Akechi Jūbei Mitsuhide

It was three days before Frois's letter arrived that Ryōsai and Orsanti of the Nanban temple were secretly informed of Nobunaga's illness. The highly classified matter of the critical condition of the man who was about to become ruler of the realm. It was none other than Nobunaga himself who ordered that this information be conveyed to the foreigners. And the one who served as messenger was Koretō Hyūga-no-kami, Akechi Jūbei Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide had experience studying medicine in his youth. Therefore, Mitsuhide assisted the attending physicians and dealt with Nobunaga's treatment. It was on an early summer night that Mitsuhide suddenly came to visit the Nanban temple.

"Lord Ryōsai, Lord Orsanti. I have come to this Nanban temple on Lord Nobunaga's orders. What I am about to tell you must not be spoken of to anyone. Even among the retainers, only a few including myself know this. And we Japanese who serve Lord Nobunaga with loyalty will never let this leak. Therefore, should anyone else come to know of this, we shall conclude that all such rumors originated from you two, and you will be beheaded immediately without question. Is that understood?"

Ryōsai and Orsanti, seeing Mitsuhide's menacing expression, realized there was no room for objection. They would prefer not to hear such secrets at all. However, Mitsuhide himself, now said to be Nobunaga's right hand, had come in person. The two Christians could only prostrate themselves and listen.

"Lord Nobunaga has been struck by an illness of unknown cause. It has been a full month now. At first, he said it was merely fatigue from falconry in the summer heat and inspecting castle construction. However, the weakness has become more serious day by day, and now he can barely swallow food."

Having spoken thus far, Mitsuhide fell silent. He waited for Ryōsai to convey this in Portuguese for Orsanti, whose Japanese was not proficient. Upon hearing Ryōsai's words, Orsanti's face visibly paled.

"That Lord Nobunaga should be in such a condition. What a terrible thing. However, being Lord Nobunaga, he will surely overcome this illness and eventually rule this land far and wide—of this there is no doubt. Let us pray with all our might to God Deus that He may save Lord Nobunaga's life."

Hearing this, Mitsuhide showed a slight mocking expression, relaxing his lips.

"Prayer? Lord Orsanti has only recently arrived in Kyoto. You do not know that lord well. Prayer is what our lord most detests. When Lord Nobunaga hears your foolish words, should his lordship be in an ill temper, your head will fly immediately. Be careful."

Hearing Mitsuhide's words filled with anger and cold ridicule, Ryōsai and Orsanti merely maintained silence. Mitsuhide glanced at them and continued.

"I have some knowledge of medicine. I studied it briefly in my youth. Therefore, I have been assisting the attending physicians in treating Lord Nobunaga, but the situation only worsens. The cause is unknown. Our medical arts are getting us nowhere. So then. I want you to arrange for a Nanban physician. Within twenty days."

"Twenty days..."

Upon hearing this, despair appeared on both men's faces. Casting his unseeing eyes into the void, Ryōsai squeezed out trembling words.

"Twenty days would be difficult, Lord Mitsuhide. About ten years ago, in Bungo in Kyushu, Master Luis Almeida operated a Nanban medical clinic. He was a physician who had received medical education in Portugal. However, he closed the clinic many years ago. There are no Nanban physicians in Japan now. To call one from Macao would take several months at minimum."

"I did not come to hear such talk! Twenty days! If it cannot be done, consider your lives forfeit. Without Lord Nobunaga's protection, your fate would be like a candle in the wind anyway. Bring that Almeida! Even if his skills are rusty, he is still a Nanban physician!"

Ryōsai, while greatly flustered by this anger, still desperately continued speaking.

"Please forgive my rudeness. However, as Lord Mitsuhide also has knowledge of medicine, I believe you will understand. A doctor is only a doctor with medicine. For sword wounds, holes opened by guns, broken bones and such, there may be some treatments besides medicine. But regarding his lordship's symptoms as I understand them—ailments of the internal organs, or perhaps mental illness—Master Almeida likely has no adequate Nanban medicines at hand now. A Nanban physician without Nanban medicines can be of no use whatsoever."

"I see. Thank you for that clear explanation. But then, I have no further use for you. Sit here and wait for death. Pray to that Deus of yours for your lives as much as you like. However, should anything happen to his lordship, remember well that it will not be that false god of your heretical religion who holds power over your life and death, but this Jūbei!"

Saying this, Mitsuhide rose to leave. Immediately Orsanti clung to his sleeve, desperately trying to detain him.

"P-please wait! We understand, Lord Mitsuhide. We will somehow bring Master Almeida. Master Almeida is now engaged in missionary work in Bungo. Master Frois is also in Bungo. We will contact Master Frois and somehow bring Master Almeida within twenty days."

Mitsuhide stopped at these words and showed a cold smile.

"Frois, eh? That is good. That man is quite resourceful. His Japanese is also excellent. He will be useful in searching for this Almeida fellow. When you find him, have Frois come to the capital as well. His lordship will be pleased. However, naturally you must not tell Frois of Lord Nobunaga's illness either. Say that this Jūbei is critically ill. You may treat this information loosely. We might even flush out some hidden badgers in the process. Listen well. Akechi Jūbei is critically ill. Therefore, Lord Nobunaga, being considerate of his retainers, is urgently searching for a Nanban physician. Bring a Nanban physician with this reasoning."

Having thrown out these words, Mitsuhide departed the Nanban temple like the wind. All of Mitsuhide's behavior spoke of this man's open distrust toward Christians. Yet neither was this man one who would offer his life in submission to Buddhism. The only person this man had acknowledged as having the right to govern him was, for now, his lord Oda Nobunaga alone. If it was his master's command, he would not hesitate to set fire to Mount Hiei with his right hand to burn Buddhist monks to death, while skillfully utilizing Christians with his left hand. However, few knew that deep within him dwelt something else—a conviction as hard as rock.

The Nanban Physician Search Plan

Immediately after Mitsuhide's departure, Ryōsai and Orsanti abandoned all their scheduled activities and devoted all their efforts to planning the search for Almeida. Everything was top secret. They had to decide everything between themselves and act accordingly. This must never be known to the Grand Visitor Valignano, who would arrive in Japan soon. The general direction of the search had already been determined. It would not be wise for the blind Ryōsai to go to Bungo himself to conduct the search. Orsanti should head to Bungo as quickly as possible and seek out Frois.

Frois might be traveling together with Almeida. At the very least, he should know of his movements. Ryōsai would remain in Kyoto, tasked with appeasing the short-tempered Mitsuhide.

Having coordinated with Ryōsai, Orsanti had already prepared for travel and found a Japanese ship bound for Nagasaki. Fortunately, a large merchant vessel from a textile dealer was departing Sakai the day after tomorrow. If he left Kyoto tomorrow morning and took a full day to reach Sakai, he would easily make the ship departing the day after.

At that moment, a young man who was studying sacred music and organ at the Nanban temple entered their office hesitantly. The young man, who had been given the baptismal name Miguel, carried a letter. The address was written in ink on Japanese paper. Even from a distance, it was immediately apparent that the sender was Japanese.

"Lord Ryōsai. A letter has arrived from your hometown."