Chapter 7

Suddenly, the pressure on Gintoku was immense after the sudden change, the unknown future causing him great anxiety.

Just as Oda Nobunaga wanted, I will give it to you, and also release some of my own pressure.

Oda Nobunaga was overjoyed, though initially confused, he soon came to his senses and, of course, enjoyed it thoroughly.

The three women outside the door had no idea what was happening inside, only hearing various noises and collisions. This Prince Oda truly doesn't know how to cherish the fair sex...

When Gintoku finally stopped, feeling satisfied, Oda Nobunaga was already a heap of mush.

Indeed, my body is much better than in my previous life, accomplishing what I couldn't in my past life as the "ten times a night man."

Taking a deep breath, Gintoku sat up. It was already late at night, and the sky was clear without a cloud. The moonlight shone through the paper door, casting a shadow on Gintoku.

"Gintoku, you are truly... perfect..."

The bodies of the female samurai in this world are really strong. Oda Nobunaga, after a moment's rest, also sat up.

I never thought Gintoku was an ordinary man, just didn't expect him to be so special... that kind of holy exterior... and an indescribable... special...

"So, Gintoku, will you stay in Kiyosu Castle?"

"Sorry, Your Highness. May I borrow a small knife?"

Oda Nobunaga gave him a flirtatious look, though she didn't know what he was going to do, they still put on their robes and opened the door.

The special scent inside the room made the three women outside involuntarily lower their heads, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Fujiki, bring me my sword."

Fujiki, puzzled, looked up but, accustomed to obedience, she obediently took Oda Nobunaga's katana from the rack.

Gintoku nodded in thanks to Oda Nobunaga, took the small knife from the scabbard, pulled up his long hair, and, facing the moonlight, cut it off. Gintoku had long found his long hair troublesome and preferred short hair.

"Gintoku!""Lord Gintoku!"

Because of his decisive action, Oda Nobunaga couldn't stop him in time, and his black hair was already scattered in the wind. Yangno and Yuzuno couldn't help but call out, while Fujiki stood there in a daze, completely confused.

"Descendant of the Ashikaga clan of the Seiwa Genji, hereditary guardian of Owari, and descendant of the Shiba family, I, Gintoku, the legitimate son of Shiba Yoshitada,

Today, I pray to the moon, to endure all hardships! I will revive the Shiba family and restore its former glory!"

Oda Nobunaga, looking at Gintoku swearing under the moonlight, saw his slightly immature face filled with a determined and fearless sacredness.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. I will temporarily take the position of head of the Shiba family, not letting the Shiba name fall into obscurity. I hope Your Highness will accept the loyalty of the Shiba family."

Gintoku's plan was well thought out. With no female heirs in the Shiba family now, he could claim to be the legitimate successor.

But this Shiba family is not the same as before, and not many in Owari would buy it. Oda Nobunaga's previous investment was wasted.

He first repaid Oda Nobunaga's rescue with a night of passion, so she couldn't use it against him in the future.

A noble orphan of the Shiba family, repaying the rescue with his purity, how many samurai would disdain to be associated with a woman who haggles over such things.

Then he made it clear that he wouldn't be her subordinate.

Although I am not the recognized head of the Shiba family, a man leading the family seems a bit unreasonable.

But in special circumstances, special measures are needed. I have already pledged my loyalty to you, so don't worry about the Shiba family's small estate.

I will definitely fight the battles I should, and I won't skimp on the military service and grain taxes. Otherwise, how can I revive the family? Just let it go.

This reversal was both ruthless and steady, making even the self-proclaimed unconstrained Oda Nobunaga uncomfortable.

Oda Nobunaga, with a conflicted expression, felt a surge of old blood in her chest, feeling stifled.

But she was pragmatic. Since it had come to this, pushing further would only lead to mutual destruction.

Reflecting, this young man was indeed different from other men in the world, not only in bed but also in his decisiveness.

Shaving his head to show his resolve is like becoming a monk, ruthless and fierce, I like it. Hmph, we have a long way to go.

"I accept your loyalty. I won't touch the Shiba family's 1500 koku. But your Shiba family can no longer be considered a guardian family.

