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"Why do I have to go through this?!"
With his flabby body shaking on horseback, Saito Tatsuoki cried out, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.
Tatsuoki was born in 1548, making him 19 years old this year.
Since my father, Yoshitatsu, died in 1561, and I inherited the headship of the Saito family at the age of 14, I believe I have done reasonably well.
However, due to a scoundrel named Oda Nobunaga of Owari, the territory that had been in his family since his grandfather's time was being gradually seized, and Tatsuoki was struggling to cope with the situation.
Exhausted by daily stress, I spend my days immersed in alcohol and women...
It was at that time that an ideal offer arrived from Hisamasa, the retired head of the Asai family, his mother's family.
"If Lord Tatsuoki cooperates with the Asakura, Rokkaku, and Wakasa Takeda families in their campaign to subdue Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa, we would be honored to cede some of the castles and fortresses in northern Omi."
Ryukou went along with it.
If we can establish a castle in northern Omi, we can continue fighting even if Mino falls.
Furthermore, accepting Hisamasa's invitation would have made it possible to launch an offensive against the Oda clan, backed by the Asai clan after Nagamasa's death, and alliances with the Asakura, Rokkaku, and Wakasa Takeda clans.
Moreover, Hisamasa—
"Regarding Oda Ichi, the wife of Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa, I would like to entrust her fate to Lord Tatsuoki."
That's what they say.
This made Longxing's heart race, his body tremble, and he reached his climax.
Indeed, Oda Ichi is a princess who is hailed as "the most beautiful woman of her time."
The Oda family was known for producing many handsome men and beautiful women, but even among them, Princess Ichi stood out.
After reading that letter, Ryukou's days changed.
In the mornings, he indulges in masturbation while fantasizing about forcibly raping her; during the day, he rapes random women in rural areas and castle towns while thinking of her; and at night, he thinks of Ichihime while holding the woman he has taken into his custody.
Longxing believed he was experiencing the purest form of love imaginable.
She must be very happy to be loved so much.
After all, Nagamasa was "so unreliable that he couldn't even gain the trust of his own father."屑Scum
Ichihime must also have had many hardships.
(I will rescue Ichihime and bring her happiness as a woman.)
When he brought this up with the three leading figures of West Mino—Inaba Yoshimichi, Ujiie Naomoto, and Ando Morinari—they exchanged glances, then withdrew, and after discussing it for about a day in Ryuko's absence, they decided—"We will look after the castle in your absence."
Because of this, Tatsuoki was able to lead the Western Expeditionary Army into Omi Province without any reservations.
And yet—
"Dokyo! Why is the Rokkaku losing?! What happened to the Wakasa Takeda?! Why isn't the Asakura making a move?!"
"I-I don't know!"
When Longxing yelled at Daoxing, who was running alongside him, Daoxing also shouted back with a desperate look on his face.
"This expedition was decided by the lord! I, Dōkō, know nothing about such matters!"
"What did you say?!"
Even as they continued to bicker on horseback, Longxing glanced behind him and gasped.
Even though I was riding my horse at full speed, the two cavalrymen approaching from behind were closing the distance in no time.
Upon acknowledging that he was the commander-in-chief of both the Oda and Asai armies, Tatsuoki ordered Michioki in a fierce tone.
"Michioki! Those are Oda Nobunaga and Asai Nagamasa over there. If we can take their heads, we'll win this battle!"
"So what?!"
"Go and defeat them!"
As Longxing shouted in rage, Daoxing rode his horse towards him.
His expression was one of intense determination, of resolve, reminiscent of a Hannya mask.
"My lord...!"
"Wh...what's going on?!"
"The Saito family... all they need to do is continue! As long as there are blood relatives... the family can always be restored!"
"W-what are you...!"
Seeing Daoxing's terrifying demeanor, Longxing felt a deep-seated fear in his heart.
Even when I tried to let go of the horse, it would run right alongside me, and I couldn't help but notice its gleaming eyes.
His instincts fueled his sense of crisis to an extreme degree.
"I, myself, will inherit the Saito family!"
Daoxing's right arm stretched out and grabbed Longxing's collar.
Then, in an attempt to make Ryukou fall from his horse, he tries to forcefully push and pull him down.
"No, stop, stop! ...I told you to stop!"
Clinging to the reins, Ryukou cried out desperately.
I didn't want to die in a place like this. It would be unacceptable to ascend to heaven before I could taste the flesh of Ichihime, whom I have yet to see.
"It was you, my lord, who told me not to stop when I told you to stop!"
"That's a woman's thing to say! I'm just saying that a woman's 'no' or 'stop' is a sign of love!"
"Anyway, I will faithfully follow my lord's teachings!"
Dokou drew his sword and raised it.
(I'm going to be killed!)
Longxing was terrified. He would be killed if things continued like this.
