Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 4 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 : Furinkazan's Flag 

Part 1 

Southern Omi, Lake Biwa's winter. 

After signing the peace agreement, Nobuna immediately lead an army out to Southern Omi. Expecting a struggle, instead she found the Rokoku clan had retreated back to Kouga. Equally surprising was the familiar face that greeted her. 

"Hohoho, Nobuna-dono, there is no need to worry anymore.” rang out the cheery voice of Saitou Dousan. 

Dousan, who accompanied Nobuna to Kyo, had been forced back to Mino by those grannies that were chasing him for his debts. After that, he received news that Takeda Shingen planned to head to Kyo as well, and had tightened his security. Even after hearing about Nobuna's assassination at Kirara Hill during the “Retreat at Kanegasaki” by the Asai Asakura allied forces, he had endured and kept guard at Gifu, carefully observing the situation. 

If he had tried to save Nobuna, Gifu castle would have been completely open to Takeda Shingen's attacks from Kai. Dousan had no choice but to endure through this situation. 

After receiving reports of "Nobuna coming back" and "the Asai Asakura allied troops retreating from Mount Hiei", Dousan could resolve himself to travel to Southern Omi in the midst of such a situation. 

With such chaotic rumors surrounding Nobuna-dono's life, Takeda Shingen wouldn't possibly move out without figuring out the truth. 

"The main danger to Kyoto right now is the Southern Omi's Rokoku Clan having control over the southern side of Lake Biwa. So, if I defeat the Rokoku Clan at the same time the Asai Asakura allied troops retreat, Kyoto and Mino will once again be linked and we will clear this danger." 

Without hesitation, Dousan lead his troops on hand and attacked the Rokoku clan. Using the frightening strategies he had once acquired as "The Viper", he defeated the Rokoku Clan. 

The only thing that Dousan had not expected was Asai Hisamasa retreating back to Odani castle through the middle of his battle. Upon find him and the Rokoku Clan battling with each other, Hisamasa decided, "Though the Rokoku Clan is the enemy of our Asai Clan, right now it only makes sense to help each other." and joined the Rokoku forces attacking Dousan. 

Dousan was overwhelmingly outnumbered, but due to “The Viper's” cunning strategies, he broke the formation of the Asai army and the confused enemy collapsed. Asai Hisamasa was forced to retreat with his remaining troops to Odani castle. 

Seeing that the Asai army had been totally defeated, the Rokoku Clan dispersed without hesitation and fled back to Kouga. With this victory in the "Battle of Yasu River", Dousan gained the territory of Southern Omi. 

The Oda Clan who had been isolated at Kyoto was once again reunited with their base at Mino due to Dousan's preemptive strike. 

After finally meeting Dousan, Nobuna gave Niwa Nagahide command of the troops with the order to rest for half a day. 

And at this time. 

Nobuna pitched a tent at Mount Azuchi of the eastern side of Lake Biwa and the three of them looked at the wide lake, appreciating the scenery over dinner. The other two were... 

"Nobuna-dono, I'm sorry for not being able to help much during this crisis of the Oda clan. This is my fault for fleeing back to Mino from those grannies." Saitou Dousan said, narrowing his eyes. 

"Hoho, say the truth. It's because you were afraid to meet me again, Viper-dono." Matsunaga Hisahide retorted with a smile as she held out tea and snacks to Dousan. 

Dousan broke out in sweat as his body started shivering. 

"According to your personality, are those tea and snacks poisoned?" 

"Don't worry, Yoshiharu-dono has warned me." 

"Oh…? You can't compete with that guy either; as expected of him." Dousan praised. "He's a strange fellow, but his feelings for Nobuna-sama make even mine feel shallow in comparison." 

"Your love is that of a bad mother, I think." Dousan laughed. 

"Ara, I don't want to hear that from you. I am not the one here that has done something worth my master banishing me. I'm a woman full of love and loyalty." 

"Didn't I say that there was nothing I could do during that situation?" 

"Signing the contract to give Mino to Nobuna-sama, yet ending up in such a state; not a single person would believe you." 

Saitou Dousan and Matsunaga Hisahide. 

The two, though they laughed and smiled at each other, if either decided to go head to head they would be able to finish each other off at any time they wanted. 

"The Viper and Scorpion are actually old acquaintances. I did not know anything about that. Just how much did this geezer borrow from you, Danjo?" 

Like a daughter sitting between the two of them, Nobuna smiled. 

Dousan and Hisahide avoided each other's glances, both revealing bitter smiles. 

These two did not share a simple creditor and debtor kind of relationship. 

Both were once in love with each other. A couple that almost became husband and wife in the process of conquering the world together. But their relationship suffered between their individual ambitions, and in the end, they regrettably split after a violent argument. 

Dousan thought that to conquer the world, one must first claim Mino, but Hisahide was fixated with her revenge on the evil nobles of Kyoto, wanting Kyoto as the first objective. Dousan had retorted, "Kyoto is too difficult to defend to serve as a base. One should prepare an army and open up commerce in Mino, waiting till the time is ripe. One can then head into Kyo and conquer the world." and thought that Hisahide's mindset was too immature. 

But what really hurt Hisahide was Dousan's unintentional words, "Your dream is nothing but a personal grudge. You have been blinded by your feelings and are now unable to see the situation clearly. This isn't how someone aiming for the world should be." 

The two had thought that their paths in life would never cross again. 

But now, due to a girl called Nobuna, they miraculously intersected once again. 

