Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 10 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Sisters 

The naval supremacy of the waterway to Osaka's Honbyo Temple was without a doubt, the key 

point to the upcoming battle; 

When the naval battle deciding whether it would be controlled by the Mori side or the Oda side 

happened, it could possibly be the decisive battle for both armies. 

At this time, the Murakami navy is gathering at Settsu's Amagasaki Port. 

On the deck, Murakami Takeyoshi and his subordinates have made food from a vast amount of 

ingredients gathered from the sea to welcome Kobayakawa Takakage who had already grown 

into an awe-inspiring lady. 

"The Murakami specialty, Hourokuyaki[1] is ready, Missy!" 

A variety of fish fried on the giant sizzling wok atop a stove. Lastly, sprinkle some salt, and thus it becomes the Murakami navy's favourite specialty "Hourokuyaki". 

"C'mon, eat more!" 

"Thank you. Bon appetit." 

"Even though Missy's still short, but she's already a beauty." 

"Except her face is expressionless, so nobody really knows what she's thinking about." 

"I wonder if I can get married with her." 

"To us pirates, Missy's an unreachable flower, it's impossible." 

"...If it's someone more amazing then Onii-sama, then I'll consider." 

"Missy, this fellow's just randomly speaking." 

"Anyway, don't be like that Kuki, you have to get a good husband before becoming an old lady!" 

Having achieved tremendous success in their first battle under the ingenious arrangements of 

Kobayakawa Takakage, the pirates started to revel; 

But in the middle of the banquet, Murakami Takeyoshi and Kobayakawa Takeyoshi went to the 

side of the ship to plan for the next battle while gazing at the faraway Mount Rokkou. 

"Will you, the ever prudent Missy, personally take part in the battle?" 

"Like that time in Itsukushima, if we cannot win a complete victory in the next battle, we would fall into a stalemate, therefore I will personally be at the frontlines to command our forces." 

"Oh, do you intend to take Oda Nobuna's head with your own hands?" 

"That's half the reason. Originally we started the battle to observe whether Oda Nobuna had the power to rule the world, but now it's because Honbyo Temple's battle condition has changed." 

"The followers of Nyankousou have also entered an all-out war with the Oda clan; I am afraid 

that this battle would be endless." 

"If it becomes a long-term battle, world unification would be even more out of reach, and Japan would become more chaotic; this definitely isn't what Otou-sama and Onii-sama would like to 

see." 

"Oh?" 

"To capture Honbyo Temple which is defended by the Saika-ikki would be extremely difficult 

even for Uesugi Kenshin or Takeda Shingen; if Oda Nobuna wants to do this, she can only have 

to use the large amount of firearms accumulated in Sakai. And this battle, where both sides have 

large amounts of firearms, will definitely be a tragedy that Japan has never had in its history." 

"During the fierce battle, if the Murakami navy suddenly enters Osaka from Kizugawa, it will 

undoubtedly be a Mori victory." 

"Yes, that situation will become an overwhelming advantage for us who have gained the upper 

hand, and Oda Nobuna would have no tactics possible to choose from, and die straight away" 

Takakage continued to remark. 

"So no matter what Oda Nobuna does in the end, she will surely send a massive amount of troops to guard Kizugawa to stop the Murakami navy's reinforcements to Honbyo Temple." 

"You've already predicted to such an extent, as expected of Missy." 

"But like what we discovered in Harima, there are too many uncertainties that exist among Oda Nobuna and her retainers, such as the person from the future Sagara Yoshiharu and Takigawa 

Kazumasu commanding the Kuki navy." 

"Don't worry, our men in the Murakami navy will protect Missy in place of your brother." 

"...I cannot thank you enough, we've been troubling you for this time." 

"There's no need to being this polite; Missy is indispensable to this country, no matter whether it's the people on the mainland or the people like us out at sea, you are irreplaceable." 

At the front surrounding Harima's Miki Castle, 

Sen no Rikyu who had been dispatched to Yoshiharu ever since Nobuna conferred the right for 

him to hold tea parties in his own camp, took out the tea set she had with her and was imparting 

her "Gothic Loli" art, 

But the two princess generals who were supposed to be students: Yamanaka Shikanosuke who 

had not officially been assigned but started off in the Sagara Corps and Akechi Mitsuhide who 

came to assist from Tamba were arguing more intensely than the boiling tea water[2], 

"While My Lord is not around, if we do not do anything and only keep on waiting, we will be at a disadvantage in time to come, and as such My Lord' position will be in danger. That is 

unacceptable, launch a special operation immediately!" 

Rikyu frowned sadly and said in silence "…… (It's not good to be angry. Keep the heart of a 

gothic, the heart of a loli.)", but both Shikanosuke and Mitsuhide did not notice that at all. 

For some reason, these two would start quarreling once they are together. 

“What on earth are you saying? We are the ones who are surrounding the opponent, why must 

we be the ones to start attacking them when they are already waiting for us? That's like poking a 

hornet's nest!” 

“There is not a problem. Dukkha, your humble servant Shikanosuke will beautifully break into 

the castle! Mitsuhide-sama, please just sit quietly and watch.” 

“That's the problem! I don't care whatever that happens to you but if Yamanaka-dono is killed 

then Juubei will be reprimanded by Sagara-senpai!” 

“No! After understanding Shikanosuke's loyalty, my lord will definitely praise me. He might 

even shed a single tear…… Ah, once I think of my suave lord shedding tears for a village girl 

like me…… Haa haa haa!” 

“Ehhh, don't be letting out weird sounds now. Seriously, our way of thinking is completely 

incompatible! Actually you just want to win, that's why you kept wanting to attack, right?" 

“Mitsuhide-sama? Is it because you are from the prestigious Toki clan that you think you can 

ridicule a country girl like me from Izumo Province. But I'm not going to lose to such a thing, if you want to belittle me, laugh at me even more and treat me like an idiot!" 

"Ehhhh!? I don't have any intentions like this, don't judge me with that petty brain of yours!" 

“I don't mind even if you call me Yamanaka Idiosuke[3], I'm already prepared for that!” 

“Don't you feel ashamed about thinking about these matters all the time?” 

“The more you scold me and the more you insult me, I will be able to become much stronger 

under the Dukkha. Come, use all your strength, your most vicious words to ridicule me. Hah... 

hah....!” 

“Why do you need to pant?!” 

The compatibility of Mitsuhide who is adamant on victory and Shikanosuke who was always 

chasing after the art of "dukkha"could be said to be the worst. 

“At any rate, please attack Mitsuhide-sama. Please have a look at the map. We should block the 

river upstream of Miki castle, and then smash the dam to let the resulting flood destroy both the 

enemy and our own base together!” 

“Why must you spend such efforts to deliberately suicide?!” 

“Of course it's for Dukkha!” 

“Arghhhh… It's useless. If I'm together with this fellow, a castle that I could have conquered 

would become unconquerable! Anyway, what's with the rumor that I heard of you giving food to 

the soldiers inside the castle!?" 

“So you are talking about that. If you let someone who had been famished for a long time eat till 

they’re full, their stomachs would expand so much and explode. That is simply too tragic, I just 

can’t endure this, ha ha ha. But don’t worry, the food I've given them are all easily digestible.” 

"That’s not what I’m talking about! I have no idea why are you giving rations to the surrounded soldiers! With this, we won't be able to seize Miki castle even if we besiege it forever!” 

"That's the order from my lord." 

"Senpai's order?" 

“Soldiers can be killed in the battlefield, but they shouldn't die of starvation. So if anyone wants to flee then just let them flee, if anyone wants to eat then let them eat. We need to let them 

survive even if they are our enemy. Ah…… Yoshiharu-sama is so gentle. I hope we can enter 

Miki castle and surround them.” 

"Umm, if you betrayed us, I will cut you down without a hint of hesitation." 

"To be killed by companions for such a trivial reason.... Ahhh, such a life is just too tragic! 

Please tried to cut me viciously from the back, I must bring this hatred to the grave!" 

"Ahh, what a headache. Though this does looks like an order giving by Sagara-senpai, but just how many years do we have to use to seize Miki castle?" 

"Mitsuhide-sama, please look at the achievements of various Oda clan's retainers and slowly 

decayed into mud here, this is the true path of dukkha!" 

"YOU IDIOT!!!!" 

In the midst of these quarrels, the commander-in-chief Sagara Yoshiharu ran over in a hurry. 

"Haa, haa[4]! Nobuna gave new orders!" 

"Eh? To think that Sagara-senpai wasn't killed by the Murakami navy in Sakai." 

And Shikanosuke prostrated herself with her face to the floor like a beast and greeted Yoshiharu 

at his feet. 

"It's been so long, my lord! Please have a look at the map. We should obstruct the river upstream of Miki castle, and then smash the dam to let the resulting flood destroy both the enemy and our 

own base together!” 

"Wh...why must we do such a thing? Compared to that, I'm thirsty now." 

“…… (Please have tea)” 

“Oh, thank you Rikyu-chan!” 

“…… (Second cup)” 

“Oh, it’s a little hotter than the first cup, nice.” 

“…… (Third cup)” 

“This is hot! The temperature of each cup is getting higher than the previous cup, but the amount 

has continually decreased. As expected from Rikyu-chan, your technique of tea making was 

really the best in the world.” 

“…… (Fourth cup)” 

“Oh, no thank you, my stomach has already filled up.” 

“…… (Inside the tea had already mixed with various medicines made by alchemy, I want to 

experiment with human to see what kind of change will take place in human body and mind, so 

if you don't drink ten cups of tea, I'll be troubled)” 

“Wait a minute!! Isn't this a human experiment?!!” 

“…… (By using the power of alchemy, I want to let human can grow out animal ears just like 

Honbyo Temple’s lord. This shouldn't be impossible)” 

"No thanks! Compared to this, Juubei-chan, lead your army to Osaka immediately!” 

“Eh, now?” 

“Yes, the battle had begun, and it's at Osaka's Honbyo Temple!” 

"Somehow, senpai is making more headway in the path of defeat." 

"My lord is going to be defeated earlier than me!? Even if the heavens wish for such a thing to happen, I Shikanosuke will never allow it!" 

"Oh yeah. What's with this strange woman, Senpai!?" 

'Could it be that these two can't get along at all?' Yoshiharu can't help but think. 

"This is Nobuna's plan. Though the Mori army have bases in west Harima due to helping Miki 

castle, but due to the Osaka Honbyo temple waging war under the influence of Ashikaga 

Yoshiaki, only Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Kikkawa Motoharu remain in Harima, Kobayakawa 

Takakage has already led the Murakami navy to Osaka. The details are like this...." 

Yoshiharu expend the map to explain what happened and the possible movement for both sides. 

“Senpai, it's a mess everywhere now and it had become a very serious situation! Didn't expect 

there can be so many revolts breaking out at the same time. Is the armies of Katsuie-dono, 

Nagahide-dono and Motoyasu-dono unable to mobilize at all?” 

"Ahh, currently there's only Gamo Ujisato's flag party and Kazumasu-chan's navy with Nobuna 

now at Settsu." 

