With the Tsunayashiro family backing him, and with Yamamoto Genryūsai himself approving the appointment, news of the formation of a new armed division in Soul Society spread like wildfire throughout the Seireitei.
The nobles were especially proactive. The very next day after the decree declaring Higashi Shuuichi the first Grand Swordhunter of the Katanagari-gumi, a newly tailored Captain's haori was delivered to his residence—graciously gifted by the Tsunayashiro family.
Seated within the house granted to him by the nobles, Shuuichi gently ran his hand over the fabric of his new haori. This was his first true Captain's haori since arriving in the world of the Shinigami (the one from the fabricated future didn't count). As he'd requested, a pale bluish lotus was embroidered on the right sleeve.
"You seem to rather enjoy the idea of being Captain," said the man seated opposite him, wearing glasses and a pristine white haori.
"How could I not?" Shuuichi smiled faintly. "For a Shinigami, it's practically the highest title there is. But what makes me... melancholic... is that this should've been mine decades ago. It's come late—too damn late."
The man across from him—Aizen Sōsuke—smiled knowingly.
"But perhaps that's not such a bad thing. They aren't just naming you a Captain. The nobles... they're grooming you to be another Yamamoto Genryūsai."
Shuuichi scoffed.
"A second Yamamoto Genryūsai, huh... Aizen-sama, as the Grand Swordhunter under Tsunayashiro's direct command, I must appear strong—unyielding—even prepared to turn my blade on the Gotei 13. There's no room for reconciliation between us.
What the nobles want isn't a second Yamamoto.
One is already more than enough.
Hell, maybe none would be better."
"And that, Shuuichi," Aizen said softly, "is exactly why they trust you.
A Captain-class Shinigami—denied the position by his own superior.
A man who grasped dangerous powers—but was never trusted.
One who passed all tests—only to be sealed by Shihōin Yoruichi, stripped of his agency.
Betrayed by three Captains, forced into exile...
Any one of those would justify raising your blade against the Gotei 13. But you bear them all. Layered together.
Frankly, in the last few centuries of Soul Society, no one has more reason to hate the system built by Yamamoto than you.
And if you didn't? Now that would be suspicious."
"So that's why, back then, you were so sure the nobles would choose me?"
Shuuichi met Aizen's gaze.
"To win their favor, you needed three things: power, purpose, and loyalty.
Back then, your power was still lacking—escaping from five Captains was impressive, but not enough to threaten the entire Gotei 13.
But purpose? You had it in abundance.
And loyalty? Few things show that better than serving not one but two noble families—Kasumioji and Tōma—and completing their missions flawlessly.
Power could be built. I never doubted you'd reach the necessary level.
And clearly, I was right."
Aizen left something unsaid: Shuuichi's potential had exceeded even his expectations.
That ability—to seal Zanpakutō releases—it was practically made to counter Yamamoto.
The only question was whether it would work on someone at Yamamoto's level. Even with Hollowfication boosting Shuuichi's spiritual pressure, he was still far from Yamamoto's tier.
If Aizen's theory was correct, the ability could only affect someone with significantly lower reiatsu.
But that was easily addressed. Feed Shuuichi a steady stream of powerful Hollows to absorb—under the guise of enemy ambushes. No one would suspect a thing.
And once Yamamoto was out of the equation, the only remaining obstacle would be the Royal Guard.
His research would shift focus. Aizen had decided that two days ago, the moment he witnessed Shuuichi's ability.
The old "Firekiller Project" to counter Yamamoto could now be scrapped.
After all, why use a fire extinguisher...
When you have a blade that smothers all flames?
"Your insight never fails, Aizen-sama," Shuuichi said with a well-placed flattery, before shifting gears.
"Speaking of which... do you know what happened to me during those years I was gone?"
"I don't," Aizen said, narrowing his eyes. "But I've been quite curious."
This was the real reason Aizen came. He had thought Shuuichi dead—and had even offered him a rare word of respect. Now here he was, more powerful than ever.
