The simmering anger had overshadowed the calm and precise warrior Mitsunari had once been. As they had once seen it made him no less deadly but it was also an exploitable flaw. As long as the warrior facing him was fast enough, hardy enough to withstand the attacks. There were no introductions, announcements or wait. As soon as Date Masamune reached the top of the stairs, the last square before the entrance of the inner sanctum of the fortress Ishida Mitsunari was already charging, hand on the nodachi, ready to strike. So the One-Eyed Dragon wasted no time and met him halfway, blocking the strike with a single claw.

Both backed away sharply, Ishida returning the blade to its scabbard, his lanky form assuming the stance once again, Date returning the lone claw and pulling out all six, leaning forward, also ready. Darkness and lightning clashed as they charged once more.

Saki extended her arm, claws outstretched, signalling the men they should go no further. Katakura-dono nodded and ordered them to set new defences to keep that battle uninterrupted.

They clashed once again.

Date manoeuvred swiftly, grinning.

"I just came to say this to you." he growled slowly, slashing forward against his enemy, making sure there was no way for him to get anywhere near or through the six blades that traced the air with strength and lightning, aiming to rip his flesh from his bones. "«Go to hell». Date shouted suddenly, lunging forward, gaining every advantage he could, slashing and breaking into Mitsunari's defences.

The pale general was clearly surprised by the increased speed of his enemy but unwilling to acknowledge his power due hatred. In his blind quest to kill he was outmanoeuvred, wounded before he could even land a blow, cornered.

Having heeded advice and training Date managed to entrap Mitsunari onto a place where he could barely draw or sheathe his blade in-between attacks as his style of combat demanded and the speed was rendered moot.

"I can't lose to a bastard like you..." Ishida growled, another strike of the Dragon's blades making him falter, fall down to his knees, broken.

The One-Eyed Dragon lost no time and no focus. He struck him down as mercilessly as he would have been killed but not as cruelly, pulling the blades free with a nod to acknowledge his adversary, nary a scratch on his body.

Ishida Mistunari fell with his former lord's name on his lips, asking for the man's forgiveness for the revenge, twice robbed, twice unfulfilled.

Date sheathed the katanas and looked around. Saki and Kojuro approached. The One-Eyed Dragon took his helmet off, shaking the sweat away from his forehead.

"Well... I guess it's over." He grinned, looking over the horizon as dawn broke. The army was dealing with the ones that still wanted to fight and the ones that ran away. "Splendid job for a stepping stone. Kojuro!" Date called.

"Yes." Katakura-dono stepped forth and knelt, waiting. Even though his face was stern the pride was showing a bit. Saki smiled and imitated him, bowing slightly, covering a slight discomfort. Still queasy...

"What is Sanada Yukimura up to?" Not an unexpected question. It was the man he wanted to fight most. It would be disappointing if he had been engulfed in the turmoil.

"According to reports he is headed to Kyushu, seeking advice from Shimazu the beast to increase his strength with the goal of Takeda revival."

"Kyushu... rash as always."

"You are one to talk boss." Saki said in a calm tone. Date chuckled, still looking at the golden tint that turned black to blue with hints of pink and red.

"He might have visited Shimazu in an attempt to inherit the old..." Katakura-dono continued.

"The old will vanish one day." The One-Eyed Dragon answered a bit more seriously, deep in thought. "But bringing such things to the future ain't bad at all. As long as the inheritor doesn't stumble and fall." He began to walk, his eye burning with determination. "Next step is the unification of the country. The old and the new... I will take everything upon myself..." He smirked cockily but there was denying the will in his words. "I will lead this country."

Saki and Kojuro exchanged a look as he walked away to rejoin the troops, standing then. They would be with him throughout it all. The shinobi smiled a bit. When he spoke like that it could even make one believe foolish wishes like... her claws clenched. First war. The rest could only be decided when the fog cleared and the Dragon soared.