Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 12 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Let’s go to Azuchi Castle! 

“Sagara Yoshiharu? We can get there immediately if we go from Nagahama to Azuchi by ship? It would take all day by ox cart.” 

“Yes. Azuchi castle was built on the shore of Lake Biwa. Nagahama Castle, Omizo 

castle, and Sakamoto castle are connected by a ferry service. By using the waterway between Azuchi castle and Kyoto it is less than one day. This is the linchpin of the Oda army’s blitzkrieg tactics.” 

“Oh, is that the seven storied castle tower I have heard rumors about? The tall building at the summit of Mt. Azuchi. How was it made?” 

The morning of the O-bon Festival. 

Sagara Yoshiharu had been rushed to Azuchi castle by Imagawa Yoshimoto. 

When it was announced that Azuchi castle had finally been completed, tourists rushed over from all over the country, the castle town showed a great turnout. 

Azuchi castle, to substitute for Gifu castle, Oda Nobuna’s new castle. 

It is in the important position on Mt. Azuchi which towers over the southern coast of ?mi’s Lake Biwa, Nobuna poured all of the efforts of the Oda clan into building it and even incorporated ‘stone walls’, thus it became a huge fortress. 

The castle tower that stretched seven stories from the mountain top was an unprecedented building that overturned Japan’s common sense. 

The castle town that spread out from the foot of the mountain was constructed to clearly reflect Nobuna’s sense of beauty. 

Not even one piece of garbage fell onto the wide main street, trees were maintained on both sides of the road, it was more beautiful than the capital, Kyoto. 

But the tourists who wanted to see the world’s greatest castle, Azuchi castle, and get a glimpse of the ruler of the country, Oda Nobuna, gathered only on this day. The merchants who were expecting visitors were flooded all at once, and the main street was so crowded that it was difficult to walk. 

At any rate they were free to do business since the town of Azuchi had a free-market policy. 

“Thank you very much! Everyone gather! The specialty of Sakai, Imai Soukyu’s famous fried takoyaki! As a sign of goodwill we are now selling it at a bargain price! You wanna try and sell it back at your hometown, right? Come try it now! I will even give you a discount!” 

“Fufu. Sakai’s pioneer miso takoyaki. Everyone, please don’t forget about Tsuda 

Sougyu’s miso takoyaki. Please do not get rid of it. Uuu, how on earth can I recoup the money I wasted on Mitsuhide-sama’s miso takoyaki….takoyaki doesn’t need miso!” 

Yoshiharu found the takoyaki stands that were lined up side by side and groaned. Isn’t that Imai-ossan and Tsuda-ossan? To rush from Sakai on this fine day and work hard without faltering, as expected of a Sakai merchant. 

But, you can always hire someone to do this sort of thing. Why are the bosses themselves selling the takoyaki? Are they skimping on labor costs? As expected from Sakai merchants. 

“This is fun. I want to eat that ‘Sakai specialty deep-fried takoyaki!’” 

“It looks to be hard to reach the stand. Yoshimoto-chan, take off your ceremonial dress. It is being stepped on by tourists.” 

“Oh dear oh dear. You want to see me naked? You may take it off. But somewhere 

without other people. D. Ea. R.” 

“That’s not what I meant!” 

Yoshiharu took Yoshimoto’s hand, and struggled to somehow advance through the crowd. 

Oh, it’s Sagara Yoshiharu! It’s the monkey that aims for the world’s most beautiful woman! It really is a monkey face! The children from around the country pointed at Yoshiharu and rushed over. 

“Oh no! It’s because my face is widely known nationwide. Run away Yoshimoto-chan!” 

“Oh dear. Because I have come to Azuchi to expressly flaunt our newly-wed status, you do not need to escape.” 

Across the street, in the space that became vacant, a strange costume stood. 

The image seemed to be one of the large catfish caught in Lake Biwa, it could be said that the model is rather strange, or rather that the design is wrong, and it could only be seen as an evil deity that crawled out from the bottom of Lake Biwa. 

It was tottering unsteadily, the reason being that the head of the catfish is too large and can’t be balanced. 

“Azuchi’s local mascot, the master of the bottom of the lake that ruled Lake Biwa for 1000 years, ‘Azutsuchi’! Everybody, when seeing the faces of young girls my life span is extended by twenty years! But a man can’t recklessly approach a young lady! Curses!” 

The children changed the target of their attacks from Yoshiharu to Azutsuchi. “It’s an evil god! The evil spirit of Lake Biwa! Defeat it, defeat it!” Azutsuchi received an all-out attack. 

“Iya, stop it!” A somewhat familiar voice was raised and he wielded the the catfish whiskers, and began a childish battle with the kids.” 

I gave the advice to prepare a mascot in order to revitalize the town, but the design of the stuffed toy was pointless. As for a mascot, the design is key. While Yoshiharu sighed that he didn’t have the budget to hire the greatest painters, Kano Eitoku and Tohaku Hasegawa, he took advantage of the situation to break away from the child corps while holding Yoshimoto’s shoulder. 

“Give it up you kids! Because when this catfish whisker turns round and round, a huge earthquake will come to Omi! These seven catfish whiskers are linked to the trumpets of the Apocalypse! Buon, buon!” 

Bontenmaru and the evil god seem to speak the same language, Yoshiharu thought. 

He finally entered an alley that almost none of the tourists knew existed and caught his breath. 

He found a teahouse and rest stop and sat down with Yoshimoto. 

“Wow, it’s incredible. Everywhere is filled with entertainers and food stands. It feels like I came to Tokyo Disneyland. Because I didn’t have a girlfriend in high-school, I never went there.” 

“Oh Sagara Yoshiharu. What is this ‘top gyo disc knee land’? It sounds like something fearful.” 

“The people of the Sengoku Era are especially eager to use ominous characters to name things. Why is that?” 

“Isn’t it because the people’s hearts have been ruined by the constant wars. In Mikawa, 

‘Withdraw from this impure world and earnestly seek rebirth in paradise’ dark words like that are popular.” 

“I don’t understand the meaning of the words but just hearing it makes me depressed!” 

“Ohohoho. The continually troubled Motoyasu-san seems to like it strangely.” 

“If she makes one wrong move, she’ll become a spray painting delinquent. By the way, will you take off your ceremonial dress?” 

“Now now. I have not finished drinking my tea yet, you wolfed it down. Have you come to desire my body so badly? This embarrassing man.” 

“That’s not it! If someone steps on it while you are wearing it, wouldn’t it be 

dangerous?” 

“A festival, both the feeling of love and passions mysteriously swell. But for a wedding night it’s that thing called the ‘first night.’ When the day ends two people are bound together. 

Endure it until the evening, D. Ea. R.” 

“Because Nobuna and Juubei-chan would certainly come to kill, that’s a little… Juubei-chan will use her pistol before you know it, it’s dangerous.” 

“Not to mention Nobuna-san, but for Mitsuhide-san to fall in love with Sagara 

Yoshiharu, it’s becoming serious. Both of them are almost equal in looks, resourcefulness, and ambitions, they won’t yield to each other? As expected of Sagara Yoshiharu, the greatest man in the world that I acknowledged!” 

“‘Almost equal…so they aren’t completely equal?” 

“Yes. For better or worse Nobuna-san is vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, however she isn’t afraid of anything. To do that suicide attack on my base in Okehazama, it is impossible without the nerves of a true Himekishi. On that point, Mitsuhide-san has a weak point, and is slightly inferior.” 

“Juubei-chan’s weak point? There was something like that? She is gullible and easily deceived by magic? Possibly a thin chest?” 

“From her childhood Mitsuhide-san has been loved by her mother, and it seems she was entrusted the dream called the ‘Akechi clan revival’ by her mother. I have a feeling that that will become a burden for Mitsuhide-san soon. Conversely because Nobuna-san is at odds with her mother, she is a person who can live her whole life as she likes. Human beings are mysterious. 

Luck can be a burden and misfortune can become the way to freedom.” 

“…I see……that reminds me, is Juubei-chan’s mother ill? If there’s a chance should I go visit her?” 

“Ah. Alright, but. Right after you went, you might be forced to get married to Juubei-san right then and there?” 

“…what should I do….” 

Even so, the response to the festival unveiling Azuchi castle is beyond imagination, the new tourists are thronging every which way one after another while we are resting in the tea house. 

Azuchi can be called the center of Japan geographically. Owari and Ise are tied together by the Tokaido (Edo-Kyoto highway), the Nakasendo (Higashiyama Road) extends from Mino, the Hokuriku road which is connected to Echizen, all three highways which represent the eastern countries are close to Azuchi. Furthermore, Sakai and Kyoto are immediately to the west, Nobuna made a round trip to Kyoto and Azuchi in a day using the waterways. 

It’s closer to the capital than Gifu Castle, and it is at a position blocking up the Hokuriku road which is used by Uesugi Kenshin to invade the capital. 

As for the viewpoint of Nobuna who built this big castle on this territory as a replacement for Gifu castle, there was only one thing that Yoshiharu didn’t understand. 

“From the west, Mori, Uesugi Kenshin from Hokuriku, and at the time that Takeda 

Shingen is building up soldiers to invade Kyoto from the east, why does Nobuna remain at Azuchi castle and hold such a festival?” 

“Ohohoho. Because the Oda clan may soon be done for, if you suddenly do something so showy doesn’t it seem like the end!” 

“Ehhhh? That’s a joke isn’t it, Yoshimoto-chan?” 

“Of course it’s a joke. Because it’s Nobuna-san, even though it seems like having this festival debuting Azuchi Castle might appear to be careless at first glance, there is a meaning.” 

“What kind of meaning? Because it is coinciding right with the O-bon festival, there is a profitable sense to hold a festival. My head doesn’t understand more than that.” 

“Sniffle. As to that, as I am Yoshiharu-san’s strategist I will explain on behalf of Nobuna-sama.” 

Suddenly. 

The tactician Takenaka Hanbei sat next to Yoshiharu. 

“Hanbei? Where were you? Won’t your body get hurt being pushed around in the crowd? 

You could even catch a cold.” 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was ordered by Nobuna-sama to never leave Yoshimoto-sama and Yoshiharu alone together, so I chased after you secretly and anticipated that you would enter a tea house in a relatively less crowded alley. Probably because Yoshimoto-sama’s ceremonial dress would be a hindrance walking in this crowd, you would temporarily move to a less popular place and change into a lighter outfit.” 

“Oh my. As expected of the best strategist in the world. Splendid. Where is the other strategist, KuroKan?” 

“Ka, Kanbei-san said, “Mufu. Sagara Yoshiharu will certainly stop by the seminary first! 

