Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami, Hitsugaya Toshiro

"Cough... let's hurry up then, don't waste time. Aren't we here to rescue people?"

Rukia coughed lightly, covering up the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

"Yes, since you're already here, I can't very well send you back. You'll have to come along. But Rukia, the enemies we will encounter are very powerful and cunning, with all kinds of strange abilities. Some are even very skilled at disguise. So, if you encounter an enemy later, don't hesitate. Strike when you should. Your strength is relatively weak to begin with. If you hesitate, you could be in serious danger."

Toshiro warned her seriously.

"Huh? What do you mean by that, Captain Hitsugaya? Are you looking down on my strength? I may not even hold a seat, but I'm very strong, you know!"

Rukia pouted, dissatisfied.

"No, I don't mean to look down on your strength. It's just... well, anyway, Hueco Mundo is very dangerous. You must be careful."

Toshiro wanted to say more to Rukia, but ultimately didn't.

In fact, although Rukia's current strength couldn't be called weak, it wasn't very strong either. She was at the same Lieutenant level as Rangiku.

At that level, in Hueco Mundo, teeming with powerful enemies, it didn't amount to much.

In the original work, Rukia also came to Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime. But if not for her main character's plot armor, she would have died many times over at her Lieutenant level, let alone defeating an Espada.

In the original work, Rukia encountered the Noveno Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie, who transformed into the form of Shiba Kaien to deceive her, causing Rukia to fall into confusion and hesitation.

Although Rukia ultimately saw through Aaroniero's true face, broke free from her confusion, and killed him, she herself was severely injured and nearly died.

In the end, if Byakuya hadn't arrived in time, the severely injured and unconscious Rukia would have died at the hands of the Septima Espada, Zommari Rureaux.

So, Toshiro wanted to warn Rukia not to be deceived by the enemy. Her strength was already no match for an Espada. If she was also deceived by the enemy, she would have no chance of winning.

To be honest, in the original work, if the Noveno Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie, hadn't been too careless, and if Rukia hadn't had her protagonist's plot armor, she would have died long ago, let alone been able to kill an Espada.

Now, the situation differs from the original. If Rukia encounters the Noveno Espada again, it's uncertain whether she could defeat Aaroniero again.

So, Toshiro wanted to warn Rukia that if she encountered Aaroniero transformed into Kaien, she must not be deceived. Fighting him like that would at least give her a better chance.

But Toshiro couldn't directly tell Rukia that the Noveno Espada, Aaroniero Arruruerie, would transform into Kaien to deceive her. So, he could only vaguely warn her to be careful.

Rukia, unaware of Toshiro's thoughts, merely thought he was telling her to be more vigilant. After all, this was Hueco Mundo... being vigilant was only natural.

So, Rukia nodded. "I understand, Captain Hitsugaya. I'll be careful."

'Well, whatever. Unlike the original work, Rukia might not even encounter that Espada who transforms into Shiba Kaien. And even if she does, with me around, nothing will happen.' Toshiro thought to himself.

Thinking this, Toshiro didn't say anything more.

Then, the group set off again, heading for Las Noches.

"Um, Captain Hitsugaya, I've been meaning to ask... what is this little creature?"

During the journey, Rukia suddenly pointed at Nel in Toshiro's arms and asked.

Although Rukia knew something had happened in Hueco Mundo, she didn't know that Nel had been the one to deliver the message.

"'What creature'? How rude you are!!"

Nel immediately shouted, dissatisfied.

"Oh, you mean Nel? Nel is an Arrancar, but a kind one. She's a friend I made in Hueco Mundo when I was Commander of the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force. This time, because of me, her companions were captured by Las Noches. She came to the Living World to find me. She's also the one who brought the news about the Expeditionary Force."

Toshiro explained.

"I see... But why has she been staring at me this whole time?"

Rukia asked, puzzled.

Toshiro looked down and saw that Nel's gaze was, indeed, fixed intently on Rukia.

Hearing Rukia's question, Nel stared at her with a hostile expression and demanded loudly, "What about you? What is your relationship with Toshiro?"

Having said that, Nel, held in Toshiro's arms, clutched his clothes tightly, as if staking her claim.

"Huh?"

Rukia was utterly confused.

"Ahaha..."

Rangiku suddenly burst into laughter. "Captain, you're quite popular with the ladies. Even a little child like Nel is jealous of you. Ahaha..."

"Shut up! You be quiet, Rangiku!"

Toshiro said angrily.

"By the way, Rukia, where did you and Renji get those cloaks? Besides the Shihakusho, Soul Society doesn't have other standard uniforms, right?"

After finally laughing enough, Rangiku suddenly asked Rukia.

Rukia and Renji had been wearing yellow cloaks ever since they appeared.

"Well..."

Hearing Rangiku's question, Rukia's face, uncharacteristically, turned red with embarrassment.

"Oh ho? Looks like there's a story. Spill it, spill it. Where did they come from?"

Seeing Rukia's shy expression, Rangiku's gossip-loving soul burned fiercely, and she became even more enthusiastic.

"Cough..."

Rukia coughed lightly, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Well, because the sand and dust in Hueco Mundo are very heavy, he insisted we wear these cloaks when we came."

"Who is this 'he'?"

Rangiku asked with great interest.

"M-my brother!"

Rukia whispered, her face bright red.

"Eh!!!"

Hearing Rukia's answer, the group looked shocked. Clearly, none of them expected the usually aloof and cold-faced Byakuya to do something so considerate and gentle.

"Th-then, Captain Kuchiki was the one who sent you here?"

Rangiku asked hesitantly.

"Urahara-san helped us open the Garganta. But thanks to Captain Kuchiki, we were able to return to the Living World and find Urahara-san."

Renji chimed in.

"Nii-sama said, 'My orders were to bring you back to Soul Society. But no one instructed me on what to do with you afterward. So, do as you please.' That's what he said. Then we used the 6th Division's Senkaimon to come to the Living World, found Urahara-san, and then came to Hueco Mundo."

Rukia explained, embarrassed.

"Oh? Is that so? It seems that Byakuya fellow has come to understand things as well."

Toshiro couldn't help but laugh.