My Lord, Love Me Once More!

Inside the thatched hut, Yamauchi Kazutoyo sat facing Maeda Toshiie.

"I still remembered that afternoon two months ago. I was walking home."

Maeda Toshiie spoke in a low, dispirited voice.

"There had been nothing to do that day, so I planned to go home and spend time with Omatsu. But on the road, I ran into Jūami. He was one of my lord's companions."

A lord's companions were attendants who served at a daimyo's side, usually possessing some special talent. This Jūami was Oda Nobunaga's tea master.

Oda Nobunaga was famously fond of tea, so Jūami was greatly favored and trusted at his side.

"After exchanging a few idle words, I turned and left. But after only a few steps, I suddenly realized that an ornament from my tachi at my waist was missing."

"That ornament was the hairpin Omatsu gave me when she married me. It was also the only keepsake her birth father had left her, so I treasured it dearly."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo nodded. "So Jūami stole Lord Maeda's possession?"

"That's right!" Maeda Toshiie said through gritted teeth. "I immediately went up to confront him, but when he realized he could not beat me, he simply ran."

"I went to report him to my lord. Yet Jūami flatly denied it, and even brought in Sassa Narimasa to speak in his defense."

"And then?" Yamauchi Kazutoyo continued.

Maeda Toshiie clenched his fist. "Then my lord personally stepped in to mediate. I could disregard anyone else, but I had to give my lord face, so I let him go."

"Who would have thought that Jūami, relying on my lord's favor, would insult me publicly? Insulting me was one thing, but he even spewed filthy words about Omatsu!"

"Everyone in Kiyosu Castle knew Omatsu was the apple of my eye. Yet Jūami insulted her again and again—how could I endure that?"

"So, right in front of my lord, I cut Jūami down with a single stroke." Maeda Toshiie swung out his hand fiercely. Seemingly still unable to vent his anger, he began cursing again.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo looked at Maeda Toshiie in surprise. He had not expected Maeda Toshiie to have such a fiery temper in his youth.

But that was hardly surprising. The story of "Toshiie and Matsu" truly counted as a fine tale.

After venting his emotions, Maeda Toshiie lowered his head again and said dejectedly, "Iemon, after hearing all that, do you think I'm an idiot?"

"How could I?!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo suddenly slapped the floor, putting on an equally indignant expression and startling Maeda Toshiie.

"A true man knew what he should do and what he should not. If someone could endure another person publicly insulting his wife, wouldn't he be nothing but a turtle shrinking into its shell?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo's words seemed to bring Maeda Toshiie some comfort. Tears shimmered in his eyes once more.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo continued, "Lord Maeda's deed was truly a fury that sent his cap flying for the sake of a beauty. You are the very model of a warrior—I, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, admire you beyond measure."

"Well said!"

Maeda Toshiie trembled with excitement.

After all this time, someone had finally agreed with him.

At that moment, Yamauchi Kazutoyo looked extraordinarily pleasing to Maeda Toshiie. If Japan's Warring States era had possessed the custom of cutting off chicken heads and burning yellow paper, Maeda Toshiie would have dragged Yamauchi Kazutoyo into swearing brotherhood on the spot.

"Iemon, don't be so formal. From now on, just call me Mago Shiro." Maeda Toshiie shifted closer and placed his right hand on Yamauchi Kazutoyo's shoulder, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

"Then I shall gladly obey, Mago Shiro!"

"Ah!" Maeda Toshiie was delighted. "That's more like it!"

The flames of gossip still burned brightly in Yamauchi Kazutoyo's heart, and he pressed on. "Then after Mago Shiro killed Jūami, did Lord Oda Kazusa-no-suke simply let you go?"

"How could that be?" Perhaps because he was enjoying the conversation, Maeda Toshiie gradually relaxed. "My lord was enraged when he saw it and immediately wanted to have me executed."

"But fortunately, I, Maeda Toshiie, had not spent all these years in Kiyosu Castle for nothing. Lord Shibata Shuri and Lord Mori Sanzaemon pleaded for me."

"So in the end, my lord spared my life, but expelled me from Kiyosu Castle."

Shibata Shuri was Shibata Katsuie, while Mori Sanzaemon was Mori Yoshinari. Both were important retainers under Oda Nobunaga at the time.

Was that not why Yamauchi Kazutoyo had felt an opportunity had arrived the moment he saw Maeda Toshiie?

If anyone else had dared to kill an Oda clan retainer right in front of Oda Nobunaga, ten lives would not have been enough to pay for it. Yet Maeda Toshiie had survived unscathed, which was enough to prove his standing in Oda Nobunaga's heart.

More importantly, great retainers such as Shibata Katsuie and Mori Yoshinari had pleaded on his behalf. That showed Maeda Toshiie's connections within the Oda clan were first-rate as well.

But Yamauchi Kazutoyo quickly realized a problem: could Maeda Toshiie still return?

"Mago Shiro, I wonder whether this journey of yours is only temporary, or..."

It had been fine while Yamauchi Kazutoyo said nothing, but the instant he brought it up, Maeda Toshiie's composure collapsed.

"My lord... he told me to get lost and stay far away!"

