Behind Toshiro, a powerful Kenatsu assaulted him.
However, Toshiro was prepared. His figure flickered, directly dodging the incoming pressure.
But a figure appeared in front of Baraggan, frozen by ice flowers. Toshiro lost his chance to kill Baraggan completely.
Looking at the figure before him, Toshiro's expression grew grave.
Although the person wore a black, hooded cloak, concealing his appearance and even masking his Reiatsu Signature with some method, Toshiro knew this person was Aizen.
Toshiro hadn't used his full strength in the earlier battle against Baraggan.
Although Baraggan's Reiatsu was one small level higher, Toshiro's Reiatsu Density was several times greater than ordinary. In pure Reiatsu comparison, Toshiro wasn't inferior to Baraggan.
As for abilities, although Baraggan's Decay ability was indeed powerful, Toshiro's Hyorinmaru's ability was even more extraordinary. Coupled with various powerful techniques, Toshiro didn't need much time to defeat Baraggan.
But to guard against the hidden Aizen, Toshiro had held back some strength.
Toshiro knew Baraggan was still useful to Aizen now, and Aizen wouldn't abandon him.
If Toshiro tried to kill Baraggan, Aizen would certainly intervene. Therefore, when using Frozen Heaven Hundred Flower Funeral earlier, Toshiro included Aizen in the attack range, hoping to kill Aizen by surprise or, at the very least, keep him too busy to save Baraggan.
But Toshiro didn't expect his attack to fail to even delay Aizen, and Aizen still intervened and stood before Baraggan.
Of course, this was also because Aizen was relatively far away earlier. When Toshiro expanded Frozen Heaven Hundred Flower Funeral's range, its power inevitably decreased somewhat.
Moreover, Toshiro focused the main attack power on Baraggan. Otherwise, even if he couldn't kill Aizen by surprise, he could have at least delayed him.
"Who are you? Why stop me?" Toshiro asked, feigning ignorance.
"That's none of your concern. Just know that Baraggan is still useful to me, so he cannot die yet," Aizen said.
Naturally, Aizen's voice was also altered, unrecognizable even to those familiar with him.
"Is that so? Seems I'll have to send both you and Baraggan to hell," Toshiro said indifferently.
Of course, Toshiro didn't really think he could defeat Aizen. He just wanted to see how large the gap between him and Aizen currently was.
Although Toshiro believed he wasn't yet Aizen's match, he was confident in his ability to preserve his life.
Thinking this, Toshiro initiated the attack.
"Icicle Birds!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Countless ice pellets, like flocks of birds, swarmed towards Aizen.
Seeing the ice pellets assaulting him like a storm, Aizen simply swung his Zanpakuto lightly.
Boom!
Powerful Reiatsu directly obliterated the overwhelming ice pellets.
Seeing this, Toshiro's pupils constricted.
Although Icicle Birds was a skill Toshiro mastered during Shikai and its power wasn't immense, he didn't expect it to be so easily destroyed by Aizen.
"Thousand Years Ice Prison!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Pillars of ice shot up from the ground, surrounding Aizen.
Boom!
The ice pillars around Aizen rapidly converged, trapping him inside.
But Toshiro didn't relax in the slightest. He knew Thousand Years Ice Prison, one of his powerful techniques, couldn't possibly trap Aizen so easily.
Boom!
The ice prison shattered instantly, not affecting Aizen at all.
This wasn't unexpected for Toshiro. The moment Aizen broke free, Toshiro's next move was ready.
"Hail Flower Dragon!"
Toshiro's ice wings flapped, and his figure shot towards Aizen like lightning.
Nearing Aizen, Toshiro thrust his sword straight forward.
Aizen, having just broken free, had no time to dodge. Reluctantly, Aizen blocked horizontally with his sword.
"Ding!"
With speed's addition, the impact force was something even Aizen couldn't withstand. Aizen involuntarily stepped back twice, then both he and his sword were frozen into a cross-shaped ice block.
Boom!
Unsurprisingly, the ice trapping Aizen shattered again.
"You've attacked many times. Now, it's my turn to counterattack," Aizen, freed from the ice, said to Toshiro.
Hearing Aizen's words, Toshiro's heart tightened. He focused intently, watching Aizen.
Aizen's figure flickered, appearing before Toshiro in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps not wanting to reveal his identity, Aizen didn't use any powerful techniques, merely condensing a Kenatsu to slash at Toshiro.
Seeing this, Toshiro also condensed a Kenatsu to meet Aizen's.
Bang!
Kenatsu clashed with Kenatsu, but undoubtedly, Toshiro was blasted away.
"Bisection!"
Toshiro charged before Aizen, gripping his sword with both hands, using his most powerful strike.
But Aizen still merely met Toshiro's attack with a single-handed grip.
"Clang!"
A tremendous metallic collision rang out.
Although Aizen used only one hand, his strength surpassed Toshiro's two-handed strike.
Sword met sword. Toshiro was directly forced back, his purlicue splitting, blood staining his Zanpakuto.
As Toshiro retreated, off-balance, Aizen pressed forward, slashing at Toshiro's vital spots.
Toshiro couldn't block at all.
At the critical moment, Toshiro could only twist his body slightly, avoiding vital areas.
Squelch!
A deep, bone-exposing wound appeared on Toshiro's body.
Seizing the moment after Aizen's attack, Toshiro quickly used Shunpo to create distance.
"Ugh... that really hurts," Toshiro couldn't help but cry out in pain.
'Damn, seems the gap is still too large,' Toshiro inwardly cursed.
From start to finish, Aizen didn't use any powerful moves, merely suppressing Toshiro purely with Reiatsu and strength.
'Seems I have to use that move. If even that can't handle Aizen, then I'll just have to run,' Toshiro thought.