Chapter 5 : The Future Meeting
"Uhh, don't jump to conclusions, Yoshiharu-san. Please calm down."
"What's up with you, Sagara Yoshiharu? To start panicking after such a small thing, I'm really start to doubt if you are the one who requested to lead the suicide squad at Kanegasaki..."
"Our army is currently in a very bad shape, Yoshiharu-sama. Our eastern Miki castle has not just been conquered with Ukita Naoie's wits, there is even a 10000 strong Ukita army pitching camp at the northern Mount Shosha. They have completed their surround, please abandon I Shikanosuke and order me to strike at the frontlines!"
"Don't just start fainting before hearing what others are saying."
When Yoshiharu finally opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in the room of Himeji castle.
On his side, Hanbei, Kanbei, Shikanosuke and Goemon were all looking at him worryingly.
(Was it just a nightmare just now? Because I'm too worried about Nobuna being at Honnouji that I had such a scary dream?)
Bham!
After being knocked on the head by Kanbei did Yoshiharu finally understand the situation.
"Ouch, this is real!? No...Nobuna.... Who killed Nobuna in Honnou Temple?"
"Sagara-shi? Hime-sama isn't dead, why did you suddenly start mumbling and get panicked all by yourself?"
"Eh?"
"Uhh, what Goemon said at Kotsuki castle is "Hime-sama who was supposed to be drinking tea at Honnou temple breathed in thick smoke and fainted while commanding the fire disposal team, but there isn't anything life threatening.""
"Because of her stutter, the crucial parts were not heard properly."
"I'm so sorry for stuttering, but all in all, Hime-sama is safe."
"Nobuna is safe! Th...That's great!"
Finally, Yoshiharu calmed down, but soon after that, tears starts to flow down uncontrollably.
"Everyone, why did Yoshiharu suddenly burst into tears? I can't understand this at all."
"To think that Yoshiharu-sama worries so much for his master, he's really a model for retainers."
"It's not totally like what you said, Shikanosuke-chan."
Sitting up, Yoshiharu repeatedly let out breathes of relief as he wanted to regain his composure. At his side, Hanbei silently touched his head.
"Sagara Yoshiharu, I already know the reason why Ukita Naoie claimed Miki castle. The problem is with the master's wife. Not knowing when, the master's wife who had surrendered herself to him actively gave the castle over, not unlike that of Kotsuki castle."
"So that's how he did it, he planted the same bomb at different points of Harima."
"Uhh, the pitiful Bisho-sama had already brought along his little sister and escaped over to Himeji castle."
"But after they were defeated at Kotsuki castle, the Ukita army rapidly gathered again and started heading towards Himeji castle."
Seems like they are targeting Himeji castle which is currently weak in defenses.
"But Kanbei immediately saw through the opponent's intention and rushed back a step ahead of him and so, the Ukita army captured the nearby Mount Shosha as their base and Kotsuki castle has once again been snatched away by him. We are now stuck, uhh."
"Yoshiharu-sama, Mt Shozan is a Buddhist holy mountain known as "The western Mount Hiei", to think that Ukita Naoie actually chased all the monks down from the mountain, it's too much. Please order me to attack them!"
"Many things happened during the period when you lost consciousness, please don't start fainting like this next time."
"Ahh, I'm really sorry." Yoshiharu honestly apologized to Kanbei.
But Yoshiharu himself understands that he won't recover so quickly this time.
The impact is just too enormous.
Though it's just a false alarm, but with the territories of the Oda clan being expanded like in the history, the people that were fighting together with her during the days of Owari and Mino were all seperated from Nobuna's side. Right now, the "Incident at Honnouji" will likely happened anytime.
Wanting to avoid this event successfully, just my strength alone is far too difficult. Due to Imagawa Yoshimoto being alive, the Ashiaga Yoshiaki who was supposed to be out has once again returned. Right now, the Incident at Honnouji may happen anytime, but Nobuna had forbidden me to tell her anything about the future, just what should I do.....
"Yoshiharu-san, if there's anything troubling you, please do not bear it alone and discuss it with Hanbei."
"Sagara Yoshiharu, after hearing "Honnou temple", you immediately panicked. Is that related to the future you know? Simon believes that Oda Nobuna will definitely be able to unify the world in the end, but looks like the future.... the history you know isn't like that, correct?"
"Uhh, aren't we comrades, Yoshiharu-san? Please allow us to share the pain."
"I understand, please tell me what happened in Kyoto for now."
Yoshiharu finally made up his mind.
There's still time now, though I might give lots of trouble to Hanbei-chan and the rest, but like what Kanbei said, just a person alone won't be able to avoid the "Incident at Honnouji"......
Just what happened in Kyoto?
During the Heian era, Kyoto was separated into 2 parts and were called, Sakyo and Ukyo.
But Ukyo which was situated in the moist areas was soon abandoned due to it's unsuitability for living, with Sakyo flourishing alone.
But during the Sengoku era, Sakyo was once again separated into the Northern Kamigyo and Southern Shimogyo and starts developing in their separate ways.
Kamigyo, where the palace and the castle that Imagawa Yoshimoto lives, the Nijou castle is located is the place where the elite and rich merchants live.
