I understand that the toxicological effects of the two are different.

Sodium Hypochlorite seems to be far more caustic, toxic, and irritating in general than Hypochlorous Acid; there is much toxicological information and evidence that suggests how the hypochlorite is much more irritating than hypochlorous acid.

However, at the chemical level, Hypochlorous Acid is a strong oxidizer and can penetrate through cell walls of pathogens much more effectively than Sodium Hypochlorite because of its electric neutrality. Since that is the case, wouldn't it be more dangerous to mammal or human cells as well?

Vitamin C seems to be the only avenue for protection against the oxidating power of the Hypochlorous Acid that seems to denature proteins and engage premature cell apoptosis.

I continue to find the concern that chlorine gas is released from sodium hypochlorite; however, that only happens when the hypochlorite anion is acidified to Hypochlorous acid, and only then does it dissociate into Chlorine Gas.

If Hypochlorite were to be the direct source of chlorine gas, what would be the specific mechanism from the Sodium Hypochlorite to the formation of chlorine gas?