Gifu, 1596 (March)
Ujinobu has been waiting out the winter for better weather to meet Toyotomi Hidetsugu. Ujinobu was still careful and assembled armies of the now subjugated Uesugi and allied Date clans at the borders to Mino province, in case of an assassination attempt.
"Are you sure about this?" Ujikatsu asked.
"No, but Kippōnoshi is still a child, I'm anxious what will happen if I die today.
"Do you have an idea for Kippōnoshi's adult name?" Ujiteru asked.
"I was thinking about Ujitada or Ujitsugu, or maybe like our grandfather, Ujitsuna." Ujinobu explained.
"These are fine ideas, my lord." Yorihide said.
"How was my grandfather, Yorihide?" Ujinobu asked.
"A great man, his victory at Konodai was unbelieveable. Sadly, he passed after Edo." Yorihide explained.
"Brother, with who will we meet?" Ujiteru asked.
"Well, with Toyotomi Hidetsugu of course but maybe Ōno Harunaga, Katagiri Katsumoto and-or Ishida Mitsunari, or if we're lucky we can see leprosy from Ōtani Yoshitsugu." Ujinobu explained and joked at the end.
"What a brilliant and ugly man." Ujikatsu said.
"We're here." Nobushige announced.
"Gifu, Nobunaga's former castle, Dōsan's stronghold." Ujinobu said.
They entered the Castle to see it full with Toyotomi and Ikeda banners. Then they saw Ikeda Terumasa.
"Lord Ujinobu, it's a pleasure to see you." Ikeda Terumasa said.
"The pleasure is on my side, where exactly is the Kampaku?" Ujinobu asked.
"Lord Hidetsugu is waiting for you in the meeting room of the inner citadel." Terumasa said.
"Is his guard there?" Ujinobu asked.
"No, Kampaku sama wishes to talk with no guards and no weapons." Terumasa explained.
"Good, then take me there." Ujinobu said.
Ikeda Terumasa lead Ujinobu into a room in the castle where he met Toyotomi Hidetsugu.
"Toyotomi Hidetsugu." Ujinobu said.
"It's Kampaku Hidetsugu." Hidetsugu said.
"Hidetsugu, let me be honest. I hold no respect to your prestige, rank, uncle, made up heritage or anything about you and your family. Now, why am I here?" Ujinobu said.
"This is outrageous!" Hidetsugu yelled.
"Ranks today don't hold power anymore, or why am I not the Kantō Kanrei yet?" Ujinobu said.
"Ok, let's just talk from Daimyō to Daimyō." Hidetsugu said.
"Alright, what are the demands of the Toyotomi?" Ujinobu asked.
"I want the Hōjō to accept the edict of peace made by my uncle, so that peace in japan can be achieved again." Hidetsugu stated.
"And what would be in for me?" Ujinobu asked.
"The title of Kantō Kanrei?" Hidetsugu suggested.
"You think, I, the master of Kantō and overlord of Tōkaidō will accept this outrageous demand?" Ujinobu asked in a aggressive tone.
"No, I expect it for our country." Hidetsugu stated.
"I'd rather be dead than be ruled by a Toyotomi." Ujinobu said.
"So be it then! If you dare to attack the Toyotomi, I will declare you an enemy of the state!" Hidetsugu threatened.
"So be it!" Ujinobu yelled and stormed out of the room.
"Brother, what happened?" Ujiteru asked worried.
"I think we should reconsider our relation with the emperor." Ujinobu stated.
"Oh, I know what you mean. We are finally going to take the fight to Osaka, right?" Ujiteru asked.
"No, first we have to cut off Hokuriku so they can't reinforce the Toyotomi and we need a way to get the tribes and clans of Ōmi and Ise on our side." Ujinobu explained.
"I could take care of Ise and invade the Gamō clan together with Tokugawa Ieyasu." Ujiteru said.
"Really? I mean the Gamō are strong warriors." Ujinobu said.
"Are saying that I can't handle it?" Ujiteru asked.
