boom!
A golden torrent rushed straight to the sky, causing the clouds to disperse. The Reishi cried out in alarm and fled in all directions in an irregular and chaotic state.
They escaped over towering mountains and into a town with thatched roofs.
Shiraishi reached out from the shadows, seemingly able to grasp the chaotic Reishi, and murmured, "They've Shin'uchi?"
The situation he perceived through his Spiritual Sense made him less certain about the idea that Oda Nobunaga was colluding with the Shinigami.
It's no wonder he overthinks things; there's simply no foundation of trust between them, and they can't really be said to understand each other.
A sudden situation can trigger suspicion and make everything seem questionable.
After all, it's unusual to need Kenpachi Zaraki to escort someone just to collect a tax.
Furthermore, given Oda Nobunaga's previous condition, he was still able to escape Shinigami's pursuit with his burden, Kichō.
When no one suspects anything, one can fool them with luck.
Once suspicion arises, it will turn into a situation where the two of them are captured by Shinigami, and then betray him, with Shinigami using this as an opportunity to plot his capture.
This is why Shiraishi decisively slipped away.
If the situation is unclear, stay hidden and wait for the right opportunity to act.
"It's better to split up." Shiraishi's doubts hadn't completely disappeared, and he decided to continue acting alone.
He peeked out and looked at the towering Ryūgetsu Castle in the distance.
The gray-blue city walls were several dozen feet high, with a drawbridge and a moat dug around the perimeter. It was unclear how useful they would be in the Soul Society.
The tax-collecting troops were stationed behind the city gates; he couldn't see them, but he could sense the intense Reiatsu.
With his abilities, it would be a simple matter for him to leap over the moat and city walls and enter Ryūgetsu Castle.
The reason he hesitated to act was that he wasn't sure if there was Kidō barrier set up inside, and he planned to let Oda Nobunaga try it first.
He won't betray his teammates, nor does he want to be betrayed by them.
A moment later, a man in purple robes with bandages appeared on the moat outside the city gate.
"Heh." Oda Nobunaga let out a mocking laugh, without even drawing his sword, he stomped his foot on the ground, his Reiatsu tearing the earth apart and cutting off the river.
Bang!
The drawbridge exploded, and the thick city gate groaned under the weight as it plummeted to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Three figures could be vaguely seen in the dust.
"Stretch out, Hōzukimaru!" "Bloom, Fujikujaku!" " The Roar, Zabimaru!"
Oda Nobunaga's charred lips curled into a smile, a burning heat coursing through his body—a long-awaited battle.
He charged in, and in the hazy dust, drew his sword. The blade flashed like lightning, moving with incredible speed, as if splitting into three, each strike aimed at a different person.
Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa were forced to catch the sword, and the powerful force sent them crashing through the castle wall and flying out.
Renji Abarai didn't have the strength; blood spurted from his chest, splattering onto the blue tattoo between his eyebrows, and he fell backward.
"Ugh." Oda Nobunaga let out a painful cry as his bandaged hand burst into flames, which he quickly extinguished with his other hand.
The pain prevented him from delivering the final blow.
Renji Abarai, suffering from internal injuries, was unable to get up. He could only stare wide-eyed, wondering why Mr. Ikkaku and Yumichika hadn't returned yet.
Both of them were entangled.
Ikkaku Madarame looked at the man blocking his way. He had long, black hair that reached his waist and distinct features. He slowly drew his sword from its sheath, making a crisp sound like water falling on a stone.
"We seem to have a special connection," the dark-haired man said, his sword fully drawn, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. "End it, Gentian's Gallbladder."
"Zanpakuto?" Ikkaku Madarame looked at the blade transforming into a gleaming silver spear, a hint of excitement on his face. "I am the Third Seat of the Zaraki Corps, Ikkaku Madarame."
" Minamoto no Yoshitsune," the other person replied, also stating their name. "I will not allow anyone to hinder Nobunaga's advance."
"Haha, samurai loyalty, huh? I don't care. I just want to kill you!"
More than guarding the tax revenue, Ikkaku Madarame wanted to defeat the enemy before him.
Boom!
A loud clash erupted, the city wall at the city gate trembled precariously, and small stones fell from above.
Sweat soaked through Oda Nobunaga's bandages, and he finally recovered from the heat. He straightened up, stepped over the body of Renji Abarai, whose body was covered in blood, and continued walking forward.
He had great faith in Minamoto no Yoshitsune's strength. Yoshitsune was a legendary warlord at the end of the Heian period. After his death, he wandered in the Outer Rukongai alone and was not killed, which was proof of his great strength.
On the other side, Okita Sōji, a genius swordsman at the end of the Edo period, was also capable of dealing with that Shinigami.
The only one to worry about is Miyamoto Musashi.
But they couldn't help.
Oda Nobunaga could only pray that the other person could hold out until he obtained the Snow Lotus.
He didn't care where Shiraishi went; he simply wanted to get to know him by inviting him to the operation.
Oda Nobunaga knew that the most important thing in conquering the country was to recognize who his enemies were and who his friends were.
Those who deserve to be fought must be fought resolutely, and those who deserve to be won over should not be spared financial rewards.
Even if you are rejected, there's no need to get angry; at least you won't become enemies.
Oda Nobunaga stepped through the gate. The courtyard inside was spacious, with a three-story pavilion in the center. Sunlight shone on the gray-blue tiles, making them appear as if they were flowing water on the surface.
There was no Reiatsu reaction inside.
The faint Reiatsu from the previous group hastily fled before he even stepped into the courtyard.
Hoping they hadn't taken the snow lotus, Oda Nobunaga sighed inwardly. His old wounds made it difficult to stop them.
He almost spontaneously combusted just now from a quick swing of his sword; that's why he's afraid to engage in intense combat.
It wouldn't be funny if you ended up burning to death while fighting.
Fortunately, he will soon be free from this trouble.
Oda Nobunaga walked through the courtyard, up the steps of the pavilion, and pushed open the wooden door.
The door creaked open, and sunlight streamed into the entrance hall, revealing piles of money, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings.
He didn't even glance at it; his gaze was fixed on a huge safe made entirely of iron, inside which were stacks of banknotes, gold, and a very beautiful flower.
Pure white, like snow.
Snow lotus flower! Oda Nobunaga's pupils dilated as he excitedly ran across the threshold.
A petite figure fell silently from the door frame.
Her feet, clad in cloth shoes, gripped his waist.
Oda Nobunaga immediately tried to retaliate, but his right shoulder was struck hard by a hand chop, Zanpakuto fell to the ground from his hand.
He didn't utter a sound, and with a left elbow strike to the back, it was quickly locked behind his back, and his neck was touched by something sharp.
"Don't move, Oda Nobunaga! If you move again, you'll die!"
Soi Fon said in a low voice.
Oda Nobunaga's gaze fell upon a pure white figure, and a look of helplessness appeared in his eyes. "Heh, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto actually sent two captains; he really thinks highly of me."
"You are not important; the people behind you are."
Soi Fon explained his purpose for coming.
Oda Nobunaga immediately understood, "Then you'll be disappointed."