Yoruichi Shihouin (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

Marechiyo Omaeda moved with great speed.

Early the next morning, professional construction personnel arrived at Kumu Street.

After consulting with Gilgamesh, these professionals began to dedicate themselves to the construction of the royal city.

In a place as backward as Rukongai, building a royal city required a massive labor force.

This was precisely why Gilgamesh had focused on winning hearts and minds from the start, registering the personal information of every individual.

These people were the labor force Gilgamesh had prepared for the construction of the royal city.

Having long known that they would have to pay for water with labor after three days, they harbored no resentment and spontaneously threw themselves into the construction work.

Some were even so afraid of having no work and thus receiving no water that they scrambled to join the labor.

Gilgamesh had integrated the Young Gil template, gaining all of Young Gil's abilities.

Furthermore, Gilgamesh himself possessed unparalleled talent in architecture.

The kingdom of Uruk in his past life had been designed and built by Gilgamesh himself.

The materials were sourced locally, using clay, stone, and timber.

This was not only highly efficient but also saved a significant amount of costs, making it the best choice for Gilgamesh at present.

Therefore, Gilgamesh intended to emulate his past self and build a royal city in the style of Uruk within the Soul Society.

Yesterday, after Marechiyo Omaeda had left, Gilgamesh had piloted the Vimana to observe the terrain and topography of Inuzuri in detail, which saved him the trouble of preliminary surveying for the city's construction.

With a detailed plan, professional builders, and an ample labor force, the construction of the royal city progressed very smoothly.

Time passed day by day.

During these days, the smiles on the faces of the residents of Inuzuri grew more frequent.

They no longer needed to worry about water; as long as they contributed labor, they could receive enough to sustain themselves.

Since their labor was intended to make Inuzuri a better place, they could truly feel the improvement, which made them work even more diligently and earnestly.

At the same time, they all knew that Gilgamesh was the one who had brought all of this to them.

This led them to accept Gilgamesh's status as King from the bottom of their hearts; they were willing to be governed by him and follow in his footsteps.

It could be said that Inuzuri was now territory under Gilgamesh's rule, and its residents were his subjects.

Marechiyo Shinojin, the former lieutenant of the Second Division during Yoruichi Shihouin's tenure, father of Marechiyo Omaeda, and current head of the Omaeda Clan.

For these past few days, he had been lurking in Inuzuri.

He wanted to confirm whether Gilgamesh, whom his son believed to have the backing of the Four Great Noble Families, was truly legitimate, and what the purpose of Gilgamesh's series of actions in Inuzuri might be.

Thus, he had been observing Gilgamesh from the shadows all this time.

His mindset had gradually shifted as time went on.

From initial suspicion to gradual acceptance, and finally to his current state of reverence.

Not far away, bathed in sunlight, Gilgamesh was strolling down the street with Renji Abarai and Rukia.

Every person they passed bowed and greeted Gilgamesh from the heart.

Although Gilgamesh held the status of a King, he lacked the arrogance of one.

In the eyes of Marechiyo Shinojin, Gilgamesh was a humble and courteous Charisma of the Beautiful Boy, responding to every person who bowed or greeted him.

Those who received a response all wore expressions of genuine joy, filled with anticipation and longing for the future.

Who could have imagined that just a few days ago, these people had been listless, devoid of any hope or expectation for the future, waiting for death like walking corpses?

Marechiyo Shinojin knew that all of this had been brought about by Gilgamesh.

To Marechiyo Shinojin, Gilgamesh was a born King—tolerant, thoughtful, just, and principled; even the passersby on the road praised him and were captivated by him.

At the same time, Gilgamesh was leading his subjects toward a future of light and hope.

Marechiyo Shinojin had accepted Gilgamesh's status as King in his heart, but he had no intention of following him.

Because Inuzuri was too small; a King who ruled only over Inuzuri, even if his abilities were recognized, could not command Marechiyo Shinojin's allegiance.

Most importantly, the Soul Society was vast—too vast to accommodate the rise of a King.

If Gilgamesh were merely playing the tyrant in Inuzuri, it would be of no consequence.

After all, Inuzuri, located in the 78th District of South Rukongai, was too remote and backward to have any real value.

But if Gilgamesh intended to expand his territory, he would inevitably meet with resistance.

If Gilgamesh truly had the backing of the Four Great Noble Families, perhaps his territory could expand several times over.

But it would only be several times over.

Because other nobles would not sit idly by, and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would not allow an uncontrollable force to rise within the Soul Society.

If Gilgamesh lacked the backing of the Four Great Noble Families, he would not even be able to expand his territory at all.

Because the resistance he would face would be even greater.

Individuals, collectives, small families, large clans, and the nobility—all could potentially become obstacles to Gilgamesh.

The reason was simple: Gilgamesh's expansion of his territory would inevitably infringe upon their interests.

Marechiyo Shinojin did not go to warn Gilgamesh.

In his view, Gilgamesh, as a king, understood these matters far better than he did.

Quietly taking his leave, Marechiyo Shinojin returned to his family's estate located in the 1st District of South Rukongai.

Sitting at his desk, Marechiyo Shinojin found his mind unable to settle for a long time, the sights he had witnessed in Inuzuri over these past few days constantly surfacing in his thoughts.

"Oh my, how rare, Marechiyo has actually started contemplating life!"

A male voice filled with mockery suddenly rang out.

Marechiyo Shinojin looked toward the source of the sound and saw a pitch-black cat that had appeared on his desk at some point, watching him with great interest.

The male voice from just a moment ago had come from this black cat.

This black cat was none other than the former Second Division Captain, Yoruichi Shihouin.

Marechiyo Shinojin was one of the eyes Yoruichi Shihouin had left behind in Soul Society, frequently providing her with intelligence.

Marechiyo Shinojin felt neither surprise nor shock at Yoruichi Shihouin's sudden appearance, saying in a calm tone, "I have experienced some things these past few days and just had some realizations."

Upon hearing this, Yoruichi Shihouin pricked up her cat ears, showing a high degree of interest as she said, "Oh? Tell me about the things that could make you have such realizations."

Marechiyo Shinojin did not hesitate and recounted the events of the past few days to Yoruichi Shihouin one by one.

After listening, Yoruichi Shihouin's interest grew even further; she turned and leaped out the window, leaving behind a single sentence: "The 78th District of South Rukongai, is it? I'm going to go see this young king who has earned even your approval."

Seeing this, Marechiyo Shinojin could not help but say with a touch of helplessness, "The Captain is still the same as before—impulsive and careless."

As he spoke, Marechiyo Shinojin seemed to think of something, and he could not help but mutter to himself, "However, even the Captain... should be conquered by him, right?"