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Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 17 - Chapter 5




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Chapter 5 

Ueda, Nagano 

Bontenmaru repelled the Hojo army in the 'battle of Kamiyaryuu' at Ueda, and now was crossing over ice ridges to eastern mountain circuit, moving forward to Sekigahara that undergoing the 'battle of taking over the world’.Although she left Satake Yoshishige and other Kanto generals behind to prevent Hojo Ujiyasu from using deception to enter Odawara Castle, Bontenmaru was still leading an army of 38,000 troops.

However, the mountain province, Shinano inhibited Bontenmaru's movement.

At 'Ueda' around the north of eastern mountain circuit, Takeda Shingen deployed the 'Sanada tribe' as suppression army against Date Masamune by building Ueda Castle and wait for her.

The legend of 'mountain villages', Sanada tribe serving Takeda Shingen was well-known no matter in Oshu or Kinai. With the way of samurais and possessed the 'abnormal ninja ability', the existence of Sanada itself brought mystique and made generals around fear of it.

The 'progenitor' of Sanada clan, Sanada Yukitaka used the 'Sanada ninjas' forming a group of abnormal ninjas as her strategy to take over Toishi Castle from the 'lone wolf' of Hokushin, Murakami Yoshikiyo who defeated the wise general, Takeda Shingen twice, causing Murakami Yoshikiyo to flee to Echigo.

That Sanada Yukitaka, gotten old dramatically after the intense 'fourth battle of Kawanakajima' between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, her body had collapsed as the fact where she had to retire. The lucky thing was she had many daughters. The 'twins' that led the 'foot soldiers' in charge of transmitting information which could be said as the 'heart' of the Takeda army, and the 'wise general that soon surpasses Yukitaka' being complicated with the talent as a strategist since young and cultivated by becoming a servant of Shingen, Sanada Gengorou. In addition, she had other younger daughters that were not introduced to the world. Needless to say that all of them received education from Yukitaka and all of them were very talented.

Among the Sanada tribe, the 'twins' went for a campaign with Takeda Shingen.

In Ueda Castle, other than the retired Yukitaka, its defense consisted of the 'next generation Takeda strategist', Sanada Gengorou and her younger sisters.

One should be most cautious of was the 'Sanada ninjas' under the Sanada.

Having nothing in common with Iga and Koga, they were a bunch of ninjas with abnormal power that common people could not imagine.

In short, Bontenmaru had arrived at Komoro of Shinano----. There were three main alternatives to be considered.

First was ignoring Ueda, all troops crossed through Shinano and marched forward to Mino through Kiso.

Second was taking the initiative to attack the Sanada tribe and capture Ueda Castle to eliminate the worry of being attacked from the back, then only continue moving forward.

And the third was separating the troops into two, one left at Shinano to prevent the chasing from the Sanada suppression army, the other one which was the main force advances to Mino.

In the military discussion, Gamo Ujisato who followed Bontenmaru as Nobuna's supervisor. 

"The Sanada troops at Ueda Castle are only around 3,000, it's fine to leave them alone! Please do march with full speed!”

She emphasized. Bontenmaru was not only capricious in natural but she also had chunibyo frequently that no one knew what she was thinking, Ujisato was so exhausted that she didn't have the will to live already. Ever since she became a supervisor for Bontenmaru, she felt her life span had reduced by ten years.

"No! How can we oblivious to the enemy right in front of us! We must crush the Sanada tribe at Ueda! Once we crushed the Sanada, Takeda Shingen and Takeda army at front line will definitely waver! The current being overwhelmed Oda Nobuna can reorganize the circumstances!”

'Worm-loving maiden', the fierce general renowned for her helmet with worm accessory, Date Shigezane strongly advocated 'siege on Ueda’.

The right-hand man of Bontenmaru, the maiden general with male clothes, Katakura Kojuuro.

"Ojou-sama. Ever since the 'siege of Toishi', Sanada is a tribe excels in using ninjas as the main force to switch its battle stance freely. If we attack Ueda Castle rashly and forced into a long-term battle, we cannot make it in time for the main battle in Sekigahara. Remain 5,000 troops as guards at Komoro, then Ojou-sama goes to Mino. How's that sound?”

A compromise suggestion that was full of Kojuuro's style. Remain some troops at every essential place of streets, to make sure the back was safe while moving forward. It was the same plan as Kuroda Kanbei when she obtained the Kyushu Ootomo army and marching in Sanyodo. Bontenmaru who was well-known for subverting common sense also left more than 10,000 troops at Kanto to contain her sworn enemy, Hojo Ujiyasu. 

"Hey! Hojo is a great faction that dominates half of Kanto, that's why an army to contain her is needed. Sanada is just a small army that collapses with a blow! If we leave them alone, surely they will disturb us to stop us from having a fight with Takeda Shingen! The one strikes first definitely wins, so we have to give them a strong hit! Ah, speaking of that, as expected of Nagano. The locust dish is so delicious. Too delicious.”

