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Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 9 - Chapter 3




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Chapter 3 : Saving Kuroda Kanbei 

At the Aga shrine, Yoshiharu and Shikanosuke are currently doing their training. 

“Cough cough cough……” 

Yoshiharu was tied upside down to a tree branch with a rope, while his head was soaked in the well, suffocating and yelling “ah…ah…ah…ah…”, he was finally pulled up after he struggled and turned voiceless. 

“Ha…ha…ha…ha…ha…ha…” 

Just after a breath, he was thrown back to the well again. 

Such reckless training was going on and on.. 

“Cough... What is the meaning for such a training…?” 

Being hanged upside down and drank tons of waters, Yoshiharu, whose stomach had already become a water tank, protested while holding his lifeline, Zenki. 

“Enough talk. This training is to let your presense disappear in the face of enemies, an art of invisibility. This is a necessary training.” 

“I could only imagine this as a type of swimming skill.” 

“The one who will cast the invisibility spell will be I who will be going with you. All you need is to learn the spiritual state of nothingness.” 

“Spiritual state of nothingness….cough.” 

“Regardless of what kind of pain, until the level where one can’t even feel the difficulties of breathing, it's to this extent that you can't be disrupted by the surrounding, and becoming one with heaven and earth.” 

“……I understand theoretically…… But won’t I die before reaching this limit?” 

“Only by reaching this limit alive can you erase your presense from the enemies after I had cast the art of invisibility. If you die then you can’t save Kanbei. That’s it.” 

“…… Wait…… My current situation….. I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere? Ah! That’s right! Kanbei’s tarot cards!” 

While being hanged, Yoshiharu shouted and gusted water from his mouth. 

“?Hanged Man?! Your tarot’s divination was correct Kanbei! Alright! Let’s settle this in a go!” 

“Hoho, you suddenly became so motivated.” 

“Wait for me, Kanbeiiiiii!” 

Next to Yoshiharu, Shikanosuke is also starting training at Aga shrine. 

Taking off her shirt and only using both hands to barely clutch her breasts, Shikanosuke was doing a Kekkafuza on the side of the sacred tree. 

[3] 

In addition, Shikanosuke is also blindfolded with a cloth. 

Granny Aga hang herself on a tree branch with a hemp rope while rotating above Shikanosuke, while occasionally making a “Hey!” sound, using a keisaku to hit Shikanosuke’s snow white skin hardly. 

“… Ah! That hurts…” 

The blindfolded Shikanosuke doesn’t know when she will be hit again and at which place, so she will need to endure the pain of the whole body trembling again and again. 

“Ha… Ha… Ha… What a suffering of Dukkha. Hit me more. More!” 

“Hey, hey, hey. The skin already became red, but her motivation seems to be increasing still. What a girl.” 

“Hahaha…… The whole body was beaten into bright red. Ah, this is Dukkha.” 

“The stratagem tactic of Qi Men Dun Jia is to sense an enemy attack by their movement. 

Without using your eyes, using only sense to feel the movement of keisaku, you will pass if you can do it. Hehehe.” 

Dong! 

Ah! That is my br-breast….. Don’t thrust in there. It hurts! 

“Oh ho. The hand that clutches the breast has loosened. Hehehe, although Zenki doesn’t look over here, but the kid could see everything clearly.” 

“Iyaaaaaa~!! My lord, please stop looking!” 

“S-Sorry! Your breast is b-bigger than I imagined!” 

“Please don’t explain it!” 

“It’s bad. You are getting so far away from the spiritual state of nothingness.” 

Zenki loosen the rope in his hand. Yoshiharu’s head drop into the well. 

“Cough cough cough……” 

“Eh, my lord? Did you just sink into the well?” 

“A brat that could not resist looking at naked girls, this is youth, hehehe.” 

“Ha… Ha… My lord actually saw Shikanosuke in such an embarrassing state, this is Dukkha.” 

“Next strike!” 

“Ah? Your mind has captured the movement of keisaku!” 

WHACK! 

“Ouch! Shikanosuke is such a bad child, so I was being punished like this. Ha…” 

“Hey! You should be dodging the keisaku. Why did you go hit the keisaku on your own?” 

“…… Cough cough! Hey! I finally got out from the well, why am I still seeing Shikanosuke naked? At least let her wear her shirt!” 

“Sob…… I sense my lord is troubled... This is Dukkha" 

After several training sessions, Yoshiharu and Shikanosuke were totally exhausted, so they decided to take a rest. 

However, it was only a short time. 

Wearing their shirt while panting heavily and, the both of them climbed up to a big tree trunk by supporting each other. 

“…… Cough cough. It is already evening, can we really be able to catch up? Tomorrow is the day of war, but we’re still unable to reach the spiritual state of nothingness.” 

“I can already feel that my lord is troubled.” 

“Ha... The matter of rescuing Hanbei and Kanbei is so urgent, yet my mind is still being distracted by a girl. How I wish a hammer can appear and hit my head fiercely.” 

“My lord wants to challenge the Dukkha too? If you don’t mind, I have a Japanese sword with me!” 

“Do you want to kill me?!” 

Suddenly, a shadow appears in front of Yoshiharu. 

“My lord! Big trouble!” 

The identity of the shadow wasn’t Goemon, the one he’s expecting, but the deputy minister of Kawanamishuu, Maeno Nanigashi. 

And he was injured all over his body. 

Yoshiharu guessed that something unexpected must have occurred at Yamato. “What happened?” 

“Matsunaga Hisahide of Yamato has revolted!” 

“What did you say?” 

“This is the second time! Worst of all, her main camp is located at the Tamonyama Castle in front of Todai Temple’s Shosoin. The Armed priests and the Matsunaga army started a war there, we can’t get close to Shosoin at all!” 

“G-Goemon is there right? Goemon somehow should have a way to solve this right?” 

Maeno Nanigashi who was kneeling on the ground, roared while tears were dropping from his eyes. 

“… Boss was… Boss was… Boss was defeated and killed.... AHHHHH!” 

That demonic woman used the skill of puppet! 

Boss was trying to stop her revolt, but has been killed! 

We wanted to follow our boss and commit mass suicide, but in order to report this matter to our lord, my brothers yelled at me to come here..... 

“It’s no good! We are already………… BOSS!!!!!” 

Maeno collapsed on the floor, and began to cry. 

Shikanosuke cried out too “How could this happen……” 

At this moment, Yoshiharu himself did not even notice that he had stood up. 

“…… Matsunaga Hisahide…… to think that you actually betrayed us again at this moment! Why? Why did you betray Nobuna? I will never forgive you!” 

“Wait kid! Where do you think you are going?” 

Granny Aga came down from the tree branch and used the keisaku to hit Yoshiharu’s shoulder. 

“To Yamato and get revenge for Goemon! Nobuna's still sleeping at Honnouji, she is still in a dangerous situation now!” 

“Idiot!” 

His forehead was hit. 

Yoshiharu didn’t sense the attack, so he couldn’t dodge it. 

His eyebrows are broken, and the blood sprays out. 

“Ouch! What are you doing?!” 

“Hehehe. Don't allow your heart to be shaken, you can’t even dodge the keisaku in front of your eyes in such a situation! Idiot!” 

“Ugh…” 

“Didn’t you promised? For three days and three nights, no matter what happened, that you will not stop training.” 

“… Ugh…” 

"You won’t be able to master the art of invisibility this way." 

“Damn…” 

Yoshiharu took a few deep breathes. 

Calm down. 

If I was plagued by my anger, all the efforts till now will be in vain. 

“Brat, are you giving up on saving Kanbei?” 

“There is no way I will give up, but due to my greediness, all the forces have been scattered… And Goemon…” 

“Idiot! What use is there for any regret now!?.” 

“Baba. First was Hanbei, and then Goemon, have I been too dependent on them?” 

“Do you think it is annoying for people that you are depending on them?” 

“…… No.... Goemon.... She.... She is my partner. Partners who have entrusted their dreams and life to each other." 

“If you are in the position, will you regret it now?” 

“Of course not.” 

“That lass called Oda Nobuna, is she the kind of person that can't surpass such a situation?” 

“...No.... Nobuna isn't that weak of a person.” 

