Chapter Summaries

Lin Feng brought Rukia back to the Soul Society, where he arranged to detain her temporarily in the Thirteenth Division while awaiting Central 46’s judgment. He reassured Rukia that there was still hope, though her fate remained undecided.

• Lin Feng questioned how much of Aizen’s account of Ichigo’s training and the Hogyoku incident could be trusted, then decided the outcome was already settled.
• Lin Feng, Rukia, and Renji passed through the ancient gate into the Soul Society.
• Lin Feng told Renji that he would take Rukia to the Thirteenth Division’s prison and asked Renji to report to the Captain Commander.
• Renji assured Rukia that Byakuya would plead for her, but Rukia doubted that her adopted brother would intervene.
• After saying goodbye to Renji, Rukia thanked Lin Feng for saving Ichigo, and Lin Feng comforted her about the coming judgment.

Lin Feng returned with Rukia and placed her in the Thirteenth Division’s prison while she anxiously awaited Central 46’s judgment. Jushiro Ukitake felt guilty that he could not help her, and the division’s patrol members speculated about the verdict as Lin Feng kept Rukia’s unusual circumstances to himself.

• Lin Feng placed Rukia in the Thirteenth Division’s prison, and Rukia said waiting for Central 46’s judgment made her nervous.
• Lin Feng asked Jushiro Ukitake why he had not visited Rukia, and Ukitake admitted that he felt unable to face her after failing to sway Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
• Lin Feng urged Ukitake to visit Rukia, and Ukitake agreed before telling Lin Feng to rest.
• During the next day’s patrol, a Thirteenth Division member asked Lin Feng what judgment Rukia would receive.
• Kotetsu Kiyone insisted that Rukia would be fine, while Sentaro Kotetsu warned that Yamamoto and Kuchiki were displeased with her actions.

Central 46 sentenced Rukia to the Double Execution twenty-five days later, leaving Jushiro Ukitake and Rukia to face the verdict’s consequences. Ise Nanao hurried to wake Kyoraku Shunsui and show him the judgment.

• Lin Feng spotted a Hell Butterfly from Central 46 and told everyone they would soon learn Rukia’s judgment.
• Jushiro Ukitake told Rukia that Central 46 had sentenced her to the Double Execution in twenty-five days.
• Jushiro Ukitake tried to comfort Rukia by suggesting there might still be a turning point, but Rukia doubted the ruling could change.
• Ise Nanao woke Kyoraku Shunsui from his nap and urged him to examine Central 46’s judgment.

Kyoraku Shunsui learned that Central 46 had sentenced Rukia to execution and worried that the ruling could not be reversed. After escorting Rukia to the Repentance Palace, Lin Feng left his squad while they passed through the 3rd Division.

• Ise Nanao urged Kyoraku Shunsui to check Central 46's verdict, and he learned that Rukia had been sentenced to execution.
• Kyoraku Shunsui told Ise Nanao the verdict and said that Old Man Yama's displeasure made a reversal unlikely.
• Kyoraku Shunsui worried about Jushiro Ukitake's worsening health and invited Ise Nanao to visit the Thirteenth Division with him.
• Lin Feng escorted Rukia from the Thirteenth Division to the Repentance Palace and handed her over to the 1st Division.
• As the escort squad passed through the 3rd Division, Lin Feng asked Kotetsu Kiyone to lead the team and left alone.

Lin Feng met Gin Ichimaru, who questioned him about his Zanpakuto and discussed Aizen's Shikai. Gin warned Lin Feng about Rukia Kuchiki's coming execution and left him to pass a message to Ukitake.

• Lin Feng found Gin Ichimaru after sensing a faint spiritual pressure and explained why he had come.
• Gin asked Lin Feng to reveal his Zanpakuto's release forms, but Lin refused.
• Gin described Aizen's Shikai and cautioned Lin against being influenced into killing Soul Reapers.
• Gin told Lin that Rukia Kuchiki was about to be executed and asked him to advise Ukitake not to let the news harm his health.
• After Lin left, Gin dropped his smile, revealed his pale blue eyes, and called Lin an interesting newcomer.

Lin Feng left Gin Ichimaru and returned to the Thirteenth Division, where he learned that Jushiro Ukitake and Kyoraku Shunsui were holding a secret meeting. He suspected they were discussing Rukia Kuchiki’s execution and would eventually destroy the Sōkyoku because they suspected Aizen’s fake death was part of a plan.

