No Cheat in Bleach ? Watch me help Aizen then.-Chapter 72: Fishing for Answers

"Another boring day~"

Standing at the island's edge, letting the sea breeze hit his face, he stretched and gazed into the distance. He really envied those who were stationed near bustling cities in the Living World. Sure, their jobs were more demanding, but at least they had entertainment.

"Thou monarch who reigns! Mask of flesh and blood, all things in the universe, spread your wings and soar—He who bears the name of man! With searing heat and upheaval, lash against the southern sea—step forth! Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

With nothing better to do, he kept practicing the Kidō he'd learned back at Shin'ō Academy.

A fireball hissed across the water, dissolving into mist before it reached a hundred meters.

Just as he prepared to chant his next incantation, a rip tore open the air behind him. From that spatial wound surged a chilling spiritual pressure—a presence alien and unknown.

"What the hell?!"

Ōki spun, instantly launching into a Kidō chant. He hadn't unlocked Shikai yet—Kidō was all he had.

But before he could even finish the incantation, the black creature streaked toward him like a meteor.

Two flat, tendril-like arms lashed out and slammed him with bone-cracking force.

Dirt exploded. His body was embedded into the surveillance tower's wall.

With his fading breath, eyes blurred and blood flooding his throat, Ōki used the last flicker of his consciousness to send a warning to the other surveillance outposts in the Living World—

Akihara Town, Nihon.

The picnic had ended. Higashi Shuuichi, Rangiku, Soifon, Gin, and Shuusuke wandered through the city streets.

Though Captain Hikifune of the 12th Division had cracked the mechanics of Gigai, the first-generation models weren't yet portable. For now, they remained in their spirit forms—unseen by humans.

"Is it always this lively in the Living World's cities?" Rangiku asked, wide-eyed at the milling crowds.

"Not really. Today's an exception—this town's holding its Mizuhara Festival. Big holidays like this always draw people out," Shuuichi replied, stepping aside as a human brushed past him unknowingly.

Soul Society didn't really have anything like these earthly festivals.

"Are they all commoners?" Shuusuke asked after circling a few humans like a curious cat.

"Of course. You think samurai or nobility would lower themselves to this kind of 'vulgar' celebration?" Shuuichi smirked.

"You don't think it's fun either, do you?" Soifon asked, clearly bored. Standing around watching people dance? Not her thing. She'd rather be drenched in sweat on the training field.

"On the contrary, Soifon—it's these moments that make life worth living~"

Shuuichi stepped into the festival's heart, where a miko danced gracefully in the center of a cheering circle.

"Oh! I get it now, Shuuichi-sama—this is what they call 'so enchanted by pleasure, one forgets to return home,' right?"

Shuusuke stared entranced at the shrine maiden.

"...You little moron. That's not how you use that expression! Shut up and sit down," Shuuichi sighed. This kid had a big heart—but way too many words.

"Hah! See what you get for showing off, Shuusuke? Here—specialty from North Rukongai: persimmon wine!"

Taking the chance to rest, Rangiku instantly pulled out a half-drunk bottle from her—ample—cleavage, dragged Soifon down beside her, and began drinking anew.

Only Gin refrained. Clearly, this had been pre-planned.

"You've got something for me?"

Shuuichi didn't miss the cue. As Gin silently joined him, he spoke first.

"Yes, Shuuichi-sama." Gin nodded with a small, sly smile. "My academy instructor says I'm on track to graduate in three months, alongside the current sixth-year class."

Shuuichi raised a brow. He already knew this, of course. But it hadn't even been a full year...

He himself had taken forever to unlock Shikai, not to mention learning Hadō, Hakuda, and Shunpo.

Damn prodigies.

"Let me guess—you're asking which Division to apply for?"

"Yes," Gin said with practiced humility. "I've heard that once we enter the Gotei 13, it's usually the lieutenants who provide most of the guidance. So I wanted to ask: what kind of people are the current lieutenants? I thought it might help me decide."

Shuuichi nearly chuckled. This little fox wanted information on Aizen Sōsuke, huh? And he was playing it like a clueless student?

Fine, he'd play along.

"Let's see... Vice-Captain Sasakibe of the 1st Division specializes in Hakuda and Zanjutsu. Never seen him use much Kidō.

The 2nd Division's Ōmaeda? Hard to say... maybe 'balanced' is the polite word.

3rd Division's new vice-captain, Iba Tetsuzaemon, just got promoted—I don't know him well yet.

Then there's me—4th Division. I dabble in everything: sword, hand-to-hand, Kidō, healing.

5th Division's Aizen Sōsuke? Same as me, but he's just that little bit better at everything.

6th..."

He continued the list without breaking the illusion.

After all, this was something Aizen himself had asked of him during a recent visit—delivered right in front of a Kyōka Suigetsu-entranced Rangiku.

"Guide Ichimaru Gin into joining the 5th Division."

Weird kink? Maybe. But that wasn't Shuuichi's problem.

He was a loyal employee. Just doing his job.

And predictably, Gin made a show of weighing the options, apologized for taking up time, and ultimately "decided" on balanced development—choosing to join the 5th Division, led by Aizen.

He even had the gall to ask Shuuichi for more details on Aizen's background.

Which, of course, Shuuichi provided with a smile. What was there to lose? Aizen's public persona was impeccable—he looked like the nicest guy in all of Soul Society.

And just as Shuuichi was savoring Gin's clumsy attempt at manipulation, relishing the private irony, a 13th Division Shinigami suddenly ran up from a nearby surveillance post, breathless.

"Vice-Captain Higashi! Emergency! We've got a situation!"