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THE BURNOUT INFERNO is the forty-fifth volume of the Bleach manga series.

Publisher's summary[]

The great battle heads for a climax as Sōsuke Aizen joins the battlefield and faces the Soul Society's greatest captains. Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reveals his true powers for the first time, but will it be enough to stop Aizen?

Bleach All Stars[]

All-Stars
藍染 惣右介
Sōsuke Aizen
Ep206YamamotoCharaPic 狛村 左陣
Sajin Komamura
Ep279AizenCharaPic 山本元柳斎 重國
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto
Ep215KomamuraCharaPic

Ep257HitsugayaCharaPic 平子 真子
Shinji Hirako
Ep216IchigoCharaPic2
日番谷 冬獅郎
Tōshirō Hitsugaya
Ep125ShinjiCharaPic 黒崎 一護
Ichigo Kurosaki



Chapters[]

387. Ignited[]

Shinji Hirako reveals the ability of his Shikai, Sakanade, but Sōsuke Aizen is unimpressed.

Summary:

387Cover

Cover of 387. Ignited

Shinji Hirako fully releases his Zanpakutō, Sakanade. Aizen comments on the intriguing shape of Sakanade, prompting Shinji to comment that it is great, but he will not lend it to Aizen. Aizen goes on to comment that it does not have any particular aura yet Shinji commented that it could control the senses. Shinji tells Aizen that it is already changing and asks him if it does not have a nice scent. He then welcomes Aizen to the Inverted World. Aizen then notices that everything is inverted, up and down, left and right. Shinji boasts that his power is kind of irritating and the release is a trump-card. Shinji then proceeds to attack, but Aizen seems to figure it out and comments that if everything is inverted then forward and backward is also inverted and turns around to parry Shinji. However, Shinji manages to cut Aizen's arm, going on to say that along with all those directions being opposite, his eyesight and where he gets cut is also reversed. Shinji goes on to say that while Aizen might try to process the different information in his mind, his body will still fight by reflex and thus continue to succumb to Sakanade's power. But as Shinji charges again, Aizen dodges and slashes him across the back. Aizen then dismisses Shinji's power as a mere optical illusion and not a problem once you get used to it. Saying that Shinji cannot compare to his power.

Meanwhile, Kaname Tōsen remembers the time when he found out that his friend's killer would not be executed. He begged Central 46 to reconsider and goes on to remember his friend, Aizen, his Hollowfication and the funeral of his friend. He then opens his eyes to see Captain Sajin Komamura and Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi. He starts to speak, but Komamura tells him not to, saying that his Hollow powers let him live and while he can speak, it is better not to as his throat is torn. Komamura then goes to ask Tōsen about what he said prior to them starting to fight, about knowing that they would eventually cross blades. Komamura admits that he knew that while fighting they would eventually cross blades as well, mentioning that Hisagi certainly thought the same thing too. He states that it was as if the relationships between them were brief, fading in and out of existence or possibly small and unimportant and yet they would still cross swords. Komamura comments that Tōsen still being alive must be destiny after gaining understanding from the heart. Komamura goes on to tell Tōsen that he will not ask him to not be angry or to stop hating, but simply for him to not be so consumed by his revenge that he loses himself. Komamura states that his heart would be empty, just like Tōsen's, if he lost Tōsen. Tōsen is moved to tears by Komamura's words and thanks him.

Tōsen then asks Hisagi to show him more of his face, being still partially Hollowfied, Tōsen could still see and wishes to remember Hisagi's face, but suddenly Tōsen explodes in a burst of blood and flesh. As Hisagi screams for his captain, Komamura turns his gaze to Aizen and shouts out Aizen's name. As Aizen glances at Komamura, Ichigo breaks through the sky behind him, poised for an attack.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


388. Eagle Without Wings 2 (EXTREME BATTLEMASTER MIX)[]

Ichigo Kurosaki and Sōsuke Aizen cross blades.

Summary:

388Cover

Cover of 388. Eagle Without Wings 2 [Extreme Battlemasters Mix]

As he has been instructed not to look at Aizen's Shikai, as he runs through the Garganta, Ichigo Kurosaki decides that he has to settle this with one strike. Ichigo says that he will kill Aizen, he will cut him down. When Ichigo exits the Garganta, he arrives behind Aizen. Ichigo takes the opportunity to strike at the back of Aizen's neck. This causes a reaction that shocks Shinji and Komamura. Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō hit a shield. As the explosion of power clears, Aizen greets Ichigo. The shocked Ichigo jumps away from Aizen as he wonders how Aizen blocked the first attack. Aizen tells him that while it was a good slash, the spot he picked was not good. Saying that behind the neck is the biggest blind spot for all living creatures and as such it was ludicrous to think that Aizen would enter battle without putting some sort of defense on that spot. Ichigo thinks that he was careless and that because he was afraid to lose himself, he did not use Hollowfication and he should have used it for that attack. Aizen guesses Ichigo's thoughts and mocks him for them. Telling him to come at him Hollowfied and that he will show Ichigo how conceited those thoughts are.

