Although Aizen was ultimately defeated by Ichigo, before that, Toshiro almost died by Aizen's hand.
In the original work, how was the image of the formidable, invincible BOSS established after Aizen's appearance?
Wasn't it by instantly defeating Toshiro in his first move, then blocking Ichigo's post-Bankai Zanpakuto with one finger, followed by using Black Coffin to instantly defeat Komamura Sajin?
Thus, viewers exclaimed, "Hmm, truly worthy of a BOSS. His strength is amazing."
It's just pitiful for Toshiro, Komamura, and the others who nearly sacrificed themselves to highlight Aizen's power.
Without solving the Kyoka Suigetsu issue, Toshiro was destined to become a stepping stone for Aizen to establish his formidable image.
Toshiro looked expectantly at Hyorinmaru. "So, do you have a solution, Hyorinmaru?"
"There is a way to break Kyoka Suigetsu." Hyorinmaru spoke.
"Oh! What method?" Toshiro asked urgently.
Hyorinmaru's majestic, resonant voice sounded. "Calm down, Toshiro. Although there is a way, you may not be able to use it now."
Toshiro frowned. "What do you mean, Hyorinmaru?"
"Do you remember the dragon pearl left by the ice dragon?" Hyorinmaru asked.
Toshiro nodded. "Of course. How could I forget? After all, I traveled here because of it."
Hyorinmaru explained, "The dragon pearl contains one of the ice dragon's innate abilities, called [Dragon's True Eye]. It can see through all illusions in the world and discern the truth of all things."
"Then can [Dragon's True Eye] break Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu?" Toshiro asked.
Hyorinmaru said disdainfully, "I said it can see through all illusions. Mere Kyoka Suigetsu is naturally no exception. However, your current strength is too weak. You may not be able to use [Dragon's True Eye]."
Toshiro said solemnly, "Please, Hyorinmaru. Let me try."
Hyorinmaru pondered for a moment. "Alright. But if it doesn't work, don't force yourself. Otherwise, forcing its use will damage your body."
With that, Hyorinmaru opened his mouth. An ice-blue pearl flew out and floated before Toshiro.
"This is the dragon pearl!" Toshiro exclaimed in surprise.
"Correct. The very one that merged with me." Hyorinmaru replied.
"Then, Hyorinmaru, let's begin. No need to waste time."
"Mmm, very well." Hyorinmaru nodded.
After Hyorinmaru spoke, the dragon pearl floating before Toshiro flashed and vanished, flying into Toshiro's mind.
Toshiro closed his eyes. Instantly, an image manifested: the dragon pearl floated within a gray sea of soul energy, emitting waves of ice-blue light.
Simultaneously, Toshiro felt an unprecedented clarity in his mind. The Reishi in the world felt incredibly active. If he trained now, his speed would increase at least tenfold.
Toshiro didn't dwell on it further. He mobilized the dragon pearl's power, directing it toward his eyes.
Then he opened his eyes.
In that instant, a flash of light seemed to gleam in Toshiro's eyes, dazzling and brilliant.
At this moment, Toshiro felt the entire world was clearer than ever before.
Water vapor in the air, floating fine particles, ever-present Reishi… everything was vividly visible.
He could even see through the inner world he was in, glimpsing the scenery of the Soul Society.
Compared to this, everything he had seen before was like looking through opaque glass.
Like someone who had always breathed smog suddenly breathing pure oxygen, Toshiro completely immersed himself in this unprecedented clarity.
Suddenly, Toshiro's expression changed. He hastily deactivated [Dragon's True Eye], severing the connection with the dragon pearl.
"Thud!"
Toshiro fell to the ground, completely powerless and mentally exhausted.
"Huff, huff, huff-"
Toshiro gasped heavily.
"That was close! Although [Dragon's True Eye] is powerful, its power consumption is immense. It nearly drained all my strength, lasting only twenty seconds."
Toshiro looked relieved. Those brief twenty seconds had almost emptied Toshiro's strength. If he hadn't severed the connection with the dragon pearl in time, Toshiro would have been drained to death.
"Twenty seconds? That surprises me. I thought you'd be lucky just to activate it. I didn't expect you to sustain it for twenty seconds." Hyorinmaru said, astonished.
Seeing Toshiro was fine, Hyorinmaru continued, "But with more practice, you can extend the duration. Most importantly, it depends on your own strength. The stronger you are, the longer you can maintain it. Based on your performance just now, if your strength reaches Captain-level, sustaining it for an entire battle should be possible."
"Is that so."
Hearing this, Toshiro couldn't help but sigh in relief. If it could only last twenty seconds, that would be too impractical.
Captain-level? With Toshiro's talent, he could achieve it before long.
Actually, for Toshiro, he just needed to be able to counter Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu before the main plot began.
Because Aizen's strength definitely wasn't solely due to Kyoka Suigetsu.
Even without Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnotic ability, based on his own power, within the Gotei 13, aside from Yamamoto, almost no one could match him.
Even if Toshiro could now ignore Kyoka Suigetsu's ability, it wouldn't be of much use.
With Toshiro's current Lieutenant-level strength, charging at Aizen head-on would mean certain death.
Moreover, even if Toshiro reached Captain-level, he still wouldn't be Aizen's match.
In the original work, weren't there plenty of Captain-level individuals instantly defeated by Aizen?
Aizen's true strength absolutely surpassed Captain-level.