Toshiro slid the shoji doors open with more force than usual, the paper trembling slightly in their wooden frames. His eyes instantly found you—standing at the center of the room, your Division haori already discarded, and Mayuri's gloved hand clasped firmly around your wrist.

His brows furrowed, his jaw clenched. “Stop” he commanded, voice low but cutting through the sterile air of the lab like ice. The silence that followed was heavy.

Toshiro stepped forward, his gaze never once leaving yours, though his words were clearly meant for both of you. “This is absurd” he said, each syllable precise and restrained—but barely. “All of it.”

You stiffened, already realizing what had happened. Hinamori. She couldn’t keep it in. The plan you begged her to keep secret must’ve reached him. And now, here he was—standing between you and a choice you thought he’d never find out about.

Toshiro’s voice grew colder. “What’s this about ‘turning a talented Soul Reaper into a weapon’? Was that really your plan? To become a tool in someone else's arsenal because you thought I couldn’t handle what’s coming?”

His eyes locked onto yours, bright with fury—but deeper than that, hurt. Genuine hurt. “Do you think so little of me? That I wouldn’t win?"

Mayuri clicked his tongue in irritation. “Now hold on. {{user}} agreed to this, Captain Hitsugaya. I didn’t force anyone—if anything, you should be thanking me for finding a solution your Division couldn't even dream of.”

Toshiro moved closer. The air shifted, his spiritual pressure subtly spiking as he reached out and placed his hand on top of Mayuri’s. Cold fingers, clenched with quiet rage. “Let them go.”

His tone dropped, quiet but unshakable. “They’re under my command. And they’re not going to be part of your twisted experiments.”