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Mid April in the year 1568.
Five hundred soldiers and their accompanying families are relocating. It may sound simple, but in reality, it creates an entire town. However, the expansion plan for this new district has been continuously delayed. The reason is that Nobunaga’s move to the capital has become a realistic possibility, and there is a pressing need to gather as many soldiers as possible. Nobunaga has been steadily laying the groundwork for his move to Kyoto, by bringing Mino under his control, forming an alliance with the Tokugawa through the marriage of his sister to their lord, and other strategic moves. The only clan that has shown a confrontational stance against Nobunaga is the Rokkaku clan, who control the southern part of Omi province. Despite numerous attempts at negotiation, the Rokkaku clan remains unyielding. Frustrated by their refusal to cooperate, Nobunaga continues his invasion, aiming to incorporate the northern part of Ise province (Northern Ise) into his territory. Unlike the situation in Mino, the invasion of northern Ise is progressing at a faster pace than Nobunaga had anticipated, thanks to the highly skilled crossbow and phalanx units. The warlords on the battlefield begin to vaguely realize that the era of individual battles is gradually being lost, and collective battles will become the mainstream. However, they have yet to realize that even in the era of collective battles, a “general” who can lead individuals and unite them into a collective force is still necessary.
Shizuko’s village, which had nothing to do with the internal changes in the Oda army, continued to have busy days with Nagayoshi’s education and farming work. Nagayoshi’s training consisted of running about twenty laps on a 200-meter lane made of soft sand, creating mountains by filling buckets with sand and placing them a hundred meters away, running around fields and mountains in armor, and piercing thick needles tied to the tips of bamboo poles into square holes at the center of a one-sen coin, just as Saito Dozan had done. It wasn’t just about physical training. In language, they learned to read and write hiragana, katakana, and the 2965 kanji characters of JIS Level 1. In mathematics, they learned basic arithmetic and mental calculations. Shizuko, who had a smartphone that was starting to show signs of battery deterioration, made copies of the “Compulsory Education to Relearn in 72 Hours” series and planned to copy other series soon.
Until then, there were no problems, but Shizuko noticed a problem and switched Nagayoshi to live-in form. The problem was with their meals, or more precisely, the issue of nutrition. From the Sengoku period to modern times, humanity has always suffered from malnutrition. Nagayoshi also had an imbalanced diet. Specifically, he lacked animal protein, which resulted in a lower overall strength that could be exerted instantly. This meant he couldn’t display the “superhuman strength in times of emergency.” Worried about this, Shizuko decided to change Nagayoshi’s diet. Fortunately, Nagayoshi didn’t have any particular aversion to chicken. So, Shizuko changed his meals to three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The main dish was a combination of sprouted brown rice, clear soup with vegetables, and pickled vegetables with chicken breast. Three side dishes were added as well. The menu was designed to have a high protein content and a reasonable calorie count, tailored to Nagayoshi’s high level of physical activity. Perhaps because it was unusual, Keiji, Saizo, Aya, and eventually Shizuko herself joined in, and the five of them became some of the healthiest individuals in Japan.
By the way, it is a side note, but the healthiest person in Japan was not Ieyasu, but actually Nobunaga. This is because Shizuko, who knew that Nobunaga had been suffering from hypertension since his forties, gave him a document compiled by removing unavailable ingredients from a book on nutrition. At first, he didn’t believe it, but the results of the checklist in the document matched his symptoms too well. And since he had been suffering from mild headaches, Nobunaga decided to change his diet out of curiosity. Although there was no effect in the first month, from the second to third month, the headaches disappeared, and the fatigue he felt when waking up in the morning and occasional nausea also disappeared. Although he didn’t fully understand nutrition, he personally understood that his condition could be affected by food intake. Nobunaga, who was already particular about certain things, also incorporated radio calisthenics and stretching, and now he has a remarkably regular diet that even modern people would envy.
Anyway, thanks to Nagayoshi’s consumption of animal protein, he possesses explosive power, and with the traditional Japanese diet that provides endurance. Such a person is given the opportunity to demonstrate the results of his training. That opportunity is the sumo wrestling tournament organized by Nobunaga.
