Chapter 8
Battle begins
The long night went by quickly.
Sagara Yoshiharu opened his eyes, had his spirit fully awakened to face the 'the day of fate’.
The mist surrounding Sekigahara remains.
It was pure white. When looked down to the land of Sekigahara from the hill from south of Tenmanyama, it was like a sky world with pure white.
No matter the movement of the army from the enemies or allies, they couldn't be seen from here. Scouting for the enemy at this position was also a hard feat. The infamous annihilation battle in Japan history, 'the battle of Kawanakajima' was caused by a battlefield surrounded by mist just like now.
Yoshiharu did not feel terrified nor confused.
As what Honda Masanobu had said, Yoshiharu regained his composure after he awoke. A decisive battle with a total of 150,000 troops from both sides.
The troops led by Yoshiharu was hopelessly little. It was an amazing thing for him to have composure knowing he might face the danger of his army collapsing after the battle started.
He had done whatever he could. Although he never thought of 'tried the best and leave it to the god’.But whether the path he had chosen was the correct one or not, today he would know the 'answer’.That was the only thing he thought of.
The 'Sagara Sister Corp' led by Nene.
"Toranosuke and Ichimatsu suggested we should act as the 'head' of the vanguard when going through the mist!”
Nene reported.
"Give your command brother! The Eastern Army marching to here are Tokugawa and Toudou troops! Although strength speaks the truth in this Sengoku Era, those people forgot the favor received from Oda clan and brother. . . . . . . . they absolutely cannot be forgiven! It's time to swing the 'Japanese horn'!”
"Until tactician-sama arrives, we must hold on this weak formation. Tora and Ichimatsu will make use of the mist and launch a surprise attack against the vanguard of the Tokugawa and Toudou troops to buy some time. We must protect brother at all cost.”
"Please give the consent from us to be the head of the vanguard! Brother!”
"Because brother had never deployed Sister Corp into the battle in Honshu, therefore Tokugawa hasn't known the bravery of Tora and Ichimatsu. If we make the preemptive strike, then we can make up the disadvantage in number and suppress the opponent. Tora felt that I was born to fight for brother. It's time to give your all in this battle, Tora felt someone whispered in my heart----"
You girls, in 'history' you girls had an argument with Sakichi and sided with the Eastern Army. And then ended in a tragic life being suspected and watched over by Tokugawa clan. After found out you girls had been deceived by Tokugawa and betrayed Toyotomi, you girls lived a life full of regrets. . . . . . Yoshiharu felt like crying.
I understand. Go. Go and change your 'fate’.Yoshiharu was going to voice it out. However, he felt worried.
"Wait. Sakichi and Norinosuke? Is it fine to give the honor of being the head of the vanguard to Toranosuke and Ichimatsu? Won't the Oumi sisters and Owari sisters had the argument again? If a regret appears because of this then it's meaningless"
However, that worry was unnecessary.
“.. . . . . . Uhuh. . . . . . . . brother. . . . . . . although Sakichi wanted the head position, but my stomach is in great pain~"
"Kichi-chan seems to have food poisoning due to the persimmons. Ahuh Ahuh. But I believe she will recover after one moment! Norinosuke will take care of her.”
Sakichi's stomachache seemed to going on. Norinosuke would stay by her side and take care of her.
“.. . . . . . . Ah, brother, I am very sorry. At this crucial moment. . . . . . and yet I, Sakichi. . . . . . . . uhuh. . . . . . .”
Yoshiharu petted the head of Sakichi who was flowing with tears of regret and smiled.
"It's okay. This is fine. Your stomachache habit has changed the fate of the 'Sagara Sister Corp'! Norinosuke will be in charge of taking care of you until your stomachache is gone. Ichimatsu! Toranosuke! Go! Go for the surprise attack! Protect me and the Sagara Corp until Kanbei arrives!”
"Ah leh leh? Brother, you seem to be different from usual? You didn't say 'danger' and stop us?”
"Is it really alright brother. If you commanded us to 'fight', I, Toranosuke will throw her life away and fight oh!”
"Don't worry. Perhaps, if Kanbei cannot arrive in time, you two will die in battle. However, if we choose not to fight, Ichimatsu and Toranosuke will have regrets. This battle of Sekigahara----is the 'fate' that you two must go through.”
"Ohohoh! Although I don't understand! But I am motivated now! I hate this, this doesn't seem like brother's style who always spoils the maiden generals!”
"Ahah. You two are not normal maiden generals. You are my 'sisters'.”
"Is that so. Brother knows the 'fate' and 'future' of the Sister Corp.” Toranosuke nodded.
"Yeah. This might be the last time we see each other. I will be honest now. In the original 'history', only Nene can live a good life among the sisters in the Sagara Sister Corp. You four all ended in a life full of regrets. Sakichi and Norinosuke. Ichimatsu and Toranosuke. The Oumi faction and Owari faction broke up and fight each other. Ultimately, the main families that both factions fight for were destroyed.”
"Needless to say! It must be the fault of Sakichi!” Ichimatsu joked, Toranosuke "If us sisters fought and broke up, then the main family, Sagara clan will follow by and be destroyed. I, Tora will never choose that stupid 'fate' path. I must win this battle and protect brother, I will overturn the 'fate'!” and took her spear stood up.
Kato Toranosuke mounted her giant horse, 'Taisha Kukurige' and said goodbye to Yoshiharu "I am going now!”, Fukushima Ichimatsu also "Sister, wait for Ichimatsu!” and followed up.
"Is it good to tell them?” Yoshihi worried, but Yoshiharu,
"Don't worry. The chance to win against 'fate', Sagara Sister Corp had already got it. The people that know their 'fates' are only me and Hosokawa Fujitaka. Since Fujitaka did not come to Sekigahara, I am the only one that knows their fate in this battlefield. Instead of remaining silent and let the Sister Corp fight without knowing anything, why not just----"
Yoshiharu nodded and then delivered Sakichi and Norinosuke's 'fate' to that person involved.
"Sakichi and Norinosuke defeated and died in the 'battle of Sekigahara’.That is the original 'history' I know. However, we can overturn it. We must be able to overturn it. Because Ichimatsu and Toranosuke will fight along with you two too. So it will be fine, you girls.”
"Brother worry too much. No matter we can overturn it or not. As long as brother is still alive, Sakichi will never fight with them or what.” Ishida Sakichi finally regained her smile.
"That's why brother stopped Norinosuke from going to 'middle mountain’.If what you said is true, then Yamanaka Shikanosuke-san who is in charge of acting as the 'barrier' against Matsuoyama will be. . . . . . .”
"Ah ah. That's correct, Norinosuke. If Kobayakawa and Ukita troops descended from Matsuoyama and launched an attack, Shikanosuke would be in danger. The same goes for Konishi Yukinaga.”
"Uhuh. Brother. If this goes on, then my 'fate' will be carried by Shikanosuke- san. That's why, I, Norinosuke must go and help! After Kichi-chan recovered, we will go to the middle mountain as reinforcement!
"It's very dangerous there. Norinosuke, Sakichi.”
"Mori clan has the well-known 'three arrows' anecdote right, brother? Sakichi and Norinosuke will be the arrows that support Yamanaka Shikanosuke-san. No matter fight with Tokugawa or Mori, it's the same that we are betting our lives with it. Brother is too bias for allowing Ichimatsu and Toranosuke to fight but not we two. This might be the reason Sister Corp breaks up?”
“.. . . . . . That's true. I understand, Sakichi. The despair mission of hindering the troops from Matsuoyama will be given to you. I am certain Kanbei will arrive on time.
Due to the mist, Yoshiharu couldn't know where the Ootomo troops were now.
Did they use too much time in the siege against Osaka Castle? Can they arrive on time?
Yoshihi squinted her eyes and pointed her finger at the sky. "Yoshiharu. The direction of the wind changed. The mist is dispersing.”
At the time Fukushima Ichimatsu and Kato Toranosuke descended from south of Tenmanyama heading to Tokugawa and Toudou troops.
The Eastern Army too, made use of the mist and marched forward in order to launch a surprise attack.
The Takeda army, led by the four Takeda generals and Sanada 'brother's, used its strongest cavalry unit they were proud of to continuously attack Sasaoyama where the camp of Oda Nobuna was.
As for Akechi Mitsuhide who was at the north of Tenmanyama, Ii Naotora was granted the 'Akazonae' army. Akechi Mitsuhide was located at a position where she could send reinforcement to both Sasaoyama and the south of Tenmanyama. To hinder the movement of the Akechi army, Ii Naotora was promoted as the 'feint division’.Behind this division were the main units of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Tsuzuraike and the main units of Takeda Shingen at Momohaiyama.
The main force of the Eastern Army deployed the three squads formation as if to snipe the north of Tenmanyama. Mitsuhide should be unable to take any action now.
Against the generals of the Western Army that blocked the path of retreat at eastern mountain circuit, Ankokuji Ekei and Kikkawa Motoharu at Nanguyama kept watching on them in case of facing a 'pincer attack' tactic from the Western Army.
Then, the faction against the Sagara army which was the weakest 'gap' at the south of Tenmanyama among the three armies of the Western Army were the veteran soldiers from Tokugawa.
The strongest maiden general of the Tokugawa army, Honda Tadakatsu
Sakai Tadatsugu. A veteran general that carried out the middle assault operation which was certain to be 'dead' in the 'battle of Shitarahara’.
And lastly, Toudou Takatora, a famous general who 'submitted' to Shingen from Gifu Castle.
The insufficient Sagara troops had to split some of its troops to defend against Matsuoyama. Therefore the Tokugawa and Toudou troops would be able to enter deep into enemy camp one-shot if they launched a surprise in the mist.
They just had to wait for the Kobayakawa and Ukita troops from Matsuoyama to attack the south of Tenmanyama and the Sagara army would be wiped out before Kanbei arrived.
That was not correct, even if the Kobayakawa and Ukita troops remained static, the Sagara army couldn't hold any longer. The essential generals that were supporting the Sagara army ---- Takenaka Hanbei, Kuroda Kanbei,
Himemichishuu, Kawanamishuu, Goemon Hachisuka, all of them was not with Yoshiharu now. Not only troops number but also commander ---- Yoshiharu had severely insufficient 'cards' in his hand now.
"The front view is completely hindered by the mist. I heard that the battle of Kawanakajima also happened in a mist. If the Sagara army launched a surprise attack at the same time, then the main forces from both sides are forced to have an intense battle.”
With the experience gained from the battlefield through the successively changing of the clans he swore allegiance to, Toudou Takatora who was marching with Honda Tadakatsu in secret "An experienced brave warrior such as Sagara Yoshiharu-dono will never miss the chance of making use of the mist. It's exactly because they have a disadvantage in number that they have to make a preemptive strike through an ambush", predicted. The problem was, did the Sagara army also hiding a 'trump card’.If Sagara Yoshiharu was hiding a 'trump card', then he should have used it now without hesitation. If he didn't have one then he couldn't fight us. If he couldn't fight us, Sagara army would collapsed in a short time.
