Legend of the Oda

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1560 Fifty years

As expected, Yoshimoto sent an ultimatum. Surrender or annihilation. If Nobunaga gave up, he would be able to take Nagoya Castle. Furthermore, he would be named Shugo of Owari. However, if he didn't surrender over the coming weeks, Yoshimoto would ruthlessly crush the Oda clan and claim Owari through sheer force. Nobunaga's decision would be a hard one to make for anyone. Meanwhile, what remained of his officers - those who weren't chased off or defected - ranted in his assembly room. Nobunaga emerged with a fan, dancing and reciting Atsumori.

"In truth, this world is not eternally inhabited.

It is more transient than dewdrops on the leaves of grass or the moon reflected in the water.

After reciting the poetry of flower at Kanaya, all glory is now left with the wind of impermanence.

Those who leisurely play with the moon of the southern tower now hide in the cloud of Sankhara.

Human life lasts only 50 years. Contrast human life with life of Geten. It is but a very dream and illusion.

Once they are given life from god, there is no such thing that doesn't perish.

Unless we consider this a very seed of awakening, it is a grievous truth indeed."

Nobunaga was sweating; he folded his fan and looked over his men. He then addressed them.

"Men of the Oda! I can tell you are terrified of Yoshimoto and the massive army. I am not! I refuse to surrender to that entitled fool. I will crush him. Those who are willing to fight with me stand up now. Those still afraid of Yoshimoto, stay seated and watch me win from here. If we wait, we are doomed. I'm going. The time is now!"

Katsuie, Kazumasu, Toshimasa, Nobumori, Nobuteru, Yoshinari, and Toshiie Maeda, son of Toshimasa, stood up... Nobunaga smiled and approached the boy.

"Look at all these surly strong men, still sitting. Now, look at this young man, ready to fight a massive army. Those of you still sitting sicken me. While this boy, this exciting little puppy, is twice the man any of you are. Come with me, puppy dog, and all of you standing. Let's make history! The rest of you better not leave until I return."

After Nobunaga's harsh criticism, many more stood standing. Altogether he gathered 1,500 brave men, all willing to throw themselves into an impossible battle, all of them following Nobunaga's unbreakable confidence. Storm clouds gathered as the Imagawa set up camp at Okehazama.

1560 Hiyoshimaru Kinoshita 

A barefooted man stood in the road. He was waiting for something.

Seventeen years earlier, he remembered holding his father's hand. " Hiyoshimaru, don't be like me, a lowly ashigaru. I'm sorry I can't leave you with anything but a worn walking stick. Fate is cruel, to be killed by a small rock. I stumbled when marching, and a rock cut my knee. I told you it was an arrow protecting lord Nobuhide. Hiyoshi, you must hate me for not earning anything to leave you. For dying young and leaving my 7-year-old son alone with nothing. Be strong, be better than me! Leave your son as the richest man in the land! Find your fortune and be something great. Become someone worthy of remembering." 

Yoemon, the peasant, turned Oda ashigaru, died of an infection at just 35. His death left his young son Hiyoshimaru with nothing. But this crafty boy lied, stole, conned, and worked to survive. Years later, he noticed a blind old monk collecting donations on the side of the road. He watched the old man sit still as a statue for some time, leaning on a long walking stick like a dead man. 

He thought to himself, " I'm sure the old guy needs to eat too. But I've only got one coin, and I didn't eat yesterday or today. So I need at least one more coin. I'll just dash, take one, then I'll runoff." 

He approached the monk. The monk got up and asked, "You're breathing heavily, kid. What's wrong?" 

Hiyoshi panicked. He bent over, grabbed a coin from the box and ran. A short distance later, he reached the market.

"Hello ma'am, one large reddish?". He opened the small sack on his belt, but it was empty. 

"What? I know there was a coin here!" 

The woman scolded him. "Don't waste my time with your plots, little monkey. If you don't have two coins, get lost!" 

He started to retrace his steps. Suddenly, he was on his back. The old monk had tripped him with his walking stick. "You are a terrible thief. You're even worse at hiding from those you have stolen from.”

Hiyoshimaru looked at the old man. "Look, monk, I'm sorry I stole from you. I was just trying to buy something to eat. I dropped my other coin running from you. That’s why you caught me." 

The old monk laughed. "Not true, you fool. I caught you because you're too hasty, and you're oblivious to your surroundings. Also, you didn't drop your coin. It's right here!" 

