Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 3 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 : QUEEN OF ZIPANG 

"It's all because of the great me that we are able to avert this crisis! Oh~hohohoho. Nobuna, can you put more effort into building my Nijou Castle?" 

After dawn. 

After hearing of the battle at Kiyomizu, Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide rushed back to the capital along with Azai Nagamasa. When they arrived however, they discovered that Nobuna had already begun building Nijou Castle upon the ruined Kiyomizu Temple. 

With her Namban attire and tiger skin, Nobuna sat astride a horse with a dumb look, one hand holding a tanegashima and the other holding a whip. Upon seeing lazing people, she would swing the whip on them without mercy. 

With Nobuna supervising personally, any construction would proceed at triple the normal speed. 

"Hime-sama! I, Katsuie deserve death for not coming to your aid in time." 

"Though you scraped through due to luck, please be more careful next time, especially when dealing with dangerous situations. 30 points." 

"You have a point. Saru scolded me too after what happened, saying that I don't know which is more important, my life or my advisors'. He seriously looked ready to hit me..." 

"Ahhh, she was scolded by that damn Saru, but why does Nobuna-sama seem so happy!? As expected, they must have gotten much closer while I wasn’t around! Ahhhhhh!!!" Katsuie started to sob again. 

"Geez Riku, you are always such a busybody... Anyway, Manchiyo, is everything okay at Mino?" 

"Yes. Though Takeda Shingen has indeed already started gathering troops in Kawanaka Island, the information that she was aiming to march on the capital was just a rumor. With her foresight, she won't do anything rash without full preparation." 

"But this is just a matter of time. During this period, the plan of Tenka Fubu must continue on. We do not have time to rest." 

"Roger. The situation at our side can only be around 60 points." 

“But just where did those false rumors come from.... It doesn't seem to be the doing of Shingen...." Nobuna was a bit confused. 

"No matter what, the 120,000 kan sum has all been gathered, Yoshimoto is alive and kicking, and the Tsuda Sougyu who persuaded Matsunaga Danjo to revolt was so afraid that he gave the position of Representative of Sakai to Imai Soukyu. We can now focus on obtaining the position of Shogun." 

"Finally, this day has come, Nee-sama." Nagamasa laughed and said. 

"But Hime-sama, is it really ok to not care about that Matsunaga Danjo, even though she’s been proven to have a habit of revolting?" 

"It's ok, Riku." 

"But to put someone untrustworthy like her at our side is..." 

"I said that worrying is unnecessary. She's definitely a potent poison, but as long as we use her correctly it'll be fine.” 

No matter what, the crisis was now over. 

"Anyway, Hime-sama, when is Saru going to Gifu Castle's kitchen?" 

"Riku, just let that issue go." 

"Ehhhhh? Why are you so biased, Hime-sama!" 

It's because of Frois and the Christians that Nobuna and her retainers were saved. 

"It's correct that Juubei's efforts allowed us to hold Kiyomizu Temple for so long, but Frois... I don't want to admit it...but her appearance was Saru's contribution. So, we should treat the whole competition as a draw, and as for the kitchen bet, let's just pretend that I never brought it up to begin with. Hehe." 

"Damnnnnnn! Damn it, damn it! That frivolous bastard, he even targets missionaries now! Damn Saru, idiotic Saru!" 

"Katsuie-dono. The workers are all laughing at you, 3 points." 

"Uhhh. Katsuie-dono seems unexpectedly concerned for Yoshiharu. Might you have fallen for him?" 

"Ehhhhhh? N-N-N-N-Nagamasa!? What the hell are you saying!? I just hate that damn Saru to the core!?" 

"Who knows. There's a common saying that says ‘the more you scold him, the more you love him’; love is a mysterious thing." 

After Nagamasa, who was recognized as a frivolous gentleman, said such a thing, the naive Katsuie blushed to her ears. 

"...Ehhhhhhhhhhh!? Impossible, it should be impossible, right? For me to love Saru...!?" 

"You are so naively cute, Riku." 

At this moment, Mitsuhide rode a white horse over slowly. 

Behind her, Yoshiharu, unfamiliar with horses, was holding on to Mitsuhide as he sat at the back. 

Due to the intense battle last night, the both of them were heavily injured. Their bodies were completely wrapped in bandages. 

"Oiiiiii, Nobuna. I brought Frois over." 

