Marechiyo Omaeda acted quickly.
Early the next morning, a team of professional builders arrived in Kumu Street.
After speaking with Gilgamesh, the builders immediately got to work on the construction of the royal city.
In a backward place like Rukongai, building a royal city required a massive labor force.
That was why Gilgamesh had gathered people from the start, recording their information in a register.
These people were the labor force Gilgamesh had prepared for the construction of the royal city.
They had already known that after three days, they would have to work in exchange for water, so none of them complained. They threw themselves into building the royal city of their own accord.
Some were even afraid they might miss out on work and therefore not receive any water, so they eagerly fought for the chance to join in.
Gilgamesh had merged with Young Gil's template and gained all of Young Gil's abilities.
Gilgamesh himself also possessed unparalleled talent for architecture.
The Kingdom of Uruk had been designed and built by Gilgamesh.
The materials were all sourced locally, and the city was built from clay, stone, and timber.
This was not only efficient, but also saved a great deal of money, making it the best option for Gilgamesh at the moment.
So Gilgamesh planned to follow his own example and build a royal city in the style of Uruk in Soul Society.
After Marechiyo Omaeda had left the day before, Gilgamesh had taken Vimana and surveyed the terrain and topography of Inuzuri in detail, saving him the preliminary work of surveying the site for the royal city.
With detailed plans, professional builders, and an ample labor force, construction of the royal city proceeded smoothly.
The days passed one after another.
With each passing day, the residents of Inuzuri smiled more and more.
They no longer had to worry about water. As long as they worked, they could receive enough of it.
And since their labor would make Inuzuri a better place, they could see for themselves that it was improving. That made them work even more earnestly and energetically.
They also all knew that everything they had was thanks to Gilgamesh.
This led them to wholeheartedly acknowledge Gilgamesh as their king. They willingly accepted his rule and chose to follow in his footsteps.
In a sense, Inuzuri now belonged to Gilgamesh, and its residents were his subjects.
Marechiyo Shinojin had served as deputy captain of the Second Division when Yoruichi Shihouin was its captain. He was Marechiyo Omaeda's father and the current head of the Omaeda Clan.
He had spent the past few days lying low in Inuzuri.
He wanted to confirm whether Gilgamesh really had the Four Great Noble Clans' backing, as his son believed, and learn the purpose behind Gilgamesh's series of actions in Inuzuri.
So he had been observing Gilgamesh in secret all these days.
His feelings had gradually changed with time.
He had gone from suspicion at first, to slowly accepting him, and finally to respecting him.
Not far away, Gilgamesh was strolling through the streets with Renji Abarai and Rukia, bathed in sunlight.
Everyone they passed greeted Gilgamesh wholeheartedly.
Although Gilgamesh was a king, he didn't put on airs.
In Marechiyo Shinojin's eyes, Gilgamesh was a humble and courteous young man with the Charisma of the Beautiful Boy. He responded to everyone who bowed and greeted him.
Those who received a reply couldn't help beaming with genuine joy, filled with anticipation and hope for the future.
Who could have imagined that just a few days ago, these people had been utterly dispirited, without a shred of hope or expectation for the future, waiting for death like walking corpses?
Marechiyo Shinojin knew that Gilgamesh had brought about this change.
In his eyes, Gilgamesh was a born king. He was tolerant, thoughtful, fair, and placed great importance on virtue. Even passersby praised him and were captivated by him.
At the same time, Gilgamesh had led his subjects toward a bright and hopeful future.
Marechiyo Shinojin had wholeheartedly accepted Gilgamesh as king, but he had no desire to follow him.
Inuzuri was simply too small. Even if Gilgamesh's abilities were recognized, ruling only Inuzuri wouldn't be enough to make Marechiyo Shinojin follow him.
More importantly, Soul Society was vast—so vast that it could not allow a new king to rise.
If Gilgamesh merely ruled Inuzuri, there would be no problem.
After all, Inuzuri, in South Rukongai District 78, was remote and backward, with little of value.
But if Gilgamesh tried to expand his territory, he would inevitably meet resistance.
If Gilgamesh had the backing of the Four Great Noble Clans, perhaps he could expand his territory several times over.
But only several times over.
The other nobles wouldn't stand by and do nothing, and the Thirteen Court Guard Squads wouldn't let an uncontrollable force rise in Soul Society.
If Gilgamesh had no backing from the Four Great Noble Clans, then he might not be able to expand his territory at all.
He would face even more resistance.
Individuals, groups, small clans, great clans, and nobles could all stand in Gilgamesh's way.
The reason was simple: if Gilgamesh expanded his territory, he would inevitably infringe on their interests.
Marechiyo Shinojin didn't go and warn Gilgamesh.
In his view, Gilgamesh, as a king, understood all this better than he did.
Marechiyo Shinojin slipped away and returned to his clan's estate in South Rukongai District 1.
Sitting at his desk, Marechiyo Shinojin couldn't settle his thoughts for a long time. His mind kept returning to everything he had seen and heard in Inuzuri over the past few days.
"Well, now this is a rare sight. Omaeda's actually started thinking about life!"
A teasing male voice suddenly rang out.
Marechiyo Shinojin looked toward the sound and saw a pitch-black cat sitting in front of his desk. He hadn't noticed when it had appeared, and it was watching him with interest.
The male voice he had just heard had come from the black cat.
The black cat was Yoruichi Shihouin, former captain of the Second Division.
Marechiyo Shinojin was also one of Yoruichi Shihouin's spies left behind in Soul Society, and he often provided her with information.
Yoruichi Shihouin's sudden appearance didn't surprise or alarm Marechiyo Shinojin in the slightest. He replied calmly, "Some things have happened these past few days, and they've given me a little to think about."
At that, Yoruichi Shihouin perked up her ears, clearly intrigued. "Oh? Tell me what happened. I'd like to hear what could make you reflect."
Marechiyo Shinojin didn't hesitate. He told Yoruichi Shihouin everything that had happened over the past few days.
After hearing the story, Yoruichi Shihouin grew even more interested. She immediately turned and leaped out the window, leaving behind a parting remark: "South Rukongai District 78, was it? I'm going to see this young king who even you've accepted."
Seeing this, Marechiyo Shinojin couldn't help but sigh. "Captain's still as hasty and carefree as ever."
As he spoke, something occurred to Marechiyo Shinojin, and he murmured, "Though even the captain will probably be won over by him..."
Before you continue