Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 8 - Chapter 6

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Chapter 6 : The Prelude of Chaos

"The Ukita army is attacking from Mt Shozan~nya!"

"Again!? Just how many times does this make!?"

"Once we face them they will retreat immediately, if we chase, we will be ambushed. And with Mt Shozan being a dangerous place, the way they use the territory as a means of defending like a steel wall makes us unable to launch a full out assault on them with the amount of forces we have.

"My Lord, our soldiers are all extremely tired~nya"

"Damn it, I had no idea there was a natural fortress like Mt Shozan near Himeji castle."

After Miki castle was captured, the Sagara corps which had their retreat path cut off, was being harassed repeatedly by the Mt Shozan's Ukita army.

Northern's Mt Shozan, southern's Miki castle, the Sagara corps was not able to handle these two huge enemy formations.

Though the best way right now is to concentrate his forces to attack a single place, but unfortunately, the Sagara corps does not have the manpower for that.

If they launch a full out assault on a single area, the other side will definitely attack the empty Himeji castle.

Nobuna, who had fainted in the Kamigyo's fire had not regained consciousness, they couldn't expect any reinforcements.

And the Harima daimyos chose not to help either side, as they wait for Yoshiharu to fight it out with Ukita Naoie.

Using chess terms, Sagara corps were nearing checkmate.

Today, Yoshiharu who was finally infuriated rode his horse and launched an attack at the Ukita army across the Yumezaki river.

The soldiers could only frantically follow such a Yoshiharu from behind.

"Now the only way left is to get right in there and capture Ukita Naoie!"

"It's too dangerous, my lord. That fellow is a specialist in using his short tanegashima~nya!"

"This is a trap~nya. Ukita Naoie had planned to provoke us, and when my lord appears on the battlefield yourself, he will take the chance to snipe you!"

"I know, but our rations are depleting soon. If this goes on, our morale will drop to the bottom."

Suddenly, a bullet flew past Yumezaki river and hit Yoshiharu's helmet.

"Uwahh!?"

"MY LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"General!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"It...It's ok, the bullet did not pierce through the helmet, but that was a close one!"

"Lucky!"

"Kanbei used the armor of "Oh~It stopped"-kun and modified this helmet, although it adds to the weight it's quite reliable."

"Che, you whose only good point is your good luck, there won't be any problems if you had just given us Shikanosuke, stay on your toes from now on!"

Seemingly waiting, the Ukita army's soldiers appeared at the opposite side of Yumezaki river.

Right in their middle was the mumbling Ukita Naoie as he spins the tanegashima on his hand.

"Listen Sagara Yoshiharu! Oda Nobuna has already been defeated at Kyoto. It's not just luck with the ladies, even the luck on the battlefield has swayed to my side so hurry and die quickly!"

"Your side's Mori army has not arrived yet, right!? Who's giving up now!"

"Haha, I'm sorry but my reinforcements will soon be here."

"Then why did you keep attacking every night like you had no time to spare?"

"Che, if I don't make any contributions before the Mori army arrives, I will be in a difficult situation. Soldiers, take Sagara Yoshiharu's head!"

"Uwahh! You aren't planning to run away this time!? They're comingggggg!"

"Are you an idiot!?"

In a blink of an eye, the Ukita army rushed through the Yumezaki river.

Though Yoshiharu steered the horse wanting to retreat, but due to the river, he couldn't gather much speed.

"My Lord, let us fight for now~nya."

"Hurry and escape~nya."

"Damn, have I overextended myself? Looks like I can't be compared to Tokichirou-jii-san after all!"

Looking at Sagara Yoshiharu and the rest who would soon be surrounded by the enemy, a small group of soldiers who had crossed Yumezaki river from the updrift appeared from the rear of the Ukita army in the nick of time.

"Sufferings, Yamanaka Shikanosuke is here! Fight 1 on 1 with me, Ukita Naoie!"

The strongest forces in the Sagara corps, the Amago heroes had arrived!

"Che! You're here to ruin my fun again!? The pig samurai Shikanosuke would never be able to see through my plan. Looks like there's quite an intelligent advisor in Himeji castle!"

Of course, Ukita Naoie does not have the intention to fight with Yamanaka Shikanosuke.

Shikanosuke is to be captured alive.

"Hmph, since it'll become more advantageous the more this drags on. All forces retreat back to Mt Shozan."

As per usual, the Ukita army seemed to be very skilled in retreating.

Though Shikanosuke tried her best to chase them, but it's the Ukita army who is faster than her in retreating as they had retreated back to Mt Shozan in the blink of an eye.

"Are you alright, Yoshiharu-sama?"

"I...I'm saved! Why did you come here, Shikanosuke-chan?"

"It's all the instructions of the strategist. I have orders to circle them from the back through the up drift the same time Yoshiharu-sama heads out."

"Strategist? Umm, which is it? Because there's two."

"Both strategist gave me the same order at almost the same time. In the critical moment, those two are like actual sisters, being able to be in the same mind and have such good teamwork."

"Kanbei and Hanbei-chan are in the same mind? What a rare thing that is but no matter what, I'm just too rash today, sorry."

"There's no need for apologies, by not doing anything, we won't be able to change the situation. When I'm fighting with the Mori clan, there were many times that I had overextended myself before I had noticed it, but now..."

"We have the two strategists with us."

"Exactly, no matter the situation, they will definitely be able to think up of a miraculous plan to turn the tides."

With the help of Shikanosuke, Yoshiharu was finally able to return to Himeji castle; what a close one.

After a while, Yoshiharu noticed that he had died ridiculously in that half-hearted battle and his body starts to shiver uncontrollably.

No matter if it's Okehazama or Kanegasaki, he had relied on his will to live to hang on, but now, he had been forced into a corner by Ukita Naoie totally unprepared.

"I see, because there weren't any fierce battles, I have become restless and lost my wits."

Yoshiharu finally understood that the enemy this time was totally different from the enemies he had met previously. Ukita Naoie isn't the kind of opponent he can win against with just his guts and will!

"Anyway Yoshiharu-sama, didn't you turn me away and hold a secret meeting a few days ago?"

Shikanosuke seems to be angry.

"During that, just what did you guys discuss?"

"Ahh, that... I will definitely tell you about it in the future, but now isn't the time."

"I can understand that Yoshiharu-sama is unable to trust me who has served you for such a short time, but I did feel a little lonely. I must hurry and make some big contributions to have Yoshiharu-sama's trust."

"How can I not trust the one who saved me? Shikanosuke-chan has saved me a couple of times now, I'm so indebted to you and have great trust in you."

"Then why did you refuse to tell me about the contents of the meeting?"

