“S-Saito Dosan has raised an army!” At the messenger's words, the atmosphere instantly froze.
That meant Mino's civil war had begun in earnest. Therefore, the Vassals' gazes turned to Oda Nobunaga. Personal Rage aside, Mino's chaos was Owari's opportunity. However... “We cannot know how the Young Lady's side will react.” Everyone here knew who the Young Lady was. Young Lady. It referred to Oda Nobuyuki. As Niwa Nagahide said, Owari was currently unstable. Making a reckless move could destabilize the Oda Family itself. Thus, no one dared to offer an opinion.
It was then. “Please grant me 300 Samurai and 700 Ashigaru.” An indifferent voice broke the silence in the meeting hall. Soon, everyone's gaze fell upon Il-yeong, the man who spoke, as he endured their stares and continued. “Though I cannot guarantee great achievements, I wish to repay the Family Head's favor by annexing even a part of Mino's territory into Owari.” It was merely 1,000 Troops.
But conversely, for hit-and-run tactics rather than a full-scale battle, it could be considered an appropriate number. Il-yeong met Nobunaga’s gaze, which was fixed on his stomach, adjusted his clothing front, and spoke. “In the current situation, this is the best course of action, Family Head. And...” For a moment, Il-yeong's gaze turned cold. “Isn't there a debt I must repay?” A debt to repay. Not only the Vassals felt a chill at those words. Therefore, Nobunaga, who had intended to refuse outright using Il-yeong's injury as an excuse, couldn't help but feel conflicted. But then. “Permit it, Family Head.” Fufu— Niwa Nagahide's voice rang out with a chuckle. When Nobunaga looked at her questioningly, Niwa Nagahide swept a finger across the fan resting on her lap and said. “I will accompany him and serve as Strategist to ensure your concerns do not materialize. Furthermore, with a total of 1,000 troops, we should be able to return with gains without significant issues.” “However, his wounds have not yet healed.” Yoshinari's voice interjected.
However, it was none other than Il-yeong who answered her words. “It’s alright.” A faint smile appeared on the lips of the man who had remained expressionless until now. Therefore, just as Nobunaga and Yoshinari's hearts were about to soften unconsciously, Il-yeong glanced back at Itsuki standing behind him and said. “I will merely command; the fighting will be done by my Vassal.” “...Bwua?” All eyes turned to Itsuki.
Thanks to this, Itsuki, unexpectedly receiving scrutiny from not only the Chief Retainers but also nameless Vassals, was flustered, but Il-yeong continued without concern. “He is a Warrior who has crossed countless lines between life and death with me. Though he may seem like a commoner now due to his lack of fame, I believe he will make a name for himself in the future.” As he said this, he flicked his clothing collar.
Naturally, the gazes directed at Il-yeong and Itsuki weren't exactly favorable. Even Hirate Masahide had enemies.
How many more enemies would Il-yeong, a man from Joseon, have? Therefore, this was partly what Il-yeong had intended. He had realized something during the earlier Surprise Attack.
It wasn't that he couldn't trust Nobunaga and Yoshinari, but there was a need to cultivate his own people to some extent. 'Especially, ninja too.' Samurai alone were insufficient to protect those precious to him. But for now, it seemed best to be content with strengthening Itsuki's position. The meeting hall froze again, but with a slightly different feeling. Some Vassals opened their mouths to object to Il-yeong's words. But then. “...Take Yoshinari with you as well.” At Nobunaga’s final words, the Vassals who were about to speak quickly shut their mouths. Since her order had been given, it was right to remain silent for now. Il-yeong slightly lowered his head.
And Yoshinari, receiving Nobunaga's gaze, nodded similarly. The eyes of the two women met.
Though no words were spoken, somehow, their intentions were conveyed. 'Hmm.' And Niwa Nagahide, watching this unfold, simply gazed at Il-yeong with peculiar eyes. After the meeting concluded, the Vassals quickly left the hall, divided by faction and thought. Soon, only the familiar faces remained inside. “Haa. This is really driving me crazy.” Oda Nobunaga's fair foot twitched as if wanting to kick Il-yeong. Simultaneously, Yoshinari's cold gaze landed on him. “Ahaha...” He scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh.
Just then, Hirate Masahide's dignified voice echoed in his ear. “I heard you interrogated the ninja.” “...Yes.” Il-yeong nodded at his adoptive father's words.
