Could Keeping Quiet Scare Ross to Death?

"Come out, Kyoraku."

At his words, Aizen gave a gentle wave. The air rippled like water, revealing Shunsui Kyoraku and the others.

Kyoraku pulled his hat brim low. He looked dejected, but his eyes were unusually clear.

He exchanged a glance with Jushiro Ukitake. Both saw the same helplessness in the other's eyes.

Neither of them believed the world was collapsing on its own.

Or rather, it made no difference whether they believed it.

With someone as terrifying as Ross around, it hardly mattered whether the world would collapse by itself.

Even if it had been perfectly fine, that madman Ross would have wrecked it eventually.

In a sense, that conclusion was not wrong.

Besides, Aizen had brought them here.

The fact that Kirio could see them was certainly part of Ross and Aizen's plan.

It was a trap laid in plain sight.

"Go on."

Ross smiled at them like a generous god granting mortals one final mercy:

"You still want to struggle, don't you? You're not ready to admit defeat. The chance is right in front of you. Don't you want to try?"

He spread his hands, his voice full of temptation:

"I won't interfere. How many people you can rally in Soul Society, and how large a resistance you can build, is entirely up to you. I have one small condition, though: you can't reveal my true identity or the truth about the world."

"But..." Ross's tone shifted, amusement entering his eyes. "You can tell them outright that I intend to devour the Soul King. Paint me as an ambitious man who'll do anything for power. That makes for better drama, doesn't it?"

The script had been written. The stage was set.

Now all that remained was for the actors to make their entrances.

"All right!"

Kyoraku took