Original subtitles

In 1560.

Europe was in its full prosperity.

Many Christian missionaries began traveling abroad.

Among them were some Portuguese missionaries who aimed toward Japan.

At that time, Japan was right in the middle of war era.

[ Shibata Katsuie ]

The Washizu fort has fallen too. [ Shibata Katsuie ]

I report.

Our Oda army's Marune fort has already fallen by the

attack of Matsudaira Motoyasu's army of the Imagawa clan.

[ Niwa Nagahide ] Our Oda army's Marune fort has already fallen

by the attack of Matsudaira Motoyasu's army of the Imagawa clan.

Our Oda army's Marune fort has already fallen by the

attack of Matsudaira Motoyasu's army of the Imagawa clan.

We only have 2,000 troops left here.

We may have no choice but to surrender.

Sure enough, they are samurais from Imagawa troops!

Here. Don't be bashful. Please drink!

Nobunaga retreated in fear of the great Yoshimoto!!

Come on, let's drink!

Here you go, drink up!

You defeated Oda fortress this easily. What a splendid work Motoyasu.

Here, drink!

No, I'm on the move to keep my eyes on the Kiyosu.

Lord Yoshimoto, don't underestimate them.

[ Matsudaira Motoyasu ] Lord Yoshimoto, don't underestimate them.

[ Matsudaira Motoyasu ] Oda Nobunaga is not an ordinary military commander.

Oda Nobunaga is not an ordinary military commander.

[ Imagawa Yoshimoto ]

Motoyasu, you worry too much! [ Imagawa Yoshimoto ]

[ Imagawa Yoshimoto ]

I report!

Imagawa Yoshimoto's troops are currently in the

middle of a celebration in the Okehazama Mountain!

A celebration?

Peasants supplied them Sake for a celebration of the Imagawa victory.

Are you saying even peasants are assuming Oda army's defeat?

What is our lord doing?

My lord.

Your outfit means?

To the battle field!

In to the field! Follow our lord!

I'm reporting to Lady Onou.

Our lord has deployed to the battle field!

[ Maeda Toshiie ] Our lord has deployed to the battle field!

Our lord has deployed to the battle field!

Nobunaga-sama must have determined himself.

[ Onou ] Nobunaga-sama must have determined himself.

[ Onou ]

That happened in 1560, May.

We have lot more Sake!

Let's pre-celebrate Imagawa Yoshimoto's rule over the country!

I see. Well, well, well. Even peasants believe in my ruling power.

What is it?

Nobunaga-sama's gun squad!

[ Kinoshita Tokichiro ]

You! Plotted us!

My lord, retreat immediately! Quick!

During the civil war era, Oda Nobunaga was a young

daimyo (feudal lord) of a small country, Owari.

He had set a surprise attack with just 2

thousand soldiers against 50 thousand troops

of Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was expected to be

the most likely person to rule the nation.

And, Yoshimoto's large army was driven in to a total chaos

by losing their refuge in the narrow valley of Okehazama.

Circulating the rumor of Nobunaga's defeat and distribution of

Sake in Okehazama were Nobunaga-sama's tactics to relax the enemy.

Are you Oda Nobunaga?

For samurai's mercy. Spare my life!

My lord!

My lord.

Well done, Saru (Monkey)!

Yoshimoto's head!

From that victory, Oda Nobunaga's name had become well known all over the country.

However, Nobunaga-sama was carrying a deep secret.

- The Lady Nobunaga –

*Eng sub provided by anolibb and Kz*

- Night One -

[ 1534 June, Kiyosu Castle ]

The day Nobunaga-sama was born.

The mother lady Dota, who was finally blessed

with a child, was very disappointed.

[ Lady Dota ] The mother lady Dota, who was finally

blessed with a child, was very disappointed.

The mother lady Dota, who was finally blessed

with a child, was very disappointed.

How could this happen?

Why a girl?

At this rate, the clan will be taken over by a boy of a concubine.

She assumed that to be a humiliation as the official wife.

She is truly a beautiful princess, isn't she?

Really a beautiful princess.

She is not a girl!

You aren't a girl.

As a successor of the Oda clan, you have to be a stronger man than any other!

Thus, the mother secretly raised this child as a boy.

By the time Lord Oda Nobuhide-sama discovered

that secret upon his return from a battle,

[ Oda Nobuhide ] By the time Lord Oda Nobuhide-sama

discovered that secret upon his return from a battle,

[ Oda Nobuhide ] Nobunaga-sama had already been known as a successor of the Oda clan.

Nobunaga-sama had already been known as a successor of the Oda clan.

What a ridiculous have you done.

If the fact of Oda successor being a girl is revealed,

we would face embarrassment for generations to come!

Please forgive us!

There is nothing else I could do!

Just raise her to be a strong man.

Young lord! Wait!

Young lord!

Young lord, are you alright?

Bring medicine! [ Hirate Masahide ]

[ Hirate Masahide ]

Masahide!

Why do I have to do things like this?

As an heir of the Oda household, you are expected to be skilled.

Young lord, be majestic as a man.

Are you sure you are the successor, sister?

Nobuyuki-sama!

No, brother, isn't it?

How splendid!

Ironically, three years after Nobunaga-sama's birth,

Lady Dota gave birth to a strong boy, Nobuyuki-sama.

[ Oda Nobuyuki ] Ironically, three years after Nobunaga-sama's

birth, Lady Dota gave birth to a strong boy, Nobuyuki-sama.

Ironically, three years after Nobunaga-sama's birth,

Lady Dota gave birth to a strong boy, Nobuyuki-sama.

Game over!

How marvelous!

Sure enough, Nobuyuki is very promising!

If this were a real battle, you wouldn't have been alive, brother.

So this is a Tanegashima rifle.

Yes. An imported firearm from Europe.

With this, I could defeat any martial arts expert!

Then, get hold of this in a large quantity and use them in a battle.

