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

Chapter 163, Section 161: Forgotten Memories, Shuichi's Return
Why am I in the Spirit King's Palace?

The memories that gradually flooded into Higashino Shuichi's mind told him the answer.

Back in that fictional future constructed by the Fullbringer Akimi, Higashino Shuichi, under the guise of fighting a common enemy, asked Nimaiya Oetsu and his friends to help him with special training.

Since Higashino Hideichi's reasons were very valid, Nimaiya Oetsu readily agreed to Higashino Hideichi's request.

After seeing Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto, the first special training plan he gave Higashino Shuichi was to help Higashino Shuichi fully unleash his Zanpakuto.

However, even though he is hailed as the God of Swords and the creator of all asaguchi.

Nimaiya Oetsu couldn't directly make Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto complete its final form of Bankai. Instead, it could only complete the final release step by step according to its original setting. All Nimaiya Oetsu could do was speed up this process.

However, this raises a problem: for each step that Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto takes to unlock its full potential, it requires an increase in his own strength as a benchmark.

If you want to give Higashino Shuichi a substantial boost in strength in a short period of time, it might be okay once or twice, but if it happens too often, even the Zero Division can't handle it.

Therefore, Nimaiya Ohetsu came up with a compromise: using his ability to deceive the Zanpakuto and subtly change the concept so that some gifts could be seen as an enhancement of Higashino Shuichi's own strength.

After learning of this idea from Nimaiya Oetsu, Higashino Shuichi immediately went to Hyosube Ichibei to ask if he could be given a chance to be resurrected.

Because Higashino Shuichi knew about Hyosube Ichibei's twisted nature.

As the namer of everything in Soul Society, Hyosube Ichibei can erase or reappear anything in Soul Society, whether living or dead, whenever he desires.

Even conceptual content is the same.

Even if Hyosube Ichibei accidentally lost his own life, as long as there is someone in Soul Society who remembers him and says his name in their heart, he can be resurrected on the spot.

Life, which may be extremely precious to others, is worthless to Hyosube Ichibei.

Therefore, when Higashino Shuichi sought a chance to be resurrected, claiming he was worried about being ambushed and killed by Yhwach, who was possessed by Akimi, Hyosube Ichibei agreed after only a brief consideration.

For Hyosube Ichibei, reviving a Shinigami was simply a matter of reciting a name, and he didn't even have to pay any extra price.

With such compelling reasons from Higashino Shuichi, Hyobu Ichibei could find no grounds to object.

Then, after Hyosube Ichibei personally agreed, Higashino Shuichi revealed his ultimate goal.

"However, Lord Nimaiya Oetsu told me that in order to complete the final release of my Zanpakuto as soon as possible, I should find some suitable gifts to serve as a symbol of my increased strength."

Since you, Lord Ichibei, have agreed to revive me once, could you perhaps transform this opportunity into an ability and teach it to me?
It's the kind of ability where, when I'm on the verge of death, I can communicate with you, and you will definitely respond to my request and call out my name.

That would be killing two birds with one stone.

Higashino Shuichi spoke with great conviction, but in reality, knowing that this world was just a fictional future, he was actually planning how to use this ability to get in touch with the members of the Zero Squad after he returned.

When would someone be on the verge of death to use this ability?

After he goes back, who will still know the promises that Higashino Shuichi made in this world?

Higashino Shuichi had no doubt that once Hyosube Ichibei agreed to his request, the first thing he would do upon returning would be to use this ability to communicate with the Zero Division.

Although none of the members of Squad Zero are exactly easy to deal with, and they don't have much of a sense of belonging to Soul Society, they are unlikely to be treated specially because of Shuichi Higashino's identity as a Shinigami.

But now, Shuichi Higashino has a standard dialogue template.

With the statement that he came from the future, he revealed all the dirty secrets of Yhwach and the Wandenreich, coupled with the undeniable fact that he could communicate directly with Hyosube Ichibei, how could the Zero Division members in the real world not believe it?
In any case, in this fictional world, the members of Squad Zero believed Higashino Shuichi's fabricated story.

As a fantasy world created using a real future as a template, the reactions of the Zero Division members here are absolutely equivalent to the reactions of the Zero Division members in reality.

At least, that's what Shuichi Higashino firmly believed.

However, it's hard to say whether Higashino Shuichi succeeded or failed in what happened afterward.

