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For the episode of the same name, see The Fire.

THE FIRE is the fifty-eighth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Publisher's summary[]

As the Soul Society struggles against the mysterious group of warriors calling themselves the Wandenreich, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto joins the battle. With his Bankai finally revealed, Yamamoto takes down the Wandenreich's king. But is the battle really over...?

Bleach All Stars[]

All-Stars
ハッシュヴァルト
Jugram Haschwalth
ユーハバッハ
Yhwach
Ch547Pg13JugramCharaPic Ch508Pg5YhwachCharaPic

Ep206YamamotoCharaPic Ep366IchigoCharaPic
山本元柳斎 重國
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
黒崎 一護
Ichigo Kurosaki



Chapters[]

510. The Extinction[]

The real Yhwach confronts Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and reveals his machinations.

Summary:

510Cover

The cover page of 510. The Extinction.

In the past, Royd Lloyd and Loyd Lloyd are born in a hospital, where the doctor and nurse mistake them for each other to the point that they cannot figure out which one is older and thus misinform their parents, who cannot deduce it either, leading to the issue becoming irrelevant for the twins. Having identical appearances because they subconsciously mimicked each other before birth, which they realize upon reaching the age of five, Royd and Loyd realize they can mimic people other than themselves upon turning twelve, with Loyd able to copy their power and skills as well while Royd can copy their memories and mind.

In the present, in the Seireitei, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stops in his tracks upon hearing Yhwach apologizing and looks back in confusion as he internally questions who Yhwach could be apologizing to when he is the one who started this battle and who has ultimately lost it. With Yhwach apologizing to Yhwach for being unable to carry out his orders, Yamamoto frantically demands to know who he is just before the First Division barracks are engulfed and destroyed by a massive pillar of blue Reishi flames. While Yamamoto calls out to his 3rd Seat, Genshirō Okikiba, the real Yhwach appears behind him with Hirenkyaku, and as a startled Yamamoto curses him, Yhwach addresses Sternritter "Y" Royd Lloyd, who lies on the ground before him after ceasing his usage of The Yourself and returning to his normal appearance, and praises his performance in convincing the Gotei 13 that he was Yhwach.

While a stunned Royd tearfully expresses gratitude for this praise, Yhwach raises his hand, points his index finger at Royd, and obliterates the latter with a Heilig Pfeil, instantly killing him. With only Royd's severed legs remaining on the ground next to a smoking hole, Yamamoto questions what the former has been doing this whole time, only for Yhwach to counter by asking Yamamoto about what lies beneath the First Division barracks, which leads Yamamoto to realize that he has been in the Central Great Underground Prison prior to Yhwach revealing that he spoke to Sōsuke Aizen, leaving Yamamoto completely aghast. After recounting how he told Aizen to come under his command as a Special War Power and was rejected, though he does not mind this since they have much time to change that, Yhwach assumes that Yamamoto has exhausted his powers while fighting Royd, and when Yamamoto denies this and activates his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi once more, Yhwach immediately steals it with his own Medallion and clarifies that rather than the Wandenreich being unable to steal his Bankai, it is too strong for anyone other than Yhwach himself to wield, which is why he had Royd not attempt to steal it until he returned.

Offering to summon the corpses of Yamamoto's subordinates with Zanka no Tachi, which causes Yamamoto leap toward him in rage, Yhwach summons his massive Sankt Bogen in the air above himself and fires an equally large Heilig Pfeil down into the ground before him, forming a long Reishi Broadsword that Yhwach pulls out of the ground. While Yamamoto stops in stunned silence at the sight of this, Yhwach bids him farewell and slashes diagonally downward at Yamamoto, drawing a large amount of blood as Yamamoto is cut through at the left shoulder by the blade.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


511. 立ちて死すべし[]

Yhwach slays Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and has the Seireitei razed.

Summary:

511Cover

The cover page of 511. 立ちて死すべし.[4]

Centuries ago, a young Shunsui Kyōraku stares at a painting of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto using his Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, in the latter's private quarters prior to Yamamoto angrily opening the door, chastising Shunsui for entering his room without permission once again, and chasing him around as Shunsui profusely apologizes. Though Yamamoto refuses to accept this, Shunsui admits that he was surprised to find a painting in Yamamoto's room after he snuck in and questions if it is a depiction of a god of fire, prompting a suddenly solemn Yamamoto to explain that the painting depicts a monster which appeared in Soul Society a long time ago to make a crisis they were facing much worse. As he promises that the monster will never reappear again, Yamamoto notes that he will probably not survive if it does.

In the present, having been cut through diagonally by Yhwach's Reishi Broadsword, Yamamoto coughs up blood while his top half falls to the ground. Around the Seireitei, the other captains are alarmed upon sensing this, with 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku desperately calling out to Yamamoto before Sternritter "N" Robert Accutrone shoots him four times in the chest with his Reishi Pistol. With the rain continuing to fall heavily across the Seireitei, Yhwach looks down disdainfully at Yamamoto's motionless body and asserts that his demise was pitiful despite his station as the Captain-Commander. However, when Yhwach attempts to leave with Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth, he is stopped by Yamamoto grasping his leg with his remaining arm, prompting Yhwach to sever his hand after a brief pause.

