Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 6 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 : The Construction of Castle Azuchi and Revolt of Honby? Temple 

Part 1 

A new year had started, and spring had descended onto the Sengoku Era Japan. 

Within a year, the sengoku map had been, and continued to be, rewritten on a grand scale. 

The young daimyo of Owari Province, Oda Nobuna had first defeated Suruga Province's daimyo, Imagawa Yoshimoto at the "Battle of Okehazama". Soon after, she conquered Mino and made an alliance with Asai Nagamasa by means of a political marriage before successfully proceeding to Kyo. Nobuna had conquered Kyoto in the blink of an eye, installed Imagawa Yoshimoto as a puppet shogun, and was acknowledged by the Yamato Gose's Himiko. With this, Oda Nobuna had become ruler of the world. 

As Nobuna moved against the Asakura Clan to assert her authority, the Asai Clan suddenly defected and cut off the Oda army's path of retreat. The Oda Clan was in a critical condition, but then the mysterious young warrior Sagara Yoshiharu took up the job of defending the clan's escape. Through the efforts of Yoshiharu and his 500 men, Nobuna miraculously survived. From there, Nobuna forced the surrender of Mount Hiei's monks and battled fiercely with both the Asai Asakura allied forces and the fierce general of Kai, Takeda Shingen. After a terrible defensive battle, the Oda army managed to scrape a victory. 

But, Takeda Shingen did not lose to Nobuna. 

The strategist, Yamamoto Kansuke died suddenly on the battlefield due to illness, and Shingen swore to erect the flags of the Takeda Clan over the plains of Seta as tribute to his legacy. Just then, news from Oshu arrived. "Oshu's Jakigan" Date Masamune had suddenly attacked Kanto, forcing their ally the Hojo Clan to request Takeda's help. After hearing of this, Takeda Shingen was forced to agree to a temporary truce with Nobuna. 

The allied Asai Asakura survived their defeat from Nobuna as well. They were recuperating and would rise again soon. 

Like a flood, within barely a year, many things have happened. 

What an eventful year. 

Let's divert our attention back to Kanto. 

"Kukuku. Kojuurou, Odawara castle is huge. This castle has so many streets, how shocking. Considering how I wanted to change my title from 'Conqueror of Oshu' to the world renowned 'Beast of revelation', I've decided obtaining this Odawara Castle is vital!" 

"It's already spring~. Bontenmaru-sama, we should send the soldiers back to farm~. If we don't, we will have a famine on our hands~." 

A year ago, three daimyo, consisting of Hojo Ujiyasu, based in Sagami's Odawara castle, Kai's Takeda Shingen, and Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin, the self-proclaimed "caretaker of Kanto", started a series of battles that changed the landscape of Kanto as frequently as a snake would change skin. During the end of last year however, the young princess daimyo Date Masamune, proclaiming herself "Oshu's conqueror", appeared suddenly. With her secret namban weapon, the "Jakigan", she conquered almost all of Oshu with lightning speed. After that, Masamune thoughtlessly followed through with her momentum, leading her troops towards Kanto and had making a huge mess throughout the region. Kanto became so disorganized that it resembled the later fall of the Edo Shogunate, around when Commodore Perry [3] sailed over. 

Hojo, Takeda and Uesugi, all three of them could be said to be wise rulers. Showing care for the commoners of Kanto, their battles were between soldiers and did not disturb the common folk at all. 

Hojo Ujiyasu concentrated on farming using her political strength, and Takeda Shingen invested all her gold mined from Kai's gold mines in the commoners, instructing them to build dams. Though the battle-crazy Uesugi Kenshin did not have any outstanding civil development skills, due to the wealth of Echigo, she was very generous towards the people and the taxes were always very low. That wasn't all; she was even generous to her enemy's nobles or daimyo. She would immediately accept if they surrendered, even accepting them again if they had rebelled and surrendered before. 

Because of this, though wars were rampant in Kanto, the people were never wrapped up in them. Instead, they went on with their farming and become even more prosperous. 

The land itself passed back and forth between only these three clans. One could even say that every time the land changed hands, the new daimyo would push out plans to win the hearts of the people and make them happy. It was a unique sight only available during the Sengoku period. 

Since the Kanto area was arguably the finest land in Japan, and it was basically undeveloped, it could handle any new infrastructure, from farming to mining or building. Even though the wars were rampant, from nearly any angle, Kanto maintained its prosperous look. 

But... 

"Kukuku. Solve this secret of mine! This secret lies within three numbers, and these numbers are 6, 6, 6, kukuku" 

Making her riders carry a cross and traverse Kanto spreading unintelligible rumors, the people in Kanto considered the mysterious "Conqueror of Oshu" like a foreigner. Actually, because no one could understand what she was thinking, she seemed even more terrifying than the namban. 

Along with her riders came strange rumors. Apparently, the legendary eye-patch princess daimyo had a mysterious secret weapon from the namban, the "Jakigan" that when used on the battlefield was said to be able to finish all enemies with a sweep. Another saying said that, once night fell, the metal plate of the crescent moon of Masamune's black helmet would start emitting eerie green light, and all who were bathed in this light will melt and become butterflies... to mention a few. 

Currently, Kanto was a land that retained their Japanese tradition. Compared to the areas around Kyo and Kyushuu, these faraway, rural areas were not exposed to the namban culture. Even if they had been, this Masamune wasn't like what they had recently heard of, those "Christians". She proclaimed herself as "Anti Christ" and was an enemy of the namban God. Masamune predicted she herself would destroy Japan, and at the same time fight an "Armageddon" with the Christians. God knows what she was talking about. 

In actual fact, this Jakigan weapon was merely an odd-coloured left eye inherited from her namban father, but the commoners never saw Masamune herself on the battlefield, so the rumors spread unhindered. 

"Are you listening, Hime~? It's time for the farming season~ Let's go back to Oshu~" 

The cross-dressed Katakura Kojuurou, in charge of taking care of Masamune, fought to pacify the girl's chuunibyou [4] before Odawara Castle. Unfortunately, the little daimyo seemed to have an unstoppable momentum. 

"Just like this! I will use my power to erupt Mount Fuji, and Odawara Castle will be totally destroyed in an instant, kukuku. No, I... I can't....! To let Mount Fuji erupt, my Jakigan.... is going berserk....! Stop! Oh Beast in my heart, now isn't yet the time for the final battle with the Christians! The location of the battle will be the Mountain of Megiddo!" Kojuurou was totally confused, even after so much time spent listening to similar outbursts. 

I shouldn't have let Hime go to Sakai by herself to play. It's because of her meeting that namban nun in Sakai that Hime became so obsessed with Christianity. A week after hearing some strange prophecy from the bible's book of Revelation, Hime became a chuunibyou named 'Anti Christ'. Then this suspicious man Sagara Yoshiharu, claiming to come from the future, told Masamune something irresponsible, causing her to suddenly awaken. 

"This is boring, Kojuurou. We have finally come to Odawara; I want to play around a little." 

"Our enemies are the strongest of this Sengoku Era, Takeda Shingen and Hojo Ujiyasu~. We've only come this far because Hojo Ujiyasu loves fighting defensively and has focused on fortifying her castle against us. Our Oshu army is just a last minute gathering of soldiers, and we can't evenly compete~. We have been lucky and achieved a few victories, but we've only had it so easy because the rumors about your 'Jakigan' have been circulating so wildly, causing most of our enemies to flee before they could see the truth. Once the enemy knows the secret of Hime's 'Jakigan', we will be surrounded by the Takeda cavalry~!" 

"Kukuku. Why are you always such a coward, Kojuurou? Believe in me, I will destroy Kanto in a short while" 

"At least say 'conquer Kanto' instead, Hime. You're only making me more and more uneasy. I won't be able to sleep tonight either." 

"But thanks to Kojuurou sleeping with me every night, I always have a good sleep." 

"No, Hime sleeps well because she has a heart made of steel. I'm just an ordinary girl." 

"I really will be bored to death if it's just you and me, I guess. Ok, how about we build a big ship in the harbor we captured and send an envoy to the roman emperor, kukuku. 'The conqueror of the land of the rising sun orders the master of the land of the setting sun. Bring your ships to attack Japan. Combine strength with me to destroy Japan and have a fight with me at the mountain of Megiddo' the letter will say...." 

"I will definitely not go to Rome or something! Everything Hime is saying is totally weird! What are your nerves made of, to think of inviting the namban army to Japan?" 

"My nerves are made of steel, just like my heart, kukuku. Relax, if Kojuurou isn't by my side when I sleep, I can't sleep at all. I could never ask you to go for that long. Oi... That fellow over there, you go to Rome on a ship." 

"Ah? Rome? I don't know where it is, but I will follow your order." 

Unfortunately, the honest warrior Hasekura Tsunenaga [5] didn't know that Rome was actually halfway around the world in Europe. The poor man easily accepted Masamune's order. 

"Hime-sama. I have not heard before this city named Rome, but if there's a need for a boat, is it somewhere near Hakata?" 

"Kukuku, yes, Hasekura. It's a place a little further than Hakata." 

"Ok. I will be right back." 

"Ahh, how pitiful... Hasekura-san... I can't bring myself to say it....." 

"The name of the boat.... I know, let's call it, 'Apocalypse Now'. Kukuku." 

Kojuurou started praying for Hasekura, praying that the honest soldier could safely make it back to Japan. 

~ ~ ~ 

Inside Odawara castle. 

A small warrior girl with white, soft skin, black silky hair flowing right to her waist, stood looking at Date Masamune's army around her castle as she mumbled, "This castle is impenetrable; what a waste of energy." 

This slim little girl with white soft skin was the peak of Kanto, Hojo Ujiyasu. 

Her figure was slim and beautiful, but her eyes were sharp and demanding, giving her a perpetual look of arrogance. With the Japan's largest castle, Odawara Castle as her base, she was the third head of the Hojo Clan. 

This Hojo Clan held no blood relations with the Hojo clan that had control over the shogunate during the Kamakura era. It was said that the first Hojo of this clan, Hojo Soun was actually The Imagawa Clan's retainer. Before serving the Imagawa Clan, he was just your average poor Ise drifter. There was another saying that Hojo Soun was the first real "Sengoku Daimyo". Whatever the truth was, the third head Hojo Ujiyasu had completely destroyed all records of the Hojo Clan's origins, creating her own history in order to establish relations with the Heike Clan. No one would know the truth anymore. 

