CH 102

Late September, 1572.

Due to the agreement made with the Oda family, Tsuruhime was forced to stay in the hospital until about four months after the baby’s neck was stable. Mitsuo also occasionally thought that living alone was easy and comfortable, but he soon realized his mistake. How had he been living alone until now? Having a family and living together had become the norm, and he couldn’t remember his previous lonely life at all.

“Are you making fun of me for being single?”

“Old man, if you’re going to brag, do it with Oda’s lord.”

“I thought the tajin nabe was a strange dish, not only in terms of its shape but also because it doesn’t require any water, but it’s really delicious. The vegetables have become so sweet.”

Mitsuo consulted with Ashimitsu, Gorou, and Shiro, whom he recently met. However, the responses from the three of them were far from satisfying for Mitsuo.

“That’s a terrible thing to say. And Shiro hasn’t even listened to the conversation.”

“I did listen to the conversation, but I have no advice to offer from a certain someone.”

“That’s right. Or is it your hobby to brag? It’s embarrassing for me to listen.”

“You don’t even realize it. I live a life without any interest in women, and yet you keep bragging without mercy.”

They were shameless. And yet, the three of them happily ate the nabe that Mitsuo had prepared.

“But everyone has surprisingly become good friends.”

“It’s because you formed friendships. You’re not a bad person. Well, you didn’t do anything as foolish as Gorou did at first.”

“Wait a minute, Ashimitsu-san. What did you think of me at first?”

“A pseudo chef who turns ingredients that can be eaten as they are into barely edible dishes.”

“That’s terrible! Failure is a part of cooking!”

“Shut up. When I taught you how to make vinegar-marinated fish, I said to use just a little vinegar, but you boiled it only with vinegar, which is unforgivable.”

“Uh, well… that…”

“Well, that’s because our way of teaching was also bad, yes.”

Adding about 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar to the broth and simmering the fish greatly enhances the flavor. Like vinegar-marinated fish, it reduces the fishy smell and prevents the fish from falling apart due to the coagulation of proteins. However, Gorou only remembered the name of the dish and attempted the reckless act of boiling the fish in cold vinegar. The result was a toxic substance with a strong acidity that made it difficult to swallow. Despite Gorou’s reluctance, Mitsuo forced him to eat it.

“Enough, bring the sake! I can’t do it without drinking!”

“Eh… well, okay.”

Mitsuo looked puzzled at Ashimitsu’s indifferent words.

“O-Old man, I’m going to make something, so I’ll borrow the kitchen.”

Mitsuo stood up with a sigh, and Gorou, who seemed to have come up with a snack for the sake, asked to borrow the kitchen. Mitsuo had no reason to refuse, so he nodded with a smile. When the two of them left, only Ashimitsu and Shiro remained. Shiro, who had only recently met them, couldn’t think of any topics to talk about, and Ashimitsu wasn’t much of a talker, so silence filled the room.

“…Ashimitsu-dono, you have changed.”

It was Shiro who broke the silence. He voiced the question he had been wondering about to Ashimitsu, who was silently eating.

“Do I seem that way?”

“Even during meals, you never let your guard down.”

“As expected of someone like you, who can notice things that others wouldn’t normally notice.”

In an instant, Shiro’s expression stiffened. But Ashimitsu, who had noticed it, just smiled faintly and continued eating.

“It’s not surprising. I heard about the runaway Ranpa from Takeda. I don’t know why you ran away, and I’m not interested.”

“I see. So you knew my true identity from the beginning. But why do you let me go?”

“I have no reason to kill you. Whether you investigate Oda or not, it’s none of my business. Even if you ran away because you didn’t like Takeda’s permission. If you want to be killed by me, go after my friends. I’ll gladly cut off your head the moment you show any hostility.”

“I can’t do that. I have been treated well by Lord Mitsuo. I have no intention of being ungrateful.”

“I see, so taxes are heavy in Kai as well.”