No, no. They are too expensive to distribute among soldiers.

If it's about money, we can earn more from commerce.

However, prideful Samurais do not do business.

Can you win a battle with pride? Or supply food with pride?

With money, we can maintain soldiers and make the nation happy.

I see.

Masahide, Nobunaga has a point.

But Nobuhide-sama.

Ask how it is in Europe from the missionary.

Yohei! Dad!

Yohei fought majestically!

What's majestic about returning like this?

Being drafted for numerous wars.

If there were no wars, he would have been alive.

How long is this war era going to carry on?

Ha-ha, hurry! Hurry!

How about young Lord?

He is forbidden to do this since he is an heir.

Ha-ha! Hurry! Hurry!

When Nobunaga-sama's body has started to show the signs of femininity,

Her little sister, Oichi-sama was turning in

to a beautiful princess of the Oda family.

[ Oichi ] Her little sister, Oichi-sama was turning

in to a beautiful princess of the Oda family.

Her little sister, Oichi-sama was turning in

to a beautiful princess of the Oda family.

Nobunaga-sama felt it was very unfair.

What are you doing?

Take it off!

It's time.

Masahide, why can't I live like Oichi?

That's because you are the heir of this household!

Takechiyo want to go back now.

Don't be selfish.

Aren't you our hostage from the Matsudaira clan?

My command is absolute.

But, as month changes hostage exchange happens.

I will have to be moved from finally comfortable

the Oda household to the Imagawa household.

I guess that's right.

Takechiyo, you are also burdened with a miserable fate.

I should be thankful to be kept alive. [ Matsudaira Takechiyo ]

We both have miserable fates.

Nobunaga-sama's miserable fate?

Let's believe that one day we will be set free.

Nobunaga-sama, it's finally your first battle.

Brother.

Congratulations on your departure to the battle field.

If you were afraid, shall I go instead?

Are you enthusiastic on going to a place where risking your life to kill each other?

I just want to contribute to Oda army's victory.

What's ahead of that battle?

Ahead of a battle is another battle.

Expanding our territory and increasing our military merits by continuous battle.

Men live for the sake of such battles.

Nobunaga-sama, it was a magnificent first war experience.

I couldn't kill even one.

Father! I hate battles!

Pursuing this struggle for own merit by wining territory

and encouraged to bleed to display own power.

How imprudent this men's world is.

Men's world? Nobunaga.

You were born to be a lord of the Oda clan in this war era.

You can no longer escape from the world of battles.

Your brother Nobuyuki said, he saw battles ahead of a battle.

What do you see ahead of a battle?

A Peaceful nation.

A Peaceful nation?

But that's only a fairytale.

I'm not suited to be a Samurai.

Why don't you dismiss me as I was killed in this war?

Then give me a freedom to live as a woman.

Quiet!

Don't say.

Nobunaga, don't say that!

Nobunaga.

Never let me hear those words again.

As a first born child of the Oda household, succeed as a

head of family and lead this nation to a peaceful era.

That is the destiny of Oda Nobunaga!!

What is this about?

After all, Nobunaga is not good enough.

We should let Nobuyuki take over the Oda clan!

Nobuyuki doesn't have a capacity for that.

That may be, but Nobunaga is not an ordinary man.

That's right. He is not just an ordinary man.

That is why, my dream of building a peaceful

nation is better to be entrusted to Nobunaga.

What are you saying? Nobunaga will only ruin the Oda household!

Shut up!

The one succeeding the Oda household is Oda

Nobunaga, the first born child of the Oda family!

Shut up!

It would have been better if she was killed by you!

Nobunaga.

Move!

Enough already, Nobunaga-sama.

Your foolish behavior is a common talk even around the castle now!

I was told to behave majestically. So I'm living up to the expectations!

If you don't like that, then expel me from this household!

That won't happen!

For a sake of the alliance, you are to take Onou-sama as your wife who

is Sir Saito Dosan's daughter and a princess of the Minou province.

Are you saying I should take a wife?

But I am!

Nobunaga-sama, you are the successor of the Oda household!

Stop.

And this is how I become the official wife of Nobunaga-sama.

Onou.

Since you became Oda Nobunaga's wife, there is something you must undertake.

There is a secret which has to be protected with your life.

Most certainly, you are?

A big idiot who was born as a woman, but living as a man.

If you were disappointed, go back to Minou!

So, on a surface I am married to you. But in reality, I am not married at all?

That means, I could continue having feelings

for a person whom I have been longing for?

In that case, I choose to be a wife of Oda Nobunaga.

Two years later, the father Nobuhide-sama passed away from an illness.

What on the earth is Nobunaga doing?

His irrationality is nothing unusual.

Is my brother intending not to come?

Oichi-sama.

I'll go look for him.

No, Sir Katsuie. I will.

My lord, my lord!

What supremacy?

How could I do such an extravagant thing?

That incident extended the rumors of him being a great fool even more.

Masahide.

This is his will.

Hereby dismissing myself, for the sake of your father, I

do respectfully ask you to become a lord of the Oda clan.

Lord Nobuhide loved Nobunaga-sama more than anyone.

When Nobunaga-sama showed interests for European styles

and commerce, he was very impressed with your insight.

I am fed up with the way of men's world. They believe

that pursuing military achievement is a sense of justice.

I am tired of a world of battles.

So, we need someone to change the way of men.

To my daughter Nobunaga who dreamed a peace ahead of battles.

To Nobunaga as a woman, I want to entrust such dream of mine.

That is why he entrusted the creation of peaceful nation for Nobunaga-sama.

You did this for letting me know that?

That's why men are….

I shall be taking over the Oda clan.

Now that our father is gone, I'm not having a woman take over the Oda family.

You were too afraid to say that while our father was alive, weren't you?

Nobuyuki, I'm surprised to know you are such a coward.

Are you trying to insult your brother, who is better than you in everything?

In everything? Are martial arts all what matters?

