"Humph~"
Yoruichi Shihouin watched the people who had mocked Gilgamesh make fools of themselves. Only then did she give a satisfied little snort and leap into his arms.
That was right. The spiritual pressure just now hadn't been released by Gilgamesh, but by Yoruichi Shihouin.
It had lasted only an instant, but it had been Captain-level spiritual pressure.
And because she had used one of Kisuke Urahara's devices, the spiritual pressure had been masked, so no one could identify her.
The examiner with the highest spiritual pressure present had only reached Seated Officer level. How could he possibly withstand Captain-level spiritual pressure?
Yoruichi Shihouin's voice sounded in Gilgamesh's ear. "Sorry for messing up your plans."
Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't released her spiritual pressure at Gilgamesh's request. She'd simply been so furious that anyone would dare mock him that she hadn't been able to hold back.
Without even realizing it, Gilgamesh had come to occupy an important place in Yoruichi Shihouin's heart. Subconsciously, she believed no one was allowed to mock him.
Even Yoruichi Shihouin herself probably hadn't noticed.
But beneath the Star of Omniscience's light, Gilgamesh had seen through her feelings.
In Yoruichi Shihouin's view, Gilgamesh must have had a reason for not wanting to stand out during the spiritual pressure test.
By releasing her spiritual pressure, she had undoubtedly disrupted his plans and made him the center of everyone's attention. That was why she apologized.
Gilgamesh smiled faintly and gently stroked Yoruichi Shihouin's head. "It's fine. This was part of my plan, too."
Yoruichi Shihouin assumed Gilgamesh was only trying to comfort her.
Gilgamesh was so gentle and considerate. A warm feeling welled up inside her.
Gilgamesh knew what Yoruichi Shihouin was thinking, but didn't explain.
In truth, even if Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't released her spiritual pressure just now, he would have had her do it at the right moment.
After all, Gilgamesh's original reason for coming to Shin'o Academy was to recruit talent.
To poach people from Shin'o Academy, he needed not only enough personal charm, but also the strength to win their respect.
So Gilgamesh hadn't planned to keep a low profile while at Shin'o Academy.
He had only intended for Yoruichi Shihouin to release Vice-Captain-level spiritual pressure.
Vice-Captain-level spiritual pressure would have been enough to impress everyone and fit their expectations and assumptions about Gilgamesh.
Captain-level spiritual pressure, however, was far too outrageous for an entrance exam.
Gilgamesh didn't know if anything like this had ever happened since Shin'o Academy was founded.
As for Toshiro Hitsugaya, he should still be in Rukongai and hadn't enrolled yet.
And Gilgamesh didn't know whether Toshiro Hitsugaya had reached Captain-level spiritual pressure by the time he took the entrance exam.
He remembered that the original Bleach story hadn't mentioned it. It had only said Toshiro Hitsugaya's spiritual pressure was already very high before he became a Shinigami.
A thoughtful look flashed through Gilgamesh's wine-red eyes.
There was one thing he wasn't sure about: whether the flash of Yoruichi Shihouin's spiritual pressure had caught the attention of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' captains.
He glanced at the Shinigami who had been hiding his presence but was now exposed and kneeling on the ground. Gilgamesh thought, Even if they didn't notice, this news will probably reach them soon.
Captain-level spiritual pressure during an entrance exam will probably draw some of the captains here in person.
I'll need to make some changes to my plans...
As he pondered and stroked Yoruichi Shihouin, Gilgamesh slowly stepped away from the spiritual pressure tester.
Just then, a trembling voice called out, "Excuse me, could I trouble you to take the test again? The spiritual pressure tester might have malfunctioned just now."
Gilgamesh stopped and looked back at the examiner who had spoken.
Captain-level spiritual pressure. That was definitely Captain-level spiritual pressure...
This boy must have an incredible background, and his future is boundless. I have to get on his good side, not make an enemy of him...
Gilgamesh saw through the examiner's thoughts and could sense the awe in his expression.
He knew the examiner was trying to curry favor with him.
After all, the spiritual pressure test accounted for 60% of the entrance exam score. Asking Gilgamesh to take it again meant hoping he would receive an even better result.
This would set a precedent. No one had ever been allowed to retake the spiritual pressure test in previous entrance exams.
But none of the other examiners or candidates present objected.
The other examiners knew the level of the spiritual pressure that had just been released.
The candidates didn't know its exact level, but even now, they still hadn't recovered. They were shaken to the core and weak in the limbs.
They knew Gilgamesh's true spiritual pressure was probably terrifyingly high.
That only fueled their imaginations about Gilgamesh's background and connections.
So they didn't object. Even if they had, they wouldn't have dared speak up.
At the same time, they wanted to know exactly what level Gilgamesh's spiritual pressure was.
As everyone watched, Gilgamesh gave a modest smile. "There's no need. The spiritual pressure tester is fine. I can't hold up the entrance exam because of me."
Though he didn't know why, the examiner in charge of the spiritual pressure test understood that this was the outcome Gilgamesh wanted, so he said no more.
Some of the candidates present couldn't help whispering.
"He's so humble. I'm in love."
"'I can't hold up the entrance exam because of me.' Do you have any idea how cool that sounded?"
"It's not the line that's cool. It's the person who said it."
"He's so sweet..."
"Girls, I'm starting a Gilgamesh fan club. Who's in?"
That was the privilege of the strong.
If Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't released her spiritual pressure, this scene would never have happened.
This, too, was part of Gilgamesh's plan: to gradually win people over during the entrance exam.
The spiritual pressure test continued. Rukia was next.
Rukia took a deep breath, then stepped onto the spiritual pressure tester.
When the result appeared, the examiner announced loudly, "Rukia, spiritual pressure: level seven. Pass!"
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
Level-seven spiritual pressure was only one level below the Seated Officer limit of level six. That kind of talent was downright terrifying.
At last, they understood why someone as dazzling as Gilgamesh had chosen Rukia as his follower.
Renji Abarai was next.
After Rukia's performance, everyone focused on Renji Abarai. They wanted to see if he was as talented as Rukia.
If he was, it would prove that Gilgamesh not only had exceptional talent himself, but also an extraordinarily keen eye.
The examiner looked expectant, too.
When the result appeared, excitement showed on the examiner's face. He announced in a high, ringing voice, "Renji Abarai, spiritual pressure: level six. Pass!"
Boom!
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