The rout of Harima (Part two)

Around the same time,

Wakasa

Facing the Coast of Japan Sea, this land, governed by Niwa

Nagahide was gradually stabilizing.

"The forces of the Oda clan are coming!"

Reactions like this aren't few and from that, riots were abundant at

first, but the gentle Nagahide steadily and quietly settled things

down, and was able to grasp the hearts of the people of Wakasa in

time.

Nagahide likes to listen to the opinions and reports of various

people for work-related matters and though it takes time, the work

done is reliable.

Leading the Northern troops, Shibata Katsuie was facing the

formidable enemy Uesugi Kenshin.

Being assigned with the role of the guard of the capital, Akechi

Mitsuhide is currently launching a furious attack on Tamba.

Takigawa Kazumasu who had almost single-handedly conquered

the vast country Ise by herself was now embarked on strengthening

her naval forces.

Being appointed as the commander of the Chuugoku conquering

forces, Sagara Yoshiharu is currently fighting with the Mori clan.

Out of the 4 Oda clan Devas and Saru, only Niwa Nagahide is

peacefully being the master of Wakasa.

Of course as a Daimyō, Nagahide have her own "Niwa clan

retainers" that belongs to her but all they were unhappy about not

having any achievements from the peaceful work they are doing..

In Wakasa, there's no land that Nagahide can conquer nor enemy

Nagahide had to face..

And so, there's no achievements that can be achieved like what

the retainers hope.

"Our princess is just not ambitious enough."

These were the remarks of her vexed retainers.

To the retainers, Nagahide would always ignore it with a smile.

"There must always be someone doing the backstage chores."

Using this tension lacking sentence to handle her retainers.

But ever since Nagahide came to Wakasa, she does not seem to

be in the spirit of things..

Her complexion was not too good.

And there is no vitality in her either.

Among the retainers, there were rumors why is she like that.

"Hime-sama actually wanted to go to the forefront" "It seems so"

"Even though she said that this is 100 pts and was the right thing to

do, but in her heart it's a 0 pts"

But in fact, she was not depressed because she is the Daimyō of

Wakasa now.

But the true reason was that now all of the retainers were

scattered, she was worried for Nobuna and Yoshiharu.

While looking at Wakasa bay from the window of her Honmaru,

Nagahide decided in her heart.

For Nobuna's ambitions and dreams, she couldn't understand.

Nobuna's existence has surpassed the common sense of the

people of this country and was far beyond removed from this era.

Like the sea in front of her eyes, the dream of Nobuna was too

vast.

Nagahide couldn't understand why an unprecedented genius like

her would suddenly appear on this small island that has no worldrenowned heroes.

Perhaps the prayers of the people of this country that wishes to

end this dreadful cycle of war led to the birth of Nobuna in this

country.

However, Nagahide understands more than anyone the maiden

heart of the girl named Nobuna.

Nobuna's heart will, in different situations and different times, show

different expressions on her face.

At times when she's calm, she is like a wave that gently sways at

the shore of a beach, and she's like a raging tsunami when she's

angry.

And when the people see that face full of fury, they tend to look

upon her like a demon.

Her love was too deep.

Not just her intellect and talent, even on the extent of her

emotions, she was abnormal.

Is the fact that she was not loved by her mother Tsuchida Gozen

as a child related?

(When Nobuhide-sama died, the heart of Hime-sama was in a

verge of collapse.)

Oda Nobuhide had found the latent potential in her and has

continued to encourage Nobuna and at the day of his funeral.

Nobuna had barged at the funeral with a foolish appearance which

consists of a sword hanging on her waist with a gourd and a hairstyle

for a widow.

Furthermore, she took the incense from the memorial tablet of

Nobuhide and thrown it while angrily shouting "Father!" and left

furiously after that.

As the eldest, Nobuna has the right to inherit the position of

daimyo than Nobukatsu but this resulted to another problem.

"Oda clan will surely collapse if we let this princess inherit the

family estate", said by Tsuchida Gozen that was still furious at

Nobuna for messing up the funeral of her husband.

Nobuna's chief adviser, Grandfather Hirata had said that he was

willing to prepare his own funeral to amend for what her lord had

done but the new lord had left the place after hearing it.

And Nagahide followed after her.

She thought that Nobuna might have gone to the festival where

the late Nobuhide had always brought her every year at Tsushima for

sight-seeing.

And as Nagahide expected, Nobuna was there in the port of the

river.

Every items and equipments were sprawled all over the place and

some makiwara ships were washed away in the river.

Nobuna, with her mouth bend in a "へ" character, was glaring with

teary eyes at the vast blue sky.

"So here you are Hime-sama"

"So it's Manchiyo, de aru ka"

"It's not "de aru ka" Hime-sama, what you have just done there

was very improper, 0 pts"

"Hmph, it's just a waste of time; even if we held many more

funerals, it won't bring father back"

"Even so, you must not make any more trouble, what would

happen if the people that follow you turned against you Hime-sama?"

"Then how about you Manchiyo?"

"...Hime-sama. Looking at the sky is good and all but please

don't directly look at the sun. It will blur your eyes"

"I know that, you don't have to say it"

"How about wearing the Namban black glasses?"

"Wearing glasses is not really my hobby"

Nobuna's tantrum has ended at that moment.

And she was also at her limits playing a brave front.

While showing a gentle smile in her face, Nagahide let Nobuna

rest in her lap and when she was fully laid down in her lap, Nobuna

started to cry.

"Hurting yourself is not good; your Otou-sama won't be happy

seeing you like this you know? 0 pts"

Nagahide said this while gently stroking Nobuna's hair.

Ever since she served this obscure little princess that was younger

than her, Nagahide have committed herself to understand the true

heart of Nobuna.

The more she understands the loneliness of Nobuna, the more

she gets frustrated that she doesn't have enough power to help her.

But she still stayed by her side.

Because this was the only thing she could do to support her.

"Perhaps this is my duty for now" this is what Nagahide had

thought at that time.

In actuality, this role was originally for Tsuchida Gozen as her

mother.

Or this should be the case.

But strangely, Tsuchida Gozen had rejected Nobuna.

And this was already happening ever since Nobuna was a child.

"When we learned that the Namban missionary had died, Himesama was also hurting herself like this."

"... Dearuka."

"In times like this, please let me pamper you; it's not good to hurt

yourself, I'm sure Hirate-dono would surely say the same thing."

"Grandfather Hirata, won't die right?"

"Hime-sama...."

"... Manchiyo, all the people that I loved have all died. Those

people who are willing to understand and believe me died one by

one."

After losing that Namban missionary, one of the few people that

understood Nobuna, her loving father Nobuhide died too; a deep

despair and loneliness that a normal person couldn't bear was

invading her, this is what Nagahide felt.

Someday.

Someday, will there be a someone who could truly understand this

girl with a petite body that has a hidden huge dream? Nagahide

wondered when that day would come.

"I don't believe what Hime-sama has said, it's too unreasonable,

so don't think it that way okay? Hime-sama."

Nagahide gently raised Nobuna and held her in her tight embrace.

"Please Manchiyo, stay away from me or I might give you some

misfortune, it's better to be not too close to me."

"It was just a coincidence."

"No it's not! Look at my mother who despise me, she is very

healthy~!"

