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

Chapter 185, Section 183: If you need anything, please contact the Sword Hunters.
In the long history of Soul Society, let alone the return of Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku, two Shinigami who were not even vice-captains, even the powerful return of Higashino Shuichi back then failed to cause much of a sensation or attention.

Most of this information stops at the Grim Reaper's top brass and a few insiders.

Therefore, the magazine Seireitei News, founded by the current captain of the 9th Division, Kaname Tosen, has become the best, and often the only, option for most Shinigami in Soul Society to expand their information channels.

This applies even to Ukitake Sama, a branch of the Ukitake family, a lower-ranking noble family within Seireitei.

"Give me the latest 'Seireitei Communications,' please!"

Having finished his day's work in the 10th Division, Ukitake Sama, who had just returned to the first district of South Rukongai, threw an equivalent amount of money at the official salesperson there.

Soon, a brand new "Seireitei Correspondence" was handed to him.

For Ukitake Sama, his purpose in purchasing the Seireitei Communications was not to find out what major events had recently occurred in Soul Society, but rather to follow the novel serialized there by his own clan's renowned 13th Division Captain, Ukitake Jushiro, titled "Pisces."

Ukitake Sama especially felt sorry for the male protagonist in "Pisces". His tragic background and his persistence in facing the world with a positive and sunny attitude even when everything was against him made Ukitake Sama love him.

However, Ukitake Sama was disappointed today because the serialization of "Pisces" that he had been looking forward to was shelved again.

Seireitei News was originally a monthly publication, but the "Pisces" issue was suspended for two consecutive issues, which means that Ukitake Sama will not see any updates for two whole months.

Ukitake Samura was truly angry!

Unfortunately, even if he knew who the author was, he didn't dare send the author a knife. After all, Jushiro Ukitake was a captain, and it was already a blessing that he was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to serialize a novel. What could a mere ordinary Shinigami like him ask for?

With no other option, Ukitake Sama could only look at other contents of the Seireitei correspondence to pass the time.

Originally, the time he was waiting for his friends to have drinks together was reserved by Ukitake Sama specifically for him to follow the "Pisces" serialization!

Well, it was fine if I hadn't looked, but when I did, I realized that this issue of Seireitei News was devoting so much space to two Shinigami (death gods) he was completely unfamiliar with.

Who is Kisaragi Shusuke?

Who is Matsumoto Rangiku?
Ukitake Sama felt he had a vague recollection of it, but not much.

It wasn't until he looked further down that he remembered that his limited recollection came from the Soul Society's wanted list that he had once seen.

It turns out that both of these Shinigami were once considered traitors by Soul Society.

These two grim reapers have actually returned so brazenly?
Is there no law anymore? Is there no discipline?

Ukitake Sama felt a surge of passionate spirit belonging to the 10th Division burning within him—to punish evil and correct mistakes, today was the day!
Then Ukitake Samura lost his nerve.

As he turned the page, Ukitake Sama saw that the team that received these two Grim Reapers was called the Touki-shu.

Okay, if it's that special squad, then Ukitake Sama can understand.

After all, their leader, the Great Sword Hunter Higashino Shuichi, was a traitorous Shinigami, and even worse, a Hollowfied Shinigami.

As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together," so it makes perfect sense that Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku are related by blood.

However, after being established for so long, the Sword Hunters only have three official members?
One of them was originally a normal human being who had never even experienced death.

Well, Ukitake Sama felt he had reason to suspect that this Sword Hunting Clan was a facade project specially created by the higher-ups to appease Higashino Shuichi. Judging from the results, it was quite successful, since Higashino Shuichi had shed blood and served the Seireitei.

The feat of defeating Barragan, the former ruler of Hueco Mundo, is enough to ensure that Shuichi Higashino leaves his mark on the long history of Soul Society.

Upon reaching the end, Ukitake Sama also noticed an appeal from Tsunayashiro Kanbara, the head of the Tsunayashiro family, one of the five great noble families. This appeal stated that nobles could seek out the Sword Hunters for any serious emergencies they might encounter. Unlike the Gotei 13, which handles all matters, the Sword Hunters would only deal with incidents related to nobles.

"Is the Tsuna-Yayo family trying to gradually take control of the handling of noble affairs from the Gotei 13?"

"Ukitake Sama said with some surprise."

