Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 7 - Chapter 2

Chapter 2 : Akechi Mitsuhide ~Three way shootout~ Love Quarrel 

Akechi Mitsuhide, who was appointed as Kyoto's commander in charge, is at Honnouji temple having an elegant tea ceremony with the officials, merchants, warriors and the shogun Imagawa Yoshimoto. 

Having a kumquat accessory, a wide forehead and a very cute face, the blood of the distinguished Tosa Genji clan flows in Akechi Mitsuhide. She is not only skilled in tea ceremonies, but she also knows the ways of the officials and is a necessary warrior for Nobuna. The rural ways of the Oda clan can never mix well with the elegant nobles' culture. Without Mitsuhide, no matter if it's governing Kyoto or communicating with the Yamato Gose, it's impossible to just rely on the Oda clan. 

"Today, we have brought along three experts of tea ceremonies in Sakai. You guys, it's your show from now on." While giving an elegant smile, Mitsuhide passionately served the guests as she said. 

The three experts from Sakai are, 

"Not long ago, the takoyaki that Akechi-san used negi to create, that type where you even used Hatcho Miso. It has been selling now, right?" 

Governing the city of commerce, Sakai, he's Imai Soukyuu. Wearing a single lens glasses imported from namban, he is a stubborn geezer with a huge build. No matter when, the conversation will always be about money and trading. Rather than an expert in tea ceremonies, he is a merchant totally. 

"Being called an expert along with Naya's master and Rikyuu-sama, I don't deserve those kind words." 

Compared to Imai Soukyuu, Tsuda Sougyu has a pale face with a thin body build. He seems heavy with thoughts as he keeps what he thinks in his heart, a representative of Sakai along with Imai Soukyuu. Though he is now following along with Imai Soukyuu unconditionally, but he is an ambitous man that will never easily give up on standing at the top of Sakai. 

And then, there's the last person. 

“……” 

A very famous tea ceremony girl among the merchants of Sakai, Sen no Rikyuu. 

Wearing an exotic attire that combines namban culture with the normal Japanese wafuku, she didn't utter a single noise. But somehow, what's mysterious is, everyone present seem to have heard Rikyuu's greetings. 

The tea cups that Rikyuu brought over are all rare products. 

Compared to Imai Soukyu and Tsuda Sougyu who had brought luxurious and rare tea cups because they are meeting with the shogun, the tea sets that Rikyuu brought are common tea cups that are in strange shapes. Some of their shapes are totally weird, and a couple of them even have openings. 

And, those tea sets are basically all black. 

"It's like this. This is Rikyuu's preference, not being bound by the common rules of this era is the proof of Rikyuu-san being a top expert of tea ceremony. 

"....Ahh! I'm humbled." 

Amidst Imai Soukyu and Tsuda Sougyu's consistent compliments, Rikyuu blushes as she starts to prepare tea for the guests. 

With the preparation starting, the things in the teacup starts swirling around. 

“……” 

"So fascinating, how should I describe it? Hohoho, what a mysterious person!" 

With his black teeth and white eyebrows (A trend of ancient Japan....), when the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa in his noble attire received the tea that was served, he can't help but be stunned by the scene unfolding in the tea cup. 

Th...This isn't the famous product of Kyo, Macha of Uji Kanbayashi but grape wine from namban. 

That's the so called red wine. 

And, floating on top of the grape wine are... 

"Aren't those sprinkles of gold!? Ju...Just when did you put them in?" 

Those are extremely small sprinkles of pure gold. 

“……” 

Using tea for alchemy, Rikyuu explained silently. 

"Ho...How is this possible.... How can namban wine cause such a miracle!? Don't tell me Rikyuu-sama is a Christian?" 

“……” 

Rikyuu nodded her head lightly. 

In replacement of the quiet Rikyuu, Imai Soukyu explained to the shocked Konoe Sakihisa, "It's the marvelous part of how Rikyuu adds in the techniques of Christianity into tea ceremonies." 

"Rikyuu-sama's shop is called "Sakanaya". Sakana is the representative of Christianity's God, Jesus. And, in Sen no Rikyuu's name, there are all crosses on it. It's precisely because Rikyuu is a genius that she has created a new alchemy technique that fuses namban culture with tea ceremonies!" 

[1] 

"I see, though I don't have much of a liking for namban, but to actually do alchemy during a tea ceremony... One has to respect such an act!" 

"The golden city of commerce Sakai will definitely be more prosperous with the new tea ceremony that Rikyuu-sama created. 

Imai Soukyu nodded his head deeply as he hinted to Konoe Sakihisa with his eyes. 

The two of them aren't bound by their status of being an extremely important official and merchant and were actually maintaining contact in secret. The ambitous Konoe Sakihisa who wants to obtain the world for himself had been secretly fanning the flames of conflict on those who opposes Nobuna. Towards the behavoiur and tone of Sakihisa, though Nobuna and the rest did not mind, but he had been talking to Uesugi Kenshin in secret too. Tsuda Sougyu might be following Nobuna outwardly but in fact, he is secretly conspiring with Konoe Sakihisa. 

"Oh hohohoho! Let us drink too. These gold pieces are said to be beneficial to the skin! Oh hohohoho!" 

Saying that was the shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto, she is energetically wearing a grandiose attire as usual. 

Though she is just a puppet shogun to Nobuna, but she who had believed it for real is drinking tea or playing soccer with the nobles as she treats socializing to be part of the shogun work, which makes her very suitable for Nobuna's quest for Tenka Fubu. 

“……” 

"Ara ara. Please give us Matcha." 

"Yeah, things like wine, we should wait till we are older. So, Rikyuu, can you give us Matcha?" 

“……” 

"Oh, hohoho, thanks! Uhh, bitter...!" 

"Though I really wish to pull this puppet shogun over to the anti-Nobuna side, but I am not sure if she's crazy or just plain dumb, as she seems very satisfied with her current situation..." Konoe Sakihisa used his eyes to communicate with Tsuda Sougyu. 

"Takeda Shingen is currently trapped at Kantou, the reliable Osaka Honbyo temple has also signed a 1 year peace treaty with Nobuna. Now if we can't even use the shogun, we can only rely on Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin." 

"If that's the case, though we can't eliminate the Oda clan with just Asai Asakura, but if it's the god of war...Uesugi Kenshin-sama...." 

"But, what's depressing is, Echigo is quite far away. Damn it, in the anti-Nobuna faction near the capital, is there no capable person!?" 

"Is there such a person still? The Miyoshi three had fled to Shikoku, Iga's Rokoku is missing after being defeated at the battle of Sanzan, Kii's Saika Magoichi had gone missing too, even that traitorous Matsunaga Danjo is staying silently at Yamato....." 

"Even if there's none, we should at least do something." 

"Okok, please drink too, warriors of the capital." Akechi Mitsuhide said happily without any knowledge of Konoe and Tsuda's ambitions. 

