Chapter 9 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

Editor: Yuina

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　Kamaha Castle, Omi Province

　The next day and thereafter, we proceeded to Omi without making any significant detours. Along the way, as I caught a glimpse of Sekigahara [1], I couldn't help but ponder whether this would become the site of a decisive battle that would shape the nation's destiny. For now, it's merely a vast expanse of plain covered in an abundance of grass, rendering its cultivation a laborious task.

　Incidentally, I didn't get a chance to catch a glimpse of Lake Biwa (known as Omi Lake [2]). The path gradually turned into a mountainous trail, causing discomfort even while riding on horseback, with the scenery offering little variety. Some of our retainers had to walk, gasping for breath as they climbed the steep paths. It was a bit heartbreaking to witness their struggles, and there were moments when they seemed like children unable to hold their urge to use the restroom. Nevertheless, our loyal retainers walked without a single complaint. Observing them on horseback, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. We had prepared an ample supply of salt, not just for the horses but also for the humans, hoping it would provide some comfort and motivation during the challenging journey.

　Upon our arrival at Kamaha Castle in Omi Province, we discovered that all the participants, except for the Shogunate's envoy, had already gathered.

　After settling into our assigned residence and changing into formal attire, we received word that the Ashikaga Shogunate's envoy had arrived. Hastily preparing ourselves, my father and I made our way towards the main building [3] of Kamaha Castle.

　Come to think of it, Kamaha Castle has stone walls, unlike Inabayama Castle. I wonder why that is.

　Overall, this castle appears to be more robust in its construction. Could it be due to its susceptibility to attacks or perhaps the wealth of its lord?

　As my father proceeded into one of the rooms in the main building, I was instructed to wait in an adjacent room.

　It seems that I won't be directly involved in the discussions between the daimyos (feudal lords). A sense of relief washed over me.

　I greeted a boy around the same age as me, dressed in formal samurai attire, who was already present in the room. Seizing the opportunity, I decided to strike up a conversation. To be honest, it was merely a way to pass the time under the pretense of gathering information.

"Nice to meet you. I am Toyotamaru, the eldest son of Nagai Sakon no daibu Norihide, and we serve under Toki Sakyo no daibu Yorinari-sama."

"Ah, um, I am Soregashi. I am the son of Rokkaku Yoshihisa."

　Soregashi-kun, of the Rokkaku clan, seemed somewhat uneasy, his gaze wandering. There was no distinct impression of rigorous training evident in his physique. In terms of height, I was even slightly taller.

"It's good to have someone to talk to. I haven't been fully informed about the purpose of our summons. My father hasn't shared many details with me."

　Even during our time in Ogaki, I still wasn't informed about the purpose of our mission. If I were to embark on such a journey without prior knowledge, I would have preferred the company of a rakugo storyteller.

"I-I see. I am already aware of the reasons why everyone has been summoned here, which makes me a bit... uneasy."

"You're fortunate. I wish my father would learn from yours."

"Father... you say..."

　He then fell into a meaningful silence. To prevent the conversation from becoming monotonous, I continued to engage him in dialogue, hoping to elicit more responses. As it turned out, Soregashi was a year older than me. I had assumed we were the same age, but in an era where birth months were often unknown, it was difficult to ascertain the exact age difference.

　His mother was Azai Chiyozuru, the elder sister of the current head of the Asai clan. His father, Rokkaku Yoshihisa, was originally the heir to the Rokkaku clan. However, due to the premature passing of his grandfather, Rokkaku Takayori, the current successor, Rokkaku Danjo [4] Sadayori, took over. However, since Sadayori-sama proved to be exceptionally talented, when the time came for Yoshihisa to undergo his coming of age ceremony, the retainers proposed, "Let Sadayori-sama continue governing Omi, while Yoshihisa-sama will be serving the shogun." And that has been the status quo ever since.

　It's a classic case of a power struggle [6] within a family, even if it's within the same household.

　If it were me, I would prefer if you straightforwardly expressed your desire to take over the family without any hassle. I'm willing to step aside. Considering the lack of overtime pay for higher positions, I'd rather avoid being taken advantage of and burdened with excessive responsibilities.

　Soregashi doesn't seem particularly interested in becoming the head either, so he doesn't seem to mind. He displays great magnanimity and broad-mindedness.

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[1] The Battle of Sekigahara was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600, that preceded the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

[2] Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located entirely within Shiga Prefecture (west-central Honshu), northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto.

The lake was formerly known as the Awaumi (淡海, Freshwater Sea) or the Chikatsu Awaumi (近淡海, Freshwater Sea Near [the Capital]). Later the pronunciation Awaumi changed to the modern Ōmi as in the name of Ōmi Province. The lake is also called Nio no Umi (鳰の海, "Little Grebe Lake") in literature.

[3] Honmaru "本丸" is a term used in Japanese castles to refer to the central area of the castle complex. It consists of a series of fortified enclosures known as "kurawas" and encompasses the main keep (tenshu) and the residence of the castle lord. In times of battle, the honmaru serves as the last line of defense, typically located at the highest point in a hilltop castle or at the innermost area in a flatland castle.

[4] Danjo - a judge (of the Imperial Prosecuting and Investigating Office); judicial officer; minister of justice

[5] Rokkaku Sadayori was the 2nd son of Rokkaku Takayori. As a youth he was sent to study at the Sôkokuji in Kyoto but returned to secular life after his elder brother was badly wounded in battle. He became lord of the Rokkaku and resided at Kannonji castle. He aided Ôuchi Yoshioki during the latter's tenure as kanrei and fought under him against Hosokawa Sumimoto at the battle of Funaokayama in 1511. He later clashed with the emerging Asai family of northern Ômi. 

[6] Gekokujō ​(that I largely translated to power struggle) is a Japanese term variously translated as the lower rules the higher or the low overcomes the high. The phenomenon became prevalent during the Warring States period (1467–1573), starting with the Ōnin War when the power of the Muromachi Shogunate ended in factional strife and the burning of Kyoto. Without the imprimatur of the shogunate, provincial daimyo were vulnerable to being overthrown by forces both from without and within their domains.