The Struggle For Power - Nobuhide’s Death - Update 12
This update is a rather sad one. The Oda clan loses Nobuhide to sudden sickness.
Succumbing to sickness, Nobuhide Oda, the head of the Oda clan, realized that his time had come.
Nobuhide Oda:
And so, it is disease that claims me… To think that my life would end so quickly…
Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobuhide, Lord Nobunaga would like to–
Nobuhide Oda:
Keep him out. We can’t let him catch this too. Let him know, Masahide. Let him know that this is how delicate the human animal is. Tell him not to follow my path, not to be tied down by the old ways…
And so Nobuhide Oda, the Tiger of Owari, passed away, leaving his son Nobunaga to take the reins of the Oda clan.
And then, on the day of the funeral…
Masahide Hirate:
Where…where is the Young Master?
Soldier:
My lord, everyone is searching for him as hard as they can, but…
Masahide Hirat:
What does he think he’s doing on such an important day?!
Ultimately, Nobuhide’s funeral began in Nobunaga’s absence.
Katsuie Shibata:
Sir Hirate, can the men really not find Lord Nobunaga?
Masahide Hirate:
Forgive me, sir Shibata. The responsibility all lies with me…
Katsuie Shibata:
Just where in the world could he be…? Well, Lord Nobukatsu, if you would burn the incense–
Nobunaga Oda:
…
Masahide Hirate:
Y-Young Master…! What on earth are you wearing…?!
Nobunaga Oda:
…
Masahide Hirate:
Young Master! Please, wait!
Nobunaga Oda:
(Father… You were the only one who loved me, who knew me. And I knew you were the only one of this pack who wasn’t a fool. Yet, to see you die so early in life… To think that a man of your caliber could fall so easily… Everyone dies. Everyone lives, simply waiting for death. And if that’s so…!)
Masahide Hirate:
Young Master!
Nobunaga Oda:
Death awaits us all… May tales of my life…be passed on…
Nobunaga snatched the incense and threw it at Nobuhide’s tablet as hard as he could before dashing off without a word.
Masahide Hirate:
Young…Master…
Katsuie Shibata:
…
Nobunaga’s younger brother Nobukatsu, however, went through the funeral a perfect picture of composure. Seeing the stark contrast between the two brothers, Nobukatsu’s supporters gave up on Nobunaga and seceded. Adding insult to injury, a few other retainers, concerned for their clan’s prospect for a future, defected to the Imagawa, bringing the Oda on the verge of collapse.
Nagoya Castle, Owari. The night after Nobunaga ran out of Nobuhide’s funeral.
Kicho:
…Who goes there?
Nobunaga Oda:
…
Kicho:
Lord Nobunaga… What brings you here at such a later hour?
Nobunaga Oda:
No…
Kicho:
Yes, my lord?
Nobunaga Oda:
Do you think a fool is unworthy to lead?
Kicho:
Yes, my lord. None will bow to a fool.
Nobunaga Oda:
Do you think a fool cannot conquer Owari?
Kicho:
Yes, my lord. A fool cannot win in battle.
Nobunaga Oda:
…Do you think I am a fool?
Kicho:
No.
Nobunaga Oda:
Don’t lie to me. All of our retainers and even the people in town call me a fool.
Kicho:
Lord Nobunaga, are you not the Fool of Owari?
Nobunaga Oda:
…Now you’re calling me a fool.
Kicho:
Everyone does, my lord, but I do not think you are a fool. You are the Fool, with a capital F. I feel that a fool of that level can do that which neither the wise nor the foolish can.
Nobunaga Oda:
…
Kicho:
Your fool’s act Lord Nobunaga, has a reason behind it. Did you not also have your reasons for what you did at your father’s funeral?
Nobunaga Oda:
Enough. I was just feeling sorry for myself. Forget I said anything.
Kicho:
Very well. I’ll forget, too, the puffiness of my lord’s weepy face and how he spoke with a voice high enough to be the envy of any maiden.
Nobunaga Oda:
Gah… You won’t see me cry again! From now on, No, all you’ll see from me is unyielding resolve and a face of pure courage.
Kicho:
Haha… When father was alone with me, he would show the same side of himself. Their faces are different, yet so very similar. He’s strong…but I still have to take care of him. Oh, what am I saying? Am I not a woman of Mino, daughter of Dosan…?
The 20th year of Tenmon, 1551. Suemori Castle, Owari. The leader of the Oda clan, Nobuhide Oda, who called this castle home, suddenly passed away due to illness. His dying words left his heir, Nobunaga, as the new lord of the clan.
Masahide Hirate:
Young Master! Do wait, Young Master!
Nobunaga Oda:
What do you want, gramps? I’ve already paid my respects, if that’s what you’re after.
Masahide Oda:
One could hardly call that “paying your respects!” To think you would throw incense at Lord Nobuhide’s tablet like that… Such unruliness from the future lord of the Oda clan is a poor example for our retainers!
Nobunaga Oda:
…
Masahide Hirate:
And furthermore, I hear others say your brother Lord Nobukatsu was a picture of etiquette. This will only strengthen Lord Nobukatsu’s supporters even further. Please bear that in mind, Young Master! If you simply continue to accept the name of “The Fool of Owari”, then as the leader of the Oda clan…
Nobunaga Oda:
Hmph. The Fool of Owari, you say… Not bad.
Masahide Hrate:
Young Master!
Nobunaga Oda:
As lord of this clan, I won’t be held back by petty etiquette and worthless traditions. I’ll be on my way, gramps. There’s things other than this funeral I’ve got to do.
Masahide Hirate:
Please, wait, young master! Did I bring him up the wrong way? Just what is to become of the Oda, or Owari…?
Clan Unification(Quest)
Nobunaga Oda took the reins of the clan once his father passed away. He first sought to complete Nobuhide’s work of uniting Owari.
Capture Kiyosu Castle. Capture Inuyama Castle.