"Haha, because it's been so long ago, I had forgotten just how much he borrowed from me, huh?" 

"The interest is quite frightening, it's no longer possible to even estimate it." 

"Don't tell me, you never thought we would once again meet like this and become comrades?" 

"Yeah, the fates of people are really mysterious." 

Dousan shared a look with Hisahide, seeming to say... 

The grudges of the past. Just let it be over. 

The both of them had given up their own rights to happiness for their own ambition. 

In the end, they were not able to get married in this lifetime. 

But now, they had a common daughter. 

Someone that was able to inherit their ambition of conquering the world and extend their dream. That is their daughter, their shining pride. 

An irreplaceable treasure. 

Hisahide too sent her feelings to Dousan, her eyes explaining her heart in ways words failed. 

Not afraid of me who was from another country. Admiring me like a real mother. Nobuna is just so cute that I can't help it. 

"Look, the sun is slowly setting at the direction of Mount Hiei." 

"So beautiful..." With glittering eyes, Nobuna pointed to the west and said. 

Under the reflection of the winter Lake Biwa, the setting sun seemingly set the skies ablaze. 

Birds floated around the surface of the lake. 

Dousan and Hisahide, their hearts were now linked together with Nobuna. 

"How good would it be, if such a peaceful time could continue forever..." 

"At the other side of Lake Biwa, my brother and Asai Nagamasa are trapped on Chikubu Island." 

"Please don't worry, Nobuna-sama." 

"Uhhh, the ninja Goemon will definitely bring the two of them back safely, so there is nothing to worry about. Once the two of them return to your side, we can once again begin the battle to conquer the world." 

"Anyway, Nobuna-dono, I heard Hisahide had prepared lots of strong drugs to keep you in a blurry state for quite some time. Please be more careful about the drugs this woman prepares." 

"Uhh, Yoshiharu has lectured me about that already. I will be more careful next time." 

"Hisahide too. It's not good to dote excessively on a child while saying 'so cute, so cute'. Miyoshi Nagayoshi ruined his health due to drinking your drug for long periods of time, no? It's time you grow up." 

"What should I do? I might never grow up in this lifetime. See, I have no husband even now, so~" 

"Uhh, such a lamenting tone, please don't look at me like that." 

Looking at the birds disappearing in the horizon, Nobuna gave a soft laugh. 

"Such beauty, it's almost like in my dreams." 

On impulse, she sang the song she loved. 

"'A man's life of 20 years, compared to the age of the world, it's like a fleeting dream. Those that were born in this world, will not be spared from death. But I do not think so. Life is short. The end will come no matter what. Maybe, the world itself is nothing but a dream, but, isn't the dream that I saw after drinking Danjo's drug a dream too? No matter which world, it's all but a dream.'" 

But when Dousan tried to respond, Nobuna laughed and continued. 

"But, I love this dream of a world much, much more! Because, there are comrades that are chasing after the same dream as me! No matter what kind of beautiful dream, it would be too lonely to follow it alone. No matter what kind of imperfect dream, even if I'm in a world that won't change to something I hope for, even if that lecherous Saru was a little frivolous, or a booby fiend. To me, I still love this world where I can be together with everyone!" 

Dousan too. Hisahide too. 

Gently caressing Nobuna's head, they hoped to display the nameless words in their hearts. 

Dousan prayed sincerely, hoping that this peaceful time could continue like this forever. 

"Senpai, let us accompany Nobuna-sama and eat some takoyaki. I can meet my old master Dousan-sama too." 

"Look at this atmosphere a little, Juubei-chan. This isn't the time for us to interrupt." 

"Uhh, you have a point. Anyway Senpai, the 50 arquebus that I lent you at Kanegasaki, it's about time you gave them back." 

"I'm sorry, but I can only return about half the arquebus." 

"The interest is very high. If you don't return them as soon as possible, the money you need to return will become higher and higher." 

At the foot of Mount Azuchi. 

Yoshiharu and Mitsuhide stood guard, protecting Nobuna. They were both quarreling as normal. 

"But, Juubei-chan, you are the first to become a master of a castle. Damn it, I thought I would be the first. Damn it!" 

"Hoho, Sagara-senpai could not be compared to this genius Mitsuhide. Isn't this normal for the fair Nobuna-sama?" 

"After leading the back troops of Kanegasaki, my reward was just a persimmon, and the promise of a kiss was completely ignored. Instead, why was Juubei-chan given Omi's 50,000 dan worth of land in Sakamoto? I can't accept that; don't you think it's unacceptable? And, that persimmon was rotten! Don't tell me, that was a punishment for touching Katsuie's breasts!?" 

"It's enough to give a Saru a persimmon, Nobuna-sama said so very angrily, Senpai." 

"Ahhh.... Katsuie said after that, 'Though I agreed to let you touch them, I didn't say you could rub them!' and is now aiming for my life... What is this..." 

"She was obviously merely joking. Besides, if Senpai's life is ever truly threatened, this genius swordswoman, the esteemed and beautiful Juubei Mitsuhide will protect Saru-senpai this whole life by your side, so there is no need to worry!" 

Mitsuhide smiled as she held on to Yoshiharu's hand. 

Again, she looks like she has a hidden agenda or something? But.... Such an honest smile; as expected, she's a cute kouhai. Yoshiharu thought as his gaze met hers. 

Mitsuhide's thoughts began to wander to what happened during her stay at Honnou temple, when Nobuna had suddenly called her over. 

Part 2 

"At that time, Nobuna-sama was....." 

