Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 15 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - The Naval Battle of Yatsushiro 

On the other hand, the Kyushu warfront had entered its final phase. 

After successfully realizing the plan of reconciliation during the “Battle of Taka castle” between the Otomo and Shimazu clans, the Otomo forces led by Kuroda Kanbei who became renowned as the “World Class Strategist” throughout all of Kyushu, made a “big return” from Hyuga highway to the north. At the same time as the Otomo clan aimed at the territory of Mori clan, Suo province, the Shimazu forces hurried back from Hyuga to their homeland Satsuma, toward Yatsushiro of south Higo where the rear guard Sagara Tokuchiyo protected it without rest. 

Right now, Yatsushiro was being attacked by the people of north Higo who supported Ryuzoji Takanobu. Among the enemy forces, Kai Soun’s figure could be seen there -- no, Kai Soun was ordered by his lord Aso Koremasa to command the army as the powerful supreme commander of north Higo. There was not a single moment to lose. 

As for the Shimazu forces, although they have mobilized a large army of 40000 strong during the great decisive battle against Otomo army at Taka castle, they gathered unarmed  people from their territory to oppose the overwhelming large forces of the Otomo clan……in other words, they levied peasants. They cannot endure a series of continuous battles. If there is no one to plough the farms, famine would spread and all of  Satsuma would starve. Therefore, at the same time after the battle of Taka castle was over, they had to let more than half of their entire army return to the farms. And they needed to station an army to placate the southern part of Hyuga which had been divided with the Otomo clan. The natives of the old Itou clan are still crawling around everywhere in Hyuga. If the Shimazu 

army withdrew completely, a riot would happen and Kuroda Kanbei’s “Big Reversal” would be interfered with. 

The number of Shimazu soldiers who piled up a forced march from Hyuga to Kuma and had participated in series of battles without taking any food and sleep had decreased to 15000. This 15000 is almost the maximum number of military forces that the Shimazu army can mobilize for a campaign. Although their number is few, all of them are elites. 

The supreme commander of Yatsushiro reinforcement army is Shimazu Yoshihiro.  

Acting as her subordinates is her youngest Imouto Shimazu Iehisa. Sagara Yoshiharu, who has been dispatched by the Oda clan, his Ane, Sagara Yoshihi, and along with the current head of the 21st generation of Otomo clan, Otomo Sorin, crossed over the sea to the territory of  the Arima clan, Shimabara peninsula. It was being approached by 30000 members of the Ryuzoji forces. 

Tokuchiyo who inherited the position as the current head of Sagara clan from Yoshihi rallied herself within Hitoyoshi castle at the same time she heard the report. “The head of the Aso clan, Aso Koremasa abandoned the Otomo clan who declared the founding of a Christian kingdom and allied himself with the Ryuzoji clan and advanced to Yatsushiro.” She kept herself inside the mountain castle, Furufumoto castle, to defend Yatsushiro port to death while waiting for the north Higo forces led by Kai Soun. Furufumoto castle is an important place that stood in front of Yatsushiro port. If this mountain castle fell, Yatsushiro which is the biggest port of south Higo will fall to Kai Soun’s hand. Once it falls, the Shimazu forces strategy of crossing the sea to Shimabara peninsula will reach a dead end. 

The great event called the “Battle of Taka castle” that Kuroda Kanbei made, had stirred a series of ripples in Kyushu until it was on the verge of explosion as if it was caused by multiple collisions. 

Kai Soun mobilized all of the military power that the Aso clan could mobilize. In addition, various powerful clans such as Kumabe Chikanaga of north Higo had also joined in and it became an even larger army than during the battle of Hibikinohara.  

Right now, Kai Soun had surrounded Furufumoto castle that stood on the eastern coast of Kumagawa. 

Kai Soun’s lord, Aso Koremasa, who heard the news that Otomo Sorin had joined with  with a religious leader of the namban to destroy Shinto shrine and Buddhist temples learned that, “Aso shrine has been destroyed as well and the sacred shrine has been remodeled into a Christian church.” He seemed to remember Otomo Sorin’s recklessness and broke his promise to Kai Soun of “you shouldn’t break your alliance to the Otomo clan so easily,” and went over to the Ryuzoji clan. 

Kai Soun promised absolute loyalty toward the Aso clan. 

As soon as he returned alive from Hibikinohara, Kai Soun had no other choice but to agree to being ordered by his lord to attack the Sagara clan again. 

However, there is a little problem that came out among Kai’s family member when Kai Soun is in the middle of dispatching his troops. 

The present 20th head of the Aso clan, Aso Koremasa, is a samurai who rules over the territory of Aso clan which encompasses all of north Higo while at the same time is also the head priest of Aso shrine. In the country of Kyushu of Shura where the Sangokuteiritsu (Three Kingdom Contest) of Shimazu, Otomo and 

Ryuzoji has occurred, he continued the Aso clan somehow with the help of the military power and ingenuity of Kai Soun. However, that three of Kai Soun’s own sons were purged in punishment for communicating secretly with the Ito clan had made Aso Koremasa fall into suspicion. 

Moreover, Aso Koremasa knew very well that Kai Soun has been protecting Sagara Yoshihi who held her ground in south Higo like she was his own real daughter. If the Sagara clan who held the stronghold between the Shimazu clan and Aso clan were to be swallowed up by the Shimazu then the Aso clan will be destroyed as well. This is the opinion of Kai Soun. 

Because Sagara Yoshihi finally fell into the control of the Shimazu clan, Aso Koremasa hurriedly gave the order to Kai Soun to attack Sagara clan first and the “Battle of Hibikinohara” broke out. Would Kai Soun abandon his loyalty to the Aso clan which had made him commit the crime of “Infanticide” previously…… Koremasa seemed to be afraid of that. Aso Koremasa also knew that the continuation of Aso clan will be in danger if Kai Soun dies. Therefore he didn’t aim to kill Kai Soun from the beginning. But if Kai Soun made an action of communicating secretly with Sagara Yoshihi in the battlefield, he would shoot him in the back. The Aso clan would be ruined if Kai Soun betrayed him and went to the Shimazu clan so he prepared that order to the Teppou squad beforehand. 

“Soun. There seems to have been a mistake in Hibikinohara. I didn’t doubt your loyalty. All of those people who shot you by mistake, I have made them commit seppuku…… Please forgive us.”  

Aso Koremasa had no choice but to prostate himself and apologize in front of Kai Soun who came back home after receiving gunshot wounds over his whole body. 

Kai Soun nodded silently. However, “you severed your relationship with the Otomo clan and decided to be indebted to the Ryuzoji clan. Right now, didn’t you 

think about attacking the Sagara clan again?” he couldn’t help but to feel disgusted and furious over his master’s order. 

Aso Koremasa explained with teary eyes to Kai Soun who had doubt about the separation from the Otomo clan. 

“Although this clan hold this place as a Sengoku warlord because of these chaotic times, I am actually the chief priest of the great Aso shrine in the first place. I cannot permit the foundation of the Christian kingdom of Mushiga. If I permit it, then the Aso clan will lose the very reason of his existence itself…… Oda Nobuna who was influenced by the Christians in Honshuu said “I won’t let religions take up weapons,” and set fire to Eizan and took away the weapons from the armed monks of Koufuku-ji and it was said that she made Honbyo temple of Osaka surrender and moved their head temple to a remote place called Koushien. Otomo Sorin is also the same. That Hime-Busho got rid of the Usa-Hachiman shrine by setting it on fire just like Oda Nobuna too. No, she is much worse than Oda Nobuna since she want to build a new kingdom of Christians in japan. As long as Otomo Sorin indulges herself in Christianity, the Aso clan will not be able to get along with the Otomo clan any longer.” 

Indeed, Kuroda Kanbei’s large-scale stratagem that involved all of Kyushu had miraculously succeeded in making a shocking peace between the Shimazu and Otomo clans and stopped the subversive activity of the Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. At this time, Aso Koremasa and even Kai Soun didn’t expect that to happen. 

What an opportunist. An ordinary daimyo got interposed between large powers due to breaking an alliance. It’s not a bad thing to abandon the Otomo clan. But you don’t have any intention of betting on the Ryuzoji clan. That is my lord. Even in Hibikinohara, you couldn’t even decide clearly whether to kill me or to trust me. Always wavering and always trying to have it both ways…… Even if 

you go to Ryuzoji clan with this, you wouldn’t be able to obtain any trust. Ryuzoji Takanobu is a man who would calmly kill any man whom he judged as not useful even if they are his benefactor. In this situation, this clan is ruined. Kai Soun had an expression filled with agony. But because he wore a pair of black namban sunglasses, no one could read his eyes. 

But…… Kai Soun’s loyalty was betrayed. Aso Koremasa who had betrayed the Otomo clan and cornered himself had prepared a trump card to make Kai Soun who had become a mounded tiger obey him. 

He invited Kai Soun’s legitimate child Kai Chikahide, who had survived Kai Soun’s purge, into the hall. 

Kai Chikahide was fated to be purged by the lord’s order when Kai Soun’s four sons communicated secretly with Ito clan. However, only the legitimate child who should’ve been the mastermind had been kept alive by Soun for some reason. Of course Kai Chikahide hates his father Soun. Why was he kept alive? If he carried out his loyalty, Soun should’ve killed all of the four sons. In the first place, he claimed to have involved his three otoutos, so he complained and held a grudge against Soun. 

“……Chichi-ue. He will likely show resentment if he is given an outrageous command to fight the Sagara clan again immediately after he fought desperately against the Sagara forces. Nevertheless, he still has the freedom to disobey the lord’s order as, at that time, milord judged that Chichi-ue’s loyalty is fake. In that case, this Chikahide will commit suicide.” 

“Th-that’s right. So-Soun. Will you make Yatsushiro fall and destroy the Sagara clan this time? Or will it be yo-yours or your legitimate child’s head that will fall instead? I-it will be one of those.” 

“This Chikahide is a traitor who betrayed his lord. Yet, miraculously, he disgraced himself in this manner. Although he is prepared to commit seppuku, if 

all four sons died then the Kai clan will go extinct and his late Haha-ue will grieve as well.” 

Chikahide who had a ghastly expression scowled at his wounded father with a glint in his eyes.  

Aso Koremasa who took Chikahide as a hostage fell timid under the tension of this confrontation between father and son. 

“Furthermore, my wife would also fall to grief. Chichi-ue.” 

“……” 

“The father of my wife was also murdered by Chichi-ue for the crime of communicating secretly to the Ito clan. How much would my wife grieved if her Chichi was murdered and her husband was ordered to commit seppuku? Rather, in what way should this unworthy son and wife be punished? Chichi-ue -- if loyalty to the Aso clan is important then-” 

“It didn’t occur to me that Aso Koremasa would take my legitimate child as a hostage. After he takes my legitimate child, Chikahide as a hostage he is going to make sure that I will stick with my loyalty to the Aso clan.” Kai Soun noticed. 

“Chikahide. Keep me as your enemy anytime if you want to kill me. Right now I am wounded. Pull out your sword.” 

“I cannot kill Chichi-ue in a straight fight. You are a monster who calmly returned home after being bathed in Tanegashima shots in your back. You can kill one of your sons without batting an eye……if you callously kill this Chikahide who is the only one left then you will complete your loyalty to Aso clan.” 

“Chikahide. Do you hate the Sagara clan that much?” 

“It is hateful. Chichiue who can kill his own flesh and blood sons was not able to kill the Hime-Busho of the Sagara clan……! The head of Sagara Tokuchiyo, I will have you take it as a sign somehow or another! The head of 

Sagara Tokuchiyo. This Chikahide’s head. I want you to choose one of them Chichiue!” 

“……Why do you not kill me with your own hand? Chikahide. You have no choice but to surpass me in power if you are to be completed as a Shura of Kyushu and become the present head of the Kai clan.” 

“It’s regrettable, but Chichi-ue is too strong. I intended to defeat you many times. But it’s absolutely impossible. This unworthy son couldn’t kill you even if I went as far as serving you poison.” 

“It’s my fate as one who has lived while staining this hand with the blood of my own family as the Shura among Shuras.” Kai Soun realized it. He had lived and returned from Hibikinohara in order to be killed by his legitimate child at the end of his life. But Chikahide didn’t permit that. Chikahide hated Sagara clan that much. He believed that his father’s love was completely stolen by the Sagara sisters. He is not satisfied anymore by simply poisoning Kai Soun. 

Soun thought. The reason why I decided to protect the young Sagara Yoshihi is because something within my heart was roused when I heard Yoshihi’s cry that said “I don’t want to die without knowing the reason why I was born,” when she ran into the gate of Mifune castle. “Please save me”, I intended to leave anyone who unsightly begged for his life to die. Those words that Sagara Yoshihi said changed my wounded soul. It’s similar to when I left Chikahide alive while killing my other three sons. Chikahide protected his otoutos yet his otoutos unsightly begged for their lives. Therefore I only saved Chikahide. The reason is because I believe that the only son that has the capacity to live as a Shura of Kyushu is Chikahide. But, Chikahide who has been obsessed with his hatred for his father and the Sagara clan won’t be able to understand even if I explain it. 

“Being merciful towards frail women and children and pushing down one’s own sons to the bottom of the ravine. That’s Chichi-ue’s way. If it’s a true Shura, it 

doesn’t matter if the foe is a woman, man, or child! Everyone in the country of Shura of Kyushu should be equal as a human! A weak person has no right to live in Kyushu! Chichi-ue! Show the true path of the Shura to me, Chikahide! With that, Chikahide…… could respect Chichi-ue.” 

Aso Koremasa took the enraged Chikahide’s hand, “wait then,” and stopped him. He might get involved if the father and son started fighting each other now in this place. No talented men will be left for the Aso clan if the purge keeps continuing. If the current head and the heir of the Kai clan die together, the Aso clan wouldn’t be able to stand up anymore. “I will march to Yatsushiro and destroy Sagara Tokuchiyo.” Kai Soun answered. 

“However, milord. And also Chikahide. This clan will collapse if it welcomes Ryuzoji Takanobu. After taking Yatsushiro, make a firm protection around the domain and endure until the Tenkabito who leads an army from Honshuu comes. Devote yourselves to defending the castle single-mindedly and avoid sending soldiers from here to fight Otomo and Shimazu clan. Other than that, there is no way to keep the Aso clan.” 

