Dunno if anyone is interested, but I found this on the Bleach subreddit. It's basically the real reason for the abrupt ending of Bleach and also everything interesting from the new novel, because holy sh*t that's a lot.
Basically Kubo health took a real hit in 2010 and has gotten only worse since then. He had to rush the manga because he physically and mentally couldn't continue. He also seriously f*cked-up his shoulder because of his work to the point that the first thing he did after finishing the last chapter, was to cut his tendons. Kubo wasn't really happy with the ending (not the epilogue though) and how many things were unresolved, so he decided to work with Narita to truly bring closure to the story.
The book and everything it reveals is canon and as I said it's a lot:
Part 1:
- Yhwach's corpse is the new Soul King. Squad Zero put a lot of barriers and seals into it and transported him to the Soul Palace. It is heavily implied that something similar happened to the old Soul King.
- Yhwach is not gone for good and still has an influence over the world. Of course no one knows what actually happened between him and Kazui, why it happened and what the consequences of that will be
- The general population doesn't know that the Soul King they are protecting or worshiping is now Yhwach. They were told that Squad Zero successfully protected the Soul King and that he never died.
- Shunsui and Ichibee initially planned to make Ichigo the next Soul King. They would have cut him up. Shunsui didn't like it much, Ichibee didn't care. He only trained Ichigo for that in the first place and honestly didn't expect him to win. He joked that the only downside would be that it would be a bit boring if Ichigo could not speak for all eternity. That's also what the soul tickets were there for.
- The reason he did not become the linchpin was, because Yhwach had decided to change his plans and absorb the Soul King after seeing Mimihagi out of fear that he could be devoured by his father. Ukitake's sacrifice and Yhwach's plans saved Ichigo.
- The history and origins of Soul Society are all based on lies.
- The actions of Squad Zero regarding the truth and the Soul King will be judged in ten (the epilogue) or 100 (when Soul Society is going to have 100 days without night thanks to Ichibee) years
- The ancestors of the five noble families committed an original sin regarding the Spirit King and it is their will that Squad Zero obeys to, not the Spirit King. It's one of the reasons why Aizen was so angry at the end of Deicide. Shunsui himself hates the ancestors and Ichibee.
- Squad Zero actually died, but was revived with the same trick as Ichibee. The reason for this is that they are kinda fused through the Oken with the Soul Palace.
- Nel rescued Harribel, who was transported alongside the rest of Yhwach's castle to the Royal Realm. She couldn't be rescued because she was in Yhwach's throne room.
- Kira is still a zombie and the events of the 13th Blade story actually happened
- The relationship between Quincy and Shinigami will improve and enter a new age thanks to the death of both kings.
- Lille survived the fight against Kira and the destruction of the Seretei and caused trouble for several days. Eventually the birds were removed from the Seretei. It's unknown what that means for him and what his ultimate status is.
- Shuutara's invention was most likely the Shinigami uniform
- Orihime's power has three limits: She can't heal someone who had mortal wounds for a long time, though the exact time frame is unknown, at least the duration of a night, was no problem for her. She can't revive someone whose body and Reiatsu are gone. And of course her mental will and stamina will affect how strong her healing powers are.
- Kensei and Rose were actually dead. Mayuri's science is just that good. Though it took almost six months to revert these two back.
- C46 has only few members left and did many reforms. Their leader is Nayura (from the Kira short story). Half of them were killed by Shaz Domino and many of the survivors resigned.
- There is actually a council of nobles that is above C46
- Ichigo got his powers back within a short time
- Tosen knew the truth behind Soul Society, it's why he sided with Aizen in the first place
- Komamura is still a wolf
- Ryuken is financing Uryuu's studies, but beyond that their relationship and what happened to the dads after their sons got jobs is not known (from We do (knot) always love you).
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Part 2:
- Hitsugaya became a captain two to seven years before the story
- The Tsunayashiro family is the fourth member of the five grand noble families
- Tosen's friend is called Kakyou. Her husband Tokinada was a minor member of the Tsunayashiro family and thus not punished by the law for his crime
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Part 3:
- Hisagi got his motorbike back. Presumably Yamamoto couldn't keep it confiscated after his death.
- Ginjou is an acquaintance of the Shiba family. He, Tsukishima and Giriko are living there as freeloaders.
- They kept their clothes and weapons because of their ability to manipulate souls.
- The death of Kaien and Isshin's disappearance were major contributions to the fall of the Shiba family
- Tsukishima cannot create new people in memories. He can only insert himself and/or replace others.