And the Honnou temple that Nobuna stays in and Myokaku temple that Yoshiharu stays in, the Shimogyo are where the commoners live.
Those nobles and elites who gathered at Kamigyo do not wish to give up their benefits and despised Nobuna who had promoted the opening of the free market and abolishing of taxes.
And the new merchants who came from all corners of the country and had gathered in Shimogyo had fully supported Hime-sama who keeps abolishing old traditions.
Under the unrelenting hard work of Nobuna, these new merchants are slowly having more freedom in trading but in contrast, the nobles of Kamigyo is slowly losing the benefits they had previously.
Ever since Asakura Yoshikage who had always supported such benefits of the nobles had been eliminated by Nobuna, the nobles of Kamigyo were in a state of panic.
Among the nobles, a rumor like this was spreading.
The commoners of Shimogyo who welcomed Nobuna as the leader of men had already started to attack Kamigyo.
And the one inciting them into it was none other than the demon lord of the sixth realm, Oda Nobuna herself.
After assigning Yoshiharu as the commander in chief for the invasion of the Chuugoku region, Nobuna who hadn't rest at all had returned straight to Kyoto's Honnou temple from Azuchi castle and was immensely troubled by this.
"Why must I start burning Kamigyo!? Though I'm quite happy in seeing those annoying fellows of Kamigyo being burnt, but won't that incurred huge amounts of repair fees!?"
Though Nobuna had said such easily misunderstood words with disdain, but after winning a battle, instead of her ratings going up, the fact that they had gone down had given her quite an impact.
At that night,
Nobuna was drinking grape wine with Sen no Rikyuu in the tea room.
As per usual, Rikyuu was wearing her trademark black gothic lolita attire and her expressionless face as she prepares her unique tea ceremony that was infused with namban alchemy.
After destroying the Asai Asakura clan and the golden skulls incident, Nobuna's mother had since cut off all ties with her. And right after that, Sagara Yoshiharu had done such a thing in front of her and with the comrades who had been with her since Owari not around her, the Nobuna now is filled with all kinds of troubles.
But the one who is giving her the most painful of headaches is Ashikaga Yoshiaki.
Under the assault of Matsunaga Hisahide, the Ashikaga shogun who had been utterly destroyed had once again returned like an evil spirit. Even Nobuna did not expect this at all.
"Rikyuu, how should I go about handling the matter of Ashikaga Yoshiaki?"
"..."
"Those fellows at Kamigyo all wants to chase Imagawa Yoshimoto out from Nijou castle and take Ashikaga Yoshiaki back to Kyoto. They are all against my policies, what a bunch of fellows who aren't willing to give up their benefits."
"(Tonight, Kamigyo's merchants employed vagrants to make a mess around Nijou castle.}"
"It seems to be so every night recently, but the mental strength of Imagawa Yoshimoto is abnormally strong, how can she not mind it at all when she's being despised so much."
"(Rather than her mental strength, it's more of her being slow on the uptake.)"
"Hehe, even if Rikyuu says she's slow, but there are times when one has to be like that to move forward. Sorry, without noticing I've started to miss the days when Inuchiyo was my aide."
"..."
"But it's ok, I have employed many smart aides in Kyoto."
Rikyuu silently cautioned Nobuna, "(It's better to employ aides from Owari and Mino who are more trustworthy, a place like Kyoto is too easy for unknown people to mix in.)"
"You have a point, but there are just too few people in Owari and Mino that have enough upbringing to communicate with the palace and nobles."
"(Though it might be as you say, but the danger of employing someone from Kyoto is just too high.)"
"There isn't much time, I must now rush to Harima immediately. That tiny amount of soldiers that Saru has is totally not enough with the full force of the Mori clan, I heard the daimyos of Harima are bullying Saru and not giving him any manpower."
"(To persuade the daimyos of Harima, we need at least 20k of "soldiers for show")"
Nobuna sighed and said, "What's with me? Why was I so restless then? It seems like I just can't calm down when it comes to Saru."
"(That's the proof that your heart is with him. A person's heart is extremely mysterious, the deeper the love, the harder it is to remain calm.)"
Rikyuu use her own methods to console the anxious Nobuna.
Though Rikyuu didn't say anything, but she has the skill to communicate with others without the need for conversation.
"It's far too rash to ask Saru who is just ruling over Nagahama to face the Mori clan with so little manpower. But right now, Riku, Manchiyo and Juubei have their own work on their hands and can't help, I'm the only one who can go to Harima personally."
"?"
Rikyuu seems to feel something and looked at the small window in the tea room.
"Why? It's not like you to be so panicky."
"!"
"Eh? A fire?"
"!"
"It's true! Damn, it's at the direction of Kamigyo and the palace!"
"..."
"The wind is strong tonight, if this goes on, it's going to be much worse!"
We need to put out the fire! Nobuna stood up immediately.
"..."
"If we leave it alone, the palace and the Kamigyo will be reduce to ashes. We need to find the origin of the fire and destroy all the surrounding buildings to prevent the fire from spreading!"
Nobuna rushed out of the tea room and shouted, "Give me a horse!!" and set out.
