Toru hadn't expected his call to be answered so swiftly, but the quick response is more than appreciated. With Akiyoshi on the other side, Toru listens carefully to what the Hollow fanatic has to say, only to be pleasantly greeted with some small talk.
”Tsunayashiro, huh? Understood, I’m running a pass through for anomalies between Karakura’s cardinal sectors now. The 12th Division is like a family, is it not? Consider it a simple kindness, my friend.”
Toru ponders on the man’s words and tone briefly. Toru could tell the man didn’t truly believe his own words, but it didn’t particularly matter. The two would be friends eventually, from Toru’s point of view anyway. What mattered most is that he complied with the request. Akiyoshi continues and confirms the suspicion Toru had.
”Though…I would be lying if I were to omit my hopes for… compensation… for such a sudden request. Fret not, you’re in good hands nonetheless. The data is showing... yes, yes here it is.”
A chuckle slips past Toru’s smirking maw. He is not usually someone to put his lineage out there as a display of power or prestige, to Toru, it is just his name. That being said, he cannot deny the usefulness of his birthright. The smirk widens as Akiyoshi moves on to confirm some form of success.
“Kekekek.. I’m glad to have thought of you for this situation, my friend. I’m sure we can sort somethin’ out for you once I’m back!”
An affirmation of trust and reward.
“Aside from your own signatures, I was able to pinpoint a faint, but concentrated mass of energy along the Western edge of the city. Yes…yes, wait—What the hell is…”
A positive result comes through the mobile device, then confusion. The biologist's eyes shoot towards the detective as the confusion is clocked, it’s clear that Rokka is listening in and hearing the same thing, but Toru wonders if Rokka has come to the same conclusion. The source of confusion could very well be the relic they’re in search of. The pause ends as the fellow researcher’s voice is heard once more.
”Sorry. Still there? Western edge of the city, approximately four clicks beneath the surface. Sending exact coordinates over to your device now. Confirmation of two signatures too stable to be that of Hollow or rats. Good luck down there! Don’t call again.”
Western edge of the city, far beneath the surface. Two supposed stable sources of Reishi. Again that tinge of dishonesty lingers in the man’s chosen words and tone. Toru is a strange man, that is beyond dispute, but he is also someone who studies others, he has become more than accustomed to reading the signs people put out in their communication. He just often ignores them.
“Yes yes! Still here buddy! Gotcha gotcha, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated when I get back! I-”
The call ends abruptly as the Tsunayashiro goes to finish his sentence. As it does, he holds the Denreishiniki just in front of his face, staring at the now blank screen. His eyes eventually pull away from the device as the detective relays the information to the policewoman. His eyes and head switch briefly between the two, then he spots the subtle smile on Kuwashii’s lips. He would comment on it, if he did not know it would put an end to that brief joy.
"We can assume a few things here. He has been confirmed by my investigation to have worked with another directly to complete his means. Either he is in her company, that of a newer ally, or this is confirmation he is physically in possession of the artifact."
Toru’s thoughts hang on the notion that there might be another threat lurking down below. It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but there’s something that doesn’t sound right about that. The information given, and how it was given doesn’t sit well with him.
"The implications of that aside, this may be in our favor. It paints more of a picture. It's unlikely he spent his entire time down there. Either there's a motivation or he may have gotten spooked by some part of our motion somehow. There's a chance our channels may be compromised or at the very least certain systems, so we should limit our external communication for the time being."
As much as Toru is a scientist, he is not like many of the S.R.D.I who dabble in various fields, tech is but a means to an end for him. The thought of their communications with the Gotei Thirteen being compromised had not even entered his mind until the detective had mentioned it.
”Be we successful today or not we need to have someone in Twelfth Division do a complete scrub of all our communications and maybe send out patches to all active Denreishinki with the same cleaning process attached. I’m sure that can all be done under the radar to avoid panic.”
He nods in agreement, someone in the Twelfth Division indeed. Definitely not himself though. The thought of asking Akiyoshi for help once more crosses Toru’s mind, then it leaves just as quickly as he comes to a separate conclusion.
