Legend of the Oda

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1565 THE KENGO SHOGUN
Nobunaga was about to become part of a great endeavor. There was action in the capital. Years prior, Shogun Yoshihisa Ashikaga abdicated in favor of his 11-year-old son Yoshiteru. However, at this point, the Shogun was just a Miyoshi puppet, and worse yet, the Miyoshi clan was subject to the will of Hisahide Matsunaga. But Yoshiteru was different. Like Shogun Ryuha before him, he defied his captors and began to gain a reputation as a capable statesman.
Moreover, he was a sword saint, trained by Bokuden Tsukahara. Bokuden was himself an unparalleled master of the blade. In 1565, Hisahide was fearful of the Shogun. He launched a surprise raid on Nijo palace, killing his six bodyguards. Bokuden and Yoshiteru made a last stand in the sword room using dozens of legendary swords given to past Shogun's. Eventually, all the swords had broken, and Bokuden was killed. In grief, rage, and a will to survive, the Shogun took up one last sword: the Shogun's blade, now known as Shien. Inside it was a creature known as the great Shogun Shien, an Onika that subjected six lesser Onika. Unimaginable power, only used by King Resai. Since then, anyone who would touch the blade would immediately be killed by Shien's massive Ki. However, the Kengo Shogun was no ordinary man. With the Shien in hand, the Shogun unlocked power this world had not seen in several millennia. He quickly killed Hisahide's men and defeated Hisahide, subjugating him. He emerged from his palace in his glorious red armor while Hisahide stood dumbstruck. The Shogun glared at him. Hisahide was frozen in fear but quickly kneeled before him.
"I'm sorry, Lord Yoshiteru. The Miyoshi ordered…."
The Shogun interrupted him, shouting.
"Enough! You will serve me or die! Do not call me Yoshiteru Ashikaga. From this day onward, I am the Kengo Shogun!"
Hisahide Matsunaga had never seen such a powerful person. Even if holding an Onika, he knew that to attack the Shogun would be suicide.
"Lord Shogun, your new power is inhuman. I can't imagine anyone could challenge you as you are. Let me help you show all these clans like the Miyoshi the true power of the Shogunate."
The Shogun smiled,  "I'll need an army first."
He called forth the legendary six samurai swords. The Kengo Shogun sealed the legendary six Onika samurai into the bodies of his fallen guards.
“I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. I refuse to let you rot as humans. You will all become Gods in death. You will continue to serve me until I have restored the Ashikaga Shogunate!”.
He sent each of the six samurai to a small clan, each with an ultimatum.
"Surrender your holdings to serve the Shogunate. You may retain your castle and retainers. You will be named Shugo, and, most importantly, you will live and serve the Greatest Shogunate of all time. If you continue to claim yourself as Daimyo, fight one of the legendary six Samurai! If you win, you can challenge the Shogun”.
Hatakeyama, Miura, Wakasa Takeda, Jinbo, Nagano, and Kazui refused his offer, and all six clans were destroyed. The Shogun then targeted the six biggest threats to the Shogunate.
Mizuo of the Waves destroyed the Jinbo clan. Her next stop was Gifu Castle.
1565 A KING AND THE SHOGUN
At Gifu Castle, formerly known as Inabayama Castle, Nobunaga was renovating and refortifying. He was overseeing the renovations seated next to him, his wife, lady No.
"My king, are you sure these brutes can realize your vision?"
Nobunaga grinned as he gazed at Katsuie, Toshiie, Hideyoshi, and Kazumasu, directing a builders contingency. Hanbei was napping under a tree. He wasn't trying to get caught up in work. Nobunaga turned to his lady.
"These are the only men who can make Gifu Castle the greatest in the land."
Hanbei's eyes suddenly opened. He promptly sprung up and made haste toward the main gate. Nobunaga's smile faded.
"The slacker is moving quickly...this could be bad…."
Hanbei screamed.
"Open the gate, or she will break it down!"
The gatekeepers were just about to ask who they were referring to when Nobunaga shouted, "Do as he says, idiots!"
"My lord!" they yelled as they scrambled to open the gates.
Soon a red-clad woman entered through it. In her left hand, she held a message; in her right, she held a sac soaked with blood.
She irrespectively moved towards Nobunaga. Katsuie saw this and grew furious, so he bolted at her.
"How dare you approach-…."
She dropped the sack and grabbed one of her swords. Katsuie was interrupted by a powerful stream of water that sent him flying backward. Nobunaga ordered his men to stand down as he walked to greet her. Mizuo stood silent and handed him the scroll she was carrying. Nobunaga read it out loud.
"Surrender your holdings to serve the Shogunate. You may retain your castle and retainers. You will be named Shugo, and, most importantly, you will live and serve the Greatest Shogunate of all time. If you continue to claim yourself as Daimyo, fight one of the legendary six Samurai! If you win, you can challenge the Shogun”.
Yoshiharu Horio, a hero from the siege of Inabayama, approached Mizuo.
"If you dare threaten lord Nobu-…."