Ashimitsu had obtained information about Kai in the modern era. Kai, which was known as a powerful country, also imposed heavy taxes every year to cover the cost of war. Especially famous were Shingen’s father, Shintora, and Shingen’s illegitimate son, Katsuyori. Shintora’s extravagance aside, Katsuyori had to distribute the taxes to other areas because the gold mines had dried up, resulting in heavy taxes. In the Takeda family, the collection of taxes was carried out by vassals, and the vassals were given discretion. Therefore, even Shingen couldn’t interfere, despite being the lord. As a result, taxes varied from territory to territory, and in some places, they became so heavy that people were impoverished. There were even stories of residents opposing the increase in taxes in the territories of vassals who tried to defect from the Takeda family.

This was not only true for the Takeda family but also for Ieyasu and Nobunaga. Typically, at the lord’s home, land surveys were lenient, and tax rates were kept low. However, in newly conquered territories, strict land surveys were conducted, and heavy taxes were imposed to make up for the war expenses. Refreshing the ruling system also incurred costs, so newcomers often faced heavy taxes and were required to perform labor and military service. In the territories of vassals who tried to defect from the Tokugawa to the Takeda, there were stories of residents opposing the increase in taxes, understanding that taxes would become even heavier.

“If you have to give up your taxes and starve to death, then you might as well bet on a glimmer of hope, don’t you think?”

“In any world, newcomers are treated harshly. But even considering that, the taxes are too heavy. Perhaps it’s because the production of gold has decreased.”

Shingen is famous for his gold mine development, but it is said that the gold production dried up in his later years. However, this is not accurate. The gold mines of Shingen, such as Kurokawa and Yunokami, continued to produce gold even after the Edo period. Therefore, it was not that the gold mines had dried up, but rather that mining was hindered due to the financial difficulties and technological problems of the Takeda family.

Mining gold in a gold mine requires a significant amount of labor costs. And the gold ore mined from the gold mine is worthless as it is. It needs to be refined and shaped into gold. Only then can it be used as gold. Kai’s gold mines often had exposed veins, so gold production could be achieved simply by digging up the surface. However, as the mining went deeper underground, the situation changed. Cave-ins and collapses were common in mines. Therefore, it became necessary to reinforce the tunnels while digging deeper. As the tunnels extended, the profitability decreased, and the Takeda family needed more gold than they could mine, resulting in a shortage of wages for the gold miners. As a result, the gold miners stopped obeying orders, and the gold production fell into a vicious cycle. In other words, it was not that the gold mines had dried up, but rather that financial difficulties and lack of technology were the cause of the gold shortage.

The revival of Kai’s gold mines in the Edo period was due to the significant advancements in mining and refining techniques, such as the method of horizontal tunnels. The conventional mining method involved digging diagonally downwards. As a result, if groundwater gushed out, it couldn’t be drained, and even if it was a rich vein, it had to be abandoned. However, the horizontal tunnel method involved conducting preliminary excavations to search for parts with veins and then digging horizontally. This made it easier to drain the water when it gushed out during tunnel excavation. However, if the direction of the vein couldn’t be determined through preliminary excavations, this mining method was not feasible. It can be said that it is a mining method that requires advanced surveying techniques.

“Everyone couldn’t pay taxes and starved to death one after another. At this point, there was no choice but to escape with my mother and wife. I chose to escape to Oda’s territory because I thought that here, where things were changing rapidly, they wouldn’t easily get involved.”

“You were a bit naive. Those guys didn’t hesitate even in Oda’s territory. Thanks to that, the number of experimental subjects increased, and in the end, your actions as Ranpa became advantageous for me.”

The word “experimental subjects” made Shiro feel an inexplicable fear. Ashimitsu, who noticed this, only smiled faintly and didn’t say anything more.

“Sorry for the wait. What’s with this awkward atmosphere? Ashimitsu-san, did you say something scary to frighten us again?”

The slightly tense silence dissipated at Mitsuo’s innocent words. Shiro breathed a sigh of relief and Ashimitsu withdrew his smile from earlier.

“You’re a rude guy. I also know how to behave in a situation.”

“That’s right. You’re not the kind of guy who creates a world with just his wife, leaving behind the companions who accompanied him.”

After Mitsuo, Gorou also returned. Gorou placed several snacks on a large plate. He placed the plate in the center of the table and sat down.

“You apologized once, but there won’t be a second time. I won’t accompany you on your visits anymore.”

“Oh… Mitsuo-sama is such a loving husband, isn’t he?”

Pouring sake into the cup next to the table, Shiro voiced his question to Mitsuo.

