Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 17 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 

Sunomata 

Rain clouds were coming in east of Sekigahara, down came pelting rain.

Above the land of Sunomata, the rapids of Nagara, Oda Nobuna star of fate is unsteady, on the verge of falling.

“Don’t go! Nobuna! Damn it! The water is too fast! My horse can’t catch up! Nobuna has already crossed the river! My dream! It’s gone! Towards a place I cannot reach!”

Yoshiharu Sagara, summoned from the future, had come all the way from the future, all in order to change the fate of Oda Nobuna. He already brushed shoulders with death many times. What followed next was regarding a turning point of Nobuna life. The decisive event in which Nobuna, fighting for her dream of “Tengafubu”, becomes the “Demon King of the Sixth Heaven”, was stopped by Yoshiharu time and time again, who risked his own life doing so. Before neither of them noticed it, the relationship between Yushiharu and Nobuna moved past the friendship of lord and retainer, progressing into romance, and on top of that------.

For the sake of uniting Owari, Nobuna was supposed to executean assassination to her younger brother, Nobusumi Tsuda.

The rescue of her stepfather, Saitou Dousan, from his son, Saito Yoshitatsu, during the Battle of Nagara River.

The stopping of burning of Mount Hiei and the killing of the monks, which should have been a world-shattering events.

The campaign by the Ikkou-Ikki in Ise Nagashima andstopping the 10-year war of Osaka Honnya Temple which had been stuck in mire.

Changing the fate of Nagamasa Asai at Odani Castle. 

Before Yoshiharu realized it, he had grown from a young lad to a seasoned soldier who experienced countless battles in the Sengoku era. Though as a man, he dedicated all his heart to loving Oda Nobuna, he also held onto his will to “pick up all fruit” regardless of how desperate the situation may be.

Yoshiharu respected and held dear the warrior-maidens around him, maidens who lived gallantly despite fighting against their fates in this chaotic Sengoku world. For Yoshiharu, the concept of “friend or foe” did not exist; the current unrest is not anyone’s fault. For Yoshiharu, they were all Japanese, living in Japan. That goes for Shingen Takeda, Kenshin Uesugi, Takakage Kobayakawa, Shimazu Iehisa, SagaraYoshihi, and Ootomo Sourin. Of course, Hanbei Takenaka and Kanbei Kuroda as well, and Mitsuhide Akechi.

That choice of “not giving up on anybody” should be the correct one.

That decision of “not letting Nobuna become the Demon King” should be the correct one.

Even if everything ended in failure.

Even if the dreams of the two of them are scattered by Nagara River. Kazumasu Takigawa.

Shimazu Iehisa. Sagara Yoshihi.

While the three of them, each taking their own troops, tried to advance with all their might in order to rescue Yoshiharu and Nobunafrom Nagara- gawa,they were stopped by the “wall” of Tokugawa forces. Other than Nobuna and Yoshiharu, no members of the Western Army were allowed into Nagara-gawa, while Tokugawa forces remained unmoving and strengthened their defenses. There is no army in Japan that is so unyielding in their defense other than the Mikawa troops, which is something Tokugawa Clan proud of. Now the only thing of relief would be no one in Tokugawa army wants to battle with Nobuna and Yoshiharu.

Currently, Nobuna and Yoshiharu are separated far away from the Western Army. For Honda Tadakatsu, who claims to be the strongest of the Tokugawa troops, andHanzou Hattori, who has yet to show himself, finishing off the pair should be a simple task. However, to simply kill off the two of them who had endured many hardships together not too long ago,neither Hanzou nor Tadakatsu is that cruel to do it.

Or it could be that the strategist in command, Honda Masanobu thought, “doing so would permanently stains Tokugawa Ieyasu’s fame of loyalty”.Perhaps that made it forbidden to kill Nobuna and Yoshiharu. Such a task should be left for the Takeda forces, the nemesis of Oda clan.

Still, Nobuna couldn’t be stopped once she reaches the eastern shore of Nagara River. All will be over.

Yoshiharu thought everything has come to an end. No, not yet.

It’s not over yet.

Nobuna is still alive, she's still alive. Even though she rushed into Gifu Castle in order to follow Nobuzumi to dead, but she's still alive. And I am too.

“Bastard! I can’t make it at all with my horsemanship! Then it’ll just be myself! Swim across this Nagara current, catch up to Nobuna, and bring her back!”

Yoshiharu ditched his horse, discarded his armor, and dove into the dark whirlpool. 

“Nobunaaaaaaa! I’m definitely, absolutely, not giving up!” He struggled.

Shouting while struggling up the Nagara-gawa, which meandered like a black dragon.

He choked on water. His voice became hoarse. His wrists, body became heavy. No matter how hard he fought against it, he could not disobey the turbid water. Even so, he did not stop shouting nor swimming.

(We are Kawanamishuu, and also bandits that live near the river. We are experts in handling the rapid flows in Nagara River and Kiso River)

The words of Goemon, who once sent wooden rafts down Nagara-gawa to rescue Saitou Dousan.

(Oh, you managed to pass the training, brat. Welcome to Murakami Navy. But at Seto Inland Sea, once you jumped off the ship only hell welcomes you. If you manage to survive a month by my side, you’d be considered a very impressive pirate, haha. )

Murakami Takeyoshi’s rough words of welcome, when Yoshiharu was picked up by the Mori clan to be hired as a “trainee pirate”.

Yoshiharu seemed to always be linked to “water” by fate. Water could float a vessel, also sink it. At times it could transform into terrifying floods and tsunamis and attack people, but at other times it could save people. But the current Nagara River was an entity which engulf lives without mercy. “Ah, if only I could swim freely like the dolphins.” Yoshiharu thought. He wanted to cross through the torrent, grab onto Nobuna’s hand----

“Yoshiharu…! ?” 

Nobuna’s voice. Yoshiharu can no longer move freely. Not only did he not become a dolphin, he was drowning. He was the only one thought he is still swimming.

“Yoshiharu… Yoshiharu! Stop! You don’t have to die too!”

My voice reached her. Nobuna will definitely stop her death march towards Gifu Castle. She will return to me. Nobuna. However.

“Nobuna-chan stopped advancing! Everyone, we’re charging into the Nagara River no matter what, and saving those two!”

“Ya! Everyone, charge! Whatever it takes, we’re breaching that Tokugawa wall!”

“Yoshiharu, I won’t let you die!”

Oda forces, commanded by Kazumasu and company, put up a desperate assault. None the less, Tokugawa forces was still there to stop them. In terms of overall strength, the two sides are evenly matched. But once the two armies made contact and descend into chaos, Tokugawa held overwhelming advantage. Oda soldiers were not adept in clashing blades. They could not catch up.

“Yoshiharu. Sorry…! I, I…”

My voice reached Nobuna. Nobuna will come back. I have received what I asked for. But Tokugawa’s “wall” won’t let us return to Sunomata. I will be swept away, Nobuna will not be able to return to the western bank. Once she steps foot on the eastern bank, Takeda forces will begin their attack. In the end, Nobuna’s fate…

“Sorry…! I… cannot become the hero you were anticipating…! Even though I had help as great as you, I could not accomplish Tenka Fubu…!” 

“Because of losing Takechiyo and Kanjuro’s death, I lost myself, then, lost everything… but, only you…”

My hand got caught. Nobuna.

Idiot!

Even you ditched your horse and ended up in this mess of a river, what’s that about!

Since it came to this, the point of me drowning…!

Firstly, aren’t you supposed to not know how to swim…?

“Though I cannot join you in this life, I will never part from you again, Yoshiharu.”

Nobuna pressed her lips tightly against Yoshiharu’s, delivering air to his lungs which had long ran out. In this rapid current, the embracing pair are being washed away mercilessly.

Nobuna, what good does it do forfeiting your life for me? Wouldn’t this reverse the current field positions?

Toss aside someone like me, and advance towards Tenka Fubu, that’s…

No. Not in the slightest. I like, and love Nobuna. She’s that kind of girl from the start. That kind of person. Precisely because of that, I.

But, my journey—my battles in the Sengoku Era. My life, choices, everything, are they all futile efforts?

And yet.

At this moment. 

Through his faint consciousness, Yoshiharu could hear it. The nostalgic “monkey yell” from the Satsuma Hayato.

Is there a war? A slaughter? A sacrificial ceremony?

The Satsuma Hayato people that have fought an endless war of death in that Shura kingdom.

Also.

