Chapter 43: Turmoil in the Human World
Ea!?
For some unknown reason, upon hearing that name, Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin felt an ancient aura, and their hearts couldn't help but tremble slightly.
Following the sound, they saw Gilgamesh and Yoruichi Shihouin walking side by side, stopping before the pit they were in, his deep, beautiful ruby-red eyes gazing at them.
Perhaps it was because of the power Gilgamesh displayed, or perhaps it was due to Gilgamesh's inherent leadership presence.
In the eyes of Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin at this moment, although Gilgamesh was merely a beautiful young man, he exuded an aura of authority without needing to be angry.
It even gave them the illusion of facing Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, causing their heartstrings to unconsciously tighten.
Taking a deep breath and trying to calm his taut nerves, Shiba Isshin looked at Gilgamesh and asked with a serious expression, "I want to confirm something."
"The Oldest Hero King, can you truly see the future?"
Shiba Isshin used an honorific in his words.
Shiba Isshin now believed that Gilgamesh was indeed The Oldest Hero King, Gilgamesh.
Therefore, Shiba Isshin was completely a junior in front of the over 6000-year-old Gilgamesh, so using an honorific was perfectly fine.
Even if Gilgamesh's identity was fake, his strength had already earned Shiba Isshin's respect.
Gilgamesh nodded lightly in response, "I can indeed see the future, but currently, I can only passively see certain fragments of the future."
"So, I know your future tragedies, but I don't know the specific time and place."
What Gilgamesh said was true; the original work of "Shinigami" also did not specify the exact time and location of these two incidents.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin exchanged glances, both seeing the heavy meaning in each other's eyes.
With their families involved, especially their wives, they simply couldn't help but care.
Although Shiba Isshin was not yet married and had not met his future wife, Gilgamesh's description was enough to know the depth of his feelings for his future wife.
He just hadn't expected his future wife to be a Human.
As the Captain of the Tenth Division, Shiba Isshin was well aware that Shinigami were not allowed to marry Humans. Once discovered, the consequences would be severe, not only facing capture by the Soul Society but possibly even heavy punishment.
He didn't know what would happen in the future that would allow him to overcome numerous obstacles and marry a Human.
But this also indirectly proved the depth of his feelings for his wife in the future.
After a brief silence, Shiba Kaien suddenly asked, "May I know why you told me about the future?"
Through the illumination of the All-Knowing and Almighty Star, Gilgamesh perceived Shiba Kaien's thoughts.
He knew that the deeper meaning behind Shiba Kaien's words was, 'Aren't you afraid that I will spread this matter?'
In Shiba Kaien's view, Gilgamesh, possessing such power, must have some ulterior motive for joining the Central Spiritual Arts Academy.
Therefore, before achieving his goal, it would be best to conceal his true strength and methods, unlike how he was acting now, which puzzled Shiba Kaien.
Gilgamesh smiled slightly upon hearing this, "This King's main purpose in coming to the Central Spiritual Arts Academy is to seek talent."
"Although the Shiba Family has declined, their bloodline remains. Their innate talent is incomparable to ordinary wandering souls, making them one of this King's targets."
"Telling you about the future is this King's sincerity."
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin looked at each other, both feeling the absurdity of the situation, and for a moment, they didn't know what to say.
Although the Shiba Family had declined, it was once one of the Five Great Noble Houses of the Soul Society.
As the saying goes, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.
In the past, no force had ever wanted the Shiba Family to pledge allegiance, and even if they had, the Shiba Family would not have agreed.
The Shiba Family had its own bottom line and pride.
The most important thing was that these two, the head of the main family and the head of the branch family, were currently serving in the Gotei 13 and could not join other forces.
At least not now.
Gilgamesh knew that conquering the Shiba Family would not happen overnight.
Before they could speak, Gilgamesh continued, "This King's sincerity is merely a stepping stone, to show you this King's attitude, not to make the Shiba Family immediately serve this King."
"This King is confident that one day in the future, the Shiba Family will willingly serve this King."
"That's all for today. If this King sees your future again, I will tell you."
With that, Gilgamesh turned to Yoruichi Shihouin, "Let's go."
Yoruichi Shihouin nodded lightly, reached out, picked up Gilgamesh, and used Shunpo to leave the area.
