Chapter 165: The Attack

Late at night.

Inside the tenshukaku (keep) of Numata Castle, the current head of the Yamada clan, Yamada Torashige, was still awake.

“The power of the Oniichi family is truly too overwhelming; it poses a serious threat to our clan’s position…”

Inside the council chamber, several senior retainers wore expressions of deep concern. “Especially troubling is their upcoming military parade, which aims to consolidate their forces. We beg our lord to make a swift decision!”

Naito Takamasa, the merchant officially serving the Yamada clan, knelt respectfully at the back row, his head bowed low. This was not a moment for him to speak.

Yet, a complex and peculiar gleam flickered in his eyes.

“The Oniichi family can now mobilize over a thousand soldiers. Even with the covert support of the Ko-jima, Naito, and Komurakami clans, it will still be difficult to defeat them decisively…”

Yamada Torashige murmured, “Even more concerning is that individual and the power of the Oniichi Unit under his command!”

At this mention, the entire council chamber fell into silence.

That individual naturally referred to Oniichi Kazuemon, the head of the Oniichi family, known in legend as the “Shinigami Kounosuke.”

According to rumors, this man possessed the strength of a thousand men combined, a swordsman capable of slaying a thousand foes single-handedly, and was also a formidable master of Yin-Yang magic, with a combat record so terrifying it chilled the blood.

Even though Oniichi Kazuemon had rarely appeared in battle recently, his Oniichi Unit remained fearsome, with a record of victories that could terrify anyone.

“There’s no need for our lord to worry about this!”

Naito Takamasa knelt forward, pressing his forehead to the floor.

After the rise of the Oniichi family, the Yamada clan had been in a state of anxiety for a period, not daring to do anything that might provoke hostility, fearing any excuse for an attack.

During that time, Naito Takamasa skillfully used the cover and convenience of his merchant identity to become the intermediary in contact with the Iyu clan, thereby elevating his status.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have been allowed into this room today.

“Although Oniichi Kazuemon is a formidable swordsman and Yin-Yang master, the Iyu clan has agreed to send a group of Shinto priests to assist us in battle, and they have also invited a swordsman and a jounin (top ninja). I believe this will be sufficient to ensure the safety of our clan…”

As soon as he finished speaking, a collective gasp filled the council chamber.

A swordsman and a jounin! In Wu Ming’s system, both were level-three experts, individuals whom even the daimyo (feudal lords) had to treat with utmost respect. Now, two such figures were being dispatched at once?

Moreover, there was even a Shinto priest unit joining the battle! These priests and shrine maidens were not only skilled in Yin-Yang techniques but could also channel the power of the deities they served, performing divine magic, and even offering sacrifices to summon divine avatars for battle!

“Ah… If the priests from the Izumo Grand Shrine, who serve the Iyu clan, are coming, surely they can exorcise those evil spirits!”

Upon hearing this news, the retainers all expressed joy and relief.

“Not only that… The senior retainer of the Iyu clan, Akiue I-no-suke, will also lead three thousand soldiers to arrive. During the Oniichi family’s military parade, they will also enter Iizasa District, exerting pressure on the entire district… At that time, surely all the local lords within the district will have to make their choices!”

Naito Takamasa respectfully added.

Clap!

Yamada Torashige struck his fan, exclaiming joyfully, “With this, what more do I have to worry about?”

His delight was evident on his face. Seeing Naito Takamasa still kneeling respectfully, he couldn’t help but say, “For your efforts in contacting the Iyu clan and serving our clan, I hereby grant you a stipend of one hundred koku of rice!”

“Hai! I will serve our clan with my life!”

Naito Takamasa already had a family name, and now with the hereditary stipend, he was officially promoted to the status of samurai.

From this point on, his descendants would be considered nobility, serving generation after generation in Numata Castle, a status far above that of a humble merchant.

Yet, how many truly understood the sweat and effort he had poured into achieving this?

Naito Takamasa bowed deeply, his eyes already misty with emotion.

…

At the same time, outside Numata Castle.

Under the cover of night, Yamazaki Kusanosuke and Oniichi Yoshitsune had secretly brought their ashigaru (foot soldiers) into the area.

“My ninja have already taken positions within the city. They will soon open the gates and create chaos inside… Please, my lord, seize the opportunity!”

The figure of Mochizuki Kotarou appeared briefly before silently vanishing into the darkness.

“This ninjutsu… It must be close to that of a jounin!”

Yamazaki Kusanosuke’s eyes narrowed as he turned to face the seven samurai before him. “Matsushita, Koizumi… This mission is entrusted to you!”

This battle was of utmost importance. Although Wu Ming had to remain in Moon Mountain’s Fujita Castle to command overall, he had still dispatched his strongest unit, the “Oniichi Seven Samurai!”

“We understand!”

Matsushita Ken’ichi and the others responded solemnly, their faces soon twisting into grim smiles. “How I long to see the beautiful sight of cherry blossoms drifting amidst the battlefield…”

These seven samurai had been among the earliest to follow Wu Ming, and they were among the first to train in the path of ninja-samurai. Now, they generally possessed the strength of level-two experts.

With such power, their effectiveness in a night raid was unquestionable.

“The ninja has sent the signal. Prepare for the assault!”

After making their preparations, they waited a short while. Soon, from the darkness, came three rhythmic cawing sounds, like those of crows.

