Summer grasses grow,
leaving but the dreams of the
long-gone warriors.
The dream of unifying Japan was held by many lords of the warring states.
Shingen Takeda.
Kenshin Uesugi.
Nobunaga Oda.
And finally, one man had attained that dream...
Hideyoshi Toyotomi.
Japan had been unified,
and a time of peace appeared to be at hand.
However,
chaos was to rear its ugly head once more.
My lord...
Everyone is here to see you.
Lord Hideyoshi.
M-Mitsunari...
Lord Ieyasu...
Lord Hideyoshi!
Please take care of...
the Toyotomi and my son, Hideyori...
Of course!
We'll protect the Toyotomi, no matter what!
Men...
I'm counting on you...
My lord?
My lord!
Lord Hideyoshi!
Where are you going?
There's still work to be done.
How dare you?
Don't you realize what has just happened?
How can you stay calm in this situation?
Masanori...
Our lord just died!
How about shedding a tear for him, huh?
Why won't you cry?
Our lord is...
Our lord is gone!
Lord Mitsunari.
Please... Please take care of Katsuyori!
We failed to defend the Takeda clan!
That the Takeda should be wiped out, so soon after losing our lord...
Brother, what will happen to the country now?
No matter what the future brings,
we will work together to defend the Sanada clan.
Got that?
Yes, Brother.
We shall never let Lord Mitsunari suffer the same agony we did.
We will not let history repeat itself.
The death of Hideyoshi, unifier of Japan,
meant that the Toyotomi rule had lost its mainstay.
His trusted friend, Toshiie Maeda, also passed away soon after,
throwing the Toyotomi into turmoil.
Why isn't Lord Kagekatsu here?
What's the meaning of this?
My lord, Kagekatsu Uesugi, has returned to Aizu.
This is an important conference
to discuss the Toyotomi's future, given Lord Toshiie's death.
Don't you think Lord Kagekatsu should have been personally attended?
As you're aware, it was only recently
that we, the Uesugi, had to relocate from Echigo to Aizu.
We have yet to firmly establish power within our domain.
On the other hand,
I hear that you're using that as an excuse
to build a new castle.
It's almost as if you're preparing for war.
War?
Some say that Uesugi plans to rebel against the Toyotomi.
I-Is that true, Kanetsugu?
Of course not!
Rebel? That's merely a baseless rumor!
You're one to talk, Lord Ieyasu.
I hear you have summoned various provincial lords to Edo.
I can't help but think you're trying to take Lord Hideyoshi's place as ruler of all Japan.
Nonsense.
Lord Hideyoshi left the Toyotomi and Hideyori in my care.
Please take care of...
the Toyotomi and my son, Hideyori...
I'm simply doing what I can to ensure the Toyotomi stay united.
I cannot let that pass.
You make it sound like you alone have inherited Hideyoshi's will.
That is far too conceited.
But what of you, Lord Mitsunari?
You knew beforehand that Lord Kagekatsu
wouldn't be attending this conference, correct?
That's...
Of course.
I gave him my approval, since I saw no problem with it.
What makes you think you have the right to do that?
Lately, you've been making too many decisions by yourself.
This is no time for such pointless babble.
What was that?
The Toyotomi clan doesn't belong to you alone!
Wait, Mitsunari!
What's going on?
Kiyomasa,
go to Kyushu.
Kyushu?
Prepare to head there at once.
You're telling me to leave Osaka?
Don't be stupid!
The three of us have always been together, ever since we were kids!
This is the time for us to work together to protect the Toyotomi
from right here in Osaka!
I'll see to the Toyotomi's future myself.
Are you seriously trying to take our lord's place?
Kiyomasa.
This is an order.
Mitsunari!
Lord Masanori!
Calm down!
Are you done, Masanori?
Say what?
Mitsunari!
You two have known my lord the longest. Surely you understand.
It is because Mitsunari trusts you, Kiyomasa,
that he wants to leave the all-important Kyushu's defense in your hands.
I know that all too well!
I just wanted to hear it from Mitsunari himself!
Say something!
And strike back!
That's how we've always done things!
We fought at times, but we've always stuck together!
Our responsibilities are far heavier now.
I won't take any orders from you.
Goodbye, Mitsunari.
K-Kiyomasa...
Later.
Please wait, Lord Kiyomasa...
Lord Masanori!
Why must you set off alone, Lady Nene?
This place brings back too many memories of my lord.
But...
He loved you all, and for good reason.
I know that I can count on you.
Work together, and play nice, okay?
This world full of smiles is my lord's legacy, and it's in your hands now.
Yes, ma'am!
Lady Nene...
Lord Mitsunari.
I see.
So Lord Ieyasu returned to Edo.
Yes.
Lord Nobuyuki, is there something worrying you?
The Takeda clan, whom we Sanada used to serve,
fell into ruin soon after losing its lord.
I will never forget the frustration and sorrow
we were forced to endure.
A house that loses its pillar of support will fall apart in no time.
Are you saying that the Toyotomi and their rule will be plunged into turmoil,
now that it has lost its pillar?
I want to be that pillar for the Sanada.
A pillar that will never crumble,
even in the midst of chaos.
It looks like Lord Kiyomasa and Lord Masanori have left the castle.
