May 17, the 10th year of Tensho.

  The sky over Azuchi Castle was clear, almost cursedly so.

  Nobunaga Oda was hosting a banquet for Ieyasu Tokugawa. On the surface, it was a celebration to honor Ieyasu’s merit in destroying the Takeda clan. In reality, it was a stage for "Silent Intimidation"—a display of the Oda’s overwhelming military discipline and immense wealth.

  Mitsuhide Akechi, the master of ceremonies, was well-versed in the refined manners of the Kyoto court. He entertained Ieyasu with a sense of pride. However, a single report shattered the harmonious atmosphere.

  Ranmaru Mori received the news, but since the banquet was in progress, he whispered directly into Nobunaga’s ear.

  "An urgent report from Hideyoshi Hashiba in Bitchu. Tens of thousands of the Mori main army are approaching to relieve Takamatsu Castle. He begs for immediate reinforcements..."

  Hideyoshi had reacted excessively to the Mori's movement, sending an "emergency request" to Nobunaga. Tension surged across Nobunaga’s face. Without a second glance, he shoved aside the tray of food Mitsuhide had so meticulously prepared.

  "Mitsuhide. The banquet ends here! Head to Bitchu at once and support Hideyoshi !"

  Mitsuhide froze. An invitation had already reached his ears from Fujitaka Hosokawa.

  A sweet, deadly proposition: Attack Nobunaga’s tea ceremony in Kyoto, eliminate both father and son, and with the combined forces of Mitsuhide, Hideyoshi , and Fujitaka, crush the Oda remnants and elevate Mitsuhide to the ruler of the realm.

  For Mitsuhide, who had endured repeated humiliations from Nobunaga, it was an irresistible temptation.

  But if he left for Bitchu now, he would lose that golden opportunity. Hideyoshi’s request, followed by Nobunaga’s impulsive decision, had backfired on Mitsuhide’s secret plans.

  "My Lord... the hospitality for Mr. Ieyasu is but halfway done. I beg of you, let me fulfill my duty until the end..."

  "Enough! Your place is in Bitchu. Move! Now!"

  Nobunaga’s word was absolute. Mitsuhide had no choice but to submit.

  May 18. Mitsuhide returned to Sakamoto Castle in Omi. As the Kyoto Magistrate, he used his own intelligence network to pinpoint the date and location of the upcoming tea ceremony.

  (I must buy time until I confirm the location and date...)

  Days later, in Bitchu-Takamatsu.

  From his position on the hill, Kanbe'e looked down upon a massive "lake."

  The once-unconquerable fortress was now a lonely island floating on the water. The persistent rains of the plum season lashed the surface, the muddy water slowly eroding the castle walls.

  Just as he had done during the "Starvation of Tottori Castle," Hideyoshi had bought up all the rice in the surrounding area at exorbitant prices. Deprived of food and submerged in filthy water, the castle’s suffering accelerated exactly as Kanbe'e’s abacus had calculated. The moans of soldiers waiting for death in the hunger and humidity seemed to drift up on the wind.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  "The people fleeing into that castle are no longer subjects seeking refuge. They are 'Walking Famine' who will consume the remaining rice. As long as the water remains, those without a single grain of rice will become a poison that rots the castle from within..."

  At that moment, a Ninja approached Kanbe'e and whispered.

  "The tea ceremony is June 1st... Find the location... Every moment counts."

  Kanbe'e repeated the words to himself, ordering the spy to hasten the identification. The ninja vanished.

  Kanbe'e gripped his staff tightly. The time limit was set.

  Leaning on his staff and struggling through the mud, Kanbe'e made his way to the headquarters of his lord, Hideyoshi Hashiba. Inside, Hideyoshi was huddled with his younger brother, Nagahide (who would later be known as Hidenaga, though he was often called by his childhood name, Koichiro), over a large map of the Mori's movements.

  "Oh, Kanbe'e! You’ve come at a good time! The lot in Takamatsu Castle are finally running out of food, but news came that the Mori main army is pressing in. I’ve sent a fast rider to the Great Lord (Nobunaga) so he can get to Bitchu sooner. How should we play this?"

  In Hideyoshi’s eyes, there was a mix of the heat and anxiety of a man climbing the stairs to become the ruler of the land.

  (So, Nobunaga’s expedition has been moved forward... No matter. I can use that as a reason...)

  Kanbe'e prostrated himself deeply and spoke quietly.

  "My Lord, Mr.Koichiro. If that is the case, we must ensure the Great Lord arrives here even a day sooner, before the Mori can strike."

  "Bring the Great Lord here sooner? Kanbe'e, how can we do such a thing?" Koichiro asked, puzzled.

  Without raising his head, Kanbe'e stared at the weave of the tatami mat and spun his words.

  "According to reports from Azuchi, the Great Lord enters Kyoto on the 29th and will head for Bitchu immediately after. My Lord... this is a once-in-a-thousand-years chance to show the Great Lord and the world the true power of the Hashiba family. While we wait for Takamatsu to surrender, let us rebuild the entire highway from Himeji to Bitchu into a 'Royal Road' (O-do), where tens of thousands can march without a single moment's delay."

  "The Royal Road? Kanbe'e, what on earth are you talking about? We are in the middle of a war!" Hideyoshi’s eyes widened. Kanbe'e pressed on with iron-clad logic.

  "Widen the paths, reinforce the bridges, stockpile grain and fodder every few miles, and station tens of thousands of torches. A corridor so bright and clear that one could run through the night without losing their way. Let us achieve this in ten days. Mr. Koichiro, the management of this logistics... this is a great task that only you can accomplish. Please, authorize a total mobilization of the Hashiba's resources for this construction. This is not mere hospitality. This is a battle to make your position within the Oda clan absolute."

  "Ten days... Kanbe, that is reckless in this rain. We have the Mori to worry about; isn't this too many men to divert?" The pragmatic Koichiro hesitated. But Kanbe'e looked straight into Hideyoshi’s eyes, igniting his ambition.

  "My Lord. The Great Lord wishes to see how fast you can turn the world... If this road is ready, his arrival will be hastened, and the Mori will kneel without a fight. If the construction is complete, he will arrive five to seven days earlier. Conversely, if we are late... we will face the Mori main army alone, and there will be no future for the Hashiba. I, Kanbe'e, stake my life on this advice!"

  A terrifying aura emanated from Kanbe'e. Hideyoshi fell silent for a moment, then slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.

  "Interesting! Koichiro! Do as Kanbe'e says. Use every laborer, every material we have. We’ll blow the Great Lord’s mind and make the Hashiba name echo across the heavens!"

  "Understood. If my brother says so, I will take responsibility and build this 'Royal Road'." Koichiro stepped into the madness of Kanbe’s timeline, despite his lingering anxiety.

  After leaving their chamber, Kanbe'e used his staff to summon a ninja from the shadows.

  "Run to Kuroemon in Tango. Deliver a verbal message to Mr. Fujitaka... 'The road to Bitchu is ready. On June 1st, at the tea ceremony, the Gates of Heaven shall open. The location will follow... The baton is in your hands.' ...Go!"

  May 20, late at night.

  Kanbe'e sat alone in his tent, staring at the flickering light of a dying lamp.

  (It has begun, Mr. Mitsuhide... Your despair is our hope. This single road will drive the Demon King to his death and allow us to snatch the world that follows. ...Now, I have placed the first stone!)

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