"Nagoya Castle"
"Oda Nobunaga"
How about that?
You hit the target, my lord!
Of course I did!
Nobunaga-sama! I request a favor, my lord!
Who are you?
"Inuchiyo (later called Maeda Toshiie)" An assistant to Hayashi Hidesada-sama and fourth-eldest son of the Maeda clan;
I am named Inuchiyo!
I, Inuchiyo, am prepared to throw away my life, if it be for Nobunaga-sama's sake!
Please, my lord, allow me to serve by your side!
I beg your pardon, my lord.
Hey you, stop that! I'll be a poison-taster or anything you wish, my lord!
Humblest apologies, my lord.
It's all right...
"Hirate Masahide (Senior Retainer)" It's all right...
"Hirate Masahide (Senior Retainer)" ...but his style of dress looks just like yours, Nobunaga-sama...
Huh? Am I that weird?!
"Kochoki" "Young Nobunaga"
"Father and Child" Nobunaga-sama.
"Father and Child" Isn't it about time you paid a sickbed visit to the Lord of Suemori Castle?
I know... but Father was formerly such a strong-willed person.
"Nobunaga's concealed chamber" I know... but Father was formerly such a strong-willed person.
"Nobunaga's concealed chamber" So I'm afraid if I visit he may wind up feeling even more dispirited.
When I think about the eventuality of his suddenly losing the will to fight his illness...
I understand your feelings, my lord. Please explain it thus to everyone.
Everyone?
"Ikeda Tsuneoki (Retainer)"
Nobukatsu-sama, Shibata-dono, Hayashi-dono,
and Yamaguchi-dono are waiting in the reception room.
They're all here?!
You should've said that sooner.
It's been some time, elder brother.
Nobunaga-sama, you haven't paid a visit to Suemori Castle, so we've come calling.
Sorry. So how is Father's condition recently?
"Oda Nobukatsu (Nobunaga's younger brother)"
He's struggling desperately against this evil illness.
I see.
To broach the subject: If the unthinkable were to happen,
what would you intend to do about the reconciliation with the Imagawa?
Negotiations would go back to square one, and a slip could mean our being invaded.
"Hayashi Hidesada (Senior Retainer)"
It's fortunate that Nobuhiro-sama returned unscathed,
but we've lost what influence we had in Mikawa.
"Shibata Katsuie (Retainer)" We need to make preparations for war.
Ahem! Leave off with the political discussions.
My brother is thinking first and foremost about Father's health.
Exactly right! Restraint is called for,
in talking about the aftermath of our lord's passing.
"Yamaguchi Noritsugu (Retainer)"
I can imagine how you're feeling, Nobunaga-sama.
Yamaguchi-dono, I am grateful.
I'm sorry for being so presumptuous earlier.
For me to disregard your station and leap into rebuking retainers...
Not at all.
But I understand how the retainers feel.
Thinking about what's to come brings nothing but anxiety.
Nobukatsu, don't worry... I'm filled with anxiety too.
Big brother, this is where I want you to say, "Leave these things to me."
You really would be better suited to the great responsibilities of inheriting the Oda mantle.
The retainers think so too, right?
No, that's not--
With that scatterbrain Nobunaga-sama,
I have no vision at all where the Oda clan may be headed in the future.
I've hit the nail on the head.
No... no! It's fully justified that you, as eldest son, inherit control.
I can only play a secondary role.
And yet I envy you.
You have more memories with Father than I do.
That may be so, but...
In any case, when the time comes, we'll hold a magnificent service for Father.
Hey. Don't get so gloomy. There's still a chance that Father will recover.
I'll go search tomorrow and come back with some good medicine from China.
Please do, brother. And I will make the rounds to temples, and request prayers for him.
"Nagoya Castle - Castle Gate"
You're going out, my lord?
Uh-huh. I'm going to Tsushima to search for foreign barbarians' medicines.
I'll come with you.
Not necessary. Kichou and I will be fine. Keep an eye on things here.
Understood. Be careful, my lord.
"Tsushima"
Not at all easy to find.
"Kichou (Nobunaga's wife)"
There it is.
My lord, what is that?
Father gave it to me long ago, as a souvenir.
From a very young age, I lived apart from my father.
But one day he visited the castle and gave me this top.
Wow...
