Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 8 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 : Shooting Star 

When Goemon returns to Yoshiharu's side, the time is already midnight. 

The huge surround of Miki castle had totally cut off all connections Miki castle had with the world. 

The design that Kanbei thought of had also surpassed any common sense of Japanese sieging methods. 

One of the key reasons is the countless amount of watch towers. 

Soldiers in those watch towers can use the namban imported telescopes to observe any movement in Miki castle. 

The other key reason is the combination of fences and deep ditches. 

Putting the newest namban imported cannons by Imai Soukyu in huge mobile towers allows huge impact on the defensive structures of Miki castle from a high attitude. 

Such a never seen before mobile tower is due to Kanbei using Nobuna's suggestion of putting "Oh~ It stopped" wheels to design a sieging weapon. Though it still can't be used on mountainous terrain but in flat grounds, it can be moved slowly. 

Unable to attack, the soldiers in Miki castle can only silently look at these never seen before huge weapons being assembled day after day with astonishing speed. Ô It is no longer possible for Ukita Naoie to transport rations over to Miki castle by land routes. 

And the sea routes had been totally cut off due to the Amago heroes. 

Coming back into camp, even Goemon can't help but be impressed over these legendary weapons and with Hanbei's talent. 

She had created stuff that can only be considered a scientific idea, such an extraordinary thing is truly shocking. 

The era is moving forward. 

"Why are you always coming back with your clothes in tatters, Goemon? Don't overexert yourself too much." 

Yoshiharu personally receives Goemon. 

"Takanaka-shi guessed correctly." 

"So like what we expected.... 

"Kuroda-shi is being imprisoned in the prison at Mt Shozan, I cbabn't savbe hebr jubst by mbybselbf (I can't save her just by myself.)" 

Goemon handed over the "fool" that Kanbei passed to Yoshiharu. 

Though Yoshiharu does not understand the meaning behind the card but the small dog being the only companion of the lonely vagrant fits the image of Sunekosuri and Kanbei. 

"Looks like Kuroda-shi headed towards Mt Shozan alone to persuade Ukita Naoie, but she was captured unfortunately." 

Yoshiharu understands the reason why Kanbei passed this card over to Goemon. 

The one that the card is hinting is Kanbei herself. 

"That fellow said herself that a person alone will never be able to change history so why did she hide this from us and do such a dangerous thing by herself?" 

His eyes feel funny like it's close to crying but it isn't the time to shed tears. 

A day earlier, no, a second earlier, I must save Kanbei ASAP. 

"But, it's a little complicated, Sagara-shi." 

"What's with it?" 

"The fact that I had confirmed that Kuroda-shi is alive had already been discovered by Ukita Naoie. Naoie-jii-san said he is going to execute Kuroda-san." 

"Executed?" 

"Kuroda-shi had not defected, but the current situation isn't good." 

"Yeah." 

"The security there will definitely become even stricter. Saving Kuroda-shi will definitely not be easy, we need to keep that in mind." 

"We don't have time now." 

Just when Yoshiharu is thinking hard for a strategy, Hanbei brought along a small girl. 

"Cough cough. Ukita sent over an envoy, Yoshiharu-san." 

"Hanbei-chan, didn't I tell you to go rest already?' 

"It seems to be something urgent." 

The envoy that Ukita Naoie sent is an extremely young and small girl. 

But she seems to be very calm as she came deep into the enemy's territory. 

The girl seems to be of different origin, both her hair and eye color are different from the people in this country. 

She's quite a bright child. 

"I brought my lord's letter, I will wait here for your reply. If there's nothing else, excuse me." 

The girl politely left the letter behind and walked out of the tent. 

And Yoshiharu who received the letter was shocked by the content of the letter. 

"What's the content?" 

"Since you guys have discovered that Kuroda Kanbei had not defected, there's no need for me to spare her life, I will execute her, but...." 

"Uhh, "but...."? What's next, Yoshiharu-san?" 

"I had not received any orders to kill Kuroda Kanbei. All the Moris care for are the conquering of Harima and the capturing of Yamanaka Shikanosuke. Now it looks like I just need to capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke before the Mori troops are here and my position will be secured." 

While reading Naoie's letter, Yoshiharu's hand was trembling with rage. 

"The Mori troops will reach Harima in 10 days. Before then, if you agree to use Yamanaka Shikanosuke as an exchange, I will return Kanbei unharmed, but if you don't, the day that the Mori troops arrive will be the day that Kuroda Kanbei dies, treat it as a reward for pushing me into a corner." 

Finishing the letter, Yoshiharu roared, "UKITA NAOIE YOU BASTARD! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SHIT!?" 

The rage boiling in his heart has reached the point where he doesn't even know what to vent it on. 

"I will never give Shikanosuke-chan away! I know of this piece of history, the Mori clan have no mercy whatsoever for their rival, the Amago heroes. Shikanosuke-chan who is not willing to surrender or become a nun will definitely be killed! But if this goes on, Kanbei.... It's just 10 more days till the deadline." 

"Sagara-shi, just like what I had been saying, it's time we have to give up on a side." 

"Stop saying things like there's no way we can't have everything, Goemon! Lives aren't like oranges when we can just throw it away simply!" 

"Sagara-shi! As the commander in chief, you must have the resolve and courage to abandon something at the critical period." 

"Uhh, I Hanbei will immediately begin to think of a way, we will definitely save Kanbei from Mt Shozan, put your mind at ease." 

"Don't give yourself more burdens, Hanbei-chan. You haven't been resting these few days, right!?" 

"This is my mistake." 

"I beg you, hurry and go rest. I had even forced the matter of Kanbei's little sister on you." 

"As for Shojyomaru-chan, I had arranged things according to what is needed. Cough cough." 

"Don't tell me she was really executed?" 

"She was "executed", such a rumor was spreaded." 

"If Hanbei said this, there must be some other arrangements." 

"Compared to this, Kanbei's situation is more important, cough, cough cough!" 

Suddenly, Hanbei's coughing became much more intense. 

It's different from the coughs all this while. 

Even when Yoshiharu is patting her back, Goemon giving her a ninja's secret medicine, the coughing does not seem to show any signs of stopping. 

"Goemon, hurry and lay Hanbei down!" 

"Mmm, this is definitely not a usual cough." 

Yoshiharu carried Hanbei who had overexerted herself and fainted out of their camp. 

Passing through countless fences and towers and moving forwards with a speed to not shake Hanbei.... 

To confirm the direction of Hanbei's camp, Yoshiharu lifted his head and looked at the sky. 

The night sky of the sengoku era's Harima is extremely bright. 

Because of the clear air, the sky is full of stars. 

The black sky littered with huge amounts of bright stars that Yoshiharu had not seen before in the 21st century, 

(Is this the so called milky way?) 