"Thank you so much! Amen." The Christian Daimyo, Takayama Ukon kissed the cross hanging on his neck while receiving the cup from Rikyuu's hands. 

Due to the namban culture slowly seeping into the capital from Sakai, there are more and more Christian Daimyos. Many of them are Rikyuu's disciples. 

The gothic loli that had fused Christian rituals into tea ceremonies had captured their hearts. 

The devout Christian, Takayama Ukon place the bread into the grape wine while chanting softly, "Lord's blood, Lord's flesh...", he prayed with teary eyes. What a perfect show of Christianity. 

The official Konoe Sakihisa cannot understand completely. 

"If we keep letting the culture of these uncouth namban people seep into the capitial, the future of the Yamato Gose will be in danger." 

And so, his will to oppose the namban loving Nobuna becomes even stronger. 

While sipping the grape wine, Mitsuhide's wide forehead became red instantly. But, it's not just because of the alcohol. Mitsuhide had recalled, that conversation she had a few nights ago with Yoshiharu. 

…… 

That happened in the thick forests of Osaka, a night full of the beauty of the moon. 

"The one that Sagara-senpai likes, is she Nobuna-sama?" 

"When did it start? Don't tell me...." As she had an uneasy feeling about it, during the time when she was strolling with Sagara-senpai, Juubei voiced out her doubts frankly. 

Juubei thought, it was at that instant when the Oda clan won during the namban soccer event of Osaka Honbyo temple. 

Looking at the sight where Nobuna-sama was hugged up by Sagara-senpai amidst all the joy, Juubei's insides seemed to feel pain as if needles were poking them. Unease that had never been felt before assaulted Juubei. 

If Sagara-senpai really has unethical feelings for Nobuna-sama, won't it become a huge obstacle for the mission of the Oda clan to conquer the world!? 

A Hime-sama that had control over Kyo and obtained the world and an insignificant retainer that doesn't even have a proper status. 

If the lecherous Senpai pushed Nobuna-sama down... Won't Senpai totally destroy the proper hierarchy of this country? 

Well, though Senpai who had fulfilled his wish will immediately be executed by Nobuna-sama, but won't that caused even worst comments compared to the burning of Mount Hiei to Nobuna-sama? 

The joining of a daimyo and her retainer is already a nonsensical problem, it's even more serious that the other party isn't even a samurai. No, Sagara-senpai isn't a farmer or a merchant..... 

Definitely not! 

I, Juubei, who has the distinguished blood of the Tsuchizaki clan, though there's a huge difference of family status with Sagara-senpai, it's not very suitable too. But because we are both important retainers of the Oda clan, we still can get married barely. And, if it's to remove the chains forbidding Nobuna-sama to obtain the world and to get married to Senpai, I will do it no matter how many times I have to choose. 

But at that time, Senpai had averted the question...... 

Don't tell me, Senpai really likes Nobuna-sama? 

The close relationship between the two of them at the namban soccer event, it's not strange at all to suspect them. 

And so, I have to ask Sagara-senpai. 

"What is the relationship between the two of you? Sagara-senpai should know that this is a romance that won't be forgiven by the world, do you still like Nobuna-sama? You should know that what awaits you is just a tragic end, you still......" 

When she thinks about the pitiful Nobuna-sama being pushed down by Saru, Juubei unknowingly shed a tear. 

I...It's definitely not because I feel that Sagara-senpai is too pitiful that I've cried! 

Do...Don't tell me, it's because I realized my own pitiful situation that I'm crying.... Impossible! 

"I'm serious, please answer me properly." 

Something like I Juubei li....liking Senpai is definitely impossible! 

And so, the tears of that time, it...it's definitely not because of the pain of Senpai's unrequited love......... that I cried unknowingly. 

I....Is that really so? 

And then, on that night, Senpai put on a rarely shown serious look as he held onto my shoulders gently, looking straight into my tearful eyes. 

Su...Suddenly looking at me with such a serious expression, I will become em...embarrassed. 

Though I'm saying things like hurry and let me go, but why do I just struggle lightly while not resisting much at all? 

The Saru from the future, maybe he knows some hypnosis trick that controls my heart. 

Senpai is really like a child as he used a passionate tone, "Yeah, I respect Nobuna from my heart. I want to help Nobuna conquer the world. Though Nobuna who had control over Kyoto can be said to have conquered the world. But, the "world" I'm talking about is much bigger! Juubei-chan." 

"A queen that has control over the whole of Japan, is that what you mean?" 

"Not just that, though I'm not familiar with history outside of the sengoku era, but the fact about Oda Nobuna being born in the sengoku era will become a huge point of change for this country. It's almost like creating a new country! If it's about creating a whole new Japan that even I have not seen before, I feel that Nobuna is one of the few that can do it! Nobuna isn't like the future Sakamoto Ryouma." 

"Who is this Sakamoto Ryouma?" 

"Hmmm. Sakamoto Ryouma is from Tosa, he's the descendant of Juubei!" 

"Mine? Descendant? W...Wh...Wh...Who...Who is my husband? Don't tell me?" 

"I don't know about that too." 

Instantly, my heart seemed to be jumping out. 

"Juubei-chan, not just Japan, Nobuna is someone that can change all the destinies of the people in this planet! Though you might not understand what I'm talking about, as even I have no idea what I'm talking about too, but Nobuna isn't a simple character of just relying on military strength to unify the warring states! Definitely not! She is a hero that has the ability, the ambition to change the history of this planet! Why do you think I have come to this sengoku era from the future? It must be to help Nobuna change Japan's destiny, no, to change this world's destiny. This must be the mission that I have!" 

When this man is talking about his dream, his expression is just so bright. The current Sagara-senpai is passionately talking to me about his own ideas.... Sagara-senpai trusts and relies on me so much. 

Her lips were tightly shut, and saliva sprayed onto her face. Even so, Juubei can't avert her eyes from Yoshiharu's face. 

"When I came to the sengoku era, to ease my heart, I kept telling myself, I'm here in this world to help Nobuna. But, after successfuly averting the 10 year war with Honbyo temple, I truly believed, I'm really here in this world for Nobuna! This world's history is changing violently. The navigation era is about to come. Didn't Europe have lots of ships out to explore the world? Missionary ships that are cruising the world, pirate ships that are searching for treasure, trading ships that are trading all around the world, and military ships that are using their strength to colonize other countries... Arquebus and Christianity is changing Japan in a great way. From now on, Japan will also be wrapped into this "Navigation era". The one that can face such a huge change, right now, there's only one who can do such a thing in this country, that is the free-spirited and energetic Nobuna who isn't bound by the common sense of this world! If this era's Japan clamped up like a shell to face such a world, some day in the future, there will be lots of ships from other countries gathered here that are much stronger than Japan! Once then, Japan can never hope to catch up with Europe and other countries!" 

"Senpai, at that time, will my descendant Sakamoto Ryouma save this country? As expected from the descendant of the smart and elite Juubei!" 

