Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba exchanged glances, confusion and bewilderment plain in both their eyes.
Clearly, neither of them knew Gilgamesh existed.
But the titles "humanity's oldest King of Heroes" and "the original source of all human mythology" carried such weight that they couldn't help but feel shaken.
Yoruichi Shihouin wasn't surprised, either.
At first, she hadn't known anything about Gilgamesh herself. She'd learned of his deeds from Kisuke Urahara.
Without hesitation, Yoruichi continued, "Gilgamesh was the king of the Kingdom of Uruk and the protagonist of humanity's oldest epic, the Epic of Gilgamesh..."
As Yoruichi briefly recounted Gilgamesh's deeds, Kaien and Isshin gradually learned about him.
But the more they learned, the more shocked they became—and the harder it was to accept.
Isshin cut Yoruichi off and flatly rejected her explanation. "Yoruichi Shihouin, even if you're trying to find a reason to convince us, you should come up with a better one."
"'Humanity's oldest King of Heroes'? 'The original source of all human mythology'? Do you really expect us to believe that?"
"And you say Gilgamesh lived around six thousand years ago. Do you honestly believe the red-haired boy standing right here is six thousand years old?"
"Even if a figure named Gilgamesh really existed, there's no way he could be this person."
Then Isshin turned his gaze to Gilgamesh, his expression grave. "I have no time for games."
"I'll ask you one last time: who are you? Can you really see the future?"
"If your answer doesn't satisfy me, then I'm afraid..."
As the words left his mouth, Isshin drew his Zanpakuto.
Clang!
The ringing sound of a blade being drawn accompanied a wave of icy pressure that swept toward Gilgamesh.
Seeing this, Yoruichi's expression turned cold, and her sleeves stirred despite the still air.
She could accept Isshin doubting her, but she couldn't accept him doubting Gilgamesh—especially when he was pointing his sword at him.
Yoruichi was ready to attack Isshin.
Just then, a figure suddenly stepped in front of her.
Kaien had drawn his Zanpakuto and pointed it at Yoruichi. In a low voice, he said, "I'm sorry, Yoruichi, but we have to find out who he is today."
"If he's just trying to fool us, then..."
Kaien left the rest unsaid, but his meaning was clear.
Yoruichi was truly angry now. She laughed in fury. "Fine, fine. Then let me see what the head of the Shiba clan can do."
Without another word, Yoruichi used Flash Step to appear behind Kaien. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away.
A moment later, the terrifying shock waves of battle reached them.
Isshin furrowed his brows. He couldn't understand what Yoruichi was thinking.
She had taken Kaien away, but the 10th Division's captain was still right here.
Wasn't she worried that he might attack Gilgamesh?
Or did Yoruichi think he wasn't a match for Gilgamesh?
What a joke!
Gilgamesh might have talent beyond compare, but he hadn't truly matured yet. He didn't even have a Zanpakuto. How could he possibly be Isshin's match?
As a captain, Isshin had his own pride. Even though he acknowledged Gilgamesh's talent, he didn't believe his own strength was inferior.
Even if Gilgamesh grew to his full potential, Isshin wouldn't fear facing him.
Just then, a calm but imperious, youthful voice rang out. "This king may not have a Zanpakuto, but I can still defeat you."
Isshin's pupils contracted sharply. Disbelief flashed across his face, and he couldn't help asking, "You can actually tell what I'm thinking?"
What's more, the kingly authority in Gilgamesh's words made Isshin's heart tremble.
Gilgamesh didn't answer.
A golden ripple appeared out of thin air behind him.
An extravagant Golden Throne, inlaid with all manner of jewels, emerged from it and settled on the ground behind Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh sat on the Golden Throne, his expression indifferent as he looked at Isshin.
At that moment, the majesty of an emperor was on full display.
In the face of that imperial presence, his age was forgotten.
As Isshin looked at him, the image of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto surfaced in his mind.
His heart lurched. He couldn't believe Gilgamesh made him feel as if he were standing before Yamamoto.
Question after question sprouted wildly in his mind.
What was that golden ripple?
Why had a Golden Throne emerged from it?
What was this about Gilgamesh's appearance?
Though he didn't want to admit it, as Isshin looked at Gilgamesh in that moment, a single word rose unbidden in his mind.
That word was... king!
In the distance, Kaien and Yoruichi's battle was still raging.
There was no denying that Kaien was a true genius. Even against Yoruichi, he hadn't immediately fallen behind.
The shock waves from a Captain-level battle compressed the air and whipped up a gale that blew toward Isshin and Gilgamesh.
Isshin's Captain's Haori snapped in the wind.
But Gilgamesh's clothes didn't stir at all. Not even his hair moved.
It was as if the gale itself revered this king and willingly parted to let him pass.
Caught up in the tumult of his thoughts, Isshin didn't notice this detail.
Just then, Gilgamesh answered Isshin's original question. His youthful voice carried an imperious majesty. "My name is Gilgamesh, humanity's oldest King of Heroes!"
Gilgamesh's words brought Isshin back to himself.
His lips moved. He'd wanted to question him again, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to voice his doubts.
Seeing this, Gilgamesh asked, "Do you know why humanity calls this king the original source of all human mythology?"
Isshin froze.
Before he could react, a golden ripple appeared in front of Gilgamesh.
A moment later, a golden short sword shaped like a key emerged from it.
Gilgamesh reached out and picked up the golden short sword. "This treasure is called Bab-ilu. It is the key that opens this king's treasury."
"My treasury holds the original source of every human myth."
"Open your eyes and watch closely. The Gate of the Gods, praised by humanity, is about to open!"
As he spoke, Gilgamesh slowly inserted Bab-ilu into the void.
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