The old monk displayed the coin in his hand. Hiyoshimaru scoffed. "There's no way that's my coin! I had it here….." 

The monk whacked Hiyoshimaru's head with his walking stick. "It was in the pouch on your waist. I simply hit it with my staff while you panicked."

Hiyoshimaru was dumbstruck. "I thought you were blind…. you tricked me!" 

The monk whacked him a second time and explained. "First, I never said I was blind! Second, I am blind, but not deaf. You could say I'm far from it. Now, dear boy, I come to you with a proposal." 

Not wanting to be hit a third time, he calmly asked what the other wanted. “Want your coin back? You can take it. Maybe I'll find something to eat on the shore. I just don't want any trouble, okay?" 

The monk patted his head and handed him the coin. "Dear boy, I have no interest in money. As the last Edo Buddhist, many nice people donated more than enough food to me in return for my prayers of fortune for Ii. Almost too much food. I easily have to waste a full portion every day. My proposal is simple. Why not become my student? If you do, you can sleep here at Edo-Ji, and I'll feed you. You can even have half of the donation coins. What do you say?" 

Hiyoshimaru asked, "Student? I can't become a monk! I have to become rich!" 

The monk struck him once more. " I know that, boy. I want to help you in return for your help. I have a great many books here. Knowledge is the greatest wealth of all. Samurai view peasants as two things: a source of rice and a waste of space suitable only to test a blade. Maybe some become ashigaru, but only strong men. Certainly not a scrawny boy with bad posture and manners. If you want to become rich, you need to become a samurai! To become a samurai, you must impress a samurai. Your body simply will not impress a samurai. However, if we sharpen your mind….." 

Hiyoshimaru continued rubbing his head. "One problem: I can't read!" 

The monk responded," Neither can I. That is my problem. I want the secrets in these books. But since going blind, I've lost the ability to read. But I can teach you, and in return, you will read the books. One more thing…. I'll also teach you how to use a bō staff like this one if you need to defend yourself. Learn to read, and samurai far and wide shall call your name!... oh, how rude, I never asked your name." 

The boy responded, "Hiyoshimaru. What is yours?" 

The monk laughed. "That's a long name; how about Hiyoshi? Oh, by the way. I'm Tokichiro Edo."

Hiyoshi learned to read and write from Tokichiro over the next few years. He also learned of the Edo Buddhist beliefs. Eventually, he learned the tragedy that befell Edo.

"Master, why did they slaughter the Edo? They were also Buddhist. That's terrible."

Tokichiro sighed.

"Well, Hiyoshi, our philosophy was too different from theirs, and to them, that was as good as declaring war. So we were destroyed. Master Edo himself saved me by throwing me into a river. When I came to, I was blind and alone. Edo-Ji was spared even though our sect was slaughtered. I promised to pass on Master Edo's teachings, but I fear my life is coming to an end. I only have a couple of years left."

Hiyoshi vowed to learn the way of Edo but insisted he could not be a monk. None the less he continued to read books to the old man and help him with temple upkeep. Tokichiro would fall ill and pass away. Hiyoshi took his name and continued to look after Edo-Ji for the next few years. Until one day, a band of Imagawa troops raided the village. In the ensuing chaos, many locals were killed, and Edo-Ji was burned down. Tokichiro saw this as destiny. 

One day, he waited on the road. The Oda forces got closer, and he approached. He asked to speak with the leader. Katsuie immediately jumped from his horse, furious with the peasant’s audacity. 

Nobunaga, however, was unbothered. Katsuie asked, "My lord, shall I cut this peasant down?"

Nobunaga smiled and responded, "No, I want to hear what he has to say. He looks more like a monkey than a man. Tell me, monkey, what do you want?"

Tokichiro looked up at him with a very serious look.

"A chance to prove myself to a samurai lord. I want a chance to avenge my home. I want a chance to make the Imagawa pay!" 

Any other Daimyo would have laughed at this funny-looking farmer, but Nobunaga called out.

"Dog! Come here." 

Toshiie Maeda came running.

"My lord?”

“Give the monkey my Sandals. You better be able to use those spears, or I'll give them to the monkey. As for you, monkey, drop those shoes or run away, and I will let Shibata take your head." 

Tokichiro had finally been given his opportunity; he thanked Nobunaga with tears in his eyes. Nobunaga told him.

