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

Chapter 88, Section 87. Madarame Ikkaku: You seem to be quite strong (5k)

When he opened his eyes, Higashino Shuichi found himself lying on the ground.

The feeling of exhaustion is indescribable, both physically and mentally.

Just now, he fought his Zanpakuto again in his inner world. This time he performed very well, dying only 619 times before his Zanpakuto felt powerless and had no choice but to kick him out of his inner world.

"One day, I will defeat you and make you tell me your real name yourself!"

Higashino Shuichi thought to himself.

He then deactivated the hidden demonic path he had created.

Having just returned from hell and engaged in a battle with his own Zanpakuto in his inner world, Higashino Shuichi is not yet ready to return to Seireitei.

He's already been in hell for so long, what's a little more time?

Walking along the flat dirt road, Higashino Shuichi decided to give himself a short day off.

This can be considered a small reward for myself after so much intensive training.

Soon, Higashino Shuichi arrived at a small village.

Groups of three or five people were scattered about, and women were playing with their children on the street.

Such a harmonious and beautiful scene could only appear in the Rukongai area of ​​the 70th ward and above.

The security situation in District 70 and beyond was beyond what could be described as simply bad.

"Wow~ Big brother, are you from out of town or a new wandering spirit?"

Before Higashino Shuichi could even get close, a sharp-eyed little boy spotted him and excitedly skipped over, asking Higashino Shuichi in a childish voice.

"Do you think the older brother is a stranger or a wanderer?"

No one can resist an innocent and adorable child, and Higashino Shuichi is no exception.

He had only intended to clear his head, so Higashino Shuichi's attitude at this moment was very much in line with his character: gentle and kind.

"Outsider! Because the wandering spirits I've seen are all empty-handed, unlike you, big brother, who carries a knife!"

The little boy pointed to the Zanpakuto at Higashino Shuichi's waist and said.

"So, big brother, you must be from out of town~ Little brother, could you show big brother around your place? It would be even better if there were places to buy delicious food~"

Higashino Shuichi bent down, reached out and patted the little boy's head.

He never expected that in a place like this, there would be people who didn't recognize the Grim Reaper's Death Robe.

However, upon closer reflection, this is actually quite normal. After all, the Shinigami's Shinigami uniform doesn't have any special markings, so it's understandable that ordinary civilians can't distinguish it.

The Zanpakuto doesn't have any special markings; the only distinguishable features are the captains' haori and the special attire of the nobles.

"Okay~ I know Uncle Ichiraku's ramen is really delicious, I'll take you there, big brother~"

The little boy's eyes crinkled with even more delight when he heard that Higashino Shuichi wanted to eat something good.

Higashino Shuichi felt that the reason he approached him might be to solicit customers for that Ichiraku uncle.

However, this didn't matter to Shuichi Higashino; it didn't matter where he ate.

Death doesn't actually need to eat; eating is just an excuse Higashino Shuichi uses.

He simply wanted to relive the simple life of ordinary people in this unknown village, like picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence and leisurely gazing at the southern mountains. Otherwise, once he returned to Seireitei, he would probably have to start living that kind of life where he had to wear a mask all the time again.

However, after Higashino Shuichi had only followed the little boy a few steps and just stepped into the village, he heard the sounds of fighting coming from afar.

Am I wrong? This isn't the area with numbers below 70?
Higashino Shuichi frowned, looking unhappy.

He just wanted to relax and didn't want his little vacation to be disturbed by those nasty people.

"Do you often have thugs coming here to cause trouble for you?"

Higashino Shuichi sensed it but didn't find any overly strong spiritual pressure. However, it was probably because there was no need to release any overly strong spiritual pressure to deal with these seemingly unarmed ordinary civilians.

"No?"

The little boy shook his head, looked at Higashino Shuichi with a puzzled expression, and noticed that the latter's gaze was in another direction. Following that direction, he then understood why Higashino Shuichi had asked that question.

