Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

The end of Volume 14.

---

The morning sunshine shone into the courtyard as the small birds chirped in the clear wintry air.
The sharp clack issued by the shishiodoshi beside the pond reverberated through the entire courtyard. Originally hiding in some place, a tiny creature resembling a small rabbit hurried out from the underbrush, climbing onto the tree branch on the right.

A man attired in a kimono, seemingly the landlord, was seated in the guestroom facing the courtyard, having a meeting with his subordinate who had come to make his report. The subordinate recounted all that had happened at Enoshima the previous night to his master.

"I see. So the Satomi were unexpectedly conspiring such a deed..."

The master did not seem overly surprised. That man - the possessor who was the head of the Takeda clan, Takeda Harunobu, casually leaned on his elbow, thinking of how the Satomi's aspirations were crushed within a single night, he smiled slightly.

"Constructing a path from Fujinomiya to Sagami is not such a bad idea, but it looks like they lacked the power required. The road that should have led to the Oda, ultimately became a road that led to their own annihilation, no?"

"My Lord." The one who was present, the chief commander of the western military front, Yamagata Masakage, called out. "Miura Yoshimoto committed an act of betrayal by relying on help from the Satomi, in the end he died at the hands of the Uesugi. How should the Miura territory be handled?"

"Place it under the direct control of the Takeda. Let Hara Masatane manage that. Unexpectedly wanting to attack Sagami, the Oda truly cannot be taken lightly. Looks like I'll have to seriously establish a government."

Shingen squinted his slender eyes, he stroked that fearless high nose with his finger, he looked over once again.

"That foolish Yoshimoto, I never expected him to be so unwise as to abandon his own Miura territory. He was probably mislead by the flattering words of the Satomi."

He was told that Yoshimoto wanted to be the lord of the Kanto region.

"Miura Yoshimoto, what a shallow man he was. The Satomi were equally ignorant."

"...My Lord."

"My own talents were granted by the heavens as the powers to be saw fit, it was pre-destined. My pain is something that others cannot bear, why can't they accept this reasoning?"

Shingen's cold line of sight shifted to the petals and leaves of the sakura tree in its first bloom.

"Yamagata. Send the troops to Fujinomiya. Expel the Oda's army, make it such that they won't dare set foot on the eastern side of Fujikawa again."

"Understood!"

"Immediately send troops to Bousou. We'll take advantage of this moment of the Satomi's defeat, seize Bousou before the Oda's suigun become active. Summon Baba Nobufusa. I want him to take charge as general."

After the subordinates powerfully replied, they hastily departed the room.

"It's time for you to take the stage." Shingen faced the courtyard, he uttered in a resounding voice. "Akechi-dono needs our help. We can't just sit here and ignore the movements of the Uesugi. Are you well enough for a trip?"

"My orders."

A man replied, emerging from beneath the shadow of the sakura branches. He was a good-looking man with black hair that complimented his snow-white skin. He curled his brightly-colored blood red lips, smiling flirtatiously.

"There's still the matter of Narita Yuzuru."

"Has your wound healed?"

The handsome man smiled, looking at the master. "That sort of wound, doesn't count as an injury."

"Blood really suits you."

"I will not shed my own blood. Furthermore, I cannot just leisurely lie in bed at this important juncture when my lord wishes to conquer the world."

"Indeed. You are still the only one who can handle the Uesugi's shadow. I shall be looking forward to your endeavors."

The man narrowed his eyes, brimming with confidence he bowed in respect.

"For the dominion of our Takeda."

A gust of wind blew at the branches, a cluster of white sakura flowers fluttered down onto the black earth. Shingen inserted his hands into the sleeves of his kimono, silently looking out at the courtyard which was now devoid of any person. As if wanting to interrupt the sound of the running water and the chirping of the birds, the clack of the shishiodoshi resounded loudly.

***

When Nikaidou Reiko awakened, she was lying on a hospital bed.

"Are you awake?"

Feeling like she had heard this voice before, Reiko slowly turned her head, she saw Sakaki and another individual, who looked like a police officer, standing beside her bed.

