Chapter 9: Anger

"If you keep scratching you'll get sores", Takeko said absentmindedly as she saw Toyohisa by her side continually scratch at his armour.

"I can't help it, what's up with all of these unnecessary layers?" He muttered in frustration whilst trying to scratch an itch on his back. Takeko lifted a brow and shook her head, the elves had no objections so did that give him a reason to complain?

"This armour is not made for speed, it's made for endurance. The fighting style of this worlds is much different from our homeland. Where speed is preferred over durability", Takeko said in a bored manner. The armour was nothing but a hindrance to her eyes, the pants and sleeves restricted her movement and it was heavy. "Besides. my breasts feel extremely constricted here and I'm not enjoying it", she pointed to the breastplate which was pressing her breasts flush and concealing she was a female. "I honestly don't know how I'm breathing", Takeko muttered as she tried to loosen the breastplate. All the other clothing wasn't so constricting, it was only her chest area which felt so tight. It was either the breastplate was to small or her chest was too big. She let out a sighing already knowing the answer.

Toyohisa was quiet not knowing what to say, and the elves behind them had their cheeks flushed red as they looked down. Trying to divert to quell their imagination, it was a long time since they had seen a female after all. But it was undeniable the female before them was a beauty, they just preferred to say nothing.

Oda however was hiding nothing, he blatantly stared at her chest.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't violate my privacy, unless you want to lose the thing which defines you as a man", Takeko said calmly as she stared at Oda. Oda gulped as he felt a cold shiver down his back. Toyohisa made a mental note to not anger this woman, she changed her moods so quickly.

"Right...".

"Sir Nobu! The fortress is in sight!" Shara said pointing to the looming castle, Oda turned his attention away from the two and took note of how big the fortress was. This would be too easy, Yoichi was right now taking care the rest of the soldiers and he betted that the remaining few soldiers were not battle hardened. Even serfs would be able to kill them easily as long they had a good commander leading them. And that would be Toyohisa.

"Alright then, adjust your armour if anything non-human is showing out!" Oda shouted out. He himself tilted his helmet a little lower hiding his eyes, through the corner of his eyes he saw Takeko unsaddle herself and readjust her sleeves. She looked surprisingly calm and only straightened herself out as if oblivious to the fact that they were about to slaughter quite a bit of men. Toyohisa however he could not tell, he had hidden all expression underneath his helmet and kept his seen expression quite neutral. Seemed like the brat had some sort of experience in surprise attack, but then again his entire bloody clan was battle freaks.

Oda stopped in front of gates and took a quick glance behind him to check on the elves, they seemed a little shaken and nervous but other than that they seemed fine. "Time for the show to start", Oda muttered to himself with a wicked grin.

"We are the peacekeeping troops for the elfish territories! We are stopping by to report to the Governor! Open the gate!" Oda yelled aloud. After several moments, the two doors creaked open.

"All right, everyone smile! Smile and enter as quickly as possible!" Oda said with a rather wide grin on his face, it was rather obvious that something was amiss however the remaining guards couldn't tell from their distance. The elves tried to smile, but it was such a forced smile that you could even see the beads of sweat travel down from their foreheads. "But don't run! Walk as if nothing had happened!" Oda quickly added seeing that some elves almost tried rushing in, honestly if they did that the governors would definitely suspect something.

He heard several let out a sigh of relief when they all made in without arousing suspicion, and as they just made it in a governor came to them with a worried expression.

"Report to me soldier. So, was it an unrest as expected?!" He said impatiently, awaiting the usual 'no sir' or 'yes sir' answer however he did not expect them to shed of their armour and helmets to reveal the long ears of elves and the Drifters oriental features.

"Yes. Indeed", Oda said proudly while signalling the elves to shed their helmets and such.

"Drifters! Elves!" The governor cried out in shock and surprise all at once. His eyes widened at the predicament which had arisen.