But in contrast, 

Hanbei's body is this light, 

so light that he could barely feel any weight on his back. 

Is she this slim? 

I had been relying too much on this child, unreasonably pushing much stuff on her. 

The surround of Miki castle, 

This virtual battle is slowly lowering Miki castle's morale. 

Being unusually talented as a strategist, Hanbei-chan had always been thinking of "a way to fight without anyone dying". 

And Kanbei had fulfilled this dream of Hanbei-chan by using her namban science. 

But, 

But there's a feeling that I had forgotten something very, very important. Though not knowing why, but Yoshiharu's unease in his heart is becoming more and more intense. 

"Yoshiharu-san." 

Hanbei who should be sleeping whispers by Yoshiharu's ears. 

"Please bring me to a small hill that can overlook Miki castle." 

"Sleep, the night wind isn't good for the body." 

"This is to observe the "ki" from Miki castle, I beg you." 

Yoshiharu had no choice but to listen to Hanbei and brought her to a small hill nearby. 

Supporting herself with Yoshiharu's shoulder, Hanbei slowly sat up and looked wordlessly at the far away Miki castle. 

Why? 

Why did I bring Hanbei-chan here!? 

Resting her head on Yoshiharu's shoulder, Hanbei said, 

"When Yoshiharu-san was carrying me, I had already thought of a way to save Kanbei." 

"If we attack Mt Shozan now, Kanbei will be in danger. So we must create an opening to force Ukita to attack us." 

"Opening?" 

"Though Kotsuki castle is currently conquered by Ukita, the defense is extremely weak. Please allow me to break a small troop to fake an attack on Kotsuki castle. Terrified that his retreat path is cut off, Ukita will definitely be uneasy." 

Hanbei's intelligence is astonishing. 

"Now that the eastern Miki castle is being sealed, Ukita must definitely not wish that the Kotsuki castle at his back be taken by us." 

While coughing non-stop, Hanbei was explaining the battle strategies without stopping. 

"And though it's a little dangerous but please allow Shikanosuke-san to stand at the forefront of the troop. Wanting Shikanosuke-san, Ukita will definitely lead his troops personally. After capturing Kanbei, if he can successfully capture Shikanosuke alive, his promise with the Mori clan will be considered completed and his position will become stable." 

Yoshiharu nodded. 

"Of course, this is just faking it. While observing the Ukita army's "ki", I will choose a suitable time to trap them at Yumezaki river with "ambush from all sides". But if they suffer heavy losses, they will definitely retreat back to Mt Shozan so I will fake losing to try and drag things out." 

"Ambush from all sides, huh? How nostagic, Nobuna and I was almost completely defeated at Mino due to this strategy. That commanding of yours at that time is almost artistic." 

"Though it's not considered perfect, but this is already what I can do for the last time." 

"Hanbei-chan?" 

"Using this chance, please ask Goemon and the Kawanami clan to save Kanbei. Ukita is never an opponent that is easily deceived, so I who is in charge of delaying him and Goemon and Kawanami clan who is in charge of saving Kanbei is absolutely necessary, cough cough." 

"Will it fail if I'm the one commanding the troops?" 

With a solemn face, Hanbei said, 

"Yes, both Yoshiharu-san and Shikanosuke-san lacks the ability to use "Ambush from all sides" effectively, so it must be me." 

"I got it, then when should we implement it?" 

"Goemon needs some time to prepare, but if possible, it's best to do it tomorrow." 

"Yeah, Kanbei's situation is extremely worrying, I hope nothing bad had happened to her." 

"Though Ukita Naoie is one of the three evils, but mysteriously, he had never harm females, he might have only not fed Kanbei, but there's nothing to worry about." 

"Then why?" 

"But this time he had his life at stake here too, and cough cough..." 

"And?" 

"If this plan isn't executed when my body is still hanging on..." 

Hanbei had always been enduring with just a breath, 

But her limit had finally been reached. 

"......" 

In Yoshiharu's hand, Hanbei's slim body suddenly collapsed. 

Yoshiharu can't utter any sound. 

In an instant, it's almost as if even his heart had stopped pumping. 

Unbelievable and unable to think. 

But there's only one thing he understands clearly, almost as if he had always known that it will be like this. 

And that is, Hanbei's life is almost over. 

She can't even cough anymore. 

"Yoshiharu-san, I'm sorry but I had reached my limit." 

Yoshiharu can not bear to look at the smile of Hanbei anymore, blaming himself in his heart that he had relied too heavily on this child. 

"Yoshiharu-san." 

"Don't speak anymore, conserve your strength." 

"Now that I'm still conscious, there are things I want to tell you." 

Hanbei's words are in bits and pieces. 

"Sorry, I... As expected, I want to be complimented by Yoshiharu-san "Well done...", that's why I had not been truthful with you, sorry." 

Hanbei looked at the sobbing Yoshiharu, smiled and continued saying. 

"Zenki-san and I had been destroying the seal of Kyoto." 

"Seal?" 

"To protect the commoners from demons invading, the Heian era's Kyoto was built with Omyoudou as the foundation, but that seal is the culprit for attracting countless evil spirits with Sutokunokami-sama as their leader to Kyoto. 

"Really, are there really evil spirits in the sengoku era?" 

"Evil spirits resides in the hearts of humans. From a long time ago, Kyoto had been absorbing the hatred, anger and sadness bred from the commoner's hearts. That city's passing through of time had long since stopped, along with the change in all the commoner's hearts. The Onin war that killed countless people a hundred years ago had always....." 

"If we don't change the hearts of the people, we won't be able to end this era filled with wars?" 

"If the world is to believe that spirits have no actual body, someone with a strong will is required to lead the superstition... and that person is Nobuna-sama." 

Hanbei mumbled to herself in harsh tones. (And I... am just someone helping out in a corner.) 

"At Mount Hiei, the reason why I extinguish the holy flame is to let the hearts of those people who are afraid of spirits have new hope." 

"Then, don't tell me we have been wrong and Mount Hiei's holy flame had not been truly extinguished!?" 

"Whether the holy flame had been extinguished isn't important, from the day that the future queen, Nobuna-sama had surpassed the ancient authority of Mount Hiei, there had been a huge change in the hearts of the people in Kyoto. The huge tide of Ki flowing at Kyoto, that is the dragon's vein and the strength of omyouji weakening is precisely due to this change." 

"Hanbei-chan, have you been doing all this by yourself? Working hard to end the era of omyoujis... I did not noticed it at all." 

"The dark era of being afraid of spirits will soon end, with Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san, we can definitely end it and then, what's left is the era where people can live under the bright sunlight." 

Yoshiharu finally understands everything. 

The reason why Takenaka Hanbei wants to fight the dark world all by herself, 

And the reason why her illness had deteriorated so suddenly. 

