Inside the main keep of the Oni family, a solemn ceremony was underway under the watchful eyes of the retainers.
Gimaru Take had shaved his traditional topknot hairstyle, his back straight, kneeling in the center. Every movement he made was composed and exuded a sense of standard perfection, without the slightest deviation from protocol.
“Congratulations!”
Wu Ming took a black hat from a tray held by a young attendant standing beside him and solemnly tied it onto Gimaru Take’s head.
As recorded in the “Kojiki”: “Yuan refers to the head; a cap is worn on the head, hence it is called Yuanfu (first cap).”
Originally, given Gimaru Take’s status and lineage, he could have worn even golden or jade crowns, not just a black cap. However, as a commoner without a family name now, even wearing a black cap was somewhat of a stretch.
Certainly, in this chaotic era, with the breakdown of traditional rites and music, local lords commonly wore black caps. Thus, no one found it particularly shocking that Gimaru Take did the same.
After witnessing Gimaru Take complete the ceremony, the retainers on both sides simultaneously cheered: “On this auspicious day, you begin wearing the Yuanfu. Abandon your childish ways and follow the path of virtue. May you enjoy longevity and be blessed with great fortune.”
This was naturally not the ancient Japanese ceremony in its entirety, but Wu Ming had no intention of strictly following local customs either, adding a few personal touches.
“Gimaru Take… according to tradition, you should now formally take a name…”
Wu Ming asked solemnly, “Do you still not remember anything from your past?”
In reality, both sides were well aware of the circumstances. Given the current strength of the Oni Clan, they stood little chance against the combined fury of the Minamoto and Taira clans from Kyoto—even amidst this turbulent age.
“Please grant me a name, my lord!”
Gimaru Take bowed deeply, his actions speaking louder than words.
“Alright then, you may take my surname. As for your given name, how about Kiichi Yoshitsune?”
“Thank you, my lord!”
Gimaru Take bowed again. When he rose, he was now Kiichi Yoshitsune.
“Excellent!”
At that moment, Wu Ming’s divine eye pierced through Yoshitsune’s clothes, revealing the sacred Yasakani no Magatama hanging from his chest.
This magatama, resembling a stone, suddenly emitted a faint glow after Yoshitsune completed the coming-of-age ceremony.
“It seems the divine treasure has indeed acknowledged its master, and with the ceremony, his fortune has grown even stronger… What should I say? Has the wheel of history finally begun to turn?”
Wu Ming inwardly mused before saying aloud: “Kiichi Yoshitsune, come and sit beside me. Since you have now come of age, you are a man grown. It is time you took on the responsibilities of our clan…”
Instantly, Yoshitsune felt himself under the scrutiny of countless eyes.
Although Wu Ming, under the alias of Oniichi Hōgen, was a wise and capable clan leader, he faced criticism for one particular issue: he had never taken a formal wife, and despite keeping many beautiful concubines, he had failed to produce an official heir.
In the struggle for dominance, this was a serious issue. However, Wu Ming was unwilling to leave behind offspring casually, so while indulging in pleasures, he remained quite restrained when it came to producing heirs.
Now, seeing that Wu Ming had bestowed the name “Oniichi” upon Gimaru Take and granted him such status, the retainers realized he was not just an ordinary member of the clan but was being groomed as the heir apparent.
“Alright, let’s begin the military council!”
Wu Ming clapped his hands, and the young attendants promptly withdrew and closed the doors. Instantly, the atmosphere turned serious, and the heightened vigilance around them was palpable.
“Wangyue Xiaotai!”
“Hai!”
A puff of white smoke erupted, and a young ninja-like figure materialized in the center, kneeling on one knee. His masked face caused the assembled retainers to change expressions.
Such an incredibly stealthy ninja technique was undetectable to anyone but Wu Ming.
“As the head of our ninja forces, report the intelligence to everyone!”
Wu Ming waved his fan.
“Hai!”
Wangyue Xiaotai raised his head: “Due to the expansion of our clan, the Yamada clan has grown extremely restless. Especially after the battle earlier this year, the strength of our Oniichi unit left Yamada Toratane unable to eat for three days. Now, they are actively seeking an alliance with the Iyu clan… According to our ninja investigations, after agreeing to offer their eldest son as a hostage, the Yamada clan has secured full support from the Iyu clan!”
“Damn it!”
“Despicable!”
Muffled curses filled the air, followed by a long silence.
Although Japan did not have the saying “One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers,” the retainers fully grasped the underlying sentiment. In the Inashiki district, there was no space for two rival clans to coexist. The Yamada clan, feeling increasingly threatened by the rising power of the Oni family, had abandoned their previous resistance as expected and completely aligned themselves with the Iyu clan.
However, while such speculation was expected, the confirmation still gave them a sense of betrayal.
“The affairs of Inashiki should be handled by the families of Inashiki! We must severely punish the Yamada clan!”
The pro-war faction, including Matsushita Shota and Matsushita Kenichi, hastily shouted.
“My lord… With this development, the clans of Sanada and Ko-jima, who previously leaned towards us, may now waver…”
As soon as he moved his lips, before Umeda Shigemori could speak, Yamanaka Katanosuke loudly voiced his concern.
