Chapter Summaries

Lin Feng watched Don Kanonji’s livestream exorcism at Karakura Town’s abandoned hospital, hoping the ensuing chaos would let him get close to Rukia. When Ichigo tried to stop Kanonji, Lin Feng seized the moment and hugged Rukia from behind.

• Lin Feng overheard Ichigo and his sister discussing Don Kanonji’s planned livestream exorcism and decided to use the event to approach Rukia.
• Lin Feng spent the day in Karakura Town with Kotetsu Kiyone and Asai Reiko, then used the Imperial Relic to disguise himself as a security guard.
• Lin Feng arrived at the abandoned hospital and saw Rukia there with Ichigo as Don Kanonji made a dramatic parachute entrance.
• Don Kanonji shoved a stick into the Bound Spirit’s Hollow hole, and Ichigo jumped in to stop him before security guards buried Ichigo under the crowd.
• Rukia prepared to use her Soul Reaper glove on Ichigo, but Lin Feng grabbed her from behind and held her close.

After gaining spiritual power from his mission involving Rukia, Lin Feng kept a low profile through a peaceful stretch. A Menos Grande appeared in Karakura Town, but its warning vanished before the Thirteenth Division could respond.

• Lin Feng completed his sign-in mission after catching Rukia and gained 5,000 points of Spiritual Power, raising his total to 13,000.
• Lin Feng left the scene, then spent the next day strolling through the Living World with Asai Reiko and Kotetsu Kiyone before returning to Soul Society.
• Lin Feng kept mostly to the Thirteenth Division during a peaceful half-month, occasionally patrolling the Living World.
• Kurotsuchi Nemu detected a Menos Grande in Karakura Town and ordered the Technology Development Bureau to alert the Thirteenth Division.
• The Menos Grande warning disappeared before the message could be sent, leaving Akon and the technicians wondering whether the instrument had malfunctioned or a Vice Captain had intervened.

After a Menos Grande appeared briefly in Karakura Town, Lin Feng wondered who had caused it while the Technology Development Bureau investigated the incident. Meanwhile, Aizen’s allies reported that their planted clues should lead the 12th Division to Rukia, and Aizen said he had prepared for this moment for over a hundred years.

• The Technology Development Bureau confirmed its Living World detection equipment was working, and Akon proposed reporting the unexplained Menos Grande appearance to Captain Kurotsuchi.
• Lin Feng suspected the Menos Grande had been slain by Kurosaki Ichigo and Uryu Ishida working together, but he remained unsure whether Aizen or Kisuke Urahara had caused its appearance.
• In the 5th Division, Tōsen Kaname told Aizen that the clues they had released should lead the 12th Division to Rukia.
• Gin Ichimaru asked whether Aizen was ready, and Aizen said he had prepared for the moment for over a hundred years.

Aizen explained that he had waited a century for Kisuke Urahara to reveal his Hogyoku, and that both men understood the conspiracy surrounding Rukia. He traced their history back to their shared Hollowfication research and ended with the events that began the main story.

• Tōsen Kaname warned Aizen that Rukia's exposure might be a trap, while Gin Ichimaru said he preferred using his sword to looking for schemes.
• Aizen told Tōsen Kaname that he and Kisuke Urahara could both see the plan, and that what mattered was how they played their hands.
• Aizen recalled using his Hogyoku to conduct failed Hollowfication experiments before investigating Kisuke Urahara's research.
• Aizen drew Captain-Level Soul Reapers to the Rukongai District, and Kisuke Urahara used his own Hogyoku to stabilize Hirako Shinji and the others' Hollowfication.
• Aizen framed Kisuke Urahara through Central 46, then waited a century without discovering Urahara's secrets.
• Rukia Kuchiki lost her Soul Reaper powers after transferring them to Kurosaki Ichigo in Karakura Town, beginning the main storyline.

Aizen Sōsuke deduced that Kisuke Urahara had planted clues about the Hogyoku inside Rukia Kuchiki to lure him into a trap. He believed Urahara planned to use Rukia’s execution and Kurosaki Ichigo’s rescue to expose Aizen, leaving the Hogyoku hidden and Aizen branded a criminal.

