Chapter 10

In the 23rd year of Tenmon (1554), late July, in Kutsuki Valley, Takashima County, Omi Province, at Kutsuki Castle, Takawakamaru.

"Did you say 'we'?"

"Indeed. 150 Kurama-style ninjas, 400 in total from our clan, wish to serve Lord Takawakamaru."

Kurama? I've never heard of it. Still, are you serious? Suddenly, unknown ninjas come at midnight and ask to hire 400 people. That's quite a rough job hunt, isn't it? Or is it more like a forced sale?

Even if it's a dream, it's surprising. Generally, Kutsuki's total military force is 300. 400 ninjas? Kutsuki might become a village of ninjas. Well, that's not bad. The leader of ninjas who control Japan from behind, surpassing Iga and Koka, Kutsuki Takawakamaru. At that time, I'll keep my name as Takawakamaru without coming of age. It sounds more like a ninja. In the future, Kutsuki will make a fortune with ninja experience tours. I'm getting excited.

"There must be someone who guided you. The fact that you entered so easily means your comrades are here."

"Your keen insight."

He sounds happy. It's the same as a burglar. If you have an inside man, you can easily enter a house and steal money. I've seen this in TV dramas. Really, the counter-espionage measures are like a sieve. Another homework, my head hurts.

"What is the Kurama style?"

"Have you not heard of it?"

No, there's disappointment in his voice. Did I hurt him? It's fortunate that I can't see his face.

"I'm sorry, the ninjas I know are from Iga, Koka, Negoro, and Fuma."

"Of course. We are descendants of those who served Lord Kurohiko."

Kurohiko? You mean Minamoto no Yoshitsune. That's quite an old story. So, the Kurama style is the same as the Kurama school, named after Mount Kurama. I remember there was a theory that Yoshitsune was skilled in ninja techniques. The eight-boat leap is famous.

"Then, were you originally yamabushi? I've heard that the tengu taught martial arts to Lord Kurohiko, but they were yamabushi, weren't they?"

"Indeed. We, the Kurama ninjas, are descendants of the yamabushi of Mount Haguro."

There was a joyful tone in his voice. If this weren't a play, his face would be beaming. He started talking about himself.

According to Kurono Shigekura Kagehisashi, Kurono Jikkenbo, who served Yoshitsune, seems to be Shigekura's ancestor. At that time, the yamabushi of Mount Haguro gathered at Mount Kurama. Mount Kurama was famous as a sacred mountain and flourished as a place for mountain ascetic practices, so it's not a strange story. Jikkenbo was among them. And Jikkenbo and the yamabushi met Yoshitsune and served him, defeating the Taira clan... That's why Yoshitsune wasn't captured by Yoritomo. With the yamabushi on his side, escaping through mountain paths must have been easy.

"When Lord Kurohiko passed away in Mutsu Province, the few survivors fled to the capital. We wanted to serve someone, but..."

His voice was low.

"Were you rejected?"

"Yes, we were thought to be close to the Fujiwara clan of Mutsu Province..."

Sigh. Yoshitsune rebelled against Yoritomo, allied with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and the Fujiwara clan, located behind Kanto, was always a source of unease for Yoritomo. For the Kamakura shogunate, the Kurama ninjas were enemies on two counts.

"After that, we sided with the retired emperor during the Jokyu Rebellion..."

"You lost, didn't you?"

"Yes."

Probably with no place to go, they sided with the retired emperor. They must have thought they couldn't rise as long as the Kamakura shogunate continued. The shogunate should have hired them instead of rejecting them as enemies. It's a good thing it was dark. If I could see his face, I might feel sympathy.

"So, what happened?"

"We fled to the mountains. We hid in the mountains of Tango. We came out into the world during the reign of Emperor Go-Daigo, when he tried to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate..."

"Hmm, who did you side with?"

"The Ashikaga clan."

"The Ashikaga clan, huh."

The Ashikaga clan had advanced into Tango during the Kamakura period. I remember that Takauji was at the Shinomura Hachimangu shrine in Tango before he launched his anti-shogunate movement. They must have served him around that time. They probably thought the Kamakura shogunate was their enemy and the court couldn't be trusted. I've heard that Yoshitsune was used by Emperor Go-Shirakawa and that Emperor Go-Toba suffered greatly during the Jokyu Rebellion. They might have thought the Ashikaga clan was the best choice. Still, Tango, huh. Their base is probably in the Tango Highlands or the Hira Mountains.

"Good choice."

"Perhaps not."

"Why not?"

"The ones who trusted us were the Takakage brothers."

"That's... "

I couldn't speak. Of all people, the brothers Takakage and Takatoki. The Takakage clan was almost exterminated in the end. They lost their patron, and their military achievements serving the Takakage clan were probably ignored. No wonder I've never heard of the Kurama ninjas.