“I’ve kept you waiting, Yoshiharu-kun! Guided by ‘fate’, I’ve come to rescue Yoshiharu-kun and Oda Nobuna! The queen of six kingdoms of Kyushu, Ootomo Sourin, is gracefully here! Please leave the task of cutting off the fate of "Killing own brother" to me! Satsuma’s men listen up! Tear Tokugawa’s army in two immediately, and save Oda Nobuna and Yoshiharu- kun from the Nagara!”

“Shimazu Yoshihiro has come to aid the Western Army and repay Lord Yoshiharu’s kindness! There is no strategy! Charge straight into the Tokugawa formations, take Ootomo Sourin and I to those two alive! Charge! Everyone, spearhead formation, pierce Tokugawa’s wall!”

Ootomo Sourin and Shimazu Yoshihiro.

You got to be kidding me. I must be dreaming

Ootomo Sourin should be busy fighting Nabeshima Naoshige who was leading the remaining forces of Ryuuzouji Clan and still resisting right now.

While Shimazu Yoshihiro should be fighting Kai Chikanaoin Kyushu. They couldn’t possibly show up at Sunomata, in Mino!

Is this a miracle? 

“What! ? Why are they here! ? Yoshihiro-nee! ?”

"Iehisa. It's all due to your decision to follow Yoshiharu-dono that I had to pick some elites from Satsuma Hayato and come to here! I was a step late and failed to rescue Sagara Yoshihi at Hibinohara! Now is the time to pay the debt! Everyone, we must save Sagara Yoshiharu-dono! It's time to let those Mikawa samurais witness the might of Shimazu shuras! Pierce! Break through them!”

Exactly what happened afterwards, Yoshiharu could not remember.

Other than hanging onto one another and not letting go, there is nothing else Yoshiharu and Nobuna could do.

Tragic, yet full of life—the almost sacrificial-sounding “Enkyou” shook both heaven and earth as it echoed across the Sunomata battlefield.

The Tokugawa army, famed for its unwavering strength, fell into disarray.

Against this battle cry never before heard by people of Honshu, and the strange aura of the charging Shimazu forces numbering only 1500, the Tokugawa army was shaken. The main formation was split in two and began retreating.

Shimazu Yoshihiro has broken through enemy ranks.

Even if Tokugawa army follows their task of preventing the Oda army from crossing the river, Oda Nobuna was still their former alliance since the battle of Okehazama until recently. In terms of morale in "attack and fight with the enemy", they will be inferior. Compare to Satsuma Hayato army that led by Shimazu Yoshihiro, and Shimazu Iehisa who have joined the vanguard in the "Pierce" formation, along with the morale of "we must get back our honour from the defeat in Hibinohara”. 

“Impossible. A battle like this… only a small group of 1500…the entire army swarming to die just so the generals could advance, what is this! ?”

The Tokugawa strategist, Honda Masanobu, had never heard of such deranged tactic and does not know how to react. During her state of disbelief, the Shimazu sisters already rode right up to the front of Sunomata Castle. Yoshihiro continuously cut down the Mikawa soldiers trying to stop her advance, while Iehisa provided cover fire with her Tanegashima matchlock. The accompanying soldiers ran like madmen while firing their matchlocks. Once they used up their ammunition, they drew their blades.

Unlike the graceful swordsmanship of the Tokugawa samurai, the swordsmanship of these soldiers could only be described as one that discards all intentions of defense, instead focusing everything in one helmet- splitting strike, with the swordsman committed to die with the enemy if necessary. No, this was no swordsmanship. It was in the form of the sword of shura, shaped by the “aura” of 1500 men as they sacrificed lives without hesitation, all to ensure the Shimazu sisters could reach Nagara River.

Honda Masanobu let out a cry of lament.

“With the Shimazu army on a suicide charge, there was no time between the volleys of fire! The Ashigaru don’t stand a chance!”

Yoshiharu, while hanging onto Nobuna, kept sinking and couldn’t see the valor of the Shimazu soldiers. However, he knew very well their “crazed” style of fighting.

The only reason Honda Tadakatsu, the strongest of the Tokugawa army, did not counter charge Shimazu army was due to Tadakatsu having to ensure the safety of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu. Had a duel between Tadakatsu and Yoshihiro occurred, the rescue of Yoshiharu and Nobuna would suffer a great setback, although with Tadakatsu occupied with Yoshihiro, Iehisa Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Masanobu would surely lose their heads to Iehisa. Unknown during this era, only Yoshiharu know about

the unsurpassed “ability” of Shimazu Iehisa to take the heads of major enemy generals.

“Mikawa soldiers! Japan is not a wasteland! Us Hayatos had never hoped for some pure land which does not exist in this world! We spent our one and only life here on this land called Japan, and now we give our one and only life here in this battle! Men! For Sagara Yoshiharu-dono and Oda Nobuna- dono, charge!”

The unprecedented “breaking through enemy ranks” succeeded.

If Yoshihiro was scheming something, Honda Masanobu should be smart enough to counter it. But Yoshihiro was acting without any plan. To the others, charging into the heart of the opposing army with inferior numbers with the intention of fighting to the death was nothing short of mad barbarism. The Hayatos didn’t fear death. They understood that to “break through” wasn’t to die, but to live—a life-saving death charge. Of course, there was no way the Mikawa soldiers could even comprehend this; they feared the bizarre fighting spirit of the Shimazu army.

While the Tokugawa army was retreating in chaos…

Shimazu Yoshihiro picked up Yoshiharu and set him on top of HizatsukiKurige (TL note: the name of the horse rode by Shimazu Yoshiharu in Sengoku Era. )

“I made it this time, Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. All thanks to Iehisa. Had Iehisa not leftKyushu, I would come chasing.” 

Yoshiharu wanted to ask Yoshihiro if this will affect the campaign in Kyushu, but he couldn’t muster any voice. He swallowed too much water and is having difficulty breathing.

“I know this isn’t fair to Iehisa, but I’m going to give you some air right now. So-sorry!”

As Yoshihiro positioned herself to give Yoshiharu CPR, Nobuna should be able to see it. But given the circumstances she made no objections. Besides,

Nobuna is half slipping into unconsciousness. Even so…

“That is too bad, Shimazu Yoshihiro! This task belongs to me, Sourin! In those Nanban fairytales, the prince awakens by the kiss from the princess, in other words, me.”

“… Uguu! ?”

“Ahh! ? Sourin, you-! ? You slithered here so shamelessly without even bringing your soldiers, and now you want to take this chance away from me?”

“The, Sourin is also after Yoshiharu-nii…! I won’t give Yoshiharu-nii to you!”

The Shimazu sisters, already excited after having just accomplished the legendary Sengoku maneuver, drew their blades at the same time in anger.

Have successfully rescued Sagara Yoshiharu and Oda Nobuna, the Shimazu army and OotomoSourin returned to the western shore of the Nagara, joining the main Oda army led by TakigawaKazumasu and others.

Despite receiving such a sudden and unbelievable assault and consequently falling into absolute chaos, the Tokugawa army managed to steady its feet after retreating to the eastern bank. Once they regained their defensive position, the Mikawa soldiers are still a force to be reckoned with. 

“Oda Nobuna-dono. This is our first meeting, please take care of me. I am the second-eldest daughter of Shimazu clan, Shimazu Yoshihiro. We of the Shimazu clan owe Sagara Yoshiharu a great debt after receiving his kindness in Kyushu. To repay it I’ve come without delay to assist the Western Army with 1500 of my finest soldiers. Because Iehisa went with Yoshiharu-dono without taking any soldiers, I, as the representative of the remaining 3 sisters, hurried to Honshu. While marching towards Oogaki Castle, I learned of the change in battle and came to Sunomata. Fortunately, I was able to make it in time.”

Nobuna, while hanging onto Sourin back, nodded as if to say “is that so”.Having regained her composure after being resuscitated, Nobuna is once again forced to face the fact that Nobuzumi is dead. Unable to control her

tears, she bare managed to say “thanks” to Yoshihiro.

“Whether it be the Shimazu sisters or the Hayato, they’re all monsters! They don’t give off the same human feel like the rest of us. I, for one, will absolutely never get involved with the Western factions.”

Takigawa Kazumasu playful words could not stop Nobuna tears.

Her only brother dying, there was nothing she could do. But if Nobuna-dono doesn’t pull herself together and resume leadership we’re going to end up isolated in Sunomata. The enemy is just on the other side, still eyeing us maliciously. The Tokugawa forces should be making a move soon…

“… As for me… I don’t know why, it’s like I was being summoned by you, so I followed Yoshihiro here. There is none other than you who can keep supporting Oda Nobuna-sama in her fight for TenkaFubu. That’s what Jasper-sama kept saying to me. Although I didn’t know what that meant back them… or…” 

OotomoSourin, while holding Nobuna, whispered quietly.

