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

Chapter 128, Section 126: Investigation and Protection Arrangements

"So, Kyoraku Shunsui asked us to protect Shiba Kaien?"

In the spacious basement, Kensei Rokusha asked in a straightforward manner.

Upon returning to the present world, Higashino Shuichi immediately shared Kyoraku Shunsui's intentions and some of the information he had obtained from Kurotsuchi Mayuri with everyone in the present world.

Aside from his own guesses.

"No wonder you dared to open the 'black box' right near us. Kyoraku Shunsui must have given Ukitake Jushiro prior notice, right?"

Kisuke Urahara looked at Shuichi Higashino and said.

"Yes, otherwise I would definitely find a random place to talk nonsense and then try to sneak back."

Higashino Shuichi shrugged in response.

This is where the Black Hole is less convenient than the Gate of Transcendence; the former is too powerful and can be detected and located by the Soul Society's monitoring equipment in an instant.

"Hey, you two, that's enough! Is this the time to discuss this? Shouldn't we be discussing whether or not we should protect Shiba Kaien?"

Kensei Rokusha quickly interrupted Kisuke Urahara and Shuichi Higashino's conversation.

“The future head of the Shiba family,” said Shinji Hirako, who had successfully awakened after mastering Hollowfication and was sitting next to Kensei Muguruma, hesitatingly. At the same time, he looked at Yoruichi Shihouin, who was in human form for the first time. “Kyoraku Shunsui, is this a statement? If we can successfully protect Kaien Shiba, we can return to Soul Society.”

After all, based on Shuichi's description, Shunsui should now know that Hollowfication can be perfectly controlled by us.

“That’s probably difficult,” Kisuke Urahara, sitting to Yoruichi’s right, replied before Yoruichi could speak. “Shunsui’s actions only represent his personal attitude and Jushiro Ukitake’s attitude. It’s unlikely that he can influence the Captain-Commander.”

Yoruichi Shihouin nodded in agreement, "Everyone is probably well aware of the Captain-Commander's personality. Since we have already been identified as rebellious Shinigami, there is absolutely no possibility of going back on our word."

Unless we can prove that the incident that day wasn't our doing, but rather orchestrated by Aizen Sousuke, simply possessing Hollowfication skills won't be enough to change the Captain-Commander's mind.

"Why should we be the ones protecting Shiba Kaien, without any benefits offered?"

Hiyori Sarugaki, the former vice-captain of the 12th Division, put one foot on the stool and said with considerable dissatisfaction.

Of all the Hollowfied Shinigami in the present world, she was the most dissatisfied with the Soul Society's handling of the last incident.

"It's not entirely without benefits. At least with the captain's endorsement and help, we'll have a direct channel to contact Shiba Kaien. If we can gain the approval of the Shiba family, one of the five great noble families, through this protection, and at the same time show Soul Society our attitude, we might have a chance to return to Soul Society."

Sitting to Yoruichi Shihouin's left, former 8th Division lieutenant Lisa Yadomaru pushed up her pink-rimmed glasses and analyzed the situation.

"What's there left to discuss? I'm the first to agree to go!"

Kensei Muguruma couldn't sit still when he heard there was a chance to return to Soul Society. He really didn't want to stay in the human world for even a moment longer; he just wanted to go back and give Aizen Sousuke a good beating.

However, after Kensei Muguruma finished speaking, he found that no one in the room agreed with him.

"What? Does nobody want to go back to Soul Society?"

Kensei Rokusha asked, puzzled.

"It's not that I don't want to go back, but protecting Shiba Kaien in the human world might not be a difficult task for other Shinigami, but it's a bit difficult for us."

"That's what I'm saying," Higashino Shuichi explained.

"How is it difficult? We've all mastered Hollowfication now. When we're not in combat, we all look like we did when we were Shinigami. It's just a matter of how long we can Hollowfied. In terms of combat power, we're even stronger than before, right?"

Kensei Rokusha asked in bewilderment.

"Are you stupid? We usually wear a prosthetic body when we go out. You haven't forgotten what a prosthetic body does, have you?"

