"It ends here, Zaraki Kenpachi!"
Now that he knew his strength could contend with Zaraki head-on, Toshiro didn't want to waste more time.
"Ice Dragon Flash!"
Powerful Reiatsu converged into his Zanpakuto, transforming into a blue slashing attack that flew towards Zaraki.
"Hah!"
Zaraki roared. Ferocious Reiatsu surged, forming a golden Kenatsu to meet Toshiro's attack.
Boom!
The two attacks collided. After a brief stalemate, Toshiro's Ice Dragon Flash ultimately shattered Zaraki's Kenatsu.
Schlick!
The Ice Dragon Flash, its power mostly depleted, left another terrifying wound on Zaraki's body.
"It's over! Zaraki Kenpachi!" Toshiro shouted.
"Six-Point Ice Formation!"
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Ice pillars appeared, revolving around Zaraki.
Boom!
Suddenly, all the ice pillars instantly converged, freezing Zaraki inside.
However, Zaraki didn't give up. He continuously erupted with Reiatsu within the icy prison, trying to break free.
Crack!
Under Zaraki's resistance, cracks began to appear on the icy coffin.
Bang!
After exhausting his full strength, Zaraki finally shattered the ice prison.
Swish!
A flash of blade light. Toshiro instantly slashed at Zaraki.
This time, Zaraki didn't resist… or more precisely, couldn't.
Six-Point Ice Formation was among the most powerful techniques Toshiro currently possessed and wasn't easy to escape.
Although Zaraki ultimately broke free, he had consumed a massive amount of Reiatsu and was powerless to stop Toshiro's attack.
Moreover, his body was stiff and numb from the freezing, his movements extremely slow.
In the end, Toshiro's Zanpakuto stopped right before Zaraki's heart.
A slight push forward, and it would pierce Zaraki's heart.
Victory!
Unlike last time, where Toshiro barely won with Hyorinmaru's help, this victory relied entirely on his own abilities. Although not a crushing defeat, it was a relatively comfortable win.
Clang!
Toshiro released his Bankai and sheathed Hyorinmaru on his back.
"Ken-chan, are you okay?" After the fight ended, Yachiru and the other 11th Division's members quickly gathered around.
Seeing a large group fussing over Zaraki, Toshiro didn't disturb them and turned to leave.
"Hey, Hitsugaya Toshiro, are you just going to leave like that?" Zaraki suddenly spoke.
"What? Is there something else?" Toshiro stopped.
"Do you know the methods to become a Captain of the Gotei 13?"
"Although the Gotei 13 regulations list three ways to become a Captain, for the 11th Division's Captain, there's only one: defeat the current Captain in front of over two hundred division members, and you become the new 11th Division's Captain," Zaraki explained.
Besides the members already at the training ground, most other 11th Division's members had come to watch after sensing Zaraki's battle. There were definitely over two hundred present.
"So, if you're willing, from now on, you are the 11th Division's Captain, Hitsugaya Kenpachi," Zaraki said, staring at Toshiro's back.
"Ken-chan..." Yachiru looked downcast.
"Captain! Only you are our 11th Division's Captain! I won't acknowledge anyone else!" Ikkaku said agitatedly.
Others chimed in agreement.
Despite being a battle maniac, Zaraki was surprisingly beloved by his subordinates, so much so that others in the Gotei 13 referred to the 11th Division as [Zaraki's Division]].
"Yare yare, making me seem like the villain. People might think I committed some heinous crime," Toshiro said helplessly.
"Sorry, I have no plans to change my name. 'Hitsugaya Kenpachi' doesn't sound cool at all," Toshiro said, waving a hand behind him without turning.
Toshiro wanted to become a Captain, but not the Captain of the 11th Division.
"Hey! Are you pitying me?!" Zaraki shouted.
"No. I do want to be a Captain, but not the Captain of the 11th Division. The atmosphere here doesn't really suit me."
A combat division like the 11th, filled with violent individuals and destroyers, was best suited for a battle maniac like Zaraki.
If Toshiro truly became the 11th Division's Captain, not only would he face hostility from Zaraki's admirers, but his own style wouldn't align with the division's ethos.
That would make both the 11th Division's members and himself uncomfortable.
"Never thought someone like you would have such loyal comrades. Let's end it here. Goodbye, Zaraki Kenpachi."
With that, Toshiro walked away.
'I wonder if I'll have such loyal subordinates when I become a Captain.'
"Tch, what an interesting guy," Zaraki said, watching Toshiro's departing figure.
Then, Zaraki roared at the 11th Division's members: "Hey! You bastards! What was that display earlier? You almost embarrassed me to death!"
"If you lose, you lose! What's there to be ashamed of as a man?! Not acknowledging another Captain? Think you're all that now? Get back to training, all of you!" Zaraki berated them.
"Yes, Captain!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Though scolded, they looked happy because Zaraki was still their Captain.