“Huh? Senpai, who is this Gamo Ujisato?” 

“The hostage that the Omi Province prestigious Gamo sent to Nobuna, she had become Nobuna's 

little sister. Although she's a very capable person on the outside, but she's too pure, it feel like she's far more annoying than Manmi Senchiyo.” 

“Oh, that Tsuru-chiyo who like to read palaeography?” 

“Tsuru-chiyo? Nobuna called her Lion.” 

"Tsk, even if she don't rely on that brat who knows nothing about suffering..." 

"Hey, didn't the both of you came from prestigious clans, you have to be in good relationship with Gamo, get it?" 

“It's not the same. Although Juubei is born from a prestigious clan, I have seen through the 

world's hardship. That fellow is but a naive princess who had devoted herself to study Japanese 

mythology and know nothing about hardship, a hikikomori[5]. Both her knowledge and tactical knowledge came from tabletop games.” 

“I see. Juubei-chan is certainly more active and lively. But Gamo is more like a rose that was 

grown inside a greenhouse. She's just a reincarnation of purity.” 

“Hmph! Senpai, compared to this, a place like Settsu Province shouldn't be the focus for us 

frontline generals.” 

“Everyone has built a strong wall for defensive propose, and they was supposed to cut off the 

supply route of Honbyo Temple. But now everyone couldn't move from their place due to the 

revolts, or else Nobuna won't have such little manpower with her left.” 

"Especially if Tennou temple that located at the Uemachi Plateau along with Honbyo Temple 

was attacked, it would also signify that the surround is a failure." Yoshiharu close the map and said. 

“Senpai looks like he is afraid of something. As expected, it's like a scary nightmare for the 

people in our territory to be revolting at the same time." 

"Ahh, we can't kill all of them no matter what." 

"It's because the taxes for that year will decrease exponentially, right? Sun Tzu[6] did say that the commoners and merchants can't be killed, senpai." 

"Nono, Sun Tze didn't say such a thing at all, I think." 

"I don't care if they want to worship cats or anything, just go and worship them, I don't mind at all. Why did all of them have to oppose Nobuna-sama?" Mitsuhide said as she is getting more 

infuriated and kept stamping her feet. 

In actual fact, that gossip between Nobuna and I was one of the reason.... Yoshiharu can't say 

that out no matter what. 

His chest is becoming more and more painful. 

Oh yeah. Speaking of Settsu Province, the Takatsuki lord Christian daimyo, Ukon Takayama 

should be able to help right?” 

"I'm afraid Takayama Ukon can't be of help this time. The Christian side is contemplating 

whether follow the tide and wage war on Honbyo temple or to sit still and do nothing." 

"Why is it? Isn't it good for the Christians to wage war on the Nyankousou? If we promise them that all the Nyankousou temples are to change to Christian churches if Nobuna-sama wins, 

Takayama Ukon will definitely charge in with bright red eyes! Once then, Settsu will definitely 

become a field of flames!" 

"Umm, Juubei-chan?" 

"Look on, Senpai. Use Ukon's strength! Point your swords at the heretics!" 

"I beg you, please learn how to read the atmosphere." 

"That's rude., I am able to read a thing like the atmosphere a long time ago." 

"Currently, there are 5000 arquebusiers belonging to the Saika clan and a huge amount of 

reinforcements from the Mori clan, all of them seem to be skilled in using the bow. But the most 

troublesome s the Murakami navy docking at the Amagasaki docks near Osaka. All in all, the 

situation is overwhelmingly against Nobuna." 

"I understand, I will help Nobuna-sama through the land route. I'm heading out to Osaka now!" 

"Ummm, what should I do?" Shikanosuke asked Yoshiharu shyly. 

"Sorry Shikanosuke, continue to surround Miki castle here. If I send a message asking you to 

retreat and allow the Mori army to enter Miki castle, that would mean that the Oda clan had been 

defeated." 

"Ahh, in the eve of the battle where the Oda clan bets its all, I was left alone in Miki which was filled with weeds, what a dukkha filled with sweetness . I'm so sad that I can't beat it anymore, as expected my lord treats me as an outsider... Hah... Hah... Hah." 

"UHHH! JUST WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS FELLOW, SENPAI!?" 

"Ahh, I think Shikanosuke became like this because things was too hard on her, but she did not mean anything hurtful. Forgive her." 

"Huh? Well, since Senpai said so." 

"Anyway, hurry and go! There's not much time left!" 

Since my lord had come over to Miki personally, aren't you going to order this useless village 

girl to service you at night? 

Towards Shikanosuke who began trembling from god knows when, Yoshiharu said, "Don't 

starve the soldiers in Miki castle." and stood up. 

There's no time to rest. Mitsuhide, let's head towards Settsu right now. 

"I'm begging you, Shikanosuke. Generals and soldiers are severely lacking right now in Settsu, it's to the extent that if we have to separate people up to use them, we will. It will all be over if we have to spilt some of our manpower over to help here. So if Kikkawa Motoharu were to lead 

troops and attack, you will have to repel them with what manpower you have, can you do it?" 

"Yeah, Kikkawa Motoharu is my nemesis. I'm well aware of all her strategies, leave it to me!" 

During their conversation, Rikyuu said silently "..... (There's a need for a tea room there, right? 

Bring these and head over." as she silently packed portable tea sets into Yoshiharu's belongings. 

On the road, Yoshiharu and Mitsuhide became alone with each other. 

But because he was too focused on Gamo asking Nobuna to "Abandon romance", the Yoshiharu now did not give Mitsuhide the usual retorts. 

"Ummmm, I want to introduce Senpai to Haha-ue as my husband." 

"Ahh, I see." 

"Hmph! What's with that response. Don't tell me you aren't listening to Juubei, senpai!" 

"Ah, damn! You aren't going to tell me that Auntie had been waiting, right?" 

"Haha-ue is currently bedridden with sickness at Sakamoto, how can I bring her over?" 

"Eh? I... I see, sorry about it." 

"It's ok. As long as Haha-ue recovers, the time and location is not a problem. I will introduce senpai and then decide the marriage date." 

"It's over, I'm too careless. Though it's just an instant but my relaxed expression was caught by Juubei." 

"Once Juubei conquered Tamba, senpai is going to marry me without any further ado!" 

"Ehh, but a thing like this....." 

"I must get married to Senpai as soon as possible to give Haha-ue peace of mind." 

This again, huh? Juubei didn't improve at all. Yoshiharu laughed bitterly and thought. 

".... Actually, Haha-ue's condition had deteriorate recently, it's quite dangerous now." 

"Deteriorate?" 

"While unconscious, she kept dreaming of my marriage. Belchior-sensei said that if my marriage was really held as soon as possible, Haha-ue may really recover." 

"So as to say Juubei-chan's mother is currently very sick? This is a really serious matter!" 

"Hmmm, well, if I have to say, it's indeed.... a serious matter...." 

"Is this the time to say such a thing? If so, why are you staying in Harima? Why didn't you say anything?" 

"If Yamanaka knows of it, she will definitely start attacking Miki castle to let me go back. In the worst case, she may even say silly things like, "It will all be over if I'm dead." and run to the Mori army's main camp all by herself." 

"Though it may be like what you said, we can't just ignore Auntie!" 

"It's ok, senpai. I won't leave the battle lines in such a critical moment. For Nobuna-sama, I Akechi Juubei Mitushide will work hard without a day of rest!" 

"But..." 

"Isn't it ok if we win? Let Juubei defeat the Honbyo temple who destroy our peace in a single day!" 

"This time, it may be a war lasting decades." 

"Senpai, are you asking Juubei to make a choice between Haha-ue's life and Nobuna-sama's 

Tenka Fubu!? Don't tell me senpai thinks Juubei can't make that decision?" 

"Nono, I don't mean that, but..." 

"Leave it to Juubei, Senpai. No matter how you see it, Juubei is a genius far exceeding senpai. I will definitely and gracefully save both Haha-ue and win Nobuna-sama's Tenka Fubu!" 

Looking at Mitsuhide suppressing her sadness to fake a smiling face, Yoshiharu understood that 

there's nothing he could say that could change her determination. 

"How did things become like this... Is it really okay to continue and not give her a clear 

answer....?" 

Yeah... 

In the situation where Gamo is always forcing Nobuna to decide for all the people, 

we can't continue our present relationship amongst the three of us. 

'Actually, didn't I already decide long ago...? Though I feel sorry for Juubei-chan... 

Looks like the time where I have to make a decision is coming soon. 

Though I did swear that I will not give anything up, but I only have one heart... I might have 

fallen in love with Juubei-chan if I met her first, but now... It's all too late. 

I have no idea what sort of expression Juubei-chan will have after she knows all these.'While 

thinking, Yoshiharu can't help but start worrying. 

Nobuna and the Kuki navy whose plan was disrupted by Kobayakawa Takakage were now 

gathering at Sakai making their preparations for the battle. 

Like what Takakge said to Takeyoshi, Nobuna who was late to strike had lost control of the flow 

of battle and is now forced to go through the battle as Takakage predicted. 

Katsuie, Nagahide, Motoyasu and Nobusumi is now pinned down at seperate areas due to the 

revolts and the Sagara corps currently surrounding Miki castle could not leave the Harima 

frontline. 

And so, Akechi Mitsuhide, commanding the only troops free to move around and Takigawa 

Kazumasu who command the Oda navy became the key to victory. And the admiral, Takigawa 

Kazumasu's movements from now on was even more important. 

"Every~one is looking at me now. Though I have not been swaying eyes due to Yoshi, it seems 

like my era is finally here!" 

Kazamazu forcefully caught Kuki Yoshitaka who was saying "I have a marriage to attend so I'm 

going back to Shima" as she look at the people of Shima begging her "Please bless Shima, I beg you." with a face of pride. 

And then, Tsuda Sougyu who had surrendered to Nobuna said, "That Nobuna doesn't have an 

eye for tea sets, I have a rare item here." as he secretly invite Kazumasu to his manor. Kazumasu agreed in excitement, not knowing that Tsuda Sougyu had other intentions. While Kazumasu 

was happily staying at Tsuda Sougyu's house, two other people visited. 

These two people met at the doorstep. 

One of them was Gamo Ujisato clothed in back Namban attire while holding on to a cross and 

the other person was the Kampaku, Konoe Sakihisa who had rushed over once he knows that 

Kazumasu-sama was here. 

Having disagreements with each other but needing to greet the other person, their greetings 

clashed. 

"Hmph, what is a Christian doing here?" 

For some reason, Konoe was carrying a big black rucksack. 

And Ujisato was pulling her luggage filled with ancient books as usual. 

This strange attire was oozing with "peculiarity". 

"You, what's your intentions for carrying such a strange thing while visiting a retainer of the Oda clan?" 

"It...It...It...it's nothing to do with you! Oh yeah, I heard you stole one of the three regalia! That's too brazen!" 

"I'm just salvaging something that is at the bottom of the sea." 

"Then return it to us!" 

