Oda Nobuna no Yabou - Volume 7 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 : The Celebration of the Oda Clan 

Nobuna's army returned to Kyo. 

Nobuna's ratings when she destroyed both Echizen's Asakura and Norther Omi's Asai were sky high too. 

"She might be given a higher position than Imagawa Shogun by the Yamato Gose." 

"With this, she has really conquered the world." 

"Though there's still enemies like Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin and the Mori clan from Chuugoku....." 

"With this, the lands around the capital should be unified more or less." 

In the midst of furious chatter at the streets of Kyo, Nobuna organized a grand celebration at Honnou Temple as usual. 

With Katsuie and Nagahide leading, the fellow generals of the Oda clan as well as the puppet shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto are all there. On Tsuda Nobusumi's side, a rarely seen Tsuchida Gozen, Nobuna and Nobusumi's biological mother was sitting there. After hearing that Nobusumi had personally killed his own wife Nagamasa, she had seemed extremely upset. 

All the while, Tsuchida Gozen had been consoling Nobusumi, but Nobusumi instead answered, "It's ok, I'm alright." 

Sitting at the furthest back, it's the first time that Yoshiharu sees Nobuna's mother. 

"She really looks very similar to Nobuna. Her eyes are so cold. Though she's a beauty, but she looks very scary.... Though she's consoling Nobusumi, but why does she seem so cold? Nobuna's hospitality had been totally covered by her mother." Hanbei who is hiding behind Yoshiharu let out a lament. 

"It's obvious that a child looks like her mother. Anyway, there are many people today. Hohoho." 

Hanbei's body doesn't seem very good, Yoshiharu is a little worried. 

"Nobuna has invited different daimyos, leaders, merchants and tea masters around the capitial. Even Yamato Gose's Kampaku Konoe had come with his nobles. Though we had just started to achieve something in the Oda clan, it's still early for us to have our own lands. A big occasion like today, it's already not bad that we can sit at the back." 

"Nene is here too. Onii-sama, don't be afraid at this period of time!" Sitting on Hanbei's lap was Yoshiharu's little sister, Nene. 

"Why did Nene come? Ah, yeah, this is the specialty of Odawara, "Model of Odawara castle". Once you assemble the different wood pieces, a miniature Odawara castle is completed. Go and assemble it then!" 

"Onii-sama. When we talk about specialty, shouldn't it be eaten? Nene is disappointed!" 

"That specialty that you said, I couldn't find them. But there are a few other choices.... Do you want black chicken eggs?" 

"Even if I assemble the Odawara castle, Nene won't be happy. Nene is a girl. Such a thing should be given to boys." 

"Really? In my period of time, there are many girls crazy about period dramas." 

"What are period dramas?" Frois asked. 

Because this celebration allows all family statuses and positions, so even though she was sitting at the back with Yoshiharu, but even the namban missionary had been invited over. 

And then, with Maeda Inuchiyo leading, Nobuna appeared in front of everyone. 

Wearing a red cape bought from namban and the namban hat she loves the most, she sat on a namban chair. Rather than a sengoku princess, she looks more like an empress from another country. 

"Greetings to all. I thank all of you to spare time to come to today's celebration. 

Though her usual character is always cheerful, but it feels like Nobuna's mood today is especially good. 

Did something happen? With a face full of excitement, Nobuna gave a smile. 

The Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa (What a lucky princess. No, not luck, I have to admit she does have some strength.) while gritting his teeth, he came to the front of Nobuna. 

"Today, under orders from the Yamato Gose, I'm here to give Nobuna-sama the position of Imperial Guard General (Ukon'e no Taisho)." 

"Dearuka." 

With a cold face, Nobuna does not seem very interested in the position. 

"You have to know, the position of Imperial Guard General will only be given to the highest status of warriors. It's a very powerful position. Even the current Seii Taishogun Imagawa Yoshimoto does not have the experience yet." 

Imagawa Yoshimoto waved her fan as she laughed out loud. 

