When Higashino Shuuichi returned to Soul Society, it happened to be the second day since five captains had marched grandly into Hueco Mundo.
Upon hearing this news, Shuuichi silently mourned for Baraggan for three seconds.
Obviously, Aizen wasn't going to lend Baraggan any help. Even his lieutenants like Starrk, or research talents like Szayelaporro, had all retreated into the vast Menos Forest beneath Las Noches to avoid the storm.
Just picturing Baraggan alone facing the siege of five captains—that scene would be far too beautiful.
As for whether Baraggan would flee like Starrk and the others?
Shuuichi could only say—if Baraggan would ever do that, he wouldn't be Baraggan.
In a sense, Baraggan was truly a stubborn man.
Still, this matter had little to do with Shuuichi. Whether Baraggan lived or died didn't matter.
Alive, he was barely useful. Dead, all the better.
What was critical was that just as Shuuichi returned to Soul Society, someone he least expected came to find him.
"Yo-ho, Shuuichi-kun! You've finally come back from the Human World!"
"Shi…Shihōin-taichō??"
Shuuichi froze at the sudden arrival of the dark-skinned beauty who appeared before him like a gust of wind, his words tripping over themselves.
He felt he must have forgotten to check the almanac before his leave. How else could so many unforeseen things keep happening?
And he really needed to question his boss—
"Seriously? You've been in the Gotei 13 for seventy years, and you still haven't let Shihōin Yoruichi see your zanpakutō? As someone with great ambition, shouldn't you, oh, I don't know, apply Kyōka Suigetsu to every captain and lieutenant first before obsessing over your research?"
Of course, that was only his internal rant. He would never dare speak it aloud.
But no matter what, there was indeed a flaw in Aizen's plan.
So, Shuuichi immediately used his special channel to link with Aizen—letting him listen silently.
"What? You look surprised to see me?"
Yoruichi sensed the flicker of reiryoku from Shuuichi but assumed it was just shock from suddenly encountering her.
"How could I not be surprised? I'm just a regular Shinigami, yet a captain like you is suddenly waiting for me to return from leave. I'm truly overwhelmed."
Shuuichi patted his chest as if calming himself, but his words were meant for both Yoruichi and the listening Aizen.
Aizen, after all, must already have laid out illusions through Kyōka Suigetsu. If another Shinigami happened to cross paths with him at this moment, Aizen would need to adjust the illusion to avoid contradictions.
"Wait? No way! Shuuichi-kun, you're overthinking it. I just happened to be visiting Ukitake, and he happened to tell me you'd be back today."
Yoruichi swore earnestly.
But to Shuuichi, her words didn't sound truthful.
"Alright then, Shihōin-taichō. You're here for…"
Naturally, he wouldn't call out a captain's lie, especially not the head of the Shihōin clan.
He also recalled that he'd only really interacted with Yoruichi once—during the hunt, when he assisted her in battle. That was when he saved the young Suzumebachi (Fēng Shāo Ling). At the time, it was a calculated move to approach Yoruichi.
Still, her being this direct was a bit much.
"Mm, exactly! Join my 2nd Division!"
Yoruichi clapped him hard on the shoulder, flashing her white teeth in a grin.
"Shihōin-taichō, that was just me doing my duty as a Shinigami—"
Shuuichi launched into his prepared excuse, but midway through, he realized something was wrong.
What? Join the 2nd Division? That wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
"Pfft! Then what did you expect?"
Her cheerful laughter rang in his ears.
"Heh… just overthinking. But Shihōin-taichō, why would you suddenly invite me into your division?"
Shuuichi felt awkward.
The truth was, he had no real preference for divisions. He'd only joined the 4th originally because it made Aizen's reiryoku extractions easier.
Now he no longer needed that excuse, and he sensed he had earned more than enough points in Aizen's book. So switching divisions wasn't impossible.
Still, he couldn't agree too quickly—that would make him seem eager to jump ship. Not a good look. And most importantly, he wanted to see what Aizen thought. Aizen was his real boss.
You could upset anyone but Aizen—if he wasn't pleased, he'd scatter your ashes and soul alike.
"Why else? Don't you know what we're best at? Hakuda and shunpo! You're incredible at both. Not joining the 2nd Division would be a waste!"
Yoruichi slung an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close.
Feeling that firm, full pressure against his arm, Shuuichi mentally called out to a certain future shopkeeper: *"Aren't you going to do something about your 'girlfriend'? She's using her body to strong-arm me here!"*
"Even so, no matter my will, Shihōin-taichō, this still requires my captain's consent. Without her approval, I couldn't transfer, even if I wished to."
With Yoruichi right beside him, Shuuichi couldn't wait for Aizen's reply, so he used Unohana as his shield.
"You mean Unohana Retsu? She already agreed! She said if you want to leave the 4th, she won't stop you!"
Yoruichi answered confidently.
But what she didn't know was that her words made Shuuichi's drifting mind instantly clear.
"Shihōin-taichō, may I ask—what exactly were Captain Unohana's words?"
"Just what I said! If you want to leave, she won't stop you. Why? Problem?"
At that moment, a chill ran down Shuuichi's spine.
"Then I'm sorry, Shihōin-taichō. Since Captain Unohana is so generous, I can't betray her. I choose to remain in the 4th Division!"
Without hesitation, Shuuichi gave his answer.
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