Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 7 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : Oda Nobuna's Kantou Premarital(?) Trip 

"Look, Yoshiharu! It's Mount Fuji! Gosh! So huge! And tall! Beautiful! I didn't think that we would get to see Mount Fuji so soon!" 

"Nobuna, don't get overexcited! This is already part of Suruga province, we're already in Takeda Shingen's territory!" 

"It's precisely because we are in enemy territory that I'm in such high spirits! And, idiot! Call me "Kichi"!" 

"Oh, I forgot, sorry about it." 

Sengoku era. 

Starting from being a Hime Daimyo of Owari, conquering Mino and being noticed all of a sudden in the sengoku era, it's Oda Nobuna who had successfully acquired the capital. 

And now, Nobuna had changed to the daughter of the rich merchant Imai Soukyuu "Kichi", and with her subordinate had headed to this Toukaido at full speed. 

Intentionally not riding a horse and using a merchant's daughter's identity is to hide her true identity as a warrior. 

So as to say, it's to hide from the samurai of the Takeda clan. 

"It should be the first time you looked at Mount Fuji, Yoshiharu. Are you touched? Hmph, hurry and thank me!" 

With the name "Kichi", Nobuna, who was wearing an elegant wafuku, is acting like the owner of Mount Fuji as she raised her chin high up proudly. 

Saying loudly and proudly to her only subordinate, Sagara Yoshiharu, who had disguised himself as a student, "Mount Fuji is the no 1 mountain in Japan! From ancient times, people have been worshipping it as a spiritual mountain! Even till now, they had forbidden women from entering it. But, like entering Mount Hiei, I just want to enter Mount Fuji!" 

Though the reasons are unclear, but it seems like Nobuna loves high mountains. 

When she conquered Mino's Inabayama castle and named it "Gifu castle", to view all the towns below the mountain, she build a grand building on the mountain. Now, she is building a never heard before 7 floor Tenshu in Azuchi castle. 

"So as to say, Kichi has the habit of climbing high mountains!" 

"I'm not an idiot, don't treat me like some monkey! And you're the monkey here. Be moved a little! This is Mount Fuji! We are currently savoring the view of Mount Fuji!" 

"Sorry, but during my middle school trip, I had toured Mount Fuji. And, now that you have mentioned it, I don't really like climbing mountains." 

Sagara Yoshiharu scratched his nose while seemingly trying to avoid Nobuna's gaze as he turned his face to another side while he mumbled. 

Once his eyes meet with Nobuna's, his heart would start thumping like crazy. 

Sagara Yoshiharu was originally a normal Japanese high school student, but one day, he had somehow slipped into the sengoku era. 

For some reason, in this sengoku era, all the generals were "Princess knights", so as to say, girls! Is this the past that is connected to Yoshiharu's era? Or is it a different dimension? Yoshiharu does not know yet. An extreme sengoku game fanatic, while relying on the sengoku knowledge from his games, Yoshiharu become a retainer of the tyrant, Oda Nobuna and not Oda Nobunaga who has the fate of unifying the warring states. But, Yoshiharu had somehow developed feelings for this Nobuna who had fought on with her small body to calm the chaos of the sengoku era. 

The vagrant who had claimed that he came from the future and the Hime Daimyo from birth and had also captured Kyo. According to the common sense of the sengoku era, their statuses are too different, these two who never have anything in common had an unstoppable forbidden love burning fiercely between them. 

Not to say, this is Suruga province. 

It's no longer Nobuna's territory. 

And so, there wasn't any aides nor retainers by her side. 

Though the ninja serving Yoshiharu, Hachisuka Goemon is protecting the both of them while hiding somewhere, but either she understands the mood or she's being embarrassed as neither one of them could see Goemon at all. 

So as to say, there's only Yoshiharu and Nobuna, the two of them. 

"Le...Let's hold hands. Since there isn't anyone here. Just like a premarital trip!" 

The fiercely blushing Nobuna held onto Yoshiharu's hand tightly. 

While swallowing his saliva, Yoshiharu held onto Nobuna's snow white hands. 

How soft... 

Both of them have zero experience in going out with the opposite sex. 

The two of them clumsily holding hands due to being embarrassed, from the eyes of the love expert, Matsunaga Hisahide and the already passed away Nobuna's godfather, Saitou Dousan, they look like they are just fooling around. 

