"Oh? Ashido, so you really have colluded with this intruding Shinigami," A voice suddenly rang out from behind Toshiro and Ashido.
Toshiro and Ashido turned to see a group of Adjuchas and countless Gillian had suddenly appeared here.
The one speaking was an Adjuchas with Captain-level strength leading them.
"Well, after all, you are a Shinigami originally. Colluding with an outside Shinigami isn't surprising," The Captain-level Adjuchas leader said.
These Hollows were tasked by Las Noches with overseeing the Forest of Menos.
Earlier, when Toshiro recklessly released his Reiatsu to fight, they immediately sensed his arrival.
However, initially, they didn't pay much attention to Toshiro. In their view, Toshiro, being so 'ignorant' as to release his Reiatsu carelessly, would certainly attract endless Hollow attacks. Without them needing to lift a finger, Toshiro would die under the assault of countless Menos Grande.
But unexpectedly, Toshiro's strength seemed very formidable. After being surrounded by countless Menos Grande for half a day, his Reiatsu showed no sign of fading.
Later, Toshiro's Reiatsu suddenly vanished. These Adjuchas thought Toshiro had finally died under the siege of countless Hollows. But then, they received reports from subordinates saying the intruding Shinigami had left with Ashido. So, they immediately began having their forces search everywhere for Toshiro and Ashido's traces.
They were also 'old acquaintances' with Ashido. Although they didn't know Ashido's exact living location, they had a rough idea of his usual activity range. So, they had their subordinate Hollows search the area, never expecting to actually discover Toshiro and Ashido's traces.
Thus, these Hollows immediately came.
"Tch, seems I really was too careless. I didn't even notice you trash approaching," Toshiro frowned.
Earlier, Toshiro was focused on persuading Ashido to return to the Soul Society with him, so he somewhat ignored the surroundings.
Otherwise, with so many Hollows coming here, Toshiro couldn't have missed it.
"Hitsugaya, be careful. These Adjuchas are tasked by Las Noches with managing the Forest of Menos. Unlike other Hollows, their strength isn't weak. Especially the leader, named Teres Holcan. His strength is definitely Captain-level. I've fought him many times but could never defeat him," Ashido said gravely.
Although Ashido knew Toshiro was very strong, and no single Adjuchas here was Toshiro's match, these Adjuchas also brought many other Hollows, including quite a few Gillian.
If surrounded, even with great strength, it would be hard to gain an advantage.
Back then, Ashido and his comrades were also very strong. But under the siege of countless Hollows, they gradually exhausted their power and eventually fell one by one to the Hollows.
"No need to worry, Ashido. They're just some small fry, nothing significant," Toshiro said disdainfully, looking at these Hollows.
Clearly, Toshiro didn't take these Hollows seriously.
"What?! Damn Shinigami, who are you calling small fry?!" The Captain-level Adjuchas leader named Teres Holcan, hearing Toshiro call them small fry, immediately flew into a rage.
"Who am I calling? Of course, I'm calling you, small fry!" Toshiro mocked again.
"Fine, Shinigami. You've successfully angered me. Let me, Teres Holcan-sama, personally send you on your way," Teres Holcan said furiously.
Shiing!
Toshiro had no intention of wasting more words. The Zanpakuto on his back was drawn directly, and he started walking towards Teres Holcan to finish him.
"Wait, Hitsugaya!" Ashido suddenly spoke up, stopping Toshiro.
"What is it, Ashido?" Toshiro looked at Ashido, puzzled.
"Let me handle this," Ashido said.
"But..." Toshiro hesitated. Ashido had just said he had fought this Teres Holcan many times but couldn't defeat him.
"Let me do it, Hitsugaya. I want to settle things with him. This is my final task in this forest," Ashido said with a serious expression.
"Final task?" Toshiro didn't immediately understand Ashido's meaning.
"Yes. I thought carefully. You were right. Perhaps I really should leave here and return to the Soul Society to see. Moreover, my comrades have also been away from the Soul Society for so many years. They must miss it too. So, I also want to see the Soul Society on their behalf," Ashido said earnestly.
Hearing this, Toshiro couldn't help but feel happy. "Ashido, you-"
"Let's talk later. I have many things to ask you later. I want to know what has happened outside all these years. So for now, let me deal with him first," Ashido said, stepping forward a few paces to stand in front of Toshiro.
"Thank you, Hitsugaya."
With that, Ashido drew the Zanpakuto at his waist and walked towards the Adjuchas leader, Teres Holcan.
Seeing Ashido approach, Teres Holcan said, "Well, since you're so eager to die, I'll deal with you first, then handle that Shinigami. Ashido, in the end, none of you will escape."
Although Teres Holcan was very angry at Toshiro's disrespect, he and Ashido had fought many times, and they were very wary of each other.
"Ha!"
Ashido shouted, stamped his right foot hard on the ground, leaped up, then used the downward momentum to slash at Teres Holcan.
"Hmph!"
Seeing this, Teres Holcan snorted coldly. His tail, like a whip, lashed towards Ashido.
Clang!
Ashido's Zanpakuto struck Teres Holcan's tail, actually creating sparks and emitting metallic clanging sounds.
Ashido was actually sent flying by Teres Holcan's tail.
This Captain-level Adjuchas named Teres Holcan had his tail as his hardest body part. He always used his tail as his weapon.
Fortunately, Ashido wasn't injured. He performed a backflip mid-air, then forcefully kicked off a nearby large tree, using the momentum to continue attacking Teres Holcan.
This time, Teres Holcan still used his tail to counter Ashido's attack.
But just as Ashido's Zanpakuto was about to collide with Teres Holcan's tail, Teres Holcan's tail suddenly split into two. One met Ashido's Zanpakuto, while the other stabbed towards Ashido like a spear.