Chapter 1 : The rout of Harima (Part one)
"I've heard that Takenaka Hanbei-sama has contracted an illness"
"Hanbei, huh?"
"Yeah"
The location is within Harima's Mt Shozan, the underground prison where the Mori clan's vanguard, the Ukita army's main camp is stationed. Originally planning to persuade Ukita Naoie but was instead being captured and imprisoned here, Kuroda Kanbei was whispering softly to the two visitors who were separated from her by the iron bars.
Kuroda Kanbei was born in Harima, yet in spite of her youth had already become the master of Himeji castle.
Furthermore, due to her extraordinary talent, she, along with Mino's Takenaka Hanbei were both called the 'Twin Genius Strategists".
But now she was simply a pitiful girl struggling against hunger and thirst while being confined in an underground prison.
"Here, have some onigiri Kanbei-sama"
Concealed from Naoie, the girl, who just from her manner of speaking and someone who looks like her servant beside her, one could tell that she had a good upbringing, brought food and water for Kanbei.
Were it not for the girl who brought food and water together with news of the outside world from time to time, Kanbei would have probably reached her physical and mental limit a long time ago.
If the Sagara Corps did not hand the newly joined Yamanaka Shikanosuke from the old Amago Clan, over to Ukita Naoie, Kanbei would have been executed the minute the Mori arrived.
And what was more important compared to this, no, compared to anything was,
"No, before Hanbei recovers, Simon does not want to eat anything."
"Please, you need only to focus on surviving now."
"It's exactly as Yakur? says, Kanbei-sama"
Originally, the only one who brought food for Kanbei was the girl with the good upbringing.
This time, accompanying her is a blond haired girl with blue irises.
"You have my gratitude, but it's about time you should tell me already, who exactly are you?"
"This young princess is Ukita Naoie-sama's only daughter, Hideie-sama"
"Yes, I am Hideie"
"I see. Then the ‘Otou-sama’ you speak of refering to..."
"Please forgive Otou-sama for everything he has done."
The girl who called herself Hideie whimpered while drawing a cross on her chest.
"And I am a merchant's daughter under the orders from my lord to specifically escort Hideie-sama. My Japanese name is Konishi Yakur? while my Christian name is Augustine."
The blond, blue-eyed girl raised the cross in front of her chest to show Kanbei.
"You are both Christians?"
"Correct"
"The one who persuaded Hideie-sama to convert to Christianity was Yakur?, my father and foster mother who are in Sakai engaging in trade are both devout Christians."
"Speaking of Sakai's Konishi clan, could it be that your father is that Konishi Jyoucin sama?"
"Indeed"
"Sakai, huh... How nostalgic. But why would Konishi-sama's daughter is working under Ukita Naoie in Bizen?"
"It was when I was working at an acquaintance's shop as an apprentice..."
"There's quite some distance between Sakai and Bizen.”
"I-It's not like I escaped because I got into trouble!"
Looks like Yakur? caused some trouble in Sakai.
"So for some reason you went to Bizen, and at that time caught the eye of Naoie?"
"Yes, my lord has always wanted to be able to groom his only daughter, Hideie-sama into a kind-hearted ruler. That's why he had appointed a devout Christian to be the body guard of Hideie-sama."
Humans really are such complex creatures, Kanbei inadvertently thought.
To Ukita Naoie who from a nobody, used various schemes to become the daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka's 500k yield, should any man obstruct him, he would use various underhanded means to eradicate him.
And if they are women, they would be treated as tools, discarded once they outlived their usefulness.
To think that a man who use his notoriety in order to survive would hire a devout Christian to take care of his daughter ...
And to groom his own daughter to be a kind-hearted ruler ...
This was really too surprising.
"In order to survive, Otou-sama had done many evil things, but he himself knows that after the end of this chaotic era, despicable people like himself will lose all his place in the world. Therefore, he wants Hideie to be a magnificent daimyo who is loved and respected by the people as well as her retainers."
This whispering Hideie was completely different from her father who was nicknamed 'Infinite Wickedness’, she was just a down-to-earth girl.
Although she was still young, yet she seemed to be as pure as a nun.
However, the one who picked Konishi Yakur? to be Hideie's guard was after all the wicked Ukita Naoie.
"I see, Ukita Naoie is also a wise man, but since he has these intentions, why does he not change his way of living?"
"My lord always says 'I'm definitely going to Hell anyway' and turns a blind eye to the teachings of Christianity’."
Yakur? appeared to be slightly annoyed but she quickly shook her head and continued.
"And there's another reason why I'm appreciated, Simon-sama, and that is navigation."
"...Navigation?"
"From Sakai to Hakata, then from Hakata to abroad, I've been aboard ships to various places in the world and seen many different sights since young, and as you can see, I look like a Nanban person, so even if I am abroad in a foreign country, it wouldn't be so obtrusive."
"Sailing huh? Simon too has a dream of boarding a big ship and travelling throughout the world, but..."
The deadline for the sentence is approaching.
At the same time the Mori army arrives at Harima, Kuroda Kanbei would be executed.
Due to the fact that Kanbei was locked in a small and narrow jail and being malnourished for a long time, Kanbei's lower leg muscles had begun to shrink.
Even if somehow she could acquire the key to open the jail door, she could no longer even stand up using her own strength in her current state.
Her dream would be shattered while still remaining a dream.
"God will never abandon Simon, therefore please have faith in Sagara Yoshiharu-sama"
"Indeed, if he really were as outstanding as what Kanbei said he was, he'll definitely come."
"Simu, that man really is good, to the extent where one would think he is too good. Caring about everything with his soft heart. Wanting to do everything right, yet because of that delaying, thus hindering his plans and so regardless how many lives he has, the ending will not change, definitely."
"I had met him once, but he didn't seem very reliable."
"He does look a little strange, but still, he is bighearted."
"If so, he'll definitely come to save Simon, we'll too act according to the situation."
"That's impossible, Simon’s legs can no longer move, much less allow her to walk. Furthermore, if Simon really escapes, you gals will definitely incur Ukita Naoie's wrath.”
"Uuuu… Hideie already does not want Otou-sama to sin anymore, his 'Definitely not killing women' characteristic is the only redeeming point left of Otou-sama who bears the nickname of 'Despicable'."
"As fellow Christians following Christianity, we'll definitely find the key to release you, Simon!"
"But just Hideie and Yakur? is a bit..."
"Without external manpower, in other words Sagara Yoshiharu-sama's help, this would be too difficult..."
Sagara Yoshiharu will definitely come, this was what Kanbei believed.
Thus, for that moment, she must do what she can to preserve her strength, and not allow her mind and body to grow any weaker.
But also, right now to Kanbei, what's even, even more important to her than her own life was…
“Is Hanbei still alive? Was Sagara Yoshiharu able to save Hanbei? Even though I'm worried, but right now, the only thing Simon can do is pray.”
Correct, compared to Simon's own life, what she placed more importance on was precisely the comrade she found on the battlefield, the genius strategist, Takenaka Hanbei's life.
Hanbei must have had a plan to save Kanbei's sister, Shojyomaru.
Therefore, this time it was up to Simon to save Hanbei.
“So I definitely have to live. Continue to live, and return to Hanbei's side.”
Kanbei forced down the onigiri that was stuck in her throat.
Her stomach's condition was quite bad, even if she ate some food, not much nutrients would be produced.
However, Kanbei had decided not to shed tears any more.
Even if she wanted to, it would be until the moment where she would finally be reunited with Hanbei, it would be tears of joy.
"Kobayakawa, Kikkawa,are we still unable to have a showdown against Oda Nobuna?"
"In just a few days, our Mori army will be able to reach Harima."
"Right now, the frantically panicking Ukita Naoie is aggressively attacking Harima.
"Well well, so to say, the minute the Mori's main army reaches Harima, the result of the battle would have already been decided. Right?"
Inside the main formation of the Mori army, Ashigaka Yoshiaki, the Ashigaka clan's new shogun, exclaimed while waving a fan with the word 'Banzai' and started dancing.
And the twin beauties by her sides were the famous female generals - The "Mori Twins".
Kobayakawa Takakage,
Kikkawa Motoharu.
This pair of sisters were supposed to assist Mori Terumune, the young head of the Mori family, but in fact, they controlled all power in the Mori Clan.