“You asked a good question, Shiro-san. This old man, you know, he would leave us, who accompanied him, and embrace his wife, talk about love, and eventually forget about our existence. And it was this old man who invited us.”

“Because the secret to maintaining a good relationship between husband and wife is smooth communication and physical contact. Even at any age, physical contact has a calming effect on the mind.”,”That’s why I stopped going with him after the second time. Gorou seems to have gone with him, but the result was just as I expected.”

“I wanted to kick the old man from behind, but I was scared of his wife’s eyes, so I quickly made my escape.”

“What are you saying? Tsuruhime-san is not a scary person at all.”

(This guy is hopeless.)

The three of them sighed together. Shiro had never met Tsuruhime, but from Mitsuo’s attitude, it was clear that Tsuruhime had fallen for Mitsuo. Shiro couldn’t help but feel disgusted, but they all poured sake into their cups and enjoyed Gorou’s special snacks.

“By the way, Shiro-san, aren’t you married too?”

“I, Shiro, do not disclose personal matters like Mitsuo-dono does.”

“Shiro-san, you’re not making any sense.”

When Gorou pointed it out, Shiro swayed his body left and right, and then suddenly collapsed onto the table. It made a painful sound, but Shiro didn’t complain about the pain. Instead, a pleasant snoring sound could be heard.

“Shiro-san can’t handle alcohol! Old man, let’s lay Shiro-san on his side.”

“I thought you were strong with alcohol. Let’s lay him on his side just in case he vomits… Oh, this sake has a high alcohol content! It might be acute alcohol poisoning! We need to treat him!”

“Oh boy, what a commotion.”

While watching Gorou and Mitsuo rushing to Shiro in a panic, Ashimitsu tilted his cup.

In late September, the Takeda army had already finished preparing for battle. In the midst of this, a group of people with only a few followers headed towards Ieyasu’s residence, Hamamatsu Castle. One of the Takeda Four Heavenly Kings, Baba Nobuharu. He was said to have the qualities to become a powerful local lord and was praised as “having both wisdom and bravery”. He was also recorded in the Nobunaga Chronicles as a warrior who had performed unparalleled feats. This evaluation was the same as the final head of the main branch of the Miyoshi clan, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu. He had participated in battles more than seventy times without receiving even a scratch, and was now known as the “invincible demon of Mino”. Although he was promoted later than the other Takeda Four Heavenly Kings, he was highly regarded as a warrior in later generations.

He arrived at Hamamatsu Castle, where rebellious feelings towards the Takeda clan were growing within the Takeda family. When Shingen heard the news, he simply said, “As expected of Baba Mino no Kami.” On the other hand, Ieyasu was flustered by Baba’s visit and was nervous. He said that he couldn’t meet with him right away due to instructions from Nobunaga, and Baba left, saying that he would be at Nebarai Matsu, the northern end of the Sanpouhara Plateau. It is said that Nebarai Matsu is the place where the Takeda army was waiting for the Tokugawa army during the Battle of Mikatagahara, but it is ironic that Baba specified that location in history.

“My lord, there is no need to meet with him. We have been at war with the Takeda for several years now, and there is nothing to discuss anymore.”

One of his retainers suggested, but Ieyasu groaned in his heart. As his retainer said, there was nothing to discuss with the Takeda at this point. The alliance was broken by the Takeda alone. It had been several years since the alliance was broken and small skirmishes continued. The war situation was in a stalemate, and it was impossible to imagine the Takeda forming another alliance.

“No, let’s meet. If we run away here, we will become a laughingstock. I can’t stand being called a coward.”

“My lord…”

After thinking it over, Ieyasu decided to meet with Baba. If he ran away from this meeting, Mikawa would be seen as a gathering of cowards by the Takeda clan. These taunts would continue for a long time. There was also a possibility that the powerful local lords who had been supporting Ieyasu would defect to the Takeda clan. It would be a creepy and terrifying meeting, but Ieyasu judged that the disadvantages that would follow if he refused were too great.

Ieyasu left Tadakatsu at the castle and instructed him to spread the word that the Takeda clan would plot an assassination if anything were to happen. He had no intention of dying, but he would never allow Mikawa to be treated unfairly afterwards. That was Ieyasu’s determination.

