He gave Gin a deep look and said calmly: "Captain Ichimaru, you should know I don't mean that!"
Facing Hitsugaya's probing gaze, Gin's fake smile didn't change:
"Hehe! Of course I know Captain Hitsugaya just doesn't want further conflict!"
"In that case, let me be the one to step forward and slay this Ryoka!"
"Don't worry, my blade is fast. He won't feel much pain!"
Saying this, Gin prepared to pass Hitsugaya and walk onto the bridge.
But hearing Gin's last sentence, Hitsugaya finally understood Gin's intention.
'He wanted to silence and destroy evidence!!!'
Realizing this, Hitsugaya's pupils contracted, then he stepped forward forcefully, blocking Gin's path.
With his back to Gin, Hitsugaya slightly turned his head, showing a profile, and spoke the words Komamura had said earlier: "Captain Ichimaru, you should also respect order of arrival."
"I was here first, so I should act first!"
"Heh!" Hearing Hitsugaya's words, Gin smiled slightly.
Then, he said nothing more, just silently gestured for Hitsugaya to proceed!
Thus, the fifth Captain in this wheel battle, Captain of the 10th Division of Seireitei's Gotei 13, Hitsugaya Toshiro, entered the fray!!!
Taking a deep breath, Hitsugaya stood at the bridge's center!
After the consecutive battles, the wooden drawbridge connecting the Senzaikyu to Seireitei's structures was already on the verge of collapse.
Just a few steps caused significant swaying, constant creaking of wood friction, making one suspect the bridge might give way any second.
However, the two on the bridge, both Hitsugaya and Ichigo, remained expressionless.
Looking at Ichigo, Hitsugaya said: "Surrender, Kurosaki Ichigo. After fighting four Captains consecutively, you absolutely cannot defeat me!"
"Surrender, and I, Hitsugaya Toshiro, guarantee your life!"
After speaking, Hitsugaya looked expectantly at Ichigo.
His expression sincere, eyes serious, coupled with his small boy physique yet precocious demeanor, Hitsugaya's promise was absolutely trustworthy.
"Ichigo…"
Watching this, even the live stream comments gradually disappeared.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ichigo's decision, not daring to make a sound!
Yet, under the gaze of all, Ichigo didn't speak, but faintly smiled and shook his head, raising Tensa Zangetsu toward Hitsugaya!
Clearly, Ichigo would fight to the end! Surrender was for cowards!
"Ah, so that's your choice!"
Looking at such an Ichigo, Hitsugaya murmured softly.
He slightly lowered his head, then raised it.
When Hitsugaya looked up again, all hesitation in his eyes was replaced with battle decisiveness!
Even for Ichigo's sake, he couldn't hold back in this fight!
Only defeating Ichigo fastest, letting him rest, was the greatest respect for Ichigo!
Thus, Hitsugaya drew Hyorinmaru, gripped it with both hands, adjusted his stance.
Powerful Captain-level Reiatsu erupted! He was ready for battle!
Watching this, today's live stream atmosphere reached its peak.
"Who else? I ask, who the hell else?"
"For love, enraged, battling five Captains consecutively… who else can be as badass as Ichigo!"
"Brothers, I'm going to widen my eyes, watch today's battle intently! Then engrave it deep into my memory!"
"I dare say, this will be a memorable scene we'll remember no matter how many years pass!"
"Just for Ichigo's unwavering fighting spirit, brothers, everyone stand up!"
"This is precisely… 'Alone, he fought across three thousand miles, a single sword once blocked a million troops!'"
Dense comments flooded the screen.
Like witnessing an explosive rock music moment, everyone passionately expressed their emotions.
In such an atmosphere, blood-boiling people didn't even know what to say, just spamming exclamation marks!
Clearly, Ichigo's battle today left everyone astonished!
As that person said earlier: Alone, he fought across three thousand miles… a single sword once blocked a million troops!
But just as the live stream audience expressed their emotions and thoughts, in the duel with Hitsugaya, Ichigo moved first!
"Getsuga Tensho!"
A black crescent slashed toward Hitsugaya!
Simultaneously, Hitsugaya initiated Shikai.
"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!"
An ice-water dragon flew from Hitsugaya's sword, heading straight for the Getsuga Tensho!
Crash-
Crescent and ice dragon collided. The imposing Getsuga Tensho cleaved the ice dragon's head but vanished at its body!
And in Shikai form, Hyorinmaru released ultra-low-temperature pure water.
Such pure water wouldn't freeze normally and would freeze upon mixing with impurities, i.e., contacting other things.
Thus, the ice-water dragon, after its form broke, dissipated and fell, transforming into surging waves rushing toward Ichigo.
Along the way, the drawbridge froze. Hyorinmaru's extremely cold pure water even froze up to before Ichigo's feet!
Instantly, a water path appeared before Ichigo!
Treading this ice path, Hitsugaya charged at high speed. With his slightly shorter stature, he wielded Hyorinmaru in an upward slash!
Boom-
Ichigo parried with his sword. Tensa Zangetsu and Hyorinmaru's blades scraped out sparks.
Due to his body not fully grown, Hitsugaya's strength wasn't great. In the contest of strength, Ichigo, with one hand on his sword, gradually gained the upper hand.
But then, he suddenly felt coldness transmitted from his hand!
Boom!
Forcing Hitsugaya away, Ichigo leaped back several times to create distance.
Only then did he discover, from where Tensa Zangetsu and Hyorinmaru collided, continuous frost spread, quickly freezing both Tensa Zangetsu and Ichigo's right hand together!
The frozen area extended from his palm all the way to his elbow!
"Can it do this?" Looking at his completely frozen hand, Ichigo tried using strength.
However, Hyorinmaru's ice was extremely hard. No matter how much force Ichigo used, his entire frozen right hand was immobile, as if bound.
Watching Ichigo frantically shaking his right hand, Hitsugaya calmly said: "Useless, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
"Near my home, there's a river with many crocodiles. Their bite force is terrifying, but if you tie their mouths with rope, no matter how terrifying the bite force, the crocodile cannot move."
"A human hand is the same. Without being able to use your sword, you've lost. Surrender!"
"Oh, is that so..." Looking at his ice-sealed arm, Ichigo tried again… indeed, it couldn't move.
It wasn't that the ice was particularly hard, but his hand couldn't exert force.
Then, Ichigo used Shunpo to the Senzaikyu edge and slammed his ice-sealed right hand against the Senzaikyu wall!
Only a loud 'boom' was heard. Even the killer stone composing the Sekkiseki was marked by Ichigo, but the ice on his hand remained!
Looking at Hitsugaya ahead, Ichigo found his gaze was calm, clearly having anticipated this result.
The only weakness of this ice-sealing technique was from inside, but the person inside couldn't exert force with their hand, so breaking it was difficult!
Shaking his head, Hitsugaya prepared to advance further. If Ichigo still refused to surrender, he'd freeze his entire body.
But then, Hitsugaya suddenly froze!