Most importantly, I am completely unarmed right now, without even a single sword on my belt.
(Then—!)
Ryuko had no choice but to gamble on the option that offered the best chance of survival.
Just before Dōkō's sword was about to be brought down, Ryūkō chose to fall from his horse, as if to tumble off.
"--Ha, haha!"
Seeing his lord fall to the ground in such a pathetic state, Daoxing burst into laughter.
I was having so much fun, I couldn't help it.
"Ha, hahahahahahahaha!"
With this, Tatsuoki is either dead or, if he survives, will simply be captured by the Oda or Asai clans.
If that were to happen, he would be considered the next head of the Saito family, being the closest to the main lineage.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha...ha..."
After laughing for a while, I suddenly felt a burning sensation, like my chest was being squeezed.
Perhaps I laughed too much out of excitement, but suddenly I found it difficult to speak.
"Cough..."
A lukewarm liquid rises from my mouth down my esophagus and then leaks out.
It didn't take long for him to realize that it was his own blood.
"Ah... Aaaah...!"
Something "grows" from my chest.
A sharp, blood-soaked tip begins to sprout with a ripping sound.
Its dazzling silver color is so captivating that you can't help but stare at it in admiration.
The moment he realized that it was the horn of the gigantic black horse that had been closing in from behind, the silver horn jutted out even further from Dōkō's chest, and Dōkō's consciousness vanished in an instant.
"Gyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
The gray horse carrying Nobunaga raised its head.
Dōkō's body remained impaled on the tip of the horn, dangling precariously.
And with Dōkō still in that position, Renzenashige turned around and ran back to where Ryūkō was lying .百舌鳥Shrike早贄impale
Behind the scenes, the banners of the Asakura army, which had occupied Odani Castle, began to move amidst great commotion.
I stopped Taishakutsukimo and watched from horseback as Ryuko lay on the ground.
The ruthless warlord who cast a long shadow over Hanbei's life apparently dislocated his right shoulder joint and severely twisted both his legs as a result of the impact of falling from his horse.
He was probably suffering from excruciating pain, but I felt absolutely no sympathy for him.
"Don't come, don't come, don't come, don't come, don't come!"
He grabbed sand with his left arm, the only arm he could move freely, and threw it at Taishakutsukimo and me.
They must be half-crazed with fear.
With his eyes wide open and emitting strange, almost inarticulate cries, he struggled desperately to stand up.
However, while this was happening, the Asai and Oda forces, which had been approaching from the rear, gathered and quickly surrounded me and Tatsuoki.
Surrounded by 12,000 soldiers and with his escape route completely cut off, Longxing was utterly bewildered and powerless.
The retainers of the Takenaka family, who had been pursuing them, also joined the group, witnessing firsthand the disgraceful behavior of the very person who had oppressed them for so many years.
However, at this point, anyone would naturally feel a sense of resignation.
"Ha, hahahaha..."
With his face covered in a natural mud pack, Longxing wore an arrogant smile.
"Even though my ambitions were only half-fulfilled, it seems my luck in battle has run out here..."
If you're not even armed, how can you possibly have any luck in battle?
With those questions in mind, I silently looked down at Ryukou.
Then he looked up at me—and a triumphant grin spread across his face.
The atmosphere had completely changed.
"Oh... it's you, Mr. Heh heh...how are you feeling?"従兄Nii
Now that I think of it, Ryuko's mother was supposed to be the daughter of Asai Ryomasa—I recall the Saito family tree that I memorized a long time ago.
"How does it feel to be abandoned by your father and have Odani Castle taken over by the Asakura family, Cousin Nagamasa?!"
It is said that a person's true nature is revealed just before they die.
If those words are true, then it is rare to find someone whose position and true nature are as formidable as Longxing's.乖離Kairi
Despite being born the son of the governor of Mino Province, his language was crude and violent.
In the world I used to come from, they reminded me of thugs who hang out in groups under overpasses late at night.
"Damn it! I was supposed to be fucking Princess Ichihime right in front of her severed head by now... but in this state, all I can do is mess with her pussy with my left hand."長政you
The moment I heard those words, something inside my head started to explode.
This man... of all people, he was even after my wife!
"Even so, that's surprising, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
When I retorted coldly, Ryukou clutched his stomach with his left hand and burst into ridiculous laughter.
It was as if they were finding it incredibly funny.
It also contained a certain irritating, vulgar quality.
"No, how on earth are those Takenaka family members still alive when they were supposed to be in charge of ' '? And what's more, if you look closely there are even some dead people here. It seems that even the dead are starting to rise up and defect to the enemy these days."殿Rearguard治spring
"--Osamu?"
"I'm talking about Hanbei."
