Chapter 87

In the second month of the second year of Genki (1574), in the village of Yamaguchi, Kanzaki District, Omi Province, at Eizan Temple, Ryuji Masahiro.

The procession of the Kuki family was advancing, numbering about two thousand. I saw them off with Ishikawa Saburoemon and Saka Gorobei. There was no waste in their movements; they were probably carefully selected. Even just marching, it was evident.

"What do you think?"

Ishikawa Saburoemon looked at Gorobei and me. His expression was stern.

"Capturing the eel seems difficult. We don't know where it is."

"I agree, it won't be easy. I knew that already."

Saburoemon nodded and turned his gaze to the procession, which was gradually getting smaller.

"They are splitting into two groups, with Kurono Shizukou leading the Senjo Road and his son Kobei leading the Hafu Road. Now, which one will carry the eel..."

His voice trailed off, and he looked at Gorobei and me. He seemed to be asking for our answer.

"By common sense, Shizukou would carry the eel. But..."

"Estimating the leader of the Hachimon by common sense is dangerous."

Saburoemon nodded as Gorobei and I responded. The Hachimon, originally descended from the Yamabushi of Hachiyama, or the descendants of the mountain people who served the Kusunoki and Daikaku Palace. They went underground during the Ashikaga era but emerged with the Kuki during the turmoil.

"There were six men who looked like the eel."

"They were wearing Nanban armor, perhaps to deliberately stand out."

"It's possible. If so, the real eel is hidden among the attendants or has secretly gone ahead."

Saburoemon exhaled. Gorobei closed his eyes. The procession was getting farther away.

"Let's follow them, find the eel, and attack."

Even after hearing my words, the two did not move. Gorobei opened his eyes.

"Don't rush, Zentaro."

"But..."

Gorobei said, "Calm down, relax."

"The attack site should be Hafu Pass on the Hafu Road or Negahara Pass on the Senjo Road. First, we need to find the eel. If it has gone ahead, it won't be among them."

"I understand, but..."

"Gorobei is right, don't rush. With such preparations, the attack will only happen once; there won't be a second chance. Failure is not allowed."

Saburoemon shook my shoulder.

"...Saburoemon."

"Let's go to Oshizu."

"...Oshizu?"

Saburoemon nodded.

"The eel is hiding, but it will surely appear in Oshizu. We'll secure it there. The capture will be on the way back."

I see, Gorobei and Saburoemon are right. I might have been a bit too hasty.

"Zentaro, use the Suzuka Pass to get to Oshizu first. Secure the place where the eel might appear."

"Understood."

"I'll take the Senjo Road, and Gorobei, take the Hafu Road. Follow the eel's trail, but don't attack if you find it."

"Understood."

Gorobei nodded and looked at me.

"Be careful, Zentaro. Iga and Koga won't be friendly to us. Be cautious when crossing the Suzuka Pass. Don't slip."

"Understood. You two be careful too."

The two nodded, and the procession looked even smaller.

In the second month of the second year of Genki (1574), in the village of Asama, Tachibana District, Ise Province, at Kongoshoin Temple, Kuki Morinaga.

Oshizu is in Tachibana District, Ise Province. A bit away from there is the village of Asama. It is read as "Asama," not "Asakuma." In this village of Asama, there is a temple called Kongoshoin. It is a Rinzai sect temple, but it is said to have been founded by the order of Emperor Kinmei. Of course, it wasn't a Rinzai sect temple at that time. However, considering the introduction of Buddhism, Emperor Kinmei is a bit suspicious.

It is said that Kukai revived this temple as a Shingon esoteric Buddhist training ground during the Heian period. But it seems to have declined again after that. During the Kamakura period, it was revived by a Rinzai monk and converted to the Rinzai sect. The world of religion is no different from the world of samurai; it's about gaining temples, not territories. In this Sengoku period, due to its location in the northeast (Ushi-Tora) of the Ise Shrine, it is known as the "temple guarding the Ise Shrine's demon gate" and is the largest temple in Ise and Shima, closely tied to Ise worship.

The meeting with Tosa's Sanmi Shosho Ichijo Noritada was held at Kongoshoin Temple. I thought it would be in Oshizu, where a room was prepared in a merchant's house for the meeting. However, it seems that Shizukou and Kobei secretly arranged for the meeting to be held at Kongoshoin Temple. The meeting place was suddenly changed to Kongoshoin Temple. I wasn't the only one; six kagemushis (body doubles) also accompanied me.

