The rout of Harima (Part one)

"I've heard that Takenaka Hanbei-sama has contracted an illness"

"Hanbei, huh?"

"Yeah"

The location is within Harima's Mt Shozan, the underground prison

where the Mori clan's vanguard, the Ukita army's main camp is

stationed. Originally planning to persuade Ukita Naoie but was

instead being captured and imprisoned here, Kuroda Kanbei was

whispering softly to the two visitors who were separated from her by

the iron bars.

Kuroda Kanbei was born in Harima, yet in spite of her youth had

already become the master of Himeji castle.

Furthermore, due to her extraordinary talent, she, along with

Mino's Takenaka Hanbei were both called the 'Twin Genius

Strategists".

But now she was simply a pitiful girl struggling against hunger and

thirst while being confined in an underground prison.

"Here, have some onigiri Kanbei-sama"

Concealed from Naoie, the girl, who just from her manner of

speaking and someone who looks like her servant beside her, one

could tell that she had a good upbringing, brought food and water for

Kanbei.

Were it not for the girl who brought food and water together with

news of the outside world from time to time, Kanbei would have

probably reached her physical and mental limit a long time ago.

If the Sagara Corps did not hand the newly joined Yamanaka

Shikanosuke from the old Amago Clan, over to Ukita Naoie, Kanbei

would have been executed the minute the Mori arrived.

And what was more important compared to this, no, compared to

anything was,

"No, before Hanbei recovers, Simon does not want to eat

anything."

"Please, you need only to focus on surviving now."

"It's exactly as Yakurō says, Kanbei-sama"

Originally, the only one who brought food for Kanbei was the girl

with the good upbringing.

This time, accompanying her is a blond haired girl with blue irises.

"You have my gratitude, but it's about time you should tell me

already, who exactly are you?"

"This young princess is Ukita Naoie-sama's only daughter, Hideiesama"

"Yes, I am Hideie"

"I see. Then the 'Otou-sama' you speak of refering to..."

"Please forgive Otou-sama for everything he has done."

The girl who called herself Hideie whimpered while drawing a

cross on her chest.

"And I am a merchant's daughter under the orders from my lord to

specifically escort Hideie-sama. My Japanese name is Konishi

Yakurō while my Christian name is Augustine."

The blond, blue-eyed girl raised the cross in front of her chest to

show Kanbei.

"You are both Christians?"

"Correct"

"The one who persuaded Hideie-sama to convert to Christianity

was Yakurō, my father and foster mother who are in Sakai engaging

in trade are both devout Christians."

"Speaking of Sakai's Konishi clan, could it be that your father is

that Konishi Jyoucin sama?"

"Indeed"

"Sakai, huh... How nostalgic. But why would Konishi-sama's

daughter is working under Ukita Naoie in Bizen?"

"It was when I was working at an acquaintance's shop as an

apprentice..."

"There's quite some distance between Sakai and Bizen."

"I-It's not like I escaped because I got into trouble!"

Looks like Yakurō caused some trouble in Sakai.

"So for some reason you went to Bizen, and at that time caught

the eye of Naoie?"

"Yes, my lord has always wanted to be able to groom his only

daughter, Hideie-sama into a kind-hearted ruler. That's why he had

appointed a devout Christian to be the body guard of Hideie-sama."

Humans really are such complex creatures, Kanbei inadvertently

thought.

To Ukita Naoie who from a nobody, used various schemes to

become the daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka's 500k yield, should any

man obstruct him, he would use various underhanded means to

eradicate him.

And if they are women, they would be treated as tools, discarded

once they outlived their usefulness.

To think that a man who use his notoriety in order to survive would

hire a devout Christian to take care of his daughter ...

And to groom his own daughter to be a kind-hearted ruler ...

This was really too surprising.

"In order to survive, Otou-sama had done many evil things, but he

himself knows that after the end of this chaotic era, despicable

people like himself will lose all his place in the world. Therefore, he

wants Hideie to be a magnificent daimyo who is loved and respected

by the people as well as her retainers."

This whispering Hideie was completely different from her father

who was nicknamed 'Infinite Wickedness', she was just a down-toearth girl.

Although she was still young, yet she seemed to be as pure as a

nun.

However, the one who picked Konishi Yakurō to be Hideie's guard

was after all the wicked Ukita Naoie.

"I see, Ukita Naoie is also a wise man, but since he has these

intentions, why does he not change his way of living?"

"My lord always says 'I'm definitely going to Hell anyway' and turns

a blind eye to the teachings of Christianity'."

Yakurō appeared to be slightly annoyed but she quickly shook her

head and continued.

"And there's another reason why I'm appreciated, Simon-sama,

and that is navigation."

"...Navigation?"

"From Sakai to Hakata, then from Hakata to abroad, I've been

aboard ships to various places in the world and seen many different

sights since young, and as you can see, I look like a Nanban person,

so even if I am abroad in a foreign country, it wouldn't be so

obtrusive."

"Sailing huh? Simon too has a dream of boarding a big ship and

travelling throughout the world, but..."

The deadline for the sentence is approaching.

At the same time the Mori army arrives at Harima, Kuroda Kanbei

would be executed.

Due to the fact that Kanbei was locked in a small and narrow jail

and being malnourished for a long time, Kanbei's lower leg muscles

had begun to shrink.

Even if somehow she could acquire the key to open the jail door,

she could no longer even stand up using her own strength in her

current state.

Her dream would be shattered while still remaining a dream.

"God will never abandon Simon, therefore please have faith in

Sagara Yoshiharu-sama"

"Indeed, if he really were as outstanding as what Kanbei said he

was, he'll definitely come."

"Simu, that man really is good, to the extent where one would

think he is too good. Caring about everything with his soft heart.

Wanting to do everything right, yet because of that delaying, thus

hindering his plans and so regardless how many lives he has, the

ending will not change, definitely."

"I had met him once, but he didn't seem very reliable."

"He does look a little strange, but still, he is bighearted."

"If so, he'll definitely come to save Simon, we'll too act according

to the situation."

"That's impossible, Simon's legs can no longer move, much less

allow her to walk. Furthermore, if Simon really escapes, you gals will

definitely incur Ukita Naoie's wrath."

"Uuuu… Hideie already does not want Otou-sama to sin anymore,

his 'Definitely not killing women' characteristic is the only redeeming

point left of Otou-sama who bears the nickname of 'Despicable'."

"As fellow Christians following Christianity, we'll definitely find the

key to release you, Simon!"

"But just Hideie and Yakurō is a bit..."

"Without external manpower, in other words Sagara Yoshiharusama's help, this would be too difficult..."

Sagara Yoshiharu will definitely come, this was what Kanbei

believed.

Thus, for that moment, she must do what she can to preserve her

strength, and not allow her mind and body to grow any weaker.

But also, right now to Kanbei, what's even, even more important to

her than her own life was…

"Is Hanbei still alive? Was Sagara Yoshiharu able to save Hanbei?

Even though I'm worried, but right now, the only thing Simon can do

is pray."

Correct, compared to Simon's own life, what she placed more

importance on was precisely the comrade she found on the

battlefield, the genius strategist, Takenaka Hanbei's life.

Hanbei must have had a plan to save Kanbei's sister, Shojyomaru.

Therefore, this time it was up to Simon to save Hanbei.

"So I definitely have to live. Continue to live, and return to Hanbei's

side."

Kanbei forced down the onigiri that was stuck in her throat.

Her stomach's condition was quite bad, even if she ate some food,

not much nutrients would be produced.

However, Kanbei had decided not to shed tears any more.

Even if she wanted to, it would be until the moment where she

would finally be reunited with Hanbei, it would be tears of joy.

"Kobayakawa, Kikkawa,are we still unable to have a showdown

against Oda Nobuna?"

"In just a few days, our Mori army will be able to reach Harima."

"Right now, the frantically panicking Ukita Naoie is aggressively

attacking Harima.

"Well well, so to say, the minute the Mori's main army reaches

Harima, the result of the battle would have already been decided.

Right?"

Inside the main formation of the Mori army, Ashigaka Yoshiaki, the

Ashigaka clan's new shogun, exclaimed while waving a fan with the

word 'Banzai' and started dancing.

And the twin beauties by her sides were the famous female

generals - The "Mori Twins".

Kobayakawa Takakage,

Kikkawa Motoharu.

This pair of sisters were supposed to assist Mori Terumune, the

young head of the Mori family, but in fact, they controlled all power in

the Mori Clan.

"Even though we cannot make such an assertion, it is true that the

situation is developing in our favour."

