Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Warriors, only the OCs of my story, SW belongs to Koei Tecmo and its owners.
Patience of the Tokugawa – Future – Part 3
Battle of Okehazama – Final
"Speaking" = Narration (SW3 Narrator)
(" ") = In-game messenger/officer
"The army was now fighting for its life as the Oda Army had slain Yoshimoto and now our hero Ieyasu leads the Imagawa rearguard. Fighting with his allies Ieyasu leads his allies to safety, but would it be enough?"
(Imagawa Main Camp)
(Play Resistance – SW: Spirit of Sanada)
The Oda retainers; Tsuneoki, Yoshinari, Narimasa and Nagachika were given the honor of taking the Imagawa main camp and Yoshimoto's head for their lord.
"Everyone, charge we'll take the head of Yoshimoto Imagawa!" Tsuneoki bellowed as he and his allies charged into the enemy main camp. Cutting down Imagawa soldiers around them until they came upon Ieyasu and his allies.
Ieyasu, Noritsura, Yasutomo and Naomori all turned to face their opponents as they all locked weapons and fighting broke out in the chaos of Yoshimoto's death.
"Men, fight them to the death, none shall take our lords head show them to the next life!" Yasutomo exclaimed as he faced off with Nagachika Kanamori, one of Nobunaga's elite retainers as Imagawa soldiers scrambled to take their deceased lord's body from the field to honor him later and to have him desecrated by the enemy for taking his head.
Ieyasu faced off with Yoshinari a quite familiar face to the young daimyo, as the two clashed they both recognized each other, "Lord Yoshinari?" Ieyasu said. "Takechiyo?" The two broke their stalemate and stared at each other.
"To think this is how we'd be reunited, alas this was what was destined." Yoshinari replied, as Ieyasu said, "Of course, I have one last job to do though so for this once Master Yoshinari, you will ceded the way!" As Ieyasu began fighting again.
Naomori faced Tsuneoki Ikeda, both spearmen battle each either almost blow for blow, thrust for thrust until one strike grazed master Naomori leaving a deep wound, but not fatal.
Not until, Naomori unleashed his own fury of blows and delivered a slash unto Tsuneoki on his leg and now the Oda retainer had trouble remaining upright.
Seeing their situation both men retreated due to injury and attempted to escape the battle.
(Naomori Ii and Tsuneoki Ikeda are both withdrawing due to injury.)
Throughout the Battlefield
The Bamboo Forest
The Oda army had spread its forces to even the forest as the Tokugawa advance guard was now facing off against Oda troops that had launched their own surprise attack looking to cut off the retreat off Ieyasu.
In the North
North of the battlefield, Hanzo and Naotora were fighting tooth and nail against the pursuit in the north by the Oda, however the pursuit was slowing down the retreat as the men were still in shock over the death of their lord.
(The Imagawa Army forces are in a state of panic after learning that Yoshimoto Imagawa has been slain! Their movement speed and defense have decreased!)
Near Marune and Odaka
Tadakatsu kept his composure as he took up his spear and sliced through the enemy ranks, however even for the great warrior there were still many enemies surrounding his and his allies position, if something wasn't done then the Imagawa and Tokugawa would all die like dogs.
(Stratagem!)
· Rally the Imagawa and raise their attributes
As the fight continued in the main camp, Ieyasu dealt a significant slash to Yoshinari as he doubled in pain, with that chance Ieyasu bellowed to his men as if he could be heard by everyone.
"Everyone! Think of your allies and comrades and fight! If we can retreat, we shall prove the victors this day!"
(Due to Ieyasu's declaration of intent has increased allied morale! The attributes of the Imagawa Army forces has been increased! The Imagawa Army has resumed retreating!)
Throughout the battlefield many Imagawa retainers, rallied behind Ieyasu's call and began to fight their way to freedom.
("Reporting! Our forces are still pinned down and cannot retreat!") A messenger brought the news that the army was still struggling.