"No, no, not at all. I completely trust you with that, just don't mess it up." Ujinobu said.
"I understand, let's regroup at Kasugayama castle in two weeks." Ujiteru said and left the hallway.
"Good, time to strike Hideyoshi where it hurts." Ujinobu muttered.
Toyama castle, Etchu, 1596 (September).
The Hōjō armies have started an invasion of Ise under the command of Hōjō Ujikatsu and Ujiteru. Although Ujinobu was declared an enemy of the state by the emperor, all vassal clans remained loyal. Except the Tokugawa, they were sitting this war out and Ujinobu seized Kai and parts of Suruga province to punish them but he hasn't attacked them, rather forgave them but viewed them with great suspicion. Ujinobu, together with Naoe Kanetsugu, Date Masamune and Uesugi Kagekatsu are fighting against the Maeda clan of Hokuriku. The stage for the last war of the Toyotomi was set.
"Lord Ujinobu, may I ask you a question?" Date Masamune asked.
"Of course." Ujinobu answered.
"Why did you spare the Tokugawa? If one of my vassal states would openly defey me, I would destroy them." Masamune said.
"I know but I need them, my original plan was to invade Ise through Owari but with that I'd had to invade the Ikeda and Oda. So I just went through Mikawa and Totomi, and I didn't let them of the hook either. They still lost Kai and parts of eastern Suruga." Ujinobu explained.
"Very interesting." Masamune said.
After a while of marching and planning for the three Daimyō's, shots could be heard from left and right and a few soldiers and horses falling dead to the ground. Including Uesugi Kagekatsu.
"Damnit! An Ambush! Soldiers, get in position!" Masamune commanded.
"Nobushige!" Get your gunners and shoot those bastards!" Ujinobu commanded.
The armies attacked unorganized the attackers but soon failed because the Uesugi collapsed after their leaders death. But with help of the Date the enemy army could be destroyed.
"Lord Kagekatsu!" Naoe Kanetsugu cried and fell to his knees.
"Damn, these Maeda have cost the Uesugi their leader." Masamune said.
"What now? Lord Kagekatsu doesn't have a son." Kanetsugu said.
"I mean one of my brothers or their sons could take the Uesugi name and step in." Ujinobu suggested.
"I will form a council with the other senior vassals to decide this. But for now the Uesugi will retreat and bury their Daimyō. I'm sorry my lords." Kanetsugu explained and ordered an retreat to Echigo.
"Destroy an srmy with just a few guns. Magnificant, I need to meet Maeda Toshiie one time." Ujinobu said.
"My lord, should we continue the march?" Nobushige asked.
"Yes, devide the army into groups, we march devided and meet at Shinjomachi outside of Toyama." Ujinobu explained.
"Understood, my lord." Nobushige said.
Shinjomachi, 2 days later.
"My lord, it appears that the Maeda want to fight in a battle, not endure a siege." Shigesato reported.
"How do you know that, Shigesato?" Ujinobu asked.
"Our scouts have spotted Maeda Toshiie and his son, Toshinaga. They seem to be building defensive positions and digging trenches, like at Nagashino." Shigesato explained.
"Alright, Nobushige. Did we bring cannons?" Ujinobu explained.
"No, my lord. It seems that our only chance at victory is a frontal assault." Nobushige said.
"This will be a disaster, we must ensure that our way of retreat isn't cut off." Ujinobu said.
"Very well, but what is our plan?" Shigesato asked.
"We...I don't know, I'm at a loss for plans." Ujinobu said and sinked into his chair.
"We are stuck, limited on food and we don't know about our retreat route, maybe we will die here or we will achieve victory." Ujinobu said.
"My lord, allow me to lead the first attack when the battle starts." Yukimura said.
"If you insist, I only think about to ask the Tokugawa for reinforcements at the moment." Ujinobu said.
"Are you sure, brother. I mean can we trust them after their neutrality?" Ujikuni asked.
