The Product [Closed/Hanbei]

He had been in Hueco Mundo for three days.

For two days he had fought countless Hollows. They had swarmed to him in mass upon his arrival, and he had been quick to dispatch them instead of flee. This land was made for those who could boast power, and Hanbei had been more than happy to show his. After killing a majority of them, the rest had learned better, and left him be as fast as they had attacked. He liked it that way, although part of him realized this must be how the Hollows felt: to be able to stride proudly amongst the weak, to have them fear you. It was something he had never experienced before, especially since he was so low on the shinigami ladder to power.

Initially, he had arrived within a distant eye sight of Las Noches, something he had not been too comfortable about. Its defenses would have been more than a match for him, not including the countless powerful Arrancar that habituated there. He hoped dearly that the Arrancar he sought was not situated there, otherwise this entire trip might become a lost cause. Luckily, it was still hours away on foot, but the sight still put him in awe. It was as impressive as seeing the Seretei for the first time from the outskirts of Rukongai.

But today had been uneventful so far. Most critters kept their distance, apparently some word of the wandering Shinigami had spread, which was a double-edged sword waiting to bite back. He could still see the city of Espada far off, he was still wary of anything coming from its general direction.

And, like moths to flame, something did come: the first Arrancar he would meet in Hueco Mundo.

His hand went directly for the pommel of his zanpakuto, feeling its snake head, rubbing its fangs with his thumb. He kept it there as he picked up his pace, transitioning from a march to a hustle, then to a light jog straight for the Arrancar presence. It was still a ways off, which was why he wasn’t flash stepping. It would be smarter to see if it approached him further, stood ground, or turned tail. He was hoping they would stand ground, he needed a true direction to head instead of hoping someone would be helpful. Most of the Hollows he had fought had refused to trade words with him, and those that did had not been helpful, uttering death threats and taunting him before he killed them or they retreated. None had even reacted to the name Ipos, which slightly disheartened him.

Once the dark haired man was in sight, Hanbei slowed his approach, allowing him to take a defensive stance if needed. The Arrancar, who’s fragment was a demi-crown, was taller than him, and appeared to be of the same build although, Hanbei was slightly broader with thicker arms and shoulders. He was alone, which told Hanbei he was strong enough to fend for himself, or unaffiliated with Las Noches: unlikely considering the direction from which he came.

He let out a burst of reiatsu, a deimatic act he had begun using to scare off weaker challengers. He called out to him, announcing his name and intention.

“I want information, not a fight. I am Hanbei, and I look for a specific Arrancar. I need your name, or my blade will be happy to persuade you otherwise.”

WC- 572/572. GP- 11/11.