Chapter 117

## Confirmation 1337

**Chapter 117** is titled "*Confirmation 1337*".

## Synopsis

Two person walk up a mountain. One of them is wrapped in a bundle of rags; he complains about the mountain's conditions, insisting that it's only habitable to monkeys. The other is a teenager carrying a cloth bag of luggage and a long bow. Meanwhile, Tokiyuki and his companions do household chores near a stream. Tokiyuki accidentally drops a bowl into the swift current but quickly grasps it, knowing his enemies would come looking for him should they find a bowl downstream. The group enjoy themselves as they walk back to their hideout – a secluded house hidden deep inside the mountain. It is told that, in this era, many defeated warriors went into hiding and their descendants continue to live there to this day, giving rise to folklore surrounding their mysterious existence.

As the group approaches their hideout, Tokiyuki hopes that Emperor Go-Daigo will respond favorably to his request. Kojiro notices two strangers sitting outside the house. The rag-wearing person drinks the tea boiled by his companion, complaining that the tea in the eastern areas is nothing but weed soup compared to the best tea in Kyo. Since he only drinks tea and does not pursue them, Tokiyuki's group believes he is not an enemy. Tokiyuki and Ayako wonders if he glows thanks to divine power, but Shizuku says she only senses human power, which will later be referred to as an aura in the far future.

The rag-wearing person then notices Tokiyuki and asserts that he brings a response from the emperor. He shows it to the boy and asks what his wish is. However, as Tokiyuki approaches him, the rag-wearing person loudly demands Tokiyuki to proclaim himself a total loser who doesn't know his place and apologize for daring to write a letter to the emperor. Despite feeling confused, Tokiyuki obediently follows the orders and eventually claim that he is a dirty, filthy, smelly and stinky warrior who deserves to be despised as an unclean beast while his companions watch in bewilderment.

The rag-wearing person reveals himself to be Kitabatake Akiie, Commander-in-Chief of the Defense of the North, much to Tokiyuki's surprise. It is told that Akiie was an an attractive, knowledgeable noble who was skilled in the art of war, becoming a councillor at age 14 and governing Oshu at age 18. Akiie informs Tokiyuki that the emperor has ordered him to leave Oshu to personally lay his eyes upon Tokiyuki, which he considers an unreasonable yet anticipated demand.

Akiie then commands Tokiyuki to recite the apology while kneeling. Kojiro becomes furious, but Tokiyuki stops him and kneels before Akiie. As Tokiyuki recites the apology, Akiie steps on the boy's front flap and points his bow at him, intending to test his courage and determination. Tokiyuki continues, trembling in eagerness, the same expression that is typical of him. Satisfied with Tokiyuki's courage, Akiie demands that he pledge his allegiance to the emperor, who ordered the death of his father. Recognizing Akiie's true intentions, Tokiyuki declares that he is determined to accept any conditions and tells Akiie to release his arrow if he must.

Akiie then releases his arrow, but Tokiyuki manages to dodge it just in time by falling on his back. The arrow pierces through three trees before embedding itself deep in the fourth, astounding Tokiyuki's companions, who believe his archery skills are god-like and surpasses even Sadamune's. As he lies panting on the ground, Tokiyuki finds himself admiring Akiie despite the latter's harsh words and prejudice, as well as the powerful arrow he mercilessly unleashed at the boy. Akiie helps Tokiyuki up and welcomes him as the emperor's representative, forgiving the Hojo and placing Tokiyuki under his command. Observing Akiie standing on a rock, Tokiyuki perceives him as a man who shines as brightly as the sun itself, unlike the boy's late living god father. Akiie then urges Tokiyuki to go with him immediately, as they have a long journey ahead.

## Characters

* Kitabatake Akiie
* Matsuhime (debut)
* Kojiro
* Hojo Tokiyuki
* Shizuku
* Natsu-no-yon
* Kazama Genba
* Mochizuki Ayako
* Emperor Go-Daigo (mentioned)
* Ashikaga Takauji (flashback)
* Ogasawara Sadamune (mentioned)
* Suwa Yorishige (mentioned)