Nobuna requested the other retainers leave as she began her secret discussion with Mitsuhide. 

"To control Mount Hiei, I wish for Juubei to control the eastern side of Lake Biwa, the area of Sakamoto. The Sakamoto area connects Mount Hiei and the gate of Kyoto, a strategic point of interest. I don't want this location falling into the hands of the Asai Asakura clans. Juubei, build a castle there to suit your tastes." 

"Roger. I shall oversee the construction work in Sakamoto immediately, and guard against the Asai Asakura allied forces." The talented Mitsuhide accepted, and immediately replied "Let's start with the designs." as she began discussing with Nobuna the details of the castle. 

"As for the castle, I wish for you to do this." Nobuna started, voicing some of the ideas she had in mind. 

The era of mountain fortresses was already over. 

To adapt to the era of Tanegashima, the future fortress would find greater success on flat lands. 

With a mountain fortress, because it's an obvious target, an arquebus squad can very quickly destroy the walls under concentrated fire, easily compromising the entire base. 

The most important thing a fortress needed in this arquebus era was.... 

"Water". 

If we dig a wide trench beside the fortress and fill it with water, it will effectively defend against enemy attacks. 

If one wanted to use "water" effectively like this, castles constructed near lakes or rivers are obviously more suitable than mountain fortresses. These are called "a castle on the plains", or to be more accurate, a "water fortress". 

"If we build a castle at Sakamoto, the best choice is to place its back to Lake Biwa, then dig a trench around the front of it to form a 'water fortress'. A base on water like Sakamoto Castle will greatly speed Nobuna-sama's travels across Lake Biwa as well. With this, an emergency like that at Kiyomizu Temple will be dealt with swiftly too. 

"And though it has nothing to do with battles, Hisahide-dono had built a strange 4-storey castle at Tamonyamajo in Yamato. In Japan, it is a beautiful palace called 'Shining with Brightness'. I, Mitsuhide, having heard this name, visited Yamato and performed intensive research on the building methods of that castle. I too planned to build that on Sakamoto; to build a castle that makes people feel soon this chaotic era will end and peace will come! 

"Wh...What do you think about it, Nobuna-sama?" 

"Juubei, that idea is fabulous. Though it's kinda bad to use Danjo's creativity, you are really a remarkable genius." 

"Not at all, not at all. Your praise has me a bit flustered." 

Ahhh, I'm praised again by Nobuna-sama, my talent is so terrifying. 

"Let's do it like you said, but Sakamoto Castle won't need any temporary masters." 

"Hmmm, what does that mean?" 

"I'll give you Sakamoto castle. You will be the real master of it, and this land worth 50,000 dan!" 

"M...Me being a daimyo of a province!? But, I, Mitsuhide have only joined the Oda clan recently! A...And if we think about the contribution, Sagara-senpai who lead the back troops at Kanegasaki should be the master!" 

"Anything is fine for Saru. He's just an idiot who became excited from rubbing Riku's breasts." 

"Y...Yes. But though I, Mitsuhide am smart and witty, have a distinguished bloodline and am a rare bishoujo, and therefore this decision seems as much like common sense as the sun rising from the east and setting on the west, I am not as active as Sagara-senpai." 

"Juubei, didn't you save Saru with no care for your own safety? If Juubei had given up when you saw Saru blown to pieces at Misaka Pass, then Saru would definitely be dead." 

"That is so, but umm, that was just because I didn't notice the atmosphere, and my personality of not giving up on things I start isn't something to be proud of." 

Suddenly, Nobuna-sama tightly grabbed Mitsuhide's hands, big tears welling from the corners of her eyes. 

"Thank you so much, really, thank you so much!" 

Nobuna-sama, who had never lowered her head towards her retainers to cry, sobbed with her joy. Mitsuhide's chest felt a flow of warmth. 

If it's for this master, Juubei Mitsuhide was willing to give everything for her. She honestly believed it. 

It's just that, her heart seemed to be rumbling with an ominous feeling. 

"Thank you, thank you." Looking at Nobuna-sama with her face full of tears, her body seemed to hurt, as though she was being poked with needles. 

Why was this so? Even I, the smart and witty Mitsuhide cannot understand. 

"From now on, I'm relying on you for Saru too. That fellow will run to dangerous places muttering weird things to himself if we don't look at him properly. He is so weak, yet he has such strange courage, but if Juubei is protecting him by his side, I can relax a little." 

Ehhh!? To Nobuna-sama, Sagara-senpai is a retainer, no, a family member. Such an important existence, this is without a doubt the truth. 

But, don't tell me, she is planning to let I, Mitsuhide and Sagara-senpai, ummm, marry!?!?!? 

Th...That's too troubling... Umm, that Sagara-senpai is like a child that was doted on by his mother; it's cute, but if I were to choose between liking or disliking, u...uh..umm.... I don't dislike him but liking him or something, it's still debatable but, to senpai who was forced to leave his mother, I think someone who loves him and takes care of him is necessary. Once I recalled what happened in that cave, my body somehow began to feel hot, th...though it was to save him, bu...but I did have body contact with senpai already... Mi...Mitsuhide already belongs to senpai!? 

All in all, Juubei Mitsuhide was so embarrassed she felt she could die, but since it was Nobuna-sama's order, her only choice was to marry senpai. 

"Roger, since this is the order of Nobuna-sama, then you can leave Sagara-senpai's matters to me!" 

"Thanks, I will never forget my debt to Juubei for saving Saru. I will be indebted to you till the end of my life." 

