"Suemori Castle"
Father! It's you, isn't it, Father?!
Father! Tell me, please! Why? Why was I allowed to live? Father!
Elder Brother?
Nobukatsu-sama? Nobukatsu-sama!
Calm down! Come... let's go back to your room.
Hey, did you hear? There's talk of an ominous shade roaming the castle
during the ox-hour, in the dead of night.
Uh-huh. Everyone who's seen it says it's an evil spirit--that one, right?
An evil spirit?! Ooh, I don't like that.
A castle's being haunted by an evil spirit can't be a good omen.
Of late, Nobukatsu-sama won't see me either.
The word is that he's unwell, both in mind and body.
When he lost to Nobunaga-sama in the recent battle,
Nobukatsu-sama was bewailing having to go on living with the shame.
I understand how he feels...
Yet in that state, is he not a puppet in Tsuzuki's hands?
Awake, my lord?
I have bad dreams of late...
Yes, my lord. It's all just dreams. You'll be fine.
I feel it's time we carry out a new stratagem.
Do you...
I will make all the arrangements. You need not concern yourself with any of it.
Oh.
You may be as useless as a wooden dummy,
but if you have an exceptional retainer, your rule can be well orchestrated.
What's the matter?
Kurando... You are my comforting darkness.
Darkness?
Assassination?
Yes, my lord. There's reason to suspect that that bunch in Suemori Castle
"Elder Brother and Younger Brother" Yes, my lord. There's reason to suspect that that bunch in Suemori Castle
"Elder Brother and Younger Brother" attempted to exploit the whole serpent uproar to bring about your death.
We ought to hem in Suemori Castle and put it under surveillance.
No. The status quo is fine.
You're going to let them remain unchecked?
We don't know when they may target you again!
Do you have evidence?
Well, that's--
Once you start harboring suspicions, there's no end to them.
When you've found certain proof, tell me then.
Yes, my lord.
Those scoundrels in Suemori Castle are absolutely plotting something.
All we can do is be ready for trouble.
Damn! The Imagawa, the Saitou, the Oda of Iwakura...
Here we are, surrounded by enemies, and Suemori...
I can't say... whether Nobukatsu and I can try for a do-over...
It could take time... a long time.
Can't believe she went, and left this behind...
What's this?
The names of the people who died in the recent battle, my lord.
Oh...
Is that something you do not need, my lord?
Uh-huh.
There's still... something I have to do.
Around this time, at Tsuneoki-dono's strong urging,
a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
"Kawajiri Hidetaka" a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
"Sassa Narimasa" a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
"Sakuma Nobumori" a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
"Sakuma Morishige" a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
"Takigawa Kazumasu" "Murai Sadakatsu" a special elite force was formed to protect Nobunaga-sama: the Cloaked Guard.
Oh! I look amazing!
That cloak looks like it would be useful for carrying your head back home...
--Yeah... Those look great on all of you!
--Looking forward to that! --Yeah... Those look great on all of you!
--Cut it out! --Yeah... Those look great on all of you!
Carry out your duty so you'll never bring shame to that armor!
Yes, sir!
Nobunaga-sama, a person has come from the Ikoma Estate.
Eh? Kitsuno-dono?!
"Kitsuno"
The truth is, Kichou-sama visited my home.
Wh-- Kichou? When was this?
Just a few days ago.
I was very surprised too, at Nobunaga-sama's wife suddenly calling on me.
But as we spoke, my heart was powerfully shaken.
For certain reasons, I must depart from the Oda household.
Yet the situation in which Nobunaga-sama now stands is terribly dire.
Though we met only by chance during that battle, I have an earnest request,
placing my hopes in your warmhearted disposition, Kitsuno-sama.
Please become the pillar that braces up Nobunaga-sama's spirit, in my place.
I beg of you... I beg of you...
I realized then that I'd seen those big, limpid eyes somewhere before...
That she was the warrior who had saved my life in the midst of that battle.
Warrior?
In the course of my business I got caught up,
along with my attendant and a customer, in the battle at Inou Village.
You met her... in that battle?
Kitsuno-dono... I'm sorry. Could you leave me for the time being today?
Yes, my lord.
...and this is the stratagem I propose.
You've made your stratagem clear, Tsuzuki-dono.
I cannot endorse this plan.
Why not?
Such methods are cowardly. What's more, even if we use Ikeda-dono as a dupe,
we can't be sure whether Nobunaga-sama would come or not.
Nobukatsu-sama, what are your thoughts?
My lord has given his full approval.
I withdraw myself from any involvement in these doings. Excuse me.
Shibata-dono!
Shibata. May I?
Yes, my lord.
Nobukatsu-sama, it's been far too long; I was glad to see you today.
Yeah.
I was rude, earlier.
Katsuie, do you dislike Tsuzuki?
No, my lord...
You and I have known one another since the days of Father's rule.
That said, I have a favor to ask.
I'll do whatever you ask.
Ikeda-dono! A swift horse has arrived from one of Youtokuin-sama's attendants.
Ikeda-dono!
I've received word that a health condition of my mother's,
for which she's been receiving treatment for some time, has suddenly worsened,
and tonight will be a critical point.
--Your mother, Youtokuin-sama? --That's terrible!
I'm setting out immediately. But please don't tell Nobunaga-sama about this.
But wasn't Youtokuin-sama also Nobunaga-sama's wet nurse?
It'd be dangerous to have Nobunaga-sama make any long journeys right now.
I am grateful you've come around to approving my stratagem.
All is as I arranged it.
Nobunaga-sama! Ikeda-dono has been taken captive!
