Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

"So you are Hitsugaya Toshiro? The Hitsugaya Toshiro, the Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division?"

Chad said incredulously.

The name Hitsugaya Toshiro had been mentioned by Kisuke before they came to the Soul Society. Also, when they encountered Jidanbo at the White Road Gate earlier, Jidanbo had told them about Toshiro.

Therefore, Chad also knew what the name Hitsugaya Toshiro signified within the Soul Society.

The Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, the number two figure among Shinigami, whose strength was comparable to the strongest Shinigami, Yamamoto.

But now, Chad found it hard to believe that the person claiming to be Toshiro before him was that legendary Toshiro. Because the person claiming to be Toshiro looked way too young!

'He looked like... like an elementary school student. Hmm, at most sixth grade, definitely not middle school.'

"Hey! What's with that expression? You don't believe what I'm saying?"

Toshiro's originally light smile instantly stiffened.

"No, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect the legendary Vice-Captain Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division to be so... small. No, I mean, so young."

Seeing Toshiro somewhat displeased, Chad immediately apologized.

"Hey, although I do look very young, in terms of actual age, I'm several times older than you."

Toshiro said unhappily.

"Well, whatever. No need to apologize."

Toshiro then said somewhat helplessly.

Because of his age, being doubted wasn't a rare occurrence. Toshiro was long used to it.

"Um... May I leave? I still need to find Ichigo and the others."

Chad couldn't help but ask.

Before Toshiro could answer, Rangiku immediately interjected, "What are you saying, Ryoka? How could we possibly let you leave after you've invaded the Seireitei?"

However, Chad didn't pay attention to Rangiku and instead looked at Toshiro.

It was clear that between the two, Toshiro was the one who could make decisions, not Rangiku. Moreover, Kisuke had said if they were in danger, they could seek out Toshiro.

So, in Chad's view, Toshiro shouldn't give him a hard time.

Yet, after a moment of thought, Toshiro suddenly refused, "Sorry, but I'll have to ask you to come with us to the 10th Division as our guest."

"What?!"

Chad was somewhat surprised.

"Aren't you Urahara-san's... customer? Didn't you agree to help us?"

Chad stared warily at Toshiro, who seemed to be 'going back on his word'.

"Urahara-san? Customer?"

Toshiro was a bit confused.

'Hadn't I agreed to Isshin? And what was this 'customer' nonsense?' But then Toshiro understood, 'This was probably the excuse Urahara Kisuke made up to fool Ichigo and the others. Since Isshin didn't want Ichigo to know about his situation yet, he must have Urahara Kisuke made up a random reason.'

At that moment, Rangiku suddenly glared angrily at Chad. "Hey! You Ryoka, don't casually slander our Captain. How could the Captain possibly have agreed to help you Ryoka?"

"But Urahara-san definitely said... if we were in danger, we could seek out a Shinigami named Hitsugaya Toshiro."

Chad argued.

"Well, well, I did indeed promise to help you. But precisely because of that, you should come with me to the 10th Division and stay put. Otherwise, if you encounter Captains or Lieutenants from other divisions, you'll be in trouble."

Toshiro explained.

In the original work, Chad encountered Kyoraku, who didn't kill him. But if he met other Captain-level figures, he might not survive. So, for safety's sake, it was better for him not to wander around the Seireitei freely.

"Hey! Captain, what are you saying?! You actually promised to help the Ryoka?!"

Before Chad could speak, Rangiku beside him looked at Toshiro incredulously.

"Could it be... Captain, have you betrayed the Soul Society?!"

Rangiku looked at Toshiro 'with a pained heart'.

"Alright, alright, Rangiku. I'll explain this matter to you later. For now, just follow my orders."

Toshiro said helplessly.

"Well... alright then."

Rangiku ultimately nodded. She still trusted Toshiro deeply. Although she didn't know why Toshiro had promised to help the Ryoka, she believed Toshiro must have his reasons.

"By the way, what's your name?"

Toshiro then asked Chad.

Although he knew about Chad, this was, after all, their 'first' meeting, so Toshiro still asked.

"I'm Chad, Sado Yasutora."

Chad replied.

"So, Chad, how about it? Will you come to the 10th Division as our guest?"

Toshiro asked.

Immediately, Chad adopted a fighting stance. "Please step aside. Otherwise, I'll have to defeat you."

"Defeat me? Heh. Interesting."

Toshiro couldn't help but chuckle.

"If you can do it, then come defeat me."

Toshiro said with a serious expression.

"El Directo!"

Chad suddenly threw a punch.

Boom!

A massive blue Reiatsu pillar instantly blasted towards Toshiro.

Seeing this, Toshiro casually extended his right hand.

Thump!

Chad's Reiatsu pillar was easily blocked by Toshiro's single hand.

Then, Toshiro clenched his right fist.

Bang!

Chad's blue Reiatsu pillar instantly shattered.

"Hmm, your strength is indeed not bad. In terms of power, an attack of this level has reached Lieutenant-level."

Toshiro commented calmly and composedly.

Of course, while the attack's power reached Lieutenant-level, it didn't mean Chad possessed Lieutenant-level overall strength.

To be a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, apart from Zanpakuto abilities, one needed proficiency in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido. Their comprehensive strength should be greater than Chad's current level.

Even so, Chad's strength undoubtedly surpassed that of a 3rd Seat, even comparable to some Shinigami who had just entered the Lieutenant-level.

Even against a seasoned Lieutenant like Rangiku, if she released her Zanpakuto, defeating Chad would require a tough battle.

This level of strength still surprised Toshiro somewhat.

After all, Chad had only awakened his abilities not long ago and had already reached this level. Meanwhile, Shinigami in the Soul Society might train for centuries without necessarily reaching this point.

'Could it be because Chad is the protagonist's close friend and also influenced by the protagonist's plot armor?'