"...Chief. I..."

"You collapsed beside the buried cave. Seems like you weren't hurt, but the doctor said that you need some time to recover."

"I..."

Reiko felt confused. Her body was unusually tired, she even found it extremely cumbersome to move one finger, however there was indeed no wound whatsoever, neither was there anything unusual with her constitution.

"Ah..."

Upon recovering her alertness, she did not see any sign of Ayako and the others. Didn't she mention wanting her to be the yorishiro for Benzaiten, had she succeeded? What happened after that?

"Nikaidou-kun."

Sakaki called her, Reiko was startled.

"Something very serious happened at Enoshima and Fujinomiya. You seem to have some deep connection to these happenings. If it isn't too much trouble, would you please tell us all that you saw at Enoshima."

***

The matters that had to be handled after the incident at Enoshima required a considerable amount of time, especially since a company was involved this time. How would the police manage this?
Exorcising the defeated soldiers of the Satomi took quite a while. As Takaya could not use his exorcism power at the moment, the 'Ken En' had to assemble the spiritual bodies that had hardened into spiritual rocks at the Koyurugi shrine and conduct a purification ritual, it was rather troublesome.
The cave had been completely buried. Ayako planted the vajra at the entrance of the fuuketsu, smoothly enforcing the seal.

It appeared that Satomi Yoshitaka had been purified. According to Yagami who had pursued him, only the body of the hyouza was left at the scene, Yoshitaka's soul was no longer there. There were traces of a purification. ...What happened there? Had he exhausted all of his strength from his wrestle with Benzaiten?
Yagami seemed to be bothered about something, he had a puzzled expression throughout, however, he did not tell Takaya about it in the end.

After dawn, Chiaki returned from Fujinomiya for the meeting with the others. Just Chiaki alone. He had parted ways with Irobe at Fujinomiya.

--Please keep our affairs a secret from Kagetora-dono for the time being.

Chiaki had been repeatedly urged in this way by Irobe when they separated at the border. Because of this he had been provoked once again and stared at Irobe with eyes full of anger.

--What do you mean by that? What are you guys covertly conspiring?

--There's no conspiracy. We just do not want Kagetora-dono to have any unnecessary doubts at this point.

Chiaki had plainly expressed his displeasure.

--Being all sneaky like that, isn't that pretty suspicious in itself?

--Perhaps so. However if you do not keep this a secret, I can't be certain if you will regret it one day.

This had startled Chiaki, then his expression had turned serious.

--What do you mean?

--I will tell you the details of the situation the next time round. Before that time comes, this matter...

"Please keep it a secret."

After Irobe had finished in this way, he brought up another point. It was about Kotarou.

--Don't leave the authoritative command of the Uesugi to that pillar of the Fuuma. That guy is planning to make Kagetora-dono return to the Hojo.

--Return to the Hojo?

--That guy is Ujiyasu's servant. Don't let him find out too much about the internal workings of the Uesugi.

Irobe had departed after leaving this advice. Having been left there by himself, Chiaki's heart had felt extremely uncomfortable from doubts and suspicion.

Those brats, what are they secretly up to...

All of it was unclear. Furthermore, was it really true that Kotarou wanted to make Kagetora return to the Hojo?

In that place which cannot be seen, what on earth happened?


Chiaki stopped the car at the Koshigoe inlet near Koyurugimisaki, he had arrived at the place of the meeting at Koyurugi shrine. Takaya and the others were presently gathering the solidified spiritual rocks and carrying out the purification rites, but once Takaya saw Chiaki, he told Kotarou that he wanted to rest for a while and came to Chiaki's side. The long-distance drive from Fujinomiya to this place was not a relaxing one. Chiaki had been ruminating over Irobe's words all along, his face was frighteningly tense, however Takaya assumed he was tired.

"I was told you exorcised Satomi Yoshiyori at Fujinomiya. Thanks for the hard work."

"..."

"How did you know about the true nature of the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'? How did you find out about it?"

