The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Takagi Sadahisa gripped the hilt of the knife tightly with his fingers, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

He could almost smell the blood emanating from those severed heads.

For some reason, he, who was capable of killing people in his teens, couldn't help but feel like vomiting.

Those hideous faces made you feel how terrified they were before they died.

Changqing's words still echoed in the air.

Looking at the distorted face of Takeyō Uemura Shigeru, Takagi Sadahisa felt as if he could see his own end.

He had heard of the Battle of Moribe Castle. Mori Nagayoshi used a trick to burn Saito's army, and with fewer troops against more, only about twenty Saito soldiers survived. He was the Shura who returned from the sea of ​​blood.

"Takagi, I'll count to ten, or don't blame me for going all out. You won't survive that!"

"one!"

Zhenjiu couldn't help but shudder.

Nagamasa's sword remained against Sasa Narimasa's neck. Sasa Narimasa could feel the blade trembling, but he chose to remain silent.

"two!"

The samurai on the castle tower looked anxiously at their lord. Two hundred against three hundred; if they held the castle to the death, Komano Castle would most likely be able to hold out.

But the problem is, what good would it do to win? Lord Nobunaga would be even less likely to let them go!

"three!"

Lord Nobunaga wanted retainers who could fight, not opportunistic wimps. Mori Nagayoshi was right; what Lord Nobunaga hated most was betrayal.

"Four!"

"My lord!" A member of the sect beside Sadahisa couldn't help but exclaim.

"How about... how about opening the city gates first and negotiating with Lord Mori?"

"Yes, now our family will be punished regardless of victory or defeat..."

"Negotiations?" Takagi Sadahisa smiled wryly. "Look at all those heads below the castle. Are Marushige Nagateru and Ichihashi Nagayasu really such tough nuts to crack?"

The old man remained silent.

"five!"

Sasa Narimasa suddenly spoke up, "Takagi Sadahisa, it's a fact that you refused to send troops to rescue your comrades..."

Sadahisa felt a wave of dizziness. He seemed to see Oda Nobunaga's hawk-like eyes, to see himself being dragged to Kiyosu Castle and publicly executed, to see the Takagi family's territory being confiscated and their retainers being displaced...

"six!"

Changqing's voice struck his heart like a series of heavy hammer blows.

Zhenjiu's face was as pale as paper. He straightened his back, but he was only barely holding on.

"seven!"

"Father!" The eldest son, only fourteen years old, ran to his side, tears welling in his eyes. "Fight them!"

Fight? With what? Looking at his son's innocent face, Takagi Sadahisa thought of the Mori samurai who died at the foot of Mori Castle.

If the city falls, his son will become a head on a bamboo spear.

"eight!"

"Enough!" Takagi Sadahisa suddenly shouted.

A profound silence fell over both the city walls and the surrounding area.

Takagi Sadahisa slowly straightened up, his deep blue robes appearing particularly heavy in the morning light. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling yet clear: "Lord Mori... I accept your terms."

"Nine!" Changqing didn't waste any more words with him!

Everyone gasped in shock, as if they had suddenly realized that Changqing was determined to fight to the death.

Takagi's retainers had forgotten to dissuade their lord.

Takagi hurriedly shouted, "Please allow me to commit seppuku on the castle wall, so that my retainers may witness it. Afterwards, please keep your promise and spare the lives of the rest of the Takagi family."

Changqing was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Alright! But I can't wait much longer!"

Sassa Narimasa finally couldn't help but whisper, "Lord Mori, you really are stubborn!"

"He'll be punished sooner or later; this is letting him off easy."

He looked at the city gate tower, but Takagi Sadahisa had already turned and walked down the battlements.

Changqing dismounted, his steps slightly unsteady. Chun'an immediately stepped forward to help him, but Changqing waved him off. He had to stand; he had to witness it all.

On the city wall, a white cloth was spread out. Takagi Sadahisa removed his tunic, revealing a white robe. His movements were slow, and every movement was trembling.

"He's scared..." Changhui whispered in Changqing's ear.