- Ginjou was innocent. A Shinigami was sent to assassinate him. That Shinigami killed all of Ginjou's friends and Ginjou killed him in a fit of rage. Finding out about that plus the truth behind the Shinigami badge led to him rebelling. He went to the Seretei during the final arc in order to know the truth. But thanks to the Kamikake Ukitake was dead and could not speak. Ginjou still doesn't know why someone would want to assassinate him. It's implied the order came from high above. Ukitake is a major suspect and Ginjou believes it was him, but so far there is no confirmation.
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Part 4:
- Hanatora's brother Seinosuke is alive. He is medical attendant for the Great noble families
- Shino (the female Shinigami substitute and partner of Yuki, that Ichigo saved in the beginning of the final arc) is the little sister/cousin of Ikkaku. Her full name is Shino Madarame. Her Zanpakto is a Naginata
- Shino and Ikkaku lost their parents at a young age in the Rukongai. Because they were shifted from one family member to another, they actually don't know whether they are brother and sister or cousins. Ikkaku eventually decided to become a Shinigami and Shino followed him. He was immediately accepted into Squad 11. Shino had to go to the academy first until she was accepted into Squad 13. It's unknown how Yumichika fits into this.
- The earthquakes that the death of the Soul King caused, led to the rise of several religious end-time sects. The founder of one rather popular one is lead by a woman of the name Michibane Aura.
- Yukio became the boss of his company after six months and thanks to his experience with Ichigo in the final two arcs, he decided to use it to help humanity and make a better world. Yukio's company is also evolving into a feeding ground to gather Fullbringer from all over the world, starting with Riruka and Jackie.
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Part 5:
- Rudborrn Chelute is alive.
- He used to serve under Barragan, but is content with both Aizen's and Harribel's rule because they brought order and rules into Hueco Mundo. He feels indebted to them for that reason. He also has the big dream of creating a pan-Arrancar nation that governs all of Hueco Mundo. The sight of Grimmjow, Nel and Harribel working together left him rather emotional and made his heart cry in joy.
- Loly and Menoly were degraded to become part of the Exequias. The three worked together with Orihime and co. probably and defeated the majority of the Jagdarmee, who either used guerilla tactics or suicide attacks.
- During Harribel's absence the hidden Vasto Lorde came to the surface and tried to become the new ruler. Rudbonn did not participate in the throne games, but repeatedly asked Grimmjow to help maintain order. He refused to fight small fry, as he himself put it in.
- Once Harribel and Grimmjow returned after the war was over, the Vasto Lorder went back to their own colonies, disappointed.
- The events of Sprits are forever with you are referenced, making them canon.
- Ruddbon learned from his fight with Rukia. He can now produce his branches underground to avoid them getting frozen. He also managed to increase the production rate significantly. He can produce thousands of Calaveras within seconds. He, like a Quincy absorbs Reishi in order to create the Calaveras. They also learned new tactics, like using their sheer numbers to create formations and figures, like tentacles.
- Grimmjow became a better person. All of Hueco Mundo changed for the better actually.
- Liltotto, Giselle and Bambietta are alive.
- Bambietta just wants Giselle's blood. Nothing perverted, probably. The reason for Bambietta's fragmented speech is that her injuries are not quite healed. Giselle could use her blood to do that, but thinks Bambietta is cuter that way and delays the healing process. She can think clearly actually, but because of her injuries (most likely because Giselle bashed her head), her ability to think has been degraded.
- They were rescued by Haschwalth's aide under Haschwalth's orders. Right after acquiring the Almighty, Haschwalth decides to order the evacuation and treatment of every Quincy outside the Schutzstaffel. This explains why Giselle's and Liltotto's bodies were not seen during Yhwach's fight with Ichigo and Orihime.
- Many Quincy were saved by Haschwalth's aide. It's actually quite possible that some Sternritter are among them, like Bazz-B and BG9.
- Haschwalth's aide believes that the Schutzstaffel is gone, though she doesn't know that Lille actually turned into birds.
- The Wandenreich HQ is in the human world.
- Whatever Haschwalth saw in the future changed him. He only described it as cruel. He willingly decided play both sides in order to balance the odds. He knew that Yhwach would sacrifice him, but Haschwalth saw it as a fitting punishment and sacrifice for his behavior. He knew that this would be his fate, but he went to the battlefield anyway. He wanted to fight Uryuu and see what drives him, for when it comes to Uryuu, Haschwalth is shaken with emotion.
- Haschwalth's aide is stronger than some of the Sternritter, but does not posses a Schrift, because she only wants to serve Haschwalth, but not Yhwach. She is the strongest archer within the Wandenreich. It seems that she is now ruling over the Wandenreich.
