Bleach TYBW part 3 all but confirms Hell Arc

The latest episode of Bleach TYBW part 3, titled The Dark Arm, has subtly teased the Hell arc through the brief and final exchange between Jushiro Ukitake and Retsu Unohara (formerly known as Yachiru Unohana). After Genryusai Yamamoto's death, Shunsui Kyoraku assigned Retsu to teach Zaraki Kenpachi the art of Zanjitsu.

Retsu knew that she had to sacrifice her life to awaken Zaraki's slumbered potential. On the other hand, Jushiro Ukitake decided to go through the Kamikake ritual, which meant sacrificing his life to the local deity Mimihagi and becoming the Right Arm of the Soul King.

Both knew they were on a mission from where they couldn't return. Yet, prior to leaving, Jushiro Ukitake told Retsu in Bleach TYBW part 3 that they would meet again. Retsu seemed to understand Jushiro's words.

Interestingly, fans who have read Tite Kubo's one-shot chapter titled No Breath from the Jaws of Hell would know the significance behind the scene. The short exchange basically confirms that Jushiro would meet Retsu in Hell.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Howls from the Jaws of Hell one-shot chapter and the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

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Jushiro Ukitake's brief exchange with Retsu Unohana in Bleach TYBW part 3 strongly teases Hell Arc

In the third episode of Bleach TYBW part 3, Jushiro Ukitake and Retsu Unohana met each other for one last time before leaving for their respective suicidal missions. As explained, Jushiro wanted to prepare his body for the Kamikake ritual, even if it meant sacrificing his life, while Retsu wanted to awaken Zaraki's potential at the cost of her own life.

With written on the cards, Retsu Unohana bade farewell to Jushiro Ukitake in Bleach TYBW part 3. Interestingly, the white-haired Soul Reaper captain replied to Retsu saying that they would meet each other soon. So, why would Jushiro say something like that, when he was aware of each other's doomed fate?

That's where the subtle reference to Tite Kubo's one-shot chapter, No Breath from The Jaws of Hell, comes in. According to the one-shot chapter, whenever a Soul Reaper with high Spiritual Pressure perishes (mainly the Captain-level Soul Reapers), instead of being reborn, they are sent to Hell.

Jushiro and Retsu in Bleach TYBW part 3 episode 3 (Image via Pierrot Films)

It's not only limited to the Soul Reapers, but the Espadas or any other being with immense Spiritual Pressure. The one-shot chapter also confirmed that Jushiro Ukitake's soul was sent to Hell after his sacrifice in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.

While Retsu wasn't shown, the fact that she was a Soul Reaper captain meant she must have also been sent to Hell. The same goes with Genryusai Yamamoto, and every other high-level Shinigami or Espada. Interestingly, Shunsui Kyoraku knew about it.

The latest Bleach TYBW part 3 episode has also subtly confirmed that Jushiro and Retsu knew about their eventual fate. Otherwise, Jushiro Ukitake wouldn't have said that he would meet Retsu again, and Retsu wouldn't have reacted the way she did.

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Conclusion

Undoubtedly, the latest episode in Bleach TYBW has opened various possibilities in the narrative. Since Jushiro and Retsu's scene has almost confirmed the existence of Hell and canonized the one-shot chapter, it remains to be seen whether Tite Kubo works on the Hell Arc in the future.

Previously, a fan had asked Kubo in his Klub Outside blog whether the author would continue the series with the Hell Arc. However, Kubo said that he would only draw when he's not told to.

At any rate, given the reception the Thousand-Year Blood War arc's anime adaptation has been getting, it won't be farfetched to think Kubo would eventually work on the Hell Arc.

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