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

Chapter 184, Section 182: The Return of Shusuke and Rangiku

Soul Society, Third Division Barracks, Captain's Rest Room.

This is the sixth time Gin Ichimaru has looked in the mirror today.

"I think the collar needs to be pressed down a bit more. The Zanpakuto should be fine in this position."

If the members of the other three divisions saw this scene, they would probably feel like the sky had fallen.

Their captain, who was usually so unapproachable, actually showed such a nervous demeanor one day?
This is even more unbelievable than the sun rising in the west.

But that's the truth, because according to reliable sources, Matsumoto Rangiku is coming back today.

Gin Ichimaru was glad that he had taken a gamble and used a scheme to lessen the suspicion that Higashino Shuichi had about him.

Otherwise, Higashino Shuichi probably wouldn't have let Matsumoto Rangiku and the others come back so quickly, right?

Only after confirming that there was no major threat from Soul Society would Higashino Shuichi notify Matsumoto Rangiku and the others to return.

That's what Gin Ichimaru thinks.

Judging from the facts, this is indeed the case.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Gin Ichimaru seemed to see the image of another person in his eyes.
"Rangiku, welcome back."

Gin Ichimaru shook his head abruptly. "No, wouldn't that sound too bland?"

Moreover, he didn't know if Higashino Shuichi had told Matsumoto Rangiku about his situation. If Rangiku still considered him the culprit who forced Higashino Shuichi to become a Hollow, saying that would probably only provoke even greater resentment from Rangiku.

"I'm sorry, Rangiku."

Gin Ichimaru spoke for the second time, but after uttering only five words, he immediately contradicted himself.
"No, no, no!"

This argument is even worse. Gin Ichimaru knows very well that this is tantamount to admitting that he was the culprit in the first place.

Although this was the truth, he absolutely could not reveal it in that situation.
"Rangiku, here, these are dried persimmons I prepared especially for you."

Gin Ichimaru stretched out his right hand towards the mirror, and the scene before him was instantly pulled back to the time when he and Rangiku were each other's only support in Rukongai.

Although their lives were tough during that period, they weren't filled with unspeakable suffering like they are now.

"Rangiku, I didn't want to do this either. I know that Shuichi is a good Shinigami, but to avenge you, to gain Aizen's trust, I had no choice but to do it. Please forgive me, Rangiku."

This was a sentiment hidden in Gin Ichimaru's heart for countless years, which he now revealed to the Rangiku from his memories before him.

Then, as Gin Ichimaru unconsciously stretched his right hand forward a little more, intending to hand the persimmon in his hand to Rangiku as he had done in the past, the scene shattered, and all he could see before him was his own vulnerable reflection in the mirror.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

But in reality, what was stopped was not time, but Gin Ichimaru's body.

He stared blankly at himself in the mirror; it wasn't him, nor should it be him.

Gin Ichimaru, who wants to avenge Rangiku, who almost died back then, absolutely cannot be like this now.
Looking at himself in the mirror for a long time, Gin Ichimaru finally managed to squeeze out a sinister smile, like that of a venomous snake.

Yes, this is the real me, this is Gin Ichimaru.

Before Aizen is killed, it's best for Gin Ichimaru and Rangiku Matsumoto to maintain the distance they have now.
No one else knew what happened in the Third Division's captain's lounge.

For most Shinigami in Soul Society, today is just an ordinary day. There are not many Shinigami who are qualified to know that Matsumoto Rangiku and Kisaragi Shusuke have returned.

"Lord Shuichi, are you really planning to have Shusuke and Rangiku join your Sword Hunters?"

Soi Fon, the captain of the Second Division, is one of them.

As the captain of the second division, it wouldn't be difficult for him to know this.

Since Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku returned to Soul Society through normal channels, one prerequisite was obtaining the consent of the current Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.

At first, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni was very opposed to it because he felt that having a Shinigami like Higashino Shuichi who was "rehired" was already enough to slap the face of the entire Soul Society. If they were to accept back those Shinigami who were defined as rebellious Shinigami by the Soul Society, where would the face of the Central 46 and himself as the Captain-Commander be placed?
Isn't this telling all the Grim Reapers that Yamamoto and the Central 46 Chambers made a colossal mistake?

However, after Higashino Shuichi clarified that he only wanted to restore Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku's identities as Shinigami, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni relented.

As expected, Yamamoto was full of reasons, but in reality, he just disliked the Hollowfied Shinigami.

