Chapter 533 - 533 The First and Also The Last Battle!

"Then please wait a moment, Captain. We'll deal with them right away."

Seeing Toshiro preparing to watch from the sidelines, Sojiro and Ashido showed no surprise. Two Arrancar who weren't even Espada were clearly not worthy of Toshiro's attention.

If Toshiro were to act, even if he killed them in one blow, it would be beneath him.

Subsequently, Sojiro walked towards the Arrancar with the bird-shaped mask on its head, while Ashido walked towards the massive Arrancar behind the group.

"Speaking of which, Captain, are these really Arrancar? Compared to the Espada and other Arrancar who attacked the Living World before, I think these two feel more like Hollows."

Ashido stopped not far from the massive Arrancar and asked Toshiro.

Although these two Arrancar they encountered possessed characteristics of Arrancar and would indeed be classified as Arrancar according to their classification method, compared to other Arrancar, they were clearly more similar to Hollows.

"Although they look more like Hollows, they are without a doubt Arrancar."

Toshiro, watching from the side, explained leisurely: "According to the analysis report from the Technology Development Bureau, Arrancar are also divided into ranks. For example, when Grimmjow and his group attacked the Living World, the unit he led was composed of a mix of low and mid-ranked Arrancar."

"When a Menos Grande undergoes Arrancarification, it usually takes human form. However, only the highest-ranked Arrancar can achieve one hundred percent human form… for example, the Espada. The remaining low and mid-ranked ones, even after Arrancarification, have difficulty completely transforming into human form. Therefore..."

"These low and mid-ranked Arrancar mostly have low intelligence and an appearance closer to Hollows."

Whoosh—!!

When Toshiro mentioned that low and mid-ranked Arrancar had low intelligence, the massive Arrancar, enraged, threw a punch at Ashido, who was closest to him.

Ashido, completely unflustered, simply tapped the ground with a calm expression and easily dodged the attack.

Bang!!!

With a loud crash, the floor shattered. The enraged Arrancar had punched a large hole in the ground.

Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!

Meanwhile, the other Arrancar with the bird-shaped mask suddenly grew branch-like protrusions from its body. These branches then fired beams of Reishi Bullets towards Toshiro. Clearly, Toshiro's disdainful words had also angered him.

"Oh dear, if I let you attack the Captain, that would make me look too incompetent."

Swish!

Sojiro suddenly drew his sword and unleashed a Kenatsu that shattered the Reishi Bullets.

"Hmph!"

The other Arrancar snorted coldly, ignoring Sojiro, and looked at Toshiro, who had spoken 'disrespectfully'.

"I cannot pretend I didn't hear your words just now. If you had only insulted Demoura, that would be one thing, but saying that I, Aisslinger Wernarr, have low intelligence is unforgivable!"

The Arrancar who called himself Aisslinger said angrily, looking at Toshiro.

"Aiss!!!"

Hearing Aisslinger's words, before Toshiro could react, the other Arrancar, whom Aisslinger called 'Demoura', roared angrily: "What do you mean by that! Are you saying that I'm the only one with a bad head!!"

Seeing this, Ashido, standing in front of Demoura, couldn't help but say, "It seems your head really isn't good, daring to have internal strife with a formidable enemy before you."

Clang—

Ashido drew his Zanpakuto, preparing to completely finish off Demoura, this 'not-so-bright' Arrancar.

Swish—

Rangiku suddenly flickered and reached out to stop Ashido.

"Ashido, leave this one to me!"

Rangiku requested solemnly.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto..."

"Let her go, Ashido!"

Just as Ashido was about to refuse, Toshiro suddenly spoke, interrupting him.

"Yes!"

Although he didn't understand Toshiro's meaning, Ashido chose to obey his order.

Swish!

Ashido flickered and retreated to Toshiro's side.

Rangiku then shouted and charged at Demoura, engaging him in battle.

"Hey, you short Shinigami! Since Demoura has already started fighting, let's have our battle too. My low intelligence comment isn't settled yet!"

Aisslinger challenged Toshiro to a fight.

"What! 'Short Shinigami'? Are you talking about me?"

A large '#' mark appeared on Toshiro's forehead.

"Of course. Among the Shinigami here, aren't you the shortest?"

Aisslinger taunted.

"I am certainly not the shortest. Nel is..."

Just as Toshiro was about to say Nel was the shortest, he suddenly remembered Nel wasn't a Shinigami and stopped mid-sentence.

