Sengoku Basara meets Samurai Warriors: The rise of the Toyotomi

Chapter 5

A/N: Hello everyone! I am back with chapter 5!

Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Warriors or Sengoku Basara, only this story.

Chapter 5: Old friends, new enemies

Mitsunari sighed once more. They were preparing to leave the campus they had built near Shikoku and some Ieyasu, Masanori and Kiyomasa decided they could all train a little bit since they were done with gathering their stuff. Some others like Naotora and Nobuyuki also joined their training. The thing was, put Kiyomasa and Masanori in an event where they can impress a woman they like and they will start bickering like children. Mitsunari was annoyed by their childish behavior. Not only them, but Ieyasu seemed to also try and flex his body a little more making himself act like a fool.

Nobuyuki smiled sympathetically at Mitsunari. "I know that they are acting ridiculously, but they are all trying their best."

Mitsunari didn't even spare him a glance. "I honestly don't give a damn anymore."

Naotora was helping Ieyasu with a supposed injury he acquired during the training and they were both acting like… idiots in Mitsunari's opinion. "I don't get the whole "trying to impress the girl" act. At least you are married and you don't do stuff like that."

"Well, I did impress my wife on the battlefield. That's how we met. We were enemies back then, you see."

"I know the story. Ieyasu was kind enough to repeat it plenty of times to give me a headache."

Nobuyuki chuckled. "Well, that story and the one we are writing right now will be the ones to form Japan's future."

Mitsunari didn't answer. He just kept on staring at Naotora and Ieyasu wondering why they seemed so happy with their silly acts. Another chuckle from a man that wasn't there before got his attention. "I see the young ones are as energetic as ever.", said Hanbei. Kanbei was by his side and didn't seem to acknowledge them.

"Lord Hanbei, lord Kanbei.", said Mitsunari. He didn't mind Hanbei and he did respect the man a lot, but Kanbei made him feel a little uneasy. Of course he did respect him and he was grateful that the man was aiding lord Hideyoshi, but there were times that Mitsunari wondered whether Kanbei wanted something more out of them.

"I see you guys are training.", said Hanbei with a grin.

"That was the idea…", mumbled Mitsunari as he glanced at the others that were still doing the same silly stuff.

"Ah, young love! How pure and sweet. Don't you think so too Kanbei?", said Hanbei. Kanbei just stared at him and didn't bother answering.

"They are fools.", said Mitsunari.

"Oh, don't be like that Mitsunari! You'll find a young girl yourself and you will-", Hanbei's speech was cut short because of a very rough coughing fit. Mitsunari and Nobuyuki stared at him in surprise and the others stopped what they were doing and glanced at Hanbei worried. For a split second Mitsunari was certain he noticed worry in Kanbei's usually expressionless eyes, but the usual poker face was back on his face the moment he blinked.

"Hanbei you should go back to your tent.", said Kanbei.

Hanbei chuckled weakly, not really convincing anyone. "I'm fine Kanbei. Stop worrying about me. Besides I had already started undoing my tent when you came over."

Before Mitsunari could ask about Hanbei's health, Nene jumped next to him, surprising Kiyomasa and Masanori. "I've brought some food!", she said cheerfully.

Kiyomasa and Masanori, despite their original surprise cheered when they heard her words. Ieyasu and Naotora also approached with a grin. Hanbei also exclaimed in happiness and went to eat. Mitsunari sighed. He was certain that he heard the rustle of leaves nearby, indicating that Ieyasu's ninja had left the area. What a surprise…, thought Mitsunari.

Suddenly Nene was in front of him with a bento full of food. "That's yours, Mitsunari. And that's for Kanbei.", she said taking another bento from her little handmade bag.

Mitsunari and Kanbei both nodded and thanked her. Mitsunari would usually sit and enjoy the food, but this time he could only stare at the ghostly man next to him, wondering what was in this man's mind.

