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Chapter 9: Path to Revenge
"Ever done to indulge in the afterglow of a kill," Mitsuhide commented, Shingen's blood still dripping from his blade.
"His eyes were like that when he killed Azai. He's out of his freaking mind!" Masamune said to himself. He could hear neighing and the thunder of hundreds of hooves behind him as his army came up behind him. He glanced up at the sky. Kaminari was still up there, waiting for an opportunity to arise to safely go after the Tiger of Kai, while she already followed the stream to catch him swiftly and as soon as possible.
"Big Boss, Boss Katakura!" A man called just as Bunshichi was lifted out of the turbulent river by Yoshinao.
"Quickly! Move downstream with everybody else!" Kojuro ordered, the soldiers quick to do as told.
"Kojuro, we ain't holding back this time!"
"Got it! Let's put this rabid dog down!" A storm of blue erupted from them both, Masamune's darker than Kojuro's, but it immediately mingled like it was the most natural thing to do. And they charged, leaving the earth they had previously stood on in pieces, cluttering into the stream. Masamune had switched to take three of his Claws into his right hand which he now used to assault Mitsuhide with, along with Kojuro. From the peripheral of his vision, he could see Kaminari's long body emerging from the clouds and diving into the river far away from their fight.
"DEATH FANG!"
Both Masamune's and Kojuro's attack hit Mitsuhide, ripping of his shoulder protectors. They landed perfectly symmetrical to each other, proof of their close friendship. Behind them, Mitsuhide swayed from one side to the other, giggling.
"Magnificent!" The One-Eyed dragon and the Right Eye tensed. Mitsuhide turned around with an expression of pure bliss and pleasure. "I doubt there have been many fortunate enough to taste the swords of both the One-Eyed Dragon and his Right Eye." Still smiling, he lifted his bloody scythe to the skies as he was bathed in a purple light, only to swing it down again, releasing light green bolts of light, shooting in random directions, one of those being right between Kojuro and Masamune. They jumped out of harms way, unintentionally giving Mitsuhide the time he needed to jump to the other shore side, where his horse stood.
"Shit!" Masamune cursed, turning to see Mitsuhide sitting on his horse.
"Just enjoyed a treat called the Tiger of Kai and overeating is not healthy!" His horse made to leave. "Plus, you still have a most important role to play."
"I have a what?" Masamune wondered confused, watching the still giggling Mitsuhide disappear.
"Masamune-sama, shall we pursue him?"
"…Nah, leave him, should just be glad that freak didn't notice Kaminari. Sure didn't exaggerate 'bout him, though. That guy's impossibly a human." Kojuro nodded in agreement. "Let's go see how Old Man's doing."
They mounted their horses and rode downstream, looking for the Tiger Cub's bright red clothing, having no doubt that Kaminari had already retrieved the old Tiger.
By the time they found them, the waterflow had calmed down considerably and the village had been flooded completely. On the shore to both sides were soldiers from his army and what appeared to be the villagers with what little they had found the time to save. Most likely some of his men, who had been late in following them, had been ordered by Kaminari to evacuate the village. And there was also…
"Oyakata-sama! OYAKATA-SAMA!"
With pity Masamune looked down as Yukimura shook Shingen lifeless body again and again. Kaminari hovered over the Tiger, glowing in a faint light in her efforts to heal Shingen's wounds. Her lower body was still in the water, reaching to the other shore to save any men still in the current. Her head rose in his direction, before she hung her head again.
"I've done my best, but I'm afraid…I'm at my limit," Kaminari uttered weakly, only barely managing to transform into her human form again, before she collapsed into the dirt.
Back at the mansion, it was eerily silent. Soldiers of the Takeda had gathered in front of the room Shingen rested in, some even standing in the everlasting rain. Masamune had carried Kaminari into a different room down some corridors, which became a similar sight with the Date soldiers gathering there. Ordering his retainers to keep an eye on her, Masamune left with Kojuro to join Sasuke in an adjoining room to Shingen's resting quarters, the sliding door to said room open, allowing them to see the crestfallen Yukimura sit at his master's side. Sasuke had only recently returned with news of Uesugi Kenshin's defeat at the hands of Nohime and Ranmaru.
"One of my ninjas has just returned with information," Sasuke began, addressing the One-Eyed Dragon and his Right Eye, though the former never even looked at him. "It seems the Devil King is headed for Yamashiro." He paused, waiting for a response. When none came, he continued. "Honnou-ji is out of the way. He may be going home before his invasion of the Inland Sea."
"Most likely," Kojuro surmised, gaining Masamune's attention. "It is a trap. Mori and Chosokabe should not be of immediate concern to Oda, as they have maintained a local equilibrium. But we, the Eastern Forces, who have clearly demonstrated our hostility, should be his target. I imagine the Devil King only invaded Kyushu, when he did, because he knew we were unable to mobilize following the battle at Nagashino. However, Oda's surprise attack against the south must have tested their metal. It certainly sent a clear massage. That the Giants of the Inland Sea will inevitably be trampled by him."
