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“Kicho has stocked piled not just foreign weapons, ones we have never seen, but several gunpowers. Before I left, there were roughly three hundred tanegashimas that were stored,” Keiji gave the main information of his reports before going deeper.

“Lord Kicho has changed. For the worst I must say,” Masahiro gathered the records that Keiji  handed to him during his time as a spy before handing it for everyone to see. Records of purchase and merchants – all in Sakai in the past three months.

Ellara and Amaryllis sat there in silence, absorbing each information. They were waiting, waiting to see how the situation would develop. Ellara felt something was wrong as her clan made their move earlier, as if reaching out to her in some way. Amaryllis merely watched as the other warlords continued their discussion and how to proceed, yet just like Ellara, she felt that someone was wrong.

Mai went off to travel alongside her seamstress friends while Morgan was focused on training other servants in their craft. As for Marie, she went back to the present.

After the council was over, Amaryllis called his name, “Keiji.”

Keiji turned around and responded with his usual performance, “Oh? Is there something you need the Wild Child of–”

“I told you that you can drop the act. There is something I want to ask of you, Keiji,” Amaryllis stopped Keiji from ruffling her hair.

“What is it then,” Keiji dropped the act right when she said that, clearly realizing she is serious.

Taking a moment of silence, Amaryllis said, “Has Kicho contacted anyone – the shogun or our enemies – to join him in this plan? And what was this plan of his that he mentioned?”

“The shogun…?” Keiji stared at her before answering the other question, “I don’t know but, he said something along the lines of changing the future? Really don’t know how that connects, but he hasn’t contacted anyone last time I checked,” the answer was not sufficient but more than enough to Amaryllis.

The lines of changing the future made Amaryllis uneasy, “Stockpiling of the tanegashimas and firepower huh. And the–” till it became clear to her what Kicho wanted, making her blood go cold.

Keiji saw her eyes widen, “Got any ideas?”

Amaryllis bit her lips, “He wants to attack Azuchi while Nobunaga’s status in power is at an all time high… he wouldn’t do that…” till the following words became a soft whisper that Keiji couldn’t hear.

“And what would that mean, Amaryllis?”

“He… wants to have this world be in a constant state of fighting… Keiji.”

Those words made Keiji’s eyes widen in response to something so drastic and the opposite of what they were fighting for. “Is he insane!?”

Ranmaru was behind a wooden pillar, eavesdropping till that moment where Keiji yelled. Seeing this as an opportunity to leave and inform the Ikko-Ikki, he took it. Not without Morgan seeing his act, seeing how he tried to make his footstep be audible but unnatural – unlike how Amaryllis is able to switch with ease, it became natural for her.

“Ellara,” Masamune got her attention after calling her several times.

“Masamune, I apologize for spacing out and not–”

“Relax, we get it, Ellara. A battle on our turf is something that would make anyone space out,” instead of Masasmune’s voice, it was Yori, leaning on the doorway.

“Yori, is this your way of reassuring someone?” Ellara recovered but not fully.

“No. It is a bad attempt, but you can sense it too, right?”

Everyone in the room nodded. All feeling how this fight will not end as easily as they thought it would.

“Masahiro! Where did you and Lord Keiji go?” Ryuu rushed up to him, clearly surprised.

“...finding Kicho.”

“Lord Kicho…”

The name to them now felt bitter, staining what memories they all had on him. To Masahiro, he was able to find Keiji but only to find out his secret – he kept his mouth shut because he didn’t want the man he saw as his child to be killed – and assist in his infiltration by copying records and hand back the original to Kanetsugu to avoid any suspicions. He betrayed his lord to protect his son from punishments for being friends with an enemy.

“Regardless. We must advance and prepare for an immediate attack, Ryuu. Come on,” Masahiro’s voice brought Ryuu back and thus, another one who is like a son, followed him – for guidance and reassurance.

“Right!” to that, Ryuu’s eyes lit up as he followed his father-figure.

Ieyasu was busy preparing for the upcoming attack and stockpiling on the medicines that will be needed in the aftermath. Nobunaga with his left and right men, all of them focused on how Kicho will proceed with his attack – only for Morgan’s words to come back to them weeks ago. Mitsuhide suggested that the tenshu and the upper floors of the castle be off-limits till the conclusion of the battle, which all of them agreed. Mitsunari focused on the strategy and how to limit the damage from getting to the civilians, which Morgan helped out by providing a forgotten blueprint of Azuchi and its surroundings  as a whole. Giving Mitsunari a chance to figure out the location of Kicho’s troops and reduce casualties if it occurs.

In truth, Azuchi and her residents were all preparing for the battle that will come in a few days or less. All of them didn’t want to be taken off guard, yet those that know something is off – will only see it after it is over.

“Master Kennyo!” Ranmaru rushed up to Kennyo as the night took over the skies.

“Has something  happened–”

“The former ally of Nobunaga, Kicho, has betrayed him and plans to attack him!”

