Chapter 43

【Kure Family】

Hidemaro Goemon Kure - Kure Family Vassal, Hereditary, Councilor

Kunitoshi Echizen-no-kami Iguchi - Kure Family Vassal, Former Asai Family Vassal, Councilor

Kagehisa Shizukura Kurono - Kure Family Vassal, Leader of the Eight Gates

Kagechika Kobune Kurono - Kure Family Vassal, Son of Shizukura Kurono, Member of the Eight Gates

Mitsuhide Jubei Akechi - Kure Family Vassal, Military Strategist

Chokichi Hanbei Takenaka - Kure Family Vassal, Military Strategist

Yoshimitsu Kano-no-suke Numata - Kure Family Vassal, Military Strategist

【Rokkaku Family】

Terayoshi Sakyo-no-taifu Rokkaku - Head of the Rokkaku Family, Adopted son of the Rokkaku family, biological son of Haruyoshi Hosokawa

Tadamasa Yamashiro-no-kami Shindo - Rokkaku Family Vassal

Tadayasu Chūjō Mekada - Rokkaku Family Vassal

Tadamasa Tanba-no-kami Gotō - Rokkaku Family Vassal, Died in the collapse of Kannonji

Tadayasu Iki-no-kami Gotō - Rokkaku Family Vassal, Son of Tadamasa Tanba-no-kami Gotō

Naruhide Shimotsuke-no-kami蒲生 - Rokkaku Family Vassal, Retired due to being disliked by Sakyo-no-taifu Terayoshi

Tadahide Saemon-no-taifu蒲生 - Rokkaku Family Vassal, Son of Naruhide Shimotsuke-no-kami蒲生

【Saitō Family】

Chōkō Shūri-no-taifu Saitō - Former Head of the Saitō Family

(Yoshinaga's side)

Chōzō Jūro Saitō - Head of the Saitō Family, Adopted son of the Saitō family, biological son of Ikkaku Issō

Nagahide Shōyū Matsunaga - Saitō Family Vassal, Known as Shōyūdai (a Chinese name)

Munemasa Bizen-no-kami Naitō - Saitō Family Vassal, Brother of Nagahide Shōyū Matsunaga

(Yoshinari's side)

Masahide Buzen-no-kami Saitō - Brother of Chōkō Shūri-no-taifu Saitō, Uncle of Chōzō Jūro Saitō

Toshikatsu Settsu-no-kami Anzai - Brother of Chōkō Shūri-no-taifu Saitō, Uncle of Chōzō Jūro Saitō

Nagayoshi Hyūga-no-kami Saitō - Saitō Family Vassal, Commonly known as Jishirō

Nagatora Kūshō Saitō - Saitō Family Vassal, Son of Nagayoshi Hyūga-no-kami Saitō

Chokichi Shinsuke Matsuyama - Saitō Family Vassal

Yasumitsu Kii-no-kami Imai - Saitō Family Vassal

Naruhisa Nagato-no-kami Ogasawara - Saitō Family Vassal

【Ashikaga Family】

Yoshiteru Ashikaga - 13th Shogun, Died in the Eiroku Incident

Yoshinaga Ashikaga - Brother of Yoshiteru, Historical 15th Shogun Yoshizumi Ashikaga

Yoshinari Ashikaga - Cousin of Yoshiteru, Head of the Hōjō Kōshū family

Vinefuyu Fujiwara - Vassal of Yoshiteru and Yoshinaga

【Hatakeyama Family】

Takahiro Shūri-no-suke Hatakeyama - Head of the Hatakeyama Family, Guardian of Kii and Kawachi

【Oda Family】

Nobunaga Sōshō Oda - Head of the Oda Family, Lord of Owari

【Ikkō Family】

Ryūkō Uesugi - Head of the Ikkō Family, Lord of Mino

【Hongan-ji】

Kenshū - 11th Head of the Hongan-ji

June 1567 - Sakamoto Village, Shiga District, Ōmi Province - Sakamoto Castle - Kuresada Kure

"It's about time for the Oda and Ikkō to clash."

"Can the Oda defeat the Ikkō? I've heard that the Owari troops are weak."

"Lord Oda Sōshō is a brave and resolute man; he won't easily fall behind."

"I hope so."

In the great hall of Sakamoto Castle, the Kure family's samurai and local lords gathered in armor. The Kure navy, which controls Lake Biwa, and the Katsura navy were also present. Alongside me, the commander-in-chief, were the military strategists, supply officers, and the Eight Gates. In modern terms, it could be said that the staff of the general headquarters and the commanders of the combat units had gathered. However, the atmosphere was not particularly good. There were many anxious voices and expressions.

"We can't afford to lose. If the Ikkō come here, everything could go awry."

Echizen-no-kami Iguchi spoke in a loud voice, his brows furrowed. He seemed to be quite a worrier.

"Don't worry, Echizen-no-kami. I've informed Lord Oda that the Ikkō have betrayed him. Lord Oda's goal is to defeat the Ikkō army that is planning to attack the Oda army. He must be well-prepared."

"Hmm, but—"

Echizen-no-kami Iguchi tried to say more.

"I understand, but this is war, and anything can happen. However, even if the Ikkō win, it won't be a one-sided victory. They won't have the resources to advance into Ōmi. That's enough."

"Hmm."

Echizen-no-kami Iguchi bowed his head. The others nodded, seemingly a bit relieved.

The Kure army, numbering 22,000, had gathered at the newly constructed Sakamoto Castle. In addition, 8,000 troops were deployed in Echizen and 3,000 in Ima-hama. The total force was 33,000, which I thought was quite impressive, but losing 8,000 to Echizen was painful. However, the 5,000 troops under Goroemon and others in Echizen were not enough. I was concerned about the Ikki forces from Kaga if they attacked. I hastily sent 3,000 troops under Tazawa Matasuke to Echizen.

