As April arrives, the grounds of Suyama Castle are remarkably quiet, and the chirping of drifts along with the spring breeze, drawing people into their eardrums.囀Chirp
However, they didn't have the mental space to fully enjoy such pleasant spring weather.
Indeed, all the people of Sugawa Castle could not hide their anxiety about their lord, Endo Naotsune, being absent for about a week.
Right before my eyes, Haruhime faced off against countless targets with a sharp gaze.
She drew her Japanese bow taut and hit one target after another.
I had a fair amount of knowledge about Kyudo (Japanese archery), and I even frequented the Kyudo club and enjoyed practicing it myself—but it seems the situation is different in this Sengoku period.
In modern society, what Kyudo (Japanese archery) seeks is an unwavering mind, and it is a kind of ritualized action: drawing the bow tightly and hitting the target accurately in any situation.
However, in this Sengoku period, it seems that the most important thing was "how to shoot and kill the enemy."
Archery, which no longer regards form or style, and is solely focused on hitting the enemy, is in a sense a tremendously different culture.
Next to me, Ichihime was sitting in a formal kneeling position, observing Osamuhime's behavior.
Incidentally, Ichihime is also a very skilled archer, and probably several levels above me in terms of ability.
There's no need to consider how they possess such technology.
She is Nobunaga's sister. It's impossible that her brother-in-law wouldn't teach his beloved sister various things—
As I was thinking about that, another arrow was released from Haruhime's hand, and that distinctive "bang" sound of it hitting the target echoed through the air.
Then, from afar, I could hear the enthusiastic cheers of the soldiers guarding the castle gates.
"It appears that Lord Naotsune has returned."
Ichihime said this as she offered Haruhime a hemp cloth to wipe away her sweat.
"...I suppose so."
I stood up and went back inside the mansion, sitting down beside the hearth where a small flame was dancing.
A pot was placed on top of the heat source, and the water inside was faintly warm.
The calendar has already entered April, and it's now the 4th.
However, the temperature doesn't rise immediately; although the sunlight is getting warmer, the perceived temperature is still around 20 degrees Celsius.
Some days are still quite chilly, so it looks like we'll be spending a while longer warming ourselves by the hearth.
"Lord Nagamasa, Lord Naotsune, who has just returned, wishes to meet with you..."
Ichihime asks.
I scratched my cheek, chuckling slightly at Naotsune's overly straightforward attitude.
"Naotsune must be tired. Tell him to rest for a while before coming back."
"No, actually—I was told to tell them, 'I will not move from here until I am granted a meeting.'"
Ichihime said that with a wry smile.
Well, I kind of expected something like that.
"Understood, let it through."
Ichihime bowed her head, closed the sliding door, and headed towards Naotsune, who was presumably waiting on the veranda.
Indeed, the sliding doors that had just been closed immediately slid open, revealing the familiar face of a loyal retainer.
"Welcome back, Naotsune. I'm sorry for putting you through so much trouble."
I urged Naotsune to sit down, then I drew water from the pot that had reached the right temperature, brewed some tea, and offered it to him.
Naotsune seemed overwhelmed with emotion, and he drank his warm tea while weeping profusely.
"So, how did it go?"
When I asked him that, Naotsune wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand and began to speak.
"Everything is going well. The series of military failures against our family so far seem to have unsettled the Rokkaku retainers more than we anticipated. In addition, the conflict between the Miyoshi Three in the Kinai region and Lord Matsunaga Hisahide has intensified, and the Rokkaku territory seems to be quite unsettled..."
As he said this, Naotsune glanced at me with an upward glance and continued speaking.
"At such a time, we received news of Lord Omi's slaying of the hawk. Southern Omi is now more like the rising sun under the Asai clan than the setting sun under the Rokkaku clan. It was as if it was hoping to be conquered by the Asai."
"Has the story of falconry already reached as far south as Omi...?"
When I muttered that, Naotsune looked at me with a meaningful expression and opened his mouth.
"—It is human nature to want to tell the story of the birth of a hero who single-handedly tortured and killed a hawk."
"...I'm sorry."
I sincerely apologized.
It seems Naotsune is quite unhappy about me accompanying him on the falconry trip without saying or telling him anything.
It was like a newlywed couple where the wife had cooked dinner and was waiting for her husband, but he went out to eat with his boss without even contacting her and came home drunk—that's the kind of sulky reaction he had.
"I won't act on my own initiative anymore... so won't you forgive me now?"
"I'm not angry, by the way."
While uttering the number one phrase that angry people always use, Naotsune stared at me and said, "Anyway, that aside."
"The Rokkaku clan's territory is currently in a state of extreme chaos. Disagreements among the vassals have reached a critical point, and there are even signs of civil war... The Koga clan is no exception. Many wish to switch their allegiance to our Asai clan, as Lord Nagamasa desired..."
"But what you're saying is that Naotsune doesn't trust those guys, is that right?"
"That is correct."
Saying that, Naotsune slapped his knee in realization.
"If we are to entrust the leadership of the Asai family's intelligence network to someone who is only motivated by self-interest, we cannot trust anyone who acts out of self-interest. Unless he is someone who is loyal to us from the bottom of his heart, to the very core of his being, I will absolutely not allow this Naotsune to join the Asai family."
"But, Naotsune, you said everything went well."
I leaned forward and asked.
"I want to know. What kind of people have you set your sights on?"
"I believe that you, my lord, are the kind of people with whom I can get along even better than as an employer."
Naotsune said, as if he believed it without a doubt.