"Hmm, but after that, Japan goes into circles. But, if we start changing from the sengoku era that Nobuna is in now, we can still catch up to Europe! No, we can surpass them! Frois-chan once said, I will create history! Wasn't I sent to this era's Japan to help Japan avoid the different disasters prophesized by different people? Though I don't believe in God, I still have totally no idea, why am I selected? But if... I have no choice but to believe now, it's because God wants to change the history of Japan and the world that He sent me to Nobuna's side." 

Senpai is totally treating Nobuna-sama as a god to admire. I'm so envious of Nobuna-sama.... Juubei's expression turned to that of envy. 

Eh, why am I suddenly envying Nobuna-sama? 

".....Yeah. Nobuna who had recruited me who had came out of nowhere and trained me to become a proper warrior, she's like a god from a different point of view. If people ask if I idolize her, I think so." 

"D...Do you like Nobuna-sama? Answer me properly." 

"Uh, uhh. If it's about liking her or not, it's of course.... I like her." 

Once the world like came out from Senpai's mouth, Juubei's heart seemed to have stopped. 

"....Then, as expected, Senpai likes.......Nobuna-sama." 

"Ye....Yeah. But... it will never come true, you should understand, right?" 

Juubei had finally managed to listen to Senpai's real thoughts. 

I shouldn't have asked.... While Juubei was regretting that, she felt an urge to nurse Senpai who had to bear a romance that is destined to not have any result. 

Because of the status difference, something like Nobuna-sama liking this ugly Saru-senpai, it's definitely impossible even if the world fell apart! 

The unpopular Senpai is so pitiful, Juubei once again shed tears for him. 

"I beg you, Juubei-chan. If Juubei isn't around Nobuna's side, the dream of Nobuna pacifying the sengoku chaos and stepping into the wide oceans will never come true. The quest of Tenka Fubu of the Oda clan is an extremely difficult task. Loving to make enemies and committing arson, the violent Nobuna can never do it alone. The help of the well-bred, understanding and decisive Juubei is definitely necessary." 

"....Really?" 

"Yeah. This is the history of the country that I know. Because I'm the one saying it, it can't be wrong." 

Once again, Sagara-senpai looks at me. 

That sad gaze upon me... as if he's crying, the eyes that is seemingly hiding some sort of tragic secret is looking right at me, Juubei Mitsuhide. 

I really want to hug him. 

Just what secret is Senpai hiding? 

In the history that Senpai knows, is what that is awaiting everyone a tragic end? 

Juubei who isn't from the future had no way of knowing it. 

But, Juubei understands deeply the words of Senpai. 

"And so... I don't care what happens to me, but please don't have any weird doubts towards Nobuna! Juubei-chan, I'm begging you." 

Like he's proposing, Juubei is being asked. 

Senpai seems close to kneeling down as he keeps begging Juubei. 

T...To be asked like this, not trusting Nobuna-sama or something, Juubei can't say them at all. 

"Go...Got it. but, to disperse the rumors between the two of you, it's better for Senpai to marry someone. So, please marry me, Juubei." 

"Eh? Why?" 

"Does Senpai really think that you can become husband and wife with Nobuna-sama?" 

"I know... I know that she's a girl that I can never have no matter what I do, I know that...." 

Senpai has a very sad look on his face. 

No matter if it's the eyes that were looking at Juubei, or the small mumblings to himself that he can't get close to Nobuna-sama, all of them is just so tragic. 

".......But, I have decided not to marry before fulfilling Nobuna's dream. Only by fulfilling her dream can I fulfill mine. Before that, It's better to maintain status quo." 

Senpai, do you really think so? 

What's Senpai's dream? 

Is it the same as Nobuna-sama? 

Though Sagara-senpai is so pure that she can see through him in an instant, but deep in his heart, he seems to be hiding something. 

Never telling anyone, a very very tragic secret. 

This, isn't just a feeling held by someone yearning to go back to his own era.... 

It's an even deeper and painful feeling. 

And so, before Juubei realized what she was doing, she had already kissed the lips of Sagara-senpai. 

Like this, I hope I can heal the heart of Senpai that is full of sadness. 

So, before she could even think, she had kissed him. 

".....You? What are you doing? Juubei-chan!? Uwahh! I've kissed with Juubei-chan!?" 

"Senpai, I believe in Senpai. Senpai will no longer have the impossible dream of being together with Nobuna-sama, right? If so, before Senpai and I become a daimyo governing our own provinces, before Senpai and I Juubei get married, I will continue waiting." 

"Eh? Why must you say that? Juubei-chan, notice the atmosphere a little...." 

"Senpai....Don't tell me you hate Juubei? Uhh, uhhhhh." 

"Uwahhh, don't cry! How can I hate you!" 

Just to mention, that's a fake cry. 

"If it's kissing, I'm ok whenever you want it. But, Senpai is always cheerful. A dark expression and a sad look almost close to crying, those aren't suitable for you, Senpai." 

Correct, that's just helping him out. 

Senpai yearns to return to his own world and be reunited with his mother. Crying when no one is looking. Only I Juubei knows of such a thing. 

I'm so unlucky to have chanced upon Senpai's secret, ahh.... 

Looking at Senpai with that face of his, how can I not care at all? 

"Sagara-senpai, see you tomorrow then." 

"Wa...Wait a minute? Juubei-chan. Why did you kiss me just now?" 

Senpai who chased after me who had walked off due to being too embarrassed, a trip from the stone steps makes him give up in the end. 

Geez, the worst kind of guy no matter where he is. 

Ahh, why did I say such an embarrassing thing to Senpai? Why did I even kiss him? 

Don't tell me... Don't tell me, not just nursing Senpai's sadness, don't tell me I Juubei have... towards that fake prince of the monkey kingdom... Don't tell me I like him.... That shouldn't be...! 

…… 

"Im...Impossible! That's definitely impossible! I Juubei just feels that that monkey prince is too pitiful... And with a feeling the same as caring for a lost animal, I'm just being gentle to Senpai! It's definitely not like that!" 

"Crouching over alone and writing a "?" on the tatami... What's with you, Akechi-san?" 

"Mitsuhide-sama, what happened to you? Are you fatigued from the fighting on the battlefield?" 

"Mitsuhide-sama, after this tea ceremony, shouldn't you rest?" 

"Ah? I Juubei is mere... merely distracted just now, so sorry!" 

Mitsuhide's consciousness returned back to the tea ceremony finally. 

The possibility of Yoshiharu and Nobuna falling into a forbidden love should be zero now. It's Yoshiharu's unrequited love as expected. Yoshiharu will give up on this impossible love upon his own discretion... Mitsuhide believes it firmly. 

But, unease just creeps in no matter what. 

Other than holding on to Yoshiharu tightly and not letting him get near to Nobuna, there's no other way. 

