Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 3 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 : Yoshiharu vs. Mitsuhide, specialty competition! 

The day of the culinary showdown. 

All 36 members of Sakai's Kaigo have gathered in the shrine. 

"That daimyo Oda-sama wants to announce a new specialty cuisine?" 

"The market is like a battlefield. Will a warrior be able to do such a thing?" 

"Let us see just what she can do." 

In the courtyard, two tents had been pitched. 

On the flags outside the tents, 'New flavor of Takoyaki' was written. 

At this moment, Imai Sougyu and Tsuda Soukyu entered. 

"What I recommend is Sagara Yoshiharu-san's new flavor of takoyaki." 

"I am willing to be the guarantor of my old friend, Akechi Mitsuhide." 

"Ohhh, this is a takoyaki showdown.... The takoyaki that was monopolised by Naya.... If we can buy the selling rights of the new flavor, now is not the time to tighten our purse strings." All of the Kaigo started muttering to each other. Until now, the situation has been developing within the expectations of Imai Sougyu, who is prepared to gamble his whole fortune on this. 

"So, master of Naya, we have reached a time when the representative of the Kaigo is looking to retire. The only two candidates for the next representative are you and me. But, the one who can succeed that position has not been decided yet, yes?" 

"Your words are correct, Boss of Tennoujiya." 

"How about we decide it using this showdown? If Akechi-sama wins, I will take the position of the representative, but if Sagara-sama wins, then you will be the new representative." 

"Ohh, this idea is good." 

"Is it really a good idea to answer so readily? Sagara-sama does not seem to know much about cooking. No matter how I see, Akechi-sama's chances of winning are higher." 

"No problem." 

"Damn it, Imai Sougyu-jii-san, what the hell are you doing? Don't just decide on important things like this!" 

With a headband on his head and a cook's attire, Yoshiharu who was standing behind the tent was shaking from anxiousness and excitement. 

"Sagara-shi, are you really ok?" 

"In the end, we can't think of a successful cuisine. How worrying." 

At Yoshiharu's side, stood Goemon and Hanbei who rushed over to help from Kyoto. Both of them wore the same attire as Yoshiharu. 

"But you two, is it really okay to abandon Kyoto to come here?" 

"After the showdown ends, we will return to protect Kyoto." 

"Yes. This matter will decide whether or not Yoshiharu-san will be demoted to a cook; no matter what, we must fight." 

With a strict face and eyes that look like they are ready to spit flames, Hanbei's small hands held her eyeleteer up high. 

The eyeleteer, a small tool shaped like an awl, is a necessary tool for takoyaki. 

"If things really go south, we can use the eyeleteer and assassinate Mitsuhide~nya." Goemon's mumblings scare Yoshiharu into sweat. 

"It's not good to rely on violence, Goemon. We should compete with our skills." 

"Is it really okay?" 

"Ah ha ha ha! Just give up, Sagara-senpai! I have bought my way through Kyoto and Sakai and gathered lots of high quality ingredients!" 

At the other tent, with the same attire, Mitsuhide was shouting over with her glittering forehead. 

"Maeda-san, first, please warm the pan up with fire." 

"......I got it." 

Maeda Inuchiyo was standing at the side and assisting Mitsuhide. 

"Why am I, Inuchiyo the only one at Mitsuhide's side...." The small brat's face seems kinda unwilling. 

"Both sides, try your best~. If you lose, you will be sent over to Gifu castle's kitchen in this attire." 

At the audience seat, the young girl, Kichi, and Imai Sougyu were sipping tea while looking at them. 

You sure enjoy watching this show, huh? Yoshiharu scolded silently. 

Nobuna raised a paper container shaped into a loudspeaker and started doing live commentary. 

"Everyone, I am the only daughter of the Uiroumochi house of Owari, Kichi, here to bring you the commentary for this showdown! Assisting me with the analysis will be the one beside me, boss of Naya, Imai Sougyu!" 

"Cuisines are something that once you put hard work in, they will become tasty. Everyone, I am Imai Sougyu." 

"There is such a thing called 'commentary' in this era...." Yoshiharu can't seem to understand. 

"The theme of the showdown is.... Takoyaki! The duration is 1 hour! And the result of this showdown will be used to decide on Sakai's new representative, this is really exciting! Showdown.... START!" 

"Ohh. Short and sweet. Her commentary is good." 

"And her voice is clear too." 

"What an adorable child." 

"How I wish she can come and be the poster girl for our shop." 

*Clap* 

The Kaigo all clapped for Nobuna. 

"Thank you, Thank you." 

With a seemingly overjoyed face, Nobuna smiled at everyone. 

