Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 2 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 : Gifu 

"Eh. Aren't you 'Zenki'? Where did Hanbei-chan go?" 

"It seems like Master isn't used to being around rough warriors, so she had me disguise myself as 'Takenaka Hanbei'." 

Just that night when Mino changed hands to Nobuna. 

Yoshiharu had finally managed to bring Hanbei to Inabayama Castle after quite some effort, but in the end the one who appeared was the fox demon Zenki. 

Without much time until the beginning of the reward ceremony, Yoshiharu and Inuchiyo could only bring this fake Hanbei in and reported to Nobuna, who was sitting high up while turning her globe. 

"Takenaka Hanbei Shigetora is now here." 

".......He...is Hanbei." 

"Dearuka" 

Under the intense glare of the Oda retainers, Zenki still remains a calm smile, and, using the smooth voice of his, said, "I am Takenaka Hanbei Shigetora. In the battle of Inabayama Castle, your tactics were truly magnificent, so I am here to express my congratulations." 

"Ahh, I see. So, what do you want in exchange for your services?" 

Nobuna's face is filled with displeasure. 

Zenki maintained his poker face and said lightly, "I did give Sagara-dono quite a bit of trouble. Though I am beginning to understand how capable Oda Nobuna is, I do not mind the thought of aligning myself with Sagara Yoshiharu at all." 

"What a rude guy~" The Oda retainers start to whisper among themselves. 

"I get it." 

Nobuna said while grabbing an arquebus from an aide and without any hesitation, pulled the trigger while aiming at Zenki's forehead. 

"Ehhhhh~?!" 

The retainers are all stunned. No one had a chance to even react to the quick turn of events, let alone to say "stop it". 

"Ah...." Zenki shouted and disappeared with a gust of smoke. 

"Woah. Nobuna!? What the hell are you doing!? That's messed up!" 

"Saru, the real body of that guy is this piece of paper, right?" 

"It's a shikigami." 

"You knew of this yet you still brought him here?" 

"You, didn't you tell me you do not believe in demons or monsters?" 

"Ah, of course I do not believe in them. What we have just seen is an illusion. The real Takenaka Hanbei, show yourself quickly! If not, the next bullet will be yours!" 

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! 

Nobuna started shooting at the ceilings, pillars, everywhere around the room. 

"Hime-sama, there's a small child hiding here!" 

Hanbei, whose teeth were clacking together with a "kachak, kachak" in fear, was held up by Katsuie by her collar like a small cat and brought to Yoshiharu's side. 

"Ahh, ahhh, woahh...I...I'm gonna be bullied... Do...Do...Don't bully me....." 

"What's going on, Hanbei-chan!? Where did the gallant strategist on the battlefield go!?" 

Hanbei rushed behind Yoshiharu. 

Yoshiharu said "It's ok, It's ok", while lightly patting Hanbei's back. 

If she did not use her Shikigami to test the other party, Hanbei would most likely not appear at all. 

But this Nobuna in front of them had just seen through Zenki's disguise in one look, and even shot at the Shikigami without any hesitation. 

"Yo-yo-yo-yo-yoshiharu-san. Sa-sa-sa-sa-save me.... Th-th-th-th-think of something. *Tremble*" 

As the saying goes, weak girls are cute. I will protect this child, Yoshiharu couldn't help but think. 

"I got it, I got it. Oi, Nobuna, don't swing your musket around in front of other people! The demure Hanbei-chan is crying now, isn't she!?" 

"Huh? What 'demure Hanbei-chan'? I thought this brat was a squirrel from Mount Kinka." 

"What right do you have to say that about others? Didn't you act like a monkey and run around towns?" 

"What, you damn Saru. You like to show your manliness in front of that wild Mount Kinka animal? Do you want to go against me or something!?" 

"Anyway, don't just swing your arqebus around your future retainers! Can you take the responsibility if it misfires?" 

"You understand don't you? I hate all these Omyoujis or demons. Hmph, it seems like animals do gather together; looks like you guys mix well with each other, huh....." 

Reluctantly passing back her arqebus to an aide, Nobuna returned to her seat. 

"Ok Hanbei, tell me clearly who you wanna serve. Of course, I have no problems accepting you as my direct aide and letting me train you to death!" 

"I...I...I'm happy about your offer, but No...No...Nobuna-sama is too...too...too scary. I...I...I will be bullied." 

"Ah, really? How about going over to Katsuie to swing some swords or thrust some spears?" 

"Such a demure brat can never survive in the battlefield! Let me use my hellish training to train you from scratch, Heiyaaaaaa!" 

Katsuie who leapt out to the courtyard, swung the long spear at a thick tree, and the latter was cut in half in an instant and fell into the lake. 

"De...de...de...de...definitely not. Uhhh, Uhhhhhhhh......*sob*" 

"Hehe~hehe~hehe. In terms of intelligence, she should be with me. Let me teach Hanbei-dono all the devious plans and cunning strategies! What strategists need are guts! Heiyaaa!" 

The late Saitou Dousan geezer, lifted a giant rock in the courtyard and threw it into the lake. 

"Ahhhhhhh....Uhhh...Uhhhhhh *Sobsob*" 

"Ahh, really! Stop scaring Hanbei already! She is crying now!" 

While hugging Hanbei's trembling shoulders, Yoshiharu lectured at the overly energetic Dousan and Katsuie. 

"In the end, she's an introvert. It's obvious that this kind of brat can never serve under Viper. She did cause a big fuss while serving under Yoshitatsu, right? I think it's better for me to retrain her from the roots." 

"Uhhhh. If I can't be together with Yoshiharu-san, I want to retire back into the mountains. Yoshiharu-san, the people in the Oda-clan are bullying me......!" 

"Ah...Ah... There's no helping it. So that's how it is. Can you let Hanbei be by my side and help me out?" 

"......so infuriating! It's not impossible. From now on, work hard as the Saru's advisor. But......" 

"Ahhh? *Tremble profusely*" 

"......Don't hang around Saru all the time! If you dare steal from me, I will shoot a bullet right through your eyebrows!" 

"........*Tremble, tremble*" 

"Oi, Nobuna, put down that arqebus!!!" 

With this, Hanbei can finally stay with Yoshiharu, and is officially part of the Oda-clan. 

Nobuna and her retainers were also finally seated, and began their real after-battle review. 