"Hime-sama, you must not say a word that hurts yourself"

"Manchiyo too, you will also die!"

"I will never leave your side Hime-sama"

At that time, Nagahide have resolved herself that until that

"someone" appears, she will stay by the side of the princess.

"And fortunately, I am a fool. So I'm sorry, but I will never leave

your side Hime-sama, and don't worry, I won't die before Hime-sama

does, 50pts."

With bright red eyes and a messy face, Nobuna gave a hug at her.

"Hime-sama, following the burning in Kyo, Matsunaga Hisahide of

Yamato had led a rebellion against us"

"What should we do?"

Nagahide had returned to reality from her reminiscencing by the

loud voices of her retainers.

Because she's a fool, she coudn't understand Nobuna's dream.

However, she could read the hearts of the people around her.

That's why she could tell that Matsunaga Hisahide had her

reasons why she needed to revolt and picked this timing to do it.

Nagahide was vaguely able to tell the intention of why Hisahide

did this.

"Quickly, all forces march to Kyo"

Nagahide had stood up slowly.

"Perhaps with this, the scattered retainers of the Oda clan will be

able to unite together again, but taking into account the feelings of

Hime-sama, this is only 50 pts."

Nagahide's retainers couldn't understand what was the meaning

behind the words of their lord was.

While they are thinking why their lord only graded this incident by

50 pts, they bent their heads like that of a "P" character and were

wondering whether it was good or bad.

"Losing something will surely make her strong but the question is

how to fill the void in her heart, and right now she is in a very

unstable condition and it might overflow. At this moment, Hime-sama

was having a hard time"

Kaga

Shibata Katsuie who was leading the Hokuriku district troops from

Echizen was now in the neighboring country Kaga and was going to

Daishoji Castle where the Uesugi army was based.

There were 3 countries between and before Echizen and Echigo,

and those were Kaga, Etchuu and Noto.

Depending on who will win, either Shibata Katsuie or Uesugi

Kenshin, they would be able to have these 3 countries by

themselves and this would greatly affect the flow of the warring state

period in their favor.

While Uesugi Kenshin was battling Takeda Shingen at

Kawanakajima, at that moment Katsuie had marched out in Echizen.

There was a truce between the Oda clan and Takeda Shingen for

this event.

But Ashikaga Yoshiaki had interfered and became the mediator

between Takeda and Uesugi and thus the battle had ceased and

they reconciled.

Because of this, Uesugi Kenshin had barricaded all the possible

escape routes to Echizen for Katsuie and her troops to retreat.

And Uesugi Kenshin was leading her Echigo army in lightning fast

pace to invade Kaga.

And currently, the Uesugi army has made Daishoji castle their

base and was waiting for Katsuie's troops for a decisive battle.

Katsuie had steeled herself not to siege Daishoji castle recklessly

and would only do it if there is chance and she was even willing to

wait even if it takes years for that, and if by chance that opportunity

came, the Hokuriku district troops anxieties might vanish, while

thinking that, Katsuie was gobbling her onigiri.

And of course, with miso in it.

The people of Owari in the Warring State period like it that way.

Katsuie said that this food that contains miso in it was an excellent

food in the battlefield diet.

The trinity of the rice, salt and miso is just the best.

If it's said in the modern day, it's calories, salt and protein.

And she could eat the whole onigiri in one bite.

However.

"Wh- what? Matsunaga Hisahide of Yamato had revolted against

Hime-sama?"

"...…..This is the second time she did this"

"Wh- why did this happen!? What will happen to Himesamaaaaa!?"

Maeda Inuchiyo had reported the "revolt of Matsunaga Hisahide",

while muttering "I want to eat some rice cakes..." with tear-filled

eyes to Katsuie.

"Let's march back to Kyo and help Hime-sama quickly, Inu!"

"...But"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"... The Uesugi army is just in front of us here, if we retreat now,

Katsuie will be labeled as a deserter and your reputation might get

ruined"

For Katsuie who was known as a brave general, being labeled as

a deserter would haunt her for a lifetime.

Furthermore, the enemy in front of her was known as the "God of

War", Uesugi Kenshin.

She won't let herself retreat that easily without a fight occurring

between them.

"Huh, even though I want to help Hime-sama, I don't even know

how to get out of this place, I'm not that good at thinking!"

Katsuie shared her onigiri reluctantly to Maeda Inuchiyo who was

muttering "I'm hungry".

"Inu, eat this"

"... *MUNCH* ..."

"Sorry, I don't have any rice cakes here"

"...Those words, it kind of reminds me of Ojii-sama"

"Oh, the Chief Adviser? How nostalgic, it really did feels like it's a

long time ago."

Nobuna's father, the Daimyō Oda Nobuhide of Owari had

continued to fight Imagawa Yoshimoto of the East and Saito Dousan

of the North, and even though he kept losing battle after battle,

because of his unyielding heart, he was feared at that time.

However, he was still young when he suddenly got ill, and even

when he received many treatments and prayers, he eventually still

died.

According to one theory, the cause of his death was eating too

much miso. The salt that came from his favorite miso had

accumulated in his body and had triggered his blood pressure to rise

and because of this, some of his blood vessels in his brain were

getting clogged and while this was happening he made some

"Uh!,oh!,Uhh!" sounds, and eventually resulted to a stroke and his

death.

Being the successor and labeled the "Fool Princess", Nobuna in a

foolish appearance had barged at the funeral and took the incense

from the memorial tablet of Nobuhide and sprawled all of the

contents and it shocked all the retainers that were present that day.

It was said that the Princess was so angry that time that she

attempted to kill all monks that offered a prayers of healing to

Nobuhide.

"It is the end for Oda Clan of Owari" this was the talk of the town

folks.

Because of this rumors, some of the retainers advised that the

second child, Nobukatsu-sama (And at present is called Nobusumi)

should succeed the position.

At that time, Katsuie was still the chief retainer of Nobukatsu.

But even at that time, Katsuie's loyalty laid only at Nobuna.

If this continues, the princess' position would be in danger.

But at that time, the grandfather-like figure to Nobuna and

Inuchiyo, Chief adviser Grandfather Hirate was there.

And because of Katsuie and Grandfather Hirate's persuasion, the

retainers that supported Nobukatsu have stopped advising this and

Nobuna's position as the lord was saved.

However, Katsuie was not good at things that uses the brain and

was only good at eating like Inuchiyo but much faster than her.

So with his withered body that you won't be surprised if it

collapsed suddenly, Grandfather Hirate who had sworn loyalty to

Nobuna, was the one who almost did all the persuasion.

At that moment, Nobuna who just lost his father was in a daze so

she wasn't able to do a thing back then.

Then one day.

Grandfather Hirate suddenly called Katsuie and Inuchiyo to an old

Tea room and asked them to assist him in his seppuku.

"I will, commit seppuku so that to amend for the "Foolish act"

Hime-sama have done, in that Man's funera-, *COUGH*"

Katsuie was in a panic.

'Sto- sto- stop it! Chief adviser!"

"No, I won't stop, Gonroku"

"Call me Riku!"

Katsuie involuntarily smacked Grandfather Hirate and had let out a

"Guha!" sound, and Granfather was almost taken to heaven.

