Assassin's Creed: Tumult of the Sengoku Period
Chapter 9 of my Assassin's Creed story, enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed or the characters in this story (excluding OCs)
Chapter 9: In the Shadows of the Capital
Shortly after the return from Anegawa Hanzo called Toranaga to the Assassin Headquarters beneath Hammamatsu Castle.
"I apologize for the abruptness Toranaga," He stated seriously, "But recent events are forcing our hand."
Toranaga nodded, "I understand, with the loss of the Apple, things have gotten more complicated."
"Yes, that is why I need you to conduct a mission of utmost secrecy. I need you to slip into the Capital and spy on Nobunaga, see who he meets, verify who his Templar allies in the Capital are. But most importantly, ascertain if he really does have the Apple."
Toranaga bowed and departed immediately for the Capital. He travelling there directly, stopping only to rest and replenish his supplies. By not stopping unless he had to the usually month long journey was shortened to half the time. The sight that confronted him however was imposing. With the Shogun being no more than a puppet, Nobunaga had full control of the city. What was once a grand and beautiful but sadly undefendable city was now an imposing and dark fortress. The walls were higher and thicker and, likely to ward off the Assassin's, the top was lined with razor sharp spikes. The moat had been deepened and every entrance was heavily guarded.
'No way to climb over the walls without serious injury, and if I try to find a way through the moat I'm more likely to drown.' Toranaga thought as he surveyed Kyoto from his position in a tree. He sighed and shook his head as he watched the group of people walking by. 'Guess I'll have to sneak in the old fashioned way.'
So, removing his hood and cowl and making his clothes as unobtrusive as possible Toranaga was able to sneak into the crowd and walk amongst them, camouflaged by them as he walked past the guards and into the city.
Once he was safely out of sight he walked out of the crowd and down a side alley. He stopped in front of an Ochaya and cast a look around. Seeing no one he knocked on the door. The door was opened by a young woman dressed in the finest white silk kimono, her face was painted white while her lips and eye make-up were red, her black hair was elegantly styled and decorated with a few intricate jewels. The young woman was a Geisha, a female entertainer with expertise in music and dancing.
"I am seeking Masutomo Hitachi." He explained to her, bowing respectfully.
She looked at him steadily, "This is an exclusive Ochaya, only members and friends of members are allowed, do you know Masutomo-sama?"
"Hai, my name is Toranaga Yorimoto; I am an old friend of his."
The woman considered for a moment and then seemed to make up her mind.
"One moment please."
She then closed the door. Toranaga cast another look around and slid into the shadows as a pair of guards walked past the alley. The Oda Mon emblazoned extravagantly on their armour. A few moments later the door opened and the young Geisha appeared again, this time she fully opened the door and smiled at Toranaga.
"This way please."
Toranaga removed his sandals, stepped inside and followed her as she led him to a room at the back of the building.
She opened the door and Toranaga was greeted by a boisterous voice.
"Toranaga Yorimoto, my word look how much you've grown!"
The speaker was a man aged fifty dressed in the same conservative grey kimono as Toranaga; only his black shaved top hair was flecked with grey, as were his eyebrows and his rather bushy beard.
"Masutomo Hitachi, as loud as ever I see," Toranaga replied dryly but with a warm smile.
Masutomo Hitachi was an important figure to Toranaga. Following the destruction of the Toranaga clan during the Hojo clan's Siege of the Uesugi's Kawagoe Castle in 1545, the two year old Toranaga had been the only survivor. Masutomo found him and brought him home, he had raised the boy as his own and even began teaching him in the ways of the Assassins. Finally, when Toranaga turned fourteen and Masutomo had decided to transfer to Kyoto to act as a spy for the Assassins in the Capital, he left Toranaga to complete his training with Momochi Tamba. Facing his adoptive Father again Toranaga was pleased to see that not much about him had changed. Masutomo's methods of gathering information worked incredibly well. He had purchased the Ochaya they were now in and ran it well. Using the secretive location and specially trained Geisha who were experts in all forms of the arts, including more obscure ones, he had attracted very important clientele. With the drink flowing freely and the Geisha causing distractions, the customers spilled their secrets and gave information that allowed the Assassin's to maintain control of their affairs in Kyoto and stay one step ahead of their enemies.
Toranaga sat down opposite him and bowed politely, Masutomo returned the bow.
"So my boy, what can I help you with?" He asked, he gestured to the shelf to his left, "May I offer you some sake?"
Toranaga shook his head, "No, thank you, I need to keep a clear head for my mission."
"Very well, it's far too early for sake anyway; let us have some cha instead."
Toranaga agreed and once the drinks arrived they drank and Toranaga discussed his mission. When he finished Masutomo pondered for a second, scratching his beard and then smiled.
"I see, I believe I can aid you in this matter." He said, "I can assure you, given their recent treatment that the Shogun and his aides would be willing to give you any information."
