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

Higashino Shuichi did not want to stop cutting.

But can't.

The best that could be done with the shallowly honed sword in his hand was to embed the blade halfway into Kisuke Urahara's shoulder blade.

Is Kisuke Urahara's shoulder blade too stiff?

No, Higashino Shuichi saw the whole story.

"This is a spirit corpse?! And it is..."

Shuichi Higashino finally understood why Kisuke Urahara had suddenly become so powerful.

Because Kisuke Urahara was covered by a layer of spirit remains.

Generally speaking, unless one is forced to conceal their identity, it is unnecessary for a Grim Reaper to fight, nor should they cover themselves with an additional layer of spirit remains.

The purpose of the spirit remains is to help Death temporarily stabilize his injuries and save his life.

The second function is to allow Death to conveniently appear in the mortal world as a human.

Regardless of the type, the remains would hinder the interaction between Death itself and external spiritual particles.

This is determined by the nature of the spirit remains themselves.

However, there is one type of spirit that violates this principle.

That was the first Captain series created by Masato Miyazaki, the former captain of the 12th Division of Soul Society.

All of these spirit remains share a common characteristic: they have no endurance issues and can autonomously utilize the power of the Grim Reaper.

This means that even though the Grim Reaper is wearing the skin of the first captain's spirit body, he can still freely exert his original strength and will not be affected by the spirit body.

The case of Shiya Kobe, who served the Tsuna Yayoi family and was dealt with by Shuichi Higashino, was such a case.

Even now, Shuichi Higashino has reason to believe that Shiya Kobe was actually the product of a joint experiment by Kisuke Urahara and Masato Miyazaki.

Or perhaps he was simply Kisuke Urahara's experiment.

Once this technology has been validated on Shiya Kobe, the next step, even if not large-scale promotion, will naturally be to use it on himself.

Higashino Shuichi felt he should have thought of this much earlier.

Even after discovering that only one of the Tsunayoshi family's subordinates, Shiki Kobe, possessed that ability, he should have realized that there was another reason behind it.

If Urahara Kisuke hadn't wanted to use him for himself, if Urahara Kisuke hadn't already started interfering at that time, and even kicked Miyazaki Masato out of the core, given Tsunayoshiro Kanbara's personality, how could he have allowed only one exception among his subordinates, Shiya Kobe?

Compared to the first captain's spirit body, which possesses its own independent soul, it is clearly more worthwhile to invest more energy in a controllable Grim Reaper like Shiya Kobe.

The spirit body that Kisuke Urahara has now equipped himself with is something that Shuichi Higashino finds hard to recognize in any of the spirit bodies he has encountered before.

This is one of the reasons why Higashino Shuichi had never thought of this possibility before.

But now, Higashino Shuichi can guess the reason behind it.

The problem must lie with Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

Given Mayuri Kurotsuchi's current behavior, Higashino Shuichi could easily guess what was going on by simply putting himself in her shoes.

If he were Mayuri Kurotsuchi, all Urahara Kisuke would do is produce the complete data he has spent so many years researching the remains of these first captains.

He would undoubtedly sell the remains of the first captain, now preserved in the 12th Division of Soul Society for research, to Kisuke Urahara without hesitation.

Anyway, even if someone from the Soul Society comes up with questions, Mayuri Kurotsuchi can produce the complete research data and explain that those spirit remains were consumed during the research process.

If there are results and outcomes, will those people in Soul Society hold Mayuri Kurotsuchi accountable?
Definitely not.

This is where Mayuri Kurotsuchi's arrogance lies.

This is also why Kisuke Urahara was able to hold off Aizen in his complete form with just his own strength, along with the combined strength of Kūgo Ginjō, Shūkyū Tsukishima, and a few others.

Ultimately, Aizen's battle was not a one-on-one fight. Aizen was essentially fighting against several captains of the Shinigami, some of whom were exceptionally powerful.

How could Aizen possibly achieve an overwhelming victory in such a short time?
"But this kind of 'crossing the river and then burning the bridge' behavior sounds like something Urahara Kisuke would do~"

Higashino Shuichi abandoned the Asauchi in his hand and, relying on his omniscient and omnipotent power, used commands to forcibly transfer his body to his original position.

At the very moment he made that move, Urahara Kisuke's twin swords slashed at Higashino Shuichi's body from both sides.

Those were hands made entirely of spirit particles, which did not belong to Kisuke Urahara at all, and the Zanpakuto held by those hands was not Kisuke Urahara's own Zanpakuto.

Those were the Zanpakuto that belonged to the original owners of the spirits that constituted them.

Higashino Shuichi looked down at his lower body, where there was nothing left.

