Chapter 2

In the 19th year of Tenmon (1550), October, in Kutsugi Valley, Omi Province, at Kutsugi Castle, Kutsugi Sadatsuna.

"Lord Retired! Lord Retired!"

The sound of someone calling me, the heavy footsteps on the floor, and the clanking of armor approached. The voice was urgent and tense; this was not a victory. Could it be that Yagoro and Echizen have been defeated? For my son to be so unprepared... The face of Aya, who was in the room with me, became tense and pale.

Oh, what a trouble with the daughter of a court noble. I almost clicked my tongue but managed to hold back. Perhaps Yagoro should have married a daughter of a warrior family. My grandson, Takehiko, is more composed. He is sitting calmly. Of course, he is only two years old; he might not understand the situation.

The sliding door opened with a loud noise, and Hidemasa, the left gatekeeper, entered the room and sat down. Many retainers behind him looked at me fearfully.

"Left Gatekeeper, what is it?"

I tried to keep my voice calm.

"Lord Retired. Lord Kunitsugu, at Kawagoe in Kawagoe Village... he has been killed in battle... It is a bitter defeat!"

"!"

His voice was as if he was spitting blood, and cries of grief rose from all around. I never thought it would be a death in battle... Kunitsugu, who died before his father, was a disobedient son... My grandson Takehiko is only two years old; he must have left many regrets.

"Our allies are in disarray. Father, Gorōemon Yukichika is leading the rear guard and retreating."

"I see..."

A complete rout. Gorōemon is a calm man, but retreating will not be easy. In the worst case, Gorōemon might also have to die. The enemy might press into Kutsugi Valley and Omi Province. Losing Gorōemon would be a great loss. Hidemasa is not yet capable of replacing Gorōemon. Kutsugi might be finished... I heard sobbing. Aya was crying beside me. A castle lord's wife should not cry at such a time!

I was about to scold her when I noticed the commotion. The retainers gathered behind Hidemasa were looking at each other and whispering. They were probably saying things like "it's all over" or "this is the end." Oh, we must unite to defend the castle. What should we do...

"Stop panicking!"

A high-pitched voice rang out. I saw Takehiko standing up, looking around with a strong gaze. The commotion stopped, and the retainers looked at Takehiko in surprise.

"Forty years of human life, compared to the world, is but a dream."

Takehiko slowly chanted in a low voice, his speech still not fluent. It was a verse from Atsumori! What a quick-witted child, but when did he learn it?

"Are you calm now?"

Takehiko scolded the retainers again. They were overwhelmed, not just the retainers but everyone, by a two-year-old child. What kind of child is my grandson? I always thought he had a mysterious side... Takehiko fixed his gaze on Hidemasa.

"Left Gatekeeper, will you die with me?"

"I... I will die with you!"

Hidemasa leaned forward and shouted. Takehiko nodded and then turned his gaze to the retainers behind him.

"Those who will die with me, stay! The rest, I don't need you, leave!"

The retainers looked at each other.

"I... I will die with you!"

"I will fight with Takehiko-sama!"

The retainers responded one after another. Their hearts were united, good!

"Bravo, Takehiko. Kunitsugu would be proud, it's a fine show. Everyone, fortify the defenses. Send out scouts! And don't forget to prepare clean water, cloth, and medicine!"

"Hai!"

The retainers responded loudly. One more thing...

"Takehiko, do you have anything to add?"

I asked, half in jest, and Takehiko nodded.

"Kutsugi will not lose! Don't forget to prepare rice balls and miso soup."

There was a moment of silence, then a burst of laughter. I laughed too, unable to stop.

Saying we won't lose and then mentioning rice balls and miso soup. Indeed, one cannot fight on an empty stomach. What a funny child.

"Takehiko is right, Kutsugi will not lose. Women, don't forget to prepare rice balls and miso soup!"

"Ou!"

The response was like a victory cry. Men and women alike stomped out of the room. It's all right now; we won't lose easily. Takehiko sat down with a thud.

"Grandfather, I'm tired."

"Are you tired?"

Takehiko nodded.

"When did you learn Atsumori? Who taught you?"

"No one taught me. It was in my head from the beginning."

"Another strange thing."

That's why the retainers call you a strange child.

"Father, what will happen now? Will the enemy attack?"