Previously, within Inashiki, many local samurai and regional lords had submitted to the Oni Clan out of fear of its overwhelming power, including even the Sanada clan, which had suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Oni Clan.
However, the involvement of the Iyu clan now made the situation in Inashiki increasingly complicated.
After all, the Iyu clan was a powerful daimyo with over 100,000 koku of rice production and the ruler of Izumo Province.
“It seems… many of these smaller clans are wavering…”
Wu Ming waved his hand, a faint and enigmatic smile appearing on his face: “Don’t hold back; speak freely…”
“Hai!”
Wangyue Xiaotai lowered his head sharply: “Including the Ko-jima clan, the Naito clan, and the Obayashi clan…”
As each name was called out, the faces of the assembled retainers grew increasingly grim. Though these were small clans, they represented the fluctuation of hundreds of troops.
Moreover, the psychological and political impact of their wavering allegiance was immeasurable.
After all, these were only the confirmed cases; how many unconfirmed ones remained? How many other clans might have become spies or traitors? It was difficult to say.
“Hmm? What about the Sanada clan?”
Wu Ming asked slightly puzzled: “If even the Ko-jima clan, which has sent a hostage, cannot be trusted, could it be that the Sanada clan has sided with us merely because of a princess?”
“Perhaps it is because they have witnessed the supernatural power of our lord and have developed a sense of reverence.”
Wangyue Xiaotai replied: “The head of the Sanada clan is willing to send a letter of allegiance, promising that as long as our clan helps them defeat the Kurosawa clan, they will remain loyal to us forever!”
“The Kurosawa clan? Not a bad idea. You may respond to the Sanada clan.”
Wu Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Since this clan had once utilized the power of the Oni Clan to defeat the Sanada Clan, their interactions gradually diminished. Recently, the Kurosawa Clan even began showing signs of aligning with the Yamada Clan. Given that they were already adversaries, there was no need to hold back.
“My lord! Please allow our Oniichi unit to punish the traitorous clans!”
(Note: “鬼一” is transliterated as “Oniichi” as it appears to be a proper noun/unit name. If it has an established official English name, that should be used instead.)
Matsushita Ken’ichi, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust, knelt in the center.
“Is this the leader of the Oniichi unit, the Demon Commander?”
Kiichi Yoshitsune lowered his head, seemingly glancing casually at Matsushita Ken’ichi: “This suggestion… is probably driven by his own desire for slaughter and release. The Oniichi unit’s brutal reputation has already spread throughout Izumo…”
“No!”
Wu Ming shook his fan: “We have not yet confirmed everything. Although our clan has the strength to eliminate them all at once, there is no need to do so recklessly. Premature killing will only dishearten the local lords who still hope for our support!”
In Wu Ming’s mind, facing the combined forces of the Iyu and Yamada clans, it was natural for some to waver.
After all, these Japanese aristocrats and local lords, like the feudal lords of the West, were only concerned with their own lands and interests. This was only human nature and inevitable.
“Then what does my lord intend to do?”
Below, Umeda Shigemori’s eyes lit up.
“How about holding a military parade? Let all the clans that have pledged allegiance to us send their troops for a joint exercise! Let’s set the date for three days from now!”
With a resolute motion, Wu Ming declared his decision: “Those who fail to attend shall be deemed traitors! The Ghost One unit will be prepared for them!”
“Hai!”
Matsushita Ken’ichi loudly replied, his eyes glowing green, causing Kiichi Yoshitsune to feel a chill in his heart.
After the others left, Wu Ming deliberately kept Kiichi Yoshitsune and Yamanaka Katanosuke behind.
“You two go… and gather our clan’s samurai and foot soldiers, distribute weapons, and prepare for battle!”
Wu Ming said softly.
“What?!”
Kiichi Yoshitsune and Yamanaka Katanosuke both looked up in surprise.
“Even if we can rally the clans through the military parade and ultimately defeat the Yamada clan, do you really think the Iyu clan will not intervene?”
Wu Ming sighed and asked slowly.
“Please forgive my frankness, but they certainly will! The Iyu clan will not sit idly by while our clan rises and poses a threat to them!”
Yamanaka Katanosuke replied without hesitation.
“Therefore… our clan must seize the advantage before the Iyu clan launches a major attack!”
“In other words…”
Hearing Wu Ming’s words, Kiichi Yoshitsune’s eyes lit up: “Is this military parade merely a deception?”
“Exactly! While everyone’s attention is on the military parade, I want you to immediately set out and capture Numata Castle!”
Wu Ming’s lips curved into a slight smile: “The foot soldiers of other clans need to be mobilized, but our clan’s 500 elite troops are always on standby and ready to march at any time. This is our advantage!”
“And Wangyue Xiaotai has already made preparations within Numata Castle… This time, we will completely destroy the Yamada clan!”
Wu Ming said gravely: “Wouldn’t holding the military parade in Numata Castle make it even more grand and magnificent?”
The Yamada clan was a daimyo with 12,000 koku of rice production, capable of mobilizing about 1,200 soldiers, which was acceptable. However, in reality, most of them were farmers who had to work hard every day, so the total number of soldiers in Numata Castle would hardly exceed a few hundred.
With 500 elite troops, plus ninja and internal spies, a surprise attack was feasible!
Wu Ming’s eyes seemed to burn with flames…
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