Chapter Summaries

As the execution of Rukia Kuchiki began, Xu Yue observed several Bankai and joined Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyoraku in confronting Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Elsewhere, Aizen recruited another Xu Yue to capture Orihime Inoue and bring her to Hueco Mundo, while the execution and the divided captains' conflicts continued.

• Xu Yue used shared vision to observe Kenpachi Zaraki and Tousen activate their Bankai, then watched Byakuya Kuchiki badly injure Renji Abarai.
• The Sōkyoku was released against Rukia Kuchiki, but Ichigo Kurosaki blocked its Fire Phoenix and Jushiro Ukitake used a treasure to halt the execution.
• Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake challenged Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and Xu Yue arrived to help them face the Captain Commander.
• Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and another Xu Yue waited under Kyōka Suigetsu's cover while Aizen noticed Orihime Inoue healing the wounded.
• Aizen ordered the other Xu Yue to remain in the Seireitei, compete for a vacant captain position, and send Orihime Inoue to Hueco Mundo so her ability could accelerate the Hogyoku's maturation.

Xu Yue fought Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto while using a concealed Zanpakuto to analyze and replicate Ryūjin Jakka. After Kotetsu Isane’s Tenteikūra revealed the truth about Aizen’s corpse, Yamamoto ended the fight and returned to investigate.

• Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto released Ryūjin Jakka and confronted Xu Yue, Jushiro Ukitake, and Shunsui Kyoraku.
• Xu Yue manifested an imitation of Ryūjin Jakka, merged its flames with Yamamoto’s, and was recognized as a surviving pureblood Quincy.
• Yamamoto struck Xu Yue with overwhelming physical force, while Jushiro Ukitake and Shunsui Kyoraku restrained him and Xu Yue secretly used Kyōka Suigetsu to conceal Yui’s analysis.
• Kotetsu Isane used Tenteikūra to report that Captain Unohana had found evidence that Aizen’s corpse was false.
• Xu Yue completed his analysis of Ryūjin Jakka, and Yamamoto sheathed his blade and returned to verify the report.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki’s duel ended as Aizen revealed himself, took the Hogyoku from Rukia, and escaped inside an Anti-membrane. Tendo Xu Yue arrived to challenge him and split the barrier with the Space Stone’s power, leaving Aizen’s escape and the confrontation unresolved.

• Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki collapsed after their duel, and Orihime Inoue began healing them as Tenteikūra exposed the deception behind their fight.
• Aizen emerged with Gin and Tousen, defeated the defenders, and extracted the Hogyoku from Rukia using a technique Kisuke Urahara had left behind.
• Sun Lin, Uryu Ishida, Chad, and other Reincarnators reached the scene and saw Aizen, the injured captains, and Xu Yue’s Wood Clone lying on the ground.
• Yoruichi recognized Xu Yue’s silent warning that his real body was fighting Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, while Tendo Xu Yue arrived and attacked Aizen.
• An Anti-membrane enclosed Aizen, Gin, and Tousen, but Tendo Xu Yue struck it and cleaved its upper half apart with the Space Stone’s authority.

Tendo Xu Yue severed the Anti-membrane and trapped Aizen inside a shrinking barrier, using its judgment to expose Aizen’s disguise. Aizen turned Kyōka Suigetsu against Xu Yue and Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, leaving their identities confused as they attacked one another.

• Tendo Xu Yue cut through the Anti-membrane and charged Aizen, whose Kyōka Suigetsu wounded him despite his instincts.
• Tendo Xu Yue raised rune-covered stone pillars and enclosed Sōkyoku in a shrinking barrier that let Soul Reapers pass but repelled Aizen.
• Tendo Xu Yue used the barrier’s independent judgment to identify Aizen when he disguised himself as a nameless Soul Reaper.
• Aizen and Tendo Xu Yue fought as Aizen failed to break the barrier, and Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto joined the battle.
• Aizen used Kyōka Suigetsu to confuse the identities of himself, Tendo Xu Yue, and Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, causing them to attack one another.

Tendo Xu Yue used Susanoo, Sage Art, and the Sword of Wither to overwhelm Aizen, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, and the captains, but Aizen escaped by tricking Momo Hinamori into destroying a barrier pillar. Xu Yue collected a triggered mission reward and finished analyzing Kyōka Suigetsu to eighty percent.

• Tendo Xu Yue knocked the remaining Reincarnators unconscious and filled the barrier with Sage Art: Wood Style: Super Flower Tree Climbing Technique, trapping the captains and other fighters.
• Tendo Xu Yue suppressed both Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and Aizen with the Flower Tree Realm and the Sword of Wither.
• Aizen, Gin, and Kaname Tōsen escaped through a crack in the sky after Aizen had manipulated Momo Hinamori into destroying a stone pillar and used Kyōka Suigetsu to conceal their escape.
• Tendo Xu Yue noticed Aizen's escape, stopped his attacks, and left Seireitei as Aizen watched from beyond the closing gap.
• Xu Yue accepted the triggered mission to assist Aizen in escaping into Hueco Mundo and chose its evaluation rewards as Plot Points.
• Xu Yue completed eighty percent analysis of Kyōka Suigetsu.