Ichigo uses Hollowfication and releases another Getsuga Tenshō, but Aizen evades it and appears behind Ichigo. Ichigo increases his distance from Aizen again, causing Aizen to wonder why Ichigo is keeping his distance. Aizen tells him that distance only has meaning in a battle between equals, but that between him and Ichigo, distance is meaningless and that he can always touch Ichigo's heart. As he says this, he appears right in front of Ichigo and lays his fingers on his chest. Ichigo attempts to attack again, but Aizen evades. Aizen then asks why Ichigo is fighting him, whether Ichigo hates him. Aizen tells Ichigo that by looking at his face, Aizen can tell that Orihime Inoue is safe and that none of Ichigo's other friends have died. As such it is impossible for Ichigo to hate Aizen and therefore, Ichigo is just brandishing his sword out of a sense of responsibility. However, Aizen tells him that that is not enough and that a fighting spirit without hatred is an eagle without wings. Aizen goes on to tell Ichigo that powerless comrades cannot be anything, but weights that break your legs.

Ichigo begins to waiver, but then feels Komamura's hands on his wrist. Komamura tells Ichigo not to be taken in and that provoking opponents is Aizen's forte. He goes on to say that if they lose themselves, they lose their lives as well. He tells Ichigo to be at ease and that they understood immediately why the captains who had gone to Hueco Mundo sent Ichigo to Fake Karakura Town and they will not let him see Aizen's Shikai. That they will fight and protect Ichigo, thus the Gotei 13 captains and the Visored present a united front against Aizen, standing between him and Ichigo.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


389. Winged Eagles 2[]

The Gotei 13 and the Visored launch a combined attack on Sōsuke Aizen.

Summary:

389Cover

Cover of 389. Winged Eagles 2

Ichigo exclaims at being protected by the captains and the Visored, saying that is really overdoing it given how injured they all are. Shinji counters that, that is not overdoing, but letting him die fighting alone would cause all of them to give into their anger. He also tells Ichigo not to bear the burden of the fight by himself, saying that it is very offensive and this battle belongs to all of them. As Ichigo contemplates Shinji's words, Hitsugaya charges at Aizen - who easily blocks his attack. Aizen taunts him for charging-in void of all discretion, commenting on the recklessness of Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya's action. Hitsugaya counters that if no one attacks then nothing will start and that causing people to lose their chance is also one of Aizen's tricks. Hitsugaya goes on to compliment Aizen for not using Kyōka Suigetsu on the first strike. Aizen counters that he is the one who should compliment Hitsugaya for being wise enough not to fight him one on one. As Aizen says this, he blocks an attack from Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, who goes on to ask if "Captain Aizen" is calling Hitsugaya a coward. Aizen says that if it sounded that way to "Captain Kyōraku" then they should amend things.

As Ichigo watches them, Komamura thanks Ichigo for arriving when he did. Saying that if Ichigo had not come when he had, Komamura would have charged Aizen out of anger, referring back to how Tōsen suddenly exploded. He then charges forth. Shinji wonders why Ichigo didn't bring Orihime, saying that if Orihime had been here she could have healed them all and then they could have fought Aizen at full strength. Shinji, however, goes on to say that he is not too angry with Ichigo as he did come back with Captain Retsu Unohana. Saying that in a battle, she is probably the better choice. As he says this, Unohana is seen approaching Hachigen Ushōda and the bifurcated Hiyori Sarugaki. Shinji then calls on Love Aikawa, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, and Lisa Yadōmaru, as they charge Aizen together. As Ichigo stands around in a daze, Captain Suì-Fēng wonders how long he is planning to do that. She tells him that an opening on Aizen will not last long, and Ichigo will lose his opportunity if he is not careful. Suì-Fēng tells him that this is a fight of survival and they are fighting to keep themselves alive, keep Ichigo alive, and to keep all others from harm at Aizen's hand. She warns him not to fall behind as she charges, flustering Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda who rushes to catch-up with Suì-Fēng. Ichigo then recalls the words of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, remembering what he said about no one in the Gotei 13 needing the assistance of Ichigo. Remembering this Ichigo acknowledges that he does not have to worry about the captains and the Visored, stating that he believes in them and all he has to do is borrow everybody's strength and look closely at the whereabouts of this battle.

