Chapter 21

When the Shinji family was trying to repel the invasions of the Kan and Kobe clans and instead destroy them to gain control over northern and central Ise, changes were also taking place on the Mino front.

Thanks to Kuroda Nagamasa's diplomacy, the lords of western Mino surrendered to the Oda clan, and the conquest of eastern Mino by Ikeda Tsunaharu and Oda Nagahide was almost complete with the surrender of Inabu Castle and Nakamura Castle.

During this time, the Saito army at Inabayama was halted by the forces directly led by Nobunaga, and the local lords of northern Mino, seeing the Saito family's disadvantage, ceased sending reinforcements.

Then, Kuroda Nagamasa, guided by local hunters, infiltrated Inabayama Castle through a back entrance.

By capturing it, the Oda clan finally gained control over Mino.

Nobunaga quickly moved his headquarters to Inabayama and renamed the place Gifu. He ordered Tanba Nagashige, Sakuma Nobumori, Ikeda Tsuneoki, and Mori Nagayoshi to conquer northern Mino, which they successfully did.

"Hanbei is the top contributor and will receive an increase in his fief around Sumata, and Tsunaharu will become the lord of Inabu Castle and handle the Takeda family."

Letters from the two men arrived, and Mitsuki was genuinely happy that they had become castle lords. He believed that if they had the ability, they deserved to rise in rank, regardless of their humble origins.

"Is Kunitomo complaining...? That man..."

He was undoubtedly the most valiant general of the Oda clan and had a solid track record in internal affairs as well.

However, such people are often envious.

Previously, he was called "Kunitomo" by his superiors, but now he is called "Kunitomo-dono" by the two of them.

He might be unhappy about that.

But Kunitomo is not foolish enough to complain to his lord Nobunaga about it.

"Hanbei has also received an increase. That's wonderful."

"Lord, I'm sorry to interrupt at such a joyous time..."

While reading the letters, Taisei called out to him. He was very busy with the control of northern and central Ise.

"Is there a problem?"

"There are no major issues, but I need your judgment on something. It's about those who wish to join our service..."

The Shinji family's territory had significantly expanded, and they urgently needed to reinforce their vassal group.

While the lower and middle ranks were being educated and increasing in number, there was a shortage of key personnel.

This needed to be addressed promptly.

"If there are applicants, I will meet them."

With that, Taisei brought the applicants into Mitsuki's office one by one.

As a precaution, Ichi and a few skilled guards from the security team were present, but the first person to appear was quite unexpected.

It was Hidenari Hino, a former senior retainer of the Saito family.

He appeared with his brother Masaharu, his children Takakichi, Yoshitoshi, Masahiro, and Masahide, along with other relatives, retainers, and their families.

"Did you not wish to serve the Saito family?"

"I have my pride."

Hidenari had served the Saito family since the time of Dosan and became a senior retainer during Yoshitatsu's reign.

He was known as one of the Saito Six Elders, along with the Three Heroes of Western Mino, and had defeated the Oda forces many times.

"I don't have a good impression of you either."

He was the deputy commander of the Saito army that attacked Sumata, and when the commander, Doi Michitoki, was shot in the abdomen and lost consciousness, Hidenari had to protect him and retreat.

"I can't say I have no resentment, but the truth is, I didn't get along well with Doi either."

They were both senior retainers supporting the young lord, Ryosuke, and, being mature adults, they maintained a cooperative relationship on the surface.

That's why he helped the injured Doi retreat.

"After that, Doi became more reclusive and died of illness just before Inabayama fell. To be honest, I wasn't very sad about it."

Mitsuki could understand his feelings.

One should show condolences when someone dies, but if you dislike the person, you might not feel very sad.

"I don't have a grudge against you, but I am disappointed by the loss in battle. However, it's not a significant grudge."

"Let me be straightforward. Why serve me instead of the lord?"

Mitsuki thought this was crucial.

Hidenari was capable, having managed the Saito family's affairs alongside Ryosuke.

However, no matter how capable someone is, he couldn't hire someone with ulterior motives.

"I have a grudge against Nobunaga. He destroyed my lord's family. All my efforts to support Ryosuke have been in vain. However, it's difficult to seek revenge on Nobunaga. Instead, I want to get back at him. I heard that one of his vassals is short of personnel. If he learns that the detestable Hino is being heavily used, Nobunaga might feel regretful."

Mitsuki didn't think he had a special eye for people, but Hidenari didn't seem to be lying.

"Also, I believe you are aware of the incident where Ryosuke fled to Nagashima..."

Ryosuke, after losing Inabayama, escaped to Nagashima by boat down the Nagara River.

