Takenaka Hanbei, or Takenaka Shigeharu, was one of the top two military strategists even among the many great figures of the Sengoku period in Japan.
For the Asai family, surrounded by powerful clans such as the Rokkaku, Wakasa Takeda, and Asakura families, it goes without saying that such a person would be a highly desirable asset.
There are various theories, but it is believed that Kinoshita Hideyoshi, acting on orders from Oda Nobunaga, attempted to persuade Takenaka Hanbei to serve the Oda family in 1567, specifically after the capture of Inabayama Castle in August.
Since it’s currently February, historically speaking, Hideyoshi would have visited this place in about six months.
However, considering that this world doesn’t always unfold according to historical fact, we had to take action sooner rather than later.
I had two reasons for taking the risk of infiltrating the Saito family’s territory, and one of them was a letter I received from Nobunaga.
He is now determined to completely seize control of Mino.
And since she conveyed this to me, her brother-in-law, in a letter, there was no doubt that she was serious.
This is because there is a possibility that he might send Hideyoshi to capture Inabayama Castle at an earlier stage.
And the second reason, I’m embarrassed to admit, was a nightmare I had this morning.
I honestly don’t know what it meant, but it seemed to me that it succinctly conveyed the message, “If things continue as they are, the Asai clan will be destroyed…”
Originally, the Asai family was destined to perish in 1573.
If, hypothetically, there is such a thing as a “predetermined harmony” in history as is said in the world of philosophy, then no matter how hard I try, all my efforts will be in vain.
But I didn’t want to believe in the existence of such a thing.
I wanted to believe that people have potential.
I wanted to believe in the human capacity for choice—the ability to progress by accumulating the best answers within a limited set of options.
That’s why I wanted to do everything I could to prevent an apocalyptic nightmare from becoming a reality.
I stared intently at Hanbei, who was standing in front of me.
“Lord Bizen-no-kami, and Lord Naofusa, you’ve traveled a long distance, so you must be thirsty.
I’ll have some tea served…
!”就子Shuko
Hanbei, who has an appearance that could only be mistaken for a woman’s, claps his hands, and the sliding door opens with a swift motion, and a small, pretty girl enters the room carrying a tray.
“Let me introduce you to my wife, Naoko.”
You’re kidding, right?
I was stunned as I watched Mrs.
Takenaka bow deeply.
This girl is my bride…?
What can I say…?
Yes, it might be more accurate to say “female junior high school student.”
She’s a girl who still retains that kind of childlike innocence.
By the way, I must admit that when she was standing next to Hanbei, they didn’t look like a married couple at all; I thought it would be more fitting to say they were mother and daughter.
If you were to utter something like that, you’d almost certainly be kicked out of the castle.
“This is humble tea.”
With that, the tea was placed in front of me and Naofusa.
But it’s probably not just any ordinary tea.
Perhaps it starts here—or rather, Hanbei’s assessment of Nagamasa has already begun.
“Let’s have some.”
I touched the tea to my tongue to check its temperature, then drank it all in one gulp.
Naofusa also drank his tea in a hurry.
Hanbei narrowed his eyes.
“–delicious”
“Oh…
thank you very much!”
Mrs.
Takenaka, or rather, Shuko, comes over with a happy look on her face and thanks me.
It seems he was quite pleased to be praised.
I wonder how old this girl really is.
It’s taboo to ask a woman her age, so I won’t.
“Now then, Lord Shigeharu.”
“yes”
Hanbei responded with a gentle smile and a tilt of his head.
Damn, my heart’s starting to flutter.
Even though I’m a guy.
“Let me get straight to the point.
The reason I’ve come here today is simple: I want you, Shigeharu Takenaka.”
“Is that so…”
Hanbei closed his eyes and pondered for a while.
Her dark brown, wavy hair sways softly.
After all, Hanbei’s soft-looking hair extends all the way down his back.
Is this guy really a man…?
As he was thinking about that, Hanbei slowly opened his eyes.
“However, I have decided that I will no longer serve others.”
“I see.”
“yes”
My desires were coldly rejected.
But I feel absolutely no anger.
It must have been because of Hanbei’s relaxed demeanor.
He sat upright in the seiza position, intently observing me.
But even so, that mole under her eye is quite alluring.
“May I ask for the reason?”
“…That is a very reasonable request.”
Brushing the hair off his collar, Hanbei said:
His pristine white neck was revealed for a moment, exuding a seductive aura that rivaled even Ichihime’s—you’re definitely not a man.
“I served the Saito family, and later wandered through various provinces—perhaps it was because I became disillusioned…
I no longer want to be involved in the way things are in this Sengoku period.”
“Hmm.
Then why have you returned to Mino?
This land is now in the midst of a turmoil, caught between the Oda and Saito clans…”
”Do you still have any lingering feelings for the Saito family?” I asked, and Hanbei slowly shook his head.
His wavy, dark brown hair swayed softly as he shook it.
“The current head of the family is…”
Having said that much, Hanbei paused and swallowed his words.
