"Inabayama Castle" "1548"
"Saitou Dousan" "('The Viper' of Minou)"
Father...
Kichou? Oda has made a peace overture.
A peace overture...
Nobuhide... looks like illness has weakened him even down to his spirit.
But this is an opportunity I never dared hope for.
"Kichou"
Kichou... I'll have to ask some more work of you.
Yes, Father--whatever you wish.
Oda Nobunaga: a man who eclipsed a world at war like a demon god.
But the man I knew came across somewhat differently.
Let me tell a bit more tonight about who that Nobunaga really was.
"Kochoki" "Young Nobunaga"
"Nagoya Castle"
Marriage?!
"Marriage" Yes.
"Marriage" We've already waited too long. Just between us,
"Ikeda Tsuneoki" "(Retainer)" "Hirate Masahide" "(Senior Retainer)"
an attractive offer or two has already wafted in for Master Kanjuurou.
Seriously?
Ooh! Look at him!
He's had a remarkable growth spurt recently, Master Kanjuurou...
"Kanjuurou" "(Nobunaga's younger brother)"
That's what this is about? He hasn't come of age yet!
Lord Nobunaga, as you are the heir apparent to the principal Oda line,
this is not a matter of "happening to meet the right someone."
"Takugen Oshou"
We've put much consideration into lineage and the circumstances surrounding Owari.
All right... but who?
Saitou Dousan's darling daughter, Lady Kichou.
The daughter of "The Viper"?!
Sealing an alliance with Minou would allow us to quell internal unrest,
and would strengthen our credibility against Mikawa and Suruga.
It's a win-win, isn't it?
That's all true, but... she's the Viper's daughter!
I guarantee she's something like this!
What is that, my lord?
I'm not sure...
Elder brother!
Oichi?
"Oichi" "(Nobunaga's younger sister)"
Hello.
"Ohana" "(Nobunaga's elder sister)"
You're here too, sister?
What are you two doing here?
We heard we're about to celebrate your marriage?!
Marriage! Marriage!
I just now heard about it myself. It's not yet settled that I'm going to--
What are you saying? If you dither, she'll get snatched up by someone else!
Snatched up?
The Lady of Minou, right? She's renowned as the region's greatest beauty.
She is?!
So if she has a pretty face, anyone will do?
Hey, appearances are important!
You can't judge compatibility until you've been together, so just take her as a bride!
You're enjoying this...
I'm cheering you on as a big sister, that's all.
Or is there someone else you have your heart set on?
Is there?
No...
Then it's settled.
It's settled!
You can't forget her, can you? That girl...
Well that's out of the blue--who?
I mean Lord Ikoma's daughter.
Doesn't ring a bell.
Even though you're constantly calling her name in your sleep?
I give up! I give up, my lord!
Actually, I overheard my mother saying something yesterday.
She said Kitsuna married... into an influential clan, the Miyake.
Isn't that quite a convenient coincidence.
Or maybe more of Takugen Oshou's handiwork...
If so, I'm feeling irked.
Should he be chastised?
Fool--I mean irked at myself.
Huh?
My heart is more drawn to politics--
to using marriage for quelling unrest, than to the girl I had feelings for.
My own heartlessness is what irks me.
That's something about you I don't dislike.
Cut it out. Still... the idea of marrying a girl I've never seen is really galling, eh, Tsuneoki?
What are you scheming this time, my lord?
Young master! Young master!
What's with all the ruckus this early in the morning?
The young master isn't here!
What?
Tsuneoki isn't here either!
Couldn't they just have gone fishing or something?
If you mean Nobunaga, he was all worked up,
saying he was going to get a look at the Lady of Minou's face.
Wha--?
What did you say?!
There's no way peasants like us could get in to see the Lady!
Ah, I see. That's too bad.
Thanks.
Huh? Oh! It's the Lady!
The Lady's there!
On the watchtower!
The rumor is she's super gorgeous!
