The report of Hitsugaya Tōshirō being appointed Vice-Captain was sent to Squad One Barracks that very night.
Most people, upon learning that Hitsugaya Tōshirō had mastered Bankai, felt the same way as Urahara Kisuke.
The Shinigami found it hard to believe, but the facts were undeniable.
How many Captain-class powerhouses does the Eleventh Division have now?
Inside the Captain's Office in the First Division Squad Barracks.
Sasakibe Chōjirō's gaze unconsciously drifted to the leisurely Old Man beside him.
A hint of worry appeared on his face as he softly said, "Genryūsai, the power currently held by the Eleventh Division is perhaps too strong."
"Reiji, Vice-Captain Ichimaru, Vice Captain Zaraki, Vice-Captain Hitsugaya, and Officer Kuna Mashiro..."
He paused, seemingly a little shocked by this lineup, and then continued, "A total of five Captain-class powerhouses gathered in the Eleventh Division, and these are just the Squad members of the main Squad."
"Adding Yoruichi and Soi Fon, although they are not affiliated with the Eleventh Division, they follow Reiji as his personal guards."
"This brings the total to seven Captain-class experts."
"Such strength already exceeds the limits of what a normal Squad should possess."
Sasakibe Chōjirō frowned, looking at Yamamoto with concern.
He wasn't worried that Aozaki Reiji would do anything rebellious or insubordinate.
But with so many strong individuals of eccentric personalities gathered together, incidents were bound to occur.
However, Yamamoto did not respond to Sasakibe Chōjirō's worries; instead, he slightly furrowed his brows.
Reiji?
When did he become your junior?
And when did you become my disciple?
Isn't this taking advantage of this Old Man?!
This is outrageous!
I offered to take you as my disciple back then.
You refused, insisting on being an assistant.
Regretting it now?
No chance!
Yamamoto expressionlessly picked up a cup of hot tea and slowly took a sip.
He gently put down the teacup and leisurely said, "Chojiro, there's no need to worry about this. Consider it a pop quiz for him."
"A pop quiz?"
Sasakibe Chōjirō was stunned, his face filled with disbelief.
Under his gaze, Yamamoto slowly turned his head.
The Old Man's face actually held a hint of amusement.
"Didn't he find all those little guys himself?"
"I'm this old; do I still need to clean up after him?"
Yamamoto chuckled and continued, "If he can't even manage those brats, what's the point of talking about the Gotei 13...?"
"Let's use this opportunity for this Old Man to see his spirit!"
A hint of anticipation flashed in Yamamoto's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Sasakibe Chōjirō's expression changed.
"Is it too early to say such things?"
"Genryūsai, could it be that you..."
Sasakibe Chōjirō seemed to be choosing his words carefully, stopping mid-sentence.
He subconsciously thought.
Yamamoto was so urgent because he sensed his end was near.
The lifespan of a Shinigami is quite long compared to ordinary humans.
But three thousand years is pretty much the limit.
And Yamamoto is already over two thousand years old, a truly Old Man.
Although he appears vigorous every day, he fought countless battles in his youth and encountered many strong enemies.
He is already covered in injuries; perhaps he won't even last three thousand years...
As soon as he thought of this, Sasakibe Chōjirō's heart tightened.
He opened his mouth, about to say something, but Yamamoto interrupted him:
"Don't worry, Chojiro, this Old Man's bones are still strong!"
He squinted at Sasakibe Chōjirō:
"Don't believe me? Want to spar?"
"That won't be necessary; I believe you."
"If you want to spar, you should go find Vice Captain Zaraki instead."
Sasakibe Chōjirō hastily shook his head.
...
"...Is this the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto that can control the weather?"
In a room covered in ice and snow, Aozaki Reiji's figure slowly emerged.
He was clad in an armor of frost, cold and hard, as if he had merged with the surrounding environment.
"It's definitely a Zanpakuto comparable to Ryujin Jakka."
Aozaki Reiji muttered to himself, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes.
"Toushiro can't exert his full strength because his own abilities are insufficient!"
"Let Ichimaru increase his training. Being a half-baked Shinigami won't do."
As he spoke, Aozaki Reiji had already formulated a training plan for Hitsugaya Tōshirō in his mind.
If Hitsugaya Tōshirō knew that he had doubled his training, he would surely thank him!
Aozaki Reiji thought triumphantly, feeling exceptionally pleased.
He reined in his surging Reiatsu.
The ice and snow that had enveloped the entire room began to recede under his deliberate control.
The ice and snow gradually melted, yet not even a trace of meltwater could be seen, as if it had never existed.
Looking at the laboratory restored to its original state, Aozaki Reiji nodded with satisfaction.
He felt the lingering chill in the air, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.
With this power, he didn't have to worry about destroying the world and could act without restraint.
"Next, it's time to get down to business."
Aozaki Reiji said in a low voice.
He turned and left, leaving a silhouette for the silent laboratory.
Entering another laboratory with a vast interior space.
Aozaki Reiji gazed at the giant double-eyed arm before him, walking forward step by step.
With each step, the surrounding flames seemed to be suppressed by an invisible force, slowly receding.
Not a single flame could touch Aozaki Reiji's body.
Wherever he passed, the rampant flames became unusually docile.
Like a well-trained army, obeying their general's command.
Before long, Aozaki Reiji arrived in front of the giant double-eyed arm.
He stopped, quietly gazing at the colossal object before him.
"Let me see how much more you can struggle!"
He whispered, quietly waiting for the residual heat of the flames to gradually dissipate.
When the last trace of warmth from the flames disappeared.
Aozaki Reiji took another step, walking towards the charred arm.
Deprived of the flames' restraint, the arm began to regenerate rapidly, at an astonishing speed.
After many days of torment, Pernida still possessed the power to use the Holy Script, indicating that Yhwach had not completely abandoned it.
However, he had not sent anyone to search for Pernida.
The reason for this might not only be that this brightly lit space prevented the use of the Shadow Realm.
It was more likely that Yhwach still harbored concerns.
After all, he had not fully revived, and formally engaging in battle with the Shinigami would not be a wise move.
Thinking of this, Aozaki Reiji's palm slowly moved towards the hilt of Shinra Bansho.
The next second.
Aozaki Reiji swung his sword without hesitation.
The sharp blade cut an arc through the air, accurately striking Pernida!
Sword Pressure!
An incomparably sharp wave, carrying a violent gale, shot out from Shinra Bansho's blade.
This Sword Pressure, with an unstoppable momentum, cut through the surging red nerves before it like a raging tide, destroying them.
It even split Pernida's body in two!
The space seemed to be torn apart, forming a huge crack.
However, just as the Sword Pressure was about to touch the wall.
It suddenly transformed into a gentle airflow, quietly dissipating.
Aozaki Reiji did not stop his movements.
He swung Shinra Bansho again, and more Sword Pressure shot out.
After Pernida activated its Holy Script ability, its regeneration became exceptionally powerful.
Even if its body was shattered, it could quickly recover.
Even severed fingers could split.
Facing such an enemy, ordinary slashes simply could not kill it.
Of course, Aozaki Reiji could use Kido to completely eliminate Pernida.
However, if he did that, he would not be able to obtain the Soul King's Left Arm.
This was what had been bothering him previously.