"Sagara-senpai, you were sleeping on my back for more than half of the time. It's more correct to say that I, Juubei, am the one who brought Frois-sama over." 

"Oi. After seeing that Frois is going back to Sakai, I'm the one who asked if she wants to look at Nijou Castle." 

"Though that might be the case, it is I, Juubei Mitsuhide, who is the one leading the way. Besides, you can't even distinguish where exactly you are now, Sagara-senpai." 

"Well, I can't win against you, whatever you say." 

"Hmph. Things would have been better if you had admitted defeat honestly like this the other day." 

"I did not lose!" 

"Are you two actually quarreling? When did you guys become so friendly towards each other?" Nobuna's face is full of displeasure. From behind Mitsuhide and Yoshiharu, Frois jumped down from the horse and made her way in front of Nobuna. 

Last night, under the strong requests of Takayama Dom Justo and others saying, "It's bad if you are hit by a stray bullet", "Please do wear this", Frois was forced to wear a white Namban armor, but now Frois was back to her usual demure priestess look. 

The historical meeting of Frois, and the self proclaimed "Queen of Zipang" Oda Nobuna happened right here at the construction site of Nijou castle. 

"Nice to meet you, Nobuna-sama. I'm the missionary from Portugal, Louise Frois." 

Why are this girl's breast so ridiculously big? Compared to Riku, it's like a stone meeting a rock... Nobuna looked at Frois's breasts with a half curious, half jealous look as she jumped down from her horse. 

Then, she moved behind Frois suddenly and grabbed her huge breasts. 

"Let me touch them properly. What the hell are in these things?" 

"Ahhhhhh? No, no, is this really happening?! N-N-N-Nobuna-sama?" 

"What is this, I can't grab them due to their size...what? What the hell is this? Riku's breasts are already as big as a cow's udders, but after comparing with Frois, what is with this weird form of inferiority creeping into my heart? Juubei, Saru, explain it to me!" 

The panicking Mitsuhide shouted, "Pl-please stop, Nobuna-sama." and came over to stop her. 

"Hah... Hah... Hah. Thanks, Akechi-sama. That gave me quite a shock..." 

"After this, strip and let me do an inspection. I can't believe this unless I see it with my own eyes." 

"Control that curiosity of yours, Nobuna! Don't you touch Frois' breasts!" 

Even I had been enduring.... Ahhh, so envious...so jealous...damn it! Yoshiharu grinds his teeth. 

"Che. It's too troublesome when this damn ero-Saru is around. Come to the onsen with me next time, you hear, Frois?" 

"O-okay... Um, other than my breasts, is there anything else you want to ask about, Nobuna-sama?" 

"Yes yes. I have not met a missionary for 10 years. I have a mountain of questions to ask." 

When the topic of the world at the other side of the sea came up, Nobuna was as pure and hopeful as a child. 

Her eyes are just like a small child's... Even Frois was almost sucked in by them. 

How old are you? 

How many years have you been here in Japan from Portugal? 

If you failed in promoting Christianity in Japan, will you guys go back to India? 

Why put yourself in so much risk and come all the way to Japan? 

Towards Nobuna's pure curiousity in her glittering eyes, Frois answered patiently. 

"Other than promoting to the people of this country God's teachings, I have no other desire. Before achieving my goal, I will not go back to Portugal or India. I had resolved to die in this Zipang." 

"Dearuka." 

"Please believe me, Nobuna-sama and allow us to continue promoting our religion in Kyoto." 

"No problem." 

"You need the approval of the official in charge of religious activities..." Though Mitsuhide gave a cautious reminder at her side, Nobuna just lightly said, "For that Himiko who worships 8 million gods, asking her to add in one or two more won't be an issue. The problem is those officials, as well as the various shrines and temples, who are afraid to lose their power over the people." 

"It's okay to not care about the officials, there won't be any problem if they acknowledge it later." 

"Though it's a bit rude..." Frois said again. 

"Onishi Joachin from Sakai asked me to give these 10 pieces of silver to Nobuna-sama..." 

"If I accept money from the missionary who faced so much hardship to reach this country, won't I be laughed at by the people in the future!? Keep this money for yourself so you can build your Nambanji." 

"...Obrigada." [1] 

"As for this hat, I will keep it." Nobuna said with a laugh as she took the peacock feathered hat from Frois and wore it on her head. 

In Nijou Castle... 

Nobuna and Frois sit facing each other, each giving a smile. 