"Damn, forcing other people into such a position, yet enjoying herself like this. Inhumane!" 

"Er, Yoshiharu-san. Our pan hasn't been preheated!" 

"Hanbei-chan, what is preheating?" 

"Before we start, we must first warm up the pan.... Mitsuhide's side has already finished!" 

"Is that so. Damn, we are lagging behind. There isn't much time!" 

"Anyway, light up the fire first... *pant*pant*" 

"Eh, the wood is all wet. I can't light it up!" 

"Leave it to me!" 

Goemon threw a bomb at the stove hurriedly. 

*Boom!!!!* 

The bomb caused a big explosion. 

In a blink of an eye, Yoshiharu's tent became dust. 

Hanbei and the rest were all buried under the ashes. 

"Goemon! What are you trying to do by destroying the tent!?" 

"Nya~. Seems like I didn't control the firepower well, what a failure." 

"*Cough* No, it hasn't ended! The pan is still ok!" 

"Ohh, the monkey team seems to have some issues between the members! They have self destructed! Seems like their relationship will suffer a big scar from now on!" 

"Sagara-sama's partners seem to be wasting their time. Though they seem very strong in the battlefield, but.... If this goes on, will they be able to finish their takoyaki?" 

Nobuna was so enthralled that she no longer cared anything about her sentence structure while she stood up and commentated excitedly. 

Looking at the complete mess at Sagara's side, Mitsuhide seemed to be proceeding smoothly while she commanded Inuchiyo along. 

"The preheating is done. It's finally time to put the high quality ingredients in! Oi, assistant, hurry up!" 

".....Ne. Inuchiyo isn't an assistant or something." 

"Hurry up! First is this, an item Saitou Dousan-sama became famous for selling, the Perilla Seed oil directly from Ooyamasaki." 

But cuisine isn't just about letting people enjoy the taste; they must enjoy the process too! 

Having researched the interest of the Sakai people, Mitsuhide took out a bronze coin, and poured the oil through it without any of the oil touching the coin. 

The Kaigo were delighted in an instant. 

"Ohh, this is certainly fascinating! This is the famed skill of the Viper, Dousan's pouring oil through coin trick! It seems like Dousan used this trick to gain fame in Kyoto when he was young!" 

"Ohhh. Who would have thought that Dousan-sama's aide is someone extraordinary too." 

"Her gun skills, tea ceremonial skills and even skills of an oil-selling merchant are all top-notch, as expected of a multi-talented girl! Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, you are now far ahead of that pathetic Saru who is under the ashes of his tent." 

Ahh. I've been praised. Nobuna-sama praised me. 

Mitsuhide who was getting more and more smug said to Inuchiyo who was in a daze. 

"Oi Assistant, hurry and spread the flour onto the pan! Get your ass on it!" 

"....Got it." 

Mitsuhide, who was totally immersing herself in the showdown, didn't bother to see what kind of expression Inuchiyo has right now. 

But the usually emotionless Inuchiyo does have her merits. 

"As for the flour, I used the tasty and thick flavored matt! And, I've put in soup that was brewed from seaweed and skipjack tuna." 

"Using soup in takoyaki.....? So there's this trick!? She has really researched the taste of the Kansai people!" The Kaigo had all nodded in approval. 

"As for the secret recipe of this takoyaki, the eggs are all from Kyoto's Juuzou's chickens, with a little sprinkle of salt on them!" 

"Finally, just from their names, we can imagine how the ingredients look——!! Now we can finally be at ease!!" The Kaigos were all fully excited. 

"Continuing on, the main ingredient is from Akashi, fresh calamari cut into cubes and placed in the takoyaki! And then, using the highest quality tempura crisps with fresh red ginger as supplements! Finally, the ultimate ingredient from Kyoto, the Kyuujou onions! All of them were put into the takoyaki!" 

Fabulous...! This is better than Naya's takoyaki, the best takoyaki.....! 

Looks like the victor has been decided! 

"Hurry and chop up the calamari! If we don't, the takoyaki is going to get burnt!" 

".....harder than imagined, much harder.... gonna be attacked by the calamari." 

"Hurry up!" 

"What is there to be scared of, it's not like it will eat you,"————Looking at Inuchiyo, who just won't lower the knife in her hand, Juubei tore off the calamari stuck on Inuchiyo's face, flung it onto the board and with just two or three precise, unhesitating swipes of her knife, a jumble of calamari cubes were thrown onto the Takoyaki. 

"Ohh, this is a battle with the calamari! And while she is struggling with it, she can throw the octopus legs precisely onto the takoyaki! What an eye-opener!" 

"To think that she used tenkasu [36] and red ginger for Takoyaki, I'm taken aback too. I see..... There is such a way to do it." 