Because, if Yoshiharu continues to move ahead in this forbidden love, the ending that awaits can only be the utter destruction of both Yoshiharu and Nobuna's reputation. 

“……” 

Rikyuu silently hands Mitsuhide a cup. 

Inside the black tea cup, it isn't matcha but grape wine. 

“……” 

Wanting to understand the thinking of Sagara Yoshiharu, it might be better to try joining Christinaity, Rikyuu said wordlessly. 

“……” 

Because the namban culture seems to be closer to the future culture than the current Japanese culture. 

Mitsuhide had heard from Yoshiharu too, there's namban culture everywhere in the future Japan. 

"Y...Yeah. Maybe that can put me closer to understanding Senpai seemingly pure but hard to understand thoughts. I...I Juubei don't actually want to understand him, but because he is quite a lewd guy, the bad rumors from him have never stopped." 

"Is...Is it about the bad rumors of Sagara-sama?" 

The voice of Tsuda Sougyu interjected suddenly. 

"The rumor of a kiss on Christmas night by Oda Nobuna-sama and Sagara Yoshiharu-sama has spread far and wide, no matter if it's Kyoto or Sakai. This can never go unanswered!" 

"....Uhh. Th...That is merely a rumor." 

"Now that you talk about it, I Sakihisa had heard about it too. The kids in Kyo have been mischievous, a rumor like this spreads extremely fast. If it's really true, that will be quite the news!" 

"Hohoho, comments are to be feared!" Konoe Sakihisa laughed joyfully without hiding as he revealed his black front teeth. 

"Hime-sama and Sagara-sama? Even if Himiko-sama gave him a high rank like Chikuzen no Kami, a thing like marrying his own master is impossible still. And besides, the girls that Sagara-sama can choose, there's so many." Imai Soukyu finished his tea with a gloomy look. 

"Hohoho. That unknown monkey and his own master, and it's her who has obtained the world, it's impossible even if that monkey becomes an official. It's impossible even if everything fell apart. Someone without any status in japan can never be an offical. And isn't Sakihisa-sama that is holding the Kampaku seat right now!?" 

Mitsuhide became extremely uneasy. 

In Kyoto.... And Sakai.... Rumors!? 

And, it had most likely reached Yamato Gose! 

"That's bad, the rumor has spread exceptionally fast! It's almost as if someone is spreading it on purpose... And, Senpai and Nobuna is currently at Mount Toragozen! No matter how sharp Shibata Katsuie-sama's eyes might be, Shibata-sama isn't too clear with the relationships between men and women, it's not impossible for that lewd Saru to push down Nobuna-sama behind Shibata-sama's back." 

That stubborn Yoshiharu had already said that he likes Nobuna. 

It's very likely that Yoshiharu will push down Nobuna with force. 

And, Yoshiharu has the strange power to make the girls of the warring states jump, even I Juubei had kissed with him. 

"Ahh! That isn't the intentions of I Juubei! Senpai must have a hypnosis technique that only someone from the future will have, that's definitely true!" 

Nobuna-sama might be charmed by that technique too. And then, before she realize it, it's already..... 

And then, Nobuna-sama who had become back to normal will definitely cut Yoshiharu's head off. Th...That's already too late. It will definitely create a rumor more destructive than what's currently circulating! 

"If Senpai who had gone berserk pushed down Nobuna-sama and everything is being exposed, the Oda clan will definitely be destroyed right then." 

Mitsuhide became restless. 

"I'm relying on Tsuda Sougyu-sama for the thing about Waka, I've suddenly thought of something that I've not done, I must return back to Mount Toragozen immediately!" 

Totally ignoring everyone's call to stay, Mitsuhide rode her horse out of Honnouji with lightning speed and went straight towards Mount Toragozen. On the way, she pushed forward with a high speed boat through Lake Biwa. 

"No...No...Nobuna-sama! Saru! As expected, the two of them are together! Now, the rumors about the two of you are already spreading like crazy! That's why Shibata Katsuie is a fool! Where is that fellow!?" 

The incident where Juubei rushed into the main camp of Mount Toragozen without any care at all happened during nightfall on that day. 

I don't really care about the rest, Katsuie isn't in the main camp, Inuchiyo mumbled while chewing on her Uiroumochi, "Katsuie went to pee." Then, Nobuna is allowing Yoshiharu to help strip off her namban armor. 

They are going to do something starting from now?! 

Mitsuhide is furious. 

"W...WH...WH...WHA....WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING!? MAEDA-SAMA, WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THEMMMMMMMMM!?" 

"Ara ara, isn't that Mitsuhide? I want to go to the toilet with Katsuie too, but I can't seem to strip off Aneue's armor." 

"Ara ara, I'm not very sure of the workings of the namban armor too, I can't strip it off too." 

"It's coming out, hurry! Anyway, the namban armor is hard to strip and it's so stuffy, I must hurry and change to something more lightweight." 

Ahh, what's going on? 

Mitsuhide is shocked. 

Both Nobuna and Yoshiharu aren't in the main camp of Mount Toragozen. 

The one acting as Nobuna is her brother, Nobusumi. 

And then, isn't that Takenaka Hanbei's shikigami Zenki who had transformed into Yoshiharu? 

"Where's Nobuna-sama? Saru? Where the hell did they go to? Did they abandon this foremost fortress!?" 

Don't tell me that Saru went berserk and kidnapped Nobuna-sama? 

Not knowing about Hanbei's plan, Mitsuhide is at a complete loss of words. 

"The reason to not let Mitsuhide know, it should be quite obvious." 

The panicking Mitsuhide held a Japanese katana right at Nobusumi's neck. 

"TELL ME NOW, IF NOT, I'M CUTTING OFF YOUR HEAD!" 

Killing her own master's brother herself, that is totally an act of treason. 

"Ahh~ If I tell you, please spare me~ To negotiate with Takeda Shingen, Aneue and Saru had gone out!" 

"Only the two of them?" 

"The ninja had followed them. Ninjas are always either in the ground or in the water, so it can be counted as just the two of them." 

"Oioi, if you let this missy chase them, things are gonna get bad. Don't reveal the secret!" 

"FOX, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! OI, YOU FAKE, WHERE DID THE TWO OF THEM GO OFF TOO?" 

"O....O...Odawara castle. The base of the Houjou clan. Cu...Currently, Takeda Shingen is guarding Odawara castle along with Houjou Ujiyasu.... I heard them saying, "Let's go to Odawara castle while appreciating Mount Fuji. If we are discovered by the samurai it will be bad, so let's walk with our legs over slowly."" 

"OI~! GOING TO ODAWARA CASTLE IS DEFINITELY AN EXCUSE SPROUTED BY THAT SARU TO BE TOGETHER WITH NOBUNA-SAMA! THAT MAN IS JUST A LEWD MONKEY WHO ONLY KNOWS HOW TO COME UP WITH EVIL PLANS!" 

From the instant Nobusumi said the timing that the two of them moved out at, Mitsuhide had been calculating in her head. 