"For the sake of a mere Jūami, he... he actually said such things to me."

"Whenever I thought of it, all those old memories rose before me, and my heart ached!" Maeda Toshiie truly cried now, and he cried bitterly.

He did not understand. Why could Oda Nobunaga not love him once more?

He could have accepted being dismissed from the Horo Band, having his fief and stipend confiscated—but why did it have to be that Oda Nobunaga simply no longer wanted him...

Yamauchi Kazutoyo went numb after hearing that. So after all this, you were just like me—nobody wanted you either.

But Yamauchi Kazutoyo quickly adjusted his mindset. No matter what, Maeda Toshiie's old ties with the Oda clan still remained.

Besides, Maeda Toshiie had historically risen to possess a million koku in Kaga. He would presumably return to the Oda clan soon enough.

Maeda Toshiie's present downfall was instead Yamauchi Kazutoyo's opportunity. As long as he built a good relationship with Maeda Toshiie during this time, would it not be only natural to join the Oda clan alongside him later?

With that thought, Yamauchi Kazutoyo immediately said, "Mago Shiro need not lose heart. Lord Kazusa-no-suke is urgently preparing to send troops eastward. This is precisely the time when he needs capable men."

"Mago Shiro is renowned as Mataza of the Spear. The Oda clan will surely have a place for you to display your talents in the future."

Maeda Toshiie felt somewhat better after hearing that. This period of wandering had worn him down in body and spirit.

Now, he had someone beside him to air his grievances to—and the other man was a devoted listener. This trip had not been in vain after all.

For men, wasn't the measure of whether someone was a brother simply whether he could listen attentively while you bragged, occasionally chiming in with a word or two?

"Is Iemon currently serving the Maeno family?" Maeda Toshiie began to inquire about Yamauchi Kazutoyo's circumstances as well.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo replied, "For a time, I worked at my uncle's side and served as a magistrate. But now I do a little business on the Kiso River, merely enough to make a living—nothing worth mentioning."

Naturally, Yamauchi Kazutoyo would not mention the Ogawa Band. Speaking too deeply to a shallow acquaintance was a great taboo in dealing with people.

"Now that you mention it, I remember. Some time ago, Lord Jikan of Maeno Village traveled all over Owari holding flower-viewing gatherings with a painting and a poem."

"Thinking back on it now, that Chinese poem describing Mount Fuji was written by you, Iemon!" Maeda Toshiie said in sudden realization.

"A paltry work, nothing but a joke," Yamauchi Kazutoyo said casually.

Maeda Toshiie promptly said, "Then why not go to Kiyosu Castle and serve my lord, Iemon? My lord most appreciates young talents like you."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo shuddered. For some reason, Maeda Toshiie's words sent a chill through his heart.

"Well... how could it be so easy to meet Lord Kazusa-no-suke?"

"Besides, without anyone to recommend me, I would only become an ordinary ashigaru. How would I support an entire household?" Yamauchi Kazutoyo said slowly.

Maeda Toshiie immediately said, "What is so difficult about that?"

"If I can return to the Oda clan after some time, I will definitely take Iemon with me to meet my lord."

"I dare not promise anything else, but with the Yamauchi clan name, obtaining a fief of several hundred koku would be no difficult matter!"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo smiled. That was exactly what he had been waiting to hear!

"Mago Shiro is truly righteous. If you do not disdain me, I would be willing to treat you as an elder brother!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo said with feigned excitement.

Maeda Toshiie was about to agree instinctively, but on second thought, he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

This fellow really knew how to talk. He had nearly boxed him right into it. He was no simple man either.

But if he were mediocre, he would not be worthy of Maeda Toshiie's friendship.

Thinking that, Maeda Toshiie continued, "There is no need for polite words just yet. We can discuss it after Iemon's wish has been fulfilled."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo inwardly lamented the missed chance, but quickly said, "Since Mago Shiro left alone, you presumably did not bring much money with you."

"I may only run a small business, but I have managed to save a little. Here are two pieces of Koshu gold, to serve as funds for Mago Shiro's unforeseen needs."

Looking at the two pieces of Koshu gold Yamauchi Kazutoyo offered him, Maeda Toshiie did not refuse. He accepted them and tucked them into his robes.

For one thing, he truly lacked money at present. For another, he did not reject Yamauchi Kazutoyo's goodwill.

"This thatched hut is crude. I have an estate in nearby Takada Village. Why not move in and live with me, Mago Shiro?" Yamauchi Kazutoyo continued to suggest.

This time, Maeda Toshiie began to hesitate.

He understood Yamauchi Kazutoyo's ulterior motive perfectly well, but if he owed too many favors, repaying them later would become troublesome.

"If Mago Shiro has concerns, then how about temporarily serving as my spear instructor? I will pay Mago Shiro a salary of one hundred mon per day."

Maeda Toshiie nodded inwardly. Dealing with smart people really was effortless.

"In that case, I shall graciously accept."

"Then I ask for Mago Shiro's guidance!"

"Not at all, not at all. I will certainly teach you everything I know!"

"Mago Shiro, could you use a different phrase?"

"Why?"

"Mm... it's nothing. I've read too many miscellaneous books."