Chapter 109

## Successor 1335

**Chapter 109** is titled "*Successor 1335*".

## Synopsis

The Hojo retreats to Shochojuin Temple, where they rest and care for their wounds. Nezu Yorinao tells Kojiro, Ayako and Genba that Yorishige is in the main hall, and that he has resolved to end his life at the temple if the Hojo lose; all three listen to this news with sorrow. Yorinao then takes Kojiro's headband, telling him that he must protect Tokiyuki, who can no longer stay in Shinano, outside the province and live his own life now that he has elevated the name he shares with Nezu Kojiro. As he opens the gate to the main hall, Yorinao asks if the kids know where they will flee, to which Ayako replies affirmatively. He advises them to bid Yorishige farewell before the Ashikaga arrive.

Kojiro, Ayako and Genba walk tearfully towards the hall. Despite being accustomed to death, Genba thinks that Yorishige's death will be a great sadness to the people of Shinano. As they open the door, they see Yorishige and Tokitsugu juggling, using Tokiyuki as a prop, while Shizuku plays a flute and Moritaka watches them, much to Ayako's shock. Yorishige, while rubbing his cheeks on that of a spinning Tokiyuki, explains that he and his son are using their divine power to the fullest so as to enjoy their final moments. Tokitsugu, who has now stopped juggling the boy, adds that he has survived the fatal wound at his neck so far thanks to the physical boost his divine power provides. Yorishige says even such an empty display will take them to heaven in high spirit, and this is the way of gods.

Tokitsugu asks Tokiyuki to bid farewell to Yoritsugu, who has no divine power, being deprived by time, but has immense talent that makes he proud, while Tokiyuki refills his last sake cup; Tokiyuki promises to do so. He then rests his head on a column and tells his father that he is going to sleep before him. Yorishige apologizes for his lack of attention to his son, to which Tokitsugu responds that he had enough attention as a child – envisioning a younger himself being cheek-rubbed by his father – and that he used his vagueness to sneak into his father's bed until he was 12 years old. As Yorishige laughingly promises that they will sleep together once more, Tokitsugu smiles and gradually falls onto the ground. His body then fades, leaving no visible trace, surprising Kojiro and Genba. Shizuku places a white cloth over Tokitsugu's face, noting that his body is still there. Genba, Tokiyuki, Kojiro and Shizuku pray to him, thinking of him as a discreet god yet unable to get close to Takauji.

Tokiyuki asks Yorishige how he can defeat a monstrously strong Takauji, to which Yorishige replies by saying that he will give Tokiyuki and the kids some weapons. He offers Shizuku his future vision, which she tries to refuse since she dislikes being seen as a fake like her father, but to no avail: as he calms her by claiming that the power is not bad albeit rather problematic and holds her hands, she feels a lightning run through her body. Yorishige then asks her what she sees in the future, to which she replies "an infinite hell that goes on forever" before dizzily adds "materials", "repeating quests" and "in-app purchases". Yorishige could not understand a word, but cheerfully comments that she has received the power, while Ayako and Kojiro watches, doubting that it will be useful. He then gives Tokiyuki the hereditary sword Onimaru of the Hojo, which Takatoki gave him and which Tokiyuki used to behead Godaiin. Yorishige says that, not before long, Tokiyuki will ably wield it as his demon-slaying weapon and that it will become sharper and lighter the greater his destiny is. As Yorishige gives it to Tokiyuki, he tells the boy to use any means necessary to draw out Takauji's emotional turmoil, so as to make he exhibit commonplace weaknesses. This will cause divine power to flee from Takauji, effectively pulling him down to a human level.

Ayako, Kojiro and Genba suggests that Yorishige should live on and continue the fight. Yorishige asks if Tokiyuki thinks the same; Tokiyuki says he does, but he will not run from the death or from the affection of Yorishige, who sacrificed himself for others and showed his love as both a father and a warrior, since the boy is both Yorishige's lord and son. Yorishige smiles, thinking to himself that Tokiyuki has grown to be a true leader. He says goodbye to Ayako, Kojiro, Shizuku and Genba, whose maturity makes him not curse the fight. A while later, from outside, Yorinao notifies that the Ashikaga have arrived. Yorishige asks the kids if they are prepared to flee on the route he showed them earlier, to which Tokiyuki replies yes. He tearfully says that, even though he detests parting, Tokiyuki is like a bird that must leave the nest. He then asks Tokiyuki to tell him what he yearns to hear; the boy gives him the last hug while thanking him for what he have done.

## Characters

* Mochizuki Ayako
* Nezu Yorinao
* Kojiro
* Kazama Genba
* Nezu Kojiro (mentioned)
* Suwa Moritaka
* Suwa Yorishige
* Hojo Tokiyuki
* Suwa Tokitsugu
* Shizuku
* Suwa Yoritsugu (mentioned)
* Ashikaga Takauji
* Godaiin Muneshige (flashback)