His aim of course will be Frois’s breasts! This game is Simeon’s victory! Ahahaha!” She left that message and is waiting in the seminary.” [T/N: a college that prepares students to be priests, ministers, or rabbis. I learned a new word today~] 

“Sorry Kanbei. Yoshimoto-chan’s breasts are enough….” 

At about this time the ‘First-class KuroKan’ will be depressed at the seminary sob sob, Hanbei sobbed. 

“Yoshiharu-san. Of course Nobuna-sama didn’t host the festival today just to play around. People are gathered from across the nation, by spreading the news that the huge castle that rivals Odawara Castle was completed in Azuchi, the many generals encircling the Oda clan 

– Uesugi Kenshin-sama, Takeda Shingen-sama, and Mori-sama, are being guided in the direction that Nobuna-sama wants.” 

“So that means?” 

“If these three parties act as one and attack at the same time with all of their power, there is no way to stop it. However, in every human being there are some habits to their thinking. We can lead them to some extent by exploiting those thinking habits.” 

Hanbei didn’t hear the intention of the Azuchi Castle festival from Nobuna directly, but she was able to accurately figure out Nobuna’s designs. 

“Kai’s Takeda Shingen-sama is a person who is slow to act. Today, many of Kai’s hooligans will be entering Azuchi in the appearance of tourists. When Shingen hears about the majesty of the stone walled fortress, Azuchi castle, that towers on the mountain top next to Lake Biwa, because of her personality that avoids losing soldiers by pushing too hard, she can’t help but be careful. Shingen-sama has experienced attacking Odawara Castle. She knows that it isn’t easy to take a big castle even if she makes a forced expedition. Because the food supplies won’t continue even if you have the number of soldiers necessary to siege a big castle. Therefore even if it is a detour, it is expected that she will destroy Totomi and Matsudaira Motoyasu-sama’s Mikawa so that she can stabilize a foothold. Because Shingen-sama is a person who sticks by “results” in a battle. It’s too bad for Motoyasu-sama, but we can gain a little time.” 

“Is that so? So among today’s tourists there are a lot of country’s delinquents mixed into the crowd? I have to be careful of assassination.” 

“On the other hand, Uesugi Kenshin-sama of Echigo, seeing Nobuna-sama absorbed in merry making today as if nothing happened after she declared war, she will be enraged. In addition, from her history of abandoning the attack on Odawara castle in the middle of her Kanto expedition in the past, Kenshin-sama seems to be a warrior that hates the wars of attrition called sieges will think, “I won’t surrender next time” and will try to avenge her past loss. She has a habit of obstinately repeating things that previously obstructed her. You could say she has a personality that drag the past along. In other words, Kenshin-sama will be provoked by the form of Azuchi castle and will hurry even more to invade the capital. In this way Nobuna-sama adjusted the marching speed of Takeda and Uesugi, she intends to bring about a time lag and we can defend them one by one with all of our strength.” 

“That’s amazing. It’s all gibberish to me.” 

“You could say that it is expected of Nobuna. Hanbei, what about Mori?” 

“Yes. Mori is the difficult one. There are two command structures in the Mori clan. The younger sister Kobayakawa Takakage-sama commands the San’yo district route, while the older sister Kikkawa Motoharu-sama commands the San’in district route. Kobayakawa-sama is a prudent person, but Kobayakawa-sama is great at assaults. The two of them are twins, but they have opposite personalities. Probably the two of them will have completely opposite views in regards to the completion of Azuchi castle.” 

Is that so? Kobayakawa-san is Nobuna’s enemy….Yoshiharu’s heart ached. 

“Kobayakawa-sama will become increasingly careful, and Kikkawa-sama will yell to 

charge ahead more and more. Thus the San’yo and Sani’n forces should fall out of step…..” 

“…Kobayakawa-san and Kikkawa-san won’t fall out of step. Though their characters are truly opposite, the two of them are bound together in a solid bond that nobody can separate.” 

“That’s right. Nobuna-sama and I can’t read which strategy will be employed this time. It is difficult. If the San’yo army advances they will aim at the Himeji Castle of Harima again, and they will advance from Tajima to Tanba if the San’in army marches.” 

“Tajima? Shikanosuke should be well-acquainted with the San’in region. Her hometown is in Izumo.” 

In any case, if you can regulate the advance speed of the Uesugi and Takeda than the Oda house can survive the first round, we must certainly avoid defending against both of them at once by any means, since the Oda army is full of weak soldiers. We can only place our treasured gun corps in either war front. There is no way to win when against a two pronged attack from the Sengoku Era’s strongest Uesugi and Takeda, Hanbei summed it up. 

“I served the Mori clan for six months, I think Mori will come from the San’in district. 

San’yo would probably need the veteran general Ukita Naoie. Because she doesn’t know when he will betray her again, Kobayakawa-san in San’yo can’t help but become careful.” 

“If Yoshiharu-san says so, it seems that will be how it happens. But will Ukita betray again? I think that if he betrays again the Mori clan will get rid of him, sob sob.” 

“No. I don’t think there is anyone in this world that can murder Ukita-ossan. It would be impossible even for Mori Motonari. Besides, it would be hard to bear the full brunt of the battlefield.” 

“He is the most troublesome if you make him an enemy, but when you make him an ally he is unreliable and you can’t rely on him. He is a troublesome person. Sniff.” 

“It will be bad if we don’t subjugate Tanba that has become the entrance to San’in soon. 

Juubei-chan is commanding the Tanba district army, but the Tanba attack stopped midway because she continued helping in the Harima offensive and defensive battles and the Honbyo Temple war.” 

“Yes. Juubei-san is a little too generous and threw away her own achievements to help Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama. Her virtue has created an unfavorable situation this time.” 

“Such talk should be left for tomorrow. Why don’t you drink your tea?” Yoshimoto 

leaned against Yoshiharu. 

BAM. 

The tea set that Yoshimoto had in her hand was scattered and broke into powder as it was shot by a bullet. 

“Who is an easy mark!? I am not! Senpai is weak and will almost die as soon as I take my eyes off of him, and if Juubei doesn’t help, Nobuna-sama will become weak and and will burst into tears!” 

The criminal was Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide. 

She used her pistol before they knew it. 

Her skill has really become top-notch. 

“My my. My precious tea set…what a waste.” 

“UUUEEEE!? I’m going to be bullied!” 

“Juubei-chan? Why are you here? Did you leave Nobuna alone?” 

“I received a new order from Nobuna-sama. Until when are you going to be playing with Yoshimoto Saru, I am to bring Sagara Yoshiharu quickly to Azuchi castle. If Senpai refuses, I seem to be allowed to shoot you to death.” 

“But before when it was in the middle of construction I already climbed the castle tower!?” 

“Nobuna-sama yelled angrily and told me to return to show the completed Azuchi Castle to Senpai. Along with the castle tower, all of the palaces in the inner court have been finished. 

Even the castle tower didn’t have its interior decorating before. Don’t worry just come!” 

“Don’t you need to return to the Tanba front?” 

“Not to worry, after I finish guiding Senpai with Nobuna-sama, I’ll return tomorrow morning.” 

The present Yoshiharu that had been confessed to by Mitsuhide, didn’t know how to deal with her. 

The reason that he had to take part in a fake wedding with Imagawa Yoshimoto was 

because he got stuck in a sticky situation torn between Mitsuhide and Nobuna. 

Anyway, it is difficult to avoid the “fate” for both Mitsuhide and Nobuna, I strongly feel that the “Honnoji Temple incident” is quickly approaching. 

She hadn’t been informed of the name of the criminal, but Hanbei who was confided to by Yoshiharu of the future in which the ‘Honnoji Temple Incident’ occurs, became close to tears saying “I’m worried.” 

(Yoshiharu-san. As expected, the criminal of the Honnoji incident is…) 

(No Hanbei, fate hasn’t been decided. If I brand Juubei as the criminal now, her fate will be determined.) 

(That’s right. But I think she is going to have be watched closely as an important suspect in the future. Is that moment approaching now that Azuchi castle has been completed?) (Yes. From the completion of Azuchi Castle to the Honnoji Temple incident, it shouldn’t be more than two years. Furthermore, this world is advancing faster than the history I know. Is it because the Honbyo Temple battle which should have taken ten years was brought to an end in a short period? ) 

(So it won’t be strange if it occurs tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. Sob, sob.) 

While Hanbei and Yoshiharu were having a conversation with their gazes, Mitsuhide brandished her pistol. “I’m getting sick and tired of Nobuna-sama’s indecisiveness. If she holds a magnificent wedding I’ll fight with Senpai against all of the powerful local families of the whole country, if Senpai is abandoned he should be given to this noble Juubei, either way she should choose. Why you are now getting married to Imagawa Yoshimoto…nothing is settled even if you prolong the situation in this way. You should quickly completely finish it.” She muttered to herself dissatisfied. 

(Hiiii. She is about to explode, Yoshiharu-san. Sob, sob.) 

(Seeing Yoshimoto-chan flirting with me has made Juubei-chan’s displeasure gauge has increased to MAX! What on earth should I do!?) 

(Putting aside Nobuna-sama, because Mitsuhide-san is a lady who can’t tell the 

difference between a fake and real, this wedding doesn’t seem to be good for the stability of Mitsuhide-san’s heart! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!) 

(No, it’s a consequence of the fact that I served the Mori clan, and was about to enter a romantic relationship with Kobayakawa-san! Juubei-chan’s heart lost all its restraints with that!) (Since Yoshiharu is changing the structure of the world, you can become a polygamist! In that case, I can too….no, nothing. Sob, sob.) 

(Polygamy is impossible in the world where Himekishis lead the soldiers and fight to take over the country! And, this is just mind numbingly exhausting, I can’t do that!) 

While Yoshiharu and Hanbei were in great distress and shaking, only Imagawa 

Yoshimoto who doesn’t know the complicated circumstances had a nonchalant air. 

“Just right. It is a good opportunity to show all the people in the world that I am Sagara Yoshiharu’s legal wife. Then let’s go everybody! Please, Mitsuhide-san.” 

“Let’s go, Senpai. Why are you and Hanbei embracing each other and trembling? It was just a pistol shot, aren’t you still the peerless Sagara Yoshiharu? It can’t be helped.” 

Mitsuhide who pulled on Yoshimoto’s sleeve showed a fascinating smile. 

It’s alright. While she has a cheerful smile for me, Juubei-chan’s heart is still strong and hasn’t fallen into darkness, the Honnoji incident flag hasn’t be triggered yet, Yoshiharu was relieved. 

