Nobita's Time Heist

"This...I...I did indeed speak as instructed by Lord Hideyori, but...but she absolutely refuses to agree, and I..."

The magnificent palace is now empty; its former luxury and grandeur are completely gone. Even the familiar decadent atmosphere seems poised to be handed over to others.

My father once said that you can smell defeat before you're about to suffer it. Perhaps right now, that feeling in the air—the anxiety, the sense of loss, the desperate urge to grasp at something—is a harbinger of failure?

It was as if the whole world was whispering in his ear, "Your Toyotomi family's empire is about to end."

Thinking of this, he felt utterly weak, slumped down, and waved for the messenger to leave. Then, he turned his gaze to the woman who had stood by his side the whole time—a woman of broad build, richly dressed, her face smeared with white powder, her long hair trailing on the ground. "Lord Ōkura," he said, "now that things have come to this, you see… the shrine maiden of the Genji clan was, after all, saved by Lord Nobushige. Perhaps we should send him to try and persuade her…"

Ōkura-kei did not move. If it weren't for her deep voice, Hideyori would have almost thought that she hadn't said anything at all.

"He's just a mere samurai under my command, Lord Hideyori, why do you address him as 'Lord'?"

"This..." Hideyori's expression was somewhat complicated. He always had a headache about this woman who was a whole generation above him in seniority. Although she had no blood relation to the Toyotomi family, she was, after all, his birth mother's (Lady Chacha's) wet nurse and a long-serving retainer who had served his father for many years. She occupied an important position in the power structure of the castle tower.

With her around, even simple things seem to gradually become complicated.

“Sanada Nobushige already enjoys considerable prestige among samurai and ronin because he defeated Tokugawa Ieyasu. If Lord Hideyori gives him too much trust, with his influence, it would be too easy for him to amass a powerful army within Osaka Castle!”

“That being said, we still need Nobushige to maintain the current situation.” Hideyori thought it over and realized that her words made some sense, but they didn’t solve the immediate problem. “We can’t expect him to win battles but not let him do anything, can we? How can we fight against Tokugawa Ieyasu if we don’t even trust our own people?”

……

"Oh dear, young lord, don't you understand what I mean?"

Behind the screen, a tall warrior clad in ice-blue armor silently emerged. His voice was deep and had a unique magnetism.

"Shadow Warrior..."

Hideyori squinted, "Excuse my bluntness, but I have no trust in someone who won't even tell me their face or real name. I won't believe a single word of your ramblings!"

"Hehehe, that's not rambling, Hideyori, that's 'history,' do you understand?" The shadow warrior sneered. "Sanada Nobushige will fight to the death in this battle, ultimately succumbing to defeat and leaving behind an epic tragic hero, remembered for eternity as the greatest warrior in the land."

"And you, Toyotomi Hideyori, will begin your escape the moment the castle falls, but you will not be able to escape Osaka Castle. You will be forced to commit seppuku in the barn with your few remaining subordinates. And that is the end of the story."

"The story of Toyotomi has come to an end. His entire family was wiped out, and the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate will continue until the next historical juncture, which is..."

"The arrival of the Black Ships in 1853."

……

Hideyori's expression changed repeatedly, and cold sweat poured down his face like a waterfall.

Any normal person could easily judge the situation. Even ignoring the later prophecies, just hearing about the suicide in the barn is incredibly realistic.

With inferior troop strength, equipment, and morale, and with Osaka Castle being an isolated fortress with no natural defenses, what makes them think they can still win?

As for escaping... that's even more ridiculous.

Rather than being captured and kneeling at Tokugawa Ieyasu's feet like pigs and dogs, it seemed more dignified to choose a death with integrity.

"Then...then...what about Kunimatsu and Chiyo? They, they..." Hideyori swallowed hard and asked cautiously, "What happened to them in the end?" (His concubines were Hideyori's son and daughter)

This is perhaps a common trait among all human beings.

When they realized their days were numbered, they placed all their hopes on the next generation, praying that they would live on. It was as if, as long as they lived, their own lives would be continued in some form.

Unfortunately, this world is far more cruel than we imagine.

