Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

Chapter 189: Departure
Although he revealed his feelings to Kagawa Morihisa, the young Hachiro was still reluctant to serve the Takeda clan.

"Thank you for the favor of Wakasa Takedono, and thank you all for your hard work, but I still want to stay in Bizen Province." As he said this, he was about to return the letter in his hand to Kagawa Morihisa.

"Your Highness, do you want to stay in Bizen and avenge your grandfather one day?" Kagawa Morihisa had done his homework before coming here and had a clearer understanding of why the Ukita family had declined to such a state.

"That's right," Hachiro nodded and said, "I must kill Shimamura Kanami (Shimamura Morisaki) with my own hands, avenge my grandfather, and restore the foundation of my Ukita family."

"Then do you think that we can achieve all these by staying in Bizen?" Morihisa Kagawa asked back.

"To be honest, my mother died early, but I am related to the Urakami family. I think in two years, I will apply to serve as a minister to Totomi no Kami (Urakami Munekage).

By then, I will be able to get the protection of the Urakami family, and I won't have to worry about Kanami killing me, and I can quietly expand my power. One day, I will have enough power to take back everything that belongs to Ukita."

Seeing Hachiro's confident and sure look, Kagawa Morihisa didn't want to discourage him, but he also hoped that he would face reality:

"Now Shimamura Bungo-no-kami is in control of Bizen, and Toishi Castle has fallen into the hands of Ukita Yamato-no-kami. The two of them have become collusion and deceived Totomi-no-kami. Do you think that serving the Urakami family will help you realize your long-cherished wish?

Besides, didn't you say that the current 'hiding one's strength and biding one's time' is to paralyze Bungo-no-kami? If you apply to serve the Urakami family, do you think he won't be suspicious? I'm afraid that you will lose your life on the way before you even reach Tenjinyama Castle."

The Ukita Yamato-no-kami mentioned by Kagawa Morihisa was Ukita Kunisada, the half-brother of Ukita Noriie. He had a bad relationship with Ukita Noriie, so he was on good terms with Shimamura Morisane. After Shimamura's army captured Toishi Castle, Shimamura Morisane handed the castle over to Ukita Kunisada. Therefore, there are rumors that the fall of Toishi Castle was absolutely related to Ukita Kunisada.

After hearing what Kagawa Morihisa said, Hachiro fell into deep thought:
"Indeed, applying to serve the Urakami family means giving up the policy of 'keeping a low profile', which will inevitably lead to the vigilance and suspicion of Shimamura Morizane. And judging from the current degree of dependence of Urakami Munekage on Shimamura Morizane, even if he serves the Urakami family, he will not offend the Shimamura and Ukita families for the sake of protecting himself. Therefore, leaving Bizen to avoid the limelight seems to be a good choice."

At this time, the aunt also took the opportunity to persuade Hachiro: "The Takeda family is so powerful that they are willing to let you become an official. It is a blessing for you. Why are you still standing there? During these years in Bizen, I was also worried about you, fearing that those enemies would come to take your life. Now you have the opportunity to stay away from Bizen, you must cherish it."

After that, the aunt turned to Kagawa Morihisa and said with a smile, "Sir, please don't argue with Hachiro. This kid has been through a lot and has been thinking a lot since he was a child. Give him some time and he will figure it out."

"No hurry." Kagawa Morihisa smiled back, and then took advantage of Hachiro's moment of thinking to further persuade him: "Your Highness, think about it. Instead of staying in Bizen, where you are walking on thin ice and your wife is worried, it is better to follow me to Wakasa and serve the lord with peace of mind. When the time is right... After all, it is not difficult to go from Mimasaka or Harima to Bizen."

"You mean, Wuweidian intends to attack Bizen?" Hachiro asked in surprise.

Kagawa Morihisa did not comment on this: "No one can predict what will happen in the future, but Your Highness should know that the Inaba family was destroyed in less than a month from the start of the war, and it took the same amount of time for the main family to conquer Inaba. Is Bizen stronger than Inaba?" "I understand," Hachiro nodded slightly, then looked at Kagawa Morihisa very firmly, and said in a slightly childish but very solemn tone: "I am willing to serve the Takeda family, please take care of me, sir."

"Your Highness, you are too polite." Kagawa Morihisa bowed to Hachiro, thinking that he had finally completed the task assigned by Yoshishige.

"But I have a condition." Balang said suddenly.

"What are the conditions?" asked Morihisa Kagawa.

"If Wuweidian conquers Bizen one day, if possible, could you return Toishi Castle to me?" At this time, Hachiro had begun to refer to himself as "I", which showed that he had begun to recognize his role.

"I really can't make the decision on this matter, but based on my understanding of my lord, Toishi Castle is not a big one, and it was once the residence of the Ukita family. It shouldn't be a big problem to hand it over to Your Highness," replied Morihisa Kagawa.

After receiving this answer, Hachiro finally made up his mind and agreed to follow Kagawa Morihisa to Wakasa to meet Yoshishige.

Before leaving, Hachiro hoped that his aunt would leave Bizen with him, but she declined: "I am old, so I won't go with you. If you can revive the Ukita family in the future, don't forget that there is an aunt in Shimokasaga Village. If she can come to see me from time to time, I will be satisfied."

After hearing his aunt's sincere answer, Balang couldn't help but recall that he had survived for more than four years thanks to her care, and had not been homeless and hungry. The boy's resolute and complex heart warmed up again. He bowed sincerely to his aunt and promised her with tears in his eyes:
"Hachiro will never forget your kindness. Don't worry, I will definitely be able to revive the Ukita family. When the time comes, you can enjoy the good life with me!"

Hearing this answer, the aunt smiled with relief, and tears of emotion flowed from the corners of her eyes. She covered her mouth and nodded at Hachiro: "Okay, okay, you must take good care of yourself over there. If you encounter difficulties, you must ask these adults for help, don't bear it alone."

After that, the aunt bowed deeply to Kagawa Morihisa and Tanabe Hikomitsu who were standing beside her and said, "My lords, from now on, Hachiro will be in your care. He is young, so if he does anything wrong, please bear with me."

After more than four years of living together day and night, the childless aunt had long regarded Hachiro as her own son. The worry and care she showed moved everyone in the Takeda family.

Kagawa Morihisa solemnly promised her: "Please rest assured, since he has joined the Takeda family, His Highness Hachiro will never suffer. It won't be long before he comes back to see you."

Afterwards, under the reluctant gaze of his aunt, Hachiro left the small village where he had lived for more than four years, left Bizen where he had never left since he was born, and followed Kagawa Morihisa and others on the road to Wakasa. What awaits him will be a brand new journey of life.

(End of this chapter)