They should be moving towards Kakegawa, Yaizu and Toukaido while admiring Mount Fuji's view as they move closer towards Odawara castle. 

But if the two of them are just walking there, they shouldn't have reached Odawara castle. 

The reason why is because before they reached Odawara castle.... Correct, it's Mount Hakone! 

Hakone is a place famous for being dangerous. 

It's hard to move even with horses, the two of them are walking, it must be even harder for them. 

"If it's Mount Hakone, one will have to think about Lake Ashi. Tired from the trip, the two of them will definitely rest for a night in an inn there! It...It...It can't be wrong, the two of them will definitely get it on there!" 

Towards Nobusumi who is saying "Well! What's so bad about it. Don't seperate that pair of lovers!", Mitsuhide gave a hard punch right in his chest as she once again speed down from Mount Toragozen with her horse. 

"No matter what, please let nothing happen yet, Nobuna-sama! I should still be in time if I ride over! I Juubei will definitely protect you!" 

When the waning moon is high up in the sky... 

Yoshiharu and Nobuna who had climbed past Mount Hakone stayed in the inn by Lake Ashi. 

This time, Nobuna assumed the identity of "a daughter of a rich merchant active in Sakai" to book the most luxurious room in the inn. 

Opening the rear window, one can see a beautiful Japanese styled courtyard and opposite of it is the wide Lake Ashi and at it's back, the famed Mount Fuji. 

The bare legged Nobuna sat on the tatami with just her bathrobe, while eating Hakone's famous black dango, she was seemingly enjoying the precious time as she said, "Yoshiharu, though tomorrow is the critical period concerning our victory, but at least tonight, let us forget all about this chaotic times!" 

"Oh, ohh!" 

With a "It's finally here! Is this really happening!?", Yoshiharu seemed to have stoned as he started getting nervous. 

The black dango on the plate seemed to keep replenishing itself. 

"Anyway, why is the dango from Hakone black? I better bring some back for Nene since she's still a child." 

"Because they used Hakone's onsen, that's why it became black. I heard eating one of them can extend one's life for 7 years! If that's the case, since it's "a life of 20 years", eating three of them will be enough." 

"I had always thought about it, but don't you think "a life of 20 years" is too short? I remember in the lyrics of the song...." 

"In this chaotic period of the warring states, as a warrior, no one knows just how these 20 years will be. No matter if it's me or Yoshiharu, we had faced uncountable times of mortal danger." 

Nobuna flipped up her robes, letting Yoshiharu see the gunshot wound on her abdomen. 

To Yoshiharu now, even if it's a wound, as long as it's on Nobuna's body, it's just so beautiful. 

"Well....!" 

"Like this, a night of just us alone, it's like a miracle!" 

".....May...Maybe. Anyway, I'm not even considered to be from this era's." 

"For me, from a logical point of view, I don't believe in God. But, no matter if it's God or Buddha, or the will of someone from the future, it's a fact that Yoshiharu has been sent to my side." Nobuna pulled Yoshiharu's hand to her abdomen with her eyes shining. "If Yoshiharu isn't here, I would have definitely killed my brother and would have burned Mount Hiei and Honbyo temple, I might have even died on Okehazama or Kanegasaki. All in all, without Yoshiharu, it's impossible for me to reach this point." 

"No, it's not like that. Even if I'm not here, there will be someone else. That guy called himself Kinoshita Tokichirou. He had lost his life to protect me on the battlefield. So, I was just replacing that guy......" 

"Right now, don't think of others, just think about me!" 

"Umm, umm." 

While touching Nobuna's smooth abdomen, Yoshiharu is thinking, "I don't care who sent me, but it's the best that I'm here in this world. When I become a daimyo, I must build a temple to worship Tokichirou-jii-san who had helped me. 

The Nobuna who is resting on his chest is definitely the most beautiful person in the world. 

Yoshiharu's fingers slides past Nobuna's wound. 

"Does it still hurt?" 

"Uhh, kinda ticklish." 

What a cute smile. Damn, this is against the rules! I can't link the current her and that always fuming mad Nobuna together! Too cute, my heat can't take it anymore! 

Yoshiharu suddenly thought of Mitsuhide. 

"Anyway, at that time, didn't I already make things clear with Juubei, though I.... I want to express my feelings properly, but the situation now.... I totally can't imagine spending a night with Nobuna like this at that time. At that time, the me saying to Juubei "I had already given Nobuna up.", won't that be a lie.... And, Juubei suddenly kissing me during that time, just what was she planning? Is she just teasing me like always? Or, maybe....." 

During that time, Mitsuhide was as beautiful as the moon, standing out in that place full of forest. Even Yoshiharu who is devoted to Nobuna finds it hard to suppress the howl in his heart. 

It should be enough to reject with just "Before Nobuna completes her Tenka Fubu, I will never marry" an excuse like this, but I have a bad feeling somehow. If this continues on, can we really get married..... 

No matter how mindful she is about the rumors between Nobuna and I, she doesn't have to go to such an extent like marrying me. Juubei is really serious, don't tell me Juubei-chan likes me but she didn't notice it? If that's the case, it will be bad... Won't I be the reason for "The Incident at Honnouji"? 

Without knowing, Yoshiharu sighed. 

"Yoshiharu, you're thinking of other girls?" 

He was pinched on the cheek by the sensitive Nobuna. 

"Ow, ouch. H...How about Juubei? I'm kinda concerned." 

"How about Juubei? Didn't I say to only think about me tonight?" 

"Uh, uhh. Sorry about that." 

As expected, Nobuna is really scary.... The flesh on my face was almost torn out... Yoshiharu can't help but mumbled. 

The promise of building a harem with Tokichirou-jii-san, let's not care about that tonight. 

But, Yoshiharu doesn't regret it at all. Because the cutest girl in the world is currently right beside him. 

"You remember about our promise, right!? Before fulfilling my dream, Yoshiharu is to stay by my side. You belong to me, don't go anywhere." 

"Uhh, uhh. I did promise that before." 

"But, once my dream is fulfilled, won't the promise disappear? Is Yoshiharu going to abandon me and return to the future....." 

Suddenly, Nobuna's eyes darkened... 

Yoshiharu laughed as he poked at Nobuna's forehead with his fingernail. 

"Idiot. Even if I want to go back, I don't even know how to. And besides, I don't even know how did I come to this world in the first place." 

"Yeah, I became uneasy just now." 

"And I don't want to return anyway. Though I'm worried for my friends and family members back in the future, but I'm more worried about you. You who will run to some dangerous place once my eyes are off you, and loves committing arson...." 

Actually, ever since Yoshiharu came to Nobuna's side, he had not considered at all how to go back. 

One of the reasons is because of the busy workload. Besides, the best girl in the world.... Such a perfect girl is right in front of me, why must I go back? 