The soldiers that were gradually gathered can only try their best chasing after her
"Kamigyo is on fire! If this goes on.... Anyway, we need to put out the fire!"
In this era, there's only one way to stop the spreading of the fire-Destroying all surrounding buildings
While evacuating the residents, Nobuna and her soldiers destroy the buildings according to this method.
But while the merchants of Kamigyo were fleeing to the shrine that the soldiers were protecting, they were saying.
"This is the fire that Oda Nobuna set ablaze herself."
"To reduce the whole of Kamigyo who oppose her to ashes."
"Yeah, the timing is just too perfect."
"Being asked by the commoners of Shimogyo "Burn all of the enemy merchants in Kamigyo" and even taking the money from them..."
As they all keep talking about "Nobuna's conspiracy".
In the midst of fighting the fire, Nobuna did not notice that she had fallen into the trap at all.
And there's an evil shadow mixed in this conspiracy that Nobuna can't even imagine.
"It's too strange, the fire does not seem to have weakened at all! Just what is going on!?"
Though Nobuna and the soldiers rest tried their best, but the fire still mercilessly spread towards the whole of Kamigyo.
"That is...!?"
We must protect at least the palace!! For that, everyone are to retreat to the last line of defense.
At this time, from the midst of the flames, high as the sky, Nobuna saw a black shadow.
"What's that!?"
It's a ghost.
On the black shadow's head was a sharp horn, it's hands, no, claws seems to be able to pierce through anything.
It readies itself for a lunge.
The black shadow amidst the fire seems to be a living creature as it seems ready to lunge.
Nobuna can't help but shout, "How can this be possible, a creature like this shouldn't exist in this era!!"
The ghost turned over, and their gaze crossed.
Near Nobuna's ears, she can almost hear a howl filled with grudges.
"I'm... burning."
"Burn to ashes amidst the flames of hell, haha, hahahaha!"
This is a laughter that a human is definitely not able to let out!
Grudges.... ghosts and demons.... Why are things from the ancient era appearing in front of me?
There isn't time now to fight with such a thing, if we don't end this sengoku era fast and strengthen Japan, this country will be colonised by the namban countries.......
The shadows of the ancient era, hurry and scram back to the era of the past. To me, a cursed spirit binded by this era isn't needed in this era, what it needs is the future, someone that can push this country towards the future. Correct, it's him who has come from the future.....
"Hahahaha! A lass like the flowers, scatter within my grudges!"
After being surrounded by the miasma spread by the ghost, Nobuna's consciousness started to blur.
Before falling from the horse and losing her consciousness, Nobuna thought.
(What the hell is this? Why did it curse me? Save me, Yoshiharu...)
On that night, no one but Nobuna saw the ghost.
Everyone thought that the princess had breathed in thick smoke and fainted. And so, they had carefully brought Nobuna back to Honnou temple.
But, Nobuna who was invaded by the miasma did not wake up again.
Himeji castle,
Knowing that Nobuna's life isn't in danger, Yoshiharu sent Yamanaka Shikanosuke away, leaving only Takenaka Hanbei, Kuroda Kanbei and Hachisuka Goemon the three of them as they started a secret meeting.
Though Shikanosuke who was being sent away was weeping, "So you can't trust someone new like me with the important things yet, huh? Yoshiharu-sama... Ahh, what a suffering...", but Yoshiharu insists.
The meeting is prepared by Kanbei's father Souen in the small tea room.
"Goemon is nowhere to be seen."
"I'm at the ceiling, don't mind me."
"Yamanaka Shikanosuke is just too pitiful, Yoshiharu-san. Is it really ok to not call her over?"
"Yeah, because if the actual person involved is here listening, there will be the opposite of what I want."
"Aren't we talking about Oda Nobuna's future, Sagara Yoshiharu? Is it related to Yamanaka Shikanosuke?"
"During the period when I was being mistaken about Nobuna, I suddenly thought of Shikanosuke-chan's future. The things that I'm going to talk about from now are very important, please listen to me seriously."
Yoshiharu lowered down his volume.
"The reason why I'm able to know of the future, you guys should know, right? Those knowledge are from the game by sengoku SLG's greatest work, "Oda Nobunaga no Yabou"."
"I have always wanted to ask, what's this "Geimu"?"
"This so called "Geimu", is it a history book like that of "The Tale of the Heike"? Cough cough"
"Though "Oda Nobunaga no Yabou" had recorded many people and stories of the sengoku era, but it's different from a history book, for example..."
Yoshiharu picked up a chess piece.
"First, a certain incident happened, in the future language, we call it "event""
Saying this, Yoshiharu set the chess piece on the ground.
"Mmm"
"Hmm, this chess piece is an incident?"
"Next, the second incident happened, and the third, the fourth..."
Saying all that, Yoshiharu arrange the chess pieces into a row.
"To record these incidents from the start to the end in chronological order is called a story, simply said, it's a path with no other paths branching out of it."
"Yes, stories are all about the order, it's uncommon to see a situation where the story continues without an order."
"You are trying to say cause and effect, Sagara Yoshiharu. Take "The Tale of the Heike" for example, due to the flourishing of the Minamoto clan, the Heike clan slowly declined and finally perished. In this story, countless incidents interwined together one after the other to enact into the ending. So what is it you want to say?"