While ordering the vassals to begin the preparation to march again, “I have yet to know whether Sagara Tokuchiyo has the capacity to live in Kyushu……” Soun persuaded himself. He didn’t want to admit that he was attacking Yatsushiro out of compassion towards Chikahide. 

“Milord! Furufumoto castle is already like a mouse in a trap! Just a little more and we will take Sagara Tokuchiyo’s head!” 

Kai Soun’s mind suddenly returned to reality after being called out by his vice general. 

I sent Sagara Yoshihi out from Kuma and yet not a single day has passed too. And yet, I myself am trying to subjugate Sagara Tokuchiyo like this now. Now that I know that Shimazu has made peace with Otomo and went to Yatsushiro, is there any meaning in taking Yatsushiro like this and helping Ryuzoju Takanobu’s ambition of conquering Kita-Kyushu? 

No, there is no doubt that in Shimazu, there is Shimazu Yoshihiro who is known as “Oni Shimazu”. It’s necessary to reach a conclusion with that ultimate Hime-Busho who was born with abnormal mental power and literally overcame the natural differences of physical strength between man and woman through extraordinary training. 

‘If it’s a true Shura, it doesn’t matter if the foe is a woman, man, or child! Everyone in the country of Shura of Kyushu should be equal as a human! A weak person has no right to live in Kyushu!’ 

He recalled the cry of his heir Chikahide.  

If I fight against Shimazu Yoshihiro who dealt with the Tachibana clan as an enemy during the battle of Taka castle, the result regarding my life will be death. 

I didn’t give mercy because Sagara Yoshihi was a “woman or a child”. There is no man and woman in Kyushu, only the strong survive. The reality of the country of Shura, this father’s way, it might be possible to make Chikahide realize that. 

Of course, I won’t go easy. Shimazu Yoshihiro will be put down even if we simultaneously attack each other. Yoshihiro’s Hiken – the Shoken-Goroshi (Sure Kill) “Satsuma Jigen-ryu” has been used against the genius Hime-Busho Tachibana Muneshige who appeared at Taka castle. That Hiken was originally developed to kill me. It was said that she didn’t use it against “Raijin” Tachibana Dosetsu and Takahashi Shoun. She used it against the young warrior Tachibana Muneshige who is in her first campaign. Unless she did it, Yoshihiro wouldn’t 

survive. Tachibana Muneshige is a Hime-Busho even though she disguised herself as a man. It’s said that she is younger than Yoshihi. An extraordinary genius of war. She is a perfect Shura that people are talking about. Now Kyushu is changing. The time when the old generals have passed on may come. 

 “……Shimazu Yoshihiro is not here yet…… What makes her so slow……?” 

“Awawawa. The outrageous offence has begun! What should I do?!” 

Tokuchiyo, who built a defensive army in the mountain castle of Furufumoto castle of Yashushiro to prevent the violent attack of Kai Soun, didn’t have any experience in commanding military until now. Still, the mountain of Yatushiro is like a garden to Tokuchiyo. Tokuchiyo laid ambushes in many places on the mountain and developed a guerilla war to avoid a frontal confrontation with Kai Soun. If she kept on holding out like this and earned some time then the reserve army -- Tokuchiyo believed that Sagara Yoshihi and Sagara Yoshiharu will come. In addition, the vassal groups of the Sagara clan that were left by Yoshihi united as one and prevented the violent attack of the north Higo force that was led by Kai Soun. 

But the time has come where she cannot hold out any longer. The branch castles were captured in succession by Kai Soun’s brilliant strategy with only this castle remaining.  

Furthermore, all day he has begun to expand his fighting power steadily. 

Kai Soun should’ve been severely wounded at Hibikinohara. His wounds hadn’t healed yet. But Soun kept on charging with a deadpan look and rode a horse as if nothing happened. Did he feel no pain? Or is he a monster who can move by 

only suppressing all of his emotions and senses for the sake of simply killing the enemy in front of his eyes? 

However, it’s possible for Tokuchiyo to have a glimpse of Kai Soun’s real intention who devoted himself in doing nothing but capturing Furufumoto castle without burning down the Yatsushiro’s proud, magnificent and beautiful port. Kai Soun doesn’t want to burn this Yatsushiro town which had been prospering under Sagara Yoshihi’s care. If he burned down the town, Tokuchiyo would have no choice but to come out from the mountain and fight a decisive battle with Soun. But, Soun didn’t do it. It’s as if Shoun himself is waiting for Sagara Yoshiharu and Sagara Yoshihi and his arch-nemesis Shimazu Yoshihiro – 

. 

Tokushiyo was looking at the sea stretching ahead of Kumagawa under Yatsushiro’s blue sky while receiving today’s 2nd full scale attack of the north Higo forces led by Kai Soun to the old Furufumoto castle. Yatsushiro is one of the most beautiful places in the world and would fascinate people. Why would people kill each other in this beautiful place? Tokuchiyo who grew up in the mountain with the wild bears as her friends cannot understand it. She had tears in her eyes when thinking about the heavy responsibility and the work that Yoshihi had carried out as the head of Sagara clan up until now. She finally understood the reason why Yoshihi implored her to never come back to Sagara clan to such an extent. 

“Is Indou alright? Ane-ue…… Yoshiharu-kun.” 

The attack against the castle was merciless today. Kai Soun himself mounted a big horse to climb the cliff while killing Sagara soldiers without mercy as if this was his final decisive battle. 

“……Uuu. Is it useless already……? No matter how you look at it, it is too unreasonable to have Soun-ojiisan as the enemy of my first campaign as a supreme commander~…… Was his son held hostage? His son’s head or Tokuchiyo’s head, 

he seemed to have been told to choose one of them…… it might be like that. Uuu. That’s cruel…… I feel sorry for Soun-ojiisan…… He is a benefactor who greatly protected Ane-ue, should I surrender and commit seppuku?” 

“Haa, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions and give up, Hime!” 

“Yoshihi-sama will certainly come with the Shimazu army as a reinforcement!” 

“The enemy knows that Shimazu reinforcement force will come soon, that’s why they are in a hurry!” 

“Aaaa~but, if I stop protecting it, in that case, in Soun-ojiisan’s viewpoint...” 

“That’s the thing he is after! This is the time to protect it with our life!” 

“Yoshihi-sama who doesn’t conceal her love to her Imouto that has already flowed out, will follow suit by committing seppuku out of despair!” 

“T-t-t-that’s no goooood! I get it, I have to survive! At least until I meet my Ane-ue again!” 

Tokuchiyo heard a battle cry from the main road to the south while holding a bow at the summit of the castle together with the vassal group. It was the reserve unit of the Shimazu army that had returned by taking the shortest distance via Hitoyoshi from Hyuga. 

The insignia of the Sagara clan, the battle standard of Kogane no Hyotan was also seen. 

“Aah~! It came~! They have come~! Aaah but everyone, you mustn’t accept any duel with Kai Soun-ojiisan~! You would be killed!, its dangerous~!” 

Kai Soun who knew of the arrival of Shimazu army said, “The rear guard has come. The sun begins to set soon. Although I pressed on with brute force, I wasn’t in time,” and concluded the siege of Furufumoto castle and retreated several 

kilometers to the north of Yatsushiro. Although the siege has been concluded, Furufumoto castle is still in front of his eyes. The fighting spirit of Kai Soun who didn’t retreat is immovable until he captured Yatsushiro –– 

No, now that he know that Shimazu Yoshihiro had arrived, his fighting spirit seemed to keep burning more and more. He is prepared to not to let them to cross over Shimabara easily. 

In any case, Sagara Yoshihi who was barely in time as the rear guard for her imouto, the supreme commander Shimazu Yoshihiro and Iehisa, furthermore Sagara Yoshiharu as well as Otomo Sorin and the others, had crossed Kumagawa and entered Furufumoto castle. There was no fear in them of being ambushed when crossing the river. 

It appeared that Kai Soun had given a delay of one night to Yoshihi and her sister Tokuchiyo. 

“Tokuchiyo, it’s good to know that you are safe. Ojii-sama seems to be standing in a dire situation. He may have been given a severe condition by his lord to commit seppuku if he fails to take Yatsushiro and your head. But we both have left Ojii-sama and become independent…… we mustn’t waste Ojii-sama’s goodwill he has given us until now. We sisters has no choice but to face him.” 

“Ane-ue! It’s an unexpected reunion~! I thought you would serve the Oda clan with Yoshiharu-kun for several years and continue marching from Kyushu to Honshuu~!” 

“……Although we are discussing a serious topic now, you are being optimistic. Haa~. The manner of a wild child isn’t different from a bear.” 

“Ane-ue, it surely will be alright somehow! Indou was safe too~, that’s good! And Yoshiharu-kun came too~! The 3 members of the Sagara clan and Indou embracing each other~!” 

“Gauu~!” 

Tokuchiyo and Yoshihi. The sisters of Sagara clan embraced each other and celebrated their reunion in the hall of Furufumoto castle.  

Yoshiharu who was also pleased to have a reunion with Tokuchiyo again, 

“I-I will refrain from doing that since I will die if Indou hugs me.” 

took a distance from the sisters and broke out in a cold sweat. 

“Gauu~!” 

“It’s alright Yoshiharu-kun! Indou is helping with the preparations for crossing the sea~! He carried the weapons~! Indou is a clever subordinate!” 

“Gauu gauu~!” 

“……Does a bear carry the weapons among the army? There wasn’t any bear like that in world War II……I don’t believe it, is it a true story?” 

“Now then Yoshiharu-kun, fawn on your Tokuchiyo-oneechan more~!” 

“……I see. Tokuchiyo is young and looks like an imouto to me, but because you were born on the same day as Yoshihi-neesan, you become older than me?” 

“Mufu~! That’s right. I am an onee-chan even though I look this way! I was staving off my hunger with nuts until this morning and shut myself in the castle. It’s bear for tonight, let’s have bear meat!” 

“……Ga…… gauuuu~!?” 

“Waa~ don’t talk about bear meat in front of Indou!” 

“*Ahem.* Tokuchiyo. As expected, It seem that all of the Shimazu sisters and Otomo Sorin think the woman of Higo are the offspring of Kumaso because of you. Bear meat, stop making a ruckus about bear meat.” 

“Ane-ue’s breast won’t grow if you don’t eat bear meat, you know?” 

“……I-I don’t really care!” 

The Shimazu battle sister duo Shimazu Yoshihiro and Shimazu Iehisa began to talk side by side while stuffing their mouths with Akumaki. “I am filled with gratefulness that the three Sagara siblings are together after a long time, but...”, “Nyaa. We are racing against the time in this situation. We need to hurry with the war council.” 

“These two, even though their appearance are different, their sharp looks while eating Akumaki side by side are really similar, they are indeed sisters.” Yoshiharu was moved. 

“All of the branch castles of Furufumoto castle have already been stolen by Kai Soun. The only thing that remains is this castle. At Shimabara peninsula over the Yatsushiro sea, the Ryuzoji army will hurry their march if they can’t annex the Arima clan. Taking away the Aso clan from the Otomo clan with surprising swiftness, that Ryuzoji Takanobu is this meticulous……” 

“Ryuzoji Takanobu himself is concentrating on taking control of the Yanagawa castle in Chikugo. It’s probably the strategist Nabeshima Naoshige who made the necessary preparations to make a scheme against the Aso clan, Yoshihiro-nee. *amu amu*.” 

“In any case, things have gone bad, Iehisa. We must divide the 15000 strong Shimazu army into two parts to deal with Yatsushiro and Shimabara. Furthermore, we have to spare more of the army in defense of Yatsushiro which has been cornered.” 

“Should I make a night attack now, Yoshihiro-nee?” 

“Since the enemy is Kai Soun, that would be impossible. Kai Soun stopped his advance and withdrew his army as soon as he knew of our arrival. Because the other side knows that we are in a hurry to cross over the Yatsushiro sea as soon as possible, they would naturally expect a sudden night attack…… You would 

understand this once you see how the enemy spread the line on the mountain side, Iehisa. In fact, after they withdrew from Furufumoto castle, they made a crane wing formation. You will be encircled in darkness if you put a night attack.” 

“Nyaa. His leadership, craftiness and valor alone is dreadful as a Shura. All four of the Shimazu 4 sisters are at a disadvantage~.” 

“Its might not be a disadvantage. Actually, we can divide the forces between Yatsushiro and Shimabara. Kai Soun is on his own. If the Shimazu main force fights a decisive battle with the Ryuzoji clan at Shimabara while I stay at Furufumoto castle and keep Soun in his place then Soun cannot move from Yatsushiro.” 

“It’s hopeless to cross over to Shimabara with Soun around but if Yoshihiro-nee confines him then my chance of winning will be increased.” 

The war council progressed like a chat over tea while they were eating Akumaki. “These two are really a battle idiots.” Yoshihi was disgusted. “You shouldn’t miss your marriage.” Tokuchiyo was smiling. 

“Nyaa. Sagara Imouto! Sagara Yoshiharu has already been decided as my husband. There is no problem! Aah, no, in that case, Sagara imouto, are you gonna be my older sister-in-law?” 

“……Aren’t you small as well, Iehisa? Besides, Sagara Yoshiharu-dono still hasn’t been decided to be married to Iehisa. Aah, that, about me as well, *cough cough*.” 

“Yoshihiro-nee!” 

“A marriage partner…… the Shimazu family really is female dominated~.” Yoshiharu trembled. Rather, it was better to say that it seemed that there was no distinction between man and woman in the Shuras of Kyushu. 

“It doesn’t matter who he will be married to, it doesn’t change the fact that the Shimazu clan will belong to my Sagara clan. I can win without going to war by sending my popular otouto as a groom to take over the lord. It’s a blessing for an 

ane to have an otouto. This is precisely like ‘losing a fly to catch a trout’. Fuha, fuhahaha.” 

“Yoshihi-neesan. I have told you many times that Nobuna and I are a couple. My head will fly if I have an affair in Kyushu.” 

“……Hmm. Sorin is useless in war council. Let’s just finish the war council before I get sleepy. Was it a mistake not to bring any vassals from the Otomo clan? Dosetsu and Shoun are not here…… it’s boring and I am uneasy.” 

Otomo Sorin who took a back seat during their march, leaned over to Yoshiharu’s shoulder and yawning. 

“That being said, Sagara Yoshiharu. Because the Sagara sisters and the Shimazu sisters already have a person to talk to, you will accompany Sorin right? If not, then you would return to Bungo right?” 