At the side of Nobuna sits her "fiancee", his face absolutely uncaring, Asai Nagamasa. But Nobuna too did not care about Nagamasa at all, and goes along with her own after-battle stuff. 

First and foremost is the decision concerning the surrendered Saitou Yoshitatsu. 

Yoshitatsu, the huge man of 6 feet and 5 inches, had prepared for his death, appearing before Nobuna in a fully white attire and sating in a seiza position. 

But that messed up face of his, after showing a serious face, caused Katsuie to laugh out. This caused everyone to whisper to each other. 

"Don't laugh, 12 points." 

"Riku, this isn't the time to laugh." 

"Yes, I'm very sorry!" 

"I'm really sorry, Yoshitatsu-sama." Hanbei kept bowing her head and apologizes, but Yoshitatsu said in return, "I got it. It's my fault too for not employing you" and forgave Hanbei's actions. 

With a unnervingly sharp glare, Nobuna asked Yoshitatsu, "Saitou Yoshitatsu, what more do you have to say?" 

"...I totally lost to you. If you can ensure the safety of my advisors and people, I have nothing else to say." 

"Ah, dearuka. You don't plan to ask for forgiveness? If you retire and give up arms, it's not impossible for me to spare your life." 

"I'm still a descendant of the Toki Clan; I have my own resolve. Right now I should commit seppuku and die, but......" 

"But?" 

"That Asai Nagamasa who is sitting at Nobuna-dono's side, in actual fact, he is......" 

"Shut up! He is trying to sour our relationship. Hurry and execute him!" Nagamasa roared at Yoshitatsu. 

"I'm already prepared to die, so I have no need to lie. Asai Nagamasa, lies and betrayal are a common thing in this era, but your behavior is simply too unsightly." 

"Shut up. Nobuna-dono, execute him with haste, please cut off his head now." 

Nobuna ignored Nagamasa words and asked Saitou Dousan who is sitting in the corner not saying a word. 

"Viper, what is your opinion? You are but a retired man. As such you have no right to say anything about my decisions, but Yoshitatsu is your godson. I don't mind listening to you for a while." 

Dousan waved the fan in his hand with an agonizing face and squeezed a sentence out. 

"......That fellow is a smart man contrary to his looks. If you release him, he will definitely be an obstacle to Nobuna-dono's dream. Kill him." 

Yoshitatsu opened his eyes wildly and glared at Dousan. 

"......Yoshitatsu. Your intelligence and your pride as one of the descendants of the protectors of Mino, the Toki clan, caused you to lose your life. In this era, it's a common thing for the new to replace the old. To go against the flow and fail, it's your own undoing." 

"Nobuna-dono is the one who truly inherited Otou-san's dream. I had realized that early on. But I also had the pride of being once called Dousan's successor. As one of the two successors who both had no blood relationship, if I could prove my strength and win, it might have been possible to prove that I was a more suitable successor to Otou-san, that's what I thought!" 

"If I let you be my successor, I might be absolved from some of the bad things I've done... At least, I once had such naive thoughts, but it seems like such a rash action at the start had caused this dark situation now. Forgive me, Yoshitatsu." 

A short silence ensued as both of them used their expressions to communicate. 

"......I've been trouble all this while, Otou-san." 

Yoshitatsu bowed his head deeply towards Dousan. 

"Kill him. Kill my son now, Nobuna-dono." 

Dousan used a voice so soft that it was almost inaudible. 

Asai Nagamasa was celebrating in his heart. 

My plan was not exposed, excellent! 

But all the celebration aside, Asai Nagamasa did not feel a bit of happiness. 

Because he himself was also one of the sinful sengoku daimyo who had forced his own father to retire. 

"Mino's Saitou clan, my Asai clan, Kai's Takeda clan, and Echigo's Uesugi clan. This sengoku era where fathers and sons had to battle nonstop, when will it end......?" 

Unknowingly, Nagamasa said such words lightly from his mouth. 

But Nobuna, wearing a face of displeasure, silently shook her head. 

"I will not execute Yoshitatsu." 

"What? What are you saying, Nobuna-dono? If you don't kill him now, it's like waiting for a disaster to happen. There will be a day he will return....." 

"Viper, you've overestimated Yoshitatsu. How can he be the opponent of the great Oda Nobuna!?" 

"Naïve. Too naïve, Nobuna-dono! If you are pitying me, then please stop it!" 

"I am not pitying you. Aides! Drag Yoshitatsu and throw him out now!" 

"Really! To conquer the world, sometimes one must be ready to forgo personal feelings! Nobuna-dono, that naïvety will one day cost you your life!" 

"Shut the hell up, Viper! You are but a retired man. Although I did hear your opinions, the one responsible for making the last decision is still me!" 

"But.....! Look at Yoshitatsu's eyes. He has no intentions to surrender willingly! If you don't get rid of him now, there will definitely be a day he will stage a counter attack!" 

"Enough, throw him out now!" 

"Just as Otou-sama said, you will regret it one day" Yoshitatsu mumbled while standing up, and without a word of thanks, walked out of the hall. 

Towards such an action, the angry Dousan said "I'm leaving" and left quietly. 

In an instant, a heavy atmosphere envelops the great hall. 

But Nobuna seems not to care one bit. 

"Really, that's why I say geezers have no patience. Everyone, thanks for waiting! Now let's start the long awaited reward ceremony!" 

Nobuna clapped her hands and the first to walk up to her is Niwa Nagahide and Shibata Katsuie. 

As the one in charge of building Komaki Yamaj? and disrupting East Mino daily activities, the accomplished Nagahide was awarded with a mind blowing [25] "year's supply of Uiroumochi", and the bravest Katsuie who participated in conquering Inabayama Castle was awarded with a "Tea set" and "The right to open Miso Udon shops in towns" 

"Huh, er, Hime-sama. This tea set seems strange. It looks like muddled up mud......." 

"Riku, that tea set is actually top quality stuff taken from the Tang dynasty. Just the price of that is more than enough to buy a country like Mino." 

"Ehh, it's that expensive?! Thank you so much, Hime-samaaaa! I, Shibata Katsuie, will definitely use this life of mine to serve you forever!" 

"Yoshiharu-san, that tea set isn't worth anything....", Hanbei whispered into Yoshiharu's ear. 

Katsuie, that fellow is too easy to swindle. Yoshiharu can't do anything about it either. 

"And now, Inaba Itetsu and Ujiie Bokuzen." 