• Aizen recalled how Kisuke Urahara had hidden a Hogyoku inside Rukia and used it to help Hirako Shinji and the others gain Hollowfication.
• After a Menos appeared in Karakura Town and Kurosaki Ichigo showed unexpected potential, Aizen realized Urahara had deliberately exposed clues to lure him toward the Hogyoku.
• Aizen concluded that removing the Hogyoku from Rukia would require the Sōkyoku, so he would need Central 46 to order her execution.
• Aizen reasoned that Kurosaki Ichigo would rescue Rukia before the execution, exposing Aizen’s identity while keeping the Hogyoku concealed within her.
• Aizen expected that once exposed as a criminal, he could be expelled from Soul Society, allowing Kisuke Urahara and Hirako Shinji to turn the tables.

Aizen Sōsuke killed Central 46 to take direct control of the Soul Society’s highest authority. The next day, Central 46’s announcement accused Rukia Kuchiki of giving her Soul Reaper powers to Kurosaki Ichigo.

• Kisuke Urahara had exposed the Visored’s whereabouts to gain Lin Feng’s trust and keep him as a backup plan for Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Aizen Sōsuke prepared to seize the Hogyoku, relying on the Anti-Membrane of Thieves and a second, untested extraction method as backup plans.
• Aizen disguised himself with a Spirit Concealing Robe and Illusion, then infiltrated Central 46.
• Aizen killed everyone in Central 46 and planned to wait for the pieces in his scheme to take their positions.
• The next day, Central 46 announced that Rukia Kuchiki was alive in the Living World and had lost her Soul Reaper powers.
• The announcement accused Rukia of giving her powers to Kurosaki Ichigo, an act described as one of the Soul Society’s most serious crimes.

The captains debated Rukia Kuchiki giving her Soul Reaper powers to a human, while Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni warned of the danger and demanded accountability. Jushiro Ukitake tried to defend Rukia, but Byakuya Kuchiki opposed him and insisted Soul Society’s rules should decide her fate.

• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni condemned Rukia Kuchiki for transferring her powers to a human and warned that it could disrupt the balance of souls.
• Jushiro Ukitake argued that Rukia had served faithfully and that the human boy had helped perform Soul Burials in Karakura Town.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni invoked Ginjo Kugo’s history and rejected the possibility of another human Substitute Soul Reaper.
• Byakuya Kuchiki cut off Jushiro Ukitake and said the Captain Commander and Central 46 should judge Rukia according to Soul Society’s rules.
• Jushiro Ukitake reminded Byakuya Kuchiki that Rukia was his adoptive sister and grew troubled by his refusal to plead for her.

Byakuya Kuchiki defended his insistence on following Soul Society's laws, despite his personal concern for Rukia Kuchiki. After the meeting, Renji Abarai failed to persuade him to plead for Rukia and resolved not to leave her in danger.

• Byakuya Kuchiki told Jushiro Ukitake that, as head of the Kuchiki Clan, he had to uphold Soul Society's laws.
• Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said Central 46 would judge Rukia Kuchiki and adjourned the captains' meeting.
• Renji Abarai stopped Byakuya Kuchiki on his way back to the Sixth Division and asked him to plead for Rukia.
• Byakuya Kuchiki refused to discuss the matter further and told Renji to focus on their division's duties.
• Renji Abarai decided he would not stand by while Rukia was in danger.

After Central 46 ordered Lin Feng to lead Renji Abarai to the Living World and capture Rukia, Lin Feng questioned why Aizen had assigned him instead of Byakuya Kuchiki. The chapter left Lin Feng wondering why Aizen had not sent Gin Ichimaru or Tōsen Kaname for the mission.

• Kotetsu Kiyone asked Jushiro Ukitake to let her retrieve Rukia, but Ukitake said they had to wait for Central 46's decision.
• A Central 46 messenger butterfly delivered an order for Lin Feng and Renji Abarai to apprehend Rukia and bring her back to Soul Society.
• Lin Feng accepted the assignment and left the Thirteenth Division to find Renji.
• Lin Feng wondered why Aizen had chosen him instead of Byakuya Kuchiki, and why he had not sent Gin Ichimaru or Tōsen Kaname.

Lin Feng wondered why Aizen had assigned him and Renji Abarai to retrieve Rukia instead of Byakuya Kuchiki, while Aizen discussed the choice with Gin Ichimaru and Tōsen Kaname. Lin Feng went to the Sixth Division to speak with Byakuya and Renji.