He paused for a moment and gathered his thoughts and listened as one of the Geisha girls approached and spoke quickly to him.
"Right, listen carefully; there is a secluded section of the Shogun's palace. The Shogun is being kept there with his aides. If you can get in there and talk to him I'm sure he can help you learn more."
Toranaga bowed, "Thank you, Masutomo-sama."
"You best act quickly and cautiously, a rather fancily dressed Portuguese man has just arrived. He is apparently a special guest of Nobunaga."
Toranaga glared, "It must be Fróis, the Grand Master." He stated darkly.
Masutomo nodded, "As I said, be careful."
Toranaga nodded and thanked him again before leaving the Ochaya and returning to the streets, ready to act.
Toranaga slipped back into the crowd and joined it as it walked through the streets. As they passed the Shogun's palace Toranaga slipped out into the alley at the back of the palace. He pulled his hood back up and fixed his cowl. He examined the walls, there were no spikes on this one but it was impossible to reach the top by climbing, the wall was too smooth. He carefully looked around; none of Nobunaga's men were in sight. He quickly used his grappling hook to climb up to the top of the wall. He carefully scouted around and made his way along the wall. He soon reached a section where he could jump over to the inner wall. He leapt over and grabbed the ledge. He pulled himself up and quickly flattened himself on the wall. Nobunaga, Mitsuhide, Katsuie, Hideyoshi and Toshiie were standing in the courtyard. As Toranaga watched their guest arrived, it was Luis Fróis. Luis was thirty-eight years of age with short brown hair, a brown beard and moustache connected and brown eyes. He was dressed in rather extravagant Western clothing and had a darkened complexion. He walked up with a dark smile and bowed casually to Nobunaga.
"Greetings Nobunaga, I hear you had some success." He said in his thickly accented voice.
Nobunaga returned the bow, "Yes Masuta Frois. This way please, we can talk in private." Frois nodded before asking, "Has our other guest also arrived?"
Nobunaga nodded in confirmation and the group walked inside.
'Another Templar, I'll have to be cautious, this could be the one we don't know.'
Toranaga stood up and began to walk along the wall again. He stopped. To reach the area he needed to reach he would have to climb along the wall of the palace itself.
He began the climb, using various cracks and the windows to scale across the wall. As he climbed he came to a window and stopped as he heard voices.
"We have retrieved the Apple," Nobunaga's voice stated and Toranaga climbed a little higher and looked into the room.
Nobunaga and Luis were there, along with Toshiie and Kotaro, as well as another figure. Due to the poor lighting and the fact he was sitting with his back to Toranaga, it was impossible to make out his features.
"So, we've got the Apple, what about the traitor Asakura?" Frois asked, Nobunaga nodded, "He will be dealt with, in time."
"Good, now, I will leave the Apple with you for now…Deal with Asakura, I will inform our other allies to stay alert for the Assassins."
They all bowed and Luis then intoned the Templars maxim.
"May the Father of Understanding guide us."
"May the Father of Understanding guide us." The others repeated and the meeting was over.
Toranaga quickly moved away from the window as the shadowy man turned towards it, suspicious. Knowing the meeting was over and there was no point in sticking around, he continued to move along the wall.
He made it to the other wall and dropped down into the courtyard. He approached the building and knocked on the door. It was answered by an angry looking man aged thirty-four.
"Ishikki Fujinaga?" Toranaga asked, Fujinaga started, "Who are you?"
"Toranaga Yorimoto, I understand you have some information for me."
Fujinaga nodded and quickly reached back into the building and handed Toranaga a scroll.
"It's all on there, you must leave, the guards will be checking up on us soon."
Toranaga nodded and quickly turned and departed back the way he came. Using the same methods as before Toranaga escaped the palace and slipped back out of the city and headed back to Mikawa. The moment he returned, some two weeks later, he immediately proceeded to the Assassin's base beneath Hammamatsu Castle. Once there he presented the letter to Hanzo who read it with interest.
"I see, this confirms my concerns. The three Templars in Kanto are going to be moving soon, Takeda Shingen will be the first to attack us. But we can prevent one of them from attacking by acting swiftly."
"What else needs to be done?" Toranaga asked, before revealing, "The unknown Templar, he was at the meeting, I couldn't see his face, but judging from clothes he came from Harima."
Hanzo nodded, "I see, so their reach goes west too. We must act swiftly to cut off all heads of this viper."
Hanzo paused and noticed Toranaga's expression, "Something troubles you Toranaga-san, what is it?"
"The unknown man, everybody in that room, even Kotaro, seemed to be wary of him, as if they, feared his capabilities."
Hanzo lowered his head, "That is deeply disturbing, we must waste no time, as soon as possible we will act and assassinate our first target…Hojo Ujiyasu."
End of chapter, so the stage is set for the first Assassination of a Templar, how will they fare, wait and see? Also, who is this man that even Nobunaga seems to fear, only time will tell. Hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