Assuming that this was Yamamoto's attempt to demonstrate that he will not allow Yhwach to get away even in death, Yhwach stomps on Yamamoto's head and reveals that he did not have the latter counted among the Special War Powers because he did not have his left arm restored after sacrificing it to use Hadō #96. Ittō Kasō even though Orihime Inoue could have done so. After attributing this to Yamamoto not wanting the aid of Humans since he did not even want Ichigo Kurosaki getting involved in his battle against Sōsuke Aizen, Yhwach observes that Yamamoto tried to carry the burden of the two worlds on his shoulders and has failed. Though he calls Yamamoto weak, Yhwach admits that he was not always this way because the original captains of the Gotei 13 that he used to lead were guards in name only, being more a group of bloodthirsty killers that Yhwach himself respected, with Yamamoto himself being a demon with a sword that would use anything and everything to win and who considered the lives of everyone around him to weigh as much as ashes. Despite this, Yhwach derides Yamamoto and the Gotei 13's progression into peace following their war now that they had people and things to love and protect because it made them hesitate to take action in order to satisfy their sense of justice.

Stepping back from Yamamoto, Yhwach decides to tell him this before he dies and declares that the Gotei 13 died with the Quincy 1,000 years ago even if Soul Society is only going to be destroyed now before raising his index finger and firing a barrage of Heilig Pfeil that obliterate Yamamoto's remains, to the horror of the captains around the Seireitei. With Yhwach commanding that the Sternritter completely crush Soul Society, Robert and the others summon the Soldat with Shadows and tell them to advance, leading them to begin massacring the remaining Shinigami. When one of the wounded Shinigami tries to get help while struggling to stand up, Sternritter "H" Bazz-B steps on and crushes his head underfoot as the Soldat rush past him.

While watching the Seireitei burn and collapse around him, Yhwach declares that it is finished and tells Haschwalth that they will be retreating to wait until the Royal Guard show up. Suddenly, an explosion occurs in the sky behind Yhwach, who looks up at it in shock.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


512. THE STAND ABLAZE[]

Ichigo Kurosaki finally reaches the Seireitei.

Summary:

512Cover

The cover pages of 512. THE STAND ABLAZE.[5]

In the Garganta, Ichigo Kurosaki senses the disappearing Reiatsu of the dying Shinigami in Soul Society and begs them to stay prior to breaking through the Reishi cage surrounding him with a furious strike, revealing a bloodied 12th Division 3rd Seat Akon in the side aperture above the Seireitei. After apologizing for not being able to let Ichigo through sooner and musing that they do not seem to ever get what they want, Akon collapses with four Reishi Knives embedded in his back and the other researchers in the aperture lying wounded on the ground as well. From outside a hole in the aperture, Shaz Domino wonders who Ichigo is and begins to introduce himself, but is cut off when Ichigo rushes toward him and attacks him in an explosion of Reiatsu, alerting Yhwach as well as the remaining captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13.

From high in the air, Ichigo confirms that 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai and 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki are still alive and disappears with Shunpo, alarming the Sternritter while they question how his Reiatsu suddenly disappeared. Shortly afterward, Ichigo finds a dying 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki embedded in a crater and assures him that Rukia and Renji are alive, to Byakuya's relief. Observing that he does not have much time left, Byakuya admits that he was unable to stop the despicable people who trampled on the Seireitei and that he led many to their deaths, bringing sorrow to their subordinates and families. As he sheds a tear, Byakuya asserts that he is deeply ashamed of this and points out how Ichigo being a Human means he should not even be here to begin with, let alone be involved in the battle, prior to requesting forgiveness for his final audacious request and begging Ichigo to protect Soul Society as Ichigo glares into the distance.

Upon sensing this, Yhwach confirms that it is Ichigo, and when Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth wonders if he should purge the latter, Yhwach denies this and states that they will leave. However, Yhwach is interrupted when the sword of Ichigo's Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, is thrown down from the sky and embeds itself in the ground in front of him just before Ichigo follows and picks it up, leaving Yhwach surprised.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


513. The Dark Moon Stroke[]

Ichigo Kurosaki begins battling Yhwach.

Summary:

513Cover

The cover pages of 513. The Dark Moon Stroke.

In the wall crater he is lying in, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki muses that he did not get a response from Ichigo Kurosaki and decides this is fine, since he knows what kind of man Ichigo is, before concluding he is counting on Ichigo and dropping his broken Zanpakutō, which disintegrates.