(But Juubei-chan has the matter of her mother’s illness and the Tanba assault isn’t advancing and she is becoming considerably emotionally unstable. That is certain. Until now I have been helped tremendously by Juubei-chan. I want to support her at such a time….it’s difficult to decide what kind of attitude I should adopt after being confessed to by her.) When he entered the service of the Mori clan, I should have been taught what to do in a time like this by Ukita Naoie-ossan, Yoshiharu thought. 

Because I only had eyes for Kobayakawa-san in those days when I lost all my memories about the Oda clan, there wasn’t an expectation that this would happen. 

(Goemon. You always said. It is difficult to pick up all the fruits….) 

Yoshimoto whispered into Yoshiharu’s ear secretly. 

“Such a bitter face doesn’t suit you, Sagara Yoshiharu. This battle, if it’s love troubles that you are worried about, leave it to me.” 

“Everyone has come from all of the various countries of Japan have they not!? In today’s Azuchi, put aside rank! This Nobuna-sama will receive your money directly! The viewing charge is 100 kan!” 

The one who reigns over the whole country, Oda Nobuna, was in a great mood standing on the bridge built over the Mizubori that divided Mount Azuchi and the castle towns, and was pleasantly waving her hand to the large number of tourists who gathered from all around the country. 

She wore the scarlet velvet mantle that she obtained from Portugal, and had her prided Namban hat which she got from Frois on her head. Her outfit made you know that the person was Oda Nobuna even if seen from a far distance. Moreover because she was in a defenseless state with only one page attending to her, Yoshiharu’s heart was about to stop for a moment when he found Nobuna. 

It wasn’t only Yoshiharu whose heart was about to stop. 

“It’s, it’s, it’s the genuine Oda Nobuna! Howaaa!” 

“Such a beautiful face! The beautiful woman who appeared in the heavens that time when the Amano-Iwato was opened is now here before my eyes!” 

“Owaaa! Her appearance really is like a celestial maiden!” 

“A perfect beauty. The goddess that saves the country. There she is, there she is.” 

“No good. It’s no good~. Oda Nobuna-sama can never belong to a single person. I thank the gods for the bastard Sagara Yoshiharu snatching away that airhead shogun.~” 

When the Amano-Iwato was opened, their hearts were fascinated by Nobuna’s beauty 

that was projected on the heavens. “You can go meet Nobuna-sama if you go to Azuchi Castle!” 

When they heard that, men from all over Japan (mostly unmarried) gathered to worship the genuine live Oda Nobuna for the first time, they were choked with tears of gratitude and prostrated themselves right there. 

As for Yoshiharu, are you so moved because you don’t know the person? , he was a little surprised. If you think about it, Oda Nobuna published Tenka Fubu for them, and fought it out with Takeda Shingen and Honbyo Temple for them and became the “ruler of the whole country”. 

When I met Nobuna for the first time, she was still Owari’s foolish princess, and she was a person who could be mistaken for one of Nagoya city’s delinquents. But the present Nobuna subjugated most of the capital, and built the greatest castle in the world in Azuchi. On top of that, she has refined her Namban style fashion sense. You could say that her beauty has been multiplied by ten times since the days of Owari when she seemed like a wild monkey, she has the charisma of a leader that attracts people. 

“Nobuna also grew up completely”, Yoshiharu was engrossed in his deep emotions- 

“Hehehe. A good feeling is swelling up. Look everybody. Give me 100 kan quickly. If you pay me 100 kan right now, you can shake hands with me.” 

“Huuuh!?” 

“With Nobuna-sama?” 

“A handshake?” 

“Uooooo!” 

“Nobuna! Nobuna! Nobuna!” 

“I’ll pay 500 kan!” 

“Me too!” 

“If I can shake hands, I’ll sell off all of father’s fields and donate them to Nobuna-sama uuuooo!” 

“I’ll donate all of my shop’s fortunes to spend a night together!” 

“UOAAAAAAAAA” 

“Me first!” 

“No, I was the first to arrive!” 

“I will throw anyone that tries to cut in line to Thailand! CHESTOOOOOO!” 

Because Nobuna got caught up in the moment and incited the tourists, the color of the men’s eyes changed and they began to run wild and start a fight, and the entrance to the major road became a riot. 

Splash. 

Splash. 

One person after another the men who were competing to be the first to shake the hand of the celestial maiden on the bridge began falling into the moat. 

Oh dear. Nobuna sneakily put on gloves, if a handshake meeting is held with gloves it would be a taboo, but I guess it is an unscrupulous business, Yoshiharu was shocked. Yoshiharu surely witnessed the historic moment when the “idol” of the Sengoku Era was changed from the Honbyo Temple cat ear army to Oda Nobuna. 

While the page was organizing the tourists that had rushed at Nobuna and were falling over like dominos, Nobuna noticed Yoshiharu’s group and beckoned them over. 

“Yoshiharu. You are late! Juubei and Hanbei were brought as well. Wait a minute 

Yoshiharu. You weren’t affected by today’s festive mood, and wouldn’t do something vulgar like taking off Yoshimoto’s kimono right?” 

“Shh! Shh! Don’t call my name in front of the guys who are in a frenzy! I’ll be 

sacrificed! Because you are now known as having the highest personality among Sengoku Era bachelors!” 

“Hahaha. You who were so slow-witted now know who the most beautiful girl in the 

world is too? Doya!” 

“Yeah, yeah. The greatest, the greatest. Beautiful girl, beautiful girl. Lovely, lovely. 

Saying that, the effect of the Amano-Iwato was tremendous. Because it showed something like a movie starring you to all of Japan. The Amano-Iwato was amazingly effective at advertising.” 

“Hmm. You don’t need to be embarrassed now. Come Yoshiharu. Also Juubei, Hanbei, 

and Yoshimoto. I’ve been preparing for the Azuchi Castle completion ceremony from morning to night, but you have special treatment. The only one in Azuchi Castle is just this Nobuna, I’ll guide you to the inner citadel of Azuchi Castle!” 

Yoshimoto said “That’s good” and smiled thoughtlessly. 

“Nobuna-sama. Even now the second Oda encirclement is advancing.” 

“It’s alright Juubei. Because we might perish tomorrow anyways, today I’ll treat you to a feast! Yoshiharu also came back to the Oda clan, I’m suddenly getting excited!” 

“Only today? Juubei will return to Tanba tomorrow morning. I will resume the attack on Tanba to check Mori’s advance right? I have to suppress Tanba and Tajima before Mori, Kyoto will then be removed from the San’in route.” 

“That talk is for tomorrow! Because today is a festival! Juubei is too stiff!” 

“Sniff, sniff. I, I, I can come too?” 

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Oh Hanbei, where is Harima? You are always together.” 

“Kanbei-san misread the situation a bit, and is in the seminary.” 

“And Hanbei wins more fame. Harima seems to have been completely born under a 

second star. Now, everybody. Let’s go to the inner citadel! First we will cross the bridge and climb the main road!” 

Yoshiharu, Nobuna, Yoshimoto, Juubei, Hanbei – with the four Himekishis that represent the Sengoku Era, he began to climb the stone stairs leading to the castle gate. 

Nobuna made all of Mt. Azuchi which protrudes from Lake Biwa into a fortress. 

Although most of the parts of the mountain that were covered in dense trees were left alone, a huge castle gate to the inner citadel was built by cutting directly into the mountain and was made of stone. Then a residence for each of the retainer groups was built into the mansion. 

“Yoshiharu. Your residence was completed as well.” 

“Senpai’s residence, it’s an unprecedented size for a home for one retainer. It is because your younger sisters have multiplied.” 

While Yoshiharu was absent, Yoshiharu’s younger sister Nene gathered many new 

sisters-in-law for Yoshiharu who became the family of the Sagara clan. 

Sakichi Ishida, Otani Kinosuke, Fukushima Ichimatsu, Toranosuke Kato and others. 

All of them were in the marvelous Sengoku Era SLG ‘The Ambition of Oda Nobunaga’ 

and played a very active part in the second half of the scenario. 

“I’m thankful. Nobuna has become really kind to me.” 

“That’s right Yoshiharu. In case of emergency your mansion will prevent the enemy from invading and attacking the inner citadel because it was made as a disposable fortress. Get it?” 

“That’s not kind at all!” 

“That plain building over there is the residence that Takechiyo stays at isn’t it?” 

“Uwa, it’s shabby. Though Motoyasu isn’t a vassal of the Oda clan, that is some pitiful treatment.” 

“According to that child, she said that she would use her own money to stay at a hotel even if she visits the capital. If the battle with the Takeda clan continues, the military expenditures will pile up. Besides, because all of the vassals that participated in the Honbyo Temple riot have returned, the salaries they have to pay have more than doubled.” 

“She has a lot of hardships~” 

“Sniff, sniff. This castle gate is too long… I’m getting tired from climbing stairs everywhere…” 

“My kimono is becoming a hindrance and I am hot. Hi, hi.” 

“It’s better if you exercise a little. Human beings become energized when they walk up stairs! Also when horseback riding, but when the thighs are abused neither the heart or head are refreshed right?” 

Well Nobuna’s mind and body are both healthy if you put aside that she is irritable and short-tempered, Yoshiharu thought. 

“We have arrived. This is the “Tetsumon” [T/N: Iron gate] that connects to the inner citadel. As the name suggests, it’s an enormous gate built of iron. This black gate is the boundary between this world and Azuchi Castle!” 

“Those are Namban words written on the gate right? Sniff, sniff. I think Kanbei can read it.” 

“‘Any person that passes through this gate will abandon all of their despair,’ is what is written there, Hanbei. Because it is the gate to heaven. The Azuchi inner citadel, the dreamland that we built for the end of battle. This space will become Japan’s symbol of Tenka Fubu. It will be suited for the visitors from Namban countries and the Roman pope, I want to make it known that this “Paradise” called Azuchi exists in Japan. The ‘golden country Zipangu’ that Marco Polo noted, it truly exists in the distant eastern sea.” 

“So it is a bilingual guide? As usual your ideas are ahead by several hundred years.” 

“Even if I am praised in future language, I won’t be happy at all, Yoshiharu.” 

The page who followed Nobuna opened the iron gate slowly, and the Yoshiharu party entered the inner sanctum. 

Awhile ago Yoshiharu had climbed the castle tower that was still under construction, but this was the first time he had entered inside the inner sanctum. 

“Wow….it is beautiful Yoshiharu-san.” 

“Oh. So elegant!” 

“When the jet black iron gate is opened there is a world of pure white – it’s a sand bar Nobuna-sama. The contrast of black and white, the contrast of the feel of the materials of the iron and sand bar is wonderful.” 