"Then it is time! Launch the ambush!" Ieyasu bellowed out another order as Yoshinari had now retreated, however in the chaos of the fighting.
(Ieyasu Tokugawa has defeated Yoshinari Mori!)
(Stratagem!)
· Protect the Imagawa Army's withdrawal
(Tokugawa ambush units have appeared! Mototada and his allies are leading the rearguard, letting the Imagawa Army continue its retreat!)
As Ieyasu's signal was heard, thousands of ambush troops appeared and surprised the Oda forces as they were not expecting to be counter ambushed.
"Everyone now's the time, attack!" Mototada bellowed as he and his men appeared from the forested area. Archers firing their arrows cutting down Oda soldiers as they used the tree line for cover and concealment.
"Darn you, country samurai!" Hidesada Hayashi, spoke with contempt as his men were now in a deathtrap and he was now facing Mototada.
"Prepare yourself, Oda underling, I'll strike you down in one blow!" Mototada challenged the old Oda retainer. "Please, you aren't even worth my time." Hayashi spoke as the two faced each other.
Both their weapons clashed, Mototada's spear against Hayashi's sword as the two vassals traded blows, however Hayashi's age was now catching up with him as one of Mototada's thrusts made it through his defenses.
Forced with injury and the less then fortunate situation Hayashi made the order to retreat. "Everyone, do not throw away your lives, retreat!"
(Mototada Torii has defeated Hidesada Hayashi!)
Near Zenshoji garrison, Keiji Maeda, the unruly warrior was in the middle of rampaging across the field when he suddenly felt a presence behind him the turned just in time to block the sword of a blue-clad ninja before him. Only to see his men be cut down rather quickly.
"Oh, so a ninja is after me, well if I can beat one of the Imagawa's ninjas I'm sure my uncle will be reinstated into the Oda, so my friend lets get wild!" Keiji said with excitement as he immediately ran after Nagato.
Nagato simply jumped out of the way of the great warriors spear and threw several shuriken at the warrior while Keiji deflected many of them, some graze him, however he ignores it and continues fighting on.
The two then trade blows for some time. However, Keiji begins to notice that he is slowing down.
"Have you noticed yet?" Nagato says forebodingly, "What do you mean?" Keiji replies in a strained tone, noticing the effects of Nagato's poison.
"Those shuriken from before, they are coated in special paralyzing agent of Iga, so your strength is now failing you." Nagato answers the warrior.
"So then, finish it." Keiji says as he waits for the final strike that doesn't come, he looks at Nagato as he looks him wondering, "What are you waiting for?! Do it!" Nagato answers him, "Go, you have proven a great warrior I should kill you, but you have special palce in your future I can see it, go before I change my mind."
Keiji looked at the ninja in astonishment as he whistled for his horse, the legendary unruly horse, Matsukaze with its black and white streaked fur with lines of bells attached to it, Keiji rides off to the Oda camp to find treatment.
(Keiji Meada is withdrawing due to injury!)
Near Marune garrison, Tadakatsu and his elite warriors continued to hold their ground so that their lord had a retreat route after the battle in case of things such as these.
However, Tadakatsu was relieved when he heard the war cries of other Tokugawa soldiers as he saw Master Sadatsugu leading a unit of spearmen and charging through the Oda ranks till he met with Tadakatsu.
The two now fighting back to back they received startling news.
("My lords, Narumi Castle is now under raid from Katsuie Shibata and Toshiie Maeda, our allies inside are struggling.") The news was troubling, but there was hope.
"Master Tadakatsu, I know these marshes since I was a boy, there is a back door near this garrison if you approach from there, the enemy will be surprised, I shall keep this place safe for our lord." Sadatsugu relayed to his comrade.
"If you say so, I shall you entrust with this task, I shall rescue our allies, men with me!" Tadakatsu said as he and his elite guard raced to rescue their allies and defeat the Oda.