Mizuo held her sword to his throat. It was so close he stopped speaking for fear of mutilation. Nobunaga called him out. "Enough!"
Everyone looked at him, burning the message with a torch.
"If I am to become king, there cannot be a powerful Shogun! Monkey, Dog, Devil…. you three will come with me! I accept his challenge."
Mizuo would ferry them to the capital. They traveled using her Onika's water power.
Nobunaga had questions.
"Now that we are safely on land again, I must ask. Why didn't you just drop us in the sea? We would have all drowned promptly in our armor. Secondly…. are you permanently in a trance? You always have that armor and your Onika blades. That monkey over there can only use his trance for about five minutes."
Hideyoshi chimed in.
"Actually…. I've been training to…."
Nobunaga quickly hushed him, and they soon headed for Kyoto. A very small, armored man with a massive needle was waiting at the gate to the capital.
"The Kengo Shogun has invited six clans to compete in a tournament for the right to their territory. Each daimyo and their chosen Samurai will compete against one of the Six Samurai of the Shogun. You are the 6th clan. You will face the mighty Mizuo of the waves. At any point in time, you can surrender. In doing so, you will spare the lives of yourself and your countrymen both present and distant”.
Nobunaga asked who had challenged the Shogun.
Yariza explained, “The six invited clans are the Miyoshi, Oda, Mori, Hojo, Takeda, and Uesugi. The others will be offered the same treatment and opportunities as you”.
"Sounds like we have some serious competition. We will defeat the Shogun. There’s no other way to become king!" Nobunaga boldly stated.
As such, the Oda would enter the capital and participate in the tournament.
1565 SIX DAIMYO
Shingen was led to a dining hall near Nijo palace. Already in attendance were Nobunaga Oda and his retainers Katsuie Shibata, Toshiie Maeda, and Hideyoshi Hashiba. Shingen and his men sat on the opposite side of the room.
Before long, Nobunaga spoke. "Takeda, Tiger of Kai. You are a legend. To be seated at the same table as you must mean I'm also a legend”.
Shingen laughed. "Boy, you certainly think highly of yourself. However, I will say that victory over Yoshimoto was very impressive. How did you achieve that?".
Nobunaga looked back at Hideyoshi and Toshiie. "Well, I knew where his camp was, so I staged a last stand at a nearby fortress. There, I waited until his main force set up camp. I sent potent wine, and while his men were drunk and sleeping, I charged. Yoshimoto was a powerful enemy. Had I not carried this….” Nobunaga showed the Onikage - a magnificent evil blade forged by the greatest Oni of all time. The blade was now his eternal prison.
Nobunaga continued, “….he certainly would have killed me. I took a gamble, and it paid off”.
Shingen laughed. "Boy, I think you had more than mere luck….". He was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"I'll second that! I always considered you my rival. Maybe I should pay more attention to Owari”.
Shingen laughed. "Ujiyasu! You stone-faced geezer. I was wondering if you were going to even show up. The Ashikaga and Hojo aren't the best of friends these days. What's to say the Shogun won’t just poison you?”.
Ujiyasu grunted. "So what if he does? I came here for one reason. I came to finish what my grandfather started. I'm going to destroy the Ashikaga once and for all”.
A calm voice chimed in. "If you destroy the Shogunate, the lights will shine on us. The daimyo who could become Shogun... I also predict our rapid land grabs will end as well” Motonari Mori entered the room.
Motonari had quickly secured power in Chugoku. Of all present daimyo, he had the safest territory. Also, he was a tactical genius. He was about ready to address the situation at hand.
"This isn't a normal position we find ourselves in. Each of his Samurai we are about to fight has destroyed an entire clan”.
A condescending voice filled the room. "Does that frighten you, Motonari?".
Nagayoshi Miyoshi, with his brothers Kazumasa Sogo and Yoshikata, entered the room.
"You needn't worry about Yoshiteru. I assure you he just needs to be reminded who's really in control. After all, he is basically in my care”.
"More like a chained monster you've lost control of. It now sweeps across the land, leaving a path of devastating destruction in its wake. All of his injustices should be levied against you, then?" a fierce voice addressed the other.
Nagayoshi smiled.
“Ah…. Lord Uesugi! To hear your preachy talk of justice and villainous acts and integrity in person. I certainly am lucky..! Quiet down, or I'll throw Shingen at you for another ten years”.
Shingen rose to respond to his provocation. Suddenly, the room went silent. Loud footsteps shook off the walls, and it sounded as if a giant was approaching them.
Nobunaga was almost excited to hear them.
"Here he comes!"
1565 GEKOKUJO
A large figure entered the room, clad in thick heavy armor and carrying a massive sword as tall as a man and as thick as five swords. There was no mistake. The figure carried the great sword originally wielded by all three kings of humanity.
Eventually, it would become known as Shien for the monstrous shogun it imprisoned. Still, compared to the Shogun, it seemed only slightly larger.
"Greetings. I assume you all know me well by now. I am Yoshiteru Ashikaga…. or at least I was back when I was a mere tool for the Miyoshi. But I am something far greater now”.
Before anyone could even blink, the Shogun appeared before Nagayoshi and glared at him.