"One of the 21 Koga clans is the Takamine Party. I have made arrangements with them. They will surely work for Lord Nagamasa."
I picked up Naotsune's teacup and, once again, brewed a hot cup of tea.
As I handed it to him, I asked him a question, as he looked embarrassed.
"The 21 Koga families... they form the core of the Rokkaku family's intelligence network, even among the 53 Koga families. Given the circumstances, would such people really pledge allegiance to the Asai?"
"That's how miserable the situation of the Takamine faction is."
"Hmm..."
I brewed some tea myself, moistened the tip of my tongue, and looked directly at Naotsune.
"I understand that the Koga Twenty-One Families are a group that has received numerous letters of commendation from the head of the Rokkaku family. For such people to be in such a miserable situation... what could that possibly mean?"
In response to what I said, Naotsune lowered his eyes and said:
"Although I received a letter of commendation... I am still a ninja after all. That work is base and not something a human being should do—a beast, a ninja is not a human being but a beast. That is the normal way of thinking, but..."
Naotsune raised his head and said:
"However, it seems that Lord Nagamasa does not think that way. There may be some in the Asai family who look down on ninjas, but if Lord Nagamasa welcomes ninjas, we can keep such people in check for the time being."
That is probably Naotsune's biggest worry.
To be honest, I have absolutely no knowledge of what kind of group the Takamine clan is—but regardless of the social status of ninjas in this era, if they are willing to risk their lives for me, I want to give them a guarantee commensurate with that.
At least, that's what I think.
"The Rokkaku family has completely lost its leadership within its territory, and Koga, which was under its influence, is in utter chaos. Naturally, power struggles have spread among the 53 Koga families as if nothing had been done—and among them, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Takamine faction is particularly isolated."箍But
"...why?"
"Perhaps it's because the leader of the Takamine faction is a woman."
Naotsune said this, frowning.
"As if the leader of a ninja clan, who are already of low status, were a woman... with that, they would be seen as even lower in rank among the 53 Koga clans, and it is unlikely that any help would be extended to them by the Rokkaku clan's retainers. The lands under their control have now been seized by other ninja clans, and the Takamine clan is declining day by day."
"So? From what you've said, it just sounds like you're hoping to switch allegiance to the Asai family solely out of self-interest..."
"Do you really need me to say all the rest? You're quite the scoundrel, my lord."
With a wry smile, Naotsune slowly moved his knees forward.
"In a critical situation where a woman must be in power, if a falconry hero were to extend a helping hand—surely no one could resist falling for him."
Those who are rescued from dire circumstances tend to blindly believe in their savior, especially if their situation was desperate.
The fact that he could say something like that so casually really shows he was a strategist for the Asai family.
It's often forgotten, including by myself, but General Endo Naotsune was, above all, a staff officer who "could take up a sword and fight if necessary."
"Naotsune, are you telling me to give you a woman?"誑Tabura
"yes"
Naotsune said this calmly and with a completely unfazed expression.
"There is no need for sexual intercourse. My lord should simply maintain his usual dignified demeanor and treat the female leader of the Takamine clan—I will not mention her name—with respect. If you do so, the Takamine clan will surely work for you, even to the point of risking their lives."妙Tae
"...But how are they actually performing? If they're incompetent, it's pointless."
"Please rest assured. Even though we are a fallen Koga Twenty-One family, we will perform above average, even among Japanese ninja."
Naotsune didn't even crack a smile, and just kept observing my face. I instinctively shrugged.
"It is none other than Naotsune who is evaluating it. As an outsider, I have no choice but to trust the judgment of you, the expert."
"If you say so, then my efforts will have been worthwhile. The Takamine clan is the most skilled group among the 21 Koga clans in terms of intelligence gathering. They are ideal for learning about the situation in other countries—"
Naotsune looked into my eyes and spoke as if to dig out the worries simmering in my heart.
"—Alternatively, it might be possible to round up anyone within the Asai family who is trying to carry out a covert operation . I hope there aren't any such people, though."鼠mouse
"...Yeah, I guess so."
I let out a deep sigh.
Although the Asai family is currently united around me, the former head of the family, Hisamasa, is still alive and well.
When he interferes with the Asai family, the possibility that a group indebted to Hisamasa may stir up trouble cannot be ruled out.
That's the kind of creatures humans are.
"What are Naotsune and the Takamine faction doing now?"
"We are waiting—we will act immediately upon receiving orders from our lord."
I nodded slowly.
Every detail is meticulously considered.
A true professional's work is precisely what someone like him does.
There was nothing left to do but take my hat off to them.
"Alright then, I'll leave it to you. Is there anything that needs to be prepared before then?"
"The Gaofeng Party currently consists of about 300 people, including men and women of all ages. If only we could provide them with land, a roof over their heads, and some food for the time being..."
"I'm not sure if I should be making such a hasty promise, but... I'll do my best."
If push comes to shove, we can always turn to Masamoto for help.
While it's true that he holds the purse strings, he is a highly capable financial bureaucrat regardless.
I'm sure they'll manage to do it well, and if not, there are plenty of other ways to handle it.
"Well then, I will be heading to Koga again. I will try my best not to be noticed by the other Koga ninjas."
"I trust you."
As Naotsune rose from his seat, I spoke to him briefly but sincerely.
Indeed, he broke into a wide smile—then coughed loudly, and changed his expression,
"—For the sake of my lord."
With that, he left.
As I watched her retreating figure, I glanced at Ichihime and Haruhime, who had just entered the room.
With Ichihime's beautiful face directly in front of me, words unconsciously spilled from my lips.
"So, this means we have even more options now..."