"Even though we cannot make such an assertion, it is true that the situation is developing in our favour."
The younger sister, Kobayakawa Takakage is a famous general who is constantly on her toes and kept her calm no matter what, with the nickname of "The Wise".
“Ch?goku's okonomiyaki are the best, let's fight with the fake Kyoto’s okonomiyaki house.”
The elder sister, Kikkawa Motoharu, is the Mori Clan's number one when it comes to battles, and is nicknamed "The Valiant General”. She is a talented swordswoman who mastered ‘Iai’, a figure of smooth and controlled movements of drawing ones sword from its scabbard, striking or slashing an enemy, removing bloodstains from the sword, and then sheathing the sword back in the scabbard. All of it is in a matter of seconds.
She constantly wore her headband with 'Greater Mori' written on it in order to differentiate herself from her sister.
It was said that when they both quietly stood side by side, even close friends and retainers could not tell who was who.
"Onee-sama, please control your Aki dialect in front of the Shogun."
"Uuu... sorry Takakage."
However the minute they spoke, one could immediately tell the difference from the two.
After the rightful heir to the title of Shogun, Yoshiaki returned to Japan from the Ming Empire, the dominant Mori Clan in the Ch?goku region, mobilised forces in order to fight with the Oda Clan after receiving Yoshiaki's plea to 'assist her in getting to the capital.'
The young head of the Mori, Terumoto, was left behind to defend Aki.
While the Mori Twins departed from their base of Aki, leading their main army and proceeded through Bingo and Bichuu and finally arrived at Bizen, while protecting Ashikaga Yoshiaki,
For the Mori Clan who lorded over the Ch?goku region, Bizen was their easternmost territory.
Any further east would be Harima where the Mori Clan's Ukita Naoie and the Oda Clan's Sagara Yoshiharu were engaged in fierce fighting. After Harima was conquered, Settsu would also swiftly follow, and after Settsu, all that was left would be Kyoto.
The rapidly expanding Oda Clan who had just finished defeating the Azai-Asakura alliance had its forces scattered on and pinned down at multiple battlefronts.
The intelligent Kobayakawa Takakage had discovered the fact they could only strike now while Oda Nobuna have not stablised yet..
But even though Kikkawa Motoharu did not think so deeply, she was overcome by the sentiment of 'Since I've been asked by Shogun-sama, then what I need to do is to use all my efforts to charge towards the capital!'
There's another reason for Motoharu's motivation, and that was …
"The one who leads the Amago Clan's remnants, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, should have already defected to the Oda side. This time, I definitely must defeat Shikanosuke in a duel!"
The Amago Clan which came from Izumo originally wanted to seize the prize of being the ruler of the Ch?goku region and thus fought against the Mori Clan which controlled it.
Though eventually, the Amago Clan was defeated and scattered, but the old Amago Clan's retainer, the fierce general Yamanaka Shikanosuke, with a heart of loyalty that surpassed normal people, continued to move around stirring up trouble, in order to 'revive the Amago Clan'.
Against the overwheming difference in quantity and quality of the army, supplies and economic wealth of the Mori Clan who had taken over the Ch?goku region, the Yamanaka Shikanosuke who led a small band of guerrillas (even though it sounds impressive, in actual fact they were nothing more than a bunch of dejected soldiers) had no chance of winning.
Even the Amago Clan's original family head had already surrendered to the Mori Clan and was living a comfortable life in seclusion.
However, Yamanaka Shikanosuke's stubbornness also surpassed normal people. Regardless of how many defeats she suffered, after a while she would yell "Grant to me the Seven Misfortunes and Eight Pains!" and challenged the Mori to battle once more.
Even though her knowledge on the art of war was practically zero, yet Yamanaka Shikanosuke was so strong to the extent with just a spear in her hands, she had caused the Mori Clan a great deal of trouble.
There was also one time where they finally succeeded in capturing her alive after lots of effort. However, while persuading her to serve the Mori Clan, she actually used the pretext of going to the toilet to escape and soon, she had continued her guerrilla attacks.
Yamanaka Shikanosuke was not just a fierce general who only knew how to fight; the fact that she was one of the few Izumo bishoujo was also very well known.
When Shikanosuke was still a prisoner, the soldiers of the Mori Clan were shouting things like "We've suffered a lot because of that bastard!" "I nearly died so many times!" and pushed their way into the jail seeking revenge. But the sight of the imprisoned and sullen Yamanaka Shikanosuke's beautiful figure caused them all to lament: "Ah...What a beautiful girl." "I'm dying from bliss..." and like servants, prostrated themselves before her and from then on delivered large quantities of Hiroshima's delicacies to her everyday.
But to think this kind of princess knight would use the excuse of going to the toilet in order to escape!
On a certain day, the imprisoned Shikanosuke requested to her guards.
"Th...This is too embarrassing, but because I ate too much of Hiroshima's Okonomiyaki, I have a terrible stomach-ache now. I...I can't endure any longer. Pl-please let me go to the toilet. Hah... Hah...."
At the sight of Shikanosuke who was wearing a sweat-stained garment, pleading in a low voice while trembling slightly, the guards felt excited, no, concerned and had immediately escorted her to the toilet. But no matter how many times Shikanosuke went, she continued to hug her stomach while her face contorting in spasms of pain, and with sweat pouring off her body.
The guards, after looking at the princess knight who was beautiful as a flower contorting her red blushing face and slender body due to the pain, and her hard to conceal expression of shame and agony, become more and more excited, no, was unabled to carry on watching. They exclaimed ‘This is too pitiful’ and went to get some medicine for her. Making full use of this opportunity, Shikanosuke crawled through the toilet passage in order to flee outside the city.
Motoharu flew into a rage after hearing that Shikanosuke escaped.
A maiden actually crawled through the toilet passage in order to escape?!
“Does she still want to marry someone?!”
“Does she really enjoy suffering through deeds that other people can't even tolerate thinking of?!”
“Or is she trying to say that she would rather suffer this kind of humiliation rather than submit to the Mori Clan?!”
“Could she possibly be trying to say that the Mori Clan is no better than toilets?”
“No, it should be like comparing the Clan to be no better than faeces!”
The enraged Motoharu yelled "Never again will I show mercy to her!" and since then had viewed Shikanosuke as her lifelong sworn enemy and was determined to hunt her down even if it took her a lifetime.
"Shogun-sama, we will be commencing the battle in a while, I will definitely personally lead the troops against Yamanaka Shikanosuke!"
"Oh ho, even though I don't quite understand, but you're quite pumped up Kikkawa"
"Only bastards who treated the Mori Clan as no better than faeces can I never forgive."
The Takakage who was standing at the side coughed lightly.
"Cough cough, Onee-sama, please control your behaviour for wanting to seek duels on the battlefield."
"Why should I, Takakage!"
"This is not a question of 'why', Onee-sama. You are the pillar supporting the Mori Clan, the founder of the Mori Clan, in other words, our father, Motonari, has already passed away, and the Mori Clan's Second Generation, our Onii-sama, died young while the current Third Generation is still young and immature, if at this time we were to lose even you, the Mori clan would really be destroyed."
Even though the Mori Clan was a family with a long history, but in actual fact, the only daimyo was only the Mori Twin's father, Mori Motonari's generation.
So internally, among the members of the Mori Clan, Mori Motonari was called the 'First Generation'
The first generation had a son and two daughters,
His son, Mori Takamoto, became the Mori Clan second generation after Motonari's passing.
Compared to his father Motonari who was nicknamed "Genius Tactician", Takamoto who was a very kind and sincere person was completely different.
Furthermore, he was a bish?nen.
The one who had perfectly integrated the constantly expanding Mori Clan's territories due to the constant warring of his father and sisters was the second generation Takamoto.
While Motonari's two daughters, in other words Kikkawa Motoharu as well as Kobayakawa Takakage, were sent to the relatives in the Mori Clan when they were young as sisters’. They returned later to the Mori Clan and became the Clan's pillars under Takamoto's arrangements.
The cunning Motonari as well as the ones who inherited Motonari's intelligence and strength, the 'Mori Twins' constantly expanded the Mori Clan's territory, and the second generation head, Takamoto, who treated people generously and ruled over the citizens of the new lands benevolently.
This, is the secret to Mori Clan's great strength.
".....Onii-sama was poisoned by someone. The most respected person in Mori Clan was Onii-sama, to think that someone as honest and pure as him would have people wanting to harm him, I find it hard to believe even now."