• Gin Ichimaru tested whether Lin Feng had fallen under Aizen’s hypnosis and wondered if Lin Feng could become a threat during the attempt to seize the Hogyoku.
• Gin Ichimaru stopped near the 5th Division and wondered whether Aizen had anticipated his thoughts.
• Lin Feng returned to the Thirteenth Division and found Ise Nanao waiting outside the captain’s office.
• Ise Nanao told Lin Feng that Jushiro Ukitake and Kyoraku Shunsui were inside discussing something important, so Lin Feng left to handle other business.
• Lin Feng reasoned that Ukitake and Kyoraku would eventually destroy the Sōkyoku to save Rukia because they suspected Aizen’s apparent death was a deception.

Renji Abarai confronted Byakuya Kuchiki over Rukia’s execution, but Byakuya insisted that Soul Society’s rules must be obeyed. Gin Ichimaru and Kenpachi Zaraki challenged Byakuya’s apparent indifference, leaving him privately wondering whether he was truly cold-blooded.

• Renji Abarai demanded to know why Byakuya Kuchiki had not pleaded for mercy for Rukia, but Byakuya rebuked him for his lack of etiquette.
• Byakuya told Renji that captains had to abide by Central 46’s judgment, and Renji despaired when Byakuya affirmed that rules mattered most.
• Gin Ichimaru and Kenpachi Zaraki arrived and mocked Byakuya’s calmness over Rukia’s impending execution.
• Kenpachi accused Byakuya of wanting to rid his noble family of Rukia and challenged him to fight, but Gin restrained Kenpachi and carried him away.
• Byakuya watched them leave and wondered whether he was truly cold-blooded.

After a quiet stretch, a Ryoka alarm sent Matsumoto Rangiku toward the western gate, while Lin Feng suspected Ichigo and his companions were about to enter Soul Society. Gin Ichimaru secretly let them escape the White Road Gate as planned, and the chapter ended with them breaking into Seireitei during a captains’ meeting.

• Lin Feng spent the next several weeks completing routine assignments and working with Asai Reiko, whose cheerfulness made her increasingly popular.
• The 10th Division detected a spatial distortion in western Seireitei, and Toshiro Hitsugaya ordered Matsumoto Rangiku to investigate.
• Lin Feng saw Rangiku hurry past with a squad and suspected Kurosaki Ichigo and the others were about to arrive.
• Gin Ichimaru acted on Aizen Sōsuke’s plan, engaging the Ryoka at the White Road Gate and letting them escape so they would seek out Kūkaku Shiba.
• Captain Commander Yamamoto summoned the Captains and Vice Captains to demand an explanation from Gin, but a top-level alarm sounded as Ichigo and the others fought into Seireitei.

As the Ryoka invaded the Seireitei, Yamamoto postponed Gin Ichimaru’s punishment and ordered the divisions to hunt the intruders. Aizen and Gin exchanged veiled accusations, and Toshiro Hitsugaya overheard them, leaving Aizen’s plan to manipulate him in motion.

• Lin Feng hoped that stopping Aizen’s scheme would earn Zero Squad’s recognition and let him enter the Spirit King Palace.
• Yamamoto learned that the Ryoka had invaded the Seireitei from the air and ordered every division to hunt them.
• Yamamoto postponed Gin Ichimaru’s punishment until the invasion had been dealt with, blaming Gin’s earlier actions for the Seireitei’s vulnerability.
• Gin offered to catch Ryoka to redeem himself, and Aizen warned him that the alarm would not let him evade responsibility.
• Toshiro overheard Aizen and Gin’s exchange, as Aizen aimed to make Toshiro distrust Gin and keep him occupied.

After the Ryoka invasion began, Lin Feng took charge of the Thirteenth Division while Aizen prepared to use Hinamori Momo as bait. The next morning, Hinamori hurried toward the captains’ gathering, and her heart suddenly thumped as she passed the East Great Sacred Wall.

