BACK FROM BLIND

Back From Blind
Cover of Back From Blind
Japanese release	August 4, 2010 (ISBN 978-4-08-870085-4)
Cover character	Rangiku Matsumoto

Back From Blind is the forty-sixth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Bleach All Stars

All-Stars

Chapters

396. The Bite

Aizen begins to reveal his secrets.

Summary:

File:Bleach 396 cover page.png

Cover of 396. The Bite

Aizen notices that Yamamoto's burnt arm is cracked and recognizes the Kidō as Ittō Kasō, a spell that uses the caster's own charred body as a catalyst. Aizen admits to himself that he underestimated the captain-commander, as he had not expected Yamamoto to use the damage inflicted by Wonderweiss' explosion against him. He escapes from the flames with slight burns, only to be surprised when he realizes that a Hollowfied Ichigo is pouncing on him. Ichigo launches a Getsuga Tenshō at him, sending him crashing through a building and wounding his shoulder. Ichigo continues his attack, but is unable to further harm Aizen, who tells him that he has missed his chance to kill him, as he will not present any more openings. Ichigo points out that he has injured Aizen, but the wound begins to close up. As Aizen's injury is healing, Ichigo assumes that it is high-speed regeneration. Aizen sarcastically asks Ichigo if he really thought that he had truly transformed into a Hollow. Aizen states that it is a tool instinctively protecting its master. He then tears open his uniform to reveal that he has embedded the Hōgyoku in his chest.

Aizen compliments Ichigo's Reiatsu, saying that he has grown, just as he had planned. He lists various important moments in the development of Ichigo's power and what their importance is: his meeting with Rukia and battle with Ishida awakened his Shinigami powers, his battle with Renji enlightened him to the importance of his Zanpakutō, the battle with Kenpachi was a foundation for his learning of Bankai, the battle with Byakuya was a step towards becoming a Hollow, during the battle with Grimmjow, he attained Hollow side mastery, and his battle with Ulquiorra revealed a greater power within. Aizen finishes off by calmly stating that all of Ichigo’s battles until the present moment have taken place exactly as he desired.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
2. Sōsuke Aizen
3. Ichigo Kurosaki
4. Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
5. Uryū Ishida (flashback)
6. Renji Abarai (flashback)
7. Kenpachi Zaraki (flashback)
8. Zangetsu (flashback)
9. Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
10. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (flashback)
11. Ulquiorra Cifer (flashback)

397. Edge of The Silence

As Aizen reveals facts, Isshin intervenes.

Summary:

File:Bleach 397 cover page.png

Cover of 397. Edge of The Silence

Ichigo yells at Aizen and asks him what he means by every single battle he's fought has played into his hand. Aizen tells him not to yell and explains that once he realized he was the thing he was searching for, he decided to help him grow. He then points out all the oddities that Ichigo should have noticed as his time as a Shingami, like him being attacked by a Hollow after meeting Rukia despite never seeing a Hollow before, having a Menos Grande appear after using bait for lesser Hollow's, or that after getting used to his Shinigami powers Rukia would be reported to Soul Society despite her Reiatsu never being detected, or even Byakuya, Renji, and Kenpachi would fight him just as his power was equal to theirs. He then asks Ichigo if he thought everything that happened was just destiny, coincidence, or even his own efforts. Ichigo immediately attacks Aizen but his blow is easily blocked. He then swings his Zanpakutō at Aizen again but he easily catches it. He then mocks Ichigo, saying that he should be stronger than this. Aizen then asks him if his words are so unbelievable and Ichigo tells him that what he said back at Sōkyoku Hill doesn't match up with what he's saying now. Aizen then asks him why he thinks his words back then were the truth, but that these are lies. He then tells him that he pity's him, as everyone just accepts the truth as things that they want to hear. Aizen then asks Ichigo if he knows who sent Rukia to the Human World, who equipped Renji with the ability to detect Reiatsu, and who gave the lieutenants information on his whereabouts. He then asks him if he thought he didn't know the location of the Hōgyoku for 100 years. Ichigo asks him how he could be the thing he's searching for if he only knew him since he met Rukia. Aizen states that he's known him since the day he was born and as he's about to explain what Ichigo is Isshin arrives and tells Aizen that he's said too much.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
2. Fishbone D (flashback)
3. Ichigo Kurosaki
4. Uryū Ishida (flashback)
5. Acidwire (flashback)
6. Sōsuke Aizen
7. Renji Abarai (flashback)
8. Kenpachi Zaraki (flashback)
9. Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
10. Hollow Ichigo (flashback)
11. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (flashback)
12. Ulquiorra Cifer (flashback)
13. Yasochika Iemura (flashback)
14. Isshin Kurosaki

398. Back From Blind

Isshin and Ichigo square off against Aizen and Gin.

