Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

8th Division, in a spacious training room.

Kyoraku lay on the wooden floor, the straw rain hat he usually wore covering his face as he rested with his eyes closed. Beside him, a tray held a pot of sake and some side dishes.

It seemed Kyoraku had just had a hearty drink and was resting there, satisfied.

"Captain, if you're so free, why didn't you attend the regular meeting?" The 8th Division's Lieutenant, Ise Nanao asked, looking displeased at Kyoraku lying on the floor.

"Well, that... I wasn't feeling too well today, so I skipped the regular meeting. It's not like anything important happens anyway. Going would just be a waste of time. Besides, look, Jushiro didn't go either, did he?" Kyoraku defended himself.

"Hmph! Captain Ukitake didn't go because he's sick. You, Captain, are clearly pretending to be sick just to be lazy!" Nanao retorted scornfully.

"Heh heh..." Kyoraku chuckled softly but didn't bother to argue further.

Knock knock knock!

A sudden knocking sound came. Nanao, putting aside her argument with Kyoraku, immediately went to open the door.

Creak!

Opening the door, Isane was surprised. "Omnitsukido?"

The visitor's attire was distinctly different from other Shinigami, easily recognizable as a member of Omnitsukido.

"What business brings you here? If it's just a message, a Hell Butterfly would suffice, wouldn't it?" Isane asked, puzzled.

"But this order is jointly signed by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Vice-Captain-Commander Hitsugaya!" The Omnitsukido's member stated gravely.

"Jointly signed by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Hitsugaya? Could it be... is it the Level One State of Emergency?!" Nanao's expression turned solemn.

"Correct, it is the Level One State of Emergency. The specific matter is..." After delivering the message, the Omnitsukido's member hurriedly left, as he still had to inform other Captains and Lieutenants.

Nanao then walked back into the room with a serious expression.

"Captain! Something terrible has happened! Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Hitsugaya have jointly issued the Level One State of Emergency. The specific reason is because Captain Aizen... has unfortunately been killed!" Isane reported gravely.

"What?!" Kyoraku sprang up from the floor.

"You said Aizen is dead?!" Kyoraku's expression turned grave.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Vice-Captain-Commander Hitsugaya jointly issued the Level One State of Emergency, so the information shouldn't be wrong. The specific cause of Captain Aizen's death was the removal of his Saketsu and Hakusui by a Zanpakuto, and his heart was also attacked..."

"Based on the injuries, it seems he was murdered, not an accidental death. The body is currently being examined by Captain Unohana..." Nanao explained.

"I see... Sosuke..." Kyoraku's expression showed some sadness. Although he didn't interact much with Aizen outside of work, Kyoraku had a very good impression of him.

Aizen was always diligent, responsible at work, kind to others, and approachable. Very few in the entire Soul Society had a bad impression of him.

"Ah... I'll go see him one last time," Kyoraku said in a low voice.

"Yes," Nanao nodded.

"Yare yare, things have gotten serious," Kyoraku muttered.

Senzaikyu.

Zaraki, who had been lying in wait here all night, finally encountered Ichigo. The two then engaged in a fierce battle.

"Hahaha! This is so exhilarating!" Zaraki laughed loudly.

"Kid, your strength is pretty good, actually comparable to mine."

"Haven't felt this excited in a long time. The last time I enjoyed myself this much was fighting that guy, Toshiro. But in recent years, that guy fights less and less. Every time I ask him for a fight, he makes excuses."

"But today is really lucky. To encounter another guy who can get me excited."

"With you as my opponent..."

"I can fight with all my might..."

"There shouldn't be a problem, right?!"

With that, Zaraki tore off his eye patch. His immense Reiatsu erupted without restraint.

Not far from the battlefield, on top of a tall building, Yachiru watched their battle with great interest.

"Ken-chan looks very happy," Yachiru said with a smile.

Whoosh!

A figure suddenly appeared behind Yachiru.

"Lieutenant Kusajishi! I am a member of Omnitsukido. I am ordered to deliver an emergency message!" The person announced loudly.

"Oh, wait a moment," Yachiru said without turning her head.

"Huh?" The Omnitsukido's member was dumbfounded.

"But... I'm sorry, Lieutenant Kusajishi. This is a Level One State of Emergency jointly issued by Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 1st Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, and Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the 10th Division, Hitsugaya Toshiro..."

"Oh, I said wait a moment!" Yachiru's tone became somewhat impatient.

The Omnitsukido's member grew anxious. "Th-that won't do! Lieutenant Kusajishi! I am ordered to deliver this to all division Captains and Lieutenants as quickly as possible..."

"You're so annoying!"

"Ken-chan is fighting over there. Stop chattering on and on endlessly!" Yachiru finally couldn't help but turn around, glaring angrily at the Omnitsukido's member.

"Urk..." The Omnitsukido's member instantly felt as if he were being stared down by a ferocious beast, his life in imminent danger.

"Emergency orders and such can wait until later. Ken-chan is fighting now. We don't have time to listen to you chatter. As for the Captain-Commander and Shiro-chan, I'll explain to them later. Don't get in the way here," Yachiru said coldly.

"Yes!" Ultimately, under Yachiru's imposing aura, the Omnitsukido's member chose to yield and then hurriedly left the area as if being chased.

Yachiru continued to watch the battle between Zaraki and Ichigo.

…

On the battlefield.

"Hah! You can still raise your Reiatsu at a time like this? Interesting!" Zaraki said, somewhat surprised.

"Of course I can! Because I'm borrowing Zangetsu's power, fighting alongside Zangetsu! And you're just alone. How could I lose to you?!" Ichigo shouted.

"Zangetsu... that's your Zanpakuto's name?"

"Borrowing your Zanpakuto's power and fighting alongside it?"

"Hmph, someone once said something similar to me. But I still can't understand it!" Zaraki yelled.

"So stop with the nonsense! Let's decide this in one blow! Ichigo!!"

With that, Zaraki gathered all his power into his Zanpakuto and charged at Ichigo!

Seeing this, Ichigo also gathered all his own power and met Zaraki head-on.

"RAAAAAAAAH!!"

The two, bathed in golden and blue Reiatsu, collided in an instant.

Boom!

Violent shockwaves swept out in all directions. The surrounding buildings crumbled and collapsed under the impact of the immense power, and billowing dust obscured the two figures.

As the dust settled, Zaraki and Ichigo stood facing each other. Zaraki's Zanpakuto was embedded in Ichigo's chest, while Ichigo's Zanpakuto was lodged in Zaraki's shoulder.

Squelch!

Blood spurted from the massive wound on Ichigo.

"Sorry, everyone..."

Thud!

Ichigo's body fell heavily to the ground.

"Hah! You did well, Ichigo. You almost had me!" Zaraki's body swayed a couple of times but ultimately remained standing steadily.