Although Hyosube Ichibei agreed to Higashino Shuichi's second request, in practice, he cooperated with Nimaiya Oetsu's actions by setting a trigger switch in Higashino Shuichi's soul. As soon as it was confirmed that Higashino Shuichi was truly dead, this switch would be activated, notifying Hyosube Ichibei to immediately call out Higashino Shuichi's name to prevent Higashino Shuichi from being taken away by hell.

And that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that since Hyosube Ichibei was the first person Higashino Shuichi sought out, his gift was also the first one given to Higashino Shuichi. This also means that, due to the characteristics of Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto during its final Bankai release, it was also the first one to be forgotten by Higashino Shuichi along with its Bankai ability.

According to Nimaiya Oetsu, after helping Higashino Shuichi achieve his final Bankai release, these forgotten memories would be retrieved by Higashino Shuichi again, so this was just a temporary forgetting and there was no need to worry.

However, Akimi, who was possessing Yhwach, attacked the Zero Division ahead of time, which prevented Shuichi Higashino from completing the final release of his Zanpakuto with the help of Oetsu Nimaiya.

After the great battle ended, Higashino Shuichi had no chance to ask Nimaiya Oetsu about these forgotten memories, because he was immediately teleported back to reality.

Therefore, this crucial trump card was truly forgotten by Shuichi Higashino.

Furthermore, through the reconstruction of his soul after his rebirth, Higashino Shuichi discovers that among these forgotten memories, he has forgotten far more than just this.

In that fictional future, he forgot his Bankai ability ten times, which actually means that he gained ten different kinds of enhancements.

Although most of them were just used by Wang Yue of Nimaiya to make up the numbers, such as the soul training method and soul shaping method that he asked for from Yizhou Tongsheng.

For example, the hot spring method of returning to the path generously provided by Kirinji Tenjiro, and the special method of guiding the power of the Spirit King fragments into one's own return to the path specially provided by Higashino Shuichi;

For example, Shutara Senjumaru reluctantly provided the Shinha armor weaving method, and the combat techniques that utilize flying needles;
However, there are also heavyweights, such as the resurrection switch provided by Hyosube Ichibei, as well as the Reverse Hakudo: Third Path and the Iron Wind Kill.

For example, there's the Zanpakuto technique, Tsukigami, which Nimaiya Oetsu painstakingly crafted and provided, and the cheat code he spent a whole day forging for Higashino Shuichi—sacrificing a permanent Bankai ability slot in exchange for a chance to fully unleash his Zanpakuto.

Of these, apart from the Return to the Path Enhancement provided by Kirinji Tenjiro and the Moon Picking Technique taught by Nimaiya Oetsu, which were discovered by Higashino Shuichi through daily training, he had forgotten everything else.

"No wonder I was able to create Quincy clones so easily after returning, without feeling any sense of unfamiliarity. It turns out that I had already mastered the method of creating new souls through Kiryu Hikifune, but I just didn't remember it at the time."

After reviewing his memories, Higashino Shuichi discovered that he had unknowingly used some of them before, but he himself was unaware that they were abilities that his original self had not been able to master.

“I see many familiar shadows in you. Have you been to our Spirit King Palace before?”

Higashino Shuichi's review of his memories was actually quite short. While he was browsing through his forgotten memories, Hyosube Ichibei was also observing Higashino Shuichi and soon discovered many interesting things about him.

For example, the Shinigami uniform worn by Shuichi Higashino is not the one issued when he became a Shinigami. Its materials and craftsmanship even surpass those of the current Shutara Senjumaru.

If Shutara Senjumaru knew about this, he would be furious.

Is there anyone in the world who can make a better death costume than her?!
Given her personality, she will definitely find that Grim Reaper and then have a showdown with him.

For example, Shuichi Higashino's Zanpakuto is clearly not an original product.

Higashino Shuichi himself couldn't see it, but Hyosube Ichibei could see it clearly.

Hidden within the blade of Shuichi Higashino's Zanpakuto is a smaller Zanpakuto that looks very similar to his.

No, that's not right either. Calling it a small Zanpakuto is definitely inappropriate. We'd probably have to ask Nimaiya Oetsu to find out exactly what it is.

But without a doubt, that dagger was not part of Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto.

Then, Hyosube Ichibei saw Higashino Shuichi's death within his soul, which is why it caught his attention and made him want to call out his name.

That was a masterpiece that clearly bore his mark.

This suggests that the thing inside Higashino Shuichi's body was most likely made by him. However, Hyosube Ichibei remembers everything that has happened in Soul Society since it was created by the Soul King, but he can't recall when he made such a thing for Higashino Shuichi.

So, what exactly is the identity of Higashino Shuichi?

