South Rukongai District 1, Shuwamon Gate.
Renji Abarai and Rukia gazed up at the towering Seirei Wall and the nearly equally tall Shuwamon Gate, their faces filled with shock.
Gilgamesh, by contrast, remained composed.
The Seirei Wall was certainly a wonder, but in Gilgamesh's memories, he had seen countless miracles from the Age of the Gods in the world of Fate.
The Seirei Wall before him was nowhere near enough to stir his heart.
Gilgamesh walked forward and addressed the gatekeeper, Hiki Nyudo. "Hello. We'd like to take the entrance exam for Shin'o Academy. Sorry for the trouble, but could you open the gate?"
In the Bleach world, the tallest person Gilgamesh had encountered so far was Hiki Nyudo.
Even Marechiyo Omaeda, who stood 2.1 meters tall, looked like a little baby next to Hiki Nyudo.
Judging by eye, Gilgamesh estimated that Hiki Nyudo was nearly ten meters tall—about as tall as a three-story building.
Gilgamesh had no idea what Hiki Nyudo had eaten to grow so tall in a place like Rukongai. He was practically a giant.
Hiki Nyudo sized up Gilgamesh, Renji Abarai, and Rukia.
He could roughly guess Renji and Rukia's circumstances from their clothes and bearing.
But he couldn't quite figure out Gilgamesh.
That was because Gilgamesh wore exquisite clothes in the style of the Kingdom of Uruk, completely unlike anything from Soul Society.
And then there was Gilgamesh's appearance and the noble air he naturally exuded.
Maybe it was just Hiki Nyudo's imagination, but he felt that even the upper-ranking nobles living in Seireitei lacked Gilgamesh's air of nobility.
Perhaps only the lofty Four Great Noble Clans could cultivate such an aura.
With that thought, a kind smile appeared on Hiki Nyudo's usually cold face. "Of course. But regulations require me to record your information first."
"May I have your names and where you're from?"
As he spoke, Hiki Nyudo took a booklet and a pen from inside his robes and prepared to write.
Renji Abarai immediately replied, unable to contain his eagerness. "My name is Renji Abarai, and I'm from the Kingdom of Uruk!"
As Hiki Nyudo listened and wrote, he repeated, "Renji Abarai, from the King—"
When he reached that point, Hiki Nyudo suddenly realized what he'd heard. As if doubting his own ears, he stared at Renji in disbelief. "What kingdom?"
Renji was about to answer when Rukia clapped a hand over his mouth.
He tried to struggle, but then heard Rukia whisper in his ear, "Renji, did you forget? We can't mention the Kingdom of Uruk to outsiders yet. Do you want to bring trouble down on our king?"
Renji shuddered slightly, clearly remembering, and stopped struggling.
Rukia then smiled at Hiki Nyudo. "We're from Inuzuri, in South Rukongai District 78."
Hiki Nyudo was confused, but he knew of Inuzuri, so he picked up his pen and started writing again.
But the moment he wrote down "Inuzuri," a look of astonishment suddenly spread across his face.
Inuzuri? He was from Inuzuri, in South Rukongai District 78?
The "he" in question was, of course, Gilgamesh.
Hiki Nyudo wasn't surprised that Renji and Rukia came from Inuzuri.
But the fact that Gilgamesh came from there too was hard to believe.
Still, Hiki Nyudo didn't ask any questions. Instead, he imagined a melodramatic serial about a "noble's illegitimate son returning against all odds to crush the legitimate heir at every turn."
He couldn't help getting excited at the thought, musing to himself, Perhaps this young man will soon stir up a commotion in Seireitei...
Hiki Nyudo had no idea that Gilgamesh had seen right through his thoughts. Gilgamesh could only look exasperated.
After passing through Shuwamon Gate without a hitch, Gilgamesh and the others finally arrived at Shin'o Academy, guided by Yoruichi Shihouin.
They had timed their arrival well, so registration for the Shin'o Academy entrance exam had just begun.
A long line had already formed at the registration site.
Boys and girls dressed in everything from plain clothes to finery all waited patiently in line. No one dared cause trouble there.
Gilgamesh, holding a black cat in his arms, caused a commotion as soon as he arrived.
"Oh my god, that blond boy with red eyes is so cute and handsome! He's exactly my type!"
"It's over. Why do I feel like I've known him for a thousand years at first sight? I'm falling for him!"
"Hey, Jimu, snap out of it! You're a guy! Damn it, are you gay or something?"
"Listen, let me explain. Of course I'm not..."
"No need to explain. I'm the same way. That boy's out of our league, so why don't the two of us get together instead? (hug) (pucker up)"
"(Butthole clenches) (look of terror) Y-you stay away from me!"
"He's definitely a noble's son. Sigh, there goes one of this year's admission spots."
"That's strange, Ruri. Do you know which noble family has a blond, red-eyed member?"
"Um, no..."
Renji and Rukia were already used to the commotion Gilgamesh caused, but they still felt proud.
After all, their king was just that charming.
Gilgamesh wasn't moved by any of it. He simply led Renji and Rukia to the back of the line.
In Gilgamesh's arms, the black cat Yoruichi Shihouin casually glanced at a few spots.
Through the Star of Omniscience, Gilgamesh saw what Yoruichi Shihouin was thinking and realized that Soul Reapers were lying in wait at those locations.
They were Soul Reapers from various squads, tasked with maintaining order. They were also keeping an eye on this year's applicants to see if any showed promise.
Naturally, they had noticed Gilgamesh too and had marked him as someone to watch closely.
There was no help for it. Gilgamesh was simply too dazzling. Even with so many nobles among this year's applicants, none could outshine him.
And thanks to Gilgamesh, no melodramatic incidents occurred along the way.
Even the noble applicants were wary of him, wondering about his origins and background.
After more than an hour of waiting in line, it was finally Gilgamesh's turn.
The teacher handling exam registration had never seen Gilgamesh before and couldn't help pausing in surprise.
But the teacher had seen plenty of the world and quickly collected himself. After asking Gilgamesh's age, he registered him for the exam.
Renji and Rukia also completed their registration without a hitch.
The next day, the entrance exam began.
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