"You must have been very unlucky. After that, our group returned to the mountains and lived without a lord. We occasionally came down to the village to take on jobs."

His voice sounded lonely. I felt sympathy, but there was a problem. He said he wanted to serve me. Why me? Kutsuki is a small lord with 8,000 koku. If they wanted to come out into the world, they would choose a larger lord. I can't be swayed by emotion; I need to stay calm.

"So, you want to serve me. What do you mean by that? Even if you serve me, the future won't be bright."

"Some of our comrades are already in your service. We've heard a lot about you. Everyone is grateful. That's why we want to be of service."

My service? That's strange. I don't know any ninjas. And you haven't decided to hire me yet. But gratitude? Did I help someone?

"What are you talking about?"

"Wood turners. They are our comrades."

"Wood turners?"

I remember he said the work of wood turners increased because of the famous Kutsuki lacquer. They started doing more business in Kutsuki. Right, those people are originally from the mountains. It's not strange that they have a deep connection with ascetics.

"Besides, you are quite interesting. It's never boring to watch you. I thought it would be good to serve someone like you."

"Interesting?"

"Yes. You abolished checkpoints and reduced taxes. You challenged the Miyoshi clan, and even the province of Wakasa doesn't pay attention to you. You are completely the opposite of others. I wonder what you are thinking. It's a mystery."

Is that how I'm evaluated? That makes me sound like a weirdo.

"We haven't been fortunate. No one will hire us. Even if we are hired, we will be used and discarded. I once gave up on coming out into the world. But in this chaotic era, it's a shame to be buried in the mountains. We want to test our skills and strength. That feeling can't be suppressed. That's when I met you. I thought you might use us well."

"..."

"Will you hire us?"

His tone was calm, but there was a deep sincerity. I'm weak for this kind of thing.

"Answer honestly. Do the Kurama ninjas have any connection with Iga or Koka?"

"No, we don't."

"Alright, I'll take you in."

"Take us in? Not hire us? You trust us?"

"You treated me like a weirdo. If you were a spy, you wouldn't call me a weirdo."

Besides, your history is too terrible. Other people would avoid hiring you because of your bad luck. That's why I can trust you. I'll try to think that way.

"... They are my agents in your household."

"Use them as intermediaries. Have them make contact with me."

"Hai."

"It's not 'your household,' it's 'my household.' Don't get it wrong."

"Hai."

It's hard to talk without seeing your face.

"Come closer."

"..."

"Come closer."

"Hai."

The darkness moved. I finally understood. He was in an unexpected place. I thought he was in front of me, but he was to the side. I thought his voice was coming from the front.

In the 23rd year of Tenmon (1554), late July, in the mountains of Tango, Kurono Shigekura Kagehisashi.

When I returned to the village, Kosakai Shusuke approached me.

"Welcome back. How did it go?"

"Yes, it went well. Gather everyone in the courtyard."

Shusuke, a 40-year-old man, smiled. He started calling the people to gather.

People gathered quickly. Their faces showed a mix of expectation and anxiety. They must have been waiting for my return. There were over 300 people, old and young. Among them, 150 could work as ninjas outside, 70 maintained the village, 80 were elderly, children, or in training, and 50 maintained bases outside the village, and 50 gathered information while traveling as merchants.

"I met with Takawakamaru. He said he will take us in."

A murmur arose.

"Are you not hiring us?"

"No, he said he will take us in. We are now part of Kutsuki."

Another murmur arose. Everyone's faces were filled with surprise and joy. They were happy to have a lord, not just being hired for money.

"However, we are to keep our association with Kutsuki a secret for now. Only a few people in the Kutsuki household know, and we must not reveal it."

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.

"Kutsuki is small, and the lord is still young. He doesn't want to provoke anxiety around us. He thinks it's best to avoid it for now."

They seemed to understand, nodding here and there.

"Therefore, we will not get too close to Kutsuki. We will stay in our current location and receive our stipend in kind. Dried shiitake mushrooms and soap."

"Can we not have sake?"

"You'll drink it all before you can sell it."

Laughter erupted.

"We have been given a name, Hachimon. From today, we are the Kutsuki Hachimon."

"Hachimon," voices echoed. They seemed to be trying to understand the meaning.

"The Kutsuki family crest is the Four-Cornered Knot. We are placed in the four corners to protect the four directions. Hence, Hachimon."

"Hachimon," the voices echoed again, this time with more strength. They seemed to accept the name. They were happy to be trusted and to protect Kutsuki.

"The rest will be conveyed by the group leaders. Group leaders, gather at my house."

After dismissing everyone, ten section leaders remained and headed to my house.

