Keiji vs. Toshiie! Choked, unyielding emotions at Tetorigawa!
Toshi! Matsu-neechan! Stop it!
You can't fight Kenshin!
Kenshin-sama.
A force led by Maeda Toshiie and his wife, Matsu, is approaching our borders.
They're in full battle array. It appears they plan a full frontal assault with their entire force, even their gunners.
Toshiie-dono always was an honest man...
Where is Keiji?
As soon as he heard, he set off for the Maeda army.
It seems he intends to persuade Toshiie to halt his advance.
I see.
I have my doubts, but let's stick to the plan.
Yes.
May Bishamon smile upon us.
Hey--!
Toshi! Matsu-neechan!
Inuchiyo-sama! Keiji is--
Don't stop, Matsu.
Huh?
Just keep going.
Understood.
Wait, Toshi! Matsu-neechan! Listen to--
Toshi! Matsu-neechan!
So it's not even up for discussion...
Leave this to Kenshin-sama.
Kasuga-chan.
It doesn't matter where, but you need to go somewhere.
Watching this battle will bring you nothing but pain.
You'd only end up getting in our way.
My master will try his hardest.
Why, it's Echigo's God of War, Uesugi Kenshin.
I am the ruler of the land of Kaga, Maeda Toshiie.
And I am his wife Matsu.
I've heard so much about you.
I'm sorry for my nephew, Keiji imposing on your hospitality.
Inuchiyo-sama. He's our enemy now.
Uesugi-dono. You plan to repel us with so small a force?
I know you're called the God of War, but...
I have no intentions of staining the fields of my beloved Echigo with the carnage of battle.
Withdraw now, Toshiie-dono. Matsu-dono.
Uesugi's armies already march on Kaga.
What!?
Of course, their only orders are the capture of your castle.
Your people are innocent; they shall not be drawn into the battle.
That shall be Toyotomi's reward for invading my lands.
Strike me down, and Echigo shall be yours.
But your lands, Kaga, will belong to Uesugi.
You mean you snuck an army invading Kaga by us?
Impossible!
Soon, your scouts will reach you with news of its passing.
Soon, but not soon enough.
Inuchiyo-sama...
We cannot withdraw!
Hideyoshi-dono and Hanbei-dono entrusted us with the subjugation of Uesugi!
For the sake of a stronger nation!
Even if the people of Kaga become hostages?
I will protect my people!
I shall defeat Uesugi-dono here, and then regain Kaga!
Our enemy is Echigo's God of War. The only man in whom the Tiger of Kai, Lord Takeda Shingen, sees a match.
Even with your fearsome spear, it won't be easy...
Leave this to me!
What are you talking about!?
Hurry back to Kaga, Inuchiyo-sama.
No way!
Don't worry.
Soon Ashina, Nambu, and Tsugaru will have disposed of Date and arrive here.
But...
So you shall be my foe, madam?
Yes.
Inuchiyo-sama, hurry!
We mustn't expose the people of Kaga to such danger!
Here I come.
Anytime.
Wait, Matsu!
We'll return to Kaga.
We must face them.
Yes.
We're surrounded!?
Inuchiyo-sama! What if Uesugi-dono doesn't intend to let us go without bloodshed!?
Hmm...
Uesugi Kenshin-dono...
He's every inch the gentleman soldier Keiji described.
But then again...
I won't lay down my spear here!
Break through Uesugi-dono's lines!
Yeah!!!
I'm the hero! I can't lose!
I've spent a year distinguishing myself as leader of Uesugi's First Squadron, Naoe Kanetsugu!
I'm not going to lose to you!
I'm invincible, but you still got me!
Keiji!
It doesn't look like you're here to join us, though.
Yeah. If I can't change your minds, I'm going to try my hardest to stop you.
Keiji!
A victory for Maeda is a victory for Toyotomi.
I can't just sit back and let that happen.
Understood.
Inuchiyo-sama!
Don't hold back, Toshi.
I'm always serious business!
If you just try to subjugate your foes by main force,
someone else even stronger will always come along and do the same to you!
Why don't you understand that!?
So it never happens...
To make sure something like that never happens again...
That's why I have to fight!
Keiji! Inuchiyo-sama! Stop!
Why must you fight?
Toyotomi is building a stronger nation!
Under his rule, something like that will never happen again!
He isn't building the kind of world you hope for!
Keiji...
Inuchiyo-sama...
Inuchiyo-sama!
Hideyoshi!
I... will...
Toshi...
I'm sorry!
Prepare yourself, Keiji!
Retreat, Matsu-dono.
Maeda's general is gravely wounded.
Uesugi-dono...
There are those who take up arms and those who forsake them for the sakes of their loved ones and their futures.
Neither of these choices are wrong.
Your nephew chose to forsake them while his former friend took them up.
Your husband, as well...
To unite all...
Both Toshiie-dono and Keiji hope for peace across the land.
How ironic...
Wake up.
Wake up, guys!
My lord...
My lord.
My lord!
All right.
I knew you'd make it.
We have Oushu back for now.
Yes.
My lord...
Damn it...
No one but Katakura-sama can protect my lord's back.
As soon as we return, we prepare our strike.
Our target, Osaka.
To destroy Toyotomi and take Kojuro back.
Yes, sir!
T-That's...
Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
So you came to see me in person. How polite.
Saves me the trouble of going all the way to Osaka.
You're pretty stubborn for a snake.
Just goes to show how small of a man you are.
Huh, I thought that's what they said about you.
Huge body or not.
So easy.
Sending an underling to handle a snake, and just showing up to see what happened.
Sorry, but I'm gonna have to show you my dragon.
Silence.
You take up arms against me?
With your scales stripped off, and even your right eye taken?
Is that right?
Looks like I overestimated you.
Your judgment leaves a lot to be desired, huh.
Let me show you.
A dragon's scales never come off until it dies.
Not a single one.
Let me show you how futile this is!
Yukimura-dono. Shall we find somewhere to camp for the night?
Yes, let's.
What is it?
It's just...
Since we've entered Oumi, I've seen nothing but people working dawn to dusk, without a break, without saying a word...
They're all women, the elderly, children...
It must be because of Toyotomi's conscription.
Once they become Toyotomi soldiers,
they're gathered in one place, and put through unimaginable training.
I've heard the same thing from Sasuke...
I can't...
Oyakata-sama has entrusted me with these men, to voyage directly to Satsuma and counter Toyotomi's ambitions.
If I start worrying about the plight of a single subject...
Oyamada-dono. I'll be right back.
I'm sorry...
This voice...
Everyone...
It's Ichi's fault...
This castle marks my brother's grave...
Ghost of Azuchi Castle!? The Sighs and Devilish Howls which Haunt Yukimura!
Let it rest in peace.
Next time is all Ichi's fault too...