“Hehehe. If that’s the case, I will stop here then.” 

“… Yeah.” 

Maeno roared, “In place of the young, fair skin boss, the Kawanamishuu will definitely rescue the young, crybaby and fair skin’s Hanbei! My lord, you must rescue that young, tsundere and watery skin’s Kanbei!” Saying that, he leaps to the other side of the cypress tree. 

It seems like they’ve already resolved themselves to steal the Ranjatai, even with the cost of their life. 

Towards Maeno who is showing a dead face, Granny Aga said. 

“Wait! That person called Goemon, is she really dead?” 

“That…… No…… Er……” 

“Where did the corpse go?” 

“The boss's corpse…… It disappeared somewhere…" 

“Stupid! Really stupid! If you didn’t see the corpse, then don’t decide whether she is dead!” 

“Yeah! Boss might be injured and is now looking for a place to hide?” 

“There is such a possibility too. Hehehe.” 

“Thank you so much, Baba. Ohhh! I suddenly feel much more energetic now!” 

A spilt second later, Maeno’s figure disappeared in the darkness. 

The dead face he showed just now had vanished without a trace. 

“Seriously, things like delusions and imagination, they are useful at a time like this. Those who are in the battlefield, still need an imagination called dream.” 

“That is hope.” 

“With this, the man won’t start seeking death. Hehehe.” 

“Then all you said just now was a lie?” 

“Shikanosuke, there's only a tiny difference between lies and truth, and there is no way humans like us can figure that out. What’s more, we are at Harima. Incidents happening in Yamato, how can someone like me without any clairvoyance know about them?” 

Yoshiharu lowered his head and muttered “Spiritual state of nothingness, I think I understand it bit.” “The phrase that Nobuna always sing?Dreams are like delusions?, I finally can understand. I finally know what she’s praying when she’s singing the Atsumori.” 

“Brat, what will you do? Go to Yamato or continue to stay at Harima?” 

Yoshiharu endured it, the impulse to go to Yamato to confirm the status of Goemon, and to rescue Nobuna who had collapsed from Hisahide's army. 

Yoshiharu decided to take all the fruits and put it in the bag named "Sagara Yoshiharu". 

Believe in the companions that hold the same dreams, overcoming the trials in front of them. This is the meaning of taking in all the fruits. 

Believe in Goemon, believe in Nobuna. 

Everything is not over yet. 

The Incident at Honnouji has not been confirmed yet. 

The Oda clan’s retainers were scattered all over, the conditions of occurrence have seemingly been all fulfilled. 

But the fated retainer, Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide has not betrayed Nobuna yet. 

The Matsunaga army did not charge into Kyoto but fighting with the armed monks at Nara. 

In this case, there is still time for Nobuna to react.. 

Even if Nobuna’s army is small, but there is still time. 

If it’s Nobuna, she still has the determination of breaking through the impossible. 

With this, we can definitely overcome all the difficulties. 

So I want to defeat the enemy right in front of me too, with everything I have! 

To endure, Yoshiharu cross his arms, with his nails digging deep into his skin, to the extent that blood can be seen flowing out. 

“I'm staying at Harima! I must learn the art of invisibility before dawn!” 

“My lord, I will try my best too!” 

“Yeah. Everything will be decided tomorrow, Shikanosuke. Our friends are scattered all over. Now, the only ones who can rescue Kanbei is us.” 

“Yes!” 

“Hehehe.” Granny Aga laughed with happiness. 

“The main army of the Mori clan is going to reach Harima in no time. Tomorrow is the only opportunity, can I really master the art of invisibility by tonight to rescue Kanbei?” 

“Certainly. And I believe in Goemon. Shinobis have the ability to fake their death to escape. I had once been saved by Hanzo when he faked my death... So…” 

I'm out of words... 

It might just be a dream. 

Perhaps it’s a delusion of hope instead. But... 

This is not a dream that I should be having by myself. So. 

“I believe that Goemon is still alive!” 

Next morning. 

In the west coast of Yumesakigara full of mist, the Sagara corps led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke appeared. 

Shikanosuke took the lead and crossed the river. 

“All forces! Forget about Mt.Shosan! Our target is to recapture the Kozuki Castle in West Harima !" 

Wearing her Crescent Kazuno helmet, Yamanaka Shikanosuke had resolved to forsake her life here. 

But this resolve isn’t made from her desire to die. 

This is the task force that will become the bait to lure out Ukita Naoie. 

Trying her best to hold on the time to rescue Kuroda Kanbei, that’s the determination of her resolve. 

“If we successfully recaptured Kozuki Castle before the Mori army enters Harima, Ukita Naoie at Mt. Shozan will thus be cut off from his retreat path and be isolated. After that, we will defend Kozuki Castle and cut off both armies. So pace up!” 

Shikanosuke leads the veterans of Amago's Ten Heroes, the veterans of Kanegasaki who joined Sagara corps, and though the numbers are small, the warriors of the Kuroda clan who have the mindset of “Rescue our princess” had also joined the force. 

Kuroda family retainers’ force, not more than hundred men, that joined to siege Miki castle, was deeply touched by Shikanosuke who is willing to rescue Kanbei to challenge Ukita Naoie. They sent a team of elites to take part in the battle. 

However, if Shikanosuke can't apply the techniques of Qi Men Dun Jia along with Granny Aga, it is still possible for them to be utterly defeated by Naoie who have a number advantage. 

“Hehehe. A tactic formed at the last minute , will it succeed?” 

Granny Aga that assists Shikanosuke was riding a cow and advancing lesiurely. “Won’t riding a cow be a problem?” 

“The essence of my tactic is to watch the armies moving back and forth rapidly, but in actual fact , my army is stationary.” 

The demonic star at the sky is shining. 

Is that the star of Matsunaga Hisahide, the star of betrayal that is feared by the soldiers? 

Shikanosuke is praying ,even though they couldn’t see the moon above their heads anymore, she is still praying. 

“This is not for me, it is for my master, for Kuroda Kanbei-dono, please bless me with the Dukkha!” 

Hearing what Shikanosuke said, the confusion of the armies disappears in an instant. 

“Everyone, we must emerge victorious in this battle full of hardships. We will never give up!” 

“Oh!” the armies cried. 

“Breakthrough Mt.Shozan from the front, proceeding by pretending to retreat but advance in reality, pretending to advance but retreat in reality! Let’s go!” 

“Zenki, Shikanosuke had started to move.” 

“Certainly. Ukita Naoie is an intelligent person, he will soon notice that it was a decoy. Let’s go now.” 

Sagara Yoshiharu, who was holding the map from Aga shrine’s granny, started to move deep into Mt. Shozan. 

There was only Yoshiharu and Zenki the both of them. 

Although they had encountered Ukita army’s scouts many times, with the art of invisibility, they were able to pass through with their lives intact. 

Hiding while climbing the steep mountain road, climbing while hiding again. There is no time to rest up. 

“Zenki, the scouts, they're here again!” 

“Calm your mind down. Chant the mantra.” 

While hiding in the bushes, Yoshiharu and Zenki chant the mantra together. 

The guards had almost ran right to the front of Yoshiharu. 

“Was that my imagination?” 

“It seems like there is no one there.” 

Shaking their heads, the guards went back the way they came from. 

After the presence of the guards disappeared, Yoshiharu and Zenki resumed climbing. 

“But it’s really strange. Why didn't the guards see me?” 

“No. just that you are thinking that you are hidden, that's all.” 

“I think?” 

“Your belief will infect their minds. Of course, I am the one who started the infection.” 

“Is this an illusion? It’s more like hypnosis.” 

“Although I’m much weaker now, I still have this degree of power.” 

The sight suddenly became clear, the rugged mountain road appeared in front. 

While having a birds-eye view of Himeji Castle, Yoshiharu opened the map that he got from Granny Aga. 

“There are a total of five possible places that have an underground prison. Kanbei should be moved out from the prison that Goemon discovered, there should be only four possible places left.” Yoshiharu muttered. 

Far away, the sound of screams and collision of weapons can be heard. 

War had been ignited on the foothill. 

Obviously, Ukita Naoie has sent the main bulk of his force into the battlefield. In order to capture Shikanosuke, even the number of scouts had decreased significantly. 

