Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 7 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 : The Gunshot That No One Expected 

Northern Omi's Odani castle. 

Asakura Yoshikage who is staying at a corner fort received an urgent report from Echizen. 

"Uesugi Kenshin's army has already left Echigo and is entering Etchu, Kaga and is heading towards Echizen. This elite Echigo army will reinforce us from the back of Odani castle." 

According to Tsuchimikado Hisanaga, everything is going smoothly as planned. 

Now... Now is the time we attack Mount Toragozen! Asakura Yoshikage is on cloud nine. 

"It's now or never if we wanna switch the situation around! Now is the best chance we have to eliminate the Oda army and head towards Kyo!" 

Yoshikage who had asked the artist Hasegawa Tohaku to combine the drawings of Heian era with Oda Nobuna straightened his back after hearing "Uesugi Kenshin has moved her troops." 

"As expected of Tohaku, the drawing is really frivolous. But it's finally time for me to bring back the real one. Hahaha! Hahahaha!" 

Following the young omyouji Tsuchimikado Hisanaga, Asakura Yoshikage walks towards the main hall. 

In the main hall of Odani castle, Asai Nagamasa is already there. 

Nagamasa is currently writing a letter to Tsuda Nobusumi who is currently somewhere at Mount Toragozen. 

The contents are: 

"The master of Asai clan, Asai Nagamasa and your wife, Oichi. I can't continue a life of marriage without you. The next time we meet, like we promised, I will tell you my choice. But, the me currently is unable to make that choice. If possible, I feel that it will be the best if we can be together. Right now, my heart feels like being pierced by thousands of needles, I can't take much more of this." 

When writing the latter, Nagamasa's heart was in conflict. 

She does have the will to fight. But even though she have it, she can't make up her mind. "Oichi" is like a different person living in Nagamasa's heart. And, that Oichi is becoming stronger everyday. 

But, if the defensive battle continues on like this, Asai clan will definitely be destroyed by the Oda clan. 

Oda Nobuna will definitely help me due to her brother. 

Th....That is actually impossible. 

The betrayal of Asai clan to the Oda clan, even if it's her father Hisamasa who had decided despite her refusal, that decision can never be retracted. Every time she thinks about this, Nagamasa feels extremely troubled. 

But, the current Nagamasa does not want to blame anyone. 

It's because she herself does not have the courage to decide between "Asai Nagamasa" and "Oichi", the situation progressed to such an extent. 

Because of Nagamasa's hesitation, everyone was unable to obtain happiness. 

To choose Nobusumi? Or the Asai clan and her father? When Nagamasa is still undecided, the situation had finally degraded to the point where they have to fight the Oda clan. 

Asakura Yoshikage and Tsuchimikado Hisanaga asked Nagamasa in the main hall, "Let's launch an assault on the Oda army on Mount Toragozen." 

Like a totally different person, with bloodshot eyes and sweat all over his face, Yoshikage pleaded Nagamasa to make a decision, like he's being possessed by a demon. 

"Uesugi Kenshin is heading towards Echizen! She is preparing to charge straight towards Kyo from Odani castle. But, Uesugi Kenshin has her own rival, Takeda Shingen. Long periods of defense at Odani castle won't be suitable for Uesugi Kenshin. Before Kenshin arrives, we must disperse the Oda army on Mount Toragozen and open a path towards Kyo. We must fight now! Use this chance of Uesugi Kenshin heading to Kyo to destroy the Oda clan once and for all!" 

"How....That Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin actually.... If that's the case, the fate of Onee-sama will....." 

"Don't think about it anymore! I won't hurt Oda Nobuna. I will bring her back with me. Let us fight to out heart's content!" 

"....Finally... it has come to this.... I....." 

"Well, listen. My strategy is....." 

Tsuchimikado Hisanaga, he should have disappear after being defeated by Takenaka Hanbei at that omyouji battle. But he seems to have found his confidence back now. 

"The reason why we can't invade Mount Toragozen is like what you guys had thought, Takenaka Hanbei had used her knowledge of the 8 trigrams to create a maze. But there's a way to solve that maze." 

Tsuchimikado Hisanaga is the master of the renown Tsuchimikado clan of Omyoujis. He is knowledgeable about such things. 

"According to my observations, the mysterious maze at Mount Toragozen is the "Stone Sentinel Maze". The Stone Sentinel Maze has 8 exits named, The Gate of Opening (??, Kaimon), The Gate of Healing (??, Ky?mon), The Gate of Life (??, Seimon), The Gate of Pain (??, Sh?mon), The Gate of Limit (??, Tomon), The Gate of Insight (??, Keimon), The Gate of Wonder (??,Ky?mon), and The Gate of Death (??, Shimon). But it was cleverly devised to make us only able to enter from the Gate of Limit and Gate of Death. If we enter from these two gates, we won't be able to solve the maze. But, the hidden Gate of Life, Gate of Insight and Gate of Opening can be discovered sooner or later. If we attack from those gates, we can solve the maze. These three gates are the weaknesses of the maze. Though the Oda clan is using these three gates to enter/exit, it was designed in a way that we won't be able to discover them." 

On the way how to discover these three gates, Asakura Yoshikage suggested, "If that's the case, you can just summon your flying shikigamis and find them from the air. That should be easy for omyouji." 

"Uhh, impossible." Hisanaga shook his head. 

"Why? Anyway, I didn't see those shikigamis this time." 

"There's a reason for it. I have lost my ability to summon shikigamis.... But, Takenaka Hanbei is the same as me on this too. All she can muster with all her might is Zenki and Gouki. And Zenki's strength must be far weaker than the time at Mount Hiei." 

"Oh? There are times that omyoujis can't use their powers?" 

"Uhh. My prediction is, it's most effective to deplete Takenaka Hanbei's stamina. Night after night, we will attack non-stop, trying to find one of the three gates. It's ok even if we have to make a certain amount of sacrifice." 

"But can we distinguish between the different gates? I don't think I can." 

"As long as we discover one of them, we can easily detect the flow of "Ki". Once then, I will command the whole army to attack. Once we solve this maze, Mount Toragozen can only be counted as a small base. The amount of soldiers we lost here is irrelevant as the Echigo army will soon be here. Once we conquered Mount Toragozen, the people of captial and other small daimyos will immediately surrender to Uesugi Kenshin. If that's the case, our numbers will increase very rapidly." 

Maybe he feels that they will definitely win, Hisanaga is having a mysterious smile like he's going to expose some omyouji's secret. 

Asakura Yoshikage pressed Nagamasa on, "Asai Nagamasa, victory is right in front of our eyes. What do you plan to do?" 

“……” 

"I've decided. I will bet my life and the Asakura clan on this. Nagamasa, what have you decided!? If you're a samurai, hurry and make up your mind!" 