"Sanada is a small force, they already used all they have to defend Ueda! Ignore them and move forward! Sister now is in a grave situation! The Oda army retreated from Kiyosu Castle, Owari already! If this goes on then even Gifu Castle would be seized! Besides, don't eat locust in a discussion! My head hurts just by looking at it!”

"So, Ojou-sama? If we leave the guards here then let I, Kojuuro become the leader. If I am here, Sanada's provocation won't work. As I was made fun of by Ojou-sama for a long time, I have patience against provocation.”

What a hassle nya~, Bontenmaru left aside the cats she brought from Oshu and in thought. She thought about various things. What to do about the side dish for today lunch. She wanted to think about dishes in the toilet, but in the depths of the mountain here didn't even have a clean and spacious toilet.

The food for cats was also a problem. It was clear they were animals but so picky for not eating locusts, they were raised to be a little luxury. Guhuhu.

Bontenmaru, failed in her lifetime. . . . . . . ! Ohoh, the evil eye, my evil eye feels so pain~.

"Hey! Ojou-sama! Now is not the time to immerse in the cats and keep 'Uh nya uh nya'! Surely you are thinking nonsense again! ?”

"Kojuuro, I can't help it nya! My evil eye is summoning Suwa Onbashira that is using its spirit to protect Shinano nya. . . . . . ! My evil eye was quelled! I, I 

have awakened. . . . . . ! Kuzuryu that splits Japan into East and West. . . . . .

! Kuku. Once that thing undoes its seal, this country. . . . . . . !”

"Ojou-sama's chunibyo got worse at a time like this! ? Who, who instilled the knowledge of Suwa Onbashira to Ojou-sama! Is it you, Gamo-san?”

"No no no not me! Even though I am a historian that loves ancient history, there's no way I bring trouble to myself.”

"I learned it from a letter sent by Sagara Yoshiharu long ago. Don't make a move on Suwa Onbashira of Shinano and Kitsuki-taisha of Izumo, those are the important boundaries to seal the ancient god of Japan, Kuzuryu. Cannot destroy them, it's very dangerous! That's what was written in the letter. But I feel like want to unplug Onbashira of Suwa after hearing that nya~. Don't you want to have a look at the awakening of Kuzuryu, Kojuuro?”

"Ah--uh! That person keeps instilling Chunibyo knowledge to Ojou-sama, what is he trying to do! ? Even the word 'Chunibyo' was also a future language of mystery that person told Ojou-sama. . . . . . !”

“.. . . . . . . . Damn Sagara Yoshiharu. . . . . . . If sister is done here then it's all that bastard's fault!”

"By the way, Kojuuro. The Sanada ninjas are different from our Kurohabakigumi that are good at running and swimming, apparently, they are a bunch of real 'espers', what sort of superpower did they have, I am interested now kukuku", after heard Bontenmaru said that, Gamo Ujisato and Kojuuro looked at each other with the feeling "Oh no”.

"The weakness of Bontenmaru who is smart, excels in calculating benefits and cunning, is this Chunibyo character! Once the word 'abnormal Sanada ninjas' appeared near Bontenmaru's ears.” 

"Ojou-sama would be lured, this is a great trouble! Takeda Shingen has even grasped Ojou-sama's character and weakness, she purposely left the Sanada ninjas in Shinano that supposed to be active in the main force.”

"That, that's right. If Bontenmaru leads the alliance army of Oshi-Kanto into Mino and takes the chance to join the main battle, then the advantage belongs to the Western Army! Shingen deployed the precious Sanada ninjas to Shinano is to contain Bontenmaru!”

'Noisy' and unstable atmosphere circulating in Date camp, in the meantime---

-.

Suddenly, the camp was surrounded by white mist. "Hey! Come out, you spy!”

"Ohohoh? Is, is this mist the spiritual body that Sagara mentioned in his future language! ? Did the enemy espers have already shot out their nebula body nya?”

"Please don't use weird future language to describe this normal mist Ojou- sama!”

When the mysterious mist was finally gone.

Bontenmaru and others saw two mysterious ninja girls appeared at the top of a tree at the back of their camp.

"What! ? Using the time when the mist blocked our vision? Impossible! The guards are tight around the main camp! They couldn't possibly to reach that high in an instant if they are not flying at the sky!” Date Shigezane had a cold sweat.

Nya! ? Bontenmaru could not stop from getting excited. This was a stunt that Kurohabakigumi couldn't do! 

"Everyone from Date clan, welcome to Shinano! Let us introduce ourselves a little! The sign of Sanada ninjas totaled ten people, we are called the 'Sanada Ten Braves'! Actually, each Brave have their own 'special ability'!

My name is---- second generation, Sarutobi Sasuke! The final heir of the 'Sarutobi art' that allows me to fly in the sky at will!”

“.. . . . . . Hu. . . . . . . . . I used the 'Kirigakure art', Kirigakure Saizo. (TL note: Kirigakure means mist concealment) Look at my blonde hair and blue eyes. That's right, I am a Nanban ninja from France of Nanban. The owner of the evil eye and Nanban ninja. The attraction between abnormal and abnormal. .

