A new Bleach chapter is out, so let's talk about it.
Spoilers and scary cats after the cut.
To no one's surprise, the story couldn't stick with Ichigo and co. for more than a couple of weeks. Why would it? It's not like Ichigo is the main...oh, right.
Urahara's appearance seemed quite likely as well. After all, he was the one who engineered opening the gate to Reioukyuu/Wahrwelt and got what remains of the Gotei 13 up there. And since Yoruichi is hanging with Ichigo's group, it was just a matter of time until he butted into her fight.
The only thing that did surprise me was that Urahara was classed with the "Special War Powers", a group of five shinigami with abilities that exceed the normal cannon fodder that comprises the majority of the Gotei 13.
We knew that Ichigo was among them, as well as Kenpachi (though I think he was removed after getting his arse kicked by one of the Loyd twins); Hyousube, Aizen, and Urahara are the others.
Why Urahara? "Unknown means", according to Nakk le Varr.
Why Urahara, for real? He's the author avatar, an annoying one at that.
So not only does Urahara show up, he does something to Yoruichi that lets her recover her lost stamina. He then does something even more surprising: he makes her transform into a Super Saiyan-esque form that combines her normal body with her cat body, plus the incredible power of her Shunkou.
It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I don't doubt that Nakk le Varr will find some way of countering it, either.
Of course, we have no idea whether or not this part of the story will be featured in 663. It might go back to the fight between Hitsugaya and Valkyrie, for all we know.