Chiaki could not answer. Irobe did not want him to talk about it. Takaya was still gazing at Chiaki, who remained silent. Chiaki moved his gaze away to escape Takaya's unrestrained scrutiny.

"I accidentally came by some information while I was chasing the Takeda. That's all."

"So the Takeda just allowed the Satomi to have their own way despite knowing of this situation?"

"..."

Chiaki glared at Takaya with a chilling expression in his eyes. Apparently, Takaya was aware that Chiaki was hiding something from him from his inarticulate reply.

"What happened?"

Takaya's ignorant look which displayed his frank suspicion infuriated Chiaki, who had been desperately suppressing his fretfulness all along. He fiercely hoisted his eyes and roared.

"You're asking me what happened...?"

All of a sudden, Chiaki savagely grabbed the lapels of Takaya's jacket and strongly shoved him against the pillar behind him.

"Nnh...!"

"I never expected that you'd dare say these words in such a leisurely manner! It's all because you developed some sort of dementia up here, so you're all ready to make trouble due to your ignorance...! To think that you'd dare ask me what happened...!"

All of the things that Chiaki had long restrained at the bottom of his heart exploded out, he bellowed madly.

"What kind of joke is this! What, is this an escape from reality! What do you mean your yearning is too deep, you gutless brat! It's all because of your idiotic and blind escapes that things have turned out this way!"

"Let go of me, Chi...aki...!"

"Yasuda-dono!" Yagami, shocked by this commotion, frantically hurried over to stop it. "What are you doing! Please do not use violence, Yasuda-dono! Yasuda-dono!"

"Don't be a bother, back off! What, you don't want to acknowledge it, don't assume that you can go on behaving like a spoiled brat! A dead person is dead! Death means the end with no exceptions! You'll only bring more trouble to others by running away thoughtlessly like this! What do you mean you'll die if you acknowledge that Naoe is dead. He's obviously dead yet you still think him alive...!"

Being fiercely held against the pillar by the lapels of his jacket, Takaya's face contorted in pain.

"What exactly about that guy is Naoe? Huh? Tell me clearly, which part of that brat Kotarou is Naoe! Naoe died at Hagi, he died protecting your heart from getting shot! Isn't that right!"

"Yasuda-dono, don't!"

"Do you really find it so unbearable if Naoe is not by your side! You're not some three-year-old kid, don't act like a spoiled brat! What the hell do you expect Naoe to do! If you want to be violated by that man so badly, then let me do it in his stead! Damn asshole!"

"Kagetora-sama!"

Kotarou heard the clamor and ran over. He hurried to Takaya's side, he wanted to pull Chiaki away, however Chiaki was not willing to release Takaya.

"Nagahide! Let him go!"

"Who gave you permission to address me in that manner, Kotarou! What are you trying to pull! What do you intend to do with this brat! Are you impersonating Naoe for the sole reason of wanting to make him return to the Hojo! What a dirty tactic, you vulgar piece of shit!"

"Yasuda-dono...! Please calm down!"

"Are you listening to me, Kagetora!" Chiaki snarled in front of Takaya. "Naoe is dead! It's about time you accept this! Naoe is dead! That guy is dead!"

"No...!" Takaya turned his face away, he groaned. "He didn't die... Naoe is still alive..."

"He died a long time ago! The one here is Kotarou! Not Naoe!"

"He said he wants to come to my side..."

Chiaki was startled, he swallowed his words. Takaya painfully shut his eyes, he muttered as though restraining his pain.

"--He wants me to wait..."

Chiaki was confounded. "Kagetora..."

Kotarou and Yagami did not understand the meaning behind Takaya's words. All this while, Takaya had really believed that Kotarou was Naoe. It should be this way. However, his last words sounded like...

"..."

Takaya's words were thus discontinued.
Chiaki, Kotarou and Yagami stood in their respective positions without moving, as though time had come to a standstill.

