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

Chapter 181, Page 179: I'm Back
On the busy Thames, a frail cruise ship barely manages to stay afloat.

Although Kisaragi Shusuke's Falling Flame Dragon Fang attack did not hit Higashino Shuichi, it successfully separated Higashino Shuichi from a separate section of the cruise ship wreckage.

"Shusuke, be careful! This Quincy named Kabuto Takuya is very powerful. Rangiku was almost killed by him before she even had a chance to unleash her Zanpakuto!"

Crouching behind Kisaragi Shusuke, Nagasawa Satomi lifted Matsumoto Rangiku in her arms, feeling the latter's somewhat weak heartbeat, and said with a hint of relief.

"Hmm," Kisaragi Shusuke nodded, his gaze fixed on Higashino Shuichi. "I don't care who you are, daring to lay a hand on Sayako-san and Satomi while I was away, I will not let you get away with this today!"

"Hehe. Alright, I'd like to see how you're determined to get back at me."

As Higashino Shuichi responded, he mimicked the handgun gesture towards Kisaragi Shusuke, and a white, sacred arrow of destruction formed and flew from his fingertips once more.

"Fire Crack!"

Faced with Higashino Shuichi's attack, Kisaragi Shusuke concentrated his spiritual power on the blade of his Bakuya sword, causing the temperature of the sword to rise sharply. Under the intense heat that made the air seem to be scorched, Kisaragi Shusuke swung the Bakuya sword down in front of him.

Sparks burst forth in mid-air along the trajectory of the Mo Yao Blade. Instead of disappearing as the blade moved away, these sparks gathered together under the high-temperature environment created by the Mo Yao Blade's thunder and fire, eventually transforming into a massive wave of fire that surged forward.

When Higashino Shuichi's Sacred Annihilation Arrow encountered this wave of fire, it was inevitably swallowed up and disappeared without a trace.

Has this move already been developed?
Looking at this ability that Kisaragi Shusuke was supposed to master much later in the original story, he realized that Kisaragi Shusuke was already using it. In addition, the ability that Kisaragi Shusuke used when he first appeared was not one of the abilities that Kisaragi Shusuke had ever used in Higashino Shuichi's memory.

Higashino Shuichi felt deeply gratified.

Fortunately, Kisaragi Shusuke wasn't as lazy and inactive as Matsumoto Rangiku. During the years that Higashino Shuichi wasn't around, Kisaragi Shusuke managed to develop some skills on his own.

This also proves from another perspective that Kisaragi Shusuke is only lacking in the aptitude for Kido (the way of the demon), but he clearly has some talent in developing his own Baku-yōtō abilities.

However, this level is far from enough in the eyes of Shuichi Higashino, who is currently inhabiting Takuya Kabuto's body.

"Little Holy Bow!"

Higashino Shuichi stood on the wreckage of the cruise ship, which was rocking with the flow of the river. He turned to the side, and in the palm of his left hand, spiritual particles, under Higashino Shuichi's control, gathered into the shape of a longbow.

Meanwhile, Higashino Shuichi's right hand was in the air, with an empty bowstring stretched across the void.

Then the fingers loosen, the string tightens, and the arrow is released.

Several sacred arrows flew from the longbow in Higashino Shuichi's hand, and this attack was continuous.

Even if Higashino Shuichi no longer makes the motion of drawing the bow, new Sacred Annihilation Arrows continue to be fired at Kisaragi Shusuke from the longbow.

This is the inferior alternative that Takuya Kabuto discovered under the arrangement of Shuichi Higashino, based on his memory of the Great Archer Bow used by Yhwach in the future.

Compared to the terrifying power that Yhwach used in the future, which seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart, the small holy bow that Higashino Shuichi is currently using is much weaker in both power and aura.

However, Higashino Shuichi's opponent is not the Zero Division that Yhwach will face in the future.

The fire waves created by Kisaragi Shusuke greedily devoured the sacred arrows fired by Higashino Shuichi.

However, because its own strength couldn't keep up, it was riddled with holes by the Holy Annihilation Arrows that kept rushing in.