“You must be in great pain, losing your brother. So painful that it made you forget yourself,and let go of Yoshiharu-dono hand. But you also gave your all, unlike me, who escaped war and sent my brothers to their deaths. For your brother, you fought with everything you have, you really did. Tsuda Nobuzumi-dono would want you to keep living. After all, being loved by you…”

“… But I… I once thought to kill Kanjuro with my own hands…When I was forced to unite Owari, I could not stand the familial dispute around mother.

So, I want to get away…

“Yet, you didn’t. You did not kill Kanjuro. And you kept loving your younger brother. That’s why you are much stronger than me. Gaspard-sama saw the future of Zipangu, of the world, in you. Jasper always say you’re the one most suited to become the queen of Zipangu. Then, there’s Sagara Yoshiharu-kun… whether it be people of Nanban, or boy from the future, everyone is always praising you. When admonished by Jasper, who assisted you, I was hurt a bit. Same with when Sagara-kun pledged his loyalty to you. But now after meeting you directly, I understand. Sourin may keep running away from her younger brother, you will never. Even though you live through battles, you don’t shun away from the world of faith. Even when it comes to romance, you don’t give up your ambition of TenkaFubu. You hope to defend your brother until the end…”

“… No. That’s… because Yoshiharu is there to stop me!”

“And that’s because you possess the light and courage to hold on to Yoshiharu heart without ever letting go. Until you accomplish TenkaFubu, until your marriage to Yoshiharu-kun. There’s still another fight after that, so do your best, got it?”

“… But… Kanjuro, he…”

“I will accompany you in his place. So, fight. Me too, I am fighting for my brothers who died due to my own cowardice—I am fighting alongside you.”

Sourin holds up a jack o’lantern.

“This is what the Nanban use for their Bon Festival, a pumpkin lantern to guide the souls of the dead. Put it in the Nagara River.”

Nobuna, still holding on to Sourin, began wailing.

It doesn’t matter now, Nobuna heart has been saved. She’s now staring at the starry sky while still sniffling.

Yoshiharu knew about Francisco Gaspard encountering Nobuna and Sourin and discovering their common points; he also knows that Jasper, who came following Gaspard, wants Nobuna and Sourin to fulfill the role of two political pillars in the “New Zipangu”.As Yoshiharu thought, Jasper planned all these so that Nobuna and Sourin could meet due to “Nobuzumi’s fate.

If I didn’t come into this timeline, Nobuzumi would already been killed by Nobuna. Nobuzumi’s death is “fate”.Whether Jasper is future-me or some other person, let’s put that aside for now. That guy uses platonic solid and should be able to predict Nobuna fate to some extent. Jasper saw pretty early on that Ootomo Sourin, who lost brothers one after another, would become the only one to “befriend” Nobuna and heal her heart.

This unforeseen rescue is the result of the trust between Yoshiharu and the Shimazu clan. In a way, Yoshiharu running off brought unexpected reward. 

However, the appearance of Ootomo Sourin beside Nobuna will save her from being collapsed by the sadness of “Nobusumi died in war”, expected that Nobusumi will die in the future, the result is the “facts” dispersed by Jasper through hard work in order to maintain the bonds between Nobuna and Sourin has finally bloom.

As I thought, that guy came to Japan purely to save Nobuna and changing her fate. The probability of him being my “reincarnation” is getting higher and higher…

Yoshihi smiled as she patted Yoshiharu back.

“Yoshiharu, what’s bothering you? Your actions so far are being rewarded. Because of you in Kizaki,Hibinohara,Taka, and Okitanawate, Shimazu Yoshihiro and OotomoSourin came here. You will definitely win against fate. Although not too late, I am also here. Although I have no troops, being the vice general is still not a problem. Okay, puff out your chest.”

Yoshiharu eventually would have to tell Yoshihi the truth regarding Jasper. Just not right now during a join battle. Besides, there are too many people here.

“Yoshiharu, the reason behind us meeting across time will be found eventually. That is how I feel. My dedication towards you will surpass any other’s. I will become your trump card in your triumph over your fate.”

“… Yoshihi-nee… that, what do you mean?”

“Well, if I know, I could go become a fortuneteller. I’m not sure myself, but I’ll understand the meaning in time. You should be rewarded, and for that I’m willing to do anything. So, rest assured, no need to fear your fate, Yoshiharu.” 

Yoshihi points her finger towards the sky, “At the final moment, the elder sister will take away the delicious part, this is the correct way to being an elder sister” and smiled once again—and this time, Yoshiharu finally noticed.

“But Shimazu Yoshihiro and Ootomo Sourin, wait just a minute. Is it really okay for you to ditch the war effort sin Kyushu? Is it really, really okay! ?”

The Shimazu clan should still be in Yatsushiro fighting Aso clan’s Kai Chikano, while Ootomo Sourin gave most of the responsibility to Kanbei Kuroda.

Shimazu Yoshihiro and Iehisa who held the “martial” rights of their clan. Ootomo Sourin, the lord of her clan.

With their departure from the war front in Kyushu, the combat effectiveness of the Shimazu and Ootomo decreased severely.

The Shimazu needs Yoshihiro in order to stop Kai Chikano. The Ootomo will be in a grim situation without Sourin leading its army.

“There won’t be a problem. It won’t be too long, Dousetsu and Shigetane will hold! Once the battle breaks out, Na-chan and Yoshiharu must divide their forces. So, in his place, I shall prove myself useful!”

“Yoshiharu-dono, Sourin-dono and I did not leave Kyushu rashly. However, there is no denying that the Kyushu battlefront will become grimmer.”

Shimazu Yoshihiro expression is taut as she told everyone of the situation in Kyushu. 

Kyushu battlefront, Ryuzoji Takanobu began to show unrest shortly after surrendering the battle of Okitanawate.

When the fleets lead by Yoshiharu and KonishiYakurouhurried for Honshu, the Shimazu and Ootomo are still fiercely defending in Kyushu.

NabeshimaNaoshige of Hizen, who took overRyuzoji Takanobuas the family head.

Aso clan of Higo, the ones behind Kai Chikano attack on Yatsushiro. The two clans.

Shimazu Yoshihiro’s decision to come to Honshu was not an easy one to make.

Shimazu Iehisa once again set off to Kyoto alone. Niiro Musashi rushed in Yatsushiro camp where the three sisters are to inform this “I am very sorry~! Being begged by ojou-sama so I can’t take it and granted her request! At this moment, the only thing I can do is seppuku to atone my sin!” and the three sisters stopped Musashi in a panic. Afterwards, they began a military meeting with just the three of them.

“That Iehisa… joining a battle without bringing any soldiers, what was she trying to do! ? At this rate the only thing to do is march the entire Shimazu forces into Honshu! It’s fine as long as we bring Takechiyo!”

“Annoying. What exactly are we going to do? During times like thisone can only ask the Oinari-sama.” 

“Nee-sama, no need to rely on the divine! We don’t even need to consider the entire Shimazu army.”

“Calm yourself, Yoshihiro-nee! We don’t have the boats to carry all our men! 1500 is the most we can manage! Firstly, so far Kai Chikano’s forces already broke apart, how can we give up defending Yatsushiro andSatsuma now?”

Kai Chikano, who is planning on attacking Yatsushiro, has his only surviving son abducted by Aso clan to become the hostage. Therefore he was forced to obey the Aso clan.

As the Aso clan and Ryuuzoji clan had a historical great defeat against Shimazu Iehisa as the opponent at Okitanawate, the commander of Aso clan and Ryuuzoji clan, Takanobu along with his four great generals all injured heavily and being captured by Ootomo Sourin which was fact to everyone.

Aso clan and Ryuuzoji clan were intended to surrender to the Ootome- Shimazu alliance. However, Nabeshima, who claims to “inherit” the Ryuzoji will, would not allow such a thing. As everyone knows, Nabeshima frequently utilized ninjas and poison with great proficiency. Betraying Nabeshima now would mean getting hunted down regardless of where one escapes too. Aso Koremasa knew and feared that fact.

Aso Koremasa betted the survival of Aso clan entirely on Kai Chikano, a fierce and seasoned general who supported Aso clan alone and was known as “asura of asuras”.

While Nabeshima clan engages Ootomo Sourin, the Kai clan must hold back the Shimazu. In under a month, Hitoyoshi andYatsushiro must be taken.

Those were the strict orders Nabeshia Naoshige gave to Aso clan.

