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

Chapter 145, page 143. Now you know why we're called the Sword Hunters, right?

He's back.
After Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni explained the existence of the pardon to all the captains present, the appearance of Higashino Shuichi seemed somewhat reasonable.

But it's still somewhat hard to accept.

Why was it Higashino Shuichi?

Unfortunately, the captain, who harbored such questions, was destined never to receive an answer.

"Although I am determined to become the Great Sword Hunter of the Sword Hunting Clan, since the Captain-Commander said that at least three captains are required to witness and assess me, I will not say anything more. Captains, would you like to come up one by one, or all at once?"

Shuichi Higashino stood at the door of the First Division's meeting room and said confidently.

"Come at me all at once? Higashino Shuichi, your tone has grown quite arrogant over the years in this world, hasn't it?"
But I like it! Let's have a go!

After hearing Higashino Shuichi's audacious remarks, Kenpachi Zaraki could no longer control his trembling hands from excitement. He drew his Zanpakuto, took a step forward, and unleashed a swift leaping slash.

Pick the moon!

However, when Kenpachi Zaraki finally reached Shuichi Higashino, he suddenly felt his vision go black. In that brief moment, he lost all sight, and even his beast-like intuition, which he had always relied on, was temporarily shut down.

In the pitch blackness, a crescent moon, like a shooting star, swept across his body from below. After the crescent moon passed, the world returned to normal, but Kenpachi Zaraki found himself still flying backward toward the innermost part of the conference room. On the surface of his body, a blood-red groove, crushed by terrifying spiritual pressure, was clearly visible.

"This is."

Seeing Higashino Shuichi's move from afar, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's expression turned solemn. Some memories from the depths of his mind were suddenly stirred up; he seemed to have seen a similar slash before.

That was when he was still young, and it was performed in front of him by a man named Nimaiya Oetsu.

However, Nimaiya Oetsu's mind was not on swordsmanship at the time. After creating this move, he abandoned it and devoted himself to forging swords. Therefore, even though the young Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni wanted to learn this move, he was unable to learn it from Nimaiya Oetsu.

The move that Higashino Shuichi is using now clearly has a lot of the shadow of the slash that Nimaiya Oetsu used back then, and it seems to be even stronger than the slash that Nimaiya Oetsu remembered.

So, where exactly did Shuichi Higashino learn this trick?
Compared to Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's confusion, Unohana Retsu's eyes gleamed with an unusual light, and her pale right hand unconsciously slid down to the Zanpakuto at her waist.

You always bring me new surprises every time you disappear for a while and then come back, Shuichi-kun.
"The gap between you and me is widening, Kenpachi Zaraki. You are no match for me now!"

"Higashino Shuichi said, looking at Kenpachi Zaraki flying backwards."

I originally thought that after the battles with Kenpachi Zaraki more than ten years ago, Kenpachi Zaraki's spiritual pressure would rise rapidly. However, it seems that Kenpachi Zaraki's spiritual pressure has not only not increased compared to more than ten years ago, but has actually decreased.

Clearly, the captain must have been behind this.

Otherwise, without guidance, even if Kenpachi Zaraki continued to suppress his spiritual pressure when he couldn't find a suitable opponent, it wouldn't have dropped so quickly.

Higashino Shuichi estimated that Kenpachi Zaraki's true strength at this time was probably much lower than when the two first met, and he could probably only be compared to Rojuro Otorihashi now.

This is truly a prime example of a max-level account ruined by its own actions.

"Stop being so arrogant, Higashino Shuichi! This is the First Division, and before you stand the current captains of the Gotei 13. I'll take you on!"

After seeing Kenpachi Zaraki easily defeated by Shuichi Higashino in a single move, Komamura Sajin, the current captain of the 7th Division, who couldn't stand Higashino's arrogant attitude, stepped out from the ranks of captains with a huge iron mask on his head, drew his Zanpakuto, and took a stance against Higashino.

As a member of the werewolf clan, he was not well-liked to begin with. It was only through the care and training of Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni that he was able to achieve his current status, and he had the utmost respect for Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

Although he had never interacted with Higashino Shuichi before becoming captain, he had rarely inquired about the information of this defector who had once fought against four captains.

But since the Captain-Commander has said that he does not approve of Shuichi Higashino, Komamura Sajin feels that he needs to step forward and help the Captain-Commander fulfill this wish.

Anyone can be the Sword Hunter of the Sword Hunting Clan, but Higashino Shuichi, who was personally rejected by the Captain-Commander, is absolutely not an option!
"Just you? Komamura Sajin, the captain of the 7th Division, I think we shouldn't waste time. The rest of you captains who want to test me, come at me together, shall we?"

"I can only say this with an air of utter arrogance," said Higashino Shuichi.

This made Soi Fon, who heard Higashino Shuichi's words, feel that the man in front of her was somewhat unfamiliar.