"Yes!" 

"I will keep both of your lands intact and under your administration. But from now on, you must enforce Otoichi-Onza related policies. Lead Mino from here on and help me in conquering the world." 

"We understand, Nobuna-sama!" 

"Aiya, we heard Owari's princess is an unforgiving person, but it's a good thing we manage to keep our heads." The two geezers whispered and consoled each other. 

"And, that Ando blah blah blah. Come out." 

"Damn you, Asai Nagamasa! Nobuna-dono, till yesterday, I was captured and imprisoned by Nagamasa!" 

Once Ando Iga was brought forward, he was cursing "Damn it, Damn it" non-stop. 

Nagamasa paled and said, "What are you saying?" 

"Nagamasa was in cahoots with Saitou Yoshitatsu. He kidnapped me to threaten Hanbei and helped Yoshitatsu gain back Inabayama Castle... Uhhh, why is Nagamasa sitting beside Nobuna-dono!? Don't tell me you are seeing yourself as Nobuna-dono's husband, damn it!" 

But Asai Nagamasa isn't a simple person. 

Ando Iga is already so angry, so I must never let the incident of Sunomata be exposed.... Nagamasa used his brain and started explaining. 

"Because I took care to hide the head of the Mino Three, Ando Iga, the residents of Mino started to spread rumors like 'Saitou Yoshitatsu has started to finish off the interfering Mino Three.' Judging from the results, I would say this also contributed to the other two, Inaba Itetsu and Ujiie Bokuzen, finally defecting to Nobuna-dono." 

"Although full of lies, this reason is good. 73 points." Nagahide is still paying attention. 

"You damn sissy, full of lies yet having such a convincing reason." Yoshiharu started to scratch the tatami like a cat while gashing his teeth. 

"Oh, so it's like that...... Inaba and Ujiie defecting wasn't from the efforts of that damn Saru." Katsuie chipped in unknowingly. 

"So it's like that. Oi, Ando blah blah blah, from now on, as the head of the Mino Three, work hard for me along with your niece Hanbei." 

Nobuna does not seem interested and did not ask anything about Nagamasa. 

"Oioi, don't tell me you are just going to ignore that Nagamasa bastard?" Yoshiharu glared with all his might. 

"Ohh, Hanbei. It's been hard on you letting you serve under the Saitou clan. I've let you down.....!" 

"It's ok. Because of Uncle, Hanbei has finally met her own master." 

"Is that so, is that so? Hanbei has become strong, huh?" 

With this, the efficient Mino Three had finally assembled and become Nobuna's direct retainers. 

The Uncle and niece pair hugged each other tightly, while feeling a sense of joy for each other at this new beginning. 

With all this, almost all the issues following Mino's conquer were complete. 

Yoshitatsu's treatment and the rewards of the retainers are complete, the only things left are the marriage with Asai Nagamasa and the promise of the reward. 

This is it. 

"For the one who conquered Inabayama Castle, no matter what kind of reward is requested, it will be fulfilled." 

Hanbei said aloud the promise with a hint of bitterness, and the time had come for Nobuna to fulfill it. 

"From my just and fair judgement, the one who has the right to claim the promise is Katsuie who has accomplished the most!" 

"That's right, Hime-sama! I had accomplished the most! Yay~~!!" 

"Hime, this is too unreasonable, 12 points. For the building of Sunomata castle, the defect of the Mino Three and Hanbei, and the suicide squad to sneak into Inabayama Castle, the right to the promise should be given to Sagara Yoshiharu-sama. This is the only choice if the reward is to be fair and just." 

With a wide smile, Nagahide seems to understand what Nobuna is thinking and raised such a full mark suggestion. 

"Che, there's no helping it, huh?" Nobuna knitted her eyebrows, spit on the floor and turned to Yoshiharu. 

"It...It can't be, Hime-samaaaaaaaa~!?" 

Ignoring Katsuie who is sobbing on the ground, Nobuna shifted to Yoshiharu's side and approached his face to the point where they can feel each other's breath. 

Yoshiharu is so nervous that he couldn't move. 

It's been so long since he could look so closely at Nobuna's delicate small face. Such a bright scene in front of him forces Yoshiharu to swallow his saliva. 

"Say it out loud, Saru. What do you want. Do...Don't stutter now...." 

"....Do...Don't position your face so close. It's hard to say, isn't it?" 

"Stop caring so much, just say it when I want you to say it!" 

Both of them looked at each other in silence due to being nervous. 

From the view of bystanders it was an instant, but to the both of them, it was an unbearably long moment. 

Nobuna's face started to show a tinge of red, and her expression was that of almost crying while she looked at Yoshiharu. 

"You damn Saru! If you don't say it now, I will be snatched away by Nagamasa! Hurry up, say that you want me as your reward. Hurry up and say it!" 

Sounds emitting out slight bouts of tsundere-ism from Nobuna can be heard, but such a sound makes Yoshiharu even more confused as he sinks into a deep helplessness. 

He...Hehehe. My reward is you, marry me! If I say such a thing, Nobuna will definitely not know what to do and be confused. Th...Though I have no interest in marrying that stingy, violent brat of a princess, ...isn't... isn't it fine to say such a mind-blowing request to teach Nobuna a lesson....? 

At this moment. 

At the back of the sweating Nobuna, Yoshiharu saw Asai Nagamasa and Niwa Nagahide. 

Asai Nagamasa sneered, his expression saying, "Just a lowly soldier, what a joke to have ulterior motives on the Oda clan's princess." 

He was sneering at the panicking Yoshiharu. 

Shut up and wait. I will tear that sneer right off of your face. Nagamasa's reaction egged Yoshiharu on, letting him be more and more determined on that mind-blowing request. 

But. 

On the other side, Niwa Nagahide smiled gently and looked at Yoshiharu. 

"Yoshiharu-sama. Please decide using your own eyes and see what's best for Hime." 

Using an expression almost like advising, Nagahide spoke wordlessly to Yoshiharu. 

"Protect Hime well from the hands of Nagamasa, as well as her dreams. Please choose such a reward." 

Such a reward, can it be done......? 

What's there to care about, what I really wish for is.......! 

And then, he himself noticed it. At his back, Hanbei has been looking at him from the back silently all this while. 