"You can sob like a woman after the battle! We have to hit the Imagawa while they are resting. Keep up or be left behind."

Nobunaga rode off, followed closely by Toshimasa, who asked, "Why give this peasant a chance? What if he's an Imagawa spy?"

Nobunaga smiled.

"First, he didn't flinch when Shibata threatened him, second…. the look in his eyes when he mentioned the Imagawa. Yoshimoto took something important from him. It would be pure folly to turn away a brave man with nothing to lose who hates the Imagawa as much as I do. I wish I had ten of him. We are going to need all the help we can get. My plan may sound crazy, but it's the only plan with even a slight possibility of success."

1560 Okehazama 

Yoshimoto had settled for the night when he received the news.

"The Oda army made its counter-attack but was immediately pushed back to the Nakashima hill fort."

Yoshimoto smiled. "That fool. Was he not such a fool, he would have waited until I came to him. He would have lasted much longer from his castle. Men, I'm too tired to engage them tonight. Just send a large force to Nakashima for now. If you capture or kill Nobunaga, bring him here immediately. But don't disturb me for anything else."

So, even though Yoshimoto had over 25,000 troops at his disposal, fewer than 5,000 remained guarding his camp. With 10,000 swarming Nakashima, it was only a matter of time before the fort fell. Yoshimoto would seemingly rest easy that night. Heavy rain turned the earth into a marsh. Nobunaga smiled at the storm.

"So, even the heavens seek my victory. Very well."

Nobunaga, Toshimasa, Katsuie, Tokichiro, and Kazumasu stood atop a hill overlooking the Imagawa camp. The tents were spaced so that Yoshimoto's was obviously in the middle, far away from the smaller tents for his men. He purposefully did this to not be disturbed by his men. This would prove a fatal error.

Nobunaga looked at his four warriors.

"Men, today we do the impossible. With this rain and our small elite force, we charge down this hill directly into Yoshimoto's camp. Katsuie, Kazumasu and Toshimasa, don't let the enemy interfere. Dog and monkey, don't let Yoshimoto escape! We only get one shot at this! If we fail to kill Yoshimoto, we die. Everyone is risking their life to distract the enemy. The fate of the Oda, Owari, and the entire land is riding on this raid. The time is now! Down the hill! Let this storm wash away the Imagawa, along with the ways of the old world. Our new world will be built on Yoshimoto's grave!"

The Oda raid raced down the hill. The Imagawa troops didn't even notice. Between the rain and the distance from the main tent, they were completely aloof. No one expected such a daring tactic. On paper, the plan sounds suicidal, but Nobunaga wasn't searching for a heroic death. Nobunaga's ambitions were higher than that. He sought the world he dreamed of. This was but a stepping stone to his destiny. However, he hadn't planned for….

1560 Naomori Ii at Okehazama 

Naomori Ii, leader of the Ii clan and personal bodyguard of Yoshimoto Imagawa. Current wielder of the oni Ryujin. Yoshimoto chose him as his guard for two reasons. First, he was the greatest warrior in Mikawa. Second, he was the perfect counter to Katsuie Shibata. He heard the Raid approach, then quickly woke Yoshimoto and sounded a horagai shell. Many of the aloof Imagawa troops were beckoned to its call. 

Kazumasu exclaimed.

"That's not good; we are about to have a lot of company!"

Just then, Yoshimoto Imagawa and Naomori Ii emerged from the main tent. Nobunaga had just seen the one person he didn't want to see. 

"Damn, blue armor with that Kabuto…. Naomori Ii. Katsuie won't be able to….."

Just then, Katsuie interrupted him.

"My lord, you said today we all overcome impossible odds! I'll fight Naomori! I've been training in the rain and at the river. You can thank your trick at that dam. It taught me something valuable. No matter how strong, everyone has a weakness." 

Nobunaga was impressed with his resolve. With that, Kazumasu, Toshimasa and Toshiie created a perimeter and prepared to engage the Imagawa troops fast approaching.

"So Shibata has the bodyguard, my men will keep the troops away…. Yoshimoto, it appears the stage is set for us."

Yoshimoto smiled and drew his blade.

"Nobunaga, I didn't expect you to make it this far. However, with only a handful of men, what did you hope to accomplish here? I have a thousand men for each you brought. Is this suicide?"

Nobunaga laughed.

"You misunderstand, Yoshimoto. I don't have to kill all of your men…. just you. Without a head, a snake will die."

