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

Chapter 282, Question 280: Give Me a Way Out, It'll Benefit Both of Us
"Hriber, you must remember that in battle, you must use your brain, not just brute force."

"You can't go far by brute force alone."

Higashino Shuichi always shares his knowledge with his own people without reservation.

This naturally includes Halibel, who is an Arrancar.

In the past, Halibel couldn't quite understand what Higashino Shuichi taught her.

But today, she understood.

Facing Isshin Shiba, a powerful Shinigami with captain-level spiritual pressure.

Normally, it would take her quite a bit of effort to achieve any results.

But just now, she used a so-called illusion.

They successfully carried out a sneak attack on Isshin Shiba, and almost killed him.

Unfortunately, Shiba Isshin's intuition saved his life, so he only managed to take Shiba Isshin's left arm.

But it doesn't matter, Halibel is confident that he can defeat Shiba Isshin quickly with minimal losses.

"Virtual flash!"

After the blade sliced ​​through Isshin Shiba's left arm, Halibel's freed hand pointed at Isshin Shiba, and scorching spiritual pressure gathered, instantly forming a Cero.

Compared to high-ranking players like Grimmjow and Shawn Cuffon, Halibel's lead is comprehensive.

This Cero would be absolutely fatal to Isshin Shiba, who hadn't yet recovered from the shock.

At this moment, Masaki Kurosaki had not yet noticed that Halibel had arrived in front of Isshin Shiba.

Otherwise, even if this kind-hearted Quincy knew that her attack wouldn't do any harm to Halibel, she would probably still try to attack him.

After Halibel shouted that outburst at him, which was completely out of character, Higashino Shuichi guessed what Halibel was thinking.

Therefore, he very cooperatively used the shocking and impressive ultimate move, Sanctuary Praise, to attract Shiba Isshin's attention, and incidentally, it also helped to hide Halibel's whereabouts.

Furthermore, in order to ensure that Helibel could escape using his own Sanctuary Prayer instead of being trapped inside and making things worse, Helibel was able to escape using his own Sanctuary Prayer.

Shuichi Higashino even deliberately used the seemingly useless action of drawing a circle on the spot to slow down his release.

Higashino Shuichi wanted to see if the Soul King's will would intervene when Shiba Isshin faced the threat of death, and whether Urahara Kisuke would intervene from some unknown corner.

The bad news is that Halibel failed and couldn't kill Shiba Isshin with a single blow under the circumstances, which is a bit of a pity.

The good news is that Halibel reacted quickly, immediately following up with a Cero. At that close range, and under such an unprepared sneak attack, Shiba Isshin had absolutely no chance of dodging.

It's possible that after undergoing rigorous training with Kisuke Urahara in the modern world, Shiba Isshin could indeed reach a level capable of harming Aizen after more than a decade.

But now...
Even a single experimental subject of Aizen, Hollow White, could threaten Isshin Shiba's life.

At least at this point in time, Shiba Isshin was still slightly inferior in strength compared to himself more than ten years later.

"Eighty One of the Binding Dao, Duan Kong!"

A transparent spiritual particle wall with eight black petals formed between Halibel and Shiba Isshin, before the Cero was fired.

An explosion rang out, and Masaki Kurosaki turned around in surprise, wondering why such an explosion had suddenly occurred behind her.

But Higashino Shuichi knew that he clearly saw the black petal that represented the void.

Able to withstand Halibel's Cero.
There are very few Shinigami in the entire Soul Society who can unleash this power.

What this means is something that Shuichi Higashino doesn't need to think about carefully; he already knows.

"That's enough, Halibel. Now, take Grimmjow and get out of here."

If Aizen asks, just tell him the truth about what happened here. You should say...

"You thought you couldn't win, so you retreated with Grimmjow."

Higashino Shuichi used the contact information he had specifically given to Halibel to get in touch with him.

There is no need to continue this battle.

Continuing like this, unless Higashino Shuichi wants to expose his true identity,
Otherwise, Higashino Shuichi couldn't have imagined what abilities Halibel possessed that would allow him, Urahara Kisuke, Kurosaki Masaki, and the injured Shiba Isshin to survive the combined attack.

Based on the current strength of Higashino Shuichi's side, even Aizen would have a tough time if he came.