"Guhhaa!!, Granny? Its Granny, am I in the river of Styx?..."

*Thump*.

"Ah! Sorry Chief adviser, please don't die!!"

"... Katsuie killed Jii-sama"

"Ah! i- it's my fault!?"

"... Wait a minute~! Inu! Let's forget about the funeral for now, if

the news that the Gonroku have beaten an old man to death it would

be an outrageous scandal! Uh, uhh *SOB*"

"...Jii-sama is still alive"

"Uwaaaaaa~~! Good grief, Chief adviser is still alive~!"

While coughing, grandfather Hirate got up and narrowly escaped

death for now and tried to persuade Inuchiyo and Katsuie why he

wanted to do this.

"Listen, Gonroku and Puppy, I can't blame Hime-sama for being

irrational right now, losing his loving father in such a young age, I

know the feeling very well. However, if this continues the Oda clan

will be dividing to factions."

"Didn't I say call me Riku~~! *SOB*"

"... So that's why you want to commit Seppuku?"

"That's right, if it's me her adviser who have been together with

Hime-sama ever since she was born, will have a funeral, she will

surely stop her foolish acts. Hime-sama is truly a sweet child; she

will certainly listen to this old man's last wish"

It was a good story but the ending was way too tragic.

"I already have a terminal illness because of my age, my days in

this world is already nearing its end but being able to offer this body

of mine for Hime-sama, I'm truly happy"

However, the usual deadpan Inuchiyo strongly opposed by saying

"No~~!" with eyes bright red.

"NO! NO~! NO~~! If Hime-sama heard that you committed

Seppuku-!'

Inuchiyo didn't continued what she was saying. No, she couldn't

continue it because she was crying too hard. "Uh! Uhh~! Uuhhh~~!

Uwaaa~~!" her wail could be heard outside of the Tea room.

Her emotion burst out and she repeatedly said "NO! NO~! NO~~!"

like that of a child that was throwing a tantrum.

So Katsuie was the only one who could convince him to stop.

Persuading others was not Katsuie's forte, as it was proven last

time. But she had no choice; she needed to convince that old man to

stop.

"Sh- she is right! You mustn't do it! Of all the people here you

should know it very well Chief Adviser; you're just going to hurt

Hime-sama even more, so please don't do it!"

"Ahh, Gonroku, you"

"If someone like you who is precious to Hime-sama, that she even

look up as her Grandfather dies because of her, Hime-sama's heart

surely won't be able to bear it and it would leave a scar for the rest of

her life~!"

"...I see Gonroku"

"Even if Hime-sama does straighten her act, surely one day her

emotion will overflow and it will happen again, she doesn't need to

see you at your funeral~! What she needs is you being by her side~!"

"I have always thought that you are just a brute warrior with a cowlike breast... but I didn't knew that you could read Hime-sama's

heart that I should have been able to do too"

"Even I don't know the world Hime-sama is talking about. But she

is not a fool! I just said it myself that Hime-sama had just lost her

father, what would she think if the Chief adviser who was there for

her ever since she's born, the one that she looks up as her

grandfather also died, I don't know what she will feel about this,

Hime-sama will surely-"

"Gonroku is absolutely right, because of my old age I get confused

so easily these days"

"I said call me Riku~!"

*BANG!*

"GUHAA~! Will you stop that Gonroku? If this continues I'll really

die!"

"If chief adviser just called me Riku, this would have been finished

already!"

"Is that so? I'm really getting old to forget about that. *COUGH*"

"Grandpa, please don't die ok?...I'm hungry"

"Hey, will you stop crying already!"

"Puppy, I don't have any rice cakes but I have rice balls, come

here and eat it"

"...*MUNCH*"

"Good thing you like it, but I kind of feel bad because it's not a rice

cake"

Because of Katsuie and Inuchiyo's strong objection, Grandfather

Hirate had cancelled his own funeral.

After that, the terminal illness of Grandfather Hirate had

progressed, and he eventually retired. In his sickbed in Shirotaku he

was watched by Nobuna, Katsuie and Inuchiyo, and his relative, and

after that Grandfather Hirate peacefully passed away.

It was a pleasant death.

Even without committing seppuku, Grandfather Hirate's concern

was conveyed to Nobuna.

And after Grandfather Hirate's death, Nobuna's foolish acts

ceased.

"... At that time, Katsuie was able to stop grandpa, even though

you're a muscle head"

"Muscle head!? It's none of your business~!"

"And your boobs are too big"

"That's even more none of your business~~!"

"Frustrating, be cursed"

"Hmm? What do you mea- "

"... You were able to save Hime-sama and grandpa, so thank

you very much"

*PEKORI* Inuchiyo bowed while stuffing her mouth with onigiri to

Katsuie.

"Stop that Inu, anyway if we just fight them once and lose, we

have a valid reason to retreat"

"... Losing, we will lose in purpose?"

"Even if my name gets tarnished, if it's for Hime-sama, I'll gladly do

it."

"... If that really happened, you might have problems in our clan

in the future"

"I don't care. I only fight for Hime-sama's dream. I can't face the

chief adviser if I did things that opposed what I promised to him that

day."

"... Then ... Katsuie is"

"Uesugi Kenshin is known for her justice, if we escape tonight she

will chase and annihilate us but if we fight her courageously, even if

we are defeated and retreat, the god of war will surely give mercy to

us and let us escape"

"... Katsuie is never going to get married"

"Wh- wh- wh- why~~!"

"... The way you live is way too awkward"

"It can't be helped~! I like Hime-sama~!"

"...Your only interested in girls?..."

"A- a- a- a- a- a- ar- ar- are you stupid~~! I didn't mean it in that

way"

Katsuie and Inuchiyo, "Let's get defeated by the Uesugi army and

retreat to Kyo shall we?" "... Let's do that" have come to that

decision.

Ise Inlands

The Kuki navy fleet had now reached the Kumano Beach that

faces the Pacific Ocean.

The Kuki pirates' promised servitude to Takigawa Kazumasu had

changed themselves and were now worthy to be called a "Naval

Fleet".

And on the flagship deck, Takigawa Kazumasu and Kuki Onee-san

were just lazily sun bathing while watching the schools of whale, and

to add to it Kuki Onee-san was exposing her stomach and as per

usual were not doing their works.

And both of them didn't want to go back to the land anymore.

"What a nice weather, this must be what they call "clear blue sky",

isn't that right Kuki~"

"Yes! Under this vast blue sky and this large sea, one can forget

the worries that she is not in a marriageable age anymore~!"

"But I think you should be bothered about your marriage though,

kusu kusu"

"But in our entire fleet, there is not even a single man around

here~!"

"But we have, that fellow that came from Namban, the one with the

stunning red hair. Giovanna-chan right?"

And apparently, that Giovanna that who knows when got in friendly

terms with Kazumasu and her pirates was in the deck doing some

chores while eating some special delicacy of Ise, the Anko mochi.

"... This Anko mochi is delicious, too delicious. It's so delicious

that I can eat this forever *MUNCH**MUNCH**MUNCH*"

Ever since Giovanna came, the rations of the Kuki pirates were

diminishing in a rapid rate.

"Hime-sama~! Even though she looks and acts like a man that

person is a woman~!"

"Is that so~?"

"Yes it is~!"

