"Look, Yoshiharu! It's Mount Fuji! Gosh! So huge! And tall!
Beautiful! I didn't think that we would get to see Mount Fuji so soon!"
"Nobuna, don't get overexcited! This is already part of Suruga
province, we're already in Takeda Shingen's territory!"
"It's precisely because we are in enemy territory that I'm in such
high spirits! And, idiot! Call me "Kichi"!"
"Oh, I forgot, sorry about it."
Sengoku era.
Starting from being a Hime Daimyo of Owari, conquering Mino and
being noticed all of a sudden in the sengoku era, it's Oda Nobuna
who had successfully acquired the capital.
And now, Nobuna had changed to the daughter of the rich
merchant Imai Soukyuu "Kichi", and with her subordinate had
headed to this Toukaido at full speed.
Intentionally not riding a horse and using a merchant's daughter's
identity is to hide her true identity as a warrior.
So as to say, it's to hide from the samurai of the Takeda clan.
"It should be the first time you looked at Mount Fuji, Yoshiharu. Are
you touched? Hmph, hurry and thank me!"
With the name "Kichi", Nobuna, who was wearing an elegant
wafuku, is acting like the owner of Mount Fuji as she raised her chin
high up proudly.
Saying loudly and proudly to her only subordinate, Sagara
Yoshiharu, who had disguised himself as a student, "Mount Fuji is
the no 1 mountain in Japan! From ancient times, people have been
worshipping it as a spiritual mountain! Even till now, they had
forbidden women from entering it. But, like entering Mount Hiei, I just
want to enter Mount Fuji!"
Though the reasons are unclear, but it seems like Nobuna loves
high mountains.
When she conquered Mino's Inabayama castle and named it "Gifu
castle", to view all the towns below the mountain, she build a grand
building on the mountain. Now, she is building a never heard before
7 floor Tenshu in Azuchi castle.
"So as to say, Kichi has the habit of climbing high mountains!"
"I'm not an idiot, don't treat me like some monkey! And you're the
monkey here. Be moved a little! This is Mount Fuji! We are currently
savoring the view of Mount Fuji!"
"Sorry, but during my middle school trip, I had toured Mount Fuji.
And, now that you have mentioned it, I don't really like climbing
mountains."
Sagara Yoshiharu scratched his nose while seemingly trying to
avoid Nobuna's gaze as he turned his face to another side while he
mumbled.
Once his eyes meet with Nobuna's, his heart would start thumping
like crazy.
Sagara Yoshiharu was originally a normal Japanese high school
student, but one day, he had somehow slipped into the sengoku era.
For some reason, in this sengoku era, all the generals were
"Princess knights", so as to say, girls! Is this the past that is
connected to Yoshiharu's era? Or is it a different dimension?
Yoshiharu does not know yet. An extreme sengoku game fanatic,
while relying on the sengoku knowledge from his games, Yoshiharu
become a retainer of the tyrant, Oda Nobuna and not Oda Nobunaga
who has the fate of unifying the warring states. But, Yoshiharu had
somehow developed feelings for this Nobuna who had fought on with
her small body to calm the chaos of the sengoku era.
The vagrant who had claimed that he came from the future and
the Hime Daimyo from birth and had also captured Kyo. According to
the common sense of the sengoku era, their statuses are too
different, these two who never have anything in common had an
unstoppable forbidden love burning fiercely between them.
Not to say, this is Suruga province.
It's no longer Nobuna's territory.
And so, there wasn't any aides nor retainers by her side.
Though the ninja serving Yoshiharu, Hachisuka Goemon is
protecting the both of them while hiding somewhere, but either she
understands the mood or she's being embarrassed as neither one of
them could see Goemon at all.
So as to say, there's only Yoshiharu and Nobuna, the two of them.
"Le...Let's hold hands. Since there isn't anyone here. Just like a
premarital trip!"
The fiercely blushing Nobuna held onto Yoshiharu's hand tightly.
While swallowing his saliva, Yoshiharu held onto Nobuna's snow
white hands.
How soft...
Both of them have zero experience in going out with the opposite
sex.
The two of them clumsily holding hands due to being
embarrassed, from the eyes of the love expert, Matsunaga Hisahide
and the already passed away Nobuna's godfather, Saitou Dousan,
they look like they are just fooling around.
Even if they are clumsy, the both of them had reached this stage.