After the battle, the surviving Reincarnators gathered intelligence and prepared to return to the World of the Living. Xu Yue resumed his Soul Society identity and sought captain recommendations, gaining recognition from Kenpachi and Toshiro Hitsugaya while studying their Zanpakuto.

• Sun Lin and the surviving Reincarnators assessed the battle’s aftermath and compiled intelligence reports to sell to their legions.
• The Seireitei treated and courteously sent the Rift Invaders back to the World of the Living, while Xu Yue resumed his identity as the Twenty-First Seat of the Fifth Division.
• Xu Yue rejected Reincarnators who visited to seek his connections and began pursuing a captain position through recommendations from captains.
• Xu Yue sparred with Kenpachi and earned his recognition, then fought Toshiro Hitsugaya and secured his recommendation.
• Haku acknowledged Xu Yue’s Zanpakuto as suitable for an acting captain, and Xu Yue fully grasped its Shikai but reached only sixty percent proficiency with its Bankai.

Xu Yue became the acting captain of the Fifth Division after six captains nominated him, unsettling the surviving Reincarnators. Hog gathered a group to abduct Xu Yue for his intelligence and sought help from Lord Bruce, who abruptly refused.

• Soi Fon, Retsu Unohana, Shunsui Kyoraku, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and the captains of the Eleventh and Thirteenth Divisions nominated Xu Yue, and the captains approved him as acting captain of the Fifth Division.
• Xu Yue took command of the Fifth Division while Momo Hinamori remained confined for treatment, and Reincarnators flocked to the division but could not meet him.
• Hog and other surviving Reincarnators speculated about how Xu Yue had gained his position and agreed to capture him and force him to reveal his intelligence.
• Two cautious Reincarnators declined to join the plan, and Hog revealed that Lord Bruce was the only surviving big shot in Soul Society.
• Hog contacted Lord Bruce over a communicator and explained the plan, but Bruce told him to get lost and ended the call.

Hog and the surviving Elite Reincarnators tried to lure Xu Yue into revealing intelligence, but Xu Yue trapped them in his training room and forced them to surrender their assets and sign agreements. Three Reincarnators died under his torture, while Hog became bound to Xu Yue by a restrictive contract.

• Hog persuaded the Reincarnators to pool one B-Rank Plot Point each as bait and wait for Xu Yue at the Fifth Division.
• Xu Yue returned to the Fifth Division, accepted their seven B-Rank Plot Points, and brought them to his captain-exclusive training room.
• Xu Yue tortured the seven Reincarnators; three died when their souls collapsed, while the other four submitted.
• The four survivors handed Xu Yue 3 A-Rank Plot Points and other items, and agreed to give him their future rewards for selling intelligence.
• Three survivors could not sign further agreements because their legion contracts took precedence, but Hog signed a slave-like contract with Xu Yue.

Xu Yue’s Wood Clone learned a time-stopping technique from Tessai Tsukabishi while Xu Yue’s main body chose to extend the mission. When Ulquiorra and Yammy appeared in Karakura Town and a test-subject Arrancar arrived at Urahara Shop, the clone stayed put and realized the newcomer might be a Reincarnator tracking him.

• Sun Lin ended her mission and returned, while Xu Yue’s main body extended his stay in Soul Society.
• Xu Yue asked Tessai Tsukabishi to teach him a time-related Forbidden Jutsu and learned to freeze a small area in time.
• Ulquiorra and Yammy appeared above Karakura Town, and Xu Yue let Ichigo Kurosaki handle them rather than intervening.
• A test-subject Arrancar appeared outside Urahara Shop and announced that he had used a Tracking Card to find someone.
• Xu Yue suspected the Arrancar was a Reincarnator looking for him, but could not remember who it was.

Chen Hang arrived in the World of the Living as an Arrancar and attacked Xu Yue’s allies, believing his new power made him untouchable. Xu Yue killed him with a single strike, and Chen Hang died recalling the people and life he had left behind.

• Chen Hang emerged from a sinkhole, devoured nearby passersby’s souls, and headed toward the general store to find Xu Yue.
• Sentai and Xiao Yu confronted Chen Hang, but he knocked Sentai aside and blasted them with a Cero.
• Xu Yue appeared and recognized Chen Hang, who challenged him and began drawing his Zanpakuto.
• Xu Yue cut through Chen Hang and his broken Zanpakuto with a swift strike, explaining how Bleaches could compress their blades.
• As he died, Chen Hang remembered his past, including the girl who had helped send him to study in the city.