Even if they are clumsy, the both of them had reached this stage. 

The Nobuna who is easily angered, vicious tongued, arrogant and likes to tease people just for laughs. The Yoshiharu who likes to talk bluntly and disregard the common etiquette between him and his master. The both of them had always quarreled whenever their roads crossed. 

At Kanegasaki, when Yoshiharu volunteered to do the job of protecting their rear, he had resolved to die for her. 

At Anegawa, when Nobuna was isolated in the main camp and was assaulted by Asakura Yoshikage. 

As per this era's common sense, like a huge gap that can never be crossed, the romance between the two of them will never be forgiven. 

Though they had promised Saitou Dousan who even up to the last second of his life, he's still worried about Nobuna's future. But holding a marriage ceremony and becoming husband and wife is quite impossible. 

When Yoshiharu was being held up high as the "namban soccer god" in Honbyo temple, he had to once again give up Nobuna. 

But now, like a miracle, with no one disturbing them, the two of them were holding hands and looking at Mount Fuji in Toukaido. 

What a charismatic mountain! 

The two of them can't help but be awed by the spiritual mountain. 

"Wait, Yoshiharu. You said you have already visited Mount Fuji, that should be a thing that happened very very long ago, right?" 

"Hmmm, a future that is about 400 years from now." 

"So as to say, now is the first time you've seen Mount Fuji! Because this Mount Fuji is the Mount Fuji from 400 years ago, right?" 

"....Don't say such hard to understand things! How annoying..." 

Though Nobuna is someone from the sengoku era, she has the same logic as a modern person. 

Illogical things can only be explained by superstition. 

But, no matter how strange a thing is, as long as it fits logic, one can easily believe it. 

That is how a logical person thinks. 

For example, Nobuna thinks, when one dies, they return to dust, there isn't any world after death. 

The reason is simple. Because no one has seen just how a world like that looks. And so, there isn't any proof to make people believe it. 

When the missionary who had come over from the namban seas took out his globe and pointed out that the earth is round, Nobuna believed it very easily. 

Because, the words of the missionary fits logic. 

Even during the time when she wanted to burn the base of anti-Nobuna forces, the spiritual mountain, Mount Hiei, there's a logical reason too. 

First, if they conquered Mount Hiei, all disadvantageous situations at that time would be overturned. 

Second, though Mount Hiei is a holy ground for Buddhists, the monks are always fighting. Nobuna thinks that as a strength to pacify people's hearts, religious factions who arm themselves and fight with the warriors are going against their own aims. 

Third, Nobuna does not believe in the Gods or spirits in this world. Even if there's really some kind of higher being in the world, Nobuna firmly believes that those Gods or spirits who go against Nobuna who wishes to end this chaotic era aren't the real Gods. 

Besides, demolishing the old system that protects the rights of merchant and pushing ahead a new policy that lets everyone have free trade, tearing down the customs and tax system, repairing the roads, building trade routes and improving cities and towns, all these caused Nobuna to be a destroyer of old tradition and rules in the eyes of the traditional people. 

Due to this, in this era, there are times when Nobuna fell into the traps that these superstitious people created. 

Recently, she had even gotten the title of "The demon lord of the sixth realm". 

But, Yoshiharu who had came from the future is different. 

Yoshiharu gently tells Nobuna, "The things you are doing are right, I believe in you." 

At that time, Yoshiharu is really gentle, totally different from the usual jovial him. 

But, there are times when Nobuna feels uneasy about Yoshiharu whose eyes are full of sadness when he says "The things you are doing are right." 

Just how is my future? Yoshiharu had never told me. 

At the same time, Nobuna hopes to rely on her own will and strength to create the future and so, does not wish to rely on prophecies. 

Yoshiharu can never tell her "The Incident at Honnouji" beforehand. 

Yoshiharu had always been troubled about how to stop the Incident at Honnouji, can it be stopped? 

No matter what, there is the warrior who will caused the Incident at Honnouji, Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide...... 

"Juubei, don't tell me...? What should I do...." 

Just when Yoshiharu is thinking about all this, Nobuna pinched his face. 

"Oi, are you listening? How did you climb Mount Fuji? Now that we're talking about it, aren't you a complete amateur in riding horses?" 

"Well, it...it's still considered as riding...." 

"Aren't you a commoner in the future? There shouldn't be time for you to tour Mount Fuji, right?" 