"To use the tenkasu crisps from Namban, this deserves high marks!" 

"What an alluring smell......!" 

"How I wanna eat it now!" 

"I'm buying it! Akechi's takoyaki, I'm buying it!" 

Among the Kaigo, more than half were cheering and drooling while looking at Mitsuhide's takoyaki. Yoshiharu was in a pinch! 

After finally pitching the tent that collapsed with much difficulty, his stove had just been lit. 

"Damn.... to have used all the expensive ingredients. That fellow has no considerations for budgeting." 

"Yoshiharu-san, what ingredients we have are just cheap stuff bought from somewhere nearby." 

"Nyaa. Ninjas are used to cheap food... It's difficult to make something pasty (tasty)." 

"Anyway, we can't just stand here and surrender! Hurry up and get ready!" 

"The pre-heating isn't finished, Yoshiharu-san. The Takoyaki will get burnt." 

"If that's the case, just put oil in it!" 

"What a messed up method. But, more oil will fill the stomach~nya." 

Goemon poured oil onto the pan. 

The little dents on the pan were filled with a layer of oil in an instant. 

"That can't be.... Saru's side's takoyaki had too much oil in it. Won't that make the Takoyaki horrible?" 

"Yeah." 

To make things worse, Yoshiharu's side had no experience in controlling the temperature at all. 

Because of the high temperature, all the Takoyaki hardened in an instant. 

"Damn! I haven't even put the calamari in! Turn it, hurry and turn it over!" 

"Uwahh. The eyeleteer is scary.... Uhhh." 

"Hanbei-chan, it's dangerous here. Stay at the side and watch! Goemon, you start turning from the right. I will start from the left!" 

"Roger!" 

"Hyaaaaaaa!" 

"Uwahhhhh!" 

"Ohhh, this...! Saru and the chibi ninja started to turn the takoyakis over! But no matter what, it's too late, the takoyakis have become too hard!" 

"Uhh. Even if we start from the beginning again, we don't have enough time." 

Even the normally calm Imai Sougyu's expression was becoming uglier and uglier. 

"Ahhh. What ridiculous skills, he has poked the Takoyaki into a mess." 

"No, it has hardened up already!" 

"It is now too burnt, without a doubt, it's gonna be hard." 

"With this, the unique soft and slippery feel of the takoyaki is gone." 

The Kaigo criticized Yoshiharu's bad cooking skills endlessly. 

"It is too hard now, Sagara-shi! It's totally burnt~nya!" 

"Wh... What can I do! Why don't I just pour water in it now....." 

"Uwahh. If you do that, our failure in cooking will be revealed and will be marked down heavily." Hanbei cried while stopping Yoshiharu. 

"I-i-i-is there no other way, Yoshiharu-san!?" 

"Ahhh. Looks like your knowledge of the future is useless in cooking, Sagara-shi." 

Knowledge of the future..... 

The totally hopeless Yoshiharu's mind suddenly flashed through an idea. 

When it comes to takoyaki, one would think of the smooth takoyaki from Osaka, but..... 

Yes. 

In my era, there is another popular flavor of takoyaki around! 

".....Quick, more oil! Put in more oil!" 

"More oil?" 

"Yoshiharu-san. The oil in there is plenty enough." 

"It's ok! With how the takoyaki are now, I have no other choice. Let's just make 'Fried Takoyaki'! Anyway, this is the only way out!" 

Fried Takoyaki!? 

Hanbei and Goemon, even the Kaigo all tilted their heads in puzzlement. 

"Fri-ed ta-ko-ya-ki! Saru who has been forced into a corner has once again uttered the mysterious monkey language! Just what kind of monkey cuisine will this fried takoyaki be!?" 

"Such a strange food, is it edible?" 

"Hmph. he's just boasting." Mitsuhide seems to be full of confidence. 

Towards Yoshiharu's actions, Mitsuhide was not disturbed in the least while she used the eyeleteer in her hands and skillfully fliped the takoyakis. 

"....Seems interesting. Inuchiyo wants to help too." 

"No! This job requires excellent skills! Just me, Juubei is enough." 

".....Uhh. Just once, lemme try." 

"It's certain at this point that I, Juubei, have won this culinary showdown, but we should still be wary of accidents! There is this saying, 'Even monkeys fall from trees', so no way, NOOOO WAY!" 

"......Uhhhh......" 

Inuchiyo's face was filled with disappointment. 

"Ok! Now that it's this burnt, it should be done soon! The quantity of the oil is nice too!" 

Yoshiharu's mysterious fried takoyaki seems to be completed first. 

The Kaigo were muttering to each other, "Is that edible...." with worried faces. 