"So then, even if that Maeda Vagabond somehow managed to make any headway with them, it's most likely already far too late," Sasuke noted.
"For all intents, the Inland Sea is Oda's now. He can simply attack them whenever it is convenient for him. But with the Tiger of Kai and the War God of Echigo out of the way, the far better opportunity for him now would be to wipe us out."
"Makes sense. So, he's gone to Yamashiro to show his back to us and lure us all in." Sasuke's gaze wandered to the defeated Tiger and its Cub. "It's worth mentioning that the remnants of Tokugawa and Azai's forces both wish to avenge their Daimyos. They're prepared to die in battle long as it means a shot at Oda. That sentiment is bound to grow in the Uesugi camp. And, of course, the Takeda camp, as well."
"Crush everyone rushing in, bent on revenge, in one fell swoop. A valid strategy, but" Kojuro's gaze was fixated on the Tiger as well. "Whether for frontal assaults or surprise attacks, without exception, Oda crushes his opponents in an single onslaught, so why this plot to assassinate the other generals?!"
"Maybe after Nagashino," Sasuke thought. "He decided our alliance was troublesome, after all."
"That could be part of it, but more so, with this method I sense a desire to make sport of war and of people's hearts. Mocking the exasperations of innocence and trampling them to seize their land until they have nothing left but the unquenchable thirst for revenge." Kojuro's gaze hardened. "This obscenity is not of the Devil King, it is most likely-…"
"Kojuro." Kojuro turned to Masamune. "I wanna fall into their trap," Masamune exclaimed turning to him.
"Why would you want…?"
"Doesn't matter who came up with the crappy plan," he said facing away again. "Even if it was that son of a bitch Akechi. Oda will be there!" Kojuro opened his mouth, whether in shock or to protest remained unclear as Masamune continued. "I get what that bastard meant now. I've been chosen as the Supreme Commander of the force he plans to defeat in one fell swoop." His eye narrowed. "Screw that. He's played me for a fool every step of the way, starting with the abduction of my Foresight. Akechi once held the power of life and death over me, I gotta make him pay for that, too." He uncrossed his arms and stood up from where he sat with crossed legs.
"Masamune-sama, Oda will soo lose patience and start attacking us separately. We need this time to fully prepare ourselves! If we do so, depending on the success of Maeda Keiji at the Inland Sea, we may be able to encircle Oda!"
"Oda already knows what Takeda and the Monkey Boy would ply, so it's not much of a plan now. Throwing away men to encircle an enemy who is on to what we're doing, ain't gonna get us anywhere," Masamune explained, looking down at Kojuro with a grin.
"But our opponent is too great to just rush head on into their midst. We must be cautious." Masamune stemmed a hand against his hip.
"What's the matter, Kojuro? This is how we always roll, since before we took control of Ôshu." Kojuro remained silent. "Listen, I'm gettin' the feeling you think you're personally responsible for the bullet I took in my gut at Nagashino." Again, Kojuro didn't say anything to either confirm or naysay his words. "But what you're in charge of, is guarding my back. Got it?" Now Kojuro stared up at him with wide eyes.
"Masamune-sama, you're not…!" Masamune turned his head way from his second in command and towards where Shingen rested.
"So, Sanada Yukimura, what about you? Figured you'd be the first one to go charging out there spears swinging."
"Oyakata-sama, I…" Yukimura closed his eyes and hung his head in shame. "Can you forgive…me?" He paused, silence filled the room. "When Akechi Mitsuhide launched his surprise attack, I-…"
"Sanada-danna!"Sasuke called loudly, standing up and marching up to him. "The enemy will always come after what you cherish most. That's how the Takeda and the Date both have risen to power in these turbulent times. It goes both ways. You must know that. Just look at Kaminari-dono!"
"I've never…struck down a foe except on the field of battle. Nor have I ever considered actions that would involve unarmed commoners…"
"Then get angry about it! Or do you plan to just hang your head by Oyakata-sama's bedside and wait for Oda to crush us?!" Crouching down to be at eye-level, Sasuke asked, his voice steadily rising "You think, you're the only one who feels like doing something?!"
"I do not know what I am supposed to do. I feel helpless." Yukimura's voice was little more than a whisper at the end as he closed his eyes again, having opened them sometime, and shivered. His right hand grabbed his left lower arm in an futile attempt to stop the trembling. "I've never been so scared!" Lightning lit up the room for a moment.
"I almost envy the guy," Masamune uttered. He turned away from the scene and slammed open the doors leading outside. Speechless, the Takeda men let him through. His retainers, wanting to see him for further instructions spotted him immediately.
"Hey, Big Boss!" Yoshinao called.
"We going to battle?" Samenosuke asked excited.
"About time!" Magobei complained. They ran up to him, waiting expectantly for the order to move out. For a while, the rain and the opening of a door, courtesy to Sasuke's curiosity, were the only sounds filling the yard.