"We'll talk about it later." 

"Return it now!" 

"Compared to that, let's toss a coin I brought back from Namban to decide on the order to visit Sakon-sama, I'm betting heads." 

"Oi, don't change the topic! ... Then I'm betting tails." 

"I'm tossing now. Ok, too bad, it's heads." 

"Yo...yo...yo...you! How dare you let a Kampaku wait outside!" 

Just like this, Gamo Ujisato got the chance to meet Kazumasu first. 

"Ohhh, it's Gamo Ujisato. What is it, are you giving me the Yata no Kagami this time?" 

"I'm honored to finally meet you, Sakon-sama. I'm here to give you an ancient book this time." 

"What's the use of an ancient book? I'm now busy with accepting a tea set from Tsuda Sougyo 

and I can only accept one so I have to evaluate each one of them properly." 

"Because Aneue lost to Kobayakawa Takakage in the first battle, the Osaka Honbyo temple 

became a impenetrable fortress. In such a situation, we can only gather the three regalia." 

"Oh, isn't the other two at Owari's Atsuta shrine and Ise Grand Shrine?" 

"If we don't use the regalia, Japan will sink into centuries of slaughter. I will never allow Aneue's dream to be smeared with blood." 

"Don't keep talking about regalia. Didn't Nobuna-chan say that she won't be using it?" 

In front of Ujisato who was Nobuna's little sister, Kazumasu was a little flustered for some 

reason. 

And it's even more so since she knew that Ujisato may cause the relationship between Nobuna 

and Yoshiharu to shatter. 

"So you're saying that we can't win this war without using the regalia." 

"Yeah, once we used the regalia, the mandate that was lost due to Sagara Yoshiharu will once 

again be regained by Aneue. Once then, even the divine army of Uesugi Kenshin can only 

surrender to us." 

"Then what about her relationship with Yoshi?" 

"That can too be solved during the activation of the regalia." 

"Really? Isn't that a little too convenient?" 

"I won't lie." 

"Hmph, I can get that regalia in Ise Grand Shrine just by asking." 

"Yeah so I'm passing the jewel to you and is here asking you to gather the regalia." 

"But the regalia at Atsuta shrine will be a little difficult, I don't think I can get it without stealing." 

"Is that tough for you?" 

"Hmph, I was a shinobi from birth. If I intend to, that can be done in minutes. But..." 

"But...?" 

"Though it does seems like you are not lying, I feel like you have some ulterior motives." 

Using the time when Ujisato bowed and said, "Then continue to enjoy your tea", Kazumasu 

placed her hand on her forehead and asked. 

"Is it true about using the regalia to help Nobuna-chan win?" 

Ujisato did not hesitate to smile as she answered. 

"....It's true, I once swear to the Lord that I will never lie, so there won't be a shred of lie in my words." 

Anyone who was touched by Kazumasu will said the truth no matter what was asked. 

This isn't a ninja skill but a mysterious power that was innate since Kazumasu's birth. 

"Hmph, so you aren't lying." 

'Though I don't feel like cooperating with this fake little sister, but I don't want to see Nobuna-chan suffering. She's a stingy brat who won't even give me a single tea set. But no matter what, 

she's a sister-like figure to me. I will just help her gather these regalia then.' 

Thinking, Kazumasu made her decision. 

After Ujisato left, "I will not change my mind no matter what anyone said anything today." 

Konoe Sakihisa carried a strange rucksack and walked in. 

"What do you want, black teeth? That rucksack seems a little too big for a letter." 

"Taki... Takigawa Kazumasu-sama, please don't be deceived by that Christian lass." 

"Hoo, since even the Kampaku-"sama" said so, I will "take note" then." 

"Oda Nobuna had already sold Japan to Namban. She is now after our ancestry treasure, the 

three imperial regalia. She must have the ambition to abolish the Himiko and swallow all the 

authority of this country by herself." 

"Hmph... Nobuna-chan has no such strange ambition." 

"She is just deceiving all of you, afraid of her retainers revolting." 

"The way you phrase it is making me very uncomfortable, you need to change it. And just what 

is it you want? I know I'm popular but I'm also very busy." 

"Then let's get to the topic. In actual fact, the secret strategist I've employed used a few schemes. 

Not just using my name to incite the Honbyo temple to revolt, but to also incite the people 

everywhere to do the same. If this goes on, Japan will fall into a more terrifying situation 

compared to the Onin war." 

With obvious fatigue on his face, it seems like Konoe had become haggard after his "own" 

scheme had totally diverted from its intended path. 

"Hmph, strategist, huh? Though I've no idea who you're talking about, but since it's black teeth who employs him, you should be the one taking responsibility." 

"Right now, even if I were to commit seppuku, there's no stopping this guy anymore." 

"No need to worry, this princess's strength will go through in the end. Gamo Ujisato had said that we can win if we use the three regalia, so relax. Hohoho." 

"No, the words of that Christian lass cannot be trusted! The one Takigawa Kazumasu-sama 

should trust is here!" 

Saying, Konoe put the rucksack in his hand down carefully in front of Kazumasu. 

In the rucksack was a young miko looking exactly like Kazumasu. 

"This is Takigawa-sama's blood related elder sister, Himiko-sama." 

At his wits end, Konoe brought Himiko to Kazumasu. 

Due to Himiko being behind a curtain at all times, not many had seen her true face. 

In the Oda Clan, the only people who knew that these two looked like identical twins, was 

Sagara Yoshiharu and Konoe Sakihisa 

"Wh...What!? I... I have another...? Wh... What is this strange present?" 

"....Hmmm?" 

Both Himiko and Kazumasu was shocked by their other "self". 

"When both of you are born, you were originally twins. But, because we are afraid that you 

sisters will start a power struggle among yourselves for the position of the Himiko. The Gosho 

decide to follow traditions and send the younger sister to Koga clan and that younger sister is 

you, Takigawa Kazumasu-sama." 

"Tha.... That's impossible. Black teeth, do you know what you're just said? If what you're said is true, won't I be...." 

"I... It's all my fault, but this is what the previous Kampaku did. Not just Himiko-sama, even I was unaware of this." 

"It's a lie, shut up, black teeth. I don't believe what you said at all." 

Kazumasu was unable to accept this at all in such a short period of time. 

"It's understandable that you will be enraged, but please listen to me! No matter what, blood runs thicker than water. Please swear your loyalty to Himiko-sama and save the Yamato Gosho! 

Become the second Kusunoki Masashige-sama!" 

While trembling, Konoe crawled to Kazumasu's side to hold on to her sleeves. 

But Kazumasu roared, "NOO!" as she stomped on Konoe's head. 

At the side with an extremely sad expression, Himiko looked at Kazumasu. 

"I don't know, I don't know of such a thing. I'm just a warrior of the Oda clan. You abandoned me in the past, now you're asking for my loyalty towards the Yamato Gosho? Do you think that's 

possible!? My elder sister is Nobuna-chan and no one else!" 

"This is tradition, just like how there cannot be two kings, the Gosho cannot have two Himikos. 

If the existence of two Himiko causing a spilt in the Gosho, the civil war of the Nanboku period 

will happen again. Originally, if the positions of either the miko of the Ise Grand Shrine of the 

Atsuta shrine is vacant, one of the twins will be brought up as the chief priestess." 

"What tradition? If you don't want me, you should just kept your silence for your whole life and not let me know about it! To pledge my loyalty to someone like you, I will never do it!" 

"Not to me, it's all for Himiko-sama, so I'm begging you." 

"Shut up, I'm Nobuna-chan's sister. A thing like this inhumane tradition should just be destroyed together!" 

"Please return the three regalia to the Yamato Gosho. If they are handed over to that Christian lass, it will be extremely difficult to get them back. The three regalia are the symbols of the 

Himiko-sama's authority, what face does Japan have if they were taken by foreigners!?" 

"If it's that important, why did you not do a thing and leave it in the bottom of the sea for so many years? Is this the so called tradition, like I who was abandoned like some unwanted 

kitten!?" 

"It's a farce to use the Kusanagi no Tsurugi and Yata no Kagami as important ritual tools and stored in the Ise Grand Shrine and Atsuta shrine. In actual fact, the separation of the three regalia is due to the fear that they will cause instability to the position of the Himiko if they are gathered. 

It's a two-fold protection using both divine authority and military strength!" 

"Is it that mysterious like you said!? All I'm seeing is just a bunch of useless garbage." 

"It's not garbage! In the end the Yasakani no Magatama was lost in the bottom of the sea due to the battle of Genpei. The poor Gosho did not have the money to salvage it and so we left it there. 

Compared to being unable to gather them, isn't being unable to find it much safer....?" 

"......!! ISN'T IT BETTER IF I CAN'T BE FOUND TOO!? YOU BLACK TEETH!" 

"Ahh, it's definitely not like this! Just when Japan is facing her greatest crisis, the sisters were miraculously reunited. Isn't it fate!?" 

Suddenly, whatever happened on that day flashed pass Kazumasu's eyes. 

Gamo Ujisato did indeed have other motives. 

But if, just what if she's not lying? 

'I only have Nobuna-chan as my elder sister, it should be like this, but...' 

Kazumasu no longer knew what she should do. 

She place her small hand on Himiko's forehead and shouted with all her strength. 

"Are you really Himiko?" 

"...Yes." 

At the same time she answered, tears start to flow out of Himiko's eyes. 

That is because at that instant Kazumasu's small hand touched her, Kazumasu's memories start 

flowing into Himiko's head. 

"The shrine at Tsushima should be fun, there's boats everywhere in the river." 

"Hehe, as expected, Sakon is the cutest when she's smiling." 

Late in the night, 

At the docks of Tsushima, 

Looking at the lantern filled boats in the distance, Kazumasu was sitting on Nobuna's shoulders 

and eating Uirounmochi[7] to the extent that her cheeks were bulging out. 

"You're coming next year too, right?" 

"Hey Sakon, I want a younger sister. Though I already have a cute younger brother, but I don't have a sister yet." 

"If the princess of Owari wants a sister, there should be tons of them, right?" 

"Though there are many cute girls like Inuchiyo, it's unfortunate that they are all my retainers and will never become my true family. Once the boundaries of the family status becomes vague, 

the seed for unrest will have been sown in the clan." 

"Hmph, with that reasoning, won't my identity be awkward too? Though we are both princesses, 

a ninja's princess is different in the end." 

"So I can't even be in love with my own retainer." 

"What are you talking about? Somehow, this expression of Nobuna-chan looks pitiful, uhhh." 

"What I'm talking about is different, well forget it. Sakon, I don't mind you not being my 

retainer, be my sister then." 

"Nobuna-chan, you are too trusting of strangers, aren't you going to investigate my origins first?" 

"Is that so? I actually think that this mysterious vibe is actually the best, how should I describe it? Just the atmosphere of Sakon being a free person is actually quite admirable." 

"Well, though I myself has no idea where I come from." 

"Hmmm? Didn't you come from Koga?" 

"Hmph, speaking of old times, I'm someone filled with stories too." 

