The Shooting Star Project (ZERO MIX)

Rain falls over the ruined Seireitei as Fourth Division relief teams sort the wounded from the dead. Isane Kotetsu questions whether staying in their barracks during the battle was right, but Unohana reminds her that it was Yamamoto's final order. Shunsui stands before the crater where Yhwach erased Yamamoto, while a distraught Ikkaku refuses to believe Kenpachi was beaten. Ichigo receives word from Urahara that Orihime and Sado are safe, then visits the recovering Rukia and Renji. When Rukia thanks him for coming to protect Soul Society, Ichigo admits he could do nothing, though Shinji insists he drove the enemy leader off.

A Riteitai reports that Kenpachi and Byakuya survived but may never wake, sparking grief and a near-brawl among the captains until Shunsui calms them and reminds everyone that the Gotei 13 exists to protect Soul Society, not to mourn. Mayuri tells Ichigo that a destroyed Bankai can never be repaired, unlike a Shikai. At dawn the captains gather outside the walls, and the Tenchūren crashes down carrying the five-member Royal Guard: Ichibe'e, Nimaiya, Senjumaru, Kirinji, and Hikifune. They have come at the Soul King's behest to rebuild the Gotei 13, starting by taking Ichigo. Kirinji effortlessly restrains an outraged Suì-Fēng, and Senjumaru reveals she has already collected Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, and the broken Tensa Zangetsu.

Urahara appears on a screen projected from Kon's head to greet everyone, and Orihime and Sado assure Ichigo they are well, though Grimmjow's presence alarms him. Learning the Royal Guard may reforge his sword into something like his original, Ichigo agrees to go. At the Shiba residence, Kūkaku fires the Tenchūren skyward with Kagizaki, launching Ichigo toward the Soul King Palace. Ichibe'e explains that the Ōken is really the bones of the Royal Guard, and Kirinji sends Ichigo to his Kirinden, where he wakes soaking in a healing hot spring beside the unconscious Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya. As Kirinji tends them, Ichibe'e senses that the Soul King has awakened.

The Fourth Division treats the wounded while the captains mourn Yamamoto's death. Mayuri tells Ichigo that a broken Bankai cannot be repaired. The Royal Guard arrive aboard the Tenchūren to rebuild the Gotei 13 and take Ichigo to the Soul King Palace. Senjumaru gathers Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, and Tensa Zangetsu. Urahara, Orihime, and Sado contact Ichigo from Hueco Mundo alongside Grimmjow. Kūkaku launches the Tenchūren, and Ichigo is placed in Kirinji's restorative hot springs as the Soul King awakens.

The eighth Thousand-Year Blood War episode, and the 374th overall, adapts chapters 515 through 519. It introduces the Royal Guard along with the mechanics of the Ōken and the Soul King Palace. The adaptation expands several beats, including Grimmjow's fuller appearance and Kūkaku's Kagizaki launch, while trimming detailed Bankai explanations. The episode closes on the Soul King opening his eyes within his crystal.