Chapter 60
"... It's good that you know what you're doing."
That's what they said, but the one who was truly relieved was Haruto: he knew that Byakuya had something that could save his life or allow him to call for reinforcements at any time.
After all...
Haruto has seen this kind of plot quite often, and his current strength isn't at the level where he can wreak havoc, so he should be as cautious as possible.
Volume 1: Chapter 39, The Regular Customer
"..."
The tall, crew-cut guard looked back and forth between the invitation in his hand and the two people in front of him, who were wearing full hoods.
"That's fine."
In the end, he gave up trying to persuade him.
"The invitation is fine. Turn left upon entering; this is room number twenty-five."
The guard returned the invitation to Haruto.
"..."
It was already dark, but in such a bustling area as North District 2, the nightlife certainly wouldn't end so early.
Their outfits were fine for traveling at night, but they stood out rather conspicuously on streets lit up with streetlights.
"No, why is an auction being held in a place like this?"
After entering, Haruto whispered to Byakuya.
"How... how would I have known..."
Byakuya's gaze darted away.
He clearly didn't know the specifics either.
The auction was held in a Haruto was very familiar with.
The service quality here may not be better than in Yoshiwara, the District 45, but the price is definitely much higher.
In the short time he spent on the road, Haruto had already seen quite a few Soul Reaper from the Gotei 13 and nobles who were clearly from Seireitei.
Certainly.
Most of the shops here also function as izakayas (Japanese pubs), so the nature of people's entertainment activities may not be the same.
... perhaps.
Moreover, although it's an auction, it can only be considered a side business for this store.
The guard had seen plenty of fathers and sons; quite a few even wore hoods—some even made in the World of the Living, revealing only their eyes, nose, and mouth, like wrestlers' hoods—but a guest combining both... the guard had truly learned something new today.
There were virtually no people in the direction the guard pointed.
The long corridor leading to the left stands in stark contrast to the bustling scene to the right after entering.
Soon.
The two of them were in a room that Byakuya had to bend down to enter, and they found their number twenty-five.
"It's so narrow!"
As soon as he entered, Byakuya immediately took off his hood.
"Keep your voice down."
Haruto gestured for silence and, following the method he used in his previous life to investigate the security cameras in the small hotel, began to eliminate any possible surveillance methods in the room.
"What are you doing?"
Although Byakuya didn't know why Haruto did this, the latter's professionalism did make him speak much softer.
It's always good to be cautious when you're out and about.
Two minutes later.
Haruto confirmed that the room had no problems other than being narrow.
The seemingly thin walls are actually specially reinforced with defensive and sound-silencing Kidō.
Although it's not particularly intense, if someone breaks the rules, it's easy for others to notice.
"Is everything alright?"
Byakuya asked Haruto, who had stopped what he was doing.
"Yes, there's a silent Kidō on the window too. You can open it when you bid, but you probably can't disguise your voice. Unless you can use voice imitation, or you're not afraid of being exposed, it's safer to just bid and talk less."
As for how to make an offer--
Directly opposite the small door we came through, beyond the one-way transparent paper window, was an exquisite sliding window, with a price tag at hand.
The price tags, marked with special ink, are easily visible through the windows to the outside.
"Is this your first time here?"
Haruto's overly practiced movements made Byakuya highly suspicious of the truthfulness of his words.
What's the point of lying to you?
"If I had the connections, I would have come myself. Bringing you this kind of exposure might even earn me a grudge from your grandfather."
"... That's true."
Byakuya accepted Haruto's explanation.
In fact.
Haruto had never been to an auction before, but he was familiar with similar rooms—these were usually used by nobles and wealthy merchants to bid for the first "beep" of a courtesan... It could only be said that the two had a high degree of overlap in their applicability.
"When does it begin?"
Haruto pulled a cushion over from the wall.
The noble family that got Byakuya the invitation was clearly not of high status; the room was too big even for two people.
"Half an hour left."
Byakuya glanced at the chain watch in his pocket.
Of course, if the invitation had come from a high-ranking noble, Byakuya might not have been able to control the other party at all, and the matter would have been reported to Kuchiki Ginrei long ago.
"It's a bit early, how about we practice some Kidō arts?"
"... Are you poisonous?"
Byakuya glared at Haruto.
"Who told you to come so early? I told you not to rush, time is very precious... Never mind, this place is not like the training ground. Go over there a bit, I need to practice my Jinzen for a while."
Haruto decisively drew his Zanpakuto from his waist, scabbard and all, and sat cross-legged with his back just one centimeter from the wall.
"Wake me up when it's time."
Since many Soul Reaper) frequent this place, there is no rule prohibiting customers from bringing Zanpakuto) inside.
"..."
"Call!"
Seeing that Haruto had actually begun practicing Jinzen, and wasn't just doing it to mock him, Byakuya let out a deep breath.
Let's set aside talent for now.
On the path of cultivation, Haruto's level of effort would definitely put him to shame.
Half an hour later.
Haruto slowly opened his eyes.
The Zanpakuto remained silent as always, but Haruto was not disappointed; at least Zanka no Tachi was making progress little by little.
The improvement he could feel was enough to satisfy Haruto.
"Here we go?"
The windows that had been blocking the view were now open, and the central space of the large house, used to display the auction items, was clearly visible.
"Your biological clock is pretty accurate. Are you really practicing Jinzen?"
"..."
Haruto replied to Byakuya with a look that said, "You get the idea."
Fortunately, Byakuya's attention was focused on the center of the field at this moment, and he had no interest in arguing with Haruto.
Thirty rooms.
By analyzing the number of partitions, Haruto quickly determined the number of participants.
"Compared to my understanding of an auction, it's more like a marketplace where people exchange goods and services, and you have to be a seller to get in--"
"The items auctioned are essentially a deposit."
While Haruto was still pondering this in secret.
Thump.
A dull thud echoed from the floor in the center of the room, and amidst the clattering of mechanical transmission, the auctioneer finally appeared.
"Soul Reaper?"
A man dressed in Shihakushō with Zanpakuto at his waist.
He didn't have Seated Officer or team leader insignia, but the mask covering his entire face, resembling a ghost, and the subtle yet palpable sense of oppression all suggested that this guy's identity was not so simple... This host might also be the head of security here.
Byakuya, what do you think?
Haruto whispered to the person next to him.
"Most likely at the Vice-Captain-level."
"... I think so too."
The opponent is likely Fifth Class or even Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure —having experienced several battles and witnessed so many strong individuals of the same and higher levels, Haruto can generally judge the combat strength of a Soul Reaper unless deliberately concealed.
Of course, this was to be expected: an auction that could attract so many nobles must have had some powerful organizers behind it.
At the same time.
Beside this Soul Reaper whose face was concealed by a mask, a courtesan, whose entire body was so white and smooth as if she had undergone the ultimate lighting, skin smoothing, and beauty filter, was carrying a tray that required a towering figure to barely support.
"..."
Both of them had somewhat vacant stares.
"So ugly."
Byakuya couldn't help but mutter a low complaint.
"Isn't this the aesthetic of the nobility?"
Haruto countered with a question.
"I've never seen makeup like this at home, not to mention the Shihoin, they're all so dark-skinned."
Byakuya retorted fiercely.
"Oh, I thought it was a case of the upper class influencing the lower class."
"Pah! Only the Tsunayashiro Clan would like these things."
The two spoke softly, but whispers could still be heard from outside, and the host naturally noticed this.
"Cough!"
He cleared his throat forcefully.
"He hasn't arrived by the 26th yet."