"Old times? You haven't reached that age, okay?" 

Both liking the sea and also the brightly lit shrine festivals. 

Not having known each other for long, both of them felt from the bottom of their hearts that the 

other party was very compatible with them. 

"Hey Sakon, be my sister? Or are you going to refuse?" 

"Nobuna-chan, there's a warship coming from there." 

"Eh? Really?" 

In front of both of them was a ship that had obviously lost in a battle. The ship was extremely 

damaged to the extent that it would not be surprising if it sank in the next second. It's too much of a peculiarity to say that that was a coincidence. 

"Wow, to think that it have not sunk, is there anyone still alive?" 

"It's a ghost ship, Sakon. Scared?" 

"Don't scare kids with that substandard joke." 

"....I beg you.... Please give me a groom... Nono, water..." 

The one who said this and climbed out of the soon-to-be sunk Kikyuumaru is the haggard 

samurai in her first meeting with Kazumasu and Nobuna, the future Kuki navy general, Kuki 

Yoshitaka. 

The sailor Kuki Yoshitaka who was being hunted all the way from Ise and Shima and finally 

escaped to Owari Tsushima is now almost over her marriageable age. 

"Yum, yum. Delicious, this is too delicious." 

"Hehe, a female pirate is exceedingly rare. Somhow I feel like you are similar to Riku in many ways, you're the type that don't use much of her brain too, right?" 

"Nobuna-chan, you just love to feed these people who came from nowhere, at least control 

yourself." 

Nobuna threw water and food up to the deck of the soon-to-be sunk Kikyuumaru. 

Having starved for quite a long period of time, Kuki wept and said, "I will never forget this debt." as she started eating the famous delicacy of Owari, the Uiroumochi. 

"Is this the renowned Owari delicacy, Uiroumochi, delicious!" 

"I get it, according to you Kuki, you had formed a pirate group filled entirely with girls in Ise and Shima, but was utterly defeated by male pirates with a reason like "It's unlucky for women to sail." and had finally escaped here?" 

"Oi brat! My heart is actually very fragile, don't say such an irritating fact so clearly." 

"This is how Sakon talks. Hmmm, simply put, you had failed in a battle with the pirates?" 

"Uhhhh, yes Nobuna-sama. The pirates tricked me just because I'm a woman and my underlings 

are all either dead or missing. It's a humiliation that I'm even alive, but honestly, I'm afraid to go back to Shima. I don't want to taste that kind of defeat a second time...." 

While saying, Kuki's gums start trembling and before she even noticed, tears start flowing down 

from her eyes. 

"To be defeated on the high seas...is akin to death. Both my mother and grandmother died at 

sea... The days at sea, the area below the ship planks is hell." 

"Then do you want to be a warrior on land in the Oda clan?" 

Kuki shook her head and refused Nobuna's suggestion. 

"I was born and raised at the sea. No matter how afraid I am, I have no other place to live other than the sea." 

Even though she was utterly defeated, even though she had experienced nearly starving to death 

while escaping, even though she was crying and trembling after such terrifying experiences, 

Kuki did not hesitate and chose the sea. 

"In the sea, there is something that the samurais on land will never be able to obtain, true 

freedom!" 

After suffering a heavy setback, the only thought that kept Kuki going was the thought to return 

to the Shima seas. 

Though there are numerous times she wept, she was always filled with the longing of the seas. 

"In the land there are customs, territories and all kinds of different borders. But in the seas, there is only the sea no matter how far you look. Once the pirates are out in the sea, there are no more burdens tying them down and they can go anywhere they see! Though such a life is always close 

to death, there are merits worthy of it!" 

Lisenting to Kuki, Nobuna and Kazumasu can't help but agree. 

"The seas can link all locations together. Just like Tsushima linking to the far Namban." 

"Yeah, Nobuna-sama!" 

Kazumasu looked at Kuki's healthy tanned skin with envious eyes and said, "To be able to love the place you are born, how blissful is that." 

"Nobuna-sama, if this goes on I will become a loser! No, before I exert revenge for my 

underlings, or before I found a groom, I will never give up!" 

"Yes, I heard a groom is extremely good. One day I can fall in love with a beautiful guy like Hikaru Genji[8] and sing together with him, finally becoming husband and wife. It's also during the time when I was in such fantasies that those uncouth pirates attacked us." 

"Hikaru Genji, huh? In the real world, a beautiful guy like him doesn't exist, right?" 

"Sigh, it's because young people started reading over-glorified things like "The Tale of Genji[9]" 

that led to them chasing after unrealistic things." Nobuna started to worry. 

"Right now, those who survived should have hide in the various islands of Shima, I planned to gather them and take back the Shima seas!" 

"So you wish for my help?" 

"Though I do know this is despicable of me, but I beg you." 

"Looks like it's quite interesting, but I'm already so busy with the matters on land. I just don't have the time for going out to the sea." 

"You have a point, I've gone overboard." 

"But if it's just money, I've have too much of it. It's not like I mind lending you Tsushima for you to recuperate." 

"Please lend it to me! I beg you!" 

"But if you took the money and run, I would incur huge losses. There is a need to assign 

someone at your side." 

"There's no such need! If something happens, I will use my marriage funds to return you." 

"Well, as expected it's not enough to just "lend" you, I will have to charge you interest." 

"How much is the interest?" 

"If I were to lend it to you, you must use the money to conquer Ise." 

"Con... Conquer Ise!? Such a big land mass, and though they have subsided, there's still the Ise Grand Shrine too. It's impossible, different from the other areas, Ise can't be conquered just by 

military power." 

"Well, if I'm free I will help out too. Let's see, if you give me Ise, I don't mind giving you a place like Shima. I remember Shima being a small piece in the corner of Ise, right?" 

"Wh... What, how stingy! So this is the so called miser!? Who could have thought that Japan has such a miser!" 

"Hey, spinster? Don't you think you are a little over the edge for a haggard samurai?" 

"Who is that you're calling!?" 

"Looking at all of our ages, isn't that obvious? It's you." 

"UWAHHHH! What a humiliating nickname! But if I give up now, I will never be able to return 

to the seas and find a groom! I got it!" 

"Hehe, de aru ka." 

'This is just like a deal with the devil.' Kazumasu thought. 

"Nobuna-chan?" 

"Hmmm? Sakon?" 

"I will look after Kuki." 

"You just want to set sail, right!?" 

"Yeah!" 

"It's such a good thing for children to be free." Nobuna smiled bitterly as she caressed Kazumasu's head. 

"There's no helping it, but you're just a child. If things get serious, hurry and come back." 

"I'm a ninja, it's not that easy to kill me." 

"Asking this la-lass to look after me, it's very dangerous to bring such a small child to the seas." 

"Kuki, even if I'm a small child, I'm a child who can take care of herself. Stop this useless chatter, hurry and go." 

"That's decided then, spinster. I'm leaving Sskon to you." 

"Is my opinion totally ignored? Sob... Looks like I'm going to have a tough life from now on. 

Sobsob..." 

Using the money she borrowed from Nobuna, Kuki gathered her underlings everywhere and 

once again formed the Kuki navy.(It was still the Kuuki pirate group then." 

"Though I don't who she is but Kazumasu is just too cute!" Due to reasons like this, girls who want to be pirates all joined under the banner of Kuuki navy. 

The male pirates have control over Shima and the Kuuki navy did not have any experience in 

land battles. 

That's why at that moment, conquering Ise was a unrealistic expectation. 

To be exact, first, Nagashima is the base of Nyankousou. If they attacked without any thought, 

the circumstances are unimaginable. So it must be left aside or in other words, given up. 

Then, Northern Ise was currently spilt between numerous lords like the Kanbe and Nagano clans 

and was definitely not easy to conquer. 

And Soutern Ise was well managed under the governing of the Kitabatake clan but the most 

troublesome is that they was supported by the true masters of Ise, the Ise Grand Shrine. 

So at the start Kuki had planned to capture the sea and capture Shima but the male pirates said, 

"I'm not falling for this." "Losers should just get lost." and retreat onto land. 

With this, Kuki who had no confidence in land battles had no options left. 

"Damn, those male pirates are skilled in ambushes, but they became cowards once challenged 

upfront. Like I expected all guys are cowards! Someone like Hikaru Genji does not exist!" 

"We can only launch a secret assault now, Kuki!" 

"Even so, we must find some place to use as a base." 

"Find it then." 

"The thing is, the good islands had all been taken, ahhh." 

To conquer Ise, a base was needed. But for the Kuki navy who can't even do that, they could 

only loiter around the seas. 

Just like this, the money they had borrowed were used up. 

Their strength had all been at sea where all their members are pirates, a good plan to conquer Ise with just that small amount of manpower is non-existent. 

And then, one day, Kazumasu who was napping on the deck of Kyuukimaru had a stroke of 

inspiration. 

"If this goes on, we can't even return the money we borrowed. Don't tell me I must sell my soul to Oda Nobuna-sama, or should I sell my organs?" 

While Kuki was being depressed, she heard an excited shout from the side "I got a good idea." 

"Kuki, no matter how I think, the greatest in Ise isn't warriors but the Ise Grand Shrine." 

"Well, with that train of thought, the greatest in Nara is Koufuku temple, for Ise, that will be Ise Grand Shrine and Kyoto will definitely be the Yamato Gosho." 

"Correct, the reason why Kitabatake was called the strongest is because they have the backing of the Ise Grand Shrine." 

"Hmmm, what ise is that? Wait, don't tell me Hime-sama, you want to ask us pirates to torch Ise Grand Shrine!?" 

"....Kuki is hopeless now, especially about finding a groom." 

"EHHHHHH?" 

"A thing like razing a place down can only be done by pirates or bandits." 

"But we are pirates." 

"Nobuna-chan is really looking forward to my performance, how can I do such a thing?" 

"Huh, she is looking forward to our performance?" 

"Isn't that obvious!?" 

"Huh, I think she just thinks that Hime-sama is cute that she wants to keep you like a pet." 

"Though it's true that I'm the cutest in the world but I'm never a pet to be kept. Nobuna-chan who had an eye for talent had understood that I will become a great warrior soon, that's why she chose me." 

"Huh... Tha.... That isn't a pirate or bandit? So as a great warrior, what does Hime-sama plan to do to Ise Grand Shrine?" 

"Kuku, I heard that place has Yamato Gosho's regalia, the Yata no Kagami." 

"Haha, from my point of view, the regalia is just a rumor among the commoners." 

"Let's steal that." 

"Isn't that an idea even lower of that of pirates or bandits!? Even if we really stole it, what do you plan to do with it!?" 

"We threaten the Ise Grand Shrine by telling them we will sell it to some unknown merchant." 

"I have no idea what to say anymore, if we really go through with this idea, my life will be over! 

This is an idea that can only be thought of by the lowest of scums, but since you're cute, I'll 

forgive you." 

"Hehehe, look on, Kuki. It's finally the time for my ninja skills to impress." 