"...It's lucky that I did not destroy the Nambanji in Sakai that time." 

Though Mitsuhide apologised to Frois with a look of guilt, Frois laughed and said, "Please do not take this to heart. God will definitely not blame you." 

"Such a historical moment, I can be fortunate enough to see with my own eyes..." Yoshiharu was so excited that he was shivering, his hairs all standing on end. 

And then...Frois began to speak to Nobuna with a slightly ominous expression of things that were not known to Yoshiharu. Even the famous work "History of Japan" that Frois wrote later on did not record this. 

"Nobuna-sama. There is something I need to tell you." 

"...What is it? It does not seem to be anything good." 

"We Christian missionaries wish only to promote our faith in god to the world. But there is a hidden reason behind a penniless sister like me being able to come to Zipang." 

"Reason?" 

"Portugal and Spain have been searching different countries for bases to open new trade routes. For someone like me, it's because of the king's generosity that I was able to hitchhike a merchant's ship to come here." 

"I know about this. Is there any problem?" 

"...It is somewhat regrettable... But at the same time the Portuguese and Spanish kings are sending out ships to explore the world, they hold the secret objective of establishing colonies." 

Colonies. 

A term that does not exist in the Sengoku era Japan. 

After considering, Frois finally created such a fitting word. 

"What is a colony?" 

"It means to control overseas lands with military might. Like in the continent of America, there were Aztec and Incan empires, but under the cannon fire from the Spanish conquistadors, they were destroyed." 

"So as to say, Spain and Portugal want to use military might to invade this country, right?" 

"I don't know. It's lucky that the warriors of Zipang are all good in battle, and their engineering skills are all top notch; you needed only a few years to master the imitation and construction of Namban cannons. But, the problem lise with the main material of the gunpowder, saltpeter....." 

Nobuna’s long lashes twitched. 

"...We can't produce saltpeter in Japan, Frois." 

"If the import of saltpeter is stopped, Japan's defensive capabilities will be greatly diminished. Though I do not want to think that way, the troops are starting to keep a close eye on the missionary activities..." 

"Create a wedge between Christians and other powers... And then, using this chance to intervene militarily, they finally make this country its colony, right?" 

"There isn't any hard evidence, but this kind of thing had happened many times in other countries. My teacher, Francis Xavier had asked himself, ‘Are my own actions used for the purpose of invading other countries?’ and had been troubled by it..." 

"Francis Xavier..." 

Nobuna's expression was frozen in an instant. 

And then, very quickly, she asked Frois. 

"Frois. As a Portuguese, why are you telling me, a Japanese?" 

"Because I love this beautiful ‘Country of Gold’ and its kind people from the bottom of my heart. And, God will never forgive invasions through force and controlling other countries. The two ideas of promoting a religion and invading are thoughts that go in completely different directions." 

"But to some other people, they are the same thing. For them, those barbarians who don't even understand Christian teachings should be under their control... There are a great number of people who think this way. Some exist even among the missionaries." 

"...Yes. It's regrettable, but it's true..." 

"I understand, Frois. Thanks for being able to tell me this. It's must be hard for you." Nobuna nodded her head. 

"...I have said everything that I wanted to say to Nobuna-sama. With this, even if I am chased out of this country, I will not have any regrets." 

"What silly stuff are you saying, Frois. Don't you have the mission to spread Christianity here?" 

"Eh? But Nobuna-sama...?" 

"Whether one believes in God or Buddha, that is his choice. With just us warriors, though we are able to protect and ensure the safety of the people, we can't save their soul. What I can't stand are those monks who make use of other people's faith and incite war while grabbing all the benefits. But you are different from them, right Frois?" 

Unbelievable words reached Frois' ears. 

"If you believe firmly that God's teachings will not lead this country to its destruction, if you believe that this world can be made better with them, then as you wish, spread Christianity to the world! If you are short on funds, come and look for me!" 

Nobuna stood up from the chair and got onto the horse, the sun behind her slowly swallowing her silhouette. 

In this instant, in Frois' eyes, from this person in the eastern-most island of the world, she saw the shadow of the God she had been following. 

She was just a young girl. 

Isn't she the Queen of Zipang who will save the people from their life of misery? 

No. Maybe, not only Zipang... 

"Wh-wh-what...Zenjubou and Matsunaga Danjo were defeated by Oda Nobuna? Unbelievable! What, the Christians saved Nobuna!?" 

