Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 7 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 : Death in Odani Castle 

At Mount Toragozen full of echoes of shouting. 

Nobusumi saw it..... 

He saw Hanbei coughing blood. 

The battle was ongoing but Hanbei's illness takes a turn to the worst. Nobusumi put Hanbei down on the western bed bought from Namban while desperately caring for her. 

"Hanbei, how.....!!" 

".....cough....cough....." 

"My master's sickness, please do not let anyone know of it. Especially Yoshiharu, if this is spread out, I will kill you." 

Zenki bare his fangs at Nobusumi while putting his moist hands on Hanbei's forehead to lower down her temperature. 

"I won't say anything. I have been reflecting on my big mouth. This crisis too, if I hadn't told Mitsuhide anything.... I will definitely not say anything.... But, why did Hanbei fall so sick? What's going on?" 

Hanbei coughed while revealing a gentle smile. 

To not make Nobusumi worry, she had been working hard. 

".....must finish my work on time." 

"Work? What work?" 

"Yes, a work that can only be completed by omyoujis. For Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san, I must complete it no matter what.... cough...cough." 

"Master, don't say anything anymore. For now, just rest a little." 

"But, the maze has already been broken through. After that, the countermeasures right now is....." 

"No, master's body can no longer take it." 

Nobusumi had not noticed the actual job that Hanbei must complete even at the expense of her life. 

But, there are things right now that even Nobusumi can do. 

That is, to take up his spear and enter the battle. He must protect the base at Mount Toragozen. 

Just sitting down like this won't protect the base. 

The reliable Stone Sentinel Maze had already been broken through. 

The main force of the Odani castle is currently attacking the main camp of Mount Toragozen. 

It's time for them to launch a counterattack. 

Nobusumi put on his namban armor, wore his red cloak and got on the horse. 

"Aneue and Saru will definitely return. Mitsuhide will be with them too. As long as we can hold on to this base, it's our victory. But Hanbei can no longer work! Now isn't the time to think up strategies, I will lead the troops and strike at Odani castle!" 

Nobusumi made up his mind. Now he can only abandon all thoughts of death and hope for the best. 

"The reason why the enemy keeps attacking without any concern for damage on their side is because they know that the reinforcements of Uesugi Kenshin will arrive soon. If we retreat from Mount Toragozen, we won't be able to stop Kenshin from heading south. Attack, attack thoroughly. We must let the Asai Asakura forces see our resolve in never backing down. Shikigami-san, I'm leaving Hanbei in your hands!" 

"Oh, you're quite manly now.." 

Zenki gave a fleeting smile. 

"Isn't that obvious? Though my interest is in crossdressing, but I'm definitely a man! Don't let Hanbei die now!" 

"Your legs are trembling." 

"Uhh, that's because of excitement!" 

Now is the time to fulfill the promise with Oichi. 

Though Nobusumi doesn't know how to fight and doesn't like fighting, but there are times that a man has to fight. 

And, the young girl Hanbei has been fighting on despite being so sickly, he isn't a man if he doesn't fight right now. 

(Like the time at the Retreat of Kanegasaki when Saru volunteered to protect the rear. If I don't fight right now, I can't be counted as a man. I don't even have the right to receive Oichi! I will be the one to protect Hanbei!) 

Nobusumi waved the command flag. 

"All troops charge down from the top! We will break through the enemy formation with speed and head straight to Odani castle! Don't care about the maze as it will hinder our movements. Destroy all of them like how we destroy castle walls, full speed ahead!" 

At the same time he gave an all out attack order, Nobusumi himself charge onwards. 

Swinging her spear with all her might, Inuchiyo who was surrounded by the enemy and Shibata Katsuie who had turned into a demon at the foremost frontlines saw the scene of Nobusumi charging forwards. 

"......That Nobusumi, he's like a vicious demon...." 

"DON'T LET THE ODA CLAN'S ACTING COMMANDER IN CHIEF DIE! ALL FORCES, ATTACK! TARGET: ODANI CASTLE!" 

Due to the absence of Nobuna, the foot soldiers of the Oda army who had lost their morale at the sight of the maze being broken through suddenly had their morale recovered. 

"That carefree crossdressing Nobusumi-chan actually....." 

"He is full of fighting spirit!" 

"That Uiroumochi retainer actually turned into a tiger!" 

"Like what we expect from the brother of the Hime-sama, too cool!" 

"We're following!" 

In contrast, the Asakura army's morale is on a fall. 

They had not thought that the opponent would counterattack. 

"We can't win even if we found the exit of the maze?" 

"They destroyed their own maze and started attacking!" 

"Their commander Oda Nobuna isn't around, why are they that strong!?" 

The distance between Odani castle and Mount Toragozen is as near as that of the nose and eyes. 

There's only flat ground between the two. 

In this narrow flat ground, the two armies began their chaotic battle. 

Bullets flying everywhere, arrows came down like rain. The sounds of clashes between spears were echoing everywhere. 

Originally, the Asai clan's Omi soldiers were stronger than the Owari soldiers. 

And, the good news of "Oda Nobuna isn't around." "Hanbei's maze has been broken through." "Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin will soon be here." had been coming through. 

By right, the Oda army that Nobusumi leads will most likely be instantly destroyed by these narrow grounds. 

But, due to the impact of Hanbei's coughing blood, and the thought that since Nobuna and Yoshiharu have not returned, "if I still care about my life right now, I won't have the right to meet Oichi!", like a changed man full of fighting spirit, Nobusumi struck hard at the enemy formations and so, the Oda army was once again saved from the fate of being destroyed. 

At this time, the Oda army had already started to suppress the Asai Asakura allied forces. 

The belief of "Victory will come once we break through the maze" by the Asai Asakura army was totally destroyed by Nobusumi who had become a berserker. 

This isn't like what a substitute should do. 

Nobusumi himself did not know that there's such strength hidden in his small body. 

Even at Anegawa, when he was fighting alone with Oichi(Asai Nagamasa), he himself had made the resolve to lose. 

He had totally not thought that he could win. 

But, this is different. 

He has to win no matter what. 

He must not lose the camp at Mount Toragozen. 