The old Shuichi was not like this at all. Is it because of that incident that he started to resent the Gotei 13?
Soi Fon suddenly felt a pang of heartache. The appearance of the pardon made her heart waver. Could it be that they were really wrong before?
Soi Fon hesitated. She wanted to stand in front of Shuichi again and question him about the past, but her intuition told her that this was not a good time.

While Soi Fon hesitated, another captain whom Higashino Shuichi hadn't expected stepped forward.

"Since no one else is stepping forward, I'll reluctantly become the third team leader for this assessment."

Eighth Division Captain Kyoraku Shunsui stepped out from the captains' formation, casually walked up to Komamura Sajin, adjusted his straw hat with one hand, looked at Higashino Shuichi with a smile and said.

Kyoraku Shunsui?
Higashino Shuichi chuckled.

He had originally thought it would be Soi Fon or the captain of the 10th Division whom he was not familiar with who would step forward. After all, among the entire Gotei 13, only these few captains would be so "unreasonable" as to step forward to test him.

Even if it's Kyoraku Shunsui, it doesn't matter, because none of the people who give Higashino Shuichi the biggest headaches would openly attack him in this situation.

One is Aizen Sousuke, another is Unohana Retsu, and the third is Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

These are the only three that Higashino Shuichi definitely can't beat right now.

As for the rest, if Kenpachi Zaraki were in his complete form, then Shuichi Higashino might be a little afraid, but unfortunately he isn't.

And Kyoraku Shunsui?
His Zanpakuto abilities are indeed powerful, but in other aspects, Kyoraku Shunsui is far inferior to his teacher Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, as well as Aizen, Unohana Retsu, and others.

The sound of rustling footsteps echoed in the conference room as Komamura Sajin launched the first attack on Higashino Shuichi.

Because he did not obtain permission from Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Komamura Sajin stubbornly refused to unleash his Zanpakuto.

Compared to Kenpachi Zaraki, who has never received systematic kendo training and fights purely on instinct, Sajin Komamura believes that he can fight against Shuichi Higashino if neither of them releases their Zanpakuto.

But how could he possibly know what kind of kendo training Higashino Shuichi had received in the past, and how rigorous the training he had undergone in a certain space?

Well, Higashino Shuichi himself doesn't actually remember the specifics of the latter, but the physical memory is completely preserved within him.

Step forward, shift position, block the attack, execute a spinning slash, and then finish with a crescent-shaped cut.

With a series of fluid movements, Higashino Shuichi easily deflected Komamura Sajin's attack, leaving him in disbelief and astonishment, and nearly took half of Komamura Sajin's life.

Fortunately, Kyoraku Shunsui used a move called Hadō Zankarin (number 78) from a distance, forcing Higashino Shuichi to defend with his sword and preventing him from continuing the pursuit.

"The Kido Clan had already strengthened the defenses here before the captains' meeting, so there shouldn't be any problem using the release of your Zanpakuto, Captain Komamura~"

Kyoraku Shunsui saw the reason why Komamura Sajin was so hesitant, so he kindly reminded him.

After receiving Kyoraku Shunsui's reminder, Komamura Sajin finally snapped out of his surprise. The former vice-captain of the 11th Division was indeed terrifyingly strong. Although he was reluctant to admit it, Komamura Sajin had to admit in his heart that based on Higashino Shuichi's moves just now, Higashino Shuichi's swordsmanship was definitely superior to his own.

So, if we want to help the Captain-Commander and keep Higashino Shuichi out of the Captain-Commander system, there's only one way left. "I'll control my strength, Higashino Shuichi, and try my best not to cause you too much harm!"

Komamura Sajin held his Zanpakuto horizontally in front of him, his gaze following the smooth blade as he stared directly at Higashino Shuichi opposite him.

"Roar, divine retribution!"

In mid-air, a giant arm made of spirit particles appeared, holding a giant samurai sword also made of spirit particles, very similar to the Zanpakuto in Komamura Sajin's hand.

"Cassock Slash!"

Komamura Sajin, holding his swords in both hands, stood still and unleashed a slash. The giant hand in mid-air followed Komamura Sajin's movements, delivering the exact same slash to Higashino Shuichi.

At the same time, Kenpachi Zaraki, who had just been knocked away by Shuichi Higashino, also charged towards Higashino, brandishing his Zanpakuto.

Unlike the previous battle, this time Kenpachi Zaraki was smarter and coordinated his attacks with Sajin Komamura.

The two men stepped forward, creating pressure on Higashino Shuichi, while Kyoraku Shunsui landed behind him at the opportune moment and unleashed another Kido Blade.

"That's more interesting!"

Higashino Shuichi calmly sheathed his sword and held it down, then, just before the attacks were about to strike him,
Unsheathed, it annihilates the sky.

Li Fuzhan!
Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto was struck, and with the terrifying collapse of spiritual particles, the Zanpakuto, which had maintained its ascetic form for so many years, was bound to that briefly torn space. The cracks accumulated until the blade shattered.

Meanwhile, Komamura Sajin's Shikai spirit form shattered upon contact with Higashino Shuichi's slash.

