Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 15 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - The Return of Sagara Yoshiharu 

Mikawa, the battlefield of Shitarahara. 

“Sakon. The alliance with the Tokugawa clan is annulled. We will withdraw.” 

Takigawa Kazumasu was surprised by the words of Nobuna who had just returned and dropped her tea set from her hand. 

Let’s rewind the time a bit. The truth is, before Nobuna arrived at Ieyasu’s camp, Hattori Hanzo, who was a loyal shinobi of Ieyasu and Honda Tadakatsu, who was the head of the imperial guard and dared to unleash a decisive surprise attack to get a head start in this battle, were questioning Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu. 

Because Tadakatsu named himself* the “Dog of the Matsudaira Clan” and devotes himself* to spearmanship, he* was silent even in the war council. Hanzou spoke on behalf of Tadakatsu, “what on earth is this?” and questioned Ieyasu and Masanobu. (We don’t know gender yet and well...this series.) 

“Hime. We are an allied force. To start a war without permission from the Oda clan is a reckless action that is tantamount to a betrayal against the Oda clan.” 

Matsudaira Motoyasu, whose name had been changed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, answered, “This is Yahachirou-san’s plan.” Yahachirou is Honda Masanobu’s nickname. Although Ieyasu and Yahachirou were separated through conflicting faith between the ancient Tanukisou (Tanuki religion) and Nyankosou (Cat religion) ever since the Honbyo temple’s rebellion in Mikawa, they were both childhood friends. 

“Honda Masanobu! Is this your idea? Do you want to break the alliance between the Oda and Matsudaira clans which have lasted for many years? Until now, Hime has had the extremely rare virtue of faithfulness in Sengoku era. Explain yourself!” 

“Haaai~. Hattori Hanzou-dono. This is already not a concern for a shinobi. Now that I, Honda Masanobu, have become Ieyasu-sama’s strategist, I will make the clan be reborn as the Tokugawa clan…… This clan is already no longer the Matsudaira clan, but is instead the Tokugawa clan. The Matsudaira clan is a tragic clan with an inevitable future where the previous generation will be assassinated by retainers due to internal struggles. Retainers and others from Mikawa aside from Sakai Tadatsugu make light of Ieyasu-sama. After all, they are all old-fashioned people who cannot expand beyond the mentality of the local people of Mikawa. Please look at the decisive differences with the Oda clan that collected talented retainers in spite of their birthright and even expanded their territory up to millions of Koku in an instant after Oda Nobuna held absolute power and created a dictatorship. We always wanted to change Hime’s name to Tokugawa and try to dominate the absolute ruler of Mikawa and Totomi as the head of the Matsudaira clan. All of you are interrupting that. Especially you Hanzou. You are making money from Mikawa Manzai…… Hime is not your comic partner nor a retainer of Oda clan. Did you forget that the Oda and Tokugawa clan are equal allies?” 

Although Honda Masanobu who fought in the Honbyo temple rebellion didn’t have any military prowess, she had acquired experience in many actual battles. As well as the main battle against the powerful army led by the Tenkabito, Oda Nobuna. In fact, Masanobu had greatly grown as a strategist after leaving Mikawa and wandering around the country. Especially, during the period of her vagrancy, the experience of serving under Matsunaga Danjou had changed 

Masanobu. She chose the path of living as a strategist after feeling the limit of Mikawa samurai who only existed for loyalty and attacking. 

“The Matsudaira clan placed their bets on the Oda clan during the battle between the Imagawa and Oda clan. And it succeeded. Despite this, Honda Masanobu. You ran away during the Mikawa rebellion.” 

“It’s the ‘Tokugawa clan’, Hanzou-dono. As a result of the alliance, only the Oda clan was expanded. This is because of your carelessness of winning the bet at Okehazama. Oda Nobuna brought the strongest enemy, Takeda Shingen upon the Tokugawa clan and went to tear down Kinai herself using the opportunity. Meanwhile, the only territory that the Tokugawa clan obtained is Totomi. Before you noticed, the two clan shave overwhelming differences and Tokugawa is being handled as if it was an Oda clan retainer.” 

“Certainly, that is true. However, Hime has a rare reputation of being faithful!” 

“Because I, Honda Masanobu, have returned, I will reform the way of the Tokugawa clan which is really only a group of warriors down to its root. Of course, part of the reason for renaming Hime to ‘Tokugawa Ieyasu’ is to  elevate her as the extraordinary absolute lord of the Matsudaira clan. There is another reason. The Kanpaku Konoe Sakihisa-sama reasoned that the Matsudaira clan which proclaimed that they were descended from the Serada clan of the Seiwa Genji clan has no right to become the Mikawa-no-Kami. (God of Mikawa) The Mikawa-no-Kami must be a Fujiwara. However, even if it is possible to be named Mikawa-no-Kami, regardless if the Tokugawa clan is related to the Fujiwara clan from the same Serada clan lineage, it’s still necessary for Hime to rename herself to ‘Tokugawa’ in order to formally be appointed as the Mikawa-no-Kami by Yamato Gosho.” 

“Then why did you start the battle without permission? Oda Nobuna seems to have made some sort of plan against the strongest Takeda cavalry. However, the preparations haven’t been finished yet! Now, if the Takeda army charges with their whole army, won’t the Oda and Tokugawa clan both be destroyed?!” 

“Oda Nobuna will soon change her expression and come to the main camp. In that sudden moment…… which ‘bet’ would you place in this battle again, Hattori Hanzou-dono? Just because you won the bet at Okehazama, in the end you would feel satisfied if the Tokugawa clan was made a retainer of Oda Nobuna. This Shitarahara is the only chance. By using the Takeda army that spreads in front of our eyes, we will leave the alliance with the Oda clan without tarnishing Hime’s reputation of being faithful.” 

“How will you leave?” 

“Haaai~. By waiting and seeing. And following the one who wins.” 

“Ridiculous. That’s the worst choice you could choose in this decisive battle. The reputation of being faithful that Hime built will fall to the ground.” 

“That’s right, I, Honda Masanobu, have taken up a plan to guide Oda Nobuna.” 

“Hoo.” Honda Tadakatsu who still hid his* real face muttered at the same time as he* glanced at Tokugawa Ieyasu who calmly sat next to Masanobu. 

“……No matter how much you were cornered, you didn’t chew your fingernails. This Hime is…… an impostor.” 

“That’s right!” Hanzou instinctively clapped his knee. 

“Honda Masanobu! This person that you brought is Serata Jirou Saburou who is like a body double of Hime!” 

“Haaai~. As expected from Heihachiro. You saw through it. I was wondering whether I could deceive you for one month.” 

“They are so alike that even a shinobi like me cannot see through it. Even Oda Nobuna who is Hime’s childhood friend may not be able to see through it. Only Tadakatsu who attended and served Hime like a dog was able to find that out. Where did you hide the real Hime?! I will definitely kill you and the others if you intend take over as lord of the clan during this confusion!” 

“……Certainly not. Hime is Masanobu’s best friend. I only wanted her to behave until this situation is settled. Since she was being noisy by saying ‘I will fight alongside Kichi-neesama until death rather than betraying the Oda clan at the last moment’.” 

“Because of that, you, when you couldn’t persuade Hime. You imprisoned her somewhere!” 

“Everything is for Hime’s sake. In any case, even if we go to war after waiting for Oda Nobuna’s war preparation at Shitarahara, even if we assume that the Oda clan will be able to win, the situation at Kinai will be too late.” 

“Kinai?” 

“Mori has advanced from the west to Kinai while the Takeda clan is fighting desperately against the Oda clan in a stalemate. Kobayakawa Takakage is the most resourceful person in Saikoku. She probably took a detour to instantly arrived at Azuchi. Therefore, for Oda Nobuna, quickly withdrawing from Shitarahara is the best long term decision.” 

Tadakatsu stated that Masanobu is a depraved person. The point is, although she was a wicked tactician whose raison d’etre was creating strategy, there was only one person in this world that Masanobu yearned for as a friend. In other words, she wouldn’t harm Ieyasu. When she participated at Honbyo temple rebellion at Mikawa, she didn’t try to fight against Ieyasu directly. “Hime is safe” Hanzo nodded. 

“But even so, you. How did you know about the Mori’s movements to that extent while being in Tougoku? That shouldn’t be possible unless you hired a ninja from Iga Koka.” 

“……A puppet……” 

“Puppet?” 

“Haii~. A puppet which doesn’t have a life nor ‘ki’ is the best spy. Unfortunately, since the ki from the earth has been used up, it cannot be used for a long time.” 

“Was it witchcraft!?” 

“Haii~.  A little bit from Danjou-dono of Yamato, yes.” 

“……For a shinobi like me, even if I offer my life to accomplish my lord’s command and steal information, I cannot build such a large strategy. All of the Mikawa samurai are warriors…… That is something that Matsudaira, no, it’s certainly what the Tokugawa clan lacked.” 

Hanzo made a bitter decision. 

“If we start the war with little preparation, we would be defeated by the Takeda cavalry. The same ending just like at Mikatagahara…… we don’t have any choice but to take part in the plan to protect the Tokugawa clan and Hime’s life…… But I won’t obey a fake. Once I learn of  Hime’s whereabouts, I will definitely take her back and kill you, the impostor.” 

“No matter how many shinobi you employ from Iga Koka, it’s impossible to find Hime immediately. It will take several months…… Now then. It seems that Oda Nobuna is heading here. Hanzou, Heihachi. Withdraw at once. If a person who knows of Hime’s true identity as the mastermind is present here, Oda Nobuna would sense it.” 

“Kuuh~, you raccoon! You will certainly be punished. In the name of Iga Koka, I will find Hime without fail. At that time, don’t think you can escape from Tadakatsu Heihachirou’s Tonbogiri.” 

“Haii~. As you wish. That’s what it means to be someone who joined an uprising to defy Hime against their will. For the Tokugawa clan…… It doesn’t matter if I will be cut after this as long as I can make Hime the Tenkabito.” 

“……Tenkabito?!” 

“That’s right. After I brought Oda, Takeda, Uesugi and Mori together to battle each other until they are completely exhausted, I will defeat them all. And the one who survives at the end will be Ieyasu-sama who skillfully crossed over the surge of fateful decisive battles. It’s a plan that I have thought about for a long time after wandering around while joining in the rebellion of the masses. Of course, since Hime think of herself as an imouto of Oda Nobuna, she won’t approve of this. I would’ve given up on implementing this plan if I didn’t meet Serata Jirou Saburou in the middle of the rebellion. This is heaven’s will.” 

“However, they are similar. Too similar. I wasn’t able to tell the difference even with my own eyes. Even Oda Nobuna won’t be able to notice.” Hanzou groaned. 

“……Serata Jirou Saburou. Who on earth are you? Even if it’s a coincidental resemblance, but still……” 

“Fufufu. ‘Serata Jirou Saburou’ is the name that Yahachirou gave that sound as if it really was a relative of Tokugawa clan. This ‘Ieyasu’ was originally a little person that no one knew about. After being unable to make a living in this chaotic time, she joined the Honbyo castle rebellion.” 

“Haii~. This person is a body double that was gifted by the heavens to the Tokugawa clan in order to accomplish ‘someone’s’ strategy. While wandering around the country to command the rebellion, she arrived at the ending of the 

‘future’ that Sagara Yoshiharu concealed. Sagara Yoshiharu strongly assists Oda Nobuna’s conquest of the world with full use of his future knowledge. The namban missionary Gaspard plans to establish the pro-Christian faction of Zipang government with Oda Nobuna and Otomo Sorin. Other than that is…… oops, I cannot say that yet. At any rate, as the result of putting together various information about the future that was scattered around the world, there was one conclusion. Oda Nobuna will perish soon. The whole world ultimately belong to Tokugawa clan—but because the future is never fixed, I won’t say it is 100%, but it is 90% true. There is no mistake. However, Hime who loves Oda Nobuna as her ane, has no intention of taking the world. Speaking stubbornly, there is only a 10% chance that Hime would try to choose a different future. In that case, the body double Jirou Saburou will be moved to the Tokugawa clan as the Hime of the world for a while. I decided so.” 

“……The whole world…… Will belong to the Tokugawa clan? I cannot believe it!? That Hime who was only doing Mikawa Manzai and trading rice from beginning until the end?” 

“Haii~. Why do you think that the man from the future Sagara Yoshiharu and the namban missionary Gaspard would make such efforts like this for Oda Nobuna? It’s because Oda Nobuna cannot take the world if they don’t forcibly change the future. They know the future, Hanzou. I heard that Sagara Yoshiharu showed disapproval of changing Hime’s name to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It’s probably...because Tokugawa Ieyasu is the name of the person who becomes the Tenkabito in the future that he knows. That is because it would move forward to the future that was ultimately established if Hime changed her name. That’s the only reason that I can come up with.” 

“No, that alone is not proof. You are not a fortune teller. You are a ruthless strategist who excels in being resourceful. There is still a definitive proof that you are hiding. Tell me!” 

“Well you see~. There is still a trump card that I can use. After all, if I blurted it out carelessly, it wouldn’t have any effect. I cannot say it yet” 

Honda Tadakatsu glared at Honda Masanobu saying, “What a wicked person,” yet Masanobu laughed indifferently. Until they discovered their real lord and recaptured her, they cannot defy Masanobu. 

“Fufufu. I entrust the persuasion of Kichi-neesama to you, Yahachirou.” Tokugawa Ieyasu floated an evil smile— 

—This is the contents of the secret meeting of Tokugawa clan that Nobuna didn’t know about. 

And from there, it progressed to the “alliance break” that Nobuna said to Kazumasu. 

When Oda Nobuna whose anti-Takeda cavalry tactic at Shitarahara was overturned and was cornered came to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s camp, “There is no choice but to obey it. But if you harm Hime”, “We will kill you immediately, Tadakatsu and Hanzou left a message shortly after leaving the camp. 

“Takechiyo! Retract the detached force immediately!” 

When Ieyasu changed her name, Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu confided to Nobuna that the one who drove Takeda Shingen to lead the Oda besiegement was the latter’s father, Takeda Nobutora who was also known as the “strategist from the shadows”. 

And—”If you want to avoid a full scale clash with the Takeda clan, then you should withdraw from Shitarahara immediately.” A retreat from the battlefield was proposed to Nobuna immediately. 

It was during this time that Nobuna’s sight blacked out from the shock. 

……Yoshiharu…… Please, come quickly…… Juubei…… Me…… Help us……! 

 Ieyasu plainly spoke it in front of the shocked Nobuna. 

“Until now, the Tokugawa clan has been used as a ‘dike’ and a ‘wall’ to protect the Oda clan from the threat of Takeda clan, hasn’t it Kichi-oneesama? I think we already returned our favor to the Oda clan when we fought hard at Mikatagahara and died an honorable death. Isn’t that right, Yahachirou?” 

“Haii~” 

“Kichi-oneesama. Ieyasu has a bad habit of making suicide attacks against powerful enemies while shouting death over and over when cornered. It’s because of my naivety, right? It was quite sudden to hear that Yoshimoto-sama was defeated at Okehazama and I was exasperated after seeing Takeda Shingen immediately charging through Mikatagahara. It’s the same this time. Although Kichi-oneesama said that it was too early, I cannot endure it anymore, so I ordered Sakai Tadatsugu for a suicide attack.” 

“I already dislike dying in this chaotic time! Shouting while reciting ‘Enri Edo Gongu Jodo’ (Leave this dirty world and approach the pure land, a suicidal philosophy from Buddhism) is the motto of our Tokugawa clan.” Ieyasu kept explaining to Nobuna.  

Takechiyo wasn’t this weak. Although she might get confused once, she has an emotional strength to recover herself completely after that. Even until now, while shouting I’m going to die over and over, she survived when she brought forth her mental strength and bravely fought each time. Nobuna wondered. But the die had been cast. If Sakai Tadatsugu army broke the back of the Takeda army, the Takeda cavalry would rushed to the Oda-Tokugawa camp which hadn’t fully prepared their defenses. Then afterwards, the end could be seen already. 

Furthermore, if the Sakai Tadatsugu army was exterminated, the morale of the Oda-Tokugawa army would drop drastically and it would be impossible to support it any longer. In any case, Nobuna’s grand strategy of building a “defense camp” for anti-Takeda cavalry at Shitarahara and defeat them using 3000 tanegashimas had completely failed. 

Nobuna barely endured while her headache relapsed. 

If she was an ordinary Hime-Busho, it would have been impossible for her to stand up after being stricken by the shock of actually being betrayed by her childhood friend at the last moment. 

But Nobuna muster up a superhuman fighting spirit and supported her heart. 

“……Dearuka. To put it simply, if you decided to withdraw from this losing battle then Oda clan will propose that we cancel the alliance, is that right? Takechiyo. And Honda Masanobu. I insisted that Tokugawa sends their soldiers to fight the Takeda clan until the end while in reality I left my ally Tokugawa clan to evade a confrontation with the Takeda clan. That is how you want it look like, right?” 

“That’s right, Kichi-oneesama. That being said.” 

“With that, both clans will avoid a temporary annihilation and then Hime’s reputation as a honest person will be protected.” 

Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu nodded at the same time. 

Even if Honda Masanobu had just recently come back to the Tokugawa clan, Nobuna doubted that those two would agree with each other that much. 

But, she cannot think of Ieyasu as a body double. Even if the body double looked exactly like the person herself, now that the real person had disappeared, this Ieyasu in the front of her eyes was genuine. Because Hattori Hanzou, Honda Tadakatsu and Sakai Tadatsugu kept on serving this Ieyasu as their lord. 

“……If the Oda army withdraws…… You intend to immediately surrender to Takeda Shingen, don’t you?” 

“Haii~. Since we were abandoned by the Oda clan, there is no obligation for Hime and the Tokugawa clan to keep on fighting against the Takeda clan, Nobuna-sama. However, depending on the conditions, we may return back to Oda clan again from the Takeda clan…… To put it simply, everything has been rigged. We are putting a false show of breaking up with our friend.” 

“What is the condition, Masanobu?” 

“If we eventually see an opportunity to return to the Oda clan and drive back the Takeda clan to Kai Shinano, if its possible, then our Tokugawa clan would like to receive Kanhasshu which is currently mostly ruled by the Hojo clan. Although Musashi is just an undeveloped wetland, it can be developed by Hime and the retainers of Tokugawa clan.” 

“Do you wish to build a great power in Togoku equaling the Tenkabito? Aren’t you greedy, Honda Masanobu?” 

“The Tokugawa clan take charge of eastern japan while the Oda clan take charge of the west. That was originally the agreement of our alliance.” 

The main reason why Honda Masanobu brought up such a greedy proposal was that “this Tokugawa Ieyasu is an impostor who is trying to destroy herself,” so that Nobuna wouldn’t realize the true ambition that Masanobu and Ieyasu had. Nobuna is smart. If the they said the “Oda and Tokugawa have already severed their relationship now,” she might realize that Ieyasu is an impostor even if there is no proof. Also, regardless of whether someone close to Ieyasu noticed the reason why the relationship between the Oda clan was severed, in any case someone would eventually understand the truth of the strategy.  

However, if they said “we want to play at both sides between the Oda and Takeda clan, and we want Kanto that is said to be the birthplace of samurai,” it 

would be different. If Masanobu showed that much greed, everyone would be convinced that “Putting aside Ieyasu, Masanobu is truly the tactician. The Oda and Takeda clans. Even if the seat of Tenkabito goes to one of those two, the Tokugawa clan would still survive.” So they revealed a half-baked ambition that did not aim at the seat of “Tenkabito” who would unify all of Japan. If the man from the future, Yoshiharu was here, he would have been able to sense that Masanobu’s true aim was the whole country.. But, Yohiharu hadn’t returned to Honshuu yet. 

“……Dearuka. If I refuse, both Oda and Matsudaira clan will fall together. I understand.” 

“It’s the Tokugawa clan, Nobuna-sama.” 

“Then the alliance of the Oda and Tokugawa clans is temporarily annulled here. Once the Oda army has finished retreating, seek refuge by giving up winning against the Takeda clan. The Oda army will retreat to Mino through Owari. The decisive battle between Takeda and Oda will be held again at Mino. The dispute between Viper and Yamamoto Kansuke wasn’t settled at Mino……” 

“Haii~. Mino is the center of the world. So let’s do that. Takeda Shingen will probably make our Tokugawa army come from Tokaido as a vanguard to capture Owari and advance to Mino from Owari. Well, we will not burn Kiyosu castle or its nearby town. Takeda Shingen was also a general who dislike burning down a valuable flourishing town. Relax.” 

“……I want you to obtain time as much as possible. Honda Masanobu, you who has been entrusted as a strategist by the Tokugawa clan is already unreliable, but... You joined the Honbyo rebellion for a long time after leaving Takechiyo, right? Though it seems you entered into service under Danjo’s supervision, Danjo also rebelled against the Oda clan and fell…… Could you possibly bear a grudge against the Oda clan?” 

“No no. Though I left Mikawa and wandered around various countries, my loyalty to milord has just risen. So long as there is a chance that the Tokugawa clan would helplessly fall, it won’t happen. If you really want to conquer the world, you should rely on our Tokugawa clan, Nobuna-sama.” 

“An ally who likes to play both side has no credibility. I don’t have any expectations. You, as long as the Tokugawa clan will  survive in the end, who knows how will it turned out in the end? I don’t believe your words of returning to Oda when the battle happens at Mino. Even if Shingen wins, you will receive Kanhasshu as a reward. But……” 

“If we are sure that the Oda clan would win, we will certainly return. If we think that you will lose, we will remain with the Takeda clan. That’s how it is, fufufu.” 

“……Honda Masanobu. It’s a mystery how a tactician like you was born among the  Mikawa samurai who carry out their loyalty to their lord like a dog. If you didn’t join the rebellion and didn’t leave Mikawa, the Oda clan might not have been able to come this far.” 

“Aah, I wonder” 

“That’s it for now, Nobuna-sama. Let’s withdraw Sakai Tadatsugu immediately.” Masanobu giggled. “Good luck, onee-sama. I pray that I will see you again as an ally.” Ieyasu handed a Hatcho Miso as a farewell gift to Nobuna. 

The alliance of Oda and Tokugawa clan was cancelled there. 

While Uesugi and Takeda were approaching from behind, the Oda army gave up on continuing the battle against Takeda any further. They withdrew from Shitarahara and retreated to Owari through Tokaido. 

Kazumasu Takigawa who was told that by Nobuna who came back after receiving the shocking news panicked. “What do you mean, Nobuna-chan?! Even 

though I have listened to all of the details prior to the alliance breaking, I still don’t understand! Did you get into a fight?” 

Nobuna just smiled sorrowfully. “Takechiyo has probably been wanting to become independent from me soon. Because I made that child become a cruel wall against the Takeda clan for a long time……” 

“There isn’t anything silly like that. At the very least, as long as Hime (I) has Nobuna-chan, I won’t be able to stand on my own feet forever!” 

“That’s just what you think, Sakon. Even if that was the case, if I die, the life of the general Sakon won’t end there.” 

“That’s fine! What’s wrong with sisters improving their relationship?! Why did that Tanuki girl refuse to take a side? Surely, it’s the fault of their new strategist Honda Masanobu! Even though they are from the same Honda clan, there is a great differences between her and the loyal Honda Tadakatsu……!” 

Kazumasu wasn’t convinced. 

“Hime will make Honda Masanobu spit out her true scheme using ‘Tashintsu’! This rigged wait and see trick isn’t an honest promise! Nobuna-chan is definitely being cheated! That Tanuki who introduced herself as Ieyasu is surely being manipulated by Masanobu through hypnosis or something!” She insisted on using it. 

Nevertheless, Oda army had no more time to do something like that. Also at this time, Honda Masanobu who would never let Kazumasu’s Tashintsu disclose her scheme so close to the Tokugawa camp, was cautious of the shinobi’s invasion and made Heihachirou Tadakatsu and Hanzou stand beside the headquarters. The Oda clan and Tokugawa had severed their relationship. If Kazumasu planned on intruding, she would be cut. 

