Chapter 12 Part 3 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!

1535 (Tenbun era, year 4)

TL: Yuina

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　Before dawn on November 15, I was sleeping in the main hall of Inabayama Castle when I was awakened by the sound of a heavy bell.

　Hearing the soldiers of the turret shouting, I felt a sense of déjà vu similar to when we had an emergency at the hospital and jumped out of bed, left the room in my nightclothes, and saw the castle town in the distance dyed red.

"Is it on fire!? Who is it!"

"Young master! Here!"

　Two alarmed soldiers shouted and came in.

"Do you know what is happening?"

"I am sorry, I'm going to check the watchtower right now."

"Contact Uncle and Lady! I'll go to the castle town to check the situation!"

"But-"

"Hurry up! Some people still remain in the castle town!"

　I can't relax since those lives are under my responsibility. Returning to the room, I grabbed the cloth bundle with the medical supplies I had prepared just in case, then headed out.

　A few soldiers tried to stop me at the castle gate, so I told them, "Follow me instead!" When I was on my way to Inoguchi [1], I found that a place closer to the outer periphery than the area where the samurai lived was burning.

　As the soldiers were sprinting while beingkeeping aware of their surroundings, those who were not on duty, ran out and soon caught up to them.

"Report! I saw that the fire was rising from Jozai Temple and Mononobe Shrine!"

"Thank you for your hard work! Then head to Jozai Temple!"

　I turned in my steps to the Jozai Temple, which would be crowded with people. On my way, I saw many soldiers gathering, it seems that they found Asakura's ninja and killed him. They said he ran away when they called out to his suspicious clothes and movements. I let one person join our group and headed for Jozai Temple.

　When we approached the temple, the surrounding area was already brightly illuminated with flames. I saw several people leaning against the walls on the street, so I called out to them.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"When I ran away I twisted my leg a little, but that's all. More than that, the others..."

"All right. Take this and wrap it around your arm."

　After I saw the wound, I handed him a belt-like cloth dyed green, proceed to the next one. I ordered my men to gather people around me.

"Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I got a burn on my left hand and hit my waist, but I can still walk. I'm such a terrible priest, I should have burned entirely there."

"All right. Wrap this around your right arm."

　Although the wound turned red, I judged that it would not be life-threatening. I took a yellow cloth and headed towards the place where I was told that there was a seriously injured person.

　Triage is the key to saving lives at disaster sites. I'm glad I made reserves of old pieces of cloth in advance.

　Even those who were called severely injured did not have black wounds (in other words, skin that could not revive). Only one person had a red burn. That was it.

"Nichigyo-sama!"

"Toyotamaru-dono... this priest is so useless. I only have a few days left. I'll treat the other people..."

　Nichigyo-sama was the most seriously injured one. But he still wanted to help.

"For those who have suffered burns, cool them with water and cover them on the spot! I will treat Nichigyo! You, you, and you, go fetch some water! Arrange for the people with a yellow cloth to get treated first, get the burns cooled with water or applied with medicine! Quick!!"

"Yes!"

　Under my wathful eye, the soldiers started to do as they were told. The medicine I gave them was Shiunko ointment [2]. This was enough for the first stage burns. Since I cultivated the plants I got from Ming, I've been able to make a lot of medicine recently. I got the sesame oil from a family of oil merchants, so I was able to prepare quite a lot. The pork oil was replaced with wild boar oil, so the smell should be improved. I had one pot of medium size, so it was going to be enough.

　After confirming that the soldiers had started to move as instructed, a young priest approached when I was about to start treating Nichigyo.

"Young master, I am not hurt. I'll help you."

"Then I hope you'll take good care of those with a yellow cloth who were entrusted to the soldiers."

"Certainly... Is there any way to save Nichigyo-sama?"

"It's okay. I will definitely save him."

　He stared straight at me with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through me, and said after a few moments,

"Please. Nichigyo-sama is the master of this monk."

　Then he went on to the yellow patients. I regained my mind and finally faced Nichigyo.

　The Shiunkou ointment was not good for him. There were blisters in some places on his skin. In such a state, I will have the Shinsen Taitsukou. Although some materials don't actually grow in Mino, they are still excellent, combined with Shiunkou. However, it is difficult to obtain beeswax, so I have to start the beekeeping as soon as possible.

　The scalp is also burned, which was the worst. It is tough to treat it in this era, but I can manage it.

"I'm saved because there was a cow that died the other day."

　I can apply cow bile to burns on the scalp. One component of bile is steroid. I don't know if I'll have time to isolate it. But it's the best remedy for burns I can get now.

"It's okay. This will be cured, Nichigyo-sama."

"Toyotamaru-sama, you..."

"I won't let you die. Please wait for me here."

　After making a light smile to reassure him, I left Nichigyo in the care of the soldiers who came to replace me. The momentum of the fire is weakening probably because the surrounding buildings are almost burnt. Let's leave it to my uncle. I headed for the group with a yellow cloth wrapped around their arms.

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[1] The castle-town of Inoguchi was later renamed Gifu.

[2] Shiunko Ointment is a traditional Japanese remedy used in moxibustion therapy, mainly used as a protective barrier between the skin and burning moxa.