"Then at this rate, if you can't find a man, why not just pick a

woman~? Kusu kusu"

"Hime-sama, you're so cruel~! If this Kuki Yoshitaka, that is the

Captain of the famed Kuki pirates would become so low to marry

another woman, then I'm better off being a bait to the whales than to

get married~!"

"I see, and here I was thinking that this cute princess will be

Kuki~'s bride, but if you say it like that then I better give up now~"

"Ahh~! No, if it's Hime-sama, it's another matter, and if you want

we can held the ceremony right now~!"

"Boss~~!!! Don't monopolize Hime-sama for yourself~~!!!" these

were the complaints of the girls of the Kuki pirates while dropping

their works just to complain to their boss.

And at the same moment.

A pigeon has nested itself in the head of Kazumasu while gently

landing.

"Mu? A carrier pigeon that has a letter for Hime-sama?"

"Oh, it's not a letter from Frois-chan but from Orugan-chan[11] that

accompanied her to Kyo. Is this a Love letter? Is it because he can't

take out this cute little princess from his mind that he sent a love

letter to me?"

"No, he is the type of guy that just seeing a girl makes him scared

so I think that's not the case here"

"But if he overcame his fear and started to love Hime-sama ... if

that happens, tsk~"

"So what does it says"

"Yamoto's Hisashi~ had rebelled. Right now Nobuna-chan is in a

pinch, that's what it says"

"Hime-sama, even though your good at giving pet names, isn't that

nickname too forced?"

"Anyway, Hisashi~ or Matsunaga Danjo right now is a pain"

"What should we do? Shall we go back?

"kusu kusu. We already reached Kumano beach, it's already too

late to go back"

"Yes it's already too late but if this continues, what will happen to

the Oda Clan?"

"Umu ... If Nobuna-chan dies ... it's the end for the Oda clan"

"I will always follow Hime-sama until the end, and will obey

whatever you decide"

The previous name of Kazumasu was Takigawa Sakon and was

the daughter of the Koga ninja.

The house of Takigawa was one of the upper class among Koga

ninjas and could be said to be the best among them because they

were not just ordinary ninjas.

The Koga ninja was a kingdom itself and had a hidden fortress

that was deep in the rugged mountains, and they had very few

contacts with the outside world.

With the exception of when they receive a job as a ninja.

However, for Kasumazu, it was a place that only gave her anxiety

and pressure when she was there in the Koga clan.

Even though they called her "Hime", for some reason, they kept

their distance from her.

Was it because of the ability of Kazumasu?

Even the loving father that pampered the young Kasumazu, by the

passage of time did the same and treated her like a child that is

being kept just because of being asked by a friend.

And one faithful day, Kazumasu heard some rumors from the maid

servants. "That child doesn't have the blood of the house of

Takigawa".

After hearing the rumors, Kazumasu anxieties grew day by day,

thinking that she might not be a member of the Koga clan.

And then followed an unexpected accident or perhaps an

assassination, her father died but his body's whereabouts were not

found.

The young Kasumazu had fled from Koga after that.

And became a rogue ninja.

Or should have happened back then.

She blindly fled to the sea.

She wanted to know and see the vast sea and did not want to

bother anything related to the Koga ninjas.

And at midnight, Kazumasu had fainted from hunger at the

Tsushima port town of Owari.

On the river, there were countless lantern-carrying marikawa ships

that were being washed away by the stream.

Just a little more and I could almost be able to ride that boat but

my body won't listen to me anymore.

While the small drums beat, a beautiful maiden that was not from

this world had appeared and walked to the place where Kazumasu

lied.

And this maiden knelt down and helped the tattered Kazumasu to

get up.

And this beautiful but sharp maiden, for some reason looked very

lonely behind her smile.

"What's the matter? Are you lost, what's your name?"

"... A rogue ninja of Koga, Takigawa Kazumasu"

Kazumasu knew that this maiden was not one of the ninjas who

came to bring her back, this is what she understood.

Such eyes full of loneliness, Kazumasu didn't see this kind of eyes

in the Koga clan.

"I see, you're so young for being a rogue ninja, you're really

something that you were able to come here in Tsushima from where

you come from"

The maiden caressed the cheeks of Kazumasu.

This was the first time in a long time that someone showed

kindness to her.

Then Kazumasu started to cry.

"I, I don't have any place to call my home anymore"

"Why? You can go back to Koga right?"

"... The sea, I wanted to see it"

"The sea? Why?"

"My ... position as the princess ... of the Koga clan is now

gone. But if I go to the other end of the sea, perhaps maybe..."

The word that she wanted to say came to stop there.

And now she was embraced by the maiden and then she started

to cry even louder.

"I beg of you, will you take me in, Hime-sama?"

The maiden whispered to Kazumasu "Me too, I don't have a place

to go back too" and after that she made Kazumasu to stand.

"Then shall we go, Sakon"

"... Where?"

"To Dance"

"Is there a festival tonight?"

"In my life, everyday is a festival, Sakon"

"Everyday ..."

When the maiden gave a bright smile, it was clear and refreshing,

but more importantly, it was very beautiful.

For Kazumasu, this smile that the maiden showed to her.

And she have thought that she won't ever forget this smile for the

rest of her life.

"From now on, let's be together forever, even in the other end of

the sea"

"Hime-sama?"

"Oh my, I just reminisced something from the past"

"For someone so young, I don't think such bitter words suit you"

"Well, I just can't forget when Nobuna-chan said "please~, let's

find a place to rest~♪" and that night we shared a passionate rest

together. Kusu kusu"

"I'm so jealous~! Grrrr~~"

"Kuki~, even though Nobuna-chan is stingy and sucks at preparing

tea, to me, she is like my Aneki so it's a given that we come to her

aid if she is in a pinch"

Kuki Yoshitaka rolled up her sleeves.

"Then it's settled! But then again, it took quite some time before

you decided, right! Let's go!"

"Well, I'm kinda at loss because if we go to her we will lose our

leisurely trip. Kusu kusu"

"I can't get enough of that mischievous smile Haa~~ Haa~~, but If

we don't hurry and go back to land from Ise. It will be too late for us

to help"

"If we follow the sea route, we are now on Kumano beach of

southern tip of Kishu. So let's sail to north and land in Sakai and then

start to move from there."

"Yes ma'am! With the blow of the wind right now, this might

work~!"

"Kumano beach has a strange flow of current, so Kuki~ are you

okay with that? Kusu kusu"

"For the Kuki pirates, no, for the Kuki navy fleet, the ocean is like

our backyard so don't you worry about it Hime-sama!"

The fleet that was in front of Kumano beach had simultaneously

steered their wheels.

While going north, Kazumasu remembered the promise she made

with the maiden that she danced with in the night of the festival of

Tsushima.

"I want to go with Hime-sama, no; I want to go with Nobuna-chan

to the other side of the sea"

On the west bank of Lake Biwa, there was the Oumizo Castle that

was being erected there.

The castle was surrounded with water making it a natural water

fortress, and this architecture technique was learned by the wise

Mitsuhide.

While at the bank looking at the vast lake Biwa, the master of

Oumizo Castle, Tsuda Nobusumi was lost in thought.

Yamato's Matsunaga Hisahide had revolted.

