As I mentioned previously, here's the second part of the war preparation! Now, most of you were somewhat shocked about a side character's death so early in the story... but this is still a Fate story, you know? Despite the crossover, I've always disagreed on how Oda Nobuna no Yabō was to peaceful at times, which was boringly typical for a harem story. Well, this ain't it, guys. Enjoy!

Not particularly enjoying my chance of viewing Heaven's Feel Part III... Come on, give me some reviews or something!

Some of you are curious about tings... so here's the answers!
Royal Freshness12345: It's quite rare to get an inaccurate analysis from you! Well, TBH, some of them were correct, apart from the things regarding Nobuhide and Motoyasu. Nobuhide is still alive, and Motoyasu's fear is rather genuine, given this story doesn't have the comedic relationship like Oda Nobuna no Yabō's canon does. Regarding the rest... you'll just have to see in the upcoming few chapters! It's quite fascinating how you prefer the term 'ayakashi' instead of 'yōkai'... Is there any true linguistic reason for this? Should I change how I address them in-story? I know Nioh uses 'ayakashi', but subtitling them as 'yōkai'. Watching old animes isn't a sin! Glad the Summer Event's been good for you – it's certainly been good for me, given the new MATERIALS I have now for the stories...
Manny190: Don't know much about the Ulster Cycle. I need to do a lot of research on a topic I'm not particularly interested in (blame popular media for underselling it). Maybe I'll incorporate some elements into a future rewrite of HV-S01: RKR, which I should work on right away after finishing this story. On that note, do you have any good source information which encompasses everything Ulster in one go, as well as some detailed storytelling? Wikipedia's manner of presenting things only confuses me.
UbonInim: Oh, you'll just have to wait a couple more chapters for the answers! Not very long now!
Soul king & Kokoro takuma: It's not the question of strength or curb-stomping. SHIROU cheats, no matter who the opponent is, so he could kill them. It's not 'defeating' them in fair combat. He's by no means invincible... only very, very well-prepared.
Kulkukan-chan: All I can confirm is his wives can kill the people you just mentioned, given the right circumstances. They're certainly not yet at that level.

"You look amazing."

Hearing just those three words alone gave Nobunaga a great lift in mood. "Guhaha! Bask in my majesty, Shirō! Let's go!"

The redhead reached out from his own horse beside her to grab her collar. "No, wait a moment. Let's follow what Manchiyo-san has outlined for now, now things haven't changed yet."

"G-Gohk!" The action choked her lightly, putting a dampener on her enthusiasm. "But I have to be energetic for the troops' morale! G-Geez, y-you pulled too hard… Kuha!" She adjusted the black military uniform collar she wore underneath the set of armour forged by this attendant of hers, surprisingly not feeling the usual stuffiness she associated with the regular set she wore during training. "D-Don't embarrass me in front of them, my goodness…!"

Unbeknownst to her, Shirō and Jūbei had started a campaign of popularizing Nobunaga as some sort of an idol figure among the Owari populace, as another way of increasing their loyalty. Now, the men were watching her with a combination of admiration and worship, ready to fight to the death under her command.

According to what he knew about her – or her male counterpart – she was often misunderstood because of the lack of education among the troops… and even the nobility, as shown by what Jūbei's male counterpart did. The lack of effort in building a proper communication between her and those far below her in social strata – even though she never discriminated them – was perhaps the single biggest factor which led to everyone opposing her, instead of working together to stall the incoming Nanban threat several decades in the future.

Of course, if he brought this up to Nobunaga, she'd immediately burn the plans down to the ground out of sheer shame. No matter how much progressive her mindset was, she was brought up in the Sengoku Period with all its associated outdated values.

She's brash, loud, and publicly arrogant… but also a maiden at heart. Shirō was one of the few people she showed this second part of hers, and she cowered inside her futon in embarrassment when he invited Jūbei in one of their private talks at night.

Always, always…! Why did they always get in the way when she's about to lose her virginity? Was this the way the gods she looked down upon cursed her?! Never to get laid in her life, despite having found the one man she's willing to do it without any strings attached?

She almost yelled at her most trusted female attendant that day with a beet-red face, memories of the Akechi Mitsuhide she knew flashing in her mind. However, remembering Jūbei was a completely different individual just in time, she held her tongue.

That was a novel experience – a clandestine meeting between a man and two beautiful girls, with only Nobunaga nearly naked and only covered by her sleepwear.

Of course, over time, she grew more comfortable pouring her heart out to Jūbei… and to her surprise, this girl with a wide forehead embraced 'Tenka Fubu' much better than anyone else bar herself and Shirō. Intelligent, supportive, and cheerful, Nobunaga finally considered her as a true family, unlike her male counterpart whom she kept at an arm's length despite him professing his loyalty much more seriously than Jūbei.

"Everyone! Weapons check!" Nagahide shouted out one of the few protocols Shirō suggested she actually accepted… after much grumbling, obviously. "Departure will be in ten minutes!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but she used a voice transmission spell common to most Shinto practitioners to speak to every person present – men, women, humans, yōkai. While she's not particularly religious, it's so simple she could learn it after some practice… and to the point she smacked herself internally why this method hadn't occurred to her.

While the advantage was incredible, in a way a commander could micromanage every formation and movement, the need to teach every single troop in its corresponding receiving spell meant most daimyos didn't even bother. Added to that the fact they wished to keep their citizens stupid and powerless to keep them under control.

How foolish.

