Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 9 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 : Comet 

“Riky?? It’s dangerous, come down quickly!” 

“……” 

“Eh? Namban’s alchemy can defeat ghosts?” 

A huge ghost is preventing Nobuna from going to Yamato at Lake Ogura. [6] 

The aide was terrified and said “Putting the size of the army aside, how are we supposed to deal with this?” 

Tea Master Sen no Riky? while riding a horse, wrapped her small body with black clothing and walked towards Nobuna. 

“Isn’t alchemy a technology of turning iron into gold? It’s unreasonable to use those alchemy things to fight.” 

Nobuna was worried about Riky? and tried to stop her. 

To begin with, Nobuna didn’t even recruit Riky? to be part of the suicide squad. Also, how did Riky? manage to come to the side of Nobuna like a shadow? 

“……” 

“What? Alchemy is only a technology to produce gold, isn't it?” 

“…… (Choking)” 

The ghost was also confused. 

The petite young Tea Master who wore a Namban style black robe is definitely not an average person/an unusual person. 

However, the confusion only lasted for a moment. 

“Anyone who wants to protect Oda Nobuna has to die!” 

The ghost facing Riky? swung down its arm. 

Riky? opened her small lips. 

While her little fingers tucked in four tea caddies, she shouted with a young tender voice. 

“With the name of Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, I command you, let those wandering souls return to the four elements.” (Note : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracelsus) 

A whirlwind suddenly appeared in front of the horse that Riky? rode. 

The tea caddies’ lid flew up but it hadn’t been touched. 

The four types of powder inside spread out. 

Black powder. 

“Spirit of Earth – Black!” 

White powder. 

“Spirit of Water – White!” 

Golden powder. 

“Disappearance of Spirit of Air – Golden!” 

Crimson powder. 

“The burning Flame Serpent – Crimson!” 

The four color powders mixed in the wind then, a fire started to burn. 

The whirlwind suddenly became a flaming whirlwind and burnt brightly. 

The golden powder was probably pure gold and the black powder must be gunpowder. 

Nobuna wasn’t able to guess the identity of the remaining two powders. 

Nobuna didn’t know whether it was an alchemist’s secret material. Or maybe the unknown substance was refined by Riky? herself. 

It was not from Onmyoud?. 

It was also different from the illusions that Matsunaga Hisahide used. 

Nor was it any secret ceremony of Christians. 

A “technique” that Nobuna had never seen before, appeared in front of her eyes. 

“Foreign camouflage skill has no effect on me!” 

The ghost opened its hand, and tried to smash Riky?’s small body. 

“Philippus Aureolus, Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim. With your guidance, destroy that evil spirit!” 

The flame tangled around the arms of the ghost. 

And it covered up the ghost’s whole body. 

It was not an illusion. 

It was a real flame. 

In addition, the ultra-high temperature was a heat that nobody had seen at Japan. 

“This is not an illusion…… But…… It’s just a flame after all! For me who had discarded the form of a human…… For me who has the body of steel……” 

The ghost was still approaching Riky?. 

But it couldn't. 

The fire at its body still continued to expand. 

The irregular body that surpassed the limit of a human body, started to melt at this ultra-high temperature. 

“You…… You are……” 

Bang! The ghost’s right arm exploded. 

“Oh……!” 

“Solvent that can dissolve everything, destroy the body and soul of this wandering ghost.” 

“… Who are you…” 

Riky? close the tea caddy, at the same time when the small lid let out a small ‘bang’ sound…… 

A large explosion roared and the whole body of the ghost had blown away into small pieces. 

The flames which surrounded the ghost also disappeared. 

Lake Ogura has become peaceful once again. 

Nobuna and the aides looked at Riky? with an unbelievable expression. 

“Riky?, the move you used just now, was it magic?” 

“…… (Shaking her head)” 

“It seems that alchemy tradition has used the word of magic, but that’s not magic? Alchemical work, solvent, can become a weapon and blow the ghost up? That’s really a terrifying Namban technique!” 

“…… (Nodding)” 

“What exactly is that solvent?” 

“…… (Hum)” 

“During the alchemy experiment, the substance that dissolves is a ‘burnable liquid’? Using such a dangerous thing in the tearoom? The destruction is just too strong.” 

“…… (Hum)” 

“Hey? You mean it was supposed to be used when dealing with Matsunaga Hisahide, but you just used all of the material in that one match?” 

“…… (Looking down)” 

“Also, the opponent is Harima…… If Kuroda Kanbei isn’t present, then there is no way the spell can be completed and there will also be no way to kill the ghost.” 

“…… (Nodding)” 

She’s remaining silent, but Riky? wanted to tell Nobuna that ‘The regeneration of the ghost’s body still needed some time, so move on to Yamato now’. 

Nobuna told the aides and the retainers that ‘The ghost won’t appear anymore, march on!” After that, she rode the horse and went South to where Yamato is. 

It seems that Riky? brought the material of the solvent with her to deal with Matsunaga Hisahide’s Persian illusions. 