“I designed it while thinking of Rikyuu. Isn’t seeing this place the greatest?” 

A quiet sand bar that cleanses the soul spread out in front of Yoshiharu. 

On the right, the seven story tall tower, the Azuchi castle tower. 

On the left is the jet black exterior of the place. 

“Oh. I only saw the castle tower from the base of the mountain, this palace is splendid too. It’s a building more elegant than the Emperor’s residence in the capital.” 

“I was praised by Yoshimoto, it will be rainy tomorrow won’t it? If Yoshimoto who is particular about the elegance of the court says so, I guess it’s a hit. Because beyond here is as complicated as a labyrinth, don’t get separated from me. Because the inner palace is made like a labyrinth to be able to play hide-and-seek for three whole days!” 

“What on earth is the meaning in supporting hide-and-seek?” 

“Be silent Yoshiharu! It is a labyrinth that you can’t learn the route and structure no matter how many times you visit, it’s the secret to constantly gather tourists! I wonder if the expanding and renovation of the castle will never be over.” 

Is this the Shinjuku Station dungeon or Yokohama Station dungeon, Yoshiharu thought. 

“Of course there is a hidden reason to continue granting jobs to introduce more 

construction in the castle and make money.” 

“Is it the reason that the Yokohama Station dungeon continued having construction done for a century.” 

“What is that about Danjo? To enter the Imperial Palace and the castle tower, you have to climb up the stairway. 

“Is the stairway, those stairs with the wooden roof that extend into the sky, Nobuna-sama? Ah, oh, ah, do you climb it? Isn’t it dangerous?” 

“That’s right Juubei. You have to climb up. In the inner sanctum there are four places, the castle tower, the front palace, the south palace, and the river temple palace. Everything is connected by the stairway and you can move between the four palaces without getting wet when it rains. The stairway becomes sloping stairs, because the differences in height between the palaces is steep. Since this was all built on top of the mountain.” 

“Nobuna-sama. I have a memory of seeing that stairway somewhere. Sniff, sniff. Did you possible imitate the huge aerial shrine that was said to exist in Izumo, the Kitsuki Grand Shrine? 

It is said that the former Kitsuki Grand Shrine probably was connected to the earth by stairs from the heavens.” 

“Right on the money Hanbei. When the Amano-Iwato was opened, there were stairs that hung in the heavens connecting this world and Yoshiharu’s world. Seeing that, I realized. Maybe the Izumo’s aerial shrine was built in a location to connect the two worlds. The reason that I built the multi-storied castle tower on Mt. Azuchi is because I wanted to climb to a high place and look down at Lake Biwa and Eizan, I think that it is too much of a coincidence that I reproduced the ancient Kitsuki Grand Shrine.” 

“Yes. Azuchi castle is definitely a castle that extends to heaven. ‘Any person that passes through this gate will abandon all of their despair’-” 

“Because the Three Sacred Treasures used up their spiritual power, Yoshiharu can’t return anymore, but that doesn’t mean much. It seems they really climbed the stairs that reached heaven, doesn’t it feel like that? It will be a big hit with tourists.” 

To compare the palace you live in to the Izumo Grand Shrine, isn’t it a bit disrespectful even for Nobuna-sama Senpai, Mitsuhide whispered into Yoshiharu’s ear. 

Wait. Kobayakawa-san said that the ancient Izumo Grand Shrine may have been made for opening the Amano-Iwato too, Yoshiharu remembered. 

Hey. There’s no way this Azuchi castle which constructed a high-rise castle tower and stairway on the mountaintop can become a huge device used to open the Amano-Iwato right…..no, it’s just a coincidence. Nobuna of course doesn’t have such an intention. I have already decided to live and die in this world. Let’s stop bringing that up again. 

We entered the corridor in the air, the stairway, and the ‘Imperial Palace’ was on the left. 

The inside of the Imperial Palace was the exact opposite of jet black exterior, it as a golden world. 

Everything was shining with gold. 

The walls. 

The ceiling. 

In frame of the sliding doors. 

In the tea ceremony set. 

In the world of dazzling gold, the jet black master of tea ceremonies Sen No Rikyuu waited alone. “Please have tea.” “Ri, kyuu?” “It’s complimentary.” Yoshiharu spoke in surprise. 

“That Hideyoshi-ossan built the golden tea-ceremony room in Osaka Castle is a famous story, right? Was there already a ‘golden building’ beyond even the golden tea-ceremony rooms in Azuchi castle!?” 

Yoshiharu accepted Rikyuu’s tea while getting goosebumps. 

“Almost all of the Oda clan’s saving should have been poured into the iron armored ships. How did you gather so much gold, Nobuna-sama?” 

“It is the result of Rikyuu’s gold tea ceremony. Though there is only just enough to paste it on as thin gold leaf, won’t it be appropriate for the ‘Golden Country Zipangu’? The missionaries were surprised too. Frois said there isn’t this much gold in Europe’s imperial courts either. This golden imperial palace is the centerpiece of Azuchi Castle along with the castle tower.” 

“Hawawa. It’s so dazzling I can’t open my eyes, sob sob.” 

“My my. The contrast of the jet black exterior and the golden interior decorations is also shocking isn’t it. This has already exceeded the Golden Pavilion of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu! What, what did you build Nobuna-san!” 

“When I am praised by Yoshimoto, it seems to be a little unpleasant~” 

“Oh? There is another Juubei standing over there? Who on earth is that, Senpai?” 

Mitsuhide pointed ahead of her. 

On a sliding paper door dividing the rooms, there was an image of Oda Nobuna and 

Akechi Mitsuhide drawn by the great painter, Kano Eitoku. The facial expressions shown were so vivid it was like they were alive. 

“As for this, it is a portrait of the Oda Clan’s retainers which I forcibly drove Kano Eitoku to get ready in time for today’s unveiling. Because Kano Eitoku said ‘My brush does not advance….’ and persistently wouldn’t draw, I decided to confine him for a short while in the Azuchi Castle’s underground jail and he decided to work very hard! 

He is half-dead but it’s alright.” 

On second thought, let’s retract “Nobuna grew up.” She is as unreasonable as ever. 

Yoshiharu worried about the body of poor Kano Eitoku and grieved. 

“Ah. It was a picture? It was too good, I thought it was the genuine article. However the eyes are very big in all of the pictures, Nobuna-sama. 

“Yes. It’s different from the style of painting we are used to seeing from the Kanou faction. The writing brushed used, and the color usage is altogether closer to a Namban picture.” 

“I I I I I I am also drawn! Wh wh wh wh why am I wetting my pants in this picture!? 

HIEEEEEE!?” 

“Ha ha. The man of the future Yoshiharu initiated Kano Eitoku into the ‘Akihabara-style moe pictures’. The latest art of drawing that swept over Japan of the 21st century will conquer the whole world from now on! While it smells of a fraud, Eitoku looked at the pictures that Yoshiharu drew, asked “Is this the soul of moe?”, and was completely defeated. Then after repeatedly studying he managed to complete his own moe pictures.” 

“Senpai. You are even tampering with the culture of the past. As one would expect of you.” 

“Hey. An artist is a difficult existence. He wanted to see a future drawing at any cost. I won’t survive if I defy him carelessly. However, as for that fellow his art explodes too much and it seems to be frowned upon in Europe where they are strict about lolicon….in particular this one where Hanbei is peeing with teary eyes would be especially bad.” 

“So then why am I leaking!? I I I’m being bullied! Sob, sob.” 

“I’m about to make Eitoku draw his next masterpiece. An “Azuchi Castle drawing” or 

“Let’s see Azuchi castle from the sky” . After Himiko-sama sees it, I’m going to send it to the Roman Pope on a Namban ship. The Roman Pope can look at Azuchi castle from the other side of the sea. Fufu.” 

“No no no, because his last work is finally over, free him Nobuna. Do you intend to make Eitoku Kanou die from overwork? The Oda clan would be blackened.” 

Nobuna works her subordinates hard as ever. 

“Now. We will climb to the top floor of the castle tower. The view from the mountaintop is superb to say the least!” 

It goes without saying that inside the Azuchi castle’s greatest building, the seven-storied castle tower, many gorgeous golden pictures were displayed that were drawn by the exploited Kano Eitoku. 

The lower floors had landscape paintings and animal pictures, the areas that Nobuna will go nearby every time she goes up a floor exposed her preferences, the castle really was Nobuna’s. 

“On the fourth floor are the ghosts, evil spirits, and demons that Hanbei exorcised out of Kyoto. The sixth floor makes your blood race, we gathered portraits of the Himekishis that appeared in ‘The Three Kingdoms’ and ‘The Water Margin’! On the seventh floor which is also the top floor, we gathered all of the great heroes of the world! I undertook all of mankind’s original sin! Namban representatives! Jesus Christ! It’s a secret whether he was married or not. A priest is indispensable to deliver us from Samsara! A child was born named ‘disaster’! Indian representative! Buddha! He does not say much but he explained the human morals once he arrived on land, that’s why the Tang dynasty is the greatest! East Asian representative! 

Confucius! Though I don’t really understand it, the representatives of the Ottoman Empire can’t be drawn due to circumstances! And then Japan’s representative! Our history is older than the Roman Pope! The oldest families and the oldest gods in the world! She who opened the Amano-Iwato, the founder of the original family! The Sun Goddess Amaterasu, also known as the first Himiko!” 

“Aside from Amaterasu, why are all of the others changed into women!?” 

“I don’t know. It’s Eitoku’s hobby?” 

“Excuse me. Nobuna-sama? This seems to be Nobuna-sama’s bedroom here. No matter 

how you look at it, isn’t it too scary? Sob, sob.” 

“It’s terribly gaudy. By any chance Nobuna-san, do you see yourself as the saint who will stand above all of the armies of the world? This is the difference in our caliber, this is why I couldn’t win in our battle.” 

“Hie. This is blasphemy, there will be punishment. We’ll receive punishment from all the countries of the world! Knock on wood!” 

Everybody was dumbfounded. 

Nobuna who didn’t believe at all in the curses of gods and Buddha said nonchalantly, 

“Because I am making the sightseeing charges alone 100 kan, it has to be this flashy.” 

“Because Azuchi Castle is a dreamland it’s alright. Look. Eizan can be seen from the other side of Lake Biwa. And there is Kyoto over there beyond Eizan. Since that ancient capital over there accumulated the acme of the dynasties in Japan’s history, Azuchi Castle which was built brand-new on the shore of Lake Biwa will be Japan’s new capital. Here, the people will not be bound by the fetters of lineage and social status. Though I respect past traditions, the present Japan needs the hope called the future. Hope that this world of battle will end, and a new era will come. I want to make that hope for the future visible to the people.” 

