As dawn approached and the sky grew dark, the second infiltration began.
Choosing to infiltrate twice on the same night must have been unexpected by the enemy, and the routes taken were the escape routes.
The reason is that when they escaped, they had already stepped on all the landmines they were supposed to, and they knew where the traps were along the route, so they wouldn't fall into them again.
Shiraishi quickly traversed the thatched-roof area, his Spiritual Sense extended outwards. The patrol route was more meticulous than before, yet it still posed no challenge to him.
Easily vault over the tiled area, ride the wind forward, and reach the place you just entered. Beyond that lies unknown territory.
Shiraishi's eyes swept across the empty street and watchtower. He slowly exhaled, and based on the traps laid in front, he roughly guessed where the next trap might be set.
You can't go into the shadows, and the roof is even more dangerous. The only place to walk is the main road, but you have to be careful if there are any barriers set up.
There is a high probability that the main building is protected by Kidō barrier.
Shiraishi's mind raced, and he decided to crouch low and run quickly, trying to avoid being seen. At the same time, he would use his Spiritual Sense to be wary of anyone standing still, as there might be a barrier in front of them.
Whoosh, whoosh, he used the Steel Tempest quickly cross the street, turn corners, go straight, turn left, and avoid the patrolling guards.
As we approached the main building, four people stood at the four corners, indicating that there was indeed a protective barrier here.
Shiraishi did not rush in. There were still buildings around the main building. He stood guard at the front door of a mansion, avoiding the watchtower's line of sight, and waited patiently.
The person waiting was a cleaner.
The cleaners obviously get up much earlier than the nobles.
He didn't have to wait long before six cleaners, emanating faint Spiritual Power, headed towards the main building to begin cleaning.
The barrier opened a small gap.
Shiraishi seized the opportunity, crouched low, and darted up in one breath, passing under the cleaners, then quickly and gently pushed open the door, getting inside the building first.
No one noticed anything unusual.
The speed was so fast that the door seemed never to have been opened.
Shiraishi crouched behind the door, watching it open and the cleaners step inside. One stayed behind to clean, while the other five went upstairs, seemingly one person per floor.
He followed silently.
The reason for this was to detect potential mines and prevent the enemy from setting up Reishi traps inside the main building.
In that case, all his previous efforts would be in vain.
The cleaners were very professional. As always, they never looked around while working; their eyes were only on the areas that needed cleaning.
This saved Shiraishi a lot of trouble.
Upon reaching the sixth floor, Shiraishi did not sneak into the bedroom, but followed the cleaner into the study.
The interior was simply furnished, with two large bookshelves against the wall and waist-high vases filled with a large bunch of chrysanthemums.
There was an office desk on a straw mat.
"Damn it, "Shiraishi cursed inwardly. There was nowhere to hide in the study. His eyes scanned the four corners of the ceiling, and he had no choice but to take the risk.
He leaped into the air, bracing himself on the edge of the wall. There were no Reishi traps here, probably because the enemy thought no one could infiltrate this place.
The cleaner finished cleaning and left the study.
Shiraishi hides above, his Spiritual Sense locking onto the person sleeping in the bedroom, patiently waiting.
The process was boring, and my mind kept wandering to other things, like whether Kūkaku had started looking for Dragon Lantern Fungus. If Retsu Unohana found him, the kiss reward would be gone.
After thinking for a while, the person in the bedroom woke up, left the floor, and went to the next floor. Was it for a meal?
Damn it, I haven't eaten yet.
Shiraishi sighed inwardly and continued to wait.
Not long after, the man returned to the sixth floor, pushed open the study door, and walked straight to the desk with long, dark green hair covering his ears and a thin face.
Shiraishi also began to move. If he stayed here, he would be easily spotted. He had to move to Ikkaku and hide in a blind spot.
The study was quiet; the brushstrokes on the paper made a soft, rustling sound.
Shiraishi squinted, barely able to make out some of the words. They weren't anything important, just some trivial matters within the camp.
After a long while, Shiraishi Spiritual Sense someone approaching the door. His heart sank. If he continued to hide here, he would be seen as soon as he pushed the door open.
He quickly used the Steel Tempest, silently landing behind Takehiko Tsunayashiro, crouching down, and silently praying, "Please don't turn around."
Knock, knock, someone knocked on the door.
Takehiko Tsunayashiro looked up and asked, "What is it?"
"Sir, Second Division Captain Soi Fon is down there and wishes to meet with you."
"They've finally arrived," Takehiko Tsunayashiro murmured to himself, then called out, "Tell her to wait, I'll be right there."
"Yes," the man replied, and left through the door.
Takehiko Tsunayashiro put down his brush, got up, and walked out.
"They've finally arrived?" Shiraishi leaped back to the corner, pondering the question. It sounded as if he had expected it, or rather, he couldn't wait for Soi Fon to come.
Something's not right.
He muttered to himself, not following, his Spiritual Sense following the other person downwards.
Since retreating into his study, his Spiritual Sense has not been able to maintain a very long range.
Humans are not machines; they cannot absorb large amounts of information every moment, nor do they get tired.
He gets tired, so he determines the scope of his Spiritual Sense based on his needs.
Takehiko Tsunayashiro reached the bottom floor, Shiraishi moved. He jumped down from the corner, quietly opened the door, and ran down the stairwell all the way to the second floor.
Shiraishi paused, listening intently.
" Captain Soi Fon, it's been a long time."
Takehiko Tsunayashiro's tone was full of sarcasm. He hadn't forgotten who had caught him in the Maggot's Nest and imprisoned him in that godforsaken place for nearly three years.
With his Soi Fon said, " Takehiko Tsunayashiro, I heard that someone invaded the base last night. That person had long, silver-white hair."
"No."
Takehiko Tsunayashiro abruptly interrupted her, his face full of sarcasm. "No one has ever invaded our base. Even if they did, we wouldn't need to rely on Stealth Force forces. You're not welcome here."
Soi Fon clenched his fists behind his back, trying to remain calm, and said, "That thief is no ordinary person."
"I've already said we don't need to rely on Stealth Force."
" Takehiko Tsunayashiro repeated, taking two steps forward, his tall figure looming over the 1.5-meter- Soi Fon, 'A mere lower-ranking nobleman, who happened to become the Second Division Captain and take over as the Sōji of the Stealth Force, thinks he can stand on equal footing with the Tsunayashiro Clan the Five Great Noble Clans?'"
"Stop being arrogant. A lower-ranking noble is always a lower-ranking noble. The baseness of one's bloodline will not change because of one's official rank. If you understand, then step down."
"Anyone who attempts to obtain Hollow power through forbidden techniques will never have a good end. Please remember this lesson Takehiko Tsunayashiro."
Soi Fon replied expressionlessly, her light gray eyes filled with coldness. She had long understood what nobles were like; they wouldn't be provoked by a few words.
Takehiko Tsunayashiro smiled and said, "Thank you for reminding me. I will keep it in mind. Please take care, I won't see you off."