As Aizen's words fell, an uproar immediately broke out below.
Within the dense crowd, people began whispering among themselves. Even though they had already become Hollows, they could not help widening their eyes as they stared in disbelief at Aizen on the throne above.
"Even if we join the Hollow Spirit Empire, our safety still isn't guaranteed!?"
Amid the packed crowd below, a lean young man muttered in a trembling voice.
Hearing him, a burly, bearded man beside him immediately shot him a fierce glare and said hoarsely.
"Do you think everyone joined the Hollow Spirit Empire just to cling to life like you!?"
"I came here to become a man as great as His Majesty! Didn't you hear before? After becoming a Hollow, if you want to increase your strength, you have to dig deep into your potential with everything you've got!"
As he said this, a savage smile curled across the burly man's lips. He spat at the lean young man and rasped.
"Ever since the first time I killed someone and became a bandit, I understood that fate is best kept in your own hands!"
"It's a pity I didn't have the talent to become a ninja. Otherwise, weak dogs like you—I'd kill every one I saw!"
"But luckily, His Majesty has given us an opportunity now—an opportunity to rise above others through battle!"
"Kid... judging by the look of you, you used to be a ninja, right? What a waste of that talent!"
The burly man fixed the frail young man with a meaningful look, his hoarse voice carrying a trace of disdain.
At the burly man's words, even the freckles on the frail young man's face seemed to redden. He glared back indignantly and said timidly.
"Y-you're the one who only wants to cling to