Meanwhile, Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth offers to deal with Ichigo, but Yhwach stops him with a hand on Haschwalth's chest and admits he is impressed at Ichigo breaking out of The Jail. After Yhwach inquires about whether he intends to fight in such a ragged state, Ichigo asks Yhwach if he is the enemy leader, and when a bemused Yhwach observes that he both is and is not, an angered Ichigo demands to know if he is the one who wrecked Soul Society, which a grinning Yhwach confirms, causing Ichigo's Reiatsu to violently flare up around him. With Yhwach telling Haschwalth this is proof that there is no turning back and that he must crush Ichigo here, Ichigo lunges forward and fires a Getsuga Tenshō at Yhwach, only for the latter to reach out of the resulting cloud of smoke while remaining unharmed, pin Ichigo to the ground by his sword arm, and bat aside Ichigo's other hand before driving his Reishi Sword into Ichigo's neck with enough force to shatter the ground beneath him.

As Haschwalth stares in shock at this, Yhwach notes that Ichigo should still be alive and orders Haschwalth to transport him to Silbern so they can revive him as a member of the Wandenreich, which Haschwalth affirms. Suddenly, Ichigo's limp hand grips his sword once again, and as a stunned Yhwach turns to see Blut Vene flickering on his neck where the tip of the Reishi Sword is piercing it, Ichigo fires another Getsuga Tenshō at Yhwach point-blank.

Characters in order of appearance

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


514. BORN IN THE DARK[]

Yhwach is forced to abandon his battle with Ichigo Kurosaki, whom he reveals does not know his own lineage.

Summary:

514Cover

The cover page of 514. BORN IN THE DARK.

While Sternritter "B" Jugram Haschwalth expresses alarm at the sight of him being blasted by a point-blank Getsuga Tenshō, Yhwach emerges from the smoke with only his left arm burnt and his left sleeve destroyed as he mutters that he was careless. Though Ichigo assumes he is referring to thinking that he won because he withstood a few attacks, Yhwach denies this and rushes forward to slash with his Reishi Sword, initially clashing with Ichigo's sword prior to dragging it down and ripping off Ichigo's left sleeve to expose his forearm, which remains unharmed and glows with Blut Vene as well.

After confirming that he was not imagining this, to Ichigo's confusion, Yhwach admits that he made a mistake in using Sternritter "J" Quilge Opie, an Echt Quincy, instead of an Arrancar to keep Ichigo at bay because it caused the memories within Ichigo's Reiatsu to awaken too soon. Yhwach explains that while Ichigo was exerting his Reiatsu during his barrage of attacks on the Reishi cage that Quilge imprisoned him in, pieces of this Reiatsu merged with Quilge's and returned to Ichigo's body because it was released explosively, with this Quincy Reiatsu seeping into the depths of Ichigo's Soul and drawing out memories from its core, before concluding that The Jail is meant to contain enemies and thus cannot hold Quincy. With Ichigo stunned and bewildered by this, Yhwach deduces that he does not know the truth about himself or about his own mother, which causes Ichigo to remember Masaki Kurosaki lying dead on top of him after protecting him from Grand Fisher.

While Yhwach decides to take Ichigo back by force since he no longer has the luxury of slowly reeducating him, Ichigo furiously demands to know what Yhwach is talking about, only for Yhwach to promise to tell him at the Wandenreich and rush forward, where he pushes Ichigo's sword aside with a slash and grabs Ichigo by the hair while promising to pierce him with this next strike without Ichigo's Blut Vene being able to save him. Suddenly, shadows begin dripping from Yhwach and pooling around his body, to his shock, as Haschwalth approaches and reveals that it is time for them to return since they have reached their time limit for operating outside of the Schatten Bereich. Though he insists that they should have enough time, Yhwach realizes that Aizen altered his senses during their earlier conversation. With Haschwalth confirming that he did not stop Yhwach despite knowing this because he believed it would be pointless, Yhwach smiles and asserts that they will leave.

However, Ichigo demands that they wait since he refuses to let them leave so easily after what they have done to Soul Society, but Yhwach continues walking. However, when Ichigo angrily rushes toward Yhwach and attempts to stab him, Haschwalth draws his sword and effortlessly cuts through the blade of Ichigo's sword, which flies into the air and embeds itself in the ground nearby as a stunned Ichigo is left holding the broken sword. Bidding Ichigo farewell, Yhwach vows to return for him prior to telling Ichigo to heal his wounds and wait as his son, born in the dark.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


515. relics[]

In the aftermath of the Wandenreich's retreat from their invasion, the Gotei 13 struggles to heal and recover.

Summary:

515Cover

The cover page of 515. relics.