Sitting next to Kensei Rokkaku, Kunan Shiro gave him a hard glare.

"Isn't it just about letting us live like humans in this world?"

"I'm puzzled," said Rokusha Kensei.

After hearing this, Jiu Nanbai wore a helpless expression, as if he had known all along, and pressed one hand to his forehead.

Even she, the vice-captain, felt ashamed of her former position as captain.

"Another function of the Gikai is to help us isolate ourselves from the spiritual energy of the outside world. In this way, even if we are outside, without the protective barrier set up by Kisuke for us, the monitoring devices from Soul Society will not be able to detect the existence of our spiritual pressure."

In this situation, although we can still transmit our own spiritual energy through the artificial body, as long as we don't remove the artificial body, we will never receive replenishment of spiritual energy from the outside world, let alone sense the existence of other people with spiritual pressure.

Our "intuitive senses," which we subconsciously use in battle, are also severely interfered with.

Even if we really shed our spirit bodies, given our current identities, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to appear directly as Shinigami (death gods). Otherwise, what would Soul Society think of us?
In other words, if something unexpected happens, we will most likely only be able to appear in a hollow form, disguising ourselves as an Adjuchas-class Hollow.

At least, in the entire Soul Society right now, apart from Aizen Sousuke, no other Shinigami should have seen your Hollowfied forms or spiritual pressure.

However, this raises questions about our true combat strength.

Higashino Shuichi explained to Rokusha Kensei.

This only applies to the situation of others. Higashino Shuichi himself is in a worse situation because his Hollowfied form is also listed on the Soul Society's rankings. Therefore, if Higashino Shuichi wants to fight openly in the human world, he can only set up the spiritual pressure shielding barrier with spatial attributes created by Urahara Kisuke in advance.

This will be more cumbersome and troublesome.

Fortunately, Higashino Shuichi has his own advantages compared to others, namely that he can suppress his spiritual pressure on his Zanpakuto. He can pose a considerable threat to most enemies simply by relying on his Zanpakuto.

"If this won't work and that won't work, then what's the point of our discussion? Let's just stop protecting Shiba Kaien, shall we? Soul Society should handle its own affairs, right?"

"Let's stick to the original plan. First, we'll extend the Hollowfication time, and then, taking advantage of the increased spiritual pressure limit, we'll further increase our spiritual pressure, striving to one day go back and take down Aizen!"

After hearing this, Kensei Muguruma was full of complaints. When did he, a former captain of the 9th Division, have to suffer such humiliation?

Unfortunately, Kensei Muguruma was clearly not the one in charge in this room right now. After thinking for a while, Kisuke Urahara finally made his decision.

"We definitely need to protect Shiba Kaien. Lisa is right. We should try to win over the Shiba family, one of the five great noble families. It will only benefit us in uncovering Aizen's conspiracy in the future."

But we can't just passively let others lead us by the nose. What if this is another trap set by Aizen?

"So, Kisuke, what are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing the name Aizen, Rojuro Ootori, who was sitting next to Kisuke Urahara, immediately asked.

If we were to ask who among everyone present hated Aizen Sousuke the most, it would undoubtedly be him.

Because he was the only one who had personally witnessed his close friend and even family-like vice-captain, Iba Senetsu, being so easily killed by Aizen with a single finger right before his eyes.

Kisuke Urahara glanced around at everyone present, his gaze finally settling on Shuichi Higashino sitting opposite him.

"My idea is to split the force into three groups. One group will be led by you, Shuichi-kun, along with Kensei-kun, Matsumoto Rangiku, Kisaragi Shusuke, Sayako-san, and that human Fullbringer, Nagasawa Satomi, to protect Shiba Kaien. It's not convenient to use too much spiritual pressure in the human world to fight, as it would cause the human environment to collapse. Therefore, sending too many captains would not be very meaningful."

I think Yoruichi will be in charge of the second group, leading everyone else except for me and Tessai, to investigate the origin of that armored samurai.