Repeated refining and fusion of the substance, and able to manipulate the substance of the alchemy at will, it’s the latest technology at the time, which later became the foundation of modern science. 

Riky? noticed that that material that was used for alchemy could be used as a weapon. 

However, the weapon that Riky? prepared had been used for another purpose. 

Nobuna still didn’t know the identity of the ghost. 

But there was one point that Nobuna knew pretty clearly. 

The Onmyoud? and the mysterious clans’ ancient spells were not working in this new era anymore. 

Tanegashima’s overwhelming destructive power and the Namban’s technology known as alchemy. Also the Iron Giant that was built by Kanbei using Namban science technology. 

And Matsunaga Hisahide who uses ancient Persian illusions, perhaps she’s also one of the stars that were destined to be destroyed. 

“……” 

“Never mind Riky?, thank you. You already have no more weapons, so don’t fight with Danj?.” 

Yes. 

The one who will deal with Matsunaga Hisahide was Nobuna herself. 

Nobuna must overcome Matsunaga Hisahide with her own power and will. 

Nobuna’s body was filled with energy. 

“Seriously, Nobuna’s luck is really good. The ghost that was created by Tsuchimikado’s spell has also been destroyed by the Tea Master……” 

Manmi Senchiyo impatiently thought, ‘if this state continues, Oda Nobuna would defeat Matsunaga Hisahide’. 

The path to Yamato is straight to the South. 

To the center of Yamato, Nara. 

By the time Nobuna reached Nara, the Matsunaga army had already surrounded the armed priests at Todai Temple’s Shosoin. 

Why would Danj? fight the armed priests at Nara when it’s unnecessary? Nobuna starts to have a suspicion. 

If they ignored the armed priests and directly attacked Honnoji, Nobuna would probably already have committed seppuku at Honnoji by now. 

No matter what, this was the second time that Matsunaga Hisahide revolted. 

I must find the reason of this rebellion. 

The first rebellion was to test the ability of Nobuna. 

An assault at Kyo when Nobuna was absent that cornered the shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto. 

That time, Hisahide’s doing was straight to the point. 

So this procrastinated rebellion is……? 

“Those rebels are fighting with the armed priests. So let’s break their formation, break their morale at once!” 

Even if she’s unable to read what Hisahide is thinking, Nobuna was still giving orders while riding her horse. 

“Charge!” 

“Hime-sama, this is dangerous!” 

Manmi Senchiyo advised to ‘set up the camp here, observe the fight between Hisahide and the armed priests, and wait for the right time’. But Nobuna didn’t take that seriously. 

“I’m now going to fight Danj? with my life! Senchiyo, you must come too!” 

“So it means that I will also fight?” 

“Yeah. If you want to have an important post as a retainer at Oda Clan, managing internal affairs is not nearly enough. Anyone who can’t bet their life at the battlefield is not needed by the Oda Clan.” 

“…… Yes……” 

Senchiyo isn’t really worried about Nobuna. 

If Nobuna herself became the vanguard, the aides that were looking up at Nobuna would also bet their life to fight with Matsunaga Hisahide. 

If it’s other daimyo, it’s still okay, but Matsunaga Hisahide herself was far too dangerous. 

(Rather than a daimyo, Matsunaga Hisahide was more like a monster. I am just a spy. Although it’s not that I can’t fight, but to fight with that unidentified monster…… Don’t joke around……) 

Although Senchiyo was in a panic, they were already at the center of the battlefield. 

There was no way to escape now. 

If she escaped, then she would be treated as a traitor and be arrested and executed. Even if she wasn't executed, she could no longer become an aide anymore. 

If she wanted to continue to be a spy and complete the task, then the only choice was to gain some achievement here. 

No, it’s far better to assassinate Nobuna during the chaos. 

Yes, when Nobuna and Matsunaga Hisahide are fighting each other, that is the best chance, 

Senchiyo finally noticed. 

Matsunaga Hisahide’s someone who has been adored as a mother by Nobuna. 

Nobuna will definitely lose her cool by the intense passion. 

If that moment comes, Nobuna will be assassinated. 

(Even if Matsunaga Hisahide saw me, it will not pose a problem. She is also revolting because she wants to kill Nobuna. She won’t stop me, and maybe, she will even use her evil spell to help me.) 

Senchiyo has made her resolution. 

Assassinate Nobuna while she’s being distracted by Matsunaga Hisahide. 

I stayed at the side of Nobuna just to do this! 

If this is so, then there is no more reason to fear Matsunaga Hisahide. 

Rather, she could be considered an ally. 

(But for Oda Nobuna to not suspect me as a spy even once. She is being called a devil but the truth is she’s just a good person. It’s terrible to be so spoiled.) 

Senchiyo leaked out a cold smile with cruel eyes. 

Nobuna rushed towards the battlefield without knowing anything. 

“It’s there! See, the one who is riding the elephant is Danj?! Charge!” 

“Elephant?!” 

Nobuna pointed out the direction. 

A long-nosed monster was outlasting the armed priests and gives out “Oh…” sound. 

The armed priests are shouting “Let the deer army on!”, “Ashura, please bless us!”, but were still wiped out by the monster, as they had no knowledge on how to fight an elephant. 