“We don't have time to search them one by one. Zenki, we’ll split up.” 

“No. The art of invisibility can’t be done without me. You will be found if we split up.” 

“Then you could call out Sunekosuri to trace the smell of Kanbei. Hey, get up! It’s your show time!” 

“Nyun…. I can't get up in the morning….?” 

It seems that Sunekosuri that was possessing Yoshiharu still wants to sleep. It doesn’t want to come out at all. 

“Too lazy! This concerns the life of your master!” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, quiet down.” 

“Oh, yeah.” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, let’s head for the next location first. My power is weakening while we’re talking.” 

“The effect of talisman started to wear off?” 

“Correct. And of course, I will disappear too if my master dies.” 

“If you disappear now……” 

“It will be the end then. I will go back to heaven.” 

Zenki seems to rarely talk about itself. 

Although it’s a Shikigami, apart from exposing its fox appearance occasionally, there's nothing different from a human. 

And it’s this Zenki, who had started to tell little by little when climbing the mountain. 

“Before being summoned as a Shikigami by master, I was in a deep slumber, Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“Deep slumber?” 

“Away from all human contact, taking a short break. There was a time that I had once lived as a normal human being.” 

“As a human? Then you and Granny Aga are an old acquaintance long ago?” 

“It's just that I had some bad blood with the ancestors of Granny Aga.” 

“Ancestors? The Onmyouji of Ashiya Douman or something like that? Seems like a really old story.” 

“After all, Granny Aga is Doman’s sixtieth generation.” 

Zenki looked up at the endless sky above him. 

“Before I went to slumber, I decided to not be bothered about the human world. Tangible objects will break one day. Even if you want to protect something, there is no reason to do so till the end. If you protect it, you will only impede the would be change and growth of that person. This is not only applying to people, but to a country as well.” 

“Don’t talk about something so complicated. I don't understand it.” 

Zenki is trying to express something, but Yoshiharu can’t take it in. 

He is just not the kind of man who will talk about old stories at times like this. 

“When I was first summoned as Shikigami by my master, to her who had woken me up arbitrarily and commanded me, I revealed the evil side of myself.” 

“That should be before Hanbei met Nobuna and me right? What did Hanbei want to do before she summoned you?” 

“She told me that she wants to become a military strategist to train the ruler of men, and ending the chaotic era. The more interesting thing is she wants to change this human world into a world that’s filled with empathy, wipe the country of all resentment and grudge and let the world of darkness come to an end. That’s why, she need my power.” 

“In term of modern language, it is to end the Middle Ages.” 

“It means Onmyoudou will be totally useless. I thought she was a strange Onmyouji then.” 

“And so you became a Shikigami of Hanbei?” 

“No, Master's body was already sickly by then, cutting off the dragon veins means shortening her own life. I feel that her weak body and delicate mind won’t allow her to chase her ambition. So I told her to just be thankful that she is still alive, live peacefully for the rest of her life and to abandon her ambition and leave it alone. I told her the truth.” 

Zenki’s voice stops suddenly. 

“So, Hanbei……” 

“She didn’t even shed a tear, like she had seen through everything in a short moment, she muttered to herself, only revealing a very troubled smile. Master knew she didn't have much time left, and due to her introvert character, she knows that it will be very hard for her to find a lord she can serve. And so, she summoned a dangerous Shikigami like me, it must be Master’s last gamble.” 

“……Is that so?” 

“When master was going to give up, when even her own aspirations and ideals has almost been forgotten and when she live a peaceful life, she was forced to serve Mino’s Saito Yoshitatsu in order to repay Ando Mamoru Iga who brought her up. But……” 

“But……?” 

“But Master met a person whom she can entrust her ambition, and that person is you, Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“……” 

“Master said you are unafraid of death and continues to forge ahead, it was much more meaningful than being alive but unable to do anything. Compared to that determined expression she had on and the time I first met her, she seem to have totally changed to a different person. 

“Hanbei made such a big gamble on me……” 

“At that moment, I seem to finally remember the feelings I had as a human being but long forgotten.” 

“……” 

“You are the necessary man needed for Oda Nobuna to open up a new era. The princess of the Oda Clan needs you too. After I overheard the conversation at Honnouji, I am very certain of this too.” 

“Is that so……” 

Zenki’s faint smile suddenly disappears. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, I am telling you this before it is too late. If we both fall into the jaws of death, you must immediately abandon me to make sure you survive .” 

“What? I can’t do such a thing.” 

“You must. I will disappear sooner or later, but this country’s future needs you. You must understand the meaning of my master gambling her life on you, Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“… Hanbei…… Huh…” 

Sunekosuri suddenly show her head from the back of Yoshiharu. 

“Sob sob, this is really a touching story.” 

“Sunekosuri, you should tell me that you are awake!” 

“Uhh.... Uhh...…… I'm Crying, the whole Japan is crying, nuuu.” 

“Cut the crap out and start to work. My pocket isn't a warmer.” 

“I wanna rest somemore, nuuu.” 

“Start working! If not, I am going to put a stick through your ass and BBQ you at the fire.” 

“Buru buruburu. Ah! Found the smell of Kanbei?” 

“Really?” 

“Really, nuuu!” 

The direction that Sunekosuri pointed is a steep rolling downhill. 

The view is bad as the trees grow thick on both side of the road. 

“Zenki, although it looks dangerous, according to the map, it should have three possible places at that direction.” 

“Then let’s go.” 

“Yeah.” 

“If we're right, the guards will increase. Once then, we will be using the art of invisibility to erase our presence.” 

“Invisibility while moving?” 

“I will help you, let’s go.” 

Yoshiharu chanted the mantra and moved down the hill. 

They encountered several guards during their way. 

(I’m not here, I’m not here, I am just an illusion) 

Because he chants the mantra strongly, and with the help of Zenki, they went through all the guards one by one. 

There is still plenty of power left for Zenki, but Yoshiharu was nearly at his limit. 

Once his heart becomes shaken, the spell will be broken. 

Do not be impatient, do not be angry, don’t be anxious. 

I must concentrate to retain the spiritual state of nothingness, otherwise the spell will be broken. 

After passing through a corner, 

Yoshiharu muttered “we’ve gone through half, we're almost there.” And while he’s moving forward. 

Bang! 

A bullet flew right at the head of Yoshiharu. 

“Although I can't see them, there is someone there!” 

It is Ukita Naoie. 

The one who was supposed to be at the battlefield, Ukita Naoie. 

It is shot from another side of the corner, a total blind spot that Yoshiharu, with his guard down couldn’t dodge it. 

Yoshiharu was shocked by the instinct and sense of smell of Ukita Naoie, who shot on something that he couldn’t see. 

Just a bit more...... 

It might be because of his state of mind now, with his heart shaken, he might had not totally erase his presence. 

No matter what – 

“I will not be fooled by this degree of bait, the one who is battling Shikanosuke on the battlefield is my substitute!” 

Facing Ukita Naoie who had ambushed them, there is no way that ordinary people like Yoshiharu can avoid it. 

No matter how good he is at dodge ball, there is no way that it’s faster than a bullet. What’s more, it’s a snipe from a total blind spot. 

Are we going to fail already? 

Is it impossible to achieve the dream of putting all the fruits in a bag. 

Am I going to die here with the ambition inherited from Hanbei? 

However... 

“Sagara Yoshiharu! Go!” 

There is a person that moves faster than bullet exists. 

It is Zenki. 

Zenki move in a wind-like speed and stand in front of Yoshiharu, and the bullet hit its right shoulder. 

Zenki broke the art of invisibility and shown itself. 

“Zen…… Zenki! You……” 

“You’re still not yet been seen by people. Go now! Run to where Kanbei is! Rescue Kanbei!” 

“Didn’t you told me that you are afraid of Tanegashima’s bullets…… Won't you disappear?” 

“Quit nagging if you are a man!” 

“If you disappear now, you can't come back anymore!” 

“Shut up and go!” 

The eyes of Zenki told Yoshiharu that this is the final farewell. 

“… Ohhhh!” 

Yoshiharu charges forward. 

Towards Ukita Naoie and hitting him with his head. 

“Wah!” 

