"Have you heard? A talking cat has appeared by the King's side!"
"A cat that talks? No way!"
"It's true! Lots of people have seen it with their own eyes!"
"The King's charisma is incredible. He even managed to win the willing allegiance of such a spirit creature."
"A talking cat? That must be an auspicious sign from heaven, a blessing upon our King."
Stories like these spread through Inuzuri.
And as they spread, they gradually became legends.
In front of the royal palace, which was already beginning to take shape in Kumu Street.
Yoruichi Shihouin lazily draped herself over the armrest of Gilgamesh's Golden Throne. She yawned and gently swished her tail.
Nearby, Renji Abarai was enthusiastically telling her about the rumors and legends that had been circulating lately.
At first, when Yoruichi Shihouin heard the rumors and legends about herself, she was surprised.
She hadn't expected to become an auspicious sign from heaven, or even the mascot of the New Kingdom.
Everyone who saw her greeted her with friendly smiles, and some even respectfully called her "Mr. Black Cat."
The name "Mr. Black Cat" had originally come from Renji Abarai.
But as the rumors and legends grew more and more numerous, Yoruichi Shihouin had become numb to them.
Now, though, listening to the increasingly outrageous tales coming from Renji Abarai, even the jaded Yoruichi Shihouin couldn't take it anymore. Her scalp prickled, and she hurriedly cut him off. "Stop, stop! That's enough."
Renji Abarai, who had been speaking passionately and at great length, was suddenly interrupted. He felt miserable, as if he had words trapped in his throat.
He also couldn't understand why Yoruichi Shihouin was reacting that way.
Being celebrated by others was obviously something worth bragging about.
Just then, Rukia came running over, a little out of breath. "Renji, Gil's planning to go take a look at Tobiume in District 79. Do you want to come along?"
Renji Abarai was taken aback, then answered without hesitation. "Of course."
Gilgamesh's goal was to establish a kingdom that would rule over the entire Soul Society. That meant expanding its territory was inevitable. Now that Inuzuri had been stabilized, it made perfect sense to inspect the neighboring districts in advance.
As for why Gilgamesh was going to District 79 instead of District 77, that wasn't something Renji Abarai needed to consider.
A king naturally had a king's reasons.
Renji Abarai's job was to follow in his King's footsteps, even if the road ahead was lined with danger.
Before Renji Abarai or Rukia could say a word, Yoruichi Shihouin nimbly jumped onto Rukia's head and settled into a comfortable position. Only then did she say, "Come on, let's go. Don't keep him waiting."
Renji Abarai and Rukia were clearly used to this by now. Neither of them said anything; they simply ran toward where Gilgamesh was.
Soon, they saw Gilgamesh standing with his back to them, gazing into the forest in the distance.
This forest lay between Districts 79 and 78. To travel from one district to the other, they would have to pass through it.
The forest was full of ferocious beasts, but it also concealed even more dangerous threats.
For example, the criminals trying to escape District 79.
During her time here, Yoruichi Shihouin had long since learned all there was to know about Inuzuri.
She knew all too well how dangerous the forest before them was.
But this was also a good opportunity—one that would let her test Gilgamesh's abilities against those dangers.
Yoruichi Shihouin still didn't know that Marechiyo Omaeda had once been conquered by Gilgamesh.
Even Marechiyo Shinojin didn't know, because Marechiyo Omaeda had thought it was too humiliating to have failed to break through Vimana's defenses, so he hadn't told anyone.
Yoruichi Shihouin was confident that as long as she was there, Gilgamesh would never be in mortal danger.
Gilgamesh saw through Yoruichi Shihouin's thoughts. She didn't know that all of this had been part of Gilgamesh's plan from the start: to conquer her one step at a time.
As for the dangers in the forest...
Gilgamesh's lips curved into a slight smile as he thought to himself, Not yet...
Once she reached Gilgamesh, Yoruichi Shihouin instinctively leaped from Rukia's head into his arms.
Gilgamesh caught her with practiced ease and began gently stroking her head, making her purr contentedly.
Renji Abarai and Rukia were already used to the way Gilgamesh and Yoruichi Shihouin got along, but they still couldn't help feeling envious.
Renji Abarai envied the fact that Yoruichi Shihouin only let Gilgamesh pet her.
He had tried to pet the cat more than once, and had even attempted to sneak up on her. Every attempt had failed, and the ambushes had left him with scratches.
Even now, he couldn't understand why his supposedly flawless sneak attacks had failed when he'd come so close to petting her.
Rukia, meanwhile, envied Yoruichi Shihouin. If she could, she'd want to become a cat too, so she could enjoy Gilgamesh's caresses every day.
The thought made Rukia feel both expectant and bashful.
Gilgamesh spoke up. "Then let's go."
Yoruichi Shihouin, who had been basking in the comfort, tensed slightly. Let's see what you can do...
But after waiting a while, Yoruichi Shihouin still didn't see Gilgamesh, Renji Abarai, or Rukia move toward the forest. Confusion crept across her feline face.
She didn't understand why they weren't leaving.
Just then, Yoruichi Shihouin noticed that Renji Abarai and Rukia were both looking behind Gilgamesh.
Since Gilgamesh was holding her, his body blocked her view, and she couldn't see what was behind him.
Curious, Yoruichi Shihouin wriggled out of Gilgamesh's arms, jumped onto his shoulder, and looked behind him.
At the sight, shock and disbelief spread across Yoruichi Shihouin's feline face.
In her eyes, golden ripples spread through the empty air, and the Throne of the Heaven-Soaring King—Vimana—slowly emerged from them.
Staring at that flawless Ship of Light, formed entirely from gold and emeralds, Yoruichi Shihouin was dumbstruck. She felt as if she were dreaming.
Born into the Shihoin Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans of Seireitei, Yoruichi Shihouin had been surrounded by the finest things since childhood.
It was fair to say that her taste and discernment had become exceptionally exacting.
And yet even Yoruichi Shihouin couldn't find words to describe Vimana. It didn't seem like something that should exist in this world. It belonged in the myths, epics, and legends.
What is this?
Is it a Zanpakuto?
Then why can't I sense any spiritual pressure?
Could it be a divine artifact?
But who could forge such a flawless divine artifact?
One question after another surfaced in Yoruichi Shihouin's mind.
The moment Vimana carried them into the sky, she couldn't help thinking of her family's one-of-a-kind, precious divine artifact—Tentaken.
There was truly no harm without comparison.
At that moment, Yoruichi Shihouin even felt like complaining.
"Hmm? What kind of trash is Tentaken?"
Before you continue