Though it's true that it will be very lonely not seeing my family members and friends. But there's a sister like Nene in this world too, and lots of comrades. Most importantly, Nobuna is right here! 

"To me, Nobuna is the first!" 

".....I'm so happy!" 

Being caressed in the head by Yoshiharu, Nobuna closed her eyes like a kitty as she snuggled in Yoshiharu's chest. 

Ever since the Honbyo temple's namban soccer match, for some reason, Nobuna took up the cute habit of acting like a cat. She looks just like a kitten. 

"Yoshiharu, say "I like you"." 

"Eh, wh.... what? Do...Don't you feel embarrassed?" 

"Say it, when we pledge everlasting love, don't be embarrassed, hurry and say it out!" 

"You say it first. Liking Sagara Yoshiharu or something. I love you. I will only say it after you do." 

""I love you".....? What a strange way of saying things. The Christians are always using this word "love". 

"It means liking. In the future Japan, we use "I love you", a namban styled confession. If we give a ranking to liking someone, "I love you" is the highest and most official way of saying it. Like me, I'm a high school student in the future, so I don't have the experience of saying "I love you" before." 

"Uhh, "Love", huh? The namban style way of saying it is so cool... Hey, Yoshiharu, say to me, "I love you."." 

"N....No. This is the highest form of saying. Only when marrying each other in a church as we pledge "Eternal Love" to each other can we say it." 

"Eternal... Love.... So cool! "Like" is just a temporary feeling, "Love" is eternal... As expected, Christianity is just so cool, how touching." 

"Whether if it's a marriage ceremony full of rules and procedures or the part about being unable to divorce, there's quite a mountain of troublesome things." 

"Don't interject! Hurry, kiss me. And then say, "Loving me forever". Yoshiharu, please...." 

The slightly blushing Nobuna shut her eyes, her small lips getting nearer to Yoshiharu. 

I.... love Nobuna. Yoshiharu recited it in his heart. 

But, it's not just because of Nobuna bearing the fate of Oda Nobunaga, or because she's cute. 

Having a lonely yet proud ideal, Nobuna who was being misunderstood yet continues to push on, all of that attracts Yoshiharu. 

Though I might be here from the future conincidentally. But, I'm not boasting. Only I can understand Nobuna's dream. It's because of meeting Nobuna here that I became such a sengoku game fanatic ever since pre-school. 

Yoshiharu considers seriously. 

".....Uhh, uhh.... But, is this really good? Even if we are together, we can't get married, right? The one who had obtained the world and a retainer, the difference is just too big. And I myself am not a commander of the Oda clan in the first place. In the end, I'm just a vagrant with no family status whatsoever." 

"I don't care about things like statuses, because I've chosen Yoshiharu myself. So, I won't back down no matter who I'm facing." 

"But, if we are found out, we can't complete the quest of unifying the world. Isn't Mount Fuji still prohibiting women from entering...." 

"But Yoshiharu is from the future, right? Things like statuses are of no consequence, isn't that so?" 

"Though that's true, but....." 

"Right now, there is no one else but us both. So, hurry and say it. And then, tonight, love me......properly....." 

And so, under Nobuna's verbal assault, Yoshiharu's reason collapsed. 

Feelings greatly surpassing reason and unstoppable lust rushed up. Once the dam called reason was destroyed, the flood-like lust can't be stopped. 

Yoshiharu shouted in his heart along with immense joy. 

Is there an even more lucky guy than me in this world? No, how could that be possible!? 

TOKICHIROU-JII-SAN! BROTHERS FROM THE RETREAT OF KANEGASAKAI!? DID EVERYONE SEE THAT!? I'M CURRENTLY HUGGING THE BEST LOVER OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW! 

FROM NOW ON, I'M TURNING INTO A WOLF! NOT A MONKEY! THOUGH I'M STILL LIKE A MONKEY NOW, BUT I WILL NEVER BACK DOWN FROM HERE, I'M GOING TO BECOME A WOLF! 

"No...No...Nobuna! I... I... I.... I...!" 

".....Yoshiharu" 

Nobuna closed her eyes and stayed in Yoshiharu's arms, not moving an inch. 

The fingers that were sliding around inside Nobuna's bathrobes as if they were being attracted, naturally moving towards the twin peaks known as Nobuna's breasts. 

To Yoshiharu, Nobuna's breasts are different from the heart-pounding and exciting breasts of Katsuie, it has always been a holy spot that not to mention touch, one can't even look. It can totally be said to be the same holy place like Mount Fuji. No, surpassing even Mount Fuji! 

After conquering the twin peaks of Nobuna's, it's an entirely new adventure to venture into that deep deep sea ravine. Towards Yoshiharu who have never had any relationships with girls, it's an extremely difficult challenge! But, to the both of them who might die tomorrow, this is nothing. 

With all his courage, he continues on. 

It's the first time that Yoshiharu used his hands to hold onto the twin peaks of Nobuna's. Right now, Nobuna is only wearing a bathrobe, the usual bra that she normally wore is nowhere to be found. 

Not big or small, it's a size that fits properly onto Yoshiharu's palm. 

Nobuna seems to be very nervous as the silky white breasts of hers was soaked with sweat, the beating of her heart was transmitting directly onto Yoshiharu palms by the swelling of her chest. 

Grabbing Nobuna's twin peaks mindlessly, Yoshiharu was driven with a wolf-like impulse. 

".....Ahh, .....Ahn, Yoshiharu..." 

Nobuna let out a slight moan. 

Fear and joy was mixed into Nobuna's moans. 

Yoshiharu can no longer endure it. 

"Nobuna, I.......!" 

Just when Yoshiharu is going to shout with all his strength, "I LOVE YOU!", 

"STOP!" 

"Eh, Juubei?" 

"Uhh! AHHHHHH! Juubei-chan, why did you appear here!?" 

At the nick of time, 

Like separating Nobuna and Yoshiharu, the dagger that Akechi Mitsuhide threw fly past Yoshiharu's neck with just a few millimeters apart. 

If it's not Yoshiharu whose nickname is "Dodgeball Yoshiharu", the veins on his neck would be split in half already. 

"H...How dangerous!!! What are you doing, Juubei! Someone will die from that!" 

"What about the job at Kyoto? Why did you come here?" 

The proud Mitsuhide showed herself spectacularly. 

"Everyone hear me.... During the tea ceremony in Kyoto, I who had heard of the bad rumors of Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-senpai spreading around Yamato Gose was quite shocked. And so, I had ridden over here to save Nobuna-sama! Hmph!" 

The loyalty of Mitsuhide who had appeared so suddenly did not show itself to Nobuna and Yoshiharu at all. 

"Why are you disturbing us, at such an important time!" 

Nobuna frantically tied up the sash of her bathrobe and stood up facing Mitsuhide with the anger of the demon lord of the sixth realm. 

"Juubei-chan, you really planned to kill me? Now...." Yoshiharu's face was pale. 

