Bleach: No cheat codes, he joined Aizen's side.

Chapter 127, Section 125: When the chess piece realizes it is a chess piece

The sudden ceasefire between Higashino Shuichi and Kyoraku Shunsui caused a bizarre change in the situation. The once tense battlefield was now left with only Dordoni, the clown, performing.

Sensing that the aura that had been locking onto him had completely disappeared, Dorudoni realized the situation was dire and immediately went full throttle, using the Sound Spin to escape the battlefield.

Seeing this, Gin Ichimaru tried to give chase, but was stopped by Shuichi Higashino with a single sword strike.

"What do you want to do?"

Kyoraku Shunsui, observing Higashino Shuichi's actions, questioned him even before Ichimaru Gin did.

"It was this guy and Tosen who worked together to make me Hollowfied. What do you think I'm going to do?"

Higashino Shuichi coldly stared at Ichimaru Gin across from him and said.

"Don't jump to conclusions before things are clear, Shuichi."

Sometimes, what you see isn't necessarily the truth, just like Kisuke's case.

Kyoraku Shunsui walked up to Ichimaru Gin and said.

There are some things he can't say directly. For example, he knows that the Tsunayo family's divine artifact, the Nine Heavens Mirror Valley, is theoretically capable of doing this.

"Don't jump to conclusions. How could what I saw with my own eyes be false?"

"Higashino Shuichi questioned."

“Sometimes what you see with your own eyes isn’t necessarily the truth, Mr. Xiu.”

Gin Ichimaru echoed Shunsui Kyoraku's words.

Higashino Shuichi did not reply, but instead pointed the tip of his knife at Ichimaru Gin to express his distrust.

The atmosphere in the room was tense at one point.

Until that man barged in.

"Hey, I said, are you guys done chatting here? Didn't you agree to bring Xiuyi back?"
"If you're not going to make a move, then get out of the way!"

Kenpachi Zaraki landed between Shunsui Kyoraku and Gin Ichimaru and said.

"The mission objective has changed, Genki. He wants me to speak with one or two people alone."

Before Kyoraku Shunsui could finish speaking, Kenpachi Zaraki charged toward Higashino Shuichi.

"I don't care about any of your stuff, Xiu Yi! Take this!"

Kenpachi Zaraki, who was already having a very unsatisfying fight because of Kyoraku Shunsui's intrusion, was unwilling to listen to Kyoraku Shunsui's nonsense any longer and directly drew his sword to strike.

However, this time, without Kyoraku Shunsui's assistance and with Ichimaru Gin and Unohana Retsu watching in tacit agreement, Zaraki Kenpachi's current strength is simply not enough to compete with Higashino Shuichi.

In less than ten minutes, Kenpachi Zaraki was severely injured by Shuichi Higashino and collapsed to the ground, unable to get up again.

Looking at Kenpachi Zaraki lying in a pool of blood on the ground, still laughing wildly, Hideaki Higashino felt a pang of regret that he couldn't really kill him.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Unohana Retsu would not allow him to do that.

That way, when he sees Kenpachi Zaraki again, that guy will only be stronger and more troublesome.

"Chat?"

Kyoraku Shunsui glanced at Kenpachi Zaraki, who was being treated by Retsu Unohana, but his gaze didn't linger on the latter for long before quickly settling on Shuichi Higashino.

"can."

Higashino Shuichi sheathed his Zanpakuto, hesitated for a moment, and then replied.

To be honest, Higashino Shuichi was also curious about Kyoraku Shunsui's inexplicable actions.

Having traveled a great distance from Soul Society with two captains, and fought fiercely at one point, only to find that he seemed to be in no danger, he simply lifted the object high and then gently lowered it. It would be impossible for Higashino Shuichi to guess Kyoraku Shunsui's true intentions.

As expected, Kyoraku Shunsui's first words shocked Higashino Shuichi.

"Huh? Are you serious? You want me to help take care of the investigation team you sent to the mortal world?"

Even though Higashino Shuichi considered himself quite worldly-wise, wasn't it a bit... a bit... arousing? This guy had been threatening to kill him one minute, and then suddenly he was asking for help the next.
"It wasn't you, it was all of you. The best outcome would have been to run into Kisuke Urahara and his group right here."

The reason I chose to bring Kenpachi Zaraki and Gin Ichimaru along was simply to prevent too many Hollowfied captains from causing a riot.

Unfortunately, you're the only one here, so I changed my mind at the last minute.

Kyoraku Shunsui corrected Higashino Shuichi's statement to avoid any misunderstanding.

"So, if I understand correctly, regardless of my current state or whether the other captains who have been Hollowfied have mastered Hollowfication, you still need to ask Kisuke Urahara for help?"

Higashino Hideichi understood what Kyoraku Shunsui meant; it turned out he was just an innocent bystander this time.

However, that's not entirely true. Higashino Shuichi secretly glanced at Unohana Retsu, who was healing Kenpachi Zaraki in the distance.

If Kyoraku Shunsui hadn't intervened, who knows what kind of fight he would be having with Unohana Retsu by now.

