Marechiyo Omaeda's appearance meant that Gilgamesh's guess had been right.
As expected, the Omaeda Water Shop was backed by the Omaeda Clan.
Gilgamesh looked at Marechiyo Omaeda's arm and saw a band bearing the Second Division insignia on his left arm.
Gilgamesh knew that, at this point, Marechiyo Omaeda was already the Second Division's vice-captain.
The vice-captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads all wore bands bearing their division's insignia on their arms. It was a symbol of their rank.
Gilgamesh wasn't surprised.
He just hadn't expected Marechiyo Omaeda to come looking for him in person.
Marechiyo Omaeda's first impression was of someone arrogant and unruly. His swagger seemed to say, "The heavens come first, and I come second."
Marechiyo Omaeda stood 2.1 meters tall, while Gilgamesh was only 1.4 meters tall.
From Marechiyo Omaeda's perspective, looking at Gilgamesh must have been like looking down at a tiny figure from atop a giant's height.
Yet for some reason, the moment their eyes met, Marechiyo Omaeda felt that Gilgamesh was the giant, looking down at him from a place he could never reach and seeing straight through him.
That feeling made Marechiyo Omaeda's haughty expression turn a little more serious.
Although Marechiyo Omaeda looked big and burly, he was very sensitive to danger.
In the original story, Marechiyo Omaeda often showed a tendency to avoid fighting.
Marechiyo Omaeda parted his lips, about to say something.
But just then, Ichiro Mizunaka heard the commotion and hurriedly opened the door, lantern in hand.
The moment he opened it, Ichiro Mizunaka spotted Gilgamesh standing outside. His whole body trembled, and his face was overcome with fear.
He knew that Gilgamesh wouldn't have come here this late at night with good intentions.
But soon, Ichiro Mizunaka caught sight of Marechiyo Omaeda. Shock and delight appeared on his face.
He truly hadn't expected the young master of the Omaeda Clan to come in person.
The gesture made him feel more valued than ever before, and he was moved to tears with gratitude.
Marechiyo Omaeda's arrival also instantly gave Ichiro Mizunaka confidence.
Without hesitation, Ichiro Mizunaka ran up to Marechiyo Omaeda, sniffling and weeping as he complained, "Young Master, this is the guy! He not only ruined our business, but he was going to lay hands on me, too. You have to stand up for me..."
Under normal circumstances, Marechiyo Omaeda might already have been furious.
But now he was just annoyed. He waved a hand impatiently. "Step aside for now."
Ichiro Mizunaka didn't notice anything amiss. He quickly got up and moved behind Marechiyo Omaeda.
Then Ichiro Mizunaka couldn't help looking at Gilgamesh with a smug expression, thinking, My young master is the Second Division's vice-captain. Kid, whoever you are, you're going to regret this!
Gilgamesh had no interest in an insect.
He looked at Marechiyo Omaeda and said calmly, "Marechiyo Omaeda, you came at just the right time. You've saved me a lot of trouble."
Marechiyo Omaeda was taken aback.
He wasn't surprised that Gilgamesh knew who he was. Though the Omaeda Clan wasn't one of the Four Great Noble Clans of Seireitei, it was still a prominent clan in Soul Society.
He just hadn't expected Gilgamesh to have been looking for him.
But Marechiyo Omaeda couldn't recall ever having met Gilgamesh. He had no idea why Gilgamesh wanted to see him.
Frowning, Marechiyo Omaeda asked, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Gilgamesh didn't beat around the bush. "I plan to build a royal city here, and I need skilled builders."
The Omaeda Clan had a huge real estate business in Soul Society. They were bound to have the necessary resources and skilled workers.
Marechiyo Omaeda knew that, too, and asked, "Are you looking to work with us?"
When it came to the family business, Marechiyo Omaeda was a consummate professional. Before Gilgamesh could answer, he asked a series of questions. "How big a royal city are you planning to build? What's your budget?"
"What clan are you from? Can you make decisions on your own for a deal this big?"
Although he was curious and confused about the "royal city" Gilgamesh had mentioned, Marechiyo Omaeda cared more about business and making money.
As long as the money was right, anything could be discussed.
Ichiro Mizunaka watched events unfold in a way he hadn't expected. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
Gilgamesh replied, "First, send some builders over. That's a condition of our partnership—and the price your Omaeda Clan will pay for offending me."
Marechiyo Omaeda's hopes for a major deal vanished. His expression gradually darkened, and his eyes flicked toward Ichiro Mizunaka. The atmosphere grew oppressive.
Marechiyo Omaeda narrowed his eyes at Gilgamesh. He didn't lash out at once, but asked slowly, "Just what clan are you from?"
Gilgamesh saw through Marechiyo Omaeda's thoughts.
He knew Marechiyo Omaeda had already more or less guessed what had happened.
But simply telling him to admit his mistake and pay the price clearly wouldn't be enough.
The reason Marechiyo Omaeda hadn't acted yet was that he was wary of Gilgamesh's background and identity.
Gilgamesh knew that to make Marechiyo Omaeda admit his mistake and pay up, he would either have to use his connections to intimidate him, or... conquer him!
A golden ripple suddenly appeared behind Gilgamesh.
At the sight, Ichiro Mizunaka was reminded of what had happened that day. He began to tremble uncontrollably.
Marechiyo Omaeda's narrowed eyes flew open, a look of shock and suspicion flashing across his face.
One reason Marechiyo Omaeda had come in person was that he happened to be carrying out a mission nearby. The other was that he was curious about Gilgamesh.
He was curious both about Gilgamesh's decision to give away water for free and about his mysterious abilities.
From Ichiro Mizunaka's report, Marechiyo Omaeda knew the basics about Gilgamesh. He also knew that the golden ripples were one of Gilgamesh's abilities.
He assumed the golden ripples were the power of Gilgamesh's Zanpakuto.
Marechiyo Omaeda hadn't given much thought to Gilgamesh's age.
Gilgamesh was young—perhaps not even old enough to enroll at Shino Academy.
But if Gilgamesh came from a great clan, or even a noble family, then it wasn't impossible for him to possess a Zanpakuto at such a young age, or even to have achieved Shikai.
But when Marechiyo Omaeda faced Gilgamesh's golden ripples directly, he began to doubt his earlier guess.
He could feel Gilgamesh's spiritual pressure, but it was so faint that it wasn't enough to support Shikai—not even enough to nurture an Asauchi into a Zanpakuto.
Could it be some kind of divine weapon?
Before Marechiyo Omaeda could think further, his eyes widened and his mouth fell open. His face filled with disbelief.
Ichiro Mizunaka was even worse off. He collapsed to the ground, his face frozen in shock.
For a gigantic Ship of Light was soaring through the sky before them.
It was called the Throne of the Heaven-Soaring King—Vimana!
Before you continue