Chapter 28: To See Oda Nobunaga

Okazaki Castle Post Town – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Fall.

It had been four days since we stayed at this inn that Tadatsugu picked for us. On the first day, I went around to explore the post town with the Sakae protecting me from the shadows. When I went back to the inn, I wrote the letters that I’d send back home.

But now, four days had passed, and things had changed. Tadatsugu came to visit me every day, but he still hadn’t mentioned when exactly we’d go to Okazaki. Personally, I’d wait for as long as he wanted, but my position didn’t allow that.

Because if I wasn’t careful, people might suspect that I had betrayed the Imagawa clan, and that would put everyone in Ōigawa in danger. And now was the time for us to make our move.

“How have you been? Well, I pray?”

Today, at the same time as usual, Tadatsugu came. At this point, the retainers had begun to suspect him—or rather, Matsudaira as a whole.

After seeing his reaction on the first day, I actually didn’t suspect him of plotting against us, but this atmosphere among the retainers would only make what I was about to do easier if anything. I didn’t need to instruct them to do anything to drive the point home to him.

“The same as always, but Tadatsugu-dono, we can’t afford to stay here any longer. Although, I assume that you’re aware of that.”

“Yes, I am. However…”

“Unfortunately, we can’t accept any more ‘howevers’, I have to demand you to tell us what it is that you’re hiding right now. I am unable to hold back my subordinates’ emotions any longer.”

Tadatsugu made a troubled face, but I was telling the truth. Of course, it didn’t mean that they would act violently or anything. It was just, as the head of the Isshiki clan and a retainer to the Imagawa clan, this was the limit on the time we could stay here in this place.

“…Understood. I will personally notify the lord later. Let’s head to Okazaki right now.”

We then took our horses from the inn’s stables and continued our journey to Okazaki Castle in the same formation as when we first arrived in the post town.

“I believe it’s time you tell us why you held us up in that inn for four days.”

“To tell you the truth, Masataka-sama, a certain guest made a sudden visit to Okazaki. It was so sudden that both the lord and us retainers were caught off guard, not knowing what to do. And so, we decided to have you stay at the inn for the time being, at least until we found a solution to this matter. Unfortunately, however, time failed to solve the matter…”

“I understand that you’re trying to be considerate of us, but who is this unexpected guest?”

Tadatsugu frowned for a moment, as if unsure what to say. But then, as if he had steeled his resolve, he nodded and turned to look at me.

“Owari’s Oda Nobunaga-sama. The lord decided that it isn’t a wise decision to let you two meet just like that, so he ordered me to hold you in the inn.”

“Did you say Oda Nobunaga?!”

Before I could reply, everyone behind me began to make a fuss. I raised my right hand to make them quiet down. Then, they waited for me to speak.

Well, I kinda expected that this would happen sooner or later, so I had been preparing myself for this, just like what I did before Okehazama. In history, the name Isshiki Masafumi didn’t exist among Imagawa’s retainers. However, knowing of Imagawa’s defeat during their Conquest of Owari in 1560, I just knew that Father would lose his life in Okehazama.

“I appreciate your consideration, but it isn’t necessary. People die on the battlefield, that’s the way it is. I’m sure that both Father and Lord Yoshimoto were prepared for this outcome when they first set to battle. Only people who are prepared to be killed would kill others. Without such a resolve, let alone standing on the battlefield, they are not fit to be called a warrior at all. So, while Oda Nobunaga is my, Isshiki’s, and Imagawa’s enemy, I have no personal feud with him.”

“Was our side’s concern unnecessary, then?”

“Just like I said, yes.”

Honestly, I felt a little relieved, probably because Nobunaga was still in Okazaki. Well, he was Motoyasu’s ally, so he’d be the one who’d deal with him directly, not me. Although, it’d be nice if I could meet him once.

In my previous life, it was him who’d made me so infatuated with history. Meeting him at least once was like a dream that I always had. In fact, I once stayed overnight at a self-proclaimed mad scientist’s home, trying to build a time machine. Of course, all that effort was for nothing.

And now, there was a chance that I’d get to meet him. Sure, we were enemies, but as long as I held no animosity toward him, I’d like to maintain a connection with him.

I doubted that Imagawa would ever clash with Oda again. Since that was the case, this kind of connection would go a long way in the future.

“Up ahead is Okazaki Castle Town.”

What greeted us when we passed through the gate was a bustling town. Before reaching this place, we had passed through several bustling towns, but this one was on a whole other level.

Seeing this kind of atmosphere, it was hard to believe that Mikawa was the land that had been devastated by both Oda and Imagawa for so long.

“Alright, let’s meet Nobunaga.”

“Yes.”

Then, we fastened our pace toward Okazaki Castle.