"Your Highness! Heard news? ”

Early in the morning, Xiuzong, who had been practicing kendo at the old man's mansion, hurried back after receiving urgent news from Xiuguang. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Shang Chang, who went to deliver the message to Xiuzong, followed behind him at this time, panting. Presumably, both of them were in a hurry to run back.

"Well, the Wind Demon Ninjas have figured out where the Hide-sama is being held. And a detailed escape plan has been designed. That's amazing, Wind Demon Ninja. Be sure to reward them when they come back. ”

Hidemitsu held a secret letter sent back by Irizawa Shinnai with detailed information and rescue plans, and praised it extensively.

"Wow wow, so fast! Is it true? Awesome Wind Demon! ”

Hidemune took the secret letter that Hidemitsu handed him, and sighed at the efficiency of the Wind Demon Ninja's actions.

"Tsuru no Suke, Tsukichiyo, come out and have a look. You've done a great job. ”

After hearing Hidemitsu's order, Tsurunosuke and Tsukichiyo immediately fell from the ceiling to the ground.

"That's amazing...... Tsukichiyo, look, teachers and uncles, so fast~"

"I can be like a teacher in the future~ The name of Wind Demon Kotaro will be inherited by me~"

"It's really too much Tsukichiyo! I'm older than you~"

When the two were arguing, Shang Chang came to Xiuguang's side and asked:

"Your Highness, what are we going to do next?"

"Irizawa Shinnai said in the secret letter that they should adopt the method we considered before, that is, to find a substitute ghost for the Hideya-sama and one of his two children, disguised as being robbed and killed or other ways to die, in short, they must hide from the eyes of the Tokugawa family's Iga Tongkai."

"Huh? And his son and daughter who were imprisoned with the Xiu family? ”

"yes. Daughter Xiu Gao and son Xiao Heita. ”

"Wow, I haven't heard of it, I'll have to meet them when they come back~"

"Hyogoro...... You don't want to hook up with someone's daughter again......"

"Yes, Your Highness, why do you understand me so well~"

"You dude...... But I heard that Xiu Gao, the eldest daughter of the Xiu family, is the same year as you, so it doesn't matter if you meet you then. ”

"Haha~"

Being teased by Xiuguang like this, Xiuzong touched his head a little shyly.

"Well, now is not the time to say that. Irizawa Shinnai asked Hikohachi, who sent the secret letter, to come and choose a stand-in for the Hideya-sama and his children, and this matter requires our cooperation. Hikohachi, come out. ”

"Yes."

Before everyone knew it, a young man dressed in black suddenly appeared on the floor behind Xiuguang in a single lacquer kneeling position.

"Wow whoa, wow, scare me!"

Hidemune was frightened by the sudden appearance of Hikohachi and fell backwards.

"Awesome, Uncle Hikohachi~"

"Welcome back Uncle Hikohachi~"

Tsuranosuke and Tsukichiyo were quite happy.

Hikohachi smiled at Tsurunosuke and Tsukichiyo and nodded slightly.

"Xiuzong, Shang Chang, this matter is left to you. Cooperate with Hikohachi to find a stand-in within the territory of the Toyotomi family. Remember, try to look for people who are alone without relatives or who have poor families. …… After they agreed, I could compensate them as much as possible. If you are alone, try to fulfill his wishes; If you have a family, you should double the compensation for his family. Those who are loyal to the Toyotomi family deserve to be treated favorably. ”

Xiuguang sighed and patted Xiuzong on the shoulder.

Xiuzong understood what Xiuguang was thinking, and nodded slightly.

“…… Remember, no matter what happens, confidentiality is paramount. Also, as soon as possible. ”

"I see, Your Highness."

……

……

Monk Hidemune cooperated with Hikohachi to complete the task as quickly as possible. Seven days later, three stand-ins carefully selected by Hikohachi were sent to Hidemitsu.

All three are descendants of declining samurai and come from poor families. The two who are stand-ins for Xiu Gao and Xiao Heitai have no relatives and no reason, and the other man who is the stand-in for Xiu has a son who is only eight years old.

"The villain has nothing else to ask for, but to ask Lord Xiuguang to take care of my hard-working son."

The man fell to his knees and uttered his only request.

Seeing this scene, Xiuguang couldn't help but ask:

"Why don't you choose a momentary pleasure before you die? Also, for the sake of your son, you could have refused this matter, why did you agree to it? ”

The man replied slowly:

"The villain, whose real name is Oba Yibei. You may not know that my father, as well as my father's brother Oba Tosa, once served Toyotomi during the Taiko period, and was taken care of by Taiko-sama during this period. After the death of Hide-sama, our Oba family served under Ishida Mitsunari-sama.

Therefore, during the Battle of Sekigahara, my clansmen participated in the Western Army with Mitsusei-sama. Of course, it failed, and Mitsusei died, and all my people died in the war. I didn't go to war because I had to take care of my terminally ill wife. After that, I fled to a mountain village with my children and wife, changed my name and surname, and narrowly escaped prosecution. Unfortunately, not long after, my wife also left me forever due to illness. ”

Xiuguang listened, but he didn't expect that the man was actually an old minister of the Toyotomi family, and there was such a story.

"So, all I have is my only son, and I still have gratitude to Lord Taiko-sama Sansei. Without their fancies, our Dachang family would never have stood out. This time, Lord Xiuzong found me, which was my long-cherished wish. I didn't expect that there would be a chance to be loyal to the Toyotomi family in this way and take revenge on the Tokugawa family. It's a blessing that I can still help that Ukita-sama with this little bit of my life. ”

The man kowtowed to Xiuguang, although there was pride in his words about to be loyal and revenge, but he was full of attachment to his only son.

“…… So, in the end, I still have to ask Hidemitsu-sama to take care of my family, Katsubei...... The kid was so young that he didn't even know how I got out...... Please! ”

These are the people called parents. Xiuguang thought to himself.

Xiuguang remembered his parents. It's not Hideyoshi and Lady Yodo, it's the ...... of his original era Parents.

Then, the fire came to mind......

Xiuguang shook his head, letting his thoughts return to reality.

“…… I know. I grant your request. Katsubei will be raised by us, so you can rest assured and go on the road with peace of mind. ”

"Thank you, sir!"

Xiuguang looked at the Oba vigilantes kneeling below, and the feelings in his heart fluctuated but he couldn't let go for a long time.

……

……

After everything was taken care of, Hikohachi left Osaka Castle with the three of them and headed for their final place, Suruga.

Xiuguang stood on the observation deck and called Xiuzong to his side.

"Hidemune, do you know what the Tokugawa family has overlooked?"

“？”

Xiuzong was stunned by Xiuguang's sudden words.

"It's the power of hatred."

"Hatred is a very powerful force, but it is not so much a very terrible obsession. This obsession will cause the Tokugawa family to suffer even greater resistance, and it will be transformed into a very powerful force. This power will cause many people to join the reactionary forces in the future. ”

"Although the existence of this obsession is a good thing for our Toyotomi family. But ......"

Hidemitsu stared at the traffic in the castle town and said.

"I really don't like it very much."