If the Ikkō come to Ōmi in this situation, our remaining forces will decrease, likely falling below 20,000. We would have to face the Rokkaku and Saitō with that number. It's understandable that everyone, starting with Echizen-no-kami, is worried. Honestly, it's giving me a headache, but as the commander-in-chief, I can't show any signs of unease. I have to maintain a facade and calm everyone down. I can only pray that Nobunaga will do his best. But Nobunaga sometimes makes terrible mistakes. He's highly capable, but his reliability is questionable. I hope he performs up to his capabilities.

"How many troops does Saitō have in Yamashina?"

"About 15,000, I hear."

"15,000, even split into two, still 15,000. Considering they are also fighting in Yamato and Kii, it's quite impressive."

I completely agree. Thinking about it, if Chōkō Saitō had five more years to live, it gives me chills. ...Maybe we should have waited for Nobunaga to take Mino before advancing to Kyoto. It feels a bit off.

The Kure, Oda, Ikkō, and Rokkaku's plan to advance to Kyoto has collapsed. Or rather, it's in the process of collapsing. The Ikkō and Rokkaku have defected from the side of Yoshinaga to the side of Yoshinari. The bakufu officials in the Rokkaku camp have also defected. According to reports from Gotō, Shindo, Mekada, and Naruhide, Sakyo-no-taifu seems to be in a good mood recently, probably thinking he can give me a hard time.

The Ikkō and Rokkaku were turned by Hongan-ji's Kenshū. That guy seems to really dislike me. He also doesn't like that I allowed Luis Frois to preach.

"Bringing these filthy foreigners into Japan and allowing them to spread their heretical religion is unacceptable. This is the work of a demon, and it must not be tolerated."

He even sued me to the court, calling me not just a 'Buddhist enemy' but a 'demon.'

I was so angry that I sent a rebuttal to the court, major daimyos, and court nobles. I am different from Nobunaga, who acts before he speaks. I am Kure, who uses both words, actions, and money.

"Originally, Buddhism was not a native Japanese religion but was accepted from outside. It was also rejected as a heresy when it was first introduced. However, the people of Japan gradually accepted and developed it. Now, it is accepted alongside Shinto."

"Rejecting things from outside without consideration is not right. This country has prospered by accepting and improving things from outside. For example, the introduction of Chinese characters led to the creation of kana. Imagine how inconvenient it would be if we couldn't use kana. I can't even imagine it."

"Accept what should be accepted, discard what is unnecessary, and further develop what is accepted. This is the great strength of the people of this country. The current criticism by the monks of Hongan-ji is completely off the mark. The work of a demon is to kill people and seize a country, not to save them."

"Stupid Kure! I'll kill you someday! Don't underestimate me!"

Hongan-ji's Kenshū apparently threw things and had a tantrum. Is it okay for a monk to have a tantrum and throw things? He seems to be the least monk-like person. I might be more suited to be a monk, being good with both hands and mouth. I don't want to deal with Kenshū, especially since he fought a ten-year war with Nobunaga. There's something not quite right about him.

There was no significant reaction from the court and court nobles. It's like Kure and Hongan-ji are staring each other down in Kyoto. They are probably watching closely. Moreover, the forces supporting Yoshinari, who opposes Kure, control Kyoto. The daimyos who responded were Oda, Uesugi, Matsunaga, and Tokugawa. All their responses were enthusiastic. It seems I have become an idol for the anti-Buddhist, anti-Hongan-ji forces.

Oda, Uesugi, and Matsunaga are fine, but is Tokugawa okay? The Imagawa are regaining strength. The inability of Takeda to advance south and the inability of Tokugawa to move due to the Ikki rebellion have allowed them to solidify their position. Despite setbacks due to poor harvests, they are gradually extending their influence into eastern Mikawa, according to reports from the Eight Gates. Imagawa Ujizane doesn't seem to be the foolish soccer-loving daimyo he is often portrayed as. In historical fact, the downfall of the Imagawa might have been due to the lack of time. Nobunaga's active pursuit of the Kyoto campaign might have been influenced by the movements of the Imagawa.

Oda has 500,000 koku in Owari, and Imagawa has 400,000 koku in Suruga and Totomi, though not quite 500,000. Eastern Mikawa, which showed signs of independence after the Battle of桶狭間, would balance the power if it joined the Imagawa. If Nobunaga doesn't take Mino, Tokugawa will be in a difficult position. What will happen from here... It's getting interesting, but it's not right to think that way.

Nobunaga wrote that he also wants to meet the foreigners, that it's unfair for only Terutora to receive gifts, and that he wants a cup of rare wine and a cup of gems. It seems he has become close to Terutora. Perhaps Oda and Uesugi are planning to conquer the Imagawa and Takeda, or the Imagawa and Hōjō. Terutora also asked for more rare wine. I sent some to both of them, but maybe I should start making wine?

Grapes are available in Kōshū, so cultivation should be possible. I should confirm the winemaking process with the Portuguese. They will teach me, right? After all, I am a valued customer, having bought three Culverin and three Saker cannons, including the ammunition. I have told them I will buy more good cannons in the future. One Culverin and one Saker cannon are kept in Shizugahama for research by the gunsmiths, and the rest are here at Sakamoto Castle.

"Shizukura, what about the movements of the Rokkaku family?"

"They are at Kannonji Castle with 8,000 troops."

"I see."

8,000 troops, the Rokkaku have lost control over the northern Yamato and the northern Ise local lords to the Matsunaga. They still have about 400,000 koku in southern Ōmi, and their total forces should exceed 10,000. However, only 8,000 have gathered at Kannonji Castle. Compared to the 20,000 troops