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Bleach · Story arc

Soul Society: The Rescue

Ichigo achieves Bankai in three days, stops the Sōkyoku bare-handed and defeats Byakuya. Then Aizen reveals he is alive, that he orchestrated everything for the Hōgyoku hidden in Rukia, and flees to Hueco Mundo with Gin and Tōsen.

It is the arc of the great clashes between captains: Ichigo against Kenpachi, Renji against Byakuya, Yamamoto against Kyōraku and Ukitake, Soi Fon against Yoruichi, Komamura and Tōsen against Kenpachi. Hitsugaya finds Central 46 slaughtered and understands too late. The final twist overturns everything we thought we knew about the Soul Society.

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SS
Position
Arc 3 of 17
Saga
Soul Society Saga
Canon status
Canon
Manga
~118-182
Anime
ep. 42-63

Arc events(14)

  1. Rukia and Renji grow up in InuzuriDecades earlierIn the poor district of Inuzuri two orphans, Rukia and Renji, survive with a band of kids and decide to enter the Shin'ō Academy to become Soul Reapers.
  2. Byakuya adopts RukiaDecades earlierKeeping the promise he made to his dying wife Hisana, Byakuya Kuchiki adopts Rukia into the house without telling her why. Renji, convinced he can never reach her, steps aside.
  3. Kaien Shiba's deathDecades earlierThe Hollow Metastacia kills Miyako, Kaien's wife, and then fuses with Kaien himself. Rukia is forced to run her lieutenant through, and he dies thanking her.
  4. Ichigo vs Kenpachi ZarakiSoul SocietyOn the way to the Senzaikyū Ichigo runs into Kenpachi, whom his blows cannot even scratch. Only after a talk with Zangetsu can Ichigo wound him; both end up on the ground.
  5. Bankai in three daysSoul SocietyBeneath Sōkyoku Hill, Yoruichi uses the Tenshintai to materialise Zangetsu: Ichigo must subdue him to achieve Bankai, which normally takes ten years. He does it in three days.
  6. Renji vs ByakuyaSoul SocietyOn the steps of the Senzaikyū Renji uses his newly achieved Bankai, Hihiō Zabimaru, against his captain to save Rukia. Byakuya defeats him, but acknowledges his resolve.
  7. Kenpachi vs Komamura and TōsenSoul SocietyKenpachi sides with the ryoka and takes on Komamura and Tōsen. Komamura removes his helmet and reveals his wolf's head; Tōsen's Bankai blinds Kenpachi, who wins anyway.
  8. Ichigo stops the SōkyokuSoul SocietyOn execution day the Sōkyoku's fire phoenix is about to strike Rukia. Ichigo stops it with his sword; Kyōraku and Ukitake destroy the Sōkyoku with the Shiba house's shield, and Renji carries Rukia away.
  9. Yamamoto vs Kyōraku and UkitakeSoul SocietyFor destroying the Sōkyoku, the two captains face their own teacher. The Captain-Commander unleashes Ryūjin Jakka; his two students release their twin swords.
  10. Soi Fon vs YoruichiSoul SocietySoi Fon faces her old mentor, who outpaces her and shows her Shunkō. Defeated, Soi Fon bursts into tears: she never forgave her for leaving her behind.
  11. Ichigo vs ByakuyaSoul SocietyTensa Zangetsu against Senbonzakura Kageyoshi: the arc's decisive duel. Byakuya reaches the Shūkei: Hakuteiken form; for a moment, Ichigo is covered by his Hollow's mask. Byakuya concedes defeat.
  12. Central 46 massacredSoul SocietyHitsugaya and Unohana separately discover that Central 46 has been dead for days: the orders came from Aizen. Aizen, alive, runs Hinamori through and overwhelms Hitsugaya; Isane broadcasts the truth to everyone via Kidō.
  13. Aizen's betrayalSoul SocietyOn Sōkyoku Hill Aizen explains his entire plan, extracts the Hōgyoku from Rukia's soul and, surrounded by the captains, is lifted away in the light of the Negación together with Gin and Tōsen.
  14. The Substitute Soul Reaper badgeSoul SocietyBefore Ichigo heads home, Ukitake hands him the Substitute Soul Reaper badge, officially recognising him. Rukia chooses to stay in the Soul Society.

Related locations(20)

Related characters(36)

Divisions & Factions(15)