For a samurai, they are!

I'm not handing over the Oda household to you.

If you say no, then let's settle it right here!

You only try to settle by shedding blood?

That's what Samurais are.

You are so pathetic, Nobuyuki.

You couldn't be wise simply because you are strong.

Shut up Nobunaga! You are just a woman!

After all, men are not good enough.

What's going on? What's the commotion?

Nobuyuki? Nobuyuki!

Was this your instigation?

With this, the Oda household is ruined!

It is not over! It's just the beginning!

Father, I shall grant your wish.

As Oda Nobunaga.

That was the first time Nobunaga-sama ever killed someone.

And as a successor of the Oda clan, Nobunaga-sama has subsided

family conflicts after the death of his father and brother.

Then, in May of 1560, he had defeated Imagawa army in Okehazama.

Hey, Tokichiro!

Oh, what?

Nobunaga-sama is a great man after all!

Right, Koroku.

He is just like I predicted him to be, isn't he?

By now they must be talking about Imagawa army's collapse in the castle town too!

I can see our lord's supremacy with this.

We wiped out the Imagawa clan which was almost at their supremacy.

Both the imperial court and the shogunate in the

capital must be recognizing about the Oda clan.

Then we should go ahead of other provinces, and

search for a road that leads to the capital!

Don't be so festive with this much of victory.

Both east and west are full of enemies.

With the notification of Nobunaga-sama's

victory, commanders like Takeda Shingen of Kai,

Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo, and Asakura Yoshikage

of Echizen, all felt a shift in the era.

The first to move was Matsudaira Motoyasu of

Mikawa Province who is a former hostage tuned to

serve the Imagawa clan. He also defeated Oda Army's

Marune fort prior to the battle of Okehazama.

I was siding with the Imagawa clan and was against the Oda

household which took good care of me when I was young.

Please accept my sincere apologies.

However, with Yoshimoto dead, I vow to unite with you and be your ally.

Enough, Takechiyo. No, you are now leyasu, aren't you?

I think I know what kind of man you are.

I'm so grateful. [ Matsudaira leyasu ]

Should you forgive me, I will only desire to fight for you.

What do you fight for?

What for?

I want to create a peaceful nation with no war.

Peaceful nation?

Do you think it's a fool's dream?

No, it had a strong effect on my heart.

Then leyasu, you too devote all you have for this purpose!

Yes!

Later the land of Minou, which used to belong to my father Saito

Dosan, was finally taken back in 7 years by Nobunaga-sama.

And setting his mind on the supremacy, he changed the name of

this newly claimed land as Gifu and moved his residence there.

Building this kind of town in Japan. It's like Spain!

Is that so?

Brother is always in daze while listening to a missionary.

[ Oichi ] Brother is always in daze while listening to a missionary.

[ Oichi ]

It's filled with samurai and soldier's housing.

The castle town became flourished.

Since farmers become too busy in the harvest time to be

soldiers, fulltime soldiers are employed by the Oda clan now.

Very much like short-tempered Nobunaga-sama.

Because of that, I hear famers are delighted to be released from wars.

Onou-sama, you seem happy.

That's because I never thought of walking around in my hometown ever again.

Because my brother eliminated county barriers

and old customs, business is booming now.

There are less inflation and women are so happy.

Even that is very much like Nobunaga-sama.

His way of thinking is not of an average men's.

And since Sir Kinoshita contributed a great amount

of service during Minou war, he has changed

his name to Tokichiro Hideyoshi and was granted

the lowest seat of a senior statesman position.

For someone who started off as a foot soldier, that was an

unprecedented promotion which had never happened before.

"Unify the nation by force", isn't it?

At last, we can declare your intention toward the supremacy!

Former foot soldier shouldn't speak like you know things!

Our lord is being counted on by the Ashikaga shogunate in the capital now days.

Thus it is natural for our lord to aim toward the supremacy.

By this time, we should think of a way to proceed to the Capital.

If we attacked Azai Nagamasa and obtained North Oumi, then a road from

Gifu to the Capital would be secured and our lord's name will resound.

With all due respect Shibata-sama.

Azai Nagamasa is a commander above others. He has deep family ties

to the Asakura clan of Echizen. It wouldn't be an easy battle.

So, we should try to reconcile.

Reconcile? Are you suggesting avoiding

battles and making a deal with dirty tricks?

War in Minou took us 7 years.

If we spent additional years for the battles,

It would just be an obstacle to our supremacy.

For a samurai, battles are everything.

Wouldn't former foot soldier understand that?

However, governing towards the supremacy is more crucial than war.

Saru (Monkey). Don't get carried away!!

How unsightly!

Saru (Monkey).

Yes sir!

Don't you wish for an alliance with Sir Azai Nagamasa, also?

If so, please entrust this matter to me.

Make it so.

With your talent even a former foot soldier can rise above others. Show it to me.

No matter what kind of blood you are born into, the

world can be changed depending on how you do it.

I want to display that to the nation.

Then I shall grant that for you.

Very promising. If you succeeded, you may request anything as a reward.

Anything?

Do you want Gifu? Or is it Owari?

I don't want any territory. I wish for your sister to be my reward.

Saru wants Oichi as a reward?

Yes.

I want Oichi-sama…

Don't get carried away!

Forgive me for not knowing my limits.

Oichi-sama, please come this way!

Onou-sama, what's going on?

I want a doctor to see her, but then her secret would be revealed.

I don't know what to do.

On an occasion like this, my brother becomes a woman.

To be a woman?

For a doctor's visit, she is presented not as Oda Nobunaga,

but as a lady in waiting of the Oda household named Ocho.

Because you rested, you seem better now.

The medicine must have worked.

You look very beautiful.

You look as beautify as Oichi-sama who is renowned for her beauty.

Don't pull my leg!

Please watch your language.

You are not Nobunaga right now, but a woman named Ocho.

Yeah.

