"What should I do now?" Toshiro thought.
Originally, Toshiro intended to come to Las Noches to cause trouble for Baraggan. If possible, killing Baraggan wasn't out of the question. At the very least, he wanted to teach him a lesson to make him behave and stop bothering the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force.
But Toshiro clearly didn't anticipate Aizen being here.
Based on the original work's timeline, Aizen subduing Baraggan and taking control of Hueco Mundo indeed happened before defecting from the Soul Society, but the exact year wasn't specified.
'If it were only Baraggan, it'd be fine. But if Aizen also intervenes, then it's bad...' Toshiro thought worriedly.
Although Toshiro was confident that after breaking through, his greatly increased strength meant Baraggan was no match for him, facing Aizen, Toshiro still had little chance of winning.
Although Toshiro had a method to counter Kyoka Suigetsu, it didn't mean he was already a match for Aizen.
If countering Kyoka Suigetsu was enough to defeat Aizen, Toshiro would have acted long ago.
But the key point was that Aizen wasn't just formidable because of Kyoka Suigetsu. Even in terms of pure combat power, probably only Yamamoto in the entire Soul Society could match him.
'Well, whatever. I'll just swallow my pride and retreat for now,' Toshiro sighed helplessly, then prepared to turn and leave.
But unfortunately, since Toshiro actively came to their doorstep, leaving now wasn't so easy.
Before Toshiro could take a step, Baraggan had already come out.
"Who are you? Daring to come to Las Noches seeking death?!" Baraggan demanded.
"Hmph, Baraggan. I am Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya Toshiro, Commander of the Menos Grande Expeditionary Force. I'm here to kill you!" Toshiro said coldly.
Since leaving easily wasn't possible, Toshiro adopted a tough stance.
Although wary of Aizen's presence and believing he wasn't yet Aizen's match, Toshiro was confident in his ability to preserve his life even against Aizen.
"Hmph... Hahaha! Kill me? Who do you think you are?" Baraggan sneered.
Baraggan couldn't help but wonder what was happening in the world. First, an Aizen pops up, and now another Shinigami jumps out saying he'll kill him.
Did they really think Baraggan was made of mud? Thinking this, Baraggan grew even angrier.
While Toshiro and Baraggan exchanged taunts, Aizen, along with Gin and Tosen, left the laboratory, hiding in the shadows to observe Toshiro.
"Huh!"
Seeing Toshiro's appearance, Aizen couldn't help but sound surprised.
Before, when Toshiro appeared earlier to save Harribel, he used his true Bankai. Since he still had to fight Baraggan later, Toshiro hadn't released Bankai.
Because of that, from saving Harribel until now appearing before Aizen, Baraggan, and the others, it was an adult Toshiro.
"Oh my! Could it be… is this Hitsugaya Toshiro's big brother?" Gin beside Aizen asked, eyes narrowed.
"No, Gin. Hitsugaya Toshiro doesn't have an older brother," Aizen denied.
Aizen paid great attention to Toshiro and knew all his details, naturally aware Toshiro had no older brother.
"Moreover, although he looks much more mature and stronger, judging by this Reiatsu signature, it's undoubtedly Hitsugaya Toshiro," Aizen said.
"As for why he suddenly looks like an adult, it's likely because after breaking through, Hitsugaya Toshiro has fully mastered the true Bankai of the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru. His body rapidly grew to adapt to the power intensity after Bankai," Aizen mused, then explained to Gin and Tosen.
One can only say Aizen is indeed Aizen… just pondering briefly, he guessed the true answer.
While Aizen's group discussed why Toshiro suddenly became an adult, Baraggan, after being relentlessly taunted by Toshiro, finally couldn't hold back and attacked in anger.
"Die, Shinigami!" Baraggan roared, then used Sonído, instantly appearing before Toshiro, swinging his double-bladed axe down at Toshiro's head.
"Hmph!" Toshiro snorted disdainfully, then met the attack with Hyorinmaru, appearing slow but actually fast.
"Clang!"
Sword and axe collided, producing a clear metallic clang.
"Crack, crack, crack..."
"Wha-?!" Baraggan exclaimed in shock.
A thick layer of ice rapidly formed on Baraggan's double-bladed axe, then quickly spread towards his hands.
Seeing this, Baraggan swiftly retreated, looking at Toshiro with deep caution.
Then, he channeled Reiatsu throughout his body into the axe, shattering the ice layer.
"What was that just now?" Baraggan asked solemnly, looking at Toshiro.
"Who knows?" Toshiro dismissed casually.
After full Bankai, Toshiro's Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru, emanates extremely low temperatures. Opponents slightly weaker would be instantly frozen upon contact.
But Toshiro naturally wouldn't explain such things to an enemy.
Casually explaining one's abilities to an opponent during a fight… that's something only Aizen does.
Of course, Aizen does that mainly so the audience can understand.
"Now, it's my turn, Baraggan!" Toshiro's figure flickered, appearing directly behind Baraggan, slashing mercilessly.
Sensing the movement behind him, Baraggan quickly turned and swung his axe to meet Toshiro's Zanpakuto.
Clang!
Toshiro's strike hit Baraggan's axe, forcing Baraggan to stumble back several steps.
Seizing the moment Baraggan was off-balance, Toshiro closed in again and slashed.
Schlick!
A vivid splash of blood blossomed beautifully on Baraggan's body.
"Ah-!" Baraggan couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Then, he immediately retreated.
Against Toshiro, Baraggan was completely overwhelmed.
Of course, this was because Toshiro was already in his full Bankai state, while Baraggan, initially underestimating Toshiro, hadn't used his Resurrección.
Crack, crack...
The wound Toshiro inflicted on Baraggan rapidly began to freeze, continuously spreading across Baraggan's body.
"Damned Shinigami! How dare you... how dare you injure me, the great Baraggan, King of Hueco Mundo!" After being wounded, the furious Baraggan paid no heed to Aizen hiding in the shadows, still considering himself the King of Hueco Mundo.