Sengoku Basara meets Samurai Warriors: The rise of the Toyotomi

Chapter 7

A/N: Hello everyone! I am finally back with chapter 7

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

Chapter 7: Brother's conflict

Keiji was showing around his old friend and his wife. Hideyoshi seemed very calm and reserved and Nene was actually a good listener as Keiji explained the purpose of every room and the room's history. Hideyoshi nodded as Keiji finished his tour and gave him a smile. "I've always wanted to visit, but it was hard since you were barely here."

Keiji chuckled, but his laugh didn't reach his eyes. Yumekichi seemed to notice it. "And you are here so that I will be certainly away, right?"

Hideyoshi smiled at him. Nene was looking around, pretending to not listen to their conversation. "I want you to join me as a friend and because you want to, not because I am forcing you."

"So, if I say no, will you bring your army over here to force me surrender?"

"I am confident that you will agree with joining me in the end. I am making the proposition right now, but I am certain that I will have to make it again, because you will decline."

"What are you proposing, since you already know my current answer."

"I propose you follow us and see the extent of my army's power and decide on your own whether I am the good guy or not.", said Hideyoshi looking straight into Keiji's eyes.

"So, you want to scare me into surrender?"

"Keiji, dear.", said Nene suddenly. "You could have sided with the rest of the domains that we haven't conquered yet, like you did with Nobunaga's situation, but you chose to do nothing. It's because you don't really want to fight us, right? Then why not join us? We will show you that we are in the right."

Hideyoshi nodded at what Nene said. Keiji sighed. It's not like he had much of a choice. "Fine. I'll come and see myself whether you are capable of ruling this land."

Hideyoshi and Nene smiled at him. "Well, let's get going then. We have to catch up to the rest of my army."

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Kai and Hayakawa were training with wooden swords in Haykawa's small yard. Saburo was watching them in awe. Hayakawa charged at Kai who blocked her hit with ease. "Kai, you mustn't go easy on me."

"But, I might hurt you, my lady…", replied Kai.

Hayakawa frowned and pushed Kai back with a stronger hit. The Hojo had just lost their support from Takeda. She needed to become stronger. "You can't think like that Kai. The battlefield is no place for pity or compassion." She raised her sword. "Once more, from the top!"

Hayakawa attacked repeatedly at Kai with all her strength. Kai managed to block all the hits, but that was to be expected. "That's the way, my lady!"

"Give it your all, Kai!"

Kai pushed back and managed to throw Hayakawa's sword away, hitting her hands in the process. Immediately Kai and Saburo run to Hayakawa to check on her. "Ah, my lady… Are you alright?"

Hayakawa was still holding her hurt hand, but smiled at Kai. "I'm fine. You're strong Kai." And I am still weak, she thought, looking down.

"My lady…", whispered Kai.

Hayakawa gave her a reassuring smile and held Kai's hand. "Fine work."

Kai realized that Hayakawa had slipped something in her palm. She opened her palm and stared at a cute blue origami that her lady had made. Kai smiled at her and Hayakawa giggled.

"Here you all are." Ujiyasu was on Hayakawa's porch looking serious.

"What is it, my lord?", asked Kai.

"Prepare for battle. The Uesugi aren't giving up yet. They are attacking again."

They all gasped. Saburo looked at his sister. "Come, sister. If we all fight as one, the Uesugi will be no match for us!"

Kai and Saburo followed Ujiyasu. Hayakawa stayed behind and thought about what her brother said. They had to stay together. They were a family and they were stronger when they worked together. "You are right, Saburo.", she mumbled softly, feeling a little relieved that she had her family to look out for her.

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Mitsunari sighed annoyed. He was forced to take Masanori and Kiyomasa with him to the fight against the Uesugi they were planning and the two imbeciles were bickering for the last two hours for the silliest of stuff. Mitsunari had given up telling them to shut up, because they wouldn't listen to him. He wished, even though he would never admit it out loud, that Lady Nene was with them. She was the only one that could make these two stop being this annoying. Even Ieyasu would have been a better choice when it came to companions, but lord Hideyoshi had sent him to fight the Takeda, due to the fact that Sanada Nobuyuki was the brother of one of the strongest generals of the Takeda army. And now, he was stuck babysitting Kiyomasa and Masanori. To make things worse, Sakon, his most trusted general, was goofing around with Magoichi Saika. Yoshitsugu Ootani was probably the sanest person with him and that was a disturbing thought on its own.

