Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 17 - Chapter 0

Chapter 0 

Crossroad 

The “Narrow Space” between the West and the East. The "land of destiny" which separated Oomi and Mino, Sekigahara.

Under the roaring thunders.

Koretou Hyuuga Nokami —— Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, standing at the crossroads while letting the wind and rain hit on her without moving an inch. Eastern mountain circuit which came from the East to the West. Ise Street which came from the southeast. And Northen land circuit which connects from west-north to Ise street. These three roads merged and intersected at the center of Guanyuan to form a "crossroad.” This crossroad at Sekigahara implied this would be the split path between Akechi Mitsuhide and Japan’s greatest “Fate”.

Towards the west of Eastern mountain circuit, it was the most strategic location in Sekigahara, Matsuoyama. Matsuoyama not only overlooked the whole Sekigahara, but also acted as a "cover" to block the road leading from eastern mountain circuit to Azuchi Castle. The Sekigahara decisive battle that would start in the next few days was the victory of the Western Army, or the victory of the Eastern Army, the key to this victory was to seize this Matsuoyama beforehand. Oda Nobuna had ordered Mitsuhide to give priority to the Matsuoyama. And Mitsuhide was now preparing to lead the Akechi army to Matsuoyama as Nobuna told her to do.

However, inside of her heart??.

(. . . The time, right now……. . the rain falls……)

The impact she received from knowing her own “fate” from Hosokawa Fujitaka made her feeling dizzy now . No matter how well-protected, admired, guarded, and even recovered his lost memories, Yoshiharu who as the only man who loved Oda Nobuna alone. To Yoshiharu, there was only one person in the world as the "lover" who he would be serving and be his companion, and that was Oda Nobuna. Mitsuhide was a junior who could only play the role as a mother and supports Yoshiharu from behind. That would be enough for Mitsuhide. Unable to get married. Unable to be repaid. She had realized and resolved, it didn’t matter. From the moment “Ama-no- Iwato” was opened , Nobuna and Yoshiharu crossed the "wall" and kissed in front of everyone, Mitsuhide has realized she had no place to interrupt them. It was enough to just support them, as a retainer and a junior.

However.

Due to the unpredictable appearance of the female Sagara Yoshiharu, the role of "replacing mother and supports Sagara Yoshiharu" had come to an end. At least this was what Mitsuhide thought. She couldn’t be helped but to think so. During the period of wavering and losing calm, her carelessness caused her mother to be captured again. Hosokawa Fujitaka caught the time when her mind was feeling empty and proposed. And the last but not least, inheritance from "the ancient and modern teachings”.That was, "future prediction.”

Akechi Mitsuhide would betray and last minute, and killed Oda Nobunaga. That was her "future", and also, her "fate”.

The sorrowful eyes that were showed by Yoshiharu during the burning of Kiyomizu Temple. Indeed, at that time, Yoshiharu wanted to convey something to Mitsuhide. She finally understood the meaning in his eyes.

Yoshiharu knew the "future" of Mitsuhide.

(Finally, I understand. Juubei. I am the great sinner who will destroy senpai’s precious dream. I am the "betrayer" that will kill senpai’s lover. . . ) 

Despite this, Sagara Yoshiharu still loved Akechi Mitsuhide tenderly. He never thought about get rid of Mitsuhide in order to avoid the "future" of Nobuna. There were many chances where he could expel Mitsuhide out of Oda clan, but he was desperate to defend her. Did many troublesome things in order to change the "fate" of Mitsuhide. Sagara Yoshiharu not even once had a feeling of "hate" or "scorn" against Akechi Mitsuhide. If the person that Yoshiharu first met was not Nobuna, but Mitsuhide, then he would definitely become a Mitsuhide’s lover. It should not be wrong.

It was precisely because of this that it was unbearable.

The possibility of living in such a "life" that she would never “kill her master”.That she had to suppress her feelings for the rest of her life, serve and support Yoshiharu and Nobuna. This was the punishment that was given to her. But. But. But. I wouldn't kill Nobuna-sama! I had never thought about that kind of thing so far. . . ! Although. Although it was a crime that should not be committed in the future. The ominous "destiny" was holding on to the heart of Mitsuhide. How can I atone? The moment I was born, there are only two choices for "the end" of my life which are “Killing ones master” or “Lost her love”.Why, why?

(Kaa-sama. Dousan-sama. What should I do? What should I do. . . )

At the time of Matsuoyama, Mitsuhide’s uncertain and uneasy heart, would be affected by the power of the “field”.Matsuoyama was a strategic location that could determine the trend of the war between the two factions. It was the place of “fate” where the "betrayer" would array her armies in the Sekigahara battle.

“.. . Toshimitsu, I already can't escape. His highness Hosokawa Fujitaka won. This is, a punishment. At a certain time, Juubei betrayed her lord. 

Ruined the history of Japan and ruined the future of the world. Therefore, Juubei had to continue to commit crimes forever and continue to be punished. The reason for senpai to be transported from the future to here is also clear. The appearance of senpai which is the dazzling “hope” to me is, because of the crimes I had committed so I can’t embrace senpai, this is the greatest punishment given to Juubei. . . entire army. . . Advance to Matsuoyama. . . Our enemy is. . . What I should do is. . . "Fate" is”

Behind Mitsuhide who was looking up at the top of Matsuoyama in the dark night.

The dark assassin approached quietly.

The “trump card” of Jasper who finally found out that "the culprit of killing Oda Nobuna is Koretou Hyuuga no Kami.” The girl who’s father was a Nanban and mother was a slave, Yasuke, approached quickly and silently from the darkness. She learned the assassination technique the Japanese unheard of. Once she concealed her presence in the darkness, it couldn't be easily detected even for the samurai. Saito Toshimitsu, who was the deputy general of Mitsuhide, noticed Yasuke appeared behind Mitsuhide, but it has been too late.

"Sp, spy! ? Oh no! ? Hime!”

Yasuke was about to use her slender wrists to grip the nape of Mitsuhide.

In an instant, the thunder that fell in the vicinity of Matsuoyama vividly reflected the full picture of Sekigahara which was covered by the dark night, and full appearance of Matsuoyama.

That was, just in the moment. Then. 

Koretou Hyuuga no Kami. Akechi Mitsuhide.