As rain falls across the rubble of the Seireitei, 4th Division 3rd Seat Yasochika Iemura orders units 11 through 16 to the west 56th district and the rest to accompany him while prioritizing the injured and leaving the dead Shinigami for later. In the crowded Fourth Division barracks' Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho, 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada has a critical patient on a stretcher taken to room 203 as Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu watches the commotion from above, notes that the wounded are finally being brought in, and turns to her captain, Retsu Unohana, while musing that none of them were brought in during the battle. When Isane wonders if it was really the right choice for them to remain in the barracks during the battle earlier when they could have saved more lives on the front lines, Unohana counters that Isane should not let her feelings dictate what she says and asserts that while they could have easily vacated the barracks out of concern, Isane is not so short-sighted that she needs to be told why this would have been wrong, prompting a weeping Isane to apologize and mentally observe that she is foolish for not realizing Unohana wanted to help the wounded even more than she did. However, Unohana tells Isane not to cry because Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's final order was for them to not leave their barracks no matter what.

Meanwhile, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku stands solemnly in front of the large crater left by Yhwach's obliteration of Yamamoto's body. Shortly afterward, Ichigo Kurosaki is handed a communication from Kisuke Urahara assuring Ichigo that he, Orihime Inoue, and Yasutora Sado are all safe, though further details are unknown, before a bandaged 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame begins screaming at one of the nurses upon being told that his captain, Kenpachi Zaraki, was grievously wounded and defeated in the earlier battle, which he steadfastly refuses to believe, while the nurses urge him to calm down. Suddenly, Hanatarō tells Ichigo to come over for medical treatment, and when Ichigo states that he has already received first aid, Hanatarō denies this being sufficient since Ichigo is still obviously wounded before 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako approaches Ichigo to inform him that 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai are out of surgery.

After traveling to the room that the heavily bandaged Rukia and Renji are resting in, a nurse tells Ichigo that they are no longer in critical condition, though they needed Reishi suturing in severely injured areas in addition to Reiatsu treatment, and asks him to call her if anything comes up prior to leaving the room. Addressing Ichigo, Rukia responds to him questioning if it is okay for her to talk by reminding him that the nurse just said she was out of critical condition, which he notes with a smile means her mouth is working just fine. After Rukia thanks him for coming to protect Soul Society, Ichigo admits that he was unable to do anything this time, but Shinji counters that he drove the enemy leader away and should be holding his head high for preventing the situation from getting even worse. When a member of the Twelfth Division arrives and informs him that Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi wishes to see him about his Zanpakutō, Ichigo runs off. As he watches this, Shinji muses that Ichigo is always busy and worrying about everyone's wounds while ignoring his own. Upon being asked by Rukia about why Ichigo had such a pained expression, Shinji informs her that he had a rough time by getting his Zanpakutō broken without being able to save anyone and asserts that there is no need to worry since he is likely just exhausted, but Rukia wonders if this is really the case and theorizes that Ichigo is hiding something much more serious that he is grappling with while Ichigo continues running through the rain.

Simultaneously, the captains gather around the remnants of Yamamoto's Zanpakutō. With 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake noting that they were unable to recover Yamamoto's body because the enemy destroyed everything, a Riteitai enters the meeting hall they are gathered in and reveals that both Kenpachi and 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki have survived, though it will be difficult for them to resume their duties as captains and they may never regain consciousness, leading 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng to angrily tell him to get out because they are already mourning the loss of Yamamoto and cannot be expected to deal with other heavy matters like that right now. Though 9th Division Captain Kensei Muguruma advises her to stop this because she is embarrassing herself, Suì-Fēng counters that this is easy for him to say because he and the other Visored held a grudge against Yamamoto, to Kensei's irritation, before 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura demands that she be silent because she is not the only one who wants to scream about this.

In response, Shunsui repeatedly claps his hands and approaches them while insisting that they not fight since Yamamoto would have lined them up and smacked them for doing so in front of the articles he left behind if he were still alive. As Suì-Fēng seethes at this, Shunsui, who has lost his right eye and donned an eyepatch covering it, reminds the stunned captains that the Gotei 13 does not exist to mourn the dead or cry over the destruction of Soul Society, but rather to protect Soul Society, and encourages them to look ahead since they are the Gotei 13 while the rain outside ceases and morning begins to dawn.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


516. THE SQUAD ZERO[]

Ichigo Kurosaki learns that the sword of his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, cannot be repaired as the Royal Guard visit the Seireitei.

Summary:

516Cover

The cover pages of 516. THE SQUAD ZERO.

In the Soul King Palace, Ichibē Hyōsube gathers at the Vestibule Road with the rest of the Royal Guard, whom he greets.

Simultaneously, in the Twelfth Division barracks, Ichigo is told that his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, cannot be repaired and expresses disbelief at this since Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi repairs his whenever it is broken, only for Mayuri to arrogantly clarify that he just modifies his and explain that a Zanpakutō can only be repaired by its owner's mind, Reiatsu, and time to infuse both. However, when Ichigo assumes that he is being told to take his sword back and fix it himself, Mayuri states that he is not done explaining and notes that this method only works for Shikai because the destruction of Shikai and Bankai have very different meanings before asserting that a destroyed Bankai can never be repaired, to Ichigo's shock.