This is the invisible Yoshiharu’s header. 

Ukita Naoie fell down head-first, letting go of his handgun that he was holding. 

At the same time, the art of invisibility that had covered Yoshiharu broke. 

Looking at Yoshiharu who had suddenly came out of nowhere and riding on his body, Ukita Naoie shouted out in surprise “You……! Where did you come from!” 

“You idiot! Why are you still here! Go and rescue Kanbei now!” 

The right arm of Zenki had already disappeared. 

“Shut up! I will beat this guy up first before rescuing Kanbei together, Zenki.” 

“How stupid can you be?!” 

“Ah, I am just this stupid, okay!” 

“Now that Omyoudou is slowly vanishing, I will disappear no matter what!” 

“Yet you haven’t disappeared now! Aren’t you still alive?!” 

“You are really……” 

Yoshiharu continued raining a barrage of punches on Naoie’s face. 

But his punches didn’t hit. 

Yoshiharu was kicked at the stomach, and he was pushed away. His waist heavily hit the tree trunk on his side. It’s so painful that he can’t stand. 

Ukita Naoie was roaring and standing up. 

“Wanna win against me bare-handed! You are too naive, kid!” 

“Cough, cough……” 

The cornered Ukita Naoie is like a wounded lion. 

With a resolve to fight until the end, he powerfully kicked on Yoshiharu’s face, which have fallen to the ground. 

In the nick of time, Zenki used its only hand to pull Yoshiharu's body up. 

“Cough, cough…… I thought I would be able to win without firearms…… Didn’t expect him to be this good bare-handed……” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, run!” 

“My gun, where is my gun damn it!” 

Zenki and Yoshiharu rushed down the hill. 

Ukita Naoie who lost his handgun didn’t chase them and the distance between two of them and Ukita Naoie became farther. 

But their destination is obvious, the underground prison that confined Kuroda Kanbei. 

“I won’t let you escape!” Ukita Naoie finally found his gun. 

Bang! Bang! 

Their backs are aimed and opened fire. 

Yoshiharu's whole body can feel the killing intent of the bullet. 

All of his hair stood up. 

They're almost reaching the underground prison that held Kanbei. 

It is just a little more…… 

“Seems like this is the end, Sagara Yoshiharu, farewell.” 

All of the sudden, Zenki threw Yoshiharu's body towards the front and kicked him. 

Looking back, he had started a confrontation with Ukita Naoie who had cut off the branches with a sword while chasing them. 

Zenki’s chest was shot by two bullets. 

“.......Uhh……” 

Shikigamis are very afraid of bullets. 

They are more vulnerable to bullets than humans. 

Zenki’s chest starts to melt. 

“You deserve it! One person down. Sagara Yoshiharu, you are going to die here too!” 

Saying that, Ukita Naoie was however blocked by an invisible wall. 

Zenki released all of its remaining energy. 

Wanting to settle things once and for all…… 

“Ukita Naoie, I won’t let you kill this man. You will have to kill me if you want to advance.” Its body starts to crumble like sand. 

Even so, Zenki still moves forward. 

Using all of its power on every step to move towards Ukita Naoie, whose expression was distorted by terror as he was shouting “You… You monster!”. 

The distance between Yoshiharu start to become bigger. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. The confused Ukita Naoie won’t have a way to deal with you now. Leave him to me. Don’t think about other things, just hurry up and rescue Kuroda Kanbei!” 

“…… Zenki…… Are you really intending to disappear here……!” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, you really are a total idiot. I can’t believe that I will be moved by a foolish man like you……” 

“Wait! Wait……” 

“I can’t believe that I could still cry. I thank you from my heart.” 

“No! Don’t disappear!” 

“I said already, stop your nonsense! Grow up! This is a parting with a friend! Endure it!” 

Zenki’s words changed Yoshiharu’s expression instantly. 

“You're willing to recognize me as a friend..... Zenki.” 

“This is really an annoying topic. Don’t tell anyone. Farewell, my friend.” 

“……!” 

Yoshiharu clenched his teeth, turned around and started to run. 

He ran to the underground dungeon that imprisons Kuroda Kanbei, alone. 

He doesn’t want to let Zenki saw his tears so he didn’t let out any voice. 

If I let out any voice, Zenki will know that I am crying. 

He will definitely scold me that for not growing up yet. 

So, I ran without letting out any voice. 

With a devil-like expression, Ukita Naoie uses the bullet to blast away Zenki’s presence, while approaching Zenki and shouted “How can I let you get away!” 

Using this weapon from Nanban, they are able to disperse this country’s magical power which had existed since ancient time. 

“The Onmyouji era had already ended. Now the people are creating a new era, with me…… That’s good.” 

Zenki closes its eyes. 

The only regret he has is he’s unable to defeat the spirit that appeared at Kyoto. 

But that ghost will soon be sent back into the darkness by the leaders of this new era, such as Oda Nobuna. 

And that will not be far away. 

Finally, the time is about to change. 

The chaotic country which had stagnated for a century is about to be reborn. 

The people who used the spiritual powers of the fox deity, called it Onmyoudou and trapped this country for years... 

The people who had protected the country but due to their overwhelming strength, had also delayed it's progress... 

With the ancestor of the Tsuchimikado clan returning back to heaven.... 

I had never expected that the final moments turned out to be a longing filled with hope…… I really hate to part with this world, Zenki thought. 

“Sagara Yoshiharu. Bring my master into the new world.” 

A sound of a gun fire can be heard from Mt. Shosan’s mountainside. 

“Argh……” 

Yoshiharu didn’t look back. 

Running at a narrow downhill road that appears on the bamboo forest. 

I had promised to keep all the fruits to myself..... I did promised... 

But, my strength isn't enough. 

Yoshiharu didn’t stop. 

I can’t let Zenki’s sacrifice be in vain. 

The moment to be sad can be leave till after I save Kanbei and leave Mt Shozan. 

Only a small distance left between Kanbei. 

“Sunekosuri, is this path correct? Is there the scent of Kanbei?” 

Sunekosuri’s head came out from his bosom. 

Both its ears and eyes are drooping. 

“It is correct ~nuu……” 

“Hey, come on, you are going to meet your master, cheer up!” 

“Zenki already returned to heaven yet Yoshiharu still have this spirit ~nuu……” 

“Of course! It is not the time to depressed!” 

“Ah. Why is it raining on a sunny day, and it’s a storm ~nuu." 

“It... It's a sun shower! A fox must be getting married somewhere." 

[4] 

“…… What, it turn out be monkey’s tears.” 

“Shut up!” Yoshiharu shouted. 

“And there's snot too!” 

“Wait, don’t incite me anymore! …… Ah?” 

At the end of the bamboo forest was a never seen before scenery. 

“How could…… the road split into three?” 

“...nuu.” 

“The map that Granny Aga gave me shows only one direct road to the dungeon!” 

There’s no time to hesitate, but they must choose the correct way before moving off. 

“W…… Wh…… What now-nuuu!” 

“Sunekosuri, which road has Kanbei's scent? You should know that.” 

“Let me smell…… Ah, I found it!” 

“Where!?” 

“All three roads have the smell of Kanbei.” 

“What! Now is not the time to joke around! Or else I'm roasting you!” 

“Don’t roast me! It's true- nuu.” 

“So, this is a trap that Ukita Naoie planned, huh?” 

A death trap might await if the wrong path is chosen. 

Even if there isn't any trap, I could still be lost in the mountain. 

I can't use the art of invisibility without Zenki. 

“Which one is the correct path, Kanbei? Where the hell are you Kanbei!?” 


A cold voice suddenly rang out by Yoshiharu's ears. 

“...That bad habit of you can’t be corrected, calm your mind down.” 

“Zenki?” 

“Turn to the right path, there will be someone waiting for you by the pond.” 

This somehow ironic voice is without a doubt, Zenki voice. 

This is not any illusion, till the very end, you are still leading me. 

Then there is nothing to hesitate anymore. 

“To the right side!” 

Yoshiharu runs toward the right path with full speed. 

He rushes through the bamboo path. 

The vision suddenly becomes wide, leaving the bamboo forest, there was a pond. 

Two girls are waiting for Yoshiharu. 