"The reason why Hanbei-chan's body became so weak is because of this too?" 

Hanbei leaned onto Yoshiharu's arm and nodded lightly. 

"I had a weak constitution from birth and needs to absorb "Ki" from different Seimei shrines scattered around periodically to extend my life." 

"But now that the dragon's vein had been cut and "Ki" had been severely weakened, Hanbei-chan, why... why did you do such a thing!?" 

"Yoshiharu-san, it's you and Nobuna-sama who gave me a reason to live on, from now on, please allow Kanbei to succeed my dream." 

"I'm already happy enough to be able to meet with Yoshiharu-san." Hanbei smiled and said. 

Yoshiharu had never felt such intense hatred for his own stupidity. 

He can't even speak anymore. 

He had already noticed there was something amiss, but had always felt that it's impossible and had not cared about it and after sometime, it had completely slipped out of his mind. 

It's not that he can't recalled it, but he had been rejecting it, not willing to acknowledge the bad memory related to Takenaka Hanbei. 

"Oda Nobunaga no Yabou"'s final event related to Takenaka Hanbei. 

Takenaka Hanbei died due to sickness during the siege of Miki castle. 

(But now, it's already too late, why... why did I...) 

But even so, 

According to history, Takenaka Hanbei had lived past 35 years old. 

And this girl who is lying in Yoshiharu's bosom did not even reached 15. 

It's too early. 

It's not the time yet. 

It's something that will happen a long time later, even if I did not notice it now, it's still ok, there's still time. 

Yoshiharu thinks so in his heart. 

But Hanbei-chan had shorten her own life for me. 

"If we want to remove the darkness in people's hearts, if we want to severe the dragon's vein completely, we can't not have you, Hanbei-chan! Return everything to normal! We can only do it if you're alive!" 

"No, Nobuna-sama's enemies aren't just the sengoku daimyos. The one which will really stop Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san's dream is the ancient and rotten heart of this country which rejects change." 

"Don't speak anymore, hurry and rest on a bed now." 

"Your romance, the quest of Tenka Fubu and the dream of heading out onto the seas will be obstructed by a thought like "This country had been cursed, it will never change" and the spirits in people's hearts. Omyoujis, Shikigamis, demons and spirits should all disappear in the past eras. A future like the coup in Honnou temple will definitely change, the path that I chose isn't wrong... That's what I believe in." 

"The Incident at Honnouji..." 

"It isn't important who is the culprit, this had not even been decided yet. It's the rotten heart who rejects change that wants to destroy Nobuna-sama, with modern terms, it's the people who are possessed by the spirits who are obstructing Nobuna-sama dream of opening the gates to a new era." 

The speed that Hanbei is talking is becoming slower. 

Yoshiharu hugged Hanbei tightly and cried silently. 

(I'm such a bastard, idiot!) Shouting like this countless times in his heart. 

But Hanbei used the last of her strength to console Yoshiharu. 

"If we want to change the history, you can't waste your energy on a meaningless thing like my fate." 

"Just concentrate all your strength to change the fate of Nobuna-sama." 

"Be sure to save Kanbei, it's only her who can replace me to help Yoshiharu-san and Nobuna-sama, she will definitely prosper at the other side of the sea." 

Slowly, Hanbei's voice become softer, to the point of almost inaudible. 

Yoshiharu lifted his head and look at the sky. 

A shooting star flew past Yoshiharu and Hanbei's head. 

Suddenly, Yoshiharu thought of a legend. 

The fulfilling of a wish by wishing upon a shooting star three times. 

No idea if anyone can actually hear this prayer. 

But I don't care who it is, whether it's God, or Buddha. 

Even if it's the devil... 

Yoshiharu wishes in his heart. 

(I don't care what happens to me, I don't mind even if I have to give my life to you, so please...) 

(Save Hanbei-chan.) 

(Save Kanbei.) 

(Save Shikanosuke-chan.) 

(Save Nobuna.) 

Though he wants to have 4 wishes, 

But he can only repeat each of them once before the shooting star disappears. 

Yoshiharu despaired. (Can't I protect anyone?) 

He suddenly thought of the words that Goemon had been warning him all this while. 

"I'm such a bastard, idiot!" This time, Yoshiharu can't hold it in finally and cried out loud. 

"Yoshiharu-san." 

Hanbei does not even have the strength to open her eyes. 

Her body heat is coming down quickly. 

Like she's talking in her sleep, she kept calling Yoshiharu's name. 

"I... I'm here, Hanbei-chan." 

"Kanbei and I, one of us did live on, right? A thing like both of us not being saved did not happen, right?" 

Hanbei's consciousness is starting to blur. 

"It's true that in the history, only one survived, but history can be changed!" 

"Yoshiharu-san, my choice is correct, right? Please tell me the truth." 

"This..." 

"Who survived in the history?" 

Yoshiharu hesitated. 

It might be only an instant, or it can be for a long time. 

If he lied, it's like he had done an injustice to Hanbei-chan. Yoshiharu finally made up his mind but this resolve torments him. 

"It's Kanbei." 

That's good. 

Hanbei mumbled. 

And then, like she is finally at ease, she... smiled. 

Like she's having a good dream. 

"Kanbei's little sister..." 

This was already Hanbei's last sentence. 

Though she seems to want to say something, but it's already inaudible. 

Just like this, Hanbei lose all consciousness, like she's sleeping. 

Even if he shakes her or patted her, it's of no use. 

Even if he begged her, cried at her loudly and prayed. 

She did not wake up. 

The last bits of life in Hanbei's body seems to have slipped out. 

Yoshiharu have a premonition and that is, she will never wake up again and will die in her dreams. 

"UWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" 

Yoshiharu roared as she lifted the unconscious Hanbei and ran down the cliff. 

Jumping onto the horse, he speeded towards Hanbei's camp. 

Yoshiharu can't speak anymore, the only thing escaping his mouth is his quick breathes. 

The things that happened ever since he had met Hanbei seems to flash through his mind like a movie. 

And these thoughts stabbed Yoshiharu's heart like sharp blades. 

When he came back to his senses, he had already put Hanbei's body down on the bed. 

Though her chest was still heaving slightly, but her weak breath seems to look like it will disappear anytime soon. 

"As long as Master is alive, I can still maintain this form, but I will disappear with Master in the end." 

Zenki said softly. 

"Master will not wake up again, she can last another 10 days or so." 

"10 days..." 

"Kuroda Kanbei's execution is at 10 days later too, they might really have some fate with each other." 

Yoshiharu's face had already been dirtied by the tears pouring from his eyes, Zenki patted his shoulders. 

"I..." 

"Don't feel down, this is the path that Master chose. This country needs to open a brand new door and move towards the future. Even without you, Omyoujis are destined to disappear." 