Summary:

File:Bleach 398 cover page.png

Cover of 398. Back From Blind

Ichigo wonders what Aizen meant by him being a Human and something else. He then thinks to himself that there was no reason to wonder why, as his father, Isshin, has now appeared in front of him. As Ichigo looks on in shock Isshin headbutts him across the town but Ichigo is able to hold onto a building. However, Isshin appears right where he is and begins kicking him off the building. After he accomplishes this Aizen tells Isshin it was smart to separate their distance. Isshin then goes to where Ichigo fell and begins holding his mouth shut. As he tells Ichigo that he knows he wants to ask him a lot of things, Ichigo kicks him in the face and states that he knows when to keep quiet. Isshin then tells him that no matter how much he looks at him, his eyes aren't deceiving him and tells Ichigo that he must have a million questions. Ichigo tells him that he doesn't though and states that if he didn't tell him anything than it was for his own reasons and it will be his problem. Isshin tells him he's learned to speak rather competently and Ichigo thanks him for punching him, as it feels to him like he's been brought back.

Aizen is seen on a building and he states that Isshin must have put up a powerful barrier to hide his Reiatsu. Gin shows up behind him and Aizen remarks that he took a rather long period of sightseeing. Gin replies that he wasn't sightseeing, but that he simply didn't see an opening or the necessity to come to his aid. Ichigo then appears behind Gin and attacks him. As Aizen watches this Isshin appears as well and engages him. The two clash swords, and to Aizen's surprise Isshin grins and uses his middle finger to flick his own arm, which has the affect of sending Aizen straight through several buildings. Gin remarks to Ichigo that it's been quite a while, and that he won't hold back this time. He then activates his Bankai.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Ichigo Kurosaki
2. Isshin Kurosaki
3. Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
4. Sōsuke Aizen
5. Gin Ichimaru

399. Deicide

As Aizen and Isshin continue to fight, Ichimaru explains his Zanpakutō's abilities.

Summary:

File:Chapter 399 cover.png

Cover of 399. Deicide

Isshin continues to attack Aizen, but he is able to dodge his blows. Aizen then uses Hadō #63. Raikōhō on Isshin.

As this is happening Gin tells Ichigo it's been a long time since the two of them fought and asks Ichigo if he recalled the time after he cut off Jidanbō's arm, recounting how Ichigo flew at him with a threatening attitude and how at the time he thought Ichigo was such an amusing kid. Ichigo plainly states he doesn't remember. When Gin asks if he is trying to provoke him, Ichigo explains that what he doesn't remember is his sword or his heart. Ichigo further explains his philosophy on battle. He notes that normally he can understand someone's motivation by crossing swords with them, in this way he translates his hearts intention and his opponent translates theirs. Gin makes fun of him for being so poetic but Ichigo brushes him off and continues in his explanation. He states that Gin has shown nothing to him and when they last fought Gin saw nothing in him either, Ichigo admits he doesn't even know what he saw. Gin states that he thought Ichigo was an amusing kid, but now thinks he is simply a creepy one. He then notes that Aizen is interested in Ichigo and that he thinks he knows how Aizen feels. Gin then begins to talk of his Zanpakutō, asking Ichigo if he knows how far it extends. When Ichigo makes note that he doesn't Gin states that it extends 100 sword lengths. He recalls that when he was a kid people called him the Hundred Sheather. Ichigo maintains his disinterest in conversation, so Gin asks him if he knows about his Bankai and how far it can extend. Ichigo states he didn't come there for a quiz show. Gin is disappointed when Ichigo refuses to play his guessing game and figures that he may as well show him so he can understand. Gin then states that it can extend 13km, but realizes that stating the number wont get the point across, he then tells Ichigo this time he wont go easy on him. Gin then releases his Bankai Kamishini no Yari, in an instant several buildings around them are bisected and begin to topple over. He swings the blade at Ichigo, but Ichigo easily blocks it. Gin is somewhat surprised by this as Ichigo asks why, considering there is no way any Bankai could be incapable of being stopped by another Bankai. Ichigo bats Gin's blade away and fires a Getsuga Tenshō, surprising Gin again as he is hit directly by the blast. When the smoke clears Gin is lightly injured and remarks again that Ichigo is a creepy kid.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Sōsuke Aizen
2. Isshin Kurosaki
3. Gin Ichimaru
4. Ichigo Kurosaki
5. Jidanbō Ikkanzaka (flashback)
6. Kenpachi Zaraki (flashback)
7. Byakuya Kuchiki (flashback)
8. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (flashback)

400. Deicide2

Ichigo figures out what is truly frightening about Kamishini no Yari, as Aizen reaches the limits of his Shinigami body.