“Eeeeeeh………?” 

Yoshiharu wasn’t able to push away Sorin even though he was bathed by Iehisa and the other’s sharp gazes. 

Sorin doesn’t have any blood related otouto as a commander. Everyone has died. “Revenge for my otouto” is one of the reasons why Sorin was participating in this decisive battle against Ryuzoji Takanobu. Sorin pulled out a sword during the battle of Taka castle, she rode on a horse to the frontline of the battlefield where the Otomo army was fighting against the Shimazu army, and finally found the courage to confront her foretold destiny of ‘Otouto-Goroshi’ (Brother Killing). However, she still has yet to surpass a “wall”. Mori Motonari who defeated Shiootomaru is not here anymore. However, Ryuzoji Takanobu, who cut the head of Otomo Chikasada in the “Battle of Imayama” and sent it to Sorin, was still alive and showed his fangs to Otomo clan once again and caused a war to suppress Kyushu. 

There is still one more obstacle left for Sorin to completely overcome her destiny of “Otouto-Goroshi” with her own power. 

That is a confrontation with Ryuzoji Takanobu. 

If she is able to confront this atrocious man called the “Bear of Hizen” and “Kyushu-no-Haou” (King of Kyushu) on the battlefield, then Sorin will be free from her curse at last…… it’s possible to be free from the prophecy of Usa Hachiman-jin. 

Right now in this battle, there are siblings who can support each other’s backs among the Sagara sisters and the Shimazu sisters. But Sorin has none. Under Kuroda Kanbei’s orders, Tachibana Muneshige who became her step-brother was ordered to go to Honshuu to save Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide from their predicament. Originally, Sorin wanted to participate in the battle against the Ryuzoji clan with Muneshige as proof of her gratitude to Sagara Yoshiharu and Kuroda Kanbei. Now that both Dosetsu and Shoun who were injured in the battle against the Shimazu army and Muneshige who is in the Otomo army being led by Kanbei are not here, her military strength is different. And then…… Even if there is no otouto, Sorin wanted to prove that she can stand on the battlefield with her own power and fight against Ryuzoji Takanobu. 

But, after arriving at Yatsushiro and seeing the harmonious sibling relationships among the Sagara sisters and the Shimazu sisters around her, Sorin began feeling the intense loneliness from a while ago and seemed uneasy about whether she can actually fight against the Ryuzoji clan. 

For Sorin who kept enduring pain that would be impossible to be endured by an ordinary person, Yoshiharu would have wanted to support her all the time if he wasn’t Nobuna’s lover already. Of course, that’s impossible. That’s why, at the very least, he decided to act as a support to Sorin in the battle against the Ryuzoji clan. He originally wanted to return to Nobuna and Mitsuhide immediately, but—. 

“If you insist, I understand. I will accompany Sorin in place of her otouto while we cross from Yatsushiro to Shimabara.” 

“Eeh. Sagara Yoshiharu-kun is so sweet~. You seem to be gradually becoming Sorin’s lover, don’t you think~?” Sorin stuck out her tongue. 

“Nyaa. Otomo Sorin. It’s foul play to press your breasts against Sagara! More importantly, what’s with that pumpkin like breast of yours……?” 

“Fumu. As expected of my otouto, he still has the bloodline of Sagara clan in his veins even if he has monkey face. He seems to charm the heart of Hime-Bushos while spending his time with them. At first Sorin was only interested in the opening of Amano-Iwato and was in love with the idea of falling in love, but nowadays she has the face of a young maiden who is seriously in love with Yoshiharu…… although it’s nice to take over Shimazu clan, it’s also nice to take over the Otomo clan too. What should we do, Tokuchiyo?” 

“I want to see Ane-ue and Yoshiharu-kun’s child~! Especially if it’s a boy! Surely it would be a very cute baby with a mix of Ane-ue’s noble looks and Yoshiharu-kun’s liveliness!” 

“Muu, Tokuchiyo…… did such option exist? Didn’t you just say a very good thing? You truly are onee-chan’s beloved imouto! That’s right. Because Yoshiharu is your direct descendant, there is no problem at all if he is tied down with me!” 

“Isn’t that right? That’s right, isn’t it? Because there is a gap of several hundred years, it won’t be a blood related marriage, right?” 

“Aah, even if the Ane and Otouto hold the marriage, they won’t be an Ane and Otouto in the bloodline. I don’t have any problem at all. In that case, Iehisa, Yoshihiro and Sorin. Wouldn’t it be good if you all become Yoshiharu’s mistress?” 

“Nyaa nyaa! Sagara Yoshihi! its unforgivably fould to abuse your position as Sagara’s ane! Yoshihiro-nee, let’s just cut this person already.” 

“Wait wait, Iehisa. Why are we having such discord when this is an important time to decide the Shimazu clan’s fate? Haaa…… As expected, perhaps it is love that will weaken a Hime-Busho…… The Shura training of the Shimazu clan completely lacked a viewpoint on how to tolerate love……” 

“Yoshihiro-nee. It’s useless to talk about it. Decide it with ‘Burning Spirit’. The test of courage handed over in the Shimazu clan! A Tanegashima which has been lit will be hung from the ceiling and swung around. the person who gets shot by the bullet will become Yoshiharu’s wife!” 

“Isn’t that just Russian roulette? Stop that!” Yoshiharu instinctively retorted though Yoshihiro said, “that sounds good,” and nodded seriously. 

“…… But wait. Certainly the brave person who isn’t shaken by the trial of Burning Spirit deserves to be Yoshiharu-dono’s bride, but Iehisa, if it hits your vital point, won’t you die?” 

“Nyaa. In that case, the last one surviving after single-mindedly continuing the Burning Spirit will become Sagara’s bride!” 

“Ooh, I get it! The person who survives in the end is the winner, I didn’t think about that! As expected of Iehisa, you are a genius of strategy!” 

“*Giggle.* Because my body is small, I have the advantage.” 

“Koraa! You savage Shimazus over there! What are you doing, trying to annihilate yourself in the war council before the decisive battle? You idiots!” 

“That’s right~. Because nobody will go down unless they get insta-killed, the outcome is that everyone will be bleed to death in just one night, right? Ane-ue~” 

“Seriously. If it’s a single shot to the arm or shoulder then we can survive for a while but it will be dangerous if it’s to the leg or stomach even if it’s not a fatal wound.” 

“Although the Hime-Bushos of Satsuma who are going to struggle for the right of marriage through Russian roulette are too absurd, the Hime-Bushos of Higo are also the same.” Yoshiharu was scared. 

“E-everyone! It’s late at night. Let’s return to the war council! I am begging you Yoshihiro!” 

“…… U-umu. My apologies Sagara-dono. In any case, it’s necessary to split the army and cross the sea to Shimabara. Even if we force it by loading the ships with young soldiers, the amount of people who can cross over to Shimabara is approximately 1500 in all. The Arima clan is being attacked by the 30000 strong Ryuzoji army now, their troops are about 1500 in total without any preparedness for a counter attack. It’s 3000 if both armies are combined. The differences in strength is 10 times. Before that, 1500 soldiers cannot cross the sea because I have to put my full effort into the Aso army in front of my eyes which is being led by Kai Soun.” 

Yoshihi and Yoshihiro, who returned their expressions to that of a Shura, nodded. 

“Yoshihiro. While Shimazu Iehisa and Otomo Sorin cross the sea, the brave person who can fight with Kai Soun-ojiisama on equal terms and maintain the Yatsushiro front is only you.” 

“Of course, I understand. Iehisa!” 

“Ooh!” 

“Execute the strategy of crossing the sea before dawn. Lead the 1500 soldiers and hurry to Shimabara while I hold off Kai Soun. Since the Arima clan would be suspicious of the sudden Shimazu rear guard, Otomo Sorin will go as 

well to form an alliance between the Arima and Shimazu forces. Then, a general necessary for your decisive battle against Ryuzoji army would be…… Niiro Musashi who had served as your guardian for a long time and of course Yamada Arinobu who stayed together with you at Taka castle…… After that is……” 

“Yoshiharu and I.” Yoshihi laughed. 

“The Ryuzoji army is 10 times larger. Even if Ryuzoji Takanobu who doesn’t care about consequences goes to attack the inferior Shimazu reinforcements through brute force, on the other side his imouto, the strategist Nabeshima Naoshige, will aim for survival. Nabeshima knows perfectly well that we have no time and must end the battle against the Ryuzoji army in one day in order to save Oda Nobuna. She will certainly attempt to stalemate the battle at Shimabara.” 

“Are you saying that you Sagara siblings will be helpful in breaking the stalemate, is that it?” 

“It will be a sure thing is if it’s Yoshiharu. I will support my otouto as his ane. I will absolutely not let him to adopt the same poor plan of cutting his own neck like back then at Taka castle.” 

“……I understand. Is it fine to keep Tokuchiyo at Yatsushiro?” 

“The lord of Yatsushiro is Tokuchiyo in the end, it’s unavoidable. Only the Takegami, Shimazu Yoshihiro is a general who can protect Tokuchiyo from Ojii-sama’s fierce attack. I will protect your imouto’s life together with Yoshiharu. I entrust my imouto’s life to you Yoshihiro. I beg you.” 

“Until this point, family and vassals are the same. We cannot help but to believe each other.” Yoshihiro smiled. 

“Yoshihi, when I ran to rescue you in Hibikinohara, your debt to Kai Soun had been returned without fail. I was able to mature in the battle against the Tachibana clan. When being confronted by Kai Soun, even if the body is being 

dominated by fear, it can be surpassed and controlled through mental power. I will protect Yatsushiro until the end while protecting Tokuchiyo so that Iehisa will return with you all.” 

“They are 2 people in one, although it concerns me that Yoshihiro and her sister Iehisa will be separated in their fights…… It was said that the Ryuzoji Shiten’O (4 Heavenly Kings) are dreadfully brave warriors in martial arts. I don’t know whether I can protect Iehisa if the battle at Shimabara become a close combat.” Yoshiharu asked Yoshihiro. 

“Certainly, I am worried about letting the young Iehisa to go alone to the battlefield. However, Sagara Yoshiharu, there is Niiro Musashi’s vassal group and now there is you with Iehisa. It’s different from that time at Kizakihara. Don’t worry about it. Also…… Iehisa has already fallen in love with a man, she stands in Kyushu on her own feet and matured to a Hime-Busho who can live her own life. Iehisa is an adult now.” 

“I guess so. I understand, Yoshihiro. This battle as well, I think that it won’t be like the history that I know, but, I will assist Iehisa with Yoshihi and attain full victory. I will certainly keep Iehisa alive and return to Yatsushiro.” 

“……Y-you are still making me confused like that again. Not being conscious of your own self, you are troublesome to handle…… Well that’s fine. Listen Iehisa!” 

“Nyaa. Your face is red you know, Yoshihiro-nee?” 

“Never forget these words in the battlefield at Shimabara.” Yoshihiro told Iehisa while averting her eyes from Yoshiharu. 

“Don’t let your heart be charmed by love on the battlefield. At the time when one must enter into a life or death fight in order to protect one’s own life and take the enemies’ life as a Shura, a Hime…… mustn’t suddenly turn back into a maiden. That will be a fatal opening. And that moment will come without fail. 

During the time where you lay down your life to scatter and steal the lives of young soldiers, by all means in your heart as a Shura and a Hime, in the gap of being a samurai and maiden, it will be confused and hurt. I was like that. I forgot that I was offering my life as a Shura for an instant during the moment when Konoe-sama declared he would decapitate Sagara Yoshiharu-dono’s head. By all rights, at that time I should’ve cut Dosetsu-dono’s head. Right now I have nothing else beside the protection from Inari-Kami to live. But, I have used up my luck……I am worried about you. Don’t lose, Iehisa.” 

“Oou! Although I don’t get it since it’s difficult to know, but I understand! I should give up being a human to become an Oni! It’s probably impossible, but since Yoshihiro-nee said so then I will do my best!” 

“T-that’s wrong~! It’s not like that! Don’t give up on being a human and turn into an Oni~!” 

“Uuuh. If only there was Toshihisa…… I am a poor talker and cannot tell things skillfully. Will it really be okay?” It was a rare worried face from Yoshihiro who seemed about to cry. “Even though you are feared as the Takegami or Oni-Shimazu, you are an ane who is an idiot in front of her imouto.” Yoshihi smiled wryly. Tokuchiyo burst into laughter. 

When the Sagara sisters and Shimazu sisters are being harmoniously noisy, was it because she is bored alone? Or was it because she cannot endure the strong pressure of the battlefield? 

The pale Sorin staggeringly stood up. 

“Hmm…… Everyone is amazing for being able to laugh in front of a decisive battle~. Sorin is tense and tired. I will go to the toilet for a while~. I will be right back.” 

“Are you alright, Sorin? Shall I go with you?” 

“Just continue the war council. Does a boy follow a girl to a toilet, Sagara Yoshiharu-kun? Sorin is fine with it~.” 

“……I understand. The war council will continue for a while. Don’t strain yourself.” 

“Yes. Thank you.” 

There is no time to stop the war council. Everyone is working out the details of various strategies. 

After a while — the war council finally ended. 

“……Something is weird.” Yoshiharu noticed that something was strange and raised his voice. 

“Although a lot of time has passed, Sorin still hasn’t come back?” 

Yoshihiro who was being excited over the design of the naval strategy, suddenly exchanged looks with Iehisa. 

“Although I have heard that her mental condition will get worse if war is approaching, but she surely is late. She might still be tired from the battle of Taka castle, could it be that she fell in the corridor or on the toilet?” 

“Nyaa. That’s right. Our upbringing of being on good terms with our sisters, it might be a burden on her heart…… Sorin is frail.” 

“That’s right” Yoshihi bit her lips. 

“If I could say it myself, I might be too excited at being able to meet Tokuchiyo again.” 

“Awawawa. Is this alright, Ane-ue?” 

Goemon’s lisping voice come out from the ceiling. 

“Umuu. Otomo-shi’s throbbing heart didn’t go down even after leaving the war council, she must have left the castle to take a breath” 

“All alone! That’s bad! She might get captured by the enemy’s spy!” 

“Yoshihi. There is not much time until we start crossing over the sea, we must find her immediately!” 

“She can’t have gone that far. I will look for her! Goemon! Lets go!” Yoshiharu stood up. 

“Yoshiharu-kun! Take care! The enemy’s spies have already slipped inside many places in Yatsushiro!” 

