Reporters from the Island Nation's news agency immediately went live with an update.
"Friends, the power system of the Imperial Palace has just been sabotaged by Kaitō Kid. Director Nakajima and his team are currently trying to respond!"
"We can now confirm that Kaitō Kid is inside the Imperial Palace!"
Itō Chūji let out a cold snort and stepped outside.
"I'm going to see if I can find him!"
More than anyone else in the entire palace, Itō Chūji was the one who wanted to catch Kaitō Kid the most.
Avenging Itō Tōji mattered way more to him than something abstract like national pride.
Elsewhere, the five operatives stationed by the palace also sprang into action.
"Stay sharp. Kaitō Kid has appeared!"
"Let's try to track down his position. Everyone, watch your six!"
These five weren't in the same area. They had been spread out evenly across five different zones in the Imperial Palace.
If any one of them spotted Kaitō Kid, the two closest could rush in and reinforce quickly.
This way, they maximized both the search radius and the speed of response.
Right now, the entire palace was pitch black. The only light came from the flashlights in the hands of guards and agents.
Beams of light swept across every corner of the Imperial Palace.
[If you didn't know better, you'd think there was a concert happening at the palace tonight!]
[What a joke. Not only did they let Kaitō Kid sneak in, they even lost power? This is supposed to be the safest place in the Island Nation?]
[Oh my god! If Kaitō Kid can move freely even inside the Imperial Palace, then seriously—what can possibly stop him?]
[I just joined—is this some kind of laser light show?]
[Hahaha! Low damage, but maximum humiliation!]
Even with all those flashlights sweeping back and forth, no one managed to spot Zhang Yang.
Thanks to his upgraded stealth suit, as long as the light didn't hit him directly, he was virtually invisible in this kind of environment.
Zhang Yang still didn't know exactly where the Twelve Bronze Zodiac heads were, but he could guess.
There was no way they would be placed in a common room where regular guards had access.
They had to be kept somewhere extremely secure—most likely near the Island Nation's Emperor himself. Only the Emperor or high-ranking officials would be allowed near it, ensuring maximum protection.
"Hope I'm right."
Zhang Yang stepped from the shadows, holding a bundle of fireworks. He lit the fuse and quickly ducked back into a dark corner.
Seconds later, brilliant fireworks exploded across the night sky—radiant and dazzling.
The livestream chat went completely insane.
[Oh my god! Fireworks! Kaitō Kid's victory fireworks!]
[What the hell?! Did he already get it?!]
[An hour was way too generous—it's only been what, five minutes since the blackout?]
[Nani?! What's happening?!]
[Impossible! Absolutely not! Baka! There's no way Kaitō Kid pulled it off this fast!]
While the chat reeled in disbelief, Nakajima Misaki was equally stunned.
Because the fireworks had gone off right outside the Emperor's residence.
And Zhang Yang's guess had been spot-on—the Twelve Bronze Zodiac heads really were stored in the Emperor's quarters!
"Baka!"
Nakajima cursed through gritted teeth and immediately led his team toward the fireworks.
More and more guards and agents arrived at the scene.
But all they found were the fireworks still shooting upward from the ground. No sign of Kaitō Kid anywhere.
With all those flashlights sweeping around, Zhang Yang knew the moment wasn't right—so he had already picked the lock and slipped inside.
At that moment, Zhang Yang sat on the sofa, watching the growing crowd outside. But not a single guard or agent dared approach the building he was in.
"If Nakajima Misaki walks into this house, then the Twelve Bronze Zodiac heads must be inside."
Until he was sure, Zhang Yang didn't rush to search for them.
Once Nakajima arrived, he'd unknowingly lead the way.
[Nakajima Misaki's panicking—Kaitō Kid is too badass, I'm bowing down!]
[Oh god! Even the Imperial Palace got robbed by Kaitō Kid—Island Nation is the biggest loser tonight!]
[And they're broadcasting it live on national news... what a public humiliation!]
[I'm ready to worship Kaitō Kid as a god. With so many guards and agents at the palace, he actually pulled it off!]
[Where's their Emperor anyway? Isn't this supposed to be where he lives?]
[Bro, haven't you seen the news? Their Emperor's abroad on a state visit!]
Soon, Sent and the others arrived at the scene, staring blankly at the fireworks littering the ground.
"What's Kaitō Kid trying to say with this?"
"Are these his victory fireworks?"
They'd done their homework before arriving at the Imperial Palace.
Moments later, Nakajima Misaki rushed over with several agents. By now, all guards and patrolling agents not at fixed posts had gathered here.
"Baka!"
"Has anyone seen Kaitō Kid?!"
Everyone looked around in confusion, shaking their heads.
They had all rushed over after spotting the fireworks. None had actually seen Kaitō Kid.
[Whoa, so this is how many people are at the palace. No wonder Nakajima was so confident!]
[Wait, who are those blond foreigners? Are they from the Eagle Nation or Britain? They don't look familiar.]
[Dear God, am I really going to sit through this entire livestream and never catch a glimpse of Kaitō Kid?]
[That's what I'm wondering! With all these people and all those eyes, how did Kaitō Kid even get in?!]
[If you knew everything, he wouldn't be Kaitō Kid anymore!]
As the final firework burst, Nakajima Misaki clenched his teeth so hard they cracked audibly.
"Kaitō Kid is inside the palace. Search now!"
A wave of guards and agents scattered in all directions, returning to their designated posts.
Nakajima left a few agents outside, then pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
When Zhang Yang heard the key turning, his heart leapt. He rolled off the sofa and ducked behind it.
"Finally!"
After entering, Nakajima scanned the room cautiously. Only after confirming it was empty did he continue deeper inside.
Zhang Yang silently got up and followed behind.
The interior of the house was laid out like a two-story villa.
Zhang Yang stayed close, not making a single sound—not even a squeak from his ultra-soft shoes.
This stealth suit was absolutely worth the twenty thousand points it cost.
Nakajima headed straight for a large study and even closed the door behind him.
Zhang Yang stopped at the doorway, using his Enhanced Senses Level 2 to listen closely.
A moment later, he heard the distinct click-and-roll of gears inside the room.
"A hidden chamber?"
That kind of sound inside a study could only mean one thing—there was a secret room.
About two to three minutes later, the same sound came again. Zhang Yang quickly slipped into a shadowy corner.
Nakajima stepped out, hurriedly locking the door behind him and walking off.
As soon as Zhang Yang heard the click of the lock, he turned the handle and slipped into the study without a sound.