"Oh hohoho. Well, there's no helping it! The battle this time is just too spectacular! I Seii Taishogun am very generous. I won't mind such a thing at all! Oh hohohoho." 

"You just don't understand the positions, right?" 

In the midst of the chatter... 

"Though I don't really understand, but Hime-sama is standing at the top in both name and actual strength of warriors, right, Nagahide? No. Isn't she standing at the top of warriors hanya~n!?" 

"....Hmmm, Hime-sama's power is already higher than Imagawa Yoshimoto, this time around, the Yamato Gose has finally admitted it. Full points. But Katsuie-sama." 

"What is it~ Nagahide? hanya~n!" 

".....That strange way of talking, 0 points. What's with you?" 

"Don't joke around, I want to be a maiden~yan!" 

"This way of retort does have the style of Katsuie, 90 points." 

"Noo! I want to be a maiden more like Nagahide!" 

"Be quiet, Riku!" Nobuna stare fiercely at Riku. 

"S...So...So...So...Sorry!" 

"Now, it's time to give awards by their contributions. First is the land of Echizen, I'm giving it to Riku, Shibata Katsuie. Echizen is the frontline against Uesugi Kenshin, from now on, you are to build a reliable fortress and train a strong army. Of course, the policy of Rakuichi Rakuza is to be implemented too. You are to promote the growth of commerce to make the people rich. Can you do it?" 

"Yes...Yes, what? You wa... wa.... want me to be Echizen's daimyo? I... I... I can't do it. Such a complicated job, it's better for Nagahide....." 

Though Katsuie is the no 1 chief in the Oda clan, but she does not have much confidence in being a daimyo. Though she's very good in fighting wars, she's not good in governing. 

"I will send you helpers, do it properly. And Manchiyo has the mission of governing Wakasa, now that the Asakura clan has perished, the master of Wakasa has surrendered to the Oda clan. Manchiyo, I'm leaving the construction of Azuchi castle to you too. Thanks." 

"Hmmm, roger." 

"Nagahide, you didn't enter the fight this time, Hime-sama allows you to become a daimyo nevertheless~! Great~ It seems like Hime-sama loves you~!" 

Katsuie had eyes of admiration for Nagahide, Nobuna can't help but sigh. 

"While building Azuchi castle, didn't Manchiyo govern the military stops between Kyo to Mount Toragozen? Eh, Riku you.... Think properly, when we're fighting a war, supplies and retreat paths are very important. Manchiyo had done it all by herself, you've been a great help, Manchiyo." 

"Thanks for the compliment, my current mood is full points now." 

"Manchiyo, Wakasa and Echizen are neighbour provinces. Help Riku out." 

"Yes." 

"Yeah. You gotta help me, Nagahide! No, help me out~ I'm relying on you~ hanya~n!" 

"....If you take off that "hanya~n~", I will help you out. It gives me goose bumps upon hearing that...." 

"What about it~!" 

The two chiefs of the Oda clan had finally become successful and are daimyos now. 

"Ahh~ I Juubei will be banished out of Kyo this time. Looks like I can only return to Sakamoto castle." Mitsuhide wept. 

All generals thought(Though she's promising, but she will definitely be punished this time.) and are worried for Mitushide. 

But, because she had tried to take revenge for Yoshiharu without a care for her life, Nobuna did not mete out any punishment for Mitsuhide. Currently, their relationship is even stronger than before. 

But, Mitsuhide did not publicize in Kyo the matter of "Without her coming in at the last minute, Nobuna would have been together with Yoshiharu during their period at Hakone." like what they had expected. 

Instead, when Mitsuhide mixed in with the nobles in the tea parties at Kyo, she had been saying good things to Konoe Sakihisa, thus making sure Nobuna received the position of Imperial Guard General. 

From Nobuna's perspective, though Mitsuhide is very irritating for not noticing the situation as she's around Yoshiharu, but she's very cute. 

When the both of them were taking revenge for Yoshiharu, their relationship of master and subordinate had upgraded to that of friends. 

