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KING OF THE KILL is the thirty-fourth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Publisher's summary[]

To Ichigo Kurosaki's surprise, his childlike friend Nel Tu reverts to her true form to shield her Human protectors. And yet, an unforeseen turn of events leaves Nel and everyone at the mercy of the enemy, who is a heartbeat away from exterminating them. What hope is there for Ichigo and his friends now?

Bleach All Stars[]

All-Stars
ザエルアポロ
Szayelaporro
Ep190NnoitraCharaPic2 ネリエル
Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck
Ep190SzayelCharaPic ノイトラ
Nnoitra
Ep192NellielCharaPic

Ep269UryuCharaPic 朽木 ルキア
Rukia Kuchiki
Ep216IchigoCharaPic2
石田 雨竜
Uryū Ishida
Ep320RukiaCharaPic 黒崎 一護
Ichigo Kurosaki



Chapters[]

296. Changed Again And Again[]

Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck overpowers Nnoitra Gilga with her Resurrección, Gamuza, as Pesche Guatiche and Dondochakka Birstanne take on Szayelaporro Granz.

Summary:

296Cover

The cover page of 296. Changed Again And Again.

With Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck holding her Zanpakutō out in front of her while it emits steam from the blade, an alarmed Nnoitra Gilga curses and rushes toward her, only for Nelliel to successfully activate her Resurrección, Gamuza, creating an explosion of Reiatsu that pushes Nnoitra back and clears to reveal Nelliel with a centaur-like body and a long, double-ended lance. After flipping the lance over in her hand and rearing back, Nelliel performs Lanzador Verde by throwing it with tremendous power like a javelin at Nnoitra, whose attempt to block it with the blade of his own Zanpakutō proves unsuccessful when it pierces through the blade and into his shoulder with enough force to send him hurtling back several meters through the air into a large rock.

Meanwhile, in the wreckage of his palace, Szayelaporro Granz holds back a charging Bawabawa with one of his tendril wings and scoffs at Pesche Guatiche's claim of not having time to waste on him as being a bold statement for a lowly Fracción. In response, Pesche leaps off of Bawabawa's head into the air, where he unnerves Szayelaporro by reaching into his loincloth and pulling out a cylindrical object. However, Pesche reveals this to be his Zanpakutō, Última, and slashes Szayelaporro's arm with it before declaring that its blade is shining with overflowing Reishi, which leads him to compare it to Uryū Ishida's Seele Schneider, though Uryū takes offense to being compared to him at all.

Upon being called a coward by Pesche for this, Uryū is left aghast at Pesche doing so when his internal organs have been crushed by Teatro de Titere, and as 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai observes that Uryū is fairly composed for someone in this situation, Szayelaporro orders his two Fracción to strangle Bawabawa while he deals with Pesche and Dondochakka, but the latter simply pulls his own kanabō-like Zanpakutō out of his mouth and smashes it into the two Fracción hard enough to send them flying over a stunned Szayelaporro. While hopping onto Dondochakka's back, Pesche informs Szayelaporro that his loss came from assuming that Pesche and Dondochakka had not improved since the last time they fought him when they had actually spent the entirety of their time in the desert training to protect Nel, which he demonstrates by initiating Cero Sincrético, a technique he developed with Dondochakka that merges their respective Ceros, and telling a stunned Szayelaporro to perish from it prior to firing at him.

Back in the sands, Nelliel confronts Nnoitra, whom she tells that the battle is over. Suddenly, with Nnoitra contesting this and Nelliel promising to not kill him, Nel reverts to her child form in a burst of energy that completely dissipates Gamuza, to the shock of those watching. Seizing upon this, Nnoitra stomps on a confused Nel's head, laughs maniacally, and proclaims that she is finished.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


297. KING OF THE KILL[]

The Espada overwhelm and prepare to kill Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends.

Summary:

297Cover

The cover page of 297. KING OF THE KILL.

