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

Chapter 212, Question 210: Did you really guess my plan?
Tonight feels incredibly long.

In the center of the Tsunayo family residence in Seireitei, the head of the Tsunayo family, Tsunayoshiro Kanbara, was vehemently expressing his dissatisfaction with the Gotei 13 for condoning the overstepping of their subordinates.

On either side were a group of captains and vice-captains yawning, few of whom seemed to take Tsunayoshiro Kanbara's criticism to heart.

Everyone knows that tonight was just Tsunayoshiro Shinbara deliberately using this as an excuse to vent his anger on behalf of his "good subordinate" Higashino Shuichi.

What is happening inside the maggot's nest remains unknown to outsiders.

Within that special space, the Ghost Path and the Hollow Flash intertwined, and the flashes of swords and the shadows of people constantly crisscrossed.

Everything seemed to be proceeding according to Aizen's script.

The ever-draining spiritual pressure finally succumbed to the near-infinite replenishment provided by Aizen's Hogyoku.

However, now that he was completely free, Higashino Shuichi was no longer as timid as before and fully unleashed his Zanpakuto in front of Aizen.

Tracing the origins of military strategy, the opening of the swastika, and borrowing a knife.

This time, he had a new choice. As crimson covered the sky and blood covered the earth, a glimmer of light flashed in Aizen's eyes.

"Bankai: All Extinction, if I remember correctly, that's what it's called."
I saw it in the Great Spirit Book Corridor, some time ago when I wanted to find out about the strength of the first captain.

"This is the Bankai of Retsu Unohana, the first captain of the 11th Division, the first Kenpachi, and now the captain of the 4th Division, right?"

Aizen was excited to see Kanzan here.

Not only because he had never seen what Kaijin looked like, but also because he had never seen Unohana Retsu in her true form.

At the same time, he was very clear about the abilities of Higashino Shuichi's Zanpakuto and knew the basic principle that Higashino Shuichi could use by borrowing a sword.

That means you must obtain the original owner's consent before using it.

Moreover, there was no communication during this process; it was merely a one-sided request from Higashino Shuichi.

Therefore, the abilities that Higashino Shuichi could actually utilize were quite limited.

This requires that the Grim Reaper who borrows his abilities has complete trust in Higashino Shuichi.

Now, Higashino Shuichi has borrowed Bankai: Minjin.
"Hahaha,,,,,,"

It's very interesting. As expected of Shuichi Higashino, his best subordinates always bring him unexpected surprises.

However, Aizen still felt it was unrealistic to expect that Retsu Unohana could defeat him with her Bankai.

Because Higashino Shuichi is not Unohana Retsu, the Blood Sea is not of much help to Higashino Shuichi. In fact, Aizen even believes that the All-Encompassing Blood Sea has become an aid to him.

After all, Higashino Shuichi's simple swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat skills are not as good as his.

"So, Bankai: All Extinction is just a facade again, isn't it?"

Aizen clashed with Higashino Shuichi amidst the sea of ​​blood.

Just as Aizen analyzed, Higashino Shuichi's current swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat skills are enough to make him stand out from the rest of the 99% of Shinigami in Soul Society.

But compared to Aizen, he was still a little lacking.

Aizen's style is to simplify everything and always use the simplest yet most effective attack and defense methods.

There's nothing fancy about it, just solid, substantial, and unpretentious.

Despite having the upper hand in every aspect, Aizen never managed to inflict any real harm on Shuichi Higashino.

It wasn't that he felt pity, but rather that he was waiting for Higashino Shuichi's next move.

Using Bankai: All Extinction to deal with him was undoubtedly a failure in Aizen's eyes, but because the Shinigami who did this was named Higashino Shuichi, the matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

So, what exactly is Higashino Shuichi's underhanded tactic this time?
Higashino Shuichi would not reveal a single word of the answer to this question to Aizen, so Aizen could only try to figure it out while fighting Higashino Shuichi.

Then, he found it.

That was another space that overlapped with their current space.

Retsu Unohana's Bankai, Minakatsu, creates a sea of ​​blood that can indeed cover the entire area and bring it all under her rules, but this sea of ​​blood cannot interfere with the laws of another space.

If it weren't for his years of immersion in the study of Hollows, his involvement with some Hollow abilities with the help of the Hogyoku, and his enviable talent that allowed him to touch the threshold of the space, he would have been able to achieve this.

Aizen is probably completely unaware of the hidden murderous intent lurking within Higashino Shuichi.

Again,
"A clever scheme, a clever plan, but unfortunately for you, your opponent now is me."