"Hanbei-chan should be able to survive. If I did not mess around, she should still survive!" 

"Sagara Yoshiharu! If you are still a man, you should stop saying things like this! Do you want to tarnish the will of Master!?" 

After being slapped by Zenki, Yoshiharu suddenly stopped crying. 

Yeah. 

If I give up right here, Hanbei's will, dream and hard work will evaporate into nothing. 

Yoshiharu bite down hard on his lips and grab hold of his ankles. 

Even when his nails and dug in so deeply that it drew blood, he did not noticed it at all. 

"I understand, now isn't the time to cry. I will head forwards without stopping!" 

Ho... Zenki narrowed his eyes and said. 

"As expected from Sagara Yoshiharu, you have the expression of a man in an instant." 

"I will definitely save Hanbei-chan, Zenki! Even till the end, I will never give up, no matter who objects, I will not listen at all!" 

"How do you plan to save her?" 

"If it's due to the dragon's vein being severed and causing the "Ki" to weaken, I can concentrate all the "Ki" onto Hanbei's body, it will definitely work!" 

"What a naive way of thinking, but this idea can't work." 

"Then hurry and tell me a way that works, Zenki!" 

"I'm as weak as Master. Right now, I can't do anything." 

"How about the rest? Are there other Omyoujis who have enough strength to save Hanbei-chan?" 

"I can't say about strength, but there is an Omyouji who is kind in nature." 

"Where is that person!? Hurry and tell me!" 

"I said already, all omyoujis are currently losing their strength. Though they aren't in a situation that even their lives are weakening like Master, but as a spellcaster, they are a far cry from the past." 

Then are there other ways, there must be a way! Yoshiharu kept moving towards Zenki. 

"Though there is one, but getting that is almost impossible." 

"That? What's that?" 

Zenki smiled like a fox and said. 

"In the Shousouin of Todai Shrine, there is a treasure named Ranjatai." 

"Ranjatai?" 

"It's the best Aloeswood passed down from Tang dynasty in the Heian era, of course, it's not just a piece of Aloeswood, but an elixir that grants immortality. An unbelievable amount of spiritual power resides in it, just a small piece from it will replenished the Ki that Master is lacking. Though the Ranjatai isn't enough to cure Master of her illness, but extending her life is more than enough." 

"As long as she survives, Hanbei-chan's illness will definitely be cured one day!" 

"Though Belchior Manase who is skilled in both traditional and Namban medicine is unable to cure Master of her illness, but Namban medicine is just starting to develop." 

Then hurry and tell me the way to obtain this Ranjatai! Without knowing it, Yoshiharu had grabbed onto Zenki's shirt. 

"Oioi, Ranjatai is the supreme treasure of the palace, it's not something we can easily get a hold of." 

"But there's still a possibility!" 

"If you do such a messed up thing, the history will become even more chaotic. It's precisely because Master is worried about this that she said nothing to you, even I had no plans to tell you at the start." 

"Use your brain and think, a thing like Ranjatai isn't easy to get. Even if we donated huge amounts of money to the palace through the nobles, I'm afraid we won't have enough time before they agree. It's even worst if we obtain it through brute force, Oda Nobuna will become a public enemy!" 

But Yoshiharu is currently in his own world. 

Even if Zenki had explained all the logic, he does not have any intentions to back down. 

"Then we will steal it, if Goemon goes, we can definitely get it. All we need to do is cut off a piece that we need and return it back!" 

"Let's not mentioned the fact that it's not a treasure we can obtain within a few days, if you send Goemon to Shousouin, what do you plan to do with the execution of Kanbei 10 days later?" 

"AHHH!" 

"No matter what method you use, you can only save one of them. I wish to respect Master's wishes, but if this goes on, you can't even save Kuroda Kanbei!" 

"Yeah, if it's not Hanbei-chan, we can't even use the "Ambush from all sides"." 

Right now, what lies in front of Yoshiharu is a tough decison. 

He does not know which path is the correct one. 

Though he tried his best to think, but he can't do it in the end. 

I'm not one of those thinkers from the start. 

I'm Sagara Yoshiharu. 

My heart is roaring, roaring to not give up on anyone of them. 

Roaring that there isn't a future that he have to sacrifice his companions! 

Yoshiharu shouted, "Zenki, since you won't be disappearing for now, substitute me for a while!" as he walks out of the tent. 

"Where are you going?" 

"Honnou temple! I'm going over to Nobuna! If it's her, she will definitely obtain the Ranjatai for Hanbei-chan!" 

"Without the permission of the palace, if we are to forcefully take it, the rumors of Oda Nobuna wanting to destroy the palace will become even more intense, once the Oda clan becomes a public enemy, everything is finished." 

"I won't let Nobuna become a public enemy! But I will definitely not let Hanbei-chan die! I will obtain the Ranjatai with the proper means and then save Kanbei!" 

"Are you an idiot, what can you do with just 10 days? And there are many unusual circumstances surrounding Oda Nobuna in Kyoto. You should understand just from the strange order of executing Shojyomaru! You are forcing it." 

"The matter about Shojyomaru, Hanbei-chan had arranged it properly?" 

"Yeah...." 

"Nobuna thinks the same as me! As long as I explained the reasons, she will definitely help me!" 

Yeah, if it's Nobuna...... 

If it's Nobuna, she will definitely understands me! 

But the spirit that Hanbei called "Ancient spirit" is now lurking in Kyoto and at Nobuna's side. 

Because Nobuna had breathe in miasma during the fire of Kamigyo and fainted, she had finally regained consciousness and sat up after receiving Belchior Manase's treatment. 

But even now, the rational Nobuna does not understand just what is the spirit that appears in the fire. 

She sipped some tea and starts to gather her thoughts. 

"Just how many days did I lose consciousness? Yoshiharu did not just stand there and die in Harima, right?" 

"Yes." 

Answering Nobuna's summons, the new aide Manmi Senchiyo walked in. 

Amongst the aides that Nobuna hired from Kyoto, this Senchiyo is the most quick witted, sensible and efficient out of all of them. 

Not just familar with the Kyoto culture, she's smart, like Mitsuhide without her weakness of not able to sense the atmosphere and loves to daydream. 

To the current Oda clan, a talent who knows etiquette and is familiar with the Kyoto culture is extremely important and Senchiyo's family status is good too. 

Some day, I will raise her as a general and then a daimyo. Nobuna had plans like this. 

But at this moment, Senchiyo said unbelievable words. 

"During the period when Hime-sama was bedridden, rumors that Kuroda Kanbei had defected over to the Ukita clan had spread far and wide." 

"Harima? Such an unbelievable thing that even idiots don't believe, it must definitely be a ploy by the Mori clan, right?" 

"But it's a fact that Kanbei had suddenly disappear, an order had been given for Sagara Yoshiharu to execute the hostage Shojyomaru, Kuroda Kanbei's sister." 