“Sakon! Destroy everything and withdraw immediately! Let alone Takeda Shingen, we must not let Tokugawa realize the real thing that the Oda army prepared at Shitarahara!” 

After this, Tokugawa clan will join Takeda clan. Whether their subordination toward the Takeda clan will be just a farce or truly genuine will depend on whether they can understand the tactics used by Nobuna against the Takeda army. Although Ieyasu who helped the construction of the camp should’ve partly understood Nobuna’s tactic, they cannot tell it yet to Takeda clan if they intended on playing both sides. Besides, the full pictures of Nobuna’s tactic wasn’t known to Ieyasu either. Nobuna was especially stubborn about completely destroying the fortification which has been prepared.  

“It’s temporarily unavoidable to hand it over into Tokugawa’s hand until Owari. Tokugawa’s loyalty will be tested by Shingen. If they recapture Owari, Shingen would use Tokugawa for the decisive battle. Still, it is only Gifu castle that I inherited from Viper that I have to keep protecting. Mino is the center of Japan. It’s the castle that I must not lose for the sake of Tenka Fubu. But……” 

Kazumasu who panicked said, “Tokugawa may make a surprise attack,” but Nobuna calmly said “no, that’s not it.” Because they were severing their relationship with the Oda during battle, Ieyasu’s honesty would be questioned if they immediately attacked the Oda camp. If they made the Oda army who “escaped from the battlefield” silently withdraw here, Ieyasu’s reputation of being a honest person would be maintained. 

Even though Honda Masanobu piled up heaps of schemes, she was strangely obstinate about defending Ieyasu’s natural virtue. For I who kept confronting old authorities like Eizan, Konoe of the Yamato Gosho and Honbyo temple, that’s something that I can’t obtain no matter what. If I did have it, there wouldn’t be any betrayals against the Oda clan at the last moment. 

Why did we break up? Ieyasu…… No, I wanted to speak with Takechiyo once more. It had been the same as how it had been in the past as long as she could remember. Although it was a strange relationship, they got along strangely well. The young Takechiyo who should’ve been sent by the Matsudaira clan as a hostage for the Imagawa clan was sold to Oda clan after being kidnapped. Nobuna who was called Kichi took Takechiyo around Owari after naming her Tanuki— It was the trio of Inu, Tanuki and Kichi. Before long, Takechiyo was exchanged with the hostage from the Oda clan that Imagawa held and they sever their relationship with Imagawa. When the trio was abruptly reduced to just two people, it seemed to lead Kichi to lose her temper during childhood. Once again, Nobuna recalled the pain in her chest when she was told by her mother that Takechiyo had become an enemy of the Oda clan. She should’ve never become an enemy after escaping from Imagawa at Okehazama. Why did it suddenly become like this?   

Was she truly angry about being used as a wall against Takeda Shingen? While enduring her tears, Nobuna, “prepare to retreat. Sakon,” ordered Kazumasu. 

“But, Nobuna-chan. If someone like Oda Nobuna becomes confused and runs away in front of Takeda Shingen, even if it’s just a joke, the Oda clan would have been continually defeated by the Takeda and Uesugi clans. We would lose face in front of the whole world and morale will drop as well. Now that we are surrounded by enemies at all sides, this retreat will become a fatal loss for the Oda army.” 

Kazumasu was reluctant about retreating. “This is what Honda Masanobu was expecting……” Nobuna said in a low voice. 

There was only one plan to help this predicament. That was to discard one of Oda army’s commanding officers. 

If a famous general were to retreat from Shitarahara without permission from Nobuna or Ieyasu, the defense lines of the Oda army would collapse. For that reason, Nobuna herself would have no choice but to retreat as well and completely sever their relationship as an apology toward the Tokugawa clan—There is no choice but to act like that. 

Of course the commanding officer who escaped selfishly from that position will be exiled from the Oda clan or receive punishment. 

Entrusting the position of the deadly rear unit to Yoshiharu back then at Kanegasaki was nothing less than a severe and callous decision. Nobuna cannot immediately decide who would this duty should be given to. Although Kazumasu said, “Hime will be the first one,” as she couldn’t bear to stand by idly, if Kazumasu were to fall, the commander of the crucial Teppou squad would be gone. 

“Nohoho. I would start to run away after being frightened by the Takeda cavalry that approached in front of me. Actually, if it is this good for nothing ‘retreating Sakuma’ who has been serving the Oda clan since the previous generation while having fews military achievements and amusing herself comfortably with tea ceremonies, then no one will be suspicious. Each person has a place where they can be useful. Now is that time.” 

As if he was being hidden behind the many proud, brilliant Hime-Bushos of the Oda clan, there was the inconspicuous male general who many people didn’t known whether he existed or not, Sakuma Nobumori— 

“……Uemon?! To receive this task, is to have your family exiled from the Oda clan to Koyasan or there won’t be any other way besides committing Seppuku, you know? There is no greater disgrace for a warrior than this! Wasn’t Uemon an old retainer who faithfully served the Oda clan since Chichi-ue’s time? 

Even when Kanjuurou and most of the vassals gave up on me, despite this Uemon still followed me.” 

“Nu,ho,ho. How many years has it been since Hime called me ‘Uemon’. Please write a very furious letter of chastisement, Hime. Make it like you were in the mood to abuse Sagara Yoshiharu-dono after finding out his affair. ‘You are an unparalleled coward who escaped selfishly after being scared of the Takeda cavalry! Thanks to that, I disgraced myself in front of the whole world! May your cowardice resound in the distant lands, Korea and even the west for eternity!’ If you self-indulgently spout such curses as much as you want, then everyone can be deceived. So long as the Oda clan can survive, if you can employ my child even as a tea server for the Oda clan then I am satisfied.” 

“But. No matter whether the Oda clan will win or losein the future, Uemon’s dishonor will be handed down to people. And yet……” 

After the previous generation, Oda Nobuhide and the guardian of Nobuna, Hirate Hisahide passed away, there was the Sakuma school at the Battle of Okehazama, and Mori Yoshinari in the deadly combat against Azai-Asakura. Many male warrior who served the Oda clan had died protecting Nobuna. Sakuma Nobumori was the last important person who had survived as a male general of the Oda clan. 

Unless Nobuna abuses Nobumori and banishes him to Koyasan— 

“Hime, please make a decision. For me this task is no less honorable than the rear guard of Kanegasaki and it’s a distinguished service beyond my position. This is a general’s favor. Nuhoho.” 

Kazumasu quietly pulled Nobuna’s sleeve. There was no time to hesitate anymore, besides, there was no other choice.  

“……De, dearuka. Sakuma Uemon. I command you to be banished to Koyasan—” 

Accepting it, Sakuma Nobumori bowed his head. 

“Hime. Take the world. Sagara Yoshiharu-dono will certainly return.” 

※ 

The Inaba forces called the “Tajima Vanguard” led by Yamana Toyokuni were heading towards Arikoyama castle in Tajima on the orders of Kikkawa Motoharu.. Arikoyama castle is a new castle that was built by Yamana Suketoyo, it’s a mountain castle that has Izushigawa as its natural moat. 

The route that Kikkawa Motoharu and Yamana Toyokuni used to advance through San’indou from Tottori castle was to go straight ahead to the east of the sea of japan, move south toward Toyooka basin even if they ran into difficulties at Maruyamagawa, and then join with Yamana Suketoyo at Ariokoyama after leaving San’indou. From there, they will come back again to San’indou through Fukuchiyama of northern Tanba and become the rear guard of Kuroi castle that was protected by Akai Naomasa. 

Although Kikkawa Motoharu’s generals who were unfamiliar with Tajima and Tanba continued on doing nothing but crossing the rugged path of the mountains, it was a familiar path for Yamana Toyokuni’s army. 

However, the 30 members of the suicide army led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke which specializes in guerilla warfare in mountainous areas moved north through the steep mountain path to Tajima from Himeji with excessive speed like a ninja. Their route went through the mountain along the Ichikawa that flowed from Himeji and it was also a route that reached San’indou at Wadayama beyond Takeda from Ikuno. After catching up with the Yamana Toyokuni army before the latter joined up with Yamana Suketoyo, they wanted to block their opponent’s 

march in one way or another. If both Yamanas joined each other, since there will be some delay before they started marching again, they would have no choice but to confine the Toyokuni army just before that. They advanced in lightweight equipment, changed their horses one after another, and then went forward on  foot at the end. 

And then—At Kinosakisou on Toyooka where the Maruyama mountains merged with the Izushi river, Shikanosuke would finally capture Yamana Toyokuni army. 

However, even though Toyooka is a mountain in Tajima province, it’s also an open basin. Yamana Toyokuni had to turn away from San’indou once they reached here to meet Yamana Suketoyo at Arikoyama castle. Therefore, they had to stop their march once they reached Toyooka and take a rest. It was to procure provisions. 

While looking at the army before her eyes behind the hills, Shikanosuke who was at her wits end said, “Damn it.” 

“I intented to confine the Yamana army at the mountain but they have entered Toyooka because we were slightly late! Even though it’s the only basin inside Tajima that most consists of mountains, once they enter it will make a huge differencet! Even if we charge there, with our numerical inferiority, we will basically be instantly killed. Aah, Shichinanhachiku!” 

“But, O’Taisho, the Kikkawa Motoharu army hasn’t seemed to arrive yet. Once Kikkawa joins with Yamana Suketoyo, it will be the end. This is our only chance to fight since Yamana Toyokuni stands alone!” 

“But even if they stand alone, the difference in strength…… is at least 100 times…… No, it may be more.” 

“We have to fight even if we will be annihilated!” 

“Even if it’s just for a while, let’s block the Yamana force. Even if we might die in vain, no one knows for sure. We won’t know unless we try.” 

“……Though we have run without sleep or rest, it seems that we will reach our death eventually. O’ heaven. I have had enough of the Shichinanhachiku. Right now, just for one battle, for the Oda clan and our lord Sagara, and for the ten heroes who followed me until the end. Please bring me fortune. I won’t declare Shichinanhachiku until we win. Please make this surprise attack successful……!” 

For Shikanosuke who had continued to pray for Shichinanhachiku to train herself, this was the first time in her life that she prayed for fortune from the gods for her companions. 

Suddenly, the weather took an abrupt turn. 

A heavy rainfall. 

“O’Taisho! It’s rain!” 

“A miracle has happened de-gozaru!” 

“It’s like Okehazama, to charge during the storm!” 

Shikanosuke decided. 

That’s right. The Yamana forces are having a meal in a clear riverbed. 

It’s time for an ambush! 

There is no choice but to cause confusion in the enemy by rampaging around before they notice our small army! 

The problem is whether we can withdraw before the storm stops, but…… 

If it kept raining, it was possible to retreat to the mountain. 

If the rain stopped during the chaos and the view cleared up again, the enemy would figure out their position and the number of soldiers they and they would be surrounded by the enemy. With their overwhelming numbers any chance for escape would disappear. 

If we die an honorable death in a single assault, we would be annihilated without really blocking them…… 

However. 

It was already by luck that they have come here. There is only luck. 

Yamanaka Shikanosuke gave orders—To the whole army—which amounted to only 30 people. 

“We will lose this chance if we hesitate!  Amago 10 heroes, charge! Rampage and withdraw after confusing the enemy! But once the rain stops…… there won’t be any chance to withdraw anymore after that. All of you, prepare to become the dirt of Toyooka! We will abandon our lives and help Akechi Mitsuhide-dono!” 

She brandished her spear and charge to the front as the vanguard. 

The Amago 10 heroes suddenly descend from the slope with loud voices under the heavy rain— 

The Yamana army which was confused because of the sudden rain was in disorder in front of the Oda army that launched a surprise attack with a seemingly large army. 

Yamana Toyokuni is a commander whose standpoint changes repeatedly and he kept changing sides here and there. The fighting spirit of the generals and troops of the Yamana army wasn’t high. Especially for the ashigaru who were farmers, their lord Yamana Toyokuni who would change sides at any moment cannot be trusted. Furthermore it was partly because of a rumor that Yamanaka Shikanosuke, who was betrayed twice at the last moment by the Yamana clan until she fell into poverty, had changed her statement of “I don’t serve anyone else but the Amago clan” and was employed by the Oda clan that everyone sympathized with Shikanosuke and the march was delayed. 

And there. 

“Behold, Yamanaka Shikanosuke! Although I have no grudge against the people of Inaba who fought together with me before…… I cannot let Akechi-dono to die. Please forgive me. My apologies!” 

Shikanosuke who wore the Mikadzuki Kazuno helmet took the 10 heroes and appeared during the storm without warning and closed in for the attack. 

Shikanosuke’s prowess resounded through the mountain. 

Although she had always been barely defeated before the overwhelming armaments and ingenuity of the Mori clan, there was no doubt that she was a brave general of Ikki-Tousen once she took up her spear. Shikanosuke had never been defeated in one on one combat. 

Furthermore, the enemy cannot imagine how many soldiers she was using for this surprise attack. 

The Yamana forces fell into chaos. 

“Announce your names ten times louder! Pretend that we have ten times the fighters!” Under Shikanosuke’s order, the 10 heroes shouted about Shikanosuke’s prowess and fame of unbelievable luck while putting their lives into charging into the mountain. 

“Howata! Hakotsushiyoujinosuke!” 

“Guruguru! Awanarutonosuke!” 

“Kuun! Anauchikorinosuke!” 

“Chiyu~! Oguranezuminosuke!” 

“Buum! Otanikoinosuke!” 

Although there were also those who didn’t call themselves with strange animal names, at any rate just like Shikanosuke, they were brave people who didn’t fear death. They were afraid of cowardice and dishonor rather than death. They didn’t abandon the dream of reviving the Amago clan and they yearned for Shikanosuke who continued fighting to carry out justice through this chaotic era. 

Even if the defeated Shikanosuke had fallen into a position where she had to disguise herself as a bandit, they were Hime-Bushos who vowed to their lives and deaths for her. 

Everyone……can’t you have much more cooler names than that? Inwardly Shikanosuke was confused, did the 10 heroes wish to leave their names in history with such unusual army names? She was confused but, No, that’s fine. It was because we all call each other with strange names that we didn’t lose our smiles no matter how miserable the circumstances were. It wasn’t complete bravery, but there was also humor. That’s why we fought together until now. 

“Yamanaka Shikanosuke-dono is spearheading the Amago 10 heroes to make a surprise attack while ignoring the rain!” During the moments when the whole army was caught unguarded and in chaos, the supreme commander Yamana Toyokuni shuddered upon hearing this report, “it can’t be,” and was in agony. Wasn’t Shikanosuke supposed to be in Harima on the other side of the mountains that separate San’in and San’yo? 

Did she rush out by crossing the mountain to save the Akechi army from its dire situation? 

Even though Shikanosuke and the 10 heroes were serving Oda clan now, because Shikanosuke and the others have fallen low and were unable to make a living, they shouldn’t have had any loyalty toward the Oda clan. That’s what Yamana Toyokuni thought. It was said that they were borrowing power from Oda clan to revive Amago clan until the end. He hadn’t imagined she would do a reckless surprise attack by crossing the mountain. But, apparently that was wrong. 

“Milord! What should we do?!” 

“The fighting spirit of Shikansouke-dono and the others is abnormal!” 

“It seems that she is leading a large army!” 

Right now, Yamana Toyokuni’s heart was in extreme fear of being attacked and wanted to retreat. 

“T-t-there is nothing we can do except to fight! There won’t be any escape. Kikkawa Motoharu’s army is approaching from behind, if I am scared of Shikanosuke-dono and retreat, Kikkawa Motoharu will deem me a coward and cut me……! I have no choice but to pass through!” 

“But, can you defeat Shikanosuke-dono?” 

“Didn’t milord betray Shikanosuke-dono twice even though you owed her a great debt!? It was thanks to Shikanosuke-dono that milord who failed at becoming the ruler of Inaba was able to return as the lord of Tottori castle! It’s that person……” 

“I-i-it can’t be helped……! I don’t want to fight Shikanosuke-dono. But I have to switch side ssince the war has started!” 

While screaming, Toyokuni was scared. Can a coward like myself kill Shikanosuke-dono who I betrayed before?  But, if he didn’t fight, Kikkawa Motoharu wouldn’t forgive him. From the start, Kikkawa Motoharu had a strong sense of justice and hated betrayers. She was an upright and honest Hime-Busho. Even Ukita Naoie who was called the Kan’aku Mugen was able to hold onto his life and live for a long time because he accompanied Kobayakawa Takakage who held the authority over the same San’yo region. If he had accompanied Kikkawa Motoharu in the San’in region, “I cannot allowed foul man!” he would’ve been cut by her.  

Furthermore, unlike Ukita who was a villain who had the nerve to carry out his crimes knowingly, I who is a weak person who kept betraying others because of cowardice would be hated even more by Kikkawa Motoharu. Yamana Toyokuni was convinced. Rather than being hated, a person like me who doesn’t have faith 

or will has no right to put themselves in a place of responsibility for the lives of the people and retainers as a Sengoku daimyo who unifies the country…… 

If he didn’t show Kikkawa Motoharu his determination to side with the Mori clan from the bottom of his heart by defeating Shikanosuke, he wouldn’t know whether he would be punished.  

While being scared, Yamana Toyokuni blurted out, “Defeat Shikanosuke-dono. Kill her.” 

If I kill her, even if Kikkawa Motoharu who was her longtime bitter enemy yet also a friend in a certain sense would shed tears for Shikanosuke, she would praise my resolution and accomplishment. 

However, is it alright to do something like that? 

Would I do something to that extent to become the lord of Tottori castle? 

For what purpose? 

To show that I am not a coward, to show my determination to live as a Sengoku daimyo. 

Nevertheless, could I be forgiven for betraying Shikanosuke and going as far as taking her life? 

Yamana Toyokuni didn’t know what to do anymore. 

Please. Withdraw. Please disappear to the mountain before we are take each other’s lives! You understand that you would die in vain by dying tragically here…… repeating the attacks to delay our march. Then please retreat now. Even if it’s hard, you could do it in this intense rain. Please. 

However, Toyokuni’s hope didn’t come true. 

Shikanosuke who succeeded in the surprise attack during the rain was waiting for a chance to give the order to retreat. 

However, when the vigorous 10 heroes saw the Yamana army’s confusion, “Uoooh!”, they made a reckless charge. 

When Shikanosuke and the others had gone deep inside the enemy formation. 

The heavy rain stopped suddenly. 

The sky cleared up like it was a miracle, Shikanosuke and the other were surrounded by the enemy’s overwhelming numbers.  

“Ooh, O’Taisho! This is bad! The rain has stopped!” 

“We seem to be close to death de-gozaru!” 

“W-what? i-impossible?! Was it just a shower……?” 

“This is what may be called a sun shower!” 

“Don’t die in vain, we are retreating, retreat! Iyaa, it’s useless! We are completely surrounded!” 

The troops of Yamana army found out that the army led by Shikanosuke was actually very small. 

And. “Fight. Shikansouke can be defeated.” Toyokuni gave the order to the whole army. 

“I-is it fine?” 

“Shi-shi-shikanosuke-sama……” 

“Is it really alright to defeat her?” 

“But it’s the lord’s order.” 

“T-t-there is no choice but to fight” 

After a moment of silence— 

All at once, the ashigaru of the Yamana army thrust out their spears and fired their arrows at the 10 heroes. 

Heaven continue to give me Shichinanhachiku until the end, that’s fine, but I regret dragging my 30 companions into this, Shikanosuke thought. 

“The 10 heroes will die here, but O’Taisho cannot be allowed to die! As long as O’Taisho lives, even if we die, it’s still possible to fight!” 

“We will be the shield and open the way. O’Taisho. Please escape! Only you can recover from this final Shichinanhachiku, O’Taisho!” 

“As long as Shikanosuke O’Taisho survives, the Amago 10 heroes are immortal! We will keep appearing as long as there is O’Taisho!” 

The whole 10 heroes, together tried to forcibly break through the surrounding Yamana forces to open a way for retreat in order to let Shikanosuke run away— 

I didn’t say goodbye to these girls. 

I didn’t try to persuade them. 

Neither could I say that I will die with them. 

I cannot say it. 

The Amago 10 heroes are one both in body and soul. 

Talking is already unnecessary. 

“Farewell.” Shikanosuke muster up her strength to leave a few words and tried to run while enduring humiliation and sorrow— 

But because of the heavy rain just now, the ground had become muddy. 

As if the heaven brought the rain for an instant just to annihilate Shikanosuke. 

I see. The heaven call upon this heavy rain to destroy us. To destroy us who survive fighting our fate at Kozuki castle…… 

When Shikanosuke thought this, it was already too late. 

Tripped by the Yamana forces that were desperately chasing her, Shikanosuke’s face finally fell into the mud. 

The 10 heroes were all captured too. 

Even while being buried under the mud, Shikanosuke still struggled to stand up. Even if she had to throw away her honor as a samurai not caring what others 

thought of her, even after showing her disgraceful appearance in front of her former comrades, the generals of the Yamana Toyokuni army, she tried to escape. 

“I, I cannot die yet! How much sorrow will milord feel if I die here?! All of the 10 heroes who tried their best to keep me alive, all of them will die in vain! No matter how shameful, even if I will be shamed as a general who used her comrades and threw them away for a life ahead in reluctant cowardice, I don’t want to give up until the end! I want to live. I want to live. I want to live……!” 

Shikanosuke doesn’t have to become a legend, I want you to live. She suddenly recalled the words that Sagara Yoshiharu said that night. Tears flowed from Shikanosuke’s eyes. At the same time, the black mud that dirtied Shikanosuke’s body forcibly made her remember the humiliation when she was captured by the Mori clan and had to escape through the lavatory from the castle. In the end, all of Yamanaka Shikanosuke’s life, was to keep running everywhere, to keep enduring shame. In the end, thinking about whether she had spent useless failed battles which had let her important companions die made it so her tears couldn’t stop. 

“At least in the end, please let me see milord,” Shikanosuke muttered and cried.  

One after another, long spears approached to kill Shikanosuke.  

The 10 heroes already had no way to fight so that Shikanosuke would live any longer. 

“Yamanaka Shikanosuke-sama, th-this is the lord’s order.” 

“W-w-we will take your life!” 

“W-we ashigaru cannot disobey the Yamana lord’s command.” 

“Just one thrust. Apologies.” 

A lone spear thrust by an ashigaru who yelled while soaked in sweat stabbed Shikanosuke’s chest. 

But— 

Shikanosuke’s chest didn’t get pierced by the spear. 

Milord……! The spear struck the Sen’nari Hyotan of Sagara Yoshiharu that Shikanosuke unconsciously held over her chest.  

It failed! 

The ashigaru who pierced the gourd, pulled the spear back from the gourd to stab Shikanosuke again while trembling. However, when he saw the appearance of Shikanosuke who was shedding tears while hugging the gourd that protected her silently, his strength left his body. The Ashigaru dropped his spear to the ground. 

“No, enough, it’s impossible. I, an ashigaru, cannot kill…… This woman!” 

The ashigarus who should’ve stabed Shikanosuke to death stopped their hands at once. 

“Even though she is covered in mud, Shikanosuke-sama is beautiful……” 

“With only thirty people, she crossed the mountain to save her ally.” 

“If we die, we would understand.” 

“A nice person like her…… killing such a person.” 

“We cannot do it!” 

“Don’t joke with me!” 

“We cannot kill Shikanosuke-sama who fought for Lord Yamana many times!” 

“Tell this to Lord Yamana! We cannot kill her! Kill the both of us!” 

“If he absolutely wants to kill this person, the lord should take a spear and kill her by his own hand!” 

“That’s right! We cannot stand it anymore! If Tottori castle is worth more than killing Shikanosuke-sama…… he should do it himself!” 

“Just what is this war for!? It has no important meaning or will! It’s just a war because you want to survive!” 

While shouting unanimously, they stabbed their long spears beside their feet. 

“That’s right! How could we, the people of Inaba, betray Shikanosuke-sama thrice?!” The ashigaru gave out a roar all at once. 

