Third POV

Mitsuhide had escaped not into the moonlight, but rather, the rain. The sky quickly became hidden with heavy gray storm clouds, soaking his white hair and drenching his clothing. He took advantage of the lightless night and the cold rain masking any noise to evade his pursuers. Having just escaped Azuchi, he kept his profile low as he made his way through the dense forest.

Though the trees provided him with cover from his pursuers, they did little to nothing to restore warmth to his body, leaving him cold from the rain. With a splash, he came to a halt. Mitsuhide was not alone. A hungry one-eyed tiger- or rather, a man resembling one- stepped out from the trees to face the kitsune. "I see the dungeons did a real number on you, Mitsuhide." The man laughed, amusement glinted in his one blue eye.

"..Masamune.." Mitsuhide muttered, his tone cold as he faced his former ally. Masamune drew his sword from its sheath, the blade cutting through the rain as though it were a fierce predator. "How did you know I would take this route? It's off the beaten path." Mitsuhide asked, his expression impassive though not hiding his curiosity. "That's probably why." Masamune smiled. "Oh?"

"Off the beaten path- that describes you pretty well. I figured instinct would get me further than trying to second-guess you." Masamune explained, the amused smile never leaving his face. Mitsuhide soon returned that same amused smile as he spoke, "..I suppose you can't outsmart someone who doesn't operate on intelligence." The two men circled each other, like predators ready to pounce on their prey at any given moment. Each with a hand on their swords, ready for when the moment would come.

"Whatever I ask, you aren't going to answer me." Masamune stated, to which Mitsuhide only nodded, "Correct." "Then all that's left is to fight." Masamune's sword soared towards Mitsuhide, catching rain as it did so. Mitsuhide, using his own sword, quickly deflected the attack, cutting through rain as he did so. But the blow was quickly followed up by a sharp kick. He dispersed the force with his free hand.

"Clear the path, Masamune!" Mitsuhide demanded, his annoyance clear. Yet Masamune's grin only widened, "Never!" Mud and raindrops went flying around the two men as the brutal combat continued, not a single clue as to when it may stop in sight. Their heavy breathing only got lost along the wind's whistles and the rain's harsh pelting.

"Heh.. If you're this spry.. I'm beginning to think they didn't torture you enough.." Masamune commented, his grin now turned to a displeased frown. "You need cunning, not strength.. To outwit a wild beast.." Despite his words, Mitsuhide was faltering. He was nowhere close to Masamune in physicality or energy to be able to match the wild man. "This beast will put you out of your misery." Masamune muttered through gritted teeth, swinging his sword with all his strength.

But Mitsuhide was still able to block, only to abandon his sword midgard and dodge as Masamune threatened to cleave through the weapon on pure power alone. In response, Masamune gave Mitsuhide a harsh kick that sent him into the churned up mud. A pained groan escaped the white-haired man's throat. "I'm surprised you thought you could take me after being beaten and starved for days." Masamune commented. "Damn.." Was the only word that left Mitsuhide's lips.

"Your choice, Mitsuhide. Give up and let me bring you back to face your crimes or make me your executioner." Masamune smiled, seemingly believing he had won this fight. He brought the slickened edge of his sword against Mitsuhide's exposed windpipe, rain further soaking his dark brown hair as he stared down at the weaker man. Wide-eyed panic shot across Mitsuhide's face- but only for a moment.

"..I take a third option." The panic vanished, being replaced by a smirk; a lie that had served its purpose. Mitsuhide reached back, throwing the muddy contents of his hand directly at Masamune's face, causing the man to stumble back as he was momentarily blinded when it hit his one good eye. Mitsuhide quickly scrambled to balance himself and stand up, then ran away from the one-eyed dragon.

"You dirty-!" "Indeed. You should know my methods by now." By the time Masamune cleared his vision well enough to see, Mitsuhide was smiling down at him from atop a horse. "..Tch. You even had a horse ready." Masamune growled in annoyance. The two former comrades glared at each other. "In the name of my liege, I swear to put an end to Nobunaga's life." Masamune stared in dumbfounded surprise as Mitsuhide's horse reared up- "You should chase after me, Masamune, if you can." And with those final words, Mitsuhide galloped off into the darkness of the moonless rain.

"..Heh. I knew you'd keep things interesting! All right, Mitsuhide. I'm game. I guess we'll all be seeing what you've got in store for us."