Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era

The Takeda territory was on the verge of an unprecedented crisis. Oda's forces were attacking from the east with great force, and the Tokugawa forces were steadily attacking from the south, where they were supposed to be retreating.

Furthermore, the relationship between Katsuyori, the leader of the Takeda family, and the people of his domain had deteriorated significantly. Particularly in the villages near the western edge of Takeda's territory, near the border with Mino, the Tokugawa army was not only refusing to respond to conscription, but also invited Oda's troops into their territory through the enemy country.

This was mainly due to the influence of Masayuki Sanada's strategy, but Katsuyori's failure to unite the clansmen who should have been supporting him and his oppressive regime without any regard for the people of his domain was also a problem.

The situation in the territory grew more serious as the enemy forces approached, and the organization completely collapsed when Anayama Nobukun, the leader of the Takeda clan, turned over to the Oda family.

Many of the clansmen gave up on their master's family and surrendered in front of Oda's army, or some of them tried to help Oda's army to have a favorable outcome after the war.

The fate of Takeda is now in doubt. You should return to Hojo, your father.

Katsuyori said so with a blot of regret. The news that the Oda army was approaching Takato castle soon reached Katsuyori, and he tried to get his wife Hojo's wife, Hojo's wife (Hojo Ujiyasu's sixth daughter, but since her name is unknown, she is called thus) and his heiress Nobukatsu to escape to Iwadono Castle in the rear.

However, Nobukatsu Oyamada Nobushige, one of the 24 generals of Takeda, who was the leader of Iwadono Castle, had already been turned over to the Oda family, and when he replied that he refused to accept the offer, Katsuyori realized that he had been defeated.

His son, Nobukatsu advised Katsuyori to commit suicide together with him when Katsuyori was cut off from the path of retreat. Many generals who once served Shingen have left him, and they are not willing to turn their backs on their former masters, and are now attacking Shimpu Castle, which is Katsuyori's castle.

The heads of you and your heiress Nobukatsu were needed to stop the war, but not the heads of Mrs. Hojo, who was married for political reasons to make an alliance. Katsuyori told his wife to return to his parents' home, but Mrs. Hojo remained silent and shook her head quietly.

She shook her head quietly and said, "I have been with Mr. Shiro since I married Hojo. I would like to stay with you to the end.

...... Right.

When Katsuyori heard of his wife's decision, he did not try to encourage her to change her mind. Since Katsuyori tried to escape from his wife and child, the generals at Shimpu Castle had also fled, and now there was not even enough force to bring her back to Hojo.

Oda's forces are already approaching Takato Castle, and the castle will fall in the not too distant future. "Oda's forces are already closing in on Takatojo Castle and will probably fall before long.

Katsuyori mentioned that it wasn't far away, but at this point, Takato Castle had already fallen. With the morale of Takeda's forces already collapsing, they were unable to overcome the onslaught of the main force led by Nobutada, which had joined up with Nagaga's detachment, and the castle fell in less than a day.

As the attack on the castle by Nagaka and his men, it was not possible to conduct a siege battle with the technical level of the enemy, and there was no time to let Katsuyori, the leader of the castle, know that the castle had fallen.

Moreover, Nobutada left a minimum of troops at the fallen Takato Castle and marched to Shimpu Castle, which was closer than Katsuyori thought.

Oda's lords are in a hurry to get ready for the journey to die. But I can't just silently give you my life, I'll show you what I see in my last moments.

Yes, you are right. We must show Takeda of Kai that he is here.

Katsuyori responded with a small smile to Mrs. Hojo's light-hearted remarks, which were released under the circumstances of waiting for the earliest death. However, as soon as she tightened her expression, Katsuyori told her.

If the report from Fukashi Castle is true, Takato Castle may have already fallen. If the message from Fukashi Castle is true, Takato Castle may have fallen, and you do not have the strength to defend Shimpu Castle, which means you can only let them choose a peaceful end for a while.

"You plan to strike, don't you, Shirou-sama?　If so, I will see to it that Shiro-sama fulfills his true purpose and then I will follow him. And there are a few who have stayed in the castle.

Nowadays, most of the people left in Shimpu Castle were wounded and unable to escape, or even if they did escape, they were mostly old and short-lived. Although there are still some of Katsuyori's children who were brought up by him, it is rare to find those who remain because of such gratitude and loyalty.