“But Toshihisa, Iehisa must not get involved by herselfin this decisive battle between Tokugawa and Uesugi andMori! Iehisa is a strategist. In order for Iehisa to display her true abilities in battle, Shimazu soldiers are a must! I heard the Oda army is remarkably weak even among all the Honshu forces! If this continues Iehisa is going to…”

“Once there’s anything involving Iehisa, Yoshihiro-nee’s intelligence infinitely approaches zero. Is that enough? With Nabeshima and Kai Chikano in the way, it’s impossible to march all our forces to Honshu. But we could manage sending 1500 by boat. One of use shall lead the way to Honshu as reinforcement which the remaining two stay here and fight. Mind you the fight in Honshu involve a lot of bigshots! It’s gonna take at least a month.”

“Toshi-chan is so cool and collected at times like this. Then, who’s going send reinforcements to Hisa-chan, is it going to be me, the family head? If the family head goes to join the fight in Honshu, Oda Nobuna is sure going to praise me. But this is Honshu we’re talking about. So far away. Can I catch

up…?”

“Yoshihisa-neehas a habit of being a shut-in. So it’s very risky. If you don’t rush the naval route, you’ll miss the important battle. And there are also the possibilities of being late getting lost, or even being coerced by Oda’s enemies and mistakenly joining the wrong side.”

“Joining the Eastern Army by mistake? Is such stupidity even possible, Toshihisa?”

“Of course it is, Yoshihisa-nee. This is how pathetic a countryside daimyo is

Iehisa has went to Kyoto out of fun before so we no need to worry about

her ?Now, it should be my turn to lead the reinforcements.

“My goodness. The wounds you received at Taki still aren’t healed. You cannot go.” 

“Nee-sama, then it is going to be me after all! I,Yoshihiro, swear to join Iehisa and make sure Iehisa return alive!”

“But once Yoshihiro-nee leaves Yatsushiro, it’ll only be Yoshihisa-nee and I left to fight against Kai Chikano. Speaking of whom, Kai Chikanoisn’t getting it easy either, having received the harsh order from Nabeshima to take Yatsushiro soon. So even if this drags on it won’t be more than a month. If it does, we might lose without Yoshihiro-nee.”

“Hm, hmm. Then let’s do this. The sister most worried about Iehisa should go! There! That’s fair! So that means, me.”

“Ah, if that’s the case then it’s got to be me, the eldest sister. Fufu.”

“What are you two talking about, it has to be me! … Ahem. Nothing, pretend I said nothing.”

Who should go can’t be decided easily, the three of them knew that. In the end, they came to the conclusion that it has to be Yoshihiro, as she is the strongest. Regardless, this meeting isn’t too effective considering one of the sisters is absent.

The issue is the three sisters aren’t in agreement, Moreover the retainers said “If Yoshihiro-sama left Yatsushiro too after Iehisa-sama, I am sorry to say this but we will be in the danger of being defeated by Kai Chikano and even in the risk of Satsuma being invaded.”

“Although we Satsuma Hayato do not afraid of anybody, but that person will be a different case.” to show their disagreement for Yoshihiro going Honshu.

If the four sisters could reach an agreement, then the retainers would willingly give their lives without a word. But one sister isn’t currently here. 

Unable to hold back her anxiety, Musashi barged in, “no progress at all! ? I see, so I have to take responsibility after all!” and proceeds to pull out herwakizashi again.

Yoshihisa, in a rush, “wait, wait! Alright, we’re drawing lots!”

That is the solution most befitting of Shimazu Yoshihisa’s demeanor. Both Yoshihiro andToshihisa agreed to this. For such situations, all members involved could be coerced into being unanimous by shoving everything to a “divine draw”.Yoshihisa was first-class at doing this.

And that draw was decided; Yoshihiro goes to Honshu. Toshihisa couldn’t help but smile in defeat.

The rather naïve Yoshihiro, still oblivious to the fake lotter, stood up quite emotionally. “Ooh, I’m chosen! ? Nee-sama, Toshihisa, please protect Yatsushiro and Takechiyo for a month! I swear to bring back Iehisa back unscathed! I must now go gather soldiers who’ll come fight with me!”

“Nee-sama, Toshihisa, this will turn into a harsh defensive battle, I’m counting on you. Between Kyushu and Honshu, regardless of the distance, our hearts will always be connected. Let’s make the most of our talents and hopefully reap two fruits.”

“Yes. And please don’t fight over Sagara Yoshiharu-kun.”

“Yoshihiro-nee. Sagara Yoshiharu once said, if I recall correctly, among us four Iehisa would be the first to fall to her fate. Although I believe that ‘fate’ has been avoided after Takajou and Okitanawate, now Iehisa went off to Honshu as if dragged by something invisible. But I believe the strongest sister of the Shimazu, the ‘War God’, will overturn that child’s ‘fate’.Please, I’m counting on you.” 

“What did you say! ? … Iehisa…! ?”

Yoshihisa, as the family head, had already secretly learned of this “future”.As upset as that made her, she managed to endure, adhering to her responsibilities as the Shimazu head. Yoshihiro, on the other hand, only learned of this now for the first time and realized why she was being tasked with Iehisa’s rescue, as well as why Yoshiharu would treat Iehisa with such kindness despite having no relations with the Shimazu clan, why the Oda clan would go so far for the Shimazu sisters when they themselves are running out of time.

Yoshiharu-dono, you… Yoshihiro could feel her hot tears pooling.

Even if I leave behind the name “Oni Shimazu” … Even if I offer my own life, I will save Iehisa…

Silently, Shimazu Yoshihiro engraved Iehisa fate into her heart and left with 1500 soldiers by boat. We shall become sacrificial pieces, so that my sisters could once again return toSatsuma. Even if we all perish, we will not hesitate.

North of Kyushu,NabeshimaNaoshige kept being a menace and bringing trouble.

Perhaps the defeat atOkitanawate had been predicted by him. Before the battle, Takanobu Ryuzoji— “the Bear of Hizen”—left everything toNabeshimaNaoshige should the defeat happen. Although four members of the the“Ryuuzoji Four Heavenly Kings”(TL note: actually has 5 members; refer to volume 15) were captured at Okitanawate, Naoshige came under the protection of the last member, Kinoshita Masanao, and returned to Saga Castle alive. 

Nabeshima Naoshige, organizing a retreat back to Saga, was stubborn in taking revenge against the Shimazu-Ootomo alliance. The usually silent and collected Nabeshima Naoshige who showed no emotions on her face really gone mad this time after her elder brother was captured.

“Nii-sama made me the Ryuzoji family head, and I received the letter of “Steal Nakatsu as I like” from Kuroda Kanbei. Giving Ootomo Sourin and the Shimazu sisters control of Kyushu according to Sagara Yoshiharu prediction is absolutely not happening. Even if nii-sama was beheaded, I won’t hand over Saga Castle. As the true heir of the Ryuzoji clan, The first head of Nabeshima clan will keep fighting in Kyushu until we got back Nakatsu even die won’t stop our advance.

Nabeshima Naoshige absorbed Akizuki Tanezane, a warrior from Chikuzen. Even though Akizuki is under Ootomo clan, but they followed Mori for a long time to fight against Ootomo clan. Akizuki Tanezane lost his father and brother in the war with Ootomo clan and Tachibana Dousetsu also lost many members in the war with Akizuki clan. To Ootomo Sourin and Tachibana Dousetsu, Akizuki Tanezane is an enemy by fate. Ryuuzoji clan received the promise of becoming the spy for them in Ootomo clan during Ryuuzoji is taking in people from Chikuzen leading by Aso clan for preparation against Ootomo clan. Before the ‘Battle of Okitanawate”, Akizuki clan who had secretly became the spy for Ryuuzoji clan, cannot exclude themselves out from Nabeshima Naoshige already. The pride of a shura will not allow them to be the subordinates of Ootomo clan which have killed their family, instigated “Ootomo province is empty right now, we can steal it anytime” and joined Nabeshima. Same with Mori Motonari, Akizuki clan had the ambition to occupy Hakata, a stronghold for oversea trading ---- ever since they were defeated by Ootomo clan, starting from the previous generation. 

For Ootomo Sourin who stayed in Shimabara to take care of post-battle business, Nabeshima Naoshige declaration to keep fighting proved to be a massive miscalculation.

Sourin had already entrusted most ofthe Ootomo forces to Kuroda Kanbei and Tachibana Munishige. Due to that reason, only Ootomo Sourin herself was able to participate in the Battle of Okitanawate. Chikuzen, Buzen, and Buhou, the three kingdoms in charge of guarding the Ootomo clan were left with practically no forces.