Nel Tu is kicked hard in the stomach by Nnoitra Gilga, sending her hurtling limply several meters across the sands, and when Ichigo Kurosaki frantically rushes after her, Nnoitra grabs him by the head and slams him face-first into the sands as he asserts that they are all doomed because Nel was their last hope while transformed. When Nnoitra tells him to take over here and do as he wishes with Ichigo and his friends since they are as good as dead, Tesra Lindocruz releases Orihime Inoue, who is immediately grabbed by Nnoitra, and activates his Resurrección, Verruga, transforming him into a massive and heavily muscled boar-like warrior. With a stunned Ichigo staring at him, Tesra deliberately places his right hoof over Ichigo's left leg and stomps it down, breaking Ichigo's leg at the ankle and causing him to scream in pain. Upon seeing this, Orihime calls out to Ichigo in concern, but is cut off when Nnoitra shoves two of his fingers into her mouth and tells her to watch quietly because her supposed savior is about to be reduced to chunks of meat.

Meanwhile, in the wreckage of his palace, Szayelaporro Granz stands unharmed in front of a massive cloud of smoke while an exhausted Pesche Guatiche lies in the rubble and questions why his and Dondochakka Birstanne's Cero Sincrético did not work. In response, Szayelaporro reveals that they gave him too much time and that he knew they were Nelliel's Fracción the moment he saw them despite them changing their masks before explaining that he was gauging their movements, Reiatsu, and experience even as he was fighting Uryū Ishida and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai. Though he admits that the Cero Sincrético was a brilliant and devastating technique, Szayelaporro declares that he was expecting as much and concludes that Pesche and Dondochakka lost because they did not use this technique the instant that the fight began. After inferring that they are out of ideas, Szayelaporro congratulates those before him on finally being able to put an end to this lengthy scene and states that he will end everything.

Simultaneously, Zommari Rureaux arrives at Aaroniero Arruruerie's frozen palace, where he observes that the last of the first generation of Espada has fallen and was not even able to kill his opponent, Rukia Kuchiki, who lies unconscious nearby. Zommari criticizes how soft his comrades are in ensuring their Shinigami opponents are dead, as the only way to make sure is to separate their heads from their bodies, and draws his Zanpakutō while promising Aaroniero that he will clean up the latter's mess.

Outside Tres Cifras, Rudbornn Chelute and his Exequias appear before Yasutora Sado and Gantenbainne Mosqueda, who lie facedown in the sands before them. Noting that they are still breathing, Rudbornn draws his Zanpakutō and orders that they will begin the harvest.

Back in the sands, Tesra continues brutalizing Ichigo with powerful punches as Orihime watches with tears in her eyes. When Tesra holds Ichigo aloft by the head and sees defiance in the latter's eyes, he takes Ichigo's right wrist between his fingers and snaps it in two with his index finger, prompting Ichigo to howl in agony prior to being thrown several meters away by Tesra. With Nnoitra musing that Ichigo is finished and Orihime panicking internally, Tesra walks over to Ichigo and attempts to finish him off with a downward punch. However, Ichigo is left astonished when the blow is intercepted and a voice observes that he looks like he is on the verge of death as 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki stands before him with his Zanpakutō blocking Tesra's fist.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


298. INTRUDERZ3[]

Four captains of the Gotei 13 enter Hueco Mundo to battle the Espada.

Summary:

298Cover

The cover spread of 298. INTRUDERZ3.

With a stunned Ichigo Kurosaki wondering if it is really him, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki stands before him with Tesra Lindocruz's fist held back by his Zanpakutō and confirms that it is as he wonders if the beating Ichigo received scrambled his brains. Upon seeing Kenpachi, Nnoitra Gilga immediately throws aside Orihime Inoue and kneels down to perform Indice Radar on Kenpachi, only to be left alarmed by what he senses. Pulling his fist back from Kenpachi's Zanpakutō, Tesra questions who Kenpachi is, and when Kenpachi remains silent, Tesra decides to simply kill him if he is not going to answer and attacks Kenpachi, but Nnoitra frantically warns him to run instead just before Kenpachi cuts diagonally through him in a single slash, severing his fist in the process.

After Tesra's two halves fall to the ground, Kenpachi calmly wonders who is next and turns to Nnoitra, whom he infers is his next opponent. When Ichigo asks him why he is here since Soul Society was supposed to be staying out of this fight, Kenpachi simply kicks Ichigo away to get him out of the way, to his and Orihime's unnerved surprise, and reveals that Kisuke Urahara was ordered by Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to stabilize the Garganta and secure a safe route to Hueco Mundo for the captains at the beginning of the conflict against Sōsuke Aizen. While Kenpachi notes that Urahara was confident he could finish the three-month plan in one month and that this was only hindered by Orihime being abducted, 11th Division Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi pops out of his haori and concludes that Kenpachi has come now that the route has been secured, to Kenpachi's annoyance. With Szayelaporro Granz, Zommari Rureaux, and Rudbornn Chelute finding themselves confronted as well, Kenpachi complains about his promise of being able to handle this alone being left unheeded as 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, and 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana stand before those respective opponents.

