Two days after his emotional reunion with his son, Shojumaru, Kanbe'e received a letter from Hideyoshi. It contained words of tearful joy over Kanbei's survival, followed by a stern command.

  "I write to you in haste. News of your safe rescue has reached me by swift horse, and I find myself moved to tears. I have never doubted your loyalty and have waited long for this day.

  Kanbe'e, I ask your forgiveness for giving you no time to rest, but you must arrive at Toji Temple near the entrance of Kyoto no later than the morning of the 28th. I shall lead my own forces to meet you there at dawn on the 28th, and together we shall immediately proceed to Myokaku-ji Temple to see My Lord Nobunaga.

  I am told My Lord stays in Kyoto only until the 28th. If we miss this chance, the opportunity for an audience will be lost. Your current altered appearance and your crippled leg are the greatest testaments to your loyalty. If you show them now before the assembled generals in Kyoto, My Lord will surely recognize his own error and never doubt your heart again.

  Understand that this is for your future, and for the future of Shojumaru, whom Hanbe'ei risked his life to protect. I know your body must still be in pain, but this is the moment to endure. I look forward to our reunion at Toji Temple on the 28th. May your journey be safe.

  With respect,

  October 23, the 7th year of Tensho

  Hideyoshi "Chikuzen-no-kami"Hashiba (Seal)

  To: Kanbe'e Kodera

  The message was clear: go to Myokaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, have an audience with Nobunaga, and prove his loyalty.

  There was no reason to refuse. To return to the front lines as a strategist, this was a ritual he could not avoid. Kanbe'e buried his dark emotions toward Nobunaga deep within his heart, hastened his preparations, and left Himeji on the 25th. Enduring the pain in his mangled leg within the swaying palanquin, he hurried along the Saigoku Highway for three days and two nights.

  October 28th. Hideyoshi and Kanbe'e were reunited at Toji Temple in Kyoto for the first time in nearly a year.

  "Ooooh! Kanbe'e! Is it truly you, Kanbe'e?! You... you have come back to us alive!"

  The moment Hideyoshi saw the state of Kanbei as he emerged from the palanquin, his voice trembled. Even his legendary charisma as a "master of hearts" could not hide the shock that flashed across his face. A single year had stripped the youth from Kanbe'e’s once-robust body, leaving only deep scars behind.

  "Forgive me... I should have rescued you sooner!"

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  Hideyoshi’s words were sincere. Yet, deep in his eyes, there was a trace of bitter regret for having to use Kanbei as a political tool. Kanbe'e prostrated himself weakly, his voice a strained whisper.

  "Lord Hideyoshi... I have shown you... a pathetic sight... I am sorry... for the long anxiety... I caused you. However... as you see... Deus has... protected... my life."

  As Kanbe'e bowed, Hideyoshi gripped his hand—firmly, yet as if he were holding a fragile piece of porcelain. Feeling the thinness and coldness of Kanbei’s palm, Hideyoshi bit his lip again.

  "Nonsense! As long as you have your life, that is enough! With your wisdom, even if you lose a leg or two, I will become your crutch and take you anywhere! Now, let us go. My Lord Nobunaga awaits at Myokaku-ji!"

  The Great Hall of Myokaku-ji. In an atmosphere thick with tension,Nobunaga Oda appeared, draped in a deep red capa (cloak). He looked every bit the "Sixth Heavenly Demon King." Nobunaga cast a cold, mechanical glance at Hideyoshi and Kanbe'e before seating himself deeply in a chair covered in imported Western velvet. Kanbe'e’s attendants, Zensuke Kuriyama and Tahe'e Mori, were overwhelmed by Nobunaga's crushing aura, trembling with their foreheads pressed against the floor.

  "My Lord, Kanbe'e has returned! Look at this crippled leg... this is the proof of his unwavering loyalty to you!"

  Hideyoshi shouted with desperate fervor. Nobunaga stared at Kanbe'e for a long moment. Even before the sight of the man’s tragic transformation, he did not bat an eyelid. At last, he spoke in his characteristic high-pitched voice.

  "Kanbe'e! You have done well. You have returned. I have witnessed your loyalty!"

  "I am... profoundly... honored..."

  Kanbe'e's voice was so low it seemed to crawl along the floor. Nobunaga continued, as if weighing whether Kanbe'e harbored any resentment.

  "Regarding Shojumaru, Kanbe'e. That man Hanbe'e... he blinded me, successfully deceived me, and escaped to the other world. A splendid fellow! What a strategist, enough to make one vomit with admiration!"

  Nobunaga was attempting to settle the matter by praising the deceased Hanbe'e in his own peculiar way, effectively brushing aside his own misjudgment.

  "Shojumaru shall be kept in Gifu under Nobutada's care. When he comes of age, I shall grant him one character 'Naga' from my own name. Shall we let bygones be bygones with this, Kanbe'e?"

  To receive a character from Oda Nobunaga’s name—Henki—was the highest honor of the time, signifying treatment akin to a member of the Oda clan.

  But what surged through Kanbe'e’s spine was not the joy of honor, but an icy chill.

  (Let bygones be bygones...?)

  In Nobunaga’s words, there wasn't a shred of guilt for having tried to kill Shojumaru. It was merely a clerical proposal to replenish a missing Chess piece and settle a debt. And above all, it was a declaration that his son must once again be surrendered as a hostage.

  Kanbe'e’s nails dug deep into his palms, and blood began to seep.

  (What does this man think a life is worth? Does he understand how I struggled in that darkness, wandering on the edge of despair?)

  A violent rage threatened to erupt, but Kanbe'e desperately kept his face turned down. If he looked up now, Nobunaga would surely see the murderous intent burning in his eyes.

  "Such words... are more than... I deserve... I am... honored..."

  Hideyoshi watched Kanbe'e from the corner of his eye, his gaze full of concern as Kanbe'e whispered his thanks with a trembling voice. At that moment, Kanbe'e realized: Nobunaga was a man who bought loyalty with "logic" and "transaction." And he knew that this black emotion blooming within him would never vanish for as long as he lived.

  Kanbe'e was quietly, but certainly, beginning to envision a "different future" from Nobunaga's—one held deep within the shadows of his eyes.

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