Chapter 23

**A Quiet Riot** is the twenty-third chapter of *Tenkaichi Nihon Saikyo Bugeisha Ketteisen* and the final chapter of Volume 6.

## Summary

Mori Ranmaru sighs about how he finally has a chance to leave the busted cage when his thoughts are interrupted by Marume Kurando's crying. Kurando questions how Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami could be so reckless and wonders if this sort of death would truly fulfill his dream of being unrivaled in a thousand years.

Shibata Katsuie grits his teeth over how Kamiizumi exhausted his whole lifespan while being on the cusp of victory. Done watching, Fuma Kotaro orders the Fifth to come along. Hozoin Inshun exclaims that was awesome and his heart is still pounding. Miyamoto Musashi can't believe the **Gate of Celestial Awakening** is something that can be achieved through martial arts.

Though it's difficult to believe, Oda Nobutada guesses Kamiizumi spent up all his energy in reaction to his body growing younger. Yagyu Munenori agrees on that being the case and mutters about the fact that Kamiizumi used that technique, knowing full well the risk that came with it, which could only mean he had recognised Hino Choko as a worthy adversary. Takuan Soho can't believe someone could actually become younger and insists there has to be a trick to it.

Yagyu asserts it's a matter of fact and smirks about how Kamiizumi must've truly encountered the Gods, thus showing them a new possibility within martial arts.

Laughing, Hashiba Hideyoshi congratulates Choko as he raves about how no amount of slashes from Kamiizumi's blade could keep Choko's godly physique from coming out on top. He then says that Kamiizumi's skill with the sword was wasted trying to win total domination for Shibata. Shibata orders him to not mock Kamiizumi but Hideyoshi clarifies he's mocking Shibata and says that ruling this land isn't just a matter of your own capability.

It takes intuition and luck to not let a good opportunity go to waste. It may seem simple but the fact that Shibata chose the wrong person to stake his destiny on proves to Hideyoshi that he isn't fit to rule this country. As Hideyoshi mockingly tells Shibata that he can watch all the way from the bottom as he takes this land for himself, Choko recalls Kamiizumi's last words and picks up his katana. As Hideyoshi asks him what's wrong, Choko gets up and walks away, muttering about how Kamiizumi wanted him to carry on his dream.

Thus, the fourth match ended with Hino Choko's victory. However, the atmosphere within the arena was very different from the matches before. What Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami had shown there had left a great "something" in the minds of the fighters.

Just as Ito Ittosai is leaving, he is approached by Kanemaki Jisai and Sasaki Kojiro. Scratching his head, Ittosai happily says he forgot to introduce himself and guesses they came to watch Kamiizumi too. Scoffing, Kanemaki says Kamiizumi's dead and soon, Ittosai will also die, by Kojiro's sword. Ittosai asks his sensei if he still holds that against him and as Kojiro stays silent, Kanemaki orders him to watch their match tomorrow as there, Ittosai will see the fruits of his technique.

As they both leave, Ittosai tells them there's no need to be in a rush before thinking about how awareness is what allows people to evolve. Through this match, the Tenkaichi has aimed for newer heights. As he stares at Kojiro, Ittosai chuckles about how it seems like Tenkaichi will be entertaining him for a little longer.

That night, in the dining room, Ranmaru encouraged everyone to eat to their hearts' content, only to get mad as only one person has shown up. Inshun tells Ranmaru he can't blame the rest for not eating after what they all witnessed before spitting out what he's having as it has shiso in it, prompting Ranmaru to threaten to punch Inshun for griping about the feast again. Falling back, Ranmaru gives up and is annoyed that he'll have to deal with the person he hates the most tomorrow: Sasaki Kojiro of Gan-ryu, or rather, the "fox bastard" that's supporting him.

In Oda Nobunaga's bedroom, a man tells a sleeping Oda that it'll be their turn tomorrow. It turns out to be the Chief Senior Retainer of the Oda Clan, Akechi Jubei Mitsuhide. Mitsuhide compliments how lovely Oda looks when he's asleep and calls it a blessing that he's lived this long. Mitsuhide promises to take this Tenkaichi that Oda has set up and make it even more thrilling.

## Appearing Characters

* Akechi Mitsuhide
* ⁶ᵗʰFuma Kotaro
* ⁵ᵗʰFuma Kotaro
* Hashiba Hideyoshi
* Hayashizaki Jinsuke
* Hino Choko
* Hozoin In'ei
* Hozoin Inshun
* Ito Ittosai
* Kamiizumi Ise-no-Kami
* Kanemaki Jisai
* Marume Kurando
* Miyamoto Musashi
* Mori Ranmaru
* Oda Nobunaga
* Oda Nobutada
* Ogasawara Nagaharu
* Sasaki Kojiro
* Shibata Katsuie
* Shinmen Munisai
* Takuan Soho
* Togo Shigekata