At Narumi Castle
The Imagawa were on the breaking point the might of Toshiie and Katsuie Shibata, the Devil of the Oda were tearing through the Imagawa ranks.
Masters Munenobu Matsui, Noritsugu Yamaguchi and Motonobu Okabe struggled against such great opponents despite their numbers advantage they were simply no match for these two.
"This is power of the Devil Shibata's army, when I take this castle Lord Nobunaga will have to accept me back." Toshiie sounded excited, until Katsuie slapped him from behind chastising him, "Toshiie! Eyes to the front, defeat only the enemy in front of you."
"Were, no match for them, this is the end." Master Matsui despaired as he accepted his fate until a large pike stopped both Toshiie's spear and Katsiue's axe from making their mark.
("Lord Nobunaga, were under attack the enemy has attacked us from the rear of the castle!") A messenger informed his lord.
("Ha-ha, is that so?") Nobunaga said, this being his favorite answer to almost any question poised to him.
(Tadakatsu Honda's ambush from the rear of Narumi Castle has put the Oda Army into disarray!)
"All of you, go! Retreat, I shall cover your escape!" Tadakatsu bellowed to his comrades as all of them began withdrawing from the battlefield and abandoned the castle.
The two Oda warriors and the large Tokugawa warrior stared each other down until…
"Lord Tadakatsu, our lord has made the order we are to withdraw at once!" A messenger arrived at the castle to inform him.
"Very well, another day then." Tadakatsu replied as he walked away from the Oda retainers who never took there eyes of him. Toshiie went to run after them but Katsuie stopped the young man, "If you face him, you will die." Toshiie tried to speak, "But…" Katsuie spoke before he could finish, "He is not one to underestimate, I fear he may be even more mighty then myself."
Toshiie was surprised to hear such a thing from his idol, Toshiie thought on that for a moment and relented as both warriors returned to their camp to fight another day.
Tadakatsu later returned to his former lords main camp and there he met up with the some of his allies waiting.
"My lord." Tadakatsu bowed to his lord. "Tadakatsu, I want you to lead the rear guard at Odaka Castle with Master Udono. I fear Lord Nobunaga is not done with us yet." Ieyasu replied to his retainer.
Ieyasu then turned to Naotora and Hanzo and said, "I would like you two to stay at Marune garrison and hold the line here, if the situation deteriorates flee towards Odaka and head for Mikawa from the back roads."
"At once, my lord." Hanzo simply replied as he took off for the garrison." Naotora looked to Ieyasu and replied, "My lord, you truly are a kind man, oh I-I'm sorry if that sounded condescending!" Naotora then turned a dark shade of red as she was now embarrassed again.
"It's quite alright my lady, I shall be fine, I have some unfinished business with an old friend first." Ieyasu replied as he called his horse.
As they were finishing a messenger once again came to deliver more bad news, "My lord, the Oda are still pursuing us, they are coming from multiple directions."
(Various Oda Army reinforcements have arrived! They are advancing toward Ieyasu Tokugawa!)
("Our allies are too few now, we have to rely on deception.") Ieyasu thought of the current situation.
(Stratagem!)
· Use misinformation to halt enemy units
A fake messenger made his way into the Oda ranks and sent out a fake call, "Everybody, the Imagawa are now rallying to escape north, we must pursue!"
(A fake messenger has confused the Oda Army's pursuit! They have halted due to misinformation!)
"What, I thought they were going south?" An Oda soldier said to another.
"We can't move like this let's get our bearings." Nobumori Sakuma, another of Nobunaga's chief retainers, stopped the pursuit of the Imagawa until they could find out the truth about these reports.
As that happened, Ieyasu raced atop his horse for the Oda main camp from Narumi since the castle had been cleared of enemies.
Ieyasu continued to rise until he came upon a young man in gold armor with a rather decorative helmet, "I am Ieyasu Tokugawa, for the sake of my people and for the sake of my passing lord, I will defeat you and face Lord Nobunaga!" He said as he spun his spear around.
