Autumn, 1580. As I anticipated, the Oda have shifted the majority of their troops out of Owari to Mino, and from Mino to Hida, leaving only a small garrison of troops in Owari: 60 Samurai Archers, 60 Yari Samurai, and 60 Teppo Ashigaru under an insignificant commander. My emissary spy reports that these troops sport the best weapons (W3 upgrades), but they will be no match for my Battlefield Ninja. I have placed Asano Tadatoshi, Rank 1, in command and ordered him to attack Owari with our entire compliment of Battlefield Ninja (108 shadow warriors). Honda Tadakatsu waits in Mikawa, and will take command of Owari once it has been secured by Asano's ninja. My sources report that a 5-star Oda general is in Mino, but I do not yet know if it is Nobunaga or his most able lieutenant, Hideyoshi, who commands there.

Katsuyori is in Shinano now, and his combined armies in Shinano and Suruga pose a very serious threat to me here in Totomi. My emissary is in Shinano so, Buddha-willing, he will succeed in his mission to persuade Katsuyori to ally with us. Meanwhile I am braced to defend Totomi against a potential Takeda attack, with 300 Yari Samurai, 300 Samurai Archers, 120 Yari cavalry, and my hatamoto contingent. Considering the quality of the Takeda troops, we will be hard-pressed if they attack. We cannot afford to lose Totomi ... .

Construction of Border Forts in Totomi and the Tea House in Mikawa are underway and due to complete next season. Each province is strictly policed by both ninja and shinobi. We hope for a fruitful harvest. Our treasury has decreased from 4931 to 4281, and profit estimates for next season are a pitiful 115 koku. Much rests on the successful capture of Owari ... .

The Shimazu lost no time in redeploying troops away from Hizen's borders as soon as Honda and his troops were withdrawn. I doubt they will attack until next year at the earliest. The continuing income will be very helpful.

My third emissary is currently travelling from Bizen to Harima in search of Lord Mori. An alliance with Lord Mori will help to put political pressure on Shimazu in the long run, as Mori-sama represents the only organized opposition to Shimazu west of Oda lands.

I think I will go hawking and free my mind of these concerns for a short while.