He can't let that young girl die right here. 

If Hanbei dies here, how can he face Yoshiharu? 

When the thought of protecting Hanbei sprouted in Nobusumi's heart, the interior of Nobusumi seems to have changed. 

(I finally understand now the reason why Oichi didn't choose me. The me previously can't be counted as a man at all. It's just a child being protected by Aneue, Katsuie and Oichi. But, I'm different now! This time, I must protect Hanbei!) 

Katsuie and Inuchiyo arrived at Nobusumi's side. 

"Acting commander-in-chief, remarkable spirit! We will definitely win if this goes on! We will open a path for you, just charge on ahead like this!" 

".....Agreed." 

"Hahaha, it's better if Katsuie uses a more girly way to talk. Such rough words, you might not really find a partner?" 

"Ahh... Re..Rea...Really!? But...But I'll be bullied if I'm too girly on the battlefield!" 

"Even if your tone change, a demon will remain as a demon. Will you be bullied? The enemy will all run after they see Katsuie." 

"What? I...Is me being girly too hard, Inu!?" 

"....O-inu-sama." 

"Isn't your headdress a tiger!?" 

".....to prove that dogs are better than tigers." 

Finally, the Asai army, as well as the Asakura army started to retreat. 

The Oda army that Nobusumi is leading rushed towards Odani castle in one go. 

But, the natural fortress Odani castle can't be conquered just by brute strength alone. 

And, the actual commander of the enemy is Asakura Yoshikage. 

He's a guy who has the ambition of catching Nobuna alive and bringing her back to Ichijodani. 

"This is what they commonly call desperate measures, but to think that a substitute can do that to such an extent." 

Asakura Yoshikage who had lead his Asakura army down from Odani castle and prepared a formation at the front of Mount Toragozen thought of a plan. 

"We are winning this battle! After listening to the report of Oda Nobuna not being in the camp, I had an impossible thought of "Oda Nobuna abandoning her ambition to conquer the world and elopeing with Sagara Yoshiharu". Now that both sides are in heated battle, the soldiers' analysis skills had weakened due to the excitement! So, like me who had fallen in love, we are susceptible to rumors." 

It's extremely abnormal that Oda Nobuna is absent in such an important battle. It's precisely because of the anomaly that such rumors are extremely effective. Asakura Yoshikage believed. 

"Ask the soldiers to shout! Oda Nobuna and Sagara Yoshiharu have abandon the Oda clan and eloped, they're not coming back!" 

Correct. 

The suspicious relationship between the two of them had been slowly spreading that even amongst the Asai Asakura allied forces. 

Especially when the soldiers of the Oda clan know all the more how Oda Nobuna dotes on Sagara Yoshiharu. 

The rumors of the Christmas kiss had been widely spread in the army. 

And so, this type of baseless rumors works extremely well. 

While having a sinister smile, Yoshikage orders all his troops to shout "Oda Nobuna has abandoned the Oda clan and eloped." 

"The soldiers of both armies will likely to take this as real. Right now, both armies' strength is equal. If that's the case, the victor will be decided by morale. The side with the lower morale will lose." 

If Asai Nagamasa is at Asakura Yoshikage's side, she might have shouted, "Don't play around with other people's love!" as she pulled her sword out to cut off Yoshikage's head. 

But, the place that Asai Nagamasa is standing now is the main hall of Odani castle that can view the whole situation. Now is the time to calculate the amount of leftover forces to send out. 

If the situation becomes advantageous, they will rush down in one breath to decimate the Oda army. 

And so, Yoshikage's plan started to take effect. At the side, Tsuchimikado Hisanaga played his flute while saying "I've no idea what plans he has. I'm just a kid, I don't get this at all." 

"Hime-sama and Saru eloped together?" 

"They won't be coming back?" 

"It must be a lie!" 

"But that Saru is actually missing!" 

"Don't tell me.... they......" 

"....Seems like a Hime daimyo and retainer can never be joined together." 

"And so the two of them, unable to resist their love have joined their hands together and eloped.... It might be true." 

The whole Oda army had been shaken. 

The formation starts to fall into chaos. 

At such a narrow grounds having a chaotic battle, if the morale were to drop even slightly, the whole army will suffer heavy losses. The pursuing of the Oda army stopped. 

"Idiots! How can Aneue and Saru elope!? Everyone, don't be deceived!" 

"EHHHHHHH! SA...SA...SA...SA....SARU ELOPED? WITH HIME-SAMA? WHAT'S GOING ON? UWAHHHH!" 

"....Katsuie was deceived too. How dumb." 

The Oda strikeforce that Nobusumi leads stopped their march on a pathway onwards to Odani castle. 

Due to the fuss by the soldiers, they stopped their attack halfway in. 

"Now is the time!" At Odani castle, Asai Nagamasa who knows nothing about the situation rushed down from the castle leading her troops. 

The young hero of Omi, Saruyashamaru with her bodyguards rushed at the foremost. 

Extremely weak, the Oda army was instantly demolished. 

Nobusumi didn't get the chance to take a look at Asai Nagamasa as he had fallen from the horse at the start. It's fortunate that the flexible Katsuie picked him up. 

".....Uhh, uhh.... It's all finished. I can't get back Oichi....? I'm out of ideas....." 

On Katsuie's back, Nobusumi wept. 

Katsuie and Inuchiyo immediately shouted, "Retreat, RETREAT!" as they wave at everyone to back down. 

"N...noo! The enemy is far too strong! If we don't retreat now, we will be decimated!" 

".....Katsuie, be girly, more girly!" 

"Got it! No, I know! If we don't run away now, everyone is going to be in danger~ Eh~....This... IS THIS THE TIME TO ACT CUTE!?" 

But even if we retreat now, they are already at a place at the halfway mark from the peak of Mount Odani, they can't go back to Mount Toragozen even if they want to. 

At the narrow grounds between Mount Toragozena and Odani castle, the Asai and Asakura armies are waiting there. 

It had become a pincer attack situation already. 

And, due to the cavalry that Nagamasa lead rushing down from the top of the mountain, that force couldn't be stopped. 

Both Katsuie and Inuchiyo had made their resolve. 