The exterior of the takoyaki looks hard. 

It's hard to poke in even with forks. 

No matter how people sees it, it seems over burnt. 

"Those other takoyakis on the pan seem to be the same." "This can't do. How can we sell this?" All of them were muttering to each other. 

Then, after Yoshiharu sprayed huge amounts of sauce on top of the takoyakis, he brought out his ultimate secret weapon..... 

"Y-Yoshiharu-san. What is that white fluid? It's white, and sticky... Thick and gooey, and there is this weird odor.... *Sniff*" 

"Hanbei-chan, Hanbei-chan. Don't make people think of wrong things! This is the mayonnaise that I've spent the whole night making." 

"Ma...Yo...Nee...izu?" 

"It's a sauce made from egg yolks, oil and vinegar, and it's easy to make. As long as I spray this on top of the fried takoyaki, it will definitely be delicious!" 

"Erm... more oil? Isn't that too over-the-top?".....Goemon stared at Yoshiharu with suspicious eyes. 

"If I eat such oily food, I will definitely fatten up. You should know, the pody(body) of a linja(ninja) must be right(light) as a father(feather). 

"Ok ok. Come, everybody of the Kaigo! Please try out the taste of this takoyaki!" 

Yoshiharu put down a plate of mayonnaise smeared fried takoyaki in front of the Kaigo. 

"Cuisine isn't about the appearance or the quality of the ingredients! The taste! That's all that matters!" 

".....Don't tell me even I have to eat this? No.... What is this, so black and hard.... And there is this thick white fluid on top of them...." 

"Missy, just try it out first." 

Other than Mitsuhide, who was busy with the final preparations, all present revealed a look of unwillingness, but they all put the fried takoyaki smeared with mayonnaise into their mouths. 

…… 

…… 

A short silence. 

"Huh?! Don't tell me this flavor isn't compatible with the people of the Sengoku era?! Is the mayonnaise too sour?! Is the fried takoyaki too hard?! Ahhh, with this, I will have to go to Gifu and be a cook————!" Yoshiharu cried "It's all over!" while collapsing on the floor in despair. 

The first to open his mouth, was Imai Sougyu. 

"........Sagara........!" 

Sougyu's eyes were full of warm tears which flowed down to his face. 

"What...... Just what kind of food...... did you give us......!?" 

Imai Sougyu, who is always calm and collected, was crying! 

It could be seen that his fury was immeasurable. 

"Uwahhh! Oji-san, are you really angry? You are crying tears of regret now? Sorry, it's all my fault! I hadn't considered the fact that the result will affect who gets the position of representative————!!" 

In an instant, Yoshiharu was kneeling in front of him. 

"No! It's too delicious! Because it's so delicious, I can't help but shed tears." 

"Eh?" 

At this time, all the people who had finished tasting were emitting voices of praise. 

"Really, it's too good!" 

"Though it's a totally different cuisine compared to the takoyaki, this taste can't be compared with anything else!" 

"The exterior is crispy while the interior is still hot!" 

"*Sobsob* Though it's so oily.... it's still really good!" 

"Hot hot hot hot. I'm not good with hot food, Sagara-shi! But, this is just too dasty(tasty)!" 

".....Inuchiyo want seconds. *Chew*" 

"Mhmm. This really is a combination of Namban-style tempura and takoyaki. It does not look like much, but this is really good." 

Even Tsuda Soukyu finished all of Yoshiharu's fried takoyaki. 

"To have fried the takoyaki, this is an excellent choice. Sagara-sama might just be a genius in cuisine." 

"Not at all. Actually, fried takoyaki wasn't invented by me.... So it's really not......" 

Even Imai Sougyu chipped in. 

"Though this cuisine has the name of takoyaki, it's totally different from what I had expected. With this, I am completely willing to give up the rights of the takoyaki. As expected of someone from the future." 

Sougyu did not spare any of his compliments on him. 

"Ehhhhhhhh"———— Towards this sudden turn of events, Mitsuhide's jaw dropped from shock. 

"I-i-i-in cases like these, s-s-s-shouldn't the one who brings out their cuisine first lose!? I-I-I-I don't believe it!" 

The thing that she just couldn't take was.... 

"It's really nice. Saru, give me another!" 

"Oh. Be careful not to overeat!" 

"Really. It's so hot, how do you expect me to eat it. Blow on it for me quickly!" 

"Again? There's no helping you." 

"Ah~ummm." 

Nobuna in her ordinary girl attire wore an unbelievably bright smile, and was so close to Yoshiharu. 

"......All that is left is the sauce." 

Inuchiyo said after running back to Mitsuhide's side. 

