Later, having completed his training with the Royal Guard, Byakuya returns to Soul Society and regains his Bankai through Kisuke Urahara's Shin'eiyaku. To Rukia's surprise, Byakuya and the others turn to leave. When the Bount threat to Soul Society becomes serious, Byakuya, receiving a message from Captain-Commander Yamamoto, leaves to meet up with him. Byakuya tries to use Senka to defeat Renji swiftly, but his lieutenant blocks the attack.
Renji, telling Byakuya of his long standing desire to surpass him, activates his Bankai.
With Ichigo and Rukia dealing with the unstable Muramasa and the Hollows he is releasing, Byakuya concentrates on Kōga. Each form presents a different advantage, such as increasing offense at the expense of defense. As Byakuya prepares to finish off Ganju, he is stopped by After a brief exchange of words, Byakuya states he doesn't know how Ichigo has reacquired Shinigami powers, but he should have resumed his normal Human life.
Regaining his composure, he dodges a black Getsuga Tensho. As the battle continues, the Reigai, increasing in numbers, become much more dangerous, attacking whomever they see. Suì-Feng accompanies Byakuya and tells him that Rukia left Soul Society, but Byakuya is fine with Rukia taking a break and says that he will deal with the problem himself.
Zommari tells him he is not the one, but he was going to finish the job.
Byakuya and the other Shinigami watch as Mayuri fights Inaba.
When Ukitake's illness flairs up, Byakuya tells him not to become worked up over it, reminding him of the loss of his former lieutenant. [38] Before reaching Sokyoku Hill, he encounters Renji, who, having escaped from jail, has fought his way through his fellow 6th Division members in a bid to save Rukia. While Captain Unohana treats him for his massive injuries, Byakuya, telling Rukia the truth of her past, explains why he was conflicted for so long between his promises to Hisana and his parents, making it hard for him to determine the role he should take when she was sentenced to be executed. The two engage in a test of speed using Shunpo, with Yoruichi, carrying an unconscious Ichigo, staying a step ahead of Byakuya. He asks Byakuya if pride has anything to do with Rukia's execution, because if so, he will step all over it. Still having duties to take care of, Byakuya, putting Rukia in charge of this ordeal, has Senbonzakura join her. After the battle, Byakuya, preparing to leave, is asked by Ichigo if Kariya should be followed.
It seems to take fewer blows from a Senkei blade to gravely injure an opponent than the multiple cuts needed from the unfocused Bankai. While waiting for the cremation to begin, Byakuya tells Renji of Chojiro's abilities and loyalty to Yamamoto. As a captain of the Gotei 13 and the head of one of the great noble families, he works very hard for a peaceful society.
He wears fingerless white tekkō which only cover the back of his hands. When Äs believes it to be Byakuya's Bankai, he corrects the Quincy, explaining that during his loss of Bankai, he sought to obtain a deeper and more refined understanding of his Zanpakutō, and Byakuya thanks his opponent for it. When Kōga tries to utilize his unique powers to bind and mislead Byakuya, Senbonzakura lends his vision and power to Byakuya.
Later, in a forest in Rukongai, Byakuya encounters the Bount leader Jin Kariya, and the two begin to fight.
He is also the captain of the 6th Division in the Gotei 13, and his only lieutenant is Renji Abarai.
However, the Shinigami receive information of Yhwach's Reiatsu manifesting in the West 55th Block, and Byakuya races there.
He later attends a captains meeting, where he is informed about Wandenreich's infiltration, and, along with the other captains, is ordered to prepare for war.
Later on he has a niece name Ichika.
After the spirits dispatch one of the intruders and the other flees, Byakuya and Rukia go to Mayuri Kurotsuchi for answers.