Yes. I had such a promise with Hanbei-chan. I had already said such big words in front of her. How can I force Nobuna into a corner and request her to marry a lowly soldier? With how he is now, he has no such right at all. There is still such a long, almost impossible distance to go before he would be an outstanding general that on equal standing with the Oda-clan's princess. 

No matter if it's the world or Nobuna, for Yoshiharu now, they are like the sun in the sky, such a far yet dazzlingly bright existence. 

Unknowingly, she starts to feel anxious. 

"Nee, Saru. Hurry up and say it." 

Nobuna's light breath which comes together with a nice smell from her body floated past Yoshiharu nostrils. 

This arrogant violent girl is totally not my type. 

Even if that should be the case... 

His heart is filled with a sudden desire to steal Nobuna's lips. 

I don't care at all if this damn brat is the world's number 1 bishoujo. I do know, this girl, is my...... 

Suppressing such a desire in his heart, Yoshiharu said. 

"......Nobuna, I don't want you to marry Asai Nagamasa! That fellow does not have one bit of an honest feeling for you!" 

"Er, Saru?! What....What...What are you saying!? Here you should be saying....." 

"You will fulfill any reward requested, don't tell me you are going to regret it! Listen, what I want for my reward is you rejecting this marriage of yours! Just desserts!" 

"I...I...I don't....Er....Er... It's not like that.....!" 

"That's a good one, Saru~! Beautiful~! I raise both hands in approval!" 

Hime-sama's chastity is finally saved, Katsuie can't help but dance wildly in joy. 

"....Considering both of your feelings, this ending is quite regrettable, but the Oda clan has avoided a crisis, 80 points." 

Nagahide has long noticed Nobuna and Yoshiharu's hopeless love for each other, and her usual smile revealed a complicated expression. 

Asai Nagamasa who was ridiculed in front of everyone walked towards Yoshiharu and Nobuna with a pale face. 

"What is this about, Nobuna-dono?" 

"Nagamasa. For the one who conquered Inabayama Castle, I promised to fulfill any reward he wants. Looks like this Saru of mine is so jealous of my happiness that he chose to destroy our marriage as the reward. Hehe." 

"Hime, your happiness is blatantly showing on your face. At this time, you should be more reserved. 32 points." 

"Nagamasa, this bad luck of yours is well deserved~ Damn Saru, nicely done! You are really a good retainer who thinks of Nobuna-sama. I now see you in a different light!" Katsuie happily hugged Yoshiharu while twisting his joints. 

"So that's how things are now, go back to Omi if there's nothing else, Nagamasa. I'm sorry for letting you run so far." 

"What the hell does this mean!? Nobuna-dono, don't tell me you agree to such a dumb reward!?" 

"Of course. This is a long decided fact, and the achievements that Saru made are all well known. So Nagamasa, please forget about marriage. If you want to hate, hate this Saru of mine???" 

Nagamasa thought. 

I've lost. I have once again lost totally to this couple. From the start when I came to Owari and proposed to Nobuna, my fate had been decided. 

For the dream of conquering the world, Saruyashamaru had even abandoned his own dream. 

Yet I've lost to this Saru who refused to give up like a child throwing a tantrum, and this Nobuna who most likely has the same feelings as this Saru. 

But Nagamasa's heart relaxed a little. 

But.....This is just Asai Nagamasa, No, just Saruyashamaru's feelings. 

As a sengoku daimyo, Asai Nagamasa will not back off from just this setback. 

But he can only swallow and accept what has happened here. 

"If that's the case, the alliance between Asai clan and Oda clan is non-existent! If so, my ambition of conquering the world from Omi will be shattered!" 

"If you so wish to have an alliance with me, how about you start to beg me with a better tone?" 

"No. If I can't have an alliance formed through blood relations, I can't answer to my father! And, you do not have any other siblings! There is no other possibility for this alliance except through the princess of the Oda clan." 

Facing Nagamasa's desperate explanation, Nobuna spoke with a stiff expression. 

"Ah is that it? It's no big deal to destroy Omi while on route to the capital, but since you've said it to this extent, it's not hard for me to form an alliance with you. As the proof of the alliance, I will send a princess of the Oda clan to your side. This will be it." 

"Uhh....Princess? I...I have no objections......" 

"So the alliance is formed then. I will send her over soon, so go back if there's nothing else. And I won't ask anymore about you being in cahoots with Yoshitatsu and kidnapping that Ando Blah blah blah." 

Nagamasa nodded obediently. If he had a princess from the Oda clan, it's as if he had a hostage in his hands. With the way the alliance is formed, his father, Asai Hisamasa, should be able to accept it. 

"I understand. I hope this time around you will not break your promise with me.....I will convince my father on my side." 

"You brought up your father again. Aren't you overly concerned over forcefully making your father retire?" 

"As a child, that is obvious." 

"Ah, is that so? Placing the same amount of importance in your own father and the world, looks like you are still a child. And such a thing like deceiving females should be stopped.... If you truly want to marry with someone from our Oda clan." 

".......Understood." 

Asai Nagamasa, even as a sengoku daimyo, has been utterly defeated in front of Nobuna. 

"Wanting me to marry you is a bit too reckless. From now on, work hard for my Oda clan as my little brother. 

From Nagamasa's point of view, the meaning from Nobuna's words was so hurtful it carved a deep scar in his heart. 

Asai Nagamasa could only reach where he was now through the shattered remains of his own dream as Saruyashamaru. But the price for abandoning his own dream....... 

I might have lost a bit too much. But now isn't the time, I must not bow down to Nobuna. Now I should accept this humiliation and retreat. There will be a day when he will return and subdue Nobuna..... The flames of ambition silently burns inside Nagamasa's chest. 

His own abandoned wishes, his lost dreams, the feelings he was unable to get across. Without knowing when, their shape had changed in his heart and had become a fiercely burning ambition. 

After Nagamasa left, the hall exploded with a wave of cheers. 

"My princess is finally safe~! Damn Saru, yay~!!" 

"Ge...Get away from me, your tits are suffocating me, ok!?" 

"......worth celebrating." 

"....I...I seem to be a bit tired....Everyone is being so loud, so scary.....*Sob*" 

"A wise decision, Hime. But......" 

"Manchiyo. What do you want to say?" 

"Inside the Oda family, other then Nobuna-hime, there isn't any other princess left. 1 point." 

"Ara, I've been exposed." 

"Ahhhhh, that's right!", Katsuie screamed too. 