Didn't Shuichi-kun say that the armored warrior was also part of the transaction? Since it was man-made, it must have a source.

I can't guarantee that that place is definitely the source of the Soul Society Asauchi disappearance incident, but the two are certainly closely related.

As for this third route, I will go west with Tiezhai to see the Western Outpost. I am personally very interested in the captain of the Western Outpost development team and want to know how much data he took from me and what new things he has researched over the years.”

"Three routes?"

Higashino Shuichi hadn't expected Urahara Kisuke to be far bolder than he'd imagined, and this personnel allocation...
It's hard to say that Higashino Shuichi didn't have Urahara Kisuke's personal motives involved. Obviously, of the three groups, protecting Shiba Kaien was the most strenuous and troublesome part, and the people on Higashino Shuichi's group were basically people who had a very good relationship with him.

You could say it was to make it easier for Higashino Shuichi to use, or you could say it was intentional separation.

However, this also suited Higashino Shuichi's own wishes. He didn't want to act with Urahara Kisuke, and it would be more convenient for him to act alone with people he knew.

Not to mention, in Higashino Shuichi's own judgment, the main source of threat to Shiba Kaien and his investigation team this time should be the Fullbringers in the real world.

Otherwise, given that Soul Society has just undergone a major reshuffle of power, where in Soul Society could one find a Shinigami team capable of threatening an Investigation Team led by a Vice-Captain level Shinigami?
While Higashino Shuichi and his group were busily planning their future arrangements, a selection process was also underway in the Soul Society's Seireitei.

Beside the vast training ground, a huge banner proclaimed "Soul Society Human Survey Team Selection Tournament".

"Go, little bald guy!"

On the sidelines, due to the defection of former vice-captain Higashino Shuichi, former vice-captain Kusajishi Yachiru, who had barely settled into the position of captain's assistant, was once again relegated to vice-captain of the 11th Division. At this moment, she was cheering for the very fierce rookie bald Shinigami in the center of the field.

The bald Grim Reaper slashed his opponent away with a single blow, then roared furiously at Kusanagi Yachiru, "How many times have I told you? I'm not called Little Baldy! My name is Madarame Ikkaku!!"

"Okay! Little Baldy! I got it, I'll call you Baldy from now on!"

Kusajiro Yachiru waved two small pink flags that Higashino Shuichi had given her before, and shouted excitedly.

"Then you might as well call him Little Baldy!"

The veins on Madarame Ikkaku's head bulged out.

Meanwhile, the battle on the other side also came to a conclusion.

"Battle over! Yumichika Ayasegawa has emerged victorious!"

Compared to the appalling state of Madarame Ikkaku's opponent, Ayasegawa Yumichika's situation was much better; at least he was still able to stand up on his own.

"Wow, I didn't expect that you two newcomers, Little Baldy and Little Peacock, would ultimately emerge victorious!"

Just as Madarame Ikkaku turned around to celebrate for his friend, Kusajishi Yachiru's voice suddenly came from above him. It turned out that in the brief moment that Madarame Ikkaku had just turned around, Kusajishi Yachiru had lightly landed on Madarame Ikkaku's back from the stands.

"Ahhh!! Get down here right now!"

Madarame Ikkaku felt like he was being driven crazy by this seemingly weak little girl, who was also the vice-captain of the 11th Division, the one who had inherited the position of the man he had been longing for day and night.

"Vice Captain Kusashi, I didn't expect you to come and watch our lowly match."

After finishing the match, Ayasegawa Yumichika walked straight towards Madarame Ikkaku and witnessed him desperately trying to grab onto Kusajishi Yachiru, but the latter always managed to nimbly dodge him. In the end, he could only resign himself to letting Kusajishi Yachiru lie on his back, her little hands holding his smooth head.

Based on this alone, Ayasegawa Yumichika knew that the seemingly harmless little girl in front of him definitely possessed strength commensurate with her status as vice-captain.