Hell wasn't a believable explanation—Shuuichi had admitted the only reason he survived his five years there was thanks to Kūruwaki Kenpachi. Without him, even Aizen might not have made it.
But the next words out of Shuuichi's mouth were even more absurd than a decade in Hell.
"A fabricated... future?"
For the first time in recent memory, Aizen's expression showed genuine confusion.
Good thing the Hōgyoku wasn't fully fused with him yet—who knows what strange transformation it might've triggered.
"Yes. According to intel I obtained from the Tsunayashiro family, that Fullbringer who constructed the simulated future had to have seen the real one first. That kind of future can't be created out of nothing.
And even then, the fabricated timeline would eventually correct itself. He couldn't alter events too far from my entry point."
Shuuichi paused.
This next part would change everything. The flow of destiny itself.
But after much thought, he had decided to proceed.
Because facing Akisada's simulated world made him realize one thing—
If he could see the future...
Then Yhwach surely could too.
And unlike the original plotline—where success came by the slimmest of chances—Shuuichi wasn't willing to gamble that it would all fall into place again.
Compared to the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Yhwach, Aizen was... manageable.
And if worst came to worst—if Aizen won—well, Shuuichi had seniority. He'd ridden the elevator from the ground floor.
"Aizen-sama, in that future... I saw you die. And I... died too."
Shuuichi stared straight into Aizen's eyes, watching his reaction.
And oh, there was a reaction.
But what emotion was that?
Shock?
Confusion?
Delight?
Excitement?
A swirling vortex of contradictions behind his glasses.
"You mean to say... in the future... I die?"
Each word left Aizen's lips slowly, as if he had to wrestle them free from some internal struggle.
"Yes, Aizen-sama. Not just you. Me, Tōsen Kaname, the entire Gotei 13, the noble families—even the Arrancar you created in Hueco Mundo. All annihilated."
Shuuichi took a deep breath.
"In that future, the sky wasn't blue. The ground wasn't grey. Hueco Mundo wasn't pale.
Everything was red. A bleeding, inky crimson.
The Human World remained—but Soul Society and Hueco Mundo were erased."
His voice trembled.
Aizen said nothing, just stared into Shuuichi's eyes, searching for a crack, a lie.
There was none.
Only slight embellishment.
"Who?" Aizen asked.
"Yhwach. The Quincy King, defeated by Yamamoto nearly a thousand years ago. He survived. Hidden in Soul Society's shadows.
He takes 900 years to regain his heartbeat, 90 to recover his consciousness, 9 to reclaim his power, and 9 days to seize the world.
As of now... he hasn't regained awareness yet."
Aizen scoffed.
"Unconscious? And this... is the Quincy King?"
"Aizen-sama, I've also obtained the method to infiltrate the Shadow World. Developed in that future by Mayuri, the tech isn't hard to reproduce. If you wish, I can give you the data now, and we can—"
Aizen raised a hand.
"No need to rush, Shuuichi. You said it yourself—he needs 90 years to awaken.
I'd rather he wake up.
I want him to see just how foolish his dream really is.
This world will rise—not by his hand, but mine."
Shuuichi blinked.
Wait, what?
That wasn't the script.
You're not even fused with the Hōgyoku yet.
Where's your caution?!
He scrambled internally.
"B-but Aizen-sama... Yhwach will kill you in that future!"
But Aizen remained unfazed.
"Shuuichi... only the unknown inspires fear. Now that we know he exists—even time itself favors us.
That future... will not come to pass.
Isn't it more satisfying to let him witness his own failure?"
"..."
Shuuichi stared blankly.
This is doomed. Should've handed it to the nobles instead. Now Aizen's involved, and I'll never get the chance to sneak in and kill Yhwach myself.
"I understand, Aizen-sama. Then I, Higashi Shuuichi, vow to assist you. Before the Quincy King awakens, I'll help shape this world into the one you desire—so we can show him just how wrong he was..."
"Good~" Aizen smiled.
His eyes were already staring into the future, envisioning the day he would meet the Quincy King—
And what a delightful meeting it would be.