Inside Yamato Gosho. 

The Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa, who did not want to give the position of Shogun to Imagawa Yoshimoto, gave Nobuna an impossible task, to "Contribute 120,000 kan”. 

Such a task was ridiculous to begin with, but to ensure her failure he had given Nobuna only a week’s time. 

Who would have thought that Nobuna could amass such a fortune. 

During this period, Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin's truce drastically changed the politics in the east, Sugitani Zenjubou failed in assassinating Nobuna, and Matsunaga Hisashide's assault on Kiyomizu Temple was overcome by Nobuna. 

No matter how many plots he devises, Nobuna seems to be able to avert them. 

"Damn you, Oda Nobuna. The plans I devised with so much effort failed... There's a limit to having good luck!" 

Correct. 

The reason behind Uesugi Kenshin retreating from Kawanaka Island and breaking the truce with Takeda Shingen. 

The one who sent the assassin, Kouga's Sugitani Zenjubou. 

The true culprit of asking Tsuda Soukyu to persuade Matsunaga Hisashide to revolt... 

In the end, they were all the plans of this Konoe Sakihisa. 

To stop Nobuna's ambition, this cunning schemer had laid various traps. 

But, there weren't many days left to resist Oda Nobuna with the pretext of loyalty. 

Finally, Nobuna and her gang had reached Yamato Gosho. 

The Gosho's side has Konoe Sakihisa, who was both the Kampaku and the Daijo-daijin [2] , and Himiko who is hidden behind a veil. 

Of course, Nobuna's attire was as formal as she could procure. Since her meeting with Dousan, this is the first time she has to wear such formal clothes. 

That was not all. 

She had brought both the eloquent Akechi Mitsuhide and Sagara Yoshiharu who has no family status whatsoever. 

Yoshiharu wore a small noble's hat and a short gown... "This attire is just too...I look like I'm messing around..." and was grumbling non-stop. 

"Oda Danjo Daihitsu Nobuna, here in your presence." [3] 

The three of them sat in Seiza facing the veil and bowed. 

Watching Nobuna and Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu could only imitate them hastily. 

(Uwahh, this is so tense.) 

If this Himiko behind the veil was brought to my era, won't that be..... Damn, I could be forced to commit seppuku just for thinking that! 

"To bring such a distasteful guy to meet Himiko-sama...ahh, this is the end of the world!" It's obvious that Konoe Sakihisa was gravely impacted by Yoshiharu’s presence. 

For Mitsuhide and Yoshiharu to have the right to have an audience with Himiko, they must have the appropriate official court position. 

Because of this, Nobuna had prepared beforehand, giving Akechi Mitsuhide the new surname and position of "Koretou Hyuga no Kami". As for Yoshiharu, she gave him the position of "Chikuzen no Kami". 

But, as the master of both of them, Nobuna's position of 'Kazusanosuke' (???) was just a self-proclaimed title. Honestly speaking, before Nobuna came to have an audience with Himiko, she did not have any real position. 

Once he thought of this, Konoe Sakihisa's anger began to rise. 

But no matter how angry he was, he couldn't let a warrior with no official title just come and have an audience with Himiko. 

Because of that, Sakihisa could only bear with it, grumbling "Why must I do such a thing...." as he gave the high position of Danjo Daihitsu to Nobuna. 

But that Nobuna had put on a snobbish air and said things like, "Danjo reminds people of Matsunaga Danjo. That's too troublesome. I don't want it," and wasn't happy about the title, making Sakihisa even more furious. 

No matter what, it was finally the day to give Imagawa Yoshimoto the position of Shogun. 

Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa coughed lightly, and while he was getting ready to list out the achievements that Nobuna had made with a sour face...... 

"Oda Danjo. It's been hard on you." 

Behind the veil comes a voice of a child. 

The one who spoke was Himiko herself. 

Her voice seemed childish due to her young age, but her tone was clear and precise. 

"Hi-Himiko-sama! There is no need for you to speak yourself! Leave it to this Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa." 

"Why, Konoe?" 

"These people were smeared in blood not long ago! It will sully Himiko-sama's ears to listen to them." 

"Konoe, be quiet. I want to talk to Oda Danjo properly." 

After being told off by Himiko, even Sakihisa can only quiet down. 

That Himiko-sama who had always obeyed...no , who had always been agreeing, what happened today? 

