Outside, it was dark and dreary, and there was no light, and although it was only afternoon, it seemed like midnight. At this moment, even the lightning and thunder have disappeared for a long time, and all that remains is the sound of rain like splashing water.

This year, Tokaido has had an abundance of rain, and since the beginning of June, we have not seen two consecutive sunny days. Needless to say, by the time autumn comes, the harvest must be enough to see! The Oda army had been besieging Nagashima Castle for more than two months, and the fierce assault that began had long since ended due to excessive casualties, and now the siege strategy had been tested by continuous torrential rain. to food, clothing, armor, tents...... In short, the demand for various materials continues to increase, and for the same reason, it is becoming more difficult to transport and collect. Niwa Nagahide is worthy of being an expert in domestic affairs, and he can still guarantee the supply of materials, but according to the transport team that came over, in order not to over-deplete the strategic reserves of Komaki Mountain Castle, he is ready to start implementing the wartime food supply system and mobilizing the donation of clothing! Due to muddy roads and heavy rains, the convoy was always a day or two late, but never once because of me. In my foresight, every crossing of the river went smoothly, even during the biggest flood a dozen days ago, there were still two bridges in use at the same time (of course, the Ogi River is not a big river with rough waves).

"In the barracks under Long Island City, I'm afraid that life is not easy, right?" I looked out the window and thought calmly (in fact, it was pitch black outside, and I couldn't see anything) that there was a crockpot on the fire in the house, and the smell wafted from it. The extremely bored Maeda Keiji and Ke'er hid in the rain for half a day yesterday, and they were really unbearable and lonely, so they went to the mountains to hunt, and even let them catch two unsightly hares, and also took out a nest of pheasants, and stewed them today. Originally, on such a midsummer day, it was really not suitable to be so hot and stewed, but the continuous lewd rain made the weather quite cool.

"Lord, please use it!" Shimakatsu held a large bowl in front of me, and Keiji Maeda and Keira had already eaten a large piece of it on the side. At this moment, Kanosuke walked in with a hat in a cloak and a hat.

"Questions?" I asked.

"My lord, everything is normal. All warehouses have been inspected and double-posted! He said as he picked up his hat.

"You've done a great job! The meat is just ready, you go over and eat some! "I'm very pleased. From a very young age I loved the rain, especially sitting by the window and watching the people running around in the rain. (provided that your own house is not leaked)

"Sure enough!" Ke'er just hid a chicken wing and stuffed it into her mouth. "I'm afraid that the Shin Chang Hall under Long Island City now won't have such a leisurely enjoyment!" As soon as I sat down, the topic was brought back to the war.

"Of course! The current Shin Chang Hall is like a kitten that has caught a big mouse, and it is difficult to eat, and it is unwilling to let go! Keiji Maeda said it lightly, as if it all had nothing to do with him.

"My lord, should you persuade His Highness Nobunaga?" Shikanosuke said hesitantly.

"The more times like this, the more you can't persuade!" I glanced with my eyes. Keiji nodded knowingly; Cai Zang only cares about fishing in the pot; Shikanosuke was a little puzzled; Shima Katsutoshi's eyes were full of firm trust. "If I open my mouth, Lord Nobunaga will definitely use my head to boost morale! Can...... I want to keep my useful body and contribute more to the Oda family! ”

"Oh~!" A sound came from the mouths of Kanosuke and Shima Katsuto.

"What people!" Keiji Maeda swooped up, and at the same time Shikanosuke's knife was unsheathed.

"It's you!" When they saw the person who suddenly appeared in the house, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and it turned out to be Kusunoki Hayato.

"How's it going?" I asked. Since he hasn't had anything to do here lately, it's been almost three months since I was sent to find out some news.

"Yes! Adults, you probably understand! Kusunoki replied.

"Sit down!" I gestured to the seat next to me. "Let's start with Mikawa!"

"Yes!" He gave me a grateful look (usually ninjas are considered lowly people, with a much lower status than samurai, and they can't be equaled, let alone with the head of the family!). ）。 "Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu has quelled the rebellion of the Ichijo clan in the domain and recovered the territory of Higashi Mikawa......"

"It's over so soon? In this way, Tokugawa Kid is really a character! Keiji Maeda licked his greasy fingers and said, "I heard that many old ministers from the Matsudaira Kiyoyasu era also participated in the rebellion this time. ”

"Yes!" Kusunoki Hayato nodded. "Matsudaira Ieji and the lord of Ueno Castle, Tadashi Sakai, were involved, as well as Imagawa's former retainers, Yoshihiro Kira and Yoshihiro Arakawa."

"How about the guy I put your special eye on?" I picked up a twig. "What's going on with Honda Masanobu?"

"Yes! I was staring at it for a while......" said Kusunoki Hayato. At first, he did run away, but soon Tokugawa-sama **** all the samurai who participated in the rebellion. In particular, for Honda Masanobu and his sons and nephews, Tokugawa-sama personally visited him several times, and he ...... It didn't take long to return to the Tokugawa house! ”

"Uh-huh......!" I nodded, and turned the fire down with a twig. I'm really fighting his idea, because I think there is a lack of a strategist to give advice (Keiji is a guy I can't figure out), and Takenaka Hanbei should still have a heart for the Saito family at the moment, but ...... Never mind! Even if Honda Masashi doesn't return to the Tokugawa family, I'm afraid it won't be in his eyes right now. "Tell me about the rest!" I continued to ask.

"After nearly a year of recuperation, the wounds of the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima have gradually healed." Kusunoki Hayato thought for a moment and said, "But Takeda Shingen only sent Takasaka Masanobu to guard Kai Castle, and withdrew the main force from Minami Shinano to Kai, and it seems that he doesn't want to use troops against Echigo in the short term!" In addition, the ninjas under the command of the Takeda family, who are in the Tsuba, have been active in Suruga a lot recently! ”

"Sure enough!" I threw the branch into the fire. "Seeing that the Imagawa clan is really a wreck, the 'Kai Tiger' finally can't help it!"

"You mean...... Takeda will attack allies! In Shima Katsuto's heart, it was really difficult to accept this kind of violation of faith.

"That's a man who exiled his own father and married his niece!" Keiji Maeda stretched his waist and said, "Tigers are going to eat people after all!" ”

"When I came back, I made a detour to Nagashima Castle...... "Kusunoki Hayato continued, "and I saw that our army was exhausted. In addition, in the territory of the Nagano family, the wealthy families of Northern Ise are gathering! ”

"My lord! We ......" Hearing the news, Kanosuke Yamanaka, who has the most experience in the battlefield, couldn't help but be a little nervous.

"It's time for us to do something!" I took a sip of soup and said, "Xingsheng, don't transfer all the grain that will be shipped in the future, at least ensure that there are 1,500 to 2,000 stones in the warehouse; Weapons should be left in one percent; Clothes, armor, and tents should be left in 30%, and then find someone to make a batch of flags! ”

"But the order is ......," he hesitated.

"Just say it's raining on the road and you need to tidy it up, no!" Ke'er said indifferently.

"Let's do it!" I made my decision, turned to Hayato and said, "You're back just in time!" I also know you're having a hard time, but there's something urgent, you have to get a letter to Mitsugaya in Sakai Town as soon as possible! ”

"Yes! My lord. ”