- Bambietta is still a zombie. She was never brainwashed or mind-controlled. Zombie Bambietta is the real Bambietta's personality. Behind her though facade is simply a meek and scarred little girl. Her encounter with Komamura deeply traumatized and she suffers from PTSD, so much that she forgets that she is already dead.
- It's possible that Giselle is highly intelligent and could rival Mayuri. It's just that she is too lazy to actually bother using much strategy. She is also a social expert, able to easily read other people and know what buttons she has to push in order to provoke them (or in Bambietta's case to make her break down and cry)
- The Glutton has more abilities. Liltotto can recover Reiryoku with her ability and like Aaroniero, she can actually use the abilities of the things she consumed. She can use the poison of Loly after she consumed part of her body. She combines Loly's poison with Licht Regen to create a rain of poison, which is just awesome. She also can use Pepe's Love and considered it using against Yhwach, but thought it would be useless.
- Apparently how things taste depend on what Liltotto thinks of their personalities. At the very least there seems to be a connection between taste and personality. Pepe tasted disgusting. Ruddbon appeared for Liltotto as more tasty than the tasteless Calaveras. Loly tasted quite good and spicy.
- Giselle actually got nicer. Just a little bit. She doesn't hurt Bambietta anymore. Though psychological domination is still fine for her. Liltotto outright refers her as an S-type. But Giselle truly doesn't understand why Liltotto would describe her as a sadist.
- The power that Yhwach steals will return over time. Only exception is Vollständig.
- Ryuken and Uryuu may be able to use Sklaverei. Every Sternritter can, but only in Vollständig.
- Mayuri collected the dead bodies of several Sternritter. Confirmed so far are Meninas, Candice and NaNaNa.
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Part 6:
- The nobles are living within their own city
- Byakuya is not very popular with the general population. None of the current great nobles are like. Except Yoruichi. Everyone likes Yoruichi. The higher nobles in general are not very popular. Exceptions like the Omaedas exist.
- Mayuri's Zanpakto Sex change device is canon.
- Omaeda is a ladies man. Hisagi and Renji not so much.
- Ukitake's exact involvement in the Ginjou incident is even unknown to Shunsui, but he is at least guilty of not interfering and just standing by.
- The reputation of Squad 4 increased significantly thanks to their efforts during the war.
- The reason for the fall of the Shiba family lies in the distant past. The Kaien and Isshin incidents were just the last straws.
- Yoruichi was the one who decided Yuushiro should become her successor.
- The noble families have an authority that is independent of Squad Zero and lies above them (even the Shiba retain that, as seen when Squad Zero had to ask for their permission to use the canon).
- The Tsunayashiro family is the most important of the noble families.
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Part 7:
- Mashiro and the girl with the glasses from the 12th division (the one who asked about the previous Nemus) are sisters.
- Mayuri has reanimated the dead Sternritter. Outside of the three that were already mentioned, these are the Sternritter, whose bodies Mayuri could have possibly collected: Haschwalth, Bazz-B (if dead), BG9 (if dead), Cang Du, Askin, Gremmy, Nianzol
- Arrancar get progressively stronger through battles
- The Negar ruins (the place Orihime met up with Chad and the Arrancar between the invasions) are actually a man-made stone temple built in ancient times. It's unknown what happened to the ancient civilization that built the temple or who the god of Hueco Mundo was (it's most likely not Barragan though).
- Soul Society is a fake world, a charade built upon lies, by the ancestors of the five noble families.
- The Soul King was always trapped and deprived of his power since the very beginning.
- The last time, the five great noble families met was 1000 years ago.
- It's made more and more ambiguous if Yhwach is truly dead and if the Soul King before him was actually alive. Urahara and Aizen knew about that. Yoruichi did not.
- Many people from the real world experience a crisis of faith once they realize that Soul Society isn't exactly paradise.
- Hisagi is poor because Urahara overcharges the prices for fuel for his motorbike.
- Tosen met Aizen for the first time shortly after Kakyou's funeral. He saved Tosen from the beatdown of Tokinada's guards.
The story so far in Can't fear your own world:
Part 1:
- Yhwach is currently being prepared for the linchpin ritual by Shunsui and Ichibee. Grimmjow, Nel and Harribel witness this. Harribel is disgusted and agrees with Aizen on that matter. They leave.
- After Oetsu woke up, he found out that someone stole a sword from him. That sword is called Ikomikidomoe. The sword is usually hidden under an ocean. But that evaporated when Ichigo got his new Zanpakto. The thief was able to use several different abilities, which should be impossible. Oetsu thus concludes that the thief was from the great noble families. The sword is dangerous.