Such beauty, they say, you'd mistake her for an angel!
As I said, it's hopeless--trying to sneak a peek at the Lady of Minou's face.
But at least something came of our making the trip over here.
Look around. We detest him and call him The Viper,
but to this bunch, he may be a surprisingly good ruler.
If we don't leave for home soon, the sun's going to set.
I know.
Hey, you! Watch where yer goin'! You run smack into me and don' even apologize?
If you value your life, give us a little something before you get out of our face!
Stop that.
Hmm... boy, did you jus' say something?
We won't let it go just 'cuz you're a kid!
So speaking up won't do it...
What was that?!
You wretches... I'll give you as many lead balls as you want.
Crap!
Lord Nobunaga...
Truth is, it can't fire more than once.
Eh?
And the barrel's so short that it's never once hit a target.
You're terrible.
Right?
Over here!
This is bad!
We're going, now.
Going--where?!
Who knows?
Grr...
A fascinating individual, as always...
Who'd imagine he'd be unable to wait, and would set off to see the Lady of Minou?
It's no laughing matter. If some mishap occurs--
The reconciliation with Minou would be called off.
And what's more, it would give a pretext for Minou forces to cross the Kiso River.
"Hayashi Hidesada (Senior Retainer)" "Hayashi Michitomo (Retainer)" "Shibata Katsuie (Retainer)" That's why I said it--if we had to make a marriage match,
"Hayashi Hidesada (Senior Retainer)" "Hayashi Michitomo (Retainer)" "Shibata Katsuie (Retainer)" it should've been Master Kanjuurou, not Lord Nobunaga.
Master Kanjuurou hasn't come of age yet. Don't be unreasonable.
"Oda Nobuhiro" "(Nobunaga's elder half-brother)"
Blow the war horns!
Assemble the troops! We're going to rescue Nobunaga! Everyone, follow me!
That cannot be, Lord Nobuhiro!
If we cross the Kiso River with troops at our back, we'll be at war again!
I swear I'll save him!
You knucklehead...
I'll lure them away. Use that opening to escape.
Nonsense. We escape together.
Putting oneself at risk to protect one's lord is a retainer's job.
If you lost your life because of me, I'd torment myself over it as long as I lived.
Found 'em.
You filthy little punks!
Lord Nobunaga!
Die!
You rogues. Do you realize that you're doing this on Mt. Inaba,
under the rule of Saitou Dousan?
Who the hell are you?!
Are you looking to get killed?!
I'm out of here!
Who are you?
Lord Nobunaga!
I'm fine.
Nobunaga?!
Tsuneoki!
Why are you here?
Why--?
Answer me!
I came to gaze upon the face of the Lady of Minou.
Huh?
Don't fire it!
Hey... wake up!
This can't be happening...
What?! Nobuhide's idiot son?!
Yes. To gaze upon the Lady of Minou's famous visage,
it seems he crossed the Kiso River.
Yoshitatsu?
I have received no such report, my lord.
This is a problem. If Nobunaga has gone missing,
Owari will likely search using all its forces
with no regard for whether they're crossing the Kiso River.
"Saitou Yoshitatsu" "(Saitou Dousan's eldest son)"
You... Are you trying to intimidate us?
"Saitou Yoshitatsu" "(Saitou Dousan's eldest son)" Leave off, Yoshitatsu.
You said he came to gaze on my daughter's face. Where is Kichou?
That's just it--nobody's seen her, lord.
Search for her!
Yes, my lord.
What are you doing here?
Are you a companion of hers?
I managed to stop the bleeding, but she needs treatment immediately.
Immediately!
Oh, you rascal! Making us all worry! You little...
Don't make such a big deal.
Father?
You're awake, Kichou? Are you in pain?
Yes... in my chest, Father...
Nothing like this has ever happened to me before now...
This is all because of him, the Scatterbrain of Owari.
So very, very disturbing.