".....If I choose to not attack, what will you do?" 

"Of course, I will take the head of Asai Hisamasa who is living with me as a hostage, though it's not elegant at all and not compatible with my principles at all. But, I had made such a resolve! This is just how much I want Oda Nobuna! The meaning of my life is to obtain the living Oda Nobuna in my hands! If I can't do it, I will never find my soul which was trapped in the "Tales of Genji"! I can't return to this world! I can't become.... the true master of Asakura clan!" 

A scary devotion. 

Like he's trying to chase after something. 

Nagamasa feels, if the situation is reversed, this person will definitely kill his own father. 

Even if Father wants to die, I must let him die honorably in battle. 

This is the wish of any samurai. 

But, as his child, giving my own father to be killed by allies is a choice that she can never choose. 

"Maybe, Father might be trying to give me a chance to live on as Oichi by letting Yoshikage kill him and letting the Asai clan fall. But... as a child of a samurai clan, I can't go along with it. Though he will still die in the end, the meaning it has is different." 

Nagamasa decided. 

Tsuchimikado Hisanaga used a teasing tone and said, "Samurais sure have it hard, it's such a good thing that I'm born in a omyouji clan." 

".....Ok, I'm Saruyashamaru in the end. Let's attack Mount Toragozen....But I hope that Onee-sama and Kanjuurou's lives to be spared." 

Finally, Nagamasa decided to fight as Asai Nagamasa. 

"She finally decided! Just wait for the reconciliation with Nobusumi! Wit this, we will become siblings." 

I hope that day will never come. If a battle that can really conquer Mount Toragozen breaks out, Kanjuurou will definitely perish. It's the same for Battle of Anegawa. How I envy that close sister-brother tie they have! Nagamasa can't help but thought. 

".....The one that Kanjuurou chose isn't me but Onee-sama. Me too, I've chose Father." 

Finally, the army of Asai Asakura head towards Mount Toragozen from odani castle. 

The full out assault started. 

The main camp of Mount Toragozen is in a state of panic. 

"....Th...They attacked! Ah, Oichi... She finally chose to fight Aneue as Asai Nagamasa!" 

"Leave it to me, the demon Shibata! And Hanbei is here too!" 

But, just like what Tsuchimikado Hisanaga had said, Zenki's strength had weakened greatly. 

Even so, Hanbei's wits are still with her. And, Hanbei's favorite is in defensive battles. Though she became a "Castle raiding Expert" due to leading soldiers to conquer Inabayama castle, but from both her personality and skills, Hanbei should be a defensive expert. 

But, the nemesis that had discovered the weakness of the mysterious maze that Hanbei created using her knowledge of 8 trigrams, Tsuchimikado Hisanaga had once again returned. 

Besides, due to Mitsuhide who was supposed to guard Kyo had chased after Nobuna and Yoshiharu, not just the commanding officer isn't around, there is no reinforcements too. 

All of it are huge mistakes on Hanbei's part. 

"Cough, before Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama return, we must hold on. If they are able to ally with Takeda Shingen, we can prepare any forces to defend the eastern side, Nobuna-sama can bring reinforcements from Gifu too!" 

While coughing countless times, Hanbei was observing the movements of the Asai Asakura army. The movements were totally different from previous times. The advisor of the opponent must be an omyouji too! The clever Hanbei realized it immediately. 

"Oh no. I can sense that mysterious aura of Tsuchimikado-san." 

We're in danger, Mount Toragozen! 

Odawara castle. 

At the front of them is Mount Hakone, and at the back, Sagami bay. 

In the main hall of the biggest fortress of Kantou that surrounds the whole city, the current Sagara Yoshiharu was in a position where he was tied up by multiple ropes. 

"Saru, you proposing to Takeda Shingen and pushing down Houjou Ujiyasu, I feel weird no matter how I wrap my mind around it. It must be a misunderstanding, right? But Shingen's seduction or to be more precise, cajolery is definitely true! You must not let your guard down!" 

"So my being proposed is just a misunderstanding on my part? I have the feeling of being deceived. Sagara Yoshiharu, do you have some big secret hiding from me?" 

"Wanting to have all of us the four heavenly kings in your bosom, this fellow must be wanting to build a harem." 

"Well, in hindsight, if Ujiyasu was to call out her Fuma ninjas, I might most likely have been injured too. Hahaha~" 

"Anyway, Sagara-senpai, there's only one way out for Senpai now. Hurry and repel the Oshu army, there's no other way other than this." 

All present including Nobuna, Shingen, the four heavenly kings and Mitsuhide, all of them are looking at Yoshiharu with eyes hiding different emotions. Why must I be stared at like this.... I've enough of girls of this age. It will be good if I can live along with Shirou, or Nene, such naive and pure kids like them.... Yoshiharu sighed deeply while looking at the Oshu army trying to invade. 

"Anyway, Oda Kazusanosuke, you had said the conditions for peace?" 

"What, Takeda Harunobu. I'm now Oda Danjo. Don't be mistaken about the rank that Himiko-sama herself has given me." 

"That's the things I should say, don't purposefully say my name wrong! My name is Shingen now!" 

"You're the worst, it's all because Uesugi Kenshin changing his name that you follow suit." 

"Wrong, it's because I had changed to such a cool name! It's that side that is trying to copy what I did!" 

"Who knows about that!" 

While abusing Yoshiharu, the two heroes stare at each other. 

One reason is that they might have expended too much of their strength in the onsen. 

While "Hah...Hah..." panting, the master of Odawara castle Houjou Ujiyasu was spreading her fan while staring at Yoshiharu with an ice cold glare. 

"Sagara Yoshiharu, during the period when I'm out for the onsen, the Oshu army had started their violent assault on the fortress. They must have detected the weakening of "Ki" in Odawara castle. But, I'm never leaving the fortress again. Till the trauma of having my secret being discovered by you is healed... Yeah, I've decided not to go out for the next 7 years." 

"That's just too over! Your grudge is a little too deep!" 

"Correct. I'm that type that won't forget about an insult even till death. If I'm not careful.... Now, when I'm eating, whether if it's about the time of adding miso or the quantity of the miso added, it's no good if you don't measure it properly. A little more or less will make it much less appetizing." 

Houjou Ujiyasu's character seems to be extremely calculating. 

"....Whether I appear or not, you had no plans to go out, right? And in the first place, you had planned to assassinate Nobuna and the rest. Isn't that just deserts?" 

"Ara. You have no proof whatsoever, isn't this a clear act of provocation? 

"As a temporary advisor of the Takeda army, you can lead the Takeda cavalry to repel the Oshu army." Houjou Ujiyasu suggested. 

"Me? Takeda army? Advisor? I can't do it! I don't have the experience in leading such a huge army! And besides, if it's not Sagara corps, I can't lead them at all! It'll be weird if the soldiers and commanders of the Takeda army are to listen to my commands, right?" 