One of them is wearing a bright colored kosode, a little Japanese girl. 

Another one of them have a pair of azure eyes, previously acting as Ukita Naoie’s messenger and visited Yoshiharu, a well-mannered princess knight. 

Both of them have horses by their side. 

“You guys are?!” 

“Nice to meet you, Sagara Yoshiharu-sama. I am Ukita Naoie’s daughter, Ukita Hideie.” 

“I am Hideie-sama’s aide, Konishi Yakurou from Sakai. This is the second time we meet.” 

“Yakurou, Yakurou, when Otou-sama saw through Sagara Corp’s feint and suddenly wanted to increase the road, I was really worrying about it. 

“Because I did put a candy at the right side of the road as a mark.” 

“Yeah, as expected of Yakurou, you are really intelligent, hehe.” 

Yoshiharu stopped and shook his hand. 

“No nono, I didn’t see any candy at all.” 

“Wh… What did you say? Where is the candy I put?” 

“Most likely eaten by a bird?” 

“Ah! That’s bad!” 

“Then… How did Yoshiharu-sama knew which one is the correct path?” 

“I don’t want another fox's wedding again, so please, it’s better if you don’t ask……” 

Hideie and Yakurou look at each other with an unbelievable expression. 

“Why are you guys here?” 

“You are coming here to rescue Kanbei-sama, right? This is the key of the underground prison.” 

Hideie took out a golden key from her breast and put it on Yoshiharu’s hand. 

“Ukita Naoie is still chasing me from the back, I will tell you the reason on the way to the underground jail that imprisoned Kanbei. 

Yoshiharu jump up to the horse, shouted “I'm relying on you" and moved off. 

Yakurou rode on another horse, while Hideie cling to her tightly. 

“We had heard about Yoshiharu-sama from Kanbei-sama, she said that you are a kind-hearted person that hate killing.” 

“We master and servant are both Christians and are friends with Simon-sama.” 

“Yoshiharu-sama, I want you to rescue Kanbei-sama and with it, rescue my father as a result too.” 

“Ukita Naoie? It's hard for me to say it out, but I really want to……” 

“We don’t need you to believe, but Otou-sama has a human heart too.” 

Hideie’s little hands are holding a silver cross while tears are coming out from her eyes. 

She appears to be a kind-hearted innocent girl. 

It’s hard to imagine she is that Ukita Naoie’s child. 

But, it is true that the face of hers and the big eyes has some resemblance with Naoie. 

“Although Otou-sama was known to be infinitely wicked, the people he killed are only limited to men. And to women, even after he had finished using them, he will not finish them off. As for children, he will never hurt them at all. He has this side of him that nobody knows……” 

“But now, he imprisons Kanbei and wants to execute her.” 

“This is because if he didn’t catch Shikanosuke before Mori armies’ arrival, then he will need to give away Bizen and Mimasaka.” 

“To let me inherit Bizen and Mimasaka’s 500K yield of land which Otou-sama spend his life to acquire, he was going to lose his last remaining humanity……” 

“If he breaks even the taboo of not killing any women, my lord will really become a total demon.” 

“Many times, Hideie tried to force him by threatening suicide, but a Christian is prohibited from committing suicide… Sob sob……” 

Behind Ukita Naoie’s countless sins, pain was felt deep in her daughter Hideie's heart. 

Can't the act of her own daughter joining Christianity stop Naoie? 

No, someone who was able to raise such a good, innocent daughter, is definitely not a demon, Ukita Naoie must be a good father. 

Hey, Sagara Yoshiharu, you must not be controlled by anger and turned into a demon too. Zenki whispered by his ears. 

Cut off all the cycle of resentment here. 

This is probably what it means by ending the era of warring states. 

Felt like it would be admonished. 

“Was Kanbei being tortured? Is she alright?” 

“Yes. Otou-sama did threaten her several times but didn’t torture her. Though the movement of her body was limited, but other than that she is safe.” 

“Her muscles might have atrophied, she should be alright after a hot spring bath.” 

“Really…?” 

Looks like I haven't lose yet, Yoshiharu thought. 

If Kanbei had been tortured and her whole body filled with wounds, I will surely ignite the flame of anger and revenge and become a demon myself, but I can still retain my sanity as a human. 

Yoshiharu reached the cave entrance while looking at the sky. 

“I know, I will never let Kanbei get killed.” 

“Thank you very much……” 

“You must walk from here onward. The prison is at the end of the dungeon.” 

Jumping down from the horse, Yakurou led Hideie and Yoshiharu into the dungeon. At the cost of sacrificing Zenki, Yoshiharu had finally arrived. 

At the other side of the iron bar, Kuroda Kanbei is waiting for him. 

“Ah, how slow, Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

Although she lost some weight, but Kanbei’s smile was still the same as her normal smile. 

Yoshiharu feverishly opened the lock with the key and opened the door. 

The feelings that had been suppressed exploded. 

Sunekosuri who showed its head from Yoshiharu’s chest shouted “It’s raining heavily nyun!” But he really can’t hold back anymore. 

“Kanbeiii!” 

He has no idea what he’s talking about. 

“Don’t leave me without me knowing you idiot!” 

“…… I’m not an idiot, I’m a maiden!” 

“Shut up! It’s still too early to declare yourself as a maiden! You little brat!” 

“Is Takenaka Hanbei alright?” 

“I won’t let Hanbei die! You now should worry about your own life. Worry about Shojyumaru.” 

“Shojyumaru was safe, I believe in my companions.” 

“You……” 

Yoshiharu was crying aloud while embracing the small Kanbei with all his power. 

What’s with the world genius? 

Kanbei. You are, really stupid. An incurable idiot. Conceitedly coming to Ukita Naoie’s place, there's a limit to being nice. Making me put in so much effort and making others worry about you so much. As a strategist, please think a bit before you act. Idiot idiot idiot! 

“Yoshiharu, let go of me. It hurts.” 

“Shut up! If I let you go then you will disappear again! I won’t let you go anymore!” 

“…… I won’t go, again. I won’t disappear like that again.” 

“Then promise me!” 

“I won’t go…… I won’t leave without saying another word again.” 

“If you still act as you wish next time, I definitely won’t forgive you!” 

Sunekosuri jumped into Kanbei’s bosom. 

“This is still the comforting place after all.” 

The act of Sunekosuri hiding itself in Kanbei's bosom became a trigger. 

“Wu……” 

Embraced tightly by Yoshiharu, Kanbei began to cry loudly. 

As if all the tension was release, an unstoppable sobbing occurred. 

“Uwaaaa…… Uwaaaaa!” 

 

A non stop sob. 

What's left of the remaining moisture in her weakened body turned into tears and flowed out. 

Infected by them, Hideie and Yakurou who was standing at the side shed tears too. 

In order not to disturb the reunion of Yoshiharu and Kanbei, they stifled their sound. 

“Uwaaaaa! I’m really scared… It's really painful…… Yoshiharu… Yoshiharu!” 

“Just cry it out! A child should act like a child and cry all you want!” 

Yoshiharu’s voice was mixed with tears, and was unable to hold back his emotion. 

What was Kanbei's mentality when she came to this mountain alone? 

Why did she chose such a cruel fate even when she had drawn the?Fool?card with your tarot? 

When she heard that Nobuna had ordered me to kill her own sister from Ukita Naoie, what was Kanbei thinking at that time? How can she endure this? 

She didn’t mention a thing about her sister Shojyumaru, which means that she already treats and believes me as her companion. 

In such a musty and narrow underground prison, she still believes in me, believing that I won’t betray her. 

There are still many gentle stuff I want to say to her.... 

But too many thoughts flooded in my mind, making me unable to figure out how to express it. 

“…… You are still alive. Thank you.” 

Finally, I forced this line out with all my strength. 

Kanbei buried her face into Yoshiharu’s chest, sobbing softly. 

Hideie and Yakurou remind Yoshiharu. 

“Yoshiharu-sama, it will be troublesome if Otou-sama found this out.” 

“Go down the mountain. We will guide you through a secret passage with no scouts.” 

Yoshiharu and Kanbei are now deep inside that enemy camp alone. 

And Ukita Naoie is approaching. 

