Episode 10
Fortress Beyond Compare
The Tokugawa clan finally commenced their siege of Osaka Castle.
Takatora Todo was entrusted with the attack from the south.
Sanada Maru
Standing in his way were Yukimura and the Sanada Maru.
Lord Yukimura...
Not yet.
To the castle's east,
Kanetsugu Naoe marched the Uesugi army toward the Yamato Bridge entrance.
Yamato Bridge
Keiji Maeda was tasked with its defense.
No one's getting past here.
And to the west, the outer moat, and its many bridges, was the site of intense fighting
between Masamune Date's army and the forces led by Kiyomasa and Masanori.
With gunners leading the way, the Date army looked to quickly break through.
But the Toyotomi side held them off by destroying all the bridges across the moat.
What now, losers?
Those two must be the enemy's defensive foundation.
Ieyasu Tokugawa had set up camp at Mt. Chausu,
southwest of Osaka Castle.
Mt. Chausu
How do we overcome their geographical advantage?
We cannot wait any longer, Lord Yukimura.
No, not yet.
Open fire!
Don't let up!
Do not falter!
Cavalry, charge!
Gunners, take aim!
Fire!
On the first day of battle,
as the Tokugawa army looked to assert their numerical advantage,
the Toyotomi clan held them off with the moats that surrounded the castle on three sides.
Moreover, the Sanada Maru proved to be an impregnable wall,
successfully defending the southern side.
I hear you fought well...
My men deserve all the credit for doing their jobs perfectly.
Thanks to you, troop morale is on the rise.
They've taken to calling the Sanada Maru an unsinkable ship.
After all, I'm its godfather.
Oh.
It's started to snow...
No wonder it's been so cold.
Thanks, Tsukimaru.
"Sanada Maru"? What a ridiculous name.
Today was merely the opening shot. There's no need to rush.
The Toyotomi clan has nowhere to run.
We can take our time and break them down.
Yukimura seems to be the cornerstone of the Toyotomi clan's defense.
He's an enemy of the Tokugawa clan.
We cannot leave him be.
Switch!
Hurry!
Why aren't we using our own gunners?
The enemy's firing from above, which means that they have longer range.
We need to get closer before we can return fire.
Then hurry up and advance the troops!
The enemy seems to be having trouble switching their gunners.
I'll take that chance to draw our men closer.
The enemy is gradually making up ground.
Well, many of our men aren't familiar with guns.
But I've already factored that into my plans.
Lord Yukimura, does that mean...
Yes.
Take charge.
Yes, sir.
Are we still not in range, Takatora?
We're almost there.
Wh-What?
Wh-What's going on?
He had troops lying in wait?
Sanada Maru
Reeling from Yukimura's ambush, the Tokugawa clan soldiers were
driven into a corner in front of the Sanada Maru.
Capitalizing on this opportunity,
a fierce onslaught was launched from the Sanada Maru on the enemy below.
The war continued, back and forth,
and before long, it was December.
Lord Hideyori,
a month has passed since the war's start, and our men are tired from the fighting.
We must settle things as soon as possible.
The same goes for our opponents.
They're also in unfamiliar lands, which must be making it hard for them.
It's time we went on the offensive.
On every front, we're having trouble breaking through.
The outer moat, huh?
While that's definitely a factor, there's also the Sanada Maru.
It is crucial for us to bring that fortress down.
Yukimura Sanada...
Our men are starting to believe Osaka Castle can't be felled, with Yukimura at the helm.
This will hurt morale.
Are you saying it'll be difficult to win this war?
Outer Enclosure Sanada Maru
Even if we manage to get past the Sanada Maru,
Main Keep
Second Line
Third Line
Outer Enclosure
there's still the inner moat, and the second and third lines of defense.
Getting to the main keep will prove next to impossible.
Just wait a bit.
I've made arrangements.
The recent cold wave is starting to drain our men of energy.
Some are even suffering because their wounds refuse to heal.
They've all long surpassed their limits.
We have to do something.
Fire.
Cannons?
The main keep!
From that distance?
Unbelievable.
How can they hit the main keep from all the way over there?
I never thought they'd bypass the Sanada Maru and directly attack the main keep.
Lord Hideyori, you must evacuate!
I cannot run away all by myself!
The main keep's getting hit.
It can't be!