"Wh-wh-wh-wh-what should we do, Hime-sama? As expected, we should just finish Asai clan off?" 

"Of course not. Though I displayed such an attitude in front of Nagamasa, honestly Asai clan's Odani Castle is a fortress on par with Inabayama Castle. Conquering it will waste huge amounts of time and energy. If that's the case, going to the capital will be delayed and we might let Takeda Shingen take the lead. 

"Takeda Shingen and Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin are battling it out on Kawanaka island. If we miss this golden opportunity to go to the capital, our dream of conquering the world won't be fulfilled," Nobuna stretched her arms and said solemnly. 

"Manchiyo, what should we do when there is a situation like this?" 

"At such a moment, we should choose a girl with fair looks and accept her as a goddaughter of the Oda clan, and as per customary procedures, marry her to Asai clan. 

"That will take too much time. And it's a well known fact that the Oda clan is full of hunks and beauties.... Nagamasa had already seen my face. If I just find any half-assed bishoujo, this will definitely be exposed." 

"You have a point." 

"Owari is a birthplace of fair ladies. Though there are many bishoujos, I don't think I can find a bishoujo that can match up to my invincible looks......" 

Inuchiyo has earnestly raised her small hand to attract Nobuna's attention, but it seems like Nobuna ignored it. 

It's a fact that Inuchiyo can be considered a bishoujo, but her looks are totally different from Nobuna; especially when considering her breasts, Inuchiyo is totally a goner. 

"Le-le-le-le-le.....Let me go over to Omi then!? If...If...If it's for the sake of Hime-sama, I Katsuie, will not hesitate to even die. Eve...Even if it's to sacrifice my body to a ma...ma...man, I will also.... Uhhh, Uhhhhh......!" 

"Riku, I already said that I will be very troubled without you in the army, right? Besides, since when does a princess from the Oda clan have such huge breasts like yours!?" 

"Eh......? Hu...Huge breasts......!?" 

"My downwards and slanted eyes are totally different to Hime-sama too. 0 points," Nagahide has brilliantly been passed too. 

"What a headache. Though I do really want to dress Hanbei up as a princess and have it done with, unfortunately that brat is too timid. Goemon always hides her face and stutters too, and the only leftover is Nene who is still young......" 

"Hmmm. It's hard to say.....but isn't there Oichi still?" 

Yoshiharu turned his head to the side and said hesitantly. 

In Yoshiharu's sengoku game knowledge, the alliance between the two clans were formed after Nagamasa married the princess of the Oda clan, Oichi. 

But after their alliance broke, Oichi went through a very pitiful life by witnessing her husband, Asai Nagamasa, commit seppuku and die. 

Since everyone had all along not said anything about Oichi, Yoshiharu felt embarrassed to ask, his heart filling with unease too. 

"Hu....Huh? Who is Oichi? I've never heard of her before." 

"Isn't she your little sister?" 

"My...My little sister? Manchiyo, what is this about?" 

"This...I have no idea too." 

"Ye...Yes Yes. Hi...Hime-sama has no sister at all!" 

Not knowing why, Katsuie is starting to sweat profusely. 

"Saru, I have no siblings other then a brother.... There, that guy who dressed himself like an Oiran [26] , the real Owari's fool, Kanjuurou." 

Nobuna points to the garden with a face of helplessness. There was that idiot, Oda Kanjuurou Nobukatsu, who is leading his team of girls and shouting "Let's celebrate" while dancing an oiran dance. 

"Onee-sama, congratulations! I, Kanjuurou, will stay by your side and serve you for the whole day! Ara, why am I dressed so pretty!? Hahahaha!" 

Nobuna quietly gathered her retainers by her side while revealing a dark sinister smile. 

".......Saru, Manchiyo, Inuchiyo, Riku....What do you guys think?" 

"......Oioi, Nobuna. Don't tell me you.... *Swallow*" 

"......It's an exhilarating suggestion, but if it is exposed, Nagamasa-sama will be fuming mad. It's a high risk gamble. 50 points." 

"......A man yet being prettier than Inuchiyo. I can't take it...... Agreed!" 

"What? Huh, what are you guys talking about? Am I the only...only one not understanding anything!? Uwahhhhh....!?" 

"Please marry Kanjuurou-sama to the Asai clan," Hanbei who was hiding behind a pillar suggest with a sobbing voice. 

"The both... both of them... will... will... will definitely fit...fit...fit together..." 

"What the hell is going on!?" Yoshiharu scratched his head angrily, but Nobuna had already decided on what to do. 

"Even Hanbei has suggested it, so it's an all green! Everyone! Hurry up and capture Kanjuurou!" 

"Arara, Onee-sama, what kind of a game is this? Hahahaha. Eh? Why am I being tied up with a rope.....?" 

Goemon who appeared in a gust of smoke had tied Nobukatsu up tightly like a chicken. 

"Oichi-sama, please prepare yourself." 

"Ararara, Ninja, who is this Oichi-sama you are talking about?" 

"You." 

"Eh? But my name is Kanjuurou Nobukatsu....." 

"From today forth, you are Asai Nagamasa's wife, Oichi-hime~nya!" 

"E~H~!?" 

The pitiful Nobukatsu is sent like this in a cage and carried towards Omi. 

After beautifully settling the alliance issue with Asai clan, Nobuna's lengthy after-battle review ended. "Now to give the Mino people a fresh start, we should change the name of the castle and town. Are there any nice suggestions?" Nobuna ask the knowledgeable Nagahide. 

"In the Tang dynasty, there was an ancient saying of 'King of Zhou, marching from Mount Qi, the world can be obtained'. It means that the ancient King of Zhou assembles his army in Mount Qi and finally obtained the world. Now to show that we have the wish to bring peace throughout the world, how about we change Inabayama Castle to 'Gizan Castle' and Mount Kinka to Mount Qi?" 

"That's a good name, Manchiyo! But the town name being changed to Mount Qi is a bit weird, since that town is actually plains." 

"Mount Qi has other names, like Giyou or Gifu." 

"Then let's name it Gifu! From now on, this castle will be 'Gifu's castle'! And the town will be 'Gifu's town'!" 

"How about Mount Kinka?" 

"It sounded great to start with, so it will remain the same." 

After deciding on the new name of the town, Nobuna ordered her men to write out the official documents for the new name "Gifu" and stamp a new personal seal of approval onto them. 

This seal was carved with the words.... 

Tenka Fubu. 

