Chapter Six - The Great Reversal

Tanba Kameyama Castle

Three years had passed since the religious debate at Azuchi Castle. June 2nd, Tensho 10th year. The era had reached a turning point. This was Tanba Kameyama Castle. The time was the hour of the rat. Akechi Jūbei Mitsuhide, clad in indigo armor, faced four retainers and opened fire.

"Our enemy is not the Mōri. It lies at Honnō-ji."

Mitsuhide's eyes gleamed with an eerie brilliance as he spoke these words. Something glimmering appeared faintly in the eyes of Saitō Kuranosuke Toshimitsu.

"What a wise decision you have made!"

Mitsuhide nodded without a word, fixed his gaze on the remaining three men, and quietly continued.

"Nobunaga is an enemy of the Imperial Court. I can no longer forgive him. Humble though I am, I have devoted half my life to the Ashikaga house and refined myself through service. It is the destiny of the military leader to kneel before the Imperial Court and support it. I have never once doubted this in my entire life. The Shogun can rule the people of Japan only with the protection and sanction of the Emperor."

Mitsuhide paused there and took one deep breath.

"But what is that man! He makes the people pray to stones as divine objects, meddles in calendar reforms that should be permitted only to the Court, and even tramples upon imperial edicts for the three highest offices! That is not all. His intimidating behavior during the military parade, summoning His Majesty to his castle with the arrogant intention of looking down from that vulgar tower. He even attempts to dictate the Emperor's abdication. That man seeks to usurp the throne of Japan!"

The faces of the three men—Akechi Samanosuke Hidemitsu, Akechi Jiemon, and Fujita Denshichirō—swelled red like balloons filled with blood. Mitsuhide gazed intently into all their eyes.

"It was not always so. He once built castles for the impoverished Emperor and dedicated them to His Majesty, supporting the Imperial Court. However, as he grasped control of the realm, that man's vision became clouded. Looking back now, perhaps from the very beginning he regarded His Majesty as nothing more than a stepping stone. Now, I am the only one who can stop him. And now is the only time!"

Samanosuke no longer attempted to wipe away his overflowing tears.

"Yesterday, I received a heavenly mandate. The overcast sky suddenly darkened. And at that moment, the sun peeking through the gaps in the clouds was half eclipsed! The people of this nation have been able to sustain their lives because the Emperor, connected to the ancient gods, has continued to illuminate this world. Now, that Emperor is about to be violated by evil. I shall punish this evil for the sake of Japan! Is righteousness on our side?"

"Righteousness is on our side! Lord Jūbei, please use our lives as you see fit!"

Fujita Denshichirō responded with a trembling voice.

Mitsuhide met everyone's eyes and nodded deeply. He stood up and shouted.

"The enemy lies at Honnō-ji!"

No shadow of hesitation remained in Mitsuhide's expression as he uttered these words.

Honnō-ji

The eastern sky was beginning to whiten slightly. Oda Nobunaga was already awake. From within his bedding, he stared at the ceiling.

"Croak, croak."

Nobunaga was startled and half-raised himself to look toward the sound. His eyes caught sight of a three-legged toad-shaped incense burner. It was a Chinese treasure that had long been preserved in this temple. Though he should not have been able to hear it, the croaking resonated clearly in Nobunaga's mind.

(How strange.)

He muttered this to himself. He rose from bed. Still wearing his white undergarment, he opened the sliding door. He crossed the corridor. He went outside. He drew water from the well. He cupped it in his hands. He wetted his face. He looked up at the sky. The cold air of dawn moved slightly, caressing his wet cheeks. The heat was drawn away. Pure strength surged through his entire body.

(Peace throughout the realm—the time has come. Now, let me accomplish it.)

At that moment, a sound familiar from battlefields rang in Nobunaga's ears.

"Whoosh. Thud, thud, thud!"

In that instant, sharp pain shot through his right arm. Hawk feathers fluttered down from the arrow that had pierced him.

"To arms! To arms! Enemy attack!"

Armored soldiers came pouring into the temple grounds, scaling walls, breaking through gates. Ranmaru shouted.

"Blue bellflowers! Akechi Jūbei! Mitsuhide's rebellion!"

Hearing this, Nobunaga looked up at the heavens.

(Jūbei. I see. Jūbei. So it is you.)

After a moment, Nobunaga shouted to Ranmaru.

"Bring me a bow! Let the ladies escape through the back!"

Having said this, Nobunaga shot arrow after arrow at the bellflower soldiers attempting to climb the balustrades. The arrows were soon exhausted. Nobunaga seized a cross-spear from Ranmaru's hands and struck down the swords of approaching soldiers. However, this was no longer battle. It was a ritual of death.

Eventually, Nobunaga disappeared alone into the inner chambers. Ranmaru followed.

"It cannot be helped."

These became the final words that the Demon Lord of the Sixth Heaven left to this world. Shortly after Nobunaga's departure, flames arose in the main hall. The southern wind that began to blow at sunrise stirred up the June air. The flames swallowed this wind completely and instantly enveloped the entire main hall. A massive pillar of fire scorched the sky. The man's body, spirit, dreams, and ambitions—all who had nearly grasped control of the realm—were consumed by the flames. After the festival of fire ended, nothing remained that retained its original form.