“This is the poorest and most backward place in Inuzuri District… Kuro-machi.”
As Renji Abarai spoke, his face grew heavy with a mix of emotions.
Rukia Kuchiki also walked silently, not saying a word. The gemstone ring she wore was now hidden.
Rukia knew well the principle of not flaunting wealth.
Gilgamesh’s face was equally somber.
Despite his prior expectations, the scene before him still struck him deeply.
The people here were all skin and bones, their faces filled with numbness and indifference, void of any hope or desire for life and the future, like walking corpses.
Death might no longer be a fear for them.
Fights, theft, and cries were common here.
Some people even collapsed while walking, and the passersby, numbed to it all, paid no attention and continued on their way.
Moreover, Gilgamesh smelled a foul odor mixed with various stinks that was hard to endure.
Yet, the people living here had long grown accustomed to it.
Even Renji and Rukia showed no signs of discomfort, having become used to it.
Witnessing firsthand the hellish scene of Rukongai, a testament to the sins of the Soul Society, Gilgamesh’s expression grew heavier.
A thought crossed his mind: “If they had known the Soul Society would be like this, would they have accepted the Shinigami’s Konso? Would they have willingly come here?”
“And as for the Shinigami who knowingly deceive souls into coming here with ‘benevolent lies’…”
Unknowingly, under Renji and Rukia’s guidance, Gilgamesh had toured most of Inuzuri.
“This can be considered the most prosperous place in Inuzuri because it has the only shop selling water,” Renji said, stopping and pointing to a conspicuous brick house among the many dilapidated huts.
A large sign over the entrance read “Ōmaeda Water Shop.”
Many people were lined up to buy water.
Gilgamesh knew how chaotic Inuzuri was, and it was remarkable that, despite the chaos, no one disrupted this precious resource, and people even voluntarily followed the rules.
Seeming to realize something, Gilgamesh asked, “Does this shop have some kind of backing?”
Renji and Rukia were surprised by the question but quickly answered.
Rukia said, “We don’t know the specifics, but it’s said that the shop is backed by a noble with significant influence in South Rukongai. They monopolize the real estate business in Inuzuri.”
Renji added, “I also heard that they run casinos and other establishments in higher-ranking districts, and many in their family are Shinigami.”
Gilgamesh was taken aback.
Suddenly, the name Ōmaeda felt familiar.
He envisioned a fat man with a samurai hairstyle and a broad face, wearing a gold chain. His name was Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
In the Bleach universe, at the start of the story, Ōmaeda Marechiyo was the vice-captain of the 2nd Division in the Gotei 13.
He wasn’t sure if Marechiyo was already a vice-captain at this time.
But that wasn’t important. The important thing was that Gilgamesh remembered Marechiyo’s family was wealthy and in business, even funding the 2nd Division’s quarters.
Could it be such a coincidence?
If it were indeed his family, they certainly had the power to protect this shop.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo’s father was the former vice-captain of the 2nd Division under Yoruichi Shihōin, stronger than Marechiyo himself.
Without lingering, Gilgamesh continued exploring Inuzuri with Renji and Rukia.
As night fell, the three of them reached a cliffside.
From here, one could overlook the entire Inuzuri, and there was a small grave mound.
Buried here were Renji and Rukia’s companions.
Two children, appearing about the same age as Rukia, were kneeling by the grave, speaking to their deceased friends.
Their names were Hoshi and Inari.
Inari was plump, while Hoshi was frail.
“We’ve hated this place and its people since we were young.”
“In such a place, adults are either thieves or murderers, and children are like stray dogs.”
“It’s too cruel for children here.”
“We were fortunate to find each other and stayed together like family.”
“But…”
Renji spoke, tears sliding down his face as he remembered their tragically deceased friends.
Rukia was the same, trying hard to control herself but failing to stop her tears.
Gilgamesh didn’t speak but silently looked up at the sparse stars in the sky, listening to Renji’s sobs.
A gentle breeze blew through, like their departed friends comforting the grieving ones left behind.
“The chaos in Rukongai will end with me,” Gilgamesh’s confident and commanding voice suddenly drew the attention of Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Inari, who looked at him in surprise.
They didn’t understand why Gilgamesh said such words.
Before they could think further, Gilgamesh continued confidently and authoritatively, “I was a king in life, and I shall be a king in death.”
“I will create a kingdom here where everyone lives in abundance, joy, and happiness.”
“If the Shinigami won’t govern Rukongai, I will!”
These resolute words made them look at him in awe.
To them, under the starlight, Gilgamesh seemed to shine.
At this moment, his not-so-tall figure appeared grand.
To them, Gilgamesh’s vow seemed absurd and impossible to achieve.
But for some reason, they were willing to believe him.
Perhaps this was the charm of a king.
Gilgamesh then turned to Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Inari, asking, “Will you assist me in creating this kingdom?”
A warrior will die for a confidant.
Living like stray dogs, Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Inari felt valued for the first time, their hearts swelling with immense honor, their blood boiling.
Without hesitation, they loudly declared, “Willingly!”
The Royal Palace.
The Spirit King, sealed within the Crystal Tower, seemed to reflect Gilgamesh’s figure in his eyes that watched over fate.
A variable of fate…
A new future…
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