"Nagoya Castle - Castle Gate"
"Hayashi Hidesada (Senior Retainer)"
What is that noise?!
Nobunaga-sama has brought in a musket specialist,
and now he's doing some test-shooting.
A specialist?
His name was Takigawa Kazumasu, of Sakai.
"Shibata Katsuie (Retainer)" His name was Takigawa Kazumasu, of Sakai.
Wow!
Well done!
Kichou-sama, you have an aptitude for this.
"Takigawa Kazumasu (Retainer)" Kichou-sama, you have an aptitude for this.
"Kichou (Nobunaga's wife)"
It's because you teach so well, Takigawa-sama.
It's not only that. They're lighter than before, and also more powerful.
"Ikeda Tsuneoki (Retainer)" "Oda Nobunaga"
Even women or children could wield these.
"Ikeda Tsuneoki (Retainer)" "Oda Nobunaga" Are you serious about that?
Yep. Methods of battle are going to change.
Takigawa-dono, keep working on improving these.
I shall, my lord.
As you say, Nobunaga-sama, with enough training, women or children can learn to shoot these.
But it takes too much time to load the musket-balls.
No need to worry on that; I've got that part of things right well sussed out.
What's funny?
I thought your dialect sounded cute just now.
Well, I always speak in suchlike manner when I'm around kith and kin.
It just means you're right well one of the family now too!
Oda Nobunaga: a man who, it is said, 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-sama really was.
"Kochoki" "Young Nobunaga"
Five hundred?! Did you say 500 muskets?!
I've requested 100 from Sakai, and 150 from the Kunitomo smithy.
"An Old Man's Wish" I've requested 100 from Sakai, and 150 from the Kunitomo smithy.
But any way I figure it, I'm still 250 muskets short.
Can we arrange for these somehow?
One moment, my lord. To what end would we need such a number of muskets?
To defend Owari.
"Hayashi Michitomo (Retainer)"
You jest! Muskets can only be used to startle, as a ploy. 500 of those...
One of them can't do more than scare away sparrows; but if we have 500,
they'll become a powerful weapon that will drive away even the Imagawa.
But bows are sufficient!
There's no way to round up 500 master archers like you, Katsuie.
How will you pay for them?!
Figuring this out, including that, is a job for all of you.
This is nonsense.
I never thought he was this much of a scatterbrain...
Leave it to me, my lord.
I, Hirate Masahide, shall arrange for the remaining 250.
"Hirate Masahide (Senior Retainer)" I, Hirate Masahide, shall arrange for the remaining 250.
Lord Auditor!
Is it advisable, to make such a rash assurance?
A senior retainer's role is to carry out his lord's orders.
If it were only a matter of voicing displeasure, even an infant could do it.
What say you, my lord?
Very well. I assign this task to you, Hirate.
As you wish, my lord.
Elder brother! Why do you let that old dotard act so high-handedly?!
At this point, Hirate-dono is the only one supporting Nobunaga-sama.
If we could just oust him, control of the Oda clan would belong to Nobukatsu-sama!
Don't say such reckless things. You, too, must know just how superior a man he is!
When Hirate-dono was younger,
he tore around the battlefield as Nobuhide-sama's right hand!
The masterful way he wielded his spear, enemies couldn't get anywhere near him.
In governmental affairs, too, nobody outdid him.
Even all the negotiations with the Imperial Court
were hammered out by means of his abilities.
Now that I think of it, there was even an incident...
A foreign ship had been struck by a storm and shipwrecked.
Hirate-dono set off on his own, rowing into the raging waves;
they say he rescued every single member of the crew.
The foreign barbarians he'd rescued went away with the deepest gratitude.
They even promised amongst themselves that if Hirate-dono was ever in need,
they would hasten to his aid.
Michitomo. However ambitious you may be, trying to take down Hirate-dono
is something that should never even enter your thoughts.
It's not about ambition... I'm only concerned for the future of the Oda clan!
What's wrong, old man?
Old man!
Ow!
You're wide open!
You old coot...
You won't get the better of me yet, my lord! Right, one more bout!
I'm not holding back anymore!
I sure hope not!
"Inuchiyo (later called Maeda Toshiie)" Lucky him. I can't wait to come of age so I can be of use to Nobunaga-sama.
Then attend carefully to the horses!
Hey! All right, all right.
Inuchiyo! Inuchiyo!
Huh?
Here! Over here!
What?! Hirate-sama?!
Keep your voice down!
That's right. That old man is using his position as guardian
to help himself to the Oda family assets!
Are you serious?
Shh!
Do you have any evidence?
That's what you're going to find. This is all for the good of the Oda clan. Got it?
"The Hirate Residence"
For just a retainer, he's living a luxurious lifestyle.