. . . . this is fate. . . . . . . . . uhuh, why do I have to say such embarrassing speech. . . . . . .”

"Wait, Saizo, we must carry on according to plan! Cannot be embarrassed now~! Didn't we trained in the whole night already! Extravagance, give out your extravagance! Let's move on!”

"Please don't ask for the impossible, Sasuke! Anyway, at the end of the world of Zipangu, the encountering evil eye user and Nanban ninja. Last one standing is the only outcome. . . . . . . huhahaha. . . . . . , that kind of laugh. . .

. . . too embarrassing. . . . . . . . . ah ah I can't do it, I want to die, please kill me. . . . . . !”

"Uh wa wa. It's too much for Saizo! In that way~! Let us meet again at Ueda!” Bontenmaru and others saw it.

The young ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke carried Kirigakure Saizo while flying down from a tree. She did not fall to the ground, it was like she constructed an invisible ladder in the sky and run across it, she just walked in the sky with ease. 

"Ohoh, the art of sky walking! ? But I can't see what kind of trick they made! Ah, is that the 'Sarutobi art'! ? She's really flying at the sky nya? It's amazing!

Fire! Date Shigezane wanted to kill the two of them with rifles, but Saizo "Demiurgos who guides my soul, my soul that fell into this corrupted word, awaken, my progenitor Jeanne oh, please bestow me power! Here I come, 'Kirigakure art'!” felt chilly for her own speech while yelling, the white mist covered the main camp once again and blocked the vision of them on Sasuke and Saizo.

"Uwah! Shigezane missed! They escaped, Ojou-sama!”

"Nan, Nan, Nanban ninja. . . . . . a ninja with blonde hair blue eyes. . . . . . . is there someone like that in Sengoku Japan? Was that really a human? What is 'demiurgis' nya? My evil eye resonated. . . . . . . ! ? That Nanban ninja who worships an evil god and my biological father might be fighting with the 'god' at the other side of the world. . . . . . , this is, the destiny that flows in my 'blood’.. . . . . ! The attraction between abnormal and abnormal! Please forgive me, mother. . . . . . . !”

"Now is not the time to cry and laugh, Ojou-sama~!”

"Those people came here just to show off their superpower! Definitely to lure Bontenmaru! That ninja called Saizo, she forced to perform that pathetic chunibyo performance until cried, she must be very unwilling to do it!

Bontenmaru! You have witness that rivals sister right? Now is the final chance for you who born at the wrong time to capture the world right? Ignore that obvious provoke and advance to Kiso!” 

"Since Nama-chan had said to this extent", Bontenmaru patted the tight- faced Gamo Ujisato's shoulder. (TL note: nama can be written as ? in kanji and ? ? in hiragana which means catfish)

"All troops advance to Ueda nya! To defeat my destined enemy! We must be prepared!”

"Don't call me Nama-chan! Forget that, what's with you going to Ueda! Stop, please stop!”

"Because I want to see the superpower of the remaining eight Braves nya. As long as we caught all of them and make them surrender to us, with my evil eye and the Sanada Ten Braves we an already dominate the world isn't it, hahaha!”

"It's obvious that's a bait to lure you! There's no way the ten of them all present! There must be some fake inside!”

"If we capture Ueda Castle in two days then the time is still sufficient, we must go to Ueda immediately and capture the castle by force!” Date Shigezane stood up and swung the spear.

Kojuuro too "The ingenuity of Takeda Shingen does above of Ojou-sama. How did she investigate it? Not only familiar with Ojou-sama's personality, but also prepared a trap like this. . . . . .” had given up. Right now, there's no way other than capturing Ueda quickly.

"Listen up everyone! Don't give 'surrender notice'! Sanada will definitely make excuses to buy time! We must end this fast!”

"Hey! Call Giovanna who avoided from the locust dish, the 'dragon knights' will be the vanguard in the siege of Ueda Castle! Sanada would probably have a fight with us at the outskirts of the castle! We catch them a surprise by deploying the main force, rifle cavalry unit, Ojou-sama!”

"Understood nya, Kojuuro, your plan accepted! If we panicked and lost the chance then mother who is barricading at Yamagata would be in danger!

Attack, dragon knights! Take down Ueda Castle in a day nya!”

Ueda Castle was a 'hill castle' that Sanada tribe built at the upper reaches of Chikuma River. At South have Chikuma River and its branch river as natural protection and the upper reaches which formed a ladder making it hard to reach the castle and slowing the steps of the enemy army. At North was the Shinano high mountains erected around Toishi Castle that even the infamous general, Takeda Shingen failed to siege on.

Originally, Ueda Castle was built to defend against Shingen's sworn enemy, the Uesugi army from Echigo. Because for the Uesugi army to capture Kawanakajima and attack Kai, they must go through Ueda.

In conclusion, the Date army could only attack from the East. But the terrain at East was very narrow and consisted of many wetlands, making it hard to deploy a large number of troops. Nevertheless, the Ueda Castle was built to defend against the Echigo army shouldn't have foreseen an attack from the East. . . . . . that should be the case.

