Speaking" = Narration (SW3 Narrator)
(" ") = In-game messenger/officer
( ) = In – game message
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 – Independence – Prologue
Meeting an Old Friend
"The battle was all but over; the loud, resounding laughter of Nobunaga walking from his own camp was heard across the fields of Okehazama. The Imagawa had retreated to live another day. But where did that leave the Tokugawa…?"
(Oda Main Camp)
It had been many years, but Ieyasu now looked upon the man he saw had changed more so than he had ever imagined. He still fondly remembered those days that Nobunaga and he would talk about the land and its future.
But that was a different time, and this is a different Nobunaga.
The rain had finally ended yet the clouds were still gray, and a soft light peaked through as the Lords of Mikawa and Owari stared at each other.
"Ieyasu, it's been a while." Nobunaga introduced himself after so long.
"Since I was a hostage by the hands of your father years ago, but now is not the time to reminisce or renew old acquaintances." Ieyasu replied.
"Here to avenge Yoshimoto, are you? For justice? You haven't changed." Nobunaga deduced Ieyasu's reason for his coming alone.
"Worthless!" Nobunaga screamed suddenly. "…!" Ieyasu could leap back in shock as he heard Nobunaga's words.
"The tree to which you attached yourself has burnt to ash. What will you do next?" Nobunaga inquired the lord of Mikawa. The Fool of Owari then let out another great laugh and left Ieyasu to ponder.
"I… I couldn't move… Master Nobunaga' gaze, his words, fixed me in place… He's right. We have lost our place in the world. What can the Tokugawa do now?" Ieyasu said to himself as thought of what he needed to do next.
Suddenly Tadakatsu and Hanzo appeared before their lord. Hanzo spoke first, "Exactly as we have always done."
"We simply serve you, my lord." Tadakatsu then spoke himself.
"Hanzo. Tadakatsu." Ieyasu spoke.
"My lord, Master Ujizane is not the man Master Yoshimoto was. The Imagawa will fall in decline." Tadakatsu informed his master.
"Are you saying I should abandon them? Turn on my master? I cannot!" Ieyasu vehemently denied his retainers thoughts as he walked away to think for himself.
As Ieyasu pondered on what to do another leader to was walking the field, Naotora. After her father's injury he fell into a coma as he fled the battlefield. She was made leader in his stead.
"Lord Ujizane is too weak to protect Enshu. The Ii are going to be swept up in the chaos of the times…" Naotora thought out loud as her worries now crept to her stomach.
"Yet if we resist, we'll be crushed. There's no way out of this… Oww, my stomach hurts." Naotora complained, when suddenly she heard Ieyasu.
"Oww, my stomach hurts." Ieyasu said as the two meet.
"Ah, Lady Naotora. My apologies. Worrying about the Tokugawa seems to have affected my health a little. With the loss of Lord Yoshimoto, the Imagawa are in peril. What path should we take going forward?" Ieyasu gave his thoughts out to the young female daimyo.
"Don't tell me, Lady Naotora, your stomach is in distress too? Please, take this medicine." Ieyasu handed the female warriors some medicine balls.
"Th-Thank you so much. Let me just… ugh! So bitter!" Naotora took the medicine but felt an immediate bitter aftertaste.
"It shouldn't be that bad. Here… ugh! Gwah! B-Biter indeed. That must mean it's working." Ieyasu felt the taste but simply laughed it off.
"I-I'm sorry1 I do feel better, though. T-Thank you so much!" Naotora gave her thanks to the lord of Mikawa.
"Not at all. You are the leader of the Ii, Lady Naotora. We carry the same burden." Ieyasu said. "Besides I think Hidetaka would be very sad to see you so distressed."
Suddenly the female Ii warrior blushed at the name of the young son of Ieyasu. Ieyasu then left with a hardy laugh as he left for his camp.
"He saw me worrying and came over to cheer me up. He's such a kind and thoughtful man. That reminds me, Tazu of the Iio told me once that Ieyasu was the only one truly worthy to rule." Naotora reminded herself.
"Besides all of that, I made a promise to young lord Hidetaka I would come back okay I can't look sad if not for my sake than his." Naotora finished as she too walked off back to her respective camp.
As the Imagawa had retreated back to the safety of Totomi and Suruga, there was still anarchy in the region after the death of Yoshimoto was heard. However for all the damage it caused the Imagawa, the Tokugawa were not immune to this chaos.
Okazaki Castle – Castle Town
The Tokugawa Army marched back to Mikawa with their heads high, but still came back with many wounded. The people of Okazaki lined along the road to welcome home loved ones and despite all the trouble cheered for their lord and the men.
"Lord Ieyasu, you have returned!" One man could be heard.
"Only Lord Ieyasu can unite Mikawa and Totomi!" A woman could be heard.
"The Tokugawa deserve to rule Tokaido!" Another voice cheered.
Although the cheers were meant for celebration all Ieyasu could do was feel conflicted over what he needed to do next…
Betray the Imagawa and declare his independence or stay loyal and die with the times…?