Sakihisa couldn’t hide the doubt in his heart as he watched the conversation Himiko shared with Nobuna through the veil unfold. 

"Oda Danjo’s actions serve as a role model of warriors. The position of Shogun is rightfully yours." 

"No. The one I wish to receive the position is Imagawa Yoshimoto, who is waiting impatiently at Nijou castle." 

Himiko is just mistaken, can't you just let her be and nod? Sakihisa start to rant to himself at Nobuna. 

But, the conversation had started to shift into a direction he did not expect. 

"Ever since the Onin war, the Ashikaga clan had lost the power they should hold as Shogun. The same is true of the Imagawa. Oda Danjo, from now on, I leave this country in your hands." 

"Himiko-sama? What are you talking about!?" 

Sakihisa held on to his chest as his breathing turned ragged, as if his heart is going to pop out from fright. 

"Oda Nobuna is descended from commoners! Th-th-the Seii Taishogun [4] can only be succeeded by a descendant of the Taira clan, don't tell me you have completely forgotten!?" 

"Is that so, Konoe. If that's the case, Oda Danjo, I will give you the position of Kampaku, this country is now-" 

"Ehhhhh! The Kampaku is I, Konoe Sakihisa! Besides, only the descendants of the Fujiwara clan can succeed the position of Kampaku!!" 

"Then, the position of Daijo-daijin, to manage this country...even descendants of commoners can take the position of Daijo-daijin. In the past, there had been cases of this." 

"It's ridiculous for a Namban-attired fool to be the Daijo-daijin!" Konoe's fury seems uncontrollable. 

It's a nightmare. What the hell was wrong with the young Himiko who was always sitting behind the veil like a doll? 

"Oda Nobuna is honored, but I do not want such high positions. The reason I accepted the position of Danjo was just to have the privilege to have an audience with Himiko-sama". 

"Audacious! You dare go against Himiko-sama's orders!?" 

"Oh, Konoe. Does that mean that you are okay with me being the Daijo-daijin?" 

"O-o-of course not...! But the orders of Himiko-sama are absolute! Anyway, I will definitely not give you the position of Daijo-daijin! Definitely not!!" 

"What the hell do you want?" 

Yoshiharu finally retorted after enduring for so long. 

At this moment, a light laugh came from behind the veil. 

"Himiko-sama! Why do you trust Oda Nobuna to such an extent? It's because we entrust this country to these crude warriors who only know how to fight that this country has become like it is! Right now, we officials should manage the country and return it to the prosperous period of the Heian era! With the collapse of Ashikaga Shogunate, now is the chance for the Yamato Gose to grab back the constitution!" 

"I did not say anything about not caring at all. The Himiko of every era had given state affairs to her brother, ‘Susanoo’ to manage, as she concentrates on religious matters. And now on, things will be the same." 

"But...the power of the ‘Susanoo’ has been taken by a lowly warrior." 

"That is all because you people have been labeling these warriors as ‘tainted’ and forcing them to wage war on your behalf. To protect the people now, we have to dirty our own hands. For these past hundreds of years, you people, who shut themselves in Kyoto and while despising the ‘tainted’, had given up your right to interfere in state affairs long ago.” 

Konoe Sakihisa was speechless, unable to make even the tiniest sound. 

He had thought of her as a child, but who would have expect her to make such a wise decision? Sakihisa could only step back. 

But, no matter what, he must not let Nobuna have her way. 

"Himiko-sama. I'm honored by your words. But please give the position of Shogun to Imagawa Yoshimoto." 

"Himiko-sama, don't be fooled by this woman! She belittles the power of the Yamato Gose and is planning to promote Namban ways, she is a traitor who wants to sell this country to the Namban people! Her rejecting the position you gave her is solid proof that she does not want to be shackled down by the Gose." 

"Huh? You bastard, you’re the real traitor, Konoe!!!!!" 

".....Ba....Bastard....!? Cr-cr-crude...t-t-too distasteful... Don't believe in such a fellow, Himiko-sama!" 

"Ahh geez, You were finally serious for a bit, but with just a few minutes you revealed your true form, Nobuna." Yoshiharu sighed. 

"To address Kampaku-sama as ‘you bastard’....." Mitsuhide was deathly pale as sweat poured down her face. 

"This black teeth guy is the one who was rude first! What Kampaku, to keep Himiko-sama behind the veil. Just because you monopolize Himiko-sama, you get on airs and get all arrogant! That assassin that was sent to kill me, don't tell me you sent him?" 