Hearing this, the teacup on Nobuna's hand dropped onto the floor. 

"Yo...You gotta be kidding? Just who gave that order!?" 

"I'm sorry, but it's Hime-sama, you yourself who had given the order." 

"You liar, I have no memory of giving such an order!" 

"I heard Hime-sama said that with my own ears. Is it because you were deluded from the fever and did not remember?" 

"How... No way... Then what happened to Shojyomaru now?" 

"She was executed at Nagahama castle." 

"Saru isn't someone who will accept such an unreasonable order to kill such young girls!" 

"But that is a fact. Hime-sama had given the order, if he did not execute Shojyomaru, the companions that Sagara Yoshiharu left in Nagahama castle will all be implicated. I'm afraid he had made a very difficult decision too." 

Of course, these are all lies woven by Senchiyo, it goes without saying that it's perfectly normal for Nobuna to have no impression at all. 

Though she did not remember, but Nobuna thought she had said something dumb when she lose control of her emotions during the time she is deluded. 

In the first place, the reason why she sent Yoshiharu alone to Harima when the reinforcements are not in place is also due to she losing control of her emotions. 

(Because of my rash character, I had said such a thing during the period when I'm dizzy? But no matter how I explain this, no one will believe me.) 

(I can't face Yoshiharu and the rest anymore!) Nobuna sobbed in despair. 

At this moment, Senchiyo continued saying without mercy. 

"I'm really sorry but it had been discovered later that Kanbei did not defect but was captured by Ukita Naoie." 

"!?" 

"Though Kuroda Kanbei was not given food in the underground prison, she had hold on to her loyalty for Hime-sama and endured through the ordeal." 

"Ah, ah..." 

Like she was unable to hold herself up, Nobuna fell onto the tatami mat. 

It's all over. 

Whether if it's Harima or Yoshiharu... 

He will definitely treat me like the demon lord of the sixth realm and despair. 

I had betrayed my companions. 

Betrayed those companions who have the same dream, irreplaceable companions. 

(But I really can't recall me saying such a thing, just what is with me? I don't understand myself anymore already, save me Yoshiharu!) 

Senchiyo retreated out of the room wordlessly, leaving Nobuna herself to lie on the tatami mat and sobbed. 

Evil spirits' leers can almost be heard from the surroundings. 

"Why can't I see Nobuna! Let me through!" 

"I afraid not, Hime-sama is still sick and bedridden. She can't meet anyone in at least 10 days." 

"I know so let me through! She should at least be able to do a thing like talking it out!" 

"No, guards! Chase Sagara Yoshiharu out! She is here to meet Hime to escape from the battle of Harima!" 

"Yes, Senchiyo-sama!" 

"The current you is unbelievable, hurry back to Harima, Sagara Yoshiharu!" 

"No! I'm here for Hanbei-chan!" 

Yoshiharu had rushed to Kyoto without any rest but was stopped outside the door at Honnou temple by the aides, unable to meet Nobuna. 

Leading the aides and guards, Senchiyo had totally ignored Sagara Yoshiharu and had not given him any chance to explain. 

"Right now, Hime-sama's health is the most important. If I allow some baseless words to disrupt Hime-sama's rest, her health will worsen again." 

"BASTARD!!!!!!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT THE DOCTOR HAVE TO SAY, LET ME MEET NOBUNA RIGHT NOW!!" 

"No, the current you have no right to meet Hime-sama, Sagara Yoshiharu. If you want to meet her, conquer Harima first!" 

"Stop joking! I don't have time now! If I don't bring the Ranjatai back now....!" 

"Please return to Harima immediately. I will really give the order to shoot the next time." 

The archers all around had drawn their bow and aim at Sagara Yoshiharu, yet he was still roaring at Senchiyo, "YOU BASTARD, JUST WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!?" 

But facing such a Sagara Yoshiharu, Senchiyo did not change her expression and said. 

"From now on, the aides will be in charge of taking care of Nobuna-sama. The frontlines generals should just fight at the frontline." 

Her tone makes it clear that she has no intention of changing her mind. 

After that, Yoshiharu did not give up and tried to sneak into Honnou temple multiple times, but every time, he was stopped by Senchiyo. 

Like really planning to kill Yoshiharu, she mercilessly shoots at him. 

And so, Yoshiharu was hurt all over. 

And every time he failed in sneaking in, the security at Honnou temple becomes even stricter. In the end, it's at a point that even a single fly can't fly in. 

While doing all this, the sun had started to set. 

Ever since Owari, the trustworthy companions always by her side are all absent now. 

Mituhide is at Tamba, Nagahide at Wakasa, Katsuie at Hokuriku, Kazumasu at Ise and Nobusumi at Northern Omi. 

Now, no matter how furious Yoshiharu gets, he can't think of a way to change the current situation. 

"I can't waste anymore time, but I just can't meet Nobuna, damn!" 

Being forced to a corner, Yoshiharu decided to take a gamble as he heads towards the palace. 

But not through the main gate, but over the walls. 

Right now, even if we are to go through the nobles to obtain the Ranjatai, we must wait for a few months, and it will most likely be rejected. 

But if he was able to meet with Himiko directly and explain his reason to her, he might just be able to get permission. 

Maybe, when he climb over the walls, he might just find Himiko-sama in the courtyard. 

Yoshiharu had already resolved to die. 

He knows himself that this is just too rash. 

But his anxious heart had overwhelmed his rationality. 

If this goes on, Hanbei's life will really be at it's end. 

Kanbei's executation date is closing in day by day. 

The current Yoshiharu don't have any other way but to rush ahead without caring about anything. 

But this gamble that Yoshiharu bet his life on ended with failure. 

"Just what are you doing, you dirty fellow!" 

Standing in the courtyard on the other side of the wall isn't Himiko but the Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa. 

The rain that started raining during dusk had drenched the whole of the courtyard. 

Not caring getting drenched, Yoshiharu kneeled in front of Konoe Sakihisa. 

Even if the mud had smeared all over his forehead and had gotten into his eyes, Yoshiharu tried his best to lower his head and beg Konoe Sakihisa. 

"Please give me the Ranjatai, just a little, I beg you!" 

But Konoe Sakihisa stomped on Yoshiharu's head and mercilessly force it deep in the mud. 

"Don't say such idiotic words, you fool! Who is going to give such precious Ranjatai to a lowly guy like you. I Kampaku will never agree!" 

He kept sneering and scolding Yoshiharu. 

But Yoshiharu endured. 

Keep enduring in the mud. 

If he gives up here, he can't save Hanbei. 

So no matter what kind of humiliation, he must endure it through. 

"Then how about this, I don't mind if my life is used to change for the Ranjatai, please give it to me!" 