The Sakamoto of Southern Omi is a reward for saving Sagara-senpai... If that's the case, then I will accept it. 

Of course, Nobuna-sama forbade Mitsuhide from discussing this with Saru. 

"All in all, I, Juubei Mitsuhide will from now on take care of senpai. Though it's hard to think of them as the same person, the arrogant daytime senpai is actually a child who loves to snuggle around his mother, and the only one who knows this humiliating fact is me, Mitsuhide. Hohoho." 

"Anyway, why are you happily smiling by yourself, Juubei-chan? What is going on?" 

"B...But, a girl to be forced into marriage isn't something to get used to. And I'm busy in coming up with the design plans for Sakamoto castle now. But, as I finish each of them one by one, it's only a matter of time until we hold the marriage. Of course I'm not happy about it at all, but because it's my master's order, I have no choice~" 

"I have totally no idea what you are saying, but won't there be problems if you become strange like this after becoming a daimyo?" 

"Not at all not at all, because this Sakamoto castle will one day belong to Sagara-senpai too. There is nothing to worry about." 

"Huh? What does that mean!?" 

"You're too much. To ask a bride to say such things before getting married , Ahnnn~." 

"Is this part of her strange motives? It must be a new way to fool with me." 

That day, Mitsuhide had fallen into quite a big misunderstanding, completely due to her light feelings of her first love. But Yoshiharu did not notice it at all. 

Part 3 

"Oichi, be strong, someone will definitely come save us." 

"Hmmm, Kanjuurou too. Is your body condition still ok?" 

"No need to worry. Don't judge me by my appearance. I have confidence in my body strength, hahaha!" 

"But, your voice doesn't seem too energetic." 

These voices found themselves on the lone island of Lake Biwa, Chikubu Island. 

In this island's prison cells, Hisamasa had imprisoned the current "Oichi" Asai Nagamasa, and the previous "Oichi" Tsuda Kanjuurou. 

The cell imprisoning the cross-dressing beauty Nagamasa was a grand single room. With 3 grand meals everyday, her treatment was of the highest quality, so she was still well. Nagamasa's imprisonment amounted to nothing more than her father grounding her here because of her unrelenting objection to betraying Nobuna. 

But at the other side of the tunnel, Nobusumi was imprisoned in a small, wet stone cell. Every day, the guards would feed Nobusumi with only watery gruel. The ceiling of the stone cell was so low he couldn't even stand up straight. 

If this went on, Nobusumi would become weaker and weaker until he died here. 

Nagamasa had repeatedly pleaded with the guards, saying, "At least put me at the same cell as Kanjuurou.", but the guards always rejected, explaining "Master ordered us to not let both of you near each other." with a shake of their heads. 

Catching Nobusumi and learning that he was actually a guy, Hisamasa had roared, "That bastard Oda Nobuna, how dare you treat me like a fool!?" and planned to kill Nobusumi to vent some of his anger. 

But, after considering that Nobusumi had worth as a hostage, he finally banished both of them to Chikubu island. 

Of course, the cells were not together. 

So, Nagamasa and Nobusumi couldn't even touch each other with their fingers. 

In the dark prison, they couldn't even see each other clearly. 

Their only connection was their weak voices. 

This couple, though born into different clans of this sengoku era, while imprisoned could not endure being unable to see or touch each other. 

Maybe the guards pitied the fate of this beautiful Owari and Omi couple, as they had never disturbed the soft conversation before. 

Even now, they were waiting patiently in this underground prison. 

"It's okay Oichi, get a hold of yourself. Though I overheard the guards spouting rumors about Aneue being assassinated, how can Aneue be finished off so easily? She will definitely come and save us." 

"Hmmm." 

Nobusumi whispered again, "I'm sure Saru-kun has already sent his ninja to Northern Omi. We will have our chance to escape at any time now." 

And again, "Kanjuurou, I must take back the position of head from Father. If I don't go save Aneue, the chaotic era of this country will never end." 

"I've made up my mind, but that is extremely hard on you." 

"Father has almost never left Omi; he knows nothing. This is no time to be killing each other in such a small island country.” 

The both of them stared at the weak sunlight coming in through a hole as if praying. 

Boom* 

A sudden explosion resounded at the entrance! 

"Ahh, it's ninja-kun!" Nobusumi exclaimed. 

"Asai-shi, Tsuda-shi, it's been too long. I, who even scare crying babies to silence is bere(here)!" 

"Leading the lolicon comrades of the Kawanami clan as chief protector of Boss's soft skin, Maeda is here too!" 

"To protect the boss, our eternal idol, the Kawanami clan appears!" 

"Comrades, get this princess and the little one off Chikubu island." 

Their help had finally arrived. 

Immediately after they were released, Nobusumi and Nagamasa embraced each other in a grip to challenge even death. 

The future seemed much brighter suddenly....! 

"Leave your words for later! For now, we should escape from here!" 

"Ohh, that's true, Ninja-kun." 

"I will negotiate directly with Father now." 

"Asai-shi, right now we should escape to somewhere safe! Please leave negotiating or things like that for later." 

"No, I want to go to Odani castle. I have to take back the position of clan head!" 

"No, Asai Hisamasa wouldn't listen to a word you say right now! Besides, that man isn't at Odani castle!" 

"What? What do you mean?" 

"Ninja-kun, Oichi, hurry! The soldiers are here!" 

The Asai army had rushed to the scene, though Goemon's smokescreens were temporarily slowing them down. 