"In the future Japan, there is a transportation tool called "Shinkansen". All you need to do is to sit there. According to the namban time, it takes only 2 hours from Owari to Edo. I think it's around 3 hours from Osaka to Edo?" 

"What's that!? If it's so fast, it isn't considered a trip anymore!" 

Nobuna pursed her lips. 

"W...W...Wh...What a rare premarital trip, i...if...if that's the case, won't it be totally meaningless!?" 

"Eh? What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly, can you say it again?" 

"H....How can I say such a thing twice!?" 

The shy Nobuna aimed a kick right at Yoshiharu's shin. 

It didn't have the usual killing force, but was instead a gentle kick like a playful kitten. 

"Now, we can't play like this so relaxingly. How do we get near the Odawara castle that is surrounded by the Date army?" 

"Yeah, let's discuss it over at the teahouse by the road side." 

"Le...Let's stay a night in an inn... From now on, won't we have to pass by Hakone? Wanting to reach Odawara castle in a day, it's impossible no matter what!" 

"I...In...Inn!? K...Ki....Kichi-sama! If I use the modern language, w...wo....won't that be a love hotel!???!?" 

"R...Ra...Rabu hotel? Mo...Monkey language is really hard to understand!" 

"I'm sorry, I don't know how else to explain it." 

"W...What are you thinking in that brain of yours? W...We are just here to negotiate with Takeda Shingen who is being surrounded in Odawara castle! Well, th...though there's still the pre...premarital trip objective...." 

"Sorry, I can't hear what you're saying from the middle onwards." 

"O....Ok, let's find an inn!" 

Though blushing, Nobuna holds onto Yoshiharu hands nevertheless and heads towards Hakone. 

There's a reason for Nobuna and Yoshiharu to pass through Takeda Shingen's territory Suruga and head towards Houjou Ujiyasu's Odawara castle. Due to Yoshiharu's strategist, Takenaka Hanbei carefully suggesting to the panicking and ranting Nobuna "Just what should we do!?", they go along with Hanbei's plan with the Oda clan's extremely serious Nee-san, Niwa Nagahide saying "Full points!". And so, that's how this trip of just the two of them begins. On the outside, it looks like helping out with the negotiation of "Oshu's conqueror" "Revelation's beast" Date Masamune and Houjou Ujiyasu, as well as Takeda Shingen who are currently besieged in Odawara castle. And now, Nobuna is currently facing off with Northern Omi's Asai Hisamasa, Nagamasa as well as Echizen's Asakura Yoshikage, with the situation stagnating. 

And, the dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin had declared publically that he will stand on the side of the disadvantageous Asakura Yoshikage. To Nobuna, that is a very critical situation. 

Though they are in a temporary peace agreement with another enemy, Osaka's Honbyo temple. But if that god of war Kenshin plans to attack the south with Asakura Yoshikage, Nobuna can never hold Southern Omi and Kyoto. 

Though the base that was specifically build to counter the Uesugi and Takeda armies, the "Azuchi castle" had already started construction, it's still quite far off from completion. 

And so, the genius strategist, Takenaka Hanbei suggested to Nobuna. 

"Takeda Shingen-sama and Uesugi Kenshin-sama are like what people know of them, strong rivals that fought in the Kawanaka Island. If Uesugi-sama wants to head to the capital and attacks Takeda-sama, Takeda-sama will definitely stop Uesugi-sama. But in contrast, rather than heading out to the captial again, if the Oda army attacks over, it might make Takeda-sama happier. If it's Uesugi-sama who commands the powerful Echigo army, if she holds onto the path towards Kyoto from Southern Omi, even if Takeda-sama wants to head to the capital, it will be quite hard for her. But, if it's the weak Owari army that Nobuna-sama commands, Takeda-sama may not mind it much. I'm sorry, sorry! Don't kill me! Uhhhhhhh...." 

So as to say, "The enemy's enemy is my friend." Letting Takeda Shingen hold onto Uesugi Kenshin. 

But, the Shingen of now is together with her ally Houjou Ujiyasu and is in a stalemate with Date Masamune, trapped in Odawara castle. 

"Skilled in attacking, Takeda-sama isn't very good with long periods of defensive battles. But the master of Odawara castle, Houjou-sama loves defensive battles, so she will definitely drag this battle on. And so, Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san have to go into Odawara castle directly and help defend it, letting the Date army retreat. As a reward, request Takeda-sama to help delay Uesugi-sama. With this, we can defeat the Asai Asakura allied forces who are guarding the Odani castle." 

