Enkidu! (Seeking Follow-ups!)

Getsuga Tensho is the signature technique of Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist of the Bleach world.

However, the Getsuga Tensho wielded by Isshin Shiba, who is Ichigo Kurosaki's future father, differs from that of his son.

Isshin Shiba's Getsuga Tensho is a close-quarters slash that fuses spiritual pressure with flames.

During the battle in Karakura Town, Isshin Shiba even managed to wound Aizen, who had fused with the Hogyoku, using his own Getsuga Tensho.

From this, one can see the immense power of this technique.

Yet, what Isshin Shiba faces at this moment is the Age of Gods magecraft from the Type-Moon World.

Any piece of Age of Gods magecraft would be comparable to the power of modern magic within the Type-Moon World, as it contains a magical energy known as True Ether.

In the Type-Moon World, True Ether is also called the Fifth True Element; it is the power that nurtures planets and the substance that composes celestial bodies.

Because of this, even though Isshin Shiba's Getsuga Tensho is powerful, it could not neutralize all the magical beams in a single strike.

BOOM!

The flames and smoke rising from the explosion obscured Isshin Shiba's vision, but they could not mask his perception of danger.

Daring not to hesitate, Isshin Shiba hurriedly utilized Flash Step to vacate his position.

At the very moment Isshin Shiba moved away with Flash Step, golden beams of magical energy pierced through the barrier of fire and smoke, continuing to pursue him.

Isshin Shiba did not understand what these magical beams were; he sensed no spiritual pressure from them, yet their power was terrifyingly strong.

Most importantly, why were these magical beams tracking him?

Could it be like Binding Art #58: Kakushitsuijaku, capable of sensing his spiritual pressure to track him down?

The magical beams did not give Isshin Shiba a chance to overthink as they came crashing down.

Facing this, Isshin Shiba dared not be careless and unleashed another Getsuga Tensho.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

As the roars echoed, barriers of fire and smoke rose throughout the underground base.

"Getsuga... Tensho!"

With a roar, Isshin Shiba swung his Zanpakuto down once more, striking the final magical beam.

Even for Isshin Shiba, he could not help but start panting now.

Whether it was the continuous use of Flash Step or the repeated release of Getsuga Tensho, both were steadily draining his stamina.

Only then was Isshin Shiba finally able to turn his gaze toward Gilgamesh.

And at this sight, the veins on Isshin Shiba's forehead began to throb.

In Isshin Shiba's eyes, Gilgamesh, radiating the majesty of a king, was still sitting on the Golden Throne, troubled by something, paying him no attention at all.

It seemed his battle just now hadn't even caught Gilgamesh's interest.

Perhaps, in Gilgamesh's eyes, it didn't even qualify as a fight.

Taking a deep breath, Isshin Shiba suppressed the urge to use his Bankai, struggling to calm the fury in his heart.

Isshin Shiba's Bankai places a massive burden on his body and can only be activated when his spiritual pressure is stable.

Stable spiritual pressure means that if Isshin Shiba has already been through a major battle, he cannot activate his Bankai.

Therefore, if Isshin Shiba wants to use his Bankai, he must do so before the battle begins or while the fighting is still not intense.

Furthermore, because of the heavy burden the Bankai places on his body, Isshin Shiba must achieve victory within a short period.

If he fails to do so, defeat is inevitable.

It is precisely because of these harsh conditions that Isshin Shiba rarely uses his Bankai.

But without being able to use his Bankai, how could he possibly defeat Gilgamesh?

Isshin Shiba was confident he could break the Golden Throne's magical barrier, but he was unsure if there would be more magical beams after breaking it.

Or perhaps, even more powerful means of attack.

He exhaled a long, heavy breath.

Isshin Shiba knew he had no choice.

Isshin Shiba did not approach Gilgamesh again; instead, he raised his right palm toward him and began to chant loudly.

"O, ruler!"

"Mask of flesh and bone, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"

"On the wall of blue flame, inscribe the twin lotus, in the abyss of the distant heavens, wait in silence!"

Terrifying spiritual power gathered in Isshin Shiba's right palm, transforming into a surging, violent blue flame.

"Hado #73: Twin Lotus Sokatsui!"

Following Isshin Shiba's explosive shout, the surging, violent blue flames rapidly split, bombarding Gilgamesh from all directions, their trajectory resembling the blooming of twin blue lotuses.

BOOM!

Amidst a violent explosion, a barrier of blue flames and smoke rose into the air.

Seeing this, Isshin Shiba's expression remained grave; he gripped his Zanpakuto tightly, wary of the magical beams that might appear.

After waiting for a moment, no magical beams emerged, causing Isshin Shiba to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

As the barrier of blue flames and smoke gradually dissipated, Isshin Shiba immediately caught sight of the cracked magical barrier.

Naturally, he also saw the Golden Throne, completely unscathed under the protection of the magical barrier, and Gilgamesh sitting atop it.

At this moment, Gilgamesh no longer wore a look of distress.

Isshin Shiba assumed his attack had been effective, finally drawing Gilgamesh's attention.

This caused Isshin Shiba's heart to jolt, and he resolved to strike in one go to shatter the magical barrier.

Without hesitation, Isshin Shiba began the incantation for Twin Lotus Sokatsui once more, his right palm still aimed directly at Gilgamesh.

Isshin Shiba failed to notice that the Noble Phantasms previously fired as arrows had all vanished, returning to the Gate of Babylon, only to emerge once again from those golden ripples.

Listening to Isshin Shiba's incantation and watching the blue flames gather in his palm again, Gilgamesh waved his hand lightly.

Immediately, the Noble Phantasms emerging from the golden ripples all returned to the Gate of Babylon.

However, the golden ripples did not vanish, meaning Gilgamesh had not closed the Gate of the Gods.

Only then did Isshin Shiba notice this scene, his heart trembling; there was yet another thing he could not comprehend.

At this moment, Isshin Shiba could not understand why Gilgamesh had recalled all his Noble Phantasms—had he given up, or did he have other means of attack?

Isshin Shiba's incantation did not cease despite the thoughts racing through his mind.

"Hado #73—Twin Lotus Sokatsui!"

Following Isshin Shiba's explosive shout, the surging blue flames once again rushed violently toward Gilgamesh.

Yet this time, the blue flames were scattered by chains before they could even draw near.

In Isshin Shiba's eyes, he saw golden chains, each tipped with a blade-like head, emerging from the hundreds of golden ripples.

In his ears, he heard Gilgamesh's youthful, arrogant, majestic, yet intrigued voice.

"Bleach, since you call yourselves gods, then let me see if this Enkidu, which can bind even the gods themselves, is capable of binding you!"