Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 17 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 

Kenshin Advances 

The frontline at Northland - Kaga Matto Castle. "Military God" Uesugi Kenshin finally stood up.

"Personally stabbed Oda Nobuna’s younger brother, something like that must be a lie. They must have been mistaken. It is not the way of Shingen’s fighting. Are you intending to leave me out, and walk into destruction alone. Why you want to do this, Shingen"

From the words of Naoe Kanetsugu, Kenshin learned the ending at the battle of Gifu Castle and broke the green bamboo that was holding in her hand and shivered.

"Something must have happened to Shingen. At Kawanakajima, Shingen lost Nobushige and she lost Yoshinobu in order to seize Suruga, and she killed the younger brother of Oda Nobuna at her own will. . . unbelievable. Shingen is intended to carry out a complete annihilation battle against the Oda army as the opponent. She intended to force Oda Nobuna to be ‘serious’.In an attempt to commit the foolishness made at Kawanakajima again. It should not be like this, to the Shingen I know. . .”

She is not the kind of person who will indulge the scars that can't be eliminated in Oda Nobuna's heart and carry out a war of mutual sorrow and hatred.’Takeda Shingen, who is willing to do anything even against her belief for her ambition’, sounds like, the image built by her and her tactician, Yamamoto Kansuke in order to not leave any resentment and any sacrifice to harvest the "six-point victory" to suppress the various provinces. She is born to be a kind-hearted person. If she wasn’t born as the eldest child of

Takeda’s main family, she can’t even kill animal let alone human. She’s too gentle. . . . Kenshin was like speaking in a dream constantly muttering. 

Kanetsugu couldn’t stand it. “Then, we can just go against Konoe Sakihisa- sama’s will and head to Sekigahara" and asked.

"Kanetsugu. I was hindered by the letter from Konoe Sakihisa and remain at Kaga even my body has recovered. However, this may be wrong. What is Mogami Yoshiaki’s movement who placed his sight on Echigo?”

"He is attacking Shonai now, but the adopted sister from Hojo clan, Uesugi Kagetora who came to Echigo repulsed him beautifully.”

"Forced him back to Yamagata? That's fine.”

"No, no. Uesugi Kagetora-sama is too loyal and admires Kenshin-sama, she made the declaration for the "righteousness" of Uesugi and intend to kill Mogami Yoshiaki. The counterattack is carried out with the Mogami Castle as the target. Even if she is ordered to return, she will not listen. How to do?”

“.. . that will be complicated. . . Although their relationship is very bad, Mogami Yoshiaki is still the uncle of Bontenmaru.”

"Because she got the name ‘Kagetora’, on the contrary, she can't help but muster up her courage to fight with Kenshin-sama’s enemies. Since Kagetora-sama learned her military law from Hojo clan, once she had the upper hand, they couldn't cope with it.”

“.. . is it? Kagetora is too strong. Not only is she too strong, and she is too pure. There is no reason for us to follow the steps of Oda and Takeda, to even create a permanent resentment between Uesugi and Date. We must stop Kagetora.”

"That is, to withdraw from Kaga to Echigo! ?”

"No, Kanetsugu. I will lead the Echigo troops to cross Echizen and advance to Sekigahara. Then I will give the battle of Sekigahara an end. Once the war is over, the reason for the battle of Yamagata will not exist. Kagetora also has to withdraw her troops. Hurry up, Kanetsugu!”

"Yes! As long as the main battle is over, Kagetora-sama will respond to the withdrawal command.”

"It’s unjust to fight with Takenaka Hanbei and Shibata Katsuie who got half of their troops taken. I was originally intended to wait until Niwa Nagahide and her army returned from Tango. . . but I already have no time for that. We will force our way through the northern land circuit. All troops, rise the "Bi" flag and immediately cross Tedorigawa.”

The sound of the conch horn sounded through the clouds, and the Echigo male military commanders who were entrenched in Matto Castle begin to assemble under Kenshin.

"Oh, oh yeah. As expected, my Maebashi Castle was emptied by Date Masamune. This time I want to get a castle around the Omi River as a replacement. A castle that is built at the border between the Kaga and the Echizen should be fine right. Otherwise, it’s not worth it.”

The owner of Maebashi Castle, Kitajo Takahiro. A capricious person, switching sides between Uesugi and Hojo, yet worked out to form an alliance between those two clans in the back.

“Kenshin-sama. I am really grateful for allowing me to follow you. I must abolish my stigma as a rebel, and I have no regrets to die for Kenshin- sama!”

The head of the Kaetsu Agakitashu, Honjo Shigenaga. A person that had proposed to his respected Kenshin several times, and had been swept away by the reason "I am Bishamonten”.Because of the deep despair, there has been a period he went self-destruction and rebelled at Kaetsu. After being forgiven by Kenshin, “I have heard that in knights in Nanban will still devote their loyalty and love to their master knowing that they can’t be together! I want to be a knight to Kenshin-sama!” he vowed to be loyal in his lifetime.

"Oh, look carefully at the members of the generals of the Echigo. It’s all rebels. Those of us who are in the ranks of Kenshin-sama will become the strongest "hanging dragons" in Japan. It’s so interesting.”

The Senior general, Saito Tomonobu. Usami Sadamitsu, NaoeYamato, Kakizaki Kageie, and Nagao Masakage – the only surviving one among the upright men in Echigo male military commander who flashed like a bright star while supporting Kenshin.

In front of the Echigo veteran generals, Kenshin nodded with loneliness.

"Usami, Yamato Naoe. . . Kakizaki Kageie. . . and, Nagao Masakage, all of them are dead. I always let myself stand at the front in the battle in order to not let any of my soldiers sacrifice. Even in the battle of Kawanakajima, I did not let any infamous Echigo general die, but in spite of this, they are still dead. Just like being guided by "destiny"——"

Kenshin sincerely told Kitajo Takahiro and others.

Takeda Shingen wanted to start a battle without righteousness in Sekigahara. Oda Nobuna also had to deal with the challenge of Takeda Shingen with her all. That is the fate of a person who has raised the ambition of ‘Tenkafubu’ cannot escape from. I know. I know that Shingen will be ruined in this fight. She is fighting for her own destruction.

"Oda Nobuna has been forced to a place where she can only carry out the annihilation battle. She will become the sixth heavenly demon king, which should have been stopped by Sagara Yoshiharu. As a friend of Oda Nobuna, I must use ‘righteousness’ and ‘kindness’ to save her heart. I will, along with you all, enter Sekigahara from the northern land circuit, defeat the Oda Army, and at the same time stop the demise of Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobuna from becoming the demon king.”

“That means Kenshin-sama wants to be the emperor! ?” The generals couldn't help but raise their voices, but Kenshin shook her head.

“No, I am not interested in becoming the emperor. I will obey the conclusion discussed between Mori, Takeda, the shogunate of Ashikaga clan and Kanetsugu. Although I have become a normal human girl, no longer the incarnation of Bishamonten, even so, I still have ‘righteousness’ and ‘kindness’ in my heart. My aspiration of fighting for ‘righteousness’ and ‘kindness’ will not disappear as long as I am still alive. These are the things Usami Sadamitsu and Naoe Yamato taught me. Maybe these things are just hallucinations produced in the heart of those hated and tired of this messed up world. However, they are wonderful things that should be protected.

Things which are necessary to end this warring era. Gentlemen, do you all willing to fight for my aspiration although I am no longer Bishamonten.”

We are willing to! The Echigo generals shout loudly. The easily excited Honjo Shigenaga,

“.. . Kenshin-sama, she has finally opened the door of the BishamonTemple and descended to this world. . . I am grateful. . . ! I am so happy! I have no regrets to die for Kenshin-sama!”

Shigenaga have already burst into tears. "He becomes more troublesome than when he was treating Kenshin-sama as Bishamonten, ah, oh yeah, "Kitajo Takahirowas stunned.

"Honjo Shigenaga. Really, I already said that you all are not allowed to die on the battlefield.” 

At last ---- the maiden chancellor trained directly by Naoe Yamato and Usami Sadamitsu,‘Naoe Kanetsugu’, reported to Kenshin.