"Even if it's impossible, I want you to settle it in 3 days! If not, accept the punishment of pushing me down in the onsen. Of course, there's only one punishment to revealing the secret of the queen of Kantou's butt, that is death! You will be paraded around in Odawara castle and executed right after that!" 

Houjou Ujiyasu seems to want to kill Sagara Yoshiharu who had seen her butt no matter what. 

And the calculating Ujiyasu have (If Saru is defeated, the Takeda cavalry will be greatly affected too. And even if he win, it's still advantageous to me under the situation of not expending any of Houjou army's strength to break out of the siege of Odawara castle) such evil considerations. 

Due to Shingen's "Hurry and fight it out, fight it out!" continuous chanting and still trying to lure Yoshiharu to be her advisor, this plan that is supposed to be exposed instantly was overlooked. 

Worrying whether Yoshiharu can fit into her own cavalry, Shingen accepts Ujiyasu's suggestion. 

"Sagara Yoshiharu, if you are the man that Kansuke said you are, let me see just how you will break out of this situation. If you are really chosen by Fate, I will give you the Takeda four heavenly kings, good luck!" 

Rather than saying Shingen does not wish to ally with Nobuna to fight with Uesugi Kenshin, it's more of Shingen being unable to make sure of Yoshiharu's actual potential. Due to such an unease, she became rash. What a rare talent loving person. 

"Nobuna, Juubei-chan. I didn't push Ujiyasu down because of some weird motive! This woman is planning to assassinate the then fighting Nobuna and Juubei-chan so as to gain advantage from it. There's something fishy going on. That's why she wants to kill me, that woman! Please reconsider!" 

But, Nobuna and Mitsuhide are still furious. 

Both Nobuna and Mitsuhide smile with a scary expression while patting Yoshiharu's shoulders. 

"If you can't repel the Oshu army, the objective of asking Shingen to delay Uesugi Kenshin will not be accomplished, right? It's not a bad idea to use Takeda's cavalry. Go and do it. If you accept Takeda Shingen and the four heavenly kings into your harem, won't you achieve the goal of being the best in the world easily!? Saru!" 

"Yeah. I Juubei had originally wanted to cut off Senpai's head and become god of war after repelling the Oshu army, but if Senpai is able to flaunt his skills as a warrior, it's not that I can't spare your life.... After that, we will discuss slowly about Senpai's frivolous act." 

Just like this. 

The reason why Yoshiharu was able to survive from the hellish onsen of Hakone is because of the Fuma ninjas reporting to Ujiyasu urgently, "The Oshu army is currently attacking ferociously!" 

Due to that, Shingen and Ujiyasu return to Odawara castle hastily. Nobuna Yoshiharu and the rest follow Shingen and entered the castle. Under the intense defensive battle, Nobuna had finally started negotiations with Shingen. And Yoshiharu was being tied up by Ujiyasu and dragged back by a horse into the castle. 

It goes without saying that the negotiation isn't smooth. 

"To you, it's all good for you if you eliminate Asai Asakura, but to me, I don't stand to gain anything out of it. All that happens is me fighting it out with Uesugi Kenshin at Echigo and Kawanaka island, I won't be able to have any territory." Shingen wasn't satisfied. From the viewpoint of profitability, it's true that Shingen stands to gain nothing out of it. 

Though Nobuna had taken out lots of famous treasures as a gift for the cooperation, but Shingen who had always lived in the rural areas was totally unable to understand the worth of them. 

"At least thank me for the trouble! That's why you're such a rural bum!" 

"What did you say!? I have totally no understanding of the people who treat these clay pieces as treasures!" 

"I'm going to have peace with you who had caused the death of Viper. And for that, I have brought so many treasures over. Start agreeing like a proper adult right now!" 

"When did the situation changed into I having to listen to the orders of the Oda clan!? You are the enemy who had caused Kansuke's death!" 

"Takeda Shingen, so you want to settle things with me no matter what, right!?" 

"Of course! If not for Houjou Ujiyasu loving to defend, I would have started back on my conquest of the capital long ago! There won't be another Saitou Yoshitatsu defecting this time, prepare yourself!" 

"Damn it." 

"It's not like you can't bow down to me. How is it, can you do it? The demon lord of the sixth realm." 

".....Uhhhh~! Though I know I must relent at such a time.... But, I refuse! Something like Oda Nobuna lowering her head to Takeda Shingen, it will become a joke for the rest of the people. If that's the case, how can I continue on!" 

"If so, that's it then." 

Negotiations broke down. 

But, the begrudged Houjou Ujiyasu thought that, the secret on her butt had been revealed. So, she must kill off Sagara Yoshiharu under any circumstances. "Let's let Yoshiharu lead the Takeda army, if he fails, execute him!" 

The morale of the Takeda army is high now. Though they had lost motivation due to the long period of defensive battle, but with the thought of "Hurry and repel the Oshu army so we can head to the capital gain", the Takeda army has their motivation refueled. 

"Though I know this is Houjou Ujiyasu's plot, I can treat this as an experience. And there's still Takeda Shingen and the four heavenly kings. Even with a dumb advisor like me, I can still do it! The opponent is Bontenmaru, she's just a brat. If we charge straight into the main camp, we can definitely let her run back to Oshu in fright!" 

Yoshiharu cheered the army on with the invigorating speech in front of everyone of the Takeda clan. 

"....Seriously fighting the Oshu army, I'm a little scared for the first time...." 

"Though I don't feel pleased with letting this monkey replace Yamamoto Kansuke as the advisor, but if it's Shingen-sama's orders, I will obey no matter what it is. At least it's better than being naked in front of him." 

"The enemy's commander seems to be the warrior Date Masamune who knows how to use "Jakigan", let us run away!" 

The four heavenly kings was riding beside him while conversing with Yoshiharu. 

At the frontlines, the spear soldiers have already met with the enemy. 

Arrows are flying past their heads like bees. 

Riding on the horse, Yoshiharu finally started to tell the four heavenly kings the secret in his heart. 

"Hoo, though I didn't say it out in the face of that devious Houjou Ujiyasu, but I'm telling you now, I know the truth about that Jakigan. It's actually not that terrifying, if the Takeda clan's four heavenly kings are to put in some effort, we can definitely win!" 

"EH!?" 

"Though Bontenmaru's Jakigan might be quite effective towards the superstitious people of Oshu, but it's absolutely useless to I who has come from the future!" 

Is this fellow really Kansuke's successor? Three out of the four heavenly kings are extremely stunned. 

It's almost like he had seen through the secret weapon Jakigan of the Oshu's tyrant Date Masamune in an instant! 

"The reason why Shingen-sama is so obsessed with this man... I seem to have finally understood a little....." 