"Looks like we're dead? Uhh, even if it's just once, I wish to love someone ~My breasts being rubbed by Saru is the only time I had some relationship with guys I can think of... How irritating~! I don't wanna die!" 

".....Before I die... I wanna eat Uiroumochi... Sakura style." 

"It's all my fault for giving orders without thinking through.... I'm sorry, everyone...." On Katsuie's back, Nobusumi mumbled. He had not regained consciousness. His brain was still unconscious as he apologized to Katsuie and Hanbei. 

"No, it's not Nobusumi's fault. It's due to the enemy using despicable methods like spreading rumors about Hime-sama abandoning everyone and escaping! It seems to be the doing of Asakura Yoshikage! .....Ahh~No~ Once again, my tone isn't girly. Eh..." 

While swinging her spear, Katsuie alternates her face between fury and smiling as she seems very busy. 

"Anyway! We must not let Nobusumi be killed! Inu, clear a blood path out!" 

"....Call me O-inu-sama." 

"You aren't a tiger. That's why!" 

"......Good tsukomi.... Katsuie can try doing skits." 

"If we're able to get out of this mess! There's no harm trying! Ah, nono. I must be girly in my tone... I will try it out, hanya~n~." 

".....no one knows whether we can survive this... What's with that 'hanya~n'?" 

"Saru taught me the way of speaking for girls in the future. Cute "2 dimensional bishoujos" and future girls often use 'hanya~n'! You think it's cute? Besides 'hanya~n', there's 'ukyu~', 'umyuu~', 'kyururu~n' or 'fueee~', things like that, there's many cute words in future language." 

TL Note: Probably much of this is nonsense, but 'nya~n' and 'fueee~' are actually used. 

"....All are sounds from silly girls....." 

"Huh? Now that you mention it... That Saru! Is he playing around with me?" 

"This might be the last retort in my life." Katsuie smiled. 

Inuchiyo nodded wordlessly. 

Enemies from all sides slowly moved towards them. 

Surrounded by enemies can truly be used to describe their situation. 

"We must fight for some time even if it's to let the acting commander escape alone. Charge! ....No, let's go~" 

"....Understood." 

Katsuie and Inuchiyo rushed forwards at the same time. 

With their back towards the Asai Nagamasa troops charging down the mountain, they rushed towards Mount Toragozen at full speed. 

But, at the direction of Mount Toragozen, there had long been enemies waiting with spears. 

This is their last job. 

To allow Nobusumi to break through the encirclement, they used their last strength to strike fiercely. 

But, of course, Katsuie wasn't abandoned by the heavens. 

At the last moment, the reinforcements arrived. 

"Riku! Inuchiyo! I've brought the army from Gifu over to save you guys!" 

"Nobuna is nowhere to be found, how can she lead reinforcements over! But it's great that you can arrived at the nick of time!" 

"Hmmm. I Akechi Mitsuhide's army at Kyo.... umm.... hasn't arrived yet. I'm sorry. I'm going to gather them now. Other than commit seppuku, I'm willing to take any punishment." 

"Though I hate attacking mountain castles, but I have rushed here to help all the way from Ise after hearing that Mitsu-chan disappeared from Kyo. Hurry and thank me." 

"Takigawa-sama? Who is Mitsu-chan? Is that me?" 

"Isn't that obvious? Mitsuhide, so "Mitsu-chan"" 

"It's easy to be confusing. So other than "Kumquat" please do not give me any other nicknames, ok?" 

""Mitsu-chan", what a dumb nickname." 

"....Sagara-senpai, are you looking for trouble?" 

The reinforcements of Nobuna finally reached. 

Because she already had a 1 month alliance with the eastern enemy, Shingen, so Nobuna had lead almost all the defending soldiers at Gifu over. 

And what's weird is, Takigawa who is supposed to be in Ise had brought troops over to meet with Nobuna. 

The military strength of the Oda clan was instantly doubled. 

"Hime-sama!!!! It's so good that you're alright! You didn't elope with Saru!" 

"Wh...What are you talking about, Riku? How can I ever do such a thing!? T...Though... the possibility of Saru kidnapping me isn't zero, but....." 

"What, he had almost eloped with Takeda Shingen... Geez, Senpai is really a lecher. Che." 

"Everyone listen, Saru and I have returned in good form! Uesugi Kenshin has retreated back to Echigo too! Takeda Shingen has headed out towards Kawanaka Island! The Asai Asakura army no longer has any reinforcements! Now we will finish these two clans in one go!" 

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH! 

All of the Oda army's morale was boosted sky high by Nobuna's energetic announcement. 

"We can't do it anymore." 

"Let's run away." 

"We have been abandoned." 

Whereas the morale of the Asai Asakura forces went down immediately. 

Especially that sentence of "Uesugi Kenshin won't come anymore" had a huge impact. 

The two heroes known throughout the world, Tiger of Kai Takeda Shingen and Dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin. 

The fight between them breaking out again means that the Asai Asakura army can only fight alone now. 

And, without the pressure of guarding against the eastern side, the main force of the Oda clan had basically been gathered. 

"We have this in the bag!" 

"Even if it's Takeda from Anegawa, we're no longer afraid!" 

"If they have gathered their full force, even the Matsudaira army can be finished together!" 

"Looks like the enemy had all their forces out on the field, now is our chance!" 

The situation once again turned around. 

When Asakura Yoshikage who had left Odani castle and attacked the main camp of the Oda army at Mount Toragozen first heared about the reports of "Oda Nobuna has returned with her army from Gifu here." "Takeda Shingen has sent out troops towards Kawanaka island." "Uesugi Kenshin has returned to Echigo.", he couldn't believe them at all. 

The one who used fake information to affect the enemy from the start is Yoshikage himself. 

Plans that he could have thought of, the enemy could definitely have thought of it, isn't it? 

Strategies that he could use, won't the enemy use them too? 

At this time, Yoshikage was bound by such a thinking pattern. 

The weakness of Yoshikage is his inability to be flexible as he can only act according to the plans he had in his brain. 

The deceiver has been deceived. 

And, this isn't a fake rumor that others had spread, it's just he himself being paranoid, something that didn't exist at all. 