Say "Yes" not "Yeah"!

Yeah!

What a beautiful comb!

How about one for you?

My.

Ocho, how about one for you, too?

Very pretty!

Ocho, have you been in love before?

What's love all about? Don't bore me with it.

I broke up with that person right here.

Wouldn't my wish come true no matter what?

Onou-sama, you are a daughter of our lord, Sir Dosan.

And also a future wife of a lord of Kiyosu Castle, Oda Nobunaga-sama.

And before he left, he gave me this letter.

Where is he now?

I would like to believe he is alive.

Holding on to a letter from a man who cannot be united with.

Women are hard to understand.

But Ocho, you have female blood in you, too.

Shut up. I've given up on such a thing long time ago.

Are you alright? Please get a hold of yourself.

What's happening?

You are awake.

Get your hands off me! How rude!

But you have injury on your arm.

This is nothing. Go away!

Sorry for my rudeness.

Is everything alright, sir Nagamasa?

Oh, Onou-sama and Oichi-sama.

Did you just say sir Nagamasa?

Yes. He is Sir Azai Nagamasa, a lord of Odani Castle in North Oumi.

[ Azai Nagamasa ] Yes. He is Sir Azai Nagamasa,

a lord or Odani Castle in North Oumi.

[ Azai Nagamasa ] He came to Gifu for a meeting about alliance.

He came to Gifu for a meeting about alliance.

She is our lord's wife, Onou-sama and sister, Oichi-sama.

And…?

My lady in waiting, Ocho.

Onou-sama and Oichi-sama, please do tell Sir

Nobunaga, that I look forward to the day we meet.

Certainly.

And then, talk between Nobunaga-sama and Sir Nagamasa have begun.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Azai Nagamasa.

I am his father, Azai Hisamasa. [ Azai Hisamasa ]

In fact, I greatly admire your Okehazama victory,

and using your bravery as a great example.

The character for "naga" in Azai "Naga-masa", shares the

good luck with the same letter in your name as "Nobu-naga".

However, I Nagamasa do not intend to become a commander of Oda Nobunaga.

Instead, it would be a great honor to be an equal ally as sworn friends.

Let us unify the domination over this country.

Of course, this is a desirable deal for the Oda clan, too.

Well then, let's drink.

My lord?

We are done for today.

What does this mean Sir Hideyoshi?

If that's the attitude of the Oda clan, the

Azai clan could get ready to fight any time!

Please forgive us. Just give us little more time.

Our lord has not left his room since he came back to Gifu.

I thought you may be able solve the mystery, Shibata-sama.

A Mystery?

Seeking alliance himself yet displaying that kind of attitude toward Sir Nagamasa.

I can't understand.

Saru, he is beyond your comprehension.

That's all.

Besides, I heard you asked for Oichi-sama.

What are you scheming?

Nothing at all!

I just love Oichi-sama dearly.

You want to be a brother in law of our lord by marring his sister, don't you?

Don't get carried away, Saru! Oichi-sama is supposed to be granted for me.

Saru!

How long are you intending to do this?

Could it be? Nobunaga-sama.

What are you doing?

This suits you better now.

Your face is that of a woman's.

Oda Nobunaga has fallen in love, hasn't she?

Don't say a ridiculous thing! Oda Nobunaga is a man!

Are you giving up just for that reason?

After all, you have female blood in you.

Don't you think you would regret by casting away such a pleasure rest of your life?

As a first born child of the Oda household, succeed as a head of family and

lead this nation to a peaceful era. That is the destiny of Oda Nobunaga!!

Nobunaga-sama is the successor of the Oda clan.

I seem to be embracing the feelings which I shouldn't have.

Later, Nobunaga-sama had a one on one

confrontation with sir Nagamasa in Gifu castle.

Oda Nobunaga could be a different kind of person

from what you know as a military commander.

No matter what kind of person he is, I will be on his side whenever he needs me.

I will be horned to lose my life for it.

Your feelings won't change no matter what you are about to learn?

Samurai warriors do not shift their minds.

You are from that time!

Are you sure your feelings will not change with this?

Not at all.

My desire has just intensified more than ever.

And then Nobunaga-sama had spent her time as a woman for the first time ever.

Onou-sama!

This is for Oichi-sama.

I still don't understand why things turned in to this way.

But I have to accept this for the sake of the Oda clan.

Onou-sama!

It's a mystery to me too.

It was supposed to be with Sir Katsuie to begin with, but why with sir Nagamasa?

Sir Hideyoshi, what is this all about?

Don't you know?

It's been decided that Oichi-sama is to marry Sir Azai Nagamasa.

Onou-sama had said some time ago.

It's customary for women of the war era to be used as a stratagem.

If my duty is to unite the Oda and the Azai with

this marriage, then I am happy to consent to it.

I heard it.

You have decided to have Oichi-sama to be Sir Azai Nagamasa's wife.

Why didn't you discuss with me?

It's alright, Onou-sama.

This is for the sake of my sister who had to carry such a rigorous fate.

Besides that, Nagamasa-sama seemed to be a very nice man.

I will be happy to spend my life with Nagamasa-sama.

You had Oichi-sama marry without letting her know the truth.

Did you think it is better to have your sister, who

carries resemblance of you, to marry than someone else?

Soon or later she would realize.

A day will surely come when Oichi-sama would be hurt

by the secret between Nobunaga-sama and sir Nagamasa.

I dread to think what would happen then.

A few days after Oichi-sama had left for North Oumi's Odani

castle, a military commander serving Shogun had arrived.

This man would affect both Nobunaga-sama and my fate greatly.

Allow me to introduce myself.

[ Akechi Mitsuhide ]

I'm Akechi Mitsuhide. [ Akechi Mitsuhide ]

[ Akechi Mitsuhide ]

Sir Mitsuhide is a descendant of the Minamoto clan, and a cousin of Onou-sama.