The rain stopped, the ashigaru of Yamana army who understood that the surprise attack unit that was led by Shikanosuke was only composed of 30 suicide soldiers spoke, “We all cannot kill them”, “They are our benefactors”, “They are righteous people”, “We should repay their kindness.” They recovered their spears and headed toward the main camp of the supreme commander and king of Inaba, Yamana Toyokuni. 

“Anymore than this is a cruelty towards Shikanosuke-sama, we cannot endure it anymore!” 

“To begin with, Tottori castle was……” 

“The castle was taken by Shikanosuke-sama! Shikanosuke-sama gave that to the wandering Toyokuni-sama!” 

“Not only did he fail to repay his debt twice, no, three times…… he wanted to kill Shikanosuke-sama!” 

“We cannot tolerate Toyokuni-sama any longer!” 

The commanders and chief retainers couldn’t be stopped anymore. 

During the battle—no, the same time as the battle completed, the ashigarus in Yamana army whose heart were shaking and sympathized with Shikanosuke rose in rebellion.  

Even though it’s the Sengoku world where retainers supplant their lord, it was a rare thing for ashigaru to revolt against the king. 

However, it happened. 

They felt that much gratitude toward Shikanosuke. 

More than that, to kill Shikanosuke without repaying her kindness in the end, they refused it by their own will. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu-dono who came from the future.” 

“From a sandal bearer who had no family background, with only his skills and will, he succeeded in life as a general who supported the Oda clan and became the lover of the Tenkabito.” 

“The Mori clan was the same! The first generation Motonari rose to fame through ingenuity.” 

“Just because Toyokuni-sama was born in the Yamana clan and we ashigaru were born in Inaba, it doesn’t mean that we must follow such a shameless lord this much.” 

“We respect Shikanosuke-sama as the true master of Inaba!” 

“That is the will of us, the people of Inaba!” 

Even the chief retainers who waited next to Toyokuni and turned pale and speechless finally abandoned Toyokuni. 

“Milord. With all due respect…… everybody has already run out of patience.” 

“Even though we chief retainers have different views than the ashigaru, we feel the same de-gozaru” 

“Including your numerous betrayals toward Shikanosuke-dono, milord’s past deeds are too much to be overlooked. At least if you want to show your determination to carry out your will to Kikkawa Motoharu. Even if you kill Shikanosuke-dono in fear of Motoharu. The ashigaru cannot be stopped anymore.” 

Yamana Toyokuni realized that this time no one among the people of Inaba would support him anymore. Everyone had made up their mind to revolt in order to save Yamanaka Shikanosuke who was exhausted and lying down in the mud. From the start, everyone admired Shikanosuke’s brave heart and honesty and thanked her for suppressing Inaba which was in chaos because Toyokuni was powerless and for forgiving Toyokuni who betrayed her. They brooded that this was the only chance 

to repay that kindness. The man who came from the future Sagara Yoshiharu had changed the awareness of ashigaru down to its roots, Yamana Toyokuni finally understood that the era where the country can be obtained mostly on the honor of the Yamana clan was already over. 

“Even if you tell me to kill Shikanosuke who is the benefactor of Yamana clan, it won’t happen. I don’t have the courage.” Toyokuni repented.  

“……Would they…… Banish me? Or kill me?” 

As the ashigarus shouted “Kill!”, the chief retainers held back the ashigaru. “Then you will be a murderer of your own master. It will throw Inaba into further chaos…… And Shikanosuke-dono’s name will be tainted as well. The lord shall be banished from the army.” They appeared to the army. The enraged ashigaru realized that it would tainted her righteousness if Shikanosuke killed Toyokuni and they all calmed down at once. 

“You will be able to escape alone. It’s fine to go to Kikkawa Motoharu or to the Oda clan. Milord is already free. Milord must choose the end with your own heart.” 

“I-I…… if I go back to Kikkawa, I will be killed, but the Oda clan cannot forgive me…… I have no more places to go.” Toyokuni who despaired about not being able to choose his destination and fells from his horse was at his wits end and was trembling. 

“You don’t need to go anywhere. Toyokuni-dono. Toyokuni-dono is the lord of Tottori castle of Inaba.” 

Yamanaka Toyokuni who was taken up by the ashigaru, slowly approached Toyokuni and held his hands. 

“Shikanosuke-dono…… you are…… still forgiving me?! No matter how you look at it, being like this…… a softhearted person…… isn’t it foolish?!” 

“In future generations, I might be nicknamed Bakanosuke. But right now, only I can save you who is cornered by troubles. I have no grudges against Toyokuni-dono who betrayed me to the Mori clan.” 

She seriously meant that. Yamana Toyokuni could believe Shikanosuke’s word from the bottom of his heart for the first time. 

“I will soon leave Tottori castle, the Yamana clan doesn’t need to be a daimyo anymore, I whose weakness had been forgiven by Shikanosuke-dono will not hesitate this time.” he vowed in his heart. 

“……I-I want to repay Shikanosuke-dono’s favor now. I will persuade my Oji-jo, Yamana Suketoyo, to allow Yamanaka-dono to enter Arikoyama castle alone. The armies of Inaba and Tajima that are controlled by the Yamana clan will be given to the Oda clan. To Shikanosuke-dono’s ally. If it is you, there will be a chance to rescue Akechi Mitsuhide-dono who is isolated at Tanba. Among the people here, only me who is his nephew can persuade Oji-jo. In the first place, it was I who made Oji-jo who was hesitating over severing his relationship with Oda clan forcibly betray his own ally over to the Mori clan… I am begging you.” 

“Don’t joke us”, “”You are about to run away again”, “You would be besieged if you entered Arikoyama castle”, “He probably intends to attack you on both sides with Yamana Suketeyo’s army and Kikkawa Motoharu.”  

Although a lot of the ashigarus were shouting, “Toyokuni-dono. I will believe in you one more time. Even if I am betrayed—I will no longer despair. Because you have shown your honesty to this many people.” 

Shikanosuke laughed while troubled over her embarrassment. Until now, Shikanosuke had to fight for Shichinanhachiku. She didn’t know how to react or how to be thankful after being shown kindness from so many people. Even though she cried a lot when she connected her wills with Sagara Yoshiharu when they 

were at the ridge of Yumesakigawa, she couldn’t do the same thing when she was in front of so many soldiers as their commander. 

Yamana Toyokuni couldn’t directly look at Shikanosuke’s dazzling smile and knelt down and prayed instinctively. He finally cried. They were not tears of sorrow, they were tears shed from being liberated from his suffering as the current head of the Yamana clan of Inaba who kept being played around in the chaotic era. There was no fear anymore.  Perhaps those who seek salvation from the god of Christians in this Sengoku era are praying and asking for help from god with this feeling, he thought. 

“Dorinosuke think those words are true de-gozaru.” 

Teramotosheishinosuke nodded, “Will the body double that comes towards Kobayakawa be alright?” Idzutsuonnanosuke tilted her head. 

“Kikkawa Motoharu’s martial prowess and Kobayakawa Takakage’s wisdom are exceptional. Since Akechi-dono is still cornered at Tanba and Shikanosuke-dono is absent from Himeji castle, this is still a difficult situation. It’s a battle against time to persuade Oji-jo. My apologies.” Yamana Toyokuni rode his horse again and started rushing towards Arikoyama castle alone. 

“Is it really fine O’Taisho?” 

Yabunakabaranosuke asked. 

“It’s alright. The heavens smiled on us for the first time. The fight of the Amago 10 heroes who continued losing before Shichinanhachiku was not meaningless…… it was thanks to everyone that I was able to meet Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. We were saved by milord’s Sen’nari Hyotan. It was good that we didn’t die at Kozumi castle……” 

While being raised by the ashigaru of Inaba who were overjoyed at being able to save Shikanosuke and Amago 10 heroes, Shikanosuke tightened her expression. “Everyone…… I cannot thank you enough. I am really thankful. 

However, the decisive battle against the Mori clan has just begun. With the combined courage and wisdom of the Mori sisters, they are the strongest sisters of the Sengoku era that I couldn’t win against no matter how many times I fought them. It will be a tough fight. People will be killed in battle. I have received enough kindness from everyone by rescuing the 10 heroes and I. It’s your choice to not to participate in this great war. This isn’t a just battle to simply revive the Amago clan, but it will be one of the fiercest battles in the history of Japan. Although I would be glad if you join the war, you may return home— 

“We are with Shikanosuke-sama”, “Let’s change the world,” most of the people joined the war. 

However, on the other side of the mountain, Mitsuhide was cornered in extreme danger. 

※ 

When Kikkawa Motoharu’s forces went south through San’indou and pressed on to Toyooka along Maruyamagawa, an urgent report was brought. The messenger was a vassal of the Mori clan who barely escaped after joining the Yamana Toyokuni force as their observer. Because of the revolt of the marching ashigarus who raised up Shikanosuke and Shikanosuke herself who was also accompanied by Yamana Toyokuni, their whereabouts was lost. Fortunately, because the Gishou Shikanosuke had freed them, they went down to San’indou in the opposite direction and joined with the main army of the Mori San’in forces that were led by Kikkawa Motoharu. 

“What? Yamanaka Shikanosuke was?!” 

Kikkawa Motoharu who received this urgent report at the main camp was not surprised that Yamana Toyokuni double crossed someone again and decided to accompany Shikanosuke when the ashigaru of the Yamana army refuse to capture Shikanosuke and revolted. Rather, it was because Shikanosuke was able to grasp the heart of the soldiers and make them her allies at last while still holding up Shichinanhachiku. Even though she was a Gishou that would be handed down in history as her greatest foe, she felt like praising Shikanosuke for breaking the fence between allies and enemies.  

Nevertheless, it truly meant that Shikanosuke had come out from Himeji castle and had made a surprise attack at San’in. 

“Hime. Both Yamanas of Inaba and Tajima have already sided with Shikanosuke;s side. The nephew Yamana Toyokuni risked his life to persuade the king of Tajima, Yamana Suketoyo alone. Yamana Suketoyo originally hesitated in betraying the Oda clan and was asked by Toyokuni to go over to the Mori clan. Though at first he was shocked and furious that Toyokuni changed his heart again, because Toyokuni approached him determinedly and said ‘please support Shikanosuke-dono even if you have to take my head’, he decided to take the side of the Oda clan again.” 

“For that opportunist Yamana Toyokuni……to suddenly change into a different person. That Shikanosuke. Although her ingenuity as a commander is not enough, that woman has the power to move people’s hearts. She resembles Sagara Yoshiharu. She has met a good master. She gained a miracle-like win that was worthy of her name as San’in Kirinji (Wonder Child of San’in).” 

“It’s just another step to Tanba, yet Shikanosuke obstructs the Mori clan again.” Motoharu thought while grinding her teeth. However, rather than regretting it, Motoharu wanted to shout “Splendid.” That Shikanosuke who kept believing in Yamana Toyokuni even as he kept betraying others, had finally made him submit. 

Furthermore, as a result of honestly believing and forgiving Toyokuni again, even Yamana Suketoyo of Tajima and the Toyokuni army had taken the side of Shikanosuke. 

Although there were countless wars in which plots were contrived to make the enemy general betray their side, Motoharu had never heard of one that made the enemy ashigaru hold such deep respect that they would rise in revolt and make the general agree with the ashigaru and betray the enemy. Shikanosuke’s foolish crusade and losses seemed to have paid off at last. 

However, the Mori clan is in the middle of their plan to go to the capital right now. 

It’s necessary to fight against their fated enemy, Yamanaka Shikanosuke. 

Motoharu thought that the next conflict will be the last battle between herself and Shikanosuke. 

This is my own destiny which has been entrusted to me as the boss of the San’in region of the great Mori clan. 

After Shikanosuke is captured, it will no longer possible to spare her life. Against Shikanosuke who escaped even though she had surrendered to the Mori clan once, there was no other choice but to kill her even if she is a Hime-Busho. 

When Izumo was conquered and the Amago clan surrendered, in actuality the Amago clan was not dissolved. Even though the current head of the Amago clan was treated as being under the Mori clan as a special Tozama daimyo that kept their sovereignty of Gassantoda castle, there shouldn’t have been any desperate war that continued forever between Yamanaka Shikanosuke and the Mori clan. However, that wasn’t what started it. When the old general, Mori Motonari lost his heir, Mori Takamoto during his assault against the Amago clan, he burned with zeal to overthrow the Amago clan and capture Hakata and was willing to do anything to clear the matter with the Amago clan and Hakata before dying. 

“Both the Yamana forces of Inaba and Tajima have made Yamanaka Shikanosuke their supreme commander and gathered at Arikoyama castle. They won’t return back to Toyooka and began to move to rescue the Akechi army by forcing a march through the mountain path that stretches to Fukuchiyama and headed to Fukuchiyama before us.” 

“No matter what, they are going to enter Tanba ahead of our Kikkawa army.” 

“The guards at Arikoyama castle will be decreased. Will you take it?” 

“This is clearly what Shikanosuke was hoping for. Our march will be delayed after taking the mountain castle and they will enter Tanba first. If Yamana Suketoyo is acting as their guide, even if I chase after the Yamana forces which are led by Shikanosuke now……” 

“The Kikkawa army is unfamiliar with the geography of Tajima unlike the Yamana force that is familiar with it. It will be difficult to catch up with them.” 

“Perhaps, if I come down to San’indou from Toyooka by using cavalry.” 

“In that case, we would probably meet them somewhere on the main road. Whether we would be losing or winning, Shikanosuke can confine the Kikkawa army. It’s possible for her to gain time.” 

“Shikanosuke will fight until she dies an honorable death. That’s the determination to protect Akechi Mitsuhide no matter what it takes. Unless she was fighting with her personal grudge against the Mori clan, she wouldn’t fight as a mercenary solely for the sake of reviving the Amago clan. That guy is already an excellent vassal of the Oda clan. She is a loyal retainer. Aah, that guy has found a place where she can show her power for the first time in her entire life. It’s truly regrettable that Sagara Yoshiharu returned to the Oda clan—If Akechi Mitsuhide hadn’t appeared at Kizugawaguchi, right now we would be—” 

“It was fun when Sagara Yoshiharu was in the Mori clan.” Motoharu had down cast eyes. My imouto who had always had a sad expression after ani’s death, was able to cry, get angry, and laugh lively like she was another person. Takakage was reborn. Shogun-sama also took a liking toward Yoshiharu like a child. Even the Kan’aku Mugen, Ukita Naoie whose daughter took a liking to Yoshiharu was making a face like a retainer of the Mori clan and had been going in and out of Itsukushima shrine and the Murakami navy cheerfully…… 

 If history had been even a little bit different…… For example, if Sagara Yoshiharu came to serve the Mori clan from the beginning. If Yoshiharu had appeared while ani was alive. At that time, Shikanosuke would also be a friend of the Mori clan…… Ani would be alive too. 

 “Iyaa. Life is not printed like the Taiheiki (A historical epic) There is no use in thinking about it.” Motoharu instinctively smiled bitterly.  

 However, when he was alive, Oyaa-san said ‘the Mori clan should not aim for the world.’ 

 Does the Mori clan have to avoid walking along with the Oda clan? 

 If that’s right, then Sagara Yoshiharu and my imouto cannot settle this without fighting. 

 “……Wrong. I will lose if I indulge myself in sentiment. I have to win this battle for Takakage. I will do this myself.” 

 In any case, the Mori clan’s strategy of having the Kikkawa army go to Kyoto from San’indou with extreme swiftness by having the two Yamanas of Inaba and Tajima as their guides had been ruined. 

 What should I do? I would like to hear the opinion of my imouto who is the wisest person of the west at a time like this, but she is far away, Motoharu racked her brain. 

 “*Pant* *pant*” a strong looking person carrying a basket was riding to the main base while shouting. 

 The person who dismounted her basket was a messenger who had been sent to Motoharu from same Kobayakawa Takakage who was tasked to capture Himeji castle from Harima. 

 “Oni Kikkawa-sama, how are you? The silver tongued diplomatic nun of the great Mori clan, Ankokuji Ekei has paid her visit.” 

 The Hime-Busho who is unique in the Sengoku world, no, a Hime-Niso (Princess-Nun) called a ‘Gaiko-Niso’. (Diplomacy Nun) 

 The young orator, Ankokuji Ekei. 

 Originally an orphan of the Takeda clan of Aki, the distinguished clan that was destroyed by Mori Motonari. Because her clan was destroyed, Ekei became a nun in a local “Ankokuji” after going to the capital and underwent training at the temple of Mikkyo-kei “Ankokuji”. Because she spent time in the capital of Kyoto as a distinguished member of the former Takeda clan since she was young, she had a lot of influence in the nobility and merchants of the Yamato Gosho as well. The Aki Takeda clan was a branch of the Kai Takeda clan. Similar to Mitsuhide of the Oda clan, Ekei who had noble blood was the diplomat in charge of Kinai in the Mori clan. 

 Although Ekei would have had a do-nothing job if the Mori clan stayed as the conqueror of Chugoku, if they seriously went to the capital, Ekei’s connections to the capital would be indispensable.  

 Takakage’s principal is, “I will not refuse anyone who comes, be gentle to your enemy and harsh to yourself.” She accepted the submission of the Kan’aku Mugen brute, Ukita Naoie whose betrayal she easily forgave. Using a suspicious young girl who might really hold a grudge against the Mori clan such as Ekei as a Gaiko-Niso though was a personal affair that was hard to be understand for the 

honest Motoharu. However, if one thought about it, the employment of Sagara Yoshiharu was also the same. 

 “Ekei, why did you come here?! It’s a serious problem now that the Mori’s plan to go the capital failed because of Yamanaka Shikanosuke.” 

“The truth is, Ekei predicted that this would happen.” 

“You are lying. I will kill you for that.” 

“No, no, it’s the truth. That’s right. I would like to eat Kikkawa-sama’s handmade okonomiyaki.” 

“Bake it on your own. How is Takakage?” 

“Shikanosuke has disappeared from Himeji. Shikanosuke probably hindered the Kikkawa army from entering Tanba. When the Kikkawa army goes south to Harima from Tajima by reversing the mountain path that Shikanosuke took, they should join with Kobayakawa’s army—” 

“When Shikanosuke disappeared from Himeji, had my imouto already predicted that the two Yamanas would betray us?” Motoharu was surprised. Otherwise, Ekei who was in Harima shouldn’t have come to her at same time as the report of the two Yamana’s betrayal. 

“It’s because Takakage-sama is the wisest in the world and a genius that predicts things ahead. But then, the flexible Ekei cannot stand with such a serious and diligent person. Kukuku.” 

“What did you say?” 

“No, nothing. Kikkawa-sama? Yes, this is a letter from Takakage-sama. Please go to Harima as soon as possible. Fufufu.” 

Motoharu opened the letter while staring at Ekei. In that letter, Takakage plainly stated that going to the capital through San’indou would be difficult. 

“Yamanaka Shikanosuke has led a suicide army to San’in to delay ane-ue’s march. Though it seems like a reckless charge, with the power of Inaba and 

Yamana Toyokuni, Shikanosuke probably cannot be defeated. Don’t attack. If Ane-ue didn’t order Toyokuni to ‘arrest and keep her alive’, the majority of the vassals and ashigaru whose emotions will blow up will not be able to restrain themselves and will rise in revolt against. Toyokuni. They will kill Toyokuni and then they will side with Shikanosuke. If that happens, Yamana Suketoyo will align himself with his nephew, Toyokuni. By all rights, Shikanosuke should’ve been defeated by the Mori clan and died as a result of the Harima disturbances but perhaps Yoshiharu changed her fate. Shikanosuke’s foolish honesty that kept forgiving Toyokuni despite kept being betrayed has been repaid big time because Yoshiharu kept her alive—” 

As expected of Takakage, Motoharu felt admiration. Takakage also predicted that there would a failure of the plan and hinder their march to the capital. Though there should have been some complicated memories since the underlying cause of this was Sagara Yoshiharu, there wasn’t any “selfishness” in this letter. 

“Kikkawa-sama? Takakage-sama is a person who would conceal herself and is eager to sacrifice herself unless a warrior like you gets a grip on yourself. If Kikkawa-sama refuses to join at Harima, Takakage-sama might take the safe path and return to Aki if you don’t want to destroy the Mori clan.” 

“I understand. This shall be my own move. I shouldn’t turn back now. But for the sake of Takakage’s love…… I will put my relative Kikkawa Tsuneie to defend Tottori castle that has become empty. I will stopped entering Tanba and quickly go to Himeji! But.” 

“But?” 

“……I am wary about Sagara Yoshiharu and Kuroda Kanbei who come to Kyushu. I don’t think that Yoshiharu would fail. Before long, wouldn’t Otomo army come and attack Mori clan from behind? Aki is undermanned when that happen. That’s bad.” 

“Aah. That has already happened. Kuroda Kanbei has led the Otomo army to land at Suo and is charging at full speed in San’yodou. She didn’t write that in the letter because it would be bad if the letter fell into the enemy’s hands. Therefore, Ekei has been sent directly as a messenger.” 

“What the heck?! In that case…… the Mori clan is being attacked by both Kanbei and Shikanosuke? What did Takakage intend to do?” 

“Of course, almost the same thoughts as Kikkawa-sama. You are twins afterall.” 

“I am thinking of abandoning Aki and Himeji quickly and going to Harima, Settsu and then the capital. We would get the whole world and Yoshiharu as well. Even after encouraging my imouto! But, what would Takakage do for Aki? Isn’t Kanbei going to sneakily capture the Mori clan’s territory through San’yodou? In that case, the place that Takakage would return to will be lost.” 

“Takakage-sama reasoned that Kuroda Kanbei would never personally hold her ground and look to capture the whole world from Kyushu or Chugoku. After leaving Aki unattended, she will single mindedly run through San’yodou and come back with reinforcements from Otomo to Kinai and join herself with Akechi Mitsuhide and Oda Nobuna and prepared for a decisive battle for the whole world.” 

“The fateful decisive battle—Coming from the east and west are Mori, Oda, Uesugi, Takeda and Matsudaira. A great war where all are gathered in a single place. If the chaotic times where the Sengoku daimyo hold their ground and fight their neighboring countries continues, it will take several years to unite the world and countless dead will appear by then. By preparing the stage where the Tenkabito will be determined through a decisive battle without any more opposition and by deciding the winner through it, the ‘consciousness’ of the people of this chaotic era would be changed completely forever……” 

“That’s right. Takakage-sama herself intended to do that from the beginning. Oda Nobuna and Takakage-sama looked at the same dream. By doing that and winning the decisive battle that ties up all the disturbances of Japan into one, it will show the end of Sengoku era to the hearts of the people in the world. Which one among Takakage-sama, Oda Nobuna, and Kuroda Kanbei will win is yet to be seen.” 

“If the strongest of Togoku, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin attacked as one, the Oda clan which is full of weak soldiers cannot win at all. No matter how many namban weapons they had. However, Mori is the one that holds the key.” 

Ekei predicted “However, Sagara Yoshiharu will win.” Ankokuji Ekei had a self-confident smile. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu? In case the Mori clan is defeated, the Oda clan would win?!” 

“Ekei will work hard so that won’t happen, kukuku.” 

“What?!” 

“Anyway, please hurry to Himeji, Kikkawa-sama. In case the brave general, Shikanosuke is missing from Himeji castle, it would be possible to drop it if both of the Mori Twin Rivers work together. If we drop Himeji castle, Ukita Naoie who remained idle at Okayama due to having a painful hip and sore waist would have no choice but to take up arms and advance as Mori’s vanguard for the time being. For the time being however.” 

Ekei and Ukita, there are too many people that cannot be trusted that Takakage has drawn over to Mori clan, Kikkawa Motoharu thought. However, it’s because there is the selfless Takakage in the Mori clan that exceptionally talented people that are like poison can be managed. Perhaps, because there isn’t any selfishness within the strength of Takakage’s will who is always humble and 

sacrifices herself in order to carry out her own way, it complemented my weakness by daringly using those strong-willed people like Ekei and Ukita. Sagara Yoshiharu is the same. He is a man of bottomless virtue unlike the eccentric Ekei and the constantly disobedient Ukita, nevertheless his willpower is strong. 

