Chapter 10: The Heavenly Soaring Throne
Ōmaeda Marechiyo's appearance meant that Gilgamesh's hypothesis was correct.
Sure enough, the Da Maeda Family was behind the Ōmaeda Food and Water Store.
His gaze fell on Ōmaeda Marechiyo's arm, where he noticed an armband with the Second Division emblem on his left hand.
Gilgamesh knew that at this stage, Ōmaeda Marechiyo was already the Lieutenant of the Second Division.
Because Lieutenants of the various divisions of the Gotei 13 all wear armbands with their respective division emblems, which is also a symbol of a Lieutenant.
Gilgamesh was not surprised by this.
However, Gilgamesh did not expect Ōmaeda Marechiyo to actively seek him out.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo's first impression on Gilgamesh was one of arrogance; his swaggering demeanor seemed to tell everyone that 'Heaven is number one, and he is number two'.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo's height was 2.1 meters, while Gilgamesh's height was 1.4 meters.
So, from Ōmaeda Marechiyo's perspective looking down at Gilgamesh, it should have been like a giant looking down.
But for some reason, the moment Ōmaeda Marechiyo's eyes met Gilgamesh's, he felt as if Gilgamesh was the true giant, looking down at him from an unattainable height, seeing right through him.
This feeling caused Ōmaeda Marechiyo's arrogant expression to subtly become more serious.
Although Ōmaeda Marechiyo appeared large and crude, he was extremely sensitive to danger.
In the original work, Ōmaeda Marechiyo also frequently exhibited behavior of avoiding combat.
With his mouth slightly agape, Ōmaeda Marechiyo was about to say something.
But just then, Shui Zhong Yilang heard the commotion and hurriedly opened the door, holding a lantern.
As soon as he opened the door, Shui Zhong Yilang spotted Gilgamesh standing at the entrance, and he couldn't help but tremble, an uncontrollable look of terror appearing on his face.
He knew that Gilgamesh coming here so late was definitely not for a good reason.
However, Shui Zhong Yilang quickly saw Ōmaeda Marechiyo's figure, and his face showed a mix of astonishment and wild joy.
He truly hadn't expected the young master of the Da Maeda Family to come in person.
This made him feel an unprecedented sense of importance, and he couldn't help but be moved to tears of gratitude.
And because of Ōmaeda Marechiyo's appearance, Shui Zhong Yilang's confidence instantly surged.
Without hesitation, Shui Zhong Yilang ran to Ōmaeda Marechiyo, sniveling and weeping, complaining and accusing: "Young Master, it's this fellow! He not only ruined our business, but he also intended to lay hands on me! You must uphold justice for your humble servant…"
Normally, Ōmaeda Marechiyo might have exploded in rage.
But now, Ōmaeda Marechiyo only felt annoyed, waving his hand impatiently and saying, "You may withdraw first."
Shui Zhong Yilang didn't notice anything unusual and quickly stood up, retreating behind Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
Then, Shui Zhong Yilang couldn't help but look at Gilgamesh, a smug expression on his face, secretly thinking: 'My Young Master is the Lieutenant of the Second Division, kid! No matter who you are, this time you're going to get what's coming to you!'
Gilgamesh had no interest in mere ants.
Gilgamesh looked at Ōmaeda Marechiyo and spoke calmly: "Ōmaeda Marechiyo, you've come at just the right time, saving me a lot of trouble."
Ōmaeda Marechiyo was stunned by the words.
He wasn't surprised that Gilgamesh recognized him; after all, while his Da Maeda Family wasn't one of the Four Great Noble Clans of Seireitei, it was still a well-known prominent family in Soul Society.
However, he hadn't expected Gilgamesh to have already intended to find him.
But in his memory, there was no recollection whatsoever related to Gilgamesh; he didn't know the purpose of Gilgamesh seeking him out.