Hidenari considered going with him, but the presence of Doi Michitoki's sons, Michikatsu, Yoshitsugu, and Toshiyori, complicated matters.

"Because I injured Doi and caused a major defeat, Doi and I were hated. If I went to Nagashima, I would have to stand below these relatives of the Saito family. At worst, I might be used as a shield in battle and discarded," Hidenari explained.

"I see. I don't care about your past, and I will increase your stipend based on your abilities. However, I will be strict about betrayal. Start by assisting Taisei."

"Understood."

Mitsuki decided to hire Hidenari and the Hino family, with Masaharu as his assistant and the four children as assistants to the security team.

"Next?"

"The next one is Fuba Mitsuharu, whom Hidenari mentioned."

"Did he flee with them?"

"No, he came through a different route."

The next person, Fuba Mitsuharu, had remained loyal to the Saito family until the end, but his domain was attacked, and he fled with his family.

"To survive, I couldn't afford to be idealistic, but I wanted to remain loyal to the Saito family until Inabayama fell. As a result, I lost everything, but serving the Oda family also left a bitter taste..."

"So, you decided to serve one of Nobunaga's vassals."

"I heard they are short of personnel."

Mitsuharu had learned that the Shinji family, which had rapidly expanded its territory, was short of personnel.

"The conditions are the same as Hidenari's. Start by assisting Taisei."

"Thank you."

With this, the internal affairs of the Shinji domain would be managed by Taisei, with Hidenari Hino and Fuba Mitsuharu as his assistants.

"The next group was really difficult to judge."

The next group Taisei brought in were all from Mikawa.

"Do you know about the unrest in Mikawa?"

"The Ikko-ikki rebellion, right?"

After the Battle of Okehazama, Oda Nobunaga allied with Matsudaira Motoyasu, the head of the Matsudaira family, who was subordinate to the Imagawa clan.

Motoyasu was working to stabilize Mikawa and gain independence from the Imagawa clan, but he faced a significant setback.

When he tried to strengthen his control by taking away the rights of the Ikko-ikki temples in Mikawa, a rebellion broke out, and it turned into a civil war with the support of Motoyasu's rebellious vassals and local lords.

This is the Ikko-ikki rebellion in Mikawa that Mitsuki knew.

"These are the people who fled Mikawa after the rebellion."

Taisei's hesitation was understandable.

If they were hired carelessly, they could become a thorn in the side.

"Let's at least hear them out."

Five people were called in by Taisei.

Honda Masanobu and Masaharu, brothers in their early twenties, Watanabe Shigemune, known as "Spear Hanzo," Hachisuka Masakatsu, who fought for the Imagawa at the Battle of Okehazama, and a less prominent figure named Kishi Teruaki.

"I know your situation, but why didn't you go to Nagashima?"

On the surface, the Shinji family and the Ikko-ikki had a tense relationship, but they had business dealings.

A smart person would realize this and wonder why, despite rebelling against their lord, they were now seeking service with the Shinji family.

Mitsuki wanted to hear their explanation.

"We were abandoned by Nagashima."

The young man who introduced himself as Honda Masanobu spoke on behalf of the group.

He seemed to be the most articulate and quick-witted among them.

"We fought against Lord Matsudaira for the sake of the Ikko-ikki. After losing, we were forced to wander, but when we sought refuge in Nagashima, we were met with coldness..."

Nagashima, which was rebuilding its temples, was suffering from financial strain due to divine punishment in the form of lightning strikes and fires.

The common people, realizing the financial difficulties of the Ikko-ikki leadership, were gradually becoming dissatisfied.

"When we went to the castle commander, Hattori Saemon-no-jo, to seek service..."

He was met with a condescending attitude, being offered only minor roles.

Mitsuki realized they were struggling to support their families and retainers.

"What did we fight for as Ikko-ikki?"

They had lost their stipends and domains and found the Ikko-ikki cold.

They had no choice but to seek service with the Shinji family.

"We have families, so we can't wander any longer..."

Some had brought their families, while others were hiding with relatives in Mikawa.

Continuing this way would lead to their destruction, Kishi Teruaki added.

"I know, but recently, spies from the Hattori faction have been entering our territory..."

Mitsuki explained that he would deal with any spies he found, so he advised them not to engage in such activities.

"I can't offer much stipend at first, but there will be opportunities for increases based on performance."

"Thank you."

Mitsuki cautiously hired the former Saito and Matsudaira retainers.

Initially, he assigned them various tasks for training purposes. Honda Masanobu, being intelligent, served as his secretary, Kishi Teruaki assisted Taisei, Honda Masaharu, Watanabe Shigemune, and Hachisuka Masakatsu later became prominent commanders.