The Little King Hybrid(canceled)

West Rukongai, District 64: "Sabitsura"

Originally a village nestled in the mountains, it used to fall under the jurisdiction of the 11th Division. However, the 11th Division had recently neglected it. The neighboring districts of Rukongai dared not approach it either.

Although this fact was classified, it was a district to which no new residents were assigned. It was a completely deserted village.

In this place, a single charcoal hut stood deep within the mountains, where signs of life were scarce.

This was the home of a small "boy"—a child dressed in black clothing resembling a Shihakushō. The child was beautiful, but with androgynous features, making it impossible to tell whether they were a boy or a girl.

Their name?

Hikone Ubuginu.

Born only 10 years ago into this world, Hikone lived alone in a remote corner of Rukongai, where people rarely passed by. They were a newborn in this world, without allegiance or a plan. However, it was too early to think that an existence like Hikone's would not face decisive hostility from others.

He had considered going to the Seireitei, but even he could sense the terrifying presence and foul stench of his Reiatsu. For these 10 years, he had been forced to kill Hollows that sought him out because of it.

For that reason, it was too early for Hikone to venture into the Seireitei.

If he did, it was highly likely that not only the Gotei but also the aristocracy would try to execute or imprison him for his power—and he didn't want that.

Just because the tides were shifting at a snail's pace did not mean people's motives were softening.

But… during all this time, he always kept a genuine wish in his heart:

"Yes! I want... to become strong."

This was his wish. But he also knew how dangerous it was to be strong in this world. It was almost a curse.

So, one day, he was surprised when he felt a heavy, intense Reiatsu. Thinking it was just another Hollow to eliminate due to the violent and bloodthirsty nature of the Reiatsu, he left his hut—only to be astonished to see a person. Not just any person.

A GIANT!

This man had to be over 2 meters tall, with wild, long hair—a black mane of dirty tangles. He wore old, tattered clothing fit for a homeless person. Like most Rukongai residents, he was barefoot, as sandals were a luxury. Despite his appearance, he was TERRIFYING with those scars and the grin on his face.

"Huh? A brat?..." The grin faded, replaced by a confused expression as the giant scratched his head. "I thought they said there was a strong monster here, but it's just a kid… Was I fooled?"

"HEY, KENNY! You got the wrong direction again!" Out of nowhere, a pink-haired head popped up on the man's broad shoulders—a little girl, no older than four, perched on him.

"Tch, but you were the one who said you felt someone here! This is your fault, Yachiru!" the giant grumbled at the child.

"Stupid! Kenny is stupid~"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING STUPID?"

While the two bickered, Hikone stood frozen. He had lived alone, with only Hollows and the occasional passing Shinigami. Now, a terrifying man was here? How strange!

"Tch, forget it! Hey, kid, have you seen any strong monsters around here?" Distracted, Hikone found himself grabbed by the collar of his Shihakushō and lifted to the giant's eye level.

"N-no… Actually, I'm the only one living in this district…" Hikone was tempted to mention the Hollows but felt it was a bad idea.

"Ah… that's all? What a letdown." The giant dropped him, turning to leave, grumbling the entire time and looking disappointed.

Hikone sighed, watching the man's figure disappear into the distance between the trees.

"Why do I feel like I just dodged a major problem?... Meh, must be nothing!" With that, Hikone returned to his hut, grabbed an old axe he had found in the abandoned village, and went to chop firewood. He needed it to cook, as his high Reiryoku required sustenance.

"Looks like today will be a calm day after all."

---

[Time Skip: A few Minutes Later]

'Looks like I ran out of luck again,' thought Hikone as he dodged attacks from a scorpion-like Hollow that had ambushed him.

The scorpion wasn't truly a threat. No, the real danger came from the Hollow hiding nearby. Hikone could feel a dangerous Reiatsu watching him. It felt familiar, but he had to be mistaken.

"Ah… well… I think it's time to stop playing around." With that, Hikone attacked. He felt veins of blue energy covering his fist, his skin hardening as his secret power activated.

**PUNCH!**

**CRUNCH!**

As he dodged another stinger and closed in on the Hollow, he struck with all his strength, obliterating its head and torso. The Hollow's body dissolved into the air.

"Heh! Another job well done by Hikone Ubug-"

Suddenly, a chilling Reiatsu cut through the sky of the ghost district. Hikone froze and slowly turned. There stood 'death' in human form.

"I've been watching you for a while now. You really are the strongest around here, kid!" The giant grinned at Hikone, his colossal Reiatsu spilling out and threatening to collapse the air. "Good thing Yachiru told me she felt something scary in you, or I would've gone to another district and missed fighting the 'monster' here… isn't that right, Hikone Ubuginu?"

Hikone stared, frightened, as the giant revealed himself, thinking:

'Hah… I should be scared… but why do I feel... challenged by this man?'

"FIGHT ME!" With a leap, the monster soared into the sky, roaring as he brought his blade down like a demon upon the unarmed boy.