Just as Katsuyori was getting sentimental about the fact that some of his men had fled from the sinking ship like rats from a sinking ship, he was about to hear a noise that sounded like the roar of a wild animal.

It's a good idea. I had no intention of interrupting you and your wife's business, but I couldn't help but feel upset.

A cheerful voice sounded out of place. Katsuyori was completely caught off guard by the voice of the owner of the voice while protecting Mrs. Hojo in the background. It's not to say that there was no carelessness, but Katsuyori is a warrior of the first rank, and it is hard to believe that he or she didn't notice it even though it was so close to him or her.

The person Katsuyori saw was Kaiyi, a man with no armor, but with a physique so big that he could be seen looking up at the top of his head, and muscles that were easily recognizable, cramped into his vestments as if they were tight. His biological instincts are screaming at him to run away, but he shuts them down by sheer force of will.

'I was going to wait for a while, but I can't help but be distracted. I am a hapless mountain priest, and I am called Karei. You must be Takeda Shirou-dono, I presume, is that correct?

There is no running and hiding now. I am Takeda Shiro!　You want my head?

"Ha-ha, you're joking, aren't you? I'm still in training, but I used to be a monk, and if I have to take a life, I will eat it with all my might. I'd prefer not to eat my own people.

Hua Ling Gyoja laughed pleasantly at that, but Sheng Yai couldn't smile a bit. He was unable to move because of the heat the giant beast emitted, which he also felt when he encountered a bear in the mountains when he was a child. The bear of that day left on a whim, but this monster will not.

You can't afford to risk your own life to get rid of Mrs. Hojo," he said, looking for an opening, but the Huarine gyoza didn't even take a stance, and there wasn't an opening to be seen.

Then what can I do for you, Mr. Hanamine?

I have been entrusted with a message from Oda Kankuro-dono. In order to repay you for keeping Matsuhime away from the warriors, I wish to request Shiro Takeda to fight with you in a one-on-one battle. Now, how do you respond?

One-on-one?

The unexpected words of Huarine gyoza gave Katsuyori a quizzical look. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them, but it's not a good idea to have a good time with them.

I am not a samurai, so I do not understand his plans. However, wouldn't it be more honorable to be killed by a general in a one-on-one battle than to be killed by a stranger who has no name?

You sound like I'm losing at the seams.

'Hahaha. 'Well, Kankuro-dono was trained by my Lord in person. If you are too young to know that your head has fallen off, you won't know it.

"I am the head of Takeda, a man of military prowess. I will not be defeated so easily!

Is it, then, a battle of wits?

You will find that you will be able to get the best out of this particular situation. It's not the same as the one we saw earlier, which was filled with resignation, but a warrior-like figure full of courage.

I am prepared for this. A messenger will come to you shortly to tell you the details.

As soon as he said that, he cut off a dragonfly and flipped himself out of the open doorway with a surprisingly friendly smile on his face. I was in a hurry to follow him, but he was nowhere to be found.

As mentioned earlier, Takatojo fell only a day after the beginning of the war. The reason for this is quite simple: it was due to a revolutionary change that could be called a paradigm shift.

Nagaoka's troops and Nobutada's troops met up with Takatojo Castle in front of it, and combined the information that they had received beforehand and that they had received from the warlords of Takeda who had turned on them.

They did not attack Takatojo on the same day because they needed time to wait for slower troops to reorganize.

The next morning, as the sun rose, the drums were beaten and there was a roaring sound and the gate, which should have been solid, was blown inward. This was the result of taking advantage of the shade and placing explosives at the gate, but from Takeda's point of view, there was no telling what had been done to the gate.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Nobutada's troops rushed to the front of the castle in great numbers. At the same time, from the other side, the Choka forces equipped with grenade launchers attacked from the back side, destroying the defensive facilities one after another.

The fugitives were fleeing one after another, and when the number of defenders was decreasing, they were attacked by the onslaught without regard to the defensive facilities, and many of them lost the will to fight and surrendered.

When the sun was high in the western sky, Morinobu Nishina, the lord of the castle, realized his defeat when he heard that Oyamada Daigaku no Sukeru had been killed in the battle.