Hearing the name of the man that showed no remorse for killing their family, made them frown  only to turn that into surprise. The disciples all stood there in shock, some of them even dropped their weapons after hearing such unexpecting news.

Daiju rushed up to Ranmaru, “What moment of day!?”

“I’m unsure, we don’t know so far, Daiju. From what I overheard perhaps in the night,” Ranmaru’s hands were shaking but he was tightening it to try and stop it.

“At night…?” Kennyo looked at Ranmaru, almost in disbelief or worry for his old friend’s daughter.

“That… wouldn’t be logical in a military sense, Ranmaru…” Daiju was surprised at the guess. “Kicho would either want to have casualties not just the Oda but his own unless–!” only for Daiju to turn pale in fear.

Ranmaru saw that, “You are also thinking what I’m thinking, right Daiju?”

“He has a cannon...”

Everyone in the radius turned pale or fell  in shock when Daiju said that. Even they know that they cannot go up against a cannon due how lethal it is and destructive it is. Kennyo felt like something in him died when he heard the name of that type of weapon, afraid that Amaryllis would die by that cannon.

While everyone was preparing, Kicho started to advance on his plans in Sakai. Each day that passes, the more allies he gathers – Motonari is on with his plan due to his own personal goals.

“Greetings, Lord Uraguchi,” Kicho sat on his western furniture before letting his guest sit on the other one across from him.

“You have some galls to send that, Lord Kicho,” the head of Uraguchi crossed his arms to his chest, interested in what Kicho had to offer. His son stood behind him – prepared in case this was a trap.

“I merely wish for an alliance. One that would benefit us both, would you agree?” Kicho slid a piece of paper to him, allowing him to see the benefits of allying with him.

The head took it and read it, only to smile afterwards after seeing a certain person’s name, “So you got his excellency, the shogun, in this plan of yours?”

“Indeed, I told him to wait till the time comes,” with Kicho handing him a brush and a wet stone of ink if he wishes to join them.

“Very well then. I won’t need that daughter of mine in the Date’s army anymore,” with that, the head finished and gave the paper back to Kicho. “When will we strike?”

Kicho took no heed to the man’s words, but he was curious on who he was talking about, “Soon. After that I used a country destroyer on Nobunaga’s tenshu. Blowing up and destroying his foundation.”

“Very well. I look forward to working with you, Lord Kicho – the Yaksha of this land.”

Masterlist

AN: We are cooked this month from the summer heat🫠

Mutuals’ OCs estimated age

Cherry - 24

Ellara - 24 1/2

Arundhati - 26

Violet/Kyoko -27

“Oh? I wasn’t expecting such a gift from the God of War, Lord Kenshin,” Cherry gave out a small chuckle before accepting his gift.

“How are we going to transport that?” Marie looked at Morgan, who shrugged their shoulders.

Meanwhile, Arundhati, Sasuke, Yukimura, Kyoko, and Mai were all cracking jokes about the past few days of their stays and the parties. Without including how some would complain about the frequent banquets that would be held with high quality sake and food – Masamune would enjoy this minus the sake part.

But the only ones that were quiet during this were Morgan, Yoshimoto, and Amaryllis. Both feel that something amiss, especially the lack of presence of the Imagawa vassals, which should be a good thing – to them it means some bomb is about to blow up.

While Ranmaru was joining in the conversation, a new person called Okuni – a performer that Yoshimoto would call upon became a close friend to Mai – came running and hugged Mai in front of Mai. Stunning everyone.

“Mai! I wish you could stay forever!”

“I know. Me too. But it’s got to be today. My friends are needed back home and my seamstress friends are waiting for me. I have to go,” Mai reassured Okuni, clearly treating them as if they were children by smoothing their hair.

Okuni was clearly saddened but reluctantly let go after hearing Mai’s promise to keep sewing costumes for them before running behind Yoshimoto.

“I wish you all a safe journey.”

“Thank you for everything. I wish I had better words to express it–” Mai went up to Yoshimoto to continue her thanks only for Yoshimoto to cut it short.

“As do I. The only way I know to say it is… you’ve given me an irreplaceable gift. Something I will always remember,” with that, Yoshimoto smiled before tucking a strand of hair behind Mai’s ear.

“Mai! Hurry up!” Morgan called out to the lovestrucked Mai, getting her attention.

“The horses are ready!”

Mai turned to her friends before turning to Yoshimoto one last time. No words were needed as Yoshimoto nodded her to go. Mai quickly seated behind Morgan who pulled her as they galloped away.

Mai turned back before yelling to Yoshimoto, “Y-Yoshimoto… I’ll see you soon!” A smile formed on Yoshimoto when he heard that.

Leading some of her friends to crack a smile as they turned their heads to see their once foes, now friends, one last time before it changed as they left Echigo.

After the Azuchi group left, Yoshimoto returned to his room. Seeing his vassals after a joyful moment took him off guard, “We’ve been waiting for you.”

“What are you all doing here?”

“Do you remember the contents of that missive we gave you when you left Azuchi?”