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Yukimura stared back at Kanetsugu. Kenshin had asked for a meeting with them to discuss the surrender of the Hojo or whether they should continue battling. "We are waiting on news about the battle between the Toyotomi and the Chosokabe, but I do believe it will be hard to stop the monkey. Shouldn't you find it more beneficial to actually surrender and support us when the Toyotomi turn their attention to us?", asked Kenshin.

Ujiyasu took a drag from his pipe. "You wouldn't consider an alliance, would you?"

"You are weaker than us. Without the Takeda's support you would have already fallen. I'm sorry Ujiyasu, but it would be more beneficial if you obeyed me."

Ujiyasu smirked. "Cut the crap. You want to challenge the monkey for control of the land. You used to have the strength to rule Japan and you still believe that you are capable of doing it."

Kasuga, who was sitting next to her lord, glared at Ujiyasu. Kenshin seemed unfazed. "I do believe that I am capable of ruling the land. And I am asking you to surrender. You know me. You don't know Hideyoshi."

"Well, I do know you.", said Ujiyasu. "And so does Shingen. So why don't we hear what he has to say about your proposal?"

Shingen, who had been silent all this while, stared directly at Kenshin. "I am interested in conquering the land too, as you already know. So stopping you, Kenshin, is my priority right now."

Yukimura stared at his lord with amazement. Kunoichi and Sasuke nodded at their lord's speech as well.

Kenshin sighed. "If you are interested in conquering the land, why aren't you attacking Ujiyasu as well? Or are you interested in sharing?"

"Well, I am not attacking because I want to take you down first. You see, you are far more threatening.", said Shingen smirking.

"Lord Ujiyasu, you do realize that he is going to fight you eventually, right?", asked Kenshin exasperated.

"Yes, I do realize that. But until that time comes, you are his first priority, Kenshin.". replied Ujiyasu taking a drag from his pipe and rising up. "I believe we have nothing more to discuss."

"You're a fool Ujiyasu.", said Kenshin without looking at him.

"I know. They call me the fool of Sagami after all." And with that Ujiyasu was out, followed by Kai and his children.

Shingen remained in the room along with his subordinates. Kenshin stared at him. "Are you pleased with all this? You could destroy him yourself and fight me all you want."

"I respect Ujiyasu.", said Shingen. "And he asked for my help. I won't just abandon him. If things come to worst I will return to Kai and I will leave him here to deal with you. You won't win and you know it. Even without me here. You are just going to exhaust him till they decide to surrender because of the Toyotomi. I can't win against him either, so it would be a waste of my time."

Yukimura stared at his lord in disbelief. He was certain that Shingen could defeat anyone he faced, so why was he saying that he wouldn't beat Ujiyasu?

"They are equal in power. Like he is with Kenshin.", explained Sasuke. "A battle between them would just exhaust them for no good reason."

Yukimura nodded. He stared at Kanetsugu. The other man seemed deep in thought. "We are leaving, as well.", announced Shingen. They all rose up and went outside to join the Hojo.

Kotaro stared at the Takeda forces as they joined the Hojo ones. His eyes fell on Shingen for a moment and then on Yukimura. After that he glanced at Ujiyasu and Kai. "The old generation won't last forever. Let's see if the young ones can keep the balance that we have…"

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Kojouro opened his eyes to an unfamiliar place. He had no idea how he ended up in this house and his shoulder was killing him. He tried to stand up but he regretted it immediately. He was still dizzy. He remembered getting injured so that he could protect Masamune…

"He's awake!", shouted a familiar voice. It was Itsuki, a little girl that lived in a nearby village. Masamune had befriended her in the pastand she was considered an ally of the Date clan. This must be her house, he thought.

Masamune entered the room and stared at Kojouro with an unreadable expression on his face. "How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy. My shoulder feels heavy, but I will manage after I rest." Kojouro was feeling far worse when it came to the pain on his shoulder, but he didn't want to burden Itsuki. Besides the girl didn't possess medical supplies to assist him. "If I rest a little more, I will soon be able to return to Oshu."