After Orihime Inoue was taken to Hueco Mundo, Soul Society reinforcements arrived in the World of the Living, where Grimmjow launched a surprise attack. Xu Yue captured Grimmjow with Tsukuyomi and a sealing scroll, then wondered how he could use the Arrancar.

• Ulquiorra Cifer took Orihime Inoue to Hueco Mundo while Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi protected the injured Ichigo Kurosaki.
• Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rukia, Renji Abarai, Rangiku, Ikkaku, and Tatsuki Arisawa arrived in the World of the Living as Soul Society reinforcements.
• Grimmjow brought his subordinates through a Garganta and attacked the Soul Society fighters, who were restricted to twenty percent of their power.
• Grimmjow attacked Ichigo, but Xu Yue blocked his strike and trapped him in Tsukuyomi to question him about Aizen and the Hogyoku.
• Xu Yue sealed Grimmjow into a scroll with the Eight Trigrams Sealing technique and paid three A-Rank Plot Points.

Xu Yue and Ichigo Kurosaki dealt with the aftermath of Grimmjow’s defeat as Kaname Tōsen arrived in the World of the Living but returned to Hueco Mundo with Ulquiorra Cifer. In Hueco Mundo, Reincarnators seized on a newly discovered path to Arrancarization and began pursuing its powerful benefits.

• After the Bleach had their limiters removed, they swiftly defeated the Arrancar lieutenants, leaving Ichigo Kurosaki with no need to help.
• Kaname Tōsen arrived searching for Grimmjow, found Xu Yue and Ichigo Kurosaki, and asked where Grimmjow had gone.
• Ulquiorra Cifer summoned Kaname Tōsen back to Hueco Mundo on Aizen’s orders, and Tōsen withdrew through the Garganta.
• Elite Reincarnators in Hueco Mundo learned that Chen Hang’s successful Hollowfication had greatly increased his strength and chose to undergo Hollowfication themselves.
• Several Reincarnators used the route Chen Hang had tested to become Arrancar, discovering that Las Noches’ Arrancar seemed stronger than the Bleach described in their intelligence.

Aizen used Orihime Inoue’s abduction and Xu Yue’s comments about her power to draw the Soul Society into a rescue mission in Hueco Mundo. The rescue force arrived together through four Gargantas, while Las Noches prepared to target the invading captains.

• Aizen concluded that the Wandenreich’s secrecy controls prevented captured Hollows from revealing useful information, and he planned to use the time before its leader recovered to pursue his own goals.
• Aizen predicted that the Soul Society would try to rescue Orihime Inoue and ordered Gin Ichimaru to contact Xu Yue so he could play a role in the plan.
• After Xu Yue raised concerns about Orihime’s ability and the Hogyoku, the Soul Society accelerated its rescue operation and sent four captains and Ichigo Kurosaki’s companions into Hueco Mundo together.
• Xu Yue’s Wood Clone entered Hueco Mundo with Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, Rukia, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Yachiru, and Renji explained that another Xu Yue served as Fifth Division captain.
• Szayelaporro took charge of responding to the invasion, while a group of powerful Arrancar competed for assignments against the arriving Soul Society forces.

Xu Yue realized that a powerful Reincarnator might threaten the rescue force and left Kenpachi Zaraki to handle an approaching Arrancar while he went to aid the other groups. Mayuri Kurotsuchi defeated Szayelaporro, but a new Arrancar named Maximus appeared and challenged him.

• Xu Yue received a mission to ensure no one in the rescue force died and suspected a formidable Reincarnator was hidden in Hueco Mundo.
• Xu Yue left Kenpachi Zaraki, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Renji Abarai to face an approaching Arrancar while he went to check on the reinforcements.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi confronted Szayelaporro after Szayelaporro was discovered, and Uryu Ishida watched their fight.
• Mayuri Kurotsuchi used his Superhuman Drug to incapacitate Szayelaporro, leaving him trapped in an endlessly compressed span of thought.
• Maximus emerged, praised Mayuri Kurotsuchi's abilities, and introduced himself as an Arrancar.

Xu Yue’s Wood Clone interrupted Maximus as he was about to kill Mayuri, then killed Maximus himself. A Space notification revealed that Rukia was near death and Byakuya was severely wounded, so Xu Yue left to respond.

• Xu Yue sensed a powerful Spiritual Pressure and arrived at the battlefield, where Mayuri, Nemu, and Uryu lay defeated by Maximus.
• Maximus tried to finish off Mayuri with a scroll, but Xu Yue appeared and dispelled the attack.
• Maximus mistook Xu Yue for an intruder and offered to share the mission rewards, but Xu Yue refused and attacked him.
• Xu Yue used an illusion and a projected Kyōka Suigetsu to kill Maximus before he could complete his Resurrección.
• Xu Yue received a warning that Rukia was near death and Byakuya was severely wounded, then packed up Szayelaporro and vanished.