Toudou Takatora felt uneasy. Sagara Yoshiharu was a person that learned the 'future’.That was why he had an overwhelming advantage in a battlefield surrounded with mist. No. It was impossible that he didn't have a 'trump card', Takatora realized.
"If both of us 'bet' on the first ambush, then it won't take a long time.” At the same time.
The boyish maiden general who was mounting Taisha Kukuri, along with a petite maiden general who was wielding an iron spear, rushed out from the mist.
"We discovered Toudou Takatora-dono! I am one of the Sagara Sister Corp! Kato Toranosuke Kiyomasa!”
"Sisterrrrrr, wait for me! Fukushima Ichimatsu here! Headddd of the formation! It'ssss time to swing the 'Japanese horn'! Takato, tora, how dare you to betray commander in chief Tsuda! You deserve deathhhh!”
Toudou Takatora was going to learn how strong these two persons are. Although they wereyoung and inexperienced in battle. However, the two of them have a peculiar 'aura’.
Oh no! This kind of warrior, Sagara Yoshiharu always hiding them as a 'trump card'!
Takatora was very composed in his command. He ignored his opponents' challenge for a duel, "All troops advance! Rifle unit shoot!” and commanded. Takatora knew that they couldn't hit them in the mist. However, this was a signal for a 'battle' between the Eastern and Western Army. It didn't matter that the soldiers couldn't see the signal in the mist because they could listen to the sound of rifle firing.
The moment Toudou Takatora commanded fire in Sekigahara that was surrounded by the mist, the decisive battle that decided the winner of this Sengoku and the fate of Japan ---- 'battle of Sekigahara', began.
At the north of Tenmanyama, Akechi Mitsuhide heard the sound of rifle firing "That Kanbei couldn't arrive on time! I must reinforcement Sagara-senpai now!” and wanted to deploy troops to the south of Tenmanyama. However, the Akazonae unit led by Ii Naotora was attacking them. The mist was dispersing. The main camp of Tokugawa was at Tsuzuraike which was behind the army led by Ii Naotora. Moreover, further behind was Momohaiyama, where the actual commander in chief of the Eastern Army, Takeda Shingen's camp was.
The two commanders of the Eastern Army, Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu were having their eyes on the north of Tenmanyama. If Mitsuhide chose to reinforcement the Sagara army, these two people would definitely lead their army and rushed to the north of Tenmanyama. Therefore Mitsuhide was being held in here.
At Sasaoyama, the army led by Oda Nobuna built 'trenches' to wait for the Takeda cavalry unit. She couldn't split her army now. At the front of Sasaoyama, the 'legendary' Takeda cavalry unit in Japan Sengoku Era had formed a horizontal line and wait for the assault.
"Use the main forces of Takeda and Tokugawa army to pressure Akechi Mitsuhide and hold her still in the north of Tenmanyama. Use full force to break through the weak Sagara army the moment the battle begins.”
This was the 'best tactic' that Takeda Shingen chose after a long hesitation. If this best tactic ended up in failure, then they would act according to the tactic suggested by the four Takeda generals, that was to let the Takeda cavalry unit assault Sasaoyama.
Toudou Takatora who was the one decides the success or failure of this tactic, had finally fended off the danger from the Sagara ambush unit. Kato Toranosuke and Fukushima Ichimatsu showed their peculiar strength.
Toudou army was being overwhelmed. They had to retreat all the way. Even so, the army did not collapse.
"That is all. You two are just strong but still not know to grasp the pace in a battle.”
Takatora was not intended to earn a 'great achievement' by raiding the Sagara camps right from the beginning. He played the role of a 'chess piece' and wait for the suitable timing. When the time had come he would ask Honda Tadakatsu to deploy her troops. Needless to say that Honda Tadakatsu had known this. Takatora's mission. And the mission she must do by herself.
"Yoshiharu. The mist is gone. . . . . . the army of Matsuoyama did not take any action. However.”
"Looks bad. Ichimatsu and Toranosuke's unit are chasing Toudou army and getting further from the camp!”
"At first impression, it looks like they overwhelmed their opponent and scored a victory. However, half of it was due to Toudou Takatora's strategy! Sagara Yoshihi's face went pale and held Yoshiharu's hand tightly.
"Toudou Takatora. Although I never heard of this name in Kyushu before. For Sagara army to face against a general wise in using tactics. Yoshiharu, let them retreat! Blow the horn and ask the vanguard to fall back to the south of Tenmanyama.”
"We won't make it in time!” Honda Tadakatsu is here.
Yoshihi and Yoshiharu said that sentence at the same time. The strongest maiden general in the Tokugawa army.
Ichimatsu and Toranosuke acted as the vanguard to fight at the front against Tokugawa and Toudou army. Yamanaka Shikanosuke and Konishi Yukinaga were deployed at the middle mountain to defend against Matsuoyama. And then Sakichi and Norinosuke were deployed as the backup. At this moment, the main camp in the south of Tenmanyama was literally empty. The troops that were originally insufficient went through further splitting. The disadvantage of troop number in the camp was exposed thoroughly.
Toudou Takatora was actually acting as the bait in order to open a 'tunnel' for Honda Tadakatsu to attack the Sagara main camp.
Here she comes.
The strongest general in Tokugawa who stayed at the rear in the 'battle of Mikatagahara' when Tokugawa Ieyasu was defeated utterly by the Takeda cavalry unit and survived without any scars. A peculiar general that can cut off her enemy's head by swinging her spikeless 'Tonbogiri’.If Honda Tadakatsu was not in the 'battle of Mikatagahara', Tokugawa Ieyasu had probably been slain in that battle. Honda Tadakatsu was granted the name 'The unrivaled in the Eastern Faction' when Tokugawa Ieyasu swore allegiance to Takeda Shingen.
Even if Yoshihi did not know the details of all those things happened, she could still feel it with her skin, the terrifying pressure and morale from the squad led by Honda Tadakatsu. Honda Tadakatsu was intended to rush into Sagara main camp and stab Sagara Yoshiharu. She had no intention to survive to return. Such a solemn resolution. This was supposed to be Takeda's fight. Tokugawa was just a faction surrendered to Takeda. What was the thing that drived her to this extent?
Honda Tadakatsu aimed for Sagara Yoshiharu's head with solemn in her heart and keep pushing forward.
"If Oda clan victors in this battle, Ojou-sama will be buried in the darkness of the 'history’.Even if Honda Masanobu wanted Ojou-sama to be at the stage instead of staying at the back by betraying the Oda clan, the moment we were defeated in this battle, Ojou-sama will never have the chance to return to the 'history’.. . . . . ! In order to get back Ojou-sama. In order to protect Ojou-sama. I must win! Sagara Yoshiharu-dono, have your resolve prepared!”
The members of Fukushima-Kato squad "It's over! !” when they realized, Honda Tadakatsu had been started a close combat fight with formidable vigor in the south of Tenmanyama. They couldn't make it in time to provide protection. The Toudou army has switched to offense and held the Fukushima-Kato squad in place.
"Yoshiharu. Is that the 'Tonbogiri'! ? What's with those techniques? The guards are being slain without even getting close to her! She's just like a Kamaitachi.”
"Nene and Hideie are still in the main camp. We will be trampled if we only defend! As the commander, I must step forward and challenge Honda Tadakatsu to a duel!”
"Yoshiharu! Don't be reckless, use your brain! Honda Tadakatsu was not someone you can win solely with determination and resolve!” Yoshihi tried to stop him. But Yoshiharu had mounted a horse already.
"Sister. If I am down, you will inherit the position as the lord of the Oumi- Sagara clan, I will leave the Sagara army to your command! I have to use myself as bait to buy some time for Kanbei's arrival! I will just keep dodging her attacks! Even if my limbs were cut off, as long as my heart is still beating then I won't die! Honda Tadakatsu's 'Tonbogiri' involves the 'air slash'
technique which can't be captured by naked eyes. A person like me who experts in dodging have the highest chance to 'survive'!
"I am being rational. This is the best tactic by using logic", Yoshiharu shouted and rushed out of the camp. Yoshiharu could already see Honda Tadakatsu who was climbing the mountain as like a demon. Yoshiharu did not know the actual 'range' of 'Tonbogiri’.He estimated the 'range' was most likely quite near. It was over. In a situation where a weapon that was different from bow and rifle without knowing the 'range', I might be cut off in the 'first meet', the strength of 'Tonbogiri' was it could slash its enemy without the need of its spike, it was a weapon that cut off its enemy right off the first meet, Yoshiharu realized.
However, at the same time.
"Don't worry, the lord of Sagara clan!”
"Lord! We are the men of the Sagara flag squad!”
"We will let the Lord knows the 'range' of the 'Tonbogiri'!”
"Attack, members that returned from hell! Let Honda Tadakatsu see the determination we showed in Kanegasaki!”
The men from the flag squad that has been following under Yoshiharu since Kanegasaki challenged Honda Tadakatsu one by one. They ignored Yoshiharu's shout for them to stop.
"If it's for the lord! If we can make clear of the 'range'!” "Run run run!”
"Good luck! And the dream of building a harem! Uhahahah!”
The expression of Honda Tadakatsu was unknown. This general who gave her everything for her loyalty against Tokugawa Ieyasu covered her face with a mask, at the same time covered her own 'feelings’.One person after another was slashed by 'Tonbogiri' when they entered the attack range.
Even his friends that survived from the retreat of Kanegasaki. The men that Yoshiharu risked his life using the 'dust concealment skill' to protect.
"You, you guys. . . . . . are really. . . . . a bunch of idiots. . . . . . !”
Uhohohohohoh! Yoshiharu shouted with anger. However, he did not lose his rationality. He did not let his 'feelings' swallow him. He opened his eyes big and watch his men who have been along with him since Kanegasaki fall down one by one while tried his best to capture the range of 'Tonbogiri’.I will not let you guys sacrifice be in vain.
“.. . . . . I got it!”
Tadakatsu ignored the men from Sagara squad and straight go for Yoshiharu in order to capture him into the 'attack range’.She does not even consider her way of retreat. Everyone in the scene was doubting their eyes. She's too fast. Her speed overwhelmed the speed of the horse Yoshiharu is mounting.
Got him!
Yoshiharu entered the attack range!
When he finally captured the 'attack range' after sacrificing many allies, he was overwhelmed in an instant by Tadakatsu's special move.
She certainly is 'the unrivaled in the Eastern Faction’.No one in Oda clan can stop her when she risked her life with it, Yoshiharu realized.
“.. . . . . You. . . . . . you bastard. . . . . . ! Damn ittttttt! Tadakatsu! I will give you this hand!”
Tadakatsu wants to get closer to Yoshiharu as possible to behead him.
Yoshiharu found her 'Tonbogiri' cannot attack consecutively. He had seen through how much time it needed to 'charge' to swing the next strike after a hit. He intended to use one of his hand as 'bait', pull away himself from Tadakatsu after she released 'Tonbogiri’.He wants to escape from the attack range. Tadakatsu would never let that happen. She must cut off his head with one strike. Tadakatsu was getting near, a point-blank range that was lethal to Yoshiharu.