I’m always strongly drawn to the expression “the current head of the family.”
It’s almost certain that “the current head of the family” refers to Saito Tatsuoki, the head of the Saito family, but why don’t they call him “the lord” or something similar? Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Perhaps Hanbei harbors a deep respect for the previous head of the family, Saito Yoshitatsu, or even the head before him, Saito Dosan, and that is why he is trying to differentiate himself from the dissolute Ryukou.
“The current lord probably doesn’t think anything of me at all…”
However, after hearing what Hanbei just said, I realized that my earlier conclusion was the complete opposite.
Hanbei certainly doesn’t dislike or despise Tatsuoki.
In fact, it would be fair to say that he “likes” him.
Perhaps Hanbei staged a coup by seizing Inabayama Castle to snap Ryukou out of his carefree ways, and then traveled the country to forget him, but in the end, she couldn’t forget him and returned to Mino—what a classic case of a married woman who can’t forget her ex-boyfriend.
I thought to myself immediately.
Presumably, if you were to persuade him through conventional means, you would need something impactful like “the downfall of the Saito family.”
If you eliminate his allies and then tell him to “follow me,” he’ll easily fall for you.
However, if the condition is to “bring Hanbei into the Asai family,” then there is no time to be so leisurely.
Having destroyed the Saito family, the Oda family will soon try to persuade Hanbei to join them.
In that situation, it’s only natural for people to side with the Oda clan, who were at the height of their power.
If I were in Hanbei’s position, I’d probably want to side with the Oda family, which has more potential, rather than the minor Asai family…
Yes, what I need to do is exactly recreate a daytime soap opera.
It’s the relationship between a rice shop owner and his young wife.
I will eradicate all feelings Hanbei has for Ryukou and take his place.
I will steal Hanbei’s heart from Ryukou.
“I’ve decided…
Naofusa!”
“Y-yes”
I slapped my knee in surprise, and Naofusa hastily responded.
“I feel bad for disregarding you, since you’re an old acquaintance of Hanbei’s, but…
return to the castle immediately and tell Masamoto and Ryochika.
I’m not moving from Mino no matter what!”
“Oh, no…
but that’s!”
It was only natural that Naofusa would panic.
For the head of a daimyo family to leave their territory and attempt to find lodging alone without a plan—that is absolutely unacceptable.伴friend
“I said it’s fine!
Naofusa, can’t you trust me, Shigeharu?!”
“Uh…
that’s…!”
Naofusa, flustered, glanced between Hanbei and Shuko, pressed his fist to his forehead, and after a moment of deep thought, he relaxed.
“Three days…
Just three days, Lord Nagamasa…”
He’s probably thinking about what excuse he’ll come up with when he gets back.
Naofusa emphasizes this point with a grimace on his face.
“I’ll come to pick you up in three days…
Anything beyond that…”
“Yes, thank you.”
I said that and offered him the short sword I had at my waist.
“Take this, this is my genuine and sincere feeling for you.”
“Wha…
Lord Nagamasa…?!”
Naofusa probably never expected this.
With tears welling up in his eyes and trembling, he prostrated himself and accepted my short sword.
The only thing that protects one’s body is a sword.
And bestowing that sword upon a subordinate meant, “You are worthy of my life,” and above all, it was the greatest reward for anyone serving their lord.
Well, if it weren’t for Naofusa, I probably wouldn’t have even been able to meet with Takenaka Shigeharu.
In fact, I think he deserves a real commendation.
While you’re at it, think up a good excuse for the others.
As Naofusa wiped his eyes and left the room, Hanbei, the room’s owner, sighed.
“Lord Bizen-no-kami is truly a straightforward and honest person…”
“I wonder if that’s true.”
“Well, well…”
Hanbei shook his head slightly and let out a deep sigh.
“He entered my castle alone with only one attendant, drank my tea which may have been poisoned before any of my retainers, and yet, despite the possibility of being taken hostage, he intends to stay in Mino alone…
I, Shigeharu, am somewhat perplexed as to how to evaluate this.”
“nothing…”
When you put it that way, I sound like a really stupid warlord.
Well, if you think about it calmly according to the common sense of this era, it’s certainly just plain stupid.
“…If you trust Lord Shigeharu and your subordinates that much, then is it wrong to have such an evaluation or interpretation?”
“As a point of reference, I recall that last month there was a general from Omi who launched a small-scale attack against the large Rokkaku army.”
So you’re saying I’m a simpleton, you bastard!
…Wait, is he really a guy?
I can’t help but feel that the only male element is his voice.
“Lord Bizen-no-kami, you mentioned you would be staying the night, but where are you staying…?”
“…Are there any temples nearby?”
Another sigh.
“There are some, but…
surely you don’t have a place to stay, Lord Bizen-no-kami…”
“I just decided it, so of course it’s not going to happen.”
When I said it confidently, Hanbei pressed his fingertips to his forehead and began to growl.
It’s the kind of gesture you’d see from a housewife keeping track of household expenses and thinking about finances.