Masamune stared at him. He knows I am in more pain, thought Kojouro. "Itsuki, can you please bring Kojouro some water?", asked Masamune.

Itsuki nodded and left them to go to a nearby well. Masamune stared at Kojouro with an annoyed expression. "You need to see a doctor."

"I know. Itsuki can't help me and she shouldn't either. They barely manage with what they have in the village. I shouldn't use their medical supplies, if they have any."

"Dammit Kojouro! You shouldn't have done that!"

"I am your Right Eye. That's my job."

They stared at each other a little more. The silence was broken by Itsuki who came back carrying a bucket full of water. Kojouro knew that now everything would change. If anyone learned that the Right-Eye of the Dragon was injured, they would take advantage of it. The Toyotomi would have the upper hand if they attacked.

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Mitsunari approached his lord. They were all ready to leave, but they needed to confirm their next moves. "Lord Hideyoshi, we are ready to go. Are we all going to Kai?"

Hideyoshi smirked at him. "I have a plan. Bring Ieyasu here."

Mitsunari nodded and did as he was told. Ieyasu was discussing with Nobuyuki, Ina and Naotora. They all followed Mitsunari back to Hideyoshi and waited to hear what the whole plan was about. "Having you all here is far more convenient. You see, I want to split our army into two groups."

They all stared at Hideyoshi wide eyed and Nobuyuki gasped. He knew that sooner or later he would have to confront his brother, but he didn't feel ready about the upcoming meeting. And with Hideyoshi's idea to split up, he was certain that Ieyasu's army would be the one to battle against Takeda.

"You see, I think that we are finally strong enough to challenge more than one army at once. And since Kai and Echigo are our next targets, why not take them both down at once. After them we will strike Oshu and Odawara. "

"We are forgetting two clans.", said Ieyasu suddenly. "The Maeda clan hasn't replied to our letters and we already know that Shibata Katsuie won't surrender to us. We need to fight Katsuie and confront Maeda Toshie about his decision."

Hideyoshi fell silent for a moment. "We will handle Shibata Katsuie at the end. He isn't a threat to us and it will be more possible for him to surrender if we have the whole of Japan under our control. As for the Maeda clan…" Hideyoshi looked up in the sky. "I will go meet Toshie myself."

Mitsunari immediately tried to protest but Hideyoshi's glare silenced him. "Don't worry about me, Mitsunari. Toshie and Keiji, the two heads of the Maeda clan, have history with me."

Mitsunari still didn't feel reassured, but he didn't say anything. He trusted his lord more than anyone in the world. "Mitsunari, you will lead most of our army in a battle against the Uesugi. They are certain to resist. I will join you when I'll be done with the Maeda. As for Ieyasu's army…"

"We will face Takeda Shingen.", said Ieyasu.

Hideyoshi nodded. "You have Nobuyuki Sanada in your army, brother of Yukimura Sanada, Takeda's greatest general. Try to persuade them to join us, but if they decline, you will have to take them down by force."

Nobuyuki looked down. He knew that things would eventually come to this and he wished he didn't have to face his brother in battle. The thing is that Shingen wouldn't surrender and that would complicate things a lot. Ina held his arm. "Nobuyuki…"

Nobuyuki smiled softly at her. "Don't worry. I will convince them somehow."

"I'll be with you whatever happens.", said Ina."

Nobuyuki nodded, grateful that he had her. He then stared at Ieyasu and nodded at him too. Whether he liked it or not, he would have to meet with his brother soon.

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Keiji entered Toshie's garden with a serious look on his face. Yumekichi was looking at him with a worried expression on his small face. Keiji was never this serious.

They found Matsu training. She looked at them with an equally serious expression. "Did he send another letter?", she simply asked.

Keiji didn't answer. "Where is Toshie?"

Matsu didn't seem bothered by the luck of an answer to her question. The whole issue bothered the Maeda family for quite a while and they had lost their cheery attitudes by the time they heard that Hideyoshi was trying to conquer the land. "He is inside. He had to work on an issue with the fields. We have less harvest than last year."