Nagayoshi was visibly terrified. “I hope that's okay with you….. My Lord”.
Nobunaga thought to himself, "What is this incredible power? I've never felt anything of this magnitude. He's got Miyoshi looking like a scared dog. Just like Mizuo, he seems to be always in trance. Even if I used Onikage's power…. could I beat him? I didn't expect him to be this strong."
Shingen, too was thinking about the Shogun.
Motonari looked at him and seemed to agree with him. Likewise, Kenshin seemed to understand the situation.
After observing the nonverbal conversation, Nobunaga nodded to agree. Hojo and Miyoshi were too occupied with the Shogun, and they did not notice that an unspoken alliance was being formed.
The Shogun was ready to make his point.
"I have summoned you all here to take part in the greatest show of all time! Imagine it as a play reenacting a legendary battle from years ago. I will play the role of Shogun Shien, and you lot will play the Victory Team. Before long, you will understand my power is my authority. If you wish to surrender, you may do so at any time. If calmer heads don't prevail, I have construed an arena to hold a tournament. In the morrow, you will face the Six Samurai. If you lose, your land will become my land as it rightfully should. You all seem to have forgotten…. I AM THE RIGHTFUL SHOGUN! As far as I'm concerned, you are all worthless rebels, but rebels make excellent generals. So if I can recruit you, it'll be better for my forces. After you rebels are handled, surrendered, or annihilated, I will declare a war ban. Finally, I will confiscate all Onika”.
Nobunaga had heard enough. “You will never rule over the Oda! In this era of Gekokujo, I will take everything“.
The Shogun laughed. “Then the Oda will be destroyed! This era of Gekokujo is a myth. The weak can't take from the strong. I will prove this, even if I must personally break you in half. I'll send someone when the tournament is ready. Best of luck, you are going to need it!”
1565 UTAGE
The next day, the daimyo and their warriors were conferring on the situation and preparing a strategy. Soon, a long-time servant of the Ashikaga arrived - Joun Morita, a Christian samurai and die-hard loyalist of the Shogunate.
“I'm here to lead you all to your demise at the tournament. I've taken the liberty to arrange gravesites for you all. A kindness from his majesty, the Kengo Shogun”.
Nobody tried hard to hide their dislike of the man, but they did follow him to the tournament area, nevertheless.
"I will go before you, traitors. We will open the gate when the opening celebration is ready”.
The six daimyo entered when the gates opened. Dozens of musicians played instruments, and the vibration of the drums shook the ground. The arena was a massive stone rectangle. In front of that, six massive pillars, each with one of the six samurai atop. While the sun rose, a massive stone set of stairs emerged from the ground, leading to a throne on which the Shogun was sitting. As the music slowed down, the six started to display their ability.
Shinai raised and lowered the stone pillars. Mizuo shot torrents of water into the air. Kageki had several bolts of lightning strike the stage. Zanji shot several fireballs that Kizan exploded with his sword. Yariza displayed his ability to move at the speed of sound. As the display ended, the Kengo Shogun stood.
“The tournament is ready to start. The first match will be the Miyoshi clan vs. Kizan”.
Hisahide Matsunaga watched carefully as Kazumasa Sogo entered the arena. Kizan jumped from his pillar to the stage. Sogo, without saying a word, drew his weapon and charged at Kizan.
As soon as their swords crossed, there was an explosion, and the shrapnel from his sword wounded Sogo. However, he quickly recovered and drew his wakizashi. Despite that, his calves set on fire, and Kizan landed a fatal strike, making him burst into flames.
Nagayoshi, enraged, charged into the arena; however, his leg exploded mysteriously as well.
The sole remaining Miyoshi retainer, seeing his brothers, one of whom was his lord, die, charged Kizan and was quickly felled. Kizan was seemingly victorious.
However, Nobunaga saw it as clear as day. Every time Hisahide snapped and smirked, someone exploded.
"So he has an explosive Onika. That guy is interesting. Why did he kill his team?"
The Shogun made an announcement.
“Kizan has failed, as has the Miyoshi. The next match will be Mori vs. Yariza.
Come, Kizan- return to the great sword!”.
The Shogun's massive blade then absorbed Kizan's essence. Nobunaga didn't expect to see Kizan absorbed.
"I understand now! That was actually Kizan of the Six. He's testing us against Real Onika. This competition is not a joke. It's a battle for survival."
He looked at Motonari and wondered if the aged commander would have the strength to defeat an Onika.
1565 THE SPEED OF LIGHT
Motonari didn't bring any warriors with him, only his sons. When the time came to choose a combatant, he chose himself.
“You are the future of the Mori, Kikkawa and Kobayakawa. I won't risk losing you to this monster. Don't be like the Miyoshi clan. If I am killed, do not attempt to avenge me. Also, if I die, never turn on your brothers. Greed will destroy you. Separate, you are each a thin arrow, easily broken. But together, you are a strong bundle, an almost unbreakable one. Hikari, I'll need all the help I can get in this one”.
Hikari's power manifested on Motonari's right wrist in the form of a crossbow made of light.