However, a mist suddenly appeared at the shores of Chikuma River, snatched away the vision of the Date army that was marching into there. The figure of Ueda Castle disappeared.

When Bontenmaru and others, "Ooh, this mist is a trick of Kirigakure Saizo nya!”

“It's too dangerous to enter the mist in a place we've never been before, Ojou-sama” 

“Hey! Let the locusts to be scouts!” were confused, at the opposite side of the mist came the unmotivated voice of Sanada Masayuki, the castle lord of Ueda Castle.

"Every~one from Date clan. Welcome to the Ueda village of Shinano~. I am the castle lord of Ueda Castle, the third daughter of Sanada Yukitaka.’Wise man' Sanada Gengorou, or rather, Sanada Masayuki~. So everyone from the Sanada army and my little sisters, go~. A great gamble with the world as the wager. I will be spectating on the castle~.”

Nya that fellow has no motivation at all, Bontenmaru tilted her head, and then.

Ohhhhhhhh, many shouts could be heard from Ueda Castle. Afterwords.

"This is the first battle. The fifth daughter of Sanada clan, 'brave general' Sanada Yukimura, joined the battle. I dare you to come, Date Masamune! Sanada is the number one 'happy' in Japan! We won't lose to the Oshu army!”

"I am the fourth daughter of Sanada clan, the 'longevity general, Sanda

Nobuyuki. . . . . . . . . um. . . . . . . , Nobushige? Not happy but warrior oh (TL note: supposed to be???? means warrior but Yukimura spoke ??which means happy). Ahah, we Sanada made a great embarrassment to the

world. . . . . . . uh, longevity.”

"Whichever is fine. And also, for today onwards, I am no longer 'Nobushige’.My name became 'Yukimura'!”

"Eheh? Your name has the meaning of mother wishing you to become an infamous general like Takeda Tenkyu Nobushige-sama. Uh, longevity.” 

"That can't be helped Nobuyuki-nee. Because the number of strokes is too many I don't know how to write. That's why I change it to a more simple kanji. Since I am a 'brave warrior'!”

"Just because of that sort of reason? Should I call you a daughter with sin or an impiety daughter. . . . . . . . ahahah Tenkyu-sama, I am very sorry. . . . . . .

, again I.”

The two younger sisters of the self-proclaimed 'wise general', Sanada Masayuki. (TL note: In the original story is two sons)

The 'brave warrior', Sanada Yukimura. The 'longevity general', Sanada Nobuyuki.

Two innocent young maiden generals did not have any battle experience, led the Sanada army to the front line. They did not show any nervousness and timid against a large army of 38,000.

"That little girl called Yukimura seems to be not good in kanji. Changing her own name because don't know how to write it, I've never heard of that before.”

"Hey! I, Shigezane also not good at kanji. Before being told by Kojuuro, I read my own name as 'narumi’.Because I am busy training my martial art! That maiden general is young but she surely is very strong! She deserves to be my opponent!”

"Ojou-sama. Nobuyuki-san that is also a normal human like me kept on going about longevity and becoming less motivated aside, that Yukimura does not have any nervousness at all with bravery around her whole body! Maybe this is a trap!” 

Bontenmaru "Don't panic nya! I will have a look at the enemy's situation with my evil eye! I covered one of my eyes with an eyepatch all the time is to hone the power of this evil eye!” closed her eyes momentarily to clear her mind. From the sound of footsteps and shouting can determine that Sanada troops came out from the castle is around a thousand. And most of them was spear soldiers. There was even slingshot unit at the opposite of the mist aiming at the Date army. To the Takeda army that had a very low equipment rate of rifles, slingshot unit was a must. Although it was considered as a product that fell off in the current age, it was surprisingly effective in the so- called 'guerilla battle' in the mountains of Shinano and Kai.

"I can see it, Kojuuro! The Sanada troops are really less. Despite their high morale, they cannot last for a long-term battle!”

"Hence, they must be intending to just overture and fall back immediately. Ojou-sama, please give the order to attack.”

"Hey! If it's decided then strike now! I, Shigezane will defeat Sanada Yukimura!”

"Everyone, please wait! Ueda is a place disadvantage for the offense that Takeda Shingen suffered defeat twice against Murakami Yoshikiyo in 'the battle of Uedahara' and 'the siege of Toishi’.Moreover, the sly Sanada tribe built the castle to block the entrance to Ueda. . . . . . . I have a bad premonition about this. . . . . . . . Bontenmaru, let's retreat.”

"Umu. If Nama-chan said so, the only choice we have is to fight! Giovanna, let the dragon knights be the vanguard against enemy spear soldiers nya!”

"I stopped you!”

Giovanna wearing the Nanban armor rushed out from the mist, 

"As you wish. A siege will bring miserable outcome to us and the enemy. Let's fight it out with this field battle!”

After saying it, she led the 'dragon knights' wielding rifles to attack. The Date army was running out of time. If the opponents were spear soldiers, then the penetration power and firepower of cavalry rifle unit would be able to oppress them.

