Oh man...was that intense for the first encounter! Who would be the warriors to face the demons? What is happeneing now?!

Let's continue!

"YOU DID WHAT?! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

Kage just crossed his arms, rolling his eyes as he is being yelled by the general Kubo for making a decision without him being present as well being insubordinate. The guards were posted there were fidgeting as they look worried and rightfully so. They didn't know which is worse, the general's yelling or Kage's plan.

"Of all things, why?! Just why?! What's wrong with my plan?! That plan would work if you didn't bring this "alternative route" to the enemy? Do you want them to win?! Huh?!"

"Your plan will fall. You cannot underestimate these two armies, I came and took a look at them. It looks like they cared about their subordinates so all you're doing giving them the motivation to take this place by force. Another thing I didn't expect was to see the head of Uesugi to be there."

Kubo choked, "Uesugi? The War God?" This is the worse than he thought.

"Yes….so have you send the messenger yet?"

"…"

"General?"

"I have sent him a while ago since you didn't return until now."

"So that means….."

"Yes…we expect reinforcements to come around the afternoon."

"Hmph. No matter then…at least I put pressure on the enemy since they're going to rush things."

"Eh? What happens if they send Shingen and Usegi here?! Ha?! Not even the demons like you and Kouki can defeat them! Especially together!"

"Calm yourself…..I don't think they will volunteer. The One-Eyed Dragon wants to see me dead, so that's one person I expected to come. The second person would be anyone else…probably the Takeda's general or Date's retainer." If anything those three has a good reason to see him fall. He just hopes it isn't that Keiji individual. He doesn't know anything about him but his personality and honestly, he doesn't want to fight him. That will be insulting.

"I swear…you….do you have any idea what your actions caused?!" Kubo is now ticked off.

"At least, I buying time."

"You're gambling with time, Kage! What you're doing is messing things up! What happens if they win? Are you going to claim responsibility for that?"

Kage narrows his eyes at General Kubo, "If that happens….of course, but regardless….that won't happen. I have my sword and Kouki with me."

Kouki who is present lifts her head at the mention of her name but didn't say anything.

Kubo growls, "Fine! But if you fail…..I will tell Mitsuhide and Oda of your actions!"

"Of course. Just remember the deal and follow it." Kage stated, thinking that won't happen.

"Fine! Dismissed!" Kubo waves him off, wanting him to get out of the room. These demons are like dealing with children for Kami's sake! Because not only this fortress falls but he will fall with it if Oda gets the wind of this. He would have his head but he will take Kage with him!

Somewhere at night...Keiji and Useugi are under the tree with the fire right next to them. Not too far from the war meeting. Keiji's face looks troubled as if he looks conflicted with something. Plus, he hasn't spoken for awhile ever since the first encounter with Kage.

"….."

"Is something matter, Keiji?" Uesegi noticed his friend's expression.

"Hm? Oh no! It's nothing." Maede Keiji waves his hand as nothing's going on but that's a lie. The words that the masked demon told him left an impression.

"Don't tell me that you take the demon's words into the heart." Uesugi already figures out so there was no use in hiding. Keiji's shoulders slumps,

"What? No. It's just that….I hope that Kage guy has some heart but…it looks like he hates us."

"Hate?"

"Yes after that comment he made about us, he rather see us fall than try to understand us. "

"I see. Well…no wonder."

Keiji tilted his head at the War God in question.

"If I see him, I will make him pay for insulting Kenshin-sama." A thought from a woman, she is wearing a voluptuous outfit, it was Kasuga, a koncnhi A ninja just like Sasuke. She was there at the meeting after a scouting mission but she hide in the trees above them. She is surprised to see a Demon of Oda for the first time but after hearing such words fall from his mouth. Calling her lord Kenshin, a warmongering beast of all things, no doubt it made her mad.

Uesugi looks to the vagabond, "It must be some reason for such hate, no doubt the boy is troubled. Thought I wonder if that mask of his is some kind of item from Yomi."

Keiji is just confused at the statement which Uesugi sighs before smiling, "But it seems you leave an impression on Kage than the other way around. He seems perplexed by you for some reason. Probably, your presence and being made him confused." He chuckles.

"Hah?"

"Oh nothing. Just musings from form a old believer."

"Ah." Keiji looks up to the night sky wondering what's going to happen in this trial of combat that Kage proposed to the alliance. It seems good on writing but the pressure of hostages and reforincements of Oda. It must be hectic. "Why do you think he done it?"

"It seems because he knew that we outnumbered Oda there despite the tumble at the plains with the use of iron. It seems he's buying time for reinforcements. " Uesegi read Keiji's thoughts. "Unless the general is not cooperating with Kage given his attitude back there. Shingen seems to know this as well. Kage is playing dangerous gamble which makes it amusing for me and Shingen to see it through."

"Wait…you're going?" Keiji widen his eyes

Kasuga snaps her head up in hearing this now worrying for her lord. She's not doubting Kenshin's abilites but she can't seem to trust Kage's words. "Kenshin-sama! Please do not do this! That snake is not worthy of your time and is a demon of Oda! A foul creature of the foulest man ever walked this Earth!"

Usegi just laughs softly, "Oh no! I'm not going. In fact, it's already been decided, the moment that Kage proposed his alternative option to us."

Kasuga and Keiji look to each other, wondering who are the two fighters chosen for the trial.

Dawn came to the land. The demons slept restful and are now up inside the tower, waiting for their opponents to come.

Kouki sits at the corner eating her rice balls. She received a bonus for her work by her fellow soldiers. She didn't refuse or oppose Kage's plan. In fact, she is glad that she won't go out and tire herself out in facing a nine hundred army. Right now, she makes sure the job gets.

"Kage-sama!" A soldier came to him and bows to him. "Two people are approaching the castle."

"Oh. Who will that be?"

"It seems it's Date Masamune of the Date clan." As he expected, of course, he came. He smirks under his mask, "And the other one?"

"It's Takeda's general. Sanada Yukimura."

"Whose that?" Kage steps forward outside of the balcony since he and Kouki are on the third floor so they can see over the walls. He sees the two people on horseback coming. One azure which is obliviously Masamune and the red? One that Kage seems to recognize. The spearman who had a huge outburst after his insults. Kage starts to grin under his mask. Oh! This is going to be fun.

"Kouki."

"Hm?"

"Come here. These are our opponents." Kouki stands up and walks over, to see the two men.

"So that's them?" Kage nods which Kouki just kept on staring at them. "They look like they want to kill us." Being Kouki, she always states the obvious. Kage laughs, "They were mad at me for my comments earlier. Couldn't blame them." Kouki gives "hm" at that response before asking, "So which one should I take?"

"Whatever you want."

"Well...what about you?"

"Hm...well...If I have to pick. I picked him. Therefore, that one will be your opponent." He pointed.

"That guy?"

"Indeed."

"Okay." With that, the demons go downstairs and wait for the dragon and tiger to come. The battle for the fortress has now begun!

Wow...sorry for build-up but I want to make the next chapter exciting! Feel free to put the comments here if you like!