Accompanied by Tadakatsu, Yasumasa, Hanzo, and others, Ieyasu arrived at Nebarai Matsu. There, they witnessed a surprising sight. Baba was indeed there. However, the soldiers were positioned behind him, and he himself was shirtless with his sword casually placed away from him. The soldiers behind him even placed their weapons on the ground in the front row. It was clear that they were unarmed, and even the guards were too far away to come to their aid in case of an emergency. This only made Baba’s eeriness even stronger. Despite knowing Takeda’s hatred, he was going to engage in a meeting unarmed.

“Oh, it seems you’re quite relaxed. I thought it would take a little longer. It’s so cold, being shirtless is tough on these old bones.”

Baba noticed Ieyasu’s arrival and spoke with a nonchalant attitude. He shivered from the cold and put on the jacket he had taken off.

“My lord, he is unarmed.”

Hanzo whispered to Ieyasu. Even without Hanzo’s reminder, Ieyasu already knew. He couldn’t understand where Baba’s courage and composure came from. One thing he understood was that Baba’s composure was not a result of underestimating Ieyasu.

“First of all, let me make it clear. I mentioned a meeting, but there is actually one more person I have called here. Please wait a moment until that person arrives.”

Saying so, Baba leaned against a tree behind him. His polite tone only added to Baba’s eeriness. Ieyasu hesitated for a moment, but he threw his sword aside and sat against the tree just like Baba. His retainers panicked, but when they saw Ieyasu’s expression, they understood his determination and remained silent.

“Hohoho, I am prepared for the worst. Truly, the lord has a terrifying ability to judge people.”

“What?”

“Don’t be alarmed. Our guest will arrive soon.”

As Baba said, the sound of horse hooves reached Ieyasu’s ears. However, he could only hear the sound of one horse’s hooves. There were no other sounds, and at first, Ieyasu thought it might be a fast horse. But as the rider came into view, Ieyasu realized that his thoughts were wrong.

“Ah, it’s you!”

The first to react was not Ieyasu, but Tadakatsu. After all, it was Ashimitsu who appeared on horseback. The others were surprised to see Ashimitsu, or more precisely, the horse Ashimitsu was riding.

The Destrier, which is said to have disappeared in modern times, is famous for being a horse that can withstand a large build and heavy armor. However, that was only because the purebred had been lost, and crossbreeding had occurred during the medieval and early modern periods. The handling of horse breeds was not determined by DNA as it is today, but rather by roughly categorizing them based on their purpose. Therefore, it was not uncommon for completely different breeds to be treated as one horse breed. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the bloodline of the Destrier is still present in the horse breeds that have been passed down to this day. However, even at that time, it was said to be a horse that was not suitable for anything other than warfare, and even if it remained in the present day, it was a delicate matter since horses were no longer the centerpiece of war.

“Finally, you are willing to listen to me, Ashimitsu-dono. No… Your Highness.”

Ieyasu and his men froze at the word “Your Highness”. But Ashimitsu didn’t care about the gazes around him and dismounted from the horse, sitting down in a suitable place.

“I will listen to what you have to say.”

With just those words, Ashimitsu fell silent. His attitude was arrogant, but Baba could only smile wryly and didn’t mind. Ieyasu still couldn’t fully comprehend the situation, but he didn’t expect to get any answers by asking questions, so he decided to observe Baba’s actions.

“For several years, there has been animosity between the Takeda and Tokugawa. However, even knowing that, I have a proposal.”

“A proposal…?”

“We highly value you, who have been able to fight us for so long. Therefore, we don’t want you to die in battle.”

“Are you trying to deceive us with this proposal?”

“Exactly. I have come to invite Lord Tokugawa to join the Takeda clan.”

“There is no way I would accept such a proposal!”

Ieyasu shouted in anger, rejecting Baba’s proposal. But Baba didn’t change his attitude even in the face of Ieyasu’s anger.

“I understand. If Lord Tokugawa were to join the Takeda clan, the Oda clan would not remain silent. I assume that is what you fear? However, if the Oda clan were to cease to exist, there would be no problem, right?”

With those words, Ieyasu realized. The Takeda’s goal was not the Tokugawa territory, but the Oda territory. And the meaning behind those words. Understanding this, Ieyasu showed a look of astonishment. On the other hand, Baba had a joyful smile on his face. Only Ashimitsu’s expression remained unchanged.

