Farewell (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Shadow in the Wind 1)

Night fell, and a crescent moon hung high in the sky.

Cold moonlight spilled over the ramparts of Iwakura Castle, while the crackling bonfires occasionally spat out sparks.

On a watchtower at one corner of the walls, a samurai on guard was overcome by drowsiness and unconsciously yawned. Such watchtowers were generally placed at the four corners of a castle, much like arrow towers.

The samurai slapped his face, trying to rouse himself a little.

In a moment of distraction, he noticed several figures seemingly approaching below the ramparts.

"Who goes there?" Goto Joki gripped his sword hilt, bent low, and leaned over the railing to peer down.

In the faint firelight, the figures of Yamauchi Moritoyo and his son gradually emerged. Behind them, Yamauchi Kazutoyo carried a flask of sake.

Goto Joki put on a smile and hurried down from the watchtower.

"My lord, Iemon, what brings you here?"

Goto Joki had been born a local samurai in Kuroda Township, Haguri District, Owari Province.

Local samurai were, in essence, "unaffiliated samurai" who lived in the provinces. They often possessed a certain degree of wealth, yet were not part of a daimyo's retainer system, making them outsiders beyond the official ranks.

More than twenty years ago, Goto Joki had met Yamauchi Moritoyo while riding a ferry. After talking, the two found themselves kindred spirits and soon came to regard one another as close friends.

Yamauchi Moritoyo invited Goto Joki to stay at his home for several days. After they had bared their hearts to one another, Goto Joki voluntarily entered Moritoyo's service and joined the Yamauchi family's retainer ranks.

"Saburozaemon, I have a favor to ask of you." Walking ahead of Goto Joki, Yamauchi Moritoyo appeared exceedingly calm.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo retreated to one side to stand watch, giving the two men space to speak alone.

Goto Joki took the sake flask and eagerly poured each of them a cup. After being trapped in the castle for months, he had nearly forgotten what sake tasted like.

"If my lord has orders, simply give them. This life of mine has long belonged to the Yamauchi family." Goto Joki pushed his sake cup forward.

Yamauchi Moritoyo raised his cup and drank with Goto Joki before saying softly, "The deputy military governor has decided to abandon the castle. My family will leave with him."

"Kazutoyo is still young and lacks experience. If no one is at his side to look after him, I fear he will be unable to gain a foothold in these troubled times."

Goto Joki's body visibly trembled, but Yamauchi Moritoyo continued as though unaware. "The Yamauchi family is in dire straits now. Of all the people I can think of, only you, Saburozaemon, are someone I can entrust him to."

"So I ask you to remain at Kazutoyo's side and watch over him well in my stead."

"My lord, I will not leave!" Goto Joki refused outright. "After all these years of friendship, my lord should know that I, Goto Joki, am no man who fears death."

"Now that my lord has resolved to fight to the death in this castle, how could I abandon you?" Goto Joki said angrily.

Yamauchi Moritoyo said quietly, "Even if you remain, you will only add another achievement to the enemy's tally. Besides, must you not think of your wife?"

Goto Joki had two sons. His eldest, Kichibē, was nine this year, while his younger son, Kichizō, had only just turned one.

When Yamauchi Moritoyo mentioned his two young sons, a trace of reluctance appeared in Goto Joki's eyes.

"Today, I am not commanding you as the head of the family. I am asking you as a dear friend. For the Yamauchi family's future, leave the city with Kazutoyo and the others."

As a warrior of the Warring States era, Yamauchi Moritoyo knew full well that the Yamauchi family's days ahead would be hard.

After Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his mother escaped Iwakura Castle, they would become masterless ronin. Restoring the Yamauchi family name was by no means something Yamauchi Kazutoyo could accomplish alone.

Without helpers at his side, whether Yamauchi Kazutoyo could even survive by fighting alone would be a question.

As Yamauchi Moritoyo's right-hand man, Goto Joki was upright, tireless, and willing to bear hardship. He was a retainer worthy of trust.

This was also the only support Yamauchi Moritoyo could leave behind for Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

"My lord has decided?" Goto Joki looked up and asked.

