"Hello, I'm Hitsugaya Toshiro, a student at the Shin'o Academy," Toshiro introduced himself.
"I know, I know! You're the one the Captain brought back personally. I heard you defeated Captain Kenpachi. Is that true?" Isane said excitedly.
"Yeah," Toshiro nodded.
"Is your Captain here? I have something I'd like to ask her," Toshiro inquired.
"Ara ara, Hitsugaya-kun, you're already awake?" Unohana said, walking in from outside the division barracks.
"Yes, thanks to Captain Unohana's treatment," Toshiro expressed his gratitude.
"It's nothing. As long as Hitsugaya-kun doesn't find my Zanpakuto disgusting," Unohana said with a gentle smile.
Seeing Unohana's smile, Toshiro couldn't help but shiver again and quickly said, "Absolutely not!"
"Um, Captain Unohana, could I borrow a training area? I want to begin Bankai Training," Toshiro swiftly changed the topic.
"Is that so? Hitsugaya-kun is already starting Bankai Training? In that case, follow me."
Since it concerned Bankai, which is a significant matter for any Shinigami, Unohana stopped joking.
Toshiro followed Unohana, stopping and starting, until they arrived at an underground space.
"This is one of the underground storage areas the 4th Division uses for medical supplies. It's spacious enough. Please feel free to use it," Unohana explained.
"My apologies. Most of our 4th Division's members have healing-type Zanpakuto with low destructive power, so our training rooms aren't very large. Hitsugaya-kun's Zanpakuto is the Strongest Ice-type. I was worried your training might damage the training room, so I chose this place. Please forgive the inconvenience," Unohana added.
"No, not at all. I'm already grateful you're lending me a place," Toshiro said quickly.
"Then we'll leave now. Hitsugaya-kun, please train well here."
With that, Unohana and Isane departed.
"Come out, Hyorinmaru," Toshiro said.
Without any warning, Hyorinmaru appeared before Toshiro again.
She's still in human form. Ever since Toshiro mentioned he wanted her to stay in human form, Hyorinmaru had been appearing that way recently.
"Let's go, Hyorinmaru," Toshiro said, drawing his Zanpakuto.
"Come at me with all you've got, Toshiro!" Hyorinmaru also manifested a sword in her hand.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
Both chanted simultaneously.
This time, there was no earth-shattering spectacle.
Because Toshiro deliberately suppressed the [Weather Subjugation] ability, a basic feature of Hyorinmaru.
Not because it couldn't be used underground… it could. Firstly, he was afraid of damaging the underground space. Secondly, it wouldn't be effective against Hyorinmaru anyway, so better to conserve Reiatsu.
Afterward, they didn't bombard each other with Zanpakuto abilities but engaged in close combat. The Shikai release was merely to enhance their power.
…
Above the underground storage.
Unohana and Isane came up and closed the door, though they didn't lock it.
"Truly something to look forward to," Unohana sighed.
"What is, Captain?" Isane asked.
"How long it will take Hitsugaya Toshiro to master Bankai," Unohana said.
"Normally, after a Shinigami reaches the peak of Lieutenant-level, it takes several years from Zanpakuto materialization to mastering Bankai. But, Isane, do you know the shortest time recorded in Soul Society history from materialization to mastering Bankai?" Unohana asked.
"I remember the shortest record belongs to the former Captain of the 12th Division, Urahara Kisuke, who defected. He mastered Bankai in just three days," Isane said after thinking.
"So, how long do you think Hitsugaya Toshiro, hailed as the most talented student in the history of the Shin'o Academy, will take?" Unohana asked with interest.
"Hmm... Two days? Mastering it in one day would be too unbelievable," Isane guessed.
"Who knows? Maybe he really can do it in one day. After all, he's someone who defeated Zaraki Kenpachi at Lieutenant-level," Unohana said meaningfully.
Just then, Unohana suddenly sensed Toshiro's Reiatsu surging dramatically in the underground space.
"Released his Zanpakuto right from the start. Planning to finish this quickly?" Unohana murmured.
"What's wrong, Isane?" Unohana asked, looking puzzled at Isane.
Isane was trembling all over, as if terrified.
"Is it because of Hitsugaya Toshiro's Reiatsu? But even if his Reiatsu is strong, it shouldn't frighten you like this..."
Unohana noticed Isane's fearful trembling began after Toshiro released his Zanpakuto.
But even if Toshiro was strong now, Isane was still a Lieutenant.
How could mere Reiatsu intimidate a Lieutenant? Toshiro wasn't Yamamoto.
"N-no... Captain, it's not me who's afraid. It's my Zanpakuto, Itegumo. Toketsu's emotions are affecting me. She's trembling, feeling involuntary fear and submission," Isane said with difficulty.
"What! Your Zanpakuto is trembling? Could it be because of Hitsugaya Toshiro's Zanpakuto?" Unohana said, shocked and suspicious.
Isane's Zanpakuto, Itegumo, was also an Ice-type.
"Truly worthy of being the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. It can make other Ice-type Zanpakuto feel fear and submission… like the king of all Ice-type Zanpakuto!" Unohana marveled.
"I wonder if Captain-Commander Yamamoto's Zanpakuto has a similar ability."
"In that case, Isane, go to the 1st Division for now."
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto seems very concerned about Hitsugaya Toshiro. Inform him that Hitsugaya Toshiro has begun Bankai Training. Then, stay there until he masters Bankai," Unohana said with concern.
"Yes, Captain," Isane responded and hurried out.