- Several days after Yhwach's defeat Aizen is imprisoned back into Muken. There is a new chair. He wants to speak with Ichigo, but Shunsui and Urahara did not let him under suspicious pretense. Shunsui in general was rather adamant about Aizen not talking much and being sent to Muken as quickly as possible. Hisagi brought up Tosen and he and Aizen talked about the true nature of Tosen, why he killed him and the original sin of Soul Society. Shunsui eventually ended the conversation and sent him back.
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Part 2:
- Six months later and Tokinada just woke up from a dream. It was his first encounter with Tosen right after the funeral of his wife. He fondly remembers sending him into despair and crushing his hope (and a few bones). He notices that the members of his family were assassinated by members of the Punishiment Squad, but the assassins were all defeated by Hikone and made motionless, but still alive. He reveals that he hired them in order to fabricate him becoming the next head. He tortures the assassins for some time until he kills them. Afterwards he prepares to make himself the new head and Hikone the new Spirit King
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Part 3:
- Hisagi visits the Shiba estate for an interview with Kukaku. He wants to give a through and objective as possible report on the events of the war. Kukkaku says she wasn't much involved and he should speak to Ganju, but he is useless. He ends up drinking and talking with Ginjou, revealing part of his past.
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Part 4:
- Hisagi is headed back to Shunsui's office alongside Kensei in order to cover the coronation of Tokinada. They suspect he was behind the deaths of his family.
- Keigo and Mizuiro are attacked by a crab Hollow. They are saved by Yuki and Shino (though Mizuiro was more important for the defeat). Urahara's merchandise actually works. The four talk. Muzuiro somehow knows about the Royal Realm. They mention a religious sect.
- Yukio is visited by the leader of the religious cult. The woman, Michibane Aura, was a main benefactor for Yukio's company. She wants him to join. He refuses. She leaves but gives him a calling card "Religious sect: XCution".
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Part 5:
- Rudborrn is watching over Hueco Mundo. He is accompanied by Loly and Menoly. They talk about Aizen and that they have to maintain order in Hueco Mundo. They are attacked by Giselle's group. They are planing on raising an army in order to invade the 12th division barracks and retrieve the bodies of their comrades in order to resurrect them. Except for NaNaNa. Grimmjow, Harribel and Nel join the fight, but it is interrupted when Hikone appears. Tokinada wants to rule over Hueco Mundo and beat all the Arrancar, who do not comply into submission.
- Hikone is a freak of nature. His Reiatsu is compared to a Vizards, but also to Ayon and a Sternritter. He releases the stolen Zanpakto Ikomikidomoe with the phrase "Orbit the stars".
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Part 6:
- Shunsui is instructing Hisagi on his interview with Tokinada. He intends to fully support and help him with that task. Hisagi asks him about the Ginjou incident. Shunsui reveals that while he knows not much, he knows that Ukitake was involved to some degree and at the very least guilty of just standing by. Shunsui wants to investigate things further, both in order to clear Ginjou's name and find the real culprit and also in order to come better to terms with Ukitake's passing. Hisagi leaves in order to interview Yumichika and Ikkaku about Pernida and what is going on with the Soul King's arms. Since Mayuri is too busy with mad science, Hisagi later interviews Hanataro about the same topic, but once he learns about the occupation of his brother, asks for an interview with Hanataro's brother.
- At the same time Tokinada is having a meeting with Shunsui. Tokianda confesses for all his crimes, both with joyful, sadistic pride and hatred. But thanks to his position he is untouchable. He also recounts how he once was sent to Maggot's nest for his crimes, but pardoned because of his family name. Kyoraku apologizes to Tokinada because he believed that Tokianada was behind Rukia's execution, since his family opposed Byakuya's marriage and Rukia's adoption. Tokinda reveals that he wants to make a proposition to the Kuichiki family, to Yoruichi and Hueco Mundo "in order to maintain balance between the two worlds.". Tokinada then mocked Ukitake's death. Shunsui swallowed his anger and asked him about Ginjou. Tokinada is of the opinion that Ukitake orchestrated the Fullbring arc in order engineer Ichigo's heroism. He then reveals that thinks the entire world is nothing but fake. He then mocks Shunsui over the death of Nanao's mother.
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Part 7:
- Hisagi tries to interview Seinousuke, but is interrupted by the arrival of a wounded Hikone. The Espada and Sternritter managed to beat him (though Rudborrn, Loly and Menoly were severly injured) after a hard fight. The Sternritter found refugee in the Negar Ruins. They all wonder what Hikone is and why he can use the abilities of all races. Hisagi and Hanataro try to help Hikone's wounds, but are told by Seinousuke and Hikone that everything is fine. Hikone is truly grateful for their concern though. Seinosuke warns Hanataro again that he should better not stay in Soul Society for the next few days.