Just like this, the pair who is out of ideas thought up of a plan that can be called the lowest to sneak into the Ise Grand Shrine to steal the regalia. 

The Ise Grand Shrine holds the graves of all the Himikos in the Yamato Gosho and at the same 

time, they were tasked with the great responsibility of safekeeping one of the three imperial 

regalia of Japan, the Yata no Kagami. Thus it can be said that they held deep ties with the 

Yamato Gosho. 

So from ancient times, the Ise Grand Shrine will follow tradition and pick a pure girl amongst the clan of Himikos to be the chief priestess. 

But this tradition had not been followed for a period of time after the Nanboku-cho causing the 

subsiding power of the Yamato Gosho. 

Even the other tradition of the Ise Grand Shrine, the rebuilding of the Naiku and Geku shrines 

every 20 years had been stopped too. 

The Ise Grand Shrine was spilt to the outer shrine which worships the Ame no Uzume and the 

inner shrine which worships the Amaterasu. The regalia Yata no Kagami is kept within the inner 

shrine. 

The place where Kazumasu and Kuki lead a bunch of female pirates disguised as ninjas to 

infiltrate is the inner shrine. 

"Talking about the rebuilding of shrines, it was actually a method to prevent anyone from 

knowing the precise location of the Yata no Kagami so as to safeguard it. 

"Eh, you do know a lot. Though Hime-sama looks like a child, you are unexpectedly well 

brought up." 

"Though the outer shrine was rebuilt a few times, the inner shrine had long since been 

abandoned. This is just what we want." 

"Is the relationship between the inner and outer shrines bad?" 

"That will be a long story. There had been sayings that their relationship had not been the best due to their differences in deities and faith. There were times that swords were drawn and things 

like torching the shrines of the other party had actually happened before." 

"Huh... this is a messed up world." 

"Cough cough. Though we can only use the skills of a ninja to steal, but there's so much dust. 

Ahh, my skin is going to become rough." 

"There's still a period of time before daylight, take a bath with the river water over there, Hime-sama." 

"Yeah." 

"Look, Hime-sama, that's a turtle there! We can't steal if we're hungry. I'm catching that turtle now for you to eat!" 

"Hmmm, I don't like turtles, and I will become fat from eating at night." 

"I'm eating it then! Hime-sama, please go take a bath!" 

"Before you get a groom, it will all be over if you become fat, Kuki." 

"I...It...It...It...It's ok....! I think." 

In actual fact, when Kazumasu and the rest sneaked in, the guards of the inner shrine had already 

noticed it. 

Are they thieves eyeing for the regalia? Thinking about this, the guards had all hid within the 

structure as they observe their actions. 

"They are thieves as expected." 

"Their numbers are few, and they are all girls. Should we finish them?" 

"No, it will be bad if the holy shrine is tainted by women blood. And we aren't sure that they are thieves." 

"But it will be too late if we hesitate anymore." 

"There, that dirty lass looks to be the leader of this bandits or pirates." 

If they were all guys, these guards would have killed them without any hesitation. But the girls in front of them had all made them hesitate. 

At this moment, a guard who had looked at Kazumasu's face from a long distance suddenly said, 

"Eh, she is...!?" 

"What?" 

"Once, I had the great honor to meet Himiko-sama." 

"So? 

"That child's looks, she is Himiko-sama!" 

"How can that be, it must be a coincidence." 

"They may look alike at most, don't start tripping." 

"No, they look too alike to be coincidence!" 

'Could it... could it be that she is actually a direct member of the Himiko clan!? Has there been 

any unknown reason that she was given to the commoners!?' The guards began to panic. 

"If it's really like this, it must be the heavens who had sent the chief priestess to guide us." 

"But the people around her looks to be thieves." 

"I think they must have want to infiltrate the inner shrine with their filthy feet to steal." 

"Wait... wait a minute! Look! She just entered Isuzu river to bath!" 

"Do...Don't tell me she is starting to cleanse herself in order to enter the shrine!?" 

"And there, looks like she had made a divination with burnt turtle shells!" 

"The rest of the girls are all eating. It is just her who is unmoved by mundane matters and 

cleansing herself!" 

"She must have made a divination and realize the instructions of the heavens. Knowing that she must bear the mission of becoming the chief priestess, she had soaked her fragile body in the icy 

waters to cleanse herself. She had perfectly gone through the ritual to become the chief 

priestess!" 

"But is she truly from the Himiko-sama's clan?" 

"Didn't I said so just now? She looks almost like a twin of Himiko-sama, there can be no 

mistake." 

"I have never thought that I will be able to see the chief priestess in my life again. I don't mind if I die right now." 

"The deterioration of the inner shrine is now over. The chief priestess is back to lead us again!" 

"The inner shrine is revived!" 

And so, when Kazumasu and the rest were waiting for a chance to strike, huge amounts of priests 

were prostrating themselves before her. Among them, half of them had already noticed her true 

identity and the other might just be treating it as a miracle. 

"Hey, look. Wh... What are they doing, Hime-sama?" 

"Kuki, looks like these priests can't withstand my cuteness and had all prostrate themselves onto me. Well, my cuteness might be too much to these single men who had stayed in the shrine all 

their lives." 

"....Will a day come when I have such a power too..." 

"Anyway, stop the theiving operation. Right now, we need to be a little more forceful." 

"Forceful?" 

"It's ok. I don't mind if you guys want me to be your miko no matter what, but hand me the 

treasures to show your sincerity." 

"Hah... Hime-sama is a great person." 

"Listen everyone. Because of some reasons, my name is Takigawa Kazumasu. But that is a 

nickname when I'm a ninja, my true name is a secret." 

Saying things that will make her blush once she recalls, Kazumasu blinks her big eyes as she 

continues. 

"Though I may be leading this pirate group for now, but my true identity is a very... very great princess?" 

"Great princess? Can Hime-sama explain more clearly?" 

"Kuki, the whole country will shake and stir if a secret like that is revealed, so it must be a s.e.c.r.e.t." 

Actually, there was no deep intentions when Kazumasu says all these. 

But that instant when she smiles as she hides a deeper intention and said "So it must be a 

s.e.c.r.e.t." made all the priest breathless as they thought, "Like we expected." 

"WE GOT IT!!!" 

Saying, they kneeled down on the floor, not daring to lift their heads up. 

"There must be some great secret that must not be divulged, we swear to protect this secret!" 

"Yeah! Umm, I want to be the miko of Ise Grand Shrine, yoroshiku?" 

"You are already our miko!" 

"What are you all still here for, hurry and prepare a proper attire for Miko-sama!" 

"Heaven's blessing, we does have a top quality attire that is fit for the high priestess." 

"Nono, compared to that, we must first announce to the whole of Ise that the high priestess had returned!" 

"Ahh, what a distinguished and cute appearance, the believers of the inner shrine will definitely return to pay their respects!" 

"Let's repair the inner shrine now!" 

Looking at the excited priests, Kuki who cannot understand just why Kazumasu was this popular 

became confused. 

But Kazumasu said confidently, "It's granted that I will be this popular given my cuteness." as she did not doubt her own "strength" had conquer all the priests' hearts. 

"How is it, Kuki? Even these devout priests had fallen to my cuteness. From now on, our plans can be accelerated!" 

"I no longer knows what to say... Er, accelerated?" 

"Hehe, I mean to speed up showing my cuteness. Look Kuki, all of Ise will bow under this cute princess!" 

After that, Takigawa Kazumusu launched lightning quick attacks towards the different forces of 

Ise and Kuki Yoshitaka had headed towards Shimo to conquer her old territory. 

The priests of the inner shrine had all became Kazumasu's most loyal subordinates and the 

always suspicious outer shrine was also subdued by "accidentally" knowing that Kazumasu is part of the Himiko's clan. 

There are numerous lords in Ise with their never-ending conflicts. At first Oda Nobuna had sent 

troops from Owari to support Kazumasu, but soon after Northern Ise, even the Southern Ise lords 

had initiate a truce with Oda Nobuna. 

Though it is a chaotic period, the Ise Grand Shrine is still the absolute authority in Ise. 

Even those obstinate lords did not dare attack Kazumasu who was wearing the miko attire. 

And so, Takigawa Kazumasu who had escaped from Koga became the master of Ise in a short 

period of time. 

Such a moment can be said to be the proudest moment for the young Kazumasu, "This is my 

strength!" 

The male pirates of Shimo who knew that Kuki Yoshitaka had returned with even more 

manpower and vessels had all escaped to foreign seas. 

And so without any blood spilled, Kuki had reclaimed her base. 

"I can finally return to Shimo, this is all thanks to you, Hime-sama!" 

"Next I must help you find a groom." 

"Hime-sama's the strongest!" 

"We will follow you the rest of our lives." 

"But it's a little troublesome to return the money to Nobuna-chan. How much did Kuki borrow?" 

"Yeah, the interest is scary. What should we do?" 

"Kuku, how about we keep all the money from the Ise Grand Shrine to ourselves?" 

"Th... Th... Th... Th... Th... This will incur divine wrath!" 

"Ane-san, Hime-sama, I heard there's an island which was owned by Namban people." 

"Ho, an island owned by Namban people. Looks interesting." 

"Let's conquered it in one go. Only with that can we consider the whole of Shimo conquered, 

Hime-sama!" 

"Well, though that will be good, but if possible, I hope to maintain good relationships with the Namban people, let's just observe them for now. 

And so, on the deck of Kyuukimaru which had turned into the "strongest" of Ise Shimo all of a sudden, Kazumasu in her miko attire picked up a habit of taking up binoculars to look afar, 

thinking that she can soon help her admired elder sister Oda Nobuna to conquer the world. 

Famous for rumors like being stingy and ordering her retainers around, Nobuna will only reveal 

a different side when together with Kazumasu. 

She cares for Kazumasu just like her true younger sister, respects her and understands her wish 

to pursue her freedom. 

And it's because of this that Kazumasu can use all of her strength to the limits. 

"Kuki, I don't really care about such a small land. I still have to help Nobuna towards the wide seas!" 

"Yeah, in the time when I have no idea what is going on, Hime-sama who can conquered Ise is 

the best! We will forever follow you!" 

"Hohoho, and I did not asked for Nobuna-chan's help at all, compliment me more, Kuuki!" 

"To be a vice-general fit to be by Hime-sama's side, I had decided to be the pirate queen!" 

"Kuku, work hard then." 

"But we can't get close to the Setouchi seas where the Murakami navy is at, uwahhh. Murakami 

Takeyoshi is just too terrifying, please avoid that place no matter what." 

"The loser mentality had been deeply enrooted in your body, huh? How sad, Kuki." 

The part where Kazumasu lead the Kuki navy to fight against Takeda Shingen and the Mori clan 

would come later. 

"......" 

Kazumasu's hand slowly left Himiko's forehead. 

She understood instinctively that her memories had just been read in that instant. 

But she did not hate it in her heart. 

Actually, in Kazumasu's heart, she had noticed that she had overestimated her own abilities. 

Like a outsider evaluating his own past, Kazumasu discovered many things she did not noticed. 