"That, that is the dragon knights? All are cavalries with rifles in their hands. The Date clan. . . . . . such amazing economic power. Uh, longevity.”


"Nobuyuki-nee, it's exactly like what Satake and Saizo informed. All troops put the spears down and lie down on the ground----"

The Sanada sisters have prepared the countermeasure against cavalry rifle unit.

The Sanada troops threw away their spears and lied on the ground together.

They dissolved into the mist the blocked the visions of Giovanna and others in an instant.

“.. . . . The Sanada army. . . . . . disappeared. . . . . . ! ?”

The dragon knights that were advancing forward on the horses with rifles went panic after losing their target. Using the firing sound of rifles to stumble the enemy's morale in a surprise and breaking the spear formation using the speed and pressure of the cavalry unit. That was a basic tactic of cavalry rifle unit. However, the enemy soldiers that supposed to be the targets of their rifles disappeared.

Where did they go? Did they flee? That's wrong, footsteps should be heard if they are fleeing. . . . . despite in confuse, Giovanna still led the dragon knights rushing towards Ueda Castle. As long as they passed through this plain field at East, they would reach Ueda Castle.

"Good job for enduring! Now. All troops stand up and get your spears and hit their flank hard!”

At the same time when Sanada Yukimura gave her order, the Sanada soldiers suddenly appeared from the mist that spread under the feet of the horses and pierced with their spears. Oh no, when Giovanna felt shocked, the horses were falling down continuously.

"All soldiers hid their existence on the road the cavalry unit passed by and wait for the chance! ? The Sanada soldiers are different from the Zipangu samurais I fought with until now, it's like the one thousand spear soldiers are all ninjas! Fall back, fall back!”

"Release 'vindictiveness'! Sanada is the number one 'happy' in Japan! Six coins are the fee for the River of Three Crossings! The cavalry rifle unit is not good at melee! Everyone charge and chase them!”

“.. . . . . . . . Because of Yukimura being reckless. . . . . . . I was almost trampled by the horse feet. . . . . . . uh, longevity.”

For a thousand soldiers to hide their 'scent' and remain static in a land cavalry rifle unit was going to trample, that was impossible to do. For instance, the Kyushu shuras were always fearless to death and brave to fight, but at the same time, they were full of peculiar battle desire, the 'vindictiveness' they released were too strong. That was why it was impossible for such a large number of people to suppress their 'vindictiveness' until it disappeared. This was the essence of the way of samurai. 

However, the Sanada soldiers can eliminate their 'vindictiveness' like an invisible spell was triggered. Nevertheless, they could release the 'vindictiveness' they suppressed all together when the time was ripe. In addition, they did not have the 'fury' that was unique to the soldiers who sought death. Apparently, they were beyond the boundary of life and death. Especially, Sanada Yukimura, who made use of the 'Kirigakure art' by Kirigakure Saizo in the battle of samurai, and carried out an absurd strategy that could bring annihilation to her own army if a mistake happened without anxiety. It was hard to believe this was her first battle in her lifetime.

The Sanada soldiers and Sanada tribe are samurais and 'ninjas' at the same time. They were unexpectedly powerful in defensive battle, Giovanna realized that. We have been surrounded by spear soldiers. Retreat, retreat, we must get out from here even if to toss away the rifles, let the cavalry unit retreat swiftly.

Giovanna 'accustomed to suffering defeat' in the hopeless defensive battle with the Ottoman Empire as her opponent. Although the dragon knights lost quite a number of rifles, they finally escaped from it with their speed. It certainly was a close call.

Bontenmaru after knowing the invincible dragon knights were defeated by Sanada Yukimura's crazy tactic and Sanada soldiers' peculiar courage, "All of them are ninjas nya?” was utterly stunned.

"Kuhuhu. That Sanada Yukimura. She actually thought out a tactic to 'crush the cavalry rifle unit’.Then we also deploy spear soldiers nya! With the same type of soldiers, the one with a higher number will have the absolute advantage! Overpower them with numbers nya!”

"Uh, understood! Another retreat is not allowed, go, Oshu worm corps!” 

The chance for me to appear has finally come, the brave Date Shigezane leads 5,000 troops and attack the Sanada troops.

In the meantime, 'Chang, chang', the sound of the gong with the order of retreat reverberated on the Ueda Castle, the Sanada troops started falling back.

"Let's withdraw, Nobuyuki-nee. The opponent outnumbers us. From now on it's the matter of Masayuki-nee!”

“.. . . . . . . In the end, what is my duty? Uh, longevity.”

Sanada Yukimura little girl was decisive, despite having peculiar courage yet not a pig warrior (TL note: meaning a warrior that doesn't use brain and just rush to the front). That bastard, Bontenmaru now (That won't do. The Sanada people are really strong) started feeling anxious. They destroyed the dragon knights just now, but they didn't follow the 'flow' to chase the dragon knights, instead, they chose to withdraw, they don't seem like warriors at all. Any provocation won't work on them. It's better to say that we are provoked by Yukimura to be lured slowly into the death land, Bontenmaru noticed.