While Zommari inquires about Byakuya's identity, Unohana and her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, identify themselves to Rudbornn, who is left shocked by a captain standing before him as Zommari infers that Byakuya is a captain from his haori and introduces himself as Espada #7. However, Mayuri stands with his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, and merely questions what the point of telling Szayelaporro anything is before Byakuya asserts that the captains are just enemies to the Espada, which Zommari acknowledges. With Unohana informing Rudbornn that they merely came to Hueco Mundo to heal the wounded rather than fight, Mayuri rejoices over the treasure trove of experimentation that Hueco Mundo is with all the Arrancar present.

Back in Aaroniero Arruruerie's palace, Byakuya asks Zommari if he is the one who grievously wounded Rukia Kuchiki, which leads Zommari to clarify that he did not and was simply about to finish her off instead, to Byakuya's anger. Meanwhile, in the desert, Nnoitra attacks Kenpachi, who blocks the former's Zanpakutō with his own and observes that it took him long enough, and the two fiercely introduce themselves to each other.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


299. The Verbal Warfare[]

6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki begins his battle against Zommari Rureaux.

Summary:

299Cover

The cover spread of 299. The Verbal Warfare.

As 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki disengages from his clash against Nnoitra Gilga, both grinning fiercely, Rudbornn Chelute decides to withdraw from his confrontation with 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana and departs with Sonído alongside his Exequias. Though her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, protests this, Unohana asserts that they do not need to pursue the Arrancar because they did not come here to shed blood before declaring that they will heal both Yasutora Sado and Gantenbainne Mosqueda.

Meanwhile, in the wreckage of Szayelaporro Granz's palace, Uryū Ishida demands to know what 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi is doing here, and when Szayelaporro inquires if Uryū is a friend of his, Mayuri claims that he does not befriend inferior creatures, to Uryū's irritation. In response, Szayelaporro requests that they not quarrel in front of him since it is unseemly and begins to ask for Mayuri's name again, but stops and muses that it does not matter since Mayuri and his lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi, are just two insects for him to crush. However, Mayuri notes that he does need to know Szayelaporro's name and informs the curious latter that he needs to know how to label the specimen jar which Szayelaporro will be put in, to Szayelaporro's amusement.

Simultaneously, in Aaroniero Arruruerie's frozen palace, Zommari Rureaux stands across from 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki with his Zanpakutō held out and wonders why the latter is not attacking. When Zommari advises him against tending to an unconscious and grievously wounded Rukia Kuchiki because it would be pointless, Byakuya sternly questions why it would be and moves behind Zommari with Shunpo, only for Zommari to initiate Gemelos Sonído and reappear behind a startled Byakuya to attack while his image remains in place in front of Byakuya. After clashing with Zommari, Byakuya skids back across the ground and inquires about how Zommari can appear in two places at once like this, prompting Zommari to explain that he has the fastest Sonído of all the Espada and can create quasi-doppelgangers by modifying his Sonído with additional steps to initiate Gemelos Sonído.

With Zommari comparing this to a magic trick and assuring Byakuya that there is no shame in not being able to track him by eyesight since magic is meant to trick people, Byakuya accepts this, but warns Zommari that he should be ashamed for revealing his secrets so soon and moves to Zommari with Shunpo to slash him diagonally across the chest, then turns around and cuts through Zommari vertically upward when he reappears unharmed behind Byakuya. Suddenly, a third Zommari appears between them behind Byakuya and apologetically informs the latter that Gemelos Sonído is not limited to two doppelgangers, but when Byakuya counters that he did not believe it was and fires Hadō #4. Byakurai through Zommari's chest, Zommari and another doppelganger appear in front of a stunned Byakuya while his head is turned and clarify that Gemelos Sonído can create up to five doppelgangers before impaling Byakuya through the front and back with their Zanpakutō simultaneously.