Shirō had argued successfully against the stubborn Nagahide about how controlling a group of people would be more successful by giving them something to lose, instead of taking everything away from them. Take too many away, and the desperate would rise up irrespective of what happened to their lives. A cornered rat was always the most dangerous – and one drunk on milk and honey was the most docile at the same time.

Among the Oda Clan's original retainers, Nagahide was the most accomplished in Magecraft… though that's not saying much. Technically, Chiyome was, but she's more loyal to her husband than Nobunaga herself, despite the two getting along just fine for a duo who's fighting over the same man's attention. Heck, it's more likely she'd give assistance to Takeda Shingen than Nobunaga if pressed, given her background.

It's a hypocritical opinion Nagahide wasn't proud off. She had no issues with Chiyome being ex-Kōga, a shinobi clan traditionally loyal to Takeda… so why did she fuss over Shirō's own background so much? Because Nobunaga favoured him so? If so, then… wasn't she just jealous and frustrated?

She shook her head, the ambient conversation between her lord and the man she loved still going on in the background. Knowing this wasn't the time to open her mouth again even if it's just grading things with points, she chose to address her fellow commanders instead, given she's given tactical responsibility.

…for now. Who knew what'd happen in the future with talents like Hanbei (who was currently resting) and Jūbei rising as field commanders? She knew Shirō was reluctant to take up this role because he'd refused Nobunaga's orders to assume this position many times – and much as she disliked him, he's at least a man of his word.

Including constantly calling her 'Manchiyo', despite her vehemently lambasting him for it every time.

"Riku, how's your condition?"

"Excellent!" The busty woman roared, her albino boar Guardian Spirit following suit enthusiastically. "I'm ready to take Yoshimoto's head! Hahaha!"

"Have you forgotten the plan, you dolt?" Nagahide chided gently, far kinder than what she would've done if it's Shirō who had just said that. "65 points, Riku."

"G-Guh! Meanie!" The big-framed ponytailed general made an earnestly hurtful expression. She was never the sharpest tool in the box regarding long-term planning, but was relatively excellent in frontline combat. "I-It's just the plan's a bit too… simple, I guess? H-Hahaha… Maybe I just forgot because of that…"

She rubbed the back of her head as Nagahide glared at her. The latter had been too easily irritated lately, a far cry from the always-smiling and demure character most of her men adored her for. Ever since Nobunaga unofficially promoted Muramasa as a strategist and someone to consult to, the big-breasted woman had noticed Nagahide having too much free time getting annoyed her job was taken away by someone she couldn't easily understand and control.

That much, she understood. What she didn't was why this intelligent woman kept persisting in her futile folly? It's clear Muramasa was more than competent enough to be rewarded with his privileges, both professionally and privately…

'…so that's it?! She's just jealous?! That Manchiyo…!' As if she'd just realized a terrible secret, Katsuie slapped one palm across her mouth. Looking left and right to see whether anyone noticed her change in expression. She sighed in relief when Nagahide's sharp eyes were directed elsewhere among the troops as they prepared for the incoming war. 'Such petty emotions… She should find a new hobby to vent her emotions, I think.'

Such simplistic and rather unrelated conclusion was typical of Katsuie's mindset – clearly an instinctual-type general. Nagahide was the opposite… and perhaps was the reason she couldn't easily let go of her own personal problems in front of a larger one. Ironically, Katsuie was also the type to be able to switch her attention and energy to something else more important… both good and bad, leading to most thinking she's rather airheaded sometimes.

'Not to the point of Jūbei-dono, though!' She uselessly refuted in her head.

She didn't even realize Nagahide was able to read exactly what she's thinking even without looking at her, making her mood turn worse by the minute.

At the very least, she could admit her weaknesses.

Perhaps what others had implied subtly to her was correct: She simply didn't approve of Muramasa precisely because he's enough of an enigma she couldn't read what he'd do next. Worse, he's an intelligent enigma, with enough wits to outmatch Nagahide in everything she tried to supplant him.

Before she knew it, the regular members attending her 'meetings' dwindled, with those present only making a token effort to listen to her. Ranmaru was more than halfway convinced of Muramasa's importance, while Nagayoshi and Toshīe were bought over using different methods – the former through copious amounts of humiliating duels, and the latter through her tiny stomach.

The rest… she hadn't placed much hope on them to begin with, with the aforementioned three individuals the most important ones to back up her plan before she brought it up to Nobunaga to at least minimize Muramasa's influence in court.

…ah, how could she forget Mitsuhide? That traitor…

She should've known. That girl's affections for her 'senpai' was clear to everyone who saw them together – even Nobunaga. The fact the latter allowed it meant she didn't see Mitsuhide as particularly serious, and an angle Nagahide placed all her bets on. After all, if her lord with her insightful judgement deemed it so, then it must be true, no?

Only now did she realize her thinking was all wrong. Nobunaga didn't welcome Mitsuhide's attraction for the man she cared the most in the world because she didn't see the Akechi heir as a rival – she already saw herself and the other girl as Muramasa's legitimate lovers.

Imagine that: A man of lowly birth having two noble girls as his mistresses. The audacity of it made Nagahide's head hurt and her fight off an urge to scream at the absurdity of it all.

It shouldn't happen this way! Nobunaga shouldn't place herself that low! Mitsuhide should've known better!

The only way to break apart this ridiculous love pentagram – accounting for Muramasa's official wife and mistress – was to spread rumours among the populace, and use the societal pressure to have both noblewomen publicly swear off their relationship.