"This place is now ours", Oda proclaimed gleefully. A snide smirk was etched across his face as his chucked off his armour, it was too bulky for his liking. The elves behind him one by one took off their helmets and drew out their weapons in preparation of the slaughter.

"Wh…Ah…No…!" The governor managed to stutter out in shock. A loud clanging took his attention as Toyohisa threw down all of his armour. His let out a sigh of relief as his body felt much lighter and could breathe easier.

"This is too hot! This is too cumbersome!" He said in irritation, pulling at his sleeves to readjust his vest as it was all stuffed up underneath the extra armour. He took a short look around, it was a stone castle. The design reminded him of the foreigners which contacted Japan several times. He snorted distaste, there was nothing of this world which reminded him of home except its occupants. He walked up to the governor and grabbed the front of his shirt pulling the man up, his expression unreadable.

"Where are you holding the women?! Tell me!" He said threateningly, pulling at his shirt even tighter as a warning. Takeko exhaled quietly as she felt the extra weight disappear as she shed her armour off. She shook her hair lightly as she pulled out the knots.

"I…it's in the tower! They are in the tower!" He managed to stutter out in perpetual fear. After Toyohisa got the information his threw the man aside and eyed the stairs which he assumed would lead him to the tower.

"Good. Let's go. Come on Takeko", he said with an unnerving calmness. Takeko merely nodded and slinked behind him keeping herself within his shadow, peeling out her eyes making sure than nothing escaped her gaze. As they marched towards the stairs, Takeko felt her stomach twist and contort uncomfortably. She kept repeating something in her mind, as she tried to reassure herself that perhaps it would be different. But she kept her inner turmoil to herself as she followed her commander.

"A…and what about the soldiers?! Where are my soldiers?! What happened to them?!" The governor said in fear. Oda turned around to face the man, he had a smug grin.

"Well…I'm sorry to say this, but…most of them are dead. And those few who survived are being chased by Yoichi and his elves", Oda proclaimed with a wide grin. "But don't worry. Eventually you will join them. All of you will be properly mixed with shit and soil and will be really useful as gunpowder", Oda said as he let out a sinister laugh. A manic grin spread across his face as he eyed the fat governor. Today was a big catch, hopefully he would even get some more information on this 'Orte' empire.


"W…What?!" A soldier cried out in surprise as he saw a red clad man come out of nowhere, but before his could utter another word his head came flying off. Takeko treaded carefully, skipping lightly behind Toyohisa making sure not to intervene with his movements and only attacking when necessary. She let Toyohisa have his way as he continued to slice his way through several more soldiers. She moved only ever so slightly to dodge the blood splatters, she clicked her tongue in annoyance. She would have more washing up to do when they returned to their camp.

"Aah! I…I surrender! I surrender!" A soldier yelled aloud as he raised his arms up dropping his weapon. Takeko raised a brow and looked up at Toyohisa, what was their great commander going to do now Takeko wondered. She herself couldn't care less, whether the soldier surrendered or not it just wasn't her business. In this world she was just a mere soldier, under the command of a man who had nine more years of experience.

"Damn you!" One of the elves said as he drew out his sword in an attempt to cleave the man in two. But before he could even raise the sword Toyohisa grabbed onto his arm, the elf cried out in surprise.

"B…but! Why!" The elf cried out in confusion. Why wouldn't Toyohisa let him kill this man? They had also killed many of their elven people as well.

"He has given up his weapon. You mustn't kill him. It is a shame to kill someone who has already surrendered!" Toyohisa said in a stern voice. Takeko widened her eyes in shock as well, but she soon pressed her lips in a thin line. She averted her eyes from Toyohisa, why was this man different from the samurai from her time. Was two hundred years such a difference, or was it just this one man. Was it because he was guided the principles of a warrior or was it just how he thought? She clenched her fist and let out a sigh. This was her commander and she would act accordingly and how desired.