Aizen smiled slightly. For him, this battle, which was not only a contest of physical strength but also of mental strength, was undoubtedly a top-notch enjoyment.

In particular, despite being outmaneuvered by Higashino Shuichi, he managed to turn the tide through his own wisdom and experience.

Now, even in terms of strategy, he has completely seen through Higashino Shuichi's little tricks.

This is a good opportunity to give a good blow to Higashino Shuichi's increasingly arrogant attitude in recent years since he became the Great Sword Hunter.

Let him know that it's best not to get too arrogant before he has the ability.

Meanwhile, Kisaragi Shusuke, who was hiding in another space, was unaware of what was happening on the other battlefield; he only knew about his next mission.

As the spatial passage opened, he fully activated his Bakuya sword to seal Aizen Sousuke's Zanpakuto release, creating conditions for Shuichi to defeat this somewhat absurd and motiveless captain.

Anxious waiting is a feeling of prolonged time.

After an unknown amount of time, Kisaragi Shusuke finally witnessed the moment when the space opened.

Outside, there was only emptiness after the blood had just faded. Inside, Aizen Sousuke was locked in a fierce battle with Shuichi, their Zanpakuto blades clashing and locked in a stalemate.

This was also a perfect opportunity for him to get involved.

This time, he won't fail again!

Bankai, Raiho: Karasuka!

From his own space, passing through that narrow passage, Asuka Shusuke descended from the sky, surrounded by flames like satellites and sonic waves that were like poison to ordinary Grim Reapers.

"No one can stop us from leaving today, not even you, Aizen Sousuke!"

Kisaragi Shusuke's sword struck empty air. His barely practiced swordsmanship was full of flaws in front of Aizen.

However, that's not the key point.

As for Kisaragi Shusuke, all that matters is that the sound waves emanating from his Baku sword reach their destination.

What difference is there between a Shinigami who cannot unleash his Zanpakuto and a lamb to the slaughter in front of Shuichi?
Well, after the previous little incident, he has become a little more clear-headed about his own strength.

If you do a good job of supporting Xiu Yi, then their combination will be invincible!
Look at Aizen Sousuke fleeing in panic, look at Aizen Sousuke who wanted to use himself as a breakthrough point, but was repeatedly outmaneuvered by Shuichi, and was instead injured by Shuichi.

His previous confidence and arrogance were matched only by his current predicament, now caught between Kisaragi Shusuke and Higashino Shuichi. But Aizen possessed more than just the power of a Shinigami; he also had the Hogyoku and the Hollow power he could transform into.

The red phantom flash reappeared.

Tracing the origins of military strategy, Bankai: Self-inflicted injury!
However, seemingly in an attempt to shatter Aizen's last bit of confidence, Higashino Shuichi even went so far as to activate another of his Bankai forms to directly block Aizen's Cero.

Sorry, but if we're really talking about arrogance, it's hard to say who's more arrogant.
White haori fluttered in mid-air, and long black hair was faintly visible in the pure white.

Higashino Shuichi stood in the middle of the Cero, holding his sword, letting the aftershocks of the red Cero jump and explode around him.

That disdainful gaze seemed to be directed at Aizen below.

"That's it? You didn't even use any force?"

Aizen silently raised his head. He had removed the glasses from his face at some point, and in their place were a pair of even fiercer and more ruthless eyes.

In that instant, Kisaragi Shusuke seemed to see Aizen's hand move, but it also seemed like his imagination.

Because there was no change in Aizen's surroundings, including his spiritual pressure.

Is it really just an illusion?
The answer is naturally no.

Standing behind Higashino Shuichi, Kisaragi Shusuke lowered his head in astonishment, because his right arm had disappeared!
It was a dark spiritual pressure!

In mid-air, Kisaragi Shusuke's Baku Yao sword, having lost its master's control, fell freely.

Furthermore, as if sensing Kisaragi Shusuke's weakness, a restless spiritual pressure emanated from the blade of the Baku Yao Dao Raiho.

Thunderfire wants to devour its master!

"In essence, slashing is simply another form of utilizing spiritual pressure by borrowing the Zanpakuto and the body. As long as the spiritual pressure is strong enough and the control over it is high enough, slashing doesn't necessarily require a full swing."

As if in response to Higashino Shuichi's provocation, Aizen once again showed a bit of his true strength in front of Higashino Shuichi.

With just a slight move, even a not-so-omnipotent Shinigami like Kisaragi Shusuke would have absolutely no chance of resisting.

Or rather, for Kisaragi Shusuke, getting involved in a battle of this level at this point in time is an unwise act, no matter how powerful his abilities seem.
In the face of absolute power, all the fancy tricks are false and meaningless.