After my lord Saito Dosan had passed away, I

have been moving across various provinces.

And a few years ago I began to serve for the Asakura clan in Echizen.

But why are you serving Shogun now?

While Ashikaga Yoshiaki-sama was escaping from the Capital, he was hiding at

the Asakura household for a while. I became close to him during that time.

Because of that, you abandoned the Asakura clan and moved on to Shogun.

Unfortunately, Asakura Yoshikage-sama doesn't

seem to be focusing on the supremacy.

However, Ashikaga Yoshiaki-sama has great ambitions.

As a brother of the assassinated 13th Shogun, he is aiming to be a next Shogun.

No matter who becomes next shogun, shogunate no longer has power.

Because they are powerless, I want you to be backing them.

But I hear Sir Yoshiaki is a strategist who is tapping on Takeda of

Kai, Uesugi of Echigo, and Asakura of Echizen for the same matter.

I see. Has to be cautious with Yoshiaki-sama, then.

Even so, I wish you to trust me.

There is no trust in you.

This talk is over.

Please wait!

I strongly recommended Nobunaga-sama to Sir Yoshiaki thus allowed being in Gifu.

Why me?

Because of your European influence.

I want to have a peaceful nation.

Sir Akechi Mitsuhide?

What kind of man is he?

Isn't he your cousin?

I see. So he is alive!

Could it be, Onou?

Is the person you've been longing for is Akechi Mitsuhide?

A man who stole your heart.

It's increasingly interesting.

What are you thinking of?

I want to probe into his real intention.

It's been a long time. Here is Onou.

It's been a long time.

You look more beautiful than ever.

I have been anxious about your wellbeing. I am glad you are well.

Truth is I have become tired of this war era.

While wandering about various providences to look for

a refuge, I have been awakened by European influence.

To receive teachings of the missionaries I went as

far as Kyushu, and then it's been 10 years already.

10 years under European influence?

Sorry for my rudeness.

She is Nobunaga-sama's cousin and my lady in waiting, Ocho.

Miss Ocho, are you interested in European styles?

In fact I think only Nobunaga-sama understands European style within Japan.

Using line of spears and Tanegashima rifles in battle.

Separating soldiers from farmers to create full time battle troops.

Encouraging commerce by implementing free markets.

All are European styles. It is astonishing foresight.

Avoiding useless quarrels by securing alliance with sir leyasu and sir Nagamasa.

I assume they are all for the creation of peaceful and tranquil nation.

Let me humbly say, my determination is the same.

Please do inform Nobunaga-sama about this, Onou-sama.

I shall do so.

I am infatuated with Oda Nobunaga.

I want him to rule the country.

At that time, Nobunaga-sama was already attracted to

Sir Akechi Mitsuhide's intelligence and elegance.

1568, September 7th.

To make Ashikaga Yoshiaki the next shogun of Muromachi-Ashikaga

shogunate, Nobunaga-sama departed Gifu by leading 60 thousand troops.

After defeating Rokkaku Yoshitaka army in South Oumi,

he had finally entered the Capital on the 26th.

He gained total control over the vicinity of the Capital only within 10 days.

Within Oda army were Sir Tokugawa leyasu, formerly known

as Matsudaira leyasu, and Sir Nagamasa's union army.

Sir Mitsuhide's army in the Capital was part of this also.

Women! Women!

The town was in chaos for the fear of violent soldiers.

I ordered neither riot nor violence!!

However, since Nobunaga-sama had put strict military discipline in

action, not even one grain of rice was stolen and no woman was abused.

That made people of the capital broke out in ovation.

And then on the 18th of October.

With Sir Mitsuhide's guidance, [ Emperor Ougimachi ]

[ Ashikaga Yoshiaki ] Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki was

successfully placed as the fifteenth shogun.

Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki was successfully placed as the fifteenth shogun.

Nobunaga-sama has obtained a position as a Shogun's representative.

Wait up! Wait up, father.

Let me express my gratitude.

Father?

You are a birth parent of Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

So let me call you as such.

Sir Yoshiaki, the difference between you two is only 3 years.

Calling him father is a bit much.

But how else can I address my gratitude.

Oh, yes. I shall make you a Shogun's Deputy then.

So you are placing a birth parent of shogun in a position below shogun?

No, that was not my intention.

I was just simply trying to show my respect to you, father.

Instead of a title, Nobunaga-sama would be more

honored with control over Sakai, Kusatsu, and Otsu.

Oh, how greedless.

I respect you even more.

It's for commerce. I will abolish the barriers too.

Commerce? Abolishing barriers?

What's the meaning behind those things?

You don't have to understand. Your role is over, then.

I am returning to Gifu castle tomorrow.

Wait, father.

Won't you stay in the Capital and protect me?

Without you, I will be too anxious to sleep at night.

Don't worry. Akechi Mitsuhide is enough here.

What's with him?

Mitsuhide, does Nobunaga have any real intention of protecting me as a shogun?

Nobunaga-sama is someone who has a foresight for the forthcoming.

It is possible for ambitious Sir Yoshiaki to betray

since he has accomplished to be a shogun now.

I shall be staying by a shogun's side.

That's what worries me.

I think Sir Mitsuhide seduced Nobunaga-sama very well.

It's unsettling, isn't it?

Hanzo?

[ Hattori Hanzo ]

Sir Tokichiro Hideyoshi seems to have a great ambition. [ Hattori Hanzo ]

Also, you need to be careful with sir Nagamasa and sir Mitsuhide.

Please be cautious.

As Nobunaga-sama gets closer to his supremacy, there will be bigger turbulence.

That night, Nobunaga-sama invited Sir Azai

Nagamasa to Honnoji-temple, where he was lodging.

[ Honnoji temple ] That night, Nobunaga-sama invited Sir

Azai Nagamasa to Honnoji-temple, where he was lodging.

That night, Nobunaga-sama invited Sir Azai

Nagamasa to Honnoji-temple, where he was lodging.