Especially those Ise Grand Shrine priests who had know of her true identity, the unrealistic 

smoothness of the plan can thus be explained. 

The smart Kazumasu had soon understood the reason why the priests had served her. 

But it's precisely this that makes her pain unbearable. 

".... So I had obtained Ise from the blood in my body, just from my blood...." 

Himiko look sadly at her younger sister who was trembling from humiliation. 

"... Just go and look for the freedom you have been pursuing. Don't mind about your sister." 

But the words of Himiko cause more confusion within Kazumasu. 

"I HAD NEVER BEEN FREE! I had thought that I was free when I escaped Koga. But who 

could have thought... Who could have thought that I had always been in the palm of an elder 

sister that I have absolutely no idea of." 

"....." 

"I'm a child after all, I don't have the strength fitting of a sengoku warrior." 

".... No, everything that you have had been earned by your own hard work." 

"..... NO! THE ODA CLAN 4 DEVAS, OR TAKIGAWA KAZUMASU, THEY ARE ALL A 

PACK OF LIES! IN THE END, I'M JUST A BRAT THAT CAN NEVER BE FITTING OF AN 

ACHIEVEMENT LIKE UNIFYING ISE!" 

".... No, those work are real, you obtained it by taking a step at a time." 

"I'm just a ninja from the Koga clan! No matter how I tried to run, I can never escape the shadow of the past. The freedom that I had will never happen!" 

The elder sister who bore the fate of being the Himiko from birth, and the younger sister who 

was trained to be a ninja but escaped from it just to see the great seas... 

The pair of sisters who had walked totally different paths in their lives and had met for their first time no longer knows what to say. 

Taking a deep breath, Himiko was the first to break the silence. 

"I had never once want to take away your freedom." 

"I never had the right to live on freely, it's even more so now that I know my true sister. I can never sail together with Nobuna-chan, and cannot gather the three regalia to pass on to Gamo 

Ujisato." 

".... Kazumasu" 

"I no longer have any future, just let me die on the island from old age." 

".... Don't mind me, don't think about anything. Sail together with Nobuna, live on freely." 

"IF THE YAMATO GOSHO IS DESTROYED DUE TO ME, I WILL REGRET IT FOR THE 

REST OF MY LIFE! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, I CAN NEVER ESCAPE NO MATTER 

WHAT I DO!" 

The confusion in young Kazumasu had now reached its peak. 

She don't even know how can she lived on from here. 

Nobuna and Himiko, whose little sister should she be? 

All this while, she had thought that her achievements had all been her hard work, but now, she 

had found out that they were all built on the foundations of both her elder sisters, and had no 

relationship whatsoever to her own strength. 

And so, like being awake after a long long dream, the Kazumasu now had reverted to a young 

and weak girl befitting her age. 

If she was to help Nobuna, she should gather the three regalia and pass to Gamo Ujisato, but if 

it's for her true elder sister, she should pass them to the Yamato Gosho. 

Being a small child, she don't have the wisdom nor the experience to understand which choice 

that will affect the fate of the country is the correct one. 

Kazumasu was extremely confused. 

Her heart seems to had sunk to the bottom of the sea after a rough and violent storm. The 

breathlessness caused by the tightening of her throat did not allow her to even escape. 

"Black teeth, why didn't you just leave me alone? Why didn't you reunite us while not letting us know of each other's identity!?" 

"It... It's my fault! But this is all for the greatest crisis in front of us." 

"I don't care about the crisis! Why did you decide by yourself, black teeth!?" 

"...Right now, both Japan's future and Himiko-sama's fate are all in the hands of Takigawa 

Kazumasu." 

Having plan this "reunion", Konoe had thrown himself at the floor and kept begging Kazumasu 

"Please protect Himiko-sama!" 

"It's for granted that you will feel shocked, enraged or think that I had made the wrong decison. 

But Himiko-sama is your true blood-related sister. I beg you, hand over the three regalia to 

Himiko-sama, save your own kin!" 

The Oda army had totally surrounded Osaka's Honbyo temple on land. 

At Settsu, with the help of the reinforcements of Akechi Mitsuhide sending manpower to 

different camps, the paths towards Honbyo temple had all been locked down. 

The one in charge of guarding the northern route to Honbyo temple was Akechi Mitsuhide. 

The one in charge of guarding the southern route to Tennou temple was Naomasa. 

Actually, an important place like the Tennou temple should have been given to Mitsuhide, but 

due to the time needed to rush over from Harima, Mitsuhide who did not make it in time would 

have to stay at the northern side. 

Nobuna herself was guarding the western side of Honbyo temple, setting up her main camp at 

the middle ledges of the Yodo river. 

Both Kobayakawa Takakage and Oda Nobuna had chosen to decide it all in a single battle 

instead of having a war of attrition. 

As enemies, both of them were already well aware of the other's thought processes. 

Understanding that Kobayakawa Takakage would send the Murakami navy to assault Nobuna 

just when the battle on land is reaching its most critical moment, Nobuna had earlier on sent 

Takigawa Kazumasu and the Kuki navy to wait at the Kizugawa. 

If the Oda army were to lose the battle on land, the Murakami navy will definitely come in to 

sweep up the rest. 

But if they were to successfully conquer Honbyo temple, even if the Murakami navy had 

decimated the Oda navy, Kobayakawa Takakage would have no choice but to declare her plan to 

have failed and give Kizugawa over to the Oda clan. 

So the key to victory all lied in the battle on land. 

In the solemn atmosphere, the Oda army was waiting for Nobuna to give the final order to attack. 

Before the final meeting at the main camp, 

Takigawa Kazumasu who was on a boat rushing over to the main camp met Sagara Yoshiharu. 

"Yo Kazumasu-chan, your skin looks a little dry. Have you been insisting to go out to the sea every morning?" 

Though he had been smiling while joking around with Kazumasu, but Yoshiharu himself had 

been writhing with anxiety, like a screw wreaking havoc in his tummy. 

Using anything he can think of but was unable to stop the war between Honbyo temple and 

Nobuna, a deep guilt was torturing Yoshiharu's heart. "Ah, if this goes on, the prophecy of the 

"Empress" tarot card will come true, the situation is becoming even worse." 

"Yoshi..." 

"Hmmm?" 

"Takigawa Kazumasu, just how is his fate, and what kind of a future would he have?" 

"Oioi what's with you? You're totally different from normal. The future should be something that Kazumasu-chan create with your own hands." 

"But, Yoshi came from the future, right?" 

"The future is ever-changing. As long as us retainers of the Oda clan are united, the future will definitely be like we hoped!" 

"Is that so, but...." 

"If it's not like this, won't it be meaningless for me to come here from the future to serve 

Nobuna? We don't have the time to be troubled about an uncertain future, now is the time to 

work our very best!" 

"But I'm still curious, are you hiding something, Yoshi?" 

"I....I'm not hiding anything." 

"Well, hearing about Nobuna-chan's future is rude for both Yoshi and Nobuna-chan. But I hope 

you can tell me about my own future." 

"I refuse, and I don't even know too!" 

"Why? I'm the youngest out of the 4 Oda clan devas, there's no way you won't know about it!" 

It's unfortunate that Yoshiharu did not know that Kazumasu had successfully conquered Ise due 

to Himiko and is currently troubled over how to handle the regalias. 

And at the same time, he did not notice that Kazumasu is at her most sensitive period of time 

about her own future, no, about her own strength as a warrior. 

With a "Pa", 

Kazumasu jumped lightly onto Yoshiharu's shoulders. 

"Oioi, what are you doing? We have to go to the meeting now." 

But Kazumasu ignored that and put her hand on Yoshiharu's forehead. 

"Yoshi, please tell me about my future if you know about it." 

"Uwahh? Do you know what you are doing!? Uwahhh, I... I can't control my mouth! Nobuna's 

gonna execute me!!!" 

"You did said that the future is uncertain, let's just treat it as reference material. I will not tell anyone about this, please tell me." 

"..... Ta...Ta...Ta...Takigawa..... Ka...Kazumasu...!" 

With his left hand, Yoshiharu was trying to resist by pinching his own cheek while holding onto 

his own throat with his right hand. But he was no match for Kazumasu's innate ability. 

"Takigawa Kazumasu will continue to achieve many things for the Oda clan and become the 

master of Kantou area governing the numerous provinces in the east." 

"What, master of the Kantou area? Nobuna-chan gave the whole eastern area to me? That stingy 

Nobuna-chan?" 

At the same time, Kazumasu felt relieved. 'As expected, the sisterly bonds of Nobuna-chan and I 

is eternal. Nobuna-chan will one day be the ruler of all and I will obtain strength as expected of Nobuna-chan.' 

But the next line from Yoshiharu stunned Kazumasu. 

"But after the death of his master, Oda "Nobunaga", Takigawa Kazumasu became extremely useless like he had changed to a different person, and like a shadow exposed to light, it was not a long time before he had fallen too..." 

"Death, what!? Wh... Who....?" 

"Takigawa Kazumasu who had lost it all was forgotten by the masses and slowly left the stage of history. There had been many discussions about his end, and the most popular saying is that he 

had died alone in the wilderness." 

When Yoshiharu was shouting, "UWAHHH! WHAT DID I SAY!?", Kazumasu had heard her 

own "future" from his mouth. 

"No...Nobuna-chan is older than me, so there's no helping it if I lived longer than her. But... I... 

can't do anything without Nobuna-chan?" 

"Forget it! I did not say anything! There can only be bad things if you hear such a bad future! 

Isn't there a saying that you should only believe the good things in a prophecy!?" 

"Like I expected, I'm just a puppet of my elder sister." 

"This world had already changed so much from the history that I know! Because I had done so 

much without thinking and changed a big amount of history, the future just now will no longer 

happen!" 

"After I had escaped from my sister and gained true freedom, I will end like a lifeless puppet?" 

Yoshiharu and Kazumasu stood on the left and right, Nobuna stood in front of the Osaka map 

and started the final meeting. The aftermath of the things that happened between Yoshiharu and 

Kazumasu could only be postponed. 

Yoshiharu observed the map in front of him and nodded. 

Unlike having a river flowing between pieces of land, Osaka had pieces of land between rivers. 

Though it may look the same, but the gathering of rivers here had produced new rivers, causing 

the terrain to be very complicated. 

"Yodogawa, Kizugawa, Nakatsugawa, Kanzakigawa, Neyagawa, Naranogawa, 

Yamatogawa[10].... The land in between them had all been blocked, this is just like a huge labyrinth." 

"To the north of Honbyo temple is the Yodogawa, the northeast is Yamatogawa and to the east is Naranogawa. It's a huge fortress surrounded by rivers. And to its east is the Kizugawa. 

"We can only attack Honbyo temple through the Tennou temple." 

"Hime-sama, I'm afraid this will be a great but tragic battle." 

Participating in this military meeting is the presentative of Sakai merchants, Imai Souyuu, Tsuda 

Sougyu, Sen no Rikyuu and even that Konoe Sakihisa for the purpose of the almost non-existent 

plan for peace. 