“Motonari, you are just like Ninigi and Kengo. Yariza is fast, but he's too cocky. I'll give you exactly what you need”.
Motonari entered the arena. Nobunaga watched anxiously.
“Motonari is in a trance, a very subtle one. Usually, they are flashy, but Motonari’s very refined. I suppose it comes with age. But why hasn't Yariza moved?"
Motonari suddenly received a thin cut on his cheek. Yariza was still seated on his pillar.
Motonari laughed. "Stop messing with me. I know you're running circles around me while maintaining an after image on the pillar”.
Immediately, Yariza disappeared from the pillar and appeared in front of Motonari.
“If you couldn't see me, how did you know?".
Motonari laughed. “I never said I couldn't see your movements. You just assumed that. Well, I must say you are certainly fast. Speed is your gimmick. You are way faster than sound. However, do you know what is faster than sound?”.
Yariza pondered and was about to answer when an arrow made of light went through his chest.
"Light! Light is as fast as something can travel. If I remember correctly, you were beaten by Queen Fuu in the old stories. She dropped Bankaze on you. I intend to beat you in a very similar manner. You see, while you were taunting my afterimage, I was following you. I learned that at your speed, the shortest distance you can travel is ten feet. So, I placed light arrows every nine feet. Dozens of my arrows are trained on you, and you are too slow to evade them!".
Yariza yelled, "Or so you think! I wasn't using my full speed!”.
He appeared at Motonari's position and ran him through with his needle sword. Just then, the area was showered in light arrows riddling both with holes. Motonari disappeared, then reappeared at Yariza's original location.
“I see you haven't figured it out yet. It was all a ploy. I set the arrows to my position and lured you with simple provocation. It appears you were slower in more than one way!”.
The Shogun rose and absorbed Yariza's essence.
"Motonari has successfully defeated Yariza. Congratulations, you will advance to the final battle. The next battle will be the Uesugi vs. Kageki”.
Nobunaga glared at Kenshin. "A modest man with a slender build, not a chance of beating a lightning God. Perhaps he is hiding something. There has to be a reason people call him a God of War. Show me your true power war, God."
1565 HOW MANY SWORDS?
Kenshin entered the stage and stared at Kageki, who materialized two swords and taunted Kenshin.

“Hey, old monk…. your sword has several points, but I have two swords. Two beats one any day.”
Kenshin laughed. "We shall see. Great Bishamonten, God of War!”.
Kenshin activated his Onika, and his sword turned into three blades.
Kageki laughed and materialized two additional arms, each with another sword. He continued to taunt Kenshin.
“Three swords are impressive, but four swords are too much for even you”.
"Then I'll have to enter my trance,” he announced solemnly. “Great Bishamonten, share your power with me! Allow me to deliver justice to our enemies!".
Two additional swords appeared, and Kenshin caught them as they approached them. This fascinated Nobunaga.
"I see, in the ancient stories, those two impaled Kanto Taira. By catching them, he must increase his power drastically, like a second trance. I now see why they call him a God of war."
“In case you've lost count, that's five swords,” Kenshin taunted before he sent his swords at Kageki. Kageki deflected all, revealing two more arms.
"Uesugi, six swords beat five any day!"
Kenshin smiled.
"To think you would have so many swords.”
Kageki laughed and spun four of his blades around. “You see, I've already fought a wielder of Bishamonten. His name was Kanto Taira. Guess what? I beat him effortlessly. You will die here, then I'll kill everyone you brought as well”.
Kenshin launched his swords again.
“Do you want to know something, Kageki? I've been holding back.”
Each of his swords split into two swords. Kageki was quickly overwhelmed.
“Now, ten swords are far more than six. Just as our titles. A daimyo is much greater than a samurai,” he announced.
Kageki asked in a panic, "How many swords can you even conjure?"
Kenshin had his blades cut Kageki to pieces.
The Shogun then absorbed Kageki and announced, “Uesugi also advances to the Final. Our next match will be the Hojo vs. Shinai.
1565 HOJO THE USURPER
Shingen complimented Kenshin on his victory.
“I didn't expect you to beat him at first, but you were incredible. I can't believe I ever survived against you on the battlefield”.
Kenshin smiled and responded, "Save your admiration for my battle. Just remember yours is coming soon”.
"I'm not worried in the slightest. Masakage will be entering on my behalf. He's incredible with the Amaterasu; he's surpassed Toramasa in three short months. There isn’t a warrior alive that could beat him”.
Kenshin smiled. "If your warriors are so skilled, perhaps I should test their mettle in battle once more?".
Shingen was noticeably irritated. "Don't even say that in jest. Is battle all you think about?".
Kenshin averted his gaze to the stage.
"Hush, for now, nemesis. The battle is about to start”.
Shingen sighed. "Well…. at least you're consistent. I wonder what Ujiyasu will do”.
Ujiyasu stared at his opponent as Shinai stomped and the stage fragmented. He pointed at Ujiyasu and shouted.
