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

Chapter 6. The Hunt Begins (Part 6)
"However, this is just the Captain-Commander's guess. It's impossible to stop those nobles from participating in this event just because of such a guess. So the specific actions were only notified to the Shinigami above the vice-captain level. Since Shuichi, you are only the third seat now, you were not notified."

Unohana Retsu's voice came from behind Higashino Shuichi at just the right moment.

This explanation was reasonable and well-founded, but in the eyes of Higashino Shuichi, who had already become wary, it was nothing short of a blatant attempt to cover up his guilt.

"That's true. Even if those Hollows had a hundred times the courage, they would only dare to cause trouble in Rukongai. How could they dare to come to Soul Society on a large scale and openly challenge us Shinigami?"

Higashino Shuichi answered in agreement.

To this, Retsu Unohana simply responded with her usual smile.

Fortunately, Ginjiro quickly found him and gave Higashino Shuichi an excuse to leave.

"The Hollow has been released, let's hurry to District 62 of West Rukongai!"

Ginjiro excitedly pulled Higashino Shuichi along.

Why go there?

While using Shunpo to travel, Higashino asked the question.

"Is there even a question? Of course, that place only has ordinary Hollows, making it the safest hunting area. Based on previous experiences, although only a small number of nobles choose this area, there aren't many Grim Reapers vying for it. I just easily secured guard slots for the two of us in this hunting area!"

Ginjiro said with undisguised pride.

He was clearly well-prepared for this hunt.

Although Higashino Shuichi was somewhat reluctant, because this clearly conflicted with the task Aizen had assigned him, he suppressed his desire to be a good employee due to Unohana Retsu's obviously distrustful attitude.

After all, if he doesn't do a good job, at most he'll be scolded by Aizen afterward, but if Unohana Retsu really catches him making a big mistake, then it might not just be a matter of imprisonment.

Soon, Higashino Shuichi and Ginjiro arrived at the 62nd ward of West Rukongai.

According to the prior event arrangements, the entire West Rukongai districts 62, 64, and 66, as well as the South Rukongai districts 71, 73, and 75, are hunting areas. The reason for staggering these areas is to prevent some people from "stealing monsters." After all, the fundamental purpose of the entire event is for the nobles to have fun, show off their strength, and rack up their battle records, so there should be absolutely no favoritism.

Furthermore, all hunting areas are guarded by members of the 10th Division and the 2nd Division.

Originally, the hunting area should have only contained members of the nobility, apart from the 13th Division Shinigami who volunteered to participate. However, due to the special nature of this hunting activity, when Higashino Shuichi and Ginjiro took their positions, a captain had already arrived there in advance.

"Captain Shishioka Inner Courtyard?!"

Upon first seeing that brownish-red figure, Gintoki truly couldn't help but stammer.

No way, with the captain of the Second Division here, how are we supposed to give these ordinary Shinigami a chance to be heroes and save the day?!

The above is a true reflection of Gintoki's inner thoughts.

Upon seeing the arrival of Higashino Shuichi and Ginjiro, Yoruichi Shihouin greeted them enthusiastically: "Yo, you two are the Shinigami in charge of this hunting activity and this area, right?"

"Yes, Captain Shihōin, I didn't expect you to be personally overseeing things here."

It was Higashino Shuichi who stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Shihouin Yoruichi.

The appearance of Yoruichi Shihouin was not unexpected for Shuichi Higashino.

After all, Kensei Muguruma had said before that this was a trap, so it was perfectly normal for each of the six areas to have at least one captain-level Shinigami stationed there. Furthermore, Shuichi Higashino thought it was a bit abnormal that there was only one captain, Yoruichi Shihouin, here.

But then he thought about it again and realized that it was actually true.

With Yoruichi Shihouin's strength, she could easily take on two Kensei Muguruma in a one-on-one fight. There is also a great deal of fluctuation in strength between captains.