"To fight against the firepower of the Saika clan, I will put in all the arquebuses I've gathered in Sakai into this battle." 

"I have used up all my connections and resources. Currently, we have a thousand arquebuses." 

"De aruka, looks like it will be a never seen before gun battle." 

"A battle with this amount of arquebuses had never happen before. It will be hard to imagine the scene that will happen at that moment." 

"Anyway, Lion! If you have a plan other than the regalias, please speak up. I heard you are 

extremely knowledgeable about Namban's history. 

Flipping open the history book and wearing a pair of fox ears with the same cape like Nobuna, 

Gamo Ujisato said. 

"It's extremely difficult to pressure using the land routes. The strength of the Honbyo temple under the protection of the river, sea and faith can almost be compared to the infallible capital of the Roman empire, Istanbul. 

"De aruka." 

"To conquer such a fortress, we must control the rivers through our ships or by obtaining the Dardanelles gun[11]....Both of them are quite unrealistic now." 

"Dardanelles gun?" 

"The huge cannon that the Ottoman empire[12] used to conquer Istanbul. It's power is enough to smash even the thickest of walls, but it's unfortunate that we are unable to obtain it." 

"Why can't we just build one?" 

"No matter how we research it, we do not understand the way it's build, but..." 

"But?" 

"There's a namban warrior Giovanna under Sakon-sama. If she agrees to help, we might just..." 

"De aruka, if so Giovanna will temporally be with Lion then." 

Kazumasu can't help but be furious at this. 

"Wa...Wait! I can't pass Giovanna to her, I had finally get to know her!" 

"Sakon? We are currently so short in manpower that we sent Naomasa who we had just 

discovered to the frontlines. And this manpower movement is just temporally, so bear with it." 

"....Why do you take such a fellow as your sister, won't a retainer be enough?" 

Kazumasu disgruntledly mumbled, but Nobuna who had not noticed the abnormality of 

Kazumasu said, "Don't be naughty" and leave it be. 

"Why did you accept this fellow out of nowhere but not accept me yet?" 

"Isn't that because I'm still waiting for your answer?" 

"What distinguished family, my birthright is even more than that." 

"I said don't be naughty anymore! If you feel unfair, I will offically take you as my little sister too." 

"Hmph!" 

'Oioi, she just asked a bunch of questions about the future, now she's quarreling with Nobuna?' 

Looking at Kazumasu's face, Yoshiharu started to worry a little. 

"Sakon-sama, it's enough for Aneue's little sister to just be me. You can be Oda clan's retainer and work your heart off for the rest of your life." 

"What!? Anyway, what's with that fox ears on your head!? Are you trying to appeal to Nobuna- 

chan who loves animals!?" 

"Fox ears? This is just a helmet with a swallow design." 

All in all, Ujisato and Kazumasu seems to be in bad terms with each other. 

At this moment, Imai Souyuu who had noticed that the atmosphere is a little strange too started 

to divert the topic. 

"Anyway Hime-sama, there's a rumor that had become quite ridiculous." 

"..... (Yeah)" 

"Hmmm? What rumor?" 

"Right now there's a small booklet insinuating Oda-sama and it had already spread widely. Part of the reason why the revolts were so violent is also because of these small booklets." 

Tsuda Sougyu presented the newest edition of the booklet "Kennya monthly special ~Oda 

Nobuna's scheme~" as he wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. 

"Though that's the name, but we had checked that these booklets are not printed by the Honbyo temple, it's currently still a mystery." 

"Oda Nobuna's scheme? What is it saying?" 

'It did have a ring of the naming sense of history games.' Yoshiharu thought to himself. 

Nobuna and the rest were all shocked after looking at the booket. 

The protagonists of the booklet is the "lover" Sagara Yoshiharu who was of lowly status and his master who was widely loved by the masses but had been dominated by her retainer. 

And the content of the story was the few lines after they had a "violent battle" in the bed of the keep of Azuchi castle and were hugging each other. 

"Hey Nobuna, when are you taking me as your husband?" 

"Saru, as long as the tradition of this country is intact, I will never be able to marry you. From the position of the Himiko to the commoners, their status had been determined from their birth. 

Even if we are in such a chaotic era, the difference in status cannot be overcome." 

"Then let's destroy the tradition of this country. When we kick out the most esteemed person and stand at the top of this country, there won't be anyone who dare say anything else." 

"Yeah, I will replace Himiko as the god of this country." 

"Oioi, how can you do such a thing? Even if the Oda clan originated from the clan of priests of Echizen, we won't be able to unify both the world and the masses if we do such a brazen thing." 

"There's no need to worry, it will be ok if we gather the three regalia." 

"What's that?" 

"It's a treasure that all generations of Himiko must have. Right now, the regalias that was stored in Atsuta Grand Shrine and Ise Grand Shrine can be said to belong to us. Once we salvaged the 

Yasakani no Magatama from the straits of Shimonoseki, the path to replace Himiko will be 

smooth-sailing." 

"Straits of Shimonoseki, that is part of Setouchi seas, right? Isn't that part of the territory belonging to Mori clan and Murakami navy?" 

"It'll be ok if we destroy the Mori clan and the Murakami navy. If we attack the Osaka Honbyo temple, the righteous Mori clan and the brave Murakami navy will definitely help out. Once 

then, the Yasakani no Magatam will be ours if we finish them off!" 

"But I'm just a monkey from a different country. The fact that I have a lowly status will never change. Even if you become this country's god, we will never be able to get married...." 

"Just become the Kampaku, leader of the officials. Let us both obtain the highest position of Japan together." 

"Huh? Can I do such a thing too?" 

"It's simple, threaten Konoe Sakihisa a little. Pressure that old geezer by threatening to burn down both the Yamato Gosho and Himiko if he don't accept you as his god-son, that old geezer 

will definitely weep and accept." 

"Isn't that going too far!? The retainers will revolt." 

"Send those who may revolt to the frontlines and let them die during the battle with Honbyo 

temple, won't that solve our problems?" 

"To actually break the truce with Honbyo temple for this, you are such an evil woman." 

"Huh? Isn't all this for you? Well, these ignorant masses will cry and support me as long as I bluff them with the Namban soccer cup or the teachings of Christianity. And then, once I build 

some trading centres and abolish some customs, they will even willing to die if I ask them to." 

"But after we destroy the Yamato Gosho and continue to accept the namban people, this country will one day fall into the hands of them." 

Just when Nobuna and Yoshiharu was shocked by this booklet, Tsuda Sogyu rushed forwards 

and explained, "I have nothing to do with these booklets! Nothing to do at all!" and while rolling his eyes back like he's about to faint, Konoe Sakihisa said, "I don't know about this at all too!" 

"Not mentioning about the insults to me, who divulged the secret of the three regalia? This is an act of outright betrayal! This is a big problem concerning the fate of the Yamato Gosho!" 

"These are all insider information, isn't the speed of the leak a little too fast?" 

Imai Souyuu sipped some tea and said "The style of these booklets does not fit that of the Sakai merchants, neither do the officials. It looks like someone wants the Oda clan to be hated by the 

masses..." 

"This is a scheme capable of swaying hearts! To actually mix in lies amidst the truth, stirring the conversation into the direction suited for himself. That had been many such articles in my time." 

Yoshiharu said in place of Nobuna who had become too angry to speak. 

"It's even more worst that a big part of what's stated in the booklet is the truth, like the Kampaku or the three regalia. Just who divulged such important details?" 

Gamo Ujisato roared "To actually Aneue so brazenly! Unforgivable!" 

"I'm afraid someone must have specifically made this to incite Uesugi Kenshin. Uesugi Kenshin is still currently observing Aneue to see if she is the demon lord of the sixth realm who will 

really destroy the whole of Japan. If she believe the content of these booklets, she will definitely rush over in a split second!" 

"Looking at the penmanship, this should be written by the hidden strategist, that man I had once employed." 

Upon hearing, Nobuna asked the trembling Konoe Sakihisa. 

"Just who is that man?" 

"If I say his name, I will definitely be killed by that guy! Please don't ask me! Once I stop meeting that guy, he had used the money that Tsuda Sougyu had given him and went nuts." 

"De aruka, this time you are too much, Konoe!" 

But, the one who received the most impact from the small booklet is Takigawa Kazumasu. 

At this moment, Kazumasu had actually gathered all three regalia and kept them on the deck of 

the Kyuukimaru of Kuuki navy. 

It's just that she had not decided whether to give the regalia to Nobuna as a weapon or to return 

to Himiko. 

After hearing her tragic "future" from Yoshiharu, Kazumasu's heart was shaken even more and she can no longer remain calm. 

".... Are you using the regalia to obtain the position of Himiko, Nobuna-chan?" 

"Geez Ukon, what the hell are you talking about? You believe this?" 

"But whatever that was written there are all true. If you have both the regalias and the position of Kampaku, Nobuna-chan will have the divine authority of Japan. And then after you give Yoshi 

ruling authority, you can marry Yoshi rightfully... Isn't that all on spot?" 

"If you keep thinking like that, I'm gonna get angry, Sakon! Though it's true that Yoshiharu will be the Kampaku, but I have never thought of taking over the position of Himiko-sama!" 

"But Gamo that fellow had been urging you to obtain both ruling and divine authority right!?" 

"Lion had never asked me to obtain Yamato Gosho's divine authority. She is just suggesting for me to never marry." 

"So it's a lie too that we can win the war if we use the three regalia?" 

"SAKON! Hey, what's wrong with you? Is it about Lion? Or are you throwing a tantrum because 

I didn't give you the tea set you want?" 

"I'm not throwing a tantrum." 

At this moment, Ujisato shouted at Kazumasu. 

"Sakon-sama, you are Aneue's retainer and not little sister, know your place. A retainer should only obey her master's order." 

"S...Sh...Shut up! Stop blurting in our sisterly fight!" 

"I'm the only little sister of Aneue. By right your actions now is enough to constitute treason and can be executed. Though the retainers of the Oda clan had treat themselves as part of Aneue's 

family, but this can't go on from now. Retainers are retainers, our master is our master. Know 

your position." 

"Uhh! I understand now, you deceived me! You make me gather the three regalia not to win the 

war!" 

"Ara? Confirm whether I'm deceiving you with your own eyes then." 

"What do you mean!?" 

"It's not good to be suspicious. And why are you shaken, aren't you my little sister too?" 

".... I had not given you a proper answer yet." 

"Sakon? I have never seen you as my retainer. From the start, the thinking of giving you the 

greatest degree of freedom had not changed. Why aren't you trusting me at such important 

matters?" 

"MY ANSWER IS "I REJECT"! NO...NOBUNA-CHAN IS NOT MY TRUE SISTER!" 

"....Sakon..." 

"I DON'T LIKE THE FREEDOM NOBUNA-CHAN GAVE ME! IF I WERE TO RELY ON 

SUCH A THING, I WILL NEVER BE ESCAPE FROM THE FATE OF MY BLOODLINE!" 

