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Volume 3 Chapter 5 Part 8

「Hehe. This treasure was kept in absolute secrecy by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. As one of the top three treasures in the world, you won’t be able to get this even if you are willing to pay 20,000 kan for it. No other treasure suits you more than this. 」

Mitsuhide, who was skilled with formal tea ceremonies, came closer and released a shriek of surprise at what she saw. Hisashide laughed quietly and continued her speech.

「Nobuna-sama. To fix this Kyoto which is the center of Japanese culture, one needs more than just military strength. To be able to establish good relationships with the officials and the people in Sakai, you should put some effort in learning proper tea ceremonial skills. Though it’s rude of me to say, Owari’s tea ceremonial skills are too lacking at the current moment. 」

Hisahide spoke with a tone not unlike a mother’s as she addressed Nobuna. Though gentle and warm, it was underlined with a strict tone.

「Since you were willing to give me such a valuable treasure, I will guarantee Yamato’s stability, Hisahide! 」

「Hehe, thank you. I’m in your debt, Nobuna-sama. 」

「*Sigh*」

Mitsuhide sighed unhappily.

「Nobuna-sama, I have considered many situations, but this woman is famous for being unpredictable. And just now, she fully intended to kill all of us. If this goes on, there will definitely be the risk of her poisoning someone. Please execute her. 」

「Isn’t that good? Poison can be used as medicine if used properly. 」

「You might accept her, but I, Akechi Juubei Mitsuhide will never forgive such a woman. Please execute her immediately! 」

「Ahh jeez, you are so annoying, Juubei! I said not to go on about it, so listen to me! 」

「U-Understood, Nibuna-sama. 」

Mitsuhide finally gave up, but from her expression it was obvious she still couldn’t seem to accept the situation.

(To hate people who revolt to such an extent, this girl is too serious… but with this, I think that in this world, the Incident at Honno-ji won’t happen.)

Yoshiharu relaxed while Nobuna talked to Hisashide once more.

「Oh yeah, Danjo. I have something I wanna ask you. 」

「What is it? The other treasure, ‘Hiragumo’ is even more important to me than my life. I won’t give it to you. 」

「What if I want you to give it to me? 」

「Who knows? I might just hug it and die together with it. 」

(In the game, this fellow really did end blowing himself up together with the Hiragumo… )

Yoshiharu laughed bitterly when he remembered that.

「Danjo. You did not actually poison your own master, Miyoshi Nagayoshi, right? 」

Hisashide’s eyes began to water instantly as she shouted at Nobuna

「That accusation is too cruel! How could I ever do that?! I did not poison Nagayoshi-sama! That is just a rumor sprouted by those ignorant people in Kyoto! To me who has yet to have any offspring, Nagayoshi-sama was like my own child! 」

「Is that so? 」

「All I did was to give some Aconitine to those brothers of his who were hatching evil plots and Nagayoshi-sama’s unfilial sons! I swear, I did not do anything to Nagayoshi-sama! 」

「Isn’t that straight-up poisoning…!? 」

everyone other than Nobuna instantly retorted.

After looking closely, the accessory that Danjo wore on her head was the purple Aconitum flower.

「That was all for Nagayoshi-sama’s sake! Those people did not care at all for the gentle Nagayoshi-sama! If I had left them alone, Nagayoshi-sama would have one day died by their hands! But…who would have thought that after cleaning out all the dangerous people in the Miyoshi clan , Nagayoshi-sama would no longer with me…why!? 」

Miyoshi Nagayoshi’s father betrayed his own master, the Hosokawa clan, and subsequently was killed by his own Miyoshi clan in response. The young Nagayoshi was totally isolated and his life was in constant danger. At that time, it was Matsunaga Hisashide, the caretaker of the Miyoshi clan who saved Nagayoshi. When it came to Nagayoshi, who had lost his family, Hisashide looked upon on him like her own child and escaped to Shikoku with him in secret. After she prepared her troops, she marched back and not only enacted Nagayoshi’s revenge for his father, but also pushed the young Nagayoshi to be the master of his clan.

But even though Hisahide was loyal to her master, her fate was twisted from that moment on… Her presence was required to protect Nagayoshi’s hard-earned position, and so, she did not believe those Miyoshi clan members that had once betrayed them. But those who planned to harm Nagayoshi, no matter if they are part of the clan, the master of Hosokawa clan or the Ashikaga Shogunate, they were all removed by her own hand.

To protect her own master Nagayoshi, Hisashide mercilessly sank her poisonous stinger into anyone who dared to draw close to him, becoming a violent scorpion in the truest sense of the word.

After her beloved Nagayoshi died from sickness, no one else could stop Hisashide from rampaging…not even Hisashide herself.

「…I understand. Now that Nagayoshi is dead, you want to find a master worthy of your loyalty, right, Danjo? 」

「Absolutely. I have been searching for a new master that surpasses even Nagayoshi-sama so I can contribute everything of mine to them, because once someone is pushed to the limits, they will always show their true self. In the end, Nobuna-sama, you are the only one that passed the test. For Onmyoujis to have such a resolve, for the Christians priestess to take up arms, such grace… Only you can truly accept a spellcaster like me who came from Persia and was hated by everyone. 」

Nobuna smiled and nodded.

「No problem. I shall grant your wish! 」

「…Eh? 」

「What I’m saying is that I will be your new master! But my target isn’t just this region! My battle for Japan, and even the whole world has just begun! It should be more interesting than the period you were with Nagayoshi, don’t you think? You don’t have anything against me being your master, right!? 」

「…Nobuna-sama… 」

「I like you. Even if you did not attack the Ashikaga Shogunate, I would have defeated them myself one day! If they can’t govern any place other than Kyoto, there is no need for such a useless Shogunate to begin with! Danjo! You and me, together we should clean up this country and give it a fresh new look! 」

「…Ah…ahh, I’ve finally found it, the one master that truly understands me! 」

Seemingly overcome with emotion, Hisashide wiped the corner of her eyes with her sleeve.

The people that destroy traditions, one who is hell bent on creating a new age, and the other who can do almost anything for her own master… they resonate with each other on the common name given to them… 「Destroyer」.

(Now that I think of it, Nobuna loves to commit arson too.)

Yoshiharu thought.

(But is it really good to keep such a dangerous lady around? She looks just like a yandere, which is much harder to deal with compared to a simple villain!)

Yoshiharu was starting to get worried.

「But, Danjo! You must promise me one thing. You are not to harm any of the retainers of the Oda clan, including this monkey right here! My retainers are all my belongings, so don’t you dare poison and kill them off!! 」

「Roger. From now on, I’m willing to change my ways and become a ‘White Danjo’! 」

With a glittering smile, Hisashide once again kneeled on the floor. Her smile shone brightly with such purity… but the trembling in Yoshiharu’s heart couldn’t be stopped no matter what…

(I’m worried…so worried… What to do… what to do…?)