“It’s alright Tokuchiyo. I am fast when it comes to escaping. However, I of all people remained in Kyushu for one last battle to make Sorin recover herself.” 

Yoshiharu jumped out into the corridor, with Goemon mumbling tirelessly at his back.  "That hime-daimyo is being so troublesome, even though she has such an adult body. She should have just yelled ‘To hell with this,’” Goemon complained behind Yoshiharu’s back.  

“If only Sagara-shi had grasped her breast firmly, she wouldn’t have been able to move.”  

“If I did something like that, my heart will beat like crazy~!” 

“Nyuu. Is that true de-gozaru? Still, are you still being indecisive now?” 

“If she was open to me, I may be able to hold Sorin firmly. Even though I could be more gentle to Sorin during our time together that one night in Mushiga…… I am immature as a man……” 

“Because Sagara-shi doesn’t have any experience in making babies, are you still one step away from becoming a man?”  

“Sh-shut up! Its for my lover! I was hindered and not able to pass through the wall of social statuses! At any rate, we must find Sorin before she is captured by the enemies, Goemon! Aah, come to think of it...” 

“Come to think of it?” 

“I don’t blame you, but you were also absent from today’s war council, right Goemon? Are your injuries is great? Are you alright?” 

“I don’t have any problems with my injuries de-gozaru. Just like Otomo-shi, I am just not used to the harmonious relationship between sisters in that room.” 

“Is that right? Come to think of it, does Goemon has any relatives?” 

“……I have forgotten about the things in the past. A first class shinobi doesn’t talk about their past, Sagara-shi...... That sounds like what an adult will say de-gozaru?”  

“Since Goemon doesn’t have any experience in making babies as well, you are one step away from being an adult. Especially your lisping.” 

“Sh-shut up de-gozaru!” 

Yoshiharu went out from Furufumoto castle’s inner citadel and ran along the Kumagawa to the west. 

The day had already grown dark and the lush moon floated in the sky. 

Yatsushiro is a temple town where the Myouken faith is popular, while at the same time it is also a prominent port town in Kyushu that flourished from its trade with Ryukyu and Ming China. If the Shimazu forces with their fragile navy want to cross over to Shimabara through the sea, it’s absolutely necessary to use Yatsushiro which held a large fleet for their departure and arrival. 

Has he lost his way in the darkness which he has no familiarity with. Yoshiharu kept running while looking Otomo Sorin’s unseen figure. 

I landed in this Yatsushiro port the first time I came to Kyushu. Why did Kobayakawa-san use such a precious treasure tool to shipwreck me? It should’ve been possible even to use it as a trump card weapon against us in the anti-Oda 

war. Could Kobayakawa-san possibly know that my family lineage stretched from the Sagara clan of Higo? And then, by pretending to accomplish Gapard’s plot, sent me to Yatsushiro…… A token of goodwill to me who has come to this world alone while being separated from my family, and at the same time it might be a trial for me…… If I came to Sorin first, I might have not met Yoshihi-neesan or Tokuchiyo. Or maybe after everything had become too late, I would have then been involved with the Sagara clan. 

Yoshiharu found a small shrine facing the river-mouth of Kumagawa. 

There were signs of people. 

Is it Sorin? 

But it’s strange. He felt more than one person. The training of erasing my presence that I piled up in Harima. Like that time, silent and silent…… When Yoshiharu passed through the Torii and entered the center without making any footstep noises, there were two people, a man and a woman, who looked at the ships floating on the port of Kumagawa while eating a Mikan. 

“It would be a shame if we didn’t eat this place’s specialty, the mikan, once we arrived at Yatsushiro. This thing is good. How about you take one too, Hime.” 

“……Where on earth do you want to go even after we arrived in the enemy’s territory. Just come back to us quickly. If you don’t, we cannot accomplish the strategy. That’s why, I took a risk to bring you back.” 

“I am already bored with living a life of servitude as a samurai until now. There is a limit in everything even if it’s in the country of Shuras, Kyushu. So I intend to go to Ryukyu across the sea from Yatsushiro as a ronin of the world.” 

“……No. Even though you kept on doing things as you pleased until now, I cannot allow you to be careless this time.” 

“Then what if you kill me? Death to the betrayer. Right? If I am ordered to die by Hime, I will die laughing.” 

“Even if I kill a warrior like you who is comparable to 100 brave men, it will only benefit our enemies.” 

“In that case, you can beat me halfway to death by using the Hagakure-Shinobi squad. You can take me back while keeping me alive.”  

  “……If we could do that then there wouldn’t be a problem. If one aims to half-heartedly capture a tiger alive, then the shinobis will be exterminated.” 

“In any case, Hime. Hime will be in danger if you are moving around in the enemy’s territory, Yatsushiro. If you don’t return then I cannot leave as well.” 

One of the people is a 2 meter tall man with a huge body but having a supple body line like a leopard. He held a long tobacco pipe in one hand, and, though he was dressed in a foolish and strange manner that neither belong to the namban or Japanese, his pupil shined brilliantly like an animal. He was obviously a samurai. Furthermore, he is a veteran Shura who has fought in the site of bloody battles in Kyushu. However, he doesn’t reek of blood. He was not a gloomy person, but a cool one. 

On the other hand, there was a petite and thin girl who wore a black kimono. Her eyes were surprisingly big and her skin was pale. There was something like a gloomy emotion that stagnated in her heart because of the continuous fierce fighting in the Kyushu of the Sengoku era, Yoshiharu sensed it in this girl. A black cat rode upon the shoulder of the black clothed girl. The black cat noticed Yoshiharu and cried out “nyaa”. 

“Damn it! The cat has noticed?! As expected, is its perception stronger than humans since it’s a cat?” 

Yoshiharu want to escaped from the ground at once but he gave up. Because he felt innumerable bloodlusts behind his back. Five people, ten people……the shinobi’s had noticed. 

“……When did you? Who are you? Are you a shinobi of Shimazu clan?” 

The tall man who held a pipe in his hand broke to a broad smile let out a “Well, well” while restraining the black clothed girl with a smile. 

“Hime. This person is not a shinobi. A shinobi would have gloomier look. Wait, I have seen that face somewhere before…… furthermore, even when he is surrounded by the Hagakure-Shinobi squad, his expression didn’t change one bit and he is not frightened. Though he is young, he is a full-fledged brave man.” 

“Hagakure-Shinobi squad? Then, you are people from Ryuzoji clan?” 

“It’s regrettable. You are half-right.” 

“Wait a second, this here is already Shimazu’s territory. You mustn’t give out your name!” 

“Iyaa, Hime. I am a ronin of the world right now. It wouldn’t trouble Hime even if I introduced myself. I will make sure Hime escapes even if I have to put my life at stake.” 

“……If you hold that much loyalty then why did you escape?” 

The tall man didn’t answer but merely smile to the girl’s question. 

“Boy. No, you may already be a full-fledged man. I am Hyakutake Tomokane. A Shura who once serves as one part of the Ryuzoji Shiten’O before. Right now, I am a ronin who fled to Yatsushiro and plan to go to Ryukyu.” 

“Hyakutake Tomokane?! You are?! I thought that the Shuras of the Ryuzoji Shiten’O looked a bit more like an Oni!” 

“It’s because milord’s infamy is well known in Kyushu. It can’t be helped. It was because I had killed countless enemies on the battlefield and was disgusted by it that I escaped from the Ryuzoji clan, haha.” 

“Then it’s good that you and I are neither friends nor foes. I am Sagara Yoshihi’s stepbrother. I am a vassal of the Oda clan - Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“Aah. The boy from the opening of the Amano-Iwato! The one who started the thrilling tragedy of a retainer usurping his lord!” Hyakutake Tomokane shouted while clapping his knee. 

“I might die if I receive that fist to my face.” Yoshiharu was amazed. Hyakutake Tomokane was like a beast. However he is a pure beast like a wild tiger. Even though he has extremely dangerous power, his smiling face doesn’t contain deceit or malice. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. I was impressed when I saw the opening of Amano-Iwato. The youngster from the future who magnificently stole the lips of the Tenkabito in front of the people of Japan, it was unprecedented and thrilling. There is certainly the look of a general and hero in you. Want some Mikan? Here have one!” 

“A, aah. Thank you.” 

“I wonder how many people who has seen that spectacle……” Although Yoshiharu became embarrassed, he caught and peeled the Mikan that was thrown 

by Hyakutake. Yoshiharu learned for the first time this night that the birthplace of mikans is Yatsushiro. 

“……You are Sagara Yoshiharu? Then, isn’t he an enemy of the Ryuzoji clan? Did you join the Shimazu army which has come to Yatsushiro as a rear guard? Hyakutake. Although you insisted that you have left the Ryuzoji clan, I have not. I am the strategist of the Ryuzoji clan. This man is my Onii-sama’s enemy.” 

The girl, while patting the back of the black cat that ride on her shoulder narrowed her eyes and muttered. “Sagara Yoshiharu. Every person who hinders my onii-sama’s conquest of Kyushu are my enemies under the heavens. Do you want to fight the Hagakure-Shinobi squad as your enemy? Or do you want to surrender as a hostage quietly?” However, her voice was extremely sad. 

“Your onii-sama is Ryuzoji Takanobu?” 

“Yes. Because Hyakutake has revealed his name, it will be useless even if I hide it so I will tell you. I am Nabeshima Naoshige. Right now you are the enemy of Ryuzoji Takanobu’s stepsister — although its Hyakutake’s duty to cut down Shuras on the battlefield, for as you can see, I am weak. My duty is to remove anyone who resents my Onii-sama using the Hagakure-Shinobi squad behind the scenes. Murder, assassination and strategy. Although I look young that is simply my outward appearance. I have dirtied this hand with the blood of countless humans. Using foul measures.” 

“You did? Why? I don’t see a girl who would do such extremely evil things like that.” 

“After all, it’s because I am the imouto of Ryuzoji Takanobu. I am the only person whom onii-sama can sincerely trust in this world. Therefore, I will do anything for onii-sama. I can even mercilessly murder the Kamachi clan of Yanagawa castle.” 

“You were the one who murdered the Kamachi clan? Why didn’t you stop Ryuzoji Takanobu? The trust of the Ryuzoji clan has fallen because of that.” 

“I mean, we are siblings.” 

“You aren’t supposed to do exactly as you are told to that extent just because you both are siblings! Rather, you are the only one who stood in the position of restraining Ryuzoji Takanobu……” 

“How immature. As expected, the man from the future is too naïve. I don’t kill people for my own sake. However, I can do anything for onii-sama. I feel nothing and am entirely calm when I kill a person……” 

“Wrong. It’s a lie. That’s not an expression that looks calm at all.” 

“……No, I am calm. Everything is for Onii-sama’s sake.” 

“Stop, Hime. A skilled shinobi is waiting behind Sagara Yoshiharu’s back. It would cause enormous damage if both sides fight here.” Hyakutake restrained Nabeshima Naoshige. 

“……That was the shinobi who snuck away to Saga. Although we cornered her so she faced Kai Soun, she lived…… She is tenacious as one would expect. Sagara Yoshiharu’s immortal legend might have been built almost entirely by that shinobi.” 

“Even though we have separated in order to look for Sorin, Goemon seems to be running to this shrine.” Yoshiharu knew. How many times until now has he been kept alive by Goemon? Yoshiharu cannot count the number anymore. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. It’s true that milord Ryuzoji has already thrown away his heart as a human and became even more vile than a Shura now. The fact that I am leaving is also because I couldn’t stop the reckless murder of the Kamachi clan. I thought of such naïve things like milord would think it over if I left the vassal group. However, milord is obsessed with dyeing his hands with any villainous act in order to become the Kyushu-no-Haou, no matter how the people of the world 

think about it. More than I thought. But even so, just like a person has a history, a Shura also has a history. Even though I have left the clan, there are three explanations about milord. There is also a reason why Hime performed a cold-blooded strategy for the lord.” 

“That story is taboo and must not be told to anyone, not even to the Ryuzoji clan.” 

Even though Nabeshima Naoshige turned pale and pulled Hyakutake’s sleeve, Hyakutake smiled wryly while holding the pipe in his hand. “I am a penniless ronin. There are no taboos. Nonetheless, it’s bad for milord to be mistaken as being born as an abominable cutthroat by the man from the future.”  

“I don’t think that he was born as a horrific killer. The samurai who are born in Kyushu during the Sengoku era fight in such severe environment and would die instantly if they showed any naiveté. However, Ryuzoji Takanobu was too cruel. During the battle of Imayama, he mercilessly severed the head of Otomo Sorin’s younger stepbrother, Otomo Chikasada, who begged for his life and then preserved his head in salt and sent it over to Sorin…… How much did Sorin suffer after she was made to see her otouto preserved in salt? She is still suffering. Hyakutake-san, do you also know the reason why Sorin carved eyes and mouths into the namban pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern and used countless numbers to decorate the town of Mushiga?” 

“I see……Otomo Sorin decorated the human faced pumpkin as a lantern…… For the souls of the dead wandering around the gap between the real world and the realm of the dead…… To meet them, is that why? Was it to mourn her dead otoutos?” 

“That’s right. Every nights and day, for a long time and not only just during the Obon festival. Rather than holding a funeral…… in order to not to forget the memories of her otouto’s severed head…… Sorin continued to torment herself 

who had let her otoutos to die one after another as her substitutes because she didn’t have the courage to stand on the battlefield.” 

“The head of Otomo Chikasada who was captured in the battlefield was cut off by one of the Shiten’O, Narimatsu Nobukatsu, by the order of the lord.” Hyakutake looked up at the night sky. 

“…… Narimatsu simply accomplished his lord’s order faithfully. It was me the strategist who made the sink or swim strategy of making a surprise attack on Otomo Chikasada’s camp during the battle of Imayama when Saga castle was surrounded by the large Otomo army on all sides. I bet on the slight possibility that I might be able to save onii-sama from his difficult situation by capturing the supreme commander, Chikasada…… although I certainly didn’t think about taking his head. Consequently, Onii-sama was proven correct since onii-sama’s fury could break Sorin’s heart and drove the large Otomo army into total retreat. If you have a grudge then blame me. Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“I don’t hold any grudge. You only fought for your onii-san. It’s the fate of the world of the Sengoku era. Even though it’s a sorrowful fate.” 