Sourin talked with Ryuzoji Takanobu and Hyakutake Tomokanewho were heavily wounded and sent to Shimabara nanban hospital. However, they were unable to think of any way to stop Nabeshima Naoshige.

“My sister is very stubborn, once she made up her mind, she will stick to her decision till the end. She was planning to fight until the last soldier to eliminate my regret, and perish along with me. If putting my head in a barrel and send over there can stop this war, then I will accept it joy. However, this only only have an opposite effect. Having said that, capturing me alive is also an unbearable humiliation to my sister.

“.……. Ojou-sama is a person that have feelings deeper than anyone. The regret of just one more step to convey her feelings to a man turned into obsession, and chose the road of becoming the “spirit” that will disturb Ootomo clan forever. Even if I try to persuade, it’s futile.”

Ootomo Sourin believed that Nabeshima Naoshige would agree to a truce if Ryuzoji Takenobu is captured alive.

Takenobu was indeed severely wounded. Sourin sent him to a nanban hospital and managed to barely save his life, thanks to the newest nanbanmedical care. Furthermore, Sourin personally watched over Takenobu. On the other hand,although the Four Heavenly Kings were in even graver situation, they too, managed to keep their lives.

However, Nabeshima Naoshige obsession ran deep. Her admiration for her brother reached a level Sourin and Yoshiharu could not comprehend.

“.……My sister, lived her life as my puppet like a shadow. That sister of mine, decided her way of living for the first time ever since she was born. I already cannot do anything as her brother. Even if, my body allows me to carry a gun and stop her army from advancing.”

Sending the wounded Ryuzoji Takenobu to the frontlines is impossible.

At the nanban hospital, Sourin kept her role as nurse and looked after Ryuuzoji Takenobu and the Four Heavenly Kings.

I thought the cycle of “brother-killing” had been stopped at Okitanawate. I thought by saving Ryuzoji Takenobu life, we can avoid Nabeshima Naoshige being forced into the new road of cycle. And yet, this cycle remains unbroken. How can it be stopped?

As she thought back with tears.

There was another thing that attracted Ootomo Sourin attention.

She felt like her heart is being beckoned, go to Oda Nobuna’s side right now.

Does that voice belongs to Gaspard, the one who first discovered the “bonds” between her and Oda Nobuna who are very far from each other.

Or Japser, who kept persuading Sourin to become Nobuna dear friend and accompany her to travel the world.

Or Sagara Yoshiharu. 

Sourin originally wanted to go toHonshuwith Yoshiharu. She wanted to join the final battle which will put an end to the Sengoku era and then join the scramble for world domination. Be it Gaspard, or Jasper, or later on Sagara Yoshiharu. They all guarded Sourin for this moment. This feeling could not be controlled. Whatever was lacking in Oda Nobuna “Fate”, perhaps Sourin could make up for…

In the Bible, just before the “fated” day, Jesus “prophesied”to disciple Peter,

before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.

Then I too, went to see Oda Nobuna, and was beckoned such three times…

Up to this point, Sourin kept contact with Oda clan through missionaries. But Sourin was quite timid, having never left Kyushu. Because of that she never met Oda Nobuna before. As long as she remains in Kyushu, it’s likely they’ll never meet, and the Western Armyis likely to lose. Why would she have such premonition, despite having sent most of the Ootomo forces to the Western Army?

When Sourin “If it’s now, I still can chase to Yoshiharu-kun. But with the few remaining soldiers who are fighting with Nabeshima army in this sticky situation, I as the head of the clan is impossible to leave Kyushu” is still hesitating.

The message of Akizuki clan follow the flow and rebels Ootomo clan as a respond for Nabeshima army to set off from Saga Castle and invaded the empty Chikuzen arrived. Nabeshima Naoshige planned to crush Chikuzen to attack Buzen and Nakatsu with Akizuki clan. She does not think of any retreat plan at all. She intended to exhaust all the provisions and soldiers’ morale and die at here. Her once and only love in her life was shattered. 

Sadness turned into anger, became obsession and prompts Naoshige to do so.

At almost the same time, the report “Shimazu Iehisa departed from Yatsuhiro with 1500 troops and made swift landing at Honshu” reached Sourin.

But the Shimazu is fighting Kai Chikano in Yatsuhiro? Sourin was greatly shocked.

In the letter from Yoshihiro:

“As you already know, my younger sister went after Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. Sourin-dono, I have no intention of blaming you for keeping silent, but regardless of Iehisa tactical brilliance,her joining the fighting in Honshu without bringing any soldiers is still giving us three sisters unutterable stress—in order to aid Iehisa, I have set off at once with 1500 soldiers. Even though it is dangerous to leave Yatsuhiro, I believe the four of us could successfully divide up our forces and achieve both objectives. If Sourin-dono is of the same opinion, shall me rendezvous at Shimabara and set off together?”

She wrote.

“Iehisa’s action incidentally gave us the chance to go to Kyoto. You can’t help but feel the hand of fate at work, or feel as though someone is at your ear whispering, telling you to ‘fight against it’.Iehisa, I, as well as Sourin-dono all developed feelings towards a man we weren’t supposed to meet at all— Sagara Yoshiharu-dono who was summoned from the future and has never once ceased his diligence for Oda Nobuna sake. We all will be summoned to Oda Nobuna side—it is time for the once-impossible, it is time for the alliance between us of Kyushu and Oda Nobuna. I don’t know why, I just know that is the will of Sagara Yoshiharu-dono, who never stopped fighting to change the “fate” of the Sengoku war maidens.”

Also, an additional part.

“Go. The wish of all men before their death is to perish in the battlefield for the sake of the hime-sama they admire. But in Kyushu, men and women are equal, everyone are shura, including hime-sama. You may not have Shimazu Yoshihiro valor, but no one survive with martial skills alone. You, who survived as the queen of Kyushu, the kingdom of shura, gave up revenge to save our lord from her fate of “killing her brother”, you are sure to have some uses, for the man you love, for Oda Nobuna.

Hyakutake Tomokane desperately tried to persuade the indecisive Sourin. Thanks to his phenomenal stamina, hailed as being second to none among the Four Heavenly Kings, he managed to escape death. But his body was riddled with scars. All his limbs broken. Unable to get up from his hospital bed, even speaking proved to be strenuous. And yet he still bombarded Sourin with words of encouragement.

“Until you make a decision, being indecisive will always be your habit. But once you’re determined, you are the queen of Kyushu. You are the hero who drove back the invincible Mori Motonari and defeatedthe Ryuzoji forces.

Listen, the rooster is already crowing.”

The secret emissary from Iwaya Castlealso rushed over. Tachibana Dousetsu.

Takahashi Shigetane. Tachibana Ginchiyo. 

All suggested Tachibana clan which experienced a great defeat when rushing to Shimazu army in the “Battle of Mimigawa” march out to defend Iwakiya at Chikuzen and Tachibana Castle. Protect Hakata and Dazaifu which are located in Chikuzen from the attack of Nabeshima army. Or should say that they have already barricaded in those two castles. This is the usual trick used by “Raijin” Dousetsu, “Arbitrary decision” which is the Tachibana clan proud of.

How could this be? Both Dousetsu and Shigetane should have been heavily wounded fighting against the Shimazu, they shouldn’t have any forces left.

Among Dousetsu troops, all able-bodied men were given to Muneshige and Kuroda Kanbei and sent to Honshu. All that’s left are the wounded and elderly, unable to fight. Sourin shuddered.

“Miss! Why are you still wasting time in Shimabara! ? Please hurry to Yoshiharu-dono side at once! Nabeshima Naoshige is being reckless because he has nothing more to lose, and Akizuki is trying to take advantage of this. This bag of old bones and Shigetane will be enough! One month! We will hold out for a month! I swear to God and Hachiman!”

“Good grief. That’s quite the ramble. When Yoshihiro defeated me at Takajo, my wounds are very sever, so this time I must take my leave! That is what I want to say, but this is also my fate, the only thing to do is to accompany my old man to hell. The forces I have at Iwaya number exactly 763 men. Truly, may god be with us. If the Eastern Army in Honshu isn’t defeat soon things will get really bad, Miss.”

“Return to Tachibana Castle! In Muneshige’sabsence, if this Ginchiyo and father could protect the castle town, then the lord of the town is Ginchiyo! If Miss could join Muneshige, the Ootomo forces fighting in unfamiliar Honshu is sure to increase their morale hundred fold! Please ensure Muneshige’s safety! The roosters are crowing now!”

