Chapter 14: Yoruichi's Arrival
"It's like a dream."
Looking at the completely transformed Heiwu Street, Abarai Renji couldn't help but exclaim.
Not long ago, he would never have believed that Heiwu Street, the most backward, poorest, and most chaotic part of the entire Hōkō, would become the bustling, hopeful, and vibrant place it was now, with people coming and going.
Rukia, standing beside him, said nothing, merely casting an adoring gaze at Gilgamesh.
Rukia felt a sense of emotion in her heart.
Initially, both she and Renji didn't believe Gilgamesh was a king, and their decision to follow him was merely a spur-of-the-moment impulse.
Who would have thought that Gilgamesh was truly a king?
The aura surrounding Gilgamesh was too mysterious, so legends about him had already begun to circulate in Hōkō.
Some said that Gilgamesh was the Sun God, who would patrol Hōkō at night riding a large bird that emitted the radiance of the sun.
Others said that Gilgamesh was a king destined by heaven, who had come to lead them out of suffering.
Still others claimed that Gilgamesh came from a top noble family in Seireitei, and unable to bear the suffering of Rukongai, he had resolutely come to save everyone despite his family's objections.
Looking at the nascent royal palace, Abarai Renji seemed to have thought of something and couldn't help but ask Gilgamesh, "My King, I remember you said you once served as king of a human nation."
"Could you tell me about that past? I'd like to learn about the nation you once ruled."
Ever since he wholeheartedly acknowledged Gilgamesh's identity as king and witnessed his abilities, Abarai Renji had consistently used honorifics when addressing Gilgamesh.
Even when Gilgamesh told him to continue calling him by his name and not to be overly formal, it made no difference.
Over time, Gilgamesh stopped insisting.
Rukia was the same in this regard.
Rukia also showed a curious expression at this moment.
Rukia was curious about everything concerning Gilgamesh and wanted to understand it all.
Especially the nation Gilgamesh once ruled.
Rukia believed that the nation Gilgamesh ruled must have been incredibly glorious and brilliant.
Upon hearing this, a look of emotion flashed across Gilgamesh's face.
After merging with the Child Gil template, Gilgamesh also integrated Child Gil's memories.
Therefore, the ancient and glorious Kingdom of Uruk also existed in Gilgamesh's memories.
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However, Gilgamesh didn't know if the Kingdom of Uruk also existed in the Soul Society world.
With that thought, Gilgamesh slowly began, "The nation I once ruled was called Uruk, it was—"
Just as Gilgamesh was about to recount the past of Uruk, a construction engineer ran over and said, "My King, I apologize for interrupting you, but there's a sudden situation over there that requires your decision."
The architectural talents sent from the Da Maeda Family had, unknowingly, been won over by Gilgamesh and wholeheartedly acknowledged his identity as king.
Their greatest reason for acknowledging Gilgamesh lay in his own profound mastery of architecture.
It could be said that Gilgamesh's architectural skill was nothing short of art, magic, and a miracle, inspiring their reverence and adoration.
Seeing this, Gilgamesh said, "Renji, Rukia, I'll tell you next time if there's an opportunity. I'm going over now."
With that, Gilgamesh and the construction engineer left directly.
Abarai Renji and Rukia also knew that Gilgamesh had important matters to attend to, so they didn't say much, merely watching him depart.
In Abarai Renji's eyes, Gilgamesh's figure grew more and more distant.
This distance was not merely a physical one, but rather the growing gap between Gilgamesh and himself.
Abarai Renji was well aware that if things continued like this, eventually, he would not even be able to see Gilgamesh's back.
Abarai Renji was unwilling to accept such a future.
Because he and Rukia were Gilgamesh's first subjects, they should, by rights, follow Gilgamesh to the very end.
After Gilgamesh's figure disappeared, Abarai Renji suddenly said, "Rukia, we need to work harder too, or else we won't be able to keep up with Gil's pace."
Rukia understood Abarai Renji's meaning and said with a determined expression, "To always stay by Gil's side, and to help Gil create his ideal nation, I will definitely work hard!"
Not far away, Yoruichi Shihouin, in her black cat form, sat languidly on a thatched roof, watching the scene with interest, and softly murmured, "This kid named Gilgamesh, he really seems quite charming, to have captured the loyalty of two people."
"He once served as king of a human nation, and the nation he once ruled…"
As she spoke, a thoughtful expression appeared on Yoruichi Shihouin's face, and she murmured to herself, "Uruk, why do I feel like I've heard that name somewhere…"
Now, Yoruichi Shihouin was becoming increasingly interested in Gilgamesh.
She felt that Gilgamesh was like a huge enigma, waiting for her to unravel it little by little.
Not lingering there, Yoruichi Shihouin began to wander around Heiwu Street on her own.
Gradually, Yoruichi Shihouin's heart was filled with shock.
She found it hard to imagine that this place, where everyone had smiles on their faces and was full of hope and vitality, was actually District 78 of South Rukongai.
Furthermore, through people's conversations, she learned that all of this was brought about by Gilgamesh.
It was Gilgamesh who transformed the originally desolate and chaotic Hōkō into its current state.
Yoruichi Shihouin could also sense from people's conversations their heartfelt recognition, respect, and adoration for Gilgamesh.
Suddenly, Yoruichi Shihouin remembered what Rukia had just said.
'To establish an ideal nation'.
Initially, Yoruichi Shihouin didn't pay it any mind.
Because she knew perfectly well that establishing a nation in Soul Society was simply impossible.
Aside from anything else, those rigid and self-serving nobles would certainly not allow such a thing to happen.
Even if the nation were to be established in Rukongai, a place they disdained and looked down upon.
But now, Yoruichi Shihouin's thought wavered.
This wasn't because she believed Gilgamesh could successfully establish a nation.
Rather, she began to imagine: if Gilgamesh truly succeeded in establishing a nation, would Rukongai then blossom with new vitality under his rule?
Just thinking that Gilgamesh could establish an ideal nation where everyone was happy and joyful, full of hope and vitality, an impulse arose within Yoruichi Shihouin—an impulse to assist Gilgamesh in completing the establishment of his nation.
However, this impulse was extinguished by Yoruichi Shihouin as soon as it was born.
Her serious cat face now couldn't help but show a look of shock and horror.
Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't expected Gilgamesh's charm to be so great, that it would actually make her unconsciously develop thoughts of submission.
Daring not to linger there any longer, Yoruichi Shihouin immediately set off to return to the Human World.
She now needed time to calm her mind and also planned to go to the Human World to research human history.
To see if there was a king named 'Gilgamesh' in human history, and if there was a nation named Uruk.
End of Chapter