Mayuri admits that there are exceptions and details how 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura's Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, has an extremely strong bond with him, causing the physical status of each to be reflected onto the other when one is injured or healed and thus allowing Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō to be fully restored. However, after revealing that Komamura's Bankai is the only exception among all those of the Shinigami whom he has studied for this research, Mayuri explains that 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame was restored to its former shape after being destroyed by Edrad Liones but now possesses only a fraction of its former power, and when Ichigo expresses surprise at Ikkaku having achieved Bankai, Mayuri recalls Ikkaku asking him to keep it a secret and dismisses this as irrelevant. When Ichigo brings up 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai's Bankai, Hihiō Zabimaru, and how it was broken in Renji's battle against his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, Mayuri asks him if he has ever counted the number of bone segments comprising Hihiō Zabimaru and clarifies that those destroyed by Byakuya remain broken.

With Ichigo aghast at this and questioning what he is supposed to do, several researchers shout at each other to catch a large and muscular Kon, who slams into Ichigo while running. With Ichigo bleeding from the nose and not recognizing him, a shocked Kon encourages Ichigo to remember him as the King of New York, only for Ichigo to claim that he simply did not realize it was Kon because the latter has grown so much since they last met. Accusing Ichigo of trying to praise the horrid development of his body, Kon attempts to recount his recent suffering, but Mayuri deflates his body and returns it to its normal state with the press of a button, allowing the researchers to continue chasing Kon while Mayuri moves on despite Ichigo's protests. Suddenly, Mayuri is contacted on his headpiece, confirms that he is on his way, and tells Ichigo to come with him before revealing that though he does not want to meet them at all, Ichigo should meet the Royal Guard that is coming to the Seireitei.

Some time later, with dawn breaking, Ichigo joins the captains outside the Seireitei and calls out to 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako, who advises him against being here. With Ichigo questioning where the Royal Guard is coming from, why they are only showing up after the Seireitei's devastation, and where they usually stay, 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku informs him that they are stationed at the Soul King Palace, and when Ichigo wonders if this is not in the Seireitei, Shunsui asks him if he recalls the walls that fell around the Seireitei when he first entered Soul Society. Musing that the walls have been down ever since because the Seireitei has experienced a chaotic period, Shunsui clarifies that it was only meant to protect the Seireitei during emergencies and asks Ichigo what it usually surrounds when the Seireitei is not in the middle of an emergency.

Suddenly, with Shunsui observing that they have arrived, the Tenchūren parts the clouds above as it falls from the sky and slams into the ground before the captains, where Shunsui explains that it is the method of transportation for the Royal Guard because the latter is comprised of only five members, leaving Ichigo astonished since he initially believed that it contained a standard division's worth of Shinigami. After revealing that the Royal Guard are all captains with no division members, Shunsui concludes that their combined strength is greater than that of the entire Gotei 13 while Ichibē, Ōetsu Nimaiya, Tenjirō Kirinji, Senjumaru Shutara, and Kirio Hikifune walk out of the opening doors.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


517. THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN[]

The Royal Guard interact with Ichigo Kurosaki and the captains, some for the first time.

Summary:

517Cover

The cover page of 517. THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN.

As they step out of the Tenchūren, Ichibē Hyōsube and Kirio Hikifune stand before the captains while Ōetsu Nimaiya dances, Senjumaru Shutara plays several instruments with her robotic arms, and Tenjirō Kirinji waves a flag with the Zero Division symbol and announces that they are finally here. With Kirinji questioning if the captains have been eating right and getting enough sleep, 5th Division Captain Shinji Hirako admits that this is different from what he expected. Suddenly, Hikifune slaps the back of Shinji's head, to his aggravation, and declares that it has been a long time since they last met as she notices that Hiyori Sarugaki is not with him. Though he initially does not recognize her, Shinji realizes from her question about Hiyori that she is the former captain of the Twelfth Division and notes that she has changed since they last met, but Hikifune denies having changed that much and proclaims that she is hungry when her stomach growls.

Meanwhile, Kirinji confronts 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana over whether she is using the healing techniques he taught her effectively, which Unohana confirms. However, Kirinji brings up the recent loss of many Shinigami for the Gotei 13 and wonders how Unohana's statement reconciles with that, to her annoyance, prior to Ichibē throwing his arm around Kirinji's neck and observing that they should save the catching up they have to do for later, leaving Kirinji irritated. 8th Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku tells Ichibē that the Royal Guard are the same as always and questions what they have come here for this time, prompting Ichibē to look past him, identify Ichigo Kurosaki, and explain that the Royal Guard have come to help rebuild the Gotei 13 at the behest of the Soul King, starting with taking Ichigo back up with them.