"As expected from Shingen-sama. Not caring about his identity and look, her talent for finding the capabilities of him being the advisor and cultivating him is the best! If it's me, I can never have such an insight to cultivate Yamamoto Kansuke and Sagara Yoshiharu." 

"Yeah! Men cannot be judged just by looks~! I Kosaka Danjo am not planning to run this time." 

"You guys must believe me! If so, let's go! Charge on like this and head straight towards Bontenmaru's main camp. Let's win with the smallest amount of casualties! Show me the piercing power of the Takeda cavalry! I must definitely lecture Bontenmaru and ask her to bring her army back to Oshu. Don't punish her! She's still just a kid!" 

"ROGER!!!" 

The cavalry that Sagara Yoshiharu is leading head towards the shrieking "They came out!" "It can't be" Oshu army. 

It's fast, almost like a hurricane! 

Other than the main army of Date Masamune, the Oshu army consist of just last minute gathered troops of Oshu, there is no discipline in them whatsoever. And, because of Houjou Ujiyasu's relentless defending, the people of Oshu army thought "There can't be any troops moving out from Odawara castle." and had been careless. 

While riding the horse that the Takeda clan had trained, Sagara Yoshiharu shouted, "So this is the Takeda cavalry! What a shock! Saitou Dousan that geezer is just too great, commanding so little manpower to face such a Takeda cavalry....! And dragging his illness ridden body, he didn't retreat even a step from the frontlines for Nobuna. For Dousan-geezer, I must definitely do what I can!". Hot tears flow down from his eyes. At that moment, Yoshiharu feels that even though Saitou Dousan is old, he's quite a guy indeed. 

Now that he is leading such a strong Takeda cavalry, he understands totally about Dousan's strength. 

It's strength on a level that he can't hope to reach. 

Even so, such a person like me has to help Nobuna's dream of Tenka Fubu for Dousan. 

But, there is an area that Yoshiharu lords over Dousan. 

It's that Yoshiharu who is well-versed in sengoku games know what's the weakness of the Takeda cavalry. 

As long as we position huge amounts of arquebuses squads on a wide plains, we can have the destructive power to destroy the Takeda cavalry with such a piercing and destructive strength. 

But, the forces who have such a huge amount of arquebuses do not exist yet. Other than Nobuna who had control over Sakai, a force that can destroy the Takeda cavalry does not exist. 

And possessing such a huge amount of arquebuses, there can only be the Kii's mercenary group, the Saika clan. If one was to question just where did the Saika clan get so many arquebuses, they must be self-made. 

So as to say, the Oshu army doesn't have such a arquebus squad to counter the Takeda cavalry. And in terms of cavalry, the Takeda cavalry will definitely be the strongest! 

Mount Toragozen, the Asai Asakura allied forces are continuing their intense attack. 

"The enemy is coming again! No matter how we tried, they don't seem to back off at all!" 

While swinging the spear in her hand, Shibata Katsuie have to stay silent under the relentless attack of the Asai Asakura army in the stone maze. 

Till now, it's basically just scouts running rampant in the maze. 

There was once that the Asai Asakura army had attacked fiercely. But at that time, due to the stone maze, they had suffered huge losses. 

With this, the Asai Asakura army should have kept defending. 

Somehow, the enemy's objective seemed to have change suddenly. 

"Is the secret of Hime-sama's absence exposed!? Or have they found the way to solve this maze? Though I don't think that's possible... Ahh~ Hime-sama, hurry and come back!" 

Under Katsuie's shout of "Die! Die! For Hime-sama!", the enemy fell like cutting wheat. 

But, there is a big change suddenly. 

The enemy have started to ignore the Oda army even if they had spotted them. 

And they spread out in the centre of the maze. 

"It's different from their normal way of attacking!" 

"Looks like they aren't interested in us foot soldiers but is just moving around in the maze!" 

"Looks like they are finding the exit of the maze." 

The foot soldiers kept reporting the situation to Katsuie. 

"Idiot. Hanbei had said before, "Someone like me won't be able to find the exit of the maze without an omyouji." 

"Then, if the enemy has someone like Hanbei-sama....." 

"If that's the case, solving the maze is just a matter of time." 

"The defense of the main camp in Mount Toragozen is very thin." 

"Hime-sama is in danger!" 

The foot soldiers does not know the fact that Nobuna isn't around. 

"Calm down. No, calm down everyone! As long as I'm around, I will definitely protect Hime-sama! Everyone, please calm down!" 

"....Anyway, Shibata-sama, where is this place?" 

"We who have been chasing the Asai Asakura army seem to be lost!" 

"EH! N...Now... ARE WE LOST IN OUR OWN MAZE!?" 

Shibata Katsuie is in the extremely dangerous situation of getting lost in her own army's maze now. 

"Ahh! How can I be lost! Exit, we must find the exit!" 

"If we head towards in the direction where the enemy enter, we will be able to find the exit!" 

"We can only do that! Let's go~" 

Due to Asai Asakura army's attack, the main camp at Mount Toragozen is in a state of unease unexpectedly. 

"Cough, it's different from the past. The enemy seems to have found the way to solve the maze." 

While coughing violently, Hanbei ran into the main camp. 

Zenki in Yoshiharu's disguise, Nobusumi who is cross-dressing as Nobuna while wearing the favourite namban hat of Nobuna and Inuchiyo wearing her tiger-skin hat are all sitting in the main camp. 

Even from the main camp at the top of the mountain, they can see the different movements than usual of the enemy. 

"Someone in the enemy seems to know of the 8 trigrams. Cough." 

"This is bad, that Tsuchimikado fellow seems to be skilled in such things, looks like he's back. There's a danger of the barrier being broken." Zenki lamented while revealing his teeth. "Even so, master, don't overexert yourself. Go and rest." 

"Zenki-san, now isn't the time for resting. Before Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san returns, I must protect this place no matter what. If not, Kyo will be in danger. Once then, the damage will be irreversible!" 

"But isn't there Mitsuhide in Kyo? She should be sending reinforcements by now! Hahaha." 

"No, Akechi Mitsuhide seem to have vanished from Kyo. And so, the reinforcements from Kyo won't be coming." Facing Nobusumi's laughter, Hanbei explained. 

Nobusumi fell from the chair. 

"R...Re...Really? What's going on?" 

"Haa... After knowing about the substitutes, Akechi Mitsuhide had chased after Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san...... cough cough." 

"Don't tell me.....! I shouldn't have revealed to Mitsuhide about the plan!? If not, she wouldn't have abandoned the job of protecting Kyo and chased after the two of them!" 

"That's why I've said, you're still a brat." Zenki laughed bitterly. 

