Chapter 45 The Self-Styled Clever Person

  They camped outside Hieda Town for a night and set out again the next morning. The Oda family was still unaware of the true circumstances of the Kira family's betrayal, but this was not a reason for them to openly cross through Owari Province. In order to avoid running into Oda Nobushige and his retainers, Kira Manshirōmaru had originally planned to take a boat from Nanamigahashi to spend the night in Kuwana-juku, Ise Province.

  Unfortunately, the civilian ships operating here are numerous but not suitable for recruitment. The team of over 2,300 people, together with the horse-drawn carriages and cargo teams, is too large. Those boatmen saw the Kira family crest on the two flags, some even put on their armor, holding large spears and strong bows, scaring them to retreat in a hurry, saying that they would not take this job no matter what.

  Yamagata Zenzaburou hung his head in shame next to Kira Yoshinaka, who had just tried to persuade the sailors to cooperate with the Kira family, but his poor eloquence was a problem, and even after resorting to intimidation, he couldn't gather enough boats, instead provoking the fishermen's resistance, who shouted that this was Owari Province and their protector was the Sogi family.

  "Master! Let me, Shirō, give it a try!" Ikkoku Shirō was a bold and daring fellow with a bit of the foolish bravery unique to Mikawa warriors. In this way, he resembled Honda Tadakatsu, who would charge forward even when he knew things wouldn't go well, only to end up with his face in the dirt. Fortunately, he didn't learn from Sanada Yukimura's example and try to intimidate them. These fishermen, sailors, and naval forces were closely connected, and if they were offended, the Kira family could forget about doing business in Owari.

  Yahachi Honda suddenly appeared from somewhere and shouted: "Master! Let me, Yahachi, try it!"

  As soon as he saw the detestable Monnojirō Hachirō, Yamagata Zenjirō felt his anger rising and scolded him with a stern face: "Hachirō! Didn't you say you were following Lord Sanada to learn military tactics? What are you doing here?! Hurry back and do your job!"

  "But it's precisely because of that that we, as retainers, must share the lord's worries! It is our duty to do so!"

  "Damn it! You still know you're a sidekick..."

  "Ahra! Let Mihachiro try it then!" Kirishima Manzaburou chimed in, waving his fan with a smile.

  "Yagyuu Hachirou is indeed the clever one of the Kiryuu family! How come I didn't think of transporting them in batches?!" Isoroku Yagyuu asked Hachirou, his face filled with admiration. Hachirou also played along, mimicking his previous words vividly, and soon attracted a crowd of younger retainers to gather around and listen.

  "Yahachi is so cool! The expression on his face at the bow of the ship must be hilarious!"

  "Yes! Yahei is really too clever!"

  ……

  "Master! Look at that guy! He's being too arrogant! And he's still smiling! How despicable!" Yamagata Zentarō ran to Kirishima Manzaburou in a rage, using every derogatory term he could think of - little monster, demon, little devil. In his mouth, Honda Tadakatsu was the most detestable scoundrel, surely a demonic creature sent by the yōkai to bewitch Kirishima Manzaburou.

  "Anra! Sanjiro, think about the strategy again! The new style is still at the beginner's stage, if people find out, they'll laugh their teeth off!" Kiryu Manzoumaru kicked him with his fan and hit his head, Yamagata Sanjiro looked like a deflated balloon holding his sword and went to one side to draw circles.

  Honma Yagoro's strategy was not complicated, letting the ship heads of Atsuta-juku unite to undertake the transportation task of the Kira family, and transporting the Kira family's army in batches to Ise-Sangū-machi. Although segmented transportation is also a way, the disadvantages are equally obvious, that is, it takes time, and Kira Gosuke just lacks enough time.

  The Kirishitan army stayed one more day in the Owari province, and the risk increased by a day. Now the Oda family must have known that Kira's army was staying in Atsuta-juku-cho. If Oda Nobushige had any thoughts about him, wouldn't it be very dangerous? Advancing into enemy territory, crossing rivers, and passing through castles could lead to surprise attacks at any time. Even if the Mikawa warriors had eight arms, they couldn't withstand the endless surprise attacks.