“Right, that’s right! What about the young Ashikaga Shogun-sama? The third generation Terumoto-sama? Lands and castle will not fly away. If we win this decisive battle, we can recover Aki even if we lose it. However, Kanebi must not take those two away.” 

“Those two are already in Takakage-sama’s camp. As expected of Takakage-sama. Because she had anticipated Kanbei’s return from Kyushu, there were no foolish mistakes—Kanbei’s arrival to Himeji will be several days later than Kanbei’s own estimation. It’s because Takakage-sama destroyed many places in San’yodou beforehand. The Mori clan will arrive at Himeji earlier.” 

“If so, then we can break through Kinai as much as we like. However, even we don’t have much time either. While Akechi Mitsuhide is confined in Tanba, I have to break through Himeji! I must hurry!” Motoharu stood up instinctively.  

“As expected of Takakage. I understand, the matter with Shikanosuke will be settled in the place of the decisive battle with Oda Nobuna! We will stop entering Tanba! We shall let Shikanosuke and both of Yamana men march to Tanba! We will drop Himeji castle and go to the capital from San’yodou!” 

Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayawaka Takakage. 

The Mori twin rivers who had parted at San’in and Sanyo will march together at San’yodou. 

※ 

Nagashino 

At Takeda Shingen’s main camp, hundreds of men acting as scoust for the group communication were coming over to Shingen but they kept reporting the details about the strange movements of the allied forces of Oda and Matsudaira. (at this point, it hasn’t been reported that they changed their name to Tokugawa yet). 

The diversion of the Sakai Tadatsugu army had already been sensed. But a new movement had occurred. 

It was a situation that Shingen and the Takeda Shiten’O hadn’t anticipated at all. 

The formation of Oda Nobuna’s army at Shitarahara was destroyed and they start preparing to withdraw from the battlefield. 

It was a clear movement in Shingen’s eyes as she took up her position at the base on the hill. 

“It can’t be. What happened to the diversion? Why would someone like Oda Nobuna retreat here? Did Uesugi Kenshin break through Echizen and surge in Omi? Or did the Mori clan have approaching the capital? Did she realize that the diversion was a failure and her chance of winning had been lost so she escaped in a hurry?” 

And strangely, only the Oda army that had taken up their battle formation at Chausuyama in the north region had begun to withdraw while the Matsudaira Motoyasu army that occupied Danjoyama in the southern region didn’t show any movement. 

“What is happening?” A crowd of people came to the doubtful Shingen. 

“Oda Nobuna and Matsudaira Motoyasu are in conflict over making a decisive battle with the Takeda clan at Shitarahara. The impetus was Sakuma Nobumori from the Oda army leaving the battlefield without permission and the people of the Matsudaira clan sent Sakai Sadatsugu’s army as a diversion without 

permission. The people of the Oda clan insist on withdrawing to postpone the decisive battle to Mino and draw the Takeda army into their own territory. The people of Matsudaira clan that wanted revenge from Mikatagahara insisted on having the decisive battle here out of awareness of the danger that Mikawa and Totomi would also be swallowed up by Takeda clan and their clan would be destroyed if they withdrew. In other words, Oda Nobuna set the Matsudaira clan as a sacrifice for the sake of a decisive battle in their homeland, just like the previous battle at Gifu. Even though Matsudaira Motoyasu insisted that although Takeda remained indifferent to her and didn’t go to the capital, they would destroy the Matsudaira clan before entering Owari in order to ease their worry in the future, it was rejected—In the end, Oda Nobuna annulled their alliance with the Matsudaira clan and withdrew.” 

“I see. Has the alliance between the Oda and Matsudaira clans that has continued like a miracle fall at last?” Shingen instinctively raised her voice. 

“……Yes. Matsudaira Motoyasu changed her name to Tokugawa Ieyasu and wants to surrender to Takeda clan.” 

“Tokugawa, is it?” 

“The Matsudaira surname is inconvenient to receive the title of Mikawa-no-kami from the Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa-sama. In other words, the reassurance of all of Mikawa is the condition for surrendering to the Takeda clan, Oyakata-sama. Concerning Totomi, they want to surrender all of it to the Takeda clan except their castle, Hamamatsu castle.” 

“I would like to make the necessary arrangements……however, what is Ieyasu 家康 ?” 

“The ‘Yasu’ 康 character is from ‘Motoyasu’ 元康. It is a letter that has been used by the current head of Matsudaira clan for generations. However the 

other character, ‘Moto’ 元 was received from her previous master, Imagawa Yoshimoto. It seems that she is determined to separate herself from the Oda-Imagawa government.” 

“If she decided to obey this Shingen then she should’ve named herself ‘Nobuyasu’ 信康 instead.” 

“You should restrain from saying that. Besides, Oda Nobuna also has the character of ‘Nobu’ 信.” 

“I guess so.” Shingen nodded. 

But Shingen was doubtful of this sudden surrender from Tokugawa Ieyasu, previously named Matsudaira Motoyasu. 

“Oda Nobuna and Tokugawa Ieyasu should’ve been childhood friends. That’s why, as an exception to the life of betrayal in the Sengoku world, the Oda-Matsudaira alliance that has continued to be protected was like a miracle. My Takeda clan cancelled the alliance with Shinshu (Shinano) Suwa and destroyed them, abandoned the Kousousun Sangoku Doumei (Kai-Suruga-Sagami Triple Alliance) and fought both Imagawa and the Hojo clan. Matsudaira…... is Tokugawa now...... Though they were annihilated by the Takeda clan at Mikatagahara once, they still showed integrity and didn’t betray the Oda clan when behind the Takeda clan like faithful dog. That Tokugawa is breaking up with Oda Nobuna at the last moment? If she was severing connections with them, then why didn’t she make a surprise attack on the Oda Nobuna camp?” 

“……From this breakdown, I guess she is hesitating about a surprise attack right after betraying them. Even if they have to fight the Oda clan, they have to fight it fair and square. If she attacked the Oda camp now, the faith from their 

country would be lost and the Tokugawa clan would be condemned as a dishonorable betrayer for generations to come.” 

“No need to be bothered about Sakuma Nobumori’s sudden withdrawal without permission. If it’s a trap, if we carelessly pursue the Oda army, I can think of a worse situation where we are suddenly be attacked by the Matsudaira army that had just surrendered. It’s a situation that I cannot resolved with my own arbitrary decision. Call out the Shiten’O.” 

If its Uesugi Kenshin, she would likely accepted Tokugawa’s surrender immediately without doubting it. As a result, even if the Esshu (Echizen and Etchu) army fell to the plot and took a crushing defeat, Kenshin wouldn’t think that she herself was defeated. She would’ve just thought that the Tokugawa clan has defiled justice. 

But Takeda Shingen was not such a Hime-Busho. She herself is a schemer and therefore she doubted the Oda and Tokugawa’s strategy. If the Oda clan is besieged by the enemy from all sides, after the Tokugawa clan is abandoned to the Takeda clan as a poisonous load, they could made a surprise attack. Shingen highly evaluated and was vigilant about the ingenuity of Oda Nobuna to invent and carry out clever plans for the sake of victory without worrying about appearances. 

Baba Nobuharu. 

Yamagata Masakage. 

Naito Masatoyo. 

Kosaka Danjo. 

The Takeda Shiten’O rushed to Shingen’s main camp and started discussing. 

“Its’ too good to be true. I feel some bad premonition. It seems like the destiny of the Takeda clan is beginning to decline greatly…… Let’s run away!” 

Kosaka Danjou who always preached, “lets run away,” had already insisted they withdraw. 

“……Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We will lose the large fish if we think too much……we can only chase them…… It would be fine if Oyakata-sama stays at the main camp and watches the Tokugawa army…… We the Shiten’O will attack the Oda army from behind.” 

Baba Nobuharu, who was enraged by Shingen at the war council for the first time because she was finally impatient with Shingen’s steadiness, insisted on charging again. From the time she changed her name, Baba has already determined to die in this battle to the capital. Although she is the invincible Hime-Busho called the “Immortal Baba Mino” who had never been injured on the battlefield until now, she seemed to believe that somebody among Shiten’O must fall down in order to achieve Takeda clan’s earnest wish to visit the capital, And in this situation, they would unexpectedly lose the whole world if a gentle lord didn’t want to lose any of the Shiten’O. 

“If we don’t want to bet, we will not get the whole world. However, no one knows whether this is the time. If we accept Tokugawa’s surrender, at least we could probably obtain Totomi, Mikawa and Owari. Because whether they truly escaped or it’s a plan, for Oda Nobuna who has lost her rear guard of the east, the Tokugawa army, she would’ve escaped to Gifu. The Takeda army could almost obtain Tokaido.” 

The strongest Hime-Busho of Shiten’O, Yamagata Masakage raised a practical reason to build an overwhelming strategic profit by taking away Tokaido even if the Tokugawa clan is an evil influence. During the previous visit to the capital, they had left the dying Matsudaira clan and advanced to Gifu. Because of that, when Matsudaira clan revolted from behind, their path of retreat was almost dangerously cut off. Even if Matsudaira = Tokugawa clan dedicated itself to two timing under Takeda’s authority, the situation would be different from last time. Imagawa Yoshimoto’s route to the capital that was previously drawn by Taigen 

Sessa—Shingen can accomplish the conquest of Tokaido that ranged from Suruga, Totomi, Mikawa and Owari. 

“People are the castle, the stone wall, the moat. It depend on whether you can make Tokugawa Ieyasu who has fallen to the ground not to betray you and use them as a pawn to the Takeda army, Oyakata-sama. Oyakata-sama, this is the time to bet with your experiences and ability as a general.” 

After the death of Takeda Tenkyuu Nobushige in war, Naito Masatoyo who served as a vice general of Takeda clan is urging Shingen. 

“However, there is another problem beside Tokugawa Ieyasu’s real intentions. Even if the Takeda army is able to sweep over Tokaido, we cannot just stay at Owari. The three clans of Mori, Uesugi and Takeda were in a situation where they were like hounds made to chase after the prey called the Oda clan to gamble over the authority of the Ashikaga Shogunate. If Uesugi Kenshin enters the capital first, then its Kenshin’s win. If its Mori then it’s their win. Or course, if it wasn’t like that, it would have been an impossible story for the Oda army to retreat from Shitarahara. We also need to consider the conqueror of Oshu, Date Masamune is invading Togoku again like a thief a the scene of a fire. Though we don’t know how long Hojo and Sanada clan can hold off the Date clan but, its inevitable that Togoku would be confused. If you decide to take Owari Mino and Omi in one streak, it will be meaningless if we don’t advance to the capital. In other words, this is a short term decisive battle.  Therefore winning victories due to carefulness will be the weakness  of Takeda clan.” 

The strongest general in terms of finishing short term decisive battles in one round is Uesugi Kenshin. Regrettably, no matter how much I challenge her, I cannot beat Kenshin if I clash with both of our armies in an open field battle. I cannot defeat Kenshin without usings plans that took time to build upon. Nevertheless its for that reason that we both will never lose without having an edge 

against the other if Kenshin and Takeda fight in a one on one battle. However, if I fight a decisive battle that was prepared steadily by Oda Nobuna, I won’t know what will happen. Because Oda Nobuna uses resourcefulness to the end__Oda Nobuna has the creativity that I don’t have. She is a Hime-Busho who accomplish a clever plan to crush Murakami navy by using the Tekkosen. Shingen conveyed her real feeling while staring at the Shiten’O. 

“Uesugi Kenshin is the strongest in term of single blows in decisive battle in the history of Japan. There are no military commanders with the ability to match Kenshin in an open field battle except Minamoto Yoshitsune from the ancient past. Even if Oda Nobuna was driven to a corner, she would bring a single blow in the decisive battle and reverse the hopeless disadvantages of her army. Perhaps Sakuma Nobumori’s departure from the frontline as a chance to escape was a trick, it’s just a pretext to withdraw. Perhaps, Oda Nobuna is adjusting the marching speed of the Takeda and Uesugi army and aims to defeat both. If both Takeda and Uesugi attack from both sides, they wouldn’t be able to endure it even if its Oda Nobuna.” 

“Then what would you do Oyakata-sama?” the Shiten’O shouted simultaneously while waiting for Shingen’s decision. 

“If Kansuke was alive, the star of fate of Oda Nobuna could be predicted…… but Kansuke is not here anymore. I myself must make make a decision. Kenshin is a noble warrior. At least, would she say that we would fight together as an allied army and match her pace with me until Oda Nobuna is defeated and exiled from the capital…… Or, would she turn to her habit of not wanting to destroy Oda Nobuna who hwas been cornered and defied me again at the last moment……even if either of us defeats Oda Nobuna, in the end the Uesugi and Takeda clan will settle the debt that couldn’t be ended in Kawanakajima.” 

“Then how about if you defeat Oda Nobuna earlier than Uesugi Kenshin.” Naito Masatoyo proposed. 

“It’s a meal that is too powerful for the two tigers. Now that Mori’s large army is approaching from the west, there is no more room for a long siege against the Oda clan. Although the strongest in battle, Kenshin would win if it was a short term decisive battle, the enemy is the Tenkabito. The Esshu army will also suffered huge damage. More than the battle of Kawanakajima. If at that time, Oyakata-sama attacked Esshu army...” 

Kenshin won in the decisive battle against the Oda army. During the opportunity when Azuchi castle in Omi is taken away, if I enter from Owari Mino and take Gifu castle which has become empty, our situation will be geographically equal. Furthermore, while the Esshu army will have received large damage, the Takeda army will be mostly unhurt. But Shingen didn’t nod. 

“……In that case, Kenshin will arrive at the capital earlier. For Takeda to arrive at the capital earlier, I have no choice but to pass through Omi earlier than Kenshin. Furthermore, there is the third superpower, the Mori clan. As expected, gaining profits while others fight without doing any fighting yourself is impossible. There is no choice but to fight while shedding blood to win.” 

“Oyakata-sama is being influenced by Kenshin’s righteousness,” although Baba Nobuharu murmured that, she didn’t want to offend Kenshin’s righteousness by taking advantage of the crisis. Nobuharu’s voice sounded somewhat happy. 

“At any rate, we have to take Owari no matter how cautious we are about Mori and Kenshin’s movement.” 

“I accept Tokugawa’s surrender, we advance through Tokaido until Owari.” Shingen decided. 

 “Understood.” x4 

The Shiten’O agreed at the same time. 

“I will deal with Ieyasu later. Chase the Oda army at once, catch and annihilate them before they enter Owari. It’s fine to stampede the Oda. If its to thoroughly become Takeda’s hunting dog, I am prepared for the death of all of our troops.” 

Shingen sent a messenger to force a harsh demand on Tokugawa Ieyasu’s camp. 

Why is it. Although those troublesome Mikawa samurais finally surrendered to Takeda, the current Tokugawa feels much more dangerous than the former Mikawa clan who is devoted to just charging on through…… I am too cautious. I shouldn’t think too much. I wonder what Kansuke would do if he was alive. 

At this time, Shingen was suddenly attacked by something swelling from her chest.  

The center of her body become hot. 

And— 

“*Cough* *cough*” 

She coughed a bit. 

※ 

At Sasayama of Tanba where Mitsuhide’s mother, Omaki-no-kata, had been taken hostage by the Hatano clan, the news that “the two Yamana of Inaba and Tajima have turned themselves to Oda clan” was spreading using fast horses. 

Inside Yakami castle, Hatano Hideharu and the Hatano clan who kept waiting for reinforcements from the Kikkawa army were in an uproar. 

“Kikkawa Motoharu didn’t come!” 

“Akai Naomasa-dono of Kuroi castle is sick, he cannot stand anymore.” 

“There is no time to hesitate. What should we do?” 

“Will Akechi Mitsuhide surrender?” 

“Iyaa, each person. Azai Nagamasa of Omi, Araki Murashige of Itami Arioka castle, Matsunaga Danjo of Yamato. Until now, though Oda Nobuna has fallen once, each one of those  people who betrayed her have been destroyed. We the Hatano clan have already rebelled. Mitsuhide-dono too will harbor resentment toward the Hatano clan that took her mother.” 

The perplexed Hatano Hideharu callously determined that it was “inevitable.” 

“If Akechi Mitsuhide-dono is accompanied by the Mori clan before Shikanosuke enters Tanba, we can raid the Kyoto city with the Akechi army. By doing that, we can still reverse the situation. Spread out that Mitsuhide-dono’s mother has been taken up to the top of Yakami castle and been crucified. The well-educated and compassionate Mitsuhide-dono will not say something like ‘if you kill my parent on your own accord, then I will drink that broth,’ even as a lie like Ryuu Hou. If it’s Oda Nobuna, she would reject our demands while pouring out tears of blood for the sake of Tenka Fubu and show a strong spirit to attack and overthrow Yakami castle even if she has to leave her own mother to die. That’s the difference between those people. Mitsuhide-dono will definitely takes on our side.” 

“But what if Mitsuhide-dono persisted in her loyalty to the Oda clan till the end and abandons her mother?” 

“Even here, it’s necessary to kill the hostage.” 

“The Hatano clan that doesn’t have any rear guards will fall.” 

“The Hatano family will be plucked by the furious Oda Nobuna.” 

“This clan will fall if we are defeated anyway. Now that we cannot hope for a joint attack with Kuroi castle, a surprise attack is also impossible. It’s a gamble. We have no choice but to attack Mitsuhide-dono’s heart.” 

Akechi Mitsuhide who formed a battle formation at the mountain foot and encircled the Yakami castle, was confused over the unprecedented event she was witnessing through the telescope that Omaki-no-kata was be taken up to the summit of the castle and crucified. 

Omaki-no-kata is an important negotiation piece, not only between Mitsuhide and the Mori clan, but also to the Hatano clan. To crucify and murder her during this war is outrageous. Hatano Hideharu seemed to have become desperate. The shock of the news that Kikkawa Motoharu army had given up on entering Tanba and went over to Harima was just that big. 

Mitsuhide’s biggest weakness was stabbed. 

“There is nothing that can be done……!” 

Even though many shinobis had been been sent away, it wasn’t possible to regain Omaki-no-kata. Similar to Nobuna, Mitsuhide had never made much use of the shinobis so far. That was the reason. The shinobis that Mitsuhide sent away had the tables turned against them by the Tanba shinobis led by the petite Ishikawa Kazumune. 

No one know what would happen to the serious Mitsuhide if Omaki-no-kata was killed.  

The vice general Saito Toshimitsu said, 

“Any further than this then is a fake truce.  You cannot afford to kill your mother. Pretend to accompany the Mori clan and gain time, I will do something to make your mother return somehow. Nobuna-sama would permit it as well.” 

Although she suggested it, Mitsuhide shook her head and said “That’s not possible.” 

“It’s necessary to recapture my Haha-ue and carry out my loyalty to Nobuna-sama. If its Sagara-senpai, he would certainly think so.” 

“I understand your words but…… the Hatano clan who knows that reinforcements from the Mori clan won’t come has been cornered out of despair. This is not a state for having a normal discussion.” 

A moment after Omaki-no-kata’s execution, a notification from the Hatano clan came. 

Mitsuhide didn’t have a chance to hesitate during this night anymore. 

Within one night, Hatano Hideharu was worried that the reinforcements from the Oda clan would advance toward Tanba ever so slightly. Perhaps if the strongest warrior of Tanba, Akai Naomasa who had no hope of recovering was to find out that Kikkawa Motoharu who he was waiting for won’t come and the Oda army appeared instead, he might panic and surrender Kuroi castle. There is no way that the Hatano clan could survive unless they drive Akechi Mitsuhide into a betrayal before Kuroi castle was taken.  

For Mitsuhide who is not a double dealing diplomat, the ways that can be chosen are— 

Continue the siege of Kuroi castle and let Omaki-no-kata die? 

Or be reconciled with the Hatano clan and take the side of the Mori clan to save Omaki-no-kata? 

It was one of those two options. 

“In any case, earlier than Shikanosuke-dono will arrive…… No, Haha-ue will be executed as soon as Hatano Hideharu sees Shikanosuke-dono has come as a reinforcement. It’s because when the reinforcements from the Oda army come from the west, the Hatano clan would be isolated at Sassayama in Tanba by then.” 

There were no more major shinobi left. The samurai of the Akechi clan who cannot remain indifferent toward Mitsuhide’s plight started to form a suicidal 

army, continuously they said “It’s fortunate,” “It’s night”, “Just one person need to arrive at the summit,” and changed their clothes to an unfamiliar black costume and began to head to Yakami castle. 

“Everyone, I am sorry…… Even if its a  one in million chance, it’s a task where you cannot come back home alive.” 

“Words are unnecessary.” 

“All of us.” 

“For the sake of Akechi-sama.” 

“Will die at any time.” 

“We will obey any kind order.” 

“There can only be one wonderful lord like Hime in the world.” 

“Certainly, your mother……” 

“Sorry!” 

However, Mitsuhide didn’t think that the skilled shinobi of Tanba, Ishikawa Kazumune would let Omaki-no-kata be recaptured easily.  

The remaining time has been down by half an hour. 

Saito Toshimitsu was amazed that Akechi Mitsuhide was still standing with her mental power. It had been a continuous predicament ever since Mitsuhide was isolated at the Tanba frontline. Now that her mother would be crucified tonight, Mitsuhide’s predicament had entered its climax. If it was herself, it wouldn’t have been possible to remain sane in front of such crisis. 

“……If it’s Sagara-senpai, he will struggle to obtain both wishes until the end, that’s why, Juubei will……” 

Toshimitsu learned that Sagara Yoshiharu’s existence is what keep Mitsuhide’s mind. 

However, Mitsuhide’s mind will also break if her mother is killed, Toshimitsu feared the definitive ruin that would come half an hour later. 

For the one who was to be crucified on the cross, they were given sleeping pills to sleep soundly and were shouldered by Ishikawa Kazumune and brought to a pine tree. 

She was a surprisingly firm woman. Even if she was being crucified, “Don’t hesitate to follow your loyalty to Oda clan and fell Yakami castle,” it was certain that she would have shouted that to Mitsuhide. Ishikawa Kazumune was alert in case the voice came through and reached Mitsuhide through the telescope. Even if she was gagged, she would tell her will to Mitsuhide. Furthermore, Ishikawa Kazumune was also hesitant on piercing and killing Omaki-no-kata with a spear. If she was asleep, it was possible to depart peacefully. 

Of course, it was already expected that the last suicide army that Akechi army had sent would attack this pine tree at the summit simultaneously. 

“The shinobis have already been dealt with de-gozaru. Now we shall gouge out the samurais from the mountain.” 

For the Tanba shinobi who set up the barrier, if there was single person from Akechi suicide army, even if it was just one person, they would be knocked them down. As long as it wasn’t a fight during the daytime, in the battle on the mountain that was covered in darkness, the Tanba shinobi who understood the topography of Yakami castle had an overwhelming advantage. For the Akechi samurai who were not familiar with the place, it was impossible to break the barrier in this mountain. The samurai’s main forte was the spear and katana. At most, a bow and tanegashima. For shuriken attacks through the trees that were protected by the darkness of the night, they won’t show any effect if they don’t have visibility through the dark mountain. 

“Fufufu. Even if they are samurai, they are virtually amateurs if they enter the mountain at night.” 

“It’s half an hour before the execution.” Behind Ishikawa Kazumune who murmured that with glaring red eyes— 

Omaki-no-kata who was crucified woke up. 

Although the drug are still in effect, she was desperately trying to convey her words to Mitsuhide. 

“……Juubei…… Don’t hesitate. An ally will immediately…… save you by all means…… forget this mother. If you betray your lord for your mother, the revival of Toki Genji will be meaningless…… Juubei……!” 

“Such terrific mental strength de-gozaru.” Ishikawa Kazumune was surprised and amazed. 

“Exactly like the mother of a samurai, brilliant. However, time is out. It seems that no one was able to break through the barrier.” 