"But…I thought…we…" The elf stuttered still not believing that they were not allowed to kill the man.

"It is a shame!" Toyohisa said in an unrelenting voice, he had the voice of authority which silenced the elf. "We must save the women first. Let's go", he said abruptly signalling the end of the conversation.

"Let's go", Shara said quietly his eyes trailing after the foreboding figure of their commander. He was truly an enigma.

"Yeah", another elf agreed.

Takeko stayed back for a moment and turned her attention to the shell shocked soldier who had not believed his luck, she narrowed her eyes. Toyohisa said not to kill him however…Takeko threw a fast punch at the soldier knocking him out cold. She heard a satisfying crunch of the man's nose breaking, she waved her hand in the air to rid of the stinging sensation and continued her way. The elves stared at her wide-eyed reminding themselves that she was just as fearsome as any other Drifter.

Toyohisa kicked down the door with such a force that he unhinged both doors. They both fell to the floor with a shuddering echo that shook the floor ever so slightly. His expression was unreadable.

"What?! What the hell?!"

Toyohisa widened his eyes, the scene he was given was under no circumstances considered moral or just. The elven women barely wearing anything, merely stared at the strange man, their eyes devoid of light. They were undeserving of what had had happened to them, only a few choked sobs could be heard echo through the room. There were men sprawled around the room with indecency, as the women were chained to the walls in such poses which were immoral.

"No! No! NO! I was wrong! The vermin's of this castle aren't worth shit! We shall slash them into pieces! We shall hack them down till they become dust! No soldier in this castle is to remain alive!" Toyohisa said hotly, his teeth gritted as he growled at the atrocity of these so-called men. Even the lowest of the low from his lands wouldn't do something of this.

Takeko froze still, she heard his rage, she heard the choked sobs of the female, she smelt something so familiar. It was a strong stench that made her head reel. She was so heavily rooted in her spot that her legs became tense and numb. "Toyohisa. I'm coming in", she finally said quietly. It couldn't have been louder than a whisper. She gently brushed past him, preparing herself for the sight.

"No you mustn't! "Toyohisa cried out grabbing her arms and pulling her back. Using his right hand he covered her eyes, he wrapped his left arm around her left arm and waist in order to restrict her movements. He couldn't allow Takeko see such a sight. It would only bring her devastation, indeed her eyes were not distant from bloodshed, gore and such, but the acts of sexual and physical assault without the females consent was something he did not want her to see.

The elves began to move towards the men and began restraining them with rope as well as threatening them to release the women. Through the hustle and bustle Takeko remained in Toyohisa's grasp but she raised her right hand to pull down his hand.

"Toyohisa. I can smell it. I can hear it. I know", Takeko said calmly tightening her grip on his right arm. Despite her calm voice he could feel her body tremble ever so slightly, he glanced down at her left hand to see that it was clenched so tightly that small beads of blood began dripping from her palms. After a moment of thought he slowly released Takeko from his hold and allowed her to see what was of the room in its entirety. She blinked her eyes several times, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden light. She watched the elves round up the men and cover the female elves. Most of them had been covered up. Her expression remained neutral, but there was an unspoken emotion in her eyes. What did she expect, this sort of thing were common. Women were often exploited in times of war, so this shouldn't be of shock to her. And yet it was. Why?

She let out a shaky breath as she walked further into the room, the elven woman looking up at her. Their eyes filled with shame and humility. It was one thing to be witnessed by the elven men but it was totally different when a fellow female saw something like these. A few more women sobbed, some just shook and shivered. She saw one elf woman, she looked even younger than she but she knew she much older. But it was the physical features that set her off. She shrugged off her outer cloak and gently draped it over the elf. The elf looked up at her with weary eyes, but there was this comradeship that the she-elf understood. She sobbed even harder mumbling her thanks over and over again. Takeko stood up, her expression unreadable.

