The Arrancar's Problem of Forming a Community

The usual spot was the Tōzanshō where Ulquiorra was imprisoned, a place that Pure cared about most, and Starrk knew it very well. So, after a few teleports, Starrk led the young couple there.

"Is this Tōzanshō? What's being kept here?"

He used his Spiritual Power to guide his wife's Spiritual Power inside, saying, "See for yourself."

Starrk and Lilynette also took the opportunity to sneak in, and the four of them gathered around to watch the sleeping Ulquiorra. This made the sleeping Ulquiorra very uncomfortable; his spiritual energy began to fluctuate wildly, and he began to move his body, turning over.

"Come out, he's too sensitive. Observing him like this isn't good for his development."

"What is that!?" Isuzu couldn't help but ask as soon as she came out. She was very excited and sensitive because she had her own guesses.

Chun smiled and stroked his wife's cheek. "You guessed right, it was a Vasto Lorde."

"Oh my god!!" Isuzu exclaimed, her face turning deathly pale. "How dare you!"

Isuzu didn't continue speaking because she saw Starrk, Starrk was looking at her. Isuzu, who had been somewhat fearless, suddenly felt immense terror.

She's not pure; she doesn't possess that kind of judgment from the original work. She's afraid Starrk will hurt her because Starrk is a Hollow, and she's Soul Reaper. Soul Reaper and Hollows are enemies—that's common sense.

"Does your partner harbor great hostility towards me? Or fear?" Starrk asked, Isuzu stiffened; she was under immense pressure.

Jun held his wife in his arms. Isuzu felt a little better with this support. Jun said softly, "This is what I told you about—the difference between people of the same kind. And I also told you that we are outliers among our own kind."

Starrk frowned. "If they were my own kind, would they attack you?"

"Yes!" Chun answered decisively.

Pure's attitude puzzled Starrk. "Why? I no longer need food to strengthen myself, and my kind should be the same. So why are they attacking you?"

"This," Chun didn't know how to explain it either, "Because attacking those who are different is an instinct. Most of the time, we only acknowledge ourselves, and we identify with our own kind by wanting to gain companions. But to identify with those who are different requires a special kind of thinking."

"I see. So my thoughts are special, and your thoughts are special too. That's why you said we're special, outliers among our own kind."

"That's exactly right."

Starrk looked at Pure, expressionless. "Should I revert to being a normal human?"

"It depends on you. As I just said, most of the time we only identify with ourselves. If you feel you need to be like others of your kind, then change back; if you feel you don't need to be like others of your kind, then maintain the status quo."

"Hmm," Starrk frowned. "I only have one other person like me. I don't know what he's thinking. He's different from me. We're both strange among ourselves, outcasts. I desperately need a third person like me for comparison."

"That's probably impossible."

Why? Won't I have a third one of my kind?

"No, even three won't work. There's no base number for comparison. In fact, no matter how hard you try, your number of similar numbers will probably be very difficult to exceed two digits."

This refers purely to Arrancars that evolve naturally, which requires the Vasto Lorde to evolve. Adjuchas can only become Arrancars through the Hōgyoku's catalyst. The Hōgyoku can even catalyze the Gillian. Without the Hōgyoku, the number of Arrancars cannot increase significantly.

"And even if you find yourself with others of the same kind, it's only a broad racial similarity; the individuals will be very different."

"What's the meaning?"

"The Void already had its own symbols during the Adjuchas stage. Starrk, your symbol is the Wolf Pack, the one you encountered, Zegrod, is a whale, and this one here is most likely Bat. Because your symbols are different, it's difficult for you to have a common understanding."

"Is that so?" Starrk, somewhat dejectedly. "Can't the Arrancar be a race?"

"Hmm~ Actually, Starrk, why are you so concerned about your clan?"

This was a crucial question that made Starrk ponder for a long time. "I don't know," he said. "My instincts tell me the people are good."

"This is because your symbol is the Wolf Pack; you prefer group behavior; you crave companionship; you need a pack."

Starrk seemed to snap out of his daze and stopped talking. He simply held Isuzu and gently comforted Isuzu. Isuzu was much better now and had almost returned to her original state.

Isuzu's fear was indelible. Even Jun wasn't entirely without fear. Although Jun was almost certain Starrk wouldn't kill her, she still felt a degree of apprehension—a respect for power, ironically, just cowardice.

I just think that since Isuzu has seen the baby and Starrk has solved the problem, then...

Let's go back.

"Good"

Starrk led the two back to the Bount's settlement, and then Starrk stared into the distance.

"What's wrong?"

"An Adjuchas"

"Oh?" Pure Spiritual Power spread out, yet it was completely imperceptible. "How far is it? Starrk, your senses are Kongbu."

"It's twice the distance. That guy's senses are Kongbu, no, even more Kongbu than mine. I'm Arrancar, and he's just Adjuchas."

"Then let's catch him and take a look."

"Good"

Starrk disappeared and reappeared, and then a huge Explosion occurred in the distance. By the time the sound reached them, Chun was already looking at this unfortunate acquaintance.

It's not a leopard; this is an Adjuchas in leopard form. Considering the original work and those resentful eyes, this is definitely Grimmjow, the Espada, without a doubt.