There was a saying that ever since the first head Soun, the Hojo Clan held only one ambition: to build an "Independent Kanto empire." 

In the past, the samurai born Taira no Masakado proclaimed himself king and attempted to build a Kanto empire independent from Kyoto and the Yamato Gose. Perhaps to imitate Taira no Masakado, Hojo Ujiyasu decided to proclaim herself as a descendant of the Heike Clan. 

Kanto was a samurai province. It's fertile soil was different from the capital, and had developed an independent culture. History even said Japan's first shogunate was born in Kamakura. To show his determination to control the Kamakura Shogunate, the first Soun wrote his name "Hojo" on his crown. 

Hojo Ujiyasu possessed the visage of an artificial Japanese doll, and true to her appearance she would not reveal her heart easily. The impression she radiated could be summed up in the word "cunning". Even so, she did not hide her ambition to build an independent empire at Kanto, ruled right here from Odawara castle. 

This was the impenetrable castle that Uesugi Kenshin once led all of the Kanhasshuu [6] against, only to be firmly rebuffed. Even the renowned warrior Takeda Shingen, once at odds with the Hojo Clan, had said, "This fortress is impenetrable" and retreated after a few days without besieging the castle once. 

If Hojo Ujiyasu sought to conquer Kyoto, then this impenetrable Odawara Castle would instantly lose it's meaning. Odawara Castle was such a fortress. But, Ujiyasu only has eyes for the plains of Kanto. 

"That Date Masamune brat from some backwater village wants to conquer Kanto on her own? Don't make me laugh. Shingen, you think so too, right?" 

"Hmph. I'm only here to fight it out with Date Masamune. Now you, you plan to just shut your gates and wait for the crisis to be over, huh? As expected, you're the same as ever, a coward." 

Standing to the side of Hojo Ujiyasu and her typical smirk was Takeda Shingen, the princess daimyo's impressive build unmistakable. Shingen had decided to fight with Date in support of the Hojo Clan, but Ujiyasu herself did not want to open the gates to meet the enemy. The two daimyo and their forces found themselves holed up in Odawara castle as time slipped past. 

The 7 days of memorial for the strategist Yamamoto Kansuke had already ended, and Shingen could no longer hold back her desire for battle. She had wanted to finish this battle quickly and return to her march towards the capital. Yamato Gose's Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa had been urging her, "Osaka's Honbyo temple has revolted; now is the time to attack Gifu." But, if she couldn't chase the Date army back to Oshu, she couldn't withdraw herself to march towards Mino. 

Unfortunately for Shingen, Ujiyasu was just as adamant about avoiding a head on battle, following her favorite method of guarding the castle while waiting for the Date army to retreat by themselves. While waiting, she observed the Date Clan's retainers, attempting to decipher their plans. If things went well, she would most likely attack the retreating Date army from behind. This was the essence of Ujiyasu's typical strategy. 

When the leader of Kanto, Uesugi Kenshin lead the nobles and daimyos of the Kanhasshu, Ujiyasu fortified Odawara Castle and, working her Fuuma ninjas to the bone, she destroyed the Uesugi Kanto allied army from within. When fighting with Takeda Shingen however, the same method did not work. All the troops that she sent out were repelled by the Takeda army. Fortunately, Ujiyasu herself did not participate in the battle. Ujiyasu knew herself clearly enough to realize that she wasn't a match for Shingen and Kenshin, so she had been very cautious, only fighting sure-win battles... Though one might not be wrong to say she has a fetish for guarding castles. 

There were times they had argued over the Suruga lands after Imagawa Yoshimoto's forces were destroyed, but as Shingen wanted to head to Kyo and Ujiyasu desired to become independent in Kanto, their interests more or less aligned. Uesugi Kenshin, with her brutal attacks from Echigo, was their common enemy. To Uesugi Kenshin, once someone requested her help, she needed no guarantee or promise of reward. Instead she would immediately sent out her "Army of Justice" to fill the request. Whether that request came from Shinano and Kanto, she didn't care. In such a situation, Takeda and Hojo decided on a long-term alliance. 

At the moment, however, Shingen was abnormally angry with Ujiyasu's complacent strategy. The invincible Takeda cavalry had rushed to the Hojo Clan's support. Having just finished the battle with Saitou Dousan and ready to clash with Oda Nobuna's main army, the Takeda army had cried while retreating, their morale at its peak. 

Guarding the castle to gain time is such a boneheaded strategy, but I suppose it's what she's best at, Shingen thought. 

Ujiyasu seemed to have read Shingen's thoughts as she smiled coldy and sneered, 

"Oh dear, Takeda Shingen. You are always in a rush! The corner of your eyes will have wrinkles soon. Don't be so hasty and join me for a cup of tea, hmm?" 

"Hmph. Ujiyasu, you don't plan to poison the tea?" 

"Ara, if I were to finish Takeda Shingen off, I will be trapped between the Berserker of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin and the Mad Dog of Oshu, Date Masamune. I don't want to have such a meddlesome thing on my hands. The Hojo clan needs a good, rational dog like you. If you don't live long enough, I will be troubled." 

"Coward, don't you become cheeky with me." 

"Takeda Shingen, the outer and inner walls of this Odawara Castle all excel at defense. Our stored provisions are enough to feed even the commoners. Even if the enemy attack with fire, this fortress won't fall. I have had the Fuuma ninjas spread out their barrier so it will be extremely difficult for them if they want to do any repair work. The final outcome will be the depletion of their provisions and retreating back home." 

Though Ujiyasu had the dignified look like of noble princess, her words were extremely vicious. "With that rural brat Date Masamune as my opponent, it's a waste to lose even one of my soldiers. That snot nosed child is unworthy of being my opponent." Pride dripped from Ujiyasu tongue. 

The "Tiger of Kai" Takeda Shingen was sure that once she gave her proud Takeda Cavalry the order to attack, the hodgepodge Oshu army would be instantly scattered. No, had absolute confidence in this outcome. But Ujiyasu was known to be a cunning strategist. If Shingen ignored Ujiyasu and ordered the Takeda army to attack, her rival would definitely attack the Takeda army from behind without a single shred of hesitation. This was Shingen's one and only current fear. She found herself completely focused on Ujiyasu, this ally that would keep her on guard no matter what tragedy may be unfolding. 

"My army's strategist, Kansuke is no longer around. My Four Generals, tell me your opinions." Drinking Ujiyasu's tea, Takeda Shingen asked "Takeda's Four Generals" for suggestions. 

"Shingen-sama's esteemed body must not have any accidents. We should retreat to Kai for now!" 

The first to speak is Kosaka Masazumi. She was originally born from a farmer family, but she had a beauty as alluring as the daisy flower. Thus Shingen, who loves beautiful young girls, kept her as an aide. Right now, she was one of the Takeda Four Generals. But, during the military meetings when asking for her opinion, she would always answer, "Let's escape". Eventually, her colleagues came to call her, "Escaping Danjo", though she herself did not really mind the nickname. 

"Ah... I don't even have to listen to know your thoughts. Yamagata, what do you think?" 

"To escape in front of the enemy without doing anything isn't what a distinguished warrior should do. To protect the honor of the Takeda Clan's samurais, we should head out and attack the enemy. This is what is expected of Takeda Shingen, no?" 

The smallest among the four generals, Yamagata Masakage was sipping the namban "red tea" as the matter-of-fact lines poured from her proud expression. Though she was a female warrior reaching at most 130cm, she was as noble as a princess. No one would consider her as the warrior of Kai from her appearance. Comprising of beauty, elegance and dignity, the crimson cavalry "Takeda's red army" was created under the suggestion of this very same Yamagata Masakage. It's also important to mention that, when her mouth was closed, it would form a ? shape, so on top of her distinguished appearance people see her as quite cute. 

"I would expect nothing less from the strongest of the Four Generals. How about Baba?" 

"...First…" Painstakingly, the tall female warrior feared as the "Immortal Baba", Baba Nobuharu began. 

"First... what?" 

"...fight... Hmmm..." 

"Why do you drag your words? Hurry and spit it out." 

"...enemy's..." 

"Ahhh, I can't take it anymore. Geez!" 

"...Strength, test it..." 

She seemed to be saying, 'test the Date Army a little to analyse their strength, and then react accordingly'. 

"As expected of Baba. But even if it's a serious suggestion, please say it out faster." 

"...Ro...g...e...r..." 

"SLOW! Ahhh. So that's all the suggestions from the Four Generals? All three are giving me different suggestions." 

"Pl...Pl...Ple...Please wait a minute~! The Takeda Four Generals aren't three, there's still one more~!" There was still one brave girl, crying, "You forgot Naitou Masatoyo again?" as she waved her hands to attract Shingen's attention. 

She... could still be counted as a bishoujo, but compared to the bright and cute Kosaka, the extremely small and precious Yamagata with the ? shaped lips, and the tall and demure Baba, to be extremely direct, she had no distinguishing traits. 

This unfortunate girl's name was, umm... Naitou Masatoyo? 

Though she was one of the Takeda's Four Generals, she was so common that even Shingen would forget her existence. Perhaps she was a bit too ordinary... 

No matter the situation, her military achievements were always fantastic, but she couldn't get any recognition. She had, in fact, been completely passed over on every previous occasion. While everyone was boasting about their achievements and talking about their rewards, her existence was always totally forgotten by those around her. 

"Oh, really. Umm.... Who are you? A young girl from the Sanada Clan?" 

"NO! Shingen-sama, I'm Naitou Masatoyo!" 

"Oh, it's Naitou, huh? Hmmm, the name seems to ring a bell, I think." Shingen seemed to finally recall her own retainer. 

"It should do more than 'ring a bell'! Shingen-sama, I Naitou Masatoyo have a secret plan! Please listen to me! Can you? That Date Masamune...." 

"Ok, with this, all Four Generals have totally different suggestions. Ujiyasu, what do you think we should do?" 

"I see. I think, we should ignore all of them and not do anything." 

"You really are just like a child. Just because you have some good looks you let it all go to your head. With your character, you won't find a decent husband this lifetime." 

"I'm so thankful for your advice. But... compared to a certain someone who scared all the men away with her title "Tiger of Kai", then surrounded herself with a bunch of girls, my prospects suddenly seem much better." 

