Chapter 111

## Intermission 1336, Part 1

**Chapter 111** is titled "*Intermission 1336, Part 1*".

## Synopsis

One year after the Nakasendai War, Ashikaga Takauji remains in Kamakura, where he rules over the Kanto warriors. Dissatisfied with Takauji's actions and outraged by his son Moriyoshi's death, Emperor Go-Daigo considers Takauji a rebel and orders Nitta Yoshisada to attack him in Kamakura.

At Kamakura, a horrified Takauji repeatedly stabbing himself in the abdomen, saying that he does not want to fight the Emperor, to whom he owes everything, while two subordinates try to stop him. Kono Moronao suggests that Takauji take the field, as his army's morale is low, and Tadayoshi can barely hold Yoshisada back. Takauji claims that he cannot let Tadayoshi die since he loves Tadayoshi as much as he loves himself; however, he wonders if he should oppose the emperor.

Takauji then notices Moronao's untied hair and asks him why he never ties his hair. Moronao replies that tying hair is a troublesome task, and, being a busy steward, he does not have time to do so. Upon hearing the reason, Takauji cuts his own hair, saying that he will also free himself from the task. The two then go outside to face the warriors, who are surprised by their lord removing his topknot. Thinking that Takauji did so in order to show his determination in opposing the emperor, they also cut their topknots out of admiration, making a loyalty oath to him. Upon observing the warriors' morale, Takauji decides to take over all of Japan.

Moronao commands another subordinate to contact Sasaki Doyo, who pretends to have surrendered, to attack their opponents from both inside and outside. Takauji's army quickly gains the upper hand, forcing Yoshisada's army to withdraw, and proceeds towards Kyo, threatening to destroy the emperor's reign. However, upon reaching Kyo, they are attacked from behind by another army lead by Kitabatake Akiie, who surprised the Kono brothers with his youth, courtly background and exceptional speed and strength.

In a battle, seeing that his army's numbers have decreased, Takauji tells Tadayoshi to retreat so that they can replenish their ranks. Tadayoshi apologies for losing in the earlier battle at Kamakura, but Takauji comforts his brother by saying that he shares in his brother's dishonor and weakness, much to Tadayoshi's displeasure. Takauji then assigns Akamatsu 4,000 warriors out of his total of 4,500 to hold off his opponents, explaining that he will find replacements in Kyushu, whose warriors are also his enemies, but, he believes, can be won over.

As Takauji's army retreats, Yoshisada orders his troops to pursue him, while Kusunoki Masashige praises Kitabatake for his bowmanship. Kitabatake replies by complimenting Masashige's plan of using Kyo, which is full of lies and weak defenses, as a trap to lure Takauji's army inside. He then leaves for Oshu, having been ordered to do so, telling Masashige that the Emperor is wrong about Takauji and that a counter-attack will soon be launched. Masashige thinks to himself that Kitabatake is right and how unnatural it is for their soldiers to follow a defeated Takauji. He believes that a defeat means nothing to Takauji, who is both a monster and a hero.

As Takauji's army approaches the beach where an army has been waiting, Kikuchi Taketoshi, the imperial general in Kyushu and leader of the army, thinks of Takauji as a fool for attempting to fight his 30,000-strong army with just less than a thousand men. It is narrated that a historic counter-offensive would come and the monstrous hero's name would resound once more, confirming Kitabatake and Masashige's conclusions.

## Characters

* Hojo Tokiyuki
* Ashikaga Takauji
* Emperor Go-Daigo
* Moriyoshi (mentioned)
* Nitta Yoshisada
* Kono Moronao
* Ashikaga Tadayoshi
* Sasaki Doyo
* Kono Moroyasu
* Kitabatake Akiie (full appearance)
* Akamatsu (debut)
* Kusunoki Masashige
* Kikuchi Taketoshi (debut)