With the danger made so clear, Asai Nagamasa mounted the horse Maeda brought, pulled Tsuda Nobusumi onto the horse and set him in front of her, gripping him tightly. 

As they fled, it became apparent why Goemon and the Kawanami clan had taken so long in their rescue; with careful planning. they had prepared a perfect escape route. 

Not a single enemy soldier could avoid the traps the Kawanami clan had prepared beforehand. 

"Come, onto the boat!" 

"We're indebted to you, Ninja-kun!" 

"Kanjuurou!' 

Holding each other's hands, they both jumped aboard the boat. 

"Now, let's hurry and head out." 

Once the boat was properly on Lake Biwa it quickly picked up speed, all but gliding across the water. 

The Kawanami comrades, skilled as they were in water battles, cried out, "This place is forbidden to pass through." and flipped their enemies' boats upside down. 

"Hahahaha! This isn't some cave, and your enemies aren't mere prisoners! Once you enter the water, you're in Kawanami clan's world!" 

"We are the heroes who created the Ichiya Castle legend!" 

"Perfect, with this, we have gained Boss's praises!" 

Sighing with relief, Goemon informed to Nagamasa and Nobusumi, "Hime-sama is currently safe." 

"The Oda army is currently pacing(facing) off with the Asai Asakura allied forces at Mount Hiei. After we finished what we are boing(doing) here, we will beet(meet) with them immediately. Bow(Now), we cannot belay(delay) even a bingle(single) minute." 

Nobusumi and Nagahide, not even trying to understand Goemon as her speech deteriorated, were glancing at Lake Biwa's reflection of the moon as they talked with each other. 

"Our clans have avoided a direct confrontation! And the palace decree had given us a temporary peace agreement. Isn't this what we want? This is our best chance to recover the alliance between the Asai and Oda clan." 

"After abandoning Aneue, I had given up on the dream of conquering the world with her. But, who would have thought that I could have the chance to fight together with her for her dream one more time?" 

"Anyway, I'm in that dream too, though I'm on the back seat, hahaha!" 

"You're more important than that; aren't you my husband? Just stay by my side and try your best." 

"Hmmm." 

"Though it's winter, it's so hot here... Ahh, as expected, love should be something that suave guys and beauties should have. Covered in sweat and dirt, we have no connection with it..." At Goemon's side, the Kawanami comrades watched the two of them jealously. 

But... 

Fate, it seemed, would not give them their happiness so easily. 

Finally reaching the shore of Lake Biwa, just as Nagamasa and the rest were getting off the boat, 

On the dark road beside the shore, almost by coincidence Nagamasa and the rest caught sight of the Asai Clan army, who were seemingly defeated. 

No, it already could not be called an army. 

"Hurry and run!" 

"Mino's Viper, Mino's Viper is coming!" 

"No way is he an equal opponent. Hisamasa-sama could not be compared with Viper at all." 

"Hurry and escape back to Odani castle!" 

They were totally decimated and had been consumed by fear. 

There wasn’t a single soldier without injury or blood stains, but what made them most frightening were their delusions of Saitou Dousan. 

"What is going on, Ninja-kun?" 

"I'm afraid that on their way back to Odani castle, they bet(met) with Dousan-sama who was leading troops and were befeated(defeated)." 

"Mino's Viper should not have that great a military force." 

"On one side, the commander is renowned for his skill in battle. On the other, the commander is famous for being absolutely craven. Even ignoring the other great differences in their capabilities, with this alone Hisamasa was doomed." 

"It seems like even superior numbers couldn't overcome these differences." 

Just then, 

They spotted the utterly injured Asai Hisamasa riding along with the defeated soldiers. 

Hisamasa was wailing in regret. 

Though he wasn't skilled in combat and suffered from severe cowardice, he had plucked up his courage and fought to let his own child have a chance in obtaining the world. 

But, with just a little more, first he failed to kill Nobuna, and then met Dousan on his retreat. His army was totally decimated, and the fate of the Asai clan hung by a thread. 

“If I had just a little bit of talent for waging wars.... How can this be my legacy to Nagamasa...?" Hisamasa sank into a deep anguish. 

As Nagamasa and the rest watched the defeated army in a daze, the 3 elders of the Asai clan finally spotted their spectators. All 3 of them were experienced generals, but due to the insurmountable difference between Hisamasa and Dousan, they could not display their prowess and seems to be greatly injured. 

"Ohh, You are... Nagamasa-sama!?" 

"Saruyashamaru-sama! You have come for your father?" 

"Without Nagamasa-sama's leadership at such a situation, we might not even be able to run!" 

"Hisamasa-sama planned to commit seppuku upon reaching Odani castle! Saruyashamaru-sama, please abandon the grudge of your imprisonment at Chikubu Island and command us again." 

"Please save the Asai clan!" 

Nagamasa was speechless. 

Right now in front of her eyes, the Asai clan was slowly moving towards oblivion. 

Though the Oda clan did not seem to persue them, Hisamasa himself had decided to commit seppuku. Even the three elders in front of her had also resolved themselves to die with the Asai clan. 

Father Hisamasa, or the elders, they believed in me, Saruyashamaru, that I should stand at the top of the world; that's why they betrayed the Oda clan. 

Though I could feel the chasm that separates me from Oda Nobuna... 

But I can't just to abandon father and retainers that believe in me! 

"Nagamasa-sama!" 

"I understand. I will return and take the title of Head of the Asai Clan." 

"Thank you so much." 

"Roger." 

"With this, the Asai clan has hope again!" 