The younger sister, Kobayakawa Takakage is a famous general

who is constantly on her toes and kept her calm no matter what, with

the nickname of "The Wise".

"Chūgoku's okonomiyaki are the best, let's fight with the fake

Kyoto's okonomiyaki house."

The elder sister, Kikkawa Motoharu, is the Mori Clan's number one

when it comes to battles, and is nicknamed "The Valiant General".

She is a talented swordswoman who mastered 'Iai', a figure of

smooth and controlled movements of drawing ones sword from its

scabbard, striking or slashing an enemy, removing bloodstains from

the sword, and then sheathing the sword back in the scabbard. All of

it is in a matter of seconds.

She constantly wore her headband with 'Greater Mori' written on it

in order to differentiate herself from her sister.

It was said that when they both quietly stood side by side, even

close friends and retainers could not tell who was who.

"Onee-sama, please control your Aki dialect in front of the

Shogun."

"Uuu... sorry Takakage."

However the minute they spoke, one could immediately tell the

difference from the two.

After the rightful heir to the title of Shogun, Yoshiaki returned to

Japan from the Ming Empire, the dominant Mori Clan in the Chūgoku

region, mobilised forces in order to fight with the Oda Clan after

receiving Yoshiaki's plea to 'assist her in getting to the capital.'

The young head of the Mori, Terumoto, was left behind to defend

Aki.

While the Mori Twins departed from their base of Aki, leading their

main army and proceeded through Bingo and Bichuu and finally

arrived at Bizen, while protecting Ashikaga Yoshiaki,

For the Mori Clan who lorded over the Chūgoku region, Bizen was

their easternmost territory.

Any further east would be Harima where the Mori Clan's Ukita

Naoie and the Oda Clan's Sagara Yoshiharu were engaged in fierce

fighting. After Harima was conquered, Settsu would also swiftly

follow, and after Settsu, all that was left would be Kyoto.

The rapidly expanding Oda Clan who had just finished defeating

the Azai-Asakura alliance had its forces scattered on and pinned

down at multiple battlefronts.

The intelligent Kobayakawa Takakage had discovered the fact

they could only strike now while Oda Nobuna have not stablised yet..

But even though Kikkawa Motoharu did not think so deeply, she

was overcome by the sentiment of 'Since I've been asked by

Shogun-sama, then what I need to do is to use all my efforts to

charge towards the capital!'

There's another reason for Motoharu's motivation, and that was …

"The one who leads the Amago Clan's remnants, Yamanaka

Shikanosuke, should have already defected to the Oda side. This

time, I definitely must defeat Shikanosuke in a duel!"

The Amago Clan which came from Izumo originally wanted to

seize the prize of being the ruler of the Chūgoku region and thus

fought against the Mori Clan which controlled it.

Though eventually, the Amago Clan was defeated and scattered,

but the old Amago Clan's retainer, the fierce general Yamanaka

Shikanosuke, with a heart of loyalty that surpassed normal people,

continued to move around stirring up trouble, in order to 'revive the

Amago Clan'.

Against the overwheming difference in quantity and quality of the

army, supplies and economic wealth of the Mori Clan who had taken

over the Chūgoku region, the Yamanaka Shikanosuke who led a

small band of guerrillas (even though it sounds impressive, in actual

fact they were nothing more than a bunch of dejected soldiers) had

no chance of winning.

Even the Amago Clan's original family head had already

surrendered to the Mori Clan and was living a comfortable life in

seclusion.

However, Yamanaka Shikanosuke's stubbornness also surpassed

normal people. Regardless of how many defeats she suffered, after

a while she would yell "Grant to me the Seven Misfortunes and Eight

Pains!" and challenged the Mori to battle once more.

Even though her knowledge on the art of war was practically zero,

yet Yamanaka Shikanosuke was so strong to the extent with just a

spear in her hands, she had caused the Mori Clan a great deal of

trouble.

There was also one time where they finally succeeded in capturing

her alive after lots of effort. However, while persuading her to serve

the Mori Clan, she actually used the pretext of going to the toilet to

escape and soon, she had continued her guerrilla attacks.

Yamanaka Shikanosuke was not just a fierce general who only

knew how to fight; the fact that she was one of the few Izumo

bishoujo was also very well known.

When Shikanosuke was still a prisoner, the soldiers of the Mori

Clan were shouting things like "We've suffered a lot because of that

bastard!" "I nearly died so many times!" and pushed their way into

the jail seeking revenge. But the sight of the imprisoned and sullen

Yamanaka Shikanosuke's beautiful figure caused them all to lament:

"Ah...What a beautiful girl." "I'm dying from bliss..." and like servants,

prostrated themselves before her and from then on delivered large

quantities of Hiroshima's delicacies to her everyday.

But to think this kind of princess knight would use the excuse of

going to the toilet in order to escape!

On a certain day, the imprisoned Shikanosuke requested to her

guards.

"Th...This is too embarrassing, but because I ate too much of

Hiroshima's Okonomiyaki, I have a terrible stomach-ache now. I...I

can't endure any longer. Pl-please let me go to the toilet. Hah...

Hah...."

At the sight of Shikanosuke who was wearing a sweat-stained

garment, pleading in a low voice while trembling slightly, the guards

felt excited, no, concerned and had immediately escorted her to the

toilet. But no matter how many times Shikanosuke went, she

continued to hug her stomach while her face contorting in spasms of

pain, and with sweat pouring off her body.

The guards, after looking at the princess knight who was beautiful

as a flower contorting her red blushing face and slender body due to

the pain, and her hard to conceal expression of shame and agony,

become more and more excited, no, was unabled to carry on

watching. They exclaimed 'This is too pitiful' and went to get some

medicine for her. Making full use of this opportunity, Shikanosuke

crawled through the toilet passage in order to flee outside the city.

Motoharu flew into a rage after hearing that Shikanosuke escaped.

A maiden actually crawled through the toilet passage in order to

escape?!

"Does she still want to marry someone?!"

"Does she really enjoy suffering through deeds that other people

can't even tolerate thinking of?!"

"Or is she trying to say that she would rather suffer this kind of

humiliation rather than submit to the Mori Clan?!"

"Could she possibly be trying to say that the Mori Clan is no better

than toilets?"

"No, it should be like comparing the Clan to be no better than

faeces!"

The enraged Motoharu yelled "Never again will I show mercy to

her!" and since then had viewed Shikanosuke as her lifelong sworn

enemy and was determined to hunt her down even if it took her a

lifetime.

"Shogun-sama, we will be commencing the battle in a while, I will

definitely personally lead the troops against Yamanaka

Shikanosuke!"

"Oh ho, even though I don't quite understand, but you're quite

pumped up Kikkawa"

"Only bastards who treated the Mori Clan as no better than faeces

can I never forgive."

The Takakage who was standing at the side coughed lightly.

"Cough cough, Onee-sama, please control your behaviour for

wanting to seek duels on the battlefield."

"Why should I, Takakage!"

"This is not a question of 'why', Onee-sama. You are the pillar

supporting the Mori Clan, the founder of the Mori Clan, in other

words, our father, Motonari, has already passed away, and the Mori

Clan's Second Generation, our Onii-sama, died young while the

current Third Generation is still young and immature, if at this time

we were to lose even you, the Mori clan would really be destroyed."

Even though the Mori Clan was a family with a long history, but in

actual fact, the only daimyo was only the Mori Twin's father, Mori

Motonari's generation.

So internally, among the members of the Mori Clan, Mori Motonari

was called the 'First Generation'

The first generation had a son and two daughters,

His son, Mori Takamoto, became the Mori Clan second generation

after Motonari's passing.

Compared to his father Motonari who was nicknamed "Genius

Tactician", Takamoto who was a very kind and sincere person was

completely different.

Furthermore, he was a bishōnen.

The one who had perfectly integrated the constantly expanding

Mori Clan's territories due to the constant warring of his father and

sisters was the second generation Takamoto.

While Motonari's two daughters, in other words Kikkawa Motoharu

as well as Kobayakawa Takakage, were sent to the relatives in the

Mori Clan when they were young as sisters'. They returned later to

the Mori Clan and became the Clan's pillars under Takamoto's

arrangements.

The cunning Motonari as well as the ones who inherited Motonari's

intelligence and strength, the 'Mori Twins' constantly expanded the

Mori Clan's territory, and the second generation head, Takamoto,

who treated people generously and ruled over the citizens of the new

lands benevolently.

This, is the secret to Mori Clan's great strength.