What initially seemed like a certainty of death, now appears to Hyosube Ichibei to be more complex than he appears.

On the other side, upon hearing Hyosube Ichibei's question, Higashino Shuichi instantly realized that Hyosube Ichibei had most likely seen through some of his secrets.

This is actually normal. As the eldest brother of the Zero Division, Hyosube Ichibei is familiar with the abilities of the other members, which is perfectly normal.

Moreover, it was precisely because of the things that Hyosube Ichibei made by himself that Higashino Shuichi was able to come here.

Of course, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing; at least it saved Higashino Hideichi time from explaining to Hyosube Ichibei. "Lord Hyosube Ichibei, are you aware of the Soul King's eyes?"
Through the special Fullbring ability granted to a human by those eyes, I once traveled to the future. In that future, when Yhwach returned and attacked Soul Society again, I was fortunate enough to gain your approval, Lord Ichibei, and received a period of training at the Soul King Palace.

All the abilities I possess, including the chance to be resurrected that you granted me, Lord Ichibei, were obtained at that time.

Higashino Shuichi spoke the truth sincerely.

There wasn't a single lie in it, but he omitted a lot of content.

If you were to ask how Higashino Shuichi became so skilled, the answer would be: he studied journalism in his past life!
"The Spirit King's eyes, the future?"

Hyobu Ichibei did not directly dismiss Higashino Shuichi's statement.

Whether it was Tsunayoshiro Kambara before or Hyosube Ichibei now, in this world with all sorts of magical abilities, the idea that someone comes from the future is surprisingly credible.

"So, what else did you see in that future?"

Sure enough, no one can escape the three words: curiosity. Even Hyosube Ichibei couldn't resist his curiosity when faced with the temptation of knowing the future in advance.

"I also saw Yhwach's death, and that after his defeat, he was made into the new Soul King by you, Lord Ichibei."

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

This should actually be what Hyosube Ichibei had been planning all along.

Although in Higashino Shuichi's memory, Hyosube Ichibei did not seem to have designs on Yhwach from the beginning.

However, after living in this world of Shinigami for so long, Higashino Shuichi firmly believed that Hyosube Ichibei could not possibly be unaware that Yhwach was still alive and had been plotting to regain his power and launch a counterattack against Soul Society.

The reason he ignored Yhwach was because he considered Yhwach to be the best candidate for Soul King.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi was very confident that by revealing this fact, he could greatly increase Hyosube Ichibei's favorability.

Indeed, after hearing Higashino Shuichi's answer, Hyobu Ichibei's mouth stretched even wider.

He was laughing very happily.

"This is good news!" Hyosube Ichibei was very satisfied with the future that Higashino Hideichi had mentioned. "Since you have already died in Soul Society and have been awakened by me in this Soul King Palace, and I can clearly see from you that you have indeed gained our recognition, coupled with your current strength, it is not impossible for you to become a new member of the Zero Division."

"So, Higashino Shuichi, on behalf of the Soul King, I formally invite you to join the Zero Division. Are you willing?"

ha?
Higashino was stunned for a moment. This development was a bit wrong. He just wanted to continue to take advantage of the Zero Division, but he didn't want to become the Zero Division himself.

For well-known reasons, to become a member of the Zero Division, one must use the King Key to reshape their body.

That thing is essentially the purest power of the Soul King. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the members of the Zero Division are tools used by the Soul King to realize his will.

Higashino Shuichi didn't want to have worked so hard for so many years only to end up being controlled by others.

"Lord Ichibei, it's not that I'm unwilling, but you should also know the reason why I was resurrected by you in this Spirit King Palace."

Therefore, I am not yet able to sever my ties with Soul Society.

Besides, as you should know, the lord I currently follow has his own ideas about the members of the Zero Division. Until that lord has resolved his affairs, I think I may not be able to accept your invitation, Lord Ichibei.”

Even if he refused, he couldn't leave it hanging. Higashino Shuichi still wanted to ask Nimaiya Oetsu for help in resolving the issue of fully releasing his Zanpakuto. Therefore, after much thought, Higashino Shuichi felt that he could only use Aizen as a shield.

In any case, Aizen's actions were completely transparent to the members of the Zero Division.

Even Hyosube Ichibei tacitly approved of Aizen's actions under the will of the Soul King.

Only in this way can the child of destiny be born in a logical and natural way.

Higashino Shuichi's refusal will not lower his image with Hyosube Ichibei; on the contrary, it will increase his trust.