It seemed Yoshiharu was done for, and yet----.
"Lord Sagara please return to the main camp! I will stop this person! Yoshiharu can't help but doubt his eyes.
He couldn't see it wrong. "Tachibana Muneshige! ?”
Tachibana Muneshige swept off the mist and rushed to Yoshiharu's side with her horse and blocked Honda Tadakatsu's attack to protect Yoshiharu.
Did they get here in time? Has Kanbei arrived at Sekigahara? The death of the flag soldiers was not in vain. . . . . . . !
"Muneshige!’Tonbogiri' has its attack range! I am clear with its charging time for every attack too! But I don't know how to tell you here!”
"Lord Sagara! Don't worry! The 'wind' will tell me! The Ootomo army led by Kanbei-dono will enter Sekigahara from the west of the eastern mountain circuit! Please meet with Kanbei-dono and reorganize the army!”
"Understood, I will be counting on you! I will leave this to you, the unrivaled of the Western Faction. Tachibana Muneshige!”
"I will not let you disappoint!”
Since the duel with Shimazu Yoshihiro from the 'battle of Mimigawa', Tachibana Muneshige had entered a special condition. What's more, she made it on time. So she was not nervous nor feeling fear.
I have to win in this battle, end this chaos era, to comfort Sourin-sama's heart. In order to do this. I will not die due to 'prophecy', I was loved and trained by two fathers for the sake of winning this battle that would change the 'fate' of Sourin-sama. Sagara Yoshiharu-dono. Tactician-dono. Iehisa- dono. Sourin-sama. And I reached here from Kyushu, soldiers of Ootomo army, I will give my all in this battle! I will not let everyone have their dream trampled!
Muneshige had recognized the figure of the maiden general that was wearing a deer horn helmet.
She was using a mask to cover her beautiful face that might look like a doll---
-a brave general that carried the 'fate' of Tokugawa Ieyasu and gambled all of her in this battle.
"Once I am defeated here, Ojou-sama will lose her 'future’.I would not allow 'future' to be overwritten.”
Spear.
She immediately wields her spear in a stance and a peculiar 'battle spirit' can be sensed.
Her stance was out of common sense, no matter her stance or her 'aura', those were totally different from Shimazu Yoshihiro.
However, Tachibana Muneshige who crossed the line of death before, realized it immediately.
Strong. Terrifyingly strong.
So this was the strongest maiden general of the Eastern Faction----!
"'The unrivaled in the Western Faction’.Tachibana Muneshige. I am coming!”
"'The unrivaled in the Eastern Faction’.Honda Heihachiro Tadakatsu. Here I go.”
Honda Tadakatsu focused on the incoming Tachibana Muneshige and swung 'Tonbogiri’.
Muneshige felt the 'wind’.
Muneshige pulled up the horse, and her body also twisted along with the horse and dodged the 'wind' with point-blank distance.
She did not need to touch to kill.
This is not her reason told so, it was the skin that felt the 'wind' delivers----. Muneshige dodged and shot arrows.
Honda Tadakatsu was shocked "She dodged 'Tonbogiri' in the first meet! ?”, she withdrew the spear and fended off the arrow aiming for her neck that was hard to track with the 'wind' with the tip of her spear.
"She saw through the path of the arrow! ? It's impossible! ? What's with that spear skill! ?”
"Not only dodged 'Tonbogiri' but also counterattacked with a powerful arrow shot! ? What a terrifying Kyushu Shura. As expected of the unrivaled in the Western Faction. . . . . . !”
Both of them keep unleashing slashes and shots with speeds that could not be sensed by normal people to each other.
Muneshige and Tadakatsu were closing their distance. "Long-range attacks will cause a war of attrition.”
"Then we just have to close the distance and slash with 'swords'!”
When the mist that was surrounding the Sekigahara that was surrounded by mountains dispersed completely.
The soldiers and generals of the Eastern Army and Western Army watched an unbelievable scene----Tachibana Muneshige and Honda Tadakatsu started a dreadful duel at the foothill of the south of Tenmanyama.
The moves of they two couldn't see at all.
Both of them were like combined as one with their respective horses while swinging the sword and spear around just like 'wind' just to give her opponent a lethal strike.
The two of them did not talk to each other nor had any thoughts.
Both of them entered a thoughtless condition, they did not even leave a gap for a breath and then unleash their own hit.
Accumulate small hits wouldn't bring victory. Against a strong opponent at this level, tricks would not work. There was no chance to win other than bring the opponent to her grave with a single hit.
Both of them will die if this went on, every soldier of the two factions thought the same.
"Hurry up and help Muneshige-sama! Go!” "Never let Tadakatsu-sama die! Rush!”
The battle turned chaos. Honda Tadakatsu and Tachibana Muneshige pulled off their distance.
And then.
"Hufu! The real protagonist of the 'battle of Sekigahara'! The final commander is here! The return of the world's number one strategist- samaaaa! Don Simeon Kuroda Kanbei led Ootomo army to participate in this battle! The Shura of Kyushu, advanceee! Go, Kamachi Akimori! Masamune Kakuma! Yoshinori Yoshihiro! We can't let Muneshige die here! Trample the Honda Tadakatsu squad and Toudou Takatora squaddddd! Wipe out the Eastern Army that is attacking the south of Tenmanyama before the army from Matsuoyama descends!”
She made it in time. At last, she arrived.
Kuroda Kanbei led the 30,000 Ootomo troops marched from Hyuuga to here continuously for a long time and entered the land of 'fate', 'Sekigahara' from the west entrance of eastern mountain circuit.
"Huhuhuf! Ah--hahaha! I am faster than Kobayakawa Takakage descends from Matsuoyama! Now the troops' number of Western Army and Eastern Army are basically equal! The chance of victory is half-half for both sides!”
Yoshiharu who went through the line of death and survived by 'chances' provided by his men and friends has finally reunited with Kanbei.
Honda Tadakatsu immediately gave up the duel with Tachibana Muneshige. Even if she defeated Muneshige, she couldn't behead Sagara Yoshiharu who was protected by the Ootomo soldiers that led by Kuroda Kanbei.
Tadakatsu retreated from the south of Tenmanyama immediately to prevent her ally soldiers from collapse. Kanbei rode the horse to the side of Yoshiharu, "Huh! She does retreat quick. The generals of Tokugawa are really good at fighting. Seems like we can't defeat them for now!” and talked loudly.
It was not imagination. Tachibana Muneshige and Kuroda Kanbei. The two generals that did not make it in time to the battle of Sekigahara in 'history', were now beside Yoshiharu. And Sagara army got power from the reinforcement of 30,000 Shura that came from Kyushu. They got the chance to overturn their 'fate’.
"Is it really you, Kanbei. I always thought you. . . . . . will get into the trap of Osaka Castle.”
"What do you mean Sagara Yoshiharu, for you to actually believe Simeon will late. You really are an idiot!”
"I have to fool my ally in order to fool my enemy. Sagara Yoshiharu, most likely you are 'lucky' ohfufufu", Kanbei laughed with a feather fan in her hand.
"I have gotten Osaka Castle back! The mother of Mitsuhide and Imagawa Yoshimoto are now safe!”
"What? You should not have the time to do it. How you able to do that?”
"Nothing. Actually, it's not my contribution. The various 'seeds' that you keep resisting, saved and distributed had now produced results.”
How does Kanbei breakthrough 'Osaka Castle', the final obstacle?
The path from Kyushu to Sekigahara had at least a thousand miles, they even have to go through various provinces in Sanyo region that were governed by Mori Terumoto, Kobayakawa Takakage and Ukita Naoie.
Kanbei forced Ukita Naoie 'to make the choice whether to follow the Eastern Army or the Western Army', thus drove him into Sekigahara and freed Kanbei from the greatest trouble.
But Kobayakawa Takakage predicted Kanbei would come, so she set various traps with 'water' as main concern from Sanyo circuit to Sekigahara. In addition to the expected heavy rain, the marching of Kanbei and Muneshige were more difficult than expected. That was why Ukita Naoie became the first one to reach Sekigahara.
Kanbei used her outstanding wit to overcome Takakage's traps one by one. However, the biggest 'trap' was waiting for them when they entered Oumi.
The Osaka Castle from the west of Oumi.
If Kanbei decided to ignore Osaka Castle and march forward, there would be few problems.
First of all, Osaka Castle is the main castle for Akechi Mitsuhide who was a crucial general in the battle of Sekigahara.
What's more, Akechi Mitsuhide's biological mother was held in custody here.
Moreover, the princess of Kyogoku clan that governed Oumi together with the Rokkaku clan before, Kyogoku Tatsuko was promoted as the 'banner'.’Rokkaku and Kyogoku'---- The Oumi residents were rising up one after another through 'gathering' made by these two clans, and assembled at Osaka Castle.
If Kanbei forsaken Osaka Castle, the opponent's troop number would increase further. Needless to say Kyoto, even Yoshiharu's main castle, Nagahama Castle and Nobuna's main castle, Azuchi Castle would be in danger.
Along with the accessory Shogun that was promoted by the Western Army as their just cause, Imagawa Yoshimoto was also in the Osaka Castle, this was truly big trouble. Although everyone knew the real commander of the Western Army was Oda Nobuna, but formally Imagawa Yoshimoto who had the position of Shogun was the chief commander.
That meant the Western Army that was gathering at Sekigahara did not have a chief commander. What's more, the three generals that were leading the main forces---- Nobuna, Mitsuhide, and Yoshiharu had their main castles fall into enemy hands in Oumi, or should be said going to fall.
This wasthe 'sure win strategy' that Kobayakawa Takakage thought with all her might. If Kuroda Kanbei chose to siege Osaka Castle, then she would be late for the battle of Sekigahara. If Kanbei forsaken Osaka Castle and rushed to Sekigahara, then the Eastern and Western Army would reach a sticky situation in the battle of Sekigahara, with the main castles that were owned by the main members of Nobuna's regime in Oumi fallen into enemy hands one by one. The Oda clan would meet a grave situation whether which decision she made, even for Kanbei who was a brilliant tactician also felt confused in front of Osaka Castle.
First of all, they had to advance to nearby Osaka Castle in order to fool the spies from both allies and enemies. And then, should they just siege the castle, or turned the army to cross over eastern mountain circuit and reached Sekigahara.
"Even if it's a trap, we can't forsake Imagawa Shogun-sama and Koreto- dono's mother. Please give me three days to raid Osaka Castle and save the hostages, tactician-dono!”
The innocent Tachibana Muneshige suggested they can only break through the trap prepared by Kobayakawa Takakage by 'strength' and started a siege. It was like what Muneshige said. Although Kobayakawa Takakage would not kill the hostages in Osaka Castle, but there was a probability that Rokkaku Shotei who was barricading in the castle gone mad.
