Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 13 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Chosokabe Whaling Ship 

The Sengoku Jidai – Warring State Period 

Sagara Yoshiharu was currently at the Pacific Ocean 

The shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki being the instigator, the Mori clan from the west, Uesugi from the north, and Takeda from the east; these three clans had launched a pincer attack against the Oda Clan on three sides. 

In order to withstand the advances of The Second Anti-Oda Coalition Army, Oda Nobuna with the help of the strategist Takenaka Hanbei adopted a counter strategy. 

That was to incite the Otomo Clan of the Northern Kyushu to attack Mori clan from behind. 

The Mori clan had always been a longtime bitter enemy of the Otomo Clan. The first generation of Mori clan, The Genius of Stratagems, Mori Motonari once invaded the Otomo clan, only to give up in the end. 

For this powerful enemy led by Otomo Sorin. In order to establish a diplomatic relationship, Sagara Yoshiharu was accompanied by Kanbei Kuroda and Louis Frois, a missionary, to act as the representative from the Oda clan. 

Frois was participating mainly because Otomo Sorin was a devout Christian daimyo. 

“It has been a while since I was in the open sea. I hope I won’t get seasickness so that we can pass through Seto Island easily.” 

“Oh, Sagara Yoshiharu, you should get accustomed to it soon. Because the Murakami Navy has gained control on the west side of Seto Island, it is impossible for us to pass through it. So we have no choice but to pass through the south of Shikkoku Island to arrive at Hyuga Province in Southern Kyushu. Once we arrive, this brilliant Simon will persuade Otomo Sorin to enter to an alliance with the Oda Clan”. 

Back at Azuchi, Nobuna created a policy that would allow any heir of a daimyo to study in Kyushu. Such was the result of Nobuna’s keen insight. 

While standing on the deck and holding a rosary, “Let this journey be safe,” Louis said and nodded.  

“Since it will take time to travel the sea on this path, it may be impossible to conclude the alliance in two weeks and make the Otomo Clan to attack the Mori after that. But I believe Akechi-sama would still be able to hold on until January when she is isolated in Tamba.” 

As Kanbei sat down and took a binocular, swinging it around alongside her legs like a bored child, she complained to yoshiharu. 

“Muu, it’s boring until we arrive at Kyushu. And it’s boring without my rival Hanbei around for me to bully. Well then, Sagara Yoshiharu, I shall teach you the situation in Kyushu!” 

“Actually, as a fan of Sengoku wars, I more or less roughly know what state Kyushu is currently in this period. Kyushu is divided into 3 major factions: Otomo Sorin of BungoProvince, Shimazu Clan of Satsuma, and finally the rebellious Ryuzoji Clan of Hizen. As a Catholic, Otomo Sorin has a good relationship with the Namban people. On the other hand, Shimazu clan who hates Christianity wishes to unite the three provinces Satsuma, Oosumi, and Hyuga in order to defeat the Otomo clan, as Ryuzoji will show their aggressiveness in the near future”. 

“Sim. It will not be enough to just enter an alliance with the Otomo. But we also need to prevent both the Shimazu and Ryuzoji from attacking the Otomo Clan. However, we already sent another diplomat; they should be able to finish their job. Because Ryuzoji’s strength is inferior to the other 2 clans, they would wish to strike them both once they weaken. If we are able to persuade Otomo Sorin then our duty would be complete.” 

“We sent another representative? Was there anyone left in Oda who could’ve been sent to Kyushu?” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, you are a fool. Listen to me and take a good look at this map of Kyushu.” Kanbei spread out a map that showed the position of the Kyushu Clan on top of a Namban desk. 

The one who had the biggest territory was Otomo Sorin who had covered the Bungo, Chikuzen, Buzen, and Chikugo Provinces. Ryuzoji dominated most of Hizen while the Arima Clan ruled by the first Christian daimyo and Omura clan lied in the southern part. These two last clans had maintained its existence by having a good trading relationship with the Namban. 

There was Also a clan from the Northern Higo and Sagara clan from the Southern Higo. These two are currently allied with the Otomo Clan. 

Ito clan that lied on Hyuga Province, and finally the Shimazu Clan that ruled over the Satsuma and Oosumi Provinces.  

Since it had 9 provinces, it was named Kyushu (nine provinces). 