"Ujiyasu Hojo, grandson of the Usurper Soun! I can't wait to present your head to the Kengo Shogun. Of all six samurai, death by my hands is the slowest and most painful. That's not by accident. The Shogun has to submit the others, but you…. he hates you. My Lord the Shogun has ordered you to pay for your family's crime”.
Ujiyasu smiled.
"My grandfather killed the great Shogun Ryuha. I have quite the legacy to live up to. Interesting fact, when I was a mere boy…. my father would repeat three stories to me. The first was the story of the Hojo clan's code. The second was his glorified recounting of my grandfather's battle against Ryuha. The third, my favorite - was the story of when V.T beat you and your Shogun. If I recall, the first Raigeki, Gonda Shimazu, humiliated you. Isn't that correct?".
Shinai was successfully provoked and started launching large pieces of the stage at him. However, using his Onika, Sannin protected himself with a stone wall. Sannin continued to throw large pieces off the stage. Hojo's legendary defense would deflect all.
Shinai was livid, and using his massive clubs, he shattered the four vacant pillars. He then proceeded to launch the largest pieces at Ujiyasu, who simply rose the ground behind him to evade the stones.
He had had his fun and decided to end the battle. He looked down at Shinai and said, "I thank you. You aren't aware yet, but you handed me this victory. You see, our powers are virtually the same. The exception is my powers are more defensive, historically. Your method is to cast stones. This stage, those pillars, and that throne are all monuments to your wasted potential. My grandfather made an impregnable wall around Odawara. Only a wielder of the Sannin can enter or leave. You built all this, but…. you still only use your power to throw massive rocks. To crush, to destroy, and to kill. So I have elected to end you with tiny rocks. You reduced your wonderful stage and pillars to big stones to throw. However, you made many smaller insignificant rocks. They are going to defeat you. SANNIN, 10,000 HURLED STONES!".
Just then, rocks flew at Shinai at incredible speed, punching hundreds of holes in him. It was as if a thousand riflemen had been focusing fire on him.
Kengo rose and absorbed him, and made a different announcement.
“The usurper has advanced, but the arena has been destroyed. I need time to rebuild the stage. In the morning, the Takeda will battle with Zanji”.
Masakage glared at Zanji. The opportunity to test his newfound power was almost upon him. After the battle, Nobunaga looked at the small stones and where Shinai had fallen. He then looked to a sack of gunpowder tied to Hisahide's waist.
1565 ENEMY OF MY ENEMY
The remaining daimyo and their warriors sat in the dining hall, speaking. Ujiyasu boasted about his fight and said he was confident he could marathon all six Samurai. Shingen laughed and said Ujiyasu wasn't willing to admit that he struggled against Shinai. Ujiyasu rose, ready to brawl. Kenshin also rose soon after, followed by Nobunaga.
"ENOUGH! You are acting like children. Individually, we are pathetic,” thundered Motonari.
He grabbed a single arrow and snapped it.
“I taught all of my sons this lesson. Now I will pass it on to you. We need to work together. I suspect Kengo will personally fight us after the six are beaten. Did no one read the story?”.
Motonari grabbed three arrows and tied them together, and tried to break them. He then passed them around to Nobunaga, Shingen and Kenshin. None of them were able to break them.
Shingen smiled. "Very well, Motonari - you have my support”.
Nobunaga joined him. "Mine as well”.
Kenshin followed too. "I'll fight at your sides”.
Ujiyasu, however, grabbed the arrows and broke them on his knee with a quick snap.
“See, that wasn't so hard”. It was clear he believed only in himself.
Nobunaga questioned him, "So you would rather die alone? Why not simply help us?"
Ujiyasu stared at him. "You are just a boy, pretending to be a Daimyo. Perhaps your father should have explained to you that you can only trust yourself. If I trusted you, how exposed would my back be?" Ujiyasu stormed off, leaving the other Daimyo be.
They spent the night planning and resting. In the morning, Joun collected them and led them to the tournament grounds.
The stage was repaired. Zanji was already waiting for a challenger. Masakage Yamagata was ready to prove himself and eagerly entered the arena.
1565 THE HOTTEST ONIKA
Zanji's Odachi inspired awe in the daimyo. Many wondered how he would wield such a large weapon.
Masakage thought to himself.
"It's massive, and as long as the Amaterasu. Lady Amaterasu, please grant me the power to protect your descendants. I can't lose to him”.
He felt her words in his head, almost as if she was whimpering in his ear.
"So, it's finally time to see you fight. Remember, my dear Masakage, wield me as an extension of yourself. If you handle me well, I'll grant you the power to destroy far greater than this lowly servant before us. His is the power of finesse and fire. He can't match my power, the power of beauty and the Sun. If you fall here, I will know you weren't like Toramasa. But if you beat Zanji, I'll know you deserve to use my power”.
Masakage Yamagata activated his trance, and its heat was so great the nearby grass dried out instantly and caught fire.
Nobunaga wasn't expecting this level of power from one of Shingen's men.
"Masakage Yamagata, I can see why your reputation is so impressive."