"Muneshige. If it takes three days for the siege then we can't make it in time to Sekigahara. We must let Osaka Castle open gate in half a day to make sure we won't be late. The castle is in the territory of Akechi Mitsuhide.
If it's empty then we can just take it back, but now there are soldiers in the castle. If we attack directly. . . . . .”
"Then we split into half. Please let me and 15,000 troops stay here to control Osaka Castle's movement. Tactician-dono leads the remaining troops to Sekigahara.
"This is what Takakage wanted us to do. There's no point to hit a stone with an egg. To win in Sekigahara, 'the unrivaled in Western Faction' is a must. We also can't split the troops now. We have to enter Sekigahara with all troops only can barely be equal with our opponents.”
“.. . . . . That means, we have to give up one of it, Sekigahara or Osaka Castle. . . . . . it's so frustrating.”
"That's not correct, Sekigahara and Oumi province, forsaking any of it will also actually bring us misery. Even if we won in Sekigahara, our enemy can take the chance to obtain Oumi along the way to Kyoto. At that time, if the patriarch of the Western Army, Imagawa Yoshimoto was still in the Eastern Army hands. . . . . . then, Yamato Imperial Court had no choice but to recognize Ashikaga Yoshiaki as the formal Shogun. The Oda clan will lose the 'just cause' to unite the world.”
"I was intended to ask Jasper about the details of the battle of Sekigahara. But that man, even though he surprisingly knows the 'future' that I am familiar with, and yet he does not know much about the battle of Sekigahara. That's weird. . . . . . if that man is really 'the second reincarnation of Sagara Yoshiharu', then he should be able to use the platonic solid to 'observe' the details of the battle of Sekigahara. I always feel that there's something wrong.”
"Eh? You said that Jasper-dono is Sagara Yoshiharu-dono? What's with the second reincarnation?
"Ah ya, it's better to not think much about it before the battle ends. It will produce unnecessary confusion. But even without the help of the power of platonic solid, I can roughly predict it. Tachibana Muneshige, I am afraid that due to your extremely innocent personality, you will never leave the hostages in front of your eyes alone. Being stuck at Osaka Castle and end up being late to Sekigahara. Ultimately, the Eastern Army wins in the battle of Sekigahara. That should be your 'fate'.”
“.. . . . . Then. . . . . . we give up Oumi and Kyoto, and all troops advance to Sekigahara?”
"In that case, there's a chance that Kyoto will be involved in the further civil war. Even so, Takakage should have predicted I, Simeon will choose to go to Sekigahara. As I, Simeon will never let go the only chance to decide the emperor and the chance of ending this chaos era that has been hundred years through this battle. Not the previous Simeon that just wants to become the world's number one strategist and become famous, but the current Simeon that has a similar ambition with Oda Nobuna and Sagara Yoshiharu.
. . . .”
We can't do anything. What should I do? If it's Takenaka Hanbei, then she definitely can come up with some new idea. If it's the world's number one strategist that serves Sagara Yoshiharu, then she definitely can devise a strategy that can pick up two fruits in this grave situation. If we ended up in failure, there's a chance for the worst 'future' where Sagara Yoshiharu gives up his own memories, love, and everything to enter the 'second reincarnation' to come.
What should we do, there's no time to hesitate, Kanbei instinctively looked up to the sky.
"Muneshige. In this kind of situation, it's already helpless with my power and witness alone. However.”
That's right. Now we can only bet on the 'seeds' Sagara Yoshiharu distributed, the 'bonds' he made. We only wish that the people that Sagara Yoshiharu in this Oumi, the people who got their 'fates' changed, the people got their lives granted to get it as soon as possible. Not to rely on gods nor to leave it to others.
"'Man proposes, God disposes' even Zhuge Kongming sighed for this, but he was wrong.’Man proposes and man disposes too’.That's not correct, actually it should be 'Bond disposes'----Takenaka Hanbei would probably say the same thing too.
“.. . . . .’Bond’.. . . . . . my lord, Sourin-sama's 'fate' was changed not only by Sagara-Yoshiharu-dono's strength alone. It's because of father and stepfather worked hard to free my lord from 'Usa Hachiman's prophecy',
along with the help from Sagara Yoshiharu-dono and tactician-dono, a miracle happened. That is 'bond'----ne!
Now, Tachibana Muneshige could see it.
An army that raises a new flag banner cried 'reinforces the Western Army' while riding the horse to Kanbei.
"Tactician-dono, that banner is! ?”
Kanbei can't help but pat her knees. The knees that was supposed to be rotten until cannot move when being imprisoned in enemy hands. Sagara Yoshiharu protected her body from that being happened.
"Uhfu! Is that so! Here they come! Muneshige, you must not know her, she is. . . . . .”
"I am Asai Nagamasa. The former lord of the north of Oumi. Although I was saved by Oda Nobuna-dono and forsaken my samurai position and live in seclusion, now I am here to pay the gratitude by taking back Osaka Castle.”
After Tsuda Nobuzumi went to Gifu Castle, Oichi who was guarding Omizo Castle and the west of Oumi, made the decision 'must take back Osaka Castle', and once again step into the battlefield. Even though the troops guarding Omizo Castle were only a few hundred, the hero 'Asai Nagamasa' was still alive, forget the grudges, as 'brother in law of Oda Nobuna'---- that's not correct, as 'sister in law', raised an army to save the Oda clan from danger, the people in the province, local samurais, and even farmers were panic when they heard the news. They wielded their weapons after they saw the revival of Nagamasa that had the beauty of a woman. Uhm, that was not correct. Not having the beauty of a woman. They already knew Asai Nagamasa was really a woman.
After Asai clan had perished, Nagamasa lived as the wife of Tsuda Nobuzumi, 'Oichi’.
Oda Nobuna 'saved' Asai Nagamasa who fell in love with her brother. They already knew the truth of the perishing of the Asai clan. They also knew that the awful act of Oda Nobuna painting gold on the skull of Asai Nagamasa and had a banquet was actually a farce to make others believe Asai Nagamasa was 'dead’.
"The reason I wear male clothes is to protect my purity from the hands of Rokkaku Shotei. My husband, Tsuda Nobuzumi has died in the battle of Gifu Castle. I will take back Osaka Castle for my sister in law and my deceased husband, in order to allow Kuroda Kanbei-dono to reach Sekigahara in time! Kanbei-dono. Tachibana Muneshige-dono. Please go to Sekigahara as soon as possible!”
The old retainers of Asai clan heeded by the lord of Kutsuki Castle, Kutsuki Shinano was assembling under Nagamasa slowly.
Kutsuki Shinano was a former subordinate of Asai Nagamasa, even though he was controlled by Matsunaga Danjo's 'medicine' in Kanegasaki to save Nobuna, he has been freed from the medicine effect completely and regained his senses.
"Nanananagamasa-sama not just alive, but but but also had childdddd with Tsuuuuda Nobuzumi-dono, thatttt's so shocking, itttttt's great that I saved Oda Nobuna from Kanegasaki! Althoughhhhh at that time, my memory was kinda messed up, buttttt it's all good now.”
Him being stutter was not the after effect of the medicine, he was just too panicked to suddenly see Nagamasa came back to life. Even so, him being a pervert that was the reason for being fooled by Matsunaga Danjo did not cure at all, (What beauty. What erotic. Wifeeee is the best! ) in some meaning he did not learn from his experience at all.
The old retainers that left Odani Castle with tears under the order of Nagamasa, had now led their members and assemble under Nagamasa once again.
"My lord. . . . . . no, Ojou-sama!” "I am glad to see you alive!”
"Kyogoku and Rokkaku are our enemies since before! With Asakura clan now, we have no need to be modest anymore.”
"If possible I don't want to be a general again, however. . . . . .”
"Let's get back Osaka Castle! As a revenge battle for the sake of Tsuda Nobuzumi-sama!”
The 'name' of Rokkaku and Kyogoku were useless now. This was how popular and famous the name of 'Asai Nagamasa' in Oumi. She also uncovered her rough 'fate', the sadness of separating with Tsuda Nobuzumi resonated the hearts of people in Oumi. The people in Oumi that was supporting the Eastern Army had literally disappeared.
"Kanbei-dono. Kanjurou's last words told me to give our eldest daughter, 'Chacha' to sister in law and Sagara-dono as their stepdaughter. I hope you will receive the task of bringing her to Sekigahara.”
"Uhfu! Understood! I am not responsible for it if we lose in Sekigahara okay!”
"If I raised an army with the identity 'Oichi', no one will follow us. I had no choice but to use the name Asai Nagamasa again. The farce of the 'golden skull' had been uncovered. In that way, the conflict between sister in law and her mother will probably no more----that is my deceased husband, Kanjurou's last will.”
"Simeun! (Not typo, Tachibana Muneshige did not pronounce it correctly) Asai Nagamasa! No, your real name should be 'Oichi! We must win, this battle!”
"Yeah! Mourning for Kanjurou with tears, we can do that after this battle! I---- will battle with 'fate’.I believe that Sagara Yoshiharu-dono saved my life, father ordered me to 'survive' must have something to do with the change of the only 'path' to the ending of the battle of Sekigahara.
Kanbei agreed. "A path walked by a person is very narrow. But if everyone walked with paths with the same 'future' as the target and collect it together, we must be able to change the 'future’.Even Sagara Yoshiharu's 'future'!
"But----before father died he told me "Let Asai Nagamasa die in here, die in this Odani Castle. But now, I lost my husband and recovered my identity as a general. I would probably be scolded by him. Fufu.”
"That's not right! Asai Nagamasa did die in Oda Castle. And, he's revived now! There's nothing wrong here!”
"That's right", Nagamasa answered.
In Osaka Castle, "Asai Nagamasa is alive”
“The people of Oumi, farmers, all gather under Asai Nagamasa!” everyone wavered. Osaka Castle was actually an empty castle captured by Iga and Koga ninjas. Rokkaku Shotei who wandered outside for a long time did not left any retainers that were actually loyal to him. When he used the hostage, Kyogoku Tatsuko as the 'castle lord' to gather people that admire the Kyogoku clan, the legendary general that beyond the Kyogoku clan, 'Asai Nagamasa' revived. The atmosphere in the castle had a drastic change.
What's more shocking was that Asai Nagamasa was actually a woman! Her first love and the person she married, Tsuda Nobuzumi, they were separated by her father, Asai Hisamasa as he could not forget the debt to the Asakura clan and the farce of the golden skull, the tragedy of Tsuda Nobuzumi had been slain by Takeda Shingen in Gifu Castle----and then, she overcame her rough 'fate' and now Asai Nagamasa revived. The reason for Asai Nagamasa to pretend as a male was to protect her purity from Shotei when she was held in custody by the Rokkaku clan.
The people of Oumi and local samurais that entered Osaka Castle felt disdain against Rokkaku Shotei's evil fetish right from the beginning. His fetish against young girls was the reason the Rokkaku clan lost its retainers and ultimately lost its province. They gathered here in Osaka Castle was solely for the sake of protecting the 'princess of Oumi', Kyogoku Tatsuko that was detained by Shotei.