Dousetsu and Ginchiyo in Tachibana Castle guarding Hakata, Shigetane inIwaya Castle guardingDazaifu, neither has more than a thousand men. On the other hand, although Nabeshima Naoshige defeat at Okitanawate saw heavy casualties, the losses were mitigated by the addition of fresh Akizuki troops, resulting in an enormous army of over 10000. It’s truly impossible to imagine Dousetsu and Shigetane surviving against such odds for an entire month.

Sourin, not wanting to lose Dousetsu and other who had been supporting her, wished to personally join the battle againstNabeshima forces.

However, Shimazu Yoshihiro’s fleet was nearing Shimabara.

Plead Yoshihiro to go to Chikuzen instead? That certainly is out of question. Yoshihiro must rescue Iehisa at all costs, just like Sourin must rescue Dousetsu and company. It’s already plenty difficult for Shimazu Yoshihisa and Toshihisa and Sagara Tokuchiyoto defend Yatsushiro against Kai Chikano ferocious assaults. They may not last a month with Yoshihiro gone.

The Shimazu sisters and Tokuchiyo already made their decision to tackle Yatsushiro and Honshu both.

Raijin-sama and Fujin-sama have started barricading in their respective castles. Indecisiveness is not allowed here, queen of Kyushu—you must aim for both results. A crybaby you may be, you’re still Kyushu wisest. Which battlefield can you unleash your abilities to the fullest?”

Sourin finally made her decision.

Joining Shimazu Yoshihiro at Shimabara. 

“I left Kyushu to Dousetsu and the bunch. They must endure for a month, they must survive, that’s what we agreed on. I will go to Sagara Yoshiharu- kun and Oda Nobuna. I have been beckoned the entire time. I will be of use to them. I will prove that I am a necessity. That is how I feel. Which is why, Shimazu Yoshihiro, please take me to Honshu battlefield.”

As if a different person, the “Queen of Kyushu” regained herpiercing “wisdom” befitting of Kyushu’s overlord. Shimazu Yoshihiro firmly grasped the queen’s hand and brought her onboard.

“I agree. You are sure to change Sagara Yoshiharu-dono and Oda Nobuna- dono destinies. You harbor that kind of ‘power’—I will ensure your safety during this journey. Very well, let us set off.” 

Just like that, Shimazu Yoshihiro and Ootomo Sourin hastened to Sunomata.

Of course Shimazu Yoshiharu did not mention anything about “Iehisa destiny” to Yoshiharu, Nobuna, also Iehisa. But only Yoshiharu ‘Yoshihisa and Yoshihiro should have learned Iehisa’s destiny from Toshihisa. That’s

why they made the resolve of having a hard fight against Kai Chikano in the battle of Yatsushiro, the resolve of four of them being annihilated in their own battlefield, by sending the “martial god” Shimazu Yoshihiro and 1500 of Satsuma Hayato elite troops to here’ noticed this. As for Tachibana Dousetsu and Takahashi Shigetane also made the resolve of whole army being wiped out in barricading and sent Sourin to Honshu. 

‘If Takahashi Shigetane brought 753 troops into Iwaya Castle, then the intelligence of him starting barricade is true. Then he will face……. according to the development in the “history facts”, Shigetane and his retainers totaled 763 people, all would be wiped out in Iwaya Castle. Shigetane-san must have acknowledged his own “destiny”, and yet he still sent Sourin to Honshu…….’

How could he express his gratitude? Yoshiharu did not know.

“Sourin, Yoshihiro, everyone of Kyushu, I’m truly grateful… As what you all have saw, the reinforcement for Gifu Castle did not made in time. The Tokugawa army is still guarding the west coast of Nagara River. The Takeda army who had taken Gifu Castle will make its move in order to have the last fight with the Oda army. We must leave Sunomata as soon as possible.

Should we go to Gifu Castle or Sekigahara ---- please let me be alone with Nobuna for awhile, just four and a half quarters are enough.

Nobuna and Yoshiharu used the time they can be alone before the military discussion, and looked at the rapid flowing Nagara River after a rain. They looked at the east coast of Nagara River, where the camp of the Tokugawa army is. And also the banner of “Away from the corrupted land and yearn for the holy land”.

There is already nothing like the truce in Christmas Day between the Eastern Army and the Western Army.

With the speed of Yoshiharu doubted his ability of hearing, the Takeda army had already captured Gifu Castle and very close to the last battle against the Oda army. Even though the reason is unknown, but the prudent Takeda Shingen does being hasty in her march to Kyoto. The Tokugawa army who had in a long-term alliance with Oda Nobuna but separated now, will be expected to listen to Shingen’s command. Once the reinforcement from Takeda army arrived, Tokugawa army will be sure to cross the Nagara River once more. All just to fight against Oda Nobuna. And then this battle, will be the final battle that ends the Sengoku Era.

“.……. Yoshiharu. The world of a Sengoku Kingdom, is a hell with unlimited battles and strategies. The people that struggles in this cruel, messed up world, have no choice other than seeking refuge from Honnya Temple and Christianity. Born in Matsudaira clan where the clan is being sandwiched by Oda clan and Imagawa clan, with her grandfather and father being assassinated by retainers, and herself was abducted in the way of being sent to Sunpu as a hostage and being sold to Oda clan……. to Takechiyo who has been facing these extremely tragic things, this world surely is a corrupted land. Even if the current Takechiyo is a political decoy, “separate with Oda clan and independent again” is a will shared by the retainers of Tokugawa clan.”

“But the bonds between Oda clan and Tokugawa did not severed completely. These two clans are partners that have been fighting together since Okehazama. There is still chances for us to form an alliance. Look, Nobuna.”

The direction where Yoshiharu is pointing ---- the surface of Nagara River.

Like what Ootomo Sourin did by putting pumpkin lantern on the river to be a memorial for the death of Tsuda Nobusumi.

At the east coast of the river, where the camp of Tokugawa is, countless of “lanterns” are flowing out from there.

“.……. Lantern flow,ne………. the soldiers from Tokugawa are mourning for Kanjuuro. 

“This reminds me of the Bon Festival, Nobuna.”

“Just like the paper boats in Tenno Matsuri. Sorry, Yoshiharu. I ignored your coercion at that time.

“I understand. Even I was in a lost when I saw the headscarf of Goemon. However, Yoshiharu and Sourin who are supposed to impossible to come here, saved you and me. Now we are alive once again. We have to cherish the life we have now.

“.……. . Sourin is a stubborn lady. Even though she looked weak, but her will is stronger than anyone. Since she won in the battle of sadness of losing few brothers, ne. No matter Gaspard-sama, or the missionary Jasper that entered Kyoto recently, also believe their mission is to match Ootomo Sourin and I as “friends”.If she was not here, I might collapse from the death of Kanjuuro. Even though Yoshiharu always protected me. Even though Yoshiharu himself also drowning in sadness from the death of Goemon. I am sorry…….”

“You did not experienced the death of Nobusumi before. So this is something inevitable. I don’t want you to become the sixth heavenly demon king. That’s why, I will give my all in protecting. Until that time has come, I have never thought of it. Or maybe I don’t want to think of it.

“Yoshiharu, you’re not at fault. I’m the one to blame for forbidding you to tell me my future. Even though there was no way you would treat me like a puppet, even though such things would become clear soon enough. That order should have been called off a long time ago.”

“That’s not it. I refrained from telling you too much about the future not only because I didn’t want to overburden you. I was also afraid. I didn’t have enough courage to see your ‘fate’ to the end—we should shoulder this ‘fate’ and overcome it together.”

“Is, is that right—Yoshiharu, then say it. My, Oda Nobuna, ‘fate’.Let’s shoulder it together. Then, overcome it together.”

The two decided.

As Yoshiharu embraced Nobuna tightly, he confessed what had been hidden for so long—Nobuna’s “fate”.

“Nobuna, death is closing in on you. You couldn’t accomplish TenkaFubu. Before that, your efforts will be quelled. Uncle Toukichirou, who died in battle saving me, was supposed to be the one to serve you and carry on your will after your fall midway. That is the ‘future’ of you can this country that I know. Or, should I say, the ‘past’.”

“So it is like that after all. Which is why you, Yoshiharu, all this time, to protect me.”

“While I believe, with my knowledge of the future, I can stay a step ahead of fate, eventually Ifelt that I can’t do anything with my power alone. That is why I explained the future to Takenaka Hanbei,Kuroda Kanbei, and Goemon.

However, the other man who knows the future—Hosokawa Fujitaka, wishes to use the power of‘field’ to bury you at Sekigahara. And things are developing according to his plans.”

“Power of ‘field’ ?”