Nobuna murmured this as she walked over to the indoor cornice and looked down on the magnificent scenery. 

Yoshiharu and Mitsuhide went out to the cornice and lined up on Nobuna’s left and right. 

“The biggest program of the Azuchi Castle unveiling festival is tonight. The O-bon festival, isn’t it the special day that the souls of the dead return to this world? When the sun sets and it becomes dark, innumerable paper lanterns will be raised in Azuchi Castle and the main road, and the ship for the spirits will float on Lake Biwa. It is similar to the Tsushima Tenno festival in my hometown of Owari. During the night, the shadow of Azuchi Castle decorated with lanterns will shine upon the surface of Lake Biwa. I’m sure it will be beautiful. It should be a truly unforgettable beautiful memory. For the living, and for the dead. I don’t believe in the souls of the dead, but if Azuchi really attracts such things, I’m sure they will be pleased.” 

Or will they be angry because it is attracting too much attention, Nobuna smiled 

cheerlessly. 

Akechi Mitsuhide who is Nobuna’s sworn friend and has a good understanding of her personality, clenched Nobuna’s hand quietly. 

“These chaotic times have lasted for a century. All of the people of this world have lamented, the Honbyo Temple laughed it off with manzai, and the public has searched for peace of mind through various methods. Hope for the future, Nobuna-sama says such things, it can only be heard as a prayer to Buddha for the people whose hearts have been hardened by these chaotic times. But this Azuchi Castle will show Nobuna-sama’s will more eloquently than words.” 

“This is dreamland for humans by humans, Azuchi. From the new world of this white sand bar, a human being can climb by foot through the stairway to the castle tower and the realm of gods. Being able to stare at the other side of Eizan with Nobuna-sama in the castle tower of Azuchi Castle in this way, I am very happy. It’s only a little regrettable that Kanbei-san is still waiting for Yoshiharu-san at the seminary. I…it’s good to be alive.” 

Takenaka Hanbei quietly snuggled up Yoshiharu while being a little moved to tears. 

“The four Himekishis representing the Sengoku Era assembled together on the castle tower in this way. Such a luxurious space. This is also due to the efforts of Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

Imagawa Yoshimoto opened the “admirable” fan and laughed beautifully. 

Yoshiharu thought that it was a miracle that these four people are lined up in this way at this moment. 

Imagawa Yoshimoto is a Himekishi that should have originally died in the battle of Okehazama. 

Takenaka Hanbei fell ill in the middle of the siege of Miki Castle and was destined to die in the camp. 

Yoshiharu intervened in fate of these two and achieved this miracle. 

However, Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide – 

In the history I know, I think within two years of the completion of Azuchi Castle, the 

‘Honnouji Incident’ happens. ‘Oda Nobunaga’ disappears from the earth without leaving a single strand of hair in the Honnoji Incident, and after a “brief reign”, the rebel Mitsuhide Akechi is defeated too. The castle tower of Azuchi Castle is also burnt down in the middle of the turmoil and it disappeared quickly as well. 

Will the Honnoji Incident really occur? Fate may have already been rewritten. Such a thing may not come, please let these four Himekishis continue smiling happily forever somehow. 

Nobuna’s dream, don’t let it go up in flames a few years after the completion of Azuchi castle and be forgotten. 

Yoshiharu couldn’t help feeling that time had stopped right now. 

From the top floor of the Castle Tower, you can look down at the remaining three palaces within the inner citadel. 

He had already visited the gorgeous imperial palace that took pride in its jet black exterior and gold furnishings. 

Across from the castle tower, the south palace is located behind the imperial palace. 

Even with the improbable view, it seems to be a mansion where you can spend time and escape the public gaze. 

Built apart from the other palaces like a back room, the River Temple palace was like a villa. 

“The four palaces were assembled in an array in Azuchi Castle. It’s totally like the Rokujouin that Hikaru Genji built isn’t it?” 

“What is that Yoshimoto-chan?” 

“The man of the future doesn’t know elegance. Wouldn’t that be the many sweethearts of Hikaru Genji? Genji-san was always luxurious, he rebuilt the mansion of one of his lovers, Rokujo no Miyasudokoro, on a large scale, and thus the dream mansion ‘Rokujouin’ was completed. He built four elegant palaces which seemed to reproduce spring, summer, autumn, and winter and bound all the palaces together with a corridor. And then he let one of his lovers and her family live in each respective palace.” 

Imagawa Yoshimoto who had aristocratic tastes begun to talk about the “Rokujouin of Hikaru Genji” while looking up to heaven with her fan. 

“Is it the harem that would be talked about using future words? All of the Himekishis of the Sengoku Era like ‘The Tale of Genji’.” 

“Azuchi Castle that was completed with four palaces, a newly built Rokujouin for the Warring States era, it may be said that this Rokujouin is made for Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“For, me?” 

“Just a minute, Yoshimoto. This Azuchi Castle that was built. This is Oda Nobuna- 

sama’s. Why would this castle be Saru’s?” Nobuna protested it but Yoshimoto began to dance by herself “This is the Oda clan’s “who do we make the wife of Sagara Yoshiharu problem” , it can be settled elegantly by making this Azuchi Castle the Rokujouin. Everything is clear to me today! Clear!” 

“If you dance too much you are going to fall down to the sand bar.” 

“Umm. Yoshimoto-sama? What kind of thing is this? Sob.” 

“If it’s the Tale of Genji, this Juubei is also well-acquainted. It’s imitating the way in which Hikaru Genji built the four large palaces in Rokujouin to prevent an explosive situation and allowed his large number of lovers to coexist in peace. You are saying that you should divide each of Senpai’s wives and lovers and let them each live in the four major palaces of Azuchi Castle right?” 

Mitsuhide nodded, and Nobuna knitted her eyebrows with a “Is that a joke?”. 

“Yes, just like that. This gorgeous castle tower is the spring palace that was selected as the most important by Hikaru Genji where he raised his destined woman Murasaki no Ue. There was a problem with Murasaki no Ue’s social position and she wasn’t able to be Genji’s legal wife, but Genji loved Murasaki no Ue more than any other woman. Murasaki no Ue was possessed by Rokujo, who was left broken-hearted by Genji and became a vengeful spirit, and then died, and Genji became a priest in despair at the world and ‘disappeared’. It seems that the castle tower suits the princess Nobuna-san right?” 

“So? From the start this castle tower is the building that I would live in!” 

“I am of the noble lineage, I am the one who most resembles Ai no Ue who became 

Genji’s legal wife. Thus with my noble lineage I can take the seat as Sagara Yoshiharu’s legal wife. Ohohoho.” 

“Huh? After deciding to get married, aren’t you fawning over Yoshiharu all the time?” 

“The exterior of the gorgeous Imperial Palace is just like the Summer Palace. It is appropriate for me to live in the front entrance of Azuchi Castle. However Aoi no Ue died young and wasn’t able to enter the summer palace. I was originally destined to die young like Aoi no Ue at Okehazama, and I was saved by Sagara Yoshiharu and continued to live. Is that the difference between me and Aoi no Ue?” 

“Sniff. Yoshiharu-san seems to be a better gentleman than Hikaru Genji right. Because Hikaru Genji lost his wife and lovers one after another. Additionally the main point of Hikaru Genji is that Lady Rokujo who failed to monopolize Hikaru Genji became a vindictive spirit that possessed and killed…..” 

“I, is that right, Hanbei?” 

“Yes. There are many explanations of the apparition, the vengeful ghost that appears in the Tale of Genji, but it was settled that the criminal who possessed and killed Murasaki no Ue is the vindictive spirit of Lady Rokujo.” 

That is totally Sadako. Then the Tale of Genji was a horror novel, Yoshiharu became aware of this for the first time. 

“Wait a moment Yoshimoto, why do you act like the legal wife! You said this was a mere play to suppress the riot! If I break through the Oda clan encirclement and subjugate the world, we’ll pretend that didn’t happen and Yoshiharu and I will get married!” 

“Nooo. That isn’t it Nobuna-sama. You should give a serious wedding with Senpai to this Juubei. Isn’t the position of Murasaki no Ue enough for Nobuna-sama?” 

“You too…” 

Because Mitsuhide was going to silently pull out her pistol, Yoshiharu stopped her in a hurry. 

“Ohoho. The passionate Mitsuhide-san is evidently Lady Rokujo. The sunless south 

palace which is located at the back of the Imperial Palace, is the autumn palace where Lady Rokujo built up her grudges. Lady Rokujo gave up Genji and left to Ise, and she made her daughter live in the Autumn Palace in place of herself.” 

“Why is this Juubei Lady Rokujo? It doesn’t seem like I’ll possess and kill Nobuna-sama sometime soon. Stop joking. First, Juubei won’t give up Senpai and leave for Ise. Kazumasu Takigawa is already in Ise.” 

Shock. 

Yoshimoto-chan can’t know the future of Honnoji Temple, is it accidental, Yoshimoto’s 

“Hikaru Genji’s Rokujouin” setting is strangely similar to the Honnoji Temple 

Incident……Yoshiharu acquired a strange premonition. 

“Yes, yes. If Nobuna-san relegates Mitsuhide-san to Ise, Mitsuhide-san may revolt. A passionate woman can be more terrifying than an oni. Ohohoho.” 

“Shameless! Though you were defeated in battle, surrendered to an enemy, and made to work as a figurehead shogun, you seem to spend every day happily like a fool!” 

“Excuse me. The winter palace in ‘Genji’s Rokujouin’ – the Himekishi who lives in the River Temple Palace built apart from the other palaces hasn’t been selected. If I’m not mistaken, Akashi who came from Harima should live in the winter palace. She is the princess famous for being a match with Murasaki no Ue for Hikaru Genji’s love. When Hikaru Genji was exiled to Suma, Akashi received Genji’s affection and became pregnant….” 

Hanbei cut in nervously. 

“Speaking of someone native to Harima, it’s Kanbei, but she would act selfishly since she would hate playing the role of Yoshiharu’s lover in the Hikaru Genji scenario, so let me… 

me…… uu. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” 

“That’s right, Hanbei-san. Of course! When speaking of a match for Nobuna-san who comes from Saigoku, it’s Takakage Kobayakawa of the Mori clan! Someone called the ‘present Akashi’ is already in this world! For that person, Yoshiharu served the Mori clan for half a year; a worthy rival to Nobuna-san! She is the Himekishi who deserves to live in the River Temple Palace. ” 

“Sob. That’s right. It’s Kobayakawa-sama. Well. I, where do I live…” 

“Because Hanbei-san is still a child, you have the position of Hikaru Genji’s own child, Yuugiri-chan. I’ll raise you in my summer palace. Ohohoho.” 