I changed into my meeting attire in the waiting room and headed to the meeting place. I removed the black spot and the mouth stuffing. When I arrived, the Kugonin Ichijo Uchiyuki and Sanmi Shosho Ichijo Noritada were already there. The atmosphere was tense. These two are relatives but also step-brothers. Ichijo Noritada is adopted by Uchiyuki's father, Ichijo Masahiro. From their ages, Noritada seems to be about five years older. However, from the situation, it seems they don't get along well. I apologized for being late and took my seat.

"Kugonin-sama, Sanmi Shosho-sama, thank you for traveling all the way to Ise."

I am a Shosho, but I am a Shogoin, so there is a significant difference between a Sanmi and a Shogoin in this era. As expected, Noritada nodded with satisfaction at being addressed with "sama." A simple man, easily swayed, I see. The Ichijo family is one of the five regent families, but Noritada doesn't have the weakness of a court noble. He is not particularly large but exudes a fierce and commanding presence. He looks like a samurai. The tension and command presence are probably one reason for the poor relationship with Uchiyuki.

"Meeting at Kongoshoin Temple was a surprise."

"Kugonin-sama, to be honest, I was surprised as well."

Kugonin Uchiyuki laughed. The atmosphere seemed to ease a bit.

"Since the greetings are over, let's start the discussion. What do you think, Kugonin?"

No good, the atmosphere immediately became tense again. I see, he is older but of a lower rank, which is affecting him. However, am I being ignored?

"Omi Shosho, I want you to send guns and ammunition to Tosa."

He is asking, but it sounds like an order.

"I hear that Kuki has made an alliance with the Miyoshi. Make the Miyoshi attack the Mori."

There it is, an order.

"I will send troops to Iyo. With the support of my adoptive father, the Mori will be defeated in no time."

He is full of confidence. In short, he came here as a messenger of the Oda. He was asked to use his husband's power to make Kuki and Miyoshi attack the Mori. He was easily swayed. After all, the Oda is the governor of Kyushu. He is satisfied with being asked. He has a commanding presence but seems to lack intelligence. The most important thing now is to secure Tosa, but he doesn't understand that. If he goes to Iyo, it will be a battlefield for the Oda, Mori, and Miyoshi. The Ichijo family, a minor power, will be pushed around and end up defeated.

"If you plan to go to Iyo, I cannot provide assistance. If you want the Miyoshi to attack the Mori, you should ask them directly."

Noritada glared at me fiercely. Kugonin Uchiyuki looked at him with a "see what you've done" expression. Was this meeting a mistake?

"Will you not support me? Isn't that why we gathered here?"

In the past, that might have been the case, but not now. The world is changing, the situation has changed. The discussion here is about division. The Ichijo should focus on Tosa, the Miyoshi on Iyo, and the Oda on Kyushu.

"I have the intention to support the Tosa Ichijo family, but I do not intend to support the Oda family. The most troublesome enemy for the Tosa Ichijo family should be the Chosokabe. Going to Iyo? That's out of the question. Isn't that right, Kugonin-sama?"

"The Omi Shosho is right, I agree with him."

Oh, even his disliked step-brother is against him. He is clenching his lips, full of frustration and humiliation. His wife from the Oda family will probably cry.

"The Oda family is my wife's family, it is natural for me to support them."

"Indeed, the Oda family has a connection with the Tosa Ichijo family. If Sanmi Shosho-sama insists on supporting them, I will not stop you. Please do as you wish. However, Kuki has no obligation to support the Oda family. It would be best if the Tosa Ichijo family could manage on their own."

Don't look at me with such a resentful gaze. Receiving support means following orders. Do you think you can get money and not take orders? That's naive.

"The Kuki family uses our house to trade with Ryukyu."

"We do, but we can stop it at any time."

"Ridiculous."

He is shocked. Yes, it is ridiculous. Trade with Ryukyu is so profitable that it makes you say that.

"Kuki trades with Ming and Nanban ships in Tsuruga. Products from Ryukyu also come in. We can abandon the Tosa Ichijo family at any time."

Do you understand? The Tosa Ichijo family is not indispensable to the Kuki family. We won't make concessions just because our trade is held hostage.

"Kugonin-sama, you might lose Tosa, but there is no need to worry. From now on, the Kuki family will support Kugonin-sama and the Ichijo family."