"What are you talking about? Really, what's wrong with you!?" 

Unable to endure anymore, Yoshiharu pressed onto the shoulders of the slightly trembling 

Kazumasu. 

His heart was burning with fury. He was furious over the man who wrote such a booklet that 

could cause cracks in a relationship between two loving sisters. 

The fact that he had too been insulted had long since been forgotten. 

"Don't be fooled by such a thing, Kazumasu-chan. Or else you can just use your ability and ask the truth out from Ujisato and I! To be fooled by such a booklet, fake things will never be real!" 

"Yoshi, are bloodlines... stronger... than words?" 

"Bloodlines?" 

"No matter how I run, I can never escape. So what I escape from Koga? I can't escape Nobuna- 

chan's palm still. Like I thought, I have never been Nobuna-chan's sister, but just a retainer of the Oda clan." 

Hearing that, Konoe Sakihisa almost gasped loudly. 

But he stopped himself reflexively, but the pain in his abdomen had become almost unbearable. 

(Ahh, I almost make another mistake.) 

"Oioi, these words of yours sound like Bontenmaru. Though I'm not sure about a thing like 

bloodlines, but isn't being carefree your rule in life? Don't show such an expression." 

"Like I thought... you are going to destroy her for your relationship with Nobuna-chan, Yoshi." 

"Destroy her?" 

"My... real... sister." 

It's only at this point that Yoshiharu noticed the truth. 

Though Nobuna and Imai Souyuu who did not see Himiko's face did not understand the meaning 

behind Kazumasu's words. 

But Yoshiharu who had once touched Himiko in close proximity noticed immediately, no, 

confirmed his long time suspicions. 

The first time Yoshiharu met Kazumasu, he was shocked at how much she resembled Himiko. 

But after he knew that she was a ninja from Koga, he had forcefully "treated" it as a coincidence. 

'I see, so that's how it is! Because she does not know which sister should she give the three 

regalia. Kazumasu-chan is now really shaken.' 

Damn, just how thick can I be? I'm really as stupid as a monkey now! Yoshiharu gave himself a 

slap in anguish. 

"I got it, I understand everything now. Let it end here today, you don't have to force yourself anymore! Kazumasu-chan, if my head had been smarter, I would be able to notice it earlier, I'm 

sorry!" 

"....Yoshi..." 

"From here on, treat the words I'm saying to be gibberish, but Kazumasu-chan, you should be the one making the decision." 

"Me?" 

"Yes, what do you want to do, Kazumasu-chan? End the relationship with Nobuna after this 

quarrel? Because you believe that Nobuna will scheme like what the booklet is saying that you 

think you have the responsibility to stop her? Do you really, really think that?" 

"....I....." 

"Nobuna had always been relying on you for support. Same as me, if I did not have Nene, my 

heart will have been crushed a long time ago." 

"But my other sister has always been alone, in the past and the future. It always has been like that!" 

"Kazumasu-chan!" 

"She has always... always been a bird in a cage!" 

Yoshiharu who once had a brief conversation with Himiko no longer knows what to say. 

At this moment, Kazumasu-chan shouted, "I don't know what I should do!" and struggled free from Yoshiharu's arms. 

Though she still did not understand the situation , but having relaxed a little, Nobuna did not 

chase after Kazumasu. 

"...Real sister, who is that...? In the end I can't be Sakon's sister?" 

Rikyuu silently poured a cup of tea for Nobuna, using her own method to cheer her up. 

"I will bring Kazumasu-chan back, don't worry, Nobuna!" 

Saying that, Yoshiharu chased after her. 

After Kazumasu and Yoshiharu left, Nobuna let out a deep sigh. 

For such a thing to happen within the Oda clan right before the battle, there can only be feelings of anguish. 

"Just what happened to Sakon... I beg you Yoshiharu, bring her back." 

"Aneue is just too kind to the retainers. Treat them like your servants from now on." 

"Lion? I can't do such a thing and will not do it. All the retainers of the Oda clan are my 

important family members!" 

"If you can't forsake these useless feelings, we will never be able to turn the tide. This is all for the sake of the masses." 

To chase Kazumasu, no, to be exact, the three regalia, Ujisato stood up too. 

"Aneue, it will be too late if we don't use the regalia before Uesugi Kenshin decided to attack the Oda clan." 

"Lion, your dream of Tenka Fubu is beautiful. You who wish to end the chaotic era and save the masses from harm has a pure and selfless heart. It's because of this that I keep you as my sister, but there's a point that I want you to remember." 

"....Aneue" 

"I treat all retainers like my family. It's the same whether if it's the past, present or the future and I will never give up my feelings for Yoshiharu." 

"Aneue! No.. It can't be, the Aneue I admired will never forsake the people just for her romance for such a guy! It's too unreasonable to raise that fellow as the Kampaku. If Sagara Yoshiharu 

isn't around...!?" 

"Lion..." 

"I beg you, Aneue. You should understand which path is the correct one, loving just a single 

person or loving the whole world without any distinction!" 

"I had once thought of forsaking my own heart and become a demon lord all for the sake of 

Tenka Fubu, but I understand that it's impossible now. If I don't even have the courage to love 

someone, how can I able to protect the masses with mercy?" 

"....Aneue." 

"Though it's respectful to have the will to save the masses, but someone who don't even know 

what is it to love will never fulfill that will. Like I who had never tasted the love of a mother..." 

"There's no such thing, Aneue still have me. I will forever love just Aneue." 

"I love you too, Lion. But it's a difficult type of love from Yoshiharu. It's because he's by my side that I'm able to overcome the fate of becoming a demon lord after I lost the mandate through 

Tenka Fubu." 

"....Impossible, my Aneue is not this weak." 

"Lion, you had not fallen in love so you won't understand. Forcing your own thinking on others isn't love, but a type of faith." 

"Aneue is the only messiah who can complete the quest of Tenka Fubu. This chaotic world had 

once given me despair, making me realize that my paradise would only be in ancient books or 

past relics. But Aneue's dream of Tenka Fubu gave me hope once more, as well as the meaning 

to stay alive. Is it wrong for me to worship Aneue like this?" 

Though it's not like you can't but Leon, there will come a day you will find your own way of 

living. Even if we are sisters sharing a same dream, we can never truly be one." 

"NO! Compared to Sagara Yoshiharu, my heart is closer to Aneue!" 

"Even if we are sisters, you can't just force all your hopes on me. If you can't even understand this, you will one day act like Kyonya and wrap the others in too. Taking the dream of others and 

treating it too heavily can only harm you. I hope you can one day be independent like Sakon. 

Though we are walking the same path, we must live on not forsaking our own dreams. Though 

she might still be young..." 

"Stop! Don't force me back to the world filled with ancient books and relics, don't hate me, 

Aneue, I beg you!" 

At this moment, Nobuna understood Kennya's feeling when she was almost forced to go to war 

under the urges of her followers. 

Giving a shred of hope and the one to give the idea of Tenka Fubu to Ujisato who could not find 

the path for the ancient mythology of Japan to coexist with Christianity's God was Nobuna 

herself. 

So to Ujisato who feels disappointed over her love with Sagara Yoshiharu, Nobuna would never 

be able to blame her. 

Or it would be better to say, Nobuna could never bear to take from Ujisato her only "hope" after she had finally found a way. 

"I totally don't understand how did Aneue got seduced by that ordinary man!?" 

With tears in her eyes, Ujisato stormed out after saying. 

"She had inherited my ambition, the ambition that I had once given up. So it's my sole 

responsibility to stop her from going crazy." 

"This is like committing suicide! At least follow Oda Nobuna's arrangements and have some 

guards with you! After losing your cat ears, you are just a normal human, you will die if you get 

shot!" 

"I know that." 

To make Honbyo temple and the Oda army sign the truce again, the two who were sitting on the 

boat was Kennya and Konoe Sakihisa with an impression "This is just plain suicide." 

"But this is a war stirred up by me, so I will end it by myself." 

"To broadcast to the people that Oda Nobuna had assassinated you to incite Honbyo temple, the hidden strategist will definitely kill you in front of Honbyo temple. That fellow had been 

controlled by the ambition to plunge the world into greater chaos and had totally turned into a 

demon." 

"Whether I will die or not can only be proven when I walked to the gates of Honbyo temple. But if I don't go, more people will definitely die because of me." 

"Aren't you afraid of death!?" 

"Yes, but as the elder sister whose sister had been blinded by ambition, I have to stop her." 

"Are you saying that I...I...I should stop that strategist too!?" 

"No, that's not what I mean." 

"I don't want to! There can never be enough lives to stop that sort of monster. Compared to him, that demonic ghost that Tsuchimikado is is far cuter!" 

Kennya crossed the river and began climbing up the path towards Honbyo temple bare-footed. 

Because she was unrecognizable, some guards at Honbyo temple had even started to fire arrows. 

But even so, Kennya had not stopped her footsteps. 

"This is just too rash! You will only provide a reason for them to start the war!" 

Konoe bit his lips and roared, "Stop, you commoners! I'm the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa! Put 

down your bows!" as he chased after her. 

"Oioi, hurry and go back! After stirring up Takigawa-sama's heart, if you were to die here, that Oda Nobuna will definitely execute me without any questions!" 

At this time, the one guarding the front gate of the Honbyo temple were the Saika elite 

arquebusiers leaded by Saika Magoichi. 

"Kennya-dono? Isn't that Kennya-dono!?" 

No matter how vague the silhouette, Magoichi can recognize her old partner with just a gaze. 

At that instant Magoichi recognized Kennya, she opened the gate and rushed down the mountain 

to welcome Kennya. 

"....Magoichi, it's been a long time." 

"What outstanding strength of character, you are already a great master of the Honbyo temple!" 

"I'm now an ordinary commoner, please bring me to Kyonya." 

"I'm going to even without you saying. Let's go." 

Magoichi extend her hand. 

And Kennya smiled as she extended hers to hold on to Magoichi's hand. 

Just when the two of them were smiling at their reunion.... 

With a "swoosh", 

An arrow hit Kennya. 

Fresh red blood start pouring out from the wound. 

"Kennya-dono!? Damn!" 

This isn't an arrow from Honbyo temple, but someone else behind Kennya. 

And it is an arrow released at an unimaginable distance that even Magoichi, the legendary sniper 

did not noticed. 

"It's too far... This... isn't... Oda Nobuna-sama..." 

"Stop talking, Kennya-dono!" 

Kennya's body slowly fall forwards to Magoichi's arms. 

"What!? It's that fellow, it's definitely that fellow!!" 

I'm gone! Konoe's scream of despair echoed loudly in the quiet surroundings of Honbyo temple. 

"KENNYA-SAMA!!!" 

The gates of Honbyo temple bursted open. The Saika clan, the Mori army and the believers who 

refused to retreat had all rushed over holding weapons. 

"The enemy can only be Oda Nobuna!!" 

"KILL ODA NOBUNA!" 

"WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE HER!" 

Just like this, the battle between the Osaka Honbyo temple and the Oda army starts.