Yoshiharu scattered the chess pieces to different parts of the floor and said.
"In the world of the game, different events are separated in a mess like these chess pieces, and not like a straight line like in the story."
"What do you mean, Yoshiharu-san?"
"Take for example, for an incident to happen, various conditions are needed, the second incident is the same too. No matter how you choose to act, as long as the various conditions are met, a new incident will happen. What that creates the world of the game isn't a big path but countless paths."
Kanbei snorted.
"Isn't this what Simon told you about the way history pushes forward? No matter what you Sagara Yoshiharu do to force a change of the direction of history, nothing will change in the end, this is what Simon taught you!"
"Mmm, till now, I always thought that I could change history as long as I made a different choice. But when Ashikaga Yoshiaki who was supposed to be eliminated appeared, I rejected such a naive thought. Like what Kanbei said, this world isn't in a straight line, even if we temporaily change the direction it is going, once the conditions are met, the incidents in history will happen again in another way and in the end, it will reach the end that I know of. Just like this, this world is proceeding in the way it is determined."
"Different from the world of "Geimu", countless people have created this world with their own will."
"Yes it is, Kanbei. But just from the structure, the events of the real world and game are extremely similar. Till now, I have always wanted to change the direction of the incidents, but right now, I understand. To prevent an incident from happening, the most important thing is to not let the conditions be fulfilled!"
Hanbei lowered her head as she sneak a look at Yoshiharu and asked.
"Uhh, Yoshiharu-san, you said that this future that "can not be changed" can actually be changed. From this, can I defer that our future will proceed in a bad direction?"
Yoshiharu nodded.
"As for Shikanosuke-chan, in "Oda Nobunaga no Yabou", the incidents that has Shikanosuke-chan has a total of three. The first is her determination like the monks' Sokushinbutsu, the "Praying to the moon for suffering.", the second is "Yamanaka Shikanosuke's servitude to the Oda clan". These two events have all happened, but the last event is named, "Death of Yamanaka Shikanosuke.""
"Yoshiharu-san."
"This is quite a detestable "evento""
Due to his nerves, Yoshiharu's voice starts to tremble.
The responsibility of saying the unforunate future of his comrades, the uneasiness, different kinds of emotions are holding sway of Yoshiharu's heart.
But Yoshiharu had already decided to take a step forward.
"In the history that I know, Shikanosuke-chan did not restore the Amago clan, after being defeated by the Mori clan and captured once again, she was assassinated during the time she was captured and sent back. To the end, she had held onto her loyalty and righteousness."
"As long as princess knights were to become nuns, won't their lives be spared?"
"According to Shikanosuke-chan's character, she will never become a nun to live on. It's because of this tragedy of Shikanosuke-chan that the people of 400 years later still remember her as a hero."
"How can this be" Hanbei let out a lament and become silent. But Kanbei instead let out a laugh and said, "As long as Simon is here, there's no need to worry. If we win, such a thing won't happen."
"Even if the commander in chief is the unreliable Sagara Yoshiharu who will start fainting due to trivial things, as long as Simon and Takenaka Hanbei are here, a thing like losing will never happen."
"But it is the fact, now that Shikanosuke-chan serves under the Oda clan, it's no longer impossible that the third event will happen anytime."
"Cough, according to Yoshiharu-san's theory, there must be conditions for the third incident too, as long as we know the conditions, there must be some ways we can avoid it."
"I'm sorry, I just can't recall the required conditions, I was supposed to even be able to write the walkthrough too."
"So only Shikanosuke-chan lost, the Sagara corps did not receive any damage?"
"Yeah, so from now on, we must try our best to move together with Shikanosuke-chan, and definitely not let the Amago heroes be at the frontlines on their own."
"Sim, I understand, then without any delay, let's tell this to Shikanosuke."
"Wait, Kanbei! If this is known by Shikanosuke-chan, she will definitely say, "I will never let everyone bear with me the fate of suffering" and will charge ahead alone, hoping to die!"
"Exactly Kanbei. Shikanosuke's sense of responsibility will often make her overexert herself. If she knows of this incident, she will definitely think, "Since my fate is to die in the battlefield with regret, then before I drag Yoshiharu-sama into my cursed fate, I should just charge forwards gallantly and bear this fate myself.""
"Hmmm, what a strange person."
Yoshiharu continued to proceed with the meeting.
"Though I have always thought I could change the history by myself, but from now on, the help of comrades is definitely necessary. If I were to change the history by choosing a different path, I can do something even if it's me alone. But to avoid a certain incident, just a person's strength is far from enough, the return of Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Japan made me understand that."
"Hmmm, leave it to Simon then."
"Though I'm not very useful, but I will try my best, cough."
"I do not mind even if the legend of Yamanaka Shikanosuke is not spread to 400 years later. What I want her to do more is to live on as a girl and help her realize the wish of restoring the Amago clan. Isn't the Amago clan descended from the Izumo daimyo, there won't be any clash with Nobuna's quest of Tenka Fubu, will there?"
Still the same, wanting everything and not willing to give anything up... From the ceiling, exasperated mumbling of Goemon can be heard.
