"Vice-Captain-Commander? What's that? And a Captain? A little brat like you can become a Captain of the Gotei 13? Hahaha! Don't make me laugh!"
After hearing Toshiro's self-introduction, Koga laughed heartily in disbelief.
The position of [Vice-Captain-Commander] was specially created by Yamamoto for Toshiro to familiarize him with the Captain-Commander's duties, enhance his prestige in the Soul Society, and ensure a smooth succession to the Captain-Commander position in the future. This position had existed for less than ten years.
When Koga was originally sealed, Toshiro hadn't even been born yet, so naturally Koga wouldn't know about this position.
However, although he didn't know when this [Vice-Captain-Commander] position appeared, just hearing the name made its meaning clear.
But Koga clearly didn't believe Toshiro was any Vice-Captain-Commander. Not to mention that, he didn't even believe Toshiro was the Captain of the 10th Division as claimed.
Simply put, Toshiro's age was too deceptive. Although countless brilliant geniuses had appeared throughout the Soul Society's history, someone as young as Toshiro becoming a Captain was unprecedented.
Facing Koga's mockery, Toshiro hadn't said anything, but Byakuya unexpectedly spoke up: "Foolish man. The Hitsugaya Toshiro standing before you is the most talented existence in the history of the Soul Society. His strength can even rival Captain-Commander Yamamoto's. How could someone like you look down on him?"
Although Byakuya was always aloof and proud, because Toshiro had once helped Rukia, he was deeply grateful to Toshiro deep down, much like his attitude towards Ichigo Kurosaki in the original work.
So, when Koga looked down on Toshiro, Toshiro himself hadn't reacted, but Byakuya couldn't help but speak up for him.
"Oh? To earn such praise from the head of the Kuchiki Clan, it seems this little one really is a Captain and Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, or whatever."
Koga said with some surprise.
However, although he now believed Toshiro was a Captain and Vice-Captain-Commander, Koga still didn't take him seriously.
After all, Toshiro's age really didn't suggest he was some renowned expert in the Soul Society.
Preconceived notions aren't so easily changed.
"Hmph, if little brats like you can become Captains, it seems the Gotei 13 have really declined over the years."
Koga said disdainfully to Toshiro.
"Heh..."
Faced with Koga's disdain, Toshiro just smiled calmly, not getting angry from embarrassment or anything. After all, facing the provocation of an ant that can be crushed with one foot, an elephant doesn't get angry with it.
Although Koga's strength was among the best of Captain-class, for Toshiro, he was indeed no different from an ant.
Shing!
Toshiro drew the Zanpakuto from his back.
"Are you ready to die, ignorant frog at the bottom of a well?"
Toshiro said calmly.
"Stop, Hitsugaya Toshiro. This guy is my prey."
Byakuya stopped Toshiro, who was about to act.
"My, my, how helpless. Alright, I'll leave him to you."
Toshiro said helplessly.
Byakuya, in order to kill Koga and cleanse the Kuchiki Clan's shame, didn't hesitate to pretend to betray the Shinigami and join Muramasa. Naturally, he wouldn't let Toshiro steal the kill at the last moment.
Moreover, given Byakuya's proud personality, even if he wasn't a match for Koga and died at his hands, he probably wouldn't let Toshiro help him.
Understanding this, Toshiro no longer intervened and left Koga to Byakuya.
Seeing Toshiro back down and no longer preparing to intervene, Senbonzakura, who had arrived together with Byakuya, stepped forward, confronting Koga.
"Head of the Kuchiki Clan? Are you here to seal me again?"
Koga's expression was unreadable.
"No. I cannot allow you to exist any longer. You, who have defiled the glory of the Kuchiki Clan, will be slain by me!"
Byakuya said coldly.
"Truly an utterance worthy of the arrogant and untamed Kuchiki Clan. But it matters not. Since you are the head of the Kuchiki Clan, that is reason enough for me to duel you."
Koga said solemnly.
Just as the two were about to fight, Muramasa, who had been stabbed and kicked away by Koga, suddenly called out: "Koga! Use me!!"
"My power will always be by your side to help you achieve victory..."
Muramasa stumbled towards Koga, wanting to fight alongside him once more.
"Hmph!"
Koga snorted coldly, held his broken sword before him, then suddenly struck it with the edge of his left hand like a blade!
Clang!!!
A loud, sharp metallic sound rang out. Koga's already broken Zanpakuto shattered into countless pieces.
Ugh—!!!
Muramasa, Toshiro, Byakuya, and his Zanpakuto Senbonzakura were all stunned.
"Tinkle!"
The fragments of the Zanpakuto fell to the ground.
"How... how could this..."
Reacting, Muramasa fell to his knees with a thud, his eyes vacant, his expression despairing.
"You are now nothing but a troublesome object to me. Even without using an unstable Zanpakuto like you, it's fine. My power alone is enough to defeat my enemies."
Koga dropped the remaining hilt of his Zanpakuto with a clatter, saying coldly to Muramasa.
"What do you take a Zanpakuto for!"
Byakuya's expression couldn't help but darken.
"A Zanpakuto is just a tool. There are plenty of substitutes."
Koga said indifferently.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh—!!!"
Muramasa suddenly clutched his throat in pain and screamed.
Boom!!!
A violent, ominous black-red Reiatsu suddenly erupted from Muramasa, flowing out like a tangible substance, forming a huge, rippling lake of black-red Reiatsu.
Seeing the black-red Reiatsu advancing towards them, Toshiro, Byakuya, and Koga all frowned. Their figures flashed, and each appeared in the distant sky.
"Koga!!!"
Muramasa screamed in hopeless despair.
"Despair became the trigger, causing his own Reiatsu to spiral out of control? What a tragic existence."
Toshiro remarked.
Muramasa, after all, was just a Zanpakuto. Although due to his unique nature he could separate from his master and act independently, he couldn't replenish his Reiatsu consumption from the sealed Koga and had to find his own means.
So Muramasa was forced to use his ability to devour countless Gillian, using their Reiatsu to maintain his existence.
But Muramasa's body was already overwhelmed by devouring too many Gillian. Now, completely fallen into despair due to Koga's actions, the Reiatsu of the Gillian within him had completely lost control and run wild.
"Koga..."
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
Roar after roar sounded, as one Gillian after another emerged from the lake of black-red Reiatsu.
Then, these appearing Gillian began to launch indiscriminate attacks on everyone present.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Their figures flashed, and Toshiro temporarily reunited with Byakuya, Kuchiki, and Senbonzakura.
"Hitsugaya..."
"Go, Byakuya! You didn't hesitate to pretend to betray the Soul Society to uphold your honor, right? Since that's the case, leave this place to me. I'm free anyway, so consider it killing time. You go ahead and deal with Kuchiki Koga without worry."
Toshiro said.
"Ah... I understand."
Byakuya gave Toshiro a deep look, then rushed towards Koga on the other side with Senbonzakura.