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

Chapter 95, Section 94: Kabuto Mayako
After leaving the Fourth Division barracks, Higashino Shuichi realized that having his Zanpakuto sealed away wasn't such a bad thing after all.

At least Retsu Unohana didn't force him to stay in the Fourth Division anymore.

Neither of them asked, nor did the other say anything, and they reached a tacit understanding.

During the rest of the time, Higashino Shuichi went to see Kisaragi Shusuke, Soi Fon, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and Ichimaru Gin.

Among them, Kisaragi Shusuke had the strongest reaction, crying his eyes out and vowing that he would work hard as soon as possible and never let Higashino Shuichi do such a dangerous thing alone again.

However, he didn't actually know what Higashino Hideichi had done; he simply assumed that Higashino Hideichi had encountered a great deal of difficulty.

Higashino Hideichi didn't bother to explain, offering a few words of comfort and pointing out Kisaragi Shusuke's current progress in Kido. After sharing all the new insights he had gained from Kenpachi Kuruyashiki in Hell with Kisaragi Shusuke, Higashino Hideichi left.

In contrast, Soi Fon and Gin Ichimaru's feelings were much more restrained. Although Soi Fon's eyes were on Higashino Shuichi when he appeared, she didn't let her gaze fall on him. Instead, she asked Higashino Shuichi for a promise.

If Higashino Shuichi ever has to travel far away again for similar reasons, he must tell her.

Gin Ichimaru expressed his joy in a very cold manner, but Shuichi Higashino could sense that Gin Ichimaru's true intention was not actually like that; he was just deliberately distancing himself from Shuichi Higashino because he had now sided with Aizen.

Just like how he now basically no longer meets with Matsumoto Rangiku in private.

I wonder what kind of expression Gin Ichimaru will have when he finds out that he is actually the one who has been with Aizen the longest?
But Higashino Shuichi thought that even if such an opportunity came, it would probably be a long time before it arrived.

According to the follow-up plan he discussed with Aizen today, Higashino Shuichi will no longer have any unnecessary contact with Aizen.

Finally, there's Mayuri Kurotsuchi, whom Shuichi Higashino had only met a few times, and their relationship was essentially one of mutual exploitation.

The reason I went to see him now was because Higashino Shuichi had been asking Mayuri Kurotsuchi to research something, and after so much time had passed, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who had become the deputy director of the Technology Development Bureau, should have made some progress by now.

Yes, Deputy Director of the Technology Development Bureau.

When Higashino Shuichi heard about this from Aizen in the morning, he was also surprised.

He never imagined that after he had altered so much history, the organization would still be established in the end.

The director is still Kisuke Urahara, the current captain of the 12th Division of the Gotei 13 in Soul Society.

He took over the class from Kiryu Hikifune, who had been recruited by the Zero Squad two years ago.

Is this the inertia of history, or the will of King Ling?
Higashino Shuichi couldn't explain it either, but it was a good thing for him.

It was precisely because Kisuke Urahara became a captain and could no longer remain behind the scenes as before that Aizen finally made up his mind to launch the series of plans targeting Kisuke Urahara.

Otherwise, Shuichi Higashino wouldn't know how long Aizen would drag on.

After seeing all of the above, it was already late, and Higashino Shuichi did not choose to go home, nor did he go to find the Ninth Division Captain, Kensei Muguruma, whom he had originally planned to find.

Because he had already reached a certain understanding with Retsu Unohana, Shuichi Higashino did not need to rush to assume the role of vice-captain, so he could more calmly choose his next short-term role.

Before that, he needed to visit the Kabuto family, one of the five great noble families.

In that familiar basement, Higashino Shuichi met the frail girl.

"I'm back, Lord Kabuto, head of the Kabuto family!"

Standing behind the girl, Higashino Shuichi spoke respectfully.

He had no idea that Kabuto Sayako was the current head of the Kabuto family. Although it should have been obvious, Higashino Shuichi always subconsciously avoided this fact in his mind.

Perhaps he genuinely didn't want this innocent girl, who had already suffered so much, to have to bear such a heavy burden.

"It's so good to be back~ But Shuichi-kun, I still hope you can call me Sayako~"

This time, Masayako Kabuto actually turned around and faced Shuichi Higashino directly.

You could hear Masayako's joy just from her tone.

When Higashino looked over, he saw that the girl's face, which was unadorned, was a pale white. Her features, which should have been very delicate, had become withered and emaciated due to long-term weakness.

But in those sapphire-like eyes, Higashino Shuichi couldn't see any sorrow or dissatisfaction from Kabuto Sayaka regarding her current appearance; all he saw was a beautiful vision for the future.

This is a pure lotus flower that should never have been born into a family like the five noble clans.

"Yes, Sayako."