---

EPILOGUE

The Yokohama Kaikan was packed to capacity. The rock band SEEVA, currently enjoying escalating popularity and CD sales akin to the momentum of a rising dragon in the Japanese music industry, had a concert scheduled to take place in the Yokohama Kaikan today.
The time for the start of the performance drew near. The chests of the crazy fans gathered here swelled with impatience and irrepressible excitement, waiting for that unique man to appear on that wide stage.
The figure of Narita Yuzuru was seen at one corner of the vast hall. Yuzuru sighed, looking at the empty seat beside him. The person possessing the ticket to the seat next to him had not showed up.

So he can't make it after all...

Yuzuru had entered when the doors opened, he had been waiting here all this while, but it seemed like Takaya was not coming. Contrary to the excited spectators all around him, Yuzuru lowered his head with a disappointed look on his face, feeling disheartened. Yuzuru had always been looking forward to SEEVA's concert, due to his excitement he had woken up very early this morning. However, with Takaya's absence, not only was his joy was halved... he even felt that it was not worth coming. After the concert was over, they could have gone to the nearby pub that he had recently discovered, which had an extremely cheery atmosphere. Then, on returning home, Yuzuru could have shown Takaya the movie video cassettes that he had always wanted to show him... Yuzuru, who had planned all sorts of activities in his head, felt as though he was Takaya's lover of some sort.

Yuzuru gazed at the lonely seat amidst the enthusiastic atmosphere of the venue.

It doesn't matter if you come midway, just come as soon as you can, Takaya.

There was less than a few minutes before the start of the show. On the stage, the band players had begun to take their positions.


Hearing the laughter of the delighted youngsters, the lead singer looking at the sheet music turned around.

"Looks like they're really happy. What is it?"

"Ahh. Seems like we've an interesting guest today."

At this moment, backstage, the youth with maroon hair standing beside the door laughed as he informed tonight's lead of this matter. The red-headed man wearing a pair of black leather pants, seated cross-legged on the folding chair in front of the makeup table, was the rock singer - SEEVA, also known as Shiba Eiji.
On his wheat-colored skin, he wore a fancy shirt with designs of the national flag, a strange bottle gourd¹ hung at his waist. The same national flag was painted on his face, a truly mad sort of guise.

"Interesting guest?"

Shiba glanced at the youth with maroon hair. Was the youngster, who looked like a senior high-school student, his friend? However from the manner of their conversation, the two of them appeared to have a master-servant relationship.

"Who is it?"

"An important friend of my Lord's." The youngster replied, pointing at his own forehead. "There's a firm mark of friendship over here..."

"What... Narita Yuzuru came?" Shiba unexpectedly widened his eyes. "That is indeed interesting. Looks like Narita Yuzuru has been fairly enchanted with my songs. As expected of a close friend of mine. This is not surprising, not surprising at all."

The youngster with maroon hair - Hatayama Satoshi - smiled lightly, leaning against the door.

"My Lord's singing voice can charm anyone. The people of this era would never have expected, not even in a dream, to be able to hear the singing voice of the great daimyo, the Sixth Demon King."

"All of the music of this age are incomparably new, utterly fascinating. I like it very much, Ran." Shiba addressed the youth in this way. "I also like dance and popular ballads, but this is still the best. This is what I've been looking for. This sort of violent madness, speed, rhythm, this is the sound I've always wanted. Like the brain is about to explode, like the heart is about to burst, something that can grab hold of the soul...!"

Shiba's eyes glinted like a child as he finished with his explanation in excitement. He abruptly squinted and said to Hatayama.

"About those Satomi guys, seems like the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' failed this morning."

The look on Hatayama Satoshi - namely, Mori Ranmaru - grew solemn.
"According to the investigation, it seems like they were obstructed by the Uesugi and were thus defeated."

"Was it that Kagetora guy? Hmph... can't be helped I suppose. Still as much the nuisance as before." Shiba's hands clenched at his knees, his eyes glinted in aggression. "The Satomi have also done something unnecessary. I only wanted to acquire Enoshima. As well as use the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' in that small place..."

