Harry's words landed on the sands of the Hill of the Twin Execution like a bowl of water poured into boiling oil.
The first half had barely loosened the air by a fraction before the second half instantly stretched the tense atmosphere to its limit.
The Captains' reactions seemed to have been frozen in place. Then, one by one, complex and unreadable expressions appeared on their faces, temptation and wariness intertwining into contradictory patterns.
Jushiro Ukitake's fingers tightened slightly around Sōgyo no Kotowari, and a trace of nearly imperceptible hesitation appeared on his pale face.
He instinctively coughed twice, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding Captains as he tried to gauge their reactions.
Over the years, the balance maintained by the Spirit King had indeed long been riddled with holes. Captain Aizen's rebellion, the unrest in Hueco Mundo, and the abnormal number of Hollows in the Human World all proved the fragility of the old order.
"Devour the Spirit King..." he repeated softly, a flicker of anticipation passing through his eyes.
If a more stable order could truly be established, perhaps the Three Realms could escape their fated destruction.
But the moment that temptation surfaced, it was crushed by even deeper wariness.
He raised his eyes toward Harry. Though the spiritual pressure around him was calm, it carried an unquestionable intimidation.
Replacing the Spirit King meant Harry would possess authority above all beings. If that power ever went out of control, the consequences would be even more terrifying than the Spirit King's fragility.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end it only became a heavy sigh. The Zanpakuto at his fingertips trembled slightly, as though responding to the unease in his heart.
With Harry's strength, it seemed difficult for them to stop him. Even the