Chapter 243 243 Toshiro's Warning!
Moreover, the axes Jidanbo currently used were specially made by Toshiro as a birthday gift for him.
But Toshiro had recently heard that Gin injured Jidanbo while dealing with the Ryoka. This undoubtedly made Toshiro extremely angry.
"Ichimaru Gin, what is your explanation for injuring Jidanbo?"
Toshiro stared intently at Gin.
"Oh? An explanation? No, I have nothing to explain."
Gin said.
"What?"
Toshiro's expression grew even colder.
"Jidanbo, as the guardian of the White Road Gate, intended to help the Ryoka. It wasn't just injuring him… even if I had directly killed him, what would be wrong with that, Captain Hitsugaya?"
Gin Ichimaru retorted.
"On the contrary, Captain Hitsugaya should be more mindful. As the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, how can you associate with an incompetent guard like Jidanbo?"
"And to be precise, although I prevented Jidanbo from helping those Ryoka this time, the fact remains that Jidanbo indeed intended to aid the Ryoka. He really can't be called a qualified guard. To make an example and deter other gate guardians, I think we should arrest Jidanbo and punish him."
"Hmm, when the time comes, we should let Captain Hitsugaya personally execute him. What do you think of my proposal?"
Gin said with a smile.
"I—chi—ma—ru Gi—n!!"
Toshiro's voice was ice-cold and piercing, as if it could freeze the soul itself.
"You have thoroughly angered me. Regret your words!"
Toshiro's tone was extremely calm, but everyone could sense the boundless rage hidden beneath his calm words.
"Ara ara, how scary, Captain Hitsugaya. Surely you're not going to attack me—?"
Before Gin could finish, Toshiro took a step forward, and a powerful, suffocating, despair-inducing Reiatsu erupted forth.
Boom!
Toshiro's Reiatsu, held back no longer, crushed down upon Gin.
"Ugh!!"
Under the pressure of Toshiro's Reiatsu, Gin let out a grunt. He then felt a pressure as heavy as a mountain pressing down on him… even moving a finger required several times his usual effort.
Drip, drip...
Beads of cold sweat dripped from Gin's forehead.
'What... what powerful Reiatsu!'
'This level of Reiatsu... probably isn't weaker than Aizen's... No... it might even be stronger than Aizen!'
Gin thought, shocked.
'As expected of the Soul Society's number one genius. It seems provoking him was a foolish decision.'
Gin thought regretfully.
Earlier, Aizen had instructed Gin to act more 'conspicuously' recently to attract Toshiro's attention. That's why Gin had deliberately provoked Toshiro just now.
However, now, experiencing Toshiro's Reiatsu firsthand, he couldn't help but feel some regret. An angered Toshiro was truly terrifying.
Gin even suspected that if it weren't for Kyoka Suigetsu's complete hypnosis ability, Aizen might not be Toshiro's match.
'What a pity... If he weren't under the effects of Kyoka Suigetsu, he could indeed defeat Aizen. It seems now, if I want to kill Aizen to avenge Rangiku, I'll have to rely on myself.'
Gin thought to himself with emotion.
Simultaneously, sensing Toshiro's Reiatsu, the Captains of the other divisions couldn't help but had their expressions changed.
Although Toshiro's Reiatsu was mainly directed at Gin, what they felt was just the 'aftershocks'. Even so, they still felt considerable pressure.
Upon sensing Toshiro's Reiatsu, Yamamoto's eyes flickered.
'Toshiro's strength has improved again... I wonder if I could still gain the upper hand if we fought now?'
When Toshiro made his breakthrough earlier, he had fought Yamamoto in the Dangai. Although no clear winner was decided, during the battle, Yamamoto undoubtedly held the upper hand.
In fact, if the fight had gone to the end, the victor would likely have been Yamamoto.
But if they were to have a rematch now, Yamamoto wasn't confident he could achieve ultimate victory.
'However, I should stop Toshiro for now.'
Yamamoto thought.
Regardless, Gin was a Captain. Although his words just now were excessive and angered Toshiro, Toshiro publicly using his Reiatsu to oppress Gin during a Captain's Meeting was indeed inappropriate.
Thinking this, Yamamoto immediately shouted, "Enough! Toshiro, stop."
"Hmph!"
Toshiro snorted coldly but ultimately withdrew his Reiatsu.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
After Toshiro withdrew his Reiatsu, Gin gasped heavily for breath.
"Ara ara ara, that was really something! To suppress me with just Reiatsu... As expected of the Vice-Captain Commander. Truly not on the same level as us Captains."
Gin said, still shaken.
"You had better watch yourself. Next time you dare harm my friend, it won't end so simply!"
Toshiro warned.
With that, Toshiro returned to the lineup.
"Cough, Captain Zaraki, Captain Kurotsuchi, you two step back as well."
Yamamoto coughed lightly.
Hearing this, Zaraki and Mayuri didn't cause any more trouble and returned to their respective positions.
"Now, let the meeting continue."
Yamamoto said gravely.
"Ichimaru Gin, you were already informed of the reason for summoning you this time, correct?"
"On this occasion, you acted without orders, taking individual action, and ultimately allowed the targets to escape. As a Captain, this is extremely disgraceful behavior!"
"That is why this Captain's Meeting was convened."
"Well? Do you have anything to say, Ichimaru Gin?"
Yamamoto fixed a piercing gaze on Gin.
"I have nothing to say!"
Gin curved his lips, appearing completely at ease.
"What?!"
Yamamoto was surprised.
"I have nothing to say. This was my failure. I do not wish to defend myself."
Gin scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Very well. No matter what the punishment, you should have no com—"
"Wait a moment!"
Aizen suddenly spoke up, interrupting Yamamoto.
Aizen stepped forward. "I have something to say regarding Gin—"
At that very moment, urgent alarm sirens suddenly echoed throughout the Seireitei.
"Emergency alert!"
"Emergency alert!"
"Intruders within the Seireitei!"
"All divisions, hold your positions!"
"Repeating—"
"What's going on?"
"Intruders?"
The Captains exclaimed in surprise.
"Could it be the previous Ryoka?!"
Yamamoto said gravely.