“So, are there any good temples around?
If you could just tell me where they are…”
“…Understood.
Lord Bizen-no-kami, if you wish, please stay at this castle.
If you wish, that is.”
Hanbei said, sounding somewhat resigned.
“Mino is currently in turmoil due to the war between the Oda and Saito clans.
Even temples and shrines cannot be at ease…
And—I could not possibly do something so unjust as to drive Lord Naofusa out of the castle and make him stay in exile…”
“Hmm…
Then I’ll accept your help.”
I nodded, a broad smile spreading across my face in my mind.
First, we have no choice but to get close to Hanbei…
to enter his personal space.
Being allowed to stay overnight at the castle was only the first step.
“But even so…”
“What is it?”
“Would you be able to fully utilize Lord Shigeharu’s power in Omi?”
“unfortunately…”
If you ask “Why?”, you’ll get the same answer as before: “I don’t want to be involved in this world…”
“What is it about this world that you don’t want to be involved in, Lord Shigeharu?”
When I asked that question—
“…That is malicious intent.”
He replied, though his face was contorted in pain.
“Humans are so rotten and morally corrupt that, frankly, I don’t particularly want to get involved with them.
If we serve together and are of the same status, it’s fine at first.
But as one of us gradually rises in rank, the other becomes jealous and spreads rumors, true or false, behind our backs.
And when it all comes to light—it will be impossible for either of us to repair the relationship.”
In a world where such things are commonplace, why would anyone want to step into the spotlight?
To put it simply, that’s the gist of Shigeharu’s argument.
“I don’t need status, money, or fame.
I just want to live a quiet life.”
That is Hanbei’s fundamental wish.
Then—
“Well then, we should create that kind of world.
Working behind the scenes, of course.”
“…I think that would be difficult in this era of warring states.”
Hanbei frowned and said:顰deer
“Yes, I suppose so.”
I’m being serious.
“But it’s okay if it’s difficult.
Nothing starts unless you at least think, ‘I’m going to do it.’ Without hope…
without a wish, it’s no good.
People cannot move forward without hope.
And even if it’s at the snail’s pace, you can still steadily move forward.”
“But…that’s just an ideal.”
Hanbei responded in a sorrowful voice.
“I, too…
I tried my best.
I worked tirelessly to somehow rectify the gradual decline of the Saito family that had continued since the previous generation.
I also devoted myself to self-improvement for that purpose.
But…
it was no use.
Nothing changed in the Saito family, the atmosphere in the household remained unchanged, and it continued down the path of decline…”
Suddenly, he lowered his head.
Historically, Takenaka Hanbei was a man who experienced extreme misfortune during his time serving the Saito family.
Military contributions are not properly appreciated, and suggestions are met with ridicule.政Festivals and rituals
It must have been unbearable for him to think that all of this was due to his “ladylike” appearance.
“Lord Bizen-no-kami, there are things in this world that cannot be changed no matter how hard you try.
And those things…
ultimately swallow up and tear apart those who try to move forward.”
“At least that was the case with the Saito family…”
“…yes”
After a moment of hesitation, Hanbei nodded.
“But, Shigeharu, that may have been true of the Saito family, but the Asai family is different, isn’t it?”
I say it with intonation.
“Right now, many members of the Asai family are cooperating with me to make Omi a better place.
Of course, as Lord Shigeharu said, there are relatives who don’t like what I say…
But those things can be overcome.
If many people unite and push forward, obstacles will cease to be obstacles…
That’s what I believe.”
“Many people united as one…”
I took Hanbei’s hands as he sighed and murmured, and spoke to him.
“In the Saito household, Lord Shigeharu must have been all alone.
Ryukou and all the other retainers treated you coldly…”
Hanbei quickly lowered his head.
But I continued without paying him any mind.
“A person’s strength alone has its limits.
That’s why we must cooperate with others.
Lord Shigeharu said I would be reckless…
but the only reason I can be reckless is because I have retainers who follow me.
It’s because I have retainers who run alongside me, facing the same direction, in order to change this world.”
Before I knew it, I was delivering a sales pitch that would surprise even a professional salesman, explaining that this was the Asai family.
Well, persuasion and sales are pretty much the same thing, so I guess it can’t be helped.
“…I’d like some time to think about it.”
“Yes, I would appreciate it if you could do that.”
I nodded, gripping Hanbei’s hand, which was so soft I couldn’t believe it belonged to a man, tightly.
At least we managed to crack Hanbei’s firm stance of “I will absolutely not serve anyone.”
I have three more days until Naofusa comes to pick me up.
Until then, I want to build as much trust with Hanbei as possible.
After the three of us—myself, Hanbei, and his younger brother Shigenori—ate the dinner that Shuko had prepared, Hanbei himself led me to my room.
I lay down on my futon, illuminated by the dim light of the indoor lantern.
“city–”
I realized that I was unconsciously craving Ichihime’s body heat and scent, and I couldn’t help but chuckle as I slowly drifted off to sleep.