"Yes, we need a replacement for the Uesugi army, I mean there was 20.000 men in the Uesugi army, not counting the ones led by Naoe Kanetsugu who also retreated." Ujinobu said.
"So to sum up, we have 28.000 men less than expected." Ujikuni said.
"Yes, but the 8.000 led by Naoe Kanetsugu were supposed to stay behind and guard our retreat path, but it's open now and we don't know if we're trapped." Ujinobu said frustrated.
"Brother, I will send a letter to Ōgosho (Tokugawa Ieyasu) and request his help." Ujikuni said.
"Good, do that. We'll also dig in. I want scouts everywhere, tell Fuma Kotaro to spy on the enemy." Ujinobu said.
1 week later
Tokugawa Ieyasu came to Ujinobu's aid with 15.500 men and a few new faces among his ranks.
"Lord Ujinobu, I came very as soon as possible to aid your conquest and safe you." Ieyasu said and kneeled before him.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you when we're not fighting." Ujinobu said.
"Indeed it is, may I introduce you to my new retainer." Ieyasu said.
"My name is...Honda Heihachirō Tadatomo." Tadatomo introduced himself.
"Oh...this awkward regarding our families feud." Ujinobu said.
"I hold no grudge against you, my lord." Tadatomo said.
"Good, now. We need a plan." Ujinobu said and went inside his tent.
"I have brought alot of shields and a dozen cannons with me." Ieyasu said.
"Good, but the Maeda have made a outer ring infront of the castle. It has even more barricades than Nagashino." Ujinobu said.
"That's why I brought shields for the infantry, I suggest that the infantry goes infront with the shields and my soldiers stay behind them to fill the gaps in the formation." Ieyasu suggested.
"What about my cavalry?" Yukimura asked.
"I'm sorry, Yukimura. You will have to stay behind." Ujinobu said.
Yukimura said nothing and left the tent. Ieyasu had this strange smile but Ujinobu didn't suspect anything.
"Prepare the cannons and get the infantry in position." Ujinobu commanded.
After an hour of preparing the first cannon balls hit the entrenchments but these cannons weren't really accurate and it didn't help much. This battle may decide Ujinobu's future but he was confident just like he was at Komoro.
"Give the signal and where is Ieyasu?" Ujinobu said.
"I will give the signal and lord Ieyasu decided to lead the troops personally." Nobushige said.
"Bold decision, it doesn't matter at the moment." Ujinobu said dismissive.
After about fifty meters the Maeda started shooting at the Hōjō armies, many fell but the shields showed effectiveness against the guns.
"Very good, shoot another barrage of cannons." Ujinobu commanded.
"Understood, my lord." Shigesato said.
Most of the cannons hit their target and caused a breach in the formation of the Maeda but then a signal came from Toyama and the Tokugawa armies backstabbed Ujinobu and the Hōjō armies got attacked from behind. When that happened the Maeda charged at the unorganized Hōjō armies.
"What?! Ieyasu dares to betray me?!" Ujinobu screamed.
"Lord Ujinobu, you must flee! This battle is lost!" Yukimura pleaded.
"No, we will face the enemy and rescue our men. Tell Masamune to kill any Tokugawa he sees and he needs to protect our withdrawal route." Ujinobu said and took his Yari.
"Are you sure, my lord?" Yukimura asked.
"Yes! Shigesato and Ujikuni are down there, get your cavalry ready. We will kill Ieyasu." Ujinobu commanded.
"Die, Ujinobu!" He heard Tadatomo's voice from behind.
"Lord Ujinobu, on your guard!" Yukimura cried and blocked Tadatomo's Yari.
Ujinobu turned around and saw Tadatomo in his fathers armor and a small ambush army.
"Damn traitor!" Ujinobu cursed.
"I will avenge my father and brother, you bastatd!" Tadatomo yelled.
"Lord Ujinobu, stay behind me." Yukimura commanded and stood before him.
"No, I will die with you or with my brother." Ujinobu said.
"Very well, let's kill these traitors." Yukimura said.
