Chapter 60

"...As long as you know how to count."

That being said, it was Haruto who was really relieved: just knowing that Byakuya had something on him to save his life or that he could call for reinforcements at any time.

after all......

Haruto has seen more of this kind of plot, and his current strength is not enough to kill everyone, so he should be as cautious as possible.

————

Previous volume: 039, regular customer

"..."

The tall guard with a crew cut looked between the invitation in his hand and the two people wearing full hoods in front of him.

"That's it."

Finally he gave up the persuasion.

"There is no problem with the invitation. Enter the door and turn left. Room No. 25."

The guard handed the invitation back to Haruto.

"..."

It's already dark, but in such a prosperous place as the North Second District, the nightlife will definitely not end early.

Their outfits were quite normal for walking at night, but they were a bit conspicuous when walking on streets with lights everywhere.

"No, why is the auction in a place like this?"

After entering, Haruto whispered to Byakuya.

"I, how would I know..."

Byakuya's eyes were a little evasive.

He obviously didn't know the specific situation.

The location of the auction is the Flower Street that Haruto is very familiar with.

The service quality here is not necessarily better than Yoshihara in the 45th District, but the consumption level is definitely much higher than there.

During this short time on the road, while walking through the streets, Haruto had already seen many Shinigami from the Gotei 13 Team, as well as nobles who looked like they had come from the Seireitei.

certainly.

Most of the shops here also serve as izakayas, so the nature of everyone's fun-seeking activities may vary.

......perhaps.

And even though it was an auction, it could only be regarded as a side business of this store.

I have seen a lot of guards taking care of boys; there are also a lot of people who cover their heads and faces - some even wear the kind made from this world, which only exposes the eyes, nose and mouth, similar to a wrestler's headgear - but the The customer who combines these two attributes...the guard Jin'er is really experienced.

————

There were basically no people to be seen in the direction indicated by the guard.

The long corridor leading to the left is in sharp contrast to the excitement of turning right after entering.

soon.

The two of them found their number 25 in a room that required Byakuya to lean down to enter.

“So narrow!”

As soon as he entered, Byakuya immediately took off his hood.

"Keep your voice down."

Haruto made a silent gesture, and followed the method of detecting the cameras of small hotels in his previous life, and began to eliminate surveillance methods in the room.

"What are you doing?"

Although Byakuya didn't know why Haruto did this, the professionalism shown by the latter did make his voice quieter.

"It's right to be cautious when going out."

Two minutes later.

Haruto confirmed that there was no other problem with the room except that it was narrow.

The seemingly thin walls are actually specially designed for defense and silent ghost paths.

Although the intensity is not worth mentioning, if someone breaks the rules, it will be easily discovered by others.

"No problem?"

Byakuya asked Haruto who put down his movements.

"Well, there are also silent ghost channels on the windows. You can just pull them open when bidding, but the sound cannot be disguised. Unless you can fake the sound, or simply are not afraid of being exposed, it is safer to say less and just bid."

As for how to bid——

In the direction opposite to the small door when you came, outside the one-way transparent window paper is an exquisite sliding window, and at hand is a price tag.

Price tags marked with numbers using special ink can be easily displayed to the outside through the window.

"Is this really your first time here?"

Haruto's overly skilled movements made Byakuya very suspicious of the authenticity of his words.

"Is it fun to lie to you?"

"If I had a channel, I could come here myself. If I bring you this kind of knowledge, you might even be remembered by your grandfather."

"......Right."

Byakuya agreed with Haruto's explanation.

Actually.

It is true that Haruto has never been to an auction, but he is not unfamiliar with similar types of rooms - the usual use of this place is probably for nobles and wealthy businessmen to bid for the right to be the first "beep" of the oiran... I can only say both. The overlap in applicability is relatively high.

"When does it begin?"

Haruto pulled a cushion over from the wall.

The young aristocrat who helped Byakuya get the invitation was obviously not a very high-status person, and there were too many people in this room.

"There's still half an hour."

Byakuya looked at the watch in his pocket and said.

Of course, if the invitation came from a noble with a higher status, Byakuya might not be able to suppress him at all, and the matter would have been brought to Kuchiki Ginling's side.

"It's a bit early, how about we practice ghost training for a while?"

"...Are you poisonous?"

Byakuya slashed Haruto hard.

"Who asked you to come here so early? I told you not to worry, time is very precious...Forget it, this place is no better than a martial arts field after all. You go over there, I want to practice Knife Zen for a while.

Haruto quickly pulled out his Zanpakutō from his waist, complete with sheath, and sat down cross-legged with his back only one centimeter away from the wall.

"Call me when the time comes."

Since there are many Shinigami who patronize this place, there is no requirement to carry Zanpakutō in the store.

"..."

"call!"

Byakuya let out a deep breath when he saw that Haruto actually started to practice sword Zen, instead of just trying to mock him.

Let’s not mention talent for now.

On the road of spiritual practice, Haruto's efforts definitely put him to shame.

————

Half an hour later.

Haruto slowly opened his eyes.

The Zanpakutō was still as silent as ever, but Haruto was not disappointed, at least Zanhualun was making a little progress.

Being able to feel the improvement is enough to satisfy Haruto.

"here we go?"

The window blocking the view has been opened, and the space used to display the auction items in the center of the huge house is clearly visible.

"The biological clock is quite accurate. Are you really practicing Sword Zen?"

"..."

Haruto gave Byakuya a look that you understood.

Fortunately, at this time, Byakuya's attention was focused on the center of the field, and he was not in the mood to argue with Haruto.

"Thirty rooms."

Through the number of partitions, Haruto quickly analyzed the number of participants.

"Compared to the auction in my understanding, it is more like a market where you can exchange what you have and what you don't have, and you must be a seller to enter -"

“The items being auctioned are equivalent to deposits.”

While Haruto was still thinking secretly.

"Boom."

A dull sound rang out from the floor in the center of the room. Amidst the "clack-clack" sound of mechanical transmission, the host of the auction finally appeared here.

"grim Reaper?"

A man wearing a death tyrant outfit and carrying a Zanpakutō at his waist.

There are no logos of the chief official or team leader on his body, but the ghost mask that covers his entire face and resembles a hollow, as well as the vague sense of oppression, all show that this guy's identity is not that simple... This host may also serve as the security captain here.

"Byakuya, what do you think?"

Haruto whispered to his side.

"Probably at the vice-captain level."

"......I think so."

The opponent is likely to be a fifth-level or even fourth-level spiritual power - after experiencing several battles in a row and meeting so many strong men of the same level and higher, Haruto can basically judge a shinigami as long as he does not deliberately conceal it. combat effectiveness.

Of course, this was something that was expected: for an auction that allowed so many nobles to participate, the organizers behind it must be a bit skittish.

at the same time.

Next to this god of death, whose face was covered by a mask, a courtesan whose whole body was so white that it looked as if she had used the ultimate in polishing and rejuvenation, was holding a tray that could only be held up by a towering stone on the inside.

"..."

Both of their eyes were a little dull.

"So ugly."

Byakuya couldn't help it anymore and complained in a low voice.

"Isn't this the aesthetics of a great noble?"

Haruto asked in return.

"I have never seen such makeup at home, let alone Sifengyuan. They are all better than the others."

Byakuya retorted harshly.

"Oh~ I thought it was just what goes up and what goes down."

"Bah! Only the Tsunayashiro family likes these things."

The conversation between the two was not loud, but it was inevitable to hear whispers coming from somewhere outside. The host naturally discovered this situation——

"cough!"

He cleared his throat vigorously.

"The twenty-sixth is not here yet."