Yoshimoto was irritated and quickly responded, "Speaking of snakes, how's the Viper?"

Nobunaga drew his sword and charged at him. Their blades clashed, with an obvious advantage in Yoshimoto's favor. Nobunaga thought to himself.

"That's right! His Onika is capable of great force. Hitting his sword was like hitting a stone. I need to figure out how he killed my father. Father had an advantage in skill…. yet he still died, but how?"

At the same time, Toshiie and Toshimasa were repelling the Imagawa troops. Kazumasu quickly cut down any who made it past the Maeda. Katsuie and Naomori clashed axes to trident with fierce, deadly blows. Katsuie kept pressure so he couldn't use his water techniques. Katsuie knew better than to use his sand or flames. Naomori's water and the heavy rain made such attacks useless. 

Yoshimoto used a powerful strike. The impact sent Nobunaga sliding back on the mud. His sandals slid off, and he was barefooted. However, he had anticipated this, and he observed Tokichiro's effortless mobility and mimicked it. Using this, he gained the upper hand in his duel with Yoshimoto. 

Toshiie noticed a man with a bow aiming at his lord. Frantically, he threw one of his spears. It hit and killed the archer, seconds too late. The arrow flew through the rain and made itself at home in its target...

1560 Death at Okehazama 

The Bankaze fell to the ground. Toshiie Maeda frantically yelled, "Father!"

Toshimasa, with an arrow protruding from his neck, looked at his son, then at Nobunaga. 

Toshiie understood what he meant. 

"Aye, I'll protect him with my life."

Toshimasa fell backward into the mud. Nobunaga called out to Toshiie.

"Dog! Now is not the time to mourn!" 

Kazumasu Takigawa stepped forward to take Toshimasa's place in repelling the enemy. Tokichiro readied his staff and assumed Kazumasu's spot. 

Toshiie was doing well at holding the line, but without the power of Bankaze, more Imagawa men started to bypass them. However, Tokichiro and his staff were managing to suppress the attackers. Eventually, an enemy cut his staff in two, but he still managed to submit him with two shorter sticks. 

Yoshimoto smiled, and Nobunaga asked what was so amusing. Yoshimoto responded with a powerful strike that shattered Nobunaga's sword and sent him flying. 

"The truth is I've only been using half of Sozasamonji's power. That last strike was the equivalent of being struck by a hundred simultaneous blades. That is the difference in our power!"

Katsuie Shibata, too, was in a desperate situation when both he and Naomori Ii entered their trances. But as predicted, Katsuie was on the ropes. Naomori's water had battered him repeatedly, and it seemed Naomori was ready to finish him. Naomori's attack began absorbing all the rain falling and the standing pools of water around them. Katsuie couldn't muster much sand from around them - most of it was mud. Using his flames and the sand, he covered himself in a sphere of magma.

Naomori finished his preparations. 

"Very impressive, lord Shibata. Against a normal adversary, that defense would be impenetrable. However, Ryujin’s water will turn that shield into your tomb!"

A massive water attack immediately cooled the magma into obsidian, trapping Katsuie within. 

Yoshimoto methodically approached Nobunaga. Nobunaga attempted to get up but was wounded by shards of his sword.

"This is the end, Nobunaga. I must say, you got a lot closer than I thought possible. As your reward, I'll tell you. My uncle poisoned your father in our duel. But don't worry, you'll be reunited soon. Just know your death will lead to peace." 

The Imagawa troops began to overwhelm Kazumasu and Toshiie. Tokichiro saw the Bankaze at the same moment an Imagawa soldier did too. 

So, the end of the Oda seemed apparent. Sometimes not even a miracle is enough to overcome an impossible situation. However, what are the odds of simultaneous miracles? A mysterious old man held up a card and smiled.

"What are the odds of that?"

Just then, the obsidian dome entombing Katsuie started to crack. Tokichiro stared at the Bankaze, frozen with fear and self-doubt, when he heard Toshiie.

"Come on, Tokichiro! You owe it to lord Nobunaga for an opportunity, right? This is it. If you don't take it…. we will all die!"

Tokichiro started running towards the Bankaze. The Imagawa soldier matched his pace. 

Just then, Nobunaga heard a very sinister voice.

"Looks like you could use some help."