Why did Nobuna and Yoshiharu disappear from Mount Toragozen? Yoshikage does not have an answer even to this point. 

"Using fake rumors to counter fake rumors, Oda Nobuna? It's unforunate that I won't be deceived." 

"If this goes on, Odani castle will be lost. I must first retreat to Ichijodani and find Uesugi Kenshin before returning back here." Yoshikage said as he rode forwards. 

Tsuchimikado Hisanaga chased after him on horseback. 

"What to do with Asai-san?" 

"Let Asai Nagamasa stay here, before I bring the troops from Echigo, she must endure this through." 

"Ahh, there isn't any trustworthy ally. It's better if you say something." 

"There isn't time for that. I'm going back to Ichijodani alone." 

"Staying here any further will just get me killed. I'm going with you. Though I can't summon shikigamis anymore, but I can still protect Asakura-san." 

Asakura Yoshikage did not say anything to Asai Nagamasa before retreating from the battlefield. 

And, he had even abandoned his own Asakura troops. 

But to Asakura Yoshikage, "As long as Uesugi Kenshin comes", this can't be counted as a despicable move of betrayal. 

It should be so. 

That's how great the name of Uesugi Kenshin is. 

Not moved by personal greed, leading the capable Echigo army on terms like righteousness and logic, the god of war Uesugi Kenshin is such an existence. 

As long as he can talk to Uesugi Kenshin about the crisis at Odani castle, with Uesugi Kenshin's speed, they can definitely destroy the Oda army in one go. 

"Before having Oda Nobuna in my hands, I'll never give up!" 

Yoshikage has the last hope of having Uesugi Kenshin coming to help. 

On the other side, with Hanbei's instructions, Gouki came to the side of Nobuna and Yoshiharu who were attacking Odani castle. 

Gouki brought forth the letter of Hanbei who was lying down in the main camp at Mount Toragozen. 

The contents of the letter are... 

"Asakura Yoshikage will definitely escape towards Echizen. Leave Odani castle to Yoshiharu-san and Nobusumi-sama, Nobuna-sama should lead her troops straight towards Ichijodani castle. With that, we should be able destroy the Asakura clan." 

Very beautiful and smooth words. 

Though the letter did not specify precise strategies and movement procedure, but the smart Nobuna can still do all that. 

And, 

Considering different things, the battle plan that Nobuna is thinking of is basically the same as that suggested by Hanbei. 

"Let's do it then." 

Nobuna pat her knees on the horse. 

Yoshiharu nodded. 

"Nobuna. You understand what Hanbei-chan said?" 

"Of course. Saru, you have a big responsibility! It should not be a problem to invade Odani castle. But just invading isn't enough. I hope you can give me the ending that I'm expecting. If you can't do it, there won't be any reward~" 

"Ahh, I got it. Leave it to me." 

"....We must conquer the Odani castle that we can't have during the Battle of Anegawa. And, don't be reckless. I'm relying on you." 

"Hmmm, it's because of this that I've come to this world! This time, don't give me an orange and say it's my reward, get it?" 

"Of couse not, look forward to it." 

The two shared a smile. 

At this time, Akechi Mitsuhide is on the way towards Kyo to bring the army over there here and thus wasn't around. It was originally supposed to be a punishment as heavy as committing seppuku, but looks like they can definitely win even without the reinforcements from Kyo. 

"Riku! Inuchiyo! We're going to attack Echizen! Saru and Kanjuurou are to continue attacking Odani castle!" 

Nobuna swung her horse around and galloped away towards Echizen. 

"Why, not going to Odani castle?" 

"....It's enough with Yoshiharu and the rest. What....?" 

"Hanbei is still hesitating whether to allow the surrender of Asai Nagamasa and Asai Hisamasa! If the both of them don't swear to surrender, I will have to kill them with my own hands, and that won't be easily looked over by Mother. Hanbei actually thought so much for me! And anyway, if it's about Nagamasa, shouldn't the decision lie with Kanjuurou!? It's should be so!" 

Hanbei is really a smart individual, to actually think so far ahead for Hime-sama. Katsuie exclaimed. "Eh? Then why do you allow Saru to attack Odani castle?" Katsuie turned her head around. 

"And, Hime-sama. Can we really conquer Ichijodani castle with an assault right now?" 

"If it's now, we can do it! The main force of Asakura is still fighting at Omi, Ichijodani castle must definitely be empty! Yoshikage must not have believed the fact that Uesugi Kenshin won't be coming to Omi and will definitely have abandoned his companions and gone back to Ichijodani! Those who play with fire will get their fingers burnt. The Asakura army who is fighting here will definitely be depressed with Yoshikage's disappearance! It's our victory in the battle right here!" 

"....If one keeps lying, no one will believe him when he's telling the truth.....?" 

"Just like that, Inuchiyo. Hanbei is really remarkable. Though I had considered the same strategy but I can't make up my mind. Whether we can finish off Echizen's Asakura clan will be up to us now." 

"Ok, go on then, Nobuna! Leave the rest to me and Nobusumi! I will definitely give you the end you like!" Yoshiharu yelled. 

"I'm relying on you!" 

Nobuna sped on with her horse. 

During the Battle at Kanegasaki, due to the counterattack of Asai Asakura, she had almost lost her life. 

When she made the decision to allow Yoshiharu to protect her back, Nobuna almost expended all of her strength. 

But now, the Asakura clan is as weak as an egg without its shell. 

At the last moment, Asakura Yoshikage chose to escape back to his frivolous "Little Kyoto" Ichijodani castle. 

Nobuna, Katsuie and Inuchiyo led their troops and followed him. 

The army is strong and their morale high. 

It's time to take revenge for Kanegasaki. 

Without any rest at all, Nobuna, they all set out. 

Compared to the Retreat at Kanegasaki, this little fatigue is nothing. 

In the Tohoku region, the Owari army is the weakest. Even comparing the whole of Japan, they are one of the weakest. But, their endurance is quite something. 

Nobuna had always led her troops around like a flash of lightning, and so, the Oda army was used to it. 

Because the main forces of the Asakura army is gathered near Odani castle, Nobuna's army went into an almost empty region.. 

