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

Chapter 158, Section 156: A Touching Hand, A Stirred Heart

For Shiba Kukaku, the recent period of time was not particularly special, but it was at least ordinary enough that she considered it to be the most insignificant time in her long life as a Shinigami.

"Sis, I'm going out!"

Today was another identical start. Shiba Kukaku had just gotten up when she heard her younger brother, Shiba Ganju, asking her for permission.

"No way! Ganju, why are you always thinking about running to Rukongai? I have no problem with you liking to hang out with those commoners, but at least learn from your brother Kaien!"
"I don't expect you to be like him, graduating from the True Spiritual Arts Academy in a year and becoming a vice-captain in less than five years, but you should at least be able to pass the True Spiritual Arts Academy's entrance exam, right?"

However, today, Shiba Kukaku clearly did not want to relax her control over her mischievous younger brother as usual.

For some reason, her father, Shiba Murakami, found her late last night and mentioned her uncle, Shiba Isshin, who had separated from the family.

I had heard of Isshin's uncle, Kukaku, before. He was said to be the most outstanding descendant of the branch family in the last few hundred years, with talent that was not much worse than his older brother, Shiba Kaien. However, he was very low-key. Even though he had already possessed captain-level spiritual pressure, before mastering Bankai, Shiba Isshin was always willing to be a mere seventh seat in his 10th Division.

But that's how it is, because Shiba Isshin is still a member of their branch family, not the main family. No matter how powerful Shiba Isshin is, generally speaking, he has nothing to do with their main family.

That's how it should normally be.

But for some reason, late last night, after his father, Shiba Muramasa, had a long talk with him, Shiba Kukaku unexpectedly heard his father say that he should spend more time with Shiba Isshin.

Furthermore, from his father's words, Shiba Kukaku also vaguely sensed his father's worry about his older brother, Shiba Kaien.

Although Kukaku asked about her older brother's recent situation, her father did not answer, but her father's expression betrayed him.

However, Shiba Kukaku, who has never served as a formal Shinigami in the Gotei 13, cannot yet understand what dangerous things could possibly trouble his older brother, Shiba Kaien, who is already a vice-captain.

In Shiba Kukaku's eyes, the vice-captain was already a synonym for power.

At least in the entire Soul Society, there are only a handful of Shinigami whose strength surpasses that of a vice-captain.

However, none of these questions could prevent Shiba Kukaku from waking up in a bad mood this morning.

Her bad mood meant that her younger brother, Shiba Ganju, could no longer try to get away with things by ignoring her.

"No way, Sister Kukaku, don't you know my own limitations? You want me to go to the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy to study?"

Getting in isn't a problem, but the problem is that the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy has a six-year graduation program!
"Whether my grades are good or bad, I'll have to graduate after six years. Then I'll be assigned to a squad as a low-ranking Shinigami, facing unknown risks every day. Sister, can you really bear to see that?"

Shiba Ganju's explanation was very logical and reasonable.

At first glance, Shiba Kukaku seems to have no reason to refute, but as Shiba Ganju's older sister, and especially as the one who takes on the roles of father and mother, Shiba Kukaku, who is responsible for disciplining Shiba Ganju on a daily basis, has the same special rights as an elder.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Kukaku-nee, please be gentle!"

Shiba Kukaku grabbed Shiba Ganju's right ear and dragged him into the house, where Ganju begged for mercy in pain.

"Yes, I know your own limitations very well, so tell me, who taught you these words!"

I don't believe someone with your brain could come up with such a logically sound excuse!

How can elders treat younger generations?
How unreasonable!

Anyway, she's the older sister, so she gets to call the shots!
If there's no reason, then there's no need for a reason!

"I'll talk, I'll talk! It's Aizen Sousuke, the captain of the Fifth Division!"
When I went to Rukongai to visit a friend, I happened to see Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division playing with the children there and enthusiastically teaching them calligraphy. He seemed like such a nice guy, so I tried to go up and chat with him. To my surprise, he was so down-to-earth! He actually started chatting with me!
We talked a lot that day, and in the end I told him I didn't want to go to the True Spiritual Arts Academy, and that's when he gave me this advice.

Shiba Ganju covered his ear, which had been pinched red, and answered with a pained expression.

"The Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sousuke?"

Shiba Kukaku was displeased upon hearing this. Regardless of Aizen Sousuke's character, in her mind, he was already being portrayed as a cunning strategist who gave bad advice to his younger brother.