He also was being followed by Chosokabe Motochika and Mori Motonari. At least these two didn't say anything to each other. Probably because Chosokabe was trying his hardest not to murder Mori right now. Mitsunari was feeling an incoming headache.

Ginchiyo Tachibana, known as the God of Lightning, approached him. "It seems like you don't like to lead.", she told him.

"More like, I didn't choose my men.", he replied, not staring at her.

"You know, I personally hate Sorin Otome, but our clans are allied and since he is the way he is, I am the one that takes the lead in battles."

"A good general needs to fulfil his duty."

"I agree. And that's why, even when we don't like it, we make good leaders."

Mitsunari finally stared at her. "Why are you talking to me? Shouldn't you be with your husband?"

"He agreed that you needed someone to calm you down. It's obvious that you are under a lot of stress and that shouldn't be something your men should notice. A good general can mask it."

He sighed. She was right. "Why are you helping me?"

"I am interested in sparring with you at some point. You seemed quite interesting as an opponent back at Shikoku."

Mitsunari nodded. "When we finally make our camp, I will spar with you."

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Yukimura was waiting at the gates of Kai as Ieyasu Tokugawa followed by his most trusted men approached. Nobuyuki stared at Yukimura with an unreadable expression. Ina was by his side. Naotora Ii was walking besides Ieyasu and Kunoichi was certain that she saw a shadow following them, indicating that Hanzo Hattori was near.

It seemed like it had been much time since the last meeting the two brothers had. Before they could greet each other appropriately though, Ieyasu spoke. "It's been a while, Sanada Yukimura."

"It's been a while, indeed. You have grown a lot, lord Ieyasu." Yukimura would occasionally be visited by his brother, but he hadn't seen Tokugawa Ieyasu since his brother's wedding ceremony. The little boy he had met back then had now become a strong looking samurai.

Ieyasu smiled at Yukimura, though his eyes held sadness. They hadn't come for a simple visit after all. "Will you take me to lord Shingen? I really want to see him as well."

Yukimura returned the smile with the same pained expression in his eyes. Kunoichi stared at him in worry. "Follow me.", said Yukimura simply. He gave a reassuring smile to Kunoichi and turned around to show the way to their guests.

Kunoichi stayed back and waited for Hanzo to appear beside her. "Nice to see you again.", she said with a cheerful voice, though her expression didn't match it.

"Vixen…", said Hanzo simply with a nod of his head. They both followed the others inside.

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Kai and Hayakawa didn't know what Ujiyasu was discussing with Uesugi Kenshin for so long. He had requested an audience with Kenshin, just before another battle between them would start and they had been talking for over an hour. If they were about to fight each other, this conversation shouldn't be taking so long. They both wondered what was going on.

Suddenly Ujiyasu appeared. He was riding his horse towards them with a scowl on his face.

"What's the matter father?", asked Hayakawa when he approached.

"Shall we prepare for battle?", asked Kai.

"There will be no battle. I need to talk to all of you.", he said, not looking at them.

"Why? Are they retreating?", asked Ujimasa hopeful.

Ujiyasu didn't answer immediately. "We need to do something in order for them to retreat. That's what I need to talk to you about.", Ujiyasu moved towards the castle.

They all realized that the Uesugi asked for something difficult to give. Yet, Ujiyasu was considering it. And they all started feeling uneasy.

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Yukimura was sitting across from his brother. Shingen was sitting across from Ieyasu and next to the two men were Naotora and Ina. Hanzo was standing right behind them. Kunoichi and Sasuke were both seated to Shingen's sides, ready to protect their lord in case of an emergency. Shingen had offered his guests sake and he himself was drinking slowly from his cup. "Well Takechiyo, you've certainly grown up over the spam of these three years."

Ieyasu smiled at Shingen. "I'm glad to be praised by you, lord Shingen." He then looked down with a melancholic look in his eyes. "You know why we are here, I assume."

"So that I join Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army and help in the unification of Japan.", replied Shingen. Ieyasu stared at Shingen and Shingen got serious. "Tell me Takechiyo, what is your goal as a samurai?"

Ieyasu was surprised with that question. "My goal…?"