The sumo wrestling tournament organized by Nobunaga was held this year as well, as it is every year. However, there was a slight difference this year. In addition to the regular tournament, there was also a tournament specifically for boys who have not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony and belong to the warrior families in the domain. It was like a children’s sumo wrestling tournament in modern times. Nagayoshi is only ten years old, so he naturally hasn’t undergone the coming-of-age ceremony. He meets the two criteria of being a warrior family’s boy and not having undergone the ceremony. However, he doesn’t want to participate without permission and risk getting scolded, so Nagayoshi subtly conveys his desire to participate to Shizuko. Shizuko doesn’t particularly have any objections, so she agrees to his participation. Yoshinari, who is also a part of the domain, gives his approval since Shizuko has already given hers. And so, Nagayoshi gains the right to participate in the children’s sumo wrestling tournament. However, he doesn’t do anything particularly noble like training specifically for that day. He continues his daily life and regular training as usual.
On the day before the tournament, Shizuko received a notice from Nobunaga, saying “Come and enjoy the sumo tournament.” Shizuko, who had thought that only Nagayoshi would participate, was completely caught off guard. On the day of the tournament, Shizuko brought a lunchbox made by Aya just in case, and headed to the tournament with Keiji, Saizo, and Nagayoshi who was participating. When they arrived, the venue was already crowded with participants and their companions. It was clear that the participants, who were limited to children from samurai families, had a strong and determined look on their faces. Shizuko parted ways with Nagayoshi, who was participating, and as she looked around for a place to watch, she noticed someone waving at her from the corner of her eye. When she turned her face in that direction, she saw Yoshinari, Nagayoshi’s father.
“Good morning, Mr. Mori Yoshinari.”
When Shizuko bows to greet, Keiji and Saizo, who are standing behind her, also bow together.
“Good morning, Lord Shizuko. Your seats for the viewing are prepared here.”
Yoshinari Mori also returns the greeting with a bow.
“I’m sorry. I have inconvenienced Mr. Mori.”
“Hahaha, there’s no need to worry. Today, we are not the main participants in the sumo wrestling, but rather in a relaxed and lively position. It’s only natural to walk a bit to keep our bodies from getting sluggish.”
Yoshinari Mori apologizes, but he says so in a very cheerful voice.
“This way.”
The place where she was guided to was a location that could be called a prime seat without exaggeration. It felt like the mass seating at a sumo wrestling match, and while thinking about things she didn’t quite understand, Shizuko sat down next to where Yoshinari Mori had indicated. She was curious about being in the front row, but it was too late to complain now. It seemed that separate seats had been prepared for Keiji and Saizo, the horse attendants, and they were guided to another area.
“I hope it starts soon.”
Shizuko, sensing that the waiting time would be long, muttered in a voice so low that no one could hear.
About forty-five minutes later, the children’s sumo wrestling tournament began. Since only children were participating, the atmosphere was not formal like a professional sumo tournament, but rather similar to an elementary school sports festival. The referee and judge for the matches was Tsuneoki Ikeda. At that time, there were no referees in sumo wrestling, and disputes were a common occurrence when matches became close. To avoid delays in the proceedings, Nobunaga decided to appoint a referee, which is said to be the beginning of the role of the referee in sumo wrestling. By the way, the prototype of the dohyo (sumo ring) was established during the Edo period. Before that, spectators would form a circle and the sumo wrestling matches would take place within it. Since the boundary between the wrestlers and the spectators was unclear, there were often spectators who would interfere with the matches. It was also common for fights to break out between spectators or between spectators and wrestlers. To eliminate these issues, Nobunaga erected four pillars and surrounded them with ropes, conducting the sumo matches within that space. It can be said that this was the prototype of the modern dohyo.
There are various rational and unique rules in the wrestling tournament, which are Nobunaga’s own. But for the children, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch Nobunaga’s attention. If they are chosen as attendants, it opens up a path to success. Naturally, the children become motivated. As a result, the wrestling tournament is filled with a kind of excitement.
“(Shizuko-sama, it’s Katsuzo’s turn next (Mori Nagayoshi)… How confident are you?”
As I watched the intense sumo wrestling match, Mori Yoshinari, who was standing next to me, whispered something. As a parent, he probably wanted to know where his child’s abilities stood. Shizuko thought for a moment and then said to Mori Yoshinari, who had an indescribable expression on his face, “I can’t say for sure.”
“(Hmm… It’s more difficult to find someone who can defeat Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi) kun.)”
“(That is…)”
Mori Yoshinari tried to inquire about the true intention, but before he could do so, it was Nagayoshi’s turn, so the conversation was interrupted. Yoshinari had intended to assess Nagayoshi’s abilities based on the outcome of the match, but his expectations led to an unexpected outcome.