In response, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng decries this and admonishes the Royal Guard for relaxing in the sky during the siege on the Seireitei until they decided to come down and rebuild the Gotei 13 later. When Ichibē attempts to continue speaking after a pause, Suì-Fēng attempts to strike him, only for Kirinji to move behind her with Shunpo and grab her fist while telling her to shut up, leaving Suì-Fēng astonished by his speed. Asserting that Suì-Fēng's complaints should be the Royal Guard's own, Kirinji reminds her that the Gotei 13 are the ones tasked with protecting the Seireitei while the Royal Guard protect the Soul King Palace. With Kirinji concluding that no proper Gotei 13 would cry for help after failing to do their job and asserting that they do not deserve the name, Ichibē brings his hand down onto the top of Kirinji's head in a powerful chop, causing the latter to collapse in pain, and reminds Kirinji that he was told to save this for later prior to declaring that they should finish what they came here for.

Suddenly, Senjumaru informs him that there is no need since she has already collected what they need as the others see her holding large capsules that contain 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, and the broken sword of Tensa Zangetsu, to their shock. Once Senjumaru extends a mechanical arm toward Ichigo and asserts that he is the only thing left, Unohana declares it unacceptable for Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya to be taken since they are in no condition to leave the Seireitei, but Kirinji counters that this is exactly why they are being taken since Unohana is not strong enough to fully heal them, asserts that he will be healing them himself, and reminds Unohana that medical care is not what she should be focusing on right now, which she closes her eyes solemnly in response to.

When 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi chastises her for breaking into his lab for Tensa Zangetsu, Senjumaru claims that this is an exaggeration because the door simply slid open when she placed her hand on it. After Senjumaru muses that security is a lot weaker than it was when she was last here, Ichigo demands to know why he is being taken as well when he can recover from his injuries without issue in the Seireitei and has something else he needs to do, and as Ichibē confirms that he is being taken for a different reason, Kisuke Urahara startles a confused Ichigo and the other Shinigami by greeting them over a broadcast system.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


518. The Shooting Star Project (ZERO MIX)[]

Assured by Kisuke Urahara that he can decide what he truly wants to do, Ichigo Kurosaki chooses to accompany the Royal Guard back to the Soul King Palace.

Summary:

518Cover

The cover page of 518. The Shooting Star Project (ZERO MIX).

Greeting Ichigo Kurosaki and the assembled captains of the Gotei 13 from a screen projected into the air, Kisuke Urahara observes that it has been a long time since they last saw each other, only to be disappointed by the lack of reaction. With the screen being projected out of a panicking Kon's head and him admitting that he has no idea what is happening, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi orders his subordinates to capture Kon and turn off the feed, only for a seemingly wailing Urahara to simply turn the feed back on and announce that they are fine. After Urahara commends Mayuri for realizing the controls are in Kon's eyes while Mayuri presses his fingers into them, though Urahara clarifies that he has turned those off for now, Orihime Inoue enters the frame, greets Ichigo, and expresses relief at him being alright.

While Yasutora Sado joins Orihime and Urahara to greet Ichigo as well, Ichigo admits that he was worried about them, and as Urahara explains that he could not contact Ichigo sooner because of Kon being restrained, an unseen individual opens the flap of the tent they are in upon hearing Ichigo's voice, prompting Urahara to frantically have Orihime and Sado push him back out of the tent. Though Ichigo is left aghast at him being with them, Urahara brings up Ichigo mentioning that he had something to do, infers that this was rescuing them from Hueco Mundo, and stats that this is no longer necessary. After telling Ichigo to decide on his own what he truly wants to do, Urahara asserts that the man is not a threat to their lives because they have reached a nice agreement and bids Ichigo farewell as the projection closes.

In Hueco Mundo, Sado asks Urahara if it was right to tell Ichigo this because he may want to run away from this fight if he only thinks about himself, but Urahara counters that Sado should not say things he does not believe and explains that Ichigo doing what he truly wants to do will surely lead to him protecting all of them in the end, which both Orihime and Sado should know and which Ichigo himself knows better than anyone. Back in the Seireitei, Ichigo asks Ichibē Hyōsube if they can fix the sword of his Bankai Tensa Zangetsu in the Soul King Palace, only for Ichibē to clarify that while fixing it is impossible, they may be able to reforge Tensa Zangetsu into something resembling his original sword using powerful spiritual techniques available only in the Soul King Palace, which prompts Ichigo to decide that he will go with the Royal Guard.

Moments later, Ichigo finds himself at the Shiba Clan residence and wonders why he is here, leading Kūkaku Shiba to chastise him for reacting this way to seeing an old friend and claiming she might not launch him after all. With Ichigo confused by the mention of launching, Ichibē reveals that the Tenchūren has no way of returning to the Soul King Palace on its own and responds to an aghast Ichigo bringing up their unique spiritual techniques by affirming that those exist, only for Ichigo to chastise him for doing so since he makes it sound untrue. When Ichigo brings up Ganju Shiba's absence, Kūkaku claims that she is using him as a statue to hold up her banner after he turned into a large stone version of himself, which Ichigo immediately calls out as a lie, prior to ordering Ichigo and the Royal Guard into the Tenchūren and launching it out of the Kakaku Taihō high into the air while Ichigo screams about the lack of seatbelts.

