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

Chapter 68. Everything for her own good.

The night will eventually pass.

Countless Grim Reapers stayed up all night.

Because there are countless people who need to be remembered.

And then there's the Seireitei, which is on the verge of being shattered.

Despite his reluctance to openly collect the Baku swords, many Hollowfied Shinigami ultimately engaged in a desperate battle with the belated captains.

Even a mayfly that shakes a tree will leave a mark.

For the first time in hundreds of years, Seireitei has suffered an even more tragic fate than Rukongai.

On that same night, many people wanted to be the winner, but in the end, only one person truly benefited from this tragedy.

"Hey~ Yeah~"

In the second district of West Rukongai, Matsumoto Rangiku, who had been sleeping in late, opened her eyes.

Looking at the bedroom she was in and the blanket covering her, she couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Lord Xiu is as gentle as ever~"

This wasn't the first time she'd been carried back to her bedroom by Higashino Shuichi after getting drunk, and clearly, it wouldn't be the last.

After a quick wash, Matsumoto Rangiku picked out a loose-fitting undershirt and prepared to head out to the 10th Division.

There was a knock on the door.

"what?"

Matsumoto Rangiku is somewhat unbelievable.

As far as she knew, people rarely visited Shuichi's house in the second ward of West Rukongai. Apart from Soi Fon visiting a few times, a black cat would occasionally come to play with Shuichi.

She once joked with Hideichi that they should build a cat house at home so that the black cat could stay there and sleep with him every night.

Unfortunately, this idea was rejected without hesitation by Lord Xiuyi.

Even Xiuyi subtly reminded her not to have such thoughts again.

It's just a black cat; people who don't know any better might think it's some kind of taboo.

Matsumoto Rangiku didn't quite understand, but since it was Hideaki-sama who instructed her, she just did as he said.

Lost in thought, Matsumoto Rangiku had already arrived on the first floor.

"Who is it~"

Upon opening the door, Matsumoto Rangiku was instantly stunned at first glance.

"Ranchiku"

The silver-haired youth outside the door had countless things he wanted to say, but in the end, he only uttered the simplest two words.

“阿银.”

Tears instantly filled Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes.

The two, who hadn't seen each other for many years and were childhood sweethearts, stood quietly at the door of Higashino Shuichi's house.

Everything is unspoken.

After a long while, Matsumoto Rangiku belatedly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and led Ichimaru Gin into the house.

"Gintoki, where have you been all these years? Ever since I became a member of the 10th Division, I've been looking for you near our old North Rukongai 62nd District, but I haven't been able to find any trace of you!"

Looking at Matsumoto Rangiku sitting opposite him, she was even more beautiful than he remembered, and as warm as before. But for some reason, Ichimaru Gin felt as if something had separated him from Rangiku, just like the small table between them. "Rangiku, you were seriously injured back then..."

Ginichimaru wanted to tell the truth about what happened back then, but hesitated when the words were on the tip of his tongue.

Looking at the innocent Matsumoto Rangiku across from him, he didn't want to drag her into the unnecessary conflict that was about to unfold.

He didn't know the identity of the bespectacled Shinigami who almost killed Rangiku, nor did he know if he could kill that Shinigami to avenge Rangiku, and he didn't know what his future fate would be after he killed that Shinigami.

Will they be sent to the Hill of Twin Killers?

That's possible.

At that time, he could choose to flee, whether to Rukongai, the human world, or even Hueco Mundo.

But Rangiku
Gin Ichimaru didn't want Rangiku to live that kind of precarious, uncertain life anymore.

Perhaps if things stay as they are, with Rangiku staying by Hidehisa's side, she can continue to live a happy and carefree life.
He should bear the consequences of revenge alone.

"What's wrong, Ah Yin?"

Matsumoto Rangiku noticed that Ichimaru Gin had suddenly started spacing out, so she stretched out a hand and waved it in front of him, asking with concern.

“It’s nothing,” Gin Ichimaru shook his head, a genuine smile on his lips that he hadn’t seen in many years. “Back then, it was Lord Shuichi who found Rangiku when she was unconscious. He said he wanted to take her back to Seireitei for treatment and asked if I wanted to come along. I said no, I could get to Seireitei on my own.”

With that, Gin Ichimaru took down his Zanpakuto, which had transformed into the shape of a wakizashi, and placed it on the table.

"Look, this is the result of all my hard work over the years!"

"Wow~ You've already mastered the Shikai of your Zanpakuto? Gin, you're amazing! I studied at the academy for six years, and then received personal instruction from Lord Shuichi for almost two more years before I finally learned the Shikai!"

Matsumoto Rangiku picked up Ichimaru Gin's Zanpakuto and said excitedly.

"Shuichi is such a good grim reaper."

Seeing Matsumoto Rangiku so happy, Gin Ichimaru's mood also brightened.

"Of course, Gin, even the place I live here now belongs to Hideaki!"
Hehe, what can I do? I spend all my salary on alcohol, I can't afford to rent a place at all~

Matsumoto Rangiku stuck out her tongue, and in front of Ichimaru Gin, she finally spoke her mind, which she hadn't dared to say in front of Higashino Shuichi.

Of course, whether there was any intention involved is something only Matsumoto Rangiku herself knows.

Ichimaru Gin had heard about this from Higashino Shuichi last night.

Gin Ichimaru never expected that after ten years, Shuichi Higashino would still remember him. Moreover, Shuichi Higashino, as a high-ranking vice-captain of the Grim Reaper, actually kept his promise to him back then and has always taken good care of Rangiku, who has no background, comes from a commoner family, and has only average talent.

This alone made Gin Ichimaru incredibly grateful to Shuichi Higashino.

"Alright, Rangiku, I actually came here today just to see you and see what you look like now. Now that I have, I'm very happy. I should also return to Shinigami Academy as soon as possible. After all, not only you, but I will also be very busy these days."

Gin Ichimaru actually wanted to spend more time with Rangiku Matsumoto, but he didn't forget his original purpose and the current state of Soul Society.

"You're at the True Spiritual Arts Academy? No, wait, I'll be very busy too?"

Matsumoto Rangiku was both delighted and surprised.

His phoenix eyes were filled with doubt.

Gin Ichimaru naturally knew what Rangiku was thinking.

He walked to the window, opened it, and pointed towards Seireitei.

"You don't know yet, Rangiku, but last night, the Kasumioji family, a high-ranking noble family in Seireitei, openly rebelled, and the entire Seireitei was drenched in blood."

Meanwhile, Higashino Shuichi was kneeling in the fourth division's vice-captain's rest room, and kneeling opposite him in his original spot was his captain, Unohana Retsu.

Shuichi Higashino was drenched in sweat.
(End of this chapter)