And now, his sister Nobuna that was at Kyo, was in a dangerous

situation.

For Nobuna who loved to raise arson, thinking that no one would

rebel against her was a foolish way of thinking.

Even though he's weak, this was not the time to hesitate and he

should go to Kyoto.

And he promised that his life was for Nobuna to use.

But still, he was a little anxious.

So he waited and watched the situation at first.

He wanted to be forgiven, but he wanted to stay here in Oumizu

castle even for another day.

Because.

"Oichi's condition ... yesterday and even now is still pretty bad"

So.

Oichi or once called Asai Nagamasa, Nobusumi's first wife, had

suddenly collapsed one day at midnight.

This morning, the doctor Manase Belchior had rushed there to

look at Oichi's condition.

"Today and tomorrow are critical for her"

That's what Manase Belchior said.

Nobusumi was hoping to stay with her at least after she passed

the critical stage.

Matsunaga Hisahide still had not sieged Honnou Temple, and

instead she was wasting her time battling the armed monks in Nara.

Besides, if Hisahide really had sieged Honnou Temple, Nobusumi

would already have received reports that "Nobuna is dead" by now.

I know that Aneue would be fine even if I'm late to assist her, but if

I leave now, I don't know what would happen to Oichi.

"Huh? ... What am I thinking, it's a given that there are no other

options but to march and assist Aneue, but even though I say that"

And first of all, for Oichi and his sake, Nobuna bared the

unpleasant title of "the demon that slain Nagamasa and made his

skull into a cup and drank from it" for deceiving the country for their

sake.

Oichi understood this too.

(That's right. It's not because I'm worried about Oichi's condition,

it's just because I'm weak. Who was the one who gave us these

blissful days? It was all because of Aneue. Who was the one that

sacrificed herself so that we could enjoy this country and build our

home, it's all thanks to Aneue right?)

I don't need to say good bye to Oichi, I'm just going to Kyo to help.

Nobusumi had decided.

He was going to climb up the castle and go to the bedroom of

Oichi.

However.

Surprisingly, Oichi was at the hall, waiting for his return, no, she

was seeing him off.

"Kanjuro, please immediately march to Kyo, this is not the time to

worry about me, please help Aneue right now"

"Wh- why are you here Oichi, you should be resting right now!"

"I'm sorry if I made you worried Kanjuro, but I'm fine, I don't have

any illness at all"

"Eh? You don't have one? But you were just suffering the other

day right?"

"Yes, but according to Doctor Manase Belchior, I'm in fact ... "

And suddenly she fainted and Nobusumi was in panic, thinking

about "the revolt of Matsunaga Hisahide" "Oichi's sickness" and

"Nobuna's dilemma". It took some time before he could "cool his

head" in the bank of the lake.

"But he said that today and tomorrow are critical for you right?"

"Yes, it was a little dangerous but I overcame it"

"No, I think it's really is an illness!"

"No, it's not an illness"

"I don't understand what you're saying! Where is doctor

Manase~!?"

"He left for a long journey because Matsunaga Danjo Hisahide had

revolted"

"What!? I can't understand a thing about this anymore~!"

Oichi helped Nobusumi who was so confused right now and told

him the results of Doctor Manase Belchior's examination of what was

happening in her body.

After hearing it, Nobusumi was like a someone who's been struck

by a lightning.

Is that so?

So that was it.

Now I get it!

"Aha ha ha, I'm, as usual, such a big fool, I actually thought that

Aneue is going to be alright, why I ... why did I think something

that stupid ...!"

"Is it because of this that you won't leave our home, Kanjuro?"

"As if! I was going to your room to say good bye! Because I will

immediately march to Kyo!"

"I see, I'm sorry if I didn't cleared things up to you immediately"

"Oichi no, I'm the one who needs to apologize. I'm the one who

was at loss because of this crisis, but I was also worried about your

body Oichi ..."

Oichi then said "you're such a kind man, that part of you is really

the same as Aneue" with a wry smile.

"Kanjuro, don't worry too much here and go to Aneue's aid. Take

care, my love"

"Ok, I'll be going then!"

There was a mountain fort located at the west side of Tamba.

Akechi Mitsuhide who continued to march toward Tamba to pacify

it was at the base of Yakami Castle and was waiting for them to

surrender.

There were many powerful nobles from different countries in

Tamba.

Mitsuhide had persuaded all of these nobles one by one to ally

with the Oda clan and with time, the nobles had come to their side

one after another.

Of course, the world of the Warring States isn't kind enough to

allow all the nobles of Tamba to be persuaded through just

negotiations, eventually there would have to be a bloodshed.

So to not waste her time, Mitsuhide didn't pursue anymore those

who refused to give deference to the Oda Clan.

To prove them that the era of the Oda clan is coming, Mitsuhide

had confronted these nobles to make them understand this, even if it

meant using force.

In military or diplomatic meetings, Mitsuhide was able to obtain

victory in both of them.

And in this busy cycle, she was also able to supervise the

construction of Oumizo castle where Nobusumi is the master.

Certainly, she was able to perform it all perfectly.

And the only one remaining to be siege was the renowned

mountains fort of Tamba, Yamaki castle.

"If I could quickly pacify Tamba, then Sagara-senpai can happily

marry me~"

Recently, this was the only thought that ran through the head of

Mitsuhide who was full of vigor.

Although Mitsuhide only had a few troops with her, because of her

silver tongue and intelligence, she was able to persuade the nobles

of Tamba to ally with the Oda Clan and win wars in systematic ways

and strategies without flaws and was now in a favorable situation.

However compared to Sagara Yoshiharu who was now in Harima

and having a hard time, Mitsuhide was not having any problem at all

in Tamba and was proceeding at a good pace. She was faster in

pacifying this country than Yoshiharu who was struggling to do so.

One could say that this conquest was destined for Mitsuhide.

Yamaki castle was the worst type of enemy and was not

surrendering even after a month had passed.

The casualties kept increasing, time was dragging and resentment

was rising while days passed.

So the master of the Yamaki castle was encouraged by the others

to surrender to the Oda clan.

Mitsuhide was favoured in high respect by the powerful nobles of

Tamba.

And so they won't break the promise they made carelessly.

Even if there were problems in the nobles, once she used her

silver tongue, they would always succumb to her offer.

"Now, if you do not serve the Oda Clan, you might lose your

independence and have an income gap of 30 years. But if you join

us now, your income will grow 3 folds compared to now, and you will

be able to enter all you want to the Oda Clan's prestigious hot

springs, but of course there will be funds taken worth 1 month for the

use of the facilities. We also have retirement benefits, we will give

you 1 cup of tea a day, because I don't mind doing that much. Now!

Pledge loyalty to the Oda Clan and have a vast and happy future~!"

With such fast pace to give a long speech in such a short time, the

nobles were twisting their neck and were saying "Umuu, it's kind of

incomparable" and pledged deference to the clan clueless.

Of course, the reputation of the Akechi military troops was really

good with the people.

And at long last, the master of Yamaki castle succumbed to her

offer.

And with this, the pacification of Tamba was completed.

"Now that I have finally pacified Tamba, shall I go to Harima and

aid Sempai? Well, even though Juubei doesn't want too, he IS my

future husband so I think it's better to assist him."

