Plot

Ukitake initiates the Kamikake ritual in a desperate attempt to keep the three worlds together and keep the Soul King alive. Meanwhile, as Ichigo continues his fight against Yhwach, he is confronted by his friend now turned enemy Uryu.

Yhwach realizes that the reason why he didn't foresee the right arm of the Soul King coming to the King's aid is because it's part of the Soul King himself. As Yhwach tries to destroy both the Soul King and its right arm, Ichigo disengages his Blut Vene and lets go of Yhwach's sword, then grabs Yhwach by his right arm. While Yhwach is distracted, Yoruichi sets up a barrier around the Soul King's remains to keep it stable. Yhwach calls Ichigo weak for being unable to say "kill" against the man who killed his mother. Enraged, Ichigo prepares to slash Yhwach, but suddenly Yoruichi is shot by an arrow, which is revealed to be Uryu's. The injury causes Yoruichi to lose focus, resulting in the barrier breaking, after which she falls from the Soul Palace. Uryu states that his reason for being there is because he is a Quincy, then Ichigo proceeds to engage in a fight with him. At one point in their fight, Uryu fires an arrow at Ichigo and it strikes his face, but the latter is protected by his Blut Vene, which Uryu is surprised Ichigo can use. Chad, Ganju, and Orihime fight the Schutzstaffel while Ichigo fights Uryu. Uryu activates his Vollstandig and continues fighting Ichigo. The Schutzstaffel beats back and incapacitates Chad, Orihime and Ganju just as Uryu prepares a large arrow to fire at Ichigo, though the latter launches Getsuga Jujisho and it collides with Uryu's attack. After the two attacks collide, Uryu then fires another arrow at Ichigo, this time heavily injuring him and he falls out of the sky. With the help of the other Quincies powers, Yhwach completely breaks the Soul King's crystal and absorbs both the Soul King's right arm as well as his entire body, sprouting several eyes across his face.