Volume 34 begins with Nel activating her released form, going all out on Nnoitora. Back with Renji and Uryu, Nel’s Fracciones Pesche and Dondochakka reveal some surprising powers to try and save their friends and hurry on to Nel’s side. Unfortunately, Nel suddenly reverts back to her child form, and Pesche and Dondochakka’s attack fails. Tesla takes over for Nnoitora, and things start to look even bleaker than before. Rukia and Chad, incapacitated after their recent, brutal battles, are about to be finished off. Just as it looks like everyone is about to be defeated for good, some surprising back up shows up to save the day. Kenpachi Zaraki appears to aid Ichigo, Byakuya Kuchiki to aid Rukia, Mayuri Kurotsuchi to fight Szayelaporro, and Retsu Unohana with Isane Kotetsu arrive to provide healing. It’s nothing short of a miracle, but even for these Soul Reaper Captains, victory won’t come easily. The story first focuses on the ever calm and cool (and sexy) Byakuya’s battle with séptima Espada Zommari Rureaux. Zommari’s powers of duplication and body control give Byakuya a few problems, but he deals with everything with an eerie, dispassionate calm. But when Zommari tries to screw with Rukia, Byakuya goes all out and unleashes his bankai. Meanwhile, Szayelaporro uses his tricks to overcome Mayuri, and thinks he’s got things handled. But as usual, Mayuri, who never comes unprepared, has a slew of tricks up his sleeve. As the battle continues, Szayelaporro’s apparent immortality doesn’t seem to phase Mayuri; rather, Mayuri is fascinated by the Espada’s powers. Even so, his patience is running thin….