Mitsuhide was in good spirits that day.

While she was at her base, she was humming "Now that I

conquered Yamaki castle~ shall I go to Mount Atago and kill some

time there~" in a highly competent way.

However, the bad news that "Yamoto's Matsunaga Hisahide had

revolted" came.

"Wh- what!?"

These rumors did not only spread in Mitsuhide's base but in the

whole of Tamba too.

The Akechi troops were also anxious because of this.

But the one who was panicking the most was Mitsuhide.

Spraying the tea that was served to her from her mouth, she

quickly stood up from her seat.

"Th-th- th- th- th- that's why~! I said to cut down that revolutionist

while we had the chance No- No- No- No- Nobuna-samaaaaaa~~.

N-no, it's that right? She was to- to- to- too kind to us...!"

But thinking those things right now was useless.

Thinking things out will be just waste of time.

Right now, she needs to withdraw out of Tamba.

"Qui- qui- qui- qui- quickly prepare the troops, we will mar- marmar march out of Ta- Ta- Ta- Tamba to help Nobuna-sama!"

However.

"But if we march out from the captured Yamaki Castle and leave

the newly pacified Tamba"

"The powerful nobles of Tamba will raise their complaints"

"And we will do pacification all over again"

"And Yamaki Castle will restock and ready themselves and it

would be impregnable the next time we return"

The retainers strongly opposed the idea and saying "we must not

withdraw out of Tamba!".

"What are you talking about? You, who do you think is more

important, the nobles of Tamba or Nobuna-sama!!"

"If it's her, she will survive somehow"

"Yes! The princess of Oda has survived a deadly gunshot once;

she will surely be able to overcome this crisis!"

"So to summarize this, we must not go to where Hime-sama is."

"And if we do it all over again, it will take some years to pacify

Tamba again"

"And this might result in a problem for our Akechi Clan!"

"Why are you saying selfish thing like "this will be a problem for the

Akechi Clan" you big fools!" Mitsuhide furiously chastised her

retainers who were usually kind on a daily basis.

"Stop spitting out useless things, and ready the troops to march

out!!"

"But!"

"If it takes some years before we pacify Tamba, what will happen

about the talk of marrying Saru-dono?"

"It isn't going to be legal even in papers!"

"... Aahh!!"

It worked.

For Mitsuhide who was blindly loyal to Nobuna, this was her only

weakness and contradiction.

And it was Sagara Yoshiharu.

Mitsuhide once said "to eliminate the bad rumors surrounding

Nobuna-sama, I'm letting Sempai marry this brilliant me" and had no

doubt that these two were only in a master and servant relationship.

And even though she already saw their tryst, she's still gleefully

saying to herself that "If Sempai and I get married~ we will live in our

large love nest~", her retainers that saw that their lord was acting

weird could obviously tell her true intentions.

And so the retainers used this against the lavishly in love

Mitsuhide.

Also, they were always reminded by the sick mother of Mitsuhide

that "I want to see my daughter in a wedding dress and get married"

repeatedly.

So now, the retainers of Mitsuhide were suddenly in a situation

that they forged the "Hime-sama and Saru-dono must get married"

pairing.

"Is that okay, Hime-sama!?"

"While we are pacifying Tamba again, Saru-dono might, no, will

certainly find a wife in Harima!"

"And if its Harima were talking about, it will definitely be the

Akashi"

"And if we're talking about Akashi, you'll remember the Octopus

princess and the "Tale of Genji" where the Akashi is famous too!"

"That's the place where "Hikaru Genji" cheated!"

"The Akashi might use their octopus-like tentacles to seduce Sarudono, Hime-sama!"

"If it's the Octopus princess, she'll definitely do it!"

"There is no mistake on that!"

No, maybe it might be the Oda clan princess... "

For the first time, Mitsuhide flinched ever since this discussion

started.

"Su-su- su- such an a- a- a- absurd thing~~"

She was in a state where she was shaking and might collapse at

any moment.

"Sagara-sempai won't get seduced by that Octopus princess even

if she abducted him, but more importantly, if Sempai pursued his

forbidden love for Nobuna-sama ..."

Mitsuhide wouldn't get confused or puzzled in the matters in

Tamba but if suddenly thrown with a question related to the

"marriage with Yoshiharu", she didn't know what was right or wrong.

When it came to Yoshiharu, Mitsuhide couldn't think calmly as

usual.

(Please, tell me what to do, Sempai)

Then she remembered the words of Yoshiharu.

Once, when Matsunaga Hisahide did her first revolt, Mitsuhide

stayed at Kyo because she was assigned to guard the place; she

was in a situation full of despair and confusion back then.

With just a few people, Nobuna and Yoshiharu rushed to Kiyumizu

temple just to help her.

At that time, Yoshiharu saved her, and he said it with a heavy

voice with a face full of sadness that Mitsuhide would never forget.

"If you ever find yourself uncertain in the future, remember this

image of the bloody love triangle that happens in this burning

Kiyumizu temple! And how Nobuna appeared in a hideous

appearance and fired her Tanegashima earnestly just to stop this

bloody love triangle to kill you!"

"Huh~? Wait its kinda wrong! My memories got altered~! But first

of all, somehow in my head Sempai blurted another word from the

future~"

"Oh my god! Hime-sama's one man show has started~!"

"Your right~ Hime-sama, take care"

"I'm just tired because of work~!"

"Wait~! The right memories just came in~"

What is this "love triangle"?

"If you ever find yourself uncertain in the future, remember this

image of the bloody battle that happened in this burning Kiyumizu

temple! And how Nobuna appeared and fired her Tanegashima

earnestly to stop this bloody battle to save you ... !"

Yes.

The one who saved her from being attacked by Matsunaga

Hisahide were Nobuna and Yoshiharu who rushed to Kiyumizu

temple with only just a few people to save her.

And now, Nobuna is in a crisis because of the "revolt of

Matsunaga Hisahide".

Now she wasn't lost anymore.

Nobuna, who sometimes smacks Mitsuhide, had once shown her

true self to her.

This was when they were at Odawara and snuck into the camp of

Date Masamune when they heard that Yoshiharu died and were

going take revenge for him.

"Humans, will always be honest when they've lost someone, now

that I think about it, we were always quarrelling right?"

"... I may be blessed with splendid retainers, but I had thought

that Viper's dream and my dream can only be succeeded by Juubei"

Nobuna's other self.

Two people were looking at the same dream.

Surely

When Nobuna dies, that will also mean the end for Mitsuhide's life.

The distance between the two of them, as well as their soul, was

that close.

So close that they fell for the same man.

But, Mitsuhide didn't perceive her love and didn't try to understand

Nobuna's romance.

Because if she learned this, it's going to have an irreversible

result.

Just a little bit more…

Just a little bit more, I want this relationship to continue.

So, Mitsuhide made a decision to remain unaware of it.

Once she noticed this, the fear that those souls would make

different decision invaded her.

"It is very regrettable that we will discard the newly pacified Tamba

that did not take too long to conquer."

"So, Hime-sama, have you changed your mind?"

"Of course not~! I'm one of Nobuna-sama's retainers, it's a given

that I must help her~!"

"No, well umm"

"But, what will happen with your marriage to Saru-dono ...?"