As Hitsugaya fights, he tells Aizen that his words regarding a sword without hatred being an eagle without wings is missing the point, that placing only responsibility on the blade and swinging it down is what a captain is supposed to do. Swinging swords down in hatred is unclean violence and the captains do not call that fighting. Hitsugaya then tells Aizen that it is clear that he doesn't have what it takes to be a captain. A smiling Aizen taunts Hitsugaya, reminding him that he has the most hatred for Aizen in the entirety of the Gotei 13. Aizen wonders if Hitsugaya can truly say that he hates him when Lieutenant Momo Hinamori has already recovered enough to join the battle.

Kyōraku takes advantage of the opportunity and swings at Aizen, but Aizen evades and accuses Kyōraku of being uncouth for attacking in the middle of a conversation. Kyōraku apologized and says that he has never been good at listening when the speaker is a man, saying that just listening is too boring. Hitsugaya then releases his Bankai, angrily telling Aizen that he was right. Hitsugaya had not come to fight, but had come to destroy Aizen with violence. Kyōraku warns Hitsugaya not to get carried away.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


390. BEYOND THE DEATH UNDERSTANDING[]

Gin Ichimaru explains why Sōsuke Aizen is so terrifying as Aizen cuts down 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi.

Summary:

390Cover

Cover of 390. Beyond the death understanding

Hitsugaya asks if Aizen is implying that because Hitsugaya is now swinging his sword out of hate, he is no longer fit to be a captain. Aizen does not reply, but Hitsugaya states that he doesn't care if he loses his captain's position, as long as he can kill Aizen. Kyōraku watches on as Hitsugaya charges Aizen, telling him that he won't show him mercy, nor give him the opportunity to use Kyōka Suigetsu.

Standing on a near-by rooftop, Gin Ichimaru repeats Hitsugaya's words about not giving Aizen the opportunity to use Kyōka Suigetsu, saying that every single one of them are gravely mistaken about Aizen's power. As Hitsugaya attacks, Ichigo watches intently, watching for the split second opening on Aizen. Hitsugaya uses Hyoryusenbi, but Aizen dodges. He then uses Hyoryusenbi Zekku just as Aizen raises his sword to counter the attack, Komamura and Love unleash their Shikai together and attempt to crush Aizen between Tenken's sword and Tengumaru's club. As the two weapons slam together, Komamura begs Hitsugaya's forgiveness, but says that he is going to join the fray. Hitsugaya tells Komamura to do as he wishes, saying he had never intended to keep it strictly one-on-one. Suddenly, Tenken's sword is destroyed as Aizen emerges unscathed. Aizen wonders if they believed strength alone would defeat him, going on to comment that they were being too optimistic or that perhaps their natural understanding of strength was different from his own. Aizen then tells Komamura that he will show him true strength.

As Aizen appears above him, Komamura releases his Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, but Aizen destroys the giant's sword and slices off the giant's and Komamura's off-hand. Komamura howls in rage and strikes at Aizen with his broken sword. However, Aizen easily parries and cuts him down. As Komamura falls, Love and Rose appear behind him, both already in Shikai. Rose swings his whip, but Aizen catches it with his bare-hands. As Gin continues to narrate, Aizen pulls Rose to him using the whip and slashes him. Gin explains that you shouldn't be afraid of Aizen because he can use Kyōka Suigetsu, which while a fearsome ability, there are plenty of people who would rather die then obey it. However, the reason why Aizen was able to keep a group like the Espada together was because he is strong. Because all of his powers are far removed from those of anyone else, Gin explains that saying being on guard against Kyōka Suigetsu is not enough, that even saying beware of all the rest is still not enough. Gin says that even if they pool all their knowledge together to be on guard against calamities like the sky falling or the earth cracking, Aizen's powers are still beyond such things.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


391. The Blazing Glaciers[]

The Shinigami are able to outsmart Sōsuke Aizen.

Summary:

391Cover

Cover of 391. The Blazing Glaciers

The stunned Ichigo watches Komamura and Rose fall as Aizen wraps Kinshara around Love and throws him down. Lisa tries to attack him, but he slices off the spear head of her Haguro Tonbo and mocks her for attacking him with Hollow transformation. Reminding her that he has already told them that the Visored are nothing but imitation Arrancar and that it is impossible for the Visored to stand against one who has conquered the true Arrancar. He then cuts Lisa down as he is confronted by Suì-Fēng.