It was like an adult beating a child. 

For this scene to be shown in front of her eye, Senchiyo was totally speechless. 

“That elephant is an animal from the other side of the sea, I've even seen it at Sakai!” 

“Hime-sama, please wait!” 

Nobuna and Senchiyo were riding the horse in a line and rushed to the front of the elephant. 

At the back of the elephant, there was a colorful sedan chair. 

The person in the sedan chair was Matsunaga Hisahide. 

Waving a tobacco pipe while looking arrogantly at Nobuna. 

Nobuna shouts against Hisahide. 

“Danj?!” 

Matsunaga Hisahide split the smoke and started to talk. 

“Too slow, Oda Nobuna. If I directly attacked Honnoji, you would have already been dead by now.” 

“Why? Why? Why did you betray me? Is it because I’m incompetent? I will change…… So, please come back!” 

“Why did I betray you? Because the comet is too bright.” 

“Comet?” 

“I can’t cause a fuss if I’m with you. You opposed me to burn down Mount Hiei, opposed the plan to kill all the armed priests, and protected Mount Hiei and the name of the armed priests! You also opposed me to kill all the armed priests at K?fuku-ji, and also opposed the plan of burning down the Nara temple!” 

“K?fuku-ji? You mean K?fuku-ji?” 

Nobuna have no memory regarding the event at K?fuku-ji. 

As for the plan of burning down Mount Hiei, the stronghold of the enemy, it was indeed stopped at the very last moment. 

However, Nobuna felt that something was wrong from Hisahide’s words. 

Nobuna had once drunk a medicine made by Hisahide, so she didn't remember if she really opposed the plan of burning down Mount Hiei. 

It’s all thanks to retainers like Takenaka Hanbei and Sagara Yoshiharu that let her return to normal and stopped the burning plan. 

But she wasn't that hostile against the Nara temple. 

Nara was a God state at Yamato, a country that even a Warring State daimyo can’t get in easily. 

So even Nobuna didn’t even dare to interfere with Yamato, so she left everything to Matsunaga Hisahide who had her headquarters at Yamato. 

“What? Really? I didn't know this at all!” 

“The one who wants to burn down Mount Hiei is Danj?!” 

“That’s it. That guy is the one, who was against us armed priests for many years, the enemy who wants to burn down T?dai-ji’s Great Buddha!” 

“Oda Nobuna protected K?fuku-ji and T?dai-ji’s armed priests from Danj??” 

“That is why Danj? betrayed Oda Nobuna!” 

The armed priests were shocked by this unexpected fact, and begun to praise Nobuna. 

(What’s going on? Did that woman took some wrong medicine and started talking nonsense?) 

Manmi Senchiyo, who was eyeing the chance to assassinate Nobuna, stayed behind Nobuna and was shocked by the sudden situation where the armed priests were shouting “Protect Oda Nobuna-dono!” “She rushes to save us with a small force!” while starting to regroup. 

(There is no way it can be done.) 

Matsunaga Hisahide continued. 

“Also, the other day when I planned to burn down Yamato’s Imperial Palace and kill Himiko, and was ready to set fire at Kyoto. But Oda Nobuna, you once again stopped me and protected the Himiko. From the very beginning, you didn't plan to destroy this devoured world!” 

So that was the truth! Now I know the truth about the fire at Kyoto! 

Danj? not only attacked the Shogun, but also attempted to kill the Himiko! 

Oda Nobuna protected Himiko-sama! 

“Come to think of it, the ancestors of Oda family…” 

“Oh, it semms like they were priests at Echizen!” 

“It’s not the enemy of Himiko-sama!” 

The armed priests stared at Matsunaga Hisahide, who is riding at the top of the elephant and laughing like an evil demon. 

They didn’t even doubt the words of Hisahide. 

Only Nobuna felt that the words of Hisahide showed some hypocrisy. 

“Danj?! What are you talking about…? Look at my eyes, Danj?!” 

“I want to use the flame of Ahura Mazd? to destroy everything of this nation, you are different, Oda Nobuna! You, rather than destroying this nation, you tried to rebuild this nation covered in flames. The path we have chosen is the exact the opposite! You absolutely cannot become my lord!” 

“Danj?! Wait!” 

“Guys! Oda’s elite force is strong! Let’s retreat and defend Tamonyama Castle!” 

Hisahide led the elephant and started to retreat from Todai Temple’s Shosoin. 

Matsunaga’s army also started to retreat. 

“Ohhh! We’ve been saved!” 

The armed priests who were both physically and mentally exhausted after the war with Matsunaga Army, began to cry and embrace each other, “Nobuna-sama, thank you very much!” “We will never forget this kindness of yours!” 

The Matsunaga Army started to get confused. 

“Hime-sama, we cannot go to Tamonyama Castle. Tamonyama Castle is a castle that is not suitable for defense.” 

“Go to Shigisan Castle, Yamato’s biggest and hardest fortress should be there.” 