The Nobuna who is easily angered, vicious tongued, arrogant and
likes to tease people just for laughs. The Yoshiharu who likes to talk
bluntly and disregard the common etiquette between him and his
master. The both of them had always quarreled whenever their roads
crossed.
At Kanegasaki, when Yoshiharu volunteered to do the job of
protecting their rear, he had resolved to die for her.
At Anegawa, when Nobuna was isolated in the main camp and
was assaulted by Asakura Yoshikage.
As per this era's common sense, like a huge gap that can never
be crossed, the romance between the two of them will never be
forgiven.
Though they had promised Saitou Dousan who even up to the last
second of his life, he's still worried about Nobuna's future. But
holding a marriage ceremony and becoming husband and wife is
quite impossible.
When Yoshiharu was being held up high as the "namban soccer
god" in Honbyo temple, he had to once again give up Nobuna.
But now, like a miracle, with no one disturbing them, the two of
them were holding hands and looking at Mount Fuji in Toukaido.
What a charismatic mountain!
The two of them can't help but be awed by the spiritual mountain.
"Wait, Yoshiharu. You said you have already visited Mount Fuji,
that should be a thing that happened very very long ago, right?"
"Hmmm, a future that is about 400 years from now."
"So as to say, now is the first time you've seen Mount Fuji!
Because this Mount Fuji is the Mount Fuji from 400 years ago,
right?"
"....Don't say such hard to understand things! How annoying..."
Though Nobuna is someone from the sengoku era, she has the
same logic as a modern person.
Illogical things can only be explained by superstition.
But, no matter how strange a thing is, as long as it fits logic, one
can easily believe it.
That is how a logical person thinks.
For example, Nobuna thinks, when one dies, they return to dust,
there isn't any world after death.
The reason is simple. Because no one has seen just how a world
like that looks. And so, there isn't any proof to make people believe
it.
When the missionary who had come over from the namban seas
took out his globe and pointed out that the earth is round, Nobuna
believed it very easily.
Because, the words of the missionary fits logic.
Even during the time when she wanted to burn the base of antiNobuna forces, the spiritual mountain, Mount Hiei, there's a logical
reason too.
First, if they conquered Mount Hiei, all disadvantageous situations
at that time would be overturned.
Second, though Mount Hiei is a holy ground for Buddhists, the
monks are always fighting. Nobuna thinks that as a strength to pacify
people's hearts, religious factions who arm themselves and fight with
the warriors are going against their own aims.
Third, Nobuna does not believe in the Gods or spirits in this world.
Even if there's really some kind of higher being in the world, Nobuna
firmly believes that those Gods or spirits who go against Nobuna
who wishes to end this chaotic era aren't the real Gods.
Besides, demolishing the old system that protects the rights of
merchant and pushing ahead a new policy that lets everyone have
free trade, tearing down the customs and tax system, repairing the
roads, building trade routes and improving cities and towns, all these
caused Nobuna to be a destroyer of old tradition and rules in the
eyes of the traditional people.
Due to this, in this era, there are times when Nobuna fell into the
traps that these superstitious people created.
Recently, she had even gotten the title of "The demon lord of the
sixth realm".
But, Yoshiharu who had came from the future is different.
Yoshiharu gently tells Nobuna, "The things you are doing are right,
I believe in you."
At that time, Yoshiharu is really gentle, totally different from the
usual jovial him.
But, there are times when Nobuna feels uneasy about Yoshiharu
whose eyes are full of sadness when he says "The things you are
doing are right."
Just how is my future? Yoshiharu had never told me.
At the same time, Nobuna hopes to rely on her own will and
strength to create the future and so, does not wish to rely on
prophecies.
Yoshiharu can never tell her "The Incident at Honnouji"
beforehand.
Yoshiharu had always been troubled about how to stop the
Incident at Honnouji, can it be stopped?
No matter what, there is the warrior who will caused the Incident at
Honnouji, Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide...
"Juubei, don't tell me...? What should I do...."
Just when Yoshiharu is thinking about all this, Nobuna pinched his
face.
"Oi, are you listening? How did you climb Mount Fuji? Now that
we're talking about it, aren't you a complete amateur in riding
horses?"
"Well, it...it's still considered as riding...."
"Aren't you a commoner in the future? There shouldn't be time for
you to tour Mount Fuji, right?"
"In the future Japan, there is a transportation tool called
"Shinkansen". All you need to do is to sit there. According to the
namban time, it takes only 2 hours from Owari to Edo. I think it's
around 3 hours from Osaka to Edo?"