That such an unstable thing spun without toppling was so mysterious...
...that I remember I tried the same thing myself.
"Oda Nobuhide (Nobunaga's father)"
What a fine boy!
Father was laughing, with such great delight.
I was so glad for that, I tried to entertain him even more...
That's a pleasant memory of His Lordship.
Be at ease. My lord trusts you well, Tsuneoki-dono.
I envy you.
Eh?
Both in public and behind the scenes, you're always by Nobunaga-sama's side.
I daresay, Kichou-sama, that you play a crucial role which I cannot fulfill.
You mean bearing an heir.
In whatever capacity, if necessary, I am also prepared
to give up my life for Nobunaga-sama.
Anything else?
No, my lady. Such a fitting wife for Nobunaga-sama;
it's almost disappointing that you have to be treated as a woman.
Don't let him escape!
A traitor among our own retainers?!
The truth is, for some days, I've quietly been probing to find this person.
The man who killed himself was a spy, infiltrating under that traitor's orders.
Who would betray me so, and to what purpose?
Unclear, my lord.
Whether it was spying or theft, it was likely a gift for Imagawa.
Unthinkable!
All our retainers are comrades who've fought by my father's side!
Remember the other day, my lord. All of them, every one, expressed apprehension.
It's no great stretch to imagine a traitor emerging, my lord.
You... to impugn trusted comrades, without any evidence...
That's showing a low opinion of my father's judgment as well!
Please quit this complacent thinking!
What did you say?!
Don't you dare speak of this to anyone. And don't show your face in front of me!
While Father is still alive... who on earth would...
Kichou-sama...
For days, Nobunaga-sama has been in a standoffish mood for some reason.
Do you think something happened?
It's probably that his worries have been piling up.
I invited him to go falconing to raise his spirits,
but he said he didn't feel like going anywhere.
"The kitchens"
I request a favor!
Huh?
Won't you please permit me to be of some service?
I will perform poison-tasting or any other role!
I shall now taste for poisons.
Oh!
Delicious! I've never tasted anything like this before!
Belch.
I request a favor! Won't you please permit me to be of some service?
I will perform any role!
Clean out and replace all the hay.
Yes, sir!
So you're Nobunaga-sama's favorite steed; you are so lucky...
Oh, I know!
Wait up!
What's all this?!
Well, let's see.
Wait up!
Humblest apologies, my lord.
The horse appears to have finally settled down.
Nobunaga-sama, please grant leniency in your judgment for what this child did.
My humblest apologies.
I wanted to make Nobunaga-sama's steed dapper, like my lord himself...
This is a good look for you!
Wanted a run, eh? Guess I haven't ridden you in a while.
Hirate! Shall we go out falconing?
Oh! Y-Yes, my lord!
You there, dog-boy. Come with us.
Eh? Er, yes sir!
Nobunaga-sama... over there!
--Wow! --Well done!
Thank you, Hirate. That did raise my spirits.
Perhaps Inuchiyo deserves those thanks instead.
--What do you think of that?
--Give him a thorough training while he's a page. --What do you think of that?
--Give him a thorough training while he's a page.
Yes, my lord. By the way, did something occur with Tsuneoki?
Nothing in particular, no.
Recently it's looked as though you two are apart a great deal.
Well, you're married now; I suppose he's holding back to give you space.
Not likely. He's not that kind of guy. He's so forward it's annoying.
From our childhoods, he's always been at my back, ready to chime in, actually.
Kippoushi-sama, a leader has to stand squarely and proudly at all times,
no matter whom he's facing!
It's a wild boar!
You're the heir apparent to Oda, Lord Protector of Mikawa,
so that sort of girl is no kind of match for you.
If you're bent on marrying... a daughter of the Ashikaga would be best.
Why did you make such a promise?
He's always directing me what to do.
Yet he's always the first to stand in your defense too, isn't he?
I'll take care of this!
I'll lure them away. Use that opening...
That's enough talk about him.
I'll have them clear the way.
No; if someone has to back up, it's shorter for us.
Grandfather!
So it was a funeral procession.
If they're that poor, they can't afford much of a ceremony.
It's usually seen as a relief to have one less mouth to feed.
The one who died must've been well loved.
A nameless peasant's funeral procession?
There was feeling surrounding it. If Father passes away,
there will likely be a magnificent, lavish funeral service...