I wonder if maybe what Michitomo-sama is saying really was true...
What are you doing?
Ohana-sama! How come you're here?
I came to return a tea set I borrowed. What are you doing here?
I can't say.
Even to me?
No. Because it's a secret investigation.
A-ha. Of what sort?
There's a suspicion that Hirate-sama has been pocketing Oda family assets,
so I'm investigating--huh?
That's preposterous.
I'm serious, my lady! Just look at all this pricey-looking tea stuff!
My late father gave him every single thing here as rewards for his service.
Rewards?
In fact, the one who most doted on Nobunaga was none other than Hirate.
That temperamental child, whom everyone else would put aside--
Hirate would patiently comfort him.
It was also Hirate who taught him swordsmanship and how to ride.
When Nobunaga was injured falling off a horse,
Hirate made a big ruckus about how he himself was to blame.
So you see...
There's no way Hirate-sama, who loves Nobunaga-sama that, that deeply,
could ever betray him!
Idiot, you got taken in way too easily... Get away from me.
Huh?
Sorry, excuse us!
What's all the commotion?
A messenger from Nobutomo-sama has arrived.
What? From Kiyosu?
"Matsuba" "Kiyosu" "Nagoya"
At this time, practical governance of Owari was administered from Kiyosu Castle
"Matsuba" "Kiyosu" "Nagoya" by the Yamato no Kami house, Principal Line of the Oda clan.
"Matsuba" "Kiyosu" "Nagoya" After Nobuhide-sama's death, relations between Nobunaga-sama
"Matsuba" "Kiyosu" "Nagoya" and Nobutomo-sama, of the Principal Line, could by no means be called good.
The recent uprising at Narumi has been exceedingly lamentable.
Nobutomo-sama asks what Nobunaga-sama thinks
about how responsibility should be taken for this failure.
Meaning?
Is he telling Nobunaga-sama to commit seppuku?
He is saying nothing so extreme as that.
He does ask whether, as Nobuhide-sama's successor,
Nobunaga-sama isn't proving somewhat unreliable.
Hm... I think so too.
My lord!
I want to ask Nobukatsu's opinion as well.
Can I ask that we break it up for today?
Michitomo. This is about politics.
Eh?
If we aren't going to be heard by the Lord Auditor,
we can have the Principal Line in Kiyosu replace him.
Hmm. I knew you'd figure this out, Elder Brother.
Nobunaga-sama's being talked down to by the Principal Line puts him in a very bad light.
Wouldn't it be best if he allowed Nobukatsu-sama to replace him?
Agreed. Unlike someone else I could name, Nobukatsu-sama shows a sense of decorum.
And he wouldn't force impossible challenges upon us.
The Oda clan would have internal peace.
I wonder about that.
Hirate-dono!
Isn't Nobuhide's line being considered undependable
more a result of Nobunaga-sama's retainers being out of step
than of any problem with his own disposition?
Are you stating that this is our fault?
There's someone in this castle who sent a missive to Kiyosu.
If we retainers don't come together as one, the Oda clan will fall to ruin.
Be aware that even now, Nobuhide-kou's eye shines on us from the heavenly realm.
Yum...
Hey, did you hear?
Apparently Nobunaga-sama's relations with the Principal Line in Kiyosu are bad recently.
They've told him he needs to hand over control to Nobukatsu-sama, right?
What? How come?! Why have things come to that?!
What are you doing in here?
Originally this side of the family was a subordinate lineage,
but Nobuhide-sama wound up running things in Owari,
so the Principal Line doesn't like it.
What's up with that? So this is all just entirely harassment?
What do they think makes them so special, this "Principal Line"?
They don't get that it's only because of Nobunaga-sama that Owari is at peace.
If they say something again, I'll tell them exactly what's what!
"Sakuma Morishige (Retainer)"
Inuchiyo, you're an obstinate one.
You bet. I'd have no regrets at any time throwing away my life,
which I've dedicated to Nobunaga-sama.
That kid... he said that?
It's not only Inuchiyo. The entire castle feels like it's stirred up.
I've been feeling a little bit suffocated too.
Tsuneoki, do you want to...
Shall we, my lord?
Do what?
Matasaburou!
What on earth...
It's sumo, my lady.
Don't you have this in Mino?
Yes, we do. I'm asking why sumo?!
It lets out pent-up frustrations.
Both those watching and those who grapple feel refreshed.
Nobunaga-sama! Hurry on over!
Darn right!
You're going to wrestle too, my lord?!
You can't win at sumo unless you use this!
West: Inuchiyo! East: Kazusa no Suke!
Right... are both grapplers ready?
Begin!
Go! Get him, my lord!
Use your hips, my lord!
Are you all right?
Oh, it's you, Takugen Oshou. You saw me at an embarrassing moment...
