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

Chapter 182, Question 180: A big appetite, please understand.

During this period, Londoners' daily entertainment life was relatively limited, and even the slightest news could quickly spread throughout the city.

The sinking of a cruise ship completely satisfied the Londoners' insatiable curiosity.

Higashino Shuichi followed Kisaragi Shusuke and the others from the dock, going against the current with the enthusiastic Londoners who had come to watch the excitement on the banks of the Thames, and arrived at a small bakery.

"Rimi's Bakery".

Higashino looked up at the sign above the bakery. Well, it was almost obvious who owned this shop.

The group entered the inner room, where Ruyue Xiu helped press a switch. The tungsten filament gradually heated up under the power of electricity until a pale yellow light illuminated the entire room.

"Lord Shuichi, I'm truly sorry, but we don't know much about that so-called first captain, Rebel Saizo."

On the way, Kisaragi learned from Higashino Hideichi why Higashino had taken the initiative to come over. After turning on the lights in the room, Kisaragi Shusuke apologized to Higashino Hideichi.

Silence was the only thing that happened to Shuichi Higashino at that moment.

Although he didn't have high hopes for Kisaragi Shusuke, because Higashino Shuichi had discovered long ago that the kid was not cut out for intellectual battles, if he had even half the skill of Ichimaru Gin, he wouldn't have wasted more than ten years here.

However, even Higashino Shuichi, who was far away in the East Coast Bureau, was able to guess some of the truth behind the scenes just from some fragmented clues. Kisaragi Shusuke, who had been active in the West Coast Bureau for so long, didn't have a single clue, which almost made Higashino Shuichi break down.

Honestly, Higashino Shuichi really wanted to say something to Kisaragi Shusuke.
"Don't tell anyone you're with me when you go out in the future, it's embarrassing!"

Fortunately, Higashino Shuichi restrained himself.
"It's okay if you don't know, but what about Yoruichi Shihouin? And Kisuke Urahara, don't they know either?"

If I remember correctly, Urahara Kisuke's original plan was to have Yoruichi Shihouin lead a separate team to investigate the origins of the armored samurai who appeared before us at that time, right?

As for those armored warriors, I'm certain that they and Saizo Reikotsu, who failed in his attempt to invade Soul Society this time, are from the same faction, or even possibly the work of the same person.

"

After learning a little about what Sayako and the others were doing and the efforts they had made in the past from Kabuto Sayako, Higashino Shuichi voiced his doubts.

It's important to know that it was precisely because of this arrangement that Higashino Shuichi had enough confidence in Kisaragi Shusuke before he arrived.

After all, Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihouin's investigative abilities far surpass those of Shusuke Kisaragi.

But reality surprised Higashino Shuichi.

From Kisaragi Shusuke, Higashino Shuichi learned that Yoruichi Shihouin and the others had only found a production factory near London, but had not found its true controller.

As for Kisuke Urahara, he was not well-liked here because he was wanted by the East Coast Bureau. Over the years, he had never been able to make peaceful contact with the captain of the West Coast Bureau.

However, these are just the versions of what Higashino Shuichi heard from Kisuke Kisuke and Urahara Kisuke's own accounts.

To be honest, Higashino Shuichi didn't believe either Yoruichi Shihouin's or Kisuke Urahara's explanations.

However, this distrust cannot be shown in front of Sayako and Kisaragi Shusuke.

Otherwise, given the current situation, at least on the surface, the distrust of their solid allies could easily make Asatsuki Shusuke and the others feel offended.

"So now, as for that Earl Lockhart Martin, are you confident?"

Higashino Shuichi didn't want to waste any more words on the topic of Yoruichi Shihouin and Kisuke Urahara, because he would go to Kisuke Urahara and the others sooner or later. He could ask or probe them directly then, and there was no need to ask Kisuke Kisuke and the others pointlessly.

Even after getting the answer, he still needs to confirm it again.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi brought the topic back to Kisaragi Shusuke and the others themselves.

For Higashino Shuichi, regardless of Urahara Kisuke and the others' current situation, and regardless of whether Kisaragi Shusuke and the others were at the West Shojo Bureau or how many clues they had obtained regarding the Soul Society Asauchi Lost Case from back then, his purpose for this trip was to bring Kisaragi Shusuke and the others from the West Shojo Bureau back to the East Shojo Bureau and add them to his Sword Hunters.