Keiji nodded and went inside. He found Toshie on his desk, reading about this year's harvest. Toshie gave him a knowing look. "What does Hideyoshi want this time? I've already said that we won't take sides this time."

"He wants to see us.", said Keiji.

Toshie stared at him for a moment. "He wants to come here? He sure is persistent."

Keiji nodded. "Maybe I should leave. I mean, I don't know how things will go if I am here. He is an old friend and I don't want to get you and Matsu involved in another war…"

"You are considering joining him.", concluded Toshie.

Keiji looked away. "As an old friend, I do want to join him. But at the same time, as a fellow warrior, I don't think that he is capable of ruling the land. Conquering it, yes. But he isn't a ruler. He has always been a follower."

"Keiji.", said Toshie with a very serious expression on his face. "You are the true head of the Maeda family…"

"And I should be the one to actually make the decision. I know, but I don't want to. If I say no to him, he is going to crush us. If I say yes, I will be betraying my personal beliefs. And I don't want to endanger you two."

"He is asking for an audience. He doesn't want to fight us. You are his friend. You know him better than anyone. And you are the only person that can tell him exactly how you feel about joining him. I think that he is willing to listen to your doubts about him ruling the land."

"I don't know…", Keiji looked away. "I haven't seen him at all for more than five years. He didn't even take any place when we were fighting against Nobunaga and he hadn't answered to my letters either. I think he has changed."

"We've had this discussion plenty of times already. It's up to you to make the decision."

"I know. I just wish that it wasn't my decision…"

"Keiji. I trust you and your judgement. Matsu trusts you too. You need to trust us as well. We know that having you make this decision as the head of the Maeda is the right choice."

"You are the true head of the Maeda…"

"You gave me that title willingly, but I am not accepting that easily. Also Hideyoshi Toyotomi is your responsibility. You know him better than anyone.", with that Toshie rose up from his desk.

Keiji looked down. Memories of the past, of days when Nobunaga was still alive and trying to conquer the land, came to his mind. He had met Hideyoshi the day his family officially pledged alliance to the Oda family. Back then he was called Hideyoshi Hashiba. He was a man with an unknown background and with no royal lineage. He was different from everyone around Nobunaga. Keiji wasn't they only one who had been interested in Hideyoshi. Takenaka Hanbei and Kuroda Kanbei were always around him as well. It was obvious they were seeing something others didn't. And so did Nobunaga probably. And they were all right. Hideyoshi had proved to be exceptionally good as a strategist and he also was a great warrior. He was exceptionally good at martial arts, something that earned him the nickname "the Monkey" and he was also a pleasant man to be around. Keiji, for as long as he was an active member in the Oda army, had been close to the man and the only thing that he found annoying about him was his constant womanizing even though he was married to one of the most beautiful women Keiji had ever met. And she was also the reason Keiji had become distant from Hideyoshi. He fell in love with lady Nene, the wife of his friend. He never told anyone about this. After realizing his feelings, he decided to travel around the land and after a few years, he had finally seen how horrible Nobunaga's actions were and he decided to fight him.

Hideyoshi wasn't in the final battle, much to Keiji's relief. From what he heard he had been sent to Korea to discuss their potential surrender to Japan. Nobunaga had been too ambitious. After Nobunaga's defeat, Hanbei and Kanbei probably were the ones that inspired Hideyoshi to conquer the land. After that for the past three years, slowly he was hearing everywhere about a Hideyoshi Toyotomi and his attempt to rule Japan. At first they were mocking him, but after he started winning battle after battle, the people were now certain; he was the new Nobunaga. And now Keiji had to face his old friend. A friend that could now be an enemy.

End of Chapter 5

A/N: And it's done. Sorry for taking so long. Not much to say about this chapter. Please review, I would appreciate the feedback. Thank you Star-Eyes Pendulum Dragon for reviewing. Till next time!