"Sir Xiuichi?"

As Halibel was thrown back in mid-air by the explosion and was preparing to launch a counterattack, he heard the voice of Higashino Shuichi in his ear for the first time in a long time.

Surprise, and excitement.

It seems that Lord Xiu has been keeping an eye on me.

I wonder what Xiu-ichi thinks of her performance just now.

However, I can only ask Lord Hideaki this question when I have the opportunity later.

As for now.
Halibel turned to look at Grimmjow, who was still lying on the ground, not having recovered.

The priority is to carry out Lord Hideaki's orders!
"Senior! It seems there's a battle going on over there too!"

Meanwhile, Masaki Kurosaki originally intended to go to the scene of the explosion herself to check the situation.
However, when she thought of the Quincy senior who was very senior by her side, she immediately turned to Higashino Shuichi for his opinion.

"Yes, I saw it too. Let's go take a look together!"

Higashino nodded slightly, and at the same time, he deactivated the Holy Domain Blessing around him.

He didn't want to stay here, lest he be unable to explain how Halibel had taken Grimmjow away right under his nose.

Now, Masaki Kurosaki has given herself a suitable reason.

Driven by anxiety and worry, Masaki Kurosaki used her flying scythe kick to get there.

Higashino Shuichi naturally followed along with his flying scythe kick.

To be fair, compared to the Shinigami's Shunpo, the Quincy's Flying Scythe Kick is indeed more useful.

By the time Higashino Shuichi and Kurosaki Masaki arrived, all that remained at the site of the explosion was Shiba Isshin, who had lost his left arm.

"Mr. Shiba, your arm!"

Masaki Kurosaki immediately noticed the injury on Isshin Shiba's body and exclaimed in surprise.

Thanks to the fact that Masaki Kurosaki saved Isshin Shiba during the previous attack by Hollow White, she now knows Isshin Shiba and is aware that he is a Shinigami.
Therefore, this title is normal for Masaki Kurosaki.

"It's alright, Miss Kurosaki, it's just a minor injury, nothing serious!"

Shiba Isshin forced a smile as he answered.

This is all thanks to Higashino Shuichi's meddling in the past, which led to Kurosaki Masaki accidentally mastering some advanced Quincy techniques that she shouldn't have been able to learn.

Therefore, the crisis that should have happened to Masaki Kurosaki did not occur, so now it is only Isshin Kurosaki who owes Masaki Kurosaki a favor.

The two have yet to take their relationship any further and spark a romantic connection.

Therefore, both Shiba Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki treated each other with great courtesy.

"So what just happened here?"

It wasn't that Higashino Shuichi had to interfere at this crucial moment, but as a senior figure, he felt compelled to make such a forceful interruption; otherwise, it would have seemed rather strange. After all, theoretically, no one yet knew that Halibel had escaped, and this wasn't exactly a time for romance or deepening feelings.

As expected, Shiba Isshin wasn't angry at all because of Higashino Shuichi's "rudeness." Instead, he glanced at Higashino Shuichi again, based on his understanding of Kurosaki Masaki.

This orthodox Soul Reaper, and the former head of a branch family among the four great noble families of Soul Society, still showed sufficient trust in the mysterious Quincy, Higashino Shuichi.
"It's Halibel, the Arrancar who was just fighting you guys. He just launched a sneak attack on me."

Shiba Isshin didn't specifically emphasize the details of Halibel's sneak attack because he was afraid that Higashino Shuichi would misunderstand and think he was blaming Higashino Shuichi in any way.

At least when it comes to interpersonal relationships, Shiba Isshin still has a firm grasp on them.

"Hribel, that Arrancar?"

That's impossible, Mr. Shiba, are you sure you're not mistaken?
Wasn't she already destroyed by the senior's Holy Domain Praise?

"I asked, puzzled."

At the same time, Higashino Shuichi turned around and saw, at the very end of his gaze, Halibel had already opened the Black Chamber, carrying Grimmjow.

"What a cunning Great Hollow!"

Higashino Shuichi's tone was neither calm nor indifferent.

At that moment, not far behind Isshin Shiba, Kisuke Urahara also appeared, smiling and looking in the same direction as Shuichi Higashino.
"Yes, what a cunning Hollow!"

"Mr. Urahara, you've come too?"