Finally, Oda Nobunaga is a commander of the supremacy.

Sir Nagamasa thanks for your help.

I did what I needed to do as an ally.

Was the letter from my father Hisamasa delivered?

My father believes that I should be granted a position as a shogun's deputy in return.

Do you also wish for that?

Azai Nagamasa's name is just enough to help for

the supremacy without a title in shogunate.

But...

If you still insist, then add something more to your accomplishments.

And become a commander who surpasses Oda Nobunaga.

After the country is in peace, I want to entrust the reign to you, Azai Nagamasa.

Are you saying you would hand over your supremacy to me?

When that time comes, Oda Nobunaga would be fine to be Azai Nagamasa's subordinate.

You think of me that much…

This is European Sake made from grapes.

So this is European.

Oichi told me this was your favorite.

Is Oichi doing well?

Yes.

She gave birth to a healthy child the other day, and wishing to delight you.

I see. So she had a child.

Creating an heir is my duty as a lord of the Azai clan.

But my heart is forever with Miss Ocho, who is also Nobunaga-sama.

From the Capital, Sir Akechi Mitsuhide sent a fast horse carrier to Gifu.

I report.

While you were away from the Capital, internal hostile

forces were plotting to attack the shogunate.

They didn't understand our mercy to keep them alive.

Let's hurry to the capital at once.

If Sir Yoshiaki was killed, our supremacy would go back to the start line.

But because of sudden snow the troops were slow to move forward.

We cannot proceed in this snow.

It's alright. Mitsuhide is in the Capital.

Even so, do you think he would be able to protect?

Since North Oumi is closer to the Capital, Sir

Azai Nagamasa should hurry in to the Capital.

This may become his best accomplishment yet.

You don't have to go, Nagamasa. Sir Asakura also agreed.

Why should we devote any more to Sir Nobunaga

who didn't even grant you a noble position?

Father, Oda Nobunaga is a military commander

who would always reward hard work.

Keep your faith in him and wait.

Did something happen between you and Sir Nobunaga?

Sir Asakura, what do you mean by that?

If you are the youthful vigor I knew, you'd rather nip Nobunaga's

chance in the bud, and rise for the supremacy yourself!

How about keeping some distance from him?

What are you scheming?

Is it really OK to hand over the supremacy to Nobunaga just like this?

Any commander ought to think like this!

Sir Nagamasa, it's time to get ready.

I have my own way of doing things!

You are just being used by Oda Nobunaga!

Are you departing to the battle front again?

For you, Oda Nobunaga is more precious than anything else.

Are you trying to criticize me, too?

I just want you to hold Chacha at least once!

Don't get carried away as a mere substitute!

Did you just say “substitute”?

Isn't it the truth?

You married me as your sister's substitute who

can't marry anyone due to her pity fate, right?

Did you just say “sister”?

Not a brother, but a sister.

Not as a man but as a woman, you have been having an intimate relationship with her?

Haven't you been told about that?

That's why I've been treated as a stratagem.

My lord! My lord!

Depart to the battle!

We are too late.

Surely, Sir Yoshiaki is already…

Father! Father! Father!

Finally you arrived! I have been just praying and eagerly awaiting you!

Sir Yoshiaki, are you OK?

Thanks to a very brave samurai, I narrowly escaped death.

It was Azai Nagamasa, right?

Ah, no.

Of course both Sir Nagamasa and Sir leyasu came for me to get rid of enemy soldiers.

However, closing on the enemy and escaping a

desperate situation was Mitsuhide's tactics.

Mitsuhide's tactics?

Get in position!

Ready!

Fire!

He lined up soldiers there with Tanegashima rifles then

enemies had nowhere to run but to become helpless targets.

Nobunaga-sama!

Mitsuhide, is this another European style from Spain?

I copied strategy from an Italian fortress. It's the cross fire tactics.

Italian tactics?

Without Mitsuhide I would have been dead.

That Mitsuhide also took a bullet on his chest.

A bullet on your chest?

I'm ashamed to admit such an error.

But fortunately, I was saved by this

European armor I received from a missionary!

Here.

Nobunaga-sama, you use this from now on.

So this is European style armor!

Sir Yoshiaki. Akechi Mitsuhide will be employed by the Oda clan from now on.

Any objections?

If that's what you say, father, then of course.

Then, for this achievement, I grant Mitsuhide the reward amount of 4,000.

4,000?!

But he just became our commander!

What do you think, Mitsuhide? Unsatisfied?

No, for someone like me.

Thank you very much. It is a grateful honor!

Aren't you drinking today?

I don't feel like drinking.

Before coming over to the previous battle, I had dispute with my father.

But I shook him off and departed.

For that, I want a reward.

I told you to increase your achievement if you wanted a noble position.

Wasn't this battle a good enough achievement?

You helped, but leyasu of Mikawa also did.

Furthermore, your achievement didn't exceed that of Katsuie and Hideyoshi either.

In addition, Mitsuhide's great strategy.

Do you also have intimate relationships with them?

Answer me honestly!

Intimate? Nobody.

I won't accept lies.

I never lie.

What's so funny?

I am happy to have you jealous.

My insecure feeling caused by Oichi. Same is happening to you.

That made me happy!

I am not talking about that.

I'm only thinking about you and no one else!

I'm talking about the title.

I swear I haven't changed my mind about entrusting my supremacy to you.

So you vow to me too.

You'll have faith in me over your father!

I see. Was that so?

Our lord is a woman!

That explains everything!

That secret could stir things up significantly.

You didn't tell anyone else, did you?

Of course not.

Good. That secret must not be revealed to anyone.

Hideyoshi-sama?

I want this to be my own as the final tactic.

Good job!

After that, Nobunaga-sama constructed Nijo Castle in the

Capital for securing the shogunate and Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

I'm overjoyed, father.

With such an extraordinary castle, my authority would be even more powerful.