Toyohisa had watched the entire interaction in silence, that one act of kindness from Takeko had all the female elves understand that she was not to jeer at them, nor scorn them. Toyohisa understood that she had already made a connection, these elven women would probably trust her more often now. It was just one gesture of kindness but it was enough to speak thousands of words. Takeko started making her way out but Toyohisa grabbed Takeko's hand and inspected the wound, she had dug her fingernails in so deeply that it cut the flesh. He sighed and tore a strip of cloth from his sash and wrapped up her left hand tightly to stop the blood-flow.

"Clothe the women! Gather the men in the courtyard!" Toyohisa ordered, signalling the elven men to round up the men. Walking with Takeko he bent down to whisper something, "Go crazy". She looked up and blinked owlishly before giving him a small smile. Although the smile was more dark rather than her usual cheery one. They all had one goal.

To kill all the vermin of this castle.


Oda had himself perched on the table with legs crossed, the entire room was a mess. All documents and articles were scattered across the room in such a manner, which could only be explained as a raid. He watched the elves go through the papers, stashing them into their bags.

"Get each and every document and map in this fortress. O not miss a single scribble. We are going to take everything with us", Oda said with a wicked grin as he fiddled with his fan.

"I…I can't believe…I can't believe you have really taken this fortress…" Olmine said in surprise as she looked around the room in amazement. She bent down to pick up some stray pieces of paper not really sure what to do with them though.

"Well, if it isn't you, my dear Olminipples", Oda said with a deadpanned expression. He crossed his arms behind him as he snapped his fan shut.

"I give up telling you to stop with your bad wordplays about my name…" Olmine said with an annoyed expression. She mentally sighed, how much longer did she have to deal with this man?

"Hey, the moment you give up is the moment the war is over, you know", Oda said in a bored manner. He turned away from her a moment and snapped his fingers at a huge painting, "By the way, who's this guy? This has got to be some huge painting", Oda said whilst looking up at the painting.

"He…he is the 'Vater', the 'Father' of this Orte country. He is the man who built the Orte Empire. It is said that he appeared suddenly some sixty years ago. Some say he was a Drifter; others say he was an Offscouring. But nobody knows for sure. One day, he appeared in a beer hall and incited people to take up arms. His exalted speeches and clever manipulation of the masses led to a civil unrest and he led the march to the capital. According to the records, it looked like 'he had great experience on this'. But after establishing the Orte Empire, he suddenly committed suicide. Nobody knows why he killed himself. Perhaps he was a Drifter…? Do you happen to know this guy?" Olmine said a matter of fact fashion, but she herself had no real idea on who this man was.

"Of course not. What's with the ridiculous moustache?" Oda said dully. He was about to add something else but an elf came through the doors.

"Nobunaga, sir!"

"What happened?" Oda said turning his head to the elf men, he furrowed his eyebrows slightly. What could've have happened that an elf would call him up?

"Toyo is dragging the enemy soldiers to the yard of the fortress. He's talking about something like 'nadegiri' and 'nekiri'", the elf male said plainly, not understanding the Japanese words he had uttered.

"Huh?! W-What did you say?!" Oda immediately jumped up and walked out of the room towards the courtyard. Damn it! His thoughts were rampant and he paced through the stone hallways, 'Come on Toyo, how naïve can you be? Just look at the male elves! It is obvious that female elves must be quite attractive!' His thoughts continued to darken as he quickened his pace.

"And what's 'nekiri'?" The elf from earlier asked.

"Kill them all", Oda said blandly. 'Those soldiers were kidnapping them in a regular basis. It should be obvious that they were going to rape the female elves', he thought. 'You should've known it long before we stepped into the castle. Even Takeko had the hint of the idea as she wary enough when she saw the men. You want to kill everyone? No, don't do that. From the very beginning that is my job!' His thoughts were nothing of the sort you'd find in an ordinary mind. He even considered a man such as Toyohisa as naïve and pure, or perhaps it was just in his eyes. He continued to think to himself, 'Leave the devious and shady business with me, the Demon Lord of the Sixth Heaven. And don't worry, I'm quite used to this'.