"I'm certain that Lockheed Martin is the mastermind behind the Soul Society asabu theft case! Because I found an unused asabu in his house, along with an operation order personally signed by Lockheed Martin. The order instructed their undercover agent in Soul Society to help him steal a batch of asabu from Soul Society without anyone noticing."

When Higashino Shuichi brought up Lockheed Martin, Kisaragi Shusuke's eyes immediately lit up.

After such a long period of planning, Kisuke Asatsuki's secret investigation into Lockheed Martin has finally reached a turning point.

Everything is about to come to light!

Kisaragi Shusuke even felt that the evidence he currently possessed was enough to convince Kyoraku Shunsui, the captain of the 8th Division in Soul Society, that Locke Martin was the mastermind behind it all!

It's hard to believe that a human from the western border region orchestrated an incident targeting Soul Society and almost escaped unscathed.

Therefore, Kisaragi Shusuke originally intended to capture Lockheed Martin at his residence today and bring him back to the East Coast Bureau. However, just before making his move, he hesitated and decided to bring the evidence back to discuss it with Kabuto Sayaka.

Little did they know, this was merely a magnificent sight as perceived by Kisaragi Shusuke.

In Higashino Shuichi's eyes, however, he saw a completely different picture.

He could almost see it: when Kisaragi Shusuke found the evidence at Locke Martin's mansion, Locke Martin himself was in a corner, his body shrouded in shadow, with only his snake-like eyes fixed on Kisaragi Shusuke's back.

shudder
The reason why Higashino Shuichi had this idea was because he knew that behind the Asauchi disappearance case was a complex network of relationships, involving a great many people and secrets, and it was not as simple as Kisaragi Shusuke saw it to be.

However, Kisaragi Shusuke did indeed witness with his own eyes the so-called truth that could explain everything.

Then there is only one possibility: from beginning to end, this was a trap set by Lockheed Martin for Kisaragi Shusuke.

What is his purpose?
Higashino Shuichi had no idea.

Maybe it's to find some fun in my life?
After all, Londoners at that time lacked essential forms of entertainment, and opera alone was not enough to satisfy their entertainment needs.

However, judging from the type of woman Lock Martin likes, which is almost modeled after Matsumoto Rangiku, Higashino Shuichi could tell that Lock Martin was after Kisaragi Shusuke and the others.

Thinking about this, Higashino Shuichi also felt a bit amused and exasperated.

Why did Ruyue Xiuzhu and the others think it was just good luck?
Matsumoto Rangiku just happens to perfectly fit Lockheed Martin's criteria for a partner?

If Higashino Shuichi had been present in this situation, he would have immediately added Lockheed Martin to his high-risk list. He would never have spent nearly three years arguing with Earl Lockheed Martin afterward. Moreover, the appearance of Nikolai Saizo, along with the young Yamamoto and his younger self, were enough to prove that the mastermind behind that incident possessed extraordinary power. At the very least, those Fullbringers were enough to give Kisaragi Shusuke a run for his money.

“I’m aware of your situation. I’ll be taking over the Lockheed Martin matter from now on. Shusuke, you can start preparing to take Sayako and Rangiku back to the East Coast Bureau.”

Fortunately, Higashino Shuichi has arrived. With his intervention, at least the damage can be stopped in time before things get worse.

"But, Lord Shuichi, I think I can."

Faced with Higashino Shuichi's sudden assertive stance, Kisaragi Shusuke clearly sensed that Shuichi must have noticed something amiss from the conversation just now—a detail he himself had missed.

He wouldn't foolishly ask for details, nor would he feel that Higashino Shuichi was stealing his credit. After all, he did all this simply to help Shuichi-sama return to Soul Society, not to show off in front of Kyoraku Shunsui.

Kisaragi Shusuke only wanted to stay and help Higashino Shuichi.

He felt that with his current strength, he should still be qualified to stand by Higashino Shuichi's side and lend a helping hand.

In principle, having more people to help is indeed a good thing.

However, from Higashino Shuichi's perspective, the current situation is not like that.

In Higashino Shuichi's view, since Lockheed Martin, knowing the true identities of Kisaragi Shusuke and others, still chose to take action, using the tactic of pretending to be prey while actually being the hunter, he had been luring Kisaragi Shusuke for nearly three years.

Now, the truth has finally come out, and Kisaragi Shusuke has seen the evidence of his alleged mastermind's crimes against Soul Society.

Does he not know Kisaragi Shusuke's reaction after seeing that evidence?

impossible!
Shuichi Higashino believed that Lockheed Martin must have known all along.

