Ichigo continues his training to improve his Shinigami powers and to no longer need Rukia to transform. Our hero therefore struggles against himself to internalize his strength and master it better. To this end, he is trained by Kisuke Urahara and the other members of the shop he runs. Ichigo is thus forced to surpass himself so as not to become a Hollow (malevolent spirit) given the increasing levels of difficulty imposed by Urahara. In parallel, Chad and Inoue explore their respective powers with a mysterious black cat, Yoruichi, tasked with helping them progress. Meanwhile, in the Soul Society, the relationship between Rukia and her brother reaches a point of no return; the brother having decided not to speak to his sister until her judgment.