"Takenaka Hanbei is the world's top tactician that has been acknowledged by everyone. The greatest "wise man"created in this Warring States of Japan. And Shibata Katsuie is one of the few infamous martial artists in Oda clan. At Tedorigawa, she can even force Kenshin-samain to a dire situation. They know that once the Echigo army arrives in Sekigahara, the Western Army will surely lose. At that time, they will be confronting Kenshin-sama with the resolve of being wiped out. Even Kenshin-sama cannot take them lightly. Please be more careful. "

Kenshin answered "I understand. We will force our way right at the front" and agreed.

"The Echigo army immediately depart from Matto Castle. Cross Tedorigawa and pass by Echizen with haste, we will march straight from northern land circuit to enter Sekigahara and destroy the Western Army.”

At this time, the Echigo Army led by Kenshin, together with the troops from Noto and Kaga who just joined the camp, has become the army of 25,000 troops.

In contrast to Takenaka Hanbei, Shibata Katsuie, Niwa Nagahide and Maeda Inuchiyo who lost half of their troops to barricade Kitanosho Castle in order to siege Tanabe Castle. There are only 12,000 troops left. Moreover, Kenshin did not split up her troops to encounter the army led Mogami Yoshiaki, who was instigated by Hanbei. Instead, she decided to ‘quickly go to Sekigahara to decide the outcome’. 

Echizen, Kitanosho Castle.

Gifu Castle was captured, and Tsuda Nobusumi was decapitated by Takeda Shingen. The Mogami army lost to Uesugi army at Shonai and retreat to Yamagata. And the urgent report of ‘Echigo army crossing Tedorigawa’.

"My plan failed.” Takenaka Hanbei learned the message.’How is it possible?

 Something like Nobusumi-sama has been slain! ? In the end, why. . . ? The prudent Takeda Shingen-sama who always aims for six-point victory, why? I believe that Shingen-sama also believes that the battle of Sekigahara is a "decisive battle that ends the Warring States Period of Japan"?’Scared and pale, but then clenched her teeth and whispered, "The next strategy is", assembled the Oda generals that fight at the northern frontline and began military discussions.

Although unexpected, Hanbei knows there is no such thing as ‘unexpected’ in this battle. The various factions have successively released their "trump cards" that had been hidden since the final battle. As for Mori clan they were Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Hosokawa Fujitaka. For the Takeda clan they were the former owner of Kai province, Takeda Nobutora and Sanada Yukimura. Tokugawa clan it was Honda Masanobu. Then Uesugi clan it was the sister of Hojo Ujiyasu, Uesugi Kagetora.

However, Takenaka Hanbei also had her "trump card”.

The first one was to let Oda army, who were crushed by Kikkawa Motoharu, secretly assemble at Boteyama and sealed the exit to the east of

Sekigahara, the ‘middle entry’ strategy. As a countermeasure against Takeda Shingen, she had been carefully prepared it in advance. Shingen was unusually hasty. So this strategy should be successful.

The second was the "plan" of dragging Uesugi Kenshin in the northern land circuit. Once the two kings of the Eastern Army who competed for "the world's strongest", Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, grouped with Mori sisters at Sekigahara, the Western Army would collapse even if Kuroda Kanbei arrived in time.

Kenshin must be held on at here with all cost.

However, the first plan to stop Kenshin by instigating Mogami army to attack the rear of Echigo has failed. Hanbei was forced to show the next trump card.

"The Echigo Army is 25,000. The strength of our army is only half. And most of the rifles have sent to the main battlefield, Sekigahara. We are in disadvantage in this battle. Although it is the last resort to force everyone to make great sacrifices, we must do anything to stop the Echigo army from entering Sekigahara!”

“.. . Nobusumi. . . it’s a lie right. . . damn it. . . why does this happen. Why Matsudaira Motoyasu suddenly turned to Takeda…. . tactician-dono! Hanbei! I am fine even if you ask me to be the bait! I was originally Nobusumi’s aide. It's so hard. . . Saru worked so hard to let hime-sama dispel the thoughts and saved the life of Nobusumi. . . he has even married and gave birth to three young maidens. . . this battle is the battle of mourning for Nobusumi!”

Shibata Katsuie, who was red and swollen in both eyes, shouted while hugging the shoulders of Maeda Inuchiyo.

“.… Although it’s obvious he should be the ambassador of rice jelly. . . .” 

The same happens to Inuchiyo, the rice jelly she ate couldn't swallow and stuck at the throat. Every time she saw rice jelly, she remembered during childhood she and Nobusumi compete for Nobuna and given rice jelly by Nobusumi as the ‘bait’, she felt pain in her chest when remembering those times.

Hanbei said "Yes. However, we can’t stop them with direct confrontation. We must use the third trump card of the Oda northern frontline army” while speaking, she called out a maiden general.

“.. . Oda's last trump card, Maeda Inuchiyo. . . Listen carefully"

"Ah, no. The fourth trump card is already prepared. And the third one is not Inuchiyo-san. Sorry. Sassa-san.”

“.………. . Ga.”

"Me? I don't know anything about war. I only good at hiking?” Sassa Narimasa. Generally known as Kura-no-suke.

A war maiden that was an old retainer from the Okuno fool company (servants) led by Oda Nobuna since from Owari, she was then promoted as a war maiden. She was similar to Maeda Inuchiyo who was promoted from a servant to the head of ‘Red Horoshu’, but instead she ws the head of ‘Black Horoshu” that complements with ‘Red Horoshu’.It can be said that she was the fate rival of Inuchiyo.

However, contrary to Inuchiyo who got her merit and fame as a spear user in the battlefield, Sassa Narimasa was a very quiet girl who loved nature. Her forte was mountain climbing. She took more time in the daily routine of repeating mountain climbing than training with swords. After Nobuna obtained Mino, she received an order from Nobuna "please climb over all the mountains around Mino and make a map.” and getting more addicted in mountain climbing, and finally got the achievement of successfully in climbing Hida and Kiso those mountain regions- and in the meantime, she did not show herself during assessment.

Therefore, Inuchiyo became more and more famous, yet Sassa had no progress at all.

However, in spite of this, Sassa "Why do I climb the mountain. Because the mountain is there" (Translator's Note: This sentence is from the famous British mountaineer George Marillo), after being deployed to the northern frontline, she also climbed whenever she can. In particular, the Mount Haku that has been called "Lily Mountain", after climbing few high mountains of the four provinces, the Echizen, the Kaga, the Mino, and the Hida, said that “Because I want to pluck lily” and completed few times of mountain climbing.

"Sassa-san. Now is time to use your mountaineering skills and experience. Yamamoto Kansuke-san has used the "Woodpecker Tactic" by sending flying column to ambush Echigo army barricading at the back of Saijosan in the battle of Kawanakajima, but he was seen through by Kenshin-sama. If it’s Sassa-san, then marching through a more difficult mountain is also possible! Oda army is not used to mountain battle, but if Sassa-san leads the troops, they will surely able to cross the Mount Haku and launch a surprise attack on the Echigo army.”

"Mount Haku? The snow is still not melted yet! It is true that the climb over the mountain is possible if I command it. But the soldiers on the way may fall down one after another?”

“.. . We have no choice but have to do this. The missionary Organdro said that there was a famous man named Hannibal in ancient Nanban. General Hannibal led the troops riding elephants to climb a snowy mountain that is higher than Mount Haku in order to attack the powerful Roman army. That was a complete surprise attack to the Roman army who did not expect it. Majority of Hannibal’s soldiers also fell on the way of climbing the mountain. However, General Hannibal did not give up and finally led the soldiers into Rome ----Kenshin-sama would be leading all Echigo troops to encounter us. I wish that Sassa-san couldattack the flank of the Echigo army before our army confronts them.”

"Descend from Mount Haku, cross over Tedorigawa and capture the empty Matto Castle, is it?”

"No. After the Echigo army crossed Tedorigawa, in order to ensure they can capture Komatsu Castle, which is the place that placed at the most front in Kaga of Oda side, they would be marching to Echizen now. If they ignore Komatsu Castle, the Echigo army will completely lose their route to return to their own province, Echigo.” On the east side of Komatsu Castle, there is a small road surrounded by a muddy field called Asainawate. In Asainawate, a large army cannot advance nor retreat. I want Sassa-san first go to Asainawate, then launch a surprise attack on the flank of Echigo army when they pressuring Komatsu Castle.

"What about the main force of Shibata-sama during this period?”