The sumo match between Nagayoshi and an unknown opponent ended in an instant. Nagayoshi emerged as the winner, but his victory was unique compared to the others. Instead of grappling and wrestling with his opponent, Nagayoshi knocked him out with a single slap. Despite his overall toned physique, Nagayoshi’s slap, fueled by his strong muscles and dense bones in his lower back and spine, can be considered a deadly weapon on its own. It must have been fortunate for his opponent to lose consciousness before feeling any pain.
“Well, that’s the general idea. We put them through quite rigorous training, so it might be difficult for an average child to handle them, I guess?”
As expected, Nagayoshi was in an unbeatable state at the children’s sumo wrestling tournament. Whether they were older or younger, larger or smaller than him, he took them all down. Sometimes with just a slap, and other times by grabbing their loincloth and executing a skilled throw. In the Sengoku period, sumo wrestling allowed for somewhat rough actions, so Nagayoshi would sometimes forcefully grab his opponent by the neck and perform a powerful throw.
From the middle, Nagayoshi’s opponents started to develop traumas after the matches or surrender before even fighting, resulting in a situation where Nagayoshi only fights against those who challenge him.
“…boring.”
Nagayoshi, who had become bored, muttered provocative words, hoping someone would challenge him. Unfortunately, not a single person reacted to his words.
The children’s wrestling tournament proceeded without incident, and Nagayoshi emerged as the champion. As the competition progressed, there were no more opponents left to face Nagayoshi, so a special rule was implemented where he would take on challengers. However, no one was able to defeat Nagayoshi. The tournament had a regulation that only pre-adolescent boys could participate, so adults were not allowed to challenge him. Despite their parents’ encouragement, the children themselves understood the strength of Nagayoshi and were reluctant to challenge him, eventually leading to a lack of challengers.
About a week had passed, and in early May, when seedling cultivation and rice field preparation began, Nobunaga came to inspect Shizuko’s village. The village being inspected was not the usual one with hot springs and rice fields, but rather the group of technicians she was managing. The reason for the inspection at this time, even though they had been operational for several months, was related to Takenaka Hanbei’s actions.
He was intrigued by the bamboo mobile phone mug made by Shizuko, so he requested her to make two, one for himself and one for his younger brother. This mobile phone mug utilizes bamboo nodes, leaving a node at the bottom and cutting it just before the node at the top. Furthermore, the upper edge is shaved to adjust the diameter to fit the lid, and a spiral groove is carved into it. The lid is made by combining a bamboo tube with a larger node that has been processed into a screw cap. Initially, they were confused about how to use it, but after a week, both of them grew very fond of the mobile phone mug. Gourds are difficult to fill with water and are prone to damage. On the other hand, the mobile phone mug can be opened and water can be directly scooped in, allowing it to be filled quickly. In terms of hygiene, the bamboo mobile phone mug, which can be cleaned, is superior. Above all, the greatest advantage is that it can be drunk in large quantities when one is very thirsty.
However, even if the two of them liked it, the bamboo cellphone mug had a simple design with no decorations. So they started adding their own decorations, carving letters, and embellishing it as they pleased. If they did such things, people around them would show interest, and eventually, it would reach Nobunaga’s ears. Until now, he hadn’t inspected everyday items, but if they were making useful gadgets like the bamboo cellphone mug, it would be a different story. And that’s how we got to where we are now.
“First, let me explain the small items. These are small tools made by carpenters.”
As Shizuko had said, the cooking utensils were crowded on the table. There were rice paddles, spatulas, turners, butter knives, various sizes of ladles, graters, tongs of different sizes, salad servers, rice washers, strainers, stirrers, tea strainers, sushi mats, bamboo skewers, spoons, forks, spoon/fork stands, chopsticks, cooking chopsticks, chopstick rests, chopstick cases, bamboo strainers, bamboo baskets. There were also bamboo lunch boxes and stacking boxes, folding fans made of bamboo ribs, wooden tableware, bamboo tableware, bamboo verandas, and a bamboo cellphone mug that was given to Takenaka Hanbei. Although there were a few wooden tools, most of them were made of bamboo, which has antibacterial properties. They may not look great, but they are perfectly fine for everyday use.
“Hmm… You seem to be using bamboo overall. Why do you use bamboo so much?”
“Bamboo has the advantage of having a uniform thickness and fast growth rate despite being woody. While there may be doubts about whether cedar or cypress can still be used as timber after twenty years, bamboo can be used as bamboo material in just four to five years. If bamboo crafts are not a problem, I think there is no need to specifically focus on wooden products.”