Hanbei said, wanting to fight both Uesugi and Takeda together, the Oda clan will definitely fail. 

The sengoku strongest will definitely be Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin and Kai's Takeda Shingen. This is the common knowledge of this era. 

Though the Oda clan had successfully captured the capital with Nobuna's outstanding strategies, but the Owari army is just too weak. 

"Even if that's the case, it's still a problem whether if we can enter Odawara castle. And, just me and Saru, how can we defeat Date Masamune? If we really force Date Masamune to retreat Takeda Shingen should fulfill the promise. But... It's still too difficult!" 

Though Nobuna feels that Hanbei's plan is too hard to implement at the start, but Hanbei said instead, "If this goes on, the Oda clan will definitely be decimated by the Northern allied forces led by Uesugi-sama! We can only gamble. And Takeda-sama always likes Yoshiharu-san. Even if Nobuna-sama can't do it alone, if she brings along Yoshiharu-san, there might be some grounds for negotiation. So Nobuna-sama must go. From now on, we need to rely on Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san's intelligence, courage and luck, cough cough..." Hanbei coughed lightly while persuading Nobuna. 

Takeda Shingen likes Yoshiharu? During the time with Honbyo temple, didn't that fellow get special treatment from Kennya-sama? No matter how I think about it, I don't have a good feeling... While hesitating, Nobuna still mentioned about Hanbei's plan to the chief advisor of the Oda clan, Niwa Nagahide. And, 

"Full points. Though there's danger, but it's an unavoidable fate of all warriors. And, whatever we do is filled with dangers. Why don't we treat it as a rare chance and treat it like a premarital trip with Yoshiharu-sama?" 

Nagahide smiled while saying. And so, Nobuna executed Hanbei's plan. 

Correct. 

This is the hidden objective of this trip. 

Nobuna and Yoshiharu's premarital(?) trip. 

In this sengoku era where all heroes are out to conquer the world, both Nobuna and Yoshiharu do not know what will happen to them in the future. That the both of them are able to live till now like this together, it can even be said to be a miracle. And so, they must work even harder to live on. With this, since they can never be proper husband and wife, why don't they avoid the retainer's gaze and secretly marry at some faraway place... That was Nagahide's suggestion. 

Though Nobuna shyly said, "Y...Yo...You gotta be joking! Why must that fellow and I....", but she still asked Yoshiharu secretly and started this trip. 

Other than their ninja Goemon who is hiding in some dark corner, they didn't bring along anyone else. In the end, it's because of this reason too. 

This is Nobuna and Yoshiharu's trip. 

They can't bring Shibata Katsuie and Akechi Mitsuhide along especially. 

Katsuie treated protecting Nobuna's chastity like her own responsibility. 

And Mitsuhide had been suspecting about their relationship. 

It's Mitsuhide that gives them quite a headache. 

If one were to ask why, it's because Akechi Mitsuhide..... 

"Yoshiharu, aren't you having quite a long face from just now!? What's with you recently? The times you sigh is getting more frequent." 

"Ah? Ahh~ Sorry about it, I'm getting hungry." 

"There seems to be quite a good inn in Hakone! Though it's quite expensive, but because it's new, it's said that the decor is quite beauitful and the room can overlook Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. Let's take that inn then!" 

"Oh, ohh... Ok..." 

"Then let's stay in the same room!" 

"Y...Yeah... There's only Goemon protecting us this time, from the angle of one protecting us, a single room is better." 

"Ex...Exactly. D...Don't be expecting something! Yo...You understand?" 

"O...Oh... I...I understand. I... I will be gentle. So, you will endure it during the start, right Kichi...." 

"Oi, wh...what are you talking about!? Well... Forget it. Let's go in. Well, th... the first step is to use the onsen to wash our bodies clean. D...Do...Don't you be too greedy." 

"I...I got it... Ah, I'm thirsty. N...Not good, I'm starting to get nervous!" 

"Nervous... You're really perverted." 

"I...It...It's not like that!" 

"Ara ara, how close the both of you are, I can't stand it any longer." Goemon who god knows where she is hiding sighed softly. 

"Goemon, when did you start watching us!? You, when it's at the critical period, hurry and disappear! It's forbidden to peek!" 

