There's no need to push yourself, Lüdaas.
It must be hard to even sit down with that wound.
I permit you to speak while lying down.
Y-Yes, sir...
However...
if you aren't going to sit, I suppose you don't need your legs.
S-Surely you jest...!
Speaking to Your Majesty... while lying down?
I, Lüdaas, would never show such disrespect!
I see...
In that case, let's hear your report.
The blue skies above are hopelessly clear
At my wit's end, I feel a growing frustration
As if to laugh at us hopeless cowards
Countless eyes stare at us
This soul of mine breaks again and again
All I can do is hold it tight
Until the day it turns to ash
I've absorbed all of this sorrow
It has shaped me, painted me
But that's how we got here, right?
One step at a time, just like breathing
These countless scars on my palm
That no longer fade
Are my badge, my story
I faced the fear and shred it to pieces
And let it walk beside me once more
BLEACH: THOUSAND-YEAR BLOOD WAR
He sure is late...
Who is?
What do you mean, "who"?
I'm talking about Mr. Kurosaki!
Shouldn't we go help him?!
There's no need to.
The enemy's Spiritual Pressure is already gone.
Besides, Kurosaki would never lose to a guy like that.
I have no intention of helping him out.
Are you sure?
'Cause I do.
What is it, Inoue?
Nothing.
I was just thinking about
how you and Kurosaki have become such good friends.
That's what I like about you, Ishida.
W-What are you talking about?! Don't tease me like that!
I'm back!
Oh!
Welcome back, Kurosaki! Are you injured?
No, I'm fine, but...
Oh, sorry, that's my Soul Phone.
Hello? This is Yuki--
What?
What is it?
Oh, umm...
It's a message for all the squads.
"SPEAKER"
DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT – CONTROL ROOM
"TRANSMITTING"
57 minutes ago,
seven unidentified individuals infiltrated the Squad 1 office.
52 minutes ago, they retreated.
One squad member was killed, but the Head Captain is safe.
Around that same time,
one unidentified intruder showed up near Kokuryo Gate,
where Squad 1 was standing guard.
All 116 squad members were killed in the 182-second battle that ensued.
Lieutenant Sasakibe was mortally wounded
...and died in the Squad 1 office soon after.
That can't be!
Isn't Lieutenant Sasakibe the person
who's been serving under Head Captain Yamamoto for ages?
Are you saying that such a man was killed?!
Finally...
The entry and exit routes used by these intruders are unknown.
However, the Soul Shield Membrane surrounding the Seireitei
doesn't appear to be disturbed.
So we believe they possess
a transportation method that bypasses it.
I don't like this...
Guess I'll go patrol the area...
I...chi... go!
N-Nel?!
Super Acceleration!
Y-You bastard...
We haven't seen each other in a while...
and this is what you do?!
Ichigo... terrible news...
Help us... Ichigo...
It's Hueco Mundo...
Hueco Mundo is--!
Five days, huh?
Yes, Your Majesty...!
That is just about enough time
for us and the Soul Society to prepare for battle--
That's in the future.
Huh?
Two days ago,
when you went out to scout the border intensity level...
you stated that if we let things continue to progress as is,
the Soul Society and the World of the Living
would collapse in the near future due to an imbalance of souls...
Isn't that right?
Lüdaas Friegen...
Are you, who stands before me right now, a prophet?
Huh? Well, um...
Answer me.
I'm asking if you are a prophet.
Um... No... I'm not...
Then why do you talk about the distant future?
I want to hear about the present.
Ebern...
Y-Yes?
There is nothing about you worthy of praise or punishment.
You were sufficient to keep Ichigo Kurosaki at bay.
Oh... Th-Thank you very much!
Your job is done.
You shall become the foundation towards peace.
You're fine with that?
About what?
I thought Arrancar soldiers were valuable assets
that did not require combat training...
It matters not.
We can just get another Arrancar.
Hueco Mundo...
is already my domain.
It is but one of the many foundation stones
towards invading the Soul Society.
Hueco Mundo?
What's going on, Nel?
What do you mean by Hueco Mundo being attacked?
By whom?!
Super Acceleration!
I tried to hide my presence until the very last moment before I struck!