• Kenpachi Zaraki rushed out of the 1st Division Barracks, eager for a fight, while Lin Feng quietly returned to the Thirteenth Division.
• Lin Feng relayed Yamamoto’s orders and warned Asai Reiko to stay within the division instead of trying to intercept the Ryoka.
• With Jushiro Ukitake ill, Lin Feng handled the Thirteenth Division’s affairs as Seireitei searched for the intruders.
• Aizen left a heartfelt letter where it would be found, covered the sleeping Hinamori Momo with his coat, and told Gin Ichimaru that she was bait.
• Hinamori woke beneath Aizen’s coat, hurried toward the 1st Division gathering, and felt her heart thump as she passed the East Great Sacred Wall.

After Aizen’s corpse was found on the Sacred Wall, Hinamori Momo fought Gin Ichimaru’s adjutant Kira Izuru until Toshiro Hitsugaya stopped them. In the Thirteenth Division, Lin Feng learned that Aizen had been murdered and that Seireitei was under a Level One Alert.

• Hinamori Momo found Aizen’s body hanging from the Sacred Wall and broke down in grief.
• Gin Ichimaru mocked the death and suggested the Ryoka might have been responsible, so Hinamori attacked him and Kira Izuru fought to defend his captain.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya stopped the fight and ordered Matsumoto Rangiku to detain Hinamori and Kira.
• Lin Feng stayed in the Thirteenth Division to eat breakfast until Kotetsu Kiyone reported that Aizen had been murdered and the 1st Division had issued a Level One Alert.
• Asai Reiko was stunned that a captain had been killed inside Seireitei.

After Aizen’s apparent death, Lin Feng went to the Fourth Division in Captain Ukitake’s place while reflecting on Aizen’s plan to seize the Hogyoku. He encountered Soi Fon heading in the same direction, leaving their paths about to cross.

• Kotetsu Kiyone told Lin Feng that the captains were visiting Aizen’s body, and Lin Feng agreed to represent the Thirteenth Division while warning his subordinates to stay in their district.
• Lin Feng headed to the Fourth Division and recalled how Aizen’s fake death and Rukia’s accelerated execution would keep several captains occupied.
• Lin Feng considered how Aizen had outmaneuvered Kisuke Urahara by using hidden Arrancar technology and exploiting his opponents’ lack of information.
• Lin Feng spotted Soi Fon approaching the Fourth Division and noted that her Flash Step surpassed that of ordinary captains.

Lin Feng and Soi Fon raced each other with Flash Step before going to the Fourth Division to examine Aizen Sōsuke’s corpse. Lin Feng questioned whether the body was really Aizen’s.

• Lin Feng matched Soi Fon’s Flash Step speed, making her suspicious of his strength.
• Lin Feng and Soi Fon encountered Kyoraku Shunsui and Komamura Sajin leaving the Fourth Division.
• Soi Fon questioned whether the corpse belonged to Aizen Sōsuke, and Kyoraku said Retsu Unohana had confirmed its identity.
• Retsu Unohana let Lin Feng and Soi Fon approach the corpse, and Lin Feng wondered if it was really Aizen’s.

Lin Feng realized Aizen’s corpse was an illusion, but worried that Aizen could hypnotize people without their knowledge. The system removed the illusion from Lin Feng’s mind, revealing a Gigai, while the Ryoka’s invasion was officially blamed on their attempt to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.

• Lin Feng considered how Aizen’s hypnosis might fool people who had never seen his Shikai and wondered whether Ichigo had truly escaped it.
• The system detected special energy invading Lin Feng’s mind, and Lin Feng ordered it to remove the energy.
• After the system removed the illusion, Lin Feng saw that Aizen’s apparent corpse was a Gigai.
• Lin Feng concluded that Aizen had placed an illusion on the Gigai and may have manipulated Retsu Unohana into noticing something unusual about it.
• Central 46 announced that the Ryoka had invaded the Seireitei to rescue Rukia Kuchiki.

After Central 46 moved Rukia's execution to the next morning, Lin Feng warned the Thirteenth Division not to confront the Ryoka. He reflected on the coming chaos at Sōkyoku Hill and considered how he could stand out as events unfolded.

• Central 46 announced that Aizen Sōsuke had been killed by the Ryoka and moved Rukia's execution to early the next morning.
• Kotetsu Kiyone urged Lin Feng to send the Thirteenth Division after the remaining Ryoka, but Lin Feng warned her that several powerful Soul Reapers had already been defeated.
• Lin Feng told the division to stay back and reasoned that Uryu Ishida, Chad Sado, and Ganju Shiba had likely been captured, while Yoruichi Shihouin, Kurosaki Ichigo, and Orihime Inoue remained beyond their reach.
• That night, Lin Feng anticipated Ichigo's arrival at Sōkyoku Hill and the ensuing clashes among the captains.
• Lin Feng recalled that Retsu Unohana would discover Aizen's corpse was abnormal, go to Seirei Tower Forest, and be trapped by Aizen after prioritizing Toshiro Hitsugaya and Hinamori Momo.

