Rukia's childhood friend Renji makes a rash decision to kill the captain of his own squad in order to save Rukia from her death sentence.

Fifteen-year-old high school student Ichigo Kurosaki has martial arts skills and the ability to see ghosts, and his life is about to change when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a soul reaper and protector of innocents.

Beauty Is So Solitary Soul Reaper captain Shinji Hirako has uncovered Aizen's betrayal, but it may be too late. As some of the Soul Society's greatest Soul Reapers transform into Hollows, it will be up to Kisuke Urahara to save them. And back in the present time, the grand battle between the Thirteen Court Guard Companies and the remaining Espada finally begins!

Ichigo "Strawberry" Kurosaki was born with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow - a malevolent lost soul - Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. During a bloody confrontation with a sadistic Soul Reaper, Uryû chooses a path that will temporarily grant him enormous power, at great personal cost. Meanwhile, Ichigo races to master...

"The shocking truth behind the collapse of the Soul Society is finally revealed. The magnitutde of the conspiricay is far-reaching, and the perpetrators wield staggering power. Is this the end of the Soul Soceity?"--Cover, page [4].

"Ichigo and crew are determined to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society, and with the help of explosives expert Kûkaku, they actually have a chance of making it inside the walls. But the plan hinges on Ichigo getting control of his torrential spiritual energy, and with Rukia awaiting execution, there's no time to waste! And even if they can breach the Soul Society's defenses, there are twelve companies of angry Soul Reapers standing between them and...

"Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts--he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow--a malevolent lost soul--Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. The war with Aizen is finally over, but the aftermath is just beginning. Ichigo lost his Soul Reaper powers in the last battle, and he now must try to live the quiet...

"Find out what happened in the Soul Society one hundred years ago. Kisuke Urahara is the new captain of twelfth company--now if only he could get along with his assistant captain. And Soul Reaper captain Shinji Hirako suspects something sinister is going on with his second in command, Aizen." --p.[4] of cover.