In Osaka Castle, all of them rebelled at the same time. This was not a plan made by anyone! It happened naturally, the Oumi soldiers that just entered Osaka Castle 'Asai Nagamasa-sama is back!”
“Release Kyogoku Tatsuko-sama" yelled and destroying things in the castle. The Iga and Koga ninjas could not fend off them at all. It was useless even if they blocked the soldiers that were having a siege on the castle, the number ninjas are far not enough to suppress the rebel soldiers that were making a mess in the castle.
Imagawa Yoshimoto and Ono no Ozu that were imprisoned in the Osaka Castle, after seeing the ninja that acted as the guard "Ku. . . . . . . is there a rebel in Osaka Castle. There's fire everywhere!” left with panic, they stood up.
"Well well. It seems that people admire me are risking their lives to fight. Oh no, my popularity is indeed terrifying! By using the words from Sagara Yoshiharu, this is called the 'open of Bastille prison' oh! Oh hahaha!”
"I don't what you are talking! And there's no one coming to save us, isn't it! If we don't escape now, we would probably be burned along with this prison in this uproar! A little half!
"Since the guard is gone, let me use 'white bird wind dance' to break the door! Oh hahaha! That's right! I understand already! What I should do in Osaka Castle! That is, 'kickball'!”
"What are you talking about. . . . . . . . there's no ball to kick here?” "Isn't there an animal that can replace as a ball here!”
"The right foot of Imagawa Yoshimoto has locked on Nekotama who have adapted the life in the prison and enjoying its deep sleep. Pang! A scary noise can be heard. "Now I think of it, in the battle of Okehazama, if not because I am stuck in the mud, I might can use this technique to have a revenge, well, that could be my 'fate'----hahaha", Yoshimoto laughed.
Uhmmm, what are you doing! ? Ah~ya~"
Bounced to the wall and ceiling with high speed just like a ball, Nekotama's body maintained a good posture and broke the door.
"Nekotamaaaaa! You are all flattened! Please don't die!
"Well, it's dead so don't bother it. . . . . . . but. . . . . . I feel so pain, Uwa!”
"Now, to let everyone know that the person they are saving, Imagawa Yoshimoto is safe. Ozu-san, let's go!”
However, must not let you two pass, the heavily injured Rokkaku Shotei appeared at the burning corridor. Shotei was now maintaining his life with only obsession.
“.. . . . . . For me to actually being stabbed by Asai Nagamasa. . . . . this is karma I guess. But, you two don't think of running away. . . . . . . we will die together. The chief commander of the Western Army, Imagawa Yoshimoto dies with Rokkaku Shotei. Western Army is the one that raided Osaka Castle. Kobayakawa Takakage should have no complaint already. In that way, the Western Army is done for.”
"So annoying! Just surrender! Return Tatsuko and Madan Maki! Half a little! At then,
Imagawa Yoshimoto who was known as 'Hiruandon', rushed to Rokkaku Shotei with a speed that beyond a ninja and punched his face hard.
"Uwa! ?”
"Rokkaku Shotei! Since you are exhausted from the continuous battles, why not just give up being a samurai! Are you still considered yourself as a noble lord that supports Ashikaga Shogunate? Are you still a descendant of Sasaki Hajime?”
“.. . . . Imagawa Yoshimoto. You are the last person I want to hear this from! Your defeat against Oda Nobuna in Okehazama is the beginning of the withering of the Rokkaku clan! If you had defeated Oda Nobuna then now. . .
. . Imagawa clan, Rokkaku clan, and Kyogoku clan would have already rejuvenated Ashikaga Shogunate and control politics. . . . . . . it's all your fault. . . . . . the maiden generals are always hindering the Rokkaku clan. . . .
.”
"You, idiot! Please look at me who's been struggling to live after the defeat in Okehazama! You think I am an idiot that doesn't feel humiliation and regret! If not because of Taigen Sessai told me "You must live on, live on and get your happiness", I am afraid I have been. . . . . ! You think how many times I have cried in secret. . . . . . . !”
“.. . . . . . . Yoshimoto-dono.”
"The withering of Rokkaku clan and the downfall of your life was not anyone's fault! You can't blame the maiden generals and male generals in this chaos era! You lost to yourself! You lost to the fear that resides in your heart! A person who can't fight with himself does not deserve to live in this chaos era as a samurai! You lack the fundamental vigor in your way of samurai!”
"I see. The moment I forsook Kannonji Castle and escaped to Iga when I saw the glorious figures of Oda Nobuna and Asai Nagamasa speeding at eastern mountain circuit and felt scared, I have already lost to myself. From that day onward, I am nothing more than a no good samurai that group with the Iga and Koga ninjas intended to assassinate Oda Nobuna with an arrow like a stray dog. A man like me will never have the chance to win against Sagara Yoshiharu. I struggled with ugliness, got shot when I thought I can get Oda Nobuna to my hands, at that time, I have already lost the ability of a man. I really reap what I sow. Nevertheless, I wanted to be saved. I am not afraid to die anymore. However, I hate to die like a dog with fear in my heart, if I don't use young girls to help me then who will save my heart. I wished to have salvation for a moment even if I have to die, just a moment is enough, to have easiness to my heart", Shotei cried.
"You should follow the act of Asai Hisamasa-san who disappeared in Odani Castle to save her daughter. Please retire immediately and live the rest of your life in peace.”
“.. . . . . . Where should I go. I don't have a master that's same like Taigen Sessai. My father, Sadayori was a hero that made the name of Rokkaku clan well known to the world. A brave warrior who was a monk before becoming the lord of the Rokkaku clan, and fought continuously for the sake of Ashikaga Shogunate. A famous general with the honor 'East has Taigen Sessai, West has Rokkaku Sadayori’.As for me, I did not talk much with my father basically. . . . . . . father was the alternate manager of Ashikaga Shogunate, so he's very busy. At that time, he doesn't talk much with me. . . .
.”
"Based on what you said, aren't there many Buddhism headed by Honnya Temple?”
"Rokkaku clan burned the main hill of Honnya Temple before following the order from the manager from Hosokawa clan. Therefore we can't rely on Honnya Temple.”
"Then, how about Hokkeji?”
"During the war of Hokkeji,. . . . . . . we killed the Kyoto followers of Hokkeji before, everyone said it's done by my father. . . . . . ! My father will never receive salvation from Buddhism. . . . . ! He did not deserve it! Rokkaku clan will receive punishment no matter which temple we go! Even God and Buddha were also cursing Rokkaku! We had nowhere to run!”
"Is that so. Because you are tired of war but cannot rely on beliefs, that's why you turn your interest to young girls. . . . . . and then that evil fetish caused the retainers of Rokkaku clan to waver, ultimately went to the path of destruction. So that's what happened. If you can't rely on Japan's temples, then just go for Nanban temples", Imagawa Yoshimoto said.
"There's Nanbei temple in Kyoto too, right beside Honnou Temple. Rokkaku Shotei surrendered to Asai Nagamasa.
Shotei declared he prepared to receive 'baptism' from Jasper or Frois to become a Christian follower, he would give up as a samurai along with his son, Rokkaku Yoshiharu and go to Nanban temple located at Kyoto.
Rokkaku Shotei who's afraid of Buddha temple went for Christian. And his son relied on Buddhism. Both father and son chose their own different paths. The prestigious clan from Sasaki Hajime family, Rokkaku clan was now totally cut off.
"Ah--Imagawa Yoshimoto. You really felt that way regarding the defeat against Oda Nobuna in Okehazama. . . . . .”
"Tatsuko-san. That thing is over. So now everyone! Let's leave Madam Maki to Asai Nagamasa-san and return to Kyoto to celebrate the return of the chief commander of the Western Army!”
"What. Just now you were still a little reliable. Are we not going to Sekigahara! ?”
"That is, Ozu-san. . . . . . . I was being serious just now but then I feel spasm again. . . . . this battle was Nobuna's responsibility right from the beginning anyway, Oh--hahaha!”
"Well, guarding Kyoto is also an important task ne. Moreover, if Madam Maki was captured the third time, Akechi will definitely go crazy.”
"Wasn't there a saying, over and over again. Let's go, Nekotama!”
The gate of Osaka Castle opened. The Shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Kyogoku Tatsuko that forced to become the 'castle lord', Ono no Ozu and Nekotama, and also the mother of Mitsuhide, Madam Maki, all of the hostages from the Western Army were now safe and gathered around Asai Nagamasa.
Kuroda Kanbei and Tachibana Muneshige received the good news of 'gate of Osaka Castle open' when they were marching with full speed at eastern mountain circuit and going to enter Sekigahara.
Sekigahara----at the top hill of Matsuoyama. Kobayakawa Takakage was still hesitating to open and read the letter written by Sagara Yoshiharu, and then she received the information of the appearance of Ootomo army.
"Oh no! Kuroda Kanbei made it in time! ? It must be the mist that surrounding Sekigahara caused us to make a mistake in scouting!”
She shouted.
The thick mist that surrounded Sekigahara until this morning had completely hidden the whereabouts of the Ootomo army led by Kanbei----Just like what Kanbei said, the 'luck' had sided with Sagara Yoshiharu after he went through one adversity after another.
"Knowing my habit of being cautious, Kuroda Kanbei rushed all the way to here with considering much. . . . . . especially in this crucial occasion!”
"Kobayakawa Takakage (In this extreme situation, I am not allowed to make a failure. I have to think over and over again. I don't want to act with personal affairs. It's better to spectate the battle between Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobuna first, then only decide what should I do. I will never open Yoshiharu's letter until that time comes. And then this happens. . . . . . Kuroda Kanbei made the strike by rushing all the way at eastern mountain circuit when I am struck! Although there are many reasons for this to happen, but the main reason is. . . . . . I don't want to destroy Yoshiharu. . . . . . I have already involved personal affairs right from the beginning. )
No matter the plan to descend from Matsuoyama to attack the Sagara army, or accept the plan suggested by Ekei "Declare Sagara Yoshiharu as the emperor and end this chaos era", she was actually planning to evaluate the 'capabilities' of Nobuna and Shingen first, and then read Yoshiharu's letter at night only when she made her decision. Kuroda Kanbei could directly throw the plan that she thought in the last moment without thinking it works or not into the 'reality’.As for Takakage, even if she had a plan at the last moment, she couldn't make the decision immediately. She would naturally think all the potential happenings from this plan in her mind. As a 'wise man', Kanbei was out of my league. But I am very prudent and will never make a big mistake. I had that confident until now. However, it's different for now, the time to decide the world belongs to who. I can't do that. I must let my heart to come up with a plan at the last moment. I must gamble the lives of all the soldiers that follow me on this 'future’.
“.. . . . . . . I feel scared at this crucial moment. I would probably make an unrecoverable consequence. If brother is still alive. . . . . . . Yoshiharu. . . . . .
. , what should I do.”