"We will go straight through the northern land circuit, enter Kaga and go to Komatsu Castle as reinforcement. However, our troops are insufficient. If we fight directly with the Echigo army on the streets of the northern land circuit, we will definitely lose. The necessary condition for our victory is by Sassa- san reach Asainawate first and launch a surprise attack on the Echigo army. Recklessly marching through a snowy mountain will surely able to caught Kenshin-sama out of her expectation before she can make any preparation. 

On the contrary, if we don’t do until the extent, we will not be able to seize the opportunity to defeat the Echigo army.”

"This is a greater tactic than the "Woodpecker”.And, if it fails, the main force and the hiking division will be completely wiped out.”

"Yes. There is no time. This battle will be a difficult march where soldiers will fall on the snowy mountain one after another. No one can do it except Sassa-san. Can you please accept it?”

"I have no choice other than doing it. If they are led by someone other than

me, the hiking division will definitely be done for. Only, Hai-Sassa (Translator's Note: The original is ?????, it is a pun, meaning hai, hurry or hai, Sassa), I have accepted it. For the soldiers who fell on the snowy

mountain, I will offer the lily flower as my condolences.” "……Ga……ga…….”

Inuchiyo thought ‘a rare scene where I can show off, was stolen by Sassa who has not had a sense of existence so far. "Hai-Sassa" is the slogan of the Black Horoshu. . . For the Red Horoshu to be defeated by Black Horoshu. It is a pity’ and felt down.

Hanbei who grew up in the Boteyama believed that "mountain climbing" was also a military technique, and Sassa Narimasa would be of use in certain "important occasion", so she appointed Sassa as a member of the Northland side army. From the Nagahama via Ibukiyama, no matter the “middle entry” mountain route that appears at Sekigahara out of a sudden through Boteyama, or placing Sassa at Northland, all are in order to reach the final situation of using “mountain” as the “ambush tunnel”.

"Nobuna-san is known as the "maiden general of the sea" from her use of the metal ship in the waterway of Lake Biwa and the Kizugawa River mouth. 

Yoshiharu-san who starts from his proactive in leading the Kawanamishuu who are a bunch of river bandits as a general, and was trained as a pirate in the Murakami navy. Yoshiharu-san is also very good at making use of the "waterway" such as sea, river and more. But the Oda Army did not use the "mountain route" to launch a surprise attack before. Therefore, we should be able to block the eastern mountain circuit as a mean to eliminate Kenshin- sama’s way of retreat in Sekigahara. It should be work for the first time even if our opponent is Kenshin-sama.

"Hai-Sassa! How many soldiers are there for the hiking division?”

"Six thousand. After all, it is a forceful march that climbs over a snowy mountain and will be much slower than the usual marching speed. I suppose there would be only half of the people who can go down the mountain.

Shibata-sama and I and Inuchiyo-san will lead six thousand troops as the main force and advance to Komatsu Castle upright on the northern land circuit.

"The main force is six thousand. The hiking division is also six thousand. It’s too reckless.”

"If we reduce the hiking division to three thousand, only 1,500 troops can reach to the battlefield. That is not enough. For the soldiers who will fall in

the mountain, it’s pity that they will not be able to reach to the battlefield. But.

. . we have no other way.”

"Tactician-dono. I will definitely let more and more soldiers climb over Mount Haku safely. You don't have to think that negative. No one in this Northland side army will regret in giving their life to the tactician-sama. It is kind of unbelievable that my mountaineering addiction will be of use in this kind of situation. The soldiers die for their confidant. Please feel free to leave it to me.”

"No, thank you very much! Please do!”

“I will definitely triple the marching speed and make sure to double the soldiers that success to climb over the mountain. Will we be meeting each other next time in that world, or in Boteyama? In any case, please write "Miss Black Lily" on my tombstone” said with a bright smile, Sassa Narimasa gave courtesy to Hanbei and others. If double of the soldiers, that means six thousand. Sassa seems confident that most of the soldiers will climb the mountains safely.

"If I fail to climb over the mountain and turn into the morning dew of Mount Haku, a tombstone will not be of use at that time. Provide a black lily on the snow will be more than enough. Then ---- Hai-Sassa"

“At that time, I will give you a black rice jelly”, Inuchiyo shouted. Sassa replied "I prefer fashion more than my appetite. Just one black lily will be enough.”

“.. . In this way, is there only 6,000 left in the main force? The Echigo army has 25,000. If Sassa is late, we will be crushed in an instant.”

Even Katsuie can't help but tremble.

"With Asainawate as the battlefield, we can overcome the advantages of a large army. Just like in Okitawanate, where Shimazu Iehisa-san annihilated Ryuuzoji army, it is a straight road surrounded by mud fields. If Sassa-san finished the reckless climbing over Mount Haku and captured Asainawate before Echigo army captured Komatsu Castle, then we would be able to lure the Echigo army into Asainawate in accordance with the original plan. We will launch an attack there and Echigo army will be facing a pincer attack.” 

"But there is no treasured artillery team here. We have only a few hundred bullets at hand.”

"Fortunately, there are very few rifles in the Echigo army. Therefore, the main weapons of both sides are archery, and the most important is bravery of the individual general. Blocking the attack of the Echigo army is like the mission of Musashibo Benkei, and only Shibata-sama can accomplish it. We have to give the Echigo army a hard strike.”

“.. . About that mission, Inuchiyo also"

"Huhuhuhu. Inuchiyo-san, when Shibata-sama has fallen, the mission of temporary supreme commander of the army would be left to you.”

“……Ga”

Lost to Katsuie right after Sassa. . . Katsuie patted the shoulders of Inuchiyo who was getting more down "Saru will be sad, you have to protect Hanbei.

As long as Hanbei is alive, even if the Northland side army loses to Kenshin, Oda clan can still make a comeback. This is your mission.” and encouraged her.

“.. . Katsuie you. . . are you ready to die in battle?”

"Of course I am not going to die. However, I am a person who should have done seppuku to atone my sin for pulling bow against hime-sama in the battle of Ino. I will give my everythings to hime-sama till the end of my life. Once I have fallen, you are the supreme commander of the Northland side army. I will leave hime-sama and Saru to you, Inu.”

“.. . I understand. Millions of kokus in Kaga, Noto, and Etchu which are governed by Katsuie, will all inherited by Inuchiyo.” 

Shibata Katsuie said with a bitter smile "If Tenkafubu accomplished, this joke might become true.”

"I always feel that the time for my death is coming. After all, Nobusumi, who left this world, must be very lonely. I will try my best in Asainawate. I am sure that the success of hime-sama’s Tenkafubu is determined by to what extent I can hold out. Come on ---- Uesugi Kenshin!”

The snow mountain hiking division led by Sassa Narimasa set foot on the dangerous road of Mount Haku to Asainawate.

Shibata Katsuie, Maeda Inuchiyo, and Takenaka Hanbei lead the main force and went straight to Komatsu Castle through the northern land circuit.

Even if the pace of the two armies was slightly different, they would be crushed one by one. Perfect cooperation was necessary.

Sassa had to first arrive in Asainawate in just a few quarters and lure the Echigo army into Asainawate by launching a surprise attack when they are surrounding Komatsu Castle.

However.

When Shibata Katsuie and Takenaka Hanbei just passed by Kuzuryu River on their way of advance to Komatsu Castle, they received a report from Sassa Narimasa that was out of their expectation.

"The Sassa team, basically all members have climbed over Mount Haku safely and arrived in Asainawate! However, the Echigo army ignored Komatsu City and has already headed south toward Kuzuryu River! Uesugi Kenshin does not seem to be planning to secure the retreat route back to Echigo. She seems to run out of time by force her way through the northern land circuit to enter Sekigahara. The Sassa team is late for half a quarter and is currently chasing the Echigo Army!”

Hanbei was riding a pony that looks like a donkey with leisure, but after she heard Sassa’s report, she was shocked.