The fire wave didn't even manage to cross the narrow river between Kisaragi Shusuke and Higashino Shuichi before it completely dissipated in mid-air due to structural damage.

"This terrifying strength"

Well, seeing the Sacred Arrows of Annihilation rushing towards him again like a pack of wolves, Kisaragi Shusuke now believed what Nagasawa Rimi had said before.

The Quincy man in front of me is indeed somewhat formidable.

Having lived in the mortal world for so long, Kisaragi Shusuke has seen Quincy before.

But this is the first person to have managed to break through his fiery cracks with just a few Holy Annihilation Arrows, just like the Quincy before him.

"In that case, unleash flamethrower!"

Kisaragi Shusuke pointed the tip of his Bakuya sword, which had already been opened in Bankai, at Higashino Shuichi. Flames reappeared on the blade, but this time, they no longer gathered into a wave of fire, but instead spiraled and coiled one after another on the surface of the Bakuya sword's thunder and fire.

With Kisaragi Shusuke's mental control, these flames, in a tornado-like manner, not only engulfed the Sacred Annihilation Arrows that had broken through the fire waves again, but also swept towards Higashino Shuichi's location.

"This is a good solution. If I were just an ordinary Quincy, I probably wouldn't have had a good solution for the time being. It's just a pity."

Seeing Kisaragi Shusuke's reaction, Higashino Shuichi sighed with some regret.

The fact that Kisaragi Shusuke could immediately employ a reasonable countermeasure while retaliating shows that she must have accumulated a lot of experience in combat during his absence.

Otherwise, based on Higashino Shuichi's past understanding of Kisaragi Shusuke, the latter would definitely have chosen to avoid this fierce counterattack rather than confront it head-on.

This is not only due to strength, but also more so to combat experience.

Being able to accurately judge the upper limit of the opponent's attack and take the most advantageous countermeasure is the fighting style that Shuichi Higashino has always advocated.

Flying Scythe Kick, Holy Annihilation Arrow - Chaotic Attack!

Higashino Shuichi unleashed the Quincy's Flying Scythe Kick, using a speed almost identical to the Hollow's Soten, resembling spatial teleportation, once again shocking Kisaragi Shusuke's eyes.

"Can humans also achieve such speeds?"

Kisaragi Shusuke instinctively raised the tapir-shaped sword in her hand to defend herself.

But Higashino Shuichi's speed was clearly a notch faster.

Just as Higashino Shuichi was about to place his right hand near Kisaragi Shusuke's chest, just like he had done with Matsumoto Rangiku before, he had to retreat because Kisaragi Shusuke raised his sword to defend. He used the Sacred Annihilation Arrow: Chaotic Armor at a distance between his palm and Kisaragi Shusuke.

As a result, Higashino Shuichi's move did not achieve the effect he had initially envisioned on Kisaragi Shusuke.

Those sacred arrows could only leave a few shallow scars on Kisaragi Shusuke's chest.

Behind Higashino Shuichi, the futuristic mechanical dog Alpha, which Higashino Shuichi had created earlier, took advantage of the battle between Kisaragi Shusuke and Higashino Shuichi to quietly approach Kisaragi Shusuke and, just as Kisaragi Shusuke was about to strike while the iron was hot, it completely absorbed the ball of continuously outputting flames into its belly.

As Kisara looked over, Alpha had already started burping.

"What is this?"

Just like everyone else who had seen Alpha before, Kisaragi Shusuke was also somewhat bewildered by Alpha's appearance.
However, Kisaragi Shusuke's performance was better than Matsumoto Rangiku's, who was so shocked that he didn't know what to do. At least while he was confused about Alpha's existence, he didn't forget to put pressure on Higashino Shuichi.

"Booming Flame Dragon Fang!"

The Mo Yao Blade sent lightning and fire into the deck of the cruise ship beneath its feet, and even on the river surface, several towering pillars of fire shot out straight into the sky.

These pillars of fire surrounded Higashino Shuichi, and new pillars of fire continued to form beneath his feet, attempting to drag him into a scorching inferno.

