In a few years, when Isshin goes to the Living World, he will meet Kurosaki Masaki. Then, the Captain who values love over his position will resolutely abandon his captaincy for Masaki and leave the Soul Society.
At that time, Toshiro will succeed him as Captain of the 10th Division.
And after becoming Captain, Toshiro also wants someone powerful to assist him.
As a Captain, Toshiro needs someone with formidable strength to handle certain matters for him.
Like 1st Division's Chojiro Sasakibe, 6th Division's Abarai Renji, 11th Division's Madarame Ikkaku… they are all powerful individuals, not much inferior to some weaker Captains.
Among them, Sasakibe never used Bankai, so his exact strength is unknown, but he's at least Captain-level. Renji's future strength will be even more formidable, eventually surpassing some Gotei 13's Captains.
After Isshin leaves the 10th Division, besides Toshiro, there won't be any powerful members left in the 10th Division.
10th Division's Lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku, is relatively senior among Lieutenants, and her strength is considerable within the Lieutenant-level.
But Lieutenant-level is still just Lieutenant-level… their role in future major battles won't be significant.
Ashido, after all, is a Captain-level expert. If he joins the 10th Division, besides Toshiro, the division will have another powerful member.
The entire 10th Division won't be left with no capable personnel besides Toshiro.
"By the way, Ashido, I should clarify upfront. I'm only a Third Seat. If you come to the 10th Division, your rank probably won't be very high either," Toshiro suddenly said to Ashido.
"No problem, Hitsugaya. I don't really care about ranks," Ashido said somewhat indifferently.
For Ashido, status, power… none of that mattered. He just wanted to fulfill his duty as a Shinigami, protect human souls, and contribute to the Soul Society.
If he cared about fame and fortune, Ashido wouldn't have fought Hollows alone in the Forest of Menos for centuries.
"Ashido, from now on, just call me Toshiro. We're friends, aren't we? And you'll be joining the 10th Division after we return," Toshiro suddenly said.
Names weren't to be used casually. Only very close friends and family used given names, not surnames.
Toshiro letting Ashido call him by his given name signified Toshiro truly accepting Ashido as a comrade.
"I understand, Toshiro," Ashido nodded seriously.
After Ashido accepted Toshiro's invitation, the two continued walking and chatting, heading towards the Menos Grande Expeditionary Force camp.
While Toshiro and Ashido were on their way, Toshiro suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Toshiro?" Seeing Toshiro stop, Ashido also halted, looking at Toshiro questioningly.
"There seem to be a few Hollows ahead," Toshiro said with a somewhat strange expression.
"Hollows?!" Hearing Toshiro, Ashido immediately became serious, drawing his Zanpakuto, ready for battle.
"Don't be nervous, Ashido. The approaching Hollows don't seem very strong," Toshiro said.
"Not very strong? Impossible!" Ashido exclaimed in surprise.
Their current location wasn't too far from Las Noches, just outside its sphere of influence. Hollows active in this area were generally powerful, at least Adjuchas.
"Well, judging by Reiatsu, they indeed aren't very strong, even quite weak," Toshiro also said curiously.
"They do seem very weak," Ashido also sensed the other party's Reiatsu now.
As Toshiro and Ashido conversed, those Hollows had arrived not far from them.
"Roar!"
"Hahaha..."
"Heyahahaha..."
With a Hollow's roar and maniacal laughter, several figures suddenly appeared before Toshiro and Ashido.
Three strangely shaped Hollows were chasing a little girl.
The pursued girl wore a green, hooded one-piece garment.
The hood covered her head, revealing strands of aqua-green hair. Her eyes were gold-green, with rose-colored horizontal marks on her face. A scar extended from her forehead to the right side of her nose.
Currently, the little girl was being chased by the Hollows behind her, looking utterly helpless, on the verge of tears.
"A human?!" Ashido exclaimed in shock.
"A human appearing in Hueco Mundo?! How is that possible?!" Ashido said, finding it hard to believe.
"Anyway, let's rescue her first, Toshiro," Ashido said, immediately charging forward.
"Hey! Ashido-" Toshiro hurriedly called out.
Initially, seeing a human girl suddenly appear in Hueco Mundo shocked Toshiro too. But then Toshiro realized… this is Nel!
Nel, full name Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, former Tres Espada.
Ambushed and injured by Nnoitra, losing her power, then thrown out of Las Noches… Toshiro never expected to encounter her here.
By now, Ashido had already charged before them.
Bang!
Ashido kicked Nel's Fracción, Dondochakka, sending him flying.
"Big bro!" Nel's other Fracción, Pesche, cried out in worry.
"Hmph." Hearing Pesche's shouts, Ashido's attention was immediately drawn.
Then, with a clang, Ashido drew the Zanpakuto at his waist and slashed at Pesche.
"Ahhh-" Pesche screamed in terror.
With Ashido's Captain-level strength, current Pesche was no match. He could only watch helplessly as Ashido's blade descended.
Pesche despairingly closed his eyes.
Clang!
A figure suddenly appeared before Pesche, swinging a sword to block Ashido's attack.
"Toshiro?!" Ashido looked in surprise at Toshiro blocking before him.
"Toshiro, why are you stopping me?" Ashido asked, puzzled.
"Look," Toshiro pointed at Dondochakka, whom Ashido had kicked flying.
Ashido looked back. The little girl had run to the Hollow named Dondochakka and helped him up.
Then she turned towards Ashido and Toshiro, shouting anxiously, "Stop, stop! Don't hurt Pesche!"
"What's going on?!" Ashido was utterly confused.
He was here to rescue someone, so why did it seem like he was the bad guy?!