In that moment, the shining star of a sengoku warrior, Asai Nagamasa became dark. 

Nobusumi at her side was shocked, 

"Oichi!? Won't this mean you'll cross swords with the Oda clan?" 

"I can't just do nothing while father and the retainers are destroyed. I'm sorry, Kanjuurou." 

Asai Nagamasa mounted the white horse the Asai soldiers brought over and turned towards Odani castle. 

"In the end, I am the Asai clan's head, Asai Nagamasa. In the end, Oichi is just a dream that could only be destroyed... Farewell, Kanjuurou." 

Nobusumi began to chase after her on foot. 

"Wait, Oichi! You are no longer Saruyashamaru! You're my wife Oichi, aren't you!? If you betray Aneue, we will have to face each other as enemies!" 

But, Nobusumi could not catch up. 

The panicking soldiers formed a wave that blocked the road. 

Nagamasa could not answer Nobusumi's shouts; she made up her mind not to turn back, even as she bit her lips hard enough to draw blood. 

"HOW CAN THIS BE, IDIOT, HURRY AND COME BACK, OICHI! OICHI!" 

Watching Nobusumi collapse onto the ground, Maeda and the Kawanami clan could offer no words of comfort. 

Only Goemon spoke, stumbling across a long sentence that she isn't used to with a painful expression. 

"Humans can not always get what they want. When she chose between Asai Nagamasa and Oichi, tbhe bne whbo is bost sab sbould be tbhe bhooser. Thbat berson, ber heart is most bikely bead. (the one who is most sad should be the chooser. That person, her heart is most likely dead.) 

Such a pity... 

Part 4 

A short distance to the East, in the Kai province. 

This mountain fortress lacked the typical huge castle suitable for a sengoku daimyo. 

Tsutsujigasakikan. 

A frugal styled house that was left over from Muromachi era. 

The 19th clan head of the Takeda Clan, Takeda Shingen Harunobu once said "People are the castles, people are the walls, people are the trenches", meaning, "My retainers are the Takeda Clan's fortress". To enforce such words, she never built a castle at her own base in Kai, and never would. 

The people of the sengoku era couldn't help but be impressed by this renowned warrior, Takeda Shingen. 

But the truth was... Those were all lies. 

Takeda Shingen wasn’t such a person. 

As a base, the Tsutsujigasakikan was enough. A huge, defensive castle needed lots of money and wouldn't have been useful in the slightest to this warrior. 

Shingen, all she could think of was the attack. 

"It's meaningless to receive attacks from enemies upon your own land! Battles on other people's land are the only true battles! Because I have an attack, attack and attack personality!" 

Yes. 

Though Takeda Shingen had yet to reach 20 years of age, she was born into the distinguished Takeda clan, inheriting the responsibility of protecting Kai. But at the same time, she had inherited the same abnormal fascination with war her violent father had possessed. 

People frequently described her simply as belligerent. 

For Shingen, it was sensible. She had no interest whatsoever with Buddhist teachings, instead engrossing herself in "The art of war". In her martial arts skills, she had unsurpassable talents and had never lost a duel. Only Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin could stand against her on equal footing. 

Like the embodiment of ambition, right after banishing her own father and becoming head of the clan, she led soldiers to attack Shinano. Unfortunately for Shingen, this abnormal action provoked "Justice's ally" Uesugi Kenshin, the Dragon of Echigo, and initiated a battle at Kawanaka island. That was the first time that Shingen, with her scoreboard filled with victories, struggled to defeat an enemy. But, even in the end when Shingen was forced to retreat, she shouted, "Kenshin, I will definitely surpass you!! I have finally met a rival worthy of me! If not for this, things would be boring! Ahahahahaha!", her spirit and energy bursting out all at once. 

But compared to Uesugi Kenshin, who had no desire for conquest, Shingen's defenses were weak. After hearing that her ally Imagawa Yoshimoto was captured, she abandon the alliance immediately and conquered Suruga, as expected from her "Attack is the best defense" thinking. Like a demon, she kept waging wars to enlarge her territory, and as a result the Takeda Clan controlled 1,200,000 dan worth of land. 

Takeda Shingen was perhaps the strongest in this sengoku era. 

Though she possessed enormous strength, Shingen also held perfect management over her retainers. 

With her invincible cavalry at its core, her army was the strongest no matter what other soldiers she decided to add. 

A sudden report, that "Oda Nobuna has burned Mount Hiei", would decide Takeda Shingen's next move. 

Himiko-sama's brother, the high monk, Tendai head priest and master of Mount Hiei had travelled to Kai to plead with Shingen. 

Shingen welcomed him warmly enough, but did not even attempt to mask her ambition, blatantly stating "If you are received by some wild monkey of Kai, the people will definitely be shocked. It's about time you give me a higher position in court, don't you think?" 

Even though Kai is a poor province unable to grow its own wheat, using Shingen's technique, the province was able to procure mountains of gold by mining the area. 

Shingen used this gold primarily to wage wars, almost to the point of looking frivolous, though the progress it allowed her in enlarging her territory was astounding. On the conquered lands, she also allocated an impressive budget on renovating the water works and preparing the land for farming. With the productivity within her territories growing exponentially, masses of people gathered, and the tax collected from them naturally grew. Shingen then used the money she gathered on her favorite, somewhat extravagant expanding policy, which surprisingly enough wasn't warring. Shingen had immense interest in governing provinces too, as expected from a multi-talented warrior. In the end, because of her love for governing and desire to spar with her rival, Uesugi Kenshin, she had delayed her plans for heading to Kyo. If not for delicately governing these new territories with huge amounts of time and money and waging war every year with Uesugi Kenshin at Kawanaka island, within 5 years from Shingen becoming clan head, the world would have been conquered. 