"Wasn't it to have the land for yourself? Has that goal changed over the past three years?"

Ieyasu's eyes widened. "My goal hasn't changed, lord Shingen! I still want to rule over the land!"

Nobuyuki glanced at Ieyasu and then at Shingen. He knew where Shingen was getting at.

"And how exactly will you manage this by following another person with the same goal?", asked Shingen simply. "Are you planning on challenging the man after he does that or-"

"Lord Shingen!", shouted Nobuyuki, much to Yukimura's surprise. "You're insulting my lord-"

"It's ok Nobuyuki.", said Ieyasu, interrupting Nobuyuki. "Lord Shingen is right about that little detail. It's weird though. When I first talked to you about my plan of joining Hideyoshi, you didn't express these thoughts, lord Shingen."

"I didn't.", admitted Shingen. "I told you that I hoped you would find your own way. And I meant that. My question is, is this the right way, Takechiyo?"

"I am positive that I will find my way. And lord Hideyoshi will be the one to show me my way.", said Ieyasu dead serious. "I also have a question, lord Shingen. Is your goal still taking over the land?"

Shingen smirked at him. "What if I told you that it is? And, unlike you, I don't want to make random alliances with other strong samurai. I will do it myself. That is my goal."

Yukimura stared at his lord in awe. Lord Shingen was the greatest inspiration in the young samurai's eyes.

Ieyasu smiled sadly. "I see. In that case, this meeting has no meaning, am I right?"

"No, it doesn't have any. Unless, of course, if you are planning to leave us alone."

Ieyasu smiled sadly and stood up, followed by his subordinates. Nobuyuki stood still for a moment, before speaking his mind. "Lord Shingen! It would be wise for you to surrender. You are in an age that I believe it's impossible for you to conquer the land. Reconsider your decision."

Yukimura rose up annoyed. "That is no way to speak to Oyakata-sama, Nobuyuki! He is the greatest man-"

"He was a great man, Yukimura.", interrupted Nobuyuki. "His era is over. There are other warlords out there with far more potential than him, like lord Ieyasu. Even the One-Eyed Dragon is a better candidate for a ruler right now."

Yukimura was enraged. Kunoichi and Sasuke stared at Nobuyuki in disbelief. They never expected to hear these words from the elder Sanada. "How… How dare you?! Nobuyuki, you used to serve under Oyakata-sama, you can't mean what you are saying!"

"It's exactly because I served under him that I know that he has grown old, Yukimura! You care too much about him to see this though.", said Nobuyuki and looked away.

Yukimura stared at his brother with a pained expression. He knew deep down that there was some truth in what Nobuyuki was saying, but there was no way that Lord Shingen couldn't take over the land, right?

Nobuyuki directed his next words at Shingen. "As I said before, I am asking you to reconsider your decision."

Shingen stared at him with a serious expression. "I'm sorry, Nobuyuki. But I'd rather die than not defend my land till the very end."

Nobuyuki turned to join his lord. "I am sorry. We're going to prepare for battle."

With that they left and Yukimura could only stare at his brother's retreating back. He was happy when he first saw him. But now, he felt like his heart was breaking.

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Saburo had been asked to sit in the middle of his father's throne room, because Ujiyasu's words had been directed at him. Everyone else was sitting around Saburo, with pained expressions. Ujiyasu was sitting across from Saburo, smoking his pipe. He had negotiated peace with the Uesugi. It was decided that, as a term of the peace agreement, Saburo would be given up as a hostage.

"Father, brothers, sister…", whispered Saburo, obviously too overwhelmed by his feelings. "You would all just abandon me?!", he yelled.

Hayakawa was trying her hardest not to cry. She tried to crawl closer to her brother so that she could hug him, but he got up and ran out of the room. "Saburo… Saburo!", she ran after him.

Kai looked at Ujiyasu sadly. "This is just…" She also got up and ran after Hayakawa and Saburo and after her ran Saburo's three brothers, leaving Ujiyasu alone in the room.

Ujiyasu stared at his pipe lost in his thoughts. "Saburo will resent you for this.", said Kotaro. He had appeared right behind Ujiyasu. "Willing to turn your heart to stone if it is for the sake of the people?" Kotaro smirked slightly.

Ujiyasu' grip on his pipe tightened for a moment before he threw it at Kotaro, who disappeared before the object made contact with him. Ujiyasu clenched his teeth and tsked. He felt tears in his eyes, but he blinked them away.

