While the Kii rebels were besieging Saga Castle in full swing, no one noticed that in the Koya Mountains of Ito-gun, northeastern Kii, an army without any banners or identity symbols was quietly marching. They traveled west through the mountains of Kii, aiming in the direction of Saga Castle.

Although this force does not identify itself, as long as you observe them for a while, you will definitely not be unrecognizable. Because the procession in which they march is so neat and meticulous, orderly diverging along the various paths and mountain roads. And the combination of the iconic spear and iron cannon is the only one in the entire that the Momiji Army is equipped with in this way.

Yes, that's right, this unit that is quietly marching in the Kii Mountains is the same as Tokiwabei, who has never appeared on the frontal battlefield. And the commander of this unit, in addition to Yasunari Fukushima, the captain of Tokiwabi, and Shigeharu Takenaka, who has never appeared on the front line. At this moment, he was riding his horse in the center of the ranks, analyzing and calculating the situation of the enemy and the enemy without saying a word. Walking beside him on horseback was the captain of Tokiwa Bei, Yasunari Fukushima, and the leader of the crows, Keitoku Amano. Since this operation had to be kept secret and the actions of the Momiji Army could not be leaked in any case, there was a lot of pressure on intelligence work, and Amano Keitoku came personally for this purpose.

"Amano-sama's plan is really good." Fukushima Yasunari, who has always spoken much, doesn't know how many times he has praised Amano's plan today.

"Amano-sama has always been relieved that he has not been able to take away the military power of the Kii people and the temple, and he feels that sooner or later it will become a disaster. Rather than waiting for them to stab us in the back when they don't know when, we should strike first. Fukushima Yasunari recounted Amano's earlier plan, "Transferring two companies of Hosoyanagi Bei to lure the people of Kii and the temple to revolt, thus gaining a justifiable reason to crusade against them." This time they have swept away their rebellion and deprived them of their military power, but there is no one to say. ”

"The Kii rebels bullied us with few people, besieged Saga Castle, and defeated the three passes that entered Kii from Hanoi and Izumi. They must have felt that as long as we couldn't get through the pass, no one would be able to support Saga Castle. Fukushima Yasunari shook his head and looked at Amano Keitoku with sincere admiration, "But they didn't expect that Chang Panbei had already sneaked into the Koya Mountains in the hinterland of Kii in batches more than ten days before they laid the pass. They sent men to break down the pass and tie up their pockets, but our men were already in their pockets. All their ninjas are on the lookout near the pass, and no one will come to check the safety of the hinterland mountains. As long as we sneak to the vicinity of Saga Castle and cooperate with Zhongxiuli and the outside, we can defeat the main rebel forces that are scattered to besiege Saga Castle in the field in one fell swoop. When the time comes, the north and the south will be attacked, and none of the people who hold the pass will be spared. ”

"Don't be careless." Shigeharu Takenaka did not show the slightest joy, and still calmly reminded, "After all, it is a dangerous battle." As soon as Tokiwabi's whereabouts are revealed, the Kii rebels will immediately stop attacking the castle and shrink into a few mountain castles that are easy to defend and difficult to attack, and we will be helpless against them without carrying large siege equipment. When the time comes, the Awaji Navy and Sanuki of the Miyoshi family will arrive, and even if Tokiwa is there, they may not be opponents. The key to everything is to surprise the rebels. And they shall be defeated while they have not retreated into the mountain castle and are scattered around Saga Castle to attack the castle. Otherwise, as soon as the Miyoshi Army arrives, our plan will fail. ”

"This is a crow's business, Takenaka-sama doesn't have to worry about it." Tianye Jingde replied coldly, "Chang Panbei has been sneaking in for more than ten days, and the crows are heavily guarded around, isn't there no wind at all?" ”

"Just because you haven't been exposed in the past ten days doesn't mean you won't be exposed in the future." Shigeharu Takenaka shook his head and squinted his eyes at Amano Keito, "If Tokibanbei's whereabouts are leaked, it will not only lose the battle, but also the good reputation of His Highness." I really don't understand why Your Highness would allow you to exercise such a machia. What would the world think if they learned that the Yuqiu family had already set up an ambush in Kii, deliberately luring the people of Kii who had already surrendered to rebel and then destroy them? What will those little tycoons who surrender to His Highness think? Will anyone be willing to join Yuqiu's family in the future? ”

"That's also our precautions, if we can't get evidence, no one can blame Your Highness." Amano Jingde frowned, and glanced at Shigeji Takenaka with disdain, "It's useless to use light and righteousness. If you want to protect the safety of your family, you must use conspiracy. Is there any way you can use your dignified avenue to take back the military power from the hands of the Kii people and temples? ”

"With the treacherous way, it will not be long in luck. Coveting the small profits in front of you is just repeating the cycle of chaos. Shigeji Takenaka snorted coldly, and the hand holding the reins of the horse trembled fiercely, "When His Highness comes back, I will definitely talk about it." ”

"This matter has nothing to do with His Highness, His Highness just allowed me to act cheaply, and His Highness did not participate in the specific plan." Tianye Jingde said lightly again, "It's good that I'll do the dirty things, don't get His Highness's hands dirty." His Highness's eyes are to look at the world, not at the filth under his feet. ”

·

In order to ensure that Chang Panbei's actions are not detected, the crow can be described as mobilizing the crowd this time. Each detachment set up a post in the mountains and forests to avoid any possible leakage of whereabouts. It seems that all the ninjas of Kii Province have gone to the front line and the border, and no one pays attention to Koyasan in the hinterland, which makes the work of the crow easy.