"Ye...Yeah, Goemon!" 

"The lonely me will hide in the darkness and open up a barrier around the inn." 

It has finally come to this, Sagara-shi. If it doesn't stand at the critical moment, don't be sad, yit(eat) this medicine. Dropping a small bag at Yoshiharu's head in the dango shop, she disappears like always. 

"What's this?" 

"It's a secret medicine of the ninjas. During the time at Okehazama, it's the same as the medicine that was applied on to Sagara-shi and Maeda-shi." 

"...Ahh~ It's that medicine. Letting the limbs be filled with energy and causing the body to heat up, like it's burning..." 

"Hmmm, because it's too nutritious, it's quite common to have a nosebleed, please take note." 

"I got it." 

"So we have finally reached the "Rabu Hotel". Though I'm not afraid, but I feel so nervous..." Nobuna swings around while hugging tightly to Yoshiharu's arms. 

Such a cute girl is actually.... I'm just too lucky. Oi, Tokichirou-jii-san, even if I abandon the dream of opening a harem and love only Nobuna, You shouldn't have any opinions, right? This is the best bishoujo in the world no matter if it's the exterior or her heart! Yoshiharu looks at the Mount Fuji that was bathed in the light of the setting sun as he thinks inside his heart. 

This is just too joyous for me! Yoshiharu himself can't believe it. 

Though the two of them will risk death to sneak into Odawara castle. 

Though it's the plan of the genius strategist Hanbei, it's not ensured that it will definitely succeed. 

Especially when Hanbei said, "Please be careful of Houjou Ujiyasu-sama, Yoshiharu-san. Though Takeda Shingen-sama is a righteous person who will never do a thing like assassination, but Houjou Ujiyasu is a strategist that's hard to fathom. She is that kind of person who won't be bound by a set of rules of reasons and will think of a plan on the fly, so do not reveal any openings. To not regret in the end, please be very careful. Uhh, uhh.", she had given such a warning when they were moving out. 

And so, I must join with Nobuna tonight. 

Tonight isn't the time to be embarrassed, troubled and withdrawn. 

Just how much do I love Nobuna, and how I'm attracted by her, I must tell Nobuna no matter what. I can't just tell her using words, I must show it with my actions! 

So, Yoshiharu had made up his mind. 

"As Aneue's substitute, is it really safe that I won't be revealed? Katsuie? Do I look like a bishoujo now?" 

"Yes, perfect. Hime-sama. No matter how I see you, you're the most beautiful, cute, and awesome Oda Nobuna-sama in the warring states! It's already at the level that I want to push you down! Hahaha!" 

"Ka...Katsuie? Why are you using such a hungry tiger-like eyes to look at me? I'm not Aneue, s...so, don't look at me like that~" 

Northern Omi..... 

Facing the Odani castle that was guarded by Asai Asakura allied forces, there's a small mountain full of green, Mount Toragozen. 

This is the foremost base of the Oda army who is facing Asai Asakura. 

If the Asai Asakura allied forces entered Kyoto where both the Yamato Gose and Imagawa Yoshimoto are staying at, it will be Nobuna's loss. 

Here, to not let the Asai Asakura army head out, the Nobuna armies are guarding it with their full force. But, there had been rumors that the dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin had already started to reinforce Asai Asakura. No matter if it's the commoners or the soldiers, they are already discussing, "This time, the Oda army will definitely be chased out of Kyoto." 

But currently, Nobuna is together with the eloquent (Skilled in deceiving girls) Yoshiharu to ask Takeda Shingen to delay Uesugi Kenshin from entering the eastern provinces. 

Right now, if Asai Asakura's side know that the commander in chief Nobuna isn't at the base of Mount Toragozen, things will go downhill. 

So, the plan that the strategist Takenaka Hanbei thought of, is to arrange for a substitute of Nobuna to be at Mount Toragozen to scare the enemy at Odani castle. 

But Nobuna does not have any sisters, the perfect doll-like face of the no 1 beauty of Owari, Nobuna is very famous, one can distinguish it even from afar. 

Recently, there's a convenient tool called "telescope" that was from namban. Even from the Odani castle, one can see Nobuna who is in her main base of Mount Toragozen. 

One that can be the substitute of Nobuna, there isn't any in Oda's camp. 

If it's about bishoujo, there's quite a few with Akechi Mitsuhide as the head, but there weren't any who looks like Nobuna. 