"Th-th-th-things like sauces are not needed! Right now, we must think of an ultimate supplement to win against that ridiculous mayonnaise." 

Mitsuhide who was overwhelmed with jealousy was burning with flames of anger. 

".....is there such a thing......?" 

"Of course!! As long as I use this, Nobuna-sama will definitely love it!" 

Bham~~! 

Juubei Mitsuhide's brain had totally overheated! 

Though..... the strongest takoyaki made without a care for skill or budget is about to be finished. 

"Come. Everyone hurry and taste this!" 

"Th....This is......" 

"What...... Just what kind of food...... did you give us......!?" 

......On the top of the takoyaki, there was a thick layer of...... 

This thick sauce-like thingy was none other than the Miwa's Hatcho miso..... Such a takoyaki was placed in front of the Kaigo. 

"This miso has matured beyond even the renowned Hatcho miso! I asked Matsudaira Motoyasu for it! Quick, don't be polite and eat it." 

…… …… …… 

"Hmph. You guys are at a loss for words, huh? Don't be polite, come and eat it while it's hot." 

It can't be said...... 

In front of Mitsuhide whose face is full of 'Arrogance'; a face that seems to say "How is it? You admit defeat?", not one of them could speak their thoughts: "Is this stuff fit to be eaten by humans?” 

Everyone poked the miso takoyaki with trembling fingers and put it in their mouth. 

"Uhhh. It's not edible.... Er... NOT...." 

".....So bitter." 

"The takoyaki with the miso.... the taste doesn't mix well. *Sob*" 

"Th...there's still plenty of nutrients in it." 

Even those who came from Mino or Owari and had always immersed themselves with miso wore weird expressions. 

"Only Katsuie would like such a thing...." Yoshiharu said. 

None of the Kaigo managed to finish the meal, being used to good cuisines as they were. 

The special matured hatcho miso was 3 times more bitter than normal. 

Not counting Mitsuhide who was used to Hatcho miso, these Sakai people who had totally no experience with it could never accept such a flavor. 

"Wh....What the hell is....." 

"What did.... you give us...." 

"No more... My tongue... I can't feel my tongue....." 

Tsuda Soukyu, who had bet his representative position on Mitsuhide, silently put down the bamboo pick in his hand and said. 

"This miso is indeed of high quality. The takoyaki is truly well made too. As a cuisine, it is far more complete than Sagara's. But, to totally not consider the compatibility of the ingredients and to waste so many high quality ingredients just to entertain your missy, your recklessness has represented itself with this cuisine you have made." 

Imai Sougyu had cast an opposing vote mercilessly. 

"Ehhhhhhhhh.... It's n-n-n-no good?! How.... Why.....!?" 

Mitsuhide slumped down on the floor. 

(I...I will be banished to be a cook.... *SobSob*) 

The only thing she can do now is prepare herself for defeat. 

"Tsuda-dono, I'm really sorry for this! Seems like Sakai's representative will be Imai Sougyu-dono....." 

"No. The results will always be uncertain until the end." 

Just like that...... 

After a short rest, the results of the Kaigo's vote were out. 

Mitsuhide, with a big gap of votes had.... 

Won. 

"Yayyyyyyyyy!" 

"Congratulations. With this, I will be the representative of Kaigo." 

"As expected, hatcho miso is the best ingredient!" Mitsuhide started dancing happily, while Tsuda Soukyu sipped his tea quietly at the side. 

To the side, Inuchiyo and the rest, they were all shouting "....shouldn't be counted." "That's cheating!" "Tsuda Soukyu must have bribed the Kaigo." But Mitsuhide, who had not noticed Tsuda Soukyu's underhanded tactics, was saying, "Hmph. You still don't admit defeat. That's too disgraceful," and totally didn't notice the atmosphere in her arrogance. 

"This is ridiculous. I'm going back to Kyoto!" 

"Me too. Because of such a fake showdown, must Yoshiharu-san be demoted to a cook?" 

".....angry." 

Goemon, Hanbei and Inuchiyo; the 3 lolis started the journey back to Kyoto in a fit. 

"Boss of Naya, this is but one way to win. Looks like from the results, I have won. With this, it's enough." 

"To buy so many votes, you must have spent lots of money, Boss of Tennoujiya." 

"I had wanted to use this when we were in an even match. Due to the hatcho miso, I have suffered a big loss. Well, it's okay if I don't put miso in it when I'm selling it. But boss of Naya, you must have noticed the fact that I was buying votes. Why did you ignore it?" 

"No matter the result, I had willingly given up the rights of the takoyaki. But since the rest of you have obviously decided to not buy Sagara-san’s ‘fried takoyaki’, I shall take it for myself. I don't think there's any objection, right?" 