Following this, on the ground below, Ganju approaches wonders if this was a good idea, only for Kūkaku to point out that Soul Society is doomed when the next invasion comes if Ichigo does not go now and they have no choice but to let Ichigo go, even if it makes their uncle sad. Turning to face Ganju, Kūkaku tells his group to return to the training hall and not forget who took them off the streets of the Rukongai, prompting Kūgo Ginjō and Giriko Kutsuzawa to muse that they are getting sick of her attitude as they walk away with Shūkurō Tsukishima. When Kūkaku tells him that he is being thrown into the next battle no matter how much he cries or screams, Ganju readily affirms this.

Shortly afterward, the Tenchūren lands on a platform in the sky and its doors open while Ichigo is told that they have arrived and looks out to behold the Soul King Palace.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


519. HOT, HOT, HEAT[]

Ichigo Kurosaki learns of how the Soul King Palace is laid out and travels to Kirinden first.

Summary:

519Cover

The cover page of 519. HOT, HOT, HEAT.

Having reached the Soul King Palace, Ichibē Hyōsube tells Ichigo Kurosaki that he should feel free to brag about seeing it since ordinary Shinigami are not allowed here, though he admits that he is unsure if Ichigo can be called ordinary. As he muses that this is what Sōsuke Aizen wanted so badly to reach, Ichigo recalls that they need an Ōken to enter this place, but Ichibē reveals that the Ōken is actually the bones of the Royal Guard members, transformed by the Soul King when each of them joined, and details how the two methods of entering the Soul King Palace are for the Royal Guard to allow someone in or for someone to travel with them. With Ichibē concluding that Aizen's attempt to create an Ōken was him trying to make a member of the Royal Guard with his own spiritual powers, Senjumaru Shutara tells Ichigo that Aizen was evil personified for plotting to become a god by killing the Soul King and taking his throne, but warns Ichigo that the Wandenreich is an even greater evil.

Seconds later, Ichigo finds himself standing on a platform as Kirinji prepares to smash a nearby button with a hammer, and when Ichigo demands that Kirinji wait and questions if he is going to meet the Soul King, an unimpressed Kirinji wonders if Ichigo is talking in his sleep. However, when Kirinji declares that there is no way someone like Ichigo would be able to meet the Soul King, Hikifune smacks the back of his head for not explaining it properly and tells Ichigo that while they are currently at the Vestibule Road entrance, the Greater Soul King Palace is floating miles away and is surrounded by five dish-like structures containing palace cities overseen by each of the Royal Guard, with Kirinji clarifying that they are all going to his Kirinden first.

Moments later, Ichigo finds himself in a hot spring alongside the unconscious Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya, where he is startled by the loud sound of a large rocking fountain and wonders what they are doing, though Kirinji merely tells him to not let the towel fall from his head while resting nearby. With Ichigo demanding to know why he is resting in a hot spring, Kirinji declares that it is therapeutic, and upon seeing Kirinji pushing an unconscious and bandaged 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki back underneath the water, Ichigo accuses Kirinji of trying to kill Byakuya and questions how the latter got here before Kirinji reveals that he is not the only one by pulling 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai out of the water like his hair, prompting Ichigo to accuse him of treating Renji like a red turnip and turn to see 13th Division Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki floating across the water face-down behind him as Kirinji comments on her bare rear end sticking out.

Kirinji tells Ichigo to keep his mouth shut and explains that this White Bone Hell squeezes out the blood and damaged Reiatsu of individuals within it, to Ichigo's confusion. After drawing Ichigo's attention to the red and boiling Blood Pond Hell nearby, Kirinji tosses Byakuya into it, leaving Ichigo aghast, and elaborates that this hot spring replenishes the lost blood, with this process being repeated several times until all the damaged Reiatsu and blood is replaced with his hot spring water. Though Ichigo is left uncertain at this working, Kirinji notes him being Kisuke Urahara's pupil, which Ichigo denies, and brings up the strange hot spring in the Study Chamber within Sōkyoku Hill that was able to heal Ichigo's injuries when he bathed in it. Revealing that this was Urahara's attempt at recreating his hot springs after studying them, Kirinji proclaims that one night in his hot springs is enough to make someone with injuries like Ichigo's feel twice as good as normal. With Ichigo stunned by this, Kirinji notices that the towel has fallen from his head and reprimands him for doing so because leaving his head uncovered will cause the core of his Reiatsu to be sucked out and kill him, to Ichigo's shock and panic.

Meanwhile, in the Greater Soul King Palace, an attendant observes that the Soul King has awakened as the latter opens his eyes within the crystal encasing him.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


520. KILLERS NOT DEAD[]

While Ichigo Kurosaki and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai move onto the next palace, Shunsui Kyōraku is promoted to the office of Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

Summary:

520Cover

The cover page of 520. KILLERS NOT DEAD.