“Even if you invited me to join the fight for Oda Nobuna’s Tenka Fubu as an ally to realize the peace of the world…… it’s futile. My onii-sama is the only lord whom I serve.” 

“I understand. Nabeshima Naoshige, it’s fine if you carry out your convictions. But now, you should stop needlessly shedding blood and doing such things like the event of Yanagawa castle…… everytime you shed blood, you will be wounded too.” 

“……Everything is for Onii-sama. Onii-sama must become the Kyushu-no-Haou.” 

“Myaa,” the black cat also cried. Just like the cry of a human girl. 

“Naa, Sagara Yoshiharu. Milord and Hime are not just merely siblings. It’s a slightly difficult relationship. Do you know about it?” 

Hyakutake called up to Yoshiharu while looking up at the night sky. 

Although he was with someone that he had met for the first time, he was being open-hearted like it was a relationship between acquaintances. 

Hyakutake originally seemed to be a man with a character that cannot be fathomed as foe or friend. 

“Aah. About the law between siblings. If I am not mistaken, Ryuzoji Takanobu’s Haha-ue was married to the Nabeshima clan’s chief retainer so that the two of them became siblings right? It was said that it was possible to revive the fallen Ryuzoji clan through that wedding.” 

“Let’s talk about the reason for the things that you have know up to that point. There is a past that the lord and Hime don’t want to be known by their enemies. But Sagara Yoshiharu. I want you who came from the future to know it. I am not saying to forgive milord. This slow me finally understood after listening to the story about the pumpkin. Otomo Sorin who kept sending her otoutos into the battlefield and let them die and milord who hates Sorin’s lack of familial love, although he has acknowledged her as his enemy under the heavens. All humans are incompatible towards each other in one way or another. Things that are close to one’s ideals are what people desire……” 

Nabeshima Naoshige already wasn’t trying to stop Hyakutake’s words. 

※ 

Ryuzoji Takanobu’s clan had devoted their loyalty to serve the greatest clan of Kyushu, the Shoni clan from generation to generation, and they are the most 

prominent military clan in Hizen. This was especially true of his great grandfather, the great commander known for his high honor, Ryuzoji Iekane, who had the position of the chief elder retainer. He supported the Shoni clan and had earned the distinguished achievement of repelling the Ouchi clan’s invasion of Kyushu. 

When the noble young son of the Ryuzoji clan, Takanobu, was born, he was named “Nagahoshimaru”. As a prodigy who boasted powerful physique and intellect, his great grandfather Ryuzoji Iekane put forward the expectation that, “he will become the backbone of Ryuzoji clan eventually.” 

But Nagahoshimaru who boasted powerful strength, a robust body, and a sharp intellect was also stubborn, short tempered, haughty and had few friends. 

That was his great grandfather, Ryuzoji Iekane’s only worry. 

But Nagahoshimaru had a meek young cousin. She was Hikohoshimaru, the daughter of the Nabeshima clan that was the chief retainer of that Ryuzoji clan. She was a taciturn girl who always carried around a black cat with her. She was close to Nagahoshimaru for some reason. Hikohoshimaru knew. Nagahoshimaru’s arrogance, when turned inside out, was fragile. The excessive expectations from his great-grandfather and his fate as a Shura who has to spend a lifetime of battle after battle, she knew that those pressures tormented Nagahoshimaru. 

These two people understand and trusted each other and it was something rare in Kyushu of Sengoku era. 

Nagahoshimaru whose Genpuku (coming of age ceremony) would come soon, told this to Hikohoshimaru after rallying the largest amount of courage in his life.  

“You and I are cousins. Although the Ryuzoji and Nabeshima clans have a relationship of lord and servant, it’s fortunate that we are connected by blood. Hikohoshimaru. When we have reached our Genpuku, let’s get married. I won’t allow anyone to oppose it.” 

“……Yes. I will wait.” 

Hikohoshimaru nodded while blushing. 

The black cat that was carried by Hikohoshimaru, “myaa” cried on her knees. 

Nagahoshimaru felt like a bright light had shone upon his life. As long there is this cousin to stand next to him, he could live in the country of Shuras, Kyushu, and have the courage to stake his life and fight in the battlefield as a general of the Ryuzoji clan— 

But the fate of the two cousins turned dark. 

The Ryuzoji clan was also swallowed up in the turbulent wave of treachery and usurpation of the Sengoku era. 

The lord of the Shouni clan suspected that the Ryuzoji clan would try to side with the Ouchi clan and executed the Ryuzoji clan in one swoop. Iekane’s sons, grandchildren, most of them were killed. The family head Iekane, who was already 90 years old, tenaciously escaped from Hizen along with his surviving family to Yanagawa castle in the neighboring country of Chikugo that was owned by the Kamachi clan. The Kamachi clan was a clan full of chivalrous spirits. They were not vassals of the Shoni clan, but retainers of the Otomo clan. In the Ryuzoji clan’s view, they had no moral obligation to protect the Ryuzoji clan yet they still helped.  

Ryuzoji Iekane entrusted the dream of the Ryuzoji clan’s revival to the young Nagahoshimaru and died in Yanagawa. 

The young Nagahoshimaru changed his name to “Ryuzoji Takanobu” and fought to achieve the revival of the Ryuzoji clan while receiving support from the Kamachi clan. There was no chance for him to marry Hikohoshimaru. But the heart of Ryuzoji Takanobu, who had been entrusted by a will from his great-

grandfather that was too large, turned wild. His grandfather and father were killed by their master, the Shoni clan. 

Takanobu finally regained Saga castle after finally subjugating his hateful enemy, the Shoni clan members who ordered the murder of his grandfather and father. But the true enemy, the members of the Shoni clan who hadn’t been punished yet, kept closing in for Takanobu’s head. 

He hesitated about killing his own master even if he was in the Kyushu of the Sengoku era. But he must kill his own master and achieve his great grandfather’s last wish and had no determination to marry Hikohoshimaru. 

Takanobu degenerated and the amount of sake that he drank increased when he was gloomy. And after becoming a degenerate, he was chased out from Hizen by rebelling vassals and unavoidably returned again to the Kamachi clan in temporary exile for a second time.  

Nonetheless, Takanobu still wasn’t able to hand out the decision to destroy the Shoni clan no matter what. 

And then the “Fated” day came— 

Takanobu who was supposed to have talent in literary and military arts became gloomy and unable to control the vassals of Ryuzoji clan. He couldn’t become independent as the head of the clan and was exasperated at not being able to fulfill the wish of his late great grandfather because of the Shoni clan’s attack. 

Takanobu’s real mother, Keigin. 

Keigin carried out a plan to sacrifice herself to make her son Takanobu, who was in an unfavorable situation, run to Saga castle again and stand as a powerful daimyo of Hizen. That plan was, the still unstable Ryuzoji clan would unite with their senior retainer Nabehsima clan through marriage, if that happened then the 

Ryuzoji clan would stabilize. But there were no daughters to be married in the Nabeshima clan. Instead, Keigin herself decided to become the wife of the Nabeshima clan. 

Keigin stood while waiting patiently for her wedding with Hikohoshimaru’s father after forcibly intruding upon Nabeshima Kiyofusa who was the chief retainer who support the Ryuzoji clan. She remarried in spite of Nabeshima Kiyofusa’s unwillingness. 

Because there was a blood connection between the two clans, the wedding was considered valid. The leadership of the vassal group of the Ryuzoji clan was doubled by this clever plan, and the situation of Takanobu who didn’t know when he would be chased out by the vassals again had become remarkably stable. At that time the Ryuzoji clan and Nabeshima clan were unified by Keigin’s desperate measures and it was that moment when Takanobu gained power as the true head of Ryuzoji clan. 

But for the widow of the master clan to get married to a servant, it was a shameless act that originally wasn’t supposed to happen. In fact, Kyushu burst into laughter and Keigin was scorned. 

Furthermore, Takanobu’s relationship with Hikohoshimaru had changed from being a cousin into that of siblings. 

Takanobu was very confused in face of this unimaginable situation. 

“Haha-ue what are you doing?! Why did you do this shameless act?! Hikohoshimaru and I have become ani and imouto. How can I marry her now?!” 

Takanobu forced his way through his mother’s wedding ceremony and scolded Keigin. 

“Takanobu. It is only power that is justice in the Kyushu of the Sengoku era. The reason why I tasted such a disgrace and why you won’t be connected with Hikohoshimaru is because you are weak. You indulged in alcohol, doubted the 

loyalty of your vassals, were scared of assassination, were scared of battle and didn’t have the courage to destroy the lord clan, the Shoni clan, and accomplish our clan’s revenge. If you were ready to dye your hands with blood to usurp the lord clan and become the ruler of all of Hizen then you wouldn’t have lost Hikohoshimaru! You are……a coward……!” 

“……Haha-ue.” 

“Hikohoshimaru has talent as a strategist. Once she reaches her Genpuku, she will introduce herself as Nabeshima Naoshige. She will support you as an imouto. Takanobu. You will become strong if she is unreasonably tied to you as imouto. You can destroy the Shoni clan, subjugate Hizen, and become Kyushu-no-Haou! Never forget the intense anger and sorrow that you feel now! Change that anger into power and fight against your fate. Ryuzoji Takanobu!” 

Hikohoshimaru changed her name to Nabeshima Naoshige and had an audience with Takanobu with a sorrowful expression while wearing a cat-eared helmet and armor which were dyed complete black. 

“Takanobu-oniisama. By the order of Gibo-jo…… From today, I will carry out my loyalty as onii-sama’s imouto…… I will carry out any kind of dirty job immediately if you give me the order. The hand of my gentle onii-sama must never be tainted by blood. Everything shall be done by me, your imouto.” 

The person who was waiting for Takanobu wasn’t a bride, but a Hime-Busho clad in armor. 

She was already neither a cousin, nor his fiancée. 

She was his Imouto. 

“Two people have been separated forever, I have just been born in this Kyushu of the Sengoku era!” Takanobu roared. He cursed his fate, he cursed his naiveté and weakness. His father was killed, his grandfather was killed and his own life were targeted by his vassals and he himself got chased out from Saga castle. 

Why was he hesitating in taking his vengeance. Why was he afraid of making someone bleed. In the end his mother was stolen by a vassal, his beloved fiancée…… the only woman whom he loved was lost……! 

It was as if Ryuzoji Takanobu has become a different person. He demanded war and blood. 

Even Shuras were afraid of his excessive atrocities and fury on the battlefield. In the end he got the nickname, the “Bear of Hizen”, and when he was enraged about being called by such  a crude nickname, he called himself “Kyushu-no-Haou”. This was a challenge and provocation to the Otomo clan that was the ruler of Kita-Kyushu. 

Vassals who wanted to overthrow and kill Takanobu had already ceased to exist in the Ryuzoji clan. Takanobu ordered his imouto to kill them mercilessly beforehand. 

But, the vassals who gathered around and worshipped Takanobu as the supreme ruler were not enough. To obtain the whole of Kyushu, more power was needed. Although Takanobu’s individual valor had grown to such extent that he could handle a thousand people, the country of Shuras, Kyushu, wasn’t such a kind place where the country and castle could be handled by a general’s individual brilliance alone. Takanobu eternally continued to kill weak vassals in combat one after another and only let the strong vassals survive. Brave heroes equaling that hell — The Ryuzoji Shiten’O was born this way. Takanobu, who overwhelmingly trained his troops while stepping on the corpses of Shuras, finally destroyed and split his master clan, the Shoni clan, without question. After usurping his lord and claiming hegemony of Hizen he also allied with Mori Motonari of Chugoku to enter a full-scale rivalry with the ruler of Kita-Kyushu, Otomo Sorin. 

Ryuzoji Takanobu couldn’t forgive the woman called Otomo Sorin who continued to send her “otouto” to the battlefield with her vassals because she wanted to survive and therefore continue to escape from the battlefield. Not to mention that she got tired of living in the Kyushu of the Sengoku era and escaped to religion……! 

Takanobu’s anger didn’t subside even when Saga castle was being surrounded by the large Otomo army at the battle of Imayama and the Ryuzoji clan was about to face extinction. In fact, his anger towards Sorin reached its peak. Because Sorin sent her otouto, Otomo Chikasada, to the battlefield as her substitute as the supreme commander again. “That woman must be proud and and content that she can win this battle for sure,” Takanobu thought.  

In order to save her onii-sama from this crisis, Nabeshima Naoshige who had led the suicide squad the Hagakure-Shinobi to perform countless murders, attacked Otomo Chikasada’s headquarter and caught Chikasada. 

Nabeshima Naoshige along with one of the Shiten’O, Narimatsu Nobukatsu who rushed into the enemy line and capture Chikasada appealed for mercy towards Chikasada. “He is still a young child. Begging and crying for his life.”, ”This person’s life is necessary for a truce with Otomo Sorin. If we kill him, just like Mori Motonari in his late years, milord will be caught in a useless battle with Otomo Sorin. That woman, although her appearance looks weak like a glass, her core is strong.” Yet Takanobu didn’t forgive. When he was influenced by anger, Takanobu couldn’t help but do the cruelest vengeance that he can think of. 

“Those without power will die! It’s the rule of Kyushu! I will make the lazy ane who made her own otouto as a shield realize it! That I won’t yield to Otomo Sorin even if I die! Chikasada’s head will be salted and be sent to Sorin! If he is from the Otomo clan, then his head will be added with “Shio”! Fuha…fuhahahaha!” 

Ryuzoji Takanobu— Let alone the kingdom of heaven, he wasn’t interested in the kingdom on the earth. 

There was no wish for the whole world at all. 

But, he only sought his imouto, Hikohoshimaru. 

If I become strong, if I become the Kyushu-no-Haou, then no one can rebuke this forbidden love and the marriage between us, ani and his imouto. I will kill anyone who questions this—. 

※ 

“Wait a second, Ryuzoji Takanobu had a misunderstanding.” Yoshiharu told Hyakutake Tomokane and Nabeshima Naoshige. 

“When Sorin was young, she was given a prophecy of Usa Hachiman-jin from some witches. She was tied with a destiny that she would keep on letting her otoutos die. She fought to fight against that fate. The fact that she sent her step-brother Chikasada as a commander at the battle of Imayama, it wasn’t to make Chikasada a shield. It was to overturn the prophecy and overcome her fate. Chikasada wished for it. Ryuzoji Takanobu and Otomo Sorin, they both…… kept on passing by each other.” 

