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

Chapter 209, Section 207. Today is just like yesterday.

Higashino Shuichi finally went inside, into that place that had always been used to imprison those whom the Second Division considered a potential threat to the safety of Soul Society, the maggot's nest that had once imprisoned Urahara Kisuke and the former great demon master Katsuhishi Tessai. Higashino Shuichi walked in without hesitation.

An unusual quiet and cooperation.

"This is just the beginning!"

Standing on the windowsill, Kisaragi Shusuke looked down at the nobleman below who was cursing at a Shinigami of the Gotei 13 over a trivial matter.

Under the nobleman's continuous barrage of attacks, it was clear that the ordinary Shinigami officer from the Gotei 13 had his cheeks flushed red, but he dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.

Not every Grim Reaper has the fearless courage of Hideichi Higashino, nor does every Grim Reaper have the courage to rebel against the nobility.

Accepting and obeying the rule of the nobles has been the education that Shinigami, and indeed all the common people of Rukongai, have received for hundreds of years.

It's not something that can be corrected overnight.

I was furious, but also lucky.

Kisaragi Shusuke was very grateful that she had chosen the right teacher.

He has absolutely no regrets about following Higashino Shuichi down this path to the bitter end.

"Stop with your sentimental remarks. Instead of wasting your time, why don't you read us the letters that Lord Hideaki left us?"

Inside the house, Matsumoto Rangiku, who was also under surveillance and temporarily relieved of her duties as a member of the Sword Hunting Clan, and was now a "homeless bum" shut-in, shouted at Kisaragi Shusuke on the balcony.

If it weren't for Higashino Shuichi's prior warning to them, they probably would have rushed to the Maggot Nest and rescued him the very day before when the news of Higashino Shuichi being imprisoned there reached them.

The laws of Soul Society mean absolutely nothing to Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku, who have already "betrayed" Soul Society once!
At worst, I'll just have to go back to the real world and hide away.

For those who have already witnessed the wonders of the world, this is not unacceptable.

"The master said we shouldn't act rashly. If something happens to him, everything will have to wait for the Tsunayo family's arrangements, or..."

Kisaragi Shusuke stopped speaking here and did not continue.

This gave Matsumoto Rangiku a feeling of ants crawling inside her.

"Or what? Just tell me!"

"Or we can wait for someone else to tell us what to do next."

Kisaragi Shusuke still didn't reveal that person's name.

Because that person was someone he disliked very much.

The 12th Division Vice-Captain named Yujima Oshu approached him shortly after he returned from the human world, and each time he attacked him without saying a word, while constantly spouting childish nonsense about being the top disciple of Lord Shuichi.

Originally, after easily defeating Yushima Oshi every time, Kisaragi Shusuke didn't take this guy who was a bit arrogant in terms of strength seriously at all, and didn't even report such a trivial matter to Lord Shuichi.

But this time, Kisaragi Shusuke felt a little bit of emotion.

Why should that guy be the one to notify him?
Is Lord Xiuyi looking down on him?

Or is it that in Hideaki's mind, that guy is really better than him?

Otherwise, why would it be that guy who notifies me, instead of me notifying him?

Jealousy distorts one's thinking.

In fact, the reason why Higashino Shuichi did this was simply because of Yujima Oshi's unique ability to manipulate space.

Even in such a special place as the Maggot Nest, the spiritual pressure and spiritual senses of any Shinigami who enters are terrifyingly suppressed. Let alone communicating with their Zanpakuto, even a Shinigami would find it extremely difficult to use Kido within the Maggot Nest.

Even the great demon master Tetsuzai Wakashi couldn't use even the lowest level of demonic arts inside, let alone other Shinigami.

However, after testing, it was found that Yujima Osh could travel to the inside of the Maggot Nest by walking through another dimension. Furthermore, with the help of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who came out of the Maggot Nest, Yujima Osh could briefly appear inside the Maggot Nest.

This timeframe is too short to bring anything other than Shioshu, including people, back into his alternate dimension.

However, although she couldn't just take Higashino Shuichi away directly, Yujima Ouko could easily do the job of simply relaying a message from Higashino Shuichi to the outside world.

Furthermore, Yushima Osho could also bring in some special items for Higashino Shuichi from outside.

This is the backup plan that Higashino Shuichi left for himself.

In case the subsequent actions of the Tsunayo family do not proceed as originally planned.

