On the ninth day of the first month, heavy snow fell over the island nation in the World of the Living.
On the mountainside, a great gate appeared out of thin air, and from its deep darkness stepped out a black-haired man.
This was Higashino Shuuichi, finally taking a break after working tirelessly for a month. Unlike other shinigami who enjoyed indulging themselves in Rukongai during their leave, Higashino Shuuichi would always choose to come to the World of the Living.
Looking at the familiar flow of history that resembled his memories, he often wondered in a daze—would a hundred years from now, a man named Kubo be born in this very island nation, sketching a manga called *Bleach* in a small house?
But that was most likely impossible.
Leaving the island nation beneath his feet, Higashino Shuuichi relied on the convenience of his reishi body to cross over to the far side of the sea. After a quick glance at the epic decline of an ancient empire, he found a blind spot near a Thirteen Court Guard Squad's observation point in the World of the Living and used special means to contact Hueco Mundo.
Moments later, a miniature black cavity opened above him.
This was the unique ability of the Hollows of Hueco Mundo. Compared to shinigami, who required special gates to cross between realms, the *Garganta* was simple and convenient.
Aizen had originally intended to teach this ability to Higashino Shuuichi, but Higashino lacked the talent. Years of learning bore no fruit, so the plan was reluctantly abandoned. Otherwise, he wouldn't need such troublesome methods now.
Inside Hueco Mundo, within Las Noches, space suddenly tore apart as Higashino Shuuichi slowly stepped through.
He looked around. Nothing had changed from his memory—forty years ago it was the same as it was now.
"Shuuichi-dono, Aizen-sama is waiting for you in the laboratory!"
Below, a Gillian-evolved Adjuchas knelt respectfully toward him.
"Mm, I know."
Higashino Shuuichi's eyes glanced at the Hollow, realizing it was an acquaintance—Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, the future Primera Espada No. 3.
But since Aizen had yet to complete the half-finished Hōgyoku, he hadn't broken his mask or undergone his power's leap.
In truth, there were only a handful of arrancar in Hueco Mundo at this time, nothing like the flourishing numbers of the future.
Still, those few arrancar were undoubtedly monsters—each one strong enough to defeat several, even a dozen, shinigami captains like Muguruma Kensei.
The route to the laboratory wasn't complex, though it passed through the great hall of Las Noches.
As Higashino Shuuichi walked by, he instinctively glanced inside, and his eyes met those of Baraggan, seated on the throne.
The gaze that looked back at him carried undisguised hatred.
Everyone knew Baraggan was deeply dissatisfied with Aizen. Forced into submission only because he couldn't win against him, he would never hesitate to raise his axe should an opportunity arise.
And so, his hatred extended to Higashino Shuuichi, Aizen's subordinate. Compared to Aizen, Higashino was the "soft persimmon," one he would not show a shred of restraint toward.
"Rot away! Arrogante!"
Without warning, Baraggan seized the massive axe by his side, slamming its edge into the ground. The beast-eye ruby upon it erupted with black flames, engulfing his body and throne.
"…What the hell?!"
Higashino Shuuichi felt like he had just swallowed dog shit.
All he did was glance his way, and the guy immediately released his *Resurrección*?!
Come on—*Resurrección* was on the level of a shinigami's *Bankai*. Who just starts by going all out?!
Still, no matter how many curses rose in his mind, his reaction was immediate.
"Advance, Heisha! The strategist's greatest weapon is guile! Bakudō #61, Ice—Rikujōkōrō!"
Almost as soon as Baraggan released, Higashino Shuuichi drew his zanpakutō and completed *Shikai*.
Six white ice pillars appeared around Baraggan, stabbing inward from every angle. Black fire and frosty mist clashed, weaving a net around his skeletal form.
But Higashino knew that against Baraggan, whose broken ability was aging itself, it was pointless. All powers withered before time.
He could only rely on his zanpakutō's ability, Guile—Ice, to stall Baraggan's movements.
"If you want to fight seriously, don't blame me for doing the same!"
Seeing the Rikujōkōrō about to crumble under decay, Higashino steeled himself. Forty years ago, he hadn't been Baraggan's match. Aizen would never have helped him, so he avoided Hueco Mundo altogether.
But now, after years of Aizen's relentless guidance, he might not surpass Baraggan, but he was no longer someone who could be bullied at will.
"Hadō #91, Fire—Senjōkōten Taihō!"
His zanpakutō swept upward, blade leveled at Baraggan. Circles of flame wrapped around it, pierced by dozens of glowing lines. Sparks burst, the air grew searing.
Just as Baraggan tore free of the Rikujōkōrō, revealing his skeletal emperor form, ten blazing beams shot toward him.
"You dare! Respira!"
Black mist spilled from his jaws, corroding most of the beams.
Yet a few pushed through, sacrificing their outer flame, striking his bones and scattering sparks.
"Higashino Shuuichi!"
Baraggan roared, humiliated that a shinigami far weaker than him had broken his defense, even without real harm.
He used *Sonído*, clashing with Higashino in mid-air. Axe met blade in dozens of exchanges, their battle shaking the great hall to rubble, exposing the black night sky above.
"Don't think sitting on Aizen's throne makes you king of Hueco Mundo. You can't even defeat me—you're nothing but an insect!"
Forcing Baraggan back with a slash, Higashino used *Shunpo* to leap into the sky before the breath of death reached him. His spiritual pressure exploded outward. "Bankai—"
"Enough! Baraggan, Higashino Shuuichi! This is Las Noches, not your battlefield!"
A precise *Cero* struck Higashino's zanpakutō, halting his *Bankai*, while countless *Bala* rained upon Baraggan, forcing him back hundreds of meters.
"Starrk, don't stop me! Shinigami and Hollow are natural enemies. Tolerating your existence is already my limit—it doesn't mean I'll allow Baraggan to remain!"
Higashino's cold eyes locked onto the newcomer.
But Starrk was unfazed. After glaring at Baraggan to back down, he turned to Higashino. "What you think is none of my concern. But if Aizen-sama summoned you, are you still going to fight here?"
"…Aizen-sama, huh." Higashino frowned, reluctantly sheathing his zanpakutō. "Fine, I'll let him go this time."
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