Chapter 175: The Struggle (I)
<span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, Kazuya’s dearest ck cat, Yoruichi, observed the four beings emanating the dual-natured Reiatsu of Shinigami and Hollow. She had anticipated trouble from Hollows, but an ambush by high-level Arrancars, especially those aligned with Aizen, was beyond anyone''s predictions. The evidence was clear in the intricate high-ss barrier spell shrouding the power nt zone — a Kidō spell so precisely timed with the Garganta’s opening that it almost escaped her notice.
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone focused on the Garganta rather than the real threat.
<span style="font-weight:400">As long as the barrier stood, nobody from the Gotei 13 would sense these Arrancars. And Kazuya, the Senior-Captain equivalent, wouldn’t sense them either. She needed him here as the Vice-Captains, under the effect of their seals, wouldn’t be a match for the Espada.
<span style="font-weight:400">Her concern grew as she nced at Nanao, who appeared visibly shaken, her body trembling as if overwhelmed by the intensity of the Reiatsu — a surprising reaction for a Vice-Captain who should have some resistance to such power.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Captain Kyoraku is protective of her.’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">At least Rangiku acted reliably in shielding Toshiro and Renji from Arrancars. Her facecked any yfulness, only a somber expression that reflected the dire circumstances.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">‘She might buy enough time. I’ll go and dismantle the barrier quickly.’</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">She patted Toshiro’s head intently. “Shiro, use your Shikai and support the Vice-Captains from afar.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Toshiro could barely nod when Yoruichi leaped off of him and darted to Nanao. She pped the shaken Vice-Captain’s face with her paw. Her soft p snapped the Vice-Captain back to the present.
<span style="font-weight:400">Nanao rubbed her face with wide eyes, unable to believe that a cat just pped her like a human and escaped. “Yoruichi…” She shook off the distracting thoughts and looked up at Loly. “You must be the leader of the group.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Loly crossed her arms arrogantly. “Will a bottom feeder make a grand deration of war?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rangiku’s giggle cut through their conversation. “Grand? Please. Even a thousand of you won’t stand a chance against the Soul Society.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Loly responded with boisterousughter of her own. “You won’t live long enough to see us demolish the Soul Society. Because all of you will die here.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rangiku unsheathed her katana from its red sheath. Either it was her love for cats or her own cat-like nature that granted her Zanpakutō a unique design characteristic of a cat — her katana’s handguard was shaped like a cat’s head, with pointed ears on the top half and a sleek tapering point on the bottom. “Loly, let the students leave. I’ll take on all four of you on my own.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Loly sneered contemptuously. “You take on everyone? It’s not apetition to use your vulgar body, bitch.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rangiku’s eyes shed with anger. “Everyone can see who’s acting like a bitch. And please stop projecting your vulgarness on others. You might’ve reached your rank through bootlicking and sexual favors, but I’m a Vice-Captain for my ability.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rather than jumping into battle, she continued the fiery conversation to stall for reinforcements. Unlike Yoruichi, she hadn’t sensed the high-level barrier obstructing the transmission of Reiatsu and hoped the reinforcements would arrive soon.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Rangiku-sensei, you own her,” Toshiro added and casually kicked Renji’s ass. “Oi, dumb buffoon.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Renji rubbed his rear, a hint of tears in his eyes. “What was that for?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Toshiro narrowed his eyes smugly. “You looked frightened like a little girl. The kick on your ass worked.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Renji grabbed Toshiro’s cor and pointed at Loly. “Rukia will tease me to death if I let a girl named ‘Loly’ scare me. Who the hell names their child ‘Loly’?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Toshiro pped Renji’s hand away and smiled. “I know right.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Renji cracked his knuckles and pulled out his Zanpakutō from his back. “Yeah, I agree with you on this.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Their banter infuriated Loly, rightfully so. She looked venomous. “I’ll kill you bastards.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not if I’ll kill you first.” Renji chuckled and leaped over Rangiku. He raced towards Loly, creating tforms of Reishi beneath his feet. “Here Ie.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You idiot,e back!” Toshiro yelled, but his warning fell on deaf ears. Gripping his de, he whispered the chant to release his Shikai, “Sit Upon—I won’t make it in time. Rangiku, help him.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Finding his Shikai chant too long, he yelled at Rangiku to stop Renji from dying foolishly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Loly’s lips curled into a smirk. She vanished — followed by the explosive sound of Sonído — and arrived before Renji in the blink of an eye. Caught off-guard by her high-speed technique, Renji couldn’t react to the curved dagger swinging down at his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">Just as the de touched his forehead, Rangiku shstepped to his side and parried the dagger with her katana.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Too reckless, Renji!” Rangiku grabbed Renji by the cor and yanked him back to safety. Her eyes locked onto Loly, a fierce determination burning within. “No one will hurt these students on my watch.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is a war, dimwit. We don’t take hostages or spare enemy soldiers.” Loly gestured to Ggio Vega, the Arrancar with a saber-tooth helmet. “Kill the rest of the students.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ggio shrugged. “I’m not interested in tainting my ws with the blood of weaklings. Menoly, why don’t you please your friend by doing her dirty work?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Menoly, though hesitant, drew her katana. “Fine, if I must.”