Guide of Bait Tactics

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VI. First Battle of Echizen

Intermission. Japan Divided

It was spring of 1560,
The Ashikaga Shogunate could tolerate no longer,
After half of Japan turned Ikko's believer.
here comes the Realm Divide,
But two great clans stood with their ally.

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A new order was born,
When the Ashikaga Shogunate was defeated in Kyoto.
A new world awaits Ikko,
But there was still a long way to go.

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While Ikko and Oda are still allies,
Tension arise, when the monks started to encourage peasants to defy.
By autumn, both Ikko and Oda gathered armies of five.
Great clashes of the superpower will decide the winner,

the monks, or the samurai.

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Next spring we see the eruption of fall-scale war.
More than ten thousand in Echizen prepared for battle.
Oda's army was led by their daimyo,
Ikko's army was led by their two best generals.

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"Suzuki, Oda has declared war and joined the enemies. You are in charge of the first battle of Echizen. Are you ready to face them?"
"My lord, I am ready as ever. The Legion of Faith is with us. The faithless Oda shall be shattered by the chant of pure land Buddhists! "
"Er... there is no one else around, so let's drop the propaganda. What's your plan of tackling the upcoming battle?"
"Yes, my lord. Actually I have been studying The Art of Gore heavily! I know what to do!"
"Oh? Let me test you a few enemy formations..."
"Please!"
(Clapping hands) "Gather the soldiers this afternoon to train on formations~"

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Thirty Four - Formation: Misplaced Katana I (Spear Point)

"OK, Suzuki, tea break is over. Take a look at this formation."
"My lord, you must be kidding me. This is the Spear Point formation. This is the first formation that every one learns in school."
" You only see the surface... Spear Point is nothing but a fancy name. Name means nothing. See through the surface! How do you break this formation?"
"I see! There is a Misplaced Katana in the middle of the first row! I will draw that out with Bow Warrior Monks!"
"That's better. What if there is no Katana but a lot of Yari?"
"Then the Yari must form a very long second row. I will draw them out from their exposed sides!"
"Very good! Now let me show you another formation..."

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Thirty Five - Formation: Misplaced Katana II (Crane's Wing)

"How about this formation, Suzuki?"
"My lord, you cannot fool me. This is Crane's Wing."
"I am not asking you its name! "
"It is very simlar to the previous formation - with the Katana in the middle of the first row."
" That's better. So how do you break this formation?"
"Draw out the misplaced Katana with Bow Warrior Monks!"
"That's better. What if there is a Naginata in the middle?"
"I also draw it out with Bow Warrior Monks!"
"What if the Katana is stuck behind and forget to refill the first-row spot?"
"I use Cavalry to approach from the side to encourage the enemy to reform!"
"Very good! And don't forget that this formation has more exposed cavalry. It is possible to draw them out. OK, take a five-minite break. I will show you another formation..."