Yoshiharu planned to use the sincerest way he could think of to get Mitsuhide's approval in the forest. But from how it looks like now, it seems to have completely failed. 

No matter if it's saying how he likes Nobuna, or hates her! Wanting to deceive Mitsuhide who doesn't know how to suspect others is totally do-able. 

But, facing the questioning Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu had no way to lie. And so, he had honestly said, "I like her." 

In contrast, Yoshiharu wants to tell Mitsuhide, to the whole of Japan, no, the entire world, Nobuna is a very important historical person. He wants to tell Mitsuhide too that though he likes Nobuna, he understands that she isn't someone he can touch. And to let Mitsuhide know that she is necessary to Nobuna.... But, 

"Sagara-senpai? If it's just a little act of frivolous, this fiancée Akechi Mitsuhide will still allow it! Because I'm a magnanimous woman. But if the target is our master, Nobuna-sama, it's a different case! And, abandoning the frontline, tricking Nobuna-sama with that mouth of yours and pushing her down in this inn of Hakone.... I can never forgive such a thing! Just how do you look at the quest of unifying the world!? Saru, you are just a lecherous idiot!" 

"Oi! Yoshiharu. Didn't you convince Juubei already? Are the both of you still in a fiancée relationship?" 

"....Sorry. I seem to have failed... Rather than failing, actually, Juubei-chan can't seem to understand the fact that we are in love with each other. Juubei-chan has always thought that I'm pushing you down one-sidedly...." 

"What a slow fellow.... This can still be considered as "saving", I guess." In front of them who had been secretly conversing, Mitsuhide pulled out her sword. 

"Saru, to kidnap and push down your master in the battlefield is a crime that even death seems to be too light a punishment! Let this fiancée be the one to mete out your punishment!" 

"Wa....Wait! Tomorrow, we are going to Odawara castle to negotiate with Takeda Shingen!" 

"Ye...Yeah. This is to fight against Asai Asakura, as well as Uesugi Kenshin. You can't kill Saru!" 

"But, Saru was assaulting Nobuna-sama just now! Ri...Rid...Ridiculous, to... to.... to actually use his hands to grab onto your breasts.... Th...Tha.... That's too lewd! Has this fellow gotten ahold of some secret of Nobuna-sama? If that's the case, I Juubei will be the bad guy! I will use my body to purify this lewd monkey! This is the duty of being a retainer! So, Senpai, let us marry right here!" 

"Juubei-chan, do you want to kill me or marry me?" 

"This... Thi... This Kumquat head.... Though it's messed up, but her aim is to snatch Saru away from my side!" 

Kachak! 

Nobuna's tolerance finally reached the limit, she might just spit out fire! 

"Wait, Nobuna! Stop saying anymore, it's gonna be ugly! If this goes on, it will become "History changed, Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide muddy love triangle"!" 

"Ahh! Enough! Shut up! This Saru belongs to me! It's my Saru! To be able to flirt like this with Saru, there's only me! Definitely... Definitely... I won't give him to you!" 

"Uwahhhhh! What did you say!?" 

She said it. 

Finally, Nobuna and Yoshiharu's love was known by Akechi Mitsuhide! 

So as to say, Akechi who had always not noticed had finally..... 

"....Ahhh, Ahh! So pitiful, Nobuna-sama! To have said such unwilling words, Saru must have some stuff on you, right!? 

Not! 

The slowness of Mitsuhide who is still misunderstanding the both of them isn't comparable to normal people. 

In the end, Nobuna who can't bear it anymore decided to finish it once and for all. 

It's to the point of having to say the truth out clearly. Whether Mitsuhide who had heard all of it was to leave or revolt, Nobuna won't be able to know. 

Nobuna shouted with a volume enough to let the whole inn know, "IN THE END, I JUST CAN'T EXPRESS IT PROPERLY! FROM HERE ON, THIS IS MY TRUE FEELINGS! YOSHIHARU, NO MATTER IF IT'S HIS BODY OR HEART, ALL OF IT BELONGS TO ME!" 

"What?" 

"YES! YOSHIHARU IS MY MAN!!!!!! TONIGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BECOME HUSBAND AND WIFE, DON'T COME BOTHERING US!" 

"Ehhhhh? No..Nobuna-sama?! Is... Is this real?" 

"That goes without saying! Will someone like me who has such a high position lie!? Listen! You give up on Yoshiharu! This is an order!" 

"Ahhh! Saru-senpai has totally brainwashed Nobuna-sama.... The hypnosis techniques from the future are too scary.... Was I too late?" Mitsuhide who had a great shock said. 

In her shock, she has not given up the idea of "Nobuna-sama was being lied to!" 

"No...Nobuna-sama, don't be like this. Calm down. If Nobuna-sama has a relationship going on with some unknown guy like Sagara-senpai, this is even more messed up then burning down Mount Hiei!" 

"Even if that's the case, what about it!" 

"If this incompatible relationship was to be revealed, the quest of unifying the world will be gone.... Nobuna-sama will once again be labelled as Owari's fool. No, it will be even more bad. You will be labelled as "The idiot who doesn't understand the statuses of this world...." 

"I DON'T CARE! ALL WHO OPPOSES ME ARE MY ENEMIES! IT'S ALL FINE IF I JUST FINISH OFF ALL WHO SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT IT!" 

"No...Nobuna-sama~ Hurry and wake up! Ever since capturing the capitial, the Oda clan has been facing challenges from all sides! Won't this give the anti-Nobuna faction a perfect reason!? The people won't agree too!" 

"At that time, I have the resolve to treat ALLLLLLLL the people as my enemies!" 

"Tha.... That is definitely a NO! Do you plan to destroy the whole of Japan!?" 

"Ok! Stop talking about it! The most important thing is not holding a marriage ceremony, right!? Why don't you not say anything!? Juubei, act like you've seen nothing!" 

"H...Ho...Ho...How can it be like this!?' 

Definitely not! The serious Mitsuhide hugged her head. 

"Sagara-senpai is too scary! To think that he can actually do such a powerful hypnosis on Nobuna-sama, letting Nobuna-sama shout such a thing so loudly... As expected from someone of the future!" 

What's really scary is Mitsuhide who still doesn't believe in Nobuna. 

"Kumquat. Even so, you refuse to accept the truth? Looks like you just want to be husband and wife with Yoshiharu, right!?" 

"Nonono, it's not like that! I Juubei just wants to erase the spreading rumors, and heal Senpai's injured heart...." 

".....THAT'S MY JOB!" 

"No, it's only me Juubei who can gently protect Senpai. Nobuna-sama who likes to do things not compatible to her status and gets easily angered will definitely not be able to do a thing like taking care of Senpai's mother." 

"Not be able to do.... ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY I'M JUST CHASING AFTER YOSHIHARU'S LOVE BUT I AM NOT ACTUALLY IN LOVE WITH YOSHIHARU!?" 