Sassa Narimasa completed the climbing of snowy Mount Haku which is an unprecedented difficult surprise attack. However, Hanbei missed out only one thing, which were the psychological activities of Kenshin. Kenshin, who had a premonition of "the death of Takeda Shingen", was desperate flying to Sekigahara. Kenshin destroyed Hanbei’s resolution for devising the sacrifice strategy of “Losing many soldiers in the climbing of snowy mountain”.However, Kenshin did not use another strategy to make Hanbei’s strategy fail. It was the premonition of Shingen walking to the path of destruction, which can only felt by her archenemy who threw away her pride and fought with her various times in Kawanakajima. Shingen’s "will" transcended space and conveyed to Kenshin. The two of them have formed a bond of friendship that beyond love and hate. This bond drived Kenshin, the righteous general to make such reckless decisions.

The unfortunate thing was that Hanbei did not know “Shingen contracted disease” which was the most confidential intelligence of the Eastern Army. The intelligence about Shingen fell in sick was completely shut off by the Takeda-Tokugawa alliance. Even the Mori sisters who belonged to the same faction did not know about this. Moreover, Hanbei had a direct confrontation with Shingen before. Contrary to Hanbei with pale skin color, Shingen was a very healthy maiden general. She was someone full of vitality. Something like Shingen contracted an incurable disease, Hanbei had never even though of that before. 

With the "wisdom" of Hanbei, she still couldn’t come out with an explanation regarding why Uesugi Kenshin going all-out to south through the northern land circuit and ignored Komatsu Castle when she received the report from Sassa

“.. . Shibata-sama. I am very sorry. My "strategy", my career of "tactics" was defeated for the first time. . . ! Why, Uesugi Kenshin will adopt such a

strange tactic, I don’t even know. . . !”

Hanbei had been survived as the “tactician that avoid sacrifices” until today. She was not a tactician that only seeks victory. As long as she honed her wisdom, the ultimate tactic would certainly reduce casualties in a war. Even with Hanbei’s ability, she couldn’t defeat the military god of Echigo if she did not break the rule she had set for herself and committed a great sin.

Therefore, only after tears of blood, she ordered the Sassa team to climb the Mount Haku. Sassa had done a great job far beyond her expectations. There was almost no casualty in the march of climbing Mount Haku. Even so.

Uesugi Kenshin was not an opponent that can be defeated solely by "wisdom" and "rationality”.

“.. . I'm sorry… after went through so many things for me to have another ten years life-span, but I. . . but I. . .”

“All the responsibilities are on the supreme general of the Oda Northland side army, it has nothing to do with tactician-dono!” Shibata Katsuie patted the shoulders of Hanbei.

"Hanbei! It must be hard for you, but you must bear it now! Uesugi Kenshin is the real military god! Even if she is no longer incarnated by Bishamonten, her godlike strength would not have any changes. As expected, she was born to be a genius in battle. When the "Woodpecker" was countered in the battle of Kawanakajima, Yamamoto Kansuke was still standing up to protect the life of Takeda Shingen, and finally incorporated Kawanakajima as a territory of the Takeda clan. Since we don’t have troops that were left in the snowy mountain, that means we still have 12,000 troops!”

“.. . Shibata-sama"

"How is the ten years life-span you received worth nothing! You will be scolded by Saru for saying those words! If two strategies were failed, then we just have to devise the third one! If the third one also fails, then go on with the fourth one! My life is in your command! My ‘martial art’ cannot rivals Kenshin. However, along with your ‘wisdom’, it should be enough to defeat Kenshin!”

"That’s right! Thank you very much!”

The "encouragement" from the experienced brave general, Shibata Katsuie at least save Hanbei’s heart.

"My life belongs to Saru and hime-sama. If we succumbed here, then their fate in Sekigahara would----Moreover, Hanbei. You told Niwa Nagahide who is going to Tango turned to Sekigahara right? It doesn’t matter even if I am fallen, as long as Nagahide able to enter Sekigahara, then hime-sama can still fight!”

"Yes. Shibata-sama. The plan to let Niwa-sama go Sekigahara is already in place. The fourth trump card has already been played.”

"Impressive. By the way, Hanbei. Even if Nagahide can get herself off from Tango, once Kenshin enters Sekigahara, then everything will be naught.

Let’s barricade at Daishoji Castle, regroup with Sassa team and stop Echigo army at Kuzuryu River! The Echigo army will enter Echizen after crossing Kuzuryu River. It will be a plain field all the way to Sekigahara and we can do nothing to stop them!

“No, even if we barricade in Daishoji Castle, the Echigo army will ignore us and cross Kuzuryu River. Uesugi Kenshin-sama is no longer considering to retreat. She seems to be possessed by something and will only head to Sekigahara.” Hanbei answered. She has regained her pride and ingenuity as a military tactician.

"This same thing will happen even if we barricade in Kitanosho Castle in Echizen. Then the only choice we have is to engage them in the northern land circuit. Shibata-sama will handle the frontline while Sassa-san will assault the rear of the Echigo army. We will form a pincer attack against the Echigo army in the northern land circuit!”

"Is that so? As expected of ‘the second Kong Ming’.Although our troops are less than half of the enemy, still engage in a plain field huh.”

"Deploy the ‘Desperate fight formation' at the back of Kuzuryu River and wait for the Echigo army. Withstand the overwhelming attack from the Echigo army until Sassa-san caught up with us. There is almost no chance of winning. If we can't withstand until Sassa-san comes, we will be wiped out.

At worst scenario, we will need Shibata-san to ‘die while standing'……. !”

"If the Echigo army suddenly forms the "wheel formation", we will definitely be wiped out. However, we have to do it. Shibata Katsuie, think it as a rare event in a lifetime. I will stand at the vanguard of the formation alone, and wait for Kenshin.”

"Alone! ? Kenshin-sama is a person who will not be confused by over- thinking. Once you pick up a duel, she will respond immediately. If that happens……” 

"That’s wrong. Kenshin will hesitate to take the enemy's life. Especially now where her disguise as Bishamonten had fallen off, I am very sure about that. Having said that, using the same mean as before to have a duel with Kenshin as the opponent will not work. Although ultimately I will be fallen from the defeat against Kenshin. Despite that, I will try my best to survive until Sassa has reached here----” t

"But why? Why do you want to provoke a duel?”

"In the case of setting up a "Desperate formation" where we have no retreat, the morale of the army would be affected if the supreme commander hides at the back. It is well known that Oda troops are very weak. Because Owari people have the aura as a merchant. But as long as I gamble my life and duel with Kenshin, the morale of the army could be maintained. No one would want to escape from the battlefield. In that way, the Oda troops surely can unleash their power that exceeds their number.”

“The supreme commander or the military tactician is also sinful existences. Hanbei, the next time I am born, I want to try to become a young girl who lives for love.”, Katsuie smiled. As long as she is the supreme commander, the Shibata army will never flee and continue to fight, including me as well ---

- Hanbei was astounded by the greatness of Shibata Katsuie's ‘commander tolerance' and believed that Oda Nobuna-sama had made the right choice to promote Shibata-sama as the minister of an army.

"If I am dead, then Inuchiyo is reserved to become the supreme commander right? Although her spear art is extremely powerful she is not used to the duty as a supreme commander. Hanbei, you have to give her a lot of support, I beg you!” 

"What if Inuchiyo-san also goes and pick up a duel with Kenshin-sama? Considering her straightforward character, I will be the next one if Shibata- sama was killed, I am sure she will think that way and nominate herself to a duel.”

"Use sweet words to stop her. If she can't be stopped, then Sassa will be the supreme commander. After that, make decisions depending on the decision. Well, the army would already collapse if the supreme commander swapped for three times. But Hanbei, you must live and go to where Saru ---- where Sagara Yoshiharu is. I will command the main force of the Hatamotoshuu (TL note: army under the banners) to escort you.”

"What’s with this? Shibata-sama, I am a military tactician. The person who gambled all the troops in her plan. How can I escape alone!”

"If you die, then the efforts of Sagara Yoshiharu until now will be turned into nothing. That guy never gives up in changing the ‘destiny’ of maiden generals. Saves them. Protects them. Especially you, Takenaka Hanbei. . . the woman that guy loves as a man is hime-sama. But what kind of struggle and hard fights he went through to change your ‘destiny', how much he respects and admires you as a person, even as idiot as me also can see it. Even if I have to let you be unconscious, I will let you escape with safe.

That's enough!”

Hanbei gave up for a further rebuttal. It is impossible for Shibata-sama to change her mind. However, hoping to fight along with this person until the end, and not running away, Yoshiharu-san will never blame me for that ---- that’s what she thinks.