That seems to click in Yoshimoto’s mind, “...yes…”

Deep down, he knows that the moment he accepts this offer, he must turn his back on his friends and family. Thinking about the one vassal that truly respects his ideas, he thought he could get her out of this mess before it becomes bigger.

A war council was made shortly after.

“Is everyone here?” Kenshin sat at his usual position, eyeing Sasuke.

“What’s this about  Kenshin?” seems like Shingen was acting oblivious to the matter.

Sasuke, being Kenshin’s translation, conveys his lord’s words, “I’ll start us off. We’ve just got news from Kanetsugu.”

“That would mean–!” Kyoko’s eyes glimmered in the news.

“He did what I told him,  identifying the mastermind trying to interfere in my conflict.”

“Huh!?” that stunned both sides, clearly wasn’t expecting such.

Yukimura on the other hand did a small fist bump on the news, “So Kanetsugu finally did it!”

While everyone was showering in the good news, none paid attention to Yoshimoto who had no emotions. Only for it to break when Kenshin said these words, “That’s not all the news. Our troublemaker is aiming for Azuchi, right now. Very soon, that castle will burn.”

Stunning everyone once more, but not in joy, but in fear, especially those who are friends with the group who left earlier. Even as Kenshin continued with mentioning of this enemy possessing foreign weapons that exceed the current ones used in the battlefield. Even reaching to a point that he imagined  himself as the enemy for the next move, Morgan’s influence seems to have impacted him somewhat.

Yoshimoto said that they should head to Azuchi under the guise of gathering information before being caught by Shingen – who is also worried respectfully. Shortly afterwards, everyone in that group that left earlier is part of the Oda, stunning everyone in the room except for the heads, Sasuke, Kyoko, and Arundhati. Yukimura was shocked when he heard everything, especially how Morgan is now part of the Oda Forces, but the respect was still there according to Kenshin, who supported Morgan’s choice after stating to him they never gave a single information. In the end, all of the warlords agreed to set out.

“Arundhati.”

“Yes, Lord Yoshimoto?”

Yoshimoto sucked in a breath before giving a final verdict, “From here on out, you do not need to work for me."

“W-what…?” that made Arundhati stunned in disbelief. 

“I’ve asked my cousin, Shingen, to take you back. I can’t let you get involved in this web of mine.”

Arundhati could only stare at Yoshimoto as he left. She never imagined that this would be his way of keeping her safe from not just him, but everything that is connected to the name of Imagawa.

Masterlist

AN: One last chapter for act 1.5 and we are done :D Also I mention this to woofie in DMs already but here:

“You’ve been spacing out,” Kyoko turned to the Imagawa vassals with a glare – making them run knowing how important Kyoko has become, “Those arrogant bastards have started to become a thorn in everyone’s butts. I know you chose this path out of your own volition, but remember, you have friends you can rely on, Aru.”

Arundhati was taken aback, after four years of staying in the Sengoku period, she hasn’t felt an urge to return home lately. She felt more at home here lately than in the 21st century. “I keep forgetting that I have so many people willing to listen to me, to hear my worries. Especially Sasuke, he listens to my concerns and worries without asking much.”

Kyoko smiled at Arundhati, seeing the signs of someone having a crush, “Perhaps you should talk to Sasuke, Aru.”

“Eh?”

Without giving Arundhati a chance to respond, Kyoko disappeared with the smile still on her face. To her, it is the best she could do for her younger sister – one she has skated with since they were children.

“Kyoko advised you to come to me?” Sasuke sat there in shock.

“Yup,” Arundhati sat down, clearly confused on why Kyoko said that.

The conversation started to drift from MERITS related to their personal life – their goals and beliefs. With Arundhati confiding in Sasuke on how she started to no longer feel an urge to go home, feeling more at ease here than the present. 

“Then it is also the same as for everyone here.”

That caught Arundhati off guard, “...really?”

“Mai told me that she wishes to stay here. Morgan said so as well, we all have our reasons. It is hard but,” Sasuke looked at Arundhati with admiration, “you saved my life from that thunderbolt… It may sound cheesy, but that was when I first started to fall in love with you. Even though you can protect yourself I still want to protect you, Aru.”

Arundhati stared at Sasuke, she could feel her cheeks turning red from hearing those words – someone she too admired but shoved her feelings down telling her how he felt about her. “I… I didn’t know you felt the same about me, Sasuke.”

This time, Sasuke felt embarrassed, “The amount of calculations we’ve done together definitely sped up the process of the feelings I have about you. You seem to shine more than ever when I see you smile.”

Giving Sasuke a light smack on his arm, Arundhati broke into a giggle, “I suppose that makes us… official? Boyfriend and girlfriend, perhaps?”

“It is official if you want it to be, there are times I still get blinded by your smile.”

“Then it’s official."

Nobody else except for Sasuke and Arundhati heard their words of affection and declaration of courting each other. Kunai sat from afar,watching her owner and mate starting the first step as a couple, yet her ears twitched, making her turn her head to see who was watching. Only for nothing to be there.

Masterlist