The Daimyo's Considerations
The flames on the stage gradually died down, but the embers were not yet cold.
But this only fueled Minamoto's rebellion.
Worse still, a new and formidable enemy has already risen in the north.
The stage lights and shadows shift, and the scene transforms into the frigid Shinano Mountains.
A young man, dressed in simple armor but possessing a wild and untamed temperament, raised his Tachi to the sky, surrounded by a group of equally rugged Samurai.
His face was resolute, his eyes burning with ambition and fighting spirit.
Izuna's voice rang out with a strange rhythm:
" In Kiso Valley, there is a son named Minamoto no Yoshinaka."
"He was a direct descendant of the Minamoto, a cousin of Minamoto no Yoritomo, and grew up in the mountains. He was known as Kiso Yoshinaka!"
The actor playing the role is a young man from the Senju Clan known for his bold and forthright personality. He is completely immersed in the role, and his innate, unrestrained, and valiant spirit is palpable.
He raised his arms and shouted, his voice like the howling of the mountain wind. "The Taira is wicked! They burn temples and plunder people! I, Minamoto no Yoshinaka, shall inherit the martial prowess of my ancestors and avenge this injustice for the sake of the world!"
At his call, warriors from the Eastern Provinces and the Northern Samurai, who were also unaccustomed to the ways of the Kyoto Court Nobles and eager to gain fame and fortune through military achievements, flocked to him.
Unlike the Minamoto no Yoritomo, they did not focus on Formations and strategies, but they possessed the fierce courage of mountain people and a deep hatred for the Taira.
Kiso Yoshinaka's army, like a raging torrent, began its Hokurikudō, its momentum overwhelming, heading straight for Kyoto!
The Taira once again faced the predicament of being attacked from two sides.
Below the stage, the young Daimyo stopped unconsciously tapping his folding fan.
He looked at the newly appeared, wildly powerful Minamoto no Yoshinaka on the stage, but his eyes were somewhat unfocused, his mind no longer on the plot.
The towering fire at Kōfuku-ji just now, and Shigehira's pale and complex face amidst the flames, were like a key that unlocked a box in his heart that he had been deliberately avoiding.
Force.
Absolute force.
In the drama, Taira no Kiyomori relied on force to imprison the Cloistered Emperor, Relocation to Fukuhara, suppress opponents, and even burn down an ancient temple. When his power was strong enough, the entire court and the whole country had to rely on him.
When this military strength begins to decline, or when a more powerful challenger emerges, the collapse of the Taira will be imminent.
So... what about Konoha?
His gaze involuntarily drifted to the front row below the stage, where Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were sitting.
The mere presence emanating from those two individuals, even while they were sitting there, was enough to put pressure on anyone with keen senses.
That's the aura of a powerful being who has fought countless battles and stood at the pinnacle of strength.
He knew the Strength of these two. In this world, there was probably no one more powerful than them.
Today, they have established Konoha, integrating the previously scattered forces of Ninja clans.
This performance of "The Tale of the Heike" is even better proof of that.
This not only proves that they possess the "soft Strength" to construct such a grand fantasy world and depict a complex history, but also inadvertently demonstrates the discipline, adaptability, and... the unhurried confidence of the Konoha Ninja in perfectly packaging dangerous power within an artistic form.
They portrayed the rise and fall of the once powerful Taira clan so realistically, as if they had experienced it themselves.
So, what about the real-world imperial court and Daimyo...?
The Daimyo's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the fan handle.
If Konoha truly intended... no, it doesn't even need to "intend," as long as they are slightly dissatisfied with the status quo, feel that the Daimyo's Residence's support or respect is insufficient, or have some other thoughts...
Given Konoha's current Strength and cohesion, coupled with monsters like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, the other armed forces in the Land of Fire, including his traditional Samurai and limited Ninja forces, simply cannot withstand them.
He didn't think his men had the same strength and ability to confront such a behemoth as the Warrior Monks of Kōfuku-ji in the drama.
Even if it existed, it would probably be burned to the ground, just like Kōfuku-ji.
In essence, so-called rule is nothing more than another form of military force.
Whoever has the harder fist or the sharper knife has the right to speak and can set the rules.
So it is said that...
A bitter feeling mixed with a clear understanding welled up in Daimyo's heart.
Now, the actual "head" of the Land of Fire is probably no longer himself sitting in the Kyoto Imperial Palace, nor those deeply entrenched Court Noble families.
Instead, it was in the forest, in the newly built, vibrant Ninja village— Konoha.
If he wants to remain in this position peacefully, enjoying honor and power, instead of becoming a puppet like the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa in the drama, or even suffering death and the extermination of his Daimyo...
Therefore, from now on, our attitude towards Konoha, the Senju and Uchiha, and these Ninjas who wield terrifying power will likely need to be fundamentally adjusted.
It can no longer be the kind of superior "employment" and "reward" relationship of the past.
He must meet their reasonable needs, value their opinions, and give them the status and honor they deserve.
Daimyo slowly exhaled a breath of pent-up frustration and turned his gaze back to the stage.
On the platform, Kiso Yoshinaka's army was advancing with unstoppable momentum.
Down in the audience, Daimyo's mood was also quite unsettled.
He looked again at his wife, Wakako, who was waiting expectantly for "Shinrei" to appear, and suddenly felt that his wife's simple love for the character in the play might be a way to get closer to Konoha.
The premise is that the Taira of Konoha will not follow the path of the Taira in the series.
His court also needs to appear even more intelligent than the Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa in the drama.
Daimyo is still worried.
But Hashirama and Madara on stage were completely unaware of this.
They were completely absorbed in the impact and reflection brought about by the plot, and did not try to guess the turbulent thoughts in the young Daimyo's mind at that moment.
As for Izuna?
He was intently playing the Biwa, his fingertips flowing with a mournful and subdued melody, setting the stage for yet another human tragedy about to unfold.
He had no idea that Daimyo was worried about this. Even though he had been poisoned by the Jianzheng District, he couldn't catch Daimyo's complex and subtle thoughts from across the stage and the audience.
On the stage, the embers of the Genjutsu Kakkō seemed to have not yet dissipated, and another cold and heavy atmosphere had already enveloped the area.
The setting shifts to the depths of the palace, where the scents of medicine and incense create a somber atmosphere.
Retired Emperor Takakura Narihito behind layers of curtains, his face ashen, his breathing weak and labored.
He was terminally ill, his life hanging by a thread, like a candle in the wind, which could be extinguished at any moment.
On the other side of the stage, Tokuko was summoned to Kiyomori's presence.
No longer the slightly naive daughter who could speak freely with her father, she now wore a dignified Jūni-hitoe, her posture respectful and her expression calm.
She knew her father had summoned her for something.
After Retired Emperor Takakura's death, where should she go?