“Because of that Sorin left with her soldiers from the battle of Imayama. But even so, she shouldn’t have left the soldiers and turned her back to onii-sama even when faced with such a predicament…… onii-sama believed that taking 

Chikasada’s head was the decisive factor for a reversal in Imayama……” Nabeshima Naoshige muttered. 

Naoshige had tears in her eyes. Hyakutake Tomokane who looked at her bit his lips and knocked his pipe against his knee. 

It was a furious thrashing as if he was scolding himself, the man who ran away. 

“Haha, Sagara Yoshiharu! It seems that I was awoke from my hesitation when I talked about the circumstances of the Ryuzoji clan! I decided. I will return to the Ryuzoji clan. I am not a man if I leave Hime and Milord here while going to Ryukyu on my own. I will die on the battlefield, fighting for the Ryuzoji siblings as one of Ryuzoji Shiten’O until the very end! That’s it. It’s the path that I choose, the battlefield is the only place where I will die. I wonder why I had been hesitating until now. Sagara Yoshiharu, it is fate that I met you here in Yatsushiro.” 

“Hyakutake?” Naoshige reflectively looked at his face. 

“I have worried you. I wish to express my gratitude to you for having desperately run after me to the enemy territory at the risk of your life. I will not hesitate any longer, Hime.” 

Hyakutake Tomokane smiled. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. Otomo Sorin will participate in this decisive battle by herself, right? In that case, this battle of Ryuzoji against Otomo and Shimazu has not only become a fight to decide the hegemony of Kyushu, but also a battle over whether Otomo Sorin and Milord can overcome their own pasts or not. Even if no one knows when they will attack each other, even if no one knows which side will win, even if Otomo Sorin doesn’t have her step-brother, you are there with her, Sagara Yoshiharu. If the Shiten’O weren’t present in the battle of the Ryuzoji clan, Milord will be in disadvantages.” 

“……A battle of whether they can overcome their past……is it?” 

“That’s right Sagara Yoshiharu. I had slightly guessed that although she controlled the six countries and ran into Christian hobbies, that the thing that Otomo Sorin wanted was not hegemony over Kyushu. I was finally able to understand the meaning of that human faced pumpkin from you. Otomo Sorin intends to fight against milord who did harm to Chikasada-dono  to get over her past of letting her otoutos stand on the battlefield and die on their own. It’s also because milord’s purpose wasn’t to become Kyushu-no-Haou. He believes that if he walks upon the heretical path and becomes the top of the world, that if he became the strongest man among the Shuras then his reckless action of marrying his step-sister will be possible. The battle between these two people shall be settled soon at Shimabara.” 

“Ryuzoji Takanobu and Otomo Sorin, they had to repeat battles and came to lose their families simply because they were born in the daimyo clan of Shura. If those two had talked to each other directly in the battle of Imayama, Chikasada’s head may not have needed to fall…… if those two passed by each other, they could have reconciled with each other.” Yoshiharu muttered. 

“It’s the fate of Shuras of Kyushu that they won’t understand each other unless they fight each other. However, Sagara Yoshiharu. Kyushu might have become slightly different when you who came from the future got involved. We weren’t expecting that the Shimazu and Otomo clans would suddenly make peace at Taka castle. If you weren’t here, that would have been impossible. This decisive battle at Shimabara might become an interesting battle.” 

“Let’s go to Shimabara quickly.” Nabeshima Naoshige stood up slowly and spoke to Hyakutake. 

“……The winner of Shimabara won’t be Sorin. It will be Onii-sama. My Onii-sama continues fighting and bleeding for me on his own. It’s another battle. If he can crush both the Otomo and Shimazu clans, then my Onii-sama can become 

the strongest Shura of Kyushu. Only at that time…… Sagara Yoshiharu. I will not let you be in his way. Although I want to assassinate you and Sorin in this place, because you have let Hyakutake go free to Shimabara, I will leave straight away tonight. If you march to the battlefield of Shimabara, I will fight without mercy and kill you.” 

“……And Sorin?” 

“I have warned you,” Nabeshima Naoshige passed through the Torii and left the shrine. “Next time, lets meet on the battlefield. I always stand on the battlefield while wearing golden armor. It’s my duty given by milord to attract attention with a showy appearance that will not shame the name of Hyakutake. You will understand it from a distance.”  

Hyakutake went next to Naoshige while laughing, “I beg you, don’t pull out your sword. My swordsmanship style is Garyu-no-Ken (Self-taught fist). Because it’s self-taught, my swordsmanship cannot be predicted. It would end in bloodshed.” He applied pressure to both Goemon and the Hagakure-Shinobi squad who lurked in the shadows. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. This is also fate that I wouldn’t have gone over to Shimabara if I had not met you here at Yatsushiro. I don’t bear a grudge with you either. For Otomo Sorin, tell her that I said my apology in place of milord—.” 

The two left the shrine at the same time. 

The bloodlust coming from the Hagakure-Shinobi squad who surrounded Yoshiharu disappeared, and then. 

“……I…… If only I had participated in the Battle of Imayama on my own…… if only I  had appeared on the battlefield……” 

Otomo Sorin who hid in the back of the shrine was crying. 

“I see. Nabeshima Naoshige and Hyakutake noticed that Sorin was hiding in this shrine.” Yoshiharu ran after Sorin and embrace her shoulder gently. 

“I…… wasn’t able to stay because of the tension of the war council and because the Sagara and Shimazu sisters were being happy…… I only tried to get a breath of fresh air and calm myself. But in no time, there were signs of shinobi and I escape desperately to this shrine.” 

Nabeshima Naoshige who discovered Sorin at Yatsushiro when the former was trying to take back Hyakutake, cornered her into this shrine and would’ve arrested her. 

In that case, Hyakutake who sat next to Naoshige while eating mikans and speaking in a joking manner was in fact restraining Naoshige. If Naoshige caught Sorin, then Takanobu would lose his temper and give the order to execute Sorin even if Naoshige asked to keep her alive. Hyakutake might not have wanted to let Naoshige stain her hands with any more blood. Before that, Naoshige herself sensed that the possibility that she wouldn’t be able to get out from Yatsushiro alive was high after she sneaked into Yatsushiro. 

Perhaps Hyakutake Tomokane harbored a slight crush towards Nabeshima Naoshige, otherwise he would have rebelled against Takanobu and wouldn’t have departed to Ryukyu. Yoshiharu thought. But, it looks like he was a man that wouldn’t ever let that come out of his mouth. He silently chose the path to fight until the end to grant the forbidden love between Takanobu and Naoshige, a path of sacrificing himself to overcome the wall called Otomo Sorin that stood between those two. 

“Sorin. I am glad that you are safe. We must board the fleet and cross over to Shimabara immediately. The Hagakure-Shinobi squad has already disappeared. To the port.” 

“……Chikasada was killed even though he pleaded for his life…… Ryuzoji Takanobu was angry because Sorin didn’t try to protect my otouto and instead used them as a shield on the battlefield, right……?” 

“Ryuzoji Takanobu simply misunderstood you. Chikasada understood it the most. The reason why Chikasada begged for his life when he was captured wasn’t because his life was valuable. That was because he didn’t want to accomplish the prophecy of Usa Hachiman-jin, to fulfill his promise to you. However, Ryuzoji Takanobu didn’t know about the prophecy of Usa Hachiman-jin…… You had tried to call Chikasada back in hurry because you realized that you must stand on the battlefield yourself as well. Therefore, he misunderstood and thought you sent your otouto who weren’t ready to die to the battlefield. Jumping to conclusions…… you both unfortunately passed by without meeting each other.” 

“……Now, I know how and why Chikasada was killed. As expected, could this be a punishment to Sorin?” 

“That’s not it. Presently you have Tachibana Muneshige. Although Muneshige has gone far from Yatsushiro for a confrontation with Mori clan under Kanbei, I am here with you for your journey from Yatsushiro to Shimabara. The fate that tied you to both the Mori and Ryuzoji clan can be concluded at the same time by sharing it between you and Muneshige.” 

“Though it might be painful, let’s go to Shimabara. You must face Ryuzoji Takanobu on the battlefield so that you will be free from the prophecy of Usa Hachiman-jin.” Yoshiharu told her. They were harsh, cruel and painful words for Sorin. 

“……Even you actually want to go back to Honshuu as soon as possible to meet Oda Nobuna…… And yet, if Sorin throws a tantrum after being exhausted from a prolonged battle with the Ryuzoji clan…… Sorin might betray you.” 

“That’s fine with me. I already exchanged detailed arrangements and made a balanced strategy with Kanbei. In order to let the Otomo army which is led by Kanbei march at god speed from Kyushu to Honshuu, I have to stake my life here and fight against the Ryuzoji clan too. To save Nobuna, to save Juubei-

chan……and Sorin. You have already suffered enough. In the too cruel world of Shuras. Even so, you lived on. Even though you sought salvation from Christianity and Buddhism and were betrayed. You didn’t die. Therefore.” 

“Those continuous nightmares, let’s end them at Shimabara.” 

“……Is it possible to end it……?” 

“Aah. You have already been reborn at Taka castle. There is courage in the present Sorin to confront her own fate.” 

“That was thanks to you and Yoshihi.” 

“Only one battle left. Ryuzoji Takanobu was also a general who shouldered a tragic destiny. Therefore now, you might hesitate to fight against the Ryuzoji army. But as expected, Ryuzoji Takanobu was wrong. If he loved Nabeshima Naoshige, he shouldn’t have let her hands be dyed with blood. He shouldn’t have murdered the Kamachi clan. Ryuzoji Takanobu…… rampaging around after his feelings were crushed. From the time when his feelings towards Naoshige were restrained, Ryuzoji Takanobu’s heart fell into darkness. It wouldn’t end even if he keeps on killing. Someone must stop him.” 

“Just like……the Maou who appeared in the bible……” 

If one gear of history was missing, if that time when Yoshiharu entered servitude under Nobuna was delayed, Nobuna would’ve stabbed Nobuzumi to death and become like the present Ryuzoji Takanobu. Because a love that was too great would fall into the darkness. It was fortunate that I served the Oda clan. Meanwhile, Sorin continued to suffer in Kyushu because Sorin is a gentle person who will never become a Maou…...only that was impossible. In exchange, Sorin’s nightmare must be ended at Shimabara. Yoshiharu couldn’t help but to swear on it. 

“Life will become darkness itself when one has to abandon their own love towards their family which is the instinct of human beings. Between injuring yourself or destroying the world. The former choice is much gentler. Though it could be said that gentleness is a weakness. That is your true nature. Therefore, Tachibana Dosetsu and Takahashi Shoun wouldn’t try to abandon you even if they did reckless things and harmed themselves. You can overcome your fate at Shimabara. Tachibana clan. Yoshihi-neesan. Iehisa and the others. And me. Everyone supports you.” 

“You totally said something like the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, right.” Sorin smiled while crying and having her shoulder held by Yoshiharu. 

“Even though Sorin demanded the help called ‘love’ from you, before you even knew it, you have taken Gaspard-sama’s bad habit. You are sly.” 

“Iyaa. I don’t know about the teaching of Christianity well, you know?” 

“……Thank you. You prioritize Sorin more than Oda Nobuna in this important situation. That alone is enough…… In reality, you want to leave Kyushu just like that. You want to return to Oda Nobuna as soon as possible…… it’s alright now. I will go to Shimabara.” 

“Thank you. It’s only you who can make an alliance between the Arima clan and the Shimazu army which has been conflicted about the belief in Christianity.” 

“If Sorin won…… it would be nice if you got a reward.” 

“Reward? Is it the 12000 koku of Nakatsu? Doesn’t that already belong to Kanbei? Kanbei would snap if it was taken from her without permission and given to me.” 

“It’s different. Sorin isn’t interested in the kingdoms of the earth. The thing that Sorin wanted is the modest livelihood and regular days of Heian era, and……” 

“And?” 

“……It’s a secret beyond this point. Because I wouldn’t be able to hold my patience if I said it.” 

The fleet that Shimazu Iehisa led had begun to gather at the harbor of Kumagawa. 

Yoshiharu remembered the “Light of Obon” that Nobuna held at Azuchi. 

“As expected of the Shimazu sisters. Their movement is fast.” Yoshiharu spoke in admiration. 

“……At last.” 

“Kai Soun will move to obstruct our strategy to cross the sea without exception. It suddenly became a serious situation.” 

“For Sagara-shi, this may just be a continuation of a serious situation de-gozaru, but to me, I would continue even if I die on the way.” Goemon’s lisping voice was suddenly heard. 

“Although I have never talked about my past to Sagara-shi before…… when I looked at Otomo-shi last night, I began to worry.”  

“Your tone somewhat feels like a last will. Stop it Goemon. The time when a first class shinobi tells others about their own past is when they are ready for death right? Don’t say such an ill-omened thing!” 

“……Actually I wasn’t someone without a single relative. I have an imouto who has been separated from me since birth” 

“Is that possible?! But Goemon’s otou-san who led the Kawanami clan and was also the previous head of the Kawanami clan, didn’t he pass away already? What do you mean by an imouto who has been separated since birth?” 

“There is a reason why I cannot tell you the details. If I fall on the way, my imouto will replace me. My Imouto…… will definitely open up a path for you. If its Sagara-shi, you may be able to save my Imouto.”  

“Oi oi. Don’t say such ominous things Goemon. You and I are already bound together with same destiny.” 

“What about it? Sagara-shi is still indecisive, you will have to decide sooner or later.” As usual, Goemon’s words in the night fueled Yoshiharu’s anxiety. 

“What’s the matter? You are being timid. Weren’t you able to overcome it when we were surrounded by Nabeshima Naoshige’s Hagakure-Shinobi squad? Although Hyakutake-san didn’t raise any fighting spirit aside from Nabeshima Naoshige, and even though it was because Nabeshima Naoshige prioritized taking him back, the fact that you came was also one of the reasons.” 

“Iyaa. The biggest deed belongs to Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fighting spirit. Furthermore, it was fortunate that the numbers of the Hagakure-Shinobi squad weren’t that many. It’s because Nabeshima-shi assigned the Saga shinobi to every place.” 

“Shimazu Yoshihiro?” 