…only for Nagahide to find Muramasa had this covered too, having won the hearts and minds of the people through copious use of his hyper-efficient magical communication methods and made them almost fanatic in their beliefs of whatever Nobunaga declared. Nobunaga, not whatever Nagahide said, and certainly not some baseless rumour. It'd get stomped out faster than a pissed-on campfire.

There's no time to manoeuvre any further with everything going on. She had to focus on this Battle of Okehazama.

"I want your group of artillery infantry to accompany his cavalry! Yes, you! Also, make sure to check the availability of your supply lines!" She barked several orders in quick succession to several different people. "It's going to rain; switch your helmets' liners for more absorption! Tarps over the foodstuff, hurry!"

Seeing her being so efficient with her commands – direct, fast, and precise – showcased why she was the Oda Clan's main strategist since she was young, and before Nobunaga could form words properly. Coming from mid-level nobility, she realized all it took to outperform and banish those who suppressed her from above was enough hard work to accompany her talent. Quickly, Nobuhide realized her potential and placed her alongside him during his final years, as well as a spot among Nobunaga's retainers as a reminder why he chose her as his heir.

Expecting a report to come from one of the messengers she sent out, she was greeted by the face she didn't want to see the most.

Muramasa had silently breached her personal space, his face grave. "Change of plans. Sudden things have showed up."

"Ryomen, quit fussing over me and Hanbei-dono. You're noisy," Mitsuhide coldly criticized her retainer, slapping away the extra towel he's offering for the nth-time. "And Hanbei-dono, too – don't fall to his pressure so fast. You're not an easy girl, right?"

"H-Hya! E-Easy… I-I'm not easy…" Hanbei's small body twitched, her face reddening heavily as her mind raced alongside that raunchy suggestion. "R-Ryomen-san… I'm fine now…"

The dashing middle-aged man made a hurtful expression, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Mitsuhide-sama… d-doesn't need me anymore… U-Ugu…"

"A-Awawawa… M-Mitsuhide-dono! H-Help, please!" Hanbei panicked at the man's sudden sobs, eerily similar to her own frequent ones, eyeing the already-sleeping long-haired girl. "Mitsuhide-donoooooooo! Don't sleep!"

"I was recently injured. I'll take whatever rest I can get. Good luck."

With a wave of Mitsuhide's hand and the sight of her turning her back at Hanbei, Ryomen Sukuna bowed his head deep into the centre of Hanbei's knees. "H-Hanbei-dono! Please allow me to serve you!"

The yōkai's earnest showing shook Hanbei's reluctance of receiving his service… which was overwhelming and unnecessary, like Mitsuhide had said earlier.

While he at least had the decency to hold himself back when they're changing their clothes and superficial bandages, he barged himself into the medical tent while shouting out his worries about his lord. Understandable, yes. Bearable? Absolutely not – only Hanbei's demure personality stopped her from outright rejecting the pitiful Ryomen like Mitsuhide so used to doing.

Clad in classical onmyō purple-white uniform, his well-groomed long hair splayed messily on the ground in his desperation to 'serve' both girls. While Mitsuhide's disgust was apparent, Hanbei had it tougher to worm herself out of this situation – both women's injuries having already healed and already at their final stages of recovery.

In fact, if they had to forcibly ride today to Okehazama, they could do so with some preparations.

Still, as much as Ryomen being annoying, he was an extremely capable guard, as proven when he launched himself off of what should be a perfect dogeza into a fluid iaido strike aimed at the person who had just stepped through the entrance flap to the tent.

If only he had his katana right now… it would make his stance look slightly less ridiculous, having to use an arm chop as a substitute of a blade.

Which Tatsumi Mutsu promptly caught with ease, though he had to strain his muscles more than he thought during the impact.

"I visit you two in good faith, and this is the response I get?" He cheekily grinned and commented, clearly joking around to lighten the mood. "Do all Oda retainers act this way?"

Mitsuhide, still feigning sleep, answered without moving, "Only when facing you. Didn't Kohaku-dono also act that way?"

"Haha… Well, you're not wrong…"

Something in his voice made Mitsuhide open her eyes in curiosity. "Ryomen, do leave us alone. This man is Nobunaga-sama's brother-in-law… even if he doesn't look like it."

"You hurt me."

The yōkai retracted his arm, eyes still affixed on the lackadaisical man, and bowed tightly to the two women. "I shall stand guard outside. If anything happens, Mitsuhide-sama…"

"I'll kill him first before you can get here, so don't worry," the Akechi heir impatiently said, sitting back upright with a serious look. "Now, shoo."

Watching the man dejectedly walking outside, Tatsumi commented, "You're so mean."

Mitsuhide didn't care about his words, though, preferring to hone in on the strange feeling she had earlier. "What's going on with Kohaku-dono? Your voice gave it away; don't try to hide it."

The implied anger behind her words was clear. If he mistreated her, then…

"She passed away recently. My sons are twins, and… her body weakened greatly."

"…ah."

"I-I'm sorry f-for your loss…" Hanbei muttered from behind Mitsuhide, despite not knowing who they're talking about. She wasn't the best strategist in Mino for nothing – reading the mood was a piece of Nanban cake for her, since she's so experienced doing so with the mute Yoshitatsu. "Should I… give you two some privacy?"

"…no need."

Mitsuhide's reply came out sharper than either Tatsumi or Hanbei expected, surprising them. "Eh?"

"RYOMEN! BRING ME MY ARMOUR!"