Knocking on the door of the office of her captain, Shunsui Kyōraku, 8th Division Lieutenant Nanao Ise announces she is coming in and apologetically opens the door when she does not receive a response, only to express surprise upon seeing Shunsui reading a letter on the other side of the room. Though Nanao chastises him for not saying anything even though he was in here, Shunsui informs her they might have to say farewell to each other and reveals he has been promoted to Captain-Commander, as well as captain of the First Division.

Meanwhile, in the Kirinden within the Soul King Palace, Kazuo and Kazuhiro hold a bandaged Ichigo Kurosaki under the waters of the White Bone Hell and count to 100, only for Ichigo to kick Kazuo in the face and burst out of the water to breathe when they reach 93. Upon seeing this, Tenjirō Kirinji proclaims that Ichigo has failed because he should have been taught as a kid to not get out of a bath until he counts to 100, and despite Ichigo protesting that he was told to do so with the water only up to his neck because parents do not make their kids do so with their heads underwater, Kirinji has Kazuo and Kazuhiro shove Ichigo's head back under the water to start over while they insist that it is for his own good. With Ichigo continuing to struggle against this, to Kazuo and Kazuhiro's irritation, Kirinji tells them to stop, walks over, and punches Ichigo in the face, sending him flying several meters away.

When Ichigo demands to know what this was for, Kirinji declares that he is healed because this blow would have killed him otherwise and points out how Ichigo's fallen bandages have revealed his wounds have been healed, which Ichigo acknowledges, before stating that Ichigo can go to the next place now that he has done what he came here to do. Suddenly, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai tells Kirinji to wait. As Renji asserts that he is coming along and Ichigo warns Renji that he still has not fully recovered, Kirinji walks over to Renji and punches him squarely in the chest, creating a small explosion of force that kicks up the hot spring water around them. However, Kirinji is surprised to see Renji still standing in place when the mist clears while Renji observes that Kirinji did not send him flying. Though he notices Renji's arm trembling, Kirinji determines that he is alright if he was able to withstand this punch and clears him to go, to Renji's gratitude.

Once Ichigo and Renji get dressed, Kazuo and Kazuhiro launch them to the next palace. With a shocked Ichigo questioning if there is really no other way to get around the Soul King Palace, Kirinji soaks his right hand in the White Bone Hell, thanks Kazuo and Kazuhiro for their hard work, and gives them permission to take off their protective clothing now, prompting them to do so and leave the clothing to burst into flames on the ground as their bodies are revealed to have been scarred despite it. Kazuo notes that the healing process would have made their bodies rupture and explode if they were not wearing the protective clothing, leading Kazuhiro to muse that Ichigo and Renji soaked in the White Bone Hell naked without issue. In response, Kirinji affirms this and admits that the two of them exceeded his expectations before recounting how Ichigo reflexively struck and fractured his fist when Kirinji punched him in the face, to Kazuo and Kazuhiro's shock, and muses that he still has not lost the skill in Hohō that gave him the moniker of "Lightning-Fast", which is why he can understand why the Soul King is interested in Ichigo since the latter is something else.

Back in the Seireitei, in the Central 46 Compound assembly hall, the Central 46 are aggravated at Shunsui requesting that he be granted two lieutenants for the First Division. However, Shunsui merely affirms this and explains that 1st Division Lieutenant Genshirō Okikiba knows how to run the division while Nanao knows how to handle Shunsui himself, which means that they will both assist him in his duties. Though one of the judges declares that this is unacceptable, Shunsui counters that captains are explicitly granted the sole authority to appoint their lieutenants by the Central 46 themselves, leaving the judge speechless. Deciding to proceed with his first task as Captain-Commander, Shunsui announces that he intends to teach Zanjutsu to 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. With the Central 46 aghast at this, Shunsui notes that there is no guarantee of 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and the others returning from the Soul King Palace, which is why they must hone Kenpachi as an important asset.

Though the judges claim that Kenpachi could become too powerful to stop if he decides to revolt and remind Shunsui that they forced Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to stop teaching him kendo after a single day, Shunsui wonders what they are supposed to do instead since Soul Society will not survive the next invasion in its current state and asks the Central 46 if any of them can protect themselves. After the Central 46 fall silent, Shunsui observes that he has been given permission and calls in the person he intends to have handle this, prompting 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana to enter the hall while Shunsui identifies her as Yachiru Unohana, the First Kenpachi.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


Author's Notes[]

Volume 58 Intro Image
I've been catching bad colds every year lately, and it's taking even longer to recover. I've always been prone to sickness, and it's really starting to affect me. I hope I can finish the series before totally collapsing!

-Tite Kubo

References[]

  1. Bleach 58 (Japanese). Shueisha.
  2. http://amzn.com/1421561352
  3. http://amzn.com/1421561352
  4. 4.0 4.1 translation "Die Standing"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 This chapter appears as "Everything but the Rain" in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Navigation[]

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