For Yamamoto, an old-fashioned person with the most basic understanding, a Hollowfied Shinigami, regardless of its form, is equivalent to a Hollow, not a Shinigami.

Calling these kinds of people "Hollowfied Shinigami" is an understatement.

"They don't have anywhere better to go, do they?"
"For Shinigami like us with criminal records, there's absolutely no future in the Gotei 13 under the command of the Captain-Commander."

As Higashino Shuichi watched the members of the 12th Division preparing to open the portal, he spoke.

"They can join my second division. I guarantee I will treat them fairly!"

Soi Fon looked at Higashino Shuichi with some anticipation and said.

She didn't want Higashino Shuichi to join the Sword Hunting Corps, because as long as the Sword Hunting Corps was without members, it meant that her Shuichi could still return to his original position in the Gotei 13.

However, if the Sword Hunters had new members, given Shuichi's personality, even if he had the opportunity to return to the Gotei 13, Soi Fon probably wouldn't agree.

Because Lord Shuichi will definitely take responsibility for the members of the Touki-shu.

So Soi Fon is working hard.

However, Soi Fon's attempt yielded no results.

As long as Yamamoto remains the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Higashino Shuichi will never entertain the idea of ​​returning to the Gotei 13.

"Shoya, I appreciate your sentiments on behalf of Rangiku and the others. However, I will not allow them to return to the Gotei 13. Besides, they themselves have no such intention."

"I said with a smile," said Higashino Shuichi.

At this moment, the portal connecting the real world to the mortal realm was finally opened thanks to the efforts of the members of the 12th Division.

"They're finally back!"

A man with a thick beard was the first to emerge from among them. Upon seeing Higashino Shuichi, he immediately jogged over.
"Sir Xiuichi!"

The four words that came out of his mouth were particularly loud.

"This is the official statement. Welcome back, Shusuke!"

Looking at Kisaragi Shusuke, Higashino Shuichi felt a deep sense of relief and said this.

No one is made of machines, and Shuichi Higashino is no exception.

Higashino Shuichi was generally quite satisfied with Kisaragi Shusuke, the student he had initially devoted a great deal of time and energy to teaching. Kisaragi Shusuke, in turn, responded to Higashino Shuichi's welcome in his own way.

Fire geyser!

Kisaragi Shusuke unhesitatingly released his Bakuya sword into Shikai, unleashing his spiritual pressure without reservation.

He had something to tell the entire Soul Society: Kisaragi Shusuke had returned, and his teacher, the current Shuichi, would no longer be fighting alone. He would have a loyal ally in the Soul Society to stop anything that might threaten Shuichi.

"I thought the Soul Society would throw us a decent welcome party, after all, we're two Shinigami who finally cleared our names, right?"

The girl following closely behind Kisaragi Shusuke was Matsumoto Rangiku.

From the moment he walked over from the gate, his beautiful eyes kept looking around.

It seemed as if it was searching for something.

Of course, Higashino Shuichi knew what Matsumoto Rangiku was looking for: fine wine.

A few days earlier, after Higashino Shuichi approached Matsumoto Rangiku and the others to ask for their opinions on returning to Soul Society, Matsumoto Rangiku had already told Higashino Shuichi that she wanted to drink for several days and nights after returning to Soul Society.

Of course, there is no problem with that. For Higashino Shuichi, money to buy fine wine is not a problem. However, in this kind of situation, Higashino Shuichi would not indulge Matsumoto Rangiku by actually getting her fine wine for her enjoyment.

"Two captains, the Grim Reapers, came here specifically to greet you. Isn't that a luxurious treatment enough?"

So, Higashino Shuichi deliberately put on a serious expression and asked Matsumoto Rangiku.

"Alright, Lord Shuichi, I understand."

But in reality, Higashino Shuichi really misunderstood Matsumoto Rangiku this time. Rangiku was looking around, actually searching for someone.

His childhood friend, Gin Ichimaru, grew up to become a captain of the Gotei 13 after he left Soul Society with Hideaki.

Although Higashino Shuichi had already told her before that it was possible that Ichimaru Gin was not responsible for what happened back then, Matsumoto Rangiku still wanted to wait for Ichimaru Gin to explain in person.

She had even decided that if Gin Ichimaru came this time and found her to explain the truth about the captain's Hollowfication incident, then she might consider forgiving Gin Ichimaru.