"Umm....."

Yoshiharu is troubled, not mentioning about Nobuna's matters, the choice letting Shikanosuke know about her fate might be obvious.

But,

"No matter what order it is, I will happily accept. Even if I'm abandoned, or being thrown into a trap and die, I do not mind at all, because suffering is my fate!"

With these words from Shikanosuke, he couldn't tell her anything.

He has to take into consideration even that special way of thinking, Yoshiharu was getting an even bigger headache.

"Touchy touchy"

"Ah? Again, Yoshiharu-sama? Why does Yoshiharu-sama love my breasts so much?"

"It's no...not me!?"

"There are only the two of us right now, who can it be if not Yoshiharu-sama!? Not letting me attend the meeting and yet doing such a thing to me. Does Yoshiharu-sama not see me as a warrior!? What humiliation!"

With tears of regret, Shikanosuke left.

No need to ask, it's all the doings of Sunekosuri.

"Why must you wake up at the exact moment that I'm alone with Shikanosuke-chan!?"

"I just love to touch that girl, it's such a regret that you can't touch her, so I'm trying my best for Sagara Yoshiharu's sake too."

"Behave yourself a little!"

"Cough cough, there's a guest, Yoshiharu-san."

Coming in to receive Yoshiharu, Hanbei had brought along an unexpected guest.

"Looks like you are becoming more like it, Sagara-han, it's been a long time."

"Geezer, you're Sakai's Imai Soukyu!"

"That's right, I'm being called over by Takenaka Hanbei-san."

"How did you do it? Himeji castle should have been surrounded."

"That is true in terms of land routes, but if it's through the sea, I can reach here without wasting much time."

"Oh yeah, ships! Himeji castle is right by the sea!"

"If it's military boats and there are any slight movements, we will be attacked by the Mori clan's Murakami navy. But if it's just ordinary merchant boats, as long as we don't do anything serious, the Mori clan won't interfere and..."

"And?"

"I have business relations with the Mori clan and is their important supplier for their weapons, ammunitions and rations. So if it's my Imai boats, the Mori clans will not harm them and will even protect them."

"I see, then why are you here today? It must not be for leisure purposes, right?"

"First is the shipment of rations, they are all hidden at the bottom of the boat."

"What good timing!"

Once he thought of the soldiers not starving in the battlefield, Yoshiharu couldn't control himself, as he held onto the well-built hands of Imai Soukyu and thanked him profusely.

"I have gambled my whole fortune on Hime-sama. If Sagara-han is defeated right here, the Imai clan's days are numbered too. When the time to invest comes, one will invest in it, that's being a merchant."

"You said "first", so there are other things?"

"Takenaka-san had thought of a strategy that could break out of this situation and I'm in charge of providing a few materials."

"Strategy?"

While coughing, Hanbei explained to Yoshiharu.

"Yes, I had always been thinking of a plan to capture Miki castle without a battle. And the conclusion I had is to dig ditches and erect towers all around Miki castle, as we surround Miki castle totally, an example is to build a castle outside another castle."

"We are the ones being sieged, but we will be surrounding Miki castle?"

"Exactly, the commander in Miki castle now is Besho-sama's wife. She's a total amateur in terms of fighting, if there aren't any orders from Ukita Naoie, she can't make any flexible decisions. Cough cough, at the same time we cut off supply lines into Miki castle. We will break off any contact between Ukita Naoie and Miki castle."

"Can we do it?"

"Yes, because of their master being banished, the soldiers at Miki castle have low morale. I'm only suggesting an idea, but if Kanbei who is skilled in engineering and namban science can design and supervise the Kawanami clan on the spot, we will definitely be able to build a castle that no one in this country has ever seen in a short time."

"It's true that if it's Kanbei, she will be able to think up of some strange weapons, no, maybe she had thought of it long ago."

"And I will deflect the Ukita army here in Himeji castle, leave the commanding here to me."

"Will Ukita Naoie attack?"

"Yes, right now, we are using all our wits to anticipate the next move of the opponent. Once Ukita Naoie notices the crisis at Miki castle, he will attack recklessly, and it will be quite a fierce battle. But even if I sacrifice my life, I will definitely defend it, as I'm skilled in defensive battles. Once we have held our ground against the opponent's first wave of attacks, the cautious Ukita Naoie can only choose to retreat back to Mt Shozan. Cough cough, cough cough, cough sorry."

Looks like Hanbei's body is worsening day by day.

Hanbei had been coughing previously, but the frequency and the severity had reached abnormal levels, while patting her back, Yoshiharu said worryingly.

"You are too sick, hurry and rest! Leave the frontlines to me and Shikanosuke-chan."

"No, it's ok if it's a normal opponent, but with Ukita Naoie as the opponent, without the help of a strategist, you wouldn't even be able to fight. Wasn't Yoshiharu-san being lead into a trap gradually today?"

"But..."

"Yoshiharu-san, once we capture Miki castle, the conquering of Harima will be half done, and..."

Wiping the pale expression off her face, Hanbei said with a serious tone.

"The Yoshiharu-san now did not have the capabilities to be a province's daimyo and commander in chief. Only by passing this trial can Yoshiharu-san grow into a true leader."

Like a changed person, the expression and tone Hanbei had right now was filled with intensity, being frightened by that intensity, Yoshiharu could no longer retort.

"Sagara-han, before Hime-sama wakes up your most important mission is to hold on to Harima."

Under the repeated reminders from Imai Soukyu, Yoshiharu nodded his head but Hanbei's weak appearance was just too unusual.

"Don't tell me.... but how can that be?"

An (Don't tell me Hanbei-chan had some incurable illness?) unease enveloped Yoshiharu's heart.

"Takenaka Hanbei's sickness looks to be very serious? How can that be, you are just worrying too much."

That night, too worried over Hanbei's health, Yoshiharu went over to Kuroda Kanbei's room, wanting to discuss it with her.

But sitting on her namban child and spinning the globe, Kanbei did not seem to mind it at all, a look of totally not caring about Hanbei's health.

"As long as Hanbei-chan is on that geezer's boat and returns to Nagahama, she will feel better, but Hanbei-chan is being stubborn and refuses to go back, just what should I do, Kanbei?"

"You are overthinking things, Hanbei's idea of surrounding Miki castle is a great idea, Simon will definitely design an entirely new way of sieging castles for you to see, you who has two world renown strategists by your side, why are you still so nervous?"

"Really, Kanbei? Is Hanbei-chan's health really alright?"

"Sim, no problem."

"I see, I might really be too nervous. Hanbei-chan had said that I lack the capabilities of being a commander in chief and can only grow after capturing Miki castle."