• Tōsen Kaname questioned why Aizen had assigned outsiders to capture Rukia, and Gin Ichimaru said Aizen’s decisions must be correct.
• Aizen explained that he had originally planned to send Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai, but later changed his mind.
• Lin Feng wondered why Aizen had chosen him for the mission despite his efforts to keep a low profile.
• Lin Feng arrived at the Sixth Division and asked a squad member to inform Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai that he wanted to see them.

Lin Feng informed Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki that Central 46 had ordered him and Renji to arrest Rukia in Karakura Town and bring her back to Soul Society for judgment. After Byakuya ordered Renji to cooperate and punish the human carrying Rukia’s Spiritual Power, Lin Feng and Renji registered their crossing and departed for the Living World.

• Lin Feng told Renji Abarai that Central 46 had assigned them to bring Rukia back to Soul Society for judgment.
• Renji brought Lin Feng to Byakuya Kuchiki’s office and reported the mission.
• Byakuya verified Central 46’s message and ordered Renji to cooperate with Lin Feng and return Rukia.
• Byakuya also ordered Renji to cripple the Spiritual Power Rukia had given to the human who obtained it.
• Lin Feng and Renji registered at the 1st Division and opened the World Crossing Gate to the Living World.

Rukia fled Karakura Town to keep the Soul Society from punishing Ichigo for her actions, but Renji Abarai found her before she could get away.

• Rukia worried that her depleted Spiritual Power and long absence would expose her crime to the Soul Society.
• After a second Menos Grande appeared, Rukia left Ichigo a note and ran away to avoid involving him in her punishment.
• As she recalled her time with Ichigo, Rukia struggled with her feelings and tried to convince herself to leave them behind.
• Renji Abarai detected Rukia with a device from the 12th Division and confirmed that he had found her.

Renji Abarai and Lin Feng confronted Rukia, who defended Ichigo after Renji demanded to know who had taken her powers. Renji insisted he would kill Ichigo, and Rukia and Renji kept arguing.

• Renji Abarai appeared in Rukia’s path, and she crashed into him.
• Lin Feng criticized Rukia for failing to notice them and revealed he was now the Thirteenth Division’s Vice Captain.
• Renji demanded to know where the human who took Rukia’s powers was, while planning to bring her back to Soul Society.
• Rukia told Renji that she had willingly given her powers to Ichigo and promised to explain when they returned.
• Renji accused Rukia of falling for Ichigo and vowed to kill him, while Rukia defended Ichigo.
• Lin Feng asked them to stop arguing so he could speak.

Lin Feng and Renji Abarai confronted Rukia about recovering her Spiritual Power when Uryu Ishida attacked them with a Reishi arrow. Lin Feng identified Uryu as a Quincy, leaving Renji startled by the discovery that one still survived.

• Lin Feng told Rukia that they had to reclaim her Spiritual Power from the human who had taken it, following orders from Captain Kuchiki and Captain Commander Yamamoto.
• Renji Abarai grabbed Rukia and demanded that she reveal where the human was, but a glowing Reishi arrow suddenly flew at them.
• Lin Feng caught the arrow between two fingers and crushed it, while an unseen attacker mocked the Soul Reapers for confronting an unarmed girl.
• Uryu Ishida appeared with a bow, and Renji mistook him for the man who had taken Rukia's power.
• Lin Feng stepped between Renji and Rukia and explained that Uryu was a Quincy, making Renji reconsider the encounter.

Uryu Ishida confronted Lin Feng, but Lin Feng effortlessly crushed his powerful Reishi Arrow. Rukia Kuchiki urged Uryu to flee as she realized how overwhelming the difference in strength was.

• Uryu Ishida revealed himself and criticized Lin Feng and the other Soul Reapers for failing to notice him following them.
• Rukia Kuchiki warned Uryu Ishida to leave, but he said he hated Soul Reapers and fired a Reishi Arrow at Lin Feng.
• Lin Feng caught and crushed Uryu Ishida's arrow, despite Uryu having used seventy percent of his strength.
• Renji Abarai realized Lin Feng might have gained captain-level strength, while Rukia Kuchiki offered to hold the others off so Uryu could escape.
• Uryu Ishida refused to back down and demanded Lin Feng's name so he could know whom he would defeat.