Where are you going?
To destroy the cannons.
You mustn't!
Let me go instead.
You have to stay here, Lord Yukimura!
Right now, you're the only one who can command our men.
Very well.
I'm off.
The enemy's attacking!
Hold them off!
Lord Maeda, the main keep...
Talk about rough.
What do we do, Kiyomasa?
Focus on the enemy in front of you.
Damn it all!
That's enough!
She disappeared?
Where did she go?
She's hurt.
Ignore her.
Regroup and keep firing.
Yes, sir.
I'm not being any use to Lord Yukimura.
Artillery fire from the Tokugawa clan's cannons, nicknamed the "Nation Destroyers,"
continued, day and night, for several days.
The relentless sound of cannon fire and the ensuing destruction
gradually took their toll on the Toyotomi soldiers' minds.
I'm sorry, Lord Yukimura...
I...
Don't worry about it.
How are your wounds?
I'm fine.
The Tokugawa clan sure had a hell of an ace up its sleeve.
Cease the artillery fire, you say?
It has already proven plenty effective.
If I may be so bold, at this rate, both sides will be destroyed.
What do you mean by "both sides"?
The Toyotomi clan by the Nation Destroyers,
and us by the cold.
This cold has our men growing weaker by the day.
We must not ignore it.
Even so, we cannot stop now!
How about suggesting a truce, then?
Are you telling us to make peace?
I shall head to the castle as messenger.
Nonsense—
But I won't stop firing.
That's fine.
If they reject the truce, what will you do?
Then I shall...
I shall let the men know.
No, I'm going alone.
Alone?
Lord Ieyasu says he won't stop firing.
I cannot endanger my men's lives.
I'd feel much more at ease alone.
I admire your courage. Allow me to help.
The castle is surrounded by rivers and moats on three sides.
It won't be easy to get past them.
Then the only way in is to the south, through the Sanada Maru?
I will keep Yukimura occupied.
You have my thanks.
No need. I was simply impressed by your resolve.
Let us be on our way.
Yes.
Does he want to wag his tail for the Tokugawa clan that badly?
Lord Hidetada?
What are you saying?
I guess you'd expect as much from a man who'd let his brother die...
Please forgive my impudence!
Follow my lead!
Lord Kanetsugu?
Lord Kanetsugu!
Yukimura...
Hurry up with the ammunition!
Was that...
What's wrong?
Come at me!
Tadakatsu Honda, eh?
Keiji Maeda...
The preparations are complete, my lord.
All right.
What are they trying to pull?
Don't tell me...
They're using turrets as bridges!
Repel them!
The castle's western defense hinges on you two.
If we kill you, the west is ours.
Keep talking, Masamune!
We'll turn the tables on you!
Masanori!
Lord Yukimura...
Stay back!
Lord Nobuyuki's broken into the castle!
Huh?
He's gone to negotiate a truce.
What did you just say?!
That's Tadakatsu Honda for you.
I haven't had a fight this exciting in ages.
Likewise.
Nice... Just how I like it.
Lord Maeda!
I'm busy!
Nobuyuki Sanada has broken into the main keep!
Huh?
So that's your game.
Nobuyuki Sanada.
Lord Hideyori,
I'm here as Lord Ieyasu's messenger.
If this war continues,
both the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans will be damaged beyond repair.
Please call a truce.
Brother!
Stay out of this.
What will you do if Lord Hideyori rejects the truce?
You should already know the answer.
Stand down, Yukimura.
Let the Tokugawa clan and us talk it out.
A wise decision.
Are you sure?
Look at the state we're in.
If I don't stop this war, who will?
Nobuyuki did it, huh?
Cease fire.
Kiyo... Kiyomasa...
Kiyomasa!
The Tokugawa clan won't leave the Toyotomi standing.
Next time will be to the death.
Sengoku Musou High School
10th Period
This will be on the exam!
"This will be on the exam"...
Don't worry, Yukimura. I'm watching you.
B-Brother?
Not again, Nobuyuki!
Get back to your class!
He's been seen!
To Be Continued
Next Episode
The next decision is to willingly walk down a path of thorns.
Does a bright future await beyond?
Or is it the darkness of despair?
The curtain now rises on the final battle.
Next time: "The Lofty Castle."
Episode Eleven The Lofty Castle