"That's reassuring."

Kugonin Uchiyuki laughed lightly. Oh, now he is abandoned by everyone. Noritada growled and glared at me and Kugonin Uchiyuki.

"Sanmi Shosho-sama, choose between the Oda and Kuki. But in my view, the Oda will not last long."

"What are you saying!"

Noritada became agitated.

"The Oda failed to suppress the Ryuzoji of Hizen. As a result, the Oda is being attacked from the east and west by the Mori and Ryuzoji, and is struggling with governing its territory. That's why they are seeking our support through Sanmi Shosho-sama. Is that not correct?"

"..."

This time, he was silent.

"The Oda will also be attacked from the south."

"From the south?"

Noritada looked puzzled. At this point, it is probably too early to feel the threat of the Shimazu.

"The Shimazu of Satsuma have captured the Daito. They are expected to focus on capturing Hyuga. The Itō of Hyuga have been weak since their defeat last year. Hyuga will be captured by the Shimazu in no time. Next will be Bungo. The Oda will be attacked from the east, west, and south. They won't last, and if you follow them, the Ichijo family will be destroyed."

"Ridiculous..."

Noritada's face turned pale. He finally seems to see the reality.

In the second month of the second year of Genki (1574), in the village of Asama, Tachibana District, Ise Province, Ryuji Masahiro.

"Meeting at Kongoshoin Temple, quite cautious, isn't it?"

"All six of them entered."

"Do you think the real eel is among them? How did the pursuit go?"

When I asked, Saburoemon and Gorobei had a difficult expression.

"Saburoemon, how was the Senjo Road?"

When Gorobei asked, Saburoemon replied, "Hmm."

"Of the three, the protection of two was lax, but the protection of the remaining one was quite strict. However, I couldn't tell if it was the real one."

"It might be to draw our attention."

I nodded, and the two followed.

"Gorobei, how about the Hafu Road?"

"Unlike Saburoemon's, the protection of all three was strict. I couldn't determine the authenticity. But..."

Gorobei looked at Saburoemon and me.

"The people on the Hafu Road have the rumor that the eel is advancing with Shizukou on the Senjo Road. Perhaps because of this, the protection of the three was relatively relaxed, and there were several orders to tighten up."

We exchanged glances. The eel is advancing with Shizukou on the Senjo Road... a decoy, or the truth...

"It might be the truth."

Saburoemon muttered and looked at Gorobei and me.

"I didn't mention it earlier to avoid giving a wrong impression, but there was a strange man on the Senjo Road."

"Strange?"

When Gorobei asked, Saburoemon nodded.

"He gave orders to the person leading the procession only once."

"To Shizukou?"

"Probably. From his age, I think it was Shizukou. The one giving orders was a young man, medium build, not particularly noticeable."

"Only once?"

"Yes, only once. Zentaro, he acted as a regular guard after that."

We exchanged glances. Gorobei and Saburoemon's gazes were strong.

A young man of medium build, not particularly noticeable. The conditions match. Among the three fake eels, one was heavily guarded to draw our attention, and the real eel was hidden among the guards... only once... the water leaked from the expert's hand, Shizukou.

"We might have found him, let's pursue that man."

Gorobei and Saburoemon nodded.

In the second month of the second year of Genki (1574), in the village of Oshizu, Tachibana District, Ise Province, at Kurono Kagehisa.

"Has that person left?"

"He has."

"Is there anyone pursuing him?"

"No. It seems they have set their sights on us."

The man nodded in satisfaction at my words. The man was standing, and I was on one knee. The village cloud people are probably watching this from somewhere, thinking it is the lord.

"That person will come to take his life. Are you prepared?"

"Of course, if I can die in place of that person, it will be my greatest wish."

"..."

"At the second battle of Yamazaki, that person praised me in front of everyone, saying, 'Thanks to your report, we won. You are the top warrior.' I, an unknown ninja..."

The lord does not discriminate against ninjas. How grateful we are... In other families, we are not treated as human beings, but not in the Kuki family.

"You don't have to answer. When I stand, that person will pat my shoulder and say loudly, 'Shizukou, I'm counting on you.'"

"...Shizukou, I'm counting on you."

My shoulder was patted firmly. The man's face was in front of me, showing no fear.

"I will surely meet your expectations."

The man smiled brightly.