Conqueror of the Changing Times! Oda Kippoushi!

Lord Oda! The Nobunaga from Echigo's army is invading Kai as we speak! They number approximately twenty thousand!

So, my Echigo self is finally here!

No, wait. That's not quite right anymore, is it?

As I recall, Fujimaru of Chaldea overthrew her and took her place as Echigo's lord, right?

Yes, though it does seem as though the Nobunaga of Echigo still serves under him.

Wahahahaha! What's my other self doing over there!?

Still, I'm impressed this Chaldea clan has assembled such a large army in so short a time!

How many soldiers do I have at my command right now?

Well... I'm afraid we can't recall the ones we sent to fight the Owari Nobunaga, so that only leaves us with around two thousand...

So the Echigo army outnumbers us ten to one, huh... Guess there really isn't any way we're winning this one then!

Come now, Lord Oda. There's more to winning a battle than simply numbers.

At times, a single strike with all one's might behind it can turn heaven and earth on their heads.

Well said! You're right! This is just like Okehazama all over again!

Though I guess it's just my luck that I'll have to go through something like that twice!

Anyway, you said you're from Chaldea too, right, old-timer? Don't worry about me. You're free to go back to them.

Thank you, but I won't be doing that.

...What do you mean?

They're your allies, aren't they?

They are, but there is more to this than that.

You took me in and gave me food and shelter when I needed it. I can't leave your service until I've paid you back.

...

Wahahahaha! I like you, Li Shuwen! All right then, go ahead and put those fists of yours to good use for me!

All hands, prepare for battle! Bring me my guns!

Yes, right away!

This is where my conquest begins in earnest! Let's go, men!

Yeeeaaaaaahhh!!!

Isn't it kind of old-fashioned to bring extra flags so it looks like your army's bigger than it really is?

Not to mention that these people aren't even real soldiers.

True. The ones bringing up the rear are only part-timers we hired on the condition that they run away once the fighting starts...

And then there's this land. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before...

You know, I still don't like that chick's plan. Battle's supposed to be all about momentum, not sneaking around.

I say we just run in, kill the boss here, and be done with it!

You really do have a one-track mind, don't you...

Well, we've come this far, so we might as well see what Echigo's vaunted god of war can really do.

Besides, this is the land where she and Takeda Shingen crossed swords for as long as they lived.

Now that you mention it, I don't see her anywhere. Maybe she had to go take a leak.

You know, that's a good idea. Don't want to be caught with a full bladder once the fighting starts, am I right?

Yes, those were perhaps Kagetora and Takeda Shingen's most famous battles. One is particularly notable.

Historically, Kagetora marched right into Shingen's camp all on her own and challenged him to a duel!

And you believe that? Come on, haven't they proven that was all bullshit with modern technology by now?

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This rain just came out of nowhere, Senpai!

Well that's not good! We'd better stop the march and take shelter from the rain.

While we're at it, we can have our kouchu, too. That's an older term for "lunch," by the

What's that sound!?

I am Oda Kippoushi, the Fool of OwaI mean, Kai! I'm here to take your commander's head!

The enemy's ambushed us, Senpai!

Wait... If this is like Okehazama again, does this mean we're in Yoshimoto's shoes?

It even looks like the same terrain from back then, what with them above and us below!

Fine by me! Them coming to us saves us a lot of trouble!

Hang on, Master! I'll be right back with that cheeky boss's head!

How can you possibly be so confident after constantly getting your ass handed to you!?

Remember men, the only thing we're after is the head of Chaldea's commander! CHAAARGE!!!

Senpai! The enemy forces aren't slowing down!

And our rear guard is running away! Though I guess that can't be helped, since it was in their contract!

No punishment for running away, and payment in advance. The Chaldea clan must be the nicest daimyo in all the Warring States. Did you give them all dental, too?

Then again, this probably isn't the time to be discussing thaaat!

You're miiiiiine!!!

What was that!?

It's an ambush! More soldiers were waiting on the cliff behind us!

...Is that her!?

Bishamonten's protection is with us! Chaaarge!

Senpai, look! It's Kagetora!

Never mind that! As long as we take their commander's head, this battle is ours!

B-but that general dressed in white is horrifically strong! She's tearing through our forces from behind!

Dammit, couldn't that laughing tiger have gotten here sooner!?

Anyway, now that the enemy thinks we're retreating, it's time to bring out our real army and surround them!

？！

Like they say, you can't fool your enemy if you can't fool your friends! All right, let's push them back!

I'll keep cutting my way straight through them as well!

Follow my lead! Meeeow!!!

Meow! Wait. Meow?

Right! Chief Retainer Mash Kyrielight, preparing for battle!

Come on, Master! Let's follow her lead!

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Dammit! I guess this is it...

I should've known the same Okehazama trick wouldn't work on me.

It looks like this battle is ours, Senpai.

Phew... Kagetora cut it too damn close for comfort, if you ask me.

...! It's not over yet!

It's too late. By the time you realize what's happened, my strike will already have ended this. Don't worry, I'll make it fast.

This may not be the cleanest solution, but it's certainly effective!

Senpai!?

Damn, that smarts... Felt like my insides were about to become my outsides.

？！

Oho, so you shielded your lord with your own bulk. I see you know how to make good use of that oversized body of yours.

Nobody tries to lay a finger on my Master and gets away with it, old man! You're dead!

Nice one, Katsuzou! All that's left now is to take care of my Kai sel

Okay, we're done here! Everyone, stand down! Call your soldiers off, Echigo me. We surrender!

Err, are you sure about this?

Hey, I knew I was up against Nagao Kagetora of Echigo, not to mention my own damn self.

You defended against my ambush, so I don't even have the element of surprise anymore.

I can't ask my soldiers to keep risking their lives for me now.

I'm surprised you're not more stubborn, being me and all.

By the way, is it just me, or is that me a lot more versatile than, uh, me?

Senpai! Mori and Li Shuwen are still fighting!

You're dead, old man! Nobody attacks my Master and lives to talk about it!

Well, well, well... What am I going to do with you?

Strange as this may sound coming from me, but if you insist, I am quite happy to keep this up until you're dead.

What are you, senile!? You're the one who's dying today!

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Huh, so this is your castle, huh. Not bad.

Well sure. It used to be mine, after all.

Hey, how come we're letting our prisoner walk around unrestrained?

Ah, don't be like that, me. I'll go back to my cell as soon as I've had a look around.

Oh, right. Would you mind getting the old man some tea?

Li Shuwen? Understood.

You know, I'm still surprised Li Shuwen has been in Kai with you this whole time.

He's one of you guys, right? I hope you can forgive him.

He doesn't work for me or anything. He was just trying to pay me back for my hospitality.

First you have him try to kill our leader, and now you want us to turn the other cheek? Yep, you're me. No one else could say something like that with a straight face.

Hm? Say, what happened to Katsuzou?

Oh no. Now that you mention it, I saw him heading for the jail cells earlier!

Do you think he's still mad at Li Shuwen!?

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What do you think, old man!? My tea's damn good stuff, right?

Heh. I don't think I've been quite so amazed in decades.

Your talent for tea is really something. I guess you can't judge a book by its cover after all.

...They appear to be enjoying a nice cup of tea together...

Even Rikyu the tea lover praised his skill. And believe it or not, Katsuzou's a great writer, too.

I'm surprised to see them getting along so well now, but it's also very heartwarming.

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All right! Now that we've each had a cup, what do you say we get back to killing each other?

Fine by me. This time, we won't stop until one or both of us are dead!

Cut it out already!!!