Tsuda Soukyu was at a loss for words. If he objected, Imai Sougyu will definitely doubt the voting. In exchange for the takoyaki rights that Imai Sougyu gave up, Soukyu can only give up on the fried takoyaki. 

"I see.... Compared to fame, you care more about benefits. To even betray Sagara-dono, who is so close to you.... how cunning...." 

"Yes. Though I am currently a simple representative of the Kaigo, once missy's power becomes even greater, I can hold the organization under my palm easily." 

"Is that so? The officials of Kyoto have all rated Oda Nobuna-sama poorly. Please be careful that you and Oda-sama don't end up losing everything in the end." 

These two rivals, Tsuda Soukyu and Imai Sougyu exchanged glances at each other while testing each other with barbed words. 

But, the result of the culinary showdown ended with Mitsuhide winning. 

As for Tsuda Sougyu, he had the seat of the representative of Sakai's Kaigo all to himself. 

"I won this showdown, Senpai." Mitsuhide said smugly. 

"B-but it's weird!" 

"What's weird about it?" 

"Damn!! To snatch my victory like this! Hurry and say your apologies to Imai-jii-san!" 

"Hmph. Even if the voting result wasn't fair, that is Tsuda Soukyu's fault and I had nothing to do with it. The world is cruel, Sagara-senpai." 

At Imai Sougyu's residence. 

Yoshiharu and Mitsuhide were quarreling non-stop in front of Nobuna and Imai Sougyu. 

Yoshiharu couldn't accept the fact no matter what, but Mitsuhide was adamant on her stand that "It's none of my business whether the result was fair or not." 

"You are unexpectedly whiny..... You like to stick to Nobuna and stalk her so much?" 

Yoshiharu was starting to feel troubled as he started mumbling, "Of co......" 

But, Mitsuhide sat in seiza position facing Yoshiharu and said, 

"Though my Akechi clan has fallen like this, it's a fact that in me flows the blood of the Kiyokawa Himiko. Even the first Shogun is part of the Kiyokawa clan. I'm a noble among nobles." 

"I know all about you and your nobility! And such a thing is obvious from your forehead!" 

"What is it with my forehead!?" Mitsuhide pursed her lips unhappily. 

"And I, Juubei Mitsuhide, am the renowned genius of Mino, though my father died a long time ago from battles. Only my mother could support our broken home. Because she was afraid that I would lose my chance of getting an education, my mother even sacrificed her sleeping hours for another job to support me through my studies. My mother had a weak constitution, and her body finally succumbed not long after. It's because of her determination to see me, Juubei Mitsuhide, succeed in life and restore the Akechi clan that she forced herself so hard and never gave up on me!" 

"......." 

Mitsuhide's expression was stern, while tears were beginning to fill the corners of her eyes. It does not look like she was lying. 

Looks like I have to listen seriously...... Yoshiharu straighten his posture and listened attentively. 

"I, Juubei, under my mother's encouragement and Saitou Dousan-dono's flair for choosing talents, became an aide and received elite training. Compared to the other warriors, I was always better, no matter if it was concerning wits or resolve. What is regrettable is the strong Owari does not have any warriors who truly understand Nobuna-sama's dreams. The only one who understands the dream of Tenka Fubu and conquering the world, which was inherited from Dousan-dono, the only one who will contribute everything to Nobuna-sama's dream, is just me, Juubei!" 

Now that she mentioned it, during the period at the Manasori Temple, this fellow seemed really moved by Nobuna's dream..... Yoshiharu couldn't help but recall. 

"During the period when Dousan-sama was banished from Mino, I did not participate in the last battle, but the orders I receive from Dousan-sama were to ‘Go to Kyoto, Sakai, and increase my knowledge. In the days to come, you must help my daughter, Nobuna.’ So as to say, Dousan-sama has always had high hopes of me. That's why I brought my elderly and sickly mother with me and began my journey as a ronin. To establish connections with the officials, I had to have large amounts of money. Sometimes I had to endure humiliation and do jobs like being a bodyguard to earn the money needed during the journey. In the end, after much difficulty, I had finally built my own relationship web, and my knowing of Tsuda Soukyu starts during that time too.” 

"But, just when I was busy working in Kyoto, someone claiming that he came from the future silently crept near Nobuna-sama.” 

"Originally, I did not believe this guy who claimed he came from the future. And, as an advisor, this guy obviously had ulterior motives towards Nobuna-sama...... What a despicable and arrogant fellow. So, even if I cheat to protect Nobuna-sama, I must definitely chase this fellow away from her!" 

"I don't have any ulterior motives!" Yoshiharu retorted back reflexively. 