As a member of the nobility, Ukitake Sama couldn't quite say whether the Tsunayashiro family's actions were good or bad, but from his personal perspective, he felt that it should be considered a good thing.
Because the Sword Hunters are an entity independent of the existing Gotei 13, it means that their law enforcement can, to some extent, circumvent the existing laws of Soul Society, as long as they are not caught in the act by the Gotei 13 members.

Doesn't this mean that nobles will be able to enjoy real privileges in Soul Society from now on?

Ukitake Sama felt that there was a lot of information in this news, and he was having a hard time processing it. Moreover, he wondered what Ukitake Jushiro, the important figure in their family, thought about this matter.

Ukitake Sama knew that Ukitake Jushiro's attitude would greatly influence the attitude of the upper echelons of his household towards this matter.

Although he was just a minor figure on the fringes of the Ukitake family, Ukitake Sama knew that his Ukitake family had always been closer to the Shihōin and Kuchiki families, and were supporters of the moderate faction, unlike the radical faction of the Tsuna-Yayo family.

Therefore, the Ukitake family might not support the Tsunayo family's open dismantling of the Soul Society's existing system.

"But the Tsuna-Yayo family's idea is really appealing."

Ukitake Sama read the message on the Seireitei correspondence again, murmuring with a hint of longing.

His idea actually represents the thoughts of a very large number of noble members.

It was precisely for this reason that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni had no choice but to agree to the proposal put forward by Tsunayoshiro Shinbara, taking advantage of the return of Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku.

On the surface, Tsunayoshiro's request was not excessive, and could even be described as somewhat humble. He was merely appealing to the broad noble class that they could turn to the Sword Hunters if they needed anything in the future. If Yamamoto refused even this request, it would only raise questions about him and incur the dissatisfaction of the entire noble class.

However, Yamamoto also foresaw the serious consequences that would result once this loophole was opened.

After all, if even an insignificant nobody like Ukitake Sama could understand the meaning, how could he not be clear about it?

But this was an open conspiracy, and even if Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni knew it, there was nothing he could do to resolve it.

From the moment he relented and agreed to allow Tsunayoshiro Kanbara to establish the Touki-Kari-shu, the seeds of this disastrous outcome were already sown.

It's just that Higashino Shuichi has brought it to the surface through Tsunayoshiro Kanbara's hands.

Yes, Tsunayoshiro Kanbara's appeal came from a friendly reminder from Higashino Shuichi. After all, Higashino Shuichi had done this kind of thing countless times, and there were few Shinigami in the entire Soul Society who had more experience in this area than him.

After several rounds of drinks, the moon and stars were few and far between.

Ukitake Sama and his two or three friends ended their carefree night in Rukongai. Fueled by alcohol, they hummed a tune and walked briskly toward Seireitei.

Since they graduated from the Shinigami Academy and took up their posts in various squads, such days have happened frequently. For them, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last.

However, this is only true for them.
"Matsusaka Bridge, Blue Flowing Cherry Blossoms, Matsutori Akira, Returning on the Double Ninth Festival"

Ukitake Sama held a small sake bottle in his hand, humming an indistinct tune, his eyes glazed over, and his steps unsteady.

After walking two more streets, they would see the south gate of Seireitei. The thought of parting ways with his friends after entering made Ukitake Sama feel a little unsatisfied.

It seems like I haven't had enough of this wine yet!

He's really happy today!

Just thinking about how the Tsunayo family, one of the five great noble families, is working hard for their bright future and seems to be on the right track, makes me, an insignificant nobody, think that in the near future I might also become a true privileged class, wielding power and influence in Soul Society.

Ukitake Sama then raised his small sake jug high, "Come on, before we part ways, let's have one more jug! No, one more time!"

Ukitake Sama turned around, wanting to clink glasses with his friends, only to find that his friends, who had been humming the same tune as him, had all disappeared without a trace.

"Hehehe, I must have drunk too much~" Ukitake Sama forced a smile, then rubbed his eyes hard.

When he opened his eyes again, the alcohol in his mind was instantly dispelled by boundless fear.

This street, which he had walked countless times, seemed unusually dark and silent tonight.

"Kojiro? Ryoichi? Saji?"

Ukitake Sama called out each of his friends' nicknames, his voice growing weaker with each call, until the last name was uttered, but he still received no response.

Ukitake Sasaki panicked.

There are only two streets left!

He remembered that the south gate of Seireitei was just ahead, and as long as he could reach the south gate of Seireitei, he would be safe.

