Renji had been imprisoned earlier for acting without authorization and losing, so he wasn't aware of Toshiro's situation.
"Nothing much. Just some incidents. I was framed by Ichimaru Gin, accused of murdering Aizen, so I had to escape, just like you. Now I'm in a wanted state. My Vice-Captain-Commander and 10th Division's Captain titles aren't much use now. So, you don't need to mind my status, feel free to call me Toshiro," Toshiro said with a hint of self-mockery.
"What?! Framed by Captain Ichimaru?" Renji found it unbelievable.
"Alright, there's no time for detailed explanations now. You should focus on training," Toshiro had no intention of explaining everything to Renji now.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Renji, but he was afraid Renji might show some flaw, alerting Aizen to his plans beforehand.
"Well, alright. I'll go train first," Renji hesitated but didn't press further.
As Toshiro said, the most important thing for Renji now was to master Bankai.
Sunrise, sunset. In the blink of an eye, a day had passed.
Senzaikyu, Fourth Underground Prison.
Rukia, imprisoned here, was being escorted towards Sokyoku Hill, as the execution time was approaching.
Sokyoku Hill, underground space.
Clang!
Renji sheathed his Zanpakuto.
"Alright, I'm leaving," Renji said with his back to the others.
In just a day and a night, Renji had managed to master Bankai before Ichigo.
"Mhm," Ichigo responded flatly, not looking back at Renji, continuing his battle with the manifested Zangetsu.
"Hey... Toshiro, can that guy really do it?" Renji asked Toshiro with some concern.
"Don't worry," Toshiro said, glancing at Ichigo, who was covered in wounds but still fighting Zangetsu.
"You say I'm worried about him? Don't joke! I'm not asking if he'll die. I'm saying, with his current training progress, can he really achieve Bankai?" Renji said somewhat tsunderely.
Toshiro: "..."
Yesterday, Ichigo confidently boasted he would master Bankai before today. Now, with only a few hours left until Rukia's execution, Ichigo still hadn't achieved Bankai.
Renji: "Hey..."
"Renji!" Toshiro suddenly said. "Do you remember the first time you stood up and walked?"
"Hah? Who could remember something like that?!" Renji said, speechless.
Toshiro said seriously, "If you can't remember or weren't aware, then why did you stand up? Everyone knows to stand up after birth, just like birds fly and fish swim… it's an instinct. Because it's instinct, everyone desires that power without hesitation."
"I think the reason Ichigo can stand up again and again after being knocked down, without a moment's hesitation, is precisely because of that instinct."
"Instinctively, he knows he possesses—"
"So, I believe—"
"He—"
"Is someone capable of achieving Bankai!"
Hearing Toshiro's words, Renji fell silent for a moment, then said nothing more and turned to leave.
"Abarai Renji... that guy's talent is truly impressive. To master Bankai in just a day and a night… even less time than Kisuke took back then. Almost catching up to you," Yoruichi remarked, watching Renji's departing figure with some emotion. (T/N: From what I know, in the original work, Renji has been training Bankai for a long time, and at this time, he is already just one step away from learning Bankai, that's why it only took one day.)
Kisuke was also a rare genius. Back then, he mastered Bankai in less than three days, setting a record in the Soul Society. Although aided by the Tenshintai, his own talent and intellect couldn't be ignored.
Then Toshiro burst onto the scene, mastering Bankai in less than a day, also breaking Kisuke's record.
Now, Renji took a day and a night to master Bankai… a few hours more than Toshiro. If not for Toshiro, the record for fastest Bankai mastery might have belonged to Renji today.
"The time taken to master Bankai doesn't really mean much. It's not like shorter time equals stronger Bankai power," Toshiro said dismissively.
As he said, Toshiro knew the time taken to master Bankai wasn't proportional to strength. Although Renji took less time than Ichigo, who could say Renji was stronger than Ichigo?
"Well, you're right. The time taken to master Bankai isn't necessarily linked to strength. But with only a few hours left until the execution, can Ichigo make it in time?" Yoruichi couldn't help but worry.
"Don't worry. He will make it. Definitely!" Toshiro affirmed.
'But even if he didn't, it wouldn't matter!' Toshiro didn't voice this thought. In fact, Toshiro knew even if Ichigo mastered Bankai, aside from his destined battle with Byakuya, he wouldn't play a major role in this incident.
"Since the execution time is near, I should act," Toshiro murmured.
Then, bidding farewell to Yoruichi, Toshiro also headed out.
…
Thud, thud, thud...
Zaraki was running wildly through the Seireitei like a headless chicken. This time, besides Yachiru on his shoulder, he also carried Orihime, with Ikkaku and Yumichika following behind.
"Hey! Which way now, woman?!" Zaraki's terrible sense of direction kicked in, forcing him to ask Orihime on his shoulder.
"Um... Ah… Mmm..." Orihime mumbled, unable to answer. It was her first time in the Soul Society, so she was completely unfamiliar with the place. She could only try to sense the Reiatsu of Uryu, Chad, and others.
That's right. Zaraki and his group were searching for Uryu, Chad, and the others.
"I think it's that way!" Orihime couldn't answer, but Yachiru pointed in a random direction with a giggle.
"Let's listen to Inoue! You have no sense of direction at all, Lieutenant!" Ikkaku firmly objected.
"Shut up, you little steel ball head!" Yachiru gave Ikkaku another nickname.
"You—!" Ikkaku trembled with anger, about to draw his sword.
Yumichika quickly mediated. "Now, now, that's enough. After all, what you said just now was quite rude too..."
"Tch! So troublesome. Might as well rely on my intuition!" Zaraki said impatiently, choosing a direction based on his gut feeling.
"Woo! Charge… Ken-chan!" Yachiru cheered.
…
4th Division, Medical Prison.
Uryu, Chad, and Ganju, after receiving treatment from the 4th Division, were imprisoned here.
After all, they were intruders into the Soul Society. Getting treatment was generous enough, and letting them roam free naturally wasn't an option.
Boom!
A loud noise rang. The ceiling of the medical prison was suddenly smashed open, and Zaraki's group descended directly from above.
"Hey! Are you Ichigo's companions? Then come with me!" Kenpachi said to the three bluntly.