In the reports he submitted to the Gotei 13, Higashino described his Shikai's faceless soldiers as able to provide pure Reishi to other Shinigami in emergencies, and to wield roughly eighty percent of his own Hakuda and Shunpo skill.
But he carefully concealed one fact: those soldiers could also cast kidō at his full level.
Of course, the stronger the spell, the harder it was. The soldiers fueled their kidō with their own Reishi. Meaning if one attempted a spell numbered ninety or above, it might succeed—but at the cost of that soldier's existence.
Yoruichi had no defense prepared for this hidden card.
Normally, her strength far exceeded that of most captains. Reading shifts in Reiryoku on the battlefield to catch such tricks would've been simple.
But not here.
Now, dozens of Hollows were pouring in, joined by ten Gillians and four Adjuchas. Add Higashino's seventeen obvious Reishi soldiers darting about, and Yoruichi truly had no space left to track the unseen.
Higashino's aim was clear: scout the other sectors and relay the nobles' positions to Aizen's chosen pawn—the Primera Espada-to-be, Coyote Stark.
"Shunpō: Tsunshiji!"
Using Yoruichi's cover, Higashino closed in on a Gillian. Two fingers pressed its Hierro chestplate—
A thunderclap snapped. The giant froze, disbelieving, before looking down to the conical void punched clean through its torso.
Paralyzed, it toppled, while Higashino leapt off its shoulder toward his next target.
"Such Hakuda…"
Even Yoruichi, master of the art, murmured in surprise.
Fluid, decisive, flawless—Higashino's every move screamed of a born killer honed in shadows.
As she destroyed another Adjuchas with kidō, she found herself thinking: his Shunpo was weaker than hers, but still in Soul Society's top tier. If his kidō matched even half of his Hakuda, he might one day learn her secret art.
But her thoughts broke as an unexpected sight cut into the battlefield.
Higashino, weaving in rhythm with Yoruichi, struck down Hollows with ease while his soldiers swept the outer districts.
Aizen's plan was clear. This wave was a feint: small attacks across most zones, save District 62 where Higashino marked targets. One or two Adjuchas per sector—enough to distract.
The real force, led by Baraggan and Starrk, waited in Hueco Mundo until Higashino pinpointed the nobles worth drawing the captains' full attention.
The upper nobles had already been spirited away toward Seireitei. Higashino just needed to track them before they arrived.
One of his soldiers relayed a position. He confirmed, ready to send the coordinates.
But another soldier sent back a baffling scene:
A young noble girl, clutching a wooden practice blade, slipped behind a Hollow and stabbed.
"…She's trying to die!"
It was Soi Fon.
Her courage was admirable. Her timing, her angle—perfect. But she lacked the power to kill, and the Hollow turned, mask twisting with imagined rage.
Higashino's mind raced.
Is Soi Fon important to the timeline?
If she dies, will it affect Kurosaki Ichigo's birth?
Will it change Yoruichi's path?
The Hollow's Cero built in its gut.
Another thought struck him—if he saved her, he'd tie himself to Yoruichi. Perhaps even gain her secret art.
"Save her."
Just for that chance, it was worth it.
"Zen Heisha, Kimō! Bakudō #73: Raikō Tōshō Shō!"
His blade cut toward her. A bolt of lightning spanned half the battlefield, solidifying into a blue tetrahedron that sealed her inside.
The Hollow's Cero detonated against it, leaving not a scratch.
Before the dust cleared, Higashino was there, staring through its mask.
"My Zanpakutō's power hasn't been seen much since it was reported. You're fortunate to witness one of its faces."
His left hand pressed its gut.
"Tsunshiji."
The body arched.
Then—
"Tazan!"
He hurled it upward, then crushed it back down, the impact shattering mask and soul alike.
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