"It's not that special," Toshiro said.
Although he had set a new record for mastering Bankai, the time taken to master it wasn't directly related to actual strength.
"Momo, go get some sleep first," Toshiro said, looking at Momo's exhausted state.
"Mhm," Momo nodded.
Now that Toshiro had completed his Bankai Training, Momo no longer insisted on staying.
"Captain Unohana, could you let Momo use a room to rest?" Toshiro asked.
"Of course. I have plenty of empty wards here," Unohana replied.
With that, Unohana led them to a room right next to Toshiro's ward.
"Alright, Toshiro, I'm going to rest. You should get some sleep too. You've been training for a whole day," Momo said, lying down on the bed.
"I know. You rest well," Toshiro said.
Momo must have been extremely tired… she fell asleep almost as soon as she lay down.
Toshiro and Unohana walked out quietly.
"Captain Unohana, where is Captain Kenpachi?" Toshiro asked once they were outside the barracks.
"Captain Kenpachi? He woke up two days ago and returned to the 11th Division. His injuries weren't completely healed then, but he insisted on going back," Unohana answered.
"In that case, Captain Unohana, could you have someone take me to the 11th Division?" Toshiro requested.
Toshiro wasn't familiar with the Gotei 13 layout and didn't know where the 11th Division was.
"Ara ara, our genius Toshiro-kun, are you so eager to fight Captain Kenpachi again now that you've mastered Bankai?" Unohana asked with an amused expression.
"Exactly. Last time, I won with Hyorinmaru's help. This time, I want to defeat him with my own power," Toshiro said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Last time, he had been forced into a fight by Zaraki, which he found very displeasing.
"Also, I can test my Bankai's power along the way," Toshiro added.
"Alright then. I-"
"Captain, has Hitsugaya Toshiro finished his training?" Isane walked in from outside the 4th Division, interrupting Unohana.
When she saw Toshiro, she instinctively flinched.
Isane had actually returned early in the morning.
But she was too afraid to enter, staying just outside Hyorinmaru's effective range, waiting until Toshiro finished his training before coming in.
Toshiro looked at Isane curiously, wondering why she seemed so afraid of him after just one day.
"Toshiro-kun, Isane's Zanpakuto is also an Ice-type. So when you release Hyorinmaru, the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto, it causes Isane's Zanpakuto to feel fear and submission," Unohana explained, seeing Toshiro's confusion.
"Is that so?"
This was the first time Toshiro learned Hyorinmaru had such an ability.
"Isane, you came back just in time. Please escort Toshiro-kun to the 11th Division," Unohana said.
"Huh? Captain, can't someone else do it?" Isane said with a pained expression.
"Isane, you must overcome this timidity. It's just guiding him there. You can come right back afterward," Unohana said sternly.
"Yes, Captain."
Isane agreed reluctantly.
Then, she led the way for Toshiro, walking far ahead and not daring to get close, as if he were a man-eating tiger.
Toshiro followed with a faint line of sweat on his brow.
…
11th Division, Training Grounds.
"Hah!"
Zaraki was training, swinging his Zanpakuto with sweat dripping.
"Ken-chan, your injuries just healed. Shouldn't you rest a bit before training?" Yachiru advised from the side.
"Leave me alone. I need to get stronger quickly so I can get revenge on Hitsugaya Toshiro for last time's defeat," Zaraki said.
"Ken-chan didn't lose! Didn't Shiro-chan say he fought together with his Zanpakuto? So it was two against one. Ken-chan won!" Yachiru said.
"Haha..." Zaraki couldn't help but laugh at Yachiru's words.
Just then, Zaraki's expression suddenly turned serious.
"You've come, Hitsugaya Toshiro."
Zaraki suddenly sensed Toshiro's Reiatsu approaching and became alert.
"Yo, Zaraki Kenpachi. You recovered pretty fast," Toshiro said as he walked in.
Unohana had mentioned Zaraki left the 4th Division before his injuries were fully healed, yet here he was, lively and active.
"Tch, you're not bad either, kid," Zaraki said.
"Hey, what brings you here?" Zaraki asked.
"Nothing much. I just mastered Bankai and couldn't wait to show it to you," Toshiro said expressionlessly.
Hearing this, Kenpachi's pupils contracted.
"Oh? Bankai, huh? Perfect. I wanted to wash away the shame of last time's defeat," Kenpachi said, grinning. His fierce face showed a terrifying smile.
"Great, let's fight right here. No need to find another spot," Zaraki said, pointing his Zanpakuto at Toshiro.
The 11th Division, as a combat division, was full of destructive members, so their training grounds and facilities were the largest and most durable in the Gotei 13.
The open-air training ground where Toshiro and Kenpachi now stood could accommodate hundreds of 11th Division's members training simultaneously.
'Well, if I control my power a bit, this size should be barely enough,' Toshiro said, surveying the area.
"Hey, all of you, get the hell out of here," Zaraki said to the others training on the grounds.
"What's up, Captain?" Ikkaku walked over and asked.
"Nothing. I'm going all out against this guy. You lot will just be in the way," Zaraki said impatiently.
"All out?!" Ikkaku exclaimed, shocked.
There weren't many in the entire Soul Society who could make Zaraki fight all out.