“Even if it were surrounded by Oda, at least we could still withstand for a few months, after the time come, Mori’s Army that broke through Harima will come back and aid us!” 

“The number of Oda’s Army is only few in the first place, so there is nothing to be afraid of!” 

“This is the best chance to destroy Oda Nobuna!” 

“A retreat here? What is exactly the reason of this rebellion?!” 

The effect of the mustard had passed, so the soldiers started regaining their sanity. 

Facing the retainers who were riding their horses and complaining, Hisahide chose to remain silent. 

“Wait! Danj?! Tell me the reason! Why would you… Why would you do such a thing?!” 

Suddenly, an explosion happened at the back of Nobuna who was chasing Hisahide. 

Taking a look at the back 

A smoke was coming out from the back of Todai Temple’s Shosoin. 

“That was Yamato’s Shosoin…… it exploded?!” 

At the same time. 

Nobuna’s concentration that has never been off since she met with Hisahide, broke at that moment. 

Manmi Senchiyo, who stopped her breath, followed Nobuna at her back and finally found an opportunity to assassinate her. 

“Oda Nobuna, your life is mine!” 

Senchiyo rode a horse and approached Nobuna silently. 

She already reached the distance where she could kill anyone with only one stab. 

Nobuna who had been distracted by the Shosoin was unaware of this. 

(Hum. Although I’ve been ordered not to assassinate you, but I shouldn't miss such a great opportunity. This was surprisingly easy.) 

At the moment when she wanted to pull off a small knife… 

“Nin nin. I won't let you do that.” 

Senchiyo was pulled down from her horse from the back. 

There was a small shadow clinging behind her. 

“You this…… Are you…… a Shinobi……?!” 

No response. 

(A mistake! There should have been no shinobi when we departed from Honnoji!) 

I’m also an experienced shinobi, but to be attacked so easily from behind…… 

Then Senchiyo lost her consciousness. 

One of her vitals was punched, and she fainted. 

When Nobuna noticed and asked “Where is Senchiyo?” Manmi Senchiyo had already disappeared from the battlefield. 

The movement/action of Matsunaga Hisahide has been full of contradictions. 

While she declared a rebellion, Nobuna who had been at Kyoto’s Honnoji should have been in a totally vulnerable state, but instead of attacking Nobuna, they wasted their time at Nara with the Koufuku-ji’s armed priests, and lost the opportunity to strike at Nobuna. 

Nobuna brought a small force and came to Nara with the determination to fight to death, but Hisahide had ordered her army to retreat instead of confronting them. 

They didn't even go to Yamato’s biggest and hardest fortress, the Shigisan Castle but went to Todai-ji Temple’s Tamonyama Castle. 

Although it’s being called as Tamonyama Castle, but the truth is, it’s more appropriate to call it a hill city. The luxurious castle tower and its exotic flower garden had taken Hisahide a lot of effort to work it out to this state. But as a defensive stronghold, it’s far too fragile and it’s on a plain, so it‘s basically done once it has been put under siege. 

Nobuna had only a small number of aides and retainers, but even Nobuna herself didn't expect that all armed priests of K?fuku-ji would declare “It’s the time to return the kindness of the Oda Clan who protected us from Danj?!” and joined Nobuna’s army. 

Although Hisahide, on the elephant, had been complaining about Nobuna, but in fact all the content was the exact opposite of what people thought of Nobuna, and the truth changed to Nobuna saving the Buddhist forces and Yamato’s Imperial Palace from the hands of Hisahide. 

After hearing their conversation, all armed priests joined Nobuna’s force all of a sudden. 

The one who became a Yamato samurai from the armed priest at K?fuku-ji and the one who has the most authority among them, Tsutsui Junkei, had decided to join Nobuna’s army by stating “Let’s join the Oda army for the time being.” 

The smoke at Todai Temple’s Shosoin was extinguished down immediately. 

Although there were small commotions, but it didn't cause a big fire, and they were able to put the fire off without much trouble. 

Apart from Manmi Senchiyo suddenly going missing, incredible luck came to Nobuna one after another. 

Finally, Nobuna and the armed priests surrounded Matsunaga Hisahide’s hideout, the Tamonyama Castle. 

Around midnight. 

Matsunaga Army’s footmen who were still enthusiastically worshiping Hisahide started to let out sighs one after another. 

“Am I dreaming?” 

“What are we actually doing?” 

“The Matsunaga Clan is already done. Run, run away!” 

With the expression as if the possession of the army were released, the majority of the soldiers ran away from the castle. 

Nobuna ignored those soldiers 

There no longer remained anyone inside Tamonyama Castle who could protect Matsunaga Hisahide. Except for that scary illusion master, Matsunaga Hisahide herself, it was almost an empty castle. 

Nobuna also didn't listen to the idea of the armed priests to burn down the castle. 

Along with Riky?, Nobuna entered Tamonyama Castle. 

This was to persuade Matsunaga Hisahide to surrender. 

Nobuna still couldn’t understand the reason behind this rebellion. 

The actions of Hisahide who had rebelled, no matter how Nobuna thought about it, it was definitely as stupid as choosing death herself. 