Aizen asks Suì-Fēng if she is feeling alright, given that she is attacking him head on. He then repeats the commandment taught at the Shin'ō Academy. Suì-Fēng is amused that Aizen, a traitor, would dare to speak of Shinigami commandment to her. Aizen tells her that he was once a teacher who taught those commandments. Suì-Fēng comments in disbelief that Central 46 thought the likes of Aizen was worthy to teach others, commenting that it was no wonder that the traitors could get the better of Central 46. Aizen tells her not to speak ill of the dead and points out that he had the better of the Gotei 13 as well. Suì-Fēng wonders if Aizen truly believes he can get the better of her before executing a move that makes clones of herself. Aizen compliments her on putting up a nice show, Suì-Fēng thanks him for the compliment before moving forward to attack him. Aizen goes to counter attack, but his movements are restrained as a pillar of ice forms around him. Suì-Fēng manages to execute her Shikai ability: Nigeki Kessatsu. However, Aizen is unaffected. Pointing out that a battle between two Shinigami is a battle of Reiatsu and his is great enough to suppress her ability. He then moves to strike her down, but before he can, he is stabbed through the back by Kyōraku. Kyōraku tells Aizen that he was careless and he was casting a shadow on the ice. Aizen curses Kyōraku as Hitsugaya tells Aizen that it's over. Suì-Fēng and Kyōraku jump away as Hitsugaya charges at Aizen, whose mobility is restrained by the ice.

Aizen reflects on Hitsugaya's youth. Thinking that he sees an opportunity and attacks without a plan, commenting that, that is Hitsugaya's greatest failing. However, Aizen notices Shinji grinning off to the side while holding Sakanade in Shikai. Aizen realizes too late that everything is backwards. Hitsugaya stabs Aizen through the back.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


392. The Breaking Glaciers[]

The Gotei 13 realize their horrible mistake.

Summary:

392Cover

Cover of 392. The Breaking Glaciers

Ichigo and a few of the lieutenants look up, stunned, at Aizen, who has been stabbed by Hitsugaya. Some short cheering follows. Momo then gets up. Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba tells her she should not be getting up. Above them, Shinji says things are finally turning around. Ichigo looks and shouts in confusion, asking them what they are doing. They are then shocked to see that Hitsugaya hadn't actually stabbed Aizen, but Momo. Aizen swoops down and slashes Lieutenants Izuru Kira and Iba. Shinji shouts at Aizen, asking him how long he had been using his Shikai. Aizen smugly tells Shinji about his Shikai's power and then asks Shinji when exactly he thought he wasn't using his Shikai. Momo, impaled on Hitsugaya's sword, asks Hitsugaya, "Why Shiro-chan?" Hitsugaya yells, enraged, and charges at Aizen. Shunsui yells at him to wait and Aizen tells Hitsugaya that he is completely open and attacks him along with the other captains, who are distracted by the turn of events.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


393. The Burnout Inferno[]

Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto joins the fray.

Summary:

393Cover

Cover of 393. The Burnout Inferno

Aizen cuts down his four opponents giving them non-fatal wounds so they would serve as witnesses. A huge pillar of flame comes towards Aizen and as the flames vanish, they reveal Captain-Commander Yamamoto. But Aizen tells him that it's already too late because if he was to fall the Gotei 13 will literally crumble. Yamamoto, however, smiles, refusing that outcome while telling Aizen he does not have enough power. Aizen disappears, reappearing behind Yamamoto who turns around to face him before being impaled in the stomach by Kyōka Suigetsu. Yamamoto smiles as he grabs Aizen's Zanpakutō telling him he now has him where he wants him... Aizen comments on whether he is actually looking at Aizen, or an illusion to which Yamamoto replies that the Reiatsu of Aizen´s Zanpakutō inside him is real. He then explains to Aizen that the whole battle had been done to finally place Aizen in this place a trap, which he then finishes by performing his Ennetsu Jigoku technique.

Great pillars of fire erupt as Yamamoto tells Ichigo to leave as he is not in the Gotei 13 and does not need to suffer the same fate as them to which Aizen remarks asking whether the Captain-Commander really would sacrifice everyone here. Yamamoto says "we are all prepared to die to fight evil....That is the true spirit of the Gotei 13" As he is about to kill everyone, Wonderweiss appears, albeit in his Resurrección form next to Aizen. Yamamoto sweeps Ryūjin Jakka at him, to find that the flames go out before reaching Wonderweiss along with the not yet used Ennetsu Jigoku, before the captain is sent sprawling to the ground below. Looking at Aizen, he is shocked slightly as the former captain explains what happened. He acknowledged that Ryūjin Jakka was indeed the strongest Zanpakutō ever, even saying that if it was a one-on-one fight he would best him, but instead he modified Wonderweiss Margela to serve as a counter for all of his abilities. He then proceeds to reveal the name of Wonderweiss' Resurrección "Extinguir". Aizen then says farewell to the shocked Captain-Commander.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


394. The Burnout Inferno 2[]

Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto demonstrates why he has been the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for the last 1000 years.