- Hisagi decides to interview Urahara and ask for the truth.
- Tokinada is meeting with Yoruichi and Byakuya. He wants to make the Shibas nobles again as gratitude for Ichigo saving everyone from Yhwach. Either Ichigo or one of his sisters should be heads. He also reveals that he wants to relieve control of Soul Society from the Gotei and the Soul King to the noble families. He also believes that Sqaud Zero and the Gotei are incompetent. Byakuya and Yoruichi have problems with that obviously. Tokinada mocks Byakuya over Hisana and Rukia's execution.
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Implications: These are things that have not outright been stated, but strongly implied. This contains also things that can be pieces together with knowledge from the manga. So, there is the possibility, these end up wrong:
- It's implied that Hanataro and Ikkaku are minor nobles. Hanataro is familiar enough with the customs of the nobles and lives in family estate and Ikkaku is from a family that is big enough that he can't be sure whether Shino is his sister or cousin.
- Ichibee and possibly Oetsu seem to be the only ones in Squad Zero who know the truth behind the Soul King
- Shunsui hates the ancestors of the noble families and Ichibee, both because of their attitude and because they in one way or another are responsible not only for more than 1000 years of bloodshed, but also for all the tragedies and deaths in Shunsui's life.
- Yhwach's body parts may have been separated and gained sentience
- There are four other people who knew about the plan of making Ichigo the Soul King: Isshin, Urahara, Old Man Zangetsu and Yhwach. Isshin and Urahara talked about how restoring Ichigo's power in the Fullbring arc may be equal to robbing him of his future. Even Urahara, who had no problem with hiding the Hogyoku inside Rukia and draining her of her power or sending Ichigo and Yoruichi into a suicide mission to buy time, was very hesitant to restore Ichigo's power for this very reason. Ichigo becoming the Soul King was what they probably meant. Isshin was also more than unhappy that Ichigo would be trained by Squad Zero, who as revealed only trained him as a back-up Soul King. Old Man Zangetsu, for whom Ichigo's safety was the most important thing, admitted that he originally planned to kill Ichigo in order to protect him from what will come, if he continues the path of the Shinigami. What else could be so horrifying that OMZ considers killing Ichigo protecting him? And finally, before Yhwach had to change plans and become the Soul King, he stated that he wants to kill Ichigo, because otherwise a much more horrible fate will await him. Just to put it into perspective: Yhwach is extremely afraid of death. And yet he believes becoming the lynchpin is so much worse that he considers killing Ichigo an act of mercy.
- Part of the reason Yhwach hated Ichibee so much is for what he did to his father and part of Yhwach's motivation for the final arc was to save his father from a fate worse than death.
- The Soul King we saw, is a corpse, but he and Yhwach can act beyond death.
- Yoruichi doesn't have her Zanpakto anymore. Shinigami who actually retire have to give up her Zanpakto. Yoruichi abandoned all her positions and did not have her Zanpakto with her, when she rescued Urahara. Her Zanpkato was most likely confiscated. Since she is still in exile, technically at least, she did not get her Zanpakto back.
- Ryuken may have a Schrift and Vollständig in order to use Sklaverei
- Giselle may not be mtf trans, but rather an actual hermaphrodite.
- The cousin of Ichigo Tsukishima posed as and the funeral of a grandfather Rin where they met for the first time, may actually have been Uryuu and the funeral of Soken.
- It seems that Tokinada is so sadistic because he believes he can do what he wants, since nothing is real to begin with. He seems to enjoy and hate his position and the whole farce at the same time.
- The Soul King is a Quincy, or rather the Quincy are whatever the Soul King is. Related to this is something else. why Aizen was not made into the linchpin. I've seen this several times, the question why they don't make Aizen into the linchpin instead of using Ichigo, which is why I'm going to debunk that one. There are three reasons for this:
1. Aizen would not be okay with this. Being in Muken is one thing, but becoming the linchpin, losing all his power and body parts, having to serve a flawed system for all eternity just to uphold a charade and not even being able to speak, another. He would resist that with all his might.
2. The linchpin is implied to be a corpse. Ichibee wanted to kill Ichigo. Aizen is immortal, kinda hard to kill.
3. Aizen is not a Quincy. All Soul King candidates have two things in common: An absurd amount of Reiatsu and being at least part Quincy. Aizen only has one of the two criteria. Yhwach is a pure Quincy. Ichigo and Hikone are at least part Quincy. And while the Soul King is so far unknown, but the only confirmed parts of him are Quincy. |
