Chapter 24

**The Conqueror's Canopy** is the twenty-fourth chapter of *Tenkaichi Nihon Saikyou Bugeisha Ketteisen*.

## Summary

This is not history as we know it.

On June 21, 1582, just before dawn, at Honno-ji in Kyoto, Mori Ranmaru peered into a room. While huffing, Ranmaru questioned why "that fox" came so late at night before further questioning what it is they're talking about in the room. With Yasuke by his side, Oda Nobunaga asked Akechi Mitsuhide what the urgent matter he wanted to discuss was. Mitsuhide admitted there was no urgent matter and that he simply had a sudden longing to see Oda's face. While Yasuke stayed silent, Oda insisted his jokes did not amuse him and ordered Mitsuhide to state his business.

Mitsuhide revealed he had a dream. He saw a future in which Oda did not rule over this land – it was a future that had total peace and was an age without strife for centuries to come. Oda wondered if Mitsuhide was saying he would not be the one to rule this land but Mitsuhide cheerily said he didn't know. It is his opinion that there are plenty of other men who could be aiming to conquer this land but if any of them were to succeed, Mitsuhide didn't think it would be interesting.

That is why Mitsuhide became convinced that only Oda is capable of uniting this land through blood. That is the only future that Mitsuhide desired and that shall be their history.

In the present, as he looks over Honda Tadakatsu's corpse, Tokugawa Ieyasu relays to Hattori Hanzo that he still can't understand what would lead Oda to commit such violence since at one time, though somewhat harshly, he still tried to lead this land along the right path. But most of all, Ieyasu cannot condone what he has done and pleads for Honda's forgiveness, insisting he never should've used him for the Tenkaichi.

Hanzo assures Ieyasu that he doesn't have to keep blaming himself for this as it was always Honda's wish to die for him. Hanzo points out his smiling face, even in death, tells them all they need to know. Ieyasu doesn't want Hanzo's pity as he used a forthright man like Honda to try and rule the land in such a twisted way. Repeating how he said "twisted", Hanzo picks up the last remnants of Honda's Tonbokiri and does confirm that the Nio was never one for schemes or stratagems. However, Hanzo admits it relieves him that he won't have to face Honda since now, he can win this tournament without holding anything back. With a darkened expression, Hanzo asserts he'll let nothing get in his way, as the heir to the greatest shinobi of Iga.

As Ieyasu looks at him in shock, Hanzo insists only he can avenge the death of his comrade. Someone comes in and says he is exactly right. Takigawa Kazumasu tells Ieyasu that he's too soft for his liking though he admits he thought he was a fine fit to take over the country after Oda and lead a new era. At the very least, Kazumasu really doesn't want Mitsuhide to become the Shogun and he instructs Ieyasu to look forward to their match tonight. As he begins walking away with Kazumasu, Hanzo swears to take over this battle from Ieyasu and Honda, and so, he shouldn't look so sour. Hanzo suddenly exclaims "Nin-Nin-Nin!!" and Kazumasu yells at him to cut that out but Hanzo says "Nin" is the cry of his soul. In a forest, as he holds a katana and wakizashi, Miyamoto Musashi's body throbs as he takes in deep breaths.

Musashi wants to attain the **Gate of Celestial Awakening** and makes a note of the fact that there's a lot of strong stuff out there that he still doesn't know about. Shaking, Musashi bites his left arm in an effort to stop himself from laughing. As Musashi begins training, Sasaki Kojiro approaches and says he looks like he's in good shape. He was worried about the scars on Musashi's side but it seems like he's doing well. Annoyed, Musashi harshly tells Kojiro to get lost, prompting Kojiro to question if he's one of those types that doesn't like to be seen hard at work. Musashi insists he wants Kojiro to beat it because he's weirding him out before deciding to ask him what he wants. Kojiro claims he has come to appreciate Musashi's skills and brings up the fact that he's been taking in these techniques just by looking at them in these matches, which makes Kojiro think he's a genius. Confused, Musashi says you obviously learn moves by watching them so of course, he's been taking this stuff in. He still doesn't have the hang of the **Gate of Celestial Awakening** though and if Musashi doesn't, he worries about how the other guys will beat him to it.

Silent at first, Kojiro then begins weirdly laughing, which makes Musashi compare his sense of humor to his dad's. Musashi tells Kojiro to get lost once more when Kojiro states Musashi still doesn't realise his own talent. Kojiro comments on how cute that is, which makes Musashi's entire body shiver. Chuckling, Kojiro requests that Musashi come see his match tonight while taking off his mask. As Musashi is surprised to see what Kojiro's face looks like, Kojiro grasps onto the hilt of the blade on his back and expresses how much he wants Musashi to get to know his sword.