"Matsunaga-sama has returned to Yamato. Niwa-sama is supervising the construction of Azuchi castle and does not have any troops with her. If we don't protect this place with our current manpower before Nobuna-sama returns.... cough cough." 

"It...It's ok. As long as the matter of me being Aneue's substitute isn't exposed....." 

Psh! 

The enemy's bullet flew past Nobusumi's head. 

The enemy had already reached a place where bullets can reach the main camp, looks like they are already quite close. 

Whether if it's flooding or burning them up, or with other traps, the Asai Asakura army did not retreat at all. They seemed to be searching in the maze for something. 

"Ahh! I...I...I thought I'm a goner! Ahh! Seems like my luck is really down!" 

Though Nobusumi was unhurt luckily, the namban hat on his head had fallen off due to the bullet. 

The face of Nobusumi was exposed. 

"It's not Oda Nobuna!" 

"It's a substitute!" 

The enemy soldier who had seen Nobusumi shouted out loudly. 

"The main camp is just right in front of us!" 

"And Oda Nobuna isn't around!" 

"Mount Toragozen is just a bluff! Conquer it in one go!" 

The enemy's morale was raised in an instant, and our own soldiers are thinking, "Is the princess absent?" as their morale became low. 

“……” 

Inuchiyo readied her spear and go into battle mode wordlessly. 

"I...It...It's exposed! Totally exposed! I should have worn the helmet. I've chosen the hat because it's cooler than the helmet, it's all my fault.... Wh...Wh...Wha...What should we do now!?" 

"I'm extremely weak against bullets... My master Hanbei, this is a critical situation. The maze's exit might have been discovered. The barrier is broken." 

"...Cough, cough, I'm thinking of a counter... counter... counter measure....." 

"And Hanbei-sama, you can't exert yourself anymore. Your body can't withstand the load of summoning another shikigami!" 

"The enemy had finally solved the maze. I'm going to defend right now." Inuchiyo left the main camp and rushed towards the mountain shoulder with her spear. 

"To think that Akechi Mitsuhide is so obsessed with Yoshiharu-san, that is out of my expectations. If the Akechi army of Kyo can reinforce us....." 

Because of the non-stop coughing and the high fever, Hanbei is feeling dizzy and disorientated. If I've said to Nobusumi "Never tell Akechi-sama about the whereabouts of Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama.", things would have been better. Though I've considered all things, I've forgotten about this little detail. 

"So...Sorry.... Nobusumi-sama. It's all my fault." 

"Yo....Your situation looks bad. Are you really ok?" 

"Hmmm, I'm ok...." 

While revealing a forced smile to Nobusumi, Hanbei collapsed while hugging her chest. 

And then.... 

"Cough....Cough...." 

Huge quantities of fresh blood was coughed out from her mouth. 

Almost like her lungs being torn apart, she puked out huge quantities of blood. 

The battle at Odawara castle.... 

Yoshiharu and Nobuna have totally no idea about the critical situation facing Nobusumi and their comrades at Mount Toragozen. 

At the opening stage of the battle, the Takeda army has an overwhelming advantage. 

Other than Masamune's own troops, the morale of other troops were extremely low. Facing the pressure and speed of the Takeda cavalry, they were dispersed. 

".....Looks like it isn't a feint... There shouldn't be a ruse...." 

"The enemy escaped! The enemy escaped!" 

"Taking the life of foot soldiers is the job of a samurai. Let's not care about those who ran away and head straight towards the main camp!" 

"Ok! I've no opinions! Charge! The four heavenly kings!" 

"Roger!!!" 

Don don don, at the back of the crimson red Takeda cavalry..... 

"Don't abandon Naitou Masatoyo!" 

The totally forgotten Naitou Masatoyo was crying while chasing after them. 

And her beloved steed was not with her for unknown reasons as she chased after them on her legs. 

At the forefront of the cavalry, Yoshiharu swings the army flag while shouting at Masamune's main camp, "Come out, show your face, Bontenmaru! You must have enough of this fiasco now! It's about time for you to go back! The butt of bad children will be spanked!" 

The flag of the main camp of Masamune appeared. 

A tattered black flag printed with a inauspicious image of "666" with "stars and numbers". It's almost like a reverse cross was on the flag. 

"She's still the same, her chuunibyou characteristics appear again. That camp full of anti-christ feeling is definitely Bontenmaru's main camp! It can't be wrong!" 

"ROGER!!!" 

At the start, "Once at the opportune moment, I will slash Yoshiharu to pieces from the back." "I'll never forget the grudge at Onsen." the four heavenly kings were full of malicious intent towards Yoshiharu, but under the lead of Yoshiharu, the knowledge of the future of Yoshiharu and the suave-ness of Yoshiharu in the battlefield full of flying arrows, they were subdued. 

Yoshiharu believes firmly that victory is right in front of him! 

If he can spank Bontenmaru's butt and ask her to retreat back to Oshu, he will be able to ask Katsuchiyo-chan to delay Uesugi Kenshin. 

With this, they can attack Asai Asakura at Odani castle. 

Yoshiharu rush to the hill near the main camp. 

At the top of the hill, he saw an impatient face tired of waiting. 

"Eh? Isn't this Yoshiharu-san? What a coincidence, ever since the namban soccer match, hahahaha!" 

It's Saika Magoichi-nee that is leading the Kii's mercenary Saika clan. 

Not wearing her loincloth attire from Honbyo temple but a long sleeve wafuku that girls love, she is sitting on the horse while holding the pitch black arquebus, "Yatagarasu". 

"Magoichi-nee? Why is Nee-san in the Date army?" 

"I can't seem to find a man near capital that is better than Yoshiharu-san. And I was asked by the commander of Oshu right then, and had came to Odawara castle for work. Who could have thought that we will meet again here? Hahaha." 

Yoshiharu panicked. 

You gotta be shitting me! 

I don't mind if she's on our side, but the Magoichi holding her Yatagarasu is on the enemy's side! 

If I become the target of the skilled user of the arquebus Magoichi-nee, I won't be able to run! I will be killed! 

"Has your combination with Kennya-chan been dissolved?" 

"Ah, about skits, huh? Kennya-san had spent huge amounts of money to buy the comedic material of Matsudaira Motoyasu-san's "Glasses, my glasses". And she had accepted. I became a mercenary again because I'm bored, since Tohoku might be hiding the best man of the world. Hahaha!" 

Boom! 

A deafeningly huge blast rang out. 

Magoichi aim at Yoshiharu's army and squeezed the trigger. 

"Waaa! I can't dodge it! Stop! Everyone stopped! Saika Magoichi is fighting too!" 

Though the forefront Sagara Yoshiharu wants to stop the charging Takeda cavalry as he swing his army flag rapidly, but it break into pieces upon a hit from the Yatagarasu. With his whole body numb, Yoshiharu fell from his horse. 