The Mutsu Clan Head winced, his sensitive hearing ringing from Mitsuhide's sudden shout. Hanbei was too shocked and frightened by the loudness to even react properly – this time, too used to Yoshitatsu's silent violence.

Once again, though, the following scene surprised them.

Ryomen, the loyal dog he was, popped his head through the main tent flap – certainly not proper manners when answering a call from one's lord. What's even less appropriate was his answer. "I refuse. Sengo-sama has personally and specifically ordered you to rest… which I agree wholeheartedly."

"Then I'll get it myself. Get out of my way." Smooth and fast, just like her fighting style, Mitsuhide had already entered both men's personal space – Tatsumi from the side of the flap, and Ryomen's head in the middle. "Don't try to stop me… or…"

Her words tailed off once that exact redheaded man who gave the orders shoved Ryomen to one side… or, rather, simply opened the flap so much further the Akechi Clan retainer stumbled to one side. "Please, Jūbei… behave," Muramasa pleaded softly, his tall form completely blocking the way out of the tent.

Mitsuhide blushed, embarrassed to have been caught in such a shameful outburst in front of her crush. "B-But… I just…"

Sighing, he signalled silently to Hanbei and Ryomen. The two understood his intentions, despite not being particularly close to the blacksmith (especially Hanbei, who just knew him for a grand total of one day), and quickly excused themselves from the tent.

"Phew… That's a surprise," Tatsumi commented. "Didn't know you're so close with Kohaku… with my wife."

"Maybe it's because you're a terrible husband who has no interest in what your woman is saying? Hmph! Learn more from Shirō-senpai!" Mitsuhide sat down with gusto, snorting all the while.

"Jūbei, be more polite. You don't know their household's situation," Muramasa tried to mediate, to no avail.

Before Tatsumi could even defend himself, Mitsuhide had already peppered him with unfair but eerily accurate criticisms. "Can you not see what kind of man Tatsumi is, Senpai? Perhaps your closeness has clouded your judgement somewhat, but I see him clearly for what he is. Don't care whether he's tengu or human – a bad husband won't turn into a good one even after the wife's passing, believe it.

"No? Well, while you're busy duelling your masculinities out, contending over a meaningless Clan Head title – and I know about the Minamoto Clan, both of you – I've observed you two from behind for longer than anyone. I'm confident at that. And this man," she pointed at Tatsumi, "is very likely the reason Kohaku-dono couldn't be saved."

That finally wiped the easy-going grin Tatsumi seemed to have permanently on his face, contorting it into something much more feral. "Don't you dare-"

"Do what? Speak the truth? Tell me, what do you know about birthing twins? I bet your family has never had one, right? Did she have gestational hypertension? Anaemia? Blood corruption? Fluid inconsistencies? Haemorrhage? Hm? Do tell me your analysis of her death, beyond 'she just weakened and stopped breathing', o' Mutsu-dono."

- Thud.

That was the dull sound of Muramasa using his upper arm to block Mitsuhide's mouth from speaking any further, hugging her sitting form tight to avoid her squirming around. "That's really enough, Jūbei. I think he's got the idea."

"What use is that right now? Will it bring back Kohaku-dono? You should've crammed that knowledge into your head when you wedded her, you moron! Instead, you spent your time training your stupid martial arts!" Mitsuhide did exactly just what he didn't want her to do, and ranted off again – this time, her voice was nearly hysteric. "I'm not stupid enough to call you a murderer, but you've taken your sons' mother away from them because of your incompetence!"

Having said her final piece, she buried her face into Muramasa's well-toned chest, not wanting to show her crying face or let out her sobbing voice to Tatsumi.

There was a reason that fateful day why she and Kohaku were the ones accompanying Nobunaga, and not the strongest person there, who was obviously Shirō.

Mitsuhide loved talent… No, perhaps that's inaccurate, considering her lord's near-blind affection to said attribute, almost regardless of personality and background. Mitsuhide was the kind of person who'd treat only those interesting to her in her eyes with any modicum of respect, and the rest would just have to live under her constant arrogance and very-much-right personal judgement, such as the one she just did to Tatsumi. So, still 'loving talent', but in her own way.

For one, she viewed 'talent' differently than Nobunaga. The Oda Princess General admired and desired those who were leaders in their respective fields, irrespective of their background and personality. Muramasa was one prime example – Nobunaga saw what his otherworldly blacksmithing skills could bring to the broader world, while Mitsuhide fell in love with him after he trounced her in a swordsmanship duel. While she could understand Nobunaga's reason, she herself was so far removed from the process of blade creation she turned a blind eye towards that side of the man she loved, thinking it's just his occupation.

She liked Kohaku the first time they met, noticing the same desire to climb up the ranks ambitiously like the image she saw in the mirror every day. However, Kohaku was slightly different in that regard as well, because the sole reason she wished to do so was to repay her older sister for the care she received during her childhood, despite her background. Mitsuhide didn't have that problem, but it didn't stop her from respecting the common-born girl.

While their personalities also differed, one thing was the same: their adoration of Nobunaga, and the methods they should do to improve her position among the other daimyos and Princess Generals. Mitsuhide always thought she now had a sister-in-arms, so to speak, in her quest to follow the path of 'Tenka Fubu' Nobunaga had laid down.

And now, she was alone.

…well, not exactly that, because Muramasa was there, but he's more alongside Nobunaga, forging the path ahead together and braving the dangers first before they befell people like her. She dreamt of being able to catch up to their level alongside Kohaku and the others, yet in their sprint to chase those two's backs, one by one they fell by the wayside… and Kohaku was the latest among them.