With Byakuya bleeding from the mouth and groaning in pain, Zommari bids him farewell and claims that he lost because he was too arrogant to identify himself, only for Byakuya to disappear, leaving only his captain's haori impaled on a shocked Zommari's blade. Reappearing behind Zommari, Byakuya reveals that this was Utsusemi and laments having to use a technique he learned from Yoruichi Shihōin prior to telling Zommari that despite his pride, he will lose this battle because he is simply outclassed.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


300. CURSE NAMED LOVE[]

Zommari Rureaux activates his Resurrección, Brujería, against 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki.

Summary:

300Cover

The cover page of 300. CURSE NAMED LOVE.

In a long corridor within Aaroniero Arruruerie's palace, 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada frantically runs along the frozen floor and calls 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki mean for moving far ahead of him with Shunpo as soon as they got here despite knowing he cannot use Shunpo yet before slipping on the ice and falling flat on his face.

Meanwhile, in the central chamber of the palace, Zommari Rureaux questions Byakuya's criticism of him as being proud and explains that he merely wished to treat the captain before him as an equal regardless of their adversarial status without any pride in his heart, only for Byakuya to assert that an Arrancar thinking they are of the same class is the pride of which he speaks. In response, Zommari muses that arrogance seems to be ingrained into Byakuya's very being and declares that he will smash it into the recesses of Byakuya's soul before activating his Resurrección, Brujería, by levitating his Zanpakutō parallel to his chest, clasping his hands together, and twisting his head 90 degrees to the right, which bends his Zanpakutō at a right angle five times along the length of its blade and releases a substance that fully covers Zommari, then drips down to reveal Zommari having gained dozens of eyes around his bone-clad torso and a large, bulbous lower body with single-eyed faces adorning the rim.

With Byakuya staring at this, Zommari holds out his right palm, which has a large eye whose pupil widens as he initiates Amor. Upon seeing this, Byakuya immediately moves behind Zommari with Shunpo, but is left confused when nothing comes out of Zommari's outstretched hand, prompting Zommari to infer that he anticipated an attack and sarcastically apologize with a grin while revealing that it is already taking effect. After a startled Byakuya notices a sun-shaped mark on his left ankle, Zommari proclaims that Byakuya's left leg belongs to him now and observes that there is dominion in all things, with subordinates subject to their superiors, people subject to their kings, clouds subject to the wind, and the moon subject to the sun. Concluding that Amor lets him take control of anything that his eyes look upon, Zommari sees Byakuya's unimpressed expression and claims to sympathize with his lack of understanding because many things are incomprehensible for those who lack wisdom.

When Zommari promises Byakuya that he will soon understand and beckons his left leg to take a step forward, Byakuya involuntarily steps forward with it, and as Zommari notes that it is pointless to resist since Byakuya no longer controls it, Byakuya responds to Zommari attempting to have his left leg take another step by drawing his Zanpakutō and swiftly slashing through his lower left leg's muscles and tendons, rendering it completely incapable of movement. Briefly stunned by this, Zommari commends Byakuya for his quick thinking and decides to try a different approach by aiming Amor at an unconscious Rukia Kuchiki nearby with two of the eyes on his right shoulder, forcing Byakuya to move in front of her with Shunpo and intercept their line of sight with his body.

With Zommari impressed by how well he moves with only one leg and calling him worthy of the captain rank, to Byakuya's irritation, Hanatarō rushes into the chamber and expresses relief at having finally caught up to Byakuya, though he is alarmed by the sight of blood pooling around Byakuya's left foot and by Rukia lying on the ground next to him. Following Zommari's observation that they have a loud visitor, Byakuya tells Hanatarō to back away, clarifies that he is being annoying rather than getting in the way, and warns him that he may not be able to keep Hanatarō out of this fight as things stand.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


301. Nothing Like Equal[]

Zommari Rureaux displays the capabilities of his Amor, but 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki turns the tables on him.

Summary:

301Cover

The cover spread of 301. Nothing Like Equal.