Now on.... 

"Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide, this time, I won't mete out any punishment for you. Your position as master of Sakamoto castle remains unchanged. Please continue on with the protection of Kyo too. And, I'm giving you Tamba, go and think of a way to make it yours, got it?" 

Though she was rewarded, but she had to think of a way to get it. It's not that much of a reward. 

"Tam...Tamba? Tamba is a mountain fort near Kyo, an important passageway known to be the gate to the western provinces. And it's a big province with a 30k yield. Is it really ok to give Tamba to me, Nobuna-sama?" 

"It's ok. It's just that I will use your troops frequently from now on, there might be big expenses too. And, I will leave it to you to command the different daimyos and leaders around the capital. Juubei, are you up to the task?" 

Nobuna gave the important mission of governing lands around the capital to Mitsuhide. 

Though Mitsuhide is troublesome in the matter of Yoshiharu, but as a warrior, she's the elite of the Oda clan. And as someone of literature, Mitsuhide's reputation in Sakai and Kyo is good. She's the only talent that can take on such a complicated task. 

This time, she was unexpectedly promoted. 

No one of the retainers had any opinion. 

"Thank you so much! Ah, I knew it! It's a reward for protecting the chastity of Nobuna-sama! It's because I've had went along to Hakone, right!? If Sagara-senpai does any weird spells to Nobuna-sama from now on, I will definitely protect Nobuna-sama!" 

"....You... You're really slow. Or should I say, you're actually an idiot?" 

While glaring at the joyous Mitsuhide, Nobuna stuff her favorite chicken wings into her mouth. 

It might be because Nobuna is very happy today that she isn't angry over Mitsuhide foolish claims. 

At this time, Tsuchida Gozen came nearer and said. 

"Kichi. The Odani castle of Northern Omi which has a yield of 250k will be given to Kanjuurou who has killed Nagamasa, right?" 

For an instant, the very unhappy eyes of Nobuna met with her mother's, and then, she turned away. The feeling between the two of them.... It seems cold, as if there are no feelings at all.... Yoshiharu can't help but felt a tinge of pain in his abdomen. 

But, Nobuna ignored Tsuchida Gozen's eyes and said with a cheerful voice. 

"The 200k of Northern Omi is to be given to Saru!" 

EHHHHHHHHHH! Everyone let out shrieks of shock. 

Even Nene and Hanbei are amongst them. 

Everyone had thought that Nobuna would definitely give the lands of the Asai clan to Nobusumi. 

"Kichi! What's this!? How can you give a suspicious vagrant a whole province and promote him to be a daimyo!? Definitely not!" 

"Do you hate your brother Kanjuurou that much!?" Tsuchida Gozen screamed at Nobuna. With a smiling face, Nobusumi tugged on his mother's sleeves and said, "It's all due to Saru-kun that we could destroy the Asai Asakura." 

"Kanjuurou. Being ordered by your cruel sister to kill your lover personally, and being treated like this afterwards.... How pitiful, how pitiful." 

Tsuchida Gozen gave an expression full of hatred to Nobuna while she hugged Nobusumi, tears flowing down her face. 

But, Nobusumi said to his mother, "I'm already an adult." and didn't accept his mother's sympathies. 

"This time, compared to my contributions, Saru-kun's contributions are greater. And this is a contribution that everyone does not know. Though I wish to tell Mother, but Aneue had asked me not to tell anyone. I have decided not to be a big-mouth from now on. I'm really sorry." 

Tsuchida Gozen finally paled and with a face full of "What's going on!?", she panicked. 

This Nobusumi does not rely on his mother at all! 

Kichi must have conjured some spells on Kanjuurou... Tsuchida Gozen glared at Nobuna with suspicious eyes. 

The daughter who is always together with the namban people ever since she's small and saying "Religious statues are just assemblies of wooden blocks!" such disrespectful words, what she is planning, she does not understand at all. 

"No...Nobuna, no matter what, giving me 200k is too much! I just want 50k! It's better if you give Northern Omi to Kanjuurou!" 