“Yeah. I will leave the showdown with Ukita Naoie after I bring Kanbei back to safety. 

The Mori army will also arrive at Harima by tomorrow or the day afterward. 

Although he was wise enough to see that Shikanosuke was acting as bait, but because of paying too much attention on this, Ukita Naoie forgot his original objective – to capture Shikanosuke. 

Without him on the battlefield, there should be no way that Shikanosuke will be captured. 

The cornered Ukita Naoie should be unable to make the right choice already. 

“Let’s go, we're leaving Mt. Shozan.” 

Yoshiharu is stroking Kanbei’s head and stood up. 

Kanbei who had been imprison in this narrow dungeon for so long, her leg muscle should already got limped and unable to move. 

It also consumes her stamina a lot. 

Maybe because she was tired due to crying, Kanbei was asleep at Yoshiharu’s shoulder. 

Yoshiharu carried Kanbei on his back and walked towards the exit. 

They mounted a horse and ready to leave. 

Hideie and Yakurou also mounted a horse and led Yoshiharu. 

“Yoshiharu-sama, someday please help Otou-sama……” 

“Ah, I'm in debt towards you, so I sure will!” 

The four people, riding their two horses were walking down the mountain at the secret passage. 

However, 

“Hideie-sama! It’s the lord! The lord had caught up!” 

“Huh?” 

“What?!” 

At the end of the passage, there is a man waiting for Yoshiharu. 

It’s Ukita Naoie. 

“You bastard! How dare you trick my daughter!” 

His eyes were filled with rage and madness. 

“Otou-sama, it’s not like this! Yoshiharu-sama……” 

“My lord, please be rational!” 

“Sagara Yoshiharu! You dare to trick my daughter, I will never forgive you!” 

He fired the gun all of a sudden. 

But it's lucky that there's still quite a distance between the two of them. 

Naoie had lose his calm, causing his accuracy to drop. 

Yoshiharu seized the rein tightly, and barely dodged the shot. 

“Hideie is my flesh and blood daughter! I spent my whole life to get Bizen and Mimasaka’s 500K yield, they all belong to Hideie! I won’t let Mori or Oda take it all away!” 

Riding a horse, the furious Ukita Naoie charged over, ready to close up the distance to give Yoshiharu a final critical hit. 

Yoshiharu didn't retreat a single step, why? 

The difference level when they're both bare-handed was so obvious. 

But I'm confident. I will never lose to this man again. 

It was from that time when I carried Kanbei at my back. 

“Ukita Naoie! You are the one who imprisoned Kanbei in the first place, right!?" “Don’t pretend to understand me, you little brat!” 

“Didn’t you have a rule that you won’t kill a girl?! Do you really plan to degrade yourself into a samurai who will kill even a girl?!” 

“If it’s for Hideie, this is nothing!” 

“Your daughter does not want you to turn into a demon because of such a thing you know!” 

“Ukita Clan’s family matters are none of your business, you little brat! What do you know about our family?!” 

“I do not know anything! Look at how old you are, don't go all chuuni with the way you're talking!” 

“If the Ukita clan isn't inherited by Hideie, my life… no, my mother’s life would be totally meaningless!” 

"Mother?" 

“My lord is totally confused because Hideie was being taken away.” Yakurou said. Then, Hideie who was clinging to Yakurou, suddenly jumped from her horse and onto Yoshiharu’s leg. 

“Otou-sama, Hideie does not wish for Otou-sama to become a demon. Allow me to be killed by Yoshiharu-sama here!” 

Hideie was serious. Even Yoshiharu understands that Hideie wasn't acting. 

Because of her pure nature, Hideie entrusted her life, which was most valued by the Ukita Clan to Yoshiharu. 

“If the fact that I Hideie disappearing is able to save Otou-sama, then……” 

“Hideie, wait! Sagara Yoshiharu! YOU BASTARD!!!” 

“Yoshiharu-sama, I am very sorry. Christians are prohibited from committing suicide. So please cut Hideie’s throat.” 

“Yoshiharu-sama! No!” 

Yakurou tried to stop Yoshiharu. 

Yoshiharu pulled out a knife slowly and quietly. 

Then he put the knife to Hideie’s pure white throat. 

“I know, Hideie. In order to remove the demon in Ukita Naoie, it seems that I have to shoulder the burden of having the demon instead.” 

“Yoshiharu-sama…… Thank you very much……” 

“This is to repay my debt to you who saved Kanbei. Farewell, Hideie.” 

“Yoshiharu-sama? What are you doing?! This is not something you can afford to do even if you are rich!” 

“Yakurou! Take my soul as compensation.” 

“Wait, Sagara Yoshiharu! I’ll give Kanbei back to you! I’ll let the both of you leave this mountain! Please stop! Please stop! Only her…… No!” 

“It’s too late, Ukita Naoie. You are the one who cornered your daughter to this point.” 

Yoshiharu made a slashing movement, and blood immediately gushed out everywhere. 

Just a little more but still unable to…… 

Unable to reach Hideie. 

Like a soul that was out its shell, Ukita Naoie's fell lifeless from the horse. 

His eyes had lost all it's radiance, and his surroundings started to blur. 

He saw the figure of his dead mother. 

“Oka-sama……” 

The Ukita Clan was serving the daimyo of Bizen. 

Naoie’s grandfather was famous due to his loyalty to his lord. 

Naoie’s father was very capable and a good strategist, his mother was also even been called as Bizen’s beauty. 

His parents’ relation were very good, the young Naoie grew up in a loving and caring surrounding that included his grandfather and parents. 

But for the Ukita Clan to be defeated, it was not a defeat by the enemy’s strength, but it was the betrayal of their colleagues that have the same lord. 

His grandfather was deceived by his colleagues and was eventually killed. 

This insidious strategy was all done just to take the seat of chief retainer. 

The lord had also abandoned the loyal Ukita Clan. 

The Ukita Clan then lost their home and scattered away. 

Fearing of being assassinated, his wandering father can only feign insanity. 

Even so his father couldn’t be saved. 

During the time of wandering, he died before rebuilding his family. 

Naoie always believed that this was the doing of those traitors that killed his grandfather and had want to exterminate his whole family. 

Having to leave his home at a young age, Naoie was treated as a taboo or a plague due to his case. 

The retainers that were willing to follow him were also few. 

Samurais that had lost their territory will be in a such pathetic state. 

Even the land to farm was also gone. 

And finally the retainers degenerated into bandits to snatch for food. 

Already deprived of the reason to return to the samurai world that’s intertwined with betrayal and conspiracies. 

Already deciding to give up on the Ukita Clan’s revival, and live a carefree life. 

If I really need to become the bad guy, it’s better to become a bandit than being starved to death. 

But seeing the falling son, Naoie’s mother decided to issue a petition to the lord, hoping to rebuild the Ukita Clan. 

The lord replied. 

“Be my concubine, and I will give Naoie some land.” 

Despicable and full of greed. 

Naoie who had even her beautiful mother taken away was furious 

The actions of his lord towards the always loyal Ukita clan infuriates him. He cursed the world of samurai and went berserk. 

With the resolve to die together with his mother, Naoie led his companions, a bunch of bandits to burst into the lord’s mansion, but without any traces of sadness, Naoie’s mother even greeted his son with a gentle smile. 

“Why, Oka-sama! Why!” 

With a gentle but beautiful smile, his mother soothed Naoie's rage. 

“It’s all for you Naoie-sama……” 

Even now, Naoie cannot forget her mother’s smile at that time. 

Knowing that he was being loved by his mother. 

So. 

“At that time, I vowed!” 

I must kill all the betrayers of Ukita Clan, the lord will also be destroyed by me! No matter how wicked the strategy may be, no matter how others insult me, I will definitely kill all of them! 

Even if I have only my last breath, I must get my mother back. 

So he killed the samurais. 

To increase the Ukita Clan’s territory, to become more powerful, he showed no mercy to those samurais. 

First, he murdered his wife's father. 

Initially, it was to celebrate for the snatched land. 

The Ukita Clan will surely revive! 

This is Mother’s long-cherished wish. 

His second wife’s father was also killed by him. 

By using various treacherous and sinister methods, he killed all his hateful enemies one by one. 