“In the history that I know, after Uncle Toukichirou died, the world plunged into chaos once again. The well-known ones of Sengoku era divided up into the Eastern and Western Armies, and thus began the greatest battle of Japanese history, the Battle of Sekigahara. In that battle, a certain general in a certain ‘occasion’, ‘betrayed’ the Western Army. This betrayal happened at the most crucial moment resulted in Eastern Army’s victory. Fujitaka inducted various forces in order to let the fate of your death overlap with the fate of betrayal in ‘the Battle of Sekigahara’.Half of the reason might be the work of the ‘history constraint’.However, at least the ‘prophecy’ that made Honda Masanobu to waver must be the work of Fujitaka. Masanobu, who knew everything, listened to Fujitaka strategy in order to change the future of Tokugawa clan back to the original one which has been affected due to my big interference with the history.

“An ‘occasion’ which will trigger the fate of betrayal! ? Does the ‘land’ has that kind of power?”

“It does. That’s why Fujitaka did so many things for the battle of the Oda clan and anti-Oda alliance to take place at Sekigahara. The moment you decided to build Azuchi Castle, I should have predicted Sekigahara would be the final battlefield for the competition of the world. Kobayakawa-san also, for the sake of that, Fujitaka barricaded himself at Tango along with Ashikaga Yoshiteru and Mori clan in order to postpone the strategy you and Kobayakawa-san devised for the battle of Sekigahara, wavered Honda Masanobu to make Tokugawa clan turn to Eastern Army, allowing Eastern Army to capture Kiyosu Castle and Gifu Castle.

“But, he is at Tango, for him to be controlling others’ movement should not be an easy feat.”

“He is a man more well-versed in the future than I am, having read the book of prophecy ‘Kokondenju’ which is not supposed to be read by anyone.

What’s more, Fujitaka is trying to reuse the ‘History constraint’ which can’t be seen to rectify the history I have changed. Although Kanbei does not acknowledge the existence of such force, but we could no longer deny it. 

Jasper told me, that one of them, the power of ‘field’—— the general that placed array on ‘Matsuoyama’ at Sekigahara, will be affected by the immense power of the ‘field’.That person will be attracted by the ‘fate’ of ‘betray’.”

“Wait, Yoshiharu. You said ‘Matsuoyama’! ? Juubei should already arrived at Sekigahara and she should be arranging troops at Matsuoyama!”

“…… Nobuna…… about that…”

“It can’t be… Yoshiharu… you mean, the one who will kill me… the one to fulfill my ‘fate’ is…”

Yoshiharu didn’t need to say anything. Just from the sorrow on his face.

Nobuna finally understood. She finally knew.

What Sagara Yoshiharu had been fighting against up to now. He’s trying to overthrow the true colors of “fate”.

“So Juubei is going to kill me. Yoshiharu, that’s the ‘future’ you know. No, for you, it should be the ‘past’…”

While he hugged Nobuna’s slender waist tightly,

Yoshiharu choked back tears. He just couldn’t say it no matter what.

“In my ‘history’,you’re killed after Juubei killed you. After killing you Juubei died soon after. Only after about two weeks, as if following you. You two are like two sides of a mirror harboring the dream of TenkaFubu. One cannot exist without the other. But, even in the future, even in my time, no one could explain how such development came to be. So there’s no way to figure out any way to prevent it. After meeting our Juubei, I was puzzled even more. Such a kind child. How could she, who admired you so much, do such a thing? At the time I could only assume that there’s some kind of mistake, that she had been wrongly condemned, and that the true culprit must be hidden in history’s shadow. And yet… now… having lived in this era, I finally

understand, what she is despairing about, why would she betray…I… am unable to love Juubei, who gave me her all, as a member of the opposite sex… No, it’s because my love is beyond hope. To ensure she doesn’t steal my heart, she desperately repressed herself. Because I already met you!”

Had all my efforts been for naught? Is everything set in place once they’re recorded in “history”? Am I only adding burden to Juubei and Nobuna? Such thoughts became bottled up in Yoshiharu’s chest. At the same time, his heart was also being bashed by the indescribable sorrow, causedby the loss of Nobusumi and Goemon.

The sorrow which had been kept back earlier by his intense desire to save Nobuna…

Maybe I failed. Maybe I’ll start thinking something stupid, like wanting to start over. Since I already changed history, and lost Goemon who I thought would be my partner. Maybe I will fail at Sekigahara and give up “I’ll have it all” and turn into Jasper. Or I’ll take away the dream of “love” from Nobuna and treat her as a machine for ruling Japan. Had Jasper not discover Sourin is Nobuna “close friend”, Nobuna would have already crossed the Nagara and fallen to the enemy. To save Nobuna, Jasper is a necessary existence. And yet… even if I give myself up to reincarnate into Jasper, even if I do that, I don’t think I could win against Hosokawa Fujitaka. Japser ‘divination’ is useless against Fujitaka. Then I, for several times, let Nobuna… let Nobuna, let her reborn just to realize TenkaFubu, and then, for several times, let her die…!

Is there absolutely no way to have Nobuna and Juubei both? Nobusumi.

You married Asai and even had three daughters withher. Despite that,you still passed on. There must be so much you regret about.

And, Goemon. Even you died.

If you hadn’t aimed to “achieve both”, you might have lived.

Yoshiharu can’t say any of that. He started crying.

He felt sorrow and regret he never experienced before, not even when he first arrived in this world. At the same time, he was afraid if he would be fated to forever repeat these same “failures”.Having gone through this long journey, things were no longer at a place where all could be resolved by his individual death. The burden accumulated are crushing Yoshiharu heart, who had been grow into a general of Warring Kingdom with glorious merits and battle experiences that he proud of, the person who was seen as the hero by the people of Japan.

Yoshiharu, it’s now my turn to save your heart. Nobuna tightly embraced Yoshiharu and pressed her lips gently against his.

“…… Nobuna… sorry… I, my mind is muddled… at a time like this…”

“Hmm… Yoshiharu. Thank you. All this time, you worked so hard, for us… you even crossed the boundary of time, refused to return to your home, in order to change the ‘fate’ of us all, in order to protect us. You are a gift from the heavens—a hero of Sengoku Japan. You love me more deeply than I ever imagined. From my fate of killing Kanjuro myself, from my fate of watching Dousan getting killed, from the fate of Mount Hiei, and from all the torment and sorrow still waiting for me, you’re always protecting me… Because you always joked around in front of me, maybe I discovered all this too late. Really, I’m really sorry.”

In order to nurse and heal Yoshiharu’s almost-broken heart, Nobuna continued to whisper gently at his ear.

“So far, it’s always me who kept receiving love from you. But now things are different. Just like how you always protected me, I’ll also protect you. Until death do us part. So let’s go, to Sekigahara.”

“…… Nobuna…”

“I don’t believe all your efforts till now will conclude in failure. I also don’t believe in the power of ‘field’, much less ‘Kokondenju’ s prophecy. Juubei will not betray me. Juubei will not do anything that’ll make you sad. That child is strong. Among everyone in Sengoku Japan, only Juubei and I have the aspiration for TenkaFubu and realize it. Even now, my trust in her have not been shaken. I want to win against ‘fate’ together with her. For us, you toiled so much—Yoshiharu, go to Sekigahara. Yoshiharu, for me you’ve shed blood and tears, and yet you kept on smiling. You will receive the fruit of your efforts, your desire will be awarded.”

“… But now, it turns out I’m the cause.”

“That’s not true at all. Had you not appeared, Juubei and I will come into conflict at some point, and in the end, it’ll become a full-on war, and perhaps it’ll result in that ‘fate’.But you are here, Yoshiharu. Have you ever, even once, hated Juubei? Have you eversaw Juubei as my killer and treated her with contempt?”

“…… No, I have not…There was this one time at Kiyomize-dera, when my heart wavered and I thought to let her retire from history’s stage. But something so superficial… something so shameful, only flashed across my mind for an instance. I… want to protect that child smile. And for that I vowed to change her ‘fate’ too, together with yours.”

“Is that right? Then there’s nothing else we can do. Let’s go, to Sekigahara!”

Nobuna expressionate this moment, Yoshiharu will never forget it for the rest of his life.

Be it rage, sorrow, hope, dream, despair, hate. Her gaze, intense as if to cleanse everything, was like the sun. just like when I first met her. I’ve always been drawn to those eyes. But that harshness, which incinerated all it touches without mercy, is no longer there in the ‘flames’ of the current Nobuna.

