After the barrier team members left, Toshiro turned his gaze towards the distance.
Space rippled, and more than a dozen ordinary Hollows and large Hollows appeared.
"Shunpo!"
Toshiro's figure flickered, appearing before an ordinary Hollow.
A flash of sword light, and Toshiro used Shunpo again to appear before another Hollow.
Behind him, the Hollow split in two with a 'crack', but no blood flowed because the blood had frozen the instant the Hollow was cut.
Toshiro arrived before another Hollow. Just as he was about to swing his sword to finish it, another Hollow behind him swiped its claws at Toshiro.
Toshiro's figure flickered, instantly moving from his original position.
Boom!
The spot where Toshiro had just been standing was now a large crater.
"Cutting them down one by one is too slow. I'll deal with you all together." Seeing the Hollows had gathered together to surround him, Toshiro had a sudden idea.
With that, Toshiro held Hyorinmaru horizontally in front of him, gathering all his Reiatsu into the blade.
A dense blue light emanated from the sword.
This wasn't Ice Dragon Flash… it was just a simple Kenatsu.
"Ha!"
Toshiro let out a soft shout, swinging Hyorinmaru forcefully towards the Hollows.
Instantly, a massive blue slash shot like lightning towards the group of Hollows.
A flash of light passed, and then time seemed to stop. The group of Hollows stood motionless.
Boom!
A long moment later, the dozen-plus Hollows collapsed to the ground. All of them were severed in two, with no blood flowing.
Then, as frigid air spread, the Hollows' remains were also frozen, before shattering into countless ice fragments with a 'crack'.
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere, all the first-year students were being led by Hisagi and the other sixth-years, fleeing towards safety.
But Momo stood frozen in place, watching student after student run past her. Momo couldn't help but murmur, "Why? Why is everyone running? Why isn't anyone helping Toshiro fight?"
"Hey! Hinamori, what are you doing? Didn't Hisagi-senpai tell us to follow him and run? Don't disobey orders!"
Kira was running with Hisagi when he suddenly noticed Momo was gone. Looking back, he saw Momo standing still.
Seeing this, Kira and Renji hurriedly ran back.
"But..." Momo started to speak but stopped.
"It's impossible. As we are now, we're no match for Hollows. We have to leave it to Toshiro. We have to believe in him!" Renji said agitatedly, seemingly having completely forgotten he had just boasted about wanting to fight real Hollows.
Momo shouted, "But... I can't stand it! Over and over, every time I have to rely on Toshiro to save me. Every time, I can only hold him back, be a burden."
With that, she turned and ran towards where Toshiro was.
"Hinamori... Sigh!" Seeing they couldn't stop Momo, Renji and Kira sighed helplessly and ran back after her.
"Hey, you guys, why are you running back?" Hisagi looked back and saw three people running back.
"Kazuka, Aoga, you two keep leading the first-years to safety. I'll go bring those three back."
Seeing that Momo and the others completely ignored his warning and ran back, Hisagi said to the two beside him, then also ran back.
"Hey, you three, what's going on?" Hisagi caught up and asked.
"I'm sorry, Senpai, for disobeying orders. But I still want to help Toshiro." Momo said as she ran.
Thud!
The ground shook as a large Hollow suddenly jumped out.
Then, without hesitation, it swung its claw to swat at Momo and the others.
Clang!
Sparks flew as Renji, Kira, and Hisagi swung their swords together to block the blade-like claw of the Hollow.
"Clang!"
The three of them pushed together, forcing the Hollow's claw back.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado #31: Shakkaho!"
Momo and the others chanted together, firing red orbs of light at the Hollow.
Boom!
The combined Shakkaho of the four struck the Hollow's mask.
"Aargh!"
The Hollow roared in pain, clutching its eyes and howling.
"Damn it, that still didn't finish it? First-years, we should retreat." Hisagi said, then without waiting for Momo's refusal, grabbed her hand and ran.
Kira and Renji immediately followed.
"Senpai, what should we do now?" Renji asked.
"First, we escape to safety. With Leader Hitsugaya's strength, he should be able to handle it. And just in case, I've already requested backup from the Soul Society." Hisagi said as he ran.
As they ran, Hisagi suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Senpai?" Renji Abarai asked.
"The sky suddenly darkened..."
Before Hisagi could finish, space rippled around them. Several Hollows suddenly appeared, surrounding them.
Moreover, the Hollow from behind had also caught up, seizing the opportunity.
"This is really bad. We're surrounded." Hisagi said gravely.
"No way... it can't be... this many! No, I don't want to die..." Kira cried out in terror, looking like he was about to cry.
The others couldn't help but show expressions of despair.
…
At that moment, having just dealt with the surrounding Hollows, Toshiro was about to check if there were any more when he suddenly sensed the Reiatsu of Momo and the others being surrounded by Hollow Reiatsu.
"Damn it! What are those guys doing? I told them to run first!" Toshiro couldn't help but feel angry.
He immediately used Shunpo at full speed to rush over.