As for the demonic blade attack coming from behind, Higashino Shuichi could easily dodge it with just a slight sidestep.

Without first using binding techniques to control Higashino Shuichi, trying to hit him with ranged attacks alone is simply wishful thinking.

"He held back that day."

Seeing this extremely exaggerated scene, Mayuri Kurotsuchi fell silent. Fortunately, he hadn't gone to ask Shuichi Higashino for new material yet, so he could think carefully about his next words.

The same thought existed in the minds of the other team leaders.

Even Tosen, who witnessed how Higashino Shuichi grew from someone inferior to himself to someone who could fight the four captains without being at a disadvantage when he defected from Soul Society, found himself unable to understand Higashino Shuichi's existence.

Isn't it said that spiritual particles are scarce in the present world?

Isn't it troublesome to even use the Grim Reaper's abilities once in the modern world?

What's going on? Is Higashino Shuichi cheating in the real world?
After more than a decade, he's back and he's so amazing?
However, what Tosen Kaname didn't expect was that just as Komamura Sajin was preparing to use his Bankai, Kyoraku Shunsui, seeing that Zaraki Kenpachi was temporarily withdrawing from the battlefield because he had lost his Zanpakuto, decided to use his Shikai to set an example for the other Shinigami captains present and let them see with their own eyes what kind of existence Higashino Shuichi really was.

Higashino Shuichi's next battle stunned all the Shinigami captains present, including Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and Aizen Sosuke.

"Are we finally going to get serious?"
Then I'll be a little more serious too~

Higashino Shuichi looked at Komamura Sajin, whose eyes were full of solemnity, and smiled.

"Bankai: Black Rope Heavenly Punishment Myooh!"

"The flowers are in a mess, the flower gods are crying, the sky is in a mess, the sky demons are sneering, the flowers are crazy!"

Komamura Sajin and Kyoraku Shunsui's voices rang out almost simultaneously.

Kyoraku Shunsui was using this opportunity to let the other Shinigami captains see the terrifying hellish power emanating from Higashino Shuichi, and also to give the old man a chance to witness firsthand that Higashino Shuichi could now control that hellish power at will, not to mention the power of Hollowfication.

Otherwise, based solely on his own words, he would never be able to persuade that stubborn old man.

However, he did not expect that Higashino Shuichi's approach this time would be even simpler, more brutal, and more alarming.

"Tracing the origins of military strategy, Bankai, using someone else to do the dirty work!"

Without hesitation, Higashino Shuichi freed his Zanpakuto and used the new ability of "Hidden Dagger in a Smile" that he had acquired after returning from that fictional future.

At the same time, far away in the western border region, Kisaragi Shusuke, who was responsible for protecting Kabuto Sayaka and others, and followed them to London below the western border region to cooperate with Urahara Kisuke and others, felt a call from his soul.

"Master Xiuichi?!!"

I just bought ice cream and wanted to send it to Nagasawa Satomi. Kisaragi Shusuke was overjoyed.

Although he didn't know exactly what was going on, Hideaki called him, and that familiar voice was one he would never forget.

Moreover, Lord Shuichi asked him because he wanted to borrow his power.
Are you kidding me? Shusuke's power is something that Shuichi can use whenever he wants. Do I even need to ask?
Here you go! He'll give you as much as Xiu-yi wants!
Unfortunately, this seemed to be a one-way communication method. No matter how much Kisaragi Shuichi called out Shuichi's name in his mind, there was no response from the other side.

However, for Shusuke Kisaragi, who had been feeling guilty and believed that Shuuichi had died in that battle, this was undoubtedly great news.

Then, in the barracks of the First Division of Soul Society, under the gaze of all the captains present, Shuichi Higashino laid his Zanpakuto flat in front of him.

The sword is still the same Zanpakuto, but the soul has changed.

"Passivation!"

It has no tuning fork structure, but invisible sound waves still ripple out.

Komamura Sajin's Bankai failed.
The initial interpretation of Kyoraku Shunsui also failed.
Many captains discovered that they were experiencing a very uncomfortable sensation emanating from their Zanpakuto.

Their Zanpakuto also seem unable to be released.

"What did you do to my Zanpakuto?!"

Komamura Sajin looked incredulously at the Zanpakuto in his hand that could no longer respond to any of his commands, then looked up at Higashino Shuichi in front of him and questioned him.

"Now you know why this new squad is called the Sword Hunters, right?"

Higashino Shuichi didn't look at Komamura Sajin; instead, he stared intently at the old man at the far end of the conference room hall, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

"From the day I was labeled a traitor by Soul Society, I swore that such a thing would never happen to me again!"
"So, Captain-Commander, may I ask if I am qualified to become the new captain of this Sword Hunter Clan?"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni remained silent, his clear eyes revealing nothing of his thoughts.

All anyone knows is that in the end, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni uttered those few words.
"From this day forward, Higashino Shuichi will be the captain of the new squad, the Sword Hunters, with the title of Great Sword Hunter!"

(End of this chapter)