And Yu Qiuyu, who studied under Amano Keedoku, also got the first chance to fight this time - not as a glorious samurai, but as a ninja squad leader of Raven. Although Yu Qiuyou was very regretful and dissatisfied with this, he didn't dare to complain in front of his strict master, so he had to do it honestly.

At this moment, Yu Qiuyu is leading a squad of ninjas, shuttling between the mountains and forests, covering the march of two platoons of the second company of Tokiwabi on the mountain road. And the commander of those two platoons is the deputy company commander of Chang Panbei's second company - Yu Qiuyou's brother - Yu Qiuyu.

Yu Qiuyou, who was dressed in black, took advantage of the moment of rest on the hillside and looked enviously at the bright armor on his brother in the distance. How he wished he could have a first shot like his brother. My brother, who was only 13 years old at the time, went into battle for the first time, and he faced the world's strongest soldier Takeda Army and the world's strongest warmaster Takeda Shingen. And the elder brother actually made a great contribution in this battle, he took on the most dangerous and important responsibilities in the most dangerous and important position, and relied on his own struggle to block the Takeda army for a whole hour, which led to the miraculous defeat of the Red Leaf Army and the three-day town battle that made Rain Akihei and the Red Leaf Army famous all over the world.

Even the most whimsical opera artist, I'm afraid he can't write such a legendary debut! This is a samurai who can boast for a lifetime, and let his children and grandchildren sing the great deeds of countless generations! actually let the young master of the family complete it in the first battle! Since then, the entire Second Company of Changpanbei and even the entire Changpanbei, even the entire Red Leaf Army and the entire Yuqiu family, have all praised Yuqiu and recognized this heroic young master who took the lead. He is popular at home, and he is even more likely to catch up with the veteran generals who have been fighting for many years.

Yu Qiuyou thought of this, and the envy in his expression gradually turned into a slightly resentful jealousy.

What was his brother doing when he was doing his best? He's a hostage in Sakai Town. Obviously, when I was a child, I was the more brilliant one. Compared with his disabled, weak, and unspeakable brother, Yu Qiuyou, who is strong, eccentric and eloquent, is the one who is more recognized by the family. Although Yu Qiuyou asked himself if he had never watched the position of the heir, the stark contrast between the gap between the two brothers and the gap between his childhood made him unable to swallow this breath no matter what.

"How can I compare to my brother in this bland first formation." Yu Qiuyou sighed sadly, and whispered to himself helplessly, "Boring patrols and reconnaissance, you won't meet the other party's ninja at all." The path chosen for the march also avoided the villages where the location had been surveyed, and nothing was possible. Why my first battle..."

However, in the middle of his sentence, he paused.

Because right in front, a large number of people with their families slowly appeared at the corner of the mountain road. And the group of people, after seeing the crow's ninja and the Tokiwa reserve troops marching on the mountain road, all cried out in shock.

"Up! Follow me! Control them! Yu Qiuyou immediately shouted.

After a brief period of panic and surprise, an irrepressible excitement surged in his heart. He has a chance, he can make meritorious contributions, and his first battle can make great contributions! If he can control this group of people who may leak Chang Panbei's whereabouts, he will save the entire plan and save the Yuqiu family!

After he gave the order, the dozen or so crow ninjas in his squad immediately rushed forward with Yu Qiuyou. Those people were already frightened, and when they suddenly saw a group of black-clothed ninjas rushing towards them, they were immediately frightened, and without saying a word, they turned around and fled the way they came. Under the crowding of pushing each other, more than a dozen people were squeezed down the hillside and fell on the mountain road, which startled Chang Panbei, who was marching.

"Don't run! Stand still! As soon as Yu Qiuyou saw hundreds of people starting to run away, he was a little confused. In case these locals escape into the mountains and forests, their dozen ninjas may not be able to catch them! If someone leaks the news to the Saga people, Tokiwa's plan will be over!

Yu Qiuyu and the ninja of the crow quickly caught up with the crowd, and used the knife and kunai in their hands to force the person who was caught up to stop immediately. Where have those honest people seen this kind of battle, they are all frightened and scattered, and honestly kneel on the ground and beg for mercy. However, the people who ran ahead threw all their belongings behind and fled desperately into the distance. Yu Qiuyou and the ninja of the crow were blocked by the crowd and couldn't catch up for a while. Seeing that the people were running farther and farther, in a hurry, Yu Qiuyou didn't know where the thoughts and courage came from, and he threw out the kunai in his hand ruthlessly, and was in the back of the heart of the farmer who fled at the front. The farmer wailed and fell to the ground spitting blood, startling the other fleeing men again.

"Attack! Anyone who is still on the run! No mercy! ”

Yu Qiuyou shouted loudly regardless of it. After he shouted that sentence, he himself froze. He had only heard the phrase "no mercy" in the storyteller's story, but at this moment, he didn't know why it popped out of his mouth so naturally. And at this moment, he suddenly realized that he had killed someone just now. Just a few dozen meters in front of him, the corpse lying in a pool of blood - there was still a handful of kunai in his heart.

In the moment he was stunned, the ninja of the crow who followed him closely behind him had already quickly thrown out the kunai and shot down all the dozen or so people who were running in front.