Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

"Stop him!"

Caught off guard and sent flying by Toshiro, Yamamoto, seeing Toshiro about to escape and unable to stop him in time, urgently ordered the observing Captains surrounding the battlefield to block Toshiro.

Upon hearing Yamamoto's order, the Captains hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to obstruct Toshiro's path.

Although Toshiro was the Vice-Captain-Commander, he was now a suspect in Aizen's murder and of intending to destroy the Seireitei and betray the Soul Society. Moreover, the one giving the order, Yamamoto, wasn't just the Captain-Commander… he was also the founder of the Gotei 13, with unparalleled authority in the Soul Society. None of the Captains dared openly defy his command.

Therefore, even though most of them were on good terms with Toshiro, they had no choice but to try to stop him.

"Hitsugaya-dono! Please cease your resistance! Obey Genryusai-dono's words and cooperate with the investigation peacefully!"

The first to step forward and block Toshiro after the order was given was Yamamoto's loyal subordinate, the Captain of the 7th Division, Komamura Sajin.

Komamura held immense respect for Toshiro, usually insisting on addressing him as 'Hitsugaya-dono'. However, this was because Yamamoto valued Toshiro, and Komamura, 'loving the crow for the sake of the rook', extended that respect to Toshiro.

Now, with Yamamoto's order issued, the loyal Komamura immediately stepped forward to block Toshiro.

While no one could match Toshiro in speed, during Toshiro and Yamamoto's battle, the Captains had dispersed around the battlefield's perimeter. Now, for Toshiro to leave, he first had to break through the 'encirclement' formed by the Captains.

Komamura happened to be positioned on Toshiro's retreat path, making him the first to intercept Toshiro.

"Bankai, Kokujo Tengen Myo'o!"

Knowing his strength was far inferior to Toshiro's, Komamura immediately released his Bankai. Instantly, a giant, black-armored samurai towering like a colossus appeared behind him.

"Move aside, Komamura!" Seeing Komamura blocking his path, Toshiro shouted.

"I must refuse, Hitsugaya-dono! This is Genryusai-dono's command, so I will not retreat a single step! If you wish to pass, you must defeat me first!"

With that, Komamura swung his Zanpakuto in a slashing motion. Simultaneously, the giant black-armored samurai behind him mirrored the action, swinging its 'forty-meter-long blade' down at Toshiro.

Whoosh!

The giant's massive blade whistled through the air as it descended towards Toshiro's head.

Seeing this, Toshiro paid it no mind. He simply and casually raised his left hand to meet it.

Ting!

The giant's 'forty-meter-long blade' was effortlessly blocked by a single finger from Toshiro.

"Wha-?!" Komamura was instantly shocked.

Although he knew Toshiro's strength was immense, even capable of easily killing a Captain-level opponent, witnessing his Bankai blocked by a single finger firsthand left Komamura utterly stunned.

Swish!

While Komamura was stunned, Toshiro slashed out, striking the giant black-armored samurai.

Crack!

The giant black samurai was instantly frozen into a massive ice sculpture. Komamura, connected to it, suffered the same fate, frozen solid on the spot.

The force of Toshiro's Kenatsu wasn't particularly strong… it was imbued with immense freezing power. Therefore, the giant and Komamura weren't slain outright but frozen instead.

After all, Komamura was a Captain-level expert, an important asset to the Soul Society. Toshiro had no intention of killing him, so he merely froze him. The freezing energy didn't penetrate his body's interior, ensuring he wouldn't shatter along with the ice.

After instantly freezing Komamura, Toshiro prepared to seize the opportunity to leave. However, the Captain of the 2nd Division, Sui-Feng, and the Captain of the 11th Division, Zaraki Kenpachi, closed in.

[Shunkuho!]

Toshiro's figure flickered, instantly appearing before Sui-Feng. Without a word, he threw a punch, showing no regard for her being female.

Sui-Feng, accustomed to using Hakuda, met Toshiro's attack with a palm strike.

Boom!

Unsurprisingly, Sui-Feng was sent flying by Toshiro's punch.

An ordinary Captain-level was no match for Toshiro, let alone Sui-Feng, who specialized in Shunpo and Hakuda, engaging Toshiro in direct combat without using her Bankai or Shunko. That she was only sent flying and not killed was Toshiro showing mercy.

After sending Sui-Feng flying, Zaraki's attack finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

Toshiro turned his body, evading Zaraki's strike.

"Kendo: Bisection!" Toshiro gripped his Zanpakuto with both hands, using his full power to slash at Zaraki.

"Hahaha!" Facing Toshiro's attack, Zaraki laughed loudly, gripping his own sword with both hands and using the same technique to slash back at Toshiro.

Kendo: Bisection was a technique created by Yamamoto and later taught to both Zaraki and Toshiro, so both knew it.

Clang!

The blades collided with a clear ring. Then, Toshiro's Zanpakuto cleanly severed Zaraki's sword and struck his body.

Schlick!

Scorching blood sprayed from Zaraki's wound. Toshiro then 'added insult to injury', kicking him away.

Toshiro showed no restraint against Zaraki. First, because this guy's strength was formidable. Second, because Zaraki was somewhat of a 'masochist'… the more injured and bloodied he became, the more excited he grew.

Other Captains obstructed Toshiro largely due to Yamamoto's order. Zaraki, however, didn't care about Yamamoto's commands. His enthusiasm likely stemmed solely from wanting to fight Toshiro.

But Toshiro had no desire to be entangled by this troublesome individual now, so he dealt with him swiftly and decisively.

After swiftly dealing with Komamura, Sui-Feng, and Zaraki, Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake arrived.

'The situation is looking unfavorable,' Toshiro thought, his heart tightening.

Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake were no ordinary Captain-level… they were 'Century Captains'… individuals who had been Captains for at least a hundred years, most possessing formidable strength.

Among the Gotei 13's Captains, Unohana, Kyoraku, and Ukitake were the strongest three after Yamamoto, Toshiro, and Aizen.

Even Toshiro would find it difficult to defeat these three quickly, especially since he could sense Yamamoto closing in from behind.

'No other choice. I'll have to force my way out!' Toshiro thought with determination.