"From now on is the most important part. It's because this is an extremely extremely important matter, so please do not reveal this to anyone else. If there's a chance, we will increase the comrades who know of this secret."
"The most important part is...?"
"Nobuna-sama's future, cough cough."
"Yes, if I tell Nobuna herself, my head will definitely roll. So, I had promised her to never tell her anything. Now that I can't rely on just my strength alone to stop the tragedy of history, I can only shamelessly plead to you guys for help. Please, please help me."
Hanbei and Kanbei looked at each other at the same time.
The always energetic, optimistic and cheerful Yoshiharu who will rush into any sort of hopeless situation with a smile, for him to reveal such a weak expression is the first.
He is afraid of something, extremely afraid.
Hanbei smiled and held onto Yoshiharu's trembling hand.
"Yoshiharu-san, when I decided to help you, I had already placed my life in the hands of Nobuna-sama and you. So please don't be scared, I will always be by your side no matter when."
"Thanks, Hanbei-chan."
"Since with Simon around, any problem will be easily solved, so just say it out now."
Suppressing the uneasiness in his heart, Yoshiharu said the future waiting for Nobuna.
From the analysis of the return of Ashikaga Yoshiaki and the trajectory of history that Kanbei said, Yoshiharu who had always beared everything by himself understands the logic of "Just the strength of he himself isn't enough."
Even if he keeps choosing a different path, history will still return back to the original ending point in the end.
Different from stories, as long as the needed conditions are gathered, the fated incident will happen.
This is because history is jointly created by countless people's will.
From the time she was born, Oda Nobuna's fate had been tied togther with this country's fate.... no, with the world's fate. A huge "power" that Yoshiharu cannot stop by himself is pushing her towards the ending point of "Incident at Honnouji", but all these, he wasn't able to tell Nobuna.
Right now, the help of comrades that he can trust are definitely necessary.
With such a determination, Yoshiharu revealed everything to them.
And the words that he said caused the elites Hanbei and Kanbei, even the ninja who had always been able to remain calm, Goemon to turn pale.
"Nobuna wasn't able to unify the world. Just when she was about to fulfill her wish of Tenka Fubu, she was betrayed by her retainer and ended her life in the flames of Honnou temple."
After that, he seems to have said something else, but Yoshiharu can't remember at all.
Ever since being lost in the sengoku era and bearing this huge burden all by himself, explosive emotions caused his tears to flow down uncontrollably.
"Revolt? How can that be, that person should know that with that, we won't be able to catch up with the progress of the namban countries and what ending it will bring us! Just who is the one who revolted!?"
During the midst of his daze, Kanbei seems to have shout several times, "Just who is the one who revolted!?"
But just this, Yoshiharu will never say it out.
How can he say of a revolt that has not happened yet.
"I still don't know if the one that I know of will revolt right now! And according to Kanbei's theory, as long as the end is the same, the one revolting can possibly be anyone! It's also possible that it might not be a retainer but some unknown assassin!"
Shouting like this, Yoshiharu swallowed the name Akechi Mitsuhide deep into his gut.
Only the fact that Mitsuhide is the mastermind behind the "Incident at Honnouji", Yoshiharu will never agree with. If it's the her that he knows about, it will never be possible! There must be something wrong about it, maybe Mitsuhide who was defeated was given the crime of being the mastermind, a case of framing someone. The more he mixed around with this girl Mitsuhide, the more he understands her character, the more Yoshiharu is unwilling to believe that she is able to do such a thing.
From the ancient times, the winner takes all, the history books are all about the glorious history of winners.
Even if Mitsuhide is the mastermind, and under the judgment of Yoshiharu, he had forced himself to make her disappear from the stage of history, there will definitely be someone else who will cause the "Incident at Honnouji".
The criminal is just a chess piece that can be easily replaced.
Even if all of the Oda clan retainers are eliminated, the suspects are too many to count.
As a revolutionist, the divide between Oda Nobuna and the traditionalists will never disappear. It's never easy to change the world, those unwilling to give up their benefits will definitely organize themselves to oppose her and Ashikaga Yoshiaki is the symbol most worthy for their act of opposition. Though we have supported Imagawa Yoshimoto as the new shogun, but as expected, we are unable to remove the existence of Ashikaga Yoshiaki.
The life of Oda Nobunaga is to keep fighting, wanting to guide Japan from it's ancient traditions, but in the end, he wasn't able to win against the traditionalists.
After Oda Nobunaga was defeated, Japan did not enter the navigation era.
As Nobunaga's successor, after failing in a war, Toyotomi Hideyoshi hated the foreign missionaries and soon, isolated Japan from the world.
Though after Hideyoshi's death, the Tokugawa clan who started the Edo shogunate isn't so opposed to overseas culture and had been into foreign commerce, they had opened up many trading ports along southeast Asia.
But after Ieyasu passed away, the Edo shogunate chose to lock down their country and their suppression of Christianity started to become more violent. From then on, Japan went into a long nightmare, devoid of any contact with the world.
Though after they had gone through many ordeals and finally bucked up, but Yoshiharu wants to see the other possibility of another world. Take a look at the Japan that did not go through the lockdown of the Edo shogunate, going along with Oda "Nobuna" into the wide world for all sorts of adventures, a totally different future....