“There is a Sagara clan that has the same name as mine? Well, it wasn’t a rare name anyway.” 

“Now Shimazu is trying to drive out the Ito Clan from Hyuga. Since Hyuga originally belonged to the Shimazu clan. Otomo Sorin also tried to build a Christian kingdom in Hyuga, the so-called ‘Kingdom of God.’ Since Shimazu is an anti-Christian faction, they won’t let Hyuga fall into the Otomo Clan’s hands. Since the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu who had descended from Amaterasu, led his first expedition from the Hyuga Province. The Sagara Clan in South Higo who was adjacent to both Satsuma and Hyuga Provinces would probably be involved on this battle as well.” 

“Yoshiharu-san, it seems that Kyushu has a different situation compared to Zipang’s main island (Honshu). I have never seen such a belligerent country just like Kyushu before. We should put more observation on it now.” 

“Just like Frois has said, Kyushu is filled with conflicts even more than in Honshu since the ancient times and still continues unto this day. During those times exists such a powerful native people of Southern Kyushu called Kumaso or Hayato. There is also Dazaifu garrisoned in the other side of the continent who is in charge in governing the state. 

When the Mongolian army broke in and tried to invade Kyushu, the continent got separated into two sides, and battles keep breaking out ever since then. The war still continued even before and during the Onin Wars. Because of this, many people were so accustomed to it that the men of Kyushu are called “Shura,” and many boys start to wield spears and take up arms in battlefields when they are 7 years old.” 

“Even though you said ‘Shura,’ there are also princess generals, right?” 

“In Kyushu, many men die before the age of 20! That is why there are many princess generals as well. But there is basically no distinction between a male and a female as a Shura in Kyushu. No one’s life would be spared even if they turn into a monk. Even if it is a princess general, any loss to a battle would result in capital punishment. In fact there is no princess general who would be caught as a prisoner! They would rather take their own lives rather than to live in shame! Such is the way of a Shura.”  

Furthermore, because they used a lot of arquebuses in their battles, there was a high chance for a princess general to die within a battlefield. Kanbei added more information. 

“To think that such thing could happen,” Yoshiharu muttered in epiphany. 

“If a girl is captured then she would be beheaded immediately? What joke is this? For such thing to happen.” 

“It is something that happens due to battles that occurred for centuries, so it can’t be helped. The reason why the delicate Otomo Sorin converted to Christianity is because she can’t endure the hellish way of a Shura in Kyushu while managing the clan’s external and internal problems.” 

“Otomo Sorin is a delicate girl?”. 

“Otomo Sorin is a girl whom you definitely would like since she is a very beautiful and big-breasted girl. Despite having such a capricious personality, she is a genius and motivated person comparable to Nobuna. She has repelled Mori Motonari from advancing to Kyushu, though currently she has fallen into depression, locking herself in her mansion and refusing to come out and fight. If she did not have that problem, she could have pacified Kyushu or at least conquered the Ryuzoji Clan by now. And she also has a lot of strong generals as her subordinates.” 

“Eh,what? Big b-b-breasts you said? How big are they compared to Frois?” 

“Hmm, ah, I think it is the same size as Frois.”  

“That is too big. There is no way that she would be a Japanese girl. That would be ridiculous!” 

“As expected of Yoshiharu-san; the conversation has diverted into a topic about breasts,” Frois muttered shyly. 

“Otomo-sama may have started to believe in Christianity in order to fill the lack of innocence in her heart. By having God’s blessing, she wants to fix her unstable mind.”  

However, Frois started to talk in a low voice. 

“The new head of the missionary association of Zipang that is dispatched to Kyushu, Gaspard-sama. Even though he is also a missionary, he has a different agendum compared to Xavier-sama who made a visit to this country. Gaspard-sama is now acting as the strategist of the Otomo Clan and has been corrupting the clan from within gradually.” 

“Military strategist? That person? Is he the one who picked one of the three sacred treasures, Yasakani Magatama, from the depth of the Seto Island’s sea and gave it to Gamo in order to send me back to the future?” 

“Yes, the missionary association  is currently being divided into two factions. One is the one who is following the footstep of Xavier. They wish to spread the teachings of Christianity to every country in the world. The second one is the Conquistador that works together with the Spanish and Portuguese governments and merchants in order to set up a colony in other countries.  