The 'battle of Sekigahara' had started. Kuroda Kanbei led the Ootomo army rushed from the foothill of the south of Tenmanyama to the Sekigahara plains. Toudou Takatora squad and Honda Tadakatsu squad were losing and falling back. The troop number of Sagara Yoshiharu increased by four times. If the Eastern Army still wanted to crush the south of Tenmanyama with haste without the help from Takakage and Naoie from Matsuoyama, the situation was harsh.
It seemed Takeda Shingen was right, she was hesitated to crush Oda Nobuna squad at Sasaoyama or Sagara Yoshiharu squad at the south of Tenmanyama. Takakage had finally understood the reason Shingen hesitated. The 'bond' between Takeda Shingen and Sagara Yoshiharu was kinda close. Therefore she unintentionally avoided the reasonable choice to 'crush the weakest Sagara Yoshiharu squad first’.However, at the final moment, Shingen noticed she involved her own feelings in her decision. And then she decided to defeat the Sagara Yoshiharu squad first with depressing feeling.
Kobayakawa Takakage also has to make her choice now.
Is she going to carry through the 'faithfulness of Mori' and fight for the Eastern Army till the end?
Or use the plan suggested by Ekei, push Sagara to the position of 'emperor’. She can no longer act as a spectator.
(I don't want Yoshiharu to die. Even if the Kobayakawa clan will become the 'rebel clan' and lost its place to stand in Japan, even if I receive any revilement from the future generations. . . . . . and yet I am a general of Mori. What I can only do is to carry out the 'faithfulness of Mori’.Yoshiharu. I hope you will understand. )
Takakage had no choice but to make the decision "All troops advance and fight with the Sagara army”.But before she gave out the heartless order, she opened the letter written by Sagara Yoshiharu with her shaking hands. No matter what is written in the letter, I must never avert my gaze from it.
There was only one 'sentence' in the letter.
"Kobayakawa-san. Please don't become the person that breaks the three arrows. This is my wish.”
Yoshiharu's resolve, his feelings for Takakage and his thought of Mori clan are all included in that sentence. Yoshiharu who come from the future knows what is the 'fate' that is going to fall on Takakage. Ekei's plan. Takakage's hesitation. He knew all of it, and he still wants to protect Takakage. Even if Sagara Yoshiharu would die in this battle at the end. Just to protect Takakage from the 'fate’.
If Yoshiharu begs Takakage 'to join the Western Army', or 'please stand by on the mountain', then she might still hold her tears and seal her feelings and ordered her troops to descend as a 'cold-blooded general’.However, Yoshiharu will never write those to Takakage. And that was precisely why Takakage fell in love with Yoshiharu.
(Yoshiharu. I. I. )
Takakage covered her tear flowing face with her hands.
"What Takakage is doing! Why are her troops not mobilized yet! There's no time to think anymore! Save Yoshiharu or defeat Yoshiharu, it's time to make your decision! Takakage is too kind!”
Kikkawa Motoharu who was at Nanguyama noticed her sister, Takakage who was the key for the victory in the battle of Sekigahara still had no action at Matsuoyama and she yelled. Kikkawa Motoharu also had to make her choice. Descend from Nanguyama and started a battle was a route decided. Kikkawa Motoharu could not 'spectate’.She must take action even if to kill Ekei. However, there were two 'routes' here. Advance to north and battle with Ikeda Tsuneoki and others that were blocking eastern mountain circuit. The other route was to descend from the south of the mountain, advance through Ise Street, assembled with Takakage who was from Matsuoyama to suppress the south of Sekigahara.
"Descends from the north and enter eastern mountain circuit can provide support for Takeda Shingen. The 20,000 main forces of Shingen squad at Momohaiyama were contained by the Western Army that holds eastern mountain circuit at the rear. Since Kuroda Kanbei had arrived, if Shingen doesn't mobilize from Momohaiyama, she cannot stop Akechi Mitsuhide who is at the center of the Western Army. The circumstances are not in favor of the Eastern Army. However.”
Or maybe descended to the Ise Street and provide support to the troops at the south of Tenmanyama where the most intense battle happened. The 'opportunity' had been taken by Kuroda Kanbei. Kobayakawa Takakage and Ukita Naoie at Matsuoyama were still being quiet. Honda Tadakatsu, Sakai Tadatsugu, and other Tokugawa squad and Toudou Takatora squad were being overwhelmed further by Sagara Yoshiharu army. If Motoharu descended to Ise Street and started a battle with the Sagara army, then Takakage would probably make her decision.
"First of all, the development of Sagara army being defeated instantly causing the collapse of the Western Army defense line and being overwhelmed by the Eastern Army no longer exist. Who will win this battle can no longer be predicted. Should I descend from the north or the south! ?”
There was only one Motoharu certain, that was Takakage could never able to kill Sagara Yoshiharu. She couldn't attack Yoshiharu. Motoharu knew this clearly as her twin elder sister. Takakage would only love one man in her life. And she already met that 'only person’.Takakage could not become a demon that 'kills everyone in her way’.Well, she was a young maiden before being a general. However, Motoharu was different. Before being a young maiden, she was a general. Takakage inherited the 'wise' of Mori, and Motoharu inherited the 'strength' of Mori. The 'faithfulness of Mori' must be protected. It didn't matter even if she needed to fight against Sagara Yoshiharu, Motoharu couldn't break that rule. She could not destroy the Mori clan.
(Takakage. . . . . don't tell me she will entrust the Mori clan to me, and then go to the side of Sagara Yoshiharu? If the Kobayakawa clan follows the Western Army and the Kikkawa clan follows the Eastern Army, with the Mori clan being split into two, then the Mori clan will be preserved no matter which faction wins. Don't tell me she would consider that and chooses Sagara Yoshiharu at the final moment? If that's the case. . . . . . once I descend to the Ise Street, Takakage and I. . . . . . . . we will cross swords in the battlefield? )
Father. Brother. I am sorry. The Mori sisters might separate here. The north, or the south, which direction should I descend? If I want to stop Takakage to 'rebel' then, certainly it is the south. . . . . . . but, if even this way couldn't stop her, then I have no choice but to slay my own sister.
Kikkawa Motoharu looked at the south of Tenmanyama and the south of Sekigahara where the battle between the Eastern Army and Western Army is with tears in her eyes.
Momohaiyama.
The mist dispersed. Takeda Shingen noticed Kuroda Kanbei appeared at the end of the west with 30,000 Shuras and gathered with Sagara army at the south of Tenmanyama, she knew the ambush aimed for Sagara Yoshiharu failed. Was that so, no need to aim for Sagara Yoshiharu anymore, she clenched her teeth after feeling shocked for her relieved heart.
"The same happened in the battle of Kawanakajima too. The mist changed the 'fate’.Defeat Sagara army with Tokugawa-kun and Toudou Takatora which was the best plan ended up with nothing. . . . . . . what is Kobayakawa Takakage doing at Matsuoyama.”
"The Kobayakawa-Ukita squads have more than 30,000 troops at Matsuoyama. Kuroda Kanbei brought 30,000 Ootomo troops and grouped with Sagara Yoshiharu before them. No matter how strong Honda Tadakatsu, how well Toudou Takatora fights, the Eastern Army troops that attack the south of Tenmanyama were less than 10,000. If Akechi Mitsuhide at the north of Tenmanyama provide support for Sagara army at the flank,
when Kobayakawa is still hesitating, Honda-Toudou squads had already been crushed.”
Should I deploy Takeda Four Generals and Sanada 'brothers' that are preparing to assault Sasaoyama to the north of Tenmanyama?
No. That will not work. We must remain the war going with Oda Nobuna being contained in Sasaoyama. Oda Nobuna was employing the 'stand by' stance with formations in the mountain, not only wait for the assault from the Eastern Army but also immediately change into being offensive when a chance can be seen. At that time she will release her 'trump card’.That woman, she deployed Shimazu Yoshihiro and Shimazu Iehisa at the backline! Once she discovered the Takeda cavalry unit turned to the south, those Satsuma Hayato who could be considered as non-human will definitely trample the flank of the cavalry unit mercilessly.
Therefore, I can only stand at the frontline and fight with Akechi Mitsuhide.
"Never allow Akechi Mitsuhide to leave from the north of Tenmanyama. We give up Momohaiyama and advance to the plains of Sekigahara. March into the crossroad. To where the Akechi Mitushide army is-----!”
Although she wanted to block the army at eastern mountain circuit from 'entering the center', she could only entrust it to Kikkawa Motoharu at Nanguyama. But there was a chance she would descend from the south and go to Ise Street to stop her sister from being wavering between Sagara Yoshiharu and the Eastern Army. In that way, the Takeda army forced to give up eastern mountain circuit and lost its way to retreat----her eyes were getting blurry. She was going to lose her vision soon. Not that her eyes felt pain until she couldn't see. It was her vitality. . . . . . . . her life of fire was disappearing.
"'The strongest of the world' is right in front of my eyes. However, my life. . . .
. . . I can no longer step back. Not even a single step. Deploy the foot soldiers and tell the Four Generals that are going to assault Sasaoyama to wait, a little more. . . . . . . I will defeat Akechi Mitsuhide on my own. The north of Tenmanyama is the vital point of the Western Army fan formation. Once Mitsuhide was defeated, Sasaoyama and the south of Tenmanyama would be collapsed.”
"Shingen led 20,000 flag soldiers to descend from Momohaiyama and finally going to the battlefield in Sekigahara, to the center of it, this is not her way of fighting at all. She already cannot hope for a six-point victory. Zero or hundred, defeat, or victory. Destructs, or being the strongest in the world.
She also wants to prevent Takeda cavalry unit from assaulting Sasaoyama. Once the war takes a longer time, to find out the 'truth' of Nobuna's tactic, One of the Four Generals and 'brother's would become the 'bait' by carrying out a heroic assault and sacrifice in it. There might be a case where even if they found out the 'truth', they still can't attack Sasaoyama without casualties.
(When Oda Nobuna reached Kyoto, she didn't take over the control of Kyoto but the control of Sakai and Otsu which are the commercial zone and industrial zone. She did that in order to control the amount of Nanban weapons, mainly rifles and gunpowder. In Kai which is a province full of mountains, it's a joke to ensure a large number of rifles. . . . . . . . even if we got rifles, we also cannot get gunpowder. We had no choice but to rely on the growth of the cavalry unit. If we started the war with Oda Nobuna and the plains of Gifu, we might win. However, we can't in Sasaoyama. I. . . . . . . . the Takeda clan that hindered by its landscape causing it unable to involve in the commercial trade with Nanban is, sure enough, the lost child of this era?
Shingen knew it was not easy to defeat Akechi Mitsuhide squad. Akechi Mitsuhide was a person with the ability and talent that rivaled Oda Nobuna. Even though worse than Oda Nobuna squad, their weapons should be sufficient enough too. Even so, Shingen had to defeat her. The Takeda cavalry unit. The Four Generals.’Brothers’.She didn't want the talented people left in the Takeda clan, her 'family' to sacrifice for the sake of her. She didn't want to lose them.