So, it's not important who is the criminal.
The future that the flow of history is flowing towards to isn't the Tenka Fubu that Nobuna, Yoshiharu and Kanbei had hoped, but to the actual Incident at Honnouji....
This is the most important thing.
Yoshiharu bowed down deeply towards Hanbei and the rest.
Instead, Hanbei gently touched his head and responded.
"Though Yoshiharu-san has always maintained that cheerful smile, but within that smile, there seems to be an unspeakable pain. That pain isn't about yourself, but for the others. Now, it seems like that pain is for the future of Nobuna-sama, right?"
Yoshiharu nodded silently.
Hearing Hanbei's gentle voice, he feels like sobbing out loud.
But after bearing so much pain and saying everything out, what man is he if he starts crying.
Yoshiharu tried his best to endure as he sits up straight.
"I... am alive to fulfill Yoshiharu-san's dream, please do not bear such a heavy burden by yourself. Hanbei will protect both Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama, even if Hanbei herself isn't enough, we have the greatest elite, Kanbei with us right now."
The smile on Hanbei's face now is totally not that of anything he has seen in the world, if the "Angel" that Frois speaks of really exists, that will definitely be Hanbei who is currently smiling. Looking at her clear smile, Yoshiharu suddenly had a bad premonition, but he might just be thinking too much as he held Hanbei's hand and said "Thanks.".
"What do you plan to do, Yoshiharu-san? If we can't avoid it, how about we let Nobuna-sama "die" in Honnou temple, and then, under the protection of Yoshiharu-san, she begins her second life...."
The way that Nobuna used on Asai Nagamasa who had to "die" no matter what is applicable on herself too, what Hanbei is trying to express is this.
But Yoshiharu said, "Impossible." and shook his head.
"That fellow won't be able to abandon her own dream. If she really abandoned it, than she will no longer be Oda Nobuna, even if it's for the soldiers that have died on the battlefield, she will never give up on the fate of "Oda Nobuna", she will never do that even if she dies. That's just how she is."
"Yes, Nobuna-sama bears the fate of Japan, totally different from other daimyos."
The importance in history of Asai Nagamasa and Oda Nobuna is totally different, there's just too much difference. Oda Nobuna isn't just a daimyo of the sengoku era, her existence cannot be replaced, after being reminded by Yoshiharu, Hanbei noticed this.
"As long as she's alive, that fellow will continue to be Oda Nobuna no matter how much it hurts, and I who have come from the future will not be able to replace her, I must clarify this first."
"I never thought Yoshiharu-san had considered so much, you have been trying your best all by yourself all this while, the Yoshiharu-san who has been enduring all this while is just remarkable, uhh."
"This is all thanks to Hanbei-chan and you guys, but from now on, Hanbei-chan will be dragged into this battle with the future too."
"Hmmm, do drag me in. To use all my intellect for Yoshiharu-san is the reason for my existence. Just the fact that Yoshiharu-san is able to share all his secrets with me, though it's not tactful, but Hanbei is extremely happy now."
(So that's it.) Kanbei who finally cleared her mind looked at the side of Yoshiharu's face in a daze.
The theory that she had once held, "Along the path of Oda Nobuna unification of the world, Sagara Yoshiharu is a huge obstacle." is definitely wrong, but...
(To actually die in the hands of her own retainer just before she unifies the world....)
This fate is just too sad.
It's far too difficult for Kanbei who had been optimistic all her life to predict such a future.
But after actually thinking about it, she herself who had not done anything can no longer stays at Harima, how can Oda Nobuna who has been fighting with the corrupted traditions all this while stay in this country?
(So what the "Tower" hints is this sad fate of Oda Nobuna, the "Tower" drawn on that card means the Honnou temple. There, Oda Nobuna will lose both the dream of Tenka Fubu and Sagara Yoshiharu.)
Even if I can change it, I'm afraid I can only save one of them. To let Oda Nobuna fulfill her dream of Tenka Fubu and having Sagara Yoshiharu is too difficult.
This point, should I tell Sagara Yoshiharu right now?
No, though it might be better if I say it out, but I should hold it in for now.
For a long time, Kanbei had been living in her own world, even the job of a strategist that deals with human relations, she had thought that it can be done with just intelligence. But right now, she understands that that is not enough at all, a true strategist must first be able to understand the hearts of other people.
At the same time she realizes this, she starts to slowly understand Takenaka Hanbei's intentions.
(Maybe, Takenaka Hanbei had long since know of her fate, that card.... Since she already knows, how can she be so calm? Does she wants to be by Sagara Yoshiharu's side till the last moment? Not asking for any reward.....)
Is this the true strategist, Kanbei can't help but ponder.
Since I already know of Oda Nobuna's future, I must start understanding Hanbei's future ASAP. I must still be able to do something right now, I can definitely change it. Kanbei decided in her heart.
But Yoshiharu's burden is already heavy enough, she can't continue adding onto it.
"Cough, Sagara Yoshiharu. It's true that Simon said the future cannot be changed, but what Simon is saying that a dumb fellow like you will never be able to change it, if it's an intelligent elite like Simon, a thing like changing the future is nothing to be afraid of."
