers. Asserting that he does not care about Yhwach purportedly being 200 years old and the Father of the Quincy, Bazz-B meets up with Haschwalth and tells him that they are going to go kill Yhwach. When Haschwalth wonders why he is part of this, Bazz-B tells him that he can continue staying with his uncle and doing nothing if he wants to even though his forest was burned down, but Haschwalth solemnly claims that Oikal died in the fire, which Bazz-B accepts. Bazz-B and Haschwalth begin living in the woods, selling the valuables from the castle to survive and hunting their own food while frantically training themselves to kill Yhwach and reaching an unspoken agreement to get close to Yhwach in order to kill him.
Meanwhile, in the winter five years later, Seydlitz is taken aback by Yhwach's intention of forming a new combat unit and points out that there is nowhere left to conquer within the Lichtreich, which would make something like this unnecessary. However, Yhwach reveals that their target is Soul Society rather than an area in the Human World, to Seydlitz's shock, and asserts that the unit needed to conquer it will be called the Sternritter.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 404: FRIEND
632. friend 2[]
A young Bazz-B and Jugram Haschwalth meet Yhwach for the first time.
Summary:
The cover page of 632. friend 2.
During the passing five years, Bazz-B and Jugram Haschwalth continually hone their skills without rest while hiding in the forest, where a grinning Bazz-B reaffirms his status as a genius before musing that Haschwalth was still unable to collect Reishi or form a Heilig Bogen even after five years. Watching Haschwalth train with his broadsword, Bazz-B recalls a story about a Quincy like Haschwalth being born once every several decades and recounts these Quincy being disparaged as failures with none having been born in centuries, to the point where it had become a folk tale. Bazz-B admits that he had begun to feel partnering with Haschwalth would not be of any benefit in his plan to kill Yhwach, only to find himself unable to leave Haschwalth behind when he finds the latter training even harder and more constantly than he did with his broadsword, which he does not know if Haschwalth knew.
Eventually, Bazz-B and Haschwalth run down the hill to a nearby village, where Huburt Alexander Kleich, Algora Lallau, and others arrive on horseback with banners of the Lichtreich. With the villagers recognizing the Lichtreich emblem, Huburt declares that they have come with an announcement from Yhwach, leaving the villagers uneasy due to them being his military police, and reveals that Yhwach is forming a new combat unit called the Sternritter as Algora drives his banner into the ground. Proclaiming that the Sternritter will be an honorable order formed to invade Soul Society, Huburt concludes that those with noble ambitions to fight for the Quincy will be assembled while Haschwalth turns to Bazz-B and muses on this being much bigger news than they expected, only to be alarmed when a grinning Bazz-B decides to go.
Running over to Huburt, Bazz-B responds to the former wondering who he is by introducing himself and Haschwalth as applicants for the Sternritter, and with the villagers cursing their foolishness and recognizing Bazz-B as the son of the former lord of the region, Haschwalth grabs Bazz-B's arm and begins to warn him against this, but is interrupted when Huburt turns on his horse and begins to depart. When an annoyed Bazz-B reminds him that they want to enlist, Huburt clarifies that the test for joining the Sternritter will be held at a later date and the villagers will be notified of it, meaning that Bazz-B should hone his skills until then. Despite this, Huburt asserts that he does not expect a nobody like Bazz-B to be accepted and begins to gallop away, leaving a relieved Haschwalth to suggest that he and Bazz-B go home for the day.
In response, a grinning Bazz-B fires a Heilig Pfeil directly in front of Huburt's horse, causing it to rear back in fright, and suggests that he and Huburt fight if he needs to show the latter what he can do so he can take Huburt's position if he wins. Stepping down off his horse and partially unsheathing his Reishi Saber, a smirking Huburt claims that he will not understand his incompetence until he is killed, only for Bazz-B to counter that his comrades will have to tell Yhwach that he was killed by a monkey and rush toward a running Huburt despite Haschwalth's protests. Suddenly, Bazz-B experiences a tremendous pressure and is forced down onto the ground, where he sees Yhwach approaching on his horse and realizes that his Reiatsu is holding them all down. Nearby, Huburt kneels and apologizes to Yhwach for letting Bazz-B goad him like this, only for Yhwach to dismiss this since he has come to collect the person who will become his lieutenant and most valued subordinate. Elated to hear this, Bazz-B mentally declares that he is the one Yhwach is looking for and forces himself up while promising to kill Yhwach once the latter picks him. However, Yhwach instead approaches a stunned Haschwalth, identifies him by name, and reveals that the latter is his other half.
Characters in order of appearance:
Episodes adapted from this chapter:
- Episode 404: FRIEND
Author's Notes[]
 |
-Tite Kubo |
References[]
[]
| THE ORDINARY PEACE | AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT | FRIEND |
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