".....Onii-sama was poisoned by someone. The most respected

person in Mori Clan was Onii-sama, to think that someone as honest

and pure as him would have people wanting to harm him, I find it

hard to believe even now."

Even Motoharu who is always strong lowered her head sadly at

this moment.

Yoshiaki silently patted Motoharu's shoulder.

"Onee-sama, it was because Onii-sama was too kind and never

suspicious of others that he got tricked."

"Who could have guessed that that evil old man would dare poison

Onii-sama, and with a 'I won't harm any humans or animals' look."

"Otou-sama changed completely after Onii-sama's passing..."

"'Even if this was karma, why Takamoto but not me!?' Otou-sama

grieved so much that he seemed to age decades overnight, and then

took 'Do not covet the world' as a mantra, putting down his ambition

of conquering the world and choosing to live quietly for the rest of his

life."

"Otou-sama entrusted Onii-sama's child, the Third Generation

Terumoto to us siblings. The Third Generation is still young, the path

in this chaotic age in front of the young head of the family is very

grim, so the least we can do is let Onii-sama's son live on."

"This is my personal opinion." Takakage said as she began to

explain to Motoharu.

"Otou-sama is a legendary talent who will obtain the world if he

expand his territory a little more, he will never lose his edge with just

age as a reason."

"Why do you think so?"

"In the past, in order to acquire the immense advantage of

overseas trade, Otou-sama fought against Otomo Sourin in order to

attain supremacy over North Kyushu."

"Oh, speaking of North Kyushu, that's really an intimidating and

hellish country."

Even the martial Motoharu said " intimidating and hellish country",

North Kyushu's might can be clearly seen.

"The minute we leave Chūgoku. Yamanaka Shikanosuke will

immediately appear and cause trouble, forcing us to give up and

withdraw from Kyushu to reinforce Chūgoku. Aaaa, if only

Shikanosuke didn't exist...!"

"Otou-sama at North Kyushu was also shocked at Otomo Sorin's

inborn talent. The latter had accumulated a great number of cannons

while trading with the Nanban, even developing an extremely scary

weapon, the 'Ozutsu', while protecting the missionaries who were

building monasteries everywhere. When we were in battle, even the

Nanban ships joined his forces and began firing on us. His territory

seems to have already transformed into a foreign country. "

The shocked Yoshiaki interupted and asked, "Then why did North

Kyushu become the way it is now?"

The Motoharu who devoted all of herself to her sword firmly

believed that there's nothing to fear about Namban.

"North Kyushu is a hellish country, Otomo Sorin indulged in the

Nanban culture, having no regards for Gods and Buddha and

instead only worshipping the foreign God.That's why the retainers of

Otomo spilt up."

It might be just as Motoharu said, but what the intelligent Takakage

thought of was much deeper.

"Onee-sama, I think the reason Otou-sama parted us with 'Mori

Clan does not covet the world' as his final teaching was because he

was afraid we would fight among one another and cause Japan to

completely become Nanban territory one day."

"Wuu, th-this is too difficult to understand Takakage."

"The chaotic era has already lasted for a hundred years and this

country's technological improvements have also halted for a hundred

years. However during this period of time, the Nanban countries

have constantly improved, their ships had even managed to sail to

us here."

"Wuu, explain it a little clearer."

"The Nanban are very strong, and their strength lies not just in

their ships, but their weapons and technology. Their missionaries

have great mental strength that far surpass that of ordinary people

too. Through his dealings with the various Nanban countries, Otousama understood the simple fact that if this country does not unify as

soon as possible, there will come a day eventually where we will be

utterly annexed by the Nanban. In order to prevent this, the Mori

Clan must thus abandon its desires and make an effort to contribute

back to Japan, I think this was what Otou-sama was trying to say."

"Is it that popular 'conquering the world' idea?"

"It's not just that, even though there are numerous warlords

competing with each other for the world, the Mori Clan can still

determine who can truly be the hero of the ages, this kind of power is

something we still have."

"And if no one is capable of that?"

"Once then, even if the Mori Clan becomes the ruler of the world,

Otou-sama's spirit in heaven will not rebuke us."

Currently, the person closest to being the ruler of the world would

be the capital's Oda Nobuna.

Takakage explained to her Onee-sama and Ashigaka Yoshikage,

"Whether Oda Nobuna is the hero who will end this chaotic age, or

the demon of the sixth realm that will destroy this country, we shall

witness it for ourselves in the coming battle."

"Takakage, is there a need to question the fact about that fellow

being a demon lord? She is the mastermind behind the burning of

Mt. Hiei and Kamigyo, and most importantly, she took under her wing

two of the 'Three Great Evils' of the world: Saito Dousan as well as

Matsunaga Hisahide as her companions."

Yoshiaki also echoed loudly, "That's right, that's right, it is that

Matsunaga Hisahide who drive the Ashikaga Shogunate out from

Kyoto, this Oda Nobuna who befriended her is also a traitor! Maa,

I've already written a letter to Matsunaga Hisahide though, if she is

willing to become our companion then I'll write off all her past

offences, to be willing to write such a generous letter, my tolerance

level is not ordinary eh!"

"As expected of Shogun-sama, Matsunaga Hisahide is a frequent

rebel, she may really become our ally."

"Onee-sama, hasn't our Mori Clan already taken in one of the

'Three Great Evils', that Ukita Naoie as a companion, I don't think we

have the right to talk about others."

"When I wanted to behead him, it was you who stopped me from

doing so."

"The Mori Clan puts righteousness first and will never kill

surrendered generals, of course the Yamanaka Shikanosuke who

pretended to surrender but escaped in the end is an exception."

"The Oda Clan isn't the same, the whole being of Oda Nobuna

exudes an evil aura."

"Onee-sama, the Mori Clan's first generation, our Otou-sama was

not really kind too. If anything, the strategies he employed in order to

attain victory were also evil. Anyone who covets the world should

already had the awareness that they will be labelled as evil, no one

can obtain the world without dirtying their hands."

Takakage thought extremely far ahead, not only for the future of

the Mori Clan, but the future of Japan.

She inherited Motonari's wisdom as well far-sightedness.

To put it simply, the Motoharu who inherited Motonari's courage

could never surpass her own sister.

The siblings understood each other completely, and supported

each other's shortcomings.

"Oho, it must be as you said then."

Motoharu candidly believed Takakage, this was one of her strong

points.

"The Mori Clan who rose to prominence by relying on betrayals

and underhanded tactics, attained a good reputation was due to a

large extent to Onii-sama's goodwill. Otou-sama often said that if

Onii-sama were not around he was afraid he would have been

known as wicked by the people of the world."

"Onee-sama, exercising schemes to attack and conquer territory,

having the courage to shatter old customs and traditions, as well as

the capability to govern over these countries for a so called hero,

these three qualities are all essential and none of them can be

omitted. Only having enough wit, courage as well as good values

can one truly commensurate with the world. Saito Dousan,

Matsunaga Hisahide as well as Ukita Naoie could be termed as

heroes by all, but because they all lacked values they were therefore

unable to attain the world."

"All three of them lacked trustworthy and competent

subordinates?"

"Perhaps it is so, they started from scratch and had already used

their maximum effort in order to become the master of a country and

city, not having the spare energy to set up their own family and make

displays of their benevolence to wipe off their notoriety, especially

that Ukita Naoie, his position is especially gloomy.

Ukita Naoie was the child of a family of warriors who lost their land

and fell out of grace.

Compared to the merchants or common citizens who were

originally born with nothing to their name, the path set in front of a

child from a disgraced warrior family who had to retrieve what it had

originally lost was much more arduous, Takakage said.

Ukita Naoie, who had even used his wife as a tool to climb up the

social ranks is always alone. Even though he finally had a daughter

when he was middle aged, but she was still young.

"Onee-sama, in actual fact, our Otou-sama's cirumstances were

extremely similar with Ukita Naoie, like Ukita Naoie, Otou-sama's

parents passed away early, and due to his retainers betraying him,

he had lost all his land, endured untold hardships before he

managed to climb up from the bottomless abyss and revive the Mori

Clan's name and become a Daimyo."

"Oho~"

"The only difference was that Otou-sama had a blessed family, the

birth of Onii-sama as well as we siblings eased Otou-sama's

belligerence, or else i'm afraid Otou-sama would be shouldering a

bad name no worse than Ukita Naoie's."

"Oho~, in this chaotic Sengoku era where fathers are forced to

fight and kill their sons, we siblings are so blessed to be born into the

Mori Clan, ho ho."

"It is indeed so, Onee-sama ho ho ho."