“Yoshiharu, you taught me to love, and how to love, others. Me, who stupidly, desperately tried to close off my heart. Even though you’re clumsy, dense, and too casual. You never gave up. You changed me already. Which is why, my ‘fate’ will be changed again. I don’t need someone else. As long as you’re here, it will change.”

Ah.

That’s right.

I came to this world in order to meet her, to be part of her life. What am I hesitating for?

I don’t have a “reincarnated life”. 

For Sagara Yoshiharu, this is his first life, and his last.

The sound of the conch horn shattered the dark night. The order to “set off to Sekigahara” had been issued. Yoshiharu and Nobuna decided not to return to Ogaki and let the Oda army go directly through Tousando and join Akechi Mitsuhide at Sekigahara. There, the decisive battle against the Eastern Army will take place.

“My goodness! Why is Yoshiharu-nii and Oda Nobuna leading the way with the Shimazu army at the rear? You’re mixing up common tactical sense. On a night march to Sekigahara, it’d be really dangerous if the general came under ambush!”

Oda Nobuna and Sagara Yoshiharu stood at the head of the army, the main Oda forces led by Takigawa Kazumasu and Sagara Yoshihi consisted of the middle. At the rear were Ootomo Sourin and Shimazu army.

Perhaps a premonition resulting from this “configuration”.

Shimazu Iehisa rode over in a hurry, herb raids fluttering against the wind.

“Eh? Where did Shikanosuke go?”tilting her head in confusion, she approached Yoshiharu side and swiftly hopped off her horse,lightly landing in Yoshiharu arms.

“Hey that’s dangerous! I’m wearing armor, do not ask for a princess carry! My back!”

“It’s all because you made some inexplicable moves. In this darkness, there is no guarantee we’ll reach Sekigahara safely. We may get ambushed, or randomly encounter the enemy. Which is why the Shimazu army should lead the way! Oda Nobuna and Yoshiharu-nii should stay at the rear just to be safe!” 

“Iehisa, no. I already discussed with Nobuna, Yoshihiro also agreed. It should be this way.”

“What? But Yoshiharu-nii, what exactly are your intentions?”

“Let’s see, I don’t want the other three Shimazu sisters to hate me forever. If something bad were to occur, then you and Yoshihiro should run with your men. Use sutegamari (TL note: a tactic used by Shimazu army by abandoning some troops as bait to lure enemy deep into their formation) to get away from the battle. Your army is too big to retreat if placed in the middle or front.”

Iehisa pouted in protest.

“In, in, in order to protect me, you came up with this strange arrangement! ? This makes me mad!”

Yoshiharu noticed. In the history he knew, Shimazu Iehisa fell pretty early after the start of Battle of Mimigawa. That fate should have been subverted. But Shimazu Toyohisa, in order to allow Yoshihiro escape Sekigahara, initiated sutegamari(TL note: mentioned above) and charged into enemy formations to create a diversion. That fate was still looming in the “future” …

Hosokawa Fujitaka strategy had been mentioned prior. Under such circumstances, just like how AkechiMitsuhide is drawn to Matsuoyama by her “fate”, Shimazu Iehisa, who should become mother of Shimazu Toyohisa, will die carrying out sutegamari.

Yoshihiro shouldn’t be in Honshu in order to fight with Kai Chikano at Kyushu, Yoshiharu had thought. That proved to be false with Yoshihiro arrival. 

Therefore ---- it does not relate with the strategy of Hosokawa Fujitaka who has no time and not necessary to interfere the ‘destiny’ of the Shimazu sisters ---- In the Shimazu sisters, the ‘destiny’ of the youngest one Iehisa will die first and the ‘destiny’ of Toyohisa who should be born by Iehisa will overlap each other in ‘the battle of Sekigahara’.

Yoshiharu noticed it.

Which was why, he has to take the pre-emptive strike.

Nobuna as well as Yoshiharu believed that Mitsuhide would not betray them. They were fully prepared for their deaths should fate prove unchangeable.

However, they must not involve Iehisa in this. When the incident of ‘Toki Kamquat’ who is placing array at Matsuoyama betrayed to Eastern Army

causing Western Army to rout, the person who should run after Shimazu clan executed ‘sutegamari’ , Iehisa who shouldered the fate of death.”From Toshihisa I heard about that child… Iehisa’s ‘fate’.To change that ‘fate’, to save Iehisa, I won’t hesitate to lay down my life along with the lives of my 1500 men.” For the second time, Yoshihiro told Yoshiharu.

Yoshiharu began to ponder deeply.

The possibility of a Western Army… of an Oda defeat must be looked at from two points.

The possibility of losing after establishing themselves at Sekigahara. And the possibility of losing from‘betrayal’ when they enter Sekigahara.

In response to the former, once they reach Sekigahara they must place the Shimazu army at the rear as the “reserve force”.This way, even in case of the defeat, Iehisa would be able to escape. 

But in response to the latter, when marching along the streets towards Sekigahara, Iehisa must be placed at the back. When they reach Sekigahara, the generals leading at the front—Nobuna and Yoshiharu—will become targets for the enemy.

Yoshiharu trust Mitsuhide. But the innocent Iehisa must not be involved in this gamble. After all, this was a battlefield of Sengoku Japan. Trust and optimism are different things. There was no room for simple optimism.

Should Iehisa fall in battle, how much pain and sorrow will Yoshihiro and the other sisters endure? The current Nobuna could relate completely.

Therefore, Nobuna entrusted the task to Yoshiharu. “I leave the matter of Iehisa escape to you.”

It felt as though long ago, when he and Iehisa were at a tea ceremony in Kyoto, visiting the location of Genji Monogatari. There seemed to be such an agreement… Yoshiharu stared at Iehisa’s petit but dignified face. I mustn’t let Iehisa die before she could experience her dream of falling in love. He felt his heart aching, and took a deep breath.

“Yo-Yoshiharu-nii, why are you fixated at my face? Don’t think you can silence your way out of this!”

Sekigahara will come into view soon. When they arrive, the “answer” will appear. The “fate” of me, Nobuna, and Juubei will soon be decided. Or, tonight will be the last night of my life. Tonight might be the night I bid farewell to Iehisa. Suddenly, it appeared as though time came to a halt. He couldclearly perceive all the stars in the night sky. Be it moon or stars, their light could not overpower the darkness. Everything was so beautiful. Is the world really this beautiful? Iehisa is still in his arms. Yoshiharu remembered he kissed with Kenshin twice to save her from death. At that time, Yoshiharu did not do it out of lust, nor was he calculating gains and losses. Even the vow he said to himself, that he would only ever love Nobuna, did not appear in his mind. He merely did not want Kenshin heroic years to end so early. He thought Kenshin was too beautiful. For those reasons, he felt it wouldn’t be wrong for him to give everything.

I’m the man who inherited Uncle Toukichirou’s will. Although I never said to “aim to be a harem king”, in reality I’m the type of guy who can only love one girl. And because of that, I always concerned of my single-minded love for Nobuna. Especially, the strong feeling of avoiding to fall in love with Juubei- chan who is meant to be the opposite of Nobuna unconsciously. However… when I think about how my life will soon come to its end, everything is lovable. I finally understand now, mere romance between man and woman is not love. Whether it’s this warring world, or the war maidens living gallantly while shouldering their sorrow, or the men scattering on the battlefields fighting for the girl they love. They are all so lovable. However long the remainder of my life is, if I could, to Juubei, even once, love her like how I did to Iehisa now, and, give her that love…. .

I am only receiving her love, I have never thought about reciprocating. I’m always worried it’ll betray Nobuna. Sure enough, somewhere deep in my heart,I branded her as the “future traitor”.Or, I’m afraid myself will become the traitor. Despite explaining to Ootomo Sourin what is romance, what is love, what if I’m the one who truly don’t understand. Come on now.

“…… Yoshiharu-nii? What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to cry.”

“Iehisa, live. You must live. This is a reward paid in advance, no refunds. So, be a good girl and go to the back, okay?”

Yoshiharu gently kissed Iehisa. 

Ah, I’ll lose my head if Oda Nobuna finds out. Iehisa grinned, but immediately became serious.

“Okay, that’s an agreement. Then, Yoshiharu-nii, undo my braids.”

There was no way Sagara Yoshiharu would betray Oda Nobuna. He also had no reason to cheat. That kiss wasn’t a game—Iehisa’s first love has been granted, realized.

The clever Iehisa could sense either Yoshiharu or herself will die in Sekigahara, maybe both of them will. That kiss was a kiss of farewell. Yoshiharu will soon depart from this world. So she gave him her love without hesitation.

Oda Nobuna.

And Sagara Yoshiharu.

They finally arrived at Sekigahara, where their destinies await them.