In addition, with Yoruichi Shihouin's unparalleled Shunpo skills in the entire Soul Society, she can intercept Hollows no matter where they appear in the 62nd district.

Having two team leaders here would be a waste of resources. "I wouldn't say I'm in charge, I just come here occasionally. Don't worry about me, go do what you're doing. I won't interfere unless something unexpected happens!"

Yoruichi Shihōin waved his hand and said to Hideichi Higashino.

Although she knew Higashino Shuichi, the former vice-captain of the Fourth Division, the two were not familiar with each other before, so she didn't stand on ceremony in this setting.

Higashino Shuichi's reaction to this was quite normal, because he knew that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, something unexpected would definitely happen later.

Ginjiro, on the other hand, looked rather strange; his face visibly turned as bitter as a bitter gourd.

In his mind, there was a high probability that he wouldn't get a single thing from this hunting competition.

If I had known this would happen, I would have been better off staying in the Sixth Division and working hard, earning more overtime pay, and maybe I could have finished the glasses shop a day sooner.

Their conversation with Yoruichi Shihouin ended there, just as the latter had said, she had no intention of interfering with the normal procedures of this hunting activity.

Soon, the two finally saw the belated noble procession.

Higashino Shuichi roughly counted a total of 29 people, including 16 men and 13 women, which was roughly equal.

Higashino Shuichi originally intended to just glance around and move on, but among these nobles, he vaguely spotted a familiar figure.

Soi Fon?

The reason why Higashino Shuichi was not quite sure was because the owner of that figure was now just a little girl who looked to be about ten years old.

Shuichi Higashino was very familiar with the grown-up Soi Fon, but he could only distinguish her from her younger form by some details.

"No way, could it be that Soi Fon and Yoruichi Shihouin's relationship blossomed during this hunting event?"

Higashino Shuichi went through his dying memories and finally found a scene that had been glossed over in the original story.

The key is Soi Fon's identity. She is a member of the lower-ranking noble Hachi family, and the Hachi family has worked for the Shihouin family for generations. In a sense, they are also a family of assassins exclusively for the Shihouin family.

At this point in time, it seems that the Bee family has very few people left, and is basically facing population decline. Therefore, it seems understandable that such a young Soi Fon was sent out to come into contact with Hollows at an early age.

"But because of me, the void seems to be much stronger at this point in time than it was at the original point in time?"

After confirming Soi Fon's identity, Shuichi Higashino couldn't help but have some doubts.

In this timeline, Aizen benefited from the tireless provision of a large number of Shinigami spirit particles by Shuichi Higashino over the years, resulting in rapid technological development in the Shinigami field on the Hollow side. This led to the development of an ability called "Shiki-Knot," which can attract all spiritual energy within a certain range by constructing spirit particle knots, thereby achieving a form of indirect defense.

After this ability was revealed by Szayelaporro, Aizen immediately sent Higashino Shuichi to be the first test subject. Higashino Shuichi's conclusion after testing it was that it was quite powerful.

At least until the output exceeds the limit of the deadlock's tolerance, as long as that Hollow hides behind the deadlock, Higashino Shuichi has no way to deal with it.

However, it's not without its drawbacks. Higashino Shuichi doesn't use Kido or Zanpakuto abilities to attack; he can just fight at close range or use normal attacks.

However, Higashino Shuichi is certain that this ability has been kept hidden by Aizen since it was created, and he doesn't know whether Aizen's planned attack will unleash this ability.

Once released, it should be no problem for them to cause some trouble for these Grim Reapers in the short term.

As Higashino Hideichi pondered these questions, and the nobles below began to use their respective methods to attack the ordinary Hollows, three black cavities suddenly opened in District 62, near Higashino Hideichi.

"Is it finally here?"

"They actually came!"

Almost at the same time, both Higashino Shuichi and Shihouin Yoruichi, who had been hiding on the sidelines, thought to themselves.

(End of this chapter)