1560 Victory at Okehazama 

Tokichiro dived and grabbed the Bankaze. The Imagawa soldier attempted to wrestle it from him and was sent flying into the air. Tokichiro jumped back to his feet. For the first time in his life, he felt incredible power. The Bankaze's ki flowed throughout his body. He spun the staff, generating a powerful gust knocking several Imagawa troops to the ground. He then took a deep breath. However, as a result of Bankaze's power, he grew in size. His increase in stature terrified the Imagawa troops. Kazumasu and Toshiie used the change in momentum to push the enemy back towards the outer camp.

At the same time, Naomori Ii was recovering from using that powerful attack. He noticed as the obsidian dome that contained Katsuie Shibata had shattered. From it, Katsuie emerged in a new form, now clad in obsidian armor and obsidian axes. Naomori realized Katsuie's powerup and immediately shot a powerful torrent at him. The attack bounced off his new armor. Undamaged by Naomori's last-ditch effort, Katsuie hurled his obsidian blades at Naomori. Both hit him in the chest. 

Katsuie approached his dying foe. Naomori knelt stoically, pulled the axes from his body, handing them to Katsuie and proudly presenting his neck. 

"It's true what they say…. you are a demon on the battlefield. Encased in lava, you emerged even stronger…. incredible. I'm glad to have fought you."

Katsuie positioned his blades.

"Sir Ii, I thank you. Had you not pushed me to my limits…. I couldn't have discovered this power. Using this dual trance, I'll help lord Nobunaga bring a world of peace. I will never forget our battle here at Okehazama." 

Katsuie brought his blades together, severing Naomori's head. After the duel, he started towards the line. That's when he noticed Nobunaga, wounded in the mud. He saw Yoshimoto approach and wanted to act. However, he would not dare to interrupt a duel. He simply hoped for the best and headed to intercept the enemy.

Meanwhile, Nobunaga once again heard a dark, unfamiliar voice.

"Come on, kid, I can help you. I feel that rage, that hatred. Use those emotions! Make him pay! I'll give you a little boost and heal your wounds. Just undo that seal! Do it, kid!"

Nobunaga looked at the sealed sword at his waist.

"The Onikage! Father told me never to use it! Sir Hirate and Soteki also warned me…. I have to get up….."

Nobunaga attempted to stand, but the shrapnel had hurt him too badly. Yoshimoto was getting closer.

"This is the end of the road, Nobunaga. You know it didn't have to be this way. Your brothers and the Viper's son saw the reason. Your father and the Viper were too stubborn, so they had to go. One of your brothers was supposed to kill you, and I was as good as Shogun. But you kept standing in my way. The Matsudaira boy, my castles…. I'm going to enjoy killing you, Fool of Owari."

Onikage's voice filled Nobunaga's head again.

"Just undo the seal! Let's wipe that smug look off his stupid face!"

Nobunaga grabbed the sword and peeled a tag from the handle.

"Very well, Onikage, lend me the power to destroy my enemy!" 

Onikage's voice echoed in his head.

"Let's tear him apart!"

The sword radiated a special kind of darkness. The power covered Nobunaga's whole body. He was lifted to his feet, seemingly against gravity. His wounds began to close. Yoshimoto was startled about his change.

"So you resorted to that power? How pathetic? It can't save you anyway!"

Yoshimoto swung the Sozasamonji at full power, and Nobunaga caught the blade. Yoshimoto panicked at the sight of this feat. 

"That's impossible! That same attack destroyed your sword! It almost killed you!" 

Nobunaga laughed as his grin turned to a menacing grimace.

"It would appear that when two powerful forces meet, the weaker is canceled out. You're the lesser of two evils. You almost killed me…. now I can pay you back with interest!"

Nobunaga then began striking at him with the Onikage. Yoshimoto couldn't keep up and was soon disarmed, so he attempted to run. Nobunaga laughed loudly to mock him, then used Onikage's power to remove the shrapnel from his body and shoot it at Yoshimoto. Yoshimoto was bleeding from several spots and could no longer flee. Nobunaga was soon in striking range. Yoshimoto, on his hands and knees, begged him. 

"Please…. have mercy. You win, I admit it. I surrender; I'll become your vassals. Together we can rule everything!"

Yoshimoto outstretched his hands. Nobunaga looked at them.

"Those hands are stained with the blood of my loved ones. I'll take this one for my brother!" 

Nobunaga cleaved off Yoshimoto's left arm.

"And this one, for my father and my mentors!" 

