"The peace is suddenly broken when warning sirens blare through the Soul Society. Residents there are disappearing without a trace, and nobody knows who's behind it. Meanwhile, a dark shadow is also extending itself toward Ichigo and his friends in Karakura Town" -- from publisher's web site.

Ichigo Kurosaki was born with the ability to see ghosts, and is now a Soul Reaper, dedicated to protecting the innocent and helping tormented souls find peace. In this volume, Ichigo is surprised when his friend Nel Tu reverts to her true form to shield her human protectors, and unforeseen changes put Ichigo and his friends at the mercy of the enemy.

"When a mysterious group of warriors calling themselves the Vandenreich attacks, Ichigo heads to Hueco Mundo to help his friend Nel. And when the Vandenreich takes the fight to the Soul Society, an all-out war between Soul Reapers and Quincies breaks out!"--Cover, p.[4}

With his training not working out, Ichigo returns to the world of the living and runs into his father, Isshin, who reveals secrets about his mother and the way she died.