Chapter 539 - 539 Desert Combo

Inner Ring of Hueco Mundo.

Toshiro and the others were using Shunpo to race towards Las Noches.

Suddenly, a sandbag bulged on the sandy ground not far ahead of them. The sandbag grew larger and larger.

Boom!

A massive figure suddenly burst out of the sandbag, blocking their path!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Toshiro and the others quickly stopped.

"What is that thing?"

Rangiku asked, looking at the sand giant blocking their way.

"That is [White Sand Guardian], Runuganga-sama!"

Nel, in Toshiro's arms, shouted.

"White Sand Guardian?"

Rangiku asked, puzzled.

"Ah, that's a type of Hollow formed from sand, belonging to Las Noches. Come to think of it, I encountered this kind of Hollow back when I met Nel."

Toshiro explained.

"Captain encountered it back then? Didn't you kill it?"

Rangiku asked.

"Well, this type of Hollow isn't very strong. So, when I encountered it back then, I dealt with it easily."

"Then why is it still..."

"Didn't you listen carefully just now, Rangiku? I said 'this type of Hollow', meaning White Sand Guardian Runuganga is a general name for this category of Hollows, not that there's only one of them."

Toshiro said.

Rangiku understood. "I see."

"Generally, White Sand Guardian only operates within Las Noches' sphere of influence. Encountering it now means we have entered that sphere and are not far from Las Noches."

Toshiro said seriously.

"I just received a report from Las Noches that someone intends to invade. That must be you, right?"

Runuganga's voice boomed like thunder.

"'Someone', is it? It seems Las Noches doesn't value your life very much, since they didn't even tell you who the intruders are."

Toshiro said with a pitying expression.

Runuganga clearly didn't know who Toshiro and the others were. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so bold as to appear before them seeking death.

Facing an existence of Toshiro's level, a small fry like Runuganga wasn't even cannon fodder. If he hadn't shown himself, Toshiro wouldn't have been interested in specifically seeking him out. But since he appeared, Toshiro didn't mind sending him on his way.

Runuganga said angrily, "Hmph! No matter who you are, before me, Runuganga-sama, you have only one path… death!!"

Judging by Runuganga's embarrassed anger, Las Noches had indeed not told him who the intruders were.

"Ah well, how embarrassing."

Swish!

Before Toshiro could finish his teasing, Rangiku suddenly flickered and advanced to a point not far from Runuganga.

"Growl, Haineko!"

Without a word, Rangiku drew her sword and activated her Shikai.

Her blade immediately turned into a cloud of gray ash. The ash instantly wrapped around Runuganga's neck. Then Rangiku suddenly swung the hilt in her hand.

Schlick—

Runuganga's head was severed from his body. His massive, sand-formed body collapsed to the ground.

"Hmph, hmph, hmph..."

Having 'dealt with' the enemy so easily, Rangiku turned around, looking smugly at Toshiro and the others, her expression clearly saying, 'Praise me.'

Toshiro's mouth twitched. He looked utterly speechless. "Really, that Rangiku..."

Clearly, after hearing Toshiro say Runuganga wasn't very strong, Rangiku wanted to kill him and show off.

Given her strength, it was hard for Rangiku to play a significant role in this Hueco Mundo rescue mission. At best, she could clear out some small fry. So, upon hearing that Runuganga wasn't strong, she couldn't wait to rush in. This was one of the few ways she could help.

However, what Rangiku didn't know was that even a small fry like Runuganga, who served Las Noches, had exceptional qualities that made Las Noches value him.

Although Runuganga wasn't strong in Toshiro's eyes, he wasn't so easy for Rangiku to handle. Without a method to counter him, even if Rangiku was stronger, she might not be able to defeat Runuganga.

"Hey, Rangiku! I forgot to tell you something. The White Sand Guardian Runuganga's body is made of sand. He's immune to ordinary physical attacks. Unless you use water or ice-based attacks, you can't kill him!"

Toshiro called out to Rangiku, barely holding back a laugh.

"Eh?!"

Rangiku's smug expression froze on her face.

Rumble!

As if to verify Toshiro's words, Runuganga, who had just fallen decapitated on the sand, stood up again, his head regrown. Enraged, Runuganga prepared to attack Rangiku, whose back was to him.

"Sojiro!"

Toshiro signaled to Sojiro, indicating that he should deal with Runuganga.

Although Toshiro had teased Rangiku, he wouldn't just watch her get hurt. So, seeing Runuganga revive, he immediately signaled Sojiro, whose Zanpakuto was also ice/snow-based, to help.

"I understand, Captain!"

Receiving Toshiro's signal, Sojiro immediately understood.

Clang—

Sojiro drew his Zanpakuto, preparing to use his Shikai to directly finish Runuganga.

But before he could act, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Next Dance, White Ripple!"

Swish—

A cold, clear flash of light passed.

Crack—

Runuganga was instantly frozen into a massive ice sculpture.

Bang!

The massive ice sculpture exploded, shattering into countless tiny ice crystals. Runuganga, frozen inside, was also destroyed. This time, he did not revive.

"That's Rukia!"

Seeing this familiar technique, Toshiro and the others immediately thought of Rukia.

Following the sound, they saw Rukia, hand on her Zanpakuto, standing on a low sand dune not far away. Renji stood beside her.

"Rukia, Renji."

Swish! Swish!

Rukia and Renji Abarai flickered and appeared before Toshiro and the others.

"Yo, Captain Hitsugaya, and everyone. How are you all?"

Rukia greeted them.