"Arabian! He has emotions! Starrk, look into his eyes! This is an Adjuchas with complete self-awareness!"

"Yes, I saw it."

In his leopard form Grimmjow opened his mouth, and after a series of crackling sounds, he actually formed a sentence from the vibrations of the air.

What are you?

Jun and Starrk locked eyes. This ability was Kongbu. In the original work, Grimmjow Ichigo possessed true Arrancar strength during the Thousand-Year Blood War. He even defeated a Quincy from the Sternritter, demonstrating his immense power. This also proves that Grimmjow is a potential candidate to become an autonomous Arrancar.

The reason he didn't become an independent Arrancar is because he's too young. Compared to the Adjuchas who only became Arrancars hundreds of years ago in the original story, he's truly young. Hollows evolve much slower than Shinigami; the Adjuchas era was probably thousands of years ago.

"I think he could become Arrancar."

What is his symbolism?

"This is a leopard, a solitary hunter, so even if he becomes Arrancar, he will never be your companion; his symbol is aversion to herds."

"Is that so?" Starrk, somewhat disappointed. "But if he can become Arrancar, then I'll let him become Arrancar. I'm leaving. I feel anxious. Is this anxiety, Pure?"

"Yes! Starrk, you've finally realized the preciousness of time."

"Yes, I feel I need to hurry; this is the first time I've felt this way."

"Then wait a little while, I'll take them to the World of the Living."

"Okay, hurry up."

Starrk was genuinely anxious. Grimmjow spoke again, but it was meaningless. While Grimmjow could express some things, they were vague, and he only kept asking who Chun and Starrk were; he was, after all, still just an Adjuchas.

Chun opened the Space-Breaking World and said, "You guys, hurry up and leave. They have things to do in Hueco Mundo and don't have time to protect you anymore, so you have to return to the World of the Living. Otherwise, you'll only become food here."

The Bount had gained considerable experience during this time, and with the increased time spent learning from the young couple, coupled with this newfound knowledge, most of them, except for a few particularly slow-witted ones, understood their own capabilities and current level of strength. Therefore, they were more inclined to follow Chun's guidance.

The group appeared on a mountainside. Japan has many mountains and seas, so what else is there? Jun bid farewell to Starrk and returned to the World of the Living.

Chunfei went out to scout the situation and discovered that this was Echigo Province. After Uesugi Kenshin rose to power in the early Sengoku period, this area became the territory of the Uesugi family. It had a decent small plain, and to the southwest, in terms of mountains, lay the territory of Takeda Shingen, which was entirely mountainous.

However, unlike the uninhabited mountainous areas of Shikoku, the mountainous regions of Kai Province are quite well-developed, which is rather frustrating. Hiding over three hundred people is no easy task, because in modern Japan, even a small town with a lord might not have three hundred people.

The advantage now is that the Bount have basically completed their full Reishi Quality; only a few dozen are not quite there yet, but they are close enough. Therefore, they can now control their Spiritual Power and will not be detected unless the Soul Reaper gets close.

Their feeling was similar to that of Kūgo Ginjō and Ichigo Kurosaki in the original work. These two Substitute Soul Reaper were both psychic users. Before becoming Substitute Soul Reaper, they could see souls and Hollows, and could even beat up some low-level Hollows with their bare hands.

Even Soul Reaper can only see their difference when he encounters them, because normally there is no Reishi dissipation; the human body is definitely a Divine Tool- level Spiritual Power storage device.

After much deliberation and wandering through the mountainous regions of Echigo, Echizen, Shinano, Hiei, and Kai, Jun finally chose a high mountain within Kai Province. There, Jun found a crevice in the mountain.

The mountain contains numerous cavities, and the mountain itself is too narrow for a person to pass through. These cavities are not interconnected. In this environment, Chun carved out a secret passage and then connected the cavities within the mountain.

The Bount entered the Cave. Three hundred-plus people were hardly a lot; the Cave was extremely large and numerous, allowing the Bount free movement. Their own Spiritual Power could be activated to provide illumination.

Food is no longer a concern; once they activate their Spiritual Power, they can simultaneously activate the Spiritual Power in the World of the Living, completing a Spiritual Power exchange, which will allow them to eat their fill.

"This is your new home. You shouldn't need to worry about Soul Reaper anymore, as long as you don't use your Spiritual Power together. You can also continue digging downwards, because you are immortal; the deeper you go, the safer you will be."

"But you were human before. If you find life underground too boring, I suggest you form a family-like group of three to five people and live in a human settlement for a while before returning. Don't go out too much or for too long. Those who haven't fully become Reishi Quality are not allowed to leave."

Are there any other questions?

"Are you leaving, Shimizu God?" asked the slightly chubby Bount, Miki Ichirin. He was now the leader of the Bount, Kariya Jin was one of the less popular ones.

Who said I was leaving?

"Uh, what you're saying makes me feel..."

"No, I like to set the rules first, and then make minor adjustments depending on the situation. I still have a little over a year left. After that, I really won't be able to stay anymore. So, you guys hurry up and learn whatever you can!"

"Yes!"