Yoshiaki also raised her hand and said "I have good relations with

my Ani-ue as well"

Even if one took the 'Three Great Evils' as an extreme isolated

example,

Takeda Shingen,

Uesugi Kenshin,

Otomo Sorin,

Even if one were to be born among the family of a daimyo, but in

order to take control of the Clan, numerous heroes were being

forced to turn against their parents or relatives were numerous in this

chaotic war era.

The interior of Oda Nobuna's clan was not harmonious as well.

Nobuna's biological father as well as foster father Dousan had

both already passed on, her biological brother vied with her for the

position as head of the family, and now she was on bad terms with

her biological mother.

"Takakage, how can a person who can't unite her own clan end

this chaotic era and bring peace to the masses? Someone

shouldering the burden of the destiny, and at the same time wielding

enormous power will eventually be unable to resist their heart's

temptations and become a demon that brings disaster to both

citizens and country."

"It might be just as you said Onee-sama, remember the time when

Otou-sama, with a serious face tried to teach us three siblings about

the principle of 'Three Arrows are hard to break', you had broke the

three arrows with a snap? That speechless expression of Otou-sama

then..."

"Cough cough, Takakage, didn't we agree to treat that incident like

it never happened?"

"Did we?"

"Takakage, taking your point about a harmonious clan, as

expected, only the Mori Clan is capable of being the rulers of the

world."

"Hmm?"

"I'm not too sure about the situation on the Eastern side, but

among the Western daimyos, the only family with the reputation of a

harmonious clan is the Shimazu, but the distance between the

Shimazu and the capital is too far."

"The Oda Clan can be said to be filled with talent now, amongst

them, there might be people comparable to Onii-sama in terms of

virtue."

"Someone who is comparable with Onii-sama in terms of virtue?

Even if we're just talking about it it's something very hard to imagine,

someone as superb as Onii-sama is impossible to find now

Takakage!"

"It need not necessarily be a man, it could even be a princess

knight, it matters not whether it's a male or female."

"Anyway, as long as it's not a man as great as Onii-sama, I will

never get married, but someone of that calibre is really too hard to

find."

"....Same here Onee-sama, because Onii-sama was too excellent,

I find myself unable to love anyone else, no matter whom I encounter

I inadvertently compare him to Onii-sama and in the end only

increase my disappointment."

"Ne~ Takakage, the intelligent you should be able to answer me, if

this goes on would we really remain single for the rest of our lives?"

"... ... ... ... ..."

"D-don't remain silent!"

The siblings fell silent at the mention of this painful question, but

Takakage was the first to buck up.

"Cough cough, in summary, we just need to test the true strength

of the Oda Clan in the coming battle, the Ukita Naoie who is infinitely

wicked is the best possible person for the job, would Oda Nobuna

who had been forced into a corner reveal her true face as a demon

king and cause her retainers to split or..."

"Would she awaken to become a true hero, at the same time,

hidden among her retainers, someone with virtue would also be

exposed."

"This gamble which involves everything of the Oda Clan would

certainly test whether she can commensurate with the world."

"Haa, Takakage, you really think too deeply and far-sighted, for the

muscle-brained me, this is a bit..."

"Ha ha, life is but a dream eh"

Takakage smiled,

Motoharu was unable to understand the meaning of this sentence.

Even though no one knows if Takakage, who tried her very best to

act for the Mori Clan and Japan's future, had a 'sense of self' within

her, but Motoharu could understand Takakage, who possessed a

determination whom no one could ever imagine to repress her

'sense of self' and not reveal it, more than herself.

"What you have said is a bit difficult for me; in short, the Oda

Nobuna who argues within her family can't do it. The only one who

can commensurate with the world, is Ashigaka Yoshiaki who has

good relations with her brother, which is obviously yours truly! ho ho

ho"

It would appear that it's too early for the young and immature

Ashigaka Yoshiaki to understand the meaning of those words.

There are only a few days left before the arrival of Mori Clan's

army.

Currently the Sagara Yoshiharu as well as the Ukita Naoie,

currently on Harima's land, are continuing their offensive-defensive

battles

Sagara Yoshiharu who was appointed as the great general fighting

against the Mori Clan used the Himeji Castle in Harima's centre as a

stronghold surrounded the Miki Castle that Ukita Naoie sparked the

betrayal of.

Ukita Naoie occupied the north-west of Himeji Castle, the natural

fortress Mt Shozan, and used it as its stronghold, and imprisoned

Yoshiharu's strategist Kuroda Kanbei in the underground jail of the

mountain.

Ukita Naoie, the Mori Clan's vanguard for the assault on Harima

received two orders from the Mori Twins.

The first one was to secure and defend a stronghold in Harima to

prepare for the Mori main army's arrival.

This mission was already accomplished when Mt Shozan was

captured.

However, it was a pity that the Miki castle, which occupied a

strategic location in east Harima to cut off the Sagara Corps's retreat

path, was already encircled by Yoshiharu on a scale that shocked

people, nobody thought that the Sagara Corps could use such a

small amount of soldiers to accomplish such a task.

While the other task was a difficult one; it was to capture

Yamanaka Shikanosuke, the old enemy which gave even the Mori

Clan headaches alive.

This mission was not completed by Naoie even up till now.

Yamanake Shikanosuke as predicted joined the Sagara Corps and

became a strong force.

If Ukita Naoie was unable to capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke alive

before the Mori Clan's main army arrived, then his lands would be

confiscated by the Mori Twins.

To the current Ukita Naoie who had used many schemes to get to

where he was now, the Mori Clan was originally his enemy.

But the Ukita Naoie who had conquered Bizen and Mimasaka,

geographically was sandwiched in between the Oda Clan which was

increasing in power and the Mori Clan and in order to survive could

only pick the option of joining the Mori Clan known for it's

righteousness.

However, the words and deeds of Ukita Naoie up until that point

had given him the notoriety of having no credibility, seeming to many

people as the representative of those who have no credibility or

loyalty.

So even if he could not accomplish his mission and really had his

land taken from him by the Mori Twins, he also could not complain,

in reality, asking him to commit seppuku to apologize would not be

surprising.

The Ukita Naoie who understood this point better than anyone

else could be said to be desperate.

So he declared thus to Sagara Yoshiharu

"If you do not hand over Yamanaka Shikanosuke before the Mori

Clan's army arrives, I will execute Kuroda Kanbei."

If Yoshiharu did not make a decision soon, he would lose his

irreplaceable companion Kanbei.

But at this critical point Yoshiharu's other strategist, Takenaka

Hanbei had also fell ill and fainted, and was in a critical condition

where she might die anytime.

According to Zenki, if one wanted to extend Takenaka Hanbei's

life, the Ranjatai in the Shousouin of Todai Shrine was

indispensable.

The Ranjatai was the secret treasure of the Imperial Palace.

Without the permission from both the Imperial Palace and Nobuna,

it would never be given to Yoshiharu.

But Nobuna who is in Kyoto was unable to leave Honnou-ji due to

breathing in the misama from the Kyoto Fire.

Even if Yoshiharu personally went there, he would be obstructed

by her new aide and prevented from meeting her.

Yoshiharu had also tried sneaking into the Imperial palace but was

caught by the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa, and given a vicious

beating, leaving him full of injuries.

If this continued, Hanbei's and Kanbei's lives would both be in

danger.

Nobuna seems to be very strange recently too.

The companions during the Owari, Mino times were all scattered.

The time taken in order to seek their help would be too great.

Precisely during the time where Yoshiharu headed towards the

capital, Yamanaka Shikanosuke, in order to save Kanbei, headed to

Mt Shozan alone.

The greatest crisis of Yoshiharu's life was just placed before his

eyes.

Compared to himself, dying on the battlefield, the suffering of

being unable to save his comrades was much more difficult to

endure.

This was not just talk,

Dying on the battlefield warranted only a moment of pain,

But the regret of being unable to save one's own comrades would

last a lifetime, not vanishing till death.

Yoshiharu clearly understood this point.

If Kanbei who had devoted her own life to Nobuna and Yoshiharu's

dream can survive, he had something he wish to tell her.

And that was --

"Wait Shikanosuke!"

He finally caught up!

Yoshiharu who had desperately chased after Shikanosuke finally

caught up to her at a path towards Mt Shozan, right by

Yumesakigara riverside.

Above their heads, a star that exudes unholy radiance -- the star

of disaster slowly revealed itself.

Shikanosuke did not wear her armour, even her iconic crescent

moon helmet was not with her.

She had already resolved herself for death.

"Yoshiharu-sama? Why did you come!?"

Shikanosuke glared at Yoshiharu, as if saying

I've already made my decision.