"Help…"

P-please…"

"Please spare our lives!"

Their pleas went unheard to Toyohisa as he watched the excuse for human beings plead for their lives. He was completely devoid of emotion at that moment, he could never forgive such men in his entire life. His father and uncles' would never allow him to enter the afterlife. He watched the elfish men give their spare clothing, or even their own clothing to the female elves. All of them had been locked up for so long that they didn't even know how to express their joy of being freed, they could only shed tears of despair as they know that years of their lives can never be taken back.

Toyohisa gritted his teeth in frustration, the only thing he could to the elves was there revenge, not years of their life back or their purity. But it was the only thing could offer. Takeko had politely asked one of the elves for a spare bow and some arrows, she had a smile plastered on her face. Laughing cheerily and talking casually to one of the she-elves, however her eyes glinted with blood-lust. And when she smiled she gritted her teeth, her brows seemed furrowed as well. Toyohisa had no doubt that she was forcing herself to smile and be cheery, but then he suddenly realised that she was not smiling for herself. She was smiling for the female elves.

"Hey do you realise what you are doing?! If the Central Government hears about this you will all be dead!" One of the soldiers said trying to impose some fear into them but it was futile attempt as they were far beyond the jaws of Death.

"Toyohisa sir! Give us the order to shoot, now!"

"Please, let us kill them!"

"Give me your order my Lord", Takeko ever so quietly, her eyes trained on the Governor and there was a lilting smile dancing on her lips. But this time it wasn't forced, but neither it was a expression of happiness. It was a strange mixture of gratification and hate.

Toyohisa shook himself out of his reverie, "Right, kil—"A resounding smacking sound could be heard and Oda managed to butt the end of his rifle into Toyohisa's head before he could give out the command. He fell onto the floor with a thud, Oda landed on his feet with a small thud. Takeko widened her eyes in shock, but before she make any sort of exclamation she caught his expression.

"Phew", Oda sighed. He straightened himself out as he gazed at the men and elf people, "Kill them".

"Kill them all. After bringing so much shame on the women for so long, don't you dare think that we will spare your lives just because you threw your weapons away and surrendered? You wanted so badly to kill all elves, so why so you find it weird that the elves want so badly to kill you? DIE. Die and become our gunpowder", Oda said with manic grin. He was the true depiction of the devil at that moment, ruthless and uncaring of consequences.

"Ah!"

"Prepare to fire!"

"AHHH! Stop!"

"Please stop!"

"Shut up! You never showed any mercy to us!"

"How dare you beg for mercy now?!"

"I-I was just sent here! I have done nothing wrong!" One man from the crowd managed to cry out, he truly had done nothing wrong. But what could he say now, his life was hanging by a spider thread.

"FIRE!" A distinct twang of arrows flew through the air, as the arrows punctured something, it was either the satisfying sound of flesh being pierced with dozens of arrow or the arrow hitting the wooden gate. Takeko had aimed her arrow ever so perfectly, it hits it mark. Right at the Governor's nether regions, there were other arrows in him of course. But she shot her arrow several second before Oda had given the command. The men cried out in shock and horror. They scrambled to get away but they were shot down quickly.

"Uh…" Toyohisa managed to say as he forced himself to look up. His head was ringing but he had his attention on the Demon Lord.

"Already awake? I thought I had hit you hard enough. You men from Satsuma are really tough", Oda stated. He turned around to face the red clad man as he pulled himself up from the ground. "I took care of the soldiers. Isn't it a beautiful sight to behold? You are just too young to give such orders. Let me do this job. And don't you worry about me. My hands are already just too bloodstained! Ise and Nagashima! Mount Hiei and the Enryakuji temple! Asai and Asakura! I have countless-"He was suddenly pounded in the face with a fist. He tumbled back for a moment as he fell onto the floor with a thud, Oda looked up in shock as he saw Toyohisa cross his arms in a sort of defiance.