"Oioi, this is totally different from what you said, Kanbei!"
"If you are so depressed because of Simon, I apologize now."
"Ah, its ok if you don't apologize, it's all thanks to Kanbei that I noticed that I can never change the future with just my strength!"
"Ahh"
While saying "Thanks", Yoshiharu touched Kanbei's head.
"Do....Don't touch me!"
Kanbei launched a punch right at Yoshiharu's nose.
"Ouch! You aren't cute at all!! Learn from Hanbei-chan a little!"
"I refuse, Kanbei does not need to learn from Takenaka Hanbei, I will one day surpass her!"
"Uhh, you guys are like brother and sister."
"Really?"
"That's too rude, how can Simon be like the little sister of this Sagara Yoshiharu!?"
Kanbei puffed out her cheeks, turned her face away and mumbled softly, (This is to repay for his gratitude, he's the one who protected Simon in front of all the Harima daimyos by himself.), but since she's being too soft, Yoshiharu did not hear it at all.
"I'm really sorry for being depressed! From now on, I'm going to work hard!"
"Sagara Yoshiharu, let's put the matter about the future aside and consider our current situation, Ukita Naoie has surrounded us and we are now unable to retreat."
"Exactly, Nobuna-sama is now sick in bed, the reinforcements won't be coming, uhhh."
"What's there to fear about Ukita Naoie, we have the renowned two "bei"s as comrades right here!"
"So Goemon isn't your comrade now? Guuu."
Gosh, I've forgotten there's another person on the ceiling.
"Ah, no. It's because you hide too well that I had forgotten about your existence, hurry and come down."
"If Sunekosuri wakes up, it will be too dangerous, I will just stay in the ceiling."
"Sunekosuri is sleeping sweetly now, look. Come down."
"If that's the case, ok then."
But the four of them within the tea room didn't notice there's another one outside.
".....Ara ara, my master is just overexerting herself, she knows that she don't have much time left."
Yes, it's Zenki.
Even if it's his master Hanbei, no one expected that Zenki who was patrolling within the castle had overheard about their future meeting.
Zenki who had been maintaining a certain distance with the world of humans is also concerned about the affairs of the human world.
"It should be extremely difficult to save Yamanaka Shikanosuke in such a situation, the Sagara corps has been cut off from their retreat path and is in danger. And there is an even larger tragedy waiting for them, how troublesome..."
Oda Nobuna wasn't able to unify the world and was betrayed right before her dream was fulfilled.
Such a tragedy had occurred in the past?
It's a long long time ago, when he was still a human, there wasn't such a tragedy even in that era.
"Even the fate of Shikanosuke is considered small."
Sagara Yoshiharu is a guy who wishes to have everything and is not willing to give up even at the last moment.
How naive he is...
But what that touched Hanbei's heart is this indescribable naivety.
Zenki sighed deeply and said with a bitter smile.
"Looks like it's time for me to be the bad guy."
On the plains east of Himeji castle, there was a river named Yumesaki.
From this river that flows down from the peaks of Mt Shozan, one can gaze upon the base of Ukita Naoie.
After the end of the future meeting,
Kanbei called Hanbei alone to join her for a stroll along Yumesaki river.
"When Simon was still small and known as Kanbei, I always played here, things like catching kappas or drifting along with the river, always being scolded by Chichiue."
"Harima is a really good place. The mountains, rivers and seas are all so beautiful. Why must people choose to fight wars in such a beautiful place?"
Hanbei's complexion looks better.
But Kanbei who had learnt Omyoudou too understands instead the "ki" in that small body of hers is becoming even weaker.
"Takenaka Hanbei, the time at Nagahama castle, when I did the divination for health for you...."
"Now that you mention it, you did not show me, right?"
"The one you drew was this."
Saying that, Kanbei passed Hanbei a card.
From just a look, even Hanbei who isn't familiar with namban culture instantly understands what it meant.
"This is "Death", you can't live much longer."
"I've been exposed, seems like I just can't hide it from Kanbei... Hehe."
Once again, a clear smile was on Hanbei's face.
Looking at her smile, Kanbei can't help but shouted, "Why aren't you treating this as a big matter!?"
"With such a talent yet you have to die so young, can you really accept such a fate!? Why didn't you search for a way you can continue to live on?"
"The flow of history cannot be changed, this is what Kanbei said too, right"
"Even if you can't do it by yourself, but with all of us, there will definitely be a way! Do you know just what Oda Nobuna and Sagara Yoshiharu's future will become if you die!?"
"It's ok now, after Kanbei came, some parts of Yoshiharu-san's heart will definitely have a premonition, even if I collapse, it's ok since Kanbei is around."
"That fellow?"
"Yoshiharu-san adores this era, so he must have definitely heard something about Takenaka Hanbei in the future, no, maybe the trivial stuff that I did wasn't passed down through the ages, but Yoshiharu-san definitely knows about Kanbei's future."
"When the Ukita army was surrounding us at Kotsuki castle, that fellow did say, "In the history that I know of, Kuroda Kanbei will be the best strategist in the world from now on." and I felt weird about it. With Takenaka Hanbei alive, how can Simon be the best, the most I can be is a substitute."
