Convincing Tōsen was almost too easy—so easy that Higashi Shuuichi started to worry on Aizen's behalf. Is this guy really loyal, or just pretending?
In Shuuichi's own words, Tōsen took one look at Aizen—felt the vast spiritual pressure he wasn't even trying to hide—then listened to Aizen's grand dream of reshaping the rotten Soul Society, a dream echoing Kakyou's own… and promptly burst into tears, pledging himself on the spot.
That's Tōsen for you. A romantic to the end. His whole life, he'd been chasing the ghost of a friend's dream—so much so that he lost himself along the way.
"If love exists in this world," Shuuichi thought from the corner of the room, silently watching this emotional one-man performance, "then Tōsen and Kakyou's love—born of friendship, transcending death—is first on the list."
Recruiting him had always been part of the plan. The real problem was the Zanpakutō in his hands.
"Tōsen," Shuuichi said, stepping forward after the conversation ended, "since you're one of us now, there's something I need you to answer honestly. Where did that Zanpakutō come from?"
Of course, Shuuichi already knew. But as a good actor in a long con, he had to pretend ignorance.
"I took it from Kakyou," Tōsen said quietly. "I want to inherit her will. Her dream."
Shuuichi sucked in a sharp breath and glanced at Aizen.
"According to regulations, a deceased Shinigami's Zanpakutō must be reclaimed by the proper authorities. If what you said is true… then I imagine the higher-ups have already noticed it's missing."
He turned back to Tōsen, expression grim.
"Unauthorized possession of a Zanpakutō is punishable by death."
The moment the word death left his mouth, Tōsen's grip on the blade tightened.
"I won't hand it over. Never. Not even if it costs me my life."
Shuuichi winced, looking to Aizen for help.
He knew how to solve it himself, of course—but sometimes, you had to let the boss have the spotlight.
"Tomorrow," Aizen said calmly, "you'll take Tōsen to see Kyōraku Shunsui. He'll tell the whole story."
Of course. Aizen had already planned it out.
Yesterday's farcical judgment had clearly left Kyōraku fuming, and Tōsen was just a civilian. If this earned a few sympathy points, Central 46 could use that to patch their image.
In Soul Society, a captain's goodwill was currency.
So the next morning, Shuuichi brought Tōsen to the Eighth Division.
Everything unfolded exactly as Aizen predicted. Kyōraku listened with furrowed brows and soft eyes, visibly moved.
Before Central 46 could even react, Kyōraku had already reported the matter himself.
This time, the Central 46 was unusually agreeable.
No problem at all!
After all, it only involved a commoner. And Kyōraku had already offered a concession: Tōsen would be enrolled in the Shin'ō Academy.
That officially legitimized his possession of the Zanpakutō. No one could complain afterward.
Thus, what should've been a headline scandal across all of Soul Society vanished without a ripple.
Tōsen entered the Academy. And Shuuichi's life… returned to its usual chaos.
"Yamada Kiyonosuke," Shuuichi sighed, staring at the pale, intense Shinigami in his office, "how many times have I told you? You can't beat me. What's the point of challenging me every week?"
"Vice-Captain Higashi," Yamada replied with icy poise, "our division is tasked with saving lives. We shouldn't value combat prowess above healing ability. And frankly, if you refuse to compare Kaidō with me, I must say you're unfit for the Fourth Division. Perhaps you'd be more at home in the Eleventh."
It was always the same.
Shuuichi pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Go convince the captain. If Unohana agrees, I'll accept your challenge."
That was his go-to line. It always worked.
Until today.
"She agreed."
"See? Even she—wait, what the hell did you just say?!"
Shuuichi froze, eyes wide.
He had to have misheard.
Unohana Retsu. The Unohana. Kind, yes—but also the original Kenpachi. The most lethal swordswoman in Soul Society. That woman… agreed with Yamada's 'Kaidō above all' doctrine?
No way.
Shuuichi was a thousand percent certain something was off.
But Yamada wasn't the type to lie about this.
Which meant… Unohana really had approved it.
Why?
Shuuichi's scalp tingled.
Don't tell me she discovered what I've been doing…
No. Impossible. If that were the case, it wouldn't be Yamada sent to deal with him. Unohana would come herself. Maybe even bring Yamamoto.
No. The truth had to be subtler.
And then it clicked.
She must have suspected something—noticed faint irregularities in the condition of patients he treated. Maybe not enough to act openly. But enough to want him temporarily removed.
Yamada was the perfect excuse.
Smart. Cautious. Classic Unohana.
Shuuichi felt cold sweat on his back.
He was probably done for.
If he got caught now, Aizen wouldn't lift a finger. In fact, Aizen might silence him just to tie up loose ends.
A dog who barked too much was a liability.
And if Central 46 found out? His whole career—his life—would vanish.
"I understand," Shuuichi said quietly. "Tomorrow, then. We'll compare Kaidō."
This time, there was no sarcasm in his voice. No lazy smirk.
Only a bitter smile, curling faintly at the corners of his lips.