The joy of reuniting with Teru was fleeting, for a shadow had already begun to stretch across Kanbe’e’s heart. He felt a desperate need to express his gratitude to the ally who had believed in him and risked everything to save Shojumaru.

  In a trembling voice, Kanbe’e asked Teru:

  "That is right... Hanbe’e... where is he now? I must see him at once... to offer my deepest thanks. If it were not for that man... the Kuroda bloodline would have... perished."

  Teru’s eyes flickered for a moment, and she hesitated. That awkward silence pierced Kanbe’e’s chest like a blade. Steeling herself, Teru looked directly into her husband’s eyes and spoke.

  "My Lord... I must tell you something painful. This past June... Mr. Hanbe’e breathed his last, quietly passing away at the encampment in Harima."

  "What... How could this be..."

  Kanbe’e’s thoughts turned white; time came to a standstill. He could not believe it. That brilliant strategist, who moved like a cool breeze, had departed this world without waiting for him. Teru warmly took Kanbe’e’s emaciated hand in hers and continued.

  "He must have sensed his time was near. He had been recuperating at his own lands in Mino, but he decided that his end should be upon the battlefield. Despite the lung disease he carried, he journeyed all the way to the camp in Harima..."

  "Hanbe’e..."

  Kanbe’e could easily envision the scene. It was a decision so characteristic of Hanbe. Teru went on:

  "He deceived the Great Lord Nobunaga, making it appear as though he himself had requested Shoju’s execution... but in truth, he had the boy hidden secretly in Mino, where no one would know. My Lord... until his very last breath, Mr. Hanbe’e believed in your return without a single drop of doubt."

  "..."

  In Kanbe’e’s mind, the gentle smile of Hanbe’e—the man he had once charged through battlefields and shared deep conversations with—flashed vividly. That phantom spoke to him with the weight of a dying wish.

  (Kanbe’e. Your talent is a gift from the heavens, meant to bring an end to this chaotic world... If the time comes to change the realm... it is a feat only you can achieve. I shall be watching over you from the heavens, a step ahead of you...)

  Hanbe’e’s words echoed in his mind, and a surge of regret rose in Kanbe’e’s throat.

  (If only I had escaped that hell sooner... Hanbe’e, those words became your final testament. I still wished to receive more of your wisdom. I wanted to create a new world together with you...)

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Shortly after arriving at the manor, a maidservant visited the room and announced in a reserved tone:

  "Lady Teru, there is a visitor for the Lord."

  Kanbe’e noticed the voice and, with great effort, turned his weakened body toward it. A warrior walked in quietly. The man stopped before Kanbe’e and knelt on one knee with deep respect. His gaze held a dignified serenity reminiscent of the late Hanbe.

  "Lord Kodera Kanbe’e... I am Shigetoshi Takenaka, cousin to Hanbe’e. On behalf of the late Hanbe’e, I offer my heartfelt joy for your safe return. He, too, believed in your return without a shadow of doubt."

  "Hanbe’e’s... cousin?"

  "Yes! I have come to deliver an item entrusted to me by Hanbe’e. This is the war fan (gunbai) that he never let leave his side in the field—the very embodiment of his soul. I ask that you accept it..."

  With those words, Shigetoshi Takenaka respectfully presented an old but polished war fan. It was unmistakably Hanbe’e’s. Its lacquer finish, the worn grip—it was the very symbol of the intellect Kanbe’e remembered so well.

  "As death approached, Hanbe’e left me with these words: 'When Kanbe’e returns, you must deliver this fan to him. From now on, assist Kanbe’e in my stead, and wield your wisdom for the sake of Lord Hideyoshi.' His soul wished to remain by your side, Lord Kanbe’e."

  "To think... that Lord Hanbe would entrust... his memento, his war fan... to me..."

  Kanbe’e reached out a trembling hand and took the fan as if drawn to it. The moment he held it, a heavy weight traveled up his arm. It was not merely the weight of an object. It was the weight of the thirty-six years Hanbe’e had lived, and the weight of the life he had sacrificed for the Kuroda family. As he touched the wood, he felt a faint residue of Hanbe’e’s warmth seeping into his palm.

  After a brief pause, Shigetoshi continued with a voice of firm resolve.

  "Lord Kanbe’e. I, too, shall follow Hanbe’e’s final wish. From this day forth, I shall serve you, and the entire House of Takenaka shall be your strength. I beg of you... keep this Shigetoshi by your side for all time!"

  Shigetoshi lowered his voice slightly and continued.

  "I wish for the Takenaka banner to fly alongside yours, just as it always has. For that is the true form of the 'Two Be'e' that he desired in his final moments..."

  Shigetoshi’s words were quiet, yet they possessed a resonance that could pierce stone. Kanbe’e was deeply shaken. Even in death, Hanbe’e was saving him from loneliness and supporting him through his kin. Such a deep, selfless devotion from a friend who believed in him until the end...

  Kanbe’e felt a rush of heat in his chest and nodded slowly but deeply. With this, the soul of Hanbe’e Takenaka was passed on to Kanbe’e, along with the war fan.

  (I see, Hanbe’e... You have entrusted your dream to me. The weight of this fan is the weight of your life. Shoju, whom you risked your life to protect, and this fan you entrusted to me—I will guard them with my life and fulfill your legacy. Yes... Hanbe’e, I ask that you witness the kind of realm I shall create in my heart. The 'Two Be'e' shall remain immortal...)

  Kanbe’e quietly closed his eyes and conversed with his departed friend in the depths of his heart. He made no move to wipe away the hot tears streaming down his cheeks.

  The joy of leaving Arioka and reuniting with Teru, and the end of a great star in Hanbe’e’s death... Kanbe’e’s emotions swung like a pendulum as he rapidly absorbed a year’s worth of hidden truths, forced to savor and digest them one by one.

  Produced and written by a Japanese author, rooted in authentic Japanese history. Translated with the assistance of Gemini (AI).