Even Motoharu who is always strong lowered her head sadly at this moment.
Yoshiaki silently patted Motoharu's shoulder.
"Onee-sama, it was because Onii-sama was too kind and never suspicious of others that he got tricked."
"Who could have guessed that that evil old man would dare poison Onii-sama, and with a 'I won't harm any humans or animals' look."
"Otou-sama changed completely after Onii-sama’s passing..."
"'Even if this was karma, why Takamoto but not me!?' Otou-sama grieved so much that he seemed to age decades overnight, and then took 'Do not covet the world' as a mantra, putting down his ambition of conquering the world and choosing to live quietly for the rest of his life."
"Otou-sama entrusted Onii-sama's child, the Third Generation Terumoto to us siblings. The Third Generation is still young, the path in this chaotic age in front of the young head of the family is very grim, so the least we can do is let Onii-sama's son live on."
"This is my personal opinion." Takakage said as she began to explain to Motoharu.
"Otou-sama is a legendary talent who will obtain the world if he expand his territory a little more, he will never lose his edge with just age as a reason."
"Why do you think so?"
"In the past, in order to acquire the immense advantage of overseas trade, Otou-sama fought against Otomo Sourin in order to attain supremacy over North Kyushu."
"Oh, speaking of North Kyushu, that's really an intimidating and hellish country."
Even the martial Motoharu said " intimidating and hellish country", North Kyushu's might can be clearly seen.
"The minute we leave Ch?goku. Yamanaka Shikanosuke will immediately appear and cause trouble, forcing us to give up and withdraw from Kyushu to reinforce Ch?goku. Aaaa, if only Shikanosuke didn’t exist...!"
"Otou-sama at North Kyushu was also shocked at Otomo Sorin's inborn talent. The latter had accumulated a great number of cannons while trading with the Nanban, even developing an extremely scary weapon, the 'Ozutsu', while protecting the missionaries who were building monasteries everywhere. When we were in battle, even the Nanban ships joined his forces and began firing on us. His territory seems to have already transformed into a foreign country. "
The shocked Yoshiaki interupted and asked, "Then why did North Kyushu become the way it is now?"
The Motoharu who devoted all of herself to her sword firmly believed that there's nothing to fear about Namban.
"North Kyushu is a hellish country, Otomo Sorin indulged in the Nanban culture, having no regards for Gods and Buddha and instead only worshipping the foreign God.That's why the retainers of Otomo spilt up."
It might be just as Motoharu said, but what the intelligent Takakage thought of was much deeper.
"Onee-sama, I think the reason Otou-sama parted us with 'Mori Clan does not covet the world' as his final teaching was because he was afraid we would fight among one another and cause Japan to completely become Nanban territory one day."
"Wuu, th-this is too difficult to understand Takakage."
"The chaotic era has already lasted for a hundred years and this country's technological improvements have also halted for a hundred years. However during this period of time, the Nanban countries have constantly improved, their ships had even managed to sail to us here."
"Wuu, explain it a little clearer."
"The Nanban are very strong, and their strength lies not just in their ships, but their weapons and technology. Their missionaries have great mental strength that far surpass that of ordinary people too. Through his dealings with the various Nanban countries, Otou-sama understood the simple fact that if this country does not unify as soon as possible, there will come a day eventually where we will be utterly annexed by the Nanban. In order to prevent this, the Mori Clan must thus abandon its desires and make an effort to contribute back to Japan, I think this was what Otou-sama was trying to say."
"Is it that popular 'conquering the world' idea?"
"It's not just that, even though there are numerous warlords competing with each other for the world, the Mori Clan can still determine who can truly be the hero of the ages, this kind of power is something we still have."
"And if no one is capable of that?"
"Once then, even if the Mori Clan becomes the ruler of the world, Otou-sama's spirit in heaven will not rebuke us."
Currently, the person closest to being the ruler of the world would be the capital's Oda Nobuna.
Takakage explained to her Onee-sama and Ashigaka Yoshikage, "Whether Oda Nobuna is the hero who will end this chaotic age, or the demon of the sixth realm that will destroy this country, we shall witness it for ourselves in the coming battle."
"Takakage, is there a need to question the fact about that fellow being a demon lord? She is the mastermind behind the burning of Mt. Hiei and Kamigyo, and most importantly, she took under her wing two of the 'Three Great Evils' of the world: Saito Dousan as well as Matsunaga Hisahide as her companions."
Yoshiaki also echoed loudly, "That's right, that's right, it is that Matsunaga Hisahide who drive the Ashikaga Shogunate out from Kyoto, this Oda Nobuna who befriended her is also a traitor! Maa, I've already written a letter to Matsunaga Hisahide though, if she is willing to become our companion then I'll write off all her past offences, to be willing to write such a generous letter, my tolerance level is not ordinary eh!"
"As expected of Shogun-sama, Matsunaga Hisahide is a frequent rebel, she may really become our ally."
"Onee-sama, hasn't our Mori Clan already taken in one of the 'Three Great Evils', that Ukita Naoie as a companion, I don't think we have the right to talk about others."
"When I wanted to behead him, it was you who stopped me from doing so."
"The Mori Clan puts righteousness first and will never kill surrendered generals, of course the Yamanaka Shikanosuke who pretended to surrender but escaped in the end is an exception."
"The Oda Clan isn't the same, the whole being of Oda Nobuna exudes an evil aura."
"Onee-sama, the Mori Clan's first generation, our Otou-sama was not really kind too. If anything, the strategies he employed in order to attain victory were also evil. Anyone who covets the world should already had the awareness that they will be labelled as evil, no one can obtain the world without dirtying their hands."
Takakage thought extremely far ahead, not only for the future of the Mori Clan, but the future of Japan.
She inherited Motonari's wisdom as well far-sightedness.
To put it simply, the Motoharu who inherited Motonari's courage could never surpass her own sister.
The siblings understood each other completely, and supported each other's shortcomings.
"Oho, it must be as you said then."
Motoharu candidly believed Takakage, this was one of her strong points.
"The Mori Clan who rose to prominence by relying on betrayals and underhanded tactics, attained a good reputation was due to a large extent to Onii-sama's goodwill. Otou-sama often said that if Onii-sama were not around he was afraid he would have been known as wicked by the people of the world."
"Onee-sama, exercising schemes to attack and conquer territory, having the courage to shatter old customs and traditions, as well as the capability to govern over these countries for a so called hero, these three qualities are all essential and none of them can be omitted. Only having enough wit, courage as well as good values can one truly commensurate with the world. Saito Dousan, Matsunaga Hisahide as well as Ukita Naoie could be termed as heroes by all, but because they all lacked values they were therefore unable to attain the world."
"All three of them lacked trustworthy and competent subordinates?"
"Perhaps it is so, they started from scratch and had already used their maximum effort in order to become the master of a country and city, not having the spare energy to set up their own family and make displays of their benevolence to wipe off their notoriety, especially that Ukita Naoie, his position is especially gloomy.
Ukita Naoie was the child of a family of warriors who lost their land and fell out of grace.
Compared to the merchants or common citizens who were originally born with nothing to their name, the path set in front of a child from a disgraced warrior family who had to retrieve what it had originally lost was much more arduous, Takakage said.
Ukita Naoie, who had even used his wife as a tool to climb up the social ranks is always alone. Even though he finally had a daughter when he was middle aged, but she was still young.
"Onee-sama, in actual fact, our Otou-sama's cirumstances were extremely similar with Ukita Naoie, like Ukita Naoie, Otou-sama's parents passed away early, and due to his retainers betraying him, he had lost all his land, endured untold hardships before he managed to climb up from the bottomless abyss and revive the Mori Clan's name and become a Daimyo."
"Oho~"
"The only difference was that Otou-sama had a blessed family, the birth of Onii-sama as well as we siblings eased Otou-sama's belligerence, or else i'm afraid Otou-sama would be shouldering a bad name no worse than Ukita Naoie's."
"Oho~, in this chaotic Sengoku era where fathers are forced to fight and kill their sons, we siblings are so blessed to be born into the Mori Clan, ho ho."
"It is indeed so, Onee-sama ho ho ho."