He did indeed retreat, but not completely; his lower body was left forever in front of Kisuke Urahara.

"Ah"

Higashino Shuichi smiled and shook his head.

In battles where information is opaque, unexpected events like the one we just witnessed are bound to occur.

In situations like these, it comes down to the depth and resilience of both sides.

Fortunately, Shuichi Higashino is now quite wealthy.

"Self-Given Body!"

As Higashino Shuichi chanted softly, his body instantly returned to normal.

It was as if nothing had happened.

If it weren't for the scalding blood on the Zanpakuto within the two arms formed of spiritual particles beside Kisuke Urahara.

"This didn't kill you?"
Your vitality is truly extraordinary, Yhwach~

Kisuke Urahara's eyes flickered as he looked at Shuichi Higashino and spoke.

His tone was joking, as if everything had been within his expectations.

"Don't be in such a hurry, this good show has only just begun."

If it ended now, what would become of those eager Grim Reapers below?

After speaking, Higashino Shuichi opened his palm to the side.

"Given a Supergravity Environment!"

Same recipe, same taste.

Hideichi Higashino directly altered the environment of the entire small world.

Since this is a world he created, and its scope isn't too large, such modifications are entirely within Higashino Shuichi's capabilities.

"It's this trick again!"

Having already learned her lesson from this trick, Yoruichi Shihouin immediately wanted to repeat it.

But she discovered that the chains she had released could not even rise from the ground this time.

The sacred arrows that filled the entire space were everywhere, and any foreign object that dared to show itself would be attacked by tons of fire.

Those magical chains only have the power to suppress, but not to resist.

"Has anyone ever told you that the same move won't work twice against the same enemy?"

Higashino Shuichi looked down at the crowd pressed down by the gravity and said coldly.

Just then, Kyoraku Shunsui's voice finally rang out again.
"Did I tell you that your move is the same?"

Higashino Shuichi looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Kyoraku Shunsui, who was trapped in his usurpation magic circle, was now on the verge of death.

But those who know Kyoraku Shunsui know that this is Kyoraku Shunsui at his most terrifying. "I've waited so long for this moment, Yhwach!"
Bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Kuromatsu Shinju!

Kyoraku Shunsui used the last of his strength to roar loudly.

Then came the extremely terrifying spiritual pressure, which instantly swept across the entire small world.

Compared to Kyoraku Shunsui's original spiritual pressure, the Zanpakuto he successfully unleashed in this near-death state brought Kyoraku Shunsui a spiritual pressure increase of several times or even dozens of times.

This overwhelming spiritual pressure even broke through the spiritual pressure constraints of the Shinigami themselves, approaching the spiritual pressure of Shuichi Higashino in his normal Shinigami state.

Unfortunately, this increased spiritual pressure did not affect Kyoraku Shunsui. Otherwise, at this moment alone, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Kyoraku Shunsui was the strongest Shinigami in the history of Soul Society, except for the current one.

After all, whether it's Shuichi Higashino, Sosuke Aizen, or Kisuke Urahara, they have all been expelled from Soul Society and removed from the ranks of Shinigami.

The spiritual pressure that Kyoraku Shunsui unleashed actually affected the entire domain.

Its purpose is to ensure that the entire domain operates according to its rules without being interfered with by any other forces.

Any force that attempts to resist the rules of this realm will be suppressed by this unconventional realm.

At that moment, Higashino Shuichi's vision was completely black.

The chaotic world vanished into nothingness at that moment.

The entire area was quiet; you could even hear your own breathing.

But this is just a metaphor.

Because Higashino Hideichi is neither deaf nor blind.

He was deprived of both of these feelings before the real show began.

Higashino Shuichi could also use his omniscient and omnipotent authority to reclaim these two sensations for himself, just as he had done with his own body before.

But it's not necessary.

Because Higashino Shuichi is very clear about Kyoraku Shunsui's Bankai.

Suddenly, a circular light shone down not far in front of Shuichi Higashino, and Shunsui Kyoraku sat under the spotlight.

He should have stood there like an actor in a play, showing this magnificent first act to Higashino Hideo.

However, in order to squeeze out the last bit of his potential and maximize the possibility of defeating Higashino Shuichi, Kyoraku Shunsui is now unable to stand up.

Kyoraku Shunsui's Bankai will not heal his injuries.

"Act One: Hesitation and Sharing of Trauma!"

Kyoraku Shunsui used his Zanpakuto to support his body, allowing him to at least straighten his upper body. However, from his pale lips and weak voice, it was clear that Kyoraku Shunsui was on the verge of death.
"The wounds on your opponent will seem to be reflected on your own body as if they were shared with them!"