Moreover, it is foreseeable that, since there is no possibility of any interaction between the two, this image will only become more and more deeply ingrained in Shiba Kukaku's heart.

In short, favorability rating: -20.

“Then you should avoid contact with him in the future. A captain like that is obviously not a good captain! Captains like Kuchiki Aojun of the Sixth Division, Kyoraku Shunsui of the Eighth Division, Ukitake Jushiro of the Thirteenth Division, Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division, and Soi Fon of the Second Division are all good captains!”

If all else fails, you could even go find Kenpachi Zaraki, the captain of the 11th Division!

Anyway, you'd better not let me hear about you having any contact with that Captain Aizen again, especially don't ask him any questions, you hear me!

Shiba Kukaku put his hands on his hips and gave an order to Shiba Ganju.

"Understood, Kukaku-nee."

Shiba Ganju only verbally agreed, but in his heart he was thinking that he would not do it. He would go to the Fifth Division's barracks later to ask that kind captain for advice.

He felt that, given the “deep” friendship he had built with Aizen that day, Aizen would certainly not refuse such a reasonable request.

I'm such a little genius!
Shiba Ganju secretly admired himself.

Unfortunately, he is destined not to go to the Fifth Division's barracks today.

On one hand, Shiba Kukaku did not allow it. After a lecture, he was forced to learn Kido and Shunpo under the watchful eye of his older sister.

On the other hand, it's because Seireitei is not peaceful today, especially for the Shiba family.

Not long after Shiba Kukaku began training Shiba Ganju, a huge black cavity opened above the first district of West Rukongai.

Countless Hollows emerged from within, and the terrifying spiritual pressure they gathered was so immense that even a "fake" Shinigami like Shiba Kukaku, who was a successor of a family's special technology but had never attended the Shinigami Academy for systematic training, could feel the oppressive force within.

The last time she felt this way was nearly twenty years ago during the Kasumi family rebellion.

The one before that was an even more distant noble hunting event that has since been halted.

Both times, the Soul Society suffered significant losses.

However, unlike the previous rebellion of the Kasumioji family, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of more than half of the nobles within Seireitei, this time, the terrifying spiritual pressure reaction occurred outside Seireitei.
"This time there shouldn't be any major problems. It's not so easy to get in from outside. At least even if they do get in, it will give the captains of the Gotei 13 enough time to react."

Shiba Kukaku comforted himself in this way.

After the last rebellion by the Kasumi family ended, the Central 46th Bureau made a summary.

Regarding the reasons why the incident became so serious later, the Central 46th Bureau gave three core reasons:
First, the assessment of the danger posed by the mole mole is not accurate enough;

Secondly, the incident happened too suddenly;
Thirdly, at that time, more than half of the captains of Soul Society were trapped in the Central 46 Chambers. Due to that special location, most of the captains were unable to use their full strength.

At present, at least in Shiba Kukaku's eyes, none of these three conditions are met by the current Gotei 13.

Therefore, the advantage lies with me!
But soon, a series of bad news almost made Shiba Kukaku faint from anger.

"What? You're saying that since last night, as many as seven captains of the Gotei 13 have been sent to the human world?"

"What?! The captain of the Sixth Division, Kuchiki Aozumi, was found dead in front of his own house?!"

"What?! The captain of the 10th Division has gone missing, and he's most likely dead?!"

With Shiba Kaien temporarily away from home and Shiba Village gradually relinquishing control of household affairs, Shiba Kukaku, currently the nominal head of the Shiba family, looked at the urgent messages arriving one after another, and only one word flashed in his mind:
Dangerous!
Especially after the few lower-ranking nobles who still followed the Shiba family risked their lives to pass on the news to Shiba Kukaku that "the Hollows are advancing towards the center of Seireitei, and the territories of the Shiba family and the several minor nobles belonging to the Shiba family are all on their attack route," Shiba Kukaku could no longer sit still.

"Notify everyone in the main family and branch families to immediately take emergency evacuation! Rock Vulture! You also need to hide right now!"

Although Shiba Kukaku is not very strong, she has long been entrusted with the affairs of the Shiba family because Shiba Kaien is engrossed in handling the affairs of the 13th Division. Under these circumstances, Shiba Kukaku still showed the spirit and composure that a family head should have.

However, the seriously injured nobleman looked troubled after hearing the order.

"What? Is there a problem?"

Shiba Kukaku questioned.

