"Wait a minute, let me get something straight. So you three are triplets?"
"Yes, Lord Tatsuya!"
I turned to the guy whose hand I'd broken. "You're the eldest. Oda Nobunaga."
"Yes, Lord Tatsuya."
Then to the other one, who had a huge build, bigger than his older brother's. "You're the second, Oda Nagamasu."
"Aye, Lord Tatsuya."
Lastly, the savage girl with a gold-digger vibe. "And you're the youngest, Oda Ohatsu."
"Yes, my Lord Tatsuya."
Okay. I had to replay that in my head at least five times because I couldn't believe I just beat up one of the most important men in Japanese history.
The great unifier, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, one of Japan's greatest rulers and war leaders — Oda Nobunaga, in person. This is insane. But wait a minute…
"How did you end up on the streets? I thought your father was rich and powerful?"
"Yes, we were, for a while. That was until the war broke out and... how do you know my family?"
Shit. I slipped.
"Er… um… who wouldn't know the Oda clan? A prestigious family filled with… fine, clever men like yourselves."
"Hm. I suppose you're right…" He paused and looked at the foolish son up front, piloting the carriage. "Lord Himura, have you ever heard of my family name before? If Lord Tatsuya has, then surely you have too?"
"I must say I haven't heard of such a name," the foolish son answered. "Maybe this 'lord' of yours is just a lying—"
"Even now you still take me for a liar? At first, you doubted I could protect your family until I proved myself, and now you doubt me again?"
My words struck him. He tried to speak but only murmured and turned back to face the road. I leaned back where I was seated on the carriage roof and continued questioning the great Oda Nobunaga.
"So if we hadn't come by, were you planning to stay on the streets robbing passing cargo for the rest of your lives?"
"I must say, that was not the plan at first, my lord."
"At first?" I looked at him. His expression went grim — I could tell it was an unpleasant topic. But I needed to know, because it was clear my presence was changing a lot of things.
The Oda Nobunaga I read about in history was a fierce man from a noble family. Sure, his beginning matched what I was hearing — but I never read about him hijacking merchant cargo and becoming a roadside bandit.
"If you don't want to talk about—"
"At first, the plan was to run as far north as possible and start a new life…" He looked at his sister, and a sad smile crossed his face. "Ohatsu was supposed to be a good midwife — she's smart, clever, good with herbs. Nagamasu was meant to be a builder; with that big body and crazy strength, he'd have done well in construction."
He bent his head, his expression sour, brows twisted, forehead folded like a tsunami wave as he bit his lower lip.
"They were meant to have good lives, even before the civil war, my lord."
All three siblings looked away from each other, heads bowed. Not only had they lost the prestige they once had, but even the life they were left with wasn't worth writing about.
I was speechless. Reading or hearing about people's stories was one thing — listening to them tell it themselves was another.
"What about you? What kind of life did you want before and after the war?"
"Trust me, my lord — I've lived all there is to live. I wasted my life eating lavishly like the gluttonous fool I was. I was the spoiled brat among my siblings — like they say in every family—"
"There's always a black sheep," I finished for him.
"Ha! So you know the saying too." He chuckled dryly and turned to his siblings, but none gave him a glance. "So there you have it, my lord. I've lived it all. I've been a burden for so long… I'm just tired of—"
"Where I come from, there was once a great man. Some people loved him, but most feared him — honestly, in every age, the greatest men are the ones people fear most…" I sat upright and looked Oda Nobunaga in the eye. "He fought countless wars, unified six provinces, and ruled a great country. He was called many things, but never anything dishonorable. Do you think you could become that man?"
Nobunaga burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. We all stayed quiet until he finished.
"Sorry, my lord. Wasn't that a joke?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Well, my lord, if the heavens are ever generous to me again, I'll never waste that chance."
"Hmph! Now you're talking." I leaned back on the carriage roof as we continued the journey.
"Mh mh…" The old man chuckled, catching his son's attention.
"What is it, father?" he asked.
"The young lad — every time he talks, he sounds far older than he looks."
"You think so?" the son asked, eyes on the road.
---
An hour later, the beauty of Shogi Village came into view. The village rested within towering wooden walls decorated with fine linen bearing intricate designs. Rising even higher were towering cherry blossom trees shooting into the sky. There were many of them, and they were breathtaking. From afar, I could say this was the biggest village I'd seen since coming to this world.
Staring at the village's beauty, I suddenly remembered.
"Permit me, sir…" I said to the old man. "…what goods are you moving?"
"Oh, it's wine. The best there is in the region."
Naturally. A high commodity for a high-class settlement.
"Seriously, what kind of village is this?"
"For a man as knowledgeable as yourself, my lord, it's hard to believe you don't know of the great Shogi Village."
A feminine voice. I turned — it was Ohatsu. Wasn't she the money-hungry, savage bitch? How did her speech suddenly sound so refined? Or was it all an act?
"He only cares about wars. He knows nothing of business or other useful things," the foolish son sneered from the front.
"Back home, far south, the prosperity of Shogi Village is known by almost everyone…" Ohatsu said. "I don't know much detail, but it's a city that thrives on economic strength."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"She's very right," the foolish son chipped in. "Shogi Village is built and maintained by merchants. It's the commercial hub of the whole region — every commodity has likely passed through its walls at least once before you own it."
