Chapter 7: The Gotei Neglects, The King Will Not
This is the poorest and most backward place in Xu Diao District: Heiwu Street.
Abarai Renji said this, and for some unknown reason, his expression became somewhat heavy.
Rukia also remained silent, walking quietly.
The gem ring she had been wearing was now hidden by Rukia.
Rukia was very clear about the principle of not flaunting wealth.
Gilgamesh's expression was also somewhat heavy.
Although he had anticipated it, the scene before him still shocked Gilgamesh.
The people here were all bone-thin, their faces filled with blankness and numbness, devoid of any hope or longing for life and the future, like walking corpses.
Death might no longer be frightening to them.
Fighting, brawling, stealing, crying... these were commonplace in this place.
Some people even suddenly collapsed while walking on the street, and those who passed by were already numb, completely ignoring them, just walking on their own.
At the same time, Gilgamesh also smelled a foul odor, a mixture of various stenches.
This stench was unbearable even for Gilgamesh.
However, the people living here had long grown accustomed to it.
Even Abarai Renji and Rukia were used to it, showing no signs of discomfort.
After witnessing the evidence of Soul Society's sins, which was the hellish scene of Rukongai, Gilgamesh's expression grew even heavier.
A question flashed through his mind: 'If they had known Soul Society would be like this, would they still have accepted the Shinigami's Soul Burial? Would they still have been willing to come here?'
'As for the Shinigami who, knowing all this, still deceive souls with 'well-intentioned lies' to bring them here...'
Unknowingly, Gilgamesh, led by Abarai Renji and Rukia, had already toured most of Hōkō.
"This can be said to be the most prosperous place in all of Hōkō, because it has the only water selling shop in the Hōkō area."
Abarai Renji stopped speaking, gesturing for Gilgamesh to look at a brick-and-stone house not far away that stood out like a crane among chickens, appearing remarkably conspicuous amidst a multitude of dilapidated straw and wooden houses.
On the large gate of this brick-and-stone house, there was also a huge plaque with 'Ōmaeda Food and Water Store' written on it.
At this moment, many people were already queuing up to buy water.
Gilgamesh knew well the chaos of Hōkō, and in such a chaotic region, facing such precious water resources, no one was causing trouble, and the people buying water even spontaneously followed the rules, which was truly incredible.
As if realizing something, Gilgamesh asked, "Does this shop have some kind of background?"
Abarai Renji and Rukia were surprised that Gilgamesh would ask this question and paused for a moment.
Then Rukia spoke, "We don't know the specifics, but we heard that a noble is behind this shop, and they have great influence in the Southern Rukongai, monopolizing the real estate business in our Xu Diao District."
Abarai Renji added, "I also heard that in the higher-ranked areas, their family also operates casinos, entertainment venues, and so on, and there are many Shinigami in their family."
Gilgamesh paused at the remark.
Suddenly, Gilgamesh felt that the surname Ōmaeda sounded familiar.
A fat man with a samurai hairstyle, a broad face, and a gold chain involuntarily appeared in his mind; his name was Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
In the world of Bleach, at the beginning of the storyline, Ōmaeda Marechiyo was the Lieutenant of the Gotei 13's Second Division.
At this point in time, it was unknown if Ōmaeda Marechiyo had become a Lieutenant.
But that wasn't the point; the point was that Gilgamesh remembered that Ōmaeda Marechiyo's family was very wealthy and also engaged in business, even funding the decoration of the Second Division's barracks.
Could it be such a coincidence?
However, if it was truly their family, then they certainly had the strength to ensure the safety of the shop before them.
One should know that Ōmaeda Marechiyo's father was the Lieutenant of the Second Division when Yoruichi Shihouin was in office, and his strength was even greater than Ōmaeda Marechiyo's.
Without lingering there too long, Gilgamesh, led by Abarai Renji and Rukia, continued to wander through Hōkō.
When night fell, Gilgamesh, Abarai Renji, and Rukia arrived at the edge of a cliff.
From here, they could overlook the entire Hōkō, and at this spot, there was a small grave mound.
Sleeping within the grave mound were the companions of Abarai Renji and Rukia.
At this moment, in front of the grave mound, there were also two children who looked to be about the same age as Rukia.
They were kneeling and paying respects, recounting the past to their former companions.
Their names were Hoshi and Noguchi.
Noguchi was fat, and Hoshi was thin.
"We hated this place since we were little, and we hated the people here."
"In a place like this, adults are either robbers or murderers, and children are like wild dogs..."
"Such a place is too cruel for children."
"Luckily, we found each other, like family, always together, never separated."
"But..."
As Abarai Renji spoke, he remembered his tragically deceased companions, and tears unconsciously streamed down his face.
Rukia was the same; although she tried her best to control herself, tears still uncontrollably fell.
Gilgamesh said nothing, but silently looked up at the sky, at the sparse stars above, listening to Abarai Renji's choked sobs.
Just then, a gentle breeze softly blew past.
It was like the departed companions, coming to comfort their sad and grieving family.
"The chaos of Rukongai, I will end it."
Gilgamesh's confident and domineering voice suddenly rang out, attracting the attention of Abarai Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Noguchi, who all showed surprised expressions.
They didn't know why Gilgamesh would say such a thing.
Before they could think further, they heard Gilgamesh continue in his confident and domineering voice, "I was a king in life, and I shall be a king in death."
"I will create a kingdom here where everyone is well-fed and clothed, and happy every day."
"The Rukongai that Shinigami don't manage, I will manage!"
These resounding words made them involuntarily look over.
Upon seeing him, they couldn't help but be mesmerized.
In their eyes, Gilgamesh, under the starlight, seemed to radiate light.
At this moment, Gilgamesh's not-so-tall figure appeared incredibly grand.
In truth, Gilgamesh's vow seemed absurd to them, even utterly impossible to achieve.
But for some reason, they were willing to believe Gilgamesh.
Perhaps, this was the charisma of a king.
Gilgamesh then looked at Abarai Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Noguchi, and said, "Will you assist me and help me create this kingdom?"
A scholar dies for his confidant.
Abarai Renji, Rukia, Hoshi, and Noguchi, who usually lived like wild dogs, felt valued for the first time, and their hearts swelled with immense pride, filled with excitement and surging passion.
Without hesitation, they all loudly exclaimed, "We will!"
Soul King Palace.
The Soul King, sealed within the Crystal, seemed to have Gilgamesh's reflection in his eyes that gazed upon fate.
A variable of fate...
A brand new future...
End of Chapter