"Aren't you going to rest? I heard idiots treat thinking like sleeping, and you who originally had no intellect at all, no matter how you think about it, it's useless."

"Geez, can't you say it in a less hurtful way?"

"Simon wants to continue working now, I have to concentrate on the plan to surround Miki castle."

"Then I wouldn't disturb you anymore."

After Yoshiharu left, Kanbei finally made up her mind and took out the tarot cards.

"In divinations, not finding out about his or her own fate is a common sense. Even if he or she tried to find out about this fate, it will only cast a shadow upon their intellect and cause the fate to worsen..... But..."

Wanting to change Hanbei's cursed fate of dying young, she can only use this forbidden method.

"Tonight, Simon is going alone to Mt Shozan to try and persuade Ukita Naoie to join the Oda clan with all her might. Though it's a long shot but if it's successful, Harima will be conquered in a night."

According to Kanbei's own predictions, the chances of success are extremely low.

Often betraying people, Ukita Naoie isn't trusted by the Mori clan.

If he was really persuaded to defect here, he would definitely be a big contributor and rewarded heavily by the Oda clan.... But in contrast, the betrayed Mori clan will definitely raze all of Bizen Mimasaka to the ground in a fit of rage.

And the Mori clan's strategist Kobayakawa Takakage is known to grab opportunities, now that the Sagara corps is isolated in Harima due to Ukita Naoie's schemes and Nobuna having an accident, she will definitely not let this chance go and will soon lead the army over personally.

Once the Ukita army and the Mori clan successfully combined their forces, it's impossible to ask even that betrayer Ukita Naoie to defect.

If one is to gamble, now is the time!

But the chance of success isn't even 10%.

"Wanting to change the huge fate of Oda Nobuna, thus extending that best strategist in the world, Takenaka Hanbei's life is absolutely necessary!"

Once I win, the Sagara corps will be out of this crisis and Hanbei will no longer have any excuses to not rest.

Her feeble life might be able to be saved.

"Whether Simon can change history will all depend on tonight, will my plan be a success or....."

Kanbei clenched her teeth, drew a card from the tarot cards and put it on the table.

On the card, a lonely traveler is with a dog.

And the card was upside down.

A reversed position!

Such a card hints at...

"The Fool"

Kanbei shut her eyes, not speaking a word.

"Uhh, I can't find Kanbei anywhere."

"Sagara-han, Kanbei-san disappeared."

Early morning the next day, the Himeji castle is in an uproar.

And the uproar's reason isn't anything else, but the ex-master of Himeji castle, Kuroda Kanbei had suddenly disappeared.

Kanbei's house was empty.

Only the completed; surround Miki castle plan was lying on the table and on it, different kinds of weird and new inventions.

"Maybe, it's my fault."

Somehow, Hanbei's face suddenly turned pale.

"But, how I wish I'm thinking too much."

The deity that seems to have seen through everything, the face of Hanbei now is filled with big drops of tears as she runs around Himeji castle trying to find Kanbei frantically.

"Don't rush, I will find her back right now!"

Saying that, Yoshiharu flipped his body over the horse and started searching around Himeji castle's perimeter.

But Kanbei could not be found anywhere.

Before he noticed it, Yoshiharu was already right by Yumezaki river.

Right in front of him is Ukita Naoie's base, Mt Shozan.

Mt Shozan had been totally fortified to become a fortress, anyone going near it recklessly would be sniped instantly.

Chasing to this extent, even Yoshiharu had to lower his head.

"Just where did you ran off to? You, did you know just how worried we are?"

Yoshiharu is out of ideas now.

Though he had no idea where Kanbei ran off to, but somehow, he had a bad feeling about it, Hanbei is acting very weird too.

"Oi, Sunekosuri, wake up!"

"What's up?"

Saying with sleepy eyes, Sunekosuri poked it's head out.

"Kanbei ran away from home, do you know where she went? I had search everywhere near Himeji castle."

"Nuu, ran away from home?"

"Ahh, that fellow loves to spilt hairs. If we don't hurry and find her something bad might happen."

"Not counting the period she studied and apprenticed away from home, Kanbei isn't the type who'd run away from home."

"Why?"

"Though Kanbei has a sharp tongue she is actually a child that is scared of being alone and she hates the feeling of being by herself."

"Now that you mention it, Souen did say that when she was young, Kanbei did summon demons as her playmates to fight away loneliness."

"It's the same reason Sunekosuri was created with namban science, Kanbei does not have any friends."

"So she is doing the exact same thing as the time she is learning Onmyouji!"

"But Sagara Yoshiharu, ever since she came to your side, Kanbei's heart has become much softer, though it's not on her face but Sunekosuri understands."

"Then where did Kanbei went?"

"Don't know, but definitely not running away from home."

"If that's the case....."

Yoshiharu is that type of person who cares for his comrades more than himself.

So till now, you haven't been able to get used to this chaotic era.

So, he had a fatal weakness for a sengoku warrior, of "Not being able to abandon anyone when he had to choose between the two".

But even so, Yoshiharu had never thought of changing himself.

(Anyway, when Kanbei was still small, she used to swim in this river, did someone treat her like a kappa? But even if that is in the past in the sengoku era where they can even produce tanegashimas, Kappas don't exist, most probably.)

Just when Yoshiharu was letting his mind float around,

A "splash" was heard suddenly.

A dark and wet creature is floating on the surface.

"It...It appeareddddddddd! It's your mate, Sunekosuri! Hurry and fight with the demon!"

"Sunekosuri isn't a demon, it's an homunculus created by Kanbei."

"Isn't it the same!?"

"What are you talking about, it's me."

So the small creature that suddenly appear in the river isn't a kappa but Goemon.

"Uwah? Goemon? Why did you suddenly surface from the river?"

"Ninnin, this is to have more time to escape."

"Escape?"

"I had sneaked into Mt Shozan."

"WHAT!?"

"But I nearly died, that mountain is totally hell for ninjas."

Now that she mentioned it, Yoshiharu noticed Goemon's right wrist was hurt, and on it, a piece of cloth torn from a ninja garb.

"Are you alright!?"

"Last night, I coincidentally discovered Kuroda-shi walked into Mt Shozan by herself."

"Eh?"

"I can't be wrong, only Kuroda-shi will wear that sort of namban hear, definitely not Souen but Kuroda-shi."

You see, didn't I say that she didn't run away from home!? Sunekosuri said proudly in Yoshiharu's bosom.

"Wa....Wait, just what is going on!? And what happened to Kanbei after that?"

"Beacause she didn't come out after a long time, I sneaked in because I was worried."