And when Hisahide cursed Nobuna in front of those armed priests, it wasn't the truth no matter how you looked at it. 

Some of those words were intended to help Nobuna, to clear the misunderstanding that the world had on her. 

What’s more, Nobuna didn't even feel that Hisahide was really unsatisfied with her. 

Hisahide and Nobuna should be in a mother-daughter relationship. 

Nobuna had already lost her foster father Saito Dosan. 

She couldn't handle losing Hisahide too. 

“I must save her no matter what.” 

“Welcome, Nobuna-sama. I’ve been waiting for you.” 

Nobuna and Riky? went inside to the castle tower. 

Matsunaga Hisahide was waiting at the golden tea fort as the master. 

The floor, roof, walls, and even the tea equipment, everything was made from gold. 

Even the door and ceiling beam were also made from gold. 

Matsunaga Hisahide used a totally different smile from the battlefield, a gentle smile to welcome Nobuna and Riky?. 

“Unfortunately, this is all gilded. I still lack the money to build an all pure gold tea fort.” 

“It is……” 

“…… (Heartbeat)” 

Riky? seems like wanting to say that this was completely the opposite idea of Gothic Lolita gold tea fort and was totally not the idea of this country’s people. She was shocked until she turned speechless. 

Nobuna and Riky? were sitting in front of Hisahide, who was holding the world treasure – Hiratagumo, and looking at the golden tea set. 

It seems like it has no poison at all. 

“Yamato, a country of Mahoroba.” 

Hisahide started to sing out an ancient poem. 

“Thou foolish child, hiding in the mountains, Yamato city’s comet” 

“Is that?” 

“Ufu, there was a time in Yamato, that it was spelled beautifully as “Sora-ry? Hashi” and what I want to point out to you is. In the words of “Sora-ry? Hashi”(????), you can find the word “Persian” in it” [7] 

“Danjo’s homeland” 

"The Persian that came from the western continent was shipwrecked in this island. And that Persian was my ancestor, and just like the Persian God Mazda which was known as Ashura, things have changed, and the Persian culture has continued to be passed down in this beautiful land of Yamato." 

“So that’s why Danjo never left Yamato” 

“In Shosoin’s shrine temple, there are ancestral treasures from Persia, so I wanted to take it back.” 

“It’s because it’s the treasures of your ancestors right? 

“No, those monks just wanted to erase all Persian related things like it never existed in the first place. And they closed this country, twisting the history and making them the one and only that built this country, and they even refused fellowships from other countries” 

And as a result of this war, just like Yamato, this county would someday be swallowed by the Namban. Hisahide then laughed. 

“We don’t have much time. Please open the eyes of this country, Nobuna-sama” 

“Then Danjo, why did you rebel? You, wanting to kill me, it’s a lie right?” 

“In order to make a new world, the old world needs to turn into ashes. You need a nasty fellow to give a fatal blow to the old power. But the destroyer must not come to the new world.” 

Hisahide said this fluently. 

“Kofukuji and also Mount Hiei, will be forever grateful to Nobuna-sama and will not attempt to stop you in your crusade if you cut me down.” 

It was still not over. For some time she was silent, as if she’s preparing words scrupulously. 

“With this, the notoriety of Nobuna-sama will be greatly reduced and all of your wrong actions, will be undone by the witch, Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide behind the scene.” 

“Danjo?” 

“The Yamato soldiers that were fighting the armed monks will stop and the country of Yamato will have peace at last.” 

“So you are saying that the soldiers of Yamato and armed monks will separate and the monks will disarm themselves and go back to Kofukuji? 

“Yes, Yamato will have peace, and after you have cut me down Nobuna-sama, they will surely show mercy and they will let you pacify Japan” 

“No way, you did this …… for my sake?” 

“I wonder, if Nobuna-sama had led a troop, I might have killed them” 

Hisahide snapped her finger. 

From the ceiling, there was a body that suddenly dropped and was now swinging. 

It was Manmi Senchiyo. 

“Senchiyo?” 

“ …… She is an enemy spy” 

*POOF* Another shadow appeared in front of Nobuna. 

It was Goemon. 

“Goemon? Why are you here?” 

“I, in order to swave(save) Takenaka-shi, had gone to Mt. Shosoin to steal *STUTTERING* The Ranjatai but, in my stead, Matsunaga-shi had alweady(already) stolen it…… uuuhhh~” 

“Save Hanbei? Ranjatai?” 

“I’m not good at talking long sentences …… Matsunaga-shi will explain the rest” 

“Danjo, what’s going on?” 

“While you were sick, this Manmi Senchiyo here blocked all the letters that were sent to you by your retainers, planning to isolate you and putting a crack in your relationship with them, thus making the spying easier for her.” 

“Then the order about the execution of Harima’s little sister came from her?” 

“Yes, it was Manmi Senchiyo who ordered it” 

“Is this true!?” 

“Hime-sama, Kuroda-shi’s little sister is safe, Takenaka-shi had revealed the truth about it” 

“…… Ah~~ …… thank goodness~~” 

From Nobuna’s eyes, tears of relief could be seen. 