Nobunaga severed Yoshimoto's right arm with a single rage-filled swing; then, he looked down at his felled enemy. “And this, this is for the future!" 

The rain stopped. Yoshimoto's head hit the mud. Just then, Toshiie ran to Nobunaga with a report.

"The Imagawa troops have fled, but the enemy is fast approaching from Narumi Castle! Wait…. is that Lord Suruga?!"

1560 Ieyasu Matsudaira 

The Matsudaira army approached, but Nobunaga wasn't concerned. The Oda warriors gathered around Yoshimoto's corpse. They stood in awe. They couldn't believe they had done it. Just then, the Matsudaira arrived. The Oda warriors formed a perimeter around Nobunaga. Nobunaga ordered them to stand down, grabbed Yoshimoto's head and approached the Matsudaira leader Motoyasu. Motoyasu looked at the head and then at Nobunaga. 

"Lord Nobunaga, you did it. When I got your message…. I doubted the chance of success. I had figured it was just a way to die with pride…. but you actually…. did it. He's dead; Yoshimoto Imagawa is dead."

Nobunaga had sent a message to Motoyasu before the raid.

‘Motoyasu, I know that you hate Yoshimoto as much as I do. This is our only chance; I don't want to be your enemy. I'm sick of fighting my brothers. Help me destroy the Imagawa, be my partner. We can take Mikawa and Owari back together. Yours in haste, Nobunaga Oda.’

Heihachi Honda, Tadahiro Torii, Yoshinobu Natsumae, Sadaharu Aoki and Masayoshi Naruse rode to Motoyasu's side. 

Nobunaga smiled, "Motoyasu's family of vassals, it's good to see you all on the battlefield, ready to fight for your lord. I've missed you a lot. But we can reminisce later. Right now, I need to know, are you with me? What will you do, Motoyasu?"

Motoyasu remembered the last thing his father told him.

‘Takechiyo, from today onward, your name will be Motoyasu. Yasu from my Father Kiyoyasu, a hero who was assassinated in his prime. Moto from lord Yoshimoto Imagawa, our protector.’

"My first act is to deny my link to Yoshimoto in my name. From this day forward, I'll take the name Ieyasu Matsudaira. With that name, let it be known the Matsudaira clan are friends of the Oda." 

Parading the head of Yoshimoto, the Oda-Matsudaira army drove the Imagawa out of Owari and Mikawa, returning Ieyasu to his home once more. In exchange for their lives, the Imagawa delivered Nobuhiro Oda, tied tightly with ropes. Nobunaga approached his half-brother. Nobuhiro looked up at Nobunaga fearlessly. 

"I don't regret my decision. It was the best odds to save the Oda. If you want me to beg, go to hell." 

Nobunaga walked behind him with his sword in hand. He looked down at his bound brother. He then heard Onikage's voice. 

"Kill this traitor! Use the hatred!".

Nobunaga made a single slash.

1560 The triumvirate

The ropes fell from Nobuhiro's wrists. He was furious, so he jumped and grabbed Nobunaga. 

"Again! You still don't see me as a threat? I betrayed you again, and you will still leave me be? Are you trying to insult me?"

Nobunaga pushed him to the ground. 

"Have you considered that perhaps I've lost too many brothers already? You aren't a threat to me; you're my brother."  

Onikage scolded him inside his head

"You fool, if he lives, he will betray you again."

Nobunaga's mind spoke to Onikage.

"Then I'll defeat him again. As many times as it takes."

Onikage grew impatient.

"Well, what of this Matsudaira boy? Why give him lands? Have him killed and take his lands! They belong to us!"

Nobunaga wasn’t bothered and immediately shut him down.

"Ieyasu is a valuable alliance. He will prove his worth in time. And for the record, you don't have a claim to anything. You're just a sword. It's my responsibility to babysit you. I'll make sure you don't fall into anyone's hands."

Onikage laughed.

"You think so? Kid, you've got guts. You don't realize it yet, but everything you have or will have is already mine."

Nobunaga responded, " We shall see."

Nobuhiro pleaded to his brother.

"Kill me! I've stood against you time after time."

"And I've bested you each time. You are certainly rebellious, but I forgive you. One day you'll see that I am the rightful heir to the Oda. You don't scare me, Nobuhiro."

Ieyasu's reaction to this was a cold understanding.

"Nobunaga, why don't you rid yourself of Nobuhiro? I heard what happened to Nobukatsu….."

