Harribel

Her outfit was uniquely her own, an Arrancar uniform that had been modified to match her personal style. The top was a sleeveless, cream-colored jacket with a high collar, the bottom part adorned with a short, white skirt. Her Zanpakuto was sheathed at her waist, its handle wrapped in teal cloth that matched her hair.

Following close behind Harribel were her Fracción: Apache, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun. Apache was a firecracker, her eyes full of defiance and strength, her spiky hair an embodiment of her untamed spirit. Mila Rose, in contrast, carried herself with a more measured grace, her features calm yet intimidating, her hair cascading down in long, flowing waves. Sung-Sun, the last of the trio, was a figure of poise and elegance. Her hair was tied up in a complex style, adorned with a single, ornate hairpin. Her eyes were cool, her gaze analyzing Kai as they all stood before him.

"Who the hell do you think you are, bastard! Sitting like that in our home," Apache growled, her finger pointing at Kai with clear aggression. Her eyes burned with fiery anger, her body language projecting open hostility.

Ignoring Apache's outburst, Harribel turned her cool gaze on Kai, scrutinizing him with an air of intrigue. "Kai," she said, her voice low and calm.

"Harribel Tier, Espada Number 3," Kai responded, an almost amused smile playing on his lips as he leisurely leaned back in the stone seat. His posture exuded a sense of casual arrogance, which didn't seem to sit well with Apache and her comrades.

"What do you want?" Harribel asked, cutting straight to the chase. Her tone was firm, her eyes maintaining their unyielding gaze on Kai.

Kai let out a heavy sigh, his expression turning serious. "I know you're different from the others, Harribel. You've no will to fight... And I am here to give you that chance," he stated matter-of-factly, meeting her gaze with a calm one of his own.

"Why should I trust you over Aizen-sama?" Harribel countered, her voice betraying no trace of the apprehension that tingled at the back of her mind.

"He will betray you," Kai stated simply, his gaze never leaving hers. He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a soft whisper, "You know it too, don't you? You've felt it already, but because you want to protect your Fracción, you bowed your head."

"Bullshit!" Apache snapped, her fists clenching in fury. "Harribel-sama hasn't bowed to anyone!"

A small chuckle escaped from Kai at Apache's outburst. "It must be hard for you, Harribel. You care about them, and yet they don't even realize that you've been bowing your head for their sake. Well, at least they are loyal to you," he mused.

A profound silence filled the cave as the trio turned to look at Harribel, their faces reflecting a mixture of surprise and gratitude. Harribel was not one to show her emotions, so they hadn't realized that she had succumbed for their sake.

After a few moments, Harribel sighed. "And how do you propose to protect us?" she asked, her gaze steady.

With a self-assured smirk, Kai replied, "Easy. I'll send you to another plane where you can live without any conflict."

Harribel studied his eyes, a glint of curiosity in her own. "And for free?"

Kai's smirk broadened. "Your refusal to participate in the war is payment enough, wouldn't you say?"

The tension in the room was palpable as Harribel considered Kai's words, her gaze thoughtful. While Apache was still visibly annoyed, Mila Rose and Sung-Sun remained silent, their attention completely on Harribel, awaiting her decision.

"Not good enough," Harribel stated firmly. Her voice reverberated through the cave, ringing with a cold resolution that was unmistakable. "Aizen-sama already knows about your Mirror Dimension."

Kai's confident posture faltered for the briefest of moments. He blinked in surprise, his brows furrowing as he processed her words. "How?" He muttered under his breath. He had only used his Mirror Dimension ability in front of Shinigami and Arrancars he deemed unworthy to return. The realization then dawned upon him. He was in Aizen's realm ever since he stepped into Hueco Mundo, and he had used his ability to take Aizen's Arrancars into the Mirror Dimension right in the enemy's headquarters. Kai could almost hear a mocking laughter echoing in his mind, chiding his arrogance for thinking Aizen was oblivious to his actions.

"As you've noticed yourself, Aizen-sama is much more dangerous than you can imagine," Harribel said, breaking through his contemplative silence. Her voice was steady, her gaze unwavering as it met Kai's. "Even coming here is a risk."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "What happens to the Mirror Dimension when you die? If I am going to die with you, then what is the point? If I am to be ejected, still the same outcome. Why should I put myself into such a risk?"

Kai nodded, conceding to the validity of her point. Aizen was not just incredibly powerful, but cunning as well. "How about I show you my power," he proposed, a hint of challenge seeping into his tone, "and you decide whether Aizen can kill me easily or not."

As he spoke, Kai rose from his seat, the atmosphere in the cave growing tense. Harribel merely tilted her head slightly, her gaze thoughtful. She seemed to mull over his proposal for a moment before she drew her sword, its steel glinting menacingly in the dim light of the cave. The quiet whispers of her Fracción died down as she turned her gaze towards them. "Fall back," she ordered, her voice cutting through the silence.

Without uttering a word, the trio retreated, their gaze lingering on Kai, wary and curious. Kai watched them from the corner of his eyes, his attention primarily on Harribel.

With a boom of Sonido, Harribel appeared in front of Kai, her sword swinging towards his neck. The sound was deafening, but Kai remained still, his posture relaxed despite the deadly force heading his way.

Harribel's teal eyes focused on him, like a predator watching its prey. She was powerful, her movements swift and certain, an embodiment of the strength she held as an Espada. Yet, Kai remained unfazed, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched her.

As her blade drew dangerously close, Kai slowly raised his bare hands. To anyone else, it would have seemed suicidal, an act of surrender. But to those who knew him, it was just Kai being his usual, unconventional self.

His fingers reached out, connecting with the sharpened steel of Harribel's blade. The reaction was immediate. The blade halted abruptly, caught between Kai's fingers. It was so sudden that it almost seemed unreal. One moment, the blade was slicing through the air at inhuman speed, and in the next, it was still. It was as if time had stopped, freezing the sword in place.

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