"Didn't you understand the words 'extermination of the entire family'?" The shadow warrior spoke slowly, like a god judging the last shred of reason in this young father. "Your eight-year-old son, Kunimatsu, escaped from Osaka Castle, was arrested in Fushimi, and beheaded in Rokujo Kawara, Kyoto; your seven-year-old daughter eventually became a nun at Tokoji Temple and was known to the world as Naoki."

"There's nothing I can do about it; that should be considered the final assessment of your family, right?"

……

Toyotomi Hideyori was defeated.

Knowing this future, everyone is the same. And all of this, perhaps... will come sooner than imagined. Once Osaka Castle falls, it will all become reality.

Just like the Hojo clan, which was destroyed by Hideyoshi, the Toyotomi family was destined to follow in his footsteps.

"That priestess of the Genji clan was actually a 'time traveler' just like me. They were all hypocritical, unwilling to break the laws of time and space, yet they watched helplessly as so many people in Osaka Castle were torn apart, their families destroyed, and their lives ruined."

The Shadow Warrior's voice drifted into his mind, each word loud and clear as a drumbeat.

"But I'm different, I'm different."

"I'm here to help you break free from the shackles of history, I'm here to help you become a true citizen of the world once again, I'm here to help you..."

"Kill Tokugawa Ieyasu and save your two children."

Perhaps he only heard the last few words when Hideyori grabbed his hand. The hand felt unusually hard, unlike a human hand.

However, at times like this, even if he were a demon in disguise, Hideyori would accept it.

"Really? It really can... save Kunimatsu and Chiyo?!"

“Of course.” The Shadow Warrior nodded and said in a low voice, “Just do exactly as I say.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Hey, you two little devils over there..."

A fierce-looking samurai suddenly called out, startling Suneo, who thought his disguise had been exposed. Gian, however, remained calm, slowly turning around, glancing at them, and tilting his head slightly to indicate that he was listening.

"Good lad, you're really strong!" The samurai also sized up Fat Tiger's physique. He was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with heavy arms and shoulders, a natural-born fighter. "You've also come to seek refuge with Lord Nobushige, right? Would you like to grab something to eat? They have dumplings and grilled fish rice over there."

"You scared me to death... Why are you shouting so loudly when you're just eating?"

"Really? Perfect, I'm a little hungry too." Fat Tiger rubbed his stomach through his plate armor and smiled somewhat sheepishly. "I have a big appetite, the food over there... should be enough for me, right?"

His question elicited a burst of laughter, which was not malicious but full of admiration.

"Don't worry, young man, what time is it now? Even if the Toyotomi clan tries to skimp on things..."

The samurai half-raised his head and glared fiercely at the castle tower standing in the city. "We're being made to risk our lives, but we still need to eat our fill, right?"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Fat Tiger, the Fighting Master

"Awoo awoo... Oh, so that means... *smack smack*... You're all here for that Sanada General?"

Despite the ongoing war, daily life in Osaka Castle remained unchanged, with some shops still open. In one such shop, a group of ronin and samurai, who had traveled from all over the world after hearing about the war, had gathered, all with gruff voices. Gian was indeed hungry, focusing solely on eating and drinking, and when he tried to answer others, he could barely speak coherently.

"Ahem, please forgive me, everyone, my friend is really starving." Xiao Fu could only take on the task of gathering intelligence. He tentatively asked, "The Sanada you're talking about, is that Sanada Nobushige who once defeated Tokugawa Ieyasu?"

"Of course!"

"I don't care about the world or anything, I just can't stand that bastard Ieyasu! He doesn't deserve any of this!"

"So far, only the Sanada family has been able to defeat Ieyasu so decisively that he is the right choice to follow him."

"During the campaign against the Hojo, I had the privilege of serving under General Nobushige. I saw his strategies and martial virtues clearly with this eye. He is absolutely someone worth following!"

As they talked, Xiao Fu's smile grew increasingly stiff. His sensitivity to current events and political changes far surpassed that of any of the five members.

In his memory, a large part of Sanada Nobushige's ultimate failure was due to the loss of trust in him by the Toyotomi clan's higher-ups. They invited him back to turn the tide, but were wary of his prestige and reputation, leading to distrust and alienation, turning what was initially a glimmer of hope into a dead end.