"What arrogance, do you think it's ok to talk to the Kampaku with such an arrogant tone?" 

"I beg you, please give the Ranjatai to me, I beg you!" 

"Idiot!" 

In the torrential rain, Yoshiharu's head and abdomen were kicked by Konoe Sakihisa as he fell countless times. 

"Uhh..." 

Even the inside of his mouth is full of wounds. 

Puking a mouth of blood, without any spot without wounds, Yoshiharu mumbled the same sentence half consciousness as he crawled towards Konoe Sakihisa. 

"I don't care what you do to me, please give me the Ranjatai, I beg you." 

"Stop putting your dirty face near me!" 

Sakihisa shouted as he kicked right at Yoshiharu's face, causing the latter to lose consciousness and fell into the mud. 

Sakihisa looked at the unconscious Yoshiharu in contempt and order to his aides. 

"Throw this monkey out!" 

"I don't have any other ways. Can't I save Hanbei-chan and Kanbei?" 

Sunekosuri crawled out from Yoshiharu's bosom and licked his muddied face as he was being thoroughly beaten up and thrown out on the streets like trash. 

"Sagara Yoshiharu, buck up~nya." 

"You're still there?" 

"Yeah, Sunekosuri who loves humans is right here~nya." 

Yoshiharu looks like Sunekosuri whose eyes that is extremely similar with Kanbei, can't hold it in and finally cried out. 

Himeji castle, 

The news that the master Kanbei had been captured by Ukita Naoie and will soon be executed had reached the retainers of the Kuroda clan. 

"Just what is going on!?" 

"Why must Hime suffer like this!?" 

"I heard if we hand over Yamanaka Shikanosuke, we can get Hime back." 

"At this critical moment, where did that Sagara Yoshiharu disappear to?" 

"After executing Shojyomaru-sama, does he plan to abandon Hime too!?" 

"Let's tie Yamanaka Shikanosuke up right now to get our Hime back!" 

"Exactly!" 

The Kuroda retainers who were already dissatisfied with the giving away of Himeji castle over to an unknown Sagara Yoshiharu are now close to going berserk. 

Their master Kanbei had been innocently wrapped into the clash between the Oda clan and Mori clan, she had now fell into the hands of Ukita Naoie who was "famous" for his evil ways. 

And, Shojyomaru who was given to the Oda clan as a hostage was executed with Oda Nobuna's order. 

In such a situation, it was obvious that the retainers will become extremely angry. 

Though the Kuroda clan wasn't an authentic local clan of Harima but all the masters of the Kuroda clan had been very generous to their retainers and people and so, the retainers were all united and extremely loyal. 

They were all furious over the meaningless death of Shojyomaru and Kanbei's misfortunate as they wept for them. 

Someone even shouted that Yamanaka Shikanosuke brings bad luck. 

"Those fellows kept failing in the battles they stir up to restore the Amago clan. From my point of view, they won't succeed no matter how we help them." 

"Yeah, Yamanaka Shikanosuke is definitely tied down by the fate of suffering." 

"The reason why those brave warriors under her keep being defeated in battle was also because of her fate of suffering." 

"Now even our Hime and Shojyomaru had been implicated by her misfortunate. 

"Though Hime is a little strange, but she's the smartest person no one can beat, it's too strange for such a person to fall into Ukita Naoie's hands." 

"Tie Shikanosuke up and hand her over!" 

"Now that Sagara Yoshiharu isn't around, this is the best chance." 

In the critical moment that it won't be strange even for those Kuroda retainers that had gathered in Himeji castle to start a revolt, 

"What do you plan to do, old master?" 

"We can't take it anymore, please don't stop us." 

"We want to tie Yamanaka Shikanosuke....." 

Though he was surrounded by furious retainers, Kanbei's and Shojyomaru's father, Souen's expression did not change the slightest. 

Like he's drowsy, he messed up his hair and said. 

"Hoho... It will exactly be what Ukita Naoie wants if we starts fighting among ourselves. That man is skilled in making the enemy doubt themselves and then eliminate themselves, don't you guys understand this?" 

"We do!" 

"He intentionally set up a bait like a hostage exchange to make us fight among ourselves." 

"But understanding aside, we will never allow Hime to die just like this!" 

"There's still me Kuroda Souen in the Kuroda clan. Now that Kanbei is captured, I'm the head of the Kuroda clan, if you guys want to revolt and finish the Kuroda clan, kill me first." 

Looking at the silent retainers yet with their shoulders trembling, Souen said softly. 

"Kanbei had entrusted herself and her dream onto the Oda clan. When she's around Sagara Yoshiharu-sama and Takenaka Hanbei-dono, the joyful and spirited expression on Kanbei's face is the first even for me. So the Sagara corps is the true home for Kanbei. As a father, I respect Kanbei's decision and will not betray the Oda clan no matter what. Trust me, trust Sagara Yoshiharu-sama." 

Towards these words of Souen, the retainers have no words of retort. 

But they aren't that easy to completely persuade. 

Not knowing just how long he can surpress the anger in his retainers' hearts, Souen laughed out loud "Hoho, how troubling..." as he messed with his hair again. 

"It had became like this, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, what do you have in mind?" 

There were two people looking at all of these from outside the room. 

One is Zenki who had disguised himself to replace the unconscious Hanbei. 

And the other is Yamanaka Shikanosuke. 

"It will be good if there's any way to save Kanbei, but I just can't think of any good ideas using my head. And I can't really exchange myself with Kanbei, if not, the resurrection of the Amago clan will never happen....... Just what should I do?" 

"This is something you yourself have to decide." 

"Is there any plan?" 

"I have one, but now that my master had lost her consciousness, wanting to execute that plan.... It's extremely difficult." 

"Both Hanbei and Kanbei is in such a situation, where did Yoshiharu-sama disappear to at such a critical moment, did he ran off?" 

"Sagara Yoshiharu isn't such a guy, he should be knowing his limits at Kyoto about now, and will be returning soon." 

But to Shikanosuke, the only impression left to her is that Sagara Yoshiharu is someone who will touch her breasts all the time. 

"Though he is our commander but Yoshiharu-sama is really perverted. He isn't just unreliable but untrustworthy too, it makes me suspect whether did he really work hard to save the 2 strategists." 

"Oh..." Zenki curled his lips up like a fox. 

"I'm a demon so I had always kept my silence on the matters of the human world. But I will take today as an exception, I feel that rather than your skin, Sagara Yoshiharu wants to touch your heart even more." 

"What, then who is the one touching me?" 

"There's a demon-like thing called Sunekosuri that is possessing Sagara Yoshiharu, it is the one touching you." 

"A demon-like thing? Why did such a thing..." 

"Sagara Yoshiharu fancies a girl with all his heart. Simply said, to save that girl from her fate of demise, he doesn't care even if he had to bear the reputation of being a pervert." 

