Convincing Kaname was almost too easy—so easy that Higashino worried on Aizen's behalf. Was this guy really sincere?
To put it in Higashino's own words: Kaname met Aizen, felt the deliberately unhidden surge of spiritual pressure, heard his lofty ideal of changing this rotten Soul Society—a dream no less grand than Kakyo's—and immediately broke down in tears, crying out to be taken along.
If nothing else, Kaname was a true idealist until the end.
From beginning to end, he fought for Kakyo's ethereal dream.
For that dream, he even abandoned himself—only to fall along the path of trying to realize it.
"If there's love in this world, the first should be Kaname and Kakyo's love, which began as friendship and rose above life itself."
Standing silently in the corner, watching "Aizen tames Kaname.avi," Higashino sighed inwardly.
But taking in Kaname wasn't the real problem—it was expected. The real issue was the Asauchi in his hands.
"Kaname, since you'll be our comrade from now on, there's something I need you to answer honestly: where did that Asauchi come from?"
After Aizen finished speaking with him, Higashino stepped forward, asking with deliberate gravity.
As a transmigrator, Higashino already knew the blade's origin. But he had to pretend ignorance—it was the only way to maintain his cover.
"I took it from Kakyo. I want to inherit her will and dream!"
Kaname's answer was straightforward.
Higashino sucked in a sharp breath and turned to Aizen. "By regulation, a dead Shinigami's Asauchi is collected by the authorities. If what he says is true, the higher-ups will have noticed by now."
He turned back to Kaname. "And without permission, possessing an Asauchi is punishable by death under Soul Society law."
The moment those words left his mouth, Kaname gripped the blade even tighter.
"I won't hand over Kakyo's Asauchi. That's my bottom line. Even if it costs my life!"
His answer was firm, without a trace of hesitation.
"That's troublesome," Higashino muttered, glancing at Aizen for guidance.
Of course, he knew the solution. But as a good subordinate, he let his boss take the spotlight.
"Tomorrow, bring Kaname to see Shunsui. Let him explain everything truthfully."
As expected, Aizen already had the answer.
Yesterday's verdict was bound to leave Shunsui dissatisfied. Kaname was just a commoner. Giving him to Shunsui as a point of sympathy was an easy way to win favor.
Every captain represented a significant weight in Soul Society. Earning even a sliver of goodwill was a bargain Central 46 couldn't refuse.
So the next morning, Higashino brought Kaname to the 8th Division.
As Aizen had foreseen, it went smoothly. Shunsui sympathized deeply and offered his understanding.
Before Central 46 could pounce, he had already reported Kaname's case.
This time, Central 46 was surprisingly cooperative.
"No problem! None at all!"
It was only a commoner, after all. And with Shunsui's concession—Kaname must attend Shin'ō Academy—it gave his Asauchi a neat, legal patch.
No one could find fault.
And so what should have been a scandal that rocked Soul Society was quietly smoothed over.
Kaname entered Shin'ō Academy, and Higashino's life returned to—
"Yamada Seinosuke, how many times have I told you? You can't beat me. What's the point of challenging me so often?"
Looking at the cold-eyed Shinigami standing in his rest chamber, Higashino felt a headache coming.
"Vice-captain Higashino, I believe the 4th Division's duty is saving lives. Unlike other divisions, strength shouldn't be the standard here—it should be proficiency in Kaidō. If you insist on dueling me in combat and refuse to compare Kaidō skills, forgive me, but you don't deserve to be in the 4th Division at all! The 11th Division would suit you better."
Seinosuke's voice was steady.
"Fine, then convince the captain. If Unohana agrees, I'll accept your challenge."
It was the same answer Higashino always gave.
He could never understand why Seinosuke kept coming back, despite always being blocked by that excuse.
But today, he found out.
"Captain agreed!"
"See, that's what I—wait, what did you just say?!"
Higashino froze. Was he hearing things? Unohana agreeing to this?
On the surface she was a refined elder-sister type, but in truth, the first Kenpachi—the strongest swordsman of Soul Society. Would someone like her ever support Seinosuke's theory that Kaidō skill alone qualified one to be vice-captain?
Higashino couldn't believe it.
But Seinosuke wouldn't lie about this. Which meant Unohana really had approved it.
So why?
Cold sweat broke across Higashino's back.
"Could it be she's discovered I've been secretly extracting Reishi from the injured and passing it to Aizen?"
"No, impossible. If that were the case, it wouldn't be Seinosuke here—it would be Unohana herself, maybe even with Genryūsai in tow."
"Then… I get it."
His mind spun rapidly until the pieces clicked.
Most likely, Unohana had noticed something odd about the Shinigami treated by him. Not enough to pinpoint, but enough to make her suspicious. So she arranged a pretext to bring him down, minimizing risk.
And Seinosuke happened to be the perfect pawn.
Realizing this, Higashino knew his position as vice-captain was probably finished.
If trouble came now, Aizen wouldn't protect him—in fact, Aizen might silence him early to prevent leaks.
That would leave him caught in the middle, abandoned by both sides.
"I understand. Let's hold the Kaidō match tomorrow."
This time, whether from reason or fear, Higashino could only force a bitter smile.
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