"Oh, big brother, do you think there are bad guys up ahead? No, it's probably just that Madarame is picking fights with the other big brothers again!"

The little boy explained to Higashino Shuichi as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

"Madarame?"

Upon hearing the somewhat familiar surname, Higashino Shuichi began to quickly search his memory.

Soon, the image of a bald man was etched into his mind.

Could it be Madarame Ikkaku?

Higashino Shuichi thought to himself.

Speaking of which, Higashino Shuichi remembered that back then, in order to increase his credibility, he deliberately went to Rukongai and tricked Kenpachi Zaraki into joining the 11th Division and making him its captain.

Indeed, we didn't see Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika for a long time afterward. These two Shinigami, who should be die-hard fans of Zaraki Kenpachi, joined the 11th Division.

"Could it be because I tricked Kenpachi Zaraki into joining the Eleventh Division much earlier than in the original story that Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa haven't met Kenpachi Zaraki yet?"

Higashino Shuichi thought to himself, a smile playing on his lips.

This is interesting. These two are the backbone of the new generation of Soul Society in the future. Without them, it is equivalent to the Soul Society losing two mid-to-high-level combatants that it can directly utilize.

This would obviously have some impact on the Soul Society's troop deployment at that time.

However, Higashino Shuichi immediately changed his mind and thought that his boss Aizen probably wouldn't care about the level of combat power that Madarame Ikkaku had.

In the original story, during the battle in Karakura Town, Aizen faced off against several captains and acted incredibly cool and stylish. As his most loyal subordinate, he should have given his boss a perfect opportunity to show off as well.

In short, these two potential future problems can be resolved here, but it's unnecessary.

Aizen certainly wouldn't care if there were a few more ants.

Higashino Shuichi himself wouldn't care, since these two people posed no threat to him anyway.

Don't ask, the answer is the confidence that Kenpachi Kuruyashiki gave him after his trip to hell.

So, Higashino Hideaki, who had been in high spirits, suddenly became bored and uninterested.

"If you don't mind, big brother, we can take a detour to avoid Madarame and the others."

Seeing that Higashino Hideichi was standing there hesitating, the little boy, not wanting to lose this customer, immediately tugged at one of Higashino Hideichi's corners and offered a suggestion.

"Okay, whatever you say~"

Higashino nodded slightly.

After thinking things through, he really didn't care much about Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika anymore.

He wasn't particularly concerned about whether these two would eventually join the Eleventh Division.

But sometimes, fate likes to play tricks on people; the things you try to ignore the most are the things that will come to you in a strange way.

Just as Higashino Shuichi was about to follow the little boy into the alley next door to take a detour, a bald man wearing a white cloth blouse and holding a knife rushed out from around the corner of the street in the distance, chasing after another man. The former kicked the wooden stick in the latter's hand away.

As the wooden stick flew towards him by sheer coincidence, Higashino instinctively stretched out his right arm and lightly tapped the stick with his index finger.

With a click.

The wooden stick snapped in two mid-air and flew off to either side, grazing Higashino Shuichi's body.

"That was a quick reaction!"

At this moment, a man who had just arrived, with a short bob, a beautiful face, and wearing a long robe embroidered with red patterns, who was not a woman but looked more like a woman, saw this scene and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Higashino Hideichi looked over.

As expected, the bald man was Madarame Ikkaku, and the man who was even more beautiful than a woman was Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Oh, Moses Roy, I've never seen you before. Are you new here?"

Upon seeing a man who clearly possessed considerable strength appear before him, Madarame Ikkaku instantly felt that the man he had just chased and beaten was no longer appealing.

"Yes, but I have no interest in fighting, so you don't need to look at me with that longing in your eyes." Higashino Shuichi knew perfectly well what Madarame Ikkaku's gaze meant.
He's practically a carbon copy of Kenpachi Zaraki.

What's even more unfortunate is that Higashino Shuichi had seen that same look in a woman's eyes before.

