The Struggle For Power - Sessai’s Death, the Triple Alliance, and Uniting Owari - Update 13
Nobunaga works on uniting all of Owari under his rule, during this time the Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo begin the Triple Alliance to prepare each of them for their future expansions. Something to maybe bring up such as with Sessai and Nobuhide dying. While their stories are told romantically do not forget these are pretty horrible people who did absolutely monstrous things. If you feel bad for Yoshimoto losing his best friend and mentor keep in mind Yoshimoto in real life had children crucified and forced to commit suicide. Just try to keep this all in mind as we see these beatufiul stories that pretty much everyone involved is a bastard.
Nobunaga Oda defeated Nobutomo Oda and captured Kiyosu Castle.
Nobunaga Oda:
Father always had a soft spot for this castle…and I can see why. This town is apt for commerce. I claim this castle as my own. Move the warriors and merchants – move everyone from Nagoya over here.
Though not ideal for defense, Kiyosu Castle saw a lot of traffic, making the expansion of commerce in the town promising. From this day forth, it would expand as the center of Owari.
The Imagawa Clan of Suruga. Yoshimoto Imagawa, said to be the “greatest warrior of Tokai”, controlled a vast territory and had an army large enough to back it up. Geographically, Yoshimoto was not too far from the capital either. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the daimyo that was closest to ruling the nation. However, what was stopping the Imagawa clan from marching to the capital was not the countries that lay between them, but rather the two major armies from in the opposite direction.
Yoshimoto’s late wife had descended from the Takeda clan of Kai. However Nobutora, the head of the Takeda clan and the one who had suggested the marriage alliance, was presently being challenged for control of the clan by the current heir, Harunobu.
Furthermore, although Yoshimoto had married his daughter into the Hojo clan of Sagami, the Imagawa’s alliance with the Takeda clan had reignited a border dispute between the Imagawa and Hojo. The head of the Hojo clan, Ujiyasu, had pulled off a skillful surprise attack that allowed him to survive an attack on Kawagoe Castle, which Yoshimoto had secretly planned. Additionally, Ujiyasu had been showing signs of expanding his army.
In order to pave the way to the capital for the Imagawa clan, Sessai Taigen, one of Yoshimoto’s chief retainers, had been negotiating with the leaders of the Takeda and Hojo behind the scenes.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
An alliance between all three countries?
Sessai Taigen:
Indeed. With just a bit more time, my plan should be a success and we will be able to march to the capital unhindered.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Splendid. What is it that you ask of me, then?
Sessai Taigen:
A meeting, Lord.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Oh? With whom?
Sessai Taigen:
I would like you to meet with Harunobu Takeda and Ujiyasu Hojo at Zentokuji and speak frankly about your intentions.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I see… This plan is daring, yet intriguing. I knew I could count on you.
And so, the legendary alliance between the three clans was decided at Zentokuji. The Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo clans formed marriage alliances with each other, and at last each clan could focus on expanding their own territory to the west, north, and east, respectively.
Sessai Taigen. A Zen priest at Kyoto, he was called to Suruga to take the position of young Yoshimoto’s instructor. Since then, he had continued to support Yoshimoto in public and in private. The efforts of the two had brought the Imagawa clan up to being one of the largest forces in the nation.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
Heh… Master Sessai, your good karma is still lacking. Should you die here, you will reincarnate in hell. Take the time to recover, master.
Sessai Taigen:
Lord Yoshimoto… I am the one who serves the Buddha. I can tell how much time I have left.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
…
Sessai Taigen:
Yet, I have no regrets. Because, Lord Yoshimoto, your road to conquest has been opened.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
The Triple Alliance… Leaving such a thing behind certainly shows your masterly love.
Sessai Taigen:
It is but a trifling token of my gratitude, my lord. This time I have spent with you…it was very enjoyable. I was able to use my techniques on the battlefield to their fullest because of you, Lord Yoshimoto. Meeting you was a true blessing. And because I received such a blessing in this life, my next destination…can only be hell.
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
THen… Then wait for me in hell, master. I will go on to take the nation. And on that road, the sin I shall bear will be immense.
Sessai Taigen:
Then, my lord… Allow me to make our preparations to fight with hell’s ogres. Lord Yoshimoto… Take the nation, no matter the cost…
Yoshimoto Imagawa:
I will, master. I won’t let your efforts go to waste. Now, you need only sleep.
The Imagawa clan had been held up by the works of Yoshimoto and Sessai. And without Sessa at his side, Yoshimoto had to carry the entire Imagawa on both of his shoulders. That fact cast a faint, yet all too dark shadow upon the clan’s future.