This looks to me to be quite a severe illness.
What, no--it's nothing serious.
It's wrong to lie.
You should inform Nobunaga-sama and take a leave of absence.
I have a promise that I must fulfill. Time off is not an option.
Isn't this dangerous behavior that invites death upon yourself?
I'm committed to giving my life for the good of the Oda clan.
Amazing! Knew you'd take him, my lord!
"Kiyosu Castle"
"Kawajiri Yoichi (Retainer to Principal Line)"
Sit down; it's sweltering.
"Sakai Kansuke (Retainer to Principal Line)"
Yoichi's right; fretting is bad for your health.
"Oda Nobutomo (Head of Principal Line)"
As things stand, how can I settle down?!
Even after I, head of the Oda Yamato no Kami household, dispatched a messenger,
all I'm hearing is crickets. This is taking bad manners too far!
Then he'll have to be chastised.
Eh?
"Sakai Daizen (Senior Retainer to Principal Line)" Let's show them who's the most powerful man in Owari.
B-but... brute force isn't the way.
Let's keep it to peaceable talk as much as we can.
Are you scared, Nobutomo-san?
That son of Nobuhide's just needs to be squashed.
Justice is on our side, the side of the Yamato no Kami line. No need to worry.
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba"
August 15, 1552: Oda Nobutomo, incited by his retainer Sakai Daizen,
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba" attacked Matsuba Castle and Fukada Castle.
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba" He took Nobunaga-sama's uncle, Nobutsugu-sama, as a hostage.
The way of the samurai is to keep faith at all times with one's lord.
At this point, I believe we ought to show our allegiance to the Kiyosu Oda line.
Wait! Our one and only lord is Nobunaga-sama!
Our duty is to defeat anyone who opposes Nobunaga-sama, whoever that may be!
Control yourself, Inuchiyo!
Don't run your mouth when the Cavalry Guard is talking!
Might I remind you that I came of age this spring,
and my name has changed to Maeda Matazaemon Toshiie.
Since my position is now as attendant to Nobunaga-sama,
I ask that you remember to call me that.
What did you say?!
So what do you think?
It would be easy to retake those castles.
However, if we defy the Principal Line, we'll be branded as rebels.
Exactly...
What? The old man?!
They said he collapsed at the port of Tsushima on the way back from Sakai.
There's no time for delay. Hurry!
Old man!
Nobunaga-sama!
No need to get up. Get your rest.
I hear the castles of Matsuba and Fukada fell.
You've got your ear to the ground, as always.
I suppose you're conflicted, my lord:
whether to stir up trouble with the Principal Line in Kiyosu or not.
You always see through to the heart of things, old man.
Nobunaga-sama. Will you listen to my final wish?
Don't say "final"; I'll listen to any number of wishes.
I made an agreement with Nobuhide-sama:
that I would groom you to be his successor, without fail. Thus...
...whoever your opposition may be, please fight your hardest,
in order to protect the Oda clan.
I understand.
I understand; don't try to talk any more, old man.
Hirate-dono has been fighting illness for a long time.
I recommended giving himself over to treatment,
but he said that if it was done in order to fulfill his commitment to you,
he wouldn't mind giving his life.
Commitment?
Are you Nobunaga-sama?
Yeah.
"Yaraj (Captain of a foreign ship)" I came to deliver the goods that Hirate asked me for.
Huh?
Two hundred and fifty muskets. I respect Hirate. I keep my promise.
Old man...
Thank you. I swear I'll embrace your wish.
"Matsuba Castle"
Here you are.
Just what I needed.
It's a musket!
Don't get flustered! A musket can't be fired repeatedly.
Now's the time to loose arrows!
What the...?
Did you see? As squads of three, you'll fire your muskets in rotation!
If you understand, do it just as I showed, and fire away!
Irregular fire with muskets...
So this is the battle method that Nobunaga-sama has thought through so exhaustively.
My lord...
My lord... soar. Let this old man's body be your springboard...
...to greater... and greater heights.
All forces--Charge!
Wow! What amazing intensity! I won't let anyone show me up!
The mission achieved its aim.
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba"
Nobunaga-sama not only recovered Matsuba and Fukada Castles;
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba" it's said that he advanced all the way to Kiyosu Castle
"Kiyosu" "Nagoya" "Fukada" "Matsuba" and burned the surrounding crop-fields, leaving the land denuded and barren.
Old man! I've just returned!
Old man!
It's an era without humanity or justice, my lord.
For now, think first and foremost about navigating through and beyond all this turbulence.
Yeah.
Old man... just watch me... Watch how I protect the Oda clan...
"Next Episode"
"A Meeting"
"Keep watching Kochoki!" "Kei Mochizuki"