Lin Feng planned to wait until Tōsen Kaname took Rukia to Sōkyoku Hill before rescuing her, but Hinamori Momo attacked him first. After he blocked her spells, she accused him of murdering Captain Aizen based on Aizen’s handwritten letter.

• Lin Feng decided it would be safest to reclaim Rukia after Tōsen Kaname brought her to Sōkyoku Hill.
• Hinamori Momo attacked Lin Feng with Tobiume, Hundred Step Rail, and Twin Lotus Pale Fire Fall.
• Lin Feng blocked both Kido spells with an instant-cast Dankū.
• Hinamori called Lin Feng a murderer and claimed Aizen’s handwritten letter proved her accusation.

Lin Feng learned that Aizen’s letter accused him of conspiring against Soul Society, then restrained Hinamori Momo after she tried to avenge Aizen. He decided to play along with Aizen’s scheme and planned to escape prison before the execution.

• Lin Feng recalled Aizen’s letter, which accused Toshiro Hitsugaya of plotting to seize the Sōkyoku and destroy Soul Society.
• Hinamori Momo accused Lin Feng of murdering Aizen and threatened to avenge him.
• Lin Feng used binding spells to restrain Hinamori Momo and gagged her.
• Lin Feng reasoned that the letter could make him a suspect and prompt Toshiro Hitsugaya to interfere with the execution, advancing Aizen’s plan.
• Lin Feng decided to cooperate with the performance and escape prison the next morning.

Lin Feng brought the captured Hinamori Momo and Aizen Sōsuke's handwritten letter to Toshiro Hitsugaya to explain the accusation against him. Toshiro decided the letter pointed to a conspiracy and set out to ask Central 46 to halt Rukia's execution.

• Lin Feng took Hinamori Momo to the 10th Division after she escaped prison and attacked him.
• Toshiro apologized for accusing Lin Feng, then asked Hinamori why she had attacked him.
• Hinamori accused Lin Feng of killing Aizen Sōsuke and urged Toshiro to avenge him.
• Lin Feng presented Aizen's handwritten letter and told Toshiro he believed himself innocent.
• Toshiro ordered Hinamori locked up again and concluded that Aizen was likely not killed by the Ryoka.
• Toshiro decided to go to Central 46 and request a halt to Rukia's execution.

Lin Feng refused Toshiro Hitsugaya's request to accompany him to Central 46, wary of interfering with Aizen's plans and becoming a target of a frame-up. He asked Toshiro to imprison him in the 10th Division instead, leaving Toshiro puzzled by his insistence.

• Lin Feng agreed that Toshiro had recognized the conspiracy behind Aizen's letter but said he wanted to return and rest.
• Toshiro asked Lin Feng to come with him to Central 46 because Rukia was Lin Feng's subordinate and the letter implicated him in Aizen's apparent murder.
• Lin Feng refused, fearing that Aizen might change his plan or frame him with false testimony and his Illusion ability.
• Lin Feng told Toshiro to imprison him in the 10th Division if Toshiro did not trust him.
• Toshiro recognized that he had no authority to make Lin Feng accompany him and wondered why Lin Feng would rather be imprisoned.

Lin Feng was imprisoned in the 10th Division and spent the evening with Matsumoto Rangiku under her watch, while Toshiro Hitsugaya left for Central 46. There, Aizen revealed that his plan was on schedule and that Hitsugaya would survive until Retsu Unohana arrived.

• Toshiro Hitsugaya confirmed that Lin Feng wanted to be imprisoned and assigned Matsumoto Rangiku to guard him.
• Toshiro took Lin Feng to a cell far from Hinamori Momo, then brought Rangiku to keep him company.
• Lin Feng and Rangiku flirted in the cell while Toshiro watched and reminded Rangiku to be careful.
• Toshiro left for Central 46, where Aizen told Gin Ichimaru that their plan was proceeding as intended.
• Aizen said he had held back when he struck Toshiro and expected him to survive until Retsu Unohana arrived.