Her words to Tatsumi was slightly unreasonable, yes, but she wouldn't say anything if she didn't believe it was true. She was enough of a genius to not resort to word trickery and white lies, and had formed a habit of speaking out her mind – partially due to her senpai's influence, partly due to her own status enabling her to act brazenly without worrying about recompense.

Why should Kohaku die, when they had everything here in Oda territory to ensure her health? At the very least, she'd have a few more years to live… among family – those who loved her since she was small – and not a husband who married her just because of what it brought for his relationship with Nobunaga.

Again, an unreasonable accusation. Yet not a completely untrue one… because her analysis of Tatsumi's personalities and abilities were accurate. It's just the conclusion she drew was heavily distorted due to her own emotions.

After she calmed down, she heard Muramasa muttered in her ears, "Alright… But you have to follow the deployment strategy strictly, understand? I won't let you lead soldiers from the front, but assign you to Nobunaga-sama's personal guards instead."

She nodded silently, before extricating herself and exiting the tent without excusing herself or even looking at Tatsumi's bewildered expression once, no doubt going to don her custom-tailored armour.

The two men left behind sighed at almost the same time, and Muramasa took her previous place and sat down, confronting the still-standing Tatsumi properly now.

The latter spoke first, however, "She's right."

"You shut your self-deprecating mouth. If she was, then I should've been there to take care of the labour as well – ditto Jūbei." The redhead immediately rebuked. "No one is perfect, unlike what she wished everyone to be."

"But what if…"

"There's no 'if'," he forcefully ended the conversation. "For now, focus on what your wife has told you to do with her dying breath. I assume that's why you're here?"

Tatsumi made a troubled face. "…is there anything out there you can't fathom or see through?"

"Only those I don't want to," Muramasa admitted, though the sheepish expression usually accompanying such arrogant words were absent. He was fully serious, adding, "Focus, Tatsumi. What will Kohaku think if you end up dying and leaving your sons alone in this world? Keep that image in mind."

The Mutsu Clan heir and disguised tengu gritted his teeth in acknowledgement. "Yeah… I'll try."

This was the first time in her life Chiyome met a snake she respected, instead of feared.

Since the moment she could think for herself, Yamata-no-Orochi's visage was the first face burnt into her memory – not her parents', not her families', and very unfortunately not Shirō's. While her young mind at the time failed to notice any significance of this, it slowly dawned upon her the weight of the curse placed on her body… as well as the responsibility for the power it brought.

To be honest, the serpent god once mentioned she was smiling and giggling at him during their first meeting. Perhaps that's why he's nowhere as troublesome as the records suggested? Yes, her body was wrecked with intense pain and grotesque excretions before she found Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, but it was not the maddening hallucinations and murderous impulses which so often ruined the lives of Mochizuki Clan's women throughout history.

She was hailed as the 'genius' who could finally control Yamata-no-Orochi… but was it all just because he allowed it to happen? Just a stroke of fortune, really, leading to the bestowal of a power only trumped by the chief gods themselves?

But this wasn't the time to mull over things which were already under control. In the even of this battle, she'd need every help she could get… at the very least, not to be a distraction to her husband.

"Shirohami-sama, I'll be in your care," Chiyome bowed to just the appropriate level when faced with a cooperative Guardian Sprit.

The white female snake nodded. Somehow, the girl could feel Shirohami smiling, despite nary a change to her actual physical expression. "Likewise, Denka."

"Please don't call me that."

The snake's ephemeral grin just grew wider at the young girl's blush. "Why not? Your mother before you, and her mother before her, were worthy of that title despite their… choices. You are already far worthier than them."

Chiyome shifted uncomfortably, her gesture eerily naturally mimicking a serpentine creature – especially with the scale marks across her skin – saying shyly, "But… 'Denka'? T-That title is a bit…"

"What do you suggest, then?" Shirohami hissed patiently, the breath unnaturally escaping from between her prominent fangs sound tired. "Would you like 'Tenno' instead? I think Yamata-no-Orochi-sama won't be pleased you stole his title."

The long-haired girl shook her head so violently those inky black strands actually flew all over the place like wild snakes, ruffling her usually prim-and-proper appearance she maintained during her miko duties. It's grown enough to actually use as a blanket to cover her entire naked body if necessary, and frequently tightly bound to prevent it from getting in the way during her kunoichi duties. Of course, there's a number of ninjutsu to manipulate each strand independently or as groups if necessary, but Chiyome hoped the following battle wouldn't come down to that.

Especially if she had to tap into Yamata-no-Orochi's power…

Sensing her hesitation, and not just at the title the snake was addressing her with, Shirohami continued, "You have served as a chief priestess for so long… so what about an advice from a fellow one? The serpent yōkai tribe has appointed me in this position for so long, trying to search for another who could bring us higher and further. Saitō Dōsan has served us well… but he still failed in the end."

Chiyome shook her head once again, this time more demurely. "I can't be a replacement for Dōsan-dono. I have chosen a different path in life… and I won't compromise what I've achieved."

Clearly, she was silently referring to her marriage and current happy life with Shirō and Danzō… perhaps with additional members joining in soon. For someone who truly self-made due to her own efforts and endurance, she wouldn't risk it all for a tribe she wasn't even aware of prior to a few days ago, no matter how powerful or rewarding. Was she opportunistic? Certainly yes, and while she's grateful for her fortunes, it only made her more hesitant in taking risks which could compromise it.

