In the Soul Society, everyday life seldom shifted on account of any one person.
Higashi Shuuichi was no exception.
His return sparked some ripples—mostly within the 4th Division and among those who once knew him—but the rest of Seireitei carried on as usual.
Except for the 11th Division.
Because the moment a certain Captain—who'd been itching to fight Shuuichi for far too long—learned he was no longer tethered to the 4th, she didn't hesitate. She dragged him straight out of his home in North Rukongai's 2nd district and hauled him to the 11th Division barracks, where she announced it publicly:
"Higashi Shuuichi will serve as Vice-Captain of the 11th Division."
As for Yachiru Kusajishi, the previous Vice-Captain?
She casually invented herself a new position: Captain's Assistant—whatever that meant.
It made one wonder whether Nanao Ise's future title owed anything to Yachiru's bureaucratic flair.
So. He'd just escaped one Kenpachi, only to fall into the grasp of another.
In fact, now that he thought about it—he'd trained in Hell under a Kenpachi too.
Perhaps in some previous life, he was destined to be haunted by that cursed title.
Still, for someone about to dive headfirst into a calculated plot, becoming 11th Division's Vice-Captain wasn't all that bad.
At the very least, it gave him the perfect excuse when he needed to "recklessly" leap into battle.
After all, it was practically tradition.
And so, Higashi Shuuichi's daily life changed. From sorting herbs with rookie squad members to—well—cutting.
Slashing Captains, slashing Seated Officers, slashing whoever came his way.
That was the 11th Division under Zaraki Kenpachi: simple, brutal, and effective.
After each chaotic day, he'd visit Tōma Sayako—tell her stories, check her condition, see if healing Kido could speed her recovery.
Sometimes he'd stop by to guide Kisaragi Shūsuke's Kidō and Zanjutsu. Then go home, where he'd be Matsumoto Rangiku's drinking buddy, listening to her vent about the day's absurdities.
This rhythm of fullness and function lasted for nearly a month.
Until the day Aizen—under the guise of a Shinō Academy instructor—led students on a training exercise to the World of the Living.
That same day, Unohana Retsu of the 4th Division and Hitsugaya Tōshirō of the 10th were dispatched to Hueco Mundo due to sudden Hollow activity.
Jūshirō Ukitake of the 13th was in the Living World, dealing with squad errors.
And in the resulting lull, whispers surfaced from Rukongai:
Shinigami turning into Hollows.
Eyewitness accounts. Mass hysteria.
"Another Hollowfication incident?"
Back from a Captains' meeting, Zaraki Kenpachi stepped into the barracks. Higashi feigned surprise.
"Yup. North, South, East, West—Hollowfication in all four sectors. The old man ordered all Vice-Captains and above to investigate. So—what do you say, Shuuichi? Want to tag along?"
Zaraki's offer was casual, almost bored.
"Of course, Captain," Higashi said thoughtfully. "But is it just us investigating?"
"Nah. Muguruma Kensei, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Hirako Shinji—we're each handling a sector. The others are staying back to defend Seireitei, just in case. Who they bring along, I don't know."
Zaraki's grin never faded.
But in Shuuichi's mind, the pieces snapped into place.
"Then let's get moving."
He almost sounded eager.
With their Shunpo, the two of them tore through Seireitei's North Gate, landing in the 51st district of North Rukongai.
But when Higashi abruptly halted in a desolate alley, something shifted.
"Why stop here? We're still miles from the 62nd District where the Hollowfication was reported."
Zaraki's tone was puzzled.
Shuuichi turned slowly, reiatsu rising around him like a storm.
"I don't know who you are, or how you did it—but you're not Kenpachi Zaraki."
The figure before him let out a soft chuckle.
"How did you figure it out?"
"Simple. Yachiru never leaves Zaraki's shoulder unless he's fighting or in a meeting—and she was with him when he attended the Captain's meeting earlier. Your shoulder's empty."
Shuuichi's voice cut like ice.
"It could be she was called away—after all, she is a Vice-Captain."
"Then you would've said nothing at all. The real Kenpachi wouldn't waste words—just ask once, and if I didn't follow, he'd leave me behind. You're way too talkative."
Normally, Higashi would've attacked already. But today, he needed the timing to be perfect.
He had to synchronize with the other Captains being ambushed... and wait for Urahara Kisuke to arrive.
If the fight ended too quickly, Kisuke wouldn't make it.
If it dragged too long and Higashi failed to Hollowfy in time, it would all be pointless.
So stalling was key.
And it worked.
"As expected from Shuuichi-sama. That insight of yours—there are few in all of Soul Society who could match it."
The illusion dissolved, revealing the one behind the mask.
Ichimaru Gin.
Higashi's mind buzzed with question marks—not from surprise at the disguise, but at the timing.
Did Kyōka Suigetsu lift the illusion just for this scene?
Aizen, you voyeuristic bastard...
Still, Higashi could only curse inwardly.
Outwardly, he played his part.
"Gin?! Why you?!"
He roared with perfect theatrical outrage.
His chest heaved with emotion.
"Because, Shuuichi-sama—you made a fatal mistake. If you were still Vice-Captain of the 4th, maybe... just maybe... we wouldn't be meeting like this."
Gin's voice was smooth, smile sharp, but inside—
He apologized to both Matsumoto Rangiku and Higashi Shuuichi.
This wasn't his choice.
If only that man weren't so strong.
If only that man didn't inspire such hopelessness in the hearts of others.
He would've taken his chance long ago.
But he'd seen it—the sheer, endless reiatsu, the blinding presence. He knew then:
To bring down a god, sacrifices must be made.
"Is that so? I won't speak on your choices, Ichimaru Gin. But ask yourself—do you even deserve to stand before me?"
Higashi drew his Zanpakutō—still bound by the Shihōin cloth.
"You've been gone for five years. You don't know how much a Shinigami can change in that time. And you? You can't even release your blade..."
Gin raised his sword, silver steel gleaming.
He didn't want to kill Higashi. But he had no choice.
"If you learn the truth someday... Rangiku... I won't ask for forgiveness."
He saw her in his mind.
Rangiku—the woman he'd never stopped loving.
And Higashi—the man who meant everything to her.
Teacher. Protector. Comrade.
The one who gave her life.
"Shoot to kill—Shinsō!"
His blade extended like lightning.
Gin did not regret this.
And Higashi, knowing time was up, attacked in kind.
"Fūzan."
Their reiatsu exploded, shaking the very earth.