There's only one reason he'd do this: he already has a way to deal with Kisaragi Shusuke, and all he needs to do is for Kisaragi Shusuke to make a move against him.

Based on this assessment, Higashino Shuichi would not allow Kisaragi Shusuke, or even any of Matsumoto Rangiku, Kabuto Asayako, or Nagasawa Satomi, to get involved in this matter again.

The only way is to take action myself.

As for whether his current Quincy body possesses that ability...
What a joke! He's Takuya Kabuto, he's here to join the other side!
Jianghu is not only about fighting and killing, but also about worldly relationships!
Open the door, let's be friends!
Its proper use is to create a clone that has absolutely no connection to its original form.

Just as Higashino Shuichi was about to ask Kisaragi Shusuke for more details about the Earl of Lockheed Martin, he suddenly sensed that the defenses he had set up around his body had been triggered.

After leaving a message for Takuya Kabuto, Shuichi Higashino hurriedly withdrew his consciousness back into his Shinigami body.

At this moment, in the Soul Society, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and dawn was just breaking.

The man wearing glasses had a few dewdrops still clinging to his white captain's haori.

"Lord Aizen? What brings you here?"

"I asked, puzzled."

You must understand, this is Seireitei. Because of Gin Ichimaru, the price Aizen would have to pay to meet Shuichi Higashino privately here is far greater than if he were to meet anyone else.

After all, one can use illusions to meet others, but not to meet Higashino Hideaki; one must use real reasons and methods.

Otherwise, Gin Ichimaru, who is unaffected by illusions, would very likely discover Shuichi Higashino's true identity.

Now, with Higashino Shuichi's current strength and status, he no longer cares about such things. He knows very well that even if Ichimaru Gin finds out, he will just swallow his anger and hide like a venomous snake, waiting to deliver a fatal blow.

A venomous snake that is already well-known poses no threat whatsoever.

Only Aizen cared.

Aizen's wicked sense of humor made him eagerly anticipate the moment when Gin Ichimaru would see Shuichi Higashino standing openly beside him; the expression on his face would surely be quite a sight.

But these kinds of things require a sense of ritual and surprise.

If Gin Ichimaru discovers it himself, it will ruin the fun, which Aizen cannot accept.

“I just came back from reading in the Great Spiritual Library and I had some thoughts. I felt I needed to talk to someone, so I came here.”

Aizen sat down opposite Higashino Shuichi.

Since this house was built entirely according to the wishes of Hideichi Higashino, the layout and furniture inside were all purchased by Higashino himself. Therefore, the seating in this room is not in the traditional tatami style, but rather a modern combination of tables and chairs.

Aizen wasn't quite used to sitting in it at first, but after sitting for a while, he began to appreciate the comfort of this mode.

"I remember that, Lord Aizen, you used to visit the Great Spiritual Library quite frequently when the Kasumigaoka family was still around. Why are you suddenly thinking about the past now?"

Higashino Shuichi filled Aizen's teacup with a cup of Longjing tea that he had purchased from the human world.

He wasn't surprised that Aizen got to the Great Spiritual Library Corridor. After all, with the lifespan of a Shinigami, as long as they don't do anything reckless, living for hundreds or thousands of years is not a problem at all. The Tsunayoshi family's Great Spiritual Library Corridor manager, who was only appointed a few decades ago, wouldn't step down so quickly.

Therefore, for Aizen, who had already used the Kyoka Suigetsu spell on that member of the Tsuna family with the help of Higashino Shuichi, the Great Spirit Book Corridor was no different from his own backyard; he could go there and leave whenever he wanted.

"That's because I didn't pay much attention to Hell in the past, but this incident, coupled with your past behavior, has made me realize that Hell might actually be an interesting place."

Aizen took a small sip of the Longjing tea in his cup, his brow furrowed slightly, and then calmly put the cup down.

Upon hearing this, Higashino Shuichi sat up straight and stared into Aizen's eyes. He had a feeling that Aizen in this life, under his relentless efforts and influence, was far more ambitious than the original Aizen.
"So, Lord Aizen, the Soul King, and that Quincy King who has not yet been revived are no longer enough to satisfy your appetite?"

Aizen's lips curled up slightly.

"Shuichi, desires are endless, but that's definitely not a bad thing."

It is because of desire that evolution occurs, and the world progresses. Those who are without desire, stagnant and complacent, deserve to be eliminated by this world!

(End of this chapter)