"It's all over, boys," Masamune announced solemnly. "Break it up. AS OF THIS MOMENT, THE DATE ARMY OF ÔSHU IS NO MORE!" To say, his men were flabbergasted was an understatement. They had literally frozen and all they could utter was: "Eh?" Masamune continued on his way as if it was no big deal what he had done.
"Where are you going, One-Eyed Dragon?" Sasuke shouted. Masamune stopped again and turned around, grinning.
"To Honnou-ji, where do you think?" He lifted his left arm and pointed to himself with his thumb. "And I swear I'm not gonna rest until I take the Devil King's head myself!"
"What's this about?" Magobei asked confused.
"But Big Boss!" Samenosuke tried to protest.
"We'll come with you!" Yoshinao insisted, running to him as he turned to leave again. But Masamune simply cut off his hair in one smooth motion, smugly grinning to himself, before sheathing it again and facing them.
"Sorry, boys, this just ain't that kinda party."
"Big Boss, why…?" Yoshinao whispered shocked.
"Date-dono!" Yukimura called, jumping to his side, thus standing between Masamune and his retainers. "What are you doing? These men live for your sake! They swore they would not die until they had seized the land with you! Even when they were buried under that temple, they survived by sheer force of will! They were invaluable!"
"Oh, so that's the argument you're going with? You're the one who's willing to give up without a fight!" Masamune stated, closing in on the Tiger Cub. Grabbing the mon coins around Yukimura's neck, he pulled him closer. "These coins, I guess they're just for decoration!" He growled. "Ready payment for the river of hell. First time I met you that's what I think they meant. But what do you know, I guess I was wrong about you!" He pushed Yukimura back again, making him stumble and once again moved to leave.
"Take good care of Kaminari for me, you lot!"
"Big Boss!" Yoshinao called, again trying to follow Masamune, along with the others, but…
"Let him go!" They froze in their spots and turned around to face Kojuro standing on the porch.
"Boss Katakura!" Bunshichi exclaimed.
"This is Masamune-sama's decision." Changing the topic, Kojuro stated. "Oda has come at us with cheap tricks, a far cry from how warriors are supposed to fight! He has made a mockery of the pride and dignity of all generals everywhere! And as a general, he can no longer let the Devil King and his henchmen get away with it."
"But he doesn't have to go alone," Bunshichi argued.
"Your thoughts, Sanada Yukimura?"
"Needless to say, I share Date-dono's sentiments," He answered softly. "But for me, personally, Oyakata-sama means absolutely everything! A future without Oyakata-sama, it holds no meaning for me. If I were to leave his side now, while I'm gone, if the worst should happen..."
"You should not underestimate the Tiger of Kai," Kojuro simply said, passing by Sasuke still standing in the doorframe to Shingen's room and entered. He walked up to the futon where Shingen lie and kneeled down.
"Forgive me, Shingen-dono." And he pulled down the kimono he was covered with. What it revealed stunned everyone present. But no one more than the Cub. Shingen's fist was tightly clenched in defiant.
"How long have you been at Takeda's side?" Kojuro asked, his gaze now moving from the Tiger to the Cub. "He would never succumb to an injury such as this. You should know that more than anyone, Sanada Yukimura." Ashamed, Yukimura nodded, his eyes focused at his master. Kojuro did not need to have the same aura reading ability Kaminari had in order to see the fighting spirit return to Yukimura with a vengeance.
"Oyakata-sama!" Kojuro could only guess that that was his goodbye to Shingen as he then rushed to retrieve his spears and only barely caught Masamune, who had already found his helmet and horse, including saddle, handlebars and everything.
"One-Eyed Dragon, wait for me!" Coming to a slippery halt, no thanks to the rain, he glared into Masamune's eye with a renewed passion that was impossible to overlook. "I shall keep you company."
"Ha! Alright," Masamune grinned, right hand wandering to the hilt of one of his Claws. Taking note of that, Yukimura immediately swung his spear, flames blazing at the tips, as Masamune unsheathed his sword accompanied with blue lightning bolts. Their blades met loudly and stayed that way, though they didn't apply pressure on them.
"Sanada Yukimura," Masamune started, appearing to all the world as though he was having a whole lot of fun. "Time to bare your fangs! You've honed them with the Tiger of Kai, now sink them into the throats of your foe!"
"My fangs are sharp!" Yukimura replied, also grinning. "They are the knowledge and wisdom of Oyakata-sama's teachings! They are held strong in my heart!"
"That's the spirit!" As if on cue, fire shot down from the spear to surround Yukimura and lightning bolts engulfed Masamune from the sword. Both energies twirled around each other, higher and higher into the sky until it met the blockade of clouds which it simply pierced through, leaving a giant hole in its wake. And then they were on their way, galloping through the woods with Masamune at the front.
"It's the last party and it's just you and me, let's go enjoy ourselves!"
"I could ask no more. Without fail, you and I will take the Devil King's head!"
"The enemy…is at Honnou-ji!" They called in chorus, leaving nothing but dust in their wake.