(Although it was easy for the imaginary adult to break through the whole system to solve the problem, it is still very easy to keep the empty space of the Shibata adults on the battlefield. Sorry. Mr. Liang Qing. It is rare that you have given me ten years of life. Perhaps it is no longer possible. . . In order to let the officers and soldiers catch up with Guanyuan, in order to delay the entry of the Vietnamese army into Guanyuan. I want to be with the master of Shibata. Here)

The border river between Kaga and Echizen, Kuzuryu River.

At the back of the Kuzuryu River, Shibata Katsuie and Takenaka Hanbei had deployed their troops in the desperate formation.

By putting themselves in a ‘dead place' where they will never take a step backward.

The Echigo Army, which raised the "hanging dragon" and "Bi" flag, spurred on the northern land circuit.

Its army is about 25,000 troops.

The Echigo army abandoned Matto Castle and Komatsu Castle. They do not consider the route of retreat at all.

What makes Kenshin so desperate? No matter Hanbei, Katsuie or even Inuchiyo also couldn’t understand that. Because Kenshin does not have the ambition of competing for the throne. However, Kenshin is indeed there. She seems like resisting the ‘destiny’ of someone.

Shibata Katsuie showed a fierce appearance and confront them alone, then she cried out her name.

"The minister of Oda clan, supreme commander of the Northland side Oda army, Shibata Katsuie, is here! Uesugi Kenshin! We continue the duel that was not finished from Tedorigawa! This time, no one will interrupt us! No need to be skeptical and come here!” 

And yet, Kenshin once again adopted an unusual tactic.

She bypassed the Shibata army with six thousand troops deployed at Kuzuryu River. She completely ignored their existence. She scattered her army into small teams and cross the river in one fell swoop.

"She did not respond to the duel! ? How is it possible? ? What is Uesugi Kenshin thinking? Is she escaping? Why is the invincible military god flees from the enemy that can score a nine-point victory?”

Shibata Katsuie is utterly shocked.

The Echigo army’s vanguard has crossed Kuzuryu River. The soldiers of the Echigo army stepped into the Echizen territory one by one.

At this point, Takenaka Hanbei, an unusual situation that we can't understand is going to happen in Sekigahara. Kenshin-sama, with her sense of transcendence that beyond rationality, perceived the abnormal situation) finally noticed this. Kenshin should also clueless about what happened. But only one thing Hanbei can assure.

If the Echigo army led by Uesugi Kenshin arrives in Sekigahara - then the Western Army will surely lose.

"All the army, give up the formation and cross Kuzuryu River! Chase the Echigo army! We must stop the Echigo army from entering Sekigahara at all cost! It's not impossible for us to halt them! If Niwa-sama can reach here in

time……!”

On the other hand, the Echigo army continued to fend off the Shibata army who is chasing them while moving down to south along the northern land circuit. The Echigo army, who have an overwhelming advantage against the Oda army that led by Shibata Katsuie, instead of fleeing from the Oda army along the streets which makes it a fascinating scene. Moreover, they are not fleeing to Echigo but in the opposite direction. The Echigo army is fleeing to Sekigahara. Uesugi Kenshin who never had a defeat in her battle history,

figured out Takenaka Hanbei’s tactic completely and rendered useless, but she is indeed fleeing from Shibata Katsuie and Takenaka Hanbei right now.

Perhaps, Kenshin-sama has already realized Nobuna-sama will destroy the Takeda cavalry unit with ‘three squads firing in turn’, Hanbei came to this conclusion. Kenshin wants to go and save Takeda Shingen. For the sake of it, no matter her undefeated battle history or her title of the military god, she will not hesitate to abandon all of it.

Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, are heroes of the world, and they are enemies. If one of them was not born, then the other one will definitely unify the world. If it is not for the two to continue fighting in Kawanakajima, Oda Nobuna has no chance to rise up. That Kenshin, in order to save Shingen, she chose to receive her first ‘defeat’ in her lifetime. She even gave up the route of retreat and rush to Sekigahara with desperate. If considered with common sense and rationality, her action is way too abnormal. However, Hanbei can feel that she finally understood the heart of Kenshin.

"At this moment, the only thing that can waver Kenshin-sama……. . I am afraid that is……”

In the meantime, Kenshin can no longer suppress the uneasiness in her heart, and tears flowed out of her eyes while she was on her mount. The closer she is, the stronger she feels the crisis that is approaching to Shingen. Can I make it in time? There’s likely that Takenaka Hanbei will continue to use her ‘tactic. To let the army flee while rushing to another battlefield, I know it's too reckless. Can the Echigo army hold until we reach there? Can we get the enemies away from us? 

" Takeda Shingen. Oda Nobuna has definitely prepared for the ‘Death Trap’ waiting for you to step on it. Why are you so desperate to decide who's the winner? Why are you even choose to kill Tsuda Nobusumi in order to provoke Oda Nobuna to start a merciless annihilation battle? You are not allowed to die. You are not allowed to leave me alone and go to die by yourself. Even though we still haven't decided the winner in the battle of Kawanakajima. This kind of arbitrary action, I will never allow it……. !” 

Tango, the place that controls the 'fate' of the Northland frontline.

There is no progress at all in the action of Niwa Nagahide in surrounding the Tanabe Castle with Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Hosokawa Fujitaka inside.

There are only 500 people in the castle. Once the Nagahide army with more than 10,000 troops engaged, they should be able to take down the castle in a short time. However, the Kanpaku, Konoe Sakihisa rushed into Tango after hearing that and warned again

"You can't do that. If the 'Kokondenju' turned into ashes, Oda clan will definitely become an enemy of the imperial court.”

He protests with tenacious, this causes the main reason why Nagahide cannot capture Tanabe Castle until now, and time is wasting.

"There are zero points in this way. With the power of Konoe-sama, can't you do something to prevent the Oda clan from being presumed as an enemy of the imperial court?” 

"Even if I am the Kanpaku, I also can't suppress all the public sects. Instead, it will be an opportunity for the 'Anti-Konoe alliance' to recognize both me and Oda Nobuna as the enemies of the imperial court"

"Anti-Konoe alliance, huh?”'

“.. . Just like what happens to a battle of members in a clan when they broke out, in Fujiwara Sessho clan, there are five family branches called Konoe family, Kujou family, Nijou family, Ichijou family, and Takatsukasa family.

Although Konoe family is the main family, but Kujou, Nijou, and Ichijou are in the 'Kujou alliance’.What's more, The branch family of Konoe, Takatsukasa family has been cut off in recent years and occupied by the Kujou alliance. In other words, the four families other than Konoe family are also 'Anti-Konoe alliance’.

"Is it possible that Konoe-sama offended the sects from the Kujou alliance?”

“.. . When Ashikaga Yoshiteru was assassinated by the Miyoshi Three, I did not go to save my stepbrother, Yoshiteru. The former Kanpaku and the head of the Nijou clan, Nijou Haruyoshi blamed me for doing things rashly and intended to snatch the position of Kanpaku from the Konoe family. When Oda Nobuna went to Kyoto and the Miyoshi Three being driven out, Nijou Haruyoshi also expects me to be driven out from Kyoto too. Out of his expectation, Oda Nobuna did not intervene in the issues of the Imperial Court, so my position as Kanpaku was safe until now.”

"Then, where is Nijou Haruyoshi-dono now?”

"He has already died from illness. The Kujou alliance has their hatred against me increase day by day due to Nijou Haruyoshi's regret. In addition, they are unsatisfied with me to form an alliance with Oda Nobuna, who was my former political opponent. Their unity is getting stronger now.” 

The samurai clans can't interfere with the personnel of the Imperial Court, which will cause unnecessary misunderstanding and confusion. In the worst case, the Imperial Court will once again split into two factions. Therefore, Oda Nobuna, who is marching towards 'Tenkafubu', has always maintained an appropriate distance to the sects in Kyoto. The result turned out to be a scourge. Nagahide was confused in her thought 'in order to win the battle I must capture the Tanabe Castle as soon as possible. However, once I captured it, Oda clan will become an enemy of the Imperial Court. I can't help but give full marks for the strategy of Hosokawa Fujitaka-dono. . . . . . . !’

In just a few days, the situation has continued to change.