“……Lady shinobi…… You look too young, right?” 

“Shinobi don’t have ages. To live in darkness, to die in darkness, that is what shinobi are born for, that is their future.” 

“……Your parent……” 

A first rate shinobi doesn’t talk about their past. Ishikawa Kazumune begun to be called “Kazumune” from childhood when she became the head of Tanba Ishikawa-ryu. Until now, she had accomplished all kinds of jobs. However, when she was in front of Omaki-no-kata, she seemed to forgot that she was a shinobi. Somehow she look like her deceased mother. Although her appearance was different, she was a woman who seemed to embody something called motherhood. It was the person who raise a Hime-Bushou like Akechi Mitsuhide with one hand. 

Besides, Omaki-no-kata will die soon. 

That’s why, she couldn’t resist revealing her past to anoother— 

Kazumune instinctively talked about her past. 

“My mother who failed her mission, died de-gozaru. My father who was in conflict with the leader who abandoned mother after she failed her task, took away my ane and ran out form Tanba. There is family even in shinobi gozaru. Because I was the leader’s hostage, I was detained inside Tanba.” 

“……That leader was?” 

“During the battle between Matsunaga Danjou and the Tanba samurai, he was already defeated and killed by puppets controlled by Danjou. The leader of the Tanba shinobi is me now de-gozaru.” 

“Won’t you go with your father?” 

“While taking my Ane, I who was left and abandoned by father have already been forgotten de-gozaru. He might already no longer intend on being alive. Honored Mother. It’s regrettable that Akechi Mitsuhide will lament unsparingly while honored mother will die in happiness.” 

“The fate of the Hatano clan has already been set even if I am killed, on the contrary if you kill me, rather than a grudge it will bring misery and your group’s downfall…… Even so, will you kill me?” Omaki-no-kata asked Ishikawa Kazumune. 

Kazumune, 

“It’s the lord’s command.” 

Simply answered. 

“……Tanba shinobi who cannot carry out the tasks that they received have no right to live. Although I am their leader, it’s too much of a position to silence other shinobi with ability alone. If I betray it, I will be set as a runaway shinobi and fated to be hunted later. It’s regrettable that I would become a dejected loser like my father de-gozaru.” 

“I understand. The world that you lived in was, in a way, more severe than the world of the samurai clan. I won’t say anything anymore.” 

“The time has come de-gozaru.” Kazumune held a kunai. 

“Honored mother. I am sorry, but I will take your life.” 

“……Do it. Juubei, this end is neither a crime nor a responsibility of Oda Nobuna-sama, it’s because of this mother’s naiveté. Swear everything on your loyalty till the end. Please tell her…… that her mother praised her for standing still without betraying others.” 

“……As you wish” 

At the time when Ishikawa Kazumune tried to slit Omaki-no-kata’s throat— 

“That won’t happen de-gozaru!” 

Buooooooo! 

A group of wild boars rushed inside the forest. 

There was one shinobi mixed with the wild boars. 

“Nyuu?! Ranshinhojuton-no-jutsu?!” 

Boom. 

A smokescreen bomb exploded. 

One. Two. Three. 

Ishikawa Kazumune remembered the unique smell of the white smoke from the smoke bomb. 

“……The recipe of this gunpowder……” 

In an instant, Ishikawa Kazumune forgot her mission. Her nose was acting on its own. This smell, it was the smell of her father who left Tanba with her ane. 

“Nin. Hachisuka-ryu shinobi, Hachisuka Goemon, is here. I will take your back.” 

Ishikawa Kazumune jumped inside the smoke. 

But there was a shinobi keeping pace with her from behind. 

The face cannot be seen. But it was a lisping voice like Ishikawa Kazumune— 

Impossible. 

It cannot be. 

Ishikawa Kazumune shouted instinctively. 

“Don’t tell me, it’s Ane-sha?! Shouldn’t you have disappeared when ane-sha ran out from Tanba with Chichi-ue?!” 

Goemon answered. 

“……You are, Nagamatsu de-gozaru, right?” 

“I have abandoned my childhood name Nagamatsu, I am Ishikawa Kazumune! You are the one who is called Hachisuka Goemon! You are the Tanba Ishikawa clan’s……” 

“Yes, I am your ane de-gozaru. Even if you hide your face, your habits seems to be the same as mine de-gozaru.” 

Hachisuka Goemon and Ishikawa Kazumune. Together, they are the sisters who were born in the Ishikawa family of the Tanba shinobi. They are atypical shinobi with “crimson eyes” that were passed down from generation to generation of the Ishikawa line. 

“Now, I am a shinobi serving Sagara-shi. Chichi-ue passed away at Hachisuka village.” 

“In other words, ane-sha has succeeded him after chichi-ue’s death and inherited a fake shinobi style like Hachisuka-ryu?! You rewrote all of the names of the school to escape pursuit from Tanba?” 

“Indeed de-gozaru. The shinobi that pursue runaway shinobi are relentless. Chichi-ue and I were forced to abandon the past completely.” 

“Why did you come back to Tanba?! Do you come back to get killed!?” 

Goemon slightly hesitate on answering. She had foreseen a fate where she was destined to be killed by her separated Imouto who was waiting for her when she entered Tanba. She didn’t think her Imouto who was left behind in Tanba would have been able to escape from the world of shinobi. It was easy to imagine that she would be hired by the Hatano clan if she hadn’t lost her life yet. Nagamatsu who was also known as Ishikawa Kazumune wasn’t able to escape because she was the lord’s hostage when Goemon and her father escaped from Tanba. Naturally, she would bear a grudge against her father and ane. From her sister’s standpoint, it was impossible to take into consideration that her ane who escaped Tanba would interfere with her job as a shinobi of the Oda clan which is her enemy—that premonition was proved correct. Originally, she wanted to ask Yoshiharu, “please employ my imouto after I die”. However, she couldn’t confuse Yoshiharu in this dire situation. And so Goemon decided to confront her imouto alone. 

“……Because I have a task of rescuing Akechi-shi who has been trapped. There is nothing wrong with meeting my separated Imouto during this mission.” 

“So then, we are neither ane nor imouto any longer. You are an ally to the enemy. I will kill you without reservation!” 

“Nagamatsu, don’t forget to introduce yourself with a splendid name. It’s easy, this Hachisuka Goemon is going to kill you.” 

Some of the Sagara navy had already arrived at Miyazuki port in Tango. It’s a famous port in “Amanohashidate”. Goemon preceded to Tanba from Miyazu by using shinobi from the Sagara army and rushed to Yakami castle. Though the purpose for the contact was to tell Mitsuhide, “the Sagara army will come soon de-gozaru,” when she learned of Omaki-no-kata’s execution she invaded Yakami before entering Mitsuhide’s main camp. 

“Hmph. It reeks of blood. Did you get wounded, Ane-sha?” 

“Kyushu is the country of Shura. I had much trouble dealing with the Hagakure-Shinobi squad of Saga and the Shinobi-Goroshi, Kai Soun de-gozaru.” 

“Its troubling if you make light of your ancestors Ishikawa-ryu, Anesha.” 

Omaki-no-kata who was wrapped in the white smoke didn’t understand why there were two shinobis running around.  

Both of them jumped into the mountain and ran at dreadful speeds from tree branch to tree branch. 

Ishikawa Kazumune would get cut if she couldn’t shake off Goemon who was taking the rear as quickly as possible.  

However, she cannot leave Omaki-no-kata too far away. 

She noticed that her comrades who were supposed to lurking in the mountain didn’t come to subjugate Goemon. 

“Unyuu. The Tanba shinobis that set up the barrier are……” 

“……All of them are sleeping because of Shunkan-no-jutsu. Sasayama was once my garden de-gozaru.” 

“Are you saying that your skills have improved past this Ishikawa Kazumune, Ane-sha!?” 

“From Kanto to Kyushu. Better than you who didn’t step out from Tanba, I have stepped in many places.” 

“Ane-sha who kept chichi-ue for herself, abandoned me, and escaped from Tanba…… I cannot forgive it!” 

“Although Chichi-ue tried to take you back, you were captured by the lord. He couldn’t take you back. It was inevitable.” 

“Shut up!” 

Ishikawa Kazumune flicked an invisible iron bullet from her fingertip to Goemon who jumped behind her. That was “Kabutowari-no-jutsu”. (Helmet Splitter jutsu) 

“Unyuu! Even though it’s a reunion of us sisters, don’t be so relentless de-gozaru!” 

Goemon put her right hand at an overhead tree branch and bent her body into a くshape and barely avoided the helm splitting bullet. At this time, Ishikawa Kazumune’s body flipped and turned in front of Goemon. Goemon’s advantage in taking Kazumune’s back had been lost completely. 

Truly a person who can compete for the second best or best shinobi of Tanba, Goemon felt admiration. 

But there was no room to celebrate her imouto’s growth as shinobi. 

Rather, it could be said that Kazumune had spent many gruesome days as a shinobi. 

“How hard is the hardship of the daughter of a runaway shinobi? When you wandered with chichi-ue to Hachisuka village, I don’t know that!” 

Their taijutsu and ninjutsu were almost equal. However, against Goemon who dropped her sisterly affection to Kazumune while beginning to forgot her cold-heartedness as a shinobi after spending a long time with Sagara Yoshiharu, Ishikawa Kazumune spent long days as a shinobi. However, Kazumune was thrown into confusion from the time when she talked about her past to Omaki-no-kata. There is her ane who has been separated from her for life—If she hadn’t talked with Omaki-no-kata, she might have killed Goemon with a single blow without changing her feelings due to the unexpected situation of a reunion between sisters.. 

“Anyone who obstructs my job will be killed, even if she is my ane! If I fail, I will lose my position as the leader and home in Tanba!” 

“At that time, you should’ve come to Sagara-shi de-gozaru. Japan is wide de-gozaru. That person’s quality as a lord is wider than anyone else—” 

“Shut up! My hometown is only Tanba. I won’t join the Hachisuka faction! Why did you run?! If it was meant to avenge Haha-ue then the lord should’ve been killed instead!” 

“Things like revenge and such. There is a bigger dream for Chichi-ue…… If it was spoken, you would understand de-gozaru.” 

“Leaving his daughter and escaping, what do you mean by dream?!” 

“In the world of the Sengoku era, shinobi will live hidden from the world forever. Runaway shinobi cannot keep on being chased for a lifetime.” 

“That’s obvious!” 

“Therefore Chichiue firstly become the head of river thief group, allied himself with a partner who had the capability to be the Tenkabito,  to fly out to the outside world from the shadows de gozaru....born from a family of shinobi, us sisters have to change our fate, that’s why we abandoned our birthplace and past.” 

“I was thrown away! It was mistake for the sake of ane-sha!” 

“……If I who was a runaway shinobi came to Tanba, I would’ve had to fight you.” 

“If a runaway shinobi shows up, we have to subjugate them! It’s only natural!” 

“I am sorry for that de-gozaru. After taking a detour to Koga for a while, even though I tried to look around, you were not there de-gozaru.” 

“The proud hearted Tanba shinobi don’t show their face in the meeting made by the Koga shinobi! Your excuse is useless!” 

“Our Chichi-ue and Haha-ue doesn’t wish for this fight. I will come with you Nagamatsu!” 

Kazumune whose back couldn’t be taken, ignited and threw a large ball in front of Goemon’ eyes who was flying around repeatedly. 

This smell is not a smoke bomb. 

Horoku-dan— 

Don. 

It exploded. 

While avoiding the explosion from a tree trunk, Nagamatsu who was left in Tanba made a lot of hardships. She shouldn’t bear a grudge. However, I don’t have time to have a long talk to reconcile with Nagamatsu. Goemon regretted bitterly. 

At any rate, the strategy to separate Omaki-no-kata from Ishikawa Kazumune had been successful. 

Kazumune cannot easily return to Omaki-no-kata who was crucified in a pine tree. Because, Goemon’s death cannot be confirmed yet. She cannot think that she would be able to kill her with a single Horoku-dan either. When Kazumune come out of the forest and comes to Omaki-no-kata, at that moment, Goemon who is still hiding will begin to kill Kazumune from the back. 

Because she knows that, Kazumune still cannot go back to Omaki-no-kata yet— 

They both continued to glare at the forest while completely erasing their presence. 

Because they cannot sense each other’s positions, their breathing and pulse were reduced to the minimum. 

Ane-sha is tough. The Shinshu Sanada are the only ones who can survive the fight against the shinobis like Fuma who came across the sea from a foreign country and boasted abnormal power like a monster…… Furthermore, for us who 

are familiar with Tanba Sasayama, we are strong. It was my blunder that Ane-sha escaped. 

The barrier had already been broken by Goemon. Omaki-no-kata would be recaptured if she didn’t watch over her. Ishikawa Kazumune who rolled her back into the bush and erased her presence like a corpse was watching over Omaki-no-kata from the forest while almost stopping her breathing. 

The pale Hatano soldiers kept their spears and came over to Omaki-no-kata. 

“This is bad. Sagara Yoshiharu is leading an army and has come to reinforce the Akechi army!” 

“Now that it come to this, we will stay at Yakami castle until we die!” 

“The Hatano clan will fight and die magnificently until the end! We, ashigarus will do it as well!” 

“It’s regretful, but the time is up. Akechi-dono’s mother will be executed!” 

“Since the lord didn’t order us to cancel the execution, we have no choice but to execute you as per schedule. Apologies!” 

Following Ane-sha, Sagara Yoshiharu has come too? With this, the Hatano clan is in danger. Kazumune closed her eyes during the end of Omaki-no-kata’s fate. 

I and Ane-sha who had abandoned our Haha-ue who once failed a mission from the lord and together with this, that I have hold my breath and see Akechi Mitsuhide’s mother helplessly die……as Kazumune wondered, until now, for what purpose did she lives as a callous shinobi in order to become the head of the Tanba shinobi? For what purpose did she become strong? She was beaten with a helpless expression. 

The life of Akechi Mitsuhide whose mother was killed will also go mad with hatred and regret, just like me. 

…..Not only are the shinobi sad, but samurai are sad as well de-gozaru. The Sengoku era is exactly like an endless cycle of regret and hatred…… now that the fall of the Hatano clan has been decided, even this honored mother’s execution is also useless. 

Now that it has comes to this, I have no choice but to save honored mother even if I have to escape from Tanba de-gozaru. However, if I run away, Ane-sha who doesn’t know about my change of heart will kill me…… after all, only one shinobi among the imouto and ane can survive. That is the law of those who were born as shinobi. We were able to reunite at last even though we sisters kept passing each other, Kazumune bit her lip and stirred her body to motivate herself one more time. 

However, at this moment Kazumune realizedthat she was behind her ane’s back. 

That was because the samurais who were going to stab Omaki-no-kata had begun to make an uproar together. 

“No, wrong!” 

“It’s a fake!” 

“It;s not Omaki-no-kata. This person…… a man of the Akechi clan…… isn’t it a man?!” 

“When. When was she swapped?”  

“I am an ashigaru who served Akechi Hime-sama. This is the first time that I have dressed up like a woman! It’s too late even if you notice now, hahahaha! Now then, take my head!” 

“Sh-sh-shit! She escaped!”  

“B-but, it’s a small mercy. It might be good this way.” 

“If Akechi-dono’s mother was killed, all of us who shut ourselves inside Yakami castle would be killed by the Oda clan.” 

“E-exactly. In any case, take this person away to the lord!” 

I see. Firing smoke bombs around in rapid succession was for this replacement. During the moment when I secretly fought against ane-sha in the forest—As expected from ane-sha de-gozaru, Kazumune smiled. 

However…… With this, I have lost my position in Tanba…… There are countless people who aim for the seat of the leader. There are a lot of enemies for me who is the daughter of a missing shinobi. Furthermore, the enemy, my ane has stolen Omaki-no-kata. I have lost the position as leader of the Tanba shinobi. 

Now that it has come to this anyway, I have no choice but to live and escape from Tanba, when Kazumune realized that, her crimson eyes shined brightly and her heart began to move again. 

However, as I am also a Tanba shinobi, I have my pride as the successor of Ishikawa-ryu. I don’t intend to fall behind Anesha. Next time…… I will win against Anesha. 

“We have succeeded in recapturing Omaki-no-kata-sama!” 

“Its as if a miracle has happened!” 

“Hachisuka Goemon-dono has returned from Kyushu, Hime!” 

“The Sagara army has landed from the sea!” 

“Although the Sagara army that landed on Miyazu of Tango were few, they went up straight ahead to Tanba to save Hime. Furthermore, the Yamana forces led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke-dono rushed directly to Tanba with a force that knows no bounds!” 

“Kurokawa castle that covered Tanba instantly surrendered themselves after seeing Sagara-dono’s Sen’nari Hyoutan!” 

“Please look, Hime. The Sagara army finally arrived to Sasayama. It’s the commander’s battle standard of the golden gourd!” 

“Hatano Hideharu knows that Sagara-dono is a generous person who saved the lives of the soldiers of the Bessho clan during the siege of the Battle of Miki castle. He gave up executing the ashigaru who swapped with Omaki-no-kata-sama— 

“He surrendered Yakami castle and surrendered to the Oda clan and personally came to the main camp” 

Mitsuhide’s main camp was heating up. 

The main force of Himeji castle cannot move. Yamanaka Shikanosuke who led a small group of thirty suicide soldiers that were prepared to death entered San’in to earn some time for Mitsuhide, moved the hearts of the men of the Yamana Toyokuni army which was the vanguard of Mori army. Toyokuni also persuaded his uncle Yamana Suketoyo and both Yamana forces of Inaba and Tajima changed sides to the Oda clan. 

Kikkawa Motoharu who gave up on entering Tanba, shifted her position to the San’yo frontline that lacked Shikanosuke. 

Even though this was a miracle for the Akechi army, luck and misfortune are two sides of the same coin. Hatano Hideharu who shut himself inside Yakami castle of Sasayama in Tanba after taking Omaki-no-kata as a hostage knew that the Kikkawa army had shifted their course to San’yo and was at loss. Crucifying Omaki-no-kata was to show his last struggle and to forcibly make Mistuhide change sides. 

However, Omaki-no-kata was saved by a hair’s breadth by the shinobi of the Sagara Yoshiharu army, Hachisuka Goemon who urgently ran from Tango for the sake of rescuing Mitsuhide— 

And the Sagara main army also felled Kurokawa castle and marched towards Sasayama. While raising the flag of “Sen’nari Hyoutan” which is the signature of Yoshiharu. 

“Haha-ue……! You are safe. I cannot believe it. Mitsuhide was prepared that you may not be alive anymore……!” 

“You’ve endured well, Juubei. If you betrayed the Oda clan in the last moment, I would have regretted that I made a mistake in raising my daughter.” 

“……Haha-ue…… but…… it was painful. If I saw Haha-ue being pierced by a spear, Juubei might not have been sane anymore. I might have commit a massacre in Yakami castle that would remain in history. It’s well praised.” 

“No. When someone’s heart filled with anger, they would decide on gruesome revenge, Juubei. But you endured it. You kept standing until the end in this adversity. Even if mother was dead, you would’ve endure it splendidly. For the ambition of Tenka Fubu.” 

“……No. Haha-ue. I understood well that Juubei cannot control her heart anymore if I lost Haha-ue…… Or if Sagara-senpai didn’t come to rescue me.” 

“You are too lenient to others and too strict with yourself, Juubei. Be proud of yourself. You are the pride of the Akechi and Toki clan. How lenient is your treatment towards Hatano-dono? Hatano-dono didn’t waste the life of ashigaru who substituted for me.” 

“Haii!” 

Saito Toshimitsu who paid people to return Omaki-no-kata alive to Mitsuhide, knelt before those two and bowed her head. 

“Even though honored mother and Hime were able to endure, I who is the vice general was wavering for a long time. Many times I advised Hime to revolt and try to look for a chance to rescue honored mother once we pretended to change sides to the Mori clan…… Honored mother. My apologies!” 

“That’s alright, Toshimitsu. Juubei is someone who would sacrifice herself for the sake of duty and loyalty. Because Toshimitsu acted as a proxy for Juubei as human girl, Juubei was saved a lot.” 

“……I am grateful.” 

“However, Toshimitsu. Where is the shinobi who saved me? I have to pay my respects.” 

“Goemon-dono was running around the mountain of Tanba without taking a break.” 

“Is that so…… however…… those two people, their physique, their conversation, their crimson eyes that shines in the dark were very similar to each other, it can’t be……” 

Though Omaki-no-kata wondered who were those two people, Mitsuhide who was saved by a hair’s breadth by Sagara Yoshiharu and was able to meet her mother again had no time to think about that. She has been isolated in Tanba for a long time. She was on the verge of losing her mother. Even though Mitsuhide was rescued from a dire situation like a dream, there was no time for that now. 

“When I learned that Sagara-dono’s army was approaching Yakami castle, I gave up resisting and was going to release Akechi-dono’s mother, but because the order couldn’t be transmitted due to the chaos in the castle, your mother was about to be executed.” Hatano Hideharu who was dressed in white to express his determination to commit suicide, had his hands taken. “We both have been granted luck, let’s give our thanks to Sagara-senpai for our whole life!” And with that, Hideharu was spared. 

“No one kill the Hatano clan. Hatano Hideharu-dono has retired. The heir of the Hatano clan shall succeed the clan and be relocated from the mountain fortress, Yakami castle to a ground castle. The domain of the Hatano clan will be relieved. After this war ends, though Nobuna-sama will decide on the official treatment, 

Juubei will act as the ruler of the whole Tanba! Among the surrendered Tanba soldiers, anyone who wishes to participate in the war shall be incorporated into the Akechi army from now on!” 

Tearing down all of Tanba as much as she liked. This is the permitted fait accompli permitted by Nobuna for Mitsuhide. 

Although the reconciliation with the Hatano clan was a matter in which approval must be obtained from Nobuna, now that Nobuna was standing in the Togoku frontline, Mitsuhide whose greatest mission was to stop the Mori clan’s visit to the capital had first decided to reconcile with the Hatano clan. 

If she decided on a harsh treatment here, several natives of Tanba would revolt and it would take some time to clean them up. Of course, Mitsuhide didn’t have time for that. The Tanba soldiers must be used in the anti-Mori war immediately. The natives of Tanba shall be taken up as vassals of the Akechi clan as much as possible and solidify Tanba which has been used by countless natives as their stronghold as one country now. That was the plan that Mitsuhide planned originally. Therefore, although Mitsuhide had fought hard to entice a lot of the natives of Tanba, she had won at last. 

“If Haha-ue lost her life, Nobuna-sama would never allow the Hatano clan to survive, but if Haha-ue returned alive then there is no problem. Juubei will protect Hatano clan without fail.” 

About the Akai clan of Kurokawa castle who had already surrendered to the Sagara army and the Yamana army that was led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Mitsuhide decided a similar temporary measure. 

Hatano Hideharu tried to kill Mitsuhide’s mother, Omaki-no-kata. He was going to the execution at the last moment when he realized that it would useless even if he killed her since the Sagara army had appeared, but the order didn’t get transmitted. Even without killing the commanders in Yakami castle and permitting 

the continuation of Hatano clan, Hatano Hideharu who didn’t think that his life would be spared, “I am in your debt,” thanked Mitsuhide many times while shedding tears. 

“Therefore. The gratitude goes to Sagara-senpai who saved Haha-ue. If Haha-ue had lost her life, Juubei would have flown into a rage and might have burned Yakami castle and killed all of their commanders without mercy.” 

“……That’s true, we decided to surrender and opened up Kurokawa castle as well because we knew about Sagara Yoshiharu-dono’s generous treatment of Miki castle. It was said that Sagara-dono gave rice porridge to the starving soldiers who came out from Miki castle while encircling Miki castle with a starvation tactic. While Sagara-dono was taken prisoner by Mori clan and absent from Miki castle, Yamanaka Shikanosuke-dono and Takenaka Hanbei-dono who succeeded his position were said to keep Sagara-dono’s instruction…… Sagara-dono is certainly a person who has the capacity of a general.” 

