What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 6

Eiroku 3 (1560), January 3rd – Yamanaka Residence

As dawn broke, the group from the Yagyū clan arrived. There were ten of them, all on horseback.

There were only three of us waiting to receive them.
Before dawn, Shinsuke had brought along a subordinate named Yamada and a horse for me.

We were all lightly armed, wearing armor with hachigane (forehead protectors).
Among the Yagyū group, some carried bows and spears—weapons that would allow us to fight our way through an ambush if necessary.

Nanto was not yet fully under Matsunaga’s control. For those of us allied with Matsunaga, this journey was almost like breaking through enemy lines.

“Lord Yamanaka, a happy New Year to you. I look forward to your continued support this year.”

The greeting came formally from the Yagyū side. The speaker was Yagyū Munetoshi, a robust samurai in his early thirties. I was about five years younger than him.
Despite this, he spoke with careful politeness, though I had heard that Munetoshi was naturally a man of straightforward and sincere character.

Actually, when I woke up this morning, I found that more of my memories from this era had returned.

I suspect that, gradually, more and more of my past will come back to me. At the same time, I can feel my modern-day memories beginning to fade.
Realizing this, I spent the morning writing down everything I could remember about history—just in case.

The most crucial figures to note were Matsunaga, Tsutsui, the shogun, and Oda. Also important were Iga, Sakai, and the Hongan-ji Temple.

“Happy New Year to you as well. I am honored to be in your company.”

“Shall we depart at once? The road ahead is not to be taken lightly.”

With Munetoshi and me in the center, the Yagyū group and Shinsuke’s men took formation at the front and rear.

We returned to the Yagyū Road and continued onward. Before long, the path began a steep descent.
At the bottom lay Naramachi, a town that had flourished around the gates of Kasuga Shrine and Kōfuku-ji Temple.

This area marked the northernmost part of the vast Nara Basin, stretching far south toward Asuka.

Our group cut straight through the town and headed toward Sahoyama, then began moving south along the Utahime Road.

From my residence to the Nara Basin was about two ri. From there to Utahime, one ri. Then another two and a half ri to Tsutsui. Altogether, a journey of five and a half ri lay ahead of us.

The Yagyū group galloped ahead at full speed, and we simply let our horses carry us forward, following in their wake.

We arrived at Tsutsui Castle about an ichikoku (two hours) later. While everyone else seemed unfazed, I was quite exhausted—I wasn’t yet accustomed to horseback riding.
Looks like I’ll need to train for this as well…

“Oh! You have come! Lord Yagyū, Lord Yamanaka. Given where you were stationed, I thought you might not make the journey.”

It was still early in the morning. Inside the gates, many kokujin-shū (local samurai lords) were waiting for their turn to be received, but we were ushered in immediately.

It seemed that our daring passage through enemy territory had earned us a warm welcome.

Matsunaga Hisahide—was appointed Danjo Shōhitsu and a direct retainer of Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshiteru.

Now in his early fifties, he was at the peak of his power and known in history as a great demon, infamous for his ruthless cunning.

I had imagined him to be a nervous, sickly man with a twisted and malicious gaze.
However, to my surprise, he was a warm, amiable-looking older gentleman with an easygoing smile.

His origins were unclear, but he was believed to have been born into a shigō (local samurai elite) family in either Kyōto or Settsu. Somehow, he had worked his way up to the very core of the Miyoshi Clan, which ruled the Kinai region.

Opinions about him varied—some called him highly competent and shrewd, others saw him as greedy, cunning, and erudite. He was a man so powerful that even the shōgun had to be mindful of his moods.

Even Oda Nobunaga, the so-called Sixth Demon King, held Matsunaga in high regard. Despite his own formidable presence, Nobunaga could never fully control Danjo (Matsunaga’s title).

One thing was certain—he was not a man I could hope to manipulate in any way.

“No, if we had failed to offer our New Year’s greetings simply because we feared passing through enemy territory, it would have been a disgrace to the Yagyū name,” Lord Yagyū answered confidently.