  Kiriyama Mantsumaru found ōkōchi Kunikane and instructed him, "I have a task for you. Take your trusted samurai by boat to Ise Sangū Shuku-machi, and make contact with your father-in-law to receive the Honke into Tsu-shima."

  Then the order was given for the Upper Army to set out on foot, crossing through Owari Province to join forces with the army at Tsu Island. The large army quickly gathered their gear and set off, and the small group of retainers who had been so enthusiastic just a moment before scattered in all directions. This left Honda Tadakatsu deeply shocked, and he ran to ask Kira Yoshinaka: "I have already arranged for boats to cross the sea; why does my lord suddenly order us to set out on foot?"

  "Yamada Yatarō! Shut your mouth and go serve Lord Yamamoto at once! Don't keep hovering around the master's presence, got it?" Shigekazu yelled viciously at him.

  "Please give me an explanation, sir!"

  "You damned fool, how dare you ignore me time and again!" Yamagata Bantō's long sword flashed out of its scabbard, looking as if he was about to go all out, but Kirishima Manzaburou hastily shouted: "Bantō, stop! Hold back!"

  "Is!" Yamagata Zentaro glared at him and reluctantly sheathed his sword.

  Kirishima Manzumaru mounted his horse and looked down at Honda Tadakatsu with a very cold tone, saying: "There aren't that many explanations in the world. Some things you need to think about yourself. Don't always expect others to give you answers, do you understand?"

  "I understand!"

  "Alright! Go do what you're supposed to do, the Kiryū household doesn't raise idle people." Kiryū Banshōmaru nodded at him and then galloped his horse up a high slope, shouting loudly: "Departure! Destination Tsushima!"

  The long procession moved slowly, advancing at a speed of five kilometers per hour. Yamagata no Jirozaemon rode up on his inferior horse and said excitedly: "Master's scolding of Honda Tadakatsu was really too much, I clearly saw his face change color, and when he came down earlier, he was hanging his head...

  "Shinjiro! You should also do what you're supposed to do, and stop chattering all day like a woman!" Kiryu Manshitaro said with some annoyance.

  "Yes!" Yamagami Zenjirō hung his head in shame.

  "And another thing! Stop complaining to me, managing the servants is your job. If you can't do it properly, just tell me and I'll get Iso no Sakon to do it instead."

  Yamagata Zenjirō looked at him with a frightened face, seemingly not expecting him to be so resolute, and trembled as he replied: "Yes! I, Zenjirō, understand!"

  To avoid running into Oda Nobuhide at Koguchi Castle, the warriors of the Kira family urged on as fast as they could, and everyone in the Kira household was sweating with anxiety. But somehow the Oda forces let them slip away right under their noses, and even after leaving Koguchi Castle behind, there was no sign of pursuit by the Oda army. They had managed to pass through the heart of Oda territory without incident.

  Yamamoto Kan no Suketsune rode up to Kira Yoshinaka's side and reported on the progress of the main army, estimating that they would arrive at Tsu Island by evening. He then asked, "What does the lord think about Honda Tadakatsu?"

  "What does 'Shifu' mean?"

  Yamamoto Kan no Suke saw his expression was cold, and immediately sighed and said: "Honda Yoriyuki is a clever child, isn't the master being too harsh?"

  "Master, you've read many Chinese books over the years and must understand one thing: this world is not lacking in clever people. Our family isn't lacking either. Clever people always think they're right, can't see their own face, aren't afraid of authority, and don't understand hierarchy. Such clever people will only harm our family business. If we had a choice, we'd rather not have such clever people." Kira Yoshinori's tone was as calm as water, his face devoid of even a hint of expression.

  "It seems that the lord of the mansion has already made up his mind! In that case, I don't have to worry anymore! I'll take care of Motoda Yosaburou and teach him slowly, anyway, I won't let Your Highness meet that self-conceited person again." Yamamoto Kanbee shook his head and rode away, but from the back, he seemed a bit desolate.

  Looking at the familiar and hunched back, Kirishima Matsuomaru almost thoughtlessly blurted out: "Master! No matter when, the person most trusted by the main house is always you! Please Master, be sure to remember!"

  "I will remember it for the rest of my life!" Yamamoto Kosuke turned around and bowed to him in gratitude.