"It's ok if you bite your tongue, but say it in a single line, Goemon!"

"Although Mt Shozan is hell for ninjas I have finally sneak into the deepest part."

"Th...Then?"

"There I overheard a conversation between enemy soldiers."

"Though there's no concrete proof..." Saying that, Goemon hesitated, but she had said it all to Yoshiharu after all.

"Because Himeji castle was forcefully taken by Sagara-shi, bearing a grudge, Kubrobda-shi debfbectebd obvebr to Ukbitba-sbhi.( Kuroda-shi defected over to Ukita-shi)"

"Kuroda Kanbei had defected over to Ukita Naoie!?"

Though Yoshiharu had given orders to keep the news from spreading somehow a leak emerged and spread throughout all of Harima, even to Kyoto from Sakai.

And this rumor wasn't based on nothing.

At first, Kuroda Kanbei had lent her own castle to the Oda clan due to circumstances. Though Yoshiharu had agreed due to various considerations but Kanbei's father Souen had wanted to give Himeji castle to Sagara Yoshiharu.

During that, saying "Why must it be given to this Sagara Yoshiharu?" with a face full of displeasure, that look of Kanbei's was witnessed by many people.

And with Ukita Naoie capturing huge amounts of Harima castles through his "schemes".

It wouldn't be strange for Kanbei to have defected to Ukita Naoie at such a time.

Kanbei had joined the Sagara corps as a strategist, but with a senpai like Hanbei already in the Sagara corps, Kanbei could only be second.

Also their extremely close relationship; that of a pair of siblings between Sagara Yoshiharu and Takenaka Hanbei did not give Kanbei any room to insert herself.

In such a situation, Kanbei who had always seen herself as the smartest person the world would be naturally displeased.

In the end, a rumor like this "With her awkward situation, Ukita Naoie had persuaded Kanbei to defect successfully." emerged.

Right now, the little sister of Kanbei, Shojyumaru is staying in Northern Omi's Nagahama castle of the Oda clan as a hostage.

And the northern part of Kyoto, the Kamigyo district had just been reduced to a pile of ruins by a large fire.

Kyoto was spreading, "Oda Nobuna has personally fanned the commoners to reduce Kamigyo which supports Ashikaga Yoshiaki to ashes." such vicious rumors.

People were even discussing among themselves whether Nobuna was planning to burn the palace down too.

Everyone in Kyoto was terrified, not knowing what's the next step for Oda Nobuna who is actually unconscious in Honnou temple.

At such a crucial moment, Kanbei's little sister, Shojyomaru is the first to be impacted.

"If Kanbei really betrayed them...."

"Oda Nobuna will definitely execute her sister."

"It's ok if it's a guy, but for girls, she won't actually execute her, right?"

"That's so logically speaking, but that's the demon lord of the sixth realm."

"If that's the case, won't that Sagara Yoshiharu be in danger too?"

"He might be dragged in too."

"If it's that demon lord; she might burn down Kamigyo in a fit of rage."

"Even if it's the sengoku era, this is far too cruel."

The reason why a rumor like this emerged was because of the "Golden skulls" incident.Nobuna used to reincarnate Asai Nagamasa into Oichi, but that's far from being the whole reason.

Someone was intentionally spreading vicious rumors of Nobuna secretly.

Forking out huge amounts of money to bride the newspaper merchants to print news that would harm Nobuna; those exact people.

In the palace,

"Hohoho, that damn lass Oda Nobuna is dead for sure this time."

"Ha, the effect of spreading rumors is slowly starting to show. Right now, no matter what I say about Oda Nobuna, those commoners will believe all of it."

The one currently talking is the black teethed Maro, Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa and a slim man, the Sakai merchant, Tsuda Sougyu.

Behind Konoe, a big built man was sitting there silently.

Wanting to overthrow Nobuna while keeping it a secret from Himiko, Konoe Sakihisa had thought of a new plan.

"This is the strength of words, even if it's such a unthinkable rumor, once it's printed, it will be treated as a true story."

"Rather than good rumors, the foolish commoners love vicious rumors. Rather than ordinary stories, they like strange stories even more."

"But that fire at Kyoto incident really scares I Maro. If the palace is really destroyed, I will be finished too."

"There's no helping it, since monsters aren't someone we humans can fully control."

"I had asked Tsuchimikado to take note of it. He actually brought that along and said it's an "evil spirit", but if we had not believed him then, things will not had gone so smoothly."

"Haha."

"But I never expected that damn lass Oda Nobuna to actually survive through."

"Her luck is so terrifyingly good."

"That good luck ends here, now that the Tsuchimikado clan, Ashikaga shogun and I Maro are teaming up, we will definitely chase that destroyer out from Kyoto. If Ashikaga shogun is able to return, I Maro can finally relax."

At this moment, Tsuda Sougyu asked at the man sitting behind Konoe Sakihisa.

"Anyway, who is this person behind you?"

There is a big built man with a monk's attire, due to the curtain, one could not distinguish his looks.

"He is helping I Maro as a strategist in this anti-oda faction. Though I can't tell you guys his real identity yet, but who he is will definitely shock everyone."

"Oh, he must be some very famous person."

"That goes without saying, and he had already thought of the next step to force Oda Nobuna even more into a corner."

"What, the next step is?"

"Hohoho, Oda Nobuna isn't an opponent you can kill easily. Even if one poisons her, as long as Matsunaga Danjo and Manase Belchior are around, it's impossible to finish her off."

"You have a point."

"So we need to spend some time, slowly and surely pushing Oda Nobuna into a corner."

At this moment, Tsuda Sougyu emphasized again, "Once this Oda Nobuna matter is taken care of, you will give Sakai to me, right?"

Revealing his black teeth, Konoe Sakihisa laughed, "Hohoho, that goes without saying. Our fates are tied together now."

That "Next step" happens within the Honnou temple that Nobuna lies unconscious.

Because she was invaded by the miasma during the encounter with the evil spirit at the fire of Kamigyo,

After that night, she had been bedridden. Today, she was unconscious on the bed as well.

In a house beside her, the renowned doctor Manase Belchior is talking to the aide that was recently hired.

"She will recover in a few days more, not bad, not bad. An unknown illness like this, it's more effective to use traditional medicine rather than namban medical techniques. Though the effect of traditional medicine isn't obvious at first, but it is slowly helping her."

"That is the best, as expected of Manase-sama."

In this batch of aides that was recently hired, the one that Nobuna used the most is a 17 or 18 years old girl.

She had a decent and distinguished look, her pair of big eyes shines with a smart glow.

