Tap, tap, tap.
Toshiro stepped forward, standing in front of Orihime, Koichi, and Yuki, facing Ulquiorra directly.
"Captain Hitsugaya, why are you here?"
Orihime asked, looking confused.
"Because I've seen through these Arrancar's plan. The reason they attacked the Living World was just to lure you out of Soul Society, so they could take the opportunity to strike at you."
Toshiro explained.
Earlier, after guessing that Aizen's target this time was Orihime, Toshiro immediately contacted Yamamoto in Soul Society, asking him to keep Orihime there and not let her return to the Living World for now.
That way, as long as Orihime was within the Seireitei, unless Aizen could breach it, he wouldn't be able to touch her.
But unexpectedly, by the time Yamamoto's messenger found Ukitake, Orihime and the others had already departed.
So, Toshiro could only have Kisuke hold off Starrk and the others in the Living World, while he personally entered the Dangai to rescue Orihime.
"Ulquiorra, do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
After briefly explaining things to Orihime, Toshiro spoke to Ulquiorra in a bone-chilling tone.
In fact, Toshiro was genuinely furious this time. If he hadn't arrived in time, Koichi and Yuki, those two dutiful and excellent Shinigami, would have truly died at Ulquiorra's hands.
In his previous life, many people in the original work really liked Ulquiorra's character. Even Toshiro felt considerable sympathy for him.
But in this life, being a Shinigami and facing Ulquiorra from an opposing standpoint, he realized how laughable that thinking was.
Perhaps Ulquiorra himself did have sympathetic qualities, but he was also stained with considerable sin.
Not to mention other things, as Aizen's trusted subordinate, Ulquiorra must have killed many people for Aizen.
Take this time, for example: if Toshiro hadn't arrived in time, Koichi and Yuki would surely be dead.
Or last time, when Ulquiorra and Yammy went to the Living World together, Yammy's 'Soul Suck' killed countless people. Although Ulquiorra wasn't as brutal as Yammy, he didn't stop him either.
At this point, before being influenced by Orihime's kindness, Ulquiorra was merely an emotionless killing machine, with no reverence for life and unworthy of sympathy.
"Since you're here, you don't need to leave. Let this be your burial ground! Ulquiorra!!"
Toshiro declared, his killing intent clear.
While Toshiro was speaking, within just a few seconds, Ulquiorra's severed arm, which had been bleeding moments ago, had regrown a new one.
Toshiro remembered that Ulquiorra's High-Speed Regeneration ability was very powerful. Except for vital areas, even severely damaged body parts could regenerate in an extremely short time.
"High-Speed Regeneration? What a troublesome ability. But even so, don't think you'll leave here alive."
Toshiro said coldly.
"How troublesome. It seems I won't be able to complete Aizen-sama's assigned mission this time."
Ulquiorra said.
However, despite saying he was troubled, Ulquiorra's expression remained blank from beginning to end. Even facing Toshiro's murderous words, Ulquiorra was unmoved.
Because Ulquiorra, who was indifferent to life, was similarly indifferent to his own life. In fact, compared to his own life, Ulquiorra was more concerned about failing Aizen's mission.
"It seems you won't let me leave peacefully, Hitsugaya Toshiro."
"Of course."
"Then there's no choice. I'll have to fight to the death!"
Clang—
Facing the aggressive Toshiro, Ulquiorra unhesitatingly drew his Zanpakuto, preparing seriously.
But Toshiro turned his head and said: "Orihime, and you two..."
"Yes! Captain Hitsugaya, I'm Mashimo Koichi of the 13th Division. Thank you so much for saving me!"
"Hello! Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro, I'm Arie Yuki of the 13th Division. It's an honor to meet you!"
Koichi and Yuki excitedly introduced themselves to Toshiro.
"Um... Mashimo Koichi and Arie Yuki, is it? I'll remember you. You two did very well this time. Even facing an unbeatable enemy, you didn't abandon Orihime to save yourselves. Instead, you stepped up to protect our guest of Soul Society. You didn't disgrace Soul Society. I'll mention this to Ukitake later and have him reward you appropriately."
Toshiro praised them generously.
Although Koichi and Yuki were just two insignificant beings, even called extras, who didn't even leave a name in the original work, it had to be admitted that they were true Shinigami with responsibility and a sense of duty, like Ashido.
"We appreciate Captain Hitsugaya's praise, but rewards are unnecessary. Not only did we fail our mission to escort the guest, we even needed Captain Hitsugaya to rescue us. We truly have no face to ask for rewards."
Koichi and Yuki said modestly.
"Alright, enough with the formalities. Leave this Arrancar to me. For now, take Orihime back to Soul Society. As for the Living World, let Orihime return after this incident is over."
Toshiro said.
The Living World was unsafe, with Grimmjow, Yammy, Starrk fighting the Advance Team's members, Kisuke, and others. It would be better for Orihime to return to Soul Society for now.
After all, unless Aizen could breach it, that was the safest place.
Hearing Toshiro's words, Orihime looked hesitant: "Captain Hitsugaya, I..."
"Orihime! Please understand, the enemy's target is you. If you insist on returning to the Living World, not only will you not be able to help Ichigo, you will become everyone's burden. Worse, you might cause everyone to pay a greater price trying to protect you!"
Toshiro said sternly, seemingly unsympathetic.
"Yes..."
Orihime's face paled, and she could only agree with Toshiro's suggestion.
"Then, Mashimo Koichi, Arie Yuki, I entrust Inoue-san to you."
Toshiro said solemnly.
"Yes, Captain Hitsugaya! Even if it costs us our lives, we will protect Inoue-san and safely return her to Soul Society!!"
Koichi and Yuki loudly promised.
Shiing—
Toshiro suddenly drew the sheath from his back and slid his Zanpakuto back into it.
Of course, Toshiro wasn't planning to call a truce with Ulquiorra.
He curled his toes into the ground, bent his legs, slightly crouched his body, held the sheath with his left hand, and gripped the hilt tightly with his right. The vast, ocean-like Reiatsu within his body channeled through the hilt into the Zanpakuto hidden in the sheath.
Simultaneously, Toshiro locked all his sensory perception onto Ulquiorra.
Locked onto by Toshiro, Ulquiorra felt like prey targeted by a ferocious beast, his hair standing on end.
Ulquiorra could sense that if he made even the slightest move, he would be met with a devastating, thunderous blow.
"Hurry, Mashimo Koichi, Arie Yuki. He's locked onto by me and won't dare move. Quickly take Orihime and leave."
Toshiro remained motionless in his drawing stance, speaking with his back to Koichi and Yuki.
Because the reinforced Koryu was fixed, the Dangai's passage was like a corridor, relatively narrow. Ulquiorra had initially appeared behind Orihime and the other three.
So, if Orihime and the three were to return the way they came back to Soul Society, they would have to pass by Ulquiorra.
Therefore, to allow Orihime and the three to pass safely, Toshiro concentrated his power into his Zanpakuto and locked onto Ulquiorra with his Iaido stance.
This way, if Ulquiorra dared to make a rash move, Toshiro's Zanpakuto would be drawn in an instant, unleashing a thunderous blow that would slay Ulquiorra on the spot!
Seeing Ulquiorra neutralized, Koichi and Yuki carefully led Orihime step by step, passing not far from Ulquiorra.
Only after putting some distance between them did Koichi, Yuki, and Orihime dare to break into a run, completely leaving the area.