Bontenmaru was an expert in using deceptions to deceive her opponents, a person that overturn every common sense of 'samurai' to obtain victory. She has bad compatibility with the Sanada tribe that was 'samurai' and 'ninja' at the same time.

Nama-chan made an uproar "That's what I told you! Wait to be cursed!”.Shall we withdraw from Ueda, when Bontenmaru was considering to withdraw or not.

Around the camp of Bontenmaru, the landmines planted by Sanada started to explode continuously. 

Although Bontenmaru and others didn't get hurt, the banners were falling down successively from the explosion. The base now was in disorder. The voice of Sanada Yukimura was heard at the opposite side of the explosion.

"Date Masamune, come and chase me if you are unsatisfied! Despite the Oshu-Kanto army has a million, no one is a real man. Hahahahaha!”

“.. . . . . . . Date Masamune is a maiden general just like us, Yukimura. Uh, longevity.”

"This apocalyptic monster dare to look down on me!” Bontenmaru yelled while stomped her feet with anger.

"Uhgu. Uhgugugu. That bastarddddd! Right now, we don't even know where was planted with landmine nya! But! Ueda Castle is safe nya! Therefore, all troops attack Ueda Castleeeee!”

Ahahah, Ojou-sama was enraged! ? At the time Katakura Kojuuro had her face went pale, the Date army was removing the black smoke and white mist while pursuing Sanada Yukimura and Nobuyuki tightly. The direction of Sanada sisters escaping was nowhere other than Ueda Castle. The East of Ueda Castle did not have river act as natural protection for the castle, no mountains, and no ladder shores. It was just a plain field, that should be the case.

However.

Not sure if Saizo's ninjutsu loses its effect, or it was not required to use the ninjutsu anymore. When the mist disappeared, the Date army that rushed to the Ueda Castle was stunned "Ooh! ?”

On the plain field at the East of Ueda Castle, a giant structure was built. That was a giant 'fortress' that no one had seen before in this Sengoku Era. 

"This is the invulnerable fortress that I, Masa-chan further evolved from Yamamoto Kansuke-sama's construction art, the 'Sanada stronghold’.The Date army is coming from the East. That's~why it's built at East. It won't easily fall into enemy hands even against a large army of 100,000 troops.”

"Fire! Everyone! It's time to show them the capability of Sanada clan that called the number one firepower of Takeda clan. It's time to show them our strength as the number one 'happy' in Japan!”

"Like I said, is the warrior you know?”

From the Sanada stronghold that appeared out of nowhere in the mist, the Sanada soldiers fired their rifles.

It's done now! Those guys were hiding the rifles all this time in order to lure the Date army into this building, the clever Bontenmaru realized that.

The Sanada three sisters. Wise, bravery, longevity, they consisted of everything. Although the existential meaning of the 'longevity general', Nobuyuki is still unknown, don't tell me she's the final weapon prepared to defend Ueda Castle until the last remaining soldier.

Compare to the 'Kyoto advance battle' that focuses on 'offense' in taking over the castles of Oda clan through field battle, the 'defensive battle' at Ueda Castle to hold the Date army can further exert the uses of Sanada sisters and Sanada soldiers. That Takeda Shingen. She did not hesitate to give up the temptation of bringing these guys to the advance battle and try to block me here with everything she could. . . . . . . !

In other words, after I drove Hojo Ujiyasu into Odawara Castle, I will choose to capture Shinano and direct to the main battle, Shingen had predicted this right from the beginning. Therefore, she prepared a large number of rifles from Takeda at Ueda Castle and built such fortress. Not bringing the Sanada sisters to the battlefield but to act as the 'trump card' to block me here.

Unfortunately, I am too young. I was overwhelmed in terms of experience. Surely I cannot rival Takeda Shingen, what should I do, in the end, what should I do now, mother, Bontenmaru pressed her eyepatch with a hand while groaned.

"That kind of fortress, it's impossible to raid without a cannon, Bontenmaru! If we attack with force, then there will be corpses everywhere around this Ueda! Furthermore! Given that we raided this Sanada stronghold, there's still the Ueda Castle which is the main stronghold at its back! The Sanada seems to have anticipated the Date army will attack and did many preparations!

They must have more countermeasures prepared!”

The expert in defensive battle, Giovanna admonished Bontenmaru to retreat with a pale face "The corpses will be stacked like a hill”.

“.. . . . .’Six coins are the fee for the River of Three Crossings' nya. Just like the words described, Chikuma River will turn into the River of Three Crossings huh. . . . . .”

"If we surround Ueda Castle and unfold a long-term battle then we sure can capture it sooner or later, but that's undoubtedly taking the branch for the root, and that's what the Sanada intended for! If this goes on then we can't catch up with the main battle.”

"Not only being overwhelmed single-handedly by Sanada Yukimura but also being provoked to this extent, we will be the humiliation of samurai if we retreat in this situation. The valor of Sanada Yukimura and a great defeat to the Date clan in this battle will be recorded in the history and being told in the future. Ojou-sama, how! ?” 