Gifting his blood-related sister away as a wife, then killing the man when he let down his guard. 

This method was repeated countless times. 

Everyone believed that “I didn't do anything wrong, so I won't be betrayed, right?.” So no matter how many companions Ukita Naoie killed, everyone still believed him. 

“The one who believes is an idiot!” Naoie laughed out loud in front of those killed companions. 

However, he spared women and children. 

Even if he wanted to, he will recalled his mother's smile during that time and become unable to do it. 

Somehow, at some moment of time, when plotting any strategies and assassination, Naoie had decided “kill all men, and only take advantage of the women.” 

(Why? Because I believe they will love me, those girls that become pawns in my strategies will say this to me while smiling.) 

“It’s all because of you Naoie-sama…” 

No matter what kind of women, even if they are bad, the expression they had while smiling and saying that is just like Bodhisattva. 

It’s the same like Mother. 

The bright smile might just be the reason of Naoie's life... 

The resentment and tragic expression on his wives and sister-in-law after Naoie betrayed them were also filled with their love to their family. 

However, after countless times of betrayal and assassination, when Naoie destroyed the lord to rescue his mother, his mother was no longer in this world. 

Just when he had committed such heinous sins and will soon have his wish fulfilled... 

The rest of Naoie’s life was just so magnificently useless. 

(Even so) 

“It’s all because of you Naoie-sama.” 

As long as women say this to me with a smiling expression, I won't be able to leave this spiral of murder and betrayal. 

(Humans are really hard to understand.) 

The more I betrayed, the more I have been called demon, the more women surrounded me. Every time when I finished using one of them, there will be more waiting. 

Smiling and saying “It’s all because of you Naoie-sama.” 

It's only then that I believe that I wasn't abandoned by Oka-sama and had always been loved. 

I can’t get out from this already. 

I can only be a wicked demon for my whole life, until the day I die. 

Until the day my daughter, Hideie was born. 

“Since I had always slept with women for my ambitions, and not having any descendant, I had always believe that Ukita Clan will end with me.” 

Yet, Hideie was born. 

“…… I didn't expect that I will have a descendant at my age, a daughter, Hideie.” 

My mother sacrificed herself for me. 

Someone evil like Ukita Naoie is okay even if he was assassinated out on the streets. Those were already been discarded along with his humanity. 

But my daughter, no, Hideie who inherited the blood of my mother, I want her to inherit the Ukita Clan. 

“I must let her inherit the Ukita Clan, those 500K yields are all hers……!” 

Ukita Naoie lays face down on the floor as he crawls to Hideie. 

“If not…… For what reason did my mother…… For what reason did she live…… And for what did she died for!” 

Naoie shouts from the bottom of his heart, with all his might. 

“The women that loved me are happy to be used by me. It must be. It must be like this!” 

Hideie lays on the ground and didn't move an inch. 

Naoie’s dizziness wouldn’t stop, he couldn't even stand up. 

He was screaming continually, not stopping even to catch his breath. 

Perhaps it was too much of a shock that he couldn't catch up the breathing. 

He was unable to move forward anymore. 

“Hideie…… Hideie…… answer me……” 

Is this retribution? 

Is this because I abandoned my only daughter? 

Is this because I brought her up too innocent? 

I kept what's left of my humanity all for Hideie. 

But now, I had drove my daughter to death. 

In the end, all I did was to betray and hurt those women who loved me? 

A thing like letting the women around me live on, can't I do that at all? 

Since my mother was taken away by the lord, I have lost my mother forever. Should I have scream out in agony then? 

“Sagara Yoshiharu, this is my defeat……” 

Sagara Yoshiharu picks up Hideie’s corpse in silence. 

His hand was covered with blood. 

Yakurou was clutching a cross, performing a Christian prayer. 

“Please! I give you my life! I hand Bizen and Mimasaka over to you!” 

“…… Is that true, Ukita Naoie?” 

“It’s true! So please, use the power of the future to resurrect Hideie…….!” 

“Fine.” 

Yoshiharu pokes Hideie’s face. 

Hideie suddenly opened her big eyes and stared at Naoie. 

“…… Otou-sama I’m sorry…… If I didn’t do this, Otou-sama won’t listen to my words, so I lied to you……” 

“Hideie?!” 

“I made a deal with Yoshiharu-sama, and we acted this out. What Yoshiharu-sama cut is his own hand.” 

“It was too deep, and it hurts like hell now! Hideie-chan, please treat my hand.” 

“Yes.” 

“For a moment I don’t know what’s happening, but it was good my lord! But do you intend to give all Bizen and Mimasaka to Yoshiharu-sama?” 

At least you should at least leave about ten percent or so, Yakurou thought in her head. 

Naoie felt like yelling at her as she is still holding a cross in her hand. 

The strength in his body was slowly recovered. 

Naoie suddenly stood up and snatched Hideie from Yoshiharu’s hand. 

“Idiot! How could I give it to him!” 

“You bastard, Hideie worked so hard to act and you didn't change at all!” 

“Give me a break! I was tricked so badly by you and you're still spouting nonsense!? If you want it, take it from me in a fair fight!” 

“You didn't fight any war, only relying on assassinations to seize new territories, who are you to say that to me!” 

“Shut up kid! Won't a war kill many of your retainers? Isn't the most efficient way to kill the enemy's boss?" 

“Besides, you know the reason why are you doing bad things and yet you can’t stop yourself? Why is that!?” 

“Hmmpf! If I change myself now, those women that has been used by me will not be happy doesn't it!” 

“Who cares about that shit! Look at all this blood pouring out from my hand, it hurts like hell!" 

“Didn't you did that to yourself?!” 

“Shut up! For starters, this is for Zenki!” 

Yoshiharu raise the arm that is not injured, and gave a roundhouse punch right at Naoie's face. 

Because Naoie was holding Hideie with both his hands, he couldn’t defend himself at all, and was hit in the face with blood spewing out from his nose. 

“You deserve it!” 

“You…… Despicable, Sagara Yoshiharu!” 

“Ukita Naoie, you cannot win against me anymore!” 

“Shut up! Sagara Yoshiharu, how dare you humiliate me! I will definitely kill you!” 

“I’m not afraid of you anymore! Even though you are the one who killed Zenki, but I will let you go because of Hideie and Yakurou!” 

“What did you say? Don’t get too cocky, you brat!” 

“Next time we will settle this on the battlefield, Ukita Naoie.” 

While carrying Kanbei on his back, Yoshiharu rode the horse and leaved the place quickly. 

Naoie wanted to aim at Yoshiharu "Damn, with Kanbei blocking, I can't shoot at all." 

He gave up on it. 

Because Hideie, who was in his arms, glared at Naoie. 

“In actual fact he could have killed Hideie. That person is Hideie’s life saver.” 

“That’s right, my lord.” 

“…… Che, can't help it then.” 

Finally, Yoshiharu escaped from Mt. Shosan by carrying Kanbei. 

Naoie can only smack his own lips, and feel that one of his teeth is broken. 

“…… I shouldn't have had a child after all.” 

“So what now, my lord? Become allies with Yoshiharu-sama?” 

“Yakurou, do some calculations. His army is limited, the winner will be decided when the Mori Army arrived, isn't it?” 

“It is still not decided, there’s still the Oda Clan.” 

“The Oda Clan? There will be no such thing as reinforcements coming.” 

“They might, not to mention that Yoshiharu-sama owes us a debt.” 

“How could there be?” 

“There is!” 

“Yakurou, the problem here is who will emerge victorious, whether if it's the Mori or Oda Clan. In the end, we will only ally with the winning side.” 

If dragged into long-term war, Oda Clan with more territories will mostly win the battle, but now Mori Clan has overwhelming advantage on numbers. Naoie muttered to himself. 

“Yakurou, next time if you let Hideie meet with that bastard again, I will kill you also!” 

“M… My… My lord. I… I… I am a girl you know?” 

“Annoying, a Sakai merchant’s daughter does not count as girl!” 

“When… When did the Sakai... Sakai people offend you my lord? 

Naoie seems to be furious of his humiliation right in front of Yoshiharu.. 

“Bastard! How dare he to toy with me! I definitely won’t let go that monkey!” 