“But, Akechi-dono certainly also has that capacity.” Hatano Hideharu nodded. 

“It’s already known to the people that Omi Sakamoto and Tanba Kameyama castle has a lot of good governance. On top of that, there is the generous treatment for us the Hatano clan who tried to kill Akechi-dono’s mother. All of the natives of Tanba are willing to volunteer themselves as the vassals of Akechi-dono.” 

Although Mitsuhide herself was not aware, the truth was that at the same time when the natives of Tango which is situated at the north of Tanba saw the Sagara army landing with their navy from Kyushu, they changed sides to the Oda clan one after another. Although the area that was personally possessed by Mitsuhide who had the hard fight of assaulting Tanba, was only Omi Sakamoto and Kameyama castle of Tanba, Mitsuhide was given a key position as the substantial “Kinki Kanryo” and was authorized to tear down Tanba as much as she 

liked by Oda Nobuna. Yamato, which had already become the fief of the Oda clan ever since the submission of Matsunaga Danjou, the newly surrendered Tango, and most of the mountain castle inside the capital will be under the authority of the Akechi Mitsuhide army. Even Settsu which was formerly conquered by Araki Murashige who was an expert of attacking castles was also practically under Mitsuhide’s authority despite being in an undeveloped state at the present because Araki Murashige caused a rebellion and disappear. After all, the present head of Oda clan, Nobuna is going all out in Togoku and was not in Kinai. 

In other words, just by combining Tanba and Sakamoto which was under Mitsuhide’s direct authority, it would be an area of approximately 600 thousand koku. As matter of fact, including the area controlled by Mitsuhide as Kinki Kanryo, it would be close to 1.5 million koku—she will be a great daimyo who exceeds Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. 

Furthermore, Mitsuhide herself is defending the city of Kyoto and the Yamato Gosho as well as the Imagawa Shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto who was enshrined in Nijou castle. 

However, Mitsuhide herself didn’t notice that fact. 

“Aah. I finally joined with Sagara-senpai in the last decisive battle against Mori! Senpai….. I want to meet you……! He surely will have become burly and tanned again in Kyushu. Although Yamanaka Bakanosuke who nonchalantly headed to Sasayama is a hindrance, she will hurriedly return to Harima and beat the Mori twin rivers! If it’s like that, then Juubei doesn’t have any competitors now! Everything is possible if it’s Senpai. Just a little bit until the realization of Tenka Fubu……” 

Mitsuhide was finally freed from the suffering at Tanba frontline that lasted without end. And Mitsuhide felt a happiness that cannot be described by words 

toward the person who save her from this darkness which was none other than Sagara Yoshiharu__. 

Fufufu. Even if I kiss Senpai by saying “thank you”, it won’t be a problem if it doesn’t get exposed to Nobuna-sama. No, no one would complain if i am blessed with one child! Sagara-senpai…… 

The Sagara army that raised the battle standard of the Sagara clan, Sen’nari Hyoutan which has renowned across the world joined with Mitsuhide’s main camp and the general of Sagara army appeared in front of Mitsuhide on a horseback. 

However. 

“Ueeeh? Its not Sagara-senpai! Y-y-y-you, wh-wh-wh-who are you?!” 

The general of Sagara army who came from Tango to rescue Mitsuhide was not Sagara Yoshiharu. 

“I am Sagara Yoshihi. The previous head of Higo Sagara clan and the new vice general of Sagara army. And—Speaking truthfully, I am Yoshiharu’s cute ane. Yoshiharu is the future descendant of my Sagara clan.” 

Mitsuhide instinctively uttered a hysteric voice unbecoming of a Hime-Busho of a noble clan. 

“Sa……Sagara……Yoshiiiii?! And, Senpai’s Ane-ue?!” 

“My real name was Sagara Yoshiharu, but because it was difficult to have the same name as my otouto, I was renamed Yoshihi. You, aren’t you Akechi Mitsuhide known as the Koretou-Hyuga-no-kami? I realized immediately with that kumquat in your head.” 

Who the heck is this person?????! 

A woman that has never been heard of before has appeared?!  

Where did Senpai go???? 

Mitsuhide who is knocked down from the height of happiness to despair of excessive anemia, needless to say she is shaking violently and fall down. 

“Wait! What do you mean ane?! Sagara-senpai’s ane?! Why does an ane for Senpai who came from the future, suddenly appear from Kyushu?!” 

“To be precise, I am Yoshiharu’s ancestor. Since it’s too complex, I decided to be his ‘ane’ instead. From now on, this noble me shall handle the diplomacy of the Sagara army alone. Every private things will be handled by me, Koretou-dono. My otouto is too busy with battles of love.” 

“Wait a second! Juubei is in charge of being Senpai’s family! To begin with, although Nobuna-sama kept on being a hindrance, Juubei is originally Senpai’s official fiancée! Although  Juubei was a tolerant woman who had officially permitted Nobuna-sama and Senpai’s affair, now that Tanba has been united, there should be no reason that could disturb Juubei’s marriage with Senpai!” 

What the heck is this person saying? Sagara Yoshihi who narrowed her eyes seemingly wanted to say that.  

She was a beautiful and noble Hime-Bushou. A delicate body, fair skin and a well-formed faces like a noble princess. 

Gugigi, this woman somewhat look similar to this noble and clever Juubei. 

Furthermore, she is Senpai’s ancestor??! 

If it’s like this—Juubei’s position as the substitute of Senpai’s mother will be taken by this woman from Higo?! 

“Koretou-dono? This is not a time for Yoshiharu to do things like marriage, I will not accept it.” 

“Shut up! This is not a problem that a newcomer like you could interfere with!” 

“Iyaa. Anything private about Yoshiharu will directly come to me, the ane without fail. Under normal circumstances, my otouto has a nature of prying open the gap within Hime-Bushou’s heart and winning them over by making them feel good. Even in Kyushu, he kept having affairs with Shimazu Iehisa, Shimazu 

Yoshihiro, Otomo Sorin and Tachibana Muneshige one after another. Furthermore, now that Yoshiharu turns out to be the descendant of Sagara clan of the Fujiwara family, the requirement for him to be Konoe Sakihisa-sama’s foster son and the next Kanpaku has been completed. From now on, I will manage Yoshiharu’s relationship with women.” 

“Gyaa?! I suspect that he would make one or two local wives at Kysuhu…… That bastard! This is the worst developmeeeent!!!!!” 

“Where is Senpai?! Get down here immediately! He hide himself because he is scared of being blamed by Juubei for his numerous affairs in Kyushu, right?!” Although Mitsuhide approached Yoshihi, Yoshihi’s reply was not something that Mitsuhide was expecting. 

“Yoshiharu divided the fleet on the way and is headed to reinforce his lord and lover Oda Nobuna-dono. Although Yoshiharu thought about rescuing Koretou-dono and Nobuna-dono at the same time, he only has one body. He talked to me on the ship to divide Sagara army into two groups, I the vice-general as reinforcement for Tanba and the general, Yoshiharu as the reinforcement for Nobuna-dono. Although Yoshiharu was eager to go to Tanba saying ‘the Tanba frontline is more critical’, I opposed it and said that he should prioritize rescuing the main army if he is a samurai. The head of the Oda clan, Oda Nobuna-dono and her right-hand man, Akechi Mitsuhide-dono. There were no other alternatives to surely rescue the two Hime-Bushou at the same time.” 

Yoshihi is well aware that Yoshiharu and Nobuna were in a romantic relationship ever since the opening of the “Amano Iwato”, and she also had heard that Mitsuhide insisted on being Yoshiharu’s fiancée. However, the subtleness of the complicated love triangle between Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu and Nobuna cannot be understood easily if she didn’t actually serve the Oda clan. 

Hearing Yoshihi’s words— 

That’s correct. Nobuna-sama is the lord of Oda clan. Senpai headed to reinforce the lord, Nobuna-sama and entrusted the command of Tanba reinforcement army to his ane-ue whom he trusts. It was the best choice that would make sense for a samurai in the Sengoku era. In fact, if Yoshihi-dono hadn’t come, Haha-ue would’ve been executed. Juubei was saved by Senpai and Nobuna-sama who has fall into a predicament at Togoku will also be saved by Senpai. This is good. There weren’t any other choices…… But. 

In Mitsuhide’s heart, a small “wound” like a speck of a black stain was born. 

That “wound”, even if she tried to shake it off by joking around as usual— 

Bang. 

Mitsuhide suddenly shot her prized gun. She didn’t aim for Yoshihi’s body, furthermore, because Indou who followed as Yoshihi’s attendant, “Gau,” mowed down the bullet with a bamboo rake, Yoshihi didn’t get shot. Mitsuhide’s heart escaped from this “wound” by this gunshot. However, “I heard that you were an intelligent Hime-Busho, but you are acting recklessly?!” Yoshihi was surprised. 

“Koraa! You insolent person, is there any person who would suddenly fire her gun?! You don’t seem to have enough discipline!” 

“I learned discipline from my Haha-ue! For Juubei, this gun is a substitute for a greeting. If you pretend to be Senpai’s Ane, then Yoshihi-dono will be a target for this gun!” 

“……Haaa. Koretou-dono, although your loyalty to Oda clan that you endured even when your mother was taken hostage was wonderful, the Koretou name is a fraud that forcibly took the contribution to the Yamato Gosho and I have never heard of the Akechi clan. My Yoshiharu is the descendant of the prestigious Sagara clan and the man who will become the next Kanpaku. Yoshiharu cannot be given to an uncouth Hime-Busho with uncertain lineage like you.” 

“What did you say? Your remark is like that of a mother-in-law’s immediately! The Akechi clan come from the high noble Toki Genji clan! A bumpkin from Kyushu doesn’t understand that!” 

“Iyaa, my Sagara clan is from the true Fujiawara clan that has lasted more than 20 generations. The Kanpaku Konoe-sama admitted it too. At Kyushu, because there was little illogical social upheaval unlike Honshuu, famous clans that existed since the Muromachi era such as the Otomo, Shimazu, Sagara and Aso continued to exist. There were too many self-proclaimed Genji and Fujiwara clans in Honshuu. The daughter of an unfamiliar clan such as Akechi clan, you don’t match well with Yoshiharu.” 

“Let me handle the relationship between the Oda clan and the Yamato Gosho after this, Koretou-dono should be focusing on the battle with Mori clan.” Because Yoshihi said it with a cool expression, Mitsuhide flew into rage. 

“……Aaaaaaaaah! I cannot stand it! Sagara Yoshihiiiii! A woman like you seems to be a hindrance for Juubei to the bitter end! An existence who will steal every little bit of Juubei’s place in the Oda clan!” 

“What are you being angry for? Wasn’t Koretou-dono and your mother saved by a hair’s breadth? Yamanaka Shikanosuke also hurriedly came to Sasayama and it wouldn’t having be in time if I hadn’t came with the shinobi Hachisuka Goemon. You should thank me for a lifetime. And bark like a bear 3 times.” 

“Who would be grateful???! Uwaaaaa, my marriage with Senpai!!!!! Just for what purpose did Juubei subjugate Tanba for???!” 

“Rather than calling herself a noble princess, she is a girl who smells like a merchant.” Yoshihi who cannot endure Mitsuhide’s angry shout, covered her ears. 

“Shut up! It was only because Juubei was living as a ronin for some time! Never mind that, just quickly marry me with Sagara-senpai!” 

“Iyaa, after this battle is ended, the marriage between Yoshiharu and Oda Nobuna-dono will be held. Hence, the investment of appointing the Kanpaku is also my work. It seems that my otouto was truly in love with Nobuna-dono. However, if Nobuna-dono doesn’t win my favor then it would be reconsidered. Because only this onee-chan is suited as the wife of a spoilt child like Yoshiharu. Fufufu.” 

“Toshimitsu! Juubei’s life designs are going to crumble! I will dispose this woman now and bury her in the backyard of Yakami castle! There is still time before she meets Nobuna-sama!” 

“P-please stop Hime! Although Yakami castle has surrendered, the fight against the Mori army is still continuing! Of all things, we cannot assassinate the vice general of the Sagara army!” 

Saito Toshimitsu who turned pale had to separate Mitsuhide who shouted “Aaargh”, from  Yoshihi who was frowning. “What is with this kumquat woman? Why does she hold a grudge against me? I cannot understand the Hime-Busho of Honshuu.” 

“Aaah. Sagara-senpai is the worst!! Not only did he not come for Juubei, he sent this annoying woman as his substitute! I resent this!” 

Into the sky of Tanba Sasayama, Mitsuhide’s resentful complaint exploded— 

※ 

As for the man in question—during this time, Ukita Naoie who owned the 500 thousand koku of Bizen Mimasaka was bedridden in Okayama castle. His 

injured waist from when he fell off from a horse during the riot of Harima hadn’t gone better yet. 

“Aaah. My (Ore-sama) prized waist. That bastard Sagara Yoshiharu, how annoying! However, since I cannot completely foresee whether the world will fall to the Oda or Mori clan, my scheme to send Yakurou to Kyushu to sell a favor for that bastard Sagara as well as play both sides is truly amazing. Uhi. Uhihihihihi.” 

If Sagara Yoshiharu rescued Oda Nobuna and she won the world, the most glorious achievement will goes to Yakurou. It’s a boon for the Ukita clan who sent Yakurou to help Yoshiharu. 

If Kobayakawa Takakage defeats Oda Nobuna, Sagara Yoshiharu will be persuaded through Yakurou to return to Mori clan and the Ukita clan will be thanked by Takakage. 

“One way or another, the Ukita clan is safe! I who was able to achieve so much while being bedridden is a wise man comparable to Mori Motonari after all. The problem is how to make an excuse when Yakurou is exposed and doubted by the Mori clan, however…… could she have her own way and run away?” 

“Until my cute Hideie comes to age and becomes the ruler of Bizen Mimasaka, my head cannot fall down yet, well then what should I do next……?” Naoie sat cross legged on the floor and kept a watchful eyes— 

He picked up two letters. 

One was from Kobayawaka Takakage. 

Was it bifurcated? Although Naoie got impatient for an instant, the matter about Yakurou wasn’t mentioned in a single word in the letter. However. 

“Yamanaka Shikanosuke entered San’in by leading a suicide army from Himeji castle and with Yamana Toyokuni and Yamana Suketoyo siding with the Oda clan, San’indou has been blocked. Therefore, the strategy will be changed drastically, ane-sha and I will advance to San’yodou together and we decided to 

remove Himeji castle and attack Settsu. Ukita Naoie, you have to lead your whole army and joined with the Mori army immediately. Although Himeji castle without Shikanosuke is like a paper castle, if you pull out an excuse and delay your departure for even one day, it will regarded as a rebellion against the Mori clan.” 

It didn’t touch on the matter about Yakurou that much. In other words, “I will turn a blind eye about Yakurou. However, if you want it to be overlooked, send out troops right now.” Naoie noticed that Takakage had turned a cold eye toward him. It had been exposed. Although she knows everything, no, it was because she knows everything that Takakage dared to employ Naoie as a vanguard for the forces that headed to the capital. If he refused, it meant that he opposed Mori clan. Cold sweat broke out. 

It’s dangerous. What should I do? Should I do exactly as I was told to by Takakage and head to the east or advance the troops to the west and take the unmanned Aki? 

I should charge through San’yodou when Kuroda Kanbei is plundering Aki from Kyushu right now. So then when I plunder Aki before Kuroda, I could make an excuse to Takakage by saying, “I am stalling Kanbei for the sake of Mori clan”……. No no, those two are intelligent people who are equal to me. If I am too greedy, it’s obvious that I would end up turning both of them into enemies. In order not to involve Hideie, it’s the safest way to simply let Yakurou work and lie down in bed at Okayama castle like this. However, I cannot use that method anymore. What should I do? Should I participate in the march towards the capital? However, what if Mori clan got defeated? What will happen to Hideie? 

“Stealing Aki, just kidding, could I just laugh it off like that?” 

Naoie took a look at the second letter. 

It was a letter from Kuroda Kanbei. 

“Mufu! Ukita Naoie, Simon has already passed through Aki! Right now you are probably laughing like “stealing Aki, just kidding,” but it won’t work. Your choices are as follows. To confine Simon at Bizen Mimasaka for the sake of the Mori clan. Surrendering to Simon and then advance to San’yodou together and subjugate the Mori army. Being loyal and hurriedly going towards Mori clan now. It’s those three. At any rate, you cannot pretend that you don’t know. You will not choose to shut yourself inside Okayama castle and let Simon pass through and meet the Mori clan. If you choose that method, whether it’s Kobayakawa Takakage or Simon, anyone who survives will certainly destroy you after the war! Now then, pick the choice that you want!” 

“Uoooo? It’s too fast!!!? Even though Takakage should’ve destroyed many places around San’yodou, what a disaster!  Is this the work of the Kawanami-shu who were known for their public works?” Naoie finally got impatient. “Furthermore, Kanbei seems to be single mindedly going toward Kinai at full speed without aiming to steal the Mori clan’s territory. That’s different from the Kanbei that I knew who would surely plunder it.” Naoie clicked his tongue. 

“Shutting myself inside Okayama castle and let Kanbei pass through…… I cannot do it after all. Damn. It’s a pain being a Sengoku daimyo who has a fragile position between the Mori and Oda clan! If Hideie wasn’t born, it would be fine regardless of what would happen to Bizen Mimasaka……” 

Being an observer cannot be tolerated anymore. 

Kobayakawa Takakage. 

Kuroda Kanbei. 

They pressed Ukita Naoie who had repeatedly betrayed, assassinated, and lazily let the chaotic era pass, to make a decision.  

Support the one that he likes. Decide by his own will. However, he is not allowed to be a bystander. 

Although Ukita army had little actual fighting experience because Naoie held a principle of, “You don’t need to fight a battle if I you assassinate them,”, it’s known that they are powerful if they fight seriously. As a matter of fact, while Naoie is strategist, he also excelled in his ability to command. At the Battle of Myouzenji, he achieved the brilliant battle feat of annihilating the 20000 soldiers of the Mimura Army with just 5000 soldiers. However, in order to not risk the Ukita clan perishing, Naoie rarely became serious. He pretend to be a “pawn” but his ability was that of a “golden general”. (Shogi terms) However, Naoie himself doesn’t have enough will to become a “golden general”. That’s why Kobayakawa Takakage didn’t purge Ukita Naoie. Although he is a deadly poison, she believed that it was possible to use Naoie who was a “capable talent with enough power to overturn the war situation” until the end. 

And the strange thing is—Kuroda Kanbei seemed to want Naoie to support the Mori army rather than confine him as a bystander at Okayama castle. 

Kanbei knew that Naoie sent Konishi Yakurou to her own troops. Or rather, a way to two time had been secretly kneaded between Kanbei and Naoie. On top of it, even if she said “will you help Simon?”, it cannot be done. In that situation, Naoie’s only wish to let Hideie survive whatever it takes even if he two times Oda and Mori until one of them wins, would be broken. In other words, in other to maintain this two timing, there was already no other choice for him but to support the Mori clan. 

What could she do behind the scenes while fighting in Kinai if I shut myself inside Okayama castle for eternity? It’s uncanny. Rather than letting me cut out the Mori territory, it would be easier for her to drag me to battlefield, is that what she is saying? Or rather…… Is this what she said is the so-called decisive battle of Tenka Fubu? In other words, both Takakage and Kanbei fought not for territories 

but for the sake of their worthless wish of ending this chaotic era. Do they intend to involve me in this decisive battle by bumping me with these worthless ideas……? 

“Hideie, come with dad. I will go to Harima.” Ukita Naoie called for his child Ukita Hideie and put her on his shoulder— 

“Otou-sama. Is your waist alright?” 

“Don’t worry about it. Well, it hurts a bit, but it is partly a feigned illness. It’s not a reason to not go to the frontline. If I pretend to be a bystander just like this, the Ukita clan would be crushed regardless which one of them wins. Before Kuroda Kanbei appears in front of Okayama castle, I have to help the Mori clan. Hideie…… I will certainly made you inherit Bizen Mimasaka’s 50000 koku. It’s the only ambition left for me who completed my vengeance against our clan’s former enemy, my master’s clan, the Uragami.” 

“In that case, in this war. Will the Mori clan win?” 

“Who knows. Mori, Otomo, Oda, Matsudaira, Takeda, Uesugi have been jumbled together. This war is too big. Even I don’t know the tide of the war yet either. If the Oda clan wins, Yakurou will protect you. While its pains me personally, I have to make the Mori clan win. Don’t worry. I am the Kan’aku Mugen, Ukita Naoie. Among the three villains of the Sengoku Era, I am the only one who survived. I will certainly make you inherit the Ukita clan and the territories that I captured.” 

“Hideie doesn’t want a country. I simply want peace for otou-sama’s heart.” Hideie sorrowfully looked down. 

“The times when peace come to my heart, that is when I safely made you inherit Bizen Mimasaka, Hideie.” Ukita Naoie laughed. 

Even Naoie’s otouto always wore chainmail in front of his ani in fear of being assassinated by Naoie.  

However, it’s only in front of Hideie that Naoie was gentle like a completely different person. 

Its not necessary to become a Christian and ask for salvation. My salvation is already on my shoulder, Naoie thought. 

If it’s for Hideie, then I will…… 

“Let’s go. It seems that the time has come for the Ukita clan to bet their fate.” 

※ 

While Oda Nobuna retreated from Shitarahara at Togoku and Tokugawa Ieyasu submitted under the Takeda clan, the situation at the Togoku frontline and the home base of the Oda clan, Kinai, had grown tense simultaneously. 

Earlier than Kikkawa Motoharu who led the Mori San’in army to Himeji, Kobayakawa Takakage attacked Himeji castle independently and made it surrender. If Ukita Naoie who entered the field from Okayama castle suddenly betrayed her from the back, then the Kobayakawa army would collapse. However, without worrying, Takakage attacked Himeji castle and it shortly surrendered. 

Takakage has already predicted that when the Mori army launched an all-out attack, Kuroda Mototaka and Yuudorinosuke who were protecting Himeji castle on behalf of Yamanaka Shikanosuke would decide to withdraw to the east Miki castle in order to preserve their fighting power. 

Kikkawa Motoharu who was running from San’in frontline joined the Takakage camp along with the Gaiko-Niso, Ekei, complained about completing the battle to visit the capital to her younger twin sister. 

“Takakage. With this, Yamanaka Shikanosuke has lost her main castle to return to. Soldiers who have retreat from Himeji castle will shut themselves inside Miki castle and protect it until the very end. Do you finally want to go the capital?” 

But, Takakage answered with a smile. 

“Right now, if we enter the capital, Mori will become a trapped rat. That place is equal to a paper castle in terms of power where it’s easy to be attacked and hard to defend. In the capital, Akechi Mitsuhide and Yamanaka Shikanosuke are in the middle of marching from Tanba, Ane-sha. With that, the Akechi army led by the ever too serious Akechi Mitsuhide will be in a losing situation where it cannot advance or retreat because of her mission to protect the capital from Mori.” 

“However, now that the Togoku army has moved, we cannot stop our soldiers at Himeji, Takakage. Abandoning the capital, just where will the Mori forces go?” 

“Settsu, to Osaka.” 

“Osaka?! The home base of the Honbyo Temple?” 

“Oda Nobuna who wished for even more namban trade would relocate her home base from Azuchi castle to Osaka eventually. Therefore, the impregnable water fort, the Honbyo temple of Sakamoto which is protected by the rivers and sandbanks remained untouched. It’s defenses are lacking. Furthermore, the Kuki navy that controls the command over the sea of the Osaka bay has returned to Shima to confront the Takeda navy and Hojo navy who are coming from the sea to assist the Takeda army that advances through Tokaido. With the old Sagara army shutting themselves inside Miki castle and Akechi Mitsuhide and Yamanaka Shikanosuke consolidating the capital for a few days, Mori will enter Osaka and then, after blocking the supply route of the Yodogawa through the land and sea, the Honbyo temple will be temporarily named Osaka castle—it will be the imperial headquarters for the Mori army to go to the capital which can be freely used to 

advance or retreat. Shogun-sama and the third generation Terumoto-sama will enter Osaka castle as well.” 