At this moment, even Higashino Shuichi was involuntarily affected by Kabuto Sayaka's emotions.

It's hard to imagine that someone who suffers torment that countless people cannot bear every day could have such a beautiful smile.

"Then I must first apologize to Shuichi-kun. It was my presumption to contact the Captain-Commander as soon as you returned."

Masayako Kabuto seems to be in good condition today.

Higashino Shuichi noticed this and also discovered that the ghostly figures that should have been wrapped around Kabuto Sayaka had all disappeared.

"It's alright. After all, I spent five years in hell. When I came back, no one knew what state I was in. It was right for you to notify the Captain-Commander." Higashino Shuichi didn't blame Kabuto Sayaka. For Kabuto Sayaka in this state, contacting the Captain-Commander was the most direct way to get in touch with him as soon as possible.

Furthermore, even if Kabuto Asayako hadn't informed Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, Higashino Shuichi would have proactively informed him; otherwise, he would have essentially gained a promotion from hell for nothing.

Higashino Shuichi hadn't expected that Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni would value this power from hell so much.

"But your Zanpakuto..."

As the head of the Kabuto family, Sayaka Kabuto naturally knew about the Shihouin family's divine artifact.

Considering the timeline, Masayako Kabuto would naturally assume that it was caused by her own actions.

"It's okay, it's just for safety reasons."

Higashino Shuichi shook his head. Sealing his Zanpakuto at this stage wouldn't have much of an impact on him.

However, this is based on another premise.

"However, Sayako, may I make a request of you?"

"Sure, Shuichi-kun~"

Masayako nodded vigorously.

Although the ghostly figures disappeared, the long-term damage to her body was difficult to recover from in a short period of time.

"I want to keep this Shimi Possa, and I hope you can allow it to be freed when I need it."

This was the ultimate purpose of Higashino Shuichi's trip.

Ultimately, the right to use the Seiyabasa still rests with Kabuto Masayako. Therefore, although the Seiyabasa is only a temporary emergency plan for Higashino Shuichi, he must still inform Kabuto Masayako in advance.

Meanwhile, Masayako Kabuto, on the other side, seemed completely unsurprised by Higashino Shuichi's request. She simply blinked her beautiful eyes.

"But Shuichi-kun, you can only perform the Shikai of the Yomi-Bosa in your hands, and the Shikai of the Yomi-Bosa consumes your lifespan."

“I know that, I’m already mentally prepared, Sayako.”

Higashino nodded and said.

Seeing Higashino Shuichi's determination, Kabuto Sayaka nodded seriously. "Then Shuichi-kun, please use it as you see fit. But there's one thing I'd like to remind you: you can't use Seimei-basa to enter Hell consecutively in a short period of time."

Clearly, Kabuto Sayaka misunderstood the direction in which Higashino Shuichi used his abilities.

"I know, I'll pay attention."

But Shuichi Higashino won't try to clear up this misunderstanding.

Higashino Shuichi was about to leave after he finished speaking when he noticed that Kabuto Sayaka, whose body had recovered somewhat, was looking at him with very expectant eyes.

Higashino Shuichi had seen that kind of look in Kisaragi Shusuke, Matsumoto Rangiku Soi Fon, and others.

They simply hoped he could stay and spend more time with them.

Looking at the pitiful girl in front of him, Higashino Shuichi realized that he still couldn't be completely cold-blooded.

So, that night, Higashino Shuichi chatted with Kabuto Asayako for a long time, from the story of Higashino Shuichi before he became a Shinigami in Rukongai to some interesting stories about the Fourth Division.

Higashino Shuichi knew that there was nothing to talk about regarding Kabuto Sayaka's past; bringing it up would only remind her of some unpleasant memories.

Moreover, since birth, Kabuto Sayaka has never left the Kabuto family home.

He knew that Masayako Kabuto longed to hear something from him.

Therefore, most of the time, it was Higashino Shuichi who was telling his own story, and occasionally he would make up some fairy tales he had heard in his previous life and tell them.

However, due to the passage of time, these stories are often only halfway through before Higashino Shuichi can no longer continue.

However, Asayako Kabuto listened very attentively and would occasionally ask Shuichi Higashino questions.

For example, what happened to Snow White in the end?

Did the prince eventually find Cinderella?

Did the young woodcutter eventually obtain both a golden axe and a silver axe?
That night, Kabuto Sayaka happily forgot her burdens because she had found Higashino Shuichi, the Grim Reaper who could carry their family's mission.

Because she believed in the promise that Higashino Shuichi made to her that day, she eventually lay quietly on Higashino Shuichi's lap and fell into a deep sleep.

Looking at Masayako Kabuto, who felt as light as a feather on his lap, Higashino Shuichi's gaze softened.

"How can you trust someone you've only met twice, Sayako?"

(End of this chapter)