Furnishing a tearoom with first class tea utensils would be even better.

Of course, I'm not forgetting about your compensation father.

I will give you a position as a vice-shogun.

Let us govern Japan together.

Don't get me wrong.

The one giving rewards is someone above you. It's me.

Keep in your mind that the one ruling the country is this Nobunaga.

Ashikaga Yoshiaki is merely a puppet.

My lord, you are being too rude.

Mitsuhide, are you siding with this puppet?

A Puppet?

Please control yourself.

It's because you have spoiled him to begin with!

Thus this puppet got puffed up.

Shogun is here because of Nobunaga. It's not Nobunaga is here because of Shogun.

Have him write a pledge for that.

Until then, you won't be allowed to come inside Gifu castle.

Countryside Daimyo is being carried away.

Perhaps I sided with a wrong person.

What's up?

There is a suspicious movement within the shogunate.

Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki has been sending letters

to many daimyos to defeat Nobunaga-sama.

To Mouri of the Southwest, Takeda of Kai, and Uesugi of Echigo.

Especially he seems to have the highest

expectations to Sir Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen.

That's the same person who hid Sir Yoshiaki and employed Sir Mitsuhide in the past.

What are you trying to say?

Just in case Sir Mitsuhide was a part of this betrayal.

Mitsuhide is a traitor? On what ground?

I just think we need to be cautious.

Sir Mitsuhide visited Gifu at the end of that year.

How awkward.

Refusing to see you because he dislikes Sir Yoshiaki and blaming you on that.

Even I have tough time to comprehend my lord's moody temper.

I had an important thing to tell him.

I will see you some other time.

Since you came over.

Ocho has been looking forward to hearing more about your European stories.

Then, I will show you an European map which I brought for our lord.

By connecting Barcelona, Valencia, Genoa and Naples via

their harbors, Spain succeeded to secure their prosperity.

Most likely, our lord is thinking of something similar.

Delivering goods gathered in northern port of Tsuruga to Otsu via Lake Biwa.

And build commerce routes to Kyoto, Sakai, and Kusatsu.

So we can create a wealthy country that doesn't fall behind Spain.

No, perhaps he may be thinking about creating entirely new Japan.

A new Japan?

A country which is built by people without war.

A country without war?

For that sake, Tsuruga harbor must be secured first.

To do that, Echizen's Asakura who governs Tsuruga needs to be defeated.

Defeating the Asakura Clan?

Did Nobunaga-sama say so?

No. But if our lord knew what Yoshiaki-sama is scheming with

Sir Asakura, I'm sure he would be setting off to Echizen.

But, is Sir Asakura that capable of an enemy?

The one I am afraid of is not Sir Asakura, but Sir Azai Nagamasa.

If the Azai rose their army after the Oda is inside Echizen, then the Oda

would be in a difficult situation by getting caught between the two armies.

Because Sir Nagamasa is an ambitious commander above the rest, he

may be thinking about defeating Oda Nobunaga for his own supremacy.

That's ridiculous. There is no way.

Ocho!

Don't you think you are saying offensive

things to both Sir Nagamasa and Nobunaga-sama?

Miss Ocho.

Not knowing what would happen next is exactly what the war era is about.

Akechi Mitsuhide is remarkable.

Are you saying he guessed everything?

No. He has been thinking further ahead than me.

Sometimes I get scared of Mitsuhide's intelligence.

He made me support the shogunate and moving me to attack the Asakura.

He could be a dangerous vassal who is trying to manipulate Nobunaga.

We need a justification to defeat the Asakura clan.

A justification?

For preventing the union of strong daimyos, who

don't favor rise of the Oda, to come against us.

What to do for that?

And then, everything happened as Sir Mitsuhide predicted.

Nobunaga-sama met with Emperor Ougimachi all by himself

to display his ranking to be equal as a shogun.

As a representative of the shogunate, Nobunaga-sama will proceed to the capital.

Therefore, come over to greet. Send such letters to daimyos of the country.

Because Sir Asakura is very arrogant, he would be sure to ignore that.

Then, we would have a good justification as to defeat the rebel.

Shutting out powerful commanders with the shogunate

authority would promise Nobunaga-sama's victory.

In a rare possibility of the defeat, our lord would

be the rebel and what's ahead would be hell.

You were born to be an heir of the Oda clan in this war era.

What do you see ahead of the battle?

Peaceful country.

And then, in April.

Nobunaga-sama has deployed for defeating the Asakura clan with 30,000 soldiers.

What? They attacked the Asakura knowing our relationship with them?

My brother does an awful thing.

However, Sir Asakura is the one who went against

Sir Nobunaga as a the shogunate representative.

You don't have to hide it.

I heard this from your father.

You got letter from Ashikaga Yoshiaki-sama, didn't you?

If you defeat Nobunaga, then you would be granted a position as a shogun's deputy.

If that happened, Nagamasa-sama would replace Oda Nobunaga.

Are you telling me to defeat Sir Nobunaga?

To me, he is a dear brother since young.

However, he killed his own brother for his supremacy.

You hate being Nobunaga's substitute that much?

Naturally, for a woman.

You are at the crucial moment, Nagamasa-sama.

I guess, it's impossible, isn't it?

Oda army has kept conquering Tezutsuyama castle,

Kanegasaki castle and Hikita castle in row and

reached the Sea of Japan. There, Nobunaga-sama

finally took over long wished Tsuruga port.

Nobunaga-sama's dream of creating a peaceful

nation was almost becoming a reality.

This ocean with the passage to China is already yours, my lord.

This will make a path for commerce from Tsuruga port ready.

By the way, my lord.

Sir Tokugawa leyasu came over all the way

form Mikawa, but where is Sir Azai Nagamasa?

I didn't ask Sir Nagamasa to deploy any soldiers.

What!?

Were you considering about their relationship with the Asakura?

However, if his father Sir Hisamasa convinced him to side with the Asakura?