Having been covered with a sun-shaped symbol by Zommari Rureaux's Amor, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's left hand suddenly reaches toward his throat, forcing him to slash through his left arm's tendons and muscles near the shoulder with his Zanpakutō in order to render it unable to move. With 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada alarmed by this, Byakuya fires Hadō #1. Shō at an unconscious Rukia Kuchiki, breaking the ice encrusting her on the ground and sending her lifeless body flying several feet back as he tells Hanatarō to step back. After observing that Byakuya displays a cold-blooded, ruthless, and decisive nature by disabling his left arm and leg solely to prevent his enemy from using it even though they are part of his own body, Zommari notes that this seems rash because Byakuya only has his right arm and leg remaining now, which Zommari considers a foolish condition to challenge an Espada in.

Despite this, while Hanatarō begins carrying away Rukia behind him, Byakuya reiterates that the difference between him and Zommari is like that of heaven and earth prior to clarifying that even after discarding his left arm and leg, he has still not nearly lowered himself to Zommari's level. Irritated by this, Zommari muses that Byakuya overestimates his own strength even more than expected and informs Byakuya that the eyes on his body are the key to Amor, as each of them can control a single subject. When Byakuya's eyes narrow at this, Zommari praises his quick understanding and reminds Byakuya that he used Amor with two of his eyes, which allowed him to take control of something else besides Byakuya's left arm, while Byakuya whirls around to see a sun-shaped mark on Rukia's head just before she is compelled to slash Hanatarō across the chest with her Zanpakutō, to his astonishment. Before Byakuya can rush over to Rukia, Zommari orders him to stop and has Rukia hold her Zanpakutō against her own throat, to Byakuya's shock, while Hanatarō collapses.

Zommari reveals that while Amor lets one eye take control of one thing at a time, using it on an individual's head lets him control their entire body, leading him to declare that Byakuya has lost and tell the latter to drop his sword. In response, Byakuya lets go of his Zanpakutō, but uses his right hand to cast Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō on Rukia, and as Zommari curses in confusion and frustration at his inability to move Rukia's body any further, Byakuya reappears behind him with Shunpo, asserts that Zommari's control means nothing to him, and drops his Zanpakutō into the ground to activate his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, which surrounds Zommari with a whirlwind of swirling blade petals. Though Zommari frantically initiates Amor with all the eyes on his body, including hidden ones on his neck, Byakuya states that he should not bother because each eye only controls a single subject and Zommari only has fifty eyes on his body, meaning that he has no hope of controlling a hundred million blade petals filling the air. With Zommari sweating in fear at this, Byakuya concludes that Zommari should try saving himself if he wants to see a truly pointless endeavor compared to Byakuya's situation prior to initiating Gōkei, which envelops Aaroniero Arruruerie's palace in a massive sphere of blade petals.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


302. Pride on the Blade[]

6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki defeats Zommari Rureaux.

Summary:

302Cover

The cover page of 302. Pride on the Blade.

With Gōkei enveloping Aaroniero Arruruerie's palace, 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki stands in the air outside the whirling sphere of blade petals and explains that the technique envelops an enemy in all the blade petals of his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, to strike them from all sides simultaneously before ordering Zommari Rureaux to disappear as the blades converge in the center of the sphere, obliterating most of the palace in the process.

In the aftermath, Byakuya lands on the floor of the palace and dispels the Kidō barrier he erected to protect Rukia Kuchiki and 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada before noticing the Amor mark remaining on his left hand, causing him to admit Zommari is tough as the latter is revealed by the clearing blade petals to have protected himself with El Embrion, which he emerges from with all the eyes on his body other than the two on his head left white and bleeding. With Byakuya sealing Senbonzakura Kageyoshi back into his Zanpakutō, Zommari curses him and opens the eight slits on his forehead to reveal eyes nestled within that he immediately uses Amor with.

However, Byakuya simply casts Bakudō #81. Dankū, erecting a tall and transparent barrier in front of himself that blocks the combined Amor and has a large sun-shaped symbol imprinted onto it, and tells a stunned Zommari that it blocks Hadō spells below #90. before noting that he assumed Amor is similar to a Kidō spell when he stopped it from affecting Rukia with Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō earlier. As Byakuya observes that he was right, an enraged Zommari begins repeatedly using Amor on the barrier in an attempt to break through it, but Byakuya moves behind him with Shunpo and holds his Zanpakutō to Zommari's neck, where he criticizes Zommari for ceasing to pay attention to his surroundings in his frustration despite claiming to be the fastest Espada.