"Reporting to Lord Soukaku, the main branch of the Shiba family may be fine, but as for the branch family, the vast majority of their fighting force has already been taken by Lord Shiba Isshin, who has been designated as the future head of the branch family, to resist this Hollow invasion."
Lord Isshin said that protecting Seireitei is everyone's responsibility, especially at such a critical moment, the five great noble families must set an example.

The young nobleman spoke with deep admiration.

This is why they are still willing to follow the Shiba family to this day.

"That stupid uncle!"

After listening, Shiba Kukaku showed the same admiration as the minor nobleman, but out of rational thought, she still muttered a curse under her breath.

What role can a Shinigami who hasn't even mastered Bankai play in a situation where two captains may have already perished?!
But despite his thoughts, Shiba Kukaku did not issue another order to Shiba Isshin to withdraw.

On the one hand, this was the personal behavior of Shiba Isshin, the head of the branch family. As the head of the family, she was already doing her best to remind the branch family members to take refuge.
On the other hand, Shiba Kukaku was actually secretly hoping that Shiba Isshin could achieve something.

Therefore, Shiba Kukaku did not waste any more time on the topic of Shiba Isshin. Instead, after arranging everything, she went to the courtyard where her father was. Her final arrangement was to take her father, Shiba Muramasa, with her to seek refuge.

As for the rest, such as the safety of the Seireitei, Shiba Kukaku could only choose to trust Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who was hailed as the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society in nearly a thousand years and the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

However, as soon as Shiba Kukaku entered the courtyard where her father was, she realized that something was wrong.

A strong smell of blood hit him as he pushed open the door. Scattered around the courtyard were the familiar servants of the Shiba family.

"No way"

An ominous premonition welled up in Shiba Kukaku's heart.

She just couldn't understand why Kuchiki Soujun of the Kuchiki family was like this, and so was their Shiba family. Wasn't it said that even with the desperate resistance of all the remaining Shinigami of the Gotei 13, it would still take some time for those Hollows to break into their noble territory?
Unfortunately, reality simply doesn't allow Shiba Kukaku to figure this out now.

Rational analysis told Shiba Kukaku that she should turn around and run away immediately, because the courtyard was too quiet at the moment, which meant that the battle inside was likely over, and her father had not appeared, which meant that her father was likely dead.
However, her emotions urged Shiba Kukaku to hurry inside and take a look, perhaps her father had just defeated the invading enemy and was waiting for rescue.

Ultimately, without a doubt, emotion triumphed over reason.

Because Shiba Kukaku stepped into this silent, chillingly quiet courtyard.

After walking a few steps, a gentle breeze blew by.

On this sweltering summer morning, Shiba Kukaku even shivered.

It's not because of the temperature, but because of the "heart's capacity".

She went to her father's bedroom, but no one was there.

The study was empty.

It wasn't until Shiba Kukaku arrived at the artificial hill behind the courtyard, which had collapsed due to the battle, that he finally saw his father.

At this moment, she finally truly understood the grief that Kuchiki Byakuya felt when he sent the news of his father's death at his doorstep to the other five noble families and the Captain-Commander.

Because her father, Shiba Village, was also floating on a pool of blood, his blood staining the entire pond red.

Unlike Kuchiki Byakuya, who did not see the culprit, Shiba Kukaku did.

Even Shiba Kukaku had the illusion that this strangely-looking Arrancar was deliberately waiting for her here.

Because he stood there until I appeared, and then slowly turned around to face me.

"You who reign supreme! Masks of flesh and blood, myriad things, soaring wings, things bearing the name of mankind! Scorching heat and strife, rising southward across the sea, marching forward!"
"Hado #31, Red Fire Cannon!"

A red ball of fire condensed in Shiba Kukaku's hand and then flew towards the Arrancar.

The latter raised his hand and gently tapped it; the fireball, like the flame of a match in the cold wind, ignited and then quickly went out.

"The ruler, a mask of flesh and blood, all things, soaring high, bearing the name of mankind, truth and temperance, standing only as claws on the wall of a dream that knows no sin."

"Hado #33, Azure Flame Falls!"

Shiba Kukaku stood still and continued chanting. Blue flames surged along the ground, creating a scorching heat wave in front of the Arrancar.
It was extinguished with a gentle flick.

"The scattered bones of beasts, spires, red crystals, and steel wheels, moving like the wind and still like the void, the sound of spears clashing against each other, fill the empty city."