Finally, she could see Ichijodani castle with her eyes. 

Ichijodani castle is a mountain fort. 

Like time had stopped, on the top of this mountain, it's like a structure in the Heian era. 

According to Nobuna's instincts, Yoshikage must not be at the fortress in the mountains but at his Ichijodani house. 

Not shedding any blood to the best of her extent, Nobuna wants to accomplish her Tenka Fubu. Nobuna is currently walking on the path that Yoshiharu had pointed out. 

But before that, she does not have the experience in killing the enemy's daimyo yet. 

Imagawa Yoshimoto surrendered and became the shogun. 

Asai Nagamasa had escaped at Anegawa. 

Rokaku Yoshitaka had fled to Koka, Saitou Yoshitatsu had been banished after he was captured. Matsunaga Hisahide had become an important retainer on her side, the Miyoshi three had given up on Settsu as they fled to Shikoku. 

But not knowing why, just Asakura Yoshikage alone, Nobuna does not want to leave him alive. 

If Yoshiharu had not rushed back to the main camp at Anegawa, she might have already been... by that man.... Just by thinking, her body trembled. 

As a competitor to conquering the world, whether if it's winning or losing, as long as he or she surrenders, they can become the other's retainer. 

But, Asakura Yoshikage is different. 

If she let him escape this time, he will definitely stage an uprising in the future. 

Nobuna steeled her heart to finish Yoshikage once and for all. 

"Right there! Asakura Yoshikage had gone back to Ichijodani alone, Kenshin isn't here and Ichijodani did not have any troops stationed! Attack now!" 

"OHHHHHHHHHHH!" 

The Oda army went through the streets of Ichijodani and headed straight towards Yoshikage's residence. 

Only extremely few soldiers were guarding Ichijodani. 

But, even those guards had dispersed due to "Uesugi Kenshin didn't come!" "But Oda Nobuna has chased us here!" 

The Oda army's main force who should be at Odani castle fighting suddenly appearing here at Echizen is something that no one could have expected. 

There was no one guarding Yoshikage's residence. 

"There should be many of my portraits at Ichijodani house. Though burning Hasegawa Tohaku's drawings is quite unfortunate, but I really don't want to see those drawings! Burn them all!" 

"Got it, Hime-sama! Leave things of destruction to me... no, I'll do it, hanya~n~." 

".....Women's enemy, heaven's punishment!" 

"Riku, what's with that 'hanya~n~'. Such a turn off!" 

"Uwahhhhh, I just want to be more girly. At least like Nagahide!" 

"Huh? I think Manchiyo won't say things like 'hanya~n~'?" 

"Damn it, I was indeed deceived by that Saru! DIE! No, I must... I must... punish him~!" 

"Got it already! Listen to me properly. How messed up...." 

"EH! Hime-sama was turned off by me, am I beyond hope!?" 

While Katsuie wept, she shouted, "OI! Burn all of this to a crisp! ....Uhh. Burn all of them! Hanya~n." as she orders the soldiers. 

"....Why....Why didn't Uesugi Kenshin come? Isn't he known as "Righteous warrior"!? Have I been deceived by Uesugi Kenshin!?" 

Yoshikage who was surrounded by the screens full of girls in the "Tales of Genji" and the Oda army hugged his head as he screamed. 

"Takeda-san who was supposed to be surrounded at Odawara castle suddenly sent soldiers out and so, Uesugi Kenshin had given up. That righteous Uesugi-san gave up on the promise on reinforcing us, that's just how fierce the attack of the Takeda army is. So as to say, that "Takeda Shingen had moved out" report isn't fake." 

Only one, Tsuchimikado Hisanaga who followed Yoshikage over was still very calm. 

If it's abilities to protect himself, Tsuchimikado Hisanaga still can summon his shikigamis. 

On his hand, he was still holding the letter of apology left by Uesugi Kenshin. 

The aide that passed Kenshin's letter to Yoshikage and Hisanaga had already disappeared, he must have ran away. 

The contents of the letter are, "Because Takeda Shingen has headed out to Kawanaka Island, I must return to Echizen immediately. I hope you can try your best to protect Odani castle. I will definitely do what I promised." It was to explain to Yoshikage and Nagamasa, "If not for Takeda Shingen, I would have followed through with my righteousness." and expressed his apologies. 

Uesugi Kenshin isn't coming. Even if he wanted to, Takeda Shingen won't allow it. 

From the results, if Yoshikage had stayed in Odani castle, he might still have had a hope of victory. 

"Ahh~ It must be because I escaped from Odani castle. To think that the Oda army had led their troops straight at Echizen even before invading Odani castle, unbelievable. Though the spells of Takenaka Hanbei had weakened, but her intellect had not changed. Looks like I still can't take on the job as a strategist." 

"......The renowned clan of Asakura, will it end with me? Has the prophecy of Norikage come true? To Oda Nobuna, am I just a stepping stone in her quest of Tenka Fubu? I wasn't accepted as a man, neither as a warrior. Am I not accepted even as someone following the frivolous path!?" 

Fire arrows shot through the windows and landed on the screens. Looking at his precious Genji drawings being burned, Yoshikage went berserk. 

The humiliations of being insulted and tortured about his frivolous interests by Norikage, fury crept out from his heart. 

Everything about him had been rejected by Norikage once, and now by Nobuna. 

"Don't burn them! The drawings of Hasegawa Tohaku, don't burn them! DAMN IT, ODA NOBUNA! YOU WANT TO REJECT MY FRIVOLOUS INTERESTS? I DON'T CARE EVEN IF I COMMIT SEPPUKU RIGHT HERE! BUT.... NOT SAYING ANYTHING, YOU WANT TO BURN THE WORLD THAT I BUILT!?" 

"I don't allow this, only this!" While coughing blood, he shouted in the midst of the "Tales of Genji" screens. 

Hikaru Genji had given up on the life of being surrounded by girls as he couldn't have a happy life with the girl he loved Murasaki and was forced to become a monk. 