Is that so?
Lord Hideyoshi's death has hit Mitsunari harder than anyone.
I know.
The Takeda clan, whom we once served,
died along with their lord.
Lord Mitsunari must be doing all he can, to ensure
the Toyotomi don't suffer the same fate.
He's ready to carry the weight of the Toyotomi clan on his shoulders,
but it's too heavy a burden to shoulder alone.
We can't let him carry it by himself.
Indeed.
Mitsunari.
You have a bad habit of getting too engrossed in your work.
Lately, you haven't been sleeping or eating properly.
Lord Hideyoshi may have died, but we cannot let administrative work pile up.
Not a moment to rest, huh?
Don't overdo it, though.
I don't need you to tell me that.
How meddlesome.
It must be Sakon's doing.
This crude rice ball is just like him.
It's salty.
I'm heading back to Numata.
It's been left unattended long enough.
Okay.
Be careful, and have a safe journey.
Until another time, Yukimura.
Yes.
Let us meet again in Shinano.
Father?
Lord Ieyasu has called for you.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
Don't be.
I'm glad you came.
Sir!
Lord Takatora Todo,
Lord Kiyomasa Kato,
Lord Masanori Fukushima,
and several other Toyotomi feudal lords.
What's going on?
I thank you all for coming here today.
Sir!
Lord Hideyoshi brought an end to the long period of strife.
And had the Toyotomi rule stayed that powerful,
I would have been in Kanto now, further consolidating the nation.
But Lord Hideyoshi passed away.
His heir, Hideyori, is still young.
It would be too hard for him to maintain this peace alone.
We mustn't let the world be torn by war again!
And yet, Aizu's Kagekatsu Uesugi
is plotting rebellion against the Toyotomi!
The country is in peril!
Now is the time for us to work together
and overcome this crisis!
Will you join me, Ieyasu,
in defeating the man who threatens our nation's peace,
Kagekatsu?
Yes!
Fight the Uesugi?
Father,
back when Tokugawa and Sanada were at war,
the Uesugi sided with the Sanada!
The two houses have a strong bond!
Father, you must leave Sanada out of the campaign against Uesugi!
Lord Mitsunari...
Have you made your decision?
Ieyasu's targeting the innocent Uesugi
because he intends to usurp the Toyotomi power
from the rightful heir, Lord Hideyori.
There is no justice in Ieyasu's cause.
I will defeat him.
In that case, we Uesugi will turn the tables on Ieyasu at Aizu!
My brother and I will be at your service.
Nobuyuki is part of the Tokugawa camp.
M-My brother?
He must have complied with the order to attack Uesugi.
We owe a lot to the Uesugi. My brother would never turn on them.
When he learns of your taking up arms,
he will surely join me in fighting for you.
That's right, Mitsunari!
We'll fight with you!
During the battle of Ueda, you two risked your lives to help me.
I will cherish my bonds with you as long as I live!
You're a fool, indeed.
Let us share a vow of righteousness!
Yes.
Kanetsugu Naoe!
Yukimura Sanada!
Mitsunari Ishida!
Together, we will defeat the enemy and bring victory to the just!
Lord Nobuyuki...
What is it?
Lord Yukimura wants to see you.
He said he'll be waiting at Inubushi.
Very well.
The brothers Nobuyuki and Yukimura
Shimotsuke Inubushi
would meet at Inubushi, in the Shimotsuke province.
You've got a bite, Yukimura.
R-Right!
Yukimura!
Let's do this!
Got it!
Brother...
Yukimura.
Brother,
To Nobuyuki Sanada
please read this.
It's a letter from Lord Mitsunari.
I don't need to read it to know what it's about.
He wants the Sanada clan to side with him, yes?
Let's fight alongside him, Brother.
I cannot accept that letter.
Brother?
Yukimura,
I will side with the Tokugawa.
Why?
Tell me why, Brother!
Don't you remember what happened to the Takeda clan once our lord died?
The Toyotomi clan will suffer the same fate.
We mustn't make the same mistake.
No! We must fight with Lord Mitsunari,
so we don't feel that pain again!
Listen to me, Yukimura.
Mitsunari won't be able to bring the Toyotomi clan under his control.
Then we need only help him!
Yukimura,
let us fight together.
Only Lord Ieyasu can bring an end to the strife, and create a land of peace.
But is there justice in that cause?
Brother...
I will become a pillar,
one that will never crumble.
To protect the Sanada clan and for a peaceful world, I stand by Tokugawa.
Join me, Yukimura.
Sorry, but I must refuse.
I cannot give up on my ideals.
Even if it means making an enemy out of you,
I shall fight righteously alongside Lord Mitsunari.
I wish you luck.
Episode 2
The Parting at Inubushi
Sengoku Musou High School
2nd Period
No Drinks Allowed
-Computer Class in Session-
Click Click Click
You're so clumsy, my lord.
Quiet, Sakon!
Crack
My lord...
To Be Continued
Next Episode
The next battle's stage has been set: the Sanada brothers' beloved home, Ueda Castle.
In the past, the two gazed at the cherry blossoms together,
but now, they will point their blades at one another.
Episode Three The Siege of Ueda Castle
Next time: "The Siege of Ueda Castle."