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

Chapter 4. Two Years of Peace

"So, you think Unohana Retsu suspects you?"

Three days later, in the 1000 yen ramen shop in the Seireitei red-light district, Aizen finished his ramen, put down his chopsticks, and said softly.

"Well, so I don't think it's a good choice to keep clinging to the position of vice-captain. I didn't really put in any effort in the return race on the second day. Otherwise, if we were to get serious, Yamada Seinosuke might not be stronger than me."

Higashino Shuichi took a napkin and wiped his greasy lips as he spoke.

"Your choice is not wrong. Beneath that gentle exterior, Unohana Retsu hides a beast. You should be careful working under her."

Aizen adjusted his glasses and said.

“But if that’s the case, even though it’s only a reduction to the third seat, in principle I can still intervene in other people’s treatments as before. However, I think most Shinigami would still prefer to have Seinosuke help them.”

"I said with a hint of worry," said Higashino Shuichi.

"You don't need to worry about that. In fact, even without this incident, I was already planning to have you temporarily stop working here."

Aizen's lips curled up slightly as he softly comforted her.

"Has the research made progress?!"

Higashino Shuichi cooperated by making his breathing even more rapid and pretending to try his best to keep his voice down.

"On the contrary, research in the original direction has completely stalled, but not long ago, that guy Szayelaporro discovered something new through his research on some people in the real world. I think it's very interesting. Since one direction is blocked, why not try another path!"

Looking at Aizen's confident smile, Higashino Shuichi realized that this was not some news he had suddenly received not long ago; it was clear that he had been secretly researching it for some time and had just happened to reveal it at the right moment.

If it weren't for the Yamada Seinosuke incident, Higashino Shuichi is certain that Aizen would never have suggested to him that he stop what he was doing.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Lord Aizen? Now that I've stepped down as vice-captain, I have quite a bit of free time."

"I asked tentatively," Higashino Shuichi inquired.

In reality, he had no desire to help at all, but he still had to put on an act of being a good subordinate.

Fortunately, Aizen didn't actually have any such plans.

As a skilled strategist, he had everything arranged long ago.

"Not for now. The things required for the new research direction are not suitable for you to approach in your current capacity. The best choice would be the 10th or 9th Division. I plan to start after 'Yasu' graduates from the Shinigami Academy."

"Does Tosen want it?"

"Higashino Shuichi said thoughtfully."

In this way, he also understood what Aizen meant by the new research direction.

If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the Hogyoku.

The materials used to create the Hogyoku are mainly souls with the potential to become Shinigami, which is indeed not suitable for Higashino Shuichi, who is currently in the Fourth Division, to handle.

It would be best to have the 10th Division, which is responsible for maintaining order in Rukongai, or the members of the 9th Division, which is responsible for handling incidents, criminals, and other similar matters, deal with it.

The former makes it easier to find suitable people, while the latter makes it easier to cover up crimes.

Comparing the two, if Higashino Shuichi himself were to choose, he would definitely choose the latter. After all, anyone can do the former as long as they have enough free time; the only difference is the efficiency of completion. However, the latter is not feasible.

This is probably the main reason why Tosen chose to join the Ninth Division after graduating in the original storyline.
After resting for a while, Higashino Shuichi and Aizen left the ramen shop one after the other.

For now, the two are only nodding acquaintances on the surface, and it is not appropriate for them to show a close relationship in public. Then, two peaceful years passed.

In the first year, Higashino Shuichi was always on edge, fearing that Unohana Retsu might suddenly conduct a surprise interrogation on him. But nothing happened. In front of him, Unohana Retsu always acted like a gentle older sister. She even privately approached Higashino Shuichi to apologize for what happened with Yamada Seinosuke.

In the second year, Higashino Shuichi felt somewhat lost, because for almost two years, Aizen seemed to have forgotten about his existence. Even if he occasionally contacted Aizen, it was only to make empty promises and there were no missions assigned to him. As a result, Higashino Shuichi lived like a normal Shinigami.

To be honest, this made him somewhat apprehensive, because he knew that the calmer the surface of the water, the more turbulent the waves would be.

In the past two years, Aizen has even restrained the Hollows in Hueco Mundo, only occasionally allowing one or two Hollows to go to the Human World to help the 13th Division gain some achievements. What does this mean? It means that Aizen is definitely brewing something big.

The problem is that in his remaining memories, this part doesn't seem to be in the original story.

This made Higashino Shuichi even more uneasy.

"What kind of amazing move is Aizen brewing up?"

Lying on his large bed in his bedroom in the Fourth Division, Higashino Shuichi enjoyed his rest time while thinking to himself.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Shuichi! Open the door, Shuichi!"

Upon opening the door, one is greeted by a clean-cut man with short black hair, parted in a 3/7 ratio, and dressed in a Shinigami uniform. This man is Ginjiro, the current 14th seat of the 6th Division, whose dream is to open an eyeglasses shop in Seireitei.

"What's wrong, Ginjiro?"

"I asked Higashino Shuichi curiously."

Speaking of which, he only met Ginjiro after he stepped down from his position as vice-captain. One day, Higashino Shuichi wanted to please his boss Aizen, so he went to an eyeglasses shop in Rukongai to choose glasses for Aizen. He happened to meet Ginjiro, who was lingering there, and Ginjiro knew a lot about all kinds of glasses.

With the idea that having an expert to guide you would help you avoid detours, Higashino Shuichi gradually became friends with Gin Ginjiro.

"The Noble Hunting Tournament! The once-every-four-years Noble Hunting Tournament is finally about to begin! A registration point has been set up today at Sakura Plaza. Any unmarried Grim Reaper can register! You haven't already registered, have you?"

"Ginjiro said excitedly."

"A noble hunting tournament?"

Higashino Shuichi was stunned for a moment before he suddenly remembered that this was the same activity that the nobles had seen in the human world, which led them to come up with a similar idea in Soul Society.

Its purpose is similar to that of the dynasty in the present world: ostensibly a hunt, but in reality a matchmaking event, providing a stage for the vast number of noble men in the Soul Society to showcase their masculine charm to other noble women.

At the same time, this hunting tournament is also open to all Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division, but the Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division do not directly participate in the hunting, but are responsible for the security of the entire tournament.

But undeniably, for most commoner male Grim Reapers, this was indeed the closest they had ever come to those noblewomen.

What if I get noticed?

There are always those who harbor similar thoughts.

Unfortunately, the former Shuichi Higashino had no interest in this event whatsoever.

Because he wasn't interested in those aristocratic women, and was used to the aesthetics of his previous life, he preferred to wait for the present world to develop further and to encounter a few "unforgettable" relationships.

So, Higashino Shuichi hadn't actually thought of such an event at the moment.

At the same time, alarm bells began to ring frantically in Higashino Shuichi's mind.

Could it be that Aizen waited two years just to get this opportunity?
(End of this chapter)