"That's crazy. So you're saying the village has no single ruler—?"
"Indeed. It's more like an oligarchy. Five distinguished families rule it — their ancestors founded the village as trade merchants."
I leaned back.
A village-city founded and maintained by rich families, thriving purely through commerce. Unreal. But with the ongoing war, how were they coping?
"What about security?" I asked.
"Security? What about it?"
"You know… the war, murder, theft—"
"Stealing?!" Himura interrupted. "People who live there are wealthy; those who enter have business to do — why would anyone steal?" He sighed. "And even if the war reaches here, the residents can buy off an entire army if needed. The only security are the gatekeepers — they search thoroughly anyone who enters or leaves."
"And believe me, Lord Tatsuya," Nobunaga added, "no matter how strong a bandit group is, none have dared enter the gates. If any bandit is caught, a quick death is a mercy compared to what they usually do to criminals."
Hmm.
I swallowed hard. I didn't know why I felt terrified — it's not like I'm a thief or planning to commit any crime. My business is simple: find whoever Mui said is from the ninja village, then leave.
Easy enough.
But no matter how easy it seemed, the fear lingered.
---
We approached the towering gates and joined the line of carriages, all waiting as gatekeepers performed thorough searches and checked identifications.
After a few minutes, it was our turn. Three gatekeepers approached, all wearing white kimonos with brown haori. One stepped up to the foolish son while the other two checked the carriage.
"Identification, sir?" he asked.
The old man reached into his garment and pulled out a small wooden tag with a burnt mark on one side.
"Oh? Himura Logistics?" the gatekeeper murmured, then handed it back. "Welcome to Shogi. Enjoy your stay." He bowed and stepped aside.
We walked alongside the carriage as it entered the village, but the other two gatekeepers glared at us like they could see through our souls.
"Stop the carriage!" one barked. He eyed us with irritation — probably because of the rags we wore. Even the guards looked better dressed than us.
"Yes, they're mercenaries we hired for protection," the foolish son said.
"Are they still in your service?"
"Yes. We don't plan to stay long, so they'll escort us back home."
The gatekeeper looked unconvinced but had little choice. He nodded and stepped aside.
The city-village was even more beautiful inside. The roads were clean and tidy; flowerbeds lined the sides, and huge cherry blossom trees marked each junction. The carts were all finely made with different designs, and the pedestrians were draped in high-quality silk.
After a few turns deep into the village, we stopped. It was time to part ways. As per our deal: they got me into the village; I protected them from bandits — we'd both kept our word.
"Are you really going to leave us, Lord Tatsuya?" Nagamasu asked.
"Sadly, yes. I came here to find someone — family. If I find him, we'll both head back home."
Though honestly, I doubted it. Anyone from the ninja village doing well here wouldn't want to leave.
"Here, take this, young lad." The old man handed me a pouch of coins. "Get yourself new clothes, food, and an inn for the night."
"Thank you so much, sir, but this wasn't part of our deal—"
"Indeed, lad. The deal's done — this is just a friendly gesture."
"If you insist, then I can't refuse. Thank you again."
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will."
They waved as we went our separate ways.
Without wasting time, I headed for the market. After asking around and wandering through turns, I found the clothing section, bought a pair of new clothes and some wraps for my hands. This was the worst place anyone could see my mark — and while dressing, I realized that's why the Oda siblings' story terrified me so much.
Next was finding an inn. I split the coins into separate pouches: one for three days' lodging, three for food for three days. Three days — that's the most I could afford in this flashy place.
"Sometimes I wish I had the luxury to settle down and get rich in this era."
Lost in thought, I didn't notice the man walking straight at me. We bumped into each other.
"I'm so sorry," I said instinctively — I wasn't paying attention.
"Hmph. Watch where you're going next time, kid." He snorted and kept walking. Typical spoiled rich folk.
I continued on my way, but a roadside snack caught my attention.
"A few coins won't hurt…" I reached into my pocket — only two pouches instead of three. I checked again — still missing. I searched the ground. Nothing. That's when it hit me.
"That bastard was a fucking thief!" I thought. That foolish son said there was no theft in this village? "Thief! A thief!" I kept yelling as I ran after him, but he was long gone.
---
Inside a gambling house, a very young boy wearing a fine blue kimono patrolled the floor, watching workers prepare for the night's games. He had sharp eyes that could pierce a soul and long hair tied in a ponytail.
"Young master!" A girl approached with a piece of paper. "The Hakai family wants to book seats for tonight's major games."
"Hakai family?" He rubbed his chin. "That fat pig. Are there still reservations?"
"In the major games, there's none, young master—"
"Then make one. Remove a lesser family if you must. We're going to suck that fat pig dry tonight."
"Understood, young master—"
Suddenly, a noise from outside interrupted them. A young boy ran past the door, clutching his garment, yelling as he went.
The young master stared at the dust trail he left behind as
if he'd seen a ghost. Seeing this, the girl tried to lighten the mood.
"Maybe the neighbor's kids are at it again," she chuckled. But the young master didn't respond. He swallowed hard and whispered softly:
"Big bro…?"