"Not even worthy of respect? How could that be? Little Xiuyi once said that true strength is forged through countless battles, and every winner deserves respect."
Moreover, it was Xiaoxiu who suggested using this kind of competition to select candidates!
It's a pity Xiao Xiuyi isn't here anymore, otherwise he would definitely be happy to play another match with you winners!

"Really? That man is just as passionate as I am!"
I can't wait to have another match with him!

Upon hearing this, Madarame Ikkaku's eyes lit up with excitement.

"That's troublesome. Shuichi has defected to the human world." Kusajishi Yachiru, perched on Madarame Ichigo's back, feigned regret, then quickly flashed a sly smile. "But since you won the selection tournament, aren't you supposed to go to the human world with the investigation team? If you try your best there, you might be able to find Shuichi!"

"Really?"

Madarame Ikkaku became even more excited upon hearing this, since the reason he chose to join the 11th Division was because of that man named Higashino Shuichi.

Originally, he and Yumichika Ayasegawa planned to go to the Fourth Division, but unfortunately, the Fourth Division only wanted graduates of the Shinigami Academy and had no interest in self-taught individuals like them who had never attended the Shinigami Academy.

So Madarame Ikkaku dragged Ayasegawa Yumichika along to enroll at the Shinigami Academy. Little did they know that just after they enrolled, they heard the news that Higashino Shuichi had already become the vice-captain of the 11th Division.

Then, Madarame Ikkaku rushed over with Ayasegawa Yumichika to join the 11th Division.

However, when the two of them finally passed the test, Higashino Shuichi had already defected, and the two of them ended up empty-handed again.

Hearing that there was still a chance to find Higashino Shuichi in the real world, Madarame Ikkaku's fiery heart began to stir again.

Only Ayasegawa Yumichika, standing to the side, took in the undisguised changes in Kusajishi Yachiru's expression.

Clearly, Kusajishi Yachiru's purpose was not simple. Ayasegawa Yumichika, who had been in the 11th Division for more than two years, was well aware of their captain's combat attributes. He was a battle maniac who was even more powerful than his close friend Madarame Ikkaku.

Most of the Shinigami had heard about their captain's defeat at the hands of Higashino Shuichi two years ago, so it seemed that the vice-captain in front of them wanted to use the two of them to find Higashino Shuichi so that their captain, Zaraki, could go to the human world to take revenge.

Ayasegawa Yumichika wasn't too worried about this, because in his memory, Higashino Hideaki had always been a kind and gentle Shinigami who acted with great discretion. In the two years since he came to Seireitei and became a Shinigami, most of the rumors he heard were like this.

Even though that person defected under immense pressure two years ago, the ultimate move he unleashed at the last moment ultimately proved to have caused few casualties.

Therefore, Ayasegawa Yumichika was not worried at all about the serious consequences that Madarame Ikkaku's actions would have.

Besides, the world is so vast, how could that person be found by Madarame Ikkaku so conveniently?

There's no way such a coincidence could happen.

"Speaking of which, Vice Captain Kusashi, I heard that the situation is somewhat special this time when we go to the human world for investigation. Therefore, every member of the investigation team will be required to wear a piece of equipment that was recently developed by the Technology Development Bureau, is that right?"

In contrast, Yumichika Ayasegawa was more concerned about their mission in the modern world.

Although it was just an investigation into a theft case in Asahi, such investigations have always been straightforward, and there are very few instances where all Grim Reapers are required to wear a particular piece of equipment.

"Hmm, it seems to be something called a 'artificial body'? That thing makes you look like a human in the real world after you put it on."

Because I heard that this investigation might involve some special humans in the mortal world, approaching them rashly as a Shinigami might cause unnecessary misunderstandings and disrupt your objectives. Therefore, Captain Kyoraku of the 8th Division has mandated that every member of your investigation team must first disguise themselves as humans to conduct the investigation.

Kusajika Yachiru nodded in reply, saying that this information was all public, so there was no problem in telling Ayasegawa Yumichika in advance.

"A special human being?"

After listening, Ayasegawa Yumichika fell into deep thought. He had a vague premonition that this investigation might not be as simple as the captains had made it out to be.

(End of this chapter)