Interesting chapter. Strange how the big bad boss is over 1000 years old. I wonder how he survived?

And I'm interested to see how Yama reacts to Kurotsuchi's bold words.

He could of survived countless ways like fleeing before the battle ended, being saved or healed by one of the Ishida clan, being reincarnated in Hueco Mundo or even being spared by one of the people in battle.

We've seen Yamamoto show mercy on people like Mila Rose, Sung Sun and Apache for having only one arm, Ukitake showed mercy on Lillinette because she was like an infant so if Buckbeard was like an infant during the Quincy/Shinigami war he may of been spared.

Some side notes. I love the fact that Kira's gone back to his old Spirit Academy hairstyle, it looks much better like Momo's. Can't wait for the next chapter to see how Ichigo vs what's his name pans out.

Yeah, the mercy part is true, but I meant more like the 1000 years bit, since he's supposed to be human. Could be reincarnation, or becoming part-Hollow, I dunno.

And I agree on the hairstyle bit.

BigBadBoss himself was probably a shinigami who turned sides or ran a rebellion or something. Given the amount of trouble Aizen gave Yama, i'm curious to see if BBB will pull some underhanded move to (possibly) kill Yama or actually fight him. My question is how old is Mayuri? Or I guess, how long has he been a member of SS (aside from the imprisonment thing)..... That aside, it was nice to see some more characters changed looks leaving about 5 VC's unseen.

This arc, unlike the others, is focusing particularly on Yamamoto and his past. I have a gut feeling that Kubo will kill him at some point.

Ransotengai... Remember that? Using spirit particles to forcibly move a Quincies body. There's always an answer, I actually meant to put that in the first post thinking he could be using it now moving like a puppet on a string like Uryuu vs Kurotsuchi.

I doubt it's focussing solely on Yamamoto's past but for Yamamoto to die something serious will need to happen, plus Kubo's explained in the 3 week hiatus he wanted to explore what happened in the 17 months aswell as show some detail to some peoples pasts, this is just the emotional side of the captain commander that Hitsugaya was talking about to Ichigo in Fullbring arc when he told him Ichigo changed him more than likely.

Also was it just me or did it look like Matsumoto has short hair now too?

It's definitely shorter, but can't really tell much else; it looks kinda like her hairstyle from when she was a kid. Also, funny little note, it's kinda hard to see, but in the one page it shows Hisagi, it almost looks like he changed hairstyles to match Kira. XD

Well considering the baddies are making their march to SS (dunno why they decided to go the minute Ichigo was occupied in Hueco Mundo; maybe they considered him a bigger threat?), stuff's gonna go down pretty quick, and I'm guessing this is probably when a few characters are gonna be killed off.

I didn't say it's solely focusing on him, but that unlike the others arcs, it's trying to explore his character and background.

You know I would love to also know about ichigo's past

When I read this chapter the first time, I actually overlooked the others XP

Anyway, continuing the Yama death thing, if I were to guess anyone else dieing during the invasion, it'd probably be Sajin or Uki/Shin since they're more closer to Yama on an emotional level, while either fighting or avenging him. But if BBB does kill him, is he just gonna quit and leave for now or is the entire SS screwed.

Golden Week = no chapter...

On a sidenote, Mangastream are restarting Bleach scanlations on 2 conditions:

-They aren't released until 4 hours after another group has released theirs.
-The chapter will only be online for 60 hours.

Hmm. good to know and kinda great.

Damn, I just came home eager to read the new Bleach chapter. Disappointed.