The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Morning light filtered through the lattice of the paper door, cutting soft patches of light onto the quilt.

Aichi felt a warm breath brush against her ear. She turned over slightly, and the pain in her body made her groan softly.

When she opened her eyes, she saw his face so close to hers. He was supporting his cheek with one hand, while the other hand was twirling her loose black hair between his fingers.

"Awake?" Changqing's voice was still hoarse from last night.

Aichi's cheeks flushed, and she tried to get up but was gently pressed down.

Memories of last night flowed like a warm current, and she couldn't help but bury her face in the blankets.

Changqing chuckled and pulled her, blanket and all, into his arms: "What are you hiding for? Didn't we already..."

"Mouri... my husband!"

Aichi interrupted in embarrassment and annoyance, but her voice was barely audible.

The two lingered in the morning light for a long time, until a maidservant cautiously inquired from outside the door: "My lord, shall we prepare breakfast?"

Changqing then released Ashi, and seeing her hurriedly tidying her nightgown, he felt even more hopeful for the future.

"Hmm, let's help Madam with her washing and grooming first!" Changqing stretched and exclaimed.

The maids slowly entered, carrying toiletries.

Aichi had regained her dignified demeanor, but the tear stains under her eyes, still carrying a hint of spring, seemed to be a protest against the humiliation of the previous night.

……

At noon, Changqing finished his official duties and returned to his house, where he led Ashi on a leisurely tour of his city.

The winter sun shone brightly as the two stood side by side atop the castle tower, overlooking the panoramic view of Iwamura Castle.

"That's the castle town, and that's the training ground," Changqing explained, pointing to various places. "When spring comes, I'll have some cherry blossom trees from the mountains moved over here."

Aichi nodded slightly, but her gaze fell on a corner of the courtyard.

A girl dressed in plain short-sleeved clothes sat alone on the stone steps, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the sky. She looked to be no more than ten years old, her figure as thin as a fallen leaf that could be blown away by the wind at any moment.

"Who is that?" Oichi asked.

Changqing followed her gaze and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

That's the future concubine, Lady Toyama...

"Yukihime Toyama, a hostage of the Toyama family..."

Aichi's heart clenched slightly. She recalled her childhood days in Kiyosu Castle, when her brother Nobunaga was busy with war and her mother had passed away early. She often sat alone on the veranda like this.

"Can I go see her?" Aichi asked softly.

Changqing was somewhat surprised, then nodded: "Go ahead. That child is very cute, but a little shy."

Oichi walked down the steps from the castle tower. The maids tried to help her, but she waved them off. She walked alone through the courtyard, her steps light as she approached the small figure.

When Yukihime noticed someone approaching, she rose in alarm and bowed, her movements stiff as a puppet.

"No need for formalities." Aichi sat down beside her, patting the stone steps next to her. "Sit down. I am the lord's wife, and I will be living here from today onwards."

Yukihime sat down cautiously, secretly observing the legendary Princess Oda.

She had heard of A-Shi's reputation for beauty, but she never expected that she would be even more beautiful and gentle in person than the rumors suggested.

How old are you?

"Eleven years old."

Do you miss your mother?

Yuki bit her lip, her eyes slightly red, but she stubbornly shook her head: "My father said that a samurai's daughter cannot be weak."

Aichi sighed inwardly and gently stroked the girl's head: "You can cry when you want to. It has nothing to do with whether you are the daughter of a samurai or not. Although I am your aunt by seniority, I will take care of you like an older sister from now on."

Yuki looked up, her eyes shining with disbelief.

"Really...really?"

"Yes. I'll teach you Kyoto etiquette, waka poetry, and flower arranging. When the weather gets warmer, let's go pick wildflowers together, okay?"

The girl finally showed her first genuine smile and nodded vigorously.

On the distant castle tower, Nagayoshi watched this scene with a slight smile on his lips.

Ogasawara Nagatoki appeared behind him without him noticing: "Your wife is kind-hearted; it is a blessing for my lord."

"It's also a blessing for Iwamura Castle." Nagayoshi turned around. "Is there something you need?"

"An envoy from Kiyosu Castle has arrived. Lord Nobunaga has summoned you for a meeting."

……

Two days later, Nagayoshi arrived at Kiyosu Castle with Ogasawara Nagatoki and Honda Masanobu.

The senior retainers of the Oda clan gathered together, and the corridors were filled with people, as the Oda clan's retainer group grew larger and larger.

Oda Nobunaga walked in, tapping Kinoshita Hideyoshi on the head. "The house should be made bigger!"