Even Nobuna whose standard for bishoujos is extremely high was very satisfied with her looks, and the ero-doctor, Manase Belchior's bad habit of saying "Not bad, not bad" as he feign an accident while extending his hands towards her breasts had once again relapsed, and the ending is obviously...

"This can only be said, "Stop joking around" once again."

Piak.

The aide dodged Manase Belchior's hands elegantly and sent a thrust right into his chest.

"Kuu, cough cough cough, nicely done, Aide-san. Looks like Nobuna-sama can't get up from the bed today still."

"Ok I got it, she won't be able to get up."

While crying "Ouch, it hurts. The aide this time is really merciless.", Manse Belchior left Honnou temple and brushed past Settsu's envoy.

Once Settsu's envoy entered Honnou temple, he immediately shouted frantically, "Please see this, Hime-sama."

"What happened?"

"Something bad happened at Harima! After Miki castle, even Kuroda Kanbei has defected to Ukita Naoie!"

"Stop sprouting nonsense about such things, is there any proof?"

"Though there isn't any concrete proof, but Kuroda Kanbei had disappeared from Himeji castle!, now everywhere is rustling with the rumor that she had defected over to Ukita Naoie, the Sagara corps is in the brink of collapse!"

"I understand, I will report this to Hime."

"There's one more thing, what should we do about the hostage, Shojyomaru?"

"I got it, come again tommorow."

"Please help me inform them because this matter will affect our allies too. Both Settsu and Yamato show signs of movement!"

"Oh, Yamato's master Matsunaga Hisahide is indeed an evil person, well known for betraying her master."

"Right now, the Ashikaga Yoshiaki currently residing in the Mori clan is distributing huge amounts of letters inciting them to revolt, if the rumor of Kuroda Kanbei defecting is written in it too, it will definitely bring along even more defection! Please ask Hime for instructions immediately!"

"Ok, I got it."

The aide ask the envoy to wait for a while as she entered Nobuna's bedroom by herself.

For the longest time, the aide did not return.

"Are you done, Aide-sama!?"

The panicking envoy can't help but raise his volume as he shouted into the house.

After another short while, the aide finally returned.

"Sorry for making you wait, I Manmi Senchiyo had received the orders from Hime-sama."

"Ohh, what should we do about the hostage? Like I thought, we should show mercy to calm our allies down, right!?"

"Execute the hostage publicly right away, that is what Hime-sama said."

"Ah?"

"There's no room for suspicion on the matter of Kuroda Kanbei defecting. Execute the hostage Shojyumaru immediately, if Sagara Yoshiharu resists, he and his retainers are to be punished accordingly, those are Hime-sama's orders."

"Im....Impossible!?"

"Tell Sagara Yoshiharu to execute Shojyomaru immediately, if you defy my orders, all retainers in the Sagara corps stationed at Nagahama castle will to be dealt the death penalty."

"How can this be!? How can Hime-sama give such orders!? No matter what, we shouldn't execute that child......"

"Just like you said, the situation is becoming more and more serious, Hime-sama should be trying to scare those who dare to revolt using this matter."

"Sagara-sama will never accept such an order!"

"If that's the case, then completely destroy Nagahama castle. A small castle that has not finished building, as long as Hime-sama leads her army personally, it will be razed to the ground within a day."

After the new aide Manmi Senchiyo smiled and transmitted the stunned envoy "Nobuna's orders", she left.

The latter's shoulders kept shivering from rage as he lowered his head and left Honnou temple, heading towards Harima......

"Sagara-sama, though I can't believe it too but Hime-sama had given such an order, "Execute Shojyumaru immediately", if not all of Sagara-sama's retainers in Nagahama castle will be dealt the death penalty.... I...I will retreat for now."

Taking Imai Soukyu's merchant boat, the envoy reached Harima and gave Sagara Yoshiharu who was currently supervising the surrounding of Miki castle "Nobuna's orders".

Likely being afraid to see Yoshiharu's anguished look, the envoy had lowered his head and left before Yoshiharu could answer.

And Sagara Yoshiharu who was originally looking at the map of Miki castle was unable to utter a single word after hearing the orders.

(Just what is happening, Nobuna? No matter how much you like being angry, you aren't the kind of person who would give such an order.)

Though he wished to say that, but his overly shocked throat just couldn't utter a single word.

"Just what is going on?"

Just from repeating these words repeatedly, Yoshiharu seemed to have used up all his strength.

Kanbei would never defect to Ukita Naoie, Nobuna would never easily listen to such a rumor. It should originally be so, but why had she gave "Execute Shojyomaru immediately" such an order?

Right now, due to the help of Hanbei's idea and the design left by Kanbei, the surrounding of Miki castle was going smoothly with amazing speed.

Just like what Hanbei predicted, Ukita Naoie who had been stationed at Mt Shozan panicked. immediately he began to move his troops around seriously in a rare move.

Soon, he will start attacking the weak Himeji castle with all his strength to break the surrounding of Miki castle.

But Hanbei and Yamanaka Shikanosuke who had long expected this had since lead the Amago heroes and guarded Himeji castle.

Today morning, under Hanbei's command and Shikanosuke's gallant actions, they had successfully repelled the Ukita army's recon attack.

Because of the sudden disappearance of Kanbei, the work that Hanbei have to tend to personally had increased with abnormal speed.

She had repeatedly went to and fro between Miki castle and Himeji castle, with the minimum amount of soldiers guarding Himeji castle and at the same time, working on the surrounding of Miki castle, it can be said that she had used up all her wits.

But the current Hanbei had a strange atmosphere around her, like a single candle in a gust of wind, the flame ready to extinguish any time.

Yoshiharu was worried about Kanbei's safety and at the same time, worried about Hanbei's body.

But at this time he received Nobuna's unbelievable "order".

"Nobuna would never say such a thing, but I can't let Hanbei-chan overexert herself like this, just what should I do?"

Yoshiharu tried his best to think by himself, but no matter how he worked that brain of his, he just couldn't think of a good way.

The only thing that might work is that he go to Kyoto and meet Nobuna himself.

But now that the Miki castle battle is going smoothly, if he threw the work to Hanbei and returned himself, there was a feeling that Hanbei's body would worsen from the extra work.

At this moment....

"Cough cough, Yoshiharu-san, did Nobuna-sama gave some ridiculous order?"

Yoshiharu wanted to hide it, but Hanbei is the strategist after all.

Wanting to hide the fact from the observant her was impossible.

After rushing to Himeji castle during the night and battling with the Ukita army till dawn, Hanbei had now rushed back to Miki castle, to Yoshiharu's side.