The scales of victory seem to be tipping in Aizen's favor.

Until Higashino Shuichi walked up to Aizen.

This scene seemed familiar.

"My body... I can't move."

Aizen was all too familiar with this feeling, because he had experienced it just over ten minutes ago.

But this time, even though he was very careful, when exactly was it?
Suddenly, out of the corner of Aizen's eye, he saw a glimpse of red in the distance that hadn't completely faded.

He understood, and a smile of mixed emotions appeared on his lips.

"Retsu Unohana's Bankai: All Extinction, and that overlapping space—it was all bait. This time, you predicted my prediction."
As you guessed, I won't be fooled by the seemingly meaningless sea of ​​blood you're using, so I'll keep my attention outside of it.

Therefore, you hid that so-called past travel potion, which was intended for me, in the sea of ​​blood where I was at that time!
Just as Kisaragi Shusuke appeared, and my attention was completely drawn to him, the sea of ​​blood seemed to recede like the tide, which was also the moment when my defenses against the sea of ​​blood were at their weakest.
Hahaha, you're really something, Shuichi!

Aizen watched helplessly as Higashino Shuichi once again sent his Zanpakuto into his body, powerless to stop him due to his paralysis.

"This time, it's over."

Having learned from his previous experience, Higashino Shuichi, while drawing his Zanpakuto, also used his other hand to retrieve the Hōgyoku, which was radiating a dazzling light and poised to save its master, from Aizen's body.
"Without this, no one can save you, right?"

Shuichi Higashino looked somewhat excited.

Aizen, who was teetering on the brink of collapse in front of him, had eyes that revealed despair and pain.

Yes, a normal Grim Reaper should accept his fate in such a moment.

But this is Aizen!

Why did Aizen show such an expression?
This is very wrong!
"Have you noticed anything wrong?"

Behind Higashino Shuichi, Kisaragi Shusuke, who had lost his right arm, smiled.
"Shuichi, your plan was quite good, and it did fool me. I never expected that you would choose to use that little gadget that I had already cracked as your final trump card."

Very unexpected~
If nothing unexpected happens, and it really is me, I will definitely get infected.

But you shouldn't have let Kisaragi Shusuke join our battle.

You don't seem to understand the logic behind my Kyoka Suigetsu. Once someone is hit by my Kyoka Suigetsu, regardless of whether I release my Zanpakuto in the future, I can control their five senses anytime, anywhere.

So, do you understand where you went wrong?

As Kisaragi Shusuke spoke, his appearance changed until he finally resembled Aizen.

At this very moment, in front of Higashino Shuichi, the "Aizen Sousuke" whose Zanpakuto had just been pulled from his body by Higashino Shuichi, with blood gushing out uncontrollably and a look of pain and shame on his face, gradually transformed into the appearance of Kisaragi Shusuke.

When exactly did Aizen complete the call for identity between himself and Kisaragi Shusuke?
This issue now seems less important.

The more important question now is whether Aizen will have Higashino Shuichi save Kisaragi Shusuke from his near-death state.

Aizen seemed to have seen through Higashino Shuichi's thoughts, so he answered with his actions.

One cut, just one cut.

Under Kisaragi Shusuke's sorrowful gaze and his infinite regret for himself, Higashino Shuichi watched as Kisaragi Shusuke was cut in half at the waist by Aizen.

Poor Kisaragi Shusuke, his body was still paralyzed. Not to mention Aizen, any Shinigami could have done the same.

But the only one who could prevent Higashino from having a single chance to stop him was Aizen Sousuke!
Anger burned within Higashino Shuichi's chest.

But for Aizen, anger would not increase his combat power, but would only create more openings.

Look at Higashino Shuichi's sword strike; Aizen instantly has hundreds of ways to counter it.

Look at Higashino Shuichi's Kido; anger has caused him to lose his composure in planning the path and the order of use, leaving it full of loopholes.

Faced with such a Higashino Shuichi, there was no point in continuing the fight, because the outcome was already predetermined.

It was his defeat!

"why?"

A few minutes later, Aizen collapsed to the ground. He didn't know that this was the first time he had asked this question tonight, but this time, he really couldn't understand what had just happened.
Why was it that he couldn't stop Higashino Shuichi, whose moves were full of flaws, in the slightest?
Why did Higashino Shuichi's attacks leave his body feeling powerless to withstand them, and even the Hogyoku within him was unable to provide any help this time?

"Have you noticed anything wrong?"

A familiar voice came from another direction; it was the voice of Shuichi Higashino.

But isn't Higashino Shuichi standing right in front of him?
What is the truth?
(End of this chapter)