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

Chapter 56. Good Death, Bad Death

A light rain began to fall in the 62nd district of East Rukongai.

Perhaps even the heavens are expressing their feelings while gazing at the scenery.

When Higashino Shuichi was brought before Matsumoto Rangiku by Ichimaru Gin, the ill-fated girl was already on the verge of death.

"She is seriously injured. I may need to take her back to the Fourth Division to fully heal her."

Higashino Shuichi replied, giving Matsumoto Rangiku his full strength.

He didn't lie to Gin Ichimaru about this. Given Matsumoto Rangiku's injuries, she was only alive thanks to the Soul King fragments' torment of her body over the years.

Despite her small stature, Matsumoto Rangiku possesses immense strength, giving her a resilience far exceeding that of ordinary people.

"Please, sir, you must save Rangiku!"

Gin Ichimaru knelt down before Shuichi Higashino without hesitation.

"Yes, I will, don't worry, it's my responsibility!"

Higashino Shuichi used one hand to help Ichimaru Gin up, then picked up Matsumoto Rangiku and got up.

"What about you? Are you coming back with me? That way, she'll see you the moment she wakes up."

Higashino Shuichi did not retract his outstretched hand, but extended an invitation to Ichimaru Gin.

Looking at the broad, kind hand in front of him, Gin Ichimaru knew that if he nodded, he could go to the legendary Seireitei with this saintly vice-captain.

However, he chose to shake his head and refuse.

Pale lips and bloodshot eyes held an indelible hatred.

That bespectacled Grim Reaper, the one who almost took Rangiku's life.
He absolutely cannot go to Seireitei with Rangiku now, otherwise that Shinigami might guess something.

"Alright then, I respect your choice."

Higashino Shuichi did not insist and was about to leave with Matsumoto Rangiku when he suddenly heard Ichimaru Gin's voice behind him.

"Lord Shuichi, may I ask you a question? What exactly does it take to become a Grim Reaper?"

Higashino Shuichi stopped, turned around, and saw Ichimaru Gin's determined gaze.

"As long as you have the qualifications to become a Shinigami, go to the first to tenth wards of Rukongai, and pass the entrance exam of the Shinigami Academy there, you will have the qualifications to become a Shinigami."

Do you want to become the Grim Reaper? Tell me your name, and perhaps I can help you.

Gin Ichimaru pursed his lips, lowered his eyes, and bowed his head.

He was somewhat afraid to face Higashino Shuichi.

This Grim Reaper is so good to him; in the past, this would have been something Gin Ichimaru would never have dared to dream of.

But now he couldn't. He couldn't tell this Grim Reaper his name, because he was afraid that this Grim Reaper, unaware of the situation, would accidentally reveal his name to the bespectacled Grim Reaper.

He had never been to Seireitei and had no idea about the specific relationships between the Shinigami, so he couldn't take that risk.

Even the fact that "it was a Grim Reaper who hurt Matsumoto Rangiku" was something Gin Ichimaru dared not say.

Perhaps sensing Gin Ichimaru's reluctance, Shuichi Higashino stepped forward, gently patted Gin's head, and comforted him.
"It's alright, I understand. Everyone has their own difficulties. Don't worry, I will definitely save your partner!"

Having said that, Higashino Shuichi wasted no more time. He used Shunpo to carry the unconscious Matsumoto Rangiku towards the Seireitei.

After Higashino Shuichi left, Ichimaru Gin looked up, gazing longingly in the direction Higashino Shuichi had gone. After a long while, Ichimaru Gin reluctantly turned back for one last look at the desolate place where he and Matsumoto Rangiku had once lived together.

That is the past; from now on, he will become Death and personally write the future!
"Wait for me, Rangiku!"

Young Gin Ichimaru silently made a promise in his heart, and then moved forward without looking back.

What Gin Ichimaru didn't know was that, far away from where Gin couldn't see, Shuichi Higashino hadn't actually gone far. Instead, he carried the unconscious Rangiku Matsumoto to the side of the bespectacled Grim Reaper that Gin had been longing for.

"You want to save her?"

Aizen said, watching Gin Ichimaru's retreating figure step by step.

“I can’t go back on my word, can I? Lord Aizen, that doesn’t fit my image,” Higashino Shuichi shrugged. “After all, you said before that if he didn’t rush out to save this girl, or if he came to me to complain, then I would let him go.”

Now it seems that the probability of him becoming my colleague in the future is not low at all.

"Be confident, absolutely. His talent far surpasses yours!"

Aizen said it without any hesitation.

In fact, this is the reason why Aizen would choose to go through all that trouble.

Higashino Shuichi's lips twitched uncontrollably.

That's only because you call me Aizen Sousuke. If I had any other name, you'd see if I would have gone on strike.
"Hehe. Indeed, my current strength is somewhat lagging behind Aizen-sama's pace, but with this Soul King fragment, I think it will still take that boy some time to catch up with me."

However, despite his thoughts, Higashino Shuichi could only offer a couple of awkward laughs on the surface.

As for whether Aizen would care about this small detail?

Just kidding, you're overthinking it. Even if Aizen noticed, he wouldn't care. Otherwise, he wouldn't be called Aizen.

"According to your plan, you're going to use this fragment now, right?"

Aizen withdrew his gaze. He no longer cared what Gin Ichimaru would do next. Given the character and wisdom Gin Ichimaru had shown so far, there was really only one possibility left.

That is to become the Grim Reaper, then wait for an opportunity to get close to him, and then find a chance to kill him.

Is it even possible for Gin Ichimaru to possess such talent?

Aizen was very curious.

"Yes, Lord Aizen, the false records of the Great Spiritual Library, Kenpachi Zaraki's amazing talent, and the oppressive aura brought by Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto might be able to deceive Masuke Kasumi, who has been blinded by power, but it is absolutely impossible to make Yosuke Kumoi completely lower his guard."

To get him to gamble everything, you have to show him some tangible results.

Higashino Shuichi carefully placed Matsumoto Rangiku on the ground, then took the fragment of the Soul King's fingernail that had been extracted from Matsumoto Rangiku's body from Aizen's hand.
"Without a doubt, I am the one who delivers the best results!"

"Humph~"

Aizen gave a soft hum, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Although he had long guessed that this was Higashino Shuichi's purpose, he was satisfied when Higashino Shuichi finally reached this point through so many means.

Since that's the case, don't disappoint me in the future, Shuichi.
Aizen and Higashino Shuichi exchanged glances, and it seemed that they both saw unspoken meanings in each other's eyes.

Then Aizen took out the unfinished Hogyoku, which had its light contained.

Fragments of the Spirit King's fingernails, fused together.

(End of this chapter)