Under normal circumstances, the Vacuum Ice Blade technique wouldn't create so many ice blades. However, in this heavy downpour, every raindrop in the sky could be transformed into an ice blade under Toshiro's power. Thus, the number of blades produced by this technique vastly increased, while Toshiro's Reiatsu consumption actually decreased somewhat.
Facing this onslaught, Aizen swung his Zanpakuto into an impenetrable whirlwind, forming a protective net around himself. Any ice blade approaching him was shattered.
However, Toshiro's ice blades were not only numerous but also quite powerful. Although each blade nearing Aizen was broken, the resulting recoil force was continuously transmitted to Aizen.
While the force from each individual blade wasn't great, as this recoil accumulated, Aizen would eventually be unable to withstand it, creating a flaw in his defense and giving Toshiro an opening.
Even though it appeared Toshiro held the upper hand, pressing Aizen into a passive defense, Toshiro wasn't complacent. There really wasn't much to be pleased about. Toshiro had already used his Shikai and was benefiting from advantageous weather and terrain, yet he only managed to gain a slight edge.
In contrast, Aizen hadn't even used his Shikai and could still fight Toshiro to this extent. If both used Bankai and fought seriously, Toshiro's defeat was almost certain.
However, at this moment, the saying 'prolonged defense inevitably fails' held true. If this continued, Aizen would eventually be hit by Toshiro's ice blades.
'It's only been a little over ten years... Yet the extent of his progress truly exceeds my imagination… Hitsugaya-kun!' Aizen thought to himself.
'Prolonged defense will fail. It seems without releasing my Zanpakuto, I cannot defeat the current Hitsugaya Toshiro. Moreover...'
To conceal his identity, many of Aizen's signature abilities were unusable. Besides his unknown, masterful swordsmanship, Aizen could only use widely known, common techniques. But relying solely on those clearly wasn't enough to defeat Toshiro.
'If I released my Zanpakuto and used Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis ability...' Thinking this, Aizen decided to release his Zanpakuto.
"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."
A peculiar glimmer flashed across Aizen's Zanpakuto, vanishing as if nothing happened. However, Aizen seemed to unleash his full capabilities, no longer holding back, even beginning to use Shinigami-specific Kido abilities.
"Bakudo #73, Tozansho!"
As Aizen's words fell, a massive, inverted triangular crystal pyramid suddenly appeared, enveloping Aizen within.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Countless of Toshiro's ice blades struck the inverted crystal pyramid, producing a series of clanging sounds. However, Toshiro's ice blades couldn't penetrate the defense of Aizen's Kido.
If this continued, it would devolve into a battle of attrition. Although Toshiro had the advantage of favorable conditions, reducing his technique consumption compared to normal, he still lacked confidence in outlasting Aizen, who held the advantage in Reiatsu.
Therefore, Toshiro ceased his ice blade assault, stopping the pointless consumption.
"Ice Dragon Flash!"
Toshiro compressed and concentrated his entire Reiatsu into his Zanpakuto. Hyorinmaru glowed brightly with blue light, and then a high-density Reiatsu slash was unleashed by Toshiro, shooting towards Aizen's defensive Kido.
Boom!
Toshiro's slash struck Aizen's Kido barrier fiercely.
Crack… Bang!
First, a crack appeared on Aizen's defensive Kido, Tozansho, then it shattered completely.
However, Aizen evaded Toshiro's slash the moment Tozansho broke. He then rapidly closed in on Toshiro, delivering a powerful overhead slash.
Toshiro immediately raised his sword to block.
Subsequently, Aizen unleashed a variety of Shinigami techniques, even his own signature moves, in ever-changing patterns, once again suppressing Toshiro and gaining the upper hand.
He seemed utterly unafraid of exposing his identity.
In fact, Aizen indeed wasn't worried about exposure because he had activated Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis ability when he released his Shikai earlier. Every move and technique Aizen used would be automatically interpreted by everyone present as something else. Therefore, Aizen currently had no concerns about his identity being revealed.
However, to probe Toshiro's true strength, Aizen didn't choose to instantly defeat Toshiro using hypnosis. Although Toshiro had a way to counter Kyoka Suigetsu and wouldn't be affected by the hypnosis, Aizen obviously wasn't aware of this.
At this moment, facing Aizen, who had released his Shikai and was employing various abilities, Toshiro once again found himself completely at a disadvantage… thoroughly so.
Under Aizen's assault, Toshiro could only barely parry, liable to be injured if he lost focus for even a moment.
'Damn it! Even though we've both released our Shikai, this gap in strength is just too great!' Toshiro cursed inwardly.
'This guy Aizen... his true strength definitely surpasses the beyond Captain-level!!'
Toshiro's current strength had reached the pinnacle of the beyond Captain-level, and his mastery in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido was already reaching the peak. Yet, even with both using Shikai, Toshiro was completely suppressed. This could only mean Aizen's true level had transcended the beyond Captain-level. Otherwise, with both at Shikai, and Toshiro being an exceptionally formidable combatant, Aizen shouldn't be able to suppress him so completely.
'It seems defeating Aizen now is indeed impossible. But if I can force Aizen to use his Bankai and catch a glimpse of his true strength, then this battle will have been worth it!!' Toshiro thought.
Regarding Aizen's Bankai, even the original work never revealed it. So Toshiro was very curious about it.
Thinking this, Toshiro's expression turned grave. Using his speed, he created distance between them, preparing to unleash his full strength without holding back.
"Bankai! Daiguren Hyorinmaru!"
Boom!
Instantly, a Reiatsu that could dim the world erupted from Toshiro's slender body. Toshiro's pinnacle beyond Captain-level Reiatsu spread unchecked across the sky and earth.
This was the first time Toshiro had unleashed his strength without restraint since reaching the pinnacle of the advanced captain-class. For a moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of physical and mental ease and comfort.
Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!!
As Toshiro's Reiatsu diffused through the world, the rain-veiled the world began to freeze. The rain-soaked ground, the skyscrapers… wherever Toshiro's Reiatsu passed, everything was frozen. Even the raindrops falling from the sky turned into hailstones!
Moreover, judging by the trend, if Toshiro didn't control it, this situation might spread throughout Karakura Town and even affect neighboring Narumishi City, which was also experiencing heavy rain!
At this moment, under the influence of Toshiro's Reiatsu, the very space of the Living World began to ripple and fluctuate!