The fact that you can dodge that is quite impressive, Ichigo Kurosaki!
Whoops!
You can't tell who I am from just my lower body...
I shall reveal it to you! I am...!
Pesche, right?
THE SEIREITEI – CREMATORIUM
Light the fire...
Sorry
for making you come over here so early...
That's not a problem...
But is it true?
About Hueco Mundo...
It's true.
After the deaths of Lord Barragan and Lord Stark,
Lady Halibel has been the ruler of Hueco Mundo...
But she...
Run...
Go...!
Let's go!
Lady Halibel!
We have no idea why they took Lady Halibel...
I can't believe they got Lady Halibel!
Do you know who they were or what they were after?
We have no idea...
But we're positive that they've taken several Arrancars.
And while we were trying to escape, they cornered us
and nabbed Dondochakka!
Ichigo Kurosaki...!
Please help us!
Kurosaki...
I guess I don't even have to ask.
We're going to go help them, right?
After everything they told us, I can't just ignore them.
Ichigo Kurosaki!
Ichigo...
I'm sorry, but...
I can't accompany you this time.
Ishida...
I'm a Quincy.
I cannot help Hollows or Arrancars.
I know.
Quincies exist to destroy Hollows, right?
I figured you'd say that.
But you'd sulk about it if I didn't bother to call you.
Kurosaki...
Yeah?
Be careful.
Don't worry.
Even if you're not around, we'll manage.
This latest enemy might be--
My, my...
Sounds like you guys are having an interesting conversation.
Shall I arrange a trip to Hueco Mundo?
Your Majesty...
About the Medallion we gave to Ebern...
There are signs that it has been used...
However...
How did you happen to arrive at my place at just the right time?
Isn't it obvious?
I was waiting right outside of your window
for the perfect opportunity.
Just kidding.
GARGANTA
Plus your battle earlier and the unusual activity in the Soul Society...
were more than enough reasons to take caution.
You've noticed it too, haven't you?
Kurosaki, everything that's happening is all connected.
This is no longer a joking matter.
All right, time to exit!
HUECO MUNDO
Don't stop! Keep moving!
Whoa! We're in the air!
The enemy is nearby!
It's usually like this with Mr. Urahara!
You know me too well!
We're falling!
Huh?
What's the matter?
Nothing... I thought I heard voices ...
That's impossible.
Excluding the dead,
everyone that was there is with us right now.
You're imagining things.
You're right...
It seems they haven't noticed us.
Is Dondochakka amongst the captives?
No, I don't sense his Spiritual Pressure...
He's probably in a different group.
They didn't come back this way
because they know all the Hollows and Arrancar here are dead.
You don't have to see this.
This is pretty horrible...
It's no good.
There really doesn't seem to be anyone who is still alive.
I figured not...
That's how they operate.
See that?
That's a flame of condensed Reishi they use.
Thanks to that, even the rocks and sand of Hueco Mundo
that normally wouldn't burn were burned away.
Faced with the powers of people we had never seen before,
we lost all direction and means.
We had no choice but to run...
Then the guys who were taken away...
They might be planning to use them in their advance guard...
At worst, they'll end up like the guys here...
I see... Then let's go save them.
What?! Hold on a second!
Dondochakka isn't in that group!
So what?
We're going to save Dondochakka anyway.
What difference is saving a few more Arrancars before that?
Well... now that you mention it, that's true...
Hey, hold up! Hey!
Good grief...
Doesn't he realize those Arrancars he's trying to save
were his enemies not too long ago?
It's so true!
But you knew that, right?
That Ichigo would react this way.
You knew that Ichigo would do something about it.
That's why you asked for his help without hesitation.
We should go too, Sado!
Right.
W-We're going too!
Okay!
Get in line!
Stand with your backs against the wall!
Hurry up!
We don't mind punching two or three more holes into you!
STERN RITTER "J"
That guy seems to be their leader...
Hey, are we really going to do this?
Perhaps we shouldn't...
You idiot!
If we don't do anything, we'll just end up dead anyway!
Attention, attention!
Quiet, please!
Will you live or will you die?!
We'll be having a selection competition for the Hollows and Arrancar!
I will be...
stabbing everyone, starting from the right side!
So if any of you are thinking, "No, I don't want to die!"