Initially begging for mercy, Zommari sees Byakuya's stern expression and infers that the latter will choose to execute him rather than show mercy, which he proclaims is arrogant prior to pushing away Byakuya's blade and moving back to lecture Byakuya for him and other Shinigami considering themselves gods who can slaughter Hollows as though they are vermin. As he demands to know by what right the Shinigami slaughter Hollows, Zommari points out that no one gave the Shinigami the authority to protect Humans and declares that they call Hollows evil solely because they believe that they hold the power of justice in their hands. Suddenly, before Zommari can continue ranting, Byakuya moves to him with Shunpo, delivers a swift strike, then moves past him and clarifies that he is not acting in his capacity as a Shinigami, but rather is killing Zommari because the latter raised his blade in contempt of Byakuya's pride.

With a large diagonal gash appearing across his chest, Zommari frantically begins shouting praise of Sōsuke Aizen over and over before his body dissipates and fades away, leaving Byakuya to tell 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu to come out. When asked if her captain, Retsu Unohana, sent her, Isane confirms that she did so due to sensing Hanatarō's injury, prompting Byakuya to acknowledge this and leave her to begin healing.

Meanwhile, in the wreckage of his palace, a grinning Szayelaporro Granz stands before 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who kneels on the ground and pants in exhaustion.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


303. Dumdum-Dummy-Dumbstruck[]

Szayelaporro Granz quickly finds himself outmatched by 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Summary:

303Cover

The cover page of 303. Dumdum-Dummy-Dumbstruck.

Having used Teatro de Titere against 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and inflicted enough pressure on the resulting doll to make the latter scream in pain, Szayelaporro Granz claims to find it shameful that even a captain was helpless before his power and pops apart the doll to take out and crush one of the organ pieces, which makes Mayuri cough up blood. However, as 12th Division Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi expresses concern for Mayuri and a laughing Szayelaporro assumes Mayuri's frightful appearance was just for show, Mayuri simply sticks his tongue out, rolls his eyes in opposite directions, and reveals that he fooled Szayelaporro, who is taken aback. When Mayuri stands up and wonders why he is shocked at this, Szayelaporro crushes another organ piece and is pleased when Mayuri spits up blood once again, but an annoyed Mayuri tells him to stop because this trick has become tiresome and orders Nemu to get up as well, which she complies with.

In a rage, Szayelaporro throws the doll to the ground, spilling its contents across a chunk of rubble, and begins angrily stomping on the various pieces, causing Mayuri's body to jerk in different directions while he remains expressionless. With Szayelaporro demanding to know what kind of power Mayuri has to not die after having all of his organs and tendons smashed, Mayuri clarifies that he has no special power and merely got tired of seeing the effects of Teatro de Titere over and over again, to Szayelaporro's confusion, before elaborating that he is so cautious that he always puts something into his opponents, which is why he infected Uryū Ishida with Data-Gathering Bacteria and watched the latter's battle with Szayelaporro this way. Once Mayuri concludes that he used this time to replace his own organs and tendons with dummy replacements, a dumbstruck Szayelaporro refuses to believe that Mayuri could accomplish this during the duration of his battle against Uryū since it has not even been an hour since that begun, but Mayuri bluntly asserts that he is only here because he did.

As Szayelaporro glares in disbelief, Uryū demands that Mayuri wait and responds to being called annoying by the latter by pointing out that this is the first thing he has said since Mayuri arrived and demanding to know if Mayuri infected him during their battle. Though Uryū insists that Mayuri using the Data-Gathering Bacteria to view his private life is a violation of human rights and insists that he remove them, Mayuri simply rolls his eyes in opposite directions once more, and when Uryū wonders if Mayuri is even listening to him, Mayuri coldly tells him to be silent, causing Uryū to cough up blood when he tries to argue further while 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai tells him to stop. Suddenly, Nemu is grabbed by a tentacle that bursts out of the rubble behind her, which leads Szayelaporro to cackle maniacally and chastise Mayuri for not being cautious enough to mind the area near Nemu's feet, only for Nemu to calmly inform him that she is useless as a hostage.