Yoshiharu is still hesitating, but Nobuna said, "No, I've already decided on this matter." 

"....Not satisfied in giving a suspicious monkey a position of Chikuzen no Kami, this time she had finally allowed him to become a daimyo with a whole province to govern.... This is really the end of the world." 

Konoe Sakihisa is also very shocked at this reward that no one had expected, "What the hell is she thinking!?" as he speaks what he had in mind. 

Hanbei and Nene pulled both hands of Yoshiharu to persuade him, "Just accept it, cough cough." "Yeah, my brother is finally a master of a province! Oni-sama's dream of building a harem is going to be fulfilled soon!" 

"Saru! You're actually doted on this much by Hime-sama! Damn it!" 

"One of Sagara-sama's unknown contributions is the successful alliance with Takeda Shingen. And he seems to have achieved something else. Please do accept this reward. Full points." 

Katsuie's and Nagahide's reactions are totally opposite. 

"What's this? Sagara-senpai had finally become a daimyo! Though I can't really accept it, but with this, he's much more suitable to marry with I Juubei! Though it's truly regretful that I'm so much closer to marrying! Right now, I Juubei will build a glorious castle at Tamba so we can get married.... I Juubei can already predict the dark future where I am impregnated annually by the extremely energetic Senpai. Ahh, I'm going to faint...." 

Not knowing what she is fantasizing, Mitsuhide is saying, "Ahh, no, don't!" while her eyes are shining brightly. 

"Nobuna-sama must have gone through serious thought before coming to this decision. Yoshiharu-san, please accept it." 

Being pushed at the back by Frois, Yoshiharu said, "I.... got it." and accepted. 

"Now that I think about it, Northern Omi is the land that Nobunaga gave to Tokichirou-jii-san. Though I'm still a little mindful of Houjou Ujiyasu's threats, but with my own castle, I won't be that worried about the assassinations of Fuma ninjas. Though there's quite a bit of stress involved, but I should accept it first and do something! .....But what should I do about governing? I have absolutely no idea!" 

"Hoho. I Hanbei am only skilled in wars and omyouji, that area isn't my expertise.... cough... cough.... cough." 

"A...A capable assistant skilled in governing becomes necessary now.... Wh...Who can do it......" 

Someone called Maeda amongst the Kawanami clan of Goemon said from behind Goemon's back, "The war is still ongoing. We will protect the young girls in town and dote on them. This is our true mission as men!" 

"There're only such people in my corps...." Yoshiharu's troubles increased again. 

"If that's the case, leave it to Nene." 

Nene slaps her chest that didn't show any hints on budging, but he can't leave such an important work to Nene. Nene's grandfather, Asano-jii-san had retired due to high age.... 

"Next, who should I reward!" 

After this, Nobuna said, "Since you have come to our aid in a rare gesture, I'm giving you some rewards this time." And then, she gave the whole Ise to Takigawa Kazumasu who had been hiring mercenaries in Ise all this while. 

"Hoho, leave it with your lands, I want pottery. Without saying, I know Hime should know. I want Hime's Tsukumo Nasu." 

"What? You know just how valuable Tsukumu Nasu is? Don't just flap your gums! Grow pearls in Ise." 

"Nobuna-sama is still the same, so stingy. I might revolt someday~" 

"What a troublesome fellow." 

Even Nobuna didn't treat Takigawa Kazumasu as her opponent at all. 

Ise's lands had always been handled by Takigawa Kazumasu, from now on, how to use the army of Ise is a problem that Nobuna has to start considering now. 

The rewarding ceremony finally ended. 

The young missonary Oruga silently appeared at the side of Frois. 

"Fr...Frois-sama. I brought the guests. He even brought along a letter from the main church." 

"Letter from the main church? What could it be about?" 

Oruga seems extremely abnormal, his breathing is quick and he's full of sweat. 

"Please allow me to retreat for now." Frois lowered her head and brought Oruga along as they left the place. 