Ryukou shook his stomach and laughed, looking as if he found it hilarious
"Originally, she was nothing more than the eldest daughter of the Takenaka family. She was such a beautiful princess that she was the talk of all Mino, with people saying things like, 'She's like a butterfly, a flower, Princess Osamu'—but when she was sent to me as a hostage, she doubled the character 'Shige' from the Takenaka family and called herself ' ', pretending to be a man. That's right, Osamu-chan."通字Tooriji重治Shigeharu
Hanbei looked distressed and lowered his head.
He probably wanted to tell us his real name in his own words.
But that dream was quickly shattered, and it ended up being publicly declared by a lowlife.
"Well , it doesn't really matter what kind of name she is. After all, she's a hardcore semen toilet who learned the etiquette of serving men's crotches before she learned the etiquette of marriage. She's good at sucking, and her crotch and asshole are also very useful. For a while, everyone in the Saito family was crazy about her... For some reason, the three strict guys from West Mino didn't join in."騙shoulder牝孔female hole
"you...!"
The content of the story was so utterly despicable and vile that I felt an indescribable rage and hatred seething within me .腸Guts
At the same time, Hanbei—reaffirming the horrific past that Haruhime carries—resolves that he must somehow crush the root of all evil.
"Hey, hey, you're not actually feeling sorry for that toilet woman, cousin? Stop it, stop it, she's not a person, she's a toilet. It's something we men can use anytime, easily and without hesitation for excretion . You don't think to yourself, 'You must have a tough time dealing with pee and poop every day,' do you? It's the same thing."孔Ana
I had gone beyond anger and become calm.
I'm trying to figure out the best way to shut up this scum.
"But I can understand that. Osamu's vagina isn't as gentle or cute as her face—it's become like a completely depraved mature woman that we've used to the fullest. If the top and bottom don't have contrasting appearances, it's practically fraud."
"Hahaha," Ryukou laughed, clearly enjoying himself.
But considering her circumstances, it's not funny at all, and I can't laugh.
"So, I guess my cousin has already tasted Osamu's lower mouth, huh? Ha ha ha, now we're hole brothers, I guess. Oh well, sorry that our loose holes are worn out. But I can guarantee that while our lower mouths are loose, our upper mouths are top-notch."
Taishakutsukimo's forelegs were swiftly extended, crushing Ryuko's groin.
It was so fast that it apparently crushed and tore it apart at the same time.
He is writhing in agony, foaming at the mouth and rolling his eyes back.
I dismounted my horse, didn't care about getting covered in blood, mounted Longxing, and punched him in the face.
Anger can't be contained in just one blow. Two, three, four, five times, I swing my fist with utter bluntness, pouring all my hatred and rage into it.
I had a feeling someone was saying something, but I didn't care.
Even as his skull shattered and Ryuko's face disfigured, I continued to punch him relentlessly. Just as the thudding sensation began to turn into a splattering one, someone clung to my back.
"—You! Let go!"
"Stop...please stop...!"
When I turned around, I saw not only members of the Asai family like Akao Kiyotsuna and Kaihoku Tsunachika, but also senior retainers of the Oda family, whose names I didn't know, looking at me with worried expressions.
And the one clinging to his back is none other than Takenaka Hanbei himself.
"You—!"
Still furious, I unleashed my rage upon Hanbei.
"Even at this point, you still haven't done it—!"
"No, that's not it...!"
Hanbei reached out his hand to my raised left fist and pleaded desperately.
"Lord Bizen's hand, your hand—"
As if guided by Hanbei's tearful voice, I looked at my clenched fists and saw deep lacerations on my index and middle fingers.
It seems that the fragments of the skull that had broken and protruded from beneath Longxing's teeth and skin had unknowingly torn him apart.
(This is the first time I've ever given in to anger to this extent...)
When I calmed down and assessed my condition, it was horrible.
My fists were drenched in my own blood and Ryuko's, and the blood and mucus that had spurted from his face thickly coated my face and stomach.
"He's a raging demon..." "That's exactly what you call a raging madness..." the soldiers of the Oda clan whispered.
From within the Oda family, voices of awe arose, saying, "As expected, Lord Nobunaga is our brother-in-law... Lord Bizen-no-kami must be too..." while from within the Asai family, voices of surprise rang out, saying, "We never imagined our lord would be so angry..."
Even in all of Japan, there are virtually no known instances of one Sengoku-era daimyo (feudal lord) beating another Sengoku-era daimyo to a pulp with his fists.
This matter will likely become widely known and recorded through the mouths of members of either the Asai or Oda families, and will be passed down to future generations with embellishments and embellishments.
That's roughly the kind of historical material historians use to reconstruct the past.
While I was thinking about that, Hanbei stood in front of me and began to diligently wipe my face with the sleeve of his kimono.
However, animal bodily fluids cannot be easily removed with a dry cloth.
"Okay, stop it."
I told Hanbei that.
However, she didn't care that her clothes were stained with blood, and showed no intention of stopping.
