Chapter 40

In the summer of 1568, a tea ceremony hosted by Nobunaga was held in Kyoto. Many famous items owned by the Oda family were used, and only the retainers who had received permission from Nobunaga were allowed to attend.

Notable attendees included Shibata Katsuie, Takigawa Kazumasu, Dan羽 Nagamasa, Akechi Mitsuhide, Kinoshita Tokkichirō, Hayashi Masaharu, Sakuma Nobumori, Ikeda Tsuneoki, Murai Sadakatsu, Maeda Toshiie, and Sasa Masanari.

Others included Matsunaga Hisahide, who was well-versed in the tea ceremony, and Hikaru, who was also invited. Additionally, the figure of Azai Nagamasa was present. He was unable to respond to the rebellion of the Azai family's senior vassals and the betrayal of the Azai Three Ministers, and his territory had been confiscated, so he was now receiving a stipend from Nobunaga.

Despite this, as Nobunaga's brother-in-law, it was agreed that he would be given a territory based on his performance. However, opinions were also emerging that Ōmi would be harsh, given that the Azai Three Ministers and other vassals and kokujin had either been destroyed or betrayed.

Currently, Nagamasa has his younger brothers Masaharu and Masanori, the families and vassals of Akao Kiyotsuna, Kunitomo Tsunaharu, and Amako Kiyotada, who were forced to commit seppuku and had their territories confiscated, and Endō Naomichi, who was a close confidant and had his territory confiscated, serving under him.

"By the way, I don't see the presence of Lord Yoshitaka or his vassals..."

Hikaru was surprised that they were not attending such a large-scale tea ceremony. He was particularly surprised that the renowned Hosokawa Fujitaka was not there. Hikaru had thought that someone with such a deep understanding of the tea ceremony would not miss such an event.

"Currently, the lord and Lord Yoshitaka are having a bit of a disagreement."

After the tea ceremony, when Hikaru spoke with Tokkichirō, he revealed the truth to Hikaru.

"The rebellion of the Azai family is because Lord Yoshitaka ordered the attack on the Asakura, but why did he help Nagamasa?"

Thanks to the infertility treatment for Nene, followed by her pregnancy and childbirth, Hikaru was considered a close friend by Tokkichirō. Therefore, he was explaining the situation to Hikaru, who was unaware of the details.

"Well, it's not just that..."

"Is it about that incident?"

"I also heard from the lord."

Takigawa Kazumasu and Maeda Toshiie, who were involved in the conversation, added that there were underlying reasons.

"Probably to restore the power of the Kyōgoku Takayoshi."

"Lord Matsunaga, you are aware of this, aren't you?"

"Kinoshita, it seems that the lord is also being pressured to hand over Yamato."

Is the stability of the Kinai region making Lord Yoshitaka feel secure? It seems that he is trying to restore the power of the shogunate by ordering Nobunaga to hand over territories.

"Initially, it was Sakamoto."

"Huh? Wasn't Sakamoto given to Akechi?"

Akechi Mitsuhide, who served as the Kyoto Shoshidai and was a vassal of the Oda family, was given the area around Sakamoto as a reward for his efforts. This was evidence of Nobunaga's high regard for Mitsuhide, despite being a newcomer.

"Initially, Lord Yoshitaka said to hand it over to Hosokawa."

However, this suggestion was ignored by Nobunaga, and Sakamoto was given to Mitsuhide, who was already leaning towards the Oda family. Lord Yoshitaka expressed his dissatisfaction, saying that Mitsuhide would not follow his orders.

"Next, he set his sights on Yamato. After all, the previous shogun's killers are here."

Matsunaga Hisahide's position during the Eiroku Incident was delicate. On the day of the incident, Hisahide was in Yamato. While he was not directly involved, it was difficult to claim innocence given that his son Hisahiro led the troops. His influence increased through mediation between daimyo and receiving aid, but he also attempted to assassinate Ashikaga Yoshiteru, who was an obstacle to his ambitions. Hisahide may have taken a taciturn stance.

Regardless of the truth, from Lord Yoshitaka's perspective, Hisahide was the main culprit in the murder of his brother. Despite this, Hisahide was given the province of Yamato and was favored by Nobunaga for his abilities. Additionally, he was close to Hikaru, who had taken his brother's name without permission. This emotional reaction made Hikaru laugh, but Hisahide's expression was not amused as he explained the situation.

"Lord Yoshitaka is not pleased that Hikaru has become a court noble."

While Lord Yoshitaka holds a higher rank, he is displeased that Hikaru is a favorite of Emperor Ogimachi.

"Of course, the lord rejected all of Lord Yoshitaka's demands, leading to a deteriorated relationship."

The fact that Lord Yoshitaka did not allow a single vassal to attend the tea ceremony reveals his immaturity. The Oda family's vassals were all just flabbergasted.