Now that the tension has vanished, tears won’t stop flowing from her eyes. 

“I, I was so scared to face Harima and Yoshiharu, I was regretting it so much. Thank goodness…… really, thank goodness” 

“Hahahaha, it can’t be helped if my cover is blown now, but I will not reveal my employer!” 

Senchiyo shouted while still being tied up. 

“Nobuna-sama, with the alchemy of Persia. I will make her throw up the name of her employer” 

“Alchemy?” 

“The name of it is “Flower Gods spell”.” 

Hisahide had taken a bag from her bosom. 

Inside the bag, there were various colourful powders. 

An intense sweet aroma had covered the tea room 

In the corner of the tearoom that was covered by a brilliant fragrance, Hisahide read another line from the Kojiki (????). [8] 

“Flowers bloom and wither in twenty days, to the frenzied excitement of a city of people.” 

The tied up Senchiyo who had drunk the content of the bag was struggling with sounds “uh, no… no~!” but you see a sigh of ecstasy in her teary eyes. 

“It is an ancient poem composed by Kayama Koji of the Tang era about a poppy flower when emperors and the beautiful courtesans still roamed the land. It was about a ruler who had forgotten to do his duties because he favoured Youkihi too much. And Youkihi admired the poppy flower” [9] 

Nobuna nods, “Kayama Koji, it’s about Haku Rakuten right?” [10] 

“One of the raw materials of this potion is poppy flowers that were blooming in my garden inside Tamonyama castle. Since the time Youkihi had admired the poppy flower, it was also known in that country as "Kao (??)" and "God flower (??)", but what they don’t know is that this is a traditional medicine that came from the west" 

Said by Nagahide. 

Youkihi, who came from the west and deceived the emperor by alluring him with her beauty and fragrance. The beautiful courtesan who has fascinated the whole of Great Tang had Persian blood in her veins. 

Youhiki did not admire the flower because of its beauty. 

In order to manipulate emperor Xuanzong, she needed the raw material "God flower (??)" to make the Persian potion, that’s why she needed a large amount of poppy flower. 

Senchiyo moaned while trembling. 

“I won’t talk; I’ll commit suicide …… huh? I can’t bite out my tongue” 

“You have already been affected by my skill; I deprived your freedom to use your mouth, so that you can’t bite your tongue out. Now, who ordered you?” 

Hisahide stuffed something in her mouth. 

However, Senchiyo choose to spit it out of her mouth.”I have taken it out, Matsunaga Danjo do you really think a petty trick can stop-” but suddenly, ”Ugu~!” she lost consciousness and became motionless. 

“She- she died.” 

“Senchiyo!?” 

Nobuna ran and held her but Senchiyo didn’t breath anymore. 

It’s warm. The body was still alive but her heart was not beating anymore. 

“Well, killing a young and beautiful maiden is such a waste. So I played a little and put a spirit that will stop her heart from beating” 

” …… But, she still died …… ” Nobuna mourned for Senchiyo’s sake. 

“This is a technique that only works to Fuma ninjas. So this lass, is one of the Fuma ninjas then?” 

“Fuma? Why would a ninja from the Houjou clan of Kanto region even be here in Kyo?” 

“Perhaps, the one behind this conspiracy is Konoe Sakihisa” 

“Konoe? That black-tooth bastard? Really?” 

“Please don’t be fooled, he might not have an elegant appearance, but he is a master of conspiracy. Please don’t underestimate the Fujiwara clan who had reigned in the Yamato’s Imperial Palace for years, Nobuna-sama” 

“Why, why would the Kampaku of the Yamato’s Imperial Palace do this? I can’t understand it!” 

“Because of his own ambition to manipulate this country, he is the man who deceived the pure Uesugi Kenshin and tried to dominate Kanto once, that’s the kind of man he is” 

“Even so” 

Nobuna still couldn’t believe it. 

“Even though many believed that I destroyed the Ashikaga Shogunate and attacked Ashikaga Yoshiteru, but the true culprit was Konoe Sakihisa who ordered me and destroyed the Shogunate from the inside” 

Konoe Sakihisa was so ambitious that he is willing to go that far. 

Nobuna suddenly frowned and said “I was careless” while grinding her teeth. 

She thought that the government officials just knew how to hold tea parties, but she now learned that she was making light of them. 

“Maybe he had an agreement with the Houjou clan. Now that he had abandoned to conquer Kanto, he might be planning to control the Yamato’s Imperial Palace while there is still confusions.” 

“Control the Imperial Palace? Nobles with authorities? Why all of a sudden? You’re joking right Danjo?” 

“For him, the only one who can rule this country were nobles with powers; he is that kind of monster, and he realized that you are nuisance for his ambitions” 

“Danjo, even though Konoe Sakihisa is a conspirator, the soldiers won’t move just because of a conspirators’ whim. Setting aside the old thinking of Uesugi Kenshin, all of that is impossible!” 

