Another Bleach chapter is out, so let's talk about it.
Spoilers after the cut, as usual.
So you thought you might get some answers after last week's perfect setup chapter, huh?
If you've been following the manga for a while like I have, this situation seems annoyingly repetitive. A situation has been set up, but then the payoff provides more questions than answers.
And as is usually the case, there really aren't any answers yet.
Instead, what we have in Seireitei is an ever-widening circle as former shinigami are joining up with current shinigami and everyone's just kind of yelling at the wind. There's still no explanation on Urahara or anyone else's part as to what the Gotei 13 can actually accomplish in Reioukyuu.
I suspect that all the time spent there with Urahara explaining (or failing to and getting chastised for it) is a ploy to allow Kyouraku as much time with Central 46 as he needs to convince them of...whatever cockamamie idea he's come up with. It's Kyouraku, so of course he went to Central 46 with some off-the-wall plan.
Hiyori's re-entrance is annoying. No surprise there.
Everyone in the Gotei 13 is uber-dedicated. Ditto.
Since that whole thing (i.e. most of the chapter) is basically a non-starter that doesn't explain squat, we'll move on to Reioukyuu itself.
Apparently, Bach/Yhwach/His Majesty/whatever and Ichigo aren't going to fight just yet. It sounded like they were in 613.
Since Ichigo isn't particularly bright, he basically ignores what Bach says about seeing the future and goes to remove Bach's sword from the Soul King's chest. As you read (or can easily imagine), this does not end well.
Quincy blood, eh? That's why Ichigo just hacked the Soul King in half?
Dubious motivation/explanation aside, it does present us with a bit of intrigue. After all, Bach has been the most successful "villain" of the series, by far. He made it up to Reioukyuu and basically kicked ass from the word go. He then stabbed the Soul King, an action that seemed to signify the beginning of the end. But the real trick that Bach played was having Ichigo do the dirty work for him.
Is it any wonder that Ichigo was (allegedly) listed as a "special war potential"? Ichigo's practically the most important cog in Bach's plan!
It takes a truly devious "villain" to exploit the protagonist in such a way.
Thus, I have to give Kubo credit. It was well done.
And now Soul Society will explode. Allegedly.