Masaki Kurosaki is really feeling numb right now.

Why is Kisuke Urahara here too?

Why does this mysterious grocery store owner always seem to appear in such unusual places?

"Yes, Miss Kurosaki."

The appearance of such a special Quincy is certainly worth my attention.

Kisuke Urahara made no comment on Halibel's departure, as if the latter was worthless in his eyes.

Urahara Kisuke, however, shifted the focus of the discussion directly to Higashino Shuichi in his words.

Have they been discovered?

Shuichi Higashino turned around and met Kisuke Urahara's gaze.

He was absolutely certain that there would be no problem with his remains.

Kisuke Urahara also lacked those special methods of investigation.

Then there must be a problem in another part of the process.

Where is it?

Even Higashino Shuichi is confused now.

However, there is one thing that Higashino Shuichi can judge.

Since Kisuke Urahara was willing to appear before him, it meant that Urahara had the desire to make contact with him.

This is enough for Shuichi Higashino.

Yoruichi Shihouin is a thing of the past!
"So I'm that special in your eyes, Grim Reapers?"
That makes sense, after all, my existence could very well threaten the rule of you Grim Reapers~
So what are you planning to do?
"Want to fight me here?"

Seeing that Kisuke Urahara didn't intend to reveal the answer, Shuichi Higashino decided to play along and play along with him.

"No, senior, Mr. Urahara and Mr. Shiba are different from other Shinigami. They are definitely not the kind of evil Shinigami you imagine!"

I can assure you!

However, before Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Shiba could say anything, Masaki Kurosaki became nervous.

She hurriedly went to Higashino Shuichi and spoke well of Urahara Kisuke and Shiba Isshin.

"Ha, Good Death, Bad Death"
Young Quincy, don't be fooled by the appearance of these Shinigami.
They're all bad news!

Higashino Shuichi sneered coldly.

The hatred and resentment in his eyes made it seem as if the things that happened to the Quincy had actually happened to Shuichi Higashino.

To fool others, you must first make yourself believe it.

As long as Kisuke Urahara doesn't expose him, Shuichi Higashino will constantly remind himself of this.
He was a Quincy who was forced to slumber in the Shadow Realm to escape a secret assassination attempt by the Grim Reaper.

"senior."

Masaki Kurosaki wanted to say some good things about Kisuke Urahara and Isshin Shiba, but Isshin Shiba stopped her.

"Senior, first of all, I'm sorry, because I don't know your name yet, so I can only address you using the same title as Ms. Kurosaki."
Secondly, as a former captain of the Gotei 13, I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of all the Shinigami to you and your comrades.

I apologize to those Quincy who may have died because of us, the Grim Reapers.

This apology may not have any real meaning, but I hope you can understand, senior, that even among the Grim Reapers, there are Grim Reapers with differing opinions.

At least, that's true for both Kisuke Urahara and me.

Despite his injuries, Shiba still gritted his teeth and bowed to Higashino Shuichi.

As a member of the Shiba family, Shiba Isshin did indeed feel sympathy and guilt towards the Quincy in the world.

Therefore, he did not choose to refute Higashino Shuichi's questioning.

Because he knew that was an undeniable fact.

"Mr. Shiba."

Masaki Kurosaki also fell silent.

Although she knew some of the facts, Shiba Isshin's honesty still shocked her.

"Humph
Don't think you can win me over with sincerity, I'm not buying it!
I don't want to hear what you say, I want to see what you do!

Higashino Shuichi snorted coldly.

Then everyone heard Masaki Kurosaki let out an untimely chuckle.

puff!
"Ah! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Kabuto-senpai!"

I didn't mean to laugh!

Masaki Kurosaki quickly explained to Shuichi Higashino.

The main reason was that she couldn't help herself, because in Kurosaki Masaki's view, Higashino Shuichi's explanation just now meant that he had already accepted Shiba Isshin's explanation.

He's just being stubborn.
It seems that Kabuto-senpai has a sharp tongue but a soft heart!

Masaki Kurosaki had already formed a positive image of Shuichi Higashino in her mind.

And this is exactly what Shuichi Higashino wanted to achieve.

After all, he didn't really want to part ways with Kisuke Urahara and the others.

There always needs to be a way for you to gracefully back down, right?
(End of this chapter)