"I really didn't know about Juubei-chan's motivation and her filial actions, but I'm really not a bad person. It's a misunderstanding!" 

"What misunderstanding is there!? Originally, I'm the one who should have received Nobuna-sama's love and affection, but you... No, just because Sagara-senpai said ‘I'm from the future’, everything was snatched away from me!" 

"What choice do I have?! It's a fact that I'm from the future!" 

"Yeah, right..... Lies like yours will never get past my intelligence. Show me proof." 

"Proof.... Other than my school uniform, I have nothing else, my phone has no battery too." 

"See.... As expected, Sagara-senpai is a liar and cheater." 

At this moment, Nobuna, who had been sitting quietly at the side, said. 

"I know of the resolve that Juubei had to restore the Akechi clan long ago. But the problem now is about banishing one of you to the kitchen." 

While Nobuna was saying that, she was playing around with her hair absent-mindedly. 

"All it takes is a slash, come!" Yoshiharu had strengthen his resolve. 

"It's a showdown. Don't tell me you expect me to let you off just by cutting off your head?" 

......And she seems to be in a very nasty mood. 

"Eh....But....." 

At this moment, Imai Sougyu said, "Missy. I had known about Tsuda Soukyu buying votes. It's because I wanted the fried takoyaki that I stayed silent about it. But in actual fact, the result of the showdown is that Sagara-san won. I think you should be lenient with your verdict." 

But Nobuna snorted while mumbled, "Even if that's the case, a promise is a promise." 

(Ahhh, so I had been betrayed by Imai-jii-san!?) Yoshiharu who had just realized this fact hugged his head in despair. 

"It's too cruel... such a thing like the world, is really too cruel... who would have thought......" 

In truth, the one Nobuna wanted to scold was Juubei, but since Juubei herself did not know anything about the buying of votes, she couldn't place all the blame on her. As for why Imai Sougyu wanted to buy the cuisine, she had known long ago that it's because he wanted to invest in her. 

But... the thing that pisses her off the most now is the fact that Yoshiharu is going to be demoted. 

No, to be exact, she was pissed at herself for being unable to just let the whole thing go. 

"Nobuna-sama. I won this showdown! Hurry up and give the fair verdict!" 

Mitsuhide said with the purest smile. 

She had not noticed the atmosphere at all. 

Imai Sougyu who had planned to say "Let's forget about the punishment" and end this peacefully opened his eyes in disbelief while muttering, "Oi, what are you saying!?" 

"Y-you have a point...." 

"Hurry, Nobuna-sama. Please say, ‘Damn Saru, from now on go to Gifu castle and take care of the kitchens!’" 

"......Uhhh...... B-but, though you win in terms of votes, the fact remains that Saru's fried takoyaki was more popular. How about just calling it a draw......" 

"But, the one who won the showdown is ME!" 

Nobuna's eyes blurred and she started to stutter. 

All that's left is the final strike! 

At the corner of Mitsuhide's eyes, tears start forming and she bit her finger with a face of anguish. This face of hers was obviously acting. 

"H-how can that be.... Nobuna-sama, don't tell me.... you like Sagara-senpai? From my view, you seem to be siding with senpai." 

Bham* 

Nobuna's small face suddenly flushed a vibrant red. 

"I-impossible! Th-th-th-that fellow is just a monkey! There is such a big gap between my status and his! To like him or something.... Impossible.....!" 

"That's right! So, please give a fair verdict. ?" 

"Uhhh, uhhh, uhhh." 

Even in this situation, Nobuna was unable to say the words, "Damn Saru, go to the kitchen!" 

If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have said such a thing earlier..... Though her heart was full of regret, it was already too late. 

Nobuna seemed to be asking for help as she looked in the direction where Yoshiharu was sitting, but...... 

Yoshiharu had completely disappeared. 

"Eh, where is Saru?" 

"Missy. Sagara-san left these words, ‘The culinary showdown is a form of battle. Since I've lost, I will accept defeat. The one who won is Juubei.’ and left towards Mino by himself." 

Imai Sougyu answered. 

"Ehhhhh? Wait a minute. I haven't said anything......!" 

"Hmph. Though it's a showdown, I've done a very rude thing to Imai-sama. All thanks to me Juubei, you must have done something to the money right? As for the interest, how about 10% for every 10 days?" 

Maybe from growing up financially poor, Juubei Mitsuhide seemed very calculative in terms of money. 

"Nobuna-sama. That irritating Gorilla....no, Sagara-senpai is no longer around now, and Kyoto is now safe. Let the two of us tour around Sakai and rest awhile. From now on, I, Juubei Mitsuhide, will always stay by your side." 