Aya asked, looking worried. What a troublesome daughter-in-law.

"Mother, there's no need to worry. Kutsugi will not lose."

"That's right. There's no need to worry."

We encouraged her, but her worried expression didn't change.

"If things get desperate, we will all go to Father. You won't be alone."

"Takehiko..."

"Takehiko is right. Don't worry, rest a bit."

"..."

"Takehiko, you must be tired too. Rest a bit."

"Hai."

Takehiko stood up, and Aya followed, leaving the room. Mother and child, their roles are reversed. Aya is not reliable.

"..."

I chuckled. It's not right, my son is dead. Kunitsugu, Kunitsugu Kunitsugu, was 33 years old. It's a great loss for the Kutsugi family. And a defeat in battle; it will be years before we can field an army again. We will be busy just defending Kutsugi. But I can't stop laughing. Kutsugi lost Kunitsugu but gained Takehiko. The retainers have all recognized this. What will happen? In five, ten, fifteen years, it will be interesting...

In the end, the enemy from Kutsugi and Echizen did not attack Kutsugi Valley. Kutsugi was not completely defeated; Kunitsugu inflicted some damage on Kutsugi. Gorōemon, who led the rear guard, did a good job. We couldn't recover Kunitsugu's head, but we managed to retrieve his body. The family's ancestral sword, Kutsugi-maru, also returned with the body.

Ten days after the funeral, the family gathered. My second son Fujitsuna, third son Naritsuna, fourth son Naotsuna, and fifth son Terutaka. All in their twenties, they are adults and have positions in the shogunate. They are all honest and have little ambition. Perhaps that's the Kutsugi way. Because of this, the family has been trusted by those above but has not grown in power. In short, they lack the ability. My younger brother, Yoshitsuna, and his son, Yoshiasa, were also present. Yoshitsuna and Yoshiasa are stationed at nearby Nishiyama Castle, which is a supporting castle for Kutsugi Castle. The reason the enemy from Kutsugi and Echizen did not attack Kutsugi Castle might be due to the presence of Nishiyama Castle.

"Father, will the successor be Takehiko?"

"Yes. Are you dissatisfied, Fujitsuna?"

Fujitsuna shook his head.

"No, I am not. I know everyone hopes Takehiko will be the successor."

"But is it really true? It's hard to believe that Takehiko chanted Atsumori."

Terutaka expressed doubt, and everyone nodded.

"It's true, Terutaka. I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. Do you doubt it?"

"No, I don't."

Terutaka answered hurriedly, looking uncomfortable.

"Besides, Aya is from the Asukai family. Can we ignore that?"

I looked around, but no one responded. My sons were looking down.

Takehiko's mother, Aya, is the daughter of Asukai Masatsuna. Masatsuna is a Senior Second Rank and Acting Grand Counselor. He has already passed the family leadership to his son, Masaharu, Aya's brother, but still has influence in the court. Masaharu holds the position of Junior Third Rank, Councillor, and Left Captain of the Guards, and the Asukai family has a good relationship with the Ashikaga shogunate. Removing Takehiko as the successor would mean cutting ties with the Asukai family.

The relationship with the Ashikaga shogunate would also become delicate. For the Kutsugi family, who have been closely associated with the shogunate, this would mean a change in lifestyle. But how can we change now? Join the Rokkaku? ... A message from the Asukai family suggests that Aya might return to Kyoto. Aya is hesitant. She asked Takehiko if he wants to go to Kyoto, but he refused. Aya returning to Kyoto would not be beneficial for Kutsugi. But since Takehiko has decided to stay, Aya will stay too. The successor must be Takehiko.

"The retainers also hope Takehiko will be the successor. The head of the Kutsugi family will be Takehiko."

"Hai."

"I will supervise for a while, is that acceptable?"

"Hai, there are no objections."

"Then, we will hold a formal ceremony tomorrow."

"Hai."

Fujitsuna bowed, and the others followed. I asked Yoshitsuna and Yoshiasa to stay while the others left. I called them over.

"What do you think, Yoshitsuna? Are you dissatisfied with Takehiko?"

"No, I do not oppose Brother's decision."

Yoshitsuna shook his head.

"I see. What about you, Yoshiasa?"

"I agree with Father."

The sons are returning to Kyoto, leaving only these two. They are poor liars, but they can be trusted.

