Hueco Mundo.

What met their eyes was a boundless desert and barren wasteland.

Occasionally, sparse quartz trees could be seen, standing alone as they were lashed by the cold wind.

The ever-blowing white sand only added to the overwhelming sense of desolation.

"So this is Hueco Mundo?"

"Looks pretty damn bleak."

For Rokushima Yusuke and the other Fourth Division members, this was their first time stepping into Hueco Mundo.

Even though they were only within the outer perimeter, they still found the experience somewhat novel.

"Bunch of clueless birds."

The Eleventh Division members, on the other hand, still looked down on the Fourth Division team.

While they respected combat prowess, that respect only extended to Shimo—the other Fourth Division members didn't qualify.

Ikkaku Madarame, for once, chose to hold his tongue, walking silently at the front, scouting ahead.

Hueco Mundo was riddled with dangers that could appear at any moment.

If they wanted to rescue the Hollow Subjugation Squad trapped deep inside, caution had to be their top priority.

Shimo held a signal tracker developed by the Technological Development Department, carefully attempting to pick up lingering traces of spirit particles.

And so, guided by the signal's direction, the group steadily advanced.

---

Three days later.

"The signal's gone," Shimo said gravely.

"Seems like the Hollow Subjugation Squad's trail ends here."

"The spirit particles in the air still bear traces of battle."

When it came to this kind of analysis, the Fourth Division far outclassed Eleventh Division.

"Spread out and look for any related traces," Shimo ordered.

The two squads immediately dispersed, searching for signs left behind by Shinigami.

"Ikkaku, I have a bad feeling about this," said Yumichika Ayasegawa solemnly as he watched the ongoing search.

"We might really be—"

BOOM!

Before he could finish, a thunderous rumble erupted not far away.

Without hesitation, Ikkaku activated Shunpo and dashed toward the source of the sound.

But a black blur beat him to it.

Shimo, using Shunpo, arrived in an instant at the epicenter of the disturbance.

In the sunlight, large swaths of white sand were collapsing into a pit.

From the lingering reishi in the air, it was clear that a Shinigami had fallen into it.

Ikkaku arrived beside Shimo just in time, his expression grim.

"There's something beneath the sand—a Menos Grande."

Shimo murmured, "Judging from the pressure, likely an Adjuchas-class Menos."

BOOM!

Just as they observed the sand pit, another tremor shook the ground beneath them.

"It's coming!" Ikkaku shouted.

He leapt into the air, drawing his Zanpakutō in reverse grip, ready for battle.

The white sand caved in violently.

A grotesque creature, massive and composed entirely of white sand, burst forth and loomed before them.

"Pathetic and lowly beings... How dare you trespass upon this territory!"

"Behold as the great Lord Runuganga grants you the mercy by death!"

A giant over thirty meters tall rose from the sand, its massive form delivering a staggering visual impact.

"Kek—finally found something still breathing!"

Ikkaku could no longer contain the fire of battle burning within him.

"Watch as I cut this bastard into dust!"

Before Shimo could even speak, Ikkaku had already charged forward, brandishing his Zanpakutō.

"Teaming up with this bunch of lunatics really is exhausting..."

Wild, frenzied slashes landed on Runuganga's body.

The white sand burst and scattered like snow in a storm, creating a spectacular scene.

Under the intensity of Ikkaku's assault, Runuganga didn't seem capable of fighting back at all.

But very quickly, Ikkaku noticed something off.

"Its body... it's regenerating?!"

Runuganga's emotionless mask let out a thunderous roar.

"Your arrogance will be your undoing!"

His enormous arms, matching his towering height, swept through the air, generating howling tornadoes that surged toward the Shinigami.

Ikkaku slashed repeatedly, cleaving the twisters into nothingness.

"Runuganga is a super-massive Arrancar, tasked with guarding Las Noches deep within Hueco Mundo,"

Shimo explained calmly from behind Ikkaku.

"His entire body is formed from white sand, earning him the title 'Guardian of the White Sands.' He's immune to slashes.

"Then how do we kill him?"

Ikkaku glared at the ever-regenerating Runuganga.

"This thing really is the bane of you Eleventh Division guys."

Shimo took a step forward, raising his right hand and pointing his index finger at Runuganga.

"Well, that's what happens when you all dump every stat into 'Strength'."

"Hadō #54: Haien! (Abolishing Flames)"

Spiritual power surged.

A dark violet disc-shaped flame shot from Shimo's fingertip, hurtling toward Runuganga.

The moment it touched his white-sand body, a torrent of blazing purple fire erupted, completely engulfing him.

The towering column of fire, several meters high, left every Shinigami present utterly stunned.

Gulp—

Someone in the crowd nervously swallowed. That single sound seemed to set off a chain reaction—soon, all of them felt a dry tightness in their throats.

"With things like this, best to just burn them all into ashes."

Shimo smiled—but that smile seems to scare the shit out of them.

----------------///

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