"What's that!? If it's so fast, it isn't considered a trip anymore!"
Nobuna pursed her lips.
"W...W...Wh...What a rare premarital trip, i...if...if that's the case,
won't it be totally meaningless!?"
"Eh? What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly, can you say it
again?"
"H....How can I say such a thing twice!?"
The shy Nobuna aimed a kick right at Yoshiharu's shin.
It didn't have the usual killing force, but was instead a gentle kick
like a playful kitten.
"Now, we can't play like this so relaxingly. How do we get near the
Odawara castle that is surrounded by the Date army?"
"Yeah, let's discuss it over at the teahouse by the road side."
"Le...Let's stay a night in an inn... From now on, won't we have to
pass by Hakone? Wanting to reach Odawara castle in a day, it's
impossible no matter what!"
"I...In...Inn!? K...Ki....Kichi-sama! If I use the modern language,
w...wo....won't that be a love hotel!???!?"
"R...Ra...Rabu hotel? Mo...Monkey language is really hard to
understand!"
"I'm sorry, I don't know how else to explain it."
"W...What are you thinking in that brain of yours? W...We are just
here to negotiate with Takeda Shingen who is being surrounded in
Odawara castle! Well, th...though there's still the pre...premarital trip
objective...."
"Sorry, I can't hear what you're saying from the middle onwards."
"O....Ok, let's find an inn!"
Though blushing, Nobuna holds onto Yoshiharu hands
nevertheless and heads towards Hakone.
There's a reason for Nobuna and Yoshiharu to pass through
Takeda Shingen's territory Suruga and head towards Houjou
Ujiyasu's Odawara castle. Due to Yoshiharu's strategist, Takenaka
Hanbei carefully suggesting to the panicking and ranting Nobuna
"Just what should we do!?", they go along with Hanbei's plan with
the Oda clan's extremely serious Nee-san, Niwa Nagahide saying
"Full points!". And so, that's how this trip of just the two of them
begins. On the outside, it looks like helping out with the negotiation
of "Oshu's conqueror" "Revelation's beast" Date Masamune and
Houjou Ujiyasu, as well as Takeda Shingen who are currently
besieged in Odawara castle. And now, Nobuna is currently facing off
with Northern Omi's Asai Hisamasa, Nagamasa as well as Echizen's
Asakura Yoshikage, with the situation stagnating.
And, the dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin had declared publically
that he will stand on the side of the disadvantageous Asakura
Yoshikage. To Nobuna, that is a very critical situation.
Though they are in a temporary peace agreement with another
enemy, Osaka's Honbyo temple. But if that god of war Kenshin plans
to attack the south with Asakura Yoshikage, Nobuna can never hold
Southern Omi and Kyoto.
Though the base that was specifically build to counter the Uesugi
and Takeda armies, the "Azuchi castle" had already started
construction, it's still quite far off from completion.
And so, the genius strategist, Takenaka Hanbei suggested to
Nobuna.
"Takeda Shingen-sama and Uesugi Kenshin-sama are like what
people know of them, strong rivals that fought in the Kawanaka
Island. If Uesugi-sama wants to head to the capital and attacks
Takeda-sama, Takeda-sama will definitely stop Uesugi-sama. But in
contrast, rather than heading out to the captial again, if the Oda army
attacks over, it might make Takeda-sama happier. If it's Uesugi-sama
who commands the powerful Echigo army, if she holds onto the path
towards Kyoto from Southern Omi, even if Takeda-sama wants to
head to the capital, it will be quite hard for her. But, if it's the weak
Owari army that Nobuna-sama commands, Takeda-sama may not
mind it much. I'm sorry, sorry! Don't kill me! Uhhhhhhh...."
So as to say, "The enemy's enemy is my friend." Letting Takeda
Shingen hold onto Uesugi Kenshin.
But, the Shingen of now is together with her ally Houjou Ujiyasu
and is in a stalemate with Date Masamune, trapped in Odawara
castle.
"Skilled in attacking, Takeda-sama isn't very good with long
periods of defensive battles. But the master of Odawara castle,
Houjou-sama loves defensive battles, so she will definitely drag this
battle on. And so, Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san have to go into
Odawara castle directly and help defend it, letting the Date army
retreat. As a reward, request Takeda-sama to help delay Uesugisama. With this, we can defeat the Asai Asakura allied forces who
are guarding the Odani castle."
