"Feel honored! Shinigami! Let me show you the power I've newly mastered!" Baraggan roared.
With that, Baraggan charged at Toshiro at high speed, then swung his axe down at Toshiro's head.
"Heh, such an unteachable guy," Toshiro said, casually meeting Baraggan's attack with his sword.
When Baraggan said to show him his power, Toshiro thought he'd use Resurrección. But Baraggan's attack seemed no different from before.
Clang!
Sword and axe collided with a clear metallic clang.
"Foolish guy. Direct contact with my Zanpakuto will freeze your weapon," Toshiro mocked.
Crack, crack, crack...
Sure enough, a layer of ice crystals began to appear on Baraggan's double-bladed axe, spreading out. But suddenly, a peculiar force emanated from Baraggan's axe, halting the ice's spread. Moreover, the ice freezing Baraggan's weapon began to dissolve.
"This is...!" Toshiro exclaimed in surprise.
Seizing Toshiro's moment of surprise, Baraggan suddenly reached out with his free left hand, grabbing Toshiro's left shoulder.
Then, Baraggan explained smugly: "Shinigami, my ability is [Decay]. And Decay is Time… the strongest, most absolute, invincible power of death. Your shoulder should be corroded by my ability, unable to move now!"
"Is that so?" Toshiro said noncommittally.
Then, Toshiro suddenly extended his left index finger towards Baraggan, chanting softly: "Hado #1, Sho!"
A shockwave shot from Toshiro's fingertip towards Baraggan.
Thud!
A finger-sized bloody hole instantly appeared on Baraggan's body, and the impact forced Baraggan to stagger back.
"How... how is this possible?! I clearly used my [Decay] ability on your left shoulder! Why can you still move your left hand?!" Baraggan said incredulously.
"Hmph, idiot. Although the so-called Decay ability is indeed powerful, if the Reiatsu gap is too large, even the most overpowered ability won't work," Toshiro mocked.
It's like Sui-Feng, Captain of the 2nd Division, and her Shikai, [Two-Hit Kill]. If she hits the same spot twice, the enemy dies.
That sounds awesome, but against someone of Aizen's level, it's useless. Aizen could stand there and let Sui-Feng poke the same spot repeatedly, and she still couldn't kill him.
Although Baraggan's ability is overpowered, Toshiro is in full Bankai, while Baraggan hasn't used Resurrección. The Reiatsu gap between them is still significant.
Shunkuho!
While Baraggan was shocked, Toshiro used Shunkuho to appear directly in front of Baraggan, then slashed down at his head.
Seeing Toshiro's attack, Baraggan's heart tightened. He hurriedly mobilized all his power, enveloping his surroundings with his ability.
Thus, when Toshiro's Zanpakuto entered the area around Baraggan, its speed instinctively slowed.
Seizing the chance, Baraggan hastily dodged Toshiro's slash.
Boom!
The spot where Baraggan stood was gouged into a trench by Toshiro's strike.
If Baraggan hadn't used his ability to affect Toshiro's speed, he would have been cleaved in two.
"Truly impressive power," Toshiro praised.
Although Baraggan didn't use Resurrección, by mobilizing all his power earlier, he still managed to affect Toshiro's attack speed.
"However, if this is all you've got, Baraggan, you still can't escape death!" Toshiro shouted.
Then, Toshiro's figure flickered, appearing before Baraggan again, swinging his Zanpakuto like lightning towards him.
"Wha-?!" Baraggan exclaimed.
This time, Baraggan couldn't see Toshiro's movement or attack at all. With no choice, Baraggan used the same trick, pouring all his power to affect the flow of time around him as much as possible.
When Toshiro's attack entered a certain range around Baraggan, although slowed by Baraggan's ability, it was still too fast for Baraggan to react. He could only try to avoid vital spots.
Schlick!
Although Baraggan dodged with all his might, Toshiro's Zanpakuto still struck Baraggan's left shoulder, nearly severing his entire left arm.
"Argh-!"
Suffering such an injury, Baraggan couldn't help but cry out in pain.
After the cry, Baraggan quickly used his right hand to swing his double-bladed axe, forcing Toshiro back.
"Ara ara, Third Seat Hitsugaya is really scary. Baraggan is completely outmatched. What should we do, Captain Aizen?" Gin, hidden in the shadows, asked Aizen.
"No need to worry, Gin. After Arrancar modification, Baraggan isn't only this strong. Moreover, Baraggan hasn't used his full power yet. If Baraggan still can't match Hitsugaya Toshiro in the end, we can intervene then," Aizen said.
"Us? Yare yare, please spare me, Captain Aizen. I'm no match for a genius like Hitsugaya Toshiro. I'm afraid only you can handle him personally," Gin said with narrowed eyes and a smile.
"Hmph, Ichimaru Gin, we should unconditionally obey Aizen-sama's orders, not bargain here," Tosen said unhappily.
The most loyal subordinate to Aizen is undoubtedly Tosen. This is clear from their address: Tosen calls Aizen 'Aizen-sama', while Gin calls him 'Captain Aizen'.
Moreover, if Aizen ordered Tosen to die, he'd execute it without hesitation.
"Enough, Tosen. With your strength, asking you to deal with Hitsugaya Toshiro is indeed a bit too much. If Baraggan is defeated later, I'll handle it personally," Aizen stopped the argument between Tosen and Gin.
"Yes, Aizen-sama!" Tosen said respectfully.
…
On the battlefield.
Baraggan glared at Toshiro with hatred and said, "Shinigami, you'll regret this. Regret making me so humiliated. Now, let me show you my strongest form!"
"Decay, Arrogante!"
The blood-red, eyeball-like orbs on Baraggan's double-bladed axe suddenly emitted a dazzling purple-black radiance, enveloping Baraggan.
As the light faded, a completely new Baraggan appeared before Toshiro.
His body turned skeletal, wearing a golden crown, draped in a purple cloak, with black boots, and enveloped in black flames… exactly like the Grim Reaper.