Both of these people left Higashino Shuichi with unpleasant memories, especially the latter. Sometimes, Higashino Shuichi would wake up in a fright from a dream that she had hacked him to death.

Therefore, Higashino Shuichi doesn't really like this kind of look anymore.

But Ikkaku Madarame wouldn't care about all that from Shuichi Higashino.

You don't want to fight me?
It's fine, then I'll force you to fight me!
Madarame Ikkaku didn't see anything wrong with this, because the villagers didn't want to fight him, but he always did it this way.

"Then it's not up to you, stranger. Remember my name, I am Madarame Ikkaku!"

After saying that, Madarame Ikkaku, holding his unsheathed sword, charged towards Higashino Shuichi.

"People like you are really annoying."

Looking at Madarame Ikkaku, who was completely oblivious to what he was saying, Higashino Shuichi had a real headache.

If he had known things would turn out this way, he should have made up an excuse to leave, then used a concealed form of Kido to secretly take care of Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.

Now that he has appeared openly in front of everyone, given his status, he absolutely cannot kill people indiscriminately. Otherwise, after disappearing for so long, the first thing he would do upon reappearing is to kill civilians. What would the people in the Central 46th Bureau think of that?
At times like this, Higashino Shuichi wishes his Zanpakuto's ability could also be a mirage.

Extending a finger to press against the tip of Madarame's sword, Higashino Shuichi released his spiritual pressure without hesitation. The powerful spiritual pressure shattered the sword and its scabbard together.

However, at the same time, Higashino Shuichi intentionally controlled his spiritual pressure so that it did not affect anyone around him.

This is something that the old Shuichi Higashino would never have been able to do.

Because in the past, Higashino Shuichi's control over spirit particles and spiritual pressure was nowhere near as refined as it is now.

Unfortunately, Ikkaku Madarame couldn't appreciate Shuichi Higashino's good intentions at all.

Feeling the immense spiritual pressure emanating from Higashino Shuichi, Madarame Ikkaku was drenched in sweat, his heart pounding, and his blood rushing.

This is the formidable opponent he has always been looking for!
Without a moment's regret for his destroyed sword, he struck Higashino Hideichi on the head with his right fist, imbued with the burning passion of Madarame Ikkaku.

"Ikkaku Madarame, you're pushing your luck!"

What responded to Madarame Ikkaku, and made the latter's heart suddenly stop, was Higashino Shuichi's cold gaze.

As the punch passed by, Higashino Shuichi landed a blow on Madarame Ikkaku's abdomen. The impact, as powerful as a mountain, sent Madarame Ikkaku flying hundreds of meters away, leaving a shallow trench in the ground.

Then, Higashino Shuichi moved with lightning speed and arrived in front of Madarame Ikkaku, who was lying on the ground unable to get up.

To be honest, Higashino Shuichi really didn't want to deal with this battle maniac who was just like Kenpachi Zaraki, but he had no choice but to.

His position did not allow him to kill a civilian without cause.

Especially considering he has been missing for so long.

"Is he dead?"

Higashino Shuichi coldly asked Madarame Ikkaku, who was standing at his feet.

"Cough cough!"

Madarame Ikkaku coughed up two mouthfuls of blood, the pain in his abdomen making it almost impossible for him to speak. "I lost, kill me!"

"As long as he's not dead."

Higashino Shuichi didn't want to waste any more words with Madarame Ikkaku, so he reached out and pointed at Madarame Ikkaku, unleashing a gentle spiritual energy that enveloped him.

"Why did you save me?"

Just as Higashino Shuichi thought that Madarame Ikkaku shouldn't be dead and was about to turn around and leave, Madarame Ikkaku forcibly propped himself up and asked Higashino Shuichi's back.

Upon hearing this, Higashino Shuichi did not stop walking, but said calmly, "If you really want an answer, I can only tell you that I am a Shinigami, working in the 4th Division of the Gotei 13. My duty is to save lives, not to kill."