Of course, all of Higashino Shuichi's preparations were not part of Aizen's original design concept.

"It seems, Shuichi, you've been secretly plotting something big behind my back~"

Sitting opposite Shuichi Higashino, Aizen smiled softly.

The words sounded like a accusation, but there was no hint of blame in Aizen's tone; instead, it conveyed more of an appreciation.

"Just like you, Lord Aizen, like to surprise me, I was also thinking of giving you a surprise, but I never expected that the person in charge of guarding me would be you, Lord Aizen."

Higashino Shuichi stretched his shoulders and body before speaking.

Behind him were countless criminals from the maggot's nest, who had already lost consciousness.

Those members of the Second Division who were deemed a potential threat to Soul Society found themselves outmatched by Shuichi Higashino, who was looking for some punching bags to practice on. None of them could last two rounds against Higashino.

It's usually Higashino Shuichi who goes up, throws a punch, and that's it; then it's the next one, highlighting efficiency.

"There's no other way. Considering your status, the Shinigami guarding you would have to be at least a captain-level. But right now, there are only a handful of people in Soul Society who have reached captain-level strength and aren't hiding it. We've already excluded those who don't want to come, those worried about colluding with you, and those who might take advantage of your sealed power to settle personal scores."
Actually, Yamamoto didn't have many options.

Aizen continued to answer with a smile, even taking the time to sip the steaming hot black tea on the table.

However, his gaze remained fixed on the Zanpakuto wrapped in bandages beside Higashino Shuichi.

Without a doubt, that was Higashino Shuichi's own Zanpakuto.

They managed to sneak into this maggot's nest and deliver such an item to Higashino Shuichi without him even noticing.

Isn't this a unique way of displaying muscles?

Although Aizen also knew that Higashino Shuichi's original intention might not have been so.

"What a pity, I originally thought the captain in charge of guarding me would be that big dog~"

Higashino Shuichi joked with a smile.

Even though he was now a prisoner, just by looking at Higashino Shuichi's tone and demeanor, one could tell that he didn't take his current situation seriously at all.

"You wouldn't be thinking of using this opportunity to turn Soul Society into a bloodbath, would you?"

Upon hearing Higashino Shuichi specifically mention that special captain, Aizen's brow suddenly furrowed, and some of Higashino Shuichi's past "bad deeds" immediately became crystal clear in his mind.

This is something that Shuichi Higashino would do.

"Of course not, Lord Aizen. Am I that kind of Shinigami?"

Higashino Shuichi immediately shook his head in denial, adding in his mind, "Not now, but in the future~"

At this moment, Higashino Shuichi was simply waiting for something to happen.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kisaragi Shusuke and Matsumoto Rangiku received a somewhat unexpected yet reasonable guest in their Sword Hunter's Hall: Tsunayoshiro Kanbara!
The reason why Tsunayoshiro Shinbara personally came to find Kisaragi Shusuke and the others was very simple.
Higashino Shuichi was framed. This incident of the Shinigami Zanpakuto materializing had nothing to do with Higashino Shuichi. It was a frame-up carried out by the Shinigami of the Gotei 13, in collusion with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

However, after carefully reviewing the entire case file, Tsunayoshiro Kamihara had to admit that the chain of evidence in this matter was extremely unfavorable to Higashino Shuichi, especially Higashino Shuichi's emergency response to those captains at the end, which practically screamed "I'm the mastermind!"

Therefore, if they still want to keep Higashino Shuichi under these circumstances, they can only resort to the old methods.

First, let it cool down. Once the storm has passed and most of the Shinigami in Seireitei have forgotten about this incident, then recall and reinstate Higashino Shuichi.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi could not simply wait patiently for his final judgment to be delivered from inside the maggot's nest.

Tsunayoshiro Shinbara knew very well that the outcome would be extremely unfavorable to Higashino Shuichi.

Even though the Tsunayoshiro family is currently at the height of its power in Soul Society, Tsunayoshiro Shinbara's influence cannot reach into the Central 46. Whenever he thinks of this, Tsunayoshiro Shinbara clenches his fists tightly. It is precisely because of the existence of the Central 46 and figures like Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni that he has led the Tsunayoshiro family and so many nobles behind them onto this path of no return.

"So now, I'm going to give you a task: rescue Higashino Shuichi from the maggot's nest and help him escape to the real world for refuge. Of course, you can also tell Higashino Shuichi what I told you before, and you can also tell him that this time, I won't let him hide in the real world for too long!"