"Magoichi-nee, you can use such a huge arquebus even on horseback!? As expected from the renowned arquebus specialist, you're just too good!" 

"Hahahaha! Though I can kill you anytime I want, but if you become my husband, I can spare your life. Though I had originally given up on it, but this reunion can be said to be fate!" 

"Th...This is just a coincidence!" 

Zenki, help me please, my women troubles have worsened again Yoshiharu was terrified to the point of almost crying. 

"We the Saika clan are proud of our almost gymnastic arquebus skills. We can shoot as we please even on horseback. After getting the Oshu horse, we tried forming the "Arquebus cavalry squad". Today is the first time we trying it out for real! Hotaru, Kotsuzume! Strike at the Takeda cavalry squad!" 

With the "Go...Go..." voices, the arquebus girls of the Saika clan start moving forwards. 

"Ehh! "Arquebus cavalry squad"? Wait a minute! Isn't it a little too early for that to appear.....?" 

"Though the horses of our "Arquebus cavalry squad" are smaller than the horses of the Takeda clan, but combining the speed of the horse and the power of the arquebus, it's us that is stronger! If you don't want to be eliminated, be my husband now!" 

"How can I accept such a condition!? Do you even know my current situation!? This is totally messed up!" 

"I don't know! Though I have no idea, but it's impossible for you and the princess of the Oda clan. Even if you wait till the end, you must give up still. I will try my best~" 

Did Bontenmaru hire the Saika clan.... Oh yeah! They came from the sea! Though the arquebuses from the Saika clan are famous, they are actually pirates originally. They came to Sagami bay from Kii by boat! I got it! Yoshiharu knocked on his head. 

Considering that they can't conquer Odawara castle just by surrounding it, they had recruited the Saika clan from faraway. She's really the Oshu's tyrant. 

"Not just relying on her own Jakigan to scare the Oshu's commoners! I've totally forgotten that Bontenmaru is that world renowned Date Masamune!" 

This is the intense battle of the Takeda cavalry and the Date cavalry with the Saika clan. 

The Saika clan had already gotten the high ground advantage. 

The Takeda cavalry that is attacking from below is disadvantageous. 

"Boom, boom." With the sound of gunshots of arquebus, the Takeda cavalry stopped their fast attack. 

Yoshiharu thought, "Oh my god, if I can't protect the Takeda cavalry and her four heavenly kings, I have no way to face Katsuchiyo-chan!" 

While ordering the barefooted Goemon on his back, "Tell the four heavenly kings, the whole of the Takeda cavalry is to retreat! If we go on like this, we will just be live targets for the arquebus!", he rush forwards Saika Magoichi. 

"Looks like my women's trouble is unavoidable! Magoichi-nee, fight me 1-on-1! If I win, bring me to see Bontenmaru!" 

"Ohh! Exactly what I want. And If I were to win, you'll be my husband?" 

"That.... Please forgive me but I'm going to reject that...." 

"What!? Don't you start tsukomi-ing while holding that Yatagarasu, idiot! Don't squeeze the trigger without knowing it!" 

Yeah. 

Because of the habit of performing a skit with Kennya-sama, Magoichi will shoot with her Yatagarasu on reflex when she is tsukomi-ing. 

And, it's aim right at Yoshiharu's chest. 

Boom.......!! 

But Kennya has the special body type to bounce the bullet off, but Yoshiharu is merely a human. 

"Even with the nickname of "King of Dodgeball", he won't be able to dodge the big arquebus of Saika Magoichi. Magoichi's arm strength is totally out of common sense. 

Yoshiharu look at the flying bullet in the sky but had totally no time to dodge it. 

Just when death is nearing, the sense of time seem to slow down. I'm experiencing my life again....... Yoshiharu despaired. 

"I had thought that teaching them namban soccer will be enough to avoid the battle between Honbyo temple and the Oda clan. The messy battle fighting against Saika Magoichi that lasts 10 years can be avoided! But, history will always go back to the right track at times when you least expect it! In the end, is it really impossible for someone like me to change history? Will history continues on a decided path under some unknown strength? If that's the case, the incident at Honnouji is an unavoidable fate too? There's no way I can accept that!" 

Compared to his own death, he missed Nobuna more. And is very worried for Mitsuhide. 

Only the incident of Honnouji, I must avoid at all cost! Even if I were to fall, only that historic event filled with sadness... Only that history, that event that changes the world's history.... 

"Wait. Yoshiharu-san! Dodge it! Don't die!" 

It's too late, Magoichi-nee. Yoshiharu laughed while crying on the horse. 

It's..... too late. 

The position of his heart was hit right on target. 

From the distance of the bullet, there's 5cm more. 

"Damn it! NO....NOBUNA!!!" 

Yoshiharu's painful shout echoed out in the battlefield. 

"Saru died!? How!?" 

"Senpai actually....?" 

"Is this true? Four heavenly kings." The bad news had spread to the great hall of Odawara castle. 

"Sagara Yoshiharu-sama who had ridden to the forefront by himself has died!" "Yoshiharu-sama was hit by the bullet!" "He's like a samurai till the end!" Naitou Masatoyo who had walked on her feet at the back of the Takeda cavalry heard the reports of soldiers of the retreating Takeda cavalry and had ran back to the hall of Odawara castle at the fastest speed immediately. 

"How did it happen! That fellow who was chosen by the heavens according to Kansuke actually.... He shouldn't die that easily! What the hell are the four heavenly kings doing? Letting the most important advisor ride at the forefront, just what is going on!?" 

Shingen couldn't believe it totally. 

But, at this time, the four heavenly kings had led the cavalry back. 

"I'm sorry, Shingen-sama! There should be someone to block at the front of the advisor as a meat shield, but once Sagara Yoshiharu discovered the huge amount of arquebus squads that the enemy had laid in ambush, he immediately asked us the four heavenly kings to retreat with our cavalry and after that, he charge towards the enemy! We totally didn't have the time to stop him!" 

"Sagara Yoshiharu isn't just brave and courageous, he is unexpectedly smart. He had seen through the truth of the Jakigan. But, a single bullet has taken such a hero's life... I Yamagata Masakage feels intense regret." 

"...In the end we only saw him falling from the horse... His body was gone somewhere... I'm afraid... The soldiers of the Oshu army must have cut off his head....." 

Everyone reported what they have seen, Shingen can't do anything but to believe that Yoshiharu is already dead. 

The one attacking Yoshiharu is a young girl wearing bright clothing. We have no idea who she is. Though we feel that she might be Saika Magoichi, but it's too different from her image. And, no one could have expected Saika Magoichi coming to Tohoku. 

And, the Takeda army who had never gone to Kyo wouldn't be able to know what the renowned arquebus specialist Saika Magoichi looks like. 