- Hiss…

'Eh? She's not displeased?' Somehow recognizing the emotion behind the sound, Chiyome tilted her head in confusion. "I mean, Shirohami-sama… I…"

"No need to say any more… Fufufu…" she chuckled. "I see why Yamata-no-Orochi-sama respected that stubbornness so much. Perhaps… those women before you could've benefitted from it, instead of wallowing in their despairing situation."

Chiyome lightly sulked. "You seemed to know my mother well."

"Not personally, no," the white snake refuted, shaking her small triangular head adorned with prayer beads around it. How they didn't fall off, Chiyome had no idea, so she simply chalked it up as 'Guardian Spirit things'. "We, the serpent yōkai clan, has eyes and ears everywhere, much like the other leaders who become Guardian Spirits in this Outside World. I spent most of the previous few decades alongside Dōsan-kun; how could I have time to know your mother that well?"

Chiyome's shoulders slumped lightly in this private tent reserved for the Sengo family's preparation. The two had some privacy mostly due to it being Danzō's turn to patrol, though the younger girl certainly didn't mind the busty kunoichi's presence in most occasions. "I… never really tried to know her well… before her passing. So, if you know anything…"

"Unfortunately, not much more than what I'm sure you already know," Shirohami calmly replied. "Those 'eyes and ears'… can't communicate very well beyond simple information, which is why they're not suited to become Guardian Spirits. My only advantage is the knowledge of the Mochizuki women and their experience serving Yamata-no-Orochi-sama… and as you've found out, they had it much worse than you."

"I am grateful for that," she politely bowed, as if Shirohami was a replacement for the god residing inside her. "So… what's the thing you wish to present to me? That's the reason you asked for a private meeting… as well as why you abandoned Dōsan-dono, right?"

- Hiss…

"The 'Viper' is now you, and not him," Shirohami bestowed. "Whether you'll follow his legacy or forge a new path… it's up to you. I shall follow you from now on… at least until you decided to give up this title."

"Or if someone more competent shows up."

Under Chiyome's determined expression, Shirohami agreed. "Correct. Let our pact be one of mutual beneficiaries, if you do not wish to personally bind yourself to our cause. Is that more convenient for you?"

Stunned at how easy the negotiations went, Chiyome nodded vigorously, once again messing up her carefully-done hair. She could bind them back up easily later anyway, when the horn to start the battle rang. "That is ideal, yes. I shall rely on you on the forthcoming battles, then, Shirohami-sama."

"And we hope you can grow to see our plight in our time together, Chiyome-kun," the white snake bowed in return, though it looked more like she was attempting a sleeping posture. "Have you mastered my Living Weapon yet?"

Now, they're getting into the meat of the discussion. The earlier exchanges were just to establish their relationship, after Shirohami's surprising decision to ditch Dōsan in front of the rescue team on the raft for Chiyome barely last night. "The 'Viper' is no more," she vividly remembered Shirohami declared in front of a shocked, but eventually relieved Dōsan. Another striking thing Chiyome noticed was the expression of lightness in the old man's face, a rarity knowing his daughter and heir had just died alongside with the total destruction of the castle he built with his own blood, sweat, and tears.

Perhaps knowing Nō was in a safe place placated his fears, as well as strengthening his position in the Oda Clan by virtue of having nothing else which someone else could accuse him of caring beyond what Nobunaga wanted or needed. In a way, he became Mino's political prisoner, considering Mitsuhide's wholehearted defection to the Oda Clan's philosophy and Nō being so close to Nobunaga.

"The [Sage Arts]… is difficult," Chiyome admitted, "but I certainly have mastered it enough to be usable, Shirohami-sama."

It's a rare form of Living Weapon, only learnt under exceptional circumstances. For Chiyome, it's solely because of Yamata-no-Orochi – Shirohami wasn't sure about the others' terms and conditions, because each tribe had different requirements. For example, she'd heard of the Iga Clan forcibly fusing the deceased older generation with their yōkai compatriot, granting the same effect for their descendants to use. The white snake didn't consider that to be a particularly efficient method, however – it's much easier finding a single powerful soul to withstand a god's strength than hoping a combination of at least three different souls would end up in harmony.

In effect, it's not significantly different than the [Yōkai Shift] Mitsuhide reported about Yoshitatsu. The latter was a perfectly balanced half-yōkai – more of an exception than the rule – so wasting resources in replicating such an aberration was folly. There were others like her, such as Goemon whose father was a high-level intelligent kappa, but her Living Weapon techniques were more similar to humans than Yoshitatsu, whose ability to fully transform into a humanoid abomination remained unique.

It only made Chiyome respect Mitsuhide even more… though she'd never say it out loud, for fear of having the latter's forehead growing even larger with arrogance. She could tolerate the swordswoman being touchy-feely with her husband – he's quite the desirable thing, after all – but not to the point she'd tolerate Mitsuhide's quirks as easily as Shirō.

She just didn't have the patience or breadth of empathy he had. Perhaps that, too, was one of the reasons she fell in love with him in the first place? 'I'm not sure… There's just too many factors!'

Through their newly-formed bond, Shirohami could clearly sense Chiyome's passionate thoughts, completely at odds with how collected her expression usually was, having went through far more than the average kunoichi to attain her skill and prestige.

"It's not difficult. Just… different. You simply have to set aside your current mindset and embrace things you don't know exist in the first place," the white snake explained. "With both myself and Yamata-no-Orochi-sama, you don't have to worry about taking in too much Mana – of which you know the consequences of."

"Understood."