Zanji taunted Masakage, "Impressive for a dog of the Takeda. However, when I slaughtered the Wakasa Takeda, I killed many dogs at your level. The only difference is you have an Onika. Unfortunately for you, you brought a Fire-type Onika. In terms of fire, mine is the Hottest. I'll show you a mere mortal the distance between us,” said Zanji.
He coated his blade in fire and swung it in Masakage's direction. A wave of concentrated flames hit Masakage's armor, which started to melt.
Masakage cut the straps to his armor.
“His flames are hotter than I expected. They bypassed my barrier. This is troublesome; that barrier keeps out the heat. His stroke is quick too. He truly is a god of finesse,” he thought to himself.
"This is child's play - now I'll end this quickly!" Zanji yelled.
He made many slashes and dashed towards Yamagata. Masakage quickly dodged and evaded the incoming flames. Then, he launched one of his own. Zanji mocked him.
"You fool, I already said my fire is the hottest! Your flames will meet mine and be overpowered” Zanji erected a wall of flames.
Masakage smiled. "Zanji, you are right; your fire is the hottest. But you seem to forget….The Amaterasu isn't a fire weapon at all. She is the sun goddess, and the sun is hotter than any fire!”.
Masakage's heat attack expanded and broke through Zanji's defense, reducing him to ash.
Nobunaga was impressed. “Masakage Yamagata, you have proven the might of Shingen's legendary warriors. I suppose the stories about the Takeda clan's warriors hold some merit."
The Kengo Shogun rose and absorbed Zanji.
“The Takeda has overcome Zanji and advanced. The last battle of round one will be The Oda vs. Mizuo.”
1565 ONI-SHIBATA
Nobunaga conferred with his warriors.
"Mizuo is a water user like Ryujin or Tsunami. Which one of us is most suited to combat a water user?".
"My skill is wind-based, so I'll do it. Lord Shibata has two, but both are weak to water, while Toshiie…." said Hideyoshi.
Katsuie shouted, interrupting him. "MONKEY! Don't think I'll let you talk down on my Onika like that! You won't be stealing my glory today! I'll beat Mizuo, and you will just sit here and watch a true Samurai!".
"Lord Shibata, I didn't mean any disrespect. This isn't a competition against us; it's a serious battle for our lives".
"Hm.., just watch! I'll show you might is more important than advantage”.
Katsuie entered the stage. His axes once belonged to two members of V.T., one fire and the other sand. He was a rare sight, a massive man that wielded two Onika. Of all the men in Nobunaga's employ, Katsuie was the strongest.
Katsuie slammed his axes into the stage and bellowed a mighty roar. Mizuo was not impressed, however. Katsuie was preparing to taunt her when suddenly he couldn't breathe anymore.
She had created a sphere of water around his head. He struggled around, but the water stayed there unmoving. He lifted one of his axes into the sphere and filled it with sand. The water turned to mud and fell away.
It was then Katsuie knew not to waste time - his opponent was deadly. Using his other ax, he flung several fire attacks towards Mizuo, then formed a sand tornado. Mizuo washed all of his attacks away with a massive wave.
Katsuie had almost drowned again.
“That stupid monkey was right. This bitch is going to kill me. I need to figure out a new attack water can't stop”.
Mizuo attempted to cover him in a sphere of water again, but he quickly shut it down using sand again.
"The same trick, when water mixes with sand…. oh, that's it!".
He was desperate and was resorting to an old story.  He clanked his axes together and formed a massive sphere of sand and another of fire. His obsidian armor duel trance on, Toshiie watched closely. He secretly worried to himself that it wouldn't be enough.
Mizuo laughed. "You stupid ape, you poured all your remaining ki into two useless attacks. My water will once more stop them. This time, you'll die!".
She then launched a torrent of water at him.
Katsuie grabbed both of his attacks and combined them, making a much bigger wave of lava. Katsuie shouted, "Witness the true power of ONI SHIBATA!"
The water evaporated upon contact with the lava, and immediately Mizuo was swallowed by the molten rock.
The Shogun rose and entered the stage, absorbing Mizuo. As she evaporated in Katsuie's final attack, the surviving combatants breathed a sigh of relief. The Shogun entered the arena, absorbed Mizuo's ki, then announced, "The six have been defeated…. good. All has gone according to my plan! This is your last chance to submit”.
1565 BRAVE MEN
Shingen looked at the man.
“What do you mean? Your plan was for us to kill your best men and leave you defenseless? Bad plan”.
"For being so smart, you are quite foolish. You destroyed corpses. I reanimated my guards with most of the six samurai's power; then, I had each destroy an entire clan. Then I had the lot of you fight them”.
Nobunaga’s eyes widened. "Why would he do this?".
"Isn't it clear? He wants us to know the difference between our power and his,” Motonari replied.
Katsuie yelled back at the Shogun, enraged. "I'll show you my power!"
"Katsuie, don't go alone!” Nobunaga shouted.
However, Katsuie charged at the shogun. Kengo hit him with a strong wind blast and sent him flying out of the ring. He then turned to the remaining combatants and held up his open hand.
"Five...I'm giving you five minutes to surrender or formulate a plan. But I warn you, even together, you don't stand a chance!"