“I can’t believe it!”

“That’s right. This time, we will go to war. But our goal is not Lord Tokugawa, but to kill Oda… to kill Oda Danjou Chuutada.”

Killing Nobunaga. It was not an exaggeration to say that the Takeda clan had the power to make it possible. That’s why Baba’s words made Ieyasu think if they really intended to kill him. But he quickly pushed that thought out of his mind and stared at Baba.

“If we are to kill the Oda, we must first deal with Lord Tokugawa, who is behind the Oda. However, Lord Takeda doesn’t want you to die in battle.”

In other words, the Tokugawa clan would not be a match for the Takeda clan in the eyes of the Takeda clan. Even if it were to turn into a battle, the words implied that they had the confidence to kill Ieyasu at any time. But Ieyasu couldn’t deny Baba’s words. The skirmishes they had been having until now had few victories. And if they were to kill the Oda, the Takeda clan would likely launch a full-scale war. It was unlikely that the Takeda clan would withdraw their troops just because they had achieved their goal. Ieyasu did not have the confidence to defeat the Takeda clan in that state.

“If we were to kill His Highness, we would be branded as rebels. That’s why I came to invite you to the Takeda clan.”,”……”

“And we have Mt. Hiei on our side. Our cause is unshakable.”

To summarize Baba’s words, in order for the Takeda family to defeat the Oda family, they must first deal with the Tokugawa territory located behind the Oda territory. However, because the Takeda family holds Ieyasu in high regard, they thought it would be a waste to kill him in battle. So they would bring Ieyasu to their side. If the Oda family, who is also concerned, can be assured that the Takeda family will defeat them, there will be no hesitation in becoming relatives of the Takeda family. The same goes for Ashimitsu. If, by any chance, they were to kill the Lord, regardless of the reason, it would tarnish the honor of the Takeda family and Shingen’s path of dominance. Therefore, they wanted to either become relatives or hide somewhere during the war.

“Please understand what I am trying to say. If we side with the Oda family, we will be forever branded as countrymen who sided with the wicked. We will be subject to ridicule for generations to come.”

“You!”

“Anger clouds the eyes. You should think calmly once again. Has the Oda family ever done anything for you? Is the Oda family a worthy partner for you, the people of Mikawa, in the future?”

Ieyasu’s expression showed both impatience and anger, while Baba calmly advised him. Ashimitsu, on the other hand, had no presence in this situation, or rather, he simply did not show any presence.

“It seems the conversation is over.”

With that, Ashimitsu quietly stood up. He brushed off the dust from his body and mounted his horse.

“Where are you planning to go?”

“As I said before, I came here to listen to the conversation (…). Now that the conversation is over, there is no reason for me to be here.”

He took hold of the reins and let out a small breath.

“I will give you a response just in case. The Lord you speak of is dead. Only the dregs remain in this world. But that is a trivial matter. Also, I do not trust Oda.”

Baba looked back at Ashimitsu. It was then that he finally noticed something. Ashimitsu’s eyes were as cold as ice, and they contained a hint of madness. They were not the eyes of a normal person. Baba momentarily thought they were the eyes of a monster.

“The only person I trust in this world is one. If that person wishes, I will fight even against a thousand enemies and cut off my head if they tell me to die. I live for that person, and I die for that person. And everyone else is only valuable or not valuable, that’s all.”

Ashimitsu let go of the reins and pointed at Baba.

“And you have no value to me. There is no possibility of you becoming valuable. At most, you can boast and make a fool of yourself.”

“What did you say?”

This time, Baba’s expression changed. Not only Baba, but also the soldiers behind him. Ashimitsu’s words could be taken as provocation and insult. However, even under the piercing gaze, Ashimitsu’s expression did not change.

“Hmph, you ignorant fool. If you don’t want to be ashamed in the afterlife, go back to your hometown and tremble.”

Ashimitsu took hold of the reins again and changed the direction of his horse. After turning his back on Baba and Ieyasu, he muttered a word.

“In this battle, we won (…).”