But, I have been chaste all this while. Before meeting with the fated girl of his life, Oda Nobuna, he had always.... Even so, Oda Nobuna had not brought a mother's love, but fire arrows killing him! At Anegawa, my rationality was snatched by Nobuna's beauty. After attacking her, she had felt fear. Due to cause and effect, an ending like this happened. Even so, Yoshikage did not regret it. To Yoshikage, that wasn't playing around. Sneaking into the enemy formations, not caring about his own life to pursue his love. Didn't Hikaru Genji force Murasaki down too? But he wasn't able to have the body of Oda Nobuna. 

Ahh. A frivolous life like Genji is impossible in the real world. In the end, this is the real world! How cruel, and how despicable! 

He no longer wants to pursue the bodies of girls. 

At this moment, Asakura Yoshikage isn't a human anymore, he had become an evil spirit. 

"Tsuchimikado Hisanaga! I don't want to live in the real world, neither do I want to live in the frivolous world. I no longer want to be human! Use your omyouji powers and turn me to a shikigami! I will live on even if I abandon being human. After that, I will take my revenge on Oda Nobuna and Sagara Yoshiharu!" 

"....Ara ara. Though my ability of summoning shikigamis has weakened, but I do have enough strength to command evil spirits. But is this.... really ok? You can't turn back to a human again? I think that is worse than dying here." 

"I don't mind! I'm ok in turning into a spirit!" 

"....I got it. Since I want to go back to Kyo to make a comeback, but now my ability in summoning shikigamis has weakened. It's not that bad keeping a spirit with me. Though we have the same goal, but don't hate me from now on, got it?" 

In the Ichijodani house surrounded by flames, the young omyouji Tsuchimikado Hisanaga shouted, "Ok then! Let me use the secret art of Tachikawa style!" Tsuchimikado gave a devious smile while pulling out a knife to cut off the head of Asakura Yoshikage who had committed suicide by biting his tongue off. 

But the head that had fallen off was still shouting, "DAMN YOU, ODA NOBUNA! DAMN YOU ASAKURA NORIKAGE! DAMN YOU, SAGARA YOSHIHARU......" 

Tsuchimikado Hisanaga had used a secret art passed down in the Tsuchimikado clan of cutting off heads without taking their life. 

"An evil spirit like Asakura-san, it's better for me to use the evil arts of Tachikawa style to control him. The head of Asakura-san has become a golden skull. The spirit living in the skull will continue on as a state surpassing ghosts and gods." Tsuchimikado put Yoshikage's head in his bag as he chanted out incantations. 

The main pillar supporting the Ichijodani house finally split. The ceiling fell down on Hisanaga's head. 

The world full of drawings from the "Tales of Genji", the frivolous house of Asakura Yoshikage had collapsed with a huge bang. 

The elite of the northern lands, the renowned clan of Echizen, the Asakuras was eliminated right here. 

…… 

After the Ichijodani house of Yoshikage had finished burning, Katsuie and the rest searched for the remains of him. 

But, they can't find any. 

"No, Hime-sama. We can't find Asakura Yoshikage's remains. It must have burned to ash." 

".....found a golden skull..." 

"What?" 

Inuchiyo found a golden skull in the ashes and took it to Nobuna. 

The size is as big as a human's head. 

But, all of it was gold plated. 

While touching the golden skull, Nobuna knitted her eyebrows. 

"What's this? It looks delicate. There's lots of gold on it and I can't peel them off." 

"....What is this about, I do not know...." 

"Is this artificial, Hime-sama? It must be the treasure of Asakura Yoshikage. What a fellow with evil interests!" 

"Hmmm. Well, so be it. If we can't find any remains, there will be rumors of Yoshikage being alive. Let's treat this as Yoshikage's head then." 

"Eh? Using this golden skull to replace him? There will be retributions." 

"Didn't you say it yourself just now? This is artificial, Riku? There won't be any problems!" 

"Oh, ohh...." 

"Looks like this golden skull will be useful. But, you will definitely make your mother angry...." 

".....Hime-sama? You look very sad. What's going on?" 

On her horse, Nobuna did not answer Inuchiyo's question. "What's left now is Odani castle. I wonder how are Saru and Kanjuurou doing?" While saying, Nobuna looked at the sky. 

Nobuna, and the plan that Hanbei had thought of to change the situation, everything will depend on the result of those two. 

Odani castle is close to falling too. 

"Asakura Yoshikage has escaped to Echizen alone." When that news spread out, all of the Asakura army said, "It's all over." and fled. 

In the Battle of Anegawa, Asakura Yoshikage had disappeared by himself like this too. 

"His old habit again, returning by himself to his Genji house at Ichijodani." 

While blaming Yoshikage, the soldiers dispersed. 

Though Asai Nagamasa is still holding on to Odani castle alone, but from the moment that the Asakura army dispersed, the victor has been decided. 

Asai Nagamasa wants to clear a blood path and head towards the corner house where her father Hisanaga is at, but in between the main hall and the corner house, they were full of Oda troops. It's no longer possible for Nagamasa to go over there. 

This lightning speed strategy of invading Odani castle was sent to the hands of Yoshiharu and Kanjuurou at the frontlines by Hanbei who was lying down in the main camp by a letter on a dove. 

"Attack the corner house to break off any contact to the outside world from the main hall, let Asai Nagamasa retreat into the main hall." 

"Preparing to leave the main hall I'm in for last? So as to say.... Kanjuurou is preparing to fulfill the promise we had too?" 

Nagamasa rode through the mountain path and return to the main hall. 

Her own troops are left less than half now. 

No, it's not even a fifth of what she had. 

The elimination of the Asakura army means that the reinforcements of Uesugi Kenshin not coming is true. 

Most of the soldiers had despaired and thought that the Asai Asakura clans are finished and had abandoned their masters and ran. 

Nagamasa sat down and wait for Nobusumi to enter the main hall. 

But, the 3 elders of the Asai clan wore white clothing and went to Nagamasa's side. 

"I'm so sorry! Asakura Yoshikage is too useless, we lost a battle that we could have won." 

"The corner house that Hisanaga-sama lived at has been totally surrounded by the Oda army, it looks impossible to save him." 

"This is all our responsibility.... If Takeda hadn't stopped the reinforcements of Uesugi Kenshin, Oda Nobuna would never have been able to win." 

