Hearing Runuganga's words, Nel couldn't help but sweat profusely, waving her hands repeatedly. "No, that's not it—"
"Step back, Nel," Toshiro said, standing in front of Nel.
Seeing the back shielding her, an inexplicable power seemed to make Nel feel instantly reassured.
"You're called Runuganga or something, right? I don't have time to play with you. So, could you please die quickly, monster?" Toshiro said to the massive Runuganga.
Without waiting for Runuganga's reply, Toshiro drew the Zanpakuto from his back, then unleashed a wave of Kenatsu at Runuganga.
Boom!
An attack imbued with Toshiro's powerful Reiatsu instantly struck Runuganga, slicing him in half from head to toe.
"Okay, solved. Really simple," Toshiro said, resting his Zanpakuto on his shoulder, tone relaxed.
"Ah! You actually attacked!" Pesche shouted.
"So sudden! That's an ambush! You're so sneaky!" Nel cried, clutching her head.
Nel, Dondochakka, and Pesche chorused: "You really are a bad guy!"
Toshiro turned to face them. "You're so annoying! What's wrong with that? Weren't you saved? Besides, I attacked from the front and warned him I'd strike. So that's not an ambush."
Suddenly, Ashido warned, "Toshiro, careful! He's not dead yet!"
Toshiro looked back. Runuganga's body, just sliced in half, had reconnected. The wounds completely healed in moments.
"Intruder! You actually ambushed the Great Runuganga! Unforgivable!" Runuganga roared furiously, his massive voice making Toshiro's ears hurt.
"I already said it's not an ambush! Don't you get it?! Didn't I warn you I'd attack?" Toshiro complained.
"And, being sliced in half yet recovering… your ability is quite good, no wonder you dared to pursue me," Toshiro said.
Runuganga remained silent, but Nel jumped in. "Of course! Because the Great Runuganga is sand!"
"Sand my foot! Get to the side! What if you get hurt if a fight breaks out?" Toshiro said to Nel.
"Enough talk, Shinigami! Face my wrath!" Runuganga interrupted Toshiro and Nel's conversation.
Then, a fist larger than Toshiro's entire body smashed towards him.
Although Runuganga's body was huge, Toshiro was confident he could overpower him in raw strength. But Nel was still beside Toshiro. To avoid involving her, Toshiro chose to pick up Nel and retreat.
Thud!
Runuganga's fist, bigger than a sand pot, no, bigger than a person… smashed the ground where Toshiro stood, collapsing it.
Toshiro, having retreated to the side, put Nel down, then charged at Runuganga.
Seeing Toshiro charge, Runuganga swung his massive fist hard. A giant whirlwind, carrying sand and soil like a sandstorm, swept towards Toshiro.
Toshiro frowned, immediately using Shunpo to evade Runuganga's sandstorm.
"Ahhh-"
After dodging, Toshiro was about to counterattack when a terrified scream came from behind.
Toshiro looked back. The sandstorm Toshiro avoided was rapidly heading towards Nel.
With no resistance, facing the sandstorm's powerful suction, Nel's body was quickly pulled towards its center.
If left alone, once drawn, the powerful tearing force would shred Nel to pieces.
"Nel!" Toshiro shouted.
Then, his figure flickered, instantly appearing mid-air beside Nel. He grabbed Nel's small hand and immediately retreated rapidly with her, putting distance between them and Runuganga.
"What tenacious fellows. But you're definitely no match for the Great Runuganga," Runuganga said.
"Hmph, don't get too cocky, Runuganga. You're just relying on elemental intangibility. As for other aspects, you're not that impressive," Toshiro snorted coldly.
Toshiro put Nel down, then pointed his sword at Runuganga. "However, although I don't know Haki or anything, killing you isn't difficult either."
With that, Toshiro moved rapidly. When not far from Runuganga, another slash imbued with powerful Reiatsu flew towards Runuganga. But unlike before, this slash emitted a soul-freezing, terrifying cold.
Boom!
Toshiro's attack struck Runuganga. But unlike before, this attack didn't slice him in half.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The icy power within Toshiro's slash erupted completely, instantly freezing Runuganga. Thus, the previously arrogant Runuganga was directly turned into an ice sculpture.
Boom!
The frozen Runuganga shattered into countless tiny ice crystals, scattering everywhere, shimmering with a faint blue glow, streaking across the sky like meteors before falling to the ground, never to recover.
Seeing a small ice crystal land at her feet, Nel exclaimed, "Runuganga-sama.. is dead! Toshiro, you're really amazing!"
"Well, it's not that big a deal. Apart from elemental intangibility, Runuganga's strength wasn't that great. And my power is ice, which restrained him," Toshiro said, walking over.
Although Runuganga's strength wasn't overwhelming, his body was composed of sand. Normal physical attacks weren't very effective, like elemental intangibility in One Piece. If it were someone else, even if stronger, dealing with him would be tough… after all, this world doesn't have Haki or such. But Toshiro's power, ice, like water, directly countered Runuganga.
"Elemental intangibility? What's that?" Nel asked, puzzled.
"Cough, kids shouldn't ask too much. Anyway, Runuganga is dealt with," Toshiro said. Explaining One Piece to Nel would be incomprehensible.
"Runuganga is dealt with. So, Nel, I should go. If there's another chance, we'll meet again next time!" Toshiro said.