Just as Grimmjow's Zanpakuto was about to be fully drawn, another unexpected event occurred.
Slap—
A hand suddenly landed on Grimmjow's shoulder.
"Put your sword away, Grimmjow!"
The voice came quietly from behind Grimmjow.
"Tosen... and Harribel, you came too?"
Grimmjow turned his head, looking angrily at Tosen, who had suddenly appeared behind him, and Harribel, who was standing behind Tosen.
Grimmjow had been so focused on Toshiro, who was rapidly approaching, putting all his attention on his opponent Ichigo and the impending arrival of Toshiro, that he neglected other directions, failing to notice Tosen and Harribel's sudden appearance.
"Tosen, Harribel, why are you here?"
Grimmjow asked with clear displeasure.
"You ask 'why'? Do I need to explain? Privately mobilizing five Arrancars, launching an unauthorized attack on the Living World... and the result is a crushing defeat! Everything you have done violates orders!"
Tosen said harshly.
"And you should know, Aizen-sama is very angry, Grimmjow!"
Tosen's hand pressed Grimmjow's Zanpakuto back into its sheath, then he turned and said, "Come, Grimmjow. Return to Hueco Mundo to receive Aizen-sama's punishment."
Grimmjow's expression flickered. But thinking of Aizen's terrifying nature, he ultimately yielded. "Hmph... fine."
"Well, well, leaving so soon? An old friend like you, we haven't seen each other for so long. Won't you stay and catch up, Tosen?"
Just as Tosen, Grimmjow, and Harribel were about to open a Garganta to return to Hueco Mundo, a cool voice rang out quietly.
Hearing that familiar voice, Tosen instinctively tensed up, turning warily towards the direction of the voice… even though his eyes couldn't see.
"Hitsugaya... we meet after all."
Tosen said, his expression full of caution.
"Well, well, the way you say it, it's like meeting me isn't a good thing. That really hurts this 'old friend's' feelings."
Toshiro looked over the three, Tosen, Grimmjow, and Harribel. Even Toshiro felt surprised when he saw Harribel.
Tosen's appearance was indeed within Toshiro's expectations, but what was Harribel doing here?
Toshiro recalled that in the original work, Harribel only appeared in the Living World during the final battle with Aizen, alongside the other Espada, not before.
As Toshiro observed Harribel, she was observing him too. Although he was 'smaller' than the person she had met years ago, seeing Toshiro in person, Harribel was almost certain he was the man who had saved her and her companions back then.
It wasn't just the similar appearance! Most importantly, Toshiro's Reiatsu was identical to that of the person who saved them.
Even though decades had passed, Harribel was sure: the Reiatsu was unmistakable.
There might be people who look identical, but there are absolutely no people with identical Reiatsu. Even if there were, it would be faked using some special method, not naturally identical.
Harribel also didn't believe that Toshiro would deliberately disguise his Reiatsu to deceive her, not to mention Tosen, who knew Toshiro well, was there.
If Toshiro's Reiatsu felt wrong, Tosen would have noticed long ago.
"Hitsugaya, I still need to report back to Aizen-sama. I have no intention of fighting you here. If you want to 'catch up', let's do it another time."
Tosen directly rejected his 'old friend's' request for a 'chat'.
"'No intention of fighting me'? Well, well, the way you say it, it's like you're even qualified to fight me."
Toshiro taunted with a slight smile.
Hearing Toshiro's sarcasm, Tosen's expression darkened, and he gripped his sword tightly. But in the end, he didn't retort. His strength truly wasn't enough to fight Toshiro.
"Alright, Tosen, I'll stop wasting words with you. Although having one more or one less of someone on your level won't change the outcome of the final battle with Aizen, since we've met, I don't mind dealing with you now."
Toshiro's expression turned cold, no longer looking happy to see an 'old friend'.
Seeing Toshiro's intention to fight, Tosen's face grew even grimmer. Though he had anticipated possibly encountering Toshiro, facing him as an enemy, the immense pressure, heavy as a mountain, still made it almost impossible for Tosen to breathe.
But fortunately, knowing they might encounter Toshiro, his side wasn't completely unprepared.
"Tosen, I'll stay back to cover you. You and Grimmjow go first."
Harribel suddenly stepped forward and said. Stalling Toshiro, buying time for Tosen and Grimmjow to retreat to Hueco Mundo… that had been Harribel's excuse for coming to the Living World in the first place.
Now that Toshiro looked hostile, it was time for her to step up.
"I'll leave it to you then, Harribel."
Facing Harribel's request to stay behind, Tosen didn't refuse. He knew that against Toshiro's strength, even if he and Grimmjow fought together, they wouldn't be much help... they might even hold Harribel back.
It was better to let Harribel fight alone, giving her full freedom. After all, Harribel was the Tres Espada. She was a Vasto Lorde-class Menos, a Beyond Captain-class being, and her Arrancar transformation greatly increased her power, making her very strong even among Beyond Captain-class figures.
Even so, she was still no match for Toshiro. But unless Toshiro used his Bankai with full force, Harribel wouldn't be instantly killed... at the very least, she could trade a few blows with him.
And Toshiro's Bankai was incredibly powerful, so much so that he couldn't even release it freely in Soul Society. Tosen didn't believe Toshiro would use his Bankai in the even more fragile Living World.
So Tosen believed Harribel was capable enough to hold Toshiro off for a short while. That would be enough time for Tosen and Grimmjow to open a Garganta and return to Hueco Mundo.
"Harribel, don't get into a drawn-out fight. Once Grimmjow and I leave, seize any opportunity to escape yourself."
Tosen gave Harribel a worried instruction. Then, keeping his eyes fixed on Toshiro's movements, he cautiously opened a Garganta and walked in with Grimmjow.
For some reason, Toshiro simply stood facing Harribel, making no move to stop Tosen and Grimmjow from leaving.
After Tosen and Grimmjow vanished from the Living World, Toshiro suddenly spoke.
"Long time no see, Tier Harribel."