Hanbei said, wanting to fight both Uesugi and Takeda together, the
Oda clan will definitely fail.
The sengoku strongest will definitely be Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin
and Kai's Takeda Shingen. This is the common knowledge of this
era.
Though the Oda clan had successfully captured the capital with
Nobuna's outstanding strategies, but the Owari army is just too
weak.
"Even if that's the case, it's still a problem whether if we can enter
Odawara castle. And, just me and Saru, how can we defeat Date
Masamune? If we really force Date Masamune to retreat Takeda
Shingen should fulfill the promise. But... It's still too difficult!"
Though Nobuna feels that Hanbei's plan is too hard to implement
at the start, but Hanbei said instead, "If this goes on, the Oda clan
will definitely be decimated by the Northern allied forces led by
Uesugi-sama! We can only gamble. And Takeda-sama always likes
Yoshiharu-san. Even if Nobuna-sama can't do it alone, if she brings
along Yoshiharu-san, there might be some grounds for negotiation.
So Nobuna-sama must go. From now on, we need to rely on
Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-san's intelligence, courage and luck,
cough cough..." Hanbei coughed lightly while persuading Nobuna.
Takeda Shingen likes Yoshiharu? During the time with Honbyo
temple, didn't that fellow get special treatment from Kennya-sama?
No matter how I think about it, I don't have a good feeling... While
hesitating, Nobuna still mentioned about Hanbei's plan to the chief
advisor of the Oda clan, Niwa Nagahide. And,
"Full points. Though there's danger, but it's an unavoidable fate of
all warriors. And, whatever we do is filled with dangers. Why don't we
treat it as a rare chance and treat it like a premarital trip with
Yoshiharu-sama?"
Nagahide smiled while saying. And so, Nobuna executed Hanbei's
plan.
Correct.
This is the hidden objective of this trip.
Nobuna and Yoshiharu's premarital(?) trip.
In this sengoku era where all heroes are out to conquer the world,
both Nobuna and Yoshiharu do not know what will happen to them in
the future. That the both of them are able to live till now like this
together, it can even be said to be a miracle. And so, they must work
even harder to live on. With this, since they can never be proper
husband and wife, why don't they avoid the retainer's gaze and
secretly marry at some faraway place... That was Nagahide's
suggestion.
Though Nobuna shyly said, "Y...Yo...You gotta be joking! Why
must that fellow and I....", but she still asked Yoshiharu secretly and
started this trip.
Other than their ninja Goemon who is hiding in some dark corner,
they didn't bring along anyone else. In the end, it's because of this
reason too.
This is Nobuna and Yoshiharu's trip.
They can't bring Shibata Katsuie and Akechi Mitsuhide along
especially.
Katsuie treated protecting Nobuna's chastity like her own
responsibility.
And Mitsuhide had been suspecting about their relationship.
It's Mitsuhide that gives them quite a headache.
If one were to ask why, it's because Akechi Mitsuhide.....
"Yoshiharu, aren't you having quite a long face from just now!?
What's with you recently? The times you sigh is getting more
frequent."
"Ah? Ahh~ Sorry about it, I'm getting hungry."
"There seems to be quite a good inn in Hakone! Though it's quite
expensive, but because it's new, it's said that the decor is quite
beauitful and the room can overlook Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. Let's
take that inn then!"
"Oh, ohh... Ok..."
"Then let's stay in the same room!"
"Y...Yeah... There's only Goemon protecting us this time, from the
angle of one protecting us, a single room is better."
"Ex...Exactly. D...Don't be expecting something! Yo...You
understand?"
"O...Oh... I...I understand. I... I will be gentle. So, you will endure it
during the start, right Kichi...."
"Oi, wh...what are you talking about!? Well... Forget it. Let's go in.
Well, th... the first step is to use the onsen to wash our bodies clean.
D...Do...Don't you be too greedy."
"I...I got it... Ah, I'm thirsty. N...Not good, I'm starting to get
nervous!"
"Nervous... You're really perverted."
"I...It...It's not like that!"
"Ara ara, how close the both of you are, I can't stand it any longer."
Goemon who god knows where she is hiding sighed softly.
"Goemon, when did you start watching us!? You, when it's at the
critical period, hurry and disappear! It's forbidden to peek!"
"Ye...Yeah, Goemon!"
"The lonely me will hide in the darkness and open up a barrier
around the inn."