Yoshiaki also raised her hand and said "I have good relations with my Ani-ue as well"
Even if one took the 'Three Great Evils' as an extreme isolated example,
Takeda Shingen,
Uesugi Kenshin,
Otomo Sorin,
Even if one were to be born among the family of a daimyo, but in order to take control of the Clan, numerous heroes were being forced to turn against their parents or relatives were numerous in this chaotic war era.
The interior of Oda Nobuna's clan was not harmonious as well.
Nobuna's biological father as well as foster father Dousan had both already passed on, her biological brother vied with her for the position as head of the family, and now she was on bad terms with her biological mother.
"Takakage, how can a person who can't unite her own clan end this chaotic era and bring peace to the masses? Someone shouldering the burden of the destiny, and at the same time wielding enormous power will eventually be unable to resist their heart's temptations and become a demon that brings disaster to both citizens and country."
"It might be just as you said Onee-sama, remember the time when Otou-sama, with a serious face tried to teach us three siblings about the principle of 'Three Arrows are hard to break', you had broke the three arrows with a snap? That speechless expression of Otou-sama then..."
"Cough cough, Takakage, didn't we agree to treat that incident like it never happened?"
"Did we?"
"Takakage, taking your point about a harmonious clan, as expected, only the Mori Clan is capable of being the rulers of the world."
"Hmm?"
"I'm not too sure about the situation on the Eastern side, but among the Western daimyos, the only family with the reputation of a harmonious clan is the Shimazu, but the distance between the Shimazu and the capital is too far."
"The Oda Clan can be said to be filled with talent now, amongst them, there might be people comparable to Onii-sama in terms of virtue."
"Someone who is comparable with Onii-sama in terms of virtue? Even if we're just talking about it it's something very hard to imagine, someone as superb as Onii-sama is impossible to find now Takakage!"
"It need not necessarily be a man, it could even be a princess knight, it matters not whether it's a male or female."
"Anyway, as long as it's not a man as great as Onii-sama, I will never get married, but someone of that calibre is really too hard to find."
"....Same here Onee-sama, because Onii-sama was too excellent, I find myself unable to love anyone else, no matter whom I encounter I inadvertently compare him to Onii-sama and in the end only increase my disappointment."
"Ne~ Takakage, the intelligent you should be able to answer me, if this goes on would we really remain single for the rest of our lives?"
"... ... ... ... ..."
"D-don't remain silent!"
The siblings fell silent at the mention of this painful question, but Takakage was the first to buck up.
"Cough cough, in summary, we just need to test the true strength of the Oda Clan in the coming battle, the Ukita Naoie who is infinitely wicked is the best possible person for the job, would Oda Nobuna who had been forced into a corner reveal her true face as a demon king and cause her retainers to split or..."
"Would she awaken to become a true hero, at the same time, hidden among her retainers, someone with virtue would also be exposed."
"This gamble which involves everything of the Oda Clan would certainly test whether she can commensurate with the world."
"Haa, Takakage, you really think too deeply and far-sighted, for the muscle-brained me, this is a bit..."
"Ha ha, life is but a dream eh"
Takakage smiled,
Motoharu was unable to understand the meaning of this sentence.
Even though no one knows if Takakage, who tried her very best to act for the Mori Clan and Japan's future, had a 'sense of self' within her, but Motoharu could understand Takakage, who possessed a determination whom no one could ever imagine to repress her 'sense of self' and not reveal it, more than herself.
"What you have said is a bit difficult for me; in short, the Oda Nobuna who argues within her family can't do it. The only one who can commensurate with the world, is Ashigaka Yoshiaki who has good relations with her brother, which is obviously yours truly! ho ho ho"
It would appear that it's too early for the young and immature Ashigaka Yoshiaki to understand the meaning of those words.
There are only a few days left before the arrival of Mori Clan's army.
Currently the Sagara Yoshiharu as well as the Ukita Naoie, currently on Harima's land, are continuing their offensive-defensive battles
Sagara Yoshiharu who was appointed as the great general fighting against the Mori Clan used the Himeji Castle in Harima's centre as a stronghold surrounded the Miki Castle that Ukita Naoie sparked the betrayal of.
Ukita Naoie occupied the north-west of Himeji Castle, the natural fortress Mt Shozan, and used it as its stronghold, and imprisoned Yoshiharu's strategist Kuroda Kanbei in the underground jail of the mountain.
Ukita Naoie, the Mori Clan's vanguard for the assault on Harima received two orders from the Mori Twins.
The first one was to secure and defend a stronghold in Harima to prepare for the Mori main army's arrival.
This mission was already accomplished when Mt Shozan was captured.
However, it was a pity that the Miki castle, which occupied a strategic location in east Harima to cut off the Sagara Corps's retreat path, was already encircled by Yoshiharu on a scale that shocked people, nobody thought that the Sagara Corps could use such a small amount of soldiers to accomplish such a task.
While the other task was a difficult one; it was to capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke, the old enemy which gave even the Mori Clan headaches alive.
This mission was not completed by Naoie even up till now.
Yamanake Shikanosuke as predicted joined the Sagara Corps and became a strong force.
If Ukita Naoie was unable to capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke alive before the Mori Clan's main army arrived, then his lands would be confiscated by the Mori Twins.
To the current Ukita Naoie who had used many schemes to get to where he was now, the Mori Clan was originally his enemy.
But the Ukita Naoie who had conquered Bizen and Mimasaka, geographically was sandwiched in between the Oda Clan which was increasing in power and the Mori Clan and in order to survive could only pick the option of joining the Mori Clan known for it's righteousness.
However, the words and deeds of Ukita Naoie up until that point had given him the notoriety of having no credibility, seeming to many people as the representative of those who have no credibility or loyalty.
So even if he could not accomplish his mission and really had his land taken from him by the Mori Twins, he also could not complain, in reality, asking him to commit seppuku to apologize would not be surprising.
The Ukita Naoie who understood this point better than anyone else could be said to be desperate.
So he declared thus to Sagara Yoshiharu
"If you do not hand over Yamanaka Shikanosuke before the Mori Clan's army arrives, I will execute Kuroda Kanbei."
If Yoshiharu did not make a decision soon, he would lose his irreplaceable companion Kanbei.
But at this critical point Yoshiharu's other strategist, Takenaka Hanbei had also fell ill and fainted, and was in a critical condition where she might die anytime.
According to Zenki, if one wanted to extend Takenaka Hanbei's life, the Ranjatai in the Shousouin of Todai Shrine was indispensable.
The Ranjatai was the secret treasure of the Imperial Palace.
Without the permission from both the Imperial Palace and Nobuna, it would never be given to Yoshiharu.
But Nobuna who is in Kyoto was unable to leave Honnou-ji due to breathing in the misama from the Kyoto Fire.
Even if Yoshiharu personally went there, he would be obstructed by her new aide and prevented from meeting her.
Yoshiharu had also tried sneaking into the Imperial palace but was caught by the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa, and given a vicious beating, leaving him full of injuries.
If this continued, Hanbei’s and Kanbei's lives would both be in danger.
Nobuna seems to be very strange recently too.
The companions during the Owari, Mino times were all scattered.
The time taken in order to seek their help would be too great.
Precisely during the time where Yoshiharu headed towards the capital, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, in order to save Kanbei, headed to Mt Shozan alone.
The greatest crisis of Yoshiharu's life was just placed before his eyes.
Compared to himself, dying on the battlefield, the suffering of being unable to save his comrades was much more difficult to endure.
This was not just talk,
Dying on the battlefield warranted only a moment of pain,
But the regret of being unable to save one's own comrades would last a lifetime, not vanishing till death.
Yoshiharu clearly understood this point.
If Kanbei who had devoted her own life to Nobuna and Yoshiharu's dream can survive, he had something he wish to tell her.
And that was --
"Wait Shikanosuke!"
He finally caught up!
Yoshiharu who had desperately chased after Shikanosuke finally caught up to her at a path towards Mt Shozan, right by Yumesakigara riverside.
Above their heads, a star that exudes unholy radiance -- the star of disaster slowly revealed itself.
Shikanosuke did not wear her armour, even her iconic crescent moon helmet was not with her.
She had already resolved herself for death.
"Yoshiharu-sama? Why did you come!?"
Shikanosuke glared at Yoshiharu, as if saying
I've already made my decision.
Please don't come and throw my feelings in disarray!
But Yoshiharu did not back down, he stuck out his chest and yelled
"Obviously it's to bring you back!"