This is the strength of Shingen's army. 

The strength of Uesugi Kenshin was only herself. If Kenshin was to fight on equal terms with Shingen, with Shingen's commanding skills, governing skills, the quality of her retainers, amount of the retainers under her command and their unwavering loyalty, Kenshin would be outclassed in almost every way. 

It would be no exaggeration to call Shingen the overlord of this chaotic sengoku era. 

Under her wealthy governance, the people all said, "Shingen-sama is such a good girl!" "We are relying on you for our village's water works!" "Leave it to us for the construction of the dam of Shingen." and sincerely admired her. 

"This is the way money should be used." Shingen wasn’t just well liked by the people; she knew how to make the nobles happy too. 

When Kyoto's monks and nobles visited Kai, she would always hold a grand party and receive them personally. 

When Kyoto's Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa sent the ominous letter with the lie "Nobuna had burned Mount Hiei", Kakujo was already at Tsutsujigasakikan and was attending a tea party with Shingen. 

"This is a big matter. I no longer have a place to go back to." 

"This Oda Nobuna is really worthy of the name Sixth Demon Lord! Hahaha!" 

"Shingen-dono, this is no time for jokes, is it?" 

"Don't cry, don't cry. I will build a new Mount Hiei for you, just like Kinkaku temple, a pure gold temple, ahahahaha!" 

That senseless fake Mount Hiei will be troubling to me, and having to come all the way to Kai... Kakujo thought, but his fear of Shingen kept his voice securely in his head. 

"Anyway, Kenshin-chan is now back into her old home of Echigo, and I have finish my work on Imagawa Yoshimoto's lands. So boring~ Ok, I will use this 'Burning of Mount Hiei' as a reason to fight Oda Nobuna and conquer Kyoto!" 

Takeda Shingen stood up with gusto, unintentionally showing off fairly tall build and a bosom considered big for females of this era. 

Tonsure? What is that [6] ? Shingen had grown her hair past her waist, revealing a demure look inherited from her Kai origins. All but ruining that affect, fierce eyes like those of a hungry tiger made Shingen look violent and fierce rather than cute. 

Takeda Bishi quickly dressed up her master's carnivore-like body. Her body was without a single fat, but like a girl, her curves and even the size of her breasts could be compared to Katsuie. 

A demure appearance, a well bosomed body rare among the Japanese, fierce looks and Takeda Shingen's own forceful presence. All of them made Kakujo shiver with fear. 

"Clerks, write it like this! Oi, Sixth Demon Lord, it's about time for me to go to Kyoto! You just wait for me, the Tendai Head Priest Takeda Shingen-sama to defeat you! Ok, that's it, beautiful!" 

"U...Ummm, 'Tendai head priest' is my rank and position, could you not use it?" 

"Huh? The most important of picking a fight is guts. Isn't it better to use a bigger rank and position to show off my strength? Don't mind such small details." 

"Uhhh" 

"Kansuke! Is Kansuke still alive!?" 

Bham*! At the same time Shingen kicked out, a small, single-eyed bald man silently appeared behind Kakujo. 

"....Yamamoto Kansuke is here." 

"Yamamoto Kansuke-sama, how is this possible? Didn't you die at Kawanaka island?" 

Kakujo was shocked, and Yamamoto Kansuke sighed, "It's true that my strategies were found out by Uesugi Kenshin at Kawanaka island. To take responsibility, I had to rush to the front lines preparing to die.... But mysteriously, my life wasn't taken, and now I live with the shame of be alive." 

"Kansuke! The battle this time around is extremely important to conquering the world! To me, your strength is necessary!" 

"Yes." 

Actually, this genius strategist Yamamoto Kansuke, who had just entered old age, couldn't seem to pull himself together before the battle with the Oda clan. 

"I see, you have been devoid of motivation recently. You aren't fired up even after witnessing my beauty. This is troubling." 

"It's a pervert's behavior to see their master's appearance and be excited. I have taken the tonsure and been released from the mundane world. I will be very troubled if you treat me the same as those bastards." 

"There's no helping it. Oi, Shirou! Shirou! Come over here for a while!" Shingen calls for her god-sister Shirou, shaking her head at Kansuke's behavior. 

"I'm~here~ Onee-sama~!" 

Takeda Shirou Katsuyori. 

She is the princess of Shinano's House Suwa, recently defeated by Shingen. 

Because she was remarkably adorable, Shingen, with her love for children, said, "Isn't it too pitiful for such a cute child to be banished or imprisoned?" and stopped the ninjas, taking Shirou as her god-sister. 

Shirou turned 7 years old this year. 

And she was still a naive and pure little girl. 

"Shirou, come and sit on your sister's lap!" 

This was pure love. 

Nothing could taint the feelings between these two. 

"Ohhhhh, Katsuyori-samaaaaaaa! How... This beautiful appearance, it's too radiant!" 

"Shirou, say what I have taught you." 

"Ok, Kansuke, please lend your strength to Onee-sama." Shirou Katsuyori chimed as she bowed her head to Kansuke. 

Phew* 

From Yamamoto Kansuke's nose spurted a geyser of blood. 

"Ohhhhhhh~!? You can't... You can't do this, Katsuyori-samaaaaa! Don't bow to a lowly servant like me! Damn it, my nosebleed. I can't stop my nosebleed!" 

