Chapter 15: The Epic of Gilgamesh
Human World, 1956.
At this time, technology in the Human World was just beginning to develop; the internet had not even been born yet.
Therefore, as soon as Yoruichi Shihouin returned to the Human World, she immediately went to the Urahara Shop to find Kisuke Urahara.
If Yoruichi Shihouin had to research information about 'Gilgamesh' and 'Uruk' herself, she would probably have to slowly consult books in a library.
This was something Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't even considered.
Because the process of consulting books not only required a lot of time and energy but was also particularly tedious and boring, Yoruichi Shihouin definitely couldn't accept it.
Urahara Shop.
As Yoruichi Shihouin, in her black cat form, arrived, she heard Kisuke Urahara's lazy voice say, "Oh my, what wind blew you here today, Yoruichi? You're actually visiting my shop."
Yoruichi Shihouin ignored Kisuke Urahara's words and directly asked, "Kisuke, have you heard of 'Gilgamesh' and 'Uruk'?"
Kisuke Urahara was stunned for a moment.
Normally, when Yoruichi Shihouin came to his shop, she would inform him about events happening in the Soul Society, especially information concerning Sosuke Aizen. He hadn't expected Yoruichi Shihouin to ask this question.
Seeing Kisuke Urahara stunned, Yoruichi Shihouin thought he hadn't reacted yet and continued, "Gilgamesh is from the human kingdom's—"
"King!"
The sudden interjection made Yoruichi Shihouin pause. She turned her bright cat eyes towards Kisuke Urahara and said, "Oh, you know?"
Kisuke Urahara 'swished' open his fan, covering half his face, revealing only his eyes beneath his hat brim. With an unreadable expression, he asked, "Of course I know. I'm just very curious, Yoruichi, why would you want to know about him?"
Kisuke Urahara understood Yoruichi Shihouin very well and knew that, given her personality, she should absolutely not be interested in a king from the human kingdom.
Yoruichi Shihouin didn't think much of it and directly told Kisuke Urahara about her experiences in the Soul Society and matters related to Gilgamesh.
Kisuke Urahara's expression kept changing as Yoruichi Shihouin recounted her story.
He truly hadn't expected such an interesting person to appear in the Soul Society, someone who actually wanted to establish an ideal kingdom in Rukongai.
And the changes in Hōkō.
Kisuke Urahara himself also came from Rukongai, so he knew perfectly well what '78th District' meant.
And Gilgamesh was actually able to make District 78 of South Rukongai prosper in a short amount of time.
This kind of method and ability made Kisuke Urahara unable to help but feel surprised.
Then, Kisuke Urahara heard Yoruichi Shihouin say, "That kid's name is Gilgamesh. He said he once served as the King of Uruk in the human kingdom—"
Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't finished speaking when Kisuke Urahara interrupted, "Impossible. That kid absolutely cannot be Gilgamesh."
Yoruichi Shihouin hadn't expected Kisuke Urahara's reaction to be so strong. She couldn't help but pause, then asked, "Why is it impossible? Does King Gilgamesh not exist?"
Kisuke Urahara had by then put away his fan, his face serious as he looked at Yoruichi Shihouin and said, "I also don't know if Gilgamesh truly exists."
"But if he really did exist, then do you know how many years ago he reigned?"
Yoruichi Shihouin's cat face was blank, not understanding why Kisuke Urahara would ask this question, but she still replied, "Decades?"
Kisuke Urahara gently shook his head.
Yoruichi Shihouin guessed again, "Centuries?"
Kisuke Urahara still shook his head.
Seeing this, Yoruichi Shihouin also realized something. Her expression became solemn, and she couldn't help but ask, "How many years exactly? Could it be thousands of years?"
This time, Kisuke Urahara spoke, his tone grave, "Ah, yes, it is thousands of years..."
Upon hearing this, Yoruichi Shihouin's expression couldn't help but show shock.
But before Yoruichi Shihouin could think further, she heard Kisuke Urahara continue, "More accurately, it should be around 6000 years!"
6000 years—this number exploded like a thunderclap in Yoruichi Shihouin's mind. Her pupils couldn't help but constrict into pinpricks, and her face was filled with disbelief.
This time, Yoruichi Shihouin finally understood why Kisuke Urahara would say it was impossible.
Because at this moment, Yoruichi Shihouin also believed it was impossible.
One must know that Captain Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni of the Gotei 13, who is said to 'almost represent the history of the Soul Society,' is only about 3000 years old.
And if Gilgamesh truly once served as the King of Uruk in the human kingdom, then wouldn't his age be twice that of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni?
But how could that be?
If Gilgamesh's origin was truly that ancient, with his methods and abilities, there should have been legends of him in the Soul Society long ago.
Most importantly, Gilgamesh's current appearance was clearly that of a child around 10 years old, not at all like a 6000-year-old.
Don't think that Shinigami don't age.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, now over 3000 years old, his appearance has long since aged to that of an old man around 80 years old in the Human World.
All sorts of thoughts bombarded Yoruichi Shihouin's mind, making her unable to think rationally.
Kisuke Urahara then continued, "In the records of human history, it's also uncertain whether Gilgamesh was a real person."
"He is the protagonist of the epic of gilgamesh, and the epic of gilgamesh is the oldest known heroic epic in the Human World."
"It records a hymn to the fifth king of Uruk, and also The Oldest Hero King, Gilgamesh."
'The Oldest Hero King'.
This title once again shook Yoruichi Shihouin's mind.
She couldn't help but think that if Gilgamesh truly was The Oldest Hero King, then it was only natural for him to possess such methods and abilities.
Steadying her mind, Yoruichi Shihouin couldn't help but ask, "Kisuke, how do you know so much about Gilgamesh's deeds?"
Kisuke Urahara didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to a pile of miscellaneous items nearby and began to rummage through them.
Soon after, Kisuke Urahara found a book that had clearly been read many times and handed it to Yoruichi Shihouin, saying, "Have you forgotten? The last time you came to find me, I was just reading and didn't notice your arrival. You even asked me what book I was so engrossed in."
A memory then surfaced in Yoruichi Shihouin's mind. A look of realization flashed across her face. No wonder she kept feeling like she had heard the name 'Uruk' somewhere before.
Yoruichi Shihouin took the book with her cat paw. On the cover of the book, the words 'the epic of gilgamesh' were clearly written.
Without hesitation, Yoruichi Shihouin placed the book on the table and began to read it.
On the title page of the book, it read:
[Gilgamesh is a hero born between gods and humans, possessing an extremely high divine status of 'two-thirds god, one-third human.']
[He is called the Hero King, not in the sense of 'a king who is a hero,' but rather in the sense of 'the king of heroes.' It can be said that he is the original source of all myths, the template for heroes.]
End of Chapter