The scattered world, using military might, to gather all of them into one. 

After granting the wish of capturing Mino, Nobuna can finally announce her ambition to conquer the world. 

"Finally, we can prepare to go to the capital! We should head to Kyoto, letting the whole world fall under our command!" 

"Arara, with this we will make enemies everywhere again." Nagahide gave out a sigh after hearing. 

"Someone explain it to me, what do the words in this seal mean?" Katsuie became confused. 

"Finally, the moment has arrived....! It's almost time for us to fetch the vagrant general, Ashikage Yoshiaki and move onto the world." Yoshiharu's heart starts burning with anticipation. 

This conquest might sound easy, but in truth no one can predict the situation. 

"I'm born from Mino's sub tribe of Toki-Minamoto, Juubei Mitsuhide. Ever since Dousan-sama has been banished from Mino, I have become a vagrant. But now, please allow me to contribute to help restore the Ashikage government." 

The young warrior who had walked in is Akechi Mitsuhide. 

Her long black hair was tied up tidily at the back, her expression revealing an intense sharp glare. She is a bishoujo warrior that gives people a refreshing first impression. 

No matter if it's her actions or behavior, there aren't any extra movements mixed in. This shows that she is extremely well trained. Without even considering her swordplay, she even knows to a great degree the ancient tea ceremony skills that are necessary in Kyoto. 

Looking at this bishoujo warrior who is emitting a clean and distinguished aura, everyone can't help but let out "Ohoh" voices of approval. 

Unlike the Owari warriors whose heads are full of Hatcho Miso, this girl in front of them is a rare talent. 

In this serious and solemn discussion, there is no inkling of a feeling that she will be the culprit of the future "Honnou-ji Incident". 

Nobuna mumbled, "I seem to have seen you somewhere," and tilted her small head. 

"Ara? Aren't you the aide who was sitting beside Viper in Masanori Temple?" 

"Yes, I was once the aide of Dousan-sama." 

"Ahh, as expected. If it's Viper, he is retiring at my side. You are now a vagrant, so letting you join our Oda clan is no problem! Now that we went through so much to obtain Mino, we are at a shortage of manpower." 

"Yes.....But, I'm not here for a position today, but to inform you of very important news. This news might be a major point in the future of the Oda clan." 

"Stop dilly dallying. Say it out now." 

Yoshiharu seems to have thought of something and interrupted. 

This, this is a major event during the event of Oda clan heading towards the capital. 

"In Kyoto, Matsunaga Hisahide, in cahoots with the Miyoshi Three, assassinated Ashikage Yoshiteru! Akechi Mitsuhide arranged for Yoshiteru's little brother, Ashikage Yoshiaki, to be the new shogun, wanting to restore the reputation of the government! But she does not have the military might to defeat Kyoto's Matsunaga and Miyoshi Three, so she had come to the Oda clan and ask for them to head to the capital.... That's it, right!?" 

In Yoshiharu's gaming knowledge, Matsunaga Hisahide can be said to be a big villian in the sengoku era. Assassinating his master, killing the shogun, even Nara's great Buddha came under his path of destruction. But, in this world, what evil things will Matsunaga Hisahide do? Yoshiharu does not know. If even Matsunaga Hisahide is a female, that will be an unacceptable fact, Yoshiharu can't help but think. 

"Oh, so that's it. As expected of Saru, far-sighted, huh?" Nobuna praised. 

But the kneeling Juubei said to Nobuna. 

"Er....Though it's a bit rude, things aren't exactly like that." 

"Ehhhh? How can this be wrong!? In my brain, the sengoku game knowledge......" 

"What? In the end, it's all wrong. Damn Saru, that 'blah blah blah' knowledge of yours does have times when they are wrong." 

"It should not be possible....." 

"Though what actually happened is not far from what he said. From what my spies told me, it's a fact that Matsunaga Hisahide and the Miyoshi Three attempted to assassinate the shogun, Ashikage Yoshiteru. But the wise Yoshiteru-sama knew that he had no chance of winning, left a note saying 'Awaiting for another day', and escaped to the country of Ming [27] with his sister, Yoshiaki." 

Ehhhhhhh!? 

Yoshiharu is totally confused. 

"The current shogun brought the next shogun Yoshiaki overseas!? I haven't heard of this kind of thing at all! With this, the righteous motive of the Oda clan moving to the capital will...... No, with this, I do not know where the line of history will flow next, and my value will......." 

"Be quiet a bit, will you, Saru? Juubei, continue on." 

"Roger. With this, the line of Ashikage as shogun will be broken. Ashikage's sub family that was in Kantou is totally eliminated due to the Houjo clan, and no one else can continue as the shogun. If this goes on, the chaos in Japan might continue on forever." 

"Juubei, you must have some kind of a plan for you to run all the way here to me." 

"Exactly. But there might be risks involved." 

Mitsuhide moves closer and whispers to Nobuna. 

In an instant, Nobuna revealed a very confused expression, but had come to a decision immediately. 

"I get it. I will use this plan, Juubei! Inuchiyo, hurry and get that black teeth [28] princess who only knows how to play soccer!" 

"......Roger." 

With a high pitched laugh, "Oh, hohoho. Finally, it's time for me to enter!" Imagawa Yoshimoto is brought in front of them. 

Though Yoshimoto had said "Having white teeth is more beautiful still" and didn't dye her teeth black, that princess stance of hers is still the same. Ever since surrendering to the Oda clan, Yoshimoto had been living a stress-free life. She did not even retire, and regularly wore that Juunihitoe of hers and wandered around. Everyday, she was either drinking tea, playing soccer, or writing Enka songs, and had totally lived a carefree life. 

"Our Imagawa clan is also a sub-clan of the Ashikage. 'If the main clan is destroyed, Nara will inherit them, if Nara is destroyed, Imagawa will inherit'. Now that Ashikage's bloodline had been severed, and the one who was supposed to inherit them, the Nara clan has been destroyed by the great me, the only one left is the Imagawa Clan! And in this clan, the only one left is....'Hokkaido's strongest bow', Imagawa Yoshimoto! Other than me, Imagawa Yoshimoto, going onwards to Kyoto to inherit the position of Shogun, there is no other choice! Hohohohoho!" 

Exactly. 

Towards Juubei Mitsuhide who observed the rules, she wants to tell Nobuna the fact that "Since now Ashikage main clan's bloodline is severed, the princess of Imagawa clan has the right for the Shogun". 