Next to Naoie, Hideie was looking at the other side of the foot of the mountain with a melancholic expression. 

“Yoshiharu-sama, please be safe……” 

“Kanbei, we are out from Mt. Shozan, a little more and we will meet with Shikanosuke and leave Himeji Castle!” 

“…… Munya…… I’m sorry, I fell asleep……” 

“Sleep, just sleep.” 

“Wu…” Kanbei who was being carried at the back, opened her eyes and let out some sleepy voice. 

However, just beyond the mountain, Yoshiharu saw an unbelievable scene. 

At this moment…… 

The Mori Army which was led by Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage has already crossed Kozuki Castle and came to Mt. Shozan, ready to surround the diversionary troops led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke. 

The amount of their troops are almost like clouds in the sky. 

High morale, ordered movement with not a trace of confusion. 

Looking at the sudden appearance of Mori Army, the diversionary troops led by Shikanosuke had lost their escape route. 

Even if they want to escape, Yumesakigara is right behind them. If they were to try escaping through the river, total annihilation is obvious. 

And if they were to turn back and fight, the result will be the same. 

Shikanosuke was now at her wit's end. 

“Damn…… This…… Ehhhh……? How could this be?” 

“Yoshiharu, it’s the Mori Army, They are here already.” 

“Shikanosuke is surrounded! This is bad! The numbers of diversionary troop is small, it’s impossible for them to withstand this kind of army force!” 

“What now, Sagara Yoshiharu?” 

“What what now, Shikanosuke is gonna die if this continue. I’ll breakthrough the enemy line and save Shikanosuke! Kanbei, find a commoner's house to hide yourself!” 

“I refuse. A weak soldier like you going to the battlefield without military adviser, it'll definitely be an instant death.” 

“You had just been rescued and now you’re going to dive into death again?” 

“No, only if you bring Simon can your chance of survival increase.” 

“Even if there is a military advisor, there are no soldiers! This chance of survival didn’t become any better!” 

“Around 0 to 10%, at least I can guarantee that it isn't 0, right?” 

“Get off Get Off!” 

“I refuse. Simon wants to repay her debt.” 

“I'm just doing things my way, you don't have to feel indebted or anything” 

“But, you gambled your life to rescue Simon, didn't you.” 

“It goes without saying! We aren't master/subordinate but friends.” 

Kanbei smiles with a troubled face. 

“Friend huh. Calling a military advisor a friend, humans from the future really are weird.” 

“It’s not, friends are friends. In Japanese they are called ‘tomodachi’.” 

[5] 

“Fufu…… I see… Then let me repay your ‘friendship’.” 

(They said the word ‘friendship” in English) 

“‘Friendship’? A friend’s ship?” 

“You really are an idiot, ‘friendship’ means friendship.” 

So this means you still doesn't want to come down from my back, Yoshiharu was troubled. 

“It seems that the Oda Clan didn't send any reinforcements here, Onee-Sama.” 

“Yeah, because Matsunaga Hisahide of Yamato has revolted.” 

“A revolt at such a time." 

The Yamanaka Shikanosuke's troops who had tried to drag things out with the Ukita clan by attacking and retreating, were in total chaos in the face of the Mori Army, which had come earlier than expected. 

Sitting in the main camp of the Mori clan was the small and elegant shogun - Ashikaga Yoshiaki. 

At her side, there are the Mori twins with the exact same look. 

Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage. 

To the Mori clan who have a large amount of soldiers, Shikanosuke’s diversionary troops are like a small pea which they can easily crush with just their superior numbers. 

“Takakage, the enemy general looks like Yamanaka Shikanosuke.” 

“Nee-sama, we can finally settle things with that eternal enemy.” 

“That, that princess knight that is fiercely fighting her enemies is Yamanaka Shikanosuke? What a fierce display of her spear technique, marvelous.” 

Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who was using a telescope to observe the battlefield, let out a sigh. 

“Oh? Who is that soldier carrying a girl on his back? To think that he actually stormed into the Mori Army, does he plan to commit suicide?” 

“I’m not sure....?” 

“Probably a soldier who had overslept.” 

Ukita Naoie, with a dejected face rushed into the Mori Army’s main camp. He didn’t expect that the Mori Army will reach Harima so early. 

Should I defect in order to repay Sagara Yoshiharu, nono, he made me show my ugly side right in front of Hideie, I will be utterly disgraced if I don't kill him. But if I did, I need to consider the possibility that the Oda clan might be stronger than the Mori clan in the future but I do not have the time for this anymore. 

“Wait! I will definitely capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke alive! I will definitely kill Sagara Yoshiharu! Please give me a little more time!” 

Motoharu stared at Naoie with a cold gaze. 

“The time is up, shouldn't you commit Seppuku now?” 

“This! This gaze of a girl like she's staring at an insect is making me crazy…… No! Please wait!” 

“…… Such a disgusting man.” 

“The elder sister of the Mori twins I want to clean up the name of the ‘Princess Knight Killer’, please allow me to fight against Sagara Yoshiharu!” 

“You don't wanna admit to that tainted name of yours, then die.” 

“Please wait! If I didn’t kill Sagara Yoshiharu by myself, my heart would be too frustrated with it!” 

“Onee-sama, it's due to Ukita Naoie that we can so easily surround that Yamanaka Shikanosuke.” 

The trembling Takakage stopped Motoharu who picked up a small knife. 

“As expected of Kobayakawa Takakage, you still acknowledge me.” 

“However, if you harm or kill the hostage, Kuroda Kanbei, then commit seppuku on the spot.” 

Takakage slightly narrowed her eyes. 

“No! I've already returned her to Sagara Yoshiharu without injury.” 

“That’s good. Kuroda Kanbei is my friend. You really escaped from death, Ukita Naoie.” 

Wh...What a close one…… Sprouting cold sweat, Naoie sighed out in relief. 

That expression of Takakage was reminiscent of her father – Mori Motonari, the aura of someone with a cold gaze. 

The Mori twins had really inherited the blood and talents of Mori Motonari. 

Even without that demon-like strategist Motonari around, opposing these two sisters will definitely be fatal.... Naoie trembled while thinking. 

“Did you hear that Takakage. He sent the hostage back, maybe he already became allies with Sagara Yoshiharu.” 

“I did not! I returned her because I was threatened! He is a demonic bastard that took my daughter as a hostage! He was also the one who killed Kuroda Kanbei’s sister! Sagara Yoshiharu was an even more wicked man than I am!” 

If Yoshiharu heard this conversation, a fuss will certainly break out, but Naoie will do anything in order to survive. Now that Hideie is back at his side, he is in high spirits. 

“Is it? Then go capture Shikanosuke, the battle is done anyway." 

“Takakage, your treatment to this fellow was too naïve.” 

“Oh, then I’ll be right back! Sagara Yoshiharu, this time I will kill you for sure!” 

Naoie vigorously rushed out from the main camp. 

“The earliest one who succeeds in the Oda clan, Sagara Yoshiharu. The one who claims that he had come from future. Will he be a fraud even better than Ukita Naoie or a man we should meet at least once?” 

“Takakage, Sagara-kun is about to be annihilated. The trapped Sagara Yoshiharu will become a dead body in this battlefield.” 

“Yeah, and if the thing about he killing Kuroda Kanbei’s sister is true, he’s the same as Ukita Naoie, no, it’s much worse. We cannot let him live.” 

“Abandoning the Sagara army just because a revolt is happening, the Oda clan isn't something good too. 

“Oda Nobuna does not have the talent to be the ruler of the world. Bring me the heads of Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Sagara Yoshiharu, save Miki castle and then immediately bring the army to Kyoto to drive off the Oda clan.” 

“This doesn't seem like what the careful Takakage would say.” 

“Onee-sama, I’m a little angry now. The Oda clan was saying things like Tenka Fubu, yet right now they are in such a pitiful state. The one who is known to have the talents to be the ruler of the world is just dragging the war out right now. I feel that we have to destroy her completely. 

“As expected of the Mori clan, your ambition is as high as the sky.” Ashikaga Yoshiaki opens up her fan and started laughing "Ahahahaha". 

Isolated in Harima, the Sagara corps is now facing utter destruction. 



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