“I’ve got the perfect candidate in mind, if they make their grand return. At least then they’d be of use to us!”
He doesn’t elaborate further, but at least one of the two with him would know who he’s speaking about. Then he branches off into a separate thought.
“Hear me out on somethin’ though. I know he mentioned those two stable signatures, but he seemed pretty dishonest off rip. He was likely lying about something. I’m thinking one of those signatures is the artifact. Now the Shihoin might be down there with ‘em, but they’re a researcher, not a combatant. If it comes down to it, we should do our best to take ‘em in without hurtin’ them too bad.” He pauses as he contemplates a few things before speaking once more. “I guess she could still be a threat regardless, so keep your eyes peeled when we get down there.”
Toru’s arm pulls away from Rokka’s shoulder as he adds his final thoughts into the broth, letting them mix and settle for everyone to think about. His smile fades into a facsimile of a stern, concentrated stare outwards into the city. Focused and ready. Then it shatters as Kuwashii speaks up once final time before their departure.
”I’m going to find some time to try and hang out with my friend, even if I have to sneak out of the Seireitei to do it. Might make use of my new Tsunayashiro connection to get that done.”
The answer Kuwashii receives is in the form of a cackle and a thumbs up from the once more smiling Toru. The three get a move on soon after.
Their arrival to the warehouse district is swift and quiet. The three hidden atop a rooftop as they survey the surroundings below. As they stand there, it dawns upon Toru that the hunt is not quite over. The location they were given was a great lead, but the many surrounding warehouses act as another deterrent in their path. Humans tread the streets, some vehicles carrying whatever load they have from place to place. A central hub of work. He couldn’t help but be grateful that Elk had taken refuge below this entire section as opposed to above ground. His eyes scan over the area over and over, trying to spot any one thing that could narrow the search. The buildings are all fairly similar, as is expected. Most of them parallel. There are no distinctive tells, but eventually something hits Toru. A deep sigh escapes the man as an extended digit points out the structure. It sits further back in the district, furthest from the river itself.
“There. I’m no engineer, but if he’s far below us, there’s no shot they’d have built it close to the river. Could be some reservoirs and such beneath that’d make it near impossible. Decently isolated, a good distance from the river. Enough space for a fancy underground base!”
A hand now clasping the handle of Sude. He plants his Zanpakuto gingerly atop his shoulder, the unique scabbard giving him the appearance of someone about to go on a nice stroll. Toru’s appearance in this moment betrays what’s going on within his mind. He is a practiced combatant, he is definitely skilled, but the stress before a battle is not something he can so easily shake off. Gentle tremors run through his arms as he guides the other two towards the warehouse in their scope. They remain among the rooftops, leaping from cover to cover in the same manner they’d arrived and reaching their destination shortly.
As souls, they have no need to hide from the workers, the likelihood that they can even perceive any of them is extremely low. The trio step within the warehouse and are met with an expansive interior. The lengths Elk Hoshi has gone to in order to remain hidden are impressive, but within the careful planning there are specks of sloppy mistakes. With the combined effort of the three Shinigami, the search is brief, ending in the breakroom. A wall that previously hid two metal doors was left untouched, revealing an oddly placed escape route. Toru’s eyes scan the surrounding area for a button, level, anything to open up the odd doors. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the nerves to reveal themselves.
A foot raises from the floor and snaps forward with an aggression almost no one would have ever seen from the scientist. The sliding metal doors crumple and bend outwards almost entirely, as if a battering ram had been launched through. With enough of an opening for the lot of them to make it through, with his foot already through the opening, Toru steps on past the boundary without a second thought. He plummets into the depths below, watching as each light and marking flashes by. On occasion, he finds his footing on Reishi plates, glancing above and below, astonished at the depth of this secret base. He knew just how far down it was due to the information Akiyoshi had given him, but to hear about it and experience it are two different things. Eventually Toru lands atop the elevator that had brought Elk Hoshi down this entire shaft. His gaze meet the eyes of his compatriots, a nod follows. The finish line is in sight now.
[Toru]→Rokka→Kuwashii