"What is going on?" 

Frois is very shocked. 

In the hallway was a strange single eyed giant. 

No, not a living giant, but a huge robotic doll made by wooden blocks and metal with height 2 times that of a normal human. 

"Kateyan... Kateyan..." 

While emitting sharp metallic sounds, this robotic doll was moving in the courtyard. It can't seem to grasp it's balance very well yet. Then, like the power being stopped, it fell onto the floor and didn't move again. 

"Wh...What's this? Oruga?" 

"The guest said, this is a prototype doll that can be used to replaces horse in battles." 

"This is almost like homunculus that the professor Albert created, Oruga." 

"Uwahh. A failure, it's a failure. Letting the doll walk on two legs is just too difficult. Ahahahaha!" 

A small samurai jumped out from the robotic doll's body. 

Though he's a samurai, but he didn't wear the traditional samurai clothing of Japan, but elegant clothing like that of namban merchants. One can only recognize he is a samurai from the two swords on his waist. With a whole body of tanned skin, it can be seen that he's from the southern provinces. Her fringe makes people feel that she's younger than Takenaka Hanbei, a totally child-like feeling. He's a fellow that it's hard to discern whether he's a boy or girl. 

"I'm so happy to see you guys! I'm Don Simon, here to receive the baptizing of the church from Kyushu. This time, I had brought alone a letter for Frois-san from the church!" 

"Don Simon... is a Christian samurai, right?" 

"I Simon have learned the newest knowledge "Mechanics" from Kyushu. This robotic doll used the theory of "Automation" and "Mechanics". 

""Mechanics" .... I've totally never heard of it before....." 

"Ahh, correct. Now I'll pass you the letter of the church!" 

Don Simon took out the letter. 

Oruga received the letter and spread it out in front out Frois. 

"I have read it through before, it's really quite serious!" 

".....This......!" 

After reading the contents of the letter, Frois had an unpleasant expression. 

Did something that will harm Japan happen? Frois's teacher, Francis had once warned. Frois and her teacher Francis are very worried about the ambition of Europe and other countries building a colony in the far east Japan, and is afraid of using the missionary activities in Japan as a chance. 

But, Frois had once told Nobuna about the colonization thinking of Europe secretly and Nobuna had understood it mostly. 

(Maybe Nobuna-sama once knew Francis-sama. If the situation really becomes like this, to Japan and to Nobuna-sama, it can be said to be the worst situation. 

Right now, "that moment" has finally come. 

"Oruga. That man who wishes to conquer Japan is planning to come over." 

"Yes. And the new Japan Christian branch is on their way here." 

Fast, too fast. 

The reason why, is because the queen of Japan has not been able to unify the whole country yet. 

Both Frois and Oruga were shivering over the future of Japan. 

But, the samurai Don Simon does not have any interest in the content of the letter at all. 

The young Simon is currently obsessed with the new knowledge from namban. 

Simon used a clear voice and said to Frois, "Oh yeah. I have brought Mori clan's letter too! During the way towards the capital, I passed by Chuugoku's Mori clan, there's a letter to Oda Nobuna here." 

Simon used a crystal clear voice to say something that the rest can't ignore. 

"The renowned genius strategist, I Don Simon proclaim, as long as Sagara Yoshiharu is around, the ambition of Tenka Fubu by Oda Nobuna will never come to pass." 

The pure maiden Frois received a shock and asked Simon. 

"If Yoshiharu-san is around, Nobuna-sama's ambition will never come to pass? Why?" 

"Frois-sama. This letter is a declaration of war from the Mori clan to the Oda clan!" 

"EHH?" 

"The tyrant of the Chuugoku region, the Mori clan has received the proper shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru and his sister Ashikaga Yoshiaki! If the real Ashikaga shogun appears, the Imagawa Yoshimoto that Oda Nobuna pushed up will lose her standing. Whether if it's Uesugi or Takeda, everyone will follow Ashikaga. Ahahahaha!" 