"I'm more popular than you! Um, you see... Do you know of that monkey in the Oda army? Sagara Yoshiharu. That fellow is crazy about my breasts! That fellow said that he loves girls with big breasts. He wouldn't even peek at your chest if you offered! Hmph~ ~!" 

"....Didn't we agree not to talk about breasts!? There are too many men out there influenced by the namban culture nowadays! Breasts are just accessories! To talk about such a thing every day, I'm surprised the brains of men aren't leaking out their ears, they're so rotten! Filthy and despicable! The men of this age are totally worthless!" 

"Hahahahaha! No matter how you rant, it's useless, wash-board girl!" 

".....Takeda Shingen, wanna die?" 

"It's pretty convenient that someone's plan has me bored silly. Since you're so kind as to provoke me into some entertainment, I shall abide." 

"You, Shingen, are the one throwing around provocations! Didn't we swear during the signing of the alliance!? There would be no discussion about breasts!" 

"Was there such a thing? I don't recall." 

"E...Ev...E...Ev...Everyone! Are you guys forgetting about me, Naitou Masatoyo!?" 

....Just like this, the armies involved in the Siege of Odawara Castle had totally come to a standstill. 

As she idly maintained her verbal assault on Ujiyasu, Takeda Shingen mused, All my four generals are loyal and courageous bishoujos, but not one of them has thought about how dangerous it would be to reveal our back to Ujiyasu. Looks like I really must find a crafty person to replace Kansuke as my new Strategist. 

~ ~ ~ 

And now, we turn our attention to the thoughts and situation of Sagara Yoshiharu. There might however be segments unknown to Yoshiharu himself. If there are, please do forgive the narration. 

The season was spring. The "Tiger of Kai", Takeda Shingen had returned to Kanto and was facing the "Jakigan" Masamune's Oshu beast army alongside Hojo Ujiyasu, who she has some issues with. 

The Sagara Yoshiharu corps was currently on Mount Toragozen of Northern Omi to build a castle for defence. Mount Toragozen was a small mountain, only 224 metres above sea level, and right in front of them was Asai Nagamasa's Odani Castle. Odani Castle was a mountain fortress on Mount Odani, a mountain far bigger than Mount Toragozen. The fortress was also the main base for Asai Hisamasa and his son, Nagamasa after their loss in the Battle of Anegawa. 

Odani Castle was a critical castle that was difficult to attack and easy to defend. On top of this, Echizen's Asakura Yoshikage army had already joined the Asai army in Odani Castle. As a result, even though Nobuna achieved complete victory in the Battle of Anegawa, she still couldn't easily conquer Odani castle. 

The snow had melted and provisions were being sent non-stop from Asakura's base, Echizen. It seemed that after Asakura Yoshikage marched his troops to Odani Castle, he had no plans to retreat back to Echizen. 

Unable to advance, Nobuna decided to station Sagara Yoshiharu's corps at Mount Toragozen, directly opposite Odani Castle, to seal off any movement from the Asai army. This wasn't just throwing Yoshiharu to the front most line to court death, however. 

On the south side of Mount Toragozen was Sawayama Castle, guarded by Niwa Nagahide, and slightly further south in the Azuchi area, Nobuna's main army and Shibata Katsuie's army awaits. If Asai really attacked Mount Toragozen, Nobuna could mobilize everyone to fight her head on and defeat her. This was Nobuna's primary strategy for now. 

From the Asai Clan's perspective, since their ally-of-opportunity Takeda Shingen was now trapped in the Kanto battlefield, charging forth in another decisive battle was out of the question. On top of this, it seemed Asai Nagamasa herself had no intention to fight at all. Most likely, she did not want to fight with her ex-wife, Tsuda Nobusumi (though perhaps she should call him her ex-husband). 

Even so, the Asai Clan was now allied with the Asakura Clan, and after considering all the things that had happened, a reconciliation between Asakura Yoshikage and Nobuna was totally out of the question. In the end, the Asai Clan was sandwiched between the conflicting motives of the Asakura and Oda Clans. 

Back in the Oda camp, Nobuna was hesitating on whether or not to destroy Asai Nagamasa. Ever time her thoughts wander back to the pain her brother was dealing with because of marrying Nagamasa, and she can't help but wanting to destroy the traitorous Asai head. 

All in all, the battle for Omi was currently in a standstill. 

Ever since the end of the 7 memorial days of Saitou Dousan, there hadn't been an official battle. Sagara Yoshiharu found himself with nothing to do other then climbing Mount Toragozen. 

Ever since time slipping into the Sengoku Era, Sagara Yoshiharu has basically worked without any rest. To him, such boring days were a first. So, with boredom comes laziness, and laziness, as is well known, slowly corrupt one's heart. Especially for someone like Yoshiharu... 

"How boring. Today's weather isn't bad, I should go to the village below to look for some beautiful girls." Yoshiharu's words felt as useless as his time, as he lay sprawled across the observation tower floor. 

"Onii-sama! You can't do that! Before becoming a master of a province and castle, you're forbidden to play with girls! If you want to play no matter what, then please play with this sister of yours, Nene!" 

Even with three armies poised to attack, the situation was too peaceful, so his sister Nene had come uninvited to join Yoshiharu in the fortress. 

"Saru seems to fool around whenever I look away... no... Go and look after that fellow, so his job won't be disturbed by him chasing after girls the whole day." Yoshiharu could almost hear Nene's secret instructions from Nobuna. The girl had practically turned into the chibi version of Nobuna. She sat on top of Yoshiharu's belly, pinching his cheeks and lecturing him non-stop. 

"Onii-sama is a capable person, but his only weakness is his lecherous nature. Hime-sama said, if he can even overcome this weakness, he will one day be the master of a province! She said that if Onii-sama fools around with girls though, he will be executed! If you don't wanna die, then hurry up and work!" 

"Okay, okay, I got it! That Nobuna, ever since Christmas, her attitude towards me has become more and more obvious. Ahh, why did I do such a thing to Nobuna!? Even if it was just because I got too excited after that ridiculous battle, this is an inexcusable situation! I'm so embarrassed, I can't meet Nobuna like this!" 

Without fail, whenever Yoshiharu recalled what happened Christmas Night, he became so embarrassed that he wanted to run somewhere far away. 

Nobuna must have found out.... that I'm crazy about her. And, maybe, actually Nobuna is also.... If not, no matter how much she wants to reward me, she won't kiss so.... pa...passionately.... That brat's body, so soft and hot.... Damn, if it's just once a year, only on the night that I become Santa Claus that I'm able to kiss with her, I don't want it! I can't wait at all! UWAHHH! 

"Hmmm? Onii-sama, what did you do to Hime-sama during Christmas?" 

"Nothing, Nene is still a child, it's ok if you don't know. I'll tell you when you're older." 

"Uhhhhh. Nene is an adult already! If you don't tell me, I'm gonna tickle you! And I'll use that tickling skill I learn from Akechi-sama, I will tickle you non-stop!" 

"Please spare me!" 

"Um, Onii-sama. Your crotch is starting to budge up, what is going on?" 

"Don't touch it! Don't touch it! This has nothing to do with Nene! My body just got excited after I thought about Christmas Night!" 

"Don't tell me it has become swollen due to injuries on the battlefield? Let Nene take care of it. Should I use ice to cover it or should Nene rub it?" 

"Those options are OUT! Oi, Nene. Don't touch it! DON'T TOUCH IT!" 

"What is 'Outo', Onii-sama? Monkey language is really hard to understand." 

As Yoshiharu and Nene struggled with each other, at the side, Nobuna's brother, Tsuda Nobusumi was mumbling, "If we can be as peaceful as this forever, how good can it be..." as he slowly penned a letter. The original plan had Nobusumi helping Shibata Katsuie, but he was staying with Yoshiharu's army at Mount Toragozen nowadays. Quietly, Nobusumi passed the letter over to the little ninja Hachisuka Goemon hidden below the floorboards. 

"I'm grateful to you, ninja-kun to trouble you with this again. Please send this to Asai Nagamasa in Odani castle." 

"A love letter to Oichi-dono, huh? Ninninnin." 

Without a sound, Goemon vanished. 

After a while, Toragozen Castle would watch a small company leave Odani Castle and rush at Mount Toragozen as part of the Asai army's routine scouting activity. The genius strategist, Takenaka Hanbei had long since set up the "Stone Sentinel Maze" at the foot of Mount Toragozen. The enemy would run around in the maze for a while, and after half a day they would finally give up, rush back out from the entrance of the Stone Sentinel Maze and escape back to Odani Castle. 

"As expected from strategist-san, Onii-sama! We managed to hold onto the fortress without losing a single soldier!" 

"If they want to break through the maze, isn't it enough to push all the stones down? Why didn't anyone think of that?" 

"Hmmm. This time, I buried the foundations deep in the ground, so they can't push them down as easily as Nobuna's army did. It will be ok as long as it's not a full force attack from the enemy. I was actually really shocked when Yoshiharu-san managed to break through the maze." The chibi strategist, Takenaka Hanbei waved her feather fan and nodded while she explained, "During the battle of Mino, that Yoshiharu-san managed to break through the maze was really a rare stroke of brilliance." 

Because Hanbei had a weak constitution, she didn't wear any armor even on the battlefield. She currently wore a light yellow hakama as she relaxedly watched the maze at the foot of the mountain. 

"Hanbei, it was just a lucky guess. Like when I lose a game of chess, I flip the whole chessboard." Yoshiharu sounded embarrassed as he explained, hugging Nene like a flesh-and-blood body pillow. 

Ever since he kissed Nobuna during Christmas, it had become easier and easier to get the cheerful Yoshiharu embarrassed. Hanbei was smart enough to realize what had happened during Christmas, but seeing how distressed Yoshiharu was, she endured not asking. 

"In any case, if I might use a chess reference as well, the Oda Clan and Asai Asakura Clans are currently at a stalemate." 

"Yes. We can manage Asai Nagamasa, but the problem lies with that Asakura Yoshikage being in Odani castle. That fellow will never surrender to Nobuna, and Nobuna will never forgive that fellow either. I don't feel like giving him an ounce of mercy myself!" 

Thinking back on it, I'm fuming mad! If that fellow hadn't risked everything to assault Nobuna, I wouldn't be stuck with such an embarrassing worry right now... Yoshiharu hugged Nene as he rolled around the floor. 