"Asakura Yoshikage is really shameless! Always running from the battlefield." 

"Don't say that. It's normal for warriors to win or lose. Didn't I escape in Anegawa too? This failure is my responsibility. As the elders of the Asai clan, all of you have tried your best." Asai Nagamasa gave a refreshing smile to console her elders. 

"It's already impossible to meet with Father this lifetime. That Owari monkey will most likely make a mess to save Father too.... But Father has his own stubborn-ness as a warrior. No matter how fast his movements are, there are things that he can't do anything about. Saru has to experience that at least once." 

Whether if hatred for her father or blaming Yoshikage, she no longer had such thoughts right now. 

It's all because she did not have the courage to choose that they had such an ending. 

Right now, I can only wait for Kanjuurou Nobusumi to be here. 

In the end, both the dreams of Asai Nagamasa and Oichi can't be fulfilled. 

"Father, I'm going to see you now." Nagamasa mumbled softly. 

"Master, are you going to commit seppuku here?" 

"Master, is there anything else you want to say?" 

"....I'm going to wait here for Kanjuurou. I hope that Kanjuurou will be the one to send me off. We had promised a last... one last meeting between us. It's good like this too. You guys, whether if it's to find Uesugi or surrender to the Oda clan or become vagrants, do as you wish. Leave me now." 

".....All the best, we're really sorry......!!!" 

The elders went out. Once again alone, Nagamasa waited there, not moving an inch. 

And then, he arrived. 

He came here alone. 

"Sorry to make you wait, Oichi. No, Asai Nagamasa." 

The reason why Nagamasa had to take in a deep breath is because the man in front of her, she can barely recognize him. 

"Ahh, hot hot hot! Damn, the whole building has been burned down by the flames! Why are the soldiers so violent during wartime!?" 

"At a time of life and death, everyone is excited." 

Sagara Yoshiharu led his Sagara corps and went into the Odani castle. 

He had received a letter from Hanbei that "Asai Hisamasa will most likely be at the corner house as Asakura clan's hostage. No matter how Yoshiharu-san persuades him, he must be adamant in committing suicide. But please try your best, Yoshiharu-san. But even if I don't say so, Yoshiharu-san will go and save him, right? Hohoho." Yoshiharu jumped to avoid the wooden planks falling off from the ceilings while walking towards the corner house. 

Such a long battle with the Oda clan, yet the castle is so easy to navigate once it's broken through..... Yoshiharu can't help but express his thoughts about the sengoku era's uniqueness. 

"Leave Asai Nagamasa to Nobusumi, I will try to find a way to save her dad. If you can... Goemon?" 

"Impossible. There's only the path of destroying the Asai clan left." 

"But, Hanbei-chan has thought of a way to save him, hasn't she?" 

"That's because Hanbei said the things Yoshiharu-san wants to hear. And she had a different plan too." 

"What plan?" 

"You will know once you go there." 

Through Goemon's help, Yoshiharu finally reached Asai Hisamasa with much difficulty. 

"You've finally come, I have waited for a long time." 

Hisamasa had put on a white clothing as he raised a sword, preparing to commit seppuku. 

Being said to be not being able fight wars, indecisive and weak by his retainers, Hisamasa still has the pride of a sengoku daimyo. 

"Listen. The fact of the Asai clan betraying the Oda clan is set in stone. Nagamasa did object at that time. What I said is the truth." 

"Wait wait, don't die on me! Nobuna wants to Help Nagamasa! If you die here, Nagamasa will definitely follow you in her path." 

This house is just too big, he can't make it even if he run! 

"Goemon, stop him!" Though Yoshiharu shouted, Goemon did not move at all. 

The reason why she didn't move, Yoshiharu understands. 

Hisamasa had stabbed the sword in perfectly already. 

A sound of "Ssssssss" was heard. 

Hisamasa had already carved out a perfect cross on his stomach. 

"Uhh, uhhh..." 

"Ah, ahhhhhhh. Jii-san! ....Why....." 

Yoshiharu had always been unable to handle dead people. Even now, he isn't used to it. 

More so that this is a seppuku. 

Yoshiharu turned his head to the side. 

While breathing fast, Hisamasa said, "After knowing that Nagamasa is really married, I can understand deeply the thoughts of Oda Nobuna-sama. I beg you, you must give my last words to Nagamasa in the main hall." 

".....I...I got it! Say them!" 

"She must let Saruyashamaru and Asai Nagamasa die. This is the last chance to be filial to me. Tell her this." 

Yoshiharu hugged his head and shouted. 

At this time, the things you should say is, You must live on! Isn't that so!? 

"What the hell are you talking about!? Making your own son.... No, you want to ask your daughter to commit seppuku along with you? Is that what a father should be doing, Jii-san!?" 

"A relationship between a father and his son, though you do not understand, but Nagamasa should be able to. I'm relying on you now. I beg you, please......" 

After a series of shivers, Hisamasa's body crouched down. 

He can no longer hear what he said properly. 

"Sagara-shi, it's unimagainable the pain it takes to carve a cross. He no longer has any strength to speak." 

"B...But...But... I can't do it. Cutting off Nagamasa's father's head or something...." 

"SAGARA-SHI!" 

Yoshiharu kneeled down. Though he knows that it's a very embarrassing thing for a samurai to not be able to cut down off head, but he can't do it no matter what. 

A soldier of the Oda army ran right past him and with a "I'll do it!", he cut Hisanaga's head with a single stroke. 

"Uwahhhhh. Jii-san.... Damn it, what the hell have you done....!!" 

Goemon patted at Yoshiharu's butt who was shivering. 

"Hurry to the main hall! If you don't pass the last words to Asai Nagamasa now, we won't be able to make it!" 

"What do you mean by not making ? Because, the words to Nagamasa are to "Die"......." 

"Ahhhhh. You're really slow. Anyway, just go!" 

"Wait, Goemon! What is going on!?" 

"Talk on the way! To save his own daughter, Asai Hisamasa has committed seppuku, but if you're stiblbl hberbe nbobw, tbhbinbgs wbibllb bbe bbabd!( you're still here now, things will be bad!)" 