Please don't come and throw my feelings in disarray!

But Yoshiharu did not back down, he stuck out his chest and yelled

"Obviously it's to bring you back!"

"What are you saying? If you bring me back, Kanbei would be

executed!"

"Ukita Naoie is not the kind of person who obediently follows what

he promised, even if you go, he would not return Kanbei!

Furthermore..."

"Furthermore?"

Just as Shikanosuke was about to cross the Yumesakigara River,

Yoshiharu jumped off his horse and looked straight at Shikanosuke

while walking towards her.

"I will never leave a comrade in the lurch! I will not be confused

over the question of who should I save anymore! In order to be

capable of holding everything in my hands I have already decided to

turn myself into a bag capable of accommodating everything!"

"I... am not your companion"

Shikanosuke also jumped down her horse.

But this was not to receive Yoshiharu.

Her whole body radiated intense killing intent.

"I had always fought because of my own wish to revive the Amago

Clan, the reason why I joined the Oda Clan was only to make use of

the Oda Clan's military strength, and never having any intention to

swear fealty to you, a nobody like you should stop being so full of

yourself."

Even if Shikanosuke was not armed, she was still extremely

strong.

However, Yoshiharu did not stop walking.

Shikanosuke used various unfamiliar vicious language to put down

Yoshiharu, praying in her heart that he would just give up.

But still, Yoshiharu extended his hand towards her with all his

strength.

Shikanosuke wanted to hit that hand away, but her lips started

trembling because of her sorrow.

It was as if she was unable to endure the use of her abusive words

against Yoshiharu.

(How bad can she be at lying)

Yoshiharu thought as he yelled at Shikanosuke,

"YOU LIAR! Then why would you want to sacrifice yourself in

order to save Kanbei!"

"That's because I've already given up on restoring the Amago

Clan, I didn't expect that the Oda Clan had weakened to this degree,

I had despaired and want to seek death!"

"LIAR! SOMEONE WHO HAD GIVEN UP HOPE WOULD NEVER

HAVE THOSE KIND OF EYES! I WILL DEFINITELY BRING YOU

BACK!"

"It's easy to say that, do you think you can defeat me?!"

"I CAN!"

"YOU CAN'T!"

Yoshiharu bent his body, extending his arm to hug Shikanosuke's

waist.

However, he could not catch her.

Before he managed to grab her, he suffered a heavy knee-strike to

his abdomen.

That sudden impact almost made him vomit out everything in his

stomach.

Yoshiharu was literally sent flying into the Yumesakigara River.

The river water was extremely cold, as cold as ice.

Yoshiharu pulled himself onto shore.

"Why didn't you dodge it, isn't dodging your speciality?"

"I will not dodge."

Yoshiharu dragged his body which is already on the verge of total

collapse and resolutely stood in front of Shikanosuke again.

"You obviously don't have any other talents besides evasion!"

How true, Yoshiharu smiled bitterly to himself in his heart,

"Yeah, I am weak, originally I wasn't even fit to be a warrior, if I did

not have this evasion ability which was dubbed 'Ball-dodging Yoshi' I

would have died countless times already."

"That's why....."

"But Yamanaka Shikanosuke, I will definitely not dodge your

attacks."

"Enough! Please don't care about me any longer...!"

"Because of the commander's, my own weakness, Hanbei, Kanbei

as well as yourself, don't have any choice but to shoulder all the

burdens, becoming like this now! But from today on, it won't be like

this anymore! I will become stronger! I will show you that I can

become a true commander of the Sagara Corps!"

"If you take another two or three hits of mine directly, you will really

die!"

"Even so I will never give up!"

"Why! Why must you do things to this extent?!"

"YOU NEED A REASON TO SAVE A COMRADE IN DANGER?!"

Yoshiharu clenched his teeth shut, and used all of his strength to

once again rush towards Shikanosuke.

Grabbing her waist is impossible,

Then I'll aim for her legs,

But this time what struck Yoshiharu was an elbow.

His back suffered a heavy blow from Shikanosuke's elbow.

By the time he reacted he was already knocked into the mud,

Sand and mud filled his mouth,

Above him was the sound of Shikanosuke's tearful, stuttering

voice.

"You.... should have.... avoided that elbow."

However Yoshiharu did not have any intention to dodge,

He had already resolved himself to endure whatever Shikanosuke

dished out at him.

Since he was still breathing,

He had to stand up again.

Even if his vision is blurred, and his knees trembling, he had to

stand.

"PLEASE DON'T STAND UP AGAIN!"

Yoshiharu understood.

The reason why Hanbei was so weak but yet was unwilling to rest

even till the last minute.

Yoshiharu now finally understood it.

When your companions are stumbling in pain in front of your eyes

at the crossroads of destiny.

How could one say 'Enough already, I have already tried my best

so the outcome doesn't matter.' words that mean giving up midway.

"...Kanbei was the one who dreams of holding the title of the

most intelligent person in the world, boarding a ship to travel the

world to learn, that's why she came to the side of Nobuna, the one

who has the dream of 'Tenka Fubu'"

"....What?"

"So I was unable to look at the dreams which Kanbei and Nobuna

embraced differently."

"What exactly are you talking about....!?"

"They have the same dream so even if their final destination is

different, they are still walking on the same path, that's why they are

friends."

"It has nothing to do with me! Izumo's Amago Clan is completely

inconsequential to you! I am simply a girl from the countryside which

has been discarded by the era!"

"From the time I came to this world I always wanted to rely on my

own power to save Nobuna, but that's wrong, just relying on my own

strength is definitely insufficient, what's more important are partners

who can inherit my will, because I was too fool to notice it, this much

time has already elapsed, but I can still make it in time!"

Once again,

Yoshiharu got into the stance of grabbing Shikanosuke's waist in

front of her

However, he understood that he could not match the speed he

once had at the beginning.

His knees were constantly trembling,

If he suffered another hit from the knee, his chin would definitely

be shattered.

"P-please don't force me any longer"

This is the first time Yoshiharu seen Shikanosuke crying her eyes

out.

"I am simply a girl from the countryside who doesn't know anything

besides Izumo, other than being loyal to the Amago Clan I don't

know and can't do anything, if even you were to die here for

someone like me then what should I do?!"

"To talk about yourself like that when being so strong, what a bad

habit."

Yoshiharu rushed forward,

"In my world, whether its wars or generals, all of them are done by

men, even though there are female solders, but basically it's done by

men, however-"

"Enough, please give up...! Let it end here!"

"However, Yamanaka Shikanosuke was really magnificent,

Nobuna, Kanbei. Hanbei too..."

Shikanosuke rapidly struck out with her leg,

This leg was aimed at the middle of Yoshiharu's face,

Oh damn, it's not a knee strike,

"No matter how painful it is, even if my body breaks, I definitely

won't give up."

So she intends to use a concussion to knock me unconscious.

".....Not yet.....!"

Yoshiharu jerked his leg out

And he managed to restabilise his upper body in the instant before

he fell down.

Large amounts of blood immediately gushed out from the depths

of his nose.

"Uwawa ... this is bad, even though I subconsciously panicked a

bit but still it's become like this, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Why, just why would you go to this extent for me...?"

"Don't ask what you already know, haven't I at least been saved

twice by you Shikanosuke, that time at Kozuki Castle and now here

at Yumesakigara.... Eh?"

"Eh, when I talk huge amounts of blood from my nose pour into my

mouth."

There's no way to speak properly like this, cough... cough, looks

like if I don't tilt my head upwards, there's no way I can continue."

Yoshiharu who noticed this point hurriedly made some gestures in

front of his chest.

"...Sorry, even though my gestures aren't very clear but I really

have been saved by you many times, no matter how many times I

repay you it's not enough."

"I only did it for the Amago Clan! Not for you! Anyway, the retainers

of a daimyo family which has been destroyed are simply discarded

chess pieces! As long as I haven't given up on my loyalty towards

the Amago Clan, I am simply a mercenary to be thrown away!

Companions or something...!"

Yamanaka Shikanosuke was the child of a retainer of the Amago

Clan, until the instant when the Amago Clan was destroyed, she was

always fighting the Mori Clan.

Even when the Amago Clan was destroyed, Shikanosuke did not

serve other daimyos, but continued to fight against the Mori Clan in

order to 'revive the Amago Clan'

However, Shikanosuke who has led the remnants of the Amago

Clan cannot even remember how many times she has been

betrayed.

Even if they were allies or companions who swore to fight

together, they eventually defected to the Mori Clan, sometimes even

at critical junctures where they were one step away from restoring

the Amago Clan.