Given Retsu Unohana's personality, she will definitely not stop until she forces him to unleash his double Bankai.

But if he did that, the price he would pay would be far too high.

“That’s right. Recently, a batch of Asauchi was stolen from Soul Society. I have received a clue that it was very likely that it was secretly transported to the Human World. So I am contacting Captain Ukitake of the 13th Division to organize an investigation team to go to the Human World to investigate.”

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.

"Then what is the real reason?"

Higashino Shuichi countered with a question.

While the theft of Asauchi was certainly a major incident, Shuichi Higashino did not believe that the theft of Asauchi would force Shunsui Kyoraku to actively seek help from Kisuke Urahara and his group, who were still considered traitors by Soul Society.

Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled softly, one hand resting on his straw hat.
"If you insist on asking why, I can only answer that although this investigation team is only temporarily led by the current vice-captain of the 13th Division, Inada Okaji, his temporary vice-captain has quite a background."

"Who?"

"Like the current captain of the Third Division, he is hailed as a genius that is rare in the Soul Society, and he graduated from the Shinigami Academy in just one year. In less than two years, he became the current third seat of the Thirteenth Division, Shiba Kaien."

Looking at the astonished expression on Higashino Shuichi's face, Kyoraku Shunsui thought to himself, "Yes, I had a similar expression back then."
"The Shiba family, one of the five great noble families?"

Higashino Shuichi said that on that day, Kyoraku Shunsui stood in front of Ukitake Jushiro and said the same thing, except he added one more sentence.
"If I remember correctly, the head of the Shiba family is about to pass away, and his handpicked successor is..."

"Yes, it's Shiba Kaien."

Jushiro Ukitake nodded.

Kyoraku Shunsui remained silent for a long time before speaking again.
“Ukitake, you should know how dangerous this matter is.”

"Ever since the Kasumioji family rebellion ended seven years ago, the remaining members have been restless. Recently, I received news that the Tsunayashiro family, one of the five great noble families, secretly contacted Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the 12th Division, and took some technical data that had been classified as taboo from him."

“Chunshui, you don’t understand. That’s why Haiyan volunteered to join the investigation team.”

Jushiro Ukitake turned to look out the window, where Kaien Shiba was enthusiastically instructing the members of the 13th Division in their training. He easily mingled with the other Shinigami who came from commoner backgrounds, chatting and laughing together.

He doesn't look like the future head of the Shiba family, one of the five noble families.

Perhaps only someone like that would know there's a mountain of knives ahead, yet still climb it with such determination?

Ukitake Jushiro thought to himself.

"But the real world is not the Soul Society. Let alone providing support, even if something happens, it is difficult to guarantee that effective support can be provided in the first instance."

Moreover, after the upheaval two years ago, the Soul Society now has very few captain-level Shinigami who can be readily called upon for support. Sending a captain to join the investigation team would make their intentions all too obvious.

Kyoraku Shunsui thought more deeply than Ukitake Jushiro.

Jushiro Ukitake only saw Shiba Kaien's courage and determination, so he was deeply moved and agreed to the latter's request.

However, Kyoraku Shunsui foresaw the enormous impact that would result if Shiba Kaien were to get into trouble.

Therefore, there is one point that Kyoraku Shunsui did not explicitly state: if Shiba Kaien were still in Soul Society, probably no one would have any designs on him. However, once Shiba Kaien left Soul Society, without the Great Spiritual Library as a tool that could definitely find out the reasons behind things, relying solely on the video recordings of the Video Hall would be completely insufficient to prevent certain transgressions from occurring.

For example, killing Shiba Kaien.

If Shiba Kaien had captain-level strength, then Kyoraku Shunsui might not have been so worried, but Shiba Kaien did not.

Even though he was hailed as a genius on par with Gin Ichimaru, Kaien Shiba was ultimately far inferior to Gin Ichimaru.

Gin Ichimaru was able to reach Captain-level spiritual pressure in less than three years and master Bankai in less than five years.

Shiba Kaien has been around for almost three years, but his spiritual pressure is only considered to be in the middle to upper range among the vice-captains.

Admittedly, this performance is overwhelmingly superior compared to 99% of the Shinigami in Soul Society, but when faced with real danger, the enemy won't care that you've only grown a few years.

A brief silence fell over the small house on the pond.

Clearly, Jushiro Ukitake also realized his mistake.

However, as the team leader, he couldn't possibly agree one minute and then immediately go back on his word the next. Even if he wanted to remove Shiba Kaien from the investigation team, he had to come up with a decent reason, at least not a lame reason like "because I'm worried about Shiba Kaien's safety."

"In fact, the Shinigami in the present world, judging solely from their combat strength on paper, are not much weaker than the Soul Society today."

Suddenly, Jushiro Ukitake spoke up.

Kyoraku Shunsui frowned. "Are you talking about Urahara Kisuke and the others?"

"Didn't you always find the whole thing suspicious?"

Jushiro Ukitake countered with a question.

