No, Not There! (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

"I never expected Lady Yoruichi to become so engrossed in reading."

Tessai Tsukabishi, the former Grand Chief of the Kidō Corps, sighed with emotion.

Kisuke Urahara gently fanned himself, remarking with a playful tone, "Indeed. I suspect even she didn't see that coming."

As he spoke, Kisuke Urahara fixed his deep, inscrutable gaze on Yoruichi Shihouin, who was diligently flipping through pages at a nearby desk, lost in thought about what might be occupying her mind.

Tessai Tsukabishi asked curiously, "If I may ask, what book has Lady Yoruichi so captivated?"

"If it's possible, I would like to read it myself. I want to see what kind of book could possess such charm."

Hearing this, Kisuke Urahara couldn't help but chuckle. "You have already read this book, though you weren't interested in it at the time."

Tessai Tsukabishi froze, instinctively asking, "Which book?"

Kisuke Urahara made no attempt to hide it, replying directly, "It is that copy of the Epic of Gilgamesh I brought back a while ago."

A look of realization dawned on Tessai Tsukabishi's face, followed by confusion. "If I recall correctly, the Epic of Gilgamesh is filled with nothing but unreal human myths. Why would Lady Yoruichi be interested in that?"

To this question, Kisuke Urahara offered no answer, merely murmuring, "Indeed, why would Yoruichi be interested in that?"

Tessai Tsukabishi assumed Kisuke Urahara was just as puzzled as he was and gave it no further thought.

Once he knew Yoruichi Shihouin was reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, Tessai Tsukabishi lost interest in the book and went off to attend to his own affairs.

After Tessai Tsukabishi left, Kisuke Urahara walked over to the courtyard and sat down, gazing out at the distant blue sky while gently waving his fan, his thoughts drifting far away.

Was Kisuke Urahara truly unaware of the reason?

Of course not; with his sharp intellect, he had guessed the cause long ago.

Yet, Kisuke Urahara still found it hard to imagine what kind of person could influence Yoruichi Shihouin so deeply in just a few short days.

If it weren't for the fact that he could not return to Soul Society, Kisuke Urahara would have been tempted to go there himself to meet that mysterious youth named Gilgamesh.

Time slipped away.

For two full days, Yoruichi Shihouin read the Epic of Gilgamesh from beginning to end, without missing a single word.

Upon finishing, she finally felt the exhaustion set in, dragging her cat-like body as she let out a massive yawn and stretched lazily.

Kisuke Urahara walked over carrying a meal, and seeing her state, he asked with a smile, "Oh, you've finished, have you?"

As he spoke, Kisuke Urahara placed the food in front of Yoruichi Shihouin.

Yoruichi Shihouin began to eat heartily, replying between bites, "I'm finished."

Kisuke Urahara merely smiled, choosing not to disturb her while she ate.

Once she had her fill, Yoruichi Shihouin took the initiative to say to Kisuke Urahara, "Kisuke, I intend to go back to Soul Society. I will come find you in a week."

Kisuke Urahara, as if he had anticipated her plan all along, showed no surprise and asked, "Are you going to look for that youth named Gilgamesh again?"

Yoruichi Shihouin nodded slightly. "Yes, I intend to observe him. I have a feeling he is not simple."

"I also want to know why he chose to borrow the identity of Gilgamesh, and why he would build a royal city in a place like Inuzuri."

Kisuke Urahara did not stop her. He gently opened his fan to cover the lower half of his face, revealing only his deep, piercing eyes. "If possible, I would like you to investigate whether he has any connection to Aizen."

"Of course, your safety is the priority. Be careful in all things."

Yoruichi Shihouin had not expected Kisuke Urahara to link Gilgamesh with Sosuke Aizen.

However, it was not entirely impossible.

After all, Sosuke Aizen frequently conducted experiments that remained unknown to others.

Just like the Hollowfication experiments he had conducted years ago, using Shinji Hirako and other Shinigami as his subjects.

It was entirely possible that Gilgamesh, with his mysterious origins and background, was another of Sosuke Aizen's test subjects.

Having thought it through, Yoruichi Shihouin agreed, "Very well, I will investigate."

With that, she left without waiting for Kisuke Urahara to speak again.

Soul Society, Inuzuri, Kumu Street.

When Yoruichi Shihouin arrived here once more, she discovered that the place had undergone significant changes.

Many of the original thatched huts had been torn down, replaced by clay and stone buildings in the style of Uruk.

To be honest, Yoruichi Shihouin was accustomed to seeing Japanese-style architecture; this was her first time seeing structures in the style of Uruk.

Looking at these buildings, which were so vastly different from the mainstream architecture of Soul Society and exuded such an exotic air, Yoruichi Shihouin felt a sense of disorientation.

It felt as if she had traveled through time, returning to the Kingdom of Uruk 6,000 years ago.

"Oh, an all-black kitten. That is quite rare in Inuzuri."

A gentle, humble voice suddenly rang out, drawing Yoruichi Shihouin's attention.

At that glance, Yoruichi Shihouin saw a Charisma of the Beautiful Boy, bathed in sunlight and seemingly radiating a brilliant glow, walking slowly toward her.

In that instant, Yoruichi Shihouin felt herself beginning to succumb to his presence.

Before she could react, she found the beautiful youth scooping her up into his arms.

She instinctively wanted to struggle, but then she felt a small, delicate, yet powerful hand gently stroking her head.

Even though she was not a real cat, and even though she disliked being touched by others, she couldn't explain why.

At this very moment, Yoruichi Shihouin only felt that being stroked was incredibly comfortable, and she couldn't help but let out a feline purr.

"Meow~"

The Charisma of the Beautiful Boy holding Yoruichi Shihouin was, naturally, Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh was well aware that the black cat he held was Yoruichi Shihouin.

He simply did not know why Yoruichi Shihouin would appear in Inuzuri.

Watching Yoruichi Shihouin's comfortable expression from the side, Rukia seemed to recall something and spoke up: "I've heard that rubbing a cat's belly is even more comfortable."

Upon hearing this, Gilgamesh paused in surprise; he truly hadn't known about this, and subconsciously, he flipped Yoruichi Shihouin over.

Yoruichi Shihouin, who had been enjoying the strokes, was stunned after hearing Rukia's words.

Looking at the hand reaching toward her belly, Yoruichi Shihouin's fur stood on end, and she cried out, "No, not there, that's not allowed!"

As she spoke, Yoruichi Shihouin struggled and leaped directly out of Gilgamesh's arms.

It was fortunate that Yoruichi Shihouin was in her cat form; had she been in her human form, her face would surely have been flushed with shame.

However, precisely because Yoruichi Shihouin was in her cat form, her sharp cry came out in a man's voice.

To hear a man's voice let out such a delicate cry, especially saying things like "No, not there," was something even Gilgamesh found difficult to handle, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Meanwhile, Renji Abarai and Rukia, standing to the side, couldn't help but exclaim in unison: "The cat actually talked!?"