Be a kokujin under the Oda family. As long as you do your job well, I will give you the chance to revive the Shiba family."

In the end, the ambition of a Sengoku daimyo overcame her lust, and Oda Nobunaga tightened the robe around her.

Looking at the sky, it was almost dawn. This Gintoku is indeed formidable, there will be opportunities...

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Gintoku deeply bowed, feeling a bit lighter.

After all the trouble, he finally managed to keep the village's 1500 koku, as expected, losing the guardian status, which was already clear.

The Shiba family had been hereditary guardians for a hundred years, though they no longer had the power, they were still a thorn in the side of any ambitious person trying to unify Owari.

As long as the Shiba family exists, we can only be rebels who manipulate the emperor. So, no matter which Oda gains power, they will suppress the Shiba family until they are dead...

This time, Oda Nobuyuki's actions may have had Oda Nobunaga's shadow behind them.

Gintoku didn't dare to think or ask about it.

This is fate. In a chaotic world, a name without power is like a three-year-old child carrying gold on the street, will you survive?

So the Shiba family's fate is to die, the only question is how.

Gintoku never thought of saving the Shiba family, he only wanted to save himself.

The current outcome is good. The Shiba family is gone, the shadow over everyone's heads is lifted, and no one will target them specifically.

Of course, normal conflicts will still happen, but with this brief affair with Oda Nobunaga, others will think twice before striking, and fewer will go for the kill.

The Shiba family's estate is not lost, though the guardian's residence is in ruins. It's good that it's in ruins; in a chaotic world, what matters is food, weapons, and people.

The former guardian's residence, which makes the rulers wary, will not be repaired, and will remain in ruins, which is reassuring.

The important thing is that the 1500 koku of the village is saved, 1500 koku! Although the Shiba family has declined, even a sinking ship has some nails left.

Oda Nobunaga has already inherited 270,000 koku of the lower four districts of Owari, but her sister doesn't listen to her.

The hereditary vassals mostly support her sister, and she only has 50,000 koku under her direct control, and the samurai willing to follow her add up to about 30,000 to 50,000 koku.

In other words, Oda Nobunaga can mobilize no more than 100,000 to 150,000 koku of power.

And Gintoku alone has 1500 koku.

Four parts public, six parts private, 600 koku in hand, about fifty households in the village, three generations per household, about ten people, roughly 500 people.

This level of power is not enough to catch the eye of high-ranking samurai, but it is enough to make the kokujin, who have struggled for generations, envious.

Gintoku, feeling satisfied, flattered Oda Nobunaga a bit more and left the tea room in the darkness before dawn.

Oda Nobunaga also didn't want to publicize the affair, as taking advantage of someone in distress is not a good thing to hear.

Fujiki, who escorted Gintoku and the two women out, was not as heavy-hearted as the two women, and Gintoku's mood was much better.

"Fujiki, are you really Oda-sama's shoe servant?"

"Yes, I would not lie to Lord Shiba."

Gintoku looked at Fujiki's delicate and beautiful face. Though she was small and thin, she was really cute.

"What a pity."

Fujiki looked at Gintoku in confusion, not knowing what he was lamenting. Does Lord Gintoku think I am very capable, and it's a waste to be a servant?

Fujiki secretly made up her mind. She had been hesitant about whether to marry the only son of the Kudaka family and become a Kudaka.

She was afraid of being looked down upon as a wife and that Kudaka-sama was only a low-ranking female samurai.

Now she decided to agree. Inheriting the Kudaka family and becoming a female samurai is better than being a servant, with a chance to rise.

"Change your name? A delicate girl like you, what do you think of the name Hideyoshi?"

Before parting, Gintoku made a joke, mounted his horse, and left with Yangno and Yuzuno, leaving Fujiki standing there in a daze, not knowing what to think.

"Yangno, I will go back with Yuzuno. You stay in Kiyosu Castle for a few days."

After walking a distance, Gintoku whispered to Yangno.

"As you command, my lord."

"I will leave you 100 mon. These few days, drink at the sake shops in the town below and spread the word about my loss of purity to Oda-sama and my oath under the moon."