Lin Feng struck Uryu Ishida with a powerful Hado, but Rukia pleaded for his life as Renji threatened him to make her identify the person who took her Soul Reaper powers. Ichigo intervened by attacking Renji, who was stunned by Ichigo’s enormous Zanpakuto.

• Lin Feng fired an incantationless Hado Number One: Thrust, hitting Uryu Ishida in the chest and leaving him badly injured.
• Rukia stepped in front of Uryu Ishida and begged Lin Feng to spare him, while Uryu refused to accept her plea.
• Renji Abarai put his blade to Uryu Ishida’s neck and demanded that Rukia reveal who took her Spiritual Power.
• Ichigo Kurosaki attacked Renji with his massive sword, forcing Renji to block and retreat.
• Renji saw Ichigo’s huge Zanpakuto and demanded to know how he could wield one so large.

Kurosaki Ichigo confronted Renji Abarai to protect Rukia, but Renji's speed and strength overwhelmed him. After Renji mocked Ichigo, Ichigo struck back and declared that he was getting serious.

• Kurosaki Ichigo arrived to rescue Rukia, who worried that he could not defeat both Renji Abarai and Lin Feng.
• Renji Abarai recognized Ichigo as the human who had taken Rukia's Soul Reaper powers and attacked him.
• Ichigo blocked Renji's first blow but struggled to keep up with his repeated attacks.
• Renji dodged Ichigo's powerful slash and cut his shoulder from behind with the Battle Soul Blade.
• Renji mocked Ichigo for coming after Rukia, and Ichigo answered with a dazzling sword strike and said he was getting serious.

Lin Feng struck down Kurosaki Ichigo after Ichigo’s Spiritual Pressure surged and he wounded Renji Abarai. Lin Feng reclaimed the power Rukia had left in Ichigo, but Renji insisted on killing him, and Rukia pleaded for Ichigo’s life.

• Renji Abarai revealed his Shikai, Snake Tail Maru, and put Kurosaki Ichigo in danger.
• Ichigo’s Spiritual Pressure erupted, strengthening him enough to slash Renji and taunt him.
• Lin Feng broke Ichigo’s blade and stabbed him with a swift strike, leaving him bleeding on the ground.
• Lin Feng told Renji that he had destroyed Ichigo’s Paku Sleep and Lock Knot and reclaimed the power Rukia had left in him.
• Renji asked Lin Feng to wait so he could kill Ichigo, and Rukia begged Renji to spare him.

Lin Feng stopped Renji Abarai from killing Kurosaki Ichigo, insisting that their orders were only to reclaim Rukia’s powers. As Lin Feng returned to Soul Society, he suspected Aizen had arranged the confrontation to draw out Kisuke Urahara, but wondered why Aizen had assigned him to the mission.

• Renji Abarai ignored Lin Feng and Rukia’s explanations and swung Snake Tail Maru at Kurosaki Ichigo.
• Lin Feng blocked Renji’s attack and warned him that their orders did not include killing Ichigo.
• Lin Feng released his spiritual pressure, frightening Renji, and Rukia explained that she had given Ichigo her powers to save her life.
• Lin Feng summoned the World Crossing Gate and noticed Kisuke Urahara hiding nearby without exposing him.
• Lin Feng wondered whether Aizen had used Renji’s feelings for Rukia to lure Urahara out, and questioned why Aizen had assigned him to the mission.

Kisuke Urahara explained to Yoruichi that Aizen had likely deduced Lin Feng was working with him after Lin Feng intervened to save Ichigo. He admitted Aizen was better at schemes and said he planned to use the Hogyoku to lure him into a trap.

• Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi found Ichigo and Uryu injured, and Urahara sent Tessai to take them to the shop.
• Yoruichi asked whether Urahara would have saved Ichigo if Lin Feng had not intervened, and Urahara said he probably would have.
• Urahara explained that Aizen had arranged for Renji Abarai and another Vice Captain to test Lin Feng, then likely inferred Lin Feng's connection to Urahara when Lin Feng stopped Renji from killing Ichigo.
• Yoruichi realized Aizen might already know Urahara's plan to use Rukia as bait and Ichigo as backup to stir up Soul Society.
• Urahara said he could not outscheme Aizen and planned to use the Hogyoku to lure him into taking the bait.