Nobunaga sighed.

"That wasn't supposed to happen…. Nobukatsu wasn't willing to lose to me. Nobuhiro, however, isn't wrong. If I were in his situation, I'd rebel too. He's my older brother, after all. I won't take his life to secure my peace of mind. If he succeeds in killing me someday, so be it."

Having dealt with his brother, Nobunaga helped Ieyasu organize a new territory map. In this map, he claimed all of Owari and granted most of Mikawa to Ieyasu; then, he listed Suruga as contested between Ieyasu and The Imagawa. 

"Nobunaga, you just granted me such generous borders. But why not expand your borders? Would it not be easiest to finish the Imagawa off?"

Nobunaga looked disappointed.

"I thought you could see it too? Too bad, I am done with the Imagawa. You, the Takeda, and the Hojo can feast on those remnants. Mino will be mine. I must take it. From there, I'm only two adversaries away from the capital. I need a partner, Ieyasu. I'll protect you, and you'll cover my back. Can you do that?"

Ieyasu was taken aback by the boldness of his offer. 

"Of course! I'll give you everything I can. I want to help build a new world where we never again have to fight our brothers. You did the impossible! If you can keep that up…. there's nothing you can't do."

Nobunaga smiled.

"Good, then first we have to arm our talent. I recovered a pair of treasures. I have something to do. I'll come to you sometime soon, be ready. Today I'm a Daimyo; someday, I'll be a king!" 

Sometime later, Nobunaga called his retainers that assisted in the Raid. Kazumasu, Katsuie, Tokichiro, and Toshiie.

"First off, Katsuie Shibata, you defeated Naomori Ii. For this, I grant you Narumi and Katsukake Castle. Next, Toshiie Maeda, seeing your continued valor after your Father's death, I grant you the Ryujin. From this day forward, you're an Onika. Now Kazumasu, your aggressive sword style will be perfectly complemented with the Sozasamonji. You too shall be an Onika. Katsuie, Toshiie, and Kazumasa. From this day forward, you will be known as the Oda triumvirate. My own personal Mino three counter. And finally….monkey! Come here!"

Tokichiro Kinoshita crept slowly towards him. Katsuie hatefully glared at him the entire time. He kneeled before Nobunaga and presented the Bankaze.

"My lord…. I had meant to return it sooner…. but in the chaos …. I….."

Nobunaga shouted.

"RETURN IT? are you insulting my judgment?"

Tokichiro started to sweat. Katsuie rose, but Nobunaga pointed at him and shouted, "Remain seated, Shibata!"

Katsuie immediately returned to his seat. Tokichiro exclaimed, "I would never insult someone as wise and powerful as yourself if there were such an equal to yourself….."

Nobunaga smiled.

"And quick to respond to a dangerous situation….perhaps the hypothetical equal you explained is here in front of me.. monkey, tell me your name!"

Tokichiro responded, "Tokichiro Kinoshita….."

Nobunaga laughed at his name. 

"We are going to need to fix that. If you had a real Samurai name, what would it be?

Tokichiro thought about it.

"My father served a samurai, lord Nobu…. HIDE. And.. the legendary samurai, the second Izanagi, YOSHI...tsune…. Hideyoshi?" 

Nobunaga grinned.

"And what clan would this Hideyoshi be from?"

Tokichiro thought hard again.

"Lord SHIBATA is a glorious samurai warrior; his name carries weight. But mine can't start with Shiba….". He pondered for a second. “How about Hashiba?"

Nobunaga smiled.

"Hideyoshi Hashiba? A fine samurai name. Use it well from this day forward."

Hideyoshi was stunned, and he quickly responded, "But my lord…. I'm not a samurai…. I'm just….."

Nobunaga scoffed at his dismissive self-evaluation.

"There you go again, questioning my judgment. You are brave to do so. A samurai serves. So serve me. It's not a sword or a clan that makes you a Samurai; it's dedication. Swear your dedication to me, and together we can make all of our dreams come true! I need you to realize your full potential! Take the Bankaze, your new name, dedicate everything you have, which is nothing, and bet it on a new future. The one that we can build." 

Hideyoshi swore to make that world a reality.

And thus, a new triumvirate would start, three men with a big dream. One wanted to be a king ruling a land without war. The other wanted a land without war where he stood at the top. The third wished for nothing more than peace and order. But there were other men with different dreams all around.