Gate of the Gods! (Seeking Follow-ups!)

Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba exchanged glances, both seeing confusion and bewilderment in each other's eyes.

Clearly, they had no knowledge of the existence of Gilgamesh.

Yet, the titles "Oldest Hero King of Humanity" and "Origin of All Human Mythology" were so overwhelming that they could not help but feel a tremor in their hearts.

Yoruichi Shihouin was not surprised by this.

She, too, had known nothing of Gilgamesh at first, only learning of his deeds through Kisuke Urahara.

Without hesitation, Yoruichi Shihouin continued, "Gilgamesh is the King of the Kingdom of Uruk, the protagonist of the oldest epic of humanity, the Epic of Gilgamesh..."

Through Yoruichi Shihouin's brief summary, Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba gradually began to understand the deeds of Gilgamesh.

But the more they learned, the more shocked they became, and the harder it was for them to accept.

Isshin Shiba, in particular, interrupted Yoruichi Shihouin's summary, flatly rejecting it: "Yoruichi Shihouin, if you want to find a reason to convince us, you should at least find a better one."

"What 'Oldest Hero King of Humanity,' what 'Origin of All Human Mythology'—do you really think we would believe that?"

"And you say Gilgamesh is a figure from about 6,000 years ago; do you yourself believe that this young boy before us is 6,000 years old?"

"Even if a person named Gilgamesh truly existed, it is absolutely impossible for it to be him."

As he spoke, Isshin Shiba turned his gaze toward Gilgamesh, asking with a stern expression, "I have no interest in playing games with you."

"I will ask one last time: who exactly are you? Can you truly see the future?"

"If the answer does not satisfy me, then I am sorry."

The moment his voice fell, Isshin Shiba drew his Zanpakuto.

Clang!

Accompanying the ringing sound of the blade leaving its sheath, a cold, biting aura surged toward Gilgamesh.

Seeing this, Yoruichi Shihouin's expression turned cold, her robes fluttering without a breeze.

She could accept Isshin Shiba questioning her, but she could not accept him questioning Gilgamesh, especially not by drawing a blade against him.

Yoruichi Shihouin was already prepared to move against Isshin Shiba.

Just then, a figure suddenly blocked Yoruichi Shihouin's path.

Kaien Shiba had already drawn his Zanpakuto, pointing it at Yoruichi Shihouin as he said in a deep voice, "Sorry, Yoruichi, but we must clarify his identity today."

"If he is deceiving us, then..."

Kaien Shiba did not finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Yoruichi Shihouin was truly angry this time, laughing in cold fury, "Fine, fine, fine. Then let me experience the strength of the head of the Shiba clan."

Without further ado, Yoruichi Shihouin used Flash Step to appear behind Kaien Shiba, grabbed his collar with her right hand, and pulled him away from the scene.

Immediately, the terrifying shockwaves of a battle erupted from afar.

Isshin Shiba frowned deeply; he could not understand Yoruichi Shihouin's actions.

Although she had taken Kaien Shiba away, he, a captain of the 10th Division, was still standing right there.

Was Yoruichi Shihouin not afraid that he would strike at Gilgamesh?

Or was it that in her mind, he was no match for Gilgamesh?

What a joke!

Although Gilgamesh possessed talent that shook the ages, he had not yet truly matured and did not even have a Zanpakuto; how could he possibly be his match?

As a captain, Isshin Shiba had his own pride; even if he acknowledged Gilgamesh's talent, he did not believe his own strength was inferior.

Even if Gilgamesh were to fully mature, he would not fear a fight.

Just then, a calm, youthful voice, yet one imbued with the majesty of a king, rang out: "Though this King lacks a Zanpakuto, winning against you is still within my power."

Hearing this, Isshin Shiba's pupils constricted sharply, an look of disbelief flashing across his face as he couldn't help but ask, "You can actually know what I am thinking?"

Not only that, but the regal majesty contained within Gilgamesh's words made Isshin Shiba's heart tremble.

Gilgamesh did not answer the question.

Behind him, a Golden Ripple emerged from thin air.

A golden throne, inlaid with various jewels and of extreme luxury, emerged from it and landed on the ground behind Gilgamesh.

Gilgamesh sat upon the golden throne, looking at Isshin Shiba with an indifferent expression.

In this moment, the imperial majesty of Gilgamesh was revealed in its entirety.

Under this imperial aura, his age was completely ignored.

As Isshin Shiba watched this scene, the image of Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto subconsciously surfaced in his mind.

His heart trembled violently; he could not believe that Gilgamesh would make him feel as if he were facing Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

In his mind, one question after another sprouted like wild weeds.

What was that golden ripple?

Why would a golden throne appear from within it?

What kind of appearance is this?

Though he was loath to admit it, as Isshin Shiba looked at Gilgamesh in this moment, a single word involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

That word was... King!

In the distance, the battle between Kaien Shiba and Yoruichi Shihouin was still raging in full swing.

It had to be said that Kaien Shiba was truly an out-and-out genius; even when facing Yoruichi Shihouin, he did not fall into a disadvantageous position immediately.

The shockwaves generated by a captain-level battle compressed the air, whipping up a gale that blew toward Isshin Shiba and Gilgamesh.

The Captain's Haori on Isshin Shiba's body snapped and fluttered violently in the wind.

Yet, the clothing on Gilgamesh's body remained completely still, and not even a single strand of his hair stirred.

It was as if the gale itself stood in awe of this king, taking the initiative to make way for him.

Isshin Shiba, currently caught in a state of mental tremors, did not notice this detail.

It was at this moment that Gilgamesh spoke to answer Isshin Shiba's initial question, his youthful voice delivering words of overbearing majesty: "This King's name is Gilgamesh, the oldest King of Heroes in human history!"

The sound of Gilgamesh's voice jolted Isshin Shiba back to his senses.

His lips moved as he tried to speak, and though Isshin Shiba originally wanted to voice his skepticism, he found himself unable to utter a single word of doubt for reasons unknown.

Seeing this, Gilgamesh asked: "Do you know why humanity refers to this King as the archetype of all human mythology?"

Isshin Shiba was stunned.

Before Isshin Shiba could react, a golden ripple appeared before Gilgamesh.

Immediately, a golden short sword shaped like a key emerged from within.

Gilgamesh reached out to take the golden short sword, saying: "This treasure is known as Bab-ilu, the key that opens this King's treasury."

"Within this King's treasury, the archetypes of all human mythology are collected."

"Open your eyes wide and watch closely, for the Gate of the Gods, praised by humanity, is about to open!"

As he spoke, Gilgamesh slowly inserted the Bab-ilu in his hand into the void.