This forced Higashino Shuichi to abandon Kisaragi Shusuke, who was right next to him, and instead lightly tapped his feet on the already bumpy deck, briefly creating distance between them.

At the same time, Kisaragi Shusuke's action had another purpose: to further subdivide the cruise ship, which was already split in two by the previous impact and could only barely remain unsinkable under the control of spiritual power.

This time, Kisaragi Shusuke isolated Kabuto Asayako and Nagasawa Satomi from the outside world.

"Oh? Are you getting serious with me now?"

Seeing this, Shuichi Higashino smiled.

Why did he feel that when Kisaragi Shusuke was by his side, her progress was slow, but after she left him, she became more and more independent?

Having confirmed that the enemy had neither the intention nor the ability to bypass him while threatening others, he proactively divided the battlefield. Wasn't this the tactic that Higashino Shuichi himself often used in the past? "Hmph, dealing with you doesn't require me to be serious!"

Kisaragi Shusuke stubbornly replied.

But bodily actions are otherwise quite honest.

Blazing Dragon Fang - Explosive!

Kisaragi Shusuke didn't pronounce the name of the move, but Higashino Shuichi, by searching his memories, had already seen through Kisaragi Shusuke's thoughts.

Yes, yes, no need to be serious. Then why don't you use your strongest, conventional move?
Higashino Shuichi discovered that even his little tricks for deceiving people in battle had been learned by Kisaragi Shusuke.

The pillars of flame that had been ignited around Higashino Shuichi changed direction at this moment, forming a vast net within the already limited spiritual pressure-shrouded space, and closing in on Higashino Shuichi.

Even the gaps in this vast net were filled with constantly flashing sparks, giving Higashino Shuichi no chance of escaping unscathed.

Moreover, Higashino Shuichi knew that even if he wanted to slowly wear down this fire net, it was basically impossible for him with his current Quincy body.

Because above the river surface around Higashino Shuichi, pillars of fire were constantly gushing upwards from beneath the river.

These pillars of fire are ready to fill any gaps at any time.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi had only one choice: to break through this fire net with lightning speed.

"It's a bit difficult, but it's also quite good. To be able to force my Quincy body to this extent when the core ability of desensitization is unusable, I imagine there won't be many who can be your match when facing Shinigami in the future."

As Higashino Shuichi looked at the increasingly tight net of fire around him, the scorching heat hitting his face, he remained completely calm.

Outside, separated by the fire net, Masayako Kabuto looked in this direction, her eyes filled with curiosity.

In fact, as soon as Kisaragi Shusuke landed, she wanted to tell him that Kabuto Takuya's true identity should be Higashino Shuichi.

But when she saw the same fighting spirit burning in Higashino's eyes, she hesitated.

Her intuition told her that Shuichi was probably looking forward to this match with Kisaragi Shusuke without his knowledge.

Therefore, she only moved her lips slightly, but did not express anything further.

Instead, he went to Nagasawa Satomi's side, bent down, and felt Matsumoto Rangiku's heartbeat gradually becoming stronger.

This undoubtedly further confirmed Masayoko Kabuto's suspicions.

"However, Shuichi-kun, Shusuke-kun has grown quite a bit while you were away. If you don't reveal your identity and use your Shinigami abilities soon, you might suffer at Shusuke-kun's hands~"

For some reason, at this point, Kabuto Sayaka was actually looking forward to Kisaragi Shusuke winning this "sparring" between the master and apprentice.

Asako Kabuto finds the thought of Higashino Shuichi's embarrassed expression afterwards amusing.

After all, she had rarely seen Higashino Shuichi show that kind of expression.

However, Masayako Kabuto was destined to be disappointed.

Blue flames rose within the fire net constructed by Kisaragi Shusuke, and to Kisaragi Shusuke's incredulous gaze, the fire net that Kisaragi Shusuke had painstakingly woven was as fragile as window paper in the face of the blue flames, breaking at the slightest touch.