Nagahide sighed "Nobusumi-dono has dissipated in Gifu Castle, Hanbei- dono's strategy was figured out by Kenshin. . . . . . if this goes on, the Western Army will surely lose.” She doesn't even have time to give points for the situation let alone mourning for Nobusumi's dead.

If I do not immediately return to Echizen to provide support to Hanbei-dono and Katsuie-dono. The Katsuie army will be overwhelmed by the Echigo army and collapse due to the lack of troops.

However, I can't leave Tango without someone looking over it, the head of the provinces in shaded mountain circuit will undoubtedly turn to the Eastern Army one by one.

The only way is to split the army into two, one surrounds Tanabe Castle and the other one engages the Echigo army. . . . . . That will not work. The people that turned to the Eastern Army are coming to support Tanabe Castle. If I separate my soldiers now, both sides will be crushed in an interval. The method of picking two fruits at the same time. . . . . . .

Niwa Nagahide was out of ideas and don't know what to do. 

But then--.

Unexpected "reinforcement" suddenly appeared in front of Nagahide.

They unveiled the banner of the three-footed 'Yatagarasu', they are the strongest mercenary legion in the Sengoku Era.

The Saika Ikki, through the long drive from Sakai, went straight to Tango.

"I haven't seen you for a long time, the sister that likes to give scores! We are the Saika Ikki, and this time we were hired by Takenaka Hanbei-san with money! To be honest, we really want to go to Sekigahara to fight against Nobuna-san, however, it is the professional conduct of the mercenary for them go work for those hired them. Of course--not! Leave the siege of Tanabe Castle to us!

Saika Magoichi appeared on the battlefield with her 'coquettish dressing that looks like an actor', along with her younger sister, Saika Magoroku intruded the camp where Nagahide is.

"Magoichi-dono! ? Isn't the Saika Ikki an enemy of Oda clan?”

"The Saika Ikki are mercenaries. Unlike the Honnya Temple, as long as there is money, it doesn't matter they are enemy or not. Although I want to tell the world that whether the Oda or Saika is the best in terrain battle. But once the Takeda cavalry unit combined with the Sakai rifle unit, we will become the strongest legion in terrain battle. Even if Oda Nobuna prepared new tactics it will still be an instant kill to the Oda army. That will be not fun. Only by defeating Oda Nobuna with my own strength, I can find it meaningful. Although I have earned a lot of money from the Eastern Army before this, I still accepted the request from Hanbei-san.” 

"In fact, my sister does not want to crusade the 'number one man of the world' Sagara Yoshiharu, who she admires. She wants to protect him!”"Wawawa. Don't nonsense. Shut up!” Magoichi blocked her sister's mouth in panic as her sister confessed everything.

"If you want to save Sagara Yoshiharu-dono, you can go to Osaka Castle or Sekigahara. Why traveled so far to come here?”

"The 'Kokondenju' must have caused you to not take any actions. It will be a difficult matter for samurai family to burn that book. If the public sects come and disrupt, you would be out of time. Hanbei-san was very worried about this and sent us here to prevent the siege of Tanabe Castle from becoming a war of attrition. Not only that, Hanbei-san had even considered the possibility of her strategy from preventing the Echigo army to move south would be figured out by Kenshin-san. Even though Hanbei-san is the number one tactician of the world but she did not over-confident in her knowledge. The second plan, third plan, fourth plan. . . . . . devised the responses after considering all the probabilities. She's really a tactician-dono with great ability with her petite figure.

"Despite her young age, she is already a warrior who has been gazing at the 'dead boundary' all the time.” Magoichi smiled sadly. Her own life. Her future. Her dream. Her hope. She put all these 'virtual things' aside and devised strategies and tactics with pure 'rationality’.In the end, what kind of desperation and despair she had gone through to become a military tactician with such determination.

"But, aren't you also a samurai?”

"We are mercenary units. We do not belong to the public sects nor the samurais. I am fine with it. Although we will be recognized as the enemy of the Imperial Court. But the 'Kokondenju' must be burned. A castle of this level can be taken down immediately with a charge attack. It has nothing to do with our employer, the Oda clan. We ignored our contract and burned an ancient book that we don't know what is written in it arbitrarily. We were hot- blooded at that time.”

"But. Once you burn the 'Kokondenju' you will lose your foothold in the Saika Village. . . No, it will be in entire Japan", Niwa Nagahide was worried about

Magoichi. However, Magoichi "Well, for the sake of the man I admire, moreover" replied bluntly. while caressed the muzzle of her latest rifle, 'Aiyama Hogo’.

"If the world is unified, the mercenaries will lose their foothold. It will be fine. Everyone has been fighting in Japan for a hundred years has been tired of the war. Let's end this Sengoku Era along with Sagara Yoshiharu-dono.”

"What if you were viewed as the enemy of the Imperial Court?”

"If we became the enemy of the Imperial Court, we will go to Luzon or North Korea! Because we are a bunch of pirates originally. Ahhahaha!”

Niwa Nagahide "I hope we can hold the Nanban football competition together in the future ----" thanked Magoichi several times while holding her hand, after that she mounted her warhorse quickly. She cried out "All the troops, march towards Echizen! We will prevent the Echigo army moving south along with Shibata-dono!”

"If I joined, the troops of the Echigo army and the Oda Northland side army are just equal. Hope I can catch up! No, I must absolutely catch up!”

Hosokawa Fujitaka, who is in the Tanabe Castle, is confused.’Why the Saika Ikki appeared in Tango?’ 

At the same time as Niwa Nagahide disengaged from surrounding the castle, all the Saika Ikki members equipped their rifles and launched a storm on Tanabe Castle. The Saika Ikki who was supposed to be the opponent of Oda Nobuna, came to Tanabe Castle in this crucial moment, and in this situation -

--- This is something totally out of expectation. It is impossible to predict this with mere 'Kokondenju' that only knows little of the 'future’.

Regardless of Ashikaga Yoshiteru who wishes to return to Japan and die in a gorgeous battle, Hosokawa Fujitaka was not intended to barricade in Tanabe Castle till he dies. He just wants to drag Niwa Nagahide at here for one or two weeks. In that case, the Echigo army will be able to march to Sekigahara. At the same time, Akechi Mitsuhide will turn to the Eastern Army and crusades Oda Nobuna. And lastly, in order to prevent the Akechi regime will not become a 'three days regime' just like what is written in 'history', Fujitaka and Yoshiteru will do their job.

In 'history', the sudden rebellion of Mitsuhide has no strong prove and legitimacy. There is also the possibility that she was secretly instigated by the public sects that afraid that Nobuna will abolish the Imperial Court and intends to take over the position of Mikohime. But the public sects are a bunch of fellows that will pretend 'knowing nothing' after the samurai families have fallen from an intense fight, they will not leave any evidence. This is exactly the reason why the 'Honnou Temple incident' takes place in a sudden. At last Mitsuhide will be isolated and ultimately perish. In the 'history' written in 'Kokondenju', Fujitaka was at Tango and nothing he can do after this sudden incident. He can only watch how Mitsuhide being isolated after launched a rebellion and took over the world with the lack of legitimacy and died alone.

However, what if the Kengo Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiteru is still alive? 

With the revival of the "Ashikaga Shogunate", maybe she will survive?

Yoshiteru and Fujitaka will become the center of the revival of the Ashikaga Shogunate, then they can invite Akechi Mitsuhide to become the ruler under Ashikaga Yoshiteru Shogun and build a rock-solid system. Takeda Shingen will die of illness in a short time. Uesugi Kenshin and Kobayakawa Takakage do not have the ambition to become the emperor. As long Fujitaka declared "This is not a rebellion. The original lord of Mitsuhide is Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the orthodox Ashikaga Shogun. The campaign against the Oda clan who wants to abolish Ashikaga and establish Imagawa Shogunate is an order from Ashikaga Yoshiteru", this will justifies Mitsuhide's rebellion. In another way should be able to restrain the generals with the intention of 'campaign against Mitsuhide’.

That is the 'history rectification' where 'Both Ashikaga Shogunate and Akechi Mitsuhide will be saved' applied by Fukjitaka after interpreted the 'future' from the 'Kokondenju' and went through several considerations.

However, due to the unpredictable emergence of the Saika Ikki, Fujitaka's 'plan' was uprooted.