Though Yoshiharu touched Hanbei's head while tying to persuade her, "Don't force yourself, hurry and go rest, Hanbei-chan.", but ever since the moment that Kanbei disappeared, Hanbei had never obeyed such orders from Yoshiharu.

"Himeji castle is safe, due to Ukita Naoie being too anxious, he has misjudged the situation. Right now, he must have noticed that he won't be able to make it and will not attack Himeji castle for the time being."

"Hanbei-chan, Nobuna will never give an order like executing Shojyomaru."

"I understand, there must be some kind of a trick within. The bigger the organization, the easier the contents of the order could be changed. The expansion of the Oda clan is way too fast, the transmitting of orders can not keep up with the pace and is now in a state of chaos."

"Then let's ignore that order."

"Cough, cough, that can't do too. Now, due to Kanbei's disappearance, the stability of the Oda clan has been shaken, if Yoshiharu-sama disobeys Nobuna-sama's "order" now, the Oda clan will fall into an even greater chaos."

"Kanbei will never betray us, I'm going back to Kyoto to explain it to Nobuna."

"It's useless, from what I see, I'm afraid you can't even get to meet Nobuna-sama now."

"Can't see her? Why did you say that?"

"I think the communications between Nobuna-sama and the retainers has been obstructed by some anonymous people close to her."

"People close to her? Who?"

"I have no idea now. Anyway, leave Shojyomaru to I Hanbei."

"No, how can I add on to Hanbei-chan's workload!?"

"Yoshiharu-san, I'm afraid the reason why Kanbei disappeared is because of me."

"Why did you say that?"

"Yoshiharu-sama is currently at the most dire of situations, so please do not lose yourself no matter what happens. All you need to do is to concentrate all your might onto the surrounding of Miki castle, leave Shojyomaru-chan to me."

Why is Hanbei looking so frantic now? Although Yoshiharu feels strange about it, but in the end, he decided to believe that Hanbei had a plan for Shojyomaru.

Just how much time did she spend on thinking such things!?

Once again, Yoshiharu caressed Hanbei's head.

"I got it, I'm leaving it to you."

"Thank you, and..."

"Hmmm?"

"Sunekosuri is touching my thighs now, uhhh."

AGAIN!? There will be a day I will turn this furry demon into a meat stick! Yoshiharu decided secretly.

"But even now, we still have no idea on the whereabouts of Kanbei, it's been so long."

"Uhhh, it will become clear within these few days. I have already sent Goemon to investigate a few places with high possibilities."

"I can put my mind to rest if Goemon is doing it, but she does not have any self-awareness of being a retainer samurai!"

"Even if it's for Shojyomaru-chan, we need to find Kanbei ASAP."

"Staying here and not doing anything is too hard for me, should I hurry and search too?"

"No, now that the surrounding of Miki castle is at such a crucial point, how can the commander in chief leave? If Yoshiharu-san really did that...; you are too rash."

(Recently, Hanbei-chan is much more harsh in her expectations of me.)

"Someone of great caliber should train to be unfazed even in the face of great danger."

I will one day become a guy of great caliber to show Hanbei-chan.

No matter what hardships, I will definitely believe that we will overcome it with our comrades.

Even if Kanbei has disappeared, even if Nobuna has given such a ridiculous order, I will endure it as the head of the Sagara corps, keep enduring it.

Yoshiharu firmly believes that he will definitely pass through this ordeal.

(But somehow, I feel that Hanbei-chan who has been training me had become frantic, what's this unease that I just can't shake off?)

To handle Shojyomaru's matter, Hanbei left and soon after, a slim Kuroda Souen with a monk's attire came over.

"Why did you come, geezer!?"

"Ahh, Kanbei has too met with a problem she can't solve. The strange rumors in Himeji castle had spread, saying Oda Nobuna had ordered the immediate execution of Shojyomaru or that it's all Kanbei's fault."

Souen smiles with a smile that seems to seen through any mundane matter as he looks at the crisis that had befall onto the Kuroda clan.

"There's no need to worry, geezer. Shojyomaru will be fine, I had asked Hanbei-chan to handle it."

"Hoho...... I can relax now that it has fallen to her, this is all caused by my Kanbei's ignorance, I'm really sorry for that."

"Geezer, do you know where Kanbei has gone? Though I want to search all possible places, but there's not enough manpower."

"If that child can't understand the logic of not doing everything by herself, no, maybe she had understood it, that's why she had betted everything she has on this problem that she can't solve. It's just like her to make such a mistake."

Souen seems to know where Kanbei is right now.

"If you had given it to Takenaka Hanbei-sama, I'm sure she will find Kanbei immediately. But at that time, the Kuroda clan will definitely be in a state of chaos, leave this to me. I will definitely not let any of the Kuroda clan betray Sagara-sama."

"Uuuuu"

Kuroda Kanbei is being imprisoned in the depths of Mt Shozan.

This prison was formed by reshaping a natural cave after Ukita Naoie conquered Mt Shozan.

Without any sunlight, it was extremely cold and dark in the prison throughout the year. The ceiling was very low too, a person can't even stand up straight.

The moisture was extremely high too, at such an environment, different types of insects had appeared and the stench lingering around the area causes Kanbei to can't even breathe at the start.

Holding on to the "fool" card tightly, Kanbei can no longer remember how many days had she been imprisoned here.

At the start, she had came to Mt Shozan alone,

but don't mention about trying to persuade Ukita Naoie with her eloquent skills, she can't even meet Naoie before being thrown to this prison.

In the end, it is as the tarot card had hinted.

The reverse "fool" hints:

Foolish actions,

Recklessness,

Isolation.

But to change Hanbei's fate and more so, changing Nobuna's fate, Kanbei bravely ignored the tarot card's warning and bet her life on it.

Actually, she herself understands that this will most likely fail.

But she must gamble on that miniscule possibility.

If everyone starts caring for themselves and no one wants to bet their own life, how can it be possible to change the huge tides of history.

Kanbei thought.

Even now, she does not feel any regret for her decision then.

She must do it,

There's only one thing she does not understand.

(I was prepared to be killed immediately after failing, but why does he spare my life?)

Maybe Ukita Naoie thought that she is much more useful alive.

It's just this feeling of solitude that makes it hard to bear.

Kanbei is someone who is afraid of loneliness.

Without anyone beside her, she will have no one to talk to. No matter how fast her brain works, how many ideas she can think of, without anyone listening to them, it was all meaningless.

Kanbei understands this deeply when she is still a kid in Harima.

During the time she is creating Sunekosuri, the chant that Kanbei chanted was "My heart's solitude and pain is hoping for some warmth. Awake, someone who can filled this thirst of mine."