When he told his subordinate to take his head and descend to Oda, he committed suicide.

The reason why Takato Castle, one of the largest castles in the Warring States period, fell was because the times had changed.

The days of holed up in a solid castle, where you could fight a good fight against a force that was twice as strong as your own, were over. In the face of large caliber artillery and high performance explosives, the conventional gates and walls were little more than strong walls.

Takeda was not stubbornly adhering to the old ways of warfare. He understood the importance of the guns, and he continued to make an effort to have a reasonable number of them.

However, this was not enough to reverse the trend of overemphasis on cavalry formation and disregard for guns, which was backed by past successful experiences. With the advent of new rifles with a range far greater than the cavalry's assault range and with sufficient accuracy and power to hit the target, this has become a thing of the past.

The standard defense of attacking the enemy troops with a long and thin line of fire from the eye of a gun or a narrow space of arrows by the winding ninety-nine fold surrounded by the castle walls was not valid anymore.

Of course, the main force led by Nobutada used artillery and advanced in a straight line through the city walls. As a result, the troops dispersed throughout the city were defeated in the blink of an eye, and the soldiers were attacked at the shortest possible distance, so there was not even a water-filled moat to stop them.

The soldiers were not even held back except for the water-filled moat, as they were able to attack at the shortest distance. Do you intend to beat both of Takeda's pride and joy, and expose the winners and losers to the light of day?

Choka chuckled with amusement as he approached the person standing next to him. After spending the night at the fallen Takato Castle, Nobutada left a certain amount of troops behind and began his march early.

He was sent back to the rear, where he was given the honor of standing around Nobutada, the leader, as well as a collar to hold him in place as he ran amok.

I am indebted to Lord Takeda for freeing my wife, Princess Matsuhime, from the battlefield to Erinji," he said. Rather than be struck down by an unknown army, it would be better for us to settle this matter in single combat.

Yes, it would be a sad end for you if you were to be beaten up by a fallen warrior after you failed to win.

"Plus, it has the added benefit of showing the public that Takeda has succumbed before Oda.

I know that no one would dare to interfere with a fight at this time, but I will protect the place where the two of you face off.

I'm relying on you, Onimusashi.

With that, Nobutada and Nagaga laughed at each other. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them. It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family, but it's not so stupid that you can't understand the meaning of hierarchy in the military.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

"According to Hayama earlier, I heard that your highness will be arriving in the near future, in which case Shizuko-dono will be there too.

Father and Shizuko, none of them are irreplaceable focal points of our army. Even if it's unlikely, I don't think we would be foolish to risk losing them all at once.

'I see. I read that after the Lord saw our work, he would return to Owari to see Mount Fuji. What is there to be found on Mt. Fuji?

Mt. Fuji was on her mind, wasn't it? However, that area is Tokugawa territory, so we cannot do anything carelessly.

In the meantime, the main force led by Nobutada arrived at Shimpu Castle. A messenger was sent and negotiated with Katsuyori beforehand, the Shimpu Castle was bloodless and Nobutada's troops proceeded to the castle.

Katsuyori led only his own forces to Tenmeyama, where he was supposed to fight with his own troops. The sick, injured, and those willing to surrender were disarmed and gathered in a room in Shinfu Castle.

Although it is unlikely, we marched on, wary of deception, but Katsuyori had withdrawn after giving the agreed upon treatment, and Nobutada reorganized his army into a small unit that emphasized mobility.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to expect when you are ready to fight tomorrow.

After receiving Nobutada's order, the troops took a rest at Shimpu Castle. The victory or defeat of the troops had already been decided, the only thing left was a one-on-one battle between the two generals, a heroic tale that had everyone holding their breath even if they didn't say so.

After a night, Nobutada led only 1,000 of his best soldiers and headed for Mount Tenmoku. Since it was mainly composed of cavalry, Nobutada's troops arrived at the foot of Mount Tenmoku where Katsuyori had set up his camp in only half a day.

As the sun was about to set, they were within visual distance of each other's camp and were staring at each other in a strange composition. And when Nobutada was about to send a messenger to inform them of the timing of the battle, an unexpected person came to his camp.

Interesting. Shall we meet?

The man who visited Nobutada's camp was Takeda Katsuyori himself. Nobutada invited Katsuyori, who came to his camp without warning and accompanied by only a few men, and they met face to face.