"What are you saying? If you bring me back, Kanbei would be executed!"
"Ukita Naoie is not the kind of person who obediently follows what he promised, even if you go, he would not return Kanbei! Furthermore..."
"Furthermore?"
Just as Shikanosuke was about to cross the Yumesakigara River, Yoshiharu jumped off his horse and looked straight at Shikanosuke while walking towards her.
"I will never leave a comrade in the lurch! I will not be confused over the question of who should I save anymore! In order to be capable of holding everything in my hands I have already decided to turn myself into a bag capable of accommodating everything!"
"I... am not your companion"
Shikanosuke also jumped down her horse.
But this was not to receive Yoshiharu.
Her whole body radiated intense killing intent.
"I had always fought because of my own wish to revive the Amago Clan, the reason why I joined the Oda Clan was only to make use of the Oda Clan's military strength, and never having any intention to swear fealty to you, a nobody like you should stop being so full of yourself."
Even if Shikanosuke was not armed, she was still extremely strong.
However, Yoshiharu did not stop walking.
Shikanosuke used various unfamiliar vicious language to put down Yoshiharu, praying in her heart that he would just give up.
But still, Yoshiharu extended his hand towards her with all his strength.
Shikanosuke wanted to hit that hand away, but her lips started trembling because of her sorrow.
It was as if she was unable to endure the use of her abusive words against Yoshiharu.
(How bad can she be at lying)
Yoshiharu thought as he yelled at Shikanosuke,
"YOU LIAR! Then why would you want to sacrifice yourself in order to save Kanbei!"
"That's because I've already given up on restoring the Amago Clan, I didn't expect that the Oda Clan had weakened to this degree, I had despaired and want to seek death!"
"LIAR! SOMEONE WHO HAD GIVEN UP HOPE WOULD NEVER HAVE THOSE KIND OF EYES! I WILL DEFINITELY BRING YOU BACK!"
"It's easy to say that, do you think you can defeat me?!"
"I CAN!"
"YOU CAN'T!"
Yoshiharu bent his body, extending his arm to hug Shikanosuke's waist.
However, he could not catch her.
Before he managed to grab her, he suffered a heavy knee-strike to his abdomen.
That sudden impact almost made him vomit out everything in his stomach.
Yoshiharu was literally sent flying into the Yumesakigara River.
The river water was extremely cold, as cold as ice.
Yoshiharu pulled himself onto shore.
"Why didn’t you dodge it, isn't dodging your speciality?"
"I will not dodge."
Yoshiharu dragged his body which is already on the verge of total collapse and resolutely stood in front of Shikanosuke again.
"You obviously don't have any other talents besides evasion!"
How true, Yoshiharu smiled bitterly to himself in his heart,
"Yeah, I am weak, originally I wasn't even fit to be a warrior, if I did not have this evasion ability which was dubbed 'Ball-dodging Yoshi' I would have died countless times already."
"That's why....."
"But Yamanaka Shikanosuke, I will definitely not dodge your attacks."
"Enough! Please don't care about me any longer...!"
"Because of the commander's, my own weakness, Hanbei, Kanbei as well as yourself, don't have any choice but to shoulder all the burdens, becoming like this now! But from today on, it won't be like this anymore! I will become stronger! I will show you that I can become a true commander of the Sagara Corps!"
"If you take another two or three hits of mine directly, you will really die!"
"Even so I will never give up!"
"Why! Why must you do things to this extent?!"
"YOU NEED A REASON TO SAVE A COMRADE IN DANGER?!"
Yoshiharu clenched his teeth shut, and used all of his strength to once again rush towards Shikanosuke.
Grabbing her waist is impossible,
Then I’ll aim for her legs,
But this time what struck Yoshiharu was an elbow.
His back suffered a heavy blow from Shikanosuke's elbow.
By the time he reacted he was already knocked into the mud,
Sand and mud filled his mouth,
Above him was the sound of Shikanosuke's tearful, stuttering voice.
"You.... should have.... avoided that elbow."
However Yoshiharu did not have any intention to dodge,
He had already resolved himself to endure whatever Shikanosuke dished out at him.
Since he was still breathing,
He had to stand up again.
Even if his vision is blurred, and his knees trembling, he had to stand.
"PLEASE DON'T STAND UP AGAIN!"
Yoshiharu understood.
The reason why Hanbei was so weak but yet was unwilling to rest even till the last minute.
Yoshiharu now finally understood it.
When your companions are stumbling in pain in front of your eyes at the crossroads of destiny.
How could one say 'Enough already, I have already tried my best so the outcome doesn't matter.' words that mean giving up midway.
"......Kanbei was the one who dreams of holding the title of the most intelligent person in the world, boarding a ship to travel the world to learn, that's why she came to the side of Nobuna, the one who has the dream of 'Tenka Fubu'"
"....What?"
"So I was unable to look at the dreams which Kanbei and Nobuna embraced differently."
"What exactly are you talking about....!?"
"They have the same dream so even if their final destination is different, they are still walking on the same path, that's why they are friends."
"It has nothing to do with me! Izumo's Amago Clan is completely inconsequential to you! I am simply a girl from the countryside which has been discarded by the era!"
"From the time I came to this world I always wanted to rely on my own power to save Nobuna, but that's wrong, just relying on my own strength is definitely insufficient, what's more important are partners who can inherit my will, because I was too fool to notice it, this much time has already elapsed, but I can still make it in time!"
Once again,
Yoshiharu got into the stance of grabbing Shikanosuke's waist in front of her
However, he understood that he could not match the speed he once had at the beginning.
His knees were constantly trembling,
If he suffered another hit from the knee, his chin would definitely be shattered.
"P-please don't force me any longer"
This is the first time Yoshiharu seen Shikanosuke crying her eyes out.
"I am simply a girl from the countryside who doesn't know anything besides Izumo, other than being loyal to the Amago Clan I don't know and can't do anything, if even you were to die here for someone like me then what should I do?!"
"To talk about yourself like that when being so strong, what a bad habit."
Yoshiharu rushed forward,
"In my world, whether its wars or generals, all of them are done by men, even though there are female solders, but basically it's done by men, however-"
"Enough, please give up...! Let it end here!"
"However, Yamanaka Shikanosuke was really magnificent, Nobuna, Kanbei. Hanbei too..."
Shikanosuke rapidly struck out with her leg,
This leg was aimed at the middle of Yoshiharu's face,
Oh damn, it's not a knee strike,
“No matter how painful it is, even if my body breaks, I definitely won't give up.”
So she intends to use a concussion to knock me unconscious.
".....Not yet.....!"
Yoshiharu jerked his leg out
And he managed to restabilise his upper body in the instant before he fell down.
Large amounts of blood immediately gushed out from the depths of his nose.
“Uwawa ... this is bad, even though I subconsciously panicked a bit but still it's become like this, it doesn't matter anymore.”
"Why, just why would you go to this extent for me...?"
"Don't ask what you already know, haven't I at least been saved twice by you Shikanosuke, that time at Kozuki Castle and now here at Yumesakigara.... Eh?"
“Eh, when I talk huge amounts of blood from my nose pour into my mouth.”
There's no way to speak properly like this, cough... cough, looks like if I don't tilt my head upwards, there's no way I can continue.”
Yoshiharu who noticed this point hurriedly made some gestures in front of his chest.
"...Sorry, even though my gestures aren't very clear but I really have been saved by you many times, no matter how many times I repay you it's not enough."
"I only did it for the Amago Clan! Not for you! Anyway, the retainers of a daimyo family which has been destroyed are simply discarded chess pieces! As long as I haven't given up on my loyalty towards the Amago Clan, I am simply a mercenary to be thrown away! Companions or something...!"
Yamanaka Shikanosuke was the child of a retainer of the Amago Clan, until the instant when the Amago Clan was destroyed, she was always fighting the Mori Clan.
Even when the Amago Clan was destroyed, Shikanosuke did not serve other daimyos, but continued to fight against the Mori Clan in order to 'revive the Amago Clan'
However, Shikanosuke who has led the remnants of the Amago Clan cannot even remember how many times she has been betrayed.
Even if they were allies or companions who swore to fight together, they eventually defected to the Mori Clan, sometimes even at critical junctures where they were one step away from restoring the Amago Clan.