“Indeed, yes.”
The bamboo used for bamboo crafts and bamboo art is dried in the shade for about one to two months after being cut down to remove moisture. It is then scorched and treated with oil, and finally sun-dried for about one month to complete the process. While both bamboo and wood require drying to remove internal moisture, there is one crucial difference between the two. That is the transportation route. Due to its hollow interior, bamboo can be transported by a small number of people even when it is freshly cut (known as “ao-take”). On the other hand, wood needs to be shaped after being cut down, then collected upstream by floating it down the river and assembling it into rafts before being transported to the designated location. The processing continues even after arrival. First, the wood, which contains a lot of moisture, needs to be dried before it can be processed into desired boards. Wood requires a significant amount of manpower, effort, and time just for preparation. Therefore, it is only natural for Shizuko to focus on bamboo, which is lower in cost and can be prepared in a shorter period of time compared to wood.
“Since carpenters have little experience with bamboo crafts, they can only make small daily necessities at the moment. However, once the craftsmen become skilled, they plan to start making larger daily items such as baskets and chairs.”
“The bamboo forest is…”
“Madake bamboo and Chikurin bamboo are already in progress. Also, we are planning to introduce a species called Moso bamboo from the neighboring country of Ming. We are currently waiting for it to be delivered by a merchant.”
“Indeed” or “As expected”
“These are valuable words. The introduction of the carpenters ends here. Next, we will introduce the pottery craftsmen.”
Shizuko takes Nobunaga and moves from the village of carpenters to the village of potters. Each village is connected by a straight paved main road, so there is no need to walk on winding roads.
“It’s a good path.”
“We paved the road using the macadam paving method. In the future, we are considering using horse-drawn carriages as a means of transportation to carry people and goods.”
“I am looking forward to the completion.”
While talking about such things, we arrive at the village of pottery craftsmen. This village has two large kilns that can be seen from a distance: a six-stage climbing kiln and a three-stage climbing kiln. Normally, the six-stage kiln is used to fire pottery all at once, while the three-stage kiln is used for experiments or verification purposes.
“I see, so the purpose of making the stone oven was for this.”
“Thank you for your kind understanding. Last year, we created fire-resistant bricks, but we were a little anxious about building a large-scale facility like a climbing kiln right away, so we first conducted experiments with a stone kiln.”
We have manufactured fire-resistant bricks, but we have not conducted durability tests or fire resistance experiments. Instead of immediately jumping to a climbing kiln, we can minimize the damage in case of failure by conducting performance checks in a stone kiln. With that intention, Shizuko built a stone kiln and conducted fire resistance and durability tests. It was also appreciated that Nohime occasionally requested dishes cooked in the stone kiln. Thanks to her, we were able to conduct experiments without a regular pattern, and we couldn’t thank Nohime enough for that.
“We verified the issues that arose from the stone kiln and ultimately constructed this climbing kiln. With this, mass production is now possible. However, there is another advantage to this village.”
Did you prepare it in advance? As soon as Shizuko gave a signal, men carrying wooden boxes appeared. When I received the box from the men, Shizuko opened the lid and showed the contents to Nobunaga while saying this.
“In addition to cermaics, it is also possible to make porcelain.”
Inside the wooden box was a large plate with a diameter of 20 centimeters, wrapped in straw. The plate was adorned with vibrant and beautiful paintings made of copper, iron, and gosu (a type of blue pigment), and in the center, the powerful characters “天下布武” (meaning “Rule the World with Military Power”) were boldly depicted.
“…Porcelain, huh. I see, I heard that Kyujiro was using it to gather stones, so this is why.”
“Yes. Owari and Mino do not produce pottery stone, so we import it from other countries… At the moment, the locals are not aware that it can be used for porcelain. However, it is only a matter of time before it becomes known, so we are planning to gather as much as possible as soon as possible.”
“Hmph, you’re quite sharp too. Very well, make sure to inform Kyujiro to gather plenty… Huh? What is that white granular substance?”
In Nobunaga’s field of vision, a wooden box containing small stones is placed, while he was admiring the porcelain.
“This is called perlite, a type of lightweight volcanic rock found near volcanoes. As you can see, it has many small holes, which give it excellent water retention and insulation properties by storing air and water. By mixing this into soil, it can promote plant growth and prevent root rot.”
