THE THEATRE SUICIDE

Riddled with fresh wounds and missing his hat, Shunsui Kyoraku sprints over the rooftops and slumps against a broad tower wall to breathe. He grimly reflects that a clean, instant death would have spared him this, and misses the scolding his lieutenant Nanao Ise usually provides. When Lille Barro shatters the tower with a volley, the captain leaps clear and ducks into a nearby building through an open window, only for the Sternritter to warp directly in front of him. Reminded once more that no blade can pierce him, Shunsui tests whether spells fare any better and casts Hado number 78, Zangerin, sending a ring of force ripping outward through the walls.

Closer to the stronghold, Shinji Hirako, Kisuke Urahara, and the surviving Shinigami press toward the castle. A thunderous impact announces Gerard Valkyrie, who crashes down onto the steps ahead in a burst of dust and rubble. Declaring that no one advances without going through him, he drives his cloak into the ground on both sides to seal off the route and dares the entire group to strike him at once rather than one at a time. Renji Abarai pins the giant's arm with Zabimaru and offers to handle him.

Among the towers again, Shunsui confirms that Zangerin left Lille completely unmarked. Accepting that he has reached his limit, he falls back to the district where the invaders first entered Wahrwelt, hoping distance will keep his allies safe, and quietly apologizes to Nanao in advance. Planting Katen Kyokotsu point-down before him, he resolves to see what lies past the end of his rope and unleashes his Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju, as shadow-like branches spread from his feet and a spectral woman leans over his shoulder.

Shunsui survives Lille's opening barrage but proves that neither his sword nor the spell Zangerin can breach the Quincy's defense. Gerard Valkyrie enters the battle by cutting off the Shinigami advance and demanding a group assault. The chapter ends on Shunsui releasing his Bankai as a final gamble against an untouchable enemy.

This installment opens the title stretch of Volume 71 and falls within the Thousand-Year Blood War's siege on the Soul King Palace. Its content was folded into the anime's Thousand-Year Blood War arc, spread across episode 401, Don't Chase a Shadow, and episode 405, The Visible Answer. The chapter marks Gerard Valkyrie's first direct clash with the Gotei 13 captains.