Kyoraku Shunsui explained the rules of the game to Higashino Shuichi, word by word.

This is also one of the rules of this game.

But Higashino Shuichi felt that rather than calling it a game, it was more like a one-sided trial.

Because in this game created by Kyoraku Shunsui, there is no such thing as confrontation. The outcome of everything was already predetermined before Kyoraku Shunsui activated his Bankai.

Higashino Shuichi stood quietly in place, awaiting the judgment of this first act of the game.

He did not attack Kyoraku Shunsui, who at that moment seemed capable of being killed with a single, casual strike.

Because he knew it was futile; in this vast realm, everything had to be done according to the rules.

Even the current Shuichi Higashino, or the current Sosuke Aizen, would have to do the same.

In other words, Kyoraku Shunsui, as the performer, cannot be killed before the game ends.

One hole, two holes, three holes, four holes.
Higashino Shuichi watched as more and more wounds appeared on his body, blood splattering everywhere and flowing endlessly.

These were all injuries that Kyoraku Shunsui had previously suffered from attacks by Higashino Shuichi.

Now all these damages must be returned to Higashino Shuichi exactly as they were.

Until Higashino Shuichi's body was riddled with holes, he had to kneel on one knee, just like Kyoraku Shunsui.

The lights above Kyoraku Shunsui's head flickered slightly.

A dimmer light shone down, signaling the start of the second act.

Act Two: The Bed of Shame!

The man, filled with remorse for wounding his opponent, was confined to his bed and contracted an incurable disease.

Kyoraku Shunsui continued explaining to Higashino Shuichi, much like a tour guide.

At the same time, black spots began to appear all over Higashino Shuichi's body, and blood kept flowing out of these spots.

They were like an incurable disease, recording the countdown of Higashino Shuichi's life.

Then comes the third act, where the lighting changes again, this time to a light blue.

Act III: Broken Fish Abyss

Having made up their minds, the two plunged together into the surging water until their spiritual pressure was completely exhausted.

The moment Kyoraku Shunsui finished speaking, the whole world seemed to be submerged by the sea, and Higashino Shuichi and Kyoraku Shunsui were both swallowed up by the deep sea.

However, these are not real seawater, but rather fake seawater simulated by spiritual particles.

Its real effect is to subject the drowning person to constant psychological trauma.

The only way to resist is to continuously output spiritual pressure.

However, the surrounding seawater is essentially like a large-scale spirit skeleton, which serves to prevent the Grim Reaper from obtaining spiritual energy from the outside world.

Therefore, this is a competition about the amount of spiritual pressure one can retain.

Until either Higashino Shuichi or Kyoraku Shunsui can no longer hold on and, due to insufficient spiritual pressure, loosens their inner defenses, then it will drown in this false seawater, just like a real drowning person.

Now, beneath this seawater, Higashino Shuichi gazes at Kyoraku Shunsui, and Kyoraku Shunsui gazes back at Higashino Shuichi.

For Shuichi Higashino, this scene was the only part of the entire game that felt somewhat like a game.

Unfortunately, Kyoraku Shunsui, as the mastermind behind this game, certainly wouldn't just try to outlast him like this.

Kyoraku Shunsui might not have been able to guess that Higashino Shuichi had unlimited energy, but his physical condition wouldn't allow him to waste too much time on this scene.

Therefore, this third act was merely a passing phase for Shuichi Higashino.

The real highlight comes in the fourth act.

"The Curtain of the End - Itokiri's Bloodstained Throat!"

A woman's feelings are incredibly cruel; she ignores the clamor of the man, and what shines in his throat is a white thread soaked with longing. At least with these hands, the tangled threads of longing, severed and discarded, come to an end.

Kyoraku Shunsui placed the Zanpakuto he was holding back into its sheath with both hands, then brought his index and middle fingers together and gathered spiritual energy at his fingertips, forming thin white threads of spiritual energy. He then spun these threads back and forth and wrapped them around Higashino Shuichi's neck.

He then swung his arm, gathering the silk thread in one breath before releasing it, instantly severing Higashino Shuichi's neck.

At the point where Higashino Shuichi's neck was severed, a large number of spherical spiritual particles also emerged. These particles then exploded, completely destroying Higashino Shuichi's body.

Throughout the entire process, Higashino Shuichi did not put up any resistance, not because he did not want to, but because he could not.

Because in normal gameplay, his body is restricted like a puppet on strings.

Only at this final moment will they be free.

Was Yhwach dead?
No.

Behind Kyoraku Shunsui, Higashino Shuichi's voice drifted out softly.
"Rewriting the future!" (End of Chapter)