What Now?

There were quite a few people in Iwakura Castle whose circumstances resembled those of the Yamauchi family.

When the tree fell, the monkeys scattered. These warriors of the Iwakura Oda clan all had to find a way out for themselves.

Those with connections had already begun contacting Oda Nobunaga, preparing to seamlessly bring their talents under his banner.

After all, both sides bore the name Oda. To some warriors with flexible moral boundaries, it did not count as betraying their lord for glory.

But for senior retainers like the Yamauchi family, the burden on their conscience was too great; they could only walk one path into the darkness.

Most importantly, amid the current chaos, it was already too late to pledge themselves to Oda Nobunaga.

Without having reached an agreement beforehand, how could they dare wager, at the moment of surrender beneath the castle walls, that the other side would protect their interests? Not only would they earn the stigma of betraying their lord, they might not even save their own lives.

"Father, Lord Yamauchi requests an audience."

Inside the Horio Estate, not far from the Yamauchi residence, Horio Yoshiharu pushed open the door and pulled Horio Yasuharu from his thoughts.

Horio Yasuharu rose and headed for the main hall. Yamauchi Moritoyo and Yamauchi Kazutoyo were seated within, one before the other.

"Tajima-no-kami, have you come at this time because you have already found a way out?" Horio Yasuharu asked bluntly as soon as he sat down.

With the great building on the verge of collapse, Horio Yasuharu assumed that Yamauchi Moritoyo had come to persuade him to surrender.

As chief retainers of the Iwakura Oda clan, both Horio Yasuharu and Yamauchi Moritoyo were senior officials qualified to sign the clan's documents.

"No way out. There is, however, a road to death," Yamauchi Moritoyo said bluntly.

Though he had been choked by that retort, Horio Yasuharu did not take offense. Having worked together for years, he knew Yamauchi Moritoyo's temperament well.

"By my lord's command, I have gathered the remnants of our forces in Iwakura Castle. I came to seek a clear answer: is the Horio family willing to live and die alongside Iwakura Castle?" Yamauchi Moritoyo stared directly at Horio Yasuharu.

A flicker of unease crossed Horio Yasuharu's face. Though he could not defect to Oda Nobunaga, he had no intention of stubbornly resisting alongside the Iwakura Oda clan either.

Seeing this, Yamauchi Moritoyo guessed Horio Yasuharu's intentions and simply said, "Horio Tatewaki, I bear no ill will. We have known each other for decades; there is no need for concealment between us."

Tatewaki was an official post, one type of attendant to the Crown Prince, similar to the Tang dynasty's Thousand Ox Guards.

"I merely wish to count how many men remain usable. Even if Horio Tatewaki intends to leave this place, I will not stop you."

Horio Yasuharu remained silent and did not answer Yamauchi Moritoyo's question. He did want to flee, but the problem was that he could not leave.

Seeing this, Yamauchi Moritoyo asked no further. Though Horio Yasuharu had not said a word, his attitude was already obvious.

"This is my son, Iemon. I hope Horio Tatewaki will look after him."

"If the fall of the castle becomes inevitable, I will open the gates and let you leave."

The moment Yamauchi Moritoyo said this, light immediately appeared in Horio Yasuharu's eyes.

"You truly will not leave?" Horio Yasuharu seemed to want to persuade Yamauchi Moritoyo to change his mind.

Yamauchi Moritoyo decisively shook his head.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo had tried to persuade him all night, but Yamauchi Moritoyo's mind was made up. No matter what, he would fulfill this bond between lord and retainer.

"Then, if I am fortunate enough to escape alive, I will remember Tajima-no-kami's kindness forever." A trace of respect flashed through Horio Yasuharu's eyes, mingled with gratitude.

Oda Nobunaga's and Oda Nobukiyo's forces were plundering and assaulting castles throughout the region. This was not yet the best time to leave Iwakura Castle.

If they fled with their families in tow and encountered enemy troops or bands hunting down defeated warriors on the road, it would be little different from walking into death.

The best time to escape would instead be when the enemy forces gathered at Iwakura Castle. Then the enemy would be concentrated in one place, and they would not have to worry about being attacked after escaping the castle.