The initial battles for revival were also like that, the alliance against

the Mori Clan fell apart at the last moment and caused Shikanosuke

to taste defeat.

Mori Motonari was a genius who was proficient in the art of war

and was called the 'Sengoku era's number one intelligent general'.

But the stupidly honest Shikanosuke only knew how to 'trust her

companions'

When she was young, the Amago Clan which she was formerly

from had mistrust within itself due to Mori Motonari's scheme; half of

the reason for their eventual destruction was because of fratricide.

Shikanosuke who had found that disgusting, swore to herself in

her heart 'I definitely will not betray others, suspect others or lie to

others'

However Shikanosuke who retreated back to Izumo to engage the

Mori Clan in combat once again suffered the old Amago Clan's

citizen's betrayal.

They leaked to the Mori Army the secret passages leading towards

Shikanosuke's stronghold and caused her to lose badly once again.

Even the citizens of Izumo already defected to the Mori Clan, the

civilians who wished for the revival of the Amago Clan were almost

non-existent.

Yet Shikanosuke who understood this in her heart was still

unwilling to give up her ambition,

She did not have any personal grudge against the Mori Clan,

However the only thing she wanted to prevent at any cost was the

fact that the Amago Clan that she served would be so easily

forgotten by the people.

Is it bad for someone like me who can't keep up with these chaotic

times where power is everything to exist?

Power decides everything, if the idea that betrayals and revolts

were common occurrences was not changed in people's hearts, this

chaotic era would not end.

So even if the Mori Motonari who destroyed the Amago Clan died

due to an illness, Shikanosuke did not give up on fighting.

"However, since when did it start happening?"

The comrades who chased the same dream left her one by one.

Maybe it was when she shifted the front line to the Inaba east of

Izumo that it happened.

Inaba's daimyo, Yamana Toyokuni was expelled from his home

city due to a rebellion from his own retainers and encountered the

wandering Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Shikanosuke said 'If you are

willing to help me restore the Amago Clan, I and the Amago heroes

will help you retake Inaba' and then really went to help Yamana

Toyokuni wrest back control of his territory.

"You really fought for me, take Inaba as your territory."

Yamana Toyokuni was a frail youth, even though he was proficient

in his knowledge and his elegance but he did not excel in combat.

Even though Shikanosuke simply handed Inaba back to him, but

he did not think that he could repay his debt in such a way.

So he begged Shikanosuke to become a Clan elder of the

Yamana Clan.

However Shikanosuke did not accept it,

"I only wish to revive my former Clan in Izumo."

"I cannot treat my benefactor like this, accept at least in name"

"In that case I'll accept your good intentions in name only, before I

retake Izumo I'll lend my strength to Yamana-sama"

Yamana Toyokuni cried while thanking Shikanosuke for her

kindness, and gave her the citadel's mansion while he moved to the

outer city.

However, this Yamana Toyokuni had also abandoned the

agreement to help Shikanosuke retake Izumo in the end, using the

time of Shinakosuke's departure from Inaba, he defected to the Mori

Clan.

Shikanosuke had to steel her heart and lead the Amago heroes to

attack their previous ally Yamana Toyokuni.

However this was not out of hate for Yamana Toyokuni,

Inaba was in the immediate neighbourhood of Izumo and was the

only way to access it.

Shikanosuke's military rations were also stored in Inaba,

If Inaba was not recaptured, the Amago heroes would lose their

path of retreat and become an isolated army and be completely

destroyed in Izumo.

Therefore, it was a must to attack.

As the current opponent was not the Mori clan that was proficient

in strategy Shikanosuke won a victory.

However she had no plans of killing Yamana Toyokuni from the

beginning,

Shikanosuke did not bear hatred towards him,

No matter who it was, everyone would seek refuge with the Mori

Clan for their own personal gains and interest.

Maybe this is what's known as 'Human Nature'

Even the foolish and straightforward Yamanaka Shikanosuke

understood this now.

Therefore it was a must to make her own dream become purer.

The Shikanosuke who encountered the Yamana Toyokuni who

was prostrated on the ground helped him to his feet and pleaded to

him again,

And once spoke of her own dream.

"Yamana-sama, I will return Inaba to you so please assist me in

reviving the Amago Clan, I don't need your army, all I need is for you

to loan me military rations and grant me passage."

"Shikanosuke-sama, do you not intend to kill me?"

"My enemy is only the Mori Clan who destroyed the Amago Clan."

"Why, just why are you so free of desires?"

"It's not that I have no desires, but that it has already been filled by

my dream."

"I don't understand, if you killed me, Inaba would be yours, in order

to retake Izumo, isn't Inaba indispensable?"

"If I really use such unjust means to retake Izumo, then in the

future, there will be nobody who will be willing to follow the Amago

Clan. Battling on requires a dream to fight for, if this point is lacking,

then it's just mindless slaughtering."

However Yamana Toyokuni was unable to understand

Shikanosuke's dream,

"Shikanosuke-sama, please listen to this ordinary person's words,

people who can understand your dream in this chaotic era do not

exist, your heart is too beautiful, if this goes on, you will have no way

to continue surviving."

"It's not that I'm beautiful, but rather this country is too chaotic,

therefore someone like me who fights for his dream is extremely

important to this country."

"Shikanosuke-sama, a dream is just a dream, your courage and

ferocity has already resounded throughout the western provinces,

why don't you serve other daimyo?"

"I had devoted my loyalty to the Amago Clan, loyal retainers don't

serve two lords."

"Even if it's not your true intention it is fine, all you need to do is

pretend on the surface, nobody can see through another person's

heart Shikanosuke-sama."

"I cannot do that."

"As long as you remember your old master in your heart it's not

considered a betrayal, furthermore, the fact that you're not the kind

of person to betray others is well known."

"It's not like that, I had once surrendered to the Mori Clan but

escaped after betraying them, and it's something I had planned on

doing before faking my surrender."

"This is not considered betrayal, but military tactics, why are you

so strict on yourself?"

"There have already been countless matyrs who have given up

their lives for my dream, I cannot sully it."

Yamana Toyokuni was so touched that he cried, and vowed "This

time even if I must bet my life I will help Shikanosuke-sama"

Shikanosuke believed that those tears were sincere and returned

Inaba to Yamana Toyokuni.

Then in order to complete the revival of the Amago Clan returned

to the battlefield to fight against the Mori Clan.

All of this was to retake Izumo,

.......

However,

When Shikanosuke was fighting a bloody battle, Yamana

Toyokuni, terrified of Mori Clan's power, once again betrayed her.

Their retreat route was cut off,

Supplies were gradually exhausted,

The shaken army eventually lost to the Mori Clan.

Just a little bit more again, Shikanosuke once again was unable to

fulfil her dream due to her companion's betrayal.

"People's hearts are fickle, with no certainty, this is what's known

as mortals" The letter which Yamana Toyokuni sent was written thus.

In that instant that Shikanosuke heard of Yamana Toyokuni's

betrayal again, a certain something broke in her heart.

'I prayed hard to the moon for the Seven sufferings and Eight

pains, but I neither prayed for betrayal by my companions, nor

prayed for myself being unable to trust others'

Even if she moaned such in her heart, it would not help her

situation.

The troops and supplies needed to attack Inaba again in order to

retake Izumo were already gone.

Even the army's daily expenses were unable to continue, and in

the end she had no choice but to steal and rob.

Her dream was sullied,

The companions who chased after the same dream as her left her

one by one,

Shikanosuke started to not place her trust in others.

She finally realised that she who rigidly adhered to revive the

Amago Clan was simply a buffoon.

So, a person like her is now reduced to becoming a mere thief.

No, I can't continuing falling like this,

Shikanosuke who was forced into a desperate situation finally

gave up her principle of 'Loyal retainers do not serve two masters'

and entered Harima seeking refuge from Sagara Yoshiharu.

After 'something' broke in her heart due to Yamana Toyokuni's

betrayal, Shikanosuke might had misplaced her aim and methods..

The tragic wish to revive the Amago Clan had at some point

become a beautiful voice in her heart, seemingly like a last line of

defence, protecting her heart on the verge of collapsing.

Therefore even while serving Sagara Yoshiharu she always had

her heart sealed shut.

To the Oda Clan who wanted to unify the world, reviving the

Amago Clan was simply a tantrum thrown by a country bumpkin.

Izumo was but an insignificant little place,

"They will not understand my dream, therefore."

"I will never trust anyone anymore."

"If I trusted someone and was betrayed again, I'm afraid that I

would really give up living as a human."