Bontenmaru gazed at the sky.

Ahah. Mother is now fighting with Uesugi Kagetora at Yamagata. She's carrying out a desperate garrison battle just to let Bontenmaru step towards the world. . . . . .

Mother. I cannot stop here. Bontenmaru will accept any sort of humiliation. I will endure it.

The greatest general in Sengoku Japan with both wise and strength, Takeda Shingen had mistaken one sole thing.

That was Bontenmaru had the 'courage' to suffer the humiliation to escape swiftly from this defeated battle.

Even when Takeda Shingen suffered the first defeat in her lifetime in Uedahara, she ignored the advice from her retainers and continued to confront Murakami Yoshikiyo. To a general that lacked experience in battle, a 'defeat' brought great impact. It was impossible to decide and admit 'I was defeated' easily. It required a few days. And that few days would become 'lethal damage’.That should be the case.

But Bontenmaru did it almost in an instant.

(When Oda Nobuna fled from Kanegasaki, she decided to retreat swiftly and flee with full might. She even left Sagara Yoshiharu to be the rear guard and ran away. . . . . . . that swiftness in making a decision was exactly the 'courage' required for a hero that wishes to seize the world nya. If Oda Nobuna had a little hesitation at that time, then the Oda clan had already destroyed in Kanegasaki. At least, it will resign from the competition for the world)

I am now at the same level as Oda Nobuna and going to surpass her soon. 

It doesn't matter to give the 'honor' of 'number one warrior in Japan' to Sanada Yukimura.

I cannot lose the ambition of 'conquering the world' here.

"It's decided. We will leave the Sanada here and run away, abandon Ueda! We move from Suwa to Kiso, then finally enter Mino! We, we still can make it!”

After Bontenmaru said it she immediately used her slim legs to hit the horse belly 'pang', and started leaving the battlefield. Kojuuro and others were bewildered and started following up.

"Yes, yes ma'am! But. . . . . . . is it really fine, Ojou-sama?” "Yeah! At least after a battle to clear our humiliation!”

"That won't do, Shigezane! We must flee immediately right after decided nya! That is how an emperor fights! Sagara Yoshiharu told me that in future there's this motto!’The procedures and methods are unimportant at all!’"

"Wait, wait a minute, Ojou-sama! I thought a general has awakened, in the end, it's just your chunibyo deteriorates further to the worse direction! ?

Please think of an explanation that can make all of us accept!”

"Hahahaha! At this kind of moment using the future word 'within budget' would be enough, Kojuuro! That happened all the time in drama!”

"What is drama! ? That sort of future language, I never even heard of it before!”

"Then, use 'within ruler' to convey also can do!” "I am getting more confused now!” 

"You really! I already told you~! You will be beaten hard and defeated in Ueda. In the end, you missed the main battle isn't it!”

"Don't worry, Nama-chan. Things will be better now. Now we have to reverse it and make use of Takeda's information network. Kukuku.”

The Date army now started to flee from Ueda!

The Date army was an army with more than 30,000 troops. Its movement had been noticed by the Sanada. Sanada Yukimura led the 'Akazonae' cavalry unit and rushed out from Sanada stronghold. The brave Sanada Yukimura now was actually in panic. Her lord, Takeda Shingen, and her mother that suffered illness on the bed in Ueda Castle, Sanada Yukitaka also believed they could restrain the Date army at Ueda for around one week.

They even prepared various kind of tactics for this. What she couldn't think of was that the enemy started to flee right after a few quarters.

"If leaving Date Masamune alone, Yakata-sama will be facing a pincer attack! I can only chase them with my life! Sanada Yukimura was here!”

The little Sanada Yukimura mounted the horse at an astounding speed. She did not intend to make it back alive. Therefore, the Sanada clan had the existence of the 'longevity general', Sanada Nobuyuki. Yukimura brought Sarutobi Sasuke and other Sanada ninjas and kicked off the rear guard of Date army, reaching the rear of Bontenmaru in a moment

"Kukuku. What a fearsome penetration power. Apparently, she's not just all talk, she really is the number one warrior in Japan nya.”

Yukimura was still very young. She was almost the same height as Bontenmaru. Their age was around the same too. Yukimura was also not 'an expert in defensive battle’.Strength all out. Once turned into offense, she was surprisingly strong. She used the spear swept away the Date army banner men that shouted 'Protect Ojou-sama', chasing tightly on Bontenmaru.

"Hey wait for me. Date Masamune. It's still early to retreat! Duel with me! Use the legendary 'evil eye'!”

"Don't want to, kukuku. I'll give you a hundred thousand kokus of Shinano, surrender to me!”

"Humiliation. The Sanada warriors will never betray Yakata-sama that we greatly indebted with!”

"Then I give you the entire Shinano province, please have mercy and let me go to Mino.”

"I refuse. Do you think a person that will be a traitor for a hundred thousand kokus won't become one if a province is given! ?”

It seemed she wanted to say, traitor.