"Such a thing can just wait; and Tamba won't go anywhere too!"

"Oohhh~~!!"

"The Hime-sama who always gets panicked when we bring up the

"marriage with Saru-dono", was able regain her cool"

"Is this really okay...?"

"I kind of feel that something is wrong here..."

Mitsuhide snorted "Fuuun" while riding her horse.

"If Saru-sempai can't wait for me to pacify Tamba, he can just have

Octopus princess of Akashi, Men! March toward Kyo!!"

At that time, the cold wind toward the stronghold of Mitsuhide had

been blown down from the summit of Yamaki castle.

And all the banner of bell flower crest was fluttering in the wind.

Akechi Mitsuhide had left Tamba and had marched to Kyoto.

"Hihihi, what a pain, the Mori army surrounded us in all direction;

they're more superior in number than us, Hihihi"

"Granny-sama! Can you use that "Art of War" of yours to get us out

of this mess!?"

"Hihihi, That's impossible, I can think a plan or 2 if we were in a

castle but it's a different story if we are in the field"

"My apologies, the Mori army came earlier than expected, it is my

fault for forgetting to gather information beforehand"

"No no, this is the limit of us Oumiyoji's, and the art of war has

changed now, it's not the same as back in my time"

Yamanaka Shikanosuke who had led the feint troop, was able to

read the movements of the enemies, and thanks to the effort of

Granny Aga who gave directions and pointers to her, they were in a

favorable situation, and successfully attracted the Ukita army to the

west side of Yumesakigawa.

Shikanosuke had led 3000 troops, consisting of the Amago Heroes

and Kuroda Clan's retainers.

There were approximately 5000 troops that were still left in Miki

Castle to guard it and were deemed untouchable.

On the other hand, Ukita's armies who have gone down the

mountains to catch Shinkanosuke numbered at 9000 troops.

This 90% larger Ukita army had flooded forward to the 3000 troops

of Shinkanosuke.

Shinkanosuke was once a reckless warrior who went to the

battlefield and didn't even know when to retreat, but after she was

trained by Granny Aga and learned the art of war, she had now

become a Miracle warrior in the battlefield. She could now perceive

the enemy's strategies and gave good orders at crucial times.

However, she couldn't possibly learn it all in just 3 days; so Granny

Aga became the strategist to prevent Shinkanosuke from running

wild in battlefield.

Both of them splendidly stalled the Ukita army and let Yoshiharu

and Zenki sneak to Mt. Shozan.

Along with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the elites of Mori, the Mori twins

have personally led the Mori army and came in a much earlier time

than expected.

Though not too sure, Granny Aga estimated that their total troops

were overwhelmingly around 40000.

In the left wing, there were more than 20000 troops that were

being led by Kobayakawa Takakage.

And in the right wing, there was Yoshikawa Motoharu who led the

more or less 20000 troops.

And if the Ukita Army is added, it would be a large army of 50000

troops, and was now marching in the plains of Himeji; this is the

largest army ever seen in the history of Harima.

Shinkanosuke has thought that the Mori Army needed some time

to stock their ration and weapons because of their numbers,

therefore she was convinced that they would be late to arrive.

But, there was a champion in the Mori's naval fleet that was known

in the Seto inland sea.

While the foot soldiers marched on land, the provisions were

deployed from the sea.

"Please retreat Granny-sama! While My Lord is saving Kanbeidono, I'll stall them here as much as possible!"

"Well, Zenki has already left and gone to heaven, so until the end,

I'll just stick as "the loyal retainer" for a while. Hihihi"

"Zenki-dono is already dead?"

"That guy is a big shot you see, so knowing when he breathed his

last would be simple, but even though he is already in heaven, he

could still do some tricks. I can only say one thing about it, he is truly

remarkable."

"Then that means My Lord is ... "

Shinkanosuke was grinding her teeth as she say "no…".

"Hey~~!!"

In the field full of enemies, there was one man who was able to

push forward from it.

"Shinkanosuke~! Granny~! Kanbei is safe now~!"

The one riding on the horse was Sagara Yoshiharu.

And he was even carrying Kanbei on his back.

Even though they saw this suspicious monkey who was going to

Shinkanosuke's side, the Mori army didn't even lift a finger against

Sagara Yoshiharu and let him pass.

They didn't even think that the renowned general "Sagara

Yoshiharu" was this man.

Shikanosuke was flabbergasted.

"Wh- ... why did you come here my lord?"

"What do mean "why?", because Shikanosuke is in trouble, that's

why I'm here"

"My Lord is really~, a big idiot~! We were just planning to stall the

Mori army so that you can have some more time you know? And

now we just saved Kambei-dono~! What's the point of all of this if

you too get stranded at the rear~!"

"I did not come here to die you know. Now, leave it to me"

"Then, do you have a plan!?"

"... I'm working on it"

"No you're not!"

When they saw that Kanbei was safe, the Kuroda retainers were

shouting "Hime-samaaaaa!!""Sagara Yoshiharu is, is~, is a real

man~~!!""Wait.....!! Why did you bring Hime-sama into this death

pit, you stupid MONKEYYYYYYY~~!!!" They were busy being happy,

angry, and depressed at the same time.

"... We don't have spare time to retort to them"

Just as Kanbei said.

The Mori clan was moving as they spoke.

Furthermore.

"Uhihihihihi, don't forget that the Mori army is coming here, and if

they arrive here, they'll definitely capture Yamanaka Shikanosuke

with all they've got"

With a fierce face, Ukita Naoie was in the frontline holding his

short tanegashima and did not rush toward Yoshiharu and the

others.

He was like a different person compared to moments ago who

kept saying that "It's my loss~~!!" and now had a villainous smile on

his face.

"Wait a minute~! Ukita Naoie you bastard~! Didn't we just have an

agreement a little while ago~!!"

"Hu~h, what are you talking about, the great me won't sulk just

because I lost once, but I'm the kind of man who doesn't dwell on

yesterday's mistakes and will look forward to tomorrow~!"

"It's not from yesterday, it's just a little while ago~~!!"

"Shut up!! The Mori army is already here and if I ever did what you

said then I'm as good as dead! Well, if the Oda gave you

reinforcement and the tides were in your side, I would have

considered it though~"

Kanbei said "Sunekusori!" in a loud voice, and Sunekusori came

out with "pyyoonn" sound and attacked Ukita Naoie in a huge flying

squirrel form.

"Give up already, and die for me will ya? Sagara Yoshiharu ...

Wha-!?"

"Touching man is not my hobby nyu~ but I'll do my best nyu~

touch touch touch"

"Som- something is ... stuck in my chest~! Sto-stop! Stop it~~!

Hya hya hya hya hya!!"

Sunekusori had dropped to Naoie's chest, and was now tickling

him without stopping.

Stop~! Don't make me laugh~~! If the Mori saw me laughing like

this~ ... they might get the wrong idea that I'm letting you guys

free~~!! Gee hya hya hya hya hya!!"

Naoie was now unable to aim his small tanegashima and was

shaking in his horseback.

"Oohhh~~!!"

And now he just fell.

This was the second time he fell on this day.

"Giyyaaa~~!!My waist ... Oh my waist~~!!! What will happen to

the women of my country if my precious waist is~~!!! Giyyaaa!!!"