The army of the Hōjō had more troops in the camp but a bloody battle ensued and the Tokugawa appeared to have the advantage. But after an hour and the end for Ujinobu was getting closer, Date banners appeared and attacked the Tokugawa.
"Kill them all!" Masamune commanded.
"Lord Masamune! You've come at the right time!" Ujinobu said happily.
"I came as quick as possible when I heard from Ieyasu's betrayal, I send troops to rescue the other army and your brother." Masamune said.
"I cannot thank you enough, Masamune." Ujinobu said.
After three hours of an immense battle, the Maeda and Tokugawa crumbled under the might of the Date, Hōjō and Sanada. Then, Ieyasu got captured but Maeda Toshiie and Honda Tadatomo could flee to Nanao in Noto province.
"Oh, Ieyasu. What could you gain for betraying me." Ujinobu said.
"Revenge." Ieyasu muttered.
"Get him on his knees, and finally seize this damn castle!" Ujinobu commanded.
"Of course, my lord." Nobuahige said and left the tent, Shigesato forced Ieyasu on his knees and took his helmet.
"Revenge for what, Ōgosho?" Ujinobu asked.
"For Heihachirō, Naomasa, my territory." Ieyasu said.
"Which Heihachirō? I killed two." Ujinobu taunted.
"Bastard, I have sworn to kill you!" Ieyasu yelled.
"To who? Who have you sworn to kill me? Was it Hidetsugu, Terumoto, Toshiie?" Ujinobu asked.
"You got it, Toyotomi Hidetsugu has assembled an coalition against the Hōjō and Date threat." Ieyasu explained.
"Who is part of this coalition?" Ujinobu asked.
"The Mōri, Katō, Tachibana, Chōsokabe, Hosokawa, Ōtani, Maeda, Kobayakawa, Gamō, Shimazu and Konishi." Ieyasu explained.
"Well, now one less." Ujinobu said.
"What do you mean?" Ieyasu asked.
"I have crippled the Maeda and I will kill you, rather I order you to commit seppuku or I will kill you personally." Ujinobu said.
"What?" Ieyasu asked shocked.
"You heard me, it's either suicide or execution." Ujinobu said happily.
"I demand to commit seppuku in Sunpu." Ieyasu said panicked.
"Why so panicked? Did you thought killing my army and ambushing my position will help? I'm called a demon by some enemys. I'm greater then my father, grandfather and grand-grandfather combined. I know, big words for me but I'm pretty confident in my abilities." Ujinobu said.
"Ok, I will commit seppuku here but please promise me to leave my family alive." Ieyasu pleaded.
"You got my word." Ujinobu said.
Ieyasu put his armor off and took his Tanto, he cut open his stomach. His grunts and small screams of pain filled the tent until his head got cut off by Shigesato to end his suffering.
"Rest in peace, Ōgosho." Ujinobu said.
"What should we do with his head?" Shigesato asked.
"Send it to Osaka, let's send Hidetsugu a message." Ujinobu answered.
"Very well." Shigesato said and picked it up.
"My lord, look what I found." Nobushige said and held a very tall Eboshi helmet.
"Oh my, this is Maeda Toshinaga's helmet." Ujinobu said.
"What can we do with it?" Ujikuni asked.
"I mean, it's kinda a trophy." Ujinobu said.
"If you say so." Ujikuni said.
"What is now our objective?" Shigesato asked.
"We invade Mikawa and Tottomi and I will go to Odawara to see my son, then we fortify Ise and Etchu and wait." Ujinobu explained.
"Why wait, why should we give the Toyotomi time?" Ujikuni asked.
"I want you to demand submission to the Ikeda and Oda, then we'll invade Mikawa and Tottori. The Maeda will surrender or peace out of this war. We will have a nice and straight front to Kinki and we have alot more men, the coalition may have time but we will win at the end." Ujinobu explained.
"What if the Oda and Ikeda reject?" Ujikuni asked.
"They will, trust me." Ujinobu answered.