"The Satomi knew we would implement the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' at Enoshima. Furthermore, they've seen our bitter conflict with the Takeda, they probably wanted to open a path leading to Enoshima from Fujinomiya for us. Or perhaps they wanted to use the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' to earn our favor."

"This was originally a good plan. Just that we're now back to square one." Shiba laughed arrogantly as though he was harboring evil designs. "Let it be. I shall attack slowly. Enoshima, Itsukushima and Chikubushima. The Oda intends to acquire these three islands, to have the Benzaiten ladies of these three places in our hands. Yes, the interest is still there at the back of my mind."

Shiba's brain had already completed the blueprint of the plan. With a lofty, impertinent look in his eyes, he stared fiercely into the air.

"You just wait for it, Uesugi, Takeda."

The sound of flustered footsteps came from the corridor, the door opened, it was one of the crew. He wore a silver, sleeveless tee with blue 'SEEVA' imprints on the back, the outfit specially made for the staff.

"Shiba-san, it's time to begin, please get ready!"

"I know. I'm coming now." Shiba replied, taking off his shirt, he picked up a gorgeous velvet cloak placed on the side. He stood perfectly straight. "Head on to the seats, you should listen to this as well. For some unknown reason, I'm especially excited tonight. A rare mood, as though I'm going to battle this very moment. Prepare yourself. Tonight, I'm going to strike down everybody's hearts, give a magnificent performance that would leave everyone dazed!"

"Please do your best."

"Mmm. Tonight I will dance to one ultimate 'Atsumori' specifically for Narita Yuzuru. The greatest 'Atsumori' to celebrate Oda Nobunaga's resurrection."

Without a doubt, the person standing over there was Oda Nobunaga himself, who had possessed the modern individual, Shiba Eiji. In the silence of these two years, he had performed kanshou on Shiba's body. While secretly conducting preparations to unify the world step by step, he was enjoying rising success as a singer on the surface, subsequently solidifying his status in the industry within an amazingly short period of time.

"Just wait, my fans."

Nobunaga lifted his sharp, twinkling eyes in an unreserved manner, he looked far ahead, swishing the cloak onto his shoulders. The incident involving the Satomi was but a prologue. Merely a small chess piece sacrificed for the sake of climbing to the summit. The Oda's true stage would follow after that.

The numerous eyes facing the stage very soon concentrated on one spot. The people, overwhelmed with hunger, stretched out their arms, pursuing his figure - his song. Everyone was waiting. Waiting for the overwhelming force that shook the world. A force like the sun. With a posture brimming with dignity, Nobunaga stood in the center of the stage, his body bathed in the intense beams, he flung away his cloak, powerfully stepped towards the microphone and roared.

"Come! Let us begin---!"

---

¹The gourd was one of those peculiar things that Nobunaga carried around, one of the features of his eccentric nature.

I swear Nobunaga's flamboyance and arrogance coupled with that rock star image seriously reminded me of Lestat. Not to mention that they both seem to have found a flair for gothic rock upon their resurrection. Aside from that, I never knew Nobunaga actually had quite an interest in song and dance until MoB led me to research on his historical counterpart. 'Atsumori' was actually his favorite. It's a Japanese Noh drama written by Zeami Motokiyo which was inspired by the war between the Genji/Minamoto and Heike/Taira clans, Buddhist concepts and Shintoism. It reminded me of Kurosawa's Kagemusha which I saw several years ago. One of the scenes I vividly remember is the part where Nobunaga breaks out into song upon learning of Shingen's death. I was thinking WTF back then but it's all starting to make sense to me now. By the way, if the Takeda clan interests you, I'd recommend Kagemusha.

In case you're wondering about it, Takaya hasn't actually snapped out of his Kotarou-is-Naoe mindset. To put it simply, he won't snap out of it but will only remember Naoe's death when his memories are forcibly returned to him at the end of Volume 19.

So what's next... Oh God. A major arc with major angst: Karin no Oukoku (Kingdom of the Fire Wheel) which will be covered in five volumes.