Tite Kubo

Chad has finally met his match in Captain Kyôraku while Ichigo struggles against Kenpachi Zaraki. Although, Ichigo manages to draw blood, Kenpachi strikes a more threatening blow.

During a confrontation with a sadistic Soul Reaper, Uryû chooses a path that will grant him, temporarily, great power, but at enormous cost to himself. Meanwhile, Ichigo races to master a powerful technique that will hopefully allow him to defeat Byakuya and save Rukia's life.

With the execution of former Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki only hours away, the Soul Society is in chaos, with Soul Reapers drawing swords against one another. Who or what is behind this rot at the core of the Society?

Soul reaper Ichigo Kurosaki asks the Visoreds for help in controlling his inner hollow in order to become stronger.

Ichigo Kurosaki, who was born with the ability to see ghosts, is surprised when his friend Nel Tu reverts to her true form to shield her human protectors, and unforeseen changes put Ichigo and his friends at the mercy of the enemy.

"Orihime's return from the Soul Society is interrupted by the Arrancar Ulquiorra, who has a different, terrifying path for her. Using duplicitous tactics, Ulquiorra convinces Orihime to accompany him to Hueco Mundo, which brands her as a traitor in the Soul Society's eyes and therefore unworthy of rescue. Ichigo refuses to abandon his friend, and sets out to storm Hueco Mundo to set her free! But can he win when the entire world is against him?!"...

Kisuke Urahara, captain of the twelfth company, struggles to get along with his assistant captain, while Soul Reaper captain Shinji Hirako becomes suspicious of Aizen, his second in command.

Ichigo must enter their world to retrieve Rukia from the Soul Society, but he knows he's a long way from ready, so he practices his fighting and hones his spiritual energies. Finally, he must prevent his Chain of Fate from consuming itself or become a Hollow himself.

Newly powerful Renji and Rukia join the battle between the Soul Reapers and the Quincies, but both wonder what the true purpose of the war is.