Chapter 22

Eiroku 4 (1561) Early January, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle, Take Wakamaru

The door slid open silently.

"Come in."

"Hai."

Jūzō entered the room and sat down. He was a true ninja, making almost no sound. Left in the room were the old man, the uncle, myself, and the newly arrived Jūzō. Finally, we could talk.

"Jūzō, it seems the Rokkaku did not know about the Asakura Sesshū-taifu incident."

Jūzō did not change his expression. The old man and the uncle exchanged glances.

"The Rokkaku are unreliable."

The old man snorted. I agreed; they were somewhat unreliable. The Rokkaku's eyes were often on Kyoto and the Miyoshi.

"Have you talked about the Takeda and Asakura matters with Azai?"

"Does the Rokkaku believe it?"

"Half-believing, half-doubting, Uncle. However, he felt something was off. He mentioned that the wedding, originally set for autumn, was moved up to May. He thought they wanted to strengthen their ties with Kuki."

The Rokkaku were isolated, surrounded by enemies. They seemed to have finally realized this. The same could be said for Kuki.

"Has San'um said nothing? As a powerful figure in Kōga, he should have something to say."

"Nothing. Rather than San'um, the Rokkaku seem to look down on the Asakura. If they struggle with the Ikki in Kaga, they are not much. That's all. They are probably investigating frantically now."

Because they look down on them, they do not gather proper information. Arrogance makes people foolish.

"A fool made a fuss. He seems to really dislike Kuki. He called me a liar."

"Who?"

"Uemon Suke Yoshiharu. If he becomes the next head, the Rokkaku will be in danger. Goto, Shintō, and Hei were frowning. Sakkyō Dayū scolded and silenced him, but he looked at me with a nasty eye."

The old man and the uncle frowned.

"I don't want to become brothers with him, even by obligation. Perhaps Azai Shinzaburō felt the same way?"

The old man and the uncle chuckled.

"It's possible."

"Uemon Suke is quite disliked."

This time, we all laughed together.

"Uemon Suke might have pushed the war in Takashima to Kaga."

"Do you think so, Grandfather?"

"Even if it's not me, I think so."

The uncle and Jūzō nodded. That's probably right. Kaga said the Rokkaku's policy changed halfway through. That fool must have caused the change.

"Needless to say, forming an alliance with the Rokkaku is to protect Kuki. The situation around Kuki is not good. Without the Rokkaku's power, Kuki cannot be protected."

"...It's frustrating."

The old man muttered. It can't be helped. In the warring states era, lacking power is a bad thing. It's not something to be proud of.

"I don't intend to die with the Rokkaku. If they are not useful, I will abandon them."

The three of them nodded. There is no favor to the Rokkaku. They are only to be used.

"But while they are useful, I will treat them with sincerity. Treat them as if they are indispensable to Kuki."

Ieyasu also initially gained a reputation for being loyal. It's fine to become a capable person later.

Marrying Saya is also for this reason. Rokkaku Sakkyō Dayū Yoshinori could have killed Azai Kenmachi in the Nara field battle. He could have restored the reputation of Hei Kaga-no-kami, but only halfway. If he doesn't resolve Saya's situation, the other half will remain. Since he once adopted her, he can't do anything half-hearted. It's only natural that she becomes my wife.

I didn't think she would refuse. But I expected her to complain. To make her feel indebted. The question is how much I can get her to marry under favorable conditions. That was supposed to be a test of Sakkyō Dayū Yoshinori's ability. It's a pity, but I won't do that. I will gladly accept Saya.

According to Jūzō's investigation, Saya is quite beautiful and has a good personality. There is no problem. Hei was moved, and Sakkyō Dayū Yoshinori was surprised. What I want is that. It should become Kuki's asset in the future. No matter how much Uemon Suke curses me, Sakkyō Dayū Yoshinori and Hei Kaga-no-kami will not agree. If that happens, the others will have to consider Kuki.

"I will go to Kinosaki when the snow melts. That area is crowded with influential Azai retainers like Iguchi, Akao, Ami, and Araki. I don't think Azai will give it up easily. I don't want to be hindered by the Asakura moving behind the scenes. Jūzō, stir up the discord between the Asakura Tsuchi-no-kami family and the Ōno Tsuchi-no-kami family. The Ōno Tsuchi-no-kami family should have grievances because they were disadvantaged during the reign of Asakura Sesshū-taifu Yoshikage. Use it."

"Hai."