It has finally come to this, Sagara-shi. If it doesn't stand at the
critical moment, don't be sad, yit(eat) this medicine. Dropping a small
bag at Yoshiharu's head in the dango shop, she disappears like
always.
"What's this?"
"It's a secret medicine of the ninjas. During the time at
Okehazama, it's the same as the medicine that was applied on to
Sagara-shi and Maeda-shi."
"...Ahh~ It's that medicine. Letting the limbs be filled with energy
and causing the body to heat up, like it's burning..."
"Hmmm, because it's too nutritious, it's quite common to have a
nosebleed, please take note."
"I got it."
"So we have finally reached the "Rabu Hotel". Though I'm not
afraid, but I feel so nervous..." Nobuna swings around while hugging
tightly to Yoshiharu's arms.
Such a cute girl is actually.... I'm just too lucky. Oi, Tokichirou-jiisan, even if I abandon the dream of opening a harem and love only
Nobuna, You shouldn't have any opinions, right? This is the best
bishoujo in the world no matter if it's the exterior or her heart!
Yoshiharu looks at the Mount Fuji that was bathed in the light of the
setting sun as he thinks inside his heart.
This is just too joyous for me! Yoshiharu himself can't believe it.
Though the two of them will risk death to sneak into Odawara
castle.
Though it's the plan of the genius strategist Hanbei, it's not
ensured that it will definitely succeed.
Especially when Hanbei said, "Please be careful of Houjou
Ujiyasu-sama, Yoshiharu-san. Though Takeda Shingen-sama is a
righteous person who will never do a thing like assassination, but
Houjou Ujiyasu is a strategist that's hard to fathom. She is that kind
of person who won't be bound by a set of rules of reasons and will
think of a plan on the fly, so do not reveal any openings. To not
regret in the end, please be very careful. Uhh, uhh.", she had given
such a warning when they were moving out.
And so, I must join with Nobuna tonight.
Tonight isn't the time to be embarrassed, troubled and withdrawn.
Just how much do I love Nobuna, and how I'm attracted by her, I
must tell Nobuna no matter what. I can't just tell her using words, I
must show it with my actions!
So, Yoshiharu had made up his mind.
"As Aneue's substitute, is it really safe that I won't be revealed?
Katsuie? Do I look like a bishoujo now?"
"Yes, perfect. Hime-sama. No matter how I see you, you're the
most beautiful, cute, and awesome Oda Nobuna-sama in the warring
states! It's already at the level that I want to push you down!
Hahaha!"
"Ka...Katsuie? Why are you using such a hungry tiger-like eyes to
look at me? I'm not Aneue, s...so, don't look at me like that~"
Northern Omi.....
Facing the Odani castle that was guarded by Asai Asakura allied
forces, there's a small mountain full of green, Mount Toragozen.
This is the foremost base of the Oda army who is facing Asai
Asakura.
If the Asai Asakura allied forces entered Kyoto where both the
Yamato Gose and Imagawa Yoshimoto are staying at, it will be
Nobuna's loss.
Here, to not let the Asai Asakura army head out, the Nobuna
armies are guarding it with their full force. But, there had been
rumors that the dragon of Echigo Uesugi Kenshin had already
started to reinforce Asai Asakura. No matter if it's the commoners or
the soldiers, they are already discussing, "This time, the Oda army
will definitely be chased out of Kyoto."
But currently, Nobuna is together with the eloquent (Skilled in
deceiving girls) Yoshiharu to ask Takeda Shingen to delay Uesugi
Kenshin from entering the eastern provinces.
Right now, if Asai Asakura's side know that the commander in
chief Nobuna isn't at the base of Mount Toragozen, things will go
downhill.
So, the plan that the strategist Takenaka Hanbei thought of, is to
arrange for a substitute of Nobuna to be at Mount Toragozen to
scare the enemy at Odani castle.
But Nobuna does not have any sisters, the perfect doll-like face of
the no 1 beauty of Owari, Nobuna is very famous, one can
distinguish it even from afar.
Recently, there's a convenient tool called "telescope" that was
from namban. Even from the Odani castle, one can see Nobuna who
is in her main base of Mount Toragozen.
One that can be the substitute of Nobuna, there isn't any in Oda's
camp.
If it's about bishoujo, there's quite a few with Akechi Mitsuhide as
the head, but there weren't any who looks like Nobuna.