He fell hard on the ground and looked like he was in extreme pain.

But it still doesn't change the fact that Yoshiharu was surrounded

by an army of 50000 troops from the Mori Clan.

"My Lord, we the Amago heroes will open a path and cover you

from the rear, please flee with Kanbei-dono"

"Is it a bad idea that I rendezvous with Shikanosuke? ... and

here I thought I was thinking calmly"

"Sim, it was a bad idea, but yeah. That's just like you"

"Even though I trained you hard, humans always do what they're

used to doing, you guys really failed as my disciples, hihihihi"

"I'll stall the Yoshikawa and Kobayakawa army as much as

possible, please leave the rear to me. My Lord, may the good fortune

follow you...! "

At this time and moment, in the west bank of the Yumesakigawa,

the luck of the Sagara corps had seemed to be depleted.

No, that's not it. That was not the case for Yoshiharu and Kanbei;

they believed it from the bottom of their heart.

If they stall for some more time, they could surely protect

Shikanosuke, they will definitely come.

"We're just in time! Men!! Cross to the other side of Yumesakigawa

and prepare yourself for a decisive battle against the Mori army!! "

Just like that back in Owari, the fool figure Oda Nobuna came.

With a gorgeous armor, she led a large army in the east bank of

Yumesakigawa.

And in the right side of Nobuna, there was the bellflower crest in a

hill.

"What in the world are you doing, seriously, Sagara-sempai always

gives us a headache, but don't worry, Akechi Mitsuhide is here now"

It was the bellflower crest of Akechi Mitsuhide.

Furthermore

"Shi- Shibata Katsuie has come, from Kaga, and was defeated by

Uesugi Ke-Kenshin, it was on purpose okay~~! It was on purpose~~"

"... We were seriously running away ... The Uesugi army ...

Are so scary ... I thought we were gonna die back then"

"It was on purpose~~!! Damn you Saru~~! It was your fault, I'll

make you pay for this~~!"

The two who purposely(?) lost their battle and had arrows stuck in

their tiger hat and armor, such that they looked like a hedgehog,

were Maeda Inuchiyo and Shibata Katsuie.

"Everyone simultaneously rushed to Kyoto to save Hime-sama but

we did not expect to take this to our advantage, and together with

Hime-sama, we marched to Harima to give some reinforcements,

which we didn't have much of a choice cause it was inevitable. With

this, Oda clan is now able to have a reunion in a long time, 90 pts. "

Niwa Nagahide said with a smile.

"Why not make it a full points~! A ha ha ha~~"

"Well, if we lose here in Harima, it's all over for the Oda Clan"

"Then look at Aneue, she is overflowing with energy, we couldn't

possibly lose~!"

Tsuda Nobusumi.

He had miraculously rendezvous with Nobuna and gone to Harima

to help Yoshiharu. With this, all the power house of Oda clan was

here.

Now, the Mori army was shocked and the tables were turned.

"Over there, they have 50000 troops, and here we also have

50000. No, 60000 troops, but are we already going to battle? Dust

will fall to my skin; I really hate it when that happens"

Takigawa Kazumasu troops who suddenly appeared from south of

the Mori army without crossing Yumesakigara came in the flank of

the Mori army.

When the Kuki naval fleet that was being led by Takigawa

Kazumazu landed to Sakai from Kii by sea, Imai Sokyu said "Himesama has already neutralized the revolt of Matsunaga Hisahide of

Yamato and is now marching to Harima at this moment" and so

continued their sail and were now going towards Harima.

Fortunately, the wind had blown good that Kazumasu was able to

catch up to the Oda army.

In the Mori clan, they had great confidence for their naval fleet that

was a known pirate in Seto inlands.

And in comparison, the Oda clan was not good in expanding their

water territory; yes, their navy fleet had little achievement so they

underestimated them.

So they did not expect that Kazumazu that was in Kii, to navigate

and arrive here early with a large navy fleet.

Kazumasu who was known as a lord that was semi-independent,

that didn't work for the Oda clan but would only move if ordered. So

the Oda clan was really fortunate that she moved by her whim.

And there was another problem for the Mori clan, in these plains

where the Mori army was surrounded and stopped, even if she's

advised to not come by the Mori twins, Ashikaga Yoshiaki who said "I

want to go too~~!" was also in the battlefield.

If the young Ashikaga Yoshiaki was not here, the calm

Kobayakawa Takakage might have wanted to have their final bout

with the Oda army as is.

However, they must not let the young shogun to die here.

Takigawa Kazumasu who has used a shortcut using the sea to

come in Yumesakigawa and the Oda army who had come by foot to

come to Yumesakigawa, now the Mori army was trapped between

the two. Kobayakawa Takakage didn't expect this to happen.

Takigawa Kazumasu who came by the sea, didn't need to bother

crossing Yumesakigawa.

And she came out from the flank of the Mori army.

But they were still fortunate because this was not a surprise

attack.

But if Takigawa Kazumasu's troops attacked the flank of the Mori

army, they will surely collapse.

"And to think that the scattered Oda clan came to Harima all at

once ... this should have taken a month to do so"

Takakage Kobayakawa had stopped her mouth when she heard

"Attack~~!!" Yoshikawa Motoharu yelled in her horseback.

"Onee-sama, please stop. Retreat to the west with your men, let's

rebuild the situation where we can attain victory"

"Takakage, don't falter, our military forces are almost just the same

as them."

"I too am reluctant about this, I had already prepared a plan if they

ever have reinforcements, but I didn't expected for the Oda army to

send 50000 troops and to sum it up Takigawa Kazumasu also

arrived in Yumesakigawa and now the situation looks too grim for us

and our chances to win are way too slim, so we better retreat for

now, it's a shame but we could not catch the big fish of Harima"

"Uuhhh, how mortifying"

"Onee-sama, this is my mistake because I underestimated the

unity of the Oda clan, The Oda clan is much stronger than I

expected, and I concluded that they are not strong willed. However-"

"The bonds between retainers should not be overlooked. They

should have been scattered in Hokuriku, Wakasa, Ise, Tamba and

Omi but in such a short amount of time, they were able to gather

together to march to Harima. An amazing speed that is contrary to

common sense.

"Yes, the bonds of the retainers and that strange marching speed,

especially the naval fleet. If we don't do something about these two,

then in decisive battles there will always be a gamble, we must not

expose this to the young shogun"

Yoshiaki said "why should we retreat~! Nobuna is right in front of

us~! Let's defeat her now~!" with an angered expression but

Takakage didn't even flinched and stayed expressionless as usual.

It was admirable that she could still stay calm in this crisis they

were facing.

"This is something that I didn't expect, at this rate, we will surely

lose so let's strategically retreat and make a plan to win".

"We did not lose right?"

"Yes, we will just retreat strategically for now, the Oda army is

scared of us so they will not pursue us"

"But if they gave us chase?"

"If that happens, Onee-sama will lead her troop to annihilate the

pursuing troops while guarding us from the rear; she will cut them

down for sure"

Ou~! If the Oda clan blindly underestimate us, this Yoshikawa

Motoharu will definitely cut them down~! Ohh~!"

While shouting "Princess Cut~~!" Motoharu took out her short

sword and Yoshiaki squealed "Hhhiiii!" and got scared.