That night, on the ridge of a roof, Ranmaru welcomes everyone to Tenkaichi's Round One – Match Five. The stage for this match is the moonlit keep of Ozaka Castle, called the "Conqueror's Canopy". The audience can't believe that the contestants will be fighting on top of the castle's keep and Hozoin Inshun observes how it'd be bad if someone slipped and fell. Ranmaru inwardly admits he's just as surprised as the rest of them as he thought Oda would save this stage for the very last match. As Yasuke stands by him, Oda tells them to begin. Ranmaru decides to start introducing the fighters who will be clashing on this perilous battlefield. He then commands the fighter on the east side, representing the Takigawa Clan, to enter. Ranmaru recounts how this man is a thunderbolt racing across the field. No matter the battle, he has always taken the forefront and has won countless glories as the first spearman. Eventually, those who cowered before him called him thus: "Oni Hanzo".

As a figure appears on the koi statue at the end, Ranmaru claims his strength is an unconcealable threat. As the fighter exclaims "Nin!", it's shown to be the "Unhiding Shinobi", Hattori Hanzo Ii Masanari. As Hanzo laughs about how the view is lovely from up here, Ieyasu expresses his worries about him, which makes Kazumasu guess he isn't all too aware of his abilities. If anything, Kazumasu thinks Hanzo has been holding himself back and recommends Ieyasu to keep watching as he'll soon see why he chose to back him.

Oda Nobutada recalls how Hanzo's family were all made of shinobi up to his father's time. Yagyu Munenori confirms so, though he brings up the fact that Hanzo served Ieyasu as a samurai, not as a shinobi. In any case, what Yagyu is most curious about is his spearfighting which earned his reknown as Oni Hanzo, though this fight has much to offer than just that. Ranmaru wonders how Hanzo, who dashes across the battlefield, will fare in a one-on-one. Even though he's not one to pick favourites, Ranmaru decides to support Hanzo this match since his opponent is backed by Mitsuhide, who he really, really, really hates. After cursing, Ranmaru orders the fighter on the west side, representing the Akechi Clan, to enter. Ranmaru goes over how not one bit is known about this swordsman's past. He is like a mirage, who some claim to be young and others, old. But none can question his strength. After all, Kanemaki Jisai, the man who trained Ito Ittosai (who's now widely considered the greatest alive), gave his all to hone this fighter's skills. Now, he stands as his greatest masterpiece. As he takes off a transparent cloak, the other fighter is none other than the "Supreme Sword-Striker", Sasaki Kojiro.

As Kojiro waves at Hanzo, Mitsuhide chuckles and comments on how that is the man-killing warrior that Kanemaki has poured everything into. As the others take note of the fact that Mitsuhide has finally shown himself, Kanemaki claims that, now that Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami is dead, the greatest swordsman alive is neither Yagyu nor Ittosai but Kojiro. Mitsuhide says that's great to hear as Musashi clicks his teeth. Chuckling, Ittosai is looking forward to seeing just what this sword that will kill him is worth. Hanzo tells Kojiro that it's about time he takes off his mask as killing a man without seeing his face doesn't sit well with him. Kojiro dares Hanzo to try taking it from him then and Hanzo remarks on how that's a good reminder. Since this is a battlefield now, if he wants the enemy to obey him, Hanzo gets into a stance and knows that he must force him to yield. Since both fighters seem like they're raring to go, Ranmaru begins Round One – Match Five: Sasaki Kojiro vs. Hattori Hanzo.

Right after, Hanzo took off his cloak and threw it in front of Kojiro to blind him, much to Musashi and Inshun's surprise. Ranmaru mentions how that's dirty but Hanzo takes that as a compliment since, when you're on a battlefield, there is no right or wrong. As Hanzo ran along the ridge, Yagyu saw his footing was steady and he doesn't seem to have a fear of heights, leading to a good first rush. Musashi can't believe Hanzo has caught Kojiro from the get-go. Squinting his eyes, Hanzo thinks about how there is only life and death when it comes to the battlefield.

He proceeds to use **Kiso-Ryu Spear-Fighting: Clouded Lightning**, jabbing his spear through his cloak and seemingly stabbing Kojiro through.

## Appearing Characters

* Akechi Mitsuhide
* Hattori Hanzo
* Hozoin In'ei
* Hozoin Inshun
* Ito Ittosai
* Kanemaki Jisai
* Miyamoto Musashi
* Mori Ranmaru
* Oda Nobunaga
* Oda Nobutada
* Sasaki Kojiro
* Takigawa Kazumasu
* Takuan Soho
* Tokugawa Ieyasu
* Yagyu Munenori
* Yasuke