With the New Year, Nobunaga's younger brother Kanjuurou came of age,
and the name Nobukatsu was bestowed upon him.
"Nagoya"
"Suemori"
Also, to keep Imagawa forces in check,
Lord Nobuhide constructed Suemori Castle, east of Nagoya.
"Suemori Castle" Lord Nobuhide constructed Suemori Castle, east of Nagoya.
Then, in the spring, the wedding day finally arrived.
Since it appears that all are present, we now begin the ceremony of nuptials
for Lord Oda Kazunosuke Nobunaga and Lady Kichou.
--Elder brother! --What in the...?
--What's this?! --Huh?
Young master! Be silent!
Eh? Oh, sorry. It's just my feet were falling asleep.
What is with him?
The same as ever, right?
Hey.
What is it?
What is it, my lord?
I'll be murdered.
By whom?
By Kichou.
Huh?
That's not the Lady of Minou; it's the ninja we met on Mt. Inaba.
She's a man!
As your jokes go, my lord, that's one of the better ones.
Tsuneoki, stay near me all night tonight!
I'll decline, my lord.
Why?!
What do you mean, "Why"?
Since I'm single, are you intending to show off the consummation of your marriage to me?
No, that's not it...
Everybody has a first time. I wish you all success, my lord.
Wait! Tsuneoki! Tsuneoki!
It's fine... so long as I don't leave an opening, The Viper's poison won't get me.
And I have this concealed chamber...
Wha-- How come...?!
I didn't want you to catch cold...
The... the lock...
Oh, was the door locked?
It's a trap!
This is definitely, absolutely poisoned!
Huh? Nobunaga?!
Oof!
Eh?
Elder sister!
This food Kichou gave us is delicious, isn't it?
Spit it out! Now!
What? You mean you want it all for yourself that much?
What a treat.
Hmm.
Wow, very good!
An assassin? Lady Kichou?
You're not laughing...
The fact is, this is not Lady Kichou's first marriage.
Eh? What the...?
Our decision was careless. With Lord Nobuhide downed by illness,
if you should be killed, Owari Province will inevitably splinter.
Even if we were to turn the tables and eliminate Lady Kichou,
Dousan has contrived so that he'd gain just cause--
avenging his daughter for brazenly invading Owari.
He's not nicknamed The Viper just for show...
If that's it, then why doesn't she get it over with?
Is she enjoying watching me cower, like a cat toying with a mouse?
Put yourself in the other's place, my lord.
In Kichou's place?
If you do, I suspect the question will answer itself.
What is this?
"Kaede" "(a ninja of Minou)" A message from your father:
"Kaede" "(a ninja of Minou)" He says finish off Nobunaga with this and return home soon.
I understand. Still... it's just that my bosom pains me.
Have you not healed from your earlier wounds? If so, I can--
It's fine, Kaede. I'll--
You're in here?
I was thirsty...
Accompany me for a bit.
What is it you want to show me?
We're almost there.
You can only see this on full-moon nights. It's a special type of sal tree.
Why bring me here?
The sal tree is also called the Nirvana tree...
If I'm to die, I thought I'd like it to be my final sight.
If you so wish...
But I won't go quietly.
If I die, Takugen will tell the full story of it.
With my death as a rallying cry, the Oda will likely call for Minou's destruction,
and strengthen their own solidarity.
Stop!
Without fulfilling my mission, I cannot return to my father.
Kill me.
Your dying would cause problems.
Are you that afraid of stirring up trouble with Minou?
Curse you! Not those kinds of problems!
I fully understand that you admire your father.
But how much thought does your father give to you?
Here you are, plying your trade while carrying all these wounds...
How much thought does he give to you?!
You said you can't return to him.
If not, then stay by my side.
My bride fleeing right after the wedding would make me look terrible anyway.
What? You say he still took her in?
Yes, my lord.
Never imagined he'd just swallow up The Viper's poison...
They call him Nobunaga, huh? Amusing...
"Next Episode"
"Father and Child"