It is a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

It's the first time we've met in person like this. I am Takeda Shiro, the 20th head of the Takeda family who succeeded his father, Shingen,

The first time we meet, I am Kankuro, the son of Oda Danjyonochuchu. Now, how can you visit your camp the night before you are about to cross swords with each other?

Katsuyori responded to Nobutada's question by bowing deeply.

'First of all, I would like to thank you for thanking me, a defeated general, for the courtesy you have shown me. Tomorrow, the two sides will meet in single combat to determine who wins, but regardless of who wins, I surrender to your forces.

Katsuyori's eyes weren't dead as he raised his face to tell them so. Since he has left the castle and set up camp, Katsuyori seems to be full of supremacy, although he is somewhat dingy.

"I know this is a very presumptuous request. I'll commit suicide regardless of whether I win or lose. Instead, I would like to ask for the help of my subordinates who have been following me.

Except for you and your male heir, I guarantee your safety in my name. But I will not detain those who would seek to follow their lord.

I am indebted to you. But I will not fight any more in the face of combat. Now I'm going to leave.

Katsuyori pleaded for the help of those who followed him to the end. And Nobutada promised to guarantee the lives of everyone except Katsuyori and his son, Nobukatsu.

In this era, the general and his son and daughter-in-law would be responsible for the death of the general and his son. And Katsuyori, who risked his own life to win them, was about to leave Nobutada's camp.

'Wait. I don't think you are sufficiently prepared from the looks of it. I will have another tent prepare hot water and rice for you.

I've already had enough of your sympathy. No more.

I'm not trying to be merciful. I am not trying to show mercy to you, but I'm in trouble if my opponent is looking a little shabby. It's important for me to win against you, who is in perfect shape.

...... Yes, sir.

Katsuyori didn't really take Nobutada's words to heart, but he was grateful for the last minute concern from someone who was also an aspiring warrior.

When Katsuyori turned away with his head bowed so as not to dull his resolve, Katsuyori finished his meeting with Nobutada.

Nobutada also has great significance in this single combat. He thought that by defeating the general of Takeda with his own hands, he could call himself the successor of Nobunaga with pride for the first time.

He had no intention of losing, but since victory or defeat is the norm for a soldier, Nobutada had the hot water brought to him and he wiped his body, trimmed his beard, and trimmed his hair with oil.

Tomorrow, the battle that would determine the outcome of the battle for Japan would take place.

In Owari, far away from the tensions in Kai, Shizuko was at work in her first calm office in a long time.

The reason for this is because Nobunaga, who had been staying at Shizuko's house for a long time, rushed to gather his forces and set out for Kai as soon as he heard the news of the one-on-one battle between Nobutada and Katsuyori through a phone call.

He said, "I believe there is no defeat in all, but we must be prepared for it. If it's a hardship, let's just call it a sightseeing trip." He led the army that was organized with emphasis on speed, heading eastward.

Nobunaga's path was to follow Nobutada's invasion route, and it was a forced march, changing horses at each stopover point built by Nobutada's army.

At first, Shizuko was supposed to be accompanied by Shizuko, but by coincidence, Maehisa Konoe was to accompany Nobunaga, and Shizuko waited for their return in Owari.

Shizuko was waiting for their return in Owari.

In the meantime, Princess Noohime, who was in Gifu, visited Shizuko. Princess Nohime complained that Nobunaga and Maekyu's expedition to the east was going to be a voyage of discovery.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do with it.

'Even the mistress is absent, which is why the unprincipled want to make a move. Although not as good as Shizuko's vaunted telegraph, as far as Gifu and Owari are concerned, everything is in her hands.

It's a good thing that the people of this world are not just in the same boat as you.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can get away with it. Even Shizuko had no idea how she was getting the information.

''Every time I think of it, doesn't Princess Darkness-sama think of preventing it beforehand?

"Ho ho ho. As long as men are greedy, the seeds of evil will not disappear. You can never stop nipping them in the bud. Don't you think it would be best, then, to show people what happens to them if they commit crimes, by showing them just the right amount of familiarity?

......It's true that you've done something wrong, so it's only right that you be punished, but I don't think it's right that you should do something that invites .......