Though she always hold herself as the smartest person in the world, but the loneliness in Kanbei;s heart, she can't tell that to anyone. Such sadness drove her to chant the spell to create a "friend".

But at that time, at least Rikyuu sensei is by her side.

But now, there's only darkness left.

Even whether she can survive and meet the others is unknown.

(If at least Sunekosuri is around...)

During the time Kanbei drew out the "fool", she had already know of her fate. The fool is a vagrant, someone who only have a small dog as it's companion.

At first, the reason why she created the artificial spirit Sunekosuri during the period she was studying was also because she can't bear with the loneliness.

But after meeting with Oda Nobuna and being asked to join the Sagara corps, everyday had become fulfilling. To Kanbei who does not have any companions, her lonely heart is healed by Sagara Yoshiharu and his companions. Oda Nobuna who thirsts for the world overseas same as her, the one who came from the future, Sagara Yoshiharu who completely accepts herself and though is wittier than her and a much more accomplished strategist, Takenaka Hanbei who is always humble, they nourished Kanbei's soul which had become thirsty from solitude.

(Letting Sunekosuri possess Sagara Yoshiharu is truly a mistake. He is in fact trying his best to save Oda Nobuna, and being captured by Ukita Naoie is all because I was reckless. Simon always acts before thinking things through, if it's Takenaka Hanbei, she won't make such a mistake.)

Because of her disappearance, the burden on Hanbei will definitely become even heavier, it might even cause her death to approach earlier.

It might even be that she is already...

This... is this part of history too?

Not just the naive Sagara Yoshiharu, even I can't change history just by myself.

Humans can't survive alone, a world with just yourself is no different than that of hell.

Sudden noises of footsteps disrupted the deadly silence in the underground prison.

"Who is it?"

Ever since she had been imprisoned here, there wasn't any signs of people around.

"Umm, I had brought some water and riceballs."

It's a voice only a small girl will have.

Outside the metal bars, a small silhouette slowly approaches.

For the first time in days, Kanbei spoke.

"You are...?"

"I will be back, please forgive Otoo-sama."

Kanbei crawled towards the metal bars.

Not just due to hunger, her legs won't move as she wants due to long periods of not extending fully.

Food and water was given into the cell.

With tears flowing down, Kanbei stuffed the rice ball into her mouth.

She does not know who is this small girl.

But once she thought that she had not been forgotten from this world, Kanbei broke into tears of happiness.

But after eating the rice ball and finishing the water,

That man who is almost like the personification of disaster appears at the entrance of the prison.

Ukita Naoie,

Has he just finish from a battle, his body is filled with scratch wounds.

But his face was filled with a gloating smile.

"Yo Kuroda Kanbei, you're still alive, huh? Hmm? What's with that plate?"

"...."

"Che, that Hideie brat, huh? She's not listening to me at all."

"Hideie? Who is that?"

"What good does it do me to tell you that?"

Naoie said while mercilessly giving a kick right at Kanbei who is before the metal bars.

Looks like he had just lost a battle.

From this, looks like Takenaka Hanbei is still alive.

Upon understanding this, Kanbei once again have the courage to live on.

"Oi Kanbei, since you are a young girl too so I'm giving you a chance to present yourself to me. I am the "Princess knight killer", hahaha!"

Kanbei stare at Ukita Naoie furiously.

Born with heaven's blessing and received extraordinary wit, there are some people like this man who do what they want according to their desires.

If she had not met Oda Nobuna, she will definitely not understand the meaning of using her own intelligence for others and will definitely waste her life away.

"But a small girl like you who haven't even mature isn't fit enough for me to use my short arquebus, no, maybe I should use a cannon who can't shoot due to the moisture?"

"I have totally no idea what you are talking about, what are you here for?"

"Ahh, after capturing you, I had forgotten all about it. But the Sagara corps are unexpectedly resilient, even without you, they are impenetrable."

"You spread the rumor of Simon defected over, right?"

"Oh, it's a good plan, right? Looks like as long as Takenaka Hanbei is still around, no matter if it's conquering Harima castle or capturing Yamanaka Shikanosuke alive will prove to be extremely difficult."

Takenaka Hanbei is still alive as expected.

Finally, Kanbei can see a light amongst this darkness.

"If I'm not careful, Miki castle will be surrounded with a bunch of never seen before weapons and tools. And it's at this critical moment that the Moris start heading out to Harima. If this goes on, my Bizen and Mimasaka will be in danger."

Ukita Naoie spins his short arquebus and said the main point.

"If you want to live on, be my strategist. As long as we can defeat Takenaka Hanbei and capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke alive, you will be the undisputed best strategist in the world. You don't want to starve to death in this hellish prison, right?"

As if boasting about a certain victory, Ukita Naoie laughed sinisterly.

If she rejects him, he will never just let her go like that.

But the shivering Kanbei said "no" nevertheless.

"Hoo, you're quite brave, huh? I had thought that Kuroda Kanbei isn't an idiot, am I wrong?"

"Definitely no, Simon will never betray her companions."

"Companions? Ha, you shouldn't be around them for too long, right? But forget it, since I had thought you will not simply relent from the start, I had prepared many torture tools."

"!?"

"If the target is a child, my cannon is now useless. Now that I can't capture you through the pleasure of climaxing and I don't have the time to wait for you to grow up, looks like there's only torture left."

Naoie took out several black sacks.

"Sorry about this, missy but if the Mori's are here, I will be dead meat. For my current position, I had killed countless people, but I don't want to fall into the situation of my territories being taken back and I committing seppuku, though there's nothing to complain about too! Come, choose one that you like."

Kacha kacha.

Kanbei's jaws starting shivering on their own due to fear.

Looking at the sinister smile of Naoie approaching, Kanbei feels that her heart had almost stopped pumping.

"The sack on the right has a grass poison that makes your face grow huge bloats, making you extremely ugly. The middle sack has an insect poison that makes you unable to walk for the rest of your life if it's injected into your knees. The one on the left has a poison that makes all your hair drop to the ground and they will never grow back. Actually, all these aren't supposed to be used on girls and you are quite the beauty too, sooner or later, you will definitely be quite the looker. Ahh, upon thinking that, I can almost cry with regret, but there's no helping it, this is all for the 50k kan of Bizen and Mimasaka!"

"Uhh, uhhh..."

Kanbei covered her face and started crying.

SAVE ME!!! Wanting to shouted out.

Even if she use (Samurais aren't supposed to cry.), the sobs in her throat can't be suppressed.

But only "I surrender", Kanbei will never agree to say these words no matter what.

If she tried to live on and surrender, she will have no face to see Takenaka Hanbei ever again.