"For a girl he fancies? Such a thing..." 

This is the truth, Zenki declared. 

"That girl" that Shikanosuke can think of can only be Hanbei or Kanbei, these two who are always by Yoshiharu's side. 

"That girl is Hanbei?" 

"Wrong." 

"Kanbei then?" 

"It's not a small girl, but a girl around the same age as you, and she is not part of the Sagara corps." 

"I don't understand, since it isn't Hanbei or Kanbei, why did Yoshiharu-sama work so hard for the both of them?" 

"To that fellow, all his comrades are like his family, a hopeless naive idiot who is gentle to everyone and does not want to lose any of them, especially a princess knight like you. He holds a great amount of respect to you guys who fight in the battlefield with unwavering will." 

"Even me....? But he totally does not look like the way you talk about him." 

"Haha, though many things are in fact done by Sunekosuri but it's also a fact that Sagara Yoshiharu is very lecherous." 

Zenki and Shikanosuke looked upon the moon floating in the night sky, as they slowly talked about the secrets buried in their hearts. 

"Sagara Yoshiharu knows about the fate of many famous warriors, including you, Yamanaka Shikanosuke." 

"My fate?" 

"You wanna hear it? You will regret it though." 

"I will never escape from my fate, please tell me." 

With sharp eyes, Shikanosuke looked at Zenki. 

"If that's the case...." Zenki start saying. 

"Just like what you've seen, the current Oda clan has no more strength to support the Amago heroes. Yamanaka Shikanosuke, you will be caught by the Mori clan, and then, following through with the loyalty to the Amago clan, you will die and the dream of resurrecting the Amago clan will vanish with you. This is your fate that Sagara Yoshiharu told me." 

Suddenly, all Shikanosuke can see in front of her was darkness. 

If Sagara Yoshiharu said so, it was definitely the truth. 

"So it's like this, my wish will not be fulfilled in the end, huh?" 

Tears of anguished flowed down from Shikanosuke's face. 

Actually, Shikanosuke herself understands that the lifeline of the Amago clan had long ended. 

"It isn't just a sad thing, Yamanaka Shikanosuke. Your tragedy of unparalleled loyalty are well known even in the future of 400 years later. Isn't it the highest honor for a warrior to leave your name down through the ages?" 

"It's because of this that I had devoted my life to resurrecting the Amago clan. Humans will eventually die, rather than shirking your responsibility to continue living, I would choose to go through with my beliefs to the last second, I do not want to lose to my own weak self." 

Shikanosuke thought of the divination that Kanbei had done for her before she got captured. 

(When I drew the "Wheel of destiny", Kanbei had explained, "The time when you have to fight with your destiny will soon come. There's only one chance, once then, you must make the choice according to your own will.", now is "that time", right?) 

"If that's the case, I will fight to the last moment." Shikanosuke decided 

Since, my life had long been forfeited. 

But, the words that Zenki said next shook Shikanosuke's heart. 

"But Sagara Yoshiharu said, I don't care if the legend of Yamanaka Shikanosuke was unable to spread 400 years later, he wants you to live on, and then, he wants to help you fufill your wish of resurrecting the Amago clan." 

"!?" 

The resolve that Shikanosuke had just gotten hold of was shaken violently. 

Sagara Yoshiharu is such a man, huh? 

"That man wants to change the twisted fates of all his comrades, but that path is way too hard. A thing like saving all his comrades can't be done just by resolve and so, it had became like this. My master had fallen and can only slowly wait for the descent of death, the date of the execution of Kuroda Kanbei is nearing day by day. Without the help of the Oda clan, you will soon be killed during the battle with the Mori clan. Wanting to save everyone, yet unable to save anyone." 

"Yoshiharu-sama wants to free me from my cursed fate, and it caused such a turn of events?" 

"In the end, it can't be fulfilled and if Sagara Yoshiharu keeps going on with his reckless ways, I'm afraid..." 

"Those who shouldn't die will lose their lives?" 

"I can't say for sure, but there's such a possibility." 

Shikanosuke starts to recall. 

The time is now back to her original clan, the time when the Amago clan had just been destroyed. 

No matter how many enemies she fought by herself, no matter how many victories she achieve in battle, but like fate had already abandoned her, before she noticed it, she had lost any hope of victory. 

Shikanosuke isn't a stubborn fool, she herself knows that she can't win. 

Ever since young, she had always been thinking about sacrificing herself during the battle with the Mori clan. 

The reason why she pray to the moon for suffering, is also because she feels that there's only the path of being destroyed together with the Amago clan left. 

But, 

After hearing the words of Yoshiharu, 

She understands that such a path of mutual destruction isn't a way that samurais should die but to open a new path through the numerous ordeals. 

"He wants me to continue living, though Yoshiharu-sama knows about my fate, he continues saying such a thing." 

"That man will not give anyone up even if it's the last moment, even if he had to sacrificle his own life. From a certain perspective, he is even more greedy than Ukita Naoie. Because of his strong desires, he will rather give up on himself than to give up on his comrades." 

"......" 

"It's the same during the time at Kanegasaki. He is a man that is laughed at as an army's commander, but....." 

Zenki inhaled deeply and continue saying. 

"....But if this goes on, both my master and Kanbei will die, we must avoid this no matter what." 

In the end, Yoshiharu wasn't able to get the Ranjatai and can only drag his bruised body back to the frontlines of Harima. 

But this time, even Yamanaka Shikanosuke had disappeared. 

Yoshiharu can't help but ask Zenki who was sitting on the strategist seat replacing Hanbei. 

"Just what is going on!? Don't tell me....?" 

"Calm down, Sagara Yoshiharu, it's not like what you think. Yamanaka Shikanosuke is only making a choice according to her own fate." 

"Choice?" 

"She asked me to say this to you: "If I can use this cursed life of mine to save Kanbei who must not die, I will smile and welcome death." 

"Don't tell me you told her her fate, wait, how did you know!?" 

"YOU KNOW THAT IT WILL BECOME LIKE THIS AFTER TELLING HER, WHY DID YOU TELL HER ANYWAY, ZENKI!?" Yoshiharu roared as he swings his fist at Zenki. 

But he didn't feel his fist connect, no matter how many punches Yoshiharu threw, all of them just passed through Zenki's body. 

Almost like Zenki wasn't there in the first place. 

"Ha, ha, ha... Yo...You bastard, just what did you do!?" 

"Don't be so restless, Sagara Yoshiharu? Don't you understand, now that we can't get the Ranjatai, I will definitely prevent a thing like letting Kanbei die causing the last wish of my master to not be fulfilled." 

"Even so...! Ukita Naoie will never fulfill his promise! Even if Shikanosuke-chan went over, he will never release Kanbei!" 