"Brother seems to like Takehiko a lot. What do you think of his abilities?"

"Well, Kutsugi is a small local lord in Omi Province. We cannot compare to the Rokkaku or the Asai. Not even to the Takeda of Wakasa. But when Takehiko grows up and becomes an adult... it will be interesting."

Yoshitsuna laughed.

"Is it funny, Yoshitsuna?"

"No, I just think Brother is quite invested. It must be a great burden for Takehiko to live up to expectations."

Yoshitsuna laughed again, and I laughed too. It wasn't unpleasant. Sometimes I think I am too invested.

"Perhaps. But this is the Warring States period. Anything can happen. In the Kanto region, the night battle at Kawagoe Castle led to the downfall of the Sano family, and the Yamauchi Uesugi family is on the verge of extinction. The Ise family, who are refugees from Kyoto, are gaining power. What do you think?"

"Hmm, that might be true."

Yoshitsuna nodded, and Yoshiasa followed. The Ise family, now known as the Hōjō, have become a major power in the Kanto region. The world is changing rapidly.

"Are you frustrated, Brother?"

"..."

"Kutsugi is a direct vassal of the shogunate. But when the Kanrei deputy of the Rokkaku family appeared, we had to yield to their power. The battle with the Asai was not by choice."

"..."

"The current Kutsugi is small but stands on its own."

His voice became softer.

"Do you think Takehiko can change that?"

"I don't think so..."

I was shaking my head. I was frustrated. Rokkaku Takayori, the man who brought the Rokkaku family to the height of power. I fought for Kutsugi, but I had to yield to his power. A hateful man, but one whose strength I cannot deny. A man must be like that. I lacked that strength. I was wounded in that battle. But the pain of that wound was nothing compared to the humiliation of yielding to that man.

That man is over fifty now. I hear his health is not good; he won't last long. His successor, Sakyō Daifu Yoshinori, has no bad reputation but no particularly good one either. The Rokkaku's power will surely decline. In fifteen, twenty years, I will not be alive. But what will Kutsugi be like then...? Kutsugi and Rokkaku both originate from the Sasaki clan and share the same blood. Who can say what Kutsugi can achieve if Rokkaku can? Even if Kutsugi cannot match Rokkaku, catching up to the Asai... if Takehiko can lay the foundation...

"Hmm. Brother, what do you think? Should we place Umemaru by Takehiko's side?"

"Father!"

Yoshiasa exclaimed. Umemaru is Yoshiasa's eldest son. He must have been surprised by the sudden suggestion.

"Quiet, Yoshiasa. Living together under the same roof is not strange. Besides, he can learn academics and martial arts from Brother. Parents tend to be too lenient with their children."

"..."

Yoshiasa fell silent.

"What do you think?"

Yoshitsuna looked at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Is it acceptable?"

"It's a request from us."

"Then I will accept. Umemaru will be a good playmate for Takehiko."

"It's settled."

Yoshitsuna nodded, and I nodded. We both laughed naturally. It's becoming fun. It seems I'm not the only one betting on Takehiko.

The next day, the family and retainers gathered in the main hall of Kutsugi Castle. I brought Takehiko to the front and faced everyone.

"From today, Takehiko will be the head of the Kutsugi family."

"Congratulations."

Yoshitsuna, representing the retainers, congratulated, and everyone followed. Applause echoed. The atmosphere was bright; everyone was happy about Takehiko's succession.

"Takehiko, do you have anything to say?"

Takehiko looked up at me.

"Grandfather, am I the head?"

"Yes."

"A puppet?"

There was a commotion. Everyone was surprised. As always, he says unexpected things. A puppet in a formal ceremony...

"That's not the case. I will assist, but you are the true head without a doubt."

"I see... So I can do as I please?"

"Yes."

I answered, and Takehiko nodded. He then looked at everyone.

"Everyone, wait three years. Serve me without saying anything. After three years, if you have complaints, tell me. I will listen."

Everyone was confused. Three years, will he show results in three years? This is truly interesting.

"Everyone, did you hear? Serve Takehiko for three years without saying anything."

"Hai."

Everyone bowed to Takehiko again.

"What do you plan to do, Takehiko?"

After everyone left the main hall, I asked Takehiko.

"..."

"Make Kutsugi prosperous."

"Prosperous?"