We're all flames, so why is your flame so shameless?
Unfortunately, reality isn't a game, and there's no report button. Otherwise, Kisaragi Shusuke would definitely report that Quincy on the other side right now.

But even if this button existed, Kisaragi Shusuke's report would inevitably fail, because that blue flame, in essence, was not a real flame.

That was a special version of the Spirit Particle Concentrated Flame Cluster, created by Higashino Shuichi in imitation of the Spirit Particle Concentrated Flame used by Yhwach in the future.

That is, a large number of spiritual particles are compressed to the extreme and gathered into a line, and then ignited in an instant, so that they can unleash unparalleled destructive power at both ends of the line.

This is similar to the relationship between pressure and stress.

Since Higashino Shuichi's current Quincy body lacks the overwhelming spiritual pressure of Yhwach, the number of spiritual particles he can control is limited. Therefore, he must use this method of reducing the area of ​​the explosion to increase the destructive power.

The locations that Higashino Shuichi attacked were precisely the key nodes in Kisaragi Shusuke's network.

The flames were still burning, and the blue light left only dozens of fleeting phantoms in the air before disappearing like shooting stars.

However, the net of fire that was meant to envelop Higashino Shuichi was no longer there.

At this moment, Kisaragi Shusuke finally recalled his predicament from more than ten years ago.

At that time, because his Zanpakuto was destroyed, he could only fight using his unfamiliar Kido. In most battles, he was either unable to participate or even a hindrance.

It wasn't until he conquered the Mo Yao Dao Lei Huo that the situation finally changed.

He thought his life was about to enter a new chapter, but now...
Kisaragi Shusuke gripped his Bakuya sword tightly. He regretted not having properly studied Kido and Slash Technique over the years. Even without talent, he should have gritted his teeth and learned, so that he wouldn't have lost more means of defeating his enemies after his Bakuya sword's abilities became ineffective.

"Booming Flame Dragon Fang!"

But what can be done?

It was too late for regrets now. Kisaragi Shusuke gritted his teeth and launched another attack on Higashino Shuichi, even though this attack would most likely be countered, he had no other choice.

"Alright, that's enough, Shusuke. I have a general idea of ​​your strength now."

Even if Kisaragi Shusuke wanted to continue, Higashino Shuichi didn't plan to.

After all, it wasn't a life-or-death battle. When the battle reached this point and Kisaragi Shusuke used the Raging Flame Dragon Fang again, Higashino Shuichi already knew that Kisaragi Shusuke had run out of tricks.

However, this cannot be blamed on Kisaragi Shusuke. It's just that his version of Quincy was somewhat ahead of its time. If it were any other Quincy in the present day, Kisaragi Shusuke wouldn't have had such a hard time fighting.

Furthermore, Kisaragi Shusuke is a Shinigami specialist, so he is not as adept at dealing with Quincy or Hollows.

"you know me?"

Upon hearing Higashino Shuichi's words, Kisaragi Shusuke, though not letting her guard down, still cast a questioning glance at Higashino Shuichi.

"Of course, because this body was specially created by me to adapt to the Quincy's abilities. As for my Shinigami body, it is currently in Soul Society and it is inconvenient for me to come here."

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

Now that things have come to this point, even if Kisaragi Shusuke were completely clueless, he would know Higashino Shuichi's true identity.

"You are... Lord Shuichi?!"

Kisaragi Shusuke said with delight.

Behind him, Masayako Kabuto wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

As for Satomi Nagasawa, who hadn't reacted at all, her pupils dilated even more. She looked at Shuichi Higashino, then at Sayaka Kabuto, and then at Rangiku Matsumoto in her arms. Finally, she noticed the faint smile on Rangiku Matsumoto's lips.

Good grief, were only Xiuzhu-kun and I kept in the dark?

Rangiku, you're bad!

Sayako-san is bad too!
Of course, the worst off is that Xiuyi!

Who is this!
Looking at the colorful expressions on the faces of the crowd opposite him, Higashino Shuichi smiled faintly.
"It seems a bit late to say this now, but I still want to tell you all."
I'm back!

(End of this chapter)