"This must be Niomaru. I held you when you were little; in the blink of an eye, you have grown this big." Yamauchi Moritoyo spoke to Horio Yoshiharu behind Horio Yasuharu.

"You won the merit of taking a head in your very first battle yesterday. Your future is boundless."

Niomaru was Horio Yoshiharu's childhood name. After his coming-of-age ceremony, Horio Yoshiharu was commonly called Mosuke. Because of his gentle nature and kindness toward others, he was historically nicknamed Buddha-hearted Mosuke, meaning he possessed the heart of a bodhisattva.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo also gave Horio Yoshiharu a particularly careful look. This young warrior had fought with exceptional ferocity in the Battle of Ukino and left a deep impression on Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

Horio Yoshiharu gave a slight bow in thanks.

Since everyone lifted the flower-decked sedan chair, Horio Yasuharu, standing beside them, timely added, "Tsushima-no-kami's son Iemon is also one of the finest among the younger generation. The Yamauchi family has worthy successors."

"I dare not accept Lord Horio's praise. I have only just come of age, and I hope for your guidance in the future," Yamauchi Kazutoyo replied humbly.

Horio Yasuharu gave a slight nod.

The greatest taboo for young men was looking down on everyone else. Whether Yamauchi Kazutoyo meant it sincerely or not, his words at least made people feel comfortable.

Yamauchi Moritoyo left the Horio Estate with Yamauchi Kazutoyo. Along the way, neither father nor son spoke, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

"Kazutoyo, do you know why I sought out Horio Yasuharu today?" Yamauchi Moritoyo suddenly stopped.

After pondering for a moment, Yamauchi Kazutoyo tentatively answered, "Father reached an agreement with Lord Horio?"

"Yes and no." Yamauchi Moritoyo spoke with a desolate air. "In truth, I had hoped he would refuse my proposal."

"But this is fine too. With his help, you and your mother will have a better chance of escaping Iwakura Castle."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo's heart tightened, and an indescribable emotion surged within him.

"Father, are you truly not leaving with us?"

Looking at the not especially tall figure before him, Yamauchi Kazutoyo asked softly.

Yamauchi Moritoyo raised his head toward the sky. Dark clouds blotted out the sun, and the heavens over Iwakura Castle were a sheet of gray.

"Leave? And where would I go?"

"This is the place to which I devoted my entire life. It is where generations of Yamauchi ancestors lie at rest."

"Once I leave Iwakura Castle, to whom should I offer my loyalty?" Yamauchi Moritoyo murmured.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo stepped forward until he stood beside Yamauchi Moritoyo. "But did Father not say that as long as one lives, there is hope?"

Yamauchi Moritoyo turned his head and said in a low voice, "That is true. But if I, Yamauchi Moritoyo, cling to life in disgrace today, the Yamauchi family name will be draped in a garment of shame."

"If my death can win a good name for the Yamauchi family, then everything will be worth it."

As he spoke, Yamauchi Moritoyo reached into his robes again and quickly drew out a letter, handing it to Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

"This is a letter I wrote to Asai Shinhachiro of Kariyasuka Castle. After you leave Iwakura Castle, you may go there. He has old ties with our family and has promised to look after you."

After thinking for a moment, Yamauchi Kazutoyo found this warrior named Asai Masasada in the depths of his memory.

He was the head of the Owari Asai clan. Though they shared the same roots as the Omi Asai clan, their relationship had long since grown distant. He currently served as one of Oda Nobunaga's mounted attendants.

Kariyasuka Castle, where Asai Masasada resided, was very close to the Yamauchi family's Kuroda Castle. The two families had formed a deep friendship long ago, only to be forced into opposing camps because of their differing allegiances.

"Is he not Oda Nobunaga's retainer? Father, could it be that long ago..."

Yamauchi Moritoyo shook his head. "This is not colluding with the enemy. It is a dying man entrusting his wife and child to a friend."

"Were it not so, I would not dare let you escape Iwakura Castle with peace of mind."

"Originally, the most suitable place would have been with your eldest sister, but Mino Kitagata Castle is simply too far away. With the provinces of Mino and Owari now at daggers drawn, rashly crossing the border would be courting death."

"Once my son has gained a firm foothold, find a way to contact your eldest sister again."