Xavier-sama believes that it is impossible to send the Spanish Armada in order to defeat Zipang’s samurai because of the latter’s progress in adapting to the use of large amount of arquebuses in battle even more so than in Europe but…” 

“So this Gaspard belongs to the latter faction, Frois-chan?” 

“Yes, unfortunately so.” 

With an optimistic attitude, Kanbei effusively said, “Don’t think too much of it, a Samurai is not someone so lenient,” and laughed. 

“Frois, it’s impossible for the Namban to invade japan. The distance in the sea is too wide for their navy to sail across. The land route is blocked by the Ottoman Empire. And in here, the Oda, Otomo, and Shimazu Clan’s armies have been fully equipped with the Namban’s technology and weaponry. If Japan would ever be united, it would without a doubt become the de facto strongest military state in the world. It’s different compared to Luzon which has been conquered by the Spanish or Malacca by the Portuguese. Don’t worry.” 

Wrong; Gaspard-sama already knew that it’s impossible to occupy Zipang with a military expedition. That is why he has devised a frightening method. Frois said while trembling. 

“Gaspard-sama intends to use the power of faith to manipulate the heart of the people. No matter how many arquebuses or katanas they have, once their faith has been converted, all people could easily be manipulated like a puppet. And once he gets the influence of this country’s king, it will be easy to convert Zipang into a Christian country, and finally Gaspard-sama could get a grasp on the nation’s military power.” 

“Seems to be a pretty nasty enemy to face against, Frois-chan.” 

“Gaspard-sama is also a scholar who is well-educated of the west and east’s ancient civilization. He used the sacred treasure which had been forgotten by the people in order to achieve his ambition. Although he had been captured by the Murakami Navy before, he tricked them to salvage one of the treasures from the depths of the sea.”  

“Gamo Ujisato is a scholar who also likes to learn about the ancient civilization. Even now she is still investigating the myth behind the Shrine of Izumo.” 

“His only miscalculation was that he did not expect Nobuna-sama to have a strong will to refuse using Amano-Iwato to make herself a god and to instead kiss Yoshiharu,  as well as Shimazu Clan of Satsuma’s being too resilient in their forces. If it were a success, he would’ve replaced Yoshiharu-san’s position to become Nobuna-sama’s closest military advisor.” 

“The tactic to manipulate the people’s hearts…that is something that Kanbei is poor at. Furthermore, he is a man whom I have no knowledge about. My future knowledge which is my only weapon is useless now.” Yoshiharu’s body tensed. 

“He is the military adviser of the Otomo Clan. And it seems that he already has captivated Sorin’s heart by now. Will he move the biggest military forces in Kyushu in order to enter a decisive battle against the Shimazu Clan?” 

“Perhaps. Because he intends to found a kingdom of God in Kyushu. But the Shimazu Clan who keeps guarding against the Namban’s invasion would never agree with the Christian missionary works. Gaspard would need to annihilate Shimazu in order to make Zipang into a Christian nation.” 

“Then, because of my scandal with Nobuna that would hinder Tenka Fubu, he incited Gamo Ujisato to sent me back to future?” 

“I think that, since you are the man who knows the future of Zipang, he thinks of you as a hindrance to his ambition.”  

“Such a man exists, huh? But why did he not decide to just kill me then? 

“In front of the people, if Nobuna-sama opened Amano-Iwato, the scandal with Yoshiharu-san would’ve disappeared and the people would’ve believed that Nobuna-sama was the second incarnation of Amaterasu-Ookami of this country. If such a miracle happened, the whole country should’ve been unified in one body.” 

“Unify the nation without using military strength but instead through the people’s mind and faith, huh? I can’t seem to disagree with his method, but I wonder how the European people are so familiar with Japan’s mythology? Could he possibly be a person like me who came from the future? That’s very strange.” 

“Yes, it is strange for the Namban to know about the secret of the three sacred treasures and to achieve the Yasakani-Magatama even earlier than me Simon. It’s very confusing,” Kanbei nodded.  

Kanbei once visited the Mori Clan to look for the treasure which had been buried deep below the Seto Island’s sea. 

“Yes, he is a man full of mystery.” 

“I would have wished for a cultural exchange. But Nobuna has her own wishes - to bring an end to this land’s war-torn history. I don’t think I want to see a future where Nobuna turns this country into a colony of the Spanish Empire.” 