"Is that so, that fellow had a clear idea how to counter Jakigan in his heart and had died while protecting you guys and the Takeda cavalry. I haven't had the chance for him to leave a descendant for an advisor....." 

Unexpectedly seeing the depressed and teary look of Shingen, the four heavenly kings kneeled down to the floor. They had been stunned by Yoshiharu's surprising courage and decisiveness and couldn't help but weep. 

"Shingen-sama, we are really sorry!!!!" "Ok, it's an honor for a samurai to die in the battlefield. Sagara Yoshiharu is quite a samurai indeed. But, he's Oda clan's warrior. An advisor that we had borrowed from the Oda clan.... I'm sorry, Oda Nobuna." 

Shingen lowered her head deeply towards Nobuna. 

Shingen had never lowered her head to her ally Houjou Ujiyasu or her ex-comrade, Imagawa Yoshimoto. 

Ever since becoming the head of the Takeda clan, this is the first time Shingen had lowered her head to someone. 

"The death of Sagara Yoshiharu is the biggest mistake in my life. Please forgive me." 

The four heavenly kings were totally shocked. But, Shingen didn't raise her head yet. 

"I didn't know that the Oshu army had such an elite arquebus squad. It's all my fault who had underestimated our enemy. It's too late no matter how I apologize... I'm really sorry." 

Nobuna and Mitsuhide who was sitting by her side were just sitting there, not moving an inch. 

No, they can't move at all. 

Due to receiving too big of a shock, they can't utter a single sound. 

No matter if it's Okehazama, or Sunomata Ichiya castle or the conquering of Inabayama castle, that Yoshiharu who didn't die even at that Retreat of Kanegasaki. 

The fact that he had died so easily... 

Mitsuhide almost said, "It's all because we lent Senpai to Takeda...." but had endured it. 

Nobuna immediately noticed Mitsuhide and Shingen's feelings as she hugged Mitsuhide's shoulders quietly. 

".....Juubei....Endure... I'm controlling myself too....." 

"Nobuna-sama.... Uhh.....Uhhhh....." 

"Do...Don't cry! Haa.....Y....Yeah. We are still in a war.... That fellow has always protected girls while not caring about his life at all.... He....He went and saved the four heavenly kings, it must be because he had seen their naked bodies a.... and had developed feelings... Th...Tha...That fellow i....i.... is just such a pervert....! UWAHHHHHHH......!" 

When consolding Mitsuhide, Nobuna's feeling had exploded first. 

Mitsuhide hugged Nobuna who was weeping like a child, big droplets of tears were dropping down like rain. 

"Nobuna-sama..... Nobuna-sama....." 

"Uwahhhhhh! Yoshiharu..... Yoshiharu......!" 

Looking at the anguished Nobuna who had just lost her most precious retainer, Mitsuhide can't utter a single word. 

Though she's always bad tempered and on a short fuse, she truly loves and cares for her own retainers. 

While thinking like this, Mitsuhide can't bear it anymore and cry out loud for Nobuna and Yoshiharu. 

Just like this, the two of them hugged each other as they wept loudly. 

The master and subordinate relationship that had cracked just before was mended once again. 

But, the sacrifice is just too big. 

And, at that moment, a report that was from the frontline of Omi reached Nobuna's hands. 

"Uesugi Kenshin is heading towards Echizen at full speed. The substitute plan at Mount Toragozen was revealed under the ferocious attack of Asai Asakura. The 8 trigrams maze had been solved, the camp at Mount Toragozen is on the brink of falling." 

Bad news was coming like a nightmare. 

At the period when Nobuna and Mitsuhide are in their critical period, the news of the danger of Oda clan were laid right in front of them. 

".....It's all my fault! We had no idea when that Date Masamune recruited the arquebus squad. We could have gotten the news from Fuma if we hadn't gone to the onsen today. I can't say that it's our bad luck that causes this." 

Though the plan of causing her hated Sagara Yoshiharu to die had worked, but after seeing Shingen, Nobuna and the rest were in total sadness, Houjou Ujiyasu sobbed. 

Though Ujiyasu had protected her own embarrassing secret, but she had diverted Nobuna's fury and hatred upon herself. This is really troublesome. 

"....Uhhh.... Haa... uhhh." 

Hugging Shirou Katsuyori who was crying very sadly, Ujiyasu had planned to change the atmosphere and divert the hatred upon the Oshu army before everyone said, "It's all your fault!"! 

In actual fact, the battle is still continuing on. 

The overnight battle that no one knows will drag on for how many days is causing a decline in morale. 

It's out of their calculations that the enemy had huge amounts of arquebus squads as reinforcements. And Ujiyasu was very surprised about Takeda Shingen and the four heavenly kings being so depressed due to Yoshiharu's death. 

It's a never seen before thing to witness the normally fierce as a tiger Shingen to become so weak. 

Forgetting her duty as "Takeda Shingen" after losing both Kansuke and Yoshiharu, Shingen had turned back to the emotional girl, Katsuchiyo. 

Both Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide had received the news of Mount Toragozen almost falling and the death of Sagara Yoshiharu and are down on their feet. 

"I must turn back to the Tiger of Kai, and head towards Kawanaka island to delay Uesugi Kenshin... No, the whole of the Takeda army are to attack Echigo. Other than this, I have no other way to repay Oda Nobuna. Ujiyasu, I'm sorry. You can just defend here until Date Masamune depleted their rations and return back to Oshu." 

Seemingly decided, Shingen stood up as she ordered the four heavenly kings to make preparations for heading out. 

Ujiyasu was shaken at this moment. The Takeda clan is going to let their advisor die here and leave Odawara castle!? 

So as to say, Takeda Shingen had ran away. The morale of the Oshu allied forces will definitely rise greatly due to this defeat of the Takeda clan! Ujiyasu raised her voice against Shingen and Nobuna. 

"Don't be like this! Takeda Shingen. Do you plan to not avenge for Sagara Yoshiharu and leave just like this!? I'll never agree to it! Oda Nobuna. buck up too! Aren't you the one who has control over Kyo and the world? What is this compared to that? Don't keep crying like an abandoned kitty just because one of your retainers is dead! If you really feel angry about it, recover right now and become more like a samurai, isn't that what you should be doing!?" 

At the same time Nobuna heared Ujiyasu's words, she stopped her crying all of a sudden. 

And then, with eyes akin to burning flames, she glare at Ujiyasu. 

Ujiyasu shivered. 

These pair of eyes. Eyes that will seemingly scorch everything made Ujiyasu understands immediately, why is she the demon lord of the sixth realm that is feared by everyone. 

The tall Takeda Shingen has the pressure of a tiger too. She's a strong person that can fight Uesugi Kenshin into a stalemate just by herself. An extremely strong sengoku daimyo that had banished her own father for her ambitions. 

