Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

Seeing Toshiro's casual attitude, both Ichigo and Yoruichi felt a bit speechless. However, they didn't say anything more. Their wariness towards Toshiro's arrival had faded.

As long as Toshiro didn't intend to attack them or hinder their actions, letting him stay here didn't affect them. Moreover, if they truly encountered any difficulties, they could directly ask Toshiro for help. A free laborer was better left unused!

Then, none of the three spoke further. They closed their eyes, soaking in the hot spring, trying to relax as much as possible.

After a while, Ichigo was the first to rise from the hot spring pool and resume his Bankai Training.

Ichigo hadn't forgotten his purpose for coming to the Soul Society. To achieve his goal of saving Rukia, the most important thing was strength.

"That's Zangetsu, right?" Toshiro opened his eyes, looking at the handsome middle-aged man that Ichigo's manifested Zanpakuto had become.

"That's right. Ichigo's Zanpakuto holds great potential. If he can develop it properly, his strength will improve by leaps and bounds," Yoruichi replied.

"How long do you think it will take Ichigo to master Bankai?" Yoruichi's words showed great confidence in Ichigo, as if she never considered the possibility that Ichigo might fail to achieve Bankai.

"Ichigo? At most two or three days," Toshiro stated.

"Oh? Similar to Kisuke's prediction. I thought you might not believe Ichigo could master Bankai in a short time," Yoruichi said, somewhat surprised.

Although she was also confident in Ichigo, or rather, in Kisuke's judgment, she didn't expect Toshiro to be so optimistic about Ichigo.

Typically, going from the peak of Lieutenant-level to mastering Bankai and reaching Captain-level took at least several decades, and that was for individuals with outstanding talent who had the potential to become Captains. In reality, most people lacked the talent to reach Captain-level.

As for someone like Ichigo, who became a Shinigami only a few months ago and reached Lieutenant-level less than a few days ago, to say he could master Bankai and become a Captain-level existence in a short time… basically no one would believe it. Even Yoruichi wouldn't believe Ichigo could achieve this if not for Kisuke's confidence in him.

"Heh. Keep in mind, Ichigo is the son of Captain Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki, inheriting both Shinigami and Quincy bloodlines. His talent isn't inferior to mine, it might even be better. In that aspect, hardly anyone can compare to him."

"So, mastering Bankai in two or three days isn't impossible for him. Plus, with the aid of a special spiritual tool like the Tenshintai, his chances of success are naturally greater," Toshiro analyzed point by point.

Of course, the most important factor was that Ichigo Kurosaki was a cheat character with protagonist plot armor.

"Mhm, that's true," Yoruichi nodded, quite agreeing with Toshiro's points.

After chatting with Yoruichi for a few more hours, Toshiro got up and left the underground space.

Yoruichi didn't ask why Toshiro was leaving.

…

2:00 a.m., 1st Division, Duty Room.

Although it was very late, Yamamoto wasn't resting. He sat cross-legged before a low table, reviewing reports concerning the intruders in the Seireitei and Toshiro's situation.

Swish!

Without any warning, a black-clad, masked figure suddenly appeared before Yamamoto.

Yet, Yamamoto didn't even look up, as if unaware of anyone's presence.

The suddenly appearing black-clad, masked person also didn't disturb Yamamoto. They simply knelt on one knee, quietly waiting for Yamamoto to finish reading the report.

"Well?" Yamamoto asked abruptly after a while, having finished the report.

"Reporting to the Captain-Commander, Captain Ichimaru's behavior has been completely normal, with nothing unusual," The black-clad figure said respectfully.

"Is that so?" Yamamoto's tone was calm, yet he couldn't help but frown slightly.

"What about the specifics?" Yamamoto inquired again.

"Earlier, the Captains paired up in groups of two to search the Seireitei for Captain Hitsugaya. Captain Ichimaru partnered with the 4th Division's Captain, Unohana Retsu."

"They searched the Seireitei for Captain Hitsugaya for several hours but found no trace. As it grew very late, Captain Ichimaru and Captain Unohana returned to their respective divisions."

"During this period, whether during the search or after returning to the 3rd Division, Captain Ichimaru showed no abnormal behavior whatsoever," The black-clad figure recounted every detail meticulously.

"Alright. You may withdraw. Continue monitoring Ichimaru Gin. If he shows any signs of abnormality, report to me immediately," Yamamoto instructed after pondering for a moment.

"Yes, sir!" The black-clad figure acknowledged and vanished from the duty room as silently as he had appeared.

"Truly nothing unusual, or..." After the figure left, Yamamoto murmured to himself.

Between Toshiro and Gin, Yamamoto naturally trusted Toshiro more.

Therefore, even though Gin claimed Toshiro murdered Aizen and intended to destroy the Seireitei and Soul Society, presenting so-called evidence, in his heart, Yamamoto was still inclined to believe Toshiro.

Similarly, believing Toshiro meant Yamamoto suspected Gin.

Since Toshiro and Gin's statements directly contradicted each other, one of them must be lying and framing the other.

Yamamoto leaned towards that person being Gin.

So, even though earlier Yamamoto had been forced by circumstances to act against Toshiro, deep down, he still suspected Gin.

That's why Yamamoto had someone monitor Gin, to see if he would reveal any clues.

But unfortunately, Yamamoto gained nothing.

"Sigh..." Yamamoto sighed helplessly, no longer in the mood to read reports. He even tossed the report onto the table.

"Hmm?" Yamamoto suddenly seemed to sense something.

"Since you're here, you might as well show yourself," Yamamoto said to the seemingly empty duty room.

Silence. It appeared as if no one else was present besides Yamamoto.

"Hmph. Playing tricks before me? Do you think I'm so old I can't even sense your presence anymore?" Yamamoto snorted coldly.

"Yare yare, as expected of of you, Genryusai-sensei." As the words fell, a figure appeared silently before Yamamoto, yet without any sense of abruptness, as if that figure had been there all along.

"Toshiro, so you have come after all."