In Toshiro's perception, countless Hollow Reiatsu Signatures appeared and were rapidly approaching the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's camp.
Swish!
Toshiro's figure flickered and instantly disappeared from the tent, reappearing outside.
The corps commanders exchanged glances, then hurriedly went outside as well.
In the camp, Toshiro stood on a high point, looking into the distance. An expression of shock couldn't help but appear on his face.
In the distance, there was a 'sea of Hollows'!
Thousands upon thousands of Hollows surged towards the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force camp like an overwhelming tidal wave.
Although most were just ordinary Hollows and the slightly stronger large Hollows, their numbers were immense. It was Toshiro's first time seeing so many Hollows, and he was momentarily stunned. Reacting quickly, Toshiro immediately shouted to everyone, "All forces, assemble! Prepare for battle!"
By now, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's members had also noticed the approaching Hollow horde. Hearing Toshiro's command, everyone rapidly formed a circular battle formation, ready to face the Hollow attack.
"So... so many Hollows..." A reinforcement from the Soul Society said, trembling.
Although this Shinigami had fought Hollows in the Soul Society, the Hollows appearing there were usually alone or in small groups of a few, with dozens being the most he'd ever encountered simultaneously. Never had they appeared in such overwhelming numbers.
"Hmph! Look at you, scared stiff. Never seen a real battle, have you?" An old veteran from the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force mocked from the side.
However, though he tried to appear disdainful of the newbie, he didn't realize his own teeth were chattering, his words stumbling.
Although these veterans of the expeditionary force often fought groups of Hollows, they'd never encountered so many at once before.
Previously, the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force had at most fought a few hundred Hollows simultaneously. But the number before them now was definitely over ten thousand.
Swish!
The corps commanders appeared beside Toshiro.
"How is this possible?! So many Hollows at once?!" Ando, deputy commander of the 1st Corps, exclaimed in shock.
"Commander Hitsugaya, we... we should retreat," Kawano, commander of the 4th Corps, said, his face pale upon seeing the sheer number.
Toshiro shot Kawano a dissatisfied glance. Among the corps commanders, the others were relatively calm, and this guy was the most cowardly.
At this moment, Amagai, commander of the 3rd Corps, also spoke up, "Commander Hitsugaya, with so many Hollows, the expeditionary force truly can't handle them. How about you lead the main force in retreat? I'll stay behind with some to cover the retreat!"
But Toshiro directly refused, "No need. Although there are many Hollows, their strength isn't high. We can still handle them."
"But-" Amagai wanted to say more, but Toshiro waved his hand to stop him.
Then, Toshiro ordered the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, "All forces, heed my command! Attack with full force!"
"What?!"
"He's ordering us to attack?!"
"Is he sending us to our deaths?!"
The members of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force exclaimed in shock.
Facing so many Hollows, they thought Toshiro would order a full retreat.
With this many Hollows, the expeditionary force couldn't possibly win. Ordering them to attack was essentially sending them to die.
Although everyone who joined the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force was prepared to die in battle, attacking despite knowing they couldn't win was meaningless suicide!
However, Toshiro paid them no mind. After giving the order, he used Shunpo and charged at the Hollow horde at the forefront.
Toshiro knew the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force alone indeed couldn't handle so many Hollows… but that was without counting him.
Although the number of Hollows was vast, most were ordinary. With his strength alone, he could deal with them! Toshiro didn't expect them to be of much help anyway. He wanted to use this battle to demonstrate his power, intimidate everyone, and make the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force's members submit willingly!
Swish!
Toshiro's figure instantly appeared in front of the Hollow horde.
"Hah!"
With a shout, Toshiro drew the Zanpakuto from his back and casually sent out a Kenatsu.
An ice-blue blade pressure flashed by and plunged into the Hollow horde.
Schlick!
Countless Hollows were sliced in half at the waist by Toshiro's single Kenatsu.
The 'wave' composed of countless Hollows couldn't help but pause for an instant.
Countless Hollows halted their advance because of Toshiro's Kenatsu.
But the Hollows were numerous. Soon, even more surged towards Toshiro.
Swish!
Toshiro's figure flickered and vanished, directly appearing amidst the Hollow horde.
Then, with flashes of sword light, Toshiro sent Kenatsu in all directions. Each Kenatsu swept out a large empty area.
These Hollows couldn't even get close to Toshiro. Whenever they approached, even if Toshiro did nothing, the Hollows would be frozen by the Reiatsu emanating from his body.
Even if some Hollows used Bala for ranged attacks, Toshiro paid them no heed. The attack strength of these Hollows couldn't even break through Toshiro's physical defense.
A Shinigami's body is composed of Reishi. Through continuous training and compression, the density of Reishi in Toshiro's body far exceeded others. Therefore, his physical defense was much stronger than even an Arrancar's Hierro.
Meanwhile, the distant Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force watched Toshiro's battle with the Hollows in stunned silence.
No, that couldn't even be called a battle! It was a slaughter! A one-sided slaughter! Toshiro charged into the Hollow horde, freely cutting down Hollows, while the Hollows, even with their utmost effort, couldn't inflict the slightest harm on Toshiro!
And Toshiro hadn't even released his Zanpakuto yet. How powerful would he be if he did?!
However, they soon learned just how strong Toshiro would be after releasing his Zanpakuto.
Amidst the Hollow horde.
Toshiro sent out a Kenatsu, clearing the Hollows before him.
"Killing like this is too inefficient. Better release my Zanpakuto," Toshiro murmured.
Swish!
With a Shunpo, Toshiro directly disengaged from the Hollow horde, standing in the sky.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!" Toshiro intoned.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Pillars of ice-blue Reiatsu shot into the sky, seemingly trying to pierce the sky!
Dark clouds gathered, and the entire sky began to darken.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a dragon's roar sounded. A frost dragon, tens of meters long, appeared in the sky, coiling and circling around Toshiro.
Boom!
An immense pressure emanated from the frost dragon.
Countless ordinary Hollows and large Hollows nearby were instantly frozen.
The grand spectacle, the magnificent scene… in terms of sheer presence upon release, no other Zanpakuto could rival Hyorinmaru.
"Is Commander Hitsugaya a god?" The members of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force watched Toshiro, standing proudly in the sky as if the center of the world, and couldn't help but mutter in awe.
As for their earlier doubts about Toshiro, those had long since vanished beyond the clouds.