But even on such a Shingen's body, one can never see such eyes from her. 

Nobuna had changed. 

The world's destroyer, Oda Nobuna.... That demon lord of the sixth realm that had wanted to burn Mount Hiei that is representing tradition to the ground. 

Such real terror, after Nobuna had lost her true love, those flames of despair and rage was burning strongly, that kind of terror where she can't even control herself, Ujiyasu had finally understand right now. 

I may have gone too far, Ujiyasu can't help but think in her head. 

And then, Ujiyasu was enlightened. I can never share the world with this person. 

"This woman will never let me live on. She will definitely kill all of the Houjou clan, not leaving even one alive." 

The current Nobuna is a demon lord. 

Right now, not caring if it will succeed or not, I must act first. I should ask the Fuma ninjas to kill her right now. 

Ujiyasu wants to ring the bell by her hand. 

But, Ujiyasu didn't feel that she would be able to kill the demonized Nobuna. 

And, there is still the pale Akechi Mitsuhide with her lips tightly sealed by her side. I've heard that she's a specialist in swords. Whether it's the onsen or this military meeting where everyone had brought along their swords, if a fight breaks out, my life will be in danger. 

"You're correct, Houjou Ujiyasu. I'm going to avenge Yoshiharu's death right now!" 

"Roger!" Mitsuhide answered. 

"Juubei, to help Mount Toragozen soon, we must let the Takeda army stop the Uesugi army. So we who had lost Yoshiharu must repel the Oshu army first. There's only this way left!" 

Nobuna who was forced into a corner made her decision speedily. And that last decision is.... 

Sneaking into the main camp of the Date army and personally killing the warrior that had killed Sagara Yoshiharu and the commander of the Date army. 

So as to avenge Yoshiharu and break out of the containment of Odawara castle. 

The success rate is miniscule. The change of surviving through is zero. 

A sad gamble of throwing away their own lives. 

Anyone, whether if it's Ujiyasu, Shingen or the rest, none of them are able to stop Nobuna whose sadness and fury had reached its peak. 

"I Juubei will listen to your orders! Nobuna-sama!" 

"Let's go, Juubei. It's most likely that we won't be able to survive through this. Have you prepared yourself?" 

"Got it! I must take revenge for Senpai!" 

"Isn't this a rare occasion that our thoughts are synchronized!?" 

"But if Nobuna-sama was to fall here, won't the quest of Tenka Fubu be impossible? If you can, I Juubei can handle it myself." 

"No, I must kill both that arquebus commander who had killed Yoshiharu and the head of the Date clan, Date Masamune. No matter how good with the sword you are, you won't be able to do it alone, Juubei. If the two of us were to kill them one on one, we should be able to do it! That's how important Saru is to me as a retainer! A Tenka Fubu without Saru.... is worthless...." 

"Hmmm... Nobuna-sama's love for her retainers, I had experienced it myself deeply! Able to endure Senpai's frivolousness is because of the trust you have for your retainers! Nobuna-sama, let's go over to the Senpai's side now?" 

"Thanks, Juubei. Thanks for accompanying the wilfull me till the end." 

"It's not like that, I Juubei am really honored to serve under Nobuna-sama! Nobuna-sama's pain is Juubei's pain. I must take revenge for Senpai!" 

"Even if we were to die here, if we can force the Oshu army who had lost their leader to retreat, we can achieve peace with the Takeda clan and ask them to force Uesugi Kenshin to retreat his forces. With that, we will be able to save Riku, Kanjuurou and other soldiers who are at Mount Toragozen. Though we won't be able to continue Tenka Fubu and we don't know if the Oda clan will be able to survive, at least we don't have to worry for the lives of Kanjuurou and the rest." 

"I got it, Nobuna-sama." 

To avenge Sagara Yoshiharu and to help Mount Toragozen at the same time, Nobuna and Mitsuhide tried what they can. 

This pair of master and subordinate who had always been quarreling after Yoshiharu, to take revenge for him, their trust had become even stronger. 

The two of them sneaked out of the castle and mix in with the Oshu army. 

At the start, they wore artisan clothing and wander seemingly without purpose as they head towards the deep parts of the Oshu army without drawing their attention. And then, taking off the armor of corpses of the Oshu soldiers who were laid out in the battlefield to disguise themselves as part of the Oshu army. "It might be the last time I'm saying this.... Juubei, if I die, I'm leaving the rest to you. You have both wit and strength that was honed by Viper since you were small, with your family status and character different from me who is always throwing a temper, you had been a great help as my retainer. I had hoped that you can succeed Viper and my wish. For things to become like this, I'm really sorry." 

"When fighting with Matsunaga Danjo at Kyo, Senpai had said the same words. But... To me, at that moment when Nobuna-sama falls, it's the moment that my dream ends. I had never thought about being a successor. I Juubei want to follow Nobuna-sama till the end." 

"Dearuka, Saru had said so. I have been fighting along then, why didn't I notice?" 

"It was very chaotic at that time, it goes without saying that Nobuna-sama who is standing on the roof and firing away won't be able to hear anything. Senpai said, Nobuna-sama will never say these words to me herself." 

".....Humans will always tend to become honest with themselves at the end. The two of us who had always been quarreling, to think that I have acknowledged your talent to this extent. Now that you mention it, we are both the disciples of Viper." 

"That's really a huge honor!" 

The two of them look upon each other and smile like old friends. 

"Look, that camp that is erected with a strange reverse cross flag is Date Masamune's main camp. Like what the legend says, it's a camp that I've never seen before......" 

"That commander of the arquebus troop that had killed Senpai, she's there too?" 

"There's a scent of gunpower, it must be here. They might be confirming Yoshiharu's identity right now." 

"We must retrieve Senpai's head." 

"It's impossible for us to return alive. But we can't let Saru's head be a plaything of the enemy.... Let's blow it up." 

"I got it." 

Disguised as Oshu soldiers, Nobuna and Mitsuhide clenched their fist and nodded. 

Mitsuhide who was supposed to stop the raging Nobuna was filled with fury herself. 

The two of them draw their swords and walked slowly towards the main camp. 

Due to forcing the Takeda army who had lost their advisor to retreat back to Odawara castle, the Oshu army is in a extremely joyous mood. 

The protection of the main camp is extremely weak. 

We can do it! The two of them are sure of it. 

Mount Toragozen which is in a critical condition, if they can stop the attack of the Uesugi army, they might just be able to turn things around. 

But, it's impossible for Nobuna and Mitsuhide to survive through this.... 

"SUCCESSOR OF THE KASHIMA SHINTO STYLE, AKECHI JUUBEI, MOVING OUT!" 

"I'M GOING TO USE KUNISHIGE HASEBE TO CHOP MY MORTAL ENEMIES INTO PIECES. JUUBEI, LET'S GO!"