The petrified glowing golden amber statues populating some areas in the Reverse Side of the World Chiyome's visited spoke volumes of the danger taking a further step into one's Living Weapon mastery.

Originally, Chiyome wasn't supposed to enjoy this ability. She watched Nobunaga and Mitsuhide performed theirs without any envy, fully knowing her curse could substitute for their powerful fusion forms at any time. Too much power held in one's hand could clearly become more trouble than it's worth – though Shirō certainly thought otherwise. Despite him saying he only wished to become a peaceful blacksmith and cook, their bond straight after marriage told her this was a white lie.

Yes, he dreamt of it, but he didn't expect to be able to enjoy said ideal situation.

Chiyome and Danzō shared it, too, though they each had their personal interpretations in how they'd achieve that.

Still, it appeared her fortune hadn't died out yet.

- Fwip.

The flap to their tent opened, and Shirō poked his head through.

"Chiyome, there's a situation. Change of plans."

"Tell me, what do you see, Kanetsugu?" Kagetora asked seriously, her usual chirpy and ever-present smile gone. This surprised all of her men – including the tagalong Fūma shinobis – to the point the smaller girl stuttered in her response. "Tell me… Who do you think will win?"

"O-Of course it'll be Kagetora-sama!" Kanetsugu excitedly said, her hime-cut bangs bouncing energetically. "With you here, anyone you choose to assist will surely triumph, blessed by Bishamonten himself!"

"Hmm… So that's what you think…" The white-haired Princess General observed what laid before her: Okehazama. "What about you, Fūma-dono?"

"It's rare of you to ask of this lowly one's opinion," Kōtarō quietly murmured out, just loud enough to be audible between the three of them. "Is something bothering you?"

"How dare you to doubt Kagetora-sama!" Kanetsugu agitatedly placed herself between the redheaded shinobi and her beloved lord. "Just answer her question!"

- Pat.

"Kanetsugu, can you wait at camp if you can't provide any other answer than your previous one? It's boring hearing the same thing over and over again, you know," Kagetora pointed out, a sharp grin forming on her face as her tiny retainer shivered. Whether that's from genuine apology or pure fear, she didn't know. "Should we start the conversation over, or will you wait for Fūma-dono's answer?"

"M-My apologies…"

The speed of her dogeza impressed even Kōtarō, who noted it's even faster than some of his shinobis' movement techniques. While Kagetora herself couldn't fathom what's going on in Kanetsugu's head, he could. Clearly, it's fear, but not of her own lord and the possible punishments.

He should know. After all, he felt that way many times when he was younger.

The fear of disappointing someone they held dear in their hearts. Once again, clearly, Kagetora occupied that position in Kanetsugu's heart. While he didn't care to delve too deep into their relationship, which was more akin to a zealous believer and her goddess than a lord and retainer – and without a doubt the Fūma information network had an answer to said question – he could sympathize with her, if only a little bit.

Kanetsugu's prim and immaculate black hair was dirtied, but she didn't seem to care.

Once, Kōtarō thought so too – he'd throw away his life just for that one praise…

…from her.

- Ahem!

Coughing, he promptly ignored the awkward situation and finally answered the Uesugi Princess General. "If we don't interfere… I think the Oda forces will win."

"Hoo? Interesting!" That particular gleam appeared once again in her sharp eyes, one which Kōtarō knew very well: bloodlust. "Pray indulge me in your analysis."

"It's just a hunch. I can't really explain it, really – my gut tells me they have something in store. Because… if they didn't, they would've made sure they arrived first, instead of giving Yoshimoto the chance to set camp one day earlier," he tried to evade further prying, hoping Kagetora's awful talent in reading another's mood during conversations would aid his endeavour.

"Ehh… You're no fun! That's just the same answer I would've given!" She whined in a completely inappropriate manner for someone of her status. "You guys' job is to provide me with a better answer! If it's just gut, then I have plenty of my own!"

"Then you agree with me?"

Still acting childishly, the playful smile she exhibited could also be considered outright demonic. "Hmm… who knows? You don't have a good answer; I can do that too! In any case, I get to battle powerful opponents, I'm sure… HEY! YOU LOT! PAY ATTENTION!"

Her shout did startle, yes, but her troops were used to it. Kanetsugu broke her dogeza off, joining the rank in rapt attention.

- Thud!

"If there's a strong enemy from any side, stay well clear! Leave them to me! No one is to interfere!" She boisterously declared, making a show of slamming the butt of her naginata to the ground. "I'll tell you all when to move and intercept! But no one moves before that! Understand?!"

"YES!"

Turning back to view the wide plains facing Okehazama from their hidden camping spot in a village nearby – the villagers kept in safe, unharmed custody in the village hall – she quietly mulled something one last time. Kōtarō wasn't sure what.

To be frank, her capacity for strategic on-the-fly decisions surprised him. She was everything his current lord wasn't: Ujiyasu excelled in long-term defensive strategies, while Kagetora was a legendary commander in a chaotic battlefield; the former was an unparalleled genius in board games, the latter hyper-athletic with no sense of handling a long-ranged subtle battle.

One was a shut-in, and the other was perhaps too active. Don't let any one of those two hear this, however.

Kagetora even had the sense to order temporary dismantling of their flags as they intruded past Hōjō territory, moving more like a band of mercenaries than a well-trained army. While they didn't have time to fully disguise themselves due to their numbers – however small, an army was still an army, after all – they more than made it up in movement speed, reaching this very plains slightly before Yoshimoto finished putting up camp.