"......Shut up, idiot! You damn kumquat! Why are you so happy, can't you feel the atmosphere!?" 

Nobuna had finally exploded. 

She had always endured in front of Mitsuhide and due to her own standing, but it had reached the stage where she couldn't endure it any longer. 

"......Eh....N-Nobuna-sama?" 

"I'm going after Saru! I should be able to catch up to him!" 

"Ehhh? Please wait, it's too dangerous!" 

"Juubei! If you really want to defeat Saru, do it fair and square! Sougyu, I'm taking your horse!" 

Nobuna said while shaking off Imai Sougyu who tried to stop her. In an instant, she was on the horse and was out of the residence to chase after Yoshiharu who had disappeared from sight. 

".....To think Nobuna-sama would.... Nobuna-sama......" 

Because of the stern scolding from Nobuna, Mitsuhide stood in the room in a daze, unable to move at all. 

She had won unfairly, yet she did not think of others. 

Once Mitsuhide was fixated on something, she would not let it out of her sight while throwing everything else to a corner. 

Dousan had cautioned her many times about this habit of hers. "But, this habit of yours is actually your strong point too. There will be a day when you will do something unheard of." Though she had been praised like this, she had never worried about it. 

"Well, come and drink some tea." 

Imai Sougyu who had lost sight of Nobuna returned to the room and said consolingly. Mitsuhide apologized to Sougyu while wiping the tears from her eyes. 

".....Really, I'm so sorry." 

"You had really done too much against Sagara-san. And... other than missy, you had offended Maeda-dono and her friends. With this, Akechi-sama will be isolated in the Oda clan. You should have retreated and accepted the draw. That would have been the best course of action." 

"......But, I shouldn't be merciful in front of my opposition." 

"For missy, her advisors are like her own family members. Compared to the Mino three who had their own thinking, there is a fundamental difference. And, this is where missy is strongest." 

".....I, Mitsuhide, don't understand that at all. Family is family. My only family is my mother. Advisors and family members are different. They are just opponents who struggle with you for fame and power in the clan......" 

"It's not like that at all." Sougyu's normally calm expression seem to be a bit agitated while he explained. 

"I had known Nobuhide-sama for more than 10 years. Thinking back, missy had always grown up under the lack of family love. Nobuhide can be said to be her only family, but since he was always busy with wars, he had no time to care for missy. Nobuhide passed away early, and that Namban priest that missy treated as her own brother died soon after. Her only brother tried to take away her position as head of the clan." 

"Nobuna-sama should have her mother too. As long as her mother is around, even if she had lost her father, it should be endurable." 

"....Missy... had never received any affection from her. She was despised deeply by her own mother. The reason why missy has such a temper is also due to her not getting any motherly love....." 

"How can that be. That genius.... Nobuna-sama actually.....!?" 

"When the ordinary people in the world see you, being extremely smart can make people think you are actually a fool. Even one's own mother is no exception." 

"But... My mother....." 

"Akechi-sama's mother is smart too. After seeing Akechi-sama's pure, confident look, it's obvious that you received lots of your mother's affection. Though you gals are both geniuses, the road that missy walks is much rougher." 

So that's it. 

Mitsuhide finally remembered. 

At the Nambanji, Frois had once talked about Nobuna's past, which she learned from Yoshiharu. 

Either acting like an obedient girl for her mother's affection, or fulfilling her dream of Tenka Fubu even if she is laughed at as a fool. Nobuna weighed both choices and chose...... to abandon the motherly love that she should have had...... 

"......So that is actually true..... But, Nobuna-sama had never revealed any form of sadness in front of her advisors.... She was always cheerful and energetic....." 

"After the victory at Okehazama, Nobuna-sama had once happily reported to her mother, but her only response was, ‘To come to your own mother with an attire full of blood and filth, is that what a princess of the Oda-clan should do?’ and she was sent away. This is just a rumor passed around by the common folk though." Sougyu said with a bit of a pained expression. 

"So, for missy, the existence of family members isn't important. Her real family are the advisors at her side. The one thing she cannot endure is the sight of her advisors pulling politics and harming each other. It must have made her recall the unhappy memories of her brother and her fighting for the position of the head of the clan. So, she is not being unreasonable for flaring up like that." 

"I'm going back to Kyoto," Mitsuhide said with her head down. 

The warm tears in her eyes were dropping one by one onto the back of her hands. 

"Aren't you going after missy?" 

".....That is the mission for that Gorilla. I am... hated by Nobuna-sama....." 

"Akechi-sama had just joined the Oda-clan, there was much that you didn't know. You must get along with the other people from now on." 

But because of her guilt, Mitsuhide could not raise her head.