BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Conflict

The battle between Squad Zero and Yhwach's Royal Guards for the Soul King rages on. Kirinji, Hikifune, and Nimaiya sacrifice their lives to break their blood oath seal so that Senjumaru Shutara can use her Bankai.

At Ichibe Hyosube’s request, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends hurry to the Reio Greater Palace to stop Yhwach. There they are greeted by Yhwach, who has regained his omniscient and omnipotent powers after his 9 years of strength have ended. Determined to stop the Quincy King to protect everything that exists in this world, Ichigo pulls out his two Zangetsu to fight Yhwach.

Ichigo tries to save the Soul King, but his Quincy blood takes over, forcing him to kill the Soul King. With the Soul King dead, the 3 worlds begin to collapse. Kisuke and the Soul Reapers struggle to find a solution until Jushiro Ukitake volunteers to take the Soul King's place. Meanwhile, Shunsui Kyoraku heads to the Central Underground Great Prison to execute his plan to avert the crisis.

Ukitake becomes one with Mimihagi by releasing its power to take the place of the fallen Soul King. Mimihagi prevents the world from collapsing, so Ichigo and friends confront Yhwach to stop him from destroying Mimihagi and the Soul King’s remains. Their efforts fail as Uryu attacks them. An emotional Ichigo demands explanations from Uryu but receives only hostility and empty words.

Yhwach is overflowing with power from having absorbed the Soul King. The Thirteen Court Guard Squads are being overwhelmed by the unstoppable force when Sosuke Aizen, the former captain of Squad 5 who was sentenced for high treason for leading the Arrancars against the Soul Reapers, appears.

The Soul Reapers regroup to prepare their counterattack against the Quincies. As if mocking their efforts, the Wandenreich cityscape covering the Seireitei peels away and disappears into the skies.

Yhwach builds his new castle, Wahr Welt, over the Royal Palace by reassembling the Wandenreich cityscape that he peeled away from the Seireitei. Although shocked by Yhwach’s display of power, Ichigo and his friends are still determined to stop him. But their efforts to reach the enemy castle are halted when Askin Nakk le Vaar appears to stand in their way.

Kenpachi Zaraki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s group advance through Vier Ast to reach Wahr Welt but are stopped by Pernida Parnkgjas. Kenpachi tries to overpower the enemy by attacking Pernida head-on with his sword. However, he fails to land a critical blow, leaving himself open to Pernida’s bizarre and mysterious attack.

At Vier Ast, Mayuri Kurotsuchi laughs maniacally after watching Pernida get eaten alive by his Altered Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogijizo Matai Fukuin Shōtai. But something seems to be wrong with Ashisogijizo. Kyoraku decides to stay behind and take on Lille Barro alone so the rest of the Soul Reapers can safely pass through enemy lines.

Lille Barro attacks Shunsui Kyoraku by unleashing his Quincy Voll Stern Dich, Ziliel. Discovering that conventional attacks seem to have no effect against Lille, Shunsui is forced to make his last desperate move—releasing his Bankai.

Lille Barro, thought to have been defeated by Shunsui Kyoraku’s Bankai, undergoes further transformation to hunt down and pass judgment on Kyoraku. Suffering serious injuries and having reached his limit, Kyoraku is on the verge of passing out when he is called back by Nanao Ise, who asks him to return her Zanpakuto.

As the battle between the Soul Reapers and the Quincies rages, Haschwalth finds himself confronted by Bazz-B inside Wahr Welt. As the two Quincies engage in battle, the scene shifts back to their early days when they were still just “Bazz” and “Jugo,” two friends helping each other to hone their skills so they can one day become the ultimate Quincies.

Kyoraku has paved the way for the Soul Reapers to reach the enemy’s stronghold within Wahr Welt, but Gerard Valkyrie prevents them from advancing any farther. The Thirteen Court Guard Squad Captains and Lieutenants wage an attack against Gerard, who, despite being clearly outnumbered, remains confident by stating that a “miracle” only occurs when one faces danger.

Haschwalth suddenly attacks Uryu to pass judgment. The ensuing explosion and smoke draw Ichigo to the scene, where he is reunited with Uryu. Pressed by Haschwalth to prove he has not betrayed his people, Uryu draws his bow toward Ichigo. What was Uryu’s true intention and motive for joining the Wandenreich that drove him to the point where he must even eliminate his friend?