Jūzō nodded. Grandfather, don't smirk. It makes me feel like I'm becoming a villain.

The head of the Ōno Tsuchi-no-kami family is Asakura Sesshū-taifu Yoshikane. I know he's not a good person. He betrayed and killed Yoshikage. If I stir things up, they will start fighting easily. If the Asakura are united, they are a threat, but if not, there should be a way to deal with them. The person who can unite the Asakura is already sleeping in the grave and will never rise again.

"Also, spread the rumor that the Ikki in Kaga are about to invade Echizen."

"Understood."

"Spread it in Omi as well. Make them think there is no reinforcement from the Asakura."

"Hai."

Iguchi, Akao, Ami, and Araki probably don't want to destroy their families. They might be persuaded by some manipulation.

"Kinosaki, Kohama is right in front of us."

Grandfather said, somewhat excited.

"Kuki's forces cannot take Kohama. Instead, we should move south and secure the rice fields while aiming for Kunitomo. If possible, we want to secure the area around Kohama as well."

Kunitomo is for firearms, and Kohama is for logistics. Even if it's not significant now, it has the potential to develop. After all, it will become Nagahama. Grandfather and the uncle must have understood what I was thinking. They nodded vigorously. We won't attack Kohama, but we will tighten the economic and logistical grip. We don't have soldiers, but we have money and resources.

"Keep an eye on Uemon Suke."

"Hai."

"He doesn't hide his hostility towards Kuki. People with the same thoughts will gather around him. Find out who they are."

"Understood. ...My Lord."

"What?"

"Should we eliminate them?"

"..."

For a moment, I couldn't speak. I wanted to think it was a joke, but there was no laughter in Jūzō's eyes. Grandfather and the uncle were silently watching me. The next head has hostility. It's dangerous, but...

"Just investigate. Focus on making Kuki bigger. If Kuki grows, it will become more important as a check on the Asakura. The Rokkaku can focus on Kyoto. If they show hostility towards Kuki without understanding this, they will lose the trust of those around them. If they want to self-destruct, let them. Kuki will not dirty its hands."

Jūzō bowed.

Be careful. If you easily assassinate people, it will be seen as dangerous. Even without evidence, just being suspected will damage your credibility. After that, I ordered the surveillance of Takeda and Miyoshi in Wakasa and gave instructions to the Hachimon. The next steps are the coming-of-age ceremony and the wedding preparations. And a gift for Saya. A comb, hairpins, and cotton fabric. That should do it. I hope she likes it...

Eiroku 4 (1561) Early March, Omi Province, Takashima District, Kannonji Castle, Goto Kenhō

The six retainers of the Rokkaku family gathered in the study. They sat around the lord and the young master, and San'um spoke, his face not looking good.

"Regarding the matter reported by Kuki Magoroku, what do you think?"

"Hmm, how was it?"

In response to the lord's question, San'um's expression twisted in pain.

"Asakura Sesshū-taifu sent troops."

After a moment, the young master shouted, "Impossible! It must be a mistake!" but was silenced by the lord's reprimand.

"He led 500 troops to the border between Echizen and Omi."

"Then it's as Magoroku said?"

"Hai."

Everyone exchanged glances. They all thought it was a troublesome situation. The lord's expression was stern.

Kuki Magoroku Kihachirō, the name after his coming-of-age ceremony. Kihachirō is a common name for the head of the Kuki family, and the "ki" in Kihachirō is a character passed down from the head of the Kuki family. It was thought that he would receive a name from the shogun, but he received permission to use Kihachirō to honor Yoshiteru. There was also talk of receiving an official position from the court, but Magoroku declined. Surprisingly, the coming-of-age ceremony was held at Shiozu Beach Castle, not Shimizu Castle.

"What about Azai Shimotsuke-no-kami?"

The lord asked in a low voice.

"He returned to Seta Castle from Chikubu Island immediately after the Nara field battle. The headship of the Azai family is held by the second son, Genpachirō Masahiro, who is thirteen years old. The actual power is held by his father, Shimotsuke-no-kami."

"..."

"Strangely, there is no punishment for those who expelled Shimotsuke-no-kami. It could be interpreted that they don't have the time to deal with it before Kuki's invasion..."

"Or it could have been a staged expulsion. ...Azai Shimotsuke-no-kami Hisahide, what a clever plot!"

"Father! Such a thing..."

"Quiet!"

The lord reprimanded and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to suppress his anger.