From the Toyotomi family's perspective, it's difficult not to feel alienated... Eight out of ten ronin gathered at Osaka Castle were there because of Sanada Nobushige. Regardless of Nobushige's own thoughts, he now possessed the power to overthrow the dynasty with a single call to arms. For a ruler, allowing such a person to hold power was absolutely intolerable. After all, human nature is unreliable; who can guarantee that you won't betray them the next second, offering your head to Ieyasu for wealth and glory?

This city has long been a place rife with undercurrents of right and wrong.

……

"boom!"

The shop door was violently pushed open, and a samurai in ornate armor with a small mustache strode arrogantly into the shop. A group of soldiers could be vaguely seen outside, having already surrounded the area like an iron barrel.

"With a great battle imminent, it's utterly disrespectful to chatter like this." He stroked his beard and sneered. "Listen up, you country bumpkins who came from who-knows-where. According to the usual rules, lowly scoundrels like you are not qualified to set foot in Osaka Castle. It's only because of the current crisis that you've been granted this honor, so you should cherish it!"

"Now, by order of Lord Treasury, your weapons are to be confiscated. This is to prevent you from causing trouble while drunk in Osaka Castle and breaking the rules."

"This order shall be carried out immediately!"

After a brief silence, an uproar erupted. Xiaofu stared in disbelief; this blatant disregard for trust was an open declaration. For samurai and ronin, their swords were their livelihood. To confiscate their weapons and then reissue them when they were ready to fight—what kind of order was that?

As expected, chaos erupted inside the shop. Anyone with a shred of self-respect would find it unbearable to be attacked like this. But the leader seemed to have been prepared. With a command, government troops surged in from all directions, brandishing their weapons and surrounding the small shop.

"I knew it, you bunch of country bumpkins had ill intentions..." He glanced sideways at the ronin in the shop, "This is your last chance! Hand over your weapons, or I will immediately consider you traitors to the Toyotomi family and execute you on the spot!"

……

"Boom-!!"

In the unbearable silence, Fat Tiger swept the food off the table like a whirlwind, clenched his fist, slammed it hard on the table, and slowly stood up. Among the group of samurai, his physique was considered burly and imposing. Standing there, he was like an upright wall, visibly elevating the aura of the samurai side.

It can be said that Gian's growth story is a history of fighting, and this situation only eased after he entered high school and joined the karate club.

Before this, he had fought both one-on-one and in group fights, so he was well-versed in the art of fighting.

He wasn't as shrewd as Suneo, nor as intelligent as Kosuke, but he was very clear about what was happening in front of him.

This group isn't as confident as they seem. Otherwise, why waste time talking? They would just rush in and take your goods.

Ultimately, no one wanted to be the first to stick their neck out. Although the ronin were not part of a formal organization, they still held real swords in their hands. Once a firefight broke out, there would inevitably be casualties, and it might even escalate into a full-blown war, which was exactly what the Toyotomi family wanted to avoid.

bluff.

Faced with the bluff, he put on a fearless act, turned around, remained silent, and glared at the newcomer, as if he would draw his sword and kill him if the other person said the wrong thing next.

He had been so focused on eating that he hadn't said a word, and no one could figure out his personality. Now, his sudden standing up was a refreshing surprise, and all the samurai exclaimed: "Wow, this young man is so fierce!"

Humans are herd animals and need a leader to vent everyone's dissatisfaction and anger towards the "officials".

In this era, Gian, who has no ties to his family, becomes the leader.

"You... what do you want to do? Ronin, I advise you not to be the first to stick your neck out!" The samurai with the small mustache also sensed that something was wrong. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a cold voice, "Dare to betray the Toyotomi family? You must have been prepared for the consequences, right?"

Instead of directly attacking, they continued with verbal warnings, further solidifying Fat Tiger's judgment. He swept his gaze over the surrounding soldiers, and sure enough, few dared to make direct eye contact with him. In the current situation, aside from the higher-ups, who had the mind to fight amongst themselves?

Therefore, he remained standing still, only casting his gaze upon him.

