After the Garganta vanished without any Hollow to sustain it, no more Hollows emerged.
Killing an Adjuchas at Lieutenant-level with a single sword strike without even releasing his Zanpakuto… few in all of Soul Society could accomplish this. It proved Toshiro's strength was formidable. Yet, Toshiro wasn't satisfied.
'Sigh... still haven't broken through to that level.'
Toshiro suddenly sighed.
Five years ago, when he graduated from Shin'o Academy and joined the 10th Division, Toshiro's Reiatsu was at the later stage of Captain-class. Now, it was at the peak of Captain-class.
But it wasn't that it took five years to progress from later stage to peak.
Actually, he had reached the peak four years ago.
Back then, it took Toshiro one year to advance from later stage to peak. The following four years were spent striving to break through to beyond Captain-class.
Unfortunately, Toshiro was still at the peak of Captain-class.
'How exactly does one break through to beyond Captain-class?'
It took half a year from mid-stage Captain-class to later stage.
It took one year from later stage to peak.
But after that, four years passed without breaking through to beyond Captain-class.
Perhaps breaking through from peak Captain-class to beyond Captain-class was an extremely difficult threshold. Or perhaps the higher one's strength, the slower the improvement.
In any case, having been stuck at peak Captain-class for four years, Toshiro remained at peak Captain-class.
In normal terms, this rate of Reiatsu training was already incredibly fast. Aside from protagonists cheating or people near protagonists benefiting from plot armor and improving at abnormal rates, currently, no one's Reiatsu improved faster than Toshiro's.
Logically, Toshiro shouldn't have much to complain about.
After all, Shinigami beyond Captain-class were few in all of Soul Society.
In Soul Society, based on Toshiro's observations, he could confirm only four and a half beyond Captain-class individuals.
They were: Yamamoto, Aizen, Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake.
Among them, Ukitake, though beyond Captain-class and powerful, saw his strength plummet drastically when ill, potentially unable to handle even Captain-class opponents. So, he counted as half.
As for Zaraki, perhaps at his peak, he was overwhelmingly formidable. In all of Soul Society, perhaps only Yamamoto could subdue him. Even the current Aizen, without using his Zanpakuto's ability, might not be able to.
But regardless, Zaraki was currently only Captain-class. Toshiro wouldn't need much effort to defeat him.
Others, like Ichigo's father, the current 10th Division's Captain, Shiba Isshin, displayed strength suspected to be beyond Captain-class during the decisive battle with Aizen.
But based on Toshiro's observations these past few years, Isshin was currently only at peak Captain-class.
Perhaps Isshin broke through to beyond Captain-class later. Or perhaps he was originally at peak Captain-class.
Among the above individuals, purely in terms of strength, the strongest was likely Yamamoto.
Hailed as the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, his power was immeasurable, possibly even having broken through the limits of beyond Captain-class.
For Toshiro, beyond Captain-class wasn't just about Reiatsu improvement… it also related to Zanpakuto abilities.
Hyorinmaru's power was too great. Although Toshiro's Reiatsu was already at peak Captain-class, his Bankai was still incomplete.
Only by reaching beyond Captain-class would Toshiro's Bankai mature. Then, he could unleash Hyorinmaru's true power.
Though Hyorinmaru was already strong now, this wasn't its limit.
But the scarcity of beyond Captain-class individuals showed reaching this step was no easy feat.
Thinking this, Toshiro stopped fretting. He would break through when it was time. Worrying when it wasn't time was useless.
In the small village nearby, Takezoe and the others were checking for injuries and structural damage.
Fortunately, before Toshiro arrived, Takezoe and his men desperately held the line, preventing Hollows from entering the village. Thus, there were no major casualties.
However, a few unlucky souls wandering outside the village were killed by Hollows.
But such was life for most Rukongai's residents… filled with chaos and poverty, constantly under threat from Hollows.
Someone like Toshiro, born in the 1st District, was already very fortunate.
Connected to and closest to the Seireitei, it was the safest and most affluent district in Rukongai.
Therefore, even though only his elderly grandmother and young Toshiro lived at home, with no able-bodied laborer, their living conditions, while among the poorer in 1st District, at least meant Toshiro never starved growing up.
Even so, Hollows could appear in the mountains outside the district, though rarely.
This showed why so many wanted to become Shinigami and live in the Seireitei.
Most weren't driven by lofty ideals like protecting Soul Society, they simply hoped for a better life.
Toshiro walked over just as Takezoe and the others began their tasks.
Takezoe and his men had barely stepped into the village when Toshiro had already dealt with the Hollows.
"10th Seat Takezoe, how is the situation?"
Toshiro asked as he approached.
Takezoe hurriedly answered respectfully, "Reporting to Third Seat Hitsugaya! Aside from those wandering outside the village initially, there were no major casualties."
Toshiro nodded. "Good. You did well this time, 10th Seat Takezoe. Facing so many Hollows, knowing you were outmatched yet desperately holding the line… that's why these villagers were saved. Upon returning, I will issue a division-wide commendation for you. There will be other rewards as well."
"Yes! Thank you for the praise, Third Seat Hitsugaya! I will continue to work hard!"
Takezoe was so excited he became somewhat incoherent.
Takezoe's excitement wasn't really about the rewards but about Toshiro's praise.
Over the years, Toshiro had put great effort into the 10th Division… handling division affairs, leading patrols, caring for members, doing everything to enhance his prestige and influence within the division.
Thus, Toshiro's current prestige in the 10th Division was at its peak.
He was more respected than the lazy, shirking Captain, Isshin. Even if Isshin left Soul Society now and Toshiro immediately took over as Captain, the 10th Division would experience no turmoil, and no one would be dissatisfied.
Therefore, being praised by Toshiro made Takezoe feel immensely honored.
Toshiro instructed, "Alright, continue handling matters here. I'll be leaving first."
Takezoe bowed respectfully. "Yes. Please take care on your way."
"Hey! Where are the Hollows? Where are they?!"
Just as Toshiro was about to leave, he heard someone shouting.
Turning to look, Toshiro couldn't help but frown.
Zaraki was running over with his subordinates, including Ikkaku.
'Tch. Troublesome guy's here.'
Toshiro thought to himself.