"Asakura isn't chasing after material benefits, so he can't be dissuaded so easily." 

"This is the result of letting that fellow go during Anegawa. All because that idiot Nobuna succumbed to my charm and let him escape the camp in a moment of carelessness. It's that tsundere Nobuna's fault that things have become like this! Why is she always setting things on fire and becoming unpopular with guys, then swooning over because she's not used to falling in love. Such is the tragedy of unpopular women, I suppose~" 

"Whose fault did you say it was?" 

Bham 

A surprise punch struck the back of Yoshiharu's head. Turning around, he came face to face with Nobuna, currently disguised as a commoner. 

"Uwahh, Nobuna-sama. When did you come over?" 

"Hime-sama, this place is extremely dangerous." 

"Yeah, Aneue. Ever since Dousan-sama's 7 day memorial, we haven't seen you at all. Have you been well?" 

"My mood at least is terrible, thanks to this Saru right here!" 

"Ahhhhh!" 

Nobuna immediately changed her hand to a scissors shape and poked right at Yoshiharu's eyes in time with her declaration. After Dousan died from illness, Nobuna seemed to have totally collapsed. After his memorial, she had gradually organized her thoughts and had now fully recovered her spirits. But, compared to when he had first met her, just from the side view, she seemed more mature... Yoshiharu suddenly noticed. Having been released from the pain of losing her godfather Dousan, Nobuna was becoming even more beautiful. 

Did... Did I really kiss with this fellow? Unbelievable. That Christmas night is really like a dream. 

In a sudden ambush, Nobuna used her unparalleled beauty to steal Yoshiharu's heart away. 

To be able to kiss her once every year on that Christmas night, I can't accept it. 

Their eyes met. 

Nobuna used an indifferent tone and ordered. 

"Saru, follow me." 

"Oh...Oh..." 

Just what is it, did she suddenly come up with a way to conquer Odani castle? Yoshiharu followed Nobuna to the secluded tea room. 

The fortress on Mount Toragozen was really too frugal to be considered a castle, but it did have a small tea room still. Yoshiharu wasn't too familiar with tea making, but a tea room could still be very convenient for discussing military secrets. 

But, the reason Nobuna led Yoshiharu here was a little different than what Yoshiharu had in mind. 

Once they were alone in the tea room... 

"It's finally the both of us, Yoshiharu~!" Nobuna leapt over and clung to Yoshiharu like a long lost pet. 

Yoshiharu, predictably, responded by panicking. 

"Wait, Nobuna! Did you eat something wrong? Today isn't Christmas; if we're seen by any retainers here..." 

"I have been very careful ever since the memorial of Viper, but it's already ok now. Hey, Yoshiharu. Caress my head." 

"Ah, caress your head? I see. Did you knock your head while falling from the horse? Is that why you're acting so weird? How pitiful....." 

"It's not like that. What are you talking about, are you really an idiot? Hurry and caress my head." 

"It's ok if I just caress it? Will it be like Aladdin's lamp where something will come out..." 

"Hmmm~ Yeah. Being touched by Yoshiharu, I calm down right away. I feel so light, like I'm going to float away." 

It finally clicked with Yoshiharu. Since Dousan-geezer died, Nobuna must be very lonely. 

"Since this is the tea room, no one will discover us!" 

He continued to rub Nobuna's head. 

From this close distance, Nobuna's face was really small, perhaps a whole third smaller than Yoshiharu's. Maybe it was even half the size. Even so, that pair of big glittering eyes... Looking at Nobuna fooling around with him, Yoshiharu felt that all the suffering ever since he had time slipped over to the Sengoku Era had vanished into a warm fuzzy feeling in his heart. 

If this fellow wasn't the princess of the Oda Clan, if she wasn't the feminine reflection of Oda Nobunaga, I would definitely take her right now, damn it! Yoshiharu thought. He extended his hands towards Nobuna, but hesitated only halfway there. Nobuna closed the distance herself and grabbed his hand, and a hint of trouble brewed in Yoshiharu's heart. 

The difference between their status was just too big. The responsibility was too heavy too. Nobuna could never give up her determination of "Tenka Fubu" and wouldn't avoid the responsibility of bringing peace to this chaotic Sengoku Era. The two of them understood their fate, of never being able to join together in this world, yet they still kissed. And because of this, Yoshiharu felt extremely uneasy. Nobuna was most likely having the same feelings as him. 

Naturally, the hands hugging each other began to tighten their grip. 

Nobuna grabbed onto Yoshiharu's neck. 

I want to kiss her. But, if I kiss her right here, things will go out of control... If it really becomes like this, anyone will be able to notice it. Nobuna is someone who will unify the world. If people knew that she became the lover of some lowly monkey from god knows where, it will definitely be a huge obstacle towards her obtaining of the world. This could shatter the Oda Clan. 

Nobuna didn't put up an ounce of resistance as she closed her eyes, her face seemingly waiting for a kiss. Yoshiharu hugged Nobuna's body tightly and tried his best to endure it. It was so painful; knowing how she felt only made it that much more painful. 

"U....Um, Nobuna. Did you come here from Azuchi for just this?" 

"No....No way, right? I just came here to discuss the plan with everyone." 

Nobuna seemed to be standing with her toes gripping the edges of a cliff, afraid of falling at any moment. 

If the both of them fell in love and disregarded the plan to conquer the world, Dousan who had entrusted his dream to the both of them would have died in vain. 

It was almost as if this thought only had kept Nobuna from slipping into the abyss. 

"Yoshiharu. If I conquered Odani Castle, I will have unified Omi and cemented the path towards Tenka Fubu." 

"But if we can't conquer that fortress, won't we be stuck in a stalemate?" 

"Yeah. I can't kill Asai Nagamasa either. I heard, Nagamasa is actually a girl?" 

"Where would you have heard that?" 

"... That stuttering ninja you keep at your side told me in secret. So as to say, Kanjuurou and Asai Nagamasa had been truly married to each other. Now that I know, I must conquer Odani Castle without killing Asai Nagamasa.” 

Ahh, geez. Goemon, why did you go and tell Nobuna? 

"Goemon made sure to tell me, 'It's impossible to get everything you want. Choobse betwbeen Odanbi Casbtle anbd Absai Nagbamasa.(Choose between Odani castle and Asai Nagamasa.)' but I can't give up either of them. Killing Kanjuurou's beloved, such a thing..." 

That certainly was Goemon's way of speaking. It's about time for Nobuna to make a choice, right? But even though we're in this situation, Nobuna has become so gentle... I guess love can change a girl... And considering the target of her affection is actually me, I'm so happy that I could die. But if Nobuna becomes too gentle, she will be further away from unifying the world. What should I do? 

Yoshiharu mustered every small, functioning portion of his brain to think. And at the same time, he prayed that something would suddenly come to him as he sat rubbing Nobuna's head. 

"I... have made my resolve. For Tenka Fubu, I will be fine with any sacrifice. It's all your fault. Always avoiding battles, avoiding killing to unify the world, I have started to think like this now. My heart had been shaken by this Saru from the future." Nobuna mumbled into Yoshiharu's bosom, vaguely hiding her smiling, blushing face. 

Th...Th... This is a little too demure, Nobuna. So cute... I want to hug her even tighter! 

Giving Nobuna a kiss on her small lips and pushing her down right away, Yoshiharu seems unable to suppress his urges anymore. 

Nobuna seems to be expecting it too. She even rode a horse all the way to Mount Toragozen and dragged me into the tea room, so it has to be...! 

Yes. Since no one else is watching, this is the same as the Christmas night, and if that's the case...! 

"Would… Would a kiss be okay, Nobuna?" 

".....Uh, hmmm." Misty eyed, Nobuna lightly nodded her head. 

Just as their lips were about to meet... 

"Akechi Juubei Mitushide pays her respects!" 

The door of the tea room suddenly slid open. Seeing that kumquat accessory and wide forehead was the only proof they needed that it was indeed Akechi Mitsuhide who had came in to interrupt their flirting. 

If we're discovered like this, we're screwed! 

Nobuna and Yoshiharu all but teleported to opposite sides of the tea room and sat down in a panic. 

"Ju...Juubei? We...Weren't you at Sakamoto castle? Why are you here?" 

"Y...Yes. Don't come here so suddenly; you gave me a scare." 

"I rode a boat directly from Sakamoto to Imahama harbor. Then from Imahama to Mount Toragozen, the distance is virtually nil if I ride a horse. Using the water passages of Lake Biwa made for and unexpectedly short trip." 

Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide was the Oda clan's top outstanding retainer. 

Inheriting the noble Tsuchizaki Clan's bloodline, she trained herself under Saitou Dousan as his aide. With her outstanding looks, other than a forehead that was a little wide, she was a perfect warrior maiden. 

Mitsuhide had deep ties with Kyo's nobles and Sakai's merchants, so Nobuna gave her the southern Omi's Sakamoto area as her territory and asked her to manage and guard Kyoto. 

Unfortunately, maybe as a price for being so outstanding otherwise, Juubei was a girl that didn't really understand how to read the atmosphere. On this point, one could call her the opposite of Takenaka Hanbei, who didn't like to be in the spotlight, but was skillful in noticing people's hearts. 

However, even this Juubei Mitsuhide, who was originally unable to notice any atmosphere, noticed the unusual air between Nobuna and Yoshiharu. Perhaps she had a woman's instincts after all. 

Ever since sometime around the Battle of Kanegasaki, when Mitsuhide had saved the dying Yoshiharu, she seemed to have fallen in love with him. Not understanding this new feeling of love, Mitsuhide had yet to notice her affection to Yoshiharu. But as a girl in love, Mitushide was very sensitive towards the atmosphere between Nobuna and Yoshiharu. 

Just now, Mitsuhide had seen their shadows entangling in the tea room. 

Sagara-senpai is assaulting Nobuna-sama! Nooo! 

She herself thought her chief concern was Nobuna's body, wanting to stop Yoshiharu from going berserk. 

When Mitsuhide was rushing over to Mount Toragozen, she had considered several aspects of the situation. 