“Yes, Konoe learned this too in the Kanto region. So now, he has a strategist, a strategist who hide himself in the shadows. That person, without a doubt is a strategist that has a prided experience in this bloody battlefield. Including the Houjou clan, that person will surely convince more famous warriors” 

“Who is that strategist?” 

“Well, they are just using Konoe Sakihisa for their own ambitions. He is surely a dreadful strategist. For them, Konoe Sakihisa is just a pawn for their ambition” 

“Who would do such a thing?” 

“I don’t know, the doll that is my eyes and ears don’t know to that extent and it’s already gone. And my hands are already full in thinking of a way to save a girl in Harima.” 

Hisahide had placed a strange black thing in front of Nobuna. 

The length is 5 feet long and the weighs 305 momme. 

“This is the treasure of Mt. Shousoin, the most valuable treasure in this country, the Ranjatai” 

“So this is the rumoured Ranjatai” 

“Until now, only a few were allowed to cut a piece of Ranjatai in Yamato’s Imperial Palace. Starting with Ashikaga Yoshimitsu who gained tremendous wealth in the golden age of the Muromachi Shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshinori who tried to unify the world and fought Mt. Hiei and Kanto, Ashikaga Yoshimasa who had holed up in Ginkaku castle causing the Onin War, and the Toki clan from Mino who was overthrown by Saito Dousan because they were being overachievers” 

The Ashikaga Clan who knew the effects of the Ranjatai that gives longevity had made elixirs of longevity for their long reign and waited for it to grow back, but the Toki clan had cut some of it while being unaware of its value, giving Saito Dosan a reason to revolt and take the Toki clan’s wealth. This is also the reason why I stayed young and beautiful after I took dose of it. Hisahide explained to Nobuna. 

“I have heard that it is a fragrant wood, but it looks like a stone...... no, rather, It’s like a shiny jet black jewel” 

“…… *BADUMP**BADUMP*” 

This is a very rare treasure and close to the "Philosopher's Stone", which is the ultimate goal of alchemy. Rikyuu showed her thoughts with a sign. 

“When I was pretending to be dead, Matsunaga-shi used that time to steal it” *STUTTERING* 

“Thanks to her, we safely escaped from that place.” 

“Goemon! Why were you playing thief with Danjo!? You know that this is a valuable treasure of Yamato’s Imperial Palace right!!?” 

“Auuu~~, it’s for Takenaka-shi’s sake.” 

“Hanbei?” 

“Nobuna-sama, please bring this to Sagara Yoshiharu-dono in Harima immediately.” 

“Why did Takenaka Hanbei want it?” 

“That lass, has an illness and she won’t live long, however, if she can take a dosage of Ranjatai, it’s possible to prolong her life for a while, or so I heard.” 

“Hanbei’s days are numbered?” 

“Just to steal the Ranjatai and save Takenaka Hanbei, Sagara Yoshiharu-dono was prepared to raise a revolt against Nobuna-sama if necessary.” 

“No way, then Danjo?” 

“When she heard the story, Matsunaga-shi said that Sagara-shi does not need to raise a revolt and clash with Hime-sama.” *STUTTERING* 

“Let me who was known to always revolt, do it.” 

It seems that many events happened while Nobuna was sick in Honnoji temple. 

The reason for this was Manmi Senchiyo who blocked the reports before reaching to her. 

Goemon tried giving her the reports properly. 

“…… Unyaaa~~, I’m too tired to speak anymore.” 

Because she was stuttering too much, she gave up on explaining. 

“When you don’t need it anymore, return it to Yamato’s Imperial Palace. Please report that you found it, and if they asked why it got so short, tell them that it got blown up by Danjo, who blew it up in a Hiragumo.” 

“Blown up?” 

“It was me who burned up Todai Temple’s Great Buddha. Then Nobuna-sama said that if I surrendered the Hiragumo, she will spare me, but the traitor Matsunaga Danjo rejected your offer and said that she won’t give this Hiragumo to anyone. It’s a little underhanded to lie, but no one will suspect it.” 

Hisahide closed her eyes, and then showed a gentle smile. 

“Danjo, I can’t……” 

“And also, because I already rebelled once against Nobuna-sama, no one will doubt about it. You let the Tsukomogami eggplant to live under the sun. But I answered that this priceless Hiragumo is more precious than my life, and refuse to give it to anyone.” 

Nobuna’s eyes became wide open. 

“Then Danjo, if I said that “I’ll pay it” at that time, what will you do?” 

“Yes, then I will say “I’ll blow up together with my Hiragumo”. If this news reached the streets of Kyoto, this will surely become a hot topic. ” 

“Then, you’re intending to die from the very beginning!?” 

“Today, I burned the halls of Todai’s Hall of the Great Buddha. Who would have thought that I will have bad karma; that this Matsunaga Danjo will have retribution, and the one who will grant that retribution will be Nobuna-sama who is even the one pacifying this country.” 

Nobuna finally understood. 

Matsunaga Hisahide intends to die and shoulder all the grave notorieties of Nobuna. 

From the very beginning, causing a stupid rebellion like this to die, fighting the armed monks willfully, and surrounding the burned Shosoin of Todai Temple, and cooperating in stealing the Ranjatai. 