Hideyoshi laughed. Nobunaga's blows weren't hard, but he cooperated by shrinking his head back, as if Nobunaga could smash his head into his neck with a little more force.

Nobunaga took the seat of honor, and seeing that everyone had arrived, he ordered a huge map to be unfurled on the wall.

"I have gathered you all here today to announce two important matters."

Everyone immediately fell silent.

"First, from this day forward, Inabayama Castle will be renamed Gifu Castle. This name is taken from the story of King Wen of Zhou's 'Phoenix Crying on Mount Qi,' and also from the character 'Wu,' which signifies pacifying the world! To facilitate my journey to Kyoto, I will move my base to Gifu."

The four characters "天下布武" (meaning "to unify the world with martial prowess") resounded like thunder in the hall.

Veteran retainers such as Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide appeared excited.

Nobunaga nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Secondly, before marching on Kyoto, I have decided to conquer Ise! In northern Ise there is the Kobe clan, and in southern Ise there is the Kitada clan. Although they are of the same clan, they govern themselves independently. Now is the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack."

He looked at Takigawa Kazumasu: "Sakon, you will be the vanguard and lead your troops to attack Kita-Ise."

Kazumasu Takigawa was born into the Koga ninja family of Omi Province. He was skilled in intelligence and military strategy and was one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Oda". Historically, he was known as "Takigawa, the Advanceer and Retreat Master", which means that he could take on important responsibilities whether advancing or covering the rear.

The Ise region has many powerful clans, making it easy to divide them; a surprise attack would be very effective. Nagayoshi didn't have much advice to offer.

Kazumasu Takikawa stepped forward to receive the order. He was forty years old and had an ordinary, unremarkable face.

"Lijia and Hengxing are your partners!"

"Yes!" The three bowed in unison.

Nobunaga's gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Nagayoshi: "Nagayoshi, you're also sending troops to support Takigawa. I heard you've governed Iwamura quite well!"

"Where is it... it's all the Lord's kindness and power!" Changqing bowed, quickly calculating in his mind.

"I won't argue with you. Send Nagae with 300 men to provide support! You just need to defend Iwamura Castle."

What a convenient way to say he wants both! It seems the brother-in-law's influence is even stronger than the lord's.

The year-end meeting was almost no different from the year-end summary in his previous life, making Changqing feel sleepy.

After the meeting, Nobunaga called Nagayoshi aside.

"How's married life?" Nobunaga asked with a wicked grin typical of men.

"Thanks to the Lord's great kindness, Oichi... is very well."

Nobunaga nodded, his smile fading: "Oichi is my most beloved younger sister. You must treat her well. If I find out she has been wronged..."

The unspoken words carried a chill, and Nagayoshi couldn't help but think of Oda Gotoku, who had complained to Oda Nobunaga. This woman was still young then; historically, she had married Tokugawa Ieyasu's son, Nobuyasu, and due to marital discord, she complained to her own father, Nobunaga, which directly led to her husband's death.

"I wouldn't dare."

It was dusk when they left Kiyosu Castle. On the way back to Iwamura Castle, Honda Masanobu rode up to Nagayoshi and said, "My lord, Lord Nobunaga's ambition to 'unify the realm by force' is clear, and the situation will become even more turbulent in the future."

"What are your thoughts?" Changqing wanted to hear the advice of this unparalleled strategist from the Warring States period.

"Takeda is busy conquering Totomi and Suruga, so we can govern our territories with peace of mind. Moreover, according to Lord Ogasawara's intelligence, the powerful clans of Shinano are still divided into numerous factions."

"Go on..."

"My lord, you can have Lord Ogasawara secretly contact the old retainers of Shinano, especially the powerful clans that have ties to the Ogasawara family. If we can establish an intelligence network and even win over some of their forces, it will be of great benefit in the future, whether we are fighting against Takeda or supporting Lord Nobunaga's march to Kyoto."

Changqing pondered for a moment, then looked at Ogasawara Nagatoki, "Nagatoki, Masanobu, can you two do this?"

Ogasawara Nagatoki had long harbored this idea and immediately replied, "I will certainly do my utmost. Many small clans in Shinano have long been dissatisfied with the exploitation by the Takeda clan, but they have been struggling to find a leader. If we unite them under the pretext of reviving the Ogasawara clan, we should be able to achieve some success."

"Alright. This matter is yours. Just ask if you need any resources. Be discreet and don't give the Takeda family any leverage. The Takeda and we will have a battle sooner or later, and that will be your time to restore your family's glory."