"I'm Hideyoshi Hashiba, so trying to avenge your lord, sorry but I'm protecting Lord Nobunaga, so you'll have to get through me first!" The decorative warrior spoke as he lunged using his staff. Ieyasu easily dodged the move and prepared himself.
'He may look like a monkey, but he is very much used to that spear' Ieyasu thought to himself. The two looked at each other. A duel commenced between the two as the battle in the south continued…
Lady Oichi, a young beautiful maiden took to the field wither sister-in-law, Lady No both finished putting on their weapons and began riding for Odaka Castle, the supply line of the Imagawa Army, if they could take it the battle should end quickly.
However, to Lady No, this was just to stop the boredom of waiting at the main camp. So, she decided to bring her sister to tag along on her path of destruction.
"Sister, this might be dangerous, there are still enemies that are willing to fight." Oichi warned her sister. "But that's the fun in it Oichi, let's see how desperate they really are."
The two sisters raced along the south towards Odaka and when they came upon Marune they were surprised to see Tokugawa soldiers staring them down.
Naotora steps out with Hanzo and proclaims, "Lord Ieyasu knew you'd come this way, you won't go any further!" She said surprisingly with confidence for once.
Hanzo stood silently foreboding by the side of his ally, bringing his kusarigama by his side. Oichi looked to the two and began to doubt herself as her sister looked on, "Now this is what I've been looking for." Nō drew out her claws preparing for a fight, while Oichi held her spiked hoops with apprehension.
Hanzo tried to strike first until he saw Nō throw a small bomb towards him and the ninja master launched backwards avoiding the blast just barely. He then renewed his assault as the two clashed and traded slashes back and forth.
Naotora and Oichi faced each other and seemed to be going nowhere, "I can tell your not used to this sort of thing." Oichi said. "Ii precept: We are warriors til the end! But your right in some way there's someone that's waiting for me that's why I have to beat you so I v=can see him again."
"I see so you already have someone you love, I understand that, I haven't met that special someone, but I hope too one day I will meet someone too, but for now we are enemies, so lets us fight!" Oichi said with resolve in her voice.
The two ladies then proceeded into battle as each respective pair was fighting evenly.
Near the Oda Main Camp
Ieyasu and Hideyoshi continued their fight unabated as the two continued their renewed clash, the two looking at each other with a burning resolve in them.
Both seemingly out of breath, Hideyoshi replied, "For a surprisingly, round man your quite athletic."
"Ha-ha, I would think for such energy you'd be jumping for joy all around." Ieyasu retorted. The two were about to begin again, until the gate behind opened and Ieyasu finally met the boy he knew so long ago as a child was now a fully-grown man as well.
His dark armor with his fluttering red cape and that look of un-emotion were startling to him. Long gone was the young teen he knew and who know stood before him was a changed man.
"Ha-ha-ha. HA-HA-HA! Ieyasu we meet again so long ago we were children." Nobunaga Oda, the man who killed Yoshimoto stood before the Lord of Mikawa in that moment Ieyasu knew the winds of change were blowing even in the seemingly rain soaked of Okehazama.
It was here that Ieyasu's next decision would change his life forever…
AN#1 – Here's the final chapter to my Okehazama arc, next up will be the Independence arc, where Ieyasu will finally shape his own destiny and how his choices will show him the truth of the world around him.
Yes! This series is NOT dead, for anyone who thought that. This series in back so don't panic. My apologies if this chapter seems rushed, but I'm trying to balance between this and my DW story, so I hope you'll be patient with me.
AN#2 – Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! I wouldn't be here without you guys! :)
AN#3 – As to a previous question from a reviewer:
Warforge Master: As to how far I'll be hypothetical with these series? I'll only be going as far as how hypotheticals work, a certain event happens, and it changes the story drastically. So, you'll have to wait and see.