The soldiers have a rumor that, on the night when Dousan-sama passed away, as a reward, Nobuna-sama kissed with Sagara-senpai... Though I feel that's impossible, if that's really the truth, this will be a big thing. Senpai is from the future so he might not be aware of the difference between himself and Nobuna-sama. If the two of them become lovers, the rules of the Oda Clan will collapse. The dream of Tenka Fubu will be destroyed mercilessly. 

Mitsuhide gave it up as impossible and didn't believe it, but such a rumor simply spreading about between the soldiers was already worthy of concern. 

This is the reason why the lecherous senpai will never get a wife. 

What I mean is, though I have already completely forgotten about that marriage misunderstanding, there is no other way to save the Oda Clan besides making Yoshiharu as my husband. Seeing Yoshiharu excited about our marriage being called off sort of pissed me off for some reason, and my heart began to feel nervous. Perhaps I, Juubei have been too soft on Sagara-senpai, and that's why he does not treat me seriously. From now on, I must put all my effort into pressuring Senpai. No matter what, I must get married with Senpai!" 

Juubei had cemented her plans with gusto. Of course, neither Nobuna nor Yoshiharu had spare thought to consider that Mitsuhide could be thinking such a thing. 

"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh..What is it, Juubei?" 

"Yes. We were just about to start discussing important military matters." 

"There's someone I want to let Sagara-senpai take a look at. Please come onboard the boat immediately." 

"Boat?" 

"What is it, Juubei? Are you here to report the completion of Sakamoto Castle?" 

"Yes, Nobuna-sama. I, Juubei, who was once a vagrant, is now a daimyo with her own castle. I will never forget this gratitude in my heart. That's it exactly! The castle is finally complete, so please come and take a look with Senpai, Nobuna-sama, okay?" 

"....Wa...Why must I do such a troublesome thing? Ahhhh, and we had finally reached a good mood...." 

"Eh? What do you mean by good mood, Nobuna-sama?" Mitsuhide sounded surprised as her eyelashes trembled. 

Nobuna-sama's attitude is very strange... Don't tell me the rumors were true...? 

Mitsuhide's suspicion grew visibly in her eyes... and Nobuna inched a little further from Yoshiharu as she gave an intentional cough. 

"It's nothing. Cough. A… Alright. Let's go, Saru." 

"Oh, ohh." 

The trio boarded the high speed boat, and soon enough they reached the southern shore of Lake Biwa. 

Omi was very sparse, dominated by the huge Lake Biwa right at its center. The Oda Clan warriors spread among the different castles near Lake Biwa made use of the water to reach each other in a short amount of time. 

If they conquered Northern Omi's Odani Castle and completely unify the Omi area, the water passageway of Lake Biwa would fall completely into Nobuna's hands. Conquering this obstacle would allow Nobuna, who is skilled in lightning quick attacks, near limitless battle power. Whether she had to march on Kyo or Gifu, she could move as she pleased. 

At the foot of Mount Hiei, Sakamoto Castle sat at the southern shore of Lake Biwa. It guarded a strategic spot that people from western Omi would definitely pass if they wanted to go to Kyo." Receiving this land from Nobuna and becoming a daimyo, Mitsuhide had been building "Sakamoto Castle" since the previous year, and was preparing to make it her own base. 

"How is it, Nobuna-sama!? Look at this central area of Sakamoto castle. It's build according to the trendy new namban style! The upper parts of the central building were constructed by Matsunaga Danjo's puppets, but because Juubei is a genius I won't be imitating them like a puppet. This is normally called a "Tenshu", but I had decided to name it "Tenju"." Mitsuhide proudly pointed out the tenshukaku [7] . 

At the center of the castle near Lake Biwa, the building seemed to sparkle. There was no way someone could confuse this with a Japanese castle. If one tried to compare them, anyone would say this was a "middle ages European castle" 

"Taking the namban knight, Giovanna's suggestion, I had tried to build a namban style castle suitable for defence. Because it's Christian, it can't be tenshu but Tenjo [8] . Even I think that this is a fabulous name. I, Juubei, am starting to fear my own talent." 

This is bad. I wanted to build Azuchi Castle like a namban style fortress, and had planned to change "Tenshu" to "Tenjo" too. How could I let this kumquat show me up!? Nobuna bit onto her lips in anguish. 

And just now, if Mitsuhide had not rushed in suddenly, we would have already... Suddenly thinking of the tea room again, Nobuna glared daggers at the proud Mitsuhide. The general didn't seem to notice, excitedly shaking her kumquat. 

Mitsuhide docked the boat at the harbor of Sakamoto Castle and led them into the interior of the Tenjo. 

The one in charge of protecting Sakamoto Castle was the mercenary of Mount Hiei, Shougakuin Gousei. 

"Wahahaha! When this castle is finished, Frois-sama's missionary job can continue smoothly!" 

This humongous, muscular man was actually a Buddhist monk, but he had been "enlightened" by Frois's maternalistic character and endless compassion. He had thought that Frois was the human incarnation of Guanyin [9] and was passionately devoted to building "Maria Guanyin statues" in various temples, somehow forming a ridiculous unity between the two religions. 

"Thanks for chanting the scriptures and working hard." Mitsuhide complimented Gousei and brought the fuming Nobuna and a mumbling Yoshiharu ("Damn it, now my body is all hot from just now") to the Tenjo. 

"I will bring the two of you to the top most floor. It was actually restricted for the private use of Juubei and Sagara-senpai, but since Nobuna-sama is our master, I will make this an exception." 

At these words, nearly visible flames of terrible jealousy and fury erupted from Nobuna's body. Noticing Nobuna's rage, Yoshiharu protested to Mitsuhide as they climber the stairs, "What is going on, Juubei? Wasn't our marriage a total misunderstanding from the start?" Yoshiharu's words held the desperation of one speaking in self-interest; if he let her keep talking, his head might become the victim of Nobuna's blade. 

But against Yoshiharu's fervent words, Mitsuhide only responded, "Ah, I got it, I got it," dismissing it with a face of disdain. 

Somehow, they reached the top floor without incident. 

"The top floor is the bedroom for Juubei and Senpai. So as to say, a love nest for this young couple ready to be combined as one. So, the people of Sakamoto will call Sakamoto Castle the "Love Nest Castle"." 

A twin bed imported from namban stood right in the middle of the room, covered in white lace. 

"This is the newest namban bed that I had steeled my heart to buy from Imai Soukyu-san. I heard that namban couples entangle themselves in twin beds like this every night till they sleep. On this bed, even a thing like making children... Ahh, what a regret. If my partner wasn't this monkey faced Sagara-senpai, just how happy would this Juubei be?" 

"Wait Saru. Just what are you two planning to do? According to the situation now, you can't complain if I cut off your head and throw it in the depths of Lake Biwa, you know?" Nobuna's fury had reached its peak. 

"I have no idea what's going on either! Just what kind of misunderstanding would cause such a thing!?" 

"You have to know. You must have deceived the pure Juubei, right? Wanting to have an affair with me too, it's a death sentence, I tell you." 

"Having an affair or something, please don't say such dangerous stuff. It's all ok if we just ask Juubei, right? Shhh...! Shhh!" 

At the side of the room was a namban style open balcony. Standing there, one could see all of the wide Lake Biwa. On the balcony, there were many types of flowers and namban plants, just like what a young girl would like. Atop the small table beside the bed was grape wine and a tidy stack of namban sweets. 

"I heard that a namban princess's room is kind of like this. In the castle, the namban church is still under construction, but we will hold our namban style marriage right there as soon as it's finished. Ahh.... This commoner of a man is going to become the husband of Juubei, what a tragedy." Mitsuhide feigned as she hugged tightly onto Yoshiharu's arm. 

"How is it, this modern renovation? Is it a little closer to the room that senpai lives in in the future? From now on, every night in this namban style bedroom, I Juubei will dote on senpai. Ahh, why is your face suddenly so pale, Senpai? Be a little bit more happy about this." 

"Wait a second! Our marriage was nonsense from the start!" 

"Because Senpai is just too lecherous, you attack all girls like a monkey. It's because you're like that that bad rumors have begun among the soldiers. They're saying things like Nobuna-sama and Senpai kissed during Christmas. If we leave things as they are, it might affect the survival of the whole Oda Clan." 

Nobuna and Yoshiharu were frozen instantly. 

Just how did that information leak? 

"For the Oda Clan, for the people in this country, I Juubei can not ignore such a rumor spreading around. If someone can marry Senpai and be his wife, Senpai can settle down and not do lewd things everyday like a monkey and the Oda Clan can be peaceful again. But, Nene-dono is Senpai's sister, Takenaka-dono and Takigawa-dono are still too young. Hachisuka-dono is a ninja, Senpai is a captain representing the Oda Clan, the two of them can't match. Shibata-dono is always after Senpai's life so she can't be considered. When I brought it up with Niwa-dono, she said, 'Sagara-san has someone he likes' and rejected. With this, the only one suitable to be Senpai's wife is me, Juubei. Juubei does not like Sagara-senpai one bit; in fact, I loathe him, but Juubei is doing it for the Oda Clan's sake, so it can't be helped. But considering Niwa-dono's words, the girl that Senpai likes, logically speaking, must be the beautiful, distinguished and clever Juubei." 

Mitsuhide's avalanche of logical suggestions crushed the two secret lovers. All of it seemed to make sense. Nobuna wanted to shout, "THE GIRL THAT YOSHIHARU LIKES IS ME! YOSHIHARU PUNCHED ASAKURA YOSHIKAGE AND SAID I'M HIS WOMAN!" but she couldn't do it. 

"As a pair, the standard is too different; it's like coupling a pile of dung with a flower. But for the Oda Clan, Juubei must marry you, Sagara-senpai. If you reject it, won't the rumors only spread even further?" 

"...Uh..." 

Forced to endure this situation, Nobuna nonetheless rashly pressed her hand on her sword's handle, for once not wanting to kill Yoshiharu, but to cut off Mitsuhide's head. Noticing this bad situation, Yoshiharu struggled to get away from Mitsuhide, though she stubbornly clung to his arm. 

"Juubei, this is a misunderstanding! Juubei isn't really my sweetheart!" 

"Huh? I, Juubei have compromised so much. Just what are you saying now, senpai? There's no need to be so shy, be a little more thankful, cry out the truth!" 

"Didn't I say the truth already!?" 

"Then who is it? Say it out then, I will definitely keep it a secret. Don't tell me you are going to say something dumb like 'I have fallen in love with Nobuna-sama'." 