Nagamasa will come here on his own will for sure.

Why do you think so?

That is….

Because he is in love with Oda Nobunaga.

But. My lord.

I report, my lord.

There is some movement in Odani Castle.

Is Nagamasa finally coming?

According to our sources, Sir Azai has deployed 3,000 soldiers.

That would be a reassuring reinforcement.

That won't be reinforcement.

What?

Azai Army is preparing to shut our retreat route.

Preparing to shut us out? Don't tell me uncertain thing!

The Azai is our ally and also our lord's brother in law.

It's too quick to determine as a betrayal.

It is justifiable to assume them sending us reinforcement.

If so, then a messenger should have been here.

If they were planning be on our side, they should have been moving much earlier.

Moving at this timing must mean that the Asakura and

the Azai are planning to catch us between the two.

What would you know about Nagamasa?

Betrayal would be an absurd!

Trying to give me unnecessary concerns.

What are you trying to do?

This could be a trap.

The Asakura could have set this up to confuse us.

They could have given our agents false information intentionally.

That's right. That must be it.

Anyways, I will verify the detail.

Is Sir Tokichiro Hideyoshi here!? Tokichiro!

What's the matter, Koroku? What's with this arrow?

I was attacked by Azai Nagamasa army from the back.

Attacked by Sir Nagamasa?

This is the result of loosening our guard by assuming them as allies.

Does this mean they raised army against us by betraying our alliance?

This must be some misunderstanding. This is also a trap by the Asakura.

I need to double check the detail.

My lord.

I report to my lord.

What is it, leyasu?

There is a guy who has a message from Oichi-sama of Odani Castle.

Here is her comfort gift.

From Oichi?

Red beans as a comfort gift?

Could this be some kind of message?

All ends of bags are shut with strings.

With my guess, this means Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen in

the front and Azai Nagamasa of North Oumi in the back.

Meaning, our army's retreat routes were shut.

Rat in a bag? Ridicules!!

How do you know this was really sent by Oichi?

This is.

This is what Oichi-sama has been using.

Sir Nagamasa's betrayal is already an unconditional fact.

If so, we are literally rats in a bag surrounded

by enemies in the front and the back.

It is critical.

Oichi-sama must have sent a message with same feeling.

She must have wanted to save you, my lord.

No.

Oichi has a good reason to betray me.

Anyways, for the time being, you must retreat now.

To run away?

What's there to afraid?

Just attack Odani and defeat Nagamasa.

But that would turn everything in to our enemy's expectation.

If we didn't escape, Nobunaga-sama's life would be in danger.

However, even escaping from here is very difficult now.

Go over Kuchiki Mountain, and then escape to Kyoto with minimal number.

I have arranged replacement hoses at a lake front inn just for this kind of occasion.

Were you expecting this to happen from the beginning?

Are you saying you were sure about Nagamasa's betrayal?

Saving our lord's life is vassal's duty.

Please hurry. The capital may be full of rumors already.

Sir Yoshiaki might get moving on this occasion.

It is important to display your wellbeing in the capital and subside the turmoil.

Leave anything else up to me.

I will lead a last unit guard with my life.

Don't get carried away. I can't leave that duty only to you.

Then, let me!

No. Saru.

You stay here with Mitsuhide and lead the last unit guard.

Get the horse!

Everything became just as Sir Mitsuhide predicted.

Sir Mitsuhide, are your eyes facing our lord?

Or, facing Sir Yoshiaki?

Else looking at your own ambition?

That's the biggest mystery to me right now.

My wish is to create a peaceful nation. That's all.

Let's defeat Oda Nobunaga and display Azai Nagamasa as the ruler of this country.

I see. Sir Nagamasa has betrayed.

Nobunaga-sama had two sentiments in her heart when

she was given no choice but to retreat unexpectedly.

One was the terror toward now enemy Sir Nagamasa publicizing the

secret and losing everything she has built and ruin the Oda household.

You became a successor of the Oda household and be a strong man!

As a leader of the Oda, lead the country to the peace

with balance. That the destiny of Oda Nobunaga!!

No matter what kind of blood you are born into, the

world can be changed depending on how you do it.

I can't entrust the Oda household to a woman.

Be majestic as a man.

I want to create a country without war.

A country without war?

To Nobunaga as a woman, I would like to entrust that dream of mine.

And then the other one was….

After all, you have female blood in you.

It is customary for women of the war era to live as a stratagem.

What I am afraid of is Sir Azai Nagamasa.

I want to entrust my supremacy to Azai Nagamasa.

Sir Nagamasa's betrayal is already an unconditional fact.

But my heart is forever with Miss Ocho, who is also Nobunaga-sama.

It was a sorrow of Ocho as a woman who was betrayed by Sir Nagamasa.

Make Nagamasa learn how imprudent to betray me!

I am the one who rule the country!

After all, men are creatures who just want to display their powers.

If you are just seeking puppets who only reply “as

you wish”, then don't have a council to begin with.

I am not being Nobunaga with my own wish!

If my feeling for Sir Mitsuhide is answered, I don't mind losing my life.

I wish I could be an ordinary woman by throwing away Nobunaga.

I was wondering if something had happened between the two.

Between the two?

I don't wish to depend on a man.

It is all for the creation of peaceful country.

Burn down the Hieizan-temple? To attack with fire?

Why this killing? What is this killing for?

Please kill Nobunaga. Nobunaga!

I regret to be born as a woman.

Not all men are heartless toward women.

I got hold of very important secret in my hand.

I have a final tactic which no one else has.

Takeda of Kai has moved!?

They deployed 30,000 soldiers.

What had happened?

It's hell.

Make me a wife of the ruler.

It sounds as if you are recommending me to rebel.

To the battle field!

The time has come.

My lord, it's the rebellion.

This is an excellent answer.

Use Nobunaga being a woman for your

motivation and try slicing my neck in sleep.