He found out, but since that Nobuna is an ‘act first, think later’ type of person, I might just lose my life if I admit it... Sakihisa fakes tears and howls to Himiko. 

"That's too much! I, I have never suffered such humiliation before. Himiko-sama, please teach Oda Nobuna and these people a lesson.....!" 

"I do not know what kind of a person Oda Danjo is, but the ‘Sagara Yoshiharu’ at her side is a good person." 

"...Ehh, me? Why?" Yoshiharu exclaimed. 

"Though Sagara Yoshiharu is frivolous, he is a good person at heart. He came from a very very far....an extremely far place. This is the man sent by the heavens, who had listened to the prayers of the people." 

"D-d-don't tell me Himiko-sama had already touched this Saru?" 

"What is going on, Konoe?" 

"The first Himiko-sama could understand what another person was thinking just by looking at his eyes. Though this spiritual power has been gradually getting weaker, this Himiko-sama has the power to understand the other party's thoughts just by touching him." 

"...I get it. So you restrict all contact from others to Himiko-sama and keep her here in Gose. And not just that, to prevent contact you put her behind a veil." 

"Ehhh? My thoughts..." 

Yoshiharu noticed. 

Wait.... Don't tell me that the child that I carried up when he was patrolling near Gose is...? 

At that moment, she had read his thoughts? 

If that's the case... 

Don't tell me!? 

"Pl-please wait. It's not like this. This is a misunderstanding, Himiko-sama. I did not think much about this violent woman who stuffs her face full with Miso everyday.... Ahhh.....!" 

Sagara Yoshiharu is a good person. 

Himiko used a gentle tone and said it again. 

"Seeing that Sagara Yoshiharu was able to have such intense feelings for Oda Danjo, I wish to pass all state affairs to her." 

Uwahhhh, Himiko-sama, don't say it out! No, please refrain from saying... Ahh, I beg you! What keigo should I use at such a moment!?Yoshiharu was panicking. 

"Stop, Senpai. You're too rude." Mitsuhide at the side rushed to press Yoshiharu to the ground. 

"But the nature of this person is very very perverted. All he had in his mind was about girls. Oda Danjo, please be careful." 

"I will remember it well for the remainder of my life." 

Nobuna smiled bitterly and said while bowing politely again. 

Yoshiharu, pressed down as he was by Mitsuhide, was speechless. But thanks to Himiko still being a child, she did not seem to fully understand those real feelings that Yoshiharu did not want anyone to know... Nobuna being the first in the list. For Yoshiharu, this could be the only consolation he had. 

"...I give the position of Shogun to Imagawa Yoshimoto and approve of the activities of the Christians. And, for the repair fee of the Gose, we don't need the whole 120,000 kan. Just 20,000 is enough. The other 100,000 kan, I give it to Oda Danjo. I hope that it will help you on your way to unify the world." 

"I thank you greatly for this." 

"What a pleasant turn of events. To have such an enormous amount of funds, it will be easy to capture the areas around the capital." Yoshiharu let out a sigh of relief while holding his chest. 

"As for Oda Danjo, please accept the position of governor in the Imagawa Shogunate." 

"Please forgive me for refusing again, but what I want is ‘freedom’." 

"Freedom... What an unheard of thing," 

"I want to release this country's people from the bondage of ‘statuses’. One's future should be decided by his own efforts and talent! Of course, different people have different responsibilities. Himiko-sama has a talent of managing religious matters that is irreplaceable. But, responsibilities should not be lumped together with talent and statuses. People's lives don't differ in value. I want to use my way of life to prove this to the whole world!" 

"Ohhhhhhh, you dare to reject status and blood? Don't tell me you want to even eliminate Himiko-sama, you traitor...!" Sakihisa is seething with rage, but Nobuna and Himiko did not spare him a thought as they stared at each other through the veil. 

"I understand, Oda Danjo. But why do you want to remove a thing like ‘statuses’ in this country?" 

Behind her, Yoshiharu was still pressed down by Mitsuhide and couldn't see Nobuna's expression at all. 

At this moment, Nobuna gave an extremely glorious smile and her eyes were glittering with the brightness of the sun. 

"...For my own dream!" 

Himiko said softly with a volume only she can hear. 

"I will pray for you guys. Pray that both of your dreams will one day come true."