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

Chapter 61. A house full of wild chrysanthemums, as if...

Nighttime, West Rukongai Second District, Higashino Shuichi's residence.

Higashino Shuichi finished his workday and returned home, feeling quite exhausted.

"Welcome back, Xiuichi!"

As soon as he entered, a young woman with long, wavy orange hair handed Higashino Shuichi a pair of wooden clogs to wear indoors.

"Are you guys in the 10th Division always this free? You always get off work earlier than me."

Higashino Shuichi skillfully put on the wooden clogs that the latter handed him.

Similar scenarios have been repeated countless times.

Since Matsumoto Rangiku finished her studies at the Shinigami Academy a year ago, she has moved back into Higashino Shuichi's house.

That's right, it's about moving back in.

Since Matsumoto Rangiku was rescued by Higashino Shuichi ten years ago, whether out of sympathy or guilt, Higashino Shuichi allowed Matsumoto Rangiku to stay in his house temporarily until she was able to live independently.

This probably also involves the promise that Shuichi Higashino made to Gin Ichimaru back then.

Although that was just a scheme back then.

"No, quite the opposite. Recently, lost Hollows have been appearing in Rukongai much more frequently than before. We ordinary team members simply can't handle them, so the main patrol work has been handed over to those seated officers."

Matsumoto Rangiku bowed slightly to Higashino Shuichi, and beneath her loose robes, one could vaguely see the towering, rapidly rising mountains.

"That's it"

Higashino Shuichi thought about it for a moment, and it seemed to be true. In order to ensure that tonight's plan would go smoothly, Aizen had indeed begun to gradually increase the frequency of attacks on Rukongai several months ago in order to tie down a sufficient number of Shinigami.

"By the way, Lord Xiu, are you planning to drink jasmine or oolong tea tonight?"

Before long, Matsumoto Rangiku, barefoot, quietly went to the next room, took out two bottles of wine, and asked about them.

"You used your own salary to buy alcohol again?!"

Higashino Shuichi had a headache.

He didn't know exactly when Matsumoto Rangiku developed her drinking habit, but it had been like that ever since she graduated from the academy.

Matsumoto Rangiku spends almost all of her monthly salary on alcohol, so much so that she has to live with Higashino Shuichi all the time.

It was fine before, back when Matsumoto Rangiku hadn't fully blossomed yet, but now?
Higashino Shuichi's gaze shifted slightly downwards; the area there could no longer be described as merely "taking shape."

If this continues, what will other people think when a man and a woman are alone in a room together?
"Just a little bit, just a tiny bit!"

Matsumoto Rangiku walked over to Higashino Shuichi with a grin, placed the wine glass down, and quickly filled it.

Before Higashino Hideichi could even raise his glass, she punished herself by drinking a glass first.

"Speaking of which, I ran into Soi Fon these past couple of days~"

Matsumoto Rangiku seemed to remember something.

"Ok?"

Higashino Shuichi was also somewhat at a loss with Matsumoto Rangiku, so he drank a cup with her.

“She complained to me that the Xingjun often had to keep watch in the Rukongai for a long time. It would be too far and inconvenient to go back to her own home in Seireitei to rest. I thought that there were many empty rooms and a lot of space here, and she admired the lord so much, so I said to her, ‘Then you can consider coming here to rest.’”

Matsumoto Rangiku revealed a sly smile.

"No, having you as the only girl in the family is already enough."

Higashino Shuichi immediately shook his head in denial.

Are you kidding me? If Soi Fon came to live with him, he'd be facing Hideaki on both sides every day when he got home. It would be a nightmare. Besides, Soi Fon's current strength is no less than that of her contemporaries in the original story, thanks not only to Yoruichi Shihouin's guidance but also to the extra training he's given her over the past ten years after clearing up any suspicions he might have had about Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

Not only has she mastered Bankai, but it's also said that Yoruichi Shihouin is secretly teaching Soi Fon the secret technique "Shunko".

If Soi Fon comes to rest here, how can he sneak out to do his own side jobs?

He has no illusions or mirages.

"Huh? So, Lord Xiuyi only needs one woman?"

Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly leaned closer and said.

The complex scent, a mixture of alcohol and body odor, reached his nose, and Higashino Shuichi frowned.

"I don't know about a few, but Rangiku, have you found your childhood sweetheart yet?"

"Oh, no."

Upon hearing the mention of Gin Ichimaru, Rangiku Matsumoto immediately deflated like a punctured balloon.

The reason he chose to join the 10th Division instead of the 4th Division where Higashino Shuichi was was to find Gin Ichimaru, but several years have passed and he still can't find any trace of Gin Ichimaru.

The atmosphere froze.

After several rounds of drinks, the moon and stars were few and far between.

Looking at Matsumoto Rangiku, who was fast asleep with one hand dangling on the table and her whole body leaning against him, murmuring softly, "I will find you," he realized she was drifting off to sleep.

Higashino Shuichi smiled helplessly, got up, picked her up in his arms, carried her to her room, carefully placed her on the bed, and gently covered her with a blanket.

Based on experience, Matsumoto Rangiku will sleep soundly until dawn.

And by tomorrow, the Soul Society might be about to undergo a complete transformation, right?

Higashino Shuichi stood at the doorway, glanced at Matsumoto Rangiku, and couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Sometimes, knowing less makes it easier to feel happiness.

He knows too much; living is too tiring.

However, Higashino Shuichi has never regretted his choices, both in the past and in the future.

Pushing open the door, Higashino Hideichi rushed towards Seireitei once again.

Quiet and still, without a trace.

Meanwhile, having just finished their first day of classes and received their respective asaka (armor), Gin Ichimaru and Shusuke Kisaragi also quietly ran away from the Shinigami Academy.

"I told you so! My dad has been working in the First Division for many years. He used to bring me to Seireitei all the time. I've also been to the Shinigami Academy many times, so I know this road like the back of my hand!"

Kisaragi Shusuke said proudly.

"But won't something happen if we come out like this?"

Gin Ichimaru said with some concern. In fact, his eyes, which seemed barely open, were constantly scanning the surrounding buildings, as if trying to memorize them all.

"What could possibly happen? We went to my father to learn how to unleash our Zanpakuto, it wasn't anything shady. Even if our teachers find out later, they won't blame us!"

After saying that, Kisaragi Shusuke, as if to encourage himself, added another sentence.
"After all, your spiritual aptitude is so high, and mine isn't bad either. It would be such a waste of time to just follow along with them at the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy!"
We agreed beforehand that we'd see who becomes captain first! If you don't go and I leave you behind, don't blame me!

Gin Ichimaru wouldn't fall for such a low-level provocation from Shusuke Kisaragi, but he did indeed have the idea of ​​improving his strength as soon as possible.

To avoid suspicion, he wasted almost ten years in West Rukongai. Now, he doesn't want to waste a single moment and just wants to find the bespectacled Grim Reaper as soon as possible and kill him with his own hands.

However, just as Kisaragi Shusuke was running with Ichimaru Gin towards the First Division, a terrifying spiritual pressure erupted not far from them, and a long, resounding explosion heralded the bloody beginning.

(End of this chapter)