Shiba Kaien and Shiba Isshin watched their retreating figures, speechless for a long time.
Although many of their inner doubts had just been resolved, more doubts followed.
What was the power behind Gilgamesh?
Why did he want the Shiba Family to serve him?
Why had they never heard of his existence before?
What about his methods and abilities?
The constant doubts surfacing in his mind made Shiba Isshin, who disliked thinking, rub his aching forehead and say to Shiba Kaien, "Let's go back first."
Shiba Kaien nodded lightly.
Then they also used Shunpo to leave.
They tacitly avoided mentioning the events of that night again.
While they were willing to believe Gilgamesh, they still found it hard to imagine that the good-natured Sosuke Aizen would be the mastermind.
Therefore, until they thoroughly investigated this matter, they would not speak of that night's events, lest they tip off the enemy.
And this was also within Gilgamesh's expectations.
Tenth Division Barracks.
Shiba Isshin quietly returned to his dormitory. Just as he was about to push the door open, he heard a mature, alluring, but weary and resentful female voice say, "Captain Shiba, you're finally back!"
Shiba Isshin was startled, then sheepishly looked at Matsumoto Rangiku, who emerged from the darkness nearby.
He could feel Matsumoto Rangiku's simmering resentment towards him.
For the past two days, because of Shiba Kaien's matter, Shiba Isshin had simply dumped the division's affairs on Matsumoto Rangiku, playing hide-and-seek.
Matsumoto Rangiku, on the other hand, had been dealing with the division's affairs for the past two days, barely sleeping.
This led to Matsumoto Rangiku's skin and hair deteriorating, and she even developed dark circles under her eyes.
How could the beauty-conscious Matsumoto Rangiku accept this? She was filled with resentment.
Now, finally catching Shiba Isshin, Matsumoto Rangiku planned to vent her resentment thoroughly.
But before Matsumoto Rangiku could vent her anger, she saw Shiba Isshin's disheveled appearance and was greatly startled.
Shiba Isshin's spirit garment and Captain's haori were dirty and torn, and there were many wounds on his exposed skin, covered in dust.
He looked as if he had just been through a major battle.
But how could that be?
If such a major battle had truly erupted, the entire Seireitei would have been in an uproar; how could it be so quiet now?
Matsumoto Rangiku was stunned, and the resentment she had intended to vent faded away unconsciously.
Shiba Isshin, of course, knew what Matsumoto Rangiku was thinking, but he wouldn't tell her anything.
His eyes shifted slightly, and before Matsumoto Rangiku could speak, Shiba Isshin preempted her, asking in a serious tone, "Rangiku, coming to my dormitory so late, do you have something important?"
Matsumoto Rangiku subconsciously replied, "I received news a while ago that Yukie Kinno, the Shinigami our division dispatched to the Human World's Naruki City, was attacked and killed by an unknown assailant. I wanted to ask the Captain how to handle it."
Shiba Isshin didn't think much of it. It was normal for Shinigami stationed in the Human World to die, and the culprits were usually Hollows.
His mouth opened slightly, and Shiba Isshin was about to send someone to investigate.
But soon, Shiba Isshin seemed to remember something and changed his words, "I know about this matter. I will investigate it myself."
Matsumoto Rangiku came to her senses upon hearing this and, disregarding everything else, couldn't help but ask, "Captain, you're going to the Human World? Will the Captain Commander agree?"
Captain-level powerhouses have too great an impact on the Human World. To go to the Human World, they must obtain permission from the Captain Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Matsumoto Rangiku didn't think Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni would agree to Shiba Isshin investigating this matter.
Indeed, although a Shinigami was killed, having a Captain personally investigate the matter would undoubtedly be making a mountain out of a molehill; there was no need for it at all.
Shiba Isshin just smiled mysteriously, "I have my ways."
He was determined to go to the Human World.
It wasn't that he valued this Shinigami's death incident, but rather that he wanted to go to the Human World to find information about Gilgamesh.
If Gilgamesh's identity was real, then his information would definitely be found in the history of humanity in the Human World.
He wanted to see what glorious deeds this King, crowned as 'The Oldest Hero King of Humanity,' had achieved.
Most importantly, Gilgamesh's mysterious methods and divine artifacts might leave clues in his past deeds.