“There are few Oda vassals in Settsu—” 

Though Kikkawa Motoharu tilted her head, Takakage said, “A little while ago, there was a brave general named Araki Murashige, but that Murashige was repeatedly suspected of rebelling against the Oda. Since there are no commanding officers worthy of being the ruler of Settsu right now, their chain of command is in disorder. Furthermore, Ikeda Tsuneoki who has the most soldiers in Settsu is a daredevil who doesn’t know when to retreat. Ane-sha must charge them.” 

She clenched Motoharu’s hand.  

“The various generals of the Oda clan at Settsu together as one, before they are joined by Tanba and Miki, each of the enemies who stand in our way will be defeated by Kikkawa Motoharu’s bravery. I want you open a path to Osaka castle from Himeji.” Takakage said. 

“That’s why you called me to San’yodou.” Motoharu clapped her knee. 

The time for the strongest brave general of Chugoku, Kikkawa Motoharu, to become famous across the country had come. 

Stop the Akechi army for a while by using the capital of Kyoto as a bait, meanwhile when a chance comes, Osaka castle will be taken and Mori will gather at the impregnable fortress that towers over the central part of Settsu. Thereafter, the initiative of this decisive battle will be completely grasped by Mori’s hand. 

“There is one problem, Takakage. I am worried that if I make a long march and attack Settsu, won’t Ukita Naoie at Okayama castle contrive a plan with Kuroda Kanbei who is chasing us through San’yodou and attack us from behind, Takakage? Not only Yamanaka Shikanosuke, but Kuroda Kanbei has also changed. She has grown on the Kyushu battlefield. Furthermore, Naoie sent over Konishi Yakurou to the Oda. There is a hint of him betraying us.” 

“Ukita Naoie still hasn’t betrayed us. Even if he eventually betrays us, he is a person who thinks about betrayal when the Ukita 50000 koku and his heir Ukita Hideie can be sold at the highest price. In other words, it’s when Oda Nobuna and the Mori face each other directly that the Ukita clan can acquire the highest value. He is trustworthy to that extent.” 

“Is it possible to endure the dread of Ukita Naoie’s betrayal until then, Takakage?” 

“We can endure. We will endure it. Mori shouldn’t covet the world since we have betrayed chichi-ue’s will once__.” 

“Takakage. Don’t die.” 

Takakage intends to take the whole country into her hands through this decisive battle, Motoharu was trembling with excitement. That frail imouto who became a cripple after losing ani has finally grown stronger in the end, she was overwhelmed with emotion. 

“Understood. Takakage. I believe in your resourcefulness and courage. I just have to believe in my imouto, Takakage, and charge. Use the Kikkawa clan as a stepping stone and made Mori soar.” 

“Kikkawa clan is not a stepping stone, Anesha. The Mori Twin Rivers, we sisters are one.” 

Ankokuji Ekei who crouched like a crow behind the Mori twin sisters was nodding silently. For Ekei, Mori should’ve been an enemy who destroyed her clan, the Takeda clan of Aki. But Ekei didn’t really have any grudges anymore. Mori Motonari isn’t here anymore. Be it Motonari or Nidaime Takamoto. In the endless civil war where there were countless countries, Sengoku warlords, and daimyo, the Takeda clan of who had lost their power as the guardian of Aki was destined for ruin. That’s the law of the Sengoku era. The world war itself is what should be blamed. Iin order to bring an end to this world war, any selfish desires that hate the 

Mori clan as an enemy should be thrown away, in fact, Ekei abandoned it during her training at Ankokuji Temple. Especially, she held something beyond a feeling of gratitude toward the fair skinned general – Kobayakawa Takakage who entrusted and gave her an important post despite being a child of the enemy of Mori clan. 

At the same time, the sharp and able Ekei has kept a plan to bring the ultimate victory to Mori in her mind. Ekei knew that her wisdom isn’t far behind Takakage’s. However, there are things that can only be done by the outsider of the Mori clan since Takakage is a person who cannot act by disregarding justice. However, it’s not the time to reveal that plan to the Mori Twin Rivers yet— 

※ 

The anti-Oda forces started to rise in Ise and Iga Koka as well. 

To begin with, the former lord of Ise, the Kitabatake clan had revolted. No, to be exact, the Kitabataka clan was under the control of the rebel army. 

Takigawa Kazumasu who retreated from Shitarahara along with Nobuna cannot return to Ise. 

However, there were already no more generals within Kitabatake clan who still wished to fight the Oda clan. They spent their days in fear of being assassinated by the Oda. However on the contrary, Nobuna didn’t purge the Kitabatake clan. If Nobuna murdered her otouto, Nobuzumi who rebelled against her, she should’ve purged the Kitabatake for being cautious of a later revolt. However, because Nobuna who had forgiven Nobuzumi had decided that “people who surrender will not be executed,” ever since her reconciliation with Nobuzumi she had continued to allow the Kitabatake clan, who was her enemy, to live. 

The Kitabatake clan intended to hold their breath and remain a spectator for the battle between Oda allied forces and the anti-Oda coalition. 

However, there was a man who was formerly hired as a strategist by the Kitabatake who had returned by taking along ronins from Ise, Yamashiro, Omi and Yamato. 

The man who had been fighting against the Oda clan by formerly staying behind Konoe Sakihisa and continued to build the anti-Oda coalition as the strategist in the shadows had finally appeared on the center stage. 

Every member of Kitabatake clan went pale in front of the appearance of the fierce tiger. 

He escaped from being expelled by the Suruga Imagawa clan and was formerly a ronin who drifted to Ise. He was a hungry tiger who was supposed to be tactfully swept away to the capital because he planned to take over Kitabatake by leading the army as a strategist. 

As soon that tiger heard the good news that, “Takeda Shingen has conquered Tokaido”, he finally took off his mask and revealed his true face and name. 

“It’s the helpless Takeda Nobutora! Takechiyo…… iyaa, Harunobu. You finally did it! For the sake of Takeda’s earnest wish to go the capital – Tokaido has finally been taken! Rather than being obsessed over Kawanakajima and other place – now it’s the time for Kitabatake. The effort of fighting for Ise will be repaid now! That damn Oda Nobuna. It’s wasn’t wise to let the former rulers of the Kitabatake clan stay alive after taking over Ise, you are still a naïve girl no matter what!” 

He was no longer alone. It was a wolf pack. He led an army. Nobutora was a warrior who was hired by using war funds embezzled by Konoe Sakihisa and Tsuda Sokyu. By introducing himself as, “I am Takeda Shingen’s own father, Takeda Nobutora. The time to raise the flag of the Takeda clan in the capital has 

come!” he created a regiment from the remnants of extinct countries who survived the battle of anti-Oda coalition. 

Furthermore, 

“People of the Kitabatake clan, entrust Ise to me. As soon as my daughter, Harunobu visits the capital and restores the Ashikaga shogunate, I will return half of the northern part of the country to the Kitabatake clan. Rokkaku Jotei in Iga Koka has also has gathered shinobis who stood up to protect the village of Iga against the Oda clan invasion and raised an army! The shinobi of Iga are the dwellers of the mountains. Oda Nobuna aims for the unification of the whole japan through samurai. However, they can coexist if its with Harunobu who treated the men of Sanada differently from samurai for many years. The world will be for Takeda Harunobu! She a ruthless girl who exiled her father to Suruga for her own ambition while conquering Suruga as well, drove her otouto to commit seppuku who opposed her assault of Suruga, and abandoned her younger stepsister who act as her shadow to die during the battle of Kawanakajima—The time for the ambition of my daughter, Harunobu to win against Oda Nobuna has come at last! No one can oppose it! If you defy it, I will kill every citizen of the former country of the Kitabatake clan as well as the whole family of the Kitabatake clan!” 

Now that Harunobu, now Shingen, has joined the challenge to take the country, it was no longer necessary for him to feign his real nature as the strategist in the shadows to escape being apprehended by Oda Nobuna and hide behind Kinai. His act of maneuvering behind the scenes along with Hojo Ujiyasu in Togoku as the strategist in the shadows had already ended. 

He finally hoisted the banner of Takeda Hishi and led the army as a commander. 

“Konoe Sakihisa was also naïve. A noble is just a noble after all. There are many substitutes for Himiko. Even though I will be condemned for sacrificing Himiko, once Oda Nobuna is captured by my own subordinates, she should be 

killed immediately. There is only one person who is qualified to become the Tenkabito. I have continued to dye my hands with the blood and tears of my family to open a path to the capital for my daughter, Harunobu!” 

Every member of Kitabatake thought that Nobutora hated his daughter Shingen who banished him from Kai. Even if they feared Nobutora’s military power, regardless of Shingen, they disdained Nobutora as a ronin who grew old with an ambition of simply wanting to make a name for himself. However, it was different—For a long time, no matter how much he lost, Nobutora continued acting secretly and stood to create Shingen’s visit to the capital. He formed the anti-Oda coalition by manipulating Konoe Sakihisa of Kyoto and Tsuda Sokyu of Sakai, used Rokkaku Jotei of Omi, and even allied himself with Hojo Ujiyasu of Kanto for the sake of realizing Shingen’s visit to the capital. 

He is a tyrant who abandoned his own name and face to appear as nobody in the shadows and fought alone in the darkness for the sake of his daughter who banished him. 

Everyone of Kitabatake clan could hardly believe it because they knew of Nobutora’s violence. At any rate, the Kitabatake clan turned over their full authority to Nobutora out of fear of being executed. 

Even the present head of Kitabatake clan, Kitabatake Tomonori, who had grown old and was a skilled swordsman who had been taught by Tsukuhara Bokuden the secret art “Ichi-no-Tachi”, said that “Even though my swordmanship is superior, our Ki is different. I who have retired from being a Sengoku daimyo cannot kill the current Nobutora.” because he had seen everything since he had mastered the art of the sword. If he fought, then the Kitabatake clan would be destroyed by this old tiger. He couldn’t help but surrender.  

“Harunobu. Your father has subjugated Ise. The lifeline of Oda…… in summary, the link in Tokaido connecting Owari and Kinai has been cut. Don’t 

delay. Don’t hesitate. Rouse up your courage. Now invade Owari immediately, fight decisively against the Oda army in the center of the whole world, and obtain Gifu castle! Before Uesugi Kenshin leads the Etsu army and goes south! And then, the whole world!” 

“That is both Jirou and Tarou’s wish.” Nobutora continued to roar while waving the banner of Takeda Hishi on the roof of Kitabatake mansion so that it would reach Shingen who advanced through Tokaido. Though he was old, it was the deafening roar of an old tiger.   

※ 

News of defeat followed each retreat. 

When Akechi Mitsuhide and Yamanaka Shikanosuke prevented the Kikkawa army’s invasion of Tanba, Kobayakawa Takakage took the opportunity when her enemies had returned to the mountain castle to strengthen their defenses and finally made Himeji castle surrender and captured Harima. Nobuna’s foster sister, Ikeda Tsuneoki who defended Settsu was completely defeated by Kikkawa Motoharu’s army which has shifted their position from San’in to San’yo— 

Takeda Nobutora finally discarded his identity as the strategist in the shadows, revolted, and took over the Kitabatake clan in Ise. 

In Iga Koka, in response to Nobutora, the former lord of Omi Kan’onji castle, Rokkaku Jotei gained a great number of the shinobi clans of Iga Koka on their side to rebel against the Oda clan. 

Takeda Shingen, who made Tokugawa Ieyasu surrender, mercilessly advanced through Tokaido and, after completely integrating Mikawa and Totomi 

into Takeda’s territory, she surged into Owari with great vigor. Their vanguard was the Tokugawa army. 

At the time when Ieyasu occupied Atsuta, Hattori Hanzou promptly appeared to Nobuna who had barely slipped into Kiyosu castle and had paid a great sacrifice by banishing the veteran, Sakuma Nobumori to Koyasan. He recommended, “the Takeda cavalry army is approaching soon. After passing Atsuta, Owari will be as clear as the eye can see and the Takeda cavalry’s advance cannot be stopped. Although my Hime was requested to be the vanguard, it’s obvious that we don’t want a decisive battle which will end up with a blood feud with the Oda clan. Abandon Kiyosu castle and retreat to Gifu castle.” 

 Even if they had to fight a decisive battle against the Oda clan, both Ieyasu and Masanobu wanted to preserve Tokugawa forces as much as possible and make Takeda engage Oda together. For that reason, they wanted to avoid a war breaking out where the Tokugawa army which was ordered to be the vanguard was the only one that entered Owari. Furthermore, attacking the Oda clan which was their ally just the other day would hurt Ieyasu’s reputation for being virtuous. They tried to avoid lowering Ieyasu’s reputation by showing sympathy toward Oda Nobuna here. Nobuna might still be hoping for some favor of loyalty to be returned by Tokugawa. She should take it. Shingen who didn’t want to get ahead of Kenshin and Mori didn’t blamed Ieyasu for her hesitation. If she was accused and made an excuse of wanting to steal Owari without bloodshed as soon as possible, then she would have no choice but to accept it. 

Nobuna along with Takigawa Kazumasu, whose way back home to her territory of Ise was cut off by Takeda Nobutora, and their trump card, the 3000 teppou units, retreated to Gifu castle in Mino. For the Oda army, this was their greatest defeat since the Retreat of Kanegasaki and the destruction of their land and 

naval armies at Kizugawaguchi in Tennoji. The good thing was that Nobuna’s main force and the 3000 Teppou remained untouched. 

Knowing that Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to make the Oda army engage with the Takeda army, Nobuna accepted Ieyasu’s offer. In the vast plains of Owari, it was not possible to employ the anti-Takeda cavalry measure. At any rate, she entered Gifu castle. 

At that moment, Gifu castle was protected by Tsuda Nobuzumi with only few men. 

“I was ordered to welcome Ane-ue at Gifu castle by Takenaka Hanbei-dono who has departed to the Hokuriku frontline. As expected from Strategist-dono.” 

Nobuzumi had already predicted Nobuna’s strategy. No, rather than Nobuzumi, it was better to say that it was Hanbei who was confronting Uesugi Kenshin along with Shibata Katsuie at Hokuriku who had predicted it. Nobuzumi received the orders from Hanbei with a broken heart. 

“Dearuka. Kanjuurou. About Hanbei…… what did she say?” 

“Haii. The Takeda cavalry cannot be stopped at Owari’s Kiyosu castle. If it is possible, we should hold the decisive battle with Takeda at Gifu castle where we can use Kizugawa and Nagaragawa as natural moats. However, should Osaka be taken away by Mori before the decisive battle at Gifu starts, then the Oda main force must retreat to Ogaki castle located to the west of Gifu castle and use the area around Ogaki as the ground for the decisive battle—” 

“If we go to Ogaki, then it’s possible to use Kizugawa, Nagaragawa and Ibigawa as a defensive wall against Takeda. And it’s also near Azuchi castle in Omi—Even if the Mori army directly attacks Azuchi castle while ignoring the capital, we can manage it by working together with the Akechi army of Kyoto. Even if we face the worst situation where we will be attacked from the west and east, on the border of Mino and Omi—If I bring the decisive battle to the open 

battlefield at Sekigahara that spreads out from the foot of Ibukiyama, then Oda will barely have a chance to win. For the most part, that is the situation.” 

Sekigahara—Although geographically it is located on the east border of Omi, it’s a territory that is located in west Mino, a crossroads between Saigoku and Togoku. It’s the center of japan where the Tosandou that extended from Gifu, Hokurikudou, and Isedou intersect each other. Because of the nature of its terrain, it became the fated ground of the Jishin rebellion that changed the history of ancient japan. The birthplace of the strategist, Takenaka Hanbei, was also in the north area at the foot of Bodaisen. 

“……If that’s the case, we can fight against the Takeda cavalry just like in Shitarahara. However, what about you Kanjuuro?” 

“With Hanbei-dono and Katsuie stopping the army at Hokuriku, I firmly believe that it will prevent the invasion of Omi. They seem to be making a plan for it. If Takeda and Uesugi are on the battlefield, no matter how much bravery, resourcefulness, strategy or how many people work together in Oda, it would be impossible to defeat them, that is what Hanbei-dono was saying—” Nobuzumi laughed while climbing the Tenshu, the prototype built by Nobuna as a practice of Azuchi castle on the summit of Gifu castle. 

“Ane-ue. The town of Gifu which overlooks the summit of Inabayama, the open field of Owari, the mountains that rise at Sekigahara. It’s a truly magnificent view. It’s a castle town that represents all of Japan. That Viper, Dousan-dono who was obsessed with taking over all of Japan entrusted this along with the land of imperial castle and the ambition to take over the world to Ane-ue…… a town that even the missionary Frois was surprised with open eyes when she saw it. I wish that Takeda won’t burn down the town of Gifu. Perhaps Shingen won’t burn it when she takes a look at this beautiful city. Although this Gifu castle would be burned down. All of the works drawn by Kanou Eitoku and Hasegawa Kohaku 

with all of their heart along with what everybody has given to it. It is too regrettable to burn it.” 

It was a smile of those who were prepared to die in battle. 

“Aneue. My life at Owari when I was rebelling against ane-ue was supposed to be ended. If Saru-kun hadn’t come from the future…… I wouldn’t have talked with ane-ue while looking down at the town from the summit of Inaba like this.” 

“……Kanjuurou.” 

“What did Hanbei-dono say? This is a dangerous place for Tsuda Nobuzumi. Even if I become the last remaining soldier, I will keep on protecting Gifu castle for a little bit longer. The Akechi army that entered the capital from Tanba, the Kuroda Kanbei army that charges through San’yodou and Saru-kun who hurriedly returns to Ane-ue from the sea—whether Sagara Yoshiharu-kun will be in time for the decisive battle, its all depends on this Gifu castle which is responsible for stopping the rampage of the Takeda-Tokugawa army as a fortress of Ogaki castle. Although I cannot understand difficult strategies, I could understand this much. This battle determines the path of the world, the last decisive battle. Before the grand battle begins…… I want Saru-kun to reunite with Ane-ue.” 

“I have done all that I have to do as a person. Meeting Oichi and with my three children being born including Chacha. If it’s possible, Ane-ue. If the Oda clan emerges victorious, please take my three children to the city.” Nobuzumi said while holding Nobuna’s hand. 

“It’s my last hope. Ane-ue. Whether you win this battle or lose it, by all means…… Please meet Saru-kun again and hold a wedding. Before the decisive battle begins. For that reason, even for one day or one minute, I will stop the Takeda army’s attack at this Gifu castle.” 

Nobuna didn’t know what to say to Nobuzumi anymore. 

Only tears were overflowing, no words. 

She understood that it would be useless to stop Nobuzumi. 

“I am a weak warlord like a mosquito compared with the strong and brave generals of Takeda but…… the weak have their own way to fight. Beside, Dousan-dono’s soul that remains in Gifu castle surely will let Saru-kun meet Ane-ue again. Just a bit more. Please raise your head and head to Ogaki castle. Ane-ue.” 

“Are you going to leave behind Oichi, Chacha and the others, Kanjuurou?” Nobuna barely spoke. No, it might not even have been words spoken. But they were transmitted to Nobuzumi. 

For the little time left for the siblings, Nobuzumi talked about things unrelated to the battle. 

About the day when for, the first time, Nobuna fed him Uiro. 

When they found a bespectacled girl wearing tanuki ears in the forests of Atsuta and tried to turn her into tanuki soup! When the tanuki hunted by Nobuna started making a ruckus, Inuchiyo tied her up with a rope. 

When their father, Nobuhide brought a missionary and namban merchant to Tsushima port and introduced him to Nobuna. 

The day when their mother, Tsuchida Gozen got furious when Nobuna rampaged around in foolish attire at Nobuhide’s funeral. 

During the battle of Inao when Katsuie who was ordered to take arms by Nobuzumi was defeated by Nobuna, and when Nobuna tried to execute Nobuzumi that day. 

About the serious experiences that he had when he dressed up like a woman and served the Imagawa army to distracted them during the battle of Okehazama, he wouldn’t tell at all—what kind of experience had he had? Nobuzumi didn’t talk about it and simply smiled wryly, “thanks to that, all of my sins of rebelling against Ane-ue were abolished,” he added. 

Because there weren’t any single princesses inside the Oda clan and Nobuna has a mischievous heart, he had many nervous thoughts when he was disguised as a woman and married to Azai Nagamasa. 

That’s why, Takenaka Hanbei had seen that Nagamasa was actually a Hime-Busho and they had fallen in love. 

When Nobuna played the golden skull trick and spared Nagamasa’s life by changing Nagamasa’s name changed to Oichi and she bore triplets including Chacha. 

“From that day when my life was saved. It was a wonderful life, ane-ue. I am grateful for being born as ane-ue’s Otouto. If Saru-kun didn’t show up then surely…… my life would have been finished without seeing or understand anything. Please tell that to Saru-kun as well.” 

Nobuna gently kissed Nobuzumi’s hand and, 

“Let us meet again. Kanjuurou. My only otouto……” 

Whispered in Nobuzumi’s ear. 

“Certainly. When we meet again, let’s definitely held a tea ceremony with Haha-ue in Azuchi castle. I will prepare uiro and mediate it.” 

“It’s a promise,” Nobuna barely said it. 

The time had come— 

Without crying or panicking, Tsuda Kanjuurou Nobuzumi encouraged and freshly bid farewell with a smiling face to his Ane who had been crushed at Shitarahara and was cornered to the limit of her body and mind. 

“There is no otouto who is loved by their ane more in the history of Japan.” Nobuzumi concluded. 

Nobuna left Gifu castle under the cover of the darkness of the night and advanced to the west, to Ogaki castle__. 

Soon, the man Nobuna waits for will come. 

However, it seemed that Nobuna had lost her strong luck. 

Since it was an emergency, Nobuna told Takigawa Kazumasu and the main force, “depart once the visibility clears up tomorrow morning,” after stopping at Gifu castle while she led a few men herself and left at nighttime. Just like the Retreat of Kanegasaki, because the main force will need time to march, the supreme commander Nobuna deliberately left and ran to Ogaki castle faster than anyone else and decided to take the “pawn” of the Takeda Tokugawa forces. Nobuna had survived the crisis at Kanegasaki by doing this same desperate forced march. 

But right now, when Nobuna went through the secret path in the forest with only ten-odd horsemen as attendants—The water of the Ibigawa which serves as the moat of Ogaki castle had risen more than expected. 

It had stopped raining when she left Gifu castle. Apparently, there had been a shower upstream of the Ibigawa. 

“……If we receive a night attack now…… we will be annihilated.” 

Nobuna bit her lip on horseback. Nobuna’s long military senses were ringing. 

From around the forest, the banner of the hexagonal “Sumidateyotsume” was rose simultaneously. It was the anti-Oda army led by the former lord of Omi’s Kan’onji castle, Rokkaku Jotei. Most of them were not what would be called samurai. They were mainly composed of Iga Koka shinobi. They are the people of the mountain who secured the lands of Iga Koka from Sengoku daimyos and specialized in surprise attacks and ambushes at night. 

Ever since he threw away Kan’onji castle, Rokkaku Jotei had been moving around all over as the commander of anti-Oda coalition under the direction of Takeda Nobutora. Now he had finally seized Nobuna. 

The Rokkaku clan is a noble family of the Sasaki Genji and was a great power that represented the middle ages of japan and supported the Ashikaga shogunate for a long long time. They had protected the Ashikaga shogunate many times when they were chased out of Kyoto. However, after being defeated by the Hime-Busho Azai Nagamasa, who disguised as a man, followed by being chased out of his lordship over Kan’onji castle by Nobuna, Rokkaku Jotei had the misfortune of wandering around the lands surroundingIga Koka for a long time. 