Probably becoming a ghost, Shikanosuke instinctively understood

this.

Therefore a thing like swearing the oath of loyalty towards Sagara

Yoshiharu as well as Oda Nobuna has never happened in her heart.

It should be like so,

Henceforth as well——

She could not bear the taste of betrayal once again,

The only one that could be trusted was the old Amago Clan

For the reason why,

"....The reason is, because the Amago Clan has already been

destroyed, it does not exist anymore. So-"

So they definitely won't betray me.

"Stop this bullshit!"

The dejected grieving Shikanosuke suddenly took a slap to her

cheeks,

Raising her head, she found Sagara Yoshiharu, who had been

standing in front of her with a Nio-like face.

[1]

He was furious,

Furious to the point that his eyes had turned blood red.

"You're not a ghost, Yamanaka Shikanosuke! You're still alive!"

No way to retort,

With her knees suddenly losing strength, Shikanosuke

involuntarily covered her face with her own hands.

"I am simply a fool who is satisfied with passing a good reputation

onto future generations."

"Lies! If it was really like that then why are you crying!"

Not comprehending exactly why...

Even when the Amago Clan was destroyed she did not shed tears,

yet they are flowing down continuously.

"I heard from Zenki that I could not revive the Amago Clan, and in

the end lost to the Mori Clan and was executed, that is my fate."

"A fate like this, I will change it no matter how many times!"

"...If this goes on I will have no 'face' to meet my companions who

generously charged to their death for my unfinished dream, therefore

at least...at the end, for someone...for someone's dream"

Unable to trust others anymore, it should have be like this.

However after the sight of Hanbei and Kanbei entrusting their

dreams to their companions with those kinds of actions, something in

her heart started to stir again.

That heart which was supposed to be broken started beating

again, Therefore Shikanosuke thought that sacrificing her own life to

save Kanbei was the only way to repay that kindness,

"REJECTED! I! WILL NEVER LET YOU USE THE METHOD OF

DYING BEFORE YOUR DREAMS ARE FULFILLED IN ORDER TO

LEAVE YOUR NAME FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS!"

Being hugged,

Her body was hugged.

Her heart... was also captured.

In the span of a few days this girl underwent a tremendous

change.

"Being alive yet wanting to give up your life, such a thing, I don't

agree! There're some words I still haven't told Hanbei yet, but

eventually I will tell her! You as well! Live on!"

"... My dream, no one will...."

"...We're here! We will definitely revive the Amago Clan for you!

Sagara Corps will go with Yamanaka Shikanosuke to fulfil her

dreams and fight till the end! So live on!"

There was no confusion in his words,

The tears streaming down had absolutely no deception.

Everything was from his heart,

Shikanosuke instinctively understood this.

Similar to herself who in order to save Kanbei was willing to

abandon her life without hesitation.

This person too, if it was to save his companions he would be

completely fine with abandoning his own life.

Even if he died, as long as the dream was inherited by his

companions, then he is alive.

At this moment, the hearts of these two embracing people were

joined.

Yeah,

"I have already become a member of the Sagara Corps,

Shikanosuke is a companion of the Sagara Corps,"

"I swear to the moon to never betray you! Even till death!"

A kind of feeling surged through Shikanosuke's chest, this kind of

feeling was not simply loyalty towards a master,

Instead, it was an even freer, even wider, even more profound ray

of light that illuminated Shikanosuke's heart.

"I too, absolutely will not betray my lord, even till death"

After she said that, Shikanosuke tightly clung to Yoshiharu and

cried loudly.

To the south of Himeji Castle there was a fishing village.

The village's name in Kanji was 'Utsushize' pronounced as 'Aga'

This fishing village was built in the Yumesakigawa River estuary

had an assortment of markets as well and the temple of

Nyankousou.

This rural setting was imbued with a vigour and vitality

Maybe instead of a fishing village, calling Aga a port city would be

more appropriate.

Today, at a certain part of the fishing village, at a silent shrine

Yoshiharu, Shikanosuke as well as Zenki's figures appeared.

"With my master being unable to command the battle, the plan of

utilising a feint against Ukita Naoie to delay him and using that

opportunity to rescue Kanbei, we can only ask Granny Aga to help."

In a corner right in front of a shrine that was hidden by vegetation,

Zenki said.

"Granny Aga?"

"Granny Aga is Harima's extremely famous Onmyouji, rumour has

it that she's more than a hundred years old, but in reality nobody

knows her real age."

Shikanosuke said, "Are we asking her to replace Hanbei-sama to

command the battle?"

"Goemon and the rest have already been sent to Yamato to steal

the Ranjatai, now besides Yamanaka Shikanosuke who will

command the feint unit as well as Sagara Yoshiharu who will

command the Kanbei rescue team, there are no other plans." "I have

to be a ninja this time?"

"Being the core warrior for an assault is my forte, but complex

commanding is a bit..."

"Therefore we need to ask Granny Aga for help, many

Onmyouji(s) had served as military advisors, and Granny Aga is the

strongest among them."

Zenki smiled as he said an incantation towards the shrine.

Creak

The shrine doors crashed opened.

"Could that Granny Aga be in this shrine?"

"That's correct, she's a bit of a strange one"

"This shrine is really strange, could that ladder lead deep

underground"

"Apparently, Granny Aga lives underground"

"This could not possibly lead to the underworld could it?"

"You want to give up Sagara Yoshiharu?"

"Of course I'll go down!"

"I will also go my lord"

"Shikanosuke-chan, that 'My Lord' makes me feel uneasy."

"That's because my lord is my lord. Also, my lord you shouldn't be

calling me with the '-chan' honorific anymore, I'm not a small kid so

please call me by name and address me properly."

"Understood"

"Heh heh, when did the relationship between the two of you

become so good to start talking with your fists?"

"I'm not a man Zenki, but a Bishoujo in her prime"

With Zenki in the lead, they walked in a line deeper into the

underground.

Upon reaching there, a great deal of large glass tubes, globes,

various boxes with frogs and mice reared inside, countless books as

well as a steaming cauldron were in sight inside the dark room.

The old granny stood in front of the cauldron and stirred the

unknown concoction filled inside it.

"Oh my! What special visitors, I never would have thought you'd

come to this Harima's rural countryside." She spoke after noticing

Zenki's presence.

From sight alone it was impossible to determine her age, One

hundred years? Two hundred years? No, maybe longer,

She wore a tattered haori and was focused on stirring whatever it

was she was cooking with her spoon.

The Yoshiharu who was looking at her subconsciously thought

'This is no Onmyouji, she's obviously a witch!'

"You look so hale Granny Aga"

It seems like Zenki and this Granny Aga were very intimate,

"Hee hee hee, you turned into a shikigami? My ancestors suffered

major losses at the hands of the shikigami you created."

"It's nothing, it's my just desserts, I'm now repaying the debts that I

had owed"

"What are they saying my lord?" Shikanosuke whispered into

Yoshiharu's ear, but of course Yoshiharu also did not know,

"Hee hee hee, the me who relied on you to do business could not

carry on, furthermore, a good portion of my shikigami could not be

summoned anymore, so I could only sell some books regarding

Harima to make up my loss."

While speaking, Granny Aga used a thin finger and pointed at the

large number of books in a corner.

"Hee hee hee, those are all my writings to kill time"

"And the one who has read finished all of these is only my

unworthy disciple Kanbei." Granny Aga put heavy emphasis of the

phrase 'unworthy'.

"I travelled Harima, and recorded the geographical features,

customs, history and unbelievable legends, even though it's not a

surprising thing, but it has many uses on a battlefield, therefore

those Clans who are intent on maintaining their hegemony are willing

to offer high prices to buy them, hee hee hee"

"What I recommend is the book that recorded the supernatural

incidents in Harima 'Wandering Testament of Banshu', if you

purchase it now I can give you a 30% discount." Granny Aga grinned

and added.

Her mouth does not have any teeth anymore,

Wawa, Yoshiharu involuntary gasped, Shikanosuke who was by

his side also trembled slightly.

Only Zenki remained unfazed and said,

"Ara~ The age of Onmyoujis and spirits is going to end soon, the

strange incidents happening in Harima have also reduced no?"

"Hee hee hee, it underwent a great reduction, Zenki, you guys

must have destroyed the dragon veins of the lands eh?"

"He he, That's right"

"All I need to do is continue to use these elixirs of longevity and I

can still survive for another one hundred years without any problem,

however, you and your master are about to die."

"Hehe, to a shikigami there's no such thing as death, it's just

returning to the heavens."