"Uhh... Love, "Love" To hear such a Christian word from Nobuna-sama's lips, just how deep is the brainwash of Saru.... NO! PLEASE WAKE UP NOW, NOBUNA-SAMA!" 

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?" 

"I Juubei have already kissed Senpai lots of time! You are behind me!" 

"I...I have kissed with Yoshiharu too! On that night of Christmas!" 

"EHHHH? TH... TH... THAT RUMOR IS REAL!? Using the chaos caused by Dousan-sama passing away, that ero-saru actually....." 

"WAIT! WHY DID YOU KISS WITH YOSHIHARU? AND MANY TIMES!?" 

From the moment Mitsuhide trespassed in, it had not even been one minute actually. 

The two princess knights that were known for their beauty, with the flares that was flying everywhere were having a violent quarrel with a speed that onlookers can't even hear properly! 

If this goes on, they might just start fighting. 

Mitsuhide had already pulled out her sword, Nobuna had also taken up her famed sword, Kunishige Hasabe and had started to pull it out. 

The two of them were looking at each other at an extremely close distance. 

"I finally understand, so Juubei likes Yoshiharu! It's just that this fellow is too proud and slow that she hasn't noticed it yet. Becoming like a different person upon meeting with Yoshiharu. Uhh! Just when did that ero-saru snatch off Juubei's heart! Unforgivable, I must definitely kill him!" 

"When Nobuna-sama lost her god-father Dousan-sama, she must have been very lonely! To use the emptiness of Nobuna-sama's heart to brainwash her.... Nobuna-sama must have drank some strange drug. That ero-saru, you weeped and said that you could never be together with Nobuna-sama, yet you still hide it from me Juubei and attacked Nobuna-sama, you disloyal and despicable bastard! To deceive this pure Juubei is an unforgivable crime. To let Nobuna-sama return to normal, I can only kill him!" 

The two of them nodded wordlessly and slashed their swords towards Yoshiharu.... 

"Saru, now is the time for you to make a choice! Are you going to choose me? Or are you choosing some Kumquat and then getting killed by me!?" 

"Senpai, if you don't choose me, then to protect Nobuna-sama, I Juubei will have to kill you immediately! Prepare yourself!" 

…… 

…… 

…… 

But, Yoshiharu had already disappeared. 

As replacement, a roughly made smiling monkey doll was placed there. 

Only now did the both of them noticed that in Yoshiharu's place is just a monkey doll. 

"Oi, wait a minute? Where did the real body of that Saru go to?" 

"Senpai is gone! He has escaped!" 

".....THAT...THAT IDIOTIC SARU!!!! BECAUSE HE CAN'T ANSWER, HE CHOSE TO ESCAPE? WHAT ABOUT THE NEGOTIATION WITH TAKEDA SHINGEN? HOW CAN HE!" 

"Kidnapping Nobuna-sama and abandoning his work.... This makes two counts of his disloyalty and despicable behavior! Senpai couldn't have run far. Nobuna-sama, let us both find him and cut off his head!" 

"EXACTLY! AT THIS TIME, HE DIDN'T CHOOSE ME, JUST WWWWWHHHHHHAAAAATTTT IS HE THINKING!? HE HAD ALREADY TOUCHED M...M.... MY.... MY... BR.... BR...BREASTS DIRECTLY! THAT IRRESPONSIBLE BASTARD! I MUST DEFINITELY KILL HIM!" 

"Ahhh! Finally Nobuna-sama has returned to normal! The spell that Senpai had used has finally been broken. Yay! Nobuna-sama!" 

Nobuna and Mitsuhide returned to their senses at the same time. 

The both of them together, with swords on their hands walked towards the walkway! 

There's only one objective. 

That is to finish off the guy who toyed with their maiden's heart, Sagara Yoshiharu. 

…… 

…… 

…… 

"You can come out now, Sagara-shi." 

Not long after Nobuna and Mitsuhide rushed out, Goemon in her ninja attire dropped to the tatami silently from the ceiling. 

Goemon use the hilt of her ninja blade to knock onto the sides of the tatami. 

"Hoooo! You've been a great help, Goemon! But, what should I do from now on?" 

The face of the dust ridden Yoshiharu who had hidden himself under the floor appeared. 

"You've been a really great help, Goemon! Though I'm devoted to Nobuna, but at that situation, no matter who I choose, I will be immediately executed by the two of them, right!?" 

"That's why! Didn't I say before? It's impossible to think of getting both of them! Toying with a maiden's heart is extremely dangerous, you with your women's trouble!" 

"Ahh! With Katsuchiyo-chan.... no, the negotiation with Takeda Shingen is tomorrow, to suddenly become like this... Juubei-chan must have believed firmly that I had used some strange spell to control Nobuna, that's why she had came all the way here to save Nobuna.... If Shingen finds out that Nobuna is serious, she might kill Nobuna too." 

"All in all, the both of them are smart people. They had rushed out with blood rushing through their heads just now, they will definitely be back in a while." Yoshiharu jumped in fright. 

"Yeah! Damn, before appeasing their fury, I must first escape! But after that, what should I do? I can't just return empty-handed?" 

"If you don't want to die, go and negotiate with Takeda Shingen and achieve success. With such a big achievement, the two of them won't have much else to say." 

"Go to Odawara castle just like this? But the pass is with Nobuna! I have nothing on me, how can I enter the besieged Odawara castle?" 

"Anyway, if you don't do it, you are dead meat. It's better to clear things up with Akechi Mitsuhide soon." 

"Every time when she mentions about marrying, I had wanted to clear things off, but all of it is useless. Looking at her being that way, I think Juubei-chan must be in love with me, but she herself hasn't noticed it." 

If that's true, it will be the worst case scenario, Yoshiharu lamented. 

"Sagara-shi, if your wish is to not hurt any girl, such a bad habit will ruin you." 

Goemon stared blankly at Yoshiharu, but Yoshiharu seemed not to notice at all as he laughed. 

"I can't not accept defeat; there's really nothing between Juubei-chan and I. But Nobuna doesn't believe it no matter what.... Though it is true that I've kissed Juubei-chan before....." 

"Enough, get downstairs from the eaves, you can see a small hole. Escape using that hole like a dog." 

Why did it become like this~? Not only Nobuna, but even Juubei-chan wants to kill me. There's even Takeda army, Houjou army and Oshu army waiting for me at Odawara Castle! No matter how I look at it, I don't have much of a chance to survive! 

While shouting "Zenki, hurry and use your power to erase this "women trouble" attribute from me~" Yoshiharu crawled out from the small hole. 

No matter if it's his body or his mind, all of it had turned to a dog. 

Or, he himself had turned to a dog. 

At the cost of living in a wet environment and being unable to bathe in sunlight nor gaze at the moon any longer, he was able to escape from the biggest tragedy and muddy love quarrel of Nobuna and Mitsuhide. 

Falling into "Crawl into any hole he can find" such a situation, Yoshiharu had turned back to a human before he knew it.