The initial battles for revival were also like that, the alliance against the Mori Clan fell apart at the last moment and caused Shikanosuke to taste defeat.
Mori Motonari was a genius who was proficient in the art of war and was called the 'Sengoku era's number one intelligent general'.
But the stupidly honest Shikanosuke only knew how to 'trust her companions'
When she was young, the Amago Clan which she was formerly from had mistrust within itself due to Mori Motonari's scheme; half of the reason for their eventual destruction was because of fratricide.
Shikanosuke who had found that disgusting, swore to herself in her heart 'I definitely will not betray others, suspect others or lie to others'
However Shikanosuke who retreated back to Izumo to engage the Mori Clan in combat once again suffered the old Amago Clan's citizen's betrayal.
They leaked to the Mori Army the secret passages leading towards Shikanosuke's stronghold and caused her to lose badly once again.
Even the citizens of Izumo already defected to the Mori Clan, the civilians who wished for the revival of the Amago Clan were almost non-existent.
Yet Shikanosuke who understood this in her heart was still unwilling to give up her ambition,
She did not have any personal grudge against the Mori Clan,
However the only thing she wanted to prevent at any cost was the fact that the Amago Clan that she served would be so easily forgotten by the people.
Is it bad for someone like me who can't keep up with these chaotic times where power is everything to exist?
Power decides everything, if the idea that betrayals and revolts were common occurrences was not changed in people's hearts, this chaotic era would not end.
So even if the Mori Motonari who destroyed the Amago Clan died due to an illness, Shikanosuke did not give up on fighting.
“However, since when did it start happening?”
The comrades who chased the same dream left her one by one.
Maybe it was when she shifted the front line to the Inaba east of Izumo that it happened.
Inaba's daimyo, Yamana Toyokuni was expelled from his home city due to a rebellion from his own retainers and encountered the wandering Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Shikanosuke said 'If you are willing to help me restore the Amago Clan, I and the Amago heroes will help you retake Inaba' and then really went to help Yamana Toyokuni wrest back control of his territory.
"You really fought for me, take Inaba as your territory."
Yamana Toyokuni was a frail youth, even though he was proficient in his knowledge and his elegance but he did not excel in combat.
Even though Shikanosuke simply handed Inaba back to him, but he did not think that he could repay his debt in such a way.
So he begged Shikanosuke to become a Clan elder of the Yamana Clan.
However Shikanosuke did not accept it,
"I only wish to revive my former Clan in Izumo."
"I cannot treat my benefactor like this, accept at least in name"
"In that case I'll accept your good intentions in name only, before I retake Izumo I'll lend my strength to Yamana-sama"
Yamana Toyokuni cried while thanking Shikanosuke for her kindness, and gave her the citadel's mansion while he moved to the outer city.
However, this Yamana Toyokuni had also abandoned the agreement to help Shikanosuke retake Izumo in the end, using the time of Shinakosuke's departure from Inaba, he defected to the Mori Clan.
Shikanosuke had to steel her heart and lead the Amago heroes to attack their previous ally Yamana Toyokuni.
However this was not out of hate for Yamana Toyokuni,
Inaba was in the immediate neighbourhood of Izumo and was the only way to access it.
Shikanosuke's military rations were also stored in Inaba,
If Inaba was not recaptured, the Amago heroes would lose their path of retreat and become an isolated army and be completely destroyed in Izumo.
Therefore, it was a must to attack.
As the current opponent was not the Mori clan that was proficient in strategy Shikanosuke won a victory.
However she had no plans of killing Yamana Toyokuni from the beginning,
Shikanosuke did not bear hatred towards him,
No matter who it was, everyone would seek refuge with the Mori Clan for their own personal gains and interest.
Maybe this is what's known as 'Human Nature'
Even the foolish and straightforward Yamanaka Shikanosuke understood this now.
Therefore it was a must to make her own dream become purer.
The Shikanosuke who encountered the Yamana Toyokuni who was prostrated on the ground helped him to his feet and pleaded to him again,
And once spoke of her own dream.
"Yamana-sama, I will return Inaba to you so please assist me in reviving the Amago Clan, I don't need your army, all I need is for you to loan me military rations and grant me passage."
"Shikanosuke-sama, do you not intend to kill me?"
"My enemy is only the Mori Clan who destroyed the Amago Clan."
"Why, just why are you so free of desires?"
"It's not that I have no desires, but that it has already been filled by my dream."
"I don't understand, if you killed me, Inaba would be yours, in order to retake Izumo, isn't Inaba indispensable?"
"If I really use such unjust means to retake Izumo, then in the future, there will be nobody who will be willing to follow the Amago Clan. Battling on requires a dream to fight for, if this point is lacking, then it's just mindless slaughtering."
However Yamana Toyokuni was unable to understand Shikanosuke's dream,
"Shikanosuke-sama, please listen to this ordinary person's words, people who can understand your dream in this chaotic era do not exist, your heart is too beautiful, if this goes on, you will have no way to continue surviving."
"It's not that I'm beautiful, but rather this country is too chaotic, therefore someone like me who fights for his dream is extremely important to this country."
"Shikanosuke-sama, a dream is just a dream, your courage and ferocity has already resounded throughout the western provinces, why don't you serve other daimyo?"
"I had devoted my loyalty to the Amago Clan, loyal retainers don't serve two lords."
"Even if it's not your true intention it is fine, all you need to do is pretend on the surface, nobody can see through another person's heart Shikanosuke-sama."
"I cannot do that."
"As long as you remember your old master in your heart it's not considered a betrayal, furthermore, the fact that you're not the kind of person to betray others is well known."
"It's not like that, I had once surrendered to the Mori Clan but escaped after betraying them, and it's something I had planned on doing before faking my surrender."
"This is not considered betrayal, but military tactics, why are you so strict on yourself?"
"There have already been countless matyrs who have given up their lives for my dream, I cannot sully it."
Yamana Toyokuni was so touched that he cried, and vowed "This time even if I must bet my life I will help Shikanosuke-sama"
Shikanosuke believed that those tears were sincere and returned Inaba to Yamana Toyokuni.
Then in order to complete the revival of the Amago Clan returned to the battlefield to fight against the Mori Clan.
All of this was to retake Izumo,
...................
However,
When Shikanosuke was fighting a bloody battle, Yamana Toyokuni, terrified of Mori Clan's power, once again betrayed her.
Their retreat route was cut off,
Supplies were gradually exhausted,
The shaken army eventually lost to the Mori Clan.
Just a little bit more again, Shikanosuke once again was unable to fulfil her dream due to her companion's betrayal.
"People's hearts are fickle, with no certainty, this is what's known as mortals" The letter which Yamana Toyokuni sent was written thus.
In that instant that Shikanosuke heard of Yamana Toyokuni's betrayal again, a certain something broke in her heart.
'I prayed hard to the moon for the Seven sufferings and Eight pains, but I neither prayed for betrayal by my companions, nor prayed for myself being unable to trust others'
Even if she moaned such in her heart, it would not help her situation.
The troops and supplies needed to attack Inaba again in order to retake Izumo were already gone.
Even the army's daily expenses were unable to continue, and in the end she had no choice but to steal and rob.
Her dream was sullied,
The companions who chased after the same dream as her left her one by one,
Shikanosuke started to not place her trust in others.
She finally realised that she who rigidly adhered to revive the Amago Clan was simply a buffoon.
So, a person like her is now reduced to becoming a mere thief.
No, I can't continuing falling like this,
Shikanosuke who was forced into a desperate situation finally gave up her principle of 'Loyal retainers do not serve two masters' and entered Harima seeking refuge from Sagara Yoshiharu.
After ‘something’ broke in her heart due to Yamana Toyokuni's betrayal, Shikanosuke might had misplaced her aim and methods..
The tragic wish to revive the Amago Clan had at some point become a beautiful voice in her heart, seemingly like a last line of defence, protecting her heart on the verge of collapsing.
Therefore even while serving Sagara Yoshiharu she always had her heart sealed shut.
To the Oda Clan who wanted to unify the world, reviving the Amago Clan was simply a tantrum thrown by a country bumpkin.
Izumo was but an insignificant little place,
“They will not understand my dream, therefore.”
“I will never trust anyone anymore.”
“If I trusted someone and was betrayed again, I'm afraid that I would really give up living as a human.”
Probably becoming a ghost, Shikanosuke instinctively understood this.
