In Hueco Mundo, Aizen creates the arrancar Wonderweiss Margera with the Orb of Distortion, and Aizen tasks Ulquiorra with gathering arrancars for a mission. Meanwhile, Ichigo's training with the Vizards has enabled him to use his hollow mask for eleven seconds. In Soul Society, Soul Reapers Jūshirō Ukitake and Shūhei Hisagi observe Orihime and Rukia Kuchiki, who are training for the winter war with Aizen. In the real world, Yumichika and Rangiku are training in an attempt to achieve bankai when the arrancars Luppi Antenor, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Yammy Riyalgo and Wonderweiss attack. Ichigo encounters Grimmjow and uses his bankai. In the training room beneath the Urahara shop, Urahara prepares to leave to enter the battle.