And if she really do that, she will never be able to compare herself with Takenaka Hanbei.

It's just her looks being destroyed, her hair being uprooted, and not able to walk for life.

If you are a samurai, endure them, Simon!

Kanbei shouted like this at herself countless times.

But tears still flows down, not heeding her wishes.

"Oioi, don't cry! Won't that makes me a baddie!? Even I am unwilling to do such a thing to a small girl! But if I don't do it, the one who will be dead is me! You spoilt princess who had always stayed in the castle without a care in the world might not understand, but this world is filled with killing and misfortunate! If you want to blame, blame it on your bad luck that you are born in this chaotic era!"

"UWAHHHHHH!"

"Ahh, enough! I can't take it, why must I do such a thing!? I got it I got it, I won't do anything hurtful to you, just say "I surrender", alright?"

Suddenly, Ukita Naoie changes his attitude, he smiled gently and lightly caressed Kanbei's head through the metal bars.

I can't surrender! Though Kanbei's heart is shouting out like this and wants to resist, but she is slowly losing the ability to resist further.

Just when she is about to say "I surrender",

Kanbei can see a flower on a vine behind Naoie.

Till now, Kanbei had not noticed such a weak plant.

In the cave where not even sunlight is able to shine in, the weak vine is still trying it's best to grow.

Even if no one sees it, the flower continues to bloom.

That flower warms Kanbei's heart like Hanbei's refreshing smile.

Hanbei she, for Oda Nobuna's dream, for Sagara Yoshiharu's ambition, she had bet her short life.

And I'm still living, knowing full well that Naoie has no plans to kill me.

Why am I crying non stop like this!?

I can't be like this!

"Hmmm? Why did you suddenly stop crying?"

Kanbei didn't avoid Naoie's gaze and said.

".....I refuse, Simon will never betray her companions."

"If you want to torture me, do as you wish. But "I" will never relent."

[6]

"I?" Mystified by how she addressed herself, Naoie said to himself.

"Nono, you should be a girl, though I didn't see it but it should be."

But before he can react, she had retorted, "Are you an idiot!?"

"Why aren't you listening to me!? Though humans are like insects in my eyes, but even I had my own resolve! The beauty of the "Princess knight killer" is to never kill any girls, but to use them to contribute all of themselves for my ambition!"

"Your resolve is applicable to Simon too?"

"Ahh, become a nun now! Abandon the sword and the mundane status and I can at least spare your life! This is a privilege only princess knights have!"

"Simon is already into Christianity, I can't convert just to live on."

"Ahhhh!! You don't look like someone who believes in deities no matter how I look at you, why must you be so resolute at such a dumb thing!?"

"Though I'm not filled with faith like those devout believers but I will not do a thing like surrendering just to extend my life. If you want to ask why, if I surrender here, Simon's heart will be used to giving up and I will lose to you completely, human hearts are like this."

Ahhhhhh!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!! Naoie roared.

"I don't understand! I don't understand! Do you know what will happen if you continue like this!? Do you know what exactly are you thinking about now!?"

"Simon had received many gratitudes from companions, Sagara Yoshiharu trying his best to protect me at Himeji castle, Oda Nobuna acknowledging my talent and Takenaka Hanbei teaching me what a strategist should look like."

"What about it!? If you die, won't it become nothing!? Stupid idiot! You are an immature brat after all!"

Naoie took out his last trump card.

"Are you really ok with this!? You maintaining your loyalty is totally meaningless! Though you maintain your stand of not betraying your companions, but Oda Nobuna, she....!"

Naoie's words once again shook Kanbei's stance.

"Oda Nobuna had ordered Sagara Yoshiharu to execute your little sister!"

From shock, Kanbei roared out in an instant, "You liar!"

"You liar you liar you liar, if it's the two of them, they will never do such a thing!"

"I'm not lying, Oda Nobuna is a demon lord who can do a thing like using Asai Asakura's skulls as her wine cup. She had threaten Sagara Yoshiharu that she will kill all of his companions if he did not execute your little sister! From the start, Oda Nobuna had never care about the life of your little sister. Without any proof, she had ordered an execution of an innocent girl, she is an evil lord even more than me!"

"You're the one who did it, right? What tricks did you do to deceive Oda Nobuna!?"

"I'm not the culprit, but it must be someone's plan. It's rumored that Oda Nobuna had been possessed by a demon, Kyoto is filled with miasma right now."

From the expression of Naoie, he does not seem to be lying.

Kanbei is panicking.

"Is it true, Shojyomaru she...?"

"It does not matter whether she had fallen for it, but your little sister being dead is already an unchangeable fact."

" Shojyomaru she... Shojyomaru she..."

"All of the Oda clan are your little sister's enemies!"

"No, they are my comrades, Shojyomaru is definitely alive. Simon trust her companions!"

"AHHHHHHH! I just can't get through to you."

At this time, a shot of light reflected at the back of Naoie.

"Pass this card to Sagara Yoshiharu!"

Without thinking, Kanbei threw the "fool" in her hand over at the light's direction.

"Ah? Who is it?"

Naoie turned his head and found a small ninja with a black ninja attire who had sneaked into the prison while hiding her presence.

After the ninja used all her strength to grab the card Kanbei threw over, she easily dodged the slash that Naoie "Wait a minute!!!!" slashed at her and said to the Kanbei behind metal bars.

"....I will pass on your feelings, please live on, Kuroda-shi. We will definitely save you."

Kanbei nodded wordlessly.

The ninja's speed is astonishingly quick.

In one breathe, she had jumped out of the underground prison and into the forest.

"Che, since we're at a bright spot now, that means this short arquebus can be useful already!"

Chasing right after her, Naoie kept shooting at her.

Looks like Naoie who is currently filled with bloodlust did not realise that this ninja who had covered her face is actually a small girl.

The shooting skill of Naoie is top notched. If he isn't from a warrior family, he will most likely be a professional assassin.

The bullets kept brushing past the ninjas head and legs through the tree branches.

But by bending the joints of her legs and hands and with the unsystematic movement of a ninja, she had finally dodge the risk of getting hit directly by Naoie.

"Ku, what a tough opponent."

"Stop right there! I will never let you return alive!!"

"Looks like saving Kuroda-shi won't be easy."

"Will I let you escape!! Ow... Ouch ouch!"

Naoie stepped onto the spikes that the ninja placed and start shouting in agony.

And at that instant,

With a boom,

A smoke bomb exploded in the woods.

"Oh!!?"

Not giving up, Naoie rushed into the smoke to find the whereabouts of the ninja.

But the ninja is long gone.

Shouting at the long gone ninja,