"And so, with the help of my cross dressing skills, I Tsuda
Kanjuurou will act as Aneue! I'm not boasting but in the Oda clan,
there's only me who looks like Aneue. Hahaha!"
So,
The substitute that Hanbei chosen is Nobuna's brother, Tsuda
Nobusumi.
Though Nobusumi is Oda clan's prince, he is a bishounen with the
same look as Nobuna.
And, other than having a girl like look, he likes cross-dressing.
Other than him, there isn't anyone more suitable to be Nobuna's
substitute.
"You're so cute that I almost forget that you're really a guy, and you
look exactly the same as Hime-sama. Ahh, I can't endure it anymore.
Hime-sama, it must be hot for you to wear the namban armor. Let
me Katsuie help you to change! Hahahaha!"
"Wa...Wait a minute, Katsuie! Why are you rushing over here!?
Stop~ I have a wife~"
"Please call me "Riku", Hime-sama, don't call me Katsuie. Then,
call me "Riku" and order me around! If you fail, I will execute you,
don't forget to say such cold words! Occasionally saying such harsh
words is one of Hime-sama charm points! Hahahaha"
"....Katsuie's loyalty to Aneue, how should I say it... Well, forget it!"
The combination of Nobusumi who is wearing Nobuna's favorite
namban armor and her vice commander Shibata Katsuie who is
currently serving by her side, the both of them are acting out
"Nobuna and her subordinate Katsuie"
If it's Asai Nagamasa who had been Tsuda Nobusumi's wife for a
short period of time getting near to the camp, she will definitely
notice that this Nobuna is fake. But, if it's looking through a telescope
from Odani castle, one shouldn't be able to notice anything different.
From the back of both of them, as a Akahorushuu, wearing the
tiger skin hat, Maeda Inuchiyo holds onto her spear as she stood
there silently.
"Anyway, where did Nagahide and Mitsuhide go to, Katsuie?"
"....Haven't I told you to call me "Riku"!? You must act like the
substitute!"
"Katsuie, Katsuie. To not expose the substitute, it's no good if you
undress Nobusumi's shirt." Inuchiyo warned expressionlessly.
"Ahh, sorry, Riku.... So where did Niwa Nagahide and Akechi
Mitsuhide go to~?"
"Yes~ Nagahide is at Mount Azuchi and is currently supervising
the construction work of Azuchi castle. As expected of Nagahide,
working hard like this. Mitsuhide is spreading herself thin by moving
around with the Yamato Gose, nobles, shogun and merchants in
Kyoto."
"There isn't any backup? This is making me uneasy."
"It's not like this, if Asai Asakura forces have any movement,
Mitsuhide will immediately lead an army and rush over to Mount
Toragozen, please don't worry!"
"I see~ I originally feel quite worried when I just have Katsuie as
my vice commander, now I feel better~ Ahahahaha."
"Please call me "Riku". What's that about!? And, "I see~" What's
with such a dumb response!? At this moment, if you don't use a stiff
expression and say, "Dearuka!", you are totally not like my Himesama!"
"Dearuka!" ....Though Aneue loves saying that, but what does it
mean?"
"You are her brother, yet you know nothing of it. How sad it is. It is
the short form of answering the retainers, "Is that so, I see." and it
becomes, "Dearuka!" Hime-sama is smart but dislikes talking
useless words. Before you turn this to your favorite verse, you gotta
practise more. Dearuka! Dearuka!"
"Dearuka! Dearuka! ..... Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka Dearuka
Dearuka Dearuka~ Ahh... It feels like a spell totally."
"....Uhh~ Can we really be okay with such a substitute~!?"
Katsuie scratched her head while she sighed.
"Hahaha, there isn't any problem, Katsuie."
"Call me "Riku""
"Sorry, sorry, okay, Riku? Oichi... No, if Asai Nagamasa attacks
suddenly, I will try to stop her even if I have to give my life away. I
had promised her this, it will be the end when we next meet. Don't
need to worry."
Only when he talks about Asai Nagamasa, the usually carefree
Nobusumi will become serious, since he's the frivolous gentleman of
Owari. Though he's currently acting as the Hime-sama of Owari,
Nobuna.
When she was appointed as the vice commander of Mount
Toragozen, she was asked by Nobusumi "Asai Nagamasa is actually
a girl, don't say this out." Katsuie looks at Nobusumi's face with a
questioning look, "When we talk about Nagamasa, he suddenly
becomes suave as if he changed into someone else. Can love really
bring upon such a big change?"