"Even if I wanted to kill you, would it be the same?"

"Ikkaku Madarame shouted loudly."

Higashino Shuichi paused slightly in response, saying, "Only when you can do that will you be qualified to ask me this question."

Higashino Shuichi remembered that in the story, Madarame Ichikaku followed Kenpachi Zaraki and joined the 11th Division because he admired Kenpachi Zaraki's warlike nature.

However, Shuichi Higashino felt that he already had Rangiku Matsumoto and Shusuke Kisaragi, and occasionally had to give Soi Fon extra help, so he simply didn't have the energy to train any new assistants.

In addition, he really didn't like Madarame Ikkaku's personality; it was just too easy for him to associate it with his nightmare.

Therefore, Shuichi Higashino decisively chose to bring out his own persona: gentle and war-weary.

In that case, Madarame Ikkaku should obediently stay away from him, right?

Higashino Shuichi thought with such certainty.

Shortly after Higashino Shuichi left, Ayasegawa Yumichika arrived and found Madarame Ikkaku, whose injuries were gradually improving thanks to Higashino Shuichi's return.

"How are you, Yijiao?"

“Gongqin”.

"Ok?"

Do you know Death?

"Yes, those who manage our Rukongai, those who help drive away the villains, and those who deal with the Hollows invading Soul Society are all Shinigami."

"Then let's become Grim Reapers too!"

Ayasegawa Yumichika looked at the flame burning in his best friend's eyes. Although he didn't quite understand why Madarame Ikkaku suddenly had this idea, he figured it must be related to the mysterious stranger from earlier.

If that person is the Grim Reaper, then he should indeed possess that terrifying power.

"no problem."

Ayase Gawa Yumichika unconditionally supported his best friend's idea.

After receiving a positive reply from Ayasegawa Yumichika, Madarame Ikkaku looked even more determinedly in the direction where Higashino Shuichi had left.

"Just wait, I, Madarame Ikkaku, will one day be qualified to stand before you and have you tell me the answer to that question yourself!"

Higashino Shuichi, who had already left, had no idea what Madarame Ikkaku was thinking.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't be able to care about Madarame Ikkaku for the time being.

Because a hell butterfly found him precisely.

It was a summons from Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

It's strange, it's bizarre, and it's very sad.

What's strange is that the first person to approach him was Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, not Kabuto Sayako of the Kabuto family, nor Unohana Retsu or anyone else, and certainly not Aizen Sousuke.

Strangely, it's a bit absurd that a creature like the Hell Butterfly could find its location in this way;
What's sad is that he finally managed to give himself a break, but it ended before it even started.

Meanwhile, in the basement of the Kabuto family's house, Kabuto Sayaka was still in a weak and exhausted state, with five evil spirits greedily sucking the spiritual power from her body.

Where Higashino Shuichi had been standing, stood an old man with a captain's haori engraved with the number one, indicating his identity.

"So, Kabuto family head, you contacted me specifically to tell me that the former fourth division lieutenant, Shinigami Shuichi Higashino, was sent to Hell by you during this time?"

"Yes, Captain."

Masayako Kabuto's ethereal voice echoed in the secret room.

"Head of the Kabuto family, you should know very well what Hell means. Maki Kurato only went to Hell for a short while, and came back looking like that, while Higashino Shuichi stayed there for a full five years."

“Captain, Semibasa told me that Shuichi is alright. I believe Semibasa, and I believe in Shuichi.”

"But that is the power of hell after all. The fate of the Kabuto family and Maki Kurato is still fresh in my mind. I will thoroughly investigate Higashino Shuichi."

A long silence fell over the secret room. Finally, Masayako Kabuto spoke softly.
"Captain-Commander, what would you do if Shuichi-kun had a problem?"

"I will return the sacred artifact of the Kabuto family, the Seimei-bosa, to you."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni replied, his tone completely flat.

(End of this chapter)