Ultimately, Tsunayoshiro Kambara assigned tasks to Kisaragi Shusuke, Matsumoto Rangiku, and Nagasawa Satomi, who had a low profile and was usually regarded as an appendage of Kisaragi Shusuke.

That night, the moonlight was beautiful, so she shyly hid behind the clouds.

It wouldn't take Asatsuki Shusuke much effort to take out the Second Division's Shinigami patrolling the perimeter of the Maggot Nest.

Knowing what the outcome would be after tonight, Kisaragi Shusuke and the others did not all come to rescue Higashino Shuichi. Instead, they sent Matsumoto Rangiku and Nagasawa Satomi to contact Yujima Osh of the 12th Division to prepare a passage to the human world, just like that day decades ago.

However, standing outside the gate of the maggot's nest, Kisame looked back at the Xing soldiers lying haphazardly on the ground behind her.

Back then, he was a useless Shinigami who had just mastered Bankai, was brutally beaten by a veteran captain, and couldn't even protect his own Zanpakuto.

Now, he wants to prove himself.

He has grown into the sharpest sword in Lord Xiuyi's hand!
As a whetstone for sharpening a sword, Kisaragi pushed open the door to the maggot's nest and saw Aizen Sousuke, the current captain of the 5th Division of the Gotei 13, sitting calmly in the center of the hall.

"No one can stop me from rescuing Lord Hideaki from here today, not even a captain!"

"Hmph~ Is that so? You seem a little too confident in your abilities, Shusuke-san. Don't forget, I'm a captain, and you're just a vice-captain~"

Aizen rested one hand on the armrest of the chair beneath him, with half of his head leaning against it.

Faced with the menacing Kisaragi Shusuke, Aizen didn't even bother to show the most basic respect, like getting up to draw his sword. Clearly, he was taking his disdain and contempt to the extreme.

"Arrogance will be your epitaph, Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sousuke!"

Fortunately, Kisaragi Shusuke, who is now a veteran of many battles, is not so vulnerable as to be easily provoked by Aizen, but the situation cannot be allowed to drag on like this.

Kisaragi Shusuke knew very well that time was not on his side.

Therefore, facing the arrogant Aizen Sousuke, Kisaragi Shusuke took the initiative to strike!

"Bankai, Raiho: Karma Shell!"

Facing a captain, Kisaragi Shusuke had no illusions and no intention of testing him, because those things were all illusory.

For him, one move is enough to deal with Death.

"Passivation!"

The sound waves emanated from the tuning fork-shaped part of the tip of the Baku sword, which was wielded by Ruyue Xiuzhu. Wherever the sound waves reached, all formed spiritual pressure turned into nothingness and vanished into the void.

"You are very lucky, because you are the first Shinigami to see my Bakuya-no-Tō Bankai after I returned to Soul Society;
However, you are also unfortunate, because the Bankai that Shuichi used to seal the Zanpakuto's power in front of you was actually borrowed from my Bakuya-no-Tō Bankai!

"If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for accepting the call."

After seeing that Aizen Sousuke seemed completely unaware and had taken the nullification attack without warning, Kisaragi Shusuke grabbed his sword and charged straight at Aizen, intending to give him a quick death.

But before he could finish speaking, and before he could even get to Aizen, Aizen, who had been at least ten meters away from him, suddenly appeared in front of him. Kisaragi Shusuke could also clearly feel something hard pressing against his chest.

It's a clenched fist!

"Hmm, being able to seal a Zanpakuto's power is really impressive~"

Aizen's voice came from ahead, gradually fading into the distance.

But it wasn't Aizen who escaped; it was Kisaragi Shusuke who was sent flying backward.

It felt as if all the bones in his chest had shattered in that instant, and he didn't regain any feeling for several seconds after Kisaragi Shusuke landed.

"How is that possible? Your Zanpakuto ability, your Kido."
They shouldn't be able to release any of it!

Could it be that you…?

Kisaragi Shusuke came up with an explanation, an explanation he once believed was only possible for Shuichi and the legendary Captain-Commander in this world.

"Shusuke, your ability is indeed very strong, you could be called the nemesis of Shinigami. I can say with certainty that 99% of the Shinigami in the entire Soul Society would be no match for you. But, there are always a few exceptions in this world. For example, someone who can defeat you even with your Bankai activated just by using swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat!"

