Chapter 11: An Old Friend, Now an Adversary

Iinoya Castle – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Spring.

“It’s been quite a while, Takechiyo.”

“When was the last time, Tsurumaru-sama?”

“Let’s see… the last time we called each other by these names¹You might have realized it already, but ancient Japanese has this custom of having childhood names. This is the example of it. Of course, they’ll also change their names again later depending on what’s going on in their lives, but that’s a story for another time. was when Tatsuomaru-sama²Ujizane’s childhood name married Haru-sama³I’ve mentioned it before, but she is the daughter of Hōjō Ujiyasu. She’s also known as Lady Hayakawa, who they made a playable character in Samurai Warriors. Meanwhile Ujizane isn’t playable yet.. We secretly met in the bamboo grove right outside the Imagawa Residence during the wedding day to offer our congratulations.”

“Right, right. Goodness, those days feel so nostalgic…”

Motoyasu’s expression shifted clearly, indulging in nostalgia. It was as if he genuinely cherished those days—our childhood days—even though he lived his life as a hostage back then.

“I’ll get straight to the point. It’s still not too late. Return to Imagawa, support Ujizane-sama and help restore the clan to its former glory.”

“…Masataka-dono, I believe you already know my answer. That won’t happen no matter what. Surely you can tell by seeing what happened to my father-in-law. Ujizane-sama is unable to even trust his own retainers right now.”

“Regardless, as one of his core retainers, I will help you out. If even that doesn’t help…”

“Will you give up? Conclude that Imagawa no longer has the right to be the ruler of Tōkai?”

“No, I will make him take you back no matter what. I believe it will happen. After all, the three of us have been together for a really long time, no?”

Even after I said all that, Motoyasu didn’t nod his head in agreement. Well, I expected as much.

If he was the kind of person who’d accept such a suggestion so easily, I wouldn’t even bother to put him in my sight in the first place.

I glanced at Ohisa-sama. She watched the conversation unfold with a complex expression. What was it that she was thinking, I wonder?

“I can see that you’ve made your stance clear, Motoyasu. Then, let’s leave that behind and start to talk about what actually matters. I don’t want to make Ohisa-sama feel left out, after all.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Time to get to the main topic. But first, I’d have to clarify my position.

“Let me say this upfront. Even if I agree to this, I have no intention to side with Matsudaira. I have already notified Ujizane-sama in advance.”

“I understand. Our side is just desperate to preserve the Matsudaira’s bloodline, hence we thought it’d be reassuring if you were to take Ohisa-sama, Masataka-dono. That’s what led us to our current conversation.”

“I see. But is that really all there is to it? If preserving your bloodline is your goal, then marrying her to Oda Nobunaga would be a better bet. Unlike Imagawa who are gradually losing their territories, Nobunaga is already about to end the internal strife within his clan. Owari will soon become his. Why do you offer Ohisa-sama to me?”

“Because there has been talk of a marriage between my son, Takechiyo, and Nobunaga-sama’s daughter, Tokuhime-sama. That’s why I thought it’ll be fitting to have my sister wed to you, Masataka-dono. After all, we’re old friends.”

His expression didn’t waver even a little as he said that. Motoyasu said smoothly as if that was the plain truth.

But something had been bothering me, and this whole thing made me realize once again that this was how samurai daughters were treated. Instead of letting them fight on the battlefield, they were used as diplomatic tools. Motoyasu might seem to treat his sister with respect, but he still saw her as a pawn in his plan to make Matsudaira flourish.

That was how bad of an era to live in this era was. Wars could break out at any moment, especially in this Tōkai where the rulers were a bunch of hot-blooded men.

Takeda Shingen of Kai and Shinano, Hōjō Ujiyasu of Sagami⁴Hōjō’s territory that borders Kai to its west and Suruga to its south-west. and Izu⁵Hōjō’s territory located across the sea to the east of Suruga and Tōtōmi, bordering Sagami to its north., Oda Nobunaga of Owari, and a little further away, Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo⁶Uesugi’s territory that directly borders Shinano.. In Kinai⁷This is the region that borders Tōkai. It’s where the Ashikaga shogunate was., the Ashikaga shogunate⁸The shogunate of the era, the Muromachi period (1336-1573) basically. In the history, Nobunaga got rid of them, ending the Muromachi period and starting the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1600) or better known as the Sengoku era/Warring States era. lingered, but the actual person in power, Miyoshi Nagayoshi⁹He is the most powerful figure in all Japan during this era. This man picked a fight with the shogun and a few other prominent clans in the region at once, won, and managed to control the shogunate’s central government., was steadily building his influence.

Until last year, Imagawa Yoshimoto’s name was considered as one of those great names of Tōkai, but the situation had changed now. Matsudaira was now ruling Mikawa, while Imagawa had to be content with Suruga and Tōtōmi.

“I see. Ohisa-sama.”

“What is it, Isshiki-sama?”

“Are you sure you want to proceed with this marriage? From now, Motoyasu and I will become adversaries for sure. What are you going to do when that happens? Will you be able to advise me to fight against him? You’re a clever woman. I know you’re more than able to arrange it so that I would have no option but to side with Matsudaira before I realized it.”

“Masataka-dono, Ohisa-sama is—”

Motoyasu tried to interrupt me, but Ohisa-sama stopped him.

“I wish to say something to you, Masataka-sama.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve heard about your characters from my brother, and it reassured me. He said that you’re a man who never compromises his principles. I deeply admire such a man. If you truly are such a person, Masataka-sama… I might end up prioritizing you over my own brother.”

Her sudden declaration left not only me but also Motoyasu stunned.

But a moment later, we both burst into laughter.

“I see. Forgive my rudeness, then. Though I am unworthy and inexperienced, I, Masataka, swear to become the man Ohisa-sama cherishes the most. So please rest assured. And, may I ask you to be my wife?”

“Is that truly okay? I’m quite a bothersome woman. Enough that my own brother even cast me out of the family.”

Her words seemed to shake Motoyasu deeply. My guess that he had been scheming something seemed to be true, but it seemed like Ohisa-sama had seen through it.

He still had a long way to go.

By the way, I wonder when he’d learn that Nobunaga knew about his dealings with Ii?

I’d love to see his stunned expression when that happened, but for now, let’s not get ahead of myself. Later, maybe.