Perhaps when Yoshihiro and Iehisa who left the war council to look out for Sorin themselves, they found Yoshiharu in the darkness. Although they were a little bit away from the shrine, those two certainly emitted a terrifying fighting spirit. Especially Yoshihiro. The shinobi’s eyesight which works well at night probably saw Yoshihiro and the others approaching the shrine previously. If Hyakutake and Yoshihiro entered into close range and pulled out their swords and the shinobis of both armies entered the fray, no matter who would survive, bloodshed would literally fall within the shrine. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. Otomo Sorin-dono. To carry on in a place like this…… the strategy of crossing over the seas will be carried out soon. There is no time to return to the castle now. Just go as is to the harbor with Iehisa. You may have encountered the enemy but…… rest assured. We will guard you to Shimabara by any means necessary.” 

“Nyaa. Did you guys just have a date? It becomes like this when I take my eyes off from Sagara~.” 

“Sorry sorry.” 

“Everyone in the Oda clan, myself included, continue to walk on a tightrope and will be completely destroyed immediately if we make a single mistake.” Yoshiharu understood as well. But nevertheless, Goemon’s words sounded strange. Especially, “There is an imouto who has been separated from me since birth, I want you to employ my imouto if I die.” This is the first time that Goemon had talked about her family. The past of Goemon and her family are hardly known to me yet, if she suddenly disappears without permission… when he thought that he suddenly became frightened. It was a tone, as if a cat suddenly seemed to realize their time of death. I was invited into this word of the Sengoku era by Goemon and have been protected by Goemon. Although her death at Sunomata was just a fakeout, don’t tell me that Goemon will suddenly die in the middle of Tenka Fubu…… At that moment, Yoshiharu’s hands which were holding Sorin’s shoulders, suddenly increased their strength. 

Sorin gently put her hands on top of Yoshiharu’s hands. 

The decisive strategy of crossing the sea was about to begin. 

Otomo Sorin and Sagara Yoshiharu, along with Shimazu Iehisa who carried a Tanegashima as the vanguard, ran to the harbor just like that without returning to the castle. 

Only Shimazu Yoshihiro returned to Furufumoto castle to lead the defending soldiers that remain in Yatsushiro. 

Though a night journey is dangerous, fortunately the sea was calm. 

Sagara Yoshihi who went ahead and arrived at the harbor told Iehisa and the others that it could be done if it was done with the Sagara clan’s oarsmen. 

“You are slow, Yoshiharu. The reason why the small prestigious Sagara clan was able to stay independent for a long time was because of the profits made from the trade with Ryukyu at this Yatsushiro harbor. The Sagara navy is flawless. Although I would never thought that the Shimazu army would be able to pass through it, it will be possible with this.” 

“It’s 1500. Even if we add Arima clan, it’s only 3000. There are the 30000 soldiers of the Ryuzoji army that gathered at Shimabara. It will be a tough battle……” 

“Sagara~. Although the number of soldiers are important in the course of battle, victory and defeat aren’t decided simply by numbers. Fortunately, Shimabara which has become the battlefield is located in Arima’s land. The Ryuzoji folks are unfamiliar with Shimabara. If one can make best use of the geographical advantages then the army’s strength will be multiplied by 5 or 10 times.” 

“Iehisa, isn’t this also the first time you have come to Shimabara?” 

“Nyaa. I am in charge of making the strategy for the Shimazu clan. I have experienced going to Shimabara once during the time I made my trip to the capital. I already have an idea about the place that shall be used as the battlefield. By using the battle of the Oda clan which lured Imagawa Yoshimoto to Okehazama as the reference, I have made a strategy inside my head which would even crush enemies that number ten times ours on the battlefield. The problem is whether Arima Harunobu can be persuaded so that I can entrust these unfamiliar commands for this decisive battle. If the allied forces fail to reach an agreement, then both of us will be destroyed. Even if the management of the Shimazu army is perfect, it will all be pie in the sky if Arima army doesn’t follow my direction.” 

“……Please leave it to Sorin. If I explain and inform him about Iehisa’s command at the battle of Taka castle and Kizakihara then we surely will be able to persuade him.” 

“Alright. Tokuchiyo and Yoshihiro who were waiting at the castle seem to have completed the preparation for the battlefield. It’s also the time for Kai Soun to begin to move to prevent us from crossing the sea. Let’s go!” 

“Yoshiharu, we need to hold off the Ryuzoji army’s southern advance to Shimabara. If our arrival is late, the Arima clan will be crushed and the Ryuzoji army will advance to Yatsushiro immediately. If it were to be attacked from both sides by the Ryuzoji army from the sea and Kai Soun-ojisama from the land, even Shimazu Yoshihiro won’t be able to protect it. Yatsushiro port and town will be burned by the Ryuzoji army to nothing.” 

“Yoshihi-neesan. I won’t let it happen. Nabeshima Naoshige who was in Yatsushiro until just now needs several days to come back to the Ryuzoji’s location. The wind has blown for us who are now able to obtain these precious several days!” 

“Na-Nabeshima? In Yatsushiro?! What do you mean Yoshiharu?! That woman is merciless toward the enemies of Ryuzoji clan, did you get attacked or poisoned?” 

“Let’s talk about it on the ship. Briefly speaking, because the unity of Ryuzoji clan cracked after the murder of the Kamachi clan, she has divided her focus even if it would waste several precious days. Nabeshima Naoshige seems to have split the Hagakure-Shinobi squad between two tasks. Otherwise, it would be dangerous for me and Sorin.” 

“……I-I see. Don’t make your Onee-chan worry too much. Could that be the protection of Myouken-Daibosatsu? Fumu.” 

“Its extremely lax that Nabeshima was able to sneak to Yatsushiro so easily. Isn’t it dangerous?” 

“Shut up, Iehisa. That’s the way it is with a port town. The reason is different from Satsuma where their puzzling Satsuma dialect differs from the Japanese language and the invasion from foreign countries will be obstructed by the volcanic ashes of Sakurajima.” 

“Nyaa! Samurai of Shimazu know about the Japanese language! Yoshihiro-nee and the  other can speak Japanese language! It’s only me the youngest child whose progress is slightly slow!” 

“Seriously, are these two on bad terms or good terms? At any rate now is the time to repel Kai Soun’s pursuit and set sail!” 

It was time for the 1500 Arima clan reinforcements led by Shimazu Iehisa along with Otomo Sorin and the Sagara siblings to leave from the Yatsuhiro port towards Shimabara before dawn. However, Arima was pressed by the Ryuzoji army and pushed back to Shimabara peninsula. The small daimyo who had just converted to Christianity and had just acquired a trade with the nambans was asking for reinforcement from the leader Otomo Sorin, but they had no diplomatic relations with the Shimazu clan who were anti-Christians. The people of Arima clan who were undergoing  a crisis would be filled with doubt. It was the time when the diplomatic power of Otomo Sorin who dominated Kyushu as the “Rokakoku-no-Jou” (Queen of the Six Countries) would be test tested. 

The supreme commander Shimazu Yoshihiro who joined Sagara Tokuchiyo with 10000 primary soldiers must fight against the northern Higo allied forces of Kai Soun. If Yoshihiro lost Yatsushiro, then Iehisa’s path for retreat will be cut off. Thus Yoshihiro mustn’t lose the battle in order to obtain victory. Iehisa and Yoshihiro. It’s necessary for the sisters who battle while being separated by seas to 

match their timing. Now is the time for the power of the two martial faces of the Shimazu sisters to be known. 

However, it goes without saying that Kai Soun predicted this strategy of crossing the sea. 

The Kai Soun forces which should’ve withdrawn slightly to the north after seeing the arrival of the Shimazu army and ending the siege of Furufumoto castle, have already marched near Yatsushiro port.  

It was a secret march by covering the horses’ mouths with bags. 

The samurai on horseback and all of the ashigaru were in black attire so as to not have any shining appearances even if they were bathed in moonlight. 

Needless to say, Kai Soun himself stood at the front of the black attired army. 

Samurai…… Especially the Shuras of Kyushu, risked their lives and wore showy appearances. It was to show that standing out and showing their courage in the face of the enemy’s bow and arrows is much more important than their own lives. But, Kai Soun forcibly ordered them to wear black clothes like a shinobi and march quietly. Anyone who defied this would be killed silently. If the crossing of the sea could be prevented, then the battle at Shimabara will be a victory belonging to the Ryuzoji army. When Shimabara which serves as the backwater for Shimazu army is suppressed by the Ryuzoji army then, the Ryuzoji army could strike at both the Yatsushiro and Otomo clan territories immediately. Kuroda Kanbei’s big reversal will suffer a standstill. At the same time, so will the Shimazu’s landing operation to Shimabara which would happen in conjunction with Kanbei’s plan. The Shimazu clan who gave up going north will have no choice but to turn around to defend Satsuma, Osumi and Hyuga. 

Tokushiyo’s head or his son’s head…… In any case, Kai Soun must take one of those. It was ironic. 

Kai Soun was originally going to be killed by his heir who nurtured a grudge towards him. As the Aso clan failed to kill him at Hibikinohara, it was thought that it would turn out like that if Kai Soun return to Aso clan. “Choose either Tokuchiyo’s head or my head” it seemed like there was no choice in this. It was said to be the ultimate revenge against Kai Soun. Perhaps it was clever. 

Kai Soun silently led the army while settling the karma that he himself shouldered— 

As expected, Iehisa and the others who learned that the Kai Soun forces had suddenly appeared from the darkness grew pale. 

“Nyaa?! Kai Soun…… Was already right in front of the port! Did he march under the cover of  darkness?!” 

“As expected from Ojii-sama. He would have taken the port and burned it if we had delayed in crossing the sea for a night. But we are half a step faster. Sorin, Yoshiharu. Don’t get nauseous even if it becomes a ridiculous journey to Shimabara.” 

“……Ships are Sorin’s weak point. They make me feel nauseated. But before I get drunk, it will be over if we get killed by that black attired army” 

“Its alright Sorin. Yoshihiro should’ve gone out from Furufumoto castle as well and will run to the port. They will be just in time. However, to think that the Aso clan kept Kai Soun alive…… it was unexpected. Considering Aso Koremasa’s timidity until now……Kai Soun possess too much loyalty even though he had to come to Yatsushiro again immediately after experiencing that.” 

“Ojii-sama is holding on to his beliefs until the end— He wanted to do it in the proper way. He is that kind of person. But this bloodcurdling night attack…… it’s worrying, but we have to concentrate on winning in Shimabara now.” 

“Yoshihi-neesan. I think the Aso clan took a hostage from Soun…… if he was an ordinary general, his patience would have run out and he might have force the Aso clan to take a mikudarihan (letter of divorce).” 

“……Nevertheless, Ojii-sama still didn’t betray his master’s clan…… perhaps his heir Chikahide-dono who survived during the previous rebellion was taken as a hostage……” 

“Perhaps it’s like that.” 

“Get on the ship first, Yoshiharu.” After Yoshihi said that, she went alone on horseback to Kai Soun’s forces which were approaching in front of them. 

Iehisa didn’t have a chance to stop her. 

“Soun-ojiisama……! Even though you have stopped fighting at Hibikinohara, why are you invading Yatsushiro again? Was Chikahide-dono’s head at stake?” 

Kai Soun wore a jet black armor. His figure appeared small in the darkness. Although the enemy forces began to prepare their arrows and aimed at Yoshihi, Kai Soun raised his hand and restrained them. They will be killed if they disobey. No one, there are no soldiers who can ignore Kai Soun’s command. 

“……Such recklessness, Yoshihi. If the Hime-Busho who appeared in front of me was not you but instead was Tokuchiyo, I would have shot and killed her without arguing. However, wasn’t it that nobody seemed to ask your head, from you who has quit being the head of Sagara clan? The head of Tokuchiyo against my unworthy son Chikahide’s head. I can only pick one of those two.” 

“……It can’t be…… ojii-sama……? As expected, Aso Koremasa threatened you.” 

“That’s not it. Milord doesn’t has any courage. I was asked, to choose my own biological child Chikahide or the Hime from the Sagara clan whom I raised. I thought I would die if I returned to the Aso clan, but perhaps my karma was too deep.” 

“……Then, Ojii-sama will…… take Tokuchiyo’s head……?” 

“There is no discretion in attacking Yatsushiro. If your rear guard was not in time then it would have happened. But you came on time. Yoshihi. Sagara Yoshiharu. And then…… the Shimazu sisters. Defeat me if you want to protect Tokuchiyo. If you cannot surpass me then it means that the Sagara clan didn’t has any capability to survive in Kyushu from the very beginning.” 

“……So then…… Soun-ojiisama who raised and protected me like a true father must be defeated by us sisters……?” 

“It is said that one must be prepared to kill their own father in order to become independent as a general in Kyushu. You cannot survive if you are overcome with emotion. And I am a man who swore that I would never betray milord’s clan no matter what. This is my karma.” 

“That’s wrong! Ojii-sama is……” 

“Yoshihi-neesan! You will be targeted by the arrows! Hurry to the ship!” 

Yoshiharu whose expression changed, rushed and caught up to Yoshihi in a hurry. 

“Yoshiharu please wait a little more.” Yoshihi restrained Yoshiharu with tearful face, But, “sorry Nee-san,” after stabbing the butt of the horse that Yoshihi rode on with a spear, Yoshiharu made it run to the port. 

Kai Soun didn’t try to pursue Yoshihi. 

Kai Soun didn’t want to kill either Yoshihi or Tokuchiyo. But can Kai Soun acknowledge that I am a man who can be entrusted with Yoshihi or Tokuchiyo? —It depends on this very moment. 

Here, Kai Soun and Sagara Yoshiharu came to face each other at point blank range. 

Kai Soun released a thick bloodlust even greater than the time when he tried to assassinate Yoshiharu in Hitoyoshi castle. The pressure which would push someone to faint was attacking Yoshiharu’s body relentlessly. 

This bloodlust is a test for me, if I am possessed by fear, ‘You don’t have the qualifications to be entrusted with the Sagara sisters,’ and with that my head will be head cut by Kai Soun. Yoshiharu endured. 

I fought is this country of Shuras, Kyushu, I survived and I have grown to be a man who is finally suitable to live as one of the Sagara clan, I have to make Soun acknowledge that. 

Yoshiharu endured it until the end without being shaken from horseback. 

— The bloodlust disappeared from Kai Soun’s body. 

“You are slow, boy. I entrusted Yoshihi to you. Don’t endanger Yoshihi on the battlefield.” 

Kai Soun seems to have given him passing marks at the last moment. 

“Sorry for that, Kai Soun. But…… I will end the law of the Shuras of Kyushu at the battle of Shimabara! Those days of bloody usurpation and murder will be put to an end soon! Therefore don’t die!” 

