This article, First Battle of Nishiendo, serves as a prequel to Planning Espionage, focusing on an event hinted at in said chapter; thus it is also the first chapter of the Braving the Waves arc, which is part of Bleach: Cataclysm. It focuses on the first invasion of Nishiendo by the hand of Ryan Kuchiki and his Gotei Remnant, with the Six Directions as defenders. It marks the first instance when these two forces come head-to-head following the Collapse.