“Hieee? His daughter? At the very least let me have the position of younger sister…it’s fine…it’s nothing. Sob sob.” 

“My ingenious schemes of love are overflowing. Nobuna-san? Kobayakawa-san should 

be received into Azuchi Castle, and be given the position of the lover of Sagara Yoshiharu. That person’s heart was stolen by Sagara Yoshiharu, and she seems like a woman who would prefer to be in the position of mistress. With this, the Mori clan and the Oda clan would become one. The threat from Saigoku would vanish. Ohohoho.” 

You can’t be serious! Nobuna stomped her foot on the ground and the air shook with the echo. 

“Calm down, Nobuna! If it collapses, everybody will fall to our deaths.” 

“It is the Tale of Genji. Hikaru Genji is the worst kind of man who changed from one girl to another! The current world is all about monogamy! Even in the Namban countries it’s one man one wife! Because in Catholicism, even divorce is forbidden!” 

“Uwa, my ear hurts! H, however. A harem, that is to say polygamy is the natural instinct of men! So please forgive Hikaru Genji, Nobuna!” 

“N, n, n, not allowed, all f, f, f, f, four of them being accepted as Yoshiharu’s lovers, it’s no joke! My, my my happiness will just be a quarter now!” 

“Ugh. If it’s four people, this Juubei can still bear with it. But if this Juubei can’t be the lawful wife, I will become a vindictive spirit and curse the other women to death. No, won’t a vengeful spirit be half-dead? If so, I’ll use this pistol on my love rivals without any mercy.” 

“Nobuna and Juubei-chan, you don’t need to take Yoshimoto’s love story seriously! 

Because I won’t be the manager of a harem like Genji so it’s alright! You flatter the wife in that direction, and win your lover’s favor here, and give your sweetheart a present to clear the dissatisfaction over there – it’s no joke to run around in that way to avoid the explosion of an unhappiness bomb!” 

“Then Senpai, love Juubei only! I have such a perfect personality, yet you… If anything troublesome were to happen, Juubei will not go along with it, that’s too much!” 

“That’s right, Yoshiharu! Aren’t you devoted to me? When we opened the Amano-Iwato, didn’t we swear our love to each other? In the first place, what is with that Takakage Kobayakawa? Why did it come out later that you acted as lovers?” 

“Authorize Kobayakawa-san as Sagara Yoshiharu’s lover and let her live in Azuchi 

Castle. I really believe this plan is wonderful.” Yoshimoto tilted her head. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu is the world’s greatest man. If you let him roam around Japan he will ensnare the Himekishi of each country in turn, we’ll gather all of the powerful enemies in Azuchi Castle without fighting and achieve ‘Tenka Fuko’” [T/N: Instead of Tenka Fubu it’s unifying the world with love. Yoshimoto is punny.] As for the weird big-shot Himekishis who choose war over love, it is Uesugi-san and Takeda-san. Or maybe it’s possible even with those two. Yes, all though both of them don’t look like it, they are devoted readers of the Tale of Genji. Yoshiharu is the greatest man.” 

“Hey Yoshimoto. Would you like to be pushed off the seventh floor to the sand bar?” 

“I didn’t necessarily think it was a joke either. Though Kobayakawa Takakage was 

famous for being an arrogant woman who is indifferent to men, after spending half a year with Senpai she became madly in love and deredere…..in the first place it is strange that that the most beautiful girl in the world Nobuna-sama and this Juubei are frantically scrambling for Senpai, because Senpai is a dreadful man who is the opposite of us with an unattractive appearance.” 

“Wasn’t it already understood? I have the personality that would rather burn something if I can’t monopolize it, Yoshiharu.” 

“Juubei will become Lady Rokujo if broken hearted.” 

“A girl of marriageable age is terrifying. I’m scared.” Yoshiharu said while clinging to Hanbei and trembling. 

You really did become a lolicon, that’s why in the new Nagahama Castle your “little sisters” have been increasing one after another! Nobuna snapped again. 

“…Hanbei, give me your wisdom. Save me from this bloodbath. I beg of you.” 

“T, the shape of happiness is different for each person. If there is a woman who won’t be satisfied if her beloved man is snatched away by other woman and she can’t monopolize him, there can be a girl who can find her happiness from just looking on from afar and merely assisting. And there are women like Yoshimoto-sama, you can find happiness and fortune no matter the situation or circumstances and won’t be troubled.” 

“Finding happiness from looking on from afar sounds like the happiness of a child, actually Yoshimoto-chan really seems like one. She doesn’t have the gloominess characteristic of a commander who surrendered, and she doesn’t flatter Nobuna at all.” 

“I was taught the path to happiness by my teacher Tawara Sessai”, Yoshimoto said quietly while looking up at the blue sky. 

Somehow the usually bright Yoshimoto had a different expression than normal. 

“Sniff. Is it Tawara Sessai? Though he had the position of monk, he was the 

distinguished monk who served as the prime minister of Suraga’s Imagawa house right?’ 

“My father often battled Tawara Sessai in Mikawa too and had a hard time. I believe he died of alcoholism despite being a monk?” 

“Sagara Senpai. Tawara Sessai wasn’t an ordinary tactician, but the true prime minister. 

He managed the Imagawa house alone. When Suruga was thrown into chaos in a feud over the succession of the house, he chose Yoshimoto Imagawa as the successor and the position of daimyo, the one who trained the world’s number one kyudo archer is also Tawara Sessai. If Tawara Sessai was still alive, the Oda clan might not have gotten a complete victory in the Battle of Okehazama? With the great commander it might have had an opposite result.” 

“Sessai used up his life span before accomplishing a march to the capital. It was his fate.” 

Yoshimoto let a few murmured words leak out. 

For Yoshimoto who was abandoned and raised in a temple for as long as she could 

remember and wasn’t considered a successor to the Imagawa clan, Sessai was a teacher and father. The reason that she learned the culture of the Kyoto aristocrats was because she spent her childhood being lead around Kyoto by Sessai. 

The Prime Minister, Tawara Sessai, supported Suruga’s Imagawa clan while also being a priest, and went through his whole life celibate. He demonstrated a talent in Buddhist ascetic practices and learning, wasn’t interested in politics and battle, and was appointed as the person in charge of raising the very young Yoshimoto. When Yoshimoto was unexpectedly dragged into the feud over the succession of Suruga’s Imagawa clan, Sessai’s life was changed. 

From a Buddhist monk that proceeded down the path of peace, to a prime minister who personally came to fight on the battlefield. 

Sessai protected Yoshimoto who he had raised like his own daughter, it was her fate to be swallowed in the war over Suruga and die, but Sessai did not accept it. 

Therefore, in order to protect Yoshimoto he picked up the sword. 

Sessai also had a talent at politics and military skill. Sessai poured all of his ability into strengthening the Imagawa clan to defend Yoshimoto. 

He suppressed the civil war in Suruga, fought against the Hojo in the east, fought against Matsudaira Ienori and Oda Nobuhide in the west, made the Imagawa clan be reborn into a powerful Sengoku Era daimyo with an established reputation, and formed the former Kai-Sagami-Suruga alliance, and finally made a country so powerful that everyone accepted that ‘the next ruler of the whole world will be the Imagawa clan’, and opened up the path for Imagawa Yoshimoto to invade the capital. 

However, the Sessai who lives on in Yoshimoto’s memories, was far apart from the 

world’s image of the fighting Prime Minister, and was quiet and mature. 

His life ended while he was studying unconcerned in a Kyoto temple, such a way of life was suitable for the monk who was free of avarice. 

For someone like Sessai, politics and battle were the hard labor he had to perform to not worry about Yoshimoto’s body. 

The elegant Sessai and Yoshimoto both didn’t like war councils. 

“What is happiness?” might be a thing they discussed. 

“Are you alright? Hime grabs ahold of happiness.” 

Sessai said that to Yoshimoto many times. He instructed her. 

“Even as a Himekishi, you won’t be happy if you only win battles.” The shape of happiness is different depending on the person. Or possibly, even if it is the same human, the form of happiness will change every time they gain age and experience.; 

“Only winning isn’t happiness?” 

“Yes. Happiness is something in the heart of a person. If someone can say “I am happy now” in any circumstances or fate, they will feel true happiness. Perhaps there are princesses that can’t find happiness unless their life is embroiled in battle like Harunobu Takeda and Nagao Kagetora.” 

“It’s hard Sessai. Then how can I be happy?” 

“You have no choice but to find that yourself. But Hime is equipped with the power to gain happiness. Anyone can become cheerful and bright when with Hime. Hime doesn’t know how to personally walk down the path of sorrow. It is your nature to find your own happiness in any kind of troubled times. It is Hime’s power. Survive without abandoning your life at any time. 

Live, survive, and do not forget how to smile.” 

“Oh. It is said that I am selfish.” 

“Become even more selfish. Obey the voice of your heart. You must not depend on some transient god such as Bishamonten like Nagao Kagetora in Echigo. Grab happiness in your own hand. It exists in a human heart. I say this as a humble monk, the happiness that you obtain by   clinging on and relying on gods and Buddha, it is something like an illusion. It’s the same as depending on drugs like poppy and being temporarily intoxicated. Happiness is only in yourself.” 

“Sessai is very harsh with Nagao Kagetora.” 

“To have so much talent that she calls herself the incarnation of Bishamonten, it’s irritating to watch. As for the worth of Takeda Shingen, she is not dependent on god, and is convinced that the way to happiness is in being victorious in battle. Because both of them are obsessed with the one thing called victory, they’ll fell into an impasses where they can’t yield to each other. They are too intelligent. In that respect, because Hime has no talent for politics or military ability, you can instead walk the shortest straight route to reach happiness. You don’t need a roundabout route because you are ignorant, incompetent, and pure. To be envious of the talent of the people called geniuses, you don’t need to be burdened by such stupid work as a ruler. Thus this humble monk chose Hime as the daimyo of Suruga.” 

“That wasn’t a compliment Sessai? Then am I completely useless?” 

“No. You should give all the common miscellaneous matters to this Sessai. It is fine if Hime just laughs brightly.” 

“Sessai is happy with that?” 

“I already am. Because this humble monk was able to serve Hime in this way. I have no regrets in life.” 

“That is splendid. Recently the amount of sake has been increasing a lot.” 