So he is a Namban strategist, huh? I wish to match my wits against him sometime. If I win against him, Simon should be the best strategist in the world. Said Kanbei happily.  

“You are in a good mood,” Yoshiharu patted Kanbei’s head, followed by a kick from the latter. 

“I’m sorry, Yoshiharu-san. Missionary activities have always contained contradiction. Before his death, Xavier –sama also fell into anguish upon knowing this fact. However, if we didn’t try to expand our missionary activities to foreign countries, the Conquistador would’ve used this as a chance to advance their military expansion and create a colony. Once, the Aztec Empire located in the New Continent was destroyed mercilessly by España. Even the Incan Empire is on the verge of collapse. Some parts of them have already been destroyed…” 

“It’s not Frois’s fault. In this country, military activites and missionary works are separate things. This is what Nobuna has decided upon”. 

Gamo Ujisato yearned for her sister, Nobuna, yet she was still a child who couldn’t understand the love of a man and a woman. I thought it was a dirty thing yet it wasn’t. Kanbei nodded as she was convinced by this fact. 

“You need to pay more attention, Kanbei. This man Gaspard is a very eloquent man. He knows how to use people’s faith and manipulate them like a puppet. He is a very dangerous and difficult enemy for you to challenge. Furthermore, he has a lot of knowledge that I do not know.” 

“Muu, how rude, Sagara Yoshiharu! It is impossible for me Simon to be fooled by a foreigner like him! I told you that Otomo Sorin is a friend of mine! Just leave everything to me!” 

However, at that moment, the situation changed. 

Something felt strange. Kanbei took up her telescope and furrowed her eyebrows. 

 “It’s an enemy attack!” 

Just as the Oda diplomatic convoy passed through Tosa, a fleet of black pirate ships – it was more suitable to call them “whaling vessels” – had launched a barrage. 

“What is going on? The Murakami Navy should not be able to pass through this sea!” Kanbei shouted while holding her hat and swaying her fan. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu! They threw a rain of harpoons towards us!”. 

“Are they really pirates? Their ships are cladded in iron. But that would make them heavy and thus inoperable for long distance traveling. They should have used light vessels for speed instead, but is there any demerit in using one?” 

“Muu. Their ships’ sails have the symbol of seven-leaf creeping wood sorrel! It’s the symbol of the Chosokabe Clan from the Tosa Province!” 

“Chosokabe should have been busy in unifying Shikkoku! Why are they hindering us?” 

“They seem to be trying to catch a whale. It looks like a poaching ship.” 

“I think they will ask for a fee to pass through just like the Murakami. Yoshiharu-san, I shall go there as a representative.” 

“No, Frois-chan, it is dangerous! I should go there instead! It’s time for me to show my experience from my training with the Murakami Pirates.” 

“Be careful, Sagara Yoshiharu! This island belongs to Chosokabe and is outside of Oda Nobuna’s jurisdiction! I don’t know what they will do to you!” 

“Kanbei, I have the providence of the sea goddess. Even if I have women trouble, I shouldn’t have any trouble in the sea. It will be alright!” 

Yoshiharu jumped out from the deck, descended to a small boat, and rowed it to the black ship all by himself. 

However, Yoshiharu wouldn’t be able to negotiate with the Chosokabe. 

From the deck of the whaling ship until its mast and hull, everything is colored black. Suddenly an old-looking harpoon was thrown over to Yoshiharu’s boat. 

“Woah, that is close! Hey, I’m not a whale!” 

Yoshiharu barely avoided it, yet the harpoon suddenly took a turn upright and struck the boat as if it was a mast. And then….. 

“Has the tide changed? Wait a second! The ship is not going to where I want it to be! Did the harpoon change the balance of the boat?” 

The boat that changed its course suddenly began to move further from the Oda’s and Chosokabe‘s fleets. 

“This is a lie. I must pull out the spear immediately…but if I do, the boat would sink. Should I dive to the ocean instead?” 

However at that time, a big wave hit the boat violently, and Yoshiharu fell over. 

Even though Yoshiharu had experience in Murakami Pirates’ ships, it was the first time he experienced such a huge wave. 

“I don’t understand what is happening! Have I lost the protection from the sea goddess?” 

By the time that the boat stabilized, the land and the other ship could no longer be seen from the distance. 