Yamauchi Moritoyo nodded firmly. "We leave tonight. I have already informed your wife as well."

"Kazutoyo, come here!" Yamauchi Moritoyo beckoned to Yamauchi Kazutoyo at his side.

After Yamauchi Kazutoyo came over, Yamauchi Moritoyo pointed at Goto Joki. "From this day forth, treat Saburozaemon as your father. Listen to Saburozaemon more in all matters, and never act on hot-blooded impulse."

"Rest easy, Father. I understand." Yamauchi Kazutoyo hurriedly bowed to Goto Joki.

During these months in Iwakura Castle, Yamauchi Kazutoyo had also come to understand the Yamauchi family's situation.

The Yamauchi family now possessed only the hollow title of chief retainer to the Iwakura Oda clan. Their fiefs had long since been lost clean away.

The Battle of Ukino had also cost them the vast majority of their retainers. Apart from the fiercely loyal Goto Joki, the Yamauchi family was essentially a commander without troops.

"Iemon, there is no need for such courtesy. Since my lord has faith in me, I, Goto Joki, will henceforth spare neither body nor life for the Yamauchi family."

Yamauchi Moritoyo revealed a gratified smile and personally poured Goto Joki another cup. "Saburozaemon, please drain this cup. I entrust my son to you."

Goto Joki respectfully accepted the cup and drained it in one swallow. Then he solemnly bowed to Yamauchi Kazutoyo. "I, Goto Saburozaemon, pay my respects to my lord!"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo helped Goto Joki up, and Yamauchi Moritoyo let out a long breath.

His final affairs had been arranged. Now he could go to his death without worry.

Yamauchi Moritoyo leaned closer and lowered his voice. "In half an hour, I will open the main gate. Horio Yasuharu and his son, as well as Maeno Katsunaga, son of Maeno Muneyasu, will also leave the city with you."

"After leaving Iwakura Castle, take Kazutoyo directly to Kariyasuka Castle. I have already contacted Lord Asai. He will give you a place to stay."

After hearing Yamauchi Moritoyo's words, Goto Joki showed a doubtful expression. "If so many people leave the city at once, the target will be too large. The land around Iwakura Castle is as flat as a horse's back—if the enemy notices us, how will we get away?"

"Moreover, there are quite a few samurai in the castle with close ties to Oda Nobunaga. Who can say that none of them will tip off the enemy?"

"And this Maeno Muneyasu has always been close to Ikoma Iemune. Before this battle began, he even suggested surrendering to Oda Nobunaga."

"He is sending his son out of the city with Iemon. If something should happen..."

The Ikoma Iemune Goto Joki mentioned was a retainer of Oda Nobunaga. At the same time, he was the father of Ikoma Kitsuno, one of Oda Nobunaga's concubines.

The Ikoma family had built its fortunes in "logistics," operating horse transport along the border between Mino and Owari. They had deep ties with the Kawanami League led by Maeno Muneyasu. The two families had also formed marital alliances.

"This was the result of joint discussion between Lord Maeno and myself. Nothing unexpected should happen." Yamauchi Moritoyo was unwilling to believe that Maeno Muneyasu was secretly colluding with Oda Nobunaga.

At the side, Yamauchi Kazutoyo remained wary and silently committed the name Maeno Katsunaga to memory.

To Yamauchi Kazutoyo, once they left Iwakura Castle, no one but Goto Joki before him could be trusted.

The Yamauchi family might be an empty shell now, but its name still carried weight. As the legitimate son of Yamauchi Moritoyo, chief retainer of the Iwakura Oda clan, Yamauchi Kazutoyo's head was worth quite a reward.

Maeno Muneyasu might not care for such a reward, but the men beneath him might think differently.

In the chaotic Warring States era, the human heart was treacherous. Yamauchi Kazutoyo had already set his mind straight.

"For this final cup, may the wind fill your sails all the way." As he spoke, Yamauchi Moritoyo raised another toast.

Goto Joki silently swallowed the sake, then bowed to Yamauchi Moritoyo once more.

That bow held both the sorrow of lord and retainer parting ways, and the final stroke that closed twenty-four years of friendship.

"Take care!"

"Take care!"