Huh?!
There was a message earlier that Youtokuin-sama was at death's door,
and he had just set out to see about her condition! Someone plotted against him!
Damn!
They're demanding I come. Where is Seikaku Temple?
We believe it's an abandoned temple at Isshiki Village.
If an exceptional retainer is lost, the lord's fate, too, becomes precarious.
Ikeda-dono is bound and confined.
The desperate Nobunaga and his companions should be coming this way soon.
Our forces, led by Shibata-dono, will intercept him.
Nobunaga's hastily assembled squad will likely be routed in short order.
I'll leave the taking of Nobunaga's head to you, Nobukatsu-sama.
It's a long time since I've seen your face looking so full of vigor, my lord.
It's truly beautiful.
What's the meaning of this?!
What's the meaning of this?! Have you gone mad?
The role you've played ends here. You no longer have a puppet.
What do you mean, my lord?
I have supported you with the intent of our boosting the Oda clan's fortunes together!
Don't you dare speak for the Oda clan.
I need no intermediary between Nobunaga and me.
Nobukatsu-sama! Please remember all that's happened up till now!
How much I've contributed to your welfare!
Without me, you wouldn't have survived! You know this, my lord!
To my utmost shame.
Leave. If you insist upon remaining among the Oda...
...I'll cut you down with this blade.
Why, Nobukatsu?! If Tsuneoki's fallen victim to your vengeance,
I won't be able to forgive you!
Let the darkness flee into darkness.
We awaited your coming.
Where is Tsuneoki?!
Don't worry, we haven't taken his head yet.
Nobukatsu! What are your intentions?!
If you wish to know, then come.
Nobunaga-sama...
I'll go alone. Don't move from here.
But--
Let's leave this to Nobunaga-sama.
Are you that worried about Tsuneoki?
If something happens to Tsuneoki, I'll grant even you no mercy!
Do you understand? These are the actions of a coward!
If there's something you hope for, or desire, say it directly to me!
Hope? Any such thing has long since perished. Together with Hidetaka.
Hidetaka? What do you mean by that?
Even upon the death of our innocent younger brother,
you didn't come for the battle to avenge him.
I... thought of what our deceased father would have done!
Father... yes. It was the same when Father died.
You hid yourself away, didn't show up for his funeral. Do you know how much I--
I'm sorry.
Ha. You're always that way.
You take the liberty of behaving just as you like,
and even if people call you "scatterbrain," you simply don't care.
We cannot afford to entrust the Oda clan to the likes of you.
I am better suited to head the family.
Yet both in commanding on the field and in popularity, I was no match for you.
In these I was utterly defeated.
Nobunaga-sama, may you come to no harm...
Curses! I can't tell at all what's going on in there!
How long would he have us wait?
I'd ask a favor of you. I'm going to banish Tsuzuki.
Oh?!
I want to speak to my brother alone. Assist me in this.
Nobukatsu-sama has gotten his volition back.
Will this lead to good fortune, or to bad?
Traitors are beheaded-- this is how things are done.
Yet you simply let me live, with no punishment whatsoever!
You saddled me with the ultimate disgrace for a warrior!
You're wrong! I didn't think you needed to lose your life over a single mistake!
A single mistake, you call it?!
A battle in which my warrior's honor and my life were at stake?
Would you trample all that I care about into the ground?!
No! I only thought--we're brothers, so someday we could reach an understanding!
That's your frailty speaking! Though you were born into a warrior household,
you spurn the warrior's way!
Even if I don't cut you down, someone close to you eventually will.
I'm... always caught in the middle... wavering between living as a warrior
and living for what matters most to me.
I live my life constantly torn about which direction I should turn.
What should I do? I want to save both you and Tsuneoki!
There's no way to spare both your allies and your enemies.
Maybe there is!
You mock me!
I truly mean it!
Scatterbrain!
Then I'll tell you: Tsuneoki is dead. He fell into Tsuzuki's hands.
What?!
He begged that you be saved in exchange for his giving up his own life;
he died while thinking of your wellbeing to the very end. Most admirable...
His death was truly admirable, but utterly in vain.
Ready yourself!
Nobukatsu!
Nobunaga!
Elder brother!
My beloved younger brother...
Nobukatsu! Nobukatsu! Why? Why did you halt your sword-stroke?
Nobunaga-sama!
Tsuneoki! You're unharmed!
Is he...?
Nobukatsu-sama!
Someone, treat his wound!
It's all right... This is where...
Don't speak!
A request...
Please... lay the blame on me and me alone.
I understand; it'll be fine!
On me alone... otherwise... things won't be put to rest...
Yes; yes.
I always... admired you... wanted to be... by your side...
I know; don't speak!
Elder... Brother...
Nobukatsu?! Nobukatsu!
From the first he wanted things to be this way, to bring the Oda clan together as one...
I entrust this letter, loaded with all my sincerest feelings, to Hidetaka.
Though we are brothers by blood, somehow, all unawares,
a great distance has grown between us.
But I have faith.
Faith that we two, who once so looked up to Father...
...who dreamed of becoming just like him...
...can bring our hearts together as one, and make a new start.
This was how the forthright Nobukatsu died.
"The Ikoma Estate"
In the aftermath, Nobunaga-sama laid the blame solely on Nobukatsu-sama,
"Kimyoumaru" In the aftermath, Nobunaga-sama laid the blame solely on Nobukatsu-sama,
sparing Nobukatsu-sama's retainers and bringing them into his own employ.
He looks like my younger brother, somehow.
"Next Episode"
"Advancing Toward the Capital"
"Look forward to next week's episode!"