"Yoshiharu-san must have felt something wrong too, but his character is just too optimistic and cheerful."
"With just Oda Nobuna alone, he is already near collapsing, he won't be able to bear your fate too."
"Mmm, this has already exceeded what humans can withstand. To girls, especially the princess knights of the sengoku era, Yoshiharu-san just loves them too much."
"Previously, when he suddenly recalled about the future of Yamanaka Shikanosuke, it has already exceeded his limits."
"This is already a burden that he can't bear alone. Wanting Yoshiharu-san to bear our cursed fate by himself is just too cruel."
"But is this really ok? Are you ok with Sagara Yoshiharu not noticing till the very end?"
"Of course, all the hard work I've done till now are to not let him notice it, but I have long since understood that I can't hide it from Kanbei."
"You must have seen through that Simon is here to chase that fellow back to the future, right?"
"Even I can't see through you to that extent, but it's true that I felt you have some ulterior motives. But I've relaxed ever since Yoshiharu-san trusts Kanbei very much from the first time he met you, and after knowing that Yoshiharu-san has someone he can rely on after I'm gone, I can rest my mind."
"..."
"Kanbei, originally, my fate is to retire into Mt Botai and die alone, that is truly unfortunate. Being able to cross paths with Yoshiharu-san is the greatest happiness in my life. It's him that gives me the meaning of life and for that, I'm really thankful."
"Thankful, how can that be, WHY!?"
"The wars of today are based upon the "curse" of the city of Onmyudou Kyoto. Onmyouji should disappear along with the old era, but without knowing it, Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san had been wrapped up in a battle with the evil spirits of the old era. And for that, I must do something, I'm fated to disappear along with my shikigamis."
"With that said, don't tell me the reason why the dragon vein disappeared suddenly is because..."
"It's I who did it, together with Zenki-san."
"WHAT!? From what Simon thinks, you are the type that is born weak and without absorbing "ki" regularly, you will continue to weaken. If you do such a thing, your body will...."
"Mmm, it will deteriorate even quicker."
Kanbei just can't believe what she was hearing.
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?"
"Rather than living a few more years and not doing anything, if it's to help others, those that can inherit my dream, even if it's to shorten my lifespan, isn't it a kind of happiness to help?"
Saying, Hanbei's face once again had a smile clearer than anything.
Almost like she does not care what will happen to her.
That smile that had seen through everything, accepting that her fate is that dying without able to see the fruits of her labor.
Understanding that, Kanbei can no longer look at her smile.
Though she tried her best to endure, she was unable to suppress the sobs coming out softly.
"Just from "ki" Kanbei's strength is much stronger than mine, and your talent is 10 times that of mine who is always engrossed with Onmyoudou. After I'm gone, I'm leaving Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama to you, Kanbei."
"I Simon....."
"Currently, an extremely terrifying spirit is by Nobuna-sama's side. Now that the onmyoudou has been greatly weakened, an evil method must have been used to create such a strong spirit. The fire from a few days ago must have been caused by it. I don't have the strength to subdue that spirit anymore, Kanbei, use your namban science to defeat it."
"DON'T START GIVING OTHERS YOUR OWN WORK! DO YOUR OWN STUFF! AND SO, LIVE ON!"
Of course, I wish to live on too, but that is a dream that will never come true. Saying that, a shiver can be seen in her smile.
Like smiling now, yet crying in the next second, her face was that of a complicated expression.
Kanbei averted her gaze.
"Aren't you the one who understands the messed up ways of Sagara Yoshiharu!? The sadness that is assaulting him now has far exceeded what humans can withstand, the one who is supposed to stay by his side to support him is you!"
"The ones that Yoshiharu-san can rely on isn't just me alone, he has his friends, and relatives."
"If you are to die, he will definitely not be able to take it!"
"That's why with you Kanbei around, I can finally relax. I'm leaving Yoshiharu-san to you."
"I don't wanna! Simon isn't a stupidly good person like you so you should do your own job!"
The water that flows from the Yumezaki river is so clear.
And Hanbei's heart is like the water, clear without a hint of dirt.
"Return immediately to your hometown to rest, Takenaka Hanbei! If you rest and don't exert yourself, you can definitely extend a little of your lifespan!"
"Currently, Yoshiharu-san is in a crisis, and we can't expect the reinforcements of Nobuna-sama. This might be the last battle I can be by Yoshiharu-san's side as his strategist. I beg you, till "that moment", can you not tell anyone about my status?"
"WHETHER IT'S MIKI CASTLE OR MT SHOZAN, SIMON WILL CONQUER THEM ALL BY HERSELF! YOU ARE NOT TO DO ANYTHING, YOU GOT IT!?"
But compared to herself, Hanbei worries more about Yoshiharu and with Kanbei now.....
"Kanbei, a strategist is to remain calm and undisturbed by anything, or else your vision will be clouded by shadows. Please do not force yourself and do any dangerous things for me."
Kanbei didn't respond but in her heart, she had decided very strongly.
And that is, "As long as Simon use all her intelligence and wit, she will definitely be able to change Takenaka Hanbei's fate!
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