Or, if any of you are thinking, "Please! Let me join you!"
Then please get down on your knees and beg like you are licking our shoes!
All of you here are the chosen few
who had the luck, wits, and strength to survive our attack earlier!
Please don't waste this opportunity!
If I say I'll join you, will you spare my--
No! Of course not!
Those of you who wish to apply, must take an entrance exam!
This selection event will decide who gets the opportunity to take that test!
Those of you who don't understand my explanation will end up...
Like this!
– Does the captain really have any intention – Like this!
– of bringing back any Arrancar? – Like this!
– Not at all. – Like this!
He's not interested in Hueco Mundo, to begin with.
That is how you'll die!
– Captain! – Captain!
Your response time before saying "Captain!" was too slow.
How strange.
I thought we confiscated all their swords.
Lord Aizen's aide, Loly Aiverrne!
Likewise, Menoly Mallia!
Don't assume we'd be defeated by an underling like you!
Do it.
– Yes, sir! – Yes, sir!
Shall we kill them?
No.
His Majesty ordered us to bring him any idiots with guts.
Those two have passed.
Punish them just enough that you don't kill them.
However, the fact that Aizen would appoint
such weak Arrancars as his aides shows he's not that great.
Then again, even Tier Halibel,
who ruled Hueco Mundo after the late Aizen,
was no match against His Majesty,
so I shouldn't be surprised.
Hey, I told you not to overdo it...
May I ask who you people are?
Huh?
You dare to speak poorly of Master Halibel,
and yet don't know who we are?!
I guess you underlings really are clueless!
It seems you took Master Halibel while we were away.
Don't get cocky just because you defeated
those self-proclaimed aides to Aizen.
MILA ROSE / SUN-SUN / APACHE – TRES BESTIA
What was that?
It seems like the fight has already started over there!
Those Spiritual Pressures belong to the Tres Bestia!
When did you get up there?!
They work directly under Lady Halibel!
They're super strong and super scary. And furthermore,
they're always trying to bump one another off like cannibalistic beasts.
The fact that those insane monsters have arrived means
that the enemy army is as good as destroyed.
– They're terrifying, Ichigo! – I can't see where I'm going, you idiot!
What the hell? Were you talking behind my back?
You idiot, I haven't said anything.
More importantly, wipe away that snot!
How wonderful.
You shouldn't be looking away.
I have a suggestion.
Surrender.
Are you stupid?
You're not as strong as you claim!
If you surrender and join our banner,
you'll be able to work for His Majesty
along with your beloved Tier Halibel.
You will never get to experience greater happiness,
now or ever!
– Don't underestimate us, – Could you not underestimate us?
– you damn four-eyed monkey! – Could you not underestimate us?
Oh my, have negotiations fallen through?
How extremely disappointing.
SQUAD ONE BARRACKS – CAPTAIN'S MEETING ROOM
concerning the infiltration by the rebel army.
Thank you, Akon. You are dismissed.
Yes, sir.
Now then, these Ryoka...
who we tentatively refer to as the rebel army...
The invasion by this rebel army who call themselves the Wandenreich
is connected to the recent mass disappearance of Hollows
in the World of the Living.
The destruction of a large number of Hollows in the World of the Living,
has caused a great imbalance of souls.
This could possibly spell the destruction
of the World of the Living and the Soul Society.
To extinguish souls...
I'm sure you astute captains
have already figured it out by now...
This rebel army is none other than...
...Quincies.
Everything we had left behind
Our breaths blending as mist
without form or expression
We lie buried as we glare into the distance
I can't hear anything
I can't seem to cut anything
It feels like I'm sinking
Falling, falling
Touching
Eyes struck wide open
Something no one has ever seen
The furthest reaches are now visible to us
It cannot be undone and cannot be stopped
This ensuing struggle
Whisk it away beyond the ends of the earth
Along with our breaths
Take everything
Whisk it away beyond the ends of the earth
Along with our futures
Along with our world
Something no one has ever seen
The furthest reaches are now visible to us
Don't you know God's demand?
As we tear each other down
"The soldiers blow their trumpets."
"Like stars shooting by the ear."
"The soldiers stomp their feet. Like thunder in the air."