"Eh? I can't hear a single thing from you biting your tongue!" 

"To the Oda clan who wants to Tenka Fubu, as a last saving grace for the betrayer, we have to finish the Asai clan! You gotta be smarter now, do I nebebd to exbplbain evben thbat!? Becbabubse I kbebep sbtubtbtebrbing, nbobt a worbd nbow!( I need to explain even that!? Because I keep stuttering, not a word now!)" 

"I can't tell what you're talking anymore!" 

"Run while you think! We need to run out before this structure collapses!" 

The two of them ran out at the last minute. 

Hisamasa's head seems to have been brought to Oda army's main camp by that soldier already. 

(I will definitely give your last words to Nagamasa, go ahead and ascend to heaven, Jii-san. Just what are you trying to tell Nagamasa?) 

While running, Yoshiharu can't think properly as he starts getting frustrated. 

He can already see the main hall. 

It was almost burning on this side too. 

Nobusumi's troops had surrounded the main hall while shooting fire arrows. 

Thinking that Nobusumi wouls definitely be leisurely firing fire arrows, Yoshiharu panicked. 

(You gotta be joking! Isn't the main culprit of betraying Hisamasa!? Nagamasa is just being wrapped in the midst of it! Stop, Nobusumi! Are you trying to force Nagamasa to commit suicide!?) 

From the fierce attacks, Nobusumi does not seem to want to save Nagamasa but to kill her. What a tragic choice. 

Bearing the deep pain, he made the last choice for his sister's dream. 

So as to say, Nagamasa herself had decided. And Nobusumi understands Nagamasa's decision, and had decided to respect her wish. 

But, at this time.... What will Nobuna do? 

(Marrying Nobusumi as a princess to the Asai clan, didn't Nobuna get a extremely fierce scolding by her mother? If this time, Nobusumi kills Nagamasa.... The relationship between Nobuna and her mother will never be able to recover. You gotta be joking! Because Nobuna trusts the combination of Nobusumi and me will never allow Nagamasa's death, she herself had gone to Echizen. Nobusumi can't betray his own sister and at the same time, Nagamasa will never betray her own father.) 

Grabbing a foot soldier who looked like a squad leader, Yoshiharu shouted, "WHERE DID NOBUSUMI GO TO?" 

"He stopped us and said, "Someone is waiting for me." and he went in alone!" 

"GO NOW, SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED." Goemon starts panicking too. 

"I'm going in to give Nagamasa Asai Hisamasa's last words, don't stop me!" 

"Yes" 

It's like that. 

Nagamasa is waiting for her beloved Nobusumi to kill her personally. 

Nobusumi who had made the resolve to kill Nagamasa as he went in. 

The two of them, for the same objective is moving towards the same ending. The two had finally meet. 

So as to say, the final result is the death of Nagamasa. 

The slow Yoshiharu finally understands. 

The real intention of Asai Hisamasa. 

The true meaning behind his last words. 

(So it's like that!) 

There's no longer any time left! 

Numerous flames attacked Yoshiharu in the main hall. Dodging and avoiding. His hair had been burned as he rushed in. Jumping and rolling around. 

"Wait, Nobusumi, wait a minute!" 

In the sea of flames, Yoshiharu is sprinting still. 

He ran faster compared to being at the corner house. 

(I... no longer.... want to see the scene of seppuku a second time! And, Nagamasa is still a girl! Though if a Hime daimyo fails, isn't she allowed to live on if she choses to retire? Why are you always cross-dressing!?) 

FInally, he reached in time. 

The scene of Tsuda Nobusumi holding the sword and Asai Nagamasa with her white clothing ready to commit seppuku, Yoshiharu finally reached in time. 

The two of them seem to have started the ceremony of committing seppuku. 

And is saying something now. 

After finishing what they wanted to say, the two had made up their minds. 

Nagamasa chose her father and to die, Nobusumi chose to help her sister conquer the world as he kills his own beloved wife. 

They must end the Asai clan right here. 

If the Asai clan continues to exist, the dream of Tenka Fubu will be forever far away. If Oda Nobuna doesn't kill her own god-brother even after such betrayal, the whole country will follow suit. 

The way to save Nagamasa, there isn't one from the start. 

If Nagamasa lives as a Hime daimyo, she can still choose to retire. But, Nagamasa chose to be Saruyashamaru, the Omi's gentleman, Asai Nagamasa in the end. 

"How can you do such a dumb thing!" Yoshiharu wept as he shouted. 

Both Nobusumi and Nagamasa had made their last resolve. From their expression, the two of them had already entered their own world. 

"Saru-kun, don't stop us. Nagamasa.... he wants to die as Saruyashamaru." 

"At least in the end, let Kanjuurou be send over to Father. Saru, I know what you want to say, but in this matter, you are not involved. Please say nothing. Let the both of us....." 

"No...NO! I'M INVOLVED! THOUGH I WILL BE TOLD OFF AS MEDDLING AND NOT CARING ABOUT THE SITUATION!" 

Yoshiharu shouted, and at the instant when the two move, he stopped them. 

"Listen! I have the last words of Asai Hisamasa right here to give to Asai Nagamasa! I'm sorry, Hisamasa-sama committed seppuku and died, I couldn't reach there in time to stop him." 

"Father's last words!?" 

"Saru-kun, that......" 

"Listen carefully! I'm only going to say it once!!" 

Yoshiharu straighten his body and stare at Nagamasa and Nobusumi, using the maximum volume he can muster, he said every last word of Hisamasa's. 

"Saruyashamaru Asai Nagamasa, you will die right here. This is your last act of filial piety to me." 

Nobusumi and Nagamasa became silent. But, they seem to have understood immediately. 

Their eyes met. 

After an instantaneous period of silence, 

Nobusumi swung down his sword wordlessly. Yoshiharu sprinted to the hallway and shouted at everyone. 

"Tsuda Nobusumi has cut off the enemy's commander's head!" 

The main hall of the Odani castle collapsed in the flames. 

The instant when Odani castle fell.... 

The Asai clan is finally finished. The important passageway from the northern lands into the capital is now under the Oda clan.