(If only Jiro. . . . . . . Nobushige is still alive)
Takeda's deputy commander, Takeda Nobushige died in the battle of Kawanakajima. He died from protecting his sister, Shingen from an annihilation battle started by the Echigo army that used the 'wheel' formation. If Nobushige was still alive, Shingen could fight directly with Oda Nobuna and left the battle with Mitsuhide to Nobushige. Takeda had been checkmated at the time Nobushige was dead, Shingen realized. Oda Nobuna and Akechi Mitsuhide who were both talented as 'emperor' but with a relationship of a lord and a retainer which could cause them to separate at the critical moment no longer existed. Sagara Yoshiharu held the two of them close together.
"No need to consider the way of retreat anymore. Rise the 'Furinkazan' flags. Beat the drums. All forces advance to the front of Akechi Mitsuhide squad---- "
The main force of Tokugawa Ieyasu at Tsuzuraike.
Serada Jiro Saburo and Honda Masanobu were shocked utterly after learned that Takeda Shingen led all her forces went from Momohaiyama at the rear to the front line of the battlefield.
Certainly, the Ootomo army brought by Kuroda Kanbei hurt a lot to the Eastern Army. Honda Tadakatsu, Toudou Takatora and others failed in the preemptive ambush against Sagara army. However, it was still too early.
Shingen was the actual chief commander of the Eastern Army. The war was still in the first phase. The Eastern Army hadn't received any fatal impact now. Now should be the time for the Mori sisters at Matsuoyama and Nanguyama to mobilize first. Despite that, Shingen ignored the Western Army that was at her rear and kept moving 'forward’.
"Yaohachiro-san. The way Shingen-sama fights today is different from usual. She made her decision too quick. As we expected, Shingen-sama's body cannot hold any longer. . . . . .”
"Her condition is one of the factors, she also predicted that once the Takeda cavalry unit assaults Sasaoyama then the Four Generals might be all wiped out. Like what happened to the invincible Murakami navy being crushed by the metal fleet in Kizugawaguchi. Don't tell me that Oda Nobuna will demonstrate what happened in that battle on terrain too, that the Takeda cavalry unit which was known as the strongest in terrain battle will be sent to the grave by Oda Nobuna.”
"Yaohachiro-san. That kind of possibility.”
"It's kinda high. In terms of war, Oda Nobuna is not that strong. She is not considered as a genius in war. Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin are far beyond her. However, the Oda clan has limitless economy sources. Oda Nobuna doesn't care how much land and castle she has, the thing she concerned the most is the domination on the vitals of the economy. She controlled Sakai which is the biggest commercial port in Kinai, be in good terms with Ootomo Sourin to extend the commercial web to Hakata and Nagasaki and other ports. Give special treatment to Christian in Kinai where the power of Buddha faction is strong there because she noticed that facilitating the commercial trading with Nanban is the way to monopolize the newest weapons and gunpowder. She had an astounding amount of money. She had decisiveness to invest those money into technical revolution and development and production of the newest weapons. She is a person with foresight. Not because of the advice from the 'future person', Sagara Yoshiharu, Oda Nobuna herself is a genius in revolution that is not like others in this Sengoku Era. Even if Sagara Yoshiharu figured out the way to defeat the metal fleet when the time he serves Mori clan, Oda Nobuna was still able to win against Mori in that navy battle.”
"That means, Shingen-sama had no choice but to carry her sick body to defeat Akechi Mitsuhide, am I right?”
"Although Akechi army has quite an amount of rifles in their hands, Akechi Mitsuhide is an intellectual that knows very well of ancient cultures of Japan. Compared to the extraordinary Oda Nobuna, this is the only thing both of them are completely different, her tactics should in the 'common sense' of Japanese. But. . . . . .”
"Shingen-sama is sick. She cannot guarantee victory. Yaohachiro-san. Let's move to the frontline too! Ii Naotora who ambushed the Akechi army previously is now alone and helpless at the front line!”
"Yes yes. Along with the Takeda main force, we must defeat Akechi Mitsuhide and take over the north of Tenmanyama at all cost!”
The main force of Tokugawa Ieyasu also marched towards the north of Tenmanyama.
"Aiya. Why is Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu going for my camp desu~! ? Since when I offended them? It's too unreasonable! Please come here one by one, desu! ?”
A crisis was approaching Akechi Mitsuhide who was guarding the north of Tenmanyama, at the same time.
The Takeda Four Generals and Sanada 'twins' that prepared their formation at the front of Sasaoyama, received the message from Takeda Shingen "I will breakthrough Akechi Mitsuhide's camp on my own. You guys hold on and stay watch on Oda Nobuna at Sasaoyama until Akechi army was defeated" through the foot soldiers, and they felt confused.
"No way. Let's not talk if Shingen-sama is all healthy. With her condition now.
. . . . . it's too unconvincing!”
“.. . . . . . For her to give up eastern mountain circuit which is the only way of retreat. . . . . . . this is not like what Shingen-sama will do at all.”
"She doesn't want us to die. In Sasaoyama, a death trap mainly prepared by rifles is waiting for us. We must have someone to sacrifice as a bait. We might be wiped out here too.”
"It's too harsh for Shingen-sama to command at the front line with her current condition. Although to disobey Shingen-sama's order, but I, Naito Seiji as the 'deputy general of Takeda' will act as the bait. We will execute the 'assault on Matsuoyama' earlier. Takeda Nobushige-sama. . . . . . . Tenkyu-sama sacrificed himself to protect Shingen-sama in the battle of Kawanakajima. To win against the 'fate' of Shingen-sama. . . . . . . the deputy should make the first 'move'.”
Naito Masatoyo suggested 'himself as the bait’.
"Seiji you didn't even have honor in battle so you can't, The 'undead Baba’.. .
. . . . I will go, I have never injured in the battle before", Baba Nobuharu stopped Naito Masatoyo. Then Yamagata Masakage immediately said, "It should be me who is the strongest in the Four Generals that lead the 'Akazonae' inherited from my sister for the assault", and protested.
And lastly, Kosaka Danjo,
"That's enough. The only person that survived within 'fate', is me. The Nige Danjo will be the bait. Among the four of us, my chance to survive is the highest! Even if I died in battle it's okay, at that moment the 'fate' of the Takeda will definitely undergo a big change! As for you guys dying are just the result of the converging 'fate’.No objections anymore!”
He talked loudly and then doesn't give time for the other three to stop by immediately rushing out.
"Kosaka! ? This is too reckless! To change the 'history', you tried to give up your life which was supposed not to be. Are you trying to change the 'fate' of the Takeda clan with your death!”
“.. . . . . . . Let's chase him.”
"I believe all of us had become 'baits', but can't be helped.” The Four Generals started their assault.
The Sanada 'twins' that looked over the time were speechless, gave a signal to each other and rushed out along with the Four Generals. After the death of Sanada Yukitaka, only left the three excellent sisters of the Sanada clan headed by Masayuki. The 'twins' had lost their extraordinary abilities after exhausted in the battle of Kawanakajima, they actually intended to begin and end this war elegantly as the final battle before their retirement. The 'twins' now had already entrusted the Sanada clan to Masayuki who is staying at Ueda.
"Shingen-sama, you must stay alive! As long as I assault Sasaoyama, I can bring at least one of a thousandth possibility to change the 'fate' of the Takeda clan and Shingen-sama. . . . . . I will not escape!”
The strongest Takeda cavalry unit in Sengoku started their assault along with the sound of Kosaka Danjo, at the same time.
The soldiers that were guarding Sasaoyama saw it.
The back of the Takeda Four Generals and the Akazonae Takeda cavalry unit that rushed to the foothill where the 'death trap' was fearlessly.
The shadows of mounting samurais that was beside the Takeda Four Generals that looked like phantoms.
Takeda Nobushige, Takeda Yoshinobu, Obu Toramasa----.
It was like to resist the 'fate' of Shingen, and also to protect the Four Generals and the 'twins', they were speeding horses in the battlefield of Sekigahara.
The Oda army went into a panic. However, there was only one person.
There was only one person that did not use her eyes to capture the shadows of the mounting samurais that are not 'real’.
Oda Nobuna.
A person would be burned to ash once he or she was dead. And lastly, become dust. There did not exist spirit after death. Everyone eventually dies. She respected God and Buddha, but she did not rely on them. The generations of humanity had to develop by humanity's own power. That was exactly why Oda Nobuna was not hesitated to make Hiei Mountain and Honnya Temple as her rival.
In this morning, at Sasaoyama----the trenches built for the annihilation tactic prepared for Takeda cavalry unit by forming the 'three squads firing in turn' that requires a lot of rifles had been completed. By using the landscape of Sasaoyama, a giant trench had been built with combinations of ravines and fences in the mountain like a maze. By using the bumps of the mountain to block the vision of the Takeda cavalry unit, causing them unable to figure out the full appearance of the trench and then annihilate them with the firing tactic. This was not a tactic can be found in Japan at all. And yet, it was not completely a tactic from Nanban. Oda Nobuna completed this feat before the 'war genius' from Dutch, Morillo imported the new tactic of cannon firing in turn in the military revolution in Europe. She wasn't able to do it in Shitarahara due to Tokugawa army left the battlefield. But now, the time had come.
"The time to destroy the Takeda cavalry unit has come. Sourin. Are you ready?”
"Optimise the bumps of the mountain terrain by building several layers of trenches. Cavalry can never go through this 'death maze’.When the Takeda troops noticed it, they already had no way to run but to wait to be shot. This will be a battle worse than Okitanawate. Does Yoshiharu-kun know about this? That you are going to use the three squads firing in turn to destroy Takeda cavalry unit.”
“.. . . . . Eh eh. I have told him through letter. . . . . . I won't be hated by him, it won't happen.”
Kanjurou, Yoshiharu. Maybe I still can't escape from the 'fate' of becoming the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. And. . . . . . the strongest in Sengoku, Takeda cavalry unit has been right in front of our eyes. If we don't fight, I will die here. Even if the 'fate' of being destructed has been ensured after I became the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. Even so, I want to fight. Because that is the responsibility of the maiden general that born in this Sengoku Era with the ambition of 'Tenkafubu’.. . . . . . I am sorry.
In the maze full of trenches. At the most frontline, Kazumasu Takigawa said "Nobuna-chan. The Takeda cavalry unit is going to step into the attack range. Do we not avoid them? Are we really going to shoot them? Sagara- chan will feel sad.”
Nobuna knew that if she being hesitated then the first to die would be Kazumasu Takigawa. The penetration power and burst power of the Takeda cavalry unit are the strongest in this Sengoku. For Nobuna who couldn't gather an army as strong as the Echigo army, she could only use the rifle 'tactic' so she could not hesitate. Once a person dies, that person will disappear from this land. There's nothing like the world after death. That's precisely why human lives are precious. But they had to take over others' lives to end this chaos era. Such a contradiction. However, if they could not decide the victor here, then the chaos era of Era will be extended for another hundred years. That's why she must fight. (Yoshiharu, I am sorry) Nobuna mumbled again and then bit her lips.