"It's true that there's such a possibility, but this is the only way left to steer this out of control history back to it's right tracks. It's in this possibility that Yamanaka Shikanosuke bet everything on, just like Kanbei had bet on that miniscule possibility to save my master previously." 

"So if Shikanosuke-chan dies, Kanbei can live on? When those whose fate was to vanish into history were to choose to vanish on their own accord, those who should survive will survive, are you trying to tell me this?" 

"Though the chances aren't big but Yamanaka Shikanosuke had already bet everything on such a possibility." 

"I will definitely not accept such a reason! This world isn't a game! There's no need for Shikanosuke-chan to bear other people's ordeals!" 

"Then do you have any way to save all three of them at the same time?" 

Zenki's depressing words cause Yoshiharu's knees to go limb. 

The culminated sense of defeat over the past few days assault him all at the same time. 

(It's over, there's no way out.) 

Even Sagara Yoshiharu had collapsed, but at this moment... 

"What kind of an expression are you having now!? Just like a whipped dog! You're the man who said, "I will never give anyone up.", Sagara Yoshiharu! Since you said you can do it, then you must hold on no matter what ordeals is facing you! If not why did you come to this world!?" 

Zenki's loud reprimand reignite the courage in Yoshiharu's almost despairing heart. 

To see this aloof shikigami actually getting so agitated about other people is a first. 

"If you give up just because of such a little ordeal, then don't talk about saving Oda Nobuna! IS YOUR RESOLVE ONLY AT SUCH A LEVEL!? FIND A MIRROR AND LOOK AT THAT PATHETIC LOOK OF YOURS NOW! DO YOU HAVE THE FACE TO LOOK AT THOSE COMRADES WHO GIVE UP THEIR LIVES AT KANEGASAKI TO PROTECT YOU!? DO YOU HAVE THE FACE TO SEE MY MASTER HANBEI!?" 

"Nobuna... Hanbei-chan..." 

Yoshiharu opened his eyes. 

I can do it! We don't have the damn time to worry about problems like whether we can do it or not. 

I can only do it! 

Right now, I can only use this life of mine and do what I can! 

Hanbei-chan, Kanbei, Shikanosuke-chan, Nobuna, they are currently deep in their own twisted fate. 

I....... 

The thing I can do for them right now...... 

(There's nothing I can't do, the reason is I'm still alive, since I'm not lacking a limb, if I rushed on ahead, I can definitely do something! Is that right, Hanbei-chan.....!) 

I still have this life of mine! 

Who's going to say a thing like I can't do anything! 

As long as this body can move, as long as I still have a breath in me! 

Even if this body of mine spoils, I'm going to fight on with my will till the end! 

Yoshiharu resolves to do anything even if he have to die. 

But this is never being suicidal due to despair. 

There's an obstacle to grabbing onto all of them, and that's Yoshiharu himself. 

One right hand, one left hand and a pair of legs.... The things that humans can grab a hold of is limited. 

So I had to abandon myself and turn into an empty bag, only with this can I hold everything. 

I must have come to this world for this. 

The mental nerves of Yoshiharu that was pushed to the limit had entered into a new realm. 

A situation that if he can't surpass, anyone will go crazy, Yoshiharu had finally surpassed it now. 

(I am no longer the past me who is holding the secrets in by himself, even if I can't, I have comrades who had inherited my wish of "changing Nobuna's fate", just like how Hanbei-chan had entrusted her wish to Kanbei. All this while, I had been observing and thinking with my own perspective, but it isn't the same now. I have comrades now, since they are comrades who had inherited my will and dream, they can't die so easily, isn't that so, Hanbei-chan?") 

Hanbei's selflessness, Shikanosuke's resolve, Zenki's reprimand and Kanbei's courage had all helped Yoshiharu surpassed the insurmountable wall. 

"I understand! Zenki! No matter what others said, I will never give anyone up! Come at me!" 

The courage burning in Yoshiharu's heart is currently burning like a fire pillar. 

"Though I had wasted 3 days in Kyoto, I have a week left. I'm going to personally command the "Ambush from all sides" to save Kanbei! Attack Todai shrine to snatch the Ranjatai! Whether if it's a traitor or a sinner, I'm going to do it all! The worst that can happen is just a seppuku!" 

"There's something you shouldn't forget. A week later, the tens of thousands of Mori clan will reached Harima." 

"Once then, all we need to do is to sent them flying!" 

"That's impossible, we don't have the time or the manpower, what can we do with just resolve? I had already spoke so much, now think it through." 

"Ahh, I'm an idiot, I don't know any ways and I'm slow. I only know to charge on to open a new path! As long as I'm alive, there must be some way, Zenki!" 

Zenki sighed and said, "What a hopeless idiot..." as he narrowed his eyes. 

"Then so be it, you who wants everything. First, chase Yamanaka Shikanosuke back." 

"That goes without saying!" 

Yoshiharu galloped off to chase after Yamanaka Shikanosuke. 

At this time, a shooting star passed by Yoshiharu's head. 

Looking at it, Yoshiharu shouted. 

"Save Hanbei-chan, save Kanbei, save Shikanosuke-chan, save Nobuna! Save Hanbei-chan, save Kanbei, save Shikanosuke-chan, save Nobuna! Save Hanbei-chan, save Kanbei, save Shikanosuke-chan, save Nobuna! I did it! Before the shooting star vanished, I said it three times! I will not rely on God or Buddha again! Come at me, suffering! There are no longer anything that can stop me!" 

"Sagara-shi, you had finally resolve yourself to not give up anything except your own life, then I can't ignore this any longer." 

At his back comes the voice of Goemon. 

He can felt a shudder in his bosom. 

"Ahhh, Sunekosuri, Goemon, let's go!" 

But at this time, Yoshiharu did not know that the huge shooting star above his head did not disappear but had become a dark red demonic star. 

After receiving the news that "Shojyomaru had been executed", Nobuna had been sobbing non-stop at her room in Honnou temple. 

And by Nobuna's side, the evil spirit full of grudges were always close by. 

It's at this moment that news came from Yamato that Matsunaga Hisahide had been persuaded by the Mori clan to revolt. 

The full out conflict between the Oda clan and Mori clan, the famous "Battle of Harima" is about to start! 

Translator's Notes and References 

1 TL Note: Noh is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama. 

2 TL Note: The word she used to express I is the same as what Imagawa used, 妾(Warawa). 

3 TL Note: Black ships(Kurofune) was the name given to Namban vessels as they first disembarked onto Japan in the 16th century. 

4 TL note: Yoshiharu said time in English. 

5 TL Note: The literal translation will be to drink tea while talking politics, I used Political tea parties as I think it fits the literal meaning closer. 

6 TL Note: The "I" used here is that of "boku", the male version of "watashi"