"And so, with the help of my cross dressing skills, I Tsuda Kanjuurou will act as Aneue! I'm not boasting but in the Oda clan, there's only me who looks like Aneue. Hahaha!" 

So, 

The substitute that Hanbei chosen is Nobuna's brother, Tsuda Nobusumi. 

Though Nobusumi is Oda clan's prince, he is a bishounen with the same look as Nobuna. 

And, other than having a girl like look, he likes cross-dressing. 

Other than him, there isn't anyone more suitable to be Nobuna's substitute. 

"You're so cute that I almost forget that you're really a guy, and you look exactly the same as Hime-sama. Ahh, I can't endure it anymore. Hime-sama, it must be hot for you to wear the namban armor. Let me Katsuie help you to change! Hahahaha!" 

"Wa...Wait a minute, Katsuie! Why are you rushing over here!? Stop~ I have a wife~" 

"Please call me "Riku", Hime-sama, don't call me Katsuie. Then, call me "Riku" and order me around! If you fail, I will execute you, don't forget to say such cold words! Occasionally saying such harsh words is one of Hime-sama charm points! Hahahaha" 

"....Katsuie's loyalty to Aneue, how should I say it... Well, forget it!" 

The combination of Nobusumi who is wearing Nobuna's favorite namban armor and her vice commander Shibata Katsuie who is currently serving by her side, the both of them are acting out "Nobuna and her subordinate Katsuie" 

If it's Asai Nagamasa who had been Tsuda Nobusumi's wife for a short period of time getting near to the camp, she will definitely notice that this Nobuna is fake. But, if it's looking through a telescope from Odani castle, one shouldn't be able to notice anything different. 

From the back of both of them, as a Akahorushuu, wearing the tiger skin hat, Maeda Inuchiyo holds onto her spear as she stood there silently. 

"Anyway, where did Nagahide and Mitsuhide go to, Katsuie?" 

"....Haven't I told you to call me "Riku"!? You must act like the substitute!" 

"Katsuie, Katsuie. To not expose the substitute, it's no good if you undress Nobusumi's shirt." Inuchiyo warned expressionlessly. 

"Ahh, sorry, Riku.... So where did Niwa Nagahide and Akechi Mitsuhide go to~?" 

"Yes~ Nagahide is at Mount Azuchi and is currently supervising the construction work of Azuchi castle. As expected of Nagahide, working hard like this. Mitsuhide is spreading herself thin by moving around with the Yamato Gose, nobles, shogun and merchants in Kyoto." 

"There isn't any backup? This is making me uneasy." 

"It's not like this, if Asai Asakura forces have any movement, Mitsuhide will immediately lead an army and rush over to Mount Toragozen, please don't worry!" 

"I see~ I originally feel quite worried when I just have Katsuie as my vice commander, now I feel better~ Ahahahaha." 

"Please call me "Riku". What's that about!? And, "I see~" What's with such a dumb response!? At this moment, if you don't use a stiff expression and say, "Dearuka!", you are totally not like my Hime-sama!" 

"Dearuka!" ....Though Aneue loves saying that, but what does it mean?" 

"You are her brother, yet you know nothing of it. How sad it is. It is the short form of answering the retainers, "Is that so, I see." and it becomes, "Dearuka!" Hime-sama is smart but dislikes talking useless words. Before you turn this to your favorite verse, you gotta practise more. Dearuka! Dearuka!" 

"Dearuka! Dearuka! ..... Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka~ Ahh... It feels like a spell totally." 

"....Uhh~ Can we really be okay with such a substitute~!?" 

Katsuie scratched her head while she sighed. 

"Hahaha, there isn't any problem, Katsuie." 

"Call me "Riku"" 

"Sorry, sorry, okay, Riku? Oichi... No, if Asai Nagamasa attacks suddenly, I will try to stop her even if I have to give my life away. I had promised her this, it will be the end when we next meet. Don't need to worry." 

Only when he talks about Asai Nagamasa, the usually carefree Nobusumi will become serious, since he's the frivolous gentleman of Owari. Though he's currently acting as the Hime-sama of Owari, Nobuna. 

When she was appointed as the vice commander of Mount Toragozen, she was asked by Nobusumi "Asai Nagamasa is actually a girl, don't say this out." Katsuie looks at Nobusumi's face with a questioning look, "When we talk about Nagamasa, he suddenly becomes suave as if he changed into someone else. Can love really bring upon such a big change?" 

