Central District, Takoyaki.
After receiving guidance from Gilgamesh, Renji Abarai immediately resumed his work on the reconstruction. Before Renji could get far, Rukia Kuchiki approached with her own set of problems.
Each time Rukia received guidance, someone new would come forward with more issues. Reconstructing a place like Takoyaki, especially one as chaotic as this, inevitably presented many challenges. Gilgamesh understood this well.
As time passed, and with no one else seeking guidance for the moment, Gilgamesh finally took a breather. Seated on a stone throne, he rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
The most pressing issue for Gilgamesh wasn’t the points for his royal path but the lack of talented people. Kusajishi and Takoyaki combined had a population of around 100,000. While he could manage this for now, he couldn’t handle everything personally forever. As the territory expanded and the population grew, even someone with his A+ level leadership skills couldn’t manage alone.
To develop a stable kingdom, he needed competent aides—loyal subjects. A kingdom needed a balance of a king, ministers, and citizens to flourish. Yet, finding the right people in such desolate places was incredibly challenging.
Currently, Gilgamesh could only choose the best from a mediocre pool, appointing those with some skills to help with governance. But this was not a long-term solution. For a kingdom to thrive, it needed exceptional talent.
Though Renji and Rukia had potential, they were not yet ready to take on significant responsibilities. They still needed time to grow. Gilgamesh had considered seeking out Hitsugaya Tōshirō, Hinamori Momo, and Kira Izuru, who were still in Rukongai. However, he had no idea where exactly they were or which district they were in, making it difficult to recruit them.
Solving the talent problem was essential for expanding the kingdom’s territory smoothly.
Yoruichi Shihōin had returned at some point. Seeing Gilgamesh rubbing his forehead, she couldn’t help but ask, “This is the first time I’ve seen you look so troubled. What kind of problem could make our king so vexed?”
Gilgamesh sighed and explained the issue to Yoruichi. Then, he looked at her and asked, “Do you know where to find talented individuals, Black Cat?”
Yoruichi understood the importance of talent. Even within the Gotei 13, each squad had vice-captains and seated officers to manage internal affairs. Seeing how Gilgamesh managed Kusajishi so efficiently, transforming it from a chaotic, impoverished place into one brimming with hope and vitality, she was deeply impressed by his capabilities.
Gilgamesh’s governance skills surpassed anyone she knew, even the captains of the Gotei 13 and the Four Great Noble Houses. But for this particular question, Yoruichi did not answer immediately. Instead, she asked, “I’ve always been curious. Why do you want to establish a kingdom? With your abilities, you could live far more comfortably on your own.”
Gilgamesh smiled, reminiscing, “When I first arrived in the Soul Society, I met Rukia and Renji.” He recounted his experiences since coming to the Soul Society. After finishing his story, he asked, “What did Renji and Rukia do wrong? What did those children who died tragically do wrong? What did the souls who came to the Soul Society do wrong? Why must they endure such hell?”
Facing Gilgamesh’s questions, Yoruichi opened her mouth but couldn’t find an answer. Gilgamesh didn’t expect an answer and provided one himself.
“The ones at fault aren’t them. It’s this Soul Society, which is corrupt at its core, hidden beneath a polished surface. It’s the Shinigami and nobles who stand high above.”
As he spoke, a regal aura radiated from his young body, causing Yoruichi to feel a deep sense of awe.
“I swore an oath before Rukia and Renji,” he declared. “I will end the chaos in Rukongai. I will rewrite the wrongs of the Soul Society. I was a king in life, and I shall be a king in death. I will create a kingdom where everyone is well-fed and happy every day. I will govern what the Shinigami neglect!”
Gilgamesh’s resolute words pierced Yoruichi’s heart. Although she was born into the noble Shihōin family, she had long disliked and resented the nobles’ ways, especially those who viewed the commoners of Rukongai as expendable.
The Shinigami were no better. Under the guise of maintaining stability, they had slaughtered countless Rukongai civilians, turning their souls back into spirit particles for their own use. To those Shinigami, this was the only value of those civilians.
Gilgamesh understood Yoruichi’s thoughts. He recalled how in the original story, Sōsuke Aizen sacrificed tens of thousands of souls in Rukongai to create a Hōgyoku. Mayuri Kurotsuchi also slaughtered over 28,000 Rukongai civilians without permission to “correct the balance of souls in the Soul Society.”
Examples like these were abundant in the Soul Society’s history. These were the true crimes of the Soul Society. As Gilgamesh said, the fault lay not with the victims but with the corrupted Soul Society.
Yoruichi’s mind raced, contemplating a bold, unprecedented idea: to help Gilgamesh establish his kingdom, not just any kingdom but one where he would rule the entire Soul Society. Under his leadership, could the Soul Society become a paradise where everyone was well-fed and happy?
A slight smile appeared on Gilgamesh’s lips as he sensed her resolve. In his mind, the system notification sounded.
[Detected important character Yoruichi Shihōin has become a loyal subject. Earned 10,000 royal points.]
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