At Rukia Kuchiki's behest, Ichigo Kurosaki puts an artificial soul in his body to take care of it and not arouse suspicion while he carries out his Substitute Shinigami duties, but the artificial soul has its own agenda.

Arrancars Nel Tu and Pesche Guatiche have come to seek Ichigo’s help explaining that Hueco Mundo is under attack by an unknown enemy. Unable to ignore the situation, Ichigo and his friends decide to set out for Hueco Mundo.

Ichigo and his friends arrive in Hueco Mundo to confront Quilge Opie and learn that their latest enemy are Quincies.

The Wandenreich mobilizes its elite force, the Stern Ritter, to annihilate the Soul Society. Creating massive flaming pillars of Reishi as a distraction, the Stern Ritter easily enter the Soul Society to bring carnage to the Soul Reapers.

Quilge Opie uses his power to imprison Ichigo inside the Garganta. As he tries to break free, Ichigo begins to hear, through his Soul Phone, the screams of the Soul Reapers falling to the enemy's onslaught.