Battle of Okehazama - Masahide’s Suicide - Update 28
[Content Warning For Suicide]
Captured Kannonji Castle
Capture Nijo Palace
Nobunaga took up the position of lord of the Oda clan after his father, Nobuhide. However, his fierce, wild conduct remained after his ascension, failing to gain the understanding of his retainers. Worried about this situation, Nobunaga’s guardian, Masahide Hirate, arrived at a resolution.
Masahide Hirate:
Lord Nobunaga, do you have a moment?
Nobunaga Oda:
What do you want, gramps? I’m busy. Whatever you want to scold me about, do it later.
Masahide Hirate:
It’s very important. You see, I’m worried about what is to become of you, my lord, and of the Oda clan…
Nobunaga Oda:
Didn’t I tell you to scold me later? Listen, gramps, I’m the lord of the Oda. I’ve got more important things to do than keep the retainers smiling. I’m working on something they can’t even dream of. So I don’t have any time. I can’t listen to your complaints like I did back in the old days.
Masahide Hirate:
Is that so, my lord… In that case, I shall write it in a letter.
Nobunaga Oda:
Do as you please. I’m off.
Masahide Hirate:
… I’ll make him listen, even if it costs me my life…!
Then, that evening.
Soldier:
M-My Lord! It’s an emergency!
Nobunaga Oda:
What’s all the commotion?
Soldier:
Lord Hirate has…Lord Hirate has taken his own life!
Nobunaga Oda:
What?! Gramps!? That can’t be – why would he?!
Soldier:
The details are unclear. However, there was a letter beside himi…
Nobunaga Oda:
That can’t be…! Give it to me!
Masahide Hirate:
“As promised, I wrote it in a letter. This is gramps’ final scolding. Before you became this clan’s leader, and after, you pursued your ambition relentlessly. As your guardian, I am proud of you from the bottom of my heart. However, do keep one thing in mind. Your ambition, Lord Nobunaga, belongs not to you alone. The retainers of the clan all wish to support that ambition in their own way. This is why they want to complain when they see you tackling your project all alone. So I beg of you, Lord Nobunaga. Instead of charging recklessly towards your wish, keep those around you in mind. You must not make light of those who understand and will help you pursue your goal. And if gramps opening his stomach caused you to change your attitude, my lord, then no one will be suspicious of its suddenness. I beg of you, for your sake and for the sake of this clan, to hear this plea I have exchanged my life for.”
Nobunaga Oda:
…All right, gramps. This one scolding I’ll take to heart…
Nobunaga held Masahide’s letter tightly. As he held back his cries, his hand trembled ever so slightly.
Afterwards Nobunaga’s conduct completely changed, being thoughtless and wild no longer.
The warning that cost Masahide his life caused Nobunaga to grow greatly, not only as the leader of the Oda, but as a daimyo of the Sengoku era, as well.