"It will change~ Listen, a serious romance will change you no
matter whether you want it or not, like your soul has been taken
away by the other party. The instant you fall in love, you have to bear
it. The so called responsibility... Because you are not alone anymore,
you must accept the other party's everything."
"Hmmm.... Now that you mentioned it, Saru too, though he is with
that monkey face, but when it's time to protect Hime-sama, as if he
had changed to someone else, he will become suave too.... Though
it's still him, his eyes, or his expression, they are all different, so
that's the power of love~"
"I...If I were to fall in love, will I become cute too...." Katsuie
mumbles to herself with a face full of admiration.
"Katsuie hasn't fallen in love before?"
"Call me "Riku", didn't I said so already!?"
"....Huh, it's not like a tone that a girl of your age should have. Not
to mention cute, you're totally the demon Katsuie. Katsuie is totally
clueless about the ways of love."
"....Even if it's me, if I fall in love, will I become more like a girl?
Like Hime-sama recently? Ever since Hime-sama met Saru, she
become much cuter than ever.... I...It's so unfair! Why isn't Himesama's affection target me!? Some time when Saru is sleeping, I
must cut off his head!"
"....This, Aneue liking Katsuie or something, isn't that totally
impossible.... Hahaha."
"Why? Ahh~ Ahh~ I want to fall in love too, though I can't reach the
cuteness level of Hime-sama, I will at least become a girl like
Nagahide."
Ever since that skit incident, Katsuie had been treating Nagahide
as her rival on a subconscious level.
During the time when they were categorizing themselves,
Katsuie = Big breasts, the enemy.
Nagahide = Onee-san, pure type.
Somehow, it becomes like this, Katsuie mumbled, "I want to act
like a girl more." and her maiden heart suddenly awakes.
"....Compared to love, dango seems more suitable for Katsuie,
want some Uiroumochi?"
To lose weight, with her mouth watering as she faced Inuchiyo
who is using toothpicks to pick up the trembling Uiroumochi, Katsuie
said, "No! From now on, looks is much more important than eating!
My waist will become smaller! Uhh, I won't let anyone say I'm a cow
with huge breasts anymore!"
"How about changing your tone to be more like a girl?"
Towards Nobusumi's suggestion, "Yeah. The speaking methods of
future girls, I had learnt quite abit from Saru... Though I'm
embarrassed... but to defeat Nagahide, I'm willing to do anything!
No, let me do it!" Katsuie blinked alluringly while she feels
embarrassed.
At this time, not far from the camp, Takenaka Hanbei is acting out
the defensive strategies of Mount Toragozen. The shikigamis Zenki
and Gouki were wiping Hanbei's forehead to help reduce her
temperature.
"You should rest a little, my master. You hadn't been sleeping
since last night. You're overworked."
"....Cough cough.... This time round, though I'm the one who
planned this negotiation with Takeda-sama, but there's quite a big
risk factor in it. No matter what, I got a bad feeling about this. I must
come up with a pefect plan that can manage any situation that
occurs.
"But, due to the holy light of Mount Hiei being extinguished, your
"Ki" has been weakened. Don't push yourself too hard."
"I know, Zenki-san. I will go rest after I finish writing these. There
isn't much time left for me... Cough cough cough."
"Ohhh, you are really... You have already worked so hard, no one
will say anything if you just act spoilt a little."
Zenki's eyes met with Gouki who was wiping Hanbei's forehead
with a face full of worry.
"Though I want to explain everything to Sagara Yoshiharu, but
master will definitely lecture us."
"..."
"Gouki. Sagara Yoshiharu isn't dumb. He often worries for master.
But... Though that person is cheerful by nature, it's precisely
because of that cheerfulness that he easily overlooks things."
No matter if it's Zenki or Gouki, none of them can change Hanbei's
decision.
"Right now, I have to go become Yoshiharu's substitute. I'm going
over to the main camp now."
Though Zenki can't change to become another person totally, but
his imitation skills are not a problem at all.
To let the opponent think that Nobuna is still at Mount Toragozen,
Hanbei has to let Nobusumi be Nobuna's substitute and had even
prepared Yoshiharu's substitute.
That's Zenki.
"Zenki-san, I'm leaving the rest to you. Cough, cough."
"Uhh."
Worried, Zenki looks on as Hanbei continues coughing.