“Haha. Now that you say that. I cannot criticize Nagao Kagetora. Hime, if I die before this humble monk can invade the capital, the Imagawa clan will weaken. Right now I am educating the child tanuki, Motoyasu Matsudaira of Mikawa as a successor of this humble monk, but that fellow is a late-bloomer by nature. A lot of time and experience is necessary for her to bloom. If this humble monk dies, at that time give up on advancing to the capital. An excellent strategist is indispensable for commanding a battle to reach the capital. For you to start a war to reach the capital without this humble monk, that is my one and only greatest fear for Hime.” 

But for the Suruga vassal corps and the people of the world who were waiting 

breathlessly for Imagawa Yoshimoto’s invasion of the capital, giving up on going to the capital would be hard now – Sessai smiled gently as if realizing that he only had a little bit of life remaining. 

“Don’t say something so unlucky, Sessai. I won’t be happy only winning a war? Then it’s simple. Even if I failed in a war to conquer the capital, I will find my happiness by any means. As long as I live I can be happy right? True happiness, that feeling is inside me.” 

“Yes. I would like to see the child that Hime gives birth to.” 

“Does this Japan have a man that matches me? It would be unpleasant to marry a man who isn’t the world’s greatest man.” 

“Hmm. Surprising, I don’t know whether taking the world or taking in a son-in-law will be more difficult for Hime. This poor monk has to be careful with his liquor and live long.” 

Yoshiharu glanced at Yoshimoto’s profile without thinking. 

Nobuna, Mitsuhide, and Hanbei. 

Yoshimoto smiled without being moved to tears. 

“Sessai’s words were not lies. Now when I’m looking at this superb view with all of you while talking about elegance in this dreamlike Azuchi castle, I am very happy. The camelia, the sakura, and the life of a person, sooner or later they scatter. The instant it blooms is wonderful because it is destined to be scattered. 

Just when Yoshiharu, Nobuna, and Mitsuhide’s relationship was on the verge of collapse, Yoshimoto tried to support Yoshiharu by personally coming forward as the ‘third candidate’ – 

it’s also for that purpose that she talked about the story of the palace in “The Tale of Genji”. But her feelings in wanting to get married with Yoshiharu were real. 

“Sniff. Yoshimoto-sama’s happiness, the trigger was Yoshiharu-san saving Yoshimoto-sama at the Battle of Okehazama. But the happiness that Yoshimoto-sama feels now isn’t something that can be given by another person. You got it from your own will power and feelings.” 

“That’s right, Hanbei-san. When it’s time for me to die, I will think back to today. I want to grab ahold of the happiness on being human, while dying proudly. Even if it’s a short instant, as long as I can have a taste of that moment, my life will be fulfilled 

“Yes. I think so too. A person must not live alone. I was kept alive by many people, you can live for the first time by being rescued. But – happiness, isn’t a thing that can be given by another person, you have to find it yourself. You have to decide for yourself whether your life was happy.” 

Hanbei gave a big nod. 

“But Hanbei, even if in the end you had grab ahold of it, but that thing is still a separate entity from you. Like the world, or Yoshiharu. If we did not come across with anyone, or meet up with them, there won’t be any dreams, ambitions or happiness in our hearts. 

“I, Is that so Nobuna-sama, that’s right,” Hanbei smiled wryly. 

“Everyone is here thanks to Yoshiharu meddling without thinking about the 

consequences, when I was about to become a demon king many times, Yoshiharu always risked his life and protected me. Therefore we were all able to greet today’s occasion together. I have to thank you, Yoshiharu.” 

“No, Nobuna.” 

“Yoshiharu, I am still not yet satisfied. Today isn’t the summit of my life, it is still just getting started. A decisive battle is ahead of us, and I have not even obtained Yoshiharu.” 

“What did you say? Nobuna-sama has the memory of the ‘Opening of the Amano-Iwato.’ 

If it’s Juubei, I would be full just from that.” 

“Yeah Juubei? Only a kiss is insufficient.” 

“Was k-k-k-k-kissing n-n-n-not enough? Nobuna-sama is beyond greedy!” 

“Of course I’m greedy and my pride is high too. I am the one who rules over the whole country!” 

“Because this Juubei is a person of the world who experienced living hand to mouth as a vagrant, I am not that greedy. But the greediest man in the Oda clan must be Senpai. Because he has been devoting his life to any Himekishi reflected in his sight without thinking about the consequences from the start, it has become the greatest trouble.” 

“On the contrary, Yoshiharu is the greediest man in the world. Anyway, let alone the people of the Oda clan, in the end the evil power of Saru has extended to the princesses of other houses.” 

“I also managed to save Senpai’s life, really, he might have become dependant on me. 

But when Senpai isn’t near, the heart of Juubei seems to break.” 

“Oh what a coincidence. Same for me.” 

“When Senpai disappeared, Nobuna-sama was lively!” 

“Was that how it was? But if you want to obtain Yoshiharu, being weak is useless Juubei. 

Yoshiharu likes a girl whose heart burns with ambition. Won’t I hog both the world and Yoshiharu?” 

“Hahaha. It won’t go like that. I will give the world to Nobuna-sama, but Juubei will win Senpai’s heart in the end. Watch, this Juubei is tenacious. Because I am the woman who will support him.” 

“Juubei. What kind of future comes is the result of the choices that we personally walk. 

Let’s play fairly. No hard feelings. However, I will win.” 

“Yes! A demand even more unreasonable than stealing the world, I’m getting even more fired up!” 

Triggered by Yoshimoto’s Tale of Genji game, Nobuna and Mitsuhide who were recently becoming dangerous over Yoshiharu, were now smiling. 

To the eyes of Yoshiharu who is a blockhead who doesn’t understand the feeling of elegance at all, they looked completely like the princesses that were brought together in Hikaru Genji’s Rokujouin. 

Hanbei who had snuggled up next to Yoshiharu whispered in a low voice that only he could hear. 

Yoshiharu-san, even though you seem to be convinced that you must watch all the difficulties of the lives of the people you saved until the end, you do not need to take it all upon yourself to that extent. I have my life that should have vanished. That alone is enough. I will finish living the life I was given by Yoshiharu, I decided I won’t have any regrets when my last moments approach. When I have finished living, I will be happy, I think that I will throw out my chest and smile at the end. But I personally have to accomplish this. 

There seemed to be some words that Hanbei still wanted to transmit to Yoshiharu, but it seems that she decided to not let the words leave her mouth. 

Nobuna-sama and Akechi-sama are both aiming at the happiness in the form called 

‘Getting married to Yoshiharu-san’ now, but surely in the future those two can realize a happiness they can get hand in hand. Nobuna-sama and Akechi-sama, because they are human beings they have a delicate appearance, but they have a strong essence. They are wise ladies. 

Kobayakawa-san is too. So Yoshiharu-san, please live in the way that you believe from now on. 

Don’t leave any regrets, put your full strength into every moment. I will assist with all of my power too. 

That’s right. Nobuna and Juubei-chan, they aren’t such weak people. The Himekishis that live in the Sengoku Era are noble, and are strong. That Kobayakawa-san that seemed to look so delicate, she pushed me into the sea to send me back to Nobuna - 

Still while Yoshiharu stroked Hanbei’s head, he couldn’t help wishing once again. 

That time would stop forever in this moment- 

Halfway up Mt. Azuchi, one of the key features of Azuchi castle, the ‘Soken temple’ was built. 

After visiting the inner citadel, the tourist who follows a different route than the major road and climbs down the mountain will flock to this Soken Temple in the middle of the mountain path. 

The Soken Temple that Nobuna took Yoshiharu’s party to, it seemed to be surprisingly strange, or should it be said to be foolish. It was a Shinto Shrine and Buddhist Temple that completely lacked common sense. 

“Yoshiharu. The famous Shinto shrine that will become a key tourist attraction, you said it would be called a ‘sacred place’ in future words right? So I built it. The newest sacred place for mixing Shintoism and Buddhism, I named it Soken Temple!” 

Oh, is that what it is. 

In front of Soken Temple, a huge golden statue of Oda Nobuna is displayed. 

A large number of girls who came from all over on a pilgrimage, they will throw money offerings at the Oda Nobuna statue and bring their hands together with a *clap*, *clap* and a “Please let me be joined with that person.” 

“I want to be in love like Nobuna too.” 

“I hope I can find a good relationship.” 

“After the Kuki Navy defeated the Murakami Navy, men still haven’t gotten closer! I’m a young girl in bloom, but they seem to think of me as more of a monster than Murakami and Saika Magoichi! Please do something for me, God of Love! Oda Nobuna-sama!” 

They were praying for love with all of their heart and soul. 

The young girls who were old enough to fall in love (and the one woman who passed her marriageable age) flocked to Soken Temple in a surging wave. 

Yoshiharu was astonished and at a loss for words. 

Even if you need to have a sacred place, how carried away do you have to be to make yourself a god! 

“Hieee. Nobuna-sama? Did you enshrine yourself as an object of worship? Even if this country has eight million gods this is blasphemy, you will incur divine punishment!” 

Kuwabara Kuwabara [T/N: Chant to prevent lightning strikes], Juubei trembled and chattered. 

“This golden statue of me is the new feature of Azuchi Castle, ‘The God of Marriage!’ 

The ultimate object of worship devised for the hearts of the girls around the nation who are in love with love! My lovely figure that was faithfully projected by the Amano-Iwato, with just a little beautification it reappears!” 

“That beautification is WAYYY too much! Your breasts better be that big.” 

“I don’t understand what you are saying, Yoshiharu.” 

“Sob, sob. Nobuna-sama showed the girl followers of Honbyo Temple a new way of a life of love, and those that participated in the riots abandoned the lifestyle of destroying lives in battle. It’s just like Nobuna-sama to have such an unheard-of shrewd plan to capture their hearts even more.” 

“Yes, yes Hanbei. If Tenka Fubu is achieved, the world of war will be over, and even the people that did their utmost to avoid war and survive can now live and love. This is the preliminary arrangements for the coming future.” 

“But….even if the specialty is in matchmaking, will the people misunderstand Nobuna-dono as a god?….ending the era of worshipping deities and gods, the hero who created a new era and descend upon it as a worshipped figure, Nobuna-dono had transcended both humans and deities. Not many people will understand this change in history.” 

That reminds me, after the death of Oda Nobunaga, old man Hideyoshi who next unified the world became ‘Toyokuni Daimyojin’, and the successor to Hideyoshi, Ieyasu Tokugawa, became ‘Tosho Daigongen.’ The custom to worship the vindictive spirits who became gods like Michizane Sugawara as the spirits of dead people waned in the last years of the Sengoku era. If there are no curses and no grudges, humans and gods became one. That’s what is beginning. Was the turning point of history this Soken Temple by chance? Yoshiharu thought about it. 

