Chapter 22: Central Spiritual Arts Academy
After conquering Yoruichi Shihouin, Gilgamesh checked his stats panel.
[Name: Gilgamesh
Character Template: Gilgamesh (Child Gil)
Class: Archer
Reiryoku: 50,000
Spiritual Power: 500
King's Way Points: 55,900.]
Originally, Gilgamesh's King's Way Points were 45,827, but now they had become 55,900.
This included 10,000 King's Way Points from Yoruichi Shihouin, as well as King's Way Points from the new citizens in the Tobi and Hōkō regions.
However, the total population of Hōkō and Tobi was only a little over a hundred thousand.
This also meant that the King's Way Points Gilgamesh could acquire from these two places were already limited.
After Yoruichi Shihouin pledged her loyalty, she began to genuinely offer advice and strategies to Gilgamesh.
Regarding the talent problem that troubled Gilgamesh, Yoruichi Shihouin pondered for a moment and then said, "The talents in Rukongai have mostly been recruited by the various noble houses."
"At this stage, it's almost impossible to poach these talents from the noble houses."
Gilgamesh agreed with this.
Even though he possessed Beautiful Youth (C) and Charisma (A+), which made it easy for people to feel good about him and trust him, it was still almost impossible to poach these talents from the various noble houses at this time.
Because the foundation of his Royal City was located in the most remote and backward areas of Rukongai, people from Rukongai would be incredibly clear about how poor, backward, and chaotic these areas truly were.
Why would they abandon their current comfortable lives to come here and suffer?
Just for the bright future Gilgamesh painted for them?
Perhaps some people would be influenced by Gilgamesh's charm and be willing to come.
But trying to find such people in the vast Rukongai would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, and Gilgamesh would not waste time on it.
Now was not the time.
Only after Gilgamesh had built his Royal City and established his reputation would it be a good time to recruit people from the various noble houses.
Yoruichi Shihouin continued, "Although there might be some 'stragglers' in Rukongai, it's unrealistic to pinpoint them accurately."
Saying this, Yoruichi Shihouin looked at Gilgamesh and said seriously, "Therefore, we shouldn't focus our attention on Rukongai."
"I know a place that has many talents from Rukongai, and they haven't joined any factions yet."
Upon hearing Yoruichi Shihouin's words, Gilgamesh's heart stirred slightly.
Through the illumination of the All-Knowing and Almighty Star, he already knew the place Yoruichi Shihouin was referring to.
That was...
"Central Spiritual Arts Academy!"
Yoruichi Shihouin said.
Fearing that Gilgamesh might not understand the Spiritual Arts Academy, Yoruichi Shihouin began to explain the place to him.
"The Central Spiritual Arts Academy can be considered the Shinigami training institution of Seireitei."
"It was established a thousand years ago by the current Captain Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni."
"The doors of the Central Spiritual Arts Academy are open to everyone; even those from Rukongai can enroll as long as they pass the entrance exam."
"As far as I know, most commoners in Rukongai believe that getting into the Central Spiritual Arts Academy is the only opportunity to change their fate."
"Therefore, many ambitious and talented commoners from Rukongai will want to get into the Central Spiritual Arts Academy."
"In the current Gotei 13, many Shinigami who originated from Rukongai have become seated officers, Lieutenants, and even Captains."
Gilgamesh naturally knew about the Central Spiritual Arts Academy.
In his plans and visions, entering the Central Spiritual Arts Academy was a necessary step.
Knowing oneself and one's enemy leads to a hundred victories.
If Gilgamesh wanted to establish a kingdom in Rukongai, he would inevitably come into conflict with the Shinigami and nobles of Seireitei.
And Gilgamesh's understanding of Shinigami, nobles, and Seireitei all came from the Bleach anime.
There were certainly differences between anime and reality.
Anime presented the general plot and main storyline, while reality contained many details that were not shown in the anime.
Therefore, Gilgamesh had to understand them personally to grasp everything clearly.
Furthermore, the four Shinigami skills taught at the Central Spiritual Arts Academy, 'Zan, Zou, Quan, Gui', were also something Gilgamesh was determined to acquire.
This was not for Gilgamesh himself, but rather because he wanted to promote them in his kingdom to enhance the strength of his citizens, and even to cultivate his own Shinigami.
Future conflicts were inevitable, and strengthening one's own power was very necessary.
While Gilgamesh could exchange for 'Zan, Zou, Quan, Gui' through the King's Way System's exchange shop, that required King's Way Points.
Since the Central Spiritual Arts Academy offered free 'Zan, Zou, Quan, Gui', why waste King's Way Points?
In addition, the Central Spiritual Arts Academy regularly held Soul Burial internships to the Human World.
Gilgamesh also wanted to go to the Human World to see it for himself.
As for Zanpakuto.
Although one could obtain an Asauchi upon entering the Spiritual Arts Academy, and thus nurture one's own Zanpakuto.
However, Gilgamesh was not that eager for a Zanpakuto.
Firstly, because there were too many Noble Phantasms in the King's Treasure that could replace a Zanpakuto.
Secondly, because Gilgamesh possessed his own exclusive Noble Phantasm - Ea.
Thirdly, because of the existence of Hyōsube Ichibe'e.
Hyōsube Ichibe'e was born millions of years ago in the chaotic world, one of the few special life forms at that time, contemporary with the Soul King and the progenitors of the Five Great Noble Houses.
Currently, he was the leader of the Royal Guard Zero Squad, given the name 'Monk Who Calls the True Name' by the Soul King, meaning 'to call out the true name'.
He was the original namer of all things in Soul Society.
The terms Zanpakuto, Shikai, and Bankai were all named by him.
The moment an Asauchi was handed to a Shinigami, Hyōsube Ichibe'e already knew its name.
And Hyōsube Ichibe'e's own Zanpakuto had the ability to strip a Zanpakuto of its name.
Once a Zanpakuto's name was stripped, the Zanpakuto would lose all its power.
These combined factors made Gilgamesh less eager for a Zanpakuto.
However, Gilgamesh was also interested in what kind of abilities his Zanpakuto would possess.
So, while Gilgamesh wasn't eager for a Zanpakuto, he wouldn't reject it either.
Looking at the contemplative Gilgamesh, Yoruichi Shihouin continued, "However, it won't be easy to win their loyalty."
"After all, Seireitei is located in the central part of Soul Society, and its image and prestige are deeply ingrained in people's hearts. We currently have no advantage compared to Seireitei."
Saying this, Yoruichi Shihouin paused, then a smile actually appeared on her cat face, and she spoke with an incredibly confident tone, "However, I believe this is no problem for you at all."
Seeing this, Gilgamesh also smiled brightly, the charm of his Beautiful Youth fully displayed at that moment, making Yoruichi Shihouin gaze at him, somewhat entranced.
And Gilgamesh also displayed the humility and politeness of Child Gil, responding, "Black Cat, thank you for trusting me so much."
"Since that's the case, I'll go to the Central Spiritual Arts Academy and take a look."
End of Chapter