"Tsushima-no-kami, what about Wakasa? Is it as Magoroku said?"

"Hai, Wakasa is in turmoil with continuous rebellions. In the western part of Wakasa, Ikeda Suruga-no-kami is under the influence of the Miyoshi. To counter this, Takeda Jibu-shōsuke is considering seeking help from the Asakura, but the powerful local lords, such as the Kaya family, are opposing the entry of Asakura troops into their territory, considering it too dangerous."

Takeda Jibu-shōsuke Yoshunori, the lord's niece, and his wife is the shogun's sister. He should have been the most reliable ally for the lord, but there is almost no communication. Wakasa is in chaos due to internal conflicts and rebellions by powerful retainers. The lord can only observe the situation.

"What about the relationship between Kuki and Takeda?"

"It's not good. Jibu-shōsuke hates Kuki."

San'um shook his head.

"It's not surprising. People from Wakasa are fleeing to Kuki's territory. Not just peasants, but merchants are also leaving. Wakasa is becoming unbearable to live in, while Kuki is becoming more livable. If this continues, a rebellion will break out soon. For Jibu-shōsuke, Kuki is like an enemy undermining his foundation. He seems to be secretly communicating with Azai."

The lord took another deep breath. The situation is as Magoroku said.

On that day, Magoroku privately reported three matters, all unexpected.

One, on the day of the Nara field battle, the Asakura moved troops. However, the number was only 500, and they were led by Asakura Sesshū-taifu Yoshikane, a high-ranking retainer of the Asakura family and the cousin of the head, Asakura Sesshū-taifu Yoshikage. After the Nara field battle, when the Rokkaku army retreated, Asakura Sesshū-taifu also withdrew his troops.

Two, it was revealed that Azai had approached Kōno Sei-ben-no-kami with a proposal to defect more than two years ago. The proposal included a promise that if the Rokkaku attacked, both Azai and Asakura would support him. Sei-ben-no-kami is now serving the Kuki family. It's not a lie. And two years ago means a year before Azai Shinzaburō's coming-of-age ceremony. It's questionable whether Azai's defection was really Shinzaburō's idea.

Three, Wakasa is in turmoil and the Asakura's influence is growing. If this continues, Wakasa may eventually fall under Asakura's control. There are also suspicious movements by Takeda Jibu-shōsuke. There are signs that he is secretly communicating with Azai...

"What do you all think?"

The lord looked at us.

"It seems to be as Magoroku said. This time, the instigator was not Shinzaburō but his father, Shimotsuke-no-kami. Shimotsuke-no-kami must have secured the Asakura's cooperation, but the Asakura backed out at the last moment. They were hesitant to fight the Rokkaku. So, Shimotsuke-no-kami staged it as a rebellion by a few hotheads, not a collective decision by the Azai family."

Shintō's words were met with nods from everyone.

"Regarding the movement of 500 Asakura troops, Magoroku thinks they were prepared to mediate if the Rokkaku attacked and the Azai were defeated. However, I think there is another possibility."

"What is it, Yamashiro-no-kami?"

"I don't think Azai believed they could defeat the Rokkaku alone. So, they might have tried to create a stalemate and use the Asakura's mediation to distance themselves from the Rokkaku."

The lord nodded several times, muttering, "It's possible."

"Did Shinzaburō's actions ruin the plan? If so, what was the Asakura's goal? What do you think, Yamashiro-no-kami?"

"To use Azai as a buffer against the Rokkaku and to use them to check the Rokkaku while the Asakura focus on Wakasa. That seems to be the goal."

"Yamashiro-no-kami! You are being deceived! That's exactly what Magoroku said!"

"Control yourself! Uemon Suke!"

"But..."

"Control yourself!"

The young master frowned, and the lord reprimanded him again. It's a problem. His hatred for Kuki is blinding him. He's not considering Hei's position.

San'um bowed.

"I apologize. I failed to notice the movements of the Asakura, Azai, and Takeda, putting the Rokkaku family in a dangerous situation..."

"Stop, Tsushima-no-kami. It's not your fault alone. I underestimated the Asakura and Azai, and I was too focused on incorporating Kuki. It's not your fault."

"..."

San'um did not raise his head. The lord chuckled.

"Raise your head, Tsushima-no-kami. We can't talk like this."

"Hai."

San'um, perhaps considering the relationship between the lord and the young master...

"You are right, Yamashiro-no-kami. The Asakura and Azai cannot be underestimated. Attacking Wakasa will surely anger the sh