Toshiro and the others quickly arrived at the forest where the students were gathered.
"Everyone, is everyone alright?" Toshiro asked with concern.
"Hitsugaya-senpai, we're fine. What about you?"
"Hitsugaya-senpai, you're amazing! You actually defeated a Captain-level Menos Grande."
"Hitsugaya-senpai, thank you for saving us. If it weren't for you this time, we would have been in great danger."
Everyone responded, some expressing concern, others praise, and gratitude.
Even the first-year students were now calling him 'senpai.'
Since Toshiro was in the same class as them at the start of the semester and was much younger, even after skipping to the sixth year, they previously found it hard to call him 'senpai', only addressing him by his role as the leader of this trip.
But now they were calling him 'senpai', which showed they genuinely appreciated him. It proved that Toshiro's desperate fight wasn't in vain.
Though Toshiro had fought so hard mainly for Momo and his other friends like Renji.
Suddenly, Toshiro sensed two Reiatsu approaching and quickly turned to look.
Tap, tap, tap...
After Toshiro turned, the sound of footsteps followed.
It was Aizen and Gin.
"Sorry we're late. Have the Hollows been dealt with?" Aizen asked in his gentle voice.
"Yes, I've taken care of all the Hollows," Toshiro nodded.
"You did it, Hitsugaya-kun? That's truly astonishing. I heard a Captain-level Hollow appeared and rushed over. Hitsugaya-kun truly lives up to being a genius, to have defeated a Captain-level Menos Grande!" Aizen said with a look of feigned shock.
If Toshiro didn't know it was Aizen's doing, he might have almost believed it.
Aizen's acting skills would put an Oscar-winning actor to shame.
"Captain Aizen, you seem to have arrived a bit late this time," Toshiro said, pretending to be very dissatisfied.
"Hitsugaya," Kira pulled at Toshiro's sleeve and whispered a reminder, signaling him not to offend the other party.
After all, Aizen was a high-ranking and powerful Captain in the Soul Society, not someone ordinary students could afford to antagonize.
However, Toshiro paid no heed to Kira's warning because they were indeed late.
If he weren't here, these students would undoubtedly have suffered heavy casualties. As the leader, it would be abnormal if he didn't question the delay.
"My sincerest apologies. Initially, we heard only ordinary Hollows had appeared. With Hitsugaya-kun's abilities, you could handle them easily, so we didn't take it too seriously. We never expected a Captain-level Menos Grande to appear. Upon receiving the updated information, I hurried over immediately, but Hitsugaya-kun had already resolved the situation," Aizen said with an apologetic expression.
Then, he sincerely apologized to all the students.
Toshiro frowned. With Aizen apologizing so earnestly, he couldn't even find fault anymore.
'So cunning.'
…
Soul Society, 1st Division.
Rewind the time a bit, back to when Toshiro and the others first encountered the Hollows.
"Captain-Commander, I have a report."
A voice sounded outside the duty room.
Yamamoto, who was handling official business in the duty room, paused the hand holding his brush.
"Enter," Yamamoto said, putting down his brush.
With a 'creak', the door opened, and a middle-aged man with white short hair and a small mustache entered.
"What is it, Chojiro?" Yamamoto asked.
The visitor was none other than 1st Division's Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro, arguably the least noticeable among all the Gotei 13's Captains and Lieutenants. In the few times he appeared, he mostly served as a background character.
"Genryusai-sama, we've just received news from the Shin'o Academy. The students on their field training mission in the Living World have encountered a large number of Hollows."
"Is that so? Then have the 5th Division handle the rescue. They must arrive quickly and ensure the students' safety. Significant casualties must be avoided," Yamamoto immediately instructed.
"Regarding that, there likely won't be major casualties. According to the information from the Shin'o Academy, the leader of this trip is sixth-year student, Hitsugaya Toshiro," Sasakibe added.
"That boy? With him there, nothing serious should happen. Still, to be safe, have the 5th Division send someone," Yamamoto said.
"Yes, sir!" Sasakibe responded and turned to leave.
After Sasakibe left, Yamamoto resumed his official duties. Governing the entire Gotei 13 was no easy task.
The position of Captain-Commander wasn't just about authority… it also carried great responsibility.
However, Yamamoto was destined not to have a peaceful day of work today. He had just handled two documents when the duty room door suddenly opened again.
Sasakibe entered once more, this time barging in without even announcing himself.
"What is it now, Chojiro?" Yamamoto frowned slightly.
It wasn't dissatisfaction with Sasakibe but confusion. He hadn't seen Sasakibe so flustered in countless years.
Sasakibe deeply admired the gentlemen of the Living World and always adhered to gentlemanly conduct, rarely ever appearing rude. This time, he had barged in without even knocking.
"It's bad, Captain-Commander! The Shin'o Academy just sent updated information. The students on the field training mission in the Living World have run into trouble again!" Chojiro Sasakibe said urgently.
"Trouble? Didn't we already send the 5th Division for support? And with Hitsugaya Toshiro there, he should be able to handle ordinary Hollows, right?" Yamamoto asked, puzzled.
"Not ordinary Hollows. It's a Captain-level Menos Grande, an Adjuchas!" Sasakibe said with an anxious expression.
"What! A Captain-level Adjuchas!" Yamamoto stood up in shock.