Frowning, Ōmaeda Marechiyo asked, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
Gilgamesh didn't beat around the bush and replied directly, "I plan to build a royal city here and require corresponding architectural talent."
The Da Maeda Family's real estate business in Soul Society was very large, so they definitely had resources and talent in that area.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo was also well aware of this and couldn't help but ask, "Are you looking to cooperate with us?"
When it came to family business, Ōmaeda Marechiyo appeared very professional, and before Gilgamesh could respond, he asked many more questions: "What scale of royal city do you intend to build, and what is the budget?"
"Which family are you backed by? Can you make all the decisions for such a large business?"
Although he was curious and puzzled by Gilgamesh's mention of a 'royal city,' Ōmaeda Marechiyo was more concerned with business and making money.
As long as the money was in place, everything was negotiable.
Shui Zhong Yilang watched as the situation unfolded differently from what he had imagined, opening his mouth to say something, but ultimately saying nothing at all.
Gilgamesh then replied, "First, send some architectural talent to me. This is the prerequisite for our cooperation, and also the price your Da Maeda Family must pay for offending me."
Ōmaeda Marechiyo, who had been anticipating a big business deal, heard this, and his expression gradually turned ugly, his eyes involuntarily glancing at Shui Zhong Yilang behind him, and the atmosphere gradually became oppressive.
Then, Ōmaeda Marechiyo narrowed his eyes, looking at Gilgamesh, not immediately losing his temper, but instead asking each word carefully, "Which family do you belong to, exactly?"
Gilgamesh perceived Ōmaeda Marechiyo's thoughts.
Gilgamesh knew that Ōmaeda Marechiyo had likely already guessed what had happened.
However, to make him admit his mistake and willingly pay the price, simply talking would clearly be useless.
The reason Ōmaeda Marechiyo hadn't made a move yet was also because he was wary of Gilgamesh's background and origin.
Gilgamesh knew clearly that to make Ōmaeda Marechiyo admit his mistake and willingly pay the price, he either had to suppress him with his background, or… conquer him!
A golden ripple suddenly appeared behind Gilgamesh.
Seeing this, Shui Zhong Yilang couldn't help but recall the scene from that day, and he involuntarily trembled.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo's narrowed eyes suddenly widened, and a look of surprise and doubt flashed across his face.
The reason Ōmaeda Marechiyo had come in person this time was partly because he happened to be on a mission nearby, and partly because he was curious about Gilgamesh.
Whether it was Gilgamesh's act of distributing water for free, or his mysterious and unpredictable methods, Ōmaeda Marechiyo was very curious.
Through Shui Zhong Yilang's message, Ōmaeda Marechiyo learned Gilgamesh's basic information, and also knew that the golden ripple was Gilgamesh's method.
In his speculation, the golden ripple should be the ability of Gilgamesh's Zanpakuto.
As for Gilgamesh's age, Ōmaeda Marechiyo didn't think much of it.
Although Gilgamesh was young, perhaps even not yet old enough to enroll in the Spiritual Arts Academy.
But if Gilgamesh was born into a prominent family, or even a noble family, then possessing a Zanpakuto, or even achieving Shikai at such a young age, was not impossible.
However, when directly facing Gilgamesh's golden ripple, Ōmaeda Marechiyo began to doubt his previous conjectures.
Because while he could sense Gilgamesh's spiritual pressure, this spiritual pressure was simply too weak, not enough to support a Zanpakuto's Shikai, and not even enough to nurture an Asauchi into a Zanpakuto.
Could it be some kind of divine weapon?
Before Ōmaeda Marechiyo could think further, he couldn't help but widen his eyes and open his mouth, a look of disbelief on his face.
Shui Zhong Yilang was even worse off, collapsing directly to the ground, his face filled with shock.
For what appeared before them was a colossal, shining boat soaring through the sky.
Its name was the Heavenly Soaring King's Throne - Vimana!
The image shows Vimana
End of Chapter