Yoshiharu was speechless. 

You're right, it's the Nobuna right in front of you! Yoshiharu wanted to shout. But, this matter could never be revealed. The other party was his master, a very important person that would lead the world. Compared to him? Yoshiharu was just a retainer, and not even a samurai. He was someone with no status in this sengoku era. This was an unforgivable romance. 

"....I...I can't say it...." Yoshiharu mumbled. 

"Then, it's definitely Juubei. Uwahh, I'm having goosebumps, all the hairs on my body are standing on end. Since you have pretty much confirmed it, it's ok for me to be your wife then?" 

"I've said it's not like that!" 

"There's a saying that goes, 'Strike the iron while it's hot.' Let's go to Juubei's mother to report our wedding, Senpai. Mother has said, 'I will never allow you to marry a man from god knows where', but if you kneel on the floor and beg with all your heart Senpai, you will definitely move mother." 

"Uwahhhhhh!? Save me, Zenki. Looks like I'm really having "women trouble"!" 

"HOLD IT RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT THERE!" Finally, Nobuna's furious yell suddenly erupted, echoing around the whole of the Love Nest Castle's Tenju. The white birds resting on Lake Biwa all took flight in surprise. Nobuna could be completely described as an exploding ball of rage. 

But, right now, Nobuna could never say "Don't steal my man." Through her fury, she roughly grasped the first excuse she could. 

"Ju...Just by building such a castle and wanting a husband, Juubei you're too naive! It's far too early to hold a marriage!" 

"Ho, it's still far away from having a truly namban style Sakamoto Castle in Japan, is that what you're trying to say?" 

"Of...Of course! As a very important retainer of the Oda Clan, you should build a castle at least as epic as my Azuchi Castle. Then I can allow you guys to hold a wedding." 

"Azuchi Castle, huh? I've heard of it for quite some time now." 

"Exactly! Since you want to hold a good wedding, then it's better to first build a fantastic fortress that can be compared to Azuchi Castle. 

I see, so this is Nobuna's plan... Yoshiharu had noticed it too. 

If we can't think of a reason to dismiss the marriage between Juubei and I, let's just delay it, huh? Because you're jealous of Juubei, your expression is as scary as the sixth demon lord, even exploding with anger, what a cute fellow... But, doesn't this just kick the problem down the road? The brilliant Mitsuhide had already painted Yoshiharu into a corner. From the start, Mitsuhide had already suspected their relationship. And besides that, there was no reason against Mitsuhide forcing a marriage on him. If he kept resisting, Nobuna and Yoshiharu's relationship would definitely be discovered. 

To avoid such a scene, Yoshiharu could only marry someone other than Mitsuhide. According to his heart (and for the safety of his neck), that "someone" could only be Nobuna, but that was a dream that would never happen in the real world. 

Everything as it was, his only option was to tell Mitsuhide the truth. 

Though Mitsuhide is very passionate towards learning namban and Christian culture, if they are to come clean with everyone, knowing how seriously Mitsuhide considers bloodline and Japanese tradition, how will she react? 

Optimistically, she would run to other daimyos. 

Mitsuhide was easily on par with Nobuna in terms of capabilities to rule the world. If they were to lose such a valuable ally, considering how hard Nobuna was struggling to finish off the Asai Asakura allied forces, Tenka Fubu would be even harder to reach. No, it might be totally stalled. If she defected to Asai's side along with Sakamoto Castle, Nobuna would lose both Kyoto and Imagawa shogun. 

The worst case scenario would be an outright revolt. 

"Incident at Honnouji" 

Such a term had flash by Yoshiharu's mind and plastered itself at the forefront of his thoughts. 

If this goes on, will the reason behind Juubei inciting the Incident at Honouji be me? You...You gotta be joking! 

Even so, facing Mitsuhide who wants to eliminate the "bad rumors" within the Oda Clan by wedding with Yoshiharu, he couldn't find a good plan to make her change her mind. 

So instead, Nobuna thought of a plan to delay her. If they could just push the wedding back, they could consider a way to solve this issue at it's roots. Just then, thanks perhaps to Juubei's unintended one-upmanship earlier, the first thing to spring to her mind was the building of the "Azuchi Castle". 

"This is a good thing, Juubei. Saru is a very important retainer of the Oda Clan, comparable to you. As the ruler of the world, if my left and right hand man were to wed, a castle of this standard isn't appropriate in the slightest. If you don't build a better fortress, I won't allow the wedding. It's not just about the namban style. I will show you an example with my Azuchi Castle." 

"Hoho. As expected from Nobuna-sama. Your words glitter with wisdom. I understand, as a marriage gift to Senpai, I must build a castle and learn from Azuchi Castle." 

"Y....Yes, isn't that good?" 

"Then, just how good is the castle that Nobuna-sama is building?" 

"Ah....That, um......" 

"Nobuna-sama. The designs for the Azuchi Castle, is it actually done?" 

She's suspicious. I'm being suspected for dragging this out. Mitsuhide who was normally not able to sense the atmosphere is just so mysteriously sensitive about the two of us. 

"Um.... Wa...Wait. I have nothing on my hands now. Come to Azuchi tomorrow." 

Seems like the designs have not been finalized. What a last minute plan. Yoshiharu sighed with relief. 

What now? Is there no way to let Juubei change her mind? Mitsuhide is very loyal, but she's finally put her foot down and won't change her mind. If this is the case, should I find someone to fake a marriage with me? 

If I'm building one, I must build a castle that this Sakamoto master definitely won't be able to build! I must plate it with gold and build to the world's most decadent castle! Yes! I should use the money that I contributed to Yamato Gose! 

Marrying that monkey will cause me no end of trouble, but, to fulfill the duty of a retainer, I mustn't delay even a moment and marry Sagara-senpai quickly to prevent Nobuna-sama from getting hurt by the bad rumors. Like this, only Juubei alone must be sacrificed to the ero-saru. It will be good if Azuchi Castle can be imitated using the puppets." 

I must definitely build a city that Juubei can never imitate. 

Being popular is so hard to live with... my stomach hurts! The times when I was called "Saru Saru" and being treated like a fool seem so pleasant, not having to worry about anything. 

The three all fell into their own thoughts, and the plan to build Azuchi Castle was announced the next day. 

Though the situation had stagnated, they are still in battle with the Asai Asakura. There wasn't much time to solve this issue. But building an epic castle and letting the whole of Japan know that Nobuna was the one who would lead the world, this is an unavoidable task. Waging wars wouldn't be enough to unify the world. No, no one would want to use such a iron fisted approach. Since Nobuna had started thinking like this, the plan to build Azuchi Castle had become a very meaningful task. 

~ ~ ~ 

That night, in the makeshift castle at the foot of Mount Azuchi beside Lake Biwa, the retainers involved with the building of Azuchi Castle had been gathered in a rush. 

"Later comers will be severely punished!" Nobuna's frightening declaration mobilized her clan like lightning. 

"I thought building Azuchi Castle was for later. Shouldn't we be finding ways to break out of this stalemate with Asai Asakura? 17 points." 

The elder sister character for Nobuna, the calm and collected chief advisor, Niwa Nagahide, AKA Manchiyo. She was the chief advisor, though she was still a young lady like the other important figures of the Oda Clan. 

"Now that the memorial week for Viper-dono is over, there is no need to hesitate and you can do whatever you like. Ohohoho." 

Yamato's "Scorpion", Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide. Her brown skin reflected her Persian blood, and her exotic atmosphere was only heightened by her crafty nature. She had once been the lover of Saitou Dousan, but she was much younger than Dousan. As a result, there had been rumors that "Dousan was a lolicon." Everyone believed the exotic Hisahide to be the first to implement a high rise building as a Tensho or Tenshokaku for Japanese castles. 

"Hmm, umm. Is there any way I can be of help, Nobuna-sama?" 

"Is it really okay that I sit here? I'm so nervous that with all of these girls." 

The nun from Portugal, Louise Frois and her kouhai, the Italian youngster, Organtino. 

And then, the representative from the future, Sagara Yoshiharu. 

"Hey, Nobuna, is it really okay to not summon Katsuie? That fellow will throw a tantrum later." 

"Even if Riku is here, won't she just cry and say, 'I don't understand what you guys are talking about'? She would just waste time. We have to finish the plan to build this epic castle by tomorrow to fool Juubei... No, to make sure Juubei is moved to tears." 

"Ok. So the overall of the plan has been decided?" 

"Yes. The plan to build a huge castle in Azuchi was originally Viper's plan, when he was alive. When Takeda Shingen or Uesugi Kenshin attack us on their way to the capital, to fight with them, the base has to be in this Azuchi area by the eastern side of Lake Biwa. If it's here, no matter if it's Uesugi Kenshin coming from the northern roads or Takeda Shingen from the eastern provinces, we can deal with them easily. Its proximity to Kyoto is a boon as well." 

"He had considered how to fight with Uesugi Kenshin already, as expected of 'Viper'." 

"But before this, we must first defeat Asai Asakura." 

Nobuna said rolled right over any extraneous comments. "We will make a fortress of Azuchi Castle. At the mountain top, we must build a seven-floor high Tenju. Sakamoto Castle's Tenju is actually quite high. Of course, this isn't just for show, it's also the place where I will live! The interior of the Tenju will be build like a namban church, where the centre won't have any ceiling. The walls won't be build with mud, but with the newest stone walls!" 

"You planned to live alone in a seven story building? You will most likely be lonely there." 

"Shut up, Saru. To see all of the best views of Lake Biwa, it's obvious that I'll have to live in a high building. Or have you had already planned to live in Juubei's freshly built Sakamoto Castle?" 

"A… As if, what are you thinking?" 

Thinking of the chance that we might live together and the family might become bigger, the house is better if it's bigger. Nobuna could never say as much in front of her retainers. She could only anxiously bite onto her chicken wing as Yoshiharu continued being a blockhead. 

"Please wait, Hime. Wanting namban styles is fine. but there isn't anyone among the Japanese architects who can build such a weird building. This is definitely a first in this country. I heard that the namban build houses using stone, and we Japanese build houses using wood. It's structurally impossible to build a high rise building without ceilings for the middle floors. 17 points." Nagahide seemed to be deep in thought as she frowned. 