Béton defeated Byakuya Kuchiki and nearly killed Rukia before Xu Yue intervened, stopping the devastation and preserving Byakuya in suspended time. Xu Yue then struck Béton as he tried to escape, leaving him wounded and disarmed.

• Béton overwhelmed Byakuya Kuchiki, who used his final attack to protect the unconscious Rukia, and nearly split him in two.
• As Béton prepared to kill Rukia, Xu Yue struck him and drove him through the walls of Las Noches.
• Béton unleashed Divine Shield against Xu Yue’s golden-red force field, and their collision sheared away the upper portion of Las Noches.
• Xu Yue stopped the shockwave, used Time Stop on the dying Byakuya, and assessed Béton’s injuries.
• Béton tried to escape with a high-authority Escape Scroll, but Xu Yue cut off the wrist holding it and revealed that his earlier position had been a Zanpakuto decoy.

Xu Yue’s Wood Clone defeated the enemies in Las Noches, rescued Orihime Inoue, and helped restore Byakuya Kuchiki before running out of power. It stored three scrolls in the Frozen Realm and dispelled itself, leaving the survivors to find their own way out of the sealed Hueco Mundo.

• Xu Yue’s Wood Clone killed Béton after using Kyōka Suigetsu to overcome his defenses.
• Ulquiorra Cifer guarded Orihime Inoue in Las Noches as Xu Yue arrived and revealed he had defeated Grimmjow.
• Xu Yue released Ryūjin Jakka and burned Ulquiorra, sparing Orihime, then sealed the surviving Ulquiorra in a scroll.
• Xu Yue’s Wood Clone brought Orihime to Byakuya Kuchiki, and she restored him with her ability.
• After learning all enemies had been defeated and Hueco Mundo was sealed, Xu Yue stored three scrolls in the Frozen Realm and dispelled the Wood Clone.

Tendo Xu Yue left Hueco Mundo and appeared in Karakura Town, where Aizen’s forces faced the Gotei 13. He killed Nnoitra with ease and revealed that he considered both sides his enemies.

• Mayuri Kurotsuchi concluded that Xu Yue had found a way out of Hueco Mundo, while the trapped Captains waited for a solution.
• Aizen led the Espada into Karakura Town, where Yamamoto trapped Aizen, Gin, and Kaname Tōsen in flames as the battle began.
• Barragan took command of the Espada, but Xu Yue appeared and killed a subordinate who interrupted him.
• Xu Yue caught Nnoitra’s scythe, then tore Nnoitra apart with an AT Field before he could complete his Resurrección.
• Gin Ichimaru warned the Espada that Xu Yue had once forced Yamamoto and Aizen to fight him together.

Tendo Xu Yue overwhelmed the Espada, sealing the top three in a meteorite before Aizen intervened with Wonderweiss to extinguish Yamamoto’s flames. Xu Yue sealed Karakura Town behind a barrier and faced Aizen in a clash that shook the void.

• Toshiro considered attacking, but Shunsui Kyoraku persuaded him to stay back, and Yamamoto also held his position.
• The top three Espada released their Resurrección and attacked Tendo Xu Yue together, but his Banshō Ten'in pulled them into one point and scattered their King Cero.
• Tendo Xu Yue used Chibaku Tensei to trap the three Espada in a vast meteorite, then sealed them inside the Frozen Realm.
• Gin Ichimaru told Aizen that the plan had changed, and Wonderweiss emerged from a Garganta to swallow the flames around Aizen and his allies.
• Tendo Xu Yue sealed Karakura Town behind a barrier, and he and Aizen vanished from their positions and collided, sending shock waves through the void.

Aizen defeated Tendo Xu Yue by exploiting Kyōka Suigetsu and the Hogyoku, then turned against the captains as the battle escalated. Shunsui Kyoraku exposed that the Kaname Tōsen fighting beside Aizen was an impostor, who revealed himself to be an undercover ally.

• Aizen and Tendo Xu Yue clashed in the sky while their shockwaves devastated the battlefield below.
• Tendo Xu Yue summoned Susanoo and unleashed its soul-targeting Sword of Wither, destroying several Arrancar.
• Aizen used Kyōka Suigetsu and a wish granted by the Hogyoku to enter Susanoo, stab Tendo Xu Yue, and burn his body to ash with Kidō.
• Aizen told the captains that Tendo Xu Yue was dead, then joined Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen in fighting them and the Visored.
• Shunsui Kyoraku realized that Kaname Tōsen had been replaced, and the impostor revealed his lively eyes while complaining that Shunsui had spoiled his chance to ambush Aizen.