"Ashikaga Yoshiteru-sama? In Japan?" 

"Correct. The daimyos who are bent on recovering the Yoshikaga shogunate are all coming to the capital!" 

Simon let out a clear laugh. 

"If Sagara Yoshiharu hadn't saved Imagawa Yoshimoto's life, Oda Nobuna would have never pushed her up as shogun. Originally, Oda Nobuna should have killed Imagawa Yoshimoto in Okehazama, and continue heading to the capital supporting Ashikaga shogun. After the Tenka Fubu, she will personally destroy the Ashikaga shogunate. The monkey from the future has made a big mess of the history of "Oda Nobuna obtaining the world"! Sagara Yoshiharu should not have existed in this era." 

"If that's the case, what should Nobuna-sama do?" 

"I beg Frois-san. Bring me to see Oda Nobuna now. With that, I Simon can suggest my plan to obtain the world." 

"What are you preparing to say when you meet with Nobuna-sama?" 

To Frois's thoughtless query, Don Simon confidently laughed, "If we let that person return to the future, the history will return to normal and Oda Nobuna can conquer the world!" 

Both his eyes and sound are almost as clear as that of an angel, this child is really terrifying. Frois thought. 

"I Simon know the way to let Sagara Yoshiharu return to the future!" 

…… 

While Frois is squeezing on the letter that Don Simon had passed over while standing in the courtyard, not knowing the revival of Ashikaga shogun, the Oda clan's celebration is at it's peak. 

"We don't know when will we fight the Takeda clan, the next enemy will be Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin and Chuugoku's Mori clan! Let Houjou Ujiyasu stay in her Odawara castle. We must let her understand, in this sengoku era, not doing anything also means that she won't get anything!" 

Nobuna is enthusiastic. 

Anyway, the famous for her stinginess Nobuna giving away each piece of her land to her retainers while organizing such a huge feast. 

But Nobuna's brother, Tsuda Nobusumi didn't get the land of Northern Omi, the lands of the old Asai clan had basically been given to Yoshiharu. 

"......Not caring about Kanjuurou who had killed his lover and giving Odani castle to that suspicious monkey.... Just what is her brain thinking? That girl......" 

The face of her mother who dotes on Nobusumi, Tsuchida Gozen is becoming uglier by the minute. 

The retainers are "Oi, Nagahide. This is really bad." "The relationship between the mother and her daughter is just too bad, 3 points." "Giving land to a monkey, won't it be ok to give just a pottery or something?" and had started to discuss among themselves. 

Only Mitsuhide who does not notice the atmosphere was saying, "Ahh~ To protect Nobuna-sama, after I have conquered Tamba, I will marry Saru.... The life of I Juubei is so tragic. Of course, the marriage ceremony will be held in the namban church at Sakamoto castle!" things like that. 

When the atmosphere started to calm down bit by bit, Nobuna clapped her hands. 

"Now on, let the entertainment begin. Danjo, bring out the usual cup!" as she shouted at the master of the Yamato province, Matsunaga Danjo. 

"Yes, Nobuna-sama. Look, how beautiful it is." 

The scariest woman in Kyo, the exotic beauty Matsunaga Hisahide brought out three golden skulls. 

Blood red grape wine was filled to the brim in the golden skull. 

"Hi...Hime-sama, this? Is this that which was discovered in the mansion of Asakura Yoshikage?" 

"......The number.... increased....." 

"This. Just what kind of entertainment is this? I can't grade this at all." 

"Oi Nobuna! Your mother is still around, are you going to just take it out?" 

"Wait for your mother to leave!" Yoshiharu lectured Nobuna. 

But with a uncaring expression, Nobuna said, "It's ok, such a shocking thing, it's better for more people to know of it!" 

Matsunaga Hisahide revealed a suspicious smile and said, "These three golden skulls are Asakura Yoshikage, Asai Hisamasa and Asai Nagamasa's. Ha, I've gold plated their skulls to make golden wine cups. Next, will everyone use these wine cups to drink some grape wine!?" 