But what will his retainers really be feeling?
They say that around the world there are truly a variety of funereal rituals--
"Takugen Oshou" They say that around the world there are truly a variety of funereal rituals--
letting birds eat the deceased's remains, or rollicking in dances of delight.
Huh? Seriously? The world's such a vast place...
Regardless of the ceremony's form, so long as it's given in a sincere spirit...
...that will be felt by the deceased.
That's because the deceased exist only in the form of spirit.
"Suemori Castle"
In April 1551, Oda Nobuhide-sama passed from this world.
"Nagoya Castle"
No, not that!
It's Father's funeral; we can't be showing any disrespect.
Grr... now of all times, where on earth is Tsuneoki?!
Nobunaga-sama...
Kichou?
I was told to say nothing, but I can't keep this from you.
Tsuneoki-dono has set out for the forest, pursuing the spy who infiltrated the castle.
What?!
Apparently an enemy stole the Certificate of Protectorship.
That's an essential document, entrusted to my father
by the Shiba Buei house, the nominal guardians of Owari.
If it's lost, the Oda clan's pedigree to rule Owari Province will no longer hold.
Please allow me to handle what's to come.
You're still thinking of serving as a ninja? No. I'm going.
But tomorrow is His Lordship's funeral!
Getting back that certificate and catching a traitor...
That's how I'll pay my respects to Father.
This seems to be the right road, m'lord!
Don't do anything rash, Tsuneoki!
Got it! Even Nobunaga-sama will appreciate this one's feathers!
Huh? Is that...?
We should be coming up on them soon.
Who are you working for?!
I won't tolerate traitors! Ever!
Bastard!
--What the-- --You bastards!
Nobunaga-sama! Leave this to me!
What are you doing here?!
Little punk!
Kichou! What am I gonna do with you?!
Go after Tsuneoki-dono, my lord, swiftly!
Right.
You go no farther.
Tsuneoki!
Nobunaga-sama, how did you...?
There's no way Kichou would keep this from me!
So it seems. The Certificate of Protectorship is unharmed, my lord.
It was just as you said.
I didn't want to think about a traitor among our close followers.
Yes, my lord.
Where does this road lead?
To Narumi Castle.
So the one conspiring against us was Yamaguchi...
Restraint is called for, in talking about the aftermath of our lord's passing.
I don't get it...
Why would a retainer who served Father for so many years betray us?!
Looking at the circumstances and bending to whoever looks stronger...
...is commonplace in a world at war, my lord.
So from now, always and forever...
I'll have to go through life distrusting people?
I'll be here, my lord.
Whenever, and whatever may come... without fail.
I was trying to pretend away thoughts or things I didn't like.
I was a child who didn't want to be hurt.
I'm sorry.
Keep standing by me in days to come, Tsuneoki.
Yes, my lord.
"Banshou Temple"
"Oda Nobuhiro (Nobunaga's older half-brother)"
Why hasn't Nobunaga come?
I don't know.
Elder Brother... Didn't you promise me... that we would hold a magnificent service?
"Sakuma Nobumori (Retainer)"
What on earth could be keeping him?
He can't be this much of a scatterbrain...
Nobunaga-sama will arrive soon.
It must be the road conditions, after the recent rains.
Ah, no, perhaps a sudden illness of some sort...
Hirate.
Yes, my lord.
To perish is destiny,
yet remembrances of what we endeavored are destined to endure.
"The fate of humans is to die,
but what we accomplish in life takes form and remains,
passed on to posterity"...
Though these words made for a direct, Nobunaga-esque apology...
This makes it perfectly clear.
We cannot entrust our hopes for Owari's stability with the Scatterbrain.
Nobukatsu-sama is the one more fitted to inherit leadership of the Oda clan.
Thereafter, Yamaguchi-dono parted with the Oda clan.
The ruthlessness of a world at war became graven upon Nobunaga-sama's heart.
"1552: The Battle of Akatsuka" The ruthlessness of a world at war became graven upon Nobunaga-sama's heart.
Yet it was also a moment when Nobunaga-sama's resolve to confront Destiny,
and the resolve of those who followed him, was reawakened.
"Next Episode"
"An Old Man's Wish"
"Looking forward to next week!" "Illustration by Wannyanpuu"