Chapter 6
Predictions and Struggles at Saika
As night fell around Ueda castle, Oichi was up and continually worried about Kyoji who was sleeping near her. Her nightmares where so real and terrifying for her, she finally stood and silently went looking for Tsurhime. She wanted this to just be in her head that she was worrying for nothing. "little one can you help me?" Oichi asked as she woke up Tsurhime. "hmmm… what is it Oicchi?" Tsurhime replied sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"I have been have the most terrifying dreams about Kyoji. I need to know if they are just dreams and thus illusions or something more." Tsurhime saw the concern and terrified look in Oichi's eyes. "Alright tell me about these dreams first" Oichi nodded told the Little Crane all of her dreams so far. Kyoji battling a demon with a crown at Honnoji and both vanishing in the fire that soon engulfed The entire place and the land mourned for Kyoji Tsurhime listen intently as Oichi gave all the details, once Oichi finished, Tsurhime sat back and though using her visions and oracle powers to see the future of Kyoji. What she saw terrified her more then anything in her whole life. It would all come true, Kyoji battling a great and mighty demon to protect the land and a smaller, weaker demon who bore the crest of the Oda but also the mark of a traitor. Tsurhime had to stop he vision as she trembled in fear. she latched on to Oichi tears running down her face "I'm sorry Oichi what you saw is true. It will all happen after great battle which Kyoji will win. He will then battle a great demon to protect the land and he will die as Honnoji burns! Oh god Kyoji is going to die!" Tsurhime wept as did Oichi for what they had seen would come to pass though they knew not the day for the hour.
dawn broke over the horizon, Kyoji and the armies where making preparations when Oichia and Tsurhime ran up to him embracing him "Kyoji!" Tsurhime cried Kyoji confused by all this said "what ever is the matter? you two act like I am dead or something." Tsurhime and Oichi told him of the visions and dreams they had. "It alright You two" he then summoned up his all of officers as he comforted them. "My friends it has been revealed to me the price I shall pay to make a land of smiles that I have vowed to make. If this is what history and the fate s demanded for the land to smile then so be it. I am willing to die for this. My father Nobunaga Oda, Told me to live for my desire, fight for my desire and be willing to die for it. I am willing to de for the land to smile. Not one of you can die before me though we must go to the land of smile as one" His officers where in disbelief. Mifune said "my lord we can't let you die you mean so much to us." Kyoji placed a hand on Mifune's shoulder. "Mifune my dearest friend, you can't ignore what history demands. Don't look away from the land that will be built, if it is based solely on my life then it will crumble. No, it will be built on the peaceful lives of all people. Not one of you can die before me if the land is to be happy. Understand?" Mifune solemnly nodded "My lord… I will try to understand." Kyoji smiled "then that is what I will have to be satisfied with."
The army slowly marched to Saika, Its mood less the cheerful after the news that Kyoji will die at Honnoji had spread among the ranks. They where about to enter the lands of the Saika, when Kyoji suddenly brought the army to a halt and said, "My friends is this how you want to be when I die? A sea of frowns and glum? My land is for smiles and happiness. While I know you will mourn my passing, be not sad for I will be with you in your best times and your worst, reminding you of this land and people who fought to see the days of happiness. Grieve not for I will always be by each and every one of you. Now show me what the land of smiles is all about" the army cheered and one solider said "Sir if you are with us we will take on hell itself for the land of smiles!" another cheer erupted at the soldiers words "well said my friend. Then let us go and forge a new path towards a smiling land of peace and happiness" Kyoji said and smiled.
Kyoji and the army marched, when suddenly they came upon a massive three way battle between the Tokugawa, Toyotomi and the Saika. Kyoji rushed forth, ordering his men to take defensive potions as he charged head long into the squabbling armies. The Takada and Usugi soon charged forth with Kyoji their cavalry crushing their opponents. Kyoji fought his way to where Magoichi Saika was. She was shooting at soldiers from Toyotomi and Tokukawa. When he landed from a cliff and said "Magoichi Saika, I, Kyoji Oda asks for your assistance in the battles to be had." as he slashed at approaching soldiers "help me make a land of smiles, I will show you its power if that is what it takes." He locked eyes with Magoichi who merely scoffed "We are the Saika faction. We only care about our reputation!" she aimed her gun at kyoji who merely stood there "I am not my father, Mago, I am not intimidating I can't inspire awe with my mere presence. I almost doubt if I can make this land I envision a reality." Kyoji half smiled as he turned to fully face Magoichi who gasped at his eyes who where green but seemed to have frozen Magoichi's body and she listened as he spoke "but they all believe in my words and they have put their trust in me to make a land of smiles. A land of smiles is what we should desire. I promised them we would get there as one and we will no matter what!" kyoji charged as Magoichi shook out of her trance. Firing her gun only to miss as kyoji smacked the gun from her hand and he put a blade to her neck "Mago I need you to help me build such a land." Kyoji then pushed Magoichi out of the way as Mitsunari went to attack, Kyoji barely dodging his strikes. "Mistunari I see we meet at last. I see that hole in your heart is still ruling your head." "You… Your Kyoji Oda. So you sided with Ieyasu!" mistunari said angerly"no I haven't. his rule would only bring a fake smile to this land. what I want is a land of true smiles. your rule would only bring darkness…"
"Shut up! What do you know about my heart? On that day I died but you, you ran away and now your trying to take lord Hideyoshi's land for yourself!" Kyoji shook his hand "this land doesn't belong to me or to lord Hideyoshi. It belongs to all of us!" kyoji said as he readied his blades. Then Ieyasu showed up "ah… you're that man form before" Kyoji smiled as he stuck with Mitsunari's hesitation "I am Kyoji Oda, son of Nobunaga Oda! And I will make this land, a land of true smiles!" Mitsunari was struggling against Kyoji's attack when Magoichi go to her feet and shouted "Crows of Saika! Sharpen your claws! We fight for Kyoji Oda!" and she went on the attack as well. Ieyasu just smiled as he ran jumping on the back of Tadakatsu. "We will meet again, Kyoji at Sekigahara. Kyoji smiled as Mistunari looked angrier then before, when Lord Yoshisugu approached and said "Mitsunari we must withdraw for now." Mitsunari looked conflicted then said "alright Yoshisugu. Don't forget Kyoji when I am done with Ieyasu. I'll come for your head." Mitsuanri retreated back to Osaka castle As Ieyasu's forces retreated back to the land of Mikawa.
After the battle, Kyoji thanked Mago for her help "I look forward to working with you in the future." Kyoji said as he offer her drink, Mago took the drink and said "well you remind of someone who was dear to my heart." Kyoji nodded tsurhime bounded up and sat next to Kyoji. "Kyoji introduced Tsurhime to Magoichi and then to Oichi as she came slowly behind Tsurhime. "I look forward to seeing all of you smile in the future, now as soon as we are ready; we march to the Date and Mogami. Then I believe we will pay kobayakawa vist, from there we march to Sekigarhara. Any objections?" they shook their heads and kyoji then stood "Then let us be ready fro the land of smiles and happiness. I will count on all of your hard work."