Making a God of War (Uesugi: Legednary, Domination)

[Maltz]

Echizen Yoshizaki-gobō (吉崎御坊),
Honganji's Echizen Command HQ

Shimotsuma has very thick brows. It appears even thicker under his shaved head.

Raishu: "WHAT? Nagao Kagetora is SAILING toward us?"
It looks like the Ikko-Ikki commander's eyes could pop out any moment.

Ikko-Ikki captain: "Yep. The news just reaches Echizen. Nagao Kagetora has almost all captains and soldiers of Echigo on board."
Raishu: "So is Nagao Kagetora attacking us?"
Captain: "Unlikely. Nagao Kagetora's emissary visited us last month for Buddha's birthday's celebration, re-stating that Nagao wishes to maintain peace with Honganji."
Raishu: "Maybe they tried to deceive us?... but this is not Nagao Kagetora's style."

Shimotsuma Raishu scratches his chin. What does Nagao Kagetora want to do?
Maybe he is going to Kyoto? Samurai of this era dream to march an army onto Kyoto.
Their names will be forever remembered even if they fail halfway.

Captain: "And the second issue: the emissary of Takeda asks to see you, my lord."
Raishu: "Another ceasefire plead? Well... let's see if Takeda agrees with our terms this time..."

Takeda Harunobu has repeatedly demanded absurd ceasefire conditions. This makes Shimotsuma Raishu really impatient.

***

This emissary is different. His crippled and half-blinded appearance is not exactly diplomatic.
But a monk should not judge people by their appearance, nor by their hearts - he should not judge at all.

Yamamoto Kansuke: "Lord Shimotsuma Raishu, I am not here to ask for a ceasefire."
Raishu: "Oh?"

Shimotsuma Raishu is a little disappointed. His success as a commander depends on whether he can succumb his enemies. But so far he has been a poor performer.

Kansuke: "I am here to bring you a good news."
Raishu: "Ok, let me guess. Nagao Kagetora is on a ship?"
Kansuke: "Oh, nothing escapes lord Raishu's ears."
Raishu: "I wouldn't call it good news, though. At best it is a neutral news."
Kansuke: "Why does everybody talk about Nagao Kagetora? My good news to Honganji is about something else, lord Shimotsuma."
Raishu: "And what is that?"

Now Shimotsuma Raishu is a little interested. He knows he cannot trust an enemy's emissary, but at least he can hear about their words.

Kansuke: "We Takeda will attack North Shinano again, and Honganji can attack Etchu. This way, we will get rid of two annoying enemies, Murakami and Jinbo."
Raishu: "Jinbo Nagazumi is an ignorant brat, but these two clans are protected by Nagao. We signed a peace treaty with Nagao, we cannot do that."
Kansuke: "We don't declare war on Nagao. We edeclare war on these small clans."

Shimotsuma Raishu frowns as his thick brows connect.

Raishu: "People are not stupid... and what if Nagao Kagetora choose to land in Echizen to punish us?"
Kansuke: "Nope, Nagao Kagetora won't land in Echizen. He is going to Kyushu."
Raishu: "Kyushu?"
Kansuke: "This comes from the Kanto Kanlei, lord Uesugi Norimasa himself."

Shimotsuma Raishu has doubts. Why would Uesugi Norimasa reveal Nagao Kagetora's military plan to Takeda?
But Honganji is never part of samurai politics. They must have their reasons...