Motonari rushed to Shingen, and Nobunaga and Kenshin soon joined them.
They called for Ujiyasu to join them, but the other looked disgusted.
"You fools can huddle up all you want. I'm not scared of him. He's only one man. I'm going to finish what my grandfather started”.
Ujiyasu ran forward with the mighty Sannin in hand. Just as he planned, the Shogun attempted to strike him with Shien. Ujiyasu raised a massive stone wall, which immediately crumbled before the massive blade. The Shogun then summoned a club of Shinai. He struck Ujiyasu down, breaking his shoulder, then struck him again in the gut, knocking him back.
Shingen looked in shock.
"This is very bad. I knew he was strong, but Katsuie and Ujiyasu didn't stand a chance”.
Motonari agreed. "I think our only shot…. is to go all in. Everyone, this is the only way!".
Motonari and his sons took the leftmost position. Shingen, Masakage and Nobufusa joined Kenshin and Kageie Kakizaki parallel to the Shogun. Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Toshiie Maeda stood to the right. The Shogun looked around and planted all of the six samurai weapons on the stage in front of himself.
The Kengo Shogun shouted again. "You still had one minute. You'll regret not using it. The final round is upon us. The Shogunate wins”.
Nobunaga shouted. "Not if we have anything to say about it!".
These brave men are about to fight an invincible opponent. The Kengo Shogun had successfully re-created the battle of V.T and the great Shogun.
1565 HIDEYOSHI'S POTENTIAL
Some of the more reckless warriors attacked first. Hideyoshi, Kageie and Toshiie assailed the Shogun simultaneously. Each was immediately defeated. Motonari looked at Shingen and nodded. Shingen acknowledged him, then disappeared. Kenshin and Nobunaga attempted a pincer, attacking the opponent from two sides. Kenshin was kneed in the stomach, and Nobunaga was pierced twice with Yariza. Shingen attempted to ensnare him with his banners.
Just then, Motonari appeared in the sky behind the Shogun. He had conjured a massive light arrow aimed directly at the trapped Shogun. As he let it fly, Kengo broke free of his bindings.
Motonari heard a voice behind him. The speaker was so close he could feel the heat of his breath.
"How does it feel to have your only option taken from you?”.
The Shogun then knocked Motonari to the ground with his elbow.
Shingen had expended all his remaining ki. He stopped the light arrow from killing everyone using Hachimon.
Katsuie Shibata stood tall and prepared a giant ball of lava. When the Shogun got in range, Katsuie hurled it at him. The Shogun countered it with a torrent of water, followed by a powerful gale of wind. The smoldering rocks peppered the samurai below.
Hideyoshi looked around, seeing everyone wounded. He saw Nobunaga barely conscious.
"Monkey, you have serious potential. I'll need you to realize all of it if we are to make a new world."
He remembered Nobunaga's words. "Give me your power; I don't care how hurt I am; I need to beat this guy. I serve my king, not a Shogun!” Hideyoshi pleaded with Bankaze.
"You sound serious…. you're more like Fuu than I originally thought. Let's ascend your trance, then." Bankaze said, doubling the usual amount of ki he gave to Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi physically changed, grew additional body hair, and took a more ape-like stance. He was stronger than ever before. The Shogun looked towards him and was immediately struck in the face with the Bankaze staff.
Hideyoshi effortlessly extended it. Then, he formed a cloud and jumped on it, riding it to the Shogun, who was surprised to even be struck. Hideyoshi grew to massive size and crushed the Shogun under his giant palm.
Nobunaga smiled while looking at Hideyoshi's effortless victory. Just then, Hideyoshi screamed in pain.
The Shogun had cut through his palm.
"Do you know why I prefer a large opponent? They make a bigger target."
Using Kageki's power, he threw a javelin of lightning into Hideyoshi's chest. He formed a giant stone and slammed it into Hideyoshi's back, reverting him to his base form. The Shogun stood above him with the Shien sword. Before his coup de grace, he taunted him.
"Do you fear death? Then you aren't even a samurai. Pathetic.. you must be a peasant. You are about to see the difference between the Shogun and a mere peasant."
As he brought his massive sword down, Toshiie and Nobunaga stopped it. Toshiie was immediately sent flying with a lightning Javelin. The Shogun then shattered Nobunaga's sword and blew him backward with Yariza's power.
"You have all tasted defeat. This is your last chance. Two options….surrender or die?" the Shogun insisted once again.
Hisahide then stepped onto the stage. The Shogun and the few warriors still barely coherent focused their attention on him.
"My Lord Shogun Kengo, I would say you almost won. However, you made one fatal mistake! You shouldn't have trusted me. You see, my trance isn't quite what it seems”.
He held up his left hand.
"It looks like a fancy glove, but it gives me two abilities. The first is the ability to turn air into explosive black powder. The second is the real trick. When I snap my fingers…. the powder is ignited. Ever since the second round, I've been covering you little by little….waiting for my opportunity”.
Everyone remembered Miyoshi vs. Kizan. Suddenly, the mysterious explosions and burnings made sense.