"You...you bastard...you bastard! Are you underestimating me?!"

Looking left and right, the samurai in the shop showed no sign of giving up. On the contrary, their momentum grew even stronger because someone had taken the lead.

With no other choice, he could only draw his katana, and almost got it stuck in its sheath due to his lack of skill. Fat Tiger noticed this detail and concluded that his opponent was a complete idiot with almost no combat experience, and that the katana on his waist was probably just an ornament.

Even as the apocalypse approaches, it is still these same people who are managing the city, which makes Fat Tiger feel both ridiculous and chilled.

"ah----!!"

Lacking experience, he stabbed instead of slashing.

As the knife came stabbing at him, Fat Tiger casually grabbed an enamel mug from the table, raised his left hand, and with a clang, caught the incoming blade cleanly into the mug, essentially sheathing the knife. This move undoubtedly astonished everyone present, especially Suneo, who was standing closest to him, his eyes wide with disbelief at his impressive display.

"Can someone really be this handsome?!"

"……drink!"

Fat Tiger suddenly flicked his wrist, and with a clang, he applied force from the side, snapping the blade in two. The mustachioed samurai was jolted back, falling to the ground, his expression shifting from anger to fear. Realizing the vast difference in their strength, he immediately cowered.

"Let me be frank from the start: I have absolutely no pity for you. To expect so many people to be of one mind with your Toyotomi family is, frankly, not something we are that noble about."

He glanced around and said in a deep voice, "I'm here to find someone. Once I find them, I'll leave. I don't want to stay in this disgusting place for another second."

"Stop nagging in my ear. If you piss us off, we'll see who ends up getting hurt!"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Sanada Nobushige and the Reunion

Why are you making a scene here?

A commanding voice came from outside the shop, followed by the crisp sound of hooves. A man dismounted gracefully, landed lightly, and strode into the shop. He wore a sturdy crimson plate armor, resembling a lobster shell, exuding an air of swagger. Although not particularly tall, his imposing presence in the crowd silently extinguished any sparks that might have been about to ignite.

The man removed his antler helmet with both hands, revealing a remarkably young face; it was difficult to discern his age at first glance. For some reason, seeing this serene face, Fat Tiger was immediately reminded of the Buddha statues enshrined in shrines, which also seemed to possess this unwavering composure.

With a braid tied behind his head, the man's demeanor remained steady even as a great battle approached, providing immense psychological support to everyone.

"General Sanada, this isn't our fault, they started it..."

The ronin, as if they had seen a savior, hurriedly poured out their grievances to him. Sanada Nobushige listened attentively, nodding frequently. This sight, however, made Suneo sigh.

These ronin were so loyal to him that it wouldn't be surprising if they rebelled at any moment. No wonder the tragedy later occurred; how could he allow others to sleep soundly under his own bed?

"...Sanada..."

Those who came to confiscate the weapons were clearly not on the same side as the samurai in the shop, and having suffered such a public humiliation, they naturally wouldn't let it go easily. He immediately scrambled to his feet and angrily rebuked, "Your mission should have been to maintain the battle situation on the front lines. As a general, how dare you disobey your lord's will and desert your post! You must have conspired with your brother to wear down the Toyotomi clan's forces and eventually destroy us!"

……

"What is he saying?" Fat Tiger looked completely bewildered. "The more I listen, the more confused I get?"

“Sanada Nobushige also has an older brother named Sanada Nobuyuki, who chose the Tokugawa Ieyasu camp and served under him.” Xiaofu lowered his voice and explained in his ear, “This is the Sanada family’s gambling strategy. They bet their eldest son on the Tokugawa family and their second son on the Toyotomi family. In this way, no matter who gets to rule the country, the Sanada bloodline can be guaranteed to continue.”

"However, precisely because of this, Nobushige was quite controversial in the eyes of the Toyotomi family, and many people suspected that he was actually an undercover agent sent by the Tokugawa family."

"What a cunning strategy!" Fat Tiger put himself in the enemy's shoes for a moment and couldn't help but smile bitterly. "No wonder, having a blood relative as an older brother in the enemy's high command would make anyone suspicious."

……