Unfortunately, Matsumoto Rangiku looked around but couldn't find Ichimaru Gin anywhere.

Perhaps Gin Ichimaru doesn't know yet?
Impossible, because Matsumoto Rangiku clearly remembered that Shuichi had said that the decision to allow them to return to Soul Society had already been known to the captains of the Gotei 13.

As the captain of the Third Division, Gin Ichimaru couldn't possibly be unaware of this matter.

Therefore, there is only one possible reason why Gin Ichimaru did not appear here: that he does not want to see me yet.

But why? Why don't I want to see her?

This doesn't seem like the Gin Ichimaru I know.

Matsumoto Rangiku felt that she and Ichimaru Gin had not seen each other for more than ten years, and Ichimaru Gin seemed to have become someone she couldn't understand.

If it were the Gin Ichimaru from my memories, he would definitely be here now.

Matsumoto Rangiku firmly believed this, so when Ichimaru Gin didn't appear, he could only come up with an explanation that sounded like guilt.

Because I did something wrong, I'm afraid to face myself.

But this contradicts what Hideaki himself said.

As to who was right and who was wrong, Matsumoto Rangiku felt that she herself didn't know either.

But in reality, Gin Ichimaru had already witnessed all of this from afar.

He just watched from a distance, without moving an inch.

Gin Ichimaru ultimately couldn't control his emotions. He wanted to come and see if Rangiku was doing well in the real world.
Gin Ichimaru was pleased after hearing Rangiku and Shuichi Higashino's powerful conversation.

Because Rangiku lives a more comfortable life in the present world than even Tsukishiro Shusuke.

Then, Gin Ichimaru turned and left without a trace.

At the same time, in the South Rukongai, a spatial rift opened out of thin air, and a man and a woman walked out of it.

"Is this... Soul Society?"

The woman was of average appearance and her body was covered with various instruments, but these instruments did not affect her excited movements in the slightest.

"Yes, we've arrived in Soul Society safely. Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Rimi!"

The male Grim Reaper stood behind the woman, and after recording the last set of data in his notebook, he happily expressed his gratitude.

"It's what I should do, no need to thank me, Mr. Ou Xu~"
Actually, I should be the one saying thank you. I'm sorry, I was just captivated by the scenery around me.

Satomi Nagasawa bowed and expressed her gratitude to Ouko Shima.

With Higashino Shuichi's explanation, Nagasawa Satomi naturally knew how difficult it was for a Fullbringer to retain her appearance and consciousness and reach the Soul Society through Soul Burial.

It's fair to say that the vast majority of Grim Reapers are neither qualified nor capable of performing this job.

Only captain-level Grim Reapers and members of the five noble families who wield family heirlooms—these powerful or special individuals—possess that ability.

Yushima Osh belongs to the latter category. Thanks to the power of his Zanpakuto, Yushima Osh can move freely within the Dangai. Guiding Nagasawa Rimina's soul, which has become exceptionally powerful due to its fusion with the Soul King's body fragments, through the Dangai couldn't be easier.

At the same time, Higashino Shuichi did not waste such a valuable experimental opportunity. The reason why he asked Shima Oshu to bring Nagasawa Satomi to Soul Society instead of doing it himself was that he wanted Shima Oshu to record the entire process of Nagasawa Satomi's soul transformation.

This will make it easier for Shuichi Higashino to master the new technique in the future.

For well-known reasons, the human soul is an essential component in order to possess Fullbring.

For Shuichi Higashino, this was the most difficult step to take.

Originally, this was almost an unsolvable problem, but fortunately, as time went by, such a possibility was finally presented to Shuichi Higashino.

"It's alright. I've already sent your coordinates to Lord Xiuyi. Just wait here, and I'm sure Lord Xiuyi will come to pick you up soon."

Yu Shima Ou nodded without ceremony, and then he used Shunpo to head towards Seireitei. He wanted to take advantage of the fact that the data was still fresh and quickly put some ideas that had suddenly popped into his mind into practice.

Thus, all the original Osaka Prefecture group members who were forced to separate from Higashino Shuichi have finally returned to the somewhat distorted Soul Society.

If you were to ask if there was anyone missing, of course, Masayako Kabuto was already sitting in her home, where she met again the current Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

As the head of the Kabuto family, one of the five noble families, Kabuto Sayako has never been labeled a traitor. Therefore, she can return to Soul Society whenever and however she wants.

(End of this chapter)