The Elusive Samurai (逃げ上手の若君)

YEAR OF 1335

DEEP IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SUWA

Take this!

Not a chance!

Such incredible spirit! It doesn't even feel like training.

Lord Tokiyuki. Do you recognize anyone among them?

I've never seen any of them at Suwa Grand Shrine.

They are all surviving retainers of the Hojo clan.

We secretly took them in whenever they fled to Shinano.

There are now over a hundred of them.

These men will serve as your personal army in the coming great battle.

To keep your survival a secret, we've kept you hidden.

None of them know what you look like.

When the time comes, reveal your identity to them yourself.

Their spirits will soar beyond measure.

I would love to declare that we've secured the victory, but…

I have nothing but respect for him.

He's always pestering me as though he has nothing better to do.

Yet behind the scenes, he's been preparing everything.

Now then.

There are several individuals I should like to introduce to you.

These are the Three Great Generals of the Suwa Sect,

the retainers who serve directly under me.

They shall join us in the battles to come.

The battles to come?

That provincial official is preparing a full-scale invasion.

We've also received reports that he's been acting differently.

Let us rescue our allies throughout the land

while amassing our strength for the great battle!

THE ELUSIVE SAMURAI

My trusted Three Great Generals!

I have a most astonishing announcement for you!

This Chojumaru, who has been serving at Suwa Grand Shrine since last year,

is actually Lord Tokiyuki Hojo, heir to the Hojo clan!

I see.

That's it?

Surely you can do better than that!

I was looking forward to seeing the shock on your faces!

Above all else, we are your direct retainers, Lord Yorishige.

GREAT GENERAL OF THE RIGHT, SUWA SECT YORINAO NEZU

If you have chosen to rally behind the heir of the Hojo clan,

then we shall simply follow your lead.

That's how it is, Young Lord.

Please forgive me for having you pour my sake without knowing who you were.

GREAT GENERAL OF THE LEFT, SUWA SECT SHIGENOBU MOCHIZUKI

If we treat you any differently, we'll only put you in more danger.

Until the day your identity is revealed, you will remain Chojumaru.

We shall treat you just as we always have in front of others.

Is that acceptable?

GREAT GENERAL OF THE CENTER, SUWA SECT YUKIYASU UNNO

Myojin is pouting again.

Mochizuki, give him something sweet.

Lord Yorishige, here you are.

-It's delicious. -Really?

They keep a respectful distance from me.

They're warriors loyal not to the Hojo, but to Mr. Yorishige.

They devote their lives to Suwa Myojin and for Shinano.

I could feel the bond they forged through years of mutual trust.

PROVINCIAL OFFICIAL'S RESIDENCE

Mercy! Please… spare my wife!

The magistrate has been raising an army for a rebellion! That's all I know.

Dear!

In winter, slaying is supreme. Needless to say, slaying rebels.

You truly are an excellent teacher.

My archery has improved quite a bit, don't you think?

Indeed.

We tortured these peasants until they confessed,

yet many still oppose me in secret.

I have governed them with such benevolence, though.

I have obtained an imperial command from the emperor.

This time, we'll slaughter every last one of those rebels!

His zeal and cruelty have intensified.

He returned a changed man after fleeing back to Kyo.

And what of his skill with the bow?

He's improved, but it's still little more than a noble's pastime.

Just because he can shoot down defenseless peasants

doesn't mean he'll be any use on the battlefield.

OFFICIAL

Yet he carries himself with a strange confidence.

Could he truly intend to lead from the front himself?

March, 1335. The flames of conflict spread across northern Shinano.

In response, Emperor Godaigo issued an imperial command

calling for a simultaneous assault on pro-Hojo forces throughout the land.

Within northern Shinano, Tokoiwa was positioned in the north,

Hoshina and Shinomiya in the center, and Tomomitsu Inukai in the south.

With these three resistance forces as their primary targets,

the allied armies of the provincial official and the governor

launched a simultaneous offensive.

Four months remained until Tokiyuki's uprising.

This would be the greatest and final battle before the uprising.

The Three Great Generals are already on their way,

each leading a small force of elite warriors as secret reinforcements.

So which one are we joining?

None of them. The Elusive Warriors' mission this time is… messenger duty.

Messenger duty?

You will ride from one battlefield to the next, carrying reports and orders.

This campaign spans multiple battlefields over a vast area.

To ensure that every battlefield receives vital information,

we need messengers who can never be captured.

We mustn't get caught.

What a difficult mission.

Our objective is the same as before: to keep our allies' losses to a minimum.

Travel from one battlefield to the next,

and take the opportunity to learn more about my most trusted retainers.

Your first destination is the southern part of northern Shinano.

There, Inukai and Unno await at Fukashi Fort.

They will brief you on the plan.

SOUTHERN FRONT FUCHU SHINANO, FUKASHI FORT

Mr. Messenger from Suwa Grand Shrine?

FUKASHI MAGISTRATE TOMOMITSU INUKAI

Oh, so you're that kid I've heard so much about.

What? People are talking about me?

Aye! They say there's a child at Suwa Grand Shrine

who's the finest escape artist in the land.

A naked little freak running all over the battlefield like he's in heat.

Exaggeration!

Nah, that's not much of an exaggeration

How is the battle going?

Mr. Yorishige told us not to overextend ourselves, and to fall back if necessary.

The thing is…

Lord Unno's reinforcements are few in number, yet unbelievably strong.

They haven't even let the Ogasawara army get anywhere near this fort.

Mr. Unno… He's so cool.

What's he like?

He's the finest general in the Suwa Sect.

His exploits are beyond counting. He is always composed and calm.

Even without his armor, he looks cool.

The shrine maidens who are into older men adore him too.

He's kind to everyone, and so thoughtful. That's what makes him even cooler.

But whenever I tell that to the grown-ups, they just laugh.

Why?

They always say, "You still don't know what truly makes him so cool."

Chojumaru.

Tell them this fort won't fall any time soon.

Not as long as I, Yukiyasu Unno, am here!

So cool!

-The north gate has been breached! -What?

Sadamune… He's impressive as ever.

The force we just drove back was only a diversion.

They drew our attention south while sending troops around to the north.

Mr. Unno! Um…

Chojumaru.

Have you ever slept with a woman?

Huh?

As if! We are only ten. Well, someday we'll be like you, Mr. Unno.

-Neither have I. -What?

I never have.

-I'm completely helpless around women. -Wha…

Just having a woman speak to me gets my heart racing.

-What? -When I'm surrounded by shrine maidens,