"What can I do… What should I do?" Ieyasu thought to himself as he rode upon to the front gates of Okazaki Castle were the gates fell open and the first ones Ieyasu saw was his family.
Lady Sena, Okatsu, Hotaru and Hidetaka were standing together, waiting for his return. "All of you, were waiting?" Ieyasu inquired.
"Yes, my darling. We heard the reports. My uncle is… no longer with us." Sena said in a somber voice.
"I apologize my lady. I should've been more watchful for all my carefulness; I failed our lord." Ieyasu replied in similar fashion.
"No, I do not blame you my dear, but the most important thing we must do is what comes next for us… the Tokugawa." Lady Sena said.
"My lady…" Ieyasu said with somber voice.
"Father is it true about the Imagawa, are they done for?" Okatsu asked.
"The Imagawa are numbered its only inevitable." Hotaru answered.
Ieyasu could only looked even further conflicted. Even his own children were saying to abandon their own lord. Hidetaka caught on to his father's uncomfortableness and answered, "Enough, Father's still needs time, it's not an easy choice to make, leave him be."
"Hidetaka…" Ieyasu said as a small smile grew on his face. Hidetaka could only turn and smile at his father.
"No matter what happens father we'll follow your choice and when it comes to we'll fight for your dream." Hidetaka pronounced. Even Hotaru and Okatsu for all the disagreements the trio came into nodded along in agreement.
Ieyasu could only cry as he looked around at his family and his retainers standing behind him, "I-I don't deserve such loyal people, such retainers, such treasures. As leader of the Tokugawa I must make my decision. Everyone follow me to the council room!"
With that order Ieyasu, his family and retainers marched inside the castle. They came to a rather large conference space. Many of the retainers removed their helms and had disarmed themselves before sitting down.
Masters Tadakatsu, Hanzo, Tadatsugu, Yasumasa, Sadatsugu and Kazumasa were seated in the front, while many of the other retainers were seated behind them in lines. Meanwhile, Ieyasu and Lady Sena sat side by side at the head of the room. Hidetaka, Okatsu and Hotaru were seated to Ieyasu's left side watching.
"As it stands now Lord Nobunaga will seek to control the land now that the Imagawa have been brought to disarray and anarchy with Lord Yoshimoto's death, among any of you how do you believe we should deal with this current situation?" Ieyasu brought forth the issue to the conference.
The various retainers mumbled amongst themselves as no one could seem to reach a consensus on what to do next.
"Perhaps we should ally with the Oda, the Imagawa are now broken we can take this chance to declare our independence." Yasumasa whispered to Tadatsugu seated next to him.
"Yes, but as it stands that would mean getting our own affairs in order, there are still many issues in the way of independence." Tadatsugu countered.
"My lord if I may be so bold perhaps we should ally ourselves with Lord Nobunaga and join his cause?" Tadakatsu spoke up.
"…" All Ieyasu could do was remain silent his eyes closed as he contemplated his chief retainer's point he had told him before.
"My lord, Tadakatsu is correct, the Imagawa will eventually be targeted by others such as the Takeda, our scouts have reported that the Takeda are preparing for a campaign into Suruga. The Hojo are said to also be on the move watching both of us." Hanzo informed all.
The room's clamor then rose as the news of two larger clans was shocking. If the Takeda were moving towards Suruga they would be that much closer to Mikawa, and although Totomi was in Imagawa hands, but in all honesty they could be considered a Hojo protectorate by this point.
Ieyasu continued to contemplate the news he had received when suddenly he opened his eyes, and all his retainers were silenced to listen:
"For the longest time we have simply been the victim of circumstances in this land, but now is our moment to make a name for ourselves. We call ourselves warriors of Mikawa yet fight under the banner of Imagawa. We must strike out on our own if we are to take the helm of our own destiny. We must first declare our own independence and from there we shall join Lord Nobunaga to unite this fractured land and bring peace to it for all people of Japan!"
A unanimous rumble of agreement swept through the room as the retainers heard their lord's impassioned speech.
"I cannot do this feat alone; I wish for all of you to join me in this cause. Will you all stand with me?!" Ieyasu exclaimed.
The whole room was aloud with cheers of agreement as Ieyasu nodded his head in agreement with his retainers energy.
Most of them left the room as Ieyasu and his family were the only ones left behind. Ieyasu turned back to his family and spoke.
"This decision will cause many to see me as a traitor; others will call me a demon, fighting for only the sake of my ambition. But if that is the path I must walk then so be it."
His children nodded in agreement as Lady Sena had a smile on her face as she held Nobuyasu in her arms.
"This is what I must do, for my people and Mikawa." Was the thought on Ieyasu's mind as he and his family left the room.
AN#1 – I'm so sorry for the late update, but here's the prologue to the next chapter of the Tokugawa story, Independence. Here Ieyasu makes the harsh choice that for the sake of his people and his own dream he must follow his own path.
Where that will take him… who knows.
AN#2 – Once again I want to apologize the first official chapter of this saga of the story will be up soon so don't miss the update. Once again please Follow, Favorite and Review. :)