And to deliberately chose to burn the Great Buddha on this day, as her death anniversary. 

Just to make the people think that Buddha's punishment has finally given to her. 

“Danjo, you ...... When did you plan to die and shoulder my notoriety?” 

“Perhaps at Kiyomizu Temple. When I saw Takenaka Hanbei, that young girl had already resolved herself.” 

“Hanbei’s resolve?” 

“In order to open up a new path to the new world for this country’s people, that girl resolved herself to go head on even though this would mean that she would suffer the most if the old world got destroyed. When I saw that figure of hers, the lost soul in me was saved” 

It seems that Hisahide couldn't be convinced to stop anymore. 

“Even at that time when we sieged Mount Hiei, I also lost to Takenaka Hanbei. If we really did extinguished the eternal flame, there was no need to kill the armed monks in the first place. Indeed, she is truly the Komei of this modern time. Her wisdom was more bountiful than me.” 

Everything that happened here was planned long ago. 

“By stealing the Ranjatai, I’ll be able to return the favor by saving her life, but to die in Yamato, it kind of feels that this is fate.” 

“……” 

“I almost forgot. While we have the opportunity, please take this medicine to Kuchiki Shinano in the west of Omi. He helped us escape in the retreat of Kanegasaki. Nobuna-sama, after my death give a dose of this to him and his sanity will come back.” 

“…… Dearuka..” 

Nobuna regretted that she didn’t realize the resolve of Hisahide much earlier. 

Such a thing, I do not want that! 

“I think it is time for me to leave. With this, the Oda clan will lose their notoriety if the culprit died. And please don’t let me live, I already raised two revolts against Nobuna-sama, they will question the integrity of your Tenka Fubu, so we must do this.” 

“I can’t!” 

“Nobuna-sama, someday people will die. And by that time, we must say goodbye to our loved ones.” 

“……No~~! ……” 

Nobuna started to cry and flew to Hisahide chest. 

Hisahide then softly stroke Nobuna’s head. 

“The Viper is already gone~! And Danjo is also leaving me too~~!?This is too much~! You’re so cruel~!” 

“This is the rule of this world.” 

“I don’t care~! Please, I beg of you~! Please don’t leave me~~! Danjo~!” 

“Nobuna-sama, please don’t be so spoiled by me, because we won’t see in this lifetime anymore. And from now on, you must succeed in pacifying this country” 

“……No~~! ……” 

Her words did not come out anymore. 

“Nobuna-sama, there’s no time to waste anymore. You must pacify this country as soon as possible, and sail out to the sea. And my homeland… in the far west, please have a look at it with your own eyes.” 

“Your also coming with me Danjo~!” 

“Geez, please don’t act too spoiled. Dousan and I had already given all we had for you.” 

“……Danjo~?” 

“I won’t give the thing you hope for, I won’t spoil you. You’re not a child anymore, you’re the one who will stop this horrid war.” 

With Hisahide’s kind words, Nobuna’s tears had stop. 

It felt like a mother who is scolding her child. 

“Your heart is not empty anymore. That emptiness that you feel, please fill it up with me and Dousan’s memories and please, don’t turn into a demon lord.” 

Nobuna slowly left Hisahide’s embrace. 

Her lips were trembling. 

And with eyes that’s full of sadness. 

But still, Nobuna understands that she must not cry in front of Hisahide anymore. 

She has gone back to her seat and drank the last tea made by Danjo. 

“Nobuna-sama, if ever you are crushed by loneliness, please rely to your loved ones that are around you.” 

“Can I, really, do that?” 

She can’t speak any long words anymore. 

Because if she does, her tears would flow out again. 

Nobuna could only say little words now from her mouth. 

“Yes, you don’t need to be afraid. You always held precious things within you, even now, but if you always do that, you’ll get tired from depression. Me and Dousan had noticed this too late.” 

“I’m, not tired ……” 

“You have a lot of friends. And also, there is Sagara Yoshiharu-dono who jumped through time just to be by your side. Please be more honest to your feelings.” 

“De……,aru……ka” 

She had drunk the bitter tea. 

The tea party in the golden tearoom was coming to its end. 

Goemon disappeared without a sound. 

And also Rikyuu “……Hiragumo……” murmured in an anime-ish voice and then bowed and left the tea room. 

And the last one, Nobuna while biting her lips stood up. 

In her thin arms, she was embracing the Ranjatai. 

While hugging the dead Manmi Senchiyo who seems to be still alive, Hisahide smiled suspiciously. 

“Nobuna-sama, tonight, please pay attention to the sky because today there will be a comet to appear.” 

At dawn today 

Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide with her Hiragumo, exploded at Tamonyama Castle. 

It was the same day that she burned down the Todai Temple’s Hall of the Great Buddha. 

Matsunaga Hisahide who was like a monkey, that had caused rebellion in this war was now burning and passed away. 

Matsunaga Hisahide failed in her rebellion and blew herself along with Hiragumo. On that day, a burning flame ball that was crossing the sky had been seen by the locals and feared. They called it “Danjo’s star.”