Ashimitsu rode away without waiting for Baba’s response. What remained were the Takeda family, who were deeply wounded in their pride, and the Tokugawa family, who still couldn’t understand the situation until the end. In the subtle atmosphere, Ieyasu also declined Baba’s offer. Baba didn’t seem particularly concerned and left after hearing Ieyasu’s response. Now that Baba was gone, Ieyasu no longer needed to stay in Negura Castle and returned to his own castle with his retainers.

Ieyasu did not reject Baba’s offer because he trusted Nobunaga. He had his pride, but above all, Ashimitsu was eerie. Ieyasu remembered the last words Ashimitsu muttered. He said “won” instead of “will win”. Ieyasu was concerned about where the element of “won” against the Takeda family was. It could be a bluff. However, from Ashimitsu’s attitude, it was impossible to think it was a bluff.

“Hanzo, no, please investigate the reason why Lord Ashimitsu was able to assert that.”

“Yes!”

Hanzo, who received the order, felt that it would not be easy. But it was an important task that would determine the fate of Mikawa, so he couldn’t afford to be discouraged and motivated himself.

Meanwhile, Ashimitsu, having fulfilled his role, indulged in his hobbies every day. After reporting to Shizuko, he obtained data with excellent results from the effects of the medicine. The actions of everyone, including the Takeda family, were going according to plan. From now on, the game would be in Shizuko’s hands, and Ashimitsu’s role would be to attract the attention of the spies, so there was no problem with playing around.

It was also the harvest season, so they brought various ingredients to Mitsuo’s house and held banquets. Although they all had work to do, or rather, because they couldn’t usually meet due to work, they started holding banquets more often.

“Let’s drink and make noise tonight, dance and sing!”

Singing a strange song, Ashimitsu showed off a mysterious dance while linking arms with Gorou. Shiro and Mitsuo led the way and cheered them on. Everyone was completely drunk. Mitsuo’s daughter was about to start sitting up, and with that, Princess Tsuruhime would also return home. Therefore, they could only have this kind of foolish revelry now, and the four of them had a lively party. There were no complaints from the neighbors because they had a ranch nearby.

“Eh-hora, eh-hora, don-don-don. Zakkuzaku, treasure will come out. Eh-hora, eh-hora, don-don-don”

This time, Mitsuo and Shiro held a sieve in both hands and danced while pretending to dig the ground.

“Well done, old man!”

It was a surreal sight, but it didn’t matter to the drunk people. As long as it was entertaining, everything else was ignored. They imitated others, Mitsuo started bragging and the three booed him, they danced a strange mime-like dance and everyone ended up vomiting. It was a chaotic party with various events.

“Well, it’s getting dark soon. Should we take Mitsuo to the hospital?”

If they looked outside, the sun would set in a moment. Although it was called a party, unlike in modern times, it was held during the day, so when the sun set, the party would end. Lately, Mitsuo had been spending his nights not at home, but at the place where Princess Tsuruhime was hospitalized. He would return home early in the morning and do his work, and then go to Princess Tsuruhime’s place at night. Shizuko laughed wryly at his devotion to his wife, but there was no reason to stop him, so they prepared a bed for Mitsuo. So far, it seemed that it hadn’t been used.

“I’m done cleaning up. Shall we go then? Gorou and I will go to Hell Street to have some fun, but what will you do, Lord Shiro?”

Hell Street referred to the street where the pleasure quarters were gathered. Because they didn’t choose a shop that suited their means, the payments became outrageous, and there were many stories of people being taken for all their money. From such rumors, the pleasure quarters street came to be called Hell Street as a warning.

“Although it’s a tempting invitation, as a married man, I will refrain from going to Hell Street.”

“Well, that’s true. I and Lord Ashimitsu will go and have some fun.”

While having a drink at a random food stall and lightly snacking, Ashimitsu and Gorou parted ways. Despite Gorou’s unsteady steps, Ashimitsu watched his back and then headed home with a gait that didn’t seem like he had been drinking.

Upon receiving the report from Ashimitsu, Shizuko became even more convinced that Shingen had fallen into their trap. Shizuko also knew that Shingen had sent spies to investigate the Oda territory. With the information from the Oda territory, there was a possibility that Shingen would change the timing of his march to Kyoto. However, Ashimitsu’s report eliminated the possibility of a change in timing. Shingen was struggling to unify the opinions of his retainers. If Ashimitsu had provoked them so much and said that the timing of the attack would change, there was a high possibility that the retainers would oppose it.