"I'll be tempted," you say.　Demons are things that lurk in the mundane, you know. I'm thwarting it before it grows into a real demon.

Shizuko's position at the helm of the organization meant that she understood what Nohime was trying to say. It's hard to resist the temptation to be tempted, and unless you are disciplined, it's easy to get carried away.

It's a good thing to have faith and a debt of gratitude to your master that helps you in such situations.

She never says it in words or in attitude, but she does say, "I'll be watching you. Even with such a spine-tingling warning, there are still people who commit crimes, which is why human karma is inescapable.

"Sister-in-law, you're here.

Oh, it's the city. What do you want as a concubine?

Shizuko was talking with Nohime and continuing her duties when Oichi showed up as well. Shizuko was about to give up the idea that this was not going to be a real job, but since it seemed that he had something to do with Nohime, Shizuko was relieved to learn that he had something to do with her.

She didn't want to do the foolishness of poking around in the bushes and letting the snakes out, so Shizuko kept quiet and continued with her ears close to her office.

'Just as well, if Shizuko is there too. A family member has been going around telling the mistress about your sister-in-law's deeds, as if he had waited for your brother to leave. I can't really see it, so I thought I'd have to talk to your sister-in-law about it.

Yeah, that's him, right?　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. It's really a fox that takes advantage of the tiger's power.

In contrast, Nohime seems to have already grasped the situation and is unfazed by it, smiling and laughing. This kind of subterfuge must be kept secret from the person himself, and yet he has been bitten by the bait that was dropped right in front of him.

The last scheduled contact for today has just ended, so unless it is urgent, we are unable to contact the boss.

Hohohoho. I don't need to bother your mind with such a trivial matter. The Oda family will take care of this matter internally, and you don't mind if the city does too?

If your sister-in-law knows about it, that's fine.

Shizuko has yet to relinquish her position as an advisor to the Oda family, and although she hears these sordid stories from within the Oda family, most of them are dealt with by Princess Nohime.

Shizuko is told only that the problem has been solved, without knowing the outcome. It was a bit indigestible, but there was nothing to be gained by prying into this, so she left it at that.

"I don't know what you are planning to do, but please try not to make it too important, okay?

'Ho ho ho. What you try to do is just what happens when you try to do it. It's exactly what you deserve, isn't it?

(Oh, that's the one that gets locked out.)

In the Oda family, there are two types of schools, called "legitimate schools" and "illegitimate schools". The Oda family is classified as the so-called "head family" and "branch family", and Nobunaga was also a member of the "Shoryu" family.

However, when the official family room of Nobuhide's father, who was a legitimate family, was separated and Nobunaga's mother became a successor, Nobunaga became Nobuhide's successor and was incorporated into the legitimate family.

The bourgeoisie is obliged to support the legitimate lineage and the legitimate lineage is obliged to relieve the legitimate lineage at the same time. There are always some people who do not accept such a framework and try to replace the bourgeoisie with a bourgeoisie with ambitions.

I don't know what will happen to a dog without discipline, which is protected by a legitimate lineage, but tries to bite the dog's teeth.

It's only wartime, so please don't cause a disturbance at home, okay?

He's not much of a racketeer, that's for sure. If you'd been quiet, I would have let you go. ......

(This is what you say when you leave your bait hanging in plain view.)

Your lack of discipline will lead to your downfall.

The city is right. As a mistress, you have to buy the fights you've been sold.

You didn't even get into a fight: ......

Shizuko let out a grand sigh. Shizuko thought it was just like the Monkey King in Journey to the West and Shakuson, the Buddha in his hand.

Shizuko is so kind. The fact that you are planning to overcome the odds means that you are willing to risk everything to capture your dream. I'm not sure what to do if the dream is ruined.

You wouldn't dream that going around spouting innuendos is the very thing that would lead to death: ......

That kind of backbiting is more troublesome than you might think. Regardless of what the recipient thinks, they accumulate in the mind like stagnation little by little and sprout at any moment.

The city is right. That's why I'm presenting her with the proof that evil will get you killed. How generous of you.

Shizuko realized that the end of his person was already set in stone. Did he, with his unworthy ambition, really understand the size of the person he was trying to bite?

Shizuko felt a little pity for him, as she couldn't even think of his face when she heard his name.