Even his tone had grown unsteady. 

This was truly a pure and untainted love! 

"Roger! I, Yamamoto Kansuke will become a demon in this battle to cleanse off the taint on Kawanaka island.” Kansuke declared, bowing to Shirou Katsuyori so low that he was on the floor. 

When he lifted his head again, his face was no longer the face of a dried up, retired geezer, but once again that of the demon like strategist, a "black" aura emanating from all over his body. 

"Hohoho! In the whole of Japan, only Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin can be on par with master-sama. Oda Nobuna, Saitou Dousan and Matsudaira Motoyasu are seasoned in battle, but they are a speck compared to master-sama. As long as I, Yamamoto Kansuke serves Japan's strongest master-sama, I will definitely use all of my strength to finish off the enemies in front of us!" 

In such a short time, he entirely changed into another person. As expected from a strategist who can only be described as extraordinary. Kakujo thought as he looked at this new demon named Yamamoto Kansuke. 

But much more terrifying was Takeda Shingen, who used even her god-sister to control the hearts of her retainers. 

"Your expression is better now, Kansuke. It's a relief to have your skills in strategies and your spot-on divination. Before we head out, let's do a divination then!" 

"Roger, but master-sama, my greatest skill in divination is astronomy; it's a skill to predict a person's fate using the trajectory of the stars." 

"What a fellow, so full of fancy, convoluted words." 

Kansuke took out a globe full of stars and spun it with a mysterious expression. 

"Oh..." 

After confirming his results, he laughed. 

"....Hmmm, it's smooth sailing! Master-sama, the huge shining star at the west had fallen onto the ground, the enemy commander's life is going to end soon." 

"Ohhh, just whose life is ending soon?" 

"Oda Nobuna, or Saitou Dousan. Right now, in the sky, these two stars were shining brightly side by side, but this is against heaven's decree. At the same place and time, there can only be one shining star. The other will definitely fall. If there is one truth in this world, that is it. The reason why they could co-exist for so long is because someone forcefully interfered with their fates and confused the future. The next time their fates cross again, one of them should fall." 

"Ohh? How interesting. Just who can interfere and change their fate?" Shingen remarked, leaning closer. 

"Just who is it, and how they are able to change fate, I do not know. This is the limit of astronomy divination." 

"I see, if that's the case, it's necessary to use Sanada's subordinates." 

"Sanada!?" 

"Roger!" 

"Someone that can change a human's fate is interesting, I must see him personally." 

"Ahh, Master has an interest in that person?" 

"That person is sent by heaven, he might be a greater rival than Uesugi Kenshin. I don't know why, but when I think of such a thing my chest rumbles." 

A desire to fight with a strong enemy. 

An enemy that can make her blood rush. 

In Shingen's heart, a battle of the sengoku's strongest is the only method to decide who can unify the world. 

The world, if I am really interested in it, will be a simple thing to get. 

If I didn't know it would be easy, I wouldn't be so engrossed with Uesugi Kenshin and the battle of Kawanaka island, tossing Kyoto to the corners of my mind. 

Seems like in Oda Nobuna's camp, there is someone that I have not met before, a destined rival. 

If that's the case, 

I've decided to go to Kyo. 

At Seta, we shall raise Takeda Bishi, and then the Fuurinkazan flag. 

Shingen, having made up her mind, called out "Kansuke! If Dousan and Oda Nobuna continue their alliance, what will happen?" 

Yamamoto Kansuke laughed, and said confidently. "If those two keep defying the heavens and co-existing, there will definitely appear a new star to destroy both, and their stars will fall together." 

"How pitiful, after she finally found a father-like figure in that Dousan. This might be that brat Oda Nobuna's fate." 

Shingen, who had banished her own father for her ambitions, felt sympathy for Nobuna for an instant. 

At the next instant, Shingen changed back to the sengoku's strongest demon lord. 

"Kansuke! Summon Takeda's four generals! All Takeda troops, to Kyo! Let this battle surpass the battle of Kawanaka island and become an extraordinary event!" Takeda Shingen declared, the premonition of meeting her destined enemy leaving her trembling with excitement. 

And Kakujo, who was hiding in a corner of the tea room, thought, Oda Nobuna and Takeda Shingen. These two heroes of the sengoku era will finally be battling with their all. and shivered non-stop. 

As fast as the wind. 

As silent as a forest. 

As daring as fire. 

As immovable as a mountain 

The Fuurinkazan [7] flag flapped with the wind. 

The mountain started moving. 

Translator's Notes and References 

1 ED- “Genji Monogatari”, the story of the son of a Heian era emporer who is made a commoner and *really* gets around with the ladies. Considered possibly the oldest classic novel ever. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tale_of_Genji 

2 ED- Yoshikage then proceeds to fanboy out over Tales of Genji. All names and such can be found in the previous Tales of Genji reference wiki link or a google 

3 Yoshimoto had been referring to herself as 妾, used to refer herself at a higher status. 

4 Chin was used by Chinese emperors to refer to themselves. Chinese drama fanatics will know this as  朕(Zhèn). 

5 Nobuna used the word, Atashi here, used commonly for girls to refer to themselves. 

6 ED What indeed? Tonsure is the practice (mostly religious) of shaving off some hair right at the scalp. Think catholic monks, with just a ring of hair around a shiny scalp. 

7 Fuurinkazan is 風林火山, each word stands for wind, forest, fire, mountain respectively