Just a little more. A little more, then Yukimura might able to catch up to Bontenmaru.

But at the same time, Date Shigezane and Katakura Kojuuro changed their expression and rushed to here,

"Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey!”

"I won't let you touch even a single hair of Ojou-sama!” They raised spears and blocked Yukimura's approach.

Even Yukimura also could not easily break through the defense of Shigezane and Kojuuro. In the time confronting spears with those two on her horse, she pulled off some distance from Bontenmaru. 

Bontenmaru not even turned her head back and started crossing the Chikuma River.

"Ku. She doesn't even have any hesitation to sacrifice two important retainers just to run away! I could never catch up this way! Date Masamune will run away, a duel is already impossible!”

“.. . . . . . . Looks like it's my turn now. The 'evil eye' from Date Masamune and the strongest in Sanada ninjas, the 'Izuna art’.Who will win, let's decide it with our abilities.”

"Ah? Kamanosuke, wait! You are prohibited to use Izuna!”

"My ninjutsu brings countless death. If possible I really don't want to use it. However, Yakata-sama entrusted everything to Sanada. So can't be helped.”

One of the Sanada ninjas.

Yuri Kamanosuke, who controlled a strong forbidden spell named Izuna- user, released 'Kanko' from her belly. Once the Kanko that Yuri Kamanosuke controlled was liberated to the land of Shinano, the Izunas in the mountains would gather to form a group. And then, they would attack and bite the enemy soldiers until death. It was like ants surrounding an elephant, it didn't matter if their individual strength was weak, they could overpower enemy with numbers. Even though this forbidden spell could only be used in mountains that lived with Izunas, no one could figure out how to undo this spell. Therefore, Izuna-users were called the 'outsider forbidden spell user' and being feared and loathed by Sengoku ninjas, Kamanosuke could not survive if she was not a subordinate of Takeda.

"If the real 'evil eye' is a godly skill like Uesugi Kenshin's 'crushing evil eye', Date Masamune must be able to escape safely. But, if that's just a bluff, then this will be her end. Although I do not have hatred against her. . . . . . . . but sorry.”

Countless number of Izunas was now aiming at Bontenmaru who was having a hard fight at Chikuma River, they gathered from all directions.

"Ojou-sama! ?” "Uh, what is that?”

Kojuuro and Shigezane had used up all their strength to stop Sanada Yukimura at the shore, they couldn't rush to save Bontenmaru even if they want to.

“.. . . . . Although I don't want to end the battle this way. . . . . .” When Sanada Yukimura was mourning for Bontenmaru.

"Kukuku. The Sanada Ten Braves will definitely lose! To deal with the 'art of outsider', of course, use the 'art of demon'! Come out, my demon familiars! The 'cat nya nya corps'! Get rid of the Izunas! They will be your food today!”

"Nya--nya--"

"Nya--nya--"

"Nya--nya--"

"Nya--nya--"

The shadow warrior of Bontenmaru, Nekohime released the cat corps from the cages she brought from Sendai which were intended to let them have a walk only, the cats pounce to the back of the Izunas.

Actually, Izuna was a kind of weasel. They would attack people during being controlled by 'Izuna art', but rats were their staple food for daily lives. That meant, they competed with cats for rats all the time. Cats and weasels were natural enemies to each other.

The chaos between cat corps and Izuna herd was now going on with Chikuma River as the stage.

The natural instinct in Izunas that would never satisfy until they beat down the cats was awakened, causing them to disobey the order of attacking Bontenmaru from the spell power of 'Izuna art’.

Bontenmaru crossed Chikuma River with leisure and finally escaped from the pursuit of Sanada Yukimura.

"Hahahahaha! I reared the so-called demon cats from Nanban just for today! Although I lost against Sanada in the battle of bow and arrow, but I had my revenge in the battle of spells! Kojuuro, Shigezane! You guys too hurry up and retreat nya!”

Eheheh. What a terrifying luck Ojou-sama has, while biting tongue in her heart, Kojuuro aside, “.. . . . . . . That. . . . . . was not the 'evil eye’.. . . . . . .”

“Cats. . . . . . . . my spell was countered with such an idiot method. . . . . . . it's too mortifying. . . . . . . the history of Izuna ninjas probably ends here. . . . . .” said goodbye to Sanada Yukimura and Yuri Kamanosuke who were utterly stunned "Well done, everyone from Sanada. Let's have a tea party after the Sengoku chaos ends", and then stepped into Chikuma River with Shigezane.

"Spread the rumor of 'Date was stickled on Ueda due to suffering a defeat from Takeda' immediately. The information network of Takeda will surely take the bait. Kukuku.” 

Bontenmaru had finally escaped from danger and played with the cats for fun while whispered an order to the Kurohabakigumi. The mind of Bontenmaru now had already figured out the 'move' to make use of the defeat in Ueda.

At the same time, a 'change' happened in Ueda Castle. That was a 'coincidental' incident that was not related to this battle. But this 'coincidence' was linked intimately with the 'fate' of Bontenmaru----. 



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