(If I draw it like this from here… and this is roughly how it will turn out… I guess Negura Castle will be the base)

Looking at the map she created based on the terrain survey data, Shizuko considered Negura Castle as the place where the Takeda army would be stationed.

The modern-day Negura Castle does not retain any traces of its past. However, the nearby Houda no Slope (now called the Old Slope of Houda) still retains the atmosphere of that time. According to the common theory, Takeda’s army ignored Hamamatsu Castle, where Ieyasu was holed up, and changed their course towards the Mikawa Plain. Upon learning that Takeda’s army was moving towards Houda no Slope, the Tokugawa army changed their strategy from a siege to a surprise attack on the Takeda army. However, while Takeda’s army was moving through Houda no Slope, just as the Tokugawa army was about to launch a surprise attack from behind, they suddenly reversed and clashed head-on, forming a perfectly organized battle formation.

There are several strange points in this common theory. First of all, the Houda no Slope, which still retains the remnants of that time, is dimly lit and becomes narrower as you approach the exit. It would be impossible, considering the military situation at the time, for such a place to suddenly reverse and for thirty thousand troops to form a perfectly organized battle formation without any disorder. Even if Shingen made it possible to reverse all at once, it would be unreasonable to choose Houda no Slope, which is close to the terrain that Sun Tzu described as one to avoid, as the battlefield.

It is also puzzling that the role of the reinforcements, Sakuama and others, who were responsible for the rear, went along with the sudden change in strategy from a siege to an attack. Even though they were responsible for the rear, it is unlikely that the Oda army would oppose Ieyasu actively attacking the Takeda army unless it was advantageous for them. However, there are no records that Sakuama and others opposed attacking the rear of the Takeda army.

It is also puzzling that there were only three thousand reinforcements. The leaders of the reinforcements, Sakuama, Hirate, and Mizuno, were all powerful warlords. Especially Sakuama held the position of the most powerful warlord in the Oda army until Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi emerged. Sending such prominent figures while having a total force of only three thousand would be unreliable even if they were assuming a siege. Moreover, there is no mention of the number of troops in the Nobunaga Diary, and other sources do not agree on the number of troops.,As a result of considering these factors, Shizuko reached a certain conclusion.

(Originally, they were dispatched in units of ten thousand, but I wonder if they had a double strategy in place so that it wouldn’t matter even if they were to siege the castle that Takeda had taken, and even if they were to pass through without attacking the castle)

This means that there were multiple reinforcements for the Oda army. Nearly twenty thousand reinforcements were dispatched by the Oda army. However, it is believed that they were not all sent to Hamamatsu Castle, but were divided among several castles, including Hamamatsu Castle. If the Takeda army did not capture Hamamatsu Castle, they would always have to be concerned about the Tokugawa army behind them when attacking Owari and Mino. Therefore, it was necessary for the Takeda army to strike Ieyasu enough to prevent him from easily taking military action. However, Hamamatsu Castle is strong, so it cannot be easily captured if it is besieged.

If the castle is attacked, reinforcements from the Oda army in other castles would rush to the rescue, and the Takeda army, understanding the situation, would be unable to take action, thus buying time for the Oda army. Even if the Takeda army had the equipment to endure the winter, they did not have the stamina to continue fighting indefinitely. If their military supplies ran out, they had no choice but to retreat.

In this case, it is consistent with the records of the Kōyōgunkan and the Tokugawa family retainers, which state that reinforcements were dispatched in units of ten thousand, and it also explains why there were only three thousand warriors in Hamamatsu Castle. Even if Ieyasu proposed a plan to launch a surprise attack on the Takeda army from behind at the Shukuden Slope, there would be no reason for Sakuma and the others to oppose it. If the number of soldiers decreased, it would reduce the burden on Nobunaga in Gifu, and it would also make it difficult for the Takeda army to move.

It may sound pathetic to simply endure and wait for the Takeda army to run out of time. However, for Nobunaga, who was surrounded by enemies from all sides, this strategy was the safest. It was safer for Nobunaga to humble himself and keep the opponent strong rather than risk hurting Takeda’s pride and allowing them to regain their momentum and attack again.