Hosokawa Fujitaka has already noticed, 'Ah. I forgot that. Sagara Yoshiharu is a "future person" and a natural born "Japanese.” To him, no one is his enemy in this Sengoku Era. . . . . . . . The battle with Honnya Temple which should have been a battle that lasts for ten years with many casualties, he ended it in the shortest time with the least sacrifice. Although it is not conspicuous, the early end of the battle with Honnya Temple is actually the biggest achievement Sagara Yoshiharu made to alter the history, the turning point of the 'history'.’ 

That is exactly why Saika Magoichi 'supports' Sagara Yoshiharu and Oda Nobuna with the determination to become the enemy of the Imperial Court in this crucial occasion that will decide the direction of 'history’.

First of all, the military tactician who figured out his second, third, and fourth plan followed by instigating Magoichi, Takenaka Hanbei should have been dead of illness long ago.

During the period when Fujitaka was far away from Japan and preparing everything, Sagara Yoshiharu changed the "command" of Takenaka Hanbei. Therefore, "The second Kong Ming" is still alive. That "second Kong Ming" instigated Saika Magoichi to help them. Everything is interrelated. He can only think so.

That's right. Everything is not coincidental. All of them are the "results" produced by Sagara Yoshiharu with him living, battling, and struggling in this Sengoku Era. As long as I use 'Kokondenju' as a shield and barricades in Tanabe Castle, the tide in the battle of Sekigahara will turn to the Eastern Army. Because that is the original 'history’.I am convinced of this and believe it. In the end, the one who was bound by 'prophecy' seems to be me, Fujutaka understood it.

"I am very sorry. Your Highness. I lost to Takenaka Hanbei and Sagara Yoshiharu. The gap of people who are trying to change the 'history' while still in China, and the people who fought with their blood in the battlefield, appeared at the end. Because of the interpretation from the 'Kokondenju', I was able to save Your Highness from the Miyoshi Three. This successful experience has restricted my wisdom.” 

"No. You have tried your best. There is no need to say sorry, Fujitaka! However, the future is definitely uncertain! It is because of this that life is interesting!”

The second chamber has fallen. The only thing left is this main chamber. The infamous riflemen of the Saika Ikki will be here soon. "Rifle has very low accuracy", until a few years ago was still the common sense of the samurai. However, the Saika Ikki are different. They have unbelievable accuracy in rifles. Especially Saika Magoichi who wields the 'Aiyama Hogo’.She can snipe her target and kill them with only one shot from a far-reaching distance.

"Wow, hahaha! Fujitaka! Magoichi is on the raft. My sword can't reach that far! We can't have a duel in this way!” 

The Kengo Shogun stays in the chamber and watches how the castle was attacked by rifles from all directions and laughed "And I thought I will be slain, there are so many rifles! I can't cut a bullet with my sword no matter how I use it! Oh yeah, it seems like I have mistaken the era. The era of the swordsman is over, Fujitaka!”

"Even I also can't rival the rifle expert. If this is not a siege battle, but a terrain battle, maybe I can intimidate Saika Magoichi! How is it? The mission of trapping Niwa Nagahide in Tanabe has been completed. No, it's over. It is time for us to have a fierce battle and die!

“.. . Haiz. Burn the "Kokondenju”.If we leave the book here, there will be people who are confused by "Prophecy" like me. If a fool is taken away by this book, Japan It will be caught in a chaos that is more difficult to clean up than it is now. Maybe this book is not meant to be interpreted.” 

Finally, Yoshiteru and Fujitaka were forced into a six tatami room.

The chambers began to burn, and the two had been surrounded by the Saika Ikki from all directions.

"This is the end huh. So far, no one wants to use the sword to fight against me. Everyone uses rifle huh. Although it is a pity to sacrifice the famous sword, it is almost time to go.”

"It's a pity that I've seen the "future" of Akechi Juubei. If we were to die here, The 'destiny' of the 'three days regime' will surely happen. . . Hosokawa Fujitaka sits calmly.

"If you see Juubei as a 'chess' that can dispose of after you completed your only goal that is 'the revival of Ashikaga Shogunate', maybe we still can succeed. It's really very difficult to accomplish the objective of picking two fruits at the same time. It's not something that can easily when you are not in Japan.”

"You also have feelings, Fujitaka. I am very happy about that. However, if you and I were to die here, Akechi Mitsuhide will----"

"Yes. I did something unnecessary. The plan to let Juubei rebel in Sekigahara, causing the Eastern Army to be the victory, and ultimately invite Juubei into the new Ashikaga Shogunate was failed. Now Juubei already cannot escape from the 'fate' of being the rebel. . . . . .”

"What are you talking about? Akechi Mitsuhide has gotten well with Oda Nobuna already.” the voice of the maiden mercenary with Kishu accent resounded in the room.

That person is Saika Magoichi.

She did not carry her 'Aiyama Hogo’. 

She invaded the six tatami room with empty ends.

"The winners have already been decided. You don't have to look for death. How about you exchange Imagawa Yoshimoto-san who was holding hostage in Osaka Castle with us. Of course, the Saika Ikki will need some handling fees for this.”

She talked with a smile. She did not show even a slight nervousness against the 'Kengo Shogun’.

"It doesn't matter even if you kill us, we are just mercenaries. Our lives won't make a big difference in the 'history'.”

"Wow, haha! The swordsman has already defeated by the rifleman! Bring the opponent to die together because of anger, this is something that a samurai disdained to do. Moreover, I can't do that to a beauty like you. I will carry out seppuku here. Watch closely.”

Ashikaga Yoshihide laughed, Eh? beauty? Magoichi cannot help but take a step back.

"If, if, if it's about beauty, it should be the person who is sitting beside Kengo Shogun-dono that looks like a maiden general right?

“.. . I am a man. Nice to meet you, Magoichi-dono. I am, Hosokawa Fujitaka"

"Ehhhhhhhh? Maaaaan? Boy. . . . . . . boy love. . . . . . . ? Oh, no. I feel like a new door has opened at the bottom of my heart. . . . . . ! ?”

"Please stop talking. Your highness Yoshiteru and I are brothers!” "What? Brothers, the forbidden one. . . ! ?”

"Like I said, no!” Hosokawa Fujitaka had to clarify several times. Death is not terrifying. However, it is impossible to not leave regrets if he carried out seppuku under such humiliating misunderstandings. Fujitaka continued "Wait for a moment. If I don't explain the misunderstanding, how would the younger generations view me! I don't want to be regarded as the subject of an anonymous Otogi-zoshi (TL note: a short story collection)" and panicked.

"Fujitaka! You changed the result of history, causing me from dying heroically to become dying due to a dispute with his male partner! How can I endure such humiliation! You, in the end, what have you done!

“.. . For the first time since you born, you are angry, Your Highness Yoshiteru.”

"Can I not be angry?”

In order to clarify 'they are not in a male-male relationship' to Magoichi in order to get rid of this misunderstanding, they wasted some time.

In the meantime, that man caught up.

"You two cannot suicide! The death of the Kengo Shogun will become the 'resentment' that will permanently separate the samurai families!”

Konoe Sakihisa, who used to work with Ashikaga Yoshiteru to restore the fame of Ashikaga Shogunate and Imperial Court.

"You are Konoe huh? It is already late. Fujitaka and I tried to manipulate the 'history' and ended up in failure. Akechi Mitsuhide will soon rebel against Oda Nobuna. . . . . . . no, maybe it already happened. I must take responsibility for this. After Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide disappeared from the 'history', it will be the time for me to disappear according to the 'history’.

"True. If we further manipulate the 'history', the flow of 'history' will be completely disrupted and the Sengoku Era may not end. Originally, Your Highness Yoshiteru was supposed to be dead in Nijou Imperial Court a long time ago based on his 'fate', and my 'fate' will be secluding myself after the battle of Sekigahara, where my task of concluding the history has come to the end. Because of my plan, Sagara Yoshiharu's effort to change Oda Nobuna's 'fate' has become naught. Oda Nobuna, along with Juubei. . . . . . . everything will return to the original flow, the original 'history' I believe.”

"Again. Didn't I said that Akechi Mitsuhde is in good condition now!” Magoichi raised her voice.