By the way, it is also possible to artificially create perlite. When minerals such as obsidian or pumice are exposed to temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius, the structural water in the ore turns into gas and expands. Perlite made from obsidian is resistant to crumbling and can withstand long-term use. On the other hand, perlite made from pumice improves water retention.
I see. So you created a group of technicians in order to reproduce your own skills, huh?
“Yes, the current situation is that there aren’t enough hands with just me and the village craftsmen. It’s currently just an idea, but I’m thinking of creating a town next year that specializes in producing fermented products such as miso, soy sauce, sake, rice vinegar, and rice koji.”
“Wrap up the plan.”
“Understood. Next, with the cooperation of Mr. Okabe, I will introduce the house we are researching.”
Shizuko guides Nobunaga to the area where she is conducting research and development on building materials under Okabe’s leadership. The area is divided into three main sections. One section focuses on researching roof materials, specifically tiles. Another section explores the possibility of using bamboo as a substitute for materials such as floors and walls. The third section is dedicated to designing the layout of the house. Since Shizuko is not well-versed in architectural technology, she relies heavily on Okabe for anything other than tiles. In other words, Okabe verifies the technical feasibility, while Shizuko is responsible for standardizing the materials if they prove to be feasible.
“The tiles in the temple of the monks are different in shape. Over there, they have a round feel, but here they have a wavy shape. There seems to be a structure on the back that can be used to hang something, right?”
“As you can see by looking at the roof, we have fixed wooden beams called “sangi” with nails. We hang the tile’s claw part on these beams and further secure it with two nails.”
When Nobunaga turned his face towards the roof, as Shizuko had explained, there were wooden beams stretched horizontally on top of the boards attached to the roof.
“But why are you researching private homes?”
“Houses utilize basic construction techniques. If we further develop these techniques, they can be applied to bridges and castles. Neglecting the fundamentals in any endeavor will result in larger flaws as the scale and application expand, eventually leading to failure.”
“Foundations are important, huh? Very well, go ahead and create something truly good.”
“I understand.”
Shizuko’s explanation continues. It was dangerous to approach the wooden barrel still while it was in operation. Inside, there is waste molasses. Half of the waste molasses is used to make black sugar fertilizer, and the remaining half is fermented and distilled. Half of the distilled product is placed in oak barrels, while the rest is distilled and aged in the same barrel. The former becomes liquor, while the latter becomes disinfectant alcohol. Waste molasses contains a high amount of alcohol, enough to be used as a raw material for rum.
“How is that ‘alcohol’ I ordered you to create coming along?”
“If you have a distiller, alcohol purification is not particularly difficult. However, you need to be careful when increasing the concentration too much…”
“It’s fine if the fire ignites immediately when the spark is brought close. However, if it takes too long, it won’t be useful in regular battles. It’s best to save it for crucial moments during a siege.”
“…Um, how do you plan on using alcohol?”
“Do you want to know?”
Nobunaga asked with a cold and wicked smile on his face. Shizuko, feeling like she knew the answer just from that smile, shook her head and refused to engage in any further conversation. If it’s for a siege, there is only one answer: to use it as material to set the castle on fire. Generally, it takes time to rebuild a castle once it’s destroyed, so it’s common to reuse the enemy’s castle after invasion. However, there are also castles that must be destroyed for defensive reasons. Simply put, these are castles that are conveniently located for the enemy but inconvenient for us. Such castles must be disposed of quickly. The best method for that is to set them on fire. However, unlike in modern times, setting fire is not easy. And it’s certain that the enemy will take fire prevention measures as well. That’s why they would use easily vaporizable alcohol to quickly spread the fire. The drawback of alcohol is its short burning time, but Shizuko believed that Nobunaga would consider that and come up with something.
(Setting fire, huh… It would be convenient to have matches or something, but that’s definitely impossible.)
A match is a device that has a combustible mixture (head) attached to the tip of a short wooden shaft. However, it requires chemical substances and Shizuko is unaware of the precise mixture ratio. While a Zippo lighter has a simple structure, the crucial flint is difficult to obtain in Japan. In the end, matches and lighters were items that we longed for but did not have.
“I understand the general idea. It seems that there are no inconveniences with units and such. However, wait a moment before spreading it.”
“Yes”
When Shizuko went up to Mount Ryo, she thought about spreading the metric system, but she didn’t say any more words.
“I believe I have explained the general matters above. Do you have any other concerns?”
“Hmm… not at the moment. When the ‘lathe’ that is still unfinished is completed, let’s come back here again.”
“I understand.”