"Hado #63, Thunder Roar Cannon!"

Standing still in the same spot, Shiba Kukaku clasped his hands together and pushed them towards the Arrancar. Lightning roared from his hands, creating a huge splash in front of the Arrancar. After the seemingly terrifying explosion, the Arrancar was completely unharmed.

"Binding Spell Number Thirty: Three Flashes from the Mouth!"

"The Ninth Binding Path: The Crushing Wheel!"

"Sixty-one of the Dao of Binding, the Six-Stand Light Prison!"

"Hado #57, the Earth Shakes!"

Just like in a turn-based game, Shiba Kukaku stood in place, unleashing all the abilities she possessed at the Arrancar, while the Arrancar simply parried them all.

But the more they fought, the more desperate they became.
He watched as the Arrancar who had killed his father could easily defeat him no matter what kind of Kido he used.

Shiba Kukaku was bewildered.

So, is this the difference between a captain-level Shinigami and an ordinary Shinigami?
At this moment, Shiba Kukaku finally understood why her father was so determined to train another captain-level Shinigami for the Shiba family, even if that person was from a branch family.

Because this is truly a world of difference.
So, is this Arrancar, this despicable Hollow, just toying with her?
Shiba Kukaku knew that she couldn't escape no matter what.

From the moment she stepped into this courtyard, her fate was probably already sealed in the eyes of this broken-faced man.

But at least, she is a member of the Shiba family.

"Even if I die, I want to die with dignity!"

Shiba Kukaku drew the small knife that she had always kept as an ornament at her waist.

That was her Zanpakuto.

Having not used it for years, her movements have become a bit rusty, but for her now, whether she knows how to slash is not important; as long as she can wield a sword, that's enough.

So, Shiba Kukaku raised his Zanpakuto and charged towards the Arrancar.

Unsurprisingly, her knife flew away.

With just a flick of the Arrancar's finger, Shiba Kukaku lost control of his Zanpakuto and could only let it fly away.

As for Shiba Kukaku herself, she was knocked down into the pond and choked on the water that was filled with her father's blood.

It's over
Lying on his back in the pool, Shiba Kukaku saw the ravaged mask finally raise its blade towards him, and he closed his eyes.

She only hoped that after her death, her good-for-nothing younger brother, Shiba Ganju, could find the Shiba family secret techniques she left behind and pass them on.

But after waiting for a while, Shiba Kukaku discovered that he was still alive.

She quickly opened her eyes, only to find that the right half of her field of vision contained the familiar white haori, while the left half contained her Zanpakuto.

At this moment, it was being held in someone's hand, blocking the butcher's knife that was about to fall on him.

"Chief Sword Hunter of the Sword Hunting Clan, Higashino Shuichi"

This person who suddenly appeared was not difficult for Shiba Kukaku to recognize, because in the entire Soul Society, only the Sword Hunters, a very special squad, had a captain's haori with no specific number on it.

"Miss Shiba, a Shinigami's Zanpakuto is something you can't easily lose~"

Higashino gave Shiba Kukaku a dashing profile, and as he returned Kukaku's Zanpakuto to her, his warm hand accidentally touched Kukaku's right hand, inadvertently stirring Kukaku's heart.

At that moment, the image of Higashino Shuichi was deeply imprinted in Shiba Kukaku's mind.

Then, Shuichi Higashino drew his Zanpakuto.

"Attack, warriors! For those who loathe war, paradise awaits!"

In an instant, the transparent spiritual barrier enveloped a large area behind Higashino Shuichi, including Shiba Kukaku and the long-dead Shiba Village.

The world is in isolation!

As long as Shuichi Higashino doesn't release his Shikai, or as long as he doesn't die, everything in this space will be separated from Soul Society.

“Bullying little girls is not a good thing. Let me, the Great Sword Hunter, be your opponent!”

Then, Higashino Shuichi pointed the tip of his sword at the Arrancar on the other side.

Of course, for Higashino Shuichi, who was not influenced by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu, he actually preferred to call this "Arrancar" in Shiba Kukaku's eyes "…".
Kaname Tosen!
Kaname Tosen's previous slacking off wasn't an attempt to flirt with Kukaku Shiba; Tosen simply didn't have that kind of flirting.

For him, it was all just a matter of waiting for Higashino Shuichi to arrive "in time".

"Fight!"

Kaname Tosen, still wearing the captain's haori, spoke to Shuichi Higashino without any politeness.

(End of this chapter)