He couldn't help it, even knowing he might be reprimanded for being too harsh. It was necessary work, so he would do the same thing again. However, the answer that came back was unexpected. “Well done.” “Pardon?” He had been thinking inwardly, 'Was I perhaps a bit too harsh?' But it seemed that not only Hirate Masahide but everyone remaining here thought it was an appropriate measure. ―Indeed, these are Turbulent Times. Meanwhile, Nobunaga looked at Niwa Nagahide and Mori Yoshinari and said, “If that fool draws his sword, just kick him off his horse and drag him back forcibly.” If his wounds were completely healed, it might be different.
But if he sustained another serious injury in that state, he would truly become Il/Yeong [Dead]. Meaning, he'd die. [TL: Pun on Il-yeong's name sounding like 'zero' or 'dead' in some contexts.] As she gave this advice, the two women nodded. After things were settled, the remaining people also left the meeting hall. Il-yeong sent the women who intended to leave with him ahead, saying he would stay behind to savor the tea still on the small table. How much time passed like that? Before long, the woman Il-yeong had been waiting for arrived. “...Hi-Hikage-sama.” A woman with silver hair and silver eyes, perhaps the one who found the earlier meeting the saddest and most frightening. “Yes. Lady Nohime.” Il-yeong gazed at Nohime, who seemed to have waited for everyone else to leave, and with trembling lips, uttered the words she most likely wanted to hear. “If possible, I will try to save Lord Dosan.” And in that moment.
A tearful smile bloomed on Nohime's face. Once the deployment was decided, Il-yeong moved quickly. To avoid the eyes of Oda Nobuyuki's ninja who had infiltrated everywhere, the designated Troops disguised themselves as merchants, peasants, and the like, moving towards Mino separately. After a day passed like that, excluding those who lost their way or intentionally deserted, all the troops gathered on the plain. “There are many.” “Yes. A thousand troops is not such a small number.” Niwa Nagahide replied to Il-yeong's words.
Her long indigo hair swayed with the horse's movement, and her usual simple armor stood out. “...Geez, you could have at least consulted me.” Just then, Itsuki's voice rang out as he returned from inspecting the troop numbers. Il-yeong chuckled at Itsuki's complaint and replied. “If you don't like it, go back.” “...That's not it, though.” It might have been sudden, but Itsuki wasn't unaware of Il-yeong's intentions. He had even guessed inwardly what Il-yeong was aiming for. He stroked the better-crafted commander's Armor he was wearing, different from usual, and said. “Tsk. It does feel sturdy, though.” Unlike when he was just one of the many Samurai of the Hirate Family, Itsuki was now a Vassal Il-yeong intended to support. Naturally, the quality of the weapons and armor he wore and wielded had to change. Just then, Yoshinari, who had also returned from inspecting the troops like Itsuki, sent a gaze towards Il-yeong as if calling him. “One moment.” “Yep.” “Hmm.” Leaving Itsuki and Nagahide behind, he went towards Yoshinari. As he came close to her, Yoshinari tilted her face slightly and whispered into Il-yeong's ear. “...Wanna die?” Her voice was cold, laced with concern.
But Il-yeong, inwardly trembling, looked into Yoshinari's hardened eyes. Her eyes held many things.
Especially since she had remained silent even when Nobunaga nagged her endlessly before their departure, she was even more frightening. ―This is an undeniable fault. Knowing this, Il-yeong hesitated for a moment, lips trembling, before finally lowering his head. “...S-Sorry.” “Haa.” Yoshinari’s furrowed brow relaxed.
Her tied-up hair, peeking from behind a helmet resembling a Japanese rhinoceros beetle, swayed, and her chest, unrestrained even by the armor, bounced. “...This time, really don't fight.” In the end, that was all she could say. Il-yeong, knowing inwardly how much his decision had worried the two women, nodded and smiled. “Of course.” And just then. Ahem— Niwa Nagahide's clearing throat sounded. Il-yeong lightly patted Yoshinari's back, sending her back to her place, and turned his head. In the dead of night.
A thousand troops stood upon the plain, looking solely at Il-yeong. Il-yeong stroked the Onimaru at his waist and said. “There's no need to be tense.” There was no reason or thought to speak at length.
He simply intended to make those present face reality. “We will simply cut down the vermin of Mino who covet Owari, our families, and return.” If he could save Saito Dosan, he would.
But if he couldn't, that was that. ...Sorry, Kicho. Swallowing his last thought, Il-yeong turned his horse to face Mino and shouted. “We march!”

Setting Out for Battle