Therefore a thing like swearing the oath of loyalty towards Sagara Yoshiharu as well as Oda Nobuna has never happened in her heart.
It should be like so,
Henceforth as well——
She could not bear the taste of betrayal once again,
The only one that could be trusted was the old Amago Clan
For the reason why,
"....The reason is, because the Amago Clan has already been destroyed, it does not exist anymore. So-"
So they definitely won't betray me.
"Stop this bullshit!"
The dejected grieving Shikanosuke suddenly took a slap to her cheeks,
Raising her head, she found Sagara Yoshiharu, who had been standing in front of her with a Nio-like face.
[1]
He was furious,
Furious to the point that his eyes had turned blood red.
"You're not a ghost, Yamanaka Shikanosuke! You're still alive!"
No way to retort,
With her knees suddenly losing strength, Shikanosuke involuntarily covered her face with her own hands.
"I am simply a fool who is satisfied with passing a good reputation onto future generations."
"Lies! If it was really like that then why are you crying!"
Not comprehending exactly why......
Even when the Amago Clan was destroyed she did not shed tears, yet they are flowing down continuously.
"I heard from Zenki that I could not revive the Amago Clan, and in the end lost to the Mori Clan and was executed, that is my fate."
"A fate like this, I will change it no matter how many times!"
"...If this goes on I will have no 'face' to meet my companions who generously charged to their death for my unfinished dream, therefore at least...at the end, for someone...for someone's dream"
Unable to trust others anymore, it should have be like this.
However after the sight of Hanbei and Kanbei entrusting their dreams to their companions with those kinds of actions, something in her heart started to stir again.
That heart which was supposed to be broken started beating again, Therefore Shikanosuke thought that sacrificing her own life to save Kanbei was the only way to repay that kindness,
"REJECTED! I! WILL NEVER LET YOU USE THE METHOD OF DYING BEFORE YOUR DREAMS ARE FULFILLED IN ORDER TO LEAVE YOUR NAME FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS!"
Being hugged,
Her body was hugged.
Her heart... was also captured.
In the span of a few days this girl underwent a tremendous change.
"Being alive yet wanting to give up your life, such a thing, I don't agree! There're some words I still haven't told Hanbei yet, but eventually I will tell her! You as well! Live on!"
"... My dream, no one will...."
"...We're here! We will definitely revive the Amago Clan for you! Sagara Corps will go with Yamanaka Shikanosuke to fulfil her dreams and fight till the end! So live on!"
There was no confusion in his words,
The tears streaming down had absolutely no deception.
Everything was from his heart,
Shikanosuke instinctively understood this.
Similar to herself who in order to save Kanbei was willing to abandon her life without hesitation.
This person too, if it was to save his companions he would be completely fine with abandoning his own life.
Even if he died, as long as the dream was inherited by his companions, then he is alive.
At this moment, the hearts of these two embracing people were joined.
Yeah,
“I have already become a member of the Sagara Corps, Shikanosuke is a companion of the Sagara Corps,”
"I swear to the moon to never betray you! Even till death!"
A kind of feeling surged through Shikanosuke's chest, this kind of feeling was not simply loyalty towards a master,
Instead, it was an even freer, even wider, even more profound ray of light that illuminated Shikanosuke's heart.
"I too, absolutely will not betray my lord, even till death"
After she said that, Shikanosuke tightly clung to Yoshiharu and cried loudly.
To the south of Himeji Castle there was a fishing village.
The village's name in Kanji was 'Utsushize' pronounced as 'Aga'
This fishing village was built in the Yumesakigawa River estuary had an assortment of markets as well and the temple of Nyankousou.
This rural setting was imbued with a vigour and vitality
Maybe instead of a fishing village, calling Aga a port city would be more appropriate.
Today, at a certain part of the fishing village, at a silent shrine Yoshiharu, Shikanosuke as well as Zenki's figures appeared.
"With my master being unable to command the battle, the plan of utilising a feint against Ukita Naoie to delay him and using that opportunity to rescue Kanbei, we can only ask Granny Aga to help."
In a corner right in front of a shrine that was hidden by vegetation, Zenki said.
"Granny Aga?"
"Granny Aga is Harima's extremely famous Onmyouji, rumour has it that she's more than a hundred years old, but in reality nobody knows her real age."
Shikanosuke said, "Are we asking her to replace Hanbei-sama to command the battle?"
"Goemon and the rest have already been sent to Yamato to steal the Ranjatai, now besides Yamanaka Shikanosuke who will command the feint unit as well as Sagara Yoshiharu who will command the Kanbei rescue team, there are no other plans." "I have to be a ninja this time?"
"Being the core warrior for an assault is my forte, but complex commanding is a bit..."
"Therefore we need to ask Granny Aga for help, many Onmyouji(s) had served as military advisors, and Granny Aga is the strongest among them."
Zenki smiled as he said an incantation towards the shrine.
Creak
The shrine doors crashed opened.
"Could that Granny Aga be in this shrine?"
"That's correct, she's a bit of a strange one"
"This shrine is really strange, could that ladder lead deep underground"
"Apparently, Granny Aga lives underground"
"This could not possibly lead to the underworld could it?"
"You want to give up Sagara Yoshiharu?"
"Of course I'll go down!"
"I will also go my lord"
"Shikanosuke-chan, that ‘My Lord’ makes me feel uneasy."
"That's because my lord is my lord. Also, my lord you shouldn’t be calling me with the '-chan' honorific anymore, I'm not a small kid so please call me by name and address me properly."
"Understood"
"Heh heh, when did the relationship between the two of you become so good to start talking with your fists?"
"I'm not a man Zenki, but a Bishoujo in her prime"
With Zenki in the lead, they walked in a line deeper into the underground.
Upon reaching there, a great deal of large glass tubes, globes, various boxes with frogs and mice reared inside, countless books as well as a steaming cauldron were in sight inside the dark room.
The old granny stood in front of the cauldron and stirred the unknown concoction filled inside it.
"Oh my! What special visitors, I never would have thought you'd come to this Harima's rural countryside.” She spoke after noticing Zenki's presence.
From sight alone it was impossible to determine her age, One hundred years? Two hundred years? No, maybe longer,
She wore a tattered haori and was focused on stirring whatever it was she was cooking with her spoon.
The Yoshiharu who was looking at her subconsciously thought 'This is no Onmyouji, she's obviously a witch!'
"You look so hale Granny Aga"
It seems like Zenki and this Granny Aga were very intimate,
"Hee hee hee, you turned into a shikigami? My ancestors suffered major losses at the hands of the shikigami you created."
"It's nothing, it's my just desserts, I'm now repaying the debts that I had owed"
"What are they saying my lord?" Shikanosuke whispered into Yoshiharu's ear, but of course Yoshiharu also did not know,
"Hee hee hee, the me who relied on you to do business could not carry on, furthermore, a good portion of my shikigami could not be summoned anymore, so I could only sell some books regarding Harima to make up my loss."
While speaking, Granny Aga used a thin finger and pointed at the large number of books in a corner.
"Hee hee hee, those are all my writings to kill time"
"And the one who has read finished all of these is only my unworthy disciple Kanbei." Granny Aga put heavy emphasis of the phrase 'unworthy'.
"I travelled Harima, and recorded the geographical features, customs, history and unbelievable legends, even though it's not a surprising thing, but it has many uses on a battlefield, therefore those Clans who are intent on maintaining their hegemony are willing to offer high prices to buy them, hee hee hee"
"What I recommend is the book that recorded the supernatural incidents in Harima 'Wandering Testament of Banshu', if you purchase it now I can give you a 30% discount." Granny Aga grinned and added.
Her mouth does not have any teeth anymore,
Wawa, Yoshiharu involuntary gasped, Shikanosuke who was by his side also trembled slightly.
Only Zenki remained unfazed and said,
"Ara~ The age of Onmyoujis and spirits is going to end soon, the strange incidents happening in Harima have also reduced no?"
"Hee hee hee, it underwent a great reduction, Zenki, you guys must have destroyed the dragon veins of the lands eh?"
"He he, That's right"
"All I need to do is continue to use these elixirs of longevity and I can still survive for another one hundred years without any problem, however, you and your master are about to die."
"Hehe, to a shikigami there's no such thing as death, it's just returning to the heavens."