"Manchiyo, it's just a first, right? Once we put our heart to it, we can do it. I will leave the building of Azuchi Castle to you, Manchiyo." 

"To me?" 

"This task, in some ways, is even harder than leading troops to war. It's not just a task of building the Tenju on the top. At the foot of Azuchi Castle must be new streets to make it a city of commerce worthy for the leader of the world. I want to make Azuchi Castle the greatest tourist spot of Japan. This important task, I can only leave it to the patient and resilient Manchiyo. The impatient Riku and the stupid Saru wouldn't be able to handle this." 

"A city of commerce? That's another matter entirely. There is nothing but reeds in Azuchi, nothing at all." 

"I want to build this place into a city that everyone would want to visit, a dream-like place unique in Japan. A dream city with more than just a Christian namban church; I want to see all the world's different cultures, including Japan, combined! The people in this country will feel that they should come here at least once in their lifetime, no, even the namban people will want to come here, a new city just like this! This is needed to end this sengoku era. Considering how it needs to be, starting from scratch is the easiest option, right? I suppose I could just burn and demolish the streets of Kyoto to my own ends, but Saru would definitely be angry." 

Even if Nobuna's ambition was great and noble, her targets set, even disregarding the technical difficulties, the budget is... Thinking of all this, though Nagahide wore her usual smile, she was sweating profusely. 

"I see! In the modern world, you could say you're building a tourist attraction. So as to say, building a huge tourist centre in the sengoku era Japan." 

"Oi, Saru, don't start talking in monkey language. It's getting more ridiculous, okay? Inside the Tenju, the statue and portraits of Japanese gods, Buddha and the Christian angels, we must display all of it. A gathering of 800 types of deities! Such a feeling seems supreme. It must be a dream city that even foreigners across the sea would like to visit." 

"As expected from Nobuna, she is indeed farsighted." Right now even Yoshiharu couldn't help but compliment her drive. Since Oda Nobuna was so farsighted, no one could compare to her in Japan's history. But at the same time, she was getting out of hand. 

"In the city, there must be a namban church with a statue worshipping me. This is to let the whole world know, not just Japan, I'm the world's top bishoujo!" 

With this, there will be a determining distance between me and Juubei! Once she thought as much, Nobuna's face was plastered with arrogance. 

"Oioi, Nobuna. That crazy imagination of yours, stop it already. It's all good to build a tourist centre in Azuchi, but do you want to turn yourself into Mickey Mouse? No matter what, that's a little too chuuni." 

"Didn't I tell you not to talk in your monkey language!?" 

"A...A statue to worship you? Tha... That's a little....." The devout Frois panicked and almost dropped her cup of tea. 

"It's better to not enrage God by building something like a high tower. Recorded in the bible is the legend of the 'Tower of Babel', Nobuna-sama." 

"Babell Tower?" 

Organtino continued for Frois. 

"There was a time in the past when the people all spoke the same language. They wanted to build a Tower in Babel as high as the sky itself. The tower wasn't to worship God, but for the reputation of the tower builders. So God became furious and mixed the language of all humans, and with this, the construction of the Tower of Babel was forced to stop." The young missionary explained. 

"Kappa, what the hell is that? If this legend is true, then this God's jealousy is meaninglessly overbearing. It's just a tower, why didn't He let them build it? Won't going overboard like that make people hate him?" 

"Nobuna-sama. The legend of the 'Tower of Babel' is a story to instruct people not be too arrogant. A statue to worship yourself can easily be considered a sin of arrogance." Frois warned, her face tight with worry. 

"I didn't say I wanna be God. I just want to let the whole world know that I am the world's top beauty." Nobuna retorted in a serious tone. She seemed to hold a very strong rivalry with Mitsuhide. Even if she was driven by the fear of Mitsuhide snatching Yoshiharu away, doing this was too arrogant. 

"Hime. No matter what, this boast of yours is too much. It will incur unneeded misunderstandings. 31 points." 

"It seems interesting." Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide showed her blatant disregard for any Gods, brewing tea with a soft smile and chuckle. 

"Nobuna-sama. To conquer this world that has been rampant with war for so long, such a show is needed. No, it can be said that, we need to let the people know that the one who leads the world is Nobuna-sama, and to accomplish this we need something to dazzle them. Right now, our strongest enemy, Takeda Shingen is trapped in Kanto. This is the best chance to build Azuchi castle." 

"Is that so?" 

"Ohoho. How about we just ask Yamato Gose's Himiko-sama to live in Azuchi castle?" 

"Good idea, Danjo. I didn't think of that. Rather than staying in Azuchi Castle, just the fact that Himiko-sama graced Azuchi Castle with her presence is a huge honor!" 

"And once Himiko-sama comes here, we should take the chance to pull her into our alliance, ohoho." 

"Uwahh, this Nee-san is still the same, what a cunning mind." Yoshiharu mumbled softly. If she heard, Danjo Hisahide completely ignored the appraisal. Hisahide, who had inherited Persian blood, was a wrecking ball against tradition, and she wasn't afraid of subverting Japanese authority. 

"We can think of the matter of Himiko-sama coming here later. Frois and Danjo, please help Nagahide with the construction. Frois will be in charge of the construction techniques of the namban style in the castle, while Danjo will oversee the Persian style of art and construction techniques. Saru, you will gather the construction materials for Azuchi castle. If it's not enough, use tombstones or god statues. Those things are just stones in the end." 

"I thought the same just as you said it. I'm from the future, so I'm not scared of the Gods or anything like that, but I do feel a chill... Just forget about those tombstones or something..." 

"What a coward. You, do you want to do it or not? Don't tell me you really want to stay at Sakamoto castle? If that's the case...." 

Yoshiharu instinctively reacted to the killing intent from Nobuna's eyes, shivering and scrambleing into a respectful pose. 

It's ok if it's just the kiss at Christmas, but now they had hugged together in the tea room. Now, Nobuna is finding it harder and harder to hide her jealousy. Her rival was the genius bishoujo, for whom Nobuna herself had said, 'If anything happens to me, she will succeed me', Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide. Though Nobuna had thought that, if something happened to her, she would let Mitsuhide succeed her as the head, she realized she had no intention to give Yoshiharu over to her as well. To Nobuna, this and that were two entirely different matters. Now that she had lost her god-father Saitou Dousan, one could say Nobuna had put all her love for the opposite sex onto Yoshiharu. This indeed filled Yoshiharu's heart with joy like nothing else, but Nobuna's love and hatred were a hundred times more than a normal person's. Yoshiharu was now worried; Considering how Nobuna could become enraged over a little jealousy, she might just kill him out of impulse. All in all, Yoshiharu might as well have stepped on a tiger's tail. 

This isn't a joking matter. If I'm suspected to be frivolous, I might really be executed! 

Yoshiharu has no choice but to kneel down onto the floor. 

"I want to! I WANT TO! Sagara Yoshiharu is the most loyal retainer of Oda Nobuna!" 

Nobuna stomped her foot on the back of Yoshiharu's head. 

"Huh? When did you learn to talk like a human? You're still my same pet monkey, right?" 

"Oh, oh. It's like this. Errr, ummm, it's ok if it's monkey or human! Those stones, I will prepare them for you no matter how much you need!" 

"Hmph. Meanwhile, what of your important mission to guard the fortress at the front lines?" 

"I'm hurt that you would underestimate the Kawanami Clan with the Omyouji, the Sagara Yoshiharu corps. How can we not do it?" 

Nagahide and Danjo silently looked at each other. 

Nobuna and Yoshiharu, this wasn't the way that the two of them normally quarrelled. It seemed similar enough, but there was a hint of some subtle difference. There must have been a major change in their relationship. Nagahide and Danjo analyzed the exchange 

Nagahide, who secretly cheered for Nobuna's star-crossed love, smiled. Matsunaga Danjo had a more complicated expression instead, seemingly worried for the fruitless future of Nobuna's romance. 

Because Yoshiharu had talked about this matter with her, even Frois, who isn't used to these romance matters, had guessed what was going on and blushed. 

But, the young missionary Organtino only sighed, "Yoshiharu-san is quite good, to be able to flirt with girls without any concern.... Sigh..." 

The Italian seemed troubled over something a bit different than everyone else. 

"Nagahide and the rest, please draw out the designs for Azuchi Castle and the town centre by tomorrow. With this, I can let that bratty Kumquat accept defeat." 

Just as Nobuna declared, "Just like this. Dismissed!" Nobuna's spoiled aide, Maeda Inuchiyo, who had recently been promoted to a new position as "Akahorushuu" rushed into the camp. 

The Akahorushuu serves as the bodyguard for Nobuna in the battlefield, and at the same time has the important mission to transmit orders with haste. In the Battle of Anegawa, because Nobuna's main camp was devoid of people, Nobuna was almost assaulted by Asakura Yoshikage. And, due to the chaos of the orders system, the whole army was almost destroyed. This two crises were barely solved thanks to Yoshiharu's wits and hard work, but everyone agreed it would be best to not rely solely on Yoshiharu for any witty ideas. 

So, Nobuna setup the "Akahorushuu" that serves as both bodyguard and messenger. The first member is of course the silent yet immensely loyal spear user, Inuchiyo. 

"What is it, Inuchiyo? Did that idiot, Imagawa Yoshimoto start saying willful things like 'I want a soccer competition' again?" 

Imagawa Yoshimoto, who currently held the position of Shogun in Kyoto, had hated wars from the start. Instead, she loved all things elegant and fun. As a result, she was very satisfied by her noble lifestyle in Kyoto, and so had been very obedient and had not done anything to oppose Nobuna at all. However, she had been wasteful with her money. It was manageable at the moment, but perhaps because she had become too bored, she had recently been adamant about starting a soccer competition. 

Nobuna's mood dropped as she fell into another rant, "Now isn't the time to host a soccer competition. I think a sumo competition is actually...." 

Inuchiyo stopped Nobuna in her tracks with a firm "NO!". 

"....It's a big matter. Osaka's Honbyo temple has announced their opposition to Hime-sama and has revolted." 

The emergency that no one had expected. A turn of event no one could have expected. 

Only one, Sagara Yoshiharu nodded and said, "Honbyo temple seems to be a bunch of people worshipping the Nekogami-sama." With a sudden thought, he launched into an explanation of the whole situation. 