(Hmm, it’s really complicated.)

While thinking, Shizuko moves her pieces. There is a high possibility that the Takeda army will form a “fish scale” formation. Shizuko thought that it would be a strategy to surprise and crush the opponent while they were surprised by the ability to attack their rear. On the other hand, it is said that it was a mistake for Ieyasu to form a “crane wing” formation. However, Shizuko did not necessarily think it was a mistake. The “crane wing” formation is a superior formation both defensively and offensively as long as it can withstand the enemy’s attack head-on. Of course, it is usually a foolish strategy for the weaker side to take the “crane wing” formation. It is a narrow passage that can restrict the enemy’s movements, and considering the possibility of a siege at Hamamatsu Castle after the Battle of Mikatagahara, it can be considered a better choice to minimize losses.

(With this strategy… and in this way… Alright, it’s complete.)

After finishing writing all the game records, Shizuko compiles them and sends them to Takenaka Hanbei. After a while, she receives the records with Takenaka Hanbei’s comments. She repeats this process many times, increasing the possibility of winning in the Battle of Mikatagahara. Shizuko doesn’t even remember how many times she has done this.

“Ah, I’m tired. I won’t do something like this again. These kinds of things.”

Shizuko was not only physically exhausted but also mentally tired from thinking about strategies that would result in many people dying. However, the outcome of the Battle of Mikatagahara will determine the future of the Oda army. For the sake of Nobunaga and for her own sake, Shizuko cannot avoid the Battle of Mikatagahara. Shizuko rests her cheek on her hand and lets out a deep sigh.

(If the plan goes well, the situation will completely change. Not just externally, but also within the Oda family. Well, even if I were to return to the present in the current state, it would be quite dangerous, wouldn’t it?)

Shizuko had already given up on returning to the present. However, she still considered the possibility of being suddenly brought back to the present. But it has been seven years since she came to Owari. She has no desire to wear Western clothes now, and they don’t suit her unless they are kimono. And without a tanto at her waist and a sword, she feels unsettled no matter where she goes. It wouldn’t be a problem in the Sengoku period, but if she were to wear a kimono and carry a sword in the present, she would undoubtedly attract the attention of the police. If things went wrong, she might even be suspected of having a mental illness and be hospitalized.

“(I’ve been so focused on my work that I haven’t thought about it, but I wonder how everyone is doing.) I wonder if my mother is worried.”

“Is something wrong with your mother?”

“Huh?!”

Shizuko was startled by the sudden voice in her ear and let out a surprised scream. She quickly turned to face the direction where the voice came from and saw Nohime, who looked pleased with her successful prank.

“You shouldn’t enter someone’s room without permission.”

“I called out to you several times, but you didn’t respond at all. I was worried that you might have collapsed in your room. When I entered, you were muttering something, so I just listened.”

“Fine, forget it. It seems foolish to worry about it now.”

Watching Nohime, Shizuko realized that her worries seemed trivial. She shook her head lightly to clear her mind and then turned to face Nohime again.

“So, what do you need? Are you here to eat something again?”

“I didn’t come to eat. I came to invite you to have tea with Matsu and the others.”

“Can I refuse?”

“You can refuse. In that case, I’ll just drag you along.”

Shizuko thought that it was practically the same as not being able to refuse and mentally pointed out that fact. She briefly considered throwing a tantrum like a child, but she didn’t want to be carried in a strange way, so she decided against it.

“Alright, I’ll go along. Just don’t cling to me.”

“So, you’re saying you’ll go along with Shizuko’s ‘skinship’ huh?”

Nohime, who had somehow ended up behind Shizuko, hugged her gently. Nohime rested her chin on Shizuko’s shoulder and rubbed her cheek against her like a cat.

“At first, I thought it was silly, but it’s actually quite nice. Lord Nobunaga was embarrassed, so he never did it again.”

“Well, it’s a direct expression of affection. I find it quite embarrassing too.”

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. I like you, Shizuko. So, if you’re feeling lonely, you can think of me as your mother.”

“…I can’t do that, Nohime-sama. But my mother is nothing like you, so it’s impossible to discuss such things with you.”

“Shizuko is starting to talk like that too. Well then, shall we go?”

When Nohime moved away from her back, she stood up and followed Nohime.