"Your master should be roughly the same age as Kanbei, but her

body is much more frail, to leave this world at such a young age is

such a pity, hee hee hee"

"It is precisely to not let her die that we've come here."

"Oya, didn't you guys come here for the sake of helping Kanbei. If

it's anything concerning that disciple of mine, then forget it. She

abandoned the Onmyou Arts, and instead was keen on whatever

Nanban Science."

Granny Aga worked her lips into a sneer and continued "I heard

that she rushed to persuade Ukita Naoie without discussing with you

guys and in the end got captured, furthermore she would be

executed in a while, that child was always stubborn and impatient

since young, it would seem that this habit can't be corrected even till

death."

"Be it Kanbei or my master Hanbei, both of them will be saved, but

the deadline is only five days away."

Upon hearing this, Granny Aga could not help but frown,

"I originally thought you weren't such a naive man, but it seems

that even my eyes deceive me."

"The person who said this was not me but Sagara Yoshiharusama"

Granny Aga,

Sagara Yoshiharu

The two of them formally exchanged names,

"I am Sagara Yoshiharu, a general of the Oda Clan, the

commander of the army against the Mori, as you know, my military

strategist Kanbei is about to be executed by Ukita Naoie, please lend

me your assistance, Oba-san, we're almost out of time!!"

"Call me Granny Aga, what was my former name? Oh right right,

Ashiya Doukai, Harima's great Onmyouji Ashiya Doman's

descendant, I think it was the sixtieth generation?"

"Sixtieth generation? You're past your prime already Oba-san"

"When you're old you have a bad memory, tee hee hee, my

ancestor Ashiya Doman-sama fought against a certain clever

Onmyouji playful as a fox."

"Anyway, please, lend me your strength."

"Ara ara, what should I do tee hee hee"

"The incident involving Hanbei has already been entrusted to

Goemon to handle, we want to save Kanbei out from Mt Shozan!"

"Oh, if it's Mt Shozan I have very detailed knowledge of it, I even

have a map"

"Oh, you're a great help!"

"As long as it's related to Harima, I know everything, however in

exchange the price for this knowledge is very high, tee hee hee"

Zenki explained the plan to Granny Aga,

Shikanosuke-chan replaces the Hanbei who is currently in a coma

to lead the feint unit and lure Ukita Naoie out of Mt Shozan, then

directing the battle like Hanbei to cause the battle to drag on,

Yoshiharu will then use this chance to replace the Goemon on her

way to Todai Temple and together with Zenki infiltrate Mt Shozan to

search for and rescue Kanbei,

"What a complex strategy, tee hee hee, letting this foolhardy

warrior take command of the battle and this little brat to do a ninja's

work, using normal ways it would take at least a decade"

"That would be too late, the minute the Mori Main Army arrives in

Harima, Kanbei would be executed, and the time left is only five

days, that's why we need your help."

"The me who relied on Zenki had her business destroyed, Kanbei

had already abandoned the Onmyou Arts and devoted herself to

Nanban Science, so I don't have a reason to help you"

"Please emphasise a little! Come on!"

"Brat, the cost of my help is really high, lately I have been having

headaches over the recent disappearance of my shikigami"

"Shikigami?"

"How about this, after you die give your soul to me, tee hee hee,

after your life as a human has ended become a ghost and serve me,

let this be my compensation"

"Wait, how can-!" Even though Shikanosuke tried to protest but

Yoshiharu immediately without any hesitation answered.

"I understand, let's go with that!"

Granny Aga after hearing it examined Yoshiharu's face,

"Hoo~, you're obviously a brat yet having such a heroic face

surprisingly, you have my admiration"

Zenki gave a wry smile and said "It's a result of my master's

influence"

"Alright brat, what I said just now was but a scare, due to Zenki

and that little missy Takenaka Hanbei, Omyoudou will soon

disappear, let this be my last job as an Onmyouji"

"Eh? Then the matter of compensation?"

"The descendant of Ashiya Doman who should be a hated enemy

of Zenki joining hands together to add a final touch to the Onmyou

History, isn't it fitting?"

"Eh? Eh? Just what is Zenki actually?"

"And you who without any hint of hesitation is willing to give up

your own soul for my unbecoming disciple, what the hell are you

guys still standing there for, hurry and start training!"

"Really? Thanks so much Oba-san!"

"My lord, we've done it!"

"Boy, I already told you to not call me 'Oba-san' already, don't take

me for a fool, nyee hee hee"

Granny Aga eventually promised to help Yoshiharu and

Shikanosuke practice to accomplish the seemingly impossible plan,

What the Shikanosuke who would lead the feint unit had to learn

was definitely not the 'Ambush from all sides' tactic that was

impossible to learn in a short time, but the Ashiya Clan's 'Kimon

Tonkou' military tactic that was passed down their clan from

generation to generation.

[2]

While Yoshiharu as the commando unit infiltrated Mt Shozan had

to learn one of the ancient arts of the Onmyouji that existed till now

'Art of Invisibility' —— a technique to let oneself disappear from the

sight of others.

Granny Aga told them that they could learn these techniques in

three days,

"Logically, to let a novice learn this sophisticated art is near

impossible, so the help of Zenki and I is definitely essential, and

should suffice."

"I'm extremely grateful."

Yoshiharu at this point in time felt overflowing happiness and

gratitude in his heart.

A glimmer of light could finally be seen in the darkness.

Even he himself subconsciously said "Wait for me Kanbei"

"Oi oi Sagara Yoshiharu, if you want to learn a skill completely in

three days which is supposed to take a long time to learn, half-baked

actions are not enough, it's still too early to relax."

"I understand Zenki! It's finally time for us Sagara Corps to begin

our counterattack!"

"Yeah! I will also ambush! Sacrifice! Die on the battlefield! Striving

with this kind of resolution my lord!"

"Shikanosuke-chan, those three phrases are NG words"

"I'm no longer a child, please use my name Shikanosuke to call

me my lord, this is part of the etiquette of being companions, or is it

that my lord actually in his heart hasn't thought of me as a comrade,

Ah this is also part of the Seven sufferings and Eight pains."

Haa ha haa, Shikanosuke for some reason gasped for breath,

"Okay Okay, I understand Shikanosuke!"

"Please, call my name with a brusquer and tougher tone"

"What's wrong? Never mind, if Goemon handles it, we don't need

to worry about the matter regarding Hanbei anymore, I finally can

see the dawn!"

"Oh? Sagara Yoshiharu, since when did you start calling my

master using her name?"

"Ara, now that you mention it since when did it start?"

"He he, my master has finally been recognised by you as a mature

woman huh? It's something worth celebrating"

"Maybe it's so, I only understand that if I take Hanbei for a child it's

too disrespectful."

"So my lord is saying that I'm more childish than Hanbei, when I

obviously have a nice body, ah right, it has to be talking about my

brain. Then obviously my lord thinks of me as childish, right my lord?

Ah, is this also one of the Seven sufferings and Eight pains?"

"Don't go into wild flights of imagination! Speaking of which isn't

Sunekosuri still asleep? Oi Wake up!"

Pomf, Sunekosuri extended out it's little head from Yoshiharu's

chest.

Sunekosuri was a man made artificial spirit made by combining

the efforts of Kanbei and Rikyu, it looked like a small dog which

could be placed on one's palm perfectly.

"If I'm seen by the granny will I be put inside the cauldron and

cooked? Tremble tremble"

"Of course not, after we reach Mt Shozan we need to rely on your

nose to find Kanbei, please don't be asleep at that time."

"Don't cook Sunekosuri, don't cook Sunekosuri!"

Finally saw a ray of hope and had a renewed sense of fighting

spirit, the trio of the Sagara corps,

As well as one pet...

Granny Aga put down the spoon in her hand and slowly said,

"Yareyare, I originally thought that girl who was overly smart would

find this life to be a rocky one, but at least she found a good master."

"I say boy, there's one thing that has to be prearranged," Granny

Aga continued "No matter what happens after this, you cannot give

up on your training, or else you can never learn the 'Art of Invisibility',

there's no problem right? Tee hee hee."

"Ah, bring it on! Let's immediately start training now!"

As he said that Yoshiharu forcefully beat his chest once,

Pa!

"It hurts, it hurts!"

Subconsciously exerting too much force, Yoshiharu accidentally

smashed Sunekosuri flat,

"Ah Sorry!"

"Meat that has been pounded will have a more tender taste, right?

Don't cook me, don't cook me!"

"About that, you don't happen to have a phobia of cauldrons

right?"

Like this, the Sagara Corp's counterattack commences in three

days.