After a long period of continuous explanation, Shizuko let out a long breath as if she was pushing out her fatigue from her stomach.
A week after Nobunaga’s inspection, Shizuko was sitting alone in her room, gazing at her notebook. The battery of her smartphone was deteriorating, and if it could last another two years, that would be great, but gradually it would become unusable. She wanted to extract the necessary information before that happened, but using ink and washi paper was inefficient, so Shizuko was transcribing it into a black history notebook with a pencil for the time being. With this, she would still be able to access the information for a while even after her smartphone became unusable. However, she still needed to prioritize what was necessary and summarize the content in her own way.
“Now, as for this notebook…”
Saying that, Shizuko picks up another notebook. It is not Shizuko’s infamous notebook, but rather the notebook of the owner of the sports bag. Since reading the diary that day, Shizuko has subtly requested an investigation about the “two men” involved. However, she doesn’t know their appearance or age. The man who is seen with the owner of the diary is even more of a mystery. Therefore, there is too little information to search for them, making it almost impossible. It is suspicious that they may be in Owari or Mino, but until today, Shizuko has not been able to obtain any substantial information.
Shizuko, who was re-reading her diary with the thought of at least the male in the diary, felt a sense of unease about something. She recognized the yokan (sweet bean jelly) that he would have given to the farmer, as well as the seeds and seedlings that he had received from the farmer.
(…I wonder if it’s just a coincidence. I vaguely remember Grandpa Genkichi asking me about some of the seeds listed here… And I’m pretty sure his favorite treat was the chestnut yokan from Minasaido…)
The timing also matched. On August 11th, I was asked by an old man named Genji who lived in the village to give him some of the seeds mentioned in his diary. And I handed them over the next day, August 12th. When I gave him the seeds, Genji said he would pass them on to someone else in a few days. The diary states that they were received on August 14th or 15th.
(At first, I didn’t notice, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like I’m the same as the people who came to Grandpa’s village. That village, to put it bluntly, was run-down and deserted…)
Other than growing rare heirloom crops, that village doesn’t have any notable local specialties or tourist attractions. So while people may leave the village, there are no visitors except for relatives. When referring to relatives, they are called relatives, but Genkichi used the term “a certain person” to refer to someone else.
“I’m in a bind… If you’re from that village, you would understand, but if you’re a stranger, you wouldn’t understand at all.”
Even after reviewing the notes, it is not clear what profession the owner of the sports bag had. It is unclear whether they are someone who separates their personal and professional lives, as there is no mention of their work. It seems like they were in a position of teaching or instructing someone, but it is unclear whether they were a teacher or simply providing education to subordinates.
“Based on the fact that it is not possible to identify individuals from the diary, could it be someone in the security field? Or perhaps someone involved with detectives or private investigation agencies? Hmm… I don’t know.”
She throws away her notebook and lies down on the floor. If there is nothing in her sports bag or diary that can identify her appearance, then it’s a lost cause.
“This person too, but the fundamental problem is how they are time-slipping, I wonder.”
Although the cause of the time slip has not been identified yet, Shizuko have been able to organize some information about it. Memories before the time slip tend to fade to some extent. The belongings held in hand during the time slip also travel together. The time slip does not selectively choose people based on their gender or specific occupation. Additionally, belongings are not a condition for the time slip. There are unique proper nouns such as “sword,” “scabbard,” and “descendant of time.” As far as she knows, there are currently only three people, including herself, who have time slipped to the Sengoku period, and it is unclear whether there will be more in the future. Although there are still many uncertainties, Shizuko does not need to take proactive action at this time, as she has been able to grasp the current situation.
(I have a feeling, but I don’t think there will be any more people who can time travel.)
Shizuko felt indifferent, but she thought that she and the other two people jumped at the same time and fell into different years as if it were a cruel twist of fate. If not, by now, people who have time-slipped to various places should have appeared.
(…Huh?)
While pondering about time travel with a groan, Shizuko suddenly came up with a ridiculous assumption. It was such a silly idea that she couldn’t help but laugh, but then she was shocked to realize that she could actually come up with some explanation for it.
(No way… but… if that’s the case, a little explanation would be… but it’s like something out of a science fiction movie.)
Shizuko recognizes that her face is stiff. She tries to slap her cheeks and shake her head to try to push out her thoughts, but instead, the thoughts become even stronger in her mind. When the pressure reaches its limit, Shizuko releases those thoughts in her mind.
(…I…I…have I…time-traveled? Could it be that I’ve been caught up in someone else’s time-travel…?)