Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!

Under Toshiro's relentless assault, small wounds appeared one after another on Gin's body. Although not fatal, he was soon covered in blood, looking utterly miserable.

"Damn it! The gap in strength is too large!" Gin thought angrily.

In terms of talent, Gin considered himself unmatched by most, even if not quite on Toshiro's level. After all, graduating from Shin'o Academy in a single year was a feat achieved by only a handful in history.

Coupled with starting his training many years earlier than Toshiro, Gin thought his strength, even if inferior, shouldn't be overwhelmingly so.

But now, it seemed Gin had underestimated Toshiro's strength, or perhaps overestimated his own.

Moreover, Toshiro looked completely at ease, clearly not using his full power. Gin even suspected Toshiro wasn't going all out to kill him immediately, but rather torturing him to vent his anger.

Otherwise, if Toshiro fought seriously, Gin believed he could be instantly killed.

'Even if he's holding back, continuing like this will lead to my death from severe injuries. Against an existence like Hitsugaya Toshiro, I don't even have the qualification to make him get serious.' Gin couldn't help but think.

Realizing this, Gin decisively used his Shikai!

"Shoot to Kill, Shinso!!" Gin suddenly pointed his Zanpakuto at Toshiro and shouted.

Whoosh!!

Like a bolt of lightning, Gin's Zanpakuto instantly extended, thrusting towards Toshiro.

Swish! Toshiro's figure flashed, vanishing from the spot, then reappearing before Gin in the next instant, slashing down.

Squelch!

Blood spurted. A wound deep enough to see bone appeared on Gin's body.

"Wh-what?!" Gin stared at the wound in shock.

"Even using Shikai is useless?" Gin said incredulously.

Due to the immense gap in strength, Gin hadn't expected Shikai to defeat Toshiro. But not even being able to slow Toshiro down with Shikai was beyond his expectations.

"Too slow! Your attack speed, your blade's extension speed… all too slow!" Toshiro said coldly.

Then, without hesitation, he attacked again.

Clang clang clang!!

Even with Shikai, Gin remained at a disadvantage under Toshiro's assault.

"Rain of a Thousand Blades!" Gin used another Shikai technique.

Swish swish swish!!

Numerous blades shot towards Toshiro like a torrential downpour.

Toshiro's Zanpakuto swung repeatedly, creating sword blossoms that blocked Gin's storm-like attacks.

Clang clang clang—!!

Blades clashed, sparks flying, but Gin's attacks couldn't touch Toshiro at all.

"Hmph! Is this all? How disappointing, Ichimaru Gin!" Toshiro suddenly spoke.

Originally, Toshiro was quite interested in Gin's strength. Judging from the original work, Gin was at least Advanced Captain-level.

But now, even with Shikai, Toshiro could handle him easily. Toshiro didn't know if he was too strong or Gin too weak.

"Ara ara, the Captain of the 10th Division truly is powerful. As expected of the Vice-Captain-Commander, I suppose?" Gin said with a wry smile.

"But defeating me won't be that easy." Gin's expression turned strange.

"Shoot to Kill, Shinso!!" Gin used his Shikai ability again.

Whoosh!!

Gin's Zanpakuto extended once more, striking towards Toshiro.

"Hmph! Running out of tricks, Ichimaru Gin?" Toshiro mocked, preparing to dodge and then close in, but suddenly noticed a fox-like smile on Gin's lips.

Seeing this, Toshiro's heart sank, a sense of foreboding rising.

"Momo!" Toshiro's peripheral vision caught Momo behind him.

Gin was using the same tactic as in the original work. So, Toshiro didn't evade but quickly swung his sword to block.

Clang!

At the last moment, Toshiro's Zanpakuto struck Gin's extended blade, the powerful force deflecting its trajectory.

Rip! A piece of cloth fluttered to the ground.

Although Toshiro managed to deflect the attack, that moment of hesitation allowed Gin's blade to slice off a piece of Toshiro's clothing.

Though unhurt, this infuriated Toshiro.

Originally, Toshiro had been toying with Gin like a cat with a mouse. But now, Gin had turned the tables.

"Good... very good, Ichimaru Gin!" Toshiro said coldly.

Any interest in seeing Gin's true strength was gone.

"What is it, Toshiro?" Momo responded.

"Leave here immediately. The farther, the better." Toshiro ordered.

"Yes." Momo hesitated but finally nodded helplessly.

She knew she would only hinder Toshiro's fight.

'All that hard training... and I still can only hold Toshiro back?' Momo thought dejectedly as she ran into the distance.

Momo's talent wasn't exceptionally high. Reaching Lieutenant-level was due to her determination to help Toshiro, pushing herself through relentless training.

But against Toshiro's foes, Lieutenant-level strength truly couldn't help much.

After Momo left the battlefield, Toshiro glanced at Kira.

Kira had been pressed to the ground by Toshiro's Reiatsu and still couldn't get up.

"Vanish, Kira. Disappear from my sight. Otherwise, I can't guarantee you won't die getting caught in the crossfire!" Toshiro controlled his Reiatsu, releasing the pressure on Kira.

Though Kira helping Gin trick Momo angered Toshiro greatly, they were friends of decades. Moreover, when Toshiro arrived earlier, he saw Kira fighting alongside Momo against Gin. Presumably, Kira deeply regretted his actions.

So, Toshiro didn't want him to die here.

"Toshiro, I..." Facing Toshiro, Kira felt utterly ashamed, not knowing what to say.

"Get lost. I'll settle with you properly later. For now, don't get in the way here!" Toshiro said with a cold face.

"Yes!" Kira responded and also left the battlefield, heading into the distance.

"Now then, regret it, Ichimaru Gin! Regret making me take things this seriously!" Toshiro said coldly.

"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!!"