Chapter 117 - Bankai: Kōkō Gonryō Rikugō!
Urahara wasn't surprised when Gilgamesh left the task to him. He knew that Gilgamesh had more important matters to attend to, and the upcoming tasks didn't require Gilgamesh's intervention.
After organizing his thoughts, Urahara explained everything he knew—capturing the unique Hollow, the situation with Rukia Kuchiki, and the background of the siblings Homura and Shizuku.
Upon hearing Urahara's explanation, the captains present became visibly more serious, their expressions filled with contemplation. While Homura and Shizuku's abilities were troublesome, knowing about them in advance would allow them to prepare countermeasures.
Yamamoto immediately gave the order:
"Soi Fon, head to the Technology Development Bureau and destroy the reishi collection device."
The reishi collection device was the incubator responsible for the birth of the reishi monsters. To prevent their resurrection, it had to be destroyed.
Urahara turned to the future Yoruichi:
"Yoruichi, you should accompany her."
Soi Fon, visibly irritated, frowned and replied sharply:
"I don't need her assistance. I can complete this mission on my own."
The captains, led by Yamamoto, turned their attention to Urahara, waiting for an explanation. Soi Fon was a capable captain of the 2nd Division, and destroying a simple device should have been as easy as breathing for her. So why was Urahara insisting Yoruichi accompany her? Was it a matter of trust or something else?
Without hesitation, Urahara explained:
"Mayuri has a peculiar habit of backing up his memories. Yoruichi is going to retrieve those memory backups."
He paused before continuing:
"My current situation is complicated, and those who are trapped within the reishi crystal can only be saved by Mayuri."
After hearing Urahara's reasoning, Soi Fon stopped protesting and swiftly disappeared using Shunpo. Yoruichi followed without hesitation.
Yamamoto then issued another command:
"Shunsui, Byakuya, Hitsugaya, Zaraki, you are to lead your squads to the 78th district of South Rukongai. Ensure you bring back Homura, Shizuku, and Rukia Kuchiki."
Shunsui, Byakuya, Hitsugaya, and Zaraki did not hesitate and quickly accepted their orders.
Ichigo, concerned about Rukia's well-being, shouted:
"I'm going too!"
Without waiting for Yamamoto's response, Ichigo sprinted off to join the others.
Yamamoto didn't stop Ichigo; his lion-like gaze remained fixed on Urahara. The old captain was eager to learn more about Gilgamesh but hesitated, wary of angering someone so powerful. He knew that investigating Gilgamesh's origins might provoke his wrath, and no one in the current Soul Society was strong enough to withstand it.
Yamamoto trusted Urahara's intelligence and knew he would understand his unspoken questions. As expected, Urahara quickly caught on to Yamamoto's concerns.
With no burden, Urahara spoke candidly:
"The golden-haired, red-eyed young man you saw earlier is named Gilgamesh. His true identity is that of the ancient king of Uruk, the oldest hero known to humanity, from approximately six thousand years ago."
Yamamoto was visibly shaken by this revelation. Not only him but also Unohana and Ukitake, who had not yet departed, were stunned.
They all knew that no one in the Soul Society, apart from those in the Royal Palace, had lived for six thousand years. Even Yamamoto himself, who had lived for over two millennia, was well into his twilight years.
The idea that someone could live for six thousand years, while still appearing as a youth, was utterly incomprehensible to them. And yet, they found themselves not questioning the claim, as certain inexplicable events suddenly made sense.
For instance, why Gilgamesh possessed such overwhelming power. And the nature of his mystical weapons, which seemed to require no spiritual pressure.
It dawned on them that, six thousand years ago, the creator of Zanpakutō, Ōetsu Nimaiya, might not have even been born yet. In such an ancient time, it was possible for divine weapons to be forged, weapons of unimaginable power.
Or perhaps, compared to the mystery of those divine weapons, the fact that Gilgamesh had lived for six thousand years was even more staggering.
Having absorbed the shocking truth, Yamamoto asked another question, unable to help himself:
"Urahara, how do you know so much about this situation? It's as if you were involved from the very beginning."
Urahara had anticipated this question and responded without hesitation:
"Everything has been witnessed by the Hero King, Gilgamesh himself. He was the one who informed me."
Yamamoto, Unohana, and Ukitake were stunned into silence, struggling to comprehend Urahara's words.
Seeing their confusion, Urahara elaborated:
"The Hero King has the ability to witness everything..."
Urahara then explained Gilgamesh's legend and his connection to a parallel world, recounting the events that had unfolded across time and space. Yamamoto, Unohana, and Ukitake were left in a state of disbelief, their worldviews crumbling.
The notion that Gilgamesh could see all things was astonishing enough, but the revelation of parallel worlds shattered their very understanding of existence.
Though they had previously encountered Renji from the past, they hadn't fully grasped the significance of it until now.
In the midst of this revelation, Yamamoto's face suddenly changed as he recalled something. Without a word, he disappeared with Shunpo, heading straight for the 1st Division Captain's office.
---
In the office, Nanao and Renji were overseeing the unconscious Mayuri, who had lost his memory. He had been studying the past versions of Renji and Rukia, who were trapped inside a reishi crystal.
Yamamoto had initially been unsure of Gilgamesh's intentions, but now he realized that the Hero King was seeking to retrieve his comrades.
He fervently hoped that Mayuri's research had not harmed the past versions of Renji and Rukia. More than that, he prayed that none of the lieutenants, unfamiliar with Gilgamesh's true identity, had provoked him.
---
Back at the office, Mayuri was busy analyzing the reishi crystal with an unsettling excitement. Meanwhile, the future Renji grew increasingly anxious, his nerves frayed by the aftermath of Gilgamesh's battle with Yamamoto and the chaos caused by the birth of the reishi monsters.
Even within the confines of the office, they could feel the tremors caused by the battle.
Unable to contain his frustration, Renji finally spoke:
"Captain Mayuri, have you made any progress?"
Immersed in his research, Mayuri initially ignored Renji but then, with a chilling smile, responded:
"I've got some leads. However, for further research, I'll need... a piece of your body."
Renji blinked, confused by Mayuri's request:
"What exactly do you need?"
Mayuri's smile widened:
"Just your hand. Can you give it to me?"
Stunned, Renji barely processed the request. Mayuri, mistaking Renji's silence for confusion, clarified:
"Just one hand. And don't worry—I'll create a perfect replacement for you."
Finally comprehending what Mayuri meant, Renji's anger surged:
"You want my hand? Absolutely not!"
Mayuri, undeterred, turned to Nanao Ise for approval.
"The hand is where the temporal distortion is most severe. I need it for further study."
Before Renji could argue further, a voice suddenly echoed throughout the room:
"Bankai—Kōkō Gonryō Rikugō!"
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Gilgamesh had appeared, his imposing presence filling the room. His golden eyes burned with a righteous fury as he coldly declared:
"Those who dare to harm my friends shall be punished."
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