However, the Shogun was not impressed.
"Did you think I would not notice how much heavier my armor was? Go ahead, fool, take your best shot. But if you miss…. you'll lose everything you've gained here, and more!".
1565 THE POWER TO BEAT A TYRANT
Hisahide snapped his fingers, and a large explosion consumed the Shogun. That entire area was covered in thick, dark smoke.
"Thank you, challengers. Because of your help distracting him, I was able to destroy the Sh-….”.
Before he was done speaking, a large arm emerged from the smoke and lifted him.
"Did you honestly think I'd be killed by something of this magnitude? Well, you did better than the rest, at least…. you damaged my chest plate. If you like these fools so much, why not join them?”.
The Shogun brought Hisahide crashing down on his knee. He then tossed him at the defeated daimyo.
Hisahide tried to stand back up but immediately collapsed. Before losing consciousness, he pleaded.
"Please, someone….his armor…. it's damaged. Is there anyone….”. Hisahide fell unconscious.
Nobunaga stood up, his katana broken. However, he still had a weapon.
He imagined Onikage's taunts as he unsealed the blade. "I swore to never use this power again….but there is no other way! Onikage, please grant me the power to overcome this monster!".
Onikage laughed. "Look at you, too good for my power. Kid, the first taste was free. If you want the power to kill this False-god, I need blood!".
Nobunaga hesitated, then used the blade to cut his hand. Immediately, the Shichisto was sucked into the wound, and it started to glow with a purple aura. This was substantially more power than he had been given at Okehazama. It was the power to stop a tyrant. Nobunaga looked down at his trembling, glowing hand.
“Everyone who is still conscious, I now have the means to stop him! But I can't do it alone. I'll never make it. Please, if you have any strength left to fight - I need but one shot”.
Shingen slowly started to get up.
“Kid…. I'll do what I can…. Kenshin, do you have any Ki left?"
Kenshin grinned. "Certainly more than you, nemesis!".
Nobunaga screamed. "I just need to reach him! Let's prove we don't need a Shogun”.
He gathered a small ball of purple Ki in his palm and sprinted towards the Shogun.
Kengo looked at him with an even wider grin. "Pathetic! Did you think I would let you come close to me?". Using the power of Shinai, the shogun threw several stones at him.
Nobunaga used the power of Onikage to evade them. Then, he saw a massive boulder heading for him. It was too big to evade...
1565 NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION
The boulder heading for Nobunaga exploded, turned to dust by an instant flash of light.
Motonari Mori shouted. "Finish this…. Nobunaga!".
He then collapsed from exhaustion.
Nobunaga continued towards the Shogun, who in return shot a stream of water at him using Mizuo's power. But Nobunaga evaded it.
The Shogun then threw a lightning Javelin at him, and this time, he couldn't dodge.
Just then, it was blocked by a stone wall. Ujiyasu Hojo wasn't out yet. The Shogun was surprised to see the Lion on Sagami defend Nobunaga.
"Very well, what will you choose if I target both of you?".
He threw two more, one aimed at Nobunaga and the other at Ujiyasu. Nobunaga was ready to take it.
"There's no way Hojo will defend me again while his life is on the line. At least I fought to the end…."
Just then, a stonewall intercepted the attack meant for him. He looked to Ujiyasu, a hole in his chest, falling to his knees.
"Make it count, kid….".
Ujiyasu drifted off, and Nobunaga continued towards Kengo, ten paces away. He was so close.
A powerful gust knocked him off his feet.
"What a shame? You almost made it….”.
The Shogun raised his massive sword in the air.
"Kansuke once told me…."
‘This one knows, if you and Kenshin worked together…. not even the Gods could stop you!’.
Kenshin's swords converged on the Shogun. He quickly deflected them all.
“You thought something of that caliber was going to kill me?" the opponent thundered.
"Hardly….consider this a lesson from my late mentor Kagemura Kurasawa. It's called misdirection. I needed your attention for just a moment. NOW, SHINGEN!".
Shingen's banners wrapped around the Shogun's arms, legs and chest. "He certainly was wise; I'll never forget his wisdom” Shingen smiled.
"Fools! This won't contain me!" the Shogun whined. He started to free himself, tearing the banners.
Just then, Nobunaga slammed his palm into the crack in the Shogun's armor. The man stopped resisting and taunted Nobunaga.
"All that effort and you hit me with something this puny….".
Nobunaga interrupted him. "SHINIDAMA, EXPAND!".
The ball of Ki in his hand turned black and started to grow. It grew so big it lifted the Shogun off the ground.
"How unfortunate for you!" Nobunaga screamed.
"Is that it? I'm beaten by these lowly Daimyo. It truly is Gekokujo! What will this land do without a Shogun?".
Shingen released Hachimon, and the Kengo Shogun flew into Nijo palace. The shinidama exploded, killing the Shogun and destroying the building.
Exhausted, Nobunaga smiled. "Not even the mighty Shogun can beat destiny. Fret not, Yoshiteru. I'll unite this land and make a new world without power-hungry warlords."