Summary:

File:Chapter 400 cover.png

Cover of 400. Deicide2

Rangiku watches the battle between Gin and Ichigo and simply says Gin's name a single time.

Gin reiterates to Ichigo that he's a creepy kid and states that if he doesn't finish him off soon things will get bad. Ichigo suddenly notices that Gin's Zanpakutō went to its original length and wonders how he could have missed it retract back, as he's been staring at the Zanpakutō the entire time. Gin states that it seems as if his Bankai was easily stopped and decides to stick to the basics with him. He then lunges straight at Ichigo and continuously attacks him. As Ichigo blocks his blows, Gin tells him it feels as if his Zanpakutō is about to snap. Ichigo begins to form a hypothesis, and believes that if he's correct and Gin angles his Zanpakutō's tip towards him, the battle will be over. Gin then manages to cut Ichigo's left shoulder but he is able to dodge the next blow. Ichigo then heads straight for Gin and manages to get right next to him, blocking his Zanpakutō. Gin then jumps on top of a rooftop and Ichigo tells him that the scariest part of his Bankai isn't the length it can go nor it's destructive power, but the immense speed at which it contracts. Ichigo then states that how far it goes doesn't matter and that him destroying the buildings with his Zanpakutō doesn't matter either, and believes that Gin did all that to distract him from his Bankai's true strength. Gin confirms this and begins to think to himself that Ichigo is scary for being able to deduce all of that from only two attacks and believes that this battle is going to drag on. Gin then tells Ichigo that there's no point in hiding anything anymore and claps his hands. He tells Ichigo that his Zanpakutō is five hundred times that speed, going on to say that Kamishini no Yari isn't the Zanpakutō with the "ultimate length" but the "ultimate speed". He then explains to Ichigo that even if he knows that, he still has no victory. The two of them then continue their battle.

Isshin tells Aizen that his movements are getting slow and asks him if he's at his limit. Aizen confirms this but states that this is only for his Shinigami form. As Isshin wonders what he's talking about, Aizen states that the will of the Hōgyoku has finally began to understand what he desires.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Rangiku Matsumoto
2. Gin Ichimaru
3. Ichigo Kurosaki
4. Isshin Kurosaki
5. Sōsuke Aizen

401. Deicide3

Aizen reveals the true power of the Hōgyoku.

Summary:

File:Chapter 401 cover.png

Cover of 401. Deicide3

Sōsuke Aizen states that the Hōgyoku has finally begun to understand his heart and goes on to say that the Hōgyoku possesses a will of its own. Isshin Kurosaki doesn't believe this but Aizen begins to explain that he only became aware of this after becoming its master. He then reveals that the true power of the Hōgyoku is not the removal of the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow, but it is to capture and materialize the hearts around it. He claims that it has brought about the "miracles" surrounding Ichigo, Rukia, and Kisuke Urahara. He continues to explain that Kisuke misunderstood the nature of the Hōgyoku because the breakdown of the barrier between Shinigami and Hollow was his own desire, which the Hōgyoku made real. He then attributes reasons why Ichigo took all of Rukia's spiritual power and the awakening of Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado's powers to the Hōgyoku. Aizen states that he knew the Hōgyoku's ability was not manipulation of the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami, as if it had been, then Shinji Hirako's group would not have become Vizard, and says that their Hollowfication was both an experiment in Hollowfication and a way to confirm the Hōgyoku's power. Then, with a theory on how the Hōgyoku worked, he sent Rukia to Ichigo's side. He then explains the limits of the Hōgyoku before being interrupted by Gin knocking Ichigo into a nearby building.

Gin tells Ichigo that he did good stopping his blow, but states that his attack was a fluke which angers Ichigo. Isshin tries to talk to Ichigo but he is yelled at by his son, telling him to stay out of his way and that in a few more attacks he'll win. As Isshin smiles at this, Gin asks Aizen if he interrupted his speech. Aizen replies that he had just reached the end of his speech and his body is enveloped by the Hōgyoku. Isshin and Ichigo are shocked by this, and Ichigo asks what's going on. Isshin tells him that he has no idea, and the two of them begin arguing. As Aizen states that the Hōgyoku deserves its name, he is interrupted as he is shot from behind by Kisuke Urahara, whom he welcomes onto the battlefield.

Characters in order of appearance:

1. Isshin Kurosaki
2. Sōsuke Aizen
3. Kaien Shiba (flashback)
4. Rukia Kuchiki (flashback)
5. Yasutora Sado (flashback)
6. Orihime Inoue (flashback)
7. Shinji Hirako (flashback)
8. Kensei Muguruma (flashback)
9. Mashiro Kuna (flashback)
10. Ichigo Kurosaki
11. Gin Ichimaru
12. Kisuke Urahara

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