Though Nobuna has totally no interest in such messy things, it looks like "If we let this fellow be the Shogun, we will have the righteous motive to proceed to the capital", and reluctantly agreed. 

"Though she is an irritating fellow, if I make Imagawa Yoshimoto a Shogun and eradicate Matsunaga and the Miyoshi Three, I don't think Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin will have a way to interrupt." 

"Yes. Though this princess's behavior is a bit foolish, since we just need her bloodline, there's no problem. There isn't any harm to our side too." 

"Ohhohoho. Once I become the new Shogun, Nobuna, no matter if it's Kanrei [29] , or vice-Shogun, just choose what rank you like. The great me is a very generous lady. Ohohohoho." 

"You are very noisy, you know? Oi Yoshimoto, hurry and stamp your seal on this 'contract'. After this, I will let you be the Shogun." 

Yoshimoto asked "what is this?" while taking the document that Nobuna was throwing. 

Written on the document was... 

Number 1: With the rank Shogun, you will be nothing but a puppet. All official documents going out must have Nobuna-sama's stamp too. 

Number 2: The people will be directly ruled by Nobuna-sama. All opposition will be executed without exceptions. If you dare to oppose me, you too shall be executed. 

Number 3: You must help the busy Nobuna-sama serve Himiko [30] in Kyoto. 

Number 4: Don't use that high tone of yours to laugh foolishly. So noisy. 

Number 5: From now on, you must have an open a caring heart towards Nobuna-sama like how you treat your own mother or sister. Respect her every day and do not face your legs in her direction when you sleep. 

These 5 totally arrogant rules were listed out in Nobuna's handwriting. 

"What the hell is this!? Towards the future Shogun-sama like me, how rude......" 

"I said you are just a puppet. Isn't that obvious? Someone who is below me saying things about my decisions should be dragged out and be executed in public. Besides, why haven't you retired!?" 

"Ahhhhh....Moto...Motoyasu, Motoyasu~!" 

"I'm here~" 

Coming from Mikawa to congratulate the conquering of Mino, Matsudaira the tanuki Motoyasu answered Imagawa Yoshimoto's summons, and appeared in front of all of them in an instant. 

"I... will definitely not stamp my seal on such a devious contract! Ahh but, such a hostage life that I've been living through, I can only play soccer in such a rundown place......If I can go to Kyoto and live my life, it must definitely be more grand! Motoyasu! Now, hurry and think of a plan to restore the Imagawa clan!" 

"Anyways, just stamp your seal first. We will talk about it once you've become the Shogun. Then there will be an opportunity to nullify this contract~. Hehehehe." 

"Haha, as expected from Motoyasu! You sure are cunning! Ohohohoho!" 

And then, Imagawa Yoshimoto stamped her seal happily on this demonic contract, almost like selling her soul away. 

Nicely done, Takechiyo. Nobuna sent a "Good Job" glance to Motoyasu. 

Though her pride is as high as Mount Fuji, she is unexpectedly easy to settle~ Takechiyo answered with a glance too. 

"Juubei, in Kyoto your behavior and knowledge will definitely be useful. From now on, work hard under me as a retainer!" 

"Roger. I'm honored." 

Mitsuhide bowed with a solemn face, but Yoshiharu was still in a state of confusion. 

"Lying to this stupid princess to stamp on this slave contract, these two sure are devious.... No, wait, Imagawa Yoshimoto, who should be dead in Okehazama, becoming the Shogun!? This fellow is much harder to handle than Ashikage Yoshiaki! I hope that this won't become a mess......" 

From that point in the past, the wheels of history might spin in a very different direction. 

"Hanbei-chan once warned me....... If the time comes when my gaming knowledge can't help me, what can I do?" 

At this moment, Nobuna mercilessly shouted. 

"Damn Saru! Your blabla knowledge has times when it's wrong! This Juubei might just be more useful than you!" 

"None...Of...Your...Business!" 

Just then. 

Mitsuhide sneaked a glance at Yoshiharu's face, and her white face suddenly flushed with a bout of red. 

".......Hmmm. You must be that guy who said 'world' in Masanori Temple." 

"Oh, I'm Sagara Yoshiharu. I'm in your care from now on." 

"What, so you are the rumored Sagara Yoshiharu-sama!?" 

Mitsuhide turned towards Yoshiharu immediately and gave a deep bow. "From now on, do take care of me too, Sagara-senpai." 

Looking at this serious Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu can't help but feel embarrassed. 

"Ah, nono. Such a thing like Senpai....! Our age isn't that different, don't be so reserved! Hahahaha!" 

"No, Senpai is Senpai! Sagara-senpai's legendary 'Sunomata Ichiya Castle' is even famous in Kyoto! Senpai had been recognized as the No. 1 general in the country. Compared to Senpai, Juubei is still so far off, so please do guide me along from now on!" 

The serious Mitsuhide blushed, and held onto Yoshiharu's hands tightly. After realizing that he is a young man, "Ahh. This.. This is so rude of me!" and released her hands, embarrassed. 

"I'm really really sorry, do...doing such a ridiculous act!" 

"Ara, so people have been looking at me like that. I will definitely be welcomed in Kyoto. This gives me a headache~" 

"Yes, after going to the capital, Senpai will definitely be welcomed!" 

The shy Juubei just from her holding hands, and this bright eyes of hers praising her senpai all makes her very cute. 

"If it's this Juubei-chan who is so serious and pure, there shouldn't be a thing like a revolt happening." Yoshiharu is a bit relieved. 

The second most famous event in the Sengoku SLG game "Oda Nobunaga no Yabou" is the previously finished "Battle at Okehazama". 

But the most famous event is without a doubt Oda Nobunaga getting killed by Akechi Mitsuhide's "Honnou-ji Incident". 

"Oda Nobunaga, who is betrayed by his own retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide, is at the time only one step away from conquering the world when he committed seppuku in Kyoto's Honnou-ji temple in the midst of flames. His life of ambition is forcibly drawn a full stop.... Kinoshita Tokichirou, who at that time was Hashiba Hideyoshi, was at Chugouku [31] battling with the Mori army. Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide had their own armies spread out to battle with enemy countries for the sake of the world as one. So in the end, no help arrived......" 