Because all four gates of Seireitei are guarded by Shinigami around the clock!
Unless one possesses the audacity of Barragan, the former ruler of Hueco Mundo, no one dares to openly provoke the Shinigami guards at the four gates of Seireitei.

With his spiritual energy gathering, Ukitake Sama immediately tried to use Shunpo to escape towards the south gate of Seireitei.

But then he heard a low sigh and the sound of wind breaking from the shadows beside him.

That was a slash!

Sharp and deadly.

Ukitake Sama had already seen the silver light and wanted to dodge, but his body couldn't keep up with his thoughts.

"what!!!"

A painful cry echoed through the desolate night sky.

Ukitake Saji rolled on the ground, leaving a long trail of blood.

Now, his mind was completely clear.

"Who are you? What do you want?!"

Looking at the black figure in the shadows, Ukitake Sama questioned.

His legs had been crippled by the slash just now. Now, let alone gathering spiritual power, even getting him to stand up from the ground was a pipe dream for Ukitake Sama.

Two streets that he could normally walk across in just a few steps now felt like the furthest distance in the world to him.

He knew, of course, that his questioning would most likely not yield any answers, but he hoped to buy himself some time in this way.

As for what the purpose of this time is, to be honest, he didn't know either.

But at least, more time is better than none.

Unfortunately, the figure in the shadows seemed to be that despicable swordsman, Higashino Shuichi, who disliked idle talk and only valued efficiency.

After a low chant, three bird-beak shaped spiritual energies flew out from the darkness.

Ukitake Sama recognized this demonic path, the thirtieth of the binding path, with his mouth suddenly flashing three times.

He knew that, given his current physical condition, it was impossible for him to avoid this triple stab to the mouth.

As for finding a way to counteract or even break this binding spell, that's even more impossible.

The reason why Ukitake Sama is a marginal figure in the family is simply because he is an ordinary Shinigami who, even after graduating from the Shinigami Academy of Spiritual Arts for nearly twenty years, still hasn't been able to unleash his Zanpakuto's Shikai.

For him, even casting a level 40 demonic spell was difficult and stumbling; trying to prevent a level 30 binding spell from taking effect on him was simply impossible.

However, Ukitake Sama did not completely give up; at least, he was still quick-witted.

"The fourth broken path, Bai Lei!"

This time, in order to make his body keep up with his brain's reactions, Ukitake Sama specifically chose the Kido he was most comfortable with and that required the least amount of time to prepare.

However, Bai Lei's direction was not towards any of the three bird-beak-shaped spiritual energies, nor towards the figure in the shadows, but towards the sky above.

Ding!
After firing that white lightning bolt, Ukitake Sama was unsurprisingly pinned to the ground by the three flashes of the mouth, completely unable to move.

But at that moment, Ukitake Sama smiled.
"We're only two streets from the South Gate. The white lightning I just fired will definitely be seen by them. I don't care what your purpose is, but I advise you to leave now. Otherwise, once those Grim Reapers from the South Gate arrive, even if you want to escape, you probably won't be able to!"

Is this Ukitake Sama's confidence?

No, he's just trying to survive.

The distance of two streets, plus the reaction time of the Grim Reaper at the South Gate, was enough time for the person in the shadows to do everything they wanted to do.

He hoped to deceive that person in this way.

It can only be said that there was nothing wrong with what Ukitake Sama did.

However, not everyone buys into this approach.

Originally, Ukitake Sama's fate should have been the same as his three friends: to be quietly taken away.

but now
Ukitake Sama's pupils contracted sharply, and a streak of lightning leaped out, leaving a long trail in the air before disappearing into his chest.

"This is... Hado #63, Thunder Roar Cannon?"

No one else needs to answer; the result is already sufficient to provide Ukitake Samao with the answer.

Just as the Grim Reaper guards at the South Gate noticed the unusual activity on this street and were preparing to send someone over to investigate, a deafening explosion completely escalated the nature of the incident.

When the Grim Reaper of the South Gate found Ukitake Sama, the latter was already lying in a pool of blood, his body mangled beyond recognition.

"Sword Hunters."

These are the last three words that Ukitake Sama left for the Grim Reaper at the South Gate.

This was also the last cry that Ukitake Sama could utter before his consciousness completely disappeared.

He only hoped that he could make some contribution to a brighter future for the nobility, even if he might never see that bright future.
(End of this chapter)