"It will change~ Listen, a serious romance will change you no matter whether you want it or not, like your soul has been taken away by the other party. The instant you fall in love, you have to bear it. The so called responsibility... Because you are not alone anymore, you must accept the other party's everything." 

"Hmmm.... Now that you mentioned it, Saru too, though he is with that monkey face, but when it's time to protect Hime-sama, as if he had changed to someone else, he will become suave too.... Though it's still him, his eyes, or his expression, they are all different, so that's the power of love~" 

"I...If I were to fall in love, will I become cute too...." Katsuie mumbles to herself with a face full of admiration. 

"Katsuie hasn't fallen in love before?" 

"Call me "Riku", didn't I said so already!?" 

"....Huh, it's not like a tone that a girl of your age should have. Not to mention cute, you're totally the demon Katsuie. Katsuie is totally clueless about the ways of love." 

"....Even if it's me, if I fall in love, will I become more like a girl? Like Hime-sama recently? Ever since Hime-sama met Saru, she become much cuter than ever.... I...It's so unfair! Why isn't Hime-sama's affection target me!? Some time when Saru is sleeping, I must cut off his head!" 

"....This, Aneue liking Katsuie or something, isn't that totally impossible.... Hahaha." 

"Why? Ahh~ Ahh~ I want to fall in love too, though I can't reach the cuteness level of Hime-sama, I will at least become a girl like Nagahide." 

Ever since that skit incident, Katsuie had been treating Nagahide as her rival on a subconscious level. 

During the time when they were categorizing themselves, 

Katsuie = Big breasts, the enemy. 

Nagahide = Onee-san, pure type. 

Somehow, it becomes like this, Katsuie mumbled, "I want to act like a girl more." and her maiden heart suddenly awakes. 

"....Compared to love, dango seems more suitable for Katsuie, want some Uiroumochi?" 

To lose weight, with her mouth watering as she faced Inuchiyo who is using toothpicks to pick up the trembling Uiroumochi, Katsuie said, "No! From now on, looks is much more important than eating! My waist will become smaller! Uhh, I won't let anyone say I'm a cow with huge breasts anymore!" 

"How about changing your tone to be more like a girl?" 

Towards Nobusumi's suggestion, "Yeah. The speaking methods of future girls, I had learnt quite abit from Saru... Though I'm embarrassed... but to defeat Nagahide, I'm willing to do anything! No, let me do it!" Katsuie blinked alluringly while she feels embarrassed. 

At this time, not far from the camp, Takenaka Hanbei is acting out the defensive strategies of Mount Toragozen. The shikigamis Zenki and Gouki were wiping Hanbei's forehead to help reduce her temperature. 

"You should rest a little, my master. You hadn't been sleeping since last night. You're overworked." 

"....Cough cough.... This time round, though I'm the one who planned this negotiation with Takeda-sama, but there's quite a big risk factor in it. No matter what, I got a bad feeling about this. I must come up with a pefect plan that can manage any situation that occurs. 

"But, due to the holy light of Mount Hiei being extinguished, your "Ki" has been weakened. Don't push yourself too hard." 

"I know, Zenki-san. I will go rest after I finish writing these. There isn't much time left for me... Cough cough cough." 

"Ohhh, you are really... You have already worked so hard, no one will say anything if you just act spoilt a little." 

Zenki's eyes met with Gouki who was wiping Hanbei's forehead with a face full of worry. 

"Though I want to explain everything to Sagara Yoshiharu, but master will definitely lecture us." 

“……” 

"Gouki. Sagara Yoshiharu isn't dumb. He often worries for master. But... Though that person is cheerful by nature, it's precisely because of that cheerfulness that he easily overlooks things." 

No matter if it's Zenki or Gouki, none of them can change Hanbei's decision. 

"Right now, I have to go become Yoshiharu's substitute. I'm going over to the main camp now." 

Though Zenki can't change to become another person totally, but his imitation skills are not a problem at all. 

To let the opponent think that Nobuna is still at Mount Toragozen, Hanbei has to let Nobusumi be Nobuna's substitute and had even prepared Yoshiharu's substitute. 

That's Zenki. 

"Zenki-san, I'm leaving the rest to you. Cough, cough." 

"Uhh." 

Worried, Zenki looks on as Hanbei continues coughing.