Not mentioning Nobunaga who had transformed into a demon king [32] , the Nobuna in front of him, sharp tongued but cute. To let her meet such a pitiful end when she is chasing her dream, Yoshiharu will not accept it even in death. 

In Yoshiharu's heart, he had vaguely realized that he was here in this world to help Nobuna escape the "Honnou-ji Incident". But his own brain seems to have been avoiding the topic of Honnou-ji until now. 

This is because Nobuna who had almost obtained the world was swallowed in a sea of flames, and not even a hair was left over...... Such a pathetic way of departing from this world. Yoshiharu didn't even want to think about it. 

And at that time, he isn't able to be by her side. 

The help can't even reach in time. 

Just slightly thinking about it, his own chest feels pain enough to rip him apart. 

And the fated samurai, Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, has also shown herself. Now is the time to work towards avoiding the incident of Honnou-ji, Yoshiharu thinks. 

".....But no matter how I look, this serious, diligent and pure Juubei-chan will never revolt. I might have over thought things." 

Nobuna who is sitting high up, was staring at Yoshiharu and Mitsuhide as they look at each other. 

"I must say, what are you guys doing by being so lovely-dovey? Juubei, that Saru is being 'fed' [33] personally by me. If you dare to 'feed' him yourself, I won't be merciful." 

"......Roger." 

Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere between Nobuna and Mitsuhide became tensed, but Yoshiharu did not notice this at all. 

Even Nobuna herself and Juubei Akechi did not notice it. 

No one can predict the fate awaiting the three of them. 

"Let's start the feast! Tonight, no one is allowed to go home sober!" 

Having come up in the middle of the reward ceremony, this Imagawa Yoshimoto matter was solved after a long debate. Seemingly in an instant, it was already the middle of the night. 

Saitou Dousan, whose opinions totally differed from Nobuna's, was sitting quietly at the top of Mount Kinka. At the start, he built this shed to sip his tea quietly, but it had been many years since his last visit. Dousan sits outside of the shed while looking down at the night view of the town below him. 

Dousan spent half of his lifetime pursuing dreams like "Capturing Mino, going to the capital, and conquering the world...." 

These dreams that were once shattered were fulfilled one by one by his goddaughter Nobuna. 

The marriage with Asai Nagamasa was canceled too, and Nobuna's small dream as a girl was protected after much difficulty. 

But to let Yoshitatsu escape from her, too naïve. Really, too naïve. 

"There will definitely be troubles ahead for this overly sympathetic brat. I'm afraid my mission here is almost done.... Maybe I should find a faraway country and disappear." 

If he himself were absent, then Nobuna would definitely have decided to execute Yoshitatsu. 

His own existence might be that child's weakness. 

And, he had mysteriously begun to cough recently. 

How many years he had lived through, Dousan can't help but think. 

"You will rot if you stay in a place like this alone, geezer. Hurry and show your face at the feast." 

"That's right! Everyone is waiting for the previous King of Mino to appear!" 

Letting Nene ride on top of his shoulders, Yoshiharu sat down beside Dousan panting, having climbed the mountain. 

"No need. I will just stay here." 

"Geezer, don't tell me you are throwing a tantrum? That isn't good..." 

"It's because I feel very uneasy over Nobuna-dono's naïvety." Dousan revealed his thoughts without reserve. 

Sagara Yoshiharu. Though he is a guy with unknown origins, there is no one better suited to watch over Nobuna. Dousan understands this deeply. 

"Geezer, Yoshitatsu might be your godson, but he is still someone you had raised like a son. Nobuna would not kill Yoshitatsu herself. As someone who had chased away the country's lord but kept his son, you must have been thinking of giving Mino back to Yoshitatsu after you have conquered the world, right? This should be another true dream in that heart of yours. So how can she bear to order his execution?" 

"This is exactly why she is naïve." 

"It's a bit early to think that you are muddle-headed," Yoshiharu laughed. 

"Of course, Nobuna isn't so naïve that she would help Yoshitatsu without conditions. If you had said 'Don't kill Yoshitatsu', Nobuna might have executed Yoshitatsu without hesitation. If she did, you wouldn't have to bear the sin of killing your own son." 

"I will never let that brat bear such a sin, that child knew about this too. From the start, Nobuna-dono had no wish to kill Yoshitatsu," Dousan thought. 

"Dumb. I've got one leg in the coffin already, and as 'Viper Dousan', one or two more sins isn't such a big deal. So naïve." 

"You are no longer Viper. Aren't you the same, geezer? If you really wish to kill Yoshitatsu, you wouldn't have left him alive till today. At the start when you named Nobuna as your successor, didn't you try your best to convince Yoshitatsu?" 

".....Uh..... Really, it's just as you say. What is this? The thought of finishing off Yoshitatsu silently had never crossed my mind. After entrusting my dream to Nobuna-dono, all I could think of was to ask for forgiveness from my own godson." 

The Viper Saitou Dousan, how naïve he is. 

"I wanna pee!" Nene starts to struggle on top of Yoshiharu. "Bear with it, please bear with it!" Yoshiharu calmed Nene while walking off. 

"Place yourself in front of a mirror and see. After meeting with Nobuna at Masanori Temple, Geezer had totally become 'Buddha Dousan' already. Nobuna does not want to add to your sins anymore." 

"I banished my own master and stole Inabayama's fortress and towns. Why even now...... Looks like Nobuna-dono does hate the sins I committed from the bottom of her heart." 

"Huh? What dumb stuff are you saying, geezer? Don't tell me you've really become muddle headed? This fortress and town's new name, read it out yourself." 

Leaving these words, Yoshiharu brought Nene down from Mount Kinka, leaving Dousan by himself to gaze upon the scenery. 

In the darkness of the night, uncountable lights from the town starts to appear. 

At the start it was still a mess of lights, but slowly, it formed a picture. 

This picture, is in the form of a snake. 

Different from the scary Viper, it's like a funny and cute snake that appears in children folktales. 

This should be Nobuna's order, asking the people in the town to light up and form the shape of the snake. 

If he had not been at the top of Mount Kinka, he will not have seen such a spectacular sight. 

Dousan almost choked on the feelings gushing from his heart, and in a shaking voice, spoke the new name of the fortress and the town. 

......Godfather's Fortress, Godfather's Town [34] . 

At this deserted shed in the mountains, 

Dousan takes out the paper fan from his robes with trembling hands, and quietly covered his own face. 

Because the bright moon in the sky is still quietly looking at himself.