Summary:

394Cover

Cover of 394. The Burnout Inferno 2

Aizen explains that Extinguir's power cancels out those of Ryūjin Jakka and to gain that one power, Wonderweiss exchanged everything he possessed: his power of speech, his knowledge, his memories, and even his basic sense of reason. Aizen tells Captain-Commander Yamamoto that he can't hope to oppose it. Wonderweiss attacks, but Yamamoto punches him away. Yamamoto then calls Aizen a fool and asks him why he thinks that Yamamoto has been the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 for the last 1000 years. Yamamoto declares that there has been no Shinigami born more powerful than himself in the last 1000 years. Yamamoto then attacks Aizen using Hakuda. However, Wonderweiss makes a reappearance, impressing Yamamoto as he had not held back when he used his Ikkotsu move. He then tells Wonderweiss that this will hurt and asks if he is ready. When Wonderweiss just replies with random noises, Yamamoto remembers that Aizen took the power of speech from Wonderweiss.

Yamamoto and Wonderweiss start to fight and Yamamoto notes how none of Wonderweiss' movements are wasted. Stating that Wonderweiss has indeed been modified. Wonderweiss pounds Yamamoto as Aizen watches, but the latter is unfazed. Yamamoto calmly rips off Wonderweiss' limbs. He then says that he is thankful that Wonderweiss is no longer in the form of a child and as such, he can now slaughter Wonderweiss without hesitation. With that Yamamoto executes the Sōkotsu Hakuda move.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


395. The Burnout Inferno 3[]

Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto kills Wonderweiss Margela, but at a great cost, forcing Ichigo Kurosaki to enter the fray.

Summary:

395Cover

Cover of 395. The Burnout Inferno 3

Yamamoto's attack shatters Wonderweiss into pieces. As the pieces of Wonderweiss rain down on Fake Karakura Town, Yamamoto notes that Wonderweiss' emotions still remain and he accuses Aizen of cruelty. Aizen counters that there was nothing cruel about what he did as he gave Hollows a purpose, when Hollows in general lack purpose and only exist to consume each other. Aizen then accuses Yamamoto of cruelty as he was the one that smashed Wonderweiss' soul to pieces. Yamamoto dismisses the accusation as a petty argument and tells Aizen to prattle on all he wishes, but that it will all be over soon. Aizen calmly states that it is because Yamamoto dismisses Aizen's words so easily that Yamamoto fails to understand what Aizen is saying. He then reminds Yamamoto that Extinguir was created for the sole purpose of sealing Ryūjin Jakka. To "seal" means that the flames of Ryūjin Jakka were trapped within the blade itself and thus stopped it from producing new flames. However, Aizen notes, that there were already flames that had left the blade. Aizen then asks Yamamoto where he thinks the flames that had already been produced went. It is then that Yamamoto notices that Wonderweiss' corpse is set to explode.

Aizen calmly goes on about how Yamamoto surely knows the amount of devastation the flames will wreck were they to explode out at once, as Yamamoto makes a move. Wonderweiss explodes. When the dust clears, it is revealed that Yamamoto had thrown himself on Wonderweiss' corpse and absorbed much of the explosion. Aizen thanks Yamamoto for saving his world as the force of that explosion would have destroyed the barrier around Fake Karakura and would have damaged an area far greater. Aizen says that Yamamoto is worthy of his title and that he will not do him the injustice of refusing to take his life. Aizen states that Yamamoto is the very embodiment of the history of Soul Society and that he alone will die there by Aizen's blade. However, Yamamoto effortlessly grabs Aizen's feet and tells him not to make him repeat himself. He calls Aizen a fool once more as he casts Hadō 96 against him. A blade of flame rises from the ground and engulfs Aizen, but a injured Aizen manages to emerges from the flames, only for a Hollowfied Ichigo to pounce on him.

Characters in order of appearance:

Episodes adapted from this chapter:


Author's Notes[]

Volume 45 Intro Image
A hotpot dinner I'd planned with some friends around New Year's got pushed back to February because I was too busy, then to March because I was getting ready to move, then to April because I was actually making the move. As I write this, April is almost over.

I wonder if my friends would be willing to come eat a hotpot dinner in early summer...?

-Tite Kubo

References[]

Navigation[]

VICE IT THE BURNOUT INFERNO BACK FROM BLIND

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