"This is an event from the sengoku SLG's top work, 'Oda Nobunaga no Yabou'." 

"So the monks of Mount Hiei weren't the only buddhists to militarize themselves. Nobuna-sama never ended up burning Mount Hiei though, so why did they revolt?" Frois stared at Inuchiyo, unable to grasp the situation. 

"... There are rumors outside that says Hime-sama wants to attack Honbyo temple, and many people seem so convinced. Once Osaka's Honbyo temple revolts, Ise and Mikawa, which are full of Honbyo temple's devotees, will definitely face unrest. Takigawa Kazumasu and Matsudaira Motoyasu won't be able to move. I'm afraid Asai Asakura will lead their troops to attack us at that moment." 

"Hime. With this, if we wait for Takeda Shingen to clear up the mess of Kanto, the situation will turn into the Takeda army once again going to the capital. This is, without question, a 10 points." Nagahide said. 

In actual fact, just as the first time Takeda Shingen marched on the capital, the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa, who holds authority at Yamato Gose, had been manipulating in the shadows and spread rumors everywhere about Nobuna wanting to destroy Honbyo temple, deliberately riling the people. But in Nobuna's camp, no one had noticed that Sakihisa had such political intentions. The only one who could notice Konoe Sakihisa's involvement would be be Mitsuhide, who had always been mixing around with the nobles of Kyoto. But regrettably, though Mitsuhide is smart, she wasn't suspicious of people. The only thing that Mitsuhide was suspicious of was the relationship between Yoshiharu and Nobuna. It seemed that the power of love could transform Mitsuhide's slow senses into a terrifying force. 

"The enemies seem pop out one after another! Just why have things become like this, geez! But, the construction of Azuchi Castle must still continue on!" 

"Nobuna, this is the result of letting Asai Asakura go at Anegawa. It's an event that should happen and will happen. I'm not completely sure, but this Honbyo Temple incident must be the revolt of the commoners from the Sengoku game. If that's the case, once you start a full blown war with the Honbyo Temple, even if they surrender to you at the end, this whole fiasco will eat up ten years! Besides, the enemy right now isn't some clan of samurais, but commoners!" 

Yoshiharu had been brooding, ever since they had opposed Mount Hiei and Shingen headed for the capital, why was there one event that didn't fire? Now, Yoshiharu's idle worry had unfortunately become real. 

Whenever this event fires, there will be reports everywhere that say, "The commoner army has attacked!" and so, we have to fight with them. But once we have achieved victory, there will only be another commoner army attacking us somewhere else, as the cycle continues... With this, there will be no end to this war. 

Battle with the commoners would be a whole different beast compared to their previous battles with Samurais. Commoners would often fight guerilla battles. 

With their unlimited amount of small groups, the commoner armies would force the Oda army to rush everywhere. No matter what, the whole army with the aim of Tenka Fubu wouldn't be able to advance further. According to the knowledge that Yoshiharu had gained from the sengoku games, even if in the end the Oda Clan forced a surrender from the leader of the Hongan Temple (or rather, the Honbyo Temple here), it would take a total of ten years. If it weren't for this endurance battle, Oda Nobunaga might have conquered the world long ago. 

The commoners will form the main bulk of the army, so they won't be that strong in a straight fight. But the "Saika Ikki", a mercenary group that use Kii firearms, might join the commoners side. This Saika Ikki might have small in number, but at its head was the legendary firearm expert, Saika Magoichi, and with their huge stockpile of arquebuses, they were immensely strong when defending. 

The people of this chaotic Sengoku Era worship cats due to the uneasiness in their hearts. Yoshiharu didn't think that a massacre of these commoners was something to be joked at. If they really revolted, Nobuna might revert to the path of the sixth demon lord again, even after she had finally become cute and calm recently. 

On top of it all, though Katsuchiyo... Takeda Shingen is stuck in Kanto for now, contrary to the history that I know, she's still alive and kicking. Ahh, that's my fault. The Asai Asakura forces currently in Odani Castle are waiting for a chance too. If we start the war with Honbyo Temble, Ise's Kazumasu and Motoyasu will be immobilized by the commoner's army. If that's the case, the Oda Clan will be checkmated! 

So, Yoshiharu had to stop this battle between Honbyo Temple and Nobuna at all costs. 

"Nobuna. You can't start this war. Our enemies aren't warriors, but countless commoners. Once the war is started, you will have to set your ambition aside for ten years! No, now that Shingen is still alive, you might..." 

Yoshiharu tried his best to persuade Nobuna. 

"...Once again you are talking to me about the future, Saru! I get it. Though I get what you're saying, but... If the construction of the Azuchi Castle is delayed... if that happens, the marriage with Juubei will..." Nobuna's voice shrank to a whisper. 

"Nobuna, now isn't the time to talk about that." 

"Hime. Though Osaka's Honbyo Temple is called a 'Temple', in actual fact, they are a huge fortress surrounded by seas and rivers, an unexpectedly huge scale base! It's a castle that can be compared to the Hojo Clan's Odawara castle. It's a huge difference from Mount Hiei, who had not expected an attack. Even if the Oda army attacked at full force, we won't be able to conquer it. If, while we are struggling with Honbyo Temple, if the Takeda army starts attacking again... 10 points." Nagahide understood how troublesome it would be to attack Honbyo Temple, and poured her all into persuading Nobuna as well. 

"If you pacify the world and bring peace to this country, the believers of Honbyo Temple will be able to return to the life of a farmer again! They worship because the world is in a mess, and their hearts are uneasy. Please choose me as the envoy now! If this event has been sparked by some misunderstanding, I will stop this revolt of Honbyo Temple no matter what!" 

"Saru, you have some monkey plan for Honbyo Temple too?" 

"No, none at all." 

"How about knowledge about them?" 

"Ahh, basically none. I heard they worship cats, that's all I know." 

"Are you stupid? You seriously think you can stop them like that? Danjo! If Osaka revolts, how long will they army take to reach Kyoto?" 

"Uhh. Since they're a bunch of amateurs and not a trained army, they will need a month." 

"A month, huh? I got it. Saru, do you have the confidence to stop them within a month? If you can't, it's obvious that you have to commit seppuku." 

Success, she's finally giving me the chance. 

Nobuna didn't really want to fight this meaningless war, that much Yoshiharu understood. But, if the Oda army didn't do anything in this month, the situation will only become worse. 

This was a gamble. 

Once he fails, no matter how much Nobuna loves Yoshiharu, she can only order Yoshiharu to commit seppuku for failing the Oda Clan in this crisis. 

But now, the trust that Nobuna had for Yoshiharu wasn't like how it was before. 

This was different from the usual method, just throwing him out after quarreling. Just from this, Yoshiharu knew that Nobuna had a very deep trust for him. And because of this too, the pressure on his shoulders wasn't the same as he shivered with excitement. 

If I fail, just what situation will Nobuna be in? Compared to my own life, I'm more worried about Nobuna's fate, what a messed up situation. 

"Yoshiharu-san. If there's anything that I can do, I will definitely help!" Frois said, holding Yoshiharu's hands tightly. 

"Thank you, Frois. To dismiss this uneasiness, let me immerse myself again in those huge breasts of yours... Though I think if I start such a joke, Nobuna will definitely cut me with her sword, so I'm honestly thankful." 

"The Honbyo Temple, the biggest religion in Japan, I'm very interested in their belief in the Nekogami. Is it alright if I follow Yoshiharu-san?" 

"Frois, they are the main base of another religion. Won't that be a risk to your life?" 

"It's alright. I resolved myself the moment I came to ZIPANGU." 

"If you say so... Yeah. Once I see the Frois' smile, my heart is at peace. No one could possibly be violent towards Frois, I think. Let us go then." 

“Obrigado?Thanks in Portuguese??” 

"If Frois is in danger, I will use my life to protect you, so put your mind at ease!" 

You're just obsessed with those cow-like breasts, right? Nobuna's glare chilled the air. 

"Frois. Take care of Saru, don't let him assault any girls." 

Nobuna's trust in me has increased greatly, but her jealousy and possessiveness has increased as well. After comparing them, it's a minus for me. The only thing I've gained is a bigger risk of me getting my head cut off... It hurts to notice. But forget it, she agreed to let Frois follow me. Denying Frois for some reason like "Because Nobuna is terrifying" won't cut it, and that sentence is so unmanly. 

"Frois-sama, Yoshiharu-san, I hope for your safe return." Organtino gestured a cross while chanting, "Amen". 

"Ok, let's head out!" 

"Wait, Saru... Don't rush there without any plans, go and get some info from Imai Soukyo at Sakai first. Sakai's merchant have long been selling Honbyo Temple arquebuses; there should be lots of different info to get there. And, if you lay a hand on Frois's breasts, I'll kill you before you can think of any sorry excuse!" 

Nobuna had subtly forgotten that she was in front of Nagahide and the rest as her jealousy flared up again. "Don't be so serious..." Yoshiharu mumbled as he stood up, rubbing his head. 

Behind him, Goemon's voice interjected as though she had been there the entire time. 

"Sagara-shi. How about Mount Toragozen? If Asai Asakura uses this chance to attack us seriously, we will be in danger." 

"I'm really sorry. Please ask Hanbei to help secure the fortress in this month. Nobusumi is at Mount Toragozen too, so I don't think there's much of a problem. And, to be careful, please have Nene go back to Gifu Castle as soon as you get back." 

This might be too taxing for the weak Hanbei, but there wasn't any other way now. If the battle with Asai Asakura really starts, Hanbei's intelligence and strategies should be able to hold the fortress for a month. Yoshiharu only worried that Hanbei's strength might not hold. 

Ahh, it would be nice if I had another strategist. Hanbei's constitution is weak, so I don't want to force her too much. This is too taxing for a complete amateur with no clans or helpers. The soldiers of Yoshiharu corps have all been surviving ridiculous battlefields, and each one of them could face many enemies themselves. Even so, due to the long duration of this battle, their job will be more difficult than normal. I wish I had a substitute, a warrior young enough that I could teach. 

In that instant, Yoshiharu started pondering over the idea, but for now, his only option was to make do with what he had. 

"Understood. I will protect Sagara-shi as he travels to Honbyo Temple in secret, dobn't worbry." 

From the dark, the voice of the stuttering Goemon softly flubbed out as she once again bit her tongue.