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Arrancar Ascension: Apex Predator of Hueco Mundo

In the unforgiving landscapes of Hueco Mundo, Esteban Vortice emerges as an entity of disorder, chaos, and entropy. His existence, a result of a turbulent vortex of chaotic reishi energy catching and carrying countless Hollow souls combined with a transmigrated human soul, from another universe, caused by a spontaneous spatial rift, disrupts the fragile balance of life and death. Then as Esteban navigates the delicate dance of his newfound existence, he becomes a potential adversary for factions such as the Soul Society, who are devoted to maintaining harmony, or other potential competitors vying for the throne or the original protagonist himself. Embodying his raw power and primal instincts, Esteban sets out on a journey to ascend the hierarchical ladder of the Hollows, with his eyes set on becoming the apex predator in the world of Bleach. This path to power is not only paved with formidable adversaries and chaotic battles but also unexpected alliances. Despite his disruptive nature and his insatiable hunger for power, Esteban forms surprising friendships that further complicate his character and journey. The narrative further intensifies as Esteban encounters some of the most powerful and captivating women of the Bleach universe. These relationships, layered with allure add another dimension to Esteban's character, showing that even amidst chaos and disorder, connections can form and perhaps even thrive. . . . . . . . The Patreon link with up to 30 advanced chapters there -----> patreon.com/hanma_jack

Hanma_Jack · Anime & Comics
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54 Chs

Blood and Laziness: The Battle of Extremes

Retsu Unohana and Coyote Starrk soon found themselves alone on opposing sides. Their figures contrasted the lethargy that marked Starrk's demeanor versus the composed readiness that radiated from Unohana.

Their eyes locked in silent communication, acknowledging the inevitable clash of their blades.

As their swords clashed, an explosion of spiritual energy rippled across the battlefield. Starrk, the Primera Espada, and Unohana, the Captain of the 4th Division, both renowned for their formidable skills, had begun their face-off.

It was too dangerous for others to be near them, as they are both peak beings of their respective races so they moved away in a hurry.

Unohana, known for her extraordinary mastery of Zanjutsu, wielded her blade, Minazuki, with an artistry that was as beautiful as it was deadly. With each swing, the air around her buzzed with an electrifying tension, a testament to her lethal prowess.

Their swordplay was a whirlwind of movement and kinetic energy. Starrk, for all his nonchalant demeanor, was proficient with his naturally-spawned Arrancar sword, his movements fluid and unhurried, demonstrating his ease with the weapon.

Despite his seeming apathy, there was a keen intelligence in his gaze, tracking and analyzing every one of Unohana's movements.

Both of them were using their respective movement techniques, Shunpo and Sonido, already, to their highest potential, making them appear invisible to other beings.

But even the Primera Espada found himself pressed under the relentless onslaught of Unohana's attacks. Forced to retreat, Starrk moved back, creating a distance between them.

As he was forced to retreat and create distance between them, Starrk once again acknowledged the depth of Unohana's power. With a somewhat resigned sigh, he declared, "Seems like it's time to get serious."

In a swift motion, he summoned his twin pistols. They manifested in his hands, an extension of his spiritual power. The moment he summoned them, a wave of intense spiritual pressure emanated from him as the epicenter high in the air.

It marked his transition into his Resurrección, "Los Lobos." This was Starrk at his fullest potential, the Primera Espada in all his glory.

His appearance also drastically transformed as his upper body became covered in a gray fur-lined jacket over a double-breasted vest, and gray fur leggings and armbands wrapped his legs and arms respectively. Starrk, the master marksman, had revealed another card in his hand.

For Starrk, however, this battle was not about pride or proving his might, as it might have been for others.

He was here because of his bond with Esteban, his first friend who'd inspired him to learn and control his Resurrección, he was here because of his other friends he made inside the Espada later as well.

In this timeline, Starrk hadn't split his soul; he was the epitome of his power, not diluted or weakened. His spiritual power was on par with Unohana's.

And so, he was the only Espada who had not received Aizen's Hogyoku enhancement, as he was naturally strong and had already wielded his Resurrección.

So, unlike the other Espada, he already reached his peak potential so he was the one who faced the strongest Shinigami presently too.

Meanwhile, with her Zanpakutō also gripped tightly in her hand, Unohana broke the newfound silence after Starrk assumed his new form, "You certainly wield impressive power...", She said, her voice steady and calm, "This is an unexpected development."

Starrk, still maintaining his lazy demeanor, merely shrugged in response, his eyes reflecting a certain respect for Unohana.

"The stronger the opponent, the more interesting the fight, wouldn't you agree? Why do you seem like this isn't any fun to you too?", Unohana continued, keeping her gaze focused on him. Her words were met with another noncommittal shrug from Starrk, who kept his eyes locked onto hers.

"You hide your true potential beneath that carefree attitude. It's clear you're more than you seem, Arrancar, you really remind me of that guy up there, albeit in a different way...", She added, noting the subtle tension that ran through Starrk's body despite his demeanor.

Already summoning her Bankai, Minazuki, to counter his new transformation, as she spoke, she unleashed its blood-like substance. The sanguinary miasma coalesced into a large, sharp blade and streaked through the air toward Starrk.

Meanwhile, a protective sphere of enhanced, special blood formed around her, shielding her from the rain of Ceros the Arrancar already fired toward her.

Her Bankai's healing ability kicked into gear, mending her wounds and replenishing her dwindling energy. But even with the augmented power of her Bankai, she felt herself teetering on the edge right from the get-go.

Unohana, the formidable healer and warrior, found herself under relentless assault from the Primera Espada. Starrk, his two pistols locked onto Unohana, unleashed a torrent of Ceros, the high-energy blasts characteristic of Hollows.

His right pistol let out a single, devastatingly powerful Cero, while the left spat out numerous weaker, but faster and more unpredictable, Ceros.

Like a hailstorm, they rained down upon Unohana, pushing her to her limit as she employed her swordsmanship and Shunpo to evade the onslaught.

Starrk's casual demeanor belied the ruthless efficiency of his attack. He engaged Unohana at range, keeping her at arm's length while he methodically exhausted her energy reserves. But Unohana was not the second oldest Captain of the Gotei 13 for nothing.

Meanwhile, Starrk's Resurrección form granted him greater flexibility in combat. Spiritual energy swords sprung from his bandoliers, serving as extensions of his will.

His Hierro – a spiritual armor of sorts – fortified his defenses. In addition to his unending stream of Ceros, Starrk began launching various advanced techniques.

He unleashed Cero Ciclón, a whirlwind of energy that sought to draw Unohana into its destructive grasp.

Cero Tempestad rained down a storm of smaller Ceros, while Cero Espejo proved a tricky opponent, bouncing off surfaces to strike from unpredictable angles.

Finally, Cero Fragmento exploded on impact, turning into sharp shards that inflicted additional damage.

Starrk then revealed another terrifying aspect of his power – Soul Partition. His essence fractured, giving birth to a pack of seemingly intelligent spectral wolves that could strike from all possible openings.

They prowled the battlefield, their hollow eyes fixed on Unohana. She could sense the power contained within them; these were no mere apparitions but extensions of Starrk's soul, primed to explode upon contact.

Unohana's eyes, usually filled with an eerie calm, now glinted with an unhinged excitement, her once serene expression warping into a deranged grin.

As her Bankai swirled around her, she felt the bloodlust seeping into her bones, a testament to her moniker as the original 'Kenpachi'. The more dire the situation, the more she was pushed into a corner, and the stronger this primal urge grew.

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