With Szayelaporro demanding that Nemu shut up because he is not talking to her, an unimpressed Mayuri complains about how noisy everyone is being and activates his Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, unnerving Szayelaporro prior to it unleashing poisonous gas from its mouth. Upon noticing the gas discoloring his skin, Szayelaporro deduces that the gas contains deadly bacterium and attempts to neutralize it, but realizes that he does not have enough time to do so and is left screaming in horror while Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō crashes into and devours him.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


304. Battle of Barbarians[]

The fallen combatants around Las Noches are healed as Szayelaporro Granz makes an unexpected comeback.

Summary:

304Cover

The cover page of 304. Battle of Barbarians.

In the frozen remnants of Aaroniero Arruruerie's palace, Rukia Kuchiki regains consciousness, to the relief of 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu and 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada. Wondering why Isane and Hanatarō are here as they caution her against sitting up since she is not fully healed yet, Rukia is shocked to see 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki looking out into the distance nearby, and after Byakuya sternly reiterates Isane's instructions for her to remain still until she is healed, Rukia notices Byakuya's haori lying on the ground as well as blood dripping down his left arm, both of which Byakuya tells her to ignore prior to warning Rukia that the true battle lies ahead of them.

Out in the desert sands, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki clashes with Nnoitra Gilga as both grin fiercely. Nearby, Orihime Inoue rushes to a heavily injured Ichigo Kurosaki's side, and when Ichigo begins pleading with her, Orihime moves to heal him, but Ichigo insists that she tend to Nel Tu first, which she runs off to do after a moment's hesitation over the clash nearby. Meanwhile, Yasutora Sado wakes up on bloodstained sand to discover that his wounds have been healed by 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana, who looks elsewhere while the sounds of Kenpachi and Nnoitra's clashing Zanpakutō echo over the area.

Simultaneously, in the wreckage of Szayelaporro Granz's palace, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi stands next to his facedown Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, and notes that the battle between the barbarians continues before Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō rears up to chew and swallow Szayelaporro's remains. Watching this in disgust alongside Uryū Ishida, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai coughs up blood when his skin becomes discolored, which prompts Uryū to deduce that he has been infected by the poisonous gas as well and attribute his own lack of symptoms to having developed antibodies against the poison when he came into contact with it before, only to immediately develop discolored skin and cough up blood as well while Mayuri informs them that he changes the composition of the poison after every fight.

With Mayuri asserting that part of his genius lies in preventing his enemies from developing immunities, causing an irritated Uryū to demand that he give them the antidote, 12th Division Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi remains bound by a tentacle released by Szayelaporro and requests that Mayuri help her out of it, only for Mayuri to ignore her and exasperatedly toss the antidote to Uryū and Renji. Suddenly, the pupils of Nemu's eyes rapidly contract and she begins writhing in pain within the tentacle's grasp, alarming Uryū and Mayuri, the former of whom realizes that something is not right and urges the latter to help Nemu right now. With Nemu's abdomen swelling in size and ripping her clothing, a section of the tentacle binding her grows a mouth and asks Mayuri if he believed he had killed Szayelaporro.

As Uryū and Renji recognize Szayelaporro's voice, Szayelaporro explains that the most important and brilliant technique of his Resurrección, Fornicarás, is Gabriel, which is the ability to implant himself in his enemies by entering their body through the belly button, laying an egg inside their internal organs that grows quickly by feeding on its host, and eventually causing their death while simultaneously rebirthing him, concluding this by rapidly draining Nemu to a withered husk and exiting from her mouth in his fully-grown Resurrección form. After Nemu's body drops to the ground, a dripping wet Szayelaporro suggests that he and Mayuri begin by introducing themselves again, which Mayuri merely smiles at.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


305. The Rising Phoenix[]

Learning of Szayelaporro Granz's ability to resurrect himself endlessly, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi is intrigued by the limits of his abilities.

Summary:

305Cover

The cover page of 305. The Rising Phoenix.

After reiterating that he can be reborn by implanting himself in an enemy with Gabriel, having already done so with 12th Division Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi, Szayelaporro Granz notes that the phoenix is said to be immortal because it throws itself into the fire to be reborn anew whenever it grows old, which he identifies as immortality and perfection. Szayelaporro energetically explains that rather than avoiding death, he turns death into a pathway to continued life that no longer functions as an end and proclaims that his endless cycle of death and rebirth makes him a perfect life form before concluding that his ability to be reborn when killed means that 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi cannot win.