The first group leader, Kosakai Shusuke. The second, Masaki Yahei. The third, Murata Denbei. The fourth, Ishii Suke. The fifth, Segawa Naokata. The sixth, Sasa Hachiro. The seventh, Mochizuki Shuma. The eighth, Sata Yajiro. The ninth, Rikuta Saburo. The tenth, Tachibana Hazuki. Hazuki is a woman, mainly managing the bases outside the village.

The house wasn't grand, and with ten people, it felt cramped. But it was just right for talking. I sat in the center, with five on each side.

"First, congratulations. What did you think of Lord Takawakamaru?"

"He's not someone to be taken lightly."

When I answered Shusuke, he murmured, "Indeed, indeed."

"Lord Takawakamaru also said there's another reason for keeping us a secret. If we reveal our existence now, we might be used and discarded by the shogun."

Everyone looked at each other, slightly tense.

"Lord Takawakamaru is known as a loyal vassal to the shogun..."

"Reputation. But Yahei, reputation is often unreliable. Don't you think so?"

Masaki Yahei nodded.

"Lord Takawakamaru might not have refused the Miyoshi clan's invitation just out of loyalty to the Ashikaga. Remember that."

"Hai."

Everyone bowed.

"Lord Takawakamaru gave us an order. Be cautious."

Everyone straightened their posture.

"First, investigate the Asakura clan. Lord Soteki, who commands the Asakura army, is old. After his death, who will command the Asakura army? We need to know their capabilities. It will show the strength of the Asakura clan. Shusuke, I'll leave this to the first group. Understand?"

"Hai."

Shusuke bowed.

"Second, investigate the Azai clan. Is there any disorder or dissatisfaction in the Azai household? Lord Takakage wants to know their capabilities. Yahei, I'll leave this to the second group."

"Hai."

"Third, investigate the Rokkaku clan. How do they feel about Kutsuki? Not just Lord Sakyoden, but also his son, Lord Uemonnojo, and the senior vassals. Denbei, Suke, I'll leave this to the third and fourth groups."

"Understood."

"Be thorough."

Denbei and Suke nodded firmly. I could see their morale was high now that they had a lord.

"Lord Takawakamaru also ordered us to establish bases in Kyoto and Sakai."

"Kyoto shouldn't be a problem. We already have a lacquerware shop there. The problem is Sakai..."

The eighth group leader, Sata Yajiro, looked at the tenth group leader, Tachibana Hazuki.

"It's not a problem. We'll open a shop. What should we sell...? Oh, Kutsuki has swords. Let's sell those. We can also sell other weapons."

Her tone was calm, but her work was solid. Hazuki laughed, "Ho ho ho."

"What's so funny?"

"Lord Takawakamaru is quite..."

"Quite what?"

"Unpredictable."

She laughed again. She's a troublesome woman; once she starts laughing, she can't stop.

"If a major battle is to be fought in the Kinai region, we will inevitably rely on Sakai for supplies. If we control the flow of goods in Sakai, we can immediately tell who is planning a battle. To understand the movements in the Kinai region through the flow of goods... Ho ho ho, it's impossible to outsmart him."

"Understood. Stop laughing."

When I scolded Hazuki, everyone chuckled.

"Those are the orders from Lord Takawakamaru. Next, from me. Investigate the seven heads of Takashima, excluding Kutsuki. They are probably the ones who are most unimpressed by Kutsuki's prosperity and Lord Takawakamaru's actions."

Everyone nodded.

"Lord Takawakamaru is aware of this."

"Is he?"

"But as long as the shogun is in Kyoto, they won't attack Kutsuki. And it will be difficult for the shogun to return to Kyoto for a while."

"..."

"In other words, there is no immediate danger, according to Lord Takawakamaru. But we need to be cautious. That's our job. Naokata, Hachiro, and others, investigate this. They are vassals of the Rokkaku clan, so be thorough."

Naokata and Hachiro bowed.

After everyone left, my son, Kobei, came. Kobei is 13 and still in training.

"Father, when can I start working as a ninja outside?"

"Don't rush. You won't be of any use to Lord Takawakamaru until you are fully trained. Learn and hone your skills."

"Kiri is working at Kutsuki Castle."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Kiri, who is the same age as him, is serving as an intermediary at Kutsuki Castle. He must be eager to have a lord.

"Kiri is a girl. It's less suspicious for a young girl to enter the castle. You are different."

"..."

"Kutsuki won't move for a long time. This is a time to build strength. Lord Takawakamaru sees it that way. Build your strength."

"Understood."

"Go back to your training."

Kobei nodded and left.

Placed in the four corners to protect the four directions, hence Hachimon. Hachimon is related to the Eight Trigrams, which are connected to the Art of Concealment. This might be a coincidence, but it's a good name. We must live up to it. Lord Takawakamaru trusts us...