Bleach Vol. 20

After discovering the bodies of the Central 46, Tōshirō Hitsugaya realizes that the Soul Society's leadership has been manipulated from the beginning. His investigation leads him to the shocking discovery that Aizen never died. Instead, Aizen reveals that he orchestrated every major event surrounding Rukia's arrest and execution while using the complete hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu to deceive nearly everyone in the Gotei 13. His betrayal extends to his own subordinates, leaving Momo Hinamori gravely wounded and Hitsugaya defeated.

As the truth spreads through the Seireitei, captains who were once divided unite against Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen. Aizen explains that the true objective behind Rukia's execution was the retrieval of the Hōgyoku hidden within her soul by Kisuke Urahara. Using the Sōkyoku's power and later an alternate method, he extracts the artifact before overwhelming the assembled captains.

With the Hōgyoku secured, Aizen and his followers escape to Hueco Mundo after being retrieved by the Menos Grande. The Soul Society survives the crisis, but its foundations are permanently shaken as the surviving captains begin rebuilding while Ichigo and his friends prepare to return home.