"Another conflict seems to be brewing."

And Hisahide's concerns would prove to be accurate. Nobunaga had sent troops to completely subdue Echizen, but the Asakura army, which was short of troops, was joined by the Ikko-ikki, who were previously sworn enemies.

"Those two have reconciled..."

It seemed too perfect, even given the dire situation. Nobunaga realized that a third party had mediated the reconciliation.

"Anyway, we must annihilate them..."

"Report!"

As Nobunaga was about to begin the decisive battle against the Asakura and Kaga Ikko-ikki, a messenger rushed in.

"The Sanada army from Shikoku has landed in Settsu with a fleet, and Ikeda Masaharu, the guardian of Settsu, has been assassinated by Araki Murashige and Ikeda Masaharu! It is said that Ido Masaharu is defending with Sanada Yoshinari, but the situation is unfavorable!"

The Sanada army, which had agreed to the Oda family's campaign against the Asakura, had landed from Shikoku. Nobunaga sensed the involvement of a third party.

"There are others who are following this movement..."

Akai Naomasa and the Bessho clan in Harima, and the Saiga clan in Kii, led by Saiga Jōsai, were issuing declarations to eliminate the Oda family. The Saiga clan, a powerful Ikko-ikki in Kii, was advancing towards the New Palace, which was currently under the control of the New Family.

"Furthermore..."

Saiga Jōsai, a devout follower of the Jodo Shinshu, had risen up. It was clear that the Hongan-ji, his main temple, had finally turned against the Oda family. Despite Nobunaga's efforts to prevent the Hongan-ji from rising up, all his efforts were in vain.

"Has Nagashima risen as well?"

"Yes."

The messenger confirmed Hikaru's question. Nagashima, which had been weakened over the years, had finally risen up, unable to endure any longer.

"Lord."

"Mitsu, return."

"Hai!"

Hikaru was ordered to return to Ise with his troops to handle Nagashima and Kii. Nobunaga allowed Hikaru to leave and also ordered Hisahide to support his former lord Sanada Yoshinari, and Tokkichirō and Mitsuhide to support the Tamba front.

"Let's finish off Echizen!"

The Oda army engaged in a fierce battle with the Asakura and Kaga Ikko-ikki, while Hikaru returned to Ise.

"Lord, about the strategy..."

"Surround Nagashima and leave it be."

Hikaru, who had hurriedly returned to the New Family's territory, entrusted 5,000 elite troops to Hinoe Masaharu, 10,000 new recruits in training, and part of the navy to surround Nagashima. They intermittently fired guns and burned the enemy's ships with the navy, cutting off their supply of food and waiting for them to starve.

"With this number, it seems the Ise Ikko-ikki have declined."

The residents of Ise, who had lost hope due to the annual fires at temples, were few. The rebuilding of burned temples and the excessive requests for donations by the monks were also disliked, and many did not participate in the uprising. Hattori Saemon was still alive, but their forces were small.

When Hikaru issued an evacuation order to the residents of Nagashima who did not participate in the battle, many fled with only the clothes on their backs. As a result, those remaining in Nagashima were the hardline monks, former vassals of the Northern Kitabatake family, and a few fanatical believers.

"There are always cult followers in every era."

"First, I will go to the New Palace to provide support."

The Kii kokujin, led by the Saiga clan, were skilled in the use of firearms. Hikaru judged that it was necessary to reach the New Palace as quickly as possible and annihilate them.

"Mōsuke, Ichiho, let's go!"

"Hai!"

The New Family's 15,000 troops rushed to the New Palace. The New Palace was under siege by the Kii kokujin, led by Saiga Jōsai.

"Can we attack during this opportunity?"

"Here they come! The likes of New Family Hikaru."

Saiga Jōsai, despite his crude manner of speaking, was a capable leader. However, his troops, who were outnumbered but had more firearms, suffered heavy losses from the overwhelming gunfire of the New Family.

"What nonsense!"

The improved and mass-produced firearms of the New Family were superior to those of the Saiga clan. The Saiga troops fell one after another, but they continued to fight under Jōsai's command. However, the losses of the Saiga clan were dozens of times greater than those of the New Family.

"We lost in the use of firearms!"

"Our range, accuracy, rate of fire, and number of firearms are all inferior."

An old vassal by Jōsai's side calmly analyzed the situation, explaining the reasons for their disadvantage. The New Family used surveying binoculars to attack from a distance where the Saiga firearms were ineffective. When the Saiga troops closed the distance, the New Family retreated without breaking ranks. Even if they were delayed, the front-line troops of the New Family had aluminum shields.

Occasionally, New Family soldiers were hit, but the losses of the Saiga troops were overwhelmingly greater.

"What nonsense..."