“……If you are worried, then worry about Shimazu Yoshihiro’s life and not mine. From this point on it will be the fight between Shimazu Yoshihiro and I. Don’t allow Yoshihiro to know about my views too much. That’s naïve. Although Yoshihiro’s martial strength has reached the domain of an Oni that rivals mine, her heart is still a maiden. Sympathy toward me is unnecessary. That naiveté will prove fatal to that person and become a rip that will disrupt your strategies. Don’t flap your mouth and speak unnecessary things in front of Yoshihiro if you don’t want Yoshhiro to die. Now go.” 

“……I understand.” 

“Don’t let Yoshihi and the others think about me in Shimabara at all. You as well. You will be defeated by the Ryuzoji army if you don’t concentrate on the battle in front of you. You might understand it decently as well, but Kyushu isn’t soft. It’s not a convenient place where you can do multiple things at the same time. Concentrate on only playing your own role.” 

“……I can only rely on my companions.” 

“If you want to absolutely save Tokuchiyo, you must defeat the Ryuzoji army so that milord will give up on the Ryuzoji clan quickly. There will be no use in simply pushing them back from Shimabara. Create an indisputable victory that will remain in the history of japan. You have no choice but to walk upon a narrow path boy.” 

“That goes without saying! Although I cannot do things by my own power forever, I have a lot of companions like Yoshihi-neesan and the other! Overcome the narrow path that you took and the karma and fate that you shouldered! She would be hurt deeply if you had a cruel death so, for the sake of Yoshihi-neesan…… live and let us meet again, Kai Soun!” 

“…… You said it. Although there is still a long way to go before you are acknowledged as a man, you have unmasked yourself at Taka castle, Sagara Yoshiharu. Likewise, you are necessary for Yoshihi to become independent from Hitoyoshi castle.” 

“Then thank you. Although I feel rather uneasy with being flattered by a man like you.” 

“Don’t get cocky. From now on, soon there will be an enemy who is as strong as a monster like me. Even emotion and pace aren’t necessary for my own words.” 

“I see, I understand! Shimazu Yoshihiro will come soon. Now it is wasteful for me to get consumed by nervousness!” 

“That’s right. But you can still be strong. You just didn’t remember to use your merit in martial arts.” 

At the same time as Yoshiharu ran after Yoshihi, Kai Soun raised his hand and withdrew the military. 

It’s not to retreat from the battlefield. 

It’s to meet the Yatushiro army led by Shimazu Yoshihiro that surged along Kumagawa from the castle. 

“I was in time! You read our strategy to cross the sea tonight as expected! But I didn’’t let you prevent it! Kai Soun-dono! Shimazu Isshin is here!” 

Yoshihiro, who took the job of defending the Yatsushiro port until the end, personally led the army and rushed over to confront the expressionless Kai Soun who wore namban sunglasses. 

Yoshihiro stared at Kai Soun who was approaching silently while she straddled her horse, Hizaori Kurige. 

“……” 

Kai Soun released a terrifying bloodlust. 

Although he has taken bullets to his whole body back in Hibikinohara, it was something that didn’t mar his fighting spirit. 

Thoughts about his son had already disappeared from his mind. 

Thoughts that his real child Chikahide’s head depended upon this attack on Yatsushiro or whether or not he would receive injuries to his body, all of those things were unrelated to the battles to the dead between Shuras. Any impure 

hesitation would prove fatal on battlefield. The opponent is Shimazu Yoshihiro. Thus Kai Soun instantly erased all hesitation. 

Shimazu Yoshihiro couldn’t attack so easily in front of the fighting spirit from the overwhelming bloodlust of Soun. 

Well done, Kai Soun-dono. Even though you have been subjected to that kind of betrayal at Hibikinohara…… though I could imagine the kind of chaos in the Aso clan after that…… Nevertheless, there is neither sorrow nor despair in the present Kai Soun-dono. He certainly has attained the Munen Muso (state of no thoughts). 

Kai Soun was shot by his allies at Hibikinohara and suffered a serious wound. Would he die if he was an ordinary man or should he retire after being seriously wounded? 

On the other hand, Shimazu Yoshihiro returned from the battle of Taka castle mostly uninjured. 

That being the case, if it is just a one on one combat, Yoshihiro should’ve had the advantage. 

Despite this, there was no openings or hesitation from Kai Soun that Shimazu Yoshihiro had expected while she rode on horseback. 

“Why is it? Why aren’t you attacking? We both will step into each other’s opening. Such a good opportunity is rare Shimazu Yoshihiro. Won’t you challenge me in one on one combat?” 

It was the same as when the hemiplegic Tachibana Dosetsu released a fighting spirit that struck fear in Yoshihiro’s body. As long as the heart beats, it’s possible to take away the enemy’s life. That’s a Shura. Body injuries and loss have nothing to do with a Shura who has forged their body and mind to cut the enemy. 

Or perhaps, Dosetsu and now Soun could build an absolute determination from their whole body because they were wounded. 

Iehisa still hadn’t started crossing the sea.  

No. even if they finished crossing the sea, if Yoshihiro fell here and Yatsushiro is taken, Iehisa’s path for retreat will be cut off even if she and the others defeat the Ryuzoji army which is 10 times larger than their own at Shimabara. 

As long as there isn’t any evidence of my certain death strike…… 

“No. It’s not like that. Since my fight is to defend and hold the port of Yatsushiro, I cannot accepted a one on one combat from Kai Soun even if he consents to it.” Yoshihiro bit her lip to hold off her overflowing fighting spirits. 

“I know that the ‘Satsuma Jigen-ryu’ that you secretly developed in order to kill the user of Taisha-ryu is your magic trick Shimazu Yoshihiro. I hear that you used it unintentionally against a young warrior in her first battle, Tachibana Muneshige. Even though you survived Taka castle and have unmasked yourself, you are still weak. The Hagakure-Shinobi squad that were controlled by Nabeshima Naoshige have already told me the information about your Hi-Ken.” 

“……Tachibana Muneshige-dono was truly the Nishikoku Musou (Peerless of the West). She splendidly blocked my certain death Shoken-Goroshi. If I didn’t use it, I would’ve been slashed……” 

“However, the Hi-Ken that you developed in order to kill me has already been used. At that time, you have been defeated by me. Shimazu Yoshihiro.” 

Kai Soun has already knew the secret of Satsuma Jigen-ryu. 

“By throwing away your defenses you deal a single preemptive attack with you sword to the enemy whose armor and helmet will both be crushed. It’s essentially a single sword strike. There is no second sword strike. That’s the Satsuma Jigen-ryu. It’s exactly a death seeking sword strike. However as long as you know its essence, then it’s possible to block its single sword strike—” 

Yoshihiro ground her teeth. 

No. Even Kai Soun shouldn’t be able to dodge it. Just like Tachibana Muneshige who had no choice but to receive the single blow with her body with all of her might. 

“That’s how it is. Even if it’s a Shura who has piled up training, they wouldn’t be able to avoid your death-seeking sword strike. However I am different. That’s because I have no need to avoid a strike which cannot be avoided. We’ll simply attack each other at the same time and kill each other. Although my limbs will be cut beyond recovery by your first strike, you will die as well. The future of the Shimazu clan and your feelings for Sagara Yoshiharu will be consumed completely by the darkness and your will shall be crushed here. I who will have lost to you in martial arts and lost my place in the Aso clan will be killed by the person who hates me. If Kai Soun isn’t able to fight then he has no right to live. However it’s a fitting death for a heretic like me.” 

A single certain death blow, a sword strike that throws away all of one’s own defenses, staking all of one’s own life for a single sword strike that will lead to death if it misses, that is the favor of Satsuma Jigen-ryu. It’s a practical technique when used against opponent who is a simple Shura. But it is impossible to hit the present Kai Soun who also abandoned his own defenses. 

“Are you still not moving at all, Shimazu Yoshihiro? At dawn when I will met you again on the battlefield, I wished for a one on one battle against you but…… you who doesn’t have any confidence in killing me with a blow isn’t capable of complying with my challenge. That’s fine if you want to tremble until the battle at Shimabara ends.” 

Kai Soun didn’t exaggerate. Even if she inflicted an unrecoverable wound on Kai Soun, if Yoshihiro began the one on one combat and rushed to aim at Kai Soun now, Yoshihiro would likely die.  

“Though I have said this repeatedly, but you who feared the unexpected situation where Sagara Yoshiharu’s head was going to be decapitated during the battle of Taka castle momentarily forget that the place that you were standing on was the battlefield. And, as a result, you had to use the Hi-Ken that you should’ve not used against your enemy Tachibana Muneshige. Your mind is weak. At this point you cannot beat me anymore.” 

Yoshihiro endured the anger, humiliation and fear. 

Yoshihiro finally noticed.  

Kai Soun was originally not a talkative man. 

He is not a general who boasted to his enemies, much less about his bravery and strength. 

He taunted me so that I would accept the one on one duel. 

The mortal combat between the two Shuras had already begun. 

A body whose spirit surpasses the limits of mortal training and yet can gain control of their own spirit once more is the mark of a true warrior. 

I who am immature still haven’t reached that territory, but Kai Soun has reached that domain—. 

Yoshihiro asked Kai Soun. 

“Even though its unsightly and despised, even if it’s filthy, won’t you try to survive as long as you have a life? Why do you want to die so early, Kai Soun? Now that your heir has been taken hostage and you were ordered to capture Yatsushiro, did you consider it as your last moment to die? Or did you despair of living in the country of Shuras after being torn between your affection for your family and your loyalty to your master’s clan?” 

“Indeed, I intend to kill you at the expense of half of my body but I have no intention of dying here. If my head and mind are safe, then I will return even if have to crawl.” 

“……You intend to win against me?...... Without any doubts. Such arrogance……!” 

“Don’t be frightened, Shimazu Yoshihiro. In front of a fighting spirit that is released from an absolutely powerful enemy and with the hesitation of ‘whether I am a human or an Oni’ spilling out from the bottom of your heart, can you endure the fear of possibly losing things that it would be hard lose? Can you endure it until the battle at Shimabara has come to an end and those people return to Yatsushiro? If you cannot endure it, then it means that you still haven’t matured enough yet even though you exchanged your life with the Tachibana clan. At that time, I will kill you.” 

“I see. Kai Soun is training me on this battlefield. Training me as I am conflicted between the mind of a maiden who is in love and my fate as a Shura who should keep fighting in Kyushu.” Yoshihiro noticed. 

Yoshihiro understood her role of supporting the Shimazu clan as a warrior since her childhood and survived the deadly training that she imposed on herself. Not just training, but also actual combat. She led the young soldiers and personally risked her own life to bathe herself in the blood of enemies and allies alike and continued fighting everytime she went out onto the battlefield. Body. Martial arts. Fighting spirit. You might say she is the one who stood tall as the strongest Shura of Kyushu. 

But Yoshihiro has a weakness. A beloved Ane. A precious Imouto. The young soldiers who gave their lives for her. And the fear of losing the man she fell in love with before her own eyes. It’s much more painful than dying and something that is feared as it cannot be escaped and washed away. This fear will not disappear completely from Yoshihiro’s heart, so long as she lives— if it did disappear then it would mean that Yoshihiro is no longer a human being and could be said to be a genuine Oni. Even Kai Soun who executed his own sons for the sake of his loyalty 

to his master’s clan didn’t try to part with his feelings and become an Oni in the end. During the dire situation at Hibikinohara, he chose the lives of Sagara Yoshihi and her sister Tokuchiyo. 

Yoshihiro would become an existence surpassing Kai Soun if she overcome this fear while still being a human and a maiden. 

“Shimazu Yoshihiro. I am destined to be killed by the person who hates me more than anyone else. It must be like that. Thus I have survived shamelessly until now. And that time is not far away. I cannot wait for your growth. I don’t have that much time. If you cannot overcome this, then I cannot entrust the Sagara sisters to you.” 

“I understand. Until the news of Iehisa’s victory comes, I will protect Tokuchiyo and Yatsushiro port from you. I will not comply, no matter what kind of words or insults are thrown. I will endure it,” Yoshihiro nodded. 

“Kai Soun. My teacher. I will surpass you.” 

“Hmph. I could say the same thing to Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“Yoshiharu-dono?” 

“That person is much more mature than you since he know that fate is not something that can be overcome by one’s own power. He restrained his heart which want to go to rescue Oda Nobuna immediately and focuses on the whole situation and choose to participate in the battle at Shimabara. But you will catch up soon. Its possible for you to keep enduring the fear and tension that you keep for having to confront me at Yatsushiro while sending Shimazu Iehisa to Shimabara.” 

“……Iehisa. Yoshiharu-dono and the others. I believe in them.” 

In front of Kai Soun who was standing imposingly, “I won’t let you through even once. I won’t take a single step either,”  Yoshihiro brandished her spear. Behind her, the fleet of the Shimazu army which was led by Iehisa had set sail. The difference in their power is ten times. And Yoshihiro who is the symbol of the 

martial power of the Shimazus will not be there. Is there any chance of victory? Against the talented strategist Nabeshima Naoshige as their enemy, could Iehisa’s Tsuri no Buse work even with its trick learned? 

Iehisa. I am worried about you. Ryuzoji Takanobu is different from Tachibana Dosetsu-dono. Your life will be scattered the moment you are charmed by love on the battlefield, I…… am afraid of only being able to wait like this, waiting until the time you return home. Sagara Yoshiharu-dono and you, can you both come back home alive from Shimabara? Even if you survive, will Iehisa lose her human heart to win a hopeless battles against an enemy force ten times larger than ours and become a demon? That is far more frightening than Kai Soun’s fighting spirit. 

Tears came to Yoshihiro’s eyes, to the one who is revered as Oni Shimazu and Takegami of Kyushu. 

Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. I still believe in you. Don’t sacrifice your life, but find and open a way for you and Iehisa to survive. Please, for Iehisa— 

Kai Soun quietly stared at Yoshihiro’s appearance. “We cannot prevent Shimazu Iehisa from crossing the sea. Retreat to the camp tonight.” He gave an order of retreat to the whole army. 

Things are fine now. Shimazu Yoshihiro. Don’t throw away your deep emotions permanently. To learn the technique to temporarily erase your emotions to confront the fate before your eyes is the ‘strength’ that you should aim for. 

Kai Soun who turned his back to Yoshihiro, muttered it in his heart.