The joyous smile that Matsunaga Hisahide gave from the bottom of her heart make these three golden skulls even more creepy. 

Katsuie goes soft on her knees and said, "Ahhhh, I can't do it! I can't do it! hanya~n~!?" and rejected on the spot. To actually create golden skulls from Asai Hisamasa and Nagamasa's heads! Katsuie was scared stiff by Nobuna. 

".....What a bad hobby, this is very cruel treatment to the dead 1 point." Nagahide was merciless. 

"I...I...I...I...I Konoe will not join such a disgusting feast, I'm going back! Oda Nobuna, you'll definitely suffer heaven's punishment!" 

"....How dumb. To actually treat Kanjuurou's lover so cruelly. Is that what a princess should do!? Kichi, you are really a demon lord without any hint of humanity, demon! Don't let me see you ever again!" 

The superstitious Konoe Sakihisa said "Oh, tainted, so dirty." while covering his face as he left the hall. Next, Tsuchida Gozen screamed at Nobuna before leaving. 

Even so, the fuss did not die down. 

"Is this really ok? Nobuna.... It's a good chance to reconcile with your mother, is giving yourself such a bad name really for the best?" Due to being promoted to a Northern Omi daimyo, Yoshiharu who was at the back was able to get near Nobuna and asked. 

".....What's so bad about it. The fewer people who know the truth, the better. I must let the legend of these golden skulls spread throughout Japan. If not, it's impossible to let the world believe that Asai Nagamasa is already dead." Nobuna used a very lonely voice to speak. 

As if she's on the verge of tears. 

Yoshiharu can't help but feels frustrated for not being able to hug the delicate body of Nobuna right now. 

Even if he had become a daimyo, he was still unable to be together with the one who controls the world, Nobuna. 

The appearance of these golden skulls had made the atmosphere solemn. 

The people attending the feast left one by one, and in the end, only important retainers of the Oda clan were left. 

The ones who stayed are just Nobusumi, Katsuie, Nagahide, Kazumasu, Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu, as well as Hanbei and Nene. 

".....Though it's a very clever way.... but it's far too sad.... Uhhh." Preparing to stay till Yoshiharu left, Hanbei who is still sitting in the back sobbed, with tears dropping one by one on the ground. 

"Nobuna-chan, you should rely on me at times like this." The always cheerful Kazumasu shed tears too. 

"....Aneue." 

Nobusumi walked to the front of Nobuna and lowered his head deeply. 

"......So....So....Sorry." 

"It's ok, Kanjuurou. It's ok for me alone to be the Demon Lord of the Sixth Realm.... I have no other choice left. As an elder sister, this is all I can do. 

Katsuie has totally no idea why Nobusumi is apologizing as she turned her head to ask Nagahide. Nagahide too seemed to have noticed something. "Such a thing, a few words won't be enough to explain it clearly.... The situation should be over now.... But Hime's feelings right now.... I can't give a grade for Hime today." Nagahide's expression turned bitter. 

"???" 

Katsuie had finally seem to understand something as she tilted her head. 

"It's about time you entered. Though my little sister, Asai Nagamasa had passed away, but actually, I have another little sister that is of a same father with me! Her name is Oichi! Asai Nagamasa is already dead. Oichi! You can come out now!" 

The curtains were silently pulled open. 

The one wearing an elegant wafuku and sitting there is a slender build beauty named "Oichi". 

The name of Oichi, is given by the man Sagara Yoshiharu who had risked his own life to run into the burning Odani castle, saved her from the tragic fate and she who understands the agony of her god-sister being hated by her biological mother, the cries of her husband, the true meaning of the last words of her real father under much consideration. 

"My name is..... Oichi." 

".....Ahh....." Katsuie who feels that this face of the beauty who looks as mesmerizing as a butterfly was unable to utter a single word. 

Just what is the true form of this mesmerizing beauty? The few who stayed till the very end of the Oda clan's celebration decided to never tell anyone forever.