The Danjo nodded approvingly. He seemed to be in a good mood.

Now, it was my turn to speak.

“I am Yamanaka Yūzaburō, younger brother of Yamanaka Yūjirō. My elder brother has returned home urgently to tend to our father in his final moments, and in his absence, I have been appointed to take his place for the time being. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties, so I humbly ask for your favor and guidance.”

“Oh! So you are his younger brother… You do resemble him indeed. I, too, have a capable younger brother. Hearing your words reminded me of my brother Nagayori, who is currently struggling in Tanba. I look forward to working with you. But tending to your father in his final moments, you say…? I was a wayward son and was unable to be there for my father’s last moments. I hope Yamanaka-dono makes it in time…”

To our shock, Danjo (Matsunaga Hisahide) suddenly burst into tears. Without hesitation, he openly wept, tears streaming down his face for all to see.

We were all stunned. No—more than that, we were somewhat taken aback… It was quite dramatic.

On the way here, I had already told the Yagyū group that I was Yūzaburō, younger brother of Yūjirō.

“I see,” Lord Sōgen replied with an air of indifference. “Shinjirō and Magoroku had mentioned that something seemed a little off, and I myself had felt something was different. But if Lord Kitamura and the others have accepted you, then there is nothing more for me to say.”

His words were utterly matter-of-fact.

Well, that made sense. After all, it was of little—no, zero—concern to him what happened in someone else’s territory.

By contrast, Danjo’s reaction was grandiose.

I see… Perhaps a visionary and a powerful figure like him has no need to suppress his emotions. Instead, by expressing them so openly, he strengthens the morale of his subordinates.

“You honor me with your words. My brother also asked me to convey his deepest respects and regards to Lord Matsunaga.”

“I see… I see…”

As we departed, we were given a generous sum of coins as a reward, along with a certain order.

It was just as I had expected—no, it was slightly beyond my expectations.

The order was:

“This spring, we will attack Kōfuku-ji. You and your men will suppress the kokujin-shū (local samurai lords) of North Yamato.”

(This spring…?)

The New Year is also called “early spring,” meaning that spring has already begun.

In other words, the attack could happen anytime within the next one or two months.

(I need to pick up the pace…)

Beside me, Lord Sōgen was deep in thought, his expression grim.

–

“Lord Sōgen, thanks to you, I was able to pay my respects to Lord Matsunaga. I sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

We parted ways with the Yagyū group at Hirashimizu Village on the Yagyū Road. Since my estate lay along the Yamato Road, continuing that way would have been a detour for them.

“Not at all. To be honest, I was uneasy about meeting Lord Danjō alone. Your company was a great help. More importantly…”

Yes, Lord Sōgen was also contemplating Danjō’s orders. In that case, we should divide our tasks now.

“You mean the local samurai lords? I will handle the areas from here northward, covering Sugawa and Sagawa, then move toward Kamo-gō and Kizu, securing Nanto from the north.”

“…Then I will head south and make my way to Tsubaio.”

To the southeast of Nanto, atop Mount Tsubaio, stood a mountain fortress belonging to the Tsutsui clan. Tsutsui Junshō was likely hiding in that region.

The Yagyū clan had once served the Tsutsui, but their relationship was far from cordial. That was precisely how Yūjirō had convinced them to switch allegiance to Matsunaga.

Long ago, as the Tsutsui expanded their power, the Yagyū had fiercely resisted. In the end, their small Yagyū Castle was overrun by a massive army, forcing them to submit to the Tsutsui against their will. That bitter history left deep scars.

Even after Matsunaga’s eventual downfall, when the Tsutsui regained power, the Yagyū continued resisting them until the very end.

–

“One more thing, Lord Yagyū—I need to urgently resume my training. I’d like to visit Yagyū tomorrow to begin at once.”

“Come whenever you wish.”

With that, Yagyū Tajima-no-kami Sōgen led his group of skilled swordsmen and rode gallantly down the Road.

So badass.