"Kanpaku-san. Although I don't know what happened, I just can't communicate with him at all from the beginning. He is so stubborn in explaining that they are not boy love. . . . . . . did something happened to him because of living in China for too long?”

"What are you two talking about? It is impossible for Akechi Mitsuhide to rebel against Oda Nobuna. It seems that after they merged at Sekigahara, they two together with Sagara Yoshiharu had the 'Oath of the Peach Garden’.

What, Hosokawa Fujitaka can't help but widen his eyes.

"Sagara Yoshiharu! ? And they two! ? He should have known the 'history', so he knew the 'fate' of those two. He knew what is the final ending. But still, at the crucial moment. . . if that's the case, it means that Juubei escaped from the sinister curse that based on 'Kokondenju'?

"Sinister curse, is it? What is it?”

"The triangular relationship between the three people will produce a decisive crack in their relationship in Sekigahara, and the destined "fate" will be achieved. It should be like that?” 

"In conclusion, the oath was a success. Although Oda Nobuna is a woman with extreme jealousy, I don't know why she seems to view Akechi Mitsuhide differently. It's not impossible Akechi Mitsuhide will become a concubine of Sagara Yoshiharu according to this development.”

"Then "history" is moving towards - the future that did not exist, a future where Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide coexist. Sagara Yoshiharu finally protected the two of them, the two incompatible fruits. It turns out that he is such a man"

Got dumped huh. That Mitsuhide. It's fine that she rejected your proposal, she even went so far as to become Sagara Yoshiharu's concubine. Fujitaka, you got dumped by Mitsuhide. Now you should understand the sorrow of a man with an ugly and scary appearance, hahaha! Ashikaga Yoshiteru laughed loudly.

"The will of Sagara Yoshiharu seems to overwhelm the prophecy you manipulated. We have no need to suicide already huh.”

Yoshiteru patted Fujitaka's shoulder.

“.. . Yeah. I want to live and meet them again. The person from future who protected Oda Nobuna and Juubei. . . . . . . wait. . . . don't tell me. . . . . please wait, Your Highness! As expected I have already let Juubei fall into her destined 'fate'!”

"Hm? What do you mean, Fujitaka?”

"Although the loss of Tanabe Castle is earlier than scheduled, the Echigo army can no longer be stopped from going south. If this goes on the winner will be the Easter Army. It's all because of me using those petty tricks from Shosoin. . . . . . to drive Tokugawa into the Eastern Army. Kuroda Kanbei will be trapped by Osaka Castle and unable to reach in time. In the end, the 'fate' 

will end according to the given ending wasn't it! ? If I leave everything to Sagara Yoshiharu then he might be able to save Juubei, but I ruined it.”

If Juubei and Oda Nobuna are defeated by the Eastern Army and died, then all the "causes and consequences" will be matched. It's all my faults for revealing the 'future' to Honda Masanobu, it's all my faults. Fujitaka felt guilty and shame for his actions.

"Fujitaka. Although I don't quite understand the things in that part, you no need to worry too much. First of all, Sagara Yoshiharu is a man who won't give up and always think of ways to get through the storm.”

"True. That man is the number one man in the world. So far, Yoshiharu-dono has played countless hands. However, he doesn't even aware that he did.

He fought all the way just to protect the suffering maiden generals. Even if you try to use wisdom to waver 'history', Sagara Yoshiharu devoted everything including his life to fight against 'history’.Therefore, we are hired by Hanbei-dono and appeared in Tanabe Castle. I can read that from your expression. Everything he has done was actually impossible. This is what you thought right? Yoshiharu-dono will be able to grasp the 'future'.”

Tanabe Castle opened its gate.

Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Hosokawa Fujitaka were temporarily take in custody by Konoe Sakihisa in exchange for the safety of all soldiers in Tanabe Castle. Although Magoichi protested, "I can't accept this. I need to bring them to exchange for Imagawa Yoshimoto who is in Osaka Castle. That way I can make a big profit in this.” But Konoe said, "Shut up you little pirate.

Don't ask for too much! No matter the Eastern Army or the Western Amry wins, I will take responsibility for everything and protect those two at Kyoto!” Konoe Sakihisa has lost his intention to control the samurai families long ago. Therefore, he will leave the final decision for the lives of those two to the 'emperor' who won in Sekigahara. This is a desperate plan thought by Konoe Sakihisa. In that case, he can protect the lives of those two with his 'Kanpaku persuading technique' regardless which side won in Sekigahara.

And so, Yoshiteru's several infamous swords that were standing on the tatami, along with the 'Kokondenju' owned by Fujitaka have been handed over to Konoe Sakihisa to keep them.

Once the battle of Sekigahara is over, the emperor will be revealed. Would it be Oda Nobuna, the one leads the Western Army. Or the supreme commander of the Eastern Army, Takeda Shingen. Or maybe the development would follow the 'history' and Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes the ruler. It's also possible there's an unexpected 'fourth person’.Fujitaka couldn't anticipate that. If the 'fate' is converged according to the original history, then Oda Nobuna, Akechi Mitsuhide, and Takeda Shingen will fall in this battle, and Tokugawa Ieyasu is the only one that lucky to survive. This means Nobuna's and Mitsuhide's 'crisis' is still not over. This is all due to Fujitaka wanted to eliminate Oda Nobuna in Sekigahara and allow Akechi Mitsuhide to take over the world. His efforts caused the Western Army to face a very disadvantage fight in Sekigahara. How ironic it is. Sure enough, the 'fate' of Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide cannot be easily changed. I can only pray that Sagara Yoshiharu who participated in the battle of Sekigahara can completely subvert the 'fate' that still holds on to Mitsuhide.

However.

Can the kind man, Sagara Yoshiharu, able to defeat the Eastern Army at the end? Doesn't he also want to save the maiden generals in the Eastern Army? If that's the case, then the situation will become completely unpredictable. 

If there is a possibility of the "fourth person" becoming the emperor. . . don't tell me. . . the appearance of Sagara Yoshiharu is to replace Toyotomi Hideyoshi in this Sengoku Era? Even if he does not want to go that way, 'fate' may force him to become the emperor! I really want to know the army array of the factions in Sekigahara! The power of the 'field' will greatly interfere with the 'fate' of the generals! Ahhhhhh, if only I can see the layout.

. . . . . ! But I, who have surrendered as a general from the Eastern Army, it should not be approved for me to enter Sekigahara as a part of Western Army at this moment.

"Konoe-sama. Did Juubei deploy her troops in 'Matsuoyama'?” Fujitaka asked.

"Matsuoyama huh? Although I did not go to see the battlefield with my eyes, but. . . . . . the general deployed her troops in Matsuoyama should be Kobayakawa Takakage.”

" 'Kobayakawa'! ?”

"Yeah. The lady who once had a relationship with Sagara Yoshiharu. Her emotions must be complicated right now.”

In that case, the strong 'field' power released by 'Matsuoyama' will be against Kobayakawa. . . who would be the mother of Kingo Chunagon, Kobayakawa Hideaki in the future! ?

It can't be an accidental coincidence!

'Fate' will push Sagara Yoshiharu to the position of 'emperor' and he will be chosen to be the winner in 'the battle of Sekigahara'! Then, Oda Nobuna.

Akechi Mitsuhide. Takeda Shingen. Kobayakawa Takakage. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu, what will happen to them? I already cannot grasp an idea of it. In this Sengoku Era, its 'history', where will it go! ? 

Fujitaka, who has the intelligence of a devil thought, What will be the outcome of this battle? I can't predict it, he was confused by the 'fate' of the maiden generals participated in the battle of Sekigahara. The most important thing is he still can't forget about Juubei.

Therefore, as a proof for his surrender, Hosokawa Fujitaka handed the 'Kokondenju' to Konoe Sakihisa.

Along with the promise that the 'Kokondenju' will be returned to the Sanjonishi family after the battle of Sekigahara. As this book is an heirloom of the Sanjonishi family.

In spite of this, Fujitaka, I must not mention to others the interpretation of 'Kokondenju’.Once the 'future' is leaked, the trend of history will inevitably be distorted into a bad direction, and again and again. I must remind Konoe about this. This should be enough.

However, Hosokawa Fujitaka did not burn the 'Kokondenju' and handed it to Konoe. This incident It will decisively influence the 'fate' of Oda Nobuna and others along with Sagara Yoshiharu.