In Aizen's eyes, the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the World of the Living certainly possessed profound histories and many powerful individuals.
But their overall atmosphere resembled a pool of stagnant water that had been still for far too long.
Content to remain as they were.
Lacking true vitality and unpredictability.
Yet this "Top 100 Tournament" before him was like a miniature crucible of countless worlds.
It not only displayed an astonishing diversity of individual power.
It also faintly revealed the unfathomable foundations of the World Government.
To host an interworld tournament on such a scale, to marshal so many resources.
To attract powerful participants from nearly every affiliated world.
Its organizational ability, control, and its understanding and application of "government."
All of it gave Aizen, sitting alone in the Star Council, a revelation that left him in awe.
What he was watching was not merely the competition.
Through this competition, he was also peering into the World Government's muscles and the ecology of civilization under its rule.
"What a truly eye-opening spectacle," Aizen murmured.
The corners of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile, one that mingled appreciation with ambition.
His status as an administrator and Perona's sharing had given him an excellent window for observation.
The sky of the Soul Society now seemed too low.
The scenery between these myriad heavens was what truly deserved to be explored.
And even held in his grasp.
The four scenes on the starlit screen continued to play.
Their light reflected off Aizen's calm face.
Only the gaze behind his lenses grew ever deeper.
As though it had already pierced through the scenes before him and seen the sea of stars that would belong to him in the future.
At the same time.
Deep within the golden sea of sand on