"But they were ultimately a group of Shinigami who had been Hollowfied, even if they had once been captains."

What came to mind for Kyoraku Shunsui was the night seven years ago when he personally killed the Baku Yao, some of whom were Shinigami who had retired from his 8th Division.

"Kisuke said before he left that Shinigami can control Hollowfication."

Jushiro Ukitake offered a quiet reminder.

"But that's only Urahara Kisuke's side of the story; nobody really knows."

Kyoraku Shunsui shook his head in denial, stating that a Shinigami who has been Hollowfied will ultimately only end up being devoured by Hollows, a fact that has long been proven.

But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Jushiro Ukitake, who said, "Then go and give it a try, Shunsui."

Kyoraku Shunsui was stunned, because this statement was very unlike Ukitake Jushiro's style. In his impression, Ukitake Jushiro had always been a very resigned person. His tragic childhood and the physical pain that accompanied him throughout his life had led Ukitake Jushiro to always lock himself in a small room.

Regardless of whether it's inside or outside.

Jushiro Ukitake simply smiled faintly. The image of that day two years ago flashed through his mind. He received orders from the Captain-Commander-in-Chief and was forced to go to the side of Seireitei to capture the man who should have gone mad due to Hollowfication, yet who had always maintained his utmost rationality.

"Give up. You can't fight the four of us by yourself."

He had said this to that man during the battle that day.

But the other party's attitude was extremely firm.

"Captain Ukitake, some things you'll never know if you'll succeed if you don't try them. I did them, and at least I have no regrets!"

The story that followed is now widely known among the Grim Reapers: that man single-handedly initiated the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, withstood the combined attack of four captains, and escaped unscathed.

Therefore, Jushiro Ukitake was unsure about the other Shinigami, but at least, if it was that man, Jushiro Ukitake believed that he could definitely master Hollowfication.

Images from the past flowed through Kyoraku Shunsui's mind like water, which is why he made this decision immediately after discovering the unusual situation in the black cavity today.

"Shiba Kaien absolutely cannot be allowed to get into trouble, especially among the Soul Society's investigation team sent to the human world."

Kyoraku Shunsui solemnly said to Higashino Shuichi.

Higashino Shuichi observed that Kyoraku Shunsui's expression seemed genuine, as he lightly tapped his sword hilt with one finger.

Faced with such a cunning old fox, Higashino Shuichi naturally couldn't possibly believe Kyoraku Shunsui's seemingly high-sounding reasons.

He always felt that Kyoraku Shunsui was like him, always saying only half of what he meant and hiding the other half.

Protecting Shiba Seagulls?

This reason is absolutely valid, because Higashino Shuichi knows that among the nobility, Kyoraku Shunsui does indeed share the same ideals as the Shiba family to some extent.

But it's not enough.

This alone is not enough to make Kyoraku Shunsui take the action of using Shikai on himself.

It's important to understand that Kyoraku Shunsui's Shikai is essentially a rule-based duel arena. If Higashino Shuichi can't break this rule, then someone will truly die, and judging solely from spiritual pressure, that person will definitely be Higashino Shuichi.

Therefore, without the request from Kyoraku Shunsui, Higashino Shuichi would have believed his earlier guesses and Kyoraku Shunsui's explanation.
This was simply a dangerous test for him.

But now, Higashino Shuichi no longer believes it.

Does someone as shrewd as Kyoraku Shunsui not know how offensive it is to beat someone to death before begging for their help?

He must know.

But he did it anyway.

This is very intriguing.

What exactly was Kyoraku Shunsui trying to test him about?

Suddenly, Higashino Shuichi thought of a possibility.

Could this be a test of obedience to Soul Society?

Kyoraku Shunsui wanted to see if, under such intense pressure and with such domineering reasons, he would actually take a practical action that would be contrary to his status as the representative of Soul Society.
No, it doesn't represent Soul Society, but the Gotei 13.
What Kyoraku Shunsui wanted to confirm was his absolute loyalty.

At that moment, Higashino Shuichi felt a sudden sense of clarity.

In this way, all of Kyoraku Shunsui's illogical behavior up to this point can be explained.

As for why Kyoraku Shunsui dared to do this, and why he wanted to do this, Higashino Shuichi probably also had an inseparable connection with the fact that he had been slashed by Shihouin Yoruichi before.

From Kyoraku Shunsui's perspective, Higashino Shuichi accepted being shelved without complaint, and later even chose to defect with Yoruichi Shihouin to clear his name and the other captains' names. This is enough to prove Higashino Shuichi's loyalty to the Gotei 13 and to Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

Now, he wants to use extreme pressure to confirm things one last time.

What is the purpose of confirming one's loyalty?
Higashino Shuichi had a vague feeling that Kyoraku Shunsui was playing a grand game, and that he was very likely a very important pawn in his game.

When a piece knows it's a piece, it might not necessarily remain a piece anymore.
"I will tell Kisuke about this."

Higashino Hideichi assured Kyoraku Shunsui of this.

Thank you to the ordinary person Yu for the 100-point reward.

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(End of this chapter)