INTRUDERZ

Alarms ring through the Seireitei as a distortion is flagged in the western Rukongai, unsettling Renji. Inside the Dangai, Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, Uryu, and Yoruichi sprint ahead of a collapsing current, and when Uryu's cape snags on the crumbling wall, Yoruichi warns that swinging a zanpakuto would only ensnare them further. Sado solves it by ripping the cape free and hauling Uryu onto his shoulder.

Then the Kototsu, a cleaner that sweeps through every seven days, bursts out behind them. Yoruichi screams for everyone to run as they near the exit, and Orihime turns to hold it off with Santen Kesshun. The gate erupts, flinging them into the sky above the Rukongai, where Orihime cushions the fall with another shield. Yoruichi headbutts her for the reckless move, noting the cleaner could have killed her outright had it touched her sprites, though Ichigo counters that her shield saved them all.

Yoruichi explains the rural sprawl is the Rukongai, the poorest and freest district where souls first arrive, distinct from the Shinigami city beyond. Ichigo bolts toward the city to be first through, ignoring the warning, and a massive Sekkiseki wall and gate slam down to seal it off. From the settling dust, the giant Jidanbo Ikkanzaka looms up and welcomes the first person in ages to try his gate without a permit.

The group escapes the Dangai as the Kototsu cleaner pursues them. Orihime uses Santen Kesshun to block the cleaner and cushion the landing. Yoruichi explains the nature of the Rukongai. The Seireitei seals behind its Sekkiseki wall, and Jidanbo appears as gatekeeper.

This chapter opens the ninth volume, FOURTEEN DAYS FOR CONSPIRACY, within the Soul Society arc. It is adapted in Episode 21, Enter! The World of the Shinigami. The chapter marks the group's first arrival in Soul Society proper.