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Kunoichi found Yukimura sitting in his room and looking down. He seemed like he was ready to cry. She approached him with a sad smile. He didn't acknowledge her in any way. She sat down next to him and untied his hair tie. Yukimura's eyes widened briefly and he glanced at her surprised. Combing his hair for him had been a way to comfort him ever since they were children. She had started doing it after Yukimura had let his hair grow longer and other children would make fun of his looks.

"Turn around, my lord.", asked Kunoichi gently. She started combing his hair with hair fingers first and then she grabbed a comb from a nearby drawer. Yukimura allowed himself to relax to the gentle treatment. Kunoichi took much longer than usual, indicating that she was trying to make him relax as much as possible. He was more than grateful. After a long while, Kunoichi tied his hair with his red bow and she stood back to make sure that his hair were perfectly combed.

Yukimura turned around and smiled softly at her. "Thank you, Kunoichi."

Kunoichi stood up and smiled back at him. "Anytime, lord Yukimura." And with that she disappeared out of the room.

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Nobuyuki cut down some of the treed around their camp. He was angry at how things had escalated. A part of him knew how stubborn Shingen is and that there was no way he was going to surrender, but there was still hope that he would think this logically. Apparently, Shingen's pride was more important. And worst of it all, Yukimura was caught in the middle of this mess as well. He rarely argued with Yukimura and when things would get serious between them, they would battle each other to blow off some steam. I guess that's what we are going to do now in a sense, with the only difference being that one of us might die this time, he thought.

He heard Ina approaching him and he stopped what he was doing. He sighed, trying to calm himself. "How are you holding up?", asked his wife.

Nobuyuki showed her with a movement of his arm the damage he had done to the forest. Ina sighed and it was then that Nobuyuki noticed she had her bow with her. "Wanna spar?", she asked. "I promise, I'm a better opponent than these trees you completely demolished."

Nobuyuki smiled a little at her comment. He raised his sword, ready for her attack. It would be like sparring with Yukimura after a fight, he told himself. Ina was certainly his partner. He loved her dearly and she could understand him better than anyone. He didn't regret marrying her and he didn't think he would ever need a concubine. At least in this factor of his life, he was completely content.

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The Uesugi army was heading back to Echigo. Kenshin knew that Ujiyasu would honor their deal and he trusted him enough to send his son to Echigo. In normal circumstances he would have waited in Kanto for Ujiyasu to fulfill his end of the deal, but the Toyotomi army was approaching Echigo at great speed. They had a huge advantage, though. Echigo was famous for its cold weather and the fact that it snowed earlier than other parts of Japan and the more they approached their home, the more snow they were seeing. The Toyotomi soldiers would definitely have a hard time fighting in these conditions and Kenshin would use any means necessary to ensure their win.

"They are going to try to negotiate with us.", commented Aya, who was at his side.

"I wonder who they are going to send for that.", he said, smirking at his sister. He knew that Lord Mori Motonari was close with his sister and he was certain that the Toyotomi had picked up on that too. Kenshin was certain they would send him to do the negotiations and he actually wanted to meet the man his sister had been visiting these past three years.

Aya smiled at her brother, a smile that would terrify anyone else but him. "Even if they sent him, your answer is going to be no, am I right?"

Kenshin returned her smile. "Of course, my lady."

End of Chapter 7

A/N: I finally managed to finish this chapter! Sorry for the delay guys, but my exams helm me back a lot more than I thought. I lost a week of my exams due to snow and the exam period was extended for another week. A lot has happened and I am heartbroken with what is going on in Ukraine and I really hope this whole thing ends soon, because sadly at wars the innocents are the one who suffer the most. Now when it comes to this story, I am thinking of starting writing another fanfiction alongside this one, because I am overwhelmed with many ideas and I want to write them down, so I might start writing another story and maybe my updates will be slower. Also, considering this chapter, the scene at the beginning with Hayakawa, Saburo and Kai and later on the scene with Ujiyasu telling the news to the youngsters are both from Samurai Warriors 4, the first one being in Hayakwa's gameplay cutscenes and the second one being in the Legend of Kanto cutscenes. Anyway, I would love to see your comments on this chapter. I will try to update soon. Till next time!