With Oniichi Yoshitsune’s keen eyesight, he could see several dark figures moving along the city walls, silently killing the guarding ashigaru.

Even the main gate was slowly opened, and several ropes were lowered from the walls.

“Charge! Climb up! Make no noise!”

Although Yamazaki Kusanosuke kept his voice low, excitement and eagerness still seeped through.

“My first battle!”

Oniichi Yoshitsune tightened his grip on his katana. This blade, the famous “Samoye Munechika,” was a gift from the head of the Oniichi family. Its sharp, clear edge had drawn envy from many.

“I must win this castle for our clan…”

The young boy already had his plans for the future: “If the Oniichi family can become the rulers of Izumo Province, they will support my journey to Kyoto for revenge!”

At this moment, none could see the purple aura above his head, surging and suppressing the very fortune of Numata Castle.

The advance was swift.

Amidst the rustling of movement, over a hundred ashigaru had already infiltrated the third bailey.

“Who goes there? Kill!”

Clang!

Suddenly, from the darkness, a shout rang out, followed by the sound of swords clashing.

“We’ve been discovered!”

Yamazaki Kusanosuke’s expression changed as he shouted loudly, “Charge! Push forward!!!”

“Head for the second bailey!”

Oniichi Yoshitsune led the charge, with the Oniichi Seven Samurai forming an unstoppable spearhead, cutting down the hastily assembled defenders.

The third bailey of Numata Castle was the tallest and most fortified, constructed with stone walls. The second bailey, however, was wooden. From here, they could faintly see the magnificent tenshukaku, with lights flickering and voices rising, clearly disturbed by the commotion.

Hiss! Hiss!

Seeing this, Oniichi Yoshitsune unhesitatingly took up his bow and arrows from his back, drawing the bowstring and firing rapidly. The guards atop the second bailey fell one by one, struck by arrows. Witnessing this, the Oniichi foot soldiers were greatly encouraged and surged forward with loud cries.

“Charge!”

After exhausting his arrows, Oniichi Yoshitsune drew the Samoye Munechika. His training in ninjutsu and Yin-Yang arts had made him as light as a swallow. In an instant, he leaped onto the wall of the second bailey.

His blade flashed, and two approaching samurai were cut down.

Boom!

The flag representing the Yamada clan was toppled, and the gates and barriers of the second bailey crashed open.

“I, Oniichi Yoshitsune, have breached the second bailey!”

Oniichi Yoshitsune roared in excitement, feeling an unprecedented exhilaration. His blood boiled, and he knew in his heart that he was born for the battlefield.

“Excellent! Truly worthy of being a warrior of the Oniichi family!”

Yamazaki Kusanosuke and Matsushita Ken’ichi arrived shortly after, their faces filled with satisfaction. “This is your first time on the battlefield, isn’t it? You’ve certainly inherited the courage and valor of our clan’s leader!”

Such praise was significant, indicating that some were beginning to lean toward supporting Oniichi Yoshitsune as the heir to the Oniichi family.

As public sentiment shifted, strands of fortune flowed into Oniichi Yoshitsune’s aura above his head, firmly grasped by him. His life force, empowered by this support, surged with vitality, ready to manifest its might.

Of course, Oniichi Yoshitsune himself was unaware of all this. He simply shouted excitedly, “Surround the tenshukaku!”

The tenshukaku was the Yamada clan’s stronghold, the highest point in the entire Numata Castle. Previously, when Oniichi Yoshitsune had come here, he could only look up in awe.

But now, he could step upon it with his own feet!

“Inside the tenshukaku, there must still be at least a hundred ashigaru and samurai guarding it… A direct assault would result in heavy casualties among our foot soldiers, which would be detrimental to our clan! Now is the time for an elite charge. I volunteer to lead the charge!”

Oniichi Yoshitsune declared.

In a world without magic, even with martial training, the difference between individuals would be limited. With the narrow terrain and traps of the tenshukaku, a hundred defenders could inflict heavy casualties on hundreds of attackers, potentially crippling the Oniichi family.

After all, this was the residence of a daimyo, the final line of defense.

But in the land of Fusang, things were different.

“Very well, it shall be entrusted to you!”

Yamazaki Kusanosuke’s eyes gleamed with approval. “Once we capture the tenshukaku, I will surely recommend you for commendation!”

The charge unit was quickly assembled, numbering fewer than twenty. The Oniichi Seven Samurai were among them, along with several ninja. Their common trait was that they all possessed the strength of level-two experts.

Each of these individuals was a “hundred-slayer” warrior, capable of overcoming ordinary traps with ease.

“For the great cause of our clan, charge!”

Oniichi Yoshitsune swiftly drew a Yin-Yang formation first, summoning a thick fog that enveloped the entire tenshukaku, before charging in at the forefront.

…

“What’s going on?”

A little earlier, Yamada Torashige had just managed to fall asleep, finally able to relax from his usual anxiety, only to be awakened by the commotion.

Looking down from above, he saw the city filled with shouts and flames, and his limbs turned cold.

“The Oniichi family has attacked us, and they’ve already reached the base of the tenshukaku…”

Naito Takamasa, fortunate enough to escape death, had fled back to the tenshukaku, gazing down at the Oniichi foot soldiers below, feeling as if he had fallen into an abyss…