'Eh… I'm going to die…'

**BOOM.**

The result? Obvious.

"GAH!" The blade struck Hikone's shoulder, tearing it open and spilling blood.

"Tch, don't die on me, kid!" Without giving him a chance to recover, the giant continued his assault. "The name's Zaraki, kid. DON'T FORGET IT!"

'I doubt I'll forget if I survive this,' thought Hikone. Despite his impressive strength, he wasn't a monster or anomaly in Reiatsu. His power was only slightly above normal Shinigami, comparable to seated officers and mid-level lieutenants.

But… as he dodged Zaraki's deadly blows, a spark ignited in Hikone. Despite his injuries and fear, a faint smile appeared on his face. A massive amount of Reiatsu began to gather around his body.

"This is strange! I've never felt this excited before."

"Yes, you're amazing!" Zaraki shouted, sensing his opponent's growing strength.

Two demons were clashing. Their mere exchanges of blows made it hard for anyone else to stay standing.

In that moment, Hikone felt complete.

'Boring… now I realize… everything was so… boring. But now? With this monster before me… I… I—'

"COME AT ME WITH EVERYTHING!" Amidst a surge of Reiatsu, Zaraki swung his sword, striking Hikone. Blood spilled from a wound on his skin, but the bleeding stopped instantly. Something shone beneath his flesh, blue veins appearing once more.

Rather than answering Zaraki's words, Hikone instinctively created a blue light bow, firing a consolidated arrow at him. The pale white flash flew through the air, only for Zaraki to defuse it with a single swing of his sword. The scattered flashes fell to the ground like meteor rain.

Confused, Hikone dissipated the bow and attacked Zaraki with his bare fists. Zaraki smiled, meeting his ferocious attacks with his own.

Both were laughing amidst the destruction.

Hikone's power grew exponentially—from above an ordinary Shinigami to seated officer level, then to mid-lieutenant. Both he and Zaraki were growing at an alarming rate during this brief fight.

"COME ON, COME ON, COME ON!"

"HYAA! HAHAHAHA THIS IS FUN!"

Despite the chaotic scene, both seemed like children playing with their favorite toy.

But all good things must come to an end.

**SLASH.**

…

...

...

"Hey… kid?... HEY, KID! DON'T DIE ON ME!"

Yes… Once again, Zaraki found himself facing the end of his fun. The boy who had entertained him moments ago had just had his neck sliced by Zaraki's jagged blade. Normally, Hikone would have regenerated, but his body was still young, and his combat experience was limited to unintelligent Hollows…

Facing a monster like Zaraki was too much for an untrained mind and body.

Now, Zaraki was in anguish once more, seeing his new rival lying lifeless on the ground, looking as dead as a corpse. Again, Zaraki felt lost.

The sky suddenly began to rain, as if mourning the young boy. Despite his empty eyes, the boy had a strange smile on his face.

---

"Ah… I wanted to play more with Zaraki-san…" In a dark place, Hikone sighed sadly. Hikone, after all, was not a normal child—not in strength, not in mentality. No normal child would enjoy bathing in battle and delighting in spilled blood, nor would any normal child seem so calm in the face of death.

"Hey, brat! What are you doing? Falling and accepting death like this? GET UP! MY WIELDER CAN'T BE A WEAKLING!"

Ah… this was yet another inconvenience.

In the gloomy landscape, Hikone turned to see a blade almost as large as himself, growling at him.

"Are you the voice I kept hearing?"

"OF COURSE! What a foolish wielder I've got. Damn that Monk and the Sword God for tying me to such a stupid child."

"Ah, Iko! Don't be so mean!"

"Ah! If you know my name, GET UP AND FIGHT! Don't lie there and die, foolish wielder!"

"Ah… I… know your name?....ah, yes, I do… your name is—"

---

As Zaraki walked away with a frown, followed by a dejected Yachiru, he felt a burst of Reiatsu behind him.

**"Ikomikidomoe!"**

The blade Hikone had unsheathed before Zaraki noticed had a curious glow, as if it were filled with white light rather than emitting an intense white from its blade.

Looking at the 'white' blade surrounded by an ominous air, Zaraki felt a primal sense of "dread"—but it only excited the savage man he was.

"Hey, kid… let's finish our fun."

"Heheheh! Zaraki-kun, I want to be your friend. But Ikomikidomoe said you wouldn't accept just words. To guarantee your friendship… he said, 'defeat him in a bloody battle, until he yields, until his heart breaks.' That's what I was told." With that, Hikone gripped his Zanpakutō tightly. Still smiling, Hikone invoked the name of the sword.

**"Orbit the stars, Ikomikidomoe!"**

As a torrent of red and black Reiatsu darkened the area, Zaraki's face was more than eager—it was ecstatic.

"HAHAHAHA COME AT ME WITH EVERYTHING, KID!"

And with a roar, that part of the village was swept away by the shockwave.

Two monsters had just met—and became friends.