Though he smiles smugly when Mayuri silently approaches him, Szayelaporro is nonplussed when Mayuri moves past him and kneels down before a desiccated Nemu, who slowly apologizes to him. With Szayelaporro assuming that Mayuri is heartbroken at seeing his lieutenant so withered despite coming off as callous and suggesting that he forget her since Nemu's condition leaves her beyond saving, Mayuri simply stands up and grins widely while calling Gabriel interesting, to Szayelaporro's lack of amusement. Claiming to be highly intrigued by this ability, Mayuri asks Szayelaporro if this is it, and when Szayelaporro expresses confusion, Mayuri elaborates that Szayelaporro calling himself the perfect being implies that he must have another hidden ability and encourages the latter to use it since there is no point in not doing so.

In response, Szayelaporro flicks his finger upward, causing Mayuri's Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, to suddenly rear up behind Mayuri and crash down onto him, to the shock of Uryū Ishida and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai. However, when a maniacally laughing Szayelaporro reveals that his body invades the nervous system of anyone who consumes it and that controlling the central activation system of Mayuri's Zanpakutō allows him to control all facets of it even if he does not know how it works, which means Mayuri should curse himself for having a living being for a Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō rapidly swells up with bulbous growths and pops like a balloon, leaving Szayelaporro stunned.

Emerging from the collapsing body, an unharmed Mayuri asserts that his weapon turning on him would never do and informs Szayelaporro that he modified it to activate a Self-Destruct Protocol should anyone ever try to use it against him. After observing that Szayelaporro seems to be out of tricks, Mayuri announces that the former will be a test subject for his new drug, and when a startled Szayelaporro instinctively backs up, Mayuri assures him that he does not need to be defensive since the drug is already in his system. With Szayelaporro noticing that Mayuri's speech is starting to slow down, Mayuri details how he implanted several drugs within Nemu so that they would be ingested if she were eaten and holds up a vial containing the same drug that he put in the area where Szayelaporro implanted his eggs, though he clarifies that it is not lethal and will instead make Szayelaporro superhuman.

Mayuri describes a rumored phenomenon where two battling master swordsmen will see their swords move in slow motion like time is slowing down for them, which occurs due to their senses being sharpened to the highest degree, and reveals that his Superhuman Drug allows anyone to experience this sensation, though Szayelaporro is unable to understand what he is saying due to Mayuri's words sounding incredibly drawn-out to him. After musing that even an untrained eye using this drug would see bullets hanging in midair as though frozen, Mayuri notes that his own movements must seem slow and boring to a superhuman Szayelaporro and inquires if his Zanpakutō seems motionless to Szayelaporro while holding it up to the latter's motionless eye.

Deciding to tell Szayelaporro the most amazing thing about the Superhuman Drug, Mayuri asserts that the effect of seeing swords in slow motion with a master's senses can be amplified a trillion times over with it and that the optimal dosage of the Superhuman Drug is a single drop diluted to 1/250,000th of its original concentration, only to clarify that he used a special undiluted solution on Szayelaporro that will make him perceive every second as one hundred years. As he observes that his sword will take several hundred centuries to reach Szayelaporro to the latter's superhuman perception, Mayuri clarifies that the effects of the Superhuman Drug do not extend to Szayelaporro's body, which is hopelessly slow by comparison and has effectively been left behind by its senses, and that Szayelaporro's attempt to stop the blade with his hand will only result in it being pierced while the pain takes a hundred years to reach Szayelaporro. With Mayuri's Zanpakutō continuing to push through Szayelaporro's hand toward his chest, Mayuri admits that he has no idea when these words will even reach Szayelaporro, though he states that there is no rush and that Szayelaporro can savor the feeling of the blade entering his heart for an entire century while his bodily fluids turn to dust prior to maliciously encouraging Szayelaporro to enjoy the next hundred years.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


Author's Notes[]

Volume 34 Intro Image
Recently I've been meeting other manga artists so frequently I can't even believe it. It's fun. We meet and talk about manga. It's a lot of fun. Could it be that I actually like manga? I don't read too much of it though.

-Tite Kubo

References[]

  1. Bleach 34 (Japanese). Shueisha.
  2. Bleach, Vol. 34. Viz Media.
  3. 3.0 3.1 this chapter appear as 'Shut up & Die' in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine

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THE BAD JOKE KING OF THE KILL HIGHER THAN THE MOON

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