“Hanbei is worrying unnecessarily. It’s a joke, a joke. I set myself up as the god of love as part of the performance! I’m just playing around, I’m just making fun of Uesugi Kenshin who calls herself the incarnation of the God of War, Bishamonten.” 

“Ah. It’s also part of the plan to anger Uesugi-san and get her to quicken the march of her troops. AS expected of you.” 

“Haha. Sincerity goes a long way. The one who says it out loud first wins it all.” 

“I feel it might be bad if you make her too angry. If Uesugi Kenshin-sama gets really serious, I hear that for a brief moment she becomes even stronger than the unrivaled cavalry that Takeda Shingen leads. If it becomes something like Kawanakajima, the Oda clan will take severe damage which will be beyond what we can recover from. Sob.” 

“Still, unless I alter the marching speed of Shingen and Kenshin, the Oda army will not have a chance to win. This is an all-or-nothing gamble.” 

“Even so a place like this might be misunderstood as Nobuna-sama’s hobby. You have to change your bad habits, or you will have a painful experience soon.” 

“Oh dear. At the base of the golden statue, an explanation about Soken Temple is carved. 

Moreover, it’s in two languages, Japanese and the Namban language.” 

“I have the cooperation of the missionary Frois, I designed it with the convenience of the worshipers from the Namban lands in mind.” 

Soken Temple – a noble shrine meant to deify the ruler of the whole country who was born in Owari, Oda Nobuna. For girls who are increasingly intense about love, and to the girls who aren’t popular. To the girl who makes many offerings, the accomplishment of your love and the prosperity of your offspring is promised. In the future my birthday will become a holy day so visit this temple by all means! If you worship me as the most beautiful girl in the world, your love will certainly be fulfilled! The girl who doesn’t worship me will be a virgin until death! 

Rather, in this world, the afterlife, and in your next life, you will wander for eternity as a virgin who isn’t loved by a man!” 

“You know, Nobuna. There is an outrageously nonsensical delusion engraved. Is this really read by the Europeans?” 

“In the souvenir shops, a lot of souvenirs like lucky charms and fortune slips with a small image of me are also sold. Both of them cost next to nothing to make. A wonderful profit ratio. 

This place is the apex of rip-offs. Look look, Yoshiharu, this is the way to prosperity! We are making a killing! It’s often said that monks make pure profit!” 

“Hey, listen to me!” 

“At last I finally understand why Enryakuji Temple and Mt. Koya guarded the vested interests of their monks so much. Tons of tourists will drop an impressive amount of money in a sacred place! Hey, Hey, Yoshiharu. Following the free-market policy, I want to push forward an 

‘Easy Noh dance’ policy. It’s decided, everyone will introduce themselves as a god in this sacred place!” 

“The scam artists increase. Well, you are already the boss of the crooks.” 

“Of course the immoral sacred places that confuse the people with unscrupulous means will be supervised strictly and immediately destroyed. Oh, because the power of Buddhism has been weakened a lot by the surrender of Honbyo Temple and the disarmament of Enryakuji Temple, Christianity may become too strong, but it might be just right when I think about the relations with the Namban in the future?” 

“The profit ratio with Namban trade is wonderful. Because there are a lot of Christian daimyos in Kyushu, the strange and exotic religious items send from Namban are very interesting for them. Is that the main reason for the Namban trade? Sob.” 

While Hanbei and Yoshiharu had a bitter smile, only Mitsuhide had a serious expression on her face and was muttering something to herself. 

“…Mmm. Using so many reasons to force a marriage with Senpai, Nobuna-dono had finally proclaimed herself to be a god. To balance the social status of both of you, she want Senpai to become the Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa’s adopted son is going forward….no matter how wise and clever this Juubei is, even as the ultimate princess Himekishi with noble lineage, I can’t match a god. As it is, Senpai will finally be snatched away….Different from Juubei who just wants to be Senpai’s lawful wife and does not mind him having any amount of lovers, Nobuna-sama only wants to monopolize. It’s ok for others to love him, but it can never be anything more. What should I do?” 

What’s wrong Juubei-chan? As Yoshiharu tried to speak, at that moment Soken Temple’s stone wall suddenly collapsed and a large number of tourists were almost engulfed. It was an uproar. 

Because too many tourists were crowding it, the stone walls that couldn’t endure it any more seemed to have collapsed. 

“Oh no. It’s also a problem if too many people gather isn’t it. That was a solid stone wall.” 

“I wonder if it was impossible because it was a rush job? I have to sink some of the budget into reinforcement work again. Oh, if any of the worshipers are injured nurse them carefully and I’ll pay in copper.” 

“It’s an ill omen, sob sob.” 

“Hieee!? No-no-nobuna-sama!? Heaven’s vengeance is coming down right now! If you 

keep playing around without moderation, next time you will seriously incur divine punishment!” 

“Juubei is too religious. It was just an accident. The cause is that the stone walls that were made at top speed were too weak.” 

Wearing new miko robes that she wasn’t accustomed to, Frois who was serving as a 

Shinto priest at the entrance said “We had better regulate how many people we let enter at one time, Nobuna-sama” as she came out of the gate with a troubled face. 

Oh, it’s been a long time Frois-chan. Your miko clothes seem to be about to burst. Your chest is totally like a rocket battery! Yoshiharu instinctively made a lewd face, and Nobuna and Mitsuhide decided to hit him with a backfist at the same time. 

“Nobuna-sama. Even though this is a festival, it feels like it’s going too far. Azuchi Castle’s castle tower is totally like the Tower of Babel that appeared in the Old Testament, and Soken Temple reminds me of the shrine in Jerusalem dedicated to a heathen god. Also having a missionary like me wear miko clothes is just a little odd. I hope nothing bad happens.” 

“Frois’s fear of divine punishment is something like an occupational disease. Alright. I shall break through the second Oda encirclement by any means. Even if the state of affairs is grave, if all of the Oda clan unites it is surely possible!” 

“Anyways, let’s settle this situation, Nobuna-sama. If there are bad omens and rumors about Soken Temple it will have the opposite effect.” 

“Dearuka. I’ll handle it with Juubei and Hanbei. Because Yoshimoto will just open up her fan and won’t work even if she is here, please have tea with Rikyuu in the Imperial Palace. 

Because Soken Temple’s matchmaking is prohibited to men, Yoshiharu can walk through Azuchi town until evening.” 

“Eh? Then I’ll have tea in the Imperial Palace too.” 

“No! You and Yoshimoto will not get involved in a relationship!” 

“I can’t?” 

“What did you say! When I took my eyes off of you for a little bit you seduced 

Kobayakawa Takakage!” 

“I, I didn’t do such a thing? Because when I was in the Mori clan I had lost my 

memory….” 

“No, no, nooooo! To begin with even if you do not make a pass at them, they’ll 

involuntarily flock to you. Yoshiharu, you are kind to girls without thinking about the consequences!” 

“It can’t be helped, are you saying I should be callous to girls? Such a Sagara Yoshiharu is no longer Sagara Yoshiharu?” 

“Oh no. This is the result of opening the Amano-Iwato. Because I have become a famous person that burns with love in a love affair with Yoshiharu….because of the Amano-Iwato, all the girls in the country seem to think of you as a man one hundred times cooler than you really are!” 

As for the poor girl who sees Yoshiharu as cooler than he actually is, just me alone is enough in this world! It’s aggravating!” 

“Your possessiveness is really terrible….it’s getting worse day by day.” 

“That’s right. Because I can’t get married easily, I become short-tempered. And 

Yoshiharu is a cheater? From now on you are prohibited from having contact with a girl without my permission!” 

“Woooooah, tyranicaaaaal!” 

“If this prohibition is broken, all of your territories will be confiscated. You will be forced to be a monk. You will be banished alone to Mt. Koya!” 

“Mt. Koya? Give me a break! That’s like telling me to maintain my virginity for my whole life?” 

“Don’t be greedy Saru. Because even I seem to be already going mad. But it would be terrible if I had a baby now right? As a Himekishi, I would have to postpone the battle until the baby is born?” 

“Oh, oh? Y, yeah.” 

“The good thing? If I defeat Uesugi, Takeda, and Mori, Tenka Fubu will be completed. I will have taken the world, and you will be the Kampaku Fujiwara Yoshiharu. If we reach the top together, we can even force a wedding, endure it until then!” 

Hanbei. After all the form of happiness for Nobuna is ‘wanting everything - in other words, obtaining me and the world’ there doesn’t seem to be anything other than this. No matter how I interject or intervene, even if I make an effort it doesn’t seem like this will be changed, Yoshiharu sighed with teary eyes. Hanbei smiled with a troubled *giggle*. 

That’s right. The method of expressing love is different for each person too. If there is a love that continues giving freely, there is a love that continues demanding freely. Love is the very personality of the person. It’s not something that is right or wrong – but I think that there is a starting point to solve the relationship that Nobuna-sama and Akechi-sama are entangled in. 

“I was surprised at the fortitude that Yoshimoto-chan showed, but Hanbei also has a profound knowledge of the feelings of a girl in love. Though her younger appearance looks no different from Kanbei, why is she so much more of an adult?”

Until the night program to light up Azuchi Castle with paper lanterns and torches starts, I’m going to aimlessly stroll around the bottom of Azuchi Castle alone. 

“However, I don’t want to burden Hanbei any more. I wish I was an elegant person who was sensitive and could understand the subtleties of a girl’s heart. Why do I have to be so simple-minded. I wonder if it is because I am a man after all? If I was a girl, even if I indiscriminately saved the lives of Himekishis, it wouldn’t be a problem. Still the idea of the bishojo Himekishi Sagara Yoshiharu is pretty disgusting. Shiver.” 

He returned to the front gate while thinking about these things, as he walked down the slope headed for the town saying “did I even eat lunch?”, a blade was thrust suddenly at his back. 

“Wh, what, ehhhhhh?” 

Yoshiharu had also been trained in the Murakami Navy, and now had some confidence in his abilities. 

This Yoshiharu is so disappointing - 

To steal my back when my one specialty is to avoid attacks, who is this? A very skilled ninja? 

It was carelessness. I should have anticipated that a spy from another country was mixed in with the tourists. 

After being immersed in the dream like time spent with Nobuna in the castle tower, I forgot my usual wariness, Yoshiharu wanted to click his tongue at his own carelessness. 

But still, who on earth is it? 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. I visited Azuchi Castle thoroughly. That Soken Temple blasphemes the gods and Buddha. As the incarnation of Bishamonten, I can’t forgive that.” 

The voice that was emitted by the assassin behind him was familiar to Yoshiharu. 

“Uesugi, Kenshin?”