A long distance formed since the last time the accident had happened. 

Sagara Yoshiharu missed his chance to jump out from the boat and lost in the sea. 

Naturally, troubles began to stir on Kanbei Kuroda and others inside the ship. 

“What the heck is that spear? Sagara Yoshiharu got hit by it and got away from us in such high speed. We could not even catch up to him.” 

“Although it’s impossible to ascertain; could it be an ancient treasure just like the 3 sacred treasures, Simon-san?” 

“Yes, it is that! Chosokabe has used the ‘Hebihirei!’” 

“Hebihirei?” 

“Although I only heard rumors when I was looking for the Magatama in the Seto Island’s sea and never saw it myself…but in ancient times, it was one of the very old 10 sacred treasures that was lost from the history of Japan. Hibehirei is a sacred treasure that can manipulate sea waves and turn the direction of ships. It does not sink the ship since it won’t pierce it but merely stick on the ship’s deck. But because sailors never knew about the existence known as Hebihirei, the spear would stick unto the ship deck since no one dared to pull it, being afraid of sinking. And so the spear could continue to drive the ship freely.” 

Once long ago in Yamato (ancient Japan), stood several extinct kingdoms such as the Izumo and Kibi Kingdoms and many other domains. There were several sacred treasures that were different from the three sacred treasures owned by the Yamato-Gosho. These treasures were known as the 10 heretical sacred treasures - Shinpo. They were recorded in the “Chronicles of Japan,” of course scattered around, and got lost. Kanbei folded her arms and thought in annoyance. 

“So why is one of such treasures ended up in Shikkoku to be owned by the Chosokabe?” 

“The snake is considered as a symbol of the sea god. It could be that Hebihirei was hidden at the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima which is dedicated in serving the water god, Benzaiten (Japanese Buddhist goddess who originated from Sarasvati). Or it could have lied within the Seto Island’s sea as well. Kobayakawa Takakage must have found it and handed it over to Chosokabe.” 

However, Kobayakawa Takakage was not a woman who would use this kind of tool. In fact, she didn’t use it to win the precedent Battle of Kizugawaguchi. Kanbei couldn’t find a good reason for it. 

“Putting aside the Mori clan, Kobayakawa Takakage is a realistic woman who will not use methods like that. She holds the principle to win over battle by using the strength of the people without using god’s power. Her ideal is similar to Oda Nobuna. Otherwise she would not have the wisdom necessary to make a clear decision as a fine military commander on her own. The man from the future Sagara Yoshiharu is a separate matter though. But is this really how it is? In fact that spear was not one of the sacred treasures. Once it was used, its spiritual energy would disappear. Why use such a trump card just for Yoshiharu?" Kanbei growled in incomprehension. 

 Frois nodded, “I see.” 

“Isn’t the reason simple. Because Miss Kobayakawa loves Yoshiharu-san, she would bend her principle, use it to solve the problem and take things to her advantage without killing him. After all, love is a powerful thing that transcends reasoning and every principle." 

Really? Is love such a powerful weapon? To think that a cold-blooded woman would bow before the power of love. Kanbei sighed. 

“Yes it is. There is no other power stronger than the power of love.” 

“In other words, using the Hebihirei will drive Sagara Yoshiharu away to a distant land without killing him? Even so, we need to get Sagara Yoshiharu back. If Oda Nobuna hears this, she would fly into a rage, and I’d lose my job immediately.” 

“Although it’s just my personal feelings but we cannot deny such a possibility. Sometimes love can take away people’s rationality. But I think Miss Kobayakawa is a thoughtful person so I think it will be alright. She did not use the spear in the last battle and insisted on using human potential to fight Nobuna-sama.” 

“Uwaaah! I do not understand such a thing! I, Simon, do not understand the concept of love! Hey, all of you! Chosokabe’ ship has disappeared. Now it’s time to search for Sagara Yoshiharu’s boat right now! Go and search it!” 

Kanbei and the others tried to the follow the traces from where Yoshiharu had drifted to, but due to a huge wave he was already completely out of their sight.  

“Sagara Yoshiharu! The boat will not sink even if you pull out the spear! So pull it out now,” she shouted several times to the sea yet Yoshiharu already disappeared. 

Yoshiharu did not hear any of it. And thus Sagara Yoshiharu was lost in the coast of Tosa.