The Saiga firearm units, which had been trained with significant funds and time, were being defeated by the New Family, who were unknown a decade ago. Jōsai, sensing the potential for the Saiga clan to split, felt a growing sense of crisis.

"Do not waver! Counterattack!"

Losing his composure, Jōsai issued an order he should not have. He should have retreated immediately, but his hesitation led to a dramatic increase in casualties. When the number of those killed in battle exceeded 2,000, Jōsai, with a look of regret, decided to retreat.

"Let them escape!"

Many of the New Family's generals pursued them. They withdrew at an appropriate point, but the Kii kokujin alliance suffered over 4,000 casualties. Over 1,500 firearms were abandoned on the battlefield and recovered by the New Family to be melted down and used as materials for new firearms.

"Indeed, the firearms of the Saiga clan are impressive."

Hori Hikaru was impressed by the improved firearms of the Saiga clan. However, this was only possible because the New Family's firearms were superior.

"The Saiga clan is not united. They will not attack the New Palace again soon. Let's return quickly and settle the matter with Nagashima."

For Hori, who had been with the New Family from the beginning, it was more important to finally end the long-standing conflict with Nagashima, which had been weakened through economic and espionage efforts.

"The temples are burned by lightning every year, so they do not have the same power as before."

This was a covert operation by Hikaru and Kiyomaro, which appeared to the people of the time as divine punishment, causing Nagashima to decline dramatically over the years. As a result, few troops gathered for this uprising.

The autonomous cities of Uji, Yamada, and Ōwase, under the orders of the Hongan-ji, transported Ikko-ikki, including women and children, along with supplies and funds to Nagashima. However, this was exactly what the New Family wanted. Using this as evidence of rebellion, they arrested merchants and elders who had assisted, as well as temples that had cooperated with the Ikko-ikki, confiscating their lands and exiling them.

Most of them joined Nagashima with only the clothes on their backs.

The New Family, with a total of 25,000 troops, continued to surround Nagashima. Most of the enemy ships had already been burned by the New Family's navy, led by Kuki Sukenao.

"Lord, will we continue the siege?"

"Yes. We will weaken them further to reduce casualties during the attack."

The current Nagashima was composed of monks sent by the Hongan-ji to lead the rebellion, local monks and kokujin, former vassals of the Northern Kitabatake family, ordinary residents, and a large number of Ikko-ikki transported by ship, all of whom were a mixed group.

"Food supplies are likely insufficient."

Hinoe Masaharu, who was in charge of the siege, knew that Nagashima had almost no food left. They had confiscated food from the warehouses of merchants who were transporting it and sunk or captured many of the ships carrying supplies.

"When the food runs out, they will be finished."

"We will squeeze them further."

The New Family secretly sent Iga agents to sell food in small boats. The monks of Nagashima, who were concerned about food, paid large sums of money to buy the food at several times the market price. This continued to deplete the financial resources of Nagashima.

"Despite the high expenses in recent years, they still have a lot of money."

Seeing the money and gold and silver exchanged for food, Hikaru and Hinoe Masaharu were surprised by the financial power of the Ikko-ikki. Recently, Hikaru had divided the roles of Taisai, who was skilled in internal affairs, and Masaharu, who was skilled in military and espionage, to handle different tasks. Some were concerned about this, but Masaharu had remained loyal to the Saito family until their downfall. Hikaru believed that he would not betray him if he was satisfied with his service.

"Squeeze their finances and exchange them for food. Food will be consumed."

"Also, to create a sense of unfairness."

The upper echelons of Nagashima would not distribute food fairly to everyone. As food supplies dwindled, the amount given to the lower ranks would inevitably decrease. The idea that monks would reduce their own rations to feed the people was a story found only in religious texts.

"Such monks would live a peaceful life in a humble temple."

"Perhaps..."

This was Hikaru's evaluation of the Ikko-ikki, based on his experience with numerous cults and religious leaders in the far future.

"Will you kill them all?"

"I can't bring myself to do that..."

One month after the siege began, a sign was set up in a visible location in Nagashima. It read, "If you convert, farmers will be given land, and we will help you find jobs." Many of the Ikko-ikki, who had joined due to poverty, surrendered to the New Family under the cover of darkness, as they would not continue to participate in such a reckless uprising if their basic needs were guaranteed.

The main force of the Ikko-ikki, composed of men, women, and children, quickly dwindled. Additionally, many former vassals of the Northern Kitabatake family surrendered.

"We participated out of necessity, but we are not Ikko-ikki."

Those who had gathered in Nagashima out of necessity, such as those who had lost their livelihood due to the fall of their lord, betrayed the cause easily. As a result, the military strength of Nagashima was almost completely destroyed.

"In this situation, we will pursue our faith to the end!"

Some fanatics and those who had no choice but to stay put on the defensive, but they had almost no financial resources and uncertain food supplies. Most importantly, they had no ships to