"But he was more afraid of the destruction of his family after his death. I gave him a dignified death, preserving the Takagi family. This was the best ending for him."

Upon hearing these words, Cheng Zheng gave Chang Qing a deep look.

This person is too ruthless!

On the city wall, the second was already in place.

The second was an old samurai with white hair, tears streaming down his face.

Takagi Sadahisa knelt on the white cloth, facing east. He picked up a short sword, his hands trembling violently.

"Father!" came the son's cry.

Takagi Sadahisa did not turn around. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and finally plunged the dagger into his left abdomen.

A suppressed groan.

Make a horizontal cut to the right, then flick the knife upwards. This is a standard cross cut.

The intense pain caused his whole body to spasm, but he did not fall and stubbornly remained kneeling.

The second raised his long sword, tears blurring his vision.

"Hurry!" Takagi Sadahisa squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.

The blade flashed.

The head rolled onto the white cloth, staining it crimson with blood. The body leaned forward, but was gently supported by a retainer.

The city was deathly silent, save for the suppressed sobs.

Beneath the city walls, Changqing's army remained silent. No one cheered, no one spoke. This was the end for the samurai, solemn and cruel.

As Changqing watched the head roll away, a sudden wave of intense dizziness washed over him. The scene before him began to spin, and everything blurred into a hazy blur.

"My lord!"

Chun'an was the first to rush over and catch Changqing before he fell to the ground. Changqing's body was frighteningly light, his face was as pale as paper, and his breathing was weak.

"Medic!" Chang Hui shouted.

"No need." Sassa Narimasa had already dismounted and approached. "Take him back to Kiyosu Castle immediately. Hattori Haruyasu, right? You escort Lord Nagayoshi. Marume Nagayoshi, you are in charge of taking over this castle; do not kill innocent people indiscriminately!"

Narimasa looked towards the castle tower. "Takagi Sadahisa has already committed seppuku to atone for his sins! Open the castle gates! All samurai of the Takagi family, lay down your weapons and await orders within the castle. I will report the truth to my lord!"

The city gate slowly opened.

Cheng Zheng looked down at the unconscious Chang Qing and couldn't help but purse his lips.

This young man, with three hundred men and despite being severely injured, took the lives of the heads of three powerful clans.

What a madman!

……

Kiyosu Castle

Two days later, in the castle tower of Kiyosu Castle.

In the center of the room, Mori Nagayoshi knelt. He was able to stand up with difficulty, but his face was still pale, and his wounds were wrapped in layers of bandages and hidden under his clothes.

"So," Nobunaga said slowly, "you attacked and destroyed two powerful clans without permission, and forced a third to commit seppuku."

"Yes," Changqing replied.

"Do you know what kind of crime this is?"

"capital offense."

The assessment room was silent. Several retainers exchanged glances, but none dared to utter a sound.

Nobunaga stood up, stepped down from the main seat, and looked down at the man who was now known as "the madman of Owari".

"Raise your head."

Nagayoshi raised his head and met Nobunaga's gaze.

"You did well in the Battle of Moribe Castle," Nobunaga said. "But you attacked your own comrades and disobeyed orders. Sasa Narimasa ordered you to retreat, but instead of retreating, you threatened him with a sword."

"Yes."

"Why?" Nobunaga asked, "Give me a reason not to kill you."

Changqing had already prepared his explanation, knowing that if he were to be convicted, his subordinates would also be implicated.

"Because if I don't do this, no one will trust their comrades on the battlefield in the future. If people stand by and do nothing to save others in distress, and this trend sets in, the discipline of the Oda clan's army will be completely destroyed. I destroyed the three clans not out of personal grudges, but to establish rules."

Nobunaga stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"Well said, 'To establish rules' indeed." He turned and walked back to his seat. "Mori Nagayoshi, I acknowledge your military achievements. However, your crimes of disobeying military orders and attacking a colleague cannot go unpunished. From this day forward, you are expelled from the Oda clan and are forbidden from leaving Kiyosu Castle!"