Episode 5 - A visit to Tsushima Shrine and a hero

Even if I have been granted the nobility, nothing is at my disposal.

　Everything in Nakono Castle is controlled by my grandfather, and I have no say in it.

　Sado, the first retainer my father appointed to the family, must have disliked me, despised me behind my back as a fool, and is even plotting to make Nobuyuki his successor.

　Do you think I don't know?

　Even if your attitude and clothes are a problem, isn't what you're doing a problem?

　The only person in the house who really thinks about me is my grandfather.

　What about my clothes?　What about my attitude?

　This is useful. I know how everyone in the house looks at me.

Young man. Did you hear that? It seems a Nanban ship has come to Tsushima.

"Oh. When did it happen?

Well, it seems to be yesterday. I heard that Ohashi-sama himself answered the call.

　On the same day, I left the castle and stayed by the nearby riverside with a group of peasants and the second and third sons of a farmer I knew well. One of the peasants, Katsusaburo, brought an interesting story.

　Katsusaburo understands me better than any of the peasants. He is a man who hears rumours from all over the place.

　But today's rumour is particularly interesting. I wanted to see the Nanban ship.

What are you doing here, you ask?

"Well, I heard that you came to Tsushima Shrine and Atsuta Shrine to pay your respects while doing business."

'Good. Let's go to Tsushima.

　I have heard that the Namban have come to Japan from far away.

　I want to know what kind of country the Nanban are and what kind of people they are.

　I may never have such an opportunity again.

side/Kazuma.

　I have rented a house and decided to sell all the ship's trade goods to Mr Ohashi.

　If we unload the bedding and food on the ship, we can start living there right away. It's taking a long time to unload the cargo.

　The people from Tsushima are helping us, so I'm sure it will be done soon.

　Me, Elle and the others were guided by Ohashi-san to Tsushima Shrine.

　But Tsushima Shrine is more like an island or a sandbank in the river. And it's spacious, with a magnificent torii gate and shrine pavilions.

It's very crowded indeed.

'Yes, it is. 'Yes. The Namban people are new here, but the merchants and other visitors to Tsushima often come here.

　This probably has more land than the future Tsushima Shrine. I've never been there.

　The Tsushima Shrine shows how great Tsushima was in this period. The port wasn't great, but the shrine is amazing.

　It was the era of the Ikkoshu and religious heaven, wasn't it?

　When I finished praying at Tsushima Shrine, there was a group of ruffian-like Yankees on the approach to the shrine on my way back. I don't like Yankees.

'This is Waka-sama. It's been a long time.'

Seibei seems to be in good health.

　Hm?　Ohashi-san is bowing to the central figure of the Yankees.

　The most important thing is that you should be able to see the actual situation and not just the person who is doing it.

　Did you say young master?　Don't tell me that Yankee is Nobunaga-san?

'Seibei. Are those guys the Nanbans?'

'Ha. The man is Kazuma-dono, the master of the Nanban ship. The others are Ichima-dono's minor princes.

　Mr Ohashi's expression is subtle. The other is the master of the Nanban ship, Kazuma-dono.

Don't worry. I just want to talk. I will not interfere with your business.

Then, please come to a certain residence.

　Well... What's our opinion?　We just want to watch from afar, not meet and talk.

　I have a feeling we're going to get involved.

This is Oda Saburo Nobunaga-sama, the eldest son of Oda Danjo Nobuhide-sama, who governs Tsushima here.

'Enough with the formal greetings. Are all of these men Nanban?

If you mean whether the land of their birth is Nanban, then no. We were born on a small island about ten days by boat from Owari.

'Oh. Is there such an island?

　The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your home is to be a good friend.

　The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the best out of your car is to get the best out of your car. Well, there is a difference between Nobunaga-san, who seems to be very curious, and the kids who are just looking at us with curiosity.

'The world is a big place. The Nanbans who come to Sakai seem to come to this country after a year or so on a ship.

That's great. By the way, you have five fine princes. Is that normal in the Namban?

No, I hear that in the South, there is generally one woman for every man. Our home is a small island. We are quite free.

　The historical Nobunaga seems to have had an innovative side, but was this curiosity the driving force behind it?　They're asking a lot of questions.

　The reactions to seeing Elle and her friends are mixed, but they seem to be concerned about her height before her face is good or bad.

　So you don't like women who are too tall?　So is Ketty or so popular?　Of course I would never give it to them.

'I see, just because they have Nanban ships doesn't mean they all come from the South.

'They died of an epidemic, but their parents were from the South.

　Don't you think they'll know you're lying if they ask too many questions?

　Elle and her family have never been to Europe. I'm going to pretend that they came near Japan in their parents' generation, and that they don't know the rest of the story.

What are you going to do after this?

'We're going to pay our respects at Atsuta Shrine and then relax for a while at the house we rented in Tsushima. As soon as the boat is unloaded, we will go on to the next trade.

I see. I see.

　I had to answer the questions they asked me, so I tried to give bland answers, but it was quite difficult. I don't want to be called rude or anything.

　I was also asked about the products I had brought, and about a number of other things, ranging from the smallest of details to the most unimportant.

　I was actually planning to experience life in the warring states on Tsushima for a while after this. Should I leave before I get involved?

　It wouldn't be bad to live a leisurely island life with Elle and the others.

SIDE ELLE.

　So this is Lord Oda Nobunaga.

　I think his curiosity and intelligence to understand what his commanders are talking about shows a glimpse of a great man.

　In history, Lord Oda Nobunaga was sometimes called a demon king because of his battles with Hieizan and the Ikkoshu. Daimyo who fought against the Ikkoshu are not particularly uncommon.

　It was not unusual for temples and shrines in this period to forcefully appeal to the Imperial Court and the Shogunate by force of arms, and it is true that the behaviour of the Ichimukoshu was particularly unremarkable.

　It can even be said that the response of the historical Lord Nobunaga was, if anything, generous.

　However, Lord Nobunaga in front of me is still a child, although he seems to have talent.

　He seems to have a rebellion against adults and the world at heart.

　Even so, even though I had expected it, I was completely involved with Lord Nobunaga.

　Is the Commander aware that he has become a party to history?

　I'll have to ask him later.

If you are going to retreat, the sooner the better, and if you are going to get involved, you must be prepared.

　This is not a time when we can live only in a beautiful way.

　Of course, if it is just us and the command, there is no problem.