"And so what?! I have nothing to do with your stuff! And I couldn't care less about all that!" Toyohisa proclaimed loudly with a huff, how annoying and irritating. He had looked forward in watching them die, but now there was only dead bodies. He clicked his tongue in annoyance as hated seethed off his body, directing it to Oda. Oda returned it in the same favour.

"I'm ho~me! What, are they fighting? Oh my", Yoichi said as he popped out behind Olmine as she stood as a silent witness. She cried out in surprise.

"It's not a fight", Toyohisa simply said.

"Indeed", Oda agreed with a smirk.

"Yes. It's not a fight", Yoichi chimed.

'It's been a long time since I was last scolded with a punch. I guess my father was the last to do that. Oh wait, Hirate gramps also did. And now look at me. I've become older than my father…' Oda was immersed in his thoughts so much that he hadn't even realised that there was still one remaining man standing.

He looked like an utter mess with tears flowing down from his face, arrows had been scattered around him but none had hit him.

"I've done nothing! Nothing! I haven't slept with any women! I swear!" He repeated like a mantra, even at this situation he tried to find reason with himself and the Drifters and elves.

"Hey, there's still one standing", Yoichi said looking at the pathetic man.

"Even now, he keeps saying that he did nothing at all. If we kill him, we will be as despicable as those damn soldiers", Shara said, distaste dripped from his words and rolled off his tongue.

"Yes, I guess you're right", Yoichi said calmly. He didn't know the full story of had happened but he had an idea. Takeko seemed a little moody seeing that she was not saying one word so it was obvious that she was upset by the defiling of the women. Toyohisa seemed like his usual self but if one looked closely they could see that he was a little more sensitive of the subject surrounding women. Probably out of pity for Takeko.

"Poor thing. Ominipples, let the guy fondle your breasts to console him", Oda said with a smirk.

"Elves, please shoot this idiot. Also I'm pretty sure Takeko has the same breast size as me, so why do you never make such crude comments to her?" Olmine said in irritation.

"You think I haven't already?", Oda said plainly as if it was the most common of knowledge. "The only difference is that she has the capability of doing something terrible to my body, an I don't want that". He eyed her rifle and naginata, yes. She could deal some great damage to his body if he tried anything like that to her. Also he had a degree of respect to her but he left that unsaid.

"Let is behead the corpses and give them a decent burial", Toyohisa suddenly said out of the blue, breaking the awkward silence.

"No, matter how damnable, their souls still become a Buddha after they die. But we will use their bodies to produce gunpowder", Oda said.

"No problem with that Keko?" Toyohisa turned to Takeko who was very quiet.

"Huh? Yeah sure. They're already dead anyways", Takeko mumbled as she prodded one of the bodies with an arrow.


The rumours on those Drifters started spreading like fire to the nearby villages. "The Drifters saved an elven village", "And too the fortress of the local governor". As the captive elven women were returned to their villages, the doubtful rumours became an exhilarating truth. But the women also carried a 'gift' carefully prepared by Nobunaga. It was a "manifesto". True to the style of Nobunaga, the message grasped the hearts of the readers and inflamed their souls.

"You want a country? Then I will give you one! Join our forces! Do nothing and a new governor will come. What will you do then? Will you consent to offer your women once again? Will you let your women be defiled again in shame and dishonour?"

And Nobunaga also sent another file with excerpts of the documents he found in the fortress, showing how the Orte Empire was on the brink of collapse. A cunning man indeed! And the elves started one unrest after another. The occupied elven territories were now escaping the control from the Orte forces.


May not update for some time.

Edit: I have changed some parts of this chapter, from future me. I may not be uploading chapters but I heavily editing the old chappies. 08/10/2016