"I told you to stop...!"
She grasped his slender, bruised arm and looked into Hanbei's face as she said this—and then she began to sob, tears streaming down her face.
"—I was happy."
With tears streaming down his face, Hanbei said with a fierce smile:
"Lord Bizen got angry on my behalf...and that makes me very happy. Knowing that Lord Bizen's words weren't just empty words meant to comfort me—it breaks my heart, it's painful, but still..."
Even though his own body was extremely exhausted and he should have been on the verge of collapsing at any moment, Hanbei still looked at my face and desperately tried to convey what he was feeling.
"I have a request, Lord Bizen-no-kami."
Hanbei pleaded with me, as if clinging to me.
"Please, I beg you, let me be your companion on your path to supremacy, Lord Bizen...! I don't mind being a slave, I don't mind any punishment you inflict on me. Please, I beg you... please..."
I held her in my arms and watched Asai's soldiers.
Kiyotsuna nodded, and Kazumasa crossed his arms and nodded again in small, rapid movements.
They all understand.
—While serving within the Saito family, he loved Lord Asai Nagamasa just like everyone else, and continued to take dangerous risks, secretly inviting the Oda family to Omi as reinforcements.
—And thanks to that, a glimmer of hope appeared in the way of resisting the 20,000-strong Asakura army that occupied Odani Castle.
"I...I wanted you."
I put my arms around the back of the woman who carried a tragic and horrific past, and held her tightly as I said:
"I am the head of the Asai family. I will both give life and kill. I may sometimes be blinded by my sense of justice and forget about humanity. At that time—you must stop me. Having seen hell, you should understand the hearts of the oppressed, and it is something only you can do. And if you swear to support me and everyone else—there is no reason to refuse you."
"Yes... yes...! As long as I live... Shigeharu, Osamu, will be loyal to you...!"
She clung to my chest, tears streaming down her face like a waterfall, yet with a look of pure bliss on her face.
This might be the end of it.
But next, we must face the greatest threat of all.
"We don't have time for romantic encounters, brother-in-law."
A section of the soldiers' circle suddenly parted, and Nobunaga appeared, mounted on his rooster-gray horse.
A man hangs from the horse's horns, impaled through the center of his chest.
The dappled gray-haired horse shook its head slightly, and its corpse was thrown into the air—and splattered onto Ryukou's corpse.
"Asakura has made his move. We must defeat him quickly. Brother-in-law, you must be exhausted from fighting so many battles, but—just one more push!"
So it's finally come—I pulled away from Hanbei, clenching my fists tightly.
As Nobunaga said, I flew here on my return journey after commanding troops in Kutsuki Valley . I'm extremely tired, and to be honest, it's incredibly tough.Dragonfly
Even so, there are times when you have to show your pride. Men are creatures who thrive on putting on a show.
I returned to my horse, Taishakutsukige, and gave orders to my retainers.
Considering the size of the Asakura army, it was necessary to reorganize the forces based on the premise of cooperating with the Oda army.
Incidentally, Takenaka's forces were troubled about what to do with them, but they were eventually won over by the enthusiasm of those who insisted that "we should side with those who serve the princess," and in the end, they incorporated them into the foot troops led by Amamori Kiyosada.
And since Hanbei is no longer in a condition to serve in the army, I decided to move her to Sugawa Castle for the time being.
She pleaded with me, saying, "Please let me be of service," but I think she has already done more than enough by requesting reinforcements from the Oda family.
Ultimately, he managed to persuade her, and sent her to Sugawa Castle accompanied by one of the Takenaka family's senior retainers and ten men from the Asai family.
The reason for assigning members of the Takenaka family was to have them explain the whole story to the commander, Naotsune, and the reason for assigning 10 Asai soldiers was—more than just for protection—to have them testify that the Takenaka family had become an ally.
It seemed unlikely that the cautious Naotsune would be easily convinced by the testimonies of just one or two people.
Just then, I saw about a dozen soldiers running towards me from the front.
--A scout for the Asakura army!?
I instinctively tensed up, but it wasn't until some of Asai's soldiers began calling out and waving at them that I realized they were "allies."
And to my surprise, they were accompanied by three women I knew personally—Ichihime's ladies-in-waiting.
Upon inquiry, it was revealed that after parting ways with Naotsune, she had been hiding and making her way to Sugawa Castle.
However, the relief at their safety was short-lived.
I was utterly stunned by the information brought to me by the guards and maids.
"The Asakura army has returned home... what?!"
However, these are the testimonies of those who desperately kept track of the situation behind them, fearing pursuit by the Asakura army. Therefore, their credibility is extremely high.窺Please
I immediately sent out scouts and then I had Taishakutsukimo ride towards Nobunaga.
"Hmm..."
Even Nobunaga, with all his might, could only groan in admiration at this point.