What the Fūma's role in this battle, he wasn't sure. He was here only to keep an eye on the Uesugi troops, ensuring they didn't use Ujiyasu's permission to wreak havoc in Hōjō lands instead. He should have left them well alone once they were through – however, something told him he should accompany her until the end.

That very same 'something' which told him Yoshimoto's going to lose, despite the staggering difference in numbers.

'Hahaue… What would you do in this situation…?' He prayed mournfully to the Fūma's beloved and departed mentor, assured his shinobis were doing the same thing.

Character Sheet Update!

S

Saitō Yoshitatsu

Title: Failed Nioh
Predicted Class: Saber, Berserker
Gender: Female
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 59 kg

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Strength: A+
Endurance: C
Agility: B
Mana: C
Luck: D
Noble Phantasm: A++

Class/Personal Skills:

Animalistic Logic: B
A combative way of thinking resulting from her yōkai transformations. It's not useful for finding weak points, but the speed of thinking focusing on killing the enemy swiftly increases. If combined with the skill [Self Evolution], the speed of defeating an opponent increases even further.

Divinity: C
The daughter of a Divine Spirit-rank oni, Miyoshino, and the human warrior Saitō Dōsan. Originally, this skill should've been higher-ranked because of her father's strength, but her temperament didn't suit it. Rank-Up in Strength when 'purging' her opponents.

Eternal Arms Mastery: B
Prevents degradation of fighting skills when under the effect of mental hindrance. However, her martial skill wasn't that high to begin with, and thus more easily preserved no matter her condition.

Mad Enhancement: EX
Rank-Up to all physical parameters. The deprivation of reason wasn't quite apparent because of her inborn muteness and crazed behaviour, so most people would just look at her and say, "Oh, she's just being herself again." Strengthens the skill [Yōkai Transformation] into [Yōkai Realm].

Mana Burst: A
Yoshitatsu's sole magical talent was cladding her weapons with her outrageously powerful energy, though also necessitating a level of quality to prevent them from breaking in an instant since she's not skilled in Reinforcement. This skill resonated well with her Guardian Spirits, though she was unable to use Living Weapons due to her varied yōkai transformation skills.

Mental Corruption: B
A Skill where due to possessing a distorted mentality, Yoshitatsu was able to greatly resist out any mental interference thaumaturgy. However, at the same time, it became impossible for her to come to a mutual understanding with individuals who didn't possess a skill of equivalent rank.

Yōkai Transformation: A
The highest natural rank possible for someone with human blood. Yoshitatsu was able to shift into three different forms from similarly different Guardian Spirits and Elements, a sign of a true master. Able to change without any major consequence – though she herself already had little to lose. Rank-Up to Endurance and Agility when countering an enemy.

Yōkai Realm: B
A temporary manifestation of her personal Marble Phantasm, owing to her mother's blood. A typical self-expression of an inhabitant of the Reverse Side of the World, it's rather fragile and dependent on her Mana and Endurance. Summons a field of red spider lilies and wisteria iconic to Otakemaru, symbolizing her blood relation to him – which was different than the other two 'noble' oni lineages, the Mt. Ōe and Amaterasu.

Noble Phantasms:

Pro-An-Tri-Deu: Wildcard Blessing
Rank: C (EX)
Type: Support
Range: 1
Max. Targets: 1

Yoshitatsu's innate ability to absorb and utilize others' Guardian Spirits to strengthen herself, provided she could empathize enough with them and willing to bear their spiritual burdens. As it was, her personality prevented this Noble Phantasm to achieve its full potential, merely granting her with the three Guardian Spirits she was born with.

Makami, the [Fire] wolf. Ame-no-Mitori, the [Lightning] eagle. Kagewani, the [Water] tatari-gami. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses, Yoshitatsu's inability to simultaneously wield more than one of them was due to her poor resolve in training in Magecraft. They were servants of their respective domains' gods, born to assist humans and yōkai alike.

This Noble Phantasm granted Yoshitatsu three different transformations, depending on each Guardian Spirit's speciality. The Brute with the Origin [Guard], the Feral with [Shift], and the Phantom with [Shadow] – each with its different fighting styles and distances. Only in this regard Yoshitatsu was an unparalleled genius, fluidly changing her patterns according to whatever's necessary.

Character Description

The supposed heir and Princess General of Mino, daughter of Saitō Dōsan. Born from the oni princess Miyoshino, she was supposed to be the perfect union between the two noble families – her mother hailing from a prestigious line different than Mt. Ōe's one, while Dōsan was a self-made noble with all the associated positivity. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, she lost her mother at an early age, and her father busied himself in his plans to conquer Nihon in grief, before eventually falling to the Oda Clan under Nobunaga's tricks.

She grew to be a violent and illogical Princess General, who had great proclivity to cruelty against both allies and enemies. Seeing his father surrendering to Nobunaga with nary a fight, she rebelled and overthrown him, having been deprived of the all-out bloody war she's been expecting. However, history noted she perished in a sudden and unexplainable explosion of Inabayama Castle while her father was away, maintaining the treaty signed between Mino and Owari as a result.

A half-yōkai, her mixed blood was unusually balanced, granting her the ability [Yōkai Shift], a particular variation of [Yōkai Transformation] which blended the physical prowess of inhuman beings with the wisdom and skill of continuous human improvement. Born mute, she was remarkably expressive in a conversation, and was rumoured to have her other senses enhanced as a result. She fought mainly with a katana, though as most Princess Generals, she's also adept with wielding a variety of weapons.