Yamamoto rushed over so urgently to stop Zaraki from harming Toshiro. He never expected Zaraki to be the one knocked down by Toshiro instead.
"Captain-Commander, what major incident occurred?"
Sui-Feng, being skilled in Shunpo, was the second to arrive.
Subsequently, Captains from various other divisions who weren't tied up with other matters also arrived.
Even Aizen pretended to have just arrived.
"Nothing major. It's just that 11th Division's Captain Zaraki Kenpachi and Shin'o Academy's student, Hitsugaya Toshiro were engaged in combat," Yamamoto explained.
"And the result? Who won?" Sui-Feng asked.
Judging by Zaraki being unconscious and Toshiro still awake, it seemed Toshiro had won. But this outcome was truly hard to believe.
"The result is Hitsugaya Toshiro's victory," Yamamoto stated.
The Captains couldn't help but look astonished. Although they had some speculation based on the scene, hearing Yamamoto personally confirm it was still shocking.
Even though Toshiro had previously defeated a Captain-level Menos Grande, such a creature was utterly incomparable to Zaraki.
"Captain Unohana, please take both Zaraki Kenpachi and Hitsugaya Toshiro to the 4th Division for treatment."
"Yes, Captain-Commander," Unohana nodded.
The 4th Division was the medical division, and healing was part of Unohana's duties.
With that, Unohana released her Shikai. Her Zanpakuto, Minazuki, instantly transformed into a large, flat, single-eyed creature, somewhat resembling a strange fish.
The creature then flew to Zaraki's side and swallowed him whole.
It then flew to Toshiro's side, intending to swallow him too.
"Stop!" Toshiro shouted.
Although he knew being swallowed would heal his injuries, this disgusting method was something Toshiro couldn't accept.
"Please rest assured. This is only to treat your injuries. It won't harm you at all," Unohana said, thinking Toshiro was simply unaware of Minazuki's ability.
"No, it's just that this treatment method seems a bit... disgusting," Toshiro said without thinking.
"Oh? I'm so sorry my Zanpakuto disgusts you," Unohana said with a gentle smile.
Facing Unohana's smile, Toshiro couldn't help but shiver, as if he saw dark aura emanating from her. Unohana at that moment seemed almost corrupted.
"But for the sake of treatment, enduring a little disgust is possible, right?" Unohana said, smiling.
"Swallow him, Minazuki," Unohana ordered.
Toshiro wanted to resist, but unfortunately, he lacked the strength. The single-eyed creature didn't allow Toshiro to refuse, opening its mouth and swallowing him whole.
"Alright, everyone may return now," Yamamoto said.
…
4th Division, a private ward.
Toshiro slowly opened his eyes.
"Hmm? Unfamiliar ceiling. Where is this?" Toshiro muttered to himself.
"This is the 4th Division. You've been asleep for three days."
A clear, pleasant voice sounded.
"Hyorinmaru? Three days? That long?" Toshiro said, sitting up and looking around.
Toshiro carefully assessed his physical condition and found he was completely healed.
The 4th Division truly lived up to its reputation as the medical division. Their skills were unquestionable.
"By the way, can you appear freely now, Hyorinmaru?" Toshiro said, looking at Hyorinmaru sitting beside him.
"Mhm. Your strength has reached the limit of Lieutenant-level. When a Shinigami reaches this stage, their Zanpakuto can materialize. At this point, if the Shinigami can make their Zanpakuto submit, they can learn Bankai," Hyorinmaru said, looking at Toshiro.
"So, that means I can start Bankai Training now?" Toshiro said seriously.
"Mhm. Rest for a few more days, and then we'll begin," Hyorinmaru replied.
"No. Let's start now. I don't want to wait any longer," Toshiro refused.
"Now? Is your body up for it?" Hyorinmaru asked, concerned.
"Don't worry. My body is completely healed. And I really don't want to wait anymore. In this fight with Zaraki Kenpachi, if I had already mastered Bankai, I wouldn't say I'd completely crush him, but at least I wouldn't have struggled so hard to win."
Toshiro was eager to start Bankai Training.
"Alright then. But if it's too much, don't force yourself," Hyorinmaru said helplessly.
Toshiro got off the bed and looked around. In the ward, besides himself and Hyorinmaru, only Momo was there, asleep with her head resting on the bedside.
"Abarai Renji and Kira Izuru were persuaded by Captain Unohana to return to class. Only Hinamori Momo insisted on staying to take care of you," Hyorinmaru explained, seeing Toshiro's look.
Toshiro walked to Momo's side, picked her up, placed her on the bed, and covered her with the blanket.
Hyorinmaru frowned at this. "Hmph, you could have left that to me. Don't take advantage secretly."
Toshiro felt speechless. It was just picking Momo up and putting her on the bed. Given his relationship with Momo, what was the big deal?
"Let's go, Hyorinmaru. Let's ask Captain Unohana for a training area. We can't exactly train in the ward," Toshiro said.
With that, Toshiro pushed open the door and walked out.
Behind him, Hyorinmaru hesitated for a moment, then vanished. She didn't want to appear before anyone other than Toshiro.
Toshiro walked out of the room. After just a few steps, he encountered someone.
"Ah! You're awake?" The other person spoke before Toshiro could.
Toshiro couldn't see what the person looked like because they were simply too tall.
Frowning slightly, Toshiro reluctantly looked up.
The person had short light-purple hair, with several thin braids on either side of her ears, and features that leaned towards being androgynous.
Most importantly, although a woman, her height surpassed most men's. By Toshiro's estimation, she was close to 190 cm, probably the tallest female in Bleach.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Kotetsu Isane, the Lieutenant of the 4th Division. Nice to meet you."