Originally, Rokkaku Jotei suffered both physically and mentally from the pressure of not being able to escape the depressing fate of continuous battles that increased in intensity every day. Along with a fear of Hime-Bushous who were the symbolic embodiment of usurpation that didn’t fear the prestige of the noble Rokkaku clan, he held an abnormal interest in innocent young girls as a mean of seeking warped salvation. At the time when he was the owner of Kan’onji castle, he had tried to kill Azai Nagamasa who was disguised as a man and Gamo Ujisato by his own hand. Jotei’s bad habit of taking away his retainer’s young daughters was the major reason for Rokkaku clan’s decline. 

Now that Azai Nagamasa who was one of the two Hime-Bushous who had destroyed the Rokkaku clan had died, his hatred towards Oda Nobuna who stood atop the Hime-Bushos that condemned him to be a ronin, had become anormal. 

“Although my arrows were deflected by the miraculous work of Saika Magoichi and hindered by Sagara Yoshiharu in the battle of Tennoji, now it is finally over. Oda Nobuna. Even in the darkness of night, my bow and arrow will not lose the sight of it’s target—I shall take your life. However, I will not kill you with a bow—.” 

The path for retreat had been cut off and Ibigawa’s rising water couldn’t be crossed. 

There were only a few men as attendants. 

The shinobis had started crossing their blades against the attendants. 

“It cannot be helped,” Nobuna murmured and ride her horse towards the Ibigawa. 

“I will not give up until the end! If I have the destiny to accomplish Tenka Fubu, then this horse will cross Ibigawa!” 

However, the arrow released by the master of Heki-Ryu-Kyujutsu, Rokkaku Jotei, pierced the forehead of the horse that Nobuna was mounted upon and its body rolled to the ground. 

Nobuna’s body which was almost exhausted from continuous forced marches without any sleep or rest since Shintarahara fell into the torrent. 

“Oda Nobuna! You haven’t been married Sagara Yoshiharu yet. I will not let you die as an innocent young girl just like that! You who destroyed the Rokkaku clan should die as the Dai-Rokuten Maou (Demon King of the Sixth Heaven) who fell into depravity and burned the culture of japan rather than as a saint who offered her short life for the will of Tenka Fubu!” 

Rokkaku Jotei jumped from his horse, took Nobuna’s arm who was being carried away by the torrent, and pushed it down. It was a superhuman strength that couldn’t have been expected from an old man. 

Nobuna remembered when she was attacked by Asakura Yoshikage during the Battle of Anegawa. 

However, at least Asakura Yoshikage loved Nobuna. It was just that his love was distorted. Rokkaku Jotei was different. It was simply an ugly and disgraceful hatred toward the enemy general who threatened him during the chaotic times of the Sengoku era. For Nobuna who was born as the heir of Oda clan, she had no 

experience against the desire of man known as “hatred” until now. It was a nightmare. She couldn’t escape anymore. My dream. The ambition of Tenka Fubu. For things like that. To be ended like this. Yoshiharu……! Nobuna shed tears of regret while resisting in order to escape Jotei’s grasp. 

“Disgraceful! If you want to kill me then you should kill me in a single blow like that time during the battle of Tennoji! A samurai doesn’t humiliate a Hime-Busho on a battlefield!” 

“When I was not able to kill you back then at Tennoji, I was no longer a samurai anymore! I am a ronin who is sick and tired of this chaotic era and has abandoned his shame to survive for the sake of vengeance against you! But now, I cannot lay my hand on a maiden’s purity. Therefore, I shall steal your chastity before killing you!” 

“Even if you defile my body…… my soul will not be defiled! Ever since I inherited the will of Tenka Fubu from Viper, I resolved myself to not regret whatever kind of death that I would face! I absolutely will not yield!” 

“All around us is darkness. We are secret shinobis. Reinforcements will not come from Gifu castle. We still have plenty of time. By the time dawn comes, I will rape your body and break your soul—”  

The moment that Jotei shouted wildly and tried to steal Nobuna’s lips. 

“Attacking a Hime-Busho on the battlefield is an act of cowardice toward the samurai’s honor!— Rokkaku Jotei, you who mistook lust for military prowess, you are already not worthy of living as samurai of Japan in the Sengoku era!” 

Don~! 

A single shot of a tanegashima hit Rokkaku Jotei’s armor. 

Jotei’s body was blown back by the impact and Nobuna avoided being raped by a hair’s breadth. 

“……Who?! A girl? This Satsuma dialect……?!” 

At that moment. 

The water from the river receded. 

They crossed all at the same time from the opposite shore of Ibigawa. 

The Sagara army that raised their battle standard, the “Sen’nari Hyoutan”. 

“Shimazu Nakatsukasa Daisuke Iehisa has visited the capital once again! Sagara, we barely made it! The water has receded, right now we can cross the water! Kick the enemy in one go!” 

At the same time as Shimazu Iehisa threw her tanegashima down after finishing shooting, she unsheathed her sword and stormed over the Ibigawa. 

“We are barely in time to rescue Nobuna-sama! Rokkaku Jotei’s ridiculous fetish has caused this fortune. A supreme luck to overturn misfortune. Don’t fall behind Shimazu! Advance, Sagara Imouto Gundan! Imouto-Busho, Ishida Sakichi of Omi!” 

“……Aauuu. Otani Norinosuke is here as the weak shield of the healthy Sakichi-chan. Rokkaku Jotei who tried to defile Nobuna-sama is a beast with a human mask. I will cast a curse upon him in 3 days that will last for three years.” 

“Katou Toranosuke has returned from the Kyushu campaign! Why is Sakichi joining in? Seriously. There are no tigers in this evening but for hunting beasts!” 

“Nyohoho~! Thank you for waiting, it’s Fukushima Ichimatsu~! This evening’s Nihon-go is a little bit different~! But why didn’t Jotei take Nobuna-sama’s head immediately, ane-go~? It’s stupid~!” 

“Y-you don’t need to know, Ichimatsu! Anyway, he is a beast! Hunt him, Ichimatsu!” 

“I understand! There is no one who can escape Ane-go and Ichimatsu’s combined attack~!” 

The Hime-Busho of the “Sagara Imouto Gundan” that were raised by Nene at Nagahama castle had suddenly followed Shimazu Iehisa to rescue Nobuna. 

From behind the Imouto Gundan, the officers and men of Sagara army that had come a long way from Nagahama castle advanced one after another. 

Rokkaku Jotei who had been shot had his body carried by the Iga Koka shinobi to avoid drowning. “……Bastard…… it’s those Hime-Bushos again…… no matter where is it…… I cannot defeat Oda Nobuna……?” He kept muttering curses. However, because the water level of the Ibigawa suddenly dropped, the shinobis were approached by the Sagara army. 

“Sagara army?!” 

“No, its more than we expected!” 

“We were supposed to be able to kill Oda Nobuna perfectly, but...” 

“Damn you Jotei, did you get distracted and miss killing her? You did something stupid!” 

“Why? Why did the water recede suddenly?” 

“Oda Nobuna still has the protection of heaven after all.” 

“We are too outnumbered to challenge these Hime-Bushos who are a match for thousand! All of you, jump into the river! Kill the supreme commander of Sagara army after you see him!” 

“Affirmative! He came from a future without war, his battle experience is lacking!” 

“If we, the Iga Koka shinobi all attack him at once, we should be able to kill him easily!” 

“Throw your shuriken from above at once!” 

“It’s dangerous Ani-ue!” Ishida Sakichi shouted as she entered the battle. 

However, the supreme commander of the Sagara army who gave commands on horseback while carrying the battle standard, the Sen’nari Hyoutan, shouted, 

“Too bad. For me who escaped Hattori Hanzou’s Shuriken-Jutsu, these shuriken are worthless!” 

When he shouted, he brandished a spear at the same time and he lightly dodged and skillfully avoid all of the flying shuriken aiming a him onhorseback. 

“Nuu? He is notorious for his escaping skills. But—” 

“You cannot avoid shinobis who are attacking in waves simply by escaping!” 

“All of you, pull out your ninjato, surround him and kill him at once!” 

“Escaping is the only special skill of the man from the future! You cannot resist our overwhelming martial arts!” 

All of the shinobi simultaneously rush in a serious stance after the supreme commander in all four directions. 

However, the shinobi didn’t know—the leader’s power and courage has greatly grown in the country of Shuras, Kyushu. And he, who was unusually angry after seeing Nobuna almost get defiled before his eyes, didn’t hesitate in personally taking up his spear at all. 

“I who survived the battlefields of Kyushu am no longer just ‘Dodgeball Yoshi’. My body was trained in the Murakami navy. I can use a spear too. Though I don’t like cutting people, I cannot forgive those who attacked Nobuna. Know the advantage of being on horseback!” 

Kin~! 

Clang~! 

“By being able to foresee and avoid the trajectory of your enemy’s attack, you can kill them by attacking them in the blind spots of the enemy’s aim!” 

The young general brushed away the ninjato that came one after another from every side with the tip of his spear while on horseback. It’s style of aiming couldn’t be read at all, it was an unorthodox spearmanship. Furthermore, the initiative had been taken by foreseeing all of the targets of the shinobi’s katanas. 

“Uoo~?!” 

“This unorthodox spearmanship?! It’s similar to the rumored wicked swordmaster, Kai Soun……” 

“No, this flawless style belongs to one of Ryuzoji Shiten’O, Hyakutake Tomokane!” 

“Both are correct, but also wrong,” the boy shouted. 

“My style is one to win without fighting that I mastered in the battlefields of Kyushu! I learned it from everyone and from any style! I called it ‘Sagara-Ryu-Sojutsu!” 

It was a loud voice that made the body numb. 

The shinobis were distracted. 

“Dammit. Look at him. It’s like this guy has become a different person!” 

“He is no longer the ‘Dodgeball’ brat!” 

“Right now, he is a full fledged warrior! Like a Shura!” 

“Although it’s a spear style full of excessive movements, it’s a Shoken-Goroshi since it doesn’t belong to any style!”  

“Furthermore, it’s overflowing with undeniable bloodthirst……” 

“That’s obvious. All of you bastards—You attacked my woman, Nobuna. Although it was actually Rokkaku Jotei, I cannot forgive you all who didn’t stop him.” The boy who was furious rode his horse forward and glared at the shinobis. 

“Shit~! It’s because of Rokkaku Jotei’s foolish act of trying to violate Oda Nobuna on the battlefield!” 

“At this rate, we will be annihilated by the Sagara army!” 

“Take Rokkaku Jotei and escape this place!” 

“Scatter!” 

The shinobi’s presence had gone. 

Nobuna barely climbed up the riverbank. …...I…… am saved…… you did it…… you have become strong……  she muttered while looking up at the figure of the general who used his own spearmanship and rescued her. 

“Splendid, Iehisa! You guys did well too, Sagara Imouto Gundan! But don’t pursue the enemy too deep into the darkness! Give priority to saving Nobuna’s attendants!” It was the nostalgic voice of a beloved boy. No, it wasn’t a boy’s voice anymore. It was the voice of the man who had survived running through the battlefields of the Sengoku era. 

The voice get closer to Nobuna. 

Nobuna. 

Was hugged softly. 

Nobuna thought that his chest had gotten thicker. 

She opened her eyes. 

There was no more fear. 

It was a nostalgic face that look stupid in some respects and hardly could be called handsome. But, he was tanned black and had become strong-willed as if he was another person. 

“I have made you wait, Nobuna. The retainer of the Oda clan, Sagara Chikuzen-no-Kami Yoshiharu has returned from Kyushu as per my lord’s command.” 

I believed that he surely would come. That’s why I was able to fight. I was able to fight against Jotei until the end. I decided to slap him as punishment for 

being late in returning from Kyushu. But, my hand doesn’t have any strength. Nobuna’s white fingers gently stroked Yoshiharu’s face. 

“……You aren’t just late, idiot. It’s already been more than 2 weeks. Thanks to that, Takechiyo surrendered herself to Takeda and even I had to pretend to exile Uemon to Koyasan. Owari has been taken by Takeda and Tokugawa and Osaka castle was stolen by the Mori Twin Rivers. The Oda’s military situation is hopeless. It’s because Yoshiharu is slow.” 

“Sorry. Kyushu was a country far harsher than expected. But we have obtained many things in Kyushu. Otomo Sorin has entrusted most of her main forces to Kanbei and lent them for the decisive battle in Honshuu. Kanbei has matured as a genius strategist during the Battle of Taka castle. Soon, she will appear at Kinai with Tachibana Muneshige and the other. Iehisa also followed me. It’s time for a counterattack, Nobuna.” 

“Tachibana Muneshige?” 

“I came into a personal battle against the Takegami, Shimazu Yoshihiro during my first battle, she is a perfect Shura, an incomparable Hime-Busho of the west. And Iehisa who saved you by a hair’s breadth has grown into a genius of strategy who is in charge of the military tactics of the Shimazu clan. Their proficiency with tanegashima troops is probably the strongest in the world now. If the 3000 teppou that you prepared are still alive, you can definitely win the decisive battle against the Takeda cavalry. There were surely some circumstances about Motoyasu’s discontent. She would never betray you. That’s why, cheer up!” 

“……You got stronger, didn’t you? All I did was cry when experiencing something terrible, it’s a little bit frustrating.” 

“Even I was held captive and was close to death many times in Kyushu, so it’s even.” 

“I suppose so. But, since you didn’t quickly show up, I thought you went to see Juubei in Tanba first.” 

“My bad. Because I had to stop by Nagahama castle to gather soldiers, I was barely in time. Don’t worry about Juubei-chan. My ‘other self’ should’ve rescued Juubei-chan along with Goemon right now. Nobuna and Juubei-chan. The two of you can be saved at the same time—That’s right. There is no need for a ‘second try’ for your life and my life.” 

“Second try? Your ‘other self’, who is that? Did you find your otouto?” 

“Iyaa, its an ane. The ancestor of Sagara Clan, Sagara Yoshihi-neesan.” 

“Eeh? After an Imouto Gundan, now it’s an ane? You just found another excuse to increase your harem members. How many local wives did you get in Kyushu? I will have you commit suicide if you don’t confess! Wasn’t Otomo Sorin’s breasts bigger than Frois’? You must certainly have had an affair with Sorin to secretly borrow Sorin's army…… Umph?” 

Instead of making excuses, Yoshiharu pressed his lips to Nobuna’s. 

He is planning to deceive me with a kiss. He is a monkey after all. Although I thought he had grown up a little, he is still being a pervert. Yoshiharu is certainly a womanizing monkey. While sprouting abuses in her heart, Nobuna quietly circled her arms around Yoshiharu’s back. 

“Ane-go?! What is onii-chan doing to Nobuna-sama~? Could it be that onii-chan is attacking Nobuna-sama? Is this a revolt?” 

“I-its different, Ichimatsu! You mustn’t see it! Aniki was able to meet Nobuna-sama again at last after a long journey. We should just quietly leave them be!” 

“……Ani-ue, it’s improper since the battle hasn’t ended yet. You must give a kiss as a reward to Sakichi who accomplished the Imouto Gundan’s orders magnificently. Don’t you think so, Norinosuke?” 

“Uuu. Nobuna-sama would banish the Sagara Imouto Gundan if we bothered those two now, Sakichi-chan.” 

Shimazu Iehisa who stood next to both of them to protect Yoshiharu and Nobuna laughed cheerfully. 

“Sagara is loved by Hime-Bushos. Although he has made a lot of lovers in Kyushu, it seems that Oda Nobuna is the only lawful wife of Sagara. Heroes loves that sort of girl. Being a Tenkabito sure is an envious thing, huh.” 

Iehisa had already sworn to give her life to protect Yoshiharu’s life. 

“Kuroda Kanbei is probably about to finish her big return to Kinai soon, it’s finally the time to start the counterattack. I expect that the battlefield of the decisive battle will be at the ‘border’ between Togoku and Saigoku, Sekigahara. This one big battle will define the history of the Sengoku era.” 

※ 

The young conqueror of Oshu, Date Masamune Bontemaru moved her main camp from Yonezawa to Sendai near the sea and focused on building a castle town at Sendai in order to secure control of Kita-Oshu and Minami-Oshu. 

A messenger had arrived from the Oda clan to Bontenmaru. 

“Nice to meet you, Oshuu’s conqueror-san. I am Nobuna-sama’s stepsister, Gamo Ujisato Lion.” 

“What an impertinent girl, kukuku. Here, have some tea.” 

“……Puuha?! What is this, ugaa! Don’t put poison in it! You, what were you thinking, drugging the tea served to the messenger of the Oda even as a joke?!” 

“It’s just a joke. I am just playing a prank.” 

“I don’t want to get poisoned because of a little joke!” 

“That’s because Christians are my enemy, kukuku. It’s a poisonous mushroom that will numb your body a bit and make the world you see shine like paradise, there is no problem.” 

“That is a problem! Please stop wearing that inverted cross on your neck!” 

“Why? Isn’t an inverted cross cool? O, anti-Christ! Those with wisdom can see them through my eyes. They are the numbers of the beast. Six, six, six.” 

“Just stop it! Could it be that you don’t have any friends in Oshuu?” 

“Uguu~? Th-that isn’t true~! So what is your business, catfish Christian girl?” 

Although I could mediate with people who have considerably thorny attitudes in Osakai, I simply cannot endure this young girl. She is an anti-Christ! I have such a bad feeling, like I have somehow encountered the biggest archenemy of my life. While Ujisato endure a headache, she began to talk about the main subject. 

“The battle between the Oda clan and anti-Oda allied forces have finally reached its climax. Bontenmaru. Right now Oda is asking you to lead your army to Togoku and run wild.” 

That’s right. “Move the Date clan again.” Gamo Ujisato was given an important duty by Nobuna and was transferred to Oshuu. 

“Now that both Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin are leading their main forces and moving out from their home countries, this is a perfect chance for the Date clan as well. Please conquer Hojo again by sending out Kanto expedition army for a second time. You should be able to take Ueno which is an essential place to conquer Kanto. While Oda is fighting against Takeda and Uesugi in Kinai, Date should attack Kantou-Hasshu as soon as possible.” 

At the same time that Nobuna sent Sagara Yoshiharu to the Otomo clan in Kyushu and Konoe Sakihisa to the Shimazu clan, she chose Gamo Ujisato as an important person to win over the conquer, the perverse Bontenmaru of Oshuu as an ally. 

“Kukuku. The anti-Oda alliances in which Takeda Shingen united with Uesugi Kenshin and built an army to proceed to the capital along with Hojo Ujiyasu who protects Kanto, they are called the eastern army. On the other hand, Oda Nobuna is the main ally of Otomo Sorin who is a supporter of Christians. They are called the western army. Although it has no allegiance, my Oshuu is an eastern country, but—” 

“Please wait! Your main objective as one who had conquered Oshuu should’ve been Kanto. Now that Takeda and Uesugi are absent, isn’t it the perfect opportunity for a Kanto expedition?” 

“Even then, I would be hindered by that fox again.” 

“You could cooperate completely with Ujisato Lion who has traveled from Oda clan! Therefore, please send the Kanto expedition army!” 

“I wonder~. If I send this catfish girl to Kanto, it seems like an earthquake would happen, right?” 

“Excuse me? Azuchi is at the center of Biwako, it prevent earthquakes!” 

“My apologies, this tea here is safe to drink!” Katakura Kojuro who hurriedly made a new tea for Ujisato told Bontenmaru, “The capital seems to be in a dire situation. What do you want to do, Hime? This war will stake the fate of the Date clan. Kojuro and others will act along with what Hime decides.” He pressed for an answer. 

Oh my. It’s a bishonen attendant……Ujisato who should haven’t had any interest in males blushed unconsciously. 

However, Bontenmaru seemed to predict that this moment would come and had been waiting eagerly. 

“Didn’t you hear what I said, catfish?” 

“Who the hell is a catfish? My headgear is of Azuchi, the center of Biwako!” 

“I might stand up if I get a ‘signature’ from Oda Nobuna, kukuku” 

“You would tear up Kanto as much as possible if you get a signature? Very well. Because Tokugawa is with Takeda and Takigawa-sama has retreated to Mino, my stepsister will have no choice but to entrust Togoku to you.” 

“Iyaa, that’s not it, catfish head. What I want is not ‘Kanto’, but ‘a country in Japan’ that will be guaranteed by Oda Nobuna to be separated for Bontenmaru!” 

“Wait a sec? What do you mean by that?” 

“It’s still a secret. If you don’t agree, I will focus myself with making miso in Sendai.” 

Bontenmaru. Even though she is young, she is a Hime-Busho who has the same wisdom as my stepsister. Furthermore, she has bottomless ambitions. What on earth is she scheming? Ujisato wondered, but, 

“I agree. However, Ujisato Lion will also join the Oshu army.” 

she grasped Bontenmaru’s hand while nodding. 

“Umuu. Very well. with this, our alliance is formed! Kojuro, summon Shigezane and the others! It’s time to send out the 2nd Kanto expedition army!” 

“Uwawawa. An anti-Christ Hime and a Christian Hime. Is their compatibility good?” 

Since I cannot read Bontenmaru’s real intentions, this decision is a big gamble. But now, there is no choice but to entrust the fate of Oda clan to this anti-Christ girl. 

※ 

At last, the conqueror of Oshuu – Jakiganryuu Date Masamune said, “I will take Oda’s side,” and had declared war on the Lion of Kanto, Hojo Ujiyasu. The decisive battle to decide the ruler of the world had expanded to an immense scale that involved all of Japan. 

The various general of eastern army—The Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin. The Tiger of Kai who swallowed Owari, Takeda Shingen. The ones who suddenly sided with Takeda, the lord and her retainer Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu who aimed to profit while letting others fight and were waiting vigilantly. Takeda Nobutora of Ise. Rokkaku Jotei of Iga Koka. The ones who entered the war from Saigoku and took Himeji castle, the Mori Twin Rivers who served the Ashikaga Shogun and claimed Osaka castle. And the troublesome man, Kan’aku Mugen, Ukita Naoie. 

The Tenkabito, Oda Nobuna who kept the largest national power, the western army, even though her home country of Owari had fallen. The Hokuriku army which was led by Shibata Katsuie, Niwa Nagahide and Maeda Inuchiyo. The Kinai army of the Oda clan led by Akechi Mitsuhide. The Sagara army led by Sagara Yoshiharu. Tsuda Nobuzumi who prepared for a desperate confinement in Gifu castle. Furthermore, Shimazu Iehisa who visited the capital again with Yoshiharu and the Otomo army and Tachibana Muneshige who were led by Kuroda Kanbei to continue rushing madly to Kinai. 

Chosokabe Motochika of Shikoku had departed from Tosa with her navy to join the western army. 

Even in Kyushu, Nabeshima Naoshige who had inherited the Ryuzoji clan and opposed Oda and the Aso clan that possessed Kai Soun had joined the eastern 

army. Otomo Sorin who had to protect her territory and at the same time, tied her alliance with the Oda by lending her main force to Kanbei, and the Shimazu clan that sent their imouto, Iehisa to Honshuu had become the western army and they were going to begin the last decisive battle in Kyushu of the Sengoku era. 

Gaspard who returned from Kyushu came back to a namban church built in Kyoto and murmured, “The Platonic Solid told me. Although there will be a dreadful battle at Togoku and Kyushu, the decisive battleground between the main forces of the capital that will determine the direction of the world will be in Sekigahara. I don’t know whether Sagara Yoshiharu and Oda Nobuna can win this decisive battle. It’s because my prediction technique cannot predict Sagara Yoshiharu’s future. A namban such as myself can’t lead the soldiers and join the decisive battle of Sekigahara. Victory or defeat will depend on Sagara Yoshiharu. However,” while looking at the map of japan. 

“‘Fate’ will always reach the point where it should be. The one who will leda Oda Nobuna to the world in the end, that will be me—I learned the grave truth that two things cannot be held at the same time during the ‘first try’, and I will make Oda Nobuna achieve Tenka Fubu and the dream of jumping out to see the world on a ship. The destiny of Azuchi castle’s destruction by flames will surely be avoided.” 

Sagara Yoshiharu. I am you, and the ‘destiny’ of us erasing ourselves will come to Oda Nobuna at that moment. 

The day when Oda Nobuna will marry you will not come, forever. 

Gaspard had assembled the “trump card” that was being kept in the namban church at the capital.