“.. . . . . Sakon. . . . . . tell Sakon. "There's nothing we can do anymore.”
"The battle at Sasaoyama had started? The 'fate' of Nobuna and the Takeda clan will become true now. Opposite effect occurred on stopping Kosaka Danjo? The letter I sent to Kobayakawa-san too, it would probably cause Kobayakawa-san to feel awkward now!”
After entrusted the command at the frontline to Kanbei, Yoshiharu returned to his camp while hoping Takakage won't be caught in by the power of 'field', on the other hand thinking of a possible way that can prevent Nobuna from becoming the 'Demon King', and then asked Yoshihi "Sister. Is there any new development when I was away! ?”.Yoshihi, she had experienced the intense battles in the Shura region, Kyushu. Facing the intense battle with a total number of 200,000 troops from both Eastern and Western Armies, she was still sitting still without even a sweat dripping from her head.
"There is. Yoshiharu. Yasuke picked a person back when she's coming back from the camp of Kosaka Danjo, that person wants to talk to you directly.”
Yoshihi brought 'that person' right to the front of Yoshiharu. That person was.
“.. . . . . . . . Go, Goemon! ?”
"That's not correct, I am Ishikawa Kazumune. We changed our identity halfway to leave from Kiyosu castle", the red eyes young maiden spoke with her biting tongue.”
"You are Mune-chan! Then, Goemon. . . . . . really.” "Hachisuka Goemon---- sister is still alive, Sagara Yoshiharu.” "What? Goemon is also alive?”
"Hattori Hanzo saved us at the critical moment.”
They were alive. Both Kazumune and Goemon were alive! Yoshiharu was too excited until he forgot everything for a moment. However, now was not the time to be excited. The curtain of the battle has risen.
"Hanzo he! I believe he's not just being emotional. As expected the Ieyasu that breaks her relationship with Nobuna is a shadow warrior!”
"That's right. We sisters grasped two confidential pieces of information of the Eastern Army in Kiyosu Castle. The first is Tokugawa Ieyasu was placed under house arrest by Honda Masanobu. Currently, the Ieyasu that is leading the army in Sekigahara is the shadow warrior, Serada Jiro Saburo.
The plan of Honda Masanobu is to amend the path of history back to the 'future' of Tokugawa Ieyasu taking over the world. Therefore she placed Ieyasu who rejected to break up with the Oda clan under house arrest and use a shadow warrior to replace her.”
"Understood. Goemon now teamed with Hanzo and go deep into the enemy base to find out where the real Tokugawa Ieyasu is! By the way, the other confidential information is?”
"Takeda Shingen fell in sick in Kiyosu Castle. Manase Cilbal diagnosed it and told Shingen and the Takeda Four Generals that her life is going to end soon.”
“.. . . . . . . Katsu-chan she. . . . . . ! ? She's sick. . . . . . ?”
"That's right. The rumor is she entered a certain 'spooky paddy field' in Kai province and a worm entered her body, a worm that can't be seen with naked eyes. Even the Nanban medical skill also cannot find a way to cure it.”
A regional disease in Kai? Don't tell me it is 'Japanese schistosomiasis'! ? I am not familiar with medical knowledge but based on the 'Koyo Gunkan' left by Kosaka Danjo, there's written that a general of the Takeda clan, Obata Masamori died from this regional disease!
As for Takeda Shingen's 'die from sickness', there's a few saying. One said it's tuberculosis. The other one said stomach cancer. Wait wait wait wait. The disease that caused Takeda Shingen to die was not tuberculosis nor stomach cancer, it's the regional disease from Kai! The host that spreads the Schistosoma japonicum was, Oncomelania snail! The way it infects being explained is in the 20th century. The way to cure it is announced in 1996. . . .
. ! Even with the help of modern medical teaching, from the explain of infection to the way to cure it takes more than 80 years! With medical technology in this era, there's no way to cure it!
The rifle assassination. Shigen had already overcome that fate of 'death’.However, 'fate' had prepared another hand! Even if she avoided from being assassinated, she would still die from the disease. Shigen's 'fate' would 'converge' to a tragedy. Therefore she must go to Kyoto now. With the current medical technology, there was no way to cure her. And Shingen was not an Omnyoji that trained 'Qi' in her body. So she couldn't extend her life with Ranjatai like Hanbei. No. Even Ranjatai wouldn't have any effect on her. It will only make the vitality of the 'worm' in her body becomes stronger.
"So that's why. The reckless way she fought in Gifu Castle or cutting off Nobuzumi to push the battle between her and Nobuna to the place where they can no longer turn back. . . . . .”
"Yeah. Takeda Shingen has no much time anymore.”
“.. . . . . . Because she was born in Kai. Takeda Shingen has to fight without the 'terrain advantage’.Not only that, she even infected by that regional disease from Kai and died halfway. . . . . . Katsu-chan.”
"What should I do. What should I do? Nevertheless, the 'battle of Sekigahara' has started. It's impossible to enter the camp where Takeda Shingen is right now. Even if I do, I am not a doctor so I can't save or cure her of the disease. It's already impossible to pick up all the fruits. The moment I know Goemon and Kazumune are alive, and I had to face this kind of 'reality’.
“.. . . . . Nobuzumi. . . . . . . . if you are still alive.”
"I am afraid that he's still alive", Kazumune told Yoshiharu. "What! ?”
"Shingen has already predicted her death is near. She said she will entrust the position of the emperor to Tokugawa Ieyasu, she just wants to fight with Oda Nobuna and to tell the world that the Takeda clan is 'the strongest in the world’.There is no necessity for her to kill Nobuzumi-dono at all. I am afraid that was just a farce to force Oda Nobuna to unfold the final 'battle' with her and decide who is the victor. She came here with the resolve to end this long term Sengoku Era regardless of who is the winner. In order to prevent the 'Christmas truce' from happening again, she made herself a 'bad person' that wants to defeat Oda Nobuna at all cost.”
Yoshiharu was speechless. How can she do that?
If that's the case.
Nobuna was going to become the Sixth Heavenly Demon King.
The Takeda cavalry and the Four Generals that were going to be bathed with the three squads firing in turn.
And, Katsu-chan.
The person that held the key of the 'victory' in this battle, Kobayakawa-san that stayed on Matsuoyama.
No matter what. No matter who, all of them were also maintained their inescapable 'fate' right now. It was like being stick to the extended spider web. All of them were moving the 'fate' of 'destruction’.
"Aiya, that's not correct! I will never feel hopeless again! I have 30,000 troops now. And I obtained the complicated information between the Eastern and Western Army. There must be something I can do on this battlefield of Sekigahara! I must complete them! I must pick up all the fruits again, Goemon!”
Shingen was now marching the south of Tenmanyama where the Akechi's kumquat banner flying around.
She had no stamina to ride a horse anymore.
The 'Shingen' that wore a helmet and mounting on her well-known horse was actually Shinryori Nobukado.
The real Shingen was sitting in the dark, little carriage carried by her army.
Shinryori was supposed to look over Shingen, but now she was on the horse. However, she could not allow the 20,000 troops to find out that Shingen was sick.
"Why don't you kill me.”
There were two people in the carriage. "Go to Seta, Seta. Put on the 'Furinkazan' banner flags.” Shingen who was mumbling like dream talking and a servant with a new face lightly supported Shingen's body at her back.
Tsuda Nobuzumi.
His shoulder was slashed by a hit. He got hurt. But there was no risk on his life.
“.. . . . . . I wanted to kill you. I won't take a step back, I encouraged myself. However. . . . . . . our 'lives' are granted by Sagara Yoshiharu too. After noticing that. . . . . . . I can no longer kill you.”
She was not Shingen anymore. Her tone changed back to Takeda Katsuchiyo.
"But. If this goes on a miserable annihilation battle will happen. If sister knows that I am alive, she will definitely stop. She doesn't need to become the Sixth Heavenly Demon King. . . . . . . I, will be the peace envoy.”
“.. . . . . . . . The chaos era must be ended in with this battle. If it does not end here, then it will extend to another hundred years. If that happens, I cannot apologize to Kansuke and Jiro that slept eternally under the ground. What is the reason for Takeda Shingen to keep on fighting? What is the reason she sacrifices her family and her people. . . . . . all of these will become nothing.
Therefore. . . . . . when the time you returned to the side of Oda Nobuna, it's either the Takeda army has been defeated and destroyed or Oda Nobuna couldn't withstand the attack from the Takeda cavalry unit and retreat from Sasaoyama, it must be one of them. Well, I am afraid the winner will be. . . .”
The battle against the Akechi army was to going to begin. Takeda Shingen's life was at almost the end here.
The Sengoku Era must end here. For the sake of it, Takeda Shingen, Oda Nobuna, and Kobayakawa Takakage had prepared and ready for it. That was why, this was fine.
If she still had any regret then it would be.
“.. . . . . . Kanjurou. Fall in love, marry a wife and give birth to a child, how does that feel like. I lived my entire life in war, survived in war, and end my life in war. Tell me about it.”
"Love, it is not something with only happiness. There's also agony and sadness sometimes, even the suffering like the heart being torn happened. It's better to say that most of the time I feel pain. Nevertheless, I am very happy right now.”
He replied with a gentle sound.
Like a sound when someone sings a lullaby.
Nobuzumi told Shingen various things happened in his life.
"We did have a fight sometimes after we married. Because I have heard a lot about my life is the hero of Oumi, Asai Nagamasa. Being caressed by a beast, there's a chance that I might die. Despite Oichi's appearance, she's unexpectedly impatient.”
“.. . . . . . You really good at being spoiled by elder women.”
"Yeah. Because I know my elder sister well. Since my sister's extent of irritating is not something Oichi can be compared. There are even a few occasions that I am going to be killed. Hahaha.”
"But, you are still alive.”
"Eh eh. Thanks to my elder sister, I even had three children. Chacha, Tsu, and Go. But it's hard to raise children. It's clear we are busy with wars and internal affairs, and we still gave birth to three daughters. I was hoped that we can take it slow by having one every year.”
“.. . . . . . . Are your daughters cute?”
"Very cute, but they always cry in the middle of the night, especially the eldest one, Chacha brings the most trouble. Raising children is a very hard job. I can understand why the maiden generals do not marry even when they get older. It's too difficult to raise children and participate in the battle at the same time.”
"However, my children are still very cute", Nobuzumi talked with a smile.
“.. . . . . . . Actually. . . . . . I also. . . . . . . want to have a child. . . . . . . . I even thought of the name. If it's a girl then it's Jiro. As for the boy will be Taro. . . .
. . . . . However. I sacrificed the lives of my family for the sake of my ambition, I do not deserve to become a parent. . . . . . .”
"You do deserve", Nobuzumi touched Shingen's cold face with his hand and whispered.
"You might deserve it. Aren't you let me survive? That's why.” Please live on, Nobuzumi couldn't say the words.
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