"Hey, Sojiro! Go! Hurry up and finish him off! Wasting time with this 'not-so-bright' Arrancar... it seems we've been infected by the enemy's stupidity!"

Toshiro said, embarrassed and angry.

"Hmph! Didn't you hear me, short Shinigami? I want to fight you, to wash away the shame of your slander!"

Aisslinger said discontentedly.

In Aisslinger's view, the one who had insulted him was Toshiro, and the group's conversation clearly showed that Toshiro was their leader. So, Toshiro having Sojiro fight him was clearly an insult.

"Fight me? Are you joking? A piece of trash like you is worthy of crossing swords with me?"

Toshiro said disdainfully.

This Aisslinger clearly didn't know Toshiro's identity, which was why he naively wanted to fight him.

"You..."

Aisslinger was about to say something more, but Sojiro had already charged at him.

"Hmph! Fine! I'll deal with you first, then take care of that short Shinigami!"

Aisslinger snorted coldly.

Swish—!

Sojiro reached Aisslinger and, without any hesitation, cleanly slashed diagonally downwards at him.

Just as Sojiro's Zanpakuto was about to strike Aisslinger, Aisslinger's figure swayed, suddenly disappeared, and then reappeared behind Sojiro.

"Shinigami, let me correct something. That short Shinigami said we have difficulty completely transforming into Shinigami... no! We simply abandoned our human form to gain greater power!!"

Aisslinger shouted.

"Captain-class Reiatsu? How interesting. Aisslinger, was it? You've piqued my interest a bit."

Sojiro smiled.

Originally, he had volunteered because small fry weren't worth Toshiro's attention. But now, this Aisslinger's strength was unexpectedly decent, making Sojiro even more interested.

"Hmph! Don't underestimate us! You damn Shinigami!!"

Hearing Sojiro's disdainful words, Aisslinger roared in anger. The branches on his body suddenly fired beams of Reishi bullets like a storm, shooting towards Sojiro.

Meanwhile, Toshiro stood at the edge of the hall, holding Nel, watching Sojiro and Rangiku's battles with Ashido.

"Captain, why did you have Lieutenant Matsumoto fight in my place just now? Although that Arrancar only has Lieutenant-class Reiatsu, his strength is very close to Captain-class. Even with Lieutenant Matsumoto's strength, she might not be able to defeat him."

Ashido watched Rangiku's battle with Demoura and asked worriedly.

Although he had obeyed Toshiro's order and given up the opponent to Rangiku, Ashido still didn't understand why Toshiro had done so.

"Ashido, although Rangiku is a Lieutenant, her strength can't match even you and Sojiro, both Third Seats. She knows this very well. And this time, coming to Hueco Mundo to rescue people, we will likely face terrifying opponents like the Espada or even Aizen. Rangiku also understands that she won't be able to help much then, and might even become a burden."

"So, all she can do is try her best to protect herself, not cause us trouble, and deal with some weaker opponents as much as she can, helping in whatever small ways she can."

"That Arrancar named Demoura, although his strength is only close to Captain-class, is the strongest enemy Rangiku can handle. That's why she actively took on this opponent. Otherwise, if we encounter other enemies later who might be even stronger, she would have to stand by helplessly and watch us fight."

"So, let her have this fight with Demoura. Because... this might be her first and also her last battle in Hueco Mundo."

Having said this, Toshiro sighed. As friends who had known each other for decades, Toshiro understood Rangiku very well.

Rangiku had been a Shinigami for many years. Her seniority among the Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 was very deep. But her strength had always been stuck at Lieutenant-class.

Over the years, watching junior after junior surpass her, although Rangiku was easygoing, she couldn't be completely without feelings.

It wasn't that she hadn't tried to train hard. Under Toshiro's 'nagging', Rangiku had trained desperately, but she still couldn't break through.

When she decided to come to Hueco Mundo with Sojiro, Ashido, and Toshiro to rescue people this time, Rangiku must have struggled internally.

Because she knew that following Toshiro to Hueco Mundo might not only be unhelpful but could even hold them back.

Wanting to come with Toshiro to save their comrades, yet worrying about being useless… that was probably Rangiku's inner conflict.

Although she ultimately decided to come, she had also resolved to do her utmost to help. That's why she actively asked to replace Ashido in fighting Demoura. This might be the only battle where she could truly be of help.