Third POV

"Well, it looks like Yoshimoto's escaped us again." Shingen unfolded the letter from Yukimura and Sasuke with a sigh, a displeased frown on his face. "And the Oda refuse to make a move against us, though they keep increasing their defenses." Kenshin commented, his own blue-green gaze narrowed. "It's sounding to me like they've got some internal problems. Time to find out what they are-" Shingen said.

In the letter, Yukimura and Sasuke reported in detail about the minor rebellion on the border of Chugoku. They had written that it had been quashed by Nobunaga's left-hand man, Mitsuhide Akechi. And that Akechi had had someone at his side. They also reported that Yoshimoto had been there, at the side of Yoshiaki, who they had personally seen.

Kenshin looked at the letter curiously, specifically, the part about Yoshiaki Ashikaga. "That pitiful Shogun crawled out of his hole? Why?" He asked. Shingen turned his attention to the blonde with the mis-matched eyes, "Kenshin, don't you find this suspicious? Particularly the part where the Oda rebellion mirrors the ones we dealt with?" "..We had rebellions? Oh, right. Those weaklings who were whimpering threats at me. I forgot them as soon as it ended."

Kenshin's gaze narrowed, "Shingen, are you trying to say the same person is instigating trouble for us and the Oda?" "Now you're using your brain! That's right." Shingen smirked, "It's never fun when someone intrudes on a party that's invitation only. Especially one you've been planning for a long while." Kenshin's frown deepened, "Then why don't we kill them and get back to it?" "..Just this once, I like the way you're talking."

A wicked web was being spun from the hands of a single man. Its strands stretching to every land leaving behind conflict and involving so many major players. Trapped within the confines of this web was a simple butterfly, helpless to do anything but bare witness as the spider's plans played out.

"..You did what to that daimyo?" Yoshimoto asked, astonished. "I had him done away with. Do not make me repeat myself." Yoshiaki replied coldly. He inclined on his arm rest, taking a cup of sake from the woman who sat at his side, as if she were nothing but an extension to the chair he sat on. He had stolen back into Kyoto from the western province, returning to a life of luxury not known to those in hiding. Only the wealth of a loyal ally allowed Yoshiaki to live in such a way. A fallen Shogun, welcomed like a prince.

Yoshimoto had arrived ahead of him and was just now hearing from Yoshiaki how the festival had ended. "I only ask because it's clear he was being manipulated by Mitsuhide Akechi. And unknowingly at that. Is that worthy of death?" Yoshimoto spoke, his expression more serious. Yoshiaki's eyes widened ever so slightly, "You speak as if that one daimyo were irreplaceable! I have already ordered another pawn to replace him." Yoshiaki stared curiously at Yoshimoto; the concept of a life being lost not even crossing his mind.

Yoshimoto kept his expression tame, as still as a frozen lake. All sorrow, all anger lay obscured beneath the icy surface. "My plan is proceeding perfectly. You need not question it. Only prepare. For when I have regained that which I was born to receive, you and yours will see your own glory restored." Yoshiaki promised. Yoshimoto remained silent, his frown deepening, as it was the only way he could disagree. "Yoshimoto, understand why I took you in. You were born with all you need to serve me. Your wit I have no need of."

After a moment of silence, Yoshimoto spoke, "..You are correct, excellency. Pardon my impudence." His golden eyes dimmed with resignation. "As it happens, I met with an uncommon man on the road. He seemed useful, so I brought him along. Run along and see to his needs, Yoshimoto. And make sure he is 'there' when the time comes." Yoshiaki commanded. "..Yes, your excellency." Unsure of what he meant, Yoshimoto nodded and left Yoshiaki.

In the hallway, he found a man who was most likely Yoshiaki's 'uncommon' guest. "Yer my handler, huh? Guess we better get along, matey." "You-!" The man had a wild smirk on his face, in stark comparison to his messy white hair and crazed crimson eyes. "Yeah, me. Motonari Mouri, in case yer brain's working as good as yer mouth. A dead man walking. Just like yerself." "..I am surprised to find the peerless military leader of the Mouri Clan is still alive." Yoshimoto commented.

Motonari tilted his head, "And I thought Nobunaga took yer head back in Okehazama. Didn't expect to find you and yer crew living the high life in Kyoto." Deciding to skip any sort of pleasantries, Yoshimoto immediately got to questioning the man. "What is your aim in getting close to the Shogun?" "Ooh, you'll hurt my feelings. Ya make it sound like I got ulterior motives or something." The messy white-haired man let out a wild laughter, one that perfectly matched the insanity in his crimson eyes. "Why? Do you not? ..I have." Yoshimoto admitted. To which, Motonari let out a whistle, a dangerous smirk adorning his lips. "..A fallen Shogun and a pretty puppet with a gun to his head. This is WAY more fun than I thought it would be!"

Motonari laughed loudly and he laughed long. His crimson eyes glinted like knives when he finished. "For giving me a laugh like that, I'll tell ya something good. I'm here to do a little surveying." "Surveying?" Yoshimoto questioned. "So, here's Nobunaga, one move away from claiming everything- and a dozen enemies surrounding him, looking to slit his throat. We've got the assassins who almost got him at Honno-ji, the revived tiger and dragon, and now our very own Shogun.

Me? I'm just lookin' to see which of these piles of kindling is gonna grow into the biggest fire." Motonari explained.

Yoshimoto narrowed his eyes at the man, "And what will you do once you have determined that?" "Toss in a spark and watch as the fires grow out of control! Until they burn EVERYTHING down! Once everyone's killed each other- and I kill the winner- I can finally make this world right- my way." Yoshimoto eyed Motonari coolly as the man chuckled, completely unhinged, at something only he found funny. "I find ugly words like these disagreeable and never wish to use them.. but you are a lunatic." Yoshimoto spoke flatly.

Motonari's grin only widened, "Don't get yer robes in a twist. I take it as a compliment. So, tell me about our boss. What's the grand ol' Shogun have in mind?" "If you must know-"