After all, from Hyosube Ichibei's perspective, he had no idea that Higashino Shuichi already knew that he had his eye on Aizen.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi's statement, in Hyosube Ichibei's view, actually shows that Higashino Shuichi is an honest, simple-minded, and loyal Grim Reaper who doesn't know how to lie.

This isn't some kind of Grim Reaper; this is the best candidate for the Zero Division and a loyal supporter of the future Soul King!
"So what are your thoughts now? Will you stay in the Spirit King's Palace for a while, and go back after that Barragan is defeated, or...?"

Hyosube Ichibei grew increasingly satisfied with Higashino Shuichi. Based on his past understanding of Higashino Shuichi, he was indeed a Shinigami who was always loyal to Aizen. Therefore, as long as he could bring Higashino Shuichi into the Zero Division, he would inevitably become an excellent member of the Zero Division in the future.

Upon hearing this, Higashino Shuichi also wished he could stay in the Spirit King Palace for a few more days, but the timing was too delicate, and he couldn't bear to part with Barragan's spiritual pressure.

Although he had just been tricked to death by Barragan using Atedis, he had regained his forgotten memories and now knew all of Barragan's trump cards, so he would not repeat the same mistake.

Of course, the main reason is that the training and improvement of the Zero Division is basically skill-based, and in order to maximize the benefits, Higashino Shuichi's own spiritual pressure must also keep up.

Moreover, there will be opportunities for Zero Squad training in the future, but the chance to kill Barragan and devour his Void Core is only this once.

Aizen has clearly already treated Barragan as a pawn to be discarded. Even if Higashino Shuichi doesn't take action to kill Barragan this time, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni will still make his move.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi's answer was very firm, "I want to go back immediately, but I also hope that Lord Ichibei can give me a chance to return to the Spirit King Palace after this incident is over, because I would like to talk to Lord Nimaiya Oetsu about some changes in myself."

"Are you sure? You were just defeated by that special Hollow from the Barragan Alliance. Don't you need to wait here for a few days?"

Hyosube Ichibei asked again, still curious.

Even after living for so many years, he had rarely seen a death god like Higashino Shuichi, who was rushing back to his death.

However, Higashino Shuichi's attitude was very firm.

Hyobu Ichibei was unaware that Higashino Shuichi had a treasure trove of knowledge without realizing it.

While the combination of Barragan and Yatedis is certainly a strong counter to Higashino Shuichi, the current Higashino Shuichi is fully unleashed, wielding his own Zanpakuto.
Deep down, Shuichi Higashino must have wanted to see just how powerful his Zanpakuto would be once it was fully unleashed.

After all, just a few individual Bankai skills are enough for him to suppress most of the Shinigami captains and Arrancars so far.

Hyosube Ichibei truly didn't understand what Higashino Shuichi was thinking. However, Higashino Shuichi was indeed a unique exception in history, and the traces of the Zero Division members on him were undeniable. Therefore, Hyosube Ichibei still had some expectations for recruiting Higashino Shuichi into the Zero Division.

So, after confirming Higashino Shuichi's thoughts, Hyosube Ichibei scratched his bald head.

"In that case, after this incident is over, go to the Shiba family and have them send you to the Zero Division."

After saying that, Hyosube Ichibei took out his Zanpakuto and drew a circle on the ground, indicating that Higashino Shuichi should jump down from it.

Without hesitation, after receiving a positive reply from Hyosube Ichibei, Higashino Shuichi jumped off the cliff.

After that brief period of darkness, below lay the still-standing Hueco Mundo.

"The unruly dragon, the filthy land, the unstoppable rage, the primordial source awakened from its dreams, the gale, the flames, the ice, the thunder, the earth, breaking free from karma, returning without hindrance, all is destroyed, all things return to the beginning."

"The Ninety-Ninefold Destiny of the Demonic Path: The Five Dragons Annihilate!"

With a roar, the dragon soared forth. Under the full force of Higashino Shuichi's spiritual pressure, the vast Hueco Mundo Palace, though not completely destroyed, was left scarred, especially the central hall area that Higashino Shuichi had focused on.

The dome shattered, revealing Barragán and Atedis, who were still celebrating inside.

"Hideichi Higashino?! How is this possible?! How could you still be alive?!"

Barragan was certain that he had killed Higashino Shuichi, but what was going on with this grim reaper who looked so much like Higashino Shuichi now standing in front of him?

Shuichi Higashino just smiled and said,

"I was just teasing you, Barragan. You've already finished your cards, haven't you? Now."
My turn!

(End of this chapter)