Kisaragi Shusuke remembers that on that day, he was using Bankai, but was completely overwhelmed by Shuuichi using only slashing techniques and hand-to-hand combat.

But that's Xiuyi!
How can Aizen Sousuke, the captain of the Fifth Division, be so strong?!
Or.
Are all the captains of the Gotei 13 this strong?

For the time being, no one can answer this question for Kisaragi Shusuke, because Aizen slowly walked over, carrying a pair of special shackles for the Maggot Nest, as if he intended to lock Kisaragi Shusuke in the Maggot Nest as well.

Despite having never done the job of managing the Maggot Nest before, Aizen is now doing it with ease. This is probably, possibly, perhaps a common trait among people like him.
After all, the name of the previous manager of the Maggot Nest was Kisuke Urahara.

Kisaragi Shusuke, of course, wouldn't let Aizen have his way so easily. Even though he had only been punched by Aizen and nearly half of his body was numb, Kisaragi Shusuke could still control his spiritual pressure and use the Baku sword in his hand.
"Booming Flame Dragon Fang - Explosive Blaze!"

The tip of the Moyao Blade plunged into the ground, and cracks spread rapidly like a spider web. Following closely behind was a towering pillar of fire, like a maze, which formed a fire net in the air and transformed into a dragon's head, roaring through the night sky.

Kisaragi Shusuke thought this move would at least slow Aizen down, allowing him to recover some of his strength. However, Aizen acted as if he were an elegant nobleman he had once seen in the Western Frontier Bureau of the human world, using a knife and fork to carefully slice open the hard shell of a prawn.

Aizen, amidst the pillar of fire, used his hands, imbued with dark spiritual pressure, to peel away the layers of flames that stood between him and Kisaragi Shusuke. With each step, he trod upon Kisaragi Shusuke's death nerve.

The clattering footsteps, interspersed with bursts of flame, sounded like a countdown to death.

It is a natural and unstoppable process.

Fire fissures, flame waves, fire geysers.
Kisaragi Shusuke tried many things and was disappointed many times.

His own moves, which had been criticized by Lord Xiuyi as flashy but impractical, were indeed unable to even make the captain in front of him pause for a moment.

"So, in the end, decades ago, I was completely crushed by a captain, and decades later, I thought I had grown a lot, but in the end, I still can't even hurt a captain in the slightest?"

Amidst the flames, there was Kisaragi Shusuke's bitter laugh.

Looking back, I used to not understand why, even though Shuichi was already so strong, he still spent so much time every day practicing sword techniques, Kido, and comprehending the abilities of his Zanpakuto.

Now he understands that not thinking about progress is the same as regressing. The result of his constant thinking about how to prove himself in front of Lord Shuichi instead of working hard to improve his strength is that he remains unchanged, just like before.

Even now, in his most critical moment, the figure that appears before him is just as it always has been.

However, he used to be beaten so badly that he could barely stay conscious, but now...

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shuichi"

Each time, Kisaragi Shusuke told himself that this was the last time he would say such words to Hideichi.

But he kept saying this to Lord Xiuyi.

And Hideaki's answer was still as gentle and tolerant as ever.
"It's not your fault that you can't beat him, Shusuke!"

Higashino Shuichi held his Zanpakuto upright in front of Kisaragi Shusuke.
"Now, use the power of your Tapir Blade to help me break the seal on this!"

"???"

But things seemed to be going a little wrong. As Kisuke looked at the "bandage" from the Shihouin family wrapped around Hideichi's Zanpakuto, he wondered why he didn't know that his Baku-yō-tō had such an ability.

Seeing Kisaragi Shusuke standing there in a daze, Higashino Shuichi realized that time could not be delayed any longer, so he simply simplified the process.
"Fine, fine, just pretend you touched it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, within Kisaragi Shusuke's field of vision, the bandages on Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto shattered, revealing the full form of the warrior within.

The surrounding flames gradually died down, and the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, gazing expectantly down below. Higashino Shuichi grinned at Aizen opposite him.

"So, Captain of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sousuke, are you ready to fight me?"

"Heh, although it certainly won't be satisfying, it can serve as an appetizer, which isn't necessarily a bad thing~"

Aizen Sousuke threw down the torture device he had originally prepared for Kisaragi Shusuke, looked at Higashino Shuichi, and said with a smile.

Still as confident, still as disdainful, still as arrogant as ever.

(End of this chapter)