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

Chapter 5.5. Noble Hunting Activities
As it turned out, Higashino Shuichi's concerns were justified.

After he reluctantly accompanied Ginjiro to Sakura Square to register, he received a message from Aizen that very evening.

"So their target really is this Noble Hunting Tournament?" After reading the information, Higashino Shuichi went to the window and looked towards Rukongai, saying, "But the excuse they're using is ridiculous. What 'rescuing captured comrades'? Is that a slogan that those Hollows can actually come up with? Surely no one will believe it?"

Higashino Shuichi was somewhat disdainful of Aizen's self-deceiving behavior.

But then he thought again that slogans and such were not important. What was important was that Aizen's operation was most likely just a feint.

On the surface, he sent out a large number of illusions to disrupt the hunting tournament, but secretly, he estimated that he would go to Rukongai to harvest all the souls of the commoners who had the potential to become Shinigami, whom he had already selected.

"Ha, Aizen!"

Thinking of this, Higashino Shuichi couldn't help but sneer.

Some people say they're not in a hurry and that it's fine to start their research after Tosen graduates, but secretly they're already impatient.

The task Aizen gave him this time was very simple: to provide some key locations, such as the locations of important noble members, so that most of the Shinigami's attention would be drawn to the conference and they would have no time to attend to other matters.

Because once the hunting tournament begins, everyone will separate, so Aizen couldn't possibly foresee it in advance with his Kyoka Suigetsu.

But this was not a difficult task for Shuichi Higashino, because there was no ability more suitable for doing this than his Zanpakuto ability.

"Soldier, how long has it been since you were used in battle?"

Looking at the moonlight outside the window, Higashino Shuichi said leisurely.

Time passed quickly, and the day of the noble hunting festival arrived amidst a peaceful atmosphere.

As one of the few prestigious large-scale events among nobles in recent years, the entire Gotei 13 gave those nobles plenty of face. Except for the captain of the 13th Division, Jushiro Ukitake, who was absent due to health reasons, all the other division captains, including Kiryu Hikifune, the captain of the 12th Division, a research team, personally came to the event.

In addition, quite a few male Shinigami from the entire Thirteenth Division also arrived; Higashino Shuichi glanced around and counted at least twenty.

This number is actually quite large, considering that Shinigami below the rank of Seat Officer don't even have the qualifications to apply.

However, upon closer inspection, Higashino Shuichi noticed that their Fourth Division, which was known for having the most female Shinigami, only had three members present: Captain Unohana Retsu, Vice-Captain Yamada Seinosuke, and himself, the Third Seat.

"Don't the girls in the team have any desire for romance?"

Higashino Shuichi couldn't quite understand this situation.

However, from another perspective, this is also a good thing, because it makes it more legitimate for him to use his Zanpakuto abilities.

"Captain, I think we have a few less team members present today. For the safety of those nobles, do you think I should release my Zanpakuto's Shikai later?"

As the head of the Tsunayo family was giving a speech on behalf of all the nobles on stage, Higashino Shuichi quietly approached his captain, Unohana Retsu, and whispered a question to him.

He wasn't arrogant enough to perform the Shikai of his Zanpakuto in Soul Society without permission, as this was a prohibited act written into the laws of Soul Society.

Although there are many people who will go against his wishes in the future plot, Higashino Shuichi dares not gamble with his freedom and life.

In Higashino Shuichi's view, this should have been a piece of cake. But what Higashino Shuichi did not expect was that Unohana Retsu turned around and said the most "cruel" words to him in a gentle tone, "That's not necessary. I know that after your Zanpakuto Shikai, you can break down your spiritual particles into individual little people, which is appropriate for this situation."

But Kiyonosuke had assured me beforehand that he could guarantee the medical standards during this event, and I had already promised him that, so I couldn't go back on my word now.

"is it?"

After listening, Higashino Shuichi shifted his gaze to the man hiding in the shadows behind Unohana Retsu, who also happened to look over with those cold eyes.

Coincidence? Or intentional?
Higashino Shuichi suddenly realized that over the past two years, the number of wounded he had handled seemed to be decreasing, and recently he had been frequently called to help out at the pharmaceutical workshop.

He had previously thought this was a tactic by Yamada Seinosuke to suppress him, but now that he thinks about it, it's possible that Unohana Retsu tacitly approved of it.

As for why the latter did this, it is probably related to the dirty work that Higashino Shuichi had done for Aizen before.

It seems the Fourth Division won't be able to stay any longer.
Higashino Shuichi silently noted the situation in his mind, then forced a bright smile onto his face. "This is really great. Every time I use that ability, I feel weak for several days. Now that Vice-Captain Seinosuke can complete this difficult task by himself, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"

"You're too complacent, Xiuyi. Haven't you ever thought about why Kiyonosuke dared to guarantee that he could take full responsibility for the medical care of this event?"

Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind Higashino Shuichi. Higashino Shuichi was very familiar with this voice and knew who it belonged to without even turning around.

Kensei Muguruma is the current captain of the 9th Division.

A man who looks like a male protagonist in a shonen anime, and whose personality is also very passionate.

As the former vice-captain of the Fourth Division, Higashino Shuichi was not very familiar with the members of the various divisions, but at least most of the members of the Gotei 13 knew him, and Kensei Muguruma was no exception.

"Captain Kensei Muguruma, you seem to know the reason very well. Why don't you give me some pointers?"

At this moment, Higashino Shuichi was completely dumbfounded, because the development of events could be said to have completely exceeded his expectations from the moment Unohana Retsu's unexpected rejection.

"It's a trap! It's a trap!" Kensei Muguruma pulled Shuichi Higashino into his arms and ruffled the latter's hair with his right hand. "Our expedition team in Hueco Mundo recently discovered that the Hollows were exhibiting abnormal gathering behavior. Furthermore, through observation, it seems that two Hollows with special forms are in a leadership position. Combined with some information we obtained earlier, the Captain-Commander and Shunsui Kyoraku of the 8th Division both believe that those Hollows are very likely to cause trouble during this Hunting Tournament!"

As he spoke, Higashino Shuichi broke free from Kensei Muguruma's grasp. The latter wasn't angry, and patted Higashino Shuichi's shoulder with a grin. "So, if you ask me, what's the point of those nobles stirring up this kind of activity? Besides provoking those Hollows, there's no other benefit. Not to mention, before this, we had to painstakingly take care of those Hollows we captured, and even figure out how to keep them at a certain fighting strength. Damn, just thinking about it makes me angry. Our Ninth Division used to be..."

Kensei Rokusha was still talking non-stop, but Shuichi Higashino's mind had completely wandered away when he heard this.

At that moment, he didn't even dare to turn around; his entire back was chilled.

Because Kensei Muguruma wouldn't know what Retsu Unohana was talking about, would he?
No, Higashino Shuichi was certain that Unohana Retsu definitely knew, but Unohana Retsu hadn't said anything before, wanting to see his reaction.

"I see. No wonder I was wondering why the rest of our Fourth Division didn't come. I suppose they were in charge of the post-disaster relief work."

After Kensei Rokusha finally finished speaking, Hidekazu Higashino said in perfect agreement.

He knew very well that although Retsu Unohana wasn't the traditional kind of Grim Reaper, even if she discovered something, she wouldn't necessarily do anything to him.

However, Higashino Shuichi would never gamble his life with preconceived notions from his past life.

Shuichi Higashino just couldn't understand why Retsu Unohana thought he was connected to Utsugi.
(End of this chapter)