"Your master should be roughly the same age as Kanbei, but her body is much more frail, to leave this world at such a young age is such a pity, hee hee hee"
"It is precisely to not let her die that we've come here."
"Oya, didn't you guys come here for the sake of helping Kanbei. If it's anything concerning that disciple of mine, then forget it. She abandoned the Onmyou Arts, and instead was keen on whatever Nanban Science."
Granny Aga worked her lips into a sneer and continued "I heard that she rushed to persuade Ukita Naoie without discussing with you guys and in the end got captured, furthermore she would be executed in a while, that child was always stubborn and impatient since young, it would seem that this habit can't be corrected even till death."
"Be it Kanbei or my master Hanbei, both of them will be saved, but the deadline is only five days away."
Upon hearing this, Granny Aga could not help but frown,
"I originally thought you weren't such a naive man, but it seems that even my eyes deceive me."
"The person who said this was not me but Sagara Yoshiharu-sama"
Granny Aga,
Sagara Yoshiharu
The two of them formally exchanged names,
"I am Sagara Yoshiharu, a general of the Oda Clan, the commander of the army against the Mori, as you know, my military strategist Kanbei is about to be executed by Ukita Naoie, please lend me your assistance, Oba-san, we're almost out of time!!"
"Call me Granny Aga, what was my former name? Oh right right, Ashiya Doukai, Harima's great Onmyouji Ashiya Doman's descendant, I think it was the sixtieth generation?"
"Sixtieth generation? You're past your prime already Oba-san"
"When you're old you have a bad memory, tee hee hee, my ancestor Ashiya Doman-sama fought against a certain clever Onmyouji playful as a fox."
"Anyway, please, lend me your strength."
"Ara ara, what should I do tee hee hee"
"The incident involving Hanbei has already been entrusted to Goemon to handle, we want to save Kanbei out from Mt Shozan!"
"Oh, if it's Mt Shozan I have very detailed knowledge of it, I even have a map"
"Oh, you're a great help!"
"As long as it's related to Harima, I know everything, however in exchange the price for this knowledge is very high, tee hee hee"
Zenki explained the plan to Granny Aga,
Shikanosuke-chan replaces the Hanbei who is currently in a coma to lead the feint unit and lure Ukita Naoie out of Mt Shozan, then directing the battle like Hanbei to cause the battle to drag on, Yoshiharu will then use this chance to replace the Goemon on her way to Todai Temple and together with Zenki infiltrate Mt Shozan to search for and rescue Kanbei,
"What a complex strategy, tee hee hee, letting this foolhardy warrior take command of the battle and this little brat to do a ninja's work, using normal ways it would take at least a decade"
"That would be too late, the minute the Mori Main Army arrives in Harima, Kanbei would be executed, and the time left is only five days, that's why we need your help."
"The me who relied on Zenki had her business destroyed, Kanbei had already abandoned the Onmyou Arts and devoted herself to Nanban Science, so I don't have a reason to help you"
"Please emphasise a little! Come on!"
"Brat, the cost of my help is really high, lately I have been having headaches over the recent disappearance of my shikigami"
"Shikigami?"
"How about this, after you die give your soul to me, tee hee hee, after your life as a human has ended become a ghost and serve me, let this be my compensation"
"Wait, how can-!" Even though Shikanosuke tried to protest but Yoshiharu immediately without any hesitation answered.
"I understand, let's go with that!"
Granny Aga after hearing it examined Yoshiharu's face,
"Hoo~, you're obviously a brat yet having such a heroic face surprisingly, you have my admiration"
Zenki gave a wry smile and said "It's a result of my master's influence"
"Alright brat, what I said just now was but a scare, due to Zenki and that little missy Takenaka Hanbei, Omyoudou will soon disappear, let this be my last job as an Onmyouji"
"Eh? Then the matter of compensation?"
"The descendant of Ashiya Doman who should be a hated enemy of Zenki joining hands together to add a final touch to the Onmyou History, isn't it fitting?"
"Eh? Eh? Just what is Zenki actually?"
"And you who without any hint of hesitation is willing to give up your own soul for my unbecoming disciple, what the hell are you guys still standing there for, hurry and start training!"
"Really? Thanks so much Oba-san!"
"My lord, we've done it!"
"Boy, I already told you to not call me ‘Oba-san’ already, don't take me for a fool, nyee hee hee"
Granny Aga eventually promised to help Yoshiharu and Shikanosuke practice to accomplish the seemingly impossible plan,
What the Shikanosuke who would lead the feint unit had to learn was definitely not the 'Ambush from all sides' tactic that was impossible to learn in a short time, but the Ashiya Clan's 'Kimon Tonkou' military tactic that was passed down their clan from generation to generation.
[2]
While Yoshiharu as the commando unit infiltrated Mt Shozan had to learn one of the ancient arts of the Onmyouji that existed till now 'Art of Invisibility' —— a technique to let oneself disappear from the sight of others.
Granny Aga told them that they could learn these techniques in three days,
"Logically, to let a novice learn this sophisticated art is near impossible, so the help of Zenki and I is definitely essential, and should suffice."
"I'm extremely grateful."
Yoshiharu at this point in time felt overflowing happiness and gratitude in his heart.
A glimmer of light could finally be seen in the darkness.
Even he himself subconsciously said "Wait for me Kanbei"
"Oi oi Sagara Yoshiharu, if you want to learn a skill completely in three days which is supposed to take a long time to learn, half-baked actions are not enough, it's still too early to relax."
"I understand Zenki! It's finally time for us Sagara Corps to begin our counterattack!"
"Yeah! I will also ambush! Sacrifice! Die on the battlefield! Striving with this kind of resolution my lord!"
"Shikanosuke-chan, those three phrases are NG words"
"I'm no longer a child, please use my name Shikanosuke to call me my lord, this is part of the etiquette of being companions, or is it that my lord actually in his heart hasn't thought of me as a comrade, Ah this is also part of the Seven sufferings and Eight pains."
Haa ha haa, Shikanosuke for some reason gasped for breath,
"Okay Okay, I understand Shikanosuke!"
"Please, call my name with a brusquer and tougher tone"
"What's wrong? Never mind, if Goemon handles it, we don't need to worry about the matter regarding Hanbei anymore, I finally can see the dawn!"
"Oh? Sagara Yoshiharu, since when did you start calling my master using her name?"
"Ara, now that you mention it since when did it start?"
"He he, my master has finally been recognised by you as a mature woman huh? It's something worth celebrating"
"Maybe it's so, I only understand that if I take Hanbei for a child it's too disrespectful."
"So my lord is saying that I'm more childish than Hanbei, when I obviously have a nice body, ah right, it has to be talking about my brain. Then obviously my lord thinks of me as childish, right my lord? Ah, is this also one of the Seven sufferings and Eight pains?"
"Don't go into wild flights of imagination! Speaking of which isn't Sunekosuri still asleep? Oi Wake up!"
Pomf, Sunekosuri extended out it's little head from Yoshiharu's chest.
Sunekosuri was a man made artificial spirit made by combining the efforts of Kanbei and Rikyu, it looked like a small dog which could be placed on one's palm perfectly.
"If I'm seen by the granny will I be put inside the cauldron and cooked? Tremble tremble"
"Of course not, after we reach Mt Shozan we need to rely on your nose to find Kanbei, please don't be asleep at that time."
"Don't cook Sunekosuri, don't cook Sunekosuri!"
Finally saw a ray of hope and had a renewed sense of fighting spirit, the trio of the Sagara corps,
As well as one pet...
Granny Aga put down the spoon in her hand and slowly said,
"Yareyare, I originally thought that girl who was overly smart would find this life to be a rocky one, but at least she found a good master."
"I say boy, there's one thing that has to be prearranged," Granny Aga continued "No matter what happens after this, you cannot give up on your training, or else you can never learn the 'Art of Invisibility', there's no problem right? Tee hee hee."
"Ah, bring it on! Let's immediately start training now!"
As he said that Yoshiharu forcefully beat his chest once,
Pa!
"It hurts, it hurts!"
Subconsciously exerting too much force, Yoshiharu accidentally smashed Sunekosuri flat,
"Ah Sorry!"
"Meat that has been pounded will have a more tender taste, right? Don't cook me, don't cook me!"
"About that, you don't happen to have a phobia of cauldrons right?"
Like this, the Sagara Corp's counterattack commences in three days.
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