It was true that Runuganga was immune to slashing attacks.

But his true weakness was water.

Yet Shimo couldn't even be bothered to use a water-based Kidō—he simply unleashed Haien and ended it.

If even the soul was reduced to ashes, there was no point fussing over elemental counters.

The giant's body writhed madly under the scorching blaze of Haien.

And in less than three seconds, it was reduced to complete nothingness.

"See? That simple."

Shimo retracted his hand, his tone light and casual.

With his current level of spiritual pressure, killing a Runuganga took no effort at all.

"But Runuganga is usually stationed near Las Noches. Why was one out here in the outer perimeter?"

Shimo frowned, gazing into the distance.

Based on their current location, they were still quite far from Las Noches.

But the appearance of Runuganga here—did it mean their presence had already alerted the Arrancar within Las Noches?

While he had no fear of those enemies, the same couldn't be said for the other squad members.

If the Arrancar of Hueco Mundo emerged en masse, the situation could turn disastrous.

Let's hope I'm just overthinking things.

Shimo murmured under his breath and then instructed the team to press forward.

They should still be a fair distance from the Forest of Menos.

This time, no one spread out. The earlier encounter with Runuganga had already cost the team dearly.

In a place as dangerous as Hueco Mundo, it was better for the weaker members to stay close together.

Shimo took the lead, forging the path ahead.

Watching their Lieutenant's back, the Fourth Division members felt an unprecedented sense of security.

Perhaps Lieutenant Shimo already possesses strength on par with a Gotei 13 Captain...

Rokushima Yusuke and the others couldn't help but think.

Another endless day of searching passed.

Then, the group came across new traces—evidence left behind by other Shinigami.

By now, they had ventured into the inner regions of Hueco Mundo.

Beyond this point lay Las Noches.

If Shimo were alone, he might have gone ahead out of curiosity.

But with so many squad members under his protection, caution took priority.

The monotonous desert gave way to scattered quartz trees protruding from the sand. That's when Shimo realized—

"Looks like we've reached the Forest of Menos."

Just then, a distant sound of crying reached his ears.

"Uwaahh! Stop chasing me!"

Sand billowed into the sky, as if a massive creature was tearing through the desert.

Noticing the scene, Shimo's lips curled into a faint smile.

I wasn't really expecting anything...

But running into you all here—that's a pleasant surprise.

A small green figure, childlike in appearance, was bawling and sprinting through the desert, chased by three bizarre-looking creatures.

To anyone watching, the scene was clear: a small, weak one being bullied by larger beasts.

Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck wiped tears from her face as she ran, half-crying, half-laughing.

Thud!

Her forehead smacked into something solid.

The impact knocked her straight onto the sand.

Dazed, Nel looked up, gazing at the figure she had crashed into.

"Huh?! Who are you people?!"

She still hadn't fully processed what was happening.

Shimo gently picked her up and pulled back the hood from her head.

"Hello there. I'm Kyōraku Shimo."

His smile was as warm as a spring breeze, radiating kindness and ease.

Behind her, the three pursuing creatures—Dondochakka with his massive face, Pesche the termite-like Arrancar, and the huge wriggling Bawabawa—skidded to a stop.

Their eyes widened in horror.

Nearly thirty fierce-looking Eleventh Division Shinigami glared at them.

Even though the Shinigami hadn't released any spiritual pressure, the oppressive aura was suffocating.

Black robes... savage expressions... long swords at their sides...

"Nel! They're Shinigami!"

"Bawabawa!!"

The two Arrancar let out terrified screams, their fear reaching a fever pitch.

Hearing them, Nel looked up blankly. Her big, watery eyes filled with panic.

"Waaahhh!!"

"Nel doesn't wanna die!"

Her mind, childlike and innocent, was pure and kind—but lacked the power to protect herself.

Though she had escaped the cycle of combat, she now found herself in a new kind of danger.

Shimo sighed and gently wiped away her tears.

"Don't worry. We're not bad guys."

Nel sniffled and looked at him pitifully.

"R-Really...?"

Shimo chuckled.

"Of course. Don't let their scary faces fool you—these Shinigami are actually pretty kind."

Hearing that, Yumichika Ayasegawa's forehead twitched violently.

"You bastard!"

"Did you just call me ugly?!"

Ikkaku Madarame quickly stepped in to block him.

He couldn't even beat Shimo himself—never mind Yumichika trying.

Despite their terror, Dondochakka and Pesche firmly stood by Nel's side.

Even surrounded by a pack of intimidating Shinigami, they didn't back down.

"Alright, that's enough crowding around."

Shimo stepped forward to ease the tension.

"No need to worry—they're just a few harmless Hollows."

He carried Nel in his arms and approached Dondochakka and Pesche.

"So—what are you all doing here?"

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