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

Chapter 22.22. Should I join the Second Division?

When Shuichi Higashino returned to Soul Society, it was the day after the five captains marched into Hueco Mundo.

Upon learning this news, Higashino Shuichi silently mourned Barragán for three seconds in his heart.

Clearly, Aizen would not offer Barragan any assistance. In fact, he would surely have all his Stark generals and research talents like Szayelaporro retreated to the Great Hollow Forest beneath Las Noches to avoid his wrath.

Just imagining Barragan facing off against five captains all by himself is an absolutely horrible sight.

As for whether Barragan will also run away like the Starks.

Higashino Shuichi could only say that if Barragan did that, he wouldn't be called Barragan.

In a sense, Barragán was indeed a model man.

However, this matter has little to do with Shuichi Higashino; whether Barragan is dead or alive is not important.

If they're alive, they're barely usable; if they die, all will be happy.

The crucial point is that as soon as Shuichi Higashino returned to Soul Society, he was found by someone who was absolutely unexpected.

"Yo-ho, Shuichi-kun! You've finally returned from the real world!"

"The captain of the Four Maple Team??"

Higashino Shuichi was so shocked when he saw the brown-skinned beauty who suddenly appeared in front of him like a gust of wind that he could hardly speak.

He felt that he must have not checked the almanac before taking this vacation, otherwise why would such unexpected situations keep happening?

Furthermore, he felt it necessary to give his boss a serious talking-to.
"Come on, you've been in the Gotei 13 for over seventy years, how come you still haven't shown Yoruichi Shihouin your Zanpakuto? As a Shinigami with lofty ambitions, can't you put in a little more effort? Stop obsessing over your crappy research, set a small goal first, and cast Kyoka Suigetsu on all the captains and vice-captains of the 13th Division!"

Of course, the above statement only exists in Higashino Shuichi's imagination; he wouldn't dare to actually confront him.

However, regardless of the circumstances, there has indeed been a flaw in Aizen's plan.

Therefore, almost immediately, Higashino Shuichi contacted Aizen through his special communication method and made him a silent listener.

"What? Are you so surprised to see me?"

Yoruichi Shihōin sensed a fleeting fluctuation of spiritual pressure emanating from Shuichi Higashino, but she dismissed it as an overreaction caused by Higashino suddenly seeing her.

"How could I not be surprised? After all, I'm just an ordinary Grim Reaper. To suddenly receive such attention from a captain like you, and even wait here for me to return from my vacation, I'm truly flattered!"

Higashino Shuichi patted his chest, as if taking a breath, and replied.

This message was meant for both Yoruichi Shihouin and Aizen.

Because Higashino Shuichi knew that Aizen must have already arranged the content of Kyoka Suigetsu at this point in time, and that other Shinigami would happen to run into him after returning from his vacation in the human world, Aizen had to immediately adjust the content of Kyoka Suigetsu in order to avoid conflict between the two.

“Protect? How could that be! Shuichi-kun, you’re overthinking it. I just happened to have some business to attend to in Ukitake, and then I just happened to learn from him that you would be returning from your vacation in the human world today.”

Yoruichi Shihōin said with absolute certainty.

But no matter how you look at it, these words don't sound like the truth.

"Alright then, Captain Shihouin, you didn't call me here for something else, did you?"

Higashino Shuichi naturally wouldn't expose a captain's lie, especially since she was the head of the Shihōin family. At the same time, he also thought that he seemed to have only had one relatively close encounter with Shihōin Yoruichi so far, which was during the last hunting incident when he assisted Shihōin Yoruichi in the battle.

In that battle, he saved the young Soi Fon, Aya Hachisho. At the time, he did indeed attack with the intention of getting close to Yoruichi Shihouin, but wasn't Yoruichi Shihouin being a bit too direct?
"Yes, that's right! Join my second squad!"

Yoruichi Shihouin slapped Higashino Shuichi hard on the shoulder with her right hand and showed him her white teeth.

"Captain Shihouin, that was just what I should do as a Shinigami."

Higashino Shuichi immediately uttered the excuse he had prepared beforehand, but after only a few words, he realized something was amiss.

Huh? Let him join the Second Division?
Doesn't this plot development seem a bit off?

"Pfft! What did you think it would be?"

Yoruichi Shihōin's hearty laughter rang in Shuichi Higashino's ears.

"Hehe. I was just overthinking things. But Captain Shihouin, why did you suddenly think of inviting me to join your Second Division?"

Higashino Shuichi was somewhat embarrassed.

Well, actually he didn't really have a preference for which squad he was in. He only chose to join the Fourth Division because it was convenient for the Fourth Division to extract Shinigami spirit particles for Aizen, so as to demonstrate his value.

He no longer needs to do this job, and from Higashino Shuichi's own perspective, his impression of Aizen seems a bit too good, so it's not impossible for him to switch to another squad.

Firstly, Higashino Shuichi couldn't agree so hastily, as it would make him seem like he was eager to switch jobs, which wouldn't make him a good employee. Secondly, he wanted to see what Aizen thought, since Aizen was his real boss now.

You can upset anyone, but you absolutely cannot upset Aizen, because if Aizen is unhappy, he will truly scatter Higashino Shuichi's ashes and soul.

"What else could it be? Don't you know what our Second Division's strongest skills are? It's Hakuda and Shunpo! With your Hakuda and Shunpo being so strong, it would be a real shame if you didn't join our Second Division!"

As she spoke, Yoruichi Shihouin very generously hooked one arm around Shuichi Higashino's shoulder and pulled him to her side.

Feeling the firm, full mound on his right arm, Higashino Shuichi was already mentally crying out to his future store manager, "Aren't you going to do anything about your 'girlfriend'? She's practically 'threatening' people with her baby!"

"That's true, but no matter what my wishes are, Captain Shihouin, you still need to communicate with our captain about this matter first. Without the captain's permission, even if I'm willing to join the Second Division, it's impossible."

Because Yoruichi was right beside him, Higashino Shuichi had no way of getting Aizen's answer for the time being. Therefore, he could only use Unohana Retsu as a shield to get Yoruichi away first.

"You mean Retsu Unohana? She's already agreed! She said that as long as you're willing to leave the Fourth Division, you can leave, and she won't stop you!"

Yoruichi Shihouin said confidently.

But what she didn't know was that it was these words that instantly brought Higashino Hideaki, who was already feeling aroused by the sight of those voluptuous breasts, back to his senses.

"Captain Shihouin, could you please tell me what Captain Unohana's original words were